Half Way Through...

Okay, so I've been here for more than two months. Crazy I know. Now with only two months left... I've felt the need to talk about some things here. If any Indians are reading this, I mean no offense. I'm just commenting on what I observe here, with an American's point of view. I'm sure there are plenty of things that Americans do that you find just as different and / or crazy. So I'm not going to filter myself much... just to warn you. But yeah... it's not all that bad, do not worry.
First things first, and this is all me, not anything to do with Indian culture. My cookie attempt. Last week, I attempted to bake some cookies. In my personal opinion, I failed... miserably. Nevertheless, everyone thought that they tasted good, so I guess I didn't fail that badly. But let me tell you, it was a process. I had to take an auto to the only store that sells baking soda and other needed items. Then of course, I had to search the store for these items. Then I came home, converted my recipes, and began baking. The mixing process went pretty well, it was the baking that was the problem. My batter must have had too much butter or something because they were very watery. So when they began to cook they spread out and I ended up with a sheet of cookie, instead of nice little round cookies. To top that off, the baking time was double. Originally, they were not cooked enough, and when I put them back in, I burnt some. It was incredibly frustrating. But I guess they tasted all right. So all in all, it was a success... for the taste buds, not the eye.
Okay, I may have mentioned this before. But I feel I can mention it again, since I have begun to adopt this myself. The head bob. Indians (At least the ones in Vizag... and in Rajasthan...) bob their heads. Yes, I know most everyone bobs his or her heads in some manner or another. But the way the Indians do it is interesting. It's like dropping the head from one side to another, left, right. But it's a very fluid movement, very natural. If it doesn't look natural then you're not doing it right. It's like the answer to all questions. It can mean yes, no, I'm not sure. Anything. I usually use it as, maybe... But sometimes I use it just to emphasize my original answer. Supposedly, I do it quite well, while other Americans struggle to make their head bob correct, usually failing miserably. I fear that when I go back to the states I'll still be answering my questions with the bob, and people will look at me just as oddly as I did the first person who answered me in that way. And they won't know where I got it from.
Another thing I may have adopted. The phrasing here. The English they use is different from the English we use. Or at least the grammatical structure in which we use to speak. Instead of, "My head hurts," they say, "My head is paining." I don't know why but this always annoys me. There is no reason for it too, but being a writer and a grammar freak I always feel the need to correct them. It could totally be grammatically correct, but it sounds wrong to my ear, therefore it irks me. Another example would be instead of, "I'm going to rest for a bit," they say, "I'm going to rest for some time." Actually, the second one appears to be better grammar, or at least clearer. The phrase, "some time" is used so often that it is beginning to bother me as well. But I'm probably going to go back to the states spewing these phrases and I won't even know it.
One thing I know I definitely won't do, here or anywhere, and something I definitely will not miss... ever. Is the peeing on the side of the road. The men are always doing it. You can't drive down the street without seeing at least one guy standing on the side of the road peeing. It is highly bothersome. The women don't do it for obvious reasons. Yes, people pee on the side of the road in the states as well. But they at least go behind something or into the woods, and there aren't nearly as many people who do it. Here, everywhere you turn there is some guy doing his business. It disturbs me. Just thought everyone should know that.
Well, that's the end of today's post. I'll be posting soon about the festival that is happening right now. Diwali. It shall be interesting, trust me.
Much Love,
~ Jenna