India!

Niko will be joining Yusi on a research trip to India from January 1-15, 2018.  He became interested in India when Madhavi Kulkarni, Head of People & Culture at Pollinate Energy (and Yusi's research host), came to our house during a University of New Hampshire conference and talked about living conditions for the 65 million people living in India’s urban slums – and what Pollinate Energy is doing to provide them with life-changing products such as solar lanterns and clean cookstoves.  We are engaging family and friends in what we hope will be an educational and inspiring trip for all. 

Here are Niko’s words:

I have an amazing chance to go to India in January!

I met Madhavi when she came to my house for dinner.  I thought she was very nice.  I took her to see my jack-o’-lantern at the Pumpkin Stroll at my elementary school, which she liked because she missed Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, while she traveled here.  Madhavi works for a company called Pollinate Energy, which sells solar powered lights for people who don’t have electricity available where they live.  I think they’re doing good work because kids need light to study, read, write, and play games.  Pollinate Energy also sells cookstoves that are safer, healthier, and easier for families to use than open fires in their homes.

Some of the other things I would like to see in India are:

• The elephant rides because I would like to know how can they hold more than 1000 pounds and I really want to ride one.
• The snake charmers because I would like to know how they hypnotize the snakes with music.
• The Taj Mahal because I hear it is really pretty and I heard a cool story about why it was built.
• The gods because I would like to know what all the gods are named and what they do. I read a book called “Ramayana: Divine Loophole” by Sanjay Patel and learned about Rama and Ravana. I also like Ganesh, the elephant god, and Hanuman, the monkey god.
• The clothes and houses because I would like to know how they are different from ours.

When I travel to India, I think I will learn how different people live and how different people do different things. I will gain knowledge, happiness, and awareness. I will also eat a lot of naan [bread]! This trip is a hard-to-get chance and means a lot to me. I am contributing $20 towards my airfare, which is 88% of my "Big Stuff" savings. I am also bringing all of my Helping Others money in case I see people who need help. I would like to create a PowerPoint about my experiences. Email my parents if you would like a postcard from India, and leave me some encouraging comments here!

2010: The Year in Rearview

Asa's first few hours:





Brothers. Can you tell who's who?



Niko loving up his little brother.



Yusi with Asa a few hours after his birth:


Getting a little sleep after a busy first morning:


First portrait of the family foursome:


Beautiful flowers to celebrate the little guy's arrival:



It's official, Niko's a BIG BROTHER. He made this shirt to tell the world:


and, in case there's any doubt, he's got his name on the back:


Grandma Bassoon with a lap full of grandkids:


Already palming a basketball:


Asa was sucking his thumb when he came out, and continues his oral tradition:


Who doesn't like a little after-dinner rub?


Helping Asa make his mark:



Sweet little guy falling asleep:


Enjoying a roasted marshmallow at Durham's annual Chili Cook-off:


Niko the Knight:


Always practice "safe reading":


About 2 hours into a 6-hour clean-up after the sump pump shut off:


Maestro Josh at Fresh Local delivers:


Post-SESO (indoor frisbee tournament) PBR & Ribs:


Asa's 3-month celebration, Chinese red eggs:


Lilia & Sadie join Niko on the high ground:


Potty training!


Niko calling next door: "Hello, Sheila? I pooped in the potty!"


Niko plays chicken with a turtle at Smith Mountain Lake:


Asa settles in at Smith Mountain Lake:





Feeding the carp popcorn/toes:


Racing cars with uncle Jon:


Explaining to Papa why we eat dinner in the bathtub:


Pre-reunion gathering at Dev's place in Ocean City, NJ:


15-year reunion. Tiger! Tiger! Tiger!


Camping in Acadia:










Niko telling his first joke: "God told Noah to build...a fort!"


Posing for Yusi's birthday CD cover:


Summertime in NH:










A visit from Niko's first nanny, Marina:


Stratham Fair:



Day cruise with the Hawley's on their new boat:



T-Ball. Almost!





Niko's first charicature. Jumping?


Holding the neighbor's new chicks:


Picking out a tune on the porch:


Hiking with the neighbors:


Working on that jump. Notice the vertical:


Safe walking:


Getting comfortable on two wheels:


Asa is up and at 'em:


A boy and his dog:


A mommy and her boys:



Working on their paddling technique:


Seapoint Beach, Maine:



Niko helps with leaf clean-up:


Fall hikes at Adam's Point:



VERY typical evening:


Niko's first day of school:


Good girl, Tula!



Halloween:






Chickens trick and treating:



Asa, the happy hiker:


Thanksgiving in NY:




Corn Maze (why don't they say Maize?) in Epping, NH:


Asa gets some air:


New wood stove = new fort:


Asa...is a handful:


Wagon rides:


Niko cooks up some reindeer::


Our nanny, April, with surprise pictures of the little guys:


Durham, NH Christmas:



Big Sur, CA Christmas with the Streeters:





Monterey, CA Christmas with Great Grandpa:


Palo Alto Christmas with the Wangs:



Oakland, CA Christmas with the Polans & Turells:



San Franciso, CA Christmas with friends:



The brothers Turell in their Chariot:


Niko introduces Asa to snow:


Niko tries out his birthday present from Suzanne & Connie:


Photos from our woods: