A song I love, (though I don't know the meaning), sung here by the woman who made it famous, the one and only Miriam Makeba, but sung recently on her farewell tour at age 80! Doesn't she rock!!!

While we were practising the dance, all my young colleagues were complaining about the fact that they all had tummies. They are all mothers. I spend 'thought time' over that and I realised that once a woman becomes a mother, almost certainly her tummy--especially the lower ab--is bound to be a little flabby and then I wanted to tell all the young mothers everywhere, 'Don't feel bad about your tummy. It's because you have been able to be a mother. Think of all the women who can't be a mother (and want to be). Besides, it's because we were healthy as mothers and had the money for the necessary nutrition at that time too.'
So, all you mothers out there, be more accepting of your tum. Of course it's good to exercise and do what's necessary to be healthy. But don't get upset comparing your body to that of a skinny, not-yet-a-woman 18-yr-old's body (which seems to be the basis on which skinny beauty is defined in my view).

Home now after the 'Barbie Girl' dance etc. We were actually part of a Variety entertainment, in which almost all the teachers took part. The kids cheered wildly for everything (incidentally the school has classes from 1st to 12th grade), especially to see their teachers in costume and being nutty. Guess who got a standing ovation though--you guessed right, the 'Barbie Girls" :) It was fun.

Children's Day

Tomorrow--Nov. 14th is celebrated as Children's Day here in India (birthday of our first PM, who was supposed to have loved kids). So the teachers, at one of the schools I teach at, are putting up a show for the students. That is apparently what they have been doing for several years now. I got involved for the first time only last year. So this year I am part of a group who is dancing to--guess what-- 'I'm a Barbie Girl' by Aqua and guess who is the oldest in the group--yours truly naturally!!! After around more than an hour of practice, my body is reminding me, very stridently I might add, about my age. Well, here's to an entertaining morning for the kids :)

Today one of my aunts passed away. It was her 91st birthday tomorrow. She was very much a part of my childhood. She was an aunt who I knew truly loved us. I'm so glad that my brother and I got to spend some time with her in May. She, like my mother, used the Internet to e-mail. But she used her arthritis was too bad to allow her to sit at the computer long enough to surf the Net.
I know she must be glad to have crossed over and joined her beloved husband. But you'll be missed aunt dear!

Diwali

Today is Diwali--or Deepavali as it's known down South, in South India, and though Malayalees don't really celebrate Diwali, I can hear the sound of crackers from all sides! Now the non-Mallu population in Kottayam is quite large. There are many Tamilians as well as Oriyas& Biharis, and maybe Andhrites. I guess that's how come there are so many fireworks going off. I remember when I first came to stay in Kerala how I used to miss Diwali! Anyway tomorrow we're celebrating in the other school too.
Happy Diwali everyone. May your life be full of light and goodness.

An award

"They color my life with the beautiful hues of friendship. Although we come from different backgrounds and cultures we share the same spirit of friendship."

I was given this award by Shari. Thanks so much Shari. I feel truly honoured.
Now to pass this award on to someone:
I give this award to Dot, Esbee, Eve's lungs, HipHop Grandmom and Annie Bluesky of Blogu.