Chicago & Fremont Review

 Hi all, 

It feels like we haven't posted in a bit. I can't believe it's already almost March of 2021! It's been a year of the pandemic and shelter in place. We are currently in Eugene, OR on our way back to Sequim, Washington. We were hoping to still make it to India but that ended up not happening. We sent out a few feelers to friends in Sequim for places to stay and found a woman that has bought farm land and will be out of town for 5-6 weeks. She has some animals that need watching over and then once she returns, we will all be living together. More on that in a bit once we actually get there and get re-settled. 

For now, I wanted to do a quick review of what we've been up to since we left Sequim. We left mid December to make it in time for Amaani's birthday. We stayed in Fremont for about a week and ate a lot of mom's food, hung out with Ish/Saavi/Ami/Amir and unpacked/re-packed for Chicago. We hadn't gone to Chicago for Thanksgiving so were spending Christmas there instead. 

We quarantined for 4/5 day's at my brother's place, got tested and then headed out to Naperville for the rest of the time. Amaani loves snow and we actually got a decent amount of it while we were there. We got to go sledding, hiking and made a snow person! I think I've mentioned this in the past but going back to Chicago and not seeing everyone is weird. It's home for me and is always filled with making lots of plans to see people. I was still determined to see folks though and called friends up to go for outside walks. To all my girls that I was able to see, I'm grateful. To the people I missed, next time. 

 

Us being home is so good for my dad. He stays busy and the house is full. Arpit, Sam and Bodhi spent the entire time there as well and Amaani was OBSESSED with her little brother. We took him out on our outdoor adventures as well :) During all of this, there was always a little background anxiety in what's next for us. Spending time with family is great but there's a certain idleness that makes me crazy after a bit. I found purpose in focusing on my bread baking skills. We brought the wheat from Sequim to Chicago with the starter and there was a point that I was baking daily. We went out to a mill about an hour away to get more local wheat! I learned a bit about the transition from one wheat to another and really focusing on getting the starter nice and healthy. My bread was getting this dense spot but by the end of our time in Chicago, that went away and overall taste had improved! I think each friend I met up with got some bread along with some neighbors :) Lots of outside time for us as a family. We went to Starved Rock twice! Frozen waterfalls = COOL! My dad has upped his cooking game and makes some mean chole bhature. Amaani made a friend with the neighbor next door and that was nice for her to have another kid around. Bodhi turned 1 while we were there :) Various art and knitting happened while there as well. Rest of pictures here. Was grateful for the time to spend time there.

Then we headed back to Fremont. We had applied for Amaani's Overseas Citizen of India and were hoping to see if we get a response soonish. Our ideal would have been going to India. We realized that once we get back to life in Oakland, we won't get the opportunity for a while. Unfortunately, it didn't end up being in the cards. Due to coronavirus, everything took longer and we ended up deciding on returning to Sequim. Similar feelings of going a bit crazy came up and a general uninspired state. Old habits return while living with parents. In hindsight though, we still did a lot. Raj planned out building a raised bed for the Fremont back yard! He did all the planning and we got to build it together. Replaced circular chain saws, cut wood, and used a drill. These are all things we never did as a kid and becoming the tiniest bit fix it saavy is an improvement. He also learned and built a full irrigation system! I got to take a wood working class at the Crucible! Lots of outside adventures, birthday celebrations and outdoor meet ups with friends. Amaani spent a ton of time with her cousins. Lots of art and slime making. Lots of reading. This "time off" is filled with mental ups and downs. There are periods that are filled with joy and gratitude to take a step back and slow down. To sit down and think...what do I want from life? What drives me, us as a family, etc. Observing and learning with Amaani on this unschooling process is a constant journey. Then there are moments in what are we doing? We need to get back to Oakland and dive back in. Each day is filled with the ups and downs but in hindsight it's a wealth of memories and opportunities that push us forward. I always wondering what seeds are being planted in Amaani during this time for her future. What will they sprout? How will they show up for her? What will she remember? Forever thankful to Raj. Our tagline for this blog has held true :) Excited for the next set of adventures.  Rest of pictures with links below: 

Quaranting via HipCamp

Fremont

Woodworking

WE STARTED OUR JOURNEY WITH A UNIFYING THREAD THAT DRAWS US TOGETHER: THE DESIRE TO LIVE MORE MEANINGFUL AND CONSCIOUS LIVES AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS A COUPLE AND NOW AS A FAMILY. THIS BLOG SERVES AS A REMINDER OF THAT GOAL. 

Sequim in Pictures - the Connections

We knew about Sequim because of our friend, Ankur... who I met in India about 15 years ago! We haven't stayed in the closest touch since then, but it was amazing to be able to reach out to him, and for him to open an invitation to us. This is about the PEOPLE we spent time with, and the connections we made. 

For the first couple of weeks, we stayed in Ankur, Miriame, and Jasmine's Octagon Guest House in their backyard. One of Amaani's first adventures was creating a see-saw in the backyard with some found materials! 

After quarantining for a few days, it felt like we were living in an extended family situation with Ankur, Miriame, and Jasmine... and what made it amazing are the shared values -- good, organic, fresh food; connection with nature; justice-mindset; equanimty and love. For me, that's the dream... to live on some land with a community of like-minded families.

The People

Playing banana tag in Eden's backyard! Tapping into Ankur's network and community, we were able to connect with some creative, active, fun kiddos! 

Hot tub in Ankur & Miriame's backyard. 

Ankur-bhai tries to go on hikes/outdoor adventures with his little one Jasmine every Friday, and then usually does a hike on his own or with friends over the weekend. =)

This was the view from the back of the home we stayed in after we left Ankur's place. This is Bharti Auntie's home (Ankur's mom), and I am so grateful that she let us stay here. This woman is a strong woman... living alone out here for many years, and still hiking over 4 miles EVERY day. It was like we had a "mother" out there in Sequim. 

Nephews, Anshal and Harshal, from Seattle came to visit! We had an awesome two days with them - apple pressing, hiking, crossing rivers, etc.

Amaani is with here with Olivia and Zoe under this spectacular rainbow. Olivia, Zoe, and their parents, Balyn and Ellie, live on their family farm with a couple of horses, some goats, and chickens; and homeschool/unschool their kids. It was amazing spending time with kindred souls weekly.

So grateful to the Bridge's family! Lisa and the kids were so warm and welcoming from the moment we met them. And so was Joe once we met him as well. We hung out outside their home, had game nights, and went out numerous outdoor adventures. Much love to Olive, Ivan and Charles (or the "Runny Boys" as Amaani likes to call them) and Joe and Lisa. 

Because of the wonderful connections made, we were able to organize an outdoors, socially-distanced, masked Diwali celebration with story-telling, rangoli, and diya painting! 

We met so many wonderful families and kids, and we painted these rocks with the kids' names on one side, and a word that comes to mind when we think of that child on the other side. It was our way of saying good-bye and letting them know they touched our hearts.

When I compare their childhoods (kids in Sequim) to the childhoods of the kiddos in inner-city Oakland that I've gotten close to over the years, it's such a stark difference. I know that this isn't something that people don't know... but the opportunities the Sequim kids have to be outdoors, to be free, to be safe.. is amazing... it's what leads to healthy kids.. mentally, physically, and emotionally... and eventually healthy adults. "School reform" is spending so much time, money, and effort to help these "inner-city" kids get to college... and not only are they failing at that goal as so many students are being underserved... but they're not doing anything to help save their childhood... all socio-emotional work and everything is in service of succeeding at school, not in service of being a happy and healthy human being. This Covid situation and virtual schooling is another ridiculous thing.. expecting kids to just sit at screens all day. 

My next step, after this year, is to partner with like-minded BIPOC and design a Natural Learning Center where our Oakland kids can be kids, can be free, can pursue their passions, can have fun, and can learn and grow.

Many families that we met in Sequim are trying to make sure that their kids have the above opportunities that I just mentioned in different ways. I enjoyed talking to parents to see how they're making it happen, and learning a little bit about the different education opportunities/schools that exist there.

Overall, it felt really good to be able to quickly form pretty deep connections with people in Sequim and have regular outdoor hang-outs and adventures. Sequim feels like a place we can go back to and be in community. THANK YOU