news from Jhiri

Take a look at the fabulous website Rachel started for the co-op she works with in northern India. Thankfully, she's able to send us bi-weekly updates on her latest challenges, goals, and success stories, which makes me miss her just a tiny bit less.

I can so easily picture my best friend making these simple, graceful changes to her new community (along with far bigger projects!). She writes, "I painted “pani bachao” (“save water”) on the tank holder/tap area from which the school kids get their water.  I also put up a statistic about how many people worldwide don’t have access to clean water (one in six, closer to one in five in India).  Not only does the water area look beautiful and colorful now, but I have already noticed the kids using less water, and reminding each other to turn of the taps while washing hands and dishes."

way to go rach!

yum! roasted peanuts

photos from her blog

guest explorer

my wonderful friend lindsay has been living and traveling in South France since the fall. She shares her well written adventures on her blog "France Part Deux".  A quick photo tour...

the brioche-like "Galettes de Roi," a special Epiphany dessert

the french version of bloomingdales or nordstroms

the Peyriac-de-Mer ponds

Lindsay's christmas tree in Toulouse

Doesn't everything in france seem to sparkle?

mugged

Walking home from the bike shop last night, two idiot teenagers held me up at knife point and demanded give me all your money.  I told them I didn't have any cash and they were satisfied to take my blackberry and run off, holding up their sagging jeans. It was pretty scary!

The fine officers of the SFPD found them just a few blocks away, and now I have my too expensive to buy twice and much beloved phone back. Phew, what a good ending to an awful event.  So, my wonderful friends, I hope you're safe and traveling in groups.  I hope the kids learn from their mistake and make something amazing of their lives.

xoxox^nth