tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14278498461136671442024-03-05T18:07:49.391+05:30From the Editions of Green BoochiWatch out this space where I get to share my thoughts and emotions. You will see me as "Jack of all trades and master of none".. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-69941988084218787492012-02-16T13:22:00.002+05:302012-02-16T13:22:54.202+05:30Moved to Wordpress<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I have made a move to wordpress and would be continuing my journey of blogging from this address - <br />
<a href="http://editionsofgreenboochi.wordpress.com/">http://editionsofgreenboochi.wordpress.com/</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-33874101547712489552012-02-15T16:11:00.002+05:302012-02-15T16:44:00.586+05:30Ooty Trip - Day1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The start of the trip was uneventful - we managed to reach the pickup point on time (considering the b'lore traffic), had food and were in bus on right time except for one big prob I had as soon as I boarded the bus.. I had to use the restroom and there were none to be found with less than 5 mins for the bus to leave. I started pestering S to do something. The hero that I have married went into action mode, ran around few places and found a paid toilet. I quickly ran in and he was having an eye on the bus. What did I see? Except for a door, there was nothing to qualify it as a toilet... ofcourse there were like a 100 Beedis and some crap. I igbnored everything and did my work, came running back to him :) I am given numerous examples everyday why I have chosen him as my life partner :) <br />
<br />
Once the bus started, I wanted to go to snoozeland.. But do I have such luck.. Definitely No... they started playing Singam Movie (In Hindi) on the tv.. S being the movie freak he is, was keen in watching that. I tried to follwo it for a while and started bugging with 1001 questions :) I dono when I slept but a call from lil sis at 12 work me up. My bday had started :) Immediatly, S distracted himself from the movie to wish me and we had like 2 mins personal time :) A few more calls and msgs from friends - which touched me.. I was back to sleep at around 1. When I spoke up again, the bus was halting somewhere. It was all very dark and I could hardly make out the place. I was assuming that the driver will take off the bus as soon as he is done with his susu. I checked the time it was 3.15am... I tried to get back to my sleep but the curiousity of why the bus has been stopped took off the sleep from me. I waited like an hour to find out that there is some problem and the bus wont move anything soon. I have to say that I have serious allergies to bed bugs and like wise. It has happened so many times before and I will be the only victim for all these insects. It wasn't any different this time.. In no time after the bus stopped, some insecsts started to attack me and I was at my wits end.. scratching myself crazy from toe to head :( :( The much worst fact is that everyone including the driver, cleaner had gone into deep sleep.. Including the one sleeping next to me.. I was tempted several times to wake him up and fight just for the sake of it, I resisted hard. In some time, a surprise teashop blossomed and the guy was selling tea, coffee and bread omelete. Thats when I deduced bus would never move. At around 5.45, someone's alarm went off and thats when everyone got up to see we have ben struck at a place including the hubby darling, hmmph! Finally the bus started to move at around 6.15... (when the scheduled time to arrive ooty was at 6.30) By this time I had totally lost the sleep and was in tantrummy mood. We were crossing through Bandipur National Park (and those fellows wont permit vehicles before dawn) The views were scenic.. though I dint spot a tiger or lion, not even a monkey. Soon we reached Mudhumalai. While was looking through the window, dear S had gone back to snoozeland much to my anger. I tried to wake him up but no such luck. Spotted some elephants and monkeys - it was spendid to see them drink water from the river. We started climbing the hill at around 7 only and I was already so hungry and badly needed use toilet. Thankfully, the bus was stopped at a place that has "so called bathroom" where they charge 5rs per head!! Had hot cofee from the roadside shop - What a spendid way to start the bday eh.... never before experience. It was close to 10 when we reached the hotel room. The autowalas literally cheated us by getting 80rs for a distance less than 2 Kms. But they all formed a pact and either we agree or not get dropped by anyone. <br />
<br />
After a quick breakfast, we were on to sight seeing. Omg.. Forgot to mention about the climate - It was freezing cold, literally. Stopped initially at a tea estate which was so beautiful.. Later went to Coonoor.. to see the lamb's rock, suicide point, dolphin's nose and some unknown waterfalls (which we never got to see due to the mist). An old man approached us saying he would guide us through the spots and would be happy if we give him 50rs. Looking at his age and determination, I urged S to accept though there is no necessity. He immediately took in charg of our camera and asked us to pose at multiple places that are no worthy to take pics of! We could do nothing but smile :) I remember how he said "this is a photo spot" for a tree formed like a swing..haha :) On our way back, we had some lunch was so lousy. Doddabetta was the next location and we loved to see all the places from such heights. I never knew its the highest point of south India. This is where I did some adventures like climbing on rocks, giving poses, hanging on the end safety railings like crazy when S was clicking off my pics and like wise ( I was asked to do so!! ). We had to climb like a 100 steps and walk on the steeps - which was very tough for me. I would get asthmatic attack as soon as we reach some heights and its hard to enjoy :( Next is something I can never accept. We were taken to Ooty Lake where there is pedal boating and all that. I agree that it was hell crowded. S decided that we would cover boating at another bigger lake the next day and not to tire urselves with all these crowd. We were doing some random shopping and walking in the sun to get some heat. I finished my most awaited job (what else, susu :P :) and off we went to the hotel room. After having a hot cup of coffee, we started to go on some local shopping. There were numerous shops selling only antiques, chocs and bakeruy items on both sides of the road. S wanted to select my birthday gift myself. I am not so pleased with that option. Give me anything you wish - I can accept happily. But asking me to chose, I dono what I need. There isnt anything actually. His idea was to get me a diamon pendant which I opposed. Had our small fight as well. Finally I chose toe rings that I loved a lot :) He also gifted me a salwar, this time his selection :) Had an awesome dinner in a 4 star restaurant and I really loved it :) We had fun while coming back to the room blowing air out of mouth to see the patterns of mist coming off.. Hotel room was no better. I was shivering with a sweater and 2 blankets. We called it a day by having chocolates at night :) Thats how the day 1 cum my birthday was spent :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-59499385578217520452012-02-14T12:21:00.001+05:302012-02-15T16:41:45.018+05:30So... Its our Wedding Anniversary!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">An year filled with lots of happiness, dreams, some worries, big & small decisions, immense care, lots of love & affection, few arguments with some fights, little adjustments & compromises - made it a perfect blend and I am loving it!!</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am falling short of words to explain how I feel today, my eyes were wet when S wished me at 12am today - Its so hard to believe we are married for an year. This is one day I thought will never happen in my life. I had no hopes of our love and marriage being accepted by both sides of parents/family. But all of a sudden, everything fell into right places and we had our wedding on this day. We struggled a lot to reach here. Not only I and S, but both our families together. They faced all the confrontations, bitter words from the society, hatred from relatives for the sake of our happiness. I owe our happiness to all of them who made this day special for us. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On this day, I would want to open up my heart and say a few things to S - </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ol><li>I love it when you cant see me with tears in my eyes.</li>
<li>I love it when you ask me to talk and hear all the blah blah that I do.</li>
<li>I love it when you try yourself to be punctual just because I like it that way.</li>
<li>I love it when you sleep like a baby.</li>
<li>I love it when you compliment me for every meal I prepare.</li>
<li>I love it when you dont let me carry the luggage.</li>
<li>I love it when you mess up the kitchen to prepare me something.</li>
<li>I love it when you hear closely not wanting to miss anything that I speak.</li>
<li>I love it when you encourage me even if I am no good at it.</li>
<li>I love it when you are totally confused and ask me a suggestion.</li>
<li>I love it when you understand how much my family mean to me.</li>
<li>I love it when you say I love you :)</li>
<li>I love it when you tuck me under the blanket every night.</li>
<li>I love it when you scold me if I am stressing myself out/ unwell.</li>
<li>I love it when you do the stuff I hate to do. </li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you try yourself so hard to keep up a surprise.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you know my needs even before I tell you.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you give up during any argument. </span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you take care of me like your child. </span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you deny me ice cream, but buy it the very next moment. </span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you give off your chocolate to me and enjoy watching me eat it. </span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you prepare me bread omelet/ maggie as soon as you reach home from office knowing I will be hungry.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you massage my head when I have headache.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you give me much higher preference over anything.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you respect me as what I am :)</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you stand behind me for all the shopping I do. </span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you try to talk to my relatives in Telugu.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you take me to the animated movies which I like the most.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you take it cool even if I shout at you. </span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you solve any mathematical question as quickly as possible.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you make complex calculations in your head correctly when I struggle with a calculator.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you come to temple for the sake of me.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you hate milk & milk products and how you react if I bring them close to you. </span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you calm me in the moment of tension.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you are so self less and do anything for me.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you call me ammu.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you scold for straining myself over keeping the house clean.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you act very lazy.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you dont remember the important dates correctly and ask me for help.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you hold my hands while crossing/walking on the road.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you quickly call me and ask me to say something.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you stop me talking ill of someone who hurt us, being the soft & good-hearted you are. </span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you do something with utmost care and concentration.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you understand my problems and help me.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you supported me for calling you by your name in front of the immediate family.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you care for my parents as much as you do for yours.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you told my mom how to take care of me while going on a foreign trip.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you pretend to read something that I want you to. </span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you dream of having a home for ourselves.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I love it when you have bigger aspirations and try your best to reach there.</span></li>
</ol><div style="text-align: left;">I should agree that there are few things that I dont so like about S. He is not at his best all the time and same with me too.. We have had our good amount of arguments and fights. All these spice up the life and is making the relationship going ahead!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's wishing us many more years of happiness, love and affection together!! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy First Wedding Anniversary S!! :) I love you sooo much!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On other record, both of us are at office on this big day :( :( But all those calls and wishes from our loved ones have touched us!! Planning to go to temple in the evening followed by the dinner somewhere - hopefully this gets executed. </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-37662488673586065972012-02-10T10:17:00.000+05:302012-02-10T10:17:56.415+05:3025 up!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Its my birthday tomorrow, this year is going to be the first out of its kind for I will be out with S, not with my parents. I have never been away from my family for my b'day. Even for the 3 last years I had been alone in Bangalore, I would somehow get off from my work and go back Chennai. Only to find immense happiness. Mom would cook my favorites dishes. Dad would have got a cake the previous night and surprise me. Lil sis does her best in finding the best gift she can get for me (she remembers to get the ones I have wanted to have). She clicks like 100s of pics of mine, satisfying the hard-to-satisfy-person in me for I love getting photographed. We will have cake cutting in the evening when dad is back from work. Though we are only 4 of us, when the cake is being cut - the other 3 of them sign happy b'day in a loud voice followed by claps :) (This has continued for all the 24 years) I would giggle and laugh a lot partly cos of the joy and happiness and then partly for the voices signing the song :D.. S and close pal V have joined us for the 2 last years and I can say nothing has changed except that they are additional gifts from them and 5 voices signing for me :):) <div><br />
</div><div>It would be so different tomorrow. Only me and S. This thought brings me happiness as well worry. I am no longer the kid I used to be to my parents. I need to act all grown up, married and behave accordingly. I am going to miss them loads and they would too. When I spoke to my dad yesterday to tell him that we are going on a vacation for my birthday, I could sense a little sadness in his voice. He would secretly wish me to come home, I know. Life is changed now and we all need to move on. I would always cherish the b'days I had at home. Being said all this, there is excitement in me. I am going out on a vacation!! I would welcome this change happily, to respect the love and affection S shows for me. Initially he had planned it as a surprise. I would pester him with 1000s of questions everyday. He never gave in. I am a person who hates surprises given to me. I somehow wanted to find out where we're heading to. Some hard clues given - around 400Kms, should go by car/bus etc. I was guessing it to be Ooty (the only possible choice given we can afford only a day off). And come Wednesday, he tells me he has a hard time getting all the bookings done all alone.. :)Haha, as expected. He was afraid he would mess up something and told me the plan. I quickly jumped into action mode - did the tickets booking, hotel reservation and took print-outs too. We are all set to start tonight. :) Its a trip clubbed together for my b'day and first wedding anniversary (on 14th) and I am loving it!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Thinking of my b'day, its hard not to recollect one incident that I remember all the time fresh in my memories. It was my 4th bday I guess. We had a few relatives at home including my atha-mamayagaru (aunt uncle), thathaya-ammuma (grandpa grandma - maternal). They were all all busy preparing for the cake cutting and haarthi in the evening. My sister being 2 years old then thought it was her bday. When I was asked to cut the cake, she started crying she would cut the cake as it was her bday :) (her actual bday is on 27th Jan, when she had cut the cake already) I was no way going to let her do that.. I first cut the cake and quickly, my parents let her also to cut it. I wasn't quite happy except that I was given her chair and she took my old chair and that would be visible from my expressions in the photo. Coming to think of it now, I would happily let her cut my cake for she will always be the apple of my eye. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Sharing that photo where I look all chicken (for the fear of losing my bday cake) and whats with my mom to dress me up like that :( :( Dont forget to look at the "nethi chutti" and the "poo jada" :P </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ItuQckfOj_J7pOMWevctfT5D3gYzP0NcxghLT7aUeyeV_z1bdUfTrauwgRIw9EYQ0tIrqBseo8DOQknlp2Fa_E3TbHXr0KAKaK6sw-Ok1fhVI_SQEvCdxiuo3v_kKvBb2UxEhEsRinY/s1600/scan0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ItuQckfOj_J7pOMWevctfT5D3gYzP0NcxghLT7aUeyeV_z1bdUfTrauwgRIw9EYQ0tIrqBseo8DOQknlp2Fa_E3TbHXr0KAKaK6sw-Ok1fhVI_SQEvCdxiuo3v_kKvBb2UxEhEsRinY/s400/scan0023.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From L to R - Amma, Atha, Ammumma, then its me and my sister</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>One more of my favorite bday pics - Look at my dress, it was gifted by Pinni (Mom's sister). She always dreamt that I would be born as boy and had saved it. But who cares, I do look like a boy below :D</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7MlHYzOeVhHbUophG-aiKCCWLiDeOXzYXTMOUP79QYr3Em7ef8cNuYOvyWrG-3RTSqeeULuwjvIf7TTO9fkVGysLO3I8-qXgolsjgCCkeNw5EKBWwePYlJGXXYk7Z-M9dV-RD4iCZb4/s1600/scan0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7MlHYzOeVhHbUophG-aiKCCWLiDeOXzYXTMOUP79QYr3Em7ef8cNuYOvyWrG-3RTSqeeULuwjvIf7TTO9fkVGysLO3I8-qXgolsjgCCkeNw5EKBWwePYlJGXXYk7Z-M9dV-RD4iCZb4/s400/scan0021.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My First Bday :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>So, here's wishing me Happy Birthday in advance!! :)</div><div> </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-1624327375416668772012-02-08T17:02:00.000+05:302012-02-08T17:02:34.011+05:30A life without mobile phones...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Sometimes I feel life was much more easy with no gadgets around us, especially the mobile phone. A coin has 2 sides and similarly everything has good and bad. Mobile is letting us into misery most of the times. What happened to those carefree days where we would engage in real time conversations with friends. When I had to talk to my friend, I had to walk down to her home. Similarly, when someone gone out had not returned home on time, there was patience and hope. I used to cling on to the window or balcony to check if my dad was coming. As a kid, I had no worry if he was late by 10 mins. I now think what would have been running through my mom's or grandma'd mind not seeing dad on time, they never showed it out except under extreme conditions. Fast forward to today's life, I feel so tensed if I dont see S home by the normal time. My mind thinks of various possibilities. Some dark thoughts surround me. Within a minute, I would take up my phone and start ringing him. Sometimes there is this dilemma - what if he is on road? what if he is risking his life trying to attend my call? what if he thinks I am in an emergency? The thoughts of calling him take a second place. Again in a minute, I would grow restless and make a call. If he attends (and even scolds me) I am happy. When the call waits, I know he has not yet started from office. When he doesn't attend the call, I make myself believe that he is on his way and try again after half an hour. But what if he is not reachable? Those dark thoughts attack me, this time with twice the intensity. Its really a pain to sit through this. If this is the case with someone I see everyday, I cant say how I feel about my parents, sister and in-laws. When my dad has not come home on time, I call my mom every 5 minutes asking if he has reached. When my sister couldn't contact us for the entire day from her office due to some signal problem on a day, I was literally crying praying God she should be safe. Distance plus mobile phones make the problem only bigger. <div><br />
</div><div>There is another problem too. Some people doesn't have the time sense when it comes to calls. Getting random calls after 9 or 10PM has become ordinary now. The other day, S got a call at 10.45Pm to discuss something official. Now these calls doesn't end in less than half an hour. Some friends call us after 9. I would never pick up a call at this time. I have politely told some of them too. Its the family time I get. Thats the only fruitful time I can spend with S before going to sleep. But as usual, some dont understand! I get reminded of an incident happened 2 weeks back. There was a call from an unknown number to one of the mobiles. I simply didn't pick up the call. (Anonymous + Night time). The next minute, I got it on another mobile. This time, I could see who was calling me (her number was saved). I chose not to pick it up. S got furious of this act of mine. He said I am showing attitude and I am being arrogant. I said, its OK.. Thats what I am but refused to pick the call. Within 5 minutes, I had 7 missed calls from her. I felt there must have been some urgency and picked up the call for the 8th time. It was such a non-sense talk at 10Pm in the night. The most useless call I had ever had. She was playing the blame game with me and showing her anger on me for something I am totally unrelated to. After a tiring day of work, if I have to hear something stupid from some unwanted person, I would better not have a phone at all. If this is not enough for me to rant, she went ahead to post some rubbish on my FB wall meanwhile trying to make several calls to me. Totally useless. I have no choice but to ignore these kind of ppl. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Of course, without a phone I would never be able to reach out to my parents, sister, in-laws and my dear friends. Its like 2 sides of the coin as I said earlier. I am seeing that when its advantageous to have a phone, using it wisely will only bring happiness. </div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-65294283120926713802012-02-07T12:36:00.004+05:302012-02-07T13:43:10.919+05:30Same day last year.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It was the most awaited day... I fell in love with this date for some reason.. February had always been the month I loved the most, for my birthday falls during this month...It had only been made further more special with two of its dates marked as milestones in my life last year. I have 3 important days of this month associated closely to me and one of which falls today! <br />
<br />
Its our engagement day today! I think we will be the only couple who had been in courtship for around 4 years, got all the matters settled with both the families an year prior to the official engagement, had the engagament done just 7 days before the wedding. My mom was persistent that there shouldnt be much gap between the engagement and wedding, I dono why! I was only happy to accept whatever came my way. As it always happens, time has just flied by.. looks like it was just yesterday I got married but its an year already. I cant believe, I and S were living together as married couple for the past 12 months!!<br />
<br />
Let me go to flashback mode now - to the same day last year. We had a whole bunch of relatives at home. Mom was struggling to prepare food for all of us with no help from any of them. Sis and I were the first to finish the lunch.. We both were so excited, we dint even remember what we ate. We were rushing in to have a trial make up done before the actual one for the function in the evening. I am lucky enough to have an younger sister. Before I could open my mouth for something, she will be ready with what I want. We both locked ourselves in the bedroom. What followed was not the trial session but the original cos we spent so much deciding what to do and how to. I was finally ready by 4 o clk. Only then I realised, I cant use the toilet until the function gets over... :( Our transport was to come any minute. Thats when, everything was sinking into me. I was getting engaged. After some tense moments, we reached the mandapam. Funnily, the groom's family was already present and there were some 30 people staring at me.. I saw a few friends of S first. My eyes were searching for him.. No where to be found. In an isntant, I saw him. Both of our eys met for a minute. I started feeling shy all of a sudden :) The next minute, there was something going on on the stage and I was forced with a plate having the silk saree with loads of flowers. I was wishing my sister only to be present with me.. But what awaited me was a shock. I was accompanied by my SIL along with S's aunties. They were scrutinizing me top to bottom. If this is not enough, there was a bigger shock. The room given for me to change had no lock and 2 big windows with no panes :( They all quickly made curtains from my saree and asked me to change... all of them looking at me... I was so helpless.. I looked at my sister first and then my SIL. Atleast they both understand. But they couldnt chip in too... They were shooed off saying.. "Chinna Ponnunge". Still they quickly helped me to remove my jewellery and saved my hair from being pulled off in multiple directions in the name of helping me wear the saree. Not to mention the 100s of bangs on the door asking me to come out fast. My head was literally pulled behind with the innumerable strands of flowers. Those aunties were disappointed when I mentioned that I wont have those orange flowers too... But they tried to pin them down as I was running towards the stage. S was all seated with a ring in his hand... With in a minute, before I could realise what was happening, the ring was on my finger. They made me repeat it for him. Numerous photos being taken, some claps. We were made to sit on the stage with huge garlands (atleast for me). They did what is called as nalangu. It would have started at 6.30 at the maximum. Even at 8.30, there was no trace of someone calling us down for dinner. I was literally fasting.. From nowhere my cuty sis got me a badam kheer. I still owe her back for that... :) At some point, all the guest were busy with dinner, we were left all alone on the stage... Someone had to perform some customs before we could dine. So, we were waiting. We were having some random conversations (of which I did the talking :P ) when we were surprised with a big cake.. We had not planned for one actually. Soon after, we had our dinner. I gave him the first bite of gulab jamoon and S gave me back a chapathi piece :( not fair enough! We were done for the day. My MIL was one happy person. So were my parents - including some close relatives. Once I reached home, I spoke to S. I cant forget the night, I couldnt take a bit of sleep. It was all happiness that was filled within. <br />
<br />
<br />
Coming back to the present - This morning was the busiest in the recent times. I dint even have a minute to speak a word with S. It was a total rush. Lunch Breakfast cooking, burning my hand at two places, S washing the dabbas (forgot to do yesterday),me packing the lunch, preparing Paal Pongal for Sun God, bathing & getting ready. By the time I could breathe in, S was all set to leave to office. Thats when I called him for a hug and wished him Happy Engagement day (if something of that sorts exists...). Thats how life has changed now.... ..... </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-12767603560529329372012-02-06T14:42:00.001+05:302012-02-06T14:51:36.826+05:30A Message to some people around me...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Sometimes life seems tough to live with these kind of people around. Who are these really? - The ones who cant get themselves a better life instead of poking their long nose into someone else's life. Looks like its that time where my life seems to be the very business for some people. I want to pass on a message to all those to whom I can't give a direct bark!! Yes, a bark really! I wouldn't mind a bite too!<br />
<br />
<b>@ all the oh-so-relatives of mine</b> - I am still living with my hubby with no fights/arguments/hits so far. Just that I had love marriage (and my parents are supportive) doesn't mean that I should fail as you expect me. I am not a loser. And one more clarification - I would be working not bcos S supports me, but cos I want to and I am passionate about my job & life. You dont have to draw unnecessary conclusions with my life.<br />
<br />
<b>@ that distant cousin of mine</b>- Just bcos I am the only one in the entire family to have married out of caste, you dont have to spend a fair amt of your time publicizing this fact. I hope no one is interested to know this. Having a love marriage doesnt mean that all I do everyday is to sing duets with S around the trees/ making love. Your meaning of love is not even close to what we both feel. So, please shut-up and mind your work.<br />
<br />
<b>@ that horrifying aunt of mine - </b>My parents are not into a competition called marriage. If your daughter who is older than me by 2 years doesn't get a match while I am happily married, dont burn your stomach. No one is comparing anything here. Its you committing a self damage. Dont rush into everything and spoil your daughter's life. And one more thing - you dont have to randomly advice me to plan for babies sooner. You even went a step ahead by giving me a super plan of leaving my baby with my parents in Chennai while I continue to work in Bangalore when I was not even ready to listen to you. If possible, test proof this with your daughter before advising me.<br />
<br />
<b>@ that irritating team mate -</b> I am very much vulnerable to common cold. Couple that with an asthma attack, I cant get up for a day or two. Given the cold climate of Bangalore, I tend to fall sick often. Just because I am married and had been taking 2 sick leaves from January doesnt qualify me "to be expecting". When that case comes, I will declare it to the whole world ok. Please, Oh please till then dont bombard me with these questions often. You being a guy working in Malaysia doesnt quality that you can talk any rubbish to me. I am reaching my peak and soon your case will be escalated.<br />
<br />
<b>@ that maid, K aunty (At Mom's Place)-</b> You dont have to hit the panic button every time you see me coming home/staying alone. I and S are very much at peace and have no problems. :) You have to understand that S has some tasks to complete and I cant tail him everywhere he goes or vice versa.<br />
<br />
<b>@ that mom-of-my-classmate (aunty) -</b> You have to understand that I am not as practised as you are when it comes to walking comfortably with silk saree, that too on a really hot afternoon waiting for a bus after a heavy meal at wedding. A simple act of me clutching the pallu of my saree tightly againt my stomach just means that I dont want to give an open show of my back to the fellow passengers. You dont have to look at me up and down, ask me (pointing to my stomach) how it is... I cant understand these code words until you tell me what it is.. Then you went on to ask how many months.. I am shocked! How can you build a story on me the very minute you saw me? When I declined, you were not accepting. How helpless I was :( You went on say how you got to know the news from someone... Seriously, some people know better of my life than I know!!<br />
<br />
<b>@ that very very irritating girl at office - </b>I know its been months I saw you. I also know that I have gained those extra pounds after my wedding. I know what I need to do also. You dont have to run from one end of the cafe to where I am shouting that I look so different and unrecognizable after wedding. As if this is not enough, you tell me everyday (almost!) how its high time for me to start reducing. You start the conversation with "evlo weight pottute...." (how much weight have you gained) everytime and its so irrritating. I am a person. Not a machine to increase or decrease my weight as I like it. Please see me as what I am. My personality doesn't depend on my weight or my identity is not going to change with my weight. Also, there is something called as politeness with which you should convey whatever you think. You are being plain rude and I have no option but to reciprocate the same to you. As if you dont have anything better in your life, you saw my friend today and asked the same question?!?! I am going to ignore you - truly..<br />
<br />
<b>@ the neighbour aunty </b>- I know you want to be as much helpful as you can to me. You can start a converstaion given 1 sec time. I am not that talented as you. I am a kind of person who cant make friends immediately. I am not a social bird as well. I cant engage in random conversations with you, that too when I am in a hurry to lock the house with 5.5 locks holding 2 cell phones and a heavy laptop bag rushing to the office. Just because S was drying the clothes on Saturday doesnt mean that I was bedridden and sick. He was taking up some tasks that I hate to do. You dont have to go overboard and let me know some lady doctor details in advance. The requirement is yet to come and I am not planning for it.<br />
<br />
<b>Finally @ my MIL</b> - Amma, I and your son would need sometime to adjust to our new life together. We are still immature, fighting over petty things. We still dont have the trust on us to raise a child yet. I personally cant take a big decision at this stage of my life and need some time to think over. Your acts of telling me directly or indirectly to have a baby soon is just bringing a lot of anger and irritation in me. I must say I cant help over it. You seem to tell me as if I am the only person concerned. Even if I am satisfied with all your reasoning, I cant make your son accept to what I feel. Please understand this and stop showing/giving me a million examples of couples who had it worked out in the first month. I am helpless here.<br />
<br />
<b>@ all who would want to poke into my life </b>- Me not getting pregnant within an year of marriage or having gained a few pounds are not earth shattering problems. Better concentrate on your life! Gossiping might give you happiness, but its temporary. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-79251963400647911542012-02-03T18:57:00.001+05:302012-02-03T18:59:24.045+05:30With a heavy heart.......<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I was gone for a long time now. Health issues, frequent travels to Chennai, work pressure took a toll on me and I didn't want to do anything. Everyday tasks seemed very boring and I lost interest completely. I hope this is a phase and goes off soon.<br />
<br />
Coming to the title of the post, thats how I am feeling right now after my visit to Karunashraya, a Hospice for Cancer patients. Frankly speaking, I have never heard of the word hospice until I experienced it myself today. "A hospital is where treatment is given and Hospice is something where care is given" - as uttered by the managing person of Karunashraya. I got to know some striking facts from her.<br />
- All the patients found in there are in the final most stages of life i.e the terminal stage.<br />
- They charge nothing for the patients stay/food/medicines.<br />
- All that the patients require is that love and care which works better than the medicines.<br />
- Number of nurses/staff working there are always higher than the number of patients. They almost maintain nurse vs patient to 1:1<br />
- All the staff or nurses working there are of age group 18-25.<br />
- The period of stay for a patient is from 1 to 30 days at the maximum.<br />
- Most of the patients doesnt know the fact that they are closer to death while coming here. All they hope for is a treatment that would take off their pain and they would want to go back home - which is an impossibility.<br />
- They have a in-house cook preparing food for over 100 people - 45 patients and others are staff working there.<br />
- For every meal, each patient is approached by a nurse to get to know the food that each one loves to have. If the demands are very exceptional, they try to at least get that from a hotel nearby for they cant take chances. One can never say which is the last meal for a patient.<br />
- The hospice has around 55 nurses, 2 counselors and 2 doctors. The nurses are given free accommodation and food with a stipend of 5000Rs. Counselors are the only people whom the patients wish to see and they meet the patients every morning & evening.<br />
- Some people are fortunate enough to stay 2-3 months and that's when it gets difficult for the nurses. They tend to get so close to these patients, their loss seems immense for them.<br />
- Karunashraya runs solely on donations with no government aide. They have a 5 acre campus which is so peaceful and pleasant.<br />
- It has a lake in the center surrounded by 4 wards each with 12 beds. The setup of the wards and beds are worth mentioning. All the beds have facing veranda. Some beds have the view to lake also. They are separated by curtains. Each bed has a opening at the rear end which remains closed. In case of death, a patient will be moved out of that door instead of taking him all the way through the ward. This means that other patients are not disturbed by the death of their neighbors.<br />
- They have a common prayer room which has symbols of all religions. When a patient dies, he is kept there and prayers are offered. No screaming or crying loudly.<br />
- They also have a meditation room which is being used by some patients or those young nurses to recollect themselves after every loss. Unlike a hospital where the nurses see the happy faces of cured patients, nurses at hospice only see deaths and sad faces. Meditation is utmost important to gain back courage and strength.<br />
- There is no big procedure to join there - just a certificate which mentions that the patient is in final stage of cancer. They are free to go home anytime they wish. There are no visiting hours as such. Free to see anyone anytime. They have separate wards (private wards) which has a bed for an attendant. They are willing to give this room to anyone provided the attendant is willing to stay with them 24hrs. The attendant is not given free food though.<br />
<br />
Personally, I am still not sure if our presence brought happiness to them or irritation! We were a bunch of 15 people who turned up from our company. We were asked to hand out some roses to the patients followed by a small game. What were the organizers thinking - a game for the patients who are dying in their game of life!!! We were told that most of the patients are confronting the meaning of life and are very much irritated by their own condition and wouldnt want to talk to anyone. In that case, we would not disturb those patients but keep a flower on their bed. We are allowed to talk to a few who were ready to talk to us. Since we visited them in the afternoon, most of them were sleeping. From what I could see, 99% of them were women.. :( I had a lump in my throat. They are reduced to a size of a 3year old, literally! I could see their bones very clearly... pathetic was their condition. Most of them having wounds that needs to be dressed every hour. I had tears welled up. I had to keep myself stone hard and not to break down infront of them while giving the roses. If possible, I should be a comfort to them. If not that, I should not be someone who should remind them of their sickness again! With all my heart sinking, I went into the first bed. There was a guy (not more than 25 years) fully covered with multiple blankets lying on the bed crying hard. So was his mother standing next to him. I felt ashamed to have interrupted their precious time together. But there was someone forcing me from behind and I couldnt help! I went in hesitantly.. The boy looked into my eyes, with his dark red teary eyes. I quickly turned to his mom, handed her the flower and said.. get well soon... :( I don't know why I said so.. but I was crying when I came out. I know he is in his last stage and he knows that too. My words are just for the comfort. We visited a few other beds where the patients were sleeping, reduced into a lump of meat and bones. I felt bad to have left the flower on the food table. It makes a huge difference to hand over the flower and to keep it on a table. I never know how many of the m woke up to see the flower.. :( I mean it really. When we enquired the staff there on the number of patients they said the count for yesterday was 38 and they are yet to count today.. the very statement made me very uneasy. They were really close to their death and some were counting the number of hours. We played housie game later with some 4 patients who would come to the auditorium. Some were least bothered to care what was happening around them. Winning a prize here does sound so stupid when they have lost everything in their life. I felt it meaningless. The aunty I was accompanying even felt bored and irritated to touch or hold the gift she just won. Again, I felt we were only disturbing them rather than comforting them. I just thought for a minute - even with a simple headache, I feel irritated so much. These people have gone beyond all the boundaries. I also got to hear some stories of some patients which I would like to jot down, I would come back to read it whenever I feel I have a suppressing problem.<br />
- An oldman has gone back home 7 times claiming that he feels good to see death for the 8th time.<br />
- A person wanted to have chicken biriyani for a meal and died for the next meal.<br />
- No painkillers were working on an old lady. When counselors spoke to her for 3 -4 days, she opened up finally. She had just a pair of small gold studs. She wanted to give them to one particular grandchild of hers. She was adamant that she would not pass on that through her sons. Staff made that grandchild come the very next day. She handed them over to her grandchild personally and then had all the medicines work on her. She died soon after.<br />
- A couple where the wife was in final stage didnt know she would die until she reached here. When she knew, she broke down completely. Her only wish was to see her sister with whom she had fought 30 years back and never spoke. The next day, the husband brought his SIL. They both broke down and spoke finally. This lady had the peaceful death later.<br />
<br />
Some things that seem so small to us mean a lot to them. They dont have all the time in this world and know their life would end any moment. I learnt that life is too short and we are busy spending our time on unnecessary things like hatred, frustration, stress and anger without knowing the real importance of the time we have.<br />
<br />
I have only wish today, I would pray for the same. Let all these innocent souls have peace at the soonest!!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-10494551016396035772012-01-19T10:39:00.000+05:302012-01-19T10:39:31.588+05:30I am feeling HIGH today!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">The past few days have been very gloomy to me. My home seemed like an alien land and kitchen - an unexplored territory. This is the not the first time for me, but I have not prepared lunch for 6 days straight. I was never a sleep lover, but suddenly sleep gained more importance than food. Very Strange. Cooking had been my passion, but whats now thats making me hate it? To take the office cafe food 6 days continuously only made me realize how tasty my food is :) :) S being S wanted me to have additional sleep if thats what my body wished and was faking that his cafe food is great! Pah, who is he kidding?!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This morning I made up my mind and pushed myself to prepare dabbas for us. It wasn't feeling good initially. My bed was calling me back to have a cosy sleep. But I made up my mind already, so went ahead with the preparations. Breakfast was dosa with broad beans kurma. Lunch was simple - Green Peas Pulav with Cauliflower Curry. It took me 40 minutes exactly to finish everything including the strenuous task for finding the right dabbas to pack the food. I was mighty impressed, felt very happy and satisfied. Finally, I could go back to what I enjoyed doing previously - Cooking. I no longer have to wait in long queues in the cafe today to get the alike tasting 3 vegetables, 2 dried rotis, half cooked rice and sour curds. I can have my dabba and this feeling made me feel high :) :)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first task one does on reaching office is to check mails. I am no exception. What was waiting for me today? A recognition from one of the stakeholders. Goodie Drawer Award as we call it here - for a task thats been completed nearly 2 months back. Now, who would expect an award for a task that was done last year - I thought I dint deserve it that time. But what has to come to you will come if you have worked hard. This is an example but not true always :) I am lucky this time! I was already feeling so high, a smile crossed my lips. Next thing my eye caught up literally gave me a shocked surprise. A mail from my manager read - <b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>FYI, I have nominated you for Q4'11 Silent Hero Award</i></span></b>. I was staring at it for a good 5 minutes before I could open the contents. How can this be possible? HE is nominating ME..for my contributions to the team in the last quarter. I thought I was living a dream. I am feeling as high as flying on cloud 9,10, 11 etc :D ok ok.. This is just the nomination and the award results will be announced by March or so. Forget the award, I am atleast nominated and I am feeling all motivated... :) The write up he had come up with for the nomination says how much I have worked hard and my management is aware if that. This is what I desire!</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-21716882821669755992012-01-16T12:37:00.001+05:302012-01-17T11:20:23.903+05:30The Pongal Weekend...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">.... was well spent in Chennai from Friday to Sunday. Dont ask me why friday.. Its cos thats when I booked tickets for.. I had to book Pongal tickets as early as October, by which time the leave calendar for 2012 was not yet published. I "assumed" Pongal would be 13th, 14th and 15th and thus booked tickets for the wrong days. As Pongal fell on Sunday - One holiday gone waste. We took off from work on friday for no other reason except for the pain of booking new tickets again. Friday was spent at my place - the most relaxing of all. I remember nothing but eating and sleeping - LITERALLY. Moreover, dad and sis had to go office so it was only me and mom. We spoke, spoke and spoke a lot. It was the best time of all.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>Saturday was Bhogi - mom made bommattu (poli) which was just melting in the mouth. After having a heavy breakfast at 7 in the morning, I was restless for mom to complete her pooja to satisfy my taste buds with those ghee laden bommattus. I had not kept the count of how many I ate, for I will have heart attack later :) Lunch was again heavy with sambar, yam fry , tendli fry and curds with pickle. My quota of stay at my place was getting over as soon as lunch and it was turn for me to go to in-laws place. Thats when I decided to have a twist. One of my close friends is getting married and what else would be the better to meet friends.. We quickly decided to meet at one of the other close friend's home. We were four of us and we brought down the roof of the house literally :) :) So much of talking, laughing, screaming, shouting, pulling each others legs - I was truly living my school days again..We also had a cake cutting (for Dr. R, hahaha ) in advance and it was great! We had to force ourselves to leave as it was getting too late. What was I waiting when I went back home all dry throat, fully exhausted - I was half expecting the night would be so long and I was not proved wrong. The local association was organising a kolam comptetion and all the inmates were more than excited about this. Being experts in drawing perfect kolams, we serached over net for some intricate designs, practised them. After a quick dinner, we went out with all the winter wear to beat the weather and laid out 3 biiiiiig kolams. I dono what time it would have been when we started to color them. It was too huge a task. I was left was shaking lims and trembling hands at the end of 3hr struggle, but it paid of well. At 1.30Am in the morning, we finally called it a night and went to sleep.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Sunday being the Pongal festival and I being the new DIL, the preparations were huge. Thank God I was not denied breakfast, I was already feeling so low. I had not planned a saree, I knew I would have lots of work and Its not easy with saree. We started preparing from 9.30 in the morning. Venn Pongal and Chakkara Pongal in 2 big pots. Avial had to prepared for the side dish. I was impressed by the recipe so much that I would try it sometime here. 10 different vegetables cooked in coconut milk and paste, tasted so good. We also made Vazhai Poo vadai, crisp and hot! It was nearly 1.30Pm when we had offered all this to the Sun God along with sugarcanes and fresh turmeric. The lunch was heavy but so different for me. Only Chakkara Pongal with Avial (one very sweet and the other being hot, salty). I took a long nap after the tiring day of work. I was really missing being at my home. This is something I cant accept how many years it may take. Girl being girl will be deprived of all the fun she had once she is married. I missed my home, my mom's cooking, watching tv with sis and above all getting to stay with dad on festival. These cant be sidelined at all how much ever care, love and affection been shown from in-laws. I felt guilty was missing my home when everyone surrounding was so affectionate with me - but thats only natural, it felt to me. Yest was the most tiring - I have never worked in the kitchen for such a long time and it was definitely back breaking though MIL was helping me equally. I cant imagine how hard it is to pull over everything all alone. For a minute I felt responsible (I had to act atleast). I had watched no special programme on TV yest-this is the first time ever. Looks like its the time for me to act grown up. But it looks unfair. S was all the time enjoying himself watching tv or doing the stuff he liked while I had to take up the tasks whether I like it or not. (His mom wouldnt let him do anything, that's another post altogether). By the end of day, I was feeling have mixed emotions. I knew I cant handle these changes in my life. The day which started happily was looking a bit broken by the end of it. It was all made up when my dad and sis came to see us and send us off in the railway station. I had some quality time with them and hit the berth even before the train started off. This is how the 3 day break went off so soon.... :) Waiting for the next 4 day break!! :)</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-84145713244461467572012-01-11T18:39:00.002+05:302012-01-17T11:18:17.307+05:30My dream came true...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">...when my close friend gave birth to a girl baby on Jan 6th, last Friday. I have never believed in these 6th sense thoughts and all that though my mom always have told me she could relate to her close ones happy/sad moments however far they were. I now know how it feels to know what would be happening to someone who is very close to you but physically is as far as 400Kms away.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>Friday early morning I had a dream, very strange one - which had my close friend D in it. D was full term preggy and was fast approaching her due date. It had been quite some time I spoke to her. To say the fact, I dint even find time to think about her for the past 10days. So, the dream seemed really odd. We (D and I) were in hospital. She was having those so called labor pains. I was holding her hand with a very tense face while she remained cool. In some minutes I went to call Doctor's help in which time she delivered a beautiful baby boy all by herself. She was smiling when I came back with the doctor. The baby was the cutest. He was all smiling and playing in his own way. All of a sudden we were surrounded by some 4-5 unknown ppl. I, accompanied by some unknown were taking the baby back to her home. I see S there. We were talking about the baby's playfulness. In no time I see my friend D walking towards us, with no pain, all smiling. I was so happy for her and the baby. I was almost living through this dream when my alarm went off. I had no choice but to wake up from this beautiful dream. Through out the day, I had wanted to talk to D. I knew her due date was on Jan 15th. I wanted to get alternate contact details to know the happy news when she delivers. Somehow, I couldnt find time at all. :(</div><div><br />
</div><div>At 8Pm that night, I made a call to her so that she would atleast call me back when she is available. When the call was at the verge of disconnecting, I had her bro answer the call. I thought D was too tired. As expected, anna said she was taking rest. I was like , okie... I will call her back later. That was when anna told something which seemed undecipherable for me. I was like.. what? then he repeated again - D has had baby just now! I was like... Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?? (again!) Anna couldnt help but laugh at my expression. He said Its a Girl and both mom & baby are doing good. C-sec it was. I couldnt believe my ears. My ever innocent, sweet friend had a girl baby and I had somehow known this fact 12hrs before. STRANGE I say!!! Some differences though - I had dreamt of baby boy delivered normally while she had a girl baby through C-sec. Whatever it is... I must assume I now have some special powers and pay attention to all my dreams :)</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-87958199685761620652011-12-30T12:13:00.001+05:302011-12-30T12:15:05.322+05:30As 2011 comes to an end.............<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I cant believe this year is coming to an end so soon. It just feels like I was at home celebrating the new year 2011 and now, its already 2012.. really looks like time's flying. 2011, you have been the best and memorable year in many ways.. You gave me some tough times too, but all in all you were the best!<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>- for the most awaited occasion, our wedding happened this year. It like a dream come true, like the ever impossible thing happening to us - Joined hands with the love of my life forever!</div><div>- for understanding the love my family has for me, yet again! They willing to even bend the sky to get me what I wish.</div><div>- for finding a new family who would take care of me like their own.</div><div>- for getting to know the true colors of some people called relatives and let go of them. </div><div>- for feeling the pain of missing and being missed.</div><div>- for being extended spinster for 2 months after wedding - I now know world throws crap at you. </div><div>- for setting up a new home all by myself - My Home, where we have started our lives together.</div><div>- for knowing the big sacrifices made by S to make me happy.</div><div>- for the happiness on my parents faces coming to my home.</div><div>- for the holidays (two) we took together as a couple. </div><div>- for the independence and the choices this life has given me.</div><div>- for having a busy work schedule which keeps me fully charged.</div><div>- for getting the worst backache twice(!) to understand how many people really care for you. </div><div>- for having the best husband who listens all the time and shares the joy, happiness, pain, sorrow and everything with me.</div><div>- for all the time I took this year to cherish the artistic side of me, it was the best. </div><div>- for all the new stuff I cooked, including the worst and best ones - I know have a fixed experiment rat :D thanks!</div><div>- finally, for starting a blog to explore a new arena where I am no good at, So what, I am atleast trying!</div><div><br />
</div><div>2012 is going to be another year of important decisions, which could be life turning for me. Looking forward to it! So, here's wishing a very happy new year in advance! :)</div><div><br />
</div><div><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>If I have one secret wish for this new year, it would be to <i>make S a very very very talkative person</i>. Please God, please grant this wish for me. I am bored of all the talking I do. :)</b></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-37702864110756878262011-12-28T11:20:00.002+05:302011-12-28T11:23:55.406+05:30Buying off the Groom....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Dad's close friend - whom I call Uncle A has finally settled his daughter Su's wedding. Now Su is three years elder than me and her family was trying hard to fix her wedding for the past 1.5 years. Su is a post graduate and is working in an MNC. From the beginning, marraige was not her priority. She infact fought a lot for doing Pg while her dad wanted to marry her off. Uncle A was totally against "<i>a girl doing Pg and going for a job</i>". He says - " <i>It becomes so tough to find a boy from my caste who is as educated as Su and earns more than her</i>". He doesnt stop there. He says a well educated girl will be difficult to handle and turn stubborn. If all this is not enough, he adds furthermore. <i>I will be the one spending lakhs on her education now, but in future she will be beneficial only to her in-laws. I am not the one who is going to reap the benefits. I should spend so much on her wedding too. </i><I am thanking God for gifting me with a sane dad who doesn't think like this> <i> </i>Su argued, fought, cried and finally found her way to continue her studies. Anyways coming back to the wedding story, Uncle A couldnt accept the thought that I was getting married much earlier while he couldnt find a suitable match for his daughter. That aggravated the search process. He had certain conditions -<br />
<div><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The boy should be from the same caste, sub caste, sub division and like wise. </li>
<li>Should be earning more than her</li>
<li>Should be equal/more in education compared to Su.</li>
<li>Should be based out in his native (Vizag) but working somewhere else</li>
<li>Should be a professional</li>
<li>Horoscopes should match perfectly</li>
<li>Should be speaking mother tongue (telugu) fluently < though his daughter cant speak a few lines in telugu properly></li>
<li>Should have good looks.</li>
</ul></div><div><br />
</div><div>These are some of the conditions of any parents trying to fix an arranged wedding for their girl. But struggling in the sea of horroscopes of an year and half, that too trying to find a match from the same caste, travelling from Chennai to Vizag (20+hrs travel in train) every other week, paying lump-sum amounts to the wedding brokers for every unsuccessful match - He should have woke up!! After a very tiring process of all this, he has atlast- finally-somehow fixed a match. I am happy for her. Or Wait.. Am I really happy? I dont think so.. I feel sorry for her and hope everything goes smooth and happy for a girl who is so good. Why Sorry one may ask.. Here are the reasons -</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Wedding Dowry - 10lakhs (they are still <b><i>bargaining</i></b>), 1 lakh to be given to SIL-to-be. Totally 11lakhs.</li>
<li>Wedding Jewels for the girl - 15 sovereigns</li>
<li>Wedding Jewels for the boy - 3 sovereigns on gold bracelet, another 3 on chain and a ring for engagement and another ring for the wedding.</li>
<li>Money exchange for the wedding clothes - Girl to be given 30K from groom's side and Boy to get 15K from Girl's side. (logic behind - <b><i>GIRL = 2 * BOY</i></b>)</li>
<li>Just like that - A silver plate, glass, cup and what not!</li>
<li>Wedding Arrangements - to be taken care by Girl's family - Engagement in a big hotel. Wedding in a big hall (both in Vizag) followed by a grand reception in Chennai.</li>
<li>Others - Sets and sets of clothes to be given away to the groom and his relatives.</li>
<li>Apart from all this - A Big Bag of full of rice and like wise. Uncle should also give 2.5% of the dowry amt (which is 25K) to the wedding broker and set of clothes to his family too.</li>
</ul></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>What I really dont understand is <i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Are they buying off the groom or getting their daughter married??!!?</span></i> Uncle A has actually a long list that's been given by the boy's family which has all the above details and much more. All this happens with a family that is well educated and the guy is a professional. Doesnt he have a mind of his own to atleast tell his parents not to be so cheap? What does the girl get after all this money exchange - Happiness?? No.. If she is to be anything like me - she will end up having all guilt of making her dad debt prone which eventually will turn up into hatred towards her husband. She is a professional too and earns as much as him. Will these ppl accept if she wants to give away her salary to her dad after marriage? I dont believe so.. I cant think any further, keeping me so disturbed. Uncle A will have to spend around 35-45lakhs on this whole thing called marriage.. and he has no choice!</div><div><br />
</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-62931870779846292562011-12-27T11:47:00.001+05:302011-12-27T11:49:08.040+05:30Some unsaid things about me....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Every person would have something within that cant be shared outright. Be it silly fears, quirks, unsaid crush or anything that you cant find out even after being with the person for a period. I wanted to soul search (haha!) and write down few of those here.<br />
<br />
-> Fear of dark - I can step into an empty house which is pitch dark and find my way, no issues there. But I had (still have) fears going into my room with no lights on, for I thought there is a monster hiding under my bed. Never revealed it out though.<br />
-> Being studious - I used to wake up early every morning during my school days. Being the lazy bum, I would sit up with a book and start studying to escape helping mom with kitchen works. Ended up being the most studious girl in the class :P<br />
-> I have no rhythm in my body at all. I cant even shake my hip and legs in sync even once! I have never danced in my life except for the only time I joined group dance in school for the Annual day. The teacher had such a hard time with me, I was sent off while my sis still danced :( I forgot the word dance right then, after this maha defeat!<br />
-> I am afraid of failures or defeat for that matter. I think its my ego that never accepts my falling. Before jumping into any action, I weigh and analysis all the possibilities - always. I feel stressed and depressed when something different happens from my expectations. This is one thing I need to improve.<br />
-> I once tried to pluck a rose from my neighbour's plant without her knowledge (she was the most fighting and cruel lady) to get caught by her. Fortunately, she remained calm that day and gave away the rose to me. It pricks me everytime even now if I see a similar colored rose anywhere.<br />
-> I like the smell of cooking gas leaking (hopefully, I dont open up the valve to enjoy the fragrance :P )<br />
-> My pinches can cause the entire hand go numb (Mom and sis knows them well) and I show my love with pinches sometimes :)<br />
-> I was taller than mom by the time I was 11 years. Most of the times, ppl asked if we weer sisters. It was a proud moment for me until I understood what it meant and then, I never walked along with her. Even now I am bigger than mom (she is 12Kgs lesser than me) :(<br />
-> When someone says I cant do something, I will take whatever it takes to show them that I can very much do it. I think it was in me right from the childhood. During my 4th std holidays, I wanted to learn riding a bicycle. Dad wasnt interested in teaching me. I learnt it myself in 3 days - only to monkey pedal though. When I told him about it, he brushed it off saying its impossible. I took him out right then and showed him what I could do - this time I could sit on the seat and go very fast. He was impressed! I was given bicyle to go to school and in few days, I was taking my sister on doubles.<br />
-> How much ever I try, I cant get the right lyrics for any song. I somehow make up my own words and irritate the people music loving people around me. And I cant keep mum when a song is playing, thats another thing.<br />
-> I find crying kids very very cute. Dont ask me why. I find them really cute when they crying their heads off. No I cant console them.. ;)<br />
-> I love to surprise people around me. I dont telling a lie or two for that. The expressions on the face and happiness after the surprise is a delight to watch.<br />
->During my childhood, I always wanted to have a girl baby when I grew up. My dad used to say, those who lie a lot will have only daughters. I used to make it a point to tell a tie only for this. (how silly!! :( )<br />
-> I am straight forward, which makes people think I am an arrogant. I have invited dislike among my relatives for this behavior.<br />
-> I am very obsessed with the gifts I receive. I will keep them very close to me until I understand that no one is gonna snatch them off from me. As a child, I have incidents where I was holding the things that dad gets for me even while sleeping.<br />
-> The last one, I hate melons like hell. I cant even stand the smell of it.<br />
<br />
This is more than enough of my soul search. Its feels good to do this, I shall come back to this post every often and update.<br />
<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-21088176790520002932011-12-26T13:57:00.001+05:302011-12-26T14:05:13.861+05:30Engaging weekend!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">After 3 weeks, I got a weekend to spend for myself. To sleep more, to eat more. Our plan to go Chennai was very much spoilt when irctc decided it should never come up at the most expected time of tatkal - resulting which we couldnt get tickets, I was only more happy for the weekend to be spent like this :)<br />
<br />
Saturday saw me waking up at 8.30 or so.. I woke up hungry! No bath, no cleaning amidst a very very dirty home and a kitchen sink full of dishes. I managed to clear the way only to reach kitchen, fish out the dosa tava. Inspite of all the mess - I was interested to prepare masala dosa chennai style with groundnut chutney - Yummy combination, that one! After a satisfying breakfast, I went back to my bed - thanks to the heavy masala dosa. After 15-20mins, I could do nothing but bring myself back to the kitchen sink - to do a million dishes(Not that I own that many, but I was stuck in the task for an hour or more!) I had put my MP4 to good use while doing the dishes - singing with my loud, shrill voice (thanks to the throat pain) ignorant of the irritation I was causing to my neighbors and more to S. Then, I began cleaning the house fully. Sweeping took a good 45 mins, leaving the dutbin with a kilo of dust and sand. I dont know from where this house gets dusted so much given the fact that we leave it open for not more than 20 mins altogether everyday. I was still feeling energetic to mop the floor as well - little knowing abt that back pain that could come. The songs playing from my player were more than enough to keep me going. Inspite of a very cool and chill climate, I was fully wet at the end of all the cleaning activity. It felt good overall and very satisfying. Though my back pain was pulling me towards the bed, my stomach dragged me to the kitchen to cook. In a shot I made Dhondakaai fry (Tendli fry) with daal spiced with tomato tadka. Had a long afternoon sleep after a sumptuous meal. Where was S, one may ask. I would have thought I was alone at home doing all this by myself while he went to office on a Saturday, if he had not been sitting right infront of me on the sofa shouting on the phone for 4 hrs delegating work to some one on the other side (office work it all meant!). He rightly joined for the breakfast and lunch, atleast! I never knew a long afternoon nap could cause me so much headache. I was feeling heavy on head, couldnt do much. We ordered pizzas from Dominos - heavy, very heavy dinner. These were the four pizzas - Soya-Tomato, Panner-Onion, Onion- Capsicum and Pineapple - Jalapeno. It was yummmmmmmm!! I had brought fever to myself by this time. S was supposed to get me a crocin, he got me a 5star crunchy along with it. :) :) What a perfect way to end the day after a lot of hard work :P<br />
<br />
Sunday started off lazily - got up at 8.45 or so - Lazing around for an hour thinking of a good breakfast recipe. I started preparing Semiya Upma at 10. I dint have much work to do or so I thought - fogetting about the loads of clothes I had to wash :( I remembered it only while talking to amma. It was too late to act then. Did the dishes in some time and I was still feeling bored. Thats when I thought I would try preparing veg puffs in the new OTG. Got the recipe for it and started preparing - with the minimal quantities and all. Meanwhile, I was preparing the lunch which was Egg Biriyani. Had a good lunch and the I was set out to try veg puff again. I was half doubting that all the flour and butter was going to be waste. Also some details in the recipe were so confusing. Nevertheless, I wanted to try - but just the crispy outer layer of the puff with out the stuffing inside- called as puff pastry. S recalled that its called as "Bombay Salt" and he liked it so much in his childhood :) Feeling encouraged and all, I switched on the OTG. In 10 mins, the house was smelling like a bakery ( I am not exaggerating here). I was too shocked to see that I had actually prepared something better that the veg puff pastry that sells here. :) :) :) That left me so motivated that I thought of making garlic bread rolls next. This time, I could trust my skills and prepared for around 6 rolls. It was a bit complicated comparatively which left me doubtful again. The home was smelling of raw garlic and oregano. Once the rolls were made, I was only more doubtful. I thought they are going to be raw from inside. How wrong I proved to be - I kept a watch on the oven as the bread was getting ready. I had strong garlic bread rolls that were so soft and fully done - yet so healthy for I used less than 2 teaspoons for oil and 1 spoon of butter. Its the most healthiest form of garlic bread, but very tasty. S loved everything and we had so much fun.<br />
<br />
It was almost evening and we decided to go out. Went to Big Bazaar - looked at some items (which are of no use to be purchased) for 1 hour and came out without getting anything :) As if this window shopping was not enough, we went to Park Square Mall and spent another 2 hours there. I got a Patiala Pant, duppata which I was not even sure would match any of my kurtis (which is my Christmas gift BTW) and found Happy Endings (a Chocolate Cafe). I had Tiramisu while S had Greman Choc Truffle. Its always like this - I like what S orders better than mine and thus ended up eating half of his, in addition to eating a full tiramisu. As if this wasnt enough for our dinner, we stopped at Beijing Bites on our way and had these - American Chopsuey, Singapore Noodles, Chilly Fried Babycorn and Mirinda. I was so full that, moving 10 steps seemed so hard. Came home to watch TV till midnight. Stupid me, caught up a real stupid argument at that time with S and we kept arguing till it was 1. We really dont know when our eyelids closed amidst the argument. :) I would say, It was all in all a very engaging and fun filled weekend. Some pics of some of the dishes tried out with OTG so far. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfE8cFwiihVIfpuEC-1sP3qiYQYzuquRqwrugNsHpMzV4bPgSghqW6MGAKbTHBn-FEzCVS15YCKpcR2yZWUNhpiEFXN3zT2kLHIdGUj67xm_tMZbzpFBgDQTuVpX7B598O7sSgz2zCoo/s1600/bnp_20122011764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfE8cFwiihVIfpuEC-1sP3qiYQYzuquRqwrugNsHpMzV4bPgSghqW6MGAKbTHBn-FEzCVS15YCKpcR2yZWUNhpiEFXN3zT2kLHIdGUj67xm_tMZbzpFBgDQTuVpX7B598O7sSgz2zCoo/s320/bnp_20122011764.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheat Biscuits - made to give office friends!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQT9kmrpF9DtNZxOmiUGMFhjRgQCxI4d1vFaMYAK4kUBD_ItdlS9ytpmAHu3T3XEwDEP60A8lawbnd12sFPsOJAvN2-aNdsMa0nu65SnUT25i7uGv-Po5gJbI_3O1Jlgw_xlEt9QxpaE/s1600/bnp_IMG_1802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQT9kmrpF9DtNZxOmiUGMFhjRgQCxI4d1vFaMYAK4kUBD_ItdlS9ytpmAHu3T3XEwDEP60A8lawbnd12sFPsOJAvN2-aNdsMa0nu65SnUT25i7uGv-Po5gJbI_3O1Jlgw_xlEt9QxpaE/s320/bnp_IMG_1802.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Choco Vanilla Spiral Cookies :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FA6_YoDmnFwYSECcqwdfjOXg5dJujzTPq7KSRYt_tazdj7EIVg87SSEkLZqU6gE1MrNx-WcS21QxxqXG4UOEPuQCPzj_AZSYqIpnByQ3NiQv4cHQldtQEpGakhHSXoME571Of2at8Fw/s1600/bnp_IMG_1803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FA6_YoDmnFwYSECcqwdfjOXg5dJujzTPq7KSRYt_tazdj7EIVg87SSEkLZqU6gE1MrNx-WcS21QxxqXG4UOEPuQCPzj_AZSYqIpnByQ3NiQv4cHQldtQEpGakhHSXoME571Of2at8Fw/s320/bnp_IMG_1803.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini Veg Puff Pastries:)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUiRA41mtmCxjn6kb95nUUt2VOPMuYXDGA39_Be2VZSXcbebEfLOq2g9jxNZ3jBKcZs81UyjGHDzV00Uta_PliwXcqdQS5wuFkVP2IRzm6laS05HX0J2Wd1ssdyDe0GmEm5UZtpsYRR4/s1600/bnp_IMG_1809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUiRA41mtmCxjn6kb95nUUt2VOPMuYXDGA39_Be2VZSXcbebEfLOq2g9jxNZ3jBKcZs81UyjGHDzV00Uta_PliwXcqdQS5wuFkVP2IRzm6laS05HX0J2Wd1ssdyDe0GmEm5UZtpsYRR4/s320/bnp_IMG_1809.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garlic Bread Rolls :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-18835800362319540482011-12-22T12:40:00.000+05:302011-12-22T12:40:05.350+05:30I now fit to become a TV serial Villi... :|<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I am a short tempered person. Get angry at the drop of pin and I am quite ashamed of it. Once its your character, you cant change anything abt it, can you? Yes.. how much ever I try, I just cant change my attitude over some things. If I try hard to show a smiley face when I am angry, I see that all the anger bounces fast with much more force. No better then!<br />
<br />
By God's grace, S is the most cool headed guy. Never ever raises his voice, forget the temper! I know why my marriage has survived for this long (10 months) with no major breakdowns. I can positively say that we have not had a major fight till now (kaala tikka moment I say!) though we argue on silly things, now thats what makes the relationship going right.. If I lose my temper and shout at S, he remains calm - mostly silent or giving me a simple answer. Once I am down, we sort the things out. I make a point to tell him all about the situation that made me go angry and gain he listens patiently. We try to avoid that kind of situation in future and that works! Another point is - he can forget anything easily. I am the type who remembers everything. That way, he forgets everything that happens while I remember the slightest detail of what color dress I/ He were wearing when what happened etc.. I can only try again - but this is another character of mine, I cant stop doing it. Ok Ok, now coming to the title of the post. Had a big breakdown in home yesterday which I dont want to miss taking note here -for I should never do it again in my life - I am so unhappy with myself!<br />
<br />
I come back home from a stressed out day at work, feeling hungry with sudden rise in temp. My body is aching - every joint is painful when moved. I was lying on the sofa for sometime before deciding on the dinner. Pizza we thought for the night - the one baked in the new OTG. After cutting the veggies and preparing the pizzas, I am worn out fully that I went back to sofa. S was taking care of them - One turned to be a bit dark underneath. By the time, it was brought to me I was very hungry I started to eat it. S warned me not to eat that and we both would share the other good one. I was hungry beyond listening that I kept eating and he kept warning me to put that down. Now - if somebody messes up with my food or the way I eat, I get pissed off. I was flaring with anger that I had put the pizza back on the table. S, finally relieved to see me put off the pizza said - good if you dont eat this, we can make some dosas. At this moment I dont know what went into me - I was so angry that I pushed the table apart so hard that, both the pizzas fell upside down on the floor (including the good one)- made a huge noise from other items falling down. I was silent. S went ahead to clean everything - without uttering a word. Cleared the table and prepared dosa for both of us and shove it to me. All the while - I couldnt bring myself to do nothing but cry - I was more than ashamed of my behaviour. How could I do that and how could he not scold me or slap me for what I did? After all, I threw the food! which is so mean. Furthermore dint help him. He came to me, said these words - "Neeye thalli vitte, ippo neeye alara.." Yes.. I know my mistake. I was so hungry but couldnt touch the food. He took a piece of dosa and put it in my mouth. I couldnt help but cry more. I cant do this to a person who is so good. I uickly ate my dosas, laid down on his lap. Looked into his eyes with my teary eyes and asked sorry. He didnt seem to bother. Not that, he dint bother abt my sorry - he dint bother abt my bad behaviour, so that sorry was meaningless to him! Later in a comical tone - he came to me and said, "Unnai...... Vittuten... En na.... Vittuten.. Po" In Ajith or Rajini style I dont remember. I could smile happily after all! I am blessed to get this best half who is way beyond understanding me..:)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-81302179212856852992011-12-21T19:51:00.000+05:302011-12-21T19:51:47.522+05:30To do or Not to do?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I have stuck up with a big dilemma right now. I have been managing (ok, ok more like dwelling with it) my home with no domestic house help for all these months (again, its been 10months only now). Its getting so tough these days, everyone is suggesting me to get a servant-maid. The only prob being I am not very comfortable with the idea. All during my childhood I have dreamt of managing a home wonderfully, with no help from anyone. I have seen my mom do it and she is my true inspiration. Now that doesnt mean I am as good as mom. No- I can only try but can never do as much as mom does even now.<br />
<br />
MIL is another instance - who manages such a big house with no help at all. She doesnt even prompt anyone with simple works also. If I go there, I would out of sheer interest take part in kitchen chores, then she doesnt stop me. I dont know from where energy flows in for these two ladies in my life. I feel so tired after each task that I would rest for sometime before proceeding or vent out my anger/depression to S. Forget energy man I feel so lazy!! Sometimes I feel like just putting both my legs up and sit on the sofa doing nothing! I can only wish though. There are other instances where I will have a very bad day at work, feel depressed and stressed out. On top of this, if I should come home and do some house work like, sweeping/mopping the house or doing the dishes - its so tiring. Other days, when I have terrible headache - I cant even think of going near the kitchen, forget doing dishes altogether! All these have a tough toil on S. We dont have a specific division of labor here - Do if you can, else the other one will take care. On days when I cant do some really important chore, S is being forced to do it - atleast for me! Bear in mind that he travels more comparitively and does work hard at office as well and some days, he would come home tired too. It becomes wrong on my part to impose household work on him on these kinds of days. It doesnt happen often but I end up eating my own guilt on these days, when he has already suggested like a hundred times to get househelp.<br />
<br />
Result of all this - I cant do some tasks on day to day basis - like sweeping the home, cleaning the portico or folding the clothes. Other tasks (do or die kind of) like cooking, doing the dishes are a regular task. These days there is this additional problem - chilly chill Bangalore and that leaves me sick 6.5 out of 7 days. I dare not to open the water tap - for the water is ice cold. My hands are going numb while doing the dishes. There is so much dust everywhere in the house- which is again taking a toll on our health ( yes yes, S is slowing getting to be like me, after staying with me for ten whole months, poor guy!!! ). My mom is stubborn to the core that I hire a house help immediately. I cant get to think of it myself. OK, I am not a miser - thinking of this from money terms. But all I am thinking abt is - when my mom and MIL can do it perfectly, why not me (if not perfect?). Again, I am not that physically involved in any works as my mom or MIL had been. I am not convinced on getting a help, but looks like there is no choice - for my mom or MIL doesnt work whereas I do. That looks like more than convincing point that, I would get a house help soon.. Still in dilemma..</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-19697699983954343962011-12-20T14:19:00.000+05:302011-12-20T14:19:10.578+05:30The Weekend Post<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I am starting on the weekend post series to record the activities that I am doing every weekend. This was a very happening weekend for me, Mom, dad and sister were here - meaning I dint have to step into kitchen, lie on dad for a change and nag sister, all while doing nothing but eating mom's food. Very relaxing weekend that way!<br />
<br />
We went to Total Mall on Saturday evening, got loads of clothes (again!). I dont how how I end up liking a whole bunch of kurtis and any salwar material I set my eye upon while my sister is very very choosy. I mean, every cell of her should like it, literally!! :P I also got a saree for my mom and one for the househelp person my mom has back home. Poor dad and S, didnt get anything..ok ok I am miser that ways.. :) Actually, all the ladies wear had amazing discounts that, S had to stop me falling on the clothes. I got the best deals for some brands - Kurti for 134Rs, Dupatta for 99Rs so on and so forth.<br />
<br />
After a never ending time of selecting kurtis, my dad wanted to go about the store to look out for other stuff too. I ran ahead of him and got a digital thermometer (what? Its a must in GreenBoochi-dom!). I was just looking at all the oven, microwaves being displayed, when S comes to me and asks me to choose one from them. I was shocked to even speak a word. My sis made sure I definitely get an OTG and we both chose the best of all while S paid the bill (see, see - there he is.. showering his love :P ) Its a Morphy Richards OTG which comes with Oven, Grill and Toaster. Additionally there is this Rotiserri which I was damn sure I would never use (Ok.. Its for Barbecuing Chicken as whole) but am impressed with additional features, jump in and get that. For the night we ordered from Dominos - should say everyone enjoyed except for dad (Mom and dad doesnt likes these kinds of foods).<br />
<br />
Sunday Morning saw us prepare for the adventure with the OTG. Read the manual like a 100 times, searched the net through out the day to get recipes and going to the super market to get the items. We made thorough use of the oven with a variety of dishes -<br />
<br />
1. Wheat Biscuits - Amazing taste that reminded me of chennai butter biscuits.<br />
2. Panner Tikka with Green Pepper and Onions - Got superb comments (S mentioned that the taste overdid BBQ nation) I was pretty pleased<br />
3. Choco Vanilla Spiral cookies - Good ones to try, but a lot of work.<br />
4. Coconut macroons - Waste of time, we were left with a smoky room :P<br />
<br />
Ok, out of these 4 only one was a disaster and I think its perfectly Ok :) I packed a few of no.3 to take back Chennai :) Soon i would be making garlic bread, cup cakes, muffins and would love to bake a full cake. All I want is some time and more of energy. I must say, one must be really enthusiastic about all this till the end, cos You would be left with 100s of dishes to be cleaned and You cant escape! I had my mom who was generous enough to help me with the final task and of course all others did the honors of appreciating me when due :)<br />
<br />
All-in-all a very fun filled, surprising and amazing weekend :)<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-63142022508931415872011-12-13T15:16:00.000+05:302011-12-13T15:16:54.331+05:30From Kindergarten with Love....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This post is gonna make me all nostalgic. I have one bestest friend right from my kindergarten. She is more of my inner part - I can call her for anything and ask her anything. I know she will be there for me whatever it takes. She is the bestest of my best friends and I love her so much. Our lives are so different for she had an arranged marriage while mine was love. But nothing stops us from sharing things - I can boldly discuss anything under the sun and she will listen to me. So many days, i have cribbed to her, my problems and she gives me suggestions to make my life easier. When we talk on phone, its usually not for minutes - but hours until the battery drains. I dont have to think twice before talking to her - she accepts anything and everything. Its my M.. <br />
<br />
We were benchmates right from standard 1 to standard 12 except in class 6 where she was put in a separate class. We would wait restlessly for the interval breaks and lunch breaks to be together, talk endlessly. I dont think she knew.. I was so possessive of my friend and would feel bad if she spent some time with others but never showed it out.. (This was during the 4-5 std). Our homes were so apart, we would just get those 8 hours everyday to share everything. Moreover I would go home bicycling and she would take the school bus. Every day, she would get the cycle from my mom during lunch breaks to practice doing it and we would have great fun. Some of my life's best moments are from school spent with her. She is the most positive minded person and has the right attitude to do everything, she will atleast try. Even when I have some doubts on myself, she would give me the confidence. We both have so many common interests and few differences. We love cartoons - Popeye and tom&jerry being top on the list.We would discuss the day's cartoon episodes during the 1st hour class and enjoy laughing all again. We loved painting , drawing stuff. Our families and we were religious, so during quarterly holidays, we had the chance to meet up at Vaishnavi Kovil, standing in the queue, laughing having fun. One more interesting thing is, both our dads are friends themselves and are from same batch in office. So, we were close that way also. :) The only difference is that she loved games whereas I was a lazy bum. One more - She loves dogs and I am afraid even at the mention of name. :)<br />
<br />
I can proudly say that, we had never had a single fight during our entire journey till now (M, I can remember one and cant forget that - but that doesnt count as fight - hope you agree ) we have shared only love, love and more love. If there is one person whom I can call even at 12 midnight to discuss an issue, that would only be M and she wont be bugged.. I know for sure. I can talk anything silly from everything serious and she would listen. We have gone through days where we couldnt contact each other, our love has never diminished and it keeps going. <br />
<br />
I have very few friends and all of them are close and best. What makes M different is that, we have been together since childhood and our friendship has no end. She knows me in and out and I know her every inch. Thoughts keep on flowing and I am so excited and nostalgic that I cant put everything into words.. So, this for you M - and wish to see junior M soon :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhBjFoisG_dPvCd20dEEy2HwyEQ-woqNro5FjZsYL88scKwgI-TsgA3QvixxL7vSQxh3h1Og6CLuA8lI8uJG72654buqHfOdGYq_LdXrHhX7y6CngWJ3rGCC58_qQltTsfkShL0U4ljI/s1600/my_best_friend.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhBjFoisG_dPvCd20dEEy2HwyEQ-woqNro5FjZsYL88scKwgI-TsgA3QvixxL7vSQxh3h1Og6CLuA8lI8uJG72654buqHfOdGYq_LdXrHhX7y6CngWJ3rGCC58_qQltTsfkShL0U4ljI/s1600/my_best_friend.gif" /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-62279300120384697932011-12-12T15:59:00.002+05:302011-12-12T16:08:49.975+05:30Uncertainity and Philosophy!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">My mind doesn't seem to be peaceful at all right now. There are millions and zillions of thoughts wandering inside. I am not able to make out if I am happy or not! Some philosophy flowing in as a result.. *<i><b>complete rant</b></i>*<br />
<div>- Family values and being friendly should be taught right from childhood.</div><div>- TV is not the whole world and there can be some real people around you.</div><div>- Wasting food is no good</div><div>- Sleep deprivation can make one very angry and depressed at the same time</div><div>- Having so many people around but no one paying attention is not so good feeling</div><div>- Should consult everyone before making food choices</div><div>- People you think as family can think you otherwise.</div><div>- Not everyone will give you a helping hand at the time of need.</div><div>- Takes a lot of effort to satisfy people</div><div>- Just a moment is enough to untidy a clean room.</div><div>- Having MIL with you has zillions of benefits.</div><div>- Dont go outing when you are PMSing, it can even break your back and dont ever depend on public restrooms.</div><div>- Its your home and you need to take care of it - instead of expecting others.</div><div>- Working in the kitchen throughout the day all alone can be so depressing. </div><div>- All you do with full dedication wont be rewarding always.</div><div>- Doing dishes is the worst ever job, that too right after eating.</div><div>- Cooking comes with a bone breaking additional task - which is doing the dishes, refer above point.</div><div>- One can only try to bring happiness in others, but it remains within the self to be happy or not.<br />
- Worst of worst Headache can last for 3+ days, inspite of those pills you popped in</div><div>- Last but not the least, your husband is your last,best resort and will be there for you whatever it takes!!</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-1102546816224031382011-12-05T17:52:00.005+05:302011-12-05T17:58:18.563+05:30The Best Person - I call him S... :)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: #cc0000; font-size: 16px;"><b><i>Ever has it been known that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: #cc0000; font-size: 16px;"><b><i>- Some sensible person said this!</i></b></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=" border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=" border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Now all this because <b>S</b> has left to Thirunelveli to attend his friend's wedding. Its been 2 days and I am missing him so much - This is the second time after marriage. We are the kind of couple who doesn't look like sharing a lot of chemistry. When we both are together, he usually remains a lot silent and I will be the chatter box. All he gets to say is less than 10 words, we catch up some silly fight and I go on mute. Definitely <b>S </b>tries to convince me to which I get convinced after 3 or 4 attempts from him. I just love to see how naive his method of convincing would be. He is so like that! Exactly within 10 mins of talking, if an argument doesnt arise, then there is something seriously wrong between us! :) Infact, my sis teases us as the silly couple... but thats what we are. </span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=" border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=" border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I go to him with a list of complaints at any given moment - running/stuffed nosed, headache, ear ache, body pain, back pain and the list never ends. He would listen patiently, though not giving me solutions right away. Sometimes all we need is a listener instead of a cranky opinionated person. Same goes with my office stuff too. I would narrate every minute of the day to him almost everyday. Again, he listens patiently and makes appropriate comments when asked :P.. If I had no time for the day, I would make sure I tell him everything from the day I have to share, making him listen upto 2 - 3 hrs. Still no complaints from him. </span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=" border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=" border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">He never demands anything. Most of times, I would be unhappy with the food I prepare - but he constantly encourages me - be it oil-less dosa, chapathi, variety rice or sambar! He never comments on anything and eats without a word. Sorry - always compliments me that everything is good. Never hides to praise me in front of others, similarly never insulted or made fun of me. He loves to sleep and urges me to take equal rest though it requires that he should compromise with office food. On somedays, I would be sleeping while he goes office to have breakfast and lunch there. There is no demand at all. Same goes to the home as well. I am not a good home keeper. OK.. There I said it! I do things when I feel like given the time - be it sweeping or mopping or cleaning ( I will just make sure its still dwellable). he doesnt complain - but sweep/mop at times when I cant. I just want to say - he assumes responsibilities as well. I try hard not to end up giving him some house hold work. But it becomes so tough some days and he needs to help me. What I make sure is, I will not have an expectation on him to complete these - these works at home - for that meas its a failure when he cant do some. We just do it when we are available and are Ok to do it - its working fine!! </span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=" border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=" border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I would definitely be not able to come up with something like this if he had not left me alone for that marriage. Sometimes, we need this kind of small separation once in a while to appreciate the person and the relationship much more. Now that I have learnt this, <b>S </b>pls listen and dont go off somewhere leaving me alone!!:)</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=" border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><span style=" border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=" border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-25441395481126981482011-12-05T14:13:00.001+05:302011-12-05T14:15:49.360+05:30@ Home - Pencil Sketch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I am at Chennai - @Home alone with mom after a long long time. We are watching tv, chatting and doing all the stuff that we usually enjoy. Mom goes for 10 min nap and I find an old pencil from the TV stand. being totally free with a strong urge to sketch something, I started to do a portrait of Dr. Abdul Kalam - a person whom I have admired so much - for his humbleness, politeness, intelligence and knowledge. He is most modest person I have ever heard of. Leaving you with the sketch of the day!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLB-xxI_t9lhUyDhHfLz2C2k_En2tuu_wAnzFkHsa2LEvwWdEnvdXbgXbOn0wIRpFgKNybMpTjyjqAHw74ttJyZ21KjriWXHw2AT62p0J0Bzh63ZNxZTRs8W9m3BlDhqy4-a9sjMjkZw/s1600/bnp_scan0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLB-xxI_t9lhUyDhHfLz2C2k_En2tuu_wAnzFkHsa2LEvwWdEnvdXbgXbOn0wIRpFgKNybMpTjyjqAHw74ttJyZ21KjriWXHw2AT62p0J0Bzh63ZNxZTRs8W9m3BlDhqy4-a9sjMjkZw/s640/bnp_scan0001.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-15507729886720720132011-11-25T16:44:00.000+05:302011-11-25T16:44:09.495+05:30Learning it the hard way!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I have always been a responsible person - wary of my surrounding, careful with my things. Its in the genes I guess and I must have taken after my dad (though not upto his standard). As far as I remember, There had only been two incidents where I was fooled and some of my things were looted.<br />
<br />
Scene 1 - First Incident - My 12th Std Tution class - Someone had robbed all the money from my bag. I had a good 100rupee note and a few coins. I cried very hard that day. It meant so much of money. SO much of hard earned money by dad. I felt shameful. I never thought I deserved another penny from him. All this inspite of no scoldings or harsh words from mom and dad. Dad being dad handed me another fresh 100rupee note the next day, along with a purse :)<br />
<br />
Scene 2 - Second Incident - Bangalore Majestic Bus Stand - My first lone travel to Chennai after joining the company. I was so excited and all, I decided to show all the stuff my company gave me. I had taken both of set of laptop chargers, laptop, the new laptop bag and what not! Not to mention about the large bag full of my clothes to be washed. Just for a 2 day visit - thats all. Being new to bangalore and not expecting so much confusion, I had huge luggage. As luck would have it, I couldnt locate my bus even after the departure time. I was so tensed, I was literally running from one moving bus to another inquiring if it was the intended one dragging along all the luggage. Being the tension party that I am, created a lot of fuss enough for the looters to take note of me! By the end of my 2.5hrs running, what did I find? My laptop bag was unzipped and my wallet was missing. Luckily I had the bus ticket in my hand. Within 2 mins, my bus arrived and I spent the whole night crying. I had no other money with me - All the 300+ was gone. Other than that, the wallet was my birthday gift from my cutesy sister. It also had the watch which was my 10th school first prize.I had several of other precious stuff which would have just been rubbish for that thief. My sister had to come to CMBT bus stand to take me home. I was so poor that I couldnt afford a 5rs ticket back to my place. The vist two day holiday back to home was thus very unforgettable - in a Bitter Way!! And that was my first and last ksrtc bus trip to Chennai.<br />
<br />
Having said all this, November had been a bad month so far. I have been losing my stuff :( On the way to a shopping mall, I lost my watch (!). This one being the very first watch I got for myself with my first month salary. It was so special for me. the buckle was not working properly for sometime now. I should have taken it for repair. Being the lazy bum, I let it go. But never thought I would lose it while going on bike :( I had no clue where I left it. The whole evening was saddened. S offered to gift me a fastrack watch, but can it replace my old watch?!? I pretended not to like any of the collections and was sulking inside. This is the first. I thought would be the last as well. But who knew there was a greater danger awaiting me? I had no need to look into my wallet or take my ATM card for the past ten days. For some reason, I was thinking, I handed it over to S. On 21st, we went to hyper city for small shopping - there I find that my card is missing. We search the whole of the house thoroughly - its nowhere to be found. S went ahead to report loss. I was so tensed, I couldnt think of anything. The moment he reported lost card, I remember - the address details on my bank account are outdated. He reassures me that I would still be able to access my account online. With that hope, I sit to modify the address details, the page is auto logged off. Then started whole of the havoc - trying to call the CitiPhone explaining my concern and getting an answer. Since the debit card has been closed, the online account associated with that would be closed as well. I would receive new card within 4 working days. All fine - but the problem exactly is - how will I receive it when the addresses are outdated? Not only the office address, but my residence address also. The guy over phone asks me to reach the nearest CitiBank as early as possible and update the address. We set our journey to nearest branch which is good 25-30KMs far and thats the best we could get. After a lot of struggle we reach there - almost half of the day gone. The lady over there tells me that the document proof is not valid enough for her to update! OooppHH.. I was maha pissed off! Truly a deadlock - I would need the card to update the address online, easily. But the addresses are wrong and I cant get my card. What am I to do? S assures me again that, when the courier is to be delivered, I would get a call on my mobile and then I could go back to my old office building to get the card. I was kinda of convinced. What was I awaiting? The card has been shipped via bluedart and I have the waybill number. I call the bluedart guy to check if I can receive the shipment directly from his office. He says No. I tell him that I have a change in address and that I would need a call before he comes to deliver. He says No. I assure him that I still work for the same company but just a different building and Check to see if he can call me. He says he is glad that I work for same company, but he is not instructed. I dont understand these ppl. He says, the delivered would be attempted 2 times before he calls me for the third time. If I dont respond, the card goes back to Chennai. Furthermore, he asks me to call CitiBank and get a letter from them mentioning address change. I was surely not approaching those rude ppl again. I just told him I would be there when the phone call come and hung up. I was in splits. I had no idea what to do. Worst case, I thought I would work from my old building and get the card somehow. What happens then? God finally showers his blessing on me and I see that the shipment is delivered - to someone - DEBAJYOTHIBOORA it read. I called Bluedart again to check who it was. It was indeed someone from Intel. A flush of adrenalin run through me. I knew it was in safe hands and I would get it somehow. I reached the security desk who immediately helped me locate the shipment. I was confirmed this morning that Intel Mail Room had the package and I would get in in the afternoon. I was still not out of the tension. Everything came to a good end when I had the most anticipated mail from the mail room guy -<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Hi,</span></b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Request you to collect YOUR (</span></b><b><span style="color: #00b050;">CITI BANK- PIN NO, Debit card</span></b><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">) from EMB1 Mailroom Desk @ 4th Floor (WEST WING) ASAP</span></b></span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I was there in a moment and now happily typing this up ;) I was such a lazy bum to update the details. Now learnt it through the hardest way. I now have all my money left for me and my card too.. :) </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-5922503894949592362011-11-17T16:58:00.002+05:302011-11-18T09:49:13.251+05:30The sign of love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Today would be one of the most memorable days in my life. I had the opportunity to visit some younger friends of mine in a school in Bangalore. For all these 3 and half years in Bangalore, I had been thinking that there cant be one single person from this place with whom I can make friendship. For that case, I have never been able to trust and believe anyone here. Every face I had seen, had selfishness. There was no care or courtesy. This day proved all of this wrong! My visit to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>Shela Kothawala Institute For the Deaf</b></i></span> changed everything.<br />
<br />
As a part of quarterly event for my team, the admin had planned this community service event. I usually bunk all the quarterly events. For this time, I was having a strong urge to go. One of my friends was joining me, so I thought I had the much sought after company too. I had been declining every other meeting set up today inorder to make it to this event. What happens then - My friend is caught up in some migration issue and she is not able to make it. There I was, strongly debating within myself - if I should go alone or stay at office attending all the meetings. I had just 2 mins of time before making the final decision. I throw my laptop in to the safe and run towards the bus. There was a strong feeling within - that I should somehow go in though I feel all alone. I see a lot of groups actively talking among themselves. I know none of them. I go stand in a corner waiting for the bus. After making a quick call to <b>S</b>, to tell him that I am going alone and there by killing some time. The bus comes and while boarding it, I see a few familiar faces. I dont know, I somehow felt its all ok though everyone was ignoring me. I wanted this space for myself. I was composing myself - on how the day is going to be, How would the kids react, What would I play with them.. and there was an endless list of questions. The most important one I had been thinking through was - how am I ever going to talk to them - that they were<i> deaf and dumb</i>.<br />
<br />
Once we reached there, we were welcomed by around 40 students and their principal who was a very sweet lady. She gave us some details about the origination of the school - like how it started with just 9 children - 1 teacher in 1968 in a small room, moving into the constructed school in 1971, the first of its kind in Bangalore way back then to develop into a leading school having 164 students - 21 teachers now. She said they are supporting from kindergarten to class 10. Students coming to the school have multiple ranges of hearing impairment and some of them can actually talk. But their most comfortable mode of communication is through the sign language. I could see that they understood nothing of what she was speaking, but were very enthusiastic and excited about the whole thing. It happens that they are excellent lip readers and would need to spend just a week with you to understand what you speak. Their kindergarten consists of 3 years of vigorous speech therapy - obviously they dont have the privilege of absorbing what you speak to them the first time. So, the teacher shows them different kinds of activity charts and keeps repeating the same words every day. This continues for 3 years before they could go to class 1. They are following the state board syllabus as the normal students and write board exams every year getting 100% pass results each time. The only minor difference is that, the languages are exempted for them and their medium of learning happens to be English. I almost had tears welled up my eyes when the Principal completed her talk.<br />
<br />
Each one of us were assigned a child and the employees should serve as a kind of buddy to them. There was a smiling face welcoming me, accepting me with pride. She asked my name and showed me her badge proactively. <i>Hemalatha </i>it read. She was calling her friends to tell them that she has me as her buddy. I felt so happy. She kept smiling at me every time she had a chance to turn back and look at me. We were split into 4 groups. Each group was given an activity to make 2 posters with 2 different themes. We had a nice teacher to interpret and translate everything we spoke to them and vice versa. Our team was named "<i><b>Three Cheers</b></i>" and we had internally split it into 2 groups each doing a poster. I was sticking to the three girls who agreed to do the toughest poster - "<i><b>Heritage and Culture of India</b></i>". The other 4 boys took over the "<i><b>Save Our Planet</b></i>" poster. Initially the girls were reluctant to do the drawing. With some clues and ideas, they jumped in and tried to do their best. Our plan was to do a full scape outline of India and fill in each part of it with the specialities of that state. Delhi - Taj Mahal, Tamilnadu - Bharatnatyam & Meenakshi Temple, Punjab - Bhangra, West bengal - Durga and in the center - we asked them to draw the Thiranga Janda (our national flag). We showed them how to draw each of these and they sincerely tried to copy the idea. They did a great job. We named it "<i><b>Incredible India!</b></i>". Later, the students were to explain the concept and theme to the entire audience. Hemalatha did most of the drawing, so I wanted her to speak as well. She was tensed and didnt know what to talk. Most of the times our lines of communication were penned down. They wrote the questions and we wrote back the answers. When it came to the description, I wrote down all the items that we drew. She couldnt understand what culture and heritage meant and that how to show it to her friends through sign language. She went to her teacher to learn all of it and then smiled at me. I thought of a one line description and wrote out -" <b><i>India is rich in heritage and has many different cultures. But we believe in UNITY IN DIVERSITY</i></b>". She tried to memorize it as much as she could before her turn came, for they all have very short term memory. She even showed me how she would do it sign language. When they showed and described it to everyone out there, I could see no fear in her eyes - only happiness. So were mine - I clapped with so much joy! When they returned, I congratulated them for a job well done. There was pride - I suddenly felt like a mom who would be happier beyond words for her child. All the children did the best. They were very active, participating, wanting to contribute, enjoying our presence. It was the time for results. My team had won the 1st prize for the "Heritage and Cultures of India" theme. I shouted high.. so was my happiness. They couldnt understand and thought they were second since a group had actually won the 1st prize for the other theme. When I explained them that they were 1st, they told every other person they saw on the way. :) We were served the lunch and the buddy should help the child to get the food packet. Hemalatha was very happy with my presence and we both sat under a huge peepal tree. I asked her if she liked the food and she nodded her head happily. She enjoyed her lunch. Post lunch was the games time. She wanted me to join her in volley ball. I politely declined the invite given the fact that I am sports challenged. She happily joined a team of boys in throwing the ball. Later they all played dodge ball and I had the pleasure of watching the fun. At 2.30PM, it was already time to bid good bye to them all. They all ran after us. Hemalatha let her eyes search for me. At the same moment, both of our eyes met and I went to her to say "All the Best". She threw her most gorgeous smile and said "Thank you". The silence between us had a greater bond than the words. I learnt a very little of their language.<br />
<br />
I boarded the bus with a heavy but happy heart. I have never seen love in its purest form until today from a complete stranger. These children brought a difference to me. They were not complaining about the most difficult life God has given them. They were not complaining about the most unfriendly family they have got. They are just thankful for what God has given them and are taking the happiness from their surroundings giving it back to all others they see. A special mention should go to the teachers as well. They are the world's most patient people I guess - dealing with a set of children who cant hear and speak. They are very friendly. They know what every single child in their class wants and they answer every single question that a child asks with such a politeness. Its a separate world in itself. The older kids take care of the tiny younger ones. Each kid feels its responsibility. There is freedom. There is joy. There is safety. There is love. There is life for them and they are living it happily. I am satisfied and happy that I was one of the reasons for some of those children to smile today.<br />
<br />
Closing the post with the award winning poster from my team - captured from my mobile.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qMnB6xnaDArh8KfCTgNnEXcpwidlOzxGGWxmRzycWQEA8udXeNEk9jSIT16YBaUqC28Jh12NF7PjFWtALVYYpEzw9ZturWqHAWYPj3b8qwNQy8WdywUXNV2FcCdEVbmJXWDEDhZlIsI/s1600/17112011751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qMnB6xnaDArh8KfCTgNnEXcpwidlOzxGGWxmRzycWQEA8udXeNEk9jSIT16YBaUqC28Jh12NF7PjFWtALVYYpEzw9ZturWqHAWYPj3b8qwNQy8WdywUXNV2FcCdEVbmJXWDEDhZlIsI/s320/17112011751.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427849846113667144.post-1341033014245827862011-11-11T17:26:00.000+05:302011-11-11T17:26:46.400+05:30Hand in Hand for 28years<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This day marks 28th Wedding Anniversary of my lovable parents. This might not be very special to them, for - they are not the kind who would want to celebrate it with out their girls with them. I am in a different state, making a wish over phone. My sister, though in the same place as they are, is still like miles away with a job in other end of the city going off very early to return so late.<br />
<br />
This day is special indeed - not cos my parents are celebrating the anniversary, but because they have made this happen through the lot of hardships they went through pulling the relationship for a long 28 years. They had a typical arranged marriage. My dad had looked through as many as 26 potential candidates before fixing on my mom. My mom on the other hand had a quick rush of photo seeing and then, another glimpse of this man during the "first meet" of the families. That was the case 28 yrs ago! They both had not even spoke a word before the marriage. For my paternal family, my mom's looks should have mattered while my maternal family looked for my dad's social security and job profile. My mom came from a village and she was the princess of her home. My dad was then settled in Chennai working for central govt - working hard through his way reaching where he had been. It should have been a major turn in my mom's life to come from a remote village to metro city, but to experience facilities that are far lesser than what she had been living through.<br />
<br />
I know their initial days of marriage would have been a literal struggle - in terms of finance, mainly. My father earned a meager 150rs per month. They dwelled in a single room which served as hall-kitchen-bedroom-guestroom-everything. The bathroom was a good half kilometer distant and water has to be fetched manually from a well. To all this, my mom didnt understand tamil. There were definitely no friends for her. My dad's job would keep him in the factory for 10-15hrs. She had to be alone for most of the time. If thats bad, there is worst. Mother-in-law, Father-in-law and 3 sisters-in-law whose words are quite equivalent to scorpions' stings should be dealt with for good amount of the year. Not to mention about how my mom would have missed her life prior to wedding. She got to visit her parents once in 2 years, for a day or two.<br />
<br />
My dad was struggling his part too. With his income, he had to support his family - a very sick father, uncompromising mother and 3 sisters whose needs to be taken care of. With all these chaos, he had my mom to look after. Where's the question of starting his own family when he is already over burdened?<br />
<br />
In spite of all these hardships, I know why they are happy and together even now. Its the love one would say. But, there is something more to it. There was commitment and trust! My mom believed my dad, that he would definitely stand by her and support her. And there was total commitment from my dad. He knew the truth so well - My mom had believed no one but him and came miles with the hope on him and he would keep up his word. They had seen the better times later in life solely due to the companionship. They took the success to their hearts and their minds.<br />
<br />
I respect them and their relationship so much compared to any love marriage. Falling in love with the person you know for sometime, knowing him/her in and out, understanding how the relationship would work and making it successful - had not happened to these two people before marriage where you still have the balls to decide anything. All these decisions had been thrusted up on them by their elders. There was no choice. They only took the chance and had made it the most successful one. They are the most compatible. There is adjustment and compromise. They fight for 5 minutes and laugh/talk together the next minute. That comes from the experience and the number of years of living through it. My mom knows what my dad needs and does everything in the best of his interest. My dad knows how to take care of mom and showers his affection in his own way.<br />
<br />
They are not high degree scholars and come from a very middle class back ground -they had brought us up incredibly There is no one thing that we had been deprived of. They have taught us to be open minded, good at heart, kind, confident, determined, to be successful, yet not to be afraid of failure. They have given us a bright, happy, joyous, healthy and a very memorable childhood. I owe every bit of my success and happiness to my parents. I know I will always be their little "Pedha Papa" forever and they would love us, and be for us.<br />
<br />
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">11.11.11 - Happy Anniversary Amma Nanna!!! We'll love you till the last breath! Wishing you several such happy years of wedding. Way to go!!</span></b></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0