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….

Whattay week!

It’s been a crazy absolutely CRAZY but the fun type crazy week. Not sure where I should even begin. FOOD + FRIENDS = FUN I guess. Something we always do every long weekend with our friends from other states but we stayed local this time. In summary we had planned sleepovers with the local gang for the first time.  Friday we had a Karaoke night in the neighborhood at a friend’s. Then Saturday fruit picking – blueberries and apples and hayride at the Farm and we had 3 more families come stay over. It was like a wedding party home. Chaos and fun, I cooked a lot, cleaned a lot, exhausting late nights and sleep deprived but fun. We then shifted base to another friends Sunday night after Saturday night at our place. Due to inclement weather had to skip the whole picnic by the lake plan. Headed home Monday to host our friends from CA staying over for this week.  A short week and luckily quiet one at work (calm before the busy 4 weeks actually), so have been snoozing the alarm for an hour before I wake up. Plus kids have started a new class with new teachers and they think it’s a temporary thing and ask me when they go back to the old class when I drop them off.  They miss the old class without them knowing it.

Growing up I spent a lot of time at my Grandparents and somewhere looking at my Grandmom hosting people, cooking last minute for surprise visitors just became part of our life. In fact it was every single day. My grandparents were social butterflies and never cringed that they had to make extra coffee or tea or tiffins or meals or if someone stayed over their comb goes missing or the sugar dabba kept in the wrong place, it’s just too PETTY. There is always time after the guests leave to maintain your house the way you want or a way to get around things if it’s more mid to long term arrangement. But respecting and providing warmth and gracefully managing the situation comes with experience and am so thankful for the wonderful family I have been born into who have taught me that and also showed me the pleasure of GIVING in whatever way you can. While my Grandmom always said we should have be able to save for the rainy days. She also insisted on quality and quantity of food. Not a single day passed without giving some leftovers to the maid. She worried if there were no leftovers and I can see how it has rubbed on to me, makes me terribly uncomfortable. When you have so many people over minor wastages are part and parcel of hosting. I made a lot of Pudina Pulao for example and per my count it was more than enough for people I counted but not a morsel was left although it was apparently really good but I feel so guilty till today L  

I really hope these small things rub onto the girls. Plus I am learning so much from experience. Gaining new skills, I have never had to wait or share anything in my life being an only child. Everything was organized and kept the way I wanted where it should be. I have come a long way :) This weekend I would try to cook something for example and all kids would run around, playing very loudly, asking for so many things, my friends would need so many things from the kitchen or fridge etc or a towel - so many distractions so many things going on after only 2-3 hours of sleep for 2 days in a row I did not lose my cool or take it out on visitors or P.  Of course P is an important part in everything and pitches in both he and I dont see it as a “help” from a husband but an obvious instinct and responsibility from a family member of the house– since we do everything by ourselves unlike back home no one to makes our rotis, nor cleans the house, nor cut vegetables – we do everything from scratch and have fewer dependencies that way the perk is that we do everything as a family for our family and share the chores.

I hope the trend continues and the visitors keep coming. Until then catch up on some sleep for this weekend ;).

And then they turned 3!!!

So A&A's big day arrived. They had decided on the cake colors and shape and characters they wanted this time and they were more sure about it. At 2 they suggested what type of cake they wanted but it kind of kept changing every time I would ask them. I even had AG arrange napkins counting every kid who would be coming home for lunch and to celebrate their birthday. It was awesome to watch her. AL wanted to be responsible to give return gifts, I didnt find her one time so I gave it instead, she turned up out of nowhere and got upset and she took it back and she then handed it over again. She is the official "giver" in our family now (AG is the hoarder - joy of twins!) :-)

So the cake was from Konditor Meister as it has been for the previous 2 years, its almost a tradition now. So Saturday was their birthday per Hindu calendar so we went to the temple, picked up cakes for next day and picked up grocery also. It was a long tiring day on Saturday as weather was lousy wet and cold (I know and its supposed to be summer?) so we got pretty tired since all 3 places were in different directions. We invited about 4 other families for lunch next day, it was a simple get-together. Initially we thought we would order food. But since there were only 11 adults and 7 kids I decided to cook myself a simple meal which turned out to be yummy - thank goodness. I was a tad bit nervous since I wanted everything to go well when its to do with kids. I made: Rajma/kali daal and Raita with Peas Pulao and Pau Bhaji. For starters we baked samosas we got from outside and paneer tikka as well. Dessert was Rasamlai which was also from outside. I cooked everything the same day morning and it went well.

It was Dora and Diego themed, so we got lots of streamers, balloons those big sized Dora Diego balloons, cups, plates etc as well and filled the hallway with decorations and Dora/Diego Happy Birthday banners and balloons of course. At lunch I got a lot of compliments for the yummy food which I gladly accepted ;) My friends mom visiting from India thought my Pau bhaji was really yum, and a friend loved my Rajma/kali daal so that's nice. Girls were getting a bit tired so we cut the cake in the afternoon after lunch and we all enjoyed the cake. Evening everyone left and then one family was supposed to stay over but their son wasnt feeling too well so they left. Over all it was a simple and fun day! Due to wet and rainy weather we couldn't do some outdoor activities planed with the kids like zoo, farm etc which hopefully we can do coming weekends sometime. We distributed cake to all our new neighborhood friends and at work and now back to routine but hey its a short week!.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S

So we had more company this past weekend. 3 families came over for lunch on Saturday and kids had a blast and got tired. We had some good company and I insisted they stay for dinner, I had cooked a simple lunch for all then for dinner I made daddojanam as we had late lunch and we were kind of full and ordered couple of pizzas just in case. It was nice catching up and weasther was good too. We got tired to at night.

Next day, Sunday had my colleagues over for lunch they insisted we get take out so we did from Udupi, weekends is Buffet so they one of my colleagues picked up lunch for us and we sat home and relaxed, ate, chatted. Then we had our neighbors who stopped by to say hello late in the evening. By then I was done, had fun but was tired as I had a long day both days.

Monday took the day off as daycare was closed being Patriot's day. Did shopping, and A&A got a pretend play kitchen that P installed. In general kids played all day and napped very late, so late that they continued through the night quota of sleep skipping dinner, one of those rare tiring days for them ...

Since we moved in I have been inviting lot of people over and its been very nice catching up, we already had a few groups covered, and we have few more lunches and dinner invites to go but will hold off till next month and space them out.

Guests etc

Was a nice and busy weekend. Both days had guests, kids, did a lot of cooking. BTW which in general I am doing a lot. I missed my kitchen time last few months and I  dived right into it. I never cook as a duty I actually enjoy it and I was blessed with that basic common sense and that cooking gene which helps me make my own recipes. I never needed DH or anyone to help me with any critical analysis.

 

So we caught up with friends after a long time and they were sharing some really bad experiences in recent India trips, their parents / pensioners constantly being humiliated and having treated disrespectfully whether its at the bank or auto driver or nurse at hospital - no compassion no patience no manners or courtesy. I was in tears listening to some of the incidents. Thinking about 70 year olds being spoken to like that by made me feel so bad ...I hope its one off incidents.

Disclaimer: It can happen anywhere just because I dont live in India people may make it seem like I have no right to criticize about somethings in India and take it personal. Its not just about India its about something that really bothers you and does not seem right be it in India or US or Paris or Timbaktu the focus is on the problem. But just cos you are outside India you are forced to say only nice things and not talk or discuss any issues, that's a mindset issue people have. Its just some of those practical issues and experiences one likes to talk about.

Vacation! Vacation

After about 4 years took 1 week off with the Girl friends in Europe and had a great time! Although very different from last time as we were a bigger group and weather was colder back then and we were 4 years younger ;). This time 3 of us set forth and ventured into two beautiful cities in Europe, although with no fixed agenda we had a checklist that we successfully crossed out.

We made this last minute plan as usual to take off to Europe. There were more dramas than we expected as my friends had to take UK and Schengen visa. Everyday we would wait for the passport, as UK visa took longer than expected and that created all the drama for us ;) Schenegen was a breeze for them. And me being the dual citizen that I am with NZ didnt need any visa and Thank Goodness for that.

My flight to London from Boston got delayed by 7 hours due to a technical snag and I was waiting at the airport and kinda bummed.

London

I flew into London and we stayed at K's our other partner in crime. Since this is my second trip there just strolled down the shopping area with the girls who made some pretty big purchases (LV topped the list). We did a casual strolls both days and did some bar hopping and settled for some lovely Middle eastern/ME food at Giraffe cafe. Overall 2 days nicely spent. Rainy weather, great company - who can complain? We then took a BA flight to Amsterdam from Gatwick.

Amsterdam

A cozy and vibrant, this place personifies 'freedom' to me in every sense. We did the Heineken tour, shopping (my girls went berserk ;) had fun although shopping was not on my agenda), Red light district (a very different experience is all can say, since its all very legal here), a casual trip to the 'coffee-shops' (yep! it was like in the movies ;)), And I did VanGogh Museum while the girls continued shopping. The paintings were split between 2 locations as main museum was under some kinda construction. I just visited one of the locations and loved it. Loved the very 'deep' quotes alongside the paintings and the paintings. We did a canal cruise and a lot of just hanging out and walking. We were on our feet continuously for 2 days so by end of the day we slept really well ;) We discovered Moez a lovely ME veggie chain and definitely had the best fries ever in Amsterdam and the falafel sandwich, yum! yum! yum! The weather was pleasant and not too cold and thoroughly enjoyed snacking on Nutella on warm waffles. We never really care for Nutella as much at home, but out there it was tempting. Whether on a crepe or a waffle.Cool, drizzly weather and warm waffles w/ Nutella is a deadly combo. We even ate at a couple of Indian restaurants and Tandoor specifically had good food. Had Mexican other times. Hotel was close to the heart of the city and it really cut down time to key places, even though city is not as big from what I saw, but still.

Paris

We then took the Thalys train to Paris. From Centraal Station Amsterdam to Paris Nord. Took a cab to the hotel and since it was an early train we slept through the journey and once we hit the hotel showered, got ready and went to Louvre. Louvre was way too big than I imagined. The bummer was everything was in French and by the time we decided to take the headphones for guidance in English it was kinda late. We toured the Napolean Bonaparte arena, Mona Lisa painting (which as expected does not meet expectations due to the hype plus the over crowding, you sort of lose interest in it). It was massive place with works from some greatest artists. And since ours was a 3 day trip and Louvre could alone consume 2 days according to me. We did a rather quick tour of it and then headed to Eiffel Tower. This was absolutely breath taking view. Middle of the city there is the lovely huge metal structure. I was in awe. But again its me someone else might not get the same feeling. I loved it. Kept staring at it and my mind went blank and happy at the same time. We took the elevator to the top and again cant say enough about how beautiful it was. As much as I was done with tall buildings after Sears Tower and Empire State, I still loved this one. It was a beautiful site soaking up the whole view of the city with River Seine flowing across.

We then headed back to the hotel and went to Blanche for Moulin Rouge. It was a nice show but started later than expected and again it was all in French. It was my first cabaret show and I liked it. But towards the end our fatigue took over as we did quite a bit of sightseeing the very first day and we got done by about 2am and took a cab back (we were up since 4am). this was probably the only crazy day we had where in we squeezed in a lot :-) Next day we went to Sucre Couer, it was a nice vicinity and a pretty good cathedral, walked around across Pigalle and headed to Champs Elysee. Took a quick look of Arch de Tromphe which is just like our Gateway in India. Girls shopped a bit again on Elysee we then again went back and strolled and ate in cafes and enjoyed the views. Had some really good Italian food there in a cafe.

Next day we first went to the Palace of Versailles then to Notre Dame castle. Palace gardens were beautiful. I had already seen Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal. So the more exciting part for me where the piano bars and the lovely restaurants and cafes outside St Michele's. It was a gorgeous site to just walk in that area and the lovely chocolate/cookies smell in the air. It was the next big highlight for me in Paris after Eiffel Tower. Totally not doing justice in this post here. We did some more strolling around in Champs Elysee, finally went to the hotel, packed, headed out to Fauchen cafe, shopped a little, ate at a pizza place and prepared for departure next day.

We headed again to Paris Nord. Since this time we were going back into UK had to do all the immigration/customs stuff. Took the Eurostar train 2 2/1/2 hours. Again dozed off. My friends had left some stuff at K's place in Wimbledon, so one of them went to her place to get the stuff while the two of us waited at VAT office, once she got back which was a bit rushed as their flight to India was earlier than mine and K's (Yes K was flying to India w/ the baby same day). Once they wrapped up and checked in, I went to my terminal and got home.

This was the first time I flew Virgin Atlantic and it was pretty good, I liked the food served also. No dramas, got home and got back straight into my lovely routine.

Thankful and Grateful!

My trip was only possible due to my parents and husband. The pillars in my life.

I am not a huge fan of vacationing without kids. I couldnt think of it ever.

But this all-girls trip just happened!

P and my parents encouraged me with all the bookings to go ahead and completely took over with the kids and their stuff. Mom and P suggested this time will never come again once kids start school, parents are not here etc, plus P also is taking a week off in Canada although its not a vacation, vacation, ;)

But when the day actually arrived to leave I was in tears as I was leaving them behind. I did it once in India as I had no choice back then for 4 days when MIL expired and my parents house was the only place they were loved and safe. Period. This was definitely easier as it was home base and kids routine was not disrupted etc. It was just me missing them terribly. It was a big decision for me. At the same time I am blessed with a support system I cant stop bragging about. As much as I applaud people who do everything on their own. Nothing like having hands-on grand parents. Plus even more blessed to have flexible and affectionate kids. There were certain things only I could do, like feeding them for example when they were younger. But they took to my mom so easily and naturally from Day 1, I just love it, I love the rapport and bonding they share with her. Touch wood!

As soon as I got to London I spoke to the girls, did Facetime etc and they were totally fine. They asked me to bring them the red London bus and fire truck/engine from London and they did great! That's when I realized how sensible the girls are. They would ask for me everyday remaining 5 days and then Mom would ensure she reminded them I'd be back soon and I am taking a break with friends. And although 7 days felt like a month to me, it just flew for them.

Although I think it is probably my only/last vacation/trip without the kids.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

Really grateful for the lovely friends we have in our life. Their homes are like literally having a second home or a vacation home. They treat us very well emotionally and physically and are such wonderful hosts. Since the time we have had kids, they willingly give their Master bedrooms to us taking into consideration we have come after a long drive with two kids and need more adjustment (since they have a home ground advantage and dont need 'settling in' never selfishly look for their own comfort, their routine, besides in all fairness the guest rooms are equally comfortable), we all take good care of each other and each other's kids, ensure everyone eats and food is provided,(if you let your guests starve, you will never ever have guests to stay over ever :-) and we repeatedly visit each other's houses so that says a lot), by being genuinely very nice, and showering love on all kids; we can just be our true fun self without any pretence, or hurt or insults! Its the warmth and the welcome feeling you generate so guests/friends want to come back to your home again and again.

I truly acknowledge and Thank God for the lovely friends we have!

Another new year

Its 2012. As we went about with our routine ( a rather relaxed Christmas week) we did not want to be by ourselves this new years eve, like last year and other reasons and spent it at a friends' at Delaware. The drive was interesting Boston to CT, then CT ot NJ stopped for a friends baby shower and then to DE. We really stretched for the first time with the girls schedule. About 4-5 families met and we relaxed. It was good to see the kids trying to play with one another. AG was down with a fever for couple of days and recovered AL was on a cleaning spree, she would take the tissue clean and meticulously say its trash and trash it at the bin, she would even clean the carpet. She played her own games and sang herself to sleep. She was an angel. She is down with a major cold though and breathing throwugh her mouth hence not eaten a decent meal in 3 day, hopefully she feels better today. AG had major attention issues, she was a little sick and craved for more attention from Dadda which she got over the weekend. Now its back to routine for a while. Its been awfully cold past 2 days early twenties when I drive to work around 7:30 am. But somehow this cold seems ok to me. I remember  being pregnant 2 years back and too scared to walk (fear of slipping) on the snow/ice when getting to work. This time there is no snow though, not yet anyway. The girls are already into their second year. Time flies!

Hoping for a better if not great 2012.

...this and that ...from the past!

When I was doing my 4th year of Bachelors in NZ I found exactly what I was looking for/to study after schooling in India - SCM it is!. Wonder why I took up Finance as my specialization in B.Com? (Hmm!) Well I was following the herd pretty much - deep down I knew I should have taken Marketing but went for Finance in my final year. Well the options I had for B.Com Professional course was - Finance, Marketing and Insurance. Actually I was looking for some specific Marketing papers and Finance papers and obviously that couldnt happen.

Even before that - after 10th grade I had no choice- for a person who did not want to take up Science or Engineering - the only option in outside colleges used to be CEC - Civics/Economics/Commerce. Luckily, my school had AEC - Accounts/Economics/Commerce (Oh I couldnt bear to do Civics either - maybe if it were History it would have been something to think about definitely! - though it was my best chance to go to a co-education environment) , so I chose AEC with Business Mathematics, English and Computer Science.

All the St Ann's students after 12th who did not take up Engg or Medicine had to go to St Francis - well that was sort of the norm - Bhavans was close to home and co education and an option but no Francis was a better college and in a better location. There 3 more years in Girls college.

Its funny I never thought about it, but until Masters I did not study in a co-educational enviroment.

As my New Years eve plans to meet up my school friends is brewing - school memories coming alive! Nothing has changed - that time it used to be permission. Yes! hours together we would spend on how we will ask parent's permission for night outs and parties and discussing what to wear and now though its no longer permission - the whole "planning" thing with a bunch of mates is just so much fun - we still behave like a bunch of high school girls - excited at every small thing, ...! :) and on that note its exactly been 10 years since I left school!

July 4 th weekend etc.

As if travelling on work isn't enough. I am also travelling to meet friends :) Not a complaint exactly. Had loads of fun this long weekend. Flew into Newark where P came to pick me up and we drove to Wilmington, DE to a friends' place. They were having a pooja at home and the whole gang gathered as usual. Long chats (and being silly), music and dance, BBQ in the park and non stop eating and playing cards all night long would summarize the weekend :) The kids population in our gatherings is on the rise (sigh! I am growing old eh?) The highlight was that we played dumcharades (not sure if thats how its spelt) after a very long time and it was lot of fun and yes it ended in a (friendly) argument, as it usually does (drilling down into some rules of the game ;)

I haven't been a very athletic kid and to be honest my stamina is poor (people who know me will vouch for that). But after looking at some of my friends (well they are few years older to me and thats why all the more ...) I really want to be indefatigable like them. They cooked all night after dancing (marination for BBQ food; I tell you it can be pretty strenous) :) ; hardly slept and organized the whole BBQ and completed the BBQ-ing (standing all day). After coming back home after dinner continously played cards - Phew! Sometimes I wish I could store energy; like a camel stores water :) catch up later with all my sleep after 2-3 days of merrymaking - sigh! I get so cranky without food and sleep ....

Also managed to stop at Oaktree Rd this time on the way back to Newark airport. Hogged Pau Bhaji (the Galaxy guys never disappoint me with Pau Bhaji) and cut mirchi and ended with the meetha paan.

Another thing however small I finally accept is no matter how expensive your shoes are - (good brand/good quality etc I mean) they might still end up giving you a shoe bite! :)

Finally back in Toronto Sunday night and it took me 2 whole days to catch up with all my emails - backlog leads to more backlog - trying to catch up with old emails and you end up not answering the latest.....

Recharged at Chicago

Almost got a second consecutive long weekend - almost! My husband's good friend's wife's baby shower was in Chicago and it also was a kind of reunion of his batchmates from CBIT - Engineering college. A big bindas group; so was good hanging out. And one of them actually acted in Telugu movies too, so that added some spice. I wish I had taken Memorial day off, greedily went to work taking a morning flight from Chicago and after being with a big group for 3 days; I was antsy and sleepy all day.

This is the second big gettogether we have had after New Years and realized that it was like an Indian wedding setting. Where in all family gather few days prior to the wedding, and due to lack of space to sleep howmuch ever big the house maybe, people pretty much sleep where ever you find space ;) Kids busily running around. Ladies cooking and talking. Television running nonstop songs and Indian movies et al But doing the same things for less smaller occasions than wedding and outside India is something of an achievement to me truly.

Back in Toronto I am recharged for the next few days atleast ;)

:)

One of my very good friends from school had a baby girl couple of months back and I am so happy that they have named her Ishanvi - the name I suggested! I can almost say I named her eh? :) I somehow loved the name when I heard it; has that traditional Indian touch and yet a bit new/modern.