A Year Gone By!

I cannot believe it. It is devastating to me - well, not exactly. But it is a sad that I haven’t blogged in over a year. Have I been that busy? Or did I just forget that I had a blogging site? Whatever - I am back and I am hoping to be a little more active here on. 

A year has gone by. A year with lot of things happening. Good mostly. Been busy with school – debate club, drama club, school magazine etc etc..  and then with the horrendous B.Ed. I completed writing 27 records for that and it was taxing to say the least. I had everyone at home contribute in their own way for my B.Ed. Managing school and college work at the same time took its toll on me.  

A year of some good movies, songs, travel and  books. Can’t remember it all of course. Not many books though, but loads of travel, movies and music. 

It has been fun watching S grow up. He is becoming more independent by the day and sometimes it is scary. But its good to have an independent child than have a clingy one!

As always, life has been good to me. No complaints. I can only hope it continues like this.

So long, Y!

16/12

When I looked at the date today morning, I knew there was something significant about it. Couldn’t place my finger on what it was. I kept thinking if it was someone’s birthday or anniversary or something else – what was I forgetting? 

And then it dawned on me – 16^th December 2008 was one very happening day in our life. How could I forget?! We found out that we were going to have a baby boy and we also bought our own car that day! Fond memories! That little baby in the u/s pics now sits next to me, not letting me complete what I am trying to type!!

5 years have gone by and so many things have changed. 

So long!

Being Mom - SAHM or Working

About 4 months back, I made a decision. And it has been one of the best decisions of my life. I started teaching at Sid’s school and have been happy. It is a rewarding job and I get the satisfaction of making a difference to someone at the end of the day. Little heads popping their head into my room to say hi to me whenever they pass by the room, kids coming at least once a day to spend about 5 minutes with me and kids who wait for my class each week – I love it all. Kids have this tremendous power of forgiving – I might have reprimanded someone one minute, but the next minute it is all forgotten and forgiven and they are back to smiling and talking with me again. 

A lot of people think being a teacher is the easiest profession, but it isn’t really. There is a lot of preparation and learning to do before the teaching starts. 

When I made this decision, people were ready to throw their opinions on me – that I was wasting my life, wasting away my degrees, that the salary offered might not be what I deserve, etc etc. Little did they realize that this was my life and my priorities. This job helped me focus on my family alongside doing what I wanted to do. I take my son to school and bring him back with me. I can sit with his work in the evenings, take him to the park and cook a good meal for the family. For me, these are my priorities and these things make me happy. 

I do not expect everyone to understand this. I appreciate their concern for me. But what amuses me is most often than not, these opinions and judgments come from other women. I discount most of it because I think it is their own complex manifesting in these statements. I don’t understand where the pressure to be ‘the perfect mom’ comes from. We all strive to do the best for our children, in whatever little way we can –being a SAHM or a working mom and there is no right way to doing it. I have been both and I know both are tough. Being mom is tough.

From guilty to not guilty!

My mother moved into a retirement home recently. 

When she first mentioned the idea of a retirement home, i was shocked and upset beyond words. Later guilt took the place of shock and I felt terrible about myself. What was i thinking when she mentioned that word to me? Just like in the movies, a drab poor looking place where old people are left by their children who cant take up the responsibility of keeping them?  Well, not so cinematic really. 

Being the only daughter, I felt horrible that I couldn't take care of her, ideally like I should. I was sad that I couldn't do my bit, was angry at her for god knows why. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I feared how my family and society would look upon it or react to it. 

But three months after her moving in there, I realize it was the best decision of her life. The place is lovely - calm and serene, just ideal for retirement. And she has friends with whom she has a good time and beyond all, she doesn't have to go through the hassle of having to cook every morning just for herself. She visits me whenever she wants to and goes back when she starts missing her place. I feel like she is finally living life the way she wanted to. I am happy for her and in my heart I know it was perhaps the best thing to happen. She is independent like she always has been and by living on her own, she has made it clear to everybody that she can take care of her life. To all those people who showed fake sympathy and feared that she might be a burden on them - i wonder where they plan to hide their faces.

Missing Charm!

Last tuesday, I was at the TP road school for observation. Although my observing experience was not so good, the school made me very nostalgic. The school is an old building and it reminded me of the schools i had studied in. The wooden benches, the cupboards made of cement with just the doors in wood. The classroom made me want to study ! i was reliving my school days walking through the corridors of the school. 

my school is nice - broad corridors, big and airy classrooms and has almost everything a school shoud have. But somehow, i find the charm missing.

One Week, Three Books!

One week and just finished the third book. 

Revolution 2020 - Chetan Bhagat. 

I liked the book. Decent storyline. I kinda felt sorry for the guy - sometimes in life , you just arent lucky with anything. 

The Help  - kathryn Stockett

Good book and quite a bold attempt even in the present time. The flow is so good and almost everything in the book is so imaginable. 

The Bet - Rachel Van Dyken

I liked the book - ofcourse i will like it - i always love love stories with happy endings. Although I cant imagine that such a profound love exists.

Ahem!

It is good to be back home. But I miss Boston. I miss everything about it. I miss the snow, I miss the car, I miss my house and ofcourse I miss going to Market Basket. Every time I see NY or any other place I have been to in the US, I miss it like hell. 

No complaints about being here. I like it here. But there is always a part of me that yearns to go back !Wondering if this state of mind will change as time goes by!

My Grandmother - My Superstar!

Back from the US and taking a break before U comes. Am at my dad’s place and my grandmom is here with us. 

She is my superstar - really. At 84, she is almost independent and does all her things without help. I first doubt if I’ll live till my 80’s (which I hope not), but if I do, I wonder if I’ll be so healthy and active.  

Some of my best childhood moments have been with my grandmom. When I look at her playing with S, I relive those moments. She is so good with S. He never leaves her room and is always with her – playing (endlessly), reading (a car book like a hundred million times), exchanging stories, laughing for silly nothings or just killing time. She transforms herself into a 3 year old, which is what makes him connect so well with her. Along with all this, she teaches him certain things in her own way. I wonder where she gets all this patience and stamina. i love this gen1-gen 4 bonding. Thank god for my grandmother – and thank god for all these times with her!

The Big Jump

It is exciting, it is thrilling and it is the best- Sky Diving. Loved it totally. Getting into the gear, being trained by your tandem jumper, getting onto the plane and finally jumping – it’s the best! Really! 

Before we went there, I kept thinking about what if I forget to jump, what if forget to open my parachute and you know, the ultimate – what if I die! But after we were there, we knew there would be a trained tandem jumper doing the jump along with us. All we had to do is to listen to his instructions! Up on the plane, going to an altitude of 13000 feet, I just dint have the time to be scared anymore. 

The moment I jumped was by far the most exciting moment in my life. I was flying, i felt light and could look at the world from a whole new perspective! Landing was even better for I could look all around me and my trainer took of my glasses so that I could enjoy the ride down even better. It was the perfect day for skydiving – clear and bright and beautiful fall colors. Life couldn’t get better! Thanks to Ugen, for without him, I would never have even thought of trying something like this.

Well, after flying to the moon and flying high, it was time to come back to the earth.  I came back with bang, literally. I twisted my left foot after landing, and that resulted in a swollen, sprained ankle. I am now using crutches to walk, but my ankle should be fine soon.

To anybody reading this – don’t let my injury deter you from trying skydiving. I probably dint do something right, but that still doesn’t steal the show for me. To me, this feat is among the best things that I have done in my life! Don’t miss out on skydiving! When you come back to earth, you’ll have a whole new outlook to life. 

Mother's Day 2012

Today was Mother's day celebration at S's school. Today, i felt lucky to be a mom, i felt blessed to have a baby and go through such pleasures in life. The kids gave us a little performance and it was adorable. My little mister was in the front row and though he was singing, he was more focused on posing for my pictures and videos :). He has made the best gifts for me - a sunflower plant (with him sowing the seeds and watering it each day), a little something written about me (i never knew he observed spoke so much), a little bracelet (handmade) and a card with his little hand painted on it. Keepsakes for a lifetime! 

Shootout at Malden!

Today evening has perhaps been the most eventful evening in my 5 years in Boston. we happened to witness a police encounter with almost 10-15 gun shots. Three robbers dodging the police after theft from a local bank tried entering our apartment to escape. Not successful here, they ran to the main road and stopped a passing car in an attempt to escape. In just a few seconds, they were surrounded by police and one of the guys i saw escaping from our  apartment was shot in the head. He died on the spot and another one was caught. One of the robbers tried to escape and was suspected to be hiding in the vicinity. The whole area was filled with about 30 cop cars, 10 helicopters, k-9 units, state troopers and SWAT teams. They managed to get the guy, although the police suspect there could be more accomplices to this robbery. 5 hours of this excitement and the adrenalin levels haven't dropped!. The robber's car is still in our apartment. I saw the car enter and bang another one. Within seconds i saw the guys flee from the scene (each of them carried a gun). and the next minute, the shooting starts. Wow! The K-9 units are still here and the search continues! It was like watching a live episode of law & order!

A day to remember indeed!

A dream come true!

Finally, mission accomplished. The much awaited moment (almost 2 months) happened today. Yes, I met Jodi Picoult, took a picture with her and also had her autograph her latest book for me - Lone Wolf. I am sooper excited. this is the first time that i have met one of my favorite authors and its like a dream com true for me. Thank you Ugen for coming on time to click this picture that i am going to treasure for the years to come and for being a part of one the best moments in my life! 

So long Puthru!

Its three weeks since Puthru, our handsome betta fish left us. I hope he is happy wherever he is! you might wonder if a fish can have an impact on you. It surely does, especially if he has lived with you for 3 whole years, has been extremely responsive to you and has been a part of everything that has happened in your home. 

I miss you puthru - at your dinner time and at times when I am home all by myself. And  I hate to see the place where your bowl was so empty. Did you leave us because you knew we would have to leave u back here when we returned to India? 

I miss you little one. You'll be in my heart now and forever! 

Whatever happened to all the snow?!

I was reading the Globe today morning and there was this little piece of news that struck me- Boston had received 7.5 inches of snowfall this year as against 71.6 inches last this time. Whatever happened to all the snow? No, i am not complaining and i never will. I love warm  temperatures and i am thoroughly enjoying this winter. The temperature has remained in the upper forties/lower fifties for most of the time, which is so unlikely for winter in this part of the world. No snow cleaning, no walking/slipping on ice, no triple layer warm clothing or heavy jackets. In a way, I think its Boston's way of treating us well for this is our last winter here! 

Toddler Prep Program - YMCA

We enrolled sid into a toddler program at the YMCA near home. I love the program and i think i enjoy it much more than Sid does. The program is so creative and nice. It just makes me think how lucky kids these days are. They have so many things that we dint have when we were their age. i love almost everything about these classes - the activity based learning, the non-toxic paints, the crayons and all the different types of art and craft. 

What baffles me is how much Sid is learning from these classes. He is trying to talk a lot more than usual and is learning a lot of new words. But, I must admit that he is learning a whole lot of tantrum throwing techniques! I guess its all a part of the package :).

The decade that was...

2000-2010 - what a decade that was!! loads of significant things- finished my post graduation, met my husband, married him a couple of years later, started working, travelled abroad and had a beautiful baby. 

This decade is  going to be just as eventful as the previous one. S will start  schooling soon and we will be moving into our first real home. Coming march, U and i would have completed five years of marriage:). I am hoping to get back to uni,  travel and spend more quallity time with dh  and most important- stabilize my health. I have lots of things lined up and dont know how much of these will materialize. But here's hoping for the best- so long!!