So my Grandma was right all the way

"Girls should NOT speak loudly" rebuked my grandma every time I started a conversation. I accused her of being very partial and unfair. She shook her head wisely and said "Your voice is bound to shoot up by several decibels once you have a baby, so practise speaking softly" she declared emphatically.

Maybe grandma is right is what I thought when I, along with another friend went to meet H.
////Now, permit a little digression, dear reader-
H is a friend from college. She is one of those soft natured and gentle girls, whom one could turn to when in need. Only, one needs to have a really sharp ear, when on a phone conversation with her. "The handset wouldn't complain of aches and pains if you be a bit louder" we all used to tell her. But on or off the phone, hardly audible she remained.////
So, few years later, when we went to meet her, we had forgotten the block number of her aptmt. There were 4 blocks, all similar. Just as we were about to call her mobile, there came a deafening THUD. Followed by a loud, angry voice asking the child to behave and giving a huge explanation about how expensive things are. Though dumbstruck, we instantly recognised the voice, followed it and knocked at H's door.

Cut to present. This morning I stepped into the elevator with my little one gaily smiling at the only other person in the lift, and trying to reach for the elevator buttons from his buggy. I was using the oft-repeated, famous-word-of-late "NO" to him. And we got out on our floor. Few minutes later, I heard a knock on the door. It was none other than the man on the lift, flaunting a little shoe which I've seen not rarely. "Guess he kicked his shoe off!" he said, and much to my displeasure, added "I knew you got down this floor, so I came back down, and heard you the minute I stepped out of the lift and followed your voice."

Ofcourse I was not flattered. My flat is the farthest one from the lift. Tips for speaking softly, please!

A dive into the chocolate pool!

I don't know if I fall under the category of a chocolate addict. With all the calorie consciousness that I am at times engulfed with, I rarely buy chocolates. But when I give in to temptation and DO buy, I presume it my duty to greedily gulp down the whole bar. Though I must say I enjoyed my shared portion of chocolates during childhood much better. My parents were never the buying little treats every now and then type. (That as grandparents, their views have taken a u-turn is a different story). Buying a big bar of chocolate (which almost always would be Dairy Milk) was a rarity. When the precious thing does arrive, it would be shared equally, among siblings and cousins. I wouldn't say I enjoyed sharing. Nor did I dislike it. It was just the way we ate chocolates back then. But the wait for the occasion was in itself a pleasure, equivalent to the taste of the chocolate.

Then there was this uncle who used to visit Madras on official purposes. His trips were mostly sudden and short ones. But every visit would fetch a dairy milk for the two of us. So when I open the fridge and find the chocolate and if the date was nowhere close to salary day for my parents, it would mean that Bombay uncle has visited.

Because I was the only one in the household who wouldn't drink coffee, Bournvita was the supplement. On weekends (before tea swayed me over) it was bournvita ice-cream. Recipe? Pop the mug of bournvita your mom prepares into the freezer. Voila. That's it. I was slowly lured towards Complan, but since my brother refused to say "I'm a complan boy" there was no fun in me being the complan girl for long.

Bournvita and Dairy Milk. The twin significant part players from Cadbury's in the past weren't enough reason for me to visit Bournville. But since the place was very near to where we had decided to go during the weekend, we went there. It is a quiet and serene countryside though not very far from the hustle bustle of Birmingham City. The signboards, the fence, the gateways, whichever direction you turn, you could see purple. The colour of Cadbury. Normally I dislike theme based colours. I consider them to be loud in emphasising their product. But here it seemed really pleasant. (Though I think it is the "you like someone/somthing so much, you tend to see no fault" thing)

The minute I stepped out of the train in Bournville, I told my husband that I could smell chocolates! OK. I do fantasize a bit. A quick stroll and we stepped into Cadbruy World. I plonked the child in the husband's arms and hopped off. One would think listening to the origin of cocoa beans and conceptualising the idea of milk chocs would be boring. It wasn't, as the demos were in such a way that even an impatient feet shuffler would sit back and listen. Heck, even if it had been boring, I just would not have regretted, as being in a place which made me reminisce fond memories was in itself satisfying!


And surely you would love a photograph of yourself fully made of chocolates? Then there was the world's biggest Cadbury shop. I'd have expected the shop to be really huge, but it wasn't! It is one of those places which really would stay close to my heart. Purple rules and reigns, I say!

Enna Kodumai Saravanan idhu

Time:10.00am
I realise that there's less than a pint of milk in the fridge.
I wrap myself with the hooded coat, scarf, gloves, boots what not. Plus wrap the child with all mentioned, and force him onto the pushchair.

Time:10.20am
All set to go.

Time:10.30am.
Back from the shop with the milk can. Found panju sleeping, so quickly gave it a thought. Because I'd like to spend more time out, than getting ready to go out whenever possible, I decided to shop for a ball for the child, something I wanted to do, ever since he started walking. How simple does that sound? So I first went into the local supermarket. They turned me down and suggested toysrus (exclusive toy shop). At toys r us, they only had basket ball or football, which even I found it hard to lift. I showed my child and told them I'm buying for him. With a big grin she said "I know what you're looking for" and went in and brought a huge packet full of blue and green, pink and orange balls. "I'll have the orange one please", I said. "No darling, they come in packs of 100.. we don't sell them in singles!". I don't need 100s of them cluttering my house. Thankuverymuch. So I went straight into this corner Chinese shop, and bought this one monster of a ball. Hope its not too small for a 15 month old;)

What crossed my mind

Just like every other peron, on the last day of 2009, I was contemplating on the happenings in my life, when few childhood reminiscences brought a smile on my face..
...I used to dread the thought of someone asking me what my New Year resolution was. (Why was it was an unwritten rule that everyone ought to have a resolution?)

...I thought saying "same to you" was unfriendly when someone wishes you "Happy New Yr". Wish you the same was slightly better, but I was happier with "Happ New Yr". And being the wicked guy that my brother was, he used to chase me throughout the day with "same to you".

...Dec 31st is a close friend's B'day. So few of us, friends, used to gang up in the terrace of her house, and have a blast. (If nothing, we just used to talk the whole evening. Girls can never run out of topics to chat).

...I used to join granny in giving long lectures about how people throng temples on Jan 1st, while there's only less than half the crowd during Pongal/Varuda pirappu.

...On New Year's eve, I used to strictly tell dad not to rebuke me even if I forget to switch off the motor when the tank overflows, and to mom not to take it out on me if she missed the ladies spl bus, and had to board the already packed to capacity bus. This, as I felt if I bear the brunt of someone's anger, on the 1st day of the year, I would face with similar situations every other day. The senti idiot that I was!

Why the husbd. will think twice before coming home late

Good news : We've zeroed in on a house, so will be shifting soon.
Bad news : Husbd is busy.
(btw, husbd is being busy, everytime there's something significant going on-got to check if this is sheer escapism he he)

There was loads to pack. Loads to dispose. I didn't know where to start. Can't wait for the husbd till weekend to do the honours, as we've got to shift Saturday morning. There were lots to do, I just couldn't figure where to start. So, I decided to take it easy. (take it easy=putting my feet up and relaxing on the sofa and let the mind do a bit of impertinent and unnecessary wandering like how Tamil actress Nadhiya could never age etc.,).

After what seemed like a nanosecond, I found myself staring at my husbd. I coudln't immediately gauge his expression. As an involuntary reaction, I looked at the clock.
So what I thought was a nanosecond was a good one hour. I had slept like a log of wood. Husbd had knocked the door (maybe he should have banged it instead). No answer. He's rang my mobile. No answer. He's gone down the lift to buzz the security phone. No answer. I usually lock the door from the inside, so he's never tried opening the door with the same key that we use to lock from outside. A neighbour suggested using the same key, and it has worked.

I had put the mobile in silence mode, while patting the baby to sleep, but I had no explanations for missing the phone beeps and door knocks. Maybe I had plugged into the ipod?

God, please save me.

Confusional Consequences!

So its house hunting time, yet again. And this time, Husbd has carefully said, "its your choice"! Well, I didn't feel flattered, as that was just a tactful way of saying that he's too busy to take the strain of house hunting.

I got my details and requirements registered with every other letting agency that I came across. This way, I wouldn't be missing out on any suitable property, I thought. I didn't spare the few websites where you get email alerts on rental properties as well. So I was happy that I've taken the first step in a very organised fashion. O N L Y , I didn't make a list of whom I've contacted. That wouldn't have mattered much.. B U T, I realised that the requirements which I've given to some have been inconsistent and contradictory.. that also would have been sorted out, U N T I L, this guy called up my husbd's mobile and asked him if we'd like to view a one bed apmt for £900.. husbd has said that's beyond our budget for a one bed apmt, and the guy has said your wife said its fine as long as its near the shops and tube station. Would I have said that? Well, I may have!

What was more interesting was this conversation over the phone:
Me: Hi there! I have an appointment to view properties this Saturday at 10 in the morning. D'ya think I could come in today instead?
Agt:I'm sorry, but we haven't booked any appmts on Saturday. Whom did you speak to earlier?
Me:I didn't get her name.
Agt: Was it Dan?
Me:Sorry, I didn't get her name at all.
Agt:Wait. You said its a she?
Me:yeah, it was a lady that I spoke to.
Agt:Guess you've called the wrong company. We've never hired women at all in this company.
I could only be thankful that I didn't indeed go in person. Spared the strain of picking my jaw from the floor.
I racked my brains. I already had to keep the 12 noon appmt on Saturday with another company as well. Although I had not taken her name, I remember jotting down the address. So I sought dear mr. google's help yet again. A N D, I stared at what I saw on the screen for a sec and laughed out loud. As it appeared it was the same company which I was to make it at noon time. I had double booked! I'm just over worked you see ;)
BTW, this is what happens when you T H I N K you're clicking, whereas all the while you've been video-ing :D

Just about this and that

How exciting would it be to get back in touch with an old friend?

This Saturday,I received a call around noon time. It was the excited voice of my mother : "do you remember that friend of yours? Her dad..." and then I lost the connection. Sitting thousands of miles away from home, only triggered all negative thoughts on what my mother was about to say. She called again within few seconds and thankfully put a fullstop to my wild speculations. Apparently my friend's dad had visited my house to get my contact info, as I had lost touch with the girl. This girl was a close buddy from school days, got married quite early, shifted places a dozen times eventually losing contacts with me. She had very sweetly sent her dad to my place to know how I've been. Numbers were exchanged, calls were made and we sank into sweet memories. I felt cared for, and happy.

x----------x----------x

How exasperating this could be?

Couple of hours later, I signed into the few social networking sites that I am a silent member of. While browsing through the ever interesting friend suggestions, I happened to see couple of names that I had already added months ago. Some have ceased being friends with me probably, as I've been deleted from their lists, and the poor software, innoccently prompts them as suggestions! Seriously, things couldn't get more kiddish. I felt bad; for maybe around 5.5 seconds.. (Thank you Almighty for the busy life that you've given me). Not responding or acknowledging is EVEN more kiddish. I'd rather someone add another as a friend, only if they want to know and want to continue to know them. But hey, that's just my 2 cents.

Of phone calls

BEFORE
Me : Amma, how are you?
Amma : You tell me first.. How are u doing? Are u eating well?
Don't have oats or cornflakes for breakfast.. don't be lazy to make idlis..Don't forget to check if the door is locked properly... Don't read too much and strain your eyes.. or sit in front of the laptop for a long time.. ETC.

AFTER
Me : Amma, how are you?
Amma : let that be.. You tell me first.. How is panju doing? Are you sterilizing his feeding bowls & spoons properly? Don't bring the porridge anywhere near him when its too hot.. Don't be busy reading while he's playing, or he'll put something in his mouth... btw what's he doing now? sleeping?? then why did u call now?u can take rest only when he's sleeping...

Ok. I am still being cared about.

I'm overwhelmed

Two posts, same day? That's not like me, is it? And I'm not any less busy for goodness sake!

Here I prepare dinner, (which is rasam, rice and potato fry for records sake heheh), come here and pour out the trivial taxi talk in the form of blog, and then get back to have dinner. I ask if all others are done with dinner, my father-in-law says "I'll eat after ur done". Yet again. And even without peeping into the kitchen, I could foretell that he would leave few potatoes just in case someone is tempted to have some more. Yet again.

As I was attacking the potato curry (unmindful of the baby bulge which I'm still fighting to get rid of), he asks me to come and join him to watch the Chelsea Flower Show on the telly. All because I once remarked very casually that I like gardens. Honestly, this might be a tiny gesture, but I'm touched. So though the show was more on some boring seeds, fertilisers and manure, and less on the blooms, I watched the show.

ps:Other than b/f lunch and dinner, I snack on ...err, fruits! My fil has just lunch and dinner and NO BREAKFAST!! people who could give their meal a miss, please please share how ur able to cope! as for me, I explode like a volcano out of anger

pps:I'm back to my pre-preg weight, which is... ok, let's just say not too bad! Guys, treat yourself to low-fat icecreams on my behalf!!

All good things come to an end!

I am one of those sentiment lot, who wouldn't easily adapt to changes.... and would attach undue importance to even things that one could own only temporarily. Like a rented house.

I stayed for a little over a year in a maisonnette, overlooking a wonderful spread of green grass and cherry blossom trees.



Enjoying the mild sunshine in the porch, I would sit in a cane chair, reading a book that I had borrowed from the library (which was at a 10 min walking distance from my house), glancing at the lappy for an off and on y! chat with few school buddies.



All this with the blissful thought that a bundle of joy is on the way. Not to mention the frequent phone calls from my concerned mom thousands of miles away. I didn't imagine in the wildest of my dreams that I would spend the most important phase of my life all alone (when the husbd was off to work) with absolutely no regrets.




Every morning I would look out of the window for a visual treat of nature at its best. When the spring season arrived, the cherry blossom tree which was withered during winter, went into full bloom (see pic attached). Then came the short British summer season, which meant a 4.30 am sunrise and 8.30 pm sunset. Needless to say that I almost lived the day in the balcony. A friend of mine once joked that the baby would be born with green hair if I don't stop staring at the grass. October arrived (and the baby too). I sneaked out enough time for short walks to see the leaves going red yellow, orange.

Winter arrived, which put a full stop to my nature gazing spree. I do enjoy watching the trees and plants sans leaves, but the damage was caused in the form of seepage in the roof due to condensation, which forced us to vacate the property. Thus, with a heavy heart we decided to move out of the house.



When it was about a month to go before moving out, I started looking for ways to dislike the house. (couldn't find many though!)

All good things must come to an end, afterall.. paving way for better things to happen! Thus I say to console myself!!

Time for some self-introspection

I admit...I would have done this 25 point thing about myself, even if I wasn't tagged by Avdi...When I sat back to think why I was so excited about the topic, I realised that I was craving for some "me time" for long.

Rules:Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

1.Despite making chapatis for dinner for nearly 2 years now, I can't make them nice and soft. I guess its hereditary.

2.Carving in chalk pieces was my hobby for a long time. Before my career swallowed all the time that I had.

3.I just need to eat within minutes of feeling hungry, else I lose my temper. I really envy all those who could carry on with their work, skipping meals.

4.I simply love to watch and enjoy the bounties of nature. But still poetry eludes me (I can almost hear you saying "Thank God for that").I refused to move out of my previous house (which had a huge expanse of greenery all around).

5.I'm a storng willed person and this is my greatest asset.

6.I have an authoritative voice and tone. This might give an impression that I'm impolite/harsh to people who do not know me well. I've tried in vain to modulate my voice/tone.

7.Though I enjoy good company and prefer to hang around with people, I don't mind spending time all by myself.

8.I never get bored of shopping. Or window shopping. I could spend 3-4 hours in the same supermarket that I frequent, and come back with just a 2 pint milk can.

9.I have few, but very close friends.

10.I am VERY possessive about my things. And I'm trying hard to forego this habit. ( I don't think I could succeed though)

11.I love cooking... Love more to see happy and contented faces after a good meal cooked by me :D

12.When priorities change, I could forego something which I have loved dearly.eg. career
ps:Its just "something".. not "someone".

Gosh! its getting tough to list more!!
13.I do not believe in any kind of astrology.

14.I love children.

15.There's always been someone to care for me when I most needed.

16.I can talk for hours together over the phone, but would remember a huge deal of things only after I hang up.

17.I can understand people well.(mostly)

18.I'm usually punctual in keeping up schedules. (That surely doesn't mean that I never waste time).

19.I love it when I could only partially remember last night's dream. Its like a half read book.

20.As a child I thought I would grow up to become a nun. This thought lasted for say about a week..

21.I'm lazy in some respects. Like I really want to understand the share market thing and all that, but would not even make an attempt.

22.I was born on the 7th of some month and have many friends who were born on either 7th or some other date which adds up to 7.

23.I repect customs and traditions set forth by elders. But would follow ones that I'm practically able to follow.

24.It takes a long time for me to trust someone. (Not a ridiculously long time though!)

25.I'm not very comfortable watching movies in the cinema hall.. Crowds make me feel dizzy and out of place.

Honestly, after point no.12/13 I had to think hard. Its easier to hear some known person say (nice) things about us rather than we listing it out.