Early Christmas

So I came home last night after a long & busy day to find that I had a present in the mail from my dad. It was the book "Images of Life in Bawana' by Ray Fowell!!! You can buy it here and all proceeds go to Habitat! http://www.amazon.com/Images-Life-Bawana-Ray-Fowell/dp/B002AD1OJG

I read it immediately, because there was just no other option.

It's filled with pictures and a few stories of the team who went prior to our team. They arrived only 2 weeks after the attacks in Mumbai. Anyway: BEST PRESENT!
In addition to this he made a donation in my name toward relief in India. Amazing.....

One Sheet.

Upon returning from seeing my sis for Thanksgiving (pic of us at home depot buying her tree!) I sent out a one sheet to my top 12 cd's. I've been pretty on top of my commitment to doing mailings every 2 weeks.......and here's what I have for my year's end favorite things.
I am speaking solely of myself and without much humor, so I'm inclined to match it here with a wittier one.
In the meanwhile:

*Habitat for Humanity build in India
*Called in for Principal roles for Broadway replacements, tour, and Canada productions of Rock of Ages
*Producer session for recurring role on Glee
*Shot the film "The Golden Age"
*Producer session for guest star on The Mentalist
*Had my first trip to Paris!
*Formed a collective group of actors--we meet weekly to bounce ideas off of one another
*Recorded the cast album for Bukowsical
*Deepak Chopra tweeted me :)

Namaste & Egg Nog,
JB

The Jesus Wall

So I shot my part last week in the indie film I mentioned before, The Golden Age.....It was fun and easy breezy. Here are a few of pics from the location downtown:

Mai Tai

Got invited to a very inspiring event at Trader Vic's (yummm mai tais) on Sunday night with my friend Jen Cetrone for East LA Classic Theatre Company. It's been up and running for 15 years and is headed by major character actor Tony Plana. He blew me away with his knowledge of stats on the LA school system as well as his passion.
Did you know that CA spends 3 times as much on prisons as they do on education?
What? And all of the arts has been cut in our schools. What?

I've already gotten in touch with the board to get involved. And maybe you should too.
http://www.eastlaclassic.org/index.html

The Golden Age....

Been a bit bad about posting on the regular but hey! Here I am and here you are.

Just got cast in a film that believe it or not was inspired by the writer's trip to India last year.
How serendipitous huh? It's a mockumentary called The Golden Age and I'm playing a reporter who works for a gossip magazine. We shoot before Thanksgiving.....

In the planning stages of a Benefit for Bawana. Looks like I'll be getting my talented friends involved once again (fingers crossed) to pull together for a night o' music, laughs and debauchery.
Stay tuned.....

On another front, I went to this gem of a place last night in Los Feliz for some authentic Indian cuisine http://www.indiasweetsandspices.net/

There's a market attached and it smells exactly like India. Kinda transported me. Plus they have yummy fennel sweets.

A door to lock.

Because most people have a glazed-over look when I tell them Yes we built 3 houses in the time spent in India....here are a couple of photos of the near-finished houses we built.

The first is obviously the before picture of the hut where our family lived for 7 years.


In a far away place tonight, a family sleeps under a roof.

xJB

I lit my orange fall candle.

Something about the fallish weather this morning seemed to really permeate my day and turn my disposition into that of a cranky old woman. What's up with this? I usually like this somewhat nostaligic/crisp falls in Boston/missing college/east coast NYC blues into the exhilaration of halloween feeling but this year it's clearly different. It's because of my broken heart. There. I said it. And so with the first of October (already?!) comes my all -too-aware awakening to the passage of time. Of all things.Not just him. But especially sometimes him.

I emailed habitat about local volunteer opportunities because when I phone no human picks up.
Argh. Some bodies are letting that ball drop. I know I wanna be more involved with children in Bawana anyways. My greatest plan is to have my own rip roaring single camera comedy, make loads of money, buy my parents that beach house they always wanted, then create housing for everyone in Bawana who wants it. Create singing, dancing, writing, photography courses for the children and teens in Bawana.....opportunities upon opportunities. Effect real change. And on the way have a damn good time. I know this is meant for me. If I could just relax in the meantime and remember to enjoy the ride............

Namaste,
JB

...from a previous entry

Was just looking thru my journal and saw where I wrote this:
Sept 9th
"....Lunch time-oh so sweaty and HOT. Shirt soaked completely thru. Yummy lunch of okra, chic peas, and yogurt. ....Chuck just asked why on earth it's cloudy when we're inside and the sun comes blaring out when we step outside like "Jesus Christ himself." I said it's murphy's law.Ray said "it's god's will cuz we're working for Muslims."Haaaaaaaaa."

Here in America....

Bonjour everybody and thanks for following my blog....I'll add in some journal entries from my trip in an attempt to answer more of your questions of what went on day to day.

I've sent out my photo album to everyone and it was a BIG job to put them all into sequential order... so enjoy:)

It's been a bit difficult to form complete thoughts in the past week of how I feel since I've been back.

It's pretty isolating, to be honest. And it's opened my eyes....surprising to see how some people I thought were close to me haven't even bothered to call or ask how my experience was. Puts things in perspective in that respect. I'm not sure what that's about but I have my own thoughts on that.Those who are sincerely interested, I love to talk about it on one hand, but on the other it feels that words fail to express the actual experience. So, I've sent pictures, in an attempt to fill in the gaps.

What I do know is this:
I'm extremely passionate about what I've witnessed, what we've done. We impacted Bawana and our families there in a very positive way. We made a difference. And for those naysayers (and yep there have been a few---I see it as a personal test) who groan that the problem is too big, that helping a few isn't enough when there's so many in need: True that there are so many in need, but in fact one creates change by starting with one at a time. Sitting back in your air conditioned home complaining about it and, even worse, becoming apathetic because "it's just too much to wrap my head around" disgusts me. There is lots to be done. So we do the best we can by taking action.

One of the best comments I've heard from a friend after looking at my photos was "you look so much like you're in your element." It's true--that's really how I felt- in my element.

I feel eager to help locally and have been in touch with my local Habitat office....and also rolling around the ideas of where I'll head next summer.Leaning towards India again (Bangalore) or Thailand. Would love to have a couple from my team to go as well:)

Feeling very unmotivated otherwise, which is so unlike me. I had one audition on Friday and barely worked on it, went in just to have fun, and did just that. I just want to immerse myself for a while longer in India....so I look at all of our teams photos that get sent around daily, email some on the team, and just finished watching Born in to Brothels, a fantastic documentary about children in the red light district of Calcutta. I teared up a bit missing the children. I'm really looking for more ideas of working with the kids in Bawana.

Change all around....one of my closest girl friends, Erin is moving away to Singapore this week for a year. I'm pretty damn sad about this...but am excited for all that she'll get to experience there. It's been rare to find such honest, good, funny,real girlfriends in LA, so she's been a goldmine.
Erin, hurry back:)

Namaste,
JB

Laying bricks on our site yesterday before the storm.

Tuesday on our site. Progress!! Mohammed is in red.Sonjay(laborer who is awesome)is standing on left. Mason in middle.

Beginning -at our work site. Mohammed(father) and Saddam(son)

Mud covered and soaked after yesterday's build in the monsoon:)

and the rain continues...........

So no work this morning because Bawana Village is flooded as well as the streets that lead us there. We woke up and me at 8am for b'fast and am sitting and waiting it out.

We were continuing laying bricks and the concrete would be no use in the rain. We dedicate one house tomorrow in a ceremony, after we work for the first part of the day.Then we're buying pots and pans in the village for each of the houses as a new home gift, so when we say goodbye to the familes(sad) we'll give them the gifts. Also, buying these gifts in Bawana puts money into the village where we want it to be.Tomorrow night is a farewell dinner then I leave early on Saturday morning. It's gone by too fast. Most of the team flies out late on Saturday evening so I'm bummed that I'll miss out on whatever they'll do around Delhi for fun, but at least I'm going to Paris!

from Monday's journal entry: Went to children's home: the basket they have uot front to drop off unwanted babies is heartbreaking. But these children are well taken care of. This is an NGO(non-government organization) so all funds are from donations. I have their contact info and plan on organizing a drive in the future to give your clothes, toys, your anything here rather than throwing it away. It's very much needed, as I've witnessed this first hand.
The orphans sang "we are the world" for us.Surreal & touching.Got teary eyed after meeting with the disabled babies.....
Headed off to Bawana---shocked at how much our family had done on the site this morning. Very little digging left to be done YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!We gt to hang out with Nazma(home owner/mother of our site), and her daughter who has an 8 day old baby. I asked to take a picuture of her, but along with most other somehwat superstitious beliefs I've found everyone has here, taking one of a newborn is completely out of the question.....Nazma asked if she cuold come with me to the USA and that she "makes good chicken".Appaerntly she knew someone who went to the states to be a servant , saved money, and came back to India and built a beautiful home.....

Gonna post some pictures now.
byebye.JB

It's raining goats & roosters

Had such a good time last night. We went back to the Rodeo (bar/restaurant where the Indians dress like cowboys.....Really.It's AMAZING.) We had mexican food----yes indian versions of it but all in all it was a nice break from the chicken masala and curry we have for 3 meals a day. I love it, but having anything that many times a day can get to be a bit too much on the system.



Woke up early for a full day of work---oh, I wanna mention that yesterday 3 of us bought bangles (glass bracelets) from a local seller in Bawana.She came on Monday since she heard through the grape vine that some of us wanted to purchase some (but couldn't after a not so nice interaction with a grumpy old seller.................Anyways, we bought about 150 rupees worth the bangles, so I'm thrilled we cold do this since that's more than she would make in one day.
WOW i just wrote another long blog and it got erased. Technology is the bane of my existence right now apparently.

More on today's monsoon later--being dragged to dinner downstairs.
xoxJB

Will try this again later.......

Monday Morn!

Hey guys! Just now able to get on a computer at the YMCA hostel. Will make it a little quick. Abby and I are going to run up the street for coffee before we head to the children's home this morning. Worked hard on Friday on team 3's site as there was a monsoon on Thursday night so we were scared to see what it had done to Bawana.Our site was the worst of the 3.So disheartening how much mud there was after we had worked so hard digging out the trenches.
It wasn't a complete waste, but we couldn't do anything until it dried out this weekend.
The up side was that since only 4 people could dig at a time on the site, we were able to spend more time with the children watching our work! I taught two girls "say say oh playmate". They were all smiles and cracking up when I was having them do it faster and faster. I have a new additional favorite, Soni (pronounced like sony records) who was my buddy--sticking to my side most of Friday and saying my name proudly, as Amit has written my name on my tag in Hindu.
Can I tell you how awesome it is when we're walking around the village and I hear little voices saying "Hi Jennifer!"!!!!!
We literally were shoveling the sewage system out--knee deep--don't think I'll be taking my boots back with me ater all.
Our team is amazing. We all pull together to make great progress in a short amount of time in sweltering heat.
Ok Abby is here---off for the day. Tons and tons to write......
Hope I can be strong for the kids today.
xoxJB

Taj Mahal

very little internet access.Taj Mahal today.Breath taking.Orphange early in the morning.

Ahhhh, progress...

Just finished showering the most amazing shower I feel i've ever had.Could once again wring sweat out of my shirt and pants today.Mud and muck covered- the most intense labor work I've ever done.
I was down on myself and our team for lack of progress in this morning's shift.Once we began digging deeper, we found another layer of brick under yet another layer.We pick ax it loose then shovel and pull bricks into clay bowls to use for carrying it across to the empty lot.
Happiness today when we found that the homeowners had purchased a tarp to keep us covered.Almost cried at that.
Got a bit dizzy when it reached about 1pm and the father of our house told me (in hindi) to dump water on my head.So I did, which the kids thought was hilarious, and of course it helped.
When we got back to the center for break we all pured salt/electrolite packets into our water.Today was HARD. But this afternoon brough progress!Dug the 4 foot tunnel in back of the house and finally hit mud instead of brick.Yes!
Oh, the neighbor's boy thought it so fun to try and throw a centipede on me while I was digging.He got a yelling at from Amit and I mimed punching him which only cracked him up more.
Our homeowner's son is 17,adorable,and studying to be a tailor.He has such strength and luckily jumped in to help with some arm power.Meant to mention, our house's team is me, Abby, Chuck, Serbi, and Amit.
I can say I'm proud of our stamina today.Carrying brick after brick in 100 percent humidity is no joke.
I love it here in India.Saying again how in love I am with all the babies and children.They want to know our names and are the happiest children I have ever seen.
Namaste,
JB

Bawana

No idea where to start with sharing my first experience in Bawana.Words fail me.Photos probably even fail to capture it.
We cleared 2 houses today which means tearing down approx 6 ft by 8ft huts in the slums.We used knives,a pick ax, and indian shovels.Even now I don't know where to continue with describing and am left with a feeling in the pit of my stomach that what we're doing here is in no way enough.There is no leader in this slum, and the people in the village live in mush and their own filth.3 yr olds are carrying around 1 year olds and taking care of them.Dishes and clothes are washed in the mud and sewage.Amazing to see all of the habitat houses built by previous teams.This raises the quality of life for these families immensely .
Goats,cows, roosters and dogs run rampant.Many families have their own goats for milk.The magical voices of these children who literally crowd and consume us with 'hello how are you' is what makes the 95 degree heat bearable.
Early day again in the morning.Tomorrow we begin digging and after tonight's thunderstorm the mud may be even thicker.
xoJB

Prep for Day 1

Gotta go to bed soon- 630am meet up for breakfast then off to Bawana (work site) for day 1 of our build.So excited to meet the families and children and slap on my hard hat.
Brief notes from today- Group orientation,awesome lunch with paneer, nan, peas and mushroom curry.Saw teeny tiny frogs all around the hotel.Roji recalled hunting his own frogs in southern india with a machete and cooking up frog legs.Peed in a hole in the ground for the first time.Yep I did.Hung out with the team over a long dinner that involved Kingfisher and entertainment from Ray(team leader from Kent).
Though I could write lots and forcing myself into sleep.
xoJB

Thunderstorm.

1030 am.Lying in my bed listening to the most incredible thunderstorm i've heard since Alabama.The power went out for a bit and I heard the hotel workers downstairs yelling to eachother in hindi to fix it.
Everyone i've encountered here so far is amazingly friendly and warm.Speaking of warm holy heat!! My roomie Abby (from north carolina) and I went for a walk last night with Rijo (local habitat india team member) down the street to a Sikh Temple. How can I even begin to explain this? Never seen so much life going on at 130am.People (mostly men) all over.Babies and children awake and on motor bikes.Women awake baking the most beautiful smelling dessert-Rijo explained it's a special pudding/custard made as an offering and brought to the temple.We felt safe with him though we stuck out like the biggest sore thumb and drew incredible stares. It was so beautiful watching the Sihk children, in their headedresses, pray to tomb of a religious leader.It had candles and fresh flowers draped all over.
Never have I seen so many homeless.You can't even imagine if you try. Everywhere, lined up in rows like corpses.So emaciated, bodies twisted in sleep.
Stray dogs and cows wander the streets.We even saw a miniature white donkey that looked like something right out of the Labyrinth. No david bowie though. I saw a sign that read 'Lane driving is sane driving'.This is a suggestion to use the lanes since no one does.Reminiscent of a NYC taxi ride on speed.Seriously.Ok will try to rest more.We all went to bed at 3am after travels. xoJB

7477.

That's how many miles it is to delhi. In case you were counting.
I am having first class envy. They are hooked up!!!
I've got my own tv, I've got my books, got my blanket got my pillow and no one next to me.I got life I got love!!(Hair reference-sing it with me now!)
Lots of love & namaskar,
JB

Gate K19. Chicago.

Indians.Indians everywhere.Lil' Indian baby next to me is making Ewok noises. I want to mush her.Must find plug to charge my phone. Thank you sam adams for your octoberfest. This airport rocks by the way.
More later.where's that plug?

xox

Gate 43.

LAX.American Airlines. Gate 43. Sinatra playing overhead confuses me into feeling it's christmas and I'm flying south.
Adorable blonde babies running around eating chocolate crossaints next to me. Please don't be sitting next to me on the plane.
Take malarone.check.
Who knew you could swipe your passport to scan it into a self check in kiosk? Very cool.
Slept well last night actually. Watched Stardust to lull me to sleep.Really good story book fantasy film.Bob Deniro as a gay pirate....
Cute but probably gay guy next to me is already asleep on his pillow. Who eats border grill for bfast? That place is hoppin!! Boarding in 20.....yaaaaaaay!!!!!!!

afternoon coffee.

I'm aware of the possibility of earth moving, ground shaking, existential eye openers that I'll experience once I'm traveling. That's the point of traveling, of visiting vastly different places from your own sense of reality. This is how you challenge yourself. This is how you open yourself up to all that is around you and outside of your own comfort level. And in the course of this specific journey, this is how you are allowed to help others. To experience real human connection. To be of service.That is really being alive.

Now is the time for me to be selfish. My career and my family/friends are most important to me. I have the freedom right now in my life to have nearly every waking hour be consumed with my my acting career. I thrive on that.I also have the freedom right now to go build with Habitat. I'm so happy in my life right now, and so grateful for the friends I know today.

JB

No malaria here.

Took my first Malarone pill this morning. I have a busy day so I'm trying to keep any of the negative things I've heard about the side effects from this pill OUT OF MY HEAD.
"Start 2 days before entering malaria area" then a pill a day for every day I am there, followed by 7 days of pills. Think that should cover me.

So my brother in law's(Chuck) brother in law (Andy)= (bro in law squared) sent me the sweetest email. And apparently due to a series of technical glitches I do not in fact get to borrow his tool belt.
This is a shame because I know for a fact his tool belt wanted to see New Delhi.

Comfort Level?

When I arrive on Saturday, the "comfort level" is 108 degrees. Anyone else find this description misleading?

http://www.timeanddate.com/weather/india/new-delhi

Ritz Carlton

This is where I'll lay my head at night:

http://www.newdelhiymca.org/tourist-hotel.htm

Let's take a moment to say a prayer that I get a room with AC.

Seriously though, they have a gym, computers, and a pool. Way swankier than the hostel I stayed in when I was in Chelsea, London.

Google Earthing it.

The top of this Google Earth pic shows The Bawana Community, where we'll be building.
The very top of the picture, specifically, is where we'll be working. This small area houses 40,000 people.

This time next week I'll be on the other side of the world. Literally!

The India experience.Ya can't fit in my luggage, but it's like you're right here with me.

The count down continues. It's been oh so far in the distance and now it's a mere 5 1/2 days away that I depart for New Delhi, India.
Flight: LAX-CHICAGO-INDIA.
22 hours.Books are heavy.Fact.Must narrow my selection down.

Today: I packed and ran out to Osh for work gloves. Any excuse to go to Orchard Supply Hardware makes my heart flutter. Ran to radio shack for a new memory card for my camera, but why were all of the cards hidden behind the counter and without prices? If this store is hit this hard by memory card seeking criminals maybe I should reconsider my patronage.



Thanks to Kind for their donation of their yummy all natural bars to my team.Five percent of their profits go to PeaceWorks, a great organization which fosters co-existence in the world.

Besides a brief anxiety ridden moment which was quelled by a phone call to my mom (thanks mama) all in all I'm ready.Let's do this.

3 major meetings this week with representation plus one audition =lots to focus on before I head to the airport.

Namaskar xo,
Jennifer