The world I live in

Joel got into his first physical fight yesterday. As in some disagreements, it started with a game rule/strategy disagreement, which led to more words, heated exchanges, head whacks, shoves, pushes and a head (Joel's) getting knocked into a pole. I'm relieved that neither of the boys in the fight had any severe injury. I'm upset that this incident took place. A culmination of feelings, upbringing, circumstances and of course their own understanding of how to deal with, what they perceived as, injustice is what I learned from the whole incident. I tried to recollect about what I did as a 10 year old and gather wisdom from that time. I remembered a few fights that I got into and the injustice I felt that was meted out to me. I recollected what my parents did. I'm glad I haven't lost my cool with my son (as my mom did with me) but yes, he was given a piece of mind softly but firmly. The other kid didn't have it so easy. This morning I was heartbroken to see him ...

Yesterday my daughter 6 had a bad day at school, thanks to 2 incidents that she never expected to happen to her. In the first one, the teacher denied her request to go to the bathroom thrice. She landed up wetting herself and staying in the soiled clothes till she came home. The next incident makes me wonder at the teacher's ability to handle students. I do understand that every teacher is a human being first, and goes through a whole taxing process of handling multiple issues as best possible, trying to balance expectations and delivering the education that needs to reach young minds. So I really do understand why a teacher could snap. Young kids aren't easy to teach. So what's a teacher's reason to whack a kid who is not a troublemaker?

Not much has changed when it comes to school. The texts they made students read when I was in school put me to sleep. The texts and notes that my kids have to go through today have the same effect on me. Waiting for the day when education is learning to read, write, do basic maths and then move on to life skills that each human being should be equipped with.

I was listening to a song this morning on my way to work. BV had sent it to me some time last year (or was it this year?). It got me thinking about all the friends I had till date. I realized that though there were many over the years that I could connect with, there are less than 2 hands full that I can count as real good friends, the ones I can really depend upon when I need to be myself and breathe. My pillars of support don't stay in the same place as I do but I sure hope to meet each one through the years and we stay connected for longer than ever. Thanks to social networking apps and sites, I've been able to get in touch with a few classmates from school and college. It was highly amusing to note the girl who was everyone's favorite, and had her head a wee bit more in the clouds looking down at us lesser mortals, had become more grounded. The awkward girl who frowned at short skirts and was embarrassed by discussions of boys and all matters related in high school h...

At Indiana Hospital this morning, on watch for Uncle M who has to undergo a cataract operation. While waiting for him to be wheeled to the O. T., we watched the 'first' news of today. Most of the reports for an hour were about ladies who had been injured or abused or killed in molestation cases and men who were yet to be brought to justice. This sparked off a discussion on who what why of situations as usual. (Natural way of life for most Indians when they see or listen to 'news'.)  What worries me is irrespective of genders, a child and woman is no more safe today. A rapist (again irrespective of gender), should be given the severest punishment. I don't like the death penalthy much. However I think life long quarantine can serve a good deal here with limited human contact with a stack of pro life and pro respect to each human being materials shoved into their face everyday. Would that amount to mental torture? At least they are alive and breathing and not living...

I have been at my current workplace ever since Oct 2000. With the constant juggling of trying to strike a balance, what I now know is enough to tell my kids to change jobs every 4 years. The rest of the wisdom may or may not be applicable to them.   What I learnt for myself is: Don't ever get comfortable being in one place unless that's where you want to be till you retire. Make a conscious decision to pursue what you want and learn to live with the consequences of your choice. Making friends through life helps. A LOT! At work too, you need friends to get you through those rough phases and of course to enjoy those good moments too. Follow your heart. But make sure your head is in the right place before you let your heart take the reins. Make your own mistakes. Don't make mine or someone else's. If you do happen to do so, well I told you so. Now you know! (Typical immature selfish me speaking here!) Do what you love to do and make it pay for you...

Didn't actually realise that it was 5 years since I last used this space. To capture moments and the essence of these years, at the moment, looks like a huge task. Let's see .. - my parents are older, - new relationships appear, a few relationships gone cold, - my children are no more babies (though they loved being called 'my babies' :-)), - role change at work but not much difference in what I do, - the urge to get away from routine is stronger, - I have a new phone (yes, again. This one gifted to me though), - more reading on gadgets than books and paper, - discovering things to do with what most of us would consider waste - meet ups and reunions - more birthdays and occassions to remember - trying to balance virtual social and professional networks (sorry state I've reached) - I became an aunt to the 2 of the most cute little boys, godmother to one of them - Facebook has a way of reminding you what you did in your past years. So happy it is not a c...

It's been a long time since I stepped in here. Remembered this little space of mine after I started catching up with friends through their posts online. I still have a long way to go. For now this is my first attempt at restarting. Hoping to be regularly penning my thoughts down.

It's been quite a time since Aug 2010. A break from routine work was what I was looking for. And a break is what I did get. Joined St. Aloysius College as a student for a short term (a year) to learn about Computer Applications. Really happy now that I did take this decision. A lot less tensed, a lot more relaxed, a lot more smiles, a lot less dark circles, a lot of time to follow what I wish to do. Grades so far have been better than expected. :) Thinking of taking up guitar classes next from a friend of sis. In the meanwhile, Leah turned 2 a few days ago. The little lady is growing into a little proper lady. My mom's only woe is that she may have to keep feeding Joel till he gets married. :D Christmas vacation may go for a toss because of the 1st sem exams. But that's ok. I'm in a Christmasy mood already and the rains haven't stopped yet. So happy me :)

3 tiny bites at max rating.   Now I’m trying to get the taste of it out of my mouth. Please don’t ever try the RIchBite Nutrition Bar. Yuck! Yuck! Yuck! Yuck! Yuck!    

Nokia E72 is a nice toy to fill in all those hours when I don’t know what to do with myself. Especially when the power’s gone, all the world’s asleep and I’ve woken up again for the umpteenth time. Thanks to BV telling me about a few apps. Apps downloaded till date are KJV Go Bible, Google, Fring, NGPay, ICICI Bank, Google Maps, Ovi Mail and latest one being Sports Tracker.   -           KJV Go Bible is neat enough. I wish there was something like this for books in general. -           Google helps even with voice. Tested it a few times. Get a kick out of seeing the phone show a circular ring to show it’s processing my voice :) -           Fring – well! If you see me online late night on messenger, know that I’m in bed and chatting. -           NGPay ...

I have to write this down else I’m going to forget I ever wanted it :)   -           Books – plenty of them and mostly fiction though I’m not averse to non-fiction. Seen them on Barnes and Noble and then again on Flipkart and Landmarkonthenet and so many other online stores. I think I’ll have to create a ‘Buy Books’ fund. Besides the Eragon series, Twilight seems like a probable next in line to buy. Percy Jackson or Percy something too. It’s Complicated looks like an interesting read. -           Talking about funds, travel fund has been on the list for a long time. But nothing’s come of it yet. A fund to save up and spend on a lonesome ownsome vacation once a year. A trip to Jaipur, Nepal, Himalayas, Leh, Mauritius, Australia, Miami (just for the beach), Scotland, and so many more. -         ...

Echoing Garfield when I say this ‘I HATE MONDAYS!’. Though at work everyday seems like a Monday.   The weekend has not gone off well. The AI crash at Mangalore airport on Saturday morning was a shocker. It’s difficult not to think about it. Thankful for the uninterrupted television viewing on Sunday evening. Watched ‘Twilight’. Heard about the book series. Got to buy the set for myself now. Waiting for Shrutgal too so that I can buy that and Brisingr to complete my Eragon collection. Current read is Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer.   A week now till school re-opens. Still haven’t got Joel’s new uniform in place. Leah still has time till next June. Heard about ABACUS which is supposed to make 0-4 year kids geniuses. I wonder how they manage to do that. Really weird. And what would Mangalore do with so many wonder kids.

Totapuris and green apples.   The slight drawback - I can never enjoy the whole fruit. Leah always needs a share too. :)

Been in a state of limbo for quite some time now. Didn’t know whether I was going or coming. Couldn’t decide about a few situations and things. I’m not sure if I’m out of it yet, but I hope there’s better days ahead. Been cleaning up my web presence on social networking sites. Those I would like to stay in touch with feature on those sites now. If I can’t, then out they go without a thought. No regrets there since I know where I’ll be able to find them if I ever need them :). Effects of this are seen at my workplace too. My communicator list has zero contacts on it. Slowly edging towards removing the extras from my workplace too. By this month end, library should have a new look (big time hope provided I don’t get lazy about it).   Joel, Leah, Wanted to tell you 2 things today. Someday when you read this I hope it makes sense.   If ever you two wonder whether you were adopted. The answer is no :). I used to wonder abo...

Got this pic today from Deep. Remembered her wedding reception in Mumbai and the reception here in Mangalore once again. Miss you Deep. Have a real good solid married life together with Lovy :) From L to R: Veena Bhat, Anuja, Sachin, Lovy, Deep, Thanuja & Stuti, Leah and Joel with me, Nitish (at the back) and Jeethy

This year's Petit Infoscion theme was the Jungle. After thinking about umpteen things for Leah's costume, finally decided to make her look like the cute Jungle Babe. Here she is :)

Ideals icecreams are famous in Mangalore and then they became famous world over. Thanks to the Mangalorean word of mouth. @ Work: 2 days of continuous stock checking and adding certification manuals to the library system has got me feeling like a brainless idiot. Tried keeping the local FM stations on just to get me going through the day. Hope to have some music playing when I can here. Heard that Lourdes is charging 25k this year as donation for KG - 1. That’s quite a shocker for me since I paid 10k lesser for Joel’s admissions. Pantry discussions included fees and donations during the good old days to what it would be like for the current set and next set of kids. Talking about hikes, milk prices increased by Rs. 3 a packet. I dread what that’s going to do to all the those lovely pastries and ice creams I enjoy every other day. I don’t take milk in any other form. :( 2 days ago, I could have had a fracture while riding to work and I could have lost my eye while heating some food at h...

@ Work: I’ve planned my work for 3 days to just do 3 things Complete evaluation of the test that was conducted on Nov 29 th along with posting of result to schools Add all those attractive books and journals sitting on my desk and in the cupboards to the library system. Publish them to the junta at office Get to up to speed with the new training and learning enabler system and stop cribbing about it being on SAP With no pals to hang around with, I’m becoming a workaholic. Thankfully gtalk is not yet blocked on the network. A virtual social life is better than none. @ Home: - Thethu still has exams going on. Waiting for her to finish and then do something useful with herself. It’ll help keep her temper and tongue in check :) - Leah’s learnt to scream that high pitched scream. I’m thankful I’m not at home when she gets into her screaming fits - Joel finally got his school identity card. It looks real neat. Sigh! My baby boy’s looking so grown up with that t...

It’s funny how you expect things to happen and they never do. And when you don’t expect anything, they just don’t either!   On the work front, -           D has left work spot. A is on leave and her transfer to Chennai seems definite. J will be back on Jan 11 th . -           In the meanwhile, Ap – new lady – joined this Mon. P joins next week. Lots of KT to be given. Once that’s done, dump the entire load of dept admin work on them. Will concentrate on library only. Got to figure out a way for them to give a status report by eod or eow. -           Travelling between 2 offices has come to adjustable halt. This week I travel just for tomorrow. Very happy about that. Fridays in the new office is a pretty good mood boost. -           Glad that I won’t ...