Maalai

Maalai means evening.  On my way home from Changelputt I took these shots.  I was using an iPod and driving very fast so some are a little blurred.  But even blurred you can see the beauty that India is. 

I love this picture of the rice field.  I think they are one of the most beautiful parts of rural India. 

Small villiage about 10 min from Rising Star outreach.  We drove down here into the village to drop of the interpreter.  He was sick and we were dropping him off at home because he wasn't able to drive his motorcycle just yet.

Normal scene for India.  A really full bus.  I missed the first door of the bus as it flew by at the junction but there were more people hanging out the door and off the side.

No matter where you are there will be cows.  In the city, in the village or on the highway.

Below is a picture of the Junction.  This is where we sometimes shop or stop for ice cream.

This is an apartment building just out of the junction.

Chengleputt

Tuesday is Star Store Day at Rising Star. I'm in charge of purchasing the items the kids buy each week. I'm understanding the more I'm here- what motivates these kids to be good and earn stars. Remote control cars, clothes, cricket shirts, bats, balls, hair stuff, and my favorite... WWE cards. I can't keep them in there long enough no matter how high the price is! It's crazy how they will save for things.

So Monday I needed to go get some smaller items for Tuesday so I went with the bus of teachers out to Chengleputt. After we dropped everyone off Miranda, Shankar and I went shopping.

On the way over to pick up Dane from the hospital we passes a funeral persession on the street where they were pulling the "float" along the street.

On the way we aso picked up some kids from the junction. Before they got to the car we saw this street of vendors and Miranda and I took our allotted 5 min and hopped out of the car and walked the daily farmers market.



We got some carrots and headed back. We found out on the ride home the vendor charged us 10 more rupees than he should. That's the price of being white and sticking out everywhere we go.

And just so you aren't worried- Star Store Day items were a hit!

Messai aannkalukku azhaku

This is what happens when I bring my camera out one Saturday afternoon and put mustaches on the kids! I wish you could see me when I was taking them. I was laughing so hard.  They got to choose the type of mustache and place it.  

If you are not smiling by the end of this post, I don't know whats wrong with you.

This is like a crystal ball into the future....

This is my little Sathish in his Moustaches of India t-shirt... couldn't have been a better day.

Messai aannkalukku azhaku 

or

Mustache is the beauty of men

en kappal muzhuvadhum meengal

So I was looking up a phrase foe the day for my blog and I found a site with a whole bunch.  The last helpful Tamil phrase was en kappal muzhuvadhum meengal... meaning... my hovercraft is full of eels...

Now that we have that settled, here are some pics from the week. 

Ebenezer

Basha

Hari-  he is using his markers as a cane.  This is him pretending to be an old man.

Some ducks...

A sick child sleeping in the principles office. 

Diagrams from some students.

Cricket practice.  They have a big game with the Marriott staff coming up so they are in training!

Naveenraj bowling

M. Vijay going home from school.

Saree

Apparently I cant get the a right in saree because the kids always correct me.  Today was kinda lame but good at the same time.  We were all going to a wedding of one of the House Mothers here at Rising Star.  I  unfortunately was up all night with the flu.  So I pretty much look like death in these pictures but I couldn't not get dressed up with everyone.  I had gotten my saree and I wanted to wear it even if I couldn't make it to the party.  

Julie and I 

Berlyn looking hot!

Dane and Carl

Carl and Miranda.  I think they look like brother and sister in this shot.

Dani-  finally got her saree back from the tailor about 10 min prior to this.  Almost had to go in nothing!

Miranda sitting side saddle on the Elephant House elephant.

Julie looking like a model.  So pretty!

Berlyn chose such a great saree!

Carl and Lola... yes again she is in her startled position.  This picture make me laugh every time I see it.

So when everyone went to the wedding I stayed behind.  I was going to help with life dance but because there was no school there wasn't Life Dance.  So I took some pics of the kids.

Durga Devi (Anu) -  She needs sponsors if anyone is interested!!!

Sudha

They love it when I wiggle Rudy on their faces.

This is Joseph.  He was playing cricket with the other boys.  He is so graceful even when he is catching a ball.  He's in Life Dance and is such a talented dancer.

This is M. Vijay.  I never know what he does with his glasses.

There are these red flowers on these trees that the kids love to eat.  Here he is throwing the volleyball up there to see if he can knock one down.

He got bored of that so his brother Ronjith came over and they were hitting the ball back and forth.  Madhavan joined it too.

On my way back I walked with the kids on trash pick up duty.  Hari is in the blue and he loves to perform for the camera.

The sky here is so crazy.  The clouds never move and the sunset is always amazing.