Happy Birthday

This is the 250th post here- in 12 months of blogging.

At the risk of being repetitive and sounding like I won an award:
Thanks Boo, Usha, Ammani, Apu and Hip Hop gmom for inspiring me
Thanks Itchy & Visitor for indulging me, in fact you stopped along the way
Thanks all you readers from alan to madmomma to rohini & sts, from sunitha to fuzzy to namvor and the younger lot- kid and analog kid and many more of you who visit often or less
Thanks a lot to Tharini for the new header- I think it is very cool. And of course it was very generous of her.
Most importantly a huge thank you commentators for egging me on and to Anush and my family and work to give me enough subject matter to write about

I used to love it when my parents recounted their past and my childhood to me.
The blog was intended to be a memoir for Anush when she grows up- not just to know herself but to know her mother better with all her quirks and ups and downs- especially when I am old and she may not be able to understand that I was once young ....

Now for a "well deserved" break for you and me!!

Little round balls of delight!

PANI PURI/GUP CHUP/GOL GAPPA/ PUCHKA- call it what you like.

- The puri itself varies between different proportions of wheat and rava.
- As long as it is fresh and crisp it is acceptable
- The substantial part of the stuffing varies between black channa, kabuli chana, peas, moong, potato &/ or boondi
- The water of course could be tangy, spicy, minty, sweet or sour - as you like it

Any trivia on this?

Is its origin as romantic a discovery as chips or wafers which resulted from a chef who, in his frustration with a guest who wanted really crisp potatoes, went ahead and made wafers?

Hair Razing tales

You could also say raising or rising...all apply

I had fairly long hair when I was a kid. The daily battles to plait my hair, with ribbons, before 7am, when I left for school, caused annoyance and I went ahead with a Diana cut. And varied that in between with a mushroom cut or a blunt and the stereotypical " boy cut"

The huge comfort in this cannot be denied. But it causes your face to look fuller ( so I tell myself) and that is not a good thing when one has put on weight. It also makes you look a near man from behind when you are in those androgynous pants and shirt. Long earrings do not go too well and if it is a traditional festival/ occasion a nine yards surely looks ludicrous to say the least.

So each year or once in a while I decide I will grow my hair. Till the moment this unruly hair of mine turns me into a monster- it grows out horns- literally!!

Being too lazy to try hair sprays or gels and too anti straightening for fear of going bald, i opt for the quick fix and go back to a short" boy cut"

Maybe I could try hair extensions or a wig.....hmmmmm

Anyway I lost my patience and had a hair cut today. I feel FREE!

Moms, birds and bees

Mad momma asked me to do this tag. No I am not embarrassed to admit it-

2 years back- The frequency dropped to create a reverse world record.
Self to well wishers who want us to have another- "I am sorry but what are you talking about? LOL!! Having none is enough contraception don't you think?"

1 year back- So many birds and bees- all pictures in the stories and books we read to Anushka

And now- Oh so birds and bees have a more exciting and different meaning- Navy and I manage to remind ourselves once in a while.....in fact more than that :-))

Matchmakers

I found these matchboxes from ITC rather interesting – they offer trivia on kites and can serve as collectibles

Anushka Answers

Anushka where did Amma go?
"Kolkotta"

What did she do there?
"Sleeeeeping"

Wow-character assassination from my own little one!! :-))

Amor Bangla

ITC Sonar Bangla is most unimpressive from the outside but it is gorgeous once you enter. They have an exclusive ladies floor with extra security for the business traveler and it s called Eva. Unlike in Chennai, Dublin there is a dead place.

Apart from sleeping ( refer above post) and work, went to a really corny little bazaar- Five Star- sort of like a dirty Burma Buzaar, to give a local flavour to the Parisian American whom I was showing around.

Also found time to have sugar cane juice, Puchka & Jaal muri in the 19th century renovated “New” market.

Rat at to ee

Saw the show on Sunday. A delightful little movie- Ratatouille.

"Anyone can cook" was a best seller by the great Chef Gustav. His fan, Remy, a genius cook of humble origin- a rat- helps revive the magic of Gustav's restaurant after his death.

The critic who pans the restaurant and causes the untimely death of Gustav looks so like Sherlock Holmes. An awkward garbage boy , an arrogant & money minded chef who takes over from Gustav, an ensemble of chefs similar to Cheeni Kum in recent times and the rat's family led by a father ( who reminded me of the old man in Everybody loves Raymond) and an adorable brother complete the cast.

That a simple well made dish reminiscent of mom's cooking wins over the critic is really sweet.

The voice over casting is fantastic. The animation is of course lively and exciting.The fairy tale ending was expected, given that it is from Walt Disney and more for kids.

Lovable and sweet, this movie is not just another children's movie but is bound to leave a feeling of bonhomie.

Onyx- Over & Out?

Just yesterday the garbage cleaners with the green bins that every Chennaite had become familiar with bid adieu

Not sure whether they have completely been severed or they would still be there in some localities

Hopefully the next service provider is better

But I will miss Onyx all the same

Break Point

This what Anushka did with her new cycle brake! She actually broke it.

Either way, she got a good dose from me.

But I could not help wonder- Is it that she is so strong or is it that the cycle breaks are that brittle?

Luckily I have the guarantee card with me and should be able to get it repaired at nominal cost.

S square

Not not Shilpa Shetty- Sandesh Shandilya - why should you know him?

Well, he has composed some very haunting melodies-
K3G- Sooraj Hua Maddham
Chameli
Agni Varsha
Road

And for me, when I was a teenager he was an upcoming assistant to a music background score provider who stayed upstairs in our Andheri apartment.

Of course, I thought he was talented but you do not think such things happen to people you know.

Good to say I know an obscurity to popularity story. Why have I mentioned this here now, well I just heard the Agni Varsha songs after a long time and loved" Prem ki Varsha"

Babe Balan

I have always thought of Vidya Balan as a thinking actress in the same league as Nandita Das or Konkona Sen.

And then I saw the promos for Heyy Babby! Well, I guess I have to change my mind.

As she says in an interview, it maybe because " I want my character to come through and not Vidya Balan"

But what the hell! Even Smita Patil had her Namak Halal.

Celebrating Chennai

It was Chennai Day a couple of days back.
Here is celebrating the city that has come to be my home.

From Mylapore Maamis to the cosmopolitan SW brood
From IIT to NIFT & DAV to Abacus
From Kanjeevaran saris with pockets and tubetops and multiplexes
From the stomach friendly idly to unpronouncable cuisines
From sambar to samba
From the intolerance for Hindi to the play Chanakya at Music Academy
From the much loved Rajni to the way too loud heroines
From the lack of drainage to the reverse osmosis
From The Hindu to Radio One
From grumbling about autos to zipping on ECR
From longing for chaat to Dilli Haat

From Madras to Chennai- I am here to stay!
And savour this city with all its contrast.

Though I can never stop loving Bombay there is always a lot more love to give!!

Madurai Musings

A peek into the temple at Madurai at the travel blog!

And while you are at it do visit this for an inspiring story of a near blind artist who is also a very gifted writer!

Back to School II

It is indeed a BIG decision to put your child in school- when I went through posts by other bloggers a while ago, it did not sink in as much.

The cocooning, the safety that you provide at home is no longer there. So if the floor is not so clean or another child has lice or a cold... Point is that you are no longer in control. This is as much a milestone for a parent as it is for the child.

Yes, I hear all of you there- they are building immunity, it toughens them up etc etc.
Letting go is never easy, but being a fairly intelligent adult, I accept that it is essentail.

Visited Navadisha, a montessori school near home, in Velachery, this morning.
The building is an inviting & beautiful hexagonal structure But the approach is awful and kuccha, made worse by the rains. The staff that we saw were unassuming and warm, very matter of fact and informative. Also they are the training centre for AMI and should be theoretically very sound in the Montessori system.

For toddlers who are 2 years upwards, there is a developmental program for 6 months. We have been asked to decide in a couple of days if we are interested with the usual talk that the vacancies are few and applicants many. Also that the movement into the core Montessori environ at age 3 will be a lot easier than getting admissions then!! Good part is that only 30 students per class in the higher classes. The children seemed active and alert and having Fun. The place is kept clean and offers a variety of activity.

But unless I see a couple of other Montessori environs how can I decide? The process reminds me of the time we were house hunting....

The closest contender, Abacus- we have not really had a chance to experince a session and would be due there only in March next year. And we do not have an assurnace of admission.

Story so far:
Vael's Billabong was the best laid out school we saw but it is way too far in Neelangarai on ECR. And I am unable to ignore the bad will in Mumbai about this brand- of coure may be related to the franchisee and not the brand itself
Abacus is the most reccomended and reminds me of my alma mater a lot.
Navadisha is the closest to home & the staff seem grounded but the approach road sucks
Tumble tots is only a gym not a playschool
Sunshine in Velachery we are yet to visit.

As a mother, I hope whichever school deserves Anush gets her !!

Blogathon

In case you are wondering, why I am posting so much today, I have a self set target of getting to 250 posts. i.e. 20 to go in a week's time.

Anyway the Kodai experience is up for takes.

A matter of spine

Why is it that so many Indian women I know, between 25-30 yrs suffer from a bad back?
Even those with a good posture & of average weight ?

Maybe the sample is not representative enough?

Even so, I am glad I am not ( yet) afflicted. Just had it for a while post delivery but I was not average weight then anyway:-))

I think vegetarians need to supplement calcium POSITIVELY if your child is a girl.

Any thoughts?

Tumble Tots - Skills for life

A tall & unnecessary claim for toddlers if you ask me. But it was the representative with his very matter of fact approach and the idea of a physical activity ( NOT intellectual and spiritual growth!?) of Gymbabes that lured me to Tumble tots.

Sounded like an interesting and genuine outfit. And the real trial experience was indeed very pleasant- air con environ, clean kids and coaches, very friendly, games interspaced with song and dance, requisite presence of a parent or a close relative- all ensure that most things go on right. Since it is only once a weekend it is likely that even working parents can make it. And they do not subject you or the kid to any interviews.

Based on a UK model founded by a gymnast, they offer programs for 6months to 7 year old kids. The once a weekend, hour long class, per annum comes at a tidy price of 11,500Rs. That makes it pretty expensive.

And I am not sure it is too different from what a regular play school would offer (assuming it follows the Montessori system)So I have not made my mind up yet. If you want to know more go here.

Chak De- Its Intent is its strength

One up for women’s empowerment and a thumbs up from me. After Lagaan and Iqbal, this is the next Indian sports related movie. It falls in between in its scale- it is neither as grand as Lagaan nor as simple as Iqbaal. It also focuses on women ( teen ) players and the opposition they face because they are girls and also because they are in sport.

Bereft of star antics, a heroine and a villain, SRK actually delivers a controlled performance. He proved he was King Khan to me in this one.

One of the dialogues that I loved was “ Cricket ki tarah hockey mein chakke nahin hote” ( there are no sixers ( or eunuchs- pun intended) in hockey) and another “ Team mein ek hi goonda ho saktha hai- iss team mein main hoon”( each team can have only one bully and it is me )

As for the cast, they are just fantastic. The girls exuded raw energy and awesome talent. While it should not matter, some were very good looking as well. Most importantly all were authentic to their roles. Without this, the film would not have rung so true

One also saw TV stars of yesteryears- the mother of Hum Log , “Jhumroo” & Anjan Srivstav ( Wagle) played decent parts.

Only wrong note was not once have I seen mass hysteria about hockey – the kind provoked by a so called dubious loss by the captain Kabir ( played by Shah Rukh)

Anush loved the songs though the have been panned by critics and she kept dancing to the title track ( of course with her amma ensuring no one in the audience is disturbed)

Each time she saw the ball & the stick she would intelligently look at me and say "Amma- cricket!!"

Welcome to the Terrific Twos

Yesterday was Anushka's day. And I am so glad she enjoyed it from start to finish

She kept saying it was her" Happy to you".

Anush helped with the decorations by not coming in the way. Her only grievance was that she could not leave with whoever was telling her bye and going out.

Her favourite gift was what she picked out herself- a cycle. Hope you have a glorious ride baby unlike Amma.(who still does not know how to ride a bike)

The singing knife sang ( instead of the singing lotus of last year), the confetti burst , the gifts all worked out well. The boys got animal caps and the girls got gypsy maalais ( necklaces).

This time I segregated by gender(last time it was by age and I found to my dismay that older kids did not want books as take away presents).

The balloons were a massive hit and most kids took back a few. The snacks and sweets and of course the cake were all a sell out.

The kiddy party ( about 30 kids) went on for over 2 hrs!! It was good that we had completely emptied one room to make space for them to play.

Am sure you will recognise a couple of the guests who made themselves comfy in Anush's doll suitcase.

The snakes and ladders on the large turkey towel replaced the thermocol jigsaws I had made last time to engage the invitees.

Even Navy, a reluctant participant, had to agree that Anushka had a fantastic day and that the party had been worth it. All the balloons were courtesy him anyway.

Anush, we wish that this year keeps you a happy, healthy and warm person- as you enter play school and make new friends. And I am sure that together we will make it the terrific twos instead of terrible twos:-)

Back from the Break

Eventful is what Anush would say -had she known the word - about the last few days.

Began with a much needed haircut ( with Navy finally agreeing to it) at Green trends which has a fantastic wall mural of Pooh and friends for the kids section. As we waited Anush saw a baby getting a hair cut and seemed very calm and excited about it. But when her turn came, she was bawling through the cut. Yet she said ” Good Job” through her tears to the barber. Much to his amusement and that of many spectators Anushka’s mom tried to reassure her by blissfully singing her lullaby with a fairly soothing effect, if only for a while.

Sporting the new haircut and a lovely dress, Anush went to all her building friends and said” Please come” and “ Vaango” as she distributed her “ Happy to you” i.e. b’day invites.

Then she had a gala time with her cousins and grand parents and aunts and uncles at Kodaikanal.

Including her first horse ride and boat ride and a completely unexpected "Oh oo- Sorry It is okay" from her as the boat bumped into another boat when we were docking.

Rounded off with a sweltering yet educative visit to the Madurai Meenakshi temple.

A kid can make a very exciting trip out of rather clichéd places!

These will be captured at the travel blog in a while.

Life is what happens

to you when you are busy planning things.....

Said Siddhu. The context was Anil Kumble and his surprise century

You will hardly see me write about cricket because I am not a big fan but I adore Kumble, next only to Kapil Dev in my list.

And I loved it- his moment of glory for a new reason, whether it was a fluke or not.

Back to the Siddhuism- I thought it was indeed very profound though my patience wears thin with too much of Siddhu.

I have been planning to read up on all your blogs and have more or less not been able to...but much has been happening with my shift to a different function- it has been exciting , a little tiring, a lot of learning.


Fetish - Tag

HHgmom tagged me on any fetish that I might have

It is not all difficult for me to spell it out- I am inclined towards… no….I cannot control buying clothes- for self, for Navy, for Anush, for family, for the house….

I have a fetish for some eats as well- any fried South Indian bakshanam and boiled corn. No quantity ever satiates me.

I am not exceptionally clean but I am obsessed with order. Inspite of knowing that babies need to be babies, etc-I just cannot help putting things back in their place.

I keep my desk at work very tidy, as I do my Kitchen platform. To the extent that people wonder if I really work at either counter!!

I really HAVE to argue it out and get convinced if I have a difference of opinion with family. I am just not accommodating enough.

Hmmm…not too many, but pretty intense the ones I do have. If I have come across as a Banshee, then it maybe true!


Off for a few days for a holiday. Will be back in time for Independence day and my very own post independence baby bday celebrations

Parfait 3

Went to this restaurant ( in Velachery) by that fancy name a couple of nights back

Essentially a bistro it serves a lot of hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, cakes and cookies ( very home made tasting and well made too) Also a few pastas.

Very nice ambiance though rather cramped. Avoid if you cannot stand the slight non veg smell that whiffs by every now and then. For me, the smell of bakes more than made up

They also have a child friendly menu. Must try the roof top experience next time( it was raining that day)

Velachery is indeed happening and some one seems to be listening to me

We are getting a Big Buzaar type of mall some where at the Brett property, a Rex Fashions and the Naihaa outlet I spoke about are opening shortly. Kumarakom has also opened a branch as has Nala Appam Kadai for the nonveg buffs.

Love All

I just realised I had not done the tag from the opposite perspective- Ceekay had tagged me a long while back.

• I admire women who seem in NO doubt about their decision either way- to stay or to work post kids.
• I am completely floored by selflessness most of all when it is worn naturally ( my parents top this list)
• I am surprised when supposed " rivals" sincerely compliment another without feeling threatened.
• I am in awe of those who keep calm and explain their point of view gently, even when provoked
• I admire those who entertain guests all the time with their own cooking ( no short cuts and not once a week)
• And yes, hats off to women for whom pregnancy has not meant a change in waist size
• I really admire those who do not form stereotypes based on region and religion
• I bow down to all Quant bonds ( Navy tops this list) who still try not to make me feel inadequate when it comes to figures
• I enjoy those with a casual style of writing, using minimal words though while painting a very vivid picture
• On the physical side, I tend to feel all those with long fingers would be good at some instrument or sketching
• I associate huge eyes with intensity and transparency of character

I guess being positively judgemental can also be rather baseless.

Good Job

Anush is very complimentary now a days

She had her very first visit to something akin to a gym school- Tumble Tots. Thoroughly enjoyed herself. More on this later.

She profusely thanked the "aunty" and wished her " Bye Tata Take care Chee you!" as we were leaving

I said" I love you Anush"
She said" Good Job!!"

Navy asked me " How is this trouser?"
She said" Nice. Superb!"

She is turning out to be a good PRO!

My favourite flower

Kumbhakarai falls near Periyakulam in Tamil Nadu. They paved the path. I tread with care and then picked one up to examine a little closer. A pinkish stalk with off white petals- just five- not too many - not too few. A yellow blush in the centre and the fragrance, at once delicate and strong. I was all of 7 years then.

Can you guess what it was?

And also what is your favourite flower, why and your oldest recollection of it?

Quickie

Zara's( a part of the Hot breads group) has changed in terms of its attractiveness since they no longer have a band. The music is way too loud for the crowd it attracts who also need to chat much louder to keep up. But their starters/ quick bites are to die for or tapas as they call it.... so indulged myself and tucked in well

Am looking to forward to seeing at least a couple of plays this year in the Metro Plus Theatre Festival which I had to give the miss last couple of years due to pregnancy and the guilt of leaving Anush behind during "our" time.

Have I learnt to let go, at least a little or is it too much ?