Have read/heard about the US domestic airlines making you pay for snacks/ checked baggage. Experienced it last week on the SFO-DFW flight.
The announcement goes like, "Snack service on the flight today: Chips 3$, Pretzels 3$, Cookie 4$, xyz 6$. Beverages free :) " We were smart enough to eat at the airport. Before boarding the flight.
Was almost like travelling on Mumbai-Pune Indrayani express. Attendants handing out snacks and collecting/counting dollar bills. Almost expected them to start yelling...thanda cold drink/ vada garam/ chaiii chaiii
And the announcement i liked was "There would be 2 snack trolleys. One starting at the rear end of the plane working its way forward. And the other starting from the front going backwards. Please remain seated during the service to avoid being caught between the two trolleys."
After three hours, as i was getting up to use the lavatory, hubby said, "Ask if you have to pay at the lavatory door. Or better wait till we land" :)
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Puppet
We are all puppets
with someone pulling the strings
strings we can see not, touch not
Just the tension we can feel
The string puller takes me left
when i want to go right
Cannot let go of the pull
Try as i might
The strings could save me
as i am about to fall
why o why! they let go
and let me tumble and all
I need the strings then
to pick me from the ditch
And start believing again
that my destiny maketh me...
No sir, There are no strings
with someone pulling the strings
strings we can see not, touch not
Just the tension we can feel
The string puller takes me left
when i want to go right
Cannot let go of the pull
Try as i might
The strings could save me
as i am about to fall
why o why! they let go
and let me tumble and all
I need the strings then
to pick me from the ditch
And start believing again
that my destiny maketh me...
No sir, There are no strings
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Banjar
Going for a drive in the neat neighborhood. Crisp spring weather. A cd playing assorted list of songs. And i feel a strange connection to this one...Banjar..from Kabul Express
Banjar ret hai ....
Zameen banjar hai ...
Banjar aasmaan ...
Yeh ghar banjar hai ...
Beautiful spring bloom all around and the setting sun giving a lovely orange tinge to the white fluffy clouds.
And yet....
Is banjar sheher ke dil mein dundhu... mein gili mitti ka manjar
The crescent moon beginning to make its presence felt in the twillight sky, the wind carrying sweet smell of Spring.
And yet....
Banjar lamhaa hai
Waqt banjar hai
Banjar waqt si yeh raat banjar hai
Banjar raat! khwaab banjar
Chand taaron ka saath banjar hai
Is it the United states? Or the state of my mind? Or both?
Banjar ret hai ....
Zameen banjar hai ...
Banjar aasmaan ...
Yeh ghar banjar hai ...
Beautiful spring bloom all around and the setting sun giving a lovely orange tinge to the white fluffy clouds.
And yet....
Is banjar sheher ke dil mein dundhu... mein gili mitti ka manjar
The crescent moon beginning to make its presence felt in the twillight sky, the wind carrying sweet smell of Spring.
And yet....
Banjar lamhaa hai
Waqt banjar hai
Banjar waqt si yeh raat banjar hai
Banjar raat! khwaab banjar
Chand taaron ka saath banjar hai
Is it the United states? Or the state of my mind? Or both?
Monday, March 16, 2009
Answer these..
Just like many parents of curious 4-yr olds, I have no answers to some questions. ..
Sample this-
"Jivanta" mhanje kay? (Whats the meaning of "Alive"?)
Really, what does it mean?
I can handle the "Why was I not invited to your wedding?" types. Not these.
Sample this-
"Jivanta" mhanje kay? (Whats the meaning of "Alive"?)
Really, what does it mean?
I can handle the "Why was I not invited to your wedding?" types. Not these.
Moving
Haven't been writing for some time, we still are with the homeschool regimen. Most days its about cleaning, sorting and more importantly, giving away. We will be moving soon, where and when yet to be decided.
Our little girl had to part with many toys. With the restrictions on luggage on all US airlines, we have to downsize. I was not sure how she would take it. Was worrying for no reason. She seemed to have caught up with our moving-spirit. I did explain to her that we cannot take all your stuff with us, we have to give away most. Some other kid will get to play with your toys.
She was absolutely fine with it. Except for her bright red toy kitchen platform. It was beautiful, with the range, oven, sink, faucet and a clock. She loved it. Hubby said to her, "Its too big for our suitcase, right? Let's give it away, some little girl might want it. She'll be so happy."
She did accept the idea. The trip to Goodwill store with the toys was smooth. She did not even look back. And now, never even mentions any of her toys. Wow, I was dreading all of this for no reason.
We still have her tricycle, few small toys, books and crayons. And now that its not very cold, we go out in the afternoon, me for a walk and she, on her tricycle. Wonderful with the spring landscape, the white/ pink all over.
See snaps ....fall, winter and spring :)
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Height of laziness
I have called myself lazy in a few of my posts.
No More!!! Today, i give the honor to someone.
My own daughter.
Now i know why people call her a replica of me.
Today, she woke up and went straight to the TV, as usual.
She was hungry. I said, Brush first and I'll get your breakfast.
No Mom! I'll eat first and then brush...
Abslutely not, you can eat ONLY after you brush...
(We have this argument almost everyday
Keeps going back and forth until she gives up.)
After some time, when she got REALLY hungry, she said,
OK I'll brush, but I'll brush only the front teeth, not the ones at the back.....
True hallmark of a Genius!!! How did she come up with that??
Now you know why I am giving her the honor .. :)
No More!!! Today, i give the honor to someone.
My own daughter.
Now i know why people call her a replica of me.
Today, she woke up and went straight to the TV, as usual.
She was hungry. I said, Brush first and I'll get your breakfast.
No Mom! I'll eat first and then brush...
Abslutely not, you can eat ONLY after you brush...
(We have this argument almost everyday
Keeps going back and forth until she gives up.)
After some time, when she got REALLY hungry, she said,
OK I'll brush, but I'll brush only the front teeth, not the ones at the back.....
True hallmark of a Genius!!! How did she come up with that??
Now you know why I am giving her the honor .. :)
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
homeschool update
We got around to it today.
The weather chart was updated, check pic :)
Did some assignments from the pre-school workbook. Sorting, counting, concepts:more/less, same different...etc. A counting assignment where there is a number on the left, color as many fishes as the number suggests. For reasons unknown, the kid colored all the fishes black. Controlled the urge to intercept. Was a COUNTING assignment anyway.
Did something unique. Asked her to be MY teacher. Need to practice writing with left hand anyway, wrote my alphabet with the left hand. She gave instructions on how to write each letter. Gave me a "Great Work" sticker when i was done :)
The weather chart was updated, check pic :)
Did some assignments from the pre-school workbook. Sorting, counting, concepts:more/less, same different...etc. A counting assignment where there is a number on the left, color as many fishes as the number suggests. For reasons unknown, the kid colored all the fishes black. Controlled the urge to intercept. Was a COUNTING assignment anyway.
Did something unique. Asked her to be MY teacher. Need to practice writing with left hand anyway, wrote my alphabet with the left hand. She gave instructions on how to write each letter. Gave me a "Great Work" sticker when i was done :)
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
25 random things about myself
Not sure if i can manage 25, lets see
1. I loved Mumbai, hated Pune. Fell in love with Pune when we moved there and now very happy in California, don't want to leave.
2. I always hated saas-bahu serials. Never followed a single serial after dekh bhai dekh i guess.
3. I grew up thinking i was UGLY
4. I rebelled just for the sake of it during my teens. Many a times aware that parents/ teacher were right.
5 I once went to NBSA (New Bombay Sports association), to enquire about Tennis classes. 1992. Was inspired watching Steffi Graf. They charged 500Rs a month which i thought was insanely high. For the racquet, i told them I have the badminton one. I was dismissed and told that Tennis Racquet is different and expensive. Never went there again. Have been playing Tennis regularly after coming to US. Bhagwan ke ghar mein der hai andher nahin :)
6. I can never catch a lie/ fraud/ cheater. I believe everything everyone says. Very easy to cheat me.
7. I cannot make friends easily anymore. I'd rather hang out alone at the library or at home with the laptop.
8. I need 10 hours of sleep every night. I admire people who wake up early.
9. I wanted to be an astronaut when i was a kid. Was fascinated by astronomy.
10. I get a headache after watching a movie, in a theater. Esp if it has songs/ violence etc. The decibel level too high, cannot tolerate. Very often, while in the movie hall, i am looking for the remote control to reduce the volume, only to realise there's none.
11. During my college i always worried that my parents will marry me off to someone i did not like/ approve of. My kundali said, marriage age 19-21. Was really scared. Nothing of that sort happened of course :)
12. I hate Sarees. I am extremely uncomfortable in them. I have a snap of 6 yr old me. Made to wear a saree, clearly not happy at all.
13. I dreamt of inventing a machine where i write name of a movie on a piece of paper, insert it in a slit, and the machine plays the movie on a screen. Doesn't that sound like youtube? I did not invent youtube, of course... Just proves that crazy impossible thoughts of today can be realities in a few years.
14. I was a huge fan of Rahul Dravid. Wrote many letters to him (pre e-mail days). Have 2 thick scrapbooks filled with all about Dravid. I wish i can show him my collection some day.
15. I believe in god. But i don't fast, follow any rituals, perform pooja etc. And i feel guilty about it.
16. I have read Linda Goodman's sunsigns a thousand times probably.
17. I stay away from old marathi movies. Hech majha maher, Dhakti soon, chaukat raja type haunting movies. Would deeply affect me as a kid. Deliberately stayed away for years until the era of bindhaast, kaydyacha bola, Golmaal etc. Am back into the fold now :)
18. When i was 18, people used to ask me, aapke husband kya karte hain? Kitne bachhe hai? etc. When i am 80 they'll say, How come u r still alive???
19. I hated the rainy season, getting wet on the way to college, forgetting the Umbrella, salwar splashed with mud...Yuck. Summer i tolerated thanks to the mango season and maternal grandparents in Ratnagiri. Winter was my favourite season. Still is.
20. Cannot imagine living in Mumbai anymore.. the heat, pollution, traffic. I wonder how i spent 24 years of life in Mumbai
21. I am lazy. My house is never neat. But if someone is coming over, i can give the house a makeover in 15 min. In short, if someone's planning to drop by, i need a 15 min notice.
22. I did a correspondence course in journalism. Worked as a journalist in Twin City Times during a vacation. Salary 1500/ month. Was a lot of money for a first salary. Before finishing college.
23. We once travelled in a 33 seater plane from Nairobi to Kisumu, saw Lake Victoria from the sky. The origin of river Nile. Bugged hubby about how i helped a friend's sis with "Give reasons: Egypt is called a gift of river Nile", her teacher was very happy with her answer....that river Nile, originates from here... crazy!! Also visited Tsavo from "Ghost and the darkness". Unforgetable.
24. I have a wierd problem, have to visit the toilet before leaving home. Very often, after i am ready, have put on shoes, suddenly i realise ... gotta go...
Hubby gets really angry, psychological problem...
25. I cannot draw. I always got 36/100 in drawing beacause they could not give anyone less than passing marks. Inspite of it, i can make excellent mehendi.
I did come up with 25 random things...Wow. Nice little memories. wierd, crazy. Good for myself to read again.
1. I loved Mumbai, hated Pune. Fell in love with Pune when we moved there and now very happy in California, don't want to leave.
2. I always hated saas-bahu serials. Never followed a single serial after dekh bhai dekh i guess.
3. I grew up thinking i was UGLY
4. I rebelled just for the sake of it during my teens. Many a times aware that parents/ teacher were right.
5 I once went to NBSA (New Bombay Sports association), to enquire about Tennis classes. 1992. Was inspired watching Steffi Graf. They charged 500Rs a month which i thought was insanely high. For the racquet, i told them I have the badminton one. I was dismissed and told that Tennis Racquet is different and expensive. Never went there again. Have been playing Tennis regularly after coming to US. Bhagwan ke ghar mein der hai andher nahin :)
6. I can never catch a lie/ fraud/ cheater. I believe everything everyone says. Very easy to cheat me.
7. I cannot make friends easily anymore. I'd rather hang out alone at the library or at home with the laptop.
8. I need 10 hours of sleep every night. I admire people who wake up early.
9. I wanted to be an astronaut when i was a kid. Was fascinated by astronomy.
10. I get a headache after watching a movie, in a theater. Esp if it has songs/ violence etc. The decibel level too high, cannot tolerate. Very often, while in the movie hall, i am looking for the remote control to reduce the volume, only to realise there's none.
11. During my college i always worried that my parents will marry me off to someone i did not like/ approve of. My kundali said, marriage age 19-21. Was really scared. Nothing of that sort happened of course :)
12. I hate Sarees. I am extremely uncomfortable in them. I have a snap of 6 yr old me. Made to wear a saree, clearly not happy at all.
13. I dreamt of inventing a machine where i write name of a movie on a piece of paper, insert it in a slit, and the machine plays the movie on a screen. Doesn't that sound like youtube? I did not invent youtube, of course... Just proves that crazy impossible thoughts of today can be realities in a few years.
14. I was a huge fan of Rahul Dravid. Wrote many letters to him (pre e-mail days). Have 2 thick scrapbooks filled with all about Dravid. I wish i can show him my collection some day.
15. I believe in god. But i don't fast, follow any rituals, perform pooja etc. And i feel guilty about it.
16. I have read Linda Goodman's sunsigns a thousand times probably.
17. I stay away from old marathi movies. Hech majha maher, Dhakti soon, chaukat raja type haunting movies. Would deeply affect me as a kid. Deliberately stayed away for years until the era of bindhaast, kaydyacha bola, Golmaal etc. Am back into the fold now :)
18. When i was 18, people used to ask me, aapke husband kya karte hain? Kitne bachhe hai? etc. When i am 80 they'll say, How come u r still alive???
19. I hated the rainy season, getting wet on the way to college, forgetting the Umbrella, salwar splashed with mud...Yuck. Summer i tolerated thanks to the mango season and maternal grandparents in Ratnagiri. Winter was my favourite season. Still is.
20. Cannot imagine living in Mumbai anymore.. the heat, pollution, traffic. I wonder how i spent 24 years of life in Mumbai
21. I am lazy. My house is never neat. But if someone is coming over, i can give the house a makeover in 15 min. In short, if someone's planning to drop by, i need a 15 min notice.
22. I did a correspondence course in journalism. Worked as a journalist in Twin City Times during a vacation. Salary 1500/ month. Was a lot of money for a first salary. Before finishing college.
23. We once travelled in a 33 seater plane from Nairobi to Kisumu, saw Lake Victoria from the sky. The origin of river Nile. Bugged hubby about how i helped a friend's sis with "Give reasons: Egypt is called a gift of river Nile", her teacher was very happy with her answer....that river Nile, originates from here... crazy!! Also visited Tsavo from "Ghost and the darkness". Unforgetable.
24. I have a wierd problem, have to visit the toilet before leaving home. Very often, after i am ready, have put on shoes, suddenly i realise ... gotta go...
Hubby gets really angry, psychological problem...
25. I cannot draw. I always got 36/100 in drawing beacause they could not give anyone less than passing marks. Inspite of it, i can make excellent mehendi.
I did come up with 25 random things...Wow. Nice little memories. wierd, crazy. Good for myself to read again.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Whats up with homeschool?
Have been planning a fresh start for the whole last week.
Does not look like its happening soon.
She starts her daycare next week. 3 days/ week. Will chalk up a plan for 2 days/ week. Thats all i can handle for the time being.
The kid made me proud today though.
While in the shower, heard her announce that she dropped a whole jug of water. Jeez. I calmly asked her to just put a towel on it and leave it for me to handle. Was really happy that i could stay calm, calming effect of the shower i guess. Its just water, won't stain (ouch!!) the carpet...Relax...self talk.
Decided to stay put and see what she comes up with.
5 min later, Knock knock...MOM!! I used some kleenex, soaked up as much water as i could, trashed it and then put the towel on it.
Bravo!!! Good job!! I had to say :) It was indeed a good job.
She got praised for the good recovery plan, and was not reprimanded for dropping water in the first place.
Btw, I later realised, she dropped a "cup" of water on the "table", not a jug of it on the carpet....how we imagine, hear and believe the worst. Thank God, i did not make a hue and cry about it, just let her handle the situation. huh!
Lesson for me:
1 Brush up the listening skills and tone down "Assuming" skills?
2 She is smart enough to find her way out, MOM doesn't need to step in. TRUST THE KID
At times I wonder who's homeschooling whom!!!!!!!!!!
Does not look like its happening soon.
She starts her daycare next week. 3 days/ week. Will chalk up a plan for 2 days/ week. Thats all i can handle for the time being.
The kid made me proud today though.
While in the shower, heard her announce that she dropped a whole jug of water. Jeez. I calmly asked her to just put a towel on it and leave it for me to handle. Was really happy that i could stay calm, calming effect of the shower i guess. Its just water, won't stain (ouch!!) the carpet...Relax...self talk.
Decided to stay put and see what she comes up with.
5 min later, Knock knock...MOM!! I used some kleenex, soaked up as much water as i could, trashed it and then put the towel on it.
Bravo!!! Good job!! I had to say :) It was indeed a good job.
She got praised for the good recovery plan, and was not reprimanded for dropping water in the first place.
Btw, I later realised, she dropped a "cup" of water on the "table", not a jug of it on the carpet....how we imagine, hear and believe the worst. Thank God, i did not make a hue and cry about it, just let her handle the situation. huh!
Lesson for me:
1 Brush up the listening skills and tone down "Assuming" skills?
2 She is smart enough to find her way out, MOM doesn't need to step in. TRUST THE KID
At times I wonder who's homeschooling whom!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
My dear 16-year-old-me
Things i'd like to say to my 16 yr old self...........
-You are beautiful.....VERY BEAUTIFUL
-Miss talented/ beautiful/ popular is not going to have a better life than you
-Not having a boyfriend is OK, that doesn't make u any less beautiful
-Being fat is not a sin, its OK
-All the girls that wear trendier, smarter clothes are NOT smarter than you.
-You can wear what you like, people won't laugh. You can wear a jeans even if u don't have waist 28"
-Don't get so embarassed of the pimples, even they make u look beautiful
-Hanging out with smart-ass people is not necessary to get noticed around the campus.
-People are liars, don't believe everything everyone says
-you will have a nice husband and No! ur parents won't marry you off to a jerk at 18
-Wait for 10 years and then name your best friend from college life
-You are beautiful.....VERY BEAUTIFUL
-Miss talented/ beautiful/ popular is not going to have a better life than you
-Not having a boyfriend is OK, that doesn't make u any less beautiful
-Being fat is not a sin, its OK
-All the girls that wear trendier, smarter clothes are NOT smarter than you.
-You can wear what you like, people won't laugh. You can wear a jeans even if u don't have waist 28"
-Don't get so embarassed of the pimples, even they make u look beautiful
-Hanging out with smart-ass people is not necessary to get noticed around the campus.
-People are liars, don't believe everything everyone says
-you will have a nice husband and No! ur parents won't marry you off to a jerk at 18
-Wait for 10 years and then name your best friend from college life
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