March 20! Spring is really here. I can see the trees blooming and hear the chirping of the birds. It's just like I have read in books. Through out spring and even in summer, it rains here. Honestly, it was not the spring I had in my mind. Yeah, rain is not really my thing.
By the end of May, it was getting warmer and not that rainy. This was perfect. Soon came June and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee was celebrated between June 2nd to June 5th. I considered myself lucky for being here. London rocked with it's Union Jack flag seen just about everywhere.
This holiday hangover is going to last for months. Am I experiencing the R2I blues? I have been thinking about this for a month and most of the mornings I would wake up with Panda Eyes. What makes returning a nightmare? Pollution, climate, the stink, health, job hunt, traffic, you name it. For the record, I have been away from Chennai only for a few months. Yet the returning part not so cool. Sure there must be some people in the same boat as me.
I still can't believe the price(my job) of this holiday. No, don't give me that look. I know how important a job is. But 'hey YOLO (You Only Live Once)' said my heart. I always listen to my heart. Now, I have no regrets, and the months spent here were momentous!
Here comes the best part of coming home. My mother awaits our return and that brings an overwhelming happiness. Its a sheer and incomparable bliss to reunite with my mother. My sister has already made plans on how we celebrate our re-union. Also, I have a few commitments to be taken care of and its nice to be back in the track. So Chennai, here I come!
Real Beauty isn't about symmetry or weight or make up; ... it's about looking life right in the face and seeing all its magnificence reflecting in your own - Valerie Monroe.
Ipad is one hell of a device and every one knows that. I have never owned a Mac or iphone. My only Apple device so far is an ipod shuffle. That too was a gift from my aunt. As I will be going to India in a couple of weeks, I needed a laptop. But I thought why buy the usual laptop and browsed for ipad and its uses. After a small study I concluded that an ipad, for all that money you spend, gives you not as much as what you get in a laptop. I am not going to talk about the pros and cons of ipad here. There are plenty of forums debating on that.
Then why ipad? Simple! I wanted to own one! That was an easy reason to decide, and I did not bother about other facts.
When I first had my ipad delivered, I took a video of unpacking the device and took pictures as well. My kid was wondering if she would get to access it. She kept asking if it was for her. First time set-up was similar to that of a mobile's. My touch phone, also a high rated device, was nothing in comparison to the ipad's kickass input. I went on to upload my ipad photos on FB and kept waiting to see who all 'liked' it. It was quite an achievement for me after all the showing off.
I have been using ipad for a week now, and its one of its kind. Now I know it is well worth the money. Its a device like no other.
Six years of marriage has given me all the happiness I could ask for! I am thankful to God for all His blessings! My better half has always been practical, careful and steady in every moment of our togetherness. I am rather a dreamy person and I love fantasies. He completes me. My kid who took me to the world of motherhood, made our marriage more meaningful.
2012! The year is subject to so many doomsday controversies. I am one among those who believe that mother Earth will still forgive us for the way we have been exploiting her. We have always treated her as though we had a spare, haven't we?
Perhaps I strongly believe that if it took millions of years for the Earth to be what it is now, it can't collapse just like that. May be the doomsday countdown(millions of years to count) has just began!
It snowed a little in January, and it was getting colder. My kid attended a play school, which kept her busy and happy. I had plenty of time, most of which I spent chatting with my mother, just about anything under the Sun.
In January, Pongal is a festival celebrated widely by farmers to thank the Sun God at the the time of harvesting. My grandfather was a responsible farmer and cared for the soil as much as he cared for the plants. He was an active member of the farmer's association and his contributions are remarkable! He was one of the very few farmers who used natural soil fertilizers. It is called as 'panchakavyam' in Tamil which he prepared at home. The revenue was low and the yield was not worth the investment. Yet he never compromised! Now you know why I was talking about exploiting our Earth.
Apart from the commonly known careless human activities, improper farming methods also has it's contribution in increasing the soil's infertility. whenever I met my grandpa, he shared his ideologies and facts of farming. A few times I found the topic annoying, as I thought there are better things in life to think upon. He raised cattle with love, needless to say, he never gained much out of it. He was always brisk and ready. Wondering what this old man story is about?
Pongal was traditionally celebrated at my grandpa's village. Last year he passed away. I thought to myself :
'Yes today I had pongal, went to temple, was happy at home watching all the TV shows and movies. But I truly miss the years, when THATHA would kick me outta the easy-chair and switch off the tv (and i would grin) and fan... feed me with tender-coconut and sugarcane(skin peeled and cut into pieces so that i dont get hurt while chewing) and keep pulling my legs so that he can enjoy seeing me fight him back. I miss you THATHA, I wish you were with us driving us crazy with your nik-naks. I am sure you are the best THATHA ever in this universe and we all love you!'
'London!' that's how I felt when I first came here. Though London, UK is not my first experience in a foreign land, its fabulous in its own way. When I came out of the airport, I felt that I have landed on a historic city. Its elegant, beautiful, colorful and traditional. Buses, phone booths, post boxes, add a little more 'red' to the colors of London!
Its not surprising that Londoners are proud of London! From the airport, all the way till home i was amazed by the view of row houses and rails, roads with signs and boards. There is a public park in the area which is my favorite pass time. Coming from a place as hot as Chennai, a park in London is like a heavenly garden! The Indian stores here comforted my cooking and living. I am a south Indian food lover, yet I enjoy every other cuisine as well. So, through out my stay here, I did not miss out on the typical Indian food which is a satisfying fact.
The month of October was not very cold, I needed no weather proof coat then. The weather was pleasant and welcoming. Diwali by visiting the Temple. Too less crackers reminded me of India, where Diwali is always the no.1 festive season! Prepared 'rasamali' to bring the Diwali mood. November, yes, got a coat and we needed the heater at home.
Visiting the 'London Eye' and 'London Bridge' was more like an achievement for me. I have dreamt of the London bridge since the day I knew the nursery rhyme! I was truly excited! A ride on the London eye was another bliss! The London tube and the stations were so standard and remarkable! Towards the end of December, there was mild snow. Though it was not my first snow, it was as exciting as if it was the first! Yes! That's how I am! Almost everything excites me! But very few last longer! :) Christmas! Came well in advance with the houses and streets glittering and decorated. Needless to mention the sparkling stars! It was shining and scintillating! The whole week was fabulous and then I did not miss the Indian December.
This is my first post in my new blog! More to come!
