Love me for me

Don't say you love my eyes
One day it may not be bright;
Don't say you love my smile
Today it may be a million dollar one
but am afraid it wont stay so;
Don't say you love my dimple
It might fade away with age;
Dear, just love me for its me
And for love's eternity;
For I do so, to you;

Do you know what your kid thinks?

It was just another day and it was time to prepare dinner. These days, after two kids I rarely get enthusiastic about cooking. And that was one of those rare days and I decided to make aloo gobi and phulka. My younger one started his nap at around 6.15 and I rushed to the kitchen. Cleaning the gobi and putting it in boiled water, making the dough and cutting two onions was all I could do before my younger one woke up. So I had to leave everything as it was and wait for my sister to come. When she came after about half an hour, I handed over my younger one and went back to the kitchen. And yes, that was surprising that I still had that enthusiasm. Orelse I would have kept the gobi in the fridge and settled with pickle and roti. Or in a better case would have handed over the job of cooking to my sister, with the condition that she should'nt ask for any instructions. If accidentally she asks, I would say "boil and put salt" :))
Well, back to the main stuff...I made aloo gobi and started rolling phulkas. May be because of some vibrations..my elder one wanted to do some cooking. He picked up few pans, spoons, little of the dough and little flour and started cooking in the living room. Yes, it was cooking, a noisy cooking indeed, for there was much mixing going on. My younger one too joined with his brother. I had to give him two small pans and spoons to avoid any ruffle. It was rather a rock concert in my living room. And again astonishingly I was not getting mad with the noise. After a while I told my kids, "It seems you both enjoy cooking. Am happy that after few years I wont have to cook. I could sit and relax while you both cook". My elder one retorted immediately "What job is this amma, I dont like. You cook and then compell me to eat." Myself and my sister looked at each other in astonishment. We were spell bound. I just finished making phulkas with those words echoing in my ears. It was definitely a different interpretation which I never imagined.

Loss of a loved one

My dear childhood friend has lost her father. Its very hard to digest. He was ill and I know how hard my friend and her family tried to make him recover. How much I prayed and hoped for the best. And things took a very ugly turn and I could not just accept it. I know how much uncle did for his family. Bringing up his kids - my friend and her brother and sister. He gave the best to them. And now one day he is not there...not for a few days, but permanently..I remember uncle very well and its hard for me to accept the fact that I can see him no more. And at this point I think of my friend, how much she must be feeling, her sister and brother who are sister and brother for me too....what about aunty? I just want to hug my friend and just be there for her..But situation is such that am not near her...But my heart is with her and all my thoughts and love is there for her...Though I cannot go, my thoughts are there and there alone...I tried calling her, but she didnt answer my call...And in a way thats fine as I am completely clueless what to talk...Can I give a hug over phone? Can I hold her hand and sit quietly over the phone? I know its an irrepairable loss, which will hurt forever, forever and forever. I pray for uncle's soul to rest in peace. I want to pray for my friend and her family..But how? Will any amount of prayer do anything to lessen my friend's grief? NO, NEVER, loss is a loss forever...And my dear friend, am there with you...thats all I cud say...

Friendly chat

"When a friend calls to me from the road
And slows his horse to a meaning walk,
I don't stand still and look around
On all the hills I haven't hoed,
And shout from where I am, What is it?
No, not as there is a time to talk.
I thrust my hoe in the mellow ground,
Blade-end up and five feet tall,
And plod: I go up to the stone wall
For a friendly visit."

This is an excellent poem by Robert Frost. I have read many poems by Robert Frost and also few more poets, (thanks to my dad and granddad for having given many books). This poem especially comes to my mind very often. I feel its very apt for the present day lifestyle. We all have friends and ofcourse we love to spend time with friends. But in reality does it happen? If so how frequently and for how long? Do we immerse ourselves in the sweet memories of the past or do we just talk about the present - the chores, the lack of time, and so on.
I feel this poem becomes a reality, where people are ready to leave the work for few minutes and talk happily with friends and loved ones. And I wish and hope that this is possible in the present day lifestyle, or more aptly "workstyle" as I feel there is no life as such!!!!!!!

Time for your near and dear ones

How many times do we say that we are busy and short of time, and postpond small things? It might be making a phone call, visiting a loved one, sending a mail etc. And those things never happen. Time is such an incredible treasure which is equally given to each and every individual. Do we realize its value? Just because we do a monotonous thing- doing our job, does not mean that we utilize time fully. We might be thinking that we are busy with so many things to be done. But does that leave an impact on our near and dear ones? Making a phone call and asking "how are you" passes on many a message to the receiver. He/she is happy that you think of them, care for them and love them. That does have a significant impact on their lives and in turn good for you too.
Sparing a few minutes amidst your work is not going to affect your work. If you are forever busy you will always remain so. But those few moments mean a lot to the other person. So now, stop saying am busy to make a call or to send a mail. The lightest change and effort will work wonders. Afterall life is all about love, friendship and relations.

Note: If you are on the receiving side please do not say 'am buzy and will talk later'. If you have to say so, do remember the 'later' part.

Save water for YOUR future

With global warming and melting glaciers, a basic resource is on the danger of depletion. Its the life of every life on earth-Water. As scientists do research and leaders of the Nations talk about saving resources, reducing global warming, saving the planet earth, what do we need to do as inhabitant of this planet. We as an individual have the moral responsibility of saving the resources we enjoy today, for the future generations. This could be achieved in easy day-to-day activities. I just give a small list of steps we can take for our own advantage as well as for the future.

• Keep the tap closed while brushing and gargling, using a small cup of water for the same.
  
• Keep the shower closed while shampooing and also fit water efficient shower-heads available today. More better is to use a bucket to take bath.
• Collect the water used to rinse vegetables, fruits, rice and lentils and use it for watering plants, cleaning the sink, soaking etc.
• Use a tub or bucket to rinse vessels while washing by hand. Run the dish washer with full load.
• Run the laundry only with full load. This saves power and cuts your bill too.
• Mopping the floor cleans well without wasting water.
• Check for leaking pipes and taps and fix without delay, if any.
• Use a small cup of water to wash hands after meals rather than washing under running water.
• Use water wisely not only in your own house or land, but also when you stay in hotels or others' houses. Water wasted anywhere contributes to water loss from the earth thereby affecting us.
• Use the water poured at the bottom of pressure cookers after cooking for cleaning vegetables, soaking etc.
• Ice from ice trays could be used for cleaning, watering plants instead of just dropping into drain or defrosting.
  
• Flush the toilet only when necessary. Don't flush just to clear a tissue paper, instead use the trash. Also half-flush when appropriate.
• Wipe cars or bikes with wet cloth or use a commercial car wash which recycles water.
• Think thrice before pouring water just like that into the drain. It will certainly help us have sufficient water for our basic need-drinking, in the future. After all we do not want to suffer from thirst anytime of our life.
• Instruct children to close the faucets properly and enlighten them about water conservation. Watch small kids while they brush and take bath.
• Above all, save the rain water given by nature itself without letting it go waste. Do rain water harvesting in the buildings.
  

Following these small tips can save liters of water without any loss for us. Above is just a negligible list of things we can do to save water. Please think and you will discover many more ideas.

Each drop of water saved today is for our own future, our own kids and grand kids.
Think and act wisely.

தமிழ் புத்தாண்டு

நிகழ்ந்தவை நினைவாக

வருபவை வளமாக
தீமைகள் தீர்ந்திட
நன்மைகள் நிறைந்திட
சுயநலம் சுருங்கிட
பொதுநலம் பெருகிட
வையத்து மாந்தரெல்லாம்
வளம் பெற்று வாழ்ந்திட
வாழ்த்துபல சொல்லி
வருக புத்தாண்டே!

குறிப்பு: 2007 புத்தாண்டுக்கு நான் எழுதியது.

My son's graduation

Today I feel so great and happy. My elder son graduated from his preschool, yes preschool :)
Graduation is no longer limited to attaining one's degree...it actually means the rite of passage- the ritual of passing on to the next higher level. Hence its appropriate in my son's preschool as the senior kids are passing on to the next level, big school, to the big world and to bigger responsibilities. The kids were feeling very special that they beamed and were glowing.
There also was a program, "couples of national integrity" in which the kids came as couples of different states of India. It was a splendid sight to see the kids clad as brides and grooms, walking the stage as couples and announcing which state they were from. My son was a UttarPradesh groom today. He looked absolutely handsome and royal. His words came out sharp and clear in the mike "We are from Uttar Pradesh". I felt very glad to watch him, indeed beamed inside.

Then the kids sang a song and then was the main event of the day, graduation. The chief guest Mrs.Usha, Principal of India International school gave away the graduation certificates. The kids also sang "the small light of mine" with a torch held in their hands.
It was a great day altogether and I ennjjooyyed every moment of the function in my beloved son's school. This day will forever remain green in my heart, even after my son gets many degrees later.

Dreaming doesnt harm, right?

Img:Thanks Internet

A day has reached its end and the sun is ready to set in around an hour or so. The cuckoo staying in my clock coos 5 times. I am in my kitchen amidst the flavour of the boiling tea. No sooner did I switch off the burner than my son shouts in joy "Appa Appa". Here my sweet heart enters the door with a warm smile. He picks up my son, turns towards me and says " hi Darling, where's the little one?" "He is sleeping dear", with that I peek at my younger one to make sure he is comfortably sleeping. My husband changes and comes as I bring the tray of tea and milk for my elder son. We sit together, chit chat about the day and enjoy the tea time.

Most joyful thing

I was out of my blog for long. But thats for a valid and good reason. I had my second baby, a lovely boy. My first boy is a cute kid of age 4. I had both joyful and frustrating times with my two boys. And let me hurry up, I just have 15 min in my hand...I had put my baby to sleep and waiting for my big boy to come back from his preschool.
I feel the most joyful thing in the world is to lie down next to your baby and talk with him. The way he responds with alls his coos... and he moves his arms and legs to express himself..I feel so much love in those movements. I could understand his each movement and "words". Such a lovely and joyful feeling making my heart sink in a puddle of icy cold chocolate-wow.. :) And I also wonder his love is unconditional, unaware of many things which people expect to love each other..The baby's love is so innocent and so true..I wish I could enjoy each and every fraction of a moment with my baby. And here I hear my big prince's van and I sign off now..see you take care