By the way....

I just took a look at my archives and found that this is my 112th post and that I've been posting for around 13 months! Didn't really even think about it till today.

more on being an urbanite

After all the comments I got, I thought I had enough to say for a mini post :)

I was born and lived in cities mostly, till a year after my marriage, when I came to live here. What I missed most--and which on some days even now I miss--is the anonymity a big city has. Then there are all the varied cultural events that take place; naturally in a metropolis, the variety of happenings means that there's something for everyone, if not often, at least once in 3 months say.

But to that I have to add that I am truly glad that I got to bring up my children here, with so much space around and with family all around and the really remarkable school they were able to go to. I think that on the whole my children have happy memories of their growing up and all their vacations, with so many cousins to play with and so much safe open space to play in. City life, when I grew up, is surely different from today's urban living. So all said and done, it's nice to be able to look out at trees and hear bird calls. But for me, an occasional visit to a city is really enjoyable.

This time when I went to Chennai, I realised how much of the 'city girl' is still lurking in me. I have now been living in a small town for almost 34 years. But all those years never seem to have quite got rid of the affinity to cities that I have. I have learnt to appreciate the opposite of the anonymity of the city, but I still enjoy it when I'm there. I love that there are such a wide choice of things to do--even if you don't do them!
But my husband, for whom this has always been his home town, is just desperate to get out of the city--any city--and get back home. He doesn't mind visiting small towns or quiet, laid-back holiday places. But he'd never choose a city to holiday in if he can help it. Luckily, my kids are in cities so that I can visit. (But since this is their home town too, they aren't too happy about life in the city either!) I think next time I ought to go alone! So next vacation, Chennai here I come--alone:)

Here's a nice one I found over at 3inone

My Inner Hero - Paladin!





I strive to help others, and to bring truth and harmony to the world however I can. Whether times are good or bad, you can always count on me. I'm a shoulder to cry on, a champion for the helpless, and an all around nice person.



How about you? Click here to find your own inner hero.

A tag

Haven't blogged for a while. Have been busy and so just never got round to doing this tag that Hipgrandmom had tagged me with a long while back. Here it is done at last!

Three things I’d like to do
1. Travel all over the world
2.Have the ability to be invisible atleast once.
3. Become trim

Three things I hate to do
1. Say good bye to my children when they travel far.
2. Cook at short notice
3. Listen to malicious gossip (conversations where someone or the other is being run down, behind their backs)

Three people whom I’d like to meet
1.Stephen Hawking
2.The Dalai Lama
3.Dot over there.

Three things I long to have
It’s funny, I can’t think of a single thing I long to have!

Three things that make me glad
1. Having long chats with my daughter (sons will rather die than do that!)
2. Going on holiday with my family
3. A lovely breezy day like we get here post monsoon.

Three things that make me sad
1. The continuing poverty in our country
2. My own inability to do anything about it
3. Watching one’s child suffer knowing that you can never really bear their suffering for them.

Three things that break my heart
1.The sorrow of a mother who loses her child
2. The abuse of small defenceless children
3.Injustice anywhere

Three things that I like to dream about
Only thing I dream about—travelling to far off places!!

Three things that need to be stopped
1. Wars-using force to settle arguments rather than discussion
2.The use of the religious card by politicians.
3. Bringing up children with prejudices.

I didn't want to tag anybody specific. Anyone's welcome to do this tag.

Haven't posted in a long while. But then there's was lots going on. The last of my family left only on March 1st and then it was Passion Week and we headed to the beach for the long weekend. There are lots of pictures of that here.
But now this weekend is the festival of Vishu and time for one of the loveliest Kerala trees, 'kanni konna', (cassia fistula). So here's a picture of the tree to wish all a Happy Vishu.

Check this post out over at family blog.