I knew I was boring, but not this boring! I've written a number of posts but not anyone seems to have read it:(
Ok that's the whine over.
Yesterday I took a break. I took off from School no.2 and went with husband & son to Cochin. They were going on some work & I thought why not go along. It had been quite a while since I had gone to Cochin. Besides, I thought this was as good a way as any to get to spend some length of time with my son, though only on the periphery, as both father and son were busy with work. But it's been a really long time since I got to spend so much time with him.
Fortuitously their appointment was at a place next door to FabIndia. This was the only shopping I had wanted to do, cos I wanted to buy something for my sis' birthday. I am not an avid shopper, but FabIndia is one place I love!
Then my mum had wanted me to go look at diamond earrings. So I went to 2 diamond jewellry shops--which incidentally is not my cup of tea normally, while husband and son waited patiently.
We had lunch at a nice sea-food place.
Then we visited the Basilica of St. Mary at Vallarpadam, which is supposed to be particularly for prayers for one's children. I have been quite a few times. I like going there and I guess in some ways it's a sort of connection to my childhood living very close to Mt. Mary Church in Mumbai.
I had a nice day!

Another short post!

I was thinking how much music means to me. Last evening & this morning I was involved with some singing practice at the school I teach at. Along with me was an old student of mine--now a parent of three at the same school--and his wife. They both have gorgeous voices and what a pleasure it was to listen to them sing and to sing along while teaching some of the 6th and 7th standard children! Has changed my whole outlook on life:)

The mornings these days are cool and pleasant, which must explain the birds I've been seeing. I caught glimpse of a pair of racket-tailed drongos one morning while driving to school and one more at church.
I also spied a pair of black-headed orioles in flight.


I have not seen either of these birds for a very long time.
Wish I knew what their appearances mean!

Mini post 2

Last evening I went for the 80th birthday party of a cousin of mine and it was fun. He is such a sweet person and doesn't seem like he is 80 at all. In fact he and his sisters--the youngest of whom is 67--are all exceptionally young at heart and so full of energy. Last year the four sisters got together in the US and drove all over and had a blast there. Just having them come visiting gives my mum such a shot of energy! I just want to say bless them all.

Mini post 1

So many things I want to post about but unrelated. So for some mini posts...
Firstly I want to say that for the past couple of days I have been feeling a little down and thinking that depression is so difficult to shake off, unlike say an infection; after all it arises from one's worldview. I felt useless, felt I was a terrible communicator and generally was negative about me. Then this morning I got this forward--yes a forward--which really made my day and made me feel that after all maybe I'm doing ok.

To blogger friends, a wish for the new year

I got this as a mail from Dot meant for e-mail friends. The sentiments expressed were cute. So I thought I'd send it out to all my blogger friends instead.

Well here is the cure .. just smile and say...

Dear Lord ...
I know you're watching over me
And I'm feeling truly blessed
For no matter what I pray for
You always know what's best!

I have this circle of blogger friends,
Who mean the world to me;
Some days I "comment" and "comment,"
At other times, I let them be.

I am so blessed to have these friends,
With whom I've grown quite close;
So this little poem I dedicate to them,
Because to me they are the "Most".

So to you, my friends, I would like to say,
Thank you for being a part;
Of all my daily contacts,
This comes right from my heart.

God bless you . is my prayer today,
I'm honored to call you friend

I pray the Lord will keep you safe,
Until we write(read) again.

Wishing you lots of love and hugs in your life.

(Liberties have been taken with the original.)

Bluer than Blue

After you go
I can catch up on my reading,
after you go
I'll have a lot more time for sleeping,
and when you're gone
it looks like things are going to be a lot easier,
life will be a breeze you know
I really should be glad
but I'm bluer than blue
sadder than sad
................................................
life without you is going to be
bluer than blue.
(Barry Manilow)

So my grandson has finally gone, after being here for 10 days, of which 6 nights and around 5 and a half days was without his parents. I was on auto pilot all those days and running around behind him as we have a great deal of open space without any real walls. Then there was the adjusting to sleeping with a baby again (yes, we belong to that category of parents who had their little ones sleep with them till they were at least 2) and losing sleep trying to pacify him in the nights when he cried for his mama. There certainly was no time for reading, blogging, or even to check my mail. I could quite understand why my daughter needed a break.
But, the joys of cuddling a little one to sleep, of seeing him discover the world around ant by ant, learning the skills of arranging, of a sticky kiss, the fun of hearing him learn new words and the bestest--getting a truly loving happy smile from him. Oh K I miss you so, much more than I thought.