Damian & Katerina = How To [vil-helm] #85

How To Villlhelllm: How do You even Spell It?

Tiny Tales from Alyce's Weekly Wonders

Hey everyone! It’s me, Alyce, your favorite 9-month-old explorer! Guess what?! I’ve been wiggling, scooting, and making those tiny little moves that make everyone think, "Is she going to crawl soon?" And guess what? IT HAPPENED! This week, I *really* got moving. I can now crawl from one side of the room to the other, and let me tell you, I’m FAST! Mom and Dad are amazed at how quick I am, but I just love chasing after my toys (and maybe Boujee and Dapper too!).

Oh, and there’s more news! I got a *nanny*! She’s amazing and super caring, and she comes over two days a week. She makes sure I’m comfy and happy, and we have such fun together. Mom and Dad are really happy to have her around, especially since it gives them some extra help.

Speaking of Dad, I really miss him! He’s been in India for a while now, and I can’t wait for him to come back home. I’m practicing my new crawling skills so I can give him the biggest crawl-hug ever when he walks through the door!

Until then, I’ll keep exploring and hitting new milestones every day. Life’s a big adventure, and I’m loving every second of it!

With lots of baby love,

Alyce 💕

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Mango Season: A Journey of Connection and Discovery

This week, I embarked on a transformative journey to India, visiting my team for the first time in vibrant cities like Pune and Bangalore. After years of virtual communication in the outsourcing world, meeting face-to-face was a refreshing experience that deepened our connection. With a week filled with back-to-back meetings and dinners behind me, I finally had a day to explore India before my long flight back home. My adventure started on Saturday with an 8:00 AM phone call from the hotel SPA. When I heard the phone ring from my deep slumber, I initially thought I had overslept and missed my appointment. However, to my surprise, the spa staff informed me that they were simply rescheduling my appointment for later in the morning. This small change set the tone for a day of new experiences.

With the extra time on my hands, I decided to indulge in a traditional South Indian breakfast. Dosas are not just a meal; they are a cultural experience. The crispy, golden-brown crepes, made from fermented rice and lentil batter, were served with an array of accompaniments—coconut chutney, tangy sambar, and spicy tomato chutney. Each bite was a delightful combination of flavors that awakened my senses and prepared me for the day ahead.

After savoring my breakfast, I took the opportunity to catch up with Kat. We shared stories and laughter over our morning coffee, discussing everything from daily life to updates about Alyce and her latest antics. This moment of connection made me appreciate the importance of friendships, especially as I was far from home.

Once our chat wrapped up, I found my way to the hotel pool, where I was greeted by a friendly staff member. We struck up a conversation about my plans—or lack thereof. When I mentioned Mysore, he quickly pulled out his phone to show me pictures of his family at Bhoganandisvara Temple, instantly selling me on the idea.

The day was hot, and the allure of a refreshing dip in the pool was irresistible. However, once I took the plunge, I realized the water was quite cold! My new friend called out to me with a laugh, asking how the water felt.

Eager to visit Mysore—a place I'd heard so much about—but I soon realized that Bangalore's notorious traffic posed a challenge. After 30 minutes of barely moving, my driver suggested visiting Bhoganandisvara Temple instead. This detour led us through the vibrant life of Bangalore, where honking cars and warm smiles created a unique Indian atmosphere.

Bhoganandisvara Temple is part of a twin temple complex located at the foot of Nandi Hills in Karnataka. Dating back to the 9th-10th century CE, it is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known for its stunning Nolambavadi-style Dravidian architecture. After exploring Bhoganandisvara Temple, we headed to another spot—the Adiyogi Shiva Statue in Coimbatore. This monumental statue stands at an impressive height of 112 feet and is recognized as one of the largest bust sculptures in the world. It represents Lord Shiva as Adiyogi—the first yogi—and serves as an inspiration for those seeking inner well-being through yoga.

Words can't fully describe how breathtaking this statue is and how the experience touched me. Standing before such a magnificent representation of spirituality left me in awe and filled with a sense of peace. We spent time praying and taking in the awe-inspiring sculpture. The courtyard for the statue is immense, and I'm told that they have festivals with thousands of people each year. At night, it lights up, and people come from all over to take in the spectacle. The statue symbolizes 112 possibilities to attain liberation as mentioned in yogic culture. During festivals like Maha Shivratri, the Isha Yoga Center becomes a hub of activity, attracting thousands who gather to celebrate and participate in various spiritual practices.

After all that walking, it was time for lunch. I insisted on dining with my driver, AJ, at a local restaurant. This experience highlighted an important cultural lesson: many clients do not invite their drivers to share meals. I hired a driver to show me parts of India that I could not find by myself; for me to eat while he did not is a non-starter. I believe in treating others as I wish to be treated. It was enlightening to learn that this simple act of inclusion is often overlooked in professional settings—something that also disturbed me greatly during work earlier in the week.

As we sat down to enjoy our meal together, I felt a sense of camaraderie and respect for the person who had been guiding me through this beautiful country. Sharing food is a universal way of connecting and reinforced my belief that treating everyone with dignity and kindness is essential, regardless of their role. This moment was not just about enjoying a meal; it was about fostering mutual respect and understanding in a culture where such gestures can often be neglected. It was also a way for me to try some new flavorful dishes. Yes, Indian food is spicy—in a good kind of way! Each dish brought a burst of flavors that added to the richness of my culinary experience in India.

One thing that stood out during my stay was how much happier people seemed. You could see them smiling and interacting with each other; road rage was minimal despite chaotic driving conditions—something I would have totally understood! Passing through villages adorned with grapevines (yes, India has grapes that taste amazing), rice fields, and mango trees made it clear that these humble communities possessed happiness often elusive in the West.

While I don’t fully understand Indian religions, it’s evident how deeply their gods impact their lives. I prayed at several temples dedicated to Shiva and Ganesh—a new experience for me—and felt an unexpected inner peace wash over me. However, this exploration has left a lasting impression on me.

The warmth of its people and the richness of its culinary offerings have ignited a desire to return—ideally during mango season as mangoes symbolize joy and connection in Indian culture; with their season typically running from April to June, I look forward to experiencing this vibrant celebration firsthand next time. A country that wasn’t initially on my travel radar now has me wondering what other beauties it holds.

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Woof Woof! 🐾

Salut, les amis! Boujee here, your favorite Frenchie, with all the latest updates from our lively home. First of all, let’s give a big shoutout to our dad, who’s currently exploring the wonders of India! We’re sure he’s having a blast soaking in all the sights, sounds, and (hopefully) thinking of us while enjoying some tasty treats. While we may not be there to share the experience, we’re holding down the fort with Kat, who, as always, takes the best care of us. Life here is great—we've got cuddles, treats, and the occasional adventure! But let’s be real… we’re really looking forward to Dad coming back with stories!

But while we're waiting, let’s talk about the weather. Boujee is NOT impressed. It’s either too warm or too rainy. Like, come on, Mother Nature, make up your mind! A girl needs her sunshine to sunbathe under the sofa, but no, we get this moitié-moitié nonsense. I can't work under these conditions. Dapper, on the other hand, seems unbothered as usual. He’s just happy to be out and about again after that whole leg sprain thing. Lucky for him, it’s back to the morning walks. Meanwhile, I’m still trying to dodge the puddles. Seriously, rain? Quelle horreur!

Speaking of horrors...Alyce has started crawling! Yup, the tiny human has leveled up and is now at our height! Mon Dieu! It was one thing when she was stuck in her baby seat, but now she’s on the move, and she’s fast, people! We can’t keep up. One minute she’s on the other side of the room, the next minute, she’s making a beeline for Dapper’s feet. And Dapper? Oh, Dapper just loves it. She can bite his foot, and he’s like, “Oh, this is fine. Life is good.” Seriously, Dapper? Stand up for yourself! But no, he just lies there like a king, enjoying every moment while I’m dodging tiny hands coming for my tail. Le chaos, I tell you.

And let’s talk about the nanny. Ahhh, the nanny! She’s fantastic. I mean, of course, she’s great with Alyce, but more importantly, she loves us. I’m convinced she comes just for me. She includes us in playtime, and I almost forget that her main job is watching over Alyce. I mean, let’s be honest, it’s probably 50% Alyce and 50% me. Dapper, naturally, just plays it cool, as if to say, "Oh, you think the nanny is here for you, Boujee? Cute."

So, life isn't all bad while Dad’s off gallivanting around India without us, eating exotic foods, and enjoying the “cultural experience”. But once he gets back, and the weather stops being so irritating, things will be just parfait. In the meantime, we’ll continue to keep an eye on Alyce, dodging her swift little hands and making sure to snag as many cuddles from Kat as possible.

Until next time, les amis. Let’s hope Dad doesn’t bring home an elephant or something. That would be way too much.

Bisous,

Boujee (and Dapper, obviously)

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Thank you, dear Vilhelmians, for following our adventures! We appreciate your support and would love for you to join our awesome Substack community. Hit that like button, subscribe, and get ready for a wild ride with us! Vilheeeeeelm!