A Big Leap

Before we were even married, I knew I could not wait to start a family with Mark. So, it was tough to find out about my infertility issues. Not impossible, but slim. Four years in to our marriage, slim is sure feeling like impossible. We looked into international adoption from India in our second year of marriage (high hopes), but found out that Indian law said we weren't married long enough to move forward. That, along with other Indian adoption laws, it looked like it wasn't possible (low hopes). A year later, we worked up the courage to try domestic adoption (high hopes). It takes a lot to put yourself out there because once you do, you expose your emotions. Here was a 2nd try. After speaking with one agency, they told us they wouldn't even accept our money because Indian babies aren't likely (low hopes). After doing some research, we saw an agency in San Francisco that has formerly worked through adoptions of Indian children. I called, they said highly unlikely (lower hopes). Emotions out there and another disappointment.
The roller coaster of emotions are hard. Heart wrenching. But, I'm ready to try again. Mainly because there's nothing else that is as desirable as starting a family with Mark.
In the last couple of weeks, I made contact with an agency for India adoptions. The first step is to get an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card that shows I am of Indian descent. With this card, a younger child is possible. I called the Indian consulate today....I need an Indian passport from a grandparent! Without it, no OCI. Without OCI, minimum of a 6 year old.
So, the hunt is on for an Indian passport of my grandparents. I'm thinking the odds are slim...

Oh TiVo, Let Me Count The Ways....

TiVo could be the best invention out there! I could write love poems to this powerful gadget. This week has been difficult, but today was TOUGH! I was able to come home to a comedic 30 Rock, tasty Top Chef and a lovely Ugly Betty....oh, and a supportive husband that took care of dinner and a comforting dessert :)

What's new?

Here are some things keeping me busy these days....

Work, work....oh, and work
Project 365
Bible in a year
UOP - doctoral studies
Trying to find time to workout
Finding time to see my husband between our busy schedules

And The Top Chef Is....

...not Shana, maybe Mark. Last night we made our first attempt at cooking my mom's traditional Indian recipes. Mark whipped up some curry shrimp and I handled the dal and roti. I had way more issues with Mark (in other words, Mark is the much better student). All in all, it was a decent meal for a first try. However, I don't do well with measurement....we have dal for days!!

One Word & Project 365

For those of you that don't know, a good friend of mine introduced me to the world of scrapbooking a few years ago. Since then, I've been hooked! Two of my favorite celeb scrapbookers, Ali Edwards and Becky Higgins provided challenges for 2009 - One Word (Ali) and Project 365 (Becky).

I picked one word as my theme for 2009....FERVOR. Mark smiled when I came up with this one, interesting but to the point. Every goal on my list, I hope to do with FERVOR. Wouldn't life be amazing if we all lived it with FERVOR?

Project 365 is to take a daily picture and journal it. I ordered a fantastic scrapbook kit to help me organize it. But, I thought I would post some of the pictures as I head out on the adventure. Here are a few....


January 7


January 6


January 2

It's that time

I've been wanting to start a blog for a while, so I thought I would finally give it a go.

In the Indian culture, "masala" is a mixture of spices ground together to make one ingredient. In our life, every day is a mixture of things to create the one life we live....so this blog will be our living record of the "daily masala" that happens.

Starting this was pretty easy. Mark is playing on his iphone and I started the blog. Presto.