Gifted!

Anush declared that she wanted to dress up in a paavadai chattai for school it being her parents’ wedding anniversary. She also insisted on sharing nuts ( peanuts) with her classmates. We coaxed her to take cashews instead. She seems to have told her teacher” This is my way of sharing happiness on my parents’ Kalyanam day!!” Kala tikka.

Anush and I also got into Shruti’s hall of fame with our puzzle block India map for June’s Artsy Craftsy!! Thanks Shruti, though we thought the corn to be our cooler entry:-)

South Indies Infantry road was where we went for dinner last night.

The good- I loved the takeaway gift- a small bharani pickle jar with ginger pickle in it. The food was excellent in terms of the choice and the starters were great. The ambiance was lovely. Aditi behaved really well at the restaurant though we had a just miss instance with a ceramic plate.

The bad- the main course was a bit too gravy/ spicy for our taste. The dessert was a complete let down.

The ugly- Also if one person at the table orders a set menu thali, the entire table has to have set meals!!

On the other hand we had a wonderful Rajasthani- Gujrati meal from Chowka, Tippasandra, home delivered, on my parent’s wedding anniversary last week. This was really tasty though the portions are so huge it makes it a bit too much of a good thing

The Chennai Chronicles VI- Juicy Chat

In my early days in Chennai, I was amused by people saying - Shall we go for chat? -pronouncing it as 'chat' !! Now the word is not as mispronounced and there are many eateries which offer you good chaat.

But true authentic bhel lovers will find the murmura ( puffed rice ) here too thick- it is more the jaalmurri kind.

Here are some of the outlets that we like:

Madras Bhel puri- in T nagar- a small little stall in the lane beside Naidu Hall and Raymonds- the guy makes a delightful bhel salad

Kailash Parbat- the most recent one to open in Chennai - helps relive my Bombay days- they even made me sukhi bhel or at least attempted to!

Ajnabee- In Egmore, with lots of Gujju farsaan as well

Shree Mithai- Best at Chetpet but available at other branches

Mansukhs- in T nagar and Alwarpet, more known for their Rajasthani thali

Street shop- Nungambakkam- Outside Karishma boutique

Makkhan chor- a taste of Mathura- Cenotaph road

Gangotree- multiple branches, we like the T nagar one a lot

Cream Centre- St Marys road and Nungambakkam- Fantastic stuff- you can even opt for a chat platter

Just revisited the OTBT series I had done long ago and my old write up on Chennai street food for Metro Mela (the pics that have been updated seem irrelevant though) .

As for juice, go here :

Gream's road Fruit shop

Haji Ali Juice Centre off Greams Road

Aavin stalls offer yummy buttermilk called "more"

The juice shops at Kovai Pazhamadir- all branches

Also try out these local juice shops:

- The juice shop opp Kirtilals in Alwarpet

- The juice counter at the Petrol bunk next to Pizza Hut Nungambakkam

- The roadside coconut water guy

- and the Neera that you get occasionally

Wow! I got this award from itchy. Flattered even more by what she had to say about me and the company I am in! Though each and every blogger I know is creative in one way or another , I would like to particularly pass the award on to:

Shruthi

Sheela

TPLover

Sugarcraft

Tulika

Keep the creative juices flowing! It is so energising !

The Chennai Chronicles- I -The beginning

And now for something I warned you about ....

It all began in 1999... no in fact early 1998....a young lad in MICA was tense. Most of his class mates had been placed. He was the "Studbhai" of the class and somehow had not yet landed a job of his choice. He was finally placed with the leading English newspaper of the South and came to Chennai. His tremendous rise there is a wonderful story in itself. Maybe some other time.

Back in 1998, his girl was placed on Day One in a job in Mumbai where her parents dwelt. It was also the city of her choice.

But the lovebirds, at least the female one, could not stay apart for long. Since the girl found a job easily in Chennai, she decided to move places. ( So my feminist friends need not question the move) They got married in 1999 mid year and began playing house in a 3rd floor flat in T nagar. First mistake.

I mean - NEVER ever opt for a flat which has only a terrace above in Chennai. Irrespective of all the weather proofing, trees around, nice view, place to dry clothes, private terrace.... claims made by builders/ landlords.....Even with an AC the heat will kill you.

Art cursed Chennai every time she ventured out herself -all through the first year- the weather and the transport sucks she said. You see they did not have a car then and she relied on the maddening autos of Madras.

And yes, another grievance was the water- so salty that it took its toll on all the fittings in a rather house proud Art.

It was to be a temporary move to Chennai, since neither Art nor Navy had roots here- he being from Bangalore and she from everywhere and among them -most of all- Mumbai.

Little did they know.....

To be continued....

It is pouring!!
We learn so much from the incredibly talented bloggers who contribute to this blogger's contests and have tons of fun with the tasks from this blog. It is an added bonus when you get awarded for it!! Thanks a lot!! Anush is pleased and said " Trow, I want to say Thank you to this computer aunty."

And thanks some more for the other award! That is really sweet and generous of you Shruti.

An unexpected Award

Sands flattered me with this sisterhood award. A real pity that we could not meet in December though she was right here in Chennai.

Being an only child I cannot claim I really understand this bond but an award is an honour and Sands, thank you!

As per the rules of this award, I should be passing this award to five (though in fact it should go to all on my must read list and a few more) :

Choxbox and Blogeswari- I am amazed at how often our thoughts/ interests match respectively. I admire the former's attitude to raising her kids and the latter's sense of humour and style.

Apu- if ever I had a sis of choice, she should have been like Apu- a great friend, an excellent writer, very deep and perceptive- I wish she would write more fiction as well

AgelessBonding's Usha and Boo- among my inspirations to blog - very strong women, witty and sharp - I look forward to their not so regular posts

So ladies, do continue the tag. Now for the other fine print related to tagging etc:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 5 blogs which show great ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE.
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link this post to the person from whom you received your award.

Slippery Tales and More

Self- "Do you like your Mickey slip ons Ansuh?"
Anush- "No amma Minnie mouse. Yes I like them very much" ( on closer inspection I had to agree)
Navy- " Will you buy me a pair Anush? "
Anush- "No appa this is for children. You are too big na?!"

At school loudly, as Navy was dropping her off- " Appa!! P chithi's dupatta and your shirt are matching matching!!"

She misses my father (thaathu) since he has moved to Delhi. Here is what she had to say last night, " I will drive a plane, put a seat belt, take everybody , go to Delhi, catch thaathu and put a seat belt for him and bring him back to Chennai. . ." much to our amusement and a faint sadness.

And yes, I am flattered. Got awarded twice more - the proximity award from StarryNights and Justanothemommy. Thanks guys.
My blogger is still giving me trouble - am unable to link or even add pics on posts. . .have done the tag before. So please excuse.

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.