kidzone

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Bye…bye…aeroplane

Last year I had to go to S’gpore officially for a 10 day training and my daughter was less than 2 years. My hubby decided to join me since I was in my 6th month of my second pregnancy. Since I was given only 3 days notice, I couldn’t arrange for a passport for Smruthi. We thought 10 days was a long time and were not sure if she would manage without us, especially me. So, we decided to drop her off at my parent’s place where she had my sister’s kids for her company. (She usually forgets me when she is with them)

In the airport, I was all tears to leave my baby for 10 whole days, but this little angel was more interested in the bhoondi packet which my mother had rather than saying Bye to me. I was telling her that I will not be there for 10 days and she had to be a good kid with her paati, all she said was “U go fast, I have to eat my bhoondi”. What a loving child!!

And now, for the past ten days or so, whenever she sees an aeroplane, she says

“Amma….adho paaru aeroplane….neeyum appavum enna vittutu poneengale….andha aeroplane…”

(Pls note that the stress was more on the “enna vittutu poniye” part than the aeroplane)

I tell you, this girl exists solely to make me feel guilty…

Monday, March 29, 2010

Confessions of a IT professional....

BE – ECE – 2004 Pass out. Fresher.

8 months of severe job-hunting in the IT field. Finally, joined for apprenticeship in Bharat Electronics. Returned from the induction programme. Another interview call from yet another IT company. Last hope. If I get this job, it would be great. Else, 1 yr of apprenticeship with Rs 1800 pm stifend .
Took up the interview. “We’ll get back to you later”. (English-la enakku pudikaadha 6 vaarthai) I told them that I had another offer with me and I had only one day time to join the other company. (Didn’t tell them it was non-IT though) Reached home with the assurance that I would know the result by next day. Sitting near the phone next day – eagerly waiting for the call. Finally the call came. Didn’t want to sound very desperate. So picked up the phone in the second ring only.

“Hello”
“Yaaru ma pesardhu? Kicha ponna? Ennama kondhe sowkiyama?”
“Adacha…..amma unakku yaaro phone” (seekiram pesittu vai)

Finally the HR called. “Can you come for the next round of interview by 4:30 in our Tidel Park office?” I see the time, it was 3:30. I analysed the possibility. Oops, I had to take bath also. I told him I will be there by 5. My father took me to Tidel Park. Tidel Park – the then BIG DREAM of all freshers. Took up my second round also and was told to wait in the reception. I was gathering all the will power left to hear the same “We’ll get back to you later” and join the apprenticeship the next day. The HR again called me inside. (Y can’t he say tht dialogue in the reception itself?)

“Good job! You came up so confidently (Yeah?) Here is ur offer letter. Pls read and sign both the copies”

BOOM! I got a heart attack. I was not at all prepared for this. Though I was most eager to get a job, the prospect of getting an offer letter so unexpectedly was more than I could take. I was literally blabbering and went to the reception to show the offer letter to my waiting father. His reaction was priceless.

First Day in my first job: I wear my new dress (the autograph dress in white salwar and maroon dupatta) and was waiting in the reception. While I was waiting I watch everyone entering the office using swipe cards. Will they give such a card to new joinees also? Or should I expect someone to open the door for me everytime I need to move from one section to another? No, logically speaking, they must be giving one card to the new joinees also. So, I will also get one, I think. Oh My GOD! If they give me one, what would I do? I don’t know how to use it. Wouldn’t I look stupid if I ask them how to use this? What if they de-grade me based on my stupid question? No, I shouldn’t ask this to anyone. So, I watch everyone to understand the working of these cards. Should I show the front side of the card to the detector or the back side? How will I know which one is front and which one is back? Should I show the ID card first or should I show the white color card first? Oh God, what am I going to do? First day itself so many problems. But I understood one point. Whenever the light in the detector turns green, the people were able to open the door.

As I was pondering over these, my TL came and took me inside. (Again, I watched how he was swiping his card) He made me sit in a place and asked me if I’m comfortable with that place. “Very much” I told him. (If I had known any better, I would have told him No at that time itself. It was placed in the highway. Everyone who was moving from anywhere to anywhere had to cross my place only and so, everyone can see what I’m doing or what I’m browsing.)

The admin people came to my desk and fixed my computer. I don’t know what I was thinking, but I was expecting someone else also to share my computer. ( I was never used to one-to-one computers. Courtesy – college labs) And when the support guy told me that he has fixed my system and gave me the user name and password, I was literally blinking at him. And then I had one phone with zero dialing all for myself. I was not even given time to adjust to these when the admin called my desk number. I was not sure if the call was for me. After looking around so many times and since there was no one else to pick up the phone, I picked it up and said “hello”, “Hi, this is ur ext number. The bank people have come to open ur account”. Me? Having an extension number? Tht too with zero dialing? Aiyoo, ennala thaanga mudiyaliye….

After finishing the bank formalities, the bank guy gave me one pouch saying “This is ur new account kit madam. It contains ur cheque book, debit card and…” bla bla bla… After the cheque book and debit card, I didn’t hear anything. It was all too good to be true. Pudhu vela….pudhu account…pudhu debit card-u…kalakara gayathri…..tht too all in one day was more than I could digest.

Now after serving 5 + years in the same field, all these old memories brings back a smile to my lips and I cant’ stop thinking about myself “Naa ivlo appaviya irundhirukenaa??” (Ok, ok, I can hear you guys saying “nee ivlo periya alpama-nu”, but still that’s the way I am and I love myself for what I am)

Friday, March 26, 2010

Happy Ponnu Paatha Day!!!

Congratulations sweetheart….it was on this day five years before that we first met…I am so lucky to get you as my wife…..Here’s ur gift…..

Naan kaanbadhu enna kanava…illa nanava…..I pinch myself and OUCH…..kanavu dhan….

My dream is disturbed and I wake up to find my darling still sound asleep. Some choice words come to my thought, but I refrain myself from saying them to him, since this is supposed to be a special day. Having known him for five years, I don’t expect anything and I continue my routine. (For those of you who continue reading thinking that there IS some surprise gift for me…..pls don’t. There is absolutely nothing at all and that is the reason why this blog is written in the first place)

Every year for the past five years, I try to control myself from asking him “You know what day today is?”, but No, I simply can’t. I never learn – do I? The moment I ask this question, only the moment I ask this question, he remembers. (Thank God, he remembers atleast then…) He has a readymade excuse– “I was just checking whether u remember” – as if he remembered. He knows to hell that I will not forget even the teeny meeny things which we spoke before marriage – let alone these dates.

Y are guys like this?? I don’t understand. I simply don’t understand. It beats me how my husband loves to get surprises from me, but it just doesn’t strike him to give me one is something beyond my understanding. And then there is the very fact that I TELL him that I too love suprises every time I give him his gift. Poor me!

There are times when I get most irritated and I feel like not giving him any gift – (leave out surprises), but always in the last minute, I go and buy something for him. Why? Simple. I love him. To hell with this love. I can’t even maintain my resolution. But, even he loves me. Then why? It was all so romantic when the first time he answered “I myself am a big gift for you, then y another gift?”, but every year…same dialogue – man! Give me a break. I NEED A SURPRISE. There! I’ve said it aloud. At least change the dialogue and say something romantic.

How did I – who live for surprises land up with someone like this from the opposite pole? Opposite poles attract – they say, and of course we are attracted to each other…but darling, don’t u think it would be even more attractive if there are some surprises?

PS: Dear….surprise or no surprise…gifts or no gifts…I will always love u…and I am very very glad that this day happened in my life five years ago….Happy ponnu paatha day!

PPS: But I will still never say no to a belated gift either…so plan something fast so that I can post my next blog. Love u always.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

krikettu....krikettu....krikettu...

How can men blame women for watching mega-serials when they can eat cricket, drink cricket and sleep cricket? No, I am not against cricket. Even I watch cricket – or rather I used to watch cricket (before my marriage that is) and I like the thrill and excitement, but there could be no one who can watch this game like my husband. (Dear, this is NOT a compliment)

He becomes totally deaf and dumb while watching cricket or reading cricket news. Even I become deaf and dumb when it comes to Harry Potter or Sidney Sheldon, but even when I am deaf and dumb, I can realize if my daughter is curling around my legs wanting me to carry her.

My daughter has the habit of watching rhymes cd while she is eating. I find this comfortable since I can feed her in one place. But nowadays, thanks to IPL, he expects my daughter to finish her dinner either before he comes home or have her dinner without the cd. But u know, like father – like daughter. She is competing with him. She refuses to change to the TV mode even after her dinner is over.

The other day I was discussing something very important to him, while he is channel-surfing, and nodding his head…At one point, he gave a huge exclamation – Ooooooohhhhhh!!. I was like…edhukku ippadi oru reaction and I turn towards the TV….the team has missed a catch. Who am I talking to? The walls?

Last weekend, I needed a break. Since my elder daughter was staying a relative’s house with my in-laws, I decided to ask him out for dinner. I didn’t want to cook since it was only the two of us. We went to the restaurant and he lovingly gives me a seat saying that it will be comfortable for me to feed Swathi, and seated himself opposite to me. It took me only 2 minutes to realize that he was not seated opposite to me, but he was seated opposite to the TV set in the restaurant DAMN this cricket.

U can totally trust my husband to take care of the house and go out while he is watching cricket. Even if a thief enters the house through the front door, robs the entire house and leaves the house after saying “Bye” to him, he will not bother to say a return Bye.

I agree….a guy needs some entertainment after his long and tiring office hours…but shouldn’t there be some limit? Sigh!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Red Rose...

Each year he sent her roses,
and the note would always say,
I love you even more this year,
than last year on this day.
My love for you will always grow,
with every passing year."

She knew this was the last time
that the roses would appear.
She thought, he ordered roses
in advance before this day.
Her loving husband did not know,
that he would pass away.

He always liked to do things early,
way before the time.
Then, if he got too busy,
everything would work out fine.

She trimmed the stems and
placed them in a very special vase.
Then, sat the vase beside
the portrait of his smiling face.

She would sit for hours,
In her husband's favorite chair.
While staring at his picture,
and the roses sitting there.

A year went by, and it was
to live without her mate.
With loneliness and solitude,
that had become her fate.

Then, the very hour,
The doorbell rang, and there
were roses sitting by her door.

She brought the roses in,
and then just looked at them in shock.
Then, went to get the telephone,
to call the florist shop.

The owner answered, and she asked him,
if he would explain, Why would someone would
do this to her, causing her such pain?

"I know your husband passed away,
more than a year ago,"
The owner said,
"I knew you'd call, and you would want to know.
The flowers you received today,
were paid for in advance.
Your husband always planned ahead,
he left nothing to chance.
There is a standing order,
that I have on file down here,
And he has paid, well in advance,
you'll get them every year.

There also is another thing,
that I think you should know,
He wrote a special little card...he did this years ago.
Then, should ever I find out that he's no longer here, that's the card that should be sent to you
the following year."

She thanked him and hung up the phone, her tears now flowing hard.
Her fingers shaking,
as she slowly reached to get the card.

Inside the card, she saw that he had written her a note.
Then, as she stared in total silence,
this is what he wrote...

"Hello my love, I know it's been a year
since I've been gone.
I hope it hasn't been too hard for you to overcome.
I know it must be lonely,
and the pain is very real.

Or if it was the other way,
I know how I would feel.
The love we shared made everything
so beautiful in life.
I loved you more than words can say,
you were the perfect wife.
You were my friend and lover,
you fulfilled my every need.
I know it's only been a year,
but please try not to grieve.

I want you to be happy,
even when you shed your tears.
That is why the roses will be sent to you for years.
When you get these roses,
think of all the happiness that we had together,
and how both of us were blessed.
I have always loved you and
I know I always will.
But, my love, you must go on,
you have some living still.

Please...try to find happiness,
while living out your days.
I know it is not easy,
but I hope you find some ways.

The roses will come every year,
and they will only stop,
When your door's not answered,
when the florist stops to knock.
He will come five times that day,
in case you have gone out.
But after his last visit,
he will know without a doubt!
To take the roses to the place,
where I've instructed him
and place the roses where we are,
together once again.

Sometimes in life, you find a special friend;
Someone who changes your life
just by being part of it.
Someone who makes you laugh
until you can't stop;
Someone who makes you believe
that there really is good in the world.
Someone who convinces you
that there really is an unlocked door
just waiting for you to open it.

This is Forever Friendship.
This is the sacred RED ROSE.

Friday, March 19, 2010

My Kids Diary

I’ve heard many people say that you should not compare your kids, especially siblings. But I find myself doing that very often. I am not analyzing which is good or bad, but just comparing. You just cannot stop doing that between your kids – especially when both are of the same sex – that too girls. So ketkave venam. Whoever said – sisters will be similar, here are the similarities between my daughters

First kid – She turned over at the end of the fifth month
Second kid – She turned over at the beginning of her fourth month itself.

First – She started walking without support 2 days before her first birthday
Second – She can stand without support now in her 10th month

First – She developed two bunny teeth before her first birthday
Second – She has 2 lower teeth and 4 teeth are sprouting in her upper jaw now

First – She grasped everything very fast
Second – She grasps everything – if not very fast, atleast fast

First – She got accustomed in my parent’s home by 10 months
Second – She is still not comfortable with my parents.

First – Amma ponnu
Second – Appa ponnu

First – Her hair is silky
Second – Her hair is rough

First – She started getting angry for certain things only after her 2nd birthday
Second – She gets angry for everything now itself

First – She started breaking my head after her 2nd birthday
Second – She has started breaking my head before her 1st birthday

Similarties:

First – She wants ONLY the things which her sister has
Second - She wants ONLY the things which her sister has