A funny title but thats all that my confused mind can come up with right now.
To add a little (ok not so little) context, I started thinking about this from the conversations that I have with Rishi on a daily basis - yet another proof that all my thought process are now mostly governed by him. I keep telling him that he is the most important person in my life, I love him the 'mostest' and that he is my 'bestest' friend. There is no bigger truth than this.
But, if I think back, I must have thought the same way about a few other people also in some time of my life. What happened to them?
To start with, I know I must have had a 'blind' love and devotion for my parents like every kid in the world. I am referring to this as 'must have' because I don't really remember the love I felt for them as an infant or a toddler. But I must have. I must have thought that they are the most important people in my life, that I love them the 'mostest' and that they are my 'bestest' friend. Infact, I remember baba referring to me as his 'poraan'. Ma's whole world revolved around us.Did she think I was the most important part of her life too? What happened to that? Did they realise and felt the pangs when I gave them second place ? When did they take a step back and ceased being the most imporatnt people in my life?
Did this happen in my teens when I took great pleasure in exploring life with friends? I remember not without guilt the times when I sneaked to go to movies with my friends, the lies I said to get away with poor marks in a test or the times Didibhai and I wasted money on buying 'StarDust' and 'CineBlitz'. There was a time I literally felt that whatever I do, wear or say, is based on my friends's approval. They were very important people in my life then. When did they stop being an influence in my life?
Perhaps when the attention shifted to Sandip and the beautiful dreams we wove together. When I think back to this time, it seems like everything and everyone but he had ceased to exist at that time. Whatever he said consumed all my thoughts and was the driver of whatever I did. The magic lasted for about 2 years after marriage when, I started feeling the need of that someone special who is going to call me 'mom'. As soon as I got to know that we were expecting Rishi, the world started revolving around him.
Does this mean, that my love for everybody but Rishi has subsided or ceased? No, I can't agree to that. They are all there. I guess, they are all spread in different rungs of the love ladder. Its just that the occupants keep climbing up and down between the rungs, but they are all definitely there. And I thank the Lord everyday for that!!
Monday, October 1, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
First day of First Grade
Rishi started his 1st grade school year at Lockwood Elementary on 4th Sept, 2007. I can just say that, I survived!! Didn't sleep very well the previous night. Followed his school bus to school and waited till he went in. It was such a bitter sweet moment. I waited in the area beyond where the parents are not allowed to go and saw him go in confidently. Not once did he turn back. Felt a pang thinking how my little boy has grown up.
Actually, I was so nervous about this new school. Can't even put words to my anxieties. Never can explain what I was nervous about. Rishi was so attached to his previous school and his friends and teachers there. His alopecia makes it harder. I keep thinking about the 'what if's '. What if he can't find his room? What if he doesn't like his teacher? What if he is not able to make new friends? Through all this, Rishi kept telling me not to worry and that he will be OK.
After a week I can say that the fears were unfounded. he made really good friends in Jack and Jacob, told us that his teacher - Miss Peggy Fargo - is the 'almost best teacher in the whole wide world' and enjoys riding the bus with Britney and Cassandra.
So far so good. Just praying he does as well here as he did in Bellevue.
http://picasaweb.google.com/tinakarmakar5/1stDayOf1stGrade
Actually, I was so nervous about this new school. Can't even put words to my anxieties. Never can explain what I was nervous about. Rishi was so attached to his previous school and his friends and teachers there. His alopecia makes it harder. I keep thinking about the 'what if's '. What if he can't find his room? What if he doesn't like his teacher? What if he is not able to make new friends? Through all this, Rishi kept telling me not to worry and that he will be OK.
After a week I can say that the fears were unfounded. he made really good friends in Jack and Jacob, told us that his teacher - Miss Peggy Fargo - is the 'almost best teacher in the whole wide world' and enjoys riding the bus with Britney and Cassandra.
So far so good. Just praying he does as well here as he did in Bellevue.
http://picasaweb.google.com/tinakarmakar5/1stDayOf1stGrade
Friday, August 24, 2007
Chess Champ
Rishi is so much into playing chess these days. He usually plays against the computer.There are a few times when he could draw the game.We always explained that it was a big deal even to make a draw against the computer. He is always complaining that he doesn't win - and then he did!! He won for the first time on 8/18/07. We were so amazed, started to feel like we gave birth to a prodigy :)
Quickly came back to reality, for fear of bloating his over sized ego even further.
Way to Go, Rishi!! Your mama and baba are really proud of you.
Quickly came back to reality, for fear of bloating his over sized ego even further.
Way to Go, Rishi!! Your mama and baba are really proud of you.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Rishi's grown up plans
About two weeks ago, when we were cuddling together, I told Rishi how we will always be together. He goes, 'Well, when I bring a wife, we are going to buy another house and move out'. I was so shocked. Tears suddenly welled up in my eyes thinking of him moving out. He immediately started crying too and said 'No mom. We will not move out. We will live in the basement'. It was funny how he said that!!
On Sunday (8/19/2007), we had taken him to Chuck E Cheese. When I asked him why he is not using his tokens and buying something, he says - 'Mom, I am saving these for my kids. So that they will not have to go to CEC and I will bring the tokens for them'. Looks like we need to be prepared for being grand parents sooner than we had anticipated.
On Sunday (8/19/2007), we had taken him to Chuck E Cheese. When I asked him why he is not using his tokens and buying something, he says - 'Mom, I am saving these for my kids. So that they will not have to go to CEC and I will bring the tokens for them'. Looks like we need to be prepared for being grand parents sooner than we had anticipated.
Friday, August 17, 2007
A free of cost stress buster
I was so surprised at how good it felt after playing 'Rock, Paper, Scissors' with Rishi last night. Always thought it was a very silly game but both of us were laughing so hard. Anytime I hear him laugh out loud, all the stress of the day vanishes into thin air. We usually play board games in the evening but this one was so simple and so much fun. Wonder if it will be as magical next time around.
Sandip in grip of Soduku Mania
Sandip's obsession with Soduku started about a month back when I innocently enough bought a Soduku game board for Rishi. He showed some minor interest at first, but within a day or two he was hooked. The highlight of his day revolved around if he could get a puzzle solved. I knew it was going out of hand when he started carrying this to work !! My 'early to bed, early to rise' husband started staying up late just so he could finish one more block. He tried Rishi and me to try out too. Rishi tries sometimes too. I started only about a week back and must say it is addictive. Could solve only two so far. Sandip has gotten pretty good at this and as with everything else, giving it his best shot!! Am keeping an eye to see how long this fever lasts!!
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Gardening journey of 2007
When I start writing about our garden, I can't but include the poem by Emily Dickenson:
Its been 7 months now that the journey began and some 'no shows' not withstanding, the 'garden' is living up to its first time endeavors.Its a journey taken mostly by me and Rishi with Sandip in the sidelines - passing skeptical comments at our over zealousness.
It is funny how the same person now wants to till the soil for next year and is beginning to find 'some' beauty in the garden.
The first show was put forward by the dainty daffodils. Very easy to get them going, I didn't have to drop a sweat for them - not that I could have in the cold climes of PNW February! I was surprised by how early they bloomed. By the time we moved to the second week of February, the Daffy's were in full bloom. They even withstood the frost and a couple of about 2" snow days. Will have to increase their population next year.
The Pansies bloomed all along. There never was a time when there wasn't a single pansy in bloom.Such hardy flowers!! I even found a few stray ones growing across the yard where they were spared from the evil mower!! Survived the unusually nasty Seattle winter and up to 6" of snow.
And so did the strawberries - lots of little, red strawberries grew all along the inner edge of the garden.Very sweet tasting too.Plucked and ate a lot of fresh strawberries.
Then came the turn of Blue Grape Hyacinths - I think I would have been less impressed had I been a more seasoned gardener.But nevertheless anything that survives my 'not-at-all-green' thumb brings smile and joy to me.
By mid March, we planted the Snow peas - these were Rishi's babies and he had so much fun planting them. We were not prepared for the size these became by May. We got a yield of at least 2lbs of peas.It was fun to watch Rishi pluck the peas from the plants. Sandip thought this was the pick of our gardening effort - no surprise here!!
We also planted flowering Sweet Peas seeds around the same time.These did pretty well with very sweet smelling pink and white flowers blooming. But I feel that these look much better when a lot of them are grouped together.Will try that next year.
I tried getting peppermint to grow roots from the bunch that we bought from Indian Store and one of them did. I now have a container full of peppermints growing in my patio.During this time, I also got a package of three different types of mints from Illinois sent by fellow gardener of Gardenstew forum( thanks Zazu).All three types of mints growing robustly.
Now comes the turn of my marigolds and sunflowers.My over enthusiastic self took over and I went ahead and sowed the seeds early March.Well, within 2 weeks, I ran out of containers to put the sprouts in and outside was still too cold!! So sacrificed a lot of the seedlings and kept a few. Now I have 5 healthy sunflower plants with buds in them.One of them is blooming. YEAH!!
The four marigolds that I ultimately kept are also doing very good and blooming.These are very easy to grow and brings back childhood memory of the garden we had in the Railway quarter we lived in.
The day lilies (it seems they are called Star Gazers - not sure though), Irises and roses all did very well.The day the lilies bloomed, I was so thrilled. I thought that they would be a no show this year.
The tomato plant - which I bought from Rite Aid mid July, is trying its best to bear some fruit.
Pepper plant is a hoot - bought the seed packet from store,sowed early March,waited and waited, nothing happened. Well towards the end of April, I took some seeds from the packet of dried red pepper we use for cooking, sowed them and lo and behold - sprouts!! I now have one of them doing well. I hope it is not too late to see some fresh home grown green chillies.
Last but not the least, I am still waiting for the canna lilies to bloom. The leaves are so green and lush.The buds have also come up - so hopefully will not have to wait much longer.These are in the huge wooden containers. Planning to put some in the ground too for next year.
Will update as and when I see more changes in the garden.The link to the garden pictures are:
http://picasaweb.google.com/tinakarmakar5/MyGarden200703
9/27/07 : Looks like the tomotoes won't have the time to ripen and green chillies won't have the time to grow :(
Will have to plant these earlier next year.
Will continue adding pictures too!! Enjoy!! Don't forget to add your comments.
My Garden
New feet within my garden go,
New fingers stir the sod;
A troubadour upon the elm
Betrays the solitude.
New children play upon the green,
New weary sleep below;
And still the pensive spring returns,
And still the punctual snow!
New fingers stir the sod;
A troubadour upon the elm
Betrays the solitude.
New children play upon the green,
New weary sleep below;
And still the pensive spring returns,
And still the punctual snow!
Its been 7 months now that the journey began and some 'no shows' not withstanding, the 'garden' is living up to its first time endeavors.Its a journey taken mostly by me and Rishi with Sandip in the sidelines - passing skeptical comments at our over zealousness.
It is funny how the same person now wants to till the soil for next year and is beginning to find 'some' beauty in the garden.
The first show was put forward by the dainty daffodils. Very easy to get them going, I didn't have to drop a sweat for them - not that I could have in the cold climes of PNW February! I was surprised by how early they bloomed. By the time we moved to the second week of February, the Daffy's were in full bloom. They even withstood the frost and a couple of about 2" snow days. Will have to increase their population next year.
The Pansies bloomed all along. There never was a time when there wasn't a single pansy in bloom.Such hardy flowers!! I even found a few stray ones growing across the yard where they were spared from the evil mower!! Survived the unusually nasty Seattle winter and up to 6" of snow.
And so did the strawberries - lots of little, red strawberries grew all along the inner edge of the garden.Very sweet tasting too.Plucked and ate a lot of fresh strawberries.
Then came the turn of Blue Grape Hyacinths - I think I would have been less impressed had I been a more seasoned gardener.But nevertheless anything that survives my 'not-at-all-green' thumb brings smile and joy to me.
By mid March, we planted the Snow peas - these were Rishi's babies and he had so much fun planting them. We were not prepared for the size these became by May. We got a yield of at least 2lbs of peas.It was fun to watch Rishi pluck the peas from the plants. Sandip thought this was the pick of our gardening effort - no surprise here!!
We also planted flowering Sweet Peas seeds around the same time.These did pretty well with very sweet smelling pink and white flowers blooming. But I feel that these look much better when a lot of them are grouped together.Will try that next year.
I tried getting peppermint to grow roots from the bunch that we bought from Indian Store and one of them did. I now have a container full of peppermints growing in my patio.During this time, I also got a package of three different types of mints from Illinois sent by fellow gardener of Gardenstew forum( thanks Zazu).All three types of mints growing robustly.
Now comes the turn of my marigolds and sunflowers.My over enthusiastic self took over and I went ahead and sowed the seeds early March.Well, within 2 weeks, I ran out of containers to put the sprouts in and outside was still too cold!! So sacrificed a lot of the seedlings and kept a few. Now I have 5 healthy sunflower plants with buds in them.One of them is blooming. YEAH!!
The four marigolds that I ultimately kept are also doing very good and blooming.These are very easy to grow and brings back childhood memory of the garden we had in the Railway quarter we lived in.
The day lilies (it seems they are called Star Gazers - not sure though), Irises and roses all did very well.The day the lilies bloomed, I was so thrilled. I thought that they would be a no show this year.
The tomato plant - which I bought from Rite Aid mid July, is trying its best to bear some fruit.
Pepper plant is a hoot - bought the seed packet from store,sowed early March,waited and waited, nothing happened. Well towards the end of April, I took some seeds from the packet of dried red pepper we use for cooking, sowed them and lo and behold - sprouts!! I now have one of them doing well. I hope it is not too late to see some fresh home grown green chillies.
Last but not the least, I am still waiting for the canna lilies to bloom. The leaves are so green and lush.The buds have also come up - so hopefully will not have to wait much longer.These are in the huge wooden containers. Planning to put some in the ground too for next year.
Will update as and when I see more changes in the garden.The link to the garden pictures are:
http://picasaweb.google.com/tinakarmakar5/MyGarden200703
9/27/07 : Looks like the tomotoes won't have the time to ripen and green chillies won't have the time to grow :(
Will have to plant these earlier next year.
Will continue adding pictures too!! Enjoy!! Don't forget to add your comments.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Trip to Oregon coasts - Summer'07
We set off on our annual road trip on 7/14/07 - this time to the Oregon coasts. We first travelled for 400 miles to reach Winston, Or.This was achieved with Sandip behind the wheel exclusively and Rishi's constant bouts of "Are we there yet?" .
However, the sights we encountered on reaching 'The Wild Animal Safari' made it all worthwhile. And MY!!! WHAT SIGHTS!!
Animals roaming around in the open. Lions with huge manes sitting by the side of the road staring at us as if we were in the cages.And we were!! We were'nt allowed to open the car doors or windows in the lion, tiger's, cheetah's and Black Bear's enclosures. The Cheetah was resting with two of her 'few weeks old' cubs. Loved the way the giraffes, bisons and zebras blocked our way. And the double humped camels were so strange. Sandip said they looked like they had two huge tumors in their backs. Rishi was just enthralled!! What else did we see? Owls, Snakes, Monkeys, Flamingoes, elephants, mountain goats, deers in variety of shapes. How can I forget the Brown Bears? A live and walking 'stuffed Teddy Bear' is what they look like. An unforgettable experience.
At the end of this experience, we started for our Hotel - which was 150 miles away in Florence, OR. Reached there with a splitting head ache. After a dinner at Subway, went straight to bed to get ready for more fun the next day.
On 7/15, we started the day, with a buggy ride in the Sand Dunes. Again a unique experience. Very similar to Snow boarding except that we were going through sand and were in a buggy. Driven at 150 miles/ hour, it is an understatement to say that it was thrilling. A very expensive ride but it came with free Sand Bath courtsey of a very friendly buggy driver. And I laugh when I think that through it all, my little talkative son could'nt stop talking - never mind that he was getting sand on his mouth and never mind that we could'nt hear a word!! It was a 30 minute ride, the feelings of which will last a lifetime.
Then we started driving North stopping at the beautiful beaches and enjoying the Ocean views, Light house in a drizzle looked so romantic, the fun in the water and of course enjoying junk food and car games all along the way.Reached home tired and ready for routine!!
However, the sights we encountered on reaching 'The Wild Animal Safari' made it all worthwhile. And MY!!! WHAT SIGHTS!!
Animals roaming around in the open. Lions with huge manes sitting by the side of the road staring at us as if we were in the cages.And we were!! We were'nt allowed to open the car doors or windows in the lion, tiger's, cheetah's and Black Bear's enclosures. The Cheetah was resting with two of her 'few weeks old' cubs. Loved the way the giraffes, bisons and zebras blocked our way. And the double humped camels were so strange. Sandip said they looked like they had two huge tumors in their backs. Rishi was just enthralled!! What else did we see? Owls, Snakes, Monkeys, Flamingoes, elephants, mountain goats, deers in variety of shapes. How can I forget the Brown Bears? A live and walking 'stuffed Teddy Bear' is what they look like. An unforgettable experience.
At the end of this experience, we started for our Hotel - which was 150 miles away in Florence, OR. Reached there with a splitting head ache. After a dinner at Subway, went straight to bed to get ready for more fun the next day.
On 7/15, we started the day, with a buggy ride in the Sand Dunes. Again a unique experience. Very similar to Snow boarding except that we were going through sand and were in a buggy. Driven at 150 miles/ hour, it is an understatement to say that it was thrilling. A very expensive ride but it came with free Sand Bath courtsey of a very friendly buggy driver. And I laugh when I think that through it all, my little talkative son could'nt stop talking - never mind that he was getting sand on his mouth and never mind that we could'nt hear a word!! It was a 30 minute ride, the feelings of which will last a lifetime.
Then we started driving North stopping at the beautiful beaches and enjoying the Ocean views, Light house in a drizzle looked so romantic, the fun in the water and of course enjoying junk food and car games all along the way.Reached home tired and ready for routine!!
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