And they turned 11!!

Mantam turned 11 in June and I’m so late in writing this letter. (Before coming up with excuses for the absence from this space and half-hearted promises to be more regular, let me directly start the letter)

 

Dear Mantam,

I really can’t believe that you are just two years away from being teenagers. How did we end up here so soon? You both have grown into such loving young girls with their hearts in the right place. Baba and I feel so proud when we hear praises about you both from different people. We must be doing something right.

 

Some time back, you both were discussing a girl called M, who was being mean to A. How M had influenced all of A’s friends and ganged up to say mean things to A and make her feel alone. When you both stood up for A and called M out for being insensitive to A’s feelings, my heart swelled with pride. You even talked to A’s former close friends and encouraged them not to be swayed by M. Cut to a month or two later, when I met A’s mum, she told me that you both were like god-send during the phase when A was feeling very down. She told me how she would not listen to them when they tried to talk sense into her. But when you both told her the same things, she would listen. They were relieved that their daughter had you both by her side to give her the right advice. It melted my heart and I can’t tell you how happy I felt!

Mannu,

Some days ago, I was discussing how a team from my workplace had volunteered at a school that educates kids on the spectrum. They were going to organise a Trivia afternoon to raise funds for the school. You came to me and asked if I could donate some money from your Savings account. I was surprised, yet touched by your thoughtfulness. When I asked you how much would you like to donate, you said $50 without blinking an eyelid. When Abbas and I were surprised, you asked if it was too less? You have a large giving heart, young lady! I hope you continue to give to people and touch lives as you grow.

Tammu,

You, on the other hand, are miserly when it comes to giving (especially in cash and kind). In terms of love and happiness, you spread that in abundance. Recently you said that you are never going to pay taxes to the government because it’s ridiculous. When I asked you if you are never going to earn money, you replied saying that you wouldn’t need to. Because when you grow up, you are going to live in Mannu’s garage and look after her home and kids 🙂 Your ambitions terrify me and I sincerely hope it was a joke.

 

Mantam,

Last year brought so many new changes in our lives. We finally brought a pet home after all the pestering. Our little bunny, Laddoo, has truly become a family member (the only one who doesn’t work hard yet gets to enjoy every corner of our home, that we slog our backsides off to pay the mortgage for) You both treat her like your sister and the love you shower on her, looking out for her and defending her when she chews cables off are heart-warming. We also got two more pets (parrots) to fulfil Abbas’s crazy passion.

 

We were visited by my Uncle, aunt and cousin this year, which was the first time you both had the experience of maternal grandparents visiting. We had the best time with them when you convinced me cheekily to bunk school to be with them (Ammamma and Ajja, rooting for you), we went on a road trip with them to Gold Coast, then on a flight to Cairns and had one of the best vacations ever. The connection that you established with them was unreal and it was amusing to see my uncle and aunt turn kids again with you both.

 

This year also saw us visiting my cousin in Gold Coast and my other cousin visiting us from Brisbane. I think we spent a lot of quality time with family this year than we ever had!  We even had my colleague Sooku, who treats me like her daughter, come over and spend a night with us. She came with so many goodies, cooked a feast for us and taught you painting.

Mantam,

I have always felt guilty of being the reason for you have missed out on maternal grandparental love. Well, not any more. When Sooku came all the way with paints, brushes, Korean snacks and brought stuff that you love, I had a light bulb moment. I have carried this guilt of you both growing up without having my parents’ and siblings’ love.  The kind of love you both receive from so many people, my colleagues and friends, Baba’s colleagues and friends, your teachers, your daycare staff members, Baba’s side of the family, so many of my blog readers, Facebook friends is exceptional. I want you both to know that you are very lucky and you deserve all of it and more. I hope you value the love that is showered on you and always reciprocate and spread it even more.

 

Much love,

Mumma and Baba ❤

PS: I wanted to write about your birthday party this year but this letter has already gone too long. I will have to write another post.

 

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Day 62 | Fingers and Toes

I have always been telling Abbas that he has the cutest fingers in the whole world. His fingers are kind of dwarfish and I find them adorable. Tammu’s fingers are just like his. Tammu has asked me many times if hers are the cutest. Although I appreciate her competitive spirit, I unapologetically burst her bubble saying hers are the second cutest.

Now amidst all this crazy finger compliments, Mannu feels left out. Because she has long fingers just like me. But her toes are unique, just like my Dad’s. I told her that she had the cutest toes in the world and started calling them Ginger toes. She was so happy to be awarded the coveted title of owning Ginger Toes, least did she realise why she was called so. One day, when we went for grocery shopping, she saw ginger there and had a Eureka moment and looked at me with utter disbelief. She said ‘Mumma, do my toes looks like this?! How rude!!’

Cut to today, I made a homemade herbal drink to cure the cold and cough. Tammu had a sip and exclaimed – ‘Did you cut Mannu’s toes and put them in this drink?’ I begged her pardon 5 times because I thought I heard it wrong. Then when she repeated the same question 6th time, we all laughed!

I know, I know, we are one crazy family!!

 

Day 61 | Why?

• Is there only 24 hours in a day when you have enough on your plate for another 24 additional houra?

• Is it that I crave for weekends that I spend in my pyjamas without any social commitments?
• Is the menstrual cycle a monthly occurence? It would have been better off as an annual event!! Grrrr
• Do we set expectations that lead to disappointments?
• Is Male sports more popular than the female version of it?

Are we never happy with our own picture? Do we have a different picture of ourselves in our minds?

Do I always fumble for content at the eleventh hour every night to blog about?

Such scattered thoughts!!

 

Day 60 | Weekend is over

Another weekend is over way too soon. Five days of wait for the weekend seems so long and then comes the Friday night, which is the happiest of the entire week. There is something special about this particular evening that celebrates the end of work week and the beginning of the much awaited weekend. But the moment Saturday morning dawns… everything else happens in a flash and we are here on a Sunday night sulking yet again.

We had a great time together today at a friend’s place. There was food, fun and frenzy. We sang, danced, played games, pulled each other’s legs, ate and laughed to heart’s content. It is always wonderful to catch up with loved ones. We all took a dish each and brought back many dishes home. I don’t think I will need to cook for a couple of days.

I feel this post is just random rambling. Sometimes I wonder if it’s really worth doing this daily challenge when I’m writing post for the sake of it. But then if I don’t, I get lost in the rigmarole of routine life and ignore this precious space of mine. So, bear with me if you are still patiently reading my posts and I don’t make sense!!

 

Day 59 | Random Raaga

• I’m reading my third book for this year but for some reason I haven’t even got past the first 50 pages. I need to pull up my socks and get reading

• I cleaned stuff from the guest room today and that leaves with one more room and I should be done. Phew!!

• We have a friends’ get together tomorrow and it’s a potluck lunch. I’m doing the prepwork right now

• I watched two movies while folding laundry today. I’m not too slow at the job but imagine all the stuff that were stored away in the guest bedroom

One of them was a Kannada movie called ‘Naathicharami’ and I am mighty impressed. I just cannot believe that such a progressive movie has come out of the Sandalwood industry. Hats off to the makers and the acting by Sruti Hariharan was beyond amazing

Ending the post with a conversation from Valentine’s Day morning:

Mannu, Abbas and I are already downstairs and going about our usual business getting ready for the weekday ahead of us. Tammu, as always, comes down late and goes to Abbas to give the ritual morning hug.

Tammu: Baba, Good morning and happy valentine’s day!

Then she comes over to me and repeats the same. She then walks over to Mannu and says ‘And the best for the last’ and throws her arms around her twin.

Abbas: What?? Does that mean I am the worst??

 

Day 58 | Egg curry

PS: If you already follow me on Instagram, this is a repetition of what I posted this morning. Sorry!!

When the husband-man graduates from being a dishwasher to chef-in-charge. Some random youtube video, one daughter as the sous chef and other one as the cheerleader and a thousand questions looking for ingredients later – we had this for dinner! For someone raised with the values that household chores are meant for women, Abbas has come a long way to beat the patriarchal norms. We equally do all the chores around the house. I haven’t given himWhen the husband-man graduates from being a dishwasher to chef-in-charge. Some random youtube video, one daughter as the sous chef and other one as the cheerleader and a thousand questions looking for ingredients later – we had this for dinner! For someone raised with the values that household chores are meant for women, Abbas has come a long way to beat the patriarchal norms. We equally do all the chores around the house. I haven’t given him a chance to try his hand at cooking so far coz I love it so much. But yesterday was one of those days when I said ‘Can we eat out today? I feel like eating food cooked by someone else.’ It ended up like this, with me putting my feet up and relaxing while the dinner was being made. I think I should learn to let go sometimes and give him more space in the kitchen 😇 a chance to try his hand at cooking so far coz I love it so much. But yesterday was one of those days when I said ‘Can we eat out today? I feel like eating food cooked by someone else.’ It ended up like this, with me putting my feet up and relaxing while the dinner was being made. I think I should learn to let go sometimes and give him more space in the kitchen 😇

 

Day 57 | On my toes

Oh what a day it was! I had tasks to be done before even reaching office. I had a training scheduled the moment I would step work. Firstly, the school bus was so late that when we reached the bus stop, it had just stated from its source. Luckily today there was another parent with kids waiting for the bus. I did not have to miss my train. I tried connecting my laptop to my phone as a personal hotspot. There were issues. I sent emails which seemed to be stuck. Then I drafted same on my phone outlook and sent. Turned out that I had sent mutliple emails to the same recipients with a few change of words!!

After the training, had a short span of window before the yoga session. But yoga mates were not sure if they could make it. While following up with them, I got a call from my cousin’s husband (Bhavaji) that he was in Sydney with his parents and my aunt. They were going on a tour from tomorrow. He asked if I had some time, we could meet as they will get busy starting tomorrow. I haven’t met this aunt for more than a decade. I quickly went out, brought them some presents, had lunch, got back to desk. I had planned to leave at 3:30 and informed team mates as I also had to attend parent teacher meeting at kids’ school by 6:30.

And guess what, an impromptu meeting comes up between 3 and 4. I left at 4, reached their hotel at 4:30. I was so happy to see them all but my aunty was happier. We hugged and held each other so tight. I stayed there for half an hour, as I had to rush to catch a train between 5:10 and 5:20. Caught a train, then changed at another station. I was relieved that I had made it in time. The train would reach by 6:20 and Abbas would be there at the station to pick me up. We could reach the meeting on time! Or so I thought!!!

But in Sydney, that’s not how it works you see. Man proposes and Sydney Train disposes. When it was only 4 more stations away from my destination, the train terminated with no sign of next train in sight. I reached half an hour late to the station. Abbas had already gone to save the day but I was so annoyed. I felt so helpless and sad that the girls will be upset that their mum couldn’t make it. But they were so cool and supportive. They said that they were happy that I was safe. I just love them!!!

So I have been on my toes all day today!