February 2009 - Posts - The Expat Blog

February 2009 - Posts

Black Man's Tax

Posted by Melissa A. Bell at 
A few days ago, in a rush to get things together for my parent’s trip to India, I ran in to an Airtel store to get a prepaid SIM card. I impatiently waited in line and happened to notice a rather handsome, dark fellow at the next counter. Okay, I might have been staring a little (he was cute and I was bored , sue me!), but I wound up having first row...

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Don’t judge a book (or a veterinarian) by its cover

Posted by Melissa A. Bell at 
Normal 0 I just arrived late to the office for the seventh day in a week. Understandably, my editor is less than pleased with my stellar work ethic. But I do have somewhat of an excuse this time: I’ve been hanging out at the vet every single morning (and some evenings) this week. My cat's been clinging to life. My lesson for the week: in India,...

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It's a slumdog Oscar!

Posted by Ayeshea Perera at 
Well done India! Have your opinion on slumdog, and whether it should have won or not (personally i havent seen it) but for me what was thrilling was the recognition of India on the global stage. Seeing Rahman up on that stage, backed by Bollywood style dancers - 3 Oscars to indians.... that was pretty special. A celebration and recognition of the vibrancy...

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Did I steal your Indian job?

Posted by Melissa A. Bell at 
Normal 0 The other day I got a message in my inbox from a PR agent hoping I would mention her company in my blog. I almost hit the delete button, but she had attached an AP news article that stopped me in my tracks. It was all about how India is the new hot spot for Americans to work. In it, my very good friend (and ex-Mint’er) Rana Rosen had been interviewed...

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The great Indian songtrack

Posted by Melissa A. Bell at 
Sometimes there occurs a stretch of time when the heavier issues just weigh down your soul and you spend all your time thinking about the crushing US deficit and the melting icecaps. That was the past month for me. Luckily, I woke up at four in the morning last night to a brilliantly shining moon and it made me feel wistful for a warmer, fuzzier, happier...

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Dhol Drumming away the Doldrums

Posted by Ayeshea Perera at 
Theres always a price you pay when you decide to go the "independent woman" route and go live by yourself in another country. And I think I realised this most acutely when I fell violently horribly sick last week - victim to a bad case of chicken pox. (and please if you have never got it as a child go get yourself a vaccine because according...

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