tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31967278864769232322024-03-05T12:15:34.785-05:00Musings, Rambling, Rants and few 'profound' thoughts...Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-2935898703494143212019-10-03T08:53:00.001-04:002019-10-04T03:14:35.382-04:00Mauritius - Oct 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
October 2016<br />
Gurgaon<br />
School is out for 10 days for Pooja Holidays<br />
Panic attack<br />
<br />
I was busy coming up with plans to fill entire days with activities for kids. I did not want to hear "Mamma we are bored" " There's nothing to do" " Can we go to XYZ's house? " 'Can we call ABC home?" "Colouring is so boring" " Puzzles are soooooo boring" " No Lego" " He did it" " No he did it" " I am hungry" " Chikki is so boring"" " TV? Please?" for 10 straight days!<br />
<br />
Out of the blue, V calls from work - very unusual, because call while at work means something is going to get delegated to me - grudgingly I answered. He asked " Hey, do you think we can do Mauritius for the coming holidays? "<br />
WHAAAAAA..... really? Of course we can. We SHOULD. DEFINITELY! Have I ever said no for a trip (except of course if its the hills, I have my reservations!)<br />
<br />
Needless to say, I was super excited. Oh how I love impromptu trips.<br />
<br />
Tickets done.<br />
Hotels booked.<br />
Bags packed.<br />
An early morning flight.<br />
<br />
Everything was going well. Or so I thought, until K started a cough the evening before we were to leave, out of the blue. Like, How? More importantly, why the hell? why now? Honestly, I was less worried about him and more worried about how MY trip is going to get dampened with his cough.<br />
<br />
Warm water.<br />
Soup.<br />
Steam.<br />
Meds.<br />
<br />
Cough getting worse.<br />
Cough through the night.<br />
Early morning flight.<br />
I give up.<br />
<br />
At the airport. All of us are excited including the slightly wheezing K. In to the flight, we take off. (whew). So far okay, except for incessant coughing. K slurped down some cough syrup and fell asleep.<br />
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Landed. Mauritius. I wake K up.<br />
Kiss on the forehead (not the loving doting mother kind of kiss, more of a peck on the forehead to check if cough has turned in to something else) and as I feared, he was running a temperature. He was still his happy chirpy self, with puffy eyes, leaky nose and a cough.<br />
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Customs, formalities all done. Out of the airport. Fresh air.<br />
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Mental note and gratitude: Taking care of a sick child in Mauritius is much better than taking care of a sick child in Gurgaon!<br />
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Day 1, Day 2, Day 3: We had reservations at a resort in the northern most trip of Mauritius. It was located between Grand Gaube and Grand Baie. The shore overlooked Coin de Mire. The resort was by group of hotels called Attitude.<br />
<br />
We went on a boat to see the reef (frankly according to me it was not all that great, it was just a glass bottom boat and not much "reef" just few fishes swimming by).<br />
There were lot of people offering day picnics to Coin De Mire, but we decided against it given that Karthik wasnt keeping well at all (although he seemed to be enjoying the beach and the sand).<br />
<br />
Karthik's fever was coming back every four hours and his cough got worse. Day 3 we took him to a doctor. She put him on steroids and just like that he started getting better.<br />
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We drove around to Grand Baie and spent time on the beach there.<br />
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Day 4 - We shifted to another Attitude Hotel in Balaclava.<br />
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We drove to Port Louis, walked around the capital city.<br />
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Day 5 - Chamarel Rum Factory. V "tasted" so much rum that had I asked for diamonds he would've bought them for me. Me being me I stuck two amazing linen shirts from the memorabilia shop.<br />
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We even managed to catch the sun set at the Flic en Flac beach.<br />
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Day 6 - Moved to a hotel called Le Surcouf at Belle Mare beach.<br />
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Having a rental car was a boon, because it gave us lots of options to move around the island. People were extremely friendly and helpful. What struck me the most was some of the landscapes, the sugar cane fields and the temples looked as if they were a replica of some small town in tamil nadu. The locals all looked like Indians... many a times I thought they would just start conversing in tamil, but all that I could hear was creole.<br />
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Mauritius would remain one of my most memorable trip, yes, despite the sick child. :)<br />
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PS: Post this trip we had two kids with dark bodies and two sets of very fair bums.<br />
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Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-51661121672323049162019-07-08T06:44:00.000-04:002019-07-08T06:44:29.002-04:00Years going by<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Every time I write a post, I seem to be explaining why I have let months or years pass by without writing... Its such a shame! This blog is just like a million things I start in my life and never seem to finish or have the discipline to stick to. There have been times that I have almost deleted this blog... but then I read an old post and get all nostalgic and end up keeping it.<br />
<br />
From the last time I posted to now -<br />
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1. We moved to Bangalore in 2017.<br />
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2. Kids adjusted to the new city in no time. And why would they not? Many uncles and aunts, cousins, frequent visits of grandparents, functions, hangout with friends, idly, dosa, sambar, vada, meals... whats not like about Bangalore.<br />
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3. I gained most of the weight I had lost and maintained, and why would I not? Uncles, aunts, cousins, frequent visits of parents, functions, friends, idly, dosa, sambar, vada, meals.... see?<br />
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4. Went on an amazing to trip to Amstredam and Paris and south of France. Saw our dear friends and their two lovely boys.<br />
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5. Ran the Chennai half marathon (personal best)<br />
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6. Ran the Kaveri Trail 21 K (personal worst) (note to self: write a post on this)<br />
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7. I became a Certified Yoga Teacher. (note to self: write a post on this)<br />
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8. Joined a fitness company as a yoga instructor.<br />
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9. Got an award for being "Trainer of the month"<br />
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9. Quit the fitness company (shortest stint ever)<br />
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10. Freelancing as a yoga teacher now.<br />
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11. Vicky took a break from work. <br />
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12. An impromptu road trip to Gokarna and Goa. (note to self: write a post on this)<br />
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13. Moved houses - Yes! From a very happening neighborhood to a neighborhood thats synonymous to traffic nightmare. Like seriously, this part of Bangalore is by far the worst I have seen.<br />
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That brings us to July 2019.<br />
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Its wonderful how easy it is to sum it all up. I wish life as we live through it also had a summary option like this. Life abridged. One can only hope.<br />
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Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-62295492101052965572017-03-15T11:26:00.000-04:002017-03-15T11:26:26.265-04:00What can you say?!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Me (for the 1000th time) : "guys! It's time to go to bed"<br />Kids: "........." (no sound)<br />Me: "GUYS"<br />N: " can we lie down and read a book?" <br />Me: "okay" (whatever just be in bed)<br />N: "kaaarthik, come! Mumma said we can read" <br />K: "ok"<br />Me: sigh of relief <br />K: (popping his head out of the room) "is it morning in America?"<br />Me: (irritated) "yes!"<br />K : (gleefully) "so we don't have to sleep, it's morning!"<br /><br />I guess if Alan Jackson and jimmy buffet could drink because it was five O'clock somewhere... k got the meaning of "it's morning somewhere"</span></div>
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Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-63297617329591039722017-01-02T01:37:00.001-05:002017-01-02T01:37:42.827-05:00Adieu, 2016! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Another year comes to an end.<br />
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2016 in my personal documentation would go down as the year that<br />
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- We did our first road trip through the mountains of North India - Ok, honestly that was a hype. We just drove to Kasauli... nevertheless, there were mountains and it was North India (ha!)<br />
- We tripped around the beautiful island of Mauritius<br />
- I signed up for a course called Enhancing Early Education.<br />
- N started Soccer training<br />
- N started Keyboard lessons<br />
- K started going for story telling sessions (I didn't want him to feel left out)<br />
- K started his formal school at Shikshantar<br />
- My running and yoga took a back seat<br />
- We did lot of last minute planning and travel.<br />
- We had a lovely summer holiday at Mysore, attended cousins wedding.<br />
- We had floods in Gurgaon and V had to walk back from metro station to home in knee deep water!<br />
- We enjoyed lot of little things that I have forgotten now<br />
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I have no goals or resolutions for the New Year, I am old enough to understand that resolutions don't really work for me.<br />
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Happy 2017! </div>
Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-20959520029526793122016-08-24T05:09:00.000-04:002016-08-24T05:12:24.502-04:00GrrrrGaon! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I was like one of those big huge stubborn dogs on leash who would plop their bums on the ground and refuse to move. Have you seen them? Their owners would literally pull them on their asses? That was what I wanted to do when we were moving back to Gurgaon! I hated the thought of having to live here. Anyway, here I was, back to where I never wanted to be. but this time around either because of my very low expectations or because of the place we chose to live, Gurgaon managed to surprise me. I love our apartment and the community and the neighborhood. Nikhil settled well in his school. I love his school too. Kids made new friends, I made new friends. Life wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.<br />
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We went on a wonderful vacation with our dear friends to Istanbul and Santorini in June. </div>
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Rest of the year was spent attending weddings, stepping out with my girl friends time to time, keeping kids busy, dealing with infections and such. </div>
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In December I ran my first ever half marathon! Yaaayyy! I can cross a big item from my list of things to do. </div>
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Overall 2015 was a good year for us. Settling down and getting back to the grind. </div>
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Karthik started Play Group this year. He goes to the same school as Nikhil. They seem to be well adjusted and happy there and that makes me even happier. </div>
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So far, so good. I can say that life is still sabai sabai in Gurgaon too. </div>
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Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-31685389255707479122016-08-24T04:58:00.001-04:002016-08-24T05:13:04.995-04:00How long has it been? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My poor old neglected blog! If blogosphere turned minimalists my unused, dusty blog would've been long gone.<br />
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I have no excuses for not having written anything for so long. Sheer laziness!<br />
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August 2014, is where I left. Let me try to rewind...<br />
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Phuket Diaries (contd..) -<br />
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We were living a blissful life in Phuket. Looking back, the one year that we spent in Phuket was an unforgettable one. Those days will be etched in my memory forever. Karthik had just turned 1. My cousins stayed about ten days with us in July. We visited Krabi and we explored Phuket. Ate a lot of street food, restaurant food and home cooked food. It was one of those trips that involved heavy eating.<br />
August through November I got to experience the monsoons. My mood swings with the weather - if its gloomy outside I am miserable inside. Imagine how monsoons can affect my mood. However, the monsoon season in Phuket was very different. There would be patches of sunshine after a heavy bout of rain. There were not too many days that went without the typical clear blue sky.<br />
In October, we did a quick trip to Bangkok, Nikhil's passport renewal was the major agenda. I absolutely loved Bangkok. We decided to skip Pattaya, well, because we were living in Phuket, (evil laugh).<br />
I was also on a major weight loss regimen. I ringed in my 35th birthday in style (literally). I had lost all pregnancy weight and some more. I had never felt more accomplished in my life!<br />
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December through January we had visitors again. One batch was my cousin and his friend on a back packing trip through Thailand. We were so glad to have them camp on our couch for a week or so. Christmas through early 2015 V's parents were with us. We did all touristy things with them. Phi-Phi and James Bond island, visiting the night markets, hitting the naka weekend markets and the like. Now, with two kids and too much adventure comes infections. So I had a good share of cold and flu that I had to deal with. Mid January, saw Karthik hospitalized for couple of days. Poor Nikhil had his birthday celebrations in the hospital.<br />
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By end of February it was certain that we were to move back to Gurgaon. I was so not ready to give up my cozy lifestyle and move back to of all places - Gurgaon! (shudders). We were busy in February settling on school for Nikhil and finding a place to rent.<br />
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We moved back to Gurgaon in March 2015! And just like that Phuket became a wonderful memory.<br />
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Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-17998441758370759612014-08-23T07:44:00.001-04:002014-08-23T07:44:54.182-04:00Just a thought<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am tired of reading about moms. Social media has been flooding with various points of views - Why stay at home moms are super moms, why working moms are super moms, a letter from a stay at home mom to the working mom saying she is super duper, a letter from the working mom who gives the stay at home mom a standing ovation. There was even a letter from a stay at home dad. Then one which was about the mom in the park with an iPhone. And the latest that has been shared over and over again is a question something along the lines of a man trying to convince his wife to be a stay at home mom and a great response to that question. There! This is the reason I am tired. I am tired of all this debate. Trying to read why one is better than the other, why both have its own challenges, why people shouldn't judge either and its the families decision, etc. <div>
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Being a mom is tough. Whether you are working, whether you are staying at home, it doesn't matter. Motherhood is a challenging role. Working or not working doesn't make you a better mom. You decide what kind of mom you are.</div>
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Growing up my mom was a stay at home mom. Looking back, I realize that I loved that she was a stay at home mom. I loved the fact that she was there when I got back from school. I loved how I used to sit on the kitchen counter top discussing my school day while she prepared my evening snack. On the other hand, my neighbor was a working mom and they had a system for their household. We both grew up to be fine individuals. Here's the thing - I loved my mom being stay at home mom, because she loved being a stay at home mom. She felt what she was doing was right, it was her decision. It felt right to her and she did that. </div>
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Anyway, I am not going to discuss whats better or what works. I want to understand why are we focusing so much on motherhood? Why all the pressure on moms? Its like living in constant fear of being judged. From food you feed them to toys they play with everyone has an opinion and a judgement to go along with that. Whether our mothers worked or not, whether they gave us enough attention or suffocated us with too much attention, whether they sometimes lost their cool or may be even gave us a tight one here and there....I dont think they had to deal with so much pressure... they had their share of day to day pressures but not the added pressure of the society - Are you spending enough time with your child, are you giving them too much attention. Those days there was a positive spin on everything. Mom giving too much attention, people would say "she loves her kids" Mom having a little distant approach meant automatically "her kids will become so independent". These days its like the society is waiting to point fingers and say what you are doing wrong. </div>
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We are all mothers first, whether we choose to stay at home or whether we choose to work. From one mom to another, we all rock! We are super women! When you've had a rough day and want to just chill, go ahead and switch on the TV and let your kid watch that goddamn cartoon. Chill out! At the end of the day if you are happy with yourself, you will be a better mom to your child. </div>
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Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-78429132482433227262014-05-23T21:30:00.001-04:002014-05-25T01:30:30.746-04:00Phuket Diary - Sabai Sabai<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Seven long years ago, we vacationed in Barbados; that was by far one of the BEST vacations of my life. The time we spent with our friends, all the laughter, so many fond memories... I dont know if it was the Island air or the "no problem" attitude of people or all the rum punch I had .. but I just fell in love with the place. I wondered then how it would be to live in a place that people vacationed.. now seven years later here I am.. in Phuket! (I strongly believe that God was sick of hearing my complaints about Gurgaon that he sent us here to shut me up)<br />
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Come to think of it, given the cribber (if that is a word) I am, I should be complaining about the little or lack of help I have here, I should be ranting about Vs work hours, I should be frustrated that I dont know the language and how difficult it is to communicate and get your point across... I mean I could just find something in a second to piss me off... ( I sound so nasty)... but, BUT... what can I say, I love it here! The place, people, food... Its a very relaxing feeling.<br />
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No wonder Thailand is called Land of Smiles, people are always smiling... and it kind of rubs off on you I guess.. Always, like always they have a smile (at least most of them, exceptions always exist anywhere and I can live with that). So it doesnt bother me much that I am always using sign language and my sentences sound very practical... "You no come tomorrow" "I no want" "this... what?"... (all the while signing with my hands)<br />
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The help I have here is a nanny, shes with us for four hours on weekdays. Those four hours that I deposit K(arthik) in her hands is a huge help for me. I don't mind sweeping, mopping, making bed, cooking, cleaning loos... In fact I like the fact that the chores are done in my order, to my liking.. (yeah yeah call me a control freak)... if something is not done around the house, its because I chose not to (or I didn't get to it)...<br />
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Lastly, I know that if I have a bad day all I need is a drive to the pier... or one of the many small non touristy and lonely beaches, where its just you and water and the view, to lift your mood instantly... (affordable wine also is a big help... just saying)<br />
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So, its been very "sabai sabai" like the Thais say (All good, chilled out, awesome state of mind)<br />
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Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-90976850511873088762014-05-09T07:54:00.001-04:002014-05-09T07:54:58.400-04:00Trying to pick up the slack<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Way too many things have happened last year....and I have realized that these days my memory is certainly not on my side... may be the curse of smartphones and social media.. anyway that's a subject I'd like to write about in a different post altogether - "memory failure". I've been thinking about the blog and updating it for the past month or so... and now finally got to sit down...<div>
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Back to 2013...</div>
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We welcomed another baby boy - Karthik Channaraj arrived on May 2nd, 2013. Nikhil has been a real champ and an awesome big brother. I was quite worried how he'd deal with the new comer, given that he used to give us vague answers like "I want a big blue jeep" or "I want a black puppy" when we asked him whether he wanted a baby brother or a baby sister... but he adapted so well. He loves his little brother which makes me love him even more. My parents were around during delivery/post-delivery which was wonderful.. and I didnt have to deal with Post Partum Depression this time at all, thanks solely to Nikhil. I feel like time has doubled its pace after Karthik's arrival. Days, weeks, months and now we even celebrated his first birthday! Seriously, whats with the rush, time? </div>
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Sometime before Karthik was due Vicky was given an opportunity to move to Thailand. We went back and forth and given my not-so-happy-about-India phase, I was all for the move. It took a while to fall in place. Vicky kept travelling for two to three weeks at a time while we stayed back in Gurgaon. In October 2013, we had a Kerala trip due for Karthik's annaprashan. It was decided then that I would move to Kerala with the kids while Vicky shifted base to Phuket. Given his travel schedule and the volatility of the project I welcomed the decision to stay with my parents. TLC time :) </div>
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All of us chilled out in Thrissur until March, 2014 when finally visas paperwork all got done and we moved to Phuket. Truth be told I was looking forward to moving and having my own place and set up. </div>
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Its been close to two months here in Phuket now and I can't complain. Its a lovely lovely place. Kids love the new house. Nikhil has adjusted well in his new school. Karthik really has no say :) And I am finally feeling happy. Cribbing less. Which is HUGE, given my constant frowny face while I was in Gurgaon. For now, Life is Good!</div>
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Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-35183015680479968672013-02-01T03:07:00.001-05:002013-02-01T03:07:54.051-05:00Staying Positive<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One of my new year resolutions for this year was to <b>be positive</b>, my previous was post was far from that. How can I be positive if I am not willing to acknowledge all the positives that are around me.</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> I have decided to put some points together, so that next time I need a little perspective I can refer to these. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Maid : I am giving less credit to the domestic help. It actually helps that I have someone to do <u style="font-weight: bold;">ALL</u> the chores around the house, not just the sweeping, mopping. Laundry, folding clothes, cleaning the kitchen, the fridge, etc. She is there to cook, take care of Nikhil, entertain him, play with him, take him out to the park... It made my life so much easier when I was on bed rest for three months. I don't know how I would've gone through that without that support at home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Driver : Makes our lives so much easier, Vicky hates to drive and I don't want to drive in India because all I would be doing is swearing and showing my fingers to every one on the road. More than anything its the fact that in the past two years we have never had to drive around looking for a parking spot. He carries all the heavy load back home after grocery shopping. He also doubles up as Nikhil's baby sitter, for example, I am going to the bank and its going to take me fifteen minutes and I don't want to tag Nikhil around... my driver would happily baby sit him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Parents : Okay, so in my last post I complained how I am living so far away from family. What I didnt acknowledge was the fact that its still easier for in laws or parents to travel and reach Delhi. Four hours is always better than eighteen long hours and the jet lag. There's not been an occasion when I have needed my parents or in laws and they have not been able to make it. I should be thankful for that. Agreed its not as comfortable as having them living somewhere with in an hours drive... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Extended Family : We have an uncle of mine living in Delhi and a cousin of mine living five minutes away. It feels wonderful to hang out with them. We have spent all major festivals at my uncles place and the gathering and celebrations are always so much fun. Festivals, birthdays, dinners, just chilling at home, its all cool. When Vicky sometimes have to travel, I crash in at one of their places. My uncle has two lovely boys and Nikhil has a ball playing with them. My cousin has a dog and Nikhil is so attached to that fellow. Honestly, there's really no feeling of loneliness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Neighbors : I guess I am lucky that I have made wonderful friends with the neighbors here. There are many families with kids in the similar age group. Again, I thank my stars that I have very very helpful neighbors. They always watch out for you. When our next door neighbor has not seen me on the balcony or outside for couple of days I can expect her at my door or a call from her to make sure everything is all right. There's someone to check on me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Community : Our community has couple of grocery stores, a pharmacy, a tailor (who also does drycleaning), and a beauty parlour (very shady but good enough for quick threading), there are two general physicians in case of emergencies... </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Last but the most important point, Nikhil loves it here... I cannot just emphasize the word love enough. He is exposed to a plethora of people from all walks of life. He loves it when the door bell rings. He loves to guess who it would be, the dhobi , the trash guy, the milk fellow, the delivery boy from the grocery store, the maid, the gardner... During summers he loves standing on the balcony and just observing the road - the trucks, the diggers, cars, autos, cycles, motor bikes...or just kids playing the park. He loves it when he spends time with his grandparents, his cousins, so far we have attended so many weddings and many more family functions.. he loves all the attention that he gets. He is always surrounded by people - family or friends or even others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Every place has its own benefits and disadvantages. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's high time I focused on the good things and stopped dwelling on the negatives. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
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Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-86734113778600971662013-01-11T09:44:00.001-05:002013-01-11T09:44:48.244-05:00Breaking the silence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It wasn't a blogger's block, it wasn't that I had nothing to write about. In fact it was just the opposite there were way too many things going on that I couldn't begin to get any coherent thoughts on what to write. If I had written anything down between March 2011 and now it would've just been rants. I thought its better not to do that to my blog and the handful of readers (you know who you are) that keep checking for my updates. I have given myself enough time and I think I should put down what has happened over the past couple of years.<br />
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In my last post, I was looking forward to begin our life in Gurgaon. Its an understatement to describe the settling down process as painful. I found it so difficult to set up a household in India, so the initial stages of moving to a new city was extremely frustrating. Its my country and I felt that I should be knowing how to deal with the system, but apparently not, mainly because there is no system. The one thing that happened relatively quick was we found a decent apartment community to stay - so far that's the only positive that I can list about Gurgaon. Then it was shopping for all household appliances, furniture, car, etc. One thing I learned is that nothing was done in the first go. Let me give you an example:<br />
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1. You have a leaky pipe,<br />
2. You call a plumber.<br />
3. He'll just come by at first to check and assess the problem.<br />
4. Then he goes to get some tools to investigate further<br />
5. Then he comes by with the tools, invariably the most necessary tool is not with him, then goes to get that, after investigates the problem he tells you that you need to buy some parts and volunteers very nicely to get it for you.<br />
6. Then he comes and fixes it.<br />
7. A month later you have a leaky pipe again.<br />
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This is not as easy as a seven step process... there's the wait. Every person says he will be at your door in half an hour but its actually 24 to 48 hours after incessant calling and following up. Also, I fail to understand why the plumber cannot bring all his tools in the first go? I mean that's cutting down two steps and saving both him and me a lot of time. People derive pleasure in delaying work.<br />
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The other biggest myth is the "household help" that you get in India. You need help because you cannot live without it. If you leave your house without sweeping or mopping for one day the furntiure would collect dust, the floors get sticky and dirty, the house would start looking haunted. So household help is not a luxury but a necessity. Now, managing the help is a completely different ball game.<br />
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Basically, I feel that respect for work is lacking big time. People are always trying to do something else or make more money through other means that they focused less on the job at hand. No one gives even 80% dedication to what they do.<br />
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Another major draw back that I am facing living in Gurgaon is that we are so far away from family. One of the main reasons we moved to India was to be closer to family, but now I find that to get my parents or in-laws to come here is such an exhaustive task. Its expensive, its a long journey and we always think twice before having to go "all the way" to the south.<br />
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Overall, I have been very very pissed off for the past few years. I was the one who was gung-ho about moving to India, I had very high expectations... now I regret it terribly. Sometimes I wonder if it is a severe case of grass is greener on the other side or may be I just am focusing on the negatives a lot. What ever it may be I haven't been feeling happy and settled! </div>
Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-52450097847009136792011-03-28T00:51:00.007-04:002011-03-30T01:19:09.792-04:00Putting an end to uncertaintyThis journey started about four years ago, when V decided he was ready to do his MBA. He applied to different schools and each time he got shortlisted for interviews, my hopes would be raised.. In 2007, I thought we would go to Chicago - and my hopes were "dinged", then I thought we'd move to Philly - and again I was "dinged". '08/'09 V did couple more apps (and I thought we might move to North Carolina or Paris) that got dinged again! While this cycle of applications and dings were going on... a sense of uncertainty began creeping in. And that feeling is so not a nice one to live with. We were running out of time on our visas and we had to go somewhere... plus we had a baby on the way. The lack of clarity in our lives was bothering me a lot. Our sentences would begin with "If", "When"... or "Depends..." <br /><br />When we found out that V's application to ISB has been accepted, I felt relieved... for I felt that living in ISB would be a good way to transition our way back to India.. <br /><br />Last year on 2nd April we "moved back" to India and coincidentally this year V's graduation falls on the 2nd of April. We are once again moving out from what has been our home for the past one year to a new place, a new home! I am completely looking forward to starting from scratch... setting up a place, tastefully decorating it... from buying curtains to car... I am so totally looking forward each and every bit of it. <br /><br />This last one year, though frustrating many a time, has been wonderful and rewarding. I have never had so much peace of mind.Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-74902635626578160092011-02-04T23:08:00.008-05:002011-02-22T23:32:17.497-05:00RantsBeing aggressive is really not my cup of tea.. I can't bargain to save my life... I give in too easily... I hate to have confrontational conversations with anyone, be it the waiter and the restaurant or my close friends... I think its okay to adjust... All these personal traits of mine are coming to bite me in my butt now... because to live well in India and not to be taken for a ride, one has to be aggressive... every where! <br /><br />The other day I was in the department store waiting to pay for my things, I was standing behind the yellow line, which says "wait here" and two early twenty somethings come right in front of me... they dont even bother to check with me who is standing there, with a bag full of things...! What I have noticed is that if there's even a tiny inch of place between one customer and the next, the others think that its okay to squeeze in between. So I had to remind them to get in line and they had the audacity to give me a dirty look and say "why were you standing so far away?" and i gave them a mouthful.. saying that I didnt want to breathe down the other persons neck while he was paying his bill. The entire experience of shopping was ruined because of this. <br /><br />Then there are restaurants, where you pay a fortune for the food, and you get clumsy service. One evening we opted for outdoor seating at one of these new pricey resataurants here... we got our beers and a fly dived in to our pitcher, which still had a decent amount of beer. So we called the waiter... and asked him to take it back and give us a refill... and that guy had to push back... and say i will have to ask the manager... i mean, really? so my friend had to give him an earful! There goes our nice evening down the drain. <br /><br />Everyone is in a hurry... the other day at the airport... our cab driver just pulled the vehicle curbside and and we were getting down when the guy behind us started honking without a break... there I was getting down with a baby sleeping on my shoulder and a diaper bag and that fellow has no empathy! I was so damn pissed that I showed him the finger... and it so happened that the guy was a fellow passenger on our flight. I dont understand what he was honking for? We are all getting down and going inside, did he want my cab driver to move one centimeter forward so that he could be that much closer to the entrance? Give me a break! <br /><br /><br />There are many many more such instances... I agree India has changed, just being modern, wearing jeans and talking english is not enough. We seriously need a mentality shift.Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-9611662436725124742011-01-27T07:39:00.000-05:002011-01-27T09:11:30.991-05:00Sloppy JaneSloppy Jane is nickname that I coined for myself. I don't consider myself sloppily dressed or anything.. but I am not the one to be wearing make up through out the day. No I don't even bother with lip gloss or lip stick too, unless an occasion calls for it. I mean, if I were going for a party, yes I will do my best to look good; meaning make up, lip stick, painstakingly blow dried hair, etc. On the other hand if I were headed grocery shopping, I will not hesitate to walk out in my tracks (of course I will not be seen 20 ft away from my house in my pajamas or night clothes) and flip flops with my hair tied up. I dont think that is sloppy! And my face is a totally different story... I like to joke that my face is like a flower.. its all fresh and blossoming when I get out of the house... In two hours time, its like a microwaved flower... No amount of make up can cure that! <br /><br />Then there are times that I just want to lounge in misfit clothes.. and just let the guard down...<br /><br />What really bewilders me is that there are girls who manage to look amazing through out the day. Whether they are seen at a rocking party or sweating it out in the gym (oh and these girls dont sweat!)... they look absolutely stunning. Their nails are always painted, they have beautiful feet, their face always look fresh, they never have a bad hair day... and they are always dressed in best of clothes... like to the gym.. they wear the kind of t-shirt that I would wear for grocery shopping. I dont think these chicks would sleep in the t-shirt that I wear to bed! I'd like to know how they pull that off? Can someone tell me? <br /><br />A very very good friend of mine is one such person. She would get out of a long haul flight looking fresh as a daisy. She would return from work just like how she went in. In spite of a long subway ride to and fro and the 10 hours spent at work! That would just kill me! When I go to work, I look like one person and when I get out I swear my colleagues wouldn't even recognize me... All I do is drive in to work and sit there... I have tried washing my face reapplying make up (which is sooo not me) post lunch in an effort to look good... but no, that doesnt do anything! <br /><br />So this year, I have decided that I am going to make a sincere effort to try and be the "pretty one" instead of sloppy jane. I am wearing good clothes ALL the time, which means a lot more shopping... which means this exercise is not going to last for more than two months... then there's the pedicure and manicure for pretty feet and hands and painted nails... facials on time, threadings on time... looks like V has to land up in a job that pays really well!Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-55249806100147668042011-01-22T02:29:00.002-05:002011-01-22T03:00:53.314-05:00Some say this and some say thatAfter hearing politically correct and diplomatic statements for a while now, its very difficult to accept certain 'honest' blatant remarks that I have to hear here. <br /><br />While browsing, just browsing, not even trying to take the piece to the trial room.. a guy in the clothes department looks at the kurta I am checking out and says.. "that won't fit you maa'm". Uh?! What?! OK.. what did you just say? I know that I can find size L in the bottom of the pile... urgh! what nerve you son of a ... ! I wanted to say all that but I woman-ed up and said very sweetly "oh ofcourse I know, I am checking this out for my sister!" <br /><br />How many ever times I have gone through it, something that always makes me uncomfortable is... shopping for undergarments, especially bras... the guy (i always land up with a dude to help me out), I would just have to say " Bra.." and he would know exactly what size to show!!!! I mean really? and they would even correct you "I think you should go for this... " ARGH! Anyway, I was happy that we have department stores these days and we can just pick it up ourselves... so I walked in to LifeStyle and nonchalantly made my way to the appropriate section.. and there he was... "maa'm can i help you?" <br /><br />I accept that I have gained a lot of weight post pregnancy / delivery, but come on, you see a seven month old baby in my arms and you have the nerve to ask me... "are you expecting?" how do you keep your cool in such situations... i wanted to say... um no.. are you?<br /><br />On campus what irritates me the most is when V, Nikhil and I go out for a walk... when V introduces Nikhil and me... people look at V with utter disbelief and say things like "Is that your child?... DUDE... no way, man! you are married? i would never have imagined... you look so young..." Yeah, he will look young, he didnt have to lug around another human being inside him for nine months, get it out, care for the child... ofcourse he will look friggin' young! When something like this happens, I swear I will run an extra mile the next day and stop eating all junk and then get rid of all the extra pounds before I leave ISB... so that I can match up to looking as young as my husband... but then I get home and Nikhil throws one of his tantrums and I go right for the cheese balls!!! <br /><br />I mean am I over reacting? Should I just let it go? Am I taking it all too personally... <br /><br />I think this morning's incident with my maid was by far the best...she walks in and sees me immediately says "amma, you have not put earrings? you are looking like a man".. I am just speechless!Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-76848806178008771472011-01-20T13:33:00.004-05:002011-01-22T00:43:53.010-05:00T.V. TidbitsI was never a follower of any new series on the television while I was in America. I always watched ( I hate to admit it) re-runs of Everybody loves raymond, friends, law and order... later I got hooked on to NCIS and House. The point being I never really followed any new series. I used to hate reality shows, like the Bachelor, two years ago if someone asked me to watch I would've puked! However, things have changed, because beggars can't be choosers... of the entire line up of channels available here I am hooked on to Star World... I started watching it initially because they played Friends... I am a sucker for Friends. <br /><br />I swear I tried to like other Indian Channels.. but somehow nothing was really appealing. There's too much Bollywood involved. After loving Master Chef Australia (again played a season late on Star World) I thought I should give Master Chef India a try. But it was nauseating to see Akshay Kumar being one of the judges! Like cooking and Karate are the same! They lost me when they brought Aishwarya Rai to judge!!!!!!!! I am sure she likes to eat good food, but can she be a reasonable critic of what masala would make a kashmiri pulao taste better? REALLY? <br /><br />I was thrilled when I saw that Koffee with Karan was coming on Star World... until I started watching the show. Some times Mr.Johar really gets on my nerves. He has the same question for every one Ranbir or Imran the brighter future? Deepika or Sonam the brighter future? These are his rapid fire questions!!!!! By far the worst episode on Koffee... was the one with Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapoor... I personally like Priyanka but with Shahid... they both were like immature high school kids!!!! Kareena also was quite annoying with her "Saifu... Saifu..". I did enjoy the one with Deepika and Sonam, also the one with Bachan Sr and his daughter. Very dignified lady! Lastly, the one with Shah Rukh, really made me feel that gets quite lonely on the top! <br /><br />Oh talking about Shah Rukh, does he ever refuse to endorse a product? I mean Emami Fair and Handsome for men ?! Really, he has to endorse that? Unbelievable, from endorsing high end watches to fairness cream for men, he does it all! <br /><br />Anyway getting back to the shift in shows that I watch... I never once saw Top Chef, but I got hooked on to Master Chef Australia, I never watched the Bachelor, well I really didnt get hooked on to it, but I didnt get repulsed by it either. These days I watch old seasons of Two and half men, Royal Pains, How I met your mother... *sigh*Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-81723290917663886202011-01-20T08:34:00.003-05:002011-01-20T08:40:08.271-05:00Mac is back!Why am I suddenly in to posting? Because I have my computer with me. All these days I was living like a parasite, borrowing V's laptop.. while he goes to the loo, while he gets up to eat, while he showers, while he sleeps or the best when he leaves it behind when he goes for a class. I tell you, life with out a comp SUCKS big time! Urgh! Anyway, my mac traveled all the way from Baltimore through the Atlantic and arrived Mumbai in July. Ever since it has been sitting in my parents house unopened and unused... until 16th January, when my parents finally flew it down to Hyderabad back to me!!! My joy has no bounds... I feel like I got my life back. Here's a toast to my Mac. <br /><br />Facebook, emails, blogs, I am back again!!!! Did I speak too soon? - No, no, I think this is going to be a good blog year.Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-80624895301150212202011-01-13T05:10:00.004-05:002011-01-20T08:28:01.304-05:00A year gone bySince I havent been "quite" regular at blogging the whole of 2010, there have not been as many posts as I would've liked to post. Anyway, to compensate for that, I am going to sum it all up in one post.. <br /><br />If we were to give a title or caption for every year, mine would've been "Good Bye USA, Hello India" for the year 2010. <br /><br />Vicky and I knew that the move was coming up... but I dont think I was quite mentally prepared for the big change. The whole thing didnt settle in for the first couple of months. It felt like I was on a vacation. For one, Nikhil and I were staying with my parents, then we headed off to visit relatives, spent another month with V's parents. So you see what I mean, I was living off of suitcases for a really long time. <br /><br />It was July when we joined V at Hyderabad. The campus is awesome! It's almost like living in a hotel. They provide room keeping services, which means clean white sheets, changed every two days, sparkling bath, counter tops and mopped floors every day! To add to this we got a maid who does laundry and makes rotis. Every one has a maid, so it looks weird if we dont have one... :-) <br /><br />So from having no help at all to having too much help. It is a big transition! And I tell you, keeping maids is no easy job. It's a huge project management exercise! Sometimes its more stressful to drive your maid than to a actually do the chores yourself. <br /><br />There's a grocery store and a pharmacy on campus. Both does home delivery. Life is really cool. I could sit on the couch watching TV all day! Sadly because Nikhil needs attention, I cannot afford to do that. May be I should get a maid to watch him full time. ;-) <br /><br />I do get my maid to watch Nikhil for about three to four hours a day, so that I can get to move my big fat butt to the gym... I admit its really good to get out and be on my own for a little bit. <br /><br />As to how I feel about being back in India... my emotions are mixed. Sometimes I just love being here, I have never felt so much at ease in such a long time. I dont have an annoying tension about visa or job or anything thats bugging me, especially given that we are in a no income one kid situation right now. But then there are days that I get too frustrated with the system, people's attitude, and lot of other things. I do miss the US and our life, I miss the predictability of everything, most importantly I miss the independence I had over there... but on the other hand I do love that I have help, that my parents or in laws are a few hours flight away, Nikhil is getting to see so many people, enjoy the company of his grandparents. I love the kababs, the chaat, the biryani, the tikka masala... although I miss Chipotle, a nice juicy beef burger, but thats besides the point... In all, I think I can live with missing certain things about US.. because i feel that there's more to love here. Even though I find myself being aggressive on quite a few occasion, otherwise people take you for a ride... I feel like I am home.Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-6023391024543911802010-07-22T07:18:00.007-04:002010-08-30T13:17:52.025-04:00Back to blogging... with a tagYAY I got tagged... long long really long ago. My first ever tag... Thank you <a href="http://sliceoflife-priyanka.blogspot.com">Priyanka</a> for tagging me. I figured what better way to get me started after a really really long break! <br /><br /><strong>5 pathetically horrible movies you’ve seen</strong><br /><br />1. Superbad - As the name states clearly it was just super times infinity bad! It was so pathetic that I literally wanted to walk out of the theater after watching the first ten minutes. It was one of the many movies that I was dragged along by V for his "lets watch a funny movie". Everything was lame... high school kids, trying to get fake ids, getting alcohol, girls....ugh! I sat through the movie because of pop corn and skittles. <br /><br />2. Chandramukhi - Where do I begin. Manichitrathazh is one of my favorite movies... It has been remade and has been successful in many languages... but I dont think any other language has butchered the movie as much as they had done in Tamil. Rajnikanth as the doctor, jyotika as the dancer-mental-patient... oh my what a disaster.<br /><br />3. Koi Mil Gaya - It felt like ET gone terribly bad. Hritik Roshan and his retarded (sorry for being so rude) look, him being friends with a bunch of small kids, and acting like a kid himself....that thing called "jadoooo"... partly looking like yoda, everything made me cringe! <br /><br />4. Men staring at goats or what ever sh*t that was. George Clooney, Brad Pitt. All I can say is what a shame! What a colossal waste of talent! <br /><br />5. Guna. Kamal Hassan gone mad. If I hear the word "Abirami" I will puke. For those dont know Guna is obssessed with this Abirami character... he kidnaps a girl who he <em>thinks</em> is Abirami and they live in a cave.. Anyway you get the idea...<br /><br /><strong>5 places where you don't want to be seen dead at </strong><br /><br />1. In the loo sitting on the pot! <br /><br />2. Anywhere there are roaches and rodents. Even in death I will feel very icky about those creatures. <br /><br />3. I am going to sneak in a point thats not so where but how... I dread to be seen dead anywhere naked! That thought freaks me out. <br /><br />4. It would be a shame to die of a heart attack while sitting on the couch watching a scary movie.<br /><br />5. I am borrowing the last one from Priyanka. I can't think of being alone while I die.<br /><br /><strong>5 accessories you can create out of food</strong><br /><br />This one is a toughie... I really thought hard and these are what I came up with! <br /><br />1. Saboodana Neckalce. Would make a pretty decent mock pearl necklace. <br /><br />2. A Seven bean Bracelet<br /><br />3. Cashew Nut earrings<br /><br />4. A brilliant set of chain, earrings and bracelet with the dark channa<br /><br />5. Layered chain with broken rice interspersed with mustard seeds. <br /><br /><strong>5 People you’d love to hit, anytime, anywhere</strong> <br /><br />1. Perverts who molest women and children. <br />2. Anyone(especially women) who ask pregnant women "Twins?". I have faced this question a lot of times. <br />3. Simon from American Idol. He just gets on my nerves. <br />4. Himesh Reshammiya. For the bloody songs, what else. Everytime I hear his nasal aaaaa I feel like pulling my hair out. <br />5. Hypocrites. <br /><br /><strong>5 things you’d do to scare anybody </strong><br /><br />1. Force folks to play the ojo board and then move the coin myself to say stupid things. <br />2. After watching a thriller when someone asks me "are you scared" smile mysteriously and say "why should I be scared, I've been dead for 13 years"<br />3. When you are walking somewhere in the dark with someone, stop walking abruptly, look straight ahead, grasp the other person's arms and let out a loud gasp.<br />4. When you are sitting in a room with some one look at the door and say I think I saw someone standing there. <br />5. And for the sake of fun, scream "Danger Danger" like Ross...<br /><br />This was so much fun! <br /><br />I am passing this tag on to anyone who is interested in doing this tag. It's up for grabs!Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-13870280867191552542010-03-24T18:14:00.001-04:002010-03-25T16:22:59.737-04:00Bitter SweetBitter Sweet - describes what I am feeling right now. <br /><br />6 years ago, I said good bye to my parents and began my journey to Richmond with lot of anticipation... to start a new life. I was excited and giddy with happiness but at the same time I was anxious and nervous about the future. I was leaving my comfort zone. <br /><br />It makes me miserable to think that it won't be easy for me just wear my track pants and go out for a quick jog around the block, to think that there won't be any long weekend trips where we can get in to our car and hit the highway, to think that I won't be seeing beautiful colors of changing seasons, to think that I won't be able to go a grocery store and pick up variety of wine and cheese, to think that I won't be able to sip a beer during a "happy hour", to think that I won't be able to grab a quick bite by driving through a McDonalds, to think that I won't be able to see my favorite shows as soon as they are telecasted, to think that I won't be able to see and discuss all the super bowl ads (and yes the game itself), to think that I won't be ordering water "no ice" at restaurants (not that I mind the ice myself), to think that access to a juicy burger and unlimited re-fills of cola will be just a dream, to think that I won't be discussing weather with strangers in an elevator or for that matter I won't be smiling and exchanging pleasantries with strangers, to think that no one would ask me "were you in line?" at a counter, to think that I won't be driving in any specific "lane" on the road... and the list would just go on....<br /><br />Six wonderful years and I take with me beautiful memories. I made wonderful new friends, grew closer to my old friends, had a lot of fun traveling, had a lot of fun living my life... and yes - even the H1 B/stamping crap brings a smile to my face.<br /><br />As miserable as I am to leave such a beautiful life behind... I am looking forward to spending time with my little cousins (who are not that little any more), my grand mothers, uncles and aunts, eating street food, attending weddings, celebrating festivals, having dosa sambar in a kayyendi bhavan, going to a beach in the evening to just breathe some good air and not having to worry about how fat I look in swim wear, wearing cotton clothes through out the year and not having to feel depressed about days getting shorter, getting my eyebrows done and not paying a hefty price, having everything delivered at door step, to having a dhobi and neatly pressed clothes, to the mango season, drinking fresh coconut water, to drinking freshly squeezed juice at a juice stall around the corner, to watching some nail biting cricket matches, to jumping in to an auto and getting anywhere I want, to getting clothes stitched to my size... and yes - not having to use words like "out of status". <br /><br />I am getting ready to leave just like did 6 years ago... Getting set for another journey... to start another new life with lot of anticipation. I feel the excitement, I feel the happiness... The same anxiety and nervousness about the future is at the back of my mind. Once again, I am leaving my comfort zone.Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-64148523870648531552010-03-18T16:54:00.003-04:002010-03-18T17:05:54.804-04:00I feel like...... falling in love all over again after listening to this song! I don't know what I can do to get this out of my head... <br /><br />I heard the song and I loved it and now I saw the video and I want to go to Malta for my next vacation... <br /><br />*hums with dreamy eyes* <br /><br />Vaazhvukkum pakkam vanthaen.... Saavukkum pakkam nindraen.... En endraal kaathal enbaen... <br /><br />Roughly means: I came closer to life, I stood next to death... If you ask me why, I say its because of love.... aahhaaa!!!! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx4psAm6mRw&feature=related">Enjoy!</a><br /><br />*ps - I still cannot like Simbu!Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-66625054426347172662010-03-08T15:17:00.003-05:002010-03-08T15:32:41.335-05:00Underprepared and Overwhelmed!March madness...I should say Madness in March. It's been barely 3 months in to the New Year, but one hell of a ride so far for us. The funniest part is that none of what happened so far has been unexpected... Baby in Jan and a move to India in April... <br /><br />I knew what I was getting in to with the baby... however, when he arrived, everything seemed different. I felt.. and still feel totally underprepared...<br /><br />A move early this year was on the anvil... but when V got accepted in to ISB... and when we found out that we have to move in April.. I feel so overwhelmed. Liquidating, packing, saying good byes... <br /><br />For now, I can't seem to get this song out of my head... <br /><br />Another turning point;<br />a fork stuck in the road.<br /><br />Time grabs you by the wrist;<br />directs you where to go.<br /><br />So make the best of this test<br />and don't ask why.<br /><br />It's not a question<br />but a lesson learned in time.<br /><br />It's something unpredictable<br />but in the end it's right.<br />I hope you had the time of your life.<br /><br />So take the photographs<br />and still frames in your mind.<br /><br />Hang it on a shelf<br />In good health and good time.<br /><br />Tattoos of memories<br />and dead skin on trial.<br /><br />For what it's worth,<br />it was worth all the while.<br /><br />It's something unpredictable<br />but in the end it's right.<br />I hope you had the time of your life.<br /><br />-Green DayRushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-1147230118931339372010-02-25T12:05:00.002-05:002010-02-25T12:18:17.483-05:00In-law trouble of a different kindOkay, I don't know if I should be writing about this.... but at this moment, its bothering the crap out of me. I am risking it and writing about it anyway. What is a blog for if I can't write what I feel like ?!<br /><br />For the last 6 years that I've been married to V, the last thing I had to worry about was if he'd get along with my family. The time he spent with my parents were always nice and we always had a wonderful time. I don't know what went wrong and how it went wrong... but now that my mom is here, suddenly things have changed. We are having big time personality/communication issues... Suddenly my mom's good son-in-law has turned out to be the villain. V's critical reasoning, sarcasm and jokes are totally not working on my mom. She gets offended by a lot of things V says. His off-handed remarks are causing her a lot of pain! Its not her fault, some times V's style can come across as very arrogant.... <br /><br />I can understand where both of them are coming from, but there's really nothing I can do. If I try to reason with my mom she feels I am trying to support V... and there's only so much V can change, however he said he will change his ways. <br /><br />Things could've been worse, but I hate to see that my mom feels this way... I hate conflicts & misunderstandings.Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-84919048741162883372010-02-02T14:04:00.002-05:002010-02-02T14:24:49.069-05:00B00by Blues!I believe that Nursing like abortion should be a Woman's choice! Grandmas, Grandpas, great grandparents, uncles, aunts, why to an extent even the father (he can have some say, but not all) ... have right to believe what they believe but never force their opinion upon the mother. I say, if you can't donate your boob for feeding then stay out of it! <br /><br />Some people like to believe that birth and all else that follows <span style="font-weight:bold;">should<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> happen in a certain way. <br /><br />Are you breast feeding? If you are not, then they feel you are depriving the child of something so important. Some people want to do it, some people don't want to do it and some like me are open and willing to give it a shot... If I don't get it or the baby won't get it.... just LEAVE it! <br /><br />"Oh no!!!!!" they exclaim "Dont get him used to the bottle, he will never go back to nursing again".... SO, what???? <br /><br />As far as I am concerned, if the child gets his/her nutrition and continues to develop well, who the hell cares if the baby got food from the boob or the bottle? I don't think my child will complain about the lack of boob time when he is an adult.Rushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196727886476923232.post-53480652253114406892010-01-29T18:13:00.008-05:002010-01-31T20:40:58.262-05:00New Year, New baby, New mommy and an old neglected blogJan 16th was my blog's first birthday.... and I totally forgot about it.... I was on a baby break! <br /><br />Nikhil Channaraj made his appearance on Jan 19th a little after noon. As expected our lives as we knew it has changed completely.... <span style="font-weight:bold;">forever</span>. <br /><br />I am still recovering from some pain in certain wrong places, but other than that I have been up and about an hour or so after he was born, much to my mom's dislike. <br /><br />Little dude is doing fine. Life is pretty bindaas for him. Three people taking care of him, fussing over him, burping him, cleaning him and what not... <br /><br />As for us adults, we are hanging in here. Once upon a time I couldn't survive without 8 hours of sleep.... cut the 8 in half and that's roughly what I get these days. There is no difference between days and nights. Its all feeding time, changing time, sleeping time for Nikhil. As boring as all that sounds, its such a pleasure watching this small human being. The amount of love and attachment that I feel towards him can't be explained. <br /><br />Its such a blessing to have my mom around. Good meals on time aside, someone to tell me that the baby is behaving like any other normal infant, someone to tell me not to keep worrying so much.<br /><br />The new-mom worry has consumed me. Every other friend of mine who has gone through this experience tells me to enjoy this time and not to be a worry freak. But I just can't seem to stop this constant annoying feeling that something might (or is) wrong with the baby. For now, I am trying my best to control my anxiety. I am trying my best not to google every little thing that the baby does. I am trying to chant *shaaantiii shaaantiii* constantly. V & my mom sort of help me maintain my sanity. <br /><br />Aall izzz vell... aall izz vellRushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132223482596349789noreply@blogger.com2