India's Independence!

We were able to experience our first Holiday in India a few weeks ago. It was India's Independence Day! Language classes were canceled for the day and instead of sitting in a class learning, we were able to to partake in a "celebration." The festivities began with a Flag raising ceremony in the courtyard, than we all headed upstairs to enjoy a plethora of entrainment performed by School Staff and fellow language students.  Some individuals sang songs, while other's did poetry readings.  We performed a few songs that we had learned in language class (complete with hand motions) ;) One was a song about the Days of the Week in Urdu and the other was a jingle to help us remember "directional" phrases, like Up, Down, In, Out, Etc.

Afterwards, there was a reception with, what else, but 

Chai, Samosa's, IndianSweets and Cake! :)

It was a great time to hang out and meet some new friends at the school (plus the day off from classes wasn't bad either ;) 

Language Students walking up the steps to the "celebration" room

Hudson Playing with the balloons in the courtyard! He collected a lot!

Later that day we hosted an old Fashion Bar-B-Q with some friends. Not necessarily a traditional Indian Independence occurrence, but what else dipicts "Independence" better than a Cook-Out compete with grilled meat, potato salad, deviled eggs and good friends ;) 

The only things missing were the fireworks ;)

Happy Family on Independence Day!

Requests

Steph has been having some morning/all day sickness, ask that it will subside as her pregnancy progresses.