The year of extremes, the dramatic year

2104 will be that for sure: The dramatic year!

Thankfully nothing extremely bad, but enough to take stock of life and count your blessings. Thankfully everything good was very very good.

On one end we were hiking on Volcanoes, swimming with fishes, dancing at weddings, engagements, road tripping, chilling with family and on the other extreme: we had couple of ER visits, car accident, calendar blocked with just medical work, more medical work. I have had MRI, MRA, CT and all poking and prodding possible. There has been lots of work stress, stress related injuries and in general just one day high, other day low moments.

But its me, its me always trying to look through it all for some silver linings.

The kids stayed strong, they massaged my aching arms, and they kept chirping around, they made the stress disappear. And for those blessed evening and weekend hours we get with them, all was forgotten and smiles ruled.

We danced a lot, we sang a lot, played a lot of games, colored, ate, cooked. Bliss.

Sumit, my partner in crime stood by me. On one hand he was making ice water bath for me and on the other hand he entertained the girls. He took care of both girls un-interrupted, flew alone with them and made me feel completely at ease. I can't imagine anyone making me laugh away the pains the way he did. He encouraged me to take another sip of water with 104 fevers, he cheated me in another round of exercise for the arm.

I guess timing matters, through my worst illness, my mom was over for her 'just like that’ trip. And it was perfect, well the illness not as much. I fell ill 4 days after my mom arrived. So for those three weeks, I was clueless about everything around me. It was my mom and my husband doing everything for me, the kids and the house. Everything functioned well and I am thankful for them for being around.

My parents, brother and sis in law gave all the moral support I needed

I guess through the thick and thin, it made me take stock of some friendships & some relationships. Some I called sobbing to in the middle of the night, some I just could not even pick up the phone to. Some stood through my weak health moments and others made it a conversation point. I renewed some friendships, made some amazing new ones and some I am letting them slip by. It hurts, but it's fine. So all in all, I think facing the not so good helps to see you more clearly.

For all of our trips and vacations this year, I happy to say we had a lot. I am content. Yes, you read that right, I am content, there could be no more, no less vacations. It was amazing reconnecting with cousins, planning, meeting friends after years, some after days. We travelled a lot and it makes me smile.

It's our thing, travel, travel with the kids, make them have memories of a lifetime and above all, chill and enjoy the moment.

But the year of extremes: I am done. I want a simple event free healthy year. An average year would be just fine!

 I am happy for 2015 to come, I am happy for the new beginnings, I am happy to say adieu for a year dotted with drama and happy memories.

A memorable vacation.. for us.

While the kids are enjoying themselves with Grandparents, Mama, Maami, I was left sulking and whining. On any given day you are bone tired by 8 pm, but at 9pm, when you peek in their bedrooms and see them snoozing, its rejuvenating. Kids do that! It's refreshing, makes you count your blessings and yes, get ready for next day at Casa De Chaos.

I digress, Sumit sensed me being home was too painful without the kids, so last minute, we headed to Toronto, Niagara On the Lake and Niagara Falls. 3.5 days of complete bliss, relaxation and well moments when you wish the kids were just with you to snuggle with. And you can't say no when a vacation starts with this!

We booked our hotels an hour before we took on the long drive from Chicago to Toronto. The 8 hours drive became 11.5 hours thanks for July 4th rush. But our drive was beautiful, we chatted, listened to 'our' music, caught up, reminisced and just unwound.

Next day after a scrumptious Indian meal in Brampton, Canada (Come on, you can’t go to Canada and not eat delicious spicy Indian food!).

We headed to Toronto to our fabulous hotel- Shangri-La. What a treat! Sumit had called prior, we entered an upgraded room with a box of chocolates and cake. Just perfect and yes sooo romantic.

This was my first time in Toronto, and I wanted to visit the city, but the room and the hotel was so luxurious, I didn’t want to head out.

After much cajoling, we headed to the Distillery District. It was like time stood still, we lazed out in art galleries admiring very interesting pieces. I participated in a small salsa lesson. Was so much fun, under the Toronto sun. (Poetic, eh?)

We held hands, walked and before the sight of any kids laughing would pinch my heart, Sumit would point to the next interesting art work. With the World Cup scores in background we cheered, shouted and well laughed. A Lot. It reminds me of the countless hours we have spent in the Italian Piazza's- Town Squares!

Tired, we then headed to the 'Dunda's Street' time square. We caught the end of an amazing victory of Brazil. Walked around a little more and with exhausted feet headed back to the hotel. The plan was rest, freshen up and head to the lively night life of the city. Come on, no kids, there is no reason to be indoors at 8pm!

But, a detour to the hotel Jacuzzi, pool and Sauna followed. I have no idea where the 3 hours went by. The cabanas were so inviting after the swim, I read that book I have on my night stand since 2 months. Smile. I think time stood still.

We returned and swore we will be out in 10 minutes. And then I said the famous last words, ‘Let me lie down for 5 minutes” The next I remember was waking up, stumbling across the room to see the time as: 11:15 am. Yes, next morning.

Aaaa! So much so for not calling it  a day at 8 pm! It was such a nice feeling to wake up that late, that refreshed and that hungry.

We then enjoyed the sights and scenes of the lively China Town. Eating lychee and drinking sugarcane juice in the heat was perfect. We then walked some more and headed to the harbor front and spend the next few hours looking at the water, the planes, the cyclers at the AmsterDam Brewery! The wood fire pizza was so delicious, the service impeccable and the ambience, pure bliss.

Time to head to the Falls. We made a quick detour to the Niagara-On-The-Lakes. Such a charming town, walking in the lazy town, having ice cream and enjoying Crepes. I think this was the town my kids would have gone crazy in! In a good way, there was an ice cream shop every 10 steps. I kid you not.

The Niagara Falls are breathtaking as always. Our room overlooked the falls, and with the view, you could gaze out for hours. Which I did while Sumit tried his luck at the casino!

We walked and talked on the Falls Ave Strip, enjoyed the liveliness in contrast to the relaxed walks in Distillery.

Next morning, we swore, we will wake up when we wake up. A 11:15 am call woke us up from the slumber. After a heavy meal, we headed to the 'Horn Blower' The Maid of the Mist. It’s my third time at the Falls and I think I will do this Every-Single-Time! It was enjoying the spray of the water, catching the rainbows and just taking it all in!

With heavy hearts and relaxed bones we drove back to Chicago. I think the getaway did us good. The best part, I know the next road trip to do when the kids get back from the Grand Parents.

Note: Picture's are property, please don't use without permission

Not so random thoughts...

I read this article 'Why I left India(again)' recently and re-read this today. I know this article has made rounds over and over again. It has been commented/ criticised, appreciated and murdered.

For me, it felt very real. I hung onto each word and involuntarily shaking my head. I think I can relate to where the author was coming from.

I have been out of India for a decade now. My formative and impressionable years have been out of India. I have been teased as NRI (Not Required in India).

I go 'back home' on and off to meet family, eat at familiar joints, try out new places, relax in air conditioning and appreciate the help at home. I go back since my family is there, it’s my native country. But more often than not, towards the end of my trips, I crave to come back to my familiar grounds. Being in 'vacation mode' might have a lot to do with that.

Being expats in London now, I am often asked: Where are you from? I should respond @I am from India, but more often than not my response is 'I recently moved from Chicago.'

Why you ask?

I can relate to my life in US much more than I can relate to my life a decade ago in India.

It sucks to say that. But it’s true. It took me a lot of time and courage and guilt to come out and say: 'I don’t think I am returning to India anytime soon, barring any life changing/ family health emergencies, we are living outside India'

Once I said that out loud, I repeated it and made peace with myself. Yes, I get scornful looks, raised eyebrows, OMG how can you say that and best of all 'Traitor'

I am learning to develop a thick skin now.

My family life, professional obligations and daughter’s upbringing and education has made definitely made a huge contribution in our decision/ state of mind. But if I look in the mirror, its more to do with 'My View Today'.

India is my native country. No matter where I go in life, what I do, I always will be Indian, my passport has little to do with it. I don’t have to explain how great, developing and changing India’s temperament is today. Everyone knows it. And I can’t even do justice to it.

I adore going back to India. Its home in all sense of the word. But sadly my Life is not in India right now. I may or may not return to India. But I do know wherever I am and will be, I will be Indian.

 It’s not the type of food, the language, the colour, and the clothes you wear; where you live that make you more or less Indian. Your ethnicity makes the foundation of who you are. Period.

Happy Birthday to my wonderful Husband!

There are two things that have sort of become a pattern in my life after marriage.

Come my birthday, and for some strange reason, we are always, either moving houses, planning a move or some other big change.

Come hubby's birthday, we are generally on a vacation, about to leave on holiday or just returning from one.

Seriously!

But this year definitely was an exception to the rule.

We celebrated my birthday very much in Chicago. Of course the move to London was in the background (or foreground, since we moved 24 days after my birthday). But still we enjoyed my birthday and I loved every minute of the three day celebration!

This year for Sumit's birthday, which is today :-D, we are not in any sort of vacation mode. Well, Sumit had a stay-cation last week due to V's mid term school break. But that does not count. On his birthday, we are very much in regular school day- work day mode! But we definitely do plan to make the most of the evening!

So in the year of changes, this is another change to our birthday rules... :-)

Sumit, wishing you a very Happy Birthday.

Today is your day, let there always be music-full volume style, laughter- falling on the floor types, food- licking your fingers type and friends- got your back types and above all family - that can get your pulse ticking!

Smile baby, Life is Good!

Enjoy your birthday and oh yeah.... looking forward to the next year full of travels!

Lunch In Paris: Fond memories revisted

It was actually a perfect time to read 'Lunch in Paris' With my 30th Birthday looming over my head and me having a mini-freak-out session. It was actually wonderful. Reading the memoir, it took be back in time when my husband and I were dating. Not technically Boyfriend-girlfriend, but just kind of figuring out and seeing if 'this is it' for us.
As I read about the nooks of Paris that the author went, I remembered the crazy lunches, weekend getaways, random trips we both made while 'sorta dating' and making very fond memories. SD and I are bitten willingly with travel bugs. No complains. We lived the farthest possible away from each other, diagonally opposite in US- I was enjoying my sunny California and he the four season filled East Coast! But the distance only made us grow closer.
With time some details have been forgotten but not the meals- I still remember the Thai food we had, our first meal together- He ordered some ugly coconut milk filled dish and I hated it. I vowed to never let him order my meals again. I remember cooking a surprise dessert for him. An Indian dessert which takes over two hours of cooking time. I made it and excitedly asked him to eat it. As he took the first morsel in, I exclaimed- "Oh no, I forgot to add sugar" Yes, no sugar in dessert.
The meals, the smells, the trips, the conversations all came alive as I snuggled in my Comforter and read 'Lunch In Paris'.

Note: I was sent this for guilty reading pleasure as a member of From Left to Write Book Club at no cost to me. However the views expressed are solely mine.

35 years!!!

It’s my In law's 35th Anniversary Today! Wow... Congratulations to them.
Though we will be not be there for celebrations in India! I am sure, they know we are there smiling and cheering them along.
Knock on wood, I am blessed. I have a good relation with my In-Laws. I have utmost respect for them and they adore me as well.
Since we live here in US and they in India, in the first few years of marriage, except phone calls, occasional Skypes and our busy trips to India, I didn’t really spend all that much time with them.
But right after we had V, my in-laws came to US for the first time. We spent a good five months together. Needless to say, before they came, I was a bit worried. How will I manage? Hope they still like me after they spend so much time with me. Hope I don’t become one of those- really uptight bahu's and honestly, I was scared. Since it was the first time of the entire family was going to under one roof.
Most of my worries went out the door very quickly.
They were the sweetest, very understanding and a whole lot of fun! My FIL would spend hours just playing with V. Telling her stories, rhyming poems and all this while, the four month old V would just stare at him and may be smile. He would wait patiently just for that one smile. My MIL is a fabulous cook. She completely got our 'quest' for healthier eating and would cook up the most amazing oil free paratha's. When I would return from work, before I could even put my bag down, our tea would be ready. We both would sit enjoy tea, chit chat and I would play with V.
Both my FIL- MIL are like a well oiled machine. Both have their own share of health complications. But they stand by each other strong. They get each other. Every time, I would try to 'cook' something special for them, my MIL would remind me.. oh your papa does not eat this or that. Every time I would plan an activity with her, FIL would tell me her preferences. It's very different for our parents generation- I don’t think I have seen them or even my own parents hold hands in front of us, or say I love you! But the care they show each other in small and big things is amazing. Actions speak louder than words!
My In-laws would know how the other would react in a given situation. For example- Taking FIL golfing with Sumit and his friends. My MIL said, oh he would love to try it out. And he did. Asking Papa- will mummy like Pasta. He said, as long as you spice it up, she would love it. And she did. After 35 years of togetherness, they completely get each other.

Papa, Mummy: wishing you a Very Happy Anniversary and hope you celebrate decades of togetherness!!!

We love you- Sumit, Garima, V!

Recipe: Quick Daal Makhani

It’s no secret, I can’t grocery shop! I tend to overspend, under analyze and leave the store with more things than I really need or my family can consume. The worst is, for the life of me, I can’t differentiate between a good tomato to a bad tomato unless of course if there is fungus involved!
Keeping all that in mind and ensuring weekends are away from errand running, my dear hubby steps up the game. He does all our grocery shopping. The freako planner in me, sends him a list of things we are out of and must haves and then it's fair game for him. I love him. I really do, and not just because he grocery shops or not just because he never fails to make fun of my fruit spotting... just because, he 'voluntarily' helps me out here. Occasionally when we do go together.. I am Alice in Wonderland!
A while ago, I asked him to get daal.. and he did. He just didn’t get the green moong one I needed, but got the black udat instead. By the way telepathy is not his forte. Daal is daal. He got me there!

Hmm.. so I am stuck with Black udat and I scratched my mind, searched the internet... and here is my revised recipe for a quicker Daal Makhani. Well it’s not that quick.. but prep time is not much and then cooking time is what it is. But I assure you, the lazy me cooks it at least twice or thrice a month on weeknights! So it can’t be that hard.

Prep time: 10-15 minutes Cooking time: 45-60 minutes

Ingredients
1.5 cup whole urad dal (black lentils) - I have Black Split Udat, which works fine as well.
0.5 cup Rajma (red kidney beans) - Canned ones are fine
0.5 cup Channa dal (Bengal gram dal)
0.5 cup Chickpeas/garbanzo beans - Canned ones are fine
1/2 inch ginger, peeled and chopped finely
2 – 3 garlic cloves
2 green chillies
1 onion Finely chopped
1.5 tomato Finely chopped
salt to taste

Masala:
Store baught: Daal Makhani Masala tastes fantastic and very repeatable with consistent taste.
Alternatively:
0.5 tspn or more chilli powder
0.5 tspn garam masala
0.5 tspn Haldi

for tadka
1-2 tspn ghee
1 tspn cumin
1/2 Bay Leaves
1/2 Cloves
Just a little Cinnamon.

To finish
1/2 cup Yogurt or cream (I prefer Yogurt for the tangy taste and definitely healthier than cream)
Finely chopped coriander

Process
1. Soak all of the lentils (udat, rajma, chole and channa dal) in water for 6 hours, or preferably overnight. I tend to soak them in the morning before work and return to make it for dinner. Wash 3-4 times before making the daal.
2. Heat ghee in a pressure cooker and add cumin, cloves, bay leaves, cinnamon
3. When bubbling, add garlic, ginger, onions and sauté till translucent
4. Now add 2-3 tspns of the Daal Makhani masala. Saute a bit more
5. Add chopped chilli and tomatoes. Sautee till cooked (about 5 min.)
6. Add all the soaked lentils.
7. Add 4-5 cups of water (I prefer our daals a bit thicker, but add water based on the consistency you like)
8. Close the pressure cooker and leave the gas on low-medium.
9. The daals take a good 45 minutes before the first whistle. The longer is stays in, the better the flavors.
10. Once the daal is done, open the pressure cooker, mix/ blend the daal. Adjust seasoning.
----- You can add an additional tadka if you like the look of fresh tadka!
11. Add whisked yogurt and reduce the gas for another 15 minutes.
12. Top with freshly chopped coriander.

Eat away!

I know, it sounds like a long process, but trust me, while the daal is getting cooked, I tend to finish making the remainder dinner, clean up, and get time to play with V.
Plus nothing better than fresh hot daal! High in proteins and healthy. I consistently get the hi-five from my daughter. Best of all, hubby and I enjoy it with chopped onions on the side.
As you can see, the grocery shopping arrangement in our family is working brilliantly.
Wink Wink!

I think I found my Coffee Twin.

No seriously I did. Someone who is as passionate about the perfect brew, perfect blend as me. Hang on… you have to read this post before you continue. Only then will you follow.. I will wait.

All right, now. You know how particular I am about my coffee.

So. I think I found my coffee twin. Back in India, a very dear friend would whip the coffee to perfection. I have to credit her for making me crave coffee this bad. I have to credit her to make me enjoy the real flavor of coffee. We both have spent countless hours and a huge chunk of cash at our JATC. Same Table, Same setting. So far, with every trip to India, we both have managed to meet up. Same Table, Same setting. We both always know where to meet... it has to JATC of course. Why even bother to ask.
I digress.
Now, my morning includes washing my coffee cup mug and then going to my cafeteria to get my coffee. It’s simple: It's in the green colored dispenser. It reads dark organic roast. I take that half way, the remaining quarter is decaf to keep me sane and then one sachet brown sugar with 2% milk. Nothing more, nothing less.
My cafeteria staff knows me. If my coffee is out or almost over, I just glance away. The lady smiles, happily brews my fresh coffee and gives me a pat. She knows; I need it, just right.
It’s a morning ritual. If I skipped a day, she would ask where I was the day before. :-)
Recently, a new person joined my team. I bumped into her a couple of times at my coffee dispenser. I noticed, she follows the exact same pattern as me: 1/2 dark brew, 1/4 decaf, one brown sugar and oh well.. skim milk!
Darn... almost a twin.

And yes, I am serious about my coffee. Feel free to ask Sumit. Recently we were out of coffee at home and in my knowing ways... I told him, don’t get it from 'there', it’s always more expensive, when we go to Costco, we will pick up the right Nescafe there. He just nodded. He went 'there' and bought the right Nescafe. Money be damned. He knows I needed it. There is no way I would survive without coffee till the weekend Costco trip. Or rather he would not survive my coffee-less moods.

I smile each time I fix my coffee at home. The tiny over priced box reminds me of Sumit's smile when he handed me the coffee. Perfect. :-)

An evening to remember.....

And I get amazed... every time I go to Chicago Summer Dance Festival... How are the people old enough to be my grandparents so nimble, so excited and dancing without a care in the world. I as usual was astounded.
As I held hands with a 74 year old on one side, my daughter's finger in my other hand and we danced to the music of XXX last night, I realized after 15 minutes of covering the dance floor, I was huffing, but people on either side of me were still energetic. The lady was adorable, she would tell me, oh right leg first and then left and then back and then front. I followed her along. My husband joined as well... but both of were mesmerized at how lively this grey generation was.
When I looked around, I saw a few people on the chairs; they were either people of our generation or our future generation- the infants. Besides that, everyone was giggling, laughing, following, leading and dancing in unison.
I caught an elderly couple in the corner. Just holding each other’s hands and gazing at each other. For them, we probably didn’t exist. The smiles were equal to those of the "first kiss" feel, the gaze was the "new love" like and the warmth was well known to both. It was magical.
As I staredgazed, at them... I noticed; they were not the isolated ones. There were so many other couples! Full of Life, Full of Love.
What makes them so different and so energetic?
I get that 40 is the new 30 and that concept. But I don’t get, how 74 is the new 40? Impressive!
Recently on our camping trip, I had met another couple- 55 years of age and running at least 2-3 marathons a year. And here I was, generation Y, scared to even commit for a 5K.
25 years from now, I want to be them. I want to hold SD's hand as my support; I want to be dancing, exploring, learning new things. I want to be energetic and not just sit on the sidelines and discuss the time that went by, but look forward to the time ahead, the time left.
In addition to enjoying V's dancing, I learned one thing last night from the 74 year old dancing whiz..... Look ahead in life, cover the entire dance floor. It does not matter if you are 2.5 years old, 29 years or 74 years.

Technically S****ed!

A lot has been read, written, shared, discussed, debated, condoned, and laughed about this whole Shoaib- Sania debacle. The Shoaib- Ayesha phone marriage, The Shoaib- Sania tie up, The Sania break up, the love story, the patriotism, the location of post marital bliss, the guest list and so on! Just Google and you will find the answers.
So, I don’t want to write about this whole thing and my take and my opinions. Since honestly, it does not matter.
What I do want to write about is technology’s ‘interference’ in today's modern courtship, marriages, break-up's and its strain on relationships.
Phone, emails, web chats, FB's, Twitter, Orkut and I don’t know how many other ways are there to communicate with your sweetheart. Just may be check up on them, drop a quick note, check them out or simply let the other know you are thinking about them.
In case you are cheating (Shame on you); there is not the strand of hair or the lipstick mark your spouse will be looking out for. It’s the internet print! It’s the online statements, the phone records and may be the emails. The main flip side of technology is too much in touch. There are times when I would try to reach SD on any of the three numbers and 2 emails, just to let him know: V did this! For that moment, if he is in a meeting or no, doesn’t matter, the achievement could not wait, you see.
I remember a while ago, on a girl’s night out. All of us made the conscious decision of leaving the cell phones in the purse and not touch them. Trust me, the powder breaks were more than often that night.
We need to be in touch; else we will feel left out. Technology just makes it easier.
Phones are just not simple anymore. You can access anything and everything from that tiny thing you lug around! From the ‘mini-machine’ you can update FB: ‘Your wife packed you Masala Dosa's for lunch.’ "Awwww" yes, but seriously, now I am craving it, and there is no Udipi in my area.
Somehow, gone are the days where love, passion was a feeling, a sensation, a feel good thought. It was more about coy looks, shy smiles, reading letters, hiding the blush, waiting for that one call, one visit. Now it’s more about sharing the pictures, the text's, discussing the break up’s, and above all: Leaving it all open. On the phone, the web enabled phone (Is there any other kind, you ask!)
Recently, I asked a friend, so any one special? Her goofy response: When FB tells you, you'd know. I was taken aback, but let it be.
Now how does this all tie back to the Shoaib-Sania story? Imagine 2 decades ago, a call overseas would be a trunk call. For which both the parties would have book the call, wait by the phone. Wait, wait and then wait some more. When the call finally came through, may be one of the witnesses went to the rest room. So now, you still cannot get married, since you can’t be on the phone while the witness takes a tinkle. It’s way too expensive. So you request the operator to re-call in a bit. You howl at the witness on the return and then wait again. No one is allowed to eat or drink now. The call comes in, but no speaker phone right? So for the witnesses to hear, both parties will have to speak their commitment multiple times. Remember: “Haan Bhai Haan!” Now, within this duration, the call get cut sometimes, the lights go out or simple: You are screaming into the phone, since the other side can barely hear!
It’s too stressful! So you call it a day. Book your train tickets to the place, get married and have a legit proof of the marriage: “Two people side by side, holding their hands and making the most important commitment of their lives" with the witnesses physically present and not over Telephone. And yes with food and merriment.
So Shoaib: it's not your fault really to get “tricked” in this phone marriage: It’s the cell phone company’s fault to make it so easy to call with caller ID on. Techonolgy screwed it up for you. Sorry.
Just one question lingers in my mind: How come none of the parties recorded this call? Wouldn’t you save all the marriage pictures, why not the recording?

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh..Got to go, the RSS feed on my phone shows a recent development on this scandal: Sania's statement!

I saw Mickey Mouse!!!!!!!!!

I was away on a vacation.. and hence no posts, no comments, no facebooking, limited emails and even limited phone! Wow! I love vacations.
This one was super special for me. I went to Disney World!!!! Yeah! And once more.. I Saw Mickey Mouse!!! Yeah!
Call it childish, cute, immature, just funny.. Whatever.. I don’t care! Since I saw Mickey.. and i held my dad's hands through it! The trip was a recapture of my first US trip with my parents and brother in early '90s. I could remember a lot of details before we got there- like you need to take the boat to go to Magic Kingdom or that Space Mountain is the best ride ever.. and Mickey is the cutest mouse ever! ;-)
SD had booked a huge vacation home for us with a pool and Jacuzzi, we always had some place to recoup from the hours of walking and standing in line before hitting the bed. My mum had carried enough food to feed a mini country. Well at the end, the five adults ate it all! My dad would keep saying: Where is Baby.. and instead of V, I'd show up! (I know he was looking for V... but hey, until two years ago, I was the baby of the house!) My brother would keep playing with V, keep her engaged, take her to all the rides and just be a little kid with her. SD would hook on the Twenty20 on the TV and we'd all just chill over lemonade and V screaming Nice Shot! Even at 11 in the night and chilly 55F out, SD would swim; he would soak up the sun during the day! It was adorable!
The trip turned out to be not we had thought it to be! SD had read "Unofficial guide to Disney World" Found the tricks to reducing the wait time at lines, and figured out a lot of park details. But guess what! With the two year old, the best thing about the trip- The ability to Re-plan! We did 3 days= 4 parks, Visit to family friends and eating pakoras in Florida Rains overlooking a fabulous golf community, NASA and watching life-off's, taking the air boat for watching the alligators, sitting by the beach eating yummy fries and oh yes: Shopping!
The ten days went by fast! Faster than you can imagine. We got to spend a lot of time with my parents. It had been two years! For V, she always had her "Nana" or her "Mama" or her "Naani" to run if we enforced any thing on her. She got her unlimited splurge of M&M's. She got to see Mickey, hug Winnie the Pooh, give a Hi-Five to Goofy, Sit on Dinosaurs, Get spooked by Bugs-3D show. See Lions, Giraffes, the parades, the fireworks, and oh yes Mickey Mouse and Mini Mouse! She woke up every morning in her crib and said "I saw Mickey Mouse" ;-) She slept holding Minnie's hand (Her stuff toy)!

Overall- I want more!! I want more!!!

To gift or not..

Valentine’s day is coming to town.. la lala la…. Hehe.. Ok, so SD and I don’t technically celebrate this day! I always find the restaurants pre-booked and too cheesy and too "red" for our taste. We try to have a simple but a memorable evening. A delicious meal indoors. Lots of sweet gestures to make the day memorable! And oh yeah, a gift!
I know, its a Hallmark Day....well marketed.. well crafted. But come on.. it doesn’t do any harm does it?
Though if you ask me what we did last year for V-day, I have no idea! I think we got V some cute red t-shirts.. and baby stuff! The one before.. hmm yes that one I remember. It was right after we had V. SD surprised me by coming home early.. got a lovely gift and amazing dinner reservations. It was our very first date after we became parents. He got a very cool watch for my mom as well! And for V, we got her- guess what: "Baby's first valentine" Bib. Original I tell you! ;-). One year, SD was travelling and came home later in the night. I had cooked up a fancy dinner at home; which included cute heart shaped cutlets, and S and G shaped patties. (Don't ask!) I was all dressed up in my amazing Blue Saari for the candle light dinner… technically fireplace light dinner ;-). I know one year I got a cute box of chocolates, which when you open it, plays a love ballad. Chocolates were eaten promptly and V loves it now; it’s her favorite play box!
So now, another Valentine's is looming.. and I know the sweet gestures, simple dinners etc will all follow. But I really don’t know what gift to get. And I don’t want to say.. no gifts necessary! Because they are! :-)
SD is not a big gift giver (!). Well per his standards he is, for a greedy me... he is not! So I will make him sweat it! I know I will! I will tell him, I want a gift, and he will have to wonder what! For V it will be easier.. I think I already know what we are giving her…a new book: Potty Training! (It counts … yes it does!) Ok fine, we will get her something cute! Now back to my husband SD- gosh!!! What do I get for him?
Electronics, Perfumes, Personal Accessories, Clothes, Shoes, Miscellaneous: WHAT?
If I get something for the house as his gift pretext. Its not fair! If I get something for us; realistically, I will be using it more! So what do you get for your husband.. as a surprise.. which he might not need, but you can create a need for it. Should be usable, easy to store (!) and definitely enjoyable! And his face would become child like and his excitement will be felt in the room! Advise please!

And SD... too bad, since I blog, I get help on your gift.. you still have to hunt and hunt for mine!
Or may be.. this year, I will go easy.. and actually just relax and enjoy the day! May be a lovely walk in the park will be perfect........hmmmm... Naah! Gift please ;-)

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!

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!