The Ellis Family.......The Real American Heroes

Yesterday morning I go this email--

Well I don't know if everyone knows but Jeremy left last night for Afganistan. He was ready and excited if you know jeremy you know he was. He said he is ready to kick ass! I think my kids were the loudest I had ever heard them cry. Jeremy got on the bus and the guys told him they made them cry. He should be home mid Dec. The kids and I will be down in july. When is Charlie's wedding so I can plan to come for it..anyways just updating everyone..

Jennifer


This is my cousin, Jennifer, and her 2 beautiful kids Ethan (5) and Bailey (almost 7). I read this and cried and cried. Those poor kids......Jennifer......Jennifer is the bravest and most selfless woman I know. Our country should bestow on her the highest honor and give her and her kids a privileged life. For them to be displaced in anyway should be criminal. For them to give up their family's protector, for him to fight for his country is heroic. They are heroes.


Jennifer, Bailey and Ethan-

Ben and I devised a plan. We are only about 6 hour boat ride from Afghanistan so if at anytime Jeremy needs us we are on the first boat there. Just tell him to send us some smoke signals. I know it is not a perfect plan but what we are saying is we are here for all of you at anytime. The Ellis family is in our hearts and prayers. We love you.

Just a note...

Now anyone can leave a comment or email a post to someone. So, please do and do not forget to subscribe to my blog!!!

Just Chit Chat....

Updates-

Well, we had our expat dinner and it was small but very nice. I am very excited about doing the next one. More people should be in town.

On a personal note-

Being 30....Boy, am I loving it. I never thought it would be this way. I am finding myself more and more each day. I am realizing just what it is that I like and love. I love the early mornings, music, dancing and my family. I also, realize with this new found life that I am getting the respect and attention that I so duly deserve. Before I never thought that I should get anything that was worth anything because, I did not think, I was worth anything, but now......I am worth more than anything (make sense ha ha). With this I am happier than ever and the people around me notice it. I even had someone tell me that they were jealous of ME because it seems that I love my life and they wished they had that. Can you believe that? I can't. I have waited all my life and now I have what I always wanted. God has truly blessed me.

Family updates-

My niece, ReAnn, is turning 17! I cried about that for a long time. I remember when she was born. She is such a wonderful girl and I love her more than she will ever know. ReAnn- Baby, I am proud of you and am always here for you no matter what. You can count on me!

Ben has another loose tooth! This one is on the top and he wants the dentist to pull it, like the others, because the dentist pulled teeth get more money from the tooth fairy. Get this, when he had his 2 bottom teeth pulled it cost me 200 rupees. That is less than $4. I know what you are thinking, but it was at a real dentist office, clean and yes he used a numbing injection.

My grandpa was diagnosed with lung cancer a few weeks ago and is undergoing chemo and radiation. My mom says he is sick and losing some of his hair from it. It is hard for me to really deal with this because he has been more of a dad to me than my own dad. I just thought that he was "untouchable" and could do nothing wrong, actually I still do (but do not tell grandma). I want to call him but when I try I just cry and then decide not to for the fear of upsetting him. Grandpa- we love you so much. Hang in there. We are praying for you each day.

I thought this was interesting.....Intellectual Blackmail!

Intellectual Blackmail!

We all agree that the level of intelligence is increasing day by day. To get your work done you need to have skills. You know if you ask a person to do this, he may not do. In such cases, people are smart enough to reframe their sentences just to bring you to their point of view or get their job done.

The sentences used directly challenge your mind and reasoning. Within one statement you undergo emotion swings. In the shadow of happy swing, the person makes you do or commit what he wants.

Sentences like:

• A wise and intelligent person like you can never think of doing that.

• A reasonable person like you would never make a mistake like that.

• I know you have a pure heart but…..

• I hope you are intelligent enough to realise....

• Could you be bold & nice to have a cup of coffee with me.

On such occasions, don't get carried away. Listen to your heart, mind & instincts. Understand what the other person actually wants from you.

Ben skating!!!

Plumbers crack....



Ben holding on to his friend for support.
Ben and his friend. She is teaching him to skate. She is the sweetest little girl. She follows Ben around and does whatever he wants.



This is Taylor. She is our pet pigeon. Every morning she comes in and makes herself at home. Taylor and her friends recently came in Robert's office and got on his keyboard. They responded to some of his emails and help solve a software problem. It was very funny.

Expat dinner!!!!

I have spoke with a few of you about dinner this Wed night. So, I would like to invite everyone to dinner at 8pm at La Fiesta which is on SG Hwy. It is on the same side of the road as McDonald's but across the street (if that makes sense). It is on the top floor.

If you know someone that might be interested please pass this along to them.

If you need you can always give me a call at 9909717032 or email me at reasa@selph.name.

--
Cheers!
Reasa Selph

I thought this was funny but kinda real...

Find out whether you are in love, lust, or marriage???

A guide to help you determine whether you are in love, in lust, or marriage:

• Love - when your eyes meet across a crowded room.
  Lust - when your tongues meet across a crowded room.
  Marriage - when your belt won't meet around your waist and you don't care.

• Love - when intercourse is called making love.
  Lust - all other times.
  Marriage - what's intercourse?

• Love - when you share everything you own.
  Lust - when you think twice about giving your partner bus money.
  Marriage - when the bank owns everything.

• Love - when it doesn't matter if you don't climax.
  Lust - when the relationship is over if you don't climax.
  Marriage - what's a climax?

• Love - when you phone each other just to say "I love you."
  Lust - when you phone each other just to organize sex.
  Marriage - when you phone each other to find out what time your kid's game starts.

• Love - when you write poems about your partner.
  Lust - when all you write is your partner's phone number.
  Marriage - when all you write is checks.

• Love - when you show concern for your true love's feelings.
  Lust - when you show concern for whether your partner is cute and sexy.
  Marriage - when your only concern is what's on television; and where is the remote?

• Love - when your farewell is, "I love you, darling."
  Lust - when your farewell is, "Same time next week?"
  Marriage - when your farewell is, "Don't forget to pick up the kids on the way home."

• Love - when you are proud to be seen in public with your partner.
  Lust - when you only see each other in the bedroom.
  Marriage - when you never see each other awake.

• Love - when your heart flutters every time you see them.
  Lust - when your groin twitches every time you see them.
  Marriage - when your wallet empties every time you see them.

• Love - when nobody else matters.
  Lust - when nobody else knows.
  Marriage - when everybody else matters and you don't care who knows.

• Love - when all the songs on the radio describe exactly how you feel.
  Lust - when all the songs on the radio are just the same old mushy stuff.
  Marriage - when you never have time to listen to music.

• Love - when breaking up is something you try not to think about.
  Lust - when staying together is something you try not to think about.
  Marriage - when wondering how you will get through the day is something you try not to think about.

• Love - when you're interested in everything your partner does.
  Lust - when you're only interested in one thing.
  Marriage - when you're not interested in what your partner does; and where IS that darned remote?

Happy Mother's Day

I wanted to wish all the mothers out there HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Expat dinner

Hello Everyone! It has been a while since us Expats of Ahmedabad have got together so I am trying to get us a dinner together at a local restaurant this Wed night. If you are interested please let me know. Cheers!

Pics!

This is Ben at the Iscon Mall where he is trying out for a part on Cartoon Network. He was speaking in the local language. Everyone was quite impressed after he got over being shy.
Move over Pops your bowling partner is on his way.......
Ben and I went bowling. I was proud to say that I bowled a much better game than last time I played but this time I was playing against someone that could not even pick up the ball. So.....
Yes, this is how messy his room is. He just waits for the house keeper to come and clean it then he gets upset that she "moves" his things. I am almost already feeling sorry for his wife. ha ha ha But he is my little man.

It is the strangest thing. If you tell Ben to clean his room he instantly falls asleep. No matter where he is, under the stairs, on the floor ect. To wake him you say "Let's go to the mall."
Ben wondering where his breakfast is. As always he wants 3 pieces french toast, bacon and eggs of then waits for Robert and I to finish so he can eat ours. The human garbage disposal at 7 yrs old. We are going to have to use his college fund to feed him.
Our neighborhood watch dog, Monty. Every neighborhood should have one because we have not had a break in, in the 2 plus years we have been here.

Ben Para sailing!!

Ben Para sailing! Ben after para sailing!

School Annual Function

This is Ben at his Annual School Function. Does he look like an Indian?


Go to http://sgvp.org/ to check out Ben's school. Be sure to look at the banner on the top, in the middle to see Ben' s picture.

After a long time!!!

Nana and Pops got this for Ben for his Bday. He put it together all by himself and then again with his dad. He says "Thanks Nana and Pops!"
Handsome boy..
Silly boy...



That is my tan!!
My favorite picture, ever!

That is a big carrot. And you thought things were bigger in TX!
Ben riding a bull at the mall.
Ben's tattoo at his 7th Birthday party. The guy did it freehanded.
He gave all his friends one of these toys.
Serious kid.
His Birthday cake.
His party was at Make n Bake. Make n Bake is a place to get snacks and paint crafts. It is pretty cool. After you paint the craft, they fire it and you get it back in a week.


Wow! It has been a long time. I wanted to give an update.

This are going pretty well. Robert and I are doing great. I think happier than ever. Ahmedabad is HOT!!!! Ben is doing very well. Each day I am reminded that he is my child with his defiant ways. Well, maybe not defiant but he is certainly finding his own way in life. He is so passionate about some things. He is really concerned about the Earth and saving it. That makes me proud as a parent. He also wants to be a rappin, software engineer when he grows up. He thinks he is the next Eminen. When he listens to music he really gets into the dancing. Boy, do we have our hands full. Oh yeah, his rap name is Lil B! ha ha At the same time he loves art and building things with his dad. He is so much like Robert and is more like him everyday. I am so lucky.

I am posting some recent pics. Hope you enjoy!

We are back!!! Update!!

Hey everyone! I am so sorry for not keeping you up to date. Things have just been crazy. I found out that I have Poly-Cystic Ovarian Disease. It has caused me a lot of issues. I am doing much better now. I had to take hormones to get back on track and you can imagine crazy me on extra hormones! Poor Robert and Ben. Then my best friend moved back to the US. That has been rough. I miss her. The Mumbai attacks did a real number on me. I was really afraid for a while. But, now, things are much calmer and I am feeling better. I also wanted to apologize for our Thanksgiving feast falling through. Everything just went wrong. Next time will be better. We got our Christmas tree up and tomorrow I will be posting pictures of it. Ben did a great job of putting it up. Talk to you soon!

Looking for a job.

Yes, me looking for a job. I need something part time to help me enjoy life more. Give me a sense of purpose. Money is not an issue but location and hours (because of Ben) are the main concern. I want a job where I can meet and help people. So, if you know of any jobs here please let me know.

Who knew?

Do you ever feel damned if you do and damned if you don't? Like no matter what, there is no right choice and if you say choose the lesser of 2 evils, which is lesser? Maybe, afraid to do what you want because doing what you want might result in what you don't want. A worse situation than what you have now. Wow. That is what I am going through about several things. Who knew growing up was so hard? Any advice?

Video from Ben

Big news out of Ahmedabad

Ben is becoming a big boy. He has his first loose tooth. He is afraid that he is going to starve to death because he fears he cannot eat. It is so cute. I am so excited! I never thought motherhood could be so great.

More news.... The response to our Expat Thanksgiving is going well. Again, please email me if you have any questions.

Expat Thanksgiving

Currently, I organize a monthly Westerns in Ahmedabad lunch so, for Thanksgiving I am trying to organize a feast to make being away from home during the holidays a little better. I am trying to go all out. Turkey, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce the whole nine yards. If there is anything you would like to add or an expat you would like to invite please feel free to give out my email, it is reasa@selph.name, for more details.

Update.....More Serious....

I have decided to make my blog somewhat more serious. I will still add the photos and updates but I have decided to add some of my more important things that are happening in life. I hope you enjoy. Please leave any feedback it will be most appreciated.

Happy Halloween!!

Boy Oh Boy do I miss Halloween. All the fun going house to house and the parties. Oh the fun. Happy Halloween.

I guess you are wondering why I am changing my blog up some. Well, I needed a change. I hope you like it. Let me know what you think.

Our Diwali Celebration ...

Our Diwali Celebration was fun. A few nights a ago Ben and Bob went out to hand out free fireworks to the disadvantaged children. The next night I went along. We went to a few scary neighborhoods I thought we might have to fight our way out of. Bob has no fear. It was fun, though. Then the next night we shot fireworks off our roof. That was fun too until we found the super sonic loud fireworks. These fireworks would definitely be illegal in the States. I am posting some pictures from those 2 nights and one of Ben's feet with gloves on them. It cracks me up. He is so funny. He walked around the house with gloves on his feet.

Just some recent pictures of Ben....

Ben's new haircut. It looks great!

Trying to lose weight....

Well, I have gained a bit of weight since being here and I am trying to lose it now. It is hard! In case you do not know I weighed 230lbs about 5 yrs ago and I lost 100 lbs over a 18 month period. No drugs just diet and exercise. I am trying to lose 10 lbs before Christmas and I workout for an 1 hour a day, 6 days a week but I cannot get the eating under control. So, I have lost no weight. I am doing better but stress eating is my downfall. So, I guess the reason I am writing this is I need advice.

Dance lessons for 3 months..... Was it worth it?

Things are good...

Things are going pretty good except the other day my friend and I went to BBQ Nation and they gave us raw, yes raw, chicken to eat. Then I went for a massage at a new place and it was awful. The first appearance of the building is that it is clean and nice. But, then they brought me back to a cubical and asked me to undress for the massage and I was beginning to get worried because it was loud and bright. Every movement in the salon could be heard. Everything from babies crying, hairdryers to the knocking over of chairs. I did not relax. I stopped to massaged about half way through and got up and walked out because it was just too much for me to handle. A few days before they did a manicure and pedicure for me and they did a terrible job. What did I expect? The salon name is Bellezza. I won't use them again.

I am back

Sorry I have not written in a while. I will do better. Promise.

Things have been going fine nothing major to report. Ben is doing well. My loving husband is busier than ever and I and busy too but a good busy. I am really starting to enjoy life. 30 is proving to be good for me. Let's hope it gets even better.