In the fall of 1988 I was a senior in high school and captain of the debate team.   My chosen form of debate was "Model Congress".   Each participant would write a bill or resolution and present it to the group.  Success depended on your ability to argue for or against these resolutions.    With 20+ participants in a 4 hour session, competition was intense.    We faced the same high schools in a series of debate meets from November to March.   On the first of these a debater named Chris Anderson from another school introduced a resolution condemning the transfer of 12 Huey helicopters from the US Army to Pakistan.   It was a clever resolution because it was hard to form a convincing counter-argument because he never explained why the US government sent the helicopters to Pakistan in the first place.  

Anderson went for it again in the second meet and I rose to speak against his resolution.  My argument was simple.  The United States should trust Benazir Bhutto and support her in any way possible.   At that time I didn't really know anything about Bhutto except what I had read in Newsweek.  Chris and I were able to monopolize the debate because we were the only ones who were prepared to speak on the subject.   That meet I took the first place prize and Chris the second place prize.   After the meet we agreed to do additional research and continue our debate in future competitions.   I spent hours reading everything I could about Bhutto, Zia al-Huq, and the history of Pakistan.  We successfully debated the merits of the US-Pakistan relationship all the way to the state championship, which Chris won and I took second place.

The lasting result of that season is a deep admiration for Benazir Bhutto and a strong interest in Pakistani politics.   Yesterdays' assassination of Bhutto is a tragedy for Pakistan, a country that cannot afford any more instability.  Now that I call south Asia home, the stability of the region is an important concern.    From all appearances it is going to be a long winter in Pakistan before peace and stability return.

If asked for my favorite holiday, my usual response is Armistice Day.  But, between you and me it is really Christmas.   We are in India for 3 years, and our plan for the next 2 years is to be in the US for Christmas.  My goal for this year is to make it as memorable as possible as "That one year we had Christmas in India".    We put up decorations in early December and have been listening to Christmas songs all month.   There is something about old Bing Crosby renditions of favorite songs to put us in the holiday spirit.     

For the past 15 years I have strongly preferred to go absolutely nowhere on Christmas.   The past 6 years I went no further than the street that we lived on to talk to friends and watch all the kids play with their new toys.    This is probably a strong counter-reaction to spending each Christmas day for my first 18 years traveling to visit relatives.   For this reason, I don't have a strong desire to travel for Christmas, instead prefering to stay right here in Chennai and take every opportunity to make vivid memories of that one Christmas we spent in India.

The opportunities started in earnest on Saturday at the church Christmas Party.  Amy and two other expat women had been asked to plan the party.   They didn't have a good idea of what would be acceptable, but another member showed up at the planning meeting and outlined an hours long program of talks and skits and songs.   They rejected that but ended up in conflict about just what should be done.   In the end, the three of them decided to plot their own course.  After much stress the party ended up being a very big hit with everyone and Amy, Paula and Teresa received many compliments, even from the few who had proclaimed disaster because they deviated from tradition.

Christmas Song and Dance by the Young Men and Young Women.  My job at church is to work with the young men and these brave 4 volunteered to do a song and dance number with 4 young women.   They practiced for several hours.  Not something you would see back in the US.

 

The next day after church we went over to friends for dinner and to decorate cookies.   We had so much fun talking and playing games that we never finished the cookies, instead putting them in a container and taking them home.   We were fortunate to have done that because we had plenty of snacks when the carolers showed up at 10:00 PM.

The next day we fulfilled one of Abby's most repeated requests: "Daddy, can we just go eat at the Marriott instead?"   She was very happy.  Dad was happy that they didn't end up charging $22.50 for each of us, letting Max eat free and charging Abby half price.  Abby was very happy.

The big day finally arrived.   Some packages with gifts are still out there somewhere making their way to us, but we had plenty and in the end I am pretty sure this will be a Christmas that we will remember for a lifetime.

What a great opening line.  

My goal is to try to be as good a writer as Joel or the people listed below.   I am very grateful for all the people who take time to read this blog.  It started as a way to stay in touch with family and coworkers during my first trip to India.  Sometimes it reads like the Astonishing Tales of Costanza.   I can see from the comments that there are more than a few that are interested in our adventure.    There are a number of other blogs that I check regularly and may be of interest to you.

My relatives:
Kelli is married to my brother Derrick and is the mother of a herd of boys and a cute girl that can pass as a twin of Abby.  She writes at: http://foreverswanerfamily.blogspot.com/

India Expat Blogs:
I read every word of Teresa's blog before deciding to come to India (it should have persuaded me to stay in Arizona, but it was a realistic description of the "joy" of living in India).  Teresa's blog is: http://my.opera.com/myfamilyinIndia/

All I know about Danie is that she is the mother of Connor, a sixth grader at the school.  I know about Connor from Sarah who discusses the other 6th grade boys.   Danie writes at: http://earthtodanie.blogspot.com/.   As for Connor, HeHeely has his own blog: http://heheelys.blogspot.com/

Not sure the name of the person who writes this blog, but they just left Chennai for the US.  It was an interesting read:  http://nmj3.blogspot.com/

Technical Blogs for Developers:
If you are a developer then I suggest you read the following three blogs DAILY.  If you work for me then I consider it part of your job to read each new post on these blogs, in other words, I pay you to read these three blogs:

Scott Hanselman's Computer Zen: Scott and I have many things in common beyond the same birthday.  The significant exceptions being that is he is a much better writer and software architect than I am.  Scott has wide range of interests and skills.  His is the first blog I check each day.  http://www.hanselman.com/blog

Coding Horror:  Jeff posts original and well constructed articles 4-5 times per week.   His writing covers every aspect of the craft of software development and is essential reading for any technologist. The title comes from Code Complete, the most important book for a software developer to read (and re-read). http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/

Joel on Software: Joel is the master of writing for developers.  While his writing is increasingly less frequent, but the archives and his new posts are of a consistent high quality.  Study every word he writes.  http://www.joelonsoftware.com

A blog and a podcast for managers:
Manager Tools.  This is more podcast than blog, and something I look forward to listening to each week.   These guys have no-nonsense practical advice for every aspect of being a manager, from dealing with body odor to annual performance reviews.   http://www.manager-tools.com

Rands in Repose: Excellent writing about managing technical people and living and working in the technical world.   Irreverent and direct and very entertaining.  http://www.randsinrepose.com/

A woman jumped out of the 9th floor of an office tower in Kolkata.   It was the same day I arrived last week, in the same building as our office, just 2 floors below.    As I arrived at the office a television news crew was packing up.   I would not have known about it if not for the proximity.   This paragraph in particular from the next days' Times of India reminded me of the need for cultural awareness in a job like mine.

   "The incident brings to lithe killer pressure of working and struggling to retain one's job in the 24X7 sector.  Unlike other countries, India still lacks a safety net for employees sacked from the industry that has triggered the current economic boon."

My group has not had any layoffs and I do not see any happening in the near future.   And this is not just an Indian issue, losing a job is hard anywhere.  But in the US you have Unemployment Benefits and other help that can at least soften the impact.  I wonder if Jayita Ghosh lost her job because she worked for some big US company that didn't consider the impact of hiring and then laying off staff in a country that has a hard time dealing with unemployment. 

On the plane ride back to Chennai I considered what I would do if I had met her in that coridor as she prepared to jump.  Of course I would hire her on the spot if it meant keeping her alive.   The challenge here is that you could spend all your time and fortune helping people in difficult circumstances.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport may be the most decayed airport in India.  The fleet of ancient Hindustan Ambassador taxis in Kolkata may be the most desperate vehicles on earth.  And the  Rajuhar road may have more potholes than any other road still called "New", but I was sure glad to be back in Kolkata last week.

Morning fog and football stadium in Kolkata

I had some problems with my flight up, but as they were entirely caused by my own ineptness I will not go into the details.  The perogative joy of owning this blog.

Departure Gate at Hyderabad Airport, since this post is about Kolkata I will have to tell that story later.

I arrived a few hours late at the office.   Since I was last there a year ago the size of the team there has grown substantially.   Most of the people in Kolkata are people that I was not involved in hiring, and I have not had a chance to work with most of them.  They are all talented and energetic and I will now how some opportunities to work with them in the near future.

It was a quick visit, just enough time for a one-on-one meeting with each of the people there, a team meeting and a thank you lunch at a great place called "Plates of Fame".   I had misunderstood and thought the name was "Plates of Flame", either name is appropriate.  It was excellent Thai food.   The lunch started off with a bowl of soup that gave many a cough, runny nose and watery eyes.  I was happy to not be the only person suffering with food that was too spicy.   After that they started bringout samples of various Thai food.   They would bring a slightly larger plate and more food.   Finally they brought a large white plate.   I said to Arnab "Wow, desert will be the largest portion".  He pointed out that this plate was for the main course.   Sometimes you just have to summon all your inner willpower and keep eating. 
 


I also partially fullfilled a promise to Arnab.   Back in 2004 when I first found out I was going to India I spent countless evenings with Arnab exploring all sorts of possible travel destinations and learning essential wisdom about travel in India.   All he asked was that I buy him dinner at a good restaurant on Park Street in Kolkata if we were ever there at the same time.   As Arnab is on vacation in India this month, I was able to finally pay up.   We had an excellent meal at a great place called Peter Cat  (I had the cello kebab, best kebab I have ever had).   My 24 hour a day work schedule interupted our late night discussion, so we plotted a second dinner next year when he is back in town.

After 3 years of planning, we finally made it to Park Street.

While it was good to return home to Chennai, I am already planning my next trip to Kolkata...January 10.

Sarah came home from school on Thursday and told about how the driver had to stop the car and carry a small puppy off the road so that it wouldn't get run over.   You could hear the worry dripping from every word.

I told her that if she could find the puppy she could adopt it and nurse it back to health.

Yes, you read that right, I suggested she hunt down a skinny puppy and bring it home.

When I heard the story I thought it had happened some distance away.    In fact, Sarah and Abby returned with said puppy in a few minutes. 

Sarah did a really good job of feeding and caring for this little dog.   It was so malnourished and sick that it could hardly move.     After a while it was cautiously exploring the yard.

Over the weekend Sarah moved the dog to the roof terrace.  On Monday she went up to check on it before school.   As she was holding the dog in her arms she noticed a squad of ticks jumping off the dog onto her arm.   That marked the end of this happy, warm fuzzy story of animal love and rescue.

After Mom confirmed that she hadn't been bitten, Sarah wrapped the dog in an old towel and ran down the street, Abby running after.    They set the dog down in an empty lot and ran home fast.  

Sarah sobbed all the way to school.   I didn't ask if it was the sadness of losing the dog or of the close encounter with the ticks.

A friend of Amy's brought over the DVD on a Sunday afternoon, back in May, maybe April.  I don't recall the title, it could have been "The Secret" or "The Power".  It claimed that there was a secret energy in the universe that you tap into by vocalizing your desires.  The film claimed that all great people knew of this, Da Vinci, Newton, Churchill etc.  Gain this ability and you could achieve anything, just like Churchill.

I thought it a bunch of rubbish and left in the middle to surf the web.  As that day was Sunday I repeated a frequent wish: "I wish NPR (National Public Radio in the US) would publish a podcast of the Selected Shorts program.".  Perhaps inspired by "The Secret" I added "And have the first program contain a reading by Alec Baldwin. 

Selected Shorts is an weekly program where actors read short stories.  Years ago when I lived in Utah it was broadcast on Sunday mornings. Sometimes I would pinch baby Ian during church, making him cry so I had an excuse to go sit in the car and listen.  When I moved to Arizona 10 years ago the NPR station didn't carry the program.

In October I checked the NPR podcast list and noticed they had added Selected Shorts. The first episode I downloaded was a reading by Alec Baldwin.

That podcast and a handful of others are my link to my previous ease of life in suburban America. I imagine that every expat has something that they keep close to remind them of where they came from, or remind them that someday they will go back.  A family we know eats American food almost every meal.  Others keep a jeans and T-shirt attire, shunning the local salwars and sarees.

I am pecking out this post out on my Blackberry as I fly to Kolkata. My iPod is playing this weeks Selected Shorts, "The Initiation" By Joseph Conrad.  Sanity intact.

Shawn

 

UPDATE: Thanks to Gabe for pointing out that the name is "The Secret"

There is an old Zen story:  A man is chased through the jungle by a tiger.   He climbs over the edge of a cliff and hangs on to a vine, just out of reach of the tiger.   He looks down and sees another tiger below him.   Two rats start to eat away the vine he is hanging from.   He looks around and sees a ripe strawberry growing just within reach.   He eats the strawberry. . .how sweet it tastes.

I am home from work today, Amy is more sick than I have ever seen her.   She has a bad case of stomach flu.  Max has the same and Sarah has a fever.   Joshua got a sprained ankle at school last week and has a hard time getting around.

The rains are back and I noticed this morning that dozens of purple flowers have bloomed in the empty lot next to us.  A sweet garden, right outside our window.