Navrataras...

How is it that I can not bring myself to type out a word when I'm absolutely free (vella is the apt hindi word here) and can't tear myself away from the blog when I'm in the middle of one of the craziest weeks at work??


Firstly about yesterdays post. It looks like its blown over though not sure of the consequences as yet.


So this is about the ongoing Navrata festival. I don't fast for nine days but I do give up non-vegetarian food and refrain from the consumption of alcohol. Every time I do this , especially since the time I got married and moved out, I think about the reason that pushes me to follow this ritual.


Strangely it is not religion or spirituality. I come from an extremely religious and spiritual family and I consider myself spiritual too but I've always stayed miles away from rituals. What this means is that faith runs deep in my veins, I believe in the existence of the Almighty. I address Him by the name I'm used to since childhood. I think of Him very often everyday. I visit the temple occasionally. My spiritual connection is a very important part of my life and helps get me through the tough phases in life. This is all there is to it.

I do not believe fasting will get me any closer to God. I do not believe that giving up meat or alcohol proves my faith. I certainly don't believe 9 days twice a year are enough to prove my faith if it needs to be proved.

The other widely claimed reason for people abstaining in Navratras is, health. They think these forced days of eating Satvik food will cleanse their systems. It is a good way to detoxify. Well, to each his own but again not for me. If I have to detoxify or feel the need to stop eating something after indulging excessively, I just do. No mater what time of the year.

After all this soul searching, I realize that I follow the Navratras for the sake of tradition. This being a tradition that carries sweet memories for me . No one is forcing it on me, I just choose to continue what I saw in my parents home for years and want it to be a part of my household and my children's lives. I enjoy the festivity that came with it. I cherish the days of Kanjak to culminate the Navratras. The halwa, puri - cholay and eating them for all three meals since there was always so much of it. The pooja where Mamma Papa would wash our feet and of all the other girls present for the puja. To wear something pink or red on that day (and some years black just to rebel :) ). I want to carry it on in some way and pass those memories to my children. This time of the year and these little rituals fill me with a warm, cosy felling of being in your parents home, of dressing up and gifts. I'm so looking forward to this whole month of festivals.
So wishing you all a lot of festivities and happiness ...

Why why do I do this to myself??? I tell myself to grow up and be more prudent and then go back to square one. This need to put everything in place and everyone in place spells doom every time. I can only pray the consequences dont hit us as hard as it looks right now.. Thank God for P being calm and supportive as always otherwise I would be packing my bags.

I wish I could just turn back time and undo this mess..

Up 'a te te ..

That means "up and down" in T speak these days and it really means that P should pick him up and throw him in the air and sing " Up and down and up and down..."

The change in his verbal prowess has led to a lot of ordering around now..

Conversation with the dog -

"doey (zoey) seet (sit)" with a strong finger pointed at the poor dog even though she is sitting.

"doey hoto(hato- move aside)" with the wave of a hand..

Conversation with mommy -

"maama andh (hand) " asking for my hand " baal (bahar- outside)"..

At the high chair "maama bas , bye" (maamma enough.. now go away.. bye)

When P left for work he told T to take care of mamma and be the "Man of the house".. T would repeat every word but soon enough it becomes "Man of on the house".. since off/on is the new favourite repeat morning to night phrase :)

Here's the little baldie trying to sleep with the dog..

rock on Rock On...

A rocking weekend after ages. P being on a major making up spree surprised me with tickets for Rock On at PVR Gold class. The movie is better than most I've seen. Urban and real. The actors have done a fabulous job. Finally real actors, not afraid to experiment be it hairstyles or characters. The music sticks on. I have been humming it for two days now. The lyrics are amusing and the music really catchy. I am no critic but seriously couldn't find a flaw in the entire length of the film. P has been singing since then in an attempt to convince me that he too is a rock star in the making like the movie folks.
The Gold Class experience is also highly recommended especially if the frequency of watching films at the theatre is as low as ours. Only thing they lack is blankets. It gets cold and you really need a blanket to snuggle in the lazy boy.
In the evening we decided to party and go someplace real nice. So we landed at the Ashoka in the midst of an unexpected downpour. The valets refused to park any cars since they had run out of parking, I gave up and wanted to go back home. P was more motivated and drove to the other side of the hotel, dropped me at the porch, got drenched and then dragged me all around the hotel to finally reach the F Bar and Lounge. The place was already swinging at 11PM. The music was not really my kind though P enjoys it. I was craving for some Rock On. The drinks we were sure were watered down. I get buzzing in one beer and I had 3 drinks. That normally leaves me pretty high. Not here though, I could tell P which woman was wearing the wrong dress right till the end.
That brings me to the point of dressing. All the people there I'm sure were completely loaded but as far as taste goes, much is left desired . Especially when it comes to differentiating between clothes for a luncheon and clothes for a night club. And thats just common sense. The lady in a white off shoulder top and white linen pants with a white flower in her hair would look gorgeous at a lunch party or maybe even dining out AL fresco but in a night club with UV lights.. hello.. Similarly, another one in a pistachio green floral dress with strings of pearls. And whats with the off shoulders, every other person was in one and I caught so many of them constantly pulling the dress up. It does really ruin the purpose of a sexy dress, doesn't it? Anyway.. it was a day well spent.. And you all have to have to watch Rock On.. really.. (no they aren't paying me for promotion)