Last night I treated myself to a cup of earl gray tea. Before leaving I grabbed 10 tea bags of it and stuffed it into my suitcase. Making tea here is more of a process than in the U.S. First I had to light the stove. I turned on the gas tank that is connected to our gas stove. I then turned the handle on one of the double burners for the gas to come out. With this done I had to light the gas with a hand held lighter.
Finally, I could then boil the water and milk which came in a plastic square pouch. Once both were done, I poured them into my cup with my earl gray tea bag. The twist came when I put the sugar in. I didn't measure it out but poured it out of the jar we had. I didn't really know how much sugar I was putting in but wasn't too worried because the tea here is super sweet. I thought that too much sugar wouldn't bother me if I happen to put too much in.
Well, I ended up putting too much in and it actually bothered me. So much for liking lots of sugar in my tea some things still have not changed. I put way to much sugar in. (Although, in the U.S. my mom might argue that I still put more sugar in than she does, I put much more in this time than I usually do.)
This tea, in some ways represents my life here. Since being here I have adapted and changed my style of dress to the original person I was when I arrived. These are merely only minor things such as wearing a salwaar and dupata (the scarf) which I have enjoyed. However, sometimes it annoys me. My dupata always seems to end up touching the floor at one point during the day. It's most embarrassing when other Indians point out that I have not achieved this art of keeping it on my shoulders and it is trailing behind me. It is so long! I don't know how they do it... I know some pin them. Perhaps I should get some here. In as much as I am trying to embrace the culture here there are still parts that are difficult.
With the difficulties there are also blessings intermixed. This morning, I woke up and as I was washing my face I overheard someone else in the apartment below us blasting the song "Mighty to Save". (As another note, they use the word "blessing" is used here a lot more than I have ever experienced in the U.S.) I find that some Christian here are very passionate in their prayers. I think this may be a result the fact that unlike America, they are in the minority here and therefore take the personhood of Jesus much more seriously. Hinduism as far as I understand, does not have a god who takes the likeness of human form to take on the sins of the world allowing for a direct connection to God. I believe this idea of a direct connection to God is valued all the more here in light of this understanding.
On Friday we will be going to our first temple which I am looking forward to.
Finally, I could then boil the water and milk which came in a plastic square pouch. Once both were done, I poured them into my cup with my earl gray tea bag. The twist came when I put the sugar in. I didn't measure it out but poured it out of the jar we had. I didn't really know how much sugar I was putting in but wasn't too worried because the tea here is super sweet. I thought that too much sugar wouldn't bother me if I happen to put too much in.
Well, I ended up putting too much in and it actually bothered me. So much for liking lots of sugar in my tea some things still have not changed. I put way to much sugar in. (Although, in the U.S. my mom might argue that I still put more sugar in than she does, I put much more in this time than I usually do.)
This tea, in some ways represents my life here. Since being here I have adapted and changed my style of dress to the original person I was when I arrived. These are merely only minor things such as wearing a salwaar and dupata (the scarf) which I have enjoyed. However, sometimes it annoys me. My dupata always seems to end up touching the floor at one point during the day. It's most embarrassing when other Indians point out that I have not achieved this art of keeping it on my shoulders and it is trailing behind me. It is so long! I don't know how they do it... I know some pin them. Perhaps I should get some here. In as much as I am trying to embrace the culture here there are still parts that are difficult.
With the difficulties there are also blessings intermixed. This morning, I woke up and as I was washing my face I overheard someone else in the apartment below us blasting the song "Mighty to Save". (As another note, they use the word "blessing" is used here a lot more than I have ever experienced in the U.S.) I find that some Christian here are very passionate in their prayers. I think this may be a result the fact that unlike America, they are in the minority here and therefore take the personhood of Jesus much more seriously. Hinduism as far as I understand, does not have a god who takes the likeness of human form to take on the sins of the world allowing for a direct connection to God. I believe this idea of a direct connection to God is valued all the more here in light of this understanding.
On Friday we will be going to our first temple which I am looking forward to.
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