Language Intensive

From 9 to 5 Monday through Saturday we are in a Hindi intensive class.

Maria and Joseph have taken a break from their regular schooling to join this as well. Danielle is still going to her school so she comes home every day to see us hard at work!

Here are some Hindi idioms we’ve picked up:

• In English we say, “I passed (or did something) by the skin of my teeth.” In Hindi, it’s “Bal-bal bajna” or “I passed by my hair”
  

• In English we say, “Have some food.” In Hindi, the meaning is the same but it comes out “pet pooja kar leejeeay” literally translated, “Please do stomach worship” (Now there’s something to talk about!)

• In English we say, “I’m starved.” In Hindi, we can say the same thing this way: “There are mice jumping in my stomach” or “Pet may choohay kood r-hay hay”
  

• In English, we can describe something negative as leaving a “sour taste” in our mouths. In Hindi, we say “sour grapes” “Angoor katta hay”

Note: Be careful how we spell and say words:

• Kana is food
• KHana is a one eyed-man

• PyaR is love
• PyaZ is onion

Book of the Month

Finally, I've read this book and loved it.

"The On-Time, On Target Manager: How a Last Minute Manager Conquered Procrastination" By Ken Blanchard and Steve Gottry

It's suggestions are very practical and doable.

3 P's

• Priority: Triage Everything
• Propriety: Bill of Rights:
• Do the Right Thing
• Do it for the Right Reasons
• Do it with the Right People
• Do it at the Right Time
• Do it in the Right Order
• Do it with Intensity
• Do it for the Right Results
• Committment:
• "I Gotta Wanna"

Deep Thought for The Week

It will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me or nobody is going to hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!

From Rocky Balboa the movie

Merrilea is delayed and I’ve got to fly to Bangalore

Merrilea’s trip is delayed due to snow appropriately for this time of year… but I’m due to fly out of our city shortly after Merrilea would have arrived …so….

I’ve recruited a friend to watch the kids Friday night (THANKS!!!).

Maria is old enough now to watch Nafisa and be the head honcho for a while. She’ll enjoy the few hours of glory while waiting for our friend to take over around supper time. Merrilea ought to be here on Saturday by 3AM. If her flight is delayed, I’ll be making some phone calls from Bangalore!

In the meantime, I’ll sure miss seeing her. I’ll fly back Sunday about midnight.

Bill from the Flip Side,

PS
Nafisa taking some Z's in the Bean Bag...

11 February 2007

Danielle’s school had their annual ‘Jog-A-thon’ yesterday.

Nafisa and I joined for a few laps, though Nafisa only wanted to be held, so I got some good exercise as did Maria. Joseph stayed home as he invited a close friend over to play legos.

All is fine at home. School work is being accomplished, Nafisa has cut several more teeth. Speaking of teeth, we went to the dentist on Thursday to get our pearly whites cleaned. All is fine. Danielle has a few cavities and Maria needs a baby tooth pulled. Our kids are learning the importance of daily brushing. Nafisa has not complained about Merrilea being gone. She calls out for Mommy some times. I correct her, saying I’m Daddy. She smiles, says ‘Daddy’ and then says ‘Mommy out.’ I’m eager for Merrilea to return. We all miss her.

I’ve had some very good phone calls this week regarding work. Things are progressing.

Bill

Merrilea Gone till the 16th

Merrilea has gone to New York to be with her family for her sister Valerie’s wedding so I’ve got the kids till the 16^th. So far, so good. I’m able to spend more time with the kids…it’s fun, though I feel a bit frustrated as I’m not able to get as much work done.

Danielle had a day off from school this last week due to local political elections. Nafisa has had her friend, Sofia, over a bunch, too.

Biggest event since Merrilea’s been gone:

When no one was looking ….

Nafisa got to painting her fingernails with nail polish. By the time I got to her, she was playing with the nail polish remover. Just glad she didn’t try to eat it!

Surviving without Merrilea….for now.

Bill