HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Looking back I can barely remember where I was a year ago. This may come as a shock to my sister who is confident that I have the memory of an elephant (those animals don't forget anything, and I thought it appropriate to use them as an example since I'm living really close to them right now...), but this year has felt like a very long one.

... I suppose that with starting 2010 in the middle of my final year of theatre school, an amazing road trip to the West Coast, being thrust into a spell of unexpected depression, moving home, starting this blog, getting fired, laughing in the summer sun, turning 20, taking off to India, gaining a niece, losing a Grandpa, never knowing what comes next, and ending the year nestled into the foothills of the Himalayas with a whole new family, it HAS been a long year.

Most people like to reflect on their time spent and pick out what they discovered about the world and themselves at this time of year. Although I don't really care about this tradition I would be lying if I said that I haven't learned anything about myself recently. A few weeks ago I came to the shocking realization that I am the same person I have always been... Exponential I know!

I suppose that throughout the course of this past year I started viewing myself as a very different person compared to who I had previously known myself to be. In actuality I was the same person going through new situations. Now on the other side, the only thing that is different is I can do it all over again with a greater knowledge base... the essence of my person however remains untouched. I'm grateful to be someone who is able to grow, instead of someone who needs to be dug up and replanted. It is also my belief that everyone has this capacity. Whether it is learning through personal experiences or friend's, I think we are meant to reach and yearn for more, in the most positive of ways.

Maybe that's how I got here in the first place. Whenever asked "Why India?" I would continually reply with "I'm not quite sure, I've just always wanted to go." Deep within me I knew the answer to be much more than that, but being able to articulate complex emotion is something I typically leave to my sister. Anyways, I think I was just sick of 'reaching' and 'yearning' and wanted to grasp and taste instead. So I did. Here's a sampling of what I love about right now...

While playing games in the dinning room New Years Eve Day....

A scary monster thing ran in, jumped up on the table and started throwing candy, and there was running, screaming, jumping, and scrambling!

Good show Clifton Byiya.

Later that night Uncle John gave a sermon about being humble and kind to one another in this upcoming new year.

Directly after supper the boys began doing the clean up, they cleared the tables, did the dishes, swept the floors and wiped down the tables. There may be a few dents in the dishes from all the drumming music they were making!

Nevertheless the girls were made to sit, relax, and enjoy the show. No choice.

Sister, I love you so much and I am glad to have started this project with you. Everyone else I also love you so very much and I am amazed that you haven't shunned us for being as nerdy as to have a blog!

I would like to give a special shout-out to Birthday Lady Regan. She was our first reader and the main drive behind organizing most of the rules mentioned last post. These are the final moments of her birthday so I expect everyone to cheer REALLY LOUD, and raise a toast!

Here's to what was a great year, and what will be another fabulous one. Let's make the most of 2011!

The Rules

Seeing as we will soon be starting a new year, I think it's about time we explain the rules of our Sisters & Such blog.

There are two sisters who contribute to this blog and here's how it works:

1) Postings go up three times a week; Monday, Wednesday, Friday.

2) The author of the post always alternates between sisters.

3) If a sister misses posting on their designated day they receive a punishment.

4) Punishments can be nominated by readers.

5) Additional posts or "emergency" posts are aways permitted, but do not disrupt the regular post schedule.

6) Grace is not given for travel or birthdays or holidays. A sister must always post.

7) If there are minor technical difficulties, a sister may receive help from the other sister without punishment.

8) The deadline for posting is midnight on the day of the post, but the preferred time for posting is 9:00 am (Mountain Standard/Daylight Time).

9) There are no restrictions on the content of a post (it just has to be family friendly).

10) ... I don't think there are any other rules. Sister?

We look forward to sharing this next year of blogging with you!

Much love,

The Sisters.

Oh Topics...

I think that it has been about time I talk about Indian fashion. First off, I am a fan. The suits are super comfortable and you never have to fear showing up at a function wearing the same thing as someone else. I am guessing most of you have seen my first two suit that I purchased in Hyderabad,

Casual:

and Formal (pants are in my facebook profile picture):

I was given one more suit by a very generous Indian couple who visited the farm... picture is coming. And of course there have been Saris:

The one for the wedding, borrowed from Auntie Elsie:

My own purchased for the Christmas concert:

and one borrowed from Filly for Christmas Eve (probably my favorite):

It has been wonderful to wear these clothes and mix and match to my desires. Occasionally the patterns that are worn by people here, or the amount of frills on a small girl's dress are well... shocking. But somehow it works in this country. Although I love the clothing, and even though being here has been a huge inspiration for me as a designer, I got to wear jeans on Sunday. It has been three months since I have worn jeans. They. Feel. So. Freaking. Fan. Tastic!

There is a young woman here from Austrailia for a week named Caitlin. She's the same size as me and let me borrow her dark, mid-rise, skinnys. Love. I couldn't stop rubbing my hands on them amazed by the feeling. By the end of the day Caitlin gave me the jeans. It was a pretty great Christmas present. And I matched Priscilla.

I love this woman and thought matching her as pretty awesome.

Now I'm changing the topic:

So it has been a VERY long time since I have had a tall cool glass of 2% milk. And I miss it a lot. Milk is my favorite! It is saved for cooking here, and it doesn't taste the same. I simply cannot bare the fact that milk glasses and cookies were laid out for Santa last week and he got them all!!!

Anyways, I hope all of you got what you wanted for Christmas. Mine was great full of life and colour and laughter. I'm sure yours was as well. Truthfully, contrary to my sister's last post I missed the darkness of Canada. How outside everything is cold and distant making everything inside bright, warm, and close.

love you,
kel.

December Challenge #6 - Now We Head Towards The Light

We did it.
We made it through the dark.
And now we head back towards the light.

c'mon everybody, let's celebrate the return of the light

sing out loud in the shower
create your own happy dance
act silly and make someone smile
let someone else go before you in line
wear the brightest colour in your closet
instead of email, write a letter to a friend
compliment someone on how fantastic they look
let another driver take the parking spot you saw first
go to the playground; swing on the swing, slide on the slide
leave a small surprise gift in the refrigerator for someone you love
pray (or whatever) for the children at the GSAM and for Kelsey with them
kiss someone's palm and make them close their fingers to hold if for later use

Merry Christmas

Photo taken from here

I Wish You Snow

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
But it don't snow here
It stays pretty green
I'm going to make a lot of money
Then I'm going to quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby cry

He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I'm so hard to handle
I'm selfish and I'm sad
Now I've gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

December Challenge #5 - Beautiful

I don't know about the rest of you readers, but I'm dying to hear about the Christmas production at the GSAM! I'm about ready to demand full media coverage including, but not limited to photos, videos, reviews, and an exclusive interview with the choreographer.

I'm sure the production was beautiful, but I have no word yet from the eastern hemisphere confirming this suspicion.

In the meantime, here's another beautiful song for your entertainment... I'm not sure where I first saw this, but something about it resonated with me.... I hope you enjoy!

Christmas is Coming

...and is very nearly on us! Tomorrow (5:00am Canada time) is the Maxton Strong School Function. I have been significantly involved in this production from teaching dance and organizing children back stage to helping write the script for the MC.

Rochelle (a typical girly-girl) is going to be a great Mistress of Ceremonies.

I've really enjoyed getting into production time. I suppose that's the natural performer in me, but I thrive on the business that comes right before a show. Even as a small girl at dance competitions, it would be the adrenaline filled, butterflies in the stomach, moment right before stepping on stage that was always the best part. So that's kind of what I'm feeling like these days, but on top of that comes the joy of being the director (of sorts... more on that later). Thanks to Mr. Wheeler and 'Back to the 80's' I first experienced this in grade 12, and there isn't really anything like it. It's a feeling of pride, but a completely selfless pride. Hard to explain... I imagine that it would be a smaller version of when your baby walks for the first time. Sure you tried to encourage your child to walk, to build up the muscles in their legs, find their balance... but really they are the ones walking, and it has very little to do with you.

These kids are ready. They have little quirks here and there, but they will perform wonderfully on Saturday. In previous weeks I felt a lot like my dance teacher, Ms. Joanne while she would be trying to perfect the last bits of our Musical Theatre number in the weeks leading up to competition time. She would threaten to cut our dance completely, and spend a whole practice on one move, because if it wasn't perfect it was horrible. I imagine she continues to do this today, and Ms. Joanne thank-you for being the wonderful teacher you are, I can't imagine that I would've been able to handle some of these dances if not for your example. So yes, I also have threatened to cut dances completely, and spent whole practices on one move, because if it wasn't perfect it was horrible. ...Don't let the kids know, but I am very excited. I have full confidence that they will be fantastic!

What is this post about? Oh Yeah! Christmas is coming. Right so that's the bit about the concert, what else?

I am not sure if I have mentioned this before, but Uncle Rick plays music to wake us up in the morning. It is quite wonderful, and I love it. Since about the beginning of December he has been playing Christmas music! Most of you are probably thinking "Well, geeze don't get so excited Kelsey they've been playing Christmas music in all the stores since Thanksgiving!" but in a place so completely different from what I've always known, Christmas music is happily received on my end. In fact on Wednesday night the Hostel Boys here on the Farm decided to spread some Christmas cheer by caroling. They walked the 200m from their dorm to the office, and sang so loudly that I could hear them in my room at the back of the Small Girl's side (another 100m away). All of us ran to see what was going on and I was quick enough to grab my camera on the way.

They stayed out for an hour journeying to local homes in the area spreading cheer.

I've been teaching the Small Girls the "Christmas is coming the goose is getting fat..." song. I reckon most of you won't know it, but my Mum will. As will anyone who has ever been in one of her music classes at Christmas time. The girls love it though and think the lyrics are fantastic (ask Mum to teach you if you don't know them)!

There are a group of girls working on decorating the dinning hall, and church house. Haven't seen the end result yet but from the few things that have been put up it will look absolutely fabulous. I will keep you posted on that progress and load pictures when I can.

In this time of joy there has been some tragedy. Last Sunday the mother of three of the kids living on the Farm died from burns she had received by her husband's hand... something that happens far too often in this country. It has been heavy in the Farm, but the kids,

Jemmica, Jackie, and Jessica

...have all taken it surprisingly well. They are all wonderful, and each of them are in a dance of mine. Please pray for them. None of us can know how this may affect their mindset in the future. Bitterness and anger are both powerful emotions. Let us pray that they will be able to forgive instead. It is, after all, the season that we remember the person who came into the world to teach that forgiveness is available for ALL people. Not just a chosen few. A pretty awesome message if you ask me.

So yeah, Christmas is coming and I'm really excited about it. It'll be much different from what I have known in the past, in the sense that my surroundings have changed. But in other ways... the excitement, the gifts, lights, songs, performances and story... it'll be exactly the same.

December Challenge #4 - I Like You

He he he... the smiling kids on the Facebook page for the GSAM put a pretty grin on my face when I saw them fir the first time... I like them. You can like them too.... here!

Oh come on, how can you possibly resist smiling along with them :)

and speaking of happiness... here's one more reminder of why YOU should be happy

I DON'T LIKE MY FOOD TOUCHING!

Growing up I was your typical fussy eater. Not only did I refuse to eat certain foods (tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, pineapple, olives, honey due melon, cantaloupe, salmon, any vegetable made mushy by cooking: carrots, Christmas cake, etcetera...), I was also convinced that the presentation of the food was vital for the full benefit of the eating experience.
Example: For the entire year of Kindergarten, and most of grade one, when asked what I wanted to take to school for lunch I would respond with "A peanut butter, butter, and jam sandwich cut in fours." Similarly, all grilled cheese sandwiches had to be cut in half diagonally. My father had a nasty habit of cutting them in half horizontally = c.a.t.a.s.t.r.o.p.h.e.
I could go on but let's get to the point...

My fussy eating habit to rule them all is this: I hate my food touching. And don't worry I've heard it all "I like to eat my food all together." "You can fit more on your plate if you pile it up." or the worst "It all ends up in the same place." how irritating! Different dishes are made separately and meant to be eaten SEPARATELY! As a small child I would look at adult's mountains on their plates at pot-lucks and wonder how they could stand the salad next to the mashed potatoes not only getting warmer by the second, but also the gravy mixing in with the ceaser dressing! Unbelievable.

Over the years many of my fussy eating habits have died off. There are still some foods I don't like: pineapple, some I will eat to be polite: mushrooms, and others I now love: tomatoes and Christmas cake. I still like some foods presented a specific way, but I don't really care about that. Yet I continually wish they made divided plates in adult sizes so the syrup from my pancakes wouldn't run into my ketchup covered sausages!

Unfortunately for me India is testing my ability to cope with mixing food. Everything is meant to go together, even different kinds of curry! Sweet will go right beside savory and no one really cares. Mind boggling in my opinion, but the whole point of experiencing other cultures is to go for it, so why not! It's all part of the adventure, even if it is strange. Still...

I DON'T LIKE MY FOOD TOUCHING!

HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT

From all of us here in Canada, we would like to wish you Kelsey; Sister, Daughter, Sister-in-Law, Aunt, a very Merry Christmas.



But WAIT...
your nephew wants you to know that he
LOST HIS FIRST TOOTH!

December Challenge #3 - Dare You to Move

and I dare you to try keep your heart from melting (just a little) and your eyes from watering (just a little) when you watch this...


frivolity continued....

More Music

Sister! What a great idea - I don't think your playlist is "cheating" at all.

I remember the day you lost all your music. It was a tragic day and I'm pretty sure three of the four siblings broke down in tears that day. It was a truly horrible day, traumatic and upsetting on many fronts. But as siblings, we helped each other through.

Maybe we should open up our comment section to our readers for music suggestions for music to help restore your once great empire of music?

Readers! Add your suggestions for music below :)

Here's my contribution (using the same exercise of course)

1) The End - Kings of Leon (funny song title to start the list)

2) I Play the Fool for You - Matt Anderson

3) Blackout - Muse

4) Follow Me - Uncle Kracker

5) Claire de Lune - Debussy

6) Your Ex-Lover is Dead - Stars (I really love this song)

7) Flight Attendant - Josh Rouse (a tango?)

8) Bullet - Mat Kearney

9) Everlasting Light - The Black Keys

10) Angel - Sarah McLachlan (the song that defined my graduating year)

11) Hustle & Cuss - The Dead Weather

12) Here Lies Love - David Byrne & Fatboy Slim

13) Trust Me - Etta James

14) My Immortal - Evenesence

15) Looks Just Like the Sun - Broken Social Scene

16) Taxi Cab - Vampire Weekend

17) In God's Hands - Nelly Furtado

18) You Shook Me all Night Long - ACDC (lol... seriously? I own this song?)

19) Somewhere in Between - Lifehouse (awww... I forgot about this one)

20) Hearing Damage - Thom York (Yes! I agree!)

21) Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (Medley) - James Rado, Gerome Ragni & Galt MacDermot

23) The Best Day - Taylor Swift (yes. this song belongs with me)

24) Absolute - The Fray

25) You Had Time - Ani DiFranco (what a beautiful way to end the list)

WAIT!! I had to add 26) Between Two Lungs - Florence + the Machine

Music

Tragedy struck me last spring when my computer crashed taking with it my 42day long music library. (For those of you who are wondering... Yes this still makes me sad.) I continue to build a new and better version of my previous playlist, but I still have a long way to go. My current library is 3 days long and consists mainly of James Bond audio books (thank-you Dustin Lawrence).

Anyways, because of this I have been extremely reluctant to take part in the Facebook playlist game... something I would have jumped on without hesitating a year ago. Therefore I decided to cheat a little and move it from FB to here... hey I started this blog, I can do what I want! Right sister? ...Pleeeease?
I'll just do it and you can tell me if you approve afterwards.

So I have taken two of my playlists; Great Songs, and India Favorites, and complied them into one, adding a few more tracks to fill in the gaps, making a 80 song long playlist with no artist repeats. HERE WE GO!

Music Sharing Exercise :)

Only rule: be honest! Don't keep shuffling forward for "cooler" songs. Once you've been tagged...

(1) Turn on your MP3 player/Ipod or music player on your computer.
(2) Go to SHUFFLE mode.
(3) Write down the first 25 songs that come up - title and artist.
(4) Share :)
NO editing/cheating, please. (...right...)

1. Set The Fire To The 3rd Bar - Snow Patrol (ft. Martha Wainwright)
2. Nicest Thing - Kate Nash
3. Help I'm Alive - Metric
4. Sodom S. Georgia - Iron & Wine
5. Blue Lips - Regina Spektor
6. Next In Line - Meese
7. Where Does The Good Go? - Tegan & Sarah
8. The Devil's Tears/Old Friend - Angus & Julia Stone
9. Stupid - Sarah McLachlan
10. Show Me What I'm Looking For - Carolina Liar
11. One Day Like This - Elbow
12. (The Symphony of) Blase - Amberlin
13. Clean Getaway - Maria Taylor
14. Swallowed In The Sea - Coldplay
15. Revelry - Kings of Leon
16. Be There - Lindsay Jane
17. Never Again - Midway State
18. Blow Away - A Fine Frenzy
19. Heavy In Your Arms - Florence + The Machine
20. So Gone Now - Matt Anderson
21. Sideways - Citizen Cope
22. I'm Running - Mistress Barbra
23. Freshmen - The Verve Pipe
24. Ruby Blue - Roisin Murphy
25. Permanent - David Cook

And there it is! Not very dynamic at this point but an awesome group of songs! My sister is probably mad at me for cheating right now... I didn't do that much manipulating, honest! Most of the above songs came from one of the two bigger playlists, and I didn't go through each of those tracks because that would've MAJOR cheating. If I had really been cheating then the two songs I'd wanted to come up would have!!! But they didn't so I'm innocent. HAHA! ...

How about this: I promise to re-due this activity in one year's time as my post closest to December 8th 2011, IF we are still blogging :) Deal?

Oh and here's a picture of me with some orphan children eating chocolate, just in case my sister was still mad at me ;)

December Challenge #2 - Every Step

Here's a peek into a Sunday afternoon adventure with some of the kids from the Good Shepherd Agricultural Mission.

My favourite part is when Kelsey asks Lauren "Lauren, did you walk?"

Lauren's reply, "Every step."

She says it with such peace and quiet confidence, it kinda makes me think that she's not just replying to the question about walking across the river, but that she's talking about life.... sinking down into the long and challenging journey of life - deliberately taking "every step" forward.

... and now for some frivolity.

Birthday 2010

I have a very special birthday buddy who I get to celebrate with every year.

Her kids are so much fun, and I can always look forward to a lively visit with lots of laughs....

Luke keeps us all on our toes - recently I learned all about the Bakugan! phenomenon from Mr. Luke

Kate is most pleasant company and could easily school me on everything related to horseback riding... Western or English style. She's the expert.

... and finally my birthday buddy, Karen. I am so honoured to get to share my birthday with such an inspiring woman.

Kate inspired us all with her rendition of "Happy Birthday" from the top of the van...

...I wish I had it on video.

Sisters Award

So way back when I was in Delhi I took a trip to Agra remember? In the group I went with there were two sisters, and they are now good friends of mine!

The week I spent in Delhi was a very emotional one and the day after our trip together these girls invited me to their house. I spent the evening with them and it was such a blessing. In the midst of being alone and a little bit scared these two sisters welcomed me with open arms and gave me exactly what I needed. Friendship.

For this reason they are receiving a Sisters Award.


Prameela and Sandha I love you so much, and cannot wait to see you again, and sometime in the future host you in Canada!

December Challenge

Dear Readers,

I have a confession to make.

The other night Kelsey and I were skyping, catching up on all the things you don't get to see in our blog posts (some things are still kept secret between sisters ;)

While we were talking it occurred to me that not only are we...

in almost exact opposite time zones (11.5 hours)

on almost the exactly opposite side of the world (well, sort of)

but

my next scheduled blog post is about the EXACT OPPOSITE as what you can get from Kelsey's last blogpost!

And when you're the sister that's writing about fashion and foolishness, it's humbling to try and put that post next to the other sister's post that oozes of simplicity and selflessness.... but I recognize that, well, this is just where we're at right now; opposite sides of all kinds of things.

And sometimes opposite existences are still complimentary.

So, Kelsey doesn't know that I'm doing this, but for all of my December blogposts, I'll be reminding you all to check in on the orphanage where she's living & working; the Good Shepherd Agricultural Mission, check out some of the things they're working on, get to know some of the children's stories, see some of the adventures Kelsey has been on, and to hopefully make the world seem a little smaller...

But don't worry. I'll still continue to post completely frivolous tid-bits....

Fall Fashion Week 2010.

While I'm sure the clothes were great, we couldn't help but own the catwalk....

Thanks to the professionals for sharing....

UPDATE!

Okay so as I have been a bit lax in my news lately this is a post to tell you all that I have been doing between other posts and the lack of new Facebook photo albums.

So three weeks ago Lauren left to go to Nepal... For all those who don't know, Lauren was at the Farm when I got here and she is in most of the videos on my youtube accounts... currently she is roaming somewhere in Europe. We wish her well and a safe journey!

Just after she left we had Chaze and Maridiza come for a short while.I went with them to a fire look-out place with Filly, and Eugene George (yes, their last name is George, and therefore Eugene is George of the jungle!).A few days later a group of seven came from Australia. John and Sarah, veteran volunteers here at the Farm brought out a group from their church in Tasmania. These seven are the ones who you can see at the wedding.
Chrissy loved to throw parties for the kids, and she was always baking cakes for birthdays!

Party (above), Chrissy with Dora & Katherine (below)

Chrissy's daughter Phoebe spent everyday in 10th class. More time than she spends in school back home :)

Pheobe with Maya & Caris

There is a theatre director from Launceston Aus. who comes out every Christmas. In preparation for his arrival Nick, Sarah and I taught the kids the song "Food, Glorious Food" from Oliver.

Nick being a girl (above), Me conducting (below)

Janet, Gabby, and Sarah worked on redoing one of the girl's rooms!

Gabby with Uncle John, Cynthia, Gale & Kushboo (B-F)Janet with Naresh & Amir (R-L)

Last week Chrissy, Phoebe, Nick, Gabby, and Janet went back home. I don't think anyone left without tears in their eyes. But Uncle John and Auntie Sarah are still here and will be untill Jan. They have spent Christmas here on the Farm for the past five years, & all the kids love them!

Right now I am continuing to teach the kids dance for the Christmas program (everyone knows that right?).

The 4th class girls in "Draw Me Close To You"

Once Nick sends the music via email, we will go back to doing regular Oliver practices as well as teaching "Consider Yourself". I am in the middle of wrapping over 300 Christmas presents (thankfully not by myself), and I spend some of my mornings re-organizing the bookshelves here. Maybe we will be able to create a full out library??? Here's to hoping!

What other news? One of the smallest kids Raymond (3) is really sick right now with fever and sores in his mouth. Today he ate one bowl of porridge. Poor guy.

Raymond & big brother Kevin... I did their hair!

Cynthia who is 3 keeps us all entertained with her endless dancing skills.

"So I put my hands up, they're playing my song, the butterfly's fly away!"

I used to take the kids for walks but my schedule has been full of late. Today was the first time in about 2.5 weeks that we were able to go. I have offically decided to stay here for Christmas. It would simply be foolish to do anything different when I love it here so much. Hopefully they don't get sick of me :)

Maybe its the close proximity to kids everyday, or maybe it is because I keep myself so busy, but I am feeling a bit sick right now. Hopefully this doesn't interfere with the relationships I've formed with the kids, and I pray that I get back to full strength soon. Being sick sucks, as we all know, and the reason for it is probably a combination of both things I've said above.

As winter comes the days here get foggy and I can no longer see the mountains from my bedroom window in the morning... or from anywhere else on the farm at any other time of day! But I love rainy-type days so the foggy mist stuff doesn't really bother me.

Some extra tid bits: We all eat sugarcane this time of year...

...I'm still learning. (like my zits? Yeah... me too!)

As well, here are some snap shots of the Harvest... old news now but still cool to see.
Stay tuned on Facebook for more pictures. I hope to get some up this week! We'll see how the internet is going...