Once upon a time, there lived this little girl who had never heard about this country or knew nothing about it until her father went on an official trip. It was big thing those days and she would tell everyone that her father went to “foreign”. She was too small to understand the difference between foreign and the country’s name or what foreign meant. She was astonished by the gifts her Dad got her and had really painted a beautiful picture of the country based on her fathers’ stories and photos.

Years went by and all the dreams about going to this country were long forgotten. School, college and teenage years took over and life just revolved around friends. Her sister got married and settled down in the same country. Long forgotten dreams resurfaced back. Vision of living close to her sister was too hard to resist. And like every other college kid, she started her preparation for GRE, TOEFL and what not…She went through the complete rigmarole of studying, taking tests, applying for universities… yaada yaada.Anyways her visa got refused and dreams were shattered. She just thought it was not meant to be and forgot about it and moved on in life. The rest was history.

After so many years, suddenly there came an holiday that was too good to be missed. She just couldn’t resist and quickly grabbed it. This time though it’s not the country that’s the cause of the excitement.
It’s the opportunity
- To reconnect with her sister. Somewhere down the lane, the ties got slackened and both of them got busy with their own lives. She hopes that this trip would bring back the closeness they once shared.
- To see the next generation interact. As much as she wants to spend time with her sister, she can’t wait to see her little one have fun with her sisters’ kids. She hopes to see them bond from now and that which would last for a lifetime
- To meet good old friends from college. These were the people who once meant the world to her. They all moved on when she was left behind. She tried to be in touch for some years and eventually lost touch except for the yearly birthday, anniversary wishes. One of the reasons, she stopped talking to her friends was that she felt really upset after talking to them. They all were having a great life- a Master’s degree , good life, good job and what not… while she was struggling to come up and was facing heaps of problems. It seems totally trivial now when she has finally made it in life. She hopes this would bring a new beginning to old friendships.
- There was time when she created a wall around herself and decided that there wasn’t going to be anymore best friends as it broke her heart when they went away. Never did she realize that one more person would come and break the walls and get close to her. Her Friend V was a totally the opposite it of her- gregarious, loud, extrovert…but they got along like house on fire. Fate again played with her and V had to relocate to the country few years ago. She is hoping to start is all from where they left 3 years ago.
- To see the university that she one dreamt of studying in. To see this little town that she lived in through her friends’ words. To see the department building that she never stepped foot on.
- And finally to meet a few new friends who knowingly or unknowingly make a difference in her life everyday

With just one more day to go, she hopes everything goes fine and she does make this trip and comes back refreshed and rejuvenated. This holiday has been in the making for more than 6 months and finally the excitement is catching up now. She just can’t wait to knock the door and surprise her sister. (Or would it be a shock???)






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This incident happened this morning.
We were all getting ready and I was putting VK on his car seat in the car, while Hubby was locking the house door.VK asked for Rhines (rhymes) and I said it was inside the house and hence we can’t listen now.He kept quiet after that for sometime. Once Hubby started the car, some other song played in the car.
Vk then pointed in the front and said “that Appa”
We weren’t sure what he wanted and asked him what he wanted and he kept saying the same thing.
He pointed in front towards the dashboard and said “Want that Appa”
We could only see the CD case and hence passed it to him. (We were not even sure if this is what he wanted).
He grabbed it with all smiles and started flipping through each sleeve.
We still didn’t understand what was happening and suddenly the light bulb moment happened.
We both went “Aaha!!!!”
He was actually flipping through the CD case searching for his Rhines CD.
We have been tricking him for past few days. Every time he askes for it, we say its at home when we are in car and its in the car, when at home. He obviously didn’t buy it anymore and hence got the CD pouch to check by himself.

Looks like my days are really numbered. Can’t see myself giving him excuses for a long time.
My little one is growing up.
As much as it’s great to see him think and work on his own. Not soooo soon!!
I am not ready yet.


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Last weekend was a double celebration in our home. Friday was VK’s Birthday and we had the party on Saturday. It was a birthday party cum Diwali party. Originally meant to be only a birthday party. However with Diwali falling on the weekend just couldn’t contain our excitement.

I took a day off work on Friday to celebrate VK’s birthday in his daycare. I made cupcakes and took them for afternoon tea for the kids. It was my first time trying cupcakes from scratch and also the icing. It must have tasted good as all the children loved it except my little one. After all the time, I invested, he just ate the sprinkles and choco chips on the icing. Ah Well... atleast somebody enjoyed it. It was cathartic for me. It felt like one of the ways of getting rid of my guilt. What guilt you make ask? I don’t know myself... but that’s what I felt.

Last weekend also saw a new dimension to my personality. Everyone was quite surprised including me. I cooked for the party for about 30 people plus about 10 kids or so. I have always wanted to do large scale cooking all by myself for a long time. Yup Crazy me! This time I took up the challenge. I made paneer tikkas for starters, Dal makhni and Mirchi ka salan for sides, Pudina pulao, papads, raitha and rasmalai for dessert. Chapathis and birthday cake were ordered from outside. (I had to write the complete menu here... incase I forget, I need something to go back to when I am old). The food turned out good (I think!!) That’s what everyone said. Proper planning went a long way. And for once I wasn’t stressed about it all. My Mom really freaked out and wasn’t sure if I could handle it. Sole also joined her and was quite worried for me. I should also give credits to my friends who pitched in every possible way and it helped heaps. Ofcourse not to forget Hubby who made me believe I could do it with his constant encouraging words.

Apparently my great grandfather was a head cook in the Mysore Maharaja’s palace.My grandfather was a great cook and my mom should have the genes too as she cooks awesome food. . Every time my Mom cooked for a large crowd, or even when my sister cooked for parties, I would sincerely hope and pray, I could do the same too... but was not sure if I could pull it off. Last Saturday gave me the answer. Even though I may not be as good as my great grandfather or even my mother, I think this was good enough for a start.

I was originally planning of writing a 2 year Vk update, however due to lack of time, I am posting the invitation that Hubby made for his birthday. Considering I lack that creative bone, I passed on the task of making the invitation to Hubby. And I think he did a pretty good job. What do you think?






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Contined from here

Two years ago.
Amma in pattu saree, Appa in veshti and Ravi in kurta walk in for the girl seeing ceremony. Introductions and pleasantries exchanged. Anjali walks in an aqua blue salwar. Ravi is awestruck by her beauty. Both sides are impressed and ready to exchange thamboolam.
Anjali says “ I just have a request.”


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I have been planning to write for a long time and have drafted heaps of posts in the mind. However just don’t get the time to jot it down and post. Suddenly life has become so hectic. Weekends are even more hectic and I am going crazy. I want to do lot of stuff for the house, for myself, for VK, Hubby...Etc, etc.But just don’t know how to work it all out... Maybe poor time management or poor planning!!! Am still thinking of ways to work it all out and hopefully everything will fall into place soon.

Today is Vk’s star birthday and like every other mom I am going to say I can’t believe how quickly the 2 years have passed. We are planning on a party for his date of birth. However I don’t want this day to go unnoticed. Below are the pictures taken this morning wearing his new clothes!!!



He is growing up really quickly now... I am not able to catch up to his speed. I keep planning to write VK updates and even before I start to type it out, he had outgrown it and has been replaced by something else.He now knows number from 1-50, A-Z, can identify colours, shapes and is starting to speak 2-3 word sentences. I might be sounding proud but genuinely I don’t know what next from here. I just keep thinking I need to feed his quest for knowledge but am not sure what to do. On the other hand I also keep telling myself that he is still a baby and I shouldn’t force him. Not that I do it now. (All that he has learnt is completely because of his interest). Reading books are not working out as he doesn’t seem to have the patience for it. Anyone with ideas please let me know.

VK has also been falling sick quite often. We have been visiting the doctor every week for the last 2 months. It was the cold, eye infection and fever going on in circles. We have broken this vicious cycle this week (anti-jinx!!! touch wood!!).I sincerely hope and pray that they don’t recur again as giving him medication is the hardest bit and I don’t have any more patience for it.

My Mom used to say “you will understand when you are a mother” in a lot of instances. I have always laughed it off! However I take it all back now. The last 2 years of motherhood has given a new meaning to this sentence and can completely relate to it. Thank you God for giving me the opportunity to be a mother and am more than happy to be the Amma to this cuddly, cute, loving, adorable, intelligent, happy toddler.


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