Day 2 1/2....

I'd like to report that our call ins are almost complete as there are a few more that still need to be done. However, for the most part they're over. At this point, my plan would have been to begin the certification process - we'll be doing plan B which is more training. That's ok. Better to need that now rather than need it when I'm not here. I just wish that there were two of me as it would make it so much easier. I'm also finding that some of the tools we're using are out of date. I'm needing someone to comb through these callflows and update. I didn't realize that I'd have some challenges there. Anyway, as I sit here, the sun has already come up (actually, it's about noon) so all is well. My philosophy is that if something so horrible happens in our lives that prevents the sun from coming up, then we're in trouble - anything short of that can be dealt with.

As for yesterday... well, let's just say it was a typical day in the life of Carol. We met our friend at work where she picked us up. We decided to get a little lunch before heading to Gold Suk - the mall full of nothing but jewelry stores. She took us to one of her favorite places, LemonTree. It's actually a hotel with a restaurant attached. It was nice and clean and had a pretty big menu. Prior to getting our lunch, I excused myself to find the indoor facilities. While in the bathroom, I can hear someone rattling the door - not my door, but the door to the bathroom. I wonder "what the heck is going on?" After exiting my stall, another gal is in there frantically jiggling the door handle trying to get out. She asked me, "did you lock the door when you came in?" "No," I replied. In fact, there wasn't even a lock on the door to lock... I had merely shut the door so it wasn't wide open. We were officially locked in the bathroom. I stood there and laughed. Of course, getting locked in the bathroom could only happen to me. We could hear no less than about 20 people on the other side of the door hammering and working away to try and open the door. What was ironic was that in the bathroom, there were jokes that were framed all over the walls. We were entertained while waiting. About 10 m minutes later we were free. We both of us scurried back to our tables to share our stories with our friends. I wasn't there a minute before the manager of the hotel approached our table and apologized profusely. I could tell by the look in his face that he was absolutely mortified. He gave me a little token which was a wooden box full of incense. I like incense actually and this will be a perfect addition to my musty room which now houses an ionic air purifier and dehumidifier (and may I add that this dehumidifier supposedly doesn't need to be emptied? At least that's what the housekeeping lady kept telling me. As I sit here, I see the "full" light is on... I'm not about to pull that bucket out and attempt to empty it... if it's not full of water, I don't know what it's "full" of.... hm....).

Off to Gold Suk we went. It literally was a mall just full of jewelry stores!! I was so thankful that the gal from work came with us. It was rather intimidating. The store windows were full of these wedding sets. Imagine a three inch wide necklace full of rubies and diamonds along with matching earrings, bangles and headpieces. Every window was more elaborate than the last. We went to a couple of stores and told them what we were looking for. Actually, I found exactly what I was hoping to find at the first store, however I just felt I needed to look at some other places - so, we did. A few minutes later, I made my way back to the first and procured my find. Before the night was over, I was wearing my purchase despite the fact that they didn't go with a thing I had on. I didn't care. I just couldn't wait.

My partner in crime and I took inventory of what we "needed" to purchase before going home. Today, we traveled to our Mehndi place and set out to get some things we have seen here that would be good as gifts. This time we were smart because we knew what things should cost as before we had offended folks with our bargaining. We finally found the people we wanted to purchase some of our things from. We gave them our price and quantity and of course there was a game, but we got what we wanted. Soon, their entire family was there counting. There were so many people that we thought we were hosting a party. I had to just take it all in. I'm sure the money we gave them, about $10.00 was enough to sustain the family for quite some time. It literally was a celebration. The women were beautiful with their saris and jewelry. This was really my only opportunity to stare without being rude. So many times, I'm the one being stared at.

I've mentioned before and I'll say it again, I am so fortunate. I'm fortunate to have a great family, wonderful friends and a great job which has afforded me an opportunity to be immersed in another culture. While I may have made some poor decisions in my past, those decisions have landed me right here where I am today and for that, I am thankful.