Wah Ustad Wah!

Finally got to attend Ustad Zakir Hussan's concert with Masters of Percussion and it was magical. Was elated with the jugalbandi between tabla and mridangam and sarangi. My first experience and hoping for many more such in the near future. 

Not a single day goes by..

..without me thinking of you Ajji...not a single day! You are being missed... and a lot!

Trust

I read somewhere how trust is like a paper once crumpled it can never be the same again. This is exactly why certain people may have to be removed from your inner circle ..you simply cannot take a chance!

My little DDs when you grow up you will have to make some tough choices and decisions and move on. 

Move on matey!

A lot depends on level of maturity which only comes through experience on how you feel on the inside and how you portray yourself to the outside world, which as we know can be two different things. When we make a decision however big or small we live through its consequences and for everyone things have a way of working out. You might want to shout it from the roof tops (currently Facebook I suppose ;)) that it went really well or  it absolutely sucked or you might keep it to your self. 

People will find happiness and contentment and things will work out - eventually! Period! 

STOP justifying the decisions made, if you are having to address and acknowledge it time and again could mean there is regret?

Winter break 2016 - Sun, Sand and Vitamin Sea

So we made a trip to Cancun, Mexico for our winter break and to celebrate the wonderful milestones we have had. It was simply awesome and our first official vacation out of the country - just us 4! Got to spend quality time with my girls and they had so much fun at the beach they didnt want to come back. Over all happy and refreshed and relaxed family when we got back.

As vegetarians I was a bit concerned on how things might be, but have to say Mexican food and all inclusive resort made our life super easy. I dont think I have had such a good Guacamole anywhere ever - super fresh and yummy it was out of the world!

We did a day trip to Chechen Itza and a got a quick tour of the the Mayan ruins. Rest of the time we just lazed and relaxed at the beach, kids had a kids club to hang out when they took breaks playing in the sun. Over all was a super awesome trip and would highly recommend. 

The last time we went to an all-inclusive resort was Jamaica before kids, was a couples only premium resort at Negril. It was definitely a different experience post kids, family friendly resort with tons of kids activities, daily evening shows to watch and unwind.

Milestones summary!

I have been on a sabbatical here ;) Cos its been a awesome awesome awesome milestone year this year. Planning parties one after another and I loved it. And summer we lived to the fullest. Hence stayed off of social media for a good part and it was wonderful .............

To begin with kids milestone birthday was wonderful pony party in a beautiful farm - yes a huge milestone as they enter Kindergarten. Kids had a blast and so did I. Lovely pony art and pony rides pizza and some feeding the animals and pets- was awesssome!!!!!

DH's milestone birthday was super fun. Made him a great video and all the friends came together to have a blast. Planning was super duper fun. We made him multiple videos from friends and family sending him wishes, to some crazy dance videos, to some movie style dialogue delivery videos (from his favorite movies). It was a complete blast.

And finally our anniversary milestone. We had an awesome peaceful daycation by the beach and the most awesome food ever!

Looking forward to many more celebrations!

And BLOGGER! I am back! ;)

Back

It’s been so long since I have come to this page.

Cos it’s been nice and busy. Yes busy! I have hands full and manage well and I like to acknowledge that J

A week-long trip to Mothership – near Frankfurt and summer fun has begun - beach trips, theme park visits, (amazing experience at storyland for the kids I must say), cousins visit from Cali, mom’s visit to Vancouver to see her aunt after many years, surprise birthday party for me (absolutely crazy and great experience thanks to a bunch of mates), pujas as shravan maasam begins –hosted a record number of 35 ladies for parentam at our house on Vratham day which happened to my birthday (Thanks to my MOM who has always been there for me) -  it’s been an awesome 3 months. 

Awaiting an awesome August ahead!

Been so long.....

I guess it’s just been so long that I don’t even know where to begin. Just a hiatus for no reason :-)

While we are all eagerly waiting for Summer to set it and the not so great Spring to pass it has still been blissful in other aspects besides our overactive social life which has now become more balanced. My parents are here and its almost close to 3 months now, kids are getting spoilt and so am I. Since from day 1 girls have been around them I guess they have a special bond. I have always considered it a blessing especially having 2 kids from Day 1! :-) While my friends spoke of managing independently with a single child I see the tide has changed once the second one enters, grandparents and any additional help and break you get is valued :-) Yep all I can do is grin and wink.

Kids turned the big 4 per the Hindu calendar yesterday. Did a small Puja at home and then we were thinking wow! it’s been 4 years of parenthood and how wonderful and blessed I have felt every moment. No amount of pictures or praises in albums or Facebook will ever explain the joy of being a mother to such beautiful daughters.

Finally I had the much anticipated make over haircut. Yep! I went CHOP CHOP CHOP and have got tons of compliments even from people who I never really spoke to at work in other areas. Job well done and I maybe my search has ended for the official favorite hairdresser versus the nomadic visits to different salons I have had in the past.

Last but not the least enjoying our days in the brand new house which is already a year and a half old now almost. We have been lucky to be able to build a customized house in the US. Literally from the flat land. Not having to adjust to a pre built model and deal with all that additional upgrades etc

Now waiting for some warm sunshine tick tock! Tick tock! :)

New Year...

It’s been a while since I have posted something. Deliberately did not post a summary of my disappointments or achievements of 2013; just hoping for a better year, each year like we always do. Lots of things to be grateful for, a few things that brought grief and sadness and a few others best forgotten…

As usual our social life has been nice and good-busy since summer and it’s not slowed down even in winter. Lots of occasions to meet friends, to host and have people over, enjoy some meals and time together and then the career part along with kids makes our days full and complete.

Winter has been amazingly cold this time too and lot of variations in temperature. Not as much snow like some other parts have received. But just very cold temperatures one week and rather warm the other. No complaints though it is what it is – Winter!

Winter beauty

So snow has finally arrived since winter has set upon us. It’s cold yet beautiful everywhere.  Nature and its seasons really amazes me. In New England we are blessed with 4 clear seasons and each season is so beautiful. I really cannot complain about it anymore. It sure has its shortcomings like any other season but this too shall pass like it does every year. This peace and quiet around is amazing!

Girls are very happy with winter and its snow. Despite getting their first cough and cold bout they maintain cheerful faces and run around. We have to really learn from such cherubic angels to live in the present and not complain. They are the fuel to our engines, truly such a pleasure to watch them grow and care for them.  We put up or first Christmas tree and Alex (after Alexander the Great!) our little elf arrived home this year. Life’s simple pleasures I must say.

As this turns out to be a busy December at work and is keeping me on my toes, my cooking adventure has also been going very well. I reached another personal milestone. A target I put for myself to cook and learn that I hadn’t tried before. Something very satisfying about cooking I love and enjoy. I put a lot of thought into methods and ingredients and it’s close to heart.

Girls are growing up as usual and talking a lot. Its simply amazing to see the kind of things they say and do now. One moment they teach me how to cook and another time they need to be held and embraced. Truly, girls are girls. They are Daddy’s girls and Mommy’s girls! Only those who have them know how blessed they are!

Thanksgiving and its been 2 years...

Thanksgiving at DE and PA was so much fun, Friends, pujas, dance parties sums up our 5 day trip.

As a friend purchased new home we were able to attend and as one big family and spend some good time. Even squeezed in a birthday party and attended my first even Sai Baba vratham Puja which I never did before in anyone’s house.  And then hanging out was a lot of fun. Kids did great; they had a lot of fun playing with friends.  Now we are busy planning NYE.

It was MIL’s 2^nd anniversary which we performed here. Went as planned and scheduled.

I should get back to more blogging amid all the fun….

Hiatus

Been away from this space for a while now, why? Well, for no apparent reason. Days and weekends have been nice and full! From lake house trips in Fall to NH with kids and the gang to sleepovers to birthday parties (almost every weekend!) to kids very first performance on stage at a social event and the umpteen practice sessions that I conducted for a dozen crazy 3-4 year olds in the basement for the event, to our first Diwali in our new home! It’s been awesome! And then my regular drives to and fro work and home are getting more and more scenic by the day, getting to appreciate the nature – fall at its peak and then the quiet winter setting in, amid some beautiful sunsets I have never seen before – it’s like the sky is strewn with these pink, orange and grey streaks! I look into the sky and there is this weird sadness that sinks in and then it reminds me of this amazing lady who has left me and my family with some amazing memories, my grandmother….and its back to our crazy routine with the kids who are growing up too fast and always bringing excitement and joys and reminding me of simple pleasures and be thankkful and grateful for what I have!

Snoooze!

Snoozing the alarm 3 days in a row! Whattay week! :)

Thank God it's a short week!

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!

Updates

Its been so long and there are so many updates, but in brief:

Had a great July 4th with friends in PA. Went to Dutch wonderland and kids had a ball. Over all it was a nice, short summer getaway for us, home away from home, friends, food, kids just what you look forward to.

Then a birthday party, bhajan/kirtan and pot luck lunch this last weekend.

Summer weekends are more hectic than weekdays :-) its like weekdays its a good break sticking to routine :-) Plus a lot of enjoyable cooking and cleaning...

Its been pretty good long sultry, humid weather and loving it.

The highlight of the updates from my last post is but of course I bid adieu to my Rabbit. I missed it so much but welcoming the much needed change Honda Pilot. Been eyeing it for over 6 months and our visit to the dealer last day of Qtr 2 for test drive just paid off. Loving the ride, shiny black Pilot. Except for the parking part which I could pretty much do blindfolded with the Rabbit, Pilot is great, more space better ride etc. Kids love Mommy's big car too and a BMW sedan is kinda jealous about it :-) We certainly new mini-van was a no-no although I test drove it etc,

Miss the rabbit and couldnt help remembering about the time I got it when we found out I was preggers and kids were so young, drop offs and pick ups at that nearyby daycare etc etc memories....

Movie time

Got to watch "yeh jawani hai diwani". Reminded me of 'bachna e haseeno' nothing new, have to leave your brains aside and just focus on relaxing and gear for the weekdays ahead kinda movie. Of course appreciate the good looks and bodies these 20 somethings have and then some good moves and music. Entertainment package I guess for the weekend.

I have no idea why to some - the moment you leave India and go outside the country for your career or a change in lifestyle, you are automatically a selfish person who cannot maintain any familial relationships.BS!. Just as many people stay close to family physically and yet absolutely do not maintain relations so also people who are physically away can as well maintain much better relations. This is just a movie and that's how you have to see it I guess but cant help but wonder at times. But hey I am hindi movie buff, this movie is worth a watch and is good for some banter ;) I guess....

Phew Phews! :-)

Its taking us this long to get over 2 back to back birthday parties on Saturday :-) Plus the two places were 50 miles apart and I had one of the girls taking an overdoze of cup cakes - correction over doze of cream on the cup cakes and cakes which I had no control over. Over all a fun but tirng weekend that we had to carry forward the load for next couple of weekdays too ;) AG after eating cream from 3 cup cakes and 2 cakes at 2am on Sunday morning had a nice colourful throw up and trust me as a mom I knew that was coming. But sometimes we have to let go. She fell asleep and was on track after that much needed throw up. I couldnt digest seeing her eat that sugar how could her small little belly? Not to mention all cakes and cup cakes we savored were from Konditor Meister. By the end of it I could not take it anymore. They are undoubtedly the best, but how much of these cakes can you handle all in 1 day ;)

Fly Fly weekend

Whattay weekend. 2 birthday parties and 1 baby shower amongst usual weekend chores and grocery shopping etc. Plus we squeezed in a visit to Butterfly place nearby, so over all a good-busy weekend. But we had to give up one birthday party as we couldnt fit it in and we got double booked. Just catching up with breath etc..

Butterfly place was much smaller than expected and was an interesting short visit. Being an instragram addict that I have become clicked a bunch of pics..Saw some really neat colorful butterflies and some chinese quails too. Was a short and quick entertainment for the kids and us.

Sunday night finishing up some pending work to begin the week ahead...