Chronicles of V

W(h)at(about)er the bottle?

2011-02-17T13:24:00.003+05:30

V lost his water bottle. It was one of the most user (child and parent) friendly bottles I've come across and cost only around Rs. 60. All good things have to come to an end and we could n't find that bottle. It was time for a new one. So V and I went bottle-hunting. There was this good (and sturdy and supposedly odourless) 'sports' bottle at a super-market but it cost around Rs. 200 and I chucked the idea.
First stop- We walk into this books and toys store. There are some but I did n't like any. V suddenly yells, 'Amma, I want that one. N (remember his best friend from school?) has the same.
It was one of those narrow necked, ready to spill any time type with an unpleasant plastic smell.
Me-No V not that one
V-No I want that only
Fortunately the only piece available was broken.
Me- This is broken. Not good
V- Not gooda? Ok

We walk into another store. Unfortunately there are three pieces of the dreaded bottle.
V-Ammaaaaa....I want that Mickey Mouse bottle.
Me-Ok. will you use it properly?
V-Yes amma. N drinks from it daily...(Daily is a word he uses to refer to always, regularly etc)

We get back home.
V-Amma, fill the new bottle with water.
Me-Wait V
V-Now only Amma
Me-I have to wash it first
V-Is it dirty?
Me-Yes
V-Ok
After 2 minutes
Amma- Have you washed it?
Me-No. I've filled it with warm water. Will wash it later

Two minutes later
Amma, have you washed it?
Me- no, you finish your dinner. I'll wash it with soap and give it to you
Two minutes later,
Ammaaa...
Me-Wait V

Remember, 'Santhaiku ponnum Aatha vaiyum kaasu kodu', from '16 vayathiniley', where a scheming 'Parattai' (Rajinikanth) delays a flustered 'Chappani'(Kamal) from going to the market and this prompts the latter into getting into a whining mode?
V gets into that mode some...no...many times. Thankfully there are no 'Parattais' around!
Half an hour later, V finds the bottle on the table pours some water into the tumbler and says,
Amma, the water is cold.
Me-Yes. I've washed it.

He tries to drink the water. It is a difficult chore though. But he asked for it and I leave him at that.
Next morning, V is still asleep and would have to get ready in 10 minutes to reach school on time.
Me-V get up.
V, asleep on his Thatha's shoulder does n't open an eye-lid.
Me-V, wake up.
No response.
Thatha- He probably is too tired.
I touch him and ask, 'Do you want to go to school today?'
V- shakes his head and mutters, 'No', his eyes still closed
Me-Ok. Don't go. But you will not be able to show your new bottle to N
V opens his eyes in a flash, gets down from Thatha and says, Amma Schooluku poren' (I'll go to school)

P.S 1: V is not comfortable using the bottle
P.S 2: A casual converstation with N's mom revealed that N too was n't able to drink from the bottle but insisted on carrying that because it had a picture of her favorite cartoon character.
P.S 3: This bottle cost me Rs. 150

What were we upto?

2011-02-04T21:20:00.000+05:30

Basically getting used to the new addition- the baby, her new clothes, newer stuff, more new clothes, newer baby antics (here I refer to the older baby) etc etc.

V is vacillating from being a lovable older brother to an uncontrollable brat. Picture this. He refuses to have his bath but would love to give the soap a wash. So when I gleefully put him in his tub (he has one but it is not the baby's-a point that he lays stress on anytime someone asks him) thinking it would be a good pretext for giving him a bath he insists that he get in with his shirt on or bawls when water splashes on his upper body. On other occasions he tells the world that his mother never allows him to have a bath!

What was I up to? Nothing much...well, apart from taking care of the babies that is! But managed to sneak in to the Book fair not once but twice. The first time with V requires a separate post and that will come later.
Found some new (for me that is) baby shops. More on that in another post (Now how many and when..that I can't tell)

This is basically a comeback post, so I'll leave with some V talk-

V is drinking juice and he finishes it in no time.
H-Do you want a re-fill?
V-What is re-fill
H-To fill the cup again
V-Fulla halfa?
H-Full
V-Then appa, it is Re-full and not re-fill

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T09:00:00.000+05:30

The only thing I really wish for the coming decade is consistent weather and climatic conditions across the globe. Frankly I expect very little change in the first few years until the whole world changes its ways (being optimistically pessimistic, the husband says). I also hope the environmental concerns are addressed diligently.
My contribution- I am hoping to cut down on baby T's diapers.
Other expectations (See no resolutions!!)-We are hoping V gets admission to a school that all of us are happy about!

When I look back I am surprised that I have realized this late that of the three decades of my life the first two have been spent as a student attending schools, but most learning has happened only this decade!
A Very Happy New Year to all!

He knows what he knows...

2010-12-30T11:38:00.001+05:30

V came from school one day, a little late than usual (He's being dropped by a van).
Me: Is anyone else being dropped before you?
V: Yes
Me: Who?
V: Akshada
Me Who... Akshad-a?
V: No Amma Akshada....girl...ladies ladies (note the use of ladies instead of lady!!)

*****
We come back after visiting the doctor and
Paati- Doctora paathiya? (Did you see the doctor)
V-Yes
Paati- Enna sonna...Marunthu yethavathu koduthara? (What did he say? did he give any medicine?)
V- Illa verum paperthaan koduthaa (No, he just gave a paper, referring to the prescription)

*****
V's school conducted a project day and his class's topic was North India.
One evening H and I were talking about visiting a temple when V chipped in,
V-Let us go to the Golden temple
Me (beaming and hoping to spread the news of the child's knowledge to the world)-Where is the Golden temple?
V- At school

Before anything else...

2010-12-20T15:02:00.000+05:30

Some 'V Talk'...

'Enna paati...pazham sudutha'

The above is a very popular conversation (supposed?) between Lord Muruga and Avvaiyar as represented in the films 'Avvaiyar' and Kandan Karunai.
In the guise of a shepherd, sitting on the branch of a Jamun tree (nava pazham), the Lord asks a tired Avvaiyar if she wants hot (sutta) or cold (sudatha) fruit. The poet laughs at the child's ignorance and says she will have cold fruit. When the fruits fall on the ground the poet picks them up and blows away the dust at which Muruga asks if the fruit is hot thus revealing who he is.

Some mornings H has the classic 'pazhayathu' (rice soaked overnight in water) with buttermilk for breakfast. He does a tea vendor act while mixing the rice and buttermilk. V chose that morning to do a Lord Muruga ...
V- Enna appa...Mor sudaratha (Why appa...is the butter milk hot?)

V the detective

One day V's best friend N was supposed to visit us. V was exited throughout the day. However, in the evening, N's mother called to say that her older son had made some plans without her knowledge and that they could n't come that evening.
V was extremely disappointed and I had to use the only believable soothing technique and told him that N was sick and had to be taken to the doctor. Nevertheless he kept asking me a hundred times why N did n't come and I repeated the same thing.
The next day, he came back from school and asked me yet again..
V: Amma, Why did n't N come yesterday?
Me: I told you...She was sick
V: I asked her...She said she had gone to a friend's house ( and walks off without pausing to give me a look)
Me: (Need I even say what my face looked like??)

A Month later- Baby T and Big brother V

2010-12-16T14:54:00.000+05:30

It's been a more than a month now since Baby T entered our lives and as always it is chaos. The nights and days are blurred and I can hardly read! Wish I were into confinement without being tempted by books, internet and the people who make the already difficult days more difficult that I have no choice but to resort to books and the internet-hope that explains the bad eye-sight.

A big brother emerges

V's behavior has been on predictable lines. He is co-operative when least expected (which is the case most of the times) and at the other times I have two kids crying for shoulder space. The initial week was very tough for him. At every given opportunity he would help me with anything from trying to put my feet on the bed, to handing over the feeding pillow to staying close to T when I was away from the room. But in all of the above I could sense a feeling of insecurity. Now he seems to have accepted the fact that the baby is here to stay and his day begins with a 'good morning' to the baby, checking if her nappy is wet, baby-talking (who?) to her and
most of the time he does what he is best at doing-Talk.

One day he wanted the baby to be placed on his lap. In a few minutes she did 'su-su' on him. Before he could react all of us cheered him saying that the baby likes him a lot. What could have been a frown turned into a grin and he retorted,
'Naan enna toileta?' (Am I a toilet?)

A few days later the same scene was enacted. This time before he could let me place T on his lap, he stood up, removed his trousers and became 'ready' to hold his sister.

P.S: I am glad I got this out of the system. Almost contemplated to quitting blogging (read posting):)

It's a girl!!

2010-11-15T10:11:00.000+05:30

I had packed the bags for the hospital by October end and had declared (threatened) to the household that the baby will be born before Deepavali (Second time mom's instinct you see). That passed.
Then I announced that the baby is going to be a Deepavali release amidst the chaos and crackers. (Instinct, instinct). That too passed.
When 'the Jal' took the city by storm I was very sure we were going to do an "Anjali film" act and rush in the rain even as storm hissed past us. That stormy night too passed.

Next morning it was sunny and bright. So I declared- "It is definitely going to be next week on the expected due date. Bring out the vacuum cleaner. I have to clean the house". The husband and my father who were detained at home on various occasions the previous weeks were packed off to their respective places of work. (Instincts instincts, very strong instincts)

AND SO,
Two hours later I was driven to the hospital and our baby girl was born!

This Boss passes!

2010-10-08T16:09:00.000+05:30

I am back! And this time with a post on a film I watched in a theater, in the second weekof its release and not on TV after two years! From the moment I watched the trailers of 'Boss Engira Baskaran' I wanted to watch the film like I have wanted to watch numerous others and somehow it materialized this time.

Why I liked the film?
It was a light entertainer with nothing to enrage the little acrobat inside! There were no tears, fights (the real ones) and no logic. I hav n't seen the earlier film by the same director, 'Siva Manasula Sakthi' but the fact that this was supposedly better than that only made me feel relieved and happy!
And in which Tamil movie these days does one get to watch the hero trying to touch the comedian's feet?
And after a very long time I heard 'real' laughter in the theater.
The climax was so contrived that one had to accept the fact that this film had no choice but to end only in that one way.
It is a little sad that comedy films these days use the spoof weapon pretty often but what the heck...anything laughable is worth watching, though it meant explaining to the husband which scene takes a dig at which movie when he sadly gaped around wondering why everyone was laughing!
Also... surprise surprise...despite the presence of a particular actress in a scene (like the ones that are brought around by the hero's friends to increase business, bring more students to class etc) it did not have the usual crass elements in the name of humor.
And only this film can make a comedian out the the treacherous villain of 'Naan Kadavul'.
Definitely worth a watch especially when someone like me is not in a position to watch 'Enthiran'!

How did it happen?
The last five years have seen H and I stand in the ticket counter and walk out in the last minute but never watch a film. This last one year has seen a lot of plans being made and cancelled in the last minute.
So, I asked him, "Shall we watch Boss Engira Baskaran'?
H: Is it a good movie?
Me: Seems so. It is a light comedy
H: Ok
Me: Shall I book for the next weekend
H: Are you kidding? I'll see if we can get tickets for the evening or tomorrow morning
Me:???
H: What...the world might come to an end next week...
So, we watched the 8:15 show on a Sunday morning. Looks like the man has taken the 'baby-will-get-influenced-by-what-the-mother-watches' stuff seriously.

Chocolatey entertainment

2010-09-17T11:54:00.000+05:30

As always this is a late take on something that has been written and raved about a thousand times. Movies are a good way to ward of stress. But as a policy H and I don't watch films in theaters. Actually it's been five years since we visited a cinema, so it is easy to make it into a policy! A couple of weeks back we left V with my parents and went to watch 'Crazy' Mohan's "Chocolate Krishna". Though a social play would have meant a more meaningful time spent, we zeroed in on the familiar brand of comedy the reason for which I will state at the end.

It was the well known 'Crazy' brand of comedy with the occasional display of magic thrown in between being an added attraction. The 'story' was on predictable lines and Mohan also manages to give a message at the end. What we loved about the play was its tight script and the fact that it was over in less than 90 mins without a break. Though with familiar film BGMs added to the play it did look like those famous 'film-trailers' from one's college days, it was a light-hearted time-spent. And wonders, though no one follows rules strictly not a single mobile ring tone was heard inside the hall!

Coming to the reason. It was the beginning of the third trimester and I did n't want to be left squirming with a jumping baby inside in a cinema theater what with all the sound effects and visuals. Also some time in these five years I happened to tell H that a few weeks before I was born my mother watched 'Omen'.Since H thinks the film has had a definite bearing on his wife's behavior he did n't want to take any chances with film choices for his children.

Keeping it Straight and Simple

2010-09-03T11:28:00.000+05:30

"Naan Kariyeriten, neenga innum karaiyerama nikareley?"
Barathiraja, Maniratnam and all others who featured immortal lines by children in their films...I salute you. For your understanding of children and their mindset. Of their keenness in keeping things short, simple and straight.

I was cleaning the Puja room for Janmashtami celebrations. V caught me wiping the pictures and asked why. Without thinking I mumbled, "For Janmashtami"
V: What?
Me: Lord Krishna's Happy Birthday
V: What?
Me: We are performing a Puja today.
V: (Thinking for a while): Dirtya irukarathunala clean pannaraya? (Are you cleaning because the pictures are dirty?)

Kid Speak!

2010-08-16T16:09:00.001+05:30

The elders learn some lessons

Appa
H and V are playing with numbers.
H - This is zero
V - Jeero
H (Don't know what made him ask this) - Zero yaar kandupidicha theriyuma? (Do you know who invented zero?)
V- Yaaru? (Who?)
H - Aryabhatta
Me-What?
H- Let's get into the complexities later
Me- Athu seri
V - Yaaru Batta?
H- Aryabhatta
V (Remains thoughtful for a while)- Appa...8 yaaru kandupidicha?
H-???

Uncle
It is V's uncle's birthday and he wishes him over phone. The phone is in speaker mode.
V - Appy barthaday to youuu
Uncle- Happy Birthday sollariyaa...
V - (Repeats) Appy barthaday to youuu
Uncle - Oh...hahaha
V (flustered) - Thank you sollu (Say thank you)
Uncle- Oh seri seri...Thank you
V- You are welcome

V the cop
V is learning about traffic signals at school and can go on all day with, 'Red says stop. Green says go', etc.
One day we are on our way to drop him at school. There is a major traffic jam on our not-so-main-road. It is very chaotic. Some auto-rickshaw drivers step in to ease the traffic. Thankfully we are on the bike and are able to move around a little. Suddenly a squeaky voice shouts out loud,

'Rad shays shtop, green shays go, yallo shays drive schhloly'
And the same voice asks: Amma why is there no signal here?

Finally a lesson for Thatha
V's Thatha takes him on his scooter on a jolly ride. They are at a signal. The signal is red. Our little traffic policeman begins, 'Rad shays shtop..'. Thatha finds some space and moves a little. The little cop gets angry,
'Thatha...Rad shays shtop...why are you moving???"

Then and now; Sivaji and Enthiran!

2010-08-05T11:11:00.000+05:30

Simply, then and now would have meant that I was going to write about my first pregnancy and the present. Yes..it is still about that. It is just a coincidence that the superstar's films have also been spaced out during the exact time frame! Silly? Yes and No. Not that I am bothered about watching the film.

What I am concerned about are the songs. The only memories that are still vivid till date are those from the delivery table. Even as I was doing my breathing (occasionally checking if they were in the right order), chanting slokas, a song suddenly made its way through into my head. I don't remember whether the film 'Sivaji, the Boss' was released by then or if it were only the songs, but 'Sahana saaral...' kept ringing in my ears. Later I was thankful that it was 'Sahana' and not 'Oru koodai sumlight..' That would have made the labor harder!

Now, I dread the 'techno-effects' of 'Enthiran' getting into the system. Not that the songs are bad, but I only hope 'Boom boom robo da' does n't make its way through into my head!!!

Other memories from the D-table and more songs
The only good thing about that hospital (Now I've changed both the gynecologist and the hospital) was the doctor. What irritated me most was even when I wanted to get down and use the toilet, I was told, 'Come soon..the doctor will get angry'. "Sister, my back pain is getting worse, I want to lean against the wall...", "No...The doctor might say something..' and continued on those line when I wanted the A/C temperature to be reduced, wanted to sit etc. The problem was that the baby's head did n't turn and I was having 'back labor'. Though the duty doctor acknowledged this fact, the nurses didn't assist me.

To cut a four hour story short, that was when 'Sahana' happened (?) and I was getting temporary relief. The two nurses present tried their level best to help me primarily by acting deaf and secondly by holding my hand. Suddenly one of them thought it would give me great pleasure if she sings. And started off with 'Yerikara poongatre'...Lovely song agreed. But not when heard in a screech-like Malayalam accented version, especially when one is contemplating whether the pain in the lower abdomen or the back pain is worse. Taking liberty from the fact that one need not feel embarrassed while in labor, I made a face.
The nurse (full credit to her for trying to be helpful), "Yaen...paatu pidikalaiya?" (Don't you like the song).
Me: (Trying to sound Vadivelu-like) 'Illa sister...valikudhu' (No, it is paining, hoping she would understand what pain I meant)

It is said that the baby, after birth, can recognize voices that it had heard inside the womb. It was true in V's case. He was quiet when the doctor, duty doctor and other nurses walked into the room (and talked of course). But when our 'Yeriakara' nurse spoke to me he cried. Not once but every time she came in!

A Note to..

2010-07-28T15:38:00.001+05:30

...all pedestrians, motorists, auto-rickshaw drivers (I have to address them separately), all those who think the whole world is a parking lot and many others.... from a fellow pedestrian, ex (for the time being) motorist and one among the rest.

-Thank you for staring at me , but that does n't mean you can flash lights on a broad day light, indicating me to move to my right when there is hardly any space to stand.
-I've struggled with a heavy bag on one shoulder and a kid on the arm and no auto would stop. Why is it that only when I don't need one all the auto rickshaws slow down and make walking harder?
-Neel Metal Fanalca is doing their bit to the city by stationing their huge garbage bins on the road turnings. But the motorists cast an angry glance at me when they turn sharply at a very high speed. I can only manage to stand a few inches farther from the bin...not any closer.
-Every time I look at the road, I get confused. When did this become a parking lot? One can walk (or try to) on the pavement, but is how is one supposed to drive a car or ride a two-wheeler between a car parked haphazardly and the electric post?
-Dear sirs (assuming sirs, by the bikes parked), I am unable to hold my umbrella straight when your bikes are parked like they were straight out of a modern-art picture frame even as the branch of a tree, lying low sways precariously as I struggle on the so called pavement, trying to avoid being splashed at by a bucket of dirty water from the nearby tea-shop. Not to mention the oncoming traffic to whom people on feet are invisible.
-And lady... I understand you want to take the right- from your car indicator that flashes 'right'. But why do you have to swirl to your left, take a u-turn (almost) on the road that is on your left, indicating right all the time? Wrong.
- To all the others who make life on the roads, a roller-coaster ride/walk/drive for many like me... It is very hard to learn one's lesson in a hospital. Take care and thank you for letting me live long enough to write this.

Selective Hearing

2010-07-22T19:44:00.000+05:30

I don't know whether the above is particularly common to men (or men aged 35 and above), but I am experiencing it and have heard people talk about this.

A few months back I was talking to an elderly relative. Her husband is very particular about money. Sometime earlier he had had a bad cold and his hearing was affected for a few days. One day this aunt had asked him to help her with something and he, naturally, could n't hear. After some time she was talking to someone over the phone about some money matters and after she had put the phone down the uncle wanted to know what the money was spent on!

***
Yesterday, I was doing some cleaning in one room and H was in the adjacent room. We could hear each other pretty well across the wall and were having occasional conversations.
At some point,
Me: We have to clean the loft. The existing cupboards are full and we have to make room for the new baby's things...
H: (No response)
Me: There is space in the loft for all the unused stuff
H: (No response)
Me: If possible, today....
H (No response yet...)
Me: (Suddenly remembering the first mentioned instant, and without raising my voice) You know what...That Micromax mobile phone...
H: (Suddenly rushes into the room) What what??
Me: (Grinning...)
H: No...I thought you were saying something about the oven...
Me: Hmmm...Kuppura vizhunthaalum....

New(s)!

2010-07-15T15:56:00.000+05:30

The diapers have been stashed away, to be pulled out only on emergencies. The rubber sheet is all set to find its way back into the cupboard. Or so we thought! It looks like they will (of much smaller size though!) have to make an appearance in another four months! Also, all plans of changing the upholstery and re-arranging the house will also have to be put on hold, for another two-three years!

Thank You!!!!!

Phew! This has been in draft for more than a month and was scheduled to be published at least three times and then brought back to 'drafts'. Initially I wanted this to be my 100th post, but that mark was crossed many posts earlier. Then I wanted to post this on completing one year of (active) blogging, but that too did n't happen (the posting bit, the year went past long-back!). But I had to get it out of the system (computer heh heh) and guess this is a milestone worth a mention!

I did n't want to make a big deal about this, but if this blog (after many name changes) is still alive it is because of V. Ever since we announced the news of another baby to him, there has been a lot of changes in his behavior. I guess, the way he handles the situation, not to mention the conversations, is worth recording.

V is happy about the fact that he will be an Anna now and considers himself 'big'! He wants to know if the baby can talk, eat, dance or sing like he does (inside my tummy!). But he is all set to teach the baby to..what else..play the drum!

One day, (for the heck of it) I explained to V that a brother (thambi) would be a (baby) boy and sister (thangai) would be girl. He immediately said, 'ennaku thambi vaenum'. After some time he asked me,

V: Amma...Naan boya?
Me: Yes
V: N (his best friend at school) girla?
Me: Yes
V: (thinking for a while) Ennaku Thangai vaenum (I want a baby sister)

Mine!

2010-07-13T18:47:00.001+05:30

It began when the watchman addressed V's Thatha as 'Enga Thatha' (in daily parlance -my grandfather, literally it means our grandfather). Since then it has been a battle of words between the two - the three year old who has begun to speak like an adult and the seventy-five year old who speaks like a child.

So whenever he spots him, V has a few select sentences like, 'Ithu enga amma', (this is my mother), 'Enga appa' (father), enga car, enga paper, enga school bag, enga tri-cycle etc.

This happens outside also. When we are at the supermarket, V tells the sales girl, 'Ithu enga amma, ithu enga biscuit' etc. Attempts to stop him only fuels the fire. So, to save our faces, we give a false glare and a low-pitched 'V.....' when we encounter strangers.

One day at school, I spot V's best friend N with a hand-kerchief neatly pinned on her frock, and tell her mother that it is very difficult to get V dressed like that.

Looks like the brat had listened to this very keenly. That evening, he pulls out large napkin and insists that I pin it on his shirt for him. When I ask why, he says,
"Ennoda N ippadithaan pin pannipa" (My N pins up her hanky like this - Note the disappearance of Enga!!!)

Sinning against gender stereotypes...

2010-07-09T15:24:00.001+05:30

Everyone in the blogging world seems to waging a war against the stereotypes. So much so that not being a stereotype will become one! Poor joke, I know. The point is, Uma, LR and AA have tagged me into confessing my sins against the gender stereotypes.

It was started by IHM and this is the tag line -Please list at least ten things you have ever wanted or done which your gender is not supposed to.

Some of the following sins have already found a place in the post on 'Seven things you don't know about me'. Forgive the repetition!

1. I love sports. I don't go screaming after good looking sportsmen. But I watch a county cricket tournamnet with the same interest as a T 20 match. I used to follow the erstwhile WWF very keenly. At college orchestrated a cricket-stadium like ambiance by beating bottles on the desks whenever things went a little too boring.

2. I don't like jewelery of any kind. I hardly think about how valuable they are because they are of no use to me.

3.I don't apply make-up. Don't like the thought of it (except the occasion when everything goes just the way you don't plan it-wedding!). I don't even apply lipstick or kajal.

4. I hate asking someone for directions. I try to find the route on my own.

5. I have been on my own and have traveled alone many times by train, in a general compartment across cities.
.
6. I don't care about how large or small an object is. I carry them myself. Whether it is lifting heavy boxes or helping someone carry a suitcase, I don't mind.

7. I do not like mush and mushy stories and films. Some friends began to avoid me when I told them I did n't like DDLJ and that it was a waste of time watching such long movies. Have never read M&Bs.

8. I have never expected (and don't expect) my friends (men) to pay the restaurant bill. I share the bill or end up paying myself. So much so that before our wedding, on the only occasion that we went out (H was in another city then), we shared the bill. (The fact that he did n't mind and a few other things easily makes him a sinner himself!)

9. Normally, I end up clicking photographs at friends' get togethers or family functions and don't worry about my not being in them.

10. My favorite color is blue.

11. At any given point of time I don't own more than two or three pairs of footwear of which one is a pair of sports shoes.

12. My first job was in sales and I was the only female field sales executive in the company I worked for. I have the reputation of covering more distance on a scooter than any of my male friends or acquaintances, in a year.

13. Many times, visitors have raised an eyebrow, when the husband helps me in serving dinner. And on most occasions, I don't wait for him and have my meals before he comes home. I guess this sin is better than suffering from acidity.

All said and done I still do the following : Make lists like the one above. Lately I've begun to enjoy cooking. I also enjoy dressing up my child and spend a lot of time and money on his clothes, books and toys! I write down and plan even when nothing happens.

It is heartening to find many 'sinners' around. From my side, these so called sins are not deliberate or an attempt to rebel. It is just who I am and if I try to change I will only end up wasting my time and others'.

Everyone whom I wanted to tag have already been tagged..Nevertheless... Lavanya, Jayashree, Elizabeth, SSStoryteller...go ahead and confess yours!

He got his drum and ate it too!

2010-07-08T16:11:00.000+05:30

So, a drum and a micro-party it was! V got what he wanted, after some arguments, a day long deliberation, and some extra brain-work from us.

We did n't want to celebrate his birthday because H thought it will become a habit I was too scared to even think of the number of people we would have to invite. We did n't want to hold it outside and leave it to some event-managers and the house would n't accommodate 50-60 people. Yes, if V wanted his friends to come, including parents (only moms) the number came to around 15. It was a get- together, and my friends had little children too...another 10-15. In the recent past I had made a few more friends because they had children V's age and some blogger-friends too (Go over here and here for more on the meet!) Our cousins had children too. And then there were people who are older than us, parents, but would feel offended if they were n't invited.

We threw the list into the bin and decided to hold the gathering (party) only for V's friends from school and reduced the numbers to 15. (friends, their moms and siblings if any). My parents obliged and came home the previous day. The rest we decided, will be called for his 'Upananyanam' or wedding, or another function next year (wait for the next post please!). And why did I have to write all this...Well, I am being practical!

The Party

We wanted to keep it short and simple, 1) because of the restricted space, 2) it would be easy for us to handle children who have visited us before, 3) We can personalize the return gifts and snacks.

The said 'Drum' cake and sandwiches were ordered at 'Padmashree' foods, Mylapore (really worth a try). When I went there to place the order, two days before the birthday, there were pictures of Disney characters and other popular cartoon characters from kiddie channels, but no drum. Not even a picture of some character playing a drum (I don't know how many do?!) But it was easy to describe it and the lady at the shop made my job easier by drawing it out beautifully. After which she said that normally they would n't bake any cake with a design that they don't have but this was simple. Uma, you were right. Drum IS a reasonable demand.

We purchased return gifts in accordance with the age group invited. The food consisted of cake, sandwiches and some spicy biscuits. That was that. No chips or fries and no one seemed to be bothered about the absence of fried stuff (there is a separate post on birthday parties in the draft, but that will be posted after we attend a party to be held during the weekend).

V did n't sleep a wink that afternoon. Though he did n't voice it out we knew how excited he was. Thankfully the rain did n't play a spoil sport. The kids came. They were happy, more because they all knew each other. Though there were a few squabbles over toys and caps (we had deliberately left a few old sturdy toys for the kids to play with and locked away the rest!) things went on pretty smoothly.

At the end of it all, V was HAPPY and that was all we wanted!

'The Cake'

Another year older!

2010-07-05T12:38:00.000+05:30

V is turning three today. I really can't say who has grown a year older... I guess it's me! We did n't want to have any celebration but bought him some new clothes last week.

After the purchase, H told him, 'These are for your birthday...'
V: Where is cake?
Me and H, taken aback: What?
V: Cake..
We: What cake do you want?
V: 'Drum' cake
We (still unable to believe what we are hearing and to make sure that we don't put any ideas into his head): Will you cut cake in school?
V: No, at home
We: Shall we call Thatha, Paati...
V: No, S, N, S, S, H,P (his friends)
We (to ourselves): Oh my God!!!

This was drafted two days before his birthday. So whether we really had a party or a drum will be posted later...including more drum-rolls!!!

Kid Speak!

2010-06-17T18:48:00.000+05:30

One morning, V woke up early and as is the norm dragged himself into the living room, sat on the couch and started blinking. When this is the case, either H or I try to 'wake him up' by gently pulling his ears and he loves that. On that fateful morning it was my turn and it turned out that he had a pain in his right ear and he yelled.

That evening, suspecting an ear infection we took him to the Doctor. H told V (because he was talking too much!) that he had to explain to the doctor what his problem was and both Amma and Appa will stay quiet. the doctor, like on all occasions asked,

Doctor: Enna aachu? (what happened)
V: Kaathu Valikuthu (Ear is paining)
Doctor: Why?
V: Amma Kaatha pidichu izhuthuta (amma pulled my ears)

When a child says this, the doctor naturally had to say this,
Yaen, neenga veshamam pannengala (Why, were you naughty)

Now my ears turned red!

More Tamil Rhymes...

2010-06-11T15:00:00.001+05:30

How did I ever forget these?! Some songs for 'play-time'.

Thenna Marathula Earathey...
This is sung when a baby has learnt to stand on his/her own and can balance himself/herself on someone else's feet. The adult sits on a chair, holds the hand of the child while he/she stands on the adult's feet and the latter lifts his legs up and down. This is very a popular 'game' and almost every child loves it.

Thenna Marathula Earathey...
Thengaiyai parikaathey
Mamaruthula Earathey..
Maangayai Parikathey
Aathula vizhariya
Sethula Vizhariya
Illa Ammaiyar paati kulathula vizhariya?

Translation
Don't climb the coconut tree, don't pluck coconuts, Don't climb a Mango tree and pluck mangoes. Will you fall into the river, gutter or Ammaiyar paati's pond?

   ***
This Ammaiyar Paati character is central in many songs and stories.

In one story, about an impatient sparrow, a hungry sparrow asks Mrs. Ammaiyar to make him some 'Payasam' (Kheer). She asks him to bring ingredients like milk, cashew, dry-grapes and ghee. He flies of to get each with his tiny beak and eagerly watches as the Paati begins cooking. Once the sparrow finds that the Payasam is made, he tries to gulp it down without thinking and burns his tongue (?). The 'Paati' asks him to 'cool' the Payasam to normal temperature by placing it in a bowl of water. The sparrow leaves the vessel in a pond, thinking that the large sheet of water would cool his payasam quickly. On the contrary, the vessel topples and the pond becomes a 'payasam-pond'. The poor sparrow then goes on to drink all the water in the pond and bloats like a balloon. The Paati asks him to stuff his mouth with hay. After some time a hungry cow comes near the pond. On spotting a bunch of hay, she begins to eat it. Soon all the payasam-water spills out of the sparrow and the village is flooded. While ending the story, even as a delighted child watches eagerly, one sings

"Aadu maadu kolam kulam
Ammaiyar Paati kolam kulam"

(Kulam-pond, Aadu, Maadu-cattle.)

   ***
When a baby is able to play with his/her fist, he/she is encouraged to thump the fist on the palm of the adult, who sings,

Amma Kuthu
Gumma Kuthu
Paati kuthu
Peran kuthu
Pillayar kuthu
Pidichiko kuthu...

When the adult says pidichiko he/she tries to grab the child's fist who should learn to pull it away.
Translation: Kuthu-punch. Paati-Grandmother, Peran-Grandson. Pillayar-Lord Ganesha

The story of Bondapalli...Not so silly!

2010-06-10T14:00:00.001+05:30

What happens when a ball of batter accidentally falls into hot oil? A sizzling bonda emerges, leading to a satisfied Prince, a content Kingdom and a ..well...Bondaful story! Shamim Padamsee's 'The Silly Story of Bondapalli', published by Tulika, is a wonderful story not only for children but also for adults, who want to have a good laugh after a stressful day. That's what I did. I don't know if my little enjoyed as much as I did (The recommended age is 5+) but I laughed out loud while reading the book...something I hav n't done in a long long time.

A young Prince fusses over food and an 'accident' leads to the discovery of the Bonda. It becomes the Prince's favorite food. So much so that people in the Kingdom start eating Bondas everyday and this leads to a happy re-arrangement of their lives and homes. The Kindom then becomes, you guessed right-Bondapalli! What happens when a neighboring King hears of this, forms the rest of the story.

The word 'Bonda' caught V's attention. The story captures the very essence of childhood- children protesting against what they don't like and wanting to have only what they are fond of.

As is with every other book, Ashok Rajagopalan's illustrations are catchy and for a child as little as V, they in a way explain the crux of the story. In V's words, 'Amma, atho paar bonda veedu, Bonda Mama, Bonda Kaaka' (Bonda house, Uncle and crow). Simply 'Bondastic'! Older children are likely to understand and enjoy the humor.

After reading the book I could n't help wanting for more. If my instincts are right, we can expect a series under 'Adventures at Bondapalli'!
(Picture courtesy Tulika Books)

Tamil rhymes and songs from childhood..

2010-06-08T15:53:00.001+05:30

After shamelessly missing out on their third Blogathan, I am all set for Tulika's Blogathan-4 Rhymes, chants and playground songs, simply because this gives a chance to recall songs from my childhood, some of which I am passing on to V.There are many many rhymes and songs in Tamil. To add to these, each family has its own version.

My most favorite 'playground' song, is like a never-ending set of questions and answers. There are many versions. But this was the version I came across first and began 'singing' to V, ever since he was a fourth-month old fetus! We used to sing this instead of 'Inky Pinky Ponky' while choosing players in a game.

Biscuit-biscuit,
Enna biscuit? Jam biscuit
Enna Jam? Co-Jam
Enna Co?Tea-Co
Enna Tea? Roti
Enna Roti? Bun-Roti
Enna Bun? Ribbon
Enna Ribbon? Pachhai Ribbon
Enna Pachhai? Ma pachhai
Enna ma? Amma
Enna Amma? Teacher Amma
Enna teacher? Kanakku Teacher
Enna kannaku? Veetu Kannaku
Enna veedu? Madi Veedu
Enna maadi? Motta Madi
Enna mottai? Thirupathi mottai

Translation: Enna-What, Roti-Bread/ Bun, Pachai-Green, Amma-Mother, Kanaku teacher-Maths teacher, Veedu-home- Mottai Madi-Terrace

   ***

The following are from my husband's childhood days, passed on to V

Rail Paatu (The Train Song)
Ammukinan Pointai
Saathinan Gateai
Vandi vanthu Nikuthu
Seekaramai Earungal
Koduthan Guard beerendru visilai
Gup-gup Gup-gup Gup-gup.....

Translation:
The song refers to the duties of the station master wherein he closes the gate and gives the signal for the guard to start the engine.

(He) presses the switch,
Closes the gates
The train has come
Get in quickly
The guard blows the whistle
Gup gup.....

   ***
The following is another favorite, the origin and motive of which I am not aware!

Ka-ka kala kala vande
Eppadi appam suduve?
Potta Nella gummi,
Gummuku Gummukunu kuthi
Sarkara vellatha potu
Athu mela ozhakennai Vaarthu
Suttu suttu koduthaka
Amma puttu puttu thimbalaam

Translation: Refers to the process of making the sweet-dish-Appam.

   ***
Another 'Ka-ka' Song:
Kaka Kaka Kannuku Mai kondu vaa
Kuruvi kuruvi kondaiku poo kondu vaa
Kokey Kokey Kuzhandaiku paal konduva
Kiliye kiliye kinnathil pazham kondu vaa

Translation:
(Hey) crow, bring some Kajal for the eyes
Sparrow, bring some flowers,
Crane, bring some milk for the child
Parrot, bring some fruits in a bowl

   ***

Kai veesamma Kai veesu

Kai veesamma kai veesu,

Kadaiku pogalam kai veesu

Mittai Vaangalam Kai veesu

Methuvai Thingalam Kai veesu

Sokkai vaangalam kai veesu

Sogusai podalam kai veesu

Koviluku Pogalam KAi veesu

Kumbittu varalam Kai veesu

Thera Paarkalam Kai veesu

Thirumbi varalam kai veesu

Translation: A song typically sung when a baby begins to move its arms. Kai veesu means to swing one's hands (arms).

Swing your arms - Swing your arms

Let's go to a shop - Swing your arms

Let''s buy sweets and eat them slowly - Swing your arms

Let's buy dresses and dress grandly - Swing your arms

Let's go the temple and pray- Swing your arms

Let's see the Temple car and return -Swing your arms

***
And probably the most popular of them all...!

Nila Nila Odi Vaa
Nila Nila Odi vaa
Nillamal odi vaa
Malai meethu eari vaa
Maligai poo kondu vaa,
Nadu veetu la vai,
Nalla thuthi sei
Vatta vatta Nilave
Vaanil pogum nilave
Pattam pole paranthu vaa
Bambaramai sutri vaa

Translation:A song about the moon. Here, a child asks the moon to bring flowers, and fly like a kite and spin like a top.

Kid Speak!

2010-06-02T20:00:00.001+05:30

Four or five years ago, H bought a Trackman mouse, which supposedly reduces stress on the wrist, caused by constant 'mousing'! V, however finds it difficult to use this mouse, because his fingers are a little too small to reach the 'red ball' and ends up clicking as he likes. We searched for the old optical mouse that was resting in the loft and it is an understatement if I say V was excited.

H fixed it for him. After a few minutes...

V: Appa...intha mouseku Vaale illa (This mouse has no tail)

***

Another tail err..tale...

It is common in Tamil to address a naughty child as 'vaalu' (tail) referring to our tailed ancestors.
It is also common in Tambram parlance to address elders 'Periyavaa' (otherwise periyavanga) and the younger ones 'Chinnava' (Chinnavanga).
When used in a sentence this may become Periyavlellam etc, meaning all elders.

Now that word when split becomes periya-vaal meaning big tail and chinna-vaal meaning small tail.

Conversations with V sometimes end like this...

Me: Athu chinnavaalukellam kidaiyathu (That is not for the little ones)

V: (thinks for a while then..) Oho...athu kutti-vaaluku kedaiyathaa...unna maathiri Bigu-vaaluku thaana (So that is not for little vaalus like me but big vaalus like you)

A visit and a birthday party!

2010-05-28T10:00:00.001+05:30

The Gift...

I had to buy gifts for three kids. One whose family H would be visiting during his out-of-station trip, another who is going abroad and another who had had his birthday (party) coming up. I had decided what the gifts will be, as it was a while since we bought V any books and I had read this and wanted so badly to buy a copy. Moreover, V wanted to gift 'Snoring Shanmugam' to all his three friends.

I think the above explains my visit to Tulika's office, V in tow. I was n't sure how V would behave because it was an office (in this case more like a house) and not a shop. As always he surprised me by staying quiet and happy to find some of his favorite books stacked and managed to get himself a biscuit from the staff!

Since I had browsed their online catalog and had an idea of what to buy, our work was done in about twenty minutes. The birthday boy and the 'out-of-chennai' kid received two books each from the 'Baby Bahadur' series. Greedily we kept 'The silly story of Bondapalli" to ourselves (Ok...myself...bah). I'll post our 'reactions' on this after the 29th of May!

I was keeping my friends crossed, because I had talked to the moms of the three kids and realized that they hav n't even heard about the books. This is something I am always wary about. Books are one's personal choice. This wariness increases if it is a gift to an adult. Anyway...I waited.

The verdict: All the three kids and moms loved them.

And the party...

The Birthday boy's party was held at one of Chennai's most child-friendly play centers. V was the only 'friend' who attended as the other kids had gone on a vacation. The two kids had a wonderful time. The birthday boy S was sweating profusely but still wanted to play. He cut the cake, and refused to eat the snacks. His mother complained that he had n't eaten the whole of that day because he had been waiting for the party. For a week, he had been asking his parents about the party and gifts.

An observation: I feel it is best to leave the kids alone if they don't want to eat. It is their day and one should let them enjoy. In this case the boy turned three and had just realized what this is all about.

We are planning a 'no-celebration-low-key-party' (read no party!) for V and hope he has n't 'learnt' anything from the above!

Observations on a Rainy day

2010-05-27T13:52:00.000+05:30

The 'Laila' storm left the city cool for a couple of days, and our total lack of civic sense left the roads flooded and the beach(es) dirty. We were in for some surprises though...

H had to attend office that day and could n't take out his bike and did n't want to be stranded in the car in traffic. He made a call to the local call taxis (how he did n't mind staying put in a call taxi beats me, trusts the drivers more I guess) and was left listening to the message 'No taxis available'- It was about eight in the morning.

The only option was to call for an auto rickshaw. I asked him to to be prepared to pay anywhere between Rs.160-200 for the normally Rs. 130 route...
He ended up paying Rs. 130 and Rs. 120 while coming back.

***
We had to drop V's grandparents at the Egmore station the same evening, and the rain had abated, thankfully. We had booked a call taxi eight hours before time and since the traffic was not heavy we had a smooth ride. Mount Road, which is normally brightly lit near Teynampet was 'brighter' thanks to decorative tube-lights, the occasion being some politician's son's wedding. A few meters beyond, after we had crossed over the Anna fly-over, the area was plunged into darkness. There was no power at the railway station too. Worse, the train was to boarded from the fifth platform, to reach which one had to climb the stairs. The place was slippery, dark and the old couple and to climb the stairs. The predicament was same for hundreds who were gathered. H appointed a porter and they went towards the train and I rushed towards the platform ticket counter, pulling V along. The little one was co-operative until he saw the crowd. The counter had n't opened and there were some twenty people people waiting before me. There were other reservation counters too and the long queues only added to the madness. V wanted me to carry him, as the place was dark and scary. Nobody wanted to leave the queue because the general belief was that 'you can't take a risk on any given day, and what if it is a bad day and we get caught?' I knew that once the counter opened, the queue would move fast and it did.

Before that, a couple came and stood behind me. the husband asked his wife to go ahead and that he would join her with the platform tickets. She was carrying a child of about two, and the following conversation ensued...

Wife: What is the matter? Why is this place so crowded?
Husband: The counter has n't opened and there is no power...
Wife: Why is there no power?
Husband: We saw while coming here did n't we...
Wife: Why is the counter closed... Why can't they keep it open?
Husband: They' ll come
Wife: When?
Husband: *remains silent*
Wife: This happens in this city wonly..

I make a mental note to add her in the 'Some people are like this only' series!

The books we read...

2010-05-22T16:44:00.001+05:30

One of my passions over the last two or three years, has been collecting books for V and hiding them deftly from H's view! Most of them are age-appropriate, others are sheer indulgence. I never really bothered to post about them because there were/are reviews and posts on those books in many blogs and they are done beautifully. Tulika's gesture, however served as a good wake up call and I thought it would be useful (to me!) to share our experiences with those books. Since I could n't do that with Hanuman's Ramayan, as the story line was a little overwhelming for V , I'd begin this series of posts with two of his (our!) most favorite Tulika books.

What shall I make?

V's favorite 'game' from when he was about one and a half, was to 'make' chapatis. We bought him a miniature wooden chapati rolling pin. He even went on to call the playing clay (Play-Doh) as 'chappati'.

So when I came across 'What shall I make', by Nandini Nayar, from Tulika, I bought it without even thinking.

In the book, Neeraj plays with the chapati dough his mother gives him, and the 'journey' of the dough before it becomes a chapati forms the rest of the story.

V loves the way the little boy makes various 'things' out of the dough. The fact that it ends becoming a normal chapati only added to his glee. So much so that even when he eats idli or dosa, he rolls the food and says, 'Amma, see snake...'

The illustrations by Proti Roy are simple and even a two year old will be able to recognize and identify the 'objects'.

Look the Moon (Atho Paar Nila-Tamil)

One of V's first story books in Tamil, Atho Paar Nila, (Look, The Moon by Sandhya Rao and effectively translated by Jeeva Raghunath. ) is in simple verse and can easily impress a little child. When I first picked up the book, I looked at the pictures and was a little confused. When I read the text I realized the reasoning behind Trostsky Marudu's 'sketches'. It is just what a child, who has learnt to draw and use colors would relate to.

V loves the way the moon becomes bigger and did n't show any disappointment in its becoming smaller and disappearing, because he quickly understood that the Moon was going to reappear after the New Moon day. What an effect!

(Pictures courtesy Tulika)

Our first 'craft'!

2010-05-20T15:41:00.003+05:30

This month I was sure we would participate in Shruti's Artsy-Craftsy challenge, primarily because there were different kinds of thermocol packing, styrofoam packing material and plates at home albeit in the loft. I even convinced H to part with the packing material of his precious sub-woofer and synthesizer. I had ambitious plans of making a cycle with the help of little V. But various things/factors have brought us to the last day of the challenge.

On this day, all I could find within reach were a couple of thermocol plates. V and I had nothing to do and and as soon as I told him that we would cut the plates he said 'Amma Bag pannu' (amma make a bag). I told him that we would indeed make a 'bag' and paint on it. The word paint got him going and even as I was cutting the plate (thanks for the idea Shankari), he was busy with his painting kit and was trying to make something on his own on a sheet of paper. Relieved at the break, I continued cutting and mentally made a note of the things required: Plates, paint and fevicol.

This artistically challenged amma found some old paint (mine, I dare not touch the little one's!). Alas, I just had half a tube of Fevicol (from a 10 mg tube). Well, we began so we must continue. Then, the brown paint (V's choice of color) went missing. Tried managing that too by mixing red and green and with V's help painted the plates. Suddenly he wanted the brush that I had and changed his mind five seconds later.

So why have I spent such a long time in writing this post instead of just clicking a picture of the 'bag' and sending it across.

Well...I am waiting for the paint to dry, so that I can stick the plates together!

Now that the paint is dry here is our very first entry to the Artsy-Craftsy challenge.

Thermocol Hand-Bag

I cut the plates into almost three-fourth's size and used the remaining to make the handle.
I let V do most of the base coloring.
I wont be terribly worried if Gucci or Armani reject our design because what I am happy about is that the colors and design were my almost three year old's choice!

An Award!

2010-05-13T19:11:00.001+05:30

Uma was sweet enough to pass on the following award. Thank you!
I don't want to jump around...but this is my first award, my first award....my first awaaaa....

I pass it on to Elizabeth.

Accident...

2010-05-12T18:40:00.000+05:30

I want to ramble on and on about the traffic and the roads but my drafts are always incomplete and there are already five of them. As if to put them all in a nutshell, the following incident...err...accident happened last week.

As always, the road we live in - used as a short-cut to avoid signals- was congested with vehicles coming from one main road trying to reach another. A motorbike was overtaking a car, another car overtaking the above two and finally another motorbike trying to overtake the said car. All from the same direction on a 20-feet wide road...

The last mentioned bike had an over zealous motorist who, at a maddening speed, rammed into a car which was 'on the opposite direction'. The two men on the bike were thrown on the road and had to be given first-aid and their bike was in a bad condition. Whatever it was they were hurrying for, was not reached on time.

By the way...Did I mention what the car (which was also involved in the accident) rather the driver was doing when it happened...?

Nothing.

Why....?

The said car was parked in a far corner in the opposite direction.

Kid Speak!

2010-04-28T12:31:00.003+05:30

V for Vadivelu-2

It is around ten in the night and V complains of stomach pain. Knowing very well that it is because of the heat, I bring out a bottle of Castor oil and rub the oil on his tummy. The following conversation takes place...

V: Amma... ithu enna (What is this)
Me: Velakkennai (Castor Oil)
V: Vilakkuku ethara yennaia (is this oil used for lighting a lamp?)
Me: No.
V: Appo itha vechu vilakku etha mudiyatha? (Can't we light a lamp with this?)
Me: No. Athuku Nallennai use pannuvom (We use sesame oil for that)
V: Appo ithu nalla ennai illaya?
Me: Illapa...ithu nalla ennai thaan
V: Appo Vilaku ethalaama?
Me: Illa paaa...Ithu peru Velakennai. Athu peru Nalennai. Aana rendum Nalla ennai thaan (I explain which is for what and that both are good)
V: Appo thoppaila tadavarathum Nalennaiya?? (Here he means sesame oil)
Me (simply nods head and to self) : Aaahaaa...ippove kanna katudhe (A famous 'Vadivel' dialogue which can be loosely interpreted as 'I am already exhausted...but I know there's still more to come'.

Explanation-Text

Velakkenai: This is Tamil for Castor oil. When broken into two the word becomes 'Vilaku ennai' which could also mean oil used for lighting silver or brass lamps.

Nallennai: This is Tamil for Sesame/ Gingelly or Til oil. The word when broken into two becomes Nalla ennai which literally means 'good oil' in Tamil

Explanation -Video
Here

Hanumanin Ramayanam

2010-04-26T16:48:00.003+05:30

The much awaited copy of Hanuman's Ramayan (my copy for review is in Tamil) arrived last week for my 'efforts' at Tulika's first blogathon. At first read it is a simple story but one may need to explain that the Ramayana has been written in many languages by various people and has been passed on through various forms, for little children to understand. Though V knows a few stories from the Ramayana, I think it will take some more time for him to understand the above.

The story begins with Valmiki, after completing the epic, carrying it with him all around the world and the heavens to show off his work. While it is praised by the Gods, Narada announces that this may not be the greatest work and that the one written by Hanuman may be better. Valmiki unable to believe that a monkey can do a better job than him travels all over to reach the garden in which Hanuman resides and finds the Ramayan written on huge Banana leaves. Tears of joy (also from the fact that this is better than his work) flow from his eyes only to be consoled by Hanuman. How? One has to read the book to find out!

The story is written by Devdutt Pattnaik who uses mild humor to explain that there is no one version of the epic.
Nancy Raj's art work carries on the story beautifully. I was particularly delighted at the pictures of the 'Devas' and Hanuman's abode.

What I liked most about the story is the message Hanuman passes on that would have an effect on Adults as well.
The following is an attempt to do justice to the fact that this book was sent for my post on native languages.

துலிகா நிறுவனத்தின் முதல் ப்லோகதனில் பங்கேற்றதினால் எனக்கு அவர்களின் அனுமனின் ராமாயணம் என்ற அருமையான புத்தகம் பரிசாக கிடைத்தது. புத்தகம் தமிழில் உள்ளதால் இந்த வர்ணனனையின் ஒரு சிறு பகுதியாவது தமிழில் இருக்க வேண்டும் என்று விரும்பினேன்!

ராமாயணத்தை சிறுவர் , முழுவதாகவோ அல்லது சிறு கதைகளவோ அறிந்திருக்க வாய்ப்பு இருக்கிறது. இந்த தொன்மம் கதைகளாகவும், பாடல்களாகவும் நம்மிடயே புழங்குகிறது. அதே போல் பலர் எழுதியதாக சொல்ல பட்டாலும் வால்மிகியின் ராமாயணம், மிகவும் பிரபலமாக அறியப்படுகிறது.

இந்த கதை, வால்மீகி ராமாயணத்தை எழுதி முடிப்பதில் இருந்து தொடங்குகிறது. அவருக்கு தன் படைப்பை பற்றி மிகவும் பெருமை. அதை பறை சாற்றி கொள்வதற்கு உலகம் முழுவதம் ஏன் தேவ லோகத்திற்கும் செல்கிறார். அப்பொழுது நாரதர் (எப்பொழுதும் போல்!) அவரின் பகற்றை உடைப்பது போல், வால்மிகின் ராமயணத்தை விட உயர்வானதொரு ராமாயணத்தை அனுமன் எழுதியிருபதாக சொல்கிறார்.

பதற்றம் அடைகிற வால்மீகி அனுமனை தேடி செல்கிறார். நெடு தூர பயணத்திற்கு பிறகு அனுமன் வசிக்கும் தோட்டத்தை அடையும் வால்மீகி அங்கு வாழை இலைகளில் அனுமன் எழுதியிருக்கும் ராமாயணத்தை படித்த பிறகு கண்ணீர் வடிக்கிறார். அனுமன்
ஆறுதல் கூறுகிறார்.

அனுமனின் ராமாயணம் ஏன் நமிடம் தற்போது புழங்குவதில்லை?
வால்மீகியை அனுமன் எவ்வாறு தேற்றுகிறார்?
இக்கேள்விகளுக்கான விடை புத்தகத்தில்.

இந்த கதையை தேவ்டட் பட்நாயக் இயற்றியிருக்கிறார் (தமிழாக்கம் ஷங்கர் ராமசுப்ரமணியன்). கதையின் நடை சுவாரசியமாக உள்ளது. ஆனால் கருத்தோ பெரியவர் சிறுவர் அனைவருக்கும் பொருந்தும். கதை சொல்பவர் அல்ல, கதையே முக்கியம் என்பதே அது. நான்சி ராஜின் சித்திரங்கள் அருமையாகவும் வித்தியாசமாகவும் உள்ளன.

கதையின் கதை என்று இதை தான் சொல்வார்களோ!

Summer Camp!

2010-04-20T10:57:00.001+05:30

We finally decided upon that one place where we knew V would have a lot of fun plus activities to do. It was also decided that he would go for a week for the time being. V's amma was particularly happy because she could also accompany him. Sounds bizarre? Read on...

The 'place' had a well and a garden. V's activities included playing near the well watching birds and butterflies in the garden. For the first time he came face to face with a garden lizard (Onan) and he was delighted because though it was bigger than his friend the 'palli' (lizard), this Onan stayed put at one place and kept staring! Also, his 'friends' at the place, though older were always at his beck and call.

We also enjoyed additional 'benefits' such as free stay and food, what with me hogging me like never before because the 'camp' happened to be at V's maternal grandparents place! That also meant a never before (at least until recently) a 'laze-as-you-please' routine for both of us.

V just had too many things to do like playing the 'dholak' (which he had dutifully taken along) with his 'Kollu Paati' (Great grand mother), playing with water near the well, occasional 'washing of clothes', cooking with his paati's utensils, riding 'elephant' on his Thatha and generally getting all muddy and dirty.

What was the amma doing in the meantime? Apart from wasting time and watching TV and wasting more time, I managed to dig into my old stuff and found some story books from my Class One days, for V. The books definitely did n't look 25 years old so I brought them along when we came back! Needless to emphasize, V is waiting to go back to his Thatha's place again!

   - - - - - - -

V was showing of his latest skills in logic and speech sometimes simultaneously.

His favorite phrase these days is "mooka aruthu kaakaiku potuduven" (Cutting one's nose and offering it to the crow- I don't know where he picked that from)
One day he came running in after having spotted an 'Onan'. He pulled out his 'play-doh' kit and took out a 'knife'
Me: Enna panna pora (What are you going to do?)
V: Onaanoda mooka aruthu kaakaiku poda poren
It is another story that he kept screaming 'Onan vaa' a good five meters away from the lizard...

   ****
It was around nine in the night when V wanted to visit the backyard.
Me: No...there are cats around...
V: Naan vilayaaduven (I'll play with them)
Me: They'll bite you
V: Naan adipen (I'll beat them)
Me: The doctor will give injections...
V: Yaaruku? (for?)

   ****

One day we were sitting near the well and playing 'auto-auto' with V sitting on the washing stone...

V: Amma...Naa kenathula kuthika poren... (I am going to jump into the well)

Me: Mandaya odachupa (You will break your head)

V, sounding happy: Appo Thalaiku kulika mudiyatha? (Then I can 't have a head bath?)

Tamizh Padam!

2010-04-16T10:51:00.001+05:30

I finally watched 'Tamizh Padam' and am still smiling! Since it imitates and spoofs films, the audience for a change can relax, without worrying if they would like or not like the film.
Though this reminded me of the 'trailers' from college days with titles such as 'Mazhai peyala...Janala thiranthu veyunga', I guess anything else would have made it appear more 'serious'.

The master stroke (in my opinion that is, I am not making a film and do not want to offend anyone!) was the song 'Oh Mahaziya...'. A hero's introduction songs are beyond comprehension anyway, and it is easy to coin the lyrics. But a duet may upset the plans and let somebody else make fun of the film sometime later. So what does a clever director do...waste no money and time on lyrics. I never realized that there are so many super hit songs with incomprehensible 'words'.

Some sequences like the one in which the Hero 'grows up', the one song millionaire and the identity of the villain, were on predictable lines, having brought up on a healthy diet of 'variety entertainment' and 'Ad-zap' during college days.

The 'Mouna Ragam' scene, the 'family song', the 'twist' in 'Delhi' Ganesh's murder and a few other sequences were ..well... unexpected! I hope at least one film like this gets released every year so that a 'non-theater-visiting-species' like me can watch all the other films in a 'nut' shell!

To sum up, a single line review of Tamizh Padam, borrowed from the film itself:
"Too much...thaangalai..kadavuleee...mudiyala"!

Kid Speak!

2010-04-11T19:21:00.001+05:30

V, The Know-it-all

V and his Paati play a game regularly, according to which, when V comes back home he rings the bell and Paati has to come and open the door. Similarly when Paati or Thatha come back home, they have to ring the bell for V to open the door. Paati normally teases V by asking, as she opens the door, "Who is it..Oh you? I thought it was the milkman, courier etc."

One day Paati rings the bell...

V: Who is it? Oh you...I thought it was the flower vendor...

On another occasion...

Whenever V needs to be coaxed or cajoled into something -the case most of the time- I'd have to feed his morning milk with a spoon. When there is just a spoonful left I normally say 'adi vazhichu aanai kutti', a well known phrase in these parts to encourage a child to finish his/her food completely. On this particular day, I forget to say the phrase and somehow manage to collect a few more drops from the tumbler...

V : (pauses for a few seconds) Amma...Nee maranthutiya? (Did you forget?)
Me:???

V for Vadivelu

Me: V...You want Idli or Corn flakes?
V: Eh??
Me: Idliya corn flakesa?
V: Enna? (what?)
Me: Enna venum?
V: Enna enna?
Me: ???

Annual Day Notes...

2010-04-01T10:31:00.001+05:30

V's school celebrated, what they called their 'Family day' last weekend. All the branches were a part of this with every little student participating in what was a big event for the little ones. A rehearsal was held a couple of days earlier and needless to say it was a rehearsal for parents and teachers, since, as anticipated, the children did the unexpected (those who did n't cry, cried and vice versa!) on the D-day.

Cluck cluck here...
Our little brat was a little chick in the 'Old McDonald had a farm' performance. It is another story that all the 'chickens' were dressed in hen and rooster costumes! When we took him to the shop where we hired the costume, he wore it (to our surprise) and refused to get out of it.

...and a rehearsal there...
V danced like there is no second chance on the day of the rehearsals but I was not up beat because I wanted to see what he would do on the said day. One parent or an escort was to be on stage with each child in V's batch as they were the youngest of the lot. So there I was kneeling on the floor behind V. Before I knew it, there were tears in my eyes. I only wished his aunties would n't notice and they did n't because, some children too (?!) had tears in thier eyes. More on this at the end of the post...

The D-day
V woke up, unusually early and we were worried because this meant tantrums. On the previous day too he refused to remove his 'costume'. On this particular day, he first refused to have his bath and then insisted on having two. He then refused to wear his diaper (we were wary of the toilets available at the Hall) and did so after a lot of cajoling. Then he wanted to play his 'Dholak' in 'full costume' and wanted a photograph clicked. Finally he refused to wear his socks. That was that....He was carried bawling to the car and Paati and Thatha in tow, all of us headed to the Hall.

It was a grand event. As expected, V who is a terror at home (only) was at his best behavior and even as the other kids refused to wear their costumes or removed them before entering the stage, a sweating V refused to come out of his, even after his dance. This time, 'my on-stage performance' was uneventful.

Despite crying children, the heat, over-enthusiastic parents, and the sheer number (the Hall that would normally seat about 1500 people, was full), it was a wonderful day and the school had done an excellent job.

I emphasize the above because many parents felt it was badly organized. A few questions to them...

Have you handled more than five children at a time?
Hav n't you ever been in Chennai at this time of the year in a crowded place? and finally...
When the school clearly stated that a child should be accompanied to the stage - that too only if required, by only one escort, why was your entire family near the stage?

Anyway it was a typical 'some people are like this only' situation.

Now coming 'back' to the rehearsal episode. I did exactly what a non-sage-like person would do when she/he sees a fully dressed child-chick, ducks, cows shaking their hips, from behind.Needless to say, those were tears of laughter and I almost hurt myself half-rolling on the ground!

(Note to self: Do not allow V to read this blog)

I am tagged..I am tagged!

2010-03-26T22:56:00.003+05:30

Well...this is the first time...Allow me to get excited! Jayashree has tagged me to write about seven things that people don't know about me.

Only me...No V! Here goes,

1. I love sports. I've tried my hand at volley ball and cricket. While the first worked, the second did n't. So I stuck to being a fanatic. When I say fanatic I don't mean watching T 20, 24 hours a day. I can watch the ongoing New Zealand-Australia Test series without 'batting' a eyelid.

2.I once attempted an exam for only 50 marks instead of the full 100 at College because I had to rush to the stadium to watch an India-Australia test match. Another time, when I had only one ticket I watched a match in the stadium, in the company of thousands of strangers.

(Before this reads like seven things you do not know about Me, the sports buff, I will change gears)

3. To an amused executive at a two-wheeler service station, I took my scooter (It does n't make it any fashionable if called bike!) for service on the 20th day of purchase because the manual said, "First service after 45 days from the day of purchase or on completion of 1000 kms, whichever is earlier). I had completed 1000 kms.

4. I wanted to become a journalist, a tennis star (not merely a player), a CBI officer, a pilot, a quiz show host and a rock star. Of the above I quit my aspiration of a pilot because I did n't want to study Maths and Physics and journalism because of...I really don't know why. Many of my school mates still think I write for a living!

5.The last thing I had wanted to do was to get married and cook. Now I don't remember the first thing that I wanted to do.

6. I can recall film dialogues and talk about past, present and future films. But I need to be dragged to a movie hall. On one occasion I convinced my friend to walk out half way through a film and on another slipped out of the ticket counter when it was my turn to buy a ticket! But still when I talk about films people will think I have all the 'stuff' to make a film like 'Tamil Padam'!

7. I am a walking and talking museum. Apart from my first prize winning book in the LKG, my report cards from LKG to Class XII, my 'Guide' scarf, posters of sports persons taken away from issues of 'The Sports Star', scarp book of cricket world cups up to 1999, my school badge, my old cupboard also boasts of an old purse that still contains my students season pass from school days.

To the five or six people (who know me personally-friends, cousins and sister) who know that I blog and are reading this...I am still like that wonly!

What say Home Cooked, and ssstoryteller?

Can I have some water please?

2010-03-23T10:26:00.001+05:30

I hate to visit restaurants where I have to ask the above question. So I don't visit them. I also hate the fact that we have to 'buy' water, but there is no choice.

I got the shock of my life when my batch-mates from another metropolitan city who visited my house in Chennai exclaimed to their friends, "She 's got a well at her place'. Many years later, a young cousin was surprised at the 'well' and insisted on being taught how to draw water from it!

No jokes this. We live in a flat and V hates being pulled off from my parents place where there is a lot of space, a garden and of course the well! I dread the day when our children's children or grandchildren have to 'learn' about water. I may sound like a page out of a sci-fi book, but at least we are, metaphorically speaking, heading right there. My kid is still too young to understand the concept of 'conservation'. So, right now we tell him how 'good' trees are for us and how if he wastes water in the bathroom, he may have to go dirty for the rest of the day. Hard fact...but he seems to understand!

We are bearing the bitter fruits of the mistakes made by the previous generation - like having to buy water. But we don 't seem to have learnt our lessons. If we are too lazy and pre-occupied with our selves, the least one can do is to teach one's children about the goodness of nature.

This is my 'drop', Tulika!

I'll end this with a leaf out of the book..err..presentation !

"Ayasha looked at the sun again and thought, there is more mercy in your golden flame than in the hearts of people."

Yet another Bru Ad...

2010-03-19T20:55:00.000+05:30

...finds a mention here. It is just that they reflect everyday life really well.

Watch this

My parents-in-law came home last month and last week my MIL asked me,

"You should have added kotha malli (coriander leaves) to the Kootu..."
Me: (grinning) There's no kotha malli at home. In fact I've not been using kotha malli for about a fortnight now.
MIL (who considers kootu/rasam without kothamallli as bad as food without salt) :Oh...I was wondering how after all these years even I could not blend the kotha malli so well with the tomatoes. (We beat the tomatoes in the mixer for a better flavor)
H: (butting in) Hav n't you watched the Bru Ad?

The next day I go to the vegetable shop to buy coconut (every other vegetable including kothamalli is at home). No points for guessing what MIL asked when I came back!

Do you write what you speak?

2010-03-16T16:31:00.000+05:30

Language development starts at home. Though I am not particular in making it a disciplinary routine, I talk to my child in my mother tongue-Tamil or Tamizh! I have therefore decided to participate in the Tulika Blogathan to make my point.

Initially, my second language at school was Tamil and from the seventh grade I moved to French. This was because I could read, write and speak Tamil very well (or so I thought!). Though I did n't understand the 'Tirukural' as soon as I read a 'Kural', I was able to interpret it with the help of a guide! Being a Chennaite all my life, I took great pride at my knowledge (however selective) of my mother tongue.I also gloated on the fact that I 'read' Tamil (apart from what was taught in school) from the age of five or six. So my second language being French in school and College did not make any difference.

All the pride fell to dust in my final year of college. We had to perform a 'street play' for an inter-departmental competition and what better than the local language to express our point, we thought. I was super-excited as I was to speak in Tamil in what was conceived as a TV program. As each team performed, lumps were formed in my throat. When our turn came, we made complete fools of ourselves and I spoke Tamil like badly spoken English and needless to say we lost. It was then that I realized that despite speaking in Tamil with my family and friends, formal spoken language is completely different. If this is the case with speaking, we would need a hundred people to interpret what was/is being written.

The written language is not what one speaks, generally speaking, unless one is hinting at the 'prose-like' lyrics of many of our present Tamil film songs! The spoken form is different from the written language because of colloquialism.

In my opinion, the quality of written language (not only the text book type) depends on what one reads. If you read literature, your writing and oration of the language would become better. But a general 'good-quality' reading exercise will be useful for good writing skills.

I want my child to become familiar with his mother tongue. Though for practical reasons, we may (Sorry V, allow us to make your decisions for the time being!) opt for Hindi as his second language, we are keen on teaching him to read and write in Tamil. His bookshelf has both English and Tamil books, some bi-lingual, apart from alphabet books in both languages. I would also like him follow my track-Magazines!

The problem however, will be seen in the years to come. For instance, when I was about twelve years old, someone gifted me some Tamil books, meant for children and adolescents. I loved them and as was the practice, passed them on to my friends. They gave me a bewildered look and said, "Tamil...nah.
All of them could read, write and speak in Tamil!

Kid Speak - Good and Bad

2010-03-16T16:15:00.002+05:30

V the Chamathu (Good)

V: Amma, okkaru (sit down)
Me: No pa, I have work...
V: Nee okkandhuko...Illana unnaku Kaal valikkum (You sit down, else your legs will pain)
Me: No problem
V: Naa sollarenla..Okkaru...Nee tireda irukkey (I am telling you...sit down, you are tired)
Me: :)))

V the Rakshas
The after effects of watching Mythological stories unfold

V: Amma, Naan Gathai vechundiruken...Naan Rakshasi (I am holding the Gathai...I am a Rakshasi - Note: not 'Rakshas'!)
Me: No you are not a Rakshas
V: Noooo Naan Rakshasi
Me: No pa. Rakshasas are bad. You are a good boy.
V: (pauses for a minute) Ammmaaa...Naanu Baddd

Children's clothes

2010-03-12T15:43:00.003+05:30

Clothes make a man. Good clothes make a child. When I say good, I mean comfortable because that is what a young child needs. Though many are choosy about colors and designs at a very early age it is we parents who make the final decisions. For V's clothes, from his birth (even before that actually) we have been scouring the city for shops that sell good quality clothes.

Our latest picks are from S & M Kids wear. They have recently opened a store in Chennai at City center. But we bought V's at Madurai. I must say that the quality is very good. It is soft on the skin and easily washable. And what more. There are some 'interesting' designs for boys! I am not writing about girls clothes, which were as pretty...sigh...as ever! The size (mentioned in the tag) is a little smaller than what is normal.

This brings me to the question -'Do brands really matter'? Except for trousers we hav n't gone beyond the 'lesser known' brands for V's clothes. We are very particular about the tags on V's shirts and Tee-shirts because he has a sensitive skin. He has developed rashes on the neck on some occasions and cutting the tags make things worse. Most big brands have tags in at least two different places.

However, there are brands that have their labels 'printed' on the inside instead of a tag being attached. And I am not talking about the clothes sent by my cousin from the US of A. All of us are aware of the 'interesting' fact that most clothes we receive from abroad are those that were made here. And most of them ARE available here. One need n't rush to big malls for this. They may be available in some obscure corner in your neighborhood.

I am talking about the 'export-surplus' (NOT rejected-you 'll know the difference when you see one) shops. We have been doing our purchase for V's everyday wear (and ours!) from two such shops for more than a year. There may not be great variety, but the quality is good. And...some of them have their labels printed.

A few things to note before one makes a purchase are:
1) The size- The 'Indian' size (or Asian?) is smaller than than those that are exported.
2) The Stitching
3) A general inspection of the dress
Now is n't that what we always do???

The quality for newborns are excellent and in lovely shades. Apart from clothes for children and adults some of these have stocks of curtains, bedsheets and table cloths. You will find the same stuff at bigger stores but be ready to faint when you find the price difference. (When I say same, I even mean identical, as it happened to us once!)

One quick thing. The shops I talk about are on the main road and are fully air conditioned and the clothes are neatly displayed, if your are thinking of sheds that once used to (may be still housing) house export-rejected stuff.

I could have been straight forward on this. But I am meandering because of a few bad experiences with people who looked at me in horror when I told them about these shops. I want my child to be comfortable and well dressed. And he is growing every month. So, I have to settle for something good yet reasonably priced. However, I am also writing this because of the few people who did lend me a ear and went about shopping at these places and thanked me for the information, continue to shop and continue to thank me :D

In my opinion when it comes to quality, brand names do not matter.

This post has been in draft for long. I was in doubt for a long time whether to come out with this or not, simply because people react differently and some may even get offended. But this post by Uma made me take a call on this.

Kid Speak!

2010-03-11T07:00:00.001+05:30

About three months back, a conversation would have been something like this...

H: V...Don't go...Amma is angry
V: Amma...are you angry?

Cut...to present

V keeps following me everywhere and does n't let me do anything. I walk into the kitchen and hear H say,

H: V..Don't go in, Amma will get very angry. (His actual words were- Amma kadichiduva)
V: (Comes in anyway) Amma...Appa sonna nee kadichuduva...

****
V's favorite sentences these days are, "Go away", "I will not come" etc... which indicate that we have to give him a hug. Also, when he does that we, (H mostly!) say Ok...don't come only to see him rushing towards us.

One night, V jumped out of the bed and said...

"Naan vara maaten...naa poren" (I am going to go out...I am not coming)
H: (assuming that the usual tactic will work) Ok... go
V: (Starts crying) "Appa poga sollita" (asked me to go)

Mosquito menace-2

2010-03-10T07:00:00.000+05:30

The mosquito hunt has reached some interesting stages. What I thought was a joke is now laughing at me.

Our mosquito net is actually catching mosquitoes...well...almost! Every morning, we find mosquitoes (they numbered 45 in the beginning and now they are about 3 or 4 -Yes I actually count them every day) trapped dead 'above us'!

The reasons seem simple enough:

1. The net is of a very poor quality and the holes are large enough for a mosquito to try and go through.
2. The mosquitoes seem to be trying as mentioned in point 1, and get trapped.
3. The pressure exerted by the ceiling fan makes their position harder

I know I am trying to make it sound like rocket science, but the brutal excitement of seeing our tormentors dead deserves a post! Also never new a bad (purchase) decision will yield good results!

Typical Conversations!

2010-03-09T14:02:00.002+05:30

We have some guests at home and all of us are watching some programme on TV featuring a famous Tamil film personality

Me: (Unable to keep my mouth shut) This person's son is in V's school. They live in XYZ nagar (Some place 3 kms away from where we live)
Guest: (Surprised) is it?
Me: You know V's friend P right, who lives a few buildings away?
Guest: Yes, yes yes, yes....
Me: It is not him. That boy and P are in the same batch...
Guest: Oh! (Turns her face even as I begin the second sentence)
Me: (Rushes into the kitchen, points forefinger at self in' Vadivelu style' and asks) Thevaiya...Ithu unaku Thevaiya? (Loosely translates as 'you deserve it'?!)

The latest Bru Ad...

2010-03-05T13:00:00.005+05:30

...is every wife's delight, especially if she's a home maker! Check this out. (Unfortunately my most favorite part, that comes in the end is missing in this video).

H, who keeps saying that the actors in the advertisements, these days, are doing a wonderful job, kept mum at this. He probably thought they were not acting!

A tale of two babies...

2010-03-04T22:30:00.001+05:30

One afternoon, I stepped into the bathroom and quickly drew my foot out. Something darted by. I first thought it was a mouse and then realized it was a little squirrel. This is the third time that a little squirrel had managed its way in. I was very keen on letting it out because the little one could n't climb the way out on its own and it was SCARED.

And then the catching began. As I tried to pick it up it started running wildly. I brought a thick piece of cardboard with which I thought I could lift it up and let it outside. It was not easy. Possibly the tiny squirrel thought I was going to hurt it and slipped every time I tired catching it. No amount of pleading (I later recalled that I was addressing the squirrel the same way as I would call V!), cajoling and squirrel-like screeching (I forget what it is called!) helped.

After fifteen minutes of running, sweating and panting I managed to lift the squirrel and lift it out. The poor thing was shivering and so was I.

In the meantime....

V who was n't able to find me anywhere else in the house panicked and started crying. I was not oblivious to his crying but concentrated on the squirrel because, V's grandparents were around. When I came out I saw him waiting outside, tears flowing down his face. He had decided that his Amma had left him and had gone away. (How else can one translate, "Amma poitta...enna vitutu poita..." etc?!) I lifted him up and he hugged me tight and kept asking me to go back to the bathroom, holding me tighter. I tried explaining to him about the little squirrel. He seemed to understand and kept asking if the squirrel's Amma had left it and had gone away!

It was time for his afternoon nap. As is his habit now, he started talking in his sleep. And this time it was, "Amma go inside the bathroom and don't come back". This subsided only some time late in the evening.

I had to give priority to the first mentioned baby. At about the same time when I heard V crying out side, I heard some thing else outside the bathroom ventilator - Squirrels

Stop-Gap

2010-02-28T18:52:00.000+05:30

I log in and find that there is nothing worthwhile in 'drafts' to publish and tell H that my mind is not working when V walks in with something which is not his.

Me: Give me that...
and try to take it from him when he pulls it away and says "Kaaka oosh" (The crow has taken it away) This is an evergreen phrase used by parents to restrain kids...

Who's kidding now?

Growing up!

2010-02-24T14:53:00.000+05:30

We are used to receiving no response. But this was different...

Me: V, do you want this?
V: (No Response...as always, me thinks)
Me: V...do you want THIS?
V: (Pointing to his ear) What are you saying? I am not able to hear you
Me:???!!!

Scene from (outside) his school

One of V's friends from school, N wears her 'sunglasses' everyday to school and first checks her mother's hand before she decides to leave for home after school. My brat and many others make it a point to wear theirs too everyday. This is also a useful trump card sometimes. On this particular day, when V did n't 'feel' like going to school, I had to talk about how N would be wearing her glasses. And so he was all set with his cap and glasses and was dissapointed at not being able to show it off to N. I told him he can do so after school. The school does n't allow all such stuff inside their premises...Wise people!

I picked him up after school and some of us parents were having the usual chat with the kids trying to have a conversation of thier own, when the following happened:

V to N: (At the top of his voice) Hey N, See..I am wearing glasses...
N: Why are you shouting? (Her exact words were: Yaenda katharra?)

V, flushed with anger, threw his cap and glasses down and refused to say 'Bye' to her, and the little girl actually tried to persuade him to do so. I tried to look embarrassed...that was all one I could do!

The Outcome: I hate to admit this. My little one is becoming a boy:(

Some people are like this only-2

2010-02-22T10:58:00.001+05:30

The 'park-pannata-paravasam types' (The Parking pesters!)

I am a selfish motorist. Especially when it comes to parking my vehicle. I park in the inner-most parking space, because I want my scooter to be safe -Who cares about others getting more space to park because of my actions...
I use the center stand, even if it requires some extra effort. I don't want my scooter to fall down - Who cares about others getting more space because of this...

On one of these occasions, after having performed my selfish acts I come down from the shopping mall, child holding one hand, big shopping bag holding the other, walk towards the scooter, when a young motorist, tries to park his vehicle just behind mine...

Now, this is one of those selfless fellows who allow other vehicles to run over theirs or do not bother if their bikes fall down. The towing people have a field day thanks to such guys.

Spotting the guy about 10 meters away, I run like a mad horse (pulling the child and bag along) and telling him to -puffing - wait- panting - for me to take my vehicle away. The guy stops, waits as I struggle to remove the scooter from its space, keeping an eye and screeching when the child runs towards the road.

After a minute, I move aside, when the guy simply parks the bike in the space where he originally intended to (behind the parking space I had vacated) and walks off....

The 'edatha kodutha madatha...' types (That - is - not - your - chair-Chandler/That-is-my-seat-Joey types)

At the beach, we finally find a spot where the little archeologist can do his digging with his sophisticated tools and sit down (well almost) when a family of four or five or six with about three or four or five children, (It took me a few seconds to figure out that they were humans, this number confusion must be ignored) puts down a sitting mat, and the children on it, a foot away from us, causing us and the sand to fly. We move a good five meters away and I get a sprain in the neck by constantly turning my head, almost going in circles, to make sure that we don't get hounded again.

The 'at-you-service-or-so-I-think' types

We go to a (newly opened Dosa-Idli) restaurant, finish our meal, wait for the bill when this guy comes with a plate of 'Paper-Roast' and deposits it on our table.

H: This is not ours
W: But you asked for 'Paper - Roast' saar
H: No..I asked for the Bill

The man, flustered, does the same at about five tables - beyond us - and then comes back to the table next to ours, because it is their 'Paper-Roast'.

The 'auto-gapla -cycle-ottara' types

We wait at a very congested junction with my 'Nermai-erumai-karumai' (Can't translate. It would mean something like I am fair and I expect you to be fair kind of thing) husband stopping the bike exactly 2 cms before the 'Stop' line and leaving about four feet on his left for a two wheeler or even an auto rickshaw to pass through and take the road on the left. The signal goes green and some thing hits V's leg. It is a bike's indicator. The motorist is in such a hurry that he leaves space for the rest of the world and comes crashing onto us...... to take the left. I don't know if he even realized, but the person seated behind him has the courtesy to apologize.

Girl Power!

2010-02-20T07:00:00.002+05:30

We had been to a friend's place recently. This friend has two daughters - S who is about eight years old and N who is as old as V. N and V were playing with a box of marbles each. Suddenly N realized that V was playing with her box and demanded that it be returned. Her mother tried persuading her to let him play with it, but the little one would n't listen.

She asked S to bring another box or container for V. S brought a small pink cup, which her mother thought was too small to be played with. S, undeterred, removed the marbles from the box with which V was playing, deposited them into another box. She then stood in front of V and N and asked, "Now, who wants this pink cup?". N grabbed the cup from her sister and V was left in peace and he continued to play with the first mentioned box.

As I looked at my beaming friend, she said, "Now you know how I get some free time..."

P.S: I gave the above title only because I wanted to use the phrase. Otherwise it should read, "First Daughters Rock!". I am sure all 'first daughters' will agree!

Some people are like this only!

2010-02-19T07:00:00.002+05:30

At a vegetable shop...

A middle aged man (MAM) is in the process of selecting peas, when he sees the price and asks the shop attendant (SA),

MAM: Excuse me, have the prices come down?
SA: Yes sir.
MAM: Will it go down,,,again?
SA: Don't know sir...it may
MAM: If it does, how much will it go down by?
SA: Can't say sir, May be by another 2 rupees

(Mean while another SA joins the conversation)

SA 2: It may come down to Rs.24 sir..
SA1: (Whispering) Dei..it is already at Rs.24
SA2: err..ok...probably by another two rupees...
MAM: Will it come to Rs. 15?
SA 1 and 2: Can't say sir...
MAM: Tell me properly... I can then buy 2 Kgs..

The SAs quietly slip out and tell the supervisor who then fields the same questions and gives the same answers. Don't know what happened netx because it was my turn to slip out of the store!

At a Supermarket

An old gentleman (OG) talks to the shop assistant (SA)
OG: Where is XYZ brand of mosquito repellent?
SA: Not available sir...
OG: Why?
SA: (Looks perplexed) No stock sir..
OG: Athaan..why?
SA: Stock over sir (continues to do her work)

Of mosquito menace and getting back to the basics...

2010-02-18T11:07:00.000+05:30

I don't know if the Chennai corporation's initiative of getting rid of mosquitoes is helping its people or not, but it seems to have sent all the mosquitoes back into the houses. For the last two or three months, we are living in a cocoon of creams and repellents and mosquito nets. The last mentioned is the savior really. V's skin problems continue to haunt him and us and he looks like a fencing champion minus the helmet and the sword (?), every night. After trying out mosquito repellent creams and vaporizers we decided to settle for the net. Even if the mosquitoes mange to enter our netted 'fort', we have the bat (yet another weapon) to fight with.

Sometime in December, when we had had enough and failed to procure the 'conventional net, we found this . It is a portable mosquito net and can be folded. It appears like a larger version of the umbrella-like baby net. The problem is getting and getting out, thus increasing the chance of mosquitoes coming in. But then...you have the bat! It is best suited for those who sleep on the floor or those who have cots which are only a few inches above the ground. Even otherwise we find it useful. The prices vary with the size and the net for a double cot cost us Rs.1800.

The regular nets are available at Ratna stores and garment shops, but are of poor quality. Good ones (with 'falls' for the net) are available at Naidu Hall family store, T.Nagar (not at Naihaa).

Unfortunately, V wants to stay in the 'cage' all day and insists on wielding the bat himself!

Scenes from the Beach

2010-02-10T07:00:00.002+05:30

It is now a weekly routine for the little one to be taken to the beach. His endeavors follow more or less the same pattern every time, except that, these days he cares to 'draw' and play in the sand. There are other things that catch my eye these days (I am leaving the 'Jodis' in peace!)...

I find many young people standing alone, looking towards the sea or in the opposite direction or on the waves. They smile or simply stare or even strike a pose..Even before I try to comment on how stress and work and family pressures are affect youngsters, I see this...A few meters away, one of their friends plays the photographer clicking his/her friend in the open studio. Little wonder I find many FaceBook and Orkut profile pictures with such backgrounds...One guy is desperately trying to an 'Alaipayuthey' Madhavan and his friend is franctically clicking him.

H tugs at my sleeve, "Look...your twin". Well, a lady is trying to towel her wet child dry even as her husband holds the child high enough that her dangling legs do not touch the sand. The lady changes even changes the child's clothes this way!

A Frisbee game is on.... I've read about it but am watching one for the first time. The players are so damn good that one need n't duck or crawl on the sand to avoid being hit...

We walk on, and find another game in progress and I almost begin to crawl, before someone dives in front of me. This time it is a football game.

As we are seated, the ladies with their 'Kuri Josiyam' skills approach and talk about how the lady with the beautiful smile, the one who should have been born a man (Me!) is going to reach greater heights in life. Even as I beam and look towards her, H sends her away...Jealous husband...

We finally march towards a stage set a few meters away. Every weekend (I think from the last), some folk programmes are being staged. Having missed 'Chennai Sangamam' early this year, we stroll towards the stage, more because V is super excited, as he catches the music from his favorite instruments- the Nathaswaram and the Thavil. He watches absolutely dumbstruck as a group performs the 'Karagattam'.

We come back home and the effect is as seen in the header picture!

The 'Dholak' in the photo is a real one, a gift from V's Athai and Athimber. This is the fourth of his proud 'percussion possessions'!! The first three were the toy-like Dholaks purchased at T.Nagar. The purchases were persisted with, only because of the little one's interest. Otherwise they are NOT worth subsequent purchases. Anyhow, our little drummer palys 'dum dum' with anything, from a bucket to his Appa's head!

Do you mean what you say???

2010-02-09T10:58:00.000+05:30

A few weeks back someone had come home and V was introducing them to his friend-Palli (Lizard). It is in his habit to say, "Bye palli...Neeyum kadaiku variya" (Will you also come with me) etc, whenever he spots one in the car park or anywhere else.

The guest said to V, "Veliya vara sollu" (thinking he was talking about the Palli)
And V said, "Veli...va, seekaram va" (Veli, come soon)

It was confusing and then it dawned on us...
Veliya vara sollu means asking someone to come out. But to a child who is going through the process of learning, veliya could be interpreted as Veli-ya, referring to someone named 'Veli'!

I don't blame his age. It happens to adults all the time.

When I was working in Hyderabad (did not know and was not willing to learn the local language and somehow managed in Hindi), a colleague came to me and said something in Telugu. I told him that I do not speak Telugu. He repeated in Telugu and I said the same thing and he said the same thing in the same language and I was left looking for a translator. Some hours later I realized that I had said, "I do not SPEAK Telugu and not I DON"T KNOW Telugu'. Since I did n't speak the language the fellow assumed I'd anyway understand what he said!!

A few days back we were shopping at a mall, when some a twenty-something girl asked a shop executive, "Excuse me..where can I find Coolers?" and indicated her eyes. The shop is a multi-floored retail giant selling anthing from grocery to crockery and textile to electronics. The executive replied, "Do you want to drink or purchase? If you want to purchase go to the fourth floor". The girl nodded and left the place with a puzzled expression. You can blame neither of them. Electronics and other things including Water Coolers (Dispensers) are displayed on the fourth floor of the store.

Kid Speak!

2010-02-03T09:00:00.000+05:30

V and his Appa go to a shop. V wants sit on the stool near the counter and play with a banner hanging from above.

Appa: No... Chamatha irukkanum, atha vechu vilayada koodathu seriya..Illena athu vizhunthidum...( Be a good boy and don't play with that, else it will fall down)

A few minutes later a boy aged about eight enters the store, sits on the stool and plays with the banner..

V to the boy: Chamatha irukkanum, atha vechu vilayada koodathu seriya..Illena athu vizhunthidum... OK...????

Growing Old..Really?

2010-02-02T10:55:00.000+05:30

This post was in draft for a long time. Originally intended to be a "Realizing that you are thirty/growing old etc" post, it lost steam both due to mundane ideas and to the fact that a tag on the same is doing the rounds in blogosphere. It is always fun to read what others write!

This post has come back to life because of the following incident...

A young couple (When I say young I mean this: The oldest of the visiting couple, i.e the husband is younger than the youngest of the hosting couple, which is me!) came over to invite us for a function. The procedure was complete with the wife extending a kumkum choppu and the husband holding a tray with flowers, fruits and the invitation card. And we received the shock of our lives when the couple fell at our feet for blessings! We have had little children fall at our feet a few times but this was too much to handle.

And it was embarrassing...Not because someone's actions indicated our age, but because of the fact that there are people who still care about such things. We did n't even know what to say, when they performed the Namaskara. H saved the day by mumbling something on progeny and long life.

It is a debatable issue this. But what struck me was, their sincerity and our lack of it. Though we justify our actions (or the non-actions) by saying 'if you don't put your heart and soul into something don't do it'there is no harm done in following simple procedures and rituals our elders established. I don't want to get philosophical, but it will do a lot of good to follow a path that would bring mutual happiness.

We will be attending the function...That is the least one could do to reciprocate...

The new age Mile sur mera tumhara...

2010-01-29T11:08:00.001+05:30

As a kid, I used to boast that I could sing atleast a line in at least 10 Indian languages... I got a prize in a Quiz competition when I identified Mario Miranda... At school we had great lunch breaks singing our favorite song...I started recognizing Pandit Bhimsen Joshi's songs wherever they were played... I jumped in glee to find my favorite sports persons and cine stars on TV, all at the same time..

All of the above were possible because of Mile sur mera tumhara

I wonder what my child will learn from the Bollywood / glamor dominated Phir Mile sur!!

I shuddered at the 'replacements'. Where are all the other languages? The presence of a 'Padukone' and the 'Big B' (though he has moved from the end of the video to the beginning)are ironical similarities.

If someone wanted to shoot a new generation National Integration video, they should have made a completely new one and not a slipshod of the original. AR Rahman, if you remember shot to national fame because of his 'nationally integrating' compositions!

I was particularly left aghast at the portrayal of 'Tamil Nadu'. The 'original' had AV Ramanan and Prathap Pothan! Where are the other new age stars? Don't tell me this is a representation of present day India...If Big B and family can find a place what made them leave out Sachin Tendulkar?

I think this is one of the best reactions that I've read. So... I'll stop mine!

When Vedanthangal beckoned...

2010-01-25T10:42:00.001+05:30

Or we called on the birds for a change! We went to Vedanthangal, thinking it would be a nice change for V, stayed over and came back the next day. The drive was peaceful as the kid slept through onward and during the return journeys! I would n't say he enjoyed watching the birds as there was hardly any watching what with them being far away with the lake in between. He, however had the monkeys and dogs providing him entertainment with their antics. We stayed at the Forest Rest House. It was clean and neat, devoid of mirrors, television and anything remotely engrossing. After visiting the birds in the evening we returned only to stay put in the room until we went to sleep thanks to the mosquitoes and other insects waiting to enter the room. I must admit that when we woke up next morning, we realized that we had the most peaceful sleep since we could remember!!

This was the best that one could manage with a Nikon D40..

Some Information

The Place

Vedanthangal is about two hours from Chennai city. If one drives non-stop from the 'Kathipara' junction it would take about one and a half hours or even less.

The best time for watching is early morning till about 9:00 AM. One can however stay on for a little while longer and continue to picnic! In the evenings 4 to 7 PM (if it does n't get really dark) will be ideal. In this case, one can leave for Vedanthangal at about 2:00 PM

Forest Rest House

It may not be necessary to stay over, but it could be a real 'close to nature' experience, what with the lack of gadgets and abundance of insects, as mentioned earlier! If required, one can stay at the Forest Rest house, from which the bird sanctuary is at about 750 meters.

To book a room, the Wild life warden's office has to be approached and a written (yes, no forms are available for this purpose!) request to be furnished, addressed to the warden, and based on the availability, accommodation will be provided. A double room costs Rs. 300 per night. The check in time is 12:00PM. It is not like booking at a hotel, so be prepared for some typical 'government' office waiting. The warden's office is at the Guindy National Park and is open on tuesdays also (when the park is closed for public). Please make sure to go after 11:00 AM because the attending officer will arrive only at about that time!

Food

Carry your own food. There are a few tea-shops around and nothing else. The people at the Rest house may prepare food and tea/coffee upon request. Also, mosquito repellants!

The View

Binoculars are available at the sanctuary for rent (@Rs.20 I think), but they are not suited for effective viewing. There is a watch tower, and the guide has a mounted binocular and he also gives a description of the birds. By far it is the best way to have a close look at the birds. Since the sanctuary plays host to the similar birds every year, boards with a description of each type are placed every few meters.

We carried our own binoculars. We wanted to get hold of Olympus or Nikon Binoculars but they were not widely available. At Spencer Plaza and on Wallajah Road, there are shops that will provide with these on request, but they are priced at Rs.8000 or above! We settled for a Celestron 20 by 50, available at Camera Citi, Besant Nagar outlet (only!) which cost Rs.2800.

The best season for a visit is October-February.

I hope the above (I will add more if I remember!) is helpful. This post is my way of saying Thanks to a few bloggers who had written similar posts which helped our trip!

Two good films and a few mistakes...

2010-01-20T13:53:00.000+05:30

It has been five years since I watched a film in a theater. I need to be dragged to a theater to watch a film and since H is also of the same type, we slouch at home and watch DVDs.

Anyway, the point is that, after a long time I managed to watch a few Tamil films on TV during the Pongal weekend and the Tamil channels sure had audience in me. I will not explain how I did it. Holidays remember???

(A hurried disclaimer: I can't say whether making the movies was a mistake, but my watching them surely was. Also these are not reviews...only my reactions!)

Mistake No 1: I knew the story of the Vijay hit 'Pokkiri' right from the time it was released, but still had the crazy urge to watch it as I expected a sure shot entertainer. It was a typical yet interesting 'masala' and I was able to watch it only because, the TV medium gave the much needed breaks in between and since I knew the ending, did n't bother to watch the climax!

Mistake No 2: This was a grave mistake. I don't know why, but I watched Simbu's 'Vallavan'. It was sheer curiosity and by the time the film ended (with a frightening 'to be continued' tag) I had a headache. I will not discuss the film any further. By the way, I skipped all the songs, still the headache would n't go because of....

Mistake No 3: Many may not agree with me but watching 'Sillunu oru Kadhal' did not help me recover from the illness 'Vallavan' had bestowed. Two reasons why I wanted to watch the film were the first two songs and I missed both of them. I like Suriya. But that stands true only for movies before 'Maayavi' (Suriya and Jyotika). After that I stopped wasting money and time on his films. It was the 'jodi's' last attempt together at films and it was the only interest. No more comments on this.

Mistake No 4: Somewhere in between, I managed to catch glimpses of another Vijay film - 'Madurai'. Oh Dear God...Did you have to punish me for my previous life's mistakes by making me watch all these?

The Good ones

I made amends and my headache vanished as I began to watch 'Jayam' Ravi and Genelia's 'Santosh Subramaniam'. It was a delight to watch and definitely a 'good' film.

And that was that...I did n't watch 'Aaru' or anything else that followed.

I have to mention one other film I liked. 'Bommalattam', Barathiraja's latest suspense-flick was telecast the previous week. I had wanted to watch the film, because of the suspense element. I began reading the reviews which had a lot of good things to say about the film and by the time I had finished reading, the movie had gone off the theaters. So I was glad to watch it on TV and also happy that I had missed the first half an hour, which had Arjun dancing with his heroine. I was blown by the ending, something which I could n't guess even after the climax began. It probably did n't reach everyone because in presentation and narration it was similar to 'Kangalal Kaidhu sei'. In recent times this is the only film I may want to watch again. About the others...like Kamal says 'Don't pull wordsu out of my mouthu'!

The Ride of his life!

2010-01-15T09:30:00.002+05:30

V's school had arranged for a bullock-cart ride for the children to celebrate Pongal. The previous day I described what the 'maatu-vandi' (bullock-cart) was all about and he was terribly excited, chanting 'maatu-vandi' before he went to sleep, during sleep and after he woke up that morning! When I went to drop him, someone was tying ribbons and balloons around the bull's horns and to the cart. V kept staring at it and stood by the gate. The coordinator thought he wanted to go back to his Amma and asked me to leave...sigh!

All the kids seemed to have had a good time. We are yet to receive any photograph of the 'event'!

I had spent some time in telling V that the cow gives milk and the bull helps us by pulling carts and he seemed to understand the difference because he associates the cow with the milkman!

Strangely, many mothers asked their children, after school, if they had enjoyed the 'cow' ride and if they had liked the 'cow'...

Happy Pongal!

2010-01-14T09:30:00.000+05:30

This time the 'Pongal' festival coincides with a long weekend (or is it the other way round??)

As always the Tamil channels are vying for viewer-ship with 'all tholai kaatchi galil muthal muraiyaga' films and interviews with actresses who try hard to say, "Unga ellarukum I want to wish you a happy pongal" and other nonsense!

While most Tamil channels are doing the above (except 'Makkal' TV) Star Vijay takes a step forward (or backward??) and will be telecasting "Titanic", albeit in Tamil.

But seriously...Titanic... for Pongal?!

When the Kid took charge...

2010-01-13T09:30:00.001+05:30

I was going out to do some shopping. I grabbed the scooter keys with one hand, glasses with the other and was about to leave, when V said, "Athu Appa odu" (That is Appa's).

I said, "No...these are scooter keys, Appa's keys are over there", and closed the door behind me only to come back within a few seconds, because I had taken H's glasses instead of mine.

I went inside and cracked some odd joke about eyesight to H, still not realizing what had happened a few minutes earlier, when H said, "That was exactly what V meant when he said, Athu appa odu".

I refused to believe and did some cross checking by showing my glasses, to which V said, "Ithu thaan amma vodu" (These are amma's glasses-with emphasis!)...

P.S: The comforting fact was that H also did n't realize that, until I came back. We are growing old...together:))

'Lakshanamana' Ad!

2010-01-08T12:22:00.000+05:30

The Pothy's advertisements (especially the ones for silk sarees) seem to be getting better every time! If the 'Satyaraj-Seetha' Maduraiyil Pothy's ads were entertaining, the latest 'Pattuku Pothy's (Pothys for silk sarees) is very pleasant to watch. No music, dance or jazzy display of sarees. Just a neat little pre-wedding scene in which the family decides on what to purchase for the wedding.

Unable to find the video yet.

As I was looking up found this. Wondering how I missed it on TV.

The Book (Af) fair!

2010-01-03T11:00:00.003+05:30

Without any doubt, Chennai's most awaited Fair! The 33rd edition has been advanced and will close on January 10. We went on New Year's day, at around 2:00PM and it looked like half of Chennai was there. But as one entered the arena, it did n't appear as crowded as it really was, thanks to the venue, St. George Anglo Indian Hr. Secondary School (Opp. to Paachayappan College) where the Fair has been held, the last few years! It took us three hours ( we managed to leave out the kid, otherwise we would have spent only three minutes), but could n't cover the last two rows (columns?!). Planning to go once again.

Now for the Books...

As far as children's books were concerned, thanks to repeated visits to Saffron Tree and publishers' links, I had a certain idea about the books one could buy. The stall I was looking out in particular was the CBT (Children's Book Trust), especially the book, "The Milkman's Cow". There were many other delightful stories, there. At the 'Tulika' stall, I wanted to grab as many books as possible but better sense prevailed and we stuck to books with varied themes and pictures. The 'National Book Trust' stalls also had interesting books. Here and at CBT, the books have good content and are very reasonably priced. 'Eureka Books' were displayed here and there was a good collection of stories.

There was this particular stall I wanted to avoid because all it had were old books (thanks to a bad experience last year), but H coaxed me and of all things I spotted 'Tiki, Tiki Tembo', a humorous story mentioned by Uma, here. Though old, many books are worth laying hands on and they are priced from Rs. 30 depending on the size. One drawback was that they are not arranged ...at all! Worth a visit anyway. The 'Navaneet' stall also had books with interesting stories. They have a series of original stories. But the 'School text book' like appearance may be a dampener. Many books were bilingual and it was a heartwarming sight! As always, there were many Tamil publications, which are not easily accessible otherwise.

As I mentioned earlier, I will be visiting again, as I did n't get any book for myself:( Not even the 'Sujatha' regular Will try to update on that too. As for the books, posts will follow as and when V shows interest!

The link to BAPASI is http://www.chennaibookfair.com/ which has the stall list, without the stall numbers though!

How marriage and children can affect the functioning of a washing machine...

2010-01-03T07:00:00.000+05:30

Almost a year after our wedding H and I went on a holiday. We came back early one morning, only to pack lunch and head to our respective places of work. It was a very tiring day, as we had to get up at 3:00AM that morning, catch the first flight back home and head off to work as we could n't afford another day's leave. That evening I came back, dumped the clothes into the washing machine, and took a short nap only to find the clothes absolutely dry after three hours. I had forgotten to put the main switch on...

Three Years later...
As we were heading to the station to catch the train to Madurai, I was thinking about all the things that we had forgotten to do or take along. Even as I was 'tick-marking' them in my head I remembered the 'washing machine' incident mentioned above. No such thing can happen this time, I told my self. Though I was not sure of my memory I was confident of the new machine. The old one was a front loader with manual switches and knobs. So I did n't notice that the power was not on, three years ago! This time, even if I forget to switch the main power on, the machine's sleek 'fuzzy-logic' panel will not respond. How clever of us...

We were back home. It was almost 11 in the night. I dumped the clothes into the machine, set it in the delay-start mode and went off to sleep.

H had woken up an hour earlier. I went straight to the washing machine, only to find the clothes still inside. How irresponsible can a man get. He wakes up early only to sit and read the newspaper. Can't a sensible man at least take the clothes out of the machine. The washing had been done three hours earlier.
Even as I looked at H with all these questions in mind, he said calmly,

"When I came here, the thing was screaming ...this time, you did n't turn the water tap on"....
I only had the title of this post as my answer!

The first Vacation!

2010-01-02T15:37:00.000+05:30

Our trip to Madurai late last year (?!) was V's third overall and his first during 'vacation'. The first few trips and the one this time were very different.

V has grown up
He proved it when it was time to go to bed. He said, "Amma maduaii vanaaam...maddas poonnum".
This time he made his presence felt by erasing the beautifully done 'kolam' every time his Paati, meticulously drew one; showed off his skill with the scissors as cut to pieces the pages of his Thatha's precious magazine; Asked a lot of questions to the 'Maamis' who came just to see him, like, "Ithu yaaru?' (Who's this), Yaen vanthey? (why did you come) etc... The good ladies smiled sheepishly as they remarked, "He's grown up...does he go to school"?

And when we came back, instead of the usual 'let us go back or let us not go home', he resorted to lying on the stair case landing, face down, kicking legs while crying "Aathuku vaannaam' ...

Lighter luggage
The last two times we carried a suitcase exclusively for V (thanks to me!) and this time we packed all our stuff in that single case. Firstly, V's requiremnets in terms of clothes have come down. Secondly my sense of obsession is dying a slow death. Finally, I have come to understand the place better. Madurai is still conservative and it is difficult to get all the stuff one gets in Chennai. Last time around, I packed a '50-pack' diaper bag and a box of wet wipes and a potty seat and some pairs of socks and what not only to find 'Pigeon' wet wipes, detergents and fancy potty seats, available at a store near by. Though it is one of those very rare stores, it was enough to make the big footu reach the mouthu!! So this time when I managed to damage V's winter cap on the evening we left and when H asked if we could look around and try to get one before we left I said we could easily manage to get one in Madurai and we got what we were looking for!

A changed Town

There were a lot of foreigners around, thanks to the attraction that the 'Meenakshi Temple' has become. H, a native of the town was surprised at how much it has changed. Though one could n't find fancy restaurants and stuff, the town has changed. I remember how as a newly wed, I was thronged by flower sellers who demanded that 'annan' (Brother, they referred to H here!) bought some 'malli-poo' for his wife. There was no such thing this time. People who wanted to know why I had n't worn bangles, three years back, were talking about how necessary it is to change with the times, this year. However, even with the new shops and fancy retail chains, Madurai's enchanting flavor has not disappeared. We entered a Titan watch show room and was greeted with a 'sollunga saar'. This was also the time when I understood the aggression displayed by some of my colleagues (hailing from this region) when I was working in Chennai. They are not loud, nor are they artificially polite. You get the information you want from them. They don't push you but make you think. It may not be unique to this region, but with so many young women 'manning' the shops, little wonder that they say it is Meenakshi Aatchi in Madurai (A euphemism to indicate that women rule...in some places!)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2009-12-31T18:38:00.002+05:30

Whether, the year gone by was good or bad depends on how we were!

I was reasonably good and the year not so bad! I hope to be better and kinder and wish that the year ahead is good and kind to me, my family, my friends and all others I know and don't know.

I also hope I start blabbering less in 2010:))

Happy New Year!

Naanum Kutcheriku ponen!

2009-12-23T15:44:00.000+05:30

Last weekend we decided to exploit V's love for music, especially percussion and wind instruments ( and also our desire to visit a 'December season Kutcheri'!). With rain dashing any hope of attending a Kadri Gopalnath concert during the week, 'Ghatam' Kartik's ensemble was the only instrumental concert during the weekend. So, keeping our fingers crossed we awaited Saturday evening. The Rain God was merciful and we went to the auditorium and explained to the kid that we were going to watch dum-dum, dham taka dum, tiki tiki tuk vailin and keeeboth (Drums, Mirudangam, Ghatam, Violin and Keyboard in that order). The hall was one-third full (positive thinking??) and we again kept our fingers crossed, wondering how long the little one stay put.

The concert was good, with the kid Satyanarayana excelling on his Synthesizer (A technical name for the Key Board I hear but I will stick to KB for the rest of this post!). He is only 14 and played his part exceedingly well to support the rest who were twice (or more) his age. I am handicapped, when it comes to the techniques of classical music, so I will only give a general description!

V gleefully watched his favorite instruments at play.

The only disappointment was there was hardly any 'Ghatam' at play and Kartik dispalyed his konnakol, singing and talking skills that day.

V took a small break to have his dinner.

The 'Ragam-thallam-pallavi' was excellent, and it was very different to listen to Mirudangam-Violin, KB; Ghatam-Violin, KB; Kanjira-Violin, kb and Drums (actually a rhythm pad!)- violin, KB combinations.

V started fidgeting...

The concert started on time. The sore point (as experienced every year by the 'sabhas') was the near empty hall (negative thinking?). It was actually a little embarrassing because when not playing the instruments, the artists chose to look at the audience, and one could n't bat an eyelid without risking their attention.

We left the hall smiling....V had been quiet for about two and a half hours!

To greet or not to greet...

2009-12-21T10:55:00.000+05:30

I have only two reasons to greet someone on an occasion...1) The occasion itself, 2) To stay in touch. The last mentioned is more important of the two.

A few years back, I used to send every one an e-card (that is after having stopped sending paper cards by post). Now, I only send text mails or send a message to their phone, but I send a greeting nevertheless, whether it is the New Year, Deepavali, Christmas and any other occasion. I gloat over this because of a phone call received earlier this year. An ex-colleague called up to find out if everything was OK. I was puzzled. She said, "This year you did not send an SMS for Sankranti and Ugadi...so I wondered....".
I had to explain to that not-yet-married-blissful soul that I was a little busy with the brat and the rest of the family that it slipped my mind and nothing else.

After that I have been careful enough not to leave out any one, despite the fact that (expect on 'bigger occasions like the New Year) not many bother to send a greeting until one initiates. However, it is enough to trigger a response from those under hibernation!

Eating Out..

2009-12-19T15:31:00.003+05:30

We are not great 'foodies' (if one looks at the quantity we consume!), but we like experimenting. As vegetarians, our options are limited to the vegetarian restaurants in the city, for the sake of variety, more than anything else. For two years we 'adaki vaasichufied' (chaste tamil for staying quiet!), because of the kid, and now that he insists on a separate plate for himself, we have begun 'restaurmenting' (experimenting with restaurants that is!) again.As and when we try a new restaurant, I shall post my experience.

The tried and tested

Saravana Bhavan: Food quality is as good as ever. However, with new, good, food joints springing up every now and then, Saravana Bhavan seems obnoxiously expensive and their service is not good. Kid-friendly to the extent that they provide high chairs, otherwise they still follow the policy of asking diners to be seated on the same side of the table if possible, to accommodate others!

Murugan Idli Kadai: Another 'functional' eat-out. One gets bored after a few times, since there is no variety in the menu. Quality of food is very good though. One warning: It is better to start with either Idli or a vadai. We once ordered, idlis, vadais, dosas and kuzhi paniyaram, and everything tasted sour. It was summer and guess the batter had gone bad! Expensive, considering what is offered, but good.

Cream center: We visited this place (RA Puram) only a few weeks back and understood why everyone was drooling when they mentioned the place. Lovely food. Absolutely kid-friendly. But highly priced (Channa Patura Rs. 120?? Hard to 'digest', the price that is!) and lackadaisical service. But one can go again and again for the food. To get a good value for your money, I would suggest one tries their 'Thali'.

Eden: A perennial favorite only and only because of the food. Much had been written about their service and space! The Anna Nagar restaurant is spacious though, and also offers more on the menu. I hav n't tried their place at 'Harrisons'.

Mast Kalandar: (Above Shastri Nagar SBI Branch) A few months old. Good food. Interesting combos. Reasonably priced. Again very functional. They blare 1990s hindi songs and is a bit hard on the ear! Reminded me of the 'Ohri" restaurants in Hyderabad. It is better to go with the combos. If individually ordered, it would appear pricey. We prefer ordering from home and they deliver on time.

Rasam: We dined at their Mylapore outlet. Good food, different fare. But expensive (considering the quantity) and service, lethargic.

There are some more but I don't remember them now!

The New Places

Dosa Calling: Not new, as their Kilpauk outlet is already many months old, but their Indira nagar outlet is just a few weeks into business. Food is good. A lot of variety in their menu and they don't stick to Dosas alone. They also offer, Rice, pastas and Wraps. Reasonably priced (cheaper than Murugabn Idli Kadai) and good quality. But the place is very small. They too follow the "sit on the same side of the table" principle. In fact there is no proper waiting area and one has to wait (almost) on the road. Service was slow. They have to do something about the space. Here, the tamil songs blare, and give the effect fit for a 'tea kadai'. I understand that they offer Dosas...but still???

Annalakshmi: This is a new outlet at 'Planet Yumm' on Eliot's Beach. First and foremost, they are (thankfully!) situated outside the common dining place, similar to Saravana Bhavan in Spencer's Plaza. It appears spacious. The food is good and price almost reasonable. They have more variety, and I say this because they may pose a stiff competition to Murugan Idli across the road. They open at ^:00 AM and close at 10:PM. It is clear, however, that they are still in the initial stages and that should explain the slow service. One refreshing change from other eating joints (according to H) is that the plates are yellow and not white! Not too bright but different!!

P.S: The above are based on my experiences at the restaurants that I found 'reasonably good' and not general views as heard from friends and relatives! Also, since I (or we) care more about hygiene, quality and taste, ambiance may or may not feature here!

Displaying Creativity!

2009-12-17T21:44:00.000+05:30

Last weekend, V's school hosted a project day. Everything displayed had some contribution by children. Though the school claimed that everything except the setting up was done by children, the teachers' (or aunties in this case) efforts were evident in every display. The whole setting up, for the project day was done in half a day. Since it was the first such thing for us, we were amazed. The theme for V's group was 'Parts of the Body' and tiny hands and feet imprints made reindeer and lotuses come alive. I am too lazy now to display some of the photos...but will ...soon!

While leaving, H said to the coordinator, "Hope the creativity does n't stop here..", to which the good lady replied, " Take it from me...It won't".

Later while walking back home, I said, "The creativity you were talking about will not be gone...How else can you explain the efforts of the people who thought about it and set it all up?", to which the one who always has the last word (sigh!) said, "They probably drew inspiration from the children"...

When the neighborhood has a lot to offer...

2009-12-16T15:00:00.000+05:30

The neighborhood we live in has two new eating joints. One is situated opposite two (well established) restaurants. The other new restaurant is about half a kilometre from the above mentioned. In addition to this there is yet another fast food chain in between and a coffee shop on this street and two other coffee shops on the adjacent road.. Then there is a branded jeans store, a textile 'biggie', a unisex saloon and many other shops. And I forgot the supermarket and yet another pizza joint and a few other upcoming eating places and shops and saloons. All the above are situated in a one KM radius.

Good news is n't it? One need n't travel by a vehicle....Just a few minutes walk would help you to meet all your needs. A hair-cut? walk it down. Forgot about the 'Urad dall' just as you are about to switch on the grinder...No problem...run to the store. Or forgot to buy a grinder... head to the electronics giant across the road. Guests coming...Don't wait for a home delivery...stroll across to the nearest pizza outlet and instead of waiting for the pizza, hop across to buy some dosas.

Sounds like fun? I really don't think so. With no one really bothering to create some parking space for people who dine or shop, the whole place is turning into a parking nightmare. Though the street we live in has no restaurant or shops, people who drive down, park their cars here. No one seems to think when they park. When one enters the street, one needs to be wary of the auto rickshaw stand at the street corner, the Toyota Innova parked immediately behind it and a Scorpio parked opposite. If this is a motorist's woe, I cannot even write down in meaningful words, the predicament of pedestrians.

I may sound like a hypocrite here. I want my shops and restaurants within walking distance, yet nurse a grouse. It is not about the commercial spaces themselves, but where they are placed. None of the restaurants or departmental stores I am referring to, having parking spaces for their customers. In many cases, old houses have been converted into swanky new shops. I am not even hinting at those tiny boutiques or antique places located in by-lanes. Every morning and evening the road looks like there is a perennial traffic jam, but in truth it is only an array of vehicles waiting for the signal to go green. Parked vehicles encroach the road so much that the others have to move at a snail's speed.

I can either go on lamenting or do my bit. As of now, we walk (however difficult it might sound!) to places within a kilometer or go around in the two-wheeler to places within a five or six kilometer range (with the kid that is. Without him, the distance really does n't matter!) or take the car only where there is no problem of parking...for us and others.

P.S: I began this post to write about a couple of restaurants that we have been frequenting off late, but had to put this down first, because whenever we come back home after a meal, we are unable to recognize it because of the haphazardly parked cars.

A year ago...

2009-12-15T14:47:00.001+05:30

...when I badly needed a break from the routine, when I very badly wanted to do something which I liked, and very very badly wanted to do something for me and me only, I logged into Blogger, 'for the heck's sake'. First I blinked, created a profile, a url, a title and a post. Then changed the url and then the title. Then the title and the url and finally arrived at what it is now.

Though I thought I was doing something for myself, I ended up being a mommy blogger writing about my son! Not to be bogged down by motherhood, I started another blog, only for penning or typing down my thoughts, but just as how the child occupies most of a parent's life this blog bullied and suppressed the other. I am not one to relent... so from now on I am will be writing more general stuff...like schools, kids books, parks, children entertainment etc. Did I say something about relenting???

Technically it is a year since I 'created' this blog, though for the first six months I wrote only two posts, and began 'actively' blogging only since June. So it is a 'Happy half year to this blog' and 'Thank You' to everyone who is taking the pains to read this pain..err..parent! I will continue to disperse sense and nonsense and this is my resolution for the coming year!

Kid Speak!

2009-12-10T14:54:00.000+05:30

Appa and amma are having a silly argument (Note the point, a silly argument - only in front of the kid!) after which...

Amma: V...who is chamathu (loosely translated as good!)... Amma or Appa?
V: (without batting an eyelid) Naanu (Me)
Appa: Nee pozhachupeda... (again loosely translated as..you'll survive this bad bad world and become a politician!!)

Drying clothes on a rainy day...

2009-12-09T15:35:00.000+05:30

...is one of the most physically and mentally challenging tasks. First, the clothes accumulate, thanks to the kid running to the water and the parents running behind and all three getting wet, or to the fact that the amma ignores the unpredictable weather and leaves the umbrella behind, or to the previous days clothes that smell and feel wet like they are just out of the washing machine. Then, all of a sudden one realizes that the open space available is big enough to dry a few handkerchiefs and piles all the clothes into a bucket and carries them to the terrace on the fourth floor.

Living on the first floor despite the presence of an elevator does n't help as one still has to climb a flight of stairs, some of the steps of which are slippery thanks to the overflowing or dripping water from the terrace. After that one has to constantly look at the sky, put the clothes on the line, squint at the clouds to check if the black ones are really floating towards the said terrace or if it is only an illusion. Just as one finishes putting all the clothes on the line and comes down, again gingerly stepping on the steps, the black clouds close in and it has suddenly become dark. At this, one dashes out to the terrace again, this time with the kid coming along since he had found out that he was left behind the previous time.

One checks the clothes and tells herself that the clothes seemed to have become a little dry and carries the heavy bucket and the crying kid, huffs and puffs all the way down only to find that it is indeed drizzling outside. After a small pat on the shoulder to self, one begins to dry the clothes in the balcony and irons the half dried ones. Just then the sun comes out all scorching and one puts one's big foot in the mouth, removes all the clothes, takes them out to the terrace again, does a small jig at the sun and son, dries the clothes, comes down, and after the exhausting work, amma and child take a nap. Only to wake up and find that it is pouring outside. One looks out expressionlessly and goes back to sleep again.

It is another story that all the clothes were soggy and wet and dirty because the loose sand on the terrace had stuck to them, what with the wind blowing hard, and all the clothes had to be washed again, and the process of drying...repeated as above!

Manners please...

2009-12-01T07:00:00.001+05:30

We were on our usual beach outing. The little one and his appa were in the water and his amma as usual was gaping and wondering... at the sea of course! I got up to call out to the duo to get back, when I noticed a boy (looked like college going) clicking snaps of V, with his digital camera. To make sure I was right, I stood a good four feet behind him, and thanks to his camera with a really wide screen, I was able to see that he was indeed clicking photos of V. It was so casual, that people walking in front of him stopped so that they did n't affect his view. He was even framing out H.

I was livid to say the least and as father and son were retreating, I was on the heels of the 'camera' guy. Actually, he did n't expect someone to be watching him and was walking away without even telling the parent that he had clicked his son's photo. They were a group of four or five boys and all I asked him was, "Don't you think you should have asked first"? He looked plainly shocked that he was being watched and deleted (he seemed to be doing something of that sort. I did n't pull his camera out to cross check, which on hindsight, I feel was a foolish thing to have forgotten) whatever he had clicked. Also, I am pretty sure that he was embarrassed, with many eyes on him, as it was quite crowded that time.

I told H of what had happened and he remained silent for a very long time. If he is silent when I keep jabbering, it only means either of the two:

He, as always, thinks I am talking nonsense and does n't bother to listen, or

He is really bothered and is thinking seriously about it, which only means the issue is grave.

This time it was obviously the latter and I kept saying how youngsters these days seemed to have lost all manners. He said the following, trying to sound casual but it gave me the creeps...

"What do you think will happen..In worst cases he'll probably upload this as his profile photo in Facebook..."

The above was what prompted me to do the post. How far can one go to protect one's child? If someone asks before clicking a photograph, we can think of something before refusing politely. But what if something like the above happens? Now, I am actually thinking about the many times this could have happened without our getting to know. This is not the case of making a mountain out of a molehill, because this is serious considering the circumstances that we live in. I can only appeal to those who seem to throw all reasoning behind and do what they like.

At least when you take a photograph of a child make sure you speak to his or her parents about it.

Knowing well this may not work, a suggestion parents...Throw your inhibitions off...Tell the 'perpetrators' politely, or if they don 't listen, there is no harm in being rude. It is you child after all.

Typical Conversations...

2009-11-30T10:13:00.000+05:30

Guest: See, I bought this Saree for B..
Me: Very nice. Err...Does she wear a Saree quite often?
Guest: Yes! She wears a Saree to functions and whenever possible...
Me:I see...
Guest: You see...her husband likes her in a Saree...
Me: *Stares*
Me: (in my mind obviously, to the guest who is apparently 'related' to the said husband)... would you buy her a pair of jeans, when you know that her husband likes it?

The Moon and other terrace stories!

2009-11-28T16:13:00.000+05:30

The little one's evening routine these days includes a visit to the terrace with his amma and spends the time by pretending to help her in bringing back the clothes, in the process scaring her wits out by suddenly climbing the stairs to the water tank. His current interest is 'the moon', and having mastered (well, nearly!) "Nila Nila Odi vaa"- a popular tamil rhyme on the moon- he sings to, screams at and threatens the moon to come down and play with him!

The other day he was amused to find the moon in 'half its size' (I just checked myself before telling him about the various phases!) and proceeded to tell the following story:

Moon dhoppa vizhunthu adi pattuthu...athaan paathi irukku...ooovunu azhuthuthu... doctor mama oochi potta.

The translation: The Moon fell down from the sky and broke. That is why it looks half its size. Since the moon cried from pain, we took it to the doctor and he gave an injection.

I wonder what turn this story would take on 'amavasai'!

*******

Since it is an uphill task to bring V down from the terrace, I thought hard and came up with a plan. Accordingly, I lift him up and casually ask him to say bye to the moon, the birds, the train, the plane, the water tank, the motor and whatever he sets his eyes upon, and then bring him down. After initial bewilderment, he took it nicely and came down without a word....until today.

After having spent some time, in order to leave, I picked him up and asked him to say bye to 'everyone'. He resisted and wanted to stay in the 'motta maadi'. After much cajoling he said...

...'Bye Amma'...

Morning and on the road musings...

2009-11-25T07:00:00.001+05:30

Well...one really can't 'muse' in the mornings, what with the husband and kid to be rushed off to school and office ...err...the opposite respectively. Also, one can't think when one is accelerating the scooter, braking at vantage points, holding the standing kid tightly between one's legs, enduring the child's constant 'amma athu enna?', followed by a harried amma's don't stick your hand out, staring at brainless motorists, checking the elusive expletive just in time before it reaches the brat's ear, desperately honking and indicating before reaching the school and depositing the child. After all that, further endurance and heart-break at the little one not even attempting to say 'Ta-Ta'.

The real fun starts when one rides back home. The BP suddenly touches normal, the air seems fresh, motorists less annoying and one actually waits until a horde of buses, vans, cars, scooters, bikes, pedestrians, stray dogs pass by. Suddenly there is so much time!

On an aside...

When I scoured the city in my scooter on work, when I was all young and bursting with excessive enthusiasm - eons ago- I used to look amusedly at mothers who rode their children to school or otherwise. I remember seeing perennial frowns on those faces. I used to brazenly chuckle to myself, thinking aloud, under the protection of my helmet, "Poor women, they probably began riding only after marriage", or "Poor women, what monsters their husbands must be to let their hapless wives endure the city's noisy, polluted and risky roads" AND "Lucky me... I have mastered the art of riding...I would n't have a problem many years down the line"...

Little did I know!

...and he cried

2009-11-24T01:00:00.000+05:30

Last week, V cried all the way to school, invoking reactions from his surprised coordinator because it was his first cry-day, ever since he started going to school. My theories were proved right. However, I could n't gloat over it saying 'amma's always right', because the problem was not about going to school. It began with a simple issue of 'not wanting to wear' his new shoes, then not wanting appa to drop him in the scooter, not wanting appa to drop him at all, of wanting both appa and amma to come to school and culminated in excessive crying. After I dropped him and came home, I kept thinking about it and realized that I worried not about his 'crying to school' business, but what actually provoked it.

Even as adults, we begin our quarrels (most often with the spouse!) over some petty issue. Clothes kept in a heap on the floor invokes anger and subsequently, the said clothes are forgotten and arguments regarding one's sense of hygiene leads to quarrels over how only one person has to do all the work.

Similarly, what could have provoked the child, apart from a pair of unwanted new shoes? I tried looking deep into it and wondered if we had done anything wrong. Looking at it, there was nothing 'wrong', but hence forth the responsibility is greater.

Instead of constant monitoring, careful observations have to be made. If it was something at school, the scope for understanding is broader as one gets to discuss with other parents and school authorities. But I firmly believe, irrespective of what is taught and observed outside, like everything else, learning also has to begin at home, both for the child and his/her parents.

Though incoherent, I hope I have managed to convey what was nagging me all these days. As always, this from the baby center website helped to calm me down a bit.

I would like your views on this...please write them here...

I thought...

2009-11-23T10:48:00.000+05:30

...I was an obsessive, compulsive, hyper-mom. Or so I am labelled by people around. Well, I have my share of anxious moments.

It rains, there is no raincoat at home and I madly rush in the rain to get one for the little one.

V pulls a stool, places it near the kitchen sink, climbs onto it and precariously positions himself on the space available and washes his spoon. I run like a werewolf towards him.

He wakes up from his afternoon nap and much before that I prepare his snack knowing fully well how hungry he can get.

If the above and similar are considered 'hyper-activity', people (read husband) either must buy a dictionary or read this or do both.

The Little 'Nekamic'...

2009-11-16T16:54:00.000+05:30

...or that is how V says 'mechanic'. His school had a 'fancy dress' day to celebrate children's day and we joined the band wagon of parents who break their heads to dress up their children 'differently'. Though the school made the announcement only the previous day, with V having an amma who had read his school brochure some twenty times, we were quite prepared. Though we had n't decided on the exact costume until midnight, we had our choices made. For starters, I was quite adamant that we use clothes that he already had and probably add a few props. Then, the dress had to be comfortable enough for V to spend all his school hours in. That meant we had only two or three options on hand.

There was the ubiquitous white kurta pyjama and with a rose and a white cap, he could easily turn into 'Chacha Nehru'. Since it was too obvious and simple, we kept that costume as a backup. Next, since he had in his possession a pair of dark brown trousers and a faded green T-shirt, the amma had the idea of dressing him like a tree, with paper leaves stuck on his shirt. But with the brat flinging off any extra piece of clothing draped on his self, that option was also ruled out. Out of the closet came his 'dungarees' that was purchased a year early and still a little loose on him! A quick scan of his toy cupboard discovered his 'tool set' which has a belt that can be worn around. So a mechanic, it was decided. He had his cap to go along with the outfit.

When all was decided, close to midnight, the amma became restless.

Amma: The dungaree is an overall...what if he gets uncomfortable?

Appa: He won't

Amma: It is raining... he may get the urge to use the toilet frequently..

Appa: They will look to it at school...

Amma: What if..?

Appa: Let's change the outfit..

The wardrobe was rummaged, all possible outfits were pulled out. After an hour we decided to stick to the mechanic.

Next day, V refused to get dressed up so we used our trump card ,the mirror. V will even dress like a bucket if so shown in front of the mirror. He was all done with the dungaree, the tool kit, a turned cap et al. We dropped him at school and I told the coordinator that he may get uncomfortable and was told that all children will get back to 'normal' clothes after some time.

After two hours of nail biting, I went to pick him up only to find him in his 'nekamic' dress!

How safe are our children?

2009-11-14T08:00:00.001+05:30

At the time of V's admission to play school we were asked to give photographs of those who were likely to pick up the child after school. It could be parents, grandparents, servant-maid, driver, neighbor or anyone else but a photograph must be furnished. The school did n't want to take any chances, with the safety of children at stake in this bad mad world.

The principal narrated the story of a father, who was living abroad for about six months a year and had come to pick his son from school, coming straight from the airport. The teachers refused to send the child with him, as the father's photograph was not available with them. The man flew into a rage and asked them how they could do this and did n't they see that the boy resembled him. The authorities politely refused and the angry father had to leave without his ward. After cooling down he was said to have come back and had written a thank you note on how safe his son was at this school.

I don't know how many schools follow this, but I support the school on this issue completely. When I talk to people about this, they make a face and scowl at the school for being silly but I am glad God has given me the sense to ignore them.

I am already worried about the auto rickshaws or vans that we would have to depend upon in future to drop the little one to the mainstream school that he would have to join in future. After reading this, linked up by the mad momma I really wonder, if some parents -not those who do not have a choice- really make anything worthwhile, by leaving thier children with strangers.

Rainy day thoughts!

2009-11-13T08:00:00.002+05:30

Not that there were many, as the city, which depends on depressions for its regular monsoon season has very few rainy days. Anyway as someone who does n't really bother whether it rains or shines (it is humid anyway) and lazes around whenever possible, musing was n't an altogether different job.

* There was a lot of annoyance this time around, because the little mister had to be dropped off and picked up from school. Worse, since it rained heavily last week he had an extended weekend holiday for four days. Worse, worse, we had to engage him throughout. Not so bad was the fact that H took it upon himself to make some 'rainy day' snacks and we ended up having pop corn and peanuts on all days.

* It was raining and the little one did not have a raincoat. The distance is too short to haggle with an auto-rickshaw fellow, not that anyone would oblige for a minimum fare and too long for a walk, and quite bothersome for the usual two-wheeler ride. Nevertheless V's amma, became super scooter woman and whizzed past the nagging traffic, snarled at overtaking drivers and raced against the drizzle to drop him at school.

But the little one needed a rain-coat. As the father of the child feigned selective deafness (and sometimes amnesia), when the said topic was brought up, amma took it upon herself, took the harried child straight from school to the near-by shop (it was very very cloudy, so I patted myself), bought the last piece of raincoat available for his size and walked out only to find the sun shining brightly.

Said raincoat is lying unnoticed as it has n't rained since the moment I made the purchase. My argument with the deaf man was that, if the raincoat had n't been bought, it would have rained and drenched the poor child who anyway had absented himself from school because of cold!

Considering how deeply attached I am to this topic I should have named the post "Rain-coat musings"!

Oh my sleeping child!

2009-11-12T13:10:00.000+05:30

I have been constantly admonished by elders not to admire a sleeping child. Some almost left me crippled by a curse when I dared to send them pictures of the sleeping infant a few weeks after his birth. Even now I cannot control the urge to smile at the sleeping peaceful face. But what do I do? That is the only time when both of us are in peace with each other. Both smiling, albeit one of them sleeping. No arguments, no running around, no crying, no show of willfulness, no demonstration of attitude (Yes, I am talking about a two year old).

During one of those 'admiring a sleeping child' moments, I wished (like any other parent) that this child would never grow! In fact that was my wish ever since the little one was six months old. It is another story that as soon as he was born I wanted him to grow to become a three or four month old, because I was very jittery handling a few weeks old baby and was constantly driving the doctors crazy.

Now dear child, please don't grow and become worldly wise or worse. Be what you are. I pray to God to turn you into a 'Markandeya" and stop aging at two and a half. This way I would also stop growing and need not worry about what to dress you up for 'Fancy dress' (thankfully the school insists that it is not a competition) for school tomorrow!

Kid speak!

2009-11-09T09:55:00.000+05:30

(V is having his bath, and he tries to use the hand shower himself)

Appa/Amma: No, don't do that. Appa or Amma will give you a bath. You are kutti (small) Appa and amma are big...okya?
V: Okya (His way of saying OK)

(A month later, V is trying to use the hand shower on his own, again)

Amma: No. You are kutti.
V: No amma... you don't do that...you are not big. You are kutti...
Amma: (gasps) then who's big?
V: Appa
Appa: OK I am big..I ll give you a bath.
V: No appa...you are not big you are kutti
Appa and Amma: eh?
V: Thatha is big

P.S:At this rate I guess I have to maintain a separate blog for conversations!

Call the Doctor, Call the Doctor...

2009-11-03T10:44:00.001+05:30

Last month we took V for a typhoid vaccination. These days, he is prepared a day before the said injection day, on how the 'oochi' (injection) will only be a prick and how good it is for his health. He protested a little at the doctor's clinic, muttered something to the good dodctor, and before he knew, the job was done and he wondered loud, 'oochi vallikaliye' (The injection was not painful)!

Cut...to present.

Two days back, we took him for a Hepatitis A booster vaccination. The usual ritual was followed. That morning we asked him,
Where are we going tonight?
"Dottor"
Why?
"oochi"
In fact later in the evening he said, "Amma...dottorku ponum" (Must go to the doctor's)
We trooped out at around nine that night (this way we normally are the last to enter the clinic and meet the doctor almost immediately without having to wait in the crowd!) V said, "Thatha tata...oochi potukaa poden".

All our happiness at how our young turk was prepared to face the battle crashed when, on our way to the clinic, he started crying...dottor nooo...oocchi nooo...dottor poita (had left) etc.
At the clinic we had a wait for a few minutes and V became very difficult to handle despite soothing words and constant wrestling.

Finally we manged to enter the doctor's room.
V: Dottor...nee poo...oocchi vanda...nee poooo
The good man did n't understand a word but understood the situation.
I held V on my lap. The doctor examined him amidst conversations about the beach, dinner and V replied "Ooocchi noooo".
The doctor slowly took out the syringe and the medicine, with V's eyes constantly on the needle. And as he kept saying no oochi today come tomorrow, and as held V's thigh tightly with one hand,he injected the vaccine, with the other.

V said "sari...oocchi naalaiki" (injection tomorrow) and smiled. We came home. He said.."Thatha...occhi nalaiki"
Next morning we asked him, "Doctor occhi potacha?" he said "No...naalaiki"
Till this day he has n't realized that he was given the injection..!

Thank you doctor, Thank you Doctor...!

P.S

Reflecting, I think it was our fault. To deter the little brat from playing in the water for too long, or for pouring water all over himself or to prevent him from taking unwanted risks in climbing etc, we kept telling him how if he falls sick we will have to go in for an injection. Speaking the truth does have its consequences.

Don't push 'em

2009-11-02T13:49:00.000+05:30

This is not about working parents. I know mothers who spend most of their time at office thinking about their eighteen month old at day care. This is also not of parents -mothers- who are so tied down with house work that their children, even when if they are not two, are sent to play school for a couple of hours.

At V's school a set of twin girls joined along with him. They were only 20 months old. For almost three weeks since the twins joined, the mother was asked to wait outside because the kids simply did n't settle down and kept crying throughout. What's worse...They missed a week because they were down with cold (which I am sure was because of the incessant crying). So every day the mother would wait along with a domestic help. Initially I thought that the mother was working. But no. She is not working. She has elders at home who would take care of some of the house work. She has a domestic help to help with the children. Why then are the children sent to play school (not daycare...thankfully!) when they are still drinking milk from a bottle? The reason she gave took the daylights out of me. She wanted the children to become sociable (at 20 months!!) They are cooped up in the house all day and get to play 'only inside the apartment complex's premises'. Also, she wanted her children to join only on "Vijayadasami", and next year, they would be about thirty months old that time. I wanted to ask her many things but did n't. The children are now settled. But I just could n't imagine their predicament across weeks.

Here I am, having avoided the term beginning June because V was 'only 23 months' old then... Was keeping my fingers crossed when he joined, and even now expecting a bawl any day. If I had put him in school a little earlier I am sure I would have resembled V's grandmom when I picked him up the first few months and his great grand mom a few months later!

In search of memory...

2009-10-28T13:05:00.001+05:30

The title is right. In search of my fading memory. Only a strong memory now would leave me with cherished memories later (Some crazy mohan stuff???) Anyway...ever since I began updating this blog I have been wondering whether I really have to do this. Do I really have to tell the world about myself and the family? Well, last week I realized that I am on the right track.

My friend (mother of a three year old) and I were chatting and when I asked something about some behaviour, she thought long and hard and said, "I guess P did the same when he was V's age...but am not sure".

So there it is. I was able to tackle questions on a baby's first year, thanks to all those reading material. But after that...I am not sure. I want keep track of V's milestones and not-so-milestonic events!

Yesterday while waiting to pick up the little one from school, I peered into the group of kids that trotted out. Not because little V was hidden behind bigger children or something else. I had forgotten what clothes he wore that morning!

Children and Reality shows

2009-10-26T10:05:00.000+05:30

My opinion on these shows is long due, probably since the birth of V. During the final trimester and a few weeks after his birth, one TV show that I followed was a singing competition for kids. I was irritated at the way the episodes were telecast, promos shown and the attitude of children largely influenced by their parents. As I was clutching to my new born I could n't help but shudder at how my little one will react when he reaches that phase in life when either he on his own participates or others push him. Two years and many TV shows (both for children and youngsters - no channel telecasts a reality music show for the aged!) later my opinion is the same.

As channels hunt for super and star singers, sign them up for a certain period, let them feel absolutely cushioned under their glare and leave them to their destiny after some time, it is time for a 'real' reality check.

Two years ago when I my sister asked me whether I would encourage the little one to participate in shows I emphatically and confidently said no. She asked me the same thing a month back and I said that I did n't know. I will not talk about her reactions to that but I must admit that I really don't know. I will never push him or force him to do something, but if he is confident on, say, performing on stage how can I refuse. After all many of us have benefited from going up on stage for an act or a song at school or college. But it is the present trend that I am worried about. First of all children get to appear on television (and so are their parents), then they get to meet celebrities and then they get to display their talent, which will be viewed by thousands. The pressure and the change in attitude are appalling.

My first concern is the time these children would spend on the sets. Considering how long the 'senior' version of a particular show took to conclude and with the present competition for juniors looking to follow the same, this is bound to affect many other activities (including academics) of these children.

In one of the episodes, I was particularly shocked at the reaction of a judge towards a child who was found to be 'too expressive' for her age. The child was eventually eliminated from the competition. The funny thing is that the particular round featured songs, most of which many parents would not approve of. Many children took to dancing to and singing those songs. So why single out a particular child? What impact would this have on her attitude? How would her friends, teachers and others react? The funnier things is that this is not a live programme. The songs are rehearsed. Did n't the people concerned (say producer of the show, experts etc), realize the 'over-expressiveness'? Or even when the shoot was on, could n't any of them ask the child to tone it down? I am sure that this is possible.

Anyway...this is just one of my many reactions to follow as I feel very strongly about the issue. After all I too have a young child at home who at some time in his life will come across such things.

Don't blow your nose too hard

2009-10-24T16:12:00.000+05:30

This could be annoying to people who are around and you may end up with an ear infection or something worse. Though I don't disturb the surroundings by doing so or insist on the little one doing so, I was surprised to hear this. A friend's three year old son developed ear infection and one of the first things their ENT speacialist asked was if was i the habit of blowing his nose hard, which in this case was true. Apparently, blowing hard lead to the expanding of a gland in the ear leading to infection. Also,this reverses the flow of mucus back into the sinuses preventing drainage of the same. I will look up for more on this and update. This is the season of 'the cold' and other communicable diseases so it pays to be extra cautious.

Typical conversations...

2009-10-21T10:09:00.001+05:30

(Bumping into someone familar)
Me: Hello Aunty...
Aunty: (Sceptically) uh...hullo...
Me: This is me... G's friend..
Aunty: Uh...ummm...
Me: (ok) V's mother...
Aunty: Oh.. hello...How are you? How's the little one?
Me: Fine (dolefully continues the conversation)

---------------

(Calls at a neighbor's)
Me: Is your mom there?
Neighbor's kid: Yes aunty (calls out)... Ammmmaaa.... first floor aunty has come
(Said amma comes and seems to be thinking hard...)
Neighbor: Oh hello...how are you (looks at her kid and says) You should have told me "V's mom"...

It is Deepavali/Diwali!

2009-10-20T10:18:00.002+05:30

The days I used to burn money...err...burst crackers seemed eons ago. Last year V did n't approve much of the flower pots and sparklers, more so because of the smoke. This year too I was worried about the smoke making him ill. At his school, a day before Deepavali, they asked each parent to send some food with their ward and V took a bottle of juice with him. I 'warned' the aunties about a potential smoke allergy, when they told me that they will be bursting crackers. When I went to pick him up, without my asking, two of the ladies told me how the little one enjoyed the crackers. He clapped and screamed in joy they said. I did not react. How would I when only the previous day, V stuck to me like a leech and did n't let go of my shoulder, when a 'ground chakra' was lit?! But experience at school had made him a little bolder as was witnessed that evening.

--------------------

Deepavali has lost its fervor. I am not talking about lesser crackers. I am in fact very happy about it, though the sky seemed to be more polluted than land. I was particularly thinking of the harried pilots who had to fly their planes this dreaded day! Coming back to where I started... T.Nagar and other shopping areas were probably the only evidences of a forth coming festival. Otherwise people burnt their crackers and went home. Only the children seemed to wish everyone, when, that is, they came across pestering adults who interrupted their merriment. I have to admit that we were also some of those adults. At least we took to going out for the sake of the child. H asked me, when we were planning the amount of sweets and snacks to be purchased (for more on this read further) "Are n't you distributing some to the neighbors"? I said, "They never do" and bit my lip. I defended by saying that since we don't 'make' anything at home it did n't make sense in giving something that was bought, which in any case would be given by the companies they work for. The truth is that, no one bothered. We made an effort but nothing happened. Regular phone calls have just become messages. Where has all the 'bonding-during-festivals' gone?

----------------

We decided to buy deepavali sweets and snacks as even normal cooking is getting difficult with an inquisitive kid running around. We made the same mistake as last year. We (in this case I) once again made a bee line to the "Grand" old sweet stall of Chennai. The place was crowded like a cinema at 10:00 in the morning. I thought I had timed it right as I had to pick up V only at 11:30, but quickly realized it was a mistake. Though the items required were less, I was asked to wait for a 'minimum half an hour'. When my token number was called for (from the right hand side of the counter) I walked, rather pushed my way through to the left-hand side where the billing is normally done. After a painstaking 15 mins I was told that my billing will be done at the other end. When I again made my way through I found that my bill had found its place at the bottom. The lady who had the tokens and was announcing the numbers seemed to be obsessed with her job and after angry prodding from customers parted with her possession only to hand them over to the person at the other end. It was difficult to concentrate as too many numbers were being announced. Even on normal days, this place has the practice of randomly distributing tokens. So if your number is 101 and if 100 is announced, relax. 101 will not be called for until 99, 105, 110, 68, 303 are called for. But on this day it seemed to infuriate many people who were unaware of the procedure. I held my nerves as I had had the experience of waiting for an hour for a kilo of mixture. Anyway, I made my way out at 11:15 just in time to reach school. Irritated to no extent, we purchased the remaining at a quieter place in Mylapore. I took an oath never to visit the first-mentioned place knowing fully well (like many other chennaites) that it would be broken next year.

----------------

The best wish came in the form of a post card. It was addressed to the two of us and little V. It said, Happy Diwali Mom and Dad. The card was filled with the drawing of a lamp (agal vilakku/diya) with familiar crayon scribblings around and on it. I took the card to V and asked him,

"Who drew this"?

V: naanu pannen (I did it)

Me: Where?

V: Kool (School)

Typical Conversations...

2009-10-14T10:40:00.001+05:30

(Over Phone)
Me: (Not even a hello) You said you'll come early today...how early?
H: In less than hour...why?
Me: Buy milk when you come?
H: Why? Did n't the lady bring milk in the afternoon?
Me: Yes...I need more
H: You said the servant maid will get a packet everyday...
Me: You buy milk or no coffee when you come home...
H: Ok done.

(Some 45 mins later)
H: Hey... A colleague will be coming along. He has to attend a con call
Me: But milk...
H: I am at the ATM. Will be there in 5 mins
Me: Milk???
H: No problem...
Me: Did you buy milk?
H: No problem..I 'll get it
Me: stares confused

(A few minutes late H walks in with the colleague. After having introduced him and after the aforesaid colleague begins to attend his phone call...)

Me: Milk?
H: No problem...I ' ll get it.
Me: DID YOU OR DID N"T YOU BUY MILK?
H: No
Me: Then I ll go get it..you tend to your colleague...

(As an after thought comes back and asks H)

Me: Hey..Is this person the...
H: Yes...he's the group head
Me:What???
H:Yes ('matter of factly')
Me: This person...
H: Yes
Me: He rides a bike???
H:Yes
Me: Are you sure??
H: Go buy milk

(I come back after sometime)
H: Actually...no one would believe that he is the head...
Me: blinks

In the meantime V enters from nowhere, finds the helmet of the guest and screams..
Appaaa....puthu elmet (new helmet)!

To the beach..to the beach!

2009-10-12T12:15:00.001+05:30

V loves space. And more so if it is the beach! Thankfully, we only live a few kilometers away from one of Chennai's beaches (Not that the distance would deter the little mister from bawling and cajoling us into taking him there!) The following is a instant-by-instant recollection of his experiences...

Instant One:
Many many months back. His first trip was late in the evening and only in the periphery (thanks to his obsessive amma), a skating rink so to say. V spent most of his time blinking as he could n't figure out what sort of place it was...And this followed for the next few months. After that it was only an 'ice-cream attraction'!

Instant two:
Few months later. Amma became bold enough to take V in day light. The little one was astounded at the sea. He kept saying..."evalo thuutha" (so much water). However he refused to climb down from his appa's shoulder and kept himself only to the 'merry-go-round'.

Instant three:
V walks on the sand only asking to be picked up minutes later. He loves the sea and allows us to carry him as we stand in the water but refuses to let his legs touch the water.

Instant four:
V does the routine walking-a-little on the sand, merry-go-round, and in addition manges to stand in the water for a minute and asks to be carried until we walk out of the beach.
This goes back and forth until the following after which affection for beach takes supersonic proportions.

Present situation:
V walks all the way to the merry-go-round, does his filmy ta-ta bye-bye while he sits on a ridiculously pink 'scooter'. Gets down, walks all by himself to the water, stands among the waves holding his appa's hands and walks all the way back.

Yesterday, this took another turn.

V does every thing mentioned under 'present situation' up to 'holding his appa's hands'. Then, he asks to be left alone...yes...alone in the water, wants to go further in (until the cops come about wielding their lathis at those who 'intended' to swim') refuses to come out of the water, does so after being literally carried out, walks all the way back and says...aathukku nooooo (no home).

It's (Play) school time!

2009-10-06T12:12:00.001+05:30

The dreaded days have arrived. V began going to play school since 'Vijayadasami'. Before I begin babbling on that experience a few sentences on how we came about choosing the school.

For starters, I ,yes, I did n't even look up a list of playschools nor did I do any extensive research. Though, even when V was an infant people kept asking about my choice of play schools and schools, the reason we decided upon his present school was primarily the distance and secondly (also a very important factor) the credentials received from a few very close friends. So that was it. Some time in April (if this is a little too much...well I have to display my sense of obsession some where!) I registered V's name for admissions in October! Needless to say, the school people called me June to tell me that the admissions are beginning the next day only to be reminded (gently) that I wanted to put my son in school ONLY ON VIJAYADASAMI DAY! Even in April, I was asked to admit V in June since he would be nearing two years then (The school takes children aged 22 months and older). But we wanted him to be at least 27 months. He was a few days shy when he actually joined.

Anyway...now back to the dreaded day. We have been preparing V for over a month about school. Thankfully, his three year old best friend goes to the same place so it was easier to convince V. Whenever we took him to the school (to get the form, pay fees etc) he expected us to leave him there and go back home. He wanted to stay with the rabbits and the slide. However, the tough amma was n't convinced. I've read all those books you see...So I was prepared for the eventual first day crying.

A week before school, miraculously, V got back to his regular morning potty routine (for over a month before that, he seemed to have suddenly forgotten his potty habits-this is in itself is a big story and I guess it is best kept 'un-posted'!). Also, his breakfast and lunch routines were back (these had become irregular with the Navarithiri week and many other uncalled for interferences!)

The school provided him with a bag and coincidentally his water bottle, which we had purchased long before, and his snack box were of matching colors and it only added to his and his amma's excitement. (According to H this order has to be reversed). I attended an orientation a few days before the first day (with strict instructions that only the parent must attend without the child) and blinked through all the instructions and informations. Again...I've read all those books and articles you see...So I was preparing for the unexpected!

I accompanied him to school the first day and was asked to stay through all the activities. We were there for about 45 mins and V became clingy. Actually he wanted to go out and play on the slide. Inside, he wanted to come out. Once outside he refused to come home!

Day 2: We went at nine and I was asked to wait outside with other parents. V did not cry. A lot of other children cried and were sent home withing half an hour V and a few other children stayed for another hour. He again refused to come home. The next morning, however, he became cranky, and I was sure that the previous day's behavior was only a flash in the pan and that he would cry today. I've read all about these you see. He walked into school and did n't turn back to say a bye. I was asked to wait again. The children who cried the previous day cried again and were sent home. An hour later I was called. Iwent all geared up to taking the crying child home only to be told that he was doing fine and I could come back an hour later.

The same continued the following day. The long weekend began and V, got up and said 'kooluku ponum (want to go to school).

The following Monday saw no change. the next day either. I in fact, left him, came home and picked him up only at 11:00. Today I was told that from tomorrow he would be in the regular 9:30-11:30 batch. He was keen on picking up his bag but refused to look in my direction and refused to come home. I was thankful to hear that there were two or three other children who cried when asked to go home. But, but and but...I've read a lot you see....I am expecting a 'cry-day' sooner or later.

Wait...Should n't I be happy that my little one is excited to go to school...that he is not clinging to his amma... that he does n't cry... that it would be easier for him to make that transition from home to the outside world? Or...Am I sad that all these are happening...Did the books or websites I read say anything more?? Do I need a therapist? Did I mention something about the dreaded days...well...they are for me.

Of mosquito bites

2009-09-24T15:28:00.002+05:30

The swine flu scare made me stock bottles of eucalyptus oil and sprinkle the oil wherever in the house and this has helped tackled another problem. Mosquitoes seem to bite less! This does n't seem to be a repellent but is as effective. Anyway... the problem is the damage they've already done.

V looks like he has rashes on his legs, whereas the truth is that they are scars from repeated scratching. Initially we were worried but later learnt that it is common and the marks take time to go away. We now take care to protect him from bites as they are more dangerous than scars.

I have been applying Lacto-calamine on the scars in the night and it is pretty effective. I guess (Ok the H said so) the zinc whatever in the lotion reduces itching. The little one does n't scratch much, these days. I also apply a moisturizer in the morning to prevent flaking.

What I consider more dangerous are the questions posed in this regard. Tired of answering (even if what I say is what doctors also say) them, I now dress V in trousers whenever we go out. Thankfully, he is co-operative.

Wish I was an Ostrich...

2009-09-24T15:14:00.003+05:30

... and am glad that most of us moms think so. My friend had come home for navaratiri and she had left both her children at her aunt's place. The younger one, who is a year old never seems to sleep during the day and is giving my friend a really tough time. She sleeps for hardly an hour a day and stays awake until eleven in the night (I am not alone!). But yesterday my friend came simply because the little one was fast asleep...at a relative's place. For all the time we spend 'you-know-he/she-likes/does not like', these brats love to embarrass their moms.

V loves cheese slices and hates anyone (read his parents) 'helping' him remove the slice from the wrapper. A month back a relative had come and V was about to open the wrapper. I know the relative well and told her, with a straight intelligent face, that he gets angry if anyone tried to help him. The unpredictable puppeteer did the unexpected....he gave the unopened cheese slice to the relative and asked her to remove the wrapper.

Of thaak uuu and choyee..

2009-09-22T15:15:00.001+05:30

Well well and well...I can lift my collar up and give myself (and also H, poor fellow) a pat on the back. All our efforts from, when V was a small baby, in practicing courtesies have paid off. We are receiving reciprocation for all the 'Thank yous' and 'Sorrys' we had repeatedly used to teach V some lessons in manners. He manages to say "thaak uu', sometimes even without prompting. Sorry or in his words Choyee came a little late, a few weeks back, to be used regularly, whenever he drops his food, scribbles on the wall or throws a toy down.

Whenever V wants water he would run to the water can, hold a tumbler beneath the tap, open the tap and shout for his amma or appa because he does n't know how to close it. If he finishes it he'll get a 'good-boy' or a stern (or that is what I think) stare if he thinks he is playing with the water by pouring it down.

A few days back he wanted water and as usual called for his amma after opening the tap.

I did n't know whether to rejoice or get angry when after I had closed the tap he said 'thaak uu' and immediately poured the water down and said 'choyee'.