Mummy returns!!

Wow!! I can't believe its been one year since I posted something on this blog! Well, what can I say? Been busy with home, son and becoming a mom once again. Yes, I am now a proud owner of a second baby boy! He looks just like his elder brother but I hope is not as troublesome.

Since it is Diwali time again( people must be wondering if I publish posts only during Diwali!), I wish you all have a happy and enjoyable time with family and friends. I sincerely hope that I continue to post on this blog more often than before!

No, not wishful thinking! :))

Cheers....Happy Diwali people!

Happy Diwali!!

It’s that time of the year again when lights of happiness dulls out every sorrow, every little struggle and every little hitch. The spirits of each soul, young and old, is enlightened with a new hope for the forthcoming year. May the radiance of Diwali fill our lives with all that we dream of. May we all have the courage and patience to overcome all obstacles in our path that lead us to contentment and bliss. May God be with each and every one of us throughout.

Happy Diwali everyone!!

Simple pleasures of food

Although I have spent my childhood growing up in culturally diverse places, I am a proper south Indian brahmin girl who loves her ‘kaapi’ first thing in the morning. A cup of freshly brewed filter coffee is an absolute must. It might be a tiny little detail in my entire routine for the day, but my day isn’t complete without it. Such are the impacts of simple foods in our lives.

Another one of my ‘simples’ is a plate of steaming hot idlis coupled with – no, it’s not sambar. Not for me. I love to team my idlis with the fiery and absolutely lip-smacking – ‘milagai podi’! Oh yes! I am a self proclaimed ‘podi’ lover! I simply adore the combination. When the white, soft, moon-like idlis smothered in the oil mixed orangish ‘podi’ enter your mouth, you can instantly experience bliss! The best part of the ‘podi’ is its crunchiness which goes very well with those soft idlis. And as I write this, I am reminded of one of the most unexpected but delicious encounters with my above mentioned comfort food.

I was in Chennai during one of my school vacations and I, along with my parents, made a surprise visit to one of my distant relative’s house (my aunt’s uncle or someone….I really cannot recollect!) Now since we had arrived during tea-time (or coffee time in Chennai!), we were warmly asked to stay for coffee and tiffin. The hostess quickly steamed some idlis and served them in banana leaves. For those who are not aware, any warm food that comes in contact with a banana leaf gives the food an entirely new dimension of taste. Those hot idlis with ‘podi’ on that banana leaf tasted heavenly. And as the hostess voiced her apologies for not being able to serve us a more elaborate meal, I, on the other hand, happily enjoyed as many idlis as I could!

Sometimes, even an exquisite meal cannot replace the plain tastes of our comfort foods.

Potato Love

I don’t remember since when, but my fondness for potatoes probably dates back to the earliest of my memories. And my parents vouch for that. I couldn’t resist potatoes as a child, and I still maintain that. Besides, staying in a place like Pune, where potatoes are a staple, has drawn me only closer to my favorite vegetable. The mere sight of round potatoes with unblemished and shiny skin makes me smile. Just as it did today when I went veggie shopping oblivious of the shop keeper’s confused glances! Nevertheless, I bought a batch of those beauties, came home, cooked up a delectable dish of my favorite ‘Aloo Gobi’ and had a satiating meal for the night.

Who says potatoes are bad?!? They sure know how to keep me happy!!

Blah, blah, blah!

The easiest way to escape from an overrated criticism is to ignore it completely. That is, if it is overrated and unjustified, the argument needs to be ended in such a way that the ‘arguer’ is satisfied. And that happens only when the ‘arguee’ is quiet. That’s right; don’t say a word and all is solved! It is an art, but can be developed over continuous practice. A method that begins with visualizing the words coming out of the arguer’s mouth and before it reaches your ears (the gateway to your brain); you need to imaginarily shut them – tightly. That’s all you need to do. Now relax and without concentrating on the voice, visualize the words bouncing away from your ears and disappearing into a void! Aahh!! Pure bliss!! Some experts even manage a smile at this point!

When you know that what you’re doing is right, there’s absolutely no need to take a critic’s words seriously, cry over it and get depressed. It’s not worth it. Do what you do best and ignore the rest.

Living in the future

This ‘living-in-the-future’ thing can be quite interesting. We get to experience everything before they do. We go through the day, hour by hour, before they do. We see the daily sun rise and set, before they do. We have our lunches and dinners before they do. We are done with our chores and are winding up when they are just waking up to their monotonous schedule. We enjoy the relief of leaving work for home before they do. We even celebrate our birthdays, anniversaries and festivities before they do.

Thanks to the different time zones, we are now, technically speaking, the “future beings”!

I’m in love!

The first time our eyes met, I quickly looked away. I knew he was looking at me, but I didn’t meet his gaze. I wonder why. A year later though, I was head over heels for this guy. Although I had known him well now, the emotions were something new. The quickening of my heart beat when I heard his laugh, the twinkle in his eyes when he stole a glance at me….it all felt great. I didn’t know if it was love back then, but to realize that a certain someone exists exclusively for you and that that someone is attracted to you is, in itself, a secure and satisfying feeling in a new relationship.

Today, as we celebrate the seventh year into our marriage, I am surprised at the deep understanding that we have formed. It’s as though we can read each other’s minds. But it didn’t come easy (it never does!)This feat is a result of countless arguments, misunderstandings and confusions we’ve had over the years. Ours was an arranged marriage and, believe me, even as I write this we are still trying to figure each other out! Nevertheless, I’m proud of our heroic achievement. The hard work, efforts and patience to make a relationship work between two perfect strangers paid off and how! Now, when I look back to the day our eyes first met, I’m glad it all happened the way it did because that day, I had found myself the perfect husband! *

This may sound so cliché but is a fact. I am really lucky to have him in my life. With an arranged marriage I could have ended up with just anyone! But this is where I am forced to believe in destiny. Perhaps, we were made for each other and just had to get together anyhow. Marrying him changed me, definitely for the better, and my concept of love. Redefining the meaning of love he taught me that love is not about looking for compatibility in each other. It’s about accepting your partner with his/her good and bad qualities and loving them unconditionally. That’s the best thing I like about him. He likes me the way I am. He never asked me to change; he doesn’t want me to. Isn’t that cool enough?

So here goes. People, I have finally found the love of my life. Yes, I am in love!

Reghu, this is for you sweetheart! For accepting me, standing by me and making me the queen of your life! Happy Anniversary baby! I love you!


*Conditions apply!