Day 30 – A limerick for Marathon Blogging

Today is the last but one day of our month-long blogging marathon. All the activity, buzz, chatting and frenzy will end tomorrow. There will be a void like the one after the annual school function finishes – you sudden have nothing to do and miss all the practices, masti and gup shup. I guess I will miss it, till something else fills that void. But I will definitely not miss the posting-every-day bit.

🙂

All of us will nod, when I say, we would like to take a break from blogging for a bit.

Here is my version of what this marathon was, in a limerick –

An idea struck a lady called Monika who was always on the run

She discussed it with some friends who wanted to have fun

They pledged to write a post a day

And keep their writer’s blocks at bay

They all thought they couldn’t do it but ended up writing a tonne

The marathon had its highs and lows

Some got bogged down by its blows

Others continued to churn out post after post

About kids, pets, work, life, love and even coffee and toast

They all made new friends and no foes

Secret Santa was a mystery and thriller

It was like playing “Who is the killer?”

Outings were planned, meet ups scheduled

Wherever needed, people even pooled

To help, to heal and to write that occasional filler

Theme posts made us use our head

Didn’t matter if we sat on the desk or on the bed

This blogathon was like a trip to the zoo

All you wonderful people, it was a pleasure knowing you

Here is to Marathon Blogging and to an awesome year ahead!

 

Now I shall go and enjoy the next 7 days of my holiday 🙂 Happy Sunday!!

This post is part of the Marathon Blogging December 2012

Day 26 – Daily list of Happiness!

In Pursuit of More is a blog I follow. Shira is a lovely lady who cooks really yummy food and runs a non-profit called Not So Fast. She has a beautiful blog and I love the pictures and quotes she puts up. One of my favorites is “More compassion. More acceptance. More middle ground.”. This could apply to all fields of life!!

One of her recent posts was about her daily bits of happiness. It is a beautiful read and it prompted me to write my own list of things that make me happy every day.

1. When I get up before my son wakes up and spend some time chatting with my husband about our plans for the day or about what’s going on in our current fave reality TV show or anything else under the sun.

2. A pit stop at my fave coffee haunt here in Wellington and catching up on the day’s news in the local paper.

3. Having some simple and flavourful food when I am really hungry (this one I share with Shira).

4. Getting my social media dose for the day.

5. Sorting or clearing something and getting rid of clutter.

6. Ironing clothes while watching TV – it does bring me peace of mind.

7. Talking to my mom and my sister. They complete my day. Love you both!!

8. Cooking a fresh pasta with veggies, olive oil and garlic. I love making and eating that.

9. Story time before I put my son to bed. I think I enjoy reading out the stories and discussing new things we discover, more than N.

10. My son’s genuine hearty giggles or laughs. They are so infectious and always always bring a smile to my face 🙂

11. Catching up with a friend via phone or in person. Friends are like therapy and we all need some!

12. Some music before I go to bed while I read an interesting book. I like discovering new songs and new kinds of music.

I should do one or more of these to keep my happiness quotient high for the day.

What’s on your daily list of happiness? Are you able to do any or some of them daily? Why not?

 

This post is part of the Marathon Blogging December 2012.

Day 24 – What’s with some parents and candy overload?

Overheard at the airport, one lady to another, “My son always wants candy after school, after dinner. If I don’t give it to him, he makes such a big scene. I keep it ready with me at all times.” She went on to rant about how she just couldn’t get her child to get rid of this habit. How he was getting too much sugar. How he wouldn’t listen to her when she refused and would start rolling on the floor.

I wanted to ask her “Who is the parent here?”, “Why do YOU give the candy?”, “What will happen if you don’t?” [Believe me the world does not come crashing down]. And mostly (except a few extreme cases) the shouting, crying, yelling, kicking aka throwing a tantrum stops after a while. Kids need all the love in the world but sometimes they also need to know that you will enforce some rules and stick to them. They will test limits, that is what they are meant to do, that is how they learn. YOU need to be the grown up. Decide what you want to do and then don’t crib about it. Period.

I know my social boundaries and in general, I do not give out unsolicited advice, so I kept quiet 🙂

But I seriously don’t understand why parents would give so much candy – especially when the kid is getting loud, noisy, whiny and rude! I would think that’s the time NOT to give them something they like rather than reward them with treats.

I know of people with kids who keep candy/sweets/treats in their bags and whip them out when they sense troubled times ahead. Candy is used as a pacifier or mellow-down-tool or a bribe. I never get that concept. Why would you want to do that? Why wouldn’t you use that opportunity to let the kid learn, “listen” to what the kid really WANTS not what he/she is yelling for? What this results in, is a sugar high kid, becoming hyperactive by the minute and more defiant than earlier.

So stop the excuses lady, make a choice and stick to it!!

This post is part of the Marathon Blogging December 2012. 

Day 22 – Things to do before I die – Theme post day

This week’s theme post brief in the December 2012 Marathon Blogging event was – Let us lay our hearts open, and talk about our “Bucket List”, 10 things you want to do before you kick the bucket. It may be a plain and simple bucket list, or a contextual subset, 10 adventures you want to try, 10 foods you want to try, 10 holiday locations you dont want to miss, and the list goes on! Run your imaginations wild and entertain us all 🙂 10 is just a number, it will be easy for people to read and interact, else sky is the limit.

I had made a sticky note for myself about things I wanted to do in the next 5, 10, 15 years here. This was almost a year and half ago.

I am listing the ones not yet completed on that list along with some new ones.

NOTE – This is a work-in-progress list.

– Travel within India – Leh, Jaipur (to get a bandhini saree), Agra (to see Taj Mahal – yes clichéd, but still), Gujarat, backwaters in Kerala (boat house anyone?).

– Travel internationally – Bora Bora Islands (this one is going to be a no-kid-with-the-spouse-only holiday), Italy (for an authentic pizza), London (this time a longer trip), Antarctica, Dubai (to buy gold, yeah right!), be a volunteer at the Olympic games.

– Read books, loads of ‘em and collect all those books for my collection at home. Here is why I love to read?

– Write a children’s book – this one is inspired by my son.

– Take a cruise to Alaska.

– Take N to Disney world. Just once! Before he outgrows love for all those characters.

– Do something that I REALLY LOVE and have natural passion for (money and time not being constraints) – something that makes use of my spatial skills (my friend A says I am good at these), my love for books, decor and photography.

– Watch plays at Ranga Shankara (as long as I’m in Bangalore) and else where too. Addendum to this one – See a broadway show -front row, center 🙂

– Learn to cook amazingly, fabulously, awesome-ly, stupendous-ly and some other -lys. I am such a foodie and love to try new things, eat visually appealing food but I want to be able to make those dishes or at least half of them. Some day!

– And the one dream that I have been harboring since a long time – Live in Manhattan, on the island, even a studio apartment will do or a loft overlooking Central Park (I know I know I am not that rich but it doesn’t cost anything to dream, does it?), walk to work amongst the teeming crowds, watch theatre on Broadway, take the subway, have a picnic in Central Park! – This has been partly fulfilled! I am living in Wellington downtown. The apartment is one of those modern, white, ceiling-to-floor glass windows wala thingies. I walk around to everywhere possible. I use the public transport when needed. The city has a waterfront that I really like and often walk down to. But I am still going to keep this one on the list for sentimental purposes.

What is in your bucket list? 

Day 21 – The saga of a hair cut

I got a hair cut!!

The last time I got one I had promised myself that I will grow my hair very long. Long as in, below the shoulders or even till the waist (aggressive I know!). But I wanted to go for a trim and a maybe a change before the holiday. So off I went and plunked myself in the salon next to my apartment, armed with my mac and a magazine. I had shortlisted some styles online and I wanted to show Fran (the lady who cuts my hair) what I had in mind.

In the end, she chopped off a good amount. I feel lighter but I also feel sort of ……… naked, on my head, if that’s possible! Yes that’s the feeling. Weird, I tell you.

Here are some lessons I have learnt about hair cuts, the hard way –

– There is no guarantee that after your hair-cut, you will look like what you had imagined you will look like!

– Cutting off your hair does not result in any changes to your face. The dark circles still stay. The sun damage still shows. If you were hoping for a miracle then you will be disappointed.

– Hair styles that look good on celebrities, don’t look good on the mango people. Except for a few blessed souls, maybe!

– What the hair dresser at the salon does for you cannot be replicated at home. Even if you buy that expensive gel, wax or styling iron.

– The more the money you spend on the procedure the more you hate the end result. Looking in the mirror every few minutes does not help.

– After 2 days or the next wash you will end up changing your parting to the same one that you have always had.

– Not everyone around will think you look hot, young or a new you. They could be least bothered.

– The Husband DOES notice a hair cut. But only if you chop off your shoulder length hair to a barely-reaching-the-neck bob. In all other cases the effect is negligible.

– If you want genuine and honest feedback, video chat with your mother and sibling(s). They will share honest appreciation criticism and laugh in your face too :p

I have decided to grow my hair this time. Till the next trip to the salon!

Happy Friday!!!

This post is part of the Marathon Blogging December 2012.

Day 20 – Time for some revision

I read this post on Parentous day before, and saw this workshop video again.

I decided it was time to revise some body basics with N. I first talked to him about sexual abuse when he was 3. Maybe a little early. But I kept it simple and explained to him that the parts covered by his swimming shorts were private and no one except mommy and daddy are allowed to touch him there. If anyone does, he should tell us. I felt that much was enough for that age.

The last we talked about this was when he turned 4. This time I added some more steps – These are your private body parts. We don’t touch them in public. We don’t let anyone else touch our private parts. If someone touches us there (it could be anybody) we shout out “NO”, run away from there and come tell mommy or daddy. And we don’t touch anyone else’s private parts.

I will show him this video today. And revise again in about 6 months. Meanwhile, I will stay alert and ensure that my child is aware. He should know he can do some thing about it and he has someone to talk to.

This is not something that happens only to others. This is real. It is not something we can should ignore. It is not something to be brushed under the carpet. It can happen at home, at school, in any city, any country. Talk to your child if you haven’t already. Empower them!!

This post is part of the Marathon Blogging December 2012.

A day of remembrance

Friends and fellow bloggers,

I am one of the many bloggers, who is taking part in observing silence for the innocent victims who lost their lives in Friday’s shooting rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Connecticut.

It was a sad moment, one of the worst you could go through as a parent, as a human being.

I hugged my son tighter than usual as I picked him from school that day. I kissed him extra goodnight kisses.

I read what Karen Alpert says here “We all say a lot of things to our children. Some of them good. Some of them not as good. Because it’s what helps them grow. But the most important thing we say is I love you. We say it all the time. Even when we’re not actually saying it.”  and I said a million I-love-yous – some silent, some out loud!

I don’t know how I would feel or what I would do, if I was in that position as those families whose loved ones have been taken from them.

I don’t know if this or the many other things, people all over the world are doing, would help me.

But as bloggers and as human beings, we collectively want those affected by this to know that they are in our thoughts and prayers.

Day 17 – Doing the Tag!

I am going to take the easy way today and do the tag that Uma started on her blog.

Here is my version –

1) Do you tend to hold grudges against people who have done you wrong? 

– I don’t want to, but yes I do… in some cases. And believe me I have tried to let go, forgive and forget but in those very few cases I just am not able to. Some day, maybe. Till then I shall struggle with it. And the wrong could be a wrong in my opinion. As far as the other person is concerned, they would just say “that’s who I am!”

2) What is your astrological sign? 

– The Twins! Gemini. Actually a Gemini Cancer cusp.

3) What’s the last thing you purchased? 

– A summer yellow stole/wrap around scarf for the impending holiday. And I loveeee it!! Maybe a picture of it soon?  Hmm idea for another post 😉

4) Did you have a baby blanket? Do you still sleep with it? 

– Don’t remember. But considering that I am not much of a hold-something-and-sleep-person don’t think I had one. Note to Self – Ask mom about this.

5) Have you ever tried to cut your own hair? If yes, how’d it work out? 

– Nope, never done that. But I did chop my sister’s hair off when she wanted hair like mine. And she did end up going to a proper hair parlour to undo the damage I had done 😛 She doesn’t hate me for it though 🙂

6) Have you ever sleep-walked? 

– No! But I used to grind my teeth while sleeping, at one time. Worms it was, I think.

7) You can only have one of these things: trust or love.

– Love! Trust is over-rated.

8) Which of the five senses is most important to you?

– Sight! I am a very keen observer of people and very visual so that would be the most important.

9) Would you be a more successful painter or singer?

– Neither. BUT I would love to be able to sing some day. Sing beautifully!! I do manage to do the odd painting/art work. Check here and here.

10) What’s a song that always makes you happy when you hear it?

– These 2 make it to the top of this category. Both are peppy and put a spring in my step –

and

Feel free to take the tag up… or not!!

🙂 Monday or 😦 Monday so far??

This post is part of the Marathon Blogging December 2012.

Day 13 – State of limbo

S and I have been living in this constant state of limbo. This particular overseas assignment has been on unstable grounds since Day 1. I mean it was supposed to be a long-term thingy, say for a year or 2. That’s what we had in mind when we said yes to this offer. But things changed faster than we had imagined and by the time we landed here it was already clear that this was not going to be a smooth ride. Lots of reasons for that – new market, client not too sure about what they want, budget cuts in their orgs etc. So every few weeks we go through this phase where we don’t know how much longer we will stay here – few months, few weeks, few days? And this is not something new for the IT sector. Most of us who have worked in this area are familiar with this scenario. But when it actually happens the practicalities can be very confusing, irritating and can create chaos in your orderly world!

I was fed up with the constant confusion and I joked about it on a couple of occasions saying, I do not know whether to buy 6 onions or 10 at the farmer’s market this Sunday. The same holds true for toilet paper and dishwasher detergent shopping!

Cut to a meeting where S, his boss, his boss’ boss and a couple of other people were discussing different options. At the end of the meeting it was decided that S will stay here no matter what, coz they need his expertise for blah blah blah. Everyone said their byes and have-a-good-days and then some senior boss guy says “S now you can go and buy 2 dozen onions!!”

I am sure the laughter that followed could be heard 2 floors down. And they say men don’t gossip!! *Roll my eyes*

We are back in that state again and do not know what’s going to happen next. Things are in discussion stage. I am okay. I think. Not too happy not too sad, just hanging in there. This has been a lovely experience in many many ways. A lot of my to-do’s from my list of things to do before I die (yes I have one of those and will share it some day) were checked off here.

My brain has already started processing the moving-scenario. If we have to go then I will need to pack 2 different ways – one for the 2 week holiday coming up and another for the move across countries after that. I will have to sort stuff into donate, throw, take along. I will have to clean up the apartment. Aaarrghh!! Just what I did not need before a HOLIDAY 😦

All this when the girls at my regular coffee haunt knew exactly how I have my coffee without me spelling it out 🙂 That, I believe takes true dedication (from both sides) and excellent customer service. Sigh!

This post is part of the Marathon Blogging December 2012. 

Day 12 – Shopaholic malfunction!

I headed out of the house armed with a 10 point shopping list.

I got back home with a pack of disposable razors and chewing gum.

After about 5 hours of walking around, browsing and talking to myself. SERIOUSLY???

What had happened to the shopaholic in me? I was a good shopper, the perfect one, every retailer’s dream come true!

I used to make huge lists, scan through things in all the aisles and shortlist them, check reviews, try clothes out, buy mix-n-match accessories, throw in that gimmicky, shiny stuff from the check out aisles at the last-minute thus making every store layout designer’s prophecy come true!

What happened to me today?

Every store, I walked into, was overwhelming. There were too many choices, too many distractions.

I found what was on my list but it had so many variations, so many colours, so many sizes.

I stopped after 4 stores. I thought maybe food would help.

I went into a cafe and looked at the menu. I went blank again. The server came and asked me if I was ready to order. I looked up  and smiled. She said she would be back in a few minutes. I stared at the menu for a full 5 minutes, maybe 6. I couldn’t decide what to eat.

It is a simple thing right, choosing what to eat? But it wasn’t. I could feel tears welling up. WTH. I walked out of the cafe and came back home.

Browsing and blogging felt safer!

I guess it was my hormones playing a trick or a my brain’s shopping circuitry got rewired or maybe a severe case of mommy brains as Rohini mentions!

PS – This post is part of the Marathon Blogging December 2012

PPS – This is my 100th post on this blog! Yay!!