A Sad Toddler

The Loud cries of a 2 year old toddler have been ringing throuout my Apartment corridor. Our front door neighbours(A grandpa and a Grandma) runs a creche and so we guessed that the new child's mom would have started working and wants her child to get accustomed to the creche for the first time in its life.
2 weeks back the mom just dropped the child just for 1 hour to check out her toddler's reaction. Since the owners of the creche did not want the rest of the kidsin their creche to get disturbed, they thought the new child could walk in the corridor with a caretaker while they keep their door closed to the cries of the new child. After hearing bouts of loud cries, I opened my door to see the sad child and thought of ways of comforting her but she just refused to be comforted. I noticed that the caretaker(a young woman) was making the child walk to and fro in the long corridor. The child would be murmuring some unknown language as (it was obvious that) she hasn't learned to talk yet and in between she would burst out loudly and cry. It even seemed that she had only recently learned to walk. I was wondering how a mother could do this to a young child. A few moments later the mom comes and takes her child home. It was releif that now the babe was with its mom. I didn't see her after that day.Yesterday I was returning after my daily swim and saw the same child in my corridor. This time the child was lying down in the caretakers lap in a sleeping positon almost tired of crying and also half sleepy. She would scream and cry in between after restoring some of her baby energy. I told the babe a Hi but she was not in a mood to acknowledge. Poor thing! In the past 4 years,I haven't seen kid crying so much like this child . Today too I heard cries, but with lesser intensity. Probabaly she'll get used to it and who knows even her Mom mst be feeling sad to drop the child the first few days. But its heartbreaking to see a 2 yr old baby cry loudly througout helplessly.

I'm a Diehard fan of Agatha Christie !

Like I told u in my previous blog that I read the Autobiography of Agatha Christie during the time I went for a Holiday to my native. I have always been her fan ever since I read her first mystery book.
My Love for Mysteries goes way back to the time when I was in the 4th Std. My favourite then was (U guessed it right!) Nancy Drew. Even Now I feel the excitement I used to have then, whenever I used get a Nancy Drew Mystery book. We still have a collection of Mystery Books at my parents house. I remember those days when the bell used to ring for the Library period in school, I used to run fast in order to reach first to get a Mystery book before anybody else laid hands on what I had not read. Then I came to know of many more books of the same category like The 3 Investigators, Hardy Boys, Famous Five, Secret Seven.....wow!! i used to be lost in the world of investigating and solving puzzles, reading those books..

Sometimes I used to put a story book inbetween my text books half-folded and pretend to study when infact I was reading a mystery. Then when the lights used to be out to sleep ,I would strain to read the book in the faroff streetlight that would slightly light up our room through the window at night. I was too crazy about such books then. When i got to college I would still read Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes. As time passed I got lesser access to books and I stopped reading until now. I have revived my reading habits now as I am making ways of finding time to read .

After reading Agatha Christie's Autobiography , I feel even more impressed about her. She has mentioned every tiny detail of her exciting life even from her childhood, with absolute sincerity and humility. She's even given tips on how to write detective stories which I am planning to follow shortly ;) ;)...jst kidding! I took my own time and read it without taking much breaks coz I was so engrossed in it. Inbetween I would imagine about writing my own autobiography probably naming it as "The Autobiography of a Nobody "!....I am sure it wud be a hit. ;)

Agatha has written on every aspect of her life in her book, even on her marriage, her experiences as a nurse, her relationships with every member of her family, as a mother etc with such dignity and poise. She had such great respect for everbody. Sometimes I wish if I could meet her face to face. Even though she's no more now, I salute this great Lady of the Detective World. Her books r a must read.

Hello October

First blog this month.
Today is a special day as it happens to be the Birthday of my elder girl L . Many Many Happy returns to L, my dear child who's been a blessing to me and I hope she be blessed throughout her life forever. Last year we didn't celebrate her BD in our apartment, instead we did it in our native. Mostly her BD comes during the time of the Puja and Dussehra hols...This year it happened to fall during the same slot, so we called her friends and had a small BD party at home before we came to our native place. She had a great time and got many good presents this time, mostly books....:) Today we plan to have a small cake cutting in the evening. She is already having a blast this holiday, travelling almost everyday.
I am also with my mom now, as I was not there when she underwent a surgery and so I'm happy to be with her for a few days. She's getting better and has improved a lot after seeing us. Its more exciting to get to hear all the Gossip of my near and dear and also meet them face to face.
Plus I am also doing some holiday homework, so that my girls get to enjoy their holiday....haha.. For the past 2 days...i did 4 activities.....Cotton work on Sheep , Dal Work on Sunflower, Hand painting (G's homework) on an old T-shirt , Flower mask to be made on a paper plate. Not bad !Have a few more activities. Mean while I am also reading the Autobiography of Agatha Christie in between....my favourite author. Very Interesting Indeed!

Onam Celebration in our apartment

Hello Bloggy

Been a long while since I've excercised my grey cells. Past 2 weeks were all busy,busy for all the ladies here.

We wanted to do a small Onam program in our apartment here and since it was exam time in almost all schools during this month, we couldn't make it extravagant like last year. So we decided to put up some games for all ages and as fillers we would put some groups songs(malayalam) of small kids and adults as well. Me and my other half decided to join for singing. I had the job of collecting the kids for practice everyday. Also I had to go door to Door in my block for inviting people personally to ensure maximum participation. We also had a Pookalam Competition. There were about 9 teams. Surprisingly there were Non-mallu teams who put up a good show. They even won prizes.

L and G were also there in group songs. Kids were excited and it was fun to see them learn the songs with actions. G wanted to participate(she was the smallest in the group) but she was too shy to do the actions. Few games included Picking the nuggets for the small kids....for bigger children it was passing water and filling a bottle. There was a Mythological Quiz for kids according to their apartment blocks. Couples had a grocery list game where the partners would sit 20 feet apart. One group had to called out the grocery items and their quantity...the other side would have to write out what they hear from their partner in the right order...this was all done simultaneously and so it was fun to watch one whole side screaming out their items. It would be a different list for all teams. Since dad and me were suffering from sore throat,neither of us sould scream. So I chose another friend who was interested in participating. We just missed the first prize coz of 1 item. Instead of Custard powder I heard Instant Powder...haha

The highlight of the day was the Vadamveli(Tug of War) for which even the small children wanted to participate. Finally there was team of equal men on either side. It was most anticipated event and we decided to have the best of 3. After the first attempt the guys switched sides and as everyone watched eagerly, on the second attempt the rope snapped off. It was disappointing. So they split the prize to both sides. Then there was Uriyadi(breaking the hanging pot with a long stick). Three people would be selected by a lucky draw. Age criteria was above 11 years of age. They would be blindfolded and have limited time to break the pot with the stick in their hands, meanwhile the children could splash water at them to their hearts content. The second boy won the prize. By the way the children were splashing water , I thought all 3 people would give up the game.

There were cash prizes for all the events. It was a fun-filled evening yesterday. G surprisingly sang with actions but her sound was not clear coz she had chocolates in her mouth and it was dripping out while she was singing. :)

Scary Intentions

G: Mama,I want to be Superman!

Mama(surprised): Why do u want to be Superman, dear?

G(in animation): I want to scare everybody!

Dad: Then u have to be Supergirl not Superman because u r a small girl.

G: No, I only want to be a Superman !

Trip without Mama

G finally enjoyed her trip to kerala without me and L. She recently went with dad to our native for Onam. L was having her tests and so we had to cancel our(mine and L's) tickets. We thought of letting G visit her grandparents , tho we had doubts whether she would leave till the very last moment before the train journey. The journey to our native is only 1 night's sleep in the train.

L could also study well for her tests without much interference. It was boring for me without G around to pay all attention. Eventho it was a big break for me in a very long time, I was missing G terribly. L behaved like a good girl surprisingly without G to boss around and also studied well for her tests. Infact she was happy G wasn't around to share all the toys for a few days.

G had the time of her life. She got showered with all her grandparents attention. She got lots of chocolates too(which is her greatest weakness). She got to be with the chicks , new fishes in the pond..and the new love birds at my In-Laws and loved the time she got to feed them. Some visits to our relatives and a day without dad at my parents home too went by so fast for G. She would remember me specially when it was bedtime but then she would be too tired then and would fall asleep soon. She was very happy to be back home. It was all so fast for her that she seemed dazed for some time when she came back.

An Old Silk Curtain

When is the last time u have taken time to notice the least important thing in life or given ear to an unsignificant sound? Do u have the time to think of it when u r busy pondering over the mountains and volcanos in ur life. When ur mind feels tired of thinking about the day to day things in life, give it a break. U need to shut ur mind up and chill out. Look at the finest detail of a small thing or listen to silence.hehe ..strange isn't it?

Its been long time that I have been watching this Silk Satin Curtain hanging on my window in our bedroom. Its not an expensive material and also its quite old. Its a beige colour with floral designs. Sometimes I even tell Papa that its time we changed it coz its out of Fashion. Nobody even lays eyes on it, specially during the day. But suddenly it looks beautiful these days only coz I started noticing it more often. It looks the most beautiful when roomlights r switched off and against the yellow streetlight(of our apmt) that falls on it at night. In the gentle breeze that flows across the open window, it looks even more beautiful. And when everybody's asleep I delight at watching it in calmness.

Perhaps its the same way God looks at his children all the time.

Blasts in Delhi

Shame on those people who feel thrilled to kill their fellow innocent brothers and sisters. Why do they call themselves Indian Mujhahideen? Why do they attach the word Indian to their organisation when they r nothing but opposites of it?

Its terrible to think what the people must be going thru, fearing of Bomb Blasts day and Night. My deepest condolences to people who lost their near and dear in the terrorist attacks. May God be with all of them and help them go through this painful experience. My heart sinks just to read such shocking news.

Onam Fiesta !

I wouldn't be a Complete Mallu if I don't mention the Favoutirte festival of Kerala which is "ONAM". Onam Festival is celebrated with great joy and gaiety across Kerala, during a series of days in August or September. Many cultural events are also held on the occasion of Onam. Snake Boat races, Kathakali and Mohiniattam dance recitals and musical performances are organized to celebrate Onam in Kerala. Moreover there is a 10 day holiday in schools for even the children to enjoy.

What do people do throughout the 10 days??
Well there are lots of things!! First and formost People shop till they drop...u'll see sale sale everywhere from big shopping malls to even the smallest market shop. People buy new clothes and exchange gifts. Houses are cleaned and beautiful flower carpets and decorations are made at the entrances of houses and in courtyards. Traditional oil lamps are lit in the courtyard and women dressed in traditional Kerala sarees dance around the lamp, performing a dance called Thiruvathirakali. The main event on Onam day is a grand feast at lunchtime. Called sadya, the feast consists of a series of dishes served one after the other, including rice, vegetable curries, pickles and several varieties of payasam or sweet dish.

The highlight of this season is where u make Pookkalams(Flower designs).
Pookalam is an intricate and colourful arrangement of flowers laid on the floor. The tradition of decorating Pookalam is extremely popular during ten-day-long Onam celebrations. Loads of flowers, lot of dedication, creativity, technique and team effort are what makes a spectacular Pookkalam. Pookalam Competitions r held in schools and associations during this time too. Its a real feast to watch all the designs and creativity. They have become extremely popular and witness huge public participations. Big prizes are also kept in these contests as they have turned up to be extremely competitive events.

The Legend behind Onam Festival in Kerala:

Onam is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, a legendary ruler of Kerala, who was renowned for the justice and goodness of his rule. According to legend, people in his kingdom lived in prosperity and harmony and loved their King so much that even the God's grew jealous of him. King Mahabali had conquered all the land and sea and the heavens, making the Gods even more disturbed. Vishnu descended on earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin, called Vamana. He went to King Mahabali's palace and found the good King distributing alms. When Mahabali asked Vamana what alms he sought, Vamana replied he would like as much ground as he could cover with three footsteps. Mahabali looked at the tiny feet of the dwarf and agreed to his wish. Lord Vishnu covered the land and seas with one step and the heavens with the second. Mahabali recognized the presence of the Lord and offered his head as the ground for Vishnu/Vamana's third step. Mahabali was thus subjugated and sent to the underworld. However because he was a good and just king who loved his subjects, he could return once a year to check on the welfare of his people. And it is during Onam time that He comes to visit his people.

Onam Sadhya(Onam Feast)
A proper Onam Sadhya is what the people long for during this time.It consists of the dishes given below served in small quantities with white rice on a Big Banana Plantain Leaf. Totally Vegetarian and YUMMY! The dishes include Parippucurry, Injithair, Sambar, Avial, Kalan, Olan, Thoran, Puliinji, Pineapple Pachhady, Erissery Koottucurry, Sarkarapuratty ,Kaya Varuthathu, Pappadam ,Payasam, Prathaman ,Bananas

Payasams(also known as Kheer) r the best part of this sadya.
I love payasams.There are several varieties of 'payasams'. I have included a recipe of a simple Semiya Payasam which is my fav.
Semiya Payasam
Ingredients:
Vermicelli 1 cup

Cashew nuts handful

Raisins handful

Water 3/4cup

Sugar a cup

Saffron a pinch

Milk a cup

Cardamom two or three pods
Method:

Heat the ghee and fry the vermicelli till light brown. In the meanwhile, boil the water. Add the vermicelli to the boiling water and cover it. Keep stirring occasionally. Once the vermicelli becomes soft , add the sugar and continue to stir. Put the saffron in the milk and dissolve it, add this milk to the vermicelli. Powder the cardamom and add it to the mixture. Then fry the cashew nuts and almonds in ghee and add these. Mix well and boil for about two minutes. Your payasam is ready and can be served hot or cold.
By now I hope u all got an idea of what Onam is .

So wishing u all a Very Happy Onam!

Beaming Moon

While sunset creeps across

The changing firmament,

You roll slowly into

The deep blue Velvety Skies.

You say ur byes

To the tired sun,

And arrive to take

Your daily turn.

You're a stunner with

Your Silvery beams,

As u strut across

The heavens above.

And while the stars up high,

Wink at u forever,

And give u company,

You surpass all the above,

With ur flattering beauty.

The changing shapes

You acquire each day,

Is ur magical ability

To keep us amazed.

Tho the Sun's mighty,

And much powerful than u,

It still is invisible,

In its own light

And way beyond

Bare eye's view.

Oh! Beaming Moon

Ur Silvery Shine smile,

Is truly a gazer's delight,

A poets muse ,

And a child's rhyme.

Happy Teachers Day

Today is the day teachers should be proud of. A day in memory of all teachers who work hard and spend their life being selfless and who impart knowledge to the younger generation.The gift of teaching isn't a talent u find in everybody. I always fumbled when it came to teaching somebody and i certainly don't have the knack to rack brains through word of mouth and so I admire all teachers and their gift to teach. Me always loved literature and most often my fav teachers would be my English teachers.Lately I found 3 of my English teachers on Orkut who happened to teach me English during 3 different phases of my life. I am really fortunate to have found them. Does it mean that only English teachers seem to be keep in pace with the modern Social Networking system? I don't have any answers to that but from my experience ,I feel its very true. My English teachers have really done well in keeping in touch with all their old students. The latest info now is that,years later, My teachers have become my friends ...:)