Rakhi Festivities

Our Raksha-bandhan celebrations started with an earlier than usual shower followed by a visit to Ruchi bua's home. We spent close to an hour at bua's place, playing with their dog- chinki- and also with Sooraj-Chintu bhaiya's son- as everyone else got busy with the festivities.

Later at home, I tied the rakhi on my Rudra bhai's hand not forgetting to do it for my Honey didi as well. My Renu bua had sent rakhi for everyone (my parents and Rudra bhai's parents) while my Honey didi sent it for me and Rudra bhai. Renu bua had also sent a letter- written to her brothers- while Honey didi wrote one for us........It was a moving letter indeed- and also a nice way to go back to the good old days of an unwired world! Well, another one from my Veda bua is on its way......

Shreya didi- our landlord's daughter- who was waiting for us to come back, too came up and did the ritual with my Rudra bhai.

In the evening it was the turn of Liz bua followed by Rinki bua, Archu bua and Mumpy bua......needless to say that my papa's wrists are looking very colourful. Pihu didi (Rinki bua's daughter) got one for us too.......You know Rinki bua's visit always translates into lot of clothes.......She, being a textile designer has a penchant for nice designer clothes and me and my Rudra bhai loves her visits........

In between all those festivities, we talked to my dada and dadee several times over phone......and also saw my Renu bua, Rakesh mama and Honey didi over Google video chat........To see my Renu bua's happy face after she saw both of us on video, was the best moment of the day- not that others were not; her relentless pursuit of software and webcam did work in the end!

I will be posting pictures later as camera is under repairs-courtesy me!

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Mumma School Jaana Hai

My Rudra bhai has already started going to school- Mother's Pride- since, his school starts early, I don't get to see him during most of the mornings barring weekends. However, that doesn't stop me from asking about Jeenu as soon as I wake up.......... followed by an every day statement in a complaining tone (which sometimes changes and ends with a question mark)-"mumma school jaana hai" meaning mumma I want to go to school as well..........

With my Rudra bhai starting his school, my normal day has been divided into two parts- frst part starts with the time when I wake up and ends as soon as I spot my Rudra bhai climbing up the stairs........while second part starts as soon as he gets in........15 minutes prior to his scheduled time of arrival, my activity level goes up considerably- with me running several times between the gallery and back to my mom working in front of her computer- my one liners, however remains same "mumma Jeenu aaney waala hai" meaning mumma Jeenu is about to reach home........And, as soon as I spot him, it changes to "Mumma Jeenu aa gaya" meaning mumma, Jeenu has come at the top of my voice.........We, then make him sit around the table with me and my chachee quizzing him about the happenings in the school.........My father was home to record one such "after school" quizzing session........As my Jeenu bhai had complained about his mam (perhaps cab attendant) eating his biscuits the previous day, so first thing I was did was to check his tiffin box and you must see and hear my reaction- again at the top of my voice and in a complaining tone........



All these quizzing sessions and other school related objects and incidents are good enough to keep fueling my desire to go to school- a desire that gets manifested in many cute moments........One such incident was captured beautifully one evening in a picture when a thought came to my mind from nowhere- "mitthi ko school jaana hai" meaning mitthi wants to go to school. Left with no option, my mom strapped my Rudra bhai's old school bag on my back.........And, my Rudra bhai couldnt stop himself from following my line........ Well today is our country's Independence day and I need to end this post as I have to go to rooftop for a kite flying session with one bhaiya- our maid's son- who agreed to visit our house for this- so kind of him.....Thank you bhaiya and Happy Independence Day!

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Diwali Update

After late night festivities and celebrations, I am still in bed but my papa is up early to write this quick update.

Since it was my first Diwali, I wasn't aware of what is in store through the day. But as the day progressed, things began to get clear and I could feel the festivities and excitement in the air. Every one was busy decorating the house with flowers, lights and candles while my dada and dadee cooked delicious sweets and snacks.

After Diwali puja in the night, it was time to burst crackers. I was a picture of varied emotions through the entire duration of that time- excited, happy, joyful, lost, frightened ......... But, it was fun. As we readied ourselves to end the day at 12 in the midnight, it was time for my Ashu chacha to cut his birthday cake..... Happy Birthday Ashu chacha!

A detailed post will follow this once we are back in Gurgaon.....

Before I end this post, let me wish you and yours a year full of happiness, prosperity, good health and success!

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My First Rakhshabandhan

As mentioned in my previous post, we reached our Dehradun home at around 10.15 am; my dadee was waiting at the gate to receive us or should I say me! She took me inside while my dada took care of Rudra bhai.......My Renu bua gave me a bear hug; waiting next in line were my visiting Shivvi mamaji (papa’s maternal uncle) and my great grandmother (my dadee’s mother). Mamaji had come to visit my dadee for Rakshabandhan and also take my great grandmother along with him. They were supposed to leave early but decided to wait for us to arrive home; and left right afterwards.

After half an hour wait, my Renu bua directed her brothers to get ready for tying Rakhi on their wrists. And then came our turn......My Ridhima didi was visibly excited and so was my Rudra bhai while I was trying to make some sense of all the excitement. As soon as I figured it out, I too joined them........My papa managed to capture those moments in the following video......

I, being the youngest sister got the mandate to tie Rakhi on his wrist followed by my Ridhima didi.
Rudra bhai gave us a gold pendent each as our Rakhi gift, incidentally with same alphabet “R” inscribed in the middle. In order to maintain the parity, my Ashu chacha got one for him as well; and his too has “R” in the middle........By now you must have figured out the reasons for so many “R”s- Actually; our respective names begin with this alphabet only - Ridhima, Rudra and Reveda.

And that’s how I celebrated my first Rakhi festival with my family. Technically speaking, this was my second Rakhi festival; first one was mentioned here .......

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Quick Update

Here is a quick update:

~ We are leaving for Dehradun early morning to celebrate Rakshabandhan. . It would be my first Rakhi festival after my birth.

~ My this post has featured on blogadda.. Needless to mention that I am happy about it.

My next post will now be from Dehradun. Until then take good care of yourself and keep reading.

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Happy Holi

I had to alter my blog clock a bit to fit in this early holi post. As it was my first holi, so I was the star attraction of the day. My Rudra bhai was the first one to get off the hook; he started the festival of colours in our household. Excitement of playing with colours was written all over his face.....

He was splashing blue/green and red colour in the air....his clothes were awashed with colours. My chachee had to change his clothes twice before my father had enough of this clothes change business. He took off all his wet clothes barring his huggies. But that wasn't enough for the super charged kid who was in no mood to stop and started playing holi in diapers.....

In complete contrast to my Rudra bhai, I was a picture of serene calmness amidst the colour riot. I was wearing my white frock and an orange coloured holi cap; my mom bought late night. One could have easily spotted a look of surprise over my face when I saw my Rudra bhai playing holi in his diapers....I cannot even think of doing that.....While I was in my dada's lap, the long retired internal auditor in my papa made him to ask my mom as to why she used a new white frock......pat came the reply-"that's her Holi dress". And my papa couldn't do anything but say this-"Bobby- you and Rudra have one thing in common; both are wild when it comes to celebrating something".......

Now that's how you celebrate festivals like holi! Pictures as taken in that order....





Last but not the least, I wish people should celebrate the spirit of holi in the proper perspective while giving respect to other person's sentiments and values.....

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Another Twitter Update

My papa is still down with fever and he didn't go to work today. But his leave was of no advantage to me as he is keeping me at a distance to ensure that I don't catch the virus flu. He was on self medication until this evening but then had to go to doctor. Now since he has been to the doctor, I am sure he will be fine.

My father thinks that I am angry with him......and I think he is right...I am angry as he is not taking me in his lap/arms. Actually I don't understand this flu thing that well.

My mummy wanted to buy a Holi cap for me for tomorrow. She just managed to get one courtesy my chachee. And now, she is happy....My dadaji has prepared some gujia and muthree for holi festivities, which will be my first.

I am feeling sleepy as well as hungry; drooling with my four fingers inside my mouth and roving eyes looking everywhere.....

More to follow later....

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A New Month

With today, begins the new month of December. A month that will see cooler winters and festivities around Christmas followed by preparations for the coming new year. This will also be the month in which my Rudra bhai will complete one year on 30th December. My dadee, papa, mummy and I will be travelling to Dehradun on 5th to spend a month at my Dehradun home. I will also stay at my nana's place for some days before we come back to Gurgaon.

The first day of the new month was bit cooler than past few days. My colic problem is better today and I would sleep comfortably for the better part of the day. In the evening, Sachin uncle and Neha auntie would visit our home for inviting us to their marriage. My papa looks tired today but he would rest only after completing this post. Now since I have been able to complete the backlog, it is time to devote much energy to design......

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My Third Trimester Continues

Next phase of my third trimester coincided with the festive season in India. First it was Dusshehra and then came the biggest of them all-"Diwali". In between my mom had to go to hospital with water bag leakage issue; something not serious though. Father shifted his job from Hines to NIIT and we moved into a new rented accommodation. My dada-dadee came to Gurgaon to help us do the shifting. Then they went back to Dehradun with my Renu Bua and Ridhima didi. We also went to Dehradun once as my nana-nanee moved into their new house and had their house-warming.

My parents started my shopping during Navratras and invariably they ended up buying all girlie colours. Then came Diwali and we all celebrated it together in Gurgaon. My dada-dadee came here with us as my mother was not in a condition to travel to Dehradun. The effect of financial crisis was clearly evident on the diwali festivities; but I decided to take a chill-pill as I was inside and was not affected by that crisis.

Doctor auntie told my parents to get prepared for delivery after Diwali. So my mother got her bag ready. Upon a doctor visit after Diwali, Meenakshi auntie told my mother to get admitted to Paras Hospital on 1st November. But my mother requested for 5th Nov, reason being my parents got married on 05-05-05, I was conceived on 5th as per medical science calculation so they might as well deliver me on 5th to make it a hat-trick. But then i had different plans................

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