New Year Resolutions

I know I know, we are way away from New Years (Well closer that we think), but I digress. I realize now that with school going kids, resolutions should be made at the start of the school year, since that is technically a "New Start" a new school year and time to refresh and reset and learn from mistakes of last school year!

So to lead the pack and begin a revolution of "School New Year Resolution", here are mine with the kindergartner and 5th grader in tow.

Resolution 1: Pack for school the night before

Be it the gym bag which we forget, the homework in the bag, the reading/ library bag, the snack bag etc. Let's pack the school bag the night before and keep it handy. This way as an unpaid errand runner, I am not running back and forth with the "forgotten items", kids are not "stressing (me)" with, oh I forgot and so on and above all mornings are less “drama”

Resolution 2: Ready the school attire the night before

Mind you, I have a kid in uniform and one kid with no uniform. So far this has not been a big deal. But, keep it going so they dress up and come ready with morning routine. With winter coming, this will be helpful having leggings/ sweaters lined up as well. So yes, continue last year’s good behavior

Yep, I am giving the pat on the back where it is deserved!

Resolution 3: Parents: Wake up 30 minute earlier than the kids

(URGH!!! I know) but, it makes sense. I can peel the almonds, get ready for my day in peace and above all may be have a few sips of the coffee while it’s still hot. Considering I have to pack hot lunch for one child, this can get smoother if I actually NOT snooze my alarm! Ideally, I should be up even earlier and squeeze in a work out- haha. I know!! Let’s start simple with just 30 minutes earlier than the little monsters angels.

Resolution 4: Yell less and less of "Hurry Up"

This one will be the TOUGHEST. We are all refreshed after a blissful summer, so mornings (of one whole week of back to school) have been timely and peaceful. I know that's not reality of school year’s gone by! But I am hoping to leverage "Alexa's" alarms and set times to hopefully get us in car bundled and on time without cursing the traffic amongst other things! Tough goal!! So open to suggestions on this one!

Resolution 5: Evening planning

Once the kids home after school, based on schedules- prioritize: Homework, instrument practice, classes, park, down time and dinner! We cant get all done on one day, so prioritize. Kids get over enthusiastic for their classes and as always we get stretched thinner making us squished for time. Aka making me crankier! Hence my older child and I decided to ease into this routine. Touch wood, she is sincere and has said, first homework then rest of things.

This one will continue to be a work in progress. I have put my foot down and agreed on NO SOCIAL commitments on weekdays before 8  pm.

(And No, Netflix is NOT a social commitment)

I get that all of the above are common sense items. But year after year, as time progresses, I tend to forget. Resulting in me getting crankier and then the domino effect on the family.

So yes, five fingers: five resolutions: The gist being: plan, early to bed and early to rise and above all prioritize!!! AND BREATHE! So the girls can do more of this... 

These are our "School New Year Resolutions". 

More importantly do you think I can follow mine? Well don’t answer that! You are supposed to say Yes of course!

A day that might not come.

I have shied away from writing about politics, the corruption, the politico's termed as gods for a reason. There is no point.
What's the point of now "OMG" at the status of the common wealth games? So what it was decided 8 years ago for India to host it? So what if the tenders, the budget, the location was all public knowledge. So what only a few weeks before the game, did people realize...OMG... we are not ready to host the Common Wealth Games.
The games which could have catapulted the host country's image! India's vibrant colors as a tourist location, as a flavorful country, as a modern yet cultured place, as an almost developed country would have been showcased across the world. The tri-color would have symbolized progress, vision, history and above all the achievement.
When I talk with my colleagues from around the world, I always tend to hear something along the lines of: India is an amazing country. I really want to see the land of snake charmers and the land of the tech gods. But, It's just way too dirty and way too complicated for a simple vacation. It's just not worth it.
And I assure you, I am not making it up.
I am an Indian, and a proud one. But I also know, no country is perfect. My dreams of seeing India hosting the F-1 race or the Olympics or any international level games of quality seem very distant. The Common Wealth Game could have showcased India for what it wants to be, for what it can be and for what it’s capable of. Look at how China and more recently Africa learned and earned from hosting the games! Sadly.... only the not-so-good, the-corrupt, the short terms visionary's got showcased.
Am I doing something to brings about change? No. Am I trying, No... Yes, I am one of the million other people who are on the sidelines saying "Tch Tch". I may go as far as saying. Better Luck Next Time... But after this shame, do you think, we the Indian people think we are ready for it? Can we handle it? Can we actually implement a long term plan which will benefit the country and eventually us? Instead of… let me fill my own pockets and as for long term. What long term?
There will be more scandals, the TRP's will increase not because of the games but for the scandal. There will be some politician who will resign. There will be some morcha, some slogans, some heart burn.
Even to the optimist in me... it seems like a day that never will come. The day where we are on the forefront, considered a hot tourist location, a smart country, a flexible country, a country where the good has started outweighing the bad!

If I were... I'd be ....

I saw this on Shilpa's blog.. and decided to tag myself.. seems a lot of fun!!

If I were a month, I’d be - December: The spirits are high, all plans for the new years, resolutions and excitement is full force. Of course the sugar, chocolate being passed around definitely has me favoring this month for sure!

If I were a day of the week, I’d be Thursday - The week is almost over... almost.. Yes, I can make it through!

If I were a time of day, I’d be 4:30 pm. That’s the time; I have my lovely walk to pick my daughter and then it’s party time with her.

If I were a season, I’d be Spring - it will be everyone awakening from the deep winter slumber, plans being made, dresses being worn and the mood being cheery (minus the allergies!)

If I were a planet, I’d be - Earth... since I don’t want to be another planet which was getting poked by earthlings to make it habitable.

If I were a sea animal, I’d be a Shamu the whale... Beautiful, cute and come on I am a movie star eh! ;-)

If I were a direction, I’d be - Considering how "great" I am in directions, I'd say< I 'll be north! If I were a piece of furniture, I’d be Lazy Boy... rockaway baby rockaway....

If I were a liquid, I’d be hehe... I really don’t want to answer that.. but let’s stick with coffee ;-)

If I were a tree, I’d be ...-I have no clue.... hmm may be a mango tree so kids could climb all over me :-D

If I were a tool, I’d be Hammer. I will be able to make a lot of holes in the walls with pins to hang up V's art work! Trust me nowadays, this is the tool I use the most.

If I were an element, I’d be ....... Eesh.. Man, it was chemistry where they taught this right? ;-) I think Oxygen.. giving life to almost all around me!

If I were a gemstone, I’d be Diamond - Like Shilpa said.. A girl's best friend... and come on... I would love to be ogled by the love struck couples!

If I were a musical instrument, I’d be guitar...there is something so rock starrish about it.

If I were a color, I’d be white........ peaceful (completely opposite of me by the way!)

If I were an emotion, I’d be Love!

If I were a fruit, I’d be Strawberry.... just since V seems to enjoy her "stawberr" a lot these days

If I were a sound, I’d be the sound that waves make when they touch the shore.. naughty, excited finally at peace.

If I were a car, I’d be Lexus!

If I were food, I’d be aalloo.. hehe... Veggies can’t do without it. Can be made in so many different ways, and meal feels complete with it. You see why I have to do my getting Fit thing now? My love for Potatoes!

If I were a taste, I’d be tangy... the lemony.. gives you the tart but you always want more!

If I were a scent, I’d be Romance. No doubts about that

If I were a pair of shoes, I’d be the Jimmy Choo Ankle straps! aaah!

And if I were a bird, I’d be flying up in the sky... hehe...

And If I were to tag people I will tag now I am tempted to not anyone considering how sweet Shilpa was about it... but I think I wil, the devil in me comes up:
Piper... Just since she seems to be ignoring my previous tags as well..hehe
Lakshmi... I know she is super busy with things.. but may be this will get her back to Blogosphere.
Priyanka... you know I was gonna get to you girl ;-)
AD... It will fun to read another mom's take on this!

Oh FYI-: If I could be anybody on this planet... I'd be Me! In case you were wondering

When is it going to STOP!

As I read about the threat, the investigation, the person responsible for the NY-Scare and a very close call... I was mesmerized.
It felt like a movie; a very real and dreadful movie. And I was the audience, helpless, awwing at the amazing detective work, scorning the people and the motive behind and feeling for the NY people once more about what could have, might have but should not be.
A thirty year old guy, a guy with a wife and two small kids- a girl and a boy I hear. A guy who from his pictures, looks like an average Joe. A guy, trying to fit in, making something of his life and just like the next person - living the American Dream.
As I read about his neighbors comments about him, nothing stands out. It dreadfully reminds me of the movie- New York. In which a very hunky John A. is an average American fitting in. Being the traditional ABCD and playing the role beautifully.
The whole NYC terror case makes me look over my shoulder. It makes me look at my neighbors a little longer. It makes me very conscious of my own moves and the spoken word. Anything and everything can be taken out of context.
I write this piece also very carefully.
Of course, I condone this type of activity. Who does not? Nobody has the right to play with someone else's life, or impose their beliefs on someone else. No one has the right to scorn on some one else’s beliefs, way of life or choices. It’s not right, it’s not human and it’s not even fun!
I am surprised, I feel for his kids. The little boy and girl will grow up under a scar, under watchful and hurtful eyes for no fault of theirs. The kid’s dreams are crushed even before they could understand what dreaming meant. Again, it’s not their fault!
I can go on and on about how Media is playing this event. How they are making a commoner like you and I feel worried, feel questioned, feel watched. Media and its sensationalism is something, I really don’t want to talk about. But, all I do want to talk about this- How much hatred, how much brain washing is out there?
I have a little girl, and I only tell her: "World is a good place, a happy place". Sadly with what I see around me... I don’t think it will be true by the time she grows up. And it sucks to imagine that!

Famos Five tags!

Shilpa @ Shona Writes... thanks for the Tag. Was really sweet of you. :-D This was hard! Ok.. so here is my take on the Famous Five

5 Gloriously Horrifyingly Dumb Movies:
This is hard, since I am known to turn off those really really stupid movies… But I will try:
1. Ghost of girlfriends past: Seriously? The name seemed so cute, thought would be a nice chick flick. It turned out to be a masala movie with really really bad story line, expected turns and overall: Crappy
2. Blue: Again, with the star cast, the music, I was all for it. A movie shot under ocean, a great achievement for Bollywood. I saw it. Well till interval. Since I could not take it anymore! Urgh!
3. Shakti, The power: Urgh Urgh, Urgh! And a little bit more of urgh! I know, I should have not gone in the theater with a movie name like that!
4. Drona: Ok, I adore AB. Seriously I do, but this movie was really bad. But I had to see the whole movie, thanks to AB being in it. But still, atrociously bad movie.
5. Sweet November: Nothing sweet about this one I tell you. Another one, which I just could not complete. I have tried twice, seriously.


5 accessories you can create out of food
1. Carrots: Take 24 carrots, tie them to a strong string, make a necklace! Tada: A 24 Carrot necklace! And no don’t try it on your spouses, beloved people!
2. Macaroni: Color them; string them together to make necklaces, bracelets, belts. Learned it from my daughter’s craft class. Hehe.
3. Toothpaste: Not technically food, but when everyone else is sleeping, take the toothpaste, make a beard/ a muchi on someone. Perfect. Don’t tell me you have not done that yet!
4. Seeds: Ok, honestly I own one of these. Didn’t make it, but bought it. Some colorful seeds, dry them up and string them together for necklaces. Super light, super cool and funky as hell! In Puerto Rico etc, its big business.
5. Apple: Core the apple, cut in slices. My daughter uses it like a ring! ;-)

5 places where you won’t be seen dead at
Hmmm. Hmmm
1. Shady club: Now it’s a family friendly blog, but you know the kind I am talking about.
2. Horror House in night: Hell no, thank you very much.
3. Sky diving all by myself. Hah! Doing it the first time with tandem was great. Second time. Oops.
4. Deli Shop: I am a hard core vegetarian you see!
5. DSW: Ok, thanks to my shoe fetish, I love this place, and would be mortified if SD saw me “just checking out shoes” yet again!

5 people you’d love to hit, anytime, anywhere
Yes, I am peace loving, but seriously: 5 is too less a number!
Anyone who say’s:
1. Girls can’t do it: Get ready for it, since I will have hundred arguments with you right now.
2. So, what’s your baby program: You have to read the post to figure out why I get so angsty about it.
Anyone who:
3. Speaks rudely to his wife/ her hubby or the significant other. Come on, man, they are human too. Count to ten and then talk.
4. Cuts the line ahead of me without asking, apologizing or acknowledging.
5. Says a word against my cooking: ;-) So the last one is a joke! Is it? Is it? Haha.

5 things you’d do to scare anybody
1. Tell a scary story. If they don’t giggle midway, I have succeeded.
2. Tell them, who’s that behind you, when truly there is no one.
3.Put red toothpaste on their nose and wait till morning.
Get one of those pranksters’ kit and figure out what I want to do.
4. Scream: “Scared!!!”
5. Cry....hehe

This was so much fun... and yes, my favorite part: I get to re-tag
Priyanka: Lady, still waiting for your Eight's as well
Lakshmi: It's been a while... and will be fun to read
Piper: Just to get to know you a bit better
Neetu: Lazy, get back to writing!
Tina: Testing, to see if you still reading my blogs.. hehe

Happy Anniversary to us!!!!

Clichéd yes.. But its true.. Feels like yesterday, that we took the vow of spending the rest of our lives together! To cherish each other, to stand by the other in times of sickness and health, in times of pain and in times of happiness and be with each other no matter what.
And yes, may be i am a convert to a hopeless romantic- I don’t believe i am said that out loud!

It is our wedding anniversary and i reminisce. We have come a long way from long phone conversations, long emails and even longer chat sessions, from frequent flight to cross country drives, to blissful married life!
Here is why i cherish this day, and why it is so special to me. Besides it being the day i got married!
Like most girls, growing up, i dreamed of my knight in shining armor on a white horse to come and whisk me off my feet and take me away. Luckily for me, it literally did happen like that.
I remember the evening we got married. He was dressed in beautiful gold, silver, slight pink slight blue shervani with glittering jewels all over and riding a white horse. (Its customary in my part of the country that the groom comes on a horse!) He was walking down the aisle covered in red roses, while i walked in from the the other side, the demure bride in gold, silver and deep pink gorgeous attire. I had the funny knot in my stomach. The minute i looked up, the moment was much more than what i had imagined it to be. For us, the world stood still, our family, our friends were besides us experiencing this moment with us.
It was just perfect.

We are building our lives together. Each day is special, each glance is cute, each argument is well taken, each gesture is thoughtful! Every minute is well spent. Our daughter V is a heaven sent gift. She makes us into kids one minute and adults in the next and then kids once again. Needless to say i am enjoying our role reversals very much. There are times, when i would see SD read V's books with much intent. He would see me playing with V's stuff toys.. and of course V would be with our blackberry's and laptops! You see 'role reversal'.

On our anniversary, i confess, on this day, there is always the same funny knot in my stomach. I can go on and on.. But i wont. All i can say is Thank You: To support me when i fall, to encourage me when i am down, to appreciate me when i achieve, to listen when i am angry, to lecture me when i am wrong, to love with my flaws.
SD..... Thanks for being who you are; a wonderful husband, a doting father, a caring friend, a naughty kid, a dutiful son, a family man, a comforting cushion, an ally, a spy, .. and above all.. being my 'bubu'!

Its a wonderful adventure.. and i am sure it will continue to be one. Yes the path, is hilly, its up and down, its curvy and its stable. But hand in hand, i know, we know... It will be perfect.
Here's wishing us a very Happy Anniversary!

Hope...

That is something i like, i live by and i sustain by. I will spurt out something which i normally would not on this public blog.. But it is something important and will help explain the context of my remainder post.
I think, i believe in myself to be an optimist. I believe in the silver lining, i always know and think there is light at the end of the tunnel. And i remind myself and SD all the time to breathe, count to ten and smile. Things will always work out for the best in "long term!"
The reason i share this personal tid bit is because of this lovely post i read this morning. I have been following Sharell for a while now, and i enjoy reading her "gora" version of settling in my alma mater, my city- Mumbai.
Her latest post on Moving on Up once again reinforces my vision in the "long term" plan. There are times when i feel my core shaking up and me actually questioning the light at the end of the tunnel. But SD would remind me of my core and re-enforce me. But then at times its this blogosphere where unknowingly you'd meet new friends, re-acquaint with older friends or even just continue amazing relationships who'd in there unique ways would come to my rescue!!!
I am just glad to be surrounded with lovely people and have a strong support structure which in ways even they don’t know, help get my footing back and then i can continue to believe that in my naive world, Things always will work out and will always be for the best. And for that, i thank them. :-)
In SD's words. Life and some decisions in life is like Poker. In poker, you make a decision knowing what you have in hand and what’s evident from the cards below. You make your call at that moment with your math, your probabilities and your gut feeling. But you make that decision based on what you know now. The next card, the turn, might make you question your decision. But by the time the river card is opened, all bets are off. The decision you made then stands true. And knowing what you knew then, you wouldn't play it any other way. Life draws a parallel to that, you make some decisions with what you know at that point. And in the long run, it will be for the best since there is no other path you might have taken would explain anything else. Makes sense?

And oh yes, everything is fine. This highly philosophical writing comes in out of nowhere. Trust me. I could blame it on Sharell and how her lovely post made me think. Or it could be my highly caffeinated mind which is making me over analyze her words. Or it could be me just in my Monday Morning blue's!

Either or, now that is out of my system. I feel better, and i know "Life is good". But you would know that, the three words... "Life is Good" is something that SD and I believe very very strongly in. You would know, since you have this blogsite in your IE Favorites, in your daily to do reads and you read and tell all about this blog to all you know [Hehe Evil Laughter!;-) ]But if you have not been following my blog [tch tch!!!!Shame on you..;-)] you wouldn't know..... That there is actually some pattern in my madness! It all leads to one thing - "Life is good!"

Line 43...checked

So this is how it goes.... You make the sixty mile drive, wear the warmest fleece, the warmest gloves, the warmest cap, wear the jump suit which countless other daredevils have worn before you. The suit fits you snugly, the gear is put on you by professionals; you are strapped in, taken to the flight.
Its like the movies.. but damn you are starring in it. There are cameramen all around you, your instructor is barking orders in your ears, cracking lame jokes to make to relax. You forget everything they told you in the orientation except the "breathe~!!" You look over your shoulder at your husband; who is doing the same.. trying to smile with a mind full of worries! You look anxiously at your FIL... sitting, smiling.. not talking much.. but confident.. and then you close your eyes.. and pray.. this better go well!!!

The instructor tell you its time (!), shows the alto meter.. its 10000 feet in the air.. at 14500 feet, the light turns red, then yellow and then green... and then before you know it... your friend jumped off the plane, then your FIL, then another one.. and now its you..
At the edge of the plane at this obnoxious height and this unbelievably cold weather... you somehow don’t feel the chill!!! You look over the airplane's door and think: “Why the hell am I doing this!!!” What you see below is corn fields.. lots of them, some tiny tiny things floating in the air (They are actually the people who jumped off!!!) And then you do want to close your eyes.. but you dont, since you do want to see yourself jumping off the plane!!! yes.. willingly jumping off the plane at 14.5K feet, with the cameraman before you.. and you right after... tandem.. tied to the instructor.. yes...you hold on.. tight!

And then you jump, the first three looong seconds pass by, you open your arms.. and you are Free falling... You cant think, but you are screaming in excitement.. and you know you are flying.. you are doing something that you wanted to do for the longest time ever.. you are diving in the sky... you are grinning at the cameraman.. you are looking up in the sky.... you forget everything... but you remember your daughters face.. and you cant wait to do this again with her! The sixty seconds of the free fall feel so long... The sheer rush.. makes you crave it more. The instructor tells you pull the parachute... sanity comes back.. at 5500 feet, you pull the parachute.. like there is no tomorrow. In sixty seconds, you fell 9000 feet at 120 mph!!!! (Thank god no cops in the sky to give me the speeding tickets!)

The parachute opens..(Thank God).. you are whisked up in the air once more.. and then its smooth sailing.. you are in the sky.. looking around.. looking down.. looking happy. Is that the Chicago skyline far away! You cant stop thanking the instructor enough.. you cant believe you jumped off... you want to just relive all of it again. You think.. wow.. your hubby did do this.. just for you... He did jump off the plane.. since you wanted to experience this moment with him!

The next five to six minutes are pure bliss. You cant stop thinking of how small you are in this huge world.. your perspective changes.. your views change... and the minute you touch down.. you get rid off the links from your instructor.. the links with which you were tied to the guy.. which ensured you don’t fall off.. you run in delight.. in sheer energy and excitement to see the hubby, give him the tightest hug.. look for your friends and FIL.. who made the jump.> Especially the dad!!! kudos.. he did the sky dive with you.. making the experience all the more special!

I ran towards my daughter.. gave her a million kisses, and told her.. we have to do this together.. when she saw the video.. I didn’t think she was so sure of it. After 18 years we will talk! ;-)

Yes.. I did it.. I Skydived.. in all sanity, i jumped off a plan at 14500 feet, came back on ground.. willingly...and now cant stop thinking and talking about it!
SD did it.. and not once did he say "This is not my idea of fun"He was more pumped up!
Papa did it... yes he did...!!!

You have to experience this at least once... it is best feeling in the world.. and no matter how many times or who tells you.. you only feel it when you yourself land on the ground.. and say: "Why the hell didn’t I do it sooner!!!"

Bucket list line number 43: Sky Dive.. Checked! ;-)

You are in bliss when....

You get up in the morning.. have the coffee already brewed! Head out.. sip on coffee in the backyard overlooking the beach! Read the paper.. and then tell the chef what you'd like for b-fast..or even fix it for yourself!
The kid is ready for school and you make the nice scenic drive to kiss her on the forehead, and drop her off.
Head back home then go for a nice swim, relax, come back out! And then call up one of the girl friends for lunch. Or even better, get ready post a healthy meal, and then work- work can be anything, it can be you working on a book, doing art work, owning a lovely boutique, having a well established business and you can WFh when you feel like it..Hmm.. so the basic undertone, is you are self employed.
You do the necessary work, and you love the job(it pays the bill come on..). Go for a jog, come back, pick your daughter up.. and have the evening dedicated to her... Hubby is back.. and you all have a healthy scrumptious dinner! The clean up- hmm, you have help at home! You make sure things are in order. The kid snoozes at sleep time, and the couple takes off.. once again in the backyard to enjoy the lovely sea side breeze and the walk on the beach with the cool moist sand touching your feet..and you enjoying the stroll knowing that your family is well fed, loved, and safe.....and by your side! You are in bliss!

Screeeeeeeeech halt! tring tring! Its 6:35 alarm! You wake up with a heavy head! Pull yourself out of bed! Stumble to the kitchen counter, start the coffee, put the bagels on toast, get the cereal boxes out, chop up the fruit, pack the lunches! Meanwhile, the other half is getting the kiddo ready for school, and getting ready himself! You sprint back in the shower, take a quick one, and the clothes are laid out from the night before. You dress up. Head out to meet the family for B-fast! Its 7:45... Esh! You pack up everything, clean up the kitchen and head out- Drop the kid to school in the treacherous traffic! Go to work! Have a working lunch.. and then in the evening, pick the kid back up! Have the evening dedicated to her (while the dinner is being prepared by the crock pots, and the ovens and loads of pre-planning!)....Hubby is back.. and you all have a healthy scrumptious dinner! The clean up- hmm, You make even the sink sparkle!! You make a quick dash to the gym.. and then You make sure things are in order. The kid snoozes at sleep time, and the couple takes off.. but this time in the living room, with the kid tucked safely in her crib! You are on the couch with your feet up, sitting by him ..and enjoying the warm breath, and a reading a lovely book.... knowing that your family is well fed, loved, and safe.. and by your side! You are in bliss!

Bottom Line: Life is good!

Smile Factor

Not all know, but I am a member of a working mother’s blog site and i contribute on that site once in a while. This morning, I was browsing through the blogs I follow and to this site.. I scrolled down and i saw that one of the posts of mine was the Member spotlight! Cool Naah! It gave me a high and smile and most definitely made me feel good.

I don’t know what the criteria of choosing it or something is, but its like back in school, when for some reason, teacher really liked your essay and puts it up on the notice board for all the other students to read! I know me for one, would always try to be one of those.. but oh well, As you can imagine, math and science where my forte, teachers commended me on that but definitely not on my literary skills (I never had any!) But still, seeing my post as the member spotlight, made me feel like a little school girl again!

Few of the Simple things that made me smile recently:

V's mummy mummy: I go to pick her up from her day care, she sees me, drops everything she was doing, rushes to hug me.. and all the time is screaming mummy mummy. Similar thing at home, we are playing, and the door opens, per her logic- door opening = dad's come home from work.. So she once again leaves everything and runs to the door and says " Papa aaye papa Aaye" Very very cute! So that gives me a high!

A good hand of poker: Recently at a friends place, where we were playing post dinner friendly poker, i had pocket kings.. and below were a king, an ace, a pair of two's and a three...for any one who follows Poker- 3 K's and a pair of 2's makes it full house and a very good hand!! The opponents betting felt like he had an ace giving him two pairs.. i least excitedly played, kept matching and putting in a lot of chips.. but pretended like i had nothing (trust me, i would definitely put at least a B-grade actress to shame!). My friend went down bad.. he had more than 60% of his chips in the game.. and needless to say he was shocked..and we all had a good laugh! And it gave me a naughty smile for sure.

Decent party: We love to entertain and enjoy hosting gathering's for friends and family. We do it as often as possible.. and every time, if all went well. Friends bonded, liked the food, had a good time, towards the end of the party, i sit down and revel in the merriment and smile.

Emails: My girlfriends and I have a decent email chain.. sort of therapeutic.. and we all are in different continents, difference places in our lives…but we write to it almost daily.. reading that gives me a high!

Top of the charts: The thing that makes me smile all day: Waking up next to my bestest people: SD and V! Followed by looking at the family picture on my night stand with our sets of parents looking and smiling at us!

What's your "Smile Factor"?

Life is not one big story, but a combination of little ones!

This was a line SD said right after a cop pulled us over for crossing a white line at a turn! The cop figured we were genuinely lost, and gave us directions to the place we were heading. Phew, a sigh of relief, no fun in getting a stupid ticket at midnight! So alls well that ends well, and then SD said the above line: "Life is not one big story but a combination of little ones!"

Few words but profound meaning. We both have been feeling that lately.. lets live more for the moment, all is good and we have to make sure what we do is good and gives us and people close by immense pleasure. Learn from the small things we see, grow with things we learn.

So here are the little stories in the past month, which have struck a chord! And these small stories will be a part of our bigger one!

On a recent jet-ski trip with friends, by lets just say, some stupidity of mine, we overturned the jet-ski. So the jet ski is upside down, SD and I were eventually laughing hard with life jackets in a huge lake, and really hoping our friends find us there! Eventually a lovely couple on a speed boat came, towed our ski and helped us back to our rental place. Really nice.. the lady said a simple thing, the week before, someone had rescued her daughter from the lake! So for her it was only overdue to repay it back to someone. Hmm... What goes around comes around i guess.

We met a cousin after ages, and while discussing SAHM and WM's (Short forms for stay at home mom's and working mothers, in case you are unaware of the lingo), he said a simple line: No body can bring up your child but you. At the same time, you have to spend quality time and not quantity time with the kids! As you can imagine he favored my kind- WM's and the guilt of working while V plays in daycare subsided a bit.... And i know its true, since we do may spend lesser hours with her, but definitely more productive and fun filled than when i was a SAHM. Point duly noted!

V and all of us went to Shedd aquarium in Chi town, just a huge place with a variety of fishes.. and dolphins and sharks.. and walrus.. and all you can image. I saw people of all ages, all colors, number of nationalities... just mesmerized by it all.. these lovely creatures, who don’t care what we do, where we come from and what our beliefs are! They live in there simple pleasures, and the mankind is staring at them, and cheering them on, as one! No differences, just one! Two things here, we all can live happily and share this earth without any issues.. and then, we should definitely go the green way to preserve what’s dear to us. I do want V and generations to follow to experience these simple pleasures!

And for going the green way- it may sound uber cool, so something which is a farce... Its not. We can all do something for this Green revolution- and the the title "Life is not one big story, but a combination of little ones" will hold true. If we do the little things to save earth.. all these small things by millions of people will add up to the bigger one- generations to follow enjoying mother nature in its simple, beautiful form.

So we must go on, continue enriching our loves with these little stories and keep an eye out for the younger ones to be able to do the same!