Waves

A friend forwarded these images. I was struck with awe... How I wished I were standing by the beach looking at them or even surfing over them :p

I do hope to learn surfing someday just to tide over these waves. Must be awesome fun and a great experience...

Enjoy Maadi :)

My Bundle of Joy

Here is the 109 Brat !!! The omnipresent one who gets shouted and screamed by all commuters and neighbours for recklessly riding his bicycle (4-wheeler actually :p).

Does he look like he listens to his parents?

Pain of Separation

I am in a wistful mood today. I did not sleep well most part of yesterday night. Aakash is down with severe case of food poisoning and I had to nurse him back to health. He was bright as a spring by the time I left for office. I thanked God with the drowsiness catching up with me as I got into the car.

My day started with meetings. Meeting with my a senior of mine left me numb in pain. Very soon, this senior at work will be leaving to the United States on a special assignment. This hit me hard. One lady I have been totally bowled out by and learnt a lot from - It is difficult to brush off the budding camradarie I was beginning to develop with her. There was so much I could learn from her. Suddenly I feel lot emptier.

For the first time, she talked about her personal life. My heart went out for her. Little does she know that I was once standing close to following that path myself.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

On the other hand, Jo is leaving the organization to join her Hero in UK. Over the last few years, Sa and Jo have grown to be part of my DNA at Target. Very difficult to replace either of them with new people. But situations sometimes force you to go look for newer relationships and friendship, find new faces and network. It is not really easy for you to go build a bond with just anyone. And this is what I am going to face not too far from today.

I am half way into this year and taking stock of my life. Lot of things have worked well till now... but looks like I am going to lose more than gain before this year ends... :(

Mother's Day - Follow Up

Now, for the other side of story. Yesterday around 8 p.m. my son was lying on my lap. He had had his dinner and was really drowsy. I lifted him in my arms like I would do a wee little baby and carried him up the stairs.

He asked me: "Amma, do you have the strength to carry me upstairs?"
I said:

"I will carry you upstairs
As long as I have some strength
But when I grow old and have no strength,
Will you care for me the same way?"

He immediately retorted "No, I will not take care of you"

Shocked, I asked "Why?"
He replied without one bit hesitation "You always shout and scream at me. That's why."

Mother's Day ended this way for me!!!

Mother's Day Gift

As was routine summer-time activity, I had planned to prepare sandige. This time I was trying out the chakli sandige - my maiden effort. I had taken guidance from someone on preparing the batter and had followed instructions accordingly. However, post lunch, when I sat down to make the chaklis, I realized that the dough was too hard.

I had to put lot of effort to press the chaklis on to the paper mat. My son, Aakash, who was "helping" me saw my efforts and said "Amma, you should not work so hard. It's a waste".

Amidst all the hardship I was facing, I could not relate his statement. I looked at him and asked "Why are you saying this?".

He said "Amma, you should not work so hard because nobody pays you for all your hardwork at home". I was stunned. To hear this from a 5 year old was amazing. I responded "Yes, I know nobody will pay me for this. But then, I also know how much you and Aditi will enjoy eating these sandiges once they are ready. I work hard so you guys get to eat tasty things".

Immediately he came running and hugged me and said "Thank you amma for making all these things for us". I felt sooooooooooo gooooooood. It was a perfect Mother's Day gift any mother would get :)

Thank you very much, Aakash