The Return of Mickey!

To say that Monday was eventful is a severe understatement. On the way to work, we encountered our first dust storm here in India. The traffic was more out of control than normal and the wind and dust were horrible. As I sat in the car peering out the window, I thought "why did I even shower today." As we walked to the building, I felt as if I was back home in Chicago with the way the wind whipped us around.

I had set the stage last week with my class with the events of this week. Today was to be used for their benefits as tomorrow some of them will begin taking calls from our team in the U.S. Now, two weeks ago I had sent documents that needed to be printed. Long story short, that hadn't happened. The office here in India doesn't have administrative assistants - everyone does their own printing, document creation, etc. Additionally, a copier that collates and staples would be magical. For the next two hours while waiting for the documents to be printed I attempted to keep everyone busy and occupied. If I would have known that a stapler was a hot commodity, I would have smuggled a few over here. Goodness, we're supply rich in the U.S. I was really proud of some of my students - they were using time wisely. They're going to be ready for today for sure! For others, I just need to instill confidence.

For the remainder of the day, I was running around like I was crazy. Helping this one, finding information for that one, etc. I had wished I had another one of me (or someone) to help deflect questions and direct. As I was speaking to one of the managers, my eye caught Mickey, or something that resembled Mickey. I looked a little closer as he appeared to be sleeping... there was a gentleman in close proximity that continued to move around - either the rat sleeps VERY soundly, or he was dead. I'm not confident that this was the REAL Mickey as we're in another building... however, this Mickey is no longer. Building services was called, a guy came up and pronounced his death and another came with a dust pan and little broom to sweep him up. The managers claim that they have never seen a mouse on the call center floor... maybe it WAS Mickey trying to find me. Great.

On the way home with my colleague we were discussing the day's events. All of a sudden our driver begins speaking in Hindi to my pal (yes, she knows Hindi). For the rest of the drive back to the hotel, we'd be chatting, then he'd interrupt and continue talking, then he'd stop and our conversation would continue, then he'd interrupt again. Perhaps he couldn't hear my soft, dainty voice speaking and didn't realize that he was interrupting... something tells me that this isn't the case.

I'm thrilled to announce that my trip to Amritsar is a go for this weekend! I'll be traveling with a gal from work and her husband. I'm really excited as I'm told the Golden Temple is really something to see. Additionally, there a boarder closing ceremony between India and Pakistan that's supposed to be something amazing... so we'll do that too. We'll be traveling by train which I'm sure will be an event all of itself.