Now hopefully I can concentrate on memorizing the Malayalam alphabet? (Although I admit doing my own PhD research has been fun –I’ve been meeting a lot of people who have lots to say about organic farming here.)
Archive for June, 2009
Just turned in my first fellowship application
Posted in Grad school life, Malayalam, tagged Malayalam, Organic on 29 June 2009 | 1 Comment »
Learning the Malayalam alphabet is hard
Posted in Grad school life, Malayalam, tagged Malayalam on 24 June 2009 | 1 Comment »
Even with the slight advantage of understanding simple conversation, I’m finding learning and memorizing the Malayalam alphabet to be quite challenging. There are 15 vowels, symbols for the vowels, 30 consonants, half consonants, double consonants, and clusters to memorize. Many of the sounds don’t even exist in English. I admit I am [...]
Being unfriendly or being defensive?
Posted in Gender and sexuality, Travel logistics, Women and feminism, tagged Two worlds on 22 June 2009 | 4 Comments »
Before coming to India, I was warned –in program materials and by my relatives– to be extra careful because of my female gender.
I’m usually pretty careful when strangers approach me in America, so I admit I didn’t pay much attention to the advice I received for three reasons: My parents, as much as I love [...]
Malayalee Matrimonial Ads
Posted in Gender and sexuality, Malayalam, News clippings, Race, Women and feminism, tagged Fashion and beauty, Malayalam on 21 June 2009 | 2 Comments »
Malayalee Matrimonial Ads are fascinating, and give one strange insight into the ideals of this society. One the one hand, you have ads with the following language (usually in the so-called “cosmopolitan” section):
-Caste no bar
-Language no bar
-Mixed cultured man looking for bride
-Seeks educated bridegroom
-Seeks employed, educated bride
On the other hand, there is also this [...]
International film festival!
Posted in TV and film, Travel logistics, tagged Fashion and beauty, Trivandrum on 20 June 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Thanks to the help of a fellow classmate’s host family, we’ve been lucky enough to quickly secure passes to Kerala’s international documentary and short film festival here in TRV.*
I’m looking forward to seeing many of the films, especially one in particular, given my earlier posts: Bleach my Skin White, a film from the [...]
Identity, adjustments, dialects, and more sweat
Posted in Malayalam, tagged Trivandrum, Two worlds on 18 June 2009 | Leave a Comment »
I am reminded that I am an outsider by how much my body sweats compared to the average Malayalee around me. No amount of talcum powder or coconut oil quells my drips and frizz. Instead I walk around like a greasy mess, stammering simple Malayalam as shop clerks giggle behind counters and rickshaw [...]
Sweating Buckets
Posted in Travel logistics, tagged Trivandrum on 15 June 2009 | 1 Comment »
I have arrived in Trivandrum, a city full of coconut and palm trees –a nice change from Mumbai.
However, while Trivandrum is slightly cooler than Mumbai, it’s still hot. I have not figured out yet why David and I are unattractively sweating buckets, while every Indian around us looks refreshed and dry (and many are [...]
In Mumbai!
Posted in Uncategorized on 13 June 2009 | 1 Comment »
And it is hot. Had forgotten about the need to be aggressive in queues. Had idli sambar for breakfast. Looking forward to reaching Trivandrum this evening.
Maintenance
Posted in Travel logistics, tagged Trivandrum on 11 June 2009 | 3 Comments »
It was recommended to us to buy and pack a few things in America before coming to India, because these items would be hard to find in India. These items include: deodorant, contact lens solution, sunscreen, dental floss, and other toiletries.
I heeded the advice I received, and this I know for sure now: 3 [...]
On NPR: Organic Farming in Punjab
Posted in Environment, Food, News clippings, Sustainable agriculture, tagged Farmer suicides, NPR, Organic on 3 June 2009 | Leave a Comment »
In India, Bucking The ‘Revolution’ By Going Organic
Interesting quote from the article:
Environmental groups in India estimate that more than 300,000 farmers like Sharma have switched to organic growing methods in recent years, or have started the transition from conventional to organic farming. Comparisons between India and the U.S. are difficult because their economies and cultures [...]
