back to school

we are still settling back in. i worked til about 2:30 am last night getting through some of my email. the kids woke up happy and had a nice breakfast. R enjoyed his time with uncle jan while K solidified her friendship with auntie marie over smoothies.

the kids had a gentle morning playing at home but the transition back to school was hard for K. R had something to look forward to as they celebrated his birthday in the engineer's room. but k always feels betrayed when we take her back to school after a long hiatus.

pick-up went well and the kids were so excited to see their masee-tom today. they like their visits with their long distance uncles and aunties, but masee-tom hold a special place in their hearts. they were so thrilled to see them. both wanted to hug and tickle their favorite aunt and uncle. i think returning to the grind of the year will be hard for both of them as they have gotten used to being "spoiled" by prem or love and attention for so long. my kids are rather lucky. i also want to dedicate this blog to my own masee -- geeta masee -- in ahmedabad who just recently passed away. my last two trips to india included some time with her. she is the daughter of my maternal grandmother's brother, my mom's cousin. she married a very nice man and did not have children. she was an incredible daughter taking care of her mother who had diabetes. and a loving aunt. one of my favorite memories is of going to navratri with her and her husband. they were kind enough to take the time to take me. i will always remember her a generous and giving woman who had a wonderful smile on her face and a terrific sense of humor. i will miss you geeta masee -- thank you for all of your prem.

R ate some more muck-and-cheese for dinner (saag paneer to you and me). it is nice to see him eat spinach so easily but it is a good vegetable for him as it has no surprise texture. just smoothness. ms. k on vacation managed to eat several ears of corn for dinner. lot of fiber for a little girl. they were both relaxed in the evening and excited about getting their rooms ready. R's friend Mira is also excited about spending the night when her mom has a baby. i guess we should prepare for that as well.

on a totally different note, i had wanted to join the protesters at the RNC in St. paul but we were out of town yesterday. 10,000 peaceful marchers and several hundred anarchists have, at least, made clear the opposition of most minnesotans to the republican platform. unfortunately the media coverage seems to be incredibly sensationalist and skewed, even mpr. not that i am surprised. the police have been incredibly violent and repressive. friends have commented on the attacks on journalists by the police, the inability to walk down the street, etc.

I believe it is important to have civil disobedience. of course, most people following the RNC are led to believe 1) that many of those being arrested are violent and dangerous and 2) that any kind of non-peaceful or disobedient resistance is about damaging property and therefore ineffective. all i feel is for admiration for the many many activists who have been carefully planning for months a show of opposition to pawlenty, the republican party, and generally the state of affairs in this country. the vision of an alternative way of being that is not based on empire, oppression, and exploitation is a hopeful and important thing to share.