Pictures 1-3 // We have used this record player here more than we ever did in Jackson, MS. Call it Nash-fever, call it cliché, call it awesome - we're choosing the latter. The soundtrack to this post was this vinyl by Glenn Miller. Part of why we've been using it so much also has a lot to do with how many new vinyls we've purchased since being here. We discovered Grimey's within days of being here, and we're well aware that we're going to have to be very careful not to blow our entire grocery budget there. We did splurge on the new Jack White vinyl, Lazaretto, and have not been disappointed by it (and yes, it does have a hologram on Side 1).

Pictures 4-5 // Nothing cuter than a sleeping pup and her cute paws, amiright?

Pictures 6-8 // It's the last week of my summer vacation. I start training with Nashville Prep on Monday, and I am so absurdly excited. However, I realize that this is the week that I need to make sure I check off any remaining summer goals, which is why I've made a checklist for myself almost every day these last two weeks. This keeps me from burning through my entire Netflix watch list (not that I don't occasionally add that to my daily bucket list, of course). Also, I definitely just disclosed my love affair with these pens. They're flawless, and I don't say that lightly as I'm quite the elitist about office supplies (as any teacher would be).

Even though the weather was dreary and humid, it was a perfect morning for Josh and I to go to the Franklin Farmer's Market. All of the vendors were so kind, and each of their displays made me want to shop in their booth. Of course, while we were there, we had no choice but to eat at the Biscuit Love Truck. I, unfortunately, devoured the food before my camera even had a chance to capture it. Whoops.

Sometimes, I'm convinced this dog belongs in advertisements. I know I'm biased, but those eyes just kill me! She's laying on the skirt that went under my wedding dress that I pulled out of the closet to donate the other day. I'm tempted to keep it because it makes for a pretty nice prop with all the tulle.

If you look closely at the sky in the image below, you'll see lots of little specs. Those are kites. This was taken during the Kite Festival in Jaipur.








 Meet Shiva, the snarky little camel who had me terrified throughout my entire ride. Her expression says it all.



























Journal Snippets:

"[...] I feel that there is no way to capture a culture without capturing the people living with it. After all, it is they who form the culture. Landmarks are important, but nothing compares to photos that allow others to shamelessly gaze into the eyes of someone from a totally different lifestyle, religion, or financial situation."

"Now, as I look into her big, beautiful brown eyes staring back at me, it becomes even clearer that nothing tells of India as well as the eyes of its dwellers. These are eyes full of compassion, curiosity, strength, and a hunger for more. That hunger drives their rapid growth as a society and also speaks to their faith - that desire to be constantly, increasingly devoted to their god, or to reach the next level of spiritual wisdom."

"It has become my belief that people living in impoverished areas are closer to the heart of God than many of the wealthy. Jesus, Mother Theresa, and Ghandi all lived lives of deliberate poverty, performing their work with little more than the clothes on their backs. When you lack physically, you learn to rely on your spirituality and your social capital. These Indians in impoverished communities may live simply, but they are wealthy in relationships and community."

"India is a place that makes you face certain things about your Self."

"The women in India demand the respect of those around them. There is strength in their demeanors. They work hard to earn and maintain a good reputation for themselves and their families, and it is frequently the women who resist proposed changes in society and culture. Women are certainly not on top in this country, but just as in America, they are the anchors and glue that hold the culture together."

"I mean, where else in the world does an entire community rally around flying kites from their rooftops as a sport?"

"And for the first time in my entire life, I had to explain and analyze my own culture from an outsider's point of view. [...] Being an anthropologist (which every traveler should consider themselves) is not only about observing an analyzing other cultures, but it is also about being able to step back and do the same for your own culture."

"Now, being back in the states, the materialism blares like a siren. [...] I hear conversations around me about whatever drama is surfacing, and the extent to which I do not care is almost humorous. I experienced more culture shock coming back to the states than I ever did in India. [...] On the bus drive through Dehli, my India roommmates and I made a resolution to always 'keep it India' - we did not want to return to US and become desensitized to how much we take for granted."