1. for starters- insist that you should be back the same night. So that your Sunday is not disturbed
2. Go unprepared so that you don't have to stay there in case of emergency. Also get just enough clothes for the kids to last for that day only
3. Take a book to read on the way and in Pondy and then don't read it
4. Stop at your prawn farm if you have one or else stop at any prawn farm on the way and take a lot of pictures for blogging purpose (that can be posted as a separate post)
5. Insist that you have lunch (prawns) outside and not get cornered into making dosa yet again.
6. Take an auto and go shopping with the kids and MIL and end up getting frustrated at the way the kids are pulling down bales of cloth and stepping on them. Buy common stuff like rubbersheets and white cloth for redoing your dirty (pee, puke, drool stained) pillows - that way your need for retail therapy gets cured without hitting you really badly
7. Finally bargain with the dholak wallah that you see on every trip to Pondy- he will start with 300 plus for the smallest dholak and you start with 50 bucks and continue shopping. After coming out of the shop- scan the surroundings for the aforementioned dholak wallah and deliberately go in his direction if he hasn't already appeared in front of you apparently out of nowhere. Just before getting into the auto to go home, agree for Rs 100 a piece and pick up two- Now this strategy serves many purposes- you get a good bargain, you don't have to carry it all around while shopping and the kids finally stop troubling you.
8. Prepare for going back- get packed and ready and plan to eat in a restaurant on the way back.
9. When hubby informs that he needs to return next morning for an hour long early morning meeting, make a big fuss and then work out the mathematics and agree to stay back on one condition that he buys your night dress and clothes for next day and dinner and promises to leave for Chennai next morning by 10 am. (Actually it would have been cheaper if he just went back and returned next day by bus)
10. Put the kids to sleep (using the newly bought rubber cloth) and go for a drive by the beach and a midnight dinner at GRT and finally get your hubby to yourself.
11. When all plans of leaving by 10 am goes kaput because the hour long meeting converts into just a long meeting, manage to stay as long as it takes for the chicken to get cooked (by MIL), grab the hubby for a shopping trip as soon as he is free and go for the Pudhumai exhibition (Pondy Handicraft) oppostie Gandhi statue on the beach (the empty tents were seen courtsey the midnight drive on the beach and a clever guess was made that there might be an exhibition going on).
12. Spend lots of money on buying almost all the wooden puzzles that you were rooting for since the past few months (and post the pics in another post). Also manage to collect their business card so that in case of emergency they may be contacted for buying puzzles (this the husband failed to do when he bought the puzzles last time and I had been looking allover Pondy just in case I spotted the shop somewhere).
13. Go back in generally high spirits which will leave the husband wondering whether the fuss last night was just to get him to buy you new clothes.
Optional: One could also buy mosambi from the fruit stall located right next to the building (conveniently) and make lots of mosambi juice which the kids will decide for once not to look at and therefore will be gulped down by self (because hubby is in a meeting)
The Scorpios
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
From Incredible to Unstoppable
Shobhaa De's Superstar India was a marathon read. I enjoyed it, well, I wouldn't read it again and again like I do with fiction, and neither was it a page turner like a thriller, but yes it made me feel proud and protective about India and she has echoed my thoughts and sentiments of having faith in India, never giving up on my country and believing that it's a very good time to be an Indian in India! Yes, she restored my faith, she told me what I wanted to hear about India.
The narration is peppered with anecdotes- personal ones, stuff which are largely unreported, stuff which possibly a common (wo)man like me might blog about but because she is Shobhaa De, she has written about! The way we say- anecdotes that are good enough to fill a book.
Like I said, in my opinion, it is not a page turner- meant to be taken a few pages at a time, absorbed, relished, understood, reflected, relate.... therefore it took me relatively longer to finish.
The narration is peppered with anecdotes- personal ones, stuff which are largely unreported, stuff which possibly a common (wo)man like me might blog about but because she is Shobhaa De, she has written about! The way we say- anecdotes that are good enough to fill a book.
Like I said, in my opinion, it is not a page turner- meant to be taken a few pages at a time, absorbed, relished, understood, reflected, relate.... therefore it took me relatively longer to finish.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Good Food, Good Gossip and a Makeover...
...What more does a girl need!
And that too when it's done on a working day.
Went to City Centre on one afternoon and met up AD for a lunch and some fun in Lifestyle Stores.
We looked at the various groups of people at City centre and wondered how many of them were like us bunking office and chilling out in the mall.
We wanted to try out something at the foodcourt but what to do? Our favourite Copper Chimmney followed us there also. We had a good meal of Panchranga kabab platter which has a good selection of 8 kababs, a mutton rogan josh and rotis with lots of papads. We had a hearty gossip session and wistfully noticed a mother of 2 sitting at a table and just wished, for once it pays to be an SAHM. Take the kids out any afternoon of your choice and chill out in a near empty restaurant.
We straight went down to Lifestyle's cosmetic section and zeroed onto the Maybelline counter to attempt to cross out one of the points on my things-to-do-before-I-am-40 list. Yes, there was a makeover session on. So for the first time in my life, I allowed myself to be silly- sit perched on that stool behind the counter- with a large silver mirror and get made-up - allow them to pamper me, praise me (which they are trained to do I suppose), and ignore the wierd looks that other shoppers gave me- well, I have done that before so what is given, comes back to you right!
We sat across each other so that we could observe the various steps in doing make-up and find out if the concealers and loose powders really made a difference.
We got concealers, loose powders eye shadow- dual - grey & brown, eye liner above and eye pencil below, mascara, lip liner, lip color, lip gloss, blusher... We tried various combos of eye shadows and I was given secret tips on which actress preferred which eye shadow! As if that made a difference to my purchase choice!
Ok, for once I felt I wouldn't look out of place in a City Centre kind of place! All made- up and browsing at the uppity stores!
I did a few purchases- lipsticks as usual and got nailpolishes free.. Now anyone would have thought I am going to buy the entire range of make-up products but no- the predictable me bought only lipsticks. Why did I bother with the makeover then?
Anyway, I am glad I know which eye shadows will suit me so that I can take that kit out and mix colours.
Ok don't make me tell the various steps in make-up- go here for makeup and here for some tips on eye shadow shades.
PS- the jute bag in black and silver - my birthday-let's say- perk, is lovely- thanks!
And that too when it's done on a working day.
Went to City Centre on one afternoon and met up AD for a lunch and some fun in Lifestyle Stores.
We looked at the various groups of people at City centre and wondered how many of them were like us bunking office and chilling out in the mall.
We wanted to try out something at the foodcourt but what to do? Our favourite Copper Chimmney followed us there also. We had a good meal of Panchranga kabab platter which has a good selection of 8 kababs, a mutton rogan josh and rotis with lots of papads. We had a hearty gossip session and wistfully noticed a mother of 2 sitting at a table and just wished, for once it pays to be an SAHM. Take the kids out any afternoon of your choice and chill out in a near empty restaurant.
We straight went down to Lifestyle's cosmetic section and zeroed onto the Maybelline counter to attempt to cross out one of the points on my things-to-do-before-I-am-40 list. Yes, there was a makeover session on. So for the first time in my life, I allowed myself to be silly- sit perched on that stool behind the counter- with a large silver mirror and get made-up - allow them to pamper me, praise me (which they are trained to do I suppose), and ignore the wierd looks that other shoppers gave me- well, I have done that before so what is given, comes back to you right!
We sat across each other so that we could observe the various steps in doing make-up and find out if the concealers and loose powders really made a difference.
We got concealers, loose powders eye shadow- dual - grey & brown, eye liner above and eye pencil below, mascara, lip liner, lip color, lip gloss, blusher... We tried various combos of eye shadows and I was given secret tips on which actress preferred which eye shadow! As if that made a difference to my purchase choice!
Ok, for once I felt I wouldn't look out of place in a City Centre kind of place! All made- up and browsing at the uppity stores!
I did a few purchases- lipsticks as usual and got nailpolishes free.. Now anyone would have thought I am going to buy the entire range of make-up products but no- the predictable me bought only lipsticks. Why did I bother with the makeover then?
Anyway, I am glad I know which eye shadows will suit me so that I can take that kit out and mix colours.
Ok don't make me tell the various steps in make-up- go here for makeup and here for some tips on eye shadow shades.
PS- the jute bag in black and silver - my birthday-let's say- perk, is lovely- thanks!
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
tag
I have been tagged by Phoenix Ritu &
Mamma Mia me a Mamma
The rules for the tag are:
RULE #1 People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs and replace any question that they dislike with a new question formulated by themselves.
RULE #2 Tag 6 people to do this quiz and those who are tagged cannot refuse. These people must state who they were tagged by and cannot tag the person whom they were tagged by continue this game by sending it to other people.
1. If your lover betrayed you what would your reaction be?
I would throw a fit
2. If you have a dream come true, what would it be?
A palatial bunglow in the heart of the city, a world trip.. I could go on and on
3. If you could, whose butt would you like to kick?
I can't say it aloud here
4. What would you do with a billion dollars?
Invest, travel, property, give some to the husband for his business
5. Will you fall in love with your best friend?
I did with on of the "best" friends.
6. Which is more blessed: loving someone or being loved by someone?
Both
7. How long do you intend to wait for someone you love?
Passed that stage
8. If the person you secretly like is attached, what will you do?
No choice in this matter right?
9. If you could root for one social cause, what would it be?
Literacy
10. Do you lie?
Of course!
11. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Probably I will still be married to Chennai- boo hoo hoo
12. What’s your fear?
Don't want to tell and attract evil eye
13. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?
Bindaas!!!
14. Would you rather be single and rich or married and poor?
Single and rich of course! If married and rich is not an option. Let's say Single, rich and having a torrid affair!
15. If you fall in love with two people simultaneously who will you pick?
The one who will respond!! Well, I will think long term, the one who is more stable, the one who reciprocates my feelings and the one who is taller!
16. Would you give all in a relationship?
No not everything, but definitely what is neccesary
17. Would you forgive and forget someone no matter how horrible a thing he has done?
Forgive yes, but not forget. Will keep my guards up for future trouble always.
18. Do you prefer being single or in a relationship?
In a relationship ( see 14 above)
19. Your all time favourite song. Only ONE. And why?
Selecting only one is like blasphemy for a music lover like me.
20. I TAG ...
JLT
Andy
Gauri
Sue
How do we Know
Monika Ansh
Mama Mia
Mamma Mia me a Mamma
The rules for the tag are:
RULE #1 People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs and replace any question that they dislike with a new question formulated by themselves.
RULE #2 Tag 6 people to do this quiz and those who are tagged cannot refuse. These people must state who they were tagged by and cannot tag the person whom they were tagged by continue this game by sending it to other people.
1. If your lover betrayed you what would your reaction be?
I would throw a fit
2. If you have a dream come true, what would it be?
A palatial bunglow in the heart of the city, a world trip.. I could go on and on
3. If you could, whose butt would you like to kick?
I can't say it aloud here
4. What would you do with a billion dollars?
Invest, travel, property, give some to the husband for his business
5. Will you fall in love with your best friend?
I did with on of the "best" friends.
6. Which is more blessed: loving someone or being loved by someone?
Both
7. How long do you intend to wait for someone you love?
Passed that stage
8. If the person you secretly like is attached, what will you do?
No choice in this matter right?
9. If you could root for one social cause, what would it be?
Literacy
10. Do you lie?
Of course!
11. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Probably I will still be married to Chennai- boo hoo hoo
12. What’s your fear?
Don't want to tell and attract evil eye
13. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?
Bindaas!!!
14. Would you rather be single and rich or married and poor?
Single and rich of course! If married and rich is not an option. Let's say Single, rich and having a torrid affair!
15. If you fall in love with two people simultaneously who will you pick?
The one who will respond!! Well, I will think long term, the one who is more stable, the one who reciprocates my feelings and the one who is taller!
16. Would you give all in a relationship?
No not everything, but definitely what is neccesary
17. Would you forgive and forget someone no matter how horrible a thing he has done?
Forgive yes, but not forget. Will keep my guards up for future trouble always.
18. Do you prefer being single or in a relationship?
In a relationship ( see 14 above)
19. Your all time favourite song. Only ONE. And why?
Selecting only one is like blasphemy for a music lover like me.
20. I TAG ...
JLT
Andy
Gauri
Sue
How do we Know
Monika Ansh
Mama Mia
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Of Cars and Songs and Lady-Man
Teacher- Have you bought a new TV?
Us- No
Teacher- Ojas & Tejas were mentioning you got a bi.....g TV.
Us- That's the movie they went to!
Teacher- Have you bought a new car.
Dad- Yes...we
Me- Glare, Glare ...looks that say, now how is she supposed to know that we are thinking of buying a car
Teacher- Yellow car?
Me- Sigh, that's the toy they bought from the store.
(Thank God the teachers don't think we are a bunch of liars)
Apparently this is what the kids enlighten the teachers during "conversation" class. Wonder what secrets are being let out!
Ojas- Mamma sing Na na na... (this is Rock on, Meri laundry ka ek bill song)
Mamma- tunelessly sings Na na na na to the tune of We don't need no education...
Ojas- No, aise nahin, wrong
Mamma- so you sing and tell me how.
Ojas- sings Na na na perfectly, in tune!
Yes I am amazed baby
Tejas to Mamma- Give me Thanda pani (cold water), thoda sa misking karo- (mix a little bit normal temperature water)
Tejas to Dadda- Mamma giving thanda pani, Mamma bad girl
Tejas to Mamma- kaun thanda pani finish kar diya? (who finished the entire cold water)
Now what is his problem!
Mamma filled water in a glass and left it on the kitchen platform for Tejas to pick up.
As it often happens while taking the glass, he dropped it and water spilled on the platform.
Before Mamma could scream at him, he started crying- kyon big kiya? small karo. (why did you fill it so much, fill only little)
This coming from someone who insists I give "big" water and not "small" everytime I give him water.
We were test driving the Scorpio
Mamma- is this a nice car?
Ojas- this no car this Jeep
Yes off course- excuse me while I feel ashamed of my ignorance
Mamma has been adviced to introduced atleast 5 new words every few days to Ojas & Tejas
So Mamma starts with introducing the concept of Gentleman & Lady
Mamma- who is Ojas
Ojas- Gentleman
Mamma- who is Tejas
Tejas- Gentleman
Mamma- And Mamma?
Both- Lady
Mamma- And Dadda?
Both- Lady-Man!!
Ah Well, don't let your Dad hear that will you!
Their Time-Out location is the Bean Bag.
Once in frustration Mamma said- Mamma is getting time out now, she will sit here and not talk to anybody and only cry
Ojas smiling indulgently- Ab Ojas? (now shall I take time-out?)
By the way, they love givng each other time out!
The teacher adviced us to focus on their pencil grip.
Well, I don't think I need to do that.
Just saw Ojas calling Tejas- Tejas come here, we do painting.
He took a tiny chalk piece and demonstarted how he is supposed to hold the chalk piece correctly between the thumb and index finger and then pushed it into Tejas' hands who held it correctly, and then proceeded to paint on the book.
My job just became easier
Us- No
Teacher- Ojas & Tejas were mentioning you got a bi.....g TV.
Us- That's the movie they went to!
Teacher- Have you bought a new car.
Dad- Yes...we
Me- Glare, Glare ...looks that say, now how is she supposed to know that we are thinking of buying a car
Teacher- Yellow car?
Me- Sigh, that's the toy they bought from the store.
(Thank God the teachers don't think we are a bunch of liars)
Apparently this is what the kids enlighten the teachers during "conversation" class. Wonder what secrets are being let out!
Ojas- Mamma sing Na na na... (this is Rock on, Meri laundry ka ek bill song)
Mamma- tunelessly sings Na na na na to the tune of We don't need no education...
Ojas- No, aise nahin, wrong
Mamma- so you sing and tell me how.
Ojas- sings Na na na perfectly, in tune!
Yes I am amazed baby
Tejas to Mamma- Give me Thanda pani (cold water), thoda sa misking karo- (mix a little bit normal temperature water)
Tejas to Dadda- Mamma giving thanda pani, Mamma bad girl
Tejas to Mamma- kaun thanda pani finish kar diya? (who finished the entire cold water)
Now what is his problem!
Mamma filled water in a glass and left it on the kitchen platform for Tejas to pick up.
As it often happens while taking the glass, he dropped it and water spilled on the platform.
Before Mamma could scream at him, he started crying- kyon big kiya? small karo. (why did you fill it so much, fill only little)
This coming from someone who insists I give "big" water and not "small" everytime I give him water.
We were test driving the Scorpio
Mamma- is this a nice car?
Ojas- this no car this Jeep
Yes off course- excuse me while I feel ashamed of my ignorance
Mamma has been adviced to introduced atleast 5 new words every few days to Ojas & Tejas
So Mamma starts with introducing the concept of Gentleman & Lady
Mamma- who is Ojas
Ojas- Gentleman
Mamma- who is Tejas
Tejas- Gentleman
Mamma- And Mamma?
Both- Lady
Mamma- And Dadda?
Both- Lady-Man!!
Ah Well, don't let your Dad hear that will you!
Their Time-Out location is the Bean Bag.
Once in frustration Mamma said- Mamma is getting time out now, she will sit here and not talk to anybody and only cry
Ojas smiling indulgently- Ab Ojas? (now shall I take time-out?)
By the way, they love givng each other time out!
The teacher adviced us to focus on their pencil grip.
Well, I don't think I need to do that.
Just saw Ojas calling Tejas- Tejas come here, we do painting.
He took a tiny chalk piece and demonstarted how he is supposed to hold the chalk piece correctly between the thumb and index finger and then pushed it into Tejas' hands who held it correctly, and then proceeded to paint on the book.
My job just became easier
Mamma- Do you want to speak to Mamu (on phone)
Both eagerly take the phone and say- Mamu? Mamu dehendal (rowdy), Mamu Bandar (monkey), Mamu pitti (slap, proceeds to hit the phone)
???? what did my poor brother do to them?
Mausi- Mausi going home?
Ojas- nahin pehle khana kha lo(first eat your lunch)
Perfect hosts!
Monday, October 06, 2008
What are We Playing With Nowadays
Sound of Music
This mini key board costed us a 100 bucks- has pre set tunes of 7-8 rhymes and songs. A switch of a button converts it to a key board that can be played. The sound is not so musical but as a first keyboard it will do fine.
Vehicles
This mini cars and aeroplanes made of colorful moulded plastic. (See pic above) Costed about 50 bucks and the car has a towing hook also. There are various models of vehicles- very realistic ones with fine mechanism- of cranes, road rollers, trucks etc - costing upto Rs 150.
And Drumrolls...finally bought the Hindi alphabet tray... Only vowels- waiting for the consonant tray
And Tejas, no matter what, will place the ऐ first and he believes if ऐ is A then ओ should be called B
25 piece complicated puzzle can be now done by self- strictly without looking at the design! And silly Mamma feeling bad that they don't need her anymore to help in the puzzles!
This mini key board costed us a 100 bucks- has pre set tunes of 7-8 rhymes and songs. A switch of a button converts it to a key board that can be played. The sound is not so musical but as a first keyboard it will do fine.
Vehicles
This mini cars and aeroplanes made of colorful moulded plastic. (See pic above) Costed about 50 bucks and the car has a towing hook also. There are various models of vehicles- very realistic ones with fine mechanism- of cranes, road rollers, trucks etc - costing upto Rs 150.
And Drumrolls...finally bought the Hindi alphabet tray... Only vowels- waiting for the consonant tray
And Tejas, no matter what, will place the ऐ first and he believes if ऐ is A then ओ should be called B
25 piece complicated puzzle can be now done by self- strictly without looking at the design! And silly Mamma feeling bad that they don't need her anymore to help in the puzzles!
Friday, October 03, 2008
Chivalry is not Supposed to be Dead
Wife Pleasing Tips for Men
- Gallantly hold the door for her and let her pass first in the mall, restaurant, lift...
- Take lots of photographs of her when she dolls herself up- just don't let her walk out of the house without taking pictures of her from all angles
- Keep her most flattering photo on your office table, laptop desktop and wallet
- Praise her cooking- tell everyone that if I continue to eat her food, I will never have the will to diet. It serves the dual purpose of pleasing her and giving others the excuse for not being to lose weight.
- Praise her profusely when she dresses up for an occassion- even tell her you don't match next to her.
- When you go out, ensure you sit next to her and give all attention to her while talking to your friends. The key is balance. You should make her feel included all the time and ensure that she is within the circle.
- Support her, fight for her... see how AB is supporting his wife on the Hindi-Marathi issue!
- Repeat after me- so nice of you to take care of all my little little needs- what would I do without you.
- Repeat after me- How can you go alone for a week? I will miss you so badly.
- Repeat after me- I would rather be home with you than go for that Business trip to Europe
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Story Song
A new genre of story telling started in the household.
So we were reading a book and Tejas wanted me to tell a story and Ojas wanted me to sing his current favourite song which is Na na na na na na, meri laundry ka bill from rock on.
So guess what the (smart) Mamma did?
She made a story out of the pictures on the book and sang it ad-nauseum to the afore mentioned tune!
An instant hit!
So here are the rules...
Pick up a random book.
Pick up a current favourite song or rhyme.
String the words together and sing it to the tune of the favourite song or rhyme.
And lo and behold-a new story errr song is born.
So we were reading a book and Tejas wanted me to tell a story and Ojas wanted me to sing his current favourite song which is Na na na na na na, meri laundry ka bill from rock on.
So guess what the (smart) Mamma did?
She made a story out of the pictures on the book and sang it ad-nauseum to the afore mentioned tune!
An instant hit!
So here are the rules...
Pick up a random book.
Pick up a current favourite song or rhyme.
String the words together and sing it to the tune of the favourite song or rhyme.
And lo and behold-a new story errr song is born.
And here's another lullaby...
Sang to the tune of re mama, re mama...Hum to gaye bazaar se lene ko pani, pani wani kuch na mila, pechay padi...
Ojas & Tejas- Nani!!!
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Ojas Tejas Update
Dadda offered popcorn to Ojas
Ojas- Popcorn? Movie?
Mamma was telling cockroach story to Ojas & Tejas before sleeping. Suddenly Ojas screamed and started crying- Mamma godi, cockroach hai (want to sleep on Mamma lap as there is a cockroach here)
Mamma switches the light on to hunt for the aforementioned cockroach in the bed, and finds an oblong shaped clothes tag which Ojas happened to touch and thought it was a cockroach.
Love the "kabhi Kabhi Aditi" song- because there is a little billi (cat) that comes in the end
Love "Rock On" songs and will jump out from the potty seat if need be, to watch it when it comes on TV
Tejas' cycle tyre got dirty so I left it in the balcony to get it cleaned next day. He suddenly noticed his cycle was missing and I told him it's in the balcony. Since he couldn't see it in the dark, he went around complaining- phek dia chutti ka cycle (you threw away my cycle?)
Then proceeded to complain to Dadda- Mamma, cycle, throw, outside. Mamma Bad Girl.
If anyone drinks straight from the bottle, they complain- mouth se piya and point at their lips
The watchman's son was roaming around without shoes.
Tejas- see dirty, shoes nahin pehna
Then he touched the floor- again dirty kiya
Tejas slapped his friend. We asked him why he slapped her?
Tejas- toy mouth mein liya
Ojas- Popcorn? Movie?
Mamma was telling cockroach story to Ojas & Tejas before sleeping. Suddenly Ojas screamed and started crying- Mamma godi, cockroach hai (want to sleep on Mamma lap as there is a cockroach here)
Mamma switches the light on to hunt for the aforementioned cockroach in the bed, and finds an oblong shaped clothes tag which Ojas happened to touch and thought it was a cockroach.
Love the "kabhi Kabhi Aditi" song- because there is a little billi (cat) that comes in the end
Love "Rock On" songs and will jump out from the potty seat if need be, to watch it when it comes on TV
Tejas' cycle tyre got dirty so I left it in the balcony to get it cleaned next day. He suddenly noticed his cycle was missing and I told him it's in the balcony. Since he couldn't see it in the dark, he went around complaining- phek dia chutti ka cycle (you threw away my cycle?)
Then proceeded to complain to Dadda- Mamma, cycle, throw, outside. Mamma Bad Girl.
If anyone drinks straight from the bottle, they complain- mouth se piya and point at their lips
The watchman's son was roaming around without shoes.
Tejas- see dirty, shoes nahin pehna
Then he touched the floor- again dirty kiya
Tejas slapped his friend. We asked him why he slapped her?
Tejas- toy mouth mein liya
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