Contemplations

 There are different kinds of home remodelling and renovations; Kitchen, bathroom, whole house, room additions, windows / door replacement, repairing property damage, ceilings, bathroom additions, woodwork redone, updating light fixtures and so on. We are in the process of renovating our whole house which implies step by step remodelling of each bathroom and room along with the windows, light fixtures, almirahs  ... basically the works  Renovations also have different categories, minor, major and cosmetic. In the event of the entire house getting renovated which is surely major remodelling, I have witnessed the family shifting out to another apartment for a period of a year or so in order to be free from the dust, smell and day to day hassles of the same. And there are some brave families and we are surely one of them, because we decided to get some major changes done while being in the same house. Which essentially meant shifting furniture, clothes, bed, infact every pos...

 Milestones - some small, mostly big but all equally important. First Steps, First Words, First Birthday, First Day Of School, Last Day of School, Leaving Home, Graduation, First Job, Marriage are just a few of them. Wait !! I missed out on a major milestone and that is the Central Board of Education ( in short CBSE) Results.  Class 10th and 12th Board results are amongst the major milestones in academic life of the child and parent both. It is a big deal by all means. From the examination centre which is a different school, to the question papers and checking, it is all being held and done outside the comfort zone of the child. Since lakhs of students all over India appear for the same, it is duly reported and the updates are aptly followed by parents who are anyways having a difficult time managing their own emotions.  As I have become much calmer with my expectations the second time around with my younger daughter, it was not the case with my elder one.  Would jus...

I've never lived on transient borrowed light of Approval and Applause. I am the SUN ... perfectly Centred in my being and my Conscience.  Sushmita Sen  In a world short of inspiring role models, Sushmita Sen certainly stands out.  In today's time and age, all of us consciously and unconsciously, analyse everything about everyone.  Sizing people up based on their appearance, personality, characteristics, handshake, tone of voice, skill sets and the list goes on is part of being social and part survival. Being judged, bullied, ridiculed, criticized, made fun of or mocked is a norm wherein we indulge in ourselves.  Thinking is difficult, that’s why most people judge.” ~ Carl Jung Feel elated when appreciated,which truly is scarce now a days and gloomy and dejected when mocked or criticized, is this really how we want to continue with our lives?  Something's that really helped me coming to terms with the judgemental people is as follows: 1) STOP DOUBTING YOURSE...

 Soo much can be said about this one emotion; Anger. It is a signal that we think we are being treated unfairly. But  Anybody can become angry — that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way — that is not within everybody's power and is not easy. Aristotle Nowadays we see reactions of anger, people getting angry everywhere. Few examples of anger are road rage, a lot of       anger is also vented on watsap for any no of reasons, etc. Each  of us have our own triggers on what makes us angry, but some common ones include where we feel threatened or attacked, frustrated or powerless like we    are being invalidated or treated unfairly.  Ever wondered given the same situation why few of us react differently where in the entire body language, tone, speech, manner changes wherein others are able to handle it much more calmly.  Because there is mu...

 Perfection is a state which as the name suggests is being flawless and where everything is 100% great and exactly right. It can also be creating or making something perfect for example cooking that fish to perfection.  Perfection then, as I understand is  1) being flawless and complete 2) being so good that nothing could be better. 3) a quality, trait or feature of the highest degree of excellence and it's possible. That's why we have artists, athletes, chefs and people and professionals in practically every field who are par excellence. But perfection is Boring. Ever wondered why ? Because once I think, feel or act as if I am perfect, I loose out on the opportunity to grow and improve as a person. Getting better as a person, professional, human being is where all the fun is. Desiring to become better is actually where it all starts. Perfection is overrated, boring. It's the imperfections--the vulnerabilities, the weaknesses, the human elements--that make us who we are, ...

 Munnar is a famous hill station in Kerala famous for lush green hills and tree plantations. The weather remains amazing round the year, and though rain was expected and predicted, thankfully it didn't arrive. So we had gentle and fresh breeze surrounded by abundant and bountiful greenery.  There's plenty to see in Munnar and we visited quite a few places. Echo point, a spellbinding destination which offered stunning view of the point and is surrounded by hills and valleys. Why is it called echo point is because the voice echoes in the valleys as you scream. It is fun to hear your voice again and again like one has seen in the movies, but you need to be loud enough.  Next up on the list was Mattupetty Dam, another gorgeous scenic location, surrounded by tea plantations, spice gardens and hills.  We also visited the Tata tea museum for exploring the history of the Tea and me being an avid tea drinker, loved every bit of the varieties of teas on sale available right ou...

 Sarojini Nagar Market, our very own Desi flea market is every girls shopping paradise and since I have two girls it's twice as much paradise. We make occasional trips here especially when the girls are looking for  hep, trendy clothes and accessories in throw away prices. Also when we are looking for quantity more than the quality since since mostly the clothes are export rejects of brands like Zara, H & M etc, we end up going there. Also known as SN and bargain bazaar, this market has never disappointed us even once. There are times, when we have gone to the branded showrooms in the malls and the girls have not got what they had in mind but that's never been the case with SN. From the favourite pair of denims under Rs 300, to off shoulder dresses, tank tops, accessories, bags, fancy slings, designer tops, heels and how, sneakers in all shapes and sizes, leather jackets, kitchen utensils to cosmetics, it has it all. Infact I am reminded of Susmita Sen's interview where...