chicago

the trip to chicago was something else! thats when i realized how much my work means to me & how much I love it. it was a super packed 3 days & i met people form all over. chile, mexico, ecuador, bolivia. some came with translators... some with samples.. some with a singular mission of wanting to work with us! it was overwhelming & humbling. there is so much to do & i'm so glad i'm in a position to be able to do that. to help some people realize their dreams.. to help make a better life & living for several others. it was a great conference. my first & i did not expect a turnout of 700+ people. it was high on passion, energy & genuine concern & care. its great to be part of this large movement I can't wait for the day when the average american knows all about fair trade & is conscious about it.

the calculator that H & P have been working on, was a smash hit. Established organizations like serrv, ten thousand villages & IFC noticed the value of the tool. & everyone was left wondering.. why didn't anything thing of this earlier. Well.. its takes a P to do that!

Back to sourcing & meeting people... it felt good to meet all genuine people. people were there because they wanted to be there.. not as a corpporate or social obligation. soo much to do.. sooo much to do. . i didn't have a minute free.. 8am-9-11pm. i kinda felt bad that i did not even spend an evening with N with whom i was staying. His studio was plainly a sleeping pad for me! oh well.. guess he understood that i was genuinely pressed for time.

random thoughts & happennings

i'm here on a fine saturday morning.. listening to himalayan chants. its interesting to note that the catholic husband introduces me to all the mind stimulating props that are an intregral part of hindu culture.. mediation, yoga..chants.. but i to say that listening to that & to all forms of classical notes & theme music does get my mind in a very alert, focussed & passionate state. i've now started tuning into it when i drive to work or when i'm working on something critical & important.

i've started reading this super cool book about organization & how to get my point across - which i know i'm lacking in. unless i've put in time to prepare for a meetign or a situation, i am almost never 100% satisfied with the way i put my thoughts across. need to work on how to get my thoughts & points across super clearly & concisely in the shortest time... on the spur! phew! the very thought of it sounds challenging.

i got a sewing machine!!! i'm so excited. & i think amma'll be even more excited when she gets here & tries it! i've been sewing for several years when i was home using amma's almost 30 yr old machine.. & now.. this thing is a breeze.. no katak-patak clanking of levers & pedals! i haven't sewed anything of consequence.. but the thought that i can keeps me happy.

R's wedding... ah! so beautiful. L & i went for the receptiopn at the mart hopkins. the pregnant momma managed a slinky li'l black dress.. well not so li'l. we loved the whole evening. after a huff & a puff up taylor st... the setting was SOOOO elegant & classy. rich, niec.. but NOT over the top. food was YUMMY. the couple was so cool & casual with the bride busting out newly learned tunes on her guitar.. when the dancing got going.. it was so interesting to listen to white boy music .. :))) britnet spears & YMCA ruled the night.

i cannot beleive D got throught the first 2 rounds of pre-slection for the apprentice! crazy uh!? firstly he just landed at our doorstep today.. while i was all lazing around in my shabbiest PJs.. wanted to show off his new fancy car to L. & then.. he makes me listen to this voicemail from the rep at NBC! i was in shock! he supposedly made a video & presented it to them & made it through that round.. & now.. he has an interview in a few weeks. this is SO awesome!. D's been a go getter.. & i hope he makes it!