Pondering...

It’s been 3 years since my maternal Grandfather has passed away.  It’s one of those things I can’t express but just feeling the void. Memories of my childhood just come flooding, him teaching me shlokas, and poems and songs. My Grandfather was very kid friendly like my mother, loved children especially baby girls and played and sang to me so nicely. It feels so distant and so far away now, like another life.

Its Janmashatami tomorrow and it gets even worse.  Every single Janmashtami we have fasted in the evening and had large scale poojas in Kothi since I know and have memory and all of us sat together on the floor for simple and umpteen varieties of dishes. The Arghya recital and offering which is an important ceremony for Madhwas for Janmashtami my Grandfather used to perform.

All those days will never come back and so will this very present which will get buried in the past. And still people find enough time to hurt, insult, and gossip and what not to fellow beings.

This birthday I was thinking of how I have come full circle. I am back to being my old self in so many ways and being the REAL me; there are so many things I have to be grateful and thankful for. For all those lovely people and experiences in my life to the unpleasant ones who have taught me the hard way to value my ‘real’ relationships even more. My 2 girls who constantly help me become a better person. From the food I eat, to the things I say and I wished I had said – “its ok Amma, it happens” they tell me in the cutest of voices. I see divinity everyday in my house since these 2 angels entered my life! I am so glad I have daughters I feel truly blessed.

Ha! Finally

So many updates don’t even know where to start :)

Typical crazy summer weekends, just the way it should be - OUTDOORS!

I had a pretty quiet birthday otherwise, being a weekday and pretty busy weeks at work in general. The girls made my day by meaningfully wishing me Happy Birthday and giving some big hugs and kisses, later during the evening cutting cake and eating it with me. Simple pleasures I say! They cutely tried guessing my age starting 6 then 10 AG jumped to 50! :) I had lunch with girls at work we just got take out from favorite Sichuan place. Dan Dan noodles my favorite ;)

I had wanted a beach trip weekend after the birthday and that we did. My favorite beach – Crane beach! Kids had fun and we walked miles that day and collected shells and had a very relaxing day. Met a few friends there but absolutely loved the beach walk and kids didn't want to leave. Also went to Canobie Lake Park that same weekend. It was our first time and didn’t know what to expect but kids had a ball with the kiddie rides and then automatically so does the Mommy! They went on most rides independently which surprised me as we havent taken them to too many parks except one in PA whjch wasvery basic/small. Over all a fun and busy weekend post birthday.

Being our new home and all this time the Varalakshmi vratham was a different experience all together fun and hectic is all I can say. Having so many desis around has its perks mostly. What was supposed to be a visit from 9 ladies and them me visiting 3 or 4 houses became a good long night – almost had dinner at 10pm or so and hit the sack phew! Kids had a ball dressed in Indian clothes and P drove us around – our Pilot making frequent stops. I don’t think in India also I would have had pooja in this scale, actually am pretty sure the way festivities at home are declining in India we are doing a much better job here for all you know ;) lol  Girls also had great fun in general at home too ringing the bell and non-stop arthi time with pooja thali :)

Post that we went to Old silver beach at Falmouth on Saturday – was a total disappointment – it didn’t even come close to Crane or like Wingersheak! But after that long day we stayed over at a friend’s place watched Chennai Express even got a cut a yummy cake for the 8^th Anniv and it was over all a good weekend.

We continue to have busy weekends with some birthday party or potluck invites, but Fall is setting in as we are this close to Labor day weekend. Summer feels too short. P has done such a great job with gardening on the deck. That was totally his Project and he has done well. Sad that it will have to stop with the cold weather pretty soon, but I think our first year harvest he did a great job and I have to now use them to fullest in my cooking.

Over all been one of the busiest month/planning cycle at work too many things popped up, a lot of analysis work and to think next 2 months are going to be even busy with upcoming trainings and go-lives etc – phew! Totally looking forward to it, challenging but busier I get – the more I like it!

Week 32 Update :)

Had a good long day at Southwick zoo last to last Saturday. Kids had fun. Couple of things that even got us excited was the Deer park we could directly interact with the deer, a white peacock and a gigantic tortoise  - well there is a child in all of us :-) 

Sunday we ended up going to the Ashland temple and hence it got a little tiring, we typically always like to stay home at least 1 day over the weekend but summer is always flooded with gatherings and birthdays I guess. 

Made lot of discoveries with regards to my kids and some really deep stuff ...was discussing with a colleague and its pretty exciting to have such meaningful discussions. To stop take a step back re-emphasize on priorities and not get sucked into petty things. Totally relation to fundamental reason of "why we have kids" I hope to pen down and post it sometime when I am ready to share. 

There is also lot of new friends in neighborhoods we are making and with so many Indians its fun and as we start interacting more in the coming year with kids growing up it will nice to build some good friends for the kids in such nice neighborhoods. I am glad we made a decision to buy a home and neighborhood was a criteria. 

Other than that has been a particularly tiring week busy at work and just got some mini projects to complete next month before we get into a bigger project at work so pretty busy and long days ahead  :-) 

Realized AL got a big insect sting/bite and it became a mini-infection to which she has to take some medication. She is fine otherwise but with inflammation and pain in that area she is a little sensitive and moody. 

When the girls were about to turn 3 I tried potty training and they didn't seem interested I left it to them after that. After 2 weeks they decided to ditch  the diapers themselves. AG was first and AL slowly and cautiously tried it on and off. Now past few weeks they are doing ok although accidents happen and it happened yesterday after a long time. They take it seriously but I tell them it's no big deal. After all every child is different and there is no rush. I am quite proud of myself not trying to compare them to one another or to others and offer them a diaper if they are not ready. But it's perfectly ok to have an accident when you learn... 

Past weekend we ended up staying home, a movie and some badminton after a long time, while the kids played and Dad was off playing Volleyball :) Simple pleasures!