Hello 2013!

So 1 week into the New Year and I finally get a chance to acknowledge it in my blog. That just shows I have been having too much fun and basking in our very own new home. Yes! Our 10 month journey and viewing maybe of almost 100 homes spanning  5 cities at least, we finally decided on “the” one :-) It took us this long so as we could gather enough knowledge to decide what it is exactly we wanted. Whether a single family huge colonial, smaller town home, schooling, proximity to shopping, yard size etc etc. Middle of this journey we even pulled out from an offer we put on a sprawling 2 acre home as we couldnt agree in P&S agreement, which sort of brought me some frustration as 4 adults and 2 kids were squeezed into a 2 bed apartment while I was almost ready to pack to leave but we were back to square one.  Plus we are so picky and cautious I think!

Finally we decided on this lovely home in which we are currently living in. We had seen these homes way back and were not sure or ready to make decision early 2012. After weighing pros and cons we agreed to have this custom built to our needs and as a first home it’s a great experience to have experienced the construction of this home right from scratch right from since foundation was laid, and roof was installed every step we have been through and seen the house evolve wall by wall room by room and it’s been an amazing experience. Learnt a lot along the way obviously. P and I made all decisions together like all decisions in our house. From picking tiles, to carpets, to discussing Jacuzzi, to puja area to kitchen hood and appliances and chandeliers and the endless discussion with builder on fireplace, doors, deck etc etc. Ultimately nothing like a brand new home ;) I am glad to have gone through this brand new home stage by stage than go through renovations of old homes (like the other one would have been) It would have been a major adjustment to try to fit ‘our first home’ picture into already constructed older house. This one is also a 3 bed basic colonial style home as we see in the New England area and is decent sized. Some homes focus on master and living areas and compromise on guest bedrooms size but this is decently  spacious plus there is a enough space in basement for more people. For us size of additional rooms and comfort were also important. Many homes have decent master bedrooms and living/family rooms but don’t have a decent guest room. Its very insulting and selfish I feel, it makes guests feel unwelcome.  So we focused on the guest bathrooms size and comfort also. So immediate families who visit us don’t have to compromise a huge deal. Plus wanted a specific pooja space so we dedicated one whole seperate shelf near the kitchen/pantry area. Anyway ultimately above all what makes a home is warmth in the hearts of the people living in it. People can own million dollar homes but lack the warmth, compassion, hospitality and genuine feelings in the heart. Others can live in the smallest of homes and make you welcome and attract people to your home to visit and re-visit. My upbrining and values focus a lot on comfort and respect of guests. I could go on and on in terms of the kind of hospitality my Ajji showred on guests and taught me growing up. :-) 

So we decided to go for a single family home in a community environment, so we don’t own any land but have plenty of neighbors (mostly Indians) a great schooling system (ranked top in Massachusetts) for the kids. 100 acres of conservation land right next to our community to take walks there are lovely walking traisl into the woods, a lake nearby, a buddhist temple where a lot of senior citizens visiting in summer meet up I heard from our neighbors. I even saw a deer family when I was driving out ;) Although we know even a bear and coyote family lives not too far off. ;) What else do we need? We customized some things like a larger deck, completely finished basement with a bath and I really needed a walk out so I love it! …I could go on and on, ...so every home in the community has minor variations. We don’t have our own yard but have a common play area and gazebo etc in the community besides all the walking trails I mentioned above. Plus there are combinations of town homes plus single family homes in the community so more variation between homes.  Over all from the 1100 sqft apartment jumped to a 3300 sqft home – is a huge bonus.

We had a simple milk boiling ceremony to enter the house,rest of the homams etc to follow later, the smell of new paint is amazing, and intoxicating ;) We already had our first invite from a family in the neighborhood for tea and snacks. The lady of the house works in the same organization as me. So far I know 2 people who work at my org who live in the community and many more in the 3 mile radius. So we met a few neighbors yesterday. Daycare is about 3 miles from home but kids haven’t yet started. We also already had a first dance party even without unpacking. Yes our friends from DE arrived and they loved our home and we had a great time with cocktails, food and music in the basement. Nothing like a glass of wine, best friends and good food. Highlight of course was A & A dance performance – jumping and hopping and AG tried her best and gave us a few new moves – loved it! I asked them in a party mood "who wants to party" AL says mee, meee, meee. Then AG other day asks "Amma can we please have another party in the basement? please amma? I want to dance?" LOL fruit dosent fall far from the tree does it? We will be one hell of a fun team as the kids grow up :-)

Furniture was another major decision point considering P and I both have strong taste and opinions in such things. Smartest thing is not get anything custom made. AIt has scope for errors, plus its expensive then anyway every 5-6 years you are bpred and want to make some changes to your furniture? Plus an option to return if you dont like it after getting it home. So Jordan's, Bob's, Macy's it was primarily. We managed to pick dining and master bed set and 1 couch set. We are half way there and only half the stuff has arrived. It will take us 2 months to just settle down and 6 months to install and set up all the things we intend to. Well some people might think that I am not ‘dynamic’ enough to do this sooner and be ‘organized’ in advance. But with our full time jobs, 2 kids of same age, a busy social life, lots of cooking (yep its gas stove and its rocking and our SMART Samsung fridge is a-m-a-z-i-n-g,) that I enjoy doing plus wanting to enjoy the shopping phase and be very sure we don’t end up with furniture we don’t like and above all spend quality time with my kids -  I need that much time. Plus another 2 months parents will leave and will miss then so much I really want to spend quality time with them before they leave so they can spoil my girls a little bit more before they leave. ;) Over all an amazing experience. It was a lot of work with my extremely naughty girls who don’t sit still for a minute but worth it! Our friend’s cousin came down to help us all the days when we moved on Boxing day and our DE friends arrive on 28-29^th 3 families stayed until 1st…it was really good!

So 2012 was an interesting year. Career wise I would say very flat and slow and not as interesting. Kids had many growth spurts I have lost count on. Parents visited us and my parents stayed 9 whole months and they love it. With the new home I am glad they were there with me as they have always been for every important phase in my life.  To see the kids run around – priceless! I experienced a couple of good eye openers and thank goodness for that. Pretence or ‘holier than thou’ attitude or both whatever it is – SUCKs! But you know what I am hardcore Leo – the best and most frequent compliment I get is about my genuine-ness and warmth and I am glad most people who care affirm that,

Probably the lowlight of this year has been the number of days I have been away from my kids. 1 week for Europe trip. I committed and regretted it later although I had too much fun cos once I got there I realized kids were doing fine and enjoying with their Grandma and in fact gave a long list of things to bring from Britain ;) 2 days on a work trip to WI. And 5 days to India in Dec. Total of 2 weeks / 14 days in 2012. Worst one after 2011 where I had to be away for 5 days in Blore away from my sick children in Hyd was to be in India leaving them here in Boston. The latter is only marginally better cos at least their routine was not upset and they were not sick. It was all decisions P and I made together and we will probably do it again if situation arises where in we cannot compromise on their routine. But lets just hope such a situation does not arise.

Wishing and hoping for an even greater 2013, health and happiness to all my besties (and the one with evil eyes - GTH!)