First off, one BIG sorry for not having put the update as promised in the last post. From the day after the major ultrasound, I have been itching to write a post about it all. But, I am one of those who want to accomplish a lot in a day and end up doing just the fraction of it.Hmmph! Much happening at office and even more happening on weekends with cousins and friends…just more reasons for me to procrastinate posting.

Here is a glimpse of Diwali and then recently Halloween!

Lovin' the lighs and sparks

Am a Flapper from the 1920's

Coming to the point of this post – The big Ultrasound session where they tell the sex of the baby!

The day of the appointment arrived, but me and H still did not arrive at a decision. “To find out or not?”
If you know even a bit of the anxious me, you know which side I took

5 months and a week

Planning the name or going shopping for pink or blue is the least of my concerns (in fact, hate that color segregation). My biggest point of argument – When I can, why can’t I just know ahead of time and start dreaming about my little Daughter or Son? Why should I keep a hazy baby picture in my imagination when I have the option for a clear delightful one?

But H had his points. He would not miss the thrill and utter delight of announcing “It’s a Boy!” or “It’s a Girl!” on the day of His/Her arrival. He kept insisting that he wants a surprise. Lots of coaxing and pleading only led to a stern ” Ok, go ahead and find out. But, don’t ever tell me! I shall find out when the baby comes.”

Sigh. Now, that kind of a statement is supremely unrealistic… How can I know and keep it to myself??!!

Anyway, my argument was ONE versus the entire army of people in the family. Not just the H and his folks, but mine too  Everyone just wanted a surprise, the traditional way.

So, when I lay on the bed at the Ultrasound session straining my neck to get a clear glance at the picture on the monitor and when the technician asked me “I have seen the sex of the baby. You wanna know?”…..I looked at the H to find an answer.

He was facing the monitor directly, watching his baby move and change postures. There was just one big happy grin on his face, least bothered about what I would answer to the technician lady.

I could have just said a “yes” and be jumping in joy announcing to the world right now. But, something in the heart  just ticked off at that moment and made me say “We cannot decide that yet. Can you please give it to us in a sealed envelope instead?”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes”

“Okay, you guys can open it together when you decide to know, if at all”

“Hmm..that’s the idea”

So, we have an envelope with a little piece of paper that says “BOY” or “GIRL” inside. Sealed and kept under the drawer just below God’s place at home. Still intact.

I did hover around the place a lot initially and even tried holding it up to the light for a sneak peek inside

But now, I feel good about the decision I made. If that makes everyone else happy, I can wait a few more months……the little prince/princess will come to me anyway

There’s one little twist to the story though. The technician was a young lady who explained all the captures on the monitor and showed us the details – arms, legs, feet, spinal cord, face, lips, eyes…

At one point she exclaimed, “Look, She is sucking her thumb!“

Did you notice THE MOST IMPORTANT WORD there???

Yes, it could be a SHE after all…unless that technician lady was just using a generic term. But, hey, ‘HE’ is more generic usually, no?

I still have the sealed envelope and I still have my hazy dreams…but more often than not, I have been imagining my baby in a frock, two tiny ponytails and dimples, one on each cheek

Sharing some very precious pictures of my baby here..the black and whites from the ultrasound. The first one shows a facing up relaxed posture from the side view . You can see the face, stomach and folded legs. The spinal chord is also visible at this stage. The second one is also a side view, rather blurry. But, know what is awesome about it? She/He is clearly holding up her palm ..waving a ‘Hii!” , you see ?

Now, wish the best for this little one…to grow Healthy, Happy and Smart!

Will ya please ?

At 4 months and a week now, I jotted down things that pregnancy has brought me. When does a smile come in and when does a cringe happen. Here goes:

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Smile

- Hubby waking me up with a kiss on the forehead followed by another on the tummy.

- Hubby actually remembering (without reminders!) and making me hot chocolate in  the morning, cutting and packing fruits for lunch dessert, lovingly hiding cookies and other snacks in my carry bag for office hungry hours.

- The extra attention from friends and cousins. Expected to do the least and pampered the most – bliss!

- The wide range of maternity clothing options and a long day of shopping for them in the mall.

- An impromptu visit to the Ice cream shop late in the night for a  No-Guilt-Ice-Cream-loaded-with-chocolate-chips-and-roasted-nuts. What calories?  The doc wants me to have lotsa milk products, fruits and nuts

- Appa Amma and the in-laws checking on me every day and reminding Hubby to be nice to me…every single time! Hehehe.

- The caring enquiries about what I am craving for and actually having some of  them cooked and brought home by awesome friends and relatives here.

- Telling out to an unsuspecting (or so I think) acquaintance or colleague that ‘I am having a baby!’ and watching their face bloom into a happy smile followed by a hearty hug.

- Just lying down on the bed and softly moving my hands over the bulging tummy and imaging what s/he is up to

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Cringe

- Waking up every morning feeling heavier than the day before.

- Mid night trips to the loo. The bladder wins over sleepy eyes and tired head, every single time. Arrgh!

- Frequent throbbing head aches which are manageable, but annoying nevertheless.  They don’t need a reason nor an invitation (of course!).

- Dressing up ( to the office, a casual get together or a grand party ) means sitting and staring at those nice looking ‘before’ clothes in the wardrobe and  feeling depressed at how big you have gotten for any of them now. Sigh!

- The sex, or the lack of it The first 3 months was a total dry spell, thanks to  the doc who wanted us to ‘take it easy’ because she saw some unexpected fluid outside the sac in my uterus. It’s well over the 4th month now and we have had interesting nights for not more than 2 times hence. What is with the hubby acting with all care and affection in bed when I would really appreciate some love and action!

- The hands-tied-down feeling when I am not able to go dandia dancing on navarathri nights, go river rafting on a weekend trip, go biking or running when I  feel like it, go on any more adventurous vacation for some time to come. I know, I  can still take up any/all of these. Many do. But, my history with pregnancy added with the paranoid advices and suggestions from everybody who cares, has actually  tied me up. I stay satisfied with long walks, leisurely non adventure trips,  some lucky days at the riverside strolling barefoot on the wet pebbles.

- Enquiring and advising is all fine. But, I really DO NOT want unsolicited suggestions and tips from few of those nosy women who think they are the gurus of it all  since they have had one or two kids. Each woman is different and please understand  that I cannot be you and do exactly what you ate, said or did.

- My list of food cravings is short, very short. The first line says ‘Fruits’,  second says ‘Any dish tangy and spicy’ and the last line ( in big bold letters)  says ‘Amma’s hand cooked meals’. Enough said. I miss my Amma ( yes Appa too) so very much….come to me soooooon

- The thought of the D-day when I will go into labor..the hysterical pain, the crying. I can almost imagine it and tears of fear swell up. Billions have gone through it, so what big deal with me now, you ask? I have not been in any of their shoes and have only heard stories from people…in fact witnessed one closely.My daily prayers involve pleading to the Gods to make it all right..give me enough strength for a safe and normal delivery.Enough strength to look at my baby and hold it close with a smile..before passing out from exhaustion maybe

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I realize that the pluses totally outweigh the minuses when it comes to the final result. I can’t wait to hold that warm little wrapped bundle in my arms with two rosy cheeks and a pair of twinkling eyes peeping out curiously

By the way, Happy Dussehra to all those who celebrate. Be good and have fun!

Will bring you latest updates from the doc’s room in a few weeks. Maybe.. just maybe… I will have an announcement – BOY or GIRL !

Watch this space

- The extra attention I receive from friends and cousins. Expected to do the least and pampered the most – bliss!

- An impromptu visit to the Ice cream shop late in the night for a  No-Guilt-Ice-Cream-loaded-with-chocolate-chips-and-roasted-nuts. What calories?  The doc wants me to have lotsa milk products, fruits and nuts

- Just lying down on the bed and softly moving my hands over the bulging tummy and imaging what s/he is up to

- The sex, or the lack of it The first 3 months was a total dry spell, thanks to  the doc who wanted us to ‘take it easy’ because she saw some unexpected fluid outside the sac in my uterus. It’s well over the 4th month now and we have had interesting nights for not more than 2 times hence. What is with the hubby acting with all care and affection in bed when I would really appreciate some love and action!

- My list of food cravings is short, very short. The first line says ‘fruits’,  second says ‘any dish tangy and spicy’ and the last line ( in big bold letters)  says ‘Amma’s hand cooked meals’. Enough said. I miss my Amma ( yes Appa too) so  very much….come to me soooooon

- The thought of the D-day when I will go into labor..the hysterical pain, the  crying. I can almost imagine it and tears of fear swell up. Billions have gone through it, so what big deal with me now? I have not been in any of their shoes and have only heard stories from people…in fact witnessed one closely.My daily prayers involve pleading to the Gods to make it all right….give me enough strength for a safe and normal delivery. Enough strength to look at my baby and hold it close with a smile..before passing out

I realize that the pluses totally outweigh the minuses when it comes to the final result. I can’t wait to hold that warm little bundle in my arms with two rosy cheeks and a pair of twinkling eyes peeping out curiously

Will bring you latest updates from the doc’s room in a few weeks. Maybe.. just maybe… I will have an announcement – BOY or GIRL !

Watch this space

It has been a while since I posted here and it was not exactly writer’s block. It was a plain refusal by the mind to write down anything else except the “BIG NEWS”.

For anyone who has been reading this space – Easy guess!

I am gonna be a Mommy!

The last incident took away most of the initial excitement and cheer of a couple who finds out they are pregnant. It was mostly anxious and hopeful waiting.

This time, when I found out, I smiled with a few tears lingering..that never made it to the cheeks. There was joy waiting to bubble and burst..but held back and bottled up. We wanted to give nature enough time to decide whether we should be celebrating or not.

The last three months have not exactly been easy. The pregnancy symptoms were minimal – some nausea here and there, getting tired now and then. But, silencing that nagging little fear inside the heart was difficult..very.

Days passed on and there were no bad signs from where I could see. The first doctor appointment was nearing and I shuddered every time thinking of the possibility…doctor staring at the screen of that ultrasound machine and saying  ”Cannot find the baby. May be it has left”. I had no strength or courage to endure the agony again. No…

However, the prayers worked and nature was kind this time around. Me and the hubby could hardly  believe our eyes when the doctor showed us a tiny baby figure floating on that screen! And then there was a heartbeat!! A little flicker..strong and steady..lub-dub-lub-dub-lub-dub..

We hugged each other right there in front of the doctor and there were no words coming out..just some happy gasps and teary giggles.

Our baby has made it this time..has decided to come to us, healthy and safe..

The prenatal visits and check ups so far have been fine. The last one was yesterday when I confirmed from the doctor that it was safe to announce our news to the world.

There is a long way to go until March 10 2010 (expected date of arrival), but it’s  time for me to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride now

See the little baby bump?

A little birdie from the internet told me that the baby is about 3.5 inches in size by now and already making tiny facial expressions – squint, frown, grimace and  possibly sucking thumb! While the liver, spleen and brain are developing rapidly, the baby is busy sleeping or stretching out and curling the toes

Send your good wishes and some prayers this way people…the little one and the anxious mommy need it at every growing stage now.

Know what? It feels great to tell the news out here…it was as if I am hiding a big secret from a close friend all this while.

Phew!

I am gonna be a Mommy!

There is a long way to go until March 10 2010 (expected date of arrival), but it’s  time for me to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride now

A little birdie from the internet told me that the baby is about 3.5 inches in size by now and already making tiny facial expressions – squint, frown, grimace and  possibly sucking thumb! While the liver, spleen and brain are developing rapidly, the baby is busy sleeping or stretching out and curling the toes

Phew!

For the uninitiated, this is the sequel to my last post about the semi-naked, drunk girl friend on chat

After some thinking and after much reading the comments on the previous post, I  decided to let my satanic part win this time . Well, I had some good intentions in letting her know too.

See it yourself on the email I wrote to her :

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How’s you doing? Hope all is well.

We had a long chat on Monday night (your time) and you sounded..err..weird

It was quite obvious you were slosh drunk then. Not sure if you remember now, but  do check the chat archive logs.

A couple of things -

If it was indeed you who typed all that, then seriously avoid coming on  chat/phone/email while drunk. There might be wrong people out there to misuse a  situation and that might be kind of dangerous. You know what I mean, yeah?

If it was not you who typed on chat that day , then make sure your account was not  hacked and used by somebody else. That thought it damn creepy!

Take care.

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I received a hasty little response from her the same day that said :

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I am fine. Very Sorry.. I shouldn’t have come online when I was drunk.

I just checked the chat archives..

Want to talk to you. Will catch you online without the booze this time

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The next day she popped up on the chat as soon as I logged in, as if she had been waiting!

Her name on chat involuntarily shot up a big red warning sign in my head. Thankfully, she was sane and sober this time.

Embarrassed apologies ensued, later followed by profuse requests not to divulge any of  what-took-place-that-night to her people, especially the husband!

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Her: I did all of it without the husband knowing. He still doesn’t have a clue. Let this remain between just the two of us, please.

Me: Sure, don’t worry. But, why didn’t you tell the husband?

Her: What should I tell? You tell me.

Me: You could say you had a couple of drinks..bit too much to handle and not mention about other things. To keep him informed, I guess.

Her: Hmm..I just had one glass you know?

Me: Haha! No way! That’s too less to get intoxicated

Her: Really!

Me: One glass of wine = Just half of the glass from the rim.

Her: I had a full glass … or was it a full bottle..oh, can’t recall.

Me: That’s all right. Forget it.

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At this point I actually started feeling sorry for her situation. So, a quick  change of topic had us talking a bit of work, a little of family and a lot of the good old school days !

Finally, it all ended nice..with smiles lingering afterwards:

She: Am really happy now that I have spoken to you about it..phew!

Me: Ditto here .

She: Good Night, Sleep tight

Me: May the Bed Bugs not bite

Yesterday, finally, the jealousy died. Just like that, it went away. It is since been replaced by a smug smirk

Me: Ok, Good night, Sleep tight and may the bed bugs not bite. Nice catching up  with you today.

She: You are making Me hot

She: He is out. So how about you?

Me: * Gulp.What’s wrong with her?*  Not really , especially when you are in office  working on some boring stuff. But, looks like you are! Time to call up your guy, I  guess.

She: Oh, its all because of …….the mood

Me: Sorry, am in office and got loads of things to finish. Monday today na  * You better end it here miss or be prepared to be shit embarrassed tomorrow when you are sober *

She: I didn’t know when to stop drinking..but, it’s really made me hot

She: Hmm..I am going to be on bed for some time and enjoy, ok

She: Tell na Good night

I know her from kindergarten. We went to the same school and then the same pre-university college. We were friends, not thick buddies, not great pals..just friends.

Tall, beautiful, athletic, talented – She was all this bundled up in a strong charming persona everyone seemed to admire. I did too, but not in the same light. I secretly envied her for all she was. Not that I was lesser, but just because I could not be her!

We parted ways soon after college and went on with our lives. I lost touch with  her, as with many from school until we bumped each other on a networking site  sometime back. She was married and was living a good life. I went through her  pictures and realized that I don’t feel the envious pangs anymore…but it had not died down either.

Yesterday, finally, the jealousy died. Just like that, it went away. It has since been replaced by a smug smirk

Want to know how?

Out of the blue, she pinged me on chat yesterday. I was surprised since that was least expected. Not just because it was late at night in India. We were neither close enough nor bothered to check on each other by any means, anytime before that.

She started with a casual ‘Hi, Are you there?’ and I responded. It was all normal conversation for a few minutes. But, what followed later, totally took me aback! While I am still shaking my head in disbelief, the chat log tells me it did really happen.

Here are the excerpts from the chat for you. You will know why I am holding back a chuckle and smiling a vicious smile now.

———————————————–

She: Ok..going to sleep now

Me: Ok, Good night, Sleep tight and may the bed bugs not bite. Nice catching up  with you today.

She: You are making Me hot

Me: haha!!  :D   * ‘hehe..what??*

She: But me alone na

Me: oh..why so? where’s hubby?

She: He is out. So how about you?

Me: Its 12 noon on Monday and am at office now..

She: You in mood?

Me: * Gulp.What’s wrong with her?* Not really , especially when you are in office  working on some boring stuff. But, looks like you are! Time to call up your guy, I  guess.

She: Will call him later. Do u know what dress I am in?

Me: * My tubelight brain just lighted up!* Hey, one question..

She: Yes

Me: You been drinking?

She: No..yes..I mean not yet. Why?

Me: You sound different than I used to know..

She: Oh, its all because of …….the mood

Me: Ok, I get it  *time to run away!*

She: what did you get?

Me: Chalo, will get back to working now, you get some sleep or maybe talk to your  guy.Take care, bye now

She: mmm..so you are going??

Me: Sorry, am in office and got loads of things to finish. Monday today na    * You better end it here miss or be prepared to be shit embarrassed tomorrow when you are sober *

She: Yes, Monday night for me…Ok, I had some wine.. nothing to hide..makes me feel gooooood.You know, I am just in my bra and panty.

Me: * OMG! Help!* Wine is fine, I have it occasionally too. But I think you have had too much of it ..go sleep now, ok? I have gottu get back to work, really.

She: I didn’t know when to stop drinking..but, it’s really made me hot

Me: * Uff!! You really need help girl * Hmm.I think you should drink only when  there are friends or people with you girl….getting drunk alone like this is not fun.

She: I was with my colleagues…As soon as I got home I removed all my clothes except bra and panty you know?

Me: * Gosh, this is getting freaky! * Hmm.. Take a nice shower then.

She: I feel so horny, not sure why..

Me: All the wine you had is acting up. Go take a shower and drink lots of  water..will make you feel better. * Phew! I am tired trying to put some sense here  *

She: Hmm..I am going to be on bed for some time and enjoy, ok

Me: Go ahead, but I need to leave now. Bye  * Run for your life! *

She: ok..catch you later..Good night

Me: ..

She: Tell na.. Good night

———————————————–

Not sure if she even remembered this chat when she woke up next day.

I have two options:

Leave her a line asking to check her chat log and imagine her going red with embarrassment.

OR

Act all zen by pretending nothing ever happened and move on.

The bad jealous part of me votes for the former, while the angelic halo part of me chooses the latter.

What do you say?

A high spirited, chirpy new friend of mine tagged me quite some time back.

Quoting the clichéd ‘better late than never’, here is the list of my domestic horrors:

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I am this just-married brand new bride who does not know the in-law’s language and hence communicates with them mostly in English or sign language.  It is only a couple of days with the in-laws and the MIL switches over from English to her native language (Tamil) without any warning! I smile or nod stupidly at everything she says, with no clue about the meaning whatsoever

One fine morning I am seated in the living room with the newspaper when MIL walks by saying something in Tamil. I nod with a smile, as usual, before getting back to the newspaper.

In a few minutes, I smell something burning. But, I had no reason to worry – MIL was in charge of the kitchen anyway, I thought. The smell just kept getting worse and I opened the windows and doors to drive it out. Finally, when there was no sign of the stink subsiding, I entered the kitchen to find NOBODY there, but a vessel full of milk boiling and spilling out into the flames !!

Apparently, the MIL had told me in her PUREST form of Tamil that she was going out for a while and there is milk boiling on the stove. Bah! I was embarrassed to bits when FIL and my other half laughed hard at my horror stricken face.

But, heaven knows I wanted to shout at the MIL and say- “You could have cut some slack and told it in English for this poor Non-Tamil soul here, no??!”

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Me and H moved into our first little rented house in Bangalore a little after the wedding and set up a ‘home’ together. After recovering from the initial shock to learn that I am in charge of the kitchen all by myself with no help, I got to serious business. From cooking rice to making sambhar and curry – H yielded ( had no other way, I guess) to be the guinea pig for my culinary experiments Some misses and some hits, but I grew more confident by the day.

One morning, when H was away in office, I was frying some veggies but got distracted and went away to the other room, only to come back and find all my hard work turned to black charcoal in the pan.I couldn’t take that kind of insult on my attempts (ahem), picked up the purse and walked out to a nearest restaurant.

I came back home with a big styrofoam box full of hot spicy curry, nicely transferred it into a fresh vessel, stirred it with a spoon and covered with a lid. H came home for lunch those days because I was not yet working then. Plus, he loved the yummy home made food his new wife made ( or so I like to believe). No doubt, the ’special curry’ received much compliments and I was praised to no end…he thought I had finally got there! ( where?)

Only a couple of years later, when I had indeed mastered most of his favorite dishes did I let him into the truth of the special curry he enjoyed so much one day and wondered why I did not make it that way ever again !

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I was working on a project assignment and moved to the US for the first time, alone. I was put up in a company provided fully furnished apartment. It had a beautiful kitchen with all amenities – Fridge and Oven to vessels and spoons, you name it. I mostly cooked, but ordered in on lazy days. The leftover pizza that I ordered on one of those days was packed in a silver foil and kept aside for dinner. At night, I promptly picked it up , with the silver foil et all , put it in the microwave and pressed ‘Start’.

It took only a few seconds before fumes started emerging out wickedly. I was too nervous to even get closer and switch off. But, thankfully, it switched off on its own soon… after a loud explosion creating a big hole  on the microwave door

My company was too kind and paid the damage costs while the apartment people left me with a warning only.Why? Maybe because the whole thing did not involve a fire engine and police knocking on their doors. Hehehe.

———————————————————————————–

Cannot think of any major horror story since then. Oh, that translates to “I have now become so much responsible and cautious and superb at all I do in the kitchen ..I am simply – awesomely – fantastically GREAT!”

Ok, not exactly that..but something like that

What’s your part of the horror story?

Lunch break conversation in the cafeteria:

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Me: So, what do you have for breakfast usually?

DesiColleagueGuy1: Parathey

Me: Daily?

DesiColleagueGuy1: Yes, my wife wakes up early and makes them for me everyday.

Me: Wow!!

DesiColleagueGuy2:  Why do you act so shocked? His wife is just being a good  ’Bharatiya Naari’.

Me: What? Why do you label it that? Who set the benchmark for a Bharatiya Naari ?

DesiColleagueGuy2: Now don’t act all non-feminist. I just spoke fact.

Me: Firstly, it is ‘feminist’ without a ”non’. Do you even know what it means?

DesiColleagueGuy2: Whatever..

Me: The ‘Bharatiya Naari’ and its specifications all came from men.

DesiColleagueGuy2: So what?

Me: If women were given a chance they would change the definition of Bharatiya Naari, am sure.

DesiColleagueGuy2: Haha, who stopped them?

Me: Now, don’t get me started man.. .from time immemorial women have been treated inferior by men. Mostly because men are physically stronger.

DesiColleagueGuy1: How can you say that? I think it is more to do with mental  strength and intelligence.

Me: And how is that?

DesiColleagueGuy1: Look, if women had enough mental strength and smartness to break the rules and go ahead, they would have! No man could have stopped them.

Me: You mean women were treated low because they were not as smart as men?

DesiColleagueGuy2: Of course! We even have a saying in my native language which translates to say “smartness of a woman is lesser than the sole of her feet” Hehe.

Me: Wha..???

DesiColleagueGuy1: So, it has all to do with mental abilities ..and why men claimed superiority

Me: Huh? I will never accept women are any lesser than men when it comes to brains. I think it all started with physical differences. Men kept women subdued because  they were the weaker of the sexes, physically. Since the age old days, men were the ones who built countries and formed laws.Women were hardly in picture!

DesiColleagueGuy1: Ah…Why were they not in picture? Because they  were not smart enough.

Me: You don’t get my point!

DesiColleagueGuy2: All this argument because you don’t make paratheys for your husband every morning? Hahaha

Me: #%^&*)%%^&*(@$%%

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Either my route to the argument was not strong enough or those two MCP’s were just not getting it.

What do you think?  Bharatiya or not, for centuries, women were treated inferior by men. Things have changed/are changing for the better now..but how did it all start?

Was it physical differences or was there something else to it?

Imagine a dark night, standing in the middle of a forest, cold breeze making a compelling whisper and there is a sudden hoot heard from a distance…Ok, that was a lame attempt at painting a scary picture. My recent ‘camping in the wilderness’ experience was anything but scary

Humboldt Redwood State Park was the venue .

It was the first time camping, for us as well as for our camping mates (another couple, Pr the husband and Lx the wife.) But tips and pointers from a dozen experienced people did us good. Tents and tools, blankets and buckets, matchbox and masalas – we arrived all prepared..or so we thought.

First thing we did after setting up the tent was to get out the stove and make some hot masala chai.Just when all were patting own backs for a task accomplished, one asked ‘Where’s the strainer?”. Never would anyone realize the dire importance of a tea strainer until you are stuck without one on a cold evening in the middle of the jungle ..and with some smoking hot chai waiting to be filtered and sipped. Arrgh! Anyways, it took only a few minutes before we came up with an alternative – paper towel. It took patient minutes of slow and steady pouring, but it worked! Here is the proof

Me with Pr at a mission

Later in the evening, a leisurely walk in the woods, hand in hand with H was rejuvenating…like untying some knots from the inner being and setting them free.

It was darker and colder soon. The able men of the  21st century took more than 10 minutes to figure out the right way to set up a camp fire before we could finally sit and warm ourselves

An elaborate dinner prep ensued and though it took little more than an hour, our menu read like this -

Grilled corn on the cob with salt, pepper and lemon rubbed on

Grilled and fried potatoes with a good dash of salt and chili powder

Readymade Parathas and paneer palak reheated to perfection

Dahi/yogurt for the sides

Pickles of 3 variety

Cookies for desert

All of the above washed down along a glass of wine..that’s one awesome feeling right there!

After a while we retired for the night with a sleeping bag and a book into our tents  and called it a day..a fulfilling day

Night was in fact the toughest part. Three layers of clothing, a fleece blanket under a thick insulation sleeping bag and still it felt cold!

In hardly 30 minutes, we heard Pr calling out for H . It was getting hard to breathe, he said. H tried to keep a calm outlook and asked him to try doing the inhale-exhale deeply. He came out of the tent,  tried exactly that and immediately felt better. The reason for the temporary breathing problem was because his body did not like the enclosed space he was lying in. Pr and H set out in the car looking for a motel to sleep…it was midnight. I lie in my tent, tightly closed eyes, pretending to have fallen asleep in that pitch darkness. Lx was also around, but no help at all. For the kind of condescendingly cold person she is, I am not sure if she was even worried for her husband. No kidding!

The boys returned in some time and complained there was no place to stay around the forest. Duh ?! Finally Pr and Lx moved out  and slept on the comfy reclining seats in the car .

Dawn broke and I woke up to the sounds of woodpeckers busy at work. The morning was a magnificent sight. How often do you open your eyes to something like this?

Those ultra maintained common shower rooms and rest rooms for campers was a blessing. I can live natural..but..err..not having to look for bushes or wide trees to do your daily job..hehe.

Kudos to the H’s planning, we spent the morning playing amidst those pleasant green surroundings. Collecting the Shuttle Cork and Frisbee back when they flew into broken twigs or thorny bushes did not seem like a big deal at all!

After a quick breakfast, we packed our swim suits and set out to a river nearby. While the day was sunny enough for the guys to open up chilled beer cans, the river water gave us shivers. So it was just wetting our feet and posing for some pics..and of course munching on the salt snacks we brought along.

It was lunch time and we soon were back at our camp site lighting our stove. By then it was pretty obvious that Pr is a thoroughly helpful and friendly person while Lx is just the opposite. She just stood there carelessly watching us work, occasionally lifting a random object off the table and asking me ‘ where should I keep this?’. Super Annoying. I sure grumbled in my head ‘ Does this look like my private kitchen? Find your work and be a team member if you can, missy’. 

The drive to the ‘Avenue of Giants’ through the forest roads was so amazing that we had to stop mid way to take it all in. I was acting like a crazy monkey-brand in the middle of the road..too happy to be there, I guess

The rest half of the day was spent trekking in that wilderness- one of the most gorgeous I have ever seen. The narrow mud path among the giant redwoods humbles you. Each one of those trees age back a thousand years…and every single tree releases more then 500 gallons of water into the air, in a single day! ( yeah, yeah..I read the facts).

Now, tell me, does this picture remind you of Jurassic park? I waited to spot a T-Rex too

On the way back to the camp site, the boys made a spontaneous decision and turned the car towards one other popular spot nearby, the Trinidad beach. It was an hour long drive and though hungry and tired by then, we got out of the car for a view like this… and forgot everything else.

Walking down the steps towards the beach, humming a silly song ..

I remember standing still near that rock and heartily thanking God – for making earth so beautiful and putting me in it to savor every bit.

Next day, bidding good bye was hard, but we knew we were not going back empty. 

We had the greenest of memories and the most gratifying of moments to take back home with us….much more than asked for

Imagine a dark night, standing in the middle of a forest, cold breeze making a compelling whisper and there is a sudden hoot heard from a distance.Ok, that was a lame attempt at painting a scary picture. My recent ‘camping in the wilderness’ experience was anything but scary

Humboldt Redwood State Park was the venue.( http://www.humboldtredwoods.org/ ).It was the first time camping, for us as well as for our camping mates (another couple, Pb the husband and Lx the wife.) But tips and pointers from a dozen experienced people did us good. Tents and tools, blankets and buckets, matchbox and masalas – we arrived all prepared..or so we thought. First thing we did after setting up the tent was to get out the stove and make some hot masala chai.Just when all were patting own backs for a task accomplished, one asked ‘Where’s the strainer?”. Never would anyone realize the dire importance of a tea strainer until you are stuck without one on a cold evening in the middle of the jungle and with some smoking hot chai smoking waiting to be filtered and sipped. Arrgh! Anyways, it took only a few minutes before we came up with an alternative – paper towel. It took patient minutes of slow and steady pouring, but it worked! Here is the proof

It was darker and colder soon. The able men of the  21st century took more than 10 minutes to figure out the right way to set up a camp fire before we could finally sit and warm ourselves

After a while we retired for the night with a sleeping bag and a book into our tents, we called it a day..fulfilling day

The drive to the ‘Avenue of Giants’ through the forest roads was so amazing that we had to stop mid way to take it all in. I was acting like a crazy monkey brand in the middle of the road..too happy to be there, I guess

Now, tell me, does this remind you of Jurassic park? I waited to spot a T-Rex too

We had the greenest of memories and the most gratifying of moments to take back home with us….and that was more than enough

Imagine a dark night, standing in the middle of a forest, cold breeze making a compelling whisper and there is a sudden hoot heard from a distance.Ok, that was a lame attempt at painting a scary picture. My recent ‘camping in the wilderness’ experience was anything but scary

Humboldt Redwood State Park was the venue.( http://www.humboldtredwoods.org/ ).It was the first time camping, for us as well as for our camping mates (another couple, Pb the husband and Lx the wife.) But tips and pointers from a dozen experienced people did us good. Tents and tools, blankets and buckets, matchbox and masalas – we arrived all prepared..or so we thought. First thing we did after setting up the tent was to get out the stove and make some hot masala chai.Just when all were patting own backs for a task accomplished, one asked ‘Where’s the strainer?”. Never would anyone realize the dire importance of a tea strainer until you are stuck without one on a cold evening in the middle of the jungle and with some smoking hot chai smoking waiting to be filtered and sipped. Arrgh! Anyways, it took only a few minutes before we came up with an alternative – paper towel. It took patient minutes of slow and steady pouring, but it worked! Here is the proof

It was darker and colder soon. The able men of the  21st century took more than 10 minutes to figure out the right way to set up a camp fire before we could finally sit and warm ourselves

After a while we retired for the night with a sleeping bag and a book into our tents, we called it a day..fulfilling day

The drive to the ‘Avenue of Giants’ through the forest roads was so amazing that we had to stop mid way to take it all in. I was acting like a crazy monkey brand in the middle of the road..too happy to be there, I guess

Now, tell me, does this remind you of Jurassic park? I waited to spot a T-Rex too

We had the greenest of memories and the most gratifying of moments to take back home with us….and that was more than enough

It is a lazy Sunday noon and she is browsing through the channels on TV. She soon finds something interesting and starts watching it .

He comes by and sees his wife busy staring at the idiot box and says “Am going out to finish some errands. See you in a while.”

She mumbles a soft “Okay dear, Bye, Drive safe” and continues to do what she was doing.

After about 15 minutes, she switches off the TV, gets up and ties up her hair into a ponytail.

The laundry bags are full, she carries them out to the washing machines, loads and let that run.

She collects the filled up trash bags from the kitchen and then the bathroom, walks out to the main trash area and disposes them.

The sink in the kitchen is half full with dirty dishes, she clears it into the dishwasher. A bunch of vessels are greasy and she patiently scrubs and rinses them to look shiny again.

She remembers there was a raw green mango in the fridge and prepares a spicy chutney out of it. She is happy with the result and decides to pack it for their lunch next day with some Idlis.

‘The laundry must be done’, she thinks and goes out to collect it. On the way she notices that the shoe rack is untidy. All that is set right in a few minutes.

She comes back with fresh smelling clean laundry and carefully folds the big load of clothes one by one. Shirts, trousers, skirts, tops , undies and socks all go to their respective shelves in the cupboard.

The plants in the patio look thirsty and she lovingly pours some water for them to liven up again.

By now, she feels thirsty herself and makes two cups of tea with cardamom and ginger. Just the way her husband likes it. She keeps one aside for him and slowly sips hers.

She casually picks up the remote and rests her tired back on the couch and browses through the TV channels.

She soon finds something interesting and starts watching it .

He comes in and sees his wife busy staring at the idiot box and says “You sit in front of the TV all day. Why not get up and do something?”

She throws a puzzled look at him ..  ”Huh?!!!!!!!!”

Yes, that’s another example of how my work goes royally unnoticed every single time. I just sit and watch TV all day, you see.

Here, take a look and you’ll roll down there too

I literally rolled on the floor laughing this morning, thanks to this silly forward from a friend. Here, take a look and you’ll roll down there too

 P.S : Those of you who are ‘Hindi Challenged’, sorry! 

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How do you do?

* Kaise karte ho? 

Keep in touch!

* Chhoote Raho. 

Lets hang out!

* Chalo bahar latakte hain ! 

Have a nice day!

* Achcha din lo! 

What’s up?

* Uppar kya hai? 

Yo, baby! What’s up?

* Beti Yo, uppar kya hai? 

She’s so fine!

* Woh itnee baareek hai! 

Listen buddy, that chick’s mine, okay!?

* Suno dost, woh chooza mera hai, theek? 

Cool man!

* Thandaa aadmi! 

Check this out, man!

* Iskee chaanbeen karo, aadmi! 

Hey good looking; what’s cooking?

* Arrey sundarta ki devi; kya pakaa rahee ho? 

Are you nuts?

* Kya aap akhrot hain? 

Son of a gun.

* Bachcha bandook ka. 

Rock the party.

* Party mein patthar pheko. 

Don’t mess with me, dude..

* Mere saath gandagi mat karo, e vyakti.

You’re kidding!

* Tum bachcha bana rahe ho! 

Don’t kid me!

* Mera bachcha mat banaao!

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