Celebrations All Around!

Hi y’all!  I feel like I haven’t blogged in forever!  I guess it’s just the irregular schedule from this past weekend that has me feeling off.

As you know, I went home to Atlanta this weekend to see my family and Vishnu, but the real reason why I chose this weekend was because one of my friends (we’ll call her P and her fiancé B) was getting engaged on Saturday.  I have actually known PB (I love it!) since high school but only became closer to both when P and I lived together my last year of grad school.  In that one year, we bonded over both silly and serious things and are now friends for life!  I love PB and am SO excited and happy for them!

Here are some highlights from their engagement ceremony/party…

All dressed up and ready to go!

The beautiful couple!

Before I go on, I just want to stress that this explanation of the ceremony is from my understanding and observations.  Something to realize is that every family has their own traditions for things like this, but the true essence of it all remains the same.

So the basic concept is this…   The grooms family hosts the engagement ceremony (the bride’s family hosts the wedding).  The first part consists of the groom’s mother and aunts giving the bride new goodies (jewelry, saris, etc.).  Then the bride’s mom gives the groom something (B got a gold chain).  Next, the women of both families come up one by one to bless the couple.  They put kanku (red turmeric powder) on the bride and groom’s foreheads and feed them sweets.  Even I got in on some of the fun!

P’s new goodies!

As you can see from B’s face, it got a little out of control!

YAY!

And although B actually proposed a few days earlier, he did it again for all to experience.

So that was the ceremony part.  Like I said, every family (or set of families) does things differently.  Some opt for a longer pooja (prayer service) while others keep it more simple.

P’s sister also created a couples game for everyone to play.  She had about 10 couples (Vishnu and I included) sit in chairs back to back.  We had to answer a series of 10 questions about one another, and the couple with the most matching answers won.  Vishnu and I only matched on 4 questions – 40%!!!  LOL!  Oh well, most of the couples there had about 20 years on us anyways.

There was also lots of dancing, great food, and a delicious cake!  What a fun night!  Here’s to a beautiful couple!!!  I can’t wait until next May!

Love you, P!!!

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For a Mother’s Day lunch, my mom and I stopped at a place called Lotta Frutta on our way to the airport.  If you’re ever in Atlanta, I highly recommend you visit this place.  My mom is a very picky eater when it comes to eating out, and even she loved it!  From the outside it doesn’t look like much, but the food is amazing!  The menu is very simple – salads, sandwiches, smoothies, fruit cups, and a few other specialty items.  We ordered a couple of Just Veggin sandwiches made with sweet Latin bread, avocado, tomatoes, sprouts, cucumbers, and Havarti cheese.  We also ordered a Lotta Mora smoothie made with Andean blackberries, bananas, and strawberries – so freakin’ good!

Love you, momma!!!

Well, that was my weekend in a post!  I hope you too had a great weekend filled with friends and family!

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Oh and I’m glad so many of you like The Alchemist!  I’m about a third of the way through and have to agree with Shanna – it really is one of those books that you can’t read all at once.  You want to absorb every single word before moving on.  Love it so far!  I’ll share more of my thoughts when I finish.

Have a great night!