Growing up with Anay

As happy and excited 'would-be' parents we would often talk about how our lives would change forever and for good after the arrival of our first baby. About how his or her presence would influence our every plan, decision and more so our lives in a million ways. Its been four months since we welcomed our handsome baby boy Anay into our world. As a mother, every single minute of these four months, Anay & I have been around each other. I sometimes wonder what he must be thinking of me??!! As to why this lady just never seems to vanish! ;-)

There I was, not very long ago, holding a newborn in my arms, cuddling and smiling as Abhijit took some candid first few pics of the mother-son duo, answering and replying to umpteen wishes from relatives, friends and acquaintances and simultaneously navigating a new reality :)

The first month seemed the longest. And the toughest. If Anay could comprehend and express then, am sure he would  agree to this. It was as though the two of us were suddenly thrown onto a speeding boat and were asked to take charge. We were sort of strangers. He knew nothing about me. And I could only guess things about his needs.  Life revolved only around feeds, burps, sleep and poops. Both his and mine. Nothing on earth seemed more important than that precious burp from a happy tummy. And nothing could ever be worse than the horrendous infant colic. We lost track of the world this month. Atleast I did!

As he raced towards his second month, I only wished he learnt to burp on his own. He was growing fast and I just about managed to keep pace with his wit, skills and demands. This month he started to coo and smirk. For any mother, this is an experience. And what a marvellous one! My day& night cycle had gone for a toss by now. Even my cerebrum had given up. But as I type this today I realise that its prolly the only phase in life which you thoroughly, thoroughly enjoy even while you are half dead and full mad.

In no time, we were in the milestone month. Yayyy!! The smirks transformed into smiles. The 'who the hell is she' stare in to a beautiful bond. :) We actually started to have play-times. My presence genuinely brought in a shy smile on Anay's chubby face. And yes, we began to sleep more in the nights like most  other humans.

The first day anxiety of being a new mommy has tamed down. By now I have understood his biologic clock a little more. I am more prepared to take care of him. I am also more eager to spend  time with him. Anay also seems to be very very happy in the company of his stunted mother. We celebrated his fourth month birthday by bringing him a tiny rocking chair- his first level of independence.

Im still navigating a new reality. I think I will always continue to. But just that our boat is a lot more steady now. :-)

Every relationship needs time to grow. And I am living this truth of life. :)
Cheers!

Yog(A)ddiction

My first sort-of rendezvous with this old and established hindu form of mind and body exercise was quite a ‘yog-a-yog’- just one of the many ‘by chance’ events of my happy life.

A friend and physiotherapist, who casually dropped in home to meet my mother in law, has managed to hook me to something   I had preferred to stay ignorant about all these years. Somehow, I always took up to liking a particular form of exercise or physical activity, only  if it made me  sweat a bucket  and lose some significant pounds on that ‘reality-check’ scale. Sitting in a verandah doing some acrobatics never motivated me enough to give it a try. More so when yoga is a practice that is inseparable from ‘meditation’.  Because  I am yet to fully discover the  strengths of meditation.

However, I did enroll myself for a yoga class only because my friend so highly recommended  it to me. Thanks for that, Ketki. The 5:45am session  seemed most suitable. When I woke up on day one to get ready for the class, I remember muttering to my husband  “I don’t think I will be continuing with this. Its crazy. Too early to wake up”.

But quite surprisingly, when  I was back after my first day at yoga, I knew I am not going to quit this one! You wanna know why? Like all the trending ‘Five reasons and ten reasons’ links, here are my ‘High Five’ :)

ONE is , it does make me ‘sweat’!! Sweat while I stretch, and stretch and twist, and twist and turn, and turn and bend, and then  I sweat some more.

TWO is, while I attempted  to do all of this with my minimally flexible body, I realized that I was better today than what I was the previous day. When you see your body respond to your efforts, it pushes you to stay stretched until the last count is heard. There’s visible improvement and hence motivation to better yourself.

THREE is I never knew that all through these years, I made a mess of my breathing. Did it harm me in any way? May be. May be not.  Until last month I panted for breath after speeding up through the 100 steps of the hill behind our house.  I am more comfortable now. Because I don’t hold my breath anymore. I consciously practice the ‘inhale and exhale’ cycle while climbing. Yes, we all tend to unconsciously  hold our breath while we do heavy workouts. Never realized? You may want to go for a run!

FOUR is I have never been so pepped up about waking up at 5am without any external source of motivation or compulsion. I enjoy my seven minutes of walk in the quiet dark of dawn. I love doing my yoga as I hear the birds chirp on trees far away.  Its more rejuvenating than a hot cup of coffee with a book over a luxury holiday. All the verandah acrobatics make sense now J

And FIVE is I love my ‘no-non sense’ yoga instructor. Meditation and philosophy is sprinkled in just apt amounts .She knows when ‘not’ to be easy. Rest of the times don’t matter.

That  feeling when all  your body muscles and tendons ache in the night as you prepare to sleep, definitely adds up to the satisfaction quotient of the day.  Am sure that happens after any rigorous workout. But yoga doesn’t show any overplay of a set of muscles over others like in running, tennis etc.  Its more like swimming.  A balanced form of exercise because every action is so beautifully and intentionally co-ordinated with breathing.

 I  am not new to working out. And yet I am also more than used to being in the  X or XL  category of physique. I do not know if yoga can bring down the X by a couple of alphabets. But, it already makes me feel like the fittest and hottest creature around. J  I see that I am not too concerned about the ‘weight’ anymore. Its more about fitness and ‘flexibility’- a  word that was missing from my workout regimen  so far.

Reason enough to love and continue it, I say!

So all of you, who’ve chosen to stay away from Yoga, this is one addiction you’ll never regret having. Its worth indulging.

So, DoYouYoga????.... Not yet??....

May be its about time!

Cooking it up!

After my SSC (class X) exams, I enrolled myself  for a 3 day cooking class. Chinese cuisine was on the menu. This was suggested by a friend's mother who always saw me  try some tid.bits of  food. I wasn't very happy with the idea of going for a cooking class with ladies much older than me. Also,  at a time when most of my friends were planning of exotic holidays and talking about joining aerobics and dance schools and such supposedly cool stuff. But good food, different cuisines,  developing new tastes and cooking in general,  has always brought in a 'twinkle in my eyes' :) So I decided to give this class a try.

This was at the chef's home with 7-8 aunties who had enrolled with me. We were given printed notes of the recipes to be finished that day. We followed our chef step-by-step until it was all ready to share and eat. :-) When I was home after my first day of class, I remember my mother being more excited than me, to know how it all went on. To tell you the least, I was thrilled that evening!!!!  I told my mom that night, that I've done a lot of aerobics and swimming in my school days  (and I really have), and I am anyways good at dancing ;-). So I might as well learn some cooking since I have always had a liking towards it. And on the roll I went. With mughlai following Chinese. Then some cakes.. muffins.. n jellies, then ice creams,  assorted evening snacks and the great indian desserts! Whoa!!! I had such a blast those vacations!!! :) And I still have all of those printed notes!!! Yes! I carried them along to my in-laws place when I moved from Mumbai to Hubli after marriage.

Starting with only breakfast session of cooking and then a lil bit of helping my mum in law with dinner (which was as I did my Masters simultaneously), I took up to cooking like never before! Sunday brunches and festival lunches.... or just routine everyday food. I have been at it, day after day, for five years now! And I can safely say, that am the happiest when am cooking  (up) stuff  ;))

 In love and addicted to it. Yes, I also love dentistry :) And however silly it may sound, but along with my clinic, I sincerely wish to have my own little bakery which will be open only on Sundays!:)) I hope I do, someday.

Its lovely how small, innocent likings can change to hobbies or pass times and someday into beautiful dreams ! :)
Leaving you with some pics of what I have been upto off late :) Smakelijk!

Cheers!





 

Impeccable I am today!

Am in a state of delirium.... delirium of joy i would say. In a situation that's not routine, not normal but it has that tinge of victory and unprecedented joy!

I have too much to tell the world.... too many experiences to share..... too many emotions to display.... too many reactions to handle..... ruthless in your eyes maybe.... yet in my mind- a worthy winner!
I have sort of always been a person who attaches too much importance to people around me. By this i mean our society. I don't like it when someone dislikes me and neither am i comfortable hating people. Quite genuinely. Too much of interrogation can be allergic! And its tough when your thrown in a situation where everyone around you, you know, will look at you with pity and raised eyebrows! And ready with innumerable and idiotic questions! Nah! no relationship issues or problems with in-laws or family. Am super lucky and happy on that front! :)

 But yes, this issue is novel! Am on my way to having the last laugh!! :-) And this time people and reactions and tags don't matter! Why?? Because am in a state of delirium..... delirium of joy! :))

Cheers!

Motherhood

Now before you all roll your eyes and pop up questions, allow me to say... "not yet!". :) When?? Wait and watch! ;-)

Talking about motherhood, there is no greater joy for a woman than being a mother. From the point of conceiving.. to the joy of feeding your child and ofcourse everything that follows, its such a brilliant experience, I hear :) What is this one thing, if there ever is, that separates this bond of motherhood/ parenthood from all other relationships that exist today? Probably the sense of  'belonging to yourself'' or being a part of you that's born as an angel. :) And when one is deprieved of a part of this experience of giving birth, but can still have their biological child, should they be seen or labelled as 'selfish', 'mean' and 'heartless'?

I write this today because something that I read about surrogacy has disturbed me. Having 'n'th child through surrogacy etc etc. is a different issue altogether that am not discussing here.
To choose to not have a child and to be unable to have one due to medical/ congenital problems, are two different worlds!!!  Nobody goes in for surrogacy without a sensible reason best known to the individuals involved. We have no business there.  Nobody is 'using' the other! They rent-a-womb from someone who has volunteered to do so! And she has her reasons for doing it! Some write for money, some dance for money, you and I do many other 'sophisticated'  things to earn our money but the surrogate mother is the nicest of us all......... she gives her womb for money and more than that, a chance to someone like you to experience motherhood. And if you wonder how can a lady whose given birth to someone, give away that child to another woman? That's because she knows that the child doesn't belong to her! The baby is genetically and biologically not hers!

Surrogacy or surrogate pregnancy is not cruel and unethical as it is unfortunately made to sound! Foul play exists everywhere. There are many who advocate 'adoption' to surrogacy. Adoption is equally beautiful. Adopt, if you want to. Even when you are  able to conceive and give birth to a healthy baby. You need not be infertile to adopt!! Adoption is more humane they say. Then why go through nine months of excitement and exhaustion? Adopt instead!! But we don't! Because everyone  wants to first have their 'own biologic' child, right? You can have it naturally. Some can't. And so they opt for surrogacy.  Taking away a kidney from one healthy man and transplanting it to someone needy, is fair! But renting a womb as in surrogacy for valid reasons,  is not!
Such a ridiculous society we are!!!

Motherhood is a blessing. But more so, to put it simply, its pure joy! Theres nothing, absolutely nothing wrong in experiencing it with the help of a miracle called 'surrogacy'! :) I believe so. Its sad if you don't.

Cheers to science and those  incredible minds... you've given many a chance to experience this joy!


 

Love is blind, they say! ;-)

I grew up watching him fling up his arms to some divas of hindi cinema.... and always wished to be in their shoes ;). I've smiled at his trademark smirks and whistled and screamed and blushed see him show up on screen. :)) I've sobbed see him die and laughed watch him do some of the most stupid things. Hes made romance so picture perfect  and heroes shedding tears on screen so believeable.

When a  father lets go his daughter saying "Jaa,  je le apni zindagi" , Ah! who wouldn't want such a scene in their real life romance?? :)
When shiffon sarees were a 'must' in every woman's  wardrobe and soon to be parents wished to name  their sons Raj, Rahul, and Aryan..... he has managed to woo a zillion people and continues to bowl me over time and again!! ;-)

Thank you Shah Rukh Khan for entertaining! Pure entertainment!! Mindless?? May be, but I don't really care as long as am out of the theatre, smiling!  You may not be the most handsome man around, but I've never found anyone look as good  as you in a black tee, army pants and boots! :)))
Thank you for an escape from reality that has had love, colours, dreams and creativity in plenty. Thank you for being brave and passionate about your kind of cinema because I've loved watching it. Amongst the perfectionists, the Bachchans and Kapoors, thank you for taking me into a world so full of sheer drama, insanity and entertainment!

 Tomorrow if you ever decide to make a day- long movie, count me in! Undivided attention, even without batting an eyelid.... I will be there!! :-)
Cheers to a movie star!! :)

 

Strange(r) ConnectioN

A handful of people. A handful of places. Are enough to dramatize our lives through the young and old phases. We live in a confined world, we really do! And, nothing wrong with that, is also equally true! I can't possibly befriend the whole wide world! Although, i wish too!

There are, however, some characters that occupy an interesting part of your mind and memory. Like Jai and Radha of 'Sholay' ..... they barely spoke to each other, yet their bond grew :-)

Every morning my car takes a certain route to go to college and return. And what once caught my attention has now become something that i wait to see. There is this tapri or a pint-sized house of a gentleman! Gentleman, because i see him as an unpretentious old man.
I have been seeing him almost every single morning and evening for the last 2 years or so. And the same holds true with him i believe. We've never spoken to each other, i've never stopped there to eat any of the meals i see him cook, i don't even know his name! But a look at him even on the most stressful of days manages to bring a smile on my pretty face ;) Strange, isn't it? And however amusing this may sound but yes, I've always had a soft corner for the 'edentulous' ajoba's and ajji's I've known. ;)

He owns a beedi shop where he even serves hot tea and wadas to the limited crowd that visits him. I see him cut onions, i see him wash utensils on chilly mornings, i see him make and serve breakfast to people half his age, i even see him patiently wait for some customer who can add to his daily wage but, i've never so far seen the lack of enthusiasm or a hint of regret on his wrinkled face. :) He stays alone, or may be his family is far away. But this ajoba inspires me every single day!

Some do what they love, some love what they do. I don't know which of these holds true for you, but ajoba, you teach me to do what i chose/have to do with enthusiasm and honesty that will make me proud of what i do!

I will sooner or later, have a chat with him over chai and wadas.... but for now,
Cheers to this strange(r) connection.... in you i see modesty!

(In)Dependence!

Freedom!!  Its such a beautiful word! And such an awesome state to be in.
A  sense of having and getting to do or not do soo many little and big things... an opportunity to think and act in a way your mind and heart tells you to... a chance to attempt and a hope to dream :-)

Awesome! Isn't it?? Then should we be doing  things in the name of freedom and independence that are ugly and harsh and depressing?? After all this can we  rightfully claim that "we are being independent... doing things that we feel or want to do... just enjoying our freedom!" ???

Last morning i saw a pack of dogs bite and harass a piglet which unfortunately couldn't escape the ferocious canines and was killed and feasted upon. I felt helpless. Some attempts were made to try and shoo away the dogs but in vain.  The squeal of that little one could make anyone restless :( We feast on animals... they on some other animals... and those on someone else. And the cycle continues.

Every third headline states of a crime in the newspaper. Guwahati, Noida, Mumbai, Mangalore.... all the same. Molestations... Rapes... Some are arrested and released... some go away scot-free...and in the bargain... the victim is devastated. Yet again in the name of freedom, fun, urge... whatever you may call.

Worries will never leave a living soul. But the fear of not being able to live safely CAN be done away with. With freedom comes responsibility! Theres probably a lil bit of discipline even in being independent! :) Let our freedom be as wonderful to our fellow humans and living beings as it would be to us. :)
Happy Independence Day to all my Indian friends! :)
Cheers to the idiom "Live and let live"..... Real (In)Dependence lies in  this! :)

*Happy Friendship Day *

Yes i know Mother's Day/ Father's Day/ Friendship Day... are all passe! "We dont need days to wish n love them" etc. etc.  But there's nothing wrong in celebrating/ honouring them on a particular day just as we all do on our birthdays! :)
I have shifted to hostel a fortnight ago for more  reasons than one! And everyone here whose been asking 'WHY??" and and having their own views and opinions about it.... thank you! but i don't need any! :)
Coming to shifting to hostel, i've had a 5 year stay before as an undergraduate... and Life couldn't have been better then :-))
Am back again and beginning to realise that "its the people who make the place!" And i couldn't think of a better day to write this post!!
Its a toast to my closest buddies of SDM!! Shruti, Maitry, Shikha, Suppu, Hiral, Surabhi, Tanisha & Aradhna.
You gals have made the 5 years swift through like a breeze!! :)

 Fast forward to 2012: I'm taking my time to break the ice! And i eventually will! :-)

Happy Friendship Day to all! :)
Cheers to the memories!

Toothfully Yours.....

I've had a tough day today... with uncomfortable amounts of food to bite, chew, swallow and relish!
 When i was young, tiny and white; i had less of work and more of spotlight :) With a close tab on how shiny i looked - ohhh...how big i grew - how strong i was and sometimes how crooked i could be! ;)  I entertained you then, in MY growing years and also YOURS!!
Then one day, i popped and bled only to worry you who would take my place instead! You threw me up on the rooftop coz your neighbour told you so...that  i would come back soon- big and strong! Your grandma felt i should have been buried, and  so, my other friends were put into the soil in the hope that they would come up again, healthy and white. The wishes were granted and the 'tooth fairy' emerged victoriuos!
Back to business i was , relishing on the sweets and surviving the traumatic bones! There were times you made me hurry to death, you put me through awful chemicals... flavours that only you enjoyed and colours that made me dull by the day! Cigarette smoke  made my surroundings burn and areca nuts just added to the bruise. You enjoyed your meals- you soaked in your puffs.. while my only saving grace was a healthy environment ( my friends-gums and bone and the ever forgiving saliva)
All i needed was a healthy me but what i got was an ugly me. With an age old frayed brush and dollops of the coloured paste. You concentrated all your strength in trying to clean me in minutes but sadly didn't realise that i was only getting worn. I showed you i was sensitive, you could see my gums bleed but because i never caused pain... i always remained your ignored friend! :(
Soon my body started to cavitate... and my 'once upon a time healthy' bone to deteriorate. You noticed and forgot until i shook you one fine day!!! "Ouch!!"... you yelled and i heard and was at peace! :)
It was time now you see the people- you call dentists and we- our guardian angels!! :) You are terrified to go to them... and they leave nothing unturned to make sure your taken care of well!! You are petrified to take that one prick... and they try everything under the sun to make that one prick- painfree!! You have all the money to live a lavish life. But when it comes to me, you act clumsy!!

This was just a gentle reminder to let you know that am as important as your eyes, face and toe! If you don't know enough of me, its never too late to know!
You rock when you're happy .... And i rock when am sad! ;)
Cheers!

TICKLE ! You are being missed!

                      Tiny and Tickle!! Our two little darlings!!

  Probably as old as i am in the hubli house. My earliest friends here- and my first pets!!

 They were a couple of months old when we first brought them home. I remember we were so ecstatic about our two new entrants in the Joshi household. Tiny Joshi- the naughty lil beauty and Mr. Tickle Joshi- woo! the heartthrob!! ;))

It was soo much fun to watch these two play and jump and somersault in style! They'd eat and eat and yet behave as though they had been starving for days!!! Like me, the site of food made them happy :):)
As days passed, i got busier with studies and work. I spent less time with them, but loved them just as much. Watch them see you and spring out of the water  was the best part at the end of the day. Oh, they had their sun bathing sessions too!! With their master AJ... and the three would freak out!! :)
Yesterday morning something very unpleasant happened!! Tickle was not keeping too well past one week. He was down with cold and we suppose respiratory infection. We read all possible literature and browsed through the turtle care websites. He was being given warm water for comfort, antibiotics, vitamins and he was getting back to his active self :) Last morning i woke up pretty early and went to see how these two were doing in their tub... and what a terrible site it was!!! Tickle was lying upturned.... he was floating like a dead soul.... i couldn't believe what i saw.... rather i didn't want to!! Put him back on his four claws.. moved him, patted him, pinched him... but in vain.
Tickle was dead.
I dont know what happened that night... but tickle showed no signs of life. I was hoping it be a night-mare!! I soo badly was!! Such an adorable creature he was!! So full of fun... so harmless and so away from  the grey shades we all have. He showed me how to be content with whatever he had. Whether i played with him or not, whether i accompanied him for his wash hour or not.... when i was with him he loved me the same. Never expected. And never changed his way of reciprocating either!!
How awesome was he!!
We love you Tickle! And you are being terribly missed!!! RIP.
Cheers to every moment we spent with you!!

The (I)n Thing!

How important is it to be a part of the 'in' circle?? To use what the market/ media says is selling like hot cakes... to wear and show off what Page 3 claims to be 'the flavour' of the season... to do or not do something because 'its the trend these days' ......... a question that crossed my mind when a friend commented in public on my gold and old fashioned finger ring... "kya yaar anuja ... kaun pehenta hai aaj kal aisa?"... The smile on my face was just lost somewhere. Not because my friend didn't like what i was wearing but because 10 other people had a look at it after that and laughed!! I felt bad. I felt embarrassed. A couple of minutes later i quietly took off my ring and put it back in my purse.

I know appearance matters! I can't be wearing something obnoxious and then sulk that people make fun of me. But i do believe that i can't be doing a particular thing just because my social circuit demands i do it! Somewhere there is this 'personal choice and comfort' that should have an upper hand!

Something similar happened on Occasion 2, when a friend commented that i have really put on weight after marriage... yet again a public remark " tu bas aisehi phoolti jayegi??" Humiliating when people laughed and said " Anuja size zero ka zamana hai... aunty banane ka nahin"...I know i have!!! Am such a foodie!!! Yes i should be fitter but you can't kill me for it!!!

Am back to using the finger ring (which was actually gifted to me by my in-laws:)) I shouldn't have removed it then! :(... If i do something then its because it is important to me and i believe in it!! And i should not be ashamed of it!! Whether or not, its turning heads and fishing compliments, is secondary!!!

Lesson i learnt: Respect your own taste and choice! And more so, somebody elses!!

Its important to change with time. Its good to change with time.... but without losing that 'I' factor!

Its cool to be 'In'! But its too cool to be '(I)n' :)))

Cheers to everything that you do because YOU want to! :)

Salaam Boss!

My mother-in-law always says (with regard to cooking) "Jo bhi banate ho pyaar se banao. Phir woh bura ho hi nahi sakta!!" :) And knowing her skill and passion for cooking, shes totally flawless at it!
Its only in the past few years that i have made an attempt to convey my appreciation if i've really liked something! Till then probably i never thought it was so important to give a positive feedback as much as i was concerned about conveying the not so nice aspects!! And i see a couple of grey hair showing up from my 'winnie mandela' hairdo! Everyday is a BAD hair day!! Hahaha :-D......Jokes apart.... Probably thats what is called growing up!!!
Being a good host, a meal cooked with love, a well done and managed resort or any creative piece of work, i've realised that every little thing involves a lot of passion, precision, planning and time!! Its to put it simply, a talent!! And it need not always be a Hussain painting or a Rushdie book to be in news!! ;)
A review on Trip advisor about a place/ hotel i liked. A comment on blog that i enjoyed reading. A mail appreciating a very well organised national conference. A good feedback on the most funky calender i've seen! I've made it a point now to appreciate every talent!
Talent, to some, is money. Its the hardwork put in to achieve perfection! Someone's dream thats presented with hope! And it needs a 'thumbs up' to take it higher!! :)

Good audience always clap! :-) Am being one! Hope your in too!
Cheers!

The 'Bold', the 'Beautiful' and the 'Ugly'!

The three adjectives precisely explaining the three events that either caught my attention, changed my mood or stressed my little brain in the fortnight that zipped by! Made me feel good, happy, sad and worried.
Its one of those days when your a little relaxed that its over but not really happy about it! Thats how the last two weeks have been!

I read about the Aamir Khan brave act! And i love him for that! In a society thats still to understand 'surrogate pregnancy' or 'test-tube babies' and is miles away from accepting these, hes sort of been a torch bearer! And i loved the way he handled and raised the whole story! For a celebrity of his calibre... to bring out an important portion of his private life..and put it up to the world so clearly, boldly and wonderfully is such a mature way of handling a sensitive issue!
I watched 'The Dirty Picture' last week. And what a 'pretty' picture it is!! Bold role again! Vidya Balan is A-Class in the film! Sensuous but not vulgar. When u actually spare a thought and try and analyse things and situations from Silk's point of view, u wonder if shes to be blamed or the society! And unfortunately the situation remains unchanged even today!
Unconventional is still unacceptable!! Whether right or wrong... nobody cares!

My best friend's wedding!! :-) Yes!! Coming up soon!! Got the news last night and i havent been so very happy lately! -)) The memories of my courtship... all the attention i gathered then... the late night gupshup... the crazy wedding planning and the experience of being through it put up a big broad smile on my face. And am soo soo excited about she going through it all!! :-)
Wow! Life has beautiful ways to make up for the not so beautiful things that it offers!

Temper tantrums!! The ugly part of u and me! They say mood swing is a prelude to excitement!! :) But guess there is a range of age when it can get far from exciting! :( One moment u see them smiling and with the blink of the eye they turn snappy! And u are left wondering if its something to do with 'split personality' or 'stupid mind'! And all i wished for was 'if i could just disappear by the click of a button!:-(

Bold, Beautiful and Ugly;
For Life is like this only!
Cheers for sailing through it! :)

*Seasons Greetings*

Love this part of the year! After the April-September 'No Holiday' season, its such a joyful moment to see the 'red dates' re-appear on the calender! :-)) Thank God for Sundays, else Life would have really been 'black' n 'blue'! ;-)

September saw me 'de-activate' my facebook account!! (Source of Inspiration: One of my good old friend:)) Am liking the whole feeling of not knowing whats going on in my social circuit. Since they cant help but give us a peek-a-boo of their personal life, i thought i will get a lil more sane instead! ;-) But on a serious note, i do sometimes miss logging onto my fb page (considering i was almost close to being addicted to it) But i thought i will do something more constructive when i have soo many things to do in the pipeline. And friends are never too far to keep in touch with. Don't need a 'wall' between us, what say?? ;-)
For better or for worse.... i don't know.... but am off it! :)

September also saw me suffer terribly. Had an embarassing 'manly' voice for a good two weeks, fever, bad pharyngitis and cough that gave me very few moments of peace. What it taught?? That i need to take serious measures to get back into shape, get fit and improve my sad physical state. Am triyng! May be i need some more motivation! Or probably some complimentary criticism to get me moving!!

The ages ago planned- long pending visit to abhijit's favourite place- Karad, happened in October. And it was a welcome break! :) Realised that 'childhood' beats all the phases in Life!! Saw how wonderful it was to re-connect.... with the 'old, spectacled teachers' .... with the 'grown up to be soo different classmates' .......with the 'uncle in that shop' where i used to eat this after class and buy that for birthdays.
Lifes Pretty! :-)

What goodies are in store??
Well, I will be off soon to celebrate Anu-Abhi Anniversary II ;-))))
EXCITED- HAPPY- WAITING
Diwali s almost here!!! 3 days in a row off!!! No College!!! Reason enough to celebrate!!! ;-)
Come December and the festive season, weekend get-a-ways, dinner dates with Mr. Hubby will continue :)

The fun part of my 3 seasons of the year ( Exam Season- Work Season- Holiday Season) is here!!! :-)
SEASONS GREETINGS TO ALL OF YOU!!! :-)))
Cheers to the days ahead!!! :)

What must it be..??

SUNDAY!!!! One word that can brighten up faces! And one day that pumps you to put up through the week! It was a cloudy, lazy sunday morning. Me and abhi were off on a short drive to a near by tapri to start the day with some garam idli-vadas and dosas! The day was planned. The weather- awesome!
Chatting and giggling we passed by the known lanes. I saw a tiny tot in an over sized night suit, holding his father's hand. The two were probably out on a stroll. The kid looked adorable and a little confused. As the father walked cautiously watching his steps, the child looked up.... up in the dark clouds... unaware... happy and so very carefree!!
As we drove nearer, we caught a better glimpse of the two! And for a moment.... i had a lump in my throat. Its not very hard to recognise a child with Down's Syndrome.
What crossed my mind, to tell the truth, was whether to thank God for what he has done to me and my near and dear ones or may be try and know why Hes been so mean and heartless to some others!
What must it be to not look and be able to behave like the rest of the world? What must it be to looked on with sympathy? What must it be to have a world of only a handful of people around? What must it be to comprehend that we are loved by many but unwanted by many more!! What must it be to see tears in our mother's eyes and deep inside believe that we're to be blamed? What must it be to gradually realise that Lifes a lot more tough on our side?
AND what must it be, for the two lovely parents to see their child go through all this knowing that they were never at fault!!!

The Sunday just breezed off. But what is still lingering on is that little one's smile! Innocence probably is this!!!!
Its a different mind but it still is a mind! Very intelligent. Very calm. A heart more loving than you and i can understand. A smile that does not know to fade and go! The eyes are as glittering as any of us have. The dreams are just as awesome as the feeling of joy!
How i wish i could be as strong as you!!
For what must it be to walk with pride and hope and joy inspite of the all the worries walking by?? Courage surely is this!!!
Cheers!!!

In sync with 'Superman' !!! ;-)

Sometimes my ability of multitasking surprises me!!! And more often the ability of not doing anything other than 'mundane' overshadows it!!! ;-p
Some days are the 'superwoman' kinds and some others are the 'jobless, face-booking' kinds.
Last month and a half has given me NO time to spare! Journal club, seminar, scientific paper work, conference registrations... to mention the least! And i realised that 'its manageable!!' :-))
The harder i think, the tougher it gets! The less i ponder and faster it ends!!!
It began with the usual 'oh no monday again' attitude!! And my eyes popped out when i realised that i had my seminar the same week!!! The write up... well almost over!! The slides... about to start!! Many breakthroughs and theories i concluded that week, trying to understand how two micro-organisms could cause seroius 'g(h)um' problems!!! PUN Intended!!! Totally!!! ;-p
A few social commitments here and there... the seamingly never ending clinical work quota... and the conference registrations that were pouring in were enough to keep me busy for the rest of the days!!
Working for some big event like this National Conference definitely is an exposure of sorts. Trying to read and understand and then only guess what the member's name / email id possibly is, is a task in itself!!! Now i know why my teachers used to hate checking exam papers!!
My mind has this amazing capacity to do one thing, think something else, plan a third thing and then forget everything at the end of the day and sleep with the belief that everythings appropriately done!!
So there!! Suddenly i was all excited about going for a PG Convention coming up in sometime. But before that i need to finish my paper work that am planning to present there!! Oh Heaven!! Why did i suddenly don the role of an 'enthu cutlet' and decide to conduct my own new scientific study was what killed all the excitement!! :( And more so left me wondering how could such an idea crop up in my sane mind???? ;-)
So i began my rounds to Mr Statistician, pleading to finish my work sooon! And then get back to knowing the mechanism behind how one 'spirochete' manages to move around!!! :((
Sleepless nights in the literal sense!! Home- college- clinical work- conference- journal club that was a mini seminar in itself- and then the actual seminar!!! Not to forget my absolutely marvellous scientific study!!!!
Well, half s got the 'green tick' and the other is still in the pipeline!! But i've come to like being busy!! Am enjoying doing it all!! And no! Its not without quality!! Its decent at the end of the day!! Touchwood! :)
Its a conscious effort now to cut down browsing on social networking sites. What goes on in my life need not be an hourly update to the world!! :) Taking steps to get into my job completely!! Making an effort to manage time well between family-home and my academics!! Finding time as well, to do things i like doing-- like this!! ;-)
And i realise that its all 'manageable'!

If only i could fly...... then 'Superman' would have had some company!!!! ;-D
CHEERS!!

Live it UP!!!!!

For most of us, Life revolves around money and honey :-p But isn't there more to life than the big bucks and small family??? Sure we all know there is!! But we're somewhere engrossed and lost in the circus of life!

As kids or teenagers or even as well settled adults today, we all do, at times, recall how we wished to do 'this' and enjoyed doing 'that' and then just blink and sulk that "Oh! i wish i had the time!" :(

Opening a restaurant or a dance school, having your painting up at the Jehangir Art Gallery or wanting to be a 'rare' sane politician, coming out with your own book or having the 'best' private garden.... how wonderful are these dreams!! :-) :-)
Give them a chance! :) Live it UP!! :)

Cheers to the Cherished Hope!! :)

'TEAM' INDIA- The Champions!!!!!!!

There is this line in the movie 'Chak de India' where actor Shahrukh Khan, tells one of his colleagues that "Jeetne ke liye taqat ki nahi, niyat ki jaroorat hai." I cannot think of a more apt phrase for our Team India who have just lifted the 'Cup that Counts'!!! :-) :-) :-)

In a country like ours where probably the 'only' thing that unites ALL the Indians is cricket, this Team has given their nation one fantastic day that every Indian will cherish for years to come!! Din bana dala!!!!! :-) :-) :-)

Hats off to every mortal who was a part of this team!!! You've now joined the club of the 'history makers!!'. Sure there must have been tremendous amount of hard work, planning, bad phases, a whole lot of decisions made, criticism, and not to forget the expectations and the pressure!!!

But one thing that beats all this and takes away the cake is the maturity, calmness, the no-ego, no-inhibitions display by everyone in the team!!! Happy for all. Constructive in taking any and every criticism!!

You guys have truly redefined 'sportsmanship' which was somewhere lost in this big bad world!! You've shown us that Victory truly favours the brave!! And that the world will be a much much better place if we all give in a little extra to work on the inter-personal relationship aspect!! :)
Its not about Kirsten, Dhoni or Tendulkar, its about working as a TEAM!!

Congratulations TEAM INDIA!!! You surely are having a very well deserved last laugh!!!! :-D

CHEERS!!!!

The Last Wish

Strong, Powerful, poor or angelic, all of us come down to the same level when we fear of an encounter with death.
However unaffected or mentally prepared we may claim to be, somewhere in the small corners of our hearts and minds we all do hope that death sees us only in the fairy distant future!

And when someone so direly pleads for Euthanasia or mercy killing, its impossible and depressing to even imagine the extent of pain/torture/suffering she/he must be going through. Soo much as to seek for death!!!!

Whether our country gives passive euthanasia a nod or no is yet tobe seen. I have tremendous respect and faith in our Supreme Court.And am sure that their decision, may or may not please all of us, but it surely will be a very very wise one!

But what i want to bring up here (in Aruna Shanbaug's case) is that the culprit should not be forgotten!!!! Shameless and disgusting, he surely is! And his actions need an equally brutal punishment! So, few years of imprisonment by NO means match up with the more than three decades spent on bed by this lovely lady for no damn fault!!!! Like you and me, she must have had many wonderful plans and big, bright dreams but life turned out to be more than unfair!!!

JUSTICE is desperately needed here!!!!!!!! Probably more than mercy killing!!!!!!
And am sure this must be Aruna's 'last wish' as well!!!

Cheers to her last wish!!! Hope the law takes notice of this and caters to justice soon!!!!!