We just returned from a magnificent mini vacation and conference in Perth, a gorgeous city nestled on the West coast of Australia. From here it isn't too bad a flight, about five hours less than to Washington, D.C. Perth sits next to the Swan River which feeds into the Indian Ocean which becomes the Arabian Sea. The people are lovely and one doesn't sense the terse reaction to our nationality that we find in Europe. If it wasn't so far away from our families, the most isolated city in the world and suffering from a lack of potable water, it would be an ideal place to retire to, if we ever do retire! It's quiet, clean, relaxed and sunny. Housing is outrageously expensive, but most other costs, other than water, are palatable. The wine is gorgeous. as is the fresh sea food. We're both back to rigorous exercise to compensate for the zillion calories we consumed while there.

I was concerned that I'd fall into the same re-entry depression most of the expats here experience every time they travel outside Mumbai. I'm beginning to suspect that because they travel so extensively to create respites from the challenges of our host city, they may be making it even harder on themselves to embrace their experience here. After all, if we're constantly running from something, it never has the opportunity to touch our hearts.

Chuck was home for just a few days before leaving for a 5 day trip to London. I'm busy getting caught up on my work, writing blogs, etc., meeting and helping new American Women's Club (AWC) members settle in, planning for our board meeting next week, and assisting with the last touches for our annual Thanksgiving Dinner. We sold out, added three more tables and still have a waiting list. In addition to a turkey dinner with all the trimmings none of us will have to create at home (although I will be making turkey cookies for the little ones and a few pecan pies to auction off) Thanksgiving is our annual fundraiser. Everything we earn from our silent auction will go to Mumbai charities.

The weather is cooler. Actually, it feels cooler because the humidity is lower. Mumbai stays within the same temperature range year round. It's about 80+ F.

I've come to understand that Mumbai has offered me the gift of seeing that I have desperately needed to slow down, as has Chuck. The last few years of his constant travel (not to mention performing the tasks of 4 men) and the stress of getting my book out and marketed it really took its toll on us on every level. We were in the US for a short visit in September. Chuck's visited with his family and eldest son Keith who was on his way to Iraq. My brilliant publicist arranged interviews for me with Global Woman Magazine, Egypt Today magazine and the Asian desk at the Voice of America. Despite my being deathly ill with monsoon madness crud, I managed to pull myself out of bed to do a credible job with each one. I particularly enjoyed the radio interview. I was terrified that my congested voice would make me sound like a hag, but based upon the CD I received of the interview, I sounded more intriguing than pathetic. Of course it didn't hurt that every reporter was very enthusiastic about my book and its messages. That alone was enough incentive to get out of bed, fever and all.

It has been very challenging to not be available on a moment's notice when marketing opportunities arise outside India. I felt as if I was constantly trying to feed a raw oyster into a slot machine. I knew that I had to make a decision and I couldn't do it alone. I surrendered. I told God that I had done everything in my power to create a product that I could be proud of ---and I am. I also said that I couldn't go much further without his help and that I needed to know if the roadblocks were a message that it was time to let go of my work on I Am Happier to Know You: "Not my will, but thine be done."

I turned the whole issue over to God and told him that I would take whatever path he knew was best for me, but that I needed a sign I would recognize other than being pooped on by one of the missile-sized birds that permeate the skies and trees here. A few weeks later I received notification that my book had received an award as a runner-up in the Spirituality category for the Best Books of 2006 book awards. So, it is clear that I'm to go forward and my publicist believes that with the change in thinking of the American people, the American media will also be more open to my message.
Love and blessings, Jeanne