Well, I owe anyone who's been trying to read my blog for the past several months a big apology. It's been almost 6 months since I updated it (gasp!), and I really have no valid excuse. Yes, I've been busy, yes, I've been running around, but I have certainly had time to spend in the blogosphere... Anyways, I'm sorry, let's move on.

To summarize the last several months (see pictures for evidence):
-Turned 25, had a wine and cheese party that degenerated into an arrack and paneer/dance fever experience (if you don't know what arrack and paneer are, search them on google :)
-Went back to the US for a few weeks of fun with the ladies, and a *very* fun trip to Vegas
-Dressed up as a disco princess for halloween
-Went to Mumbai and the Sula Winery with Ashwin and crew (I have now been wine tasting on multiple continents)
-Had an excellent Thanksgiving dinner complete with real turkey (not too common in India, as you might imagine)
-Spent Christmas with the Gilberts
-Spent New Years in Mumbai, was up till 7:30 am (a personal record)
-Went back to Mumbai in mid-Jan (anyone see a theme here? Mumbai is phenomenal...)


Now I'm in my last month in Hyderabad, and as I look back on my time here, I'm starting to get impossibly nostalgic. India has changed me in so many ways, and it's difficult for me to imagine what my life will be like when I go back to San Francisco, even though that is technically "home." I will carry little pieces of India with me for the rest of my life: an appreciation of really good chai, the varied flavors of chat masala (perhaps the most complicated spice I've ever tasted), the memory of my friend Maya's particular tone of voice and intonation when she's being teased about something, an appreciation of staring in public being an acceptable convention, the pride in knowing how to get around a city that has no street names or building numbers.

I will wear the saris and bangles I'm bringing back to the States with pride, and plan to organize "salwar kameez" Thursdays at work. I know I will never find dal like the dal from Angeethi. I plan to make appam and prawn curry at home (I'll probably fail, but I WILL try). I will probably do the head bobble for several months after I return, and will certainly get strange looks for it.

So much of my time here has been in a bubble of the expat lifestyle, but I have also walked around the streets of Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, and have gained a profound respect for the people of this country, who despite crushing poverty and backbreaking work, still find time to smile, laugh, and love fiercely. India is a humbling place.

Alright, enough of the reflection. I've added some new pictures below, take a look, leave a comment, etc.