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Wednesday, January 13, 2010

And so we went to India

High time I recapped my trip. For M's sake atleast.

So M and I went to India around the thanksgiving weekend last year. It was going to be a short two week visit. So this was the first time M was going to fly and I was, to put it gently, petrified. I didn't know how M would be, how I would be and how the follow passengers would tolerate us. I had been reading as many online resources as possible, talking to all and sundry. Finally it was decided that I definitely needed a bassinet seat, new toys, pacifier (for when the plane took off and landed) and all the other essentials. I had even armed myself with infant benadryl with the recommended dosage in hand.
So the day come, after tearful good byes to Daddy G and Baby N, we got checked in and had some time to kill before boarding. So M and I started roaming around the really pretty terminal D on DFW airport. Close to boarding time, I gave M the benadryl to help her sleep in the plane. (Yes come on judge me, hurl your stones and call me names, see if I care) Just then my sister called and she just said in passing sometimes benadryl backfires and kids get hyper and I said yeah I guess it could happen. So happily and with some difficulty M n I sat down on my seat.
As the plane started taxing, I gave M a bottle to prevent her ears from popping. Once the plane was in the air, M decided this was the best time to show all she had learned in the past 11 months. So we started to play and we played some more. I started getting sleepy..coz you know that's what we do on a plane. But M had decided that wasn't going to nap. So the whole Benadryl thing..completely true. It does backfire *sometimes*!!!! The plane ride was pretty good, the bassinet was pretty useless, M wasn't comfy in it at all. But we didn't mind it, M or I.
On our AMS to DEL flight, we met the best fellow traveler ever. I have forgotten her name and that really sucks and have misplaced the phone number :( She was very helpful and although none of my fellow passengers, in the same row, had kids, they were all very helpful with M and M wasn't howling or screaming either. In the entire flight, M cried once and this was when I was catching my 2nd flight, she was super duper hungry by then and I had to do the security check and the water was thrown away, so I couldn't make formula till we boarded. Poor girl was just not happy and rightly so. But those 15 minutes were all my champion cried.
My friend commented later that we tend to underestimate our kids..they are pretty happy in most situations.

Delhi was as usual wonderful. Just being with my parents and M getting so much love and being pampered by her G Parents. Of course we shopped and again M was a trooper, she would hang out in her baby bjorn sling. BTW, strollers are not useful in Indian markets like Lajpat in Delhi or Crawford and Santa Cruz in Bombay.
I ate a lot!!! All kinds of chaat, Chinese, S. Indian, Pizza, not so much Mughlai (I wasn't keen on it), sizzlers, Rajasthani food, gujju food. I can't remember if there was anything else that we ate. Kanpur was a thrill, although I was there just for a day to visit my Grand Father and Dad's family there. It was a blast. We were treated with a lot of love and care. My nieces took an instinct liking to M and she loved them too. It all worked out well. G Dad was happy to see us too! Of course ;)
We took a flight from Lucknow to Bombay which was routed through Delhi. I have to add here, Indians are not helpful passengers at all. With an infant, stroller and backup, I had my hands full and I needed time to do things. But the person behind me in the line at the security check, was way too impatient. While I struggled to get my luggage on the conveyor, he huffed and puffed twice behind me. I turned around and gave him the apologetic smile, that I have begun to use when I start feeling guilty about inconveniencing people. But he just ignored it and went ahead of me. HOW RUDE! This happened a couple of times, at least. And the worst thing, no one offers to help! But there was something really nice about traveling in Kingfisher airlines. The air hostesses are super sweet and my baby won them over. The food is super excellent, something the US internal flights could learn from. And I didn't have to pay an arm and a leg for the tickets, plus they didn't charge me for baggage! Beat that over priced, charging for baggage US Airlines.
Bombay is a joy always, we are treated like royalty and we gorged on some of the most delicious street food and home food and not-street food. Great fun! M won the hearts of her Uncle and Auntie and she got to play with all kinds of incredible musical toys. What a joy!
Then we traveled to Jabalpur for my cousin's wedding. This time, I wasn't worried about the train journey, though it was long. 18 hours. The one challenge is using the restroom, where do you park your kid?? But M and I mastered that too! We had a side birth and that is not fun. It's very narrow and M was not happy and neither was I. So she just slept on me. It seemed most convenient. It wasn't the most comfortable journey, but we had fun. M on her second train ride (first was from DEL to KNP). The best part was drinking 'station wali chai'. The best chai there is right!
The wedding was a blast! Met every single member of my family, but 3. How amazing is that? So many new faces, so many old, some new wrinkles, some grey hair, a few extra pounds, a few less pounds. But hearts? Still the same! Big and full of love! M and I were loved and showered like nobody's business. And the best part about traveling with your parents? They will happily look after your kid, even willing take her from you, while you go socialising with the family. My cousin M who was getting married, looked super dashing and a beautiful, smiling bride he had. Again we had amazing food on both the days and then we bid adieu to the family. A very sad good bye.
This train journey was pretty much the same, except, Mom and I gossiped and we had puri and aloo sabzee with chai. Got me super duper nostalgic and happy. But I have to say, these Air-conditioned coaches take the fun out of traveling in a train. To me a train ride is always associated with looking outside the window, and having the air on your face. Calling out to vendors when the train stops and eating all kinds of delicious goodies and buying novels. O well, being climatically conditioned with the heater or cooler isn't that bad either I guess :D
I was very sad to part from my parents, they were even more sad to see M go. She on the other hand was just hanging out in her stroller. My flight to AMS was delayed by 3 hours, which we got to know on reaching the airport. I nonetheless checked in and strolled around the spanking new international terminal in DEL airport. Is it good or is it beautiful. I hadn't had a chance to have McVeggie burger, I greedily had one. M just dozed in the stroller, it was all b/w 12 - 4 am after all. Of course when we boarded the flight, the entire flight was sleepy and M and I were in dream world within a matter of seconds. This time too I made a mad dash to get to mu second flight, since the first flight had been late, we made it just as the security check was happening. KLM flight attendants suck BTW. And EU has very strict policies about carrying liquids on board. Unlike US and India, I couldn't take even water for formula. But they are happy about letting you wear shoes! Haha. O well.
This flight was mostly empty, so M and I stretched out in 5 seats...well we needed only 2, but we had 5 at our disposal!! M played around some, ate some and then fell asleep. When she did, for the first time in 3 flights, I found myself wide awake and nothing to do, so I switched on the in flight entertainment. On the previous 3 flights, I just didn't know where the time went and with M being on my lap, it was hard to eat let alone watch something. So I saw bits and pieces of "Despicable Me". Really cool movie.
We landed in Dallas, in the afternoon on a Sunday. I couldn't wait to unite with the other half of my family. Our very good friend S also came to the airport to receive us. N played it cool, he didn't laugh, grin or cry when he saw me. I on the other hand was a crying mess. They played more cool with each other, M didn't go about hugging N or vice versa. They just got back to playing and within a few minutes fighting. Such an anti climax :D
Our friend A came over with a cake and food. That was super thoughtful.
After everyone had left, I went to take a shower and give M a bath. Because no matter where you go, the best shower head is always at home :)

PS: M didn't have any trouble sleeping with me when in India, or sleeping without me when we got back.
We were completely healthy in India. Yes we did take precautions, but I ate at roadside thelas and such with not a care.
KLM's food while coming back is better than while going.
Some people need to learn manners.
I have super co-operative kids.
G is the best Dad and an even better husband.

Friday, November 06, 2009

What really gets on my nerves

Are you worried about how you'll handle the babies?
G should stop traveling, how will you ever manage?
Twins are generally preemies, you should be prepared for it.
Wow, you look big!
Can I rub your belly?
Why don't you stop working ?
Will you continue to work after the babies are born? ... Are you kidding me?
And the worst of them all is something I cannot even get myself to say.

Do people have no brains? No sensitivity? If you don't know what to say, don't please say anything to me. By even means of small talk. I really don't want to hear scary c-section stories or about the umbilical cord or about blood pressure. I know what I need to know, by your telling me these stories you are only making me nervous and not helping me in ANY way.
I don't know you and I don't want you to touch my belly! I don't know how to say no, so why even put me on the spot?
If I will have premature babies, I will, what can I do about it? Whisper to them to grow up fast? To tighten my legs when i move around?
G will do what and when he chooses to do. I am not going to be coming to you for help, so don't ask me when he will stop. We all do what we can.
I will work, if you have a problem with that, shut up and keep it to yourself. If I cannot manage I will quit. There, happy?

Why can't people share happy thoughts? Why is there so much morosity (not a word, but i love it) all around?
I guess this is the reason why people don't share the news of them being pregnant with a lot of people, since they don't know what to say or how to react. But how difficult is it to be nice?
Ok, done venting!
I am 8 months along now...cannot believe there is such little time left. So much still left to do!!! Ok, so I'll get to that, TTYL. :D

Monday, October 26, 2009

Foodie talk

I was reading a blog and I just took up a tag.
So one has to basically list five memorable meals ever eaten: It could be anything that makes the meal memorable – the food, the place, the place you were in your life when you ate, the company, the weather, the ambiance – heck, the guy who served the food!”.

So, the oldest and fondest food memory has to be from home. Right? So it is of my mom making poha and halwa for Sunday breakfast. I just loved loved it and I could eat boat loads of it. We would sit on the carpet infront of the TV and eat watching Ramayan/Mahabharat and then we would all happily take a nap.

Once, my parents had gone out of the city and we were staying with family friends. The Auntie was known to make funny combination of food. Now she knew I loved Pumpkin Sabzee. So she made dal, rice and pumpkin sabzee. I had never had this combination..but to this day, I am smitten. I absolutely LOVE it and every time I or Mom make it we think of Auntie and smile :) I even remember that we were sitting on their terrace and having lunch. it was just so special and sweet :)

Next is a memory of the times I spent in Jabalpur, food being a major thing with most of us :D Shalu and I would go to this restaurant called 'Traffic Jam' and we would do TP over cold coffee with ice cream. That used to be fun. And also the cutlets @ 'Indian Coffee House'. ummmm :D And how can I forget the bread-omelet Rahul and Rajat made me eat @ Itarsi enroute to Bhopal. That was just awesome, none of us slept that night, we just talked our way into the morning :)

And then I landed in the US. So many food memories with UTA and Arlington. I think the most prominent ones are the loads of chai we would drink so we wouldn't fall asleep and instead study. There was always a 'discussion' as to who the chai maker would be, Mudi would never make it but he made the best tea, followed by Sameer. While the tea lasted the gossip session would last and many a times, we would all go to sleep right after having the tea . hahaha. The other is the very elaborate Dinner my roomies and friends would have. We would have cooking turns and if we had enough time, we'd make some nice stuff for dinner (nice = chole/rajma or sauj's gujju delicacies). We would all gather, Anurag was mostly there, he would get his own food unless it was something special, and we would all sit on the floor on newspapers and eat and talk and just be happy. Of course we had to watch a movie after that, so we'd all catch a little bit of a movie, i would take some shut eye during the movie and then rush off to the lab or in my room to study :)

How can I not have a memory of my non-bawarchi hubby :D So G doesn't cook much, but one thing he does do very well is make Omelet. So Saturday mornings are G's mornings to make us a super big Omelet and cold coffee and we'll sit and watch a movie and gorge on the eggy delight. It's super cool coz it reminds me of home, since i'll push the plate aside and take a little nap after the sumptuous breakfast :)

There are many more...like when Mom would start preparing the festival delicacies, we would wait around the kitchen wishing her to get the first batch out so we could taste some, Mom asking us to make Chinese for her, coz she loves it and loves it when we make it for her. Fighting with Dad on how much sugar there should be in halwa, there is no one who makes better halwa than him, absolutely no one. Making chai for V Uncle and sitting around to get compliments from him :) The first time I cooked for G, the first time he made dal...so many more firsts and so many more memories to make :)

O, this was a fun fun tag! Anyone who wants to should take it up. Anu Russell you are definitely tagged and Akansha. Coz I know both of you are foodies and it'll be nice to know your food memories.

This has made me so hungry, time for some tapioca pudding :D

Monday, October 05, 2009

He n I n them

So G n I are not 2 peas in a pod, as my romantic brain would like to believe ;) Well not really, we'd get sick of each other and all that..

So here's why:
G doesn't like to keep the back door open, he thinks it's an invite to the reptile and insect world (which it is, during twilight only)!. Then we live in the airport zone, so there is some disturbance coz of the flying beasts (which it is, but can't you talk over the planes or wait a few seconds and talk?).
He doesn't like to sit in the patio and drink chai or have breakfast coz of the planes.
Well, he doesn't like chai!
He doesn't like the rain or getting wet in it. (Why else does it rain??)

And then there are things we both like to do:
Not go shopping.
Go to a cafe.
Go to Barnes and Noble.
Read books.
Watch TV
Play Guitar Hero.
Water!!!
Harry Potter!

So here's what I am getting at. I cannot wait for my babies to come and over power Gourav. (hehehe). I will make them love the rain and stand outside with me and dance in it, have breakfast and morning milk outside and keep the door open. We will all go swimming (of course G says, their Mom is not a swimmer, but i can flip around), watch movies, read, play and finally go to Universal Studios Harry Potter park and get lost!!!!!!

O When will they be 1.5?

Friday, September 11, 2009

On a roll..

Been blogging for 3 days in a row..ain't I being nice?
Lol...
So tagged by Anu and here goes:

1. What is your current obsession?
My babies!!! and trying to decorate their room..
2. What are you wearing today?
Capris and green t shirt
3. What’s for dinner?
I know I want to eat Pakoras today..it's the yummy rainy weather today :)
4. What’s the last thing you bought?
A gift for my friend's wedding. (LOL yeah same time as Anu)
5. What are you listening to right now?
Co workers talking in the BG
6. What do you think about the person who tagged you?
She's the coolest, love her :)
7. If pigs could fly…complete the sentence?
then humans wouldn't be far behind..right?
8. What are your must-have pieces for summer?
Cool house, lots of ice in the fridge, cute capris, skirts, shorts.
9. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
Visit my parents!!!!
10. What is one thing you want to learn to do? (changed)
Learn to sew.
11. What’s your favourite quote?
Life is too short.
12. Who do you want to meet right now?
Mom n Dad
13. What is your favourite colour?
Blue or green..i keep switching
14. What is your favourite piece of clothing in your own closet?
My Satya Paul Saree.
15. What is your dream job?
Cook or critique food. Party planning.
16. What’s your favourite magazine?
Entertainment Weekly.. coz that's the only one i read.
17. If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on?
Murals for the nursery.
18. Favourite TV show? (changed question)
Grey's Anatomy!!!!
19. Who are your style icons?
Not really sure...but some friends or acquaintances whose dress sense I like.
20. What kind of haircut do you prefer?
Manageable, hair should be long enough to be tucked behind ears. Layers!
21. What are you going to do after this?
Work
22. What are your favourite movies?
About a boy, Gone with the wind, and more..can't remember them right now. LOL.
23. What are three cosmetic/makeup/perfume products that you can’t live without?
There is no single piece of makeup I must have on...but I guess it'd be eye liner, moisturizer, lipstick and of course deo!
24. What inspires you?
My laziness puts me into action.
25. Give us three styling tips that always work for you:

ok, i'll try.
1. Black!
2. comfy clothes, i know if i am dressed in a size smaller or bigger, either my cleavage will hang out or my love handles will show.
3. A nice bracelet/bangle.
26. What do you do when you “have nothing to wear” (even though your closet’s packed)?
I will give every imaginable piece of clothing a 'look'. Then finally decide on something i don't exactly hate at that moment and wear that, ofcourse after whining how I don't have any 'decent' clothes :D
27. Coffee or tea?
Cold coffee and hot Tea.
28. What do you do when you are feeling low or terribly depressed?
Talk to Mom or take a nap..it usually works.
29. What is the meaning of your name?
Clouds
30. Which other blogs you love visiting?
Ahh..so many. Listed on my profile.
31. Favorite Dessert/Sweet?
Besan Ladoo!!! and chocolate cakes and ice creams.
32. Favorite Season ?
Spring, I don't mind winters either. Summer is a bit too hot for me and nothing fun to do.
33. If I come to your house now, what would u cook for me?
I will make you aloo sabzee and kachori and paneer fritters for starters and chocolate cake for dessert. Coming?
34. What is one book that you would suggest the whole world reads?(new question)
Harry Potter series :D :D
Rules for those who are tagged:
Respond and rework – answer these questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own, and add one more question to the list. Then tag eight or ten other new set of people.
35. (New Question) What's an ideal evening like?
Getting home from work on time, making an easy yet tasty dinner with G. Go for a walk with him, the weather has to be nice, eat dinner while watching one of our favorite shows on TV, polish off with a nice desert, go to bed, read and sleep :)
I'd like to tag:
My sister
&
Akansha.

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

100th Post

Can't believe i have written 100 of 'em!

So right now, I am very pissed off with the 'Right Wing'. I think all sense and wisdom is out of the window. The way they are reacting to anything the President does, has no basis and certainly no wisdom.

I am talking about the Health Care debate
and Mr O's Back to school speech.

I have been told that some schools refused to show his speech but are taking the kids to see Mr Bush speak. A total WTH moment for me. So much hatred and so much anger the Right wing has.
Mr O, I think you should do what Bush did, do not listen to anyone, just implement what you choose to do.
I am not going to say i favor the Bill too much, but I hate the reasons the Republicans are giving, death panel, denial of service etc etc.

Ok so 100th post should be more cheerful right. So here's the cheerful note, I got 2 awards curtsy Anu. Yeaayyy..my first awards..thank you Anu :)





And I'd like to give it to Chandini. I think her posts are fun and keep me entertained :)

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Being on the verge of becoming parents, G n I often go through self doubts. I more than G. Like are we going to be good parents, are the kids going to be well behaved, will we know what they want and when they want it. What will we do with them. My questions include and are not limited to, will they study, will they be A grade students (because there is no other 'acceptable' grade in my book). Will I be partial towards one child. Will I be the knowing, understanding Mom, my Mom was and is? Will I be patient?

Then there is more. Like this Sunday, I woke up, made us a nice breakfast of scones and dhokla and cold coffee. Ate it and went to sleep. I woke up at least an hour later and I was thinking to myself in a few months time, will I have this luxury? After that G n I sat and watched TV and chatted with friends on the phone. How about this one...will we have this? We later went off to our favorite Chaat place and gorged on some Chole Bhature. This one I think i can still have...no? Came and slept off again for a little bit and then we went for a walk and watched some TV, made dinner and later saw a movie. I am sure we'll do all the above minus all the sleeping I am doing right now and all the TV watching..right? Well..we'll see.

We cannot wait for the babies to come. So super excited, all the questions we have..i know we will find answers to them and I am hoping we'll be good parents. I guess the kids will let us know when we're not ;).

Entering 6th month now...time seems to fly us by! We still have to do the nursery. Though we wont be using it right away..but I'd like to decorate their room for when they are ready to live there.

G is in town right now..how very nice. I get back massages everyday. I put him through hell so much, I am so glad to have him. He doesn't complain :) I try and be nicer, and he knows that. I just wish I could do that more.

Oh well...time to go eat now. Babies will let me know that they're not happy with this delay ;)