Interesting experiences in a normal week

1. I was introduced to the term ‘magnificent monotony’.

I have so much to say about ‘The ‘Ragamuffin Gospel’ but it’s going to have to wait till I’ve highlighted things, scribbled on it and then thought about it in total. It’s an odd book to read while doing cardio at the gym but it’s the only time I stay in one place these days. The problem, though, is so often the sentences or truths in it are so powerful that it literally stops me in my tracks. Result: Almost getting thrown off a treadmill or falling off an elliptical machine! No injuries so far though.  Anyway, the second chapter is about the ‘magnificent monotony’ of God’s love for you. Unchangeable, immovable love, that you can’t jeopardize or lessen because of your actions or failings.  And in this case the sheer monotony of this love is anything but boring.

2. I was challenged to reach out to new people by my friend Joel.

 Joel is one of the Lagans. The Lagans deserve a separate blog. For now, they’re an extraordinary family that ‘adopted’ me into their midst two years ago when I was at the lonely beginning of this New England sojourn!  Joel has the most amazing ability to walk up to absolute strangers and become friends with them in a matter of minutes (it’s how he became friends with me). This is a huge thing, especially in New England where its people are often as frosty as their climate (it’s a generalization I know but there is some truth in it).  Funnily enough I find myself starting to exhibit this trait of guardedness that I found so distasteful at the beginning. Yesterday, I met up with Joel and he introduced me to a new friend he had made while walking beside him on the sidewalk. The friend was a young man from Kenya of Indian descent. We had an interesting conversation. Interestingly the guy did admit that he initially wondered if Joel was on drugs or had an angle. Because that’s how unusual it is for someone to come up to you and make friendly conversation here. And I walked away yesterday wishing I could do the same. So I said hello to a stranger at the coffee shop today. It wasn’t the smoothest  conversation but it was something. And hey, I’ll get better at it.

3. I just noticed I’ve started making funny faces at myself at the gym.

I joined the gym (NYSC at Blue Back Square in West Hartford), a little over a year ago. It was prompted by my trip to Uganda, where starchy foods served by a matronly German woman resulted in a considerably ‘well-fed’ appearance.

 I found it funny when the denizens of NYSC would ‘regard’ themselves in the mirror. I loved that I could practice somersaults on the exercise mats and no one even spared me a glance. Everyone was just so involved in looking at themselves. Even if they were just walking to the water fountain.  I smirked inwardly.

  I’ve lost some weight though over the last year and while it literally is nothing to write home about I think I’ve also toned up a fair amount. So it was with some chagrin I realized I was doing the perfunctory water fountain walk between sets and  checking myself out in the mirror. Plus I’ve taken to wearing sleeveless T’s like the vast majority. Sigh. Burn. Hence the public confession.

4. Today I saw a little champ dance it out during worship at church.

 I go to church so infrequently. For a variety of reasons. The crazy hours and schedule of residency. When I do go the experience is so novel and exciting. And moving. And simple truths seem ground breaking and distantly remembered. That I realize may not entirely be a good thing. But we had worship at the beginning of service today… as usual. And this li’l guy, 6 or 7 years old, was just clapping his hands and dancing with complete abandon. It was glorious!

5.  I remembered people at different places in the world can see the same moon.

 There was a full moon yesterday, which was beautiful and I remarked about it while crossing the street in West Hartford with friends yesterday. I didn’t exactly get an enthusiastic response though.  But I stared on, mesmerized by how beautiful it was. Caleb Lagan, out in Simsbury, made a Facebook comment saying that he was outside his house watching the moon through the night. To which Tina, my shona, in India commented saying she had seen the same lovely moon earlier that day when it was night in India. Now I knew this….that it’s the same wherever you are in the world…but I had forgotten it. And it was nice to realize I looked at the same beautiful moon as my sweetheart two oceans away!

6. I bought a new coat from J Crew.  

I love it! However, I look like the Michellin Man in it. It’s functional and not really pro-fashion but it’s so comfortable. It’s my attempt to stave off winter’s numbing effect. It’s like walking around in a duvet!

I love this jacket! You just want to hug yourself!

Tell me these gloves are not cool?!

Also I insist on wearing these neat gloves I bought from Cusco in September all the time. My friends think I look like a dork. I think they’re cool! My fingers are free so while my hands are warm, I can actually do things like write…or use a key!

7. I did a one arm Aú at capoeira this Saturday!

 The Aú is one of the central moves in capoeira and is like a  cartwheel. Like a cartwheel. Not a cartwheel. Like one.  And before I started capoeira, the concept of cartwheels, somersaults, backflips, walking on my hands were so completely foreign to me  But I’m learning to do them! The one arm Aú is a variation where just one hand makes contact with the ground. I couldn’t do it a couple of months ago and hadn’t tried again till this Saturday and I could. Isn’t that an awesome feeling when you can suddenly do something you couldn’t?!

8. I have officially been named Godfather of Aarti Elizabeth Thejus.

 I called my friends Bobby and Numa over the weekend and heard little Aarti cooing in the background. I was pretty set that I would be Fantastic Uncle John that she could come and hang out with to get away from Bobby going on about Chesterton or Lewis (though I love Lewis myself) or Amartya Sen. I’d be the cool one from our generation. Bobby asked me if I would be Aarti’s godfather. So I have to trade in Fantastic Uncle John for Venerable Godfather John. Drat…now I have to be wise.