Let's Go Eagles!!

The boys basketball season started in February (and is already over! Sorry for posting so late!!). The season was 9 games long with 6 of those games during a tournament in the capital city. BJ and I only saw the first three games since we did not travel with the team. Since I am still posting news about February events I have only included pictures from the one game on February 29.

It has been a long time since BJ and I have seen a basketball game that Brian was coaching (I really don't remember bringing BJ to too many games last year!). It was definitely an experience trying to entertain a 2-year-old and watch a game at the same time! There were numerous differences in this game compared to a game in the states...and Brian can tell you all about them. From my un-sporty background here's what I noticed: the game was outside, the referees were NOT professional, and there was no clock. Yes, I know that Brian could tell you so many more differences but I really didn't get to watch too much of the game :)

Stretching before the game. The basketball court was surrounded by trees!

BJ stretching with the team (he is so stinkin' cute!)

Still warming up. (BJ enjoyed watching them warm up. Or maybe it was the snack I gave him. Either way, I have tons of pictures of pre-game!)

Pep talk before the game.

Let the game begin!

The scoreboard. Yup...it is two dry erase boards! I heard they do it this way because the electricity constantly goes out so an electronic score board (and clock) are not worth the hassle. I miss the clock. We had no idea how much time was left in the game.

BJ brought his own basketball.

Playing with a student.

BJ loved this blue planter with the rocks.

It was SO windy. It had POURED earlier in the day and they almost cancelled the game. But the rain held out and the temperature was gorgeous because of the wind.

While the fans were watching the game...BJ was playing with sticks.

Our fans.

It was good to see Brian in his element again. Although basketball is not the most popular sport here it was good to see the athletes giving it their all. More pictures to come!

Play Date

One of the things that we miss from back home is companionship for BJ. At this time is only 1 American family (that we know) that has a preschool aged boy. Kellen is 3 years old and has been here with his mom and dad for almost two years. It's good to pick his mom's brain to see how they have managed with a toddler in a place that is so unlike home. BJ and Kellen have had a couple of play dates and seem to enjoy each other's company :) It is good to see BJ having fun with friends again!

Kellen and BJ

Playing with Legos

What a nice hat!

Reading Curious George (one of BJ's FAVORITES!)

Lining up pizza toppings on the table.

Anybody hungry for pizza?

BJ has also been having playdates with 2 other little boys - Chinu, a 2-year-old boy from Korea, and Shubho, the 3-year-old grandson of our house help. We see Chinu about twice a week (at church and on a play date) and Shubho 2-3 times a week (whenever his grandparents bring him!). More pictures of playdates to come!

Mommy and BJ's Day Out

Up to this point BJ and I have only been venturing out of our home when there is someone with us. It is finally time for BJ and I to start venturing out on our own. And when I say "on our own" I mean reserving the office van to take us to places that I feel comfortable going to (aka English speaking places!). Our first outing consisted of: visiting Daddy at work, going to the bank, and shopping at Aarong. Here are pictures of our day!!

BJ and mommy in the van. BJ kept saying "whoa" because the road was bumpy and the driver kept changing speeds!

Family photo at Daddy's desk.

Enjoying a cookie from the cooking class (which is right across from Brian's office!)

Next stop: the bank!

And finally Aarong. At this point BJ was running in between the clothing and apparently forgot his listening ears back at the house.

I tried to take a photo of BJ and me at Aarong to document our day. Can you see me gritting my teeth? That's because BJ was a crazy man and I was grabbing his t-shirt from behind so he wouldn't run away again! We were both ready for a nap after this!

For the record, I never intend to walk anywhere just BJ and I (or take a CNG rickshaw). We just do not feel comfortable with that. However, going out on our own in the school or office van is perfectly safe. The driver drops us off at the store front and waits for us til we come out.

The Lady Pirates of Captain Bree

Back in February the school put on their annual drama production. This year they choose "The Lady Pirates of Captain Bree." Let me tell you...it was fanTAStic! Brian and I went on opening night (yeah for date night!) and we sat in the VERY front row. The high school students did an amazing job. The students put in a lot of working learning British accents and sword fighting. I was also very impressed with the costumes. Every single costume had to be hand made, which takes a lot of work but the plethera of fabric choices paid off. Below are a few pictures from our evening.

It's Wedding Season!

The winter months provide the perfect weather for weddings here. Most of the marriages are still arranged by the parents, especially for the lower class. The upper and middle class are trending towards love marriages in the sense that if a couple meets while at university than the parents will research the other family and then give (or not give) approval for the marriage. The wedding celebrations last for a week. In this one week period you have the engagement announcement, the wedding, the reception, the groom's party, and the bride's party. In February we have had the honor of being invited to a Bou Bhaat (bride's feast) for a Hindu marriage, and a reception for a Muslim marriage.

Bou Bhaat literally means "bride rice". Traditionally, it would be the first meal that the bride makes for her husband's family. This day and age, a Bou Bhaat is a wedding feast in honor of the bride. The Bou Bhaat we went to was for a middle school student's cousin's bride (the uncle of the groom invited us...the more the merrier!). We arrived at 8:00pm, as stated on the invitation, and quickly learned that the norm is to arrive fashionably late. We were the first ones there!! However, because we arrived "early" we were able to meet the bride and groom personally, talk with the student and her parents, get prime seating to view the bride, and we were able to leave right after we ate to get home to BJ :) Below are some pictures of the wedding:

The student, the bride, and the student's mother.

A group photo. Since this celebration is honoring the bride, the groom (seated next to the bride) did not dress in the traditional wedding attire.

The bride's father was enamored by Brian and sat by him almost the entire time. He spoke enough English for Brian to carry a conversation with him. The father heavily insisted that Brian take a picture with him and the happy couple. It was very humorous to me to see all four of them squeeze onto the tiny bench! Brian was a good sport :)

I LOVE the expression on the father-of-the-bride's face!

The bride was constantly getting photographed or recorded. Most of the time she didn't smile, as per their custom.

The bride and her girlfriends. One the beautifying rituals for the bride is to whiten the skin with makeup. In this culture, the paler the skin the more beautiful the person.

The happy couple. Notice the bride's ornate nose ring. Instead of a ring on the finger, the nose ring symbolizes marriage.

Food!

The guests enjoying dinner.

All dressed up!

The other reception that we went to was for a high school student's sister. We took BJ along with us :) For this celebration both the bride and groom were dressed in their wedding attire. The reception hall was divided into two halves: one side for the bride, one side for the groom. Each side had a stage with a bench for the bride/groom to sit on, lots of seating facing the stage so people can gaze at the bride/groom, and tables for dining.

The gorgeous bride! If you look closely you can see the mendhi on her forearms, hands, and even nails.

Mommy and BJ having dinner.

Daddy is so much fun!

It took a little bit of time but BJ eventually felt comfortable enough to run like a crazy man through the reception hall.

The groom arrived as we were leaving.

Strings of lights line the street where a wedding festival is being held.

Family photo. (I choose to wear a nicer shalwar kameez because BJ was coming with us and it is VERY hard to chase a 2-year-old in a sari!)