My School Memories

The School Bag 💼 . I see myself struggling to close the zipper. Oh! The school bag looks old but I still love carrying it to school everyday.

The Green Water Bottle 💦. I see myself picking a matching green towel and keeping it along with my green bottle in my green lunch bag. Oh! The bottle is small but it has enough water to keep me hydrated through the day.

The School Badge 🪪. I see myself feeling proud. Oh ouch! The pin hurts but I love the color of the badge and wear it with a smile.

Her Long Hair. I see myself admiring her hair as she stands in front of me in the line! Oh! My hair is not short but how I wish I had such a long hair like her.

The Games Period 🏐. I see withdrawing myself from all sports activity. Oh! I’m not athletic and hated this 40 minute period every Wednesday.

The Exams 📙. I see myself with my math book, sitting under my favorite tree and studying. Oh! I love math and my math teacher.

The Candle Light Ceremony 🕯️. I see myself in white saree carrying candle and singing school hymns. Oh how I love this day even today!

The Back-Gate. I see myself walking towards the back gate to go home. Oh! The path to the back school gate is just so wonderful. I love the pink flowers, the huge tamarind tree, the school hostel, and the kindergarten children.

The Canteen. I see myself entering the canteen with my friends. We buy 1 small samosa packet and share with each other. Oh! I love the taste! It is yummy! I see myself having fun!

The Old Hall. I see myself in the hall attending the morning prayer. Oh! I love this hall and we are singing my favorite hymn.

….to be continued.

#Blogathon2023

U for USA

So this happened.

We had the privilege to join 600+ people from many different countries and became a U.S. CITIZEN today. It’s been quite a journey! I’m sooooooooo full of emotions now!

Will write all about this journey some other day.. for now, cheers everyone!!!

#Blogathon2020, #A-ZWriting, #USCitizen, #proud

K for Keepsake

Keepsake is a very special thing that we keep to remind us of a person, or a place or a memory. It might have travelled with us in a suitcase from another country or we might have found it ourselves. It might have even been passed down through generations in the family. Whatever it is or however we got it, they are so special. Aren’t they?

Here’s a list of some of mine that is so close to my heart.

This hanuman picture from my Grandma is so special to me. I take this pic with me every vacation and to every long drive.

This one is from my dad… This is my favorite jewelry set. I wear it only on special occasions.

And this one is from my mom. I still remember the day we went shopping. This ring was not on our list of things to buy. Yet she got it for me just because it liked it. Ever since I’ve worn it everyday. It’s my favorite ring!

We have many souvenirs from so many travel, but my favorite is this one. I got this somewhere in New York. I never use it though! It’s just there for me to love and admire.

I have a few more special keepsakes but I’ll save it for another post.

#Blogathon2020, #A-ZWriting, #Keepsakes

Visiting Memories

There are moments in my life where I would just be nostalgic. So lost in memories. Such days trigger remembrance from the past so much that I totally forget the present.

Today was one such day. Many memories came unannounced after my lunch conversation with a friend.

Those memories felt so real that I could feel the warmth of my familiar desk in the classroom. I could hear the guys talking, the girls giggling, and the professor shouting. The sound of someone dropping the pen, the sound of someone tearing a sheet of paper and the sound of someone writing with chalk on the black board.

That was the time in my life when I was very silent and super shy. I never spoke to classmates other than my close friends.

The memories felt so real that I forgot I was sitting in my silly corner desk in Office.

These figments from life do their best to remind me of the person I once was and how I have changed now for the greater good.

Will these memories fade away with time? I don’t know. I just wish I could relive some of those days.

#Blogathon2018

P.S.: One more day and I’m done with the Blogathon. Phew! Someone pass me a trophy already!

Me at 28

2008: She is single. She’s just out of college. It is winter time. She celebrates new years with parents and leaves to a different city to start her new career. The weather was awesome where she went. She reaches the city a day earlier to her joining date. She roams around with her BFF around the city, exploring the people, the food and their culture. She becomes comfortable. The BFF even bought her a jeans to wear for the first time in life – a strange decision she made that day, indeed!

She starts a new career on this X-day. She sits in the welcome orientation. Suddenly, she was given an option to change her training from this city to another. She says yes immediately. Just because all her other batch-mates decided to do so.

Next day, she reaches this other new town. She is suddenly in a new state not knowing the language that people speak in the city. Just like that she was introduced to new friends. She liked the new city and the new group of people but life was so unpredictable for her then. She made a choice. Without asking her parents. It wasn’t her decision. She was just following the crowd.

After the training she got placed to some other city while all her friends were posted to Chennai. Sigh! 

She did not know anyone in the city she was posted. Finding room mates was hard. Getting along with new people was hard. Staying away from parents was even more harder.

She still thinks may be if she hadn’t changed her training from this city to the other, her life would have been different. She still thinks about it at times. Mistake. Judgement. Sadness. Horror. Is all what she feels.

Since then, choices have always scared her. Not that the city, the training, the job, or her new friends were bad. But she just feels she had made a foolish decision that first day of her training.

***

2014. Six year later. Things have changed. She’s 28 years old. She is married. She has a kid. One boy. Time passes. She finishes her MBA. She works in the US. In her favorite field. She buys a house. She is no longer dependent. It is going well.

She is not following the crowd anymore. She does things because she loves it. She goes to work. She cooks, she takes care of the family. And, she even manages bank accounts.

All of a sudden that girl is not who she was six years ago. 

All of a sudden that girl is real.

All of a sudden that girl is all grown-up. Even though she thinks she is still a child. 

All of a sudden that girl is me. 

***

She is still not comfortable with choices. But, this time, she knows what she wants in life. 

P.S.: This one is from my drafts. Wrote it for my 28th birthday but never posted it.

Of dream, magic, marriage, drama and life (100 happy days – Day 4)

I am a drama queen who loves to dream. When I was this little girl, I watched a lot of movies where in every movie a guy would see a girl and fall in love at first sight and then they would get transported to a new dreamland where they would sing and dance and fall more in love. Every time I saw such movies, I would picture myself falling so much for a guy. I had everything planned in my head. *blush*

I was always fascinated with the filmy-love-life (SRK and Surya always fascinated me) and I never bothered to talk to any guy in real life except for a very very few of them.  I wanted and waited for that special guy to love me. I wanted him to propose knees down. I wanted him to buy me red roses. I thought of our eyes meeting and how we would get transported to the dreamland far away from this world.

In reality, yes! I told Lemon about all of this. Or at least he made sure of learning what all I would like in a guy before meeting me. So, most of my dream came true with Lemon in my real life. He came with big bunch of red-roses and waited for me in the station where we first met after few months of chatting and e-mailing. He proposed to me in one of those busy streets in New Delhi. He was knees down. He suddenly had a red rose in his hand out of nowhere. And then there were people looking at us. Yes yes all this is true! And that was my filmy moment! *we did not get transported to a dreamland though*

Our romantic dreamland experience happened very soon after marriage. Our first trip was traveling to the US of A. Hawaii was our dreamland. It seemed like the perfect destination. It all looked and happened just like I dreamt of seeing those movies. The beautiful scenery, the ever-loving-Lemon, the beaches, the fireworks, the music, the dance and what not. We stayed in a hotel facing the beautiful ocean, watched fireworks holding each other –> my awwwww moment!

Even in our latest trip to Canada, he made sure that we stayed in a suite overlooking the Niagara falls and watched the fireworks. And sometimes, I do have to keep giving him hints about what I would like him to do and when he obliges — it’s all awww!

Today was one such day. He packed lunch. For those of you who already think that he cooked. No! He did not. He just packed us lunch that I cooked. That’s a lot of help to me you know. He also did so many other things today that I have always asked him to do without a single reminder. Wow! I am impressed.  It’s so nice to feel this way. Let’s just be this.

#100happydays

ILP

Dear ILP,

I dreamt about you yesterday. It was a lovely dream. I remembered the 3 months I spent away from my family. I usually do not remember my dreams. But this one was very special. 

I dreamt of my first trip away from home in 2008. I dreamt of my mom, dad and paati packing my bags. And how they were making sure I had all that I would need for the next 3 months.

I dreamt about me and my BFF traveling to the Madras Egmore station, chasing each other to get the window seat and then waving goodbye to our parents. It was an awesome train-trip to Coimbatore where I had you, ILP!

I dreamt of my first day… you welcomed me with a bright sunshine. And how I traveled with my BFF and other friends in a car from our hotel to our first-day-orientation in some place. And then how we switched our ILP program from Coimbatore to Trivandrum. And how I met my cousin that night in Pallakad, on our way to Trivandrum.

I dreamt of that first morning I woke up to in Trivandrum and how we rushed to our ILP in Technopark. I dreamt of seeing so many people around. Not that I could identify any. And how me and BFF always used to skip breakfast and rush to our classes just on time.I dreamt of the various sessions I had and how I fell asleep during most of them. I dreamt of hating the food at the cafeteria, and mostly living on Maggie and Tea from the near-by tea-kadai.

I dreamt of how my parents went nuts to know that I switched my ILP program to Trivandram without even informing them. More than me, they were so scared. I dreamt of my mom and dad recharging my mobile almost every other day just to talk to me. And how my mom came to see me in Trivandrum to make sure I was okay. And then how my BFF’s dad came to Trivandrum after few days to see us again to make sure we were fine! Aww.. such lovely parents we have.

I dreamt of all the outings I went with my friends in Trivandrum. And how me and my BFF would complete our assignments staying up late at night. I dreamt of all the different people I met during those three months and how some of us are in touch even today.

 I dreamt of all the late night walks, the main road we used to walk thru’ when we missed our shuttle and how these experiences were so unique and different for me. I dreamt of all the temples I visited… from Padmanabhaswamy temple to my favorite small hanuman temple near our hostel.

I dream of my first flight from Trivandrum to Madras. And how I was so scared.

I dreamt of how everything seemed so good except for the fact that I was posted to Mumbai and all my friends got Madras posting. And how I came back home just for a day and then left  to Mumbai the very next day.

So yeah, I dreamt about you, ILP and it was all good memories. And it is with all that good memories I am ending this post. 

Thank you – Lavender!

P.S.: ILP – Initial Learning Program. It was a training program that every new-joinee had to undergo upon joining the company.

Stay tuned for more you folks!

Yet another year

I celebrated my birthday a month ago. Birthday is THE only thing that gets me really really excited. I wait for it all year. I plan for it well in advance, literally countdown and irritate lemon!! This year I had Lime with me and it made me double excited. It was so much fun. I jumped around telling both of them, “It’s my birthday today!” Lemon gifted me a Samsung Galaxy Tab after midnight the previous day along with a NYC top, bouquet and some chocolates. Yay!!  The naughty boy was also on leave on that day! So yes! Double Yay!! 😀

We woke up late, cut the cake, and went out for dinner to a great place and ordered like we haven’t eaten for a very long time. We went to The Melting Pot in Framingham and the dessert was awesome. It is a heavenly medley of fresh strawberries and rice krispies treats with chocolate fondue. If you haven’t been there, I highly recommend it.

That night, when I logged on to Facebook, what did I see? Lots of wishes posted on my wall. It took me a while to thank everyone individually. The only thought on my mind was why is the fourth of April always short? Sigh! I still feel bad that it’s over so soon. But thanks to all those of you who wished me. I will treasure all those wonderful wishes.

P.S: It has been years since I have had a proper vacation. No office work. No visa tension. No stay-at-hotel. No super-big-plans. It’s all just about family. Yes! I am in Madras with my parents now. Yay! Yay! And Yay!!!!

And it was a happy birthday

***************************March 15th 1 PM*****************************

Friday’s are always busy! Last Friday, I had to go to the mall before Lemon came back home from office. Why go to mall you ask? For getting him a birthday present. Yes! It was his birthday on the 17^th of March. This year was all different with little Lime at home. So, yes! I planned to go out at around 1 in the afternoon. I was all ready. I took the stroller out, and I heard Lime. Crying loudly. Very loud that he refused to calm down. He was so fussy that I couldn’t start. After a big fuss, he slept. One hour passed by. Then around 2’o clk, Lime woke up. I was all ready to start again. But could not. This time he cried for food. And then later for diaper. Ufff! Finally, after all this diaper-and-dress-change-thing, we left home at 3. When we settled in the car, I feared. I never understood this driving-with-an-infant-alone-in-the-car-funda so much. Was it because I was too scared of driving alone with a baby in car? Or driving in general? No! It’s most definitely riding with Lime. Alone. It used to be like he’d cry on all our car rides. Any time we stop at a red light, he’ll scream. He hates to sit in his car seat when it’s not moving. And when we are stuck in traffic… imagine how that would be.

I somehow escaped all the red lights and reached the mall. When I found a parking spot and stopped. He yelled. And this time it was for sleep again. I had to make him sleep before entering the mall. Finally, after putting him to sleep on his stroller, I quickly grabbed a wallet and a shirt for Lemon and reached home before it’s too late.

***************************March 16th 11.58 PM*************************

There he was in the bed. All cuddled up with his laptop on his tummy. There I was lurking at him and planning few last minute surprises. Being able to surprise your husband with an 8 month old baby at home is a challenge, you see?

We did some celebrating…and I have lots of pictures…but for now, here are a few…

the birthday boy….

Lemon is the best person I know, He is the best husband I know. He is the best daddy I know. He is the best non-famous singer and the best non-famous dancer I know. I could go on and on about him… But, I don’t want to make this post sappy… so, I’ll just post a few photos of him since they say pictures speak more than words.

In crane beach #oneofmyfavorites

In Hawaii

I had to post this pic… It made me laugh when it popped up…This was taken in Chicago…

P.S.: Lemon, always remember you are so lucky to have me as your wife! 😛 😛 😛 And, haven’t you decided yet what to get me for my birthday?

3 years

We celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary last week!!

Three years ago, I met my soon-to-be-husband. We were completely confident in the bond we shared. We were full of optimism for our future!!

We have seen many ups and downs in the past years. But, Lemon always made sure that I had his shoulder to cry on and hands to hold for each of those moments. I am thankful to have him as my husband.

Time has changed the way we celebrate our anniversary. We spent our first in Florida, sharing dinners and outdoor adventures.

We spent our second in New York, bundled up amongst snow and in this wonderful room with Manhattan’s skyline view.

This is our anniversary post-baby and is definitely different from those before.  We didn’t do anything different or buy great gifts. This year we celebrated at home while rocking baby Lime to sleep. We took turns with poopy diapers and fussy cries. Lemon rubbed my shoulders as he was sure that my back was sore from carrying Lime. Yet, this was in so many ways one of the most romantic anniversaries!! This time, it was not fancy or thrilling…It was just us! Just the family!

I know, our anniversary may not have been the best, but at the end of the day, it was all Love and that was still US. After all Marriage is a journey and I cannot think of a more wonderful MAN to share this Crazy life with! Thank you God for blessing us beyond measure!

……And they lived Happily Ever After!