A ship in the harbor is safe

...but that is not what ships are built for.

Right?!

 

And she's off! Still all backpack and ponytail as she steps through the gate.

We've had many tough conversations about the terrible attack on and death of the young woman in New Delhi last month--and the many other untold stories of violence against women not just there but all around the world. While I've always felt strongly about the safety of women globally (remember this?), I feel it particularly keenly today. 

But we also know that India is a country of contradictions, as wonderful as it is devastating. She will be well looked after and wise. And better for her experiences there. 

India, be good to our girl.

Passage to India

While I'm hovering around, listening to NPR online and waiting to hear US election results, I thought I'd share a bit of news we've been buzzing about around here.

After visiting us for Christmas next month, Lauren will head off to India where she has been accepted to study abroad next semester. She's over the moon about it; she has always had an particular fondness for all things to do with India and now she gets to go study and live there for over four months. 

She'll be in Visakhapatnam (usually called Vizag for short), a port city on the south eastern coast of India on the Bay of Bengal, in a house with several other students. 

One (admittedly tourist bureau-ish) view of Vizag

It's a hybrid program so she'll be taking language and anthropology classes at Andhara University and also doing her own independent field research. She's planning on doing an ethnography studying siblings and sibling caregiving in Indian culture. Truth be told, I'm thrilled for her and a little jealous--while simultaneously indulging in some parent worry and prayers for her safety and health (breathe in, breathe out). Another truth be told: I think Lauren secretly would be perfectly content to stay there and do international work a la Maggie Doyne.

Oh, hello, strong Paxman/Brockbank/Bentley wanderlust genes. I know you.

Crikey: A year with two springs

We have some pretty crazy news. It's part of why I've been so radio silent around here; mum was the word and it is nigh to impossible for me to keep these kinds of things to myself. 

We are stunned/anxious/giddy to announce that we are moving to Australia! G has the opportunity to head up legal there for his company and it's just too tempting an adventure for us to turn down*. We'll live in the capital, Canberra, a small city about 3 hours south of Sydney and are signing the final papers this week (so, truth in advertising, it's more like a 98% chance at this point but I can't hold back any longer).  

We definitely have mixed feelings about leaving our good life here: people, neighborhood, & schools we know and love dearly. It feels a bit like we're playing Let's Make a Deal and we have a lovely, known option of our current life revealed by Door #1 and a mysterious, unknown option behind door #2. We say "Chuck, we'll take our chances with Door #2!" and the audience kind of gasps. Time will tell.

At the moment we're mostly focusing on the good parts of this change: Hosting visitors who will have to tarry a good long while after traveling all that way. Having two springs this year. Exploring a part of the world we've not seen. Warm, sunny Christmases. Possible Aussie twangs in our speech. Saying "shrimp on the barbie" and "crikey" and "g'day mates." Taking up surfing (a bit of a stretch, since we're an hour inland).  No US presidential election commercials on tv. Oh, and two words: Hugh Jackman.

As you can imagine, our heads are spinning a bit at this point. My lists keep multiplying and having lists of their own. This is what we've figured out so far: G will head there in early June and we'll join him by September. He'll come home in between to help with the move and we'll visit family&friends in the west. Or such is the ideal plan at this point, subject to the tinkerings and hammerings life is sure to contribute to it. 

More soon, mates.

. . .

*You might remember that we thought we might go a few years ago. This time 'round they approached G about it and the process moved (mercifully) quite quickly in the last few weeks.