nogoodthing's Xanga

catching up!

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:53:43 GMT

It's been six months.. So much has happened.

I'm mourning the loss of several loved ones and being far away doesn't make it any easier... Memories and pictures help a little but this is the first time Ive lost anyone close to me..

My dear friend Marissa passed away in February, my sweet paternal Grandpa Sulo in April, and the family I'm staying with lost their little 18yr old Pom named Fido on Thurs. Marissa understood me like no one else, I regret not knowking my Grandpa better and Fido was a ball of cute energy and bright spot for everyone, in every way, and is horribly missed...

Life is good in Hyderabad. Our summer has just ended-- in time for Cleveland summer to begin! The students have summer vacation in April and May here and start school again during monsoon season.. which is now. Everyone is grateful for the cooler weather.. The temperature was over 100F for most of May but I enjoyed mangoes twice a day and air conditioning and managed well.

I'm enjoying my work as a communication trainer.. People in India are extremely friendly and at work they are very anxious to know an 'American perspective.'

Sending love from Hyderabad!

Early Christmas Greetings!

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:20:50 GMT

So I was just back in the USA for one week!

I spent 1 1/2 days in NYC to get my Indian Employment VISA, and visited my dear friend Marissa.

Please pray for her as she starts radiation this week. Many of you already know she is fighting cancer in many areas of her body and just found out this week it has spread into the bones in her ribs. She is probably one of the most caring, courageous and ambitious women I know, and is enjoying each day despite her weakness and the pain... Please ask God for healing and mercy for her and her family.

I then took a night bus to Cleveland (what a trek!) and had an early Christmas with my family.. It was a lovely time and I'm missing them again as I'm back in Hyderabad. Mom, you're daily dearer to my heart.

Dear friends, I've chosen to stay far but you're all near to my heart ad in my mind. I pray for strength and joy to encompass your lives today, this holiday season, and the whole new year through.

Much love,

Shanely Rae

Back in Hyderabad

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 09:01:01 GMT

Today is Deepavali, especially in India but also across the globe, a very anticipated Hindu holiday celebrated as the "Festival of Light," where the 'lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being.' Though traditionally a holiday for Hindus, the country as a whole seems to join in the festivities for the pure enjoyment of firecrackers! Tonight the entire sky will be filled with color as families and friends gather to spend exorbitant amounts of money on shooting off 'crackers'. During this holiday last year I sincerely wondered the significance of eating 'crackers' for Deepavali, until I realized they were indeed 'firecrackers,' not salty snacks :) So I'll treat today as my July 4th for the year and enjoy the display from the rooftop.

-----------
What an experience I had last last Thursday! I enjoyed an evening at a European-style coffee shop, sipping a vanilla milkshake, sitting next to two Indian men, a Nigerian, a girl from Washington State, and another girl from Hong Kong, discussing life in Italian with a student from Torino Italy!

Thought for the day: Challenge yourself interpersonally. Seek out friendship with someone new, who holds dissimilar perspective, looks, and/or ethnicity to you, and find out what life lessons they have to share with you. You'll be shocked.

---------------

Love sought me out

I winked and turned away,
claiming I had much more important
earthly
goals to attend...
exercise
a new book
holding my tongue
arriving on time...
so Love waited.

Love sought me out

I laughed lightly
and went for coffee
eying the server who cleaned my table
and talking sweet nothings to my journal
while Love waited.

Love sought me out

I smiled dimly
and quickly exited and was soon
sending a
text
to the best friend who moved away
checking my Facebook account for a new friend
I've yet to meet
and registering for a conference
that would teach me communication skills
in a hall of people I'd sit by for two hours but never
see or speak to again...

Love doesn't push away,
get distracted,
give excuses,
run in the opposite direction.

Love seeks you out. Always.

Home again!

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 18:15:11 GMT

hi all!

yes, it's true, i am back in Cleveland, and have thoroughly enjoyed being with friends and family after another year away.

i've found friends getting married and having babies, my nieces and nephews are taller and more lovely than before, my life perspective has sweetened and morphed, i have new and stronger goals than perhaps ever before, and i still remember how to drive on the right side of the road :)

feel free to call me at 440-985-0858 and view photos at....

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Welcome.jsp

User id: shaerae22@hotmail.com

Password: toliveisjoy

love and hugs

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Sun, 18 Feb 2007 19:38:22 GMT

time is flying by..
i'm living in another world and yet with one thought i'm back in Cleveland...

i'm missing home lately, and even moreso now as i've just received some very shocking news yesterday, and feeling so far away..
please pray for my dear frind Marissa, who I served with in Rome these past two years. she went in for surgery when they discovered she has lung cancer. then as a result of a body scan they found lesions on the brain, of which i am waiting to find out more information... she is one of the dearest people i know, full of boundless love and enthusiasm for life.

All things are possible with Him who gives us strength.
Lord, give her strength and heal her in a mighty way.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Wed, 20 Dec 2006 00:37:27 GMT

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 13:07:34 GMT

Hi!
I'm missing home especially the past few days.
Hard to believe Christmas is almost here when it's 80* and no decorations or carols.. hmmm...
I've received a few cards and packages-- thank you for your love and thoughts!

I'm pondering what it means to do something 'worthwhile' with my day.
Do you ever feel like you're wasting time?

Yesterday I was drinking from a coconut and three camels rambled by.. I had to laugh.

India is not a 'comfortable' place to live, in that one is presented with many ideas, situations, and people that cause one to really evaluate personal contentment and place in life. And so, daily I see many who are 'well off' and many who seemingly have nothing. And am reminded, how much God has given me.

Love you all much and so grateful for our times and lessons learned together.
Please pray for me and know that I hold you each dear, in thought and prayer,
especially during this holiday season as I'm literally, on the other side of the world.. !

Merry Christmas

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Sun, 12 Nov 2006 13:54:41 GMT

45 Rupees = 1 USD (US Dollar)
..........which means a wallet full of 50 Rupee bills is worth very little, but i feel rich!

i'm working a late shift at work and training in American accent and comprehension..
the people are great and eager to learn, work hard, and really enjoy life here, no matter how much or little they have..

i really have so much .
each of us does...

please read this book.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Thu, 26 Oct 2006 16:37:54 GMT

i have yet to realize that i've really left home for a year.

i'm so accustomed to traveling that this seems normal, though i was missing family, home, friends, today.... i'm not on the internet very often but know that so many of you are in my thoughts.

India does not function like America. many of my values are being challenged: i can't expect people to do exactly what they say they will do, or to be on time. there's a different, organic view of time, life, people...

i have at least ten mosquito bites on my ankles, i sweat a lot when i eat curry and have already gained weight from eating too much rice(!) , you can find Hershey's kisses, Pillsbury cake mixes, GreenGiant canned vegetables, Heinz ketchup and practically any american brand you want at the grocery store, i'm excercising each day on the treadmill and hope to enroll in a yoga class soon, i'm listening to classical music and German leider (art songs) and taking voice lessons again, finally... i'd started studying with a teacher in Italy and quit after 3mths... i'm anxious to really take it seriously now.

i am only beginning to understand the caste system here. what i see are poor and rich, seemingly nothing in between...

today i had an appointment with a skin specialist, an extremely kind, retired doctor who treats patients for the joy of it, accepting no payment but a good humored conversation in the midst of his diagnosis.

and yes, the questions of life continue. i've been extremely self-centered and miserable for way too long.
life is precious.
let's live like it.

i have rechargable batteries for my camera, which i have not been able to recharge! so needless to day.. photos shall come soon!

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Sun, 15 Oct 2006 07:59:43 GMT

so it's been a little over a week....
...i've learned to make roti (the indian work for bread, which is similar to pita)
...met a girl from Dayton, Ohio (!) who has been here for three months learning the language Urdu
...i'm learning to speak Telegu and studying German
...saw a baby buffalo
...ate my first custard apple and a fresh fig, fresh from the tree
...saw a family of at least 7 fit into a tiny yellow auo (taxi)
...wore my first kameez, the traditional long tunic styled shirts worn here...

i'll have solid news about my job tomorrow.. finally!