My own little explorer

Edited to add- Courtesy- Amma's mobile !!

Anushka woke up all excited just as her mother did. We had planned what to wear to the last detail. Even the bag she wished to carry. She had practiced opening and closing it herself . Also her shoes were such that she could handle them on her own.

This was Anush's big day.

30 October 2007 - Her first day at the "montessori" school ( they insist they are not a playschool:-)) ) at the " Reception class"- I am going to have to get used to these terms/ jargon.

Anush with her Appa and Amma in tow, went to school.
My words of wisdom to her- " Anush, be HAPPY. And if you want to go susu tell the aunty there okay?"

The "adult in charge"- RC took her to class and Anush blissfully waved tataas to us and went in. No tears or tantrums. No looking back.

We had been informed that the child has to be eased in and hence the timing was 15 minutes the first few days and then it would be gradually increased to 2 hours.

After about 20 minutes RC got Anush back. I did not even check with RC what Anush did in that time. I was just so glad to see her all charged. RC herself mentioned that Anush seemed ready to stay longer and we could try half an hour to one hour the next day.

On the journey home Anush sounded very delighted with her experience with "nice" kutty paapaas and "nice" chotta babies and the "nice" chithi ( RC).

Today Anush was seen off by her paati and me and was fine for over one hour. She also told RC and used the school loo. Halle loo ya!!

Here is wishing you many friends and a lot of learning Anushka!!

And in all this I forgot to take my camera along!!

How Art became Artnavy

Have been tagged by itw and choxbox on this rather personal tag and I am going all out- so beware.... this must be the LONGEST post ever.....

Jab we met
My dream man was defined as such - tall, dark and had to wear specs( mark of intelligence). If he had long fingers even better. STS can vouch for that.:-)
1996- A young man entered class. Sort of like a tall Salman Khan. He was a couple of days late due to his sister's wedding at Bangalore, his home town.
Navy turned out to be a complete charmer. Of course I was flattered to be the Chosen one but there was a tall dark and spectacled man around campus. He turned out to be a wolf and Navy's was the shoulder I cried on.

Hum Tum
Navy and I were such a contrast in some aspects
- Him very chilled out and me very excitable
- Him the Maths Mentor and me the one who needed a minute to compute 11 times 12
- Him the master of games, me who did not even know to cycle
- Me the early riser and him the perpetual late latif
- Me the spirited dancer and him Mr Two left feet
- Him the after shot and me the before of a Fair & Lovely ad ( a reason for us not to work - as per one jealous classmate)

Mumbai Salsa
I invited him to visit my family at home like many other friends from college, since Mumbai is only a weekend trip from A'bad. It was his first experience with Mumbai locals and he fell off the train, on to the platform & lost consciousness & was badly bruised. Being concerned about his mental state we took him to the nearest clinic we knew, run by my relative. It was in this maternity home where life blossoms, my relatives believe love bloomed amidst crying infants & pregnant women !!

Mitr- My Friend
The maths wizard helped me get a B!
He introduced me to Govinda- me- a snob when it came to Hindi movies, those days.
I helped him appreciate that all English music is not rubbish and he began to at least listen and eventually like The Beatles.
I became the Cadbury Jig Girl - the cheerleader to his batting and bowling prowess
He learnt to enjoy eating out and travelling- sometimes waking up early as well
And soon enough everyone assumed we were an "item" We did not correct the impression.

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
We spent a lot of time together and during some of the serious moments we decided we would take it full fledged if our parents agreed. Else we would part as friends. While I said that I am sure I would not have given up without a fight had there been a need.

My parents always knew he was my special someone.
During the convocation, we had our mutual friend ( God Bless her!) tag along but his mother guessed but did not mention it,

He landed a job in Chennai and I found mine in Mumbai. A few months passed- not entirely enjoyable due to his absence. . .But we were on to new jobs and had enough to occupy ourselves with.

The New Beginning
By August I was wondering if he was commitment shy and whether he would formally figure it out with his Godfather like Family.
Then during my off site internship , he came over after seeking special permission - crossed at least one sea to get there if not the seven seas. He said that his folks had agreed. No fuss at all.

And thus started a new story.....

Excalimers

Anush figures if her mom's hawaiis are too big for her, maybe they are not too big for her shoes??!!

Anush saw me rocking the empty chair next to mine and she said " Don't okay? Dhamaa dhoom falling chair!" ( repeating my instructions to her)

She told her dad who was trying to cuddle her at bed time- " Appa let me sleep!"

Seeing an Abhishekam at a temple she exclaimed" Ganesha having bath!!"

She sights planes from the balcony and then as they disappear from view, she says" Plane gone home okay."

Oh yes, Anushka's antics have made it to India Blogs list- see link on the right
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If you eat a Kit Kat in the USA it is positively different from the one in India. The Indian one belongs to Nestle(like the whole world except USA) while the US one belongs to Hershey. Discovered this after a most interesting episode on Hershey's township in Pennsylvania on Travel & Living my favourite channel these days. Will someone send me some from the US??

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We have been "blessed" with a river view property without paying for it- the drainage is so bad that one day of heavy rain this weekend has left the Velachery Main road looking like a river- luckily our flat is at an elevation - so no problem with in the building....

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Rex Fashions in Velachery is still not fully set up- it is alright in terms of the kids section - I find Shanti's better. Kobler a shoe shop near Sankaar Hall TTK road is really good in terms of its collection and the service.

Sound of Music

I have been seeing this tag do the rounds. Wondered if Navy would remember after almost 11 years. Well he was bang on! Here are " OUR SONGS"

In English- I Want To Hold Your Hand ( by The Beatles)

In Hindi-Yeh Teri Aankhen Jhuki Jhuki (The unknown Milind Gunaji movie) to begin with, followed closely by Baahon ke darmiyan ( Khamoshi)

In Kannada- Rayaru Bandaru from Mysore Malligay- a very sweet and simple song

In Tamil- More recently- Sanda koazhi koazhi ive sanda koazhi (To the Hindi readers familiar as Kabhi neem neem from Yuva) In Tamil it means "fighter cock" literally but the song is heavy on innuendo :-))
Navy added Ayyo Pathikichu which we would replay for ever in the car( talk about a ear for melody)

Some more music to do with Chennai -
Velachery has a Rex fashions & Sprouts now
Cream Centre has opened in Alwarpet and
A Home decor place from Hyderabad has just set shop here- more about these later. . .

This Dassera

Hope all of you had a great Dassera/ Durga Pooja. We sure did.

Went to a few Gollus in the building, Anush all dressed up in her pavadais.

Celebrated Saraswati Puja ( my "second favourite" festival after Karthikai)
Yesterday, was Vijayadasami and Anush had her Aksharabhyasam - the traditional initiation into education.

Centuries back it was only by rote and listening and therefore the function was all about recitation and repetition. There would be long pujas and the child would be sent to a Gurukul. Over the years the alphabet gained importance as language evolved. So writing on paddy/ rice gained entry.

Year 2007 - Anushka wore a pretty Mallu frock from Kerala and recited 2 slokas- of course her versions- Gajananam and Saraswati and added another on her own- Achyutam kesavan
After writing the Om and first letter of the alphabet she was very keen to draw circles in the raw rice which we let her do. Navy commented it could be interpreted as a zero. Well that is to auspicious beginnings!!

The Montessori system would not have appreciated this move by us- LOL! (If i recollect right, they encourage writing only post 4-5 yrs)

God's own Country

Was in Cochin and Alleppy yesterday on work. Yeah! Lucky me.

Cochin, Kochi, Eranakulam, Alleppy, Allapuzha- so many names - the place is breathtaking.

While it was a whirlwind trip, here are some observations-
Retail: The way the hardware stores, fruit, veggie shops wares are displayed is really beautiful
Waterways: It reminds one of a slightly dirty Amsterdam and one of my good friends has moved from here to Amsterdam- I am sure he is often reminded of home.
Bridges: Many around and some have collapsed- rather frightening
Nature- Truly nature has been generous to this state

This trip made me wish my grandpa had not given away the ancestral property ....:-((

And yes do not miss this: The night train takes you from Delhi to........ read on here

Laaga....

I love the original song- Laaga chunree mein daag....
Shubha Mudgal and Mita Vashisht(the recitation bit) do justice to it



A rather soppy story it is lyrical in its look throughout. Very vivid colours- reminded me of Paheli in the first half. And anyway I love Patiala salwars.

Konkona Sen and Kunal Kapoor stole the show. Rani is like the current Sowcarjanaki - cry baby. Hema Malini's appearance was a surprise. Abhishek Bachan - just looking at him is enough for me- he need not do a thing- but he was endearing all the same.

Not a must see movie. But the family's response to Rani turning to the world's oldest profession was interesting and refreshing.

In Conversation

Anush at a Golu in a paavadai from my ex boss and friend

Grammar
I was rinsing some item of clothing.
Anush- Amma! Lots of wet, lots of wet!!
Me- Yes wet but baby, you should not say "lots"...you should say....
Anush- very promptly- Amma too many wet, too many wet!!
I did not have the heart to correct her again.

Stand corrected
Amma- Love you Anush
Anush- No
Amma- You don't love me?
Anush- No Anush-KA
Amma- Okay, Love you Anushka

Syruppy tales
Anush- Amma medicine!!
Amma- No Anush. Medicines are only if you are not well
Anush - Amma Anushka "oovaa" ( nick for unwell) followed by mock coughing

Face off
Anush rushing to the other room and announcing to her father- Appa! Amma wearing new panty. Gorgeous! ( She meant pant)

Looking at the book of circles....
Anush- What ease this?
Amma- It is a round red nose
Anush- No. FACE!!

Brand reportoire
Amma "Kellogs chocos" vangalaan, (she never says just chocos.)

Each Saturday....
"Amma lets go. Property paakalaam" ( since we began house hunting every weekend)

She understands danger- at least I think so.
When the maid steps up on a ladder to clean the fan or when Navy is driving fast- she looks concerned and says" Slowly, carefully, okay??"

Saw Laaga Chunree mein daag- more on that trow.

Of Honour

Thanks Fuzzy, for deeming me worthy of this award. I wear the badge proudly as I know I am in good company. But truth be told, I though I rocked more than I networked...given my very poor commenting frequency at most blogs:-)) I would like to award this to choxbox and sunitha if they have not already been awarded

I just completed A Thousand Splendid Suns. Why does this writer, Khaled Hosseini, make one cry so much? Having said that, you cannot put this book down.


Maybe I relate more to it, since it is about the women protagonists rather than the men in Kite Runner. Sometimes melodramatic like a Hindi tear jerker, the writer's style keeps you going- very simple and direct even in describing false sense of honour, duty, abuse and pathos. The glimpses of a life full of promise and one without, the hope and the dashing of dreams. Some of the characters come alive and you wish them well.


On the whole it moves you more than you would wish to admit. A good weekend read.

Mumbai Musings

Was in Mumbai yesterday on work. Got to go home there briefly and got back to Chennai faster than on a regular work day!

Our neighbour and a close friend of the family had passed away a few days ago. He was very fit and only in his mid 60s. Full of life and beans- he lived well. They have no children but never seemed to want for it.

When you try to console someone words fail and sound so shallow. . . how can you ask them to be strong.... how can we tell them time will heal.... that at least he had a quick painless exit... And that we understand the magnitude of their loss......it is just not possible to imagine ...

Now aunty is alone. She has an elderly mother to keep her company, a dear old lady , who cannot stop wondering why God did not take her away instead. Indeed, why not?

But I am glad aunty is still working and can therefore try and distract herself at least for a while each day.

Swati, choxbox and Sue have tagged me on the name tag.
Since I do not have a middle name I will go with the blogging name- artnavy

A- Is for art. Of all kinds. Truly what keeps me going. I love scrap art, I like to sketch, dance, sing and watch others do it as well. When it comes to TV shows I love home makeovers. I wish we could do it the way they present food in the West. I also am a sucker for nature's art when it comes to travel destinations.

R- I am restless. I hardly ever persevere at anything or follow it through all the way. It is to Navy's credit that we are almost nearing 9 years of marriage!

T- Thank You. A couple of words that go a long way in making sure others know they are appreciated. Must be heart felt though else that is also apparent.

N- Non stop nonsense that anush and I keep talking- it is just so entertaining and in a way so exclusive. My parents and I still have very inane but fun chats .....

A- Andheri and Ahmedabad- where i did a lot of growing up and found my calling and my mate.

V- Varnam- Our first home which we completely own now. I can never think of selling it even if the sqt foot rate has trebled.

Y- You. All of you who have touched me in some way, taken the time out to read some of my rambling, indulged me, questioned me, made life worthwhile.

I tag sts, itw and all of you who are intereted in doing this tag...

Back at last

Was away at Fluland the whole of last week. Anush went there first and then decided she should take us along as well. So the entire clan has been snorting and coughing and walking in a daze through the last few days.

My longest break this has been from Blogsville!! Thanks a lot for those of you who were concerned about my absence:-))

I see I have a few tags to do- will do them shortly.

Saw Johnny Gaddar last night to celebrate my return to normalcy- Nitin Mukesh's son plays the " hero" and he can be the next Hrithik if he wishes to..... just needs a healthy tan. He acts well in this gripping and intriguing mystery. Such a contrast of a debut to Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam's.