Vedu Chronicles - Little Helper

Organizing and cleaning my home and room has been my forte. A cluttered room causes unrest in me. But that does not mean my home or room is always clean.

With V's birth I realized how messy a home can get, how busy I can be and how finicky I am about clean home. Till he was two there were two things I could not come to terms with- I will not be getting my 7-8 hrs undisturbed sleep and a clean home for 1 hr. The interrupted meals due to baby crying, eating, shitting etc are just bonus. But the first too were just too much. It's only after his 2nd birthday I realized that not accepting and coming to terms with it were causing too much stress in me. 

It began fun with this toddler helping in folding clothes, mopping floors, cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming , chopping veggies, stirring pots and pans, emptying dish washer ! These two little legs and hands became busy body trying to impress me. It was fun to sit back and see him following the routine which he unconsciously was observing me.

For instance last night I was washing utensils and this little one wanted me to read him the night time book. I told him 10 minutes and he went away. He comes back with the broom and starts sweeping the kitchen floor, emptying the dust pan and getting his water bottle for a refill. He did not do anything the way I wanted to but the very thought he put behind it filled me up with joy.

The one thought which has always crossed my mind is to make V realize that there is no women chores and men chores. He has seen that at home so I am sure this will not be a daunting task for me to carry. My acha has always helped Amma in his little ways and same with R during weekends when he is home he does his share. The enlisting of chores at home made sense in olden ages with men were out working and ladies stayed back home. Now when both of them are working whether at home or out there, this nullifies the division of work. 

I witnessed this situation at a person's home, when a boy wants to help and mother does not give him any job but the sister is asked to sweep the verandah. And Aunty told me, "He is a boy." I was stunned. That does not make him any special as both of them were studying for their exams. Just like how they ask does the girl know to cook, why not ask the same question in reverse? Does she know to take care of home? Does he know too?

Love

V

(I don't edit my post after writing :) So forgive me for the errors I did not intend on making.)

Rains, Tea, Routine and Little star...

With the rain comes this innate desire to sip a hot cup of tea. Yes! Its raining heavily with the company of thunder and lightning. I love it when the brightness in nature dips giving us a forecast of heavy rains on its way. A tea-addict that I am, what more does one need. Ambience is set. Vedanth is busy rowing his make-shift boat of a diaper carton and having a whale of a time. I love it when he plays on his own, not only does it give me time to finish off my chores or just sit, but it also blossoms his creativity whole bound. He talks to his imaginary friends and includes all the people who has been mentioned or been in his life. The moment he sees me, then it goes, boom!

Having a toddler running around is one thing which keeps me in the moment and yet my mind goes like a planner. I have to accept that it indeed is tiring as Vedanth is yet to sleep through the night and wakes up like the Sun. He better continue this to his schooling days :) The waking up I meant. And then making bed, listening to him talk-talk, brushing my teeth first so that he has time to observe me doing it, so it becomes less war-ish to brush his, and getting the breakfast ready, having it, cleaning the area, skyping back home and then is when Mr Vedanth begins his play. I go on to chat with amma, prepare a cup of tea and listen to her, watch her cook, or exchange the gossips of the day... then I start cooking, with tips and tweaks from her and she goes off to sleep. Then chat with either my sister, other family or friends back in India. It is funny how a conversation can decide the mood of the day.  Mornings I am on India timings.

Evenings are kind of laid back. This is the time when I do my spiritual practice, which may be a 10 min meditation or a 40 min (Sudarshan Kriya and some yoga). These minutes are properly overseen by my busy toddler, who find his mother more lovely, then other times, as I am showered with kisses, hugs and calls of Amma! Amma! until I open my eyes and look at him and smile :) Hey! Atleast something is better than nothing ... Thats my policy. This has helped me put a check on my temper, energized my system and have a jolly day in totality. I try to squeeze in reading too in-between all this, as I love reading and don't want to loose touch with it ...

So now over to my son, who has moved on to Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star :)

Love
V

Tennesee Tryst...

Vedanth is 18 months and he keeps me busy. But he is not the reason for me not being active on blogging though I would happily put it all on him. In between the last post and this post lots have happened, which thanks to mommy brain, I have forgotten. We shifted from our old apartment to the new one, had my in-laws with me, went back to India as Viji was getting married, came back, homesickness and was getting into the routine of full-time Mom. I actually love it. Babies love routine! Me too! But I am bored the second day of the routine... :(

Now we are here in Tennesee as R has his project going live here and he had known that he would not be able to fly down to Chicago for two weeks. So we planned a road trip with little one in the back and reached here safely and happy. With an infant, its funny how fast we converted this apartment into a home. Baby-safe home :). So quick that the next day early morning breakfast was Hot Dosa with Vedu's favorite Cilantro-Mint Chutney. He did miss his home back in Chicago after the initial hullabaloo. 

There are things I wanted to blog about but I am blocked by my mind. Its funny how, when something happens, my mind goes, "Woah! you should blog about this." And then laziness takes over. When I am actually free, I sit idle. Day-Dreaming. Its so nice to do nothing, though initial minutes go in contemplating how do i have nothing to do :P

Today I took the flashy laptop of mine from the dungeons, wiped it connected it and decided I will blog. So thats an achievement. If this is not, what is?

Anything you want me to blog about? 

Love

V

Veendum oru Vishu :-)

Relationships and festivals are the times when I have double joy on being born as an Indian! We Indians give equal importance to Culture, Relations as well as Food. The moment when all the three come together is known as 'Festival' which equals celebration. Sitting far away from my Motherland as well as Mother, my nostalgic feathers have already started floating around. Being a wife now, and Ratheesh, a lover of Sadhya (Feast) here I am making it special for Us. Someone had said it right, 'Marriages' can change everyone, in a good way of course.

Vishu Kani (The first sight of  our-self,the harvested items, flowers, light and the Lord, during the auspicious time of Brahma Muhurtham)  and Vishu Kaineetam (Token given my elders to the younger lot) are my favorite callings.
Here are some old photos of my native :-)

Vishu is the time when we reach back to our roots, back in Cheruthazam and Kannadi Paramb. The site of fully-blossomed fields, water rippling in the lakes and the insects and animals having a noisy time is music to one's soul. When my grandfathers' were here, all the things kept for Vishu Kani, is proudly produced in our fields. It is just like thanking the Mother-Nature for the gifts! Welcoming and thanking the grace of nature, filled with gratitude :).

Kani is arranged by the elders in the family. The fun part for us kids was going in search for Kani Konna. In order to induce the fun part, I personally feel, the tree has only flowers, but are above our reach. We cousins took our first step in team-work, negotiations, profit and loss, communication with the top management as well as climbing the ladders (literally) in our personal lives, from these from pre-days' of Vishu experience. We are always involved in Hit (with stones on to the flowers) and Run (Away, before the owners catch) cases.

                                                                    Kani Konna Poov :)

 Grandparents would ask us to have early dinner and sleep till the wee hours of morning. But that is the moment when we cousins lie down in verandah discussing, how to spend the money we would be earning. In layman terms it is also known as,counting the eggs before it hatches ;). An hour suddenly seemed to be made up of nearly hundred and fifty minutes. However the time arrives.

                                          The Kani arranged at my Ammavan's Place (Photo: Deepak Varma)

Kani is shown on age-basis. At Amma's place I adorn the crown of first grand-child :-) So my eyes are covered by wet hands of my Ammuma (maternal grandmother). That is the time when I realize how excited she is to surprise us. The moment I am made to sit in front of the Kani I am in awe. The gleam in my eyes! Ah! Memories!

                                     Busy preparing for the Sadhya ;-) (Viji kutty don't tell Ammuma ;-)

Ladies of the house get busy with the preparation for the main feast. The general jobs which I take up after, that mornings's collection (remember I had mentioned about Kaineetam. Yes! We don't trouble our elders, we go to them :-) is grating coconut or chopping easy vegetables or the most boring job of stirring non-stop! Grating coconut is a chore in itself. If this duty is done then the Sadhya is 3/4th done. However the interest decreases with the increasing number of coconuts :-( I know my Economics. I am ashamed to admit that Sadhyas' were never an enticing part of the festivals for me till I went to Mysore for my higher studies. I had taken Sadhya for granted. I apologize to her, for ill-treating her. Though, I don't think she would mind as she is loved and followed open-mouthed by many :). But I admit today, I love Sadhya!

This year for the first time I decided to step into my Amma's footsteps and adorn the cooking cap! I am sure once they see the photo of my result, along with their mouth even their eyes would water :'). Yes! my parents would be proud of me for sure :-) Oh my Pullinji(Sweet and sour ginger) is simmering on the stove and Payar Thoran (long beans) is ready to sizzle in the oil. Will get back as soon as possible!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year !!

Love
Vini

AK-35 and not a Pappu!!!!

Yesterday was a Big Day! Bigger than the Valentines Day. Why? What's so special about it? One of my YES! 2 Teacher, Mr Arvind Varchaswi, (Nephew of H H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar :) My Guru) and Ms Srividya Natarajan (A good friend of mine and a YES!+ Teacher) got married in the Ashram. Ashram weddings are worth the wedding. Red and gold wedding which a Bride or a groom has always imagined become reality in this place which is 'Heaven' for most of us. And in the Presence of Master, No one can wish anything more.

Yesterday was also Celebration day for the three important people, who have touched my life. Ashok Prasad Ji, Suman and Kullu. It was their B-day. Ashok Bhaiya's Anniversary too along with his Birthday. Chala Cool :)  These three people are very much connected and also involved with the etching and polishing of my life. They required to be here on Anuboothi!

My sister had done YES!+ and was raving about it,when I was in Mysore. So I come to Mangalore and decide that I need to do YES!+. Sharika too was thoroughly in love with the same, which made the intensity even more stronger. At that time there was no YES!+ teachers here in Mangalore, so they were imported :). A date was announced and I called up Prashanth Etan who asked me to come to the Centre, in order to register. Happily I gallop to the Centre and register myself. Prashanth Etan tells me the teacher is here and I meet Ashok Bhaiya. OMG! This is the same person I always see with Guruji.

Yes! Ashok Bhaiya was G's PA for long. I smile even more. He asks me my name. (Yippie! Guruji's PA wants to know my name :P) I say, 'Vini' and he nods his head and asks me about the various colleges in Mangalore. And I volunteer the information and it goes on. By then Sharika is there and he says, "Come lets go to the nearest College, Vinu and Saarika :)". We have corrected him, about our names, but he loves calling us this way, so we happily oblige! He gives talks and says we need 60 students for YES!+. I have registered, so only 59 more to go :) He is this body of energy and total surrender, I realize.

Our heads are thinking 60 students?!?!? And we organize this really big talk for him at Canara College, Mangalore. We are proud of our work and call him to come. He says over the phone, "Listen! Vinu and Saarika, I am not going to come for the talk. I have sent 2 beautiful and smart girls to give the talk. (I am literally reeling!) Their names are (No ways! No ways!) Vinu and Saarika." We argue! We give him justifications and what not. But he won. We spoke to over 500 students that day. We got registrations trickling to 10-11 students. Since that day there was no looking back. On the D-Day we had 60 Students for the course, including me :). Speak of Sankalpa!

Ashok Bhaiya is a true leader, who believes in empowering youth, and making more leaders. He does this beautifully through Knowledge, Sadhana, Fun and Surrender. He made our lives a Guru Story. Whenever you call him, you know he will answer the call. He is this push a person needs, the lift a person picks. I became a teacher and am still in awe about the way he takes the sessions. I am so proud to say that I took my first course, sitting beside him. He is a beautiful being, whose watch word are love, care and The Guru. :)


Love

me

ONE PICTURE :)

Tin Tin Ti Din...

ITS ME :)

2 Songs :)

Will there be any person in this world who can choose two songs out of gazillion great songs? I wonder. Then I re-read the topic. Its a "Challenge". So here it is...


* The song that came to my mind first was, "Raat Kali Ik Kwaab me ayee... " From the movie, "Budha Mil Gaya" . I heard this song before, but after Art of Living, heard The Vikram Hazra singing and I fell for it :)


* 'In the Ghetto' by Elvis  Presley. I love the lyrics, and it leaves one silent and gives a reality-check, on life.


* 'Oru Chembaneer Pooviruthu njanomale'. I am a Malayalee , so a Malayalam song is imperative.This is a song from the movie 'Sthiti', sung by Sri Unni Menon. It is a beautiful song. Even if you don't understand Malayalam, the melody is enough to make you sit back and relax.


Love
me

Three Films :)

This is how it goes..........

1. My Fair Lady:


I love this movie so much, hence it is here. Watched it for the first time, in the Journalism Studio at St Aloysius College, Mangalore. Audrey Hepburn made be laugh and ponder on the usage of language. Its an epic and 'must watch' movie I must say.


2. Manichitrathazu:


A movie which made history. Fazil's direction, Mohanlal,s acting and the film thriving on Shobana's presence. I have watched this movie more than ten times, and still watch with the same fizz. This movie encapsulates tradition, modern medicine, superstitions, relationships, and the family. The Nagavalli- Oru Murai dance by Shobana makes me regret on not having continued my dance class :(


3. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai


I love this movie. This is another movie which I have watched record number of times. This is like a chick-flick and I love it. Kajol, in this movie is exceptional. Am I getting bored of this movie?!!?!


In 3rd position I have Peaceful Warrior too. I wanted all 3 languages included so mentioned KKHH first :P
I remember I dozed off watching this movie. I had to watch this once again and realized that, for people who are spiritual, this movie gives them a glimpse of 'How life works!'.


I like Bommarillu. This is the movie which Sri enacted and explained to me in detail. Yes! Titles included and frame by frame. It took her, more or less seven hours. I love Hasni's charactor in this movie and I do feel sometimes that I have taken some tips from her too :)

Love
me

4 Books :)

I am thankful to my parents for having inculcated the reading habit in me. I remember my parents insisting on reading since my childhood. Tinkle, Gokulam, Champak were a must haves, if I was supposed to board a train or travel. Then there were this series of General Knowledge books and quizzes became my favourite pastime.

Being a bookworm of late, limiting my likes to 4 books is challenging. I am attempting it though.


1. The first book which I is very close to my heart would be the book, "The Guru of Joy" by Francois Gautier. This is a book about my Master, from a different angle. The book takes you into a world, which is like sailing through memories. I have laughed, cried, smile, felt sad, intense longing and gratitude towards the 'VERY EXISTENCE'. That's one time, I began counting my blessings.


2.  "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen. I am not very sure why this book kept creeping  into my list. It was in my syllabus of Bachelor of Arts (BA). Prof Lourdswamy, HOD of Dept. of English was the person who mesmerized us into Bennet household, the atmosphere of the Century and the ways of the important characters. Okey... I love this book. :)

3. "Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown!!! This is a special book for many reasons. This is a book which I sat and read in one sitting. It is even more memorable as I bought this book in the streets of Bangalore. I was forced to buy, by my friend, Sachin, who is no more with us. Every time I hear about this book, I have this whole bargaining, he did for this book, coming like a movie.

4. "Many Lives, Many Masters"- Brian Weiss. It is a book, which gave answers to many of the'Why is it happening like this, with me?????!!!' questions :) It shifts something within you and it is beautiful.


love

5 Foods :)

I am thin and slim, and that does not mean I am starving or I do not like food. So I have my menu here. But it is interesting to note that I am not picky about food items, though am a hard-core vegetarian, for that matter. I do not have a sweet-tooth too, in all its fullness.:) With this I begin....


1. Amma's cooking - I never liked home food much, but once I started travelling around and had my share of hostel-life, Amma's servings became Prasadam for me. Whether it was her Aviyal, Sambhar, Rasam, Bitter-gourd curry, Inji Curry, Macroni, Charmuri, Pazhampori, anner Curry, Babycorn masala, Biriyani, Vegetable kurma or anything she  touches becomes a delicacy. My mouth as always has started watering :(

2. My other Amma's (MIL) Sambhar is one of the amazing Sambhars I have tasted. That was the first item, I tasted, prepared by her. She prepared, this baby-potato fry and ladyfinger items, I love....


3. I love Idly-Sambhar. I can drink good sambhar. Especially the dip-idly, where the idly is dipped in a bowl of sambhar, and it becomes soft and one bite in and you can feel the sambhar oozing out. Hmmmm yummy.

4. I love Panipuri. The KD road wala will be given first and foremost preference. Those were the most amazing ones I ever tasted.

5. The Mushroom Pulao by Shilpa Akka. OMG! They are the best. It will be perfect always. The right amount of spiciness and masalas and the right heat and a taste for tongue and food for heart. 


I love my late granny's tea and the yellow color curry (Pulingerry) which she used to prepare. And my late Achachan's pickles are heavenly. I love Gadbad ice-cream and Charmuri anytime.

This is the most difficult days of the Ten-day challenge, especially when I am blogging during the lunch time, after my Sadhna. See I am a foodie.

7 wants Only ?!?!!?

7 Wants only OK?!!!


1. This moment I want to be in the Ashram at Bangalore, right now. It has been long since I stepped into the Ashram. A place of solace, time stands still. A place where even silence speaks, smiles ring and belonging blossoms...


2. I want afforestation to happen. The amount of greenery disappearing is astonishing. I want this world to be a better place in all ways.


3. I want to wake up in my bedroom, to the waking calls of Achan saying, "Mole!!! Its time already? Slept late again yesterday? Drink tea and go to sleep." (with all the naughtiness in his eyes)

4. I want a repeat telecast of my Wedding. Everything the same though :) 


5. I want to be a better cook and cook with passion.


6. I want to drive :)


7. I want to eat Gadbad ice-cream and Mysore Pani-puri (in KD Road).

8 Fears

Fears... Here I come ...


1. I have fear of heights as mentioned before. The view from the top, especially in rides, makes my head go round and round and round.


2. Achluophobia or fear of darkness. I always have this feeling that darkness, have tales to whisper, the tales I do not want to hear. 


3. Fear of death. This fear is not one's own, as much as the death of a loved one. The 'death' hit me, when I lost my Achachan (Maternal grandfather). Every Advance Course I take, has put a different flavor for the same. (Some got what I wanted to say :)


4. Fear of failure. Dinesh Da had once told this in a session, I think during my TTC (Teachers Training Course), 'Give yourself the permission to fail.' This is the biggest blessing one can give to once own self. Every time, this fear comes up, these words ring in my head.

5. Expression- Of late have noticed this, that I can express better. There has been a downward movement of the same. There is something which I am doing and let me see if it works out. I will blog about it soon.


6. Ophidiophobia, fear of the creepy and slimy snakes. But somehow Kukke Subramanya Temple, Mangalore, Nagaraja Temple at Nagercoil and Mannarshala, dedicated to the Naga Devatas (Snake-God) are the temples close to my heart too. Divine connections :)


7. I cannot see animals being killed. Somehow it gives me an uneasy feeling. Especially when I see the slaughtered animals, when I go to the market, or the killing of hens for food or rituals, the gory sight of violence makes me fear the Humans :(


8. I cannot read horror stories or watch horror movies. It effects me for some days. Though I love listening to horror stories, the after effects are bad, so I do not listen much, for everyone's benefit :)


An after-thought: Somehow this exercise should not be one of labeling oneself as this or that. An awareness about once fear helps combat the same.

9 Loves

This is very difficult for me to limit my loves to just 9. But then the more challenging, more juicier to read ;) Here I will be more specific rather than broad answers like I love love, peace, happiness etc.


1.  I love small surprises.


2.  I love that stolen glances G gives me, when I wait in the line, debating with my Heart and Mind. The whiff of air when He passes by, the touch of His Shawl and  the flower, that blossoms millions :)


3. I love taking Art of Living courses and making a difference, within me and others.


4. I love water-rides :) I have crazy fun.


5. The Bike rides, I have had till date :) esp, when it rains.


6. I like that hug Ratheesh gives when he comes home really tired.


7. I love reading and dreaming, not necessary in that order...


8. I love when Viji calls me for the silliest to most important decisions of her life. Cracking up for silly things and at the end of it, forgetting the very reason for the splits of laughter.


9. I love pani-puri, charmuri and Shilpa Akka's Adrak Chai.

Hot @ Spicy * Sweet # Sour

You made me...Me :)

I don't remember the first day, when I even glanced at you or held you in my hands. The earliest memories of you, was in our famous 'Doctor uncle' veetil, when you would push the stool in the room, throughout the home, making the screechy noise, or hold the window-grill, while Amma attempting to feed you, or even better, when Amma put us both in the grey cradle so that we do not slide off. You were there, a cute, cuddly, round, bundle of joy :)

Then we come to the famous Blue veetil (I can see your smile). My cutie-pie's memory would be the crow pecking on your finger, as you were again near the window-sill, holding on to the idli and dancing. Remember my famous Monappa Ice-cream eating class :)

Then our family progressed to new home. Our home in 1993. We had so much fun and memories associated with our trip to Dubai and our short but great stay. You were more of this sharing kind, I realized. Dad used to give you money for your snack and you would buy snacks, Yes! but not eat them. Why? So that you can share it with your mother and sister. You would always save money, so that we kids can use it during 'Our Rainy Day.' Then we land in Mangalore, where our craziness grew by leaps and bounds. Whatever endeavor or madness I took up, you always were a part. Extreme fights :)(Reference: Vinu etan and hangers), extreme love (Reference: when we would end up supporting each other.), extreme fear (Reference: I cannot enter your room nah), extreme sorrow (Reference: Ammuma leaving us and also in a way me in US). Extreme beauty (Reference: Your middle cupboard).

There are so many things we shared, so may things we cared for. We created our own small world around us, which only we both could understand, we dream in.There are times when we lost cool, we cried, we laughed, we ate, we drank, we walked, we played, we roamed, we attended courses, we make-uped :) (Late night snack, google talk, Charmuri, Panipuri, shopping, movies, Mysore surprise, Chayanna meetings, our quick birthday surprises, you relishing my half-cooked curries etc etc) all with STYLE.

You added a new dimension in my life. I learnt to care and share from you.... I learnt compassion and dedication from you. You taught me how a person can be creative and patient.... Many more... Know that you are valued and u are this extra precious crazy gem in my life, whom I treasure. I love Nature, for having given you...to me :)

Happy Birthday to you!!!! I love you :)

We...

Sharika and Me.. A letter sent to me, one day before Friendship's Day, boosted myself with this one ...:) Did not edit it much :)


To have a friend who is by your side, no matter what, in spite of all the misgivings and fights and judgments and cries, is a blessing. I do not know what have I done to have such a beautiful blessing in my life. It is not in my nature to be in touch with people and yet somehow we seemed to have been stuck with each other for 9 years now!! For all the times we shared here, for all those midnight sobbings, for all those encouraging messages and forwards, for all the mean fights, for all those silent prayers, for all the infuriating acts, for all those stomach-hurting laughter, for all those mindless chats and gossips, for all those unseen acts of kindness, for that space and stillness shared in silence and for all the patience.. I am truly blessed to have a friend like you...

I KNOW you are supposedly my twin and all.. but I would still like to celebrate friendship day and some wise-ass said" Pyaar ko bus, pyaar hi rehene do, Use koi naam na do". So friend or sister or mum or teacher and guide , or my better half ( which I have felt so very many times, and which is why I believe we can have more than one soul mates:) I don't know what to call you.. But I have to say this you are someone who has been through me in this beautiful journey of self-discovery and in many ways than one helped me to know me better, the Guru better.


So, happy friendship day in advance and tons and heaps of love
p.s. just in case you didn't figure out, I am missing you :)

What is Cooking???

How I combat my boredom? This is not a mystery anymore :) The mornings go so busy busy, that I feel Ratheesh has more time than me :P This is the time for myself and my connection with the outer world (Read: Internet) and also the Inner World (Read: Sadhna). Once both the above is done, I start cooking. I never liked cooking. I was a 'Tea' and "Maggi' Girl. That experience stopped me from cooking, at home. I still remember in my 5th Std, when Amma taught me to prepare tea and prepared it for my Hero,'Acha'. He loved it... and since then it was my responsibility to do it everyday. After few days, I felt I can take up better responsibilities :P and chucked this job off by experimenting easier ways to prepare something as simple as 'TEA'. I did :) and I loved. But we still liked Amma's Tea :) better.

I hated cooking. My dad has always said, never use such strong words. (Viji: wink...wink) Instead of the term hate, we can term it as 'I don't like'. Well said! But I hated cooking. Amma 1 was always there at home, and when she was not available, Acha entered the portals of kitchen and I loved it. After marriage, Amma 2 was always there preparing yummy stuffs for us kids :) so I never got the chance to do anything or may I say, I did not want to. I only prepared 'Biriyani'. That was a Holy Ritual for me, which Shilpa akka had taught me and I am her Best Student too.

I had prepared my would-be, very well, about my cooking. Viji was the one who used to bear direct consequences of MY cooking. If she likes, then I do not even care about Tarla Dalal lady or The Sanjeev Kapoor's opinions. I used to serve her in time, and give her a tip, mostly like, 'The potatoes could have been cooked more.' She would nod, like a stiff examiner and give a big Sigh..!!!

 I would look at her with this pleading eyes and she would say, Its okey :) That was like getting selected for a  MD merit seat, without even having to apply :):):) Bingo...!!!! She would repeat this stuff directly to her Jiju and both would have a laugh.

Ratheesh was not that expectations kind of guy, so he thought I was reaaallly bad. How rude !!!! So when I prepared Rasam on the day I arrived he was, excited and really loved it. Then I too began enjoying my experiments and love each and every moment of it. From a 'chore', it has become a 'hobby' for me, and people have started relishing it too. 

Now that is a Feather in my Cap :) and as I end it, I say thanks to Amma 1, Amma 2, Shilpa Akka, Achan, Ratheesh, Viji and of course all the food sites in the Google.. I bow down in front of you...

Love
Me

Chennai- Abudhabi- Chicago

Leaving alone the bouts of climate meeting our general health, I can proudly say, we both have successfully transformed a 'Good House' to a 'Beautiful Abode'. My favourite play during my childhood was House-House, where in, my sister and myself would be running a household, dually for about 2 hours, until our father comes home for lunch, in person :). I used to always wonder how it is to run, be a part of good (our home, shopping, preparing, taking charge) as well as headache (finance, budget, early morning getting ups etc) items be...

The moment I stepped into the Chennai Airport with both my set of parents right beside me, I had this eerie feeling of, 'will I be able to'. I was pampered in the airport. Thanks to Raghavendra Uncle, Achan's friend who took me directly to security check - Much to the dismay of the people standing in long Qs for the emmigration stamp. Lovely! Business Class flight for the sobbing Vini !!! Thanks to Surya (My SIL) and her friend who upgraded my seat. My trip to Abu Dhabi was really short :( My stopover at Abu Dhabi was short and sweet. Alice in wonderland, where I took my own time to explore the nook and corners of Abu Dhabi Duty Free and observe everything around. Timings! You want Indian time, UAE or Chicago timings ?!!!???$%^&&*

My Chicago Flight. With six movies and awesome food, Kriya and many rounds of Nadishodhans, the 16 hour flight was awesomely boring. Transcending boredom was seriously not possible. Desperation to reach Chicago sank in, as going back was not possible. By the time it was time to get down, I was so tired and non-passionate of all the things around.

But the wait and boredom was worth it. The anxiety and relief was seen in the eyes of my hubby, Ratheesh. He had no words and dutifully obliged to hear my side of Mahabharath. It was COLD out there. Not JUST COLD.Get it? It became warm, as soon as I saw the  Limo coming into the pathway to pick us. My romantic husband had arranged for the same. This was my time to be silent....

Rest will continue.....

Oh!!!! Yes!!!

Am married???!!! Yeah! Still wondering if it has happened, largely in the positive sense. This is because have been continuing with 'my' life beautifully amalgamated to 'our' life. There has been certain changes which is so beautiful to make. During this period I realised, marriage is so much about accepting the similarity and enjoying the differences. I have been travelling and getting to know so much and realised so much more is there to know. Would be flying off to US in a matter of few days. Another beautiful family is being added to my 'I wish I need not have to leave them' LIST.... More to come soon....

Love
Vini

Masterchef TYS!!!

Masters already, they ventured into the realm of cooking and surprised us once again. A 'Salad-Making' Competition for Grade 4th 'A' was organized. Enthusiasm is contagious. We thought of 'Ifs and Buts' and they thought 'Other Wise'. The whole class was divided into 4 groups on the basis of their houses- Jasper, Emerald, Ruby and Sapphire. Then they went on whole swing.

Within seconds the tables and chairs were pushed to the side- Tables arranged in the 4 corners of the classroom- A leader emerges from the group- Ideas are transmitted- GD begins-  MBA candidates can never hold their head up high, if they were to hear the discussion that took place, That too in the absence of the moderator. The pros and cons were discussed and basically everybody was kept happy- Work delegated and they started the actual preparation.
Two of them were arranging the paraphernalia of cooking (Utensils, cutting board, knife, spoons, plates, salt, ketchup, bread, mayonnaise etc etc ), while the others run to clean the vegetables brought. Once again GD begins, without prior notice. The teacher is not very happy with this discussion. The smart kids notice and they reduce the hullabaloo factor and put across their ideas through their work. Conversations range from the current program on air, Masterchef India (how Akshaye can improve, what dishes need to be prepared in the show, how to increase TRPs etc!!!) Akshaye please do listen ; Stunts while chopping; Gossiping about their mom and their laws in the kitchen; how is their expertise in this field different from others; and what not. Ekta Kapoor you are gone :) Dialogue Masters are here...

The dishes just arrive... They are ready with names, nutrition value and the uniqueness of their dish.And yes they were yummy. Prepared and mixed with lots of love, effort and innocence and garnished with cutie-pie smiles... Not only stomach but even the hearts were filled.

The things which were small, but can go long way in my life were noticed. Though it was a competition, the entire class was united in the spirit. Helping came naturally to them. Ideas were passed on. The group was held together with a inchie-winch of compromise and adjustment as well as 'art of listening'. Comparison of work was never there. They went on to help the other group.

 Towards the end what mattered to them was the 'Smile' on the faces of the teachers whom, they adored to the core...

What more is needed ? I was so full !!!