Violin Instruction

Hello, my name is Sara Michieletto. I am a professional violin player and teacher working in the first violins of the Orchestra 'Teatro La Fenice' of Venice. I am presently based in Chennai and I would like to propose my musical and pedagogical capacities to those who may be interested. Sara Michieletto99625 43209saramichieletto@hotmail.com

Laptop Needed

I am looking for a used laptop with wireless connectivity to the internet.
Preferably MacIntosh.
Contact:
Sara Michieletto
saramichieletto@hotmail.com
mob. 9962543209"

The Expat Arc

One of our members has written a book on expat life! See below for details. It is available on amazon.com.

The Expat Arc: An expat's journey over culture shock by Danielle Barkhouse(Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1434844730?tag=eartodan-20)
"Don't read this if you're expecting deep insights on culture, politics orreligion in India. Oh no. I'm far too shallow and lack the intelligencenecessary for that. I'm not an expert about anything. I'm just here for agood time and amusing myself about it to stay sane."
Danielle Barkhouse researched and prepared for her family's relocation fromIllinois to India. She was an experienced expatriate, so she thought sheknew the range of feelings that she would experience. She was wrong.
"I have found that most expats don't really talk about culture shock. We all look at one another and know we're each going through it at some level. Somepeople will say they're fine, when they're really not. And then there's me. Let's just put it under a microscope, magnify the details and write aboutit! That's all this really is, a magnification of the details."
The journey that most expatriates take when they leave their home countryfor an assignment abroad is like an arc. The Expat Arc is a collection ofDanielle's journal entries detailing her expat arc path beginning with thehoneymoon phase, hanging out in the rejection phase longer than desired andplowing her way into the phase of acceptance. It's a very personal anddetailed description of her journey over the arc of culture shock, identitycrisis and settling in. It includes nuggets of her humor, insight and a few'light bulb moments' about living abroad.
"Luckily, coming back down the other side, the arc is transformed into a colorful rainbow and we know what's at the end of a rainbow!" Priceless treasures and golden nuggets.

Barbecue Nation

For those of you who picked up a free invitation for a dinner for two at Barbecue Nation, please remember to call 24 hours in advance at 42694481. The offer is valid Monday through Thursday. For those of you who did not recieve a free dinner voucher, you may call Mr. Arun Siva at 9840349933 for details.

Yard Sale

The Buckner family will be holding a large yard sale with many children's and household items this Saturday from 10-1.
Address:
B/3 Turnbulls Road Ext.
Nandanam (Behind Amma Nanna Store)
All proceeds to be donated to charity.
Contact Marjorie with any questions: 9841710420

Moving Sale

Available from August 1st 2008:

• Split a/c 1.5 ton - Rs.8,000
• Window a/c 1.5 ton - Rs.5,000
• Hyundai Santro, 1999, Blue - Rs.1 Lakh

For more information contact Suzanna on 9940408524.

Staff Available

I know of 2 ladies looking for work as housekeepers and 1 man who is a cook. They are currently in Panyur/Neelankarai area. Sebasti is my maid's mother. She is an excellent housekeeper, very honest. She's shy and understands English, but is hesitant to speak it. I had set up work for her previously with 2 families, but both have moved and she's looking for work. The second lady is the wife of one of my guards. She lives in Neelankarai and looking for work as a housekeeper or nanny. She has children of her own and is very good with them. She would like to work on the ECR area and speaks good English. I do not have a work history for her, but her husband who works for us is very reliable and honest. The Cook is Sebasti's husband. He has worked for many expat families and at a school in Ooty. His is a very good cook and prefers to work for Expat families. He cooks both western and Indian dishes quite well as well as being able to do cakes and breads. The family he was working for has moved back to the states and he's looking for work. He would also be willing to cook for parties and th elike also I believe. He is my maid's father and again, very honest and forthright. He has also been known to assist Sebasti in cleaning. There is also a husband and wife pair (Josephine's sister and Brother-in-law) who will be moving in from Ooty and also looking for work in the near future. She would be willing to work as a housekeeper/nanny and the husband would work in the garden and is obtaining his driving permit. I know this is a lot, but I'm hoping to get the set up if at all possible.
Contact me if anyone is interested either by phone or email. Thank you!

Stephanie

Vanilla Events

Greetings from Vanilla children place!
We would like to inform you about the happenings at Vanilla. Aspire superkids will present their "my smart baby programme" to all parents on 12th saturday, 11-12 noon.
Workshop on "Multiple Intelligences": 12th saturday, 3pm -5 pm,
Mrs Usha Ramakrishnan will be doing a workshop for all parents on the concept of multiple intelligences and the two hour workshop aims at bringing in the awarness about the different kinds of intelligences and how we can nurture them. The workshop fees Rs 150/- limited seats only.
Summer break workshops!
“Summerof 2008”
There are several ways to beat the heatthis summer and still be able to do the things you like. At our ‘Summer of2008’ workshops there’s plenty of activities for children and parents. Theworkshop includes activities in music, dance, theatre, cookery, paper mache,jewllery designing and much more. Children will get a hands-on experiencestringing a few tunes, baking a cake and will get an opportunity to perform ina musical presentation at the end of the workshop and also receive acertificate.
Age Group - 3 years – 8 years
Batch 2 – May5th – May 21st
BookClub
Book worms get ready! From April Vanilla’sBook Club will be launched. Opportunities to read some great book, discuss,take part in workshops and meet new friends. Registration is free and all booklovers are welcome.

Can You Help?

The new newspaper, "Times of India", is going to be launched in Chennai on 14th April. They would like to interview a few housekeepers that have been working for expats and find out more on how domestic help has changed over the years.
If your housekeeper or driver or child minder wouldn't mind being featured in the article (or if you know someone that may be able to help with this, please spread the words), please contact Ms Priya either on 98840 28006 or email priyadevanshu@gmail.com as soon as possible.

Volunteer Vacancies in Strategic Links India

The Organisation: Strategic Links India is a professional membership organization that assists globally and nationally mobile individuals in India with the continuity and development of their professional careers. Strategic Links India is a programme of Strategic Links Trust, a non profit educational entity chartered in India.
The rapidly growing economy is drawing more and more international corporations to India and Indian companies are expanding to meet global business demands. This has created an increasing requirement for individuals with international and multicultural experience. Strategic Links India aims to bridge the gap between organisations and potential candidates and provides career development and skills assistance, information about job opportunities and professional networking support.
Strategic Links India seeks energetic experienced people to become part of the Executive Team in Chennai. For more information on the organisation consult www.strategiclinksindia.org

Marketing Manager (Ref: SLIC-001)
Job Description: Research and develop appropriate marketing plan to reach out to potential organisational and individual members, deliver presentations to organisations, provide input and assistance with design of marketing communications, gain understanding of membership requirements of potential members and subsequently assist with negotiation of organisational memberships according to membership categories, help build up a strong network of Strategic Links India stakeholders.
Initially a volunteer vacancy, this role could lead to a part-time paid position for the right candidate.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate should have an interest in corporations and organisations and be able to work with them to understand their requirements. Strong interpersonal skills and an empathetic disposition are necessary; the candidate must feel comfortable dealing with all stakeholders. Excellent written and spoken English communications skills are essential. The candidate should have the ability to set and work to deadlines. Familiarity with MS Office and web-based communications would be useful. You should be resourceful and flexible. Own transport is required. Commitment is approximately 10 – 15 hours per week.


Website Manager – Major Review Project and Ongoing Maintenance (Ref: SLIC-002)
Job Description: Ongoing maintenance of website for Strategic Links India and project management of major review of website, in line with latest organisational strategic goals. Key responsibilities for website maintenance are updates of contents, uploading of new information and pages, report collation and liaison with outside vendor. The website review will require drawing up of specification, feasibility study with potential vendors, selection of solution, planning and execution of revamp within the defined parameters.
Initially a volunteer vacancy, this role could lead to a part-time paid position for the right candidate.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate should have a keen interest in web-based communications as a marketing and service delivery medium and be knowledgeable about the internet. Sound project management skills, the capability to adhere to deadlines and good English communications skills are essential. Ability to work with outside vendor resources is necessary. Familiarity with MS Office, on-line media and Dream Weaver would be useful. Design experience, especially web related would be helpful. Although part of the Chennai Executive Team, the successful individual will report directly to the Strategic Links Executive Director in Hyderabad, but no major travel is envisaged. Own local transport is necessary. Commitment for maintenance of website is approximately 5 hours per week; the review project will be scheduled in accordance with the experience and availability of the successful candidate.

To apply: Please email your CV with contact details quoting job reference to Jennifer Moore (jennifer.moore@strategiclinksindia.org). Jennifer can also be contacted by telephone on 9940065292 or 9840892782.

Driver Available

Hi All
I’m not sure if you all know but Jason and I are leaving Chennai for Switzerland the weekend of the 26th / 27th April. Anyway for the past 2+ years we have had an excellent driver – Suresh - and we are now looking for a new employer for him.
If any of you know of or are coming into contact with any new people in town then we would be eternally grateful if you could recommend him. He is 100% reliable, knows Chennai inside out and has been working with expats for the last 5 years.
If anyone knows of anyone then please do not hesitate to contact either me or Jason on our email addresses or call us on either (me) 9840950146 or Jason on 9840847062.
Thanks everyone.
Kind Regards
Jenny