Listen, Barnaby!

It's not unusual.

2010-12-09T19:00:00.006-07:00

I'm getting a list together of the things I'll do once I'm home for Christmas and what I'll do when IGRADUATE.I'll share the list later. One thing I know I will be doing though, is this:If you doubt how serious I am, ask my sisters. It's going to be a good time at the Powell house. Come and stop by; we'd love to have you join in.

In which I smile beautifically

2010-11-22T21:32:00.005-07:00

Today I went to the library to read a wordy, wordy book on world systems theory. Did I read said book? Yes. Two whole pages of it.I study in the juvenile lit section. My kind of world. For all of my vocabulary and high thoughts and theoretical reflections and intense school neurosis, I love nothing more than juvenile fiction. Nothing. Family and the gospel are possible exceptions. Let me amend

Tis a bonny day, it is

2010-11-19T12:39:00.003-07:00

I went and saw Harry Potter last night. It rocked my world! I grinned and oooh'ed and squirmed and cheered. It was perfectly magical.But the pre-show almost matched it. Some guy who I think was supposed to be a dead Cedric challenged anyone in the theater to a duel. A girl was volunteered by her friends and another wand was procured. They lined up back to back and started to do the obligatory

Vague

2010-11-15T22:51:00.003-07:00

Once upon a time I promised to put forth more concrete evidence vis-a-vis my tour of Wisconsin on why I am like a hurricane in a bell jar - safely contained, fascinating to watch from a distance, and largely illogical. But that time is not going to be now. Because I am more hurricane-y than ever and even more restricted to my glass surroundings.I have form, I have direction, I have an impact, but

Notes from the North

2010-10-16T16:36:00.003-06:00

I think I mentioned a friend awhile ago who said that I needed someone to take care of me. I kind of bristled internally at the time, but I totally and completely agree now. I get myself in dreadful muddles when I'm left to my own devices. Absolutely dreadful.I think it's a combination of rushing headlong into things, being too confident in my abilities, a blind faith that everything will work

Trying to be a wise servant

2010-09-05T21:58:00.004-06:00

"The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them"-Mark TwainA person who has all of the opportunities in the world but doesn't take advantage of them is no better off than a person born with nothing, born in nowhere, and born with no chance.A person born with some opportunities and who makes the most of them and works for more opportunities will be better off

Such a pain in the...

2010-08-25T19:19:00.004-06:00

I had a hole punched in my eye today. I don't recommend it. I do, however, recommend that doctors make their numbing drops last longer. Much longer.I went to my lovely retina specialist today - I see him about as often as I see my family - and he was forced to be the bearer of less-than-stellar news. I'm just too healthy. My body likes to heal itself a little too much. The scar tissue is taking

Kiddles and bits

2010-07-21T10:52:00.002-06:00

Time to update on my life, especially since that decidedly gloomy post has been sitting at the top for far too long.I have been working as an EFY counselor for the third summer in a row, and I absolutely love it. The youth get better and better every year. They are so hungry for doctrine and so want to do good - they just need to know what that is. There have been several times when I have felt

There may be lots of world, but I'll only ever see half of it.

2010-05-26T17:30:00.004-06:00

As most of you know, I have been having issues with my left eye for awhile now. Several years ago, my retina started to pull away from the back of my eye, and fluid started to fill in behind it. This was a problem. My vision became blurry and distorted. Because of this I have gone through several laser procedures, two full-out surgeries, cataracts, several black eyes, sleepless nights, 10 bottles

You know you're a grown up when...

2010-04-18T19:24:00.002-06:00

Last night I made myself some stir fry for dinner. It had three different types of vegetables in it. That I chopped up and willingly put in. And way more vegetables than meat. I even made an effort to grab extra vegetables when I was dishing myself up. This never used to happen. When I was little, I always used to make sure to get tons of meat and barely enough vegetables so my mom wouldn't dish

Overheard at BYU

2010-04-18T18:42:00.003-06:00

The other day I was taking a break from studying and was eating a sandwich outside on a bench. It was wonderful. The weather, not the sandwich. The sandwich was merely good. About 15 feet away from me, a guy and girl were chilling on the steps. As I was mid bite, I heard the girl say this:"I mean, they asked me what my interests are. I have no idea what my interests are! That's why I hate filling

The Follow-up Check-up

2010-04-09T00:17:00.004-06:00

Well, folks, I did it. I wrote my paper. All 19 pages plus title page plus two pages of bibliography. Not bad for one night's work. I should say one night and one morning's work since I finished at 8 am. (Funny story about the custodian coming in at 4:30 in the morning. I sure surprised him.) Yep, I hit save, went and put up my poster for the Mary Lou Fulton Poster Competition, went home and

On Beyond Zebra

2010-04-08T01:29:00.003-06:00

While being the title of a beloved Dr. Seuss book, it is also an appropriate expression of how I feel right now. I have moved beyond the library.I am currently sitting locked in my TA office on the first floor of the SWKT. Alone. The rest of the building is abandoned, unless there is some professor experiencing marital problems and is sleeping on the couch in his office. So many professors have

Say hello to a new peace, love, rock n' roll lifestyle

2010-03-04T12:02:00.004-07:00

I made granola last night. From scratch. I've never done that before. Best. Decision. Ever. It was the perfect break from studying and the perfect breakfast/lunch/midnight snack for this crazy week. I love eating granola with yogurt and combined with raisins, almonds, cinnamon and honey that are in this recipe, it is perfect. That was an awkward sentence.While I was making it I was listening to

I'm a wanderer. I roam around, around, around, around

2010-03-01T12:47:00.002-07:00

I could complain right now. I could talk about how tired/stressed/unorganized/sore I am. But I won't. Complaining about them won't make them better, so I won't. I feel like all I have been doing lately is complaining and explaining my stresses. And it's getting old even to me.I understand that sharing and talking about problems makes you feel better. I understand that pretending everything is

Tightening the belt

2010-02-17T12:22:00.003-07:00

I hereby put a ban against all fun in my life. For the next two weeks at least. No more dates. No more fun. No more parties. No more sleeping in. And eight hours is sleeping in. No more snacking. Sitting down and eating meals? Nope, that's out, too. No more running. No more soccer.I have to transcribe interviewsCreate a poster for an academic conferenceWrite another 10 pages of my senior

Adventure #602

2010-02-14T10:21:00.004-07:00

I want to go snow caving. I know nothing about snow caving.So, being me, I turned to the library for help. It's usually my first instinct when faced with a lack of information. And it hasn't failed me yet! There are books written on everything. You just have to find them. Like this little gem:I am so going snow caving.

Sufism, on Love

2010-01-27T12:20:00.008-07:00

Sufi Muslims - the mystic, esoteric sect of Islam from which the whirling dervishes come from -believe that the search for and your relationship with God can be explained as unrequited love. In fact, the love you have for God must be unrequited. You must give it completely and selflessly, expecting nothing in return, for that is true love. Unrequited love - the longing of the soul that completely

Weighing and Wanting

2010-01-25T21:13:00.003-07:00

I have an overactive guilt complex even when I have done nothing wrong. I am sitting in a lovely chair next to a toasty fire in my indie-chic living room. It comes close to an emotional equilibrium.How can you feel both anxiousness and contentment at the same time? I didn't think they came as a box set. But both have been my companions lately, and they don't cancel each other out. They seem to

A pretended and very real adventure

2010-01-17T17:36:00.003-07:00

I think I scared my friend Stephen when he called earlier this week and asked me if I wanted to go snowshoeing to his cabin on Saturday with some other people. I was maybe just a little too excited and enthusiastic. But I had never been snowshoeing before, and one resolution I made for this winter was to learn how to do it. It sounded very romantic and intrepid.And it lived up to my expectations.

Arriving home and everything after

2009-12-10T16:31:00.002-07:00

For all of you out there nervously biting your fingernails in agony over whether or not Suzanne ever arrived home safely, never fear. I arrived in Salt Lake with nary a snag. But I'm pretty sure December 1 lasted over 40 hours. It literally was the longest day of my life. I got on a plane at 2 in the morning, flew for 9 hours, waited for 2 hours, flew for another 9 hours, chilled in Chicago for 7

Sianara, India.

2009-11-28T22:18:00.005-07:00

I’m leaving tomorrow. I’mleavingtomorrow. Tomorrow, I am leaving. I’m leaving. Tomorrow. Yep, no matter how many times I say it, it still feels unreal. India has become the norm for me. I live here. Na uru Vizag, as we say in these parts. India has become a part of me, and I hope I have left a small mark on India.Not least of all, I have been affected by the people I have lived with. Yep, I saw

Thanksgiving is Rescheduled

2009-11-25T22:11:00.002-07:00

This is a public service announcement:The American holiday of Thanksgiving, that time of year when friends and family mix and mingle and eat way more cranberry sauce and cheese ball than they should, has been rescheduled only in the country of India. The merrymaking will instead be held on Friday, November 27th. More information is to follow. Thank you.Because really, if Auburn University can

Cooking Lessons

2009-11-24T04:13:00.003-07:00

Last night John and I headed over to one of his Muslim contact's house. A house I can only describe as palatial. It was a Roman villa hidden by large walls and an attack dog, set back in a manicured lawn in the middle of Vizag. It had marble pillars and vaulted ceilings for crying out loud. Marble pillars and vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows done in the most elegant and tasteful way by

Useful Tip #34

2009-11-15T23:32:00.002-07:00

If you are ever on the beach in India and leery-peery men keep coming up to you and wanting to know which country you are from or wanting you to take pictures for them or take pictures with them, and you pretend to only speak French, they will leave you alone.Indians, you see, while tri- or even quadralingual, do not speak French.Except maybe in Pondicherry. It used to be a French colony. I

Adventures in sari wearing

2009-11-15T22:57:00.003-07:00

On Sunday I took the bold, and possibly foolish, leap and decided to wear a sari to church. I have 3 saris and am running out of time to wear them here, so I'll take whatever opportunities come my way. I may have also wanted to fit in in Relief Society.A sari consists of a short, fitted blouse, an underskirt they call a petticoat, and then 8 yards of colorful fabric that is wrapped around your

And you, why are you not married?

2009-11-09T22:34:00.002-07:00

This is a question that I have been asked many times over while in India. BYU does not have a monopoly on the preoccupation with matrimony by a long shot.This question has been posed to me by every single widow I have interviewed.And you? Are you married? Why not? Do you want to get married? When do you want to get married? How can you expect to get married when you are traveling all over the

You can fly! You can fly! You can fly!

2009-11-08T22:49:00.002-07:00

After several weeks of not knowing how I was to get home from India, I now have my return plans finalized! I am flying out of India on November 30th and getting in to Salt Lake City on December 1st at 8:15 pm, flight US 7211.What?! you say. Suzanne left for India without a return ticket? Was that wise?No, sillies, of course I had a return ticket - scheduled for December 6. My program ends on

Confounded Kitchen

2009-10-27T02:25:00.000-06:00

Saturday night four of us were out on the balcony enjoying the breeze and playing a few rounds of rummy when Lalita and Vijaya, two of our cooks, called for me from in the kitchen. I went to see what they wanted and found them holding a box of walnuts."Suzanne cooking walnut curry, yes?""I'm cooking?""Yes.""Yes? Oh, okay. When am I cooking? Tomorrow?""Tomorrow? Ah, no. Monday.""Lunch or dinner?""

I forgot something

2009-10-23T21:19:00.000-06:00

So in all of my writings on my life in India, I somehow left out the whole reason why I am here - what exactly I spend my time and energy doing. I would like to introduce you, Gentle Reader, to my Jalaripeta widows. The two women in the front are Enkamma and Pidamma. They're sisters-in-law (maybe sisters, too - things are vague on this point) and both widows with young children. Pidamma's

Why is it that...

2009-10-22T04:48:00.000-06:00

I think my next anthropological research project will be on the mystical connection between Indians, computers, and paperwork. India has the largest telecommunications customer service-employed population in the history of the world. So why does it take 3 days, 2 documents signed in triplicate, 20 phone calls, 6 emails, 1 trip by motorcycle to the airport, and way too many rupees in order to get

Speak softly and carry loud speakers

2009-10-17T23:49:00.000-06:00

Indians love noise. They are a very sensual people - very aware of the senses. Food is spicy, colors are bright, and music is played very, very loudly. Which is ironic since most Indians I've met speak quite softly. Too softly.For example, most cars here have backup music. When they are put into reverse, a lively, electronic tune starts playing. This is no beep, beep of the construction vehicles

My dear, you're truly scrumptious

2009-10-13T03:58:00.000-06:00

And now for an exclusive, never-before-seen sneak-peak at how Rajamundry kaja and all of your other favorite Indian sweets are made. This man has mad skill with a knife.

Living, Rajamundry style

2009-10-13T02:26:00.000-06:00

Last Thursday we traveled to Rajamundry, Krishnayya's home town and river-side ancient wonder of the East Godavari District. We had a ball being fed by Krishnayya's brother, and listening to Krishnayya say, "Hey, man, this is my place." Years of associating with American college students have certainly left their mark. He took us to see shop-owner friends who gave us great deals on coral, silver

And then they all went bananas

2009-10-07T03:06:00.000-06:00

Yesterday we took a little jaunt over to Vizianagaram for the Pidatalli festival call sirimanu, or prosperous tree. It's huge. 500,000 people huge. And yet the journalists still managed to find us.History lesson:Once upon a time, there was a war between the kingdoms of Vizianagaram (backed by the British) and Bobbili (backed - one could say egged on -by the French). It was all over a cock fight.

In case you were wondering,

2009-10-02T23:04:00.000-06:00

I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.And I hate my futon.That is all.

Nannu Hyderabadki velundi vachanu – pt.1

2009-09-26T06:14:00.000-06:00

Which means, I think, I went to Hyderabad and came back. See, I am grasping Telugu.Adivarumu Somavarum (Sunday and Monday)We left for the capital of Andhra Pradesh Sunday night. It is a 12 hour ride by train, and I got to experience my first sleeper car. One of the girls with us kept singing “Snow! Snow! Snow! Snow!” from the scene in White Christmas where they’re riding in the train toward New

Indian-American Deep Dish

2009-09-19T00:10:00.000-06:00

Last night I taught a wonderfully sweet middle-age Indian man how to make pizza. He is the dearest of dear souls, may be a mob boss, and clucks over us like a mother hen. His name is Viirazu and definitely deserves his own post here in the next few days.On an unrelated note, tomorrow evening 9 of us are boarding a train (3rd class A/C sleeper car) and traveling 12 hours to Hyderabad for a few

Feeling Alive

2009-09-13T10:38:00.000-06:00

Tonight we went out to dinner at an Indian restaurant and ate wonderful naan and spinach curry. And I ate flan.But that is not why I am feeling so alive. Before and after dinner I rode on Mohan's motorbike while everyone else took the bus or auto. I love riding on motorbikes. Especially when they go fast. Driving in India is enough to make you very aware of how alive you are - because you come so

A toast!

2009-09-08T11:39:00.000-06:00

This post is dedicated to just a few things that have made living here in India a dream. I apologize in advance for the stock photos. 1. BoostTaken hot or cold, this vanilla malt "energy" drink is wonderful. We often drink it in the mornings, in the late afternoon, while playing gin on Sunday nights...anytime we can get our cooks to whip us up some since they won't let us do it ourselves. Durga

Pussycat, pussycat where have you been?

2009-09-03T10:38:00.000-06:00

I've been to Bobbili to see the king. Pussycat, pussycat what did you there?Almost fell asleep upon my chair.This last weekend the group traveled by air conditioned car (hooray!) to Vizianagaram and Bobbili - two cities that used to be the capitals of ancient kingdoms before independence and nationalism happened. We had been invited to meet with both maharajas and quickly accepted the offer.

A band of Bedouins delayed the post

2009-08-22T09:25:00.000-06:00

So, it's been awhile since I've given an update on my expedition. At least it feels like awhile since everyday I have a new story to tell - so much happens here! Cliffnotes version (as far as I am capable):Awhile ago we went to the Samachalam Temple with the chief physician and astrologer to the maharaja of Vizanagram. The maharaja is still the president of the temple so was able to make a nice

The Amazing Adventures of Reptile Woman!* Vol. 32:5

2009-08-15T23:31:00.000-06:00

We join our heroine on yet another of her adventures into uncharted territory in the Mysterious East. Followed by her loyal crew, she starts off on anthropological endeavors guaranteed to make her name in the academic world and bring added prestige to her already prestigious university. Unknown by the others on the trip, though,

Yesterday I became an anthropologist

2009-08-06T19:29:00.000-06:00

Courtney and I had the most amazing experience yesterday. After lunch we decided to take an auto rickshaw to Andhra University and explore the library in the Women's Studies Center. We had met with one of the heads of the center, Dr. Ratna Kumari, a few days earlier, and she had given us permission to come whenever we liked. She is an amazingly brilliant and passionate woman whom we initially

I no longer have ankles

2009-08-03T09:26:00.000-06:00

The mosquitoes of Vizag have launched an all-out war upon my legs. True to my history, no one else seems to be as bothered by them as I am, and I swear I put on way more repellent than they do. And I'm taking B1 which supposedly helps keep them away. Supposedly. Right now one of my ankles is so swollen from bites, you can no longer seen the ankle bone. What do I do to get them to go away? On a

Things I've Experienced Traveling Internationally or how efy prepared me for 2+ days of flying

2009-08-02T09:30:00.000-06:00

This was written during my 10-hour stopover in Hyderabad.1. Indians serve ketchup with cucumber and tomato sandwiches and chicken pastries. At EFY I occasionally ate at the Cannon Center.2. Over the past two days and four nights (I'm pretty sure the sun set four times...) I have slept for about 1-3 hour intervals whenever I could. Once I was asleep on the plane before we even took off. I have no

Return of the Native

2009-07-26T12:56:00.000-06:00

I have loved being at home and am having a hard time leaving again now that I'm here. It has been far too long since I've had a lengthy stay in this the best of all places. My last long sojourn was over Christmas and I was grading mountains of papers and drugged up recovering from surgery more than half the time. This last week has been hectic, but I've also been able to just be in my natural

The experience of a lifetime?

2009-07-23T11:41:00.000-06:00

So in the past four days I have been to see my eye specialist, the dentist, the health department for more vaccines, and my regular eye doctor to get more contacts. Fun. And every time I go in, the curious, helpful nurses and assistants always ask what I'm up to or why in the world I need a Japanese encephalitis vaccine, etc. and India always comes up. They invariably say, "Oh that will be the

A Return to Eden

2009-07-19T23:07:00.000-06:00

I think it is a blessing that we forget how beautiful home is when we leave. That way, we are not sick for it the entire time we're gone and when we come back, it is a revelation.As I went to the garage to unload my stuff from the trunk (I am officially moved back to Rexburg) I was drawn out through the open garage door to behold the spectacular vista in front of me. Everything is green, green,

How well do you have to know someone before they can be the god parent to your future children?

2009-07-11T14:41:00.000-06:00

I'd like to introduce one of the most incredible people of all time: Brother John Mclay. He's a seminary teacher in Colorado Springs, CO and has been a session director the last two years I've gone as a counselor. He comes the week of July 4th (a traditionally hectic, crazy, packed session) and so we here in Provo have one more thing to celebrate. He teaches profound gospel truths in a

If ye are prepared...

2009-07-04T18:11:00.001-06:00

I got a wonderful, spacious new backpack from the international studies office for my trip to India, and I've already been putting it to good use. For anyone who has seen what I can and do stuff in a regular size bag, you know the added space is very welcome. Besides being water proof and very padded, it has become my Mary Poppins bag for EFY and gains quite a reputation among my girls each week

Why is it that...

2009-06-28T14:52:00.000-06:00

This is the second year I've had a participant come up to me during gospel study and ask about Matt 5:32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.Why are they reading there when they're studying D&C and the Book of Mormon in seminary? What made

A Harrowing Beginning to a Wonderful Week

2009-06-28T13:27:00.000-06:00

I started EFY this last week in Salt Lake. That is where the problems began. I thought I was starting EFY in Provo. I discovered my mistake Sunday afternoon and had to be in Salt Lake by 7 pm. Panicking, I called Erica as soon as she got out of church to tell her about my change of plans. Luckily, she was planning on coming to pick me up anyway to go to dinner with some family.A few hours later,

The end of an era

2009-06-20T10:48:00.000-06:00

Today I checked out of Monticello #7 for the last time- you know, the apartment with the best view in the complex, the one with the orange, moldy carpet, the peeling paint, and torn linolium, the one where you could guarantee that something crazy was going on all the time- yeah, that one. I've lived here for two years, and it has been the setting for many, many memories. It is time to move on,

Science and art a Renaissance man does not make

2009-06-18T17:38:00.000-06:00

Finals are over! And what a success they were - surprisingly.Monday, I took my unit 4 test for my physical science class and came away with a 93% - not too shabby. I took the final for that class on Wednesday and got a 96%, meaning I have an A no matter what happens. I no longer feel bad about falling asleep in that class every single day. And I mean every day.Note to Ryan: Okay, so the class

"This is Nancy from the ORCA office. You are now cleared to pick up your check."

2009-06-06T23:53:00.001-06:00

Oh, why thank you, Nancy. I guess my pages of letters and project proposals and bibliographies and repeated phone calls that you did not return did the trick after all.For those of you who don't know, I've been doing a pretty dance with the ORCA office and the IRB lately. ORCA stands for Office of Research and Creative Activities, and they were supportive enough to award me a grant to the tune of

A rig of bamboo

2009-05-14T20:32:00.000-06:00

For those of you who don't know, I'm going to be in Visakhapatnam, India for 4 months starting July 30th and I thought that this would be the best way to share what I was up to. Until then, I will be sharing my battles with the IRB and my experiences at EFY.India is one of my biggest dreams finally being realized, and I can hardly believe it's coming true. I've been in love with India since I can