The Wedding!

So lots of things have been happening in life. Some trivial and some major. Major being my sister's wedding and trivial being settling back to normalcy post the event.

The wedding was a big thing. She was the last of all our cousins to get married and the youngest of the lot too. Everyone was present, either in the wedding hall or in front of their computers. Yes, we webcast it. It was a huge responsibility as my expert opinion was needed for everything, from the purchase of a safety pin to the selection of the groom. That's right!

After days and weeks of make up trials and accessory shopping, the D-Day arrived and it whizzed past us.

Lots of things happened and lots of things went really fast. I just remember being on my toes

My Grandmother

What do you want to become? They ask you as a child. We mouthed things like Doctor, Lawyer, Teacher etc. I sure did. For Role models, we would mouth names like Indira Gandhi, Kiran Bedi and all other freedom fighters and great leaders and scientists that we have been taught.

As you grow older, everything changes. The role models now cease to be characters from our history books but rather people who have lived alongside us and influenced our thoughts, words and deeds.

It takes age and time to realise this and when you do, something like this comes about.

My Grandmother

Introspection!

Now let me talk about my merits

Oh my! Nothing much to say.

And looking at my list of de-merits

It just puts me to shame

What about my many achievements?

Sorry, none really worth the while

At least my talents

Oh Please! Just dabbling here and there

Everything Happens for a Reason!

When something is HAPPENING you undergo various emotions and notions on what is going on and what is to come. Till such event completely unfolds, you are only left with two choices viz., be anxious or be calm.

ANXIOUS:

It was an usual working day's start. I had just laid out my laptop and was wondering what I had to do today. As my attention turned to my yet to start computer, an error blinked at me. My initial blank reaction soon turned frantic as I kept trying hopelessly for some magic to work by a mere restart.

The laptop was Dead.

Sweet Memories Part 1

Someone has been egging me to write about something close to the family. That lead me thinking and brought me to one thing that connected us all.

Our childhood home.

My first memory rolls back to the time a tiny,little kitten sat outside the kitchen while my mom and grandma coaxed me to have a glass of milk.

Surrounded by trees that offered fruits and shade, a garden around the house with colourful flowers, a two storey structure with a gate and a pathway leading to the main door, the house was huge. There was a swing in the backyard and a tub of a cement block, which I don't remember using and a WELL.

Life was laid back. I would be playing at home, playing at the neighbors'. Playing up till it's 6 o'clock until my mom called my name. I'd be really scared to be late and rush home as fast as I could. She has never hit me but still I feared her.

The older girls in the neighborhood had a good time dressing me up. I wasn't a doll but I just loved lipstick. Though I'd later struggle to keep my lips apart. Those lipsticks were very sticky and my parted lips made me drool which I had to suck in every few seconds which in turn provided entertainment to the whole family.

I remember once when a beggar had come for alms and I had followed my mother only to get a thorn up in my foot. My tender baby feet bled a lot. I still remember seeing a long red streak, or probably just my strong imagination.

I was very young compared to my cousins. At least 20 years younger. One cousin would take me on his bike to get me some GEMS. I'd be very scared when he'd ride fast. I would cling on like a lizard. Yup! That scared.

The thunderstorms were scary. I remember one night, my sister was just a baby. She was on my mother's lap, I was sitting close by, dad and grandma were there too. Yet the thunder startled and scared me. I would shut my ears to keep the fear away.  I still do not understand why I shuddered so. It was not about the surprise element, something more.

For the naughty kid who failed to sleep, my dad always had the perfect medicine  First he would start off with stories. I would always listen to ONE (really just one) before dozing off. Most nights it would mix up with the things he did at work, sleepy ramblings. Second, he would gently mention the GOBLINS that would come out if the kids are too noisy and awake at night. Eyes and ears will both be shut tight even before he finishes his narration. Our bedtime would coincide with the Parliament News at 9 and on Sundays with The World This Week.

I remember many small incidents, simple ones. Once my sister and I were dressed in identical PAVADAIs and playing down in the pathway. My dad wanted to click some pictures. Happily my sister came and hugged me from behind, circling my shoulders with her tiny hands. It was so sudden that I ended up accidentally swallowing an entire LEMON RAVALGON whose lemony taste I was relishing till that moment. Photo clicked!

Too many thoughts flash in front of my eyes. For a 5 year old, seems like I had a good memory. Or it is purely because the impact was such. A beautiful memory of a life so innocent.

Happy Birthday To Me!!

One month ago I made a post. Few weeks ago I lost a post. That leaves me with no new posts in between. Breached my promise to my own-self (own-self???). Being the Analytical Genius (self proclaimed), after deep analysis I present only one valid reason / excuse. I was procrastinating.

Amongst other things there was also the Festive season and guests which required a lot of time for dress-ups and chit chat. Energy levels usually get drained to ZERO.

So why today? Its my Birthday!! I hope no one comments "Happy Birthday" as I have been replying to most of then on FB. So great to receive so many wishes.

This birthday is extremely special as I cut my First Ever Birthday Cake. Yup. But thank god there weren't 28 candles to test my Lung Capacity. I do not know what I had wished for last year but overall I feel greatly GIFTED.

Did I say 28? Time flies. Just some years ago I felt 23 was too old. Age is a Viscious Cycle. You are still treated like a Kid by your Parents and then kids go around calling you "Ganga Aunty".

First week of October was surrounded by Golu Dolls. Second week of  October surrounded by Kids. What better way to ring in the new YEAR!!!

Lazy afternoons..

It is the silliest of predicaments - to laze or not to laze. This sudden situation has presented itself before me in light of my re-scheduling my lifestyle. Simple changes wherein I do not waste any minute in my morning times. I used to do things slightly disorganised and would end up hugely delayed with some important work. I'd find it difficult to find a whole minute at my convenience. It would feel like I have been on my feet the whole time and yet nothing would be complete. And then one day I stayed over at my cousin's. It was a revelation. Watching her go about managing her morning and leaving for work inspired me. That is hat big sisters are for. It was the first inspiration for me to lean Time Management. I haven't mastered it yet but am surely on a steady path towards it. With open eyes I now followed my Mom around. To all girls in the world, their mothers are their first teachers. Without even really knowing what I had been learning I ended up learning a lot. Specifically she constantly inspires me with her ability to Oraginse and Execute to perfection. She is a Master Time Manager. I have grown up watching her manage the house efficiently despite the tire of her job. That said I do have really have awesome genes. In everything I do today, I quickly refer my memory as to what my idols would have done. I shall not exaggerate but my lifeskills have come from my parents. To think that my child would depend on mine does make me shudder but I guess it would be fine. So where is the connection with the afternoon? I have no work. Everything is done and dusted by then and I have nothing much to do. And that is when the predicament comes about. To laze or not to laze in other words I have to decide between sleeping and staying awake. All those who are slogging at work and struggling to stay awake post lunch, praying for a magical hour of rest, would all be definitely angry/jealous right now. What to do to if I have so much time in my hands ? If you'd suggest that I get back to my job, I'd have to retract this post as I would have re-organise and re-schedule all over again. But what to do, I love my lazy afternoons.

What I learnt from TV...

Once upon a time I was scared of the television. I wouldn't even dare to dig my nose when the news was on. Reason-I believed that like how I could see the news reader, they could also see me.

That was eons ago. But will all these spy cams around nowadays, the fear in my innocent heart that time could not be termed as unfounded. After getting over that phase, I did get to learn a lot from TV.

Let me see:

Learnt all latest songs, which kept my love for music alive and well fed. All those music shows from those days to these have always inspired me to sing. Though I do not croon in front of a mic, I am a pretty confident Bathroom Singer.

Also learnt that is an Indian equivalent for all things western, like Byomkesh Bakshi- the Indian Sherlock Holmes. It was through thy series that I got to know what plaster of Paris was. Though I did not put that knowledge to use, it always felt good to know something new. And who can forget our Indian Superman Shakthiman?

The two greatest Epics of our Civilisation- Ramayan and Mahabharath were introduced to me through TV only. Today TV has also taken initiative to explain the Bagwat Gita too. All my knowledge, at least most of it is all thanks to the mythologies on TV especially DD.

I can speak Hindi very well. Despite not stepping out of Chennai during my learning years and having never stayed long up north, my fluency in Hindi is all thanks to TV. Watching all those numerous humorous series helped a lot. To rejig your memory Zabaan Sambhalke, Dekh Bhai Dekh, Shrimaan Shrimathi and Tu Tu Mein Mein to name a few.

All these lessons were learnt while watching it all on our faithful Dyanora TV. This post comes at the tome when my dear TV has finally decided to take a retirement. Will miss you.

Upbringing now and then.

Once upon a time a little girl was traveling by train with her parents to a far away land. She walked with her father towards the pantry car. There, behind the glass display lay a  golden yellow pack of mango juice. She grew excited and yanked at her father's shirt and screamed

How do I Manage??

Someone asked this question "How does she manage to blog everyday??"

Within 2 days of that, my blogging had to pause. Super powerful question.

How do I manage??

Simple. I have/had NIL responsibilities during the past 2 odd months. No dishes to do, no dinner to make aka vacationing at Mother's house. So what happens when the vacation ends? Well, Time Management.