Some conversations from the last month: Koh Samui, driving around the Southern parts of the island Maher: Les gars, vous avez vu les vaches? Et il y a des chevaux aussi! (Hey guys, did you see the cows? There are horses as well!) Me: Do you know what cows eat? Leila: Gra-nola On the beach … Continue reading Conversations
Tag: ayi
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
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!
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
“Afu ge ge”, “Leila mei mei”
“Which twin is older?” The question is absurd. In China, I get it all the time. And it works me up. “They are twins. They are the same age.” I reply, irritated. “Yes, but they didn’t both come out at the same time, did they? One had to have been born first.” They insist, “Is … Continue reading “Afu ge ge”, “Leila mei mei”
Uncle Mao
"Man-ee," L says as she examines the 5 Yuan note. She points at Mao Zedong's purple face, "Shu Shu!" she claims. Like any young Chinese woman is respectfully called ayi or aunt by a child, a young man is uncle - shu shu.
“Ma na”
This evening in the yellow van cab on our way to the airport, past the Calgary Tower and not far from the Calgary zoo, I told the children again that we are headed back to China. M asks : " Who are we going to see in China?" L responds: "Ma na!" "Yes," I say. … Continue reading “Ma na”
The state of my yoga
I have heard that Pattabhi Jois and Sharath say taking care of a family is a yoga practice in itself. In the midst of the "Family yoga" I am trying to continue with my Asana and Pranayama practices. My back is weaker for having barely got on the mat in the last three weeks. The … Continue reading The state of my yoga
Elevator ride
The 20 floor elevator rides up and down from our apartment can be quite the comedy. There is not much uneasy staring at the floors, not many stifled coughs or forced nods here. On our way out to play yesterday, a woman familiar to L and R knelt to stroke their hair and have a … Continue reading Elevator ride
The Old Macdonald story part three
R climbed out of our bed this morning, still warm with fever, saying "ayi ayi". Same thing he said running towards xiao He when she entered the door. He picked up the cover of a Baby Einstein DVD he loves. There is a section on farm animals with his favorite theme song. He wanted to … Continue reading The Old Macdonald story part three
Natasha Devalia 