Global Adjustments - Global events!

I have been meaning to jot down my thoughts on a few events from the past couple of weeks.  I keep forgetting so now that I have remembered while I am on line, time to get them thoughts in the open!

My Darling and I are often invited to events in Chennai as his company is pretty large and well known around here and I get involved in so many things, it is hard for people to NOT know me!

Many of you know my connection with Global Adjustments, a relocation company started in Chennai about 15 years ago by a brave but smart woman, Ranjini Manian.  I collided with GA on my first morning here nearly 9 years ago.  Ranjini is the sole reason that I am still in Chennai and was not winging my way back to Blightly on the first awailable plane with a seat for Nikh and one for me.  At that point, I would not have minded being strapped to the tail of a plane as long as Nikh was safely inside!  No drama then!

My Darling had scooted off to his new job, bright and early on that fateful morning; leaving Nikh and me to fend for ourselves.  We awoke to find some strange woman (Savitri) buzzing about the kitchen (no food or drink suitable for a 3yrs old and his mother fresh off the plane!) and a man who was sitting in our living room as though he owned the place (company driver!).  Niether spoke recognisable English and sadly, having had 2 weeks notice of our impending move, niether of us spoke an inkling of Tamil!
I have to say here that I speak Gujerati, a smattering of Hindi, a bit of Swahili, French, a bit of Spanish, a tad bit of italian and I can guess words from their latin or Sanskrit roots.  So I thought I was in a good place.  NOT SO!!  No communication possible.

Finally I did what any woman who was on a strange continent on the other side of the planet without even the knowledge of her husband's work phone number, or even how many digits to dial!  I sat down and wept.  Lucky for me, the phone I was looking at with such contempt began to ring.  I picked it up thinking that it could not possibly be for me - I didn't know a soul!  It was Ranjini - my saviour, my hero and my ray of hope in the quamire of my instant depressive hatred for this strange city with an even stranger language!

She asked my name and after hearing the sheer manic panic in my voice sent her driver over to collect Nikh and me.  The best way to put her next actions is SHE TOOK ME IN HAND...good and proper!  she organised a city oreintation (priceless!) and found a school for Nikh.  She asked me what would make living in Chennai for 3 months (yes, folks - I truly came for THREE months!) short of calling my Mum and Dad to get me out of here!  I made a list of questions and she answered every single one of them.  Incredible!

Anyway - back to this post - we have kept up a relationship over the years, partly because I could never thank her enough, but also because I think we like and respect one another.  IF she needs anything - she calls and I answer.  When I need anything, I do the same.

So GA often invites us to events and functions.  Sometimes together, sometimes just me or the kids.  The last few events have been 'together' ones, but My Darling has a mega meeting coming up, so has been working even more than usual (yes, it is possible!!), so I have been flying solo.  One was an event with a carnatic singer, (I can hear you yawning from here, and it is not pleasant!!).  I thought this would be a good one to miss, so I called to make our apologies and started cleaning my make-up off and undressing whilst on the phone.  Dashes, foiled again!  Ranjini must have a second sight where I am concerned as she brushed off my apologies and insisted I attend anyway!  So back on with the slap and the bling and out the door!  I am sooooo glad she forced me (Private Practice was recorded for another evening!) as Aruna Sairam was the most fascinating, humble and gifted artiste I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.  The audience was small and appreciative - simply perfect  She made carnatic music (usually sounds like wailing cats on a vibrating plate exercise machine) come alive and have meaning, soul and depth.  I could not be more grateful to GA for letting her open my eyes and spirit to this kind of music.

GA lives up to it's name - the next event was the launch of a coffee table book called 'In Search of P.James'.  From the moment your boots hit the ground in Chennai, you are exposed to the most prolific (free) marketing campaign the World has ever known.  P. James Magic Show is written in balck paint on almost every single piece of wall in Chennai.  it is written over and over and over again.  Four words and a phone number  - that is all, but the number of people who call the number and book the magic show is astounding!!  Anyway - a British guy from Oxford has taken hundreds of photos around Chennai and GA launched their book publishing career with this tome!  I think it will be a super success judging by the photos that had been put up for us to see.  I think every expat will want one to take home and remind them of their time here, and those of us with friends who have left us behind can send copies home for Christmas and birthdays.

Well to recap the rest of the last couple of weeks - we were also invited to the opening of a new bar called 9 Feet High, the re-opening of the bar at the Taj - called Chipstead,  which is really well done.  Compared to how the place used to look this is a million light years away from there!  Good luck to them too! And also to a Chanpagne filled sale of Jimmy Choos.  Great times!!  Keep them rolling on!!