The many things on my mind

Yes, it is going to be a bullet point post. Each of these have been floating in my head forming individual posts. But, I figured they will never make it here unless summarized in bullets anyway. I am ashamed of keeping this space untouched for so long and I want to apologize.  But, it just..just feels dishonest at this point.

• The year of 2012 was like a non-involved neighbor. Smiled back when I did, made small talk, shared some home made goodies but generally stayed to herself. No noise. No fun either.

  My biggest grouch was the lack of travel, the excitement it brings, the thrill of exploring the unexplored. Living an immigrant life bound by constant visa renewals sucks.To be required to stay within the boundaries of the country felt very restraining. Why so many boundaries, such stringent laws, so many constraints?  Let me free, I wish to fly.

  Reminds me of these beautiful Javed Akhtar lyrics in hindi:

  Panchhi nadiyan pawan ke jhoken
  Koi sarhad naa inhe roke
  Sarhaden insaano ke liye hain
  Socho, tumne aur maine
  Kya paaya insaan hoke?

  [ Birds, rivers, gusts of wind
  No border inhibits them
  Borders are for people
  Think about it, what have you and I
  Obtained by being born as humans? ]

• Speaking of boundaries, I was recently enlightened about the fact that a non-citizen US resident cannot adopt a baby outside the US.The rules are so hard that they make it practically impossible to adopt internationally. Which means we cannot even have a serious thought on adopting a baby from India, if we want to. That is… sad.

• Work has been a roller coaster ride recently. Challenges thrown from left-right-center. I try catching them all carefully, and yet some slip and fall. There is only so much one can do and I try telling it to myself almost every single day. When things go haywire, there are days when I log off feeling miserable, head spinning, discontent and frustrated. But, there are also good days when I sign off humming a happy song, utterly satisfied and grateful. The husband reminds me not to let work control my emotions so much. And I agree to do better at drawing my lines to separate them both. I haven’t seen much success so far . How do you do it, keep your emotions disconnected from work stuff that is, share some good tips, will you?

• Have been trying my hand at Radio Jockeying and it has been..well, sweet so far. I enjoyed the first few sessions, put my best into preparing for the show, scripts, recording and editing. Did not care if it meant less sleep and long nights. Eagerly waited for my show to go live on air and beamed proudly when it did. Jumped and screamed with joy when people said they liked what they heard even if it were my own friends and cousins But, the glamour of the whole thing is starting to fade now. I gave a chance and tried, but happy to leave behind to look for something new. Honestly, I don’t think I am cut for it. If it takes so much effort, time and brain-wracking, probably I am doing it wrong. Supposed to be smooth and easy , this RJing thing, right? Oh, well

• You remember Ana-Swetha from here, right? Her family and ours are very good friends now We visit them often- the kids play among each other while we sit and chat in the kitchen with a cup of chai. Ana-Swetha and me have danced in the living room to random music, walked to the park holding hands and generally laughed and hugged tight. I still speak to her in Kannada and she still runs to me when she hears my voice. Baby sat her one evening when the parents took a deserved break and I think I did pretty well! Their family is so full of warmth and cheer, sometimes I am overwhelmed with joy just by being around them. Meeting them is one of the best things that happened to us in the past year and I feel so much richer in life by the gift of it all

• Leisure reading has always been a thing of less priority mainly because..er..there hardly is leisure to sit down with a book with a toddler around But, the blog world has been so inspiring to push my limits and create that time for books, especially voracious readers like herself. The pleasure of living those characters through the words on a good book is so addicting.The drowsy eyes and sleepy head in the mornings are still worth the late nights cozied up in the sofa with a book! Some of my favorites so far:

  -Water for Elephants  by Sara Gruen
  -The Help  by Kathryn Stockett
  -The Life of Pi  by Yann Martel
  -The Client  by John Grisham
  -The palace of Illusions
  -Mistress of Spices
  -Sister of my heart…all  by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
  -Nefertiti  by Michelle Moran
  -A Thousand Splendid Suns  by Khaled Hosseini

  Recommendations for a must-read or a link to your favorite list is much appreciated

• Two vacations highlighted my year of 2012. One is the solo trip to India. Just me and Paapu, while the husband stayed back.It was all about visiting uncles, aunts, cousins and friends – wondering how much you have missed them through the years and why the heck didn’t you keep in touch more often! It was also about strolling in the greens of the many relatives who own beautiful gardens:..also about gorging on mangoes! Oh, the juicy, sweet, nectar-like Mangoes!
  The one thing that stands out in my memory though is the evening I got to meet this girl ! I have admired her blog for so long- the way she spins words so effortlessly, the honesty in every single of the posts and most of all – her perspective, which is just so unique and incredibly mature.Sitting across the table with her and chatting up felt absolutely wonderful! She was just the way her blog portrayed and much much more. In fact, she made me think back about how I used to be at her age, not too long ago – naive, timid and somewhat dumb, if you ask me, especially in comparison to her

  Oh, and this framed doodle art gifted by her sits on my bedroom table next to a family picture -…makes me smile big whenever I look at it. Love you and your art dear girl

  The other vacation was towards the end of 2012 – a much awaited trip to Hawaii. The last time we visited the islands Paapu was quietly growing in my tummy- a nostalgic post here. This visit though, we had a cheery little girl building sand castles on the beach, running in the trails in the tropical forests and watching the sun go down into the sea leaving orange footprints in the sky.
  

• Paapu is turning three next month. THREE. Yes, you heard me right. When did she stop being a baby and turn into this talkative little preschool going girl? I have no clue! Sample some of the laugh moments:

——-

Midnight stroke of 12 on the new years eve. I grab Paapu in the middle of the party to say “Happy new year!”
“Huh? Happy..What ?”

[ Note to self - Toddlers don't understand the sense of time - not in seconds, minutes or in ( happy new) years.]
——-
” Paapu, no Preschool today. It’s closed for holiday”
“Yes. They shut the doors and locked it really tight.Very tight. Cannot open.”
“??!”

..after a few days of Christmas holidays,

“Paapu, your preschool opens tomorrow”
“They open the door? Was very tight closed, how they open?

——-
“”Good Job!”
“No, Amma, I am not Good Job. I am Good Girl!”
——-
Middle of the night, everyone is sound asleep.

“Amma!”
I wake up shocked by the cry, “What, what happened baby?”
“Amma, she is not sharing her toys with me”
“Aww, that’s okay, it’s a dream, sleep now..shhh” , patting her back to sleep.
..after 20 minutes
“Amma..! She is still not sharing her toys with me!”
Apparently, toddlers dream in saga episodes, who knew
——-

I am driving the car and the noise from the backseat gets irritating.

“Paapu. Stop screaming. Stop it.”
“Ok Amma, don’t be angry. I will scream very quietly. Okay?”

——-

She is a silly goose, isn’t she?

That’s about it for now.

Stay happy there

Cheers!

 

Favored Grace

It started with a posting on Craigslist, the website where you can buy/sell second hand items for cheap.

 

I put up a Vacuum cleaner for sale there few days back. It was an old one, but worked perfectly. I put a reasonable price so that I get a buyer soon- just trying to get rid of some clutter at home.

 

I received just one response by email and eagerly grabbed the opportunity . It was a couple who contacted me. An American couple with kids and pets and they needed to be sure the vacuum cleaner cleans on wooden flooring as well as carpet.

 

I called the number and heard a soft female voice, ” Hello, this is Lina”

 

“Hi, I am calling about the Vacuum cleaner you were interested in ? Could you come this evening, after 6:30 PM to take a look?”

 

“Oh, Hi. Thank you for contacting. This evening is difficult. How about tomorrow early morning?”

 

“Okay. Can you come around 8:30 AM before I leave for work?”

 

“Sure. My husband and me will come. I will get my 2.5 year old daughter too”

 

“Definitely. Bring your daughter. I have a 2.5 year old daughter too”

 

“Nice. My daughter, she is blind. So, a little behind the milestones. But, she would be happy to meet your daughter “

 

“Uh….Oh, Ok. Sure”

 

“See you tomorrow then?”

 

“See you tomorrow”

 

The word ‘blind’ came unexpected. And, the fact that she included it in a conversation so smoothly made me feel small. I took being ‘normal’ as granted. Right after the call, I felt blessed to have a child who is able to see. I ran to Paapu and gave her an extra special kiss. I told about the couple and their daughter to the husband by the end of the day and re-iterated how we take things for granted.

 

The next day, at 8:30 in the morning, we had our visitors. In came a petite woman wearing jeans-Tee and  a beautiful smile. She was helping her little girl to guide with the cane. The husband walked in right next to them with a nice smile too.

 

I could not take my eyes off the little girl.She was wearing a little salwar kameez and did not look American at all. I had to ask -

 

” Your daughter is beautiful. Is she Asian?”

 

“Yes. She is from Bangalore, India”

 

“Oh..!”

 

” We got her from an orphange this February. She is just getting used here.I suppose you are from India too?”

 

“Yes,  we are. In fact, I come from a place near Bangalore”

 

“Wow, really? You know ka-na-da then?”

 

“ Kannada? Yes, of course I do”

 

“My daughter, Ana-Swetha*, loves to hear ka-na-da. Can you speak to her in the language?”

 

“Sure!”

 

I called out to Ana-Swetha and said “Hegidiya?” ( How are you?)

 

She turned in a sudden jerk and came running in my direction. I kneeled down and opened up my arms to hold her before she tripped on something.

 

And, then, she hugged me. 

 

The tightest, fondest, most wonderful of hugs I have ever got! She wrapped her legs around my waist and buried her face into my neck. I just sat down and held her…words do not describe the feeling inside me. 

 

After moments passed silently. I noticed a sad streak on Lina’s face , “She misses Ka-na-da. They spoke that language in her orphanage. I am trying to learn a few words actually”

 

I tried to talk, breaking from the strong embrace, but chocked on my own tears.Finally said, 

 

“Hmm. People like us only keep dreaming of doing such a thing. To adopt. You guys have actually done it. I…I feel touched. “

 

“Oh, Ana-Shwetha came to us really. We have an elder daughter who is from the same orphanage too. We went to bring her home and could not resist bringing Ana-Shwetha home”

 

She showed me a picture of her elder daughter, who was not blind, but equally beautiful and spirited.

 

While the husband showed them the Vacuum cleaner ( which they bought) I made Paapu and Ana-Shwetha drink their morning glass of milk together. Paapu (reluctantly) gave a toy of hers for Ana-Shwetha to take home.

 

It was time for them to leave and we stood at the door waving them goodbye.

 

But, this is not the last we’ll meet them I hope. Promises have been made to meet up again. I cannot wait to start a relationship with this wonderful family. A family that showed me there is no limits to sharing love, you only have to open your arms with it.

 

 

 

NOTE: Names have been partially changed to protect identity.

 

* Ana-Swetha : The birth name is the second half .The first half  ”Ana” was added by the new family. It means “favored grace”.

 

 

Two going on Twenty Two

My dear Paapu,

Been a while  since I wrote to you. I wasn’t away. I was right next to you, watching you grow, feeling pleased, being surprised and at times acting silly along with you

You are a little more than 2 years old now. But, when someone asks me, I still say “Oh, she turned two recently”. At times, however, I want to smile and tell ” She is Two going on Twenty Two really”. Here are few reasons that will show you why-

We sit together eating a bowl of fruits and I finish my portion first and you go “Good Job Amma!” patting my back.You also notice and praise with a “Good job Amma!” when I dress you up and tie your pigtails well. Role reversal at one of it’s best

Me and your dad have a tiff, voice levels raise, eyebrows knot, body language changes and he stands close to me with an angry face. You barge in from no where, block his way, point your fingers and shout “No Appa, No!”. You make us break into a loud laugh in the middle of a heated arguement. Do you know how embarassing it is at times?

I am supposed to be potty training you, correct? No, you don’t seem to think so. In fact, you think you are supposed to train me to potty train you. “No diaper Amma, only pant, ok?”. And then, you voluntarily pull me to the restroom screaming “I wanna make Potty now, lets go!” and I follow to help you like an obliging student. Stifling my laugh while you pompously sit on your potty and beam at your achievement is a separate topic anyway.

While I get dressed for a party or a evening out or to work, you never fail to compliment if you like my attire. “Nice dress Amma” you smile and I promptly check back  ”Nice, really?” and you nod. You have no idea how sweet that feels. But hey, I cannot coax a compliment out of you unless you actually like my dress. Trust me, I have tried

On a camping trip, I stand in front of the campfire grilling some cheese and you softly stand aside to say “Careful Amma, ok?”. Your dad hammers a nail into the wall and you are right next to him reminding “Careful Appa, careful”. How do you know when exactly to use such caring words? I wonder.

For you, salt is ‘Uppa” and Ghee is ‘Uppa” too. Pretty confusing if you ask me. But, we get by, especially since you are a pretty little assistant cook – helping peel the peas out, handing over the dried vessels, watching me cook with such appraise. I almost feel like a celebrity when you curiously ask “whattis dis?” while I carefully pick it up and say “Onion”

Remember how in one of your last letters I said you were fearless and walked away to explore without a backward glance? Well, that still hasn’t changed. Sometimes, it scares me when you act all grown up and start walking away. I wait for you to turn around and look for me. But, usually you are too happy smiling at strangers or plucking at a leaf on the way. Go, explore. But, stay safe. Stay near, will you?

Reading is one of your favorite things to do. You open it and hold it down on the lap, then point at the words and start reading animatedly. If only the book wasn’t upside down we would have totally bought your act.

I have such a relaxing time letting you ruffle my hair. My hair and your tiny hands are all real. But the hair brush, rubberband, hairclips and everythign else that you imagine are..err..imaginary. You can spend hours pretend combing my hair and I sit there enjoying every bit of it. Thank you my love!

Two year olds gorge on pizzas when they get a chance, I have seen. You are the only one in the birthday parties who refuses pizza and picks out the veggie toppings from them to munch on.”How did you do it?” , fellow mommies ask surprised. “Nothing, really”, I reply honestly, “she just doesn’t like pizzas much, but loves her veggies”.They will see you stuffing your face with cake and chocolate the next minute, but until then, I am allowed to feel a little proud about your habits, am I not?

You fight with me. Loudly. Already. I am quite mad about something and say “Paapu, you are a bad girl!”. Immediately there’s a response “No, YOU bad girl!”. I don’t give up “No, YOU bad girl” louder. You stand up, point a finger and scream “Nooo. YOU! Bad Girl! OK?!”. The game goes on for a few minutes with louder and funnier faces until neither of us can stay serious anymore. Next thing we know, we are laughing and rolling on the floor together . At this rate,  all my disciplining plan can go hide its face in shame.

Tell me why you love being barefoot so much? In the park, in a backyard, on a walkign trail – you are the only kid without footwear running around carefree. Once you throw out your shoes no amount of pleading will help. I have noticed little bruises on your tiny feet sometimes, but you do not seem to mind at all. That is why you love my foot massages after bath everyday, don’t you?

Kind, smart and fearless, are you Paapu? Maybe all true. But, one more thing is true too. You are a bondhu little silly girl. Why? sample this-

” Paapu, Look up, big blue sky!”

You look up . “Yes, Amma”

” Now tell me, what is the color of the sky?”

“Mmm….Orange?”

Love you my darling. Stay happy always.

Tight hugs and kisses,

Your Amma

 

When AHK Meets SnS

Chapter Name: AHK Meets SnS

Question 1: What made it happen – AHK meet with SnS ?

Answer: SnS lives hundreds of mile away from AHK, but work circumstances brought AHK right near the city where SnS lives. After a few phone calls, the best option was chosen – AHK to visit SnS and then they both come back to AHK’s accommodation for a sleep-over!

Question 2: What happens when SnS meets AHK?

Answer: There are numerous things that happen when SnS meets AHK. A few of them are listed below in chronological order -

• A dozen calls are made to and fro days before the actual meet.There is so much laughing into the phone, some third person might think they are mad, a little.
• The cold winds does not matter when they meet, there is enough warmth from the hugs and lovely people around.
• The smiles do not stop and the laughs only get louder together
• ‘My city is like a village’, ‘My house is a mess’ –  SnS had said and AHK calls her a liar when she gets to see those. No, they are not !
• AHK considers meeting G was a great added bonus, he was so courteous and charmingly sweet
• Long drive and much chatter ensues, no prizes to guess their favorite topic – Blogs
• Topics flow out like from pandoras box, there is so much to talk, really.
• When one stops the other picks the thread and when the other stops this one eases in again – before they know, it was 2 AM next morning already!
• Good Nights are said and the lights are finally put off, they have all of next day for themselves after all
• After a lazy wakeup, they are quick to get ready for free breakfast at the hotel lobby area
• Eggs, Muffins, toast, bagels, fruits and cereal – all are had in leisure with hot coffee.
• Oh, and there is freshly made waffles with sweet syrup too – AHK ‘made’ them while SnS carefully assisted
• They start out together into a new unfamiliar city to go check out a mall
• They loose way and take an hour to reach a place 15 minutes away – What? they are only 2 people with only 2 GPS with them.
• They giggle and keep a the head high and swear to call it their ‘secret adventure trip’ ( to the mall) Heh.
• The mall is found, explored and a bunch of happy nothings are bought.
• A Yumm lunch is had sitting inside a rainforest – there are pythons, chimpanzees, elephants and alligators moving and making loud sounds. There was also thunder and lightning flashes now and then (  RainForest Cafe, anyone?)
• A movie together is also in the cards and they choose to watch – “Mirror Mirror”. They beam with pride when SnowWhite locks her prince inside and says, “Fairytales always talk of prince saving the princess. But, I plan to change it. I will fight the monster myself!”
• They make a ‘ long leisurely’ drive back and sit down with a cup of coffee and ensue talks on a a real-life fairytale
• It is time to depart, but…there is so much left to talk, really!
• There are gifts and hugs and meet-me-agains and a tinge of pain, for the meet is ending.

Question 3: How does it look when AHK meet SnS?

Answer: Something like this :

 

—————————————————————

 SnS – Loved every bit of the time together. You are honest, beautiful and such a wonderful person inside out. * blows out kisses*

Everyone else – How are you dearies doing? I have read each one of your comments on last post, will definitely leave a response when I have more time to spare. BTW, here is SnS version of the meet.  :)

 

Here….There

The husband had to attend a close family function and flew off to India for a couple of weeks. And, oh, he took Paapu along too.

It took a day or two to sink in that…that I am SINGLE right now! God, it feels like ages since I have had all this time to myself!

Want to know how Paapu is managing without me and how am I managing without them?  Here is a little description -

——————————————-

THERE

She fiddles  around the toys alone, then smiles at a bunch of kids outside. In matter of minutes she is seen jumping animatedly with a dozen children all of different size but the same spirit.

She cringes a little when stones press against the tiny naked feet, but proceeds undeterred. By evening she is covered in a layer of brown mud and barefoot running is a cake walk (pun intended)

Out and about being a brat

She chatters non stop, some things make sense, most do not. Ask her ‘who is your friend?’ and she can answer it for straight 10 minutes non-stop. You may even hear a dog, a tree, a bike, a TV and books in the list.

She cannot have enough of the two sets of grandparents doting on her. “Thaata-Paati! she cries out at times ‘Ajja-Ajji!’ during others and they spare no seconds to come rushing to ask ‘Yes, Paapu?’

She meets her Maava (my bro) and is intimidated by his height and gait, but realizes he is tame anyway. Soon the Maava is seen carrying her on his back singing an elephant song around the house.

She is bathed by one, dressed by another, fed by yet another before she runs away, only to return red like a tomato, sweaty and tired. The routine is repeated all over again many times, until the sun goes down.

She is sleepy and her eyes are droopy, but she will not give in since there is so much more to play! She kicks and cries when the toys are taken away, but falls asleep on one of the shoulders soon anyway.

Leading the gang on a catamaran at the beach

—————————————-

HERE

I Read – Books are being devoured hungrily as if rare commodity. Fiction, Mystery, Science and some Erotica too. Ahem.

I Write – Long hearty emails, one by the dozen comments on Facebook, and a blog post too. These count as writing too, don’t they?

I Run – Couple of miles on a weekday, much more on weekends. What luxury to tie up the running shoes and take the trail when the heart pleases!

Not a recent pic, but quite apt

I Party – A birthday here, a movie night there, a surprise bash here, a get-together there. Think feathers, fire dancers, cocktails and mini dresses.Returning home at 4 AM never felt so good.

I Connect – Calling up, chatting, meeting and spending time connecting with friends feels so easy when you have no cooking, laundering and dish washing to do everyday

I Work – Finishing up long pending tasks with vengeance, never mind the few extra hours sitting late in office.

I Sleep – NOT. I smell the little Paapu dress tucked near the pillow. It smells of her, the day she left to the airport. I look at our bedside family pic and kiss the hubby in there. I roll on the empty bed and try hard to catch some sleep, while it plays hard to get.

—————————–

Four days more and I shall transform into a busy mom and a hard working wifey back again If you know my number and live close by call me and I might just join you for a drink or a coffee or a movie or all three

What say?

 

Such is life

It was 5:32 in the evening and the office cubicles were almost empty. I was still there though I was supposed to be on the road driving to the daycare to pick up Paapu, 2 minutes back. It takes around 20 minutes to reach the daycare, a little more if there is traffic. Daycare closes at 6 PM and the providers make it a point to mention “you are late!” even if it is by 4 minutes. Mommy guilt sucks.

“Shucks! Am late”, I thought, shutting down the laptop and hurriedly picking up my things.

I turned around while stuffing the laptop in the bag and noticed Rick* in the next cubicle was still working. He always did. He was in his place every day when I came in and he was right there, working intently even when I left. I give my 8+ hours all days in office, which meant Rick worked much more. I joined this new team recently and knew everyone in the team pretty well by now, except for Rick. He was old, maybe 55 or even 60. He wore neat and clean sweaters, although old looking and grey.He looked really close into the computer screen when he worked. If approached for an issue, he would offer his opinions and ideas. Then, he wrote them down and took prints to distribute to everyone concerned. “Just send us an email Rick”, we laughed sometimes. He spoke very matter-of-factly during meetings, and spoke defensively even at funny remarks made in a light moment. He hardly smiled.

Like everyone else (much younger to him) in the team, I began looking at him as a different case. Approached him only when it was truly necessary, never made small talk or tried to be friends. Although he sat right next to my cubicle. It was only casual ‘Hi’, ‘Bye.. Cya” and nothing else. Until that day.

I was just about to leave and noticed Rick looking deep into his computer screen and typing away. “Why does this man take work so seriously? Why doesn’t he just go home to his family?!”, I wondered and pat came these words out of my mouth, as if involuntarily.

“Hey Rick, do you have any kids?”

“Ummm.No”

“Wife..family..?”

“Well, my son died 7 years ago and my wife might be leaving me very soon”

“Oh…”, and my voice trailed off.

I cursed myself really bad in my head. Why did I need to ask him about family? How insensitive of me.Argh!

“Uh..I am sorry. But, I am sure things will turn around for you Rick”, I mumbled a lame effort.

“It does not look like that to me”, he smiled weakly.

“It will be okay. You just keep up hopes”, I said as I picked up my bag and dashed towards the door. Rick turned back to his computer.

“Am late”, I thought again and hurried to the car.

I got in and switched on the engine and suddenly, out of nowhere, a huge wave of sadness hit me like a ton of bricks. Before I knew it, I was sobbing uncontrollably into my palms. What had I just done?!!

It took couple of minutes to gather myself back again, get down the car and walk back into the office.

Rick was there, lost in the computer screen and typing some code.

“Hey Rick”

“Hey”

“I..I..I am terribly sorry I asked you the question… Can I give you a hug?”

He stretched out his arms slowly and then we hugged. “It’s gonna be okay Rick..It’s..”, I gulped the lump in my throat as I patted his back.

“Don’t cry. That’s alright”, he assured.

“It’s just that ..I might have judged you..and I feel really bad for that.I am sorry”, tears still rolling down.

“Oh..”

“Rick, since I saw you here working all the time, I wondered if you cared enough to go home to your family..”

“Family.. I don’t have one. Because I don’t have anyone or anything to go to. Seven years back, life seemed perfect! Then, my son passed away, all hell broke loose and everything fell apart..just like that.”

“…things can get better..” I tried to say.

“I am 56 and I have less life left. I don’t see it turning up again for me, ever. One thing that keeps me occupied is my work and I try and keep busy at it. I am here early..and I leave late. As I said, I have nothing else to go to.”  That weak smile again.

“I will send out good thoughts for you Rick, ask the one up above to set it right for you”

“Okay”, he said matter-of-factly, “Thank you”.

I walked back to the car slowly. The water in my eyes was drying up, but the pain lingered ..and I let it stay. I knew I deserved it. Realization, sometimes comes the hard way. And , it’s okay to hurt.

As I drove, the precept re-iterated in the head several times – Never judge people by their mannerisms or behavior. You never know what life has been to them..you never know the story they lived through..You never know where their smiles were left behind..You never know…

Paapu ran to me with a familiar delight as I stood there at the entrance of the daycare, arms stretched open for a hug.

Another day. Another lesson.

Such is life . It never stops teaching.

[ * Name changed to protect identity]

 

New Year tagging along

How have you been? That new one, 2012, treating you well?

Though we planned it to be a quite and happy beginning, the new year ushered us in with a lot of action – that which included our car break in, a cold night drive, last minute changes and a party which rocked the night round – high on music, laughter, dance and spirits ( both kinds ) !

All that is a different story to tell. I am here, however, for a different reason. First, to wish each one of you a new year that feels fabulous in every  possible way

Second, to do this tag that I have been meaning to do since the time I saw it here.That’s one wicked post to begin writing in the new year, I know. Who said I was being nice anyway?

Once I start talking of the husband and his traits, it shall be difficult to stop. So, am conveniently giving up the 7 number restriction and proceeding.

• The husband has one dimple on each cheek. That makes it two (duh!)..and I love them muchly. So much so that I sincerely prayed Paapu gets them too when I was expecting her. That didn’t happen, however, and the husband remains the sole a-dimple-on-each-cheek person in the family.Needless to say he is mighty proud of those two ( dimples, I mean).

• Before you go all awww at the above point, let me make up for it by saying that his hair style ( style? Hehehe) is sad.The guy lived in denial until one day, when the 6 year old of a dear friend pointed his head and giggled “Your hair is funny. Looks like a nest”. Enough said.

• Are you looking for the ultimate guide to annoy people? Contact The husband.Some tips in the beginners chapter will have things like placing open palm on the victims face without reason for unlimited duration. Also, changing your computer settings to hang the icons upside down, when victim leaves the machine unattended.Or, you may learn how you can stealthily update victims profile on network sites to say “I am a raging alcoholic and of course a chain smoker too. I live with my 16 dogs and 10 cats”

• I find it really hard to say this..I flinch and my nose crinkles, but here goes – The husband is the more responsible one among us two.Hmph. He remembers to ..pay the bills, update documents, keep in touch with relatives and friends, check on status about milk in the fridge, wear the condom whatever the heat of the moment, get the car serviced on time. What? All true those.

• The most wacky dialogues come out of him at the most unexpected times. It mostly makes you laugh out loud accompanied by an ‘Ayyo!’ face-palm. Sample these :

——————–

Me:”Did you finish that book – Top 10 places to see before you die?”

Him:”Hmm. I am coming up with my own list”

Me: “What list?”

Him: “Top 10 places to die before you see”

——————–

Me: So, what do you think?

Him: That I am your Prince and you are my Prince-Ass

——————-

• Have a free weekend with no plans? Want to just sit down and chill on the sofa, spend a lazy day watching a movie or two? Forget it, if you are married to this man, The husband. He is like a fish out of water if there is no plan ahead of the day.Or, to be precise, if there is no outdoor plan for the day. He believes it is blasphemous to spend free time indoors. Rain, sunshine or snow, he is all set all the time shouting , “come on, lets go!”. What weed he smokes to be such an enthu cutlet all the time, I don’t know.

• Sports of any kind doesn’t interest this guy. No, really! I found it hard at first..can such a GUY exist? Yes, he can. And, he does not care who is playing what and how, for any sport. Can be a good sportsman though, within a group of friends playing cricket or frisbee.

• It is dead hard to beat this guy in a debate. Before you raise an eyebrow, ask me how is that? The husband has this innate ability to confuse people. You think, analyse and argue in a straight line, while this man will think, hop, skip, jump, climb another plane and throw a pebble at you from there.Some people will work hard to fit that pebble into their straight line of thought while others like me just go ‘Wha..?” and let it go

• The husband is a classic case of “You can take a tamilian out of Tamilnadu, but can never take Tamilnadu out of a tamilian”. Can have sambhar rice and chips any time of the day, best likes to dance to dabba kuthu songs, likes wife better in sari and bindi than any sexy western wear, quotes tamil movie jokes at slightest given chance..you get the idea? But surprisingly, NOT a Rajnikant fan..nor a Kolaveri fan either. Huh, wonders of nature!

I just realized I am bubbling with more material here, but that might cost me..emm..my marriage?

So, will stop.

Bye for now.

* Walks away singing – Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way… Oh what fun it is to write of husband and his ways…”  *