I'm back. India was wonderful, beautiful, maddening and challenging as always. Full of contrasts, ancient temples by modern highways, incredible riches next door to appalling squalor. I'm torn btween weeping over so much suffering, and rejoicing at the resilience of the human spirit. The children in the villages were very happy to see us and they loved the hats.

I had nzd400 left over which I put in my EF; halfway to my goal. For groceries I bought
bread 2.38
red peppers 2.81
bananas 3.29
tomatoes 1.76
carrots 1.45
broccoli 1.49
avocado 1.69
bread rolls 1.38

New Year's Eve and I have one resolution, which is to not drink caffeine (on my 5th day) and one financial goal, which is to reach nzd10,000 in my EF. But we'll see about plans for 2019 after I get back. India has a wonderful way of putting things into perspective.

Yay! my visa has finally arrived. Off to India in the New Year.

My sister visited and regifted some of her unwanted Christmas presents to me: a scented candle and a bucket of salted caramel cookies. I don't want them either, so now I must find someone else to regift them too.

What is everyone else regifting from the holidays?

I am still having problems getting my visa. I was sent a request to fill out yet another form and pay a further nzd160.00. I still don't know if I'll get it before New Year, if it doesn't arrive before then I will have to cancel the trip. I keep repeating the Serenity Prayer to myself, which is useful when dealing with all things Indian.

I walked into town today and when I got there realised I'd forgotten my wallet with all my money and my bus card. So I had to walk back home in a fine Scottish mist. At least I stayed out of the thrift store since there was no point looking without any money. So frustrating to see a bargain and not be able to buy.

I booked my bus to Christchurch Airport, nzd44.00. Counting sleeps until the day of departure.

I spent the morning putting the finishing touches to 33 little baby hats, using the last of my fingering wool. I have knitted over 200 this year. They are coming with me to the Mount Abu Hospital to be distributed to newborns (it is winter in Rajasthan and the temperature drops to zero at night).

I finally manged to negotiate the High Commission of India's website and complete my visa application. Cost nzd225. Now I am having cold sweats in case it is rejected and I can't go on the trip. To thumb my nose at the bogeyman I had lunch at the Indian Spice restaurant. Bombay aloo mmmmm

Bought travel insurance, nzd175. Rang Work & Income to let them know when I'm out of the country. They said because I'm away for less than 4 weeks, my benefit will still be paid. Nice! I should come back to a nice heap o' change in my checking.

Out:
bread 1.00
strawberries 1.99
bananas 2.99

I paid for the plane tickets, nzd2,620.00.

And the trip to India is on. Cost $2,800.

I still have not heard whether the trip to India is on in December. One of the leaders is very ill and the other is 104 so it may be postponed until new leadership is decided. It's ok by me if it doesn't happen till next year, as I should finish my EF by the end of next year.

Today was my day to volunteer at the thrift store. They had some nice bags so I bought a black and white striped one for $2 as my old black one is pretty worn. I also put $1 from my misc envelope into my Trans Siberian money tin. Now I have $12.70. It's such a tiny amount to be saving compared to what I need, but I want to get started now rather than wait until all my other goals are met.

Payday. A whole $289.61 into my account. The electrician's bill finally arrived so I paid it right away, $222.63. Still left with well over $2,000 in the House maintenance a/c.
I had almost $500 in my check a/c so transferred $400 to my FFEF. I now have $2.082 in there.
I went to Knit Squad this afternoon and made a gold coin donation. I also put a dollar from my misc money into my Trans Siberian trip money tin. If I put a dollar in there every week I'll get there in a hundred years! But if I don't start saving something I'll never get there.
And I bought another cabbage and 4 cans of beans at a dollar each. It's a good job I like cabbage, and it can be cooked in so many ways.

Out of the blue ds received an offer to go to England, ticket paid for by dad. Great excitement and a furious rush to get things done on time. We had to get an urgent passport. Of course ds having happily blown all his cash on DVDs and satellite TV, despite my best efforts to encourage savings, dear old mum has to come up with the required $NZ300. Aesop should rewrite the fable about the ant and the grasshopper where the ant is too kindhearted to refuse to help the starving grasshopper when winter comes. Never mind, it's a great opportunity for him and I'm really happy. But I shall be lonely when he's gone next week. I shall have to get a housemate, which will help with finances too.

I am now drawing up a list of all the jewellry and things I want ds to buy for me in Europe.