Off to country #58: Guatemala
Sharmila is in India. I got recused from jury duty.
Did not know what to do with the free time. So country #57 it is!! Guatemala!
This would make North America the first continent that I have covered at least half the countries (12 out of 23).
This is not a beach trip. Just a few days of getting to know the people, local culture and their lives.
This is unreal!
Ever since I gifted the coffee maker to Sharmila (admittedly, she has not used it even once other than demand that her Americano be ready by the time she walks down to the main floor every morning), I have been fascinated by learning the art of making cappuccino. That foam making and making art forms with it has been a steep learning curve.
As an aside, why do we call it a steep learning curve? A steep curve means I would learn very quickly, right? It is a slow and long learning curve for me.
The inevitable result is that whenever I order a cappuccino in a coffee shop, I watch the barista make it and ask him/her a lot of questions about their style.
Nobody, but nobody – has beaten this one. I was working from Roam Lenox when one of the staff members – Stacy – made a cup of cappuccino for me. Like every Roam member, Stacy is incredibly friendly. But her talent in making foam art form? I will let you be the judge!!
Someday, when I grow up, I want to be like her!
His busy schedule
is mostly comprised of long naps interrupted only by short naps.
Except when I yell “Go for a walk?” He immediately will jump from his bed, shake is body off and head out of the door without any fear or favor. Once in a while, he will look back to see if I am still there. What I find amusing is that he will ignore every other dog and person that we encounter. Like they pose a threat to his mission of putting his marker down on every square inch of Alpharetta!
Unusual day for me
I had a morning flight. Left home a bit early to avoid downtown traffic. I was a bit sleepy and lethargic as I hit the road.
Once I got on the highway, I commenced to do what I normally do to utilize my commuting hours: call up people to wish them happy birthday. Mornings are usually calls to Australia/India/Singapore – that side of the world. Lunches are for Europe and evening drive back home is for America.
I prepared myself for a few calls. As I mentioned, I was a bit sleepy and had not had my morning coffee yet. Part of me was wondering how many birthdays I had (I think my peak days are about 20) and could it be that I can push out the birthday calls till I reached the airport to just quietly drive there?
Opened my calendar. Braced myself.
Lo and behold! No phone calls needed!!
I forgot today is a Leap Day!!
I do have two friends who were born on this day – one from Dallas celebrates on the previous day (and I had a nice long chat with him yesterday) and another in my hometown in India who celebrates the following day.
Somehow, felt I was off to a good start to the day!!
That was a switcheroo
This is a completely different level of talent
I have a niece in India – Shreya – who has some unparalleled God gifted talent in art. She had seen a picture I had posted of me playing the tabla and Jay Jay listening to me. Then she drew this for me and handed it over to Sharmila and Natasha (who are in India) as a gift for me.
I am blown away by how life like it is and the clever use of agitrons in a painting!
Best gift. Ever.