tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66142471181711156162024-03-13T13:08:56.718-05:00Found in FolsomA Potpourri of all my experiences, opinions, feelings, silly stories and Passions!!Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.comBlogger168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-53035079770237769612022-10-16T23:19:00.007-05:002022-10-17T10:19:50.275-05:00A Morning in the Woods<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeknSlKhuO5E3iz7uklHWaNBNRgDCfqhbdq4uWiHHGYqQ27G3AXTDooonbOb2Fm3zMryVkeMB8vaffaL6MNn-_Ye694I4vqe62L9zgU7N0IVhrk9aC4JrlpXsmq5Y_3XlhoG1j2WF1wC7yZMiTI85v9JrUtJklK4C5EoO6o3jjT1PF6m7nX9H6673VQ/s2016/FBC0FB84-03DB-44D9-AAE5-4F2943CF862C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeknSlKhuO5E3iz7uklHWaNBNRgDCfqhbdq4uWiHHGYqQ27G3AXTDooonbOb2Fm3zMryVkeMB8vaffaL6MNn-_Ye694I4vqe62L9zgU7N0IVhrk9aC4JrlpXsmq5Y_3XlhoG1j2WF1wC7yZMiTI85v9JrUtJklK4C5EoO6o3jjT1PF6m7nX9H6673VQ/s320/FBC0FB84-03DB-44D9-AAE5-4F2943CF862C.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzj1uQXFzDksVUKdOts4hAloZR6cx3zUg2Nj3S1CWxQjzyQ8Hdr63pXnin9olGRsH5eqLFb3owKDt5vMFy6LQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-size-adjust: auto;">A morning in the woods</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-size-adjust: auto;">I wake up</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-size-adjust: auto;">To the pitter patter</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-size-adjust: auto;">A hail here, a hail there</span></div><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Of rain on the tin cabin roof</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">While the kids are still asleep</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">And Dora lays by the door</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Wagging her thick bushy hair</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I step out to sit in the swinging chair</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">How far am I from home?</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Not very</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Without wifi</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Without a worry</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">About the mess on the island</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">About what to cook</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">for lunch</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">For dinner and sundry</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The unending heaps</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Of dishes and laundry</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The night before</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I slept with a thought</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I would wake up </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">To Sun Rays beaming</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">From the Maples, </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Oaks and Pines</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">But it’s a rain all I need</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">For this parched heart and soul</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">On A morning in the woods</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">A morning in the Woods</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Is all I need!!</span></p>Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-28043811659906152902021-12-31T23:18:00.010-06:002022-01-01T08:08:47.295-06:002021 A Year that was....<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiltYMC4sA1tAHoUv1hyjh09NRbmxWPSV-3WbPDvnsoilcNwTTrhqEq7HT6LhULkzMMXX1fgRkaAxYypqoq-5E3SF1uk_gH46_Y8lyeoexLNH3TRvZ3cxbIu2IXHGoE-GnIxb73w0QteNQmriaL2slHZgCRPKIAi1jExJJHE32UpGTm-Oo3shYsBIV7yQ=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiltYMC4sA1tAHoUv1hyjh09NRbmxWPSV-3WbPDvnsoilcNwTTrhqEq7HT6LhULkzMMXX1fgRkaAxYypqoq-5E3SF1uk_gH46_Y8lyeoexLNH3TRvZ3cxbIu2IXHGoE-GnIxb73w0QteNQmriaL2slHZgCRPKIAi1jExJJHE32UpGTm-Oo3shYsBIV7yQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I am not sure how to begin this post. 2021! One of the few years that will be marked in my life. For good, better, bad and the worst. The year started off with an okay note amid Covid fears and my sister's family relocating to Texas which was a huge reason to celebrate. While they were settling in, Texas was hit with a huge snow storm that caused distress and damage to thousands of homes across Texas. By God's grace, we were one of the lucky ones that got saved. We all huddled in one of our homes and played board games in candle lights, under make shift lights, cooked with the limited vegetables we had at home and survived. Boiled water on cooktops like the good ole days, froze our food in the snow due to power cuts and what not...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Come Spring as the weather was getting better, the son fell ill. After getting all the tests done, midnight ER trips, scans, ultrasounds...he had been admitted to the ICU at UT South Western Children's Hospital. I get shivers down my spine when I think of those two weeks of nightmare the child has gone through. I pray and wish no parent to go through that hell.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Along with this, we lost two key family members back home. The anguish, the pain, the fear that enveloped all of us won't be forgotten anytime soon. Not only us but many of our close friends and relatives have lost their parents, aunts, uncles this year. The irony is most of them are around 65 years of age. That seemed like a curse number to me. I wish no more loss for any of my dear ones.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Apart from all the sadness and helplessness, God has been kind in other ways too. We both had work and it made us financially stable to think about future investment opportunities. The son graduated high school and started his college. He moved to the dorm and made us half empty nesters. Though I see him every weekend is a different story. The husband had his milestone 50th Birthday. Thanks to all the friends who made it super special. I was able to go on a couple of vacations this year and one of them being a long awaited holiday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Owing to all the madness, I haven't read any books this year. Though I started the year with a wonderful book, it just hung there...I completed only one book that I started last year. I am not sure what I will be doing this year in terms of reading. Still in the process of finding a genre that keeps me focused. Scribbled on the blog a bit here and there. Health has been fine so far but exercise has taken a back seat for many months due to broken equipment and long hours at work. That's going to change in 2022.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I joined a drawing class and started to draw freehand after decades. I hope to continue going forward..</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last but not least, I owe it to my crazy family for putting up with me, through my mood swings, through my meltdowns, through my tantrums and my whirlwind of emotions. I know they don't have a choice. Many thanks to all those who silently walked out of my FB list, my life, my routine. That made me realise how invaluable their presence in my life was. My relationship with some has thinned, with some has thickened and the gap widened with some...God always sends angels at different times in forms of different people at various stages of my life. I realise it only much later. Thank you my guardian angels for being there when I needed you the most. And for those who chose to stay back and for those who chose to come back, what else can I say? My heart fills with pride and gratitude. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With this, I would like to end an eventful year that did not leave us with its surprises even until the last minute. Wishing everyone in my life, in my phonebook and Facebook and the blog world, A very Healthy, Peaceful, Joyful and a painless year ahead!! </div></span>Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-19777374500310316442021-10-12T23:21:00.004-05:002021-10-12T23:22:39.202-05:00Not so long ago...<div style="text-align: left;"><i>Not so long ago<br />I thought it was...<br />climbing those Guava trees<br />One in the front yard<br />one in the backyard</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Not so long ago</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>I thought it was</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>When Nanna chopped off</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Coconut heads</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>And I drank out of them</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>without a glass or a straw</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>pretending to slurp</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Palm wine raw</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Not so long ago</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>I thought it was....</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>When we dug into mangoes</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Hidden under heaps of hay</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>On Summer Mornings & evenings</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>On noons and nights</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Under beds</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Inside Gunny bags of rice</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Not so long ago</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Did we sleep in open air</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Under the guava tree</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>on wired cots and</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>On Terrace tops</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Shooing away mosquitoes</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>and Monkeys</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Not so long ago</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>I thought it was</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>when jasmines adorned</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>my unruly hair</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Not so long ago</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>I thought it was</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Life just happened...</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Sitting at my doorstep</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>staring at the dark sky</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>and a silver lining of the moon</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><i>on a humid Southern evening</i></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>I reminisce all those days</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>That went by</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Not so long ago....</i></div>Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-71844291412282171352021-09-02T21:52:00.001-05:002021-09-02T22:47:19.299-05:00Bathroom Flush, The Boy and his Zombie Mom!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5EaSGbCCpYezo-8RZSsz3UgrlJNCeDgdVpMxLXc7gJs9mDCufxTEqkMZGh0s62D4sXTWsGqztGvS_ot8Z-mr_EW-Km_IFLMVwqqze33NZNRz9o-uyx5aoxfFNWZH9Ngb964Z-1GNV6x2/s3206/7F599060-9938-4126-A48B-14F2D140C238.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="3206" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5EaSGbCCpYezo-8RZSsz3UgrlJNCeDgdVpMxLXc7gJs9mDCufxTEqkMZGh0s62D4sXTWsGqztGvS_ot8Z-mr_EW-Km_IFLMVwqqze33NZNRz9o-uyx5aoxfFNWZH9Ngb964Z-1GNV6x2/s320/7F599060-9938-4126-A48B-14F2D140C238.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The house was quiet. As if relatives stayed for a whole month and left. It was so silent all of a sudden. Ammu and I looked at each other. She knew the meaning of that look. <b>S</b> brushed it off in his usual emotionless state. We got into doing our regular chores but the mundane tasks seemed to be even more lifeless.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I would involuntarily call his name for dinner and the Rrr would stop in my mouth and I would swallow it within. I did not want to go to his room and saved it for a little later. That night the daddy daughter duo said, "Sleep peacefully...it's quiet". I know I have all the peace in the world now and all the quietness I always desired for. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When he was at home, this was how the routine went. We around 9:00 AM before starting our work, "Rushi, get up. It's 9". Then the same scream at 10, 11, 12 ...he would finally wake up and eat cereal before we had our lunch. I would repeat the same thing everyday, "Why don't you eat lunch now when it's already late?" He immersed in his phone would say without lifting his head, "I'll eat at 1". The same words...every day. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I know he is not far away like other kids in our community who are studying across the coast. I know I can see him in the time one can take a shower and get ready to work. I know he's only a phone call away but still it is not the same.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I wanted to say, Yes, I can sleep peacefully today as no one will be walking over my head at the middle of the night. So y'all must be wondering what the Bathroom Flush of the title is? When we built this house, we extended a bedroom other than what the builder had provided. That extra bedroom is exactly on top of my bedroom. The planner that I am, I planned it for the son and the other corner of the house for the daughter so they have their own privacy and would not get into each other's hair. Little did I know that one day I would be pulling my hair for the rest of the years...</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The boy whined a bit that his room is smaller than his sister's but adjusted happily that he gets his own bed, room etc..Now, he was in his 6th grade when we moved. But will kids always stay in 6th grade? Hell No...he grew from a pre-teen to a blood sucking teenager who eventually got a phone who eventually has SM accounts, who eventually spend all his time in that damn thing without lifting his head.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Well! All said and done this is a normal teen life style...then why fuss? because the boy's day starts at the time when I go to bed. He showers for an eternity on top of my head...then eats cereal at midnight, because he hasn't eaten cereal during the day 😲 I think these cereal factories run on families of teens. Then hydrates himself for all the water he missed drinking in the day and keeps flushing the toilet another zillion times throughout the night.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is what our texts typically look like:</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJwVySPgZ72sC29wAdTx9-PqB4g8N125gOLWPLlrZ3KBN1hc_HCsAW9kHfSIpoUJ35G9e-gnMF3KjTY1na9KBVWNY8YzBw7w_tMj9yTpqBm5Ho51LsgX1PAI1NEztG0_d93O2eHsQaVoN/s1170/IMG_3407.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="1170" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJwVySPgZ72sC29wAdTx9-PqB4g8N125gOLWPLlrZ3KBN1hc_HCsAW9kHfSIpoUJ35G9e-gnMF3KjTY1na9KBVWNY8YzBw7w_tMj9yTpqBm5Ho51LsgX1PAI1NEztG0_d93O2eHsQaVoN/s320/IMG_3407.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk21TevvGALVfUSVZZ6dSF744MxPKk67wb0jzamqXuqPpX8CcuXtG4KaNfrrn1VtK2pLfAh_-aifHaObpifOxPiXLrz3ueUoqWb598SXneEoAyCfJLpeVJR38bDLI0npDYLOm4IRXEeRLS/s1170/IMG_3408.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1170" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk21TevvGALVfUSVZZ6dSF744MxPKk67wb0jzamqXuqPpX8CcuXtG4KaNfrrn1VtK2pLfAh_-aifHaObpifOxPiXLrz3ueUoqWb598SXneEoAyCfJLpeVJR38bDLI0npDYLOm4IRXEeRLS/s320/IMG_3408.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I sobbed into my pillow wishing only if I could hear him walk once, only if I could text him one more time to sleep early. 😒 I went to his room the next day and tidied up all the clothes strewn over on the bathroom floor, made his bed, lifted the blinds; for the room could use some sunlight in ages.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A week passes by quicker than it seems to be. The boy was home and has his cereal first thing after he comes home. The room is messy in no time and the bedsheet all over on Monday Morning. I don't set it that day to have the feeling of him in the house for another day. </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now, no phase is permanent, right? The boy will come back one day and start the music again. So, I have a plan to take revenge and let's hope at least next time God will be on my side. I told him I am going to switch rooms with him when he and his wife lives in this house and has babies and they have sleepless nights...I would be an old lady who would be using the rest room the whole night and keep flushing to his annoyance and be up by walking and watching movies and laughing loudly with friends across the continents! Sigh!!!!</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>p.s: Like many other posts, the trigger for this is my Big Mother as I fondly call her who nudged me to read :</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://cybernag.in/2010/09/23/mtv-brats-and-me/"><i>MTV, Brats and me | The Cybernag</i></a></p>Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-62714965488948186842021-08-02T23:27:00.006-05:002021-08-02T23:33:37.740-05:00Richard Collins!<p style="text-align: justify;">Richard Collins! The skinny guy. My very first vendor. My teammate. Later my lead, my colleague, boss, a friend, and much more. Rich, your sudden demise has surfaced all the forgotten moments. I know we haven't spoken in many years and we have parted ways, not in the most amicable way...but we haven't had any grudges either. I want to say so many things, so many memories...I want to write them all before I forget...</p><p style="text-align: justify;">You gave me my first job, a job after a break, a job after the recession. Every time my project ended, you said you would call me back and I would happily relax. When you did not call back and I started to look for a job, you would call out of nowhere. You even gave a job to Sarath so that we could stay together. You trusted us!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I still remember the day you showed us your bank balance. I bet no one in my phone book would do that. No one. You and Red Bull..Ah!! always..always..I would joke with Sarath that I am going to buy you a carton of Red Bull for Christmas. Do you remember I asked you once, how many khaki pants and black shirts do you have? And you sincerely answered in your husky voice. How dumb was I back then? or maybe you laughed at my naiveness!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Rich was the first American guest to dine in our home and maybe the last one too to date. 7 Deadly Zins! Every time I see that wine, it reminds me of you and Christi. That night when Hayden had a sleepover with my son. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Many people despised you at work for different reasons. But I always had a soft corner for you. Even when my payments were delayed by months...I would feel as if I were your pet and the most loyal servant as I knew you for the longest time than the whole gang. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Your impatience and restlessness drove us nuts. We ground our teeth and rolled our eyes to leave us alone to complete the task. I don't think I have seen anyone cuss as much as you did at any workplace or won't find one in my lifetime. I think I picked it up from yaa...CAISO, EDD, DIR, DMV, BCBS...I think I wouldn't have worked with anyone else if we did not leave CA. We always thought Rich would give us jobs if we go back. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">One funny thing you said, Indian food and Italian food taste best the next day :) I remember it hundreds of times whenever there is leftover pizza. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I don't want to put your shortcomings in this post; as I want to keep them with me, with Richard. There were dozens of times over the years when we thought, if only you did this...or you did that...how things would have been different. But they say, it's all karma. You have seen it all our friend....the good, the bad, the ugly.....the riches.....the rags...and you left the world before you could rise again like a phoenix.</p>Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-9072014478885920292021-04-07T14:58:00.000-05:002021-04-07T14:58:07.798-05:00Mom's tangled threads!<div><i>My mom was/is a tailor not by passion or choice but to survive. As a tween and an older child, I always kept guard of her at her tailoring shop. In free time or holidays, I would help her by hemming the blouses with my nimble fingers. Many a times, I tried to sort the threads and arrange them. It's quite a boring job to do but a busy mind is never bored, right? For everyone, they may just be a clump of threads but for me......</i></div><i><div><i><br /></i></div>I tried to untangle them<br />
from age very little<br />Some cut my hand<br />
some cut themselves<br />
Some curled at the edges<br />Some were stubborn<br />
unwilling to untangle<br />
<br />
I had to cut them<br />
like a baby's umbilical cord</i><div><i>like a barber</i></div><div><i>like a piece of cloth</i></div><div><i>
like a lawn mover<br />
like a tangled thread<br />
<br />
I tried to reason why?<br />
Why women continue<br />
in their valueless marriages<br />
with worthless husbands<br />
<br />
I tried to reason why?<br />
she cannot live with him<br />
<br />
I tried to understand why?<br />
she cannot live without him<br />
<br />
I tried to find the answers<br />
for some of life's<br />
tangled relations</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Why do people drift away</i></div><div><i>Once together</i></div><div><i>Now apart forever</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Why do sisters</i></div><div><i>become strangers?</i></div><div><i>Why do best of friends</i></div><div><i>are not best any more?</i></div><div><i>
<br />
I tried to untangle them<br />like Mom's tangled threads<br />
I keep trying<br />
hoping to find answers<br />
one day.....<br />
<br />
My questions lay answered<br />
like my mom's tangled threads!!</i><br /></div></div>Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-91002363196815342762021-02-23T22:33:00.006-06:002021-02-26T09:01:35.898-06:00Ten on Tuesday! - Moving to Texas?<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is a long over due post which didn't carry much importance and hence fell through the cracks. However, the weather past week has reignited few thoughts that were not paid attention for.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The past decade has seen a surge in people moving to Texas from all over the U.S. Like hundreds of families who couldn't afford to buy a home in California, we also made the call and relocated to Texas around 7 something years back. Back then the only thing friends told us is Texas doesn't have State tax and house prices are low. We did our math in terms of pay cuts and still moved for a better quality of life. However, there are few things that you discover only after moving here and which no really bothers to inform:</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><ol><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is no state tax but you pay Toll on almost every highway you get onto. I paid $5 (the least) per day for Toll for almost 5 years.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you worked in the East or the West Coasts and find a job in Texas, then be ready for a huge pay cut. If you are relocating holding a job in your respective coasts, then it's a jackpot 😉</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Property tax is double than what you pay in East or West Coasts</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Buying a house doesn't amount to only paying the Mortgage plus Tax plus Insurance. (This pointer is for first time home buyers). There are many additional costs to it. Changing your AC filters every 3 months. Paying for your lawn mowing twice a month, paying the cleaners every month.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Texas weather is not something you can predict. Your day will start in Spring, midday is Summer and evening a Fall. The trees are either Green or Brown. There is no other color in between.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is also a risk of Hurricanes, Hail storms occasionally. We are not equipped to handle the extreme Winter Storms that passed by us last week. When it rains, it pours and it suits Texas well 😀</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are very limited outdoor activities for kids or sightseeing. The nearest is Austin which is a 3 hour drive.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">One thing to not get disappointed is the number of Indian restaurants and Indian stores. I have around 8 or more Indian stores within 5 miles of my house. Indian Restaurants, I lost count. Either I am living in a hub or Dallas is crowded that way, I donno 😏</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Public Schools are well funded and college tuition is much cheaper.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Despite all this, people are still moving here for the affordability of houses which are not as affordable anymore.</span></li></ol><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Having said all of this, I have no regrets moving here. I made great friends, worked at one of the best companies in the country and made life lasting memories. Dallas also made us closer to family due to it's proximity. Above all, I have a small lawn and I can grow my own veggies or mess with it the way I want 😊</span></p>Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-20925803321632509072020-12-26T22:43:00.004-06:002020-12-26T22:44:25.844-06:002020....A year everyone wants to end soon!<p style="text-align: justify;">In the past 9 or so years I had the blog, I never wrote any gratitude posts, year round up posts, looking back or contemplation posts. But this year has been different for all of us in more ways than we know. Starting from March when the lockdown was announced, we all were struck with fear even to step outside and breathe freely. We washed vegetables and sanitized what not. We all lived in the fear of being alive at one point. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I saw my immediate family get severely attacked with Covid and how terribly they suffered and survived. This year witnessed the passing away of my grandfather and mom silently weeping his death from here. I don't like this year for many reasons that could or could not be Corona related. Many of my close friends lost their parents. A loss that is not replaceable but a void that cannot be filled as they could not attend for their last viewing.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">A dear friend of mine accidentally chopped an inch of her finger and how she braved and survived the entire ordeal and finally able to retain it...I cannot even imagine to bear a hundredth of the pain she had been through. My dear, you raised the bar very high in this regard. Another close friend's mom who is hale and healthy being diagnosed with lung cancer left me speechless. <a href="http://foundinfolsom.blogspot.com/2020/09/a-servant-at-heart-with-heart-of-gold.html" target="_blank">Valli's death</a> left our family with a huge void that's irreplaceable.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Losing our most favorite SPB, a loss that's personal to each of us.. My heart aches and throbs even today if I see his music concerts on TV. I don't remember crying ever over a celebrity's death but he made me weep and how? I believe many of you echo my feelings. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Apart from all the sad things, this year I did a wee bit of gardening. I did not plan on growing any vegetables owing to CTS for my both hands. A friend gave me a couple of saplings of <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=dosakaya&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwivnqnZheXtAhUCD60KHTevBJ0Q2-cCegQIABAA&oq=dosakaya&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAA6BAgjECc6BAgAEENQ1VVY0Vtg4F5oAHAAeACAAVGIAe0BkgEBM5gBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB&sclient=img&ei=N7bjX--mJoKetAW33pLoCQ&bih=694&biw=1517&rlz=1C1CHZN_enUS921US921" target="_blank">Dosakaya</a> and I planted them. My neighbors and other friends gave me a couple of Malabar Spinach saplings, Amaranth seeds. I was tempted to buy a couple of tomato plants. The beefsteak variety gave me some produce and other one was not so great. I tried Capsicum too but I couldn't produce the cost of the pots, soil or say at least the cost of the plant :( :( Man, Peppers take forever to grow. I even started a small compost bin and religiously put all the scrapes in it. I joined a gardener's group and got two small beds built for next year. Every evening, going into the backyard and looking at the 4-5 plants I am growing gave me immense pleasure. Pulling out weeds, looking at their flowers, tiny vegetables, hidden vegetables gave me hope for life everyday.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">On the personal front, we had a couple of mile stones but we could not celebrate together as a family. My sis in law turned 50, my mother in law turned 70. I still had a job, my son is applying for colleges, my sister is moving to Texas. Finally I get to see my mom after an excruciatingly long year. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">2020 taught us a lot of things we have taken for granted. Planners like me wrote list after list at the end of the month when the vegetables were almost done. People who hated leftovers or thought freezer stuff was unhealthy loaded their freezers. Panic stricken folks hoarded toilet paper, wipes, laundry detergents and every cleaning supply on the planet. Many people I know said they developed stronger bonds with their families. All of our patience and tolerance levels definitely went a notch up. Priorities changed. Everyone learned to find comfort in their zones. Above all, it taught us to count our blessings!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">With this, I want to end my reminiscing of the most dreadful year of the Century yet thanking God for still keeping me and my loved ones safe from the disasters and keeping it all together. I wish all my friends and loved ones and the few who read my blog and their families a great year ahead. I wish the vaccine comes soon and there will be a day when Covid is noting but a regular flu. Until then, Happy Holidays and Stay safe, folks!</p>Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-67789686712371667042020-11-19T00:10:00.001-06:002020-11-19T00:14:48.000-06:00నాన్న, శివుడు, మేము....<p style="text-align: justify;">మొన్న నా ఫ్రెండ్ నాగిని వాళ్ళమ్మగారి గురించి రాసిన పోస్ట్ చదివాక, నాకు కొన్ని జ్ఞాపకాలు గుర్తొచ్చాయి. నేను ఒక టైములో ఎథిస్ట్ మాదిరి గానే ఉండే దాన్ని. అమ్మ కూడా మా చిన్నప్పటి నుండి పెద్ద పూజలు, గట్రా చేసే టైపు కాదు. అంతెందుకు ప్రతి రోజు దీపం పెట్టే అలవాటు కూడా తనకి లేదు. నాకు ఎప్పుడు అదో తప్పు లాగా అస్సలు అనిపించేదే కాదు. అమ్మని అలా చూసి పెరగటం వల్లనో ఏమో నాకు పెద్ద భక్తి అబ్బలేదు. కానీ ప్రతి సంవత్సరం క్రమం తప్పకుండా వినాయక చవితి, దీపావళి మాత్రం ఇంట్లో బాగా జరుపుకునే వాళ్ళము. అదే అలవాటు కాబోలు, ఇప్పటికి ఆ ఆనవాయితీ కంటిన్యూ చేస్తాను.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">నా హై స్కూల్ అయ్యాక ఖమ్మం నుండి కొత్తగూడెం మారాక, అమ్మ తన టైలరింగ్ షాప్ మానేసి ఇంట్లో ఉండేది. నాన్న రోజు బయటకి వెళ్ళే ముందు, అమ్మని, కొద్దిగా వాకిలి ఊడ్చి ముగ్గు వేయొచ్చు కదా అంటే, వరండాలో కూర్చుని సీరియస్ గా ఈనాడు పేపర్లో ఎడిటోరియల్ పేజీలో మునిగిపోయిన అమ్మ తలెత్తి ఒక్క లుక్ ఇచ్చేది. ఆవిడ చూపు , ఆయన విసుగు మొహం రెండు మెదడు లో అలా ఉండి పోయాయి.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">నాన్నకి ఎప్పటి నుండి అలవాటో నాకు గుర్తు లేదు కానీ శివుడుకి పూజ చేయకుండా మాత్రం బయటకి వెళ్ళే వాళ్ళు కాదు. నేను ఇంటర్లో శ్రీశైలం ఎక్స్కర్షన్ వెళ్ళినప్పుడు సరదాగా ఒక చిన్న గాజు శివలింగం తెచ్చాను. కానీ తెచ్చాక ఎవరో చెప్పారు. ఇంట్లో శివలింగం ఉంటే ప్రతి రోజు అభిషేకం చేయాలని. అప్పటి నుండి నాకు తెలిసి తాను పోయే ముందు వరకు కచ్చితంగా చేసే ఉంటాడు. ఆ అభిషేకం చేసే అప్పుడు మంత్రాలు ఇంటి పెంకులు అదిరిపోయే సౌండ్ లో మోగి పోయేవి. అమ్మ తన స్టైల్లో నవ్వేది. మెల్లగా చదివినా శివుడికి వినిపిస్తుంది అని. ఎంతటి పని ఉన్న రోజు అయినా దీపాలు కడగకుండా, పూలు పెట్టకుండా, అభిషేకం చేయకుండా బయట పనులకి బయలు దేరే వాళ్ళు కాదు.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">మా చుట్టుపక్కల పల్లెటూళ్ళలో పురుగుమందు చావులు తరచూ వింటూనే ఉండే వాళ్ళము. ఏ చావు వార్త వచ్చినా, ఆ శివుడు కి నాలుగు పటిక బెల్లం పలుకులు పెట్టకుండా గేటు దాటిన గుర్తు లేదు నాకు. ప్రతి కార్తీక మాసంలో క్రమం తప్పకుండా మా పక్క ఊర్లోని శివాలయానికి డబ్బులు, పెద్ద క్యాన్ నువ్వుల నూనె ఇచ్చే అలవాటు తనకి. ఇష్టం ఉన్నా లేకపోయినా కార్తీక పౌర్ణమి నాడు దీపాలు వెలిగించటానికి అమ్మని కూడా తీసుకుని వెళ్ళటం ఆనవాయితి.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">తరువాత రోజుల్లో వ్యాపారం సరిలేక , ఇంట్లో పరిస్థితులు కష్టంగా ఉన్న రోజున కూడా అలానే నూనె ఇస్తే, అమ్మకి వచ్చిన కోపం అంతా ఇంతా కాదు. మానవ సేవే మాధవ సేవ అనేది అమ్మ ఫిలాసఫీ. చిన్నపటి నుండి అమ్మ అంతే. అలాంటి పెంపకం వల్లనో ఏమో గుడిలో $5 వేయటానికి నాకు చేయి రాదు. అదే ఎవరికన్నా ఎమన్నా అయింది అని తెలిస్తే, గో ఫండ్ మి కి $25 ఇవ్వటానికి వెనుకాడను.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">ఒక పదిహేను సంవత్సరాలు ఫాస్ట్ ఫార్వర్డ్ బటన్ నొక్కితే, కొన్ని స్వయం కృతాపరాధాల వల్ల ఛిద్రం ఐన ఆయన జీవితం చివరికి ఎలా ముగుస్తుందో, ఎలాంటి చావు వస్తుందో అని మేము ఎప్పుడూ బాధ పడుతూనే ఉండే వాళ్ళము. కానీ తను ఎక్కువ బాధ పడకుండా, అనారోగ్యంతో ఎక్కువ ఇబ్బంది పడకుండా, ఆ శివయ్య త్వరగానే తీసుకెళ్ళిపోయాడు. తన హాస్పటిల్ ఖర్చులకి, తన చావుకి, మందులకి ఎవరి దగ్గర ఒక్క రూపాయి చేయి చాచకుండా సరిపడా ఉంచుకున్నారు. అందరం వెళ్ళి జరగవలసిన కార్యక్రమాలు అన్నీ చేసి వచ్చాము. ఏనాడూ పూజలు శ్రద్దగా చేయని అమ్మ నాన్న అస్తికలు కాశీలో కలిపి వచ్చింది. ఈ సంవత్సరం ఎంతో మంది తల్లితండ్రులు కరోనా కి బలైయ్యారు. చాలా మంది దిక్కు మాలిన వారి లాగా, అనాధ శవాల్లాగా ఒక కార్యం, తంతు జరగకుండా ఈ భూమిని విడిచి వెళ్ళారు. అలంటి ఏ వార్త విన్నా, మనసులో ఒక్కటే తలంపుకి వస్తుంది. మా నాన్న ఎంత అదృష్టవంతుడు? లేక ఆయన పూజల ఫలితామా? ఆ శివయ్య అలా గౌరవంగా తీసుకుని పోయాడా అని.....</p><p style="text-align: justify;">నాగిని, ఇది నీ కోసం. అమ్మ నన్ను వెంట బెట్టుకుని పనిమాలా గుడికి తీసుకుని వెళ్ళిన సందర్భాలు నాకు గుర్తులేవు. నాకు ఎప్పుడు వెళ్ళాలని అనిపించేది కాదు. చాలా ఏళ్ళు అసలు దేవుడు, గుడి అని నమ్మకం లేక ప్రతి గురువారం నా ఫ్రెండ్స్ బాబా గుడికి వెళ్తే, గుడి ముందు దాకా వెళ్ళి కూడా లోపలకి వెళ్ళకుండా వాళ్ళ కోసం బయట ఉండి పోయే దాన్ని. బాబా తన భక్తుల్ని ఎక్కడ ఉన్నా రప్పించుకుంటారు అంట. ఇప్పుడు బాబాని నేను నామస్మరణ చేయని రోజు ఉండదు. అలా అని ప్రపంచం లో ఏది జరిగినా, అయ్యో ఇలా ఎందుకు చేసావు దేవుడా? నాకే ఈ కష్టాలు ఎందుకు అని అస్సలు ఎప్పుడూ అనుకునే రకం కాదు. మానవ ప్రయత్నం మనం చేసి మిగతాది దేవుని మీద వదిలేయటమే అని నమ్ముతాను . ఇది ఎందుకు రాసాను అంటే మన ఇద్దరి నాస్తికత్వానికి, ఆస్తికత్వానికి కొంచెం పోలిక ఉందనిపించి :) కొంచెం పెద్దయ్యాక మాత్రం పండగల రోజు అయితే గుడికి నా వల్ల కాదు అని అర్ధం అయింది. నాకు గుడికి వెళ్తే, దేవుని మీద భక్తి కన్నా జనాలు వేసుకునే బట్టలు, నగలు....పీపుల్ వాచింగ్ అనే ఒక మాయరోగం ఏడ్చి చచ్చింది. ఆ రోగాన్ని పెంచి పోషించటం ఎక్కువ చేస్తాను. సో, అదన్న మాట స్టోరీ. మొత్తానికి నాలుగు ముక్కలు రాయించినందుకు, నీకు బోలెడన్ని తాంక్ యులు అన్నమాట.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">అలా థెయ్సం కి అథేయిజం కి మధ్యలో పెరిగిన నేను ఇవాళ రోజున కార్తీక మాసంలో రోజు దీపం పెడదాం అనుకునే దాకా వచ్చాను.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">ఇంతకీ మా నాన్న పేరు చెప్పలేదు కదూ... నాన్న పేరు శంకర్. తాత పేరు సదాశివరావు. నాన్న వాళ్ళింట్లో ఏంటో అందరికి శివుడు ఫామిలీ పేర్లే ఉంటాయి. మా పెద్దత్త పేరు భవాని, రెండో అత్త పేరు వినయ, మూడో అత్త నాగరాణి. నాన్న ఆఖరి దాకా తనే భోజనం పంపేది. నాగక్కా, ఆ శివయ్య నిన్ను ఎప్పుడూ చల్లగా చూడాలని కోరుకుంటాము. What's in a name? I really don't know.</p>Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-81152865740050632782020-05-09T17:07:00.009-05:002022-01-02T22:47:24.594-06:00Social Distancing to me, the why and how of it....<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><font size="4">When my father passed away last August, we stayed back at our village home to complete the rituals and the 11th-day ceremony. As the home was not occupied by our own family, some tenants were residing. Once they vacated, we started to clean the home and make it ready for the 11th day. As you start to live in the house only do you notice what is working and what is not. Mom decided to get the dangling electric wires in the front verandah fixed for once and all. No one has touched the wiring of the home after it was constructed some 45 years ago. In India, you can get anything done overnight you see. Especially in small towns and villages. There would be an electrician who is also a farmer who is also a student or who would also be your medical shop guy. So, my uncle arranged for this guy to come and fix the switchboards in almost all the rooms, fix the ceiling fans, and put the wires in their places. The guy came with an assistant and worked from morning to past noon. As it was past lunchtime, we offered him to eat lunch and he politely denied it. This happened the second day too. I am one of those who fuss when people don't eat food on time and I kept badgering him to come and eat. That's when he smiled and said, "My father also passed away six months back. We don't eat at anyone else's home for a year." Surprised, I asked him, "What if you happen to go and stay somewhere?" He continued.."No. We don't visit anyone's home for a year". I convinced him that there's a death in this family too, he could eat here, and that it won't make a difference. I answered his questions about our U.S life stories while they ate at my heart's content.</font></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><font size="4">However, after they left, his words kept me thinking. There is a reason why families practiced mourning in the olden days. The thoughts went deeper and deeper when I decided that I would also practice like that guy for a year. By not going to anyone's homes for a year. I know it wouldn't be possible and most of my friends would be upset if I said that. On the contrary, this year most of our close friends had many ceremonies and parties planned ahead and we missing them would really become a big deal. I decided to worry about it later and truly cherished each day I spend there.</font></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><font size="4"> Unexpectedly, I fell sick on the 11th-day ceremony and was hospitalized. God knows what mosquito it was, thankfully I tested negative for both Dengue and Chicken Guinea. One report said Jaundice. Not exactly sure what it was, but it did have an impact on me both physically and mentally. Life was never back to normal after the fever. My return trip got postponed and I came back to the U.S after I felt I had the ability to travel. Once I was back, my physical pain added to the mental agony. That is when I realized I was really not ready to meet people yet. I would evade people or invitations. I avoided gatherings for more than a quarter. Social distancing began a few months ahead for me. Being myself made me do a lot of self-talk. Made me realize which friends really made the effort to come and see me. Who actually called me. Who texted me. Who checked on my well-being. Maybe this is one of the reasons people keep it low during mourning. To understand and know the people who value you and whose value is pertinent in your life. I know not everyone is comfortable in consoling around a death. I don't have any hard feelings for those. And I also made a mental note of those who did not. Who would otherwise talk to me with their hearts open as if my existence in their lives meant a lot. It could be the awkwardness of the situation or their own clumsiness to handle death, all it takes is one sentence. "I am sorry for your loss". Not all deaths are the same and not all losses are the same. This may not mean much but it makes a difference to the bereaved. </font></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><font size="4"> Thinking about all the upcoming celebrations I had to attend and knowing that denying them will be something that I can't make others comprehend, I was slowly getting out of my cocoon. Thanks to my manager, he let me work from home from anywhere; I could visit mom and spend a wonderful time with my sister's family for Christmas. Come New Year, we were home to start 2020. After a couple of months, friends started making plans for the upcoming celebrations and my calendar was booked till the end of August. Not long after the plans were taking shape, happened the unforgettable Covid-19 and my deepest desire for social distancing had become a permanent one. Can you believe that I was one happy person to go bury myself in my cocoon? I am deeply sorry for all the lives lost, all the families displaced and thousands of people unemployed. My heart breaks thinking about the front-line workers risking their lives. I pray for all the small business owners who are losing thousands of dollars locked up in homes. I wish and hope everything and everyone gets back to their normal lives pretty soon; but if you ask me to social distance for a few more months, I am OK with it. Few more years? I do not know. Time has to say...</font></span></div>
Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-17069881077744394372020-04-11T23:31:00.001-05:002020-04-11T23:31:16.686-05:003. Rekha Chitra Pathasala...Peacock feathers in Notebooks..<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The house we lived on was located on the main road. If we walked a few feet past the Mandi, there was a drawing school. As I was interested in drawing and coloring, my aunt pushed me to go and inquire. What would a ten year old go and ask? I was hesitant and scared to go and speak. Unhappy to approach, unable to talk back, cursing my ill fate, I mustered all my courage and went and asked the instructor cum owner of the place if they would teach me art. His name was Harish. A middle aged man. He said they don't teach kids my age and you have to have completed at least 7th grade and have to prepare for a state level examination. As relieved as I could be, I went and reported the same at home. One would leave it at that. But my aunt wouldn't. She persists me to go and convince him to teach me. Not sure if it was my pale face or my determination; he agreed to teach me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Today if I am able to draw a line properly or make a rangoli well, the credit is his. I learnt the art of sharpening a pencil there. Though sharpeners were in use by then, I learned that a pencil has six edges and you keep sharpening each edge and sharpen the lead only to your desired thickness. I learned the variety of shades a pencil could carry. From HB, 2B to 8B to H9 and the magic you can do with those shades. I was taught that art doesn't mean filling in the pictures with colors, or using the sketch pens in a disorderly manner. He did not let me draw any other picture for an year except vertical & horizontal lines, semi circles and curves..If my strokes are thin, that's where I learnt. I haven't come across an art teacher like him who teaches the basics like he does. I tried to find for both my kids and couldn't. May be I won't ever. I owe you, Harish sir. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I remembered something when I say pencils. Unlike kids today, we did not have hundreds of pencils and dozens of erasers. Each of us were given one. Before the end of the week, my sister's pencil would be as short as finger. Upon asked at home, we wouldn't tell the truth, right? Secret behind the pencil length is someone said that if you stored the pencil shavings in a note book, it would produce peacock feathers. Now tell me, how many of you tried that? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Meanwhile my sister joined in a classical dance school and she would walk more than a kilometer, crossing a railway track and lot of traffic. So, we moved to another home opposite to Ushodaya Junior college. It was owned by a popular contractor 'Mallesam Mestri' who owned many houses...More memories to come...</span></div>
Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-68783867102133541232020-04-11T23:31:00.000-05:002020-04-12T10:54:48.503-05:003. రేఖ చిత్ర పాఠశాల, పుస్తకాల్లో నెమలీకలు...<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">మా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ఇల్లు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">మెయిన్</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">రోడ్</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">మీద</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ఉండేది</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">అదే</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">రోడ్లో</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ఇంకొంచెం</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ముందికి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">వెళితే</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">రేఖ</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">చిత్ర</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">పాఠశాల</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">మనకేదో</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">కొద్దిగా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">బొమ్మలు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">వేయటం</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ఇంటరెస్ట్</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">అని</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">మా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">పిన్ని</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">వెళ్ళి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">కనుక్కోమంది</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">పదేళ్ళ</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">పిల్లని</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">నేనేమని</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">వెళ్ళి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">అడుగుతా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ఎంత</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">నసిగినా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">వినదే</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">బిక్కు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">బిక్కు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">మనుకుంటూ</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">వెళ్ళి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">అడిగా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">హరీష్</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">సర్</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">అయన</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">పేరు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ఆయన</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">అన్నారు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">, "</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ఇంత</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">చిన్న</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">పిల్లలకి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">నేర్పించను</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">కనీసం</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ఏడో</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">తరగతిలో</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">అన్నా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ఉండాలని</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">." </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ఆ</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ముక్క</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">వచ్చి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ఇంట్లో</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">కక్కాను</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ఈవిడ</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">వదలదే</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">నన్ను</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">అయినా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">పర్లేదు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">వెళ్ళి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">కన్విన్స్</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">చెయ్యి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">నాకు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">డ్రాయింగ్</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">అంటే</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">చాలా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ఇష్టమండి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ఎలా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ఐనా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">నేర్పించండి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">అని</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">బతిమాలాడమంటుంది</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ఏడవలేక</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ఎదురు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">చెప్పలేక</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">నాలో</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">నేనే</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">గొణుక్కుంటూ</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">నా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">కర్మని</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">తిట్టుకుంటూ</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">మళ్ళా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">వెళ్ళా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">నేను</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">డ్రాయింగ్</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ఎక్జామ్</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">రాయనండి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">సెవెంత్</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">వచ్చే</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">దాకా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">అయినా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">పర్లేదు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">నేర్పిస్తారా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">అని</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">అడిగాను</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">నా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">బేల</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">మొహం</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">చూసో</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">లేక</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">పాపం</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">పిల్లకి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ఇంత</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">శ్రద్ధ</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">వుంది</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">అని</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">కాదనలేకనో</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">తేలీదు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">కానీ</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ఆయన</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">నేర్పించటానికి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">ఒప్పుకున్నారు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">ఇవాళ</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">రోజున</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">ఏదన్నా</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">ఒక</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">గీత</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">తిన్నగా </span><span style="color: black;">గీయగలుగుతున్నా</span><span style="color: black;">, </span><span style="color: black;">ఒక</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">ముగ్గు</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">వేయటం</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">వచ్చినా</span><span style="color: black;">, </span><span style="color: black;">అది</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">ఆయన</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">చలవే</span><span style="color: black;">. </span><span style="color: black;">పెన్సిల్</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">చెక్కటం</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">ఒక</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">కళ</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">అనేది</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">అక్కడే</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">నేర్చుకున్నాను</span><span style="color: black;">. </span><span style="color: black;">అప్పటికే</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">షార్పనర్లు</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">వచ్చినా</span><span style="color: black;">, </span><span style="color: black;">పెన్సిల్</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">కి</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">ఉన్న</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">ఒక్కో</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">కోణం</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">మీద</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">చెక్కుతూ</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">వెళ్ళాలని</span><span style="color: black;">, </span><span style="color: black;">కావలిసినంతనే</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">పదును</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">పెట్టుకోవాలని</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">తెలుసుకున్నాను</span><span style="color: black;">. </span><span style="color: black;">పెన్సిళ్ళలో</span><span style="color: black;"> HB, 2HB - 8HB </span><span style="color: black;">నుండి</span><span style="color: black;"> 9H </span><span style="color: black;">దాకా</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">షేడ్</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">లు</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">వుంటాయని</span><span style="color: black;">, </span><span style="color: black;">వాటితో</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">లెక్కలేనన్ని</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">మ్యాజిక్కులు</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">చేయొచ్చని</span><span style="color: black;">...</span><span style="color: black;">డ్రాయింగ్</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">అంటే</span><span style="color: black;">, </span><span style="color: black;">బ్రష్</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">పట్టుకుని</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">రంగుల్ని</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">పులమడం</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">కాదు</span><span style="color: black;">, </span><span style="color: black;">ఎగుడు</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">దిగుడుగా</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">స్కెచ్</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">పెన్నులతో</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">బరకటం</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">కాదు</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">అని</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">అర్ధం</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">చేసుకున్నదీ</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">అక్కడే</span><span style="color: black;">. </span><span style="color: black;">ఒక</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">సంవత్సరం</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">పాటు</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">నాతో</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">నిలువు</span><span style="color: black;">, </span><span style="color: black;">అడ్డం</span><span style="color: black;">, </span><span style="color: black;">ఏటవాలుగా</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">గీతలు</span><span style="color: black;">, </span><span style="color: black;">అర్ధ</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">చంద్రాకారాలు</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">తప్ప</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">ఆయన</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">ఒక్క</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">బొమ్మ</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">వేయించలేదు</span><span style="color: black;">. </span><span style="color: black;">ఇప్పటి</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">వరకు</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">అలాంటి</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">బేసిక్స్</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">నేర్పించే</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">డ్రాయింగ్</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">టీచర్</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">తారసపడలేదు</span><span style="color: black;">. </span><span style="color: black;">మా</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">ఇద్దరి</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">పిల్లలకి</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">వెతికాను</span><span style="color: black;">. </span><span style="color: black;">దొరకలేదు</span><span style="color: black;">. </span><span style="color: black;">బహుశా</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">దొరకరు</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">కూడా</span><span style="color: black;">. I owe you, Harish Sir.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> పెన్సిళ్ళు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">అంటే</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">గుర్తొచ్చింది</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ఇప్పుడు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">పిల్లల్లాగా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">మాకు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">వందల</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">కొద్దీ</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">పెన్సిళ్ళు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">డజన్ల</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">కొద్దీ</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ఇరేసర్లు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ఉండేవి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">కాదు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">చెరొకటి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ఇచ్చే</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">వారు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">కానీ</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">వారం</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">తిరగకముందే</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">మా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">చెల్లి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">పెన్సిలు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">అరిగిపోయేది</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ఇంట్లో</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">వాళ్ళకి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">అర్ధం</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">అయ్యేది</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">కాదు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ఎంత</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">అడిగినా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">రహస్యం</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">చెప్పము</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">కదా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ఇంతకీ</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">రహస్యం</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ఏమిటంటే</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">పెన్సిలు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">చెక్కిన</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">పొట్టుని</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">పుస్తకంలో</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">దాచి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">పెడితే</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">నెమలి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">పించాలు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">పుడతాయని</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ఎవడో</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">చెబితే</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">మనం</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">దాన్ని</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">అనుసరణలో</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">పెడితే</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ఇంట్లో</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">వాళ్ళకి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">తెలిసిపోయి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">నాలుగు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">తన్ని</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">మరుసటి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">రోజు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">నుండి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">పెన్సిలు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">కొలిచి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">పంపేవారు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ఎంత</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">మంది</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">అలా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">పెట్టారో</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">నిజం</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">చెప్పండి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> ఇంతలో</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">మా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">చెల్లిని</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">కూచిపూడి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">డాన్సులో</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">చేరిపించారు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">చిన్న</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">పిల్ల</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">కిన్నెరసాని</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">థియేటర్</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">దాకా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ఒక్కతే</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">నడుచుకుంటూ</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">వెళ్ళి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">వచ్చేది</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">తనకి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">దగ్గరగా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ఉంటుంది</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">అని</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">గుట్టల</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">బజార్లో</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ఉషోదయ</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">జూనియర్</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">కాలేజికి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ఎదురుగా</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">మల్లేశం</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">మేస్త్రి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">గారి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">మూడు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">గదులు</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ఉన్న</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">పెద్ద</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">పోర్షన్</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">లోకి</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">మారిపోయాము</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. మరిన్ని జ్ఞాపకాలతో, మరలా వస్తా....</span></div>
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Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-78971335874191311642020-04-06T17:39:00.001-05:002020-04-09T19:00:50.187-05:002.ఖమ్మంలో కమ్మటి రోజులు... మాంసం, మండి, గోపి వాళ్ళ ఇల్లు...<div style="text-align: justify;">
ఖాన్ గారి డాబా మీద ఏవో తోళ్ళు లాంటివి వేళ్ళాడేసే వాళ్ళు. ఏదో మాంసం. ఎర్రగా, పొడుగ్గా, వేలాడుతూ ఉండేవి. వాటికి ఉప్పు, కారం పట్టించి ఉండేవి. వాళ్ళ పిల్లలతో ఆడుతూ, అవి ఎండాయి అనుకుంటే, వాళ్ళతో పాటు మేము చిన్న ముక్కలు చించుకుని తింటా ఉండే వాళ్ళం. వాళ్ళ అక్కలు అప్పుడప్పుడూ చెకింగ్ కి వస్తే మాత్రం అందరం ఒక ముఠా అయ్యిపోయే వాళ్ళం. చికెన్ అయితే కాదు. నాకు చికెన్ కి, మటన్ కి తేడా అమెరికా వచ్చి, సొంతగా వంటలు చేసే దాకా తెలీదు. అమెరికాలో దుకాణాల్లో బీఫ్ జెర్కి చూసినప్పుడల్లా నాకు అవే గుర్తొస్తాయి. </div>
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మేము ఉంటున్న బిల్డింగుకి ఎదురుగా ఒక బాగ్ రిపేర్ షాపు ఉండేది. ఆ షాపో, పక్క షాపులో నుండో ఎప్పుడూ మైనే ప్యార్ కియా, జెగదేక వీరుడు అతిలోక సుందరి పాటలు వస్తూ ఉండేవి. 89లో నన్ను అలరించిన రెండు పాటలు: కాబూతర్ జా జా...అబ్బనీ తీయని దెబ్బ...అవి వినటానికి కాబోలు, ఇంటి ముందున్న రెండు అడుగుల క్యారిడార్లో నుంచుని వేలాడే వాళ్ళం. ఎందుకో, ఎలానో తెలీదు కానీ ఆ షాప్ లో అన్న తో పరిచయం అయింది. ఒకసారి పెద్ద మిక్కీ మౌస్ కార్డ్ బోర్డ్ మీద వేయించుకున్నా ఆ అన్నతో. ముక్కు మొహం తెలీని వాళ్ళతో ఫ్రెండ్ షిప్ ఏంటి అని తిట్లు కూడా పడ్డట్టు గుర్తు. </div>
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మొదటి అంతస్థు మెట్లు ఎక్కిన వెంటనే, కుడి వైపుకి ఫాస్ట్ కిరాణా గోడౌన్ ఉండేది. సరుకులు పాకింగ్ అంతా అక్కడే జరిగేది. అక్కడే మనం స్టాంప్ బుక్కులో ఏమేమి నొక్కేయాలో ప్లాను వేసింది. మధ్యలో ఖాన్ గారి కుటుంబం ఉండేది. చివరికి ఉన్న రెండు గదుల వాటాలో మేము ఉండే వాళ్ళం. మెట్లు ఎక్కిన వెంటనే, ఎడమ వైపు పిట్ట గోడ దెగ్గర నుంచుంటే, కింద మండీ కనిపించేది. ఇంక ఎండా కాలం మండీలో మామిడి పళ్ళు, గుట్టలు గుట్టలు.. అసలు ఆ ముచ్చట చెప్పలేనిది. వందల్లో కాయాలు. అవి మిగల పండిపోయి, కుళ్ళి పడేస్తుంటే, లోపల నుండి వచ్చేది బాధ...వర్ణనాతీతం. లారీ నిండా పళ్ళు గుమ్మరిస్తుంటే, పసుపు పచ్చని దుప్పటి పరిచినట్టు, నాకు అంత పొయెటిక్ గా చెప్పటం రాదు. దీనితో ఊహించేసుకోండి ఎంత అందంగా ఉండేదో...</div>
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మా ఇంటికి స్కూల్ బస్ స్టాప్ పది నిమిషాల నడక. బస్సు పొతే మళ్ళా స్కూల్లో దింపే వాళ్ళు ఉండరు. ఎందుకంటే మా స్కూల్ ఊరి అవతల ఎక్కడో. అందుకని, చచ్చినట్టు టైంకి రెడీ అయ్యిపోయే వాళ్ళం. మెట్రో హోటల్ని ఆనుకుని మా హౌస్ క్యాప్టెన్ గోపి ఇల్లు. తను ఎప్పుడో టెన్త్ లో క్యాప్టెన్ అయ్యాడు కానీ, నేను ఇప్పటికీ క్యాప్టెన్ అనే పిలుస్తా. జెమ్ ఆఫ్ ఎ గై. నీతో ఎప్పుడూ అనలేదు కానీ, నీ లాంటి వాళ్ళు ఇవాళ రేపు చాలా అరుదు అబ్బాయ్ ...గోపి ఇంటి ముందర బస్సు వచ్చే దాకా, అందరు ఆటలు. గోపి తెలిస్తే, వాళ్ళ అమ్మ, వాళ్ళ నాన్న, వాళ్ళ చెల్లి, వాళ్ళ నాయనమ్మ కూడా తెలియాలిసిందే అందరికి. ఎందుకంటే, మేము బస్సు స్టాప్ లో కన్నా, వాళ్ళ ఇంట్లోనే ఎక్కువ ఆడే వాళ్ళం. ఇంట్లోకి బయటకి ఎన్ని సార్లు పరిగెత్తినా, వాళ్ళ ఇంట్లో వాళ్ళు ఏమీ అనేవారు కాదు. అందరి పేరెంట్స్ అంత చిల్ గా ఎందుకు ఉండరో? మా ఇల్లు వాళ్ళ ఇంటికి దగ్గర కాబట్టి, వేసవి సెలవుల్లో, ఇంకొంచెం ఎక్కువ సార్లు ఆడుకునే వాళ్ళం. </div>
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అబ్బా....ఒక్కసారి వెనక్కి వెళ్ళి టైం అలా ఆగిపోతే ఎంత బావుణ్ణు ?</div>
Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-56016372165667474792020-04-06T17:26:00.003-05:002020-04-07T04:57:03.722-05:002.Meat strips, Mango Mandi and Gopi's house....<div style="text-align: justify;">
Some kind of meat strips would be hanging on Khan saab's terrace. They would be long and red marinated with salt and chili powder. Playing with their sons, we would sometimes stop and tear the dried ends and munch. If their sisters came to check on us, all of us would be one team and say nothing. I did not know the difference for chicken or mutton until I came here and started my own cooking. Whenever I see beef jerky in the stores here, it reminds me of the meat strips on the terrace.</div>
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There used to be a bag repair shop across the road. I don't know if it was from that shop or its next shop, songs from 'Maine Pyaar kiya' (Kabootar jaa jaa) and '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw5BPAtPgDA">Jegadeka Veerudu, Atiloka Sundari</a>' would keep playing from morning to night. I think it's because of those songs, that we would hang in the three feet corridor all day long. Don't remember how, but I made friends with the 'anna' (brother) in the shop. And once for a competition, I even took his help to draw a big mickey mouse on cardboard. Later, I got an earful from the family for making friends with strangers. Lol.<br />
As soon as we climbed the stairs from the ground floor, on the right side was the warehouse of 'Fast Kirana and General Stores' where all the grocery packing was done. It is in this godown that I remember scheming to get my hands laid on Uncle's stamp collection. Khan saab's family lived in the middle portion. And we lived in the two room tiny portion at the end. On the left side of the stairs, was a small parapet wall where you could stand to see the 'Mandi' downstairs. Summers were a real treat to stand there and watch truck loads of Mangoes come and go in and out of the Mandi. When those mangoes would overripe and would be trashed, our hearts would ache to no end. Viewing those hundreds of plump, juicy mangoes would only make us starve for lunch at breakfast time.<br />
Our school bus stop was a ten minute walk from where we lived. If we missed the bus, there is no way we could go to school as our school was in the outskirts of the town. So, we would always get ready in time and not miss the bus at all. The bus stop was in front of Metro Hotel entrance. Our House Captain Gopi's house was next to Metro Hotel. Though he has become our Captain in his 10th standard, I still call him Captain. Gem of a guy. Dude, I never tell this to you but guys like you are a rarity. Till the bus arrives, we would all play inside his house. Unlike other parents, his family never yelled at us for running in and out of the house. If you know Gopi, you will also know his mom, his dad, his sister and his grandma. We would spend more time in their house than waiting for the bus. As my house was closer to theirs, we had extra chance to go and play at their house.<br />
Ah!! How I wish time froze....</div>
Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-77751925815690952322020-04-04T23:07:00.002-05:002020-04-09T19:01:03.250-05:001.Kasba Bazaar, Fast Kirana and Samo something....<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Many people who know me also know that I grew up in Khammam for a few years. '<span style="text-align: justify;">89 - '94. I would say the most beautiful years of my childhood were those 5 years. When we newly moved to Khammam, we lived in a small portion above 'Fast Kirana and General Stores' in a building that was located on Kasba Bazaar. The building belonged to Khan saab. Khan uncle had a large family. He had 2 daughters and 4 sons. Wasim, Suhaib, Sohail were the names of three of them. I forgot one kid's name. Their 3rd son would play with us. However, I always played with the older two sons. You know, it's always fun playing with the older lot than your own. The first time I flew kites was on Khan uncle's terrace. It would be humble if I say, "I was rather acting a Stepney" than saying, "I flew the kites". The moment the boys dragged the kites of the other kids in the neighboring buildings, our happiness knew no bounds as if we personally won each kite. ;-)</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> The owner of Fast Kirana was a foreign returned. I don't remember exactly where but he lived in Saudi or Dubai before returning back home. I started making friends with him. In Khammam, we were quite popular as students of V.V.C, who spoke English well. Showing off all my English speaking skills; I would try to impress him ;-) Back then, Stamp collection was a big hobby for us kids. Who do I have in foreign to give me stamps? :( I don't remember how...but I started my own collection. That's when my brain started plotting to steal or borrow some of Uncle's stamp collection. I knew this was my way to gain popularity at school. During summer, I don't remember now who it was, one fellow promised to exchange some stamps and had taken my book later saying he lost it. I remembered his name until some years ago. Now If I know who that is, he's going to be dead meat. After that, I became more possessive of my belongings.</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> In the initial days, it would be such fun to stand in the corridor hanging over the parapet wall watching vehicles on the streets and the street vendors. Mom would go to the World Famous Naaz Tailors to learn. If you haven't heard of Naaz tailors, then you don't belong to Khammam. That much I am sure. One such fine day, I saw a man with a basket on his head shouting, "Samose, Samose"...I wasn't sure what this foreign food was. It looked something similar to our Andhra sweet "<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=kajjikaya&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS880US880&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj-xZ7xgM7oAhUECM0KHTgoA9AQ_AUoAXoECAwQAw&biw=1366&bih=625&safe=active&ssui=on">kajjikayalu</a>" / gujiya. Now you all don't laugh at me, okay? How do you expect me to know something that I haven't seen in Andhra before and the name sounded so different....something with samo, samo..So, I fixed it in my brain that people in Khammam call them as 'Samo' something for Guijya. I did not know the taste of this divine 'Samosa' until much later when I ate it after eating my mom's head forever. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you have come this far, that means I know I can ramble some more...until then, won't share a tale from your childhood?</span></div>
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Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-24671417293116665292020-04-04T22:55:00.000-05:002020-04-09T19:01:23.689-05:001.ఖమ్మంలోని కమ్మటి రోజులు....కస్బా బజార్, ఫాస్ట్ కిరాణా, సమోసె .....<div style="text-align: justify;">
నేను తెలిసిన చాలా మందికి నేను ఖమ్మంలో కొంత కాలం పెరిగాను అన్న విషయం కూడా తెలుసు. 89 - 94. I would say the most beautiful years of my childhood. ఖమ్మం వచ్చిన కొత్తలో కస్బా బజార్ లోని ఫాస్ట్ కిరాణా షాప్ పైన ఒక చిన్న పోర్షన్లో అద్దెకి ఉండే వాళ్ళము. ఆ బిల్డింగ్ ఓనర్ ఖాన్ సాబ్. ఖాన్ అంకుల్ వాళ్ళది పెద్ద కుటుంబం. ఆయనకి ఇద్దరు కూతుర్లు, నలుగురు కొడుకులు. అందరి పేర్లు గుర్తు లేవు కానీ, వసీం, సోహాబ్, సుహైల్ అనుకుంట ఒక ముగ్గురు పేర్లు. మూడో వాడు మాతో ఆడుకునే వాడు. ఆఖరి వాడు అందరి కన్నా చిన్నోడు. నేను మొదట ఇద్దరు అబ్బాయిలతో ఆడే దాన్ని. మనకి ఎప్పుడు మన కన్నా పెద్ద వాళ్ళతోనే కదా సావాసం. నేను మొట్ట మొదటి సారి గాలి పటాలు ఎగురవేసింది ఖాన్ గారి డాబా మీదనే. నేను ఎగురవేశా అనే కంటే, వాళ్ళకి స్టెఫనీగా ఉండే దాన్ని అంటం బెటర్ ఏమో. పక్కన డాబాల మీద పటాలని పడేస్తే, అబ్బా...ఆ ఆనందం అంతా ఇంతా కాదు.</div>
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ఫాస్ట్ కిరాణా అంకుల్ అప్పటికే సౌదీలోనో, దుబాయ్ లోనో ఉండి వచ్చారు. ఆయన తో మంచి స్నేహం కుదిరింది. అందులో మా వి.వి.సి లో చదివే పిల్లకాయలు కొద్దిగా ఇంగిలి పీసు ఇరగదీసేవారు అని టాక్ అఫ్ ది టౌన్ లెండి. సో, అంకుల్ తో మనం ఇంగ్లీషులో రెచ్చి పోయేవాళ్ళం అన్నమాట. అప్పట్లో స్టాంప్ కలెక్షన్ ఒక పెద్ద హాబీగా ఉండేది. మనకి ఎవరు ఉన్నారు ఫారిన్లో, స్టాంపులు ఇవ్వటానికి? ఎలానో మొదలు పెట్టాను నేను కూడా అందరి లాగానే. మొదటి స్టాంపు ఎవరు ఇచ్చారో కూడా గుర్తు లేదు నాకు. అలా అంకుల్ తో స్నేహం పెంచుకుని, మెల్లగా అయన స్టాంప్ కలెక్షన్ మీద ఒక కన్నేసి, ఆయన్ని బతిమలాడి, కొన్ని కొట్టేసి, మన కలెక్షన్ పెంచేసుకుని, కొత్తగా చేరిన స్కూల్లో కొంచెం పాపులారిటీ పెంచుకున్నాను అన్నమాట. అసలు ఆయనతో ఫ్రెండ్ షిప్ చేసిందే అందుకు అనుకోండి. కానీ వేసవి సెలవుల్లో ఎవడో ఒకడు నా పుస్తకం చూసి ఇస్తా, స్టాంప్స్ ఎక్స్చేంజి చేసుకుందాం ఇలాంటి కహాని ఎదో చెప్పి మొత్తానికి నా కష్టార్జితాన్ని కాజేసాడు. చాల ఏళ్ళు వాడి పేరు గుర్తు పెట్టుకున్నా. ఇప్పుడు మర్చిపోయా. వాడెవడో గుర్తొస్తే మాత్రం, నా చేతిలో చచ్చాడే. </div>
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కొత్తలో డాబా పైన నుంచుని రోడ్ మీద అమ్మే వాళ్ళని, వచ్చి పోయే బళ్ళని చూస్తూ ఉంటే, చాలా సందడిగా ఉండేది. అమ్మ ది వరల్డ్ ఫేమస్ నాజ్ టైలర్ దెగ్గర నేర్చుకోటానికి వెళ్ళేది. మీకు నాజ్ టైలర్ తెలీకపోతే, మీది ఖమ్మం కాదండోయ్. తను వచ్చే దాకా, మనం బేవార్స్. అలా ఒక రోజు సమోసా అమ్మే అతను వెళ్తూ, సమోసె , సమోసె అంటే ఆ వింత పదార్థం ఏమిటో అర్ధం కాలేదు. ఫస్ట్ ఫ్లోర్ నుండి రోడ్ అవతల మనిషి తల మీద బుట్టలో వున్నవి ఎలా కనిపిస్తాయి చెప్పండి? అందులోనూ మనకి సోడా బుడ్డి కళ్ళద్దాలు. అవును మరి, మా ఆంధ్ర దేశంలో ఎప్పుడు చూడలేదు నేను వాటిని. ఓహ్, ఖమ్మంలో వీటిని సమోసా అంటారు కాబోలు, అవి ఖఛ్చితంగా కజ్జికాయలు అని మన సొంత పరిజ్ఞానంతో ఫిక్స్ అయ్యిపోయా. తరువాత మా అమ్మ బుర్ర తినీ తినీ ఎప్పుడో అవి తిన్నాకా కానీ, ఆత్మకి శాంతి చేకూరలేదు.</div>
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ఇప్పటి దాకా చదివారంటే, నా సోది ఇంకా చదువుతారు అని నమ్మకం తో, మళ్ళా వస్తా....అప్పటి దాకా, మీరు మీ చిన్నప్పటి జ్ఞాపకాలు గుర్తు తెచ్చుకుని చెప్పరూ ....</div>
Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-22197646255573244082020-01-22T23:35:00.002-06:002020-01-22T23:48:15.140-06:00Where I stand?<div style="text-align: justify;">
The other day while driving, my daughter casually said, "2020! Wow! The first decade of my life went by really quick, Amma." I smiled at her and her thoughts. The first decade of my life? Is she that old to be thinking about how her life has gone by? What about me? Four decades of my life had gone by. What do I think about it? How do I feel about it? Where do I stand?</div>
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2020! I remember vividly how and where New Year Celebrations had been for the year 2000. The dress I wore, whose house we were at, the songs to which my sister danced and the feeling I felt the next day, "Wow! 2000. The turn of a century! A Millenium!" I remember wishing each and everyone I met and saw on my way, A very Happy New Year. When CBN used to say, Vision 2020, I wondered many times, where are we all going to be in 2020? Is this man crazy? Is he even going to be alive by then? These thoughts surfaced my mind many times. And see where we are in 2020. I'm sorry, Sir. For dreaming big for us and for we the people of AP having failed you forever. Shame on us and shame on the ungrateful people of AP. This topic was not my main intention of this post; however, I can't help it for my respect for this man.<br />
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I think more than half my life is over already. I feel satiated for being blessed with what I have, feel sorry for the relations that cut adrift and have become apathetic to many things in life. It doesn't bother me anymore for the vacations or holidays I haven't taken or the food I haven't experimented with. It does bug me why some people behave the way they do, but one cannot control things, not in one's control.</div>
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I stand at this point in life where I don't give a shit to what people think of or who I have to please anymore. I stand at this point in life where I can differentiate the genuine ones from the fake. I haven't mastered the art yet, but I will be there by the next decade may be ;-) I am at a point where I learned zipping the lips most of the time is better than expressing your opinions. I stand at this point where I am wise enough to pick my battles.</div>
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Above all, I stand at a point in life where I live each day with the fear of losing my most loved ones. With the fear to protect them by all might. With the fear, if my children will fail; with the fear of how they will be alone in the world when we leave them. Yet, I move on with new dreams, new hopes and small targets, one day at a time. Here's wishing you all a Very Healthy and Happy New Year! </div>
Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-2677978667478423572019-03-30T20:09:00.003-05:002019-03-30T20:16:13.275-05:00Amma, Idli and us!<div style="text-align: justify;">
I must be in middle school then. Amma used to make idlis for breakfast once in a while. And I literally hated every time I had to eat those white rocks. For some reason, her idlis were as hard as rocks. She would say that they were hard because the batter was made in a mixie and not the rock age method of stone grinding. </div>
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<i>Image courtesy: <a href="https://khiyaliaravinda.wordpress.com/2010/10/15/%E0%B0%87%E0%B0%A1%E0%B1%8D%E0%B0%B2%E0%B0%BF-whole-grain-idli-recipe/">Here</a></i></div>
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Amma and I belonged to an era which graduated from stone grinder to the electronic mixer. There used to be an old man who came asking for alms on weekends. Amma thought he reminded her of her paternal grandfather. We used to tease her, Go..attend him..your Appayya tata had come. She would admonish us giving us those looks which we were very much scared of back then. Not now though. That weekend, idli happened to be the breakfast and as usual, we did not complete them and there were enough to give them to him. She happily went and offered them to him and came inside. He stood there looking at her and the white rocks in his hand. Held them and turned them around, looking around and then threw it back on the compound wall and left. We kids roared with laughter at the act and the treatment the poor idlis got from him. From then on, the joke stayed in the family. </div>
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Mom never got better at making idlis until she came to the U.S. (This is our claim, okay!). She would even say, you need to eat them hot..that's when they are soft. When they become cold, they become hard. I always kept arguing that the street side idlis never get hard even when they are cold. </div>
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After I moved to the U.S and had a family of my own, I got the modern wet grinder from India as I learned that's the secret for fluffier idlis. And I would boast to her that my idlis are softer than hers and that I mastered the skill of making idlis. I still did not like eating them as much but had to make it for the husband and the kid. One thing I never understood is when people order Idli in a restaurant. I have this expression that says, "Idli? Who in the world orders an Idli in a hotel? Don't they have anything better to eat?"</div>
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Facebook tells me it's World Idli day today. I was speaking to Amma over the phone a while back and she said, they ate idlis today. I told her that it's World Idli day and reminded her of her Appayya tata joke and she claims...Oye...not anymore...mine are as soft as cotton balls now. And I say, Yeah...right!!! Here's a Happy Idli day to all the idli lovers across the globe!</div>
Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-64128970997286868232019-03-09T17:21:00.000-06:002019-03-09T17:21:24.750-06:00Tis juste a Weekend Ramble!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Read this post by imagining me standing in front of a mike and I am trying to talk like a standup comedian. Just saying! You are at your free will to read it as you like or not read it at all. :)</i></div>
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So...apparently I decide to go on a non-cooking strike. Non-cooking strike? One must have heard of Hunger Strike. But a No-Cooking strike? Yeah..right. You heard me right. So it started on a Friday night with all my might. As we went to file our taxes and ended up late into the night. We picked food on the way and ate very late. I normally cook for the week ahead and pack in boxes of five. One for each working day of the week. So the husband could grab one a day and go. Cos you know, people in my home are handicapped that way. They need a GPS even in the fridge or say, to serve their food.</div>
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Come Saturday and we attend a House warming and lunch is covered. I stand firm and say there is no food at home and we stop by a curry point to pick up some curries for the week. The son eats one of the curries with roti (I didn't make them btw..) and says, this is not so good...it's alright. I tell him, you better get used to it as I am not going to cook this week. What? Why? he exclaims! I didn't respond but got the kick out of it and conclude by, Cos I need a break!</div>
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Silence!</div>
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It's Sunday and we visit the new Baba Temple. The daughter and I eat the prasad and feel our lunch is done. The son wanted KFC. So, we make stop. The smell of chicken makes us both hungry again. Pizza Hut is right next to it and the husband orders pizza so that he could eat it for dinner too. We hop in. We come home and eat pizza again while the husband complaints the customer service for being denied of extra pepper. </div>
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I said I am on a strike right? But what can stop me from entering my kingdom? Though I resisted from the past couple of days, I could not stand it longer but then I really did not want to lose my battle..you see? So I fry some fish ...just because it has been defrosted a couple of days back. I cut the chicken and marinate it for school lunches for the week ahead. You see, these are compulsory tasks I had to finish. I do all of this while watching Marvelous Mrs.Maisel with my Bose Noise canceling headset. Let me tell you, that's the best investment the husband has ever done for me. I open the fridge to store the spices and notice a stack of beer bottles. Don't I remember they were expired? Then wtf are they doing in my refrigerator? I take them out. All of them. Open them one by one. Drain them, wash each bottle and then put them in the recycle bin. I am finicky that way. I put rice in the cooker...poor guys..let them not starve tonight...it's freaking cold outside. And I continue to watch Marvelous Mrs.Maisel. Now wait..Am I starting to sound like her? You see..these things have an impact on you.. The more you watch, the more you tend to talk like them, act like them. I will let you all have a nice weekend before I become one. </div>
Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-5370791855634386192019-01-16T22:35:00.000-06:002019-01-17T09:12:15.289-06:00Small things do matter!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Amma...amma, Can I get bangs?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"No, Nanna"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"But why amma? What is wrong in getting bangs?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have no answer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Please amma..." this time folds her hands and lowers her chin"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I tell her to go ask her dad to escape from the situation</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"He will say, No. He already said that before"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She sulks and understands that it's not going to happen and decides to move on with her work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Another family:</i> A father and son at the Hair Salon. The 11-year-old boy asks," Dad, I want to get a Mohawk this time"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"What Hawk?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Mohawk"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"No Mohwak...geehok. Just get a regular hair cut."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Why? What's wrong?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To avoid further embarrassment, the dad starts off in their local language. "If you ask one more time, I am going to break your legs".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The disappointed boy goes and gets his regular hair cut done with one on the sides and two on top.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>A group of Moms of Teenagers:</i> "Mine wants an ear pierced"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Mine wants a Tattoo. A Tattoo! I can't even imagine that. What kind of people get Tattoos?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Mine wants to cut her hair super short. What happens to all the effort I put all these years in growing her hair so long?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Yours just wants to cut her hair. Mine wants highlights. What are people going to think about her with those red/brown streaks? As if she is going to dance in a club. Color. She wants to be highlighted."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Another sigh! "These kids are just out of their minds. Don't know what is wrong with them?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How often have we heard conversations like these? Very often, right? If not, at least once in a while. Why are we so rigid as parents? Haven't our parents said 'NO' to one or many more things that we wished we had or wanted to do? How much hurt did that NO cause to our growing mindsets? Haven't we all been kids once? Teens, young adults, and adults now? Haven't we thought, "I am not going to be this way when I grow up"? But then, what changed now? Did the kid in us die on the way of becoming a parent? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If your little girl wants bangs, get it done. It is, after all, a few strands of hair. It's going to grow back. Tell the boy that he could get a Mohawk for Summer but cannot keep it forever. They get bored with it after a while. No kid can go around with a Mohawk forever. Do the small things for them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Let the ear gets pierced. It will close when they remove it. A tattoo. Bargain with them to get in a small size, maybe not so visible. Let them know the reasons behind why and why not.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Did your daughter ask you to take the pain to grow the hair that long? Did she ask you to toil and oil it, wash it and take all that extra care? Kids never do that. We as parents do it as we don't have the extra long tresses that we desire for. Highlights are not permanent. They'll fade away in 6 months. It's hair after all. It will grow back. If the 15-year-old doesn't wear shots, is the mom or grandmom going to wear shorts that are really short? There's a time and place for things in life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Kids grow up before we realize, when? While raising them feels like an eternity, they are out of the house in no time. Once they are grown up and look at their pictures, they would definitely recollect the bangs they longed for, those shiny high heels for Birthday, or that cross body pouch for a picnic or jogger pants in high school that we never let them have. They would not remember the $200 Nike shoes you bought them for working out. They wouldn't remember the expensive dinners and Birthday parties you threw for them. They won't memorize or remember all the pain and money you spend on providing them the things you wanted to give. But, they would always remember those small, tiny things you said No for. As parents, we do think they forget it easily. YES. They do. Kids tend to forget that minute or that day itself. But deep inside their hearts, these small NOs pile up and leave a void that none of us can fill. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> We may live only until half of their lives. They are going to live longer than us and look at those pictures for the rest of their lives. Make memories for them. Memories they cherish. Memories they feel happy about. Memories they fondly want to look at and tell their kids with pride; "See, my dad and I did this together". Not with a disappointing tone that sighs, "I wish my mom let me curl my hair". Let them live their life and not yours!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Here's wishing all my readers a Very Happy, Healthy and blessed New Year! Just realized this is my 150th post. Thank you all for being with me all these years and continuing to show your love in more ways than one!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Images from Pinterest.</i></span></div>
Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-71192703212558667592018-12-12T22:03:00.000-06:002018-12-12T22:15:02.563-06:00Peddammama.....You will be dearly missed!<div style="text-align: justify;">
She was there. Before I was born. While I grew up. She was there. She stood there on every occasion as our Mother, Grand Mother, and Godmother of all her siblings, their kids, their siblings, the kids' kids, and their siblings...Being the oldest of eight siblings, she always carried pride, elegance, and charm in her demeanor.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Out of your seven siblings and their kids and grandkids; be it my luck or the bond you share with your youngest sister; you have been there on every single major event of my life, Peddammama. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You were the first pedda muthaiduvu to adorn my hands with bangles on my bride making ceremony. You were the one to make me seated for my engagement, you always received the first tambulam. For that matter, it coincides that you brought the first wedding proposal to me. I still remember how upset you were when the guy's family didn't respond for a while and how you chided that they send my photos back if the family is not interested in our proposal.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I was always proud that you were the first one to go on a flight when I was my daughter's age. Your stories from Singapore lured us for long years of my childhood. How your sister would boast and I could only see pure joy but not a bit of envy in her eyes. Only you could remember and bring gifts for each and every one of your nieces and nephews. You must have long forgotten what all you bought. The first tiny alarm which had a button to press and not a key. It made the cutest bird sound ever unlike the screechy alarms every one of us carried in our homes. That Gold Citizen watch.. And the Singapore Saris you got for Amma and Chinnakka..I can still remember the color and print on them. Oh boy! They just lasted for a lifetime.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Being the oldest child and the oldest sibling always comes with its own set of perks and drawbacks. Who else knows it better than you? If not for you, how else would pedda mamayya be the family doctor for the entire Moparti Siblings and for generations to come? I always felt sorry for some of your wishes not being fulfilled. I only thought I could have brought her here if she was my own grandma. But what did you not do that my grandma did? I wish I had all the courage, the liberties I have now, back then. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You longed for people. One phone call and you would rave about it all the time with anyone who visited you. One small visit and it would go for years. I can't forget your amusement on seeing both my kids. We are your sister's grandkids but we were always Jayamma gari santanam. Only you could own certain subtleties. When you were alive, none of us bothered to tell you how much we valued you. I think that's the way of life. We realize and express our feelings only after the person has left us. </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Out of the few pictures of I have of myself; glad to be having some of the most precious ones with you. I know you are no more....I know you won't read this....but I am sure you will hear my ache to touch those wrinkled hands, to take those return gifts you save for us after each function. Your fuss over getting all the fruits plucked and packed for us will be missed. And our trips to Takkellapadu won't be the same again...That feeling of mandatoriness will be replaced by a new Vaccum. Why I write this now? Because I am not sure if I will lead a long life like you, if I will have your memory..I am afraid I will forget telling the stories of these memories to my grandkids....May you live the same grand life in heaven till we reach you one day! With all the love you have showered on us, we are truly blessed to share your legacy. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgzUvuRgaFBJ5U7CgZPS2xTQ07VzdHPaywXew_5dYuoXCA1dHSxqPq1Dh2LITFIhxsh997BzGdyy0vv_7H927PLJ9G8odybYHWWyNA0pwY6LToMhqarOdisYmUinatWng4oHVqg6h3WMZ/s1600/48384182_10213466727206339_1255948862275715072_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgzUvuRgaFBJ5U7CgZPS2xTQ07VzdHPaywXew_5dYuoXCA1dHSxqPq1Dh2LITFIhxsh997BzGdyy0vv_7H927PLJ9G8odybYHWWyNA0pwY6LToMhqarOdisYmUinatWng4oHVqg6h3WMZ/s640/48384182_10213466727206339_1255948862275715072_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
On my bride making ceremony...When I was in<br />
an age when I just nodded my head to what has<br />
to be done next....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlxvgk2trSSKLUIj1jyMfZlLoshLSNInpHFf5r8cNH9Ki0K_7EIzQeGNSe5Z1um2inuTdahDnw8j0N0NZJc5U64zzIyAGcI49qVmuc7D1g_ouCO7-_XHpjvG6CmqEO68XU6vs38LO2pX1/s1600/47688547_10213466728046360_776758532132306944_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1600" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlxvgk2trSSKLUIj1jyMfZlLoshLSNInpHFf5r8cNH9Ki0K_7EIzQeGNSe5Z1um2inuTdahDnw8j0N0NZJc5U64zzIyAGcI49qVmuc7D1g_ouCO7-_XHpjvG6CmqEO68XU6vs38LO2pX1/s320/47688547_10213466728046360_776758532132306944_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2iRPv5ep3RLhcBfVxseTAnGiztKaLMbHqYkHGQn_a4gBci8U6F6uBdTY4_Y6pk-OmSJFq5v-CZ8WYGqZUTXbsaDqfP0mJWf128yMsbchZPOsVCG_HRe9uBbSAv7lim5FDjo9Vx4Bo1AK/s1600/48324900_10213466728326367_5086581218066038784_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1179" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2iRPv5ep3RLhcBfVxseTAnGiztKaLMbHqYkHGQn_a4gBci8U6F6uBdTY4_Y6pk-OmSJFq5v-CZ8WYGqZUTXbsaDqfP0mJWf128yMsbchZPOsVCG_HRe9uBbSAv7lim5FDjo9Vx4Bo1AK/s320/48324900_10213466728326367_5086581218066038784_o.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1e8UruyDaScX1_6HH3TakXpbgMkrjGgIRbQBZiRPaKwnF0PoP28f3jS98LzMBLzoCGTTCMOp2tUIPhbmJOEJYmgmWVcL4XbRs7g0tJ12eHqwmdMsVLeRE82PnPPSW1XkxjuBMVvQgp8nm/s1600/575036_3187835378540_760989575_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1e8UruyDaScX1_6HH3TakXpbgMkrjGgIRbQBZiRPaKwnF0PoP28f3jS98LzMBLzoCGTTCMOp2tUIPhbmJOEJYmgmWVcL4XbRs7g0tJ12eHqwmdMsVLeRE82PnPPSW1XkxjuBMVvQgp8nm/s640/575036_3187835378540_760989575_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Four Generations!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>pedda: Oldest</i></div>
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<i>Tambulam: <a href="http://greenmesg.org/stotras/puja/tambulam.php">Tambulam</a></i></div>
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<i>Santanam : Offspring</i></div>
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<i>mamayya: Maternal Uncle</i></div>
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<i>Muthaiduvu: A married woman whose husband is alive</i></div>
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Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-17679730997405527032018-09-05T09:29:00.000-05:002018-09-05T09:29:42.853-05:00Conversations with Ammu - 1<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now that the baby turned toddler turned cute little girl with two pig tails is turning into an almost tween; her chatter is no longer an innocent musing as it used to be. From the past year or so, we have conversations. Most of her questions are around religion and they are quiet interesting conversations. This post is not one of those religious talks we had but something funny to spread some smiles like always :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One day while rolling on the bed, Ammu blurts out: "Amma, I wished you started wearing makeup"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"why?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"you will look pretty"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"why? I am pretty even now"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"umm.... Amma, no offense but you will look much better. All the holes with pimples; makeup will cover all that"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While I still think what to answer her next, she goes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"you see American movies. How people put makeup on?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"So?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"See how much lipstick Taylor swift puts on..."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"What's Taylor Swift? Is it a movie or a person?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Oh! My gosh, Amma! You don't know who Taylor Swift is?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Nope, I dont!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Amma, she is the one who sang "shake it off", sings something I can't comprehend</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now it's my turn to say "oh my gosh! Amulya, you know so many things"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">From rolling on the bed I turn to rolling my eyes and wave her off!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">********************************************************************************************</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ammu wears a blue frock and I tell her, "Amulya, you know we bought this frock at Gymboree and they are closing stores now?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"They are closing? why?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Because they are not doing so well in business. They are not making a lot of money; that's why."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"They need to tell people about their business, Amma"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"What do you mean tell people about their business?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"They need to advertise, Amma!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">See...ads on tv? I have seen a yogurt, a Bank and detergent ads but never saw a Gymboree ad .</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">They need to sell them more, Amma"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was another of those, I see!! moment for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">********************************************************************************************</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We had guests over and she was narrating something in English</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I ask her to speak in Telugu</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She says, "why?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I tell her because they can't understand the way you speak English</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"They cant understand my English?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"What do you mean? </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">English is one. Like you say god is one, English is also one. It is the same English we all speak.."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Then how come they all not understand?" And gives me one of those you are so dumb looks. Sigh!</span></div>
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Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-61313539142319883232018-05-14T21:58:00.001-05:002019-01-17T09:58:25.832-06:00You know...Your TeenYou know you have a teenager<br />
When he wears knee-length socks<br />
on Sliders and shorts<br />
<br />
You know it's weird<br />
But he wears a hoodie at home<br />
a Jacket when it's 90 degrees<br />
And shorts when it's freezing<br />
<br />
You know he's as hungry as a bear<br />
When there isn't a grain left<br />
of any crap, you pack for lunch<br />
<br />
Only a teen would respond<br />
nonchalantly<br />
when you call him a donkey<br />
<br />
You get your shock of the day<br />
when he comes by and asks,<br />
"Do you need some help?"<br />
You wonder, "What's wrong with him?"<br />
And he says:<br />
"You just want me to be busy..so I ask"<br />
<br />
You would want to knock his head<br />
when he conspires with his dad<br />
"Don't give too many choices to Amma..<br />
Like the brick color of the house"<br />
<br />
You feel it when he circles<br />
in the kitchen like a fly<br />
That he wants to unload<br />
mushy mushy secrets<br />
of his heart<br />
<br />
You know only he could be<br />
So brutally honest<br />
about your hysterics<br />
and lame jokes<br />
<br />
You know there is no one<br />
who could drive you up the wall<br />
shoot your BP<br />
higher than him<br />
<br />
You fight, you bicker<br />
you hiss, you blackmail<br />
you laugh, you love<br />
You continue<br />
to grow together<br />
With each year....<br />
<br />
Wishing you a Hundred more Birthdays and wishing that it only gets better by each year!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-69970347353206032682018-05-13T22:26:00.002-05:002018-05-14T05:22:48.829-05:00It's Okay....This is to all my dear busy moms of the world who take guilt trips round the clock. It's Okay!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2W5S-Lbb1Utm-3nRuDDh6qIEi2fkAV4qi_REOsDqXq6_bKpjNoISDIydyKn4HTnvEFbtlbpL7OMX8hadhduseFO01-ZWCjFg7hzUYhYNrOAMbo7fqbeJIsP5hmAxugEPNk9wCBOCAy1ft/s1600/It%2527s+okay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="570" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2W5S-Lbb1Utm-3nRuDDh6qIEi2fkAV4qi_REOsDqXq6_bKpjNoISDIydyKn4HTnvEFbtlbpL7OMX8hadhduseFO01-ZWCjFg7hzUYhYNrOAMbo7fqbeJIsP5hmAxugEPNk9wCBOCAy1ft/s320/It%2527s+okay.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
To those moms<br />
who wake up to a hurricane hit home<br />
whose sink is piled up<br />
with dishes dirty and greasy<br />
It's okay<br />
Home isn't a museum<br />
<br />
To those moms<br />
who walk their kids to school<br />
braless, in PJs and flipflops<br />
wrapped in an age-old jacket<br />
It's okay<br />
It's not a photoshoot after all<br />
<br />
To those moms<br />
who have to skip PTAs<br />
to meet a project deadline<br />
Who skip field trips<br />
to save the day for a sick child<br />
who miss watching and cheering<br />
Soccer and Basket Ball matches<br />
It's Okay<br />
The kid will survive<br />
<br />
To those moms<br />
who run to the stores<br />
for milk and bread or eggs<br />
in unwaxed legs on a Capri<br />
in shabby hair and sunken eyes<br />
It's okay<br />
None but you stayed up late<br />
with a Colicky baby<br />
<br />
To those moms<br />
Who are late to work<br />
yet a pit stop at Starbucks<br />
Dialing into daily status calls<br />
Who work from home<br />
eating breakfast at 11 and lunches at 3<br />
It's okay<br />
The Company doesn't run on a person<br />
<br />
To those moms<br />
Who pays a late fee<br />
for library books and class photos<br />
It's okay<br />
You aren't harming anyone<br />
<br />
To those moms<br />
Who chose career over kids<br />
Who chose kids over career<br />
It's okay<br />
The kid will understand one day<br />
<br />
To those moms<br />
who spend half a day<br />
at nails or the spa<br />
who leaves her kids<br />
with a babysitter<br />
to have a drink with her Gfs<br />
It's okay<br />
To do something for yourself<br />
<br />
To those moms<br />
Who leave their kids<br />
in India or elsewhere<br />
With grannies or nannies<br />
It's okay<br />
Each have their own battles<br />
<br />
To those moms<br />
whose kids succeed<br />
and whose don't<br />
It's okay<br />
Not your fault<br />
<br />
To all the moms<br />
who strive day and night<br />
who fight tooth and nail<br />
who put their family first<br />
who eat half their meals<br />
standing or walking<br />
who are mother hens<br />
It's Okay. It's going to be Okay!Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614247118171115616.post-2066637216054392952018-04-14T11:16:00.000-05:002018-04-19T22:30:20.164-05:00Laughter!<i>When I laughed</i><br />
<i>people said</i><br />
<i>It sounded like </i><br />
<i>a </i><i>goat's bleat</i><br />
<i>One said </i><br />
<i>it sounded </i><i>like </i><br />
<i>the gears of a bus</i><br />
<i>Few who loved me</i><br />
<i>loved my laughter too</i><br />
<i>nonetheless how</i><br />
<i>hysteric it is</i><br />
<i>Fun some did</i><br />
<i>for sure</i><br />
<i>little did I care</i><br />
<i>back then and now</i><br />
<i>for I love to laugh</i><br />
<i>they way I laugh;</i><br />
<i><br /></i> <i>Now a miniature of me</i><br />
<i>she laughs</i><br />
<i>the way I do</i><br />
<i>A goat's bleat again</i><br />
<i>the same hysterics</i><br />
<i>the exact wave</i><br />
<i>of up and down</i><br />
<i>it flows</i><br />
<i>through the bones and veins</i><br />
<i>and echoes</i><br />
<i>through the walls and hallways</i><br />
<i>the giggles continue</i><br />
<i>dawn to dusk</i><br />
<i>each day she grows</i><br />
<i>the laughter grows too... </i><br />
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<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i>Wishing the lil devil of laughters a very Happy 9th Birthday!</i>Found In Folsomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381456888085332705noreply@blogger.com8