In Retrospect

January 31st can there be anything special about it?
Just another day
In the daily grind of a mundane life
The first month of the year comes to an end,
So what's new?
Unchanging monotony, slowly fading hopes, weakening resolves
Can there be anything special about Jan the 31st?
Just a turn in the page of a calendar
There can be nothing special about Jan the 31st.

January 31st..it can be so very special,
When the dawn of a fresh new year
has given new hopes, challenges and dreams.
Like any last day, with the bitter mingling with the sweet
We introspect the good that's done, the best that's to come and the bad that's taught new lessons
Jan the 31st it can be so special
as a page in the calendar turns,
With a few steps taken in a new direction,
Achievements in small measures,
What a gratifying day it can be,
The last day of the first month of the new year!

Day 31 of Blogathon 2017

Trivial Musings (with a dose of sarcasm)

Life's unfair when we are supposed to choose our career in our teens when sometimes we figure out what we are really good at finally in our 20s, 30s or maybe 40s.

Recently I saw a video about the world's toughest job being that of a farmer's. I'm sure it is but I think parenting would give it some tough competition. At least, the weather is sometimes predictable.

I read in the paper a few weeks back that it is possible to raise kids without yelling. Yes...probably when your kids are angels and life is one rosy picture for you. For those whose kids are not, like mine, this was my tribute.

What's with the post-baby bod? How do these ladies do it - some in weeks after delivery? It's been years and I have still clung to the fat around my stomach.

Seeing my tummy fat, I shake my head in disbelief, because all through my life till my marriage, I was told that I was so thin that I would disappear one day. Sorry I didn't.

So to those thin people (they do exist and they too experience body shaming), you will get payback time, when those who teased you then will now be looking out for gyms or stressing about diets. (This is before you get the aforementioned tummy fat. Once you cross that milestone, it's a level playing field.)

If you ever want to connect with another homemaker, start your conversation with the topic of maids, pepper it with the stress of having kids and end it with the eternal conundrum of in-laws. If they do not have a problem with any one of the three, they are living the good life that you imagine in your dreams.

Silence is golden. I truly agree with that. But what about all the junk that's floating in my head because of all the thoughts I cannot express out loud? Well, that comes out here. :)

I never knew writing a blog post every day was not only exhausting but also exhilarating at the same time. One more day to go. Phew!

Day 30 of Blogathon 2017

Travel

Mani Ratnam, one of India's best filmmakers, is supposedly going to shoot abroad for his upcoming movie. This should not be an earth-shattering piece of news, but when you consider that it is only the third time that he has done so in his long illustrious career (once for the film Guru -Turkey and the second time  for Amrutha - Sri Lanka or could be vice versa), it is truly remarkable. Especially because his films are as much a visual treat as they are emotionally profound. His most beautiful songs shot in India are a testimony to the abundant beauties known and unknown in our country.

India is a country of 29 states and 7 union territories. It's a multicultural, multireligious and multilinguistic nation. But what amazes me most is the variety of options it offers to every kind of tourist. Spiritual, religious, eco, adventure, historic and even medical tourism are the different kinds of tourism thriving in India.

Travelling to new places is something I love. Out of the 29 states, I have been to one or two places in 12 states. These are Andhra Pradesh (where I have lived), Telangana (where I live now), Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Sikkim.

There is still so much to explore, even in the states that I have already visited. Gujarat, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and the Northeast states are some of the states that I plan to visit in the future.

It's not easy to take time out to travel, especially with kids. But if there's one resolution that I would like to try each year, it's to take a trip to a new place at least once a year.

Here are some pics from trips we made in the last few years

 Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 

Coorg, Karnataka

Dubare, Karnataka

Bylakuppe, Karnataka

Karamala, Orissa

Warangal, Telangana

Munnar, Kerala

Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu

Ooty, Tamil Nadu

Day 29 of Blogathon 2017

Data Privacy

January 28th is Data Privacy Day. You can check your privacy settings by going to Google homepage, if you have a Google account.

According to the Privacy Checkup page, you can 'Choose the privacy settings that are right for you. Review and adjust what data Google uses to personalize your experience, and update what information you share with friends or make public.'

I am not sure how much of a difference it makes but at least we can regulate how much of what we are doing on the net is seen.

Day 28 of Blogathon 2017

My Favourite TV Show

Do you like to watch sitcoms? I do. Short for situational comedy, sitcoms are a series of 20-30 minute episodes which focus on a particular set of characters. American sitcoms are very popular, with shows such as Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, How I Met your Mother, The Big Bang Theory enjoying immense popularity in India. I have watched all these shows and love the humour and distinctive style of each show. However, if there is one TV show that ranks high up on my list, it is the show about nothing, Seinfeld.

Named the greatest television program of all time in 2002 by TV Guide, the first episode of Seinfeld aired nearly 27 years ago in July 1989. Running for 9 successful years, Seinfeld gave birth to catchphrases such as 'yada yada', 'regifting', 'low talker', 'in the vault' and so many more.

I was introduced to this TV show in 2007 by my husband, who was a big fan of Jerry Seinfeld. Thankfully, the reruns of the show came every evening and I must have watched all the 9 seasons a lot of times. Not everyone can understand or appreciate the irreverent and unsentimental tone of the show, preferring the feel good nature of sitcoms such as Friends. But I loved it. It was comedic genius and I especially loved Elaine Benes, played terrifically by Julia Louis Dreyfus.

Most evenings (when I was in the US) all alone at home, Seinfeld gave me the best company I could ask for and it will always be my all time favourite TV show.

Day 27 of Blogathon 2017

Republic Day

Today, the 26th of January, is the Republic Day of India. The first thing that comes to my mind on this day is the Parade, which my mother used to watch religiously every year and still does. Watching the parade made us feel immensely proud of our country's armed forces and amazed at the myriad hues of India's rich culture and heritage.

We do not need a reason to explain or a specific day to express our love for our motherland but watching the parade on Republic Day filled our hearts with patriotic fervour and national pride.

Nowdays I do not watch the parade. However, on this day, in our colony, the air reverberates with patriotic songs right from the morning. I have a great time listening to the songs playing from the stereo systems placed in key points all over the locality. Some of the songs are 'mere desh ki dharti', 'nanha munna rahi hoon', 'ae mere watan ke logon' and 'vandemataram'. Rahman's Vandemataram is often played on such occasions but I never hear the other patriotic song he has composed which is one of my favourites. It is 'Yeh jo desh hai tera' from the movie Swades. Listening to it, one cannot help but feel an immense love for our nation.

Wishing everyone a Happy Republic Day!

Day 26 of Blogathon 2017

25 Questions

Doing the Book Tag was so much fun. So I checked the Internet and came across this 25 Questions Tag, which asks pretty random and ahem, useless, stuff. Here goes -

Question 1: do you have any pets?

No. I don't like having pets.

Question 2: name three things that are physically close to you.

My phone, the sofa and the newspaper.

Question 3: what’s the weather like right now?

It's a mix of sunny and windy. Lovely January weather.

Question 4: do you drive? If so, have you crashed?

No, I don't.  But I had a near crash when I was learning how to drive. Now, you know why I don't.

Question 5: what time did you wake up this morning?

At 5:45 a.m.

Question 6: when was the last time you showered?

Today morning.

Question 7: what was the last movie that you saw?

Jyo atchuthananda at home and Dangal in the multiplex.

Question 8: what does your last text message say?

My last WhatsApp message was 'good night anna' to my brother who lives abroad.

Question 9: what is your ringtone?

Something called 'Over the Horizon' in my Samsung phone.

Question 10: have you ever been to a different country?

Yes. To the United States.

Question 11: do you like sushi?

Have never tasted it.

Question 12: where do you buy your groceries?

At the local supermarket. That's the only shopping I have not started doing online yet, thankfully.

Question 13: have you ever taken any medication to help you fall asleep faster?

No. Never.

Question 14: how many siblings do you have?

Two. A brother and a sister.

Question 15: do you have a desktop computer or a laptop?

Laptop.

Question 16: how old will you be turning on your next birthday?

36!!!

Question 17: do you wear contacts or glasses?

Both.

Question 18: do you colour your hair?

If henna is colour, then once in a blue moon.

Question 19: tell me something you are planning to do today.

I am planning to go to a family function and not getting excited by that prospect at all.

Question 20: when was the last time you cried?

3 days back. Sometimes, things get too much to handle.

Question 21: what is your perfect pizza topping?

Paneer or baby corn.

Question 22: which do you prefer, hamburger or cheeseburger?

Ham is not an option..so it would be a cheeseburger.

Question 23: have you ever had an all-nighter?

Yes, many times.

Question 24: what is your eye colour?

Black.

Question 25: can you taste the difference between Pepsi and Coca-Cola?

I think Pepsi is sweeter.

There you go...my answers to the 25 Questions tag.

Tagging balcony sunrise and divya chatty. :)

Day 25 of Blogathon 2017