This evening my children and I spent a couple of hours running and playing at a neighbouring housing complex. A friend joined us. While the children were playing on the slides and mini monkey bars my friend stayed close to them, allowing me to respond to a text message on my phone. A little girl … Continue reading Lei La the Lao Wai
Category: Chengdu blues
We have been living in Chengdu, Sichuan since the beginning of 2006. We are still not used to the year-round humid, grey weather, but are very happy to be around such warm and friendly people.
What Dat Mum?
“What Dat Mum?” At lunch: “What’s that Leila?” I repeat. “It’s a mushroom.” Outside our apartment, near the elevators: “That? It’s a tiny, scrunched up piece of paper that we can throw in the dustbin Rahul.” After a bath: “That’s a hairbrush. But those? I don’t know Leila, umm…they’re a part of the hair brush … Continue reading What Dat Mum?
Dear Dr. Seuss (part 2)
Dirt Feet My hair is long, From neglected times gone My eyes are red, Watering the African Violets In my head My heart is heavy, Listening for sounds, Memories not ready My feet are bare, Together a pair How rare the sweet smell, Of wet, black soil, Caught between my toes No longer without a … Continue reading Dear Dr. Seuss (part 2)
Running Late
Last Thursday, at quarter to nine, I realised that it would take 20, 25 minutes to get to Judy’s studio on foot, and likely longer if I waited for a cab, and then jerked and snailed through the smoggy morning traffic. My Pranayama (breath work) would start at 9. I decided to go on foot. … Continue reading Running Late
Sad
I’ve been solo parenting for the last 10 days. On Sunday, Leila, Rahul and I spent the morning out. We were at a housing complex close by, playing on their favorite blue and red dolphin-swings. Nothing pleases them more. At one point we take a break: drink some water, eat a few grapes, change a … Continue reading Sad
Between Worlds: A Guest Post by Heidi Nevin
(As part of the series: A Monday Morning Guest Post in Multicultural Mothering) First, thank you, beautiful Natasha, for creating this forum and inviting us to share our perspectives. I was born in Crete, Greece and raised in Maryland, USA, on a beautiful, 86-acre, off-the-grid homestead. My parents, products of the hippie era, were inspired … Continue reading Between Worlds: A Guest Post by Heidi Nevin
Oh Boy!
“Rahul is a sweetheart! He let Leila have the train,” I declare proudly as he hands back her toy upon request. “Thanks Rahul.” I continue. “Afu BOY,” he quickly corrects me, worried. (He calls himself Afu; the Sichuanese version of his Chinese name.) “Yes. Afu boy.” I confirm, without going into how he can also … Continue reading Oh Boy!
Bedtime Stories Part 1
It’s bedtime. “Rahul, can you choose a few books for us to read tonight?” He brings 3 of his favorites. “Tuttle tuttle tree,” he repeats as we go through Dr. Seuss’s ABC imaginings. A comb, a brush, and a bowl full of… “Mush!” he beams, as we say goodnight to the room, the moon, the … Continue reading Bedtime Stories Part 1
In the Game
Early Sunday morning, I tell L and R that I’ll be out until lunch; that I’ll be teaching Pranayama (breath-work) workshops. “Afu Pa-ya-ma-na,” Rahul pleads with outstretched arms. (Afu is what he calls himself.) I pick him up; tell him that he can do some Pranayama with me, but that he’s got to stay with … Continue reading In the Game
La, la, la la la la, Leila, and the Door.
A few months ago a Yoga teacher asked me if I could make some space in the house that’s exclusive to my practice. I fidgeted. “Not really.” My living room Yoga studio, (now the the kids play room) has always been my practice space. "At least for your Pranayama practice." ---------------------- We have a spare … Continue reading La, la, la la la la, Leila, and the Door.
Natasha Devalia 