Free For All!

Both, I and my Rudra bhai are relishing and making best use of our "free for all" days as we moved into our new house yesterday. With everyone busy doing something- firstly packing and now unpacking stuff/belongings; watchful eyes don't follow us like a shadow.......they peep in and out at fairly longish intervals; in between we get enough time to do stuff that we are good at- playing with mud-slush (after rain effect), run around everywhere, sneak out downstairs (new house is on first floor and they have not gotten used to bolting the door from inside), throw things around, eat anything that comes in our hands; the list just doesn't end; words do!.......

With such a huge list of available activities, a constant tussle is always on to outsmart the other and be on the driver seat. Net result is nothing but fights at regular intervals......few bites here and few there, one slap here and another there......And, despite my age, I am the one who gets to win most of these battles.......... with my Rudra bhai mostly at the receiving end.......However, after every such act, I have made it a habit to ask him- "Davayee (Hindi word for medicine used by me to ask him should I apply ointment?)........ But biting him on his hand and then asking him if he needs ointment are two separate and mutually exclusive acts ...It just happens that I am the one who is the doer of both!......

As my papa is writing this, I just did something that made him shout and laugh in quck succession......And, you know what I did?

Well, I just pulled my Rudra bhai's long hairs moving them in circles and singing "round and round-round and round".....until my Rudra bhai started shouting for help.......thus prompting my papa to shout at me........I quickly figured out that I am at fault so I went upto my papa and raising my right cheek, I said-"idhar maaro" meaning (slap me here)......my eyes were closed waiting for the imminent......Once, my left cheek's turn got over, I got down from the bed.....went upto our dressing table and started shouting again- "Davayee (meaning should I get you some ointment?)..........Although, all this was not meant to be a joke, but for some reason, it was good enough to make everyone burst into a laughter!

Now, what else would you expect from a eighteen month old......yes, turned eighteen months today!`

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One Lump A Day

........ has been the order of the day for sometime now. And, I am not at all responsible for that. Rather, that risk taker in me is the real culprit and I have no one but my genes to blame for my risk taking habits.

So, if I have my failed trial jump from my bed to blame for monday's lump on my head; yesterday's was caused as a result of my "jumpin walk" walking style......Oh! I was trying to imitate a monkey at that time; you know! Have you ever tried to walk backwards? Well, I did and one such attempt too resulted in one lump.......so one lump a day keeps you growing.....I guess that's why my papa says- "bachey gir gir kar hee badey hotey hain"...

And, I have grown to be a 15 month old today!

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I Can Crawl Now....

I have started full-scale crawling from today. Following video shot this evening shows it.....you will certainly enjoy it!

Rather, I suggest everyone watching the video to imagine yourself in my place and re-live your moment..............moment when you had first moved your legs.........Additionally, it will help understand the importance of small things in life. The reason I say this is because after having learnt to walk and run, human beings tend to forget the importance of crawling.....Don't forget, it was crawling that you had learnt first; just as I did today!

Enough of "gyan"; now enjoy the video!

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Happy Marriage Anniversary

.....to my dear mummy and papa. You both have completed four years of your marriage today. I know that on this day of 2005 you tied your nuptial knot. Naturally, I wasn't present there on that day but I am with you today to celebrate your fourth anniversary along with my dada, dadee, chacha, chachee and Rudra bhai.

I am lovin' it. Let me document this special day for my reading in future....

My dada and dadee were the first ones to wish my parents followed by a sms message from my Renu bua. She had sent it last night but my papa managed to read it this morning only. I too woke up earlier than usual and wished them in my own way. I liked it when my dadee said- "Reveda-you would have been three today had you come out early." I told my dadee- "I agree but then my parents are to be blamed for that. Apparantely they were in no hurry to bring me into this world earlier than when I eventually did.

Later in the evening we all (my dada, dadee, mummy, papa, chacha, chachee, Rudra bhai, Anil mama and Shubham bhai) went our for dinner. Incidentally, it turned out to be my first restaurant outing as well.

Before I end this post, I again wish my parents on their Anniversary. This day is very special for me too as but for this day, I would not have been here.......at least by Indian standards!

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I am Now A Half Year Old

...kid after having completed six months today. And this time there was no cake to cut. Rather my mom ordered a box of ice-cream; which she later helped me cut. I guess Delhi heat had a lot to do with the choice of ice-cream over cake.

For a change, I too got to taste the ice-cream as I am now allowed to eat solid food following my annaprashan ceremony on 30th April.

And, I liked the taste of the ice-cream; it was yummy.......

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Five Qualities Of A Good Student

“काक चेष्टा, बको ध्यानं, श्वान निद्रा तेथैव्चा
अल्पहारी, गृहत्यागी विद्यार्थी पञ्च लक्षणं”

The quoted shloka from ancient Indian Sanskrit texts has prescribed five “must have” qualities of a good student. Literal translation of the quoted text is as follows:

Perseverance of a crow (1), concentration of a swan (2), light/alert sleeper like a dog (3), frugal eater (4), readiness to staying away from home for learning pursuits (5)-are five indicators of a good student.

You must be wondering why quote this shloka? Relax! I am in no preaching mode. I am just responding to my parent’s off the cuff remark about my sleeping habit and perseverance yesterday night after my papa arrived home late at around 11.30pm. Finding me asleep, he tried his best not to disturb me of it; but that’s not how it was supposed to be. His opening the door of our bedroom and I was up on my both hands, head raised high with a big smile on my face. And, he couldn’t stop himself from saying- “why do you sleep like a dog”?

Once up, I started playing with my blanket. Seeing me do that, he pushed it further away from my reach. Aware of his intentions, I pulled out all the stops to make a determined bid for that blanket. After much effort, my perseverance paid off and the blanket was in my grip with a winning smile on my face. My parents too were happy but for different reasons; I crawled.........My mom held me tight in her arms and said-“see perseverance always pays!’.

With my frugal eating habit as another trait, I already possess three “must have” qualities of a good student out of five listed in ancient Indian texts. Signs of good times as a student! Don’t forget, I chose pen and book over a currency note yesterday!

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My Annaprashan Ceremony

Day came and went but not before leaving memories that I am going to treasure for the rest of my life. The significance of this day began to sink in only after I wore my new dress that mom got stitched for the occasion. I was basking in the glory of that dress with happiness written all over my face.
As you know Annaprashan ceremony is about food, so my dadee first cooked the rice-pudding (kheer) for the prasad (first bite of solid food that I will eat once rituals are complete). After my dadee finished cooking kheer, my chachee took charge of kitchen for cooking the rest of the lunch.

The ceremony started at around 11.30 amidst chanting of sacred hymns followed by a Yajna or Havan . Here is the picture of Havan... It went on for 1 and half hours and I slept through it to wake up in time for my moment. As soon as I woke up, the priest placed a book (symbolising interest in learning), currency note (symbolising interest in accumulating wealth) and a pen (symbolising wisdom) in front of me. I chose book as well as pen leaving the currency note behind. Now, what does this signify; time alone will tell!

Soon afterwards, the priest asked my dadee to give me my first bite of solid foods. This is how the prasad plate was looking with kheer, puree (fried bread), choley and paneer (farmer’s cheese).

My dadee used a silver spoon (that she gifted me along with a silver glass for the occasion) to feed me the prasad. I would eat all the rice pudding off the spoon as soon as she brought it closer to my mouth. Here is the moment as captured by lens........ After this, it was my dada’s turn to give me the prasad followed by my nanee, mummy, Mamta mausi, Sunil mausa, chachee and papa. I was enjoying the taste as well as the attention that I was getting. This day will always remain special to me.

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My Annaprashan- First Rice Eating

...is due for tomorrow. It will be conducted by the Priest as per rituals and will start at around 8 am. Needless to say I am excited as it will also signal a transition from milk only diet to milk cum solid food diet. And it also means that from tomorrow onwards, I will not be a silent spectator during dinner time. For those who don't know about Annaprashan ceremony, reading this will help. You know these ceremonies are one of the biggest dividends of being born into India; we have ceremonies for every occasion and “Annaprashan” is one of the most important one.......Do watch out for this space tomorrow for more on that.

On a completely different note, I wish my Renu bua and Rakesh mama a very happy marriage anniversary. They have completed 3 years of their marriage today. Since my bua is still recovering from H-pylori infection and is on a strict diet; they celebrated at their home in Uganda. Again, I wish my bua and mama a very happy and healthy married life.

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My Teething Troubles

have already started......constant itching in my ears, swollen gums and my consequent insatiable appetite for my fingers, touchy nature and a sudden increase in my diaper bill...for record my mom had to change 4 within a span of 2 hours... ..My doctor had advised use of gum-paint but that advice has been sent to trash bin after my mom read somewhere that it is not advisable to use it. My gum condition was best captured in the three pictures that my papa clicked today at around 8 pm.


Before I end this post, here is something that I would like you to tell me- “what do you think of the following two pictures- the picture in blue is of a 6 month old while the one on the right is me...any resemblance?”
Who do you think is the other kid? Prizes for guessing- is my love and prayers......

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My First Monthly Birthday

You know, I am a 1 month old little girl today. It feels little unusual as the feeling of being called as-"one month old" is yet to sink in. Time just flies....it was just few days back when I was in the hospital waiting to come home. But that is past and so is this first month after my birth.

Although it is an altogether different story that I can choose to go back into that one month as & when I would want to- open my blog and start reading the archives.... simple baba....My day started in a hurry as my papa has a lot of work to do at work as part of board meeting preparation. Besides, today is also my date with doctor Manish uncle. My father would drop us at the hospital and leave for his work. While my dadee and mummy would accompany me to doctor uncle. Uncle was happy at my progress and gave me my vaccination as per my chart. It was slightly painful initially but I negotiated it well. My dadee and mummy would then bring me home in a cab. I was little sleepy and I would soon go to sleep. My mother's colleagues from her work would visit us in the afternoon to meet me- yes, not my mother but me...I felt great meeting all the aunties- Poonam, Soma, Rajni, Rupinder, Sabina- all came with a nice gift hamper. My mother was visibly happy to meet her colleagues after a long hiatus. I am afraid she will have to wait little longer to be in that office again... Sad for her but great for me!

I would conveniently go to sleep afterwards to wake up in the evening only. My mother would send Tinku chacha for my first monthly birthday cake. I would wait endlessly as both my Chacha and Papa are working late in office. As soon as they reached home, my Rudra bhai would help me cut my cake-chocolate one.He would clap with both hands and look happy- after all he played a perfect elder brother tonight. It's time to eat cake (my mom tried it on me too)and dinner.While everyone is having dinner, I would wait for my mother finish hers and feed me afterwards. It would be a while before I go off to sleep and my mother would have no choice but to sit upright and feed me. Soon, when I am done with feed, I would go to sleep with a smile on my face- a smile meant to express my happiness on celebrating my first monthly birthday.

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My Wish

I entered into 30th day today and with this I am all set to complete one month tomorrow- a month that saw me come out of my mother's womb safe and secure; a month in which I got to meet my dada, dadee, mummy, papa, bua, mama, chacha, chachee, bhai, didi, nana, nanee, mausi, mausa, mama and many other relatives and well-wishers, a month in which I collected so many gifts- in fact I could go on and on and on..

This month also saw extremely deplorable attacks on Mumbai citizens and my thoughts are with everyone who lost their relatives to this mindless act of terror. I also pay homage to everyone who lost their lives in these attacks and to those who died in the line of their duties. Their courage and valour should guide each one of us in future and we must NOT forget their sacrifice.

I slept for most part of the day today and would wake up only for my daily bath or as and when I am hungry. My father reached home late and had to rush to computer as his boss wanted him to send some excel spreadsheets urgently as part of meeting preparation. This would put me off and I begin to cry and would continue until he holds me.

Before I conclude today's post I must tell you something- you know my dada and dadee celebrates monthly birthdays of my Ridhima didi and Rudra bhai and now mine would begin from tomorrow. My dada is in Dehradun so he will celebrate it there while my dadee, mummy, papa, chacha, chachee and Rudra bhai will celebrate it here in Gurgaon. You also celebrate it.....

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12 Days of Consolidation

Twelve days between 19th Nov to 30th Nov was a period of consolidation. I deliberately chose that word as everything during that period was about consolidating the gains and successes of past many months. My mom is beginning to feel better with every passing day and so am I. My sleep cycle is getting aligned with every one so no more sleepless nights. I would not drink even a single drop of top feed as I enjoy my mom's feed more than that. After all, I do know that it helps build a stronger bond.

Visitors continues to pour in to bless me; Gautam chacha, Ritu chachee, Amit chacha and Rupali chachee being the earlier ones- their names got missed out in earlier posts. My papa would go to work every day and be back early. One day while doing his morning pooja, he noticed one boil on my head and my dadee, mummy and papa all rushed to hospital to get that checked where doctor uncle cleaned it and suggested not to use any J&J products. I was back to normal again.

In between, Mumbai incident happened and it really shook all of us. I have already posted my thoughts on that ghastly incident some time back under the following link http://reveda.blogspot.com/2008/11/my-nation-under-attack.html

While Mumbai encounter is on, Monu uncle would visit us from SFO, USA along with Seema auntie and Gaboo didi. They would get me some nice clothes and proceed to Dehradun on 30th November after staying with us for couple of nights. It will then be Chetan uncle's turn to visit us along with Vaishali auntie, Tanvi didi and little Tanmay. You know Chetan uncle is also an expert in handling kids as he would make me go sleep in no time. I wish my father would have taken some pictures. I was little bit uncomfortable in the night, so my mummy would give me some medicine to help me with colic. With this would pass November; my first month of birth. This month will hold a special place in my heart forever as it is the month in which I got to meet my dada, dadee, mummy, papa, chacha, chachee, bua, mama, bhai, didi, nana, nanee, mausa and mausee and so many others....

Thank You My Lord for everything!

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My Naming Ceremony

Mumbai incident has jolted each one of us but then we cannot allow that incident affect us such that everything comes to a standstill- doing that means terrorists will win and we just cant let them win. So here I am back compiling my journey so far.

Hectic discussions were underway amongst my family members on the issue of my naming ceremony and it was decided to conduct puja and yagna on 13th Nov, being the 11th day from my birthday. You may want to know that Hindus usually conduct the naming ceremony of newly born kids on 11th day. My family in Gurgaon would be joined by my nana, nanee two days prior to that ceremony. They have come from Dehradun to see me and my mother. They brought me new clothes and a gold chain; which they would gift me on the day of my naming ceremony. They are happy to see me.

In between, my father would go to Dehradun for a day to attend Naresh chacha's wedding and be back by 12th night for my naming ceremony. On 13th, priest would come to do the prayers and the Yagna. I am excited about my day and I am the first one to get ready. My dadee would give me bath and put on my favorite pink coloured clothes. Priest would complete the prayers followed by Yagna. After prayers got over, the Prist would recite me my names.

As already mentioned, everybody has named me differently. First it was the the turn of my Renu bua; who would call me Prisha over telephone from Uganda. My dadee would name me Umankshi, while my dada call me Prateeksha. My chacha and chachee would name me Saarthaki; while my nana and nanee name me Aayushi. Later on, we would be joined by my Anil mama, Mamta auntie, Sunil uncle, Shubham bhaiya and Riya didi. My Mamta auntie would bring me ear rings Everyone was busy celebrating my naming ceremony and I was enjoying being the centre of attraction.

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Peaceful day

7th November would be a day to rest after hectic events of past many days. Everyone is tired and needs rest barring my papa. He is in office after spending better part of the night without proper sleep. He first went to Airport around midnight with my chacha to see off my bua, mama and didi ahead of their flight to Uganda. Later, he would lie by myside with his eyes watching every movement of mine. In fact, my every action was keenly watched and photographed in mind by everyone. One more notable event of the day would be my complete refusal to drink lactogen milk. I just don't like the taste at all as I am very choosy when it comes to F&B.

In a matter of few hours, I have become the most followed member of the family. Everyone would run the moment I cry and try all the tricks in their books to make me stop crying. But I wouldn't budge until my mom feeds me. My dada, my dadee would hold me one by one followed by chachee and mummy. Rudra bhai is trying to ignore me as much as he can. In fact at times he would react as if no other kid is in the house. But my bhai is best; always smiling and flashing his few side teeth that would grow first such that it was very discomforting to him.

My father and chacha would look for me first; moment they arrive home after work. Visitors and congratulatory calls are on as ever before. But slowly and steadily discussions are beginning to happen around my naming ceremony. One notable call that came in was that of my Veda bua; who called from US to check on me and my mom.

In fact my father and mother have chosen my name as a combination of Renu (Re)bua and Veda (Veda) bua. My papa met my Veda bua over Internet 9 years ago. She would send my father rakhi (a thread which a sister ties on her brother's wrist every year during a festival of similar name as the thread itself). My Veda bua had also visited India at the time of my parent's marriage in 2005 along with her mother and daughter-Maura didi. Such is the beauty of their bond that despite living continents apart they could create, maintain and strengthen a bond which has no parallel amongst people we know of. But it would not have been possible without the support of family members and they too deserve equal credit for that. More on this as things keep coming up....

My Renu bua called up to inform about their safe arrival in Jinja, Uganda.

Everyone had their dinner and were getting ready for bed but then my plans were again different. I would not let my mother sleep and would demand feeding every now and then. Papa would sleep as if he has not slept in years..... dadee kept checking on me.....

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My Homecoming

6th November; 6 pm

All the formalities for my departure from hospital have now been completed and it is time to head back home. I am really excited and so is everyone of mine. I am wearing pink coloured jacket top with pink coloured nappy and a white cap. My dadee would wrap me in a soft sky blue blanket to protect me from November chill- something I must get used to as global climate change would continue to ensure cooler winters in Northern India.

My dadee was holding me with my dada and mummy as her company; my papa was on the wheels. Soon we reached my home, where we would be welcomed by my Rudra bhai, chacha, chachee and Shanti auntie-my nanny. My dadee would then complete religious rituals to thank God and His kindness for ensuring my safe and secure delivery followed by a small prayer on her lips to seek Almighty's blessings over all the members of our family forever.

My chachee was the first one to hold me followed by my chahca. I was feeling relieved to be home but hungry me started crying for milk; my chachee would then make me drink lactogen milk. Everybody was in a celebratory mood barring my Rudra bhai- afterall it is time for him to share the dais with me; something that he is not used to being the undisputed king for 10 months..... But, I am pretty sure that we will forge a strong bond between us.

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Thank You All!

My safe and secure journey from a tiny life cell to a complete human being requires me to thank and greet everyone who played a role in this entire process. God comes first followed by my family members.

But then I must make special mention of Meenakshi auntie, Umang uncle, Maneesh uncle, Jaideep uncle, Rashmee auntie and all the unnamed sisters who helped me come into this world safely. I thank each and everyone from the bottom of my tender heart. I wish them more success and good health in the pursuit of their medical profession- a noble profession indeed. They are always the first people who touch you in every way and it is amazing to see the same level of energy and dedication every time they help deliver.

A life born out of fusion between two Individuals and carried through for next nine months by God's amazing engineering is ultimately taken to its logical conclusion by these practitioners of medical profession only. There names might differ from place to place but their act remains same all throughout. God and His creations are great.

Thank you my Lord for everything.

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My Visitors

I was generating good interest amongst relatives and friends of my family as evident from the constant stream of visitors and innumerable congratulatory phone calls. In fact my father had to carry his charger along as his battery would exhaust soon.

During the course of next two days, I would be visited by many relatives & friends of our family. First one to visit was Ramesh uncle and Liz auntie followed by Mamta auntie’s family. I met Riya didi and Shubham bhaiya again. Sandeep uncle dropped in from his work. In the evening it was Chetan uncle's turn; he clicked my pictures on his E-91 Nokia phone for Vaishali auntie.In between came, Dharamveer uncle and Uma uncle. Next in line was Rinki bua's family who came alongwith Archu bua, Rajiv mamu and Pihu didi. I had seen them earlier when I was in my mom's womb; but was meeting them for the first time outside. My mother's colleague Ajay uncle also visited me with Disha auntie and Arnab bhaiya. Mayank chachu, Tinku chachu, Manish chachu & Anugrah mumu came calling at night followed by Anil mamu & Mohan uncle.

I would be relieved from hospital on 6th and my father was completing the formalities when he saw Ruchi bua who was visiting hospital for Ved Budaji's tests. They both came upstairs to see me despite budaji not feeling well. I was greatly moved by that. I wish Budaji good health and pray that he gets well soon.

My feeble mind can't remember the names of any more people; but I am sure there were many others too. I wish to thank everyone for their good wishes and blessings. I would need them for the rest of my life.

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Experiencing My First Touch

My mom was moved into the room no. 303 at around 5 pm; where I would join her at around 5.30 pm. Hospital nurse would put me inside my cradle and move me into my room with my dadee and chachee escorting me.My dada, my mother and my bhai Rudra were waiting to welcome me. As soon as I entered that room, my dadee would embrace me and take me in her arms and I could feel that special touch– a soft touch of love, care, joy, excitement, fulfillment and blessings; a touch to thank God for ensuring safety of both me and my mother with prayer on her lips. My dada would then hold me and his touch was no different than that of my dadee- a touch full of love, care, excitement, joy and blessings while thanking God for His kindness. My chachee too would take his turn to hold me with Rudra bhai looking on. Last but not the least,my mom would take me in her arms and it was truly an amazing experience to be held by her for the first time after keeping me inside her womb for 9 months. The soft cuddle and the touchy sensation was once in a life time experience. I was living that moment fully and completely. Everyone’s eyes were talking to me and I was responding to them in my own way.

The room was completely filled with love, joy, excitement and gratitude. It was the space that I was waiting for long in general and since 9.17 am in particular. My father would enter the room and find him lost for words. He touched me and held me with care and love; prayers on his lips. If I were to describe all this experience in one sentence, I would say- truly a divine experience to be surrounded by my loved ones with expressions of love, care, happiness and gratitude to God. Life outside is wonderful.

My chacha would join us soon; he is an expert in holding kids and held me with such precision and care. He too was an expression of love and would become the first person to gift me- A hundred rupee note; something I am going to cherish throughout my life.

Later, we all would be joined by my Mamta auntie (my mother’s sister), Sunil uncle, Shubham Bhaiya and Riya didi. My auntie would take me into her arms and bless me. My total kitty would soon grow to Rs 200- 100% growth in a span of an hour and that too in such a severe economic downturn……

Now I am looking forward to the visit of Renu Bua, Rakesh Mama and Ridhima didi which would be next day i.e. 4th Nov.

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My Long Wait

My nine month old desire to be embraced and cuddled by my family members would now prolong by another 5-6 hours. Although voiceless, I was shouting that I am all set to be with my family but then doctors had completely different plans and I was hurried into a nursery where I would find myself surrounded by other fellow newborns. God was watching me from the heavens and kept that near window bed vacant for me. Truly, He is great! My dada, dadee, papa, chacha, chachee, Rudra bhai, Anil mama, Ruchi bua etc would come and see me from a glass window outside my nursery. Some would click pictures while others would just try to grab my attention. But I would not hear as I was bit angry to be kept at distance from my family.

They made me lie down my stomach, but I would often move my head from one side to another. Everyone would often ask doctors about the time when they would be able to embrace me and take me into their room. In between, my father, dada and dadee would go and check my mother. At 4 pm doctors asked for my clothes. I was happy knowing that soon I would be shifted from a warm but unfamiliar nursery environment to a cozy, familiar and above all my very own environment. That space would be mine comprising of my own people and my wait would end soon….

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Beginning Of A New Journey

In perfect sync with an old saying-"The end of one thing is only the beginning of another", I was about to end my 9 month tenure inside my mother's womb to begin one outside. Although I would be saved from the effort and pain which always precedes any achievement as my mother's achievement of delivering a baby would outshine mine. It is thus ideal that she gets to feel more pain than me, which she eventually did.

Her bout of labor pains would begin to grow longer and intense at around 3 am. My father would then wake up my dadee and all three decided to call up doctor at around 7am. It's time to head to hospital and we all (my dada-dadee and parents) were in hospital by 8am. Dr auntie arrived and so did Umang uncle. My mother was administered some medicines and put under observation for a normal delivery.

My father would then tell my dadee that it is a girl as my heartbeat is in the higher bracket of 130-170 range. My Veda bua had conveyed this from her own experience of delivering 4 kids.

And, my mom was anxiously waiting for her turn. But God had different plans for my mother as my heartbeat would fall to an alarmingly low levels of 70-80. Doctor shouted- "It's time to do an emergency C-section and take the baby out". By the time my father could complete the formalities, my mother found her inside operation theatre (OT). My frightened dada-dadee would wait anxiously outside OT along with my father. Their faith in God and His blessings would give them much needed strength to carry through those frightened moments; moments which ended at 9.17 am with my successful and safe delivery. By God's grace, I was safely out in this world after a successful C-section. Umang uncle would come out first and give the good news to my waiting dada-dadee and my father- It's a girl and both mother and daughter are safe. Everyone thanked God and now begins the new wait- to see the baby and the mother....

While I was grappling with the outside light and my cleaning up inside OT, my mind would think of the irony of the situation most aptly captured by an old Indian saying- "When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced."

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