Hope the coming year brings you great health, joy and peace in your daily routine, travel and adventures, and everything else you wish for!
DAY 6798
7 hours ago
December 24, 2014
Happy Holidays 2014!
Here's wishing you Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays, from our family to yours!
Hope the coming year brings you great health, joy and peace in your daily routine, travel and adventures, and everything else you wish for!
Hope the coming year brings you great health, joy and peace in your daily routine, travel and adventures, and everything else you wish for!
November 10, 2014
Not a good weekend....
Last weekend was filled with a string of bad news...they kept coming and did not stop until the very end.
It started with my sister telling me about their friend's 6 month old son, who got diagnosed with kidney cancer. Just 6 months old - can you imagine? A kidney has been removed and chemo is to start shortly. The young parents have no family around, and I'm sure they must be in the trenches with their emotions.
I also made a tough phone call to a neighbor.....they lost their 17-month old daughter last month while we were away. She was such a precious, healthy little child....and it was a very sudden loss. I am yet to meet them...but I'm sure I will be at a loss of words when I do.
I recently attended a cousin's wedding in Bangalore. It was such a happy event.....I really enjoyed spending time with all my cousins and came back with happy memories. We found out last weekend that my cousin's mother-in-law, a very sweet lady who always wore a smile on her face, got diagnosed with breast cancer. Not even a month after her daughter's wedding, which the family hosted with such pride and fanfare....they have to deal with this difficult situation.
These news were coming in on Saturday, and by the end of the day, I was emotionally spent. A friend visited us with his soon-to-turn-1-year old and he brought his cousin along with him. One look at the girl and you could tell something was wrong. He told me she was assaulted earlier in the week by some black men. I won't go into much detail but it was a scary, traumatic experience. I'm glad she is safe with us now, but an incident like this is enough to alter a person's life.
On Sunday, we had another friend visit us. They are a couple I adore, and I've known them for a very long time. They mentioned about their cousin's son who is battling an allergic reaction to some drug and has been in ICU, on a respirator, since the last two weeks. My friend has been sending care packages to them every week and she had just finished sending a big package before they came to meet us.
Although none of these things have affected my immediate family, does it really matter? The empathy and sorrow that I feel towards these friends and acquaintances is the same. I can't just shrug off their thoughts from my mind easily.
I keep asking: how can I help? why them? why children? I look at my kids and wonder what if something happens to them? Sometimes, its just plain luck. But no one is always lucky, right? Someday, it will be us, and it will directly impact us.
It's just shaken me to the core - this string of bad news. Once I find a way to reach out, and help - in some way or the other, I'll feel a bit better.
Till then, please pray. For strength and for healing.
It started with my sister telling me about their friend's 6 month old son, who got diagnosed with kidney cancer. Just 6 months old - can you imagine? A kidney has been removed and chemo is to start shortly. The young parents have no family around, and I'm sure they must be in the trenches with their emotions.
I also made a tough phone call to a neighbor.....they lost their 17-month old daughter last month while we were away. She was such a precious, healthy little child....and it was a very sudden loss. I am yet to meet them...but I'm sure I will be at a loss of words when I do.
I recently attended a cousin's wedding in Bangalore. It was such a happy event.....I really enjoyed spending time with all my cousins and came back with happy memories. We found out last weekend that my cousin's mother-in-law, a very sweet lady who always wore a smile on her face, got diagnosed with breast cancer. Not even a month after her daughter's wedding, which the family hosted with such pride and fanfare....they have to deal with this difficult situation.
These news were coming in on Saturday, and by the end of the day, I was emotionally spent. A friend visited us with his soon-to-turn-1-year old and he brought his cousin along with him. One look at the girl and you could tell something was wrong. He told me she was assaulted earlier in the week by some black men. I won't go into much detail but it was a scary, traumatic experience. I'm glad she is safe with us now, but an incident like this is enough to alter a person's life.
On Sunday, we had another friend visit us. They are a couple I adore, and I've known them for a very long time. They mentioned about their cousin's son who is battling an allergic reaction to some drug and has been in ICU, on a respirator, since the last two weeks. My friend has been sending care packages to them every week and she had just finished sending a big package before they came to meet us.
Although none of these things have affected my immediate family, does it really matter? The empathy and sorrow that I feel towards these friends and acquaintances is the same. I can't just shrug off their thoughts from my mind easily.
I keep asking: how can I help? why them? why children? I look at my kids and wonder what if something happens to them? Sometimes, its just plain luck. But no one is always lucky, right? Someday, it will be us, and it will directly impact us.
It's just shaken me to the core - this string of bad news. Once I find a way to reach out, and help - in some way or the other, I'll feel a bit better.
Till then, please pray. For strength and for healing.
October 2, 2014
Post 11 - 10K Trail Race
I am not sure why I did not listen to the logical answer coming from my brain "Don't do it", and went with the meek "Yes you can" coming from my heart....
On Sunday, I ran a very tough 10K trail race, organized by Intel. On a very chilly day (which is perfect for long runs), the course took us through the Folsom Prison grounds, giving us a chance to peek into a side of Folsom we never get to see. The course was hilly, with constant ups and downs, taking us through streams and bridges, through bushes and trees. It was single track all the way. It kicked my butt, to say the least :).
Towards the very end, I stepped on a small rock on the trail and fell down, hard. My left knee got bruised, but I was able to finish strong. I also got a bad blister on my right toe during the run, but it was not painful while I was running. Both were minor injuries and I'm well on my way to being healed now!
Here's what I learnt:
:: If you sign up for a race, please train for it. You could get injured badly if you don't, and pay for your mistake for years to come. {In my case: I have been running on and off since the beginning of this year, hence I had the courage to go ahead with this race. Earlier this week, I also did a couple of strength training workouts at the Intel gym, and figured I should be able to hack it.}
:: Eat well, hydrate well, sleep well - the day before the race. {I stayed up until 2.30am to pack for my upcoming vacation. I also skipped dinner (sigh) and was snacking on junk while packing. The only thing I did was hydrate well.}
:: Plan your outfit and lay it out on the bed the night before. Also plan your morning breakfast well, and pack snacks/water for the race if needed. Charge your ipod/phone and keep headphones with your outfit. {Can you believe that I did all these things? YAY ME!}.
:: Take a shower a couple of hours before the race to warm up your muscles. And stretch using a foam roller. {I showered at 2.30am before going to bed instead. And foam roller is my best friend - I used it before and after}.
:: Don't be indecisive until the last minute. {I showed up at the venue thinking I will change my run to a 5K. But when I went to pick up my BIB, I saw that my number was the last 4 digits of my cell phone. It made me smile, and gave me a nudge that this is meant to be. So I stuck with my original plan.}
:: Once you start running, leave all worries behind and just have fun. {Which is what I precisely did}.
:: A running group helps. A lot. Train with one. They will support you and inspire you all the way. I'm proud to be associated with Runnin' for Rhett and they were there with me, before and after the race.
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I have another 5K race this Saturday - this time the whole family plans to do it - let's see how it goes :)! Wish us luck!
On Sunday, I ran a very tough 10K trail race, organized by Intel. On a very chilly day (which is perfect for long runs), the course took us through the Folsom Prison grounds, giving us a chance to peek into a side of Folsom we never get to see. The course was hilly, with constant ups and downs, taking us through streams and bridges, through bushes and trees. It was single track all the way. It kicked my butt, to say the least :).
Towards the very end, I stepped on a small rock on the trail and fell down, hard. My left knee got bruised, but I was able to finish strong. I also got a bad blister on my right toe during the run, but it was not painful while I was running. Both were minor injuries and I'm well on my way to being healed now!
Here's what I learnt:
:: If you sign up for a race, please train for it. You could get injured badly if you don't, and pay for your mistake for years to come. {In my case: I have been running on and off since the beginning of this year, hence I had the courage to go ahead with this race. Earlier this week, I also did a couple of strength training workouts at the Intel gym, and figured I should be able to hack it.}
:: Eat well, hydrate well, sleep well - the day before the race. {I stayed up until 2.30am to pack for my upcoming vacation. I also skipped dinner (sigh) and was snacking on junk while packing. The only thing I did was hydrate well.}
:: Plan your outfit and lay it out on the bed the night before. Also plan your morning breakfast well, and pack snacks/water for the race if needed. Charge your ipod/phone and keep headphones with your outfit. {Can you believe that I did all these things? YAY ME!}.
:: Take a shower a couple of hours before the race to warm up your muscles. And stretch using a foam roller. {I showered at 2.30am before going to bed instead. And foam roller is my best friend - I used it before and after}.
:: Don't be indecisive until the last minute. {I showed up at the venue thinking I will change my run to a 5K. But when I went to pick up my BIB, I saw that my number was the last 4 digits of my cell phone. It made me smile, and gave me a nudge that this is meant to be. So I stuck with my original plan.}
:: Once you start running, leave all worries behind and just have fun. {Which is what I precisely did}.
:: A running group helps. A lot. Train with one. They will support you and inspire you all the way. I'm proud to be associated with Runnin' for Rhett and they were there with me, before and after the race.
I have another 5K race this Saturday - this time the whole family plans to do it - let's see how it goes :)! Wish us luck!
September 26, 2014
Post 10 - Rule of 75
So Intel has a "Rule of 75" for retirement - you can retire when your age + years of service equal to 75.
For employees like me, who started our career at the company right after college - it means that before we turn 50 (48 in my case :)), we "CAN" possibly retire (does not mean you can afford to).
I was chatting with a colleague about college funds and retirement planning, and he said: "According to the rule of 75, I can retire at 49. I plan to quit Intel and start an alternate career".
That's when the light bulb blinked inside me. I could capitalize on this rule too.
I've long contemplated about changing my career. But what next? Is the million dollar question. I choose to live quite frugally in many aspects of life, and could really cut down on expenditure even more drastically if the needed arises. But still, I have a family to raise and kids to send to college. So I need income on a consistent basis.
Alternate Careers that interest me: Nursing, Therapist, Owning/running a preschool (Age 3-6), small business owner (I have some ideas here), writing (although not full time).
So maybe I just carry on for the next 12-13 years with my current career, and then pursue one of these alternate professions? Or do I start working on an alternate path right now? No spare time on my hands so not sure how to accomplish that.
I'm thinking out loud here and looking for some brainstorming.
For employees like me, who started our career at the company right after college - it means that before we turn 50 (48 in my case :)), we "CAN" possibly retire (does not mean you can afford to).
I was chatting with a colleague about college funds and retirement planning, and he said: "According to the rule of 75, I can retire at 49. I plan to quit Intel and start an alternate career".
That's when the light bulb blinked inside me. I could capitalize on this rule too.
I've long contemplated about changing my career. But what next? Is the million dollar question. I choose to live quite frugally in many aspects of life, and could really cut down on expenditure even more drastically if the needed arises. But still, I have a family to raise and kids to send to college. So I need income on a consistent basis.
Alternate Careers that interest me: Nursing, Therapist, Owning/running a preschool (Age 3-6), small business owner (I have some ideas here), writing (although not full time).
So maybe I just carry on for the next 12-13 years with my current career, and then pursue one of these alternate professions? Or do I start working on an alternate path right now? No spare time on my hands so not sure how to accomplish that.
I'm thinking out loud here and looking for some brainstorming.
September 24, 2014
Post 9 - A visit to the zoo
This conversation happened on our way to the San Diego zoo:
Her: Mom, are the animals going to be pretend or real?
Me: Real beta.
Her: Why?
Me: The animals are caged. So you are safe. They are there for you to visit, observe and learn.
Her: Why are they all caged mumma? Is zoo their real house?
Me: {starting to get uncomfortable about the whole visit coz I hate zoos anyway}. No baby. The jungle is their real home. But some animals are brought from the jungle to the zoo. So all of us can visit and learn about them in a safe environment.
Her: Mumma, will there be a lion?
Me: Yes.
Her: Can I pat the lion?
Me: No.
Her: Why? you said it's safe?
Me: The lion will be in a cage. He is dangerous and you cannot go near him. You can say hello from far away.
We moved on to talk about polar bears and pandas and elephants.
The kids had a good time, in general. We got lucky and got front row seats on top of the double-decker bus during the zoo tour. We could see polar bears, grizzly bears, elephants, giraffes, Hippos, etc very clearly. We walked quite a bit as well, and were lucky to observe a Jaguar feeding session.
Within a few hours, the kids has seen and learnt whatever they could, they were exhausted, and slept peacefully in their car seats on our way home.
All said and done, I'm not sure if I can ever love going to the zoo. I simply don't like it. During the entire day, my only moments of peace came while we were walking as a family along a trail covered with bamboo trees....no cages around and very few people too. Rest of the time, I can say I was uncomfortable from within, and did my best to hide it from the kids.
I value freedom very dearly. And the reality of a zoo is that very freedom is taken away from these animals. Even though some species are endangered (like the Panda) and the zoos are doing their bit in the conversation space, the animals are still held captive. They might be taken care of and fed well, so physically they might be okay. But what about their emotional well being?
And about kids learning, even that can be done by watching documentaries/shows that are filmed in the wild. It can be done by taking the kids to visit National Parks and Safaris. When we visited Denali National Park in Alaska, I remember the bus driver's comment: "Everywhere else, the animals are caged and you are free. Here, we drive you around in a cage (bus) to see the animals roaming freely in their natural habitat." And honestly, that bus trip was totally zen-like. One of my best trips ever.
So, what do you think?
Here's a picture of the kiddos at the zoo :)!
Her: Mom, are the animals going to be pretend or real?
Me: Real beta.
Her: Why?
Me: The animals are caged. So you are safe. They are there for you to visit, observe and learn.
Her: Why are they all caged mumma? Is zoo their real house?
Me: {starting to get uncomfortable about the whole visit coz I hate zoos anyway}. No baby. The jungle is their real home. But some animals are brought from the jungle to the zoo. So all of us can visit and learn about them in a safe environment.
Her: Mumma, will there be a lion?
Me: Yes.
Her: Can I pat the lion?
Me: No.
Her: Why? you said it's safe?
Me: The lion will be in a cage. He is dangerous and you cannot go near him. You can say hello from far away.
We moved on to talk about polar bears and pandas and elephants.
The kids had a good time, in general. We got lucky and got front row seats on top of the double-decker bus during the zoo tour. We could see polar bears, grizzly bears, elephants, giraffes, Hippos, etc very clearly. We walked quite a bit as well, and were lucky to observe a Jaguar feeding session.
Within a few hours, the kids has seen and learnt whatever they could, they were exhausted, and slept peacefully in their car seats on our way home.
All said and done, I'm not sure if I can ever love going to the zoo. I simply don't like it. During the entire day, my only moments of peace came while we were walking as a family along a trail covered with bamboo trees....no cages around and very few people too. Rest of the time, I can say I was uncomfortable from within, and did my best to hide it from the kids.
I value freedom very dearly. And the reality of a zoo is that very freedom is taken away from these animals. Even though some species are endangered (like the Panda) and the zoos are doing their bit in the conversation space, the animals are still held captive. They might be taken care of and fed well, so physically they might be okay. But what about their emotional well being?
And about kids learning, even that can be done by watching documentaries/shows that are filmed in the wild. It can be done by taking the kids to visit National Parks and Safaris. When we visited Denali National Park in Alaska, I remember the bus driver's comment: "Everywhere else, the animals are caged and you are free. Here, we drive you around in a cage (bus) to see the animals roaming freely in their natural habitat." And honestly, that bus trip was totally zen-like. One of my best trips ever.
So, what do you think?
Here's a picture of the kiddos at the zoo :)!
September 22, 2014
Post 8 - Winding them up
If you go by the experts, you need to have a bedtime routine with children. You need to do the standard bath, put on PJ's, read a book, cuddle, and help the child calm down. Once the child is relaxed, (s)he will fall asleep quickly.
The experts are right, but a strict routine for me is boring. And more often than not, I end up doing the opposite of what is suggested above.
For example, we do a bath, but instead of putting on PJ's, we dress them up in twirly dresses and play loud music for them to let off some steam :).
{Sorry Ramesh, but it's simply too tempting to see the son in such cute outfits. And he obliges without any issues :)}.
And instead of cuddling, we start playing hike n seek, tickling each other under the darkness of the blanket, and bursting out in laughter. The kids in the below collage are in anticipation of the huge blanket falling over them. They cozied up, and had a blast tickling each other.
A lot of times it's just Roughhousing. A must in my opinion...to keep their relationship healthy and strong.
I admit, I tend to wind them up at bedtime. Thankfully, after a few minutes of my antics, the husband takes over and works on winding them down. He is good at telling them stories, and he is also patient with them while reading books. In a few minutes, they transform from my mad monsters to the most adorable sleepy babies on the planet.
And because I've exhausted them before this transition happens, they fall asleep quickly.
Life is really about these fleeting moments in your daily life. Moments which have warmth, joy and love - all neatly packaged for you to cherish.....not just today but for years to come!
The experts are right, but a strict routine for me is boring. And more often than not, I end up doing the opposite of what is suggested above.
For example, we do a bath, but instead of putting on PJ's, we dress them up in twirly dresses and play loud music for them to let off some steam :).
{Sorry Ramesh, but it's simply too tempting to see the son in such cute outfits. And he obliges without any issues :)}.
And instead of cuddling, we start playing hike n seek, tickling each other under the darkness of the blanket, and bursting out in laughter. The kids in the below collage are in anticipation of the huge blanket falling over them. They cozied up, and had a blast tickling each other.
A lot of times it's just Roughhousing. A must in my opinion...to keep their relationship healthy and strong.
I admit, I tend to wind them up at bedtime. Thankfully, after a few minutes of my antics, the husband takes over and works on winding them down. He is good at telling them stories, and he is also patient with them while reading books. In a few minutes, they transform from my mad monsters to the most adorable sleepy babies on the planet.
And because I've exhausted them before this transition happens, they fall asleep quickly.
Life is really about these fleeting moments in your daily life. Moments which have warmth, joy and love - all neatly packaged for you to cherish.....not just today but for years to come!
Post 7 - Logic
Over breakfast a few days ago, the daughter says:
Her: Mumma, you love Rusham and Pappa loves me. Right?
Me: I love both of you, Ruhi.
Her: No mumma, but you love Rusham more. And papa loves ME more.
Me: No betu. I love you both equally.
Her: It's not like that mumma. Because Girls always love boys and boys love girls. It's always like that.
Me: Who told you?
Her: No one. I just know.
Can someone please explain how a 4-year old can come up with such logic?
Her: Mumma, you love Rusham and Pappa loves me. Right?
Me: I love both of you, Ruhi.
Her: No mumma, but you love Rusham more. And papa loves ME more.
Me: No betu. I love you both equally.
Her: It's not like that mumma. Because Girls always love boys and boys love girls. It's always like that.
Me: Who told you?
Her: No one. I just know.
Can someone please explain how a 4-year old can come up with such logic?
Post 6 - Fall colors
It still feels like summer around here. The temperatures are just starting to drop, but it's still very warm.
The Kings Fire near Pollock Pines has brought in a lot of smoke, ash, dust and pollen into the valley. Both kids have caught a cold, and the husband is also suffering from cold/allergy symptoms.
October is around the corner though, and it is one of my favorite months. The autumn air is crisp, the leaves put up a fabulous display of colors, the sunsets are vibrant, and the weather is simply perfect.
I will be out of town this year, and will miss Fall in all its glory. So I was pleasantly surprised when I was driving by our local park last Friday, and was treated to this view....
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With the early morning sun shining bright, and the empty green field in the background, it was so inviting. I parked my car and spent a few minutes admiring this view, before heading to work! It completely relaxed me!
The Kings Fire near Pollock Pines has brought in a lot of smoke, ash, dust and pollen into the valley. Both kids have caught a cold, and the husband is also suffering from cold/allergy symptoms.
October is around the corner though, and it is one of my favorite months. The autumn air is crisp, the leaves put up a fabulous display of colors, the sunsets are vibrant, and the weather is simply perfect.
I will be out of town this year, and will miss Fall in all its glory. So I was pleasantly surprised when I was driving by our local park last Friday, and was treated to this view....
With the early morning sun shining bright, and the empty green field in the background, it was so inviting. I parked my car and spent a few minutes admiring this view, before heading to work! It completely relaxed me!
September 16, 2014
Post 5 - A Beach Sunset
Enjoyed this view on Sunday......
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Whenever I visit the beach, the first sight always takes my breath away.
As I soak up the salty ocean smell, the sound of the waves, the feeling of sand running through my toes, and paddle the waves, I slowly calm down, from within.
It is therapeutic.
It is ethereal.
I always try to time it around sunset, to add to the magical feeling.
These days, when I get to watch the kids frolicking in the water, making sand castles, playing frisbee, and enjoying it as much as I do, I feel like I'm on top of the world!
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Feeling very grateful and blessed!
PS: Pictures are from the iPhone so pardon the quality.
September 15, 2014
Post 4 - Newborn
Sorry for not being able to post over the weekend. I was visiting my brand new nephew - he is SUCH a sweetheart!
Newborns are mesmerizing - everything they do feels like a miracle. And their smell - oh so heavenly!
But, they are a ton of work. I had forgotten how tough it is, especially during those first few weeks. They sleep a lot, but they also eat, burp, poop and pee a lot. And its exhausting. And right around 3am when you are in deep sleep, they wake up and want to play. 2-5am is the toughest time of the night to stay awake, and it is only during this time that newborns are at their playful best.
I am glad I was able to visit and help my family.....my nephew got along brilliantly with me, so I could feed him, change him, burp him and rock him to sleep. I even got to chat and hear his cooing, which is rare coz he is mostly sleeping all day.
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Isn't he a darling :)?
Newborns are mesmerizing - everything they do feels like a miracle. And their smell - oh so heavenly!
But, they are a ton of work. I had forgotten how tough it is, especially during those first few weeks. They sleep a lot, but they also eat, burp, poop and pee a lot. And its exhausting. And right around 3am when you are in deep sleep, they wake up and want to play. 2-5am is the toughest time of the night to stay awake, and it is only during this time that newborns are at their playful best.
I am glad I was able to visit and help my family.....my nephew got along brilliantly with me, so I could feed him, change him, burp him and rock him to sleep. I even got to chat and hear his cooing, which is rare coz he is mostly sleeping all day.
Isn't he a darling :)?
September 10, 2014
Post 3 - I love you because....
You love me :) :)!
The daughter made these two cards for her little brother who is going to turn 2 this week!
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She sacrificed her afternoon nap yesterday to make these. I'm very pleased....aren't they precious?
The wording inside comes from her - the teacher helped her write it, and she traced on it.
It's all about give and take at this age. Do you love me? If yes, I love you too :) :)!
Being close in age, the kids constantly compete with each other...hence the mention of sharing toys.
But they do care for each other, deeply and passionately. And as they grow up, that's the one thing that matters the most!!!!
The daughter made these two cards for her little brother who is going to turn 2 this week!
She sacrificed her afternoon nap yesterday to make these. I'm very pleased....aren't they precious?
The wording inside comes from her - the teacher helped her write it, and she traced on it.
It's all about give and take at this age. Do you love me? If yes, I love you too :) :)!
Being close in age, the kids constantly compete with each other...hence the mention of sharing toys.
But they do care for each other, deeply and passionately. And as they grow up, that's the one thing that matters the most!!!!
September 8, 2014
Post 2 - Bringing joy....
We went to dinner at a South Indian restaurant yesterday. We rarely eat out, but the kids love this place; so when they ask, we rarely say no. They feel at home, behave well, enjoy the food, and make our outing successful.
The son was chowing down his mini idlis which he loves. They were loaded with ghee, but they were still pretty dry when eaten without sambar. And he choked on one. We helped him through it, and gave him some water.
When I turned towards my left, I saw a grandma heaving a sigh of relief. I bet she had started praying when she saw the son choking on his food. She was clad in a beautiful Kanjeevaram saree, and was wearing jewellery, as well as a bindi. Simple, but adorable. I assured her he is fine.
The son is fond of grandmas. All kinds. And this one was no exception. He started chatting with her. They spoke about Cricket (which was being played on the telly), they spoke about airplanes and helicopters which he saw at the airshow on Saturday, and they spoke about food.
She had a hard time finishing her meal, coz she was smitten by him.
When she was done, she stood up and asked me if she could hold him. The son could also barely wait for her to hug him. By the time she took those few steps from her table towards ours, he was standing in his high chair. They hugged. Her eyes became moist.
She asked her son to take a picture of her with him. The son said "Smile please" which made her laugh out loud. And they got a happy picture. When I mentioned that his birthday was coming up on Friday, she was overjoyed, and showered some more love on him.
All through this, she realized that she inadvertently ignored the daughter. To make up for it, she started conversing with her. Told her she was beautiful, and her dress was pretty. She asked about her school, and whether she liked the food. Then she asked if she can take her baby brother with her, and when the daughter made a sad face, she assured her that he was ours to keep :).
She blessed both the kids many times throughout our meeting.
I'm glad our paths crossed with the grandma that day. The joy on her face when she held Rusham is something I will remember and cherish, for a long time to come.
And about my son - bringing joy in people's lives (starting with ours) is second nature to him. He is always so relaxed, easy-going, in love with life. He loves to pickup conversations with strangers. He is very inquisitive, and observant. He has a very charming, and adorable smile. He is a crowd pleaser. (I know I'm biased but it's true, trust me :)). I'm blessed to call him my son. And I love him, a lot!
Post 1 - Summer....
In an attempt to cure my writer's block, I'm going to try and write 30 posts in the next month. It may not be a post every day, but 30 posts is what I am aiming for. Lots of drafted posts will get a chance to be published as well. Please wish me luck :)!
For the first post, I want to share a picture with you.
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Over the labor day long weekend, we took the kids to the neighborhood splash park. For the first time ever, the son enjoyed the water as much as the daughter always does. He needed no warm up time, ran straight into the spray structures, and even after slipping and falling down hard on his side, he went right back in.
The two made each other laugh. They waited for the buckets to get dumped on their heads, and squealed together in delight. They held hands and dashed through the arches. They gave each other happy hugs.
This summer has been all about the bonding between these two.
Being only two years apart, we were always told that they will grow up to be best buddies. I never believed it, coz I rarely got to experience it. But now, I can relate to what was told to us.
And I only hope it continues to get better, for the years to come.
For the first post, I want to share a picture with you.
Over the labor day long weekend, we took the kids to the neighborhood splash park. For the first time ever, the son enjoyed the water as much as the daughter always does. He needed no warm up time, ran straight into the spray structures, and even after slipping and falling down hard on his side, he went right back in.
The two made each other laugh. They waited for the buckets to get dumped on their heads, and squealed together in delight. They held hands and dashed through the arches. They gave each other happy hugs.
This summer has been all about the bonding between these two.
Being only two years apart, we were always told that they will grow up to be best buddies. I never believed it, coz I rarely got to experience it. But now, I can relate to what was told to us.
And I only hope it continues to get better, for the years to come.
August 26, 2014
Maasi
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There's a new baby in the family. Meet Anmay, my adorable-precious-cuddly-huggable-lovable-edible-handsome nephew!!!!
After 72 hours of terrible labor + a high fever followed by an emergency C-section, he arrived into this world! Both him and my sister were very weak, stressed and had a possible chance of infection, so he went straight to NICU for observation. He's been a champ though.....he's stayed healthy and strong, is feeding well, he is giving me smiles on FaceTime, and he is enjoying his grandma's experienced nurturing and warmth. He is getting ready to come home in a couple of days!
I got to kiss his feet and take in that sweet baby smell a few minutes after he was born - oh, it is so heavenly, and the best feeling ever! I am yet to hold him in my arms and gobble him up, but it will have to wait until I see him again! Newborns are the best thing ever....really!
My sister is recovering well. She gets to go home today from the hospital, and I am so happy I was there with her all through her labor and delivery.
So proud to become a Maasi and can't wait to spoil this godchild of mine rotten!!!!
August 7, 2014
FOUR
Oh, how time is flying by!
My baby, the one who gifted me with the precious label of "mumma"....
The one who is so sensitive that she keeps getting hurt a zillion times each day....
The one who is incredibly compassionate and caring...
The one who is smart (and is aware of it too :))....
And the one, my only daughter, who is breathtakingly beautiful, inside and out - turned FOUR last week!
After a year of terrific (as well as terrible as) 3's, we are now entering the world of Fantabulous 4's. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us :).
This was her first birthday without grandparents, and her aunt n uncle from San Diego. Leading up to her birthday weekend, we were feeling the void of their presence, and I was not sure if the husband, son and I would be enough for her.
But we were. Along with many of our friends.
The day of her birthday, the son decided to sleep in. He is undoubtedly the first one to wake up in our house. But not on his didi's birthday. He KNEW. She woke up, and spent time cuddling with her mum n dad in bed. We came to the living room, and spent more time together. She got lots of calls and messages. HE LET HER HAVE HER MOMENT.
We fed her breakfast, dressed her up, and took her to school to celebrate with her friends. I know she had a great party at her school.
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We then took her to Olive Garden, one of her favorite restaurants, for lunch. We had the best lunch ever. And the waitress surprised her with a dessert plate of sugar-dusted donuts, chocolate+cranberry sauce, and a candle to blow. Our fellow diners joined in to wish her happy birthday. It was a first-time experience for her and she was thrilled!!!
In the evening, I baked a small cake for her at home. She helped me measure the ingredients and put it all together. It became more of a brownie than a cake, but it tasted good. We had some friends over with gifts and she basked in all the attention.
The next day was her party at MYGYM. We had already celebrated her 2nd birthday here, but she insisted on the same place again. I wanted her to be happy, and stuck with her choice. This year, I also listened to my inner voice, and decided to only invite people (apart from her school friends) who are close to us, and who have made a continuous effort to spend time with our family in the past year. We have a zillion acquaintances but not many close friends. I also considered the age group of the kids, and if they were too old or too young, I did not extend an invite to them. Turns out, excluding her school friends, we only had 5 families that I needed to invite- it was a short, sweet, stress-free list, as well as planning for us!
The party was a blast. The daughter knew each kid who came, and was very comfortable. I have never seen her SO happy at a function, through and through. Not a single meltdown or tantrum. I did not have to engage in any fake conversation, or put up fake smiles with any of the guests. It felt natural to be among those who we are close to.
All in all, we will remember and cherish these happy moments for a long time to come.
As usual, my wish for her is to be healthy, happy, be adventurous and free spirited, compassionate, and appreciate life and its little pleasures a lot more than all the material comforts. Being inquisitive and always questioning me, like she always does - I hope that never changes!
I love my little girl!
My baby, the one who gifted me with the precious label of "mumma"....
The one who is so sensitive that she keeps getting hurt a zillion times each day....
The one who is incredibly compassionate and caring...
The one who is smart (and is aware of it too :))....
And the one, my only daughter, who is breathtakingly beautiful, inside and out - turned FOUR last week!
After a year of terrific (as well as terrible as) 3's, we are now entering the world of Fantabulous 4's. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us :).
This was her first birthday without grandparents, and her aunt n uncle from San Diego. Leading up to her birthday weekend, we were feeling the void of their presence, and I was not sure if the husband, son and I would be enough for her.
But we were. Along with many of our friends.
The day of her birthday, the son decided to sleep in. He is undoubtedly the first one to wake up in our house. But not on his didi's birthday. He KNEW. She woke up, and spent time cuddling with her mum n dad in bed. We came to the living room, and spent more time together. She got lots of calls and messages. HE LET HER HAVE HER MOMENT.
We fed her breakfast, dressed her up, and took her to school to celebrate with her friends. I know she had a great party at her school.
We then took her to Olive Garden, one of her favorite restaurants, for lunch. We had the best lunch ever. And the waitress surprised her with a dessert plate of sugar-dusted donuts, chocolate+cranberry sauce, and a candle to blow. Our fellow diners joined in to wish her happy birthday. It was a first-time experience for her and she was thrilled!!!The next day was her party at MYGYM. We had already celebrated her 2nd birthday here, but she insisted on the same place again. I wanted her to be happy, and stuck with her choice. This year, I also listened to my inner voice, and decided to only invite people (apart from her school friends) who are close to us, and who have made a continuous effort to spend time with our family in the past year. We have a zillion acquaintances but not many close friends. I also considered the age group of the kids, and if they were too old or too young, I did not extend an invite to them. Turns out, excluding her school friends, we only had 5 families that I needed to invite- it was a short, sweet, stress-free list, as well as planning for us!
The party was a blast. The daughter knew each kid who came, and was very comfortable. I have never seen her SO happy at a function, through and through. Not a single meltdown or tantrum. I did not have to engage in any fake conversation, or put up fake smiles with any of the guests. It felt natural to be among those who we are close to.
All in all, we will remember and cherish these happy moments for a long time to come.
As usual, my wish for her is to be healthy, happy, be adventurous and free spirited, compassionate, and appreciate life and its little pleasures a lot more than all the material comforts. Being inquisitive and always questioning me, like she always does - I hope that never changes!
I love my little girl!
July 18, 2014
Last Friday....
Fridays are always busy for me, and this one was no different. After a day filled with meetings at work, I picked up the son from his daycare, and waited for the husband to arrive home before leaving to pick up the daughter from her preschool.
She was playing outside with her friends, with leaves and twigs. Play and friends - the two most important things for a preschooler. So inspite of being late, I did not rush her. When she was done, she happily came to me and hopped in to the car seat. Much better than trying to pull her out of her play and dealing with a tantrum during the drive :).
We reached the church in about 15 minutes....and were greeted to some Mozart playing in the background. We quickly found our friends, and the daughter got into action.
We were there to feed the homeless - a social event held by the church every second Friday of the month. There were all kinds of people - young, old, children, disabled, poor, sick. Pizzas and treats were already served, so we started helping out with grocery distribution. The daughter and I were giving away Cereal boxes, and since we had limited supply, we were only allowed to distribute one per person.
It seemed like Cereal, among other things like cookies, pasta sauce, etc. was the hot item that day. I think Cereal has become such a versatile staple.....you can't do without it. Its easy, can be consumed with or without milk, and does not go bad for months. I do not bring any kind of cereal to our house, because they are all heavily processed, and laden with sugar as well as salt. But even with the homeless, I was happy to see many people checking out the label on the boxes, and many asking me which one was the healthiest. The Kashi blueberry granola clusters was the most healthiest option, and we ran out of it quickly.
The daughter also got to interact with a little girl, almost her age. It was all new for her, but she had blended in seamlessly, and was not bothered at all to be in a room full of strangers, and strange-looking people. My friend A and I were amazed.
Since we reached a little late, we were only there for about 90 minutes. The daughter helped cleaned up (the only thing left on the grocery table was cookies) and as we headed out, I realized that someone was actually playing all the beautiful tunes behind the piano. The music kept the whole atmosphere so lively, and gave a whole new feel to the place. So thankful for this person to be volunteering that day!
I was most interested in the daughter's questions that would follow post this experience. She asked me why these people did not have homes, or money to buy food. Where they lived? What they did? Whether the kids went to school, or to swimming classes, or Taekwondo?
When a friend of ours visited us over the weekend, I had her describe our experience to him, and her answers amazed me. She UNDERSTOOD. It was a profound as well as proud moment for me!
The daughter was a very fussy eater as an infant and toddler, but she has made a complete U-turn. From never wanting to eat....even with videos shown to her, she eats everything that's offered to her. She insists on NO TV during her meals, and she understands why it is important to not leave leftovers on the plate. I only hope this positive trend continues......forever :D!
It was a Friday evening....very well spent!!!
{I did not feel appropriate to take pictures, and I think I made the right call.}
She was playing outside with her friends, with leaves and twigs. Play and friends - the two most important things for a preschooler. So inspite of being late, I did not rush her. When she was done, she happily came to me and hopped in to the car seat. Much better than trying to pull her out of her play and dealing with a tantrum during the drive :).
We reached the church in about 15 minutes....and were greeted to some Mozart playing in the background. We quickly found our friends, and the daughter got into action.
We were there to feed the homeless - a social event held by the church every second Friday of the month. There were all kinds of people - young, old, children, disabled, poor, sick. Pizzas and treats were already served, so we started helping out with grocery distribution. The daughter and I were giving away Cereal boxes, and since we had limited supply, we were only allowed to distribute one per person.
It seemed like Cereal, among other things like cookies, pasta sauce, etc. was the hot item that day. I think Cereal has become such a versatile staple.....you can't do without it. Its easy, can be consumed with or without milk, and does not go bad for months. I do not bring any kind of cereal to our house, because they are all heavily processed, and laden with sugar as well as salt. But even with the homeless, I was happy to see many people checking out the label on the boxes, and many asking me which one was the healthiest. The Kashi blueberry granola clusters was the most healthiest option, and we ran out of it quickly.
The daughter also got to interact with a little girl, almost her age. It was all new for her, but she had blended in seamlessly, and was not bothered at all to be in a room full of strangers, and strange-looking people. My friend A and I were amazed.
Since we reached a little late, we were only there for about 90 minutes. The daughter helped cleaned up (the only thing left on the grocery table was cookies) and as we headed out, I realized that someone was actually playing all the beautiful tunes behind the piano. The music kept the whole atmosphere so lively, and gave a whole new feel to the place. So thankful for this person to be volunteering that day!
I was most interested in the daughter's questions that would follow post this experience. She asked me why these people did not have homes, or money to buy food. Where they lived? What they did? Whether the kids went to school, or to swimming classes, or Taekwondo?
When a friend of ours visited us over the weekend, I had her describe our experience to him, and her answers amazed me. She UNDERSTOOD. It was a profound as well as proud moment for me!
The daughter was a very fussy eater as an infant and toddler, but she has made a complete U-turn. From never wanting to eat....even with videos shown to her, she eats everything that's offered to her. She insists on NO TV during her meals, and she understands why it is important to not leave leftovers on the plate. I only hope this positive trend continues......forever :D!
It was a Friday evening....very well spent!!!
{I did not feel appropriate to take pictures, and I think I made the right call.}
June 23, 2014
Cleanse complete
Successfully completed the 21-day cleanse yesterday - Week 1 was much harder than expected, but Week2/3 were easier. It gave me a chance to note all my bad food habits and also gave me time to (hopefully) give up some of them for good.
Green smoothies were a bit hit - hubby loves them a LOT and gave up his morning tea for them.
The Chia pudding was not a great hit with me - but the daughter LOVES it. The chilled gooey, coconut milk pudding suits her taste buds. Its a great snack or breakfast item for the kids.
The son LOVES almond butter, just as much as I do. We both licked it off the spoon every afternoon.
I lost 6-7lbs. That brings my total for this year to about 12+ lbs. I am MORE than happy. I feel fit, and healthy. I am getting rid of the pregnancy fat, slowly and steadily. I continue to go for short runs, walks, occasional biking, and doing weights/kettle-bells at home.
My only cheats were eating black beans a day before they were allowed, and a portion of the kids fries when we visited Ikea :). I am proud of myself!!!!
If you want any tips or any new recipes that I learnt, or some basic principles on green juicing, let me know and I will be happy to pass along what I know!
This is the program I did: http://simplegreensmoothies.com/cleanse.
Looking forward to pigging out this week, including a big bowl of icecream tonite :) :)!!!!
Green smoothies were a bit hit - hubby loves them a LOT and gave up his morning tea for them.
The Chia pudding was not a great hit with me - but the daughter LOVES it. The chilled gooey, coconut milk pudding suits her taste buds. Its a great snack or breakfast item for the kids.
The son LOVES almond butter, just as much as I do. We both licked it off the spoon every afternoon.
I lost 6-7lbs. That brings my total for this year to about 12+ lbs. I am MORE than happy. I feel fit, and healthy. I am getting rid of the pregnancy fat, slowly and steadily. I continue to go for short runs, walks, occasional biking, and doing weights/kettle-bells at home.
My only cheats were eating black beans a day before they were allowed, and a portion of the kids fries when we visited Ikea :). I am proud of myself!!!!
If you want any tips or any new recipes that I learnt, or some basic principles on green juicing, let me know and I will be happy to pass along what I know!
This is the program I did: http://simplegreensmoothies.com/cleanse.
Looking forward to pigging out this week, including a big bowl of icecream tonite :) :)!!!!
June 2, 2014
21 day detox/cleanse
Along with my fabulous running group, I started a 21-day detox/cleanse program today.
This is the very first time I am trying something like this. I'm really curious to see how it will impact me. My mom is a great cook and growing up, we rarely ate meals outside. Mom even made all the snacks at home, from scratch. However, being in the US, inspite of trying very hard to maintain healthy eating habits, I am not always successful.
This is a small attempt to take care of my own body. This program is "supposed" to help the body get rid of toxins. It will also help reduce bad cravings and give your body a break from all the processed stuff.
Week 1 is the toughest - the only thing you can drink without limits is water. You can only eat fruits, vegetables and a few nuts. What to skip: grains (all), meat, dairy, soy, alcohol/soda, refined sugars, dried fruits, processed food, bread/pasta, etc.
I had a coconut milk+chia pudding this morning for breakfast.
For lunch, I had this Amazing green smoothie - "Avo-Berry Tang" - avocado, blueberries, greens, lemon, coconut water!
If you have tried something like before, please pass on any tips you may have to help me.
I will keep you posted during these 3 weeks on how I am doing :) :)!
This is the very first time I am trying something like this. I'm really curious to see how it will impact me. My mom is a great cook and growing up, we rarely ate meals outside. Mom even made all the snacks at home, from scratch. However, being in the US, inspite of trying very hard to maintain healthy eating habits, I am not always successful.
This is a small attempt to take care of my own body. This program is "supposed" to help the body get rid of toxins. It will also help reduce bad cravings and give your body a break from all the processed stuff.
Week 1 is the toughest - the only thing you can drink without limits is water. You can only eat fruits, vegetables and a few nuts. What to skip: grains (all), meat, dairy, soy, alcohol/soda, refined sugars, dried fruits, processed food, bread/pasta, etc.
I had a coconut milk+chia pudding this morning for breakfast.
For lunch, I had this Amazing green smoothie - "Avo-Berry Tang" - avocado, blueberries, greens, lemon, coconut water!
If you have tried something like before, please pass on any tips you may have to help me.
I will keep you posted during these 3 weeks on how I am doing :) :)!
May 22, 2014
Musings (more like rants) - Random
*********************************************************************************
I have no idea why people (Indians) in the US crave for bigger and bigger homes. We live in a 4-bedroom, 6-room home with a backyard and front-yard. It's huge for me already. But so many Indians in our community have either sold their home or rented it out, and moved to a bigger home. Why this obsession?
*********************************************************************************
I have no idea why people these days put their personal goals and ambitions so high above their kids. A better job with a better pay (a CA state job with average pay but wonderful benefits, plus medical coverage and pension during retirement is looked down upon by MOST....my husband has a state job and I can't be more proud of him), a better/bigger house, a better education (= MBA), choosing to leave small towns (not due to employment reasons) because other places have better social events, better restaurant and food options - isn't it madness? These are all educated people with Masters' degrees or higher. Can't they prioritize better? After all, a child remains a child only for a few years....can't everything else wait?
I am in FULL support of women working (I do myself) but I try to get my work done in the minimum amount of hours possible, and we ensure one parent is with the child ALWAYS during non-work hours. We refuse work related travel (I have only traveled once in these last 5 years and my husband has traveled ZERO times). We may be one lucky and blessed couple, but I don't think people around me are less lucky.
*********************************************************************************
I have said this before on the blog, but I have to say it again. Personal conversations or phone calls take a lower priority compared to say, Facebook messages. I recently sent some pictures of my kids from a photo shoot to few friends and family via email. Even though every single person on the list saw them, not many emailed their response to me. The same people were active on FB commenting and liking others' pictures.
Phone calls are the same way. People just don't pick up the phone. Caller ID is a big curse, in my opinion. That feeling of just picking up the phone and hearing an unexpected voice on the other side of the line is priceless. I am grateful to experience that even now, when my relatives call me from India. If it's one of my aunts or uncles, I drop all my work and sit down on the couch to chat.
I sometimes cannot pick up calls too, but I'll usually call the person back. Especially if it's someone from out of town and not a colleague or neighbor who I would know does not have an urgent need to talk to me (if it was urgent, they would either text me or leave me a voicemail).
On the same lines, people living in the same town will ping each other, or call, or email, but not make time to drop by their friend's home. Why? And perhaps some don't like unplanned visits or unannounced visitors too.
*********************************************************************************
It boils down to this - as a parent, I find myself different from the crowd. My choices, my priorities and preferences, my way of living...it seems I don't always follow the general trend. And when I think some more, I realize that my choices heavily reflect how I was raised by my parents. And not that it should be any of my business how others live or raise their children, but I analyze, then rationalize. Then rant here, and then move on, thinking "To each one their own"! :)!
I have no idea why people (Indians) in the US crave for bigger and bigger homes. We live in a 4-bedroom, 6-room home with a backyard and front-yard. It's huge for me already. But so many Indians in our community have either sold their home or rented it out, and moved to a bigger home. Why this obsession?
*********************************************************************************
I have no idea why people these days put their personal goals and ambitions so high above their kids. A better job with a better pay (a CA state job with average pay but wonderful benefits, plus medical coverage and pension during retirement is looked down upon by MOST....my husband has a state job and I can't be more proud of him), a better/bigger house, a better education (= MBA), choosing to leave small towns (not due to employment reasons) because other places have better social events, better restaurant and food options - isn't it madness? These are all educated people with Masters' degrees or higher. Can't they prioritize better? After all, a child remains a child only for a few years....can't everything else wait?
I am in FULL support of women working (I do myself) but I try to get my work done in the minimum amount of hours possible, and we ensure one parent is with the child ALWAYS during non-work hours. We refuse work related travel (I have only traveled once in these last 5 years and my husband has traveled ZERO times). We may be one lucky and blessed couple, but I don't think people around me are less lucky.
*********************************************************************************
I have said this before on the blog, but I have to say it again. Personal conversations or phone calls take a lower priority compared to say, Facebook messages. I recently sent some pictures of my kids from a photo shoot to few friends and family via email. Even though every single person on the list saw them, not many emailed their response to me. The same people were active on FB commenting and liking others' pictures.
Phone calls are the same way. People just don't pick up the phone. Caller ID is a big curse, in my opinion. That feeling of just picking up the phone and hearing an unexpected voice on the other side of the line is priceless. I am grateful to experience that even now, when my relatives call me from India. If it's one of my aunts or uncles, I drop all my work and sit down on the couch to chat.
I sometimes cannot pick up calls too, but I'll usually call the person back. Especially if it's someone from out of town and not a colleague or neighbor who I would know does not have an urgent need to talk to me (if it was urgent, they would either text me or leave me a voicemail).
On the same lines, people living in the same town will ping each other, or call, or email, but not make time to drop by their friend's home. Why? And perhaps some don't like unplanned visits or unannounced visitors too.
*********************************************************************************
It boils down to this - as a parent, I find myself different from the crowd. My choices, my priorities and preferences, my way of living...it seems I don't always follow the general trend. And when I think some more, I realize that my choices heavily reflect how I was raised by my parents. And not that it should be any of my business how others live or raise their children, but I analyze, then rationalize. Then rant here, and then move on, thinking "To each one their own"! :)!
May 16, 2014
Trail Running
All my running so far has been on concrete. I needed a training program to get me going, and I stuck to the plan given to me. But I don't really enjoy running on the road. It is also harder on the body (especially the knees).
We have plenty of trails around here, and it was only a matter of time before I tried them out. Started trail running and it is simply amazing.
The best part about being on the trails is stepping away from all the noise we humans (and our vehicles) create...
To the sounds of birds and streams.
To the smell of moist earth.
To the fragrance of the Spring flowers.
To the trees, standing tall and always so grounded; their leaves, whispering secrets only they know.
To the train tracks and stations, unused today, but reminding us of the times they were bustling with activity.
This bench on the trail is so inviting, isn't it? It faces a stream as well :)!
An hour long run - or sometimes even a shorter 30 or 45 min run - squeezed into weekdays that are always busy managing work and family - completely relaxes and rejuvenates me.
Spring is a very pretty time around this area. Everything is still very green and fresh. The run warms you up quickly but the cool breeze continues to counter the heat generated by the body.
I always needed music during my road runs- they felt like drills - and I never seem to bother about music when I'm on the trail - there is so much to enjoy.
My runs become walks when something interesting comes along. Like this rowing race that my friend A and I watched one fine morning.
I always pause to listen to this as well:
I had this post in the drafts for a long long time - finally found the time to post it!
Hope to be back to blogging more often :)!
Have a good weekend, celebrating BJP/Narendra Modi's emphatic victory in the Elections!!!!
We have plenty of trails around here, and it was only a matter of time before I tried them out. Started trail running and it is simply amazing.
The best part about being on the trails is stepping away from all the noise we humans (and our vehicles) create...
To the sounds of birds and streams.
To the smell of moist earth.
To the fragrance of the Spring flowers.
To the trees, standing tall and always so grounded; their leaves, whispering secrets only they know.
To the train tracks and stations, unused today, but reminding us of the times they were bustling with activity.
This bench on the trail is so inviting, isn't it? It faces a stream as well :)!
Spring is a very pretty time around this area. Everything is still very green and fresh. The run warms you up quickly but the cool breeze continues to counter the heat generated by the body.
I always needed music during my road runs- they felt like drills - and I never seem to bother about music when I'm on the trail - there is so much to enjoy.
My runs become walks when something interesting comes along. Like this rowing race that my friend A and I watched one fine morning.
I always pause to listen to this as well:
I had this post in the drafts for a long long time - finally found the time to post it!
Have a good weekend, celebrating BJP/Narendra Modi's emphatic victory in the Elections!!!!
April 8, 2014
Half Marathon, Summer Haircuts, and more....
Sorry I went missing for a while from the blog. Lots was happening and blogging fell off the routine.
I wanted to update all of you on my running training. I finished my first half marathon (13.1 miles), about a month ago. It was an amazing experience, and I hope to churn out a post with all the details in it. It took me about 3 hours to finish (yes, I was slow) but I ran strong, and I finished my training as well as my race injury free. SUCCESS!!!!
Pictures before and after the half-marathon race.....
The son also got his first haircut last weekend - he looks sooper cute with a shaved head :). The daughter, who hates getting her curls combed and hates any hair accessory, also got a haircut from her favorite hairdresser, Jenny, and is sporting a short curly bob.
We have some travel coming up, and then my parents will head back to India later this month. I'm hoping the warmer weather will keep us free from illnesses after they leave as we will be on our own for a while now.
I wanted to update all of you on my running training. I finished my first half marathon (13.1 miles), about a month ago. It was an amazing experience, and I hope to churn out a post with all the details in it. It took me about 3 hours to finish (yes, I was slow) but I ran strong, and I finished my training as well as my race injury free. SUCCESS!!!!
Pictures before and after the half-marathon race.....
Much to my delight, I have managed to continue working out and running as an effort to lose weight and get fitter. I'm eating more balanced meals (I always thought I ate healthy but being a vegetarian, I did not balance out the protein and carbs on a daily basis) and steadily losing a pound a week since the last 4 weeks. I'm learning to incorporate Kettlebells in my workouts and they are amazing to work with.
On the home front, the husband changed jobs and is settling into his new role. His commute has gone down from about an hour each way to 20 mins each way so that's a blessing for the family. We are much more relaxed with our morning routine now and he is also back early in the evening to help me out!
The kids are growing up to be naughtier and more adventurous. The son TALKS a lot - I MUST do a post on all the words and short sentences he can cook up. The daughter rides her bike (with training wheels) on the street and they both absolutely love riding their plasma cars inside or outside the house. They are true champs at riding those cars....and when the neighbors' kids (6 of them) are also out riding, it's pure delight to watch the street scene.
The son also got his first haircut last weekend - he looks sooper cute with a shaved head :). The daughter, who hates getting her curls combed and hates any hair accessory, also got a haircut from her favorite hairdresser, Jenny, and is sporting a short curly bob.
We have some travel coming up, and then my parents will head back to India later this month. I'm hoping the warmer weather will keep us free from illnesses after they leave as we will be on our own for a while now.
March 4, 2014
Leaning In
I just finished reading Sheryl Sandberg's "Lean In". It was on my list for a while, but I have so many books that have been bought and not read, so I waited for an opportunity to borrow it, and that happened a couple of weeks ago, by chance.
I am glad someone like her - a female leader in the tech industry - wrote a book that clearly details the challenges women face in the workforce. Even better, she focused on the solutions to the problems, and has cited a long list of relevant research which provides a great background for people who want to study it further.
I could relate completely to everything she wrote in the book. From starting to think about a family since the day I got married (and in the process, starting to 'lean back'), to the 18 months of pregnancy at work; to the very difficult times when I was breastfeeding AND working full time, to keeping my focus on career growth in a group dominated by men.
Reading her book has given me confidence to continue to be ambitious, and continue to pursue my career goals, even after having children. Raising children is very demanding, and often, women think about quitting the workforce. I've thought about it too, many many times. But as Sandberg quotes Judith Rodin - the first woman to serve as president of an Ivy League University (and president of the Rockefeller Foundation) - "My generation fought so hard to give all of you choices. We believe in choices. But choosing to leave the workforce was not the choice we thought so many of you would make".
I want to ponder over the above statement a bit more. It's really the crux of the issue. Quitting is usually the easier choice. But, making it work without quitting is real success. And if more and more women choose the latter, they will pave the way for the generations of women following ours.
She makes a clear case of why we need more female leaders. When she first got pregnant, she realized Google did not have maternity parking. Now they do. Intel still does not have it. I remember how painful it was for me, during my first pregnancy, when I worked in a lab the entire 9 months....the lab was in a building with no separate entrance, and it would take me 20 mins to walk from the parking lot to the lab. Even the cafe was a 15 minute walk. It was painful. I would have loved a slot in the disabled parking area, or a separate closer parking slot for being a pregnant lady.
More female leaders at the top will definitely mean more understanding of work-life balance issues, the needs of working moms (as well as dads), strengths and weaknesses of females, and much more. It will only benefit the overall workforce, in my belief.
She also has an entire chapter on how to make your partner a real partner. This is also extremely crucial in ensuring that a working woman feels good about the choice she has made, and continues to do so, without feeling guilty all the time.
I am quite proud of the fact that my husband shares equal responsibility in our partnership - whether its managing the house, and/or managing the kids, he can do it all. I can leave on business trips with a short notice, and he can manage cooking, meals, bath time, school/daycare drop offs and pick ups, his work, bedtime, play/reading, house maintenance, groceries - you name it, he can do it. The kids are used to him and I, both, equally.
However, it is not the case with most Indian households around me. Women, even those who work full time, are responsible for much more than 50% of the daily responsibilities. And as long as they do that, things will continue to remain difficult, not only for them, but even for their kids.
Starting at a young age, not only spouses, but even kids should be involved in helping with chores around the house. My daughter is only 3.5yrs old, but ever since her brother was born, she has always fetched us his diaper and wipes when asked. She has never said no. She helps me in the kitchen, she helps me with laundry, she helps me in the garden, she helps with packing her brother's diaper bag when we go out, etc. They both assist in clean-up of toys after playtime. But Indian kids, especially, are much more pampered than they should be. Parents focus on their academic development a lot, as well as their involvement in sports or art, but not on basic life skills. Making breakfast, packing lunch, folding laundry, doing dishes or loading/emptying dishwasher, vacuum, throwing trash out, running errands - involving each member of the house for all these chores is extremely important.
Don't even get me started on cooking or responsibilities in the kitchen. I am glad my husband can cook a decent meal when there is a need. He always makes tea for us, and makes meals for kids. Before kids, we actually had cooking turns, just like roommates would have. The day I cooked, he went to the gym. And vice versa. He cuts the veggies, does the dishes, clean the kitchen, packs lunches, shops for grocery - I think just because I am a better cook, I usually get by with compliments and not much critique - honestly, he does more than I do in the kitchen :) :). But I cannot count more than 10 households where I find such equal division of labor. And that's a big issue. As Sandberg says "We need more men at the table.....at the kitchen table."
Women can only continue to lean in, when there is support from her village, that helps to raise her family. Her spouse makes up for a major chunk of that village. Without that support, she will always be spread too thin, feeling overwhelmed, stressed & guilty all the time.
It is also important for families where both mom and dad are working, to work on their pace of life. By pace of life, I mean, how much do they want to accomplish during a given day. With young children, we have a slow pace of life. We travel, but only make local trips. We don't invite friends for meals - its just a lot of work. We don't watch movies in the theatre - we watch at home after the kids sleep. I have not even involved my kids in too many activities - they only go to mygym once a week right now, and that's about it. We plan to teach the daughter how to swim this summer, and that's the only thing she will be learning this year. When you try to pack your days with too many commitments, it is not good. Leaning In is one thing, but going overboard is disastrous for the family.
Overall, I feel, becoming a mom and having children has only fueled my growth.
- I am exceptionally focused at work, all the time, and get my job done as quickly as possible.
- I also accept that 'good' is enough. 'Perfect' is not really necessary, all the time. This applies to things at work, and at home.
- I am very close to my husband now. Seeing him step up and help me every step of the way has made me fall in love with him, all over again. Kids have only strengthened, and deepened, our bond.
- I have become very creative in the kitchen, and as a result, I'm cooking healthy, nutritious meals, day after day, for all of us. Kids have motivated me in this area, and it was completely unexpected.
- I appreciate my body a lot more. 18 months of pregnancy, and 30 months of breastfeeding - I'm in awe of my body. My recent half-marathon training is making me appreciate it even more. If you think you can do it, and put your mind on it, you really can. I also workout at home, watching youtube videos. And my daughter ALWAYS wants to join me. I'm proud to be educating her, from early on, the importance of being active.
- I have become a much more positive person than I was before. Kids bring joy in simple ways, each day. They also keep you busy, so you don't have time to brood over petty matters. I started making a gratitude list of 3-5 days that make me happy daily, before going to bed, and this exercise has changed my overall outlook in life.
Overall, as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend and professional - I am content with life. And when I go to bed each day, I am usually at peace. Isn't that what we all crave for, anyway?
So, coming back to the book - I totally recommend reading it. You can always achieve your goals, you just have to take baby steps in the right direction to achieve them. And having kids should not derail you from your path.
It could be a corporate ladder you want to climb, or be an entrepreneur. You could turn your hobby into a career, or just do some social work to keep you busy. You can choose to always work part time (my preferred choice in the next few years). My urge to all mothers is to do something meaningful with your time - whether it brings money or not.
This book is getting good reviews, but a lot of thrash in media as well. For example, read this: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2014/02/25/recline-dont-lean-in-why-i-hate-sheryl-sandberg/. This makes me very sad. Sandberg describes in her book how women, more often than not, bring other women down. Because they are jealous, because they are competitive, because they are bitchy. And this is one such example.
I agree with what Sandberg has said in her book. More often than not, the men in my life are very supportive of me having a career, but the women who are stay-at-home are the ones who keep questioning my choice to work. Especially those who made a choice to quit and stay at home after having children. Why can't each person be confident of the choice they made, and be at peace with it, and not make the person who made a different choice guilty? I will never understand. Sigh!!!!
I am glad someone like her - a female leader in the tech industry - wrote a book that clearly details the challenges women face in the workforce. Even better, she focused on the solutions to the problems, and has cited a long list of relevant research which provides a great background for people who want to study it further.
I could relate completely to everything she wrote in the book. From starting to think about a family since the day I got married (and in the process, starting to 'lean back'), to the 18 months of pregnancy at work; to the very difficult times when I was breastfeeding AND working full time, to keeping my focus on career growth in a group dominated by men.
Reading her book has given me confidence to continue to be ambitious, and continue to pursue my career goals, even after having children. Raising children is very demanding, and often, women think about quitting the workforce. I've thought about it too, many many times. But as Sandberg quotes Judith Rodin - the first woman to serve as president of an Ivy League University (and president of the Rockefeller Foundation) - "My generation fought so hard to give all of you choices. We believe in choices. But choosing to leave the workforce was not the choice we thought so many of you would make".
I want to ponder over the above statement a bit more. It's really the crux of the issue. Quitting is usually the easier choice. But, making it work without quitting is real success. And if more and more women choose the latter, they will pave the way for the generations of women following ours.
She makes a clear case of why we need more female leaders. When she first got pregnant, she realized Google did not have maternity parking. Now they do. Intel still does not have it. I remember how painful it was for me, during my first pregnancy, when I worked in a lab the entire 9 months....the lab was in a building with no separate entrance, and it would take me 20 mins to walk from the parking lot to the lab. Even the cafe was a 15 minute walk. It was painful. I would have loved a slot in the disabled parking area, or a separate closer parking slot for being a pregnant lady.
More female leaders at the top will definitely mean more understanding of work-life balance issues, the needs of working moms (as well as dads), strengths and weaknesses of females, and much more. It will only benefit the overall workforce, in my belief.
She also has an entire chapter on how to make your partner a real partner. This is also extremely crucial in ensuring that a working woman feels good about the choice she has made, and continues to do so, without feeling guilty all the time.
I am quite proud of the fact that my husband shares equal responsibility in our partnership - whether its managing the house, and/or managing the kids, he can do it all. I can leave on business trips with a short notice, and he can manage cooking, meals, bath time, school/daycare drop offs and pick ups, his work, bedtime, play/reading, house maintenance, groceries - you name it, he can do it. The kids are used to him and I, both, equally.
However, it is not the case with most Indian households around me. Women, even those who work full time, are responsible for much more than 50% of the daily responsibilities. And as long as they do that, things will continue to remain difficult, not only for them, but even for their kids.
Starting at a young age, not only spouses, but even kids should be involved in helping with chores around the house. My daughter is only 3.5yrs old, but ever since her brother was born, she has always fetched us his diaper and wipes when asked. She has never said no. She helps me in the kitchen, she helps me with laundry, she helps me in the garden, she helps with packing her brother's diaper bag when we go out, etc. They both assist in clean-up of toys after playtime. But Indian kids, especially, are much more pampered than they should be. Parents focus on their academic development a lot, as well as their involvement in sports or art, but not on basic life skills. Making breakfast, packing lunch, folding laundry, doing dishes or loading/emptying dishwasher, vacuum, throwing trash out, running errands - involving each member of the house for all these chores is extremely important.
Don't even get me started on cooking or responsibilities in the kitchen. I am glad my husband can cook a decent meal when there is a need. He always makes tea for us, and makes meals for kids. Before kids, we actually had cooking turns, just like roommates would have. The day I cooked, he went to the gym. And vice versa. He cuts the veggies, does the dishes, clean the kitchen, packs lunches, shops for grocery - I think just because I am a better cook, I usually get by with compliments and not much critique - honestly, he does more than I do in the kitchen :) :). But I cannot count more than 10 households where I find such equal division of labor. And that's a big issue. As Sandberg says "We need more men at the table.....at the kitchen table."
Women can only continue to lean in, when there is support from her village, that helps to raise her family. Her spouse makes up for a major chunk of that village. Without that support, she will always be spread too thin, feeling overwhelmed, stressed & guilty all the time.
It is also important for families where both mom and dad are working, to work on their pace of life. By pace of life, I mean, how much do they want to accomplish during a given day. With young children, we have a slow pace of life. We travel, but only make local trips. We don't invite friends for meals - its just a lot of work. We don't watch movies in the theatre - we watch at home after the kids sleep. I have not even involved my kids in too many activities - they only go to mygym once a week right now, and that's about it. We plan to teach the daughter how to swim this summer, and that's the only thing she will be learning this year. When you try to pack your days with too many commitments, it is not good. Leaning In is one thing, but going overboard is disastrous for the family.
Overall, I feel, becoming a mom and having children has only fueled my growth.
- I am exceptionally focused at work, all the time, and get my job done as quickly as possible.
- I also accept that 'good' is enough. 'Perfect' is not really necessary, all the time. This applies to things at work, and at home.
- I am very close to my husband now. Seeing him step up and help me every step of the way has made me fall in love with him, all over again. Kids have only strengthened, and deepened, our bond.
- I have become very creative in the kitchen, and as a result, I'm cooking healthy, nutritious meals, day after day, for all of us. Kids have motivated me in this area, and it was completely unexpected.
- I appreciate my body a lot more. 18 months of pregnancy, and 30 months of breastfeeding - I'm in awe of my body. My recent half-marathon training is making me appreciate it even more. If you think you can do it, and put your mind on it, you really can. I also workout at home, watching youtube videos. And my daughter ALWAYS wants to join me. I'm proud to be educating her, from early on, the importance of being active.
- I have become a much more positive person than I was before. Kids bring joy in simple ways, each day. They also keep you busy, so you don't have time to brood over petty matters. I started making a gratitude list of 3-5 days that make me happy daily, before going to bed, and this exercise has changed my overall outlook in life.
Overall, as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend and professional - I am content with life. And when I go to bed each day, I am usually at peace. Isn't that what we all crave for, anyway?
So, coming back to the book - I totally recommend reading it. You can always achieve your goals, you just have to take baby steps in the right direction to achieve them. And having kids should not derail you from your path.
It could be a corporate ladder you want to climb, or be an entrepreneur. You could turn your hobby into a career, or just do some social work to keep you busy. You can choose to always work part time (my preferred choice in the next few years). My urge to all mothers is to do something meaningful with your time - whether it brings money or not.
This book is getting good reviews, but a lot of thrash in media as well. For example, read this: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2014/02/25/recline-dont-lean-in-why-i-hate-sheryl-sandberg/. This makes me very sad. Sandberg describes in her book how women, more often than not, bring other women down. Because they are jealous, because they are competitive, because they are bitchy. And this is one such example.
I agree with what Sandberg has said in her book. More often than not, the men in my life are very supportive of me having a career, but the women who are stay-at-home are the ones who keep questioning my choice to work. Especially those who made a choice to quit and stay at home after having children. Why can't each person be confident of the choice they made, and be at peace with it, and not make the person who made a different choice guilty? I will never understand. Sigh!!!!
February 14, 2014
My first race
Northern California was in the middle of a much needed rainstorm last weekend. Not a soul around me was complaining about the weather. We desperately needed the precipitation.
However, I was hoping for a short weather break on Sunday. I had signed up for my first ever race, and the prospect of running a 10K race while being soaked through and through was daunting.
Race Day: I woke up at 5.30am, got ready, had breakfast, and set off with my friend A. As we kept getting closer to our destination, the intensity of the rainfall kept on increasing.
We made it to our destination, safe and sound, and I got a call from the husband who had hoped I'd bail out and stay cozy in bed with him :). I assured him I would be okay and proceeded to meet my team and trainers.
We had a great warmup session - ran about a mile, but more importantly, figured out that running with a rain jacket or any other accessories was a terrible idea. I went back to our tent and unloaded all the gear.
Race Start: There were hundreds of runners. It had just stopped raining. We were at the bottom of the pack. We started slowly, and it felt great to be finally running an official race. My running group was there with me, and I had all the support I needed to get me to the finish line.
The shins on my left leg have been bothering me (my trainer says I got shin splints), so I had decided to take it easy, and had kept a goal of just finishing the race. I started slow, and took my time to warm up. I took a few walking breaks in the beginning but as I hit my stride around mile 2, I was running more and walking less.
The course was new for me, and I did not have any expectations from it, but it turned out to be very pretty. We ran along some cute little neighborhoods - the homes had lovely gardens and flowers blooming, we saw lots of orange trees with the fruits slowly ripening, we passed through a park with some creeks and bridges, and because of the continuous rain, we could enjoy the refreshing smell of earth throughout our run.
I felt strong, and had a really strong finish. I completed the 10K with a pace of about 13 minutes a mile. I could have gone much faster but I'm glad I took the time to slow down and soak in the entire experience.
As soon as we headed back to the tent from the finish line, it started drizzling again :).
From start to finish, there was not a drop of rain that we had to deal with. It was an amazing blessing, as if it was just meant to be.
My fitness level has improved SO much in the last 6 weeks. I have dropped 2 pant sizes, and I feel energetic throughout the week. Every single run is helping me improve my cardiovascular fitness. I remember breathing so heavily during the first couple weeks of this training program. I was terribly out of shape. Now, I run with ease and can carry a conversation easily even on a long run. I know how to keep hydrated and fueled up for long runs, and have learnt a lot about my body in this short time.
Having run about 7 miles so far, I now move to longer runs - 8 miles, 10+ miles, in the next month before I run my first half-marathon in March. I am excited, and looking forward to it.
However, I don't think I am cut out to be a long distance runner. 10K is a sweet spot for me - not too short, not too long, and enough to get a good workout. I might train for that distance and work on speed once I have achieved my half marathon goal. I also don't want to injure myself by regularly running long distances, and I worry about my knees as well. But running is fun, and an easy activity to plan for, so I will find some way to incorporate a little bit on running into my daily life.
Here are a couple of post race pictures with my trainer and running group....I am sporting my first finisher's medal :)!
February 5, 2014
Remembering K Foi....
Last year, this time, I was in Mumbai at my in-laws. Before I got married, whenever we visited Mumbai, we would camp at my aunt's (dad's older sister) house. We were so emotionally close that she always complained about me not staying with her anymore and spending more time with my in-laws than her in recent years.
She was the BEST cook in our house. Years ago, she owned a fast-food joint in Andheri and ran a sooper successful business. Whenever we visited her, she would pamper us with hot breakfasts, lavish lunches, and new items for dinner. During every trip, I would come back with atleast one new recipe from her. She made the best pani-puri's in the world.
Last year, during my visit, I met her a few times. And I also spent an entire day with her....we went shopping together :). And when we were near Andheri station, we saw McDonald's and she was craving junk food, so we went in and ate McAloo Tikki burgers, with fries and a drink (a true Happy Meal). It was a rare indulgence for her, as she was a heart patient and always closely watched her diet.
Last month, my dad made a trip to Mumbai just to spend time with her. He stayed for 3 days, and we did FaceTime while he was visiting. She saw the kids, and was delighted to see the son running around the house and talking so much......when she last met him, he was a chubby baby who liked to be held :).
Aunt K suffered a couple of heart attacks and passed away in hospital early Monday morning. She had health issues, but was managing quite okay when we last spoke. So it was sudden, and a shock for all of us. It's the first sibling loss for my dad or mom, and they are grieving a lot. As with such news, it takes time. Acceptance only comes later, after internalizing all the grief. I still can't believe it either. I am remembering all my conversations with her, and still can't believe that I will never be able to talk to her again :(.
It's been an emotional roller-coaster....to say the least. I feel bad that mom n dad cannot be there with the family at this time. They JUST arrived from India...it has been less than a week. I called them over because the son was constantly falling sick in daycare, and needed to be kept home. I pulled him out of daycare in early January, and worked from home for 3 weeks until mom n dad got here.
The parents are constantly on the phone with all my uncles and aunts.....talking about her life and remembering the good as well as the tough times. You see - she was the only one in our family who lost her husband 25+ years ago.....a young widow, she raised 3 young children by herself, and eventually they started working and helped her repay the debt that my uncle could not clear before his sudden death. She had a tough life, but I always saw her smiling. What I will always remember is her beautiful face, her long black tresses, and her lovely smile.
When I visit my older aunts and uncles now, they always tell me "good we met and spent time...who knows, we may never see each other again". And I understood the sentiment and reality behind the statement, but always shrugged it off in my mind. But it is really true. It's true for any of us, but more so for the aging generation. I am glad I visit India often and spend almost all my time with family. I try to visit as many relatives as possible. I've sacrificed many vacations and outings with friends just to be able to visit family in India. And I feel it has been the best use of my vacation time.
I love you K foi (that's what I fondly called her)....you will always hold a special place in my heart. May you rest in peace.
She was the BEST cook in our house. Years ago, she owned a fast-food joint in Andheri and ran a sooper successful business. Whenever we visited her, she would pamper us with hot breakfasts, lavish lunches, and new items for dinner. During every trip, I would come back with atleast one new recipe from her. She made the best pani-puri's in the world.
Last year, during my visit, I met her a few times. And I also spent an entire day with her....we went shopping together :). And when we were near Andheri station, we saw McDonald's and she was craving junk food, so we went in and ate McAloo Tikki burgers, with fries and a drink (a true Happy Meal). It was a rare indulgence for her, as she was a heart patient and always closely watched her diet.
Last month, my dad made a trip to Mumbai just to spend time with her. He stayed for 3 days, and we did FaceTime while he was visiting. She saw the kids, and was delighted to see the son running around the house and talking so much......when she last met him, he was a chubby baby who liked to be held :).
Aunt K suffered a couple of heart attacks and passed away in hospital early Monday morning. She had health issues, but was managing quite okay when we last spoke. So it was sudden, and a shock for all of us. It's the first sibling loss for my dad or mom, and they are grieving a lot. As with such news, it takes time. Acceptance only comes later, after internalizing all the grief. I still can't believe it either. I am remembering all my conversations with her, and still can't believe that I will never be able to talk to her again :(.
It's been an emotional roller-coaster....to say the least. I feel bad that mom n dad cannot be there with the family at this time. They JUST arrived from India...it has been less than a week. I called them over because the son was constantly falling sick in daycare, and needed to be kept home. I pulled him out of daycare in early January, and worked from home for 3 weeks until mom n dad got here.
The parents are constantly on the phone with all my uncles and aunts.....talking about her life and remembering the good as well as the tough times. You see - she was the only one in our family who lost her husband 25+ years ago.....a young widow, she raised 3 young children by herself, and eventually they started working and helped her repay the debt that my uncle could not clear before his sudden death. She had a tough life, but I always saw her smiling. What I will always remember is her beautiful face, her long black tresses, and her lovely smile.
When I visit my older aunts and uncles now, they always tell me "good we met and spent time...who knows, we may never see each other again". And I understood the sentiment and reality behind the statement, but always shrugged it off in my mind. But it is really true. It's true for any of us, but more so for the aging generation. I am glad I visit India often and spend almost all my time with family. I try to visit as many relatives as possible. I've sacrificed many vacations and outings with friends just to be able to visit family in India. And I feel it has been the best use of my vacation time.
I love you K foi (that's what I fondly called her)....you will always hold a special place in my heart. May you rest in peace.
January 28, 2014
What comforts you?
I was reading a book to the daughter last night at bedtime. In the book, a girl named Sophie gets very angry, and runs away from home, to calm down.
After our reading session, I happened to ask the daughter: "Why do you like to go to the beach?".
And pat came the answer: "Because it comforts me."
Wow. I was blown away by her response.
I told her: "I feel the same."
And it got me thinking. What else comforts me?
These days, it's Running. It's weird - I never look forward to it. But when I'm running, I find it comforting. The rhythm, the focus on breadth, the trail next to the river - it all comes together beautifully.
Reading a good book. Currently reading "Lean In" by Sandberg.
Cooking. I find comfort in my cooking skills - for I know I'm good and my family enjoy the meals I make.
Love, hugs, touch.
Conversations, kind words, compliments.
Coffee.
Meditation. Yoga. Prayers.
Long walks.
Flowers.
Gardening.
Music. Movies.
Workout. Biking. Swimming. Or playing a sport.
Sleep. Rest.
Laughter.
Time with kids, and family.
Quiet time.
Hot showers.
Cleaning. Either dishes or scrubbing bathroom floors.
Green tea. Lemon-honey-ginger water.
Mom's food. Chocolate.
Hiking to the top of the mountain and enjoying the view.
And last but not the least - Writing. Either here on the blog, or in my journal.
What comforts you?
After our reading session, I happened to ask the daughter: "Why do you like to go to the beach?".
And pat came the answer: "Because it comforts me."
Wow. I was blown away by her response.
I told her: "I feel the same."
And it got me thinking. What else comforts me?
These days, it's Running. It's weird - I never look forward to it. But when I'm running, I find it comforting. The rhythm, the focus on breadth, the trail next to the river - it all comes together beautifully.
Reading a good book. Currently reading "Lean In" by Sandberg.
Cooking. I find comfort in my cooking skills - for I know I'm good and my family enjoy the meals I make.
Love, hugs, touch.
Conversations, kind words, compliments.
Coffee.
Meditation. Yoga. Prayers.
Long walks.
Flowers.
Gardening.
Music. Movies.
Workout. Biking. Swimming. Or playing a sport.
Sleep. Rest.
Laughter.
Time with kids, and family.
Quiet time.
Hot showers.
Cleaning. Either dishes or scrubbing bathroom floors.
Green tea. Lemon-honey-ginger water.
Mom's food. Chocolate.
Hiking to the top of the mountain and enjoying the view.
And last but not the least - Writing. Either here on the blog, or in my journal.
What comforts you?
January 15, 2014
Day 15 - Blog Marathon break :)
Things are really difficult right now. I have never been so busy in life.....never, ever. And I never imagined it would be THIS tough to just get through routine.
So, I need to call it quits on this blog marathon. I hate to take this step, but other things need to take priority.
I'll keep blogging - I just don't want to force myself to post everyday when I'm dead tired and I rather sleep early each night. Also, my work PC was having issues the last few days where I was only able to access the Intranet, and when working from home (which I am doing all this week because the kiddo is still recovering), I would not be able to access Internet at all. That made it difficult for me to write blog posts during the day. And by the end of the day, I was totally spent.
We also travel tomorrow to Southern California for a short break. We had planned this trip a while ago and I'm really looking forward to the warmer weather and the beach :).
I'll post as often as I can, just not daily.
Leaving you with a few pictures of my bum-chums.....
Aren't they precious :)?
So, I need to call it quits on this blog marathon. I hate to take this step, but other things need to take priority.
I'll keep blogging - I just don't want to force myself to post everyday when I'm dead tired and I rather sleep early each night. Also, my work PC was having issues the last few days where I was only able to access the Intranet, and when working from home (which I am doing all this week because the kiddo is still recovering), I would not be able to access Internet at all. That made it difficult for me to write blog posts during the day. And by the end of the day, I was totally spent.
We also travel tomorrow to Southern California for a short break. We had planned this trip a while ago and I'm really looking forward to the warmer weather and the beach :).
I'll post as often as I can, just not daily.
Leaving you with a few pictures of my bum-chums.....
January 11, 2014
Day 11 - Mind vs Body
I woke up feeling very lethargic today. With the ER visit and a sick kiddo at home, the week was tiring.
On top of that, it is the time of the month when Aunt Flo is visiting me, making her presence felt strongly with cramps and more lethargy.
It was also predicted to rain this morning.
SO many reasons to NOT go for my half-marathon training today.
But I went.
I was not sure how it will go.
The trainer changed plans on us - instead of a 4-mile run as per our training plan, he asked us to run 5 miles.
5 miles - never ran that distance before in my life. I've walked 20+ miles but never ran.
The warmup itself was brutal. But no rain, yet. Fingers crossed.
I did not want to run alone. I knew I would not be able to push myself if I did. So I joined a team of 4 women who trained at my pace. We all motivated each other.
The trail, as usual, was beautiful. And it was busy too. Lots of runners and cyclists on the trail. And it did not rain at all - we were so lucky.
I DID IT - 1 hour, 9 mins - 5 miles. The farthest I've ran in my life. (To be honest, it was a run+walk, but that is my goal for this first race anyway). WOOHOO!
I felt SO good after the run. The core workout post-run was a piece of cake. Yep, even the 60-second planks and the squats and the pushups felt sooper easy.
I was not the fastest, or the strongest, but I gave my hardest. And for that, I'm very proud of myself.
What was I thinking while running? I just kept telling myself: "I CAN do it." Baby steps. Kept counting from 1-10 and repeating it. Chatted with friends along the way, getting to know them better. One has GIRD so she is running to build her lung capacity, one is retiring next month and wants to live an active life filled with travel and adventures post-retirement, one lost 20lbs last year and wants to get fitter and lose more weight before her wedding. So many inspiring folks out there....it was lovely!
You have to have this desire within you to achieve something. For me, right now, it is to GET FIT. Not so much to lose weight (it will naturally come off), but I need to get my fitness level back. And I'm doing it - one workout, one run, one day at a time!
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