In the current age, there lives a girl called Swathi. Fortunately or unfortunately, she is the youngest in the family. Her main mission in this life is to never let her elder sister be in peace. Smruthi constantly lives in the fear of what item of hers will Swathi attack next!
Every day morning, before she leaves to school, Smruthi cleans her study table, locks her crayons, pencils, boxes, sketches, story books, markers, dusters, eraser, sharpner, what more and what not. And she also does the thing, which she ought not do! She WARNS her sister NOT to touch anything of hers, after she leaves for school. Swathi nods her head, acts like a good girl in front of her sister. She literally waits for her sister to leave the house, wave tata, good-bye to her and comes upstairs to their room, and does exactly the thing which her sister told her not to do. She starts raiding the entire room, finds out all the hidden new pencils, markers and sketchpens. And to make matters worse, she also sharpens all her new pencils, till they are half-over. On seeing these, I panic, at the thought of what will happen when Smruthi sees these. So, I swap the half-sharpened pencils with new ones, clean the room of the sharpened bits and try to restore the same state of the pencils and boxes, (hoping that Smruthi doesn't find any difference) before I leave for office.
Come evening, both of them go into their room, and do something. They play, share their things, and continue with whatever they are doing. I relax thinking that all is well. Suddenly, I hear screams and shouts from their room. I panic, thinking that one of them is hurt and rush towards their room. And BOTH of them are crying. Upon investigation, seems like Swathi had received nice blastings from Smruthi, and so both were crying. Swathi - because, she was beat by her sister, and Smruthi - because her new pencils were gone.
"Ennoda pudhu pencils ellathayum iva sharp pannita"
(She has sharpened ALL my new pencils)
I try to pacify her saying that I had kept new pencils to swap her already sharpened pencils. She opens her boxes and shows me all the sharpened pencils. Seems like the little one has continued her raid and repeated the process, in the afternoon also, before Smruthi came back from school. (Swathi leaves for school after Smruthi and comes home before her!) And there goes another set of new pencils! Swathi becomes so happy, if she has succeeded in irritating her sister, and knows perfectly well, how to do this.
The other day, Smruthi comes home with a gift pack from her school , which had a full stationary set. It was a return gift given by a birthday baby in her class. Swathi tries to pacify her sister, to share them with her. But Smruthi would not budge. So, obviously, she started crying, and here goes the conversation between them:
Smruthi: No way! This was given by Ansh. I will not give you.
Swathi (crying): Wait, wait! I will tell appa, when he comes.
Smruthi (maintaing her cool): So? I will not give even then!
Swathi (still crying): Wait wait, I will tell amma not to get you lolly-pop
Smruthi : I don' t want ( in the same tone as "I-don't-care" in some old advt)
Me: (trying to intervene): Smruthi, why don't you be a good girl and give it to her just this one time?
Swathi (immdly): Amma, nee london-ke poidu ma! Akka solra pechaye ketka maatengara!!!
(Amma, you better go to London itself. Akka is not at all listening to anybody's words)
On hearing these, immediately Smruthi started crying and Swathi stopped hers.
I was totally shocked and looked dumb-founded on hearing these words.
This little git, knows perfectly well, as to what will make her sister cry and what will not!!!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
7am Arivu - My view
Well, I can't stop from giving comments on this one. Never have I been so disappointed by a movie, which I wanted to watch very badly - not even the Harry Potter ones! The main reason being.....I'll come to that later. Good things first!
The movie starts with Bodhidharma leaving for China, and those were the only parts of the film which met the expectations. Even if the Bodhidharma history had been extended, the movie would have been worth watching, and Surya was as usual good - both as Aravind and Bodhidharma. And the next best thing about me watching this movie, was that both my daughters were well-behaved throughout the movie (except for frequent visits to the loo, bickering me for pop-corn and pestering me as to when the movie will end). Maybe, that is the reason why this time, the movie was not good. Murphy's law!
The script was good, and the story could have been directed even better. The second half of the movie looked as if the director didn't know what to do next, and asked the characters to go and just act on the screen. The main focus had been on projecting a powerful Dong-Lee, that all logic was forgotten to the core. The director has extended the dimensions of hypnotism, to the level of transferring the martial arts skills to the hypnotised person, within a second's look. Dialogues & dialogue deliveries too could have been better.
The main reason why I was so upset with the movie, (right from the beginning) was Shruthi Hassan. Average looks, average dance, poor dialogue delivery, and absolutely NO acting skills. And to think, she is Kamal's daughter!!! KAMAL's daughter. Forget acting, she couldn't even give a romantic expression. She was totally bland in the song - "Mun andhi saalai.." there was absolutely no expression at all!!! Looking at this song, I got the similar taste of disgust, when I saw SJ Suryah dance for "Mayilirage...'. I no more like that song after that. Shruthi Hassan could seriously do with some genetic transformation to inherit some of her father's acting skills.
Positives: Aravind, Bodhidharma & Dong-Lee
Negatives: Poor direction, loose story-line and SHRUTHI HASSAN
Overall, a nice story wasted!!!
The movie starts with Bodhidharma leaving for China, and those were the only parts of the film which met the expectations. Even if the Bodhidharma history had been extended, the movie would have been worth watching, and Surya was as usual good - both as Aravind and Bodhidharma. And the next best thing about me watching this movie, was that both my daughters were well-behaved throughout the movie (except for frequent visits to the loo, bickering me for pop-corn and pestering me as to when the movie will end). Maybe, that is the reason why this time, the movie was not good. Murphy's law!
The script was good, and the story could have been directed even better. The second half of the movie looked as if the director didn't know what to do next, and asked the characters to go and just act on the screen. The main focus had been on projecting a powerful Dong-Lee, that all logic was forgotten to the core. The director has extended the dimensions of hypnotism, to the level of transferring the martial arts skills to the hypnotised person, within a second's look. Dialogues & dialogue deliveries too could have been better.
The main reason why I was so upset with the movie, (right from the beginning) was Shruthi Hassan. Average looks, average dance, poor dialogue delivery, and absolutely NO acting skills. And to think, she is Kamal's daughter!!! KAMAL's daughter. Forget acting, she couldn't even give a romantic expression. She was totally bland in the song - "Mun andhi saalai.." there was absolutely no expression at all!!! Looking at this song, I got the similar taste of disgust, when I saw SJ Suryah dance for "Mayilirage...'. I no more like that song after that. Shruthi Hassan could seriously do with some genetic transformation to inherit some of her father's acting skills.
Positives: Aravind, Bodhidharma & Dong-Lee
Negatives: Poor direction, loose story-line and SHRUTHI HASSAN
Overall, a nice story wasted!!!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Happiness...
Yesterday morning, when I was driving to office, there was this program in one of the radio stations, where the RJ was talking about how we measure happiness. He was saying that research has proved that, it is mostly the small small minute things, which bring great joy to our lives, like saying a small thank you, or a good morning wish and so on...(and I was wondering why a research was even required to prove this? Wasn't it obvious enough?) And then, there was the public calling and sharing their moments where a small event had made them so happy. So, here I was, wondering about the happiest moments in my life. Weirdly enough, I was able to recall only the not-so-happy moments instantly. Not that I don't have any happy memories, just that our mind resides mainly on the recent events, even when we have so many happy memories at the back of our mind...Ever since, I am recollecting all the happiest memories in my life so far (so that I don't have trouble the next time someone asks me about them)
So, down the memory lane, some of my happiest moments.....(as far as my memory can take me)
- when I got my first bi- cycle
- when I learnt to ride my father's TVS-50 without any guidance
- when my father was so proud of me pursuing an engineering career
- the all-girls talks we had in our gang during our college tour
- when I got back my supposed-to-be-lost friendship
- my engineering graduation
- when I got my first job, and I showed the offer letter to my father
- when I got my first account details and my first debit card (with zero balance)
- when Sri told me 'I love you' for the first time (and every time he tells me that, for that matter!)
- when me and sri held hands for the first time in the beach
-when i introduced sri to my friend and colleague, before our marriage, he told me that he was happy to see me happy and that we are a made-for-each-other couple
- when I realised that I was pregnant for the first time
- when Sri shouted "Smruthi di Smruthi"in the labor ward
- when I realised that even my second was a girl when Sri shouted "Its Swathi again" in my labor ward
- when Smruthi was jumping when she heard that she had a baby SISTER
- every time I fight with Sri and I WIN. :)
- every saturday morning, when smruthi confirms if I am on leave for the next two days
- the joy on my kids face last week when me and sri returned from diwali shopping, carrying bags full of crackers
- the hug which smruthi gave me for 5 whole minutes when I returned from UK
- when sri told me that I need not go for any more onsite trips when I returned (not that he does like that, but because, he missed me)
- when my best friend told me that he was so glad that he and sri have bonded so easily and we were still able to continue our friendship even after 10 odd years
-when the same friend complimented me saying that my blogs are good (I don't remember him appreciating me for anything else)
- the surprise b'day gift which sri gave me last year
- once, when I gave nice blastings to Smruthi, (for what, I don't remember now), she was crying and I felt so bad, that I went and told her as to how I am being a very bad mother, and that I should not have shouted at her, she instantly replied that, I am NOT a bad mother, even though she was still crying. That is one of the precious moments of my life.
...more to come as and when I remember....
So, down the memory lane, some of my happiest moments.....(as far as my memory can take me)
- when I got my first bi- cycle
- when I learnt to ride my father's TVS-50 without any guidance
- when my father was so proud of me pursuing an engineering career
- the all-girls talks we had in our gang during our college tour
- when I got back my supposed-to-be-lost friendship
- my engineering graduation
- when I got my first job, and I showed the offer letter to my father
- when I got my first account details and my first debit card (with zero balance)
- when Sri told me 'I love you' for the first time (and every time he tells me that, for that matter!)
- when me and sri held hands for the first time in the beach
-when i introduced sri to my friend and colleague, before our marriage, he told me that he was happy to see me happy and that we are a made-for-each-other couple
- when I realised that I was pregnant for the first time
- when Sri shouted "Smruthi di Smruthi"in the labor ward
- when I realised that even my second was a girl when Sri shouted "Its Swathi again" in my labor ward
- when Smruthi was jumping when she heard that she had a baby SISTER
- every time I fight with Sri and I WIN. :)
- every saturday morning, when smruthi confirms if I am on leave for the next two days
- the joy on my kids face last week when me and sri returned from diwali shopping, carrying bags full of crackers
- the hug which smruthi gave me for 5 whole minutes when I returned from UK
- when sri told me that I need not go for any more onsite trips when I returned (not that he does like that, but because, he missed me)
- when my best friend told me that he was so glad that he and sri have bonded so easily and we were still able to continue our friendship even after 10 odd years
-when the same friend complimented me saying that my blogs are good (I don't remember him appreciating me for anything else)
- the surprise b'day gift which sri gave me last year
- once, when I gave nice blastings to Smruthi, (for what, I don't remember now), she was crying and I felt so bad, that I went and told her as to how I am being a very bad mother, and that I should not have shouted at her, she instantly replied that, I am NOT a bad mother, even though she was still crying. That is one of the precious moments of my life.
...more to come as and when I remember....
Monday, October 17, 2011
Passport To A Healthy Pregnancy
When they placed you in my arms you slipped into my heart
I never knew how much a person could love until i became a mommy.
Every time you say “Mommy, I love you” my heart melts.
Pregnancy - Every woman's birth right. Getting pregnant, feeling the baby, enjoying the elder's pampering, husband's unique love when you carry his child, entering labor, feeling the pain, pushing so hard, so that the baby needn't try hard, hearing the first cry, the smell of the baby, breastfeeding, the sleepless nights , the first smile, first crawl, first tooth, first walk, the innocence, the mischiefs , the tantrums, the this, the that - the joy of all these can never be explained enough in words. To realize the full meaning of these, you need to be a mother.
The moment you learn you are pregnant, your mind is filled with all sorts of questions, and the moment, you declare that you are pregnant, you can find that the whole wide universe, including Tom, Dick and Harry are ready to shower you with - not love, advises. Advise first - Love next. For the same question, you will get 100 different solutions. So, my best advise is (well, I'm also a part of this universe, right?) - don't listen to any of these. Just listen to your doctor, and your inner-self. Yes, your inner-self. Nature knows best. It will tell you what and when.
Enjoy your pregnancy time with your baby and husband. Whatever discomforts you may face during pregnancy, remember, it's for the goodness of your baby. Don't whine and enjoy even those. Do what you enjoy most, hold hands with your partner and go for evening walks, feel the little butterfly kicks. Be happy all the time. Your baby will know it. Talk to your baby. She(He) will hear it. Give gentle massages to your tummy. Your baby will love them. This is the time. Involve your partner throughout your pregnancy. This is when the actual bonding starts - not only between you and your baby, but also, between your partner and your baby, and most importantly, between you and your partner as well!
The best thing which happened to me during my pregnancy - next to darling hubby and parents, of course, was my doctor(s). Though, I didn't like her in the beginning, I was forced to consult her, owing to my in-laws previous experiences with the hospital . Whatever, complaint I gave her, she used to revert back with a natural remedy. The medications which she gave me were a bare minimum, to which I owe her a lot. I have seen many cases, where pregnant moms take lot of medication, and the result affecting the baby after delivery. Here, I share some of those tips with you readers!
(3rd month)
Me: Doc, I'm unable to eat anything, since, I have frequent vomitting.
She: Its fine, until your third month.
Me: Do, I need to take any calcium or iron tablets, since my other pregnant friends are having.?
She: Drink milk, have curd. That is calcium. Eat green leaves. That is iron.
Me: Do, I need to be on bed-rest for some time?
She: You are pregnant, not a patient, remember that.
(6th month)
Me: I'm getting back-pain
She: Do you go for walking??
Him (immdly): Not at all doc
She: Then, obviously you will have back pain
Me: Any tablets for cure?
She: Use hot water bag and go walking
Me: For cold?
She: Try hot-water steaming
Me: Fever?
She: Paracetamol
Me: (grrrrrrrrrrr)
Me: okay! Can I take saffron, to increase the complexion of the baby?
She: Oh yes, you can! But, don't take brinjal, else, your baby may become purple. Or don't eat green leaves. What if the baby turns green?
(I will never forget her sarcasm, or forgive her either!)
(9th month)
Me: From when can I take leave before delivery?
She: Why??
Me: So, that I can be on rest?
She: You can continue working until you get pain
Me: (shocked) What if get into labor, when I'm in office?
She: Then, take a bus and come here directly. (Not even an auto. A bus!)
It was all I could do, to control myself from screaming at her at every visit. The only reason, I didn't change my hospital, was that this was the only hospital I knew in Chennai, which allowed husbands inside the labor ward, and that too a mandatory factor. But, when the time came for delivery, there couldn't have been a better doctor, who made me so comfortable, so relaxed, and so effectively took care of my delivery. She was awesome, that inspite of all my not-so-good-thoughts about her, I automatically, went to her even for my second delivery - without even any second thoughts.
I dedicate this blog to my doctor - Dr. Rajasri, (EVKMC, Chennai). Thank you so much doctor, and am sorry, that I couldn't get a chance to tell you this even once, during my two pregnancy visits, that, you were AWESOME. Given a chance, I would prefer only you for even my daughters' deliveries. Here are the photos of the babies you helped me to deliver.
I never knew how much a person could love until i became a mommy.
Every time you say “Mommy, I love you” my heart melts.
Pregnancy - Every woman's birth right. Getting pregnant, feeling the baby, enjoying the elder's pampering, husband's unique love when you carry his child, entering labor, feeling the pain, pushing so hard, so that the baby needn't try hard, hearing the first cry, the smell of the baby, breastfeeding, the sleepless nights , the first smile, first crawl, first tooth, first walk, the innocence, the mischiefs , the tantrums, the this, the that - the joy of all these can never be explained enough in words. To realize the full meaning of these, you need to be a mother.
The moment you learn you are pregnant, your mind is filled with all sorts of questions, and the moment, you declare that you are pregnant, you can find that the whole wide universe, including Tom, Dick and Harry are ready to shower you with - not love, advises. Advise first - Love next. For the same question, you will get 100 different solutions. So, my best advise is (well, I'm also a part of this universe, right?) - don't listen to any of these. Just listen to your doctor, and your inner-self. Yes, your inner-self. Nature knows best. It will tell you what and when.
Enjoy your pregnancy time with your baby and husband. Whatever discomforts you may face during pregnancy, remember, it's for the goodness of your baby. Don't whine and enjoy even those. Do what you enjoy most, hold hands with your partner and go for evening walks, feel the little butterfly kicks. Be happy all the time. Your baby will know it. Talk to your baby. She(He) will hear it. Give gentle massages to your tummy. Your baby will love them. This is the time. Involve your partner throughout your pregnancy. This is when the actual bonding starts - not only between you and your baby, but also, between your partner and your baby, and most importantly, between you and your partner as well!
The best thing which happened to me during my pregnancy - next to darling hubby and parents, of course, was my doctor(s). Though, I didn't like her in the beginning, I was forced to consult her, owing to my in-laws previous experiences with the hospital . Whatever, complaint I gave her, she used to revert back with a natural remedy. The medications which she gave me were a bare minimum, to which I owe her a lot. I have seen many cases, where pregnant moms take lot of medication, and the result affecting the baby after delivery. Here, I share some of those tips with you readers!
(3rd month)
Me: Doc, I'm unable to eat anything, since, I have frequent vomitting.
She: Its fine, until your third month.
Me: Do, I need to take any calcium or iron tablets, since my other pregnant friends are having.?
She: Drink milk, have curd. That is calcium. Eat green leaves. That is iron.
Me: Do, I need to be on bed-rest for some time?
She: You are pregnant, not a patient, remember that.
(6th month)
Me: I'm getting back-pain
She: Do you go for walking??
Him (immdly): Not at all doc
She: Then, obviously you will have back pain
Me: Any tablets for cure?
She: Use hot water bag and go walking
Me: For cold?
She: Try hot-water steaming
Me: Fever?
She: Paracetamol
Me: (grrrrrrrrrrr)
Me: okay! Can I take saffron, to increase the complexion of the baby?
She: Oh yes, you can! But, don't take brinjal, else, your baby may become purple. Or don't eat green leaves. What if the baby turns green?
(I will never forget her sarcasm, or forgive her either!)
(9th month)
Me: From when can I take leave before delivery?
She: Why??
Me: So, that I can be on rest?
She: You can continue working until you get pain
Me: (shocked) What if get into labor, when I'm in office?
She: Then, take a bus and come here directly. (Not even an auto. A bus!)
It was all I could do, to control myself from screaming at her at every visit. The only reason, I didn't change my hospital, was that this was the only hospital I knew in Chennai, which allowed husbands inside the labor ward, and that too a mandatory factor. But, when the time came for delivery, there couldn't have been a better doctor, who made me so comfortable, so relaxed, and so effectively took care of my delivery. She was awesome, that inspite of all my not-so-good-thoughts about her, I automatically, went to her even for my second delivery - without even any second thoughts.
I dedicate this blog to my doctor - Dr. Rajasri, (EVKMC, Chennai). Thank you so much doctor, and am sorry, that I couldn't get a chance to tell you this even once, during my two pregnancy visits, that, you were AWESOME. Given a chance, I would prefer only you for even my daughters' deliveries. Here are the photos of the babies you helped me to deliver.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Naan romba busy....
Life in the past few months....has been very busy. So busy, that I didn't even find time to blog about some incidents, which I wanted to. Well, I know some eyebrows will be raised, when I said I was busy. Well, my friend, 'busy' doesn't ONLY mean, that I am busy in office. I have a husband, in-laws and two kids, who are more than enough to keep me busy even when I am in home. And obviously enough, whatever I wanted to blog about was about them, and it was them who was keeping me busy enough not to let me write a blog when I wanted to....
So, here, I am penning down those thoughts, which I wanted to blog about, once upon a time...
In a nutshell.....
- Smruthi gave the opening speech for her sports day in Nehru Stadium, for which, I had to prepare for her speech, more than her. On the D day, she absolutely refused to give the speech, and that is when me and Sri had to bribe her with white boards and markers, to make her speak successfully. And yes, she did talk very nicely. After all, kaakaikum....
- Immediately, the week after that, Swathi's school was celebrating Independence Day, and her madam kept changing her proposed costumes every day. After changing from Radha, to Barbie girl and finally deciding on a Rajasthani costume...she was supposed to appear like a rajasthani girl... The way her maa'm explained to me was "You need to dress her up like how Tabu looks in the "Sandhana thendralai..." song... and somehow, I managed to make her look like that, not exactly, but the best I can.
These school programs are more work for the parents, and if there was one thing, which I was not able to afford to my school-going kids, it is TIME. Very difficult. Inspite of that, I managed to give them my best and I was there with them when they performed. I am proud of myself for that. Hats off to me.
- Coming next, the frequent fights, between me and Sri, and the expected-but-never-came-romances. DOT.
- I finally, FINALLY managed to watch a Harry Potter movie in the theatres. History should not say that a die-hard HP fan, has not seen even a single HP movie in the theater. So, in order to make history, after desperate attempts, watched HP and the Deathly Hallows in PVR cinemas. And the most important point is, I was able to watch without hubby and kids' interruption. But, somehow, the movie did not impress me as much as the book did. I loved the books more!!! Anyways, history has been made.
- I was invited for a birthday party of a kid, by a mom, who was totally unknown to me. On attending her call, I was greeted as "Am I talking to Smruthi's mother?" That was the first time, I was addressed like that, and I liked it. She was the mother of Smruthi's classmate, another S. Seems like she always used to talk about Smruthi and few other girls, whenever she returned from school, and so this mother thought that her daughter would like it, if she invited my daughter for the party. And so, we attended her party, I had no clue of the people there, simply went for the cake-cutting , gifted the child and returned back home. When I asked Smruthi, if she enjoyed the party, weirdly enough, she replied that 'S' was not her friend, just a classmate. So, not a big deal!. This girl knows to differentiate between friends and classmates??? I was dumb-struck, as always!!!!
- Smruthi, of late has been asking me questions like, "When will I get married?", "When will you get me married?", "Who will act as the boy, when I get married?" "Only you have to dress me and comb my hair for my marriage as well" and stuff like that, to which I am totally clueless, as to what to answer and how to handle them. May be its the effect of seeing our marriage CD, during our anniversary week. What is the urgency dear! You don't know what you are asking for!
- Smruthi-Swathi fights are reaching an all time high...and there's no stopping either of them, once they get into the conflict mode. Such incidents always drain me of all the energy, and all I can think of at such times is, "when will these girls, grow up, get married and leave the house, so that I can be in peace?"
- Back to the romantic times between me and him, post the accident incident. DOT.
Signing off for now.....
So, here, I am penning down those thoughts, which I wanted to blog about, once upon a time...
In a nutshell.....
- Smruthi gave the opening speech for her sports day in Nehru Stadium, for which, I had to prepare for her speech, more than her. On the D day, she absolutely refused to give the speech, and that is when me and Sri had to bribe her with white boards and markers, to make her speak successfully. And yes, she did talk very nicely. After all, kaakaikum....
- Immediately, the week after that, Swathi's school was celebrating Independence Day, and her madam kept changing her proposed costumes every day. After changing from Radha, to Barbie girl and finally deciding on a Rajasthani costume...she was supposed to appear like a rajasthani girl... The way her maa'm explained to me was "You need to dress her up like how Tabu looks in the "Sandhana thendralai..." song... and somehow, I managed to make her look like that, not exactly, but the best I can.
These school programs are more work for the parents, and if there was one thing, which I was not able to afford to my school-going kids, it is TIME. Very difficult. Inspite of that, I managed to give them my best and I was there with them when they performed. I am proud of myself for that. Hats off to me.
- Coming next, the frequent fights, between me and Sri, and the expected-but-never-came-romances. DOT.
- I finally, FINALLY managed to watch a Harry Potter movie in the theatres. History should not say that a die-hard HP fan, has not seen even a single HP movie in the theater. So, in order to make history, after desperate attempts, watched HP and the Deathly Hallows in PVR cinemas. And the most important point is, I was able to watch without hubby and kids' interruption. But, somehow, the movie did not impress me as much as the book did. I loved the books more!!! Anyways, history has been made.
- I was invited for a birthday party of a kid, by a mom, who was totally unknown to me. On attending her call, I was greeted as "Am I talking to Smruthi's mother?" That was the first time, I was addressed like that, and I liked it. She was the mother of Smruthi's classmate, another S. Seems like she always used to talk about Smruthi and few other girls, whenever she returned from school, and so this mother thought that her daughter would like it, if she invited my daughter for the party. And so, we attended her party, I had no clue of the people there, simply went for the cake-cutting , gifted the child and returned back home. When I asked Smruthi, if she enjoyed the party, weirdly enough, she replied that 'S' was not her friend, just a classmate. So, not a big deal!. This girl knows to differentiate between friends and classmates??? I was dumb-struck, as always!!!!
- Smruthi, of late has been asking me questions like, "When will I get married?", "When will you get me married?", "Who will act as the boy, when I get married?" "Only you have to dress me and comb my hair for my marriage as well" and stuff like that, to which I am totally clueless, as to what to answer and how to handle them. May be its the effect of seeing our marriage CD, during our anniversary week. What is the urgency dear! You don't know what you are asking for!
- Smruthi-Swathi fights are reaching an all time high...and there's no stopping either of them, once they get into the conflict mode. Such incidents always drain me of all the energy, and all I can think of at such times is, "when will these girls, grow up, get married and leave the house, so that I can be in peace?"
- Back to the romantic times between me and him, post the accident incident. DOT.
Signing off for now.....
Monday, September 5, 2011
Successful sixth
Dear Mr.kg3,
Another successful year. This year also, like always, we've had our own share of fights and romances, but of late, I can remember more of the fights than the romances. We have been fighting, okay...okay... I have been fighting more with you recently, but that will never stop me loving you. Kovam irukara idathula than gunam irukum (thank god, someone invented this dialogue.) But, today, I love you more than I loved you last year this day, and this will grow every year. Given another chance, I would prefer to sit next to you and keep arguing rather than go to some foreign country and hear romantic songs alone and miss you. Once, when I called you from onsite at 3 in the morning, and asked you if you really miss me or not, you replied that I will know once I come back and see you. And I knew that, once I saw you! I realised that you may not be good in expressing your feelings, but you still love me, as much as I love you. Thanks for making me realise that.
- ur wife.
Another successful year. This year also, like always, we've had our own share of fights and romances, but of late, I can remember more of the fights than the romances. We have been fighting, okay...okay... I have been fighting more with you recently, but that will never stop me loving you. Kovam irukara idathula than gunam irukum (thank god, someone invented this dialogue.) But, today, I love you more than I loved you last year this day, and this will grow every year. Given another chance, I would prefer to sit next to you and keep arguing rather than go to some foreign country and hear romantic songs alone and miss you. Once, when I called you from onsite at 3 in the morning, and asked you if you really miss me or not, you replied that I will know once I come back and see you. And I knew that, once I saw you! I realised that you may not be good in expressing your feelings, but you still love me, as much as I love you. Thanks for making me realise that.
- ur wife.
Monday, August 22, 2011
White-boards and sharing....
Argument between father and daughter, for want of white-boards and markers...
She: Daddy, please get us TWO white-boards, TWO markers and TWO dusters...one for me and one for Swathi..
.
Him: No, I will get ONE white-board, TWO markers and ONE duster, and both of you need to share among yourselves...
She: Please daddy, get us one for each...I will not share with her...
Him: No, ur maa'm has taught you sh-aa-rr-ii-nng....right?
She: Please pa...
Him: See, me and your mom always share our things....we have only bike right, and both of us share among ourselves...whenever we need it...
She: Please....
Him: paaru, naanum un ammavum oru bike-thana vechirukom)
She (instantly): aana, car mattum rendu vechirukeenga la?
(But you both have TWO CARS right???)
Him: uhhhh....mmmmm......uhhhh....
Me: giggling and proud of my daughter!!!! Bad example dude!
Finally, compromising from both sides, we got ONE white-board, TWO MARKERS and TWO dusters, and there is a strong middle line in the white board - one side for smruthi and one side for swathi, and both maintain their boundaries....
Indha kotta thaandi neeyum vara koodadhu...naanum vara maaten!!!!
She: Daddy, please get us TWO white-boards, TWO markers and TWO dusters...one for me and one for Swathi..
.
Him: No, I will get ONE white-board, TWO markers and ONE duster, and both of you need to share among yourselves...
She: Please daddy, get us one for each...I will not share with her...
Him: No, ur maa'm has taught you sh-aa-rr-ii-nng....right?
She: Please pa...
Him: See, me and your mom always share our things....we have only bike right, and both of us share among ourselves...whenever we need it...
She: Please....
Him: paaru, naanum un ammavum oru bike-thana vechirukom)
She (instantly): aana, car mattum rendu vechirukeenga la?
(But you both have TWO CARS right???)
Him: uhhhh....mmmmm......uhhhh....
Me: giggling and proud of my daughter!!!! Bad example dude!
Finally, compromising from both sides, we got ONE white-board, TWO MARKERS and TWO dusters, and there is a strong middle line in the white board - one side for smruthi and one side for swathi, and both maintain their boundaries....
Indha kotta thaandi neeyum vara koodadhu...naanum vara maaten!!!!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Chetan Bhagat's article - For Indian women
Got this article as a forward mail...worth sharing....
Specially for Indian Women. Do Read it and share it with all the women in your life
Alright, this is not cool at all. A recent survey by Nielsen has revealed that Indian women are the most stressed out in the world: 87% of our women feel stressed out most of the time. This statistic alone has caused me to stress out. Even in workaholic America, only 53% women feel stressed.
What are we doing to our women? I'm biased, but Indian women are the most beautiful in the world. As mothers, sisters, daughters, colleagues, wives and girlfriends - we love them. Can you imagine life without the ladies?
For now, i want to give Indian women five suggestions to reduce their stress levels.
One, don't ever think you are without power. Give it back to that mother-in-law. Be who you are, not someone she wished you would be. She doesn't like you? That's her problem.
Two, if you are doing a good job at work and your boss doesn't value you - tell him that, or quit. Talented, hard-working people are much in demand.
Three, educate yourself, learn skills, network - figure out ways to be economically independent. So next time your husband tells you that you are not a good enough wife, mother or daughter-in-law, you can tell him to take a hike.
Four, do not ever feel stressed about having a dual responsibility of family and work. It is difficult, but not impossible. The trick is not to expect an A+ in every aspect of your life. You are not taking an exam, and you frankly can't score cent per cent (unless you are in SRCC, of course). It is okay if you don't make four dishes for lunch, one can fill their stomach with one. It is okay if you don't work until midnight and don't get a promotion. Nobody remembers their job designation on their dying day.
Five, most important, don't get competitive with other women. Someone will make a better scrapbook for her school project than you. Another will lose more weight with a better diet. Your neighbour may make a six-dabba tiffin for her husband, you don't - big deal. Do your best, but don't keep looking out for the report card, and definitely don't expect to top the class. There is no ideal woman in this world, and if you strive to become one, there will be only one thing you will achieve for certain - stress.
So breathe, chill, relax. Tell yourself you are beautiful, do your best and deserve a peaceful life. Anybody trying to take that away from you is making a mistake, not you. Your purpose of coming to this earth is not to please everyone. Your purpose is to offer what you have to the world, and have a good life in return. The next time this survey comes, i don't want to see Indian women on top of the list. I want them to be the happiest women in the world. Now smile, before your mother-in-law shouts at you for wasting your time reading the newspaper.
Cherish Womanhood.
Well...I am becoming a fan of this guy....
Specially for Indian Women. Do Read it and share it with all the women in your life
Alright, this is not cool at all. A recent survey by Nielsen has revealed that Indian women are the most stressed out in the world: 87% of our women feel stressed out most of the time. This statistic alone has caused me to stress out. Even in workaholic America, only 53% women feel stressed.
What are we doing to our women? I'm biased, but Indian women are the most beautiful in the world. As mothers, sisters, daughters, colleagues, wives and girlfriends - we love them. Can you imagine life without the ladies?
For now, i want to give Indian women five suggestions to reduce their stress levels.
One, don't ever think you are without power. Give it back to that mother-in-law. Be who you are, not someone she wished you would be. She doesn't like you? That's her problem.
Two, if you are doing a good job at work and your boss doesn't value you - tell him that, or quit. Talented, hard-working people are much in demand.
Three, educate yourself, learn skills, network - figure out ways to be economically independent. So next time your husband tells you that you are not a good enough wife, mother or daughter-in-law, you can tell him to take a hike.
Four, do not ever feel stressed about having a dual responsibility of family and work. It is difficult, but not impossible. The trick is not to expect an A+ in every aspect of your life. You are not taking an exam, and you frankly can't score cent per cent (unless you are in SRCC, of course). It is okay if you don't make four dishes for lunch, one can fill their stomach with one. It is okay if you don't work until midnight and don't get a promotion. Nobody remembers their job designation on their dying day.
Five, most important, don't get competitive with other women. Someone will make a better scrapbook for her school project than you. Another will lose more weight with a better diet. Your neighbour may make a six-dabba tiffin for her husband, you don't - big deal. Do your best, but don't keep looking out for the report card, and definitely don't expect to top the class. There is no ideal woman in this world, and if you strive to become one, there will be only one thing you will achieve for certain - stress.
So breathe, chill, relax. Tell yourself you are beautiful, do your best and deserve a peaceful life. Anybody trying to take that away from you is making a mistake, not you. Your purpose of coming to this earth is not to please everyone. Your purpose is to offer what you have to the world, and have a good life in return. The next time this survey comes, i don't want to see Indian women on top of the list. I want them to be the happiest women in the world. Now smile, before your mother-in-law shouts at you for wasting your time reading the newspaper.
Cherish Womanhood.
Well...I am becoming a fan of this guy....
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Baby Quotes
Some of my favourite baby quotes which I came across today... Dedicated to my kids..
A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bank balance smaller, home happier, clothes dirty, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.
Having a baby changes the way you view your in-laws. I love it when they come to visit. They hold the baby and I go out.
A father is someone who carries pictures where his money used to be.
The best thing a Father can do for his baby, is to Love his mother.
You spend the first 2 years of their life teaching them to walk and talk. Then you spend the next 16 years telling them to sit down and shut-up.
The only thing worth stealing is a kiss from a sleeping child.
There is only one most beautiful child in the world and every mother has it.
- And I have two.... :)
A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bank balance smaller, home happier, clothes dirty, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.
Having a baby changes the way you view your in-laws. I love it when they come to visit. They hold the baby and I go out.
A father is someone who carries pictures where his money used to be.
The best thing a Father can do for his baby, is to Love his mother.
You spend the first 2 years of their life teaching them to walk and talk. Then you spend the next 16 years telling them to sit down and shut-up.
The only thing worth stealing is a kiss from a sleeping child.
There is only one most beautiful child in the world and every mother has it.
- And I have two.... :)
Friday, May 20, 2011
My first car..
As I have complained many times here, it takes almost four hours a day for me to travel from and to office. One fine day, since I had no other reason to argue with hubby, I raised this topic. “Dude…don’t you feel bad, since your wife is spending so much time for travel everyday? Why don’t you get me a car?” – “And who will drive it?” – pat came the reply! Now, this was a challenge to my potentially unknown driving skills. I had to prove myself, atleast for the sake of winning the argument. So, I started the operation – “How to learn to drive a car in 1 week?”
Driving a car is not easy. Especially, if you have a male tutor who is an expert in driving sitting next to you, and issuing instructions, all the time. And it becomes even more difficult, if the said tutor is the darling husband! You can’t even shout back at him and quit the course in the middle, because, your prestige is at stake. It’s a pain in the neck, I tell you! “Don’t do this! Fuel consumption will be more!” “Don’t do that! Fuel consumption will be more!” The even best way to save fuel would be to switch off the engine and walk back home. I many times doubted my own ability and even thought of quitting, even though I would have obviously blamed him for his inefficiency in teaching me! But, lucky for me, the said tutor and husband motivated me enough to drive successfully, without the engine getting turned off. Self-confidence pays!
And successfully enough, I learnt to drive, and even better, I also succeeded in making him get me a new car. Yep! I am now, the proud owner of a brand new Wagon R, although by now, it is a week old. Two days into getting the car, I started to drive to office, mainly to show off to everybody, that I can drive, more than to show off that my husband bought me a new car!
First day, driving in the bypass – God knows, how nervous I was, clutching the steering so tight, that I did not release it, even to reduce the AC which was in a freezing third level. Second day, my confidence increased to the level that I was able to drive back in the highway at 9 in the night. Just for your information, in case you don’t know, lorry traffic in the highway is high at that time. Third day, since I was an expert in driving by then, I decided to take over the responsibility from husband and leave the car in the shed – all by myself, after getting proper instructions – “Do not leave the accelerator, once you have reached the elevation. ” As instructed, I raised the accelerator, to leave the car inside the shed. After a second or so, the car did not move, no matter how much I raised it, only to realize that my husband was screaming like hell, outside the car. No, I didn’t drive over him. He was safe – but the car was not. I had crashed the side door of the car in our shed gate. It got stuck with the gate. Neither could I take it front, nor could I reverse it. After hearing some extraordinarily nice words from him, I got down of the car, and retreated to my room silently, like a kid, who breaks a toy, and silently vacates the place. As I was wondering in my room, as how to make a drama and back-blame him, he luckily came and pacified me, saying that insurance claim is still possible! Good for him, he escaped from my drama. Finally, his friends came to the rescue, and with the help of all mechanical instruments possible, they released the car from the gate. Not much damage – just a big dent and all scratches in the back door. Over-confidence also pays!
I know, I am eligible for all the appreciations, from near and dear for this, but where’s the thrill, if my car doesn’t have even a single scratch?? As our tamil poet has rightly said,
“Dent-odu ottuvaaare, nalla driver aavar,
matravar ellam otta theriyaadhavar!”
Driving a car is not easy. Especially, if you have a male tutor who is an expert in driving sitting next to you, and issuing instructions, all the time. And it becomes even more difficult, if the said tutor is the darling husband! You can’t even shout back at him and quit the course in the middle, because, your prestige is at stake. It’s a pain in the neck, I tell you! “Don’t do this! Fuel consumption will be more!” “Don’t do that! Fuel consumption will be more!” The even best way to save fuel would be to switch off the engine and walk back home. I many times doubted my own ability and even thought of quitting, even though I would have obviously blamed him for his inefficiency in teaching me! But, lucky for me, the said tutor and husband motivated me enough to drive successfully, without the engine getting turned off. Self-confidence pays!
And successfully enough, I learnt to drive, and even better, I also succeeded in making him get me a new car. Yep! I am now, the proud owner of a brand new Wagon R, although by now, it is a week old. Two days into getting the car, I started to drive to office, mainly to show off to everybody, that I can drive, more than to show off that my husband bought me a new car!
First day, driving in the bypass – God knows, how nervous I was, clutching the steering so tight, that I did not release it, even to reduce the AC which was in a freezing third level. Second day, my confidence increased to the level that I was able to drive back in the highway at 9 in the night. Just for your information, in case you don’t know, lorry traffic in the highway is high at that time. Third day, since I was an expert in driving by then, I decided to take over the responsibility from husband and leave the car in the shed – all by myself, after getting proper instructions – “Do not leave the accelerator, once you have reached the elevation. ” As instructed, I raised the accelerator, to leave the car inside the shed. After a second or so, the car did not move, no matter how much I raised it, only to realize that my husband was screaming like hell, outside the car. No, I didn’t drive over him. He was safe – but the car was not. I had crashed the side door of the car in our shed gate. It got stuck with the gate. Neither could I take it front, nor could I reverse it. After hearing some extraordinarily nice words from him, I got down of the car, and retreated to my room silently, like a kid, who breaks a toy, and silently vacates the place. As I was wondering in my room, as how to make a drama and back-blame him, he luckily came and pacified me, saying that insurance claim is still possible! Good for him, he escaped from my drama. Finally, his friends came to the rescue, and with the help of all mechanical instruments possible, they released the car from the gate. Not much damage – just a big dent and all scratches in the back door. Over-confidence also pays!
I know, I am eligible for all the appreciations, from near and dear for this, but where’s the thrill, if my car doesn’t have even a single scratch?? As our tamil poet has rightly said,
“Dent-odu ottuvaaare, nalla driver aavar,
matravar ellam otta theriyaadhavar!”
Thursday, May 5, 2011
05:05:2011
Dear Swathi,
You are turning two today. Though I am getting tired of saying the same thing again and again, it still remains the fact that you two are growing really fast. Until you came, your sister was supposed to be the naughty brat, but you have proven her wrong. You are the naughtiest kid;
I have ever seen or heard, next to your dad of course. To have your fore-head stitched twice, in a span of three months, is something, which even your dad could not achieve. So, you are the topper in the family, darling.
About this year, where do I begin? The moment you became a year old, you got used to staying away from me. Almost immediately after your previous birthday, you went for a vacation to your grandma’s place, for about 10 days, and you didn’t even remember that you had parents. You were having such a nice time there. And the moment, I came to see you after those 10 days, imagine what you did!!! You ran AWAY from me, to my mom. And the moment your dad came, you immediately ran to him. Dad’s girl you are…huh!This is something, which I will never forget. I shall get you at the right time for this, girl!!!
Even as I am writing this, you are pillow-fighting with your father, and it is your sister, who is defending you from your dad, in the fight. It is such a pleasant scene to watch you sisters being paasa-malargal.
How I wish, you two be the same all the time! But, most often than not, you both become rival enemies, literally breaking my head. You keep fighting with your sister, for almost each and every thing she has or does. Only, when you require her assistance, and if your sister is in a good mood, can I witness the paasa-malar scene. You want to do whatever your sister does, be it studying, cycling, playing, dancing, whatever…irrespective of whether you are familiar with the act or not. But the moment, your sister gets hurt, or she starts crying, for no reason of yours, you are the first one to go and wipe her tears. You immediately become upset.
You are such a affectionate little sis to have.
Your biggest achievement this year, apart from breaking your head twice, has been your understanding, when I had to stay away from you for one and half months. I could not handle the separation as good as you two girls. I kept on brooding all through the separation time. Honestly speaking, more than the fact that I missed you, I always had the fear that you would forget me, in my absence, given your level of affection to your father. But, thank god, you atleast remembered me, when I came back.
You are the perfect little sport, when it comes to outing. You enjoy the maximum extent, you can, whenever we go for dinners, or any outings. Even when we recently went to Coorg last month, you and your sister were the center of attraction. Am glad to see you enjoy, and that in itself, wants us to take you out always. You easily socialize with everyone.
All it takes for anybody to get friendly with you is just a chocolate, and you easily go to them. But still, why you never allow me to take your photo is something, I cannot understand.
I am simply awed to realize that my naughty little kid is going to become a pre-schooler from next month. You are so much excited about going to school, and comfortable with your school ambience, that until now, for you, going to school is like going to a play-park, because that is what you have been doing every time, we go to visit your school. I only hope that you don’t keep pinching and biting all the other kids in your school, like you do to your sister.
You are going through so many phase transitions, all so very gradually, that I am not able to realize when my child is slowly becoming a girl… There is so much to say, that a single blog is not enough, for it go for pages together.
As always, we love you more than we loved you last year, and this will be the same every year…..
Loads of love and kisses,
Your mom & dad.
PS: Your dad would have definitely written more than this, if he had the patience to sit in one place and write a blog, and this applies not only for you, but for your sister as well. So, consider these letters as coming from both your parents. Love you darlings.
You are turning two today. Though I am getting tired of saying the same thing again and again, it still remains the fact that you two are growing really fast. Until you came, your sister was supposed to be the naughty brat, but you have proven her wrong. You are the naughtiest kid;
I have ever seen or heard, next to your dad of course. To have your fore-head stitched twice, in a span of three months, is something, which even your dad could not achieve. So, you are the topper in the family, darling. About this year, where do I begin? The moment you became a year old, you got used to staying away from me. Almost immediately after your previous birthday, you went for a vacation to your grandma’s place, for about 10 days, and you didn’t even remember that you had parents. You were having such a nice time there. And the moment, I came to see you after those 10 days, imagine what you did!!! You ran AWAY from me, to my mom. And the moment your dad came, you immediately ran to him. Dad’s girl you are…huh!This is something, which I will never forget. I shall get you at the right time for this, girl!!!
Even as I am writing this, you are pillow-fighting with your father, and it is your sister, who is defending you from your dad, in the fight. It is such a pleasant scene to watch you sisters being paasa-malargal.
How I wish, you two be the same all the time! But, most often than not, you both become rival enemies, literally breaking my head. You keep fighting with your sister, for almost each and every thing she has or does. Only, when you require her assistance, and if your sister is in a good mood, can I witness the paasa-malar scene. You want to do whatever your sister does, be it studying, cycling, playing, dancing, whatever…irrespective of whether you are familiar with the act or not. But the moment, your sister gets hurt, or she starts crying, for no reason of yours, you are the first one to go and wipe her tears. You immediately become upset.
You are such a affectionate little sis to have.Your biggest achievement this year, apart from breaking your head twice, has been your understanding, when I had to stay away from you for one and half months. I could not handle the separation as good as you two girls. I kept on brooding all through the separation time. Honestly speaking, more than the fact that I missed you, I always had the fear that you would forget me, in my absence, given your level of affection to your father. But, thank god, you atleast remembered me, when I came back.
You are the perfect little sport, when it comes to outing. You enjoy the maximum extent, you can, whenever we go for dinners, or any outings. Even when we recently went to Coorg last month, you and your sister were the center of attraction. Am glad to see you enjoy, and that in itself, wants us to take you out always. You easily socialize with everyone.
All it takes for anybody to get friendly with you is just a chocolate, and you easily go to them. But still, why you never allow me to take your photo is something, I cannot understand.I am simply awed to realize that my naughty little kid is going to become a pre-schooler from next month. You are so much excited about going to school, and comfortable with your school ambience, that until now, for you, going to school is like going to a play-park, because that is what you have been doing every time, we go to visit your school. I only hope that you don’t keep pinching and biting all the other kids in your school, like you do to your sister.
You are going through so many phase transitions, all so very gradually, that I am not able to realize when my child is slowly becoming a girl… There is so much to say, that a single blog is not enough, for it go for pages together.
As always, we love you more than we loved you last year, and this will be the same every year…..
Loads of love and kisses,
Your mom & dad.
PS: Your dad would have definitely written more than this, if he had the patience to sit in one place and write a blog, and this applies not only for you, but for your sister as well. So, consider these letters as coming from both your parents. Love you darlings.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
This day...That age...
Yeah,he forgot. As usual! He never remembers this day. Or may be he wants to forget this day.... May be! But this time I have learned enough not to ask him about this day. Every year, like a dumb idiot, it is me who goes to him and asks if he remembers this day...but this year, I didn't. I DID NOT ASK HIM. The temptation was high, though!
Even if I had asked, I know the reply. The conversation would have gone somewhere similar to this...
He: *watching cricket / reading paper / sleeping*
Me: Darling...
He: mmm.....
Me: Daaarllingg......
He: mmmmmmmmm.....
Me: I want to ask you something...
He: mm...
Me: *silent, thinking if should really ask him, in this going-nowhere-conversation*
He: what??
Me: *surprised that he responds*
He: What?
Me: Do you know what day today is?
He: Sunday.
Me: *Irritated. What a brilliant answer! My daughter could tell that.*
He: What about it?
Me: Nothing...so shall we go out?
He: Its 6 already...why bother?
Me: Whatever!!!
Darling, if you still don't remember, just to remind you....last sunday was our "Ponnu Paartha day." - the day we first saw each other...I still remember and am very happy about this event. How about you?
Happy Ponnu Paartha day to me.... (Poor me!)
Paartha nyabagam illayo....
Even if I had asked, I know the reply. The conversation would have gone somewhere similar to this...
He: *watching cricket / reading paper / sleeping*
Me: Darling...
He: mmm.....
Me: Daaarllingg......
He: mmmmmmmmm.....
Me: I want to ask you something...
He: mm...
Me: *silent, thinking if should really ask him, in this going-nowhere-conversation*
He: what??
Me: *surprised that he responds*
He: What?
Me: Do you know what day today is?
He: Sunday.
Me: *Irritated. What a brilliant answer! My daughter could tell that.*
He: What about it?
Me: Nothing...so shall we go out?
He: Its 6 already...why bother?
Me: Whatever!!!
Darling, if you still don't remember, just to remind you....last sunday was our "Ponnu Paartha day." - the day we first saw each other...I still remember and am very happy about this event. How about you?
Happy Ponnu Paartha day to me.... (Poor me!)
Paartha nyabagam illayo....
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
The institution called Marriage
Why can't I have my life the way I want it to be? Why do I need to be the one who always has to adjust to everything and everyone - right from nandu-sundu to all the olds and golds? (Even the husband - for that matter) Why can't others compromise for my sake atleast once in a while? Why does getting married means compromises only from the daughter-in-law? Why do we have to give up all our past desires and become a adjust-o-meter for other's sake? Why should I be the one who has to give-up and talk first, for his sake, for her sake, for their sake....whatever.... Who cares about 'my sake'????
Marriage is not always the bed of roses, I agree...and am experiencing this too... (for the first time in 6 years)
Marriage is not always the bed of roses, I agree...and am experiencing this too... (for the first time in 6 years)
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Happy 4th...
Time is really running very fast, dear. Its already your 4th birthday. My baby is slowly becoming a girl. In the past year, you have been a combination of all that a mom could possibly ask for – 
the cute girl, naughty, mischievous, impossible, arrogant, funny, affectionate sister, and what not! You have been your sister’s best friend and worst enemy.
In the past year, you have faced a lot of hardships from your little sister, especially during the past 6 months. She is literally using you as a punching bag, whenever she is angry, happy, sad, irritated or whatever. You gracefully accept all her pinches, and come crying to me.
Even in such a situation, you never beat her. The maximum you can do is not give her the things she asks for, which again leads to more fights. But never once, have you attacked back. Is it because, you have a soft corner for your sister, amidst all the fights, or you are not that way? I don’t know, but still, I love you for this too. The sibling rivalry between you two is reaching its peaks, obviously breaking my nerves, at every instance possible. In good times, when both of you are in the same room and still the house is very silent, I can understand that you two kootu kalavaanis are upto something. Its either this way or that. As the tamil proverb goes “Vecha kodumi saracha mottai”. On the whole, you both can never let me be in peace.
In the past year, you have come to know what feelings are. You get really hurt, when I say that I won’t talk to you, or when I remotely say something like “get lost!” You tell me not to tell you things like that. I am learning from you, but still, the joy I get, when you care that I won’t talk to you…its bliss, I tell you.
Your biggest achievement this year has been your maturity level in handling the absence of your mom for six weeks, when I had to travel abroad. You fully understood the situation and never once gave trouble to your father in my absence, and yet you missed me like never before. Ever since my return, you are glued to me all the time when I am in home. I can realize how much you have missed me, my darling. I know how hard it would have been for you, yet you managed wonderfully. I promise you that I shall never again put you in such a situation. Never, ever!
Academics – you are getting better all the time, and even in your current school, you have become the teacher’s pet. You are becoming a good artist, you color very well.
You gave a couple of stage performances too. You were also given a special invite for your previous play school’s annual day, taking into consideration, the extraordinary performance which you gave last year.
Dear, just to remind you again, you have become 4 now. Can you please stop that stupid habit of stuffing cloth in your mouth while sleeping, and also, can you start drinking milk by the cup. I would be very glad if you do so.
There are so many more things, which I want to write about, just that I am not able to phrase them. As always, love you more and more and more.
Can you believe, you have grown from here …..
To here….
Happy 4th birthday darling.
Loads of love and kisses,
Your mom
the cute girl, naughty, mischievous, impossible, arrogant, funny, affectionate sister, and what not! You have been your sister’s best friend and worst enemy.In the past year, you have faced a lot of hardships from your little sister, especially during the past 6 months. She is literally using you as a punching bag, whenever she is angry, happy, sad, irritated or whatever. You gracefully accept all her pinches, and come crying to me.
Even in such a situation, you never beat her. The maximum you can do is not give her the things she asks for, which again leads to more fights. But never once, have you attacked back. Is it because, you have a soft corner for your sister, amidst all the fights, or you are not that way? I don’t know, but still, I love you for this too. The sibling rivalry between you two is reaching its peaks, obviously breaking my nerves, at every instance possible. In good times, when both of you are in the same room and still the house is very silent, I can understand that you two kootu kalavaanis are upto something. Its either this way or that. As the tamil proverb goes “Vecha kodumi saracha mottai”. On the whole, you both can never let me be in peace. In the past year, you have come to know what feelings are. You get really hurt, when I say that I won’t talk to you, or when I remotely say something like “get lost!” You tell me not to tell you things like that. I am learning from you, but still, the joy I get, when you care that I won’t talk to you…its bliss, I tell you.
Your biggest achievement this year has been your maturity level in handling the absence of your mom for six weeks, when I had to travel abroad. You fully understood the situation and never once gave trouble to your father in my absence, and yet you missed me like never before. Ever since my return, you are glued to me all the time when I am in home. I can realize how much you have missed me, my darling. I know how hard it would have been for you, yet you managed wonderfully. I promise you that I shall never again put you in such a situation. Never, ever!
Academics – you are getting better all the time, and even in your current school, you have become the teacher’s pet. You are becoming a good artist, you color very well.
You gave a couple of stage performances too. You were also given a special invite for your previous play school’s annual day, taking into consideration, the extraordinary performance which you gave last year.
Dear, just to remind you again, you have become 4 now. Can you please stop that stupid habit of stuffing cloth in your mouth while sleeping, and also, can you start drinking milk by the cup. I would be very glad if you do so.
There are so many more things, which I want to write about, just that I am not able to phrase them. As always, love you more and more and more.
Can you believe, you have grown from here …..
To here….
Happy 4th birthday darling.
Loads of love and kisses,
Your mom
Saturday, February 19, 2011
The writer in me...
Well, the only thing which keeps me sane during my tiring 1.5 hour journey to office is reading books. Somehow, I have a passion for books (read as ‘addiction’). The moment I start reading one, I am hooked to it. Now, this time, it is “2 States” – by Chetan Bhagat. Another love story, which is too too good. Yes, it is about how his own love story which ended up in love marriage. What’s with all these guys writing their love stories as books? It’s good to read them, nevertheless. If I had had my way, and if I were single, I would have got down at Nungambakkam station, sat in the chair near the steps, completed this book and then left for my home. However, I have two kids and a poor husband who doesn’t sleep unless he watches his wife have dinner, even if the wife comes home at 11 in the night. So, I was able to complete this book only today, after two days.
Ok, coming back to the point. How I wish, I could end up reading my own story in a book. Well, expecting my guy to read a book (let alone write) is like expecting me to drive a bullet. The only way for me read my story in a book is for me to write it. So, now, I have developed this very strange desire to write books. Yes, I WANT TO BECOME A WRITER. There, I have declared it aloud.
Somewhere, along the story of this book, he – the author says to his lover, that he wants to become a writer some day and inspire his Indian readers. I think, he has achieved that, at least in my case, unaware of the terrible consequences. I am definitely inspired by him to start writing. Someday, in the future, if I become a writer, and if I am bad, Chetan Bhagat is to be blamed, not me. The credit, of course comes to me.
Even as I express my desire to write a book, I think I know exactly how many readers I will have. Number one, my poor friend, upon whom I can very happily force this book for the sole purpose of torturing him and number two, my guy, for whom I shall write the book, if at all he decides to read. But somehow, I still cannot imagine my hubby reading a book, even if it is written by me. “Why bother to read, when I already know what happened” would be his instant reply. My blogs, yes, he can manage to read, because he doesn’t lie to me and he has to give me a positive reply, when I ask him if he read my blog. But a book, I am really not sure.
When I was blabbering to husband about my so-called desire to write a book, he was trying to listen, or so I believe, and at the same time, switching channels in TV. (What would these guys do if cricket was not invented? Or TV, for that matter) When, finally, there was a commercial break in almost all the channels, he fully realized my intentions and brought me back to my senses, saying that writing a book may be in my hands, but definitely not publishing the book. This was not some stupid blog site, which I can open for free and start scribbling things. That the publishers should be ready to accept and publish my work, if at all, I get to write any, that is. He's got a point there, I guess.
This is not some stupid new year resolution, which I can conveniently forget after Jan 1st week, but a desire deep from the heart. I need to work out the possibilities and see what needs to be done to publish a book. And then start writing. But since there is nothing much, I can do about it for the time being, I use my “Blame him for everything” strategy and tell him that he is not encouraging enough, doesn’t take any initiative for his wife becoming a writer, and blah…blah…blah…
For now, all I can do is to post my future intentions in this blog, and do nothing else about it.
P.S: Readers, be aware that you are reading the blog of the author of upcoming India’s No.1 Bestseller book. So, all those who post comments here, will definitely get free signed copies of my book, when it gets published. Don’t miss it!!!
Ok, coming back to the point. How I wish, I could end up reading my own story in a book. Well, expecting my guy to read a book (let alone write) is like expecting me to drive a bullet. The only way for me read my story in a book is for me to write it. So, now, I have developed this very strange desire to write books. Yes, I WANT TO BECOME A WRITER. There, I have declared it aloud.
Somewhere, along the story of this book, he – the author says to his lover, that he wants to become a writer some day and inspire his Indian readers. I think, he has achieved that, at least in my case, unaware of the terrible consequences. I am definitely inspired by him to start writing. Someday, in the future, if I become a writer, and if I am bad, Chetan Bhagat is to be blamed, not me. The credit, of course comes to me.
Even as I express my desire to write a book, I think I know exactly how many readers I will have. Number one, my poor friend, upon whom I can very happily force this book for the sole purpose of torturing him and number two, my guy, for whom I shall write the book, if at all he decides to read. But somehow, I still cannot imagine my hubby reading a book, even if it is written by me. “Why bother to read, when I already know what happened” would be his instant reply. My blogs, yes, he can manage to read, because he doesn’t lie to me and he has to give me a positive reply, when I ask him if he read my blog. But a book, I am really not sure.
When I was blabbering to husband about my so-called desire to write a book, he was trying to listen, or so I believe, and at the same time, switching channels in TV. (What would these guys do if cricket was not invented? Or TV, for that matter) When, finally, there was a commercial break in almost all the channels, he fully realized my intentions and brought me back to my senses, saying that writing a book may be in my hands, but definitely not publishing the book. This was not some stupid blog site, which I can open for free and start scribbling things. That the publishers should be ready to accept and publish my work, if at all, I get to write any, that is. He's got a point there, I guess.
This is not some stupid new year resolution, which I can conveniently forget after Jan 1st week, but a desire deep from the heart. I need to work out the possibilities and see what needs to be done to publish a book. And then start writing. But since there is nothing much, I can do about it for the time being, I use my “Blame him for everything” strategy and tell him that he is not encouraging enough, doesn’t take any initiative for his wife becoming a writer, and blah…blah…blah…
For now, all I can do is to post my future intentions in this blog, and do nothing else about it.
P.S: Readers, be aware that you are reading the blog of the author of upcoming India’s No.1 Bestseller book. So, all those who post comments here, will definitely get free signed copies of my book, when it gets published. Don’t miss it!!!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Sweet Nothings...
Arranged and then Loved...that was our marriage...
Our marriage was arranged and we had a nice 6 months before our marriage….to begin our love journey together…
At the end of those six months nobody would have believed ours to be an arranged marriage even if we had done a “karporoam adichi sathiyam”.
First only his parents came to see me and the “Mr.Handsome” was to meet me only after his parents approved of me… So on my first meeting with my would-be-in-laws, I told them that I cannot decide to marry their son until I talk to him, because I am a person who will talk only when spoken to. So I wanted my husband to be a talkative person …atleast to me… My parents went “WhoooooaaaA????” at my attempted 'thimuru' .
So, dutifully, my would-be FIL called me the next day morning at 7:00 AM and said that I can talk to his son (Mr. Handsome). So courteous was my to-be husband that he shouted over the phone to his father “Ennala pesa mudiyaadhu.... po paa....Yaara kettu...."(we can exclude the rest of the dialogue for obvious reasons). How sweet!
But reluctantly he started talking and from that minute there was no going back….Even in our first call, we, sorry, HE spoke about his likes, dislikes, etc., etc …He even told me that his father used to shout at him and his friends comparing them to the kutti suvaru in the movie "Thulli thirindha kaalam" and we were talking for about 45 mins (till 7:45). I so very liked this guy that I didn’t even notice that it was getting late for my office until he reminded me of it. (Love at first voice.. I suppose)
The week after he came to see me, and the week after, he got a mobile number for himself and a new mobile for me too with a corporate connection. (My first gift from him, which I conveniently lost in pallavan transport, 2 years later.)
There was not a weekend till our marriage when we didn’t see each other and not a day when we didn’t talk for atleast one hour together. (All the sweet nothings which I doubt he remembers now)..and not a movie released which we didn’t see together.
We got married on 05 Sep 2005, and not once till this date, have I doubted my decision of marrying this man….and I know that I never will. It was this guy who gave me the special gift of “being loved by someone you love”
Some 2 years back I had to go to S’gpore officially for 10 day training and since I was pregnant 2nd time, my darling hubby didn’t want to leave me alone and so he gave up his business and joined me for 10 days. It so happened that we wanted to buy things for everybody and since I am a shop-alcoholic, we spent every single dollar we had for buying gifts for others and we both didn’t buy any single thing for ourselves, since we had only enough money to come back to India. So we came back and I am distributing gifts to everyone in the family and suddenly I find one box, which I did not buy. I open it to check whose gift it is and find one beautiful stone and pearl set in it. I look at my hubby and he looks at me and smiles back. All these years I was brooding over my husband's lack of giving surprises and here this man has bought something for me without me ever knowing it. That moment I was at a loss for words. Finally, my constant bickering had borne some fruit.
So, love means...constantly torturing your husband to give you surprises, even though you will sound pathetic and your husband asking you as to what surprise you want, which will sound even more pathetic!!! But still, I am glad that I ask, and I am very very glad that he listens!!!
Happy Valentine's day!!!
Our marriage was arranged and we had a nice 6 months before our marriage….to begin our love journey together…
At the end of those six months nobody would have believed ours to be an arranged marriage even if we had done a “karporoam adichi sathiyam”.
First only his parents came to see me and the “Mr.Handsome” was to meet me only after his parents approved of me… So on my first meeting with my would-be-in-laws, I told them that I cannot decide to marry their son until I talk to him, because I am a person who will talk only when spoken to. So I wanted my husband to be a talkative person …atleast to me… My parents went “WhoooooaaaA????” at my attempted 'thimuru' .
So, dutifully, my would-be FIL called me the next day morning at 7:00 AM and said that I can talk to his son (Mr. Handsome). So courteous was my to-be husband that he shouted over the phone to his father “Ennala pesa mudiyaadhu.... po paa....Yaara kettu...."(we can exclude the rest of the dialogue for obvious reasons). How sweet!
But reluctantly he started talking and from that minute there was no going back….Even in our first call, we, sorry, HE spoke about his likes, dislikes, etc., etc …He even told me that his father used to shout at him and his friends comparing them to the kutti suvaru in the movie "Thulli thirindha kaalam" and we were talking for about 45 mins (till 7:45). I so very liked this guy that I didn’t even notice that it was getting late for my office until he reminded me of it. (Love at first voice.. I suppose)
The week after he came to see me, and the week after, he got a mobile number for himself and a new mobile for me too with a corporate connection. (My first gift from him, which I conveniently lost in pallavan transport, 2 years later.)
There was not a weekend till our marriage when we didn’t see each other and not a day when we didn’t talk for atleast one hour together. (All the sweet nothings which I doubt he remembers now)..and not a movie released which we didn’t see together.
We got married on 05 Sep 2005, and not once till this date, have I doubted my decision of marrying this man….and I know that I never will. It was this guy who gave me the special gift of “being loved by someone you love”
Some 2 years back I had to go to S’gpore officially for 10 day training and since I was pregnant 2nd time, my darling hubby didn’t want to leave me alone and so he gave up his business and joined me for 10 days. It so happened that we wanted to buy things for everybody and since I am a shop-alcoholic, we spent every single dollar we had for buying gifts for others and we both didn’t buy any single thing for ourselves, since we had only enough money to come back to India. So we came back and I am distributing gifts to everyone in the family and suddenly I find one box, which I did not buy. I open it to check whose gift it is and find one beautiful stone and pearl set in it. I look at my hubby and he looks at me and smiles back. All these years I was brooding over my husband's lack of giving surprises and here this man has bought something for me without me ever knowing it. That moment I was at a loss for words. Finally, my constant bickering had borne some fruit.
So, love means...constantly torturing your husband to give you surprises, even though you will sound pathetic and your husband asking you as to what surprise you want, which will sound even more pathetic!!! But still, I am glad that I ask, and I am very very glad that he listens!!!
Happy Valentine's day!!!
Monday, January 31, 2011
What women want?
I read the below content in a book named “34 Bubblegums and Candies” and couldn’t resist posting this in my blog. So all women, enjoy reading this and all men, atleast try to understand women from now on….
Dear husband/boy-friend/current man in my life,
When we see you at the end of the day, and say, “I have had a really hard day today”, just hold us and give us a hug instead of asking “Oh, really, what happened?”
Sometimes, we don’t want you to make things right, we just need a hug.
When we ask you if that gorgeous, slimmer lady is more attractive than us, please say. “Yes, but I’m sure she isn’t as great a wife/mother as you are.”
Sometimes, we just want to be assured that we still matter.
When we ask you if we look fat in an outfit, please say, “It suits you well.” If it really looks horrible, please say, “I think you will look better in that other outfit.”
Sometimes, we just need a little straight talk.
When we ask you if you mind taking us out, even though there is a cricket match on TV, please be honest and fix a time when it will not interfere with your match watching. Taking us out and glancing at your watch every five minutes, makes us feel guilty.
Sometimes, we appreciate honesty too!
When we ask you if miss us when you go on those outstation trips, please lie a bit and say that you cannot wait to get back home, even if you are having a great time, at a five star hotel paid for by the company.
Sometimes, we need to hear a bit of lie too!
When we tell you that another guy seems nice, we aren’t thinking of getting into bed with him. We are probably thinking that he would make a nice husband for that single girl-friend of ours. We are NOT mentally comparing you.
Sometimes, atleast sometimes, don’t doubt our intentions.
When you are driving us back home after a nice dinner at a restaurant and we ask you, “Do you want to stop for coffee?” please say yes, even if you really do not want coffee, because it means we are asking as we want to stop!
Sometimes, we like you to mind-read too!
When we sometimes complain to you about our problems, please do NOT give us solutions.
Sometimes, we just want you to listen and be sympathetic.
With love,
The woman in your life.
PS: To the husband in my life, when you asked me why I am posting this as a blog when I have already read it, because I am sure that you can never read a book in your life, and putting it in a blog was the only way, I could make you read this. Hope you understand me:-)
Dear husband/boy-friend/current man in my life,
When we see you at the end of the day, and say, “I have had a really hard day today”, just hold us and give us a hug instead of asking “Oh, really, what happened?”
Sometimes, we don’t want you to make things right, we just need a hug.
When we ask you if that gorgeous, slimmer lady is more attractive than us, please say. “Yes, but I’m sure she isn’t as great a wife/mother as you are.”
Sometimes, we just want to be assured that we still matter.
When we ask you if we look fat in an outfit, please say, “It suits you well.” If it really looks horrible, please say, “I think you will look better in that other outfit.”
Sometimes, we just need a little straight talk.
When we ask you if you mind taking us out, even though there is a cricket match on TV, please be honest and fix a time when it will not interfere with your match watching. Taking us out and glancing at your watch every five minutes, makes us feel guilty.
Sometimes, we appreciate honesty too!
When we ask you if miss us when you go on those outstation trips, please lie a bit and say that you cannot wait to get back home, even if you are having a great time, at a five star hotel paid for by the company.
Sometimes, we need to hear a bit of lie too!
When we tell you that another guy seems nice, we aren’t thinking of getting into bed with him. We are probably thinking that he would make a nice husband for that single girl-friend of ours. We are NOT mentally comparing you.
Sometimes, atleast sometimes, don’t doubt our intentions.
When you are driving us back home after a nice dinner at a restaurant and we ask you, “Do you want to stop for coffee?” please say yes, even if you really do not want coffee, because it means we are asking as we want to stop!
Sometimes, we like you to mind-read too!
When we sometimes complain to you about our problems, please do NOT give us solutions.
Sometimes, we just want you to listen and be sympathetic.
With love,
The woman in your life.
PS: To the husband in my life, when you asked me why I am posting this as a blog when I have already read it, because I am sure that you can never read a book in your life, and putting it in a blog was the only way, I could make you read this. Hope you understand me:-)
Friday, January 14, 2011
Work-life balance
No work-life balance...Its becoming more work and no personal life. Its high time I took a step towards this...
Sigh!!!!!!!!
Sigh!!!!!!!!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Jan 1st week
The first day of the new year went well, with us going to the Muruga temple and my daughters fighting the hell on our way back home, followed by a family dinner in the evening. Me and my hubby have never really objected to having veg food in a non-veg restaurant, and so we selected this one restaurant in Anna Nagar, which we visit frequently. But, on that day, there were chicken pieces in the tomato soup which we ordered for my daughter. And I found those only after half bowl was over. I still wouldn't have known them to be chicken pieces, if there were no bones along with them. And Swathi strictly refused to return the bowl to the waiter, because she wanted to complete the soup. This soup and today of all the days! May be she liked the taste, who knows!
The past one week has flown very fast, with me travelling to MEPZ for my work. I really don't understand why, everytime I change my office due to the distance criteria, my project, only my project gets changed to the division which is farthest from my house. Sick! But, I have grown used to all this. The train journeys everyday till Tambaram, only reminds me of my college days. Except that, travelling by train during college days used to be fun and we used to return in the non-peak hours, so we would have place to sit. Officially, work is getting very challenging, apart from the 4 hour journey to and from office.
Personally, well, my hubby has taken the resolution which I have wanted him to take since our marriage. Even now, it was not his own will, but I forced him to take that resolution. Hope this doesn't break. Smruthi has received her mark sheet and madam has received excellent grades in almost all her areas. And she is becoming very good in drawing and coloring. Swathi has also improved in many areas, like screaming on top of her voice when Smruthi is about to take something which is not even hers, getting angry and throwing the plate for not getting sugar for her dosa, and stuff like that. Apart from these two, now life is getting difficult, because I have to manage my other child also. My hubby is getting worried that I don't return early from office. and I am bringing my office work to home as well. But he doesn't know (as of now) that I am typing this blog, when he is happily sleeping thinking that I am doing my office work. How can I concentrate on my flowchart when I am sitting in the middle of two people who are sleeping like logs on either side of me?
So, the first thing I plan to do after posting this blog is back to sleep. Office work?? As my friend says...'naan office velaya office-lie seiya maaten...idhula veetla veraya?'
The past one week has flown very fast, with me travelling to MEPZ for my work. I really don't understand why, everytime I change my office due to the distance criteria, my project, only my project gets changed to the division which is farthest from my house. Sick! But, I have grown used to all this. The train journeys everyday till Tambaram, only reminds me of my college days. Except that, travelling by train during college days used to be fun and we used to return in the non-peak hours, so we would have place to sit. Officially, work is getting very challenging, apart from the 4 hour journey to and from office.
Personally, well, my hubby has taken the resolution which I have wanted him to take since our marriage. Even now, it was not his own will, but I forced him to take that resolution. Hope this doesn't break. Smruthi has received her mark sheet and madam has received excellent grades in almost all her areas. And she is becoming very good in drawing and coloring. Swathi has also improved in many areas, like screaming on top of her voice when Smruthi is about to take something which is not even hers, getting angry and throwing the plate for not getting sugar for her dosa, and stuff like that. Apart from these two, now life is getting difficult, because I have to manage my other child also. My hubby is getting worried that I don't return early from office. and I am bringing my office work to home as well. But he doesn't know (as of now) that I am typing this blog, when he is happily sleeping thinking that I am doing my office work. How can I concentrate on my flowchart when I am sitting in the middle of two people who are sleeping like logs on either side of me?
So, the first thing I plan to do after posting this blog is back to sleep. Office work?? As my friend says...'naan office velaya office-lie seiya maaten...idhula veetla veraya?'
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