English, Tulu, Marathi, Hindi are the languages Aisha speaks & understands........
English....well me & manish and my mom & dad converse with her in english
Tulu.....is the native language of my husband's family & the language my in-laws converse with her in
Marathi....is the language the maid communicates with her in
Hindi....well considering that we do communicate with each other a little at home she did pick up a little...also the Ads....especially the, "Bunty......tera sabun slow hain kya" which Aisha would happily repeat everytime she saw the ad. But, of late a cartoon series titled "DORAEMON" has caught Aisha's interest & has been the Hindi tutor.
One evening, she picked her dad's helmet & asked,"yeh kiska size hain?.....yeh bacchon ka liye hain? "
Manish & me were zapped!
Another day, watching her go down on her knees with hands joined pleading, "mujhe maaf karon" had us tickled big time. It seems the character Nobita who errs almost all the time uses this line when he's pleading for help from his saviour Doraemon. :-)
Well, I am a Mommy completely obsessed with my baby & find almost anything about her worth writing.
So this time, it's about her gurgling to cooing...to da-da, ma-ma, ta-ta....And from Aawooo.....that changed to I love you...and Pototo....that changed to potato.....& many more such words that then turned into many many sentences...........& now to many languages.
Phew..... at 2 years, 2 months and 9 days......a linguist is in the making :-)
Thursday, November 11, 2010
patience......mommy needs dollops of you.
It was such a tough day at work.....
As I walked to the bus with an aching head, all I could think of is to get home & crash onto my bed & sleep for a good 8 hours.
As we drove through the dusty roads, the headache only got worse & by the time I got off I felt like my eyeballs would pop out of their sockets.
I was almost there & was happy that I'd be home to be greeted by my cheerful daughtie whose face always lit up like a million candles upon seeing me. A warm embrace as soon as I enter and it's almost a ritual i can't go a day without.
Well, the headache was still making it's presence felt.......& all I needed was a nice warm shower, a quiet dinner & a good night's rest....
But helloooooo..............Happy Awakening..............i'm a mommy....
If I am in the shower....Aisha is right outside banging on the bathroom door, "mamma open door"
At dinner time, she either perched onto my lap, or trying to climb up onto my shoulder or just, leaning onto me.
While in bed......i have to sing to her & if that doesn't pacify her enough, I have to sit up & take her onto my lap & then rock her to sleep while singing her favorite songs.
But that day, i just decided to have it my way......so, i dressed her up in her bed time clothes, laid down the bedding & stretched myself on the bed alongside Aisha. As usual the requests starting pouring in.....but no amount of pleading could get me sing or take her onto my lap.
Aisha was almost in tears & said, I'm going Amma......& I happily agreed.
She ran straight out of the room to her granparents bedroom & complained, "Mamma shout manpoonoo" (which means, mamma is shouting at me)
Amma had calmed her down and her cries faded.......but even in that quiet room.....so much like I wanted it....but my eyes refused to sleep.
I got out of bed, sneaked to the other bedroom only to find a sad eyed Aisha on her amma's lap. As I entered the room, i was greeted by that same lit up smiley face waiting for me to call her. Come Aisha...I said & she grabbed her pillow & came running after me.
Well, I dint sleep for the next 30 minutes, rather we sang "old mac donald" and hugged each other, said our prayers together, brushed our teeth and don't exactly remember when we slept.
Not peace & quiet..........It's just a lil patience that mommy needs, but when you most need it.......don't know where to find it.
As I walked to the bus with an aching head, all I could think of is to get home & crash onto my bed & sleep for a good 8 hours.
As we drove through the dusty roads, the headache only got worse & by the time I got off I felt like my eyeballs would pop out of their sockets.
I was almost there & was happy that I'd be home to be greeted by my cheerful daughtie whose face always lit up like a million candles upon seeing me. A warm embrace as soon as I enter and it's almost a ritual i can't go a day without.
Well, the headache was still making it's presence felt.......& all I needed was a nice warm shower, a quiet dinner & a good night's rest....
But helloooooo..............Happy Awakening..............i'm a mommy....
If I am in the shower....Aisha is right outside banging on the bathroom door, "mamma open door"
At dinner time, she either perched onto my lap, or trying to climb up onto my shoulder or just, leaning onto me.
While in bed......i have to sing to her & if that doesn't pacify her enough, I have to sit up & take her onto my lap & then rock her to sleep while singing her favorite songs.
But that day, i just decided to have it my way......so, i dressed her up in her bed time clothes, laid down the bedding & stretched myself on the bed alongside Aisha. As usual the requests starting pouring in.....but no amount of pleading could get me sing or take her onto my lap.
Aisha was almost in tears & said, I'm going Amma......& I happily agreed.
She ran straight out of the room to her granparents bedroom & complained, "Mamma shout manpoonoo" (which means, mamma is shouting at me)
Amma had calmed her down and her cries faded.......but even in that quiet room.....so much like I wanted it....but my eyes refused to sleep.
I got out of bed, sneaked to the other bedroom only to find a sad eyed Aisha on her amma's lap. As I entered the room, i was greeted by that same lit up smiley face waiting for me to call her. Come Aisha...I said & she grabbed her pillow & came running after me.
Well, I dint sleep for the next 30 minutes, rather we sang "old mac donald" and hugged each other, said our prayers together, brushed our teeth and don't exactly remember when we slept.
Not peace & quiet..........It's just a lil patience that mommy needs, but when you most need it.......don't know where to find it.
Monday, October 4, 2010
My Bachpan revisited
I always said.....Aisha has a lot of her a Dad & a little of me in her name
However,
I am pleased that she's taken more of me than her dad otherwise. (that also means I have to erase all my bad vices :-) !!!)
She's a tough nut! Won't take No for an answer (OK..now that's a trait in both Manish & me).
She is Eloquent......moves to the beats of a song without delay..........
.........Loves fish.....& has to see more fish than dry rice in every morsel.....
She hates milk!....(i accidently dropped so many glasses of milk as a baby....oops..)
Loves Glass bangles........& exploring the dressing table (i got a phatka once & never ventured close to my mom's table....but Aisha dares to)
& .....She loves the swing!!!!!!
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A Warm Sunday afternoon........Aisha & me on a swing......Aisha goes. " yupeeeee "each time we go up & shouts....."mamma.........for me majja is coming". (i could practically live on a swing)
Thanks to my little girl......
moments spent with her bring back memories of a childhood long passed....
.......my bachpan revisited :-)
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Aisha's B'day Bash....
Aisha turned two on the 2nd of this month......
Family & a few friends made it a memorable day..... Some photographs of the wonderful time we had.
The pretty pretty princess...with her dresses for the day.....and that's her with her friend Aarushi.
Family & a few friends made it a memorable day..... Some photographs of the wonderful time we had.
The pretty pretty princess...with her dresses for the day.....and that's her with her friend Aarushi.
With Mommy & Daddy
& My Gorgeous Baby gets a gorgeous Birthday Cake
The Celebrations followed in the evening!!
This is what just a part of our Big Fat Goan Family looks like!
As you turn 2......
It feels like yesterday that I cuddled you in my arms.......admiring you & thanking the almighty for all that you were. And, since then I have welcomed each day with a prayer for you; my little fairy, as I laid my eyes on you from the moment you were awake.
I have waited & watched you every morning to see your sweet face break into a smile & call out....,"Mamma....come" with those tiny fingers curling into a motion, calling me closer and with that my day is made! my mornings since then...belong to you.
You fill each day of mine with a desire to live life to the fullest, because you are a part of my life.
I love you with all my heart my little one......& I am thankful to you for being born to me and showering me with all the love & affection that nothing else can compare to.
My Aisha, my little fairy.....you have turned two & so have I ....since I became a mother to you.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Sunday at Nanny's
1st August.............
The month begins with 2 birthday's in the family. My cousin sis Sharon & my favorite aunty, Maria.(That's her feeding Aisha the cake :-)
Not being partial or anything here bit I think we've been in attendance for my aunt's birthday pretty much regularly over the past few years. I haven't been for my cousin's birthday half the times that I have attended Maria aunty's birthday parties.
My cousin is important but a visit to my aunt is sort of a package deal............Not only do we get to eat the world's best Coconut cake & I get to meet my Nanny too :-)
What makes every trip to Maria Aunty's place even more inviting is the fact that Aisha gets to spend as much time with her Great Grand mother...my nanny :-) .....never miss an opportunity to capture these priceless moments.....see the affection....
This blog which reads, "Sunday at Nanny's" is not dedicated to my nanny but more to my aunt Maria who makes this bonding with my nana (as I fondly call her) possible.
I love my nana......I love my Maria aunty too :-)
Over the years she has become more of a friend than an aunt to me & I believe I am more of a friend to her rather than her neice.....so..it's mutual.
I must mention Woman Power here........my aunt is married to my Maternal Uncle. I am very fond of my P2 Mama :-) but Maria aunty gets a little more affection.... (ahem....don't know what P2 mama will say, but I'm sure he knows it)
Well.....yeah....the family has seen a lot of ups & downs....fights & arguments......kissing & making up....love & apologies......so the relationship has evolved. We've gone through really tough times but we managed to stand by each other in times when we had to. Maria aunty made it possible.
If I have to live my life by an example of how you stand by your family at all times......Maria aunty has to be one exemplary example after my Mother.
I love you Maria Aunty & I truly do and I wish I have you around for many many years to come......
because, I believe that Life will be very very different if I wake up to know that my parents are not around.......& I feel the same about you too.
The month begins with 2 birthday's in the family. My cousin sis Sharon & my favorite aunty, Maria.(That's her feeding Aisha the cake :-)
My cousin is important but a visit to my aunt is sort of a package deal............Not only do we get to eat the world's best Coconut cake & I get to meet my Nanny too :-)
What makes every trip to Maria Aunty's place even more inviting is the fact that Aisha gets to spend as much time with her Great Grand mother...my nanny :-) .....never miss an opportunity to capture these priceless moments.....see the affection....This blog which reads, "Sunday at Nanny's" is not dedicated to my nanny but more to my aunt Maria who makes this bonding with my nana (as I fondly call her) possible.
I love my nana......I love my Maria aunty too :-)
Over the years she has become more of a friend than an aunt to me & I believe I am more of a friend to her rather than her neice.....so..it's mutual.
I must mention Woman Power here........my aunt is married to my Maternal Uncle. I am very fond of my P2 Mama :-) but Maria aunty gets a little more affection.... (ahem....don't know what P2 mama will say, but I'm sure he knows it)
Well.....yeah....the family has seen a lot of ups & downs....fights & arguments......kissing & making up....love & apologies......so the relationship has evolved. We've gone through really tough times but we managed to stand by each other in times when we had to. Maria aunty made it possible.
If I have to live my life by an example of how you stand by your family at all times......Maria aunty has to be one exemplary example after my Mother.
I love you Maria Aunty & I truly do and I wish I have you around for many many years to come......
because, I believe that Life will be very very different if I wake up to know that my parents are not around.......& I feel the same about you too.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Endearing......
I love it when Aisha comes right behind me stretches her arms & says, “Mamma caalllie Aishuuunee”
Her act of nodding her head while saying I love you…Aaawwoooo….yeah…she still does that. And if we ask her…..”How Much”…..the way she throws her hands up & goes, “Big” with an everlasting smile.
She’s very assertive & she displays it when she says, “Nooooooo”. Do what you want, but you’re not going to get a Yes if it’s a No for her! Can’t stop smiling…..must admit i.e. only when she catches me in a good mood :-P
“Eena Kantini??”…..which means “what have you brought??” as soon as her Ajja (grandpa) comes back home from just about anywhere.
Her wanting to break free when she says, Nooooooo, don’t leave meeeee” ....well, she actually means don’t catch me.
If she finds someone chopping vegetables…..she goes, “I want to make bhaaji cut”…ahem…..very eloquent you see.
If she feels we’re angry with her….she’ll try to get a reassurance by asking, “Mamma…how are you”…..& well the answer can’t be anything other than an, “I’m fine".
She gets immense pleasure in her own ability to identify who’s clothes are in the drying line……who’s paapood (baby language for clothes in Konkani)?? she asks….
& we ask her instead & she gleefully names the person…& you bet…she’s always right!
I asked her a couple of times during lunch times, “Should mamma feed you??”…
She kept that in mind….& if we’re around during her meals……she’ll happily play around, mamma feedoo then….dada feedoo and then ……the next person around also gets a chance.…she’s an equal opportunity provider.
When upset…..she ensures she gives everybody a chance to appease her you see…..
She’s a total attention seeker then..
Well…..she sure does deserve every bit of it too! Endearingly mine…….my princess Aisha.
Her act of nodding her head while saying I love you…Aaawwoooo….yeah…she still does that. And if we ask her…..”How Much”…..the way she throws her hands up & goes, “Big” with an everlasting smile.
She’s very assertive & she displays it when she says, “Nooooooo”. Do what you want, but you’re not going to get a Yes if it’s a No for her! Can’t stop smiling…..must admit i.e. only when she catches me in a good mood :-P
“Eena Kantini??”…..which means “what have you brought??” as soon as her Ajja (grandpa) comes back home from just about anywhere.
Her wanting to break free when she says, Nooooooo, don’t leave meeeee” ....well, she actually means don’t catch me.
If she finds someone chopping vegetables…..she goes, “I want to make bhaaji cut”…ahem…..very eloquent you see.
If she feels we’re angry with her….she’ll try to get a reassurance by asking, “Mamma…how are you”…..& well the answer can’t be anything other than an, “I’m fine".
She gets immense pleasure in her own ability to identify who’s clothes are in the drying line……who’s paapood (baby language for clothes in Konkani)?? she asks….
& we ask her instead & she gleefully names the person…& you bet…she’s always right!
I asked her a couple of times during lunch times, “Should mamma feed you??”…
She kept that in mind….& if we’re around during her meals……she’ll happily play around, mamma feedoo then….dada feedoo and then ……the next person around also gets a chance.…she’s an equal opportunity provider.
When upset…..she ensures she gives everybody a chance to appease her you see…..
She’s a total attention seeker then..
Well…..she sure does deserve every bit of it too! Endearingly mine…….my princess Aisha.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Announcing my return to my blog!
hmmm.........one long hiatus that!
Oh Man! so much that ensued........so much that passed.....
dad's surgery......mom's trip to USA.......absconding maids....
Aisha's bout of malaria .....( this one was killing....literally.....broke down each time they poked a needle into her....5 days....6 blood samples......
Two IV lines.....innumerable Oil injections......I died....my baby was in pain)
Glad........She got back & is doing great :-)
Well....then came the Last day at Mastek..........
followed by 11 whole days spent with Aisha...GREAT!!!......
Trip to Goa.....AWESOME!!!! (Believe me when I say Goa is beautiful in the rains!)
Joining at CGI.......(Eventful!!!.....Why??? Well for starters......couldn't get the car out on day 1 cos some smart Alec decided to park right behind our car & forgot we might have to leave before him....30minutes of a delay..BAD!!!!...(nobody knew the owner of the car!!! yeah weird security system :-P.......
Realising that your gonna be late on your first day.....really late....thanks to the traffic on the IIT Powai route......WORST!!!!
Getting off the car & realising the bag of all my documents rests on the Sofa at home....WORSE!!!!
Well....I sailed through........ :-) (Trust me ......there is a God up there)
First official flight :-) to Bangalore...avec moi Laptop n all :-) aboard Kingfisher......off to attend Induction!!! Exciting :-)
Good 4 days in Bangalore.....nice weather..... Lovely!
Back in Mumbai.......home sweet home.......to my little girl.....& her gleeful face on seeing her mamma......ooooh....this is Life!
Oh Man! so much that ensued........so much that passed.....
dad's surgery......mom's trip to USA.......absconding maids....
Aisha's bout of malaria .....( this one was killing....literally.....broke down each time they poked a needle into her....5 days....6 blood samples......
Two IV lines.....innumerable Oil injections......I died....my baby was in pain)
Glad........She got back & is doing great :-)
Well....then came the Last day at Mastek..........
followed by 11 whole days spent with Aisha...GREAT!!!......
Trip to Goa.....AWESOME!!!! (Believe me when I say Goa is beautiful in the rains!)
Joining at CGI.......(Eventful!!!.....Why??? Well for starters......couldn't get the car out on day 1 cos some smart Alec decided to park right behind our car & forgot we might have to leave before him....30minutes of a delay..BAD!!!!...(nobody knew the owner of the car!!! yeah weird security system :-P.......
Realising that your gonna be late on your first day.....really late....thanks to the traffic on the IIT Powai route......WORST!!!!
Getting off the car & realising the bag of all my documents rests on the Sofa at home....WORSE!!!!
Well....I sailed through........ :-) (Trust me ......there is a God up there)
First official flight :-) to Bangalore...avec moi Laptop n all :-) aboard Kingfisher......off to attend Induction!!! Exciting :-)
Good 4 days in Bangalore.....nice weather..... Lovely!
Back in Mumbai.......home sweet home.......to my little girl.....& her gleeful face on seeing her mamma......ooooh....this is Life!
Bidding Adieu to Mastek
Well,
The innings at Mastek came to a halt on 16th May'2010.
Well, I left the place on a high.....the high ofcourse is because I am so proud of myself! To be able to break away from a comfort zone of 6 years & 7 months!!!!! Happenning!!!
So....as tradition goes...you always say good bye...
but as per new age norms....you do it over an email.
And the marvelous email writer that I am.....I had to preserve my good bye mail.
Read on..... It is a masterpeice :-) (or so.....as many complimented me on it :-P)
Friends!
The innings at Mastek comes to an end tomorrow which will be my last day at good Ol’ Mastek.
Just thought it best not to wait for the last moment to say Goodbye as I am sure many of my friends would like to take care some last minute meetings, chit chats, a few mail exchanges and maybe a call or two :-)
So here goes…….My ba-bye mail.
Well,
I must admit, It’s been an AWESOME experience over the last 6 years & 7 months!!!!! (yeah….i’m going with gratuity…I feel Old man! :-))
And for all that has ensued during this time…..Ups - Downs, Good - Bad, Beautiful - Ugly, Sweet nothings – Nasty somethings, it is only befitting that I thank each one of you for having being a part of this experience and making it as wonderfully adventurous as it was.
I have decided to move on, to take on new responsibilities and new challenges.
While I look forward to the same, I leave with a rich professional experience, a good bunch of friends, myriad thoughts and a million memories.
All from the 6 + years spent here @ Mastek.
I will cherish the friends that I have made, the numerous acquaintances, the monthly and quarterly meetings and the Run Times (especially those I compered J) & truly; these are just a few to name from a long list of the “Best at Mastek”
This mail is just to say a simple “Thank You’and to ask you to keep in touch.
Buzz me on # <..........> or drop in a line to say hi at annette.m80@gmail.com . It would be really nice to hear from you.
I do have a profile on facebook though I don’t make my presence felt :-). But yeah….someway to keep each other updated. So plz do add me on your list.
And…………Till we meet again……. Farewell and wishing each of you all the very best always!
The innings at Mastek came to a halt on 16th May'2010.
Well, I left the place on a high.....the high ofcourse is because I am so proud of myself! To be able to break away from a comfort zone of 6 years & 7 months!!!!! Happenning!!!
So....as tradition goes...you always say good bye...
but as per new age norms....you do it over an email.
And the marvelous email writer that I am.....I had to preserve my good bye mail.
Read on..... It is a masterpeice :-) (or so.....as many complimented me on it :-P)
Friends!
The innings at Mastek comes to an end tomorrow which will be my last day at good Ol’ Mastek.
Just thought it best not to wait for the last moment to say Goodbye as I am sure many of my friends would like to take care some last minute meetings, chit chats, a few mail exchanges and maybe a call or two :-)
So here goes…….My ba-bye mail.
Well,
I must admit, It’s been an AWESOME experience over the last 6 years & 7 months!!!!! (yeah….i’m going with gratuity…I feel Old man! :-))
And for all that has ensued during this time…..Ups - Downs, Good - Bad, Beautiful - Ugly, Sweet nothings – Nasty somethings, it is only befitting that I thank each one of you for having being a part of this experience and making it as wonderfully adventurous as it was.
I have decided to move on, to take on new responsibilities and new challenges.
While I look forward to the same, I leave with a rich professional experience, a good bunch of friends, myriad thoughts and a million memories.
All from the 6 + years spent here @ Mastek.
I will cherish the friends that I have made, the numerous acquaintances, the monthly and quarterly meetings and the Run Times (especially those I compered J) & truly; these are just a few to name from a long list of the “Best at Mastek”
This mail is just to say a simple “Thank You’and to ask you to keep in touch.
Buzz me on # <..........> or drop in a line to say hi at annette.m80@gmail.com . It would be really nice to hear from you.
I do have a profile on facebook though I don’t make my presence felt :-). But yeah….someway to keep each other updated. So plz do add me on your list.
And…………Till we meet again……. Farewell and wishing each of you all the very best always!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Quote
The best couples are not necessarily two perfect individuals.........
but rather they are two individuals who share a perfect understanding of each other's shortcomings.
Now.........how many of you agree with that :-)
but rather they are two individuals who share a perfect understanding of each other's shortcomings.
Now.........how many of you agree with that :-)
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
A renewed me.......
I am an achiever & stand by what I perceive to be true.........
When I started this space of my own......these words above came to me naturally........no second thoughts!
However, somewhere down the line.....as I wrote dedications to my family, daughter, husband, friends........the me went missing. The mother in me had taken over and I was making statements that I'd be more than happy to be a stay at home mommie mothering my children and taking care of my home & husband......and the career can go out of the window!!!
Yeah....unbelievable to many of my close friends too.
One Fine day I decided I had enough......enough of my nonsensical idea of being a Mother who can work wonders on her children and family by staying at home.
Can't help mentioning my Mom here.....who of course was a working woman but never once made us feel like she was not around! Well, understand me correctly......she ensured we need the amount of security we need. My mother believed in letting each other have their space & she respected our privacy. That's probably the reason I never felt the need to lock my drawers which housed my personal diaries.
Mommies can impose their rules, discipline, views and whatever......on us. My mother did that too.......
but when I weigh the Resents against the Thanks that I have for her; the Thanks definitely outweigh the resents.
My mother made me the person I am today. Inclusive of both.....good & the bad.
She certainly gave a lot of good & I let unwanted presences wipe off all the good that I could see in me.
I took a stress test the other day......scored a 5+ which indicates that I need immediate medical assistance.
I was shocked! Well......I am the only one who cares about it too..........so I decided for myself..........
I don't need assistance, not yet! .............I just need a renewed me.
So here I am..........
taking the reins of my life into my own hands.
Detaching myself of all unwanted baggage...they've given me nothing but early greying of hair :-)
I'm serving my notice period at my current organisation........
.....surging ahead as per a strategy that I have set for myself.
Looking forward to my new venture........
Making new relationships and nurturing them.
Setting new aspirations and many dreams; and being in constant pursuit of them.
Being Alive.....once again
Now that's what I call good going!!!!
Annette lives for reasons enough darling! don't need the sorrows nomore. :-)
As Aisha says......yuppeeeeeeeeee :-)
When I started this space of my own......these words above came to me naturally........no second thoughts!
However, somewhere down the line.....as I wrote dedications to my family, daughter, husband, friends........the me went missing. The mother in me had taken over and I was making statements that I'd be more than happy to be a stay at home mommie mothering my children and taking care of my home & husband......and the career can go out of the window!!!
Yeah....unbelievable to many of my close friends too.
One Fine day I decided I had enough......enough of my nonsensical idea of being a Mother who can work wonders on her children and family by staying at home.
Can't help mentioning my Mom here.....who of course was a working woman but never once made us feel like she was not around! Well, understand me correctly......she ensured we need the amount of security we need. My mother believed in letting each other have their space & she respected our privacy. That's probably the reason I never felt the need to lock my drawers which housed my personal diaries.
Mommies can impose their rules, discipline, views and whatever......on us. My mother did that too.......
but when I weigh the Resents against the Thanks that I have for her; the Thanks definitely outweigh the resents.
My mother made me the person I am today. Inclusive of both.....good & the bad.
She certainly gave a lot of good & I let unwanted presences wipe off all the good that I could see in me.
I took a stress test the other day......scored a 5+ which indicates that I need immediate medical assistance.
I was shocked! Well......I am the only one who cares about it too..........so I decided for myself..........
I don't need assistance, not yet! .............I just need a renewed me.
So here I am..........
taking the reins of my life into my own hands.
Detaching myself of all unwanted baggage...they've given me nothing but early greying of hair :-)
I'm serving my notice period at my current organisation........
.....surging ahead as per a strategy that I have set for myself.
Looking forward to my new venture........
Making new relationships and nurturing them.
Setting new aspirations and many dreams; and being in constant pursuit of them.
Being Alive.....once again
Now that's what I call good going!!!!
Annette lives for reasons enough darling! don't need the sorrows nomore. :-)
As Aisha says......yuppeeeeeeeeee :-)
Thoughts by Chance
Never let anyone know what's playing on your mind.
Never show your cards.
Be a closed book; let people judge you by the cover. It’s not cool to let others know much about you.
Trust nobody but yourself with your finances, ask for advise.....don’t necessary to follow it.
A woman must have a bank balance behind her to make her feel secure; a man however needs a woman.
There is no relationship that can equal what a mother shares with her child.
A Mother-in-law will never be a mother; a Daughter-in-law will never be allowed to become a daughter.
Men are into relationships for sex and so are women; they don't need each other otherwise. They are happier being independent.
Mistakes happen…….it is upto us to avoid them.
If a relationship exudes stress…….detach yourself emotionally. You’ll feel better. What’s better ….the other person will feel worse. If the other one feels better too……the relationship was never alive.
You don’t plan to have a baby…….the baby is born out of its own destiny.
Parenting is difficult. Children are innocent.........knowledge kills innocence.
And…....
Thoughts become things. It’s upto us to choose the good ones :-) Tally Ho!!!!
Never show your cards.
Be a closed book; let people judge you by the cover. It’s not cool to let others know much about you.
Trust nobody but yourself with your finances, ask for advise.....don’t necessary to follow it.
A woman must have a bank balance behind her to make her feel secure; a man however needs a woman.
There is no relationship that can equal what a mother shares with her child.
A Mother-in-law will never be a mother; a Daughter-in-law will never be allowed to become a daughter.
Men are into relationships for sex and so are women; they don't need each other otherwise. They are happier being independent.
Mistakes happen…….it is upto us to avoid them.
If a relationship exudes stress…….detach yourself emotionally. You’ll feel better. What’s better ….the other person will feel worse. If the other one feels better too……the relationship was never alive.
You don’t plan to have a baby…….the baby is born out of its own destiny.
Parenting is difficult. Children are innocent.........knowledge kills innocence.
And…....
Thoughts become things. It’s upto us to choose the good ones :-) Tally Ho!!!!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Band Width
Did you know.......???
Band Width is a term in zoology which means "A group of animals together"??
Wanna check for yourself???
Go ahead.......Open the thesaurus,
type Band Width & search in All Reference Books.........PRONTO!!! "animals together" is what you get!
Well, nothing much about this post.....just that.....it's helped me be a little more at ease with my..............oh so...... liberal use of lovenames like,.......... "Ass" & "Bitch" ..........
especially in the place where having "Band Width" is considered imperative! :-)
Yeah! Have you got that one right or what??? :-)
Band Width is a term in zoology which means "A group of animals together"??
Wanna check for yourself???
Go ahead.......Open the thesaurus,
type Band Width & search in All Reference Books.........PRONTO!!! "animals together" is what you get!
Well, nothing much about this post.....just that.....it's helped me be a little more at ease with my..............oh so...... liberal use of lovenames like,.......... "Ass" & "Bitch" ..........
especially in the place where having "Band Width" is considered imperative! :-)
Yeah! Have you got that one right or what??? :-)
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Easter service by candle light
Last Sunday as we all know was Easter..........
Easter marks the end of the season of Lent and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ who in dying gave us Eternal Life!
Well, this is as much as I know & I want to believe.
All these years.........I went to church on Easter Sunday & of each such service that I have attended in all these years, I specifically remember the part where we renewed our baptismal vows.
For the first time this year I chose to attend the service on Saturday......
As the tradition goes each person attending the service is supposed to carry a candle to church and my Mamma did for us all.
My favorite part arrived......& unlike just saying "I do" after every vow the priest states when at the day service.........the night service added a little extra touch. That's is what we needed the candles for. Altar boys with flames taken from the Pascal Candle came by to share the flames with the entire congregation who in turn lit their candles & held them high as the renewal of vows begun.
The scene was beautiful............
As we were the back benchers we had the best view. It looked like a canopy of tiny gleaming flames as abiding worshippers proclaimed their faith.
Well not to miss.........among all the I Do's the loudest one sounded like ," aaai dooooo". That was my Aisha.....holding her candle high & then made an endearing effort to blow the candle off.
It was a nice service........... Indeed a very nice experience.
As for Aisha...............she had the whole football ground to herself.......and many fellow christians happily sacrificed the priests sermons to hear the unstoppable chatter, shrieks, questions and all that Aisha had to offer.
Happy Easter!!! she wished all enthusiastically after the mass all the way as we headed home.
Easter marks the end of the season of Lent and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ who in dying gave us Eternal Life!
Well, this is as much as I know & I want to believe.
All these years.........I went to church on Easter Sunday & of each such service that I have attended in all these years, I specifically remember the part where we renewed our baptismal vows.
For the first time this year I chose to attend the service on Saturday......
As the tradition goes each person attending the service is supposed to carry a candle to church and my Mamma did for us all.
My favorite part arrived......& unlike just saying "I do" after every vow the priest states when at the day service.........the night service added a little extra touch. That's is what we needed the candles for. Altar boys with flames taken from the Pascal Candle came by to share the flames with the entire congregation who in turn lit their candles & held them high as the renewal of vows begun.
The scene was beautiful............
As we were the back benchers we had the best view. It looked like a canopy of tiny gleaming flames as abiding worshippers proclaimed their faith.
Well not to miss.........among all the I Do's the loudest one sounded like ," aaai dooooo". That was my Aisha.....holding her candle high & then made an endearing effort to blow the candle off.
It was a nice service........... Indeed a very nice experience.
As for Aisha...............she had the whole football ground to herself.......and many fellow christians happily sacrificed the priests sermons to hear the unstoppable chatter, shrieks, questions and all that Aisha had to offer.
Happy Easter!!! she wished all enthusiastically after the mass all the way as we headed home.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Of Fairy Tales & Odes
I have been listening to a song since the last 15 days or so.......
it's called Fireflies......& as my friend rightly said, It does make me want to believe in Fairy Tales.
Surprisingly believing in Fairy Tales and dreaming about all those beautiful islands that you'd want to be on with your Prince is not so difficult you know. A song and some solace to enjoy it is all you need.
And I thought fairy tales were for kids.
But, what I have come to realise is that there's much more meaning to those Fairy Tales if you want to believe it's all happenning to you.....
This song has brought back islands, clear blue skies, flower beds, bunnies and butterflies, fairies, Thumbelina's, Dwarfs, twinkling stars, a big bright moon, streams bubbling with crystal clear water and lots more to me.
Thanks to Tim Burton........I got to visit Alice's Wonderland too :-)
As a little girl........I tried rhyming a little and I am so happy that I still have the ability today
Read on...........you might just like it.
I so want to fall asleep...
but I'm off sleep lately.
I so want to keep silent...
but I'm out of my wits, I can cook up a storm.
What's become of me is just a sign...
that I'm so madly in love and all I want is....
for you to be mine!
A twinkling Star, a blossoming flower
Sounds of the Ocean, and the gentle breeze.
Hold on to these my love.....
cause though we're apart,
they'll remind you of the one in your heart!
it's called Fireflies......& as my friend rightly said, It does make me want to believe in Fairy Tales.
Surprisingly believing in Fairy Tales and dreaming about all those beautiful islands that you'd want to be on with your Prince is not so difficult you know. A song and some solace to enjoy it is all you need.
And I thought fairy tales were for kids.
But, what I have come to realise is that there's much more meaning to those Fairy Tales if you want to believe it's all happenning to you.....
This song has brought back islands, clear blue skies, flower beds, bunnies and butterflies, fairies, Thumbelina's, Dwarfs, twinkling stars, a big bright moon, streams bubbling with crystal clear water and lots more to me.
Thanks to Tim Burton........I got to visit Alice's Wonderland too :-)
As a little girl........I tried rhyming a little and I am so happy that I still have the ability today
Read on...........you might just like it.
I so want to fall asleep...
but I'm off sleep lately.
I so want to keep silent...
but I'm out of my wits, I can cook up a storm.
What's become of me is just a sign...
that I'm so madly in love and all I want is....
for you to be mine!
A twinkling Star, a blossoming flower
Sounds of the Ocean, and the gentle breeze.
Hold on to these my love.....
cause though we're apart,
they'll remind you of the one in your heart!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
F.R.I.E.N.D.S
They are important........very important
They make life joyful..........happy.......wonderful
They hang out with us.......make us laugh.........They share our grief and our happiness too.
They cheer us up when we're feeling low & help us overcome our fears.
They make the best partners & if they are good listeners....life could never be better :-)
They are fun to have....fun to be with & make fantastic company.
Well, they can also be a pain in the wrong places! What's better....we can tell them when they're being one!
They make life worthwhile!
Just as I was beginning to feel lonesome....I am alive to the fact that I have them in my life.
Many a times that I haven't confided in them......maybe my own apprehensions and then realised that I have been a fool in doing so.
Yet again! if not for them....I wouldn't have realised that I was one either!
My world would be incomplete without them....so...so incomplete.
Guess there is some bond. A bond we form over a period of time.
It needs no explanation...Actually...............I cannot explain it.
When in silence and you still find your feelings conveyed accross........
.........you know there's someone just around the corner;
behold! It's a Friend.
They make life joyful..........happy.......wonderful
They hang out with us.......make us laugh.........They share our grief and our happiness too.
They cheer us up when we're feeling low & help us overcome our fears.
They make the best partners & if they are good listeners....life could never be better :-)
They are fun to have....fun to be with & make fantastic company.
Well, they can also be a pain in the wrong places! What's better....we can tell them when they're being one!
They make life worthwhile!
Just as I was beginning to feel lonesome....I am alive to the fact that I have them in my life.
Many a times that I haven't confided in them......maybe my own apprehensions and then realised that I have been a fool in doing so.
Yet again! if not for them....I wouldn't have realised that I was one either!
My world would be incomplete without them....so...so incomplete.
Guess there is some bond. A bond we form over a period of time.
It needs no explanation...Actually...............I cannot explain it.
When in silence and you still find your feelings conveyed accross........
.........you know there's someone just around the corner;
behold! It's a Friend.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
I love you BIG
I've wanted to post this for a long long time.............well, It finally made it's way to the blog!
Three simple words.......they take less than 2 seconds, they can carry feelings accross the seven seas too.................I LOVE YOU.
Those of you who've been blessed with loved ones will completely understand what it means to hear your loved one say, whisper or scream back an "I love you too.
Just as Aisha had learned to speak she had started to reciprocate an I Love you with "Awwooo tooooo" (the cutest part is that she'd sway her tiny head side to side as she said it)
One day I went on to ask her,"Aisha, do you love mamma?" and Aisha nodded in a Yes!
I took a chance and asked her, "How much" and Aisha beamed. "BIG" she said!
The answer tickled me and I wondered where that came from.
I taught Aisha what's big when I drew her favorite balloons........a small one & then a big one. Amazingly my daughter associated the big balloon with more & that's where her reply came from. (If you could see me I am beaming as I type every letter :-))
It's probably been 3 months since Aisha kept to that response & I soooooooooo wish she always responds to how much do you love Mamma and Dada with a beaming "BIG"
I love Aisha and Aisha loves her Mamma & Dada BIG! Amen forever!
Three simple words.......they take less than 2 seconds, they can carry feelings accross the seven seas too.................I LOVE YOU.
Those of you who've been blessed with loved ones will completely understand what it means to hear your loved one say, whisper or scream back an "I love you too.
Just as Aisha had learned to speak she had started to reciprocate an I Love you with "Awwooo tooooo" (the cutest part is that she'd sway her tiny head side to side as she said it)
One day I went on to ask her,"Aisha, do you love mamma?" and Aisha nodded in a Yes!
I took a chance and asked her, "How much" and Aisha beamed. "BIG" she said!
The answer tickled me and I wondered where that came from.
I taught Aisha what's big when I drew her favorite balloons........a small one & then a big one. Amazingly my daughter associated the big balloon with more & that's where her reply came from. (If you could see me I am beaming as I type every letter :-))
It's probably been 3 months since Aisha kept to that response & I soooooooooo wish she always responds to how much do you love Mamma and Dada with a beaming "BIG"
I love Aisha and Aisha loves her Mamma & Dada BIG! Amen forever!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
State of the mind
............the tide swept me farther.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
One more little miracle
3rd March, 6:23pm IST a miracle is born!
We were all equally eager as was my sister-in-law to deliver her first baby. She was to be due on 26th February & then on 1st March & then 3rd March was also said to be possible.
And yes! 3rd of March it was :-)
A slow but a grand entrance yesterday thereby bringing forth a brand new addition to this beautiful World to add to the population of the Gorgeous Gender that walks the Earth.
Yessssssssssss it's a Girl!!!!
A sight similar to what I saw, a feeling similar to what I experienced exactly 1 year, 6 months & 2 days back.....when my little princess Aisha; was born.
Her small little head full with thick jet black hair,
Beautiful hands with delicate fingers, .........pinkest feet, cutest lips and an even cuter cry.
Her twinkling eyes filled with the curiosity to explore the whole world!
My beautiful niece.
One more little miracle......Made in heaven.
.......................sent forth on Earth to be Loved, Treasured and Adored by all.
We were all equally eager as was my sister-in-law to deliver her first baby. She was to be due on 26th February & then on 1st March & then 3rd March was also said to be possible.
And yes! 3rd of March it was :-)
A slow but a grand entrance yesterday thereby bringing forth a brand new addition to this beautiful World to add to the population of the Gorgeous Gender that walks the Earth.
Yessssssssssss it's a Girl!!!!
A sight similar to what I saw, a feeling similar to what I experienced exactly 1 year, 6 months & 2 days back.....when my little princess Aisha; was born.
Her small little head full with thick jet black hair,
Beautiful hands with delicate fingers, .........pinkest feet, cutest lips and an even cuter cry.
Her twinkling eyes filled with the curiosity to explore the whole world!
One more little miracle......Made in heaven.
.......................sent forth on Earth to be Loved, Treasured and Adored by all.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Play School or no school......my gal's a rockstar!
Well, today Aisha turns 1 & a half! :-) and as any parent would start to think M mentioned "we haven't started discussing Aisha's play school & other little details you know".
That one question took me straight to a conversation I had with a lady I bumped into during a visit to Aisha's doc. This lady with her 2 year & some months old little boy who were standing in a queue outside the doctor's room asks me, "how old is your daughter" & I proudly reply, "she's 14 months old".
The lady then asked if Aisha went to play school? to which I replied,"Ofcourse No!" Me reaffirming, "She's just 14 months old you see!!!" The lady was shocked!!! "Oh!What you saying, haven't you heard of Mother Toddler, I took my son there when he was 7 months old!!!!????" She gave me a look like as if I'd come from a planet which she never knew existed!
I said,"Yes! I do but I didn't want Aisha t0 go through something like that so soon, I'd rather have her join the play group after she's two", to which the lady gave me a bewildered look & exclaimed." OMG! You've missed so much!!! Had you joined the Mothertoddler group your daughter would have recited numerous nursery rhymes by now!!! Moreover you will lose out on much more if you wait for her to turn two!!!" I maintained my calm & said," I don't think so" and that was the end of it. Well I was'nt rude.....but to the lady i had certainly lost it. Maybe she went on to discuss with her other friends & family how irrational & careless mothers today can be!!!
Well, the "You've missed so much!!!" certainly irritated me, but by virtue that the lady's son was the only kid sweet enough to reciprocate Aisha's fondness by hugging her right back when she went to hug him helped me hold back my urge to snap back.
That discussion has stayed with me till date and led me to analyse whether my little princess has lost out on anything from the absence of an early play school exposure.
Aisha identifies all the fruits and all the objects from her books.........she also religiously sits herself down with her book & pencil to do her "ABC". She recites a few rhymes, Hickory Dickory,Twinkle Twinkle, Ringa-Ringa, and Machli Jal ki Raani hain. She's picked up three languages at a time & doesn't get confused once by mixing up her languages with the wrong people! I mean, she converses in tulu with her Ajja, & with her maushi in marathi & with me in English! All of this at 1& a half!
In all this yes! maybe where Aisha would have recited 6 rhymes she recites three, where she'd know objects & shapes she instead identifies plates, spoons, dabbas, kachala (Kachra), curtains, muqutooos (Mosquitoes). She can also tell the difference between a TV remote & a cell phone. How??? Well the TV remote is held aptly in front of the TV & a cell phone to her tiny Ear into which she cooes her sweet, "haaloooo"
What's there to miss??? Infact Aisha has gained much more, the care & love of her grand parents, a fascination to the household chores (she loves dusting the chairs & wiping the floor), she spends hours listening & repeating each new word she comes accross.......check out her vocab.....she's brilliant! She loves identifying the pictures & objects in her books, she loves listening to music, "Do the hokey-pokey" is her favorite to dance to & "Give me some sunshine" is her favorite to sing along. She does the nananananana bit with super enthu! Play school or no school......My girl is a ROCKSTAR!!!!!
That one question took me straight to a conversation I had with a lady I bumped into during a visit to Aisha's doc. This lady with her 2 year & some months old little boy who were standing in a queue outside the doctor's room asks me, "how old is your daughter" & I proudly reply, "she's 14 months old".
The lady then asked if Aisha went to play school? to which I replied,"Ofcourse No!" Me reaffirming, "She's just 14 months old you see!!!" The lady was shocked!!! "Oh!What you saying, haven't you heard of Mother Toddler, I took my son there when he was 7 months old!!!!????" She gave me a look like as if I'd come from a planet which she never knew existed!
I said,"Yes! I do but I didn't want Aisha t0 go through something like that so soon, I'd rather have her join the play group after she's two", to which the lady gave me a bewildered look & exclaimed." OMG! You've missed so much!!! Had you joined the Mothertoddler group your daughter would have recited numerous nursery rhymes by now!!! Moreover you will lose out on much more if you wait for her to turn two!!!" I maintained my calm & said," I don't think so" and that was the end of it. Well I was'nt rude.....but to the lady i had certainly lost it. Maybe she went on to discuss with her other friends & family how irrational & careless mothers today can be!!!
Well, the "You've missed so much!!!" certainly irritated me, but by virtue that the lady's son was the only kid sweet enough to reciprocate Aisha's fondness by hugging her right back when she went to hug him helped me hold back my urge to snap back.
That discussion has stayed with me till date and led me to analyse whether my little princess has lost out on anything from the absence of an early play school exposure.
Aisha identifies all the fruits and all the objects from her books.........she also religiously sits herself down with her book & pencil to do her "ABC". She recites a few rhymes, Hickory Dickory,Twinkle Twinkle, Ringa-Ringa, and Machli Jal ki Raani hain. She's picked up three languages at a time & doesn't get confused once by mixing up her languages with the wrong people! I mean, she converses in tulu with her Ajja, & with her maushi in marathi & with me in English! All of this at 1& a half!
In all this yes! maybe where Aisha would have recited 6 rhymes she recites three, where she'd know objects & shapes she instead identifies plates, spoons, dabbas, kachala (Kachra), curtains, muqutooos (Mosquitoes). She can also tell the difference between a TV remote & a cell phone. How??? Well the TV remote is held aptly in front of the TV & a cell phone to her tiny Ear into which she cooes her sweet, "haaloooo"
What's there to miss??? Infact Aisha has gained much more, the care & love of her grand parents, a fascination to the household chores (she loves dusting the chairs & wiping the floor), she spends hours listening & repeating each new word she comes accross.......check out her vocab.....she's brilliant! She loves identifying the pictures & objects in her books, she loves listening to music, "Do the hokey-pokey" is her favorite to dance to & "Give me some sunshine" is her favorite to sing along. She does the nananananana bit with super enthu! Play school or no school......My girl is a ROCKSTAR!!!!!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Cheers to the Earth
Where the trees blossom in vibrant colours and the sun shines in all its splendour.
Where the grass is always green & the streams bubble cheerfully throughout the year.
Long Live the Earth!!!
Where the grass is always green & the streams bubble cheerfully throughout the year.
Long Live the Earth!!!Save trees.....don't print unneccesarily...if you do.....use the print on both sides & two pages per sheet option. Be pro back to back photo copying
Conserve water....don't brush,shave with the water running.......don't take a shower.............use a bucket instead.
Plzzz plz plzzzz..switch off those lights when you leave the room.....not to forget your monitor when you shut down your PC too
Urge your society to try the option of installing solar panels so we can use solar energy for heating.
Plant trees, plants, shrubs whatever........every little leaf can help create more oxygen
Recycle.....use cloth bags......Just think..........If malls offered a discount of 1% on every purchase if you brought your own carry Bag!
Doable???......great...let's get started!
Cheers to the Earth..........Let's give this planet a face lift!
Collage's
A collage is a random collection of pictures but what follows below is a colection of priceless moments which Ive gathered bit by bit. These are some of the glimpses of some beautiful moments, some to capture specific dates and others just because they were too beautiful not to capture :-)
These collage on the right are dates & a few cute pics (from left to right: Aisha's very happy to be clicked right after her bath, Aisha immediately after shaving her head on 2nd October'2009, Aisha enjoying the evening breeze, Aisha showing off her first two teeth, Baby Beautiful Hair (best natural curls ever), Aisha shows off her climbing skills, Aisha's set for Bandra Fair, and then after Bandra Fair refreshed after her juice & bananas :-) yeah...bring them on....aisha loves bananas.
To the left is another of my favorites; (don't mind my snap in the left corner...i always find some space to put a lil of me in there :-))
The one where Manish is combing his lil girl's locks with the new hair brush(Right, second row.........Aisha was a month old then) The pic to me is beautiful......dont you think so????
The ones taken while she's asleep where she looks angelic and the last one to the extreme right below is the best...... I call it "Dada's Little Wonder", it was taken in dim lighting but brings out the moment very well. There's nothing like having your baby wrap her tiny fingers onto your finger. That's the only bit of security they need....even when they take those first baby steps.
This collage here is just the three of us. The pic was taken on X-mas Day 2007. Manish & I were unaware of the baby we were expecting.....& what followed is our beautiful daughter Aisha (centre).
These collage on the right are dates & a few cute pics (from left to right: Aisha's very happy to be clicked right after her bath, Aisha immediately after shaving her head on 2nd October'2009, Aisha enjoying the evening breeze, Aisha showing off her first two teeth, Baby Beautiful Hair (best natural curls ever), Aisha shows off her climbing skills, Aisha's set for Bandra Fair, and then after Bandra Fair refreshed after her juice & bananas :-) yeah...bring them on....aisha loves bananas.
The one where Manish is combing his lil girl's locks with the new hair brush(Right, second row.........Aisha was a month old then) The pic to me is beautiful......dont you think so????
The ones taken while she's asleep where she looks angelic and the last one to the extreme right below is the best...... I call it "Dada's Little Wonder", it was taken in dim lighting but brings out the moment very well. There's nothing like having your baby wrap her tiny fingers onto your finger. That's the only bit of security they need....even when they take those first baby steps.
NEXT is Brand new mum with her brand new baby.....Me & Aisha at 23 days :-)
Friday, February 26, 2010
Makar Sankranti at home & Pongal at Paati's
14th January is celebrated as Makar Sankranti in Maharashtra & as Pongal down south.The best part of Makar Sankranti & Pongal are the sweets that are prepared for the ocassion.
Pongal is a popular harvest festival in Tamil Nadu & is celebrated for over four days. visit this link for more on Pongal http://www.pongalfestival.org/. Makar Sankrant is what is celebrated in Maharashtra.
My in-laws are Shetty's from Udipi but by virtue of spending most of their lives in Maharashtra they have taken to many customs & traditions of the Maharashtrians including a love for the language :-) As amma says,"Woh naveen sadi pehenna" :-) (naveen is 'new' in Marathi)
So, as tradition would have it tilgul (a mixture of white sesame seeds and jaggery rolled into small round balls, laddoos) was prepared at home. Ladoos or small balls........Aisha made sure she had a BALL of a time right during the preparations itself. All I did was help with the rolling & while we were at that Aisha was almost ready to sit in the big plate (paraat) and juggle the yaadoos (read laddoos)
Sadly I couldn't take pics then but I did manage to click a few where Aisha & her Dad are relishing the Sankrant delicacy.
It was a holiday so after lazing the whole day it finally dawned on me that my friend Anusha had invited us over for Pongal which also fell on the same day.
Aisha & me trotted along ......4 floors down & ting tong :-) (Yeah Anush is also a 1st floor neighbour)
Aisha looked so pretty in a polka dotted black & white dress with a matching hair band & a shocking pink shrug (which is Aarushi's). The actuals pongal festivity of rangoli & other things were done by the time we went over but the best part was not over........delicious pongal was still doing it's rounds :-)
First Pongal, First one with Aisha, First one with Paati..........and it's a memory I will cherish.
Pongal is a popular harvest festival in Tamil Nadu & is celebrated for over four days. visit this link for more on Pongal http://www.pongalfestival.org/. Makar Sankrant is what is celebrated in Maharashtra.
My in-laws are Shetty's from Udipi but by virtue of spending most of their lives in Maharashtra they have taken to many customs & traditions of the Maharashtrians including a love for the language :-) As amma says,"Woh naveen sadi pehenna" :-) (naveen is 'new' in Marathi)
So, as tradition would have it tilgul (a mixture of white sesame seeds and jaggery rolled into small round balls, laddoos) was prepared at home. Ladoos or small balls........Aisha made sure she had a BALL of a time right during the preparations itself. All I did was help with the rolling & while we were at that Aisha was almost ready to sit in the big plate (paraat) and juggle the yaadoos (read laddoos)
Sadly I couldn't take pics then but I did manage to click a few where Aisha & her Dad are relishing the Sankrant delicacy.
It was a holiday so after lazing the whole day it finally dawned on me that my friend Anusha had invited us over for Pongal which also fell on the same day.
WOW.............to be honest Anush, Div, Padh, Vinush & me have been friends since school. Except for Vinush all are Tam's (Tamilians) , Vinush is a mallu :-). Well, getting back to the real thing; though all my friends were Tam's I can't recollect going over to their place O_N_C_E for Pongal :-/ can't seem to remember why.
Well, Anush is back in India after a very long stint in the USA & we actually look for any opportunity to get together for some time. So Pongal it was!!!Aisha & me trotted along ......4 floors down & ting tong :-) (Yeah Anush is also a 1st floor neighbour)
Aisha looked so pretty in a polka dotted black & white dress with a matching hair band & a shocking pink shrug (which is Aarushi's). The actuals pongal festivity of rangoli & other things were done by the time we went over but the best part was not over........delicious pongal was still doing it's rounds :-)Paati was at home.........(Anush was out shopping with Aunty) Paati as always greeted me with the same warmth as she welcomed me when I went to Divya's place after tuitions. I still remember the flavour of the maggi noodles & the bournvita she served after we got back home from tuition. :-) Love you always paati :-* mmuuaaah
As Aisha got comfy on the couch Paati went on to serve some of the delicious pongal. I will always remember the taste of the first spoonful of pongal which I relished for quite some time because that bowl never made it's round back to me :-) It just enjoyed Aisha's company :-)
Aisha loved every bit of the Pongal & happily went on with the second helping too.
First Pongal, First one with Aisha, First one with Paati..........and it's a memory I will cherish.
The pic with Paati & Aisha is chhooooo chweeeet :-)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Pappa Dearest!
I must admit that as a kid I always frowned when people commented on how much I looked like my dad. Infact my Dad always called me his chocolate (yummmmmmmmm) sounds cute no??? No!!!! Not to me as I wanted him to call me his diamond!!! because i always associated chocolate to my dark complexion and frowned when he called me that. I also got grumpy if he called the actor Kajol, "Kaali Maina" & thought he did that to tease me. (alright, i've hit a shoe on my head already)
Dad poked fun at me once saying he won't walk my kids around if they are brown hehehehheeeee (it tickles me now) But, back then I hit back saying I'd never let him walk my kids if they were fair!!!!
Wait a minute............why am I writing all this??? Well this is for my Dada who is pappa to my daughter Aisha. He jumps like a little child every time he sees Aisha after like...... two days!!!!.......Whatever work he may have at hand, he will set it aside to fry his "Potli Girls" favorite fisssshhhhhhhhhh. Yes he does walk her around the colony even though she is brown ;-) (I love the choclate tone more when i see how good it looks on Aisha and think i was a fool to crave for a fair complexion....ahuh........ahem......OK....i am lying a bit. I always did want to be fair) He carries her in his arms.........even if it means bearing immense pain in his arm which was recently operated upon. He does bend down to wash her if she's pooped even if it means struggling to stand up right back because of his sore back (believe me my dad never carried my brother or me because of his bad back......it was always mamma.........yes yes....Nana dearest is to follow soon)
As a matter of fact Aisha does have her pappa's features & that makes me proud :-) (which means she has mine too and i'd be lying again if I said I wanted her to look like me) LOL:-) (ok that's another knuckle punch on my head)
Dad poked fun at me once saying he won't walk my kids around if they are brown hehehehheeeee (it tickles me now) But, back then I hit back saying I'd never let him walk my kids if they were fair!!!!
Wait a minute............why am I writing all this??? Well this is for my Dada who is pappa to my daughter Aisha. He jumps like a little child every time he sees Aisha after like...... two days!!!!.......Whatever work he may have at hand, he will set it aside to fry his "Potli Girls" favorite fisssshhhhhhhhhh. Yes he does walk her around the colony even though she is brown ;-) (I love the choclate tone more when i see how good it looks on Aisha and think i was a fool to crave for a fair complexion....ahuh........ahem......OK....i am lying a bit. I always did want to be fair) He carries her in his arms.........even if it means bearing immense pain in his arm which was recently operated upon. He does bend down to wash her if she's pooped even if it means struggling to stand up right back because of his sore back (believe me my dad never carried my brother or me because of his bad back......it was always mamma.........yes yes....Nana dearest is to follow soon)
As a matter of fact Aisha does have her pappa's features & that makes me proud :-) (which means she has mine too and i'd be lying again if I said I wanted her to look like me) LOL:-) (ok that's another knuckle punch on my head)
Yeah!!! Pappa is the best!!!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Something's Fishy at Tunga International!!!!!!
It was today afternoon that Anjana decided to treat me & Alok for her birthday.We decided to go to some place close to office & Tunga met our time restrictions.
We went to the restaurant on the 2nd Floor.....or was it the third.....well, whatever the restaurant "Something Fishy" and while the story unfolds you'll realise that the restaurant is true to it's name. There is something fishy about "Something Fishy"!!!!!
Anjana, Alok & myself sat oursef down to a quite lunch......a fresh lime soda for all of us. A chicken starter, a chicken tikka masala with some couple of roti's each for the three of us......& just as we were ready to order we asked the waiter to suggest somthing else for the main course. $^&! yeah.......wait for the main thing.
The waiter suggests crab so I glance through the menu for crab items which are priced within Rs.300/- & then we OK his suggestion
The starter arrives, the boneless crab arrives, & so does the main course......& the food is good.
We then decide on caramel pudding for dessert which all the three of us decide on sharing.
& then starts the not so good, horrible & then horrifying experience.
Well, the not so good experience was with the chicken which was spicy though we were assured that it won't be spicy.
The horrible experience is from the 10 whole minutes we had to wait to get a spoon so we could start with the dessert (finally had I not gone to the counter to get the spoons myself I guess we'd be waiting for 15 minutes for spoons)
Then we ask for the bill................now 3 fresh lime sodas, rotis, one starter, chicken, crab.......how much can that be???? The bill arrives.......& the host is paying.......one 500 rupee note, and another, the third, a fourth!!!!! & OMG a fifth one too!!!
I grab the bill to check what on earth we've eaten to pay something like 2500 for a lunch for three????
That's the horrifying part..............the waiter's recommendation what we saw as 400 on the menu card was never something from the menu card. It was a whopping Rs.1800/-
I think I was ready to drop dead for allowing a waiter to recommend. But Anjana, the cool nerves that she has................just shrugged & said it was a great lunch, paid & we left the restaurant.
Lessons:
There is a lot fishy about something fishy!
never go by a steward's assurance on the spice in a dish
Never ever ask the steward for a recommendation.
If you do, ensure you ask him he price too.
It was a great time spent with friends but at a cost which was just not justifiable!!
The restaurant gets a thumbs down from me.
We went to the restaurant on the 2nd Floor.....or was it the third.....well, whatever the restaurant "Something Fishy" and while the story unfolds you'll realise that the restaurant is true to it's name. There is something fishy about "Something Fishy"!!!!!
Anjana, Alok & myself sat oursef down to a quite lunch......a fresh lime soda for all of us. A chicken starter, a chicken tikka masala with some couple of roti's each for the three of us......& just as we were ready to order we asked the waiter to suggest somthing else for the main course. $^&! yeah.......wait for the main thing.
The waiter suggests crab so I glance through the menu for crab items which are priced within Rs.300/- & then we OK his suggestion
The starter arrives, the boneless crab arrives, & so does the main course......& the food is good.
We then decide on caramel pudding for dessert which all the three of us decide on sharing.
& then starts the not so good, horrible & then horrifying experience.
Well, the not so good experience was with the chicken which was spicy though we were assured that it won't be spicy.
The horrible experience is from the 10 whole minutes we had to wait to get a spoon so we could start with the dessert (finally had I not gone to the counter to get the spoons myself I guess we'd be waiting for 15 minutes for spoons)
Then we ask for the bill................now 3 fresh lime sodas, rotis, one starter, chicken, crab.......how much can that be???? The bill arrives.......& the host is paying.......one 500 rupee note, and another, the third, a fourth!!!!! & OMG a fifth one too!!!
I grab the bill to check what on earth we've eaten to pay something like 2500 for a lunch for three????
That's the horrifying part..............the waiter's recommendation what we saw as 400 on the menu card was never something from the menu card. It was a whopping Rs.1800/-
I think I was ready to drop dead for allowing a waiter to recommend. But Anjana, the cool nerves that she has................just shrugged & said it was a great lunch, paid & we left the restaurant.
Lessons:
There is a lot fishy about something fishy!
never go by a steward's assurance on the spice in a dish
Never ever ask the steward for a recommendation.
If you do, ensure you ask him he price too.
It was a great time spent with friends but at a cost which was just not justifiable!!
The restaurant gets a thumbs down from me.
Friday, January 8, 2010
When photographs say more than words can
Photographs make memories in colour. They say much more than words can.
They take you back in time & in most cases a story unfolds right there as you see the photograph.
The pics below are glimpses of a beautiful year that's gone by.
The first four photographs(from the top....left to right) are taken on 2nd October just before we took Aisha for a "Head Shave"
Believe me, it was very difficult watching those lovely curls being chopped off :-(
Aisha took it very well though see she is "no hair & all smiles" the very next day!!!
The pics above are very dear to me. That's my FIL carrying Aisha......& the next one was taken on Christmas Eve (2009) Aisha lends a helping hand with X-Mas decorations.
Above are what we call "Perfect Pics" yeah......the awesome threesome (the first one was taken at Kapu Beach in Mangalore & the second was taken on 9th October which was the day of Aisha's naming ceremony)
From left to right above: Daddy's girl, Aisha's awakening at 21 days (our favorite) and the next one is Self photography at it best- the pic was taken on my birthday (2009). It was taken by me while looking into a mirror :-)
The above pics are of Aisha & her cousin Alaina.
The first one was taken when we went to visit my cousin Genu after her delivery (see the beautiful bundle, sleeping beauty) and the next one at a common friend's wedding where Aisha was all over Alaina as though she was a live doll & all Aisha wanted to do is cuddle & kiss the little doll.
Another of my favorite......at the left in my young cousin Azhar in who's lap Aisha fits so perfectly.
Azhar is fondly looking at Aisha & Aisha back at him. They were so lost they even forgot to look at the camera ;-)
At the right is a priceless photograph. That's the four generations pic.......
(from above: Nana, mamma, Aisha's mamma & Aisha )
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