The Dec 2010 post!

I can see myself looking back on my online diary a few yrs hence & thinking that I must have been a busy girl...
otherwise why would I post once a month?
Unless the less flattering alternative reason is true,
I don't even have meaningless stuff to write on...

So I narrowly missed losing my phone for the second time in sixty days...
& the only reason I found it was,
I told the wedding organizers:
"Please find my phone... I don't want to live with this reputation"
(Pss... there goes the phone dropper, she can't drop names you see...)

The little A can now get off a see-saw by herself,
but cannot pull up a pair of pants the moment she sees me...
I guess she knows my aura to be that of a bonded labourer.
& I do everything to convince her I'm not one.
Scenario:
Me: A, pick up your toys/books/ whatever...
A: Seriously puzzled look at me
Me: (taking the logical route), who spread them out? Kissne phailya?
A: Maine.. I
Me: So who'll pick them?
A: Tum.. You..
Me: Grr.. If you don't pick I'll cancel your outing/birthday day/ kinderjoy/ what ever
A: (Still pondering...) Okay I'll pick, you help
Me: (Feeling pacified..) start A, I'll help
A: (Employing factory rebellion tactics also called go slow tactics..) Shall I pick this or that or........
Me: (Taking the fastest route), A hold the packet, I'm picking
A: All smiles roughly translated: Smirk smirk... See my personal slave? See?

However there are days when I'm feeling foul & A picks & packs all her scattered eartly possessions ...
After all when the slave rebels.. empires fall!

So another year has come to an end...
nearly there..
& I hope to write a sensible line before the curtains fall on 2010.
On that "to be continued note............"

The conquerer: I; The conquered: Roti!

Okay, so having grown up in a hostel, away from home, I developed a hearty taste for food...
Really quality food, not quantity.

I have loved & eaten: Gujrati, Marwari, south Indian, Goan cuisine prepared in the
homes of people who are Gujratis, Marwaris...........
You get the flow!

But never once I felt compelled to cook, replicate any of those stuff.
At hostel we sat before what was offered us,
what we liked we ate,
what we did not like, we didn't eat!

At home for holidays......
I ate, ate, ate, ate, ate, ate...
What did cooking have to do with any of it anyways?
Wasn't some one in the kitchen slaving for the little child home for holidays?

But then I married,
& sob! sigh!
That person slaving in the kitchen was me.
Me who ate Gujrati, Marwari, blah, blah, blah cuisine..
Me who did not cook any cuisine, spell with C or K.

But my love for quality food drove me to cook delicasies,
(note: all food cooked with my delicate hands are: delicasies.),
& I conquered all but that hateful Roti.
Still no problem,
surely a maid when well paid, will simply fall at my gas stove & make rotis?
No?
No.
No.
& again No.

It took me 4.5 yrs of married life to understand,
I might as well fall over that gas stove,
for the maid who'll make my rotis,
will also attempt to take my cell phone,
all quitely ofcourse..
& the honest maid could not care less.

So I can eat maggi,
feed my 3 yr old daughter maggi,
feed my ailing visitors maggi,
or I can make rotis.

Today 30th sept 2010, I made rotis.
If you can make those stuff good for you.
If you can't & are single living off elders.. very good for you. (I have lived that life, I know).
But should you be dependant on that elusive maid service...
not good for you.
I say not good at all.

The new laptop that's not happening...........

Okay, I'm not a technical freak, that I cannot live without the internet!
Also, I'm not the inspired face book commentator, who's bursting with fresh quotes!
& like loads of folks I Know, I'd rather know Shahrukh's preferred toothpaste than discuss mine... yeah I'm pretty coomon even by my standards!!

But I still want a laptop, because I like to live with the laptop,
I do like reading inspired quotes & blogs..
& ofcourse who knows what Shahrukh Khan may twit about......

So question is why do I not have the laptop?
One, I intend to pay for it myself.
Two, I love to budget & I'm not working.
Three, I have budgeted, as in when I get back my tax money.. you get the picture.
But guess what?
Our govt does not feel any obligation to return money to us poor mortals.
Money which should not have gone to the govt in the first place, as I was not even in the taxable income bracket.

I'm definetely not feeling good about this,
so I'm thinking, now what?
Do I chip into my savings, & but that notebook anyways,
or do I wait till my country decides that it definetely cannot get rich with my meagre amount...
Tough man.

For no rhyme or reason!

The weakening sun is stronger
Than the strongest moon........
The narrowing river is wider
Than the widening stream.....
The wilting flower smells sweeter
Than all the thorns in bloom........
& dying hope is livelier
Than the living dream.

What's up in June 2010?!

Just had a holiday to the Foothills of Himalayas...
My grandmom's place...
A little village, all greenery... & even has a river to boot...
Went off with little A, all by myself...
Am very very proud of myself..
mightly pleased too.

back to home,
& daily life.............

Okay here's a tough answer..
Me: Name three fruits!
Little A: Mango Shake, Milk Shake, Aam...

Aam is Hindi for Mango!
;-0
o

Sometimes life just sucks!

There, feels good to have said that.
Very very very good.
Damn good. Can't express.
So what got me feeling so blue?
It's summer, high summer, & I want a holiday.
I don't want to work 24 by 7.
I'm not a worker bee... could I be clearer if I wished?
But who cares?
& then because you do everything, folks think you are one big piece of entertainment.
See, she want's a holiday.. he he.. Doesn't my sense of humour rock?
I swear today I'll travel, & alone..
& I'll take no one with me.
& this may take years to come true, oh but it will!
Noting it down, just so I can so!ay one day I told you so!

April 2010!

Random things about April 2010 & me!

* I feel the heat is drying me from within..
* Staying at home is more work than you would immagine..
* I'm reading "May I Hebb Your Attention Pliss?"
* Little A just won't recover from her stomach infection, as my mami put it, this heat is the party season for the bacteria- janta (bacteria-folks)!
* Not knowing how to drive can sure dry up your drifting out of home tendencies!
* An personal outing got cancelled, because of my city being likely target for terrorist bombing.. & all I wanted to do was spend some hard earned money, the hard work is huzband's, the money mine!
* I got my first pair of sunglasses, & realized, that eye infection can be the eye opening cause for new style statements.. whatever!
* I love the word whatever, makes vaugeness cool & chic!

Diggy nose... aap kahan karte hain? (Where do you do it?)!

Little A has developed an obsession with her nose..
as we say in our household:
"No diggy nose, hira nehin milne wala hain"!
(You aren't going to find a diamond!).

Realizing that this new passion of 3 yr A, is not going to vanish,
I made a blanket rule for her:
"Diggy nose only in the bathroom"!

While shopping at the market place, little A observes a man with an itchy nose & remarks:
"Barelog bahar karte hain, chote log andar karte hain"
(Elders do it outside, litl ones do it inside).
Not quite getting her I ask: "Kya?" (What?").
She points at earlier mentioned man & says:
"Diggy Nose"

I qauickly walk off with her!

Onions, are you the Mom in Law?!

This is one quote coming from my helping hand at home:
"Didi, pyaz sabki saas hoti hain, sabko rulati hain"

"This onion is the universal mom-in law, makes everyone cry!"
:-0

A lot of water under the bridge! From working mom to SAHM!

Last when I was posting here march 4th 2010,
the husband was away on customer visits,
& me was handling baby, home & office!
The water works if I please to call it..

Now I'm staying at home, have quit due to various reasons,
the husband is working from home, due to a bone injury..
the daughter has started formal school..
& life goes on.
The fire works if I please to call it..

& I can never thank my lucky stars enough that I read a few blogs before this transition..

Those posts written by women I'll never know,
made this transition smooth & even a happy one!

My personal ovation to all those who dare to live life beautifully no matter what!

When life is all about the "Pots" - Little A

3rd March 2010 evening:

Little A goes to Potty chanting:
"Mamma main potty bhi bolti hoon,
loo bhi bolti hoon,
toilet bhi bolti hoon,
bathroom bhi bolti hoon,
washroom bhi bolti hoon!"

(Little A goes to Potty chanting:
Mamma, I say potty also,
loo also,
toilet also,
bath room also,
washroom also!)

Mean Mamma thinking:
Yeah yeah, now we know what your life is centred on!

Mean mamma, who detests nothing more than potty,
flushing the pot twice before little A is done.

Indignant Little A:
"Tumne 2 2 times kyon dhul diya?
Kya main smelly cat hoon?"
(Why did you wash me 2 2 timezzz?
Am I smelly cat?)..

Mean mamma suitably chastised: "Okay okay Little A, please continue, sorry now!"

Little A singing while still on the pot.

Mean mamma: "What are you singing?"

Little A: "Song"

Mean mamma: "What song?"

Little A: "Potty Song"

Mean mamma: "How does the potty song go?"
Mean mamma is thinking, now this one she can't answer, smirk smirk.

Little A: "Down"

Mean mamma turns her attention to other inanimate bathroom articles.

P.S.: The only time in life I enjoy being outsmarted, is by my daughter..... Does that say something?

Our festivals are not children friendly... our way of life is!

Yesterday was Holi,
the festival after which the term "holiday" was coined!
Okay, I'm kidding... ;-0


A little bit of background:
Holi is the spring festival in large parts of India,
a time for people to:

1. Play with colours,
   colouring friends & relatives with dry colurs initially, & gruesome wet colours later..
   (so that for one day, all Holi palying Indians, have an uniform skin shade..
   "Dark Purple..turned green & red!!!" I think this is where the united colours idea originated!)
2. eat sweets, (unlimited is the key word here.)
3. drink Thandaii (which comes in alcoholic & non-alcoholic flavours),
4. & generally make a merry riot!
   
   
   So little children like little A,
   little ones below 6 yrs old,
   get really frightened seeing normally sedate adults going all rowdy..
   
   At least my brave little A,
   cried every time someone put colour on me...
   Oh! Mamma...
   
   & I thought about it:
   Indian festivals: Holi & Diwali as currently celebrated are not children friendly!
   
   They are completely meant for adults,
   & adults with gumption at that..
   Adults who are letting their hair down...
   Enjoying, & not being paragon of virtues for a change....
   
   & the reason being,
   every other day of the average Indian way of life is completely child centred!
   
   Do we feel guilty to go dancing without our kids?
   Yes!
   Do we feel guilty to enjoy a movie without our kids?
   Yes!!
   But do we feel guilty to play with colours or burst crackers to an inch of our lives with our little kids?
   No way!!!
   
   East is east is east is east...... :-)

Aur kitna kahogi? Little A!

22nd Feb 2009: little A is 3 yrs now.

I bless little A every night,
& being kind of motherly,
my blessings tend to stretch....

Each night Little A lies patiently,
while I put my hand on her forehead,
& bless her every kind of happiness!

Last night while I was still wishing her safety & such stuff,
my hand on her forehead,
she whispers..
"Aur kitna kahooooooooooogiiiii?"

(How much longer will you caaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrryyyyy oooooooooooonnnnnnnnnn?)!

Talk about putting things in perspective!

Stand up for yourself, for no one else will!

Stand up for yourself
for no else will!

Have you ever thought?
No one else can or even may..
Fight your battles..
your enemies slay..
& say the words
That you were meant to say!

Do not shrug off your luck
you have brought it on,
Stand up for the issues
for which you were born...
We come to earth learn
& at all cost shall you learn
to rise like a phoenix
After you have burn't.....

So responsibly fight
Just don't stnad still...
Stand up for yourself
For no one else will!

CRYSTAL!

I recently bought crystal glasses that have 24% lead in them.

Being the highly logical being that I am,

I concluded that if a big lifestyle store is selling them, they're good to use!

& the same highly logical character trait made me come back home & ponder,

what if that 24% lead is poisonous?! What if........

So I did a bit of reading, & here are my personal conclusions,

based on a little reading, & a lot of instinct!

I don't have to keep stating that I'm logical, by now it is established!!!

Are lead crystal glasses okay to use?

1)To serve beverages in?

Yes, preferrably for that special dinner though!!

2) To store beverages in?

No!

3) Before using for first time do they require special cleaning?

Yes, soak crystal ware in vinegar for 24 hours,

& rinse well with mild detergant (Prill liquid, anyone?!), before using them!

4) Anything special on this topic for me?

All glassware, especially decorative glassware, are likely to contain lead,

so stick to using for special times only!!

Also going forward I'll try purchasing the ones that state they're non-lead crystal ware!

5) How do I clean my crystal?

Pour luke warm water, some vinegar, fistful of uncooked rice, & some mild detergant!

Wash with a bottle brush, for 2 to 3 min.

Rinse with warm water, & towel dry, muslin cloth preferred.

Air drying will lead to deposits forming on the glass apparently!!

6) How do I justify my using them at all?

The cold drink being served in them is probably more poisonous!

7) Two type of people, I'll never offer a crystal glass drink to...

Expecting women & children below 7 yrs.

All this so that next time I take out my glasses,

all I have to do is, come here for my

GYAN!!!

Little A: To Hone do na! (let it become then!!)

A: Ek (1) big pussy cat, & ek (1) small pussy cat..

Me: where Little A?

A: Woh, truck pe...
(on the truck)

Me: Comeon little A, thats a cow & calf!

A: To hone do na...... Ek big pussy cat, ek small pussy cat!
(Let it become then, 1 big pussy cat & 1 small pussy cat!)

I loved it! "to hone do na, hang up kya hain boss?!"
(Let it become then, whats the fixation dude?)

Thats as close to magic as possible for me.....

My 3rd Birthday party......Little A.

6th Feb 2010.
Finally I (Little A) got me a birthday party, that I could understand!

A: Below are my recollections from the day,
with my mummy (M) giving comments in brackets.

A: I tell you, she is everywhere.

A: So the day dawned....with a late wake up call
(Mom: Me finishing the cooking meanwhile)

A: Balloon uncle blowing up loads of blue & red balloons......
(Mom: Even though pink ballons cost the same, he had to bring the mismatching colurs!)

A: Mummy locking us out of the ballon filled bed-room
(Mom: I actually wanted a few of them to go up on the wall!)

A: Mummy cleaning, dusting, cooking, laying tables....
(Mom: Phew! She noticed!)

A: Papa going to the market & getting loads of goodies..
(Mom: Ya, Ya, sometimes he does work hard ;-))

A: Mummy forbidding me to touch any of those stuff...
(Mom: Somethings you have to save for guest, you know!)

A: Me playing whole day with Anvi..
(Mom: Thank God for an elder cousin like Anvi!)

A: Shobhna aunty preparing the rice..
(Mom: Thank you Shobhna!)

A: Me, wearing a pretty pink dress in the evening..
(Mom: & elder sis-in-law supervising, I go the whole way, appears I'm not only bossy one around!)

A: My strawberry cake arriving..
(Mom: Finally!!!)

A: People waiting to get the right mood, while I go ahead & cut the cake anyway :-)
(Mom: Always in a hurry!)

A: Loads of little friends: Kashika, Apoorv, Rhibhu, Chinmoy, Gun, Yug, Himanshu, & Anvi ofcourse!
(Mom: how did people ever mange a 10 kid family?)

A: Loads of running, jumping, & misbehaving...
(Mom: The things she can get away with!).

A: Some dinner for elders...
(Mom: ya, we boring elders do like to be refuelled!)

A: & a sleepy me bidding bye, & off to bed!
(Mom: A nice memory for us all).

Little A's third birthday invite.

Hello,

Please come to attend my third birthday bash tomorrow, with my little friends!

Yes, I was born on 2nd Feb,
But that’s how my parents test my memory levels,
By changing the party date every year!


So this yr., the dates are:
6th Feb 2010.

Venue:
A 395, Sector – 47
(Don’t ask my mother for directions…..just a friendly tip!)

Time: 7:00 pm.
(Please be on time, as I cannot keep my party dress clean for very long! Sigh….)
See you there then,
Love, Little A!

"Wicked!"

Huzband giving me various instructions at bedtime:
Close the door.
Swithch off the T.V.
Put on the night light.
Swithch off the light.

What do I do?
I do all the first three.
I Smile sweetly, & hop into bed.
I Don't turn off the lights!

He does, getting out of his warm corner,
which he was trying to avoid in the first place!

Wicked me is wickedly happy!

Had I been featuring in a daily soap,
the background score would have been:
"Wicked!"

I know, when....

I know it's spring,
when.....
Peeled garlics start to sprout in my fridge!


I know it's old love,
when.....
I feel embarrased to give a silly gift!


I know it's mummy time,
when.....
A needs to go to pot during my dinner/any random meal!


I know confidence,
when.......
I crave the uncertainty of life!


I know hard times,
when.......
I'm trying to get the easiest way out!!

Uska neend tut giya? - Little A!

2nd Feb 2010: 10:30 pm.
Sleepy excited little A, returning from her Birthday dinner.

Mom trying to make daughter aware of nature's bounties.... the free gifts.

Mom: look A, a half moon. Sundar hain na?

Little A: Mamma, chand uth giya? Uska neend tut giya?

That's a fresh angle for me :-)

Litlle A - turns 3!

Hi Little A,
Today you are 3.
& for once your mom is lost for words.....
Love you, bless you, will write you a cheeky birthday entry tomorrow....
But today?
Just: Happy Birthday!
Ma.

The Mother in law! (in general...;-))

I just read a lot of random posts where DILs (Daughetr in law) vent regarding their MIL (Mother in....... you get it right?).

& few DILs had good things to say, especially the Indians!

The joint family system? That's opressive.

The MIL? The upholder of the opressive regime.

The DIL? the opressed, supressed, cut off from her parents, sob, sigh & sob again.....

Just noting, that I'm not crazy about my MIL,
as in, I'd not put up her picture next to my favourite pop star's,
if I was still at that age.
But I would definitely keep her pics in the family album,
& not because she would disown me otherwise!

& this has been my experience:

* MILs are not mothers, dont forget that!
* Having said that, they are all, DILsare going to have for mothers, this side of earth.
* Often they'll be unfair to DILs, because it's in to be so.. maintaining status quo & all.
* More often they'll be good to DILS, because they are mothers.
* They can ask the most stunningly bitchy questions, hello! They are women :-)
* Thay can also turn around, & prefer DILs to their biological daughters! Same logic, they are women ;-)
* Some MILs are pure evil, not mine.
* Some mothers are even more evil, again not mine!

As my own MIL eloquently summed it:
"Beta, aisa nehin hai ki mujhe meri saas se problem nehin thi,
ya tumhe mujhse nehin hoga!
Par jab meri saans chali gayi, mujhe samajh mein aaya!"

I often think, the bride's mother has to give her away once.
The bride's MIL has to give her son away every day.
It's bound to be a painful gift!

Put the phone down, take a walk!

Sunday 24th jan: 2010.

This Sunday I went to the park for a walk,
& every time I go there, nature never fails to reward me.

My impatient mind wanted to pick up the phone,
& start calling someone, anyone.

I forbid myself, literally, & continued to stroll,
& suddenly when I looked up, this is what I saw:

"A red sun setting
Red & round, like the bride's ornament:
In a beautiful blue sky!

A red sun setting
Red & round, like an apple well polished:
In a beautiful blue bowl!

A red sun setting
Red & round, God's own fine print:
In a beautiful blue sky!

The kind of sunsets you'd travel miles to see..
& it was there, a free surprise gift.

All the more pretty for below it lay the ugliest building ever,
grey & dismal, all cement & cementy.

Tinged with the glow of that sunset!

Little A: Tum office mein kya ki?

24th Jan: Little A almost 3 yrs now.....
(nostalgic music please..)!

Father: Tum school mein kya ki?
Little A: Nehin batana..
Persistent father: Par tum school mein kya ki?
Little A: Tum office mein kya ki?

(More nostalgic music for the little A,
who is staying little no more :-))

Movies, magic & Me!

I love to watch movies....
Doesn't matter that I cannot remember names of characters, or dialogues by heart!
Doesn't matter to me that is :-)

& I love the magic that movies are.......

Recently I watched again two of my favourite movies:
Notting Hill
Gone with the wind

I absolutely laughed & cried through them.

I like movies that have as it's leading characters:

• Human beings, not aliens.
• Human beings who wear their clothes in the right order... inner garments first, outer garments last!
• Human beings who are emotional, & even a bit dramatic!

I live for melodrama, what bout you?

A new camera & the gifted me!

Friday Jan 15th 2010 6:00 pm when I'm leaving work:

I have worked hard through the day. I am looking forward to my weekend, & am thinking it's time I got a new camera. Yes, I broke the last one. Yes, I break electronics regularly like they were fragile glass ware. Yes, I spent a lot trying to repair it, till I realized that, that won't happen!

Sunday Jan 17th 2010 6:00 pm when I'm at the mall:

I have been gifted a new camera by the husband, & warned that if I break this too..... there won't be the next one! sigh..... where did generosity go?

Monday Jan 18th 2010 6:00 pm when I'm leaving work:

I have worked hard through the day. I am looking forward to my evening, & am thinking it's time I learn't how to use my new camera.

Why am I so gifted?

Atmosphere @ home before Little A's third birthday!

Me to Little A at all times:
"If you don't eat/sleep/put your toys away/
drink milk/shut the door/ get me my mobile (meanie me)/etc., etc.,
I'll cancel your strawberry cake & party & gifts & what ever comes to my mind!"

Little A to me even as she goes to brush her teeth at 7:00 in the cold morning:
"Mummy, strawberry cake cancel mat karna!"
(Dont cancel my strawberry cake mom.)

It's good to be mummy!

Pyaar Impossible = If the girl believes you are the programmer, she's your's to keep!

I Just watched "Pyaar impossible" - any genius can figure that!

Hey, if you are reading this, you are a genius!!

Wait, let me read it again....... Now, I too am a genius!!!


5 things about this movie experience of mine,
that I want to remember.........


1. It's a no story line movie that has "Atlas Shrugged" philosophy worked in:
"If the brain guy wont create, the marketting guy cant sell".


2. It's a no story line movie that has "The frog Prince" philosophy worked in:
"The hero is called froggy four eyes by the lead girl's daughter,
& the lead girl later claims, that the hero makes her feel like a princess".


3. It's a no story line movie that has "Disney romantic movie" philosophy worked in:
"When story line needs romance,
lead girl & lead guy, feature in typical disney melody song: '
Pyaar Impossible theme song',
where the male & female voice try to drown each other.
Reference: Disney movie Aladdin".


4. It's a no story line movie that has "Inspire the youth" philosophy worked in:
"You paint such a nice concept of:
* work (flexible timings are always available),
* work place (notice what the gals wear to work!),
&
*Work ethics
(your boss trusts you soooooo much that you can just walk onto the stage,
& say the truth, bcoz you're trust worthy?!).
So all young people immediately want to become
dedicated, ethical professionals, the perks are just too good!
I repeat: "The perks are just too good!"


5. It's a no story line movie that has "all possible" storylines in it!
I really enjpyed the movie!


Note: If any genius other than me is reading this,
no decision regarding the movie may be based on above statements!

Mail a manager, mail a friend!

What does one do, when one wants to mail a dear friend,
& so doesn't want to work on a task,
whose results need to be submitted to a manager?

Simple, one tells oneself, the applied rule is:
"I mail a manager, I mail a friend!"

(My space, my opinion:
All managers are nice, tasks are a different topic,
this is Gita at work, condemn the action......
you get the pint!**)


**Hey that was supposed to be point,but I decided not to correct the typo! Philosophy makes more sense when you get the pint, right?

The Soul of Patna - 3

Trying to recollect it all, before it gets loss in the maze of expeience that's life......

So after Golghar, we were tired & willing to rest,
but our dear friend took us on a short journey that inspired the title of this post....

We crossed the Ganges, okay lets get specific here,
we crossed the clean Ganges on a boat,
a boat with oars & a motor that sent more smoke into the air
than a 1970's truck while starting up;
& made enough sound to drown out any shriek of fear, that Imay have been indulging in.

& once we crossed over, there was nothing but sand, & then some more sand...
A little length away, some vultures & dogs,
the cool air of the river,
& looking across the river, I saw for the first time the dream that Patna was.
A settlement developing by the riverside, in a straight line!
Beautiful buildings, for across the distance you can only see the outlines & forms,
the concept & not the grime.
& I promise these words popped into my mind:
"Today, I have seen the soul of Patna"!

& it is with all this heavy stuff, going on in my mind,
that I came up with this brilliant compliment to my friend:
"It was yummy!"
But if only I could have recorded the tone...
"It was emosional attyachar" ;-0

The soul of Patna - 2

Who ever says, I dont finish things with the same energy that I begin them, sure knows me!
But who ever says, I dont finish things just because my energy level has gone down, doesn't know me at all!!

Last Thursday I was in Patna visiting relatives, living a different life.
This Thursday, I'm back to my own life.....

One reason why I totally chilled out at Patna, was because, I did not have to do any work, take any responsibilty, not even feed little A, what are elder cousins for?

So I could sit back & take the city in, as I felt it to be.
I'm going to remember the beautiful things I did..

Sat in twilight, in elder sister in law's balcony,
on the swing, surrounded by the plants & flowers that the B-I-L nurtures,
watched the night sky, vision being obscured by coconut trees,
with Little A, who not at all tuning into the poetic mind frame of the mom, kept tumbling off..
(Life is an anti-climax)!

Sat next afternoon in the same swing,
& slowly being warmed by the winter sunlight,
dozed off like a contented & sleepy me...
Only to be awakened by the husband, who really does not like to see me at ease!
Disturbs his tranquility I guess :-)
We were also getting late for another invitation.

Climbed the Golghar, an ill maintained monument, with some 200 steps,
I did not count, & I wont check google... I'm recording memories, not facts.
The Golghar had broken railings, & could do with some paint & polishing up....
& when I reached the top, I saw spread out, lot of greenery, some fine buildings,
& the horizon greener than ever, & a strange grey that artists cant capture.
I think the Golghar is the spirit of Patna, passable exterior, & something beautiful inside,
like some one had seen a dream & framed Patna, & thrown it onto the real world,
where it survived, & if one really went all the way......
one found that dream again!

I think I'll write more in next diary session.

The soul of Patna 1...

I grew up in a Bengali based household where if you did not make your bed well, or clean your shoes properly, or did any ungainly thing, you were called "Bihari bhoot"...

Bihar being synonymous for all things that untidy, unruly folks do...

The big twist in the tale came, when I married a "Bihari Bhoot"!! a citizen of Bihar.... brought up in Bihar, & still tied to his roots in Bihar!

Many a tear were shed, before families met..(I'm sure on either side, after all I was the over-smart Bangali lass, jharoing engliss....)!

And then my family paid the husband's family the greatest tribute on actual meeting: "Aap log bilkul bihari nehin hain. bahut aachhe hain.."
(I wonder what they must have felt, but it was a genuin compliment...).

All this happened a long time ago... 3.5 yrs approximately..
& this winter, Dec 09, I went to patna for my holidays...
I already mentioned that my husband is tied to his roots!

And I discovered a wonderful city.
And being the outspoken bong girl, I complimented my husband:
"Wow, Patna to bilkul Bihar's image jaisa nehin hain... bahut accha hain"
Who said I was not tied to my traditions??
I will write about the city in following diary sessions, to remeber later how the Bengali girl in me came to be the Bihari woman in me!

Little A grows witty...

Date: Jan 5th 2010.
Little girl's age: 2 yrs, 11 months.

The father puts his head on little girl's shoulders cuddling her...
Little girl: Nehin
Father: kyon?
Little girl: Main kya pillow hoon?

Talk about speaking up for yourself!!

Happy New Year... 2010!

Dear Blog,

Wishing you a happy new year!

For you are wonderful, & there are so many thoughts just waiting to be penned down,
pinned down for me to visit in the later years...

Hope this bond that has just begun, continues to grow strong & lovely...

& let the writings begin! :-)