Weekend break with a bundle of joy - 2

As the first day was coming to an end we made our way to Pondicherry. We were staying at Som's cousin Namasya's (unique name!!! atleast I haven't heard it before) place. A few calls and we located her apartment and landed there. Namasya & her hubby Mr. Venkata Sashtry work for Kalinga Institute of Information Technology. She has a really adorable 8 yr old son Aniruddha who studies in SAICE (www.sriaurobindoashram.org/ashram/saice/index.php) a really interesting schooling concept. He is already learning a lot of languages. We counted Telugu (father), Oriya (mother), Hindi, English, Tamil (Pondicherry), French and many others. He's also learning skating, gymnastics, swimming, chess, cricket etc. Phew...that’s a lot!!!! We quickly settled down and dozed off for the night.

Day 2
Up in the morning we got ready, planned the day and set out. First stop was the very popular Adyar Ananda Bhavan (http://www.aabsweets.in/). While we all ordered our Pongal (http://www.pongalfestival.org/rice-pongal.html) -Vadas, wasn’t surprised that Anu ordered Onion-Rava-Masala Dosa. Recollected that this was her favourite dish during her stay in Bangalore way back in 2001. Once done with breakfast we proceeded to the Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple (http://manakulavinayagartemple.com/) and like any traditional Hindu temple in southern India especially Tamil Nadu we were greeted by the temple elephant, Lakshmi. As is the custom people visiting the temple make offerings / take blessings from the elephant thought to be a reincarnation of Lord Ganesha himself. With the idea of showing an elephant from close quarters I took Srishti along and made her give some offerings to Lakshmi. But as she brought her trunk over Srishti’s head scared she started crying. I quickly moved away and we entered the temple. Once done and out Srishti clearly told me not to go near the elephant. From there we walked a few steps to visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. It’s really a great experience visiting two different ‘shrines’ situated so close to each other. Looking at people around her Srishti, the good girl she is kept quiet during the entire time that we were inside. As we moved out Namasya rejoined us. While deciding what next Srishti kept herself busy playing with Reema on a bicycle and running up & down the steps in front of a gate. A few minutes later we went into the nearby Auroshika (www.auroshikha.com/) outlet. Colourful that it is, it did kept Srishti busy while Som & Anu shopped for stuff. Done with the place we left to meet one of Som’s aunt. She really stays is a beautiful apartment. Walking with her towards a place for lunch she told us a bit about the modern Pondicherry and the French attachment. Little did I realize that we were entering Rendezvous (http://www.tripadvisor.in/Restaurant_Review-g659792-d1116100-Reviews-Rendezvous-Pondicherry_Union_Territory_of_Pondicherry.html) a very famous restaurant where me & Reema enjoyed a great lunch when we went to Pondicherry! While everybody was busy chatting and ordering me & Srishti went about exploring the place and having a bit of fun…running up & down the steps, checking out different types of fish etc etc. Finally the food arrived followed by desserts which we all enjoyed. Soon we left to get back home. Needed to recharge ourselves a bit…

Evening
In the evening we all set out to go to the beach front where Srishti again enjoyed seeing the waves and lot of people around. With no vehicles on the road she was free to roam a bit too. While Namasya, Reema, Anu & Srishti left on the bike (quite a sight to watch!!!) Som & me roamed a bit. He was really enthralled by the architecture around, taking a lot of nice pictures before it was time for dinner and we headed to Don Giovanni (http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/02/27/stories/2010022750060100.htm) on the rooftop of Hotel Corbelli on Mission Street, recommended by Namasya of course. Run by a true-blue Italian chef, Massimiliano ‘Murali' Morsiani from Bologna it’s a quaint little place and already has its owns set of loyal customers. As we entered we noticed Max was asking the guests what they would be interested in having. After a lot of discussions we did order our dishes while Som was busy trying to capture a lizard on the wall!!! It was also the day when India was playing England in the World Cup…cricket of course. We were wondering there was no way to keep a tab on the match in an Italian restaurant. Sigh…but much to our delight there was a small TV on which the employees of the restaurant were watching the match. Me, Anu & Reema stayed back after dinner to watch the final overs. Relieved to witness a tied match we walked down the street to catch an auto to get back home…

Another day in Pondicherry well spent. Close friends, a darling of a kid around and a lovely place…what more can you ask for. Thus ends Day 2 of my trip…Hoping that the penultimate day is as exciting I go to bed…

Concluding part coming up...

Weekend with a darling!

This was long time coming...I have been wanting to meet this sweetiepie for over 5 months now. She stays in Delhi. And finally the chance beckoned. I picked up the phone, made some calls, fixed my agenda, packed my bags and left. Soon the official part of my agenda was over and off I went in a cab to meet her. Have seen so many photographs of hers over all these days that the eagerness was always there but somehow couldn't make it.

As I neared my destination, I made a call to check whether I was on track. Within the next 15 mins I had reached. And during this drive I had also requested my office for permission to operate from Delhi hoping for a positive reply. It was...somewhat and I decided to stay back for the weekend. And there I was...It was almost 9.15 pm, I rang the door bell and her parents - Anu and Som came to receive me. Anu was my classmate in school and have been in touch with her since with a gap of initial few years. Behind them was the sweetiepie I was rather yearning to meet - Srishti....Anu-Som's 17 month old adorable darling! On my way I had picked up a stuffed toy - a cow for her which I pulled out and gave it to her. Some of the first words I heard her murmur are Mimi (f0r Meenakshi their domestic help)...mama...bobo (for the dog)...Was so happy to meet her. Along with the toy I pulled out my camera too and started clicking her snaps. Soon we had dinner and went to bed.

Next morning, happy to stay back I pulled out my laptop to finish some work. And also spend quality time with Srishti. Anu & Som were off to work soon. Srishti had already gotten used to seeing them off with a smile and a 'bye bye'. And then it was only two of us...me & Srishti. Soon I finished my work and started playing with her. My camera was also besides me. All of 17 months old she was already swaying to music especially 'Singh is Kinng'. Captured her in the act. In the evening we went out to play in the park and for a walk outside the colony too. She points to the road and says cow and murmurs Mimi...bobo etc all along. Soon it was time for Anu & Som to be back. We sat down chatting and planning the Saturday. I also shared about Srishti's antics during the day. Over dinner we decided to visit Dilli Haat and possibly do a dinner-movie combo.

On Saturday, we had a chilled out breakfast- I dished out some dosas. Spent some time clicking some more antics of Srishti. She was like this little princess and both me & Som like paparazzi!!! Soon it was time to get ready and leave for Dilli Haat. Through the whole trip I enjoyed playing with Srishti, clicking her pics...some really sweet ones, listening to her 'talk'. By the time we reached home she was sound asleep. Dropping her home we went for dinner to Punjabi Galiyaare and then watching Dasvidanya. Quite a decent movie. Back home after a nice day we crashed.

It was hardly two days but I was already used to getting up listening to 'Srishti talk'. It was Sunday and we were to go to Anu's brother's place for lunch and from there I would leave for the airport. We spent some time after breakfast sharing some pictures taken in the past. Went through loads of pictures right from Srishti's birth to current. Soon we left for Gurgaon. Was happy to be part of a warm get together over lunch.

I wonder how time flies. 3 days looks like got over in a jiffy. Though I didn't want to but left without choice, I had to leave. Said bye to everybody and Srishti. Hoping to meet her soon, I left. Had a wonderful time with Anu, Som, Aunty, Mimi...bobo...

A day later Anu told me that Srishti had started muttering Unka....(for Uncle!)

Home Sweet Home

Its been over 3 weeks that I logged on to my blog....long time...and a lots happened in these days that I was away. Beijing spectacle came to an end throwing up an expected world sports superpower - China, Bihar and more was submerged thanks to Kosi, J &K continued to be under mob fury over Amarnath, Mamta ensured a 'Tata' for Nano from Singur, Obama made a landmark speech and as last reports came in Mccain was planning to make his own. And last but not the least Kavi seems to have gone on a memorable trip to Goa and if that was not enough a holiday to Madurai. Madurai!!!! Memories!!!!

On the personal front, celebrated a more sedate 2nd anniversary at home thanks to work as usual. Reema (my better half) flew down to be with me. Time is really really flying. I am worried these days with the rate at which days...rather years are passing by. I have been working for 9 years now!!!!!! Just before I moved to Mumbai after much of running around managed to buy a flat (with the idea of staying at my own place :) ) Its a really cool place and I hope to stay there some day...really really soon. At last, after days & months of running around the flat is almost complete and beacons!!!! Its a 3 BHK with a private terrace, on Sarjapur Road.

Over the last month or so was planning a week off coinciding with our anniversary and also a small house warming ceremony. Appa, a firm believer in a proper ceremony wanted it to be done according to traditions. He managed to get most of the things required, to Bangalore. The rest was co-ordinated by Reema. Finally the ceremony took place between 31st Aug & 1st September. It went of well and felt very happy & content. As a part of the ritual, we stayed at the flat on 1st Sep.

Finally we have a roof above us which we can call our own!!!