Our anniversaries so far...

It's our sixth anniversary today. While i'm freezing in the cold in one part of the world, MMW is sweating away in the other. Basically means, we're not together. Again.

We started off on a wrong note i guess. He wasn't with me for the first. Imagine. I sulked at home while he was busy serving the nation! He made it up. Even after spending sleepless nights the last couple of days, he took me for a weekend 'spur of the moment' trip to Lonavala. We had a blast. Borrowed a friends' rusty old bike and zoomed across the narrow hilly roads. 

Then, one year, i think it was our fourth, he was to be out for the entire month, but got just one day off and it happened to be our anniversary. I was thrilled. Planned out everything. Dressed up for the occasion. Me in a saree, he in a suit. Almost forced him to take me to a five star for dinner. But he seemed to be lost. His mind was in his work. He was exhausted. But we ate. 

This year, we knew well in advance that we won't be together. Few days before his departure, we went on date night. Sat at a restaurant, ordered dinner, saw a gaming parlour opposite the restaurant, played two games of air hockey and some 'kill the bad guy type' shooting game, returned to restaurant, finished the lovely chicken stroganoff, saw a movie, very violent movie, but who cares, we were seeing a movie together in a theatre after way too long... Of course all this while Ma and Tini were baby sitting!!!

Then again, I did something very corny. Wrote out a few lines for him on a social networking site on our special day. And to my utmost pleasant surprise, he reciprocated with a lovely poem. Very touching indeed and very very unlike him. 

My lines:


Six years on,
You bring a smile to my face,
Even when I'm my lowest low,
Your love strengthens me,
Support encourages me,
Yet...
It's no surprise that we aren't together today,
In the times ahead we'll make it up,
Meanwhile, i have a piece of you to nurture and love...


Happy Anniversary!


His poem:


You n I started this journey, 
Six years ago, this very day,
and just wanted to tell you, 
I wouldnt have it any other way

But true to form, once again
I cant spend this day with you
We'll make it up, and then some
Like we always do!

Thanks for a wonderful home,
the crazy dog and angel girl
Supporting me through thick n thin
You always pulled me through
and I promise you once more,
to ever be your guy,
and corny as it sounds, in prose,
to love you till i die!

Happy Anniversary

Phew...!!!

January has been crazy and it doesn't seem to be getting better. The best part is, its all fun crazy. Main reason for not being able to write the blog. 

Coping with the cold is the next major reason. I've spent many many years in the north, but ever since MMW took me away, i've become more of a coastal person. I just can't stand the cold. Let's just put it nicely, 'i'm a warm person'! Thankfully, its getting bearable now. 

Aanya's been quite a sport. From halter necks and ganji's she moved on to four layers of clothes, top and bottom. She could barely lift herself up. The first day was funny. She didn't know what hit her. After three layers came a windcheater. She couldn't even bring her hands together... cuteness personified!!! As the layers are slowly coming off, she's getting back to her mischief. I think, with a vengeance. 

There was an engagement and a 'not wedding' wedding in the family. Almost like a prelude to the main event in march. Great fun, family time, get-togethers. The Miss Purkayasthas stole the show. One of them is the bride to be. The other became famous as the 'tah-tah' baby!

MMW left for his new place of work. After so many months of having him around, its odd not having him around. On the phone it feels like he's in the next room, the truth is bitter. Bright ray of sunlight here, i'll be joining him soon! New place, faces, environment, challenges, am too excited!!! As of now, he's all alone, doing it all by himself. Wish we were together...

Happy Twenty Twelve

Some years are landmarks. 2011 was one such for me. 

Aanya happened. Main event. Life changed. Completely.  

Bashiku put on his much awaited stars. We were treated to and spoilt with some worldly pleasures!

Tini decided to take the plunge. Finally. We were introduced to some wonderful people. Soon to be family. 

Shreya evolved. As a designer. As a person. Her dream (NID) came true. 

The Ma's taught me a lot. About Mummyhood. Dealing with pressure. Believing in myself. 

MMW got transferred again. Hopefully for good two years! For once am not complaining. Yoohoo...

Friends too became parents; Left some behind, made some new ones, reconnected with some. Always kept in touch with the close ones. 

Cousins went places, accomplished a lot. Aunts and Uncles showered us with blessings. 

Twenty Twelve is already looking happy! There's a lot to look forward to. Good times with family. Reunion. The marriage. Travelling. Writing. Cooking. Weight loss. Shopping. 

Enthusiasm. Excitement. Energy. Love. 

Cheers!!!

The bad goodbyes

Goodbyes are painful. People come visiting, their stay is wonderful, and when they leave i'm on my lowest low. I love the 'hulla gulla' and the unnecessary commotion, the late night chat sessions and the morning endless cups of tea sessions. Before you know it, time's up and they leave. Back to the same old routine. 


I'm generally very happy when i return home after a vacation. But there was this one time i wasn't. Two years into my marriage, my  parents saw me off at the delhi station on a train to chennai. And as the train moved, tears rolled down and soon i was howling!!! So much so that the co passengers got worried. I held myself together and started reminiscing the wonderful holiday that i'd just spent with everyone. My smile was back. 


Yet, the worst bye-bye till date has been the 'bidaai'... I won't say much, the emotions are too delicate to deal with! Lets put it this way, i can never ever get married again, only 'coz i cannot deal with the whole 'bidaai' thing. (And also coz MMW keeps me quite happy!!!)


What triggered off this post was that Aanya was looking for her grandparents the morning after they left. It's the first time she's remembered someone who's out of sight. Even if it may have been for five minutes, she searched for them. Soon, she got distracted. 


Today as she says 'tah-tah' and moves her hand in what can be construed as a 'ta-ta', she doesn't understand the meaning. I guess its not even the beginning for her... 

                

On this date...

Eight months back i brought her to the world

Her wail was my first experience of her

Tears ran down my cheeks... "my baby is here"

Two months later

She smiled at me, the knowing smile... 

Tears ran down my cheeks... "her smile is safe forever"

Within the next two months

She cooed and gurgled, knowing it was me

Tears ran down my cheeks... "it's just the beginning"

***

The enthu mummy that i am, i got Aanya ears pierced when she was not even four months old.  Took her to a jewellery store and while MMW held her, the goldsmith used a pin and pierced one ear. I was too excited and even managed to take a video of the 'event'. She let out a short wail. The second piercing was slightly more painful, but the crying stopped almost as soon as i took her in my arms. 

She looked adorable with those tiny gold dots on. I couldn't stop staring at my lil doll with earrings! 

A month later we'd gone shopping in Delhi; on return i found one earring missing. That same night i changed the dot to ring. She was extremely fidgety. With great difficulty, between Ma, Tini and I, we managed to get the rings on. 

Few days back, one of those rings went missing. The entire morning my maid and i searched frantically for the missing ring. No luck. She even told me to chant godji's name and look, while she did the same. It was quite a scene. But still no luck. 

Anyway, the ear pierce closed and i had to take Aanya back to the jeweller. This time i was alone. And the poor girl screamed and howled and bawled. Like the type when they forget to  breathe for a second or two. Scary! My lil baby was in too much pain. She clung on tight and slept off in the auto on way back home. And for the first time in so many months i felt her pain. On the outside i was strong, but my heart weeped a bit. I promised myself never to let this happen again. 

***

She's hungry, she cries

She's sleepy, she cries

She crawls and trips, she cries

Holds on to the table/chair, bangs her head, she cries

I close the main door, she cries

I say a stern 'no', she cries

By now i'm accustomed to her crying... but that day was different!

Cake, Wh(eat) it!

I'm baking again. This time healthier, whole wheat cakes with less oil. I never thought wheat cakes could be so yummy. All thanks to a friend who baked one of these and invited me over. 

Here's what you'll need for a plain cake:

1 cup wheat flour

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup oil

2 eggs

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup hot water

2 tsp essence of your choice

(I mixed a little coffee in the hot water as essence)

In a bowl mix all the ingredients except water well. Slowly add the water to make the batter smooth. The water gives a spongy effect. Pour batter in a greased tin. Bake for 30 mins in a pre-heated oven at 200 degrees celsius. I'm a great believer of the microwave and have been using the 'convection' setting for all my baking. It comes out as tasty and 'good looking' as any other homemade oven cake. 

Congratulations cake

Also, am not a very 'plain' person! I love chocolate and coffee and nuts and raisins and all the paraphernalia, esp in my cakes. 

Flavours that i've tried- Rum and raisin, Coffee Chocolate and Banana with raisins. They've all been big hits. Especially the 'Rum and Raisin'. Twice i made it for parties and both times it was polished off with left overs packed home for bachelors! There's a story behind the Banana-raisin cake. 

So, i had these various dabbas that i had to return to various friends and didn't want to send them back empty. That afternoon as soon as Aanya slept, i took a chance with the whole wheat banana cake. Only overripe bananas(ones that have fruit flies hovering above them) can be used for banana cakes. Also, people always prefer to use walnuts with bananas; since i didn't have any, i decided to go in for raisins, which i have in plenty!  It was one of my 'lucky bake' days. One that went off without a hitch. The cake rose, cooked in time, sides were off, browned on top, smelt great and even came off the tin in a one go! MMW, my all time favourite guinea pig, approved of it, so pieces were cut and delightfully placed in the various dabbas, topped with chocolate sauce... if eyes could drool, i would've been crying!

It was the first time Aanya ate cake. She aggressively demanded more. My day was made... and it didn't hurt my conscience either. It's definitely a wholesome and healthier option for her. Next on the cards, Carrot and Raisin cake, and no, i'm not obsessed about raisins... they're just my favourite dry fruit!!!

Gungun and Aanya

Morning scene at home. It's 9 am, I hop across to my neighbours' house, Aanya squeals just as she sees Gungun (my neighbours- soon to be- one year old), who in turn claps her hands and responds to Aanya's squeals, they start playing on the carpet and we ladies have our morning cup of tea!It's pure joy.  

Their first photoshoot

Aanya- 4 months
Gungun- 8 months

Both the girls have found great company in each other.  One's excitement on seeing the other is beyond my explainable capacity. Where ever one goes, the other follows. Gungun takes a few steps with support and Aanya crawls behind her. Most of the times, they want the same toy. Even with 20,000 other toys lying in front of them. Pens, chappals, lock and keys, excite them more. They're in love with the main door. We leave the jaali door open, so they greet the maid, milkman, kachra amma with great enthusiasm. Any opportunity to leave the house, and they're game!

 

We, the mummy's, have a gala time thanks to them. Chai and conversation are never ending. And once the kids have been fed the first meal of the day, its time to go home. Gungun happily does 'tah-tah' but the moment i close the door behind us, Aanya starts howling... 

***

Gungun and Aanya (accompanied by parents) have been to the fair together, gone clubbing, attended b'day parties, dined at a five star, gone malling, watched a movie in a theatre, ... the works!!! Evening park or play time together is a must. The other day, they were both in red and i couldn't help myself but click away. Such cute little fashionistas in red!



I love to be a part of their innocence. Their actions are innocent and with every act is an achievement. It's wonderful to see them grow. 


A few years down the line, they'll be school mates, hopefully good friends even then. It'll be a miracle if they remember these days... Thankfully, the mummy's have abundant memories to share and keep alive!