Utterly pathetic that I haven't updated this blog in.. 2+ years?

Yes I'm still in India and evolving on this journey called Life.. This is an incredible place to just 'be' and discover oneself. . On that note, would any one like to visit? :)

We have two English friends here for a month, interning at Apollo hospital as part of their doctoral studies, and they're loving exploring and seeing Hyderabad. It's pretty amazing how developed the city is now.. It's completely changed in the last 10years or so, according to those who have grown up here, the change seemingly not for the better. Myriads of cars, both luxury and otherwise on the roads, shopping malls galore, and new restaurants popping up almost weekly.. Less trees and nature, less time with family, more money to spend and more Western influence than I ever would have imagined.. Is this what life is about? And if we can't really have it all, should we want it? Because it seems empty.

Thank the Lord His Spirit won't let me go, the life He offers isn't empty. I may have traveled far and my heart wandered, but He is steadfast. His mercies abound and His direction will be clear as I wait on Him.

December 2007

So I was just back in the USA for one week!

I spent 1 1/2 days in NYC to get my Indian Employment VISA, and visited my dear friend Marissa.

Please pray for her as she starts radiation this week. Many of you already know she is fighting cancer in many areas of her body and just found out this week it has spread into the bones in her ribs. She is probably one of the most caring, courageous and ambitious women I know, and is enjoying each day despite her weakness and the pain... Please ask God for healing and mercy for her and her family.

I then took a night bus to Cleveland (what a trek!) and had an early Christmas with my family.. It was a lovely time and I'm missing them again as I'm back in Hyderabad. Mom, you're daily dearer to my heart.

Dear friends, I've chosen to stay far but you're all near to my heart ad in my mind. I pray for strength and joy to encompass your lives today, this holiday season, and the whole new year through.

Much love,

Shanely Rae

Back in Hyderabad

Today is Deepavali, especially in India but also across the globe, a very anticipated Hindu holiday celebrated as the "Festival of Light," where the 'lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being.' Though traditionally a holiday for Hindus, the country as a whole seems to join in the festivities for the pure enjoyment of firecrackers! Tonight the entire sky will be filled with color as families and friends gather to spend exorbitant amounts of money on shooting off 'crackers'. During this holiday last year I sincerely wondered the significance of eating 'crackers' for Deepavali, until I realized they were indeed 'firecrackers,' not salty snacks :) So I'll treat today as my July 4th for the year and enjoy the display from the rooftop.


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What an experience I had last last Thursday! I enjoyed an evening at a European-style coffee shop, sipping a vanilla milkshake, sitting next to two Indian men, a Nigerian, a girl from Washington State, and another girl from Hong Kong, discussing life in Italian with a student from Torino Italy!

Thought for the day: Challenge yourself interpersonally. Seek out friendship with someone new, who holds dissimilar perspective, looks, and/or ethnicity to you, and find out what life lessons they have to share with you. You'll be shocked.



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Love sought me out

I winked and turned away,
claiming I had much more important
earthly
goals to attend...
exercise
a new book
holding my tongue
arriving on time...
so Love waited.

Love sought me out

I laughed lightly
and went for coffee
eying the server who cleaned my table
and talking sweet nothings to my journal
while Love waited.

Love sought me out

I smiled dimly
and quickly exited and was soon
sending a
text
to the best friend who moved away
checking my Facebook account for a new friend
I've yet to meet
and registering for a conference
that would teach me communication skills
in a hall of people I'd sit by for two hours but never
see or speak to again...

Love doesn't push away,
get distracted,
give excuses,
run in the opposite direction.

Love seeks you out. Always.

home again!

hi all!

yes, it's true, i am back in Cleveland, and have thoroughly enjoyed being with friends and family after another year away.

i've found friends getting married and having babies, my nieces and nephews are taller and more lovely than before, my life perspective has sweetened and morphed, i have new and stronger goals than perhaps ever before, and i still remember how to drive onthe right side of the road :)

feel free to call me at 440-985-0858 and see a few of my photos at....

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Welcome.jsp
User id: shaerae22@hotmail.com
Password: toliveisjoy


love and hugs

time is flying by..
i'm living in another world and yet with one thought i'm back in Cleveland...

i'm missing home lately, and even moreso now as i've just received some very shocking news yesterday, and feeling so far away..
please pray for my dear frind Marissa, who I served with in Rome these past two years. she went in for surgery when they discovered she has lung cancer. then as a result of a body scan they found lesions on the brain, of which i am waiting to find out more information... she is one of the dearest people i know, full of boundless love and enthusiasm for life.

All things are possible with Him who gives us strength.
Lord, give her strength and heal her in a mighty way.

45 Rupees = 1 USD (US Dollar)
..........which means a wallet full of 50 Rupee bills is worth very little, but i feel rich!

i'm working a late shift at work and training in American accent and comprehension..
the people are great and eager to learn, work hard, and really enjoy life here, no matter how much or little they have..

i really have so much .
each of us does...

please consider reading the below book... it's given me so much to think of lately.

The Ultimate Gift, Jim Stovall

i have yet to realize that i've really left home for a year.

i'm so accustomed to traveling that this seems normal, though i was missing family, home, friends, today.... i'm not on the internet very often but know that so many of you are in my thoughts.

India does not function like America. many of my values are being challenged: i can't expect people to do exactly what they say they will do, or to be on time. there's a different, organic view of time, life, people...

i have at least ten mosquito bites on my ankles, i sweat a lot when i eat curry and have already gained weight from eating too much rice(!) , you can find Hershey's kisses, Pillsbury cake mixes, GreenGiant canned vegetables, Heinz ketchup and practically any american brand you want at the grocery store, i'm excercising each day on the treadmill and hope to enroll in a yoga class soon, i'm listening to classical music and German leider (art songs) and taking voice lessons again, finally... i'd started studying with a teacher in Italy and quit after 3mths... i'm anxious to really take it seriously now.

i am only beginning to understand the caste system here. what i see are poor and rich, seemingly nothing in between...

today i had an appointment with a skin specialist, an extremely kind, retired doctor who treats patients for the joy of it, accepting no payment but a good humored conversation in the midst of his diagnosis.

and yes, the questions of life continue. i've been extremely self-centered and miserable for way too long.
life is precious.
let's live like it.

i have rechargable batteries for my camera, which i have not been able to recharge! so needless to day.. photos shall come soon!