January 2013

This is a panorama of the living room at my mum n dad's place in Ahmedabad. I've been camping here with the kids since early Jan.....and although it has been overwhelming with way too much going on, I have a happy soul within me :).

Wish you all a happy, healthy and blessed 2013.....howz it going so far?

I'm managing okay - it took a ton of effort to pack stuff and get here, and then we had several days of jetlag. The day we landed was very eventful. But it ended beautifully - my BFF who I had not met since 13+ years came over to meet me. She was leaving for UK with her kids the same day I landed....but her flight was at night so she traveled from her hometown a few hours earlier than her departure time and came home to spend time with me. I was very skeptical whether our plan would work, but it did.

The daughter is loving it here. She has made so many friends - her best friend is Sona Aunty who lives right across our home.....she is a mom to two teenagers and my daughter is in love with her. So much, that she told her one day "you are my new mom" - LOL!

The son is a happy chubby-cheeks baby too, but his digestive system is very screwed up. I have had to cut dairy completely from my diet (and being a vegetarian it's pretty rough) to help him get back on track. I personally think that things are improving for him but I can't be sure. However, he is not miserable or cranky so even though as a mom I'm worried and anxious, I'm relieved I'm not dealing with a major critical issue. He's gone through a lot in his 4.5 months of life so far, and I sincerely pray that things become normal for him soon.

My mom has major right knee pain, and she is on painkillers. She is also doing physiotherapy and is meeting a surgeon tomorrow for further consultation. It's worrisome for all of us...but again, it's not terribly critical and we have the medical care we need for her to get better. I hope she starts feeling better soon.

We really enjoyed Uttarayan in Ahmedabad this year. The daughter had a blast. Watching thousands of hot air balloons in the sky was a sight I will remember for a very long time. It is something I experienced for the first time in my life.

Whenever I'm in India, I'm always constantly amazed with how different we live here compared to the US. The milkman comes and delivers the milk every morning here, whereas we buy in gallons in the US. The newspaper gets delivered early in the morning, and even if we have tablets/pc's/smartphones with unlimited internet access, most people prefer starting their day by reading the newspaper while sipping their tea or coffee. We have so many maids - its a full time business to manage them. Every day, there is an issue with some person...either they are sick, or take leave, or don't show up.....or mess up what they are asked to do. But then a solution to any problem encountered during the day is also found readily. Neighbors go to each other's houses without knocking on the door...and yes it's sometimes inconvenient and feels like an intrusion, but most of the times....it's okay. Everyone's lives are so intertwined with each other, and you see a lot of life, in general. In the US, it's just plain boring routine. You become very self centered. There is so much consumerism in the US, so even if you don't want to, you find yourself chasing for material comforts.

My daughter here has hardly played with any toys (the very few we brought) since we got here. There are no classes that I have enrolled her in. I have not yet taken her to any mall, or park, or sightseeing place. Yet she is having a blast. She is always busy. Whenever her papa calls and wants to do FaceTime with her, she is never home. She likes to see him over video chat for a couple of mins and say hello, but then she wants to go "play". People here are so warm, loving and welcoming. They know I'm only here for a short period of time....yet they give me and my kids so much time. My daughter eats so many meals at our neighbors' house. They take her out for ice cream, they take her out for a drive at night if she asks for it. They make mild food even though they routinely eat spicy food so that she can share a meal with them.

Maybe I'm just plain lucky to be surrounded with great folks. Who knows? But I love it here, inspite of all the issues I have to deal with.

Now if I have to work full time, put two kids through schooling here, and manage my own household - I wonder how difficult or easy it would be compared to how I manage in the US. I have never worked in India.....and have always lived with my parents, so I may not have faced much bureaucracy in getting things done, or may not have faced many of the real life challenges that people have to deal with on a daily basis.

But then, I think, just like it's working out right now inspite of the many issues that I have to deal with....it would work out then too.

Hope you all had a fantastic January. I'm looking forward to Feb coz hubby gets here....and I need a breather from managing two kids full time!!!!