Back to work....

:: First day back at work after a longish break - I find it peaceful and relaxing so far....I miss the kids but not so much that I would want to run back home :).

:: Cleaned my desk thoroughly - I find most cubicles filthy and full of junk....I like to keep my working space neat and organized.

:: Was pleasantly surprised to find a divisional recognition award plaque at my desk for a small research project I did with Barcelona team a while back.

:: Went down to the cafe and was happy to see that all disposable items - cups, lids, spoons, etc have given way to reusable mugs and steel utensils.

:: Spoke to my manager and found out he got a well deserved promotion. Extremely happy for him and feels great to work for someone who is much above the rest of the staff (in terms of technical expertise and mentoring) on our project..and is a true leader. Now only if he would cut down on his micro-management (and to be fair, he has succeeded in doing that in the recent past) then he would be someone I could learn and grow from and enjoy working with in the years to come. We had a bumpy beginning but we seem to be getting along fine since quite some time now.

:: The entire family, including moi, was sick with a bad bacterial infection as soon as we landed. It took us more than a couple weeks to recover. The baby has had back to back ear infections (seriously, he needs your prayers) and I seem to have caught another cold yesterday. It's been very challenging, to say the least, in terms of illnesses since 2013 began.

:: For our daughter: I've toured many preschools and have done trials at 3 of them. I have come to a conclusion that for our daughter's personality, a Montessori will work best in the beginning years. She has an interview today (good luck to her :)) and if she does well then she will start half-day preschool this week - I'm excited and nervous! {Any inputs on preschools, montessori, etc are appreciated}.

:: Tried out a new chaat dish recently - did not take pics but will post a recipe soon. It's a lot of work to make it (soaking dal, grinding, baking, etc) but its sooper yummy and nutritious.

:: I am already planning a short vacation in summer {sigh} - it will only be a week long but looking forward to it!

Here's a recent picture of the kiddos....{got a few matching outfits stitched in India...feel so happy to see them wear those :)}

Back to work now!

Ordinary days

Our India trip is coming to an end this weekend. We've spent almost 3 months here, and even though most of our bags are packed, we don't feel like leaving. I know my parents and daughter would rather stay here forever. Although I miss my hubby, my home and my work, I wish I could stay here longer :).

This trip has been very challenging on all levels. Many things did not go as expected. Kids falling sick so many times, changing weather all throughout our stay, zillions of mosquito bites, dealing with a very defiant and stubborn toddler, potty training, an infant who never naps well during the day, feeding issues for both, mom's illness, and much much more.

But the trip has also been a triumph of sorts. When a problem arose, we figured out a solution - help came in quickly and from unexpected sources. It made us more resilient. I never lost my patience or found myself crying on the bathroom floor during tough times (when I traveled with my infant daughter, I had several breakdowns, and way too may conflicts with my parents during my stay, so I was anxious about such stuff happening again,  but thankfully, none of it did). The best gift that I have been rewarded with is how well the daughter has integrated herself into the culture and lifestyle here. She talks Gujarati, sings hindi/gujarati songs, eats Gujarati food, spends more time and eat more meals at the neighbors' houses than at our house, bathes/naps with other folks, travels by scooter and rickshaw everywhere, has loved and enjoyed with all the relatives she has met, has been on a long train journey, has visited so many local parks here, and so many other things. Even though I have a very tough toddler at my hands, I am proud to see the Social Gujarati Butterfly she has become here, and that too with so much ease.

Just to give you an example of her day:
Yesterday evening, she ate pani-puri at someone's house at 6pm; she ate dosa at another aunty's house at 7pm and then she had dessert at a neighbor's house at 8pm. She only comes home at bedtime, and insists that we keep the door open for her to walk in at night. I truly envy her life!

The son has graduated from tummy time and back time to playing in a sitting position all day....and he too spends a considerable portion of his time during the day "socializing". He prefers women over men (true story) and little girls over boys (yep). We tried a few more foods and he still only likes eating mangoes. He sure is lucky and blessed to have spent his first summer in India!


When I come for extended stays like this trip, what I enjoy the most are the ordinary days. Where the milkman delivers milk first thing in the morning, followed by the newspaper vaala. Where my day starts lazily and I can browse the newspaper while brushing my teeth. Where mom cooks our routine meals. Where the neighbors chit-chat all through the day. Where the apartment kids go to school and return. Where the vegetable and fruit vendors make their daily rounds. Where we have a full meal for lunch and then everyone naps for a couple of hours. Where we eat mangoes daily. Where we drink sugarcane juice (with ginger and a dash of lemon) on hot summer days to quench our thirst. Where we can go out for a walk in the evening and watch the neighborhood kids play cricket. Where we only have to run an errand or two during the day. Where relatives call to check on how we are doing. Where mom-dad do Satsang three times a day and there is ample opportunity to join them or just listen and enjoy. Where the awesome neighbor brings by a plate of hot snacks they have just made. Where bapuji visits almost daily and talks about interesting stuff. Where radio mirchi is playing on the radio all day in the background. Where I have ample time to bathe the kids, to read books to them, to feed them, to sings songs and poems, to do drawing or crafts, or to just watch them run around and play or interact with other children. Where there is no shopping to be done, no agenda to be accomplished, nowhere to get to....just being home is blissful. Such ordinary days are true vacation days....where the mind is at peace and the heart is content.

And these ordinary days are the ones I will miss and cherish the most!!!!