Last Minute Shopping

Before we left the apartment today I had a delivery. Flowers arrived from Kevin and Rosemary! It was a belated birthday present, but would brighten any day. They were gorgeous! Thank you Kevin and Rosemary! They may last a while so that means Sophie gets to enjoy them as much as I do. I took a picture because I won't be able to take them with me.

Leaving time is nigh and I am making sure I have everything I need to bring home with me. So that means more shopping! I was sad to see that my new ring had a chip in it. I so loved the ring but couldn't live with it that way. We went back to Asian Art and they were so very nice about the whole thing. He wanted to do whatever it took to make me happy. Unfortunately, he could not fix the stone, but he could offer me another ring. And boy did they offer me rings. I saw everything from diamonds to rubies to emeralds. I had my heart set on an opal and they only had one more in the store. It is now mine. The shape is a little different, but the stone is just as radiant! He told me that even if I was to come back a year later, they would have done whatever it took to resolve the issue. What great customer service!

From Asian Art we went to the Bombay Store which had even more hand craft items. I bought a few things for myself and others and we were on our way to an early dinner before work. Unfortunately, the restaurants we were thinking about were not yet open for dinner. We ended up at TGIFridays. Peggy apologized because I had said repeatedly in the past that I was not traveling halfway around the world to go to TGIFridays. When you're hungry though, it doesn't matter. Peggy had imported baby back ribs. I ordered an imported Budweiser, but they were out. It was worth a try.

We were late leaving for IBM because we had a hard time getting coffee and the bill at the restaurant. We are learning not to order coffee here. I am not sure what the problem is, but we always have a hard time getting them to give us coffee. What's up with that?

Since we were a little later getting in, it was getting dark and stores and temples were starting to light up. We saw this very festive light display of the god Ganesha. Throughout India and the Hindu culture, Ganesha is the first icon placed into any new home or abode. It is widely believed that wherever there is Ganesha, there is success and prosperity. By calling on him people believe that he will come to their aid and grant them success in their endeavours. Peggy feels a special kinship to this god. I think she even bought a small Ganesha at the Bombay Store.

Once at IBM, we settled in for another day of training. Pinaki trained on the new phones the agents will be using so they will be familiar with it when they start taking mock calls on Monday. Rishi is pushing hard for the class to know where to dispatch each type of case. They are reviewing all the call types and corresponding support groups.

Peggy and I will be leaving from IBM tonight to go to the airport to pick up Naham. His apartment is ready and we are ready to welcome him. He will be taking Peggy's old apartment and she has moved into new digs on the 4th floor. She is so excited about her new apartment. Naham and Sophie will both be on the 9th floor, 2 doors down from each other. We pick up Sophie tomorrow. I can hardly wait!