You have a crazy life ~ Start loving it!

If you're like the most people, you suffer from a chronic illusion. Atleast I do, I always think and keep telling myself that everything will soon be under control. But the fact is, life isn't going to change, you got too! Its like the phrase, let this project get over, I can start exercise, let my daughter's exams get over, I will plan for something else. Let the boys grow little older, before I plan for something else. But what happens when all these things happen? I would've most probably get older that I may not be able to do them!

You can't think you can do all the 101 things that demand your attention and think you have a perfect life! If you must know, my house has so many toys and other unwanted things that need to be disposed. I just keep thinking let the boys grow out of them, before I do it. But by then they would accumulate so much dust and garbage, that I don't need them. You can't read a book on time management and decide you can run your life like that right. It never happens as you think, least is you can only do what you can.

If you have a big list of to do things, they better be there. Guess life has other important things to give us. Lets start living each day than planning more for what to come!

Life is a party and each one plays to the tunes. And it makes things better if we think life as our dancing partner. Sometimes it leads us, sometime, we move forward. But each time ensuring we make a perfect step forward!

A Slice from our mornings!

I woke up hearing the sound of the water droplets hitting against the wall. For a moment I thought it was raining, only to realize its the water droplets in the AC. The sound coming from the AC was enough to filter out any sound coming from outside world. When we changed to the new AC, we ensured it has the white noise to filter out the outside world. I slowly looked around to see where the kids were. Each one in their wonderful positions. Peddu was having his head against mine. I moved and tried to see where Chinnu was. He had moved to Konda's place and was snuggling against her. Come morning, he is either pushed against me or next to his sister.

Leaving them to their cozy places, I am up after a fresh up. I look up the clock and see its abt 6. 30 am, I wade towards the kitchen. Its time for the coffee machine to brew our traditional filter coffee. We sit out in the portico with a piping hot coffee in one hand and newspaper in other All we have is about 5 mins to glance through. Well not that anything of global importance gets into our head. But we do need to read the paper, that's customary! Coffee sipped in pleasure while the paper gets slidden away by page. The moment the last page is reached, rather the first page in my case, I find myself thinking which pressure cooker is going hisss first.

Of course, this is so typical mundane and its the way thing happen every day! Rice gets soaked first, Then dal finds itself in the pan, next comes the tamarind to be washed and soaked.While these things gets on the way, Konda's breakfast and lunch preparation gets priority. In between all these, the hurried glance at the clock to see if its time to wake her up. 5 mins before 7 o' Clock, gently tip into the room to nudge her.Her customary request for another 5 mins, grudgingly agreed. I give a hasty glance at the twins sleeping, hoping they aren't disturbed.

Then its back at kitchen trying to put whatever is required to go in. On most days, the lunch tends to be either Sambar or dal with vegetable on the side along with Rasam and Rice. Curds of course gets set in the night. Athamma takes care of that. I see its time to wake Konda again. This time, a strong nudge gets it clear that she has to get up. She gingerly gets up, by which time I am back in kitchen. While trying to sauté, I feel two hands hugging me at the hips, I scold her never to do that, while I am cooking. Well this happens everyday. She reluctantly goes to the rest room. She has to do her potty, suddenly we hear a voice saying she is all set. Hubby dear is ready at hand to cheer her up. He says Mummy "Applauds are in order". So I oblige saying, "Konda very good ra". Depending on her mood and my menu, she used to decided who has to give her a bath. These days she does it all herself! While all this happens, Athamma is seen sitting ready to pouch to the bedroom if either of the twin wake up. Off late, it almost happens the same time I am out. So its like, I come out, Athamma goes in. Once Konda comes out all fresh, its packing time. Hubby dear takes great pleasure patting her dry and powdering. He takes out her neatly ironed uniform, and gently puts it over her. A year back he used to get that done the previous night, these days its on the morning as she gets ready. Then comes the chore of asking her to eat herself. Depending on the time and the item, I either have to feed her or make her eat it herself.

Meanwhile, Konda's lunch and snacks are ready. Hubby dear gets the bag and shoes ready. In next 5 mins, Konda is all packed and ready to leave.The time now is 8 am and slowly we find the celebrities coming out of the room! We are ready to receive them. Depending on their mood, its either amma or dada or na amma. Meanwhile, the breakfast is ready and lunch almost reaching its completion. Milk is gulped in and all of them scout out to wait for the Van to come. By 8.10, van comes and Konda is whisked in. Then back home, its time for the twins to get ready! It takes little, no make it lot of cajoling to get Peddu int for a bath Meanwhile, I get their BF ready and their lunch bag in place. Athamma takes the kids to the other room, while we get ready in flat 10 mins. Then there is always the question of clicking for the Lunch box series if its something new that was prepared. We are out by 9.15 am, most days. I have got to be in by 9.30 am, and drive all the way thinking I was given few extra hours a day!

Chennai Sangamam ~ The Open Festival!

The Chennai Sangamam ~ the open Festival is a great occasion the people of my city look forward too! Its the second year this time and the city is all well prepared. The roads have become more crowded, especially at the places where its held.

This time we thought we should take atleast Konda to see the happenings. The place was too crowded and people were all excited with the classic programmes being showed. The food, though very limited to choose were in demand.


I didn't know the artist singing but there was cheering!


Its held in different parts of the city with each place showcasing different cuisines of Tamil Nadu.



Chef busy serving the Chicken Biryani...

After spending some quick time, we rushed back home as Athamma was alone with the boys!

Memories of a Vacation!

Its been a year today. Last year this day, we were at parent's home in Calcutta and this year they have relocated to a different country! It was my second trip to the City of Joy and the journey kindled the joyfully memories of my first visit. I had fallen in love with the city I visited. It wasn't at all what I heard about the place. Everybody said it was dirty and crowded and pathetic. But all I could see was a beautiful place with huge buildings that portrayed history and beauty that went along with it. We had visited all the places of interest during that time. This time since it was with kids we went, we really didn't have that all that energy needed to tag along the whole family for sight seeing. Even then Daddy wouldn't leave us alone. He ensured we atleast took the kids for a trip around the city. We reached the airport by 3 am and had a very eventful trip down to Calcutta. It was my first trip and it was really very foggy. Till the last moment, we weren't sure if the flight will take off or not. After a nerve wrecking two hours of wait, we finally took off.

The kids had made themselves at home in the flight much to the discomfort of everybody. It was really so much fun. The air hostess couldn't understand why my boys can't sit in their seats for more than 2 minutes. Well finally we reached Calcutta. The feeling was simply superb! It felt like homecoming, the last trip was so memorable, I could live it again. That time, Dad had taken us on the Jetty across River Ganges. We had gone under the bridge and it was so exhilarating. We were just four of us then. Now with my own family, I know I couldn't be seen as that bubbly teenager right? Still I couldn't but be that!

The excitement I had was passed on to my kids and they were trilled too. I was seeing Amma after many months. They were living in the 13th flour and it was wonderful going up so high. Amma was waiting with the Arti for the kids. And after a warm hug from her to all of us, I finally had a good look at Amma. She had gone down so much. The house was too big for them but kids had a field day running around the whole house.

It was surprising how well Amma managed with the minimum utensils but she managed a whole big feast with that. Back home, she has a utensil for each size and shape! The one whole week we stayed was an experience we can never forget. That was the first time we had infact ever stayed at home without doing anything, except cooking, feeding the kids and playing with them. I guess the thought that we were with our parents was enough to set all things right.

More than anything, the festive mood the city adorned was infectious. The whole city was celebrating Christmas eve. Everywhere it was brightly lit and people were so happy and enjoying themselves. I came to know that the city enjoys all festivals with equal fervor! How wonderful! It was the first time I was seeing streets full of things for Christmas, with Caps and balloons for Santa Claus. It was like the whole city was rejoicing our arrival. On the Christmas day, we had a Santa Claus visiting us. He got us cake and chocolates for the kids. The kids were overjoyed seeing the Santa and were jumping around. Then once he left, we all flocked together to cut the cake.

Everyday year, we always have this tradition of cutting a plum cake and then Dad and Hubby dear enjoy a piece with a glass of wine. I always remember our christian neighbors sending us cakes on the day. Then after a while, we realized we didn't have anybody sending it across. So one year when Amma was mentioning this, hubby dear and bro decided to get the cake for her. Thus started this tradition of getting a cake and enjoying it over the lunch or dinner!

So it happened that last year too it was spent with parents with a piece of cake and a glass of wine. Hubby dear was missing Dad this year as I was. I was still thinking of last years Christmas carols and the Celebrations the apartments had downstairs. We didn't go down to be part of them, we were content being at home with parents and our little ones. Cuddling them closer was more precious than anything else.

The remaining days passed off in a blur or so I thought. But yes the memories were itched quite strongly in our hearts that they gush in the moment I think of them. The thoughts were so strong that I had to speak to Dad and Mom. Maybe its vibes or something, they said they were also thinking about last Christmas, the time we were all together!.Dad was having two days off as Christmas holidays and they were having in guests for dinner. I thought I will skip the cake ceremony this year. 

But God has his ways I suppose. My friend wished me seasonal greetings with a box of plum cake. When I took it home, the kids were elated seeing the box. Peddu infact sang happy birthday song when I was cutting the cake. I was surprised he remembers that one has to sing that song while cutting a cake! Then he said its his birthday too along with Chinnu. Of course not in clear statement but in his own baby language.

Even as I write this, I remember last year. I close down with hopes that next year, we will all spend the vacation together! Maybe that time I will update on this year's happenings!

Life as it happens!

Are you caught up with life, do you have a moment to ponder on things, that were important some years ago? Well that's exactly what's happening with me. I am so caught up with everyday affair, that things that ought to have been of some focus, have taken a back seat.Those years of carefree wandering comes back to mind and I really wish I had the courage and time to take back those things.

I still remember Dad telling me that I should put in more time on my painting. Even then I knew, I wasn't for it. But I enjoyed my time painting. I really wish I had that creativity that takes to be an artist. Then those days when Dad would ask me to write something for him. And I would be seen pondering on prose, coining him lines, which to my young mind, was poetry. I know Dad was more indulging than anything else. I really can't think I had the material that calls for poetic outburst! All said and done, I have attempted so many things, yet none a master I can call myself.

Those reluctant days at college, then hurrying back home, to enjoy an evening with some book. Behind closed doors, I was in my own world. Rarely would I open the door to let anybody in. Of course, during that time, it used to be Amma or at times Sree, at home. Still I never would open up for anybody. I was happy content in my own world, reading, devouring what was poured in those books. I enjoyed all genre in equal tempo. Be it M&Bs, Crime thrillers, Comedy or even Tintin, everything was read with a passion far greater than imagine.

Suddenly I would feel the need to paint. And its found its expression in many ways. When I first started blogging, I thought I should pull out all my drawings and upload. But guess it never happened. I wonder why things never turn out as how we want! What is the reason that it doesn't work out?

Anyway while I ponder on such things, let me share with you, a painting that is so dear to my heart. This picture of Oliver Twist represents Me, in my young age! I best relate to it and wanted to have mind frame in life. Unconcerned with the happenings surrounding me. I interpret the picture as, a person so carefree of worldly bondage, doing my share of work, yet not worried about things that happen or not happen.

This is Life as it happens!

Thinking of Lights or Lamps, Farreys comes to mind!

When you have your house renovated or built, the first things we might want to decorate are the lamps. It is always exciting to plan and collect all the different light shades or lamps that we might want to install.

A living room typically will have the ceiling fans, plus the different dooms. It especially becomes challenging when you plan to get your kids room ready. What about the reading lamps, piano lamps. I found Farreys.com having a good collection for the choice.

They have quick search which helps you find what you are searching for. The collection is vast varying from floor lamps to torchiers. And you get your best shot at prices being offered at a competitive cost!

check out for more information!

A Roman General ~ Scene from Asterix, the Gual!

This sketch was done during my days spent reading Asterix. The Romans generals, all well fed and lazy, makes a good subject for sketches. Though I loved Asterix and Obelix, the romans were better ones to be depicted because of their style and size. I had enjoyed sketching on Obelix too.
I liked this one more because of the expression that finally came on to the Roman General's face. The joy and content that's reflected shows the carelessness of the Roman Generals in draft ignorance of the other force. The pose depicts wealth, merry and happiness, all rolling in one!

Though I decided this to be a pencil sketch, wish I had coloured it.