Now You’ve Got My Attention

Posted on December 2, 2015 by renbog

I have spent years in blissful ignorance, in peaceful complacency, in feeble excuses.

I remember Lori Dann, so many years ago in Winnetka. Columbine. Northern Illinois University. Fort Hood. Gabby Giffords in Tuscon. Aurora, Colorado, movie theater. Sikh temple in Wisconsin. Sandy Hook. Washington Navy Yard. Charleston church. Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs.  Just to name a very few.

I have sat by and watched silently while innocent people have been killed. Adults. Students. Military. Religious. Teachers. High school kids. Middle school kids. Elementary school kids. Just to name a very few. I’ve felt disgust and sadness and sat back and shook my head and shrugged my shoulders.

I’ve said nothing.

I’ve said, “I don’t think we need stricter gun control laws. They won’t do any good anyway. The guns are already out there. There’s no way to change what happens with guns.”

I’ve said, “Meh,” to anything the NRA says because they want to arm everyone, I swear. When a baby is born, take their footprints, determine their APGAR score, fill out the birth certificate, and get them their FOID card. Guns make a great baptism gift. Add a box of bullets to your flower arrangement for an extra fee.

I have been apathetic. And happily so.

But then San Bernardino happened today. And now I’m pissed and I’m tired of being apathetic and apologetic and level headed.

Fix. This. Now.

It is still too soon into this story to know if any of the people killed or wounded were developmentally disabled, but I don’t care. Three gunmen walked into this facility well prepared to murder and cause harm. This is a place that assists the most innocent and vulnerable of our world. These are people who have no concept of evil and do nothing their whole lives but love and depend on the goodness and kindness of others and exude kindness and love in return. The mere fact that someone has come in and defiled this space for these people, regardless of who was the target or who was injured or killed, has made me decide that I no longer want to be silent and apathetic and passive. Because all I see when I imagine what happened today is an image of my two uncles who are developmentally disabled and how terrifying and vile it is to imagine someone coming in to a place where they are and scaring them or hurting them.

I have sat back and let innocent people, including children, be murdered, and I’ve kept silent. But not anymore. Now I’ve decided it’s personal.

To the NRA, shut the hell up about gun rights and recognize that not everyone deserves a gun. Start to acknowledge that we have a gun problem in this country and it needs to be addressed. Use your power for good.

All you responsible gun owners, start to speak up loudly and forcefully about how horrific this is. Flood social media with your condemnation of irresponsible, reckless, dangerous, murderous use of guns. Advocate for responsible gun laws and responsible gun ownership. Acknowledge the fact that we have a gun problem in this country. Help make it stop.

I have always been one who said, “Guns don’t kill people. People kill people.” But I don’t give a damn about that sentiment anymore. People kill people with guns way, way, way too often and in way, way, way too many numbers. The number of people killed with guns compared to other murders is disproportionate. Acknowledge that. Do something. Make it stop.

We have a damn gun murder problem in this country. I am at the point where I don;t give a single damn about the 2nd Amendment. I don’t care about the right to bear arms. I care more about protecting innocent lives, especially the most vulnerable lives in our society.

I am tired of thinking about gun violence rationally. I’m pissed.

Make. It. Stop. I don’t care how. Just freaking do it.

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Marathon Musings

Posted on October 12, 2015 by renbog

Yesterday, Jim and I volunteered to work at the Chicago Marathon. It was an interesting experience, so thanks to my friends Larry and Cathy for “roping” us into this. But I had a few thoughts on it.

First, my non-running-related thoughts. It is simply mind-boggling how much behind-the-scenes work goes on to put on this event. If nothing else, I was impressed by the number of people and hours that go into getting this race in action. A huge round of applause goes out to all the people who work and volunteer this event. That being said, here are a few snarky comments. First, if you are going to volunteer to work this race, then fulfill you commitment or dump it altogether, but don’t do it half-assed. If you can’t commit, then don’t come. But if you show up, then do the whole job. Jim and I were very fortunate to have a great group of volunteers that worked corral H with us. They all did what they were asked to do, and they all stayed through to the very end of their commitment time and some even stayed beyond. But we have been told by other people who have worked the marathon before that volunteers skipping out early has been an issue. After doing this yesterday, I get a sense of how problematic that can be. Also, the vast majority of runners are so great to work with, but it is amazing how I can greet 5000 runners entering a corral and remember the five or so who were complete jerks. Yes, we volunteers are there to make sure you runners have a great race, but that doesn’t mean you get the right to be nasty to the volunteers. Also keep in mind that we don’t make the rules, nor do we make up the way the start is set up. So when you don’t like the fact that we can’t let you in any other corral other than one you’re assigned to or you don’t like the fact that you can’t get to gear check without having to take the long way around the back of the last corral, that is not the fault of the volunteers. We are only telling you what we have been told to tell runners when they ask us these questions. No need to argue, threaten, or just be rude. And yes, I sure met a very few rude runners yesterday. And trust me when I say, I was always polite and apologetic because I know that when I have that vest on with my name on it, I am representing the Chicago Marathon and my behavior reflects upon the organizers of this race.

Me working corral H at the Chicago Marathon. I'm plugging my ear trying to hear what they are saying over the radio as we bring our runners toward the start line. Pretty electric! Photo credit: Cathy M.

Me working corral H at the Chicago Marathon. I’m plugging my ear trying to hear what they are saying over the radio as we bring our runners toward the start line. Pretty electric! Photo credit: Cathy M.

Also, please remember that volunteers don’t know everything. I had a few spectators come to me after I was done and heading back to return my materials approach me about where to access the finish line or where to meet their runners when done. I couldn’t answer their questions and they sure were mad. I apologized and explained that to be very honest, my work was on the start line and I did not learn about the procedures for the finish line. Some people just didn’t like that answer. I tried to point them to people who could help them, but they didn’t like that either. They expected that I had on the vest so I must know it all. One woman yelled at me and said, “My son is the number one marathon racer in Mexico and I want to watch him cross the finish line!” I tried to explain to her that the finish line was a secured area and she couldn’t go there, but I told where she could meet him afterward. She huffed off. Again, I don’t know everything as a volunteer, and I didn’t make the rules. But the vast, vast majority of runners were a lot of fun to be around and had a great, positive vibe. I even ran into a former student at corral H! I knew right away when he said, “Are you Mrs. Bogacz?” because there is only one group of people in the world who call me that 🙂

Now running-related thoughts. And this is nobody’s fault — make that disclaimer right now. This is likely MY brain and MY insecurities at work. But Two weeks ago I felt like a kick-ass runner for finishing a half marathon. And now suddenly I feel like maybe that wasn’t such a big deal. Because it wasn’t a full marathon. I’ve started kicking around the idea of training for a marathon after  my experience this weekend, but now I can’t figure out if it’s because I’m inspired to run a marathon or if I am feeling somehow inadequate because I ran a half but not a full. Attempting to run a marathon out of spite is a crappy reason to run one. But somehow I feel less “accomplished” and I know I shouldn’t feel that way and I don’t know why I feel like that. It’s not because anyone has ever said I should feel that way or poo-pooed what I did. But that feeling is nagging at me and I don’t like it. (BTW, I’m not looking for anymore “attagirls!”)

So if you like  a challenge and like to be a part of something exciting, consider volunteering to work the marathon. It will be a great experience and a learning experience. I’m looking forward to it again next year.

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Chicago Half Marathon

Posted on September 27, 2015 by renbog

Today I ran my very first half marathon. My official time was 2:56.17; I had said I wanted to run it in 2:59.59, so I beat the goal I had for myself. I am still on a high from this. I don’t anticipate coming down for quite a while.

With Peter and Michael before the race.

With Peter and Michael before the race.

Ever since I watched my cousin Peter run a half marathon, I wanted to do it. I tried to train once or twice in years past, but never even came close. I had all sorts of issues with my shins, and honestly, I simply didn’t have the mental chops it takes. I knew I had what it took at the beginning of this year, but I got injured which sidelined my training for a half I wanted to run in May. I really was chomping at the bit to do a half this year, but I was so nervous about the Chicago Half because they had a minimum 12 minute/mile average pace requirement (they changed that minimum pace requirement about 2 or 3 weeks before the race to a 16 minute/mile average pace, which was a saving grace for me, as my average pace today ended up being more than the 13 minute/mile). But I signed up for it. And I did it. And I didn’t come in last.

The weirdest thing I saw was around mile 2 or so. I passed a guy (and yes, he was wearing a race bib so he wasn’t some random Chicago guy) who was walking barefoot, watching a movie on his phone. I knew at the very least I could beat this guy for sure.

Running on Lake Shore Drive is pretty cool. The road is pretty severely banked in some places, though, which wreaked havoc on my shins, knees, and hips.

Mile 4. Feeling really good.

Mile 4. Feeling really good.

I felt pretty good through most of the race. I started to feel the miles around mile 7 or 8. By the time I hit the last 2 miles, I was struggling. The mental part of those last two miles was way harder than the physical part. I was constantly telling myself, “Step. Step. Step. Move forward. Move forward. Move forward.” I was also fighting back tears, which would have resulted in a guaranteed fail. So I kept those at bay because I knew what they would do to me.

Yes, I was hurting. I was hurting in ways I’ve never hurt before when running. But I wasn’t concerned by the pain. I had long ago accepted that there is pain in long runs, so the pain and the exhaustion weren’t my battles; it was the mental fortitude.

Done, sweaty, wearing my hard-earned bling!

Done, sweaty, wearing my hard-earned bling!

Every part of my lower body hurts. The tips of my toes. My feet. My ankles. My shins. My calves. My knees. My thighs, front and back. My IT band is surely screaming as is my hip. Both sides. My rear end. And I love love love it. Badges of honor. It’s funny how my 10 miles run last week left me tired and a little sore but add 3 more miles on to that 10 and suddenly my body starts to fall apart like the Blues Brothers car!

My body after this race :-) (Photo URLhttp://www.geeksofdoom.com/GoD/img/2015/06/The-Blues-Brothers-Chicago.jpg)

My body after this race 🙂
(Photo URLhttp://www.geeksofdoom.com/GoD/img/2015/06/The-Blues-Brothers-Chicago.jpg)

This was an experience of a lifetime. I don’t have many things on my bucket list. But this was one of them.

And to the person who many years ago told me I couldn’t run a half because I wasn’t “built like a runner”, well I might just have to smack you with my humongous Chicago Half Marathon finishers’ medal.

Posted in Exercise | 2 Comments

IDC About Patrick Kane

Posted on September 23, 2015 by renbog

Let me start by saying I don’t care what anyone reading this thinks of Patrick Kane. I don’t care if you think he’s a dirty pig rapist or if you are a supporter of his and believe with every ounce of your being that he has a halo over his head or if your opinion is somewhere in between. I do not care. We can all sit around and say we are waiting for “the truth” to come out, but it won’t happen. There are three sides to every story — and the three sides in this story are Kane’s side, the accuser’s side and the truth. So anyone who is asserting that they are waiting for the truth before making a judgment, good luck with that. A charge isn’t the truth. A verdict isn’t the truth. A settlement isn’t the truth. The truth will never be known. That’s why I don’t care what you think of Patrick Kane.

But I do kind of care what you think about his accuser.

Because the amount of slut shaming that has happened since this story broke has been disgusting, nauseating, filthy, vile, frightening, and a whole host of other awful adjectives.

Anyone who thinks a woman makes a claim of rape lightly is being utterly ridiculous. Here’s why.

First, I think most people have sympathy for the woman who claims rape when some horrible. big man jumps out of the shadows and brutally rapes a woman. But when it comes to date rape or acquaintance rape, well, that changes things.

If my own daughter came to me and told me she had been raped, I would passionately beg her NOT to pursue it, to just forget about it, to learn to live with having been violated so horribly. And here’s why.

If she was wearing a skirt or dress that was too short (subjective), OR if she was wearing pants that were too tight (subjective), OR if she was wearing a top that was too sheer or too tight or too low cut (subjective), she would be called a slut, which equates to asking to be raped which means she deserved it.

If she was flirting with the guy, she would be called a slut, which equates to asking to be raped which means she deserved it.

If she had been drinking, she would be called a slut, which equates to asking to be raped which means she deserved it.

If she left with the guy or went somewhere alone with him, especially if it was not daylight out, she would be called a slut, which equates to asking to be raped which means she deserved it.

If she has any kind of sexual past, meaning she is not a virgin, she would be called a slut, which equates to asking to be raped which means she deserved it.

If she has ever had so much as a sip of alcohol in the past, she would be called a slut, which equates to asking to be raped which means she deserved it.

If she has breasts or a vagina, she would be called a slut, which equates to asking to be raped which means she deserved it.

A grandmother, a nun, a pregnant woman could be raped and some people would find ways to say she deserved it.

Pardon my language, but this is the shit-storm that has been unleashed upon Patrick Kane’s accuser. And it is disgusting. And so very sad.

This is why I would never, ever want my daughter to accuse someone of rape. And God forbid she leveled that accusation against someone who is a pillar of the community or famous or has money. Because that opens up a whole new level of vile, insulting, degrading things to say about her. The humiliation and degradation that happens to a woman who has been raped is nothing compared to the humiliation and degradation that comes upon her if she has the audacity to actually make the accusation. I wouldn’t wish that shit-storm on any woman.

So go ahead and have your opinion about Patrick Kane. You’ll never be proved right or wrong. Feel free to support him at the top of your voice if you want. But try doing it without slut shaming. Because no woman, including Kane’s accuser, deserves it ever.

Try it out on a woman you know. I tried it out on my daughter. Try it out on your mom. Maybe your mom is out with some friends having a glass of wine. She’s got on a skirt that’s just above her knees and a sleeveless top and red heels, not too high. Some group of guys has been watching your mom and her friends all night from a distance. Your mom and her friends end their night at like midnight, her friends leave but she hits the bathroom before she leaves. So now she’s walking out to her car alone and one of the guys who was in the bar earlier accosts her in the parking lot, manages to get her in his car, drives her away and rapes her.

Was she drinking? Asked for it.

Was she alone? Asked for it.

How was she dressed — skirt above the knee, skin showing, heels? Asked for it.

Did she at any time see the guy, make eye contact with him, smile at him? If so, asked for it.

If you think this is bullshit, think again. Because this is how lawyers who defend accused rapists make their case. SHE made all sorts of mistakes. SHE did all sorts of misleading things.

And I haven’t even gotten to how much or little a woman fights or protests. Because I’m betting for rape apologists, there isn’t any amount of “no” that matters. She was in a mini skirt? Your “no” means nothing. You were dressed like a slut. You asked for it. You deserve it.

None of this is an exaggeration. Read about rape cases. Read the comments on any story out there about Patrick Kane right now. His accuser is a dirty whore, a filthy slut, a gold-digging bitch who deserves to be raped for real.

False accusations happen, but they are very rare. Because that accusation, real or fabricated, results in a lifelong torrent of hideous insults.

The slut shaming and excuse-making and victim blaming is a boil on the butt of our humanity and it has to stop. Let’s start with this very public Patrick Kane case. Your character is showing.

Posted in Rants | 1 Comment

#100DaysofMiles Day 100

Posted on August 5, 2015 by renbog

On January 1, 2015, I started on a journey to run at least one mile for 100 days (hosted by I ❤ To Run). On August 5, 2015, I ran day 100. In theory, I should have run 100 miles in those 100 days, but because most times I run more than a mile, I actually logged many more miles than 100. I actually ran 284.41 miles over those 100 days.

I ran inside on treadmills and on running tracks. I ran outside on the road, sidewalk, and bike path. I ran in the dark and in the sunshine. I ran in the morning, afternoon, and night. I ran in the heat, humidity, snow, and rain.

I ran here in my home town. I ran in Mumbai, India; Dubai, UAE; and Key West, Florida. I tried to run on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean but since I had forgotten to pack a sports bra, running was NOT a possibility!

I ran one race in those 100 days — a 5K on the 4th of July in Tinley Park where I ran my best 5K. I was sub-40 minutes and damn proud of that accomplishment considering the very first 5K I ever ran was finished in 56:29.

People say running is an individual sport, and in some respects it is. I almost always run alone, and I prefer it that way. I’m very self-conscious about my pace (as you can tell, I’m not a really fast runner). I’m not much of a conversationalist when I run, either, due to all oxygen being used for breathing! But that doesn’t mean I managed to squeak out almost 300 miles of running all by myself. Let me tell you who has helped me along the way — and I KNOW I’m gonna forget someone, so if I forgot you, TELL me! Because I want to thank you! This is in no particular order.

My husband, who believes in me to a fault and is my biggest cheerleader. Thank you fur running that Hot Chocolate race and making me so jealous I wanted to cry. That was what motivated me.

My daughter, who also believes in her mommy way more than is deserved.

My mom, dad, and Brenda who always encourage me. Dad and Brenda got me a nice kick in the pants to move while I was in India!

My neighbors Lori, Jennifer, and Darcy for always cheering me on when they see me dripping sweat up and down their sidewalks.

My friends the Millers for always listening to me drone on about running and believing in me.

My dear friend Emily who has been encouraging me to run for years. She has been there when I tried and failed and hurt and whined and she never stopped supporting me.

All sorts of people I work with — Susan, Chris, Dacia, Mary Jo, Denise, Michelle, Laura, Angie, Deb, Brenna, Katie, Katie, Ted, Amy, KC, Kimberly, Peggy, Shari, Geri, Janine, and Erin. They always are willing to talk running and exercise. It is extremely motivating to work with such a big group of healthy-minded people. You all literally have no clue how much you help me live a healthy, active life.

My extended family — Aunt Carol, Robyn, Peter, Michael — you also listen to me drone on about running way more than I know you want to!

ATI Physical Therapy, especially Genevieve and Ashley. When I got injured and had to lay off the heavy duty running for a couple months, they were the two PTs who got me back in shape. The taught me so much about the mechanics of my body; to this day, I am doing exercises they gave me because I live in mortal dread of a sidelining injury again.

The Channahon-Minooka Running Club group on Facebook. I read their posts and ask for advice and I fill in my miles on the mileage chart and love seeing my name on the list with all the big running dogs. I may be more of a lurker in that group, but you seriously have no idea how much you all motivate me.

And bunches of other people on Facebook who have “liked” every one of my running posts, and they’re plentiful! I think of people like Jamie and Pam and Danielle and Bob and Christine and Karen and Margie and Sheila and Missy and Yvonne and Yoshie and on and on and on!

My Weight Watchers peeps — DeAnna and Chris and all the other people whose names I don’t know but always have smiling, supportive faces.

Naperville Running Company for feeding my addiction to shoes, socks, and Gu. And always asking me about my running. They took me seriously as a runner despite the fact that I have never looked like a runner (and I still don’t but I know better — I AM a runner).

So I may be done with 100 days of miles, but I’m not done running. I’m attempting half marathon training right now and so far it’s going well. That may be on the horizon for me. I’m still undecided. But I will continue to keep running. In the past year, I have lost 53.4 pounds and running has played a huge role in that weight loss. I’ve still got almost 25 pounds to go to get to my goal weight, so tomorrow will be day 101, and there will be many more beyond that!

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There Are Worse Things, Right?

Posted on July 22, 2015 by renbog

All the brouhaha over Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert’s divorce got me to thinking….

Side note: I really don’t care one bit about their divorce. Personally, any time a marriage is held up to the spotlight as fairy tale perfect like theirs was, you’ve got a recipe for disaster. But I digress.

There are rumors that Miranda cheated on Blake, and there are rumors that Blake cheated on Miranda. So it sounds like there was cheating involved. Probably not a shocker. It is almost universally assumed that if a spouse cheats, a divorce is soon to follow. But does it have to? Is infidelity an absolute deal breaker?

My husband and I long ago made a deal that if either one of us ever cheated on the other, we would never, ever tell each other that we cheated. We both really believe that telling your spouse you cheated is only to relieve the cheating party from their guilty conscience, and if you cheated, you should have to live with that guilt as your consequence for cheating.

Some people think that’s a ridiculous deal. They talk about vows and honesty. I get that. I made vows on my wedding day just like everyone else did. And if I screwed up those vows, I have to live with that for the rest of my life. And don’t get me started on honesty. Honesty is the best policy? I call BS. How many little white lies do we tell every day? Sometimes honesty is just plain mean and hurtful and should not be spoken aloud. Case in point: I’m a teacher. But I’m also human. Do you think I like every single kid I have encountered in my 25 year career? But more importantly — do you think any kid I didn’t like KNOWS I felt that way about him or her? Absolutely not. How crappy would it be to be honest and tell a kid or a kid’s parent that I kinda find a kid annoying? Some things deserve to be tucked away and never spoken of.

So, what if one day my husband changed his mind and decided to come clean and tell me he cheated or I discover it because he didn’t cover his tracks appropriately? (For the record: he has NOT cheated on me — or at least, he has covered his tracks really well if he has!) I can tell you, the way I feel right now at my kitchen table typing this, it would hurt but it’s not a deal breaker. I’ve spent almost 25 years married to this guy, more than 25 years being in a relationship with him, a bit over 21 years raising a child with him, and if I’m being truthful, about 3 years being really, really great friends with him. I want to scrap all that over sex? I’d rather understand what led to the infidelity and then figure out how to keep that from happening again. My marriage is made up of so much more than just sex. The history is too rich to let one thing destroy it.

Maybe Blake and Miranda don’t have that because they were only married for 4 years. Maybe there isn’t enough glue there to keep them from breaking apart. But I think that glue comes not from the years put into the relationship but the attitude a person takes about the relationship. Divorce should not be taken lightly. Sure, there are some things that are big “nopes” in my marriage. If my husband was an abusive asshole, he’s getting a big ol’ goodbye. But I’ve never had the attitude that my marriage is disposable, even in the early years, which were kind of rough for us. I’ve never thought of infidelity as a reason to end my marriage.

Maybe that’s just me. And maybe I’m an idiot about this. But it seems to me that there really are worse things.

Posted in Emotional Outlet, Rants, Social Issues | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Cows and Swastikas

Posted on June 6, 2015 by renbog

Two things that are probably misunderstood are cows and swastikas. Here is a little background for you on both!

So many people mistakenly think cows are “worshiped” in India and that is plain wrong. In Hinduism, they are not worshiped. They are respected and appreciated and even revered. Cows are a useful gift to mankind. Without them, there would be no milk, butter, ghee.

Cows we saw standing in the street while we were out shopping today.

Cows we saw standing in the street while we were out shopping today.

In fact, cows provide milk like mothers do, so they can be thought of as surrogate mothers to mankind for what they provide. Lord Krishna was a cowherd, and Lord Shiva’s vehicle was a bull, so there are roots for cows being important in Hinduism. Want to understand more about cows and what they mean to Hindus? Here’s a short and interesting site to check out.

The swastika has a very long history but it was so distorted by Hitler that so many people

A shop we saw today. Notice that the swastika symbol looks different from the symbol used to represent the Nazi party.

A shop we saw today. Notice that the swastika symbol looks different from the symbol used to represent the Nazi party.

all around the world see it only as a symbol of evil and hatred. In fact, the swastika was used more than 5000 years before Hitler “hijacked” it. The symbol means “good fortune” or “well being”.  In Hinduism and some other religions, the swastika is still a sacred symbol. In fact, it is not uncommon to see it here in India. Today while at the mall, Brenda and I were looking at some beautiful Indian items in a culture store and saw a beautiful jeweled swag but rejected the notion of buying it because of the swastika on it. The simple act of displaying it would be misunderstood to the point of hostility. The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum website offers a really interesting history of the swastika.

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Eat up!

Posted on June 5, 2015 by renbog

I thought I’d share a little bit about food that I eat while visiting my dad in India. First, I don’t eat Indian food all the time. There are times I do eat it and enjoy it, but there is also plenty of other food to eat, too. There are lots of places to get Italian food, so I can eat pizza and pasta to my heart’s content! In the neighborhood where my dad lives, we can walk to Chili’s, Starbucks, KFC, Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Subway, Krispy Kreme, and Haagen Dazs. At the mall we were at yesterday, we had lunch at TGI Friday’s and there was also a McDonald’s, Burger King, and California Pizza Kitchen there. If food has ever been a reason to keep you away from India, I assure you, there is nothing to worry about!

Dinner -- Indian Vegetarian selection -- spiced mixed vegetables, cumin basmati rice, lentils with tomatoes and chiles, curried yogurt with okra, tomato-cucumber yogurt, and pickeled vegetables

Dinner — Indian Vegetarian selection — spiced mixed vegetables, cumin basmati rice, lentils with tomatoes and chiles, curried yogurt with okra, tomato-cucumber yogurt, and pickeled vegetables

If you do delve into Indian food, keep in mind a few things. First, beef is scarce or not available at all. In fact, my dad was telling me that the sale of beef in Mumbai is actually illegal. So the burgers I saw on the menu at Chili’s and Friday’s? Dad says they are likely buffalo. Now, be prepared to eat vegetarian. Many Indian dishes don’t have meat, and if they do, well, it’s likely chicken or lamb. Also, don’t be tricked into thinking vegetarian means healthy! Lots of Indian food is prepared with ghee, which is clarified butter. It sure gives the food a richness but doesn’t make it good for you! It is also common to see paneer in Indian dishes, which is a curd cheese. People say it’s cottage cheese but it’s not like we have at home. It’s cubed and it’s good! My favorite thing to eat while here is paneer tikka masala, which is paneer in a rich gravy. So good and so not good for you! Oh, and yes, be prepared for the food to be spicy!

How about some novelties? I love going to Haiko, the local grocery store. There are so many unique things to see. I wish I was allowed to take pictures but photography is not allowed in Haiko. So I’ve got some pictures I took of things we bought at Haiko or that my dad picked up at the store at his work!

Mangoes that taste like candy!

Mangoes that taste like candy!

It’s mango season here right now, and the mangoes here are nothing like the mangoes at home. These are as sweet as candy. I don’t want the folks at Weight Watchers to know because they might not let my mangoes be 0 Points!

Appy Fizz! Yum!

Appy Fizz! Yum!

Milk -- sold shelf-stable

Milk — sold shelf-stable

Skinny cans of pop

Skinny cans of pop

Appy Fizz is this really yummy carbonated apple juice drink! It is seriously addictive! I’m hoping I can find it somewhere once I’m home! Thirsty for something else? How about a glass of milk or a skinny can of Coke!

Honey Loops???

Honey Loops???

Want some cereal for breakfast? Have some Honey Loops! There are plenty of American cereals as well as variations.

A sleeve of Oreos

A sleeve of Oreos

Cashew cookies

Cashew cookies

Milk Bikis -- yum!!!!

Milk Bikis — yum!!!!

Snack time you can enjoy some Oreos in long, skinny packaging. Or you could partake in the cookies Brenda likes, cashew cookies, or the ones I’ve fallen in love with, Milk Bikis, like a vanilla sandwich cookie.

I promise you won’t go hungry here in India! And now you know why I’m running and exercising almost every day I’m here 🙂

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Sights That Amaze

Posted on June 4, 2015 by renbog

Today we drove into south Mumbai for the day. I got to see some things that are truly amazing which I’d love to share here!

We started the day visiting Dhobi Ghat, a famous open-air laundromat. I visited Dhobi Ghat in 2013 but it was raining so there really wasn’t too much to see. Today, however, was a warm and sunny day so there was PLENTY to see! It is amazing how they manage to get all the clothes clean and manage to keep track of it all, too! I also took Maddie Angus with me 🙂

On our way there, while stuck in traffic, I noticed some men cutting branches from a tree. When I looked up, I saw a man way up in the tree cutting the branches with a hacksaw. There was no ladder anywhere so he must have climbed the tree and he wasn’t tethered to anything. AND he was barefoot! I was simply amazed! We drove away with me shaking my head.

Dhobi Ghat

Dhobi Ghat

Dhobi Ghat

Dhobi Ghat

Taking Maddie to Dhobi Ghat

Taking Maddie to Dhobi Ghat

Something else I saw was something I saw the last time I was here. I saw an entire family riding on a motorcycle. The man was driving, the woman was behind him, and between them was a sleeping baby girl. I can’t even imagine what people would say if they saw that back in the States.

It was kind of fun being stuck in traffic. More than once, I could feel the eyes of people in cars or on motorcycles next to us on the road simply staring at me. In addition, after lunch I got up to go to the bathroom. I walked into the ladies room in the mall, which was crowded, maybe 8 or 10 women in there. As I walked in, literally every woman turned and looked at me. They didn’t just make a passing glance to see who had walked in. Maybe that’s what it started as, but once this blonde walked in, it became more of a gawk for a moment! I’m not going to lie; it makes me wonder if the way I felt walking into that crowded restroom is the way other people of color feel when they walk into a room of people who all look like me. It was an experience that gave me pause.

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A family on a motorcycle!

Safe tree branch cutting 101

Safe tree branch cutting 101

One of the things I really enjoy about India is that there is always so much to look at. Some of it is beautiful, like the palm trees, the clothes the women wear, and the colorfully painted trucks. Some of it is not so nice, like people living in abject poverty, garbage on the streets, and homeless dogs. But no matter what you are looking at, India never ceases to amaze.

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You Can’t Do It All So You Do What You Can

Posted on June 3, 2015 by renbog

I do declare, it is getting easier for me to run in this hot, humid weather! I had a really nice run this morning. And while I was on my run, something interesting happened.

A couple days ago Brenda had noticed a cat in the park. Stray cats are not commonly seen around here, at least not as commonly seen as stray dogs, which are everywhere. The cat Brenda saw was a lanky, think cream colored cat. Like the dogs, the cat might be thin because it’s hungry or because the animals here might be built that way, or a little bit of both.

Skinny kitty in the park. (Photo credit Brenda Hanik)

Skinny kitty in the park. (Photo credit Brenda Hanik)

This morning, I saw the cat while I was running. It was just lying in the shade, paying no attention to me or anyone else. As I finished my run, I decided to do a couple cool down walking laps (it sounds almost ridiculous to say “cool down”). As I did my first lap, I stopped and poured a little bit of water out of my water bottle on the ground for the cat. She came right over to it. I kept on walking. As I approached her on my second lap, she was lying in her spot in the shade but when she saw me, she got up and came over to me, meowing, and rubbing up against my legs. I poured her a little more water because that’s all I had to offer, gave her a few scratches, and finished my exercise. I was amazed that after one little act of kindness, this kitty remembered me. But I probably shouldn’t be surprised. The stray animals here don’t always get a lot of kindness so when they do, they remember who treated them well. There is a mom dog and her three pups at my dad’s work that he and Ahmed feed every morning and my dad tells cute stories and takes adorable videos of these dogs and how excited they are when they see the red car pulling up. They remember. They know these guys are going to give them some yummy stuff.

Now, I’m sure there is likely somebody reading this that doesn’t see much heart-warming information in that little story. Maybe they are’t animal lovers. Maybe they get frustrated by the assistance people give animals but seem to eschew their fellow man. Well, what I can tell you is that from my perspective, they are all God’s creatures — people and animals alike, and I do what I can to help those who need it regardless of how many legs they have.

So just to make sure everyone knows that yes, we do care about the numerous homeless animals we see here in India but we don’t ignore the many people who live in poverty. The last time I was here, there were two instances where we provided food for children begging on the street. On this trip, we were barely out of the airport before our car was approached by a child begging for money. My dad and Brenda quickly rolled down the window and offered what they could. The plight of those who live in poverty here isn’t lost on us. But neither is the plight of the animals who roam the street.

There are so many people who live in poverty here. There are so many animals who are homeless and uncared for here. We can’t help them all, but we help as many as we can — people and animals.

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