Old Flame

Anush rediscovered her love for playdough and made this and a lot more stuff a couple of days ago. In the background is her new book shelf already overflowing with books- old and new.

Check out this not so new MM episode if you wish. The second serial is not online and not sure if it will be either.

Discovering Bangalore!

After the Book Fair, last week, we discovered some more wonders of Bangalore this weekend.

The Strand Book fair was not as exciting as the one in Mumbai but still a good destination. Lovely service as always. We passed by a lot of Warli Art on our way to meet Abha's newborn.

Any baby is a miracle and a wonder to behold! Abha jr is very cute and I thought relatively, Aditi is grown up indeed.

Went to the Kadalekkai festival at the Bull Temple. Lovely Village Fair feel. And no there were no monkeys despite the abundance of peanuts. In fact we overheard someone saying the prices had doubled on account of the fair. We saw groundnuts from AP, TN and Karnataka. It is held on the last Sunday and Monday of the Karthikai month. Today the Nandi will be adorned by a peanut garland we were told.

Ate at Halli Thindi down the road where the Avarakkai upma proved to be yummy.

Also acquired our first Sanjhi work and saw an artist in action at the Hundred Hands initiative. And the much desired Chumbak for our fridge magnet collection.

If all that was not enough excitement we also did some fun art and craft that you can see on the side bar and here....blue ice/ block print/ tea-house....









And do catch the most updated episode of the online Mister Muthu on the side bar.

Random weekend

Some friends visited our Golu and we went for a few more , read a lot of library kids books, saw an awesome movie- Julia and Julie. All in all a great weekend!!

It is pouring generosity, got a pram from a friend so that we do not need to buy one for just a few more months of use...


MasterChef 'India' is not Pan India ( as usual caters only to the North , based on viewership- TRPs of course) and pretty pale in comparison to the one in Australia. Maybe too early to comment...

I loved this episode that I did of Mister Muthu a few months ago, ( see the side bar for the link) updated online recently. Do look up the illustrations at least!

Nature Nurture

Just a couple of days and it will be one year... twelve months... this time last year I had decided to opt for the C sec as advised by the doc. What has changed.... well many things! What has not- my size :- O...

Click on the side link for my updated episode of Muthu online . It was supposed to be Nature Nurture and also you will find the online one has lot of typos. Not my doing but....

Every bird is an Island

Apart from various other concepts/ "envelopes", Anush has been introduced to islands , lakes and other water/ land forms.

She was doing this finger painting when she pointed at the wing and exclaimed, Oh... this is like an island amma!



Here is a peacock free hand by her don't miss the clouds and sun and so on...

Catch the latest online episode of Mister Muthu( link on the side bar)

Kids stuff for Adults

All of you who are going to the Korean kids play today enjoy yourselves. Mister Muthu has been favourably mentioned twice in the July issue's letters to Chandamama! Highlighting this post at ST again since only one person seems to have read it so far...

On to Fear factor

Here is my take on the brilliantly done tag from Sandhya:

I have no fear of death, new things/ places, heights, cockroaches, speed, travel/ sleep/ stay at night/ alone…..so I must be fairly brave. BUT....

1. I am afraid of/ repelled by creepy crawlies. Except cockroaches.
2. I am scared of failure/ embarrassing myself. Even though I am usually well planned, prepared, etc. Now when I see this in Anushka, I am trying to help her and myself.
3. I am scared of hurting anyone even inadvertently. Possibly why I do not drive on our ‘rule loving’ country’s roads
4. I am scared of losing loved ones. I always pray that I go before they do.
5. I am scared of losing things. So I do not wear expensive jewelry.
   

"Am I afraid of high notes? Of course I am afraid. What sane man is not?" said Luciano Pavarotti. So I am not scared to admit I still suffer from performance anxiety at work. Even if I am really well prepared. Even if I have been to the same office and had the same boss for 9 years now.

Bhayam, Bhay, Fear is important. It helps us do better, to grow, to plan , to anticipate. But beyond a point it thwarts.

There was this movie in Tamil- Tenali- rather nice one in Kamal’s comic-pathos genre. Tenaliki ellam bhayam- meaning Tenali is afraid of everything…..Most of it stems from a troubled childhood.

The Bird Who Was Afraid to Clean the Crocodile's Teeth helped me emphasise to Anushka that appearances can be deceptive.

The Eagle Who Didn't Want to Wear His Glasses Anymore was a good way to let Anush know that being different is okay, especially now since she wants to confirm even in terms of eating junk ( so far she was not into it)

I am going to be a Big Sister reassured her about her role and place at home was getting bigger and not lesser due to the new addition.

Curious George helped explain why a visit to the hospital/ doc is alright and even fun and helpful

A couple of the Berenstein bears, Jungle Book, Dora, Winnie, all have helped her appreciate the need to be independent and that it opens new vistas / adventures if one is so.

Here is a fantastic resource ( but by no means exhaustive) for helping younger kids cope with fear , some direct and some subtle.

So yes, we are fighting our demons and hope to grow up together into more courageous individuals.

You won't belive it...

Aditi is turning into a little devil. We stayed at a lodge in Lpuram and I had taken Anush to the common loo.

When I returned what did I see...OMG!

She had opened and clambered into the table cabinet ALL by herself
Navy was half awake, very tired and had been "watching" her.

Thank God she had not got hurt, was my first recation.

After seeing her completely happy and moving around in that little space, I clicked away. Here is my favourite shot of Her Highness...

Do click on the side bar for a new episode of Mister Muthu.

Of dosas and the moghuls

Had dosas at the Uphaar Darshini in Jay nagar- rated as among the best in B'lore by some magazine....it was good. The rava dosa was very different though- it had no holes!! Also noticed a shop called Davasam Jewellers !!( it means death anniv in Tamil)

Finished reading the Empire of the Moghuls- Raiders from the North- very interesting historical fiction- this one was on Babur. ( more factual than Philipa Gregory )

Pl click the side bar link for Mister Muthu's new on line episode.

Best Anushism over the weekend- "So this is a flask for food?" pointing at a hot keep.
Best Aditty- " baabaabaabaa- akka- ayyyyeeee!!", yes, my baby is trying very hard to baby talk.

Had a get together of all under 25 yr old cousins of Navy. Great fun and I felt rejuvenated. They compared my SILs place with ours and summarised- "B's is an old house with cool stuff, Yours is a cool house with old stuff"... are you listening/ reading B?

Met an old mutual friend U with her kids last night. Great to see the kids bond!

Books and (dis)comfort

Discovered a jigsaw puzzle from Karadi( wonder if they make jigsaws anymore). This is a 6 in 1 - about The Birth of Krishna. I did not even recollect it. I seem to have left it a while ago, maybe even before Anush, for my niece, at my ILs' place. Anush is having great fun with it now. Such hand me downs are wonderful!

But this particular one is also difficult in terms of having to explain the story- why anyone, however bad, would kill a baby.

On similar lines had difficulty with And Land was born from Tulika which talks of God tearing up a baby jugni mata...though that ends better with more jugni matas being born...

The latest issue of Chandamama, carries a letter which states "Mister Muthu was marvellous!" The online updates come with a time lag and are also pending on the website. So cannot link up to the episode which may have elicited that response.

Dolls - different kinds

Here is Anush at the puppet parade

I was in Chennai on work and stole a few minutes to get back some yummy Imaampasand/ Himan pasand. Here .is one of my treasured posts on the subject and an episode of Mister Muthu on the same

I am a Bangalorean!

Went for my first Blogger Meet as a Bangalorean. It was a surprise shower planned by all the lovely ladies here for COS. So am I now a baptised Bangalore blogger? Need to change it on my profile I guess.

I relived my wonderful baby shower thrown by the Chennai gang, not so long ago.
Settling in well into my work, with the net connection coming in, though it is pressuresome to remote manage some urgent requests. The weekly trips should be useful though very hectic.

Got my Chandamama issue delivered to Bangalore address. Check out the latest Mister Muthu online episode on the side bar

Navy's parents visited and were delighted by the home and the kids.

Do look up my post at ST on a writer- illustrator I find really witty.

Went to Corner House, which is just a short drive from home and enjoyed the menu card as much as the sinful dessert. There is a Parsi restaurant there and Bombay Bhel in the adjoining . And me thinks their newly launched Belgian waffle is in honour of our moving to Blore!! Just kidding.

The Chennai Chronicles VII- Blogging Chums

Edited to add-

Last evening we had a lovely meet with most of the regulars, a farewell for crazymom and artnavy- as we move on to Blore.

It also was also a welcome party and the bday of a new Chennai blogger- ardra.

Needless to add there was music, masti and majaa

Happiness always multiplies when you share and I enjoyed sharing my little joys and big ones here with bloggers.

I still recall my first 'live' meet was with Hiphopgmom on one of her visits to Chennai in 2007. Me- a rookie mom and novice blogger and she a veteran grandma blogger!

The bloggers I have met since include the ones from Chennai and also some world famous ones who visited Chennai.

I will never ever forget the wonderful Baby shower I had right here for Aditi.

Blogging also is what led to the Mister Muthu series getting published in Chandamama. ( while on it check out the new online episode on the side bar here)

So from now on, when I read about Chennai blog meets, I will really miss you Chennai mommy bloggers - even more. Maybe I could remain on the mail list so that I can dash down to Chennai or time an office trip accordingly!

Yes we will be in touch on-line- but it is just not the same. Soem of the friends I made here through blogging- have gone on to become very dear family friends. You know who you are and I hope you visit us in Bangalore!

But I look forward to being on the list at Bangalore blogger friends meets.

MMM

Chandamama Feb issue carried this glowing letter from a reader on Mister Muthu- I am flying!!
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Pl catch an interview of Sowmya Rajendran at Saffron Tree- a really charmingly witty author.

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Bt brinjal aside, I wish to state my concern that I hardly get to see Kamala oranges anymore. Ditto with Indian corn We found a few Kamlas yesterday and I was telling Anush their name, since she called them baby oranges, when she chuckled and said Kamala Narayanee Aditi?

Updates

My visit to office went off well with a warm welcome from those who matter.

Aditi and my mother managed well and my regular maid pitched in as well.

Today I will go for a longer duration and Anush may also miss me. But I feel everything will regularise in a week or so. Let us see....

Do check out my review at Saffron Tree of a book we love and the new episode of Mister Muthu( refer the right side- bar)

A little Prayer

Anush saw mosquito bites on Aditi's legs. She went up to the Puja and said" Ummachi, ( God) please give Aditi strength to shoo away the mosquitoes" Anyway I have started putting on pyjamas for Aditi post that day.

Aditi on her part has a gorgeous smile and cooing that she has reserved for Anushka. Also she responds to Anushka's singing very happily. So Anush gives us gyaan on how to take care of Aditi.

Yesterday, both my babies got their polio drops, the first time for Aditi. Anush asked very wisely" So all children in the whole city of India will take these drops?"

Catch a new Mister Muthu episode by clicking on the link on the side bar.

The weekend that was

Last year we had carved a pumpkin for Halloween. This year we just had plain simple fun as a family. went for a party and surprised Anushka with Navy coming home early when Anush was on the phone with him.

We attended the famous blogger twins' birthday and this was also Aditi's introduction to social dos. Aditi was a doll but slept right through.

Anush had a great time and mentioned that she would not have the Tom and Jerry cake since it was not Mickey or Minnie Mouse.

She also noted the flute glass visual on the Appy drink and wanted to know if it was Cheers!!

The candle was wonderful and this is the first time I am seeing one like this. It kept lighting up as the kids kept blowing it out!

It has been ONE year since Mister Muthu came into print. This Nov issue has been illustrated really well. Those of you who can pick up please do so and the others who read it online- I guess will have to wait a couple of months for it.

Navarathri special

I took Anush to my office golu on Saturday. She was fascinated not just with the dolls, a lot of which I was proud to note that she could identify, but thought my room was "amazing" though my boss's room was bigger. She enjoyed the joolah in our office aangan as well and was wondering why my friends were not around.

We visited an organic veggie shop near Infosys on OMR and she discovered that Navy likes green tomatoes.

Sunday we managed another golu courtesy Minka's apartment which puts up a great show- truly grand with performances by kids and teenagers and a pretty cosmopolitan crowd

Saw Unnaipol Oruvan, a Tamil remake of Wednesday. It did not capture our interest as much as the original- possibly because we knew what to expect. While Mohanlal was better than Kamal, Shruti Hassan's music score was good and the two mid level police guys were very handsome and competent.

Chandamama website recently updated the Mister muthu episodes- 3-4 new ones there- pl do visit and catch up....

Velachery update
Brown tree( a shop like Nuts and spices) , Tapas ( a coffee pub) , The chocolate shop ( on bypass road) have all opened in Velachery as also a veg restaurant called Krishna ( on Taramani rd) and The Rock( opp Adyar anand bhavan). Not yet been to any of them and unlikely to do so in the near future.... let me know if you visit them.

Balanced diet and Dates

Anush here in the t shirt from Poppy

The caption says "A balanced diet is an ice cream in each hand" .....cool! Anush was amused to see dates like these. She is used to eating the dried ones only.

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My mother had to do a few days internship with Abacus as part of her Montessori training. A very helpful mother of Anush's classmate- N ( a little boy) - volunteered and dropped Anush home each day.

Now that my mom has again taken charge of fetching Anush from school, N is distressed at not having his travel date!! This is so sweet. . . I had been wanting to pick up some gift for the mom, now I have to find something special for the little guy.

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Yesterday was the long service award ceremony at office( 5yrs and 10 yrs) - now they need to institute the 15 yr award since a couple of employees seem to be clocking in as much next year!!

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If you have the time and inclination, you could catch up with the much delayed update - Mango Mania episode in Mister Muthu's on line version.

Labels and all

This issue of Chandamama has Mister Muthu book labels among other Chandamama super hero labels!! Cool hai naaa?

I was a real sucker for school labels. Had favourite characters and associated better luck/ intelligence with some.

For example I would place a Phantom label on the maths book but a Lothar label on the history one, which i could do well in even if I did not try. . . Did you have such quirks?

And yeah one for the weekend- can you guess what this is?

Hopes

Does anyone know where I can find jig saw glue in Chennai or even India? The kind you apply on the top so that you can carry it without breaking it up for framing- In case you wonder why I wish to frame it- that is what I have been doing for years with puzzles that are over 1000 pieces. Hope one of you help me find it.

Last night we saw Super Singer on Vijay TV. Ranjani was awesome. She happens to be my favourite contestant. Hope she becomes a professional play back singer whether she wins or not.

Hope you guys catchup with Mister Muthu in Chandamama . The website just has a new episode now. See side bar for the link.

It drizzled early on in the morning- a welcome start to the day. Hope the weather stays cool...