Meena Maami? Meenu Mommy!

Concertino

2012-01-25T00:23:00.000-08:00

Ganesh's interest in percussions is still going strong. So while he is at it, Shiv thinks that he should be going to some class where he will be allowed to just sit and watch, may be for half an hour for a couple of times in a month. While enquiring for him at Purandara Bhavan, I got to know about other instruments and vocal classes. Because of their stringent age criteria of seven, I considered joining Hindustani classical for myself. When I communicated this to Shiv, he said, "I wish you join the Mridangam classes and teach him."
Me: I thought I will sing and he will play mridangam. ;)
Shiv: What? May be I should join the mridangam class and start teaching him.
Me: PLEASE. I don't think its a nice idea. People coming up with age criteria for starting, there must be some sense in it.
Shiv: Hmm
Me: Why don't you join voilin class and we can all perform together. JUST IMAGINE (with the dream-come-true-sparkle-in-the-eyes tone)
Shiv (Embarrased with the thought itself): Leave me alone for sometime.

Art of conversations

2012-01-11T02:07:00.000-08:00

As Ganesh is growing up, it is a pleasure talking to the little person that he is. The clarity in his priorities and interests makes very interesting conversations with him.

He has a lot of interest in percussion instruments and enjoys watching different videos of concerts on the internet. Even in live performances, he focuses more on percussionists. I asked him what he likes most. Mridangam, Chendai, Drums, Tabla or Ghatam.
Ganesh: "Thavil dhaan aettom pidikkum" (I like Thavil the most)
Me: :)

5:30 am. Milk time. He generally gets milk at room temparature and continues to sleep after that. One day, he had mild cough and had bouts of cough in the middle of the night too. That morning, I informed him that he will get warm milk. Fellow doesnt like the idea and tries to negotiate. In the process, he loses his sleep and further negotiates not wanting to have the warm milk. After being left with no choice, he had to have it and immediately after that, he has a bout of cough.
Ganesh: "Paaru amma. Chood-a tinnuttum koraikkardu" (See amma. Even after eating it warm, I am coughing and repeats this statement for a couple of more times)
I had no other choice than to hold him tightly and kiss him on his forehead.

During one of the morning walks, he observes a person going on motorcycle and asks, "Shivakumar-te bike illaya?" (Why doesn't Shivakumar have a bike?). I replied," He had one, but somebody stole it."
He gets angry and throws expletives,"We should hit and fix him. We should hand him over to the police. We should leave him with the ducks."
(We take time to see what the ducks do at Manipal Hospital garden area during every visit there. So whenever he throws tantrums, I say, "I will leave you with the ducks and you eat what they eat.")
As much as I laughed at it, I thought to myself, if I am using right words with him when it is difficult to deal with him :(.

Happy New Year

2012-01-02T22:07:00.000-08:00

On the onset of 2010, a dear friend of mine wished me with HNY. A tubelight that I am, just didn't get it. I had to google it and found another full form and as usual thought "Isko kya ho gaya!!!".

And after I realised that it was the new year wish, thought, "Aisa mere saath hi kyu hota hai?"

Nonetheless folks! Have a good time. Masst raho khush raho.

Size does matter

2011-12-08T03:02:00.000-08:00

All of three, Ganesh feels and behaves like the biggest of all. There is a lot of questioning that has started these days, right from what happens if we keep a blanket on burning stove to if a smallest of mouse can bite. I too don't miss a chance to ask questions which will be answered in my favour.
Me: Is Ganesh big or small?
Ganesh: BIG
Me: Is Ganesh's tummy big or small?
Ganesh: BIG
Me: Is appa big or small?
Ganesh: small
Me: Is amma big or small?
Ganesh: small
Same question repeated for all family members and getting same answer....
Me: Is amma's tummy big or small?
Ganesh: small
Me (looking at Shiv): Evil grins :D :D :D

Maar hi daaloge

2011-08-04T02:18:00.000-07:00

I do whatever it takes to reach home by 6:15 pm. Rain or not. The moment I open the door, Ganesh comes running, jumps on me and hugs. One rainy evening by the time I reached home, I was completely drenched and had to forego my usual treat. So I informed him that I am completely drenched and cannot carry or hug him until I change. He touches me, runs inside and gets a towel.
"Inda amma, todachuko. Sheriaayudum." (Take this amma, wipe yourself. You will be ok)

Shiv, generally feels that the mother-son love as TOO MUCH. I just could not wait to narrate this story to see his reaction (that "maar hi daaloge" expression), topped with the dialogue, "Learn something from your son." ;)

Ganesh's favorite colour is Orange. Breakfast time. He is given dosa with greens, which he was not enjoying too much which was evident from the speed of consumption. I started eating with Orange color leftover chutney and wooed him to eat with that. The entire content was transferred to his plate. He runs to the kitchen and opens the fridge. Shiv asks, "Ganesh, fridge ae ennattukku thorandel ?"(why have you opened the fridge)
Ganesh, "Amma ku Orange chutney podanam" (serve the orange colour chutney to amma too)

I looked at husband immediately, not to miss his expression. :D

These gestures from the child will be cherished forever. I don't think I even deserve them. But I do deserve to see Shiv's funny expressions.

Is it too early?

2011-04-11T02:04:00.000-07:00

It is never, when it comes to educate the child about his own protection from the predators. A few personal experiences:
1. A friend's uncle, who was supposedly funny and all the elders liked him for his sense of humor. During adolescence, he comes and touches the chest, saying that "oh, the girl is growing up." I hated it. I did not know what to do. Just ran home and shut myself. I tried to inform my mother, she did not understand and it never got conveyed.
2. A pooja being arranged at home. Father asked me to join him to the temple to get the required things. The priest staring me and stroked the bum. And this was in a split second time when father was walking ahead of me and the priest behind me. I did not know what to do. I started walking along father.
3. Countless incidents of people touching on the streets.

It took a while to understand that I wasn't wrong in any of the above incidents and I have to speak up. Well, I was a teenager when I understood and it was learning the hard way. I had my own share of guilt, fear, fury and everything but I am glad that I dealt with all of it pretty well and am sane today.

It is a myth that boys are not eyed on. I know of a friend who too shared his tryst with one who was an older lady. I got to see a program on re-enacted crimes relayed every single day in a channel in Singapore which was produced by the police department. Coincidentally the first episode I got to see was about a paedophile targetting boys, starting friendship just by talking, then getting smaller gifts then gradually bigger and expensive toys. He then took the child to the zoo as a leisure trip. The mother too is wonderstruck in this case seeing the gifts and the friendship. Then the very next day, after the swimming classes, this man takes the child to the bathroom, removes the clothes and has a photo shoot. The child is also confused here. The mother digs in for information and files a police complaint. I wasn't even a mother then. I could relate to every single emotion of sadness, shame, disgust, anger and frustration. I promised myself that if I ever have child(ren), they will be aware of what needs to be done. From saying a firm no to shout or run for help and inform us.

Husband and I too believe very strongly believe that we cannot even predict who can turn out to be predator. They would be one among us, relatives, friends, anybody. Its a very thin line, and we cannot take any chances for the child to learn the hard way. They just don't deserve it.

We generally go by this rule that until five years, the child must be accompanied by people who are responsible and with whom the child is comfortable with. Having said that, as a mother, all I wished for Ganesh was that he should not be too 'friendly'. I have very elated when he cried uncontrollably at a friend's home, at three months. Any amount of nursing, he continued to cry. The moment we got out, he was fine. His sensitivity to new people is still there and I am happy to say the least, that it keeps him safe. At two and half years, he is not comfortable bare body in front of people, he is not happy being only in shorts too. People carrying him or holding him is not his comfort zone.

Having said that, he will start school in June and will not be home for four hours per day. We have already started telling him that if he does not like anybody touching, holding or carrying him, he should say that he does not like it. He should not allow anybody to touch his penis or bum, except for all of us at home, that is parents, both set of grandparents and paternal or maternal sisters.
I also know of people who say that the child loses innocence when she/he is told about all of it. I have seen kids who stand up for themselves and say a firm "NO, don't kiss me. I don't like it". I find them equally innocent and cute. Need I say safe too?

Bed-time Stories

2011-03-15T02:51:00.000-07:00

"He wouldn't even settle sleeping next to me. He has to sleep on me."

The sleep-training is being going on for a few months now at our place, but Ganesh still does not sleep through the night. I have partially weaned him off from his swing of saree. We had to swing him for thirty to forty minutes every time to make him sleep, right from the time he was born. This itself I consider as a big achievement, for the struggles, crying and negotiations we had to go through to get him to bed.

He still has his milk in bottle at around 3 am and another one at around 6 am and sleeps till 7:15 am which too has reduced from three to two. I know I am not the only one hre going through this, just felt good reading this article.

Of sharing and being nice

2011-03-04T02:53:00.000-08:00

If you ask Ganesh to share what he is eating, you will get, after much ~~pleading~~ persuation that is, something in your hand, which you will not be able to see. And if you put that in mouth, you will not get the taste of it either.
If a baby or child, looks at his plate, irrespective of he eating or not, otherwise a nice, calm and soft Ganesh turns into a hitting monster. In a park, if I touch another child, Ganesh screams, DDDDDAAAAEEEEEEE anna (or akka, whosoever his mother shows a temporary interest). He even went and hit a child yesterday. (Ofcourse he had to go through the amma-not-talking-to-you discplining strategy and he saying sorry to the child. Amma would have ignored it, if all this happened in her absence and the other hitting back Ganesh or they dealing all of it with each other)
We had been to Bannerghatta National Park last week. Shiv plucked some fresh tamarind from the trees and I just tried if the wild squirrels eat that. They came near, took that and started eating. It was such a cute sight, to say the least. Ganesh had not approved for it and hence had a lying-on-floor-crying tantrum. One lollypop as a bribe and he becomes fine. He kept on asking for the tamarind, for some time though.

One of our neighbors has a dalmatian called Spotty, with whom we are friends. Spotty doesn't generally allow people to enter his territory, but from the day we have seen and befriended him, he has not only allowed us to enter his zone, but also has been extremely gentle with Ganesh. Ganesh then being just one year old and not so steady, Spotty used to be very careful even while shaking off Ganesh from his body when Ganesh would hug him, bite him, pull one of his feet or pull his tail. He would not sit anywhere anytime when Ganesh was around, to avoid Ganesh sitting on him. People around would ask me to be careful with the dog around the child, whereas I used to be worried about the dog. That was such a perfect picture. Until recently, when Ganesh had just picked up a stick (as usual) from the garden there. Spotty, playfully snatched it from the other end and ran away. Ganesh, being him, did not like it and had a lying-on-floor-crying tantrum. I could not help laughing loudly, much to Ganesh's irritation. Spotty too, I am so sure was laughing who was standing next to me and kind of challenging Ganesh to take the stick back.

A post on embarrassments

2011-02-24T00:36:00.000-08:00

Rohini's post inspired me to write about my perspective on extended breastfeeding. While the external suggestions are perinneal, they do really get on to one's head especially when it is told continuously and to individuals who are capable of making choices and know what works best for them and their children.

I exclusively breastfed my son until he was five months. My mother and mother-in-law tried to give him external food when he was three months old and there was a persistent effort on that to my irritation. Especially when it was tried in my absence.
My mother would say, "Your milk is like water, how would that be sufficient."
Me: As long as he seems to be ok, I will continue.
This was the time when I was engorged and had fountains of milk flowing out. Yes, I knew that the boy is not lacking on its supply and never doubted even once.
Mother-in-law: "How will his stomach grow without external solids"
Me (looking at my tummy and thinking): I wish atleast he has a flat tummy for a longer time.
I had two people who were with me to deal with constantly.
My final weapon dialogue to both of them. "Let me also experience the child rearing thing."
I think because of that, dealing with external world became quite easy. Smile and ignore. Thank you very much.

I was all set to nurse Ganesh as long as he wanted and to my dismay, he stopped it gradually on his own when he turned one. Now he doesn't even remember he being on boobs. I even tried to force nurse him. He had four teeth above and four below in the front and he knew exactly how to deal with me. Ouch. I stopped. I had to.

The point people bring up about the embarrassment factor, I would anyday vote for extended nursing because the child is asking for it when hungry or for comfort. I am sure that will stop when the supply stops or when they no longer feel the need for it. I used to call Ganesh "Barbie Doll" among one of the so-many so-many names, when he was say, 14-15 months. One year later, I don't know how and why he associates this term with boobs, pointing at them and saying in as-a-matter-of-factly manner, "Barbie doll". Fortunately or unfortunately, also with the ladies he is comfortable with. The children will never fail to embarrass you, I would have been happier if he continued to ask for nursing rather than seeing such days, especially in front of people, that too when he has the word "chest" in his vocabulary.

Of guilt trips!

2011-02-07T01:39:00.001-08:00

I leave home brutally quiet each morning and listen Ganesh calling "Amma" followed with a wail and his grandparents telling him that she has gone to office. He says crying, "Amma office ponam". :(
We go out each morning, have our time together, basically hanging out checking the dirty streams of water that flows throughout Bangalore. His current obsession, he only knows why. We check one near the Golf view campus, followed with some hanging, swinging, sliding session in the park. We also go and 'touch' the BIIG water tank near the park. He doesnt want to come home after that, coz he knows that all we will do is take bath, have breakfast and I will head to office. I would tell him about office thingy and all I get is a more clinging child. Very recently, I even said a firm bye and got out as the experts suggest, but he followed me not just wailing and begging not to leave, but I left. FIL told he cried continuously for forty minutes. After that once again hide-and-seek.

I am so embarrassed that I forgot the husband's birthday. I really thought its on Tuesday but it happened to be on Monday. He gets a call at 12:30 am and there I was cursing that his friends have no time-sense whatsoever and went on saying all are same. Then morning showers of calls, my family, cousins everybody. I checkout the calendar and you-know-what-expression.

Craziness

2011-01-12T05:16:00.000-08:00

I cannot take this anymore
I'm saying everything I've said before
All these words they make no sense
I find bliss in ignorance
Less I hear the less you'll say
But you'll find that out anyway

Just like before...

Everything you say to me
Takes me one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
I need a little room to breathe
Cause I'm one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break

I find the answers aren't so clear
Wish I could find a way to disappear
All these thoughts they make no sense
I find bliss in ignorance
Nothing seems to go away
Over and over again

Everything you say to me
Takes me one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
I need a little room to breathe
Cause I'm one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break

Shut up when I'm talking to you
Shut up, shut up, shut up

I’m about to break!

~Linkin Park

I used to think that these heavy metal rock bands are plain crazy. And those who could appreciate rock are serious nut cases requiring counselling. But now I am hooked. I find it spiritual.

Awestruck

2010-12-02T21:48:00.000-08:00

Shiv has started going to office early and by that time Ganesh and I also would have finished the morning rituals and would be ready to step out. We go to a nearby ground where Shiv drops us on his way. Ganesh would claim that he wants to go to ground, but by the time we need to get out, he will start saying "Appa, come. Come to gound with me. Office na na." But we have to get out and wave bye, after which the boy will keep on asking that we should go to appa's office. I tried to explain him that appa and amma must go to office to work and that is how we make money. We need money to buy food, water, tickets to Wonderla, cubbon park, train, biscuits, chocolates, bun, joos... EVERYTHING.

Me: Do you want them or not?

Ganesh: Venda (Don't want)

Me: Do you want cubbon park on Saturday Sunday or not?

Ganesh: Venda

Me: "It will be boring"

Ganesh: Boye venam (wants bore)

Drawing Spirits

2010-11-30T01:43:00.000-08:00

There was this "Drawing Competition" organized for the entire neighborhood children marking the end of Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations. The communication to us was somehow missed but as Ganesh and I are mostly out in the neighborhood during mornings and we saw the event happening from the terrace. We came home immediately got ready and went there, but we were among the last ones to reach. Most of the children had left by then, but a few children who were there happily shared their crayons and waited for Ganesh to finish his random lines with white crayons on white paper! I tried to change the color of the crayon but he changed it back to white! One of the kids helped him making flower and such, and this activity kept him engaged for five minutes. This according to me was not even qualifying for a "competition" but it was happily submitted as an entry and it was pasted in the venue among the other entries of 2-5 years category.

There was the felicitation ceremony with some cultural programs in the evening, in which all the children had to participate. The first category being 2-5 years, then 6-10 years and 11-15 years. All the children were being called by names. Ganesh also promptly ran to the stage, seeing the proceedings. He went to collect the gift before his name was called and held himself back when the child whose turn it was, collected hers, backing himself off when his name was called. I had to ask him to go and collect. The radiant happiness in his face while collecting and shaking hands with the gentlemen on stage would have glown one dark room! As the lady who was announcing correctly said, "Judging the paintings was just a formality. It was the participation which was important. Please give a loud round of applause to all the children. We are so lucky to have them."

What I love about being with you

2010-11-18T01:36:00.000-08:00

The way you express your love. Pinching both my cheeks, coming close and kissing.

"Amma mele taachi" Want to lay down on top of me, when unable to go back to sleep in the middle of the night. The feel of your eyelashes on my neck during that time.

Calling amma for every excitement of yours. Be it spotting the "Big Dish" (DTH Service dishes on rooftops) or a "paaida" (spider) or "Sooo many pijins" or "ejjauth fan" (Exhaust fan) for the zillionth time.

Calling amma for the minutest of distress. Falling down, being hit or anybody scolding or for that matter amma scolding you.

Calling me "Meenu". You know that I will not stop you from calling me by name. You will look at your father after calling me that with a smile, for his disapproval.

Not allowing anybody to even look at you, when I am present. Reporting every instance of somebody looking at you, talking to you or trying to carry you, be it your grandparents, father or anybody. Ensuring that only I lift you when I am around.

You start walking when I tell that my arm is aching carrying you. I will carry you as much as I can, coz you will grow way too soon than I am ready for. You stop crying when I say I will also cry. Well, I know thats mean, but nothing really works sometimes.

Your dramas, tantrums, crocodile tears, running to sofa to lay down and cry. You throwing more fits on my suggestion of crying on the bed like heroines.

Your jumps and hops. You coming running to me in the evening on my return to home from work.

You demanding rather ordering what you want. Amma "dosa na na", "idli na na", "chappati na na", "upma na na", "pongal na na", "mammam na na", "adai na na", "Ing na na"... "maggi venam", "chocolate venam", "joos venam"

You using words tactically and innocently for your benefit. Making everybody laugh and laughing yourself.

I love you being a thoughtful and mature person. You know when to joke and limit it to fun only. Thats your character of maintaining respect and love with everybody. You remembering and revising everybody's name (huge extended family and lot of our friends and their children). Ensuring to call them like that when we meet. No wonder everybody is so fond of you.

Wink and babydom is gone

2010-10-15T05:48:00.000-07:00

You are now 25 months old, feels like only last moment gone that you were given onto my hand, when you came out of me. How can I forget the tender voice of you crying, the wetness and the creamy layer on you then. (the tantrums and puppy shrieks of yours remind me of that even more). A tiny human being who apparently thought that he is a part of the mother and now so clear about his own self.

Time flew by as I saw you achieving all your milestones either on time or way ahead of it, attempting for the next almost immediately of achieving one. Smiling at 40 days, turning over at 80 days, rolling then onwards, crawling on your back and not on tummy at 4 months :) (yes, only you can do such things), sitting down at 5 and half months, crawling on knees at 7 months, holding and standing at 9 months, walking without help at 10 months. And now full-fledged talking with correct grammar at 25 months. Oh! jumping and hopping. Even correcting us when we say something wrong.

The depiction of "Mary had a little lamb" rhyme in this particular video has a real girl and a sheep (which looks like a cow) with a drawn up backdrop of some landscape.

You: Cow

Shiv: Na Ganesh, that's a lamb, baby sheep. It says Ba-Ae-Ae-Ae

You: Na Na. No Ba-Ae-Ae. It says Moooooooooooo.

Shiv: Na na. It is a lamb. Mary had a little lamb.

You: Appa na na. That's a cow. Moooooo Mooooo

Shiv: na na. Thats a lamb

You: COW

Shiv: :|

I love it when you hold yourself on me to the closest level possible and ask "amma baa", for me to set you in a way that the minute space left out is also gone, our rolling and tickling games. I am so proud of you being imaginative and happy to clean the mess you make by making Dosas on the floor with the banana shake or curds which is supposed to go to your tummy.

Me: Ganesh, what is your name?

You: Ganesh

Me (blown up with pride): How are you?

You: Ganesh

Me: How do you do?

You: Ganesh

Me: :|

You preferring girls over boys (yes!) and not only giving them well-deserved special attention but also your snacks! I am always on cloud nine seeing your gentleman-ish approach towards them. What handshake(s), saying Hi with a wave and asking them to join you to play!

You have been an entertainer throughout, which I knew from the moment you made the funny squeaking sounds while latching on to have milk on your day-one itself. Later on our storytelling, complaining and pulling each others legs, all in the pretext of talking to you. Oh! you have been a patient listener. Your fake smiles for posing for camera.

I must say, all the older girls in the family are really impressed with you already and are waiting for you to grow up to have more fun conversations with you. :)

Now that you will be a school boy in a few months' time, I just cannot comprehend the lightning speed reality.

What's ahead

Advances in self-care skills come fast and furious during the preschool years. Most kids have mastered the basics of self-care - dressing, washing their hands, feeding themselves, and going to the bathroom (but not necessarily wiping!) - by their fourth birthday. As the months and years roll by, your child will get better and better at meeting her own needs. You'll blink, a few years will go by, and she'll be able to tie her shoes and shower or bathe by herself. Then it's just a matter of time until she can do laundry and cook dinner, not to mention drive herself to soccer practice. By then you'll be wishing she'd let you baby her once in a while, but her refusal to give up her autonomy will be a testament to your success in teaching her to care for herself.

~ courtesy babycenter

PS: Ganesh's seat in one of the oldest schools have been confirmed and I am proud to announce that we are lucky to have our "self-written" application being considered for our "interview" for his admission.

Tagged... finally

2010-10-13T04:31:00.000-07:00

Huurraaay... I have been tagged. :)

I have been thinking of tagging myself of late, but then the feel of somebody tagging me is amazing. Thanks sis for this.

The rules are simple:

1.Tag seven people

2.Link their pages in your tag post

3.Leave a comment in their comments section telling them they’ve been tagged

4.In your post, mention the person who tagged you and link her page

5.Write 7 things about yourself.

My first post was a detailed introduction about myself, and yes, coming up with a whole new list is definitely not easy, but then, as they say, who doesn't love to talk about themselves? Also, I cannot avoid being repetitive as a couple of things really so part of me to avoid. Here it goes:

I. If growing up is what is being considered as per age, I would say I felt like a free spirited teenager myself until a couple of years back. I am growing up now after child birth. Having said that, I am not sure, if motherhood is the cause of this feeling or its just a co-incidence.

II. Foodie - This describes me. As long as its vegetarian (Indian definition), I am in. I would rather go hungry than eating aweful food.

III. I love to go for a walk with my child. Even when its raining we take an umbrella and out-we-go. This is how my day has to begin, working day or not. We enjoy the freshness in air, flowers, dew drops and just a walk together. We come back all cheerful and have a hearty breakfast together. Makes my day.

IV. I would love to meet another confused soul who can match my levels of confusion. I need to think so much for days or months together to arrive at a conclusion, but then once decided, there is no looking back or repenting if things don't work as expected.

V. Love is what keeps me going, balanced and sane. It gives me hope and purpose to my life.

VI. Creativity makes complex things simple. I love watching movies, might own a canvas of artistic photograph or painting in near future. I want to make atleast one presentable BIG mural or glass painting or both in the course of my life.

VII. Singing - I know I am besuri at it but still I want to re-learn Hindustani Classical formally. (Love thy neighbour(s)... evil grins)

I would love to see what seasoned bloggers like Arunima, Sayesha, Parul, Rohini, Chris, Emaan and Ramya have to say about themselves.

Of Evil Eyes and such

2010-08-13T06:24:00.000-07:00

People say that it exists, I do not believe in it. What I do believe is in the presence of divine, which is core of the very existence. To me, one form of that divine is love. And if somebody appreciates something, how can that be harmful? If that is the case, any child would be affected by mother's eyes all the time. And if somebody is jealous by nature, how can that jealousy be harmful to the subject? Its sad for the person as such for the feeling he or she unable to grow out of.

Ganesh's right hand was on the door pane, while he was switching on and off the kitchen light, when the door banged full-on on his middle and ring finger due to heavy wind, chopping off the top portions. My father-in-law was sitting right next to him. He was rushed to hospital and they did a surgery next day morning, taking skin from his bum and grafting it on the fingers. As nature has designed us to move-on, he did, immediately. He started playing the evening it happened and played the next day after he got up from the anaesthesia effect. It is unimaginable to even describe. Bruises, wounds, cuts, head bumps, all adorn the body of a child, but this is way too much for a 22 month old.

After a re-dressing (with anasthesia) this week, his dressing was removed completely today. My heart cries every moment. Everybody around seems to have come to terms with it, I am yet to. Not sure, if I ever will.

He was on a sling for a week, cooperating with us while putting it and tying up the string to it so that his arm is lifted up while he sleeps. He is kind of a child who would play in water all the time. He did not go near it even if he had the chance, because he was told not to.

Friends, bless him for his wellness, for I believe, good wishes and love last forever.

Happy Birthday My Darling Sister

2010-06-29T09:33:00.000-07:00

I now very well know what I would have missed if you were not there in my life. I was longing for a small sister all my life and had even come to terms that I am not lucky enough to have that privilege, but then I had a dancing moment the moment I saw you, after spending thirteen years of my life alone, not having anybody to share the kind of bond that I have with you. You are not just my sister, but my daughter-cum-friend also, who gives hope to me and makes me smile at the very thought of her. My confidante, strength (weakness too). I wanted to flaunt you from the moment you came in my hands. My goodness, you were SO little. Forty days early, 1.8 Kgs, fragile and pink. Your earlobes were thin like onion peel and head circumference of a small doll. As a few days old baby, you would still have your waking up hours, stretching those tiny little arms and legs, looking inquisitively all around. Each of your milestones were celebrated with pictures and sweets. In that December-January Chandigarh near-zero-cold, you have crawled so much, running behind and away from us. Each day was a laughing riot at our home and neighborhood homes too. One of the best were your talking pre-school and early school years. Our cooked up genie stories. At 3, I must say, I was spell-bound by your imaginations and creativity.

You: Anna didi (Anjana, a neighbor), meri didi hai kya yaha?

Anjana: Nahi to

You: THHHAAAAAANNNNK GAAWWWDDDD! Mujhe do rupaye de do!

Anjana: Kyu?

You: Toffee

And as any other younger child in family, the different adoptive stories were told. And you were so innocent to accept each of the different versions also. As correctly said, what goes around comes around.

Sometime in early 2008.

You (on phone): Meenu, what's your blood group?

Me: B+

You: Mera pata hai kya hai?

Me: B+ hi hoga

You: O+. Papa ka bhi yehi hai.

Me: WOW. Sahi hai tu to universal donor hai. But tere ko dekh ke log bolenge, TU rehne de.

You: hmm. Tujhe pata hai mummy ka kya hai?

Me: B+

You: Nahi ji. A+. Mummmyyyyy, Meenu ko kaha se uthha ke laaye?

With each bullying, leg pulling, making each other jealous our bond has matured from good to better :). Your growing up years have been the best of my life as well. A tiny honey bunch that you are, a sport for all silly things we do and talk, small little gestures of belonging, sharing all possible feelings, laughing on anything and everything, cat fights , tantrums, property disputes including the aangan for kolams, amma-appa attention grabbing and their funny expressions and situations, fights for the sofa for best TV viewing and remote, I have fondly enjoyed all of them and deeply cherish them.

It is hard to believe that a baby who was not even the size of our arms has grown from a tantrum throwing sweetest toddler, cute child into a graceful, beautiful teenager now, who is confident, creative, fashionista, knows what she wants out of life, ambitious yet so mature and growing up to be a grounded young woman. I am so proud of you my dear. May your hard work leads to success that you deserve and I wish for contentment and peace in your heart. I love you.

Parenting: My approach

2010-06-17T02:21:00.000-07:00

I asked a psycologist friend of mine, if there are any books on parenting which provide effective tips on positive parenting. She said, "If there was any such formula, wouldn't we be all in Utopia?" "Wonderful point of view", I said. She continued, "Each family is different, individual approaches are different and, there is nothing right or wrong in this topic. Loads of love, not just sealed in heart, it should be expressed liberally throughout their lives. It works with everybody you know. Isn't it? My personal tip for you is to list down the things that you would want out of your child when he grows up. Ensure that the list does NOT contain his professional aspirations which are very personal to him. And start leading that life yourself, he will learn all of it by following your example."

"Start leading that life yourself" I realize is so important. Its so easy, because all of it comes naturally out of love, yet involves so much of thoughts and you end up in reacting the right way most of the times, in the times of stress or crisis. In case you don't, which too is inevitable, "there is always a next time" thought which helps you deal with the guilt in a better way.

My list is not only expanding in intricacies of my own approach towards life, but also making me stop, think and enjoy each moment of it. Each stage is awesome and we tap on the most receptive moment of Ganesh and whatever he has learnt till now has been completely fun-filled and ofcourse, self-learning (sometimes the hard way, eg. you will slip and fall if you run on watery floor. Its so amusing to see him walking on the dry patches on wet floor of the veranda after rains).

I very strongly believe that life teaches and we as parents or teachers are just facilitators. As Kahlil Gibran says,

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children

as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

I wish Ganesh gets what I wish to have for myself too. Here goes the list:

1. There is no hurry, things come and go at their own pace, just live the moment. Equally, its important to start doing things early and not in the nth moment to avoid being late. Despite of that if you are, it is OK, certain things are not in our hands.
2. Aspirations and ambitions are for YOURSELF and not to prove or show off to the world. Challenge and compete with yourself, following others' examples is also extremely important. Having said that, life is not just about yourself or your family. You must have your social responsibilities clear. Be compassionate and empathatic. Only that gives immense satisfaction and hope for your life ahead.
3. Sports, puzzles, quizzes are extremely creative. They are a MUST.
4. Reading. The more words and strings of words you come across, you not only get ideas to express yourself much better but also get to see different perspectives which leads to have a better outlook towards life. And that my son, will pave path for you to be a better human being.
5. I want you to be a traveller and not a tourist. Feel and live in that place however short the trip is; unlike a tourist, enjoy local food, feel the difference of aroma in air and taste of water, be a part of the place and that includes paying tax for the country wherever you live. Remember, the way of lives may be different, and languages may be different, at the end of it, everybody goes through the same set of emotions. Appreciate all of it.
6. Express your gratitude to the Supreme for what you have. Build a relationship with Him, formal or informal.
7. Enjoy what nature has it for you. The resources are for your use and not misuse. Always take time to feel and enjoy the breeze, rains and fragrance of the flowers. And remember, heat and cold bring in their own kind of beauty to surroundings. Do your part to conserve the precious ecosystem.

I have a boy

2010-05-06T10:04:00.000-07:00

I am definitely not person who would stereotype gender. I make my 19 month old wear anklets, pink shirts, bangles, kajal, bindi and sometimes girly dresses. That my friends, is not going out of the way to prove that. That's because he is such a pretty boy and its irresistible to hold on to that temptation. But given the fact that I have a boy and almost (at least I feel) parented my sister too at this age, I feel there are some differences that make them what they are.

Yes, I am talking about women. Nature has it that boys will be boys from the earliest in their lives. I have proofs to support this statement.

Till today, he has been smitten by three women, in a span of one month. Not sure about the previous ones though because he never displayed such visible temperaments, may be because he was too small to express then. He is kind of child who will say "tata bubye" for "leave me alone" and even threatens to bite if the limits are crossed beyond his tolerance levels. Will not go to anybody and everybody who try to befriend him, even to a few people he has been seeing from the time he is born. He is comfortable in new places in our presence as long as he is not touched, carried or very strongly tried to be befriended.

There has been a sudden change in his pattern of behavior with the said women. From the moment he was introduced to them, he started addressing them immediately. If they give a little gesture of asking him to carry, he acknowledges immediately with a smile and allows to be taken. And display of his knowledge is carried out. Like today morning, a lady was out plucking flowers, he saw her and passed on a smile. She did not see him doing that, so he went near her and smiled once again. The lady acknowledged. He got encouraged and they had a customary introduction.

Ganesh: "Auntie, mango thee, chakkkai (pointing to mango tree and jackfruits). He started walking towards those trees and expected her to follow, but then she was in a hurry. She said bye, which he wasnt ready to say so soon. He continued to show pointing to a cat, "auntie.. poochai.. meow" and his current favorite flower, "auntie.. puple aappoo". "auntie.. bag"."auntie..paisha".She had to rush to office, so I had to carry him and start off, making him wave a bye.

A couple of weeks back, this very pretty college-going girl to whom he was smitten. After the introduction, he was like "oee akka (rohini akka)", and was surrounding her for the rest of two days (during a cousin's wedding), displaying his talents, showing her the trees and flowers with names he knows, making different animal and bird sounds, even refusing to come to me when the girl was visibly tired carrying him for around 20 minutes, putting her parents to wonder, as to why he is SO MUCH attracted to her. Hormones, I say.

All in all, I am happy that the ladies whom he has approached have taken time to genuinely acknowledge to his gestures. May this continue to happen all through his life. :D

Ganesh,

2009-12-18T02:44:00.000-08:00

Dear baby - You brought back the lost something undescribable in me. The charm of life, looking forward for a new day; every single day, the lost all-time cheerfulness be it non-sense PJs, jumping or running like a mad on middle of a road with full public view to see you laugh without giving a damn to others, in a way my own childhood. I am actually attempting to make world a better place, doing small things to see a smile in faces, shunning things at my level to pollute less. I found a meaning for the life I have. All because of you little being.

I am sorry to bring you in this big cruel world, where things are measured and judged by how you look and what all you own and not with the acts of humility you do. Where crime, injustice and desctruction prevails which are saddening. I brought you for the utter selfish longing and craving to feel the warmth and have you in my arms. All the pains whatsoever in that process is nothing for the person you are. One who forgets and forgives and lives in the present. What a thing to learn from a one year old. The innocence, care, curiosity, faith, consistency in practice, focus, strength, your expression of happiness, love. You make me think of you every single moment. I never felt so loved and never thought of being capable of loving so much.

You are yourself so small picking up words and point to other kids even older than you saying "papa" (baby in tamil). Your love of reading. Pointing to a cow and saying "mmmmm" in that tone. Saying "ka ka" in your tone modulated like a crow is so very cute. Your body is still not capable of climbing down stairs and you trying to get down like an adult is scarily funny. You stopping everything and touching your cute-little-bum with that smile when asked about your tail. You talking something with the ants. You pointing up and saying "ange" (there) for any helicopter, aeroplane, jet noise irrespective of wherever you are. The best is, the way you say "amma". You just being aware of your surrounding makes my heart swell to the level of bursting out with pride. You asking for whatever you need to help others understand what you need is a milestone that you achieved way too early :). You asking for independence is a bittersweet feeling for me. That I am happy and proud for the fact that you are fast but sad that you are moving away from me every single moment in search of your own abode. I wish I could let go of your babydom as fast as you are growing up. I wish I could hold back time and see you like this always. But I know the best I can do is to capture the moments and seal everything in my heart. My child, I wish you don't need to pretend and just be yourself all your life. All I can do is to love you, always.

My existence is blessed because of your presence. Thanks my dear for just being you.

From,
Amma

New Year Resolutions

2009-12-15T02:06:00.000-08:00

Oct 10
Me (Sad): I turn 30 today. I promised myself long back that I would be an extremely weight-conscious and healthy person after today.
S (My friend): Hmm.. Thats a very good thought.
Me: I think I will celebrate my birthday month and enjoy every food as much as possible.

Oct 31
Me (Sad): This month is also getting over.
S: Why not celebrating birthday year? Have a new year resolution and STICK to that.
Me: :D

Yes. I am facing withdrawal symptoms and am unable to control my temptations for good food. So listing out the BEST of what I like in Bangalore.

Shiv Sagar (Commercial Street)
Palak Dosa
Veg Makhanvala

EmGees (M G Road)
Babycorn Manchurian
Veg Patiala

Bombay Post (Old airport road)
Palak Chat
Kadai Paneer Patiala
Dal Makhani

Konark (Commercial Street)
Veg clear soup
Corn Palak
Masala Dosa

Indijoe
Breads (buffet lunch)

Cake Walk (Indiranagar)
Chocolate truffle (Eggless)

Calcutta Victoria Chat (Kasturinagar)
Puchke
Tikki Chat

Now that the year too is ending I hope I do everything to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight. Things I have started doing in that direction:
Learning the steps to SuryaNamaskar.
Finish dinner by 7:30pm and nothing after that, except for a fruit incase I am hungry.
No alcohol.

It happens only in Bangalore

2009-10-29T03:25:00.000-07:00

Experiencing Left hand drive - Suddenly the pedestrians have to look to their left first and right later on while crossing the road. Why? The traffic is diverted to move as per the opposite of basic rule and this gives a US style drive feel. Expats from US won't miss that country drive any more being here. All they have to do is keep coming to Garuda Mall.

Traffic signal on top of a flyover - Aren't flyovers made to avoid the cumbersome long duration signals? Earlier there used to be a cop to direct the traffic, now they have come up with the innovative idea of traffic signal there and to add to it, there are speed breakers also on it :). Anyhting to beat that?

And like the Lombard Street in San Francisco which was made that way out of sheer necessity, turned out to be a tourist attraction due to the weird idea behind it. These two points in Bangalore are a must-visit to see the basic design flaws.

A serious conversation

2009-10-06T23:40:00.000-07:00

Vicky, a six year old boy and one of Ganesh's friends is trying to consistently teach him to do a thumb's down action for the word "girls". When I saw that, I was surprised and asked him.
Me: What's that?
Vicky: Girls are like that only.
Me: AAAuuuye (Tamil villan style) and what am I?
Vicky (with a serious expression): You are not a girl (after a pause) You are a woman!

House shifting and related realisations

2009-09-18T05:26:00.000-07:00

Last month, we decided to move to our apartment that we bought around five years back. My husband and in-laws have been living in this particular rented-house for the past thirty years. I must say that this area which is closer to commercial street is not only convenient but a lot safe too as I have never come across any situation of eve-teasing or a non-sense-street-guy comment (Thankful, if people don't find me worth that!).
When we saw the so-called modular kitchen which was great looking in this apartment, all our materialistic-show-off dreams came true. After five-years of usage by a couple of tenants, all the sliders are rusted. Water seeped from near the sink has rottened the wood which is emanating a funny smell and it is a house of cockroaches of all types, shapes, sizes and other insects. The top cabinets are also the least usable. So with the dreams shattered, Shiv and I decided to dump this existing one to a normal slab kitchen with better top-cabinets. The work is going on and hopefully we should be able to shift by this month-end. All this is keeping me on my toes all the time. With some research, running around and contacts, we have picked up the necessary things and have narrowed down on shops from where we will buy the rest of things at the best prices.

Meanwhile, I got a change of team and profile, which I wanted to be in :). Ganesh is walking full-time (like a drunkard though!) and doesn't want to crawl at all. He has realised a new found independence as both his hands are free and wants to "touch" everything at a higher level. Things are slowly moving upwards now! He likes to play in water and sand and resists by anger-crying if we take him off before he is done! He has graduated from a mono-syllable blabbering to multi-syllable one. He would really "talk" with a very serious expression and stresses on some word that he has to hold his breath. All-in-all he is more interactive and more fun. Total time-pass.

During all this chaos, I just realized that I have mellowed down to a level that I am not getting attracted to the hi-fi things that I used to and had dreamt of for my own house! Infact, I am preferring a single-color or very mild color combination in case of multi-colored walls and the cheapest decorative lamp-shades for the CFL lights, that too just because they are there. Otherwise, I would have avoided them. I remember when my father was constructing his house in Kerala a couple of years back, me and my sister had told so-many tings: "Appa, do this". "Appa, do that". When none of these were applied, we requested him, later begged and even emotionally-blackmailed him atleast not to have a show-case, as this is old fashioned. We suggested to leave that area empty and have a white paint as background and concealed LED lights on top which will highlight a BIG painting. That also was literally ignored and a show-case was setup and both of us were cribbing BIG-TIME as to how he can do that to us. When Ganesh was two-three month old baby, he would continously look at the colorful things set-up at the large show-case. My mother while talking to him would sarcastically comment on us pretending to be reading out Ganesh's mind, on how much he likes the show-case that his grandfather has made. She would also say that, this was made specially for this baby. Having said that, I am not responsible for any damages done by Ganesh, if he really wants to explore things in the glass shelves when we go there next!

Where do we belong?

2009-09-04T05:50:00.000-07:00

Recently I lost my bag and to have a duplicate DL, I had to file a police complaint. Since I cannot speak Kannada but can very well understand, I heard things like “Most of the cases are of these north-Indians only” being said, instead of doing what they are really supposed to do. They are not only being paid for the job but they also shamelessly ask for chai-paani amount in the police-station. For what!? Just a sign on a complaint letter. Not even filing an FIR.. huh!
As depicted in Chak de! India, there is surely more preference to the state or community- citizenship one belongs, than to the country-citizenship as such. The main reason I believe is, our customs are way of living and we are so used to it that we are unable to accept the other’s rituals. Soft-Racism happens everywhere and the recipient cannot protest as it is considered to be a joke (even though it really gets too-much sometimes).
I am an Indian at heart and feel this Chinese writer too audacious to write suggestively to split India. Even though to some levels, what is said might change the face of the countries which are now states! To this note I remember an instance that I have personally found racist and lived through. It was in Chandigarh during my childhood where our family was the only one South-Indian in the entire lane and everybody in other lanes also knew us due to our Madrasi status. When I grew up a bit more (around ten years old), I got to know that irrespective of somebody from Andhra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu or Kerala; all of them are Madrasis for north-Indians in general (Kashmir to Maharashtra) and were literally teased. My parents believed in "live like Swiss in Switzerland" policy and did not impose our ritualistic rules on me in the day-to-day life, so I did not have much of teasing problems unlike others as I have seen. During our yearly trips to Kerala, we used to go to "our des" as per them. In another case, a (bank job transfer) "Madrasi" girl's father came to meet the principal requesting that she should be allowed to wear bindi, chain and bangles in school (where none of these were allowed) as it is part of "our" daily rituals. She wasn't allowed to do so due to obvious reasons but this invited lot of unwanted comments from the peers.
Well, all that said, I realized one thing extremely late in my life… :). DD(Delhi Doordarshan) showcased regional movies alphabetically every Sunday afternoon back then and I got to see a Tamil movie. This was when I could understand something in TV by listening and not by perceiving. I was shocked that I could not follow a single dialogue only to understand that the (Palakkad) Tamil we speak is not the actual Tamil. Our community is considered outsider in Kerala due to Tamil origins and now in Tamil Nadu due to Kerala settlement! During marriage alliances they particularly see for Palakkad Iyers. Similar is the case with same-communities in north-India.
I just wonder what would happen to people when they are given a choice of citizenship of a state turned country, in case India is split into 20-30 countries. I am sure there are so many people across generations who would have lived in a strikingly different place than what they would be culturally born with. Personally speaking, I want to settle down in a calm place where I can raise a couple of cows and dogs and work full-time towards environment conservation… but, if I have to make a choice of which country’s passport I should hold.. I will just go mad… :)

:)

2009-08-31T08:36:00.000-07:00

A car just overtook me just missing me by few inches. I saw the driver who was a good looking young chap wearing shades. He HAD to stop as the signal turned red and there was cop standing at the other end. As I reached closer to the car, it read:
YES! My dad owns the road...

Lost innocence?

2009-08-31T01:55:00.000-07:00

Its scary how professionalism is affecting the world. To the level that its attacking the childhood and its innocence :( . Just came across this

A-Z Tag for the first blog

2009-08-21T22:04:00.000-07:00

Its been VERY long that I am here in the Internet world, but if my sister wasn't there, I wouldn't have worked up my lazy mind to start off blogging. :) So starting off whith tagging myself with this A-Z things about myself as a detailed introduction of mine. Here it goes...

A - Art, Architecture. I appreciate art and creativity quite a lot and dream of owning or doing myself at least one original piece of painting or a photograph.

B - Books. I have been surrounded by them all my life and I dread the syllabus books to the core. As long as they are novels or cookery books, I am game and would finish them in fastest possible time-frame.
I would say my father has done double 10th, 12th and graduation along with me apart from his own. Given a choice he would have done a double PG, but luckily I was in hostel and was saved of him trying to inspire me by reading them.

C - Chandigarh. I am obsessed about this place so much so that my friends in US named me "Miss Chandigarh" after listening to my comparison of a Garden with Rose Garden (Chandigarh), roads, sceneries and what not. That implies to my family also, when my parents, myself and my sister were comparing each and every corner of Singapore with each sector of Chandigarh.

D - Desi. This is the best word to describe me. Sophistication and womanish elegance literally run away from me. Though I have tried to lower my volume, walk and talk slowly in a sweetest manner but that just doesn’t work for me. My friends (who are guys) have told me that they don’t feel that they are with a girl when we hang-out. I admit that this is the worst ever compliment I have received because this challenges my basic gender existence which I am really proud of.

E - Environment. I feel sad when I see people knowingly and unknowingly so irresponsible towards such a perfectly balanced system. I am doing everything possible at individual level for its conservation. Me and my colleague (Shweta) would do our best at office to involve everybody in this endeavor even though they feel pain in their backs.

F - Family, Food, Friends. What's life without them?

G - Ghosts (Poochandi: term usually used when kids wouldn't do whatever was required out of them!). I could not even sleep alone in the night without a light on and the related imagination had hit its creative best when I was twenty-six years old. I fought with this fear consciously when I was pregnant and am out of it completely.

H - Husband. I have been a very independent person throughout my life and never felt a need of companionship. I got married for reasons unknown to me (read parental pressure!). Now, I cannot imagine my life without my life-partner. I am lucky to have got such a loving, patient, understanding and supportive person.

I - Ice-creams. Slurp-slurp. Yum-yum.

J - Jealousy. My sister and I try to make each other jealous by exaggerated projection of every single instance of achievement or attainment. Both of us laugh out loud on each other's silly attempts each time.

K - Knowledge. Improves a person's outlook and I yearn for it.

L - Love. I am lucky to have received all possible variations of this emotion and thank the Supreme always for it. I seek blessings so that I receive this endlessly till the end of my life.

M - Money. It is needed to buy the most basic comfort of entertainment and that’s the only reason I work full-time.

N - Nature. I am an avid nature lover. I enjoy going for a walk in the morning to see the sunrise, hear the birds chirping, flowers blooming with dew-drops on them and feel the cool fresh air. This makes my day and my life.
When I feel lazy, my early-riser-bored-playing-for-one-hour-in-room baby ensures that I get up and take him out!

O - Obsession for cleanliness. Need I say more?

P - Parenting, which is my Passion. This has brought the best out of me. I have never been so responsible in my life. It was a difficult pregnancy and every moment of pain is worth Ganesh baby. Each day is a surprise and I do everything funny to see a smile in his such a small and cute face. He has brought confidence in me that I can take care of him, the way he wants. Each milestone of his is like an achievement in itself for me. How I wish I could slow down the time to see his growth in slow motion. My baby is moving towards toddlerhood so fast.

Q - Quarter. This word irritates my husband (Shiv) when I use it like below.
Shiv (in the morning, with the cloth eye-shade on): Meenu, what’s the time?
Me: "quarter to nine" or "quarter past eight"
Shiv: Angrez. Can't you say it properly?
Me: Why don't you see the time on your own then?
Shiv: Pleeaaassse.
Me: Ok. 8:45 or 8:15.

R - Ramya, Lakshmi, Lakku, Lakshma, Puttu, tuttu or whatever comes in mind. My cute little sister and my non-biological daughter. She is my confidante, my strength and the loveliest thing happened in my life.

S - Stratosphere. I have tried world's craziest rides on earth. I literally died and returned. A group of people were so entertained seeing me trembling and screaming with fear that they not only forgot their own fear but also laughed through the rides. They even offered sponsoring the tickets for another set of rides to me!

T - Tadka, punjabi vaala. I love north-indian fare, preparing as well as eating. It brings in a sense of satisfaction and life is worth living for it :).

U - Unsure. I am, most of the times.

V - Vegetarianism. I have been brought up as one. I have extended the list by deciding not to buy leather, honey and silk any more. I hope I will be able to add milk products also in this list.

W - Windows OS. My work. It’s a love-hate relationship, but I cannot imagine my work-life without it. I love its ease of concepts, configuration and administration. I hate the ease as it is easy to forget also.

X - Xylophone. I can play the tunes of "Happy Birthday to you" song and "Mary had a little lamb" on my son's xylophone.

Y - Yuck. Too much Plastic, Pollution, Garbage, Crime and Hatred around. We need a massive education on Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and mental cleanup.

Z - Zzz - I love sleeping and the basic thing I need. When I am bored while watching a movie in a theatre, I sleep. I sleep and induce dreams, when I am frustrated or in some types of anger. I sleep when I have nothing to do and enjoy each moment of it.

I would like to Tag Usha, Arunima, Eman and Maggie whom I have been following for long time :). They would know me as ~Meenakshy