The big move. . .GoodBye Mercure . .Hello Palm Meadow

The much anticipated day came on Friday.  We finally left hotel living and moved into a house.  Finally, I have the space that I so desire and the kids have room to stretch their legs.  We all have our own space without being on top of each other  - or getting sick of each other.  (Did I just say that?)  

The down side is that I am going to miss my free breakfast from the Mercure.  I am going to miss housekeeping cleaning my room. I will miss my new friend that I made while being there.  (No worries, plan on having them over!)  I am also going to miss Kormangala - it is a locality of Bangalore.  This is where the Mercure was and I was just starting to know my way around it - fairly certain of not getting lost.  Now I need to know a whole new locality - Whitefield.  

Up side. . .Let me explain Palm Meadow.  

I call it the expat bubble of Bangalore.  I am not sure how many houses are in this community.  I have heard some say 250.  I have heard some say 500.  Not sure what the correct tally is. . .but it's quite a bit of homes.  

The homes here range in size.  Some are just enormous and some are just big.  I am not sure if 'small' is in Palm Meadows vocabulary.  If you were to ask me, I think our house falls in the range of 'the small side of Palm Meadows'.  The house hunting here takes on new meaning.  Some want to use all the 'allowance' that they are given.  Some base decision on location.  Decisions are based on outdoor space.  There are many reasons why expats choose the house that they will rent for the next couple of years.  Our choice was based on the good ole real estate mantra. . .LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.  Trust me when I say, this was hard for me to swallow.  The 'cheap skate/money' person that I am, wanted to spend every last bit of 'allowance' that was given to me.  The houses that were shown to us in our price range were beautiful. . large, spacious and sheer awesomeness. . . . BUT. . .they were along 'the wall.'  The wall?  What is the wall?  How do I explain it?  The 'wall' is the boundary of Palm Meadows.  What is beyond the wall is out of Palm Meadows control.  On one side of the wall, they are building some apartments.  They are not complete, but who wants people looking in?  Who wants to deal with the dust?  

On another side is, well, I am not sure.  Truth, I don't want to live there and find out.  I have also read on some other blogs, that when cobras have been found. . .it is always along the 'wall.'  That is enough for me to say 'No Bueno' to the 'wall.'  

The house we chose is in the first phase of this development - there are two phases.  It is a 5 minute walk to the club house and a five minute walk to the school bus stop.  (Or in the girls words - a 30 second bike ride)  The club house is where the pool, gym, library (yes, you read correctly), hair salon/day spa, dry cleaners and restaurants are.  I could be missing some other things. . as I am learning the lay of the land.

This is our house!

Right now our house is empty.  We are expecting our air shipment to be delivered on Monday.  It has been here, in India, for a week, but they have been so gracious in holding it for us - until we acquired the house.  Our sea shipment will not be here until the end of April.  Sea has all the furniture.  We will resort to sitting on the patio or floor. 

Our house is a 3 bedroom house with 3 1/2 bath.  We have 5 outdoor patios.  Talk about outdoor living space.  Each of the bedroom has their own bathrooms, which I think is pretty awesome!  The girls have their rooms on the second floor and not only do they have their own bathroom, but they also have their own outdoor patio.  Sheesh!  Such a hard life they live.  

Olivia's personal patio

Paz's personal patio

The kitchen isn't anything to write home about but it suffices.  I am happy that I have a dish washer.  That is not a common thing here.  

The dishwasher is the laundry room. . .but I am not complaining!

My cooking gas

All the floors and house columns are made of mable and granite counter tops for everything - baths, kitchen and outdoor seating.  It is amazing here, there are literally 'fields' of this stuff all over India.  I wish I could just ship some back to the States.

The girls wanted me to include - what they call - the 'Chinese Toilet.'  This is a room that is accessible from the outside - heading into the laundry room.  It is used for the help.  Should they need to go. . they have someplace to go.  This is a whole new world to me. It is a future post.

Here are some more house pics

Ahh. . .can't wait until our furniture comes

Looking down into side yard

Looking down from patio

Looking across the street from patio

Side yard

Our block

You know what this is. . .

Windows in living room.

They think the light are funny looking

Another patio

Also, I wanted to add the contrast of the traffic in Palm Meadow.  Take a look at this video and you will understand why we chose to live here.

Side note. . .

Today, I plan on going to the pool. I will need to check out that scene.  Yesterday, while I was at a 2 hour grocery shopping adventure -Hubby and the girls went to the pool. They met a lady that I have been 'following'.  Her blog, India Awaits, is one that I have read from beginning to end. (http://indiaawaits.blogspot.in) I am very happy that he met her and shocked that he went up to her like he did.  (Remember how I wrote about his interaction with the driver)  She is leaving very soon and she shared some India wisdom with him.  I hope to meet her before she leaves!  

I am going to end all my blogs with the one thing that we desire or are thankful for. 
Todays desire:

Hubby: coffee pot
Paz: family and friends
Olivia: being able to use faucet water
Me:  Chicken bouillon

Paz decided to get into the blogging mood - this is what she typed:

I wall [will] love india.

A little potpourri before the big move

I was wasting time the other day. ..and by wasting time, I mean I was looking at the pictures on my phone.  We are all guilty of that.  I found some that I want to share.  These are in no particular order. . . .

The girls and I went to visit a local temple.  When we arrived, it was closed.  We went back later in the day and it was opened.  The 'dude' (aka Priest) (aka I don't know what to call him) was supper nice.  He asked where we were from.  Was it that 'obvious' that we were not native?  :)

The girls and I trying to visit a temple - but it was closed.

The girls and I out for a walk.  Some sidewalks are just non existent.  I haven't been brave enough yet to walk on the street, like the locals, with the crazy traffic.

This was a good sidewalk!  

Normal traffic day 

 Olivia wanted to send a message to our friends, the Armstrong's.  The traffic here is a bit extreme and the amount of 'beeping'. . .well. .in Olivia's words. . . . "REALLY?"

Do not be like.. . "Really?"

A 'tame' traffic day

This following picture - Two guys working on top of truck. . . while its moving.  Pretty sure OSHA would frown.

This book store was referred by a friend I made here in India.  She has her own blog https://somethingaboutindia.wordpress.com - check it out!

This place would make all my thrifting friends proud!

Dedicated to all my beer drinking friends

STARBUCKS!!

Grocery shopping at SPAR

 And finally, my weekends in India. . . . .

FRRO . .day of sheer torture and boredom

Today we had to go to the FRRO.  FRRO stands for Foreigner Regional Registration Office.  They are the ones that regulate the registration, movement, stay, departure and also the recommending of the extension of stay in India.  For those that come from immigrant family like mine. . .it is no different than hanging out in the Immigration Office on Jackson in Chicago.  (minus the tacos my mom would pack for lunch!) Lots of sitting, people watching and frustration.  We all had to go - girls and all.  They did a fabulous job with patience.  It helped that they took electronics and word puzzles.  

For those that have never had to deal with immigration, let me sum it up for you.  I would much rather stab myself in the eye with a fork!  We were told that when we go on in to try not to make them upset.  These people are the ones that would determine if we are allowed to stay or go.  All that are in the waiting room with us know that.  There is a lot of hush-hush talking and the despiration of keeping little ones quite.  After 5 hours there, getting frustrated, I turned to Hubby and said. . ."Let's make out!"  For those that don't know - India are not huge on PDA.  Read this article to know more: http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/11/the-politics-of-pda-in-india-kiss-protest/382877/
So a true make-out experience would have banned us from country for sure!  That is just me showing my rebellious side during boredom . . . 

Funny things that happened today:  
At one point they asked Hubby if I was his daughter.  (He swears that they did not say that - but since I am the one writing this blog - its my word against his!)

They thought Olivia was over 16 yrs old.  What?  They asked us if she had a contract to work.

A random dog was in the building sleeping in the cool corner of the shade.  

The rest was pure boredom and people watching.  

Here are a few pics

This kid does not look 16!

We left and took a 'sweet' break

Random dog in the building

Driving Madam Jacob and new little friends.

The girls and I met our driver Wednesday.  Prior to our meeting, hubby has been riding with him daily.  On Monday when he came home I asked him how the driver was and what his name was.  His response was, "We didn't talk and I didn't ask his name"

Tuesday - same thing. 

Hubby - "I think his name is Ramesh."  
Me - "Did you talk?"
Hubby - "We said Good morning."


For those that know Hubby, this comes as no shock.  He is very much an introvert.  He is quite content riding in a car with a complete stranger and not speaking.  I, on the other hand, am a complete opposite breed.  I want to build relationships with all those that are around me. . .and if I decide I don't like you. . .I will stop talking to you.  

Wednesday comes.  The Mr. tells the driver that he needs to return to pick me and the girls up so we can run errands.  When he arrives, we load up and go about our business.  We were on the search for swim goggles and groceries.  Somewhere in the mix we found and stopped at McDonalds.  The girls welcomed the familiar but Olivia was bummed that they only sold chicken not hamburgers.  Se La Vie - we move on.  

After driver drops us girls back to the hotel and then picks up Hubby - Hubby then asks about my day with driver.

Hubby - "How was your day?  How was the driver?"
Me - (pausing because I didn't know how to tell him . . )
         "Umm. . .His name isn't Ramesh." (Hubby thought that was his name because on the side of the driver's car it says Ramesh Cab Company)
          "His name is Sagum. He is married with 4 daughters.  All of them married.  He also has 7 grandchildren."

That, my readers, is a fine example how the Mr. and Mrs. are different.

I snuck a pic . . .

Reason Hubby thought Ramesh!

If you look at the bottom. . .the reason Hubby called him Ramesh

Our new little friends

Life in a posh hotel can get stir crazy - especially for the kids.  Luckily, the good Lord knew we were coming and also sent to this hotel another family that has two girls.  All the girls have become friends and we almost daily have swim dates.  This helps the girls get out energy and socialize.  This also helps the mommies not to lose their minds.  On the second day of our pool meetings, I wore my Calvary Church shirt that my good friend, Shelly, gave me.  This just opened the door to a whole world of conversation.  The mom is also a believer and we have talked openly about our faith.  
Makes me happy!

House Hunting and More

We have finally picked our house.  Some may know that we arrived in Bangalore needing to pick out a home and school for the girls.  We had the assistance of Santa Fe  (http://www.santaferelo.com) in the process of looking for a home/school and they will assist us on the details of it.

Examples:
Water
propane
landlords
cable
movers
and anything else you require in a home

Also they:
Gave us tours of Bangalore
Showed us all neighborhoods that 'cater' to expats
Proved that there are sooo many Starbucks around!
Showed us other schools that were closer to our location

We were shown at the beginning of our home search rich Indian neighborhoods.  Don't get me wrong.  They were nice, but it was true Indian living.  Beautiful mansion like home with gates, guards and all. . . .next to a home that is not so pretty with cows and goats in the yard.  hmmm...  :/  In addition to that the traffic in the areas was not condusive to my kids.  They would have gotten ran over.

After all the running around of looking at potential places - key in rays of light and the angels singing from heaven - we found Palm Meadow. (http://www.palmmeadowsclub.com) and (http://www.commonfloor.com/adarsh-palm-meadows-bangalore/povp-pljakb) Palm Meadow - how would I describe it?  The calm to my crazy.  The reason that my blood pressure will be ok.  It is an expat bubble.  It is a bubble that my kids need.  To those that are close to me: Picture PineCreek with about 500 houses.  Gated with guards. Palm Trees. Most importantly . .KIDS!!  Kids riding safely in the streets like they do back home.  This place is a haven for all that are there.  It is filled with people like us.  People whose spouses are here to work for a 2-5 yr rotation who have uprooted family and are trying to find 'normal'.  This is Palm Meadow.  Also picture a club house with a pool/bar/restaurant and various forms of outdoor entertainment.  (All I can think of is my own 'club house' back in the STATES. . . called the Armstrongs, Nelsons and Winchips.  Each family providing their own part of my 'clubhouse' atmosphere.  You are missed.)  Let me be clear that since this is 'expat heaven' there is a price tag that goes with it.  The landlords know this. . .but hell. . I'm willing to use all my houseing allowance - it's for my sanities sake.


We looked at three schools in the past several days - already knowing which one I would pick.  The schools we looked at were The International School of Bangalore (http://tisb.org), Indus (http://www.indusschool.com) and Stonehill (http://stonehill.in).

There is no doubt that the campus of TISB is beautiful.  It is superb. . . .but too big for my taste.  On a side note, my kids quickly added in "no air conditioning."

I was not inpressed with Indus.  The lady giving the tour was very personable but the campus left little impression on us except with the continued side note from the girls. . . ."no air conditioning."

Stonehill is the school we chose.  (I knew this was the choice a very long time ago)  There are so many reasons why we chose this. The school is small.  We came from a very small and good school in Indiana - Washington Township (http://epcsc.schoolwires.net/domain/40), so the thought of something so large as TISB and Indus was heart attack worthy.  While we took a tour, EVERY PERSON we passed spoke to us.  We met the admissions officer, principal, both girls teachers and the directors to the elementary curriculum.  WOW!! We stopped by one of the 4th grade classes.  We met one of the teachers - who happends to be from Califoria - she stopped to chat with Olivia.  Meanwhile I was counting the kids in the classroom. . . . .10.  What?!?  Love it.  This is my Indian version of Washington Township.  Have I mentioned that the school is air conditioned?  Winner winner chicken dinner!!!!!

The forever ruining of my children. . . .They will never entertain coach again.

Our journey really began this past Monday.  

After the movers packed us, we closed up ‘shop’ and stayed with Madre for the 2 ½ days prior to leaving.  My mom asked my middle sister to come up and be here with her as I was leaving.  My sister is a teacher and she did not know if she was going to make it up – getting it approved.  We also gave her a hard time – although not intentional – our visas were received the last minute.  They were rejected once and we had to resubmit those darn things again.

Sister did make it up to see us off and she brought the twins with her, Madison and Marshall.  It was a good 2 ½ days of eating, playing cards, trivia pursuit and the girls brading hair.

We arrive at the airport late afternoon with our insane amount of luggage. . .here take a look. . .

After walking past the long line and being treated with 'status'(those who travel for a living and all my EY family understand this), we were checked in rather quickly.  We did have a minor mishap.  Hubby's luggage was entirely too heavy.  Nothing says world 'class' traveler when you have to unpack and repack luggage in front of about 50 people.   (HEY! You over there!  Stop looking at my underwear!)

I was too focussed to worry about being embarrassed.  Let's face it - few things embarras me.

It was after check in, where the forever ruining of my children happened and also, the forever ruining for their future spouses happened.  We were sent to the Business Lounge.  Take a look.  This was cra-cra and I loved it all at the same time.  Everything you saw: free!  Want liquor?  Free!  Want to load yourself on sweets and chocolates?  Free!  Why - lets throw in a buffet in the event you are hungry. . . .free!  Absolute craziness and awesomeness at the same time.  We purposefully put ourselves in a corner of this lounge since my kids were the only little people in there. Everyone was working or talking on their phones.  One man came to sit near us and he said he couldn't work with so much quietness. . .he needed some noise.  Ummm. . .cue my kids.

Don't mess with a girl and her food!

I could already tell that this trip was going to be a hard one to face. (smh)

We load the plane onto business class.  More craziness and awesomeness.  We each were assigned a 'cubbie' that could be made into a bed.  For my 5'3" height - I had no problem fully extending while I slept.  We each had our own TV.  Girls thought this was so awesome.  I would never tell them this. . . but is was GREAT!!!

My first leg of the trip I watched Wild with Reese Witherspoon.  Ahh. . .I've ruined myself too!

We arrived at Heathrow and had a 6 hour lay over.  Once again we head to the lounge.  I felt like a regular at this point.  Drinks, food, liquor, coffee. . .. showers.  WHAT?!?!?  SHOWERS?!?!?  Sign me up!  Yep, we all freshened up and were smelling pretty when we boarded for Bangalore.  The showers were individual little rooms.  They provided towels and all.  So very nice.

The sitting situation to Bangalore was the same - instead this time I slept more than watch tv.  

Now we are staying at the Mercure while we are waiting for housing.  As you can see, the girls are hating every minute of it. . .