Why? Why? Why?

Quite recently I learned about a death of a newly married girl in our distant family. It was portrayed as an accident but it is obvious that it was a blatant murder.

She had been married for barely a week. Her family spent more than 15 lakhs on the wedding and gave a luxury car as dowry and still her husband did this to her. Why? He pushed her off the cliff on their honeymoon! Can you believe that? But he says she slipped.

Why would a guy take 2 men, portrayed as guards, on a honeymoon besides a driver? I just cannot think of a logical answer for this since he was not a renowned personality with goons after his life.

The girl would have had thought of so many sweet dreams when going for the honeymoon. Her life had just begun with her life partner and this is what it ended with. She was a well educated girl and had done great academically.

But I wonder why the guy did this to her? At first I again thought of this as a dowry death but when I came to know he had been given enough dowry, then that motive is also ruled out.Whatever be the motive, it cannot be justified. She definitely didn't deserve this.

And I wonder what her parents and family must be going through. I just hope he suffers in hell all his life and never gets peace.

Interesting make-your-own chair!

I think the idea is really neat and the chair looks pretty cool. I just hope it doesn't give away under the weights of people like me :P

Off to school today!

Today he started his first day at formal school. He has been pretty excited since the last few days. Ever since we bought him his Thomas school bag yesterday, he is even more happier. :D

After filling up the required forms, when we sent him off to his class with a teacher I felt so heavy at heart and got emotional. I wonder why. Since he has been going to school since such a long a time it should not make a difference. But the fact is it did.

We have been waiting anxiously for the past hour for the clock to strike 10:00 when we can pick him up and take him with us. Today is a 2-2.5 hr introductory session for the kids. From tomorrow they will start going for regular timings of 8:30 to 12:30.

His school van has been fixed and we will introduce the driver to Anirudh since tomorrow he has to start going in that school van.

P.S. I by mistake posted the update on his blog. So read it here.

Sent on my BlackBerry® from Hutch

A conversation overheard at the hair saloon...

This is the conversation, verbatim, I heard between the hairdresser (HD) and the boy of the age 9 or so while I was getting Betu's haircut done.

Boy: "Bhaiyya latest cuts kaun se hain?"

HD: "Aapko kaunsa chahiye?"

Boy: "Latest cuts ke kya naam hain?"

HD: "Main bhool gaya"

Boy: "*said some name which I couldn't understand.* cut mein kya hota hai?"

HD: "Usme chhote chhote baal hote hain"

Boy: "Bhaiyya mere par achha to lagega na woh cut?"

HD: "haan"

Boy: "Bhaiyya oil laga hai mere balon mein aaj"

HD: "Koi baat nahi"

Boy: "Bhaiyya John Abraham jaise kar do"

HD: "ok"

Boy: "Bhaiyya bahut chhote mat karna. John Abraham jitne chhote kar do"

HD: *Doesn't say anything*

Boy: "Bhaiyya cycle to chori nahi hogi meri?"

HD: "Lock nahi kari?"

Boy: "Nahi"

Boy: "Bhaiyya nahane ke baad kanghi to nahi karni padegi? Apne aap khade go jayenge?"

HD: "Haan"

Boy: "Bhaiyya in balon ka kya karte ho? Jala dete ho?"

HD: "Jala dete hain ya bag mein bhar kar gift kar dete hain!" (smiling to himself)

HD: "Kisne bola aise cut ke liye?"

Boy: "Mujhe pasand hai"

Boy: "Bhaiyya John Abraham cut ka kya naam hai?"

At this point Anirudh's haircut was almost done and I diverted my attention to Betu. I touched his head to see if its fine and guess what do I hear.

"Mumma aap touch mat karo. Aap touch karoge to baal kharaab ho jayenge"

*rolling my eyes* OK boss!

Sent on my BlackBerry® from Hutch

A day at Adventure Island

We all, Myself, Hubby, Betu, Appa, my elder sister PG, her Hubby and Rishab went to spend a day at the Adventure Island, near Rithala Metro station on Friday, March 21, 2008. And we enjoyed every bit of our time there. Since it was exams time, there was no rush, and we could easily get on the rides without waiting in the queue and even take more than one rounds of a ride.

The tickets were Rs 375 or adults and Rs 300 for kids (criteria was height measurement: chargeable for 3ft or taller kids). The only negative thing was that we had to buy a ticket for Betu but out of 16 rides there, he was allowed only on 5 or so. On the rest they had the minimum height criteria for which obviously Betu didn't qualify then why the hell did they charge almost a full ticket for him??

Anirudh and Rishab had so much fun that they didn't want to come back despite the fac that they were so tired and drained out. PG and I went on a ride which was good but also a little scary. When it upturned and twisted and rolled us around, for a moment it felt we are going to fall off right from there. We both were continuously laughing and shrieking at the same time!

Here are a few pics of the car rides that Anirudh and Rishab did. One of them was strictly for kids only so Anirudh became the driver and Rishab the passenger. They had a foot button in this car which would give motion to the car and he was supposed to steer it using the wheel. It took Anirudh couple of minutes to figure out how to run it good and then he started to enjoy.



And this is the car where adults could also ride on. It used to swivel and rotate at the same time. And at times it would seem that the cars are going to collide with each other. It sure was a lot of fun for kids and they went for 2-3 rounds om this one.

Koel boli ku ku ku...

On Friday, March 21, 2008, when I was visiting Appa, I heard the sound of Koel (Cuckoo) singing so beautifully. I rushed out to see if I can spot the bird. And it was sitting right in front of our balcony on a barren tree where the young leaves had started to sprout. And it kept singing so beautifully for so long and how I wished I had a better camera with a good zoom.

I called Anirudh and Appa to see the bird and then I realized how apt the situation was. Koels are usually sing during the spring season. And it was chhoti Holi that day...the day we celebrate the spring festival. It seemed as the Koel was participating the celebrations too..singing her beautiful songs in her beautiful voice!

Crazy ate or Crazy (w)eight or Crazy 8??

Timepass tagged me to do the crazy 8 tag about myself. Not so long ago I was passed on this tag with an option to do it for self or for Betu. And I thought..wow! I've an option and need not do it for self! No need to reveal the crazy side of me.. but I guess I heaved a sigh of relief way too soon!

1. 8 Things I am passionate about
1. Chocolates
   
2. Gadgets
3. My Blogs
   
4. Photography
   
5. Music
6. Internet
7. Bindis (the cutwork style)
8. Anklets
   
   
2. 8 Things I want to do before I die
1. Visit Hawaii
2. Visit Leh & Laddakh
3. Do Para Jumping
4. Go in a submarine to watch the under water creatures
   
5. Sit next to the pilot while he flies an airplane
6. Do a world tour! (if only I had the money..sigh..)
   
7. Learn professional photography
8. Go to the moon...possible???
   
   
3. 8 Things I say often
1. Really?
2. You bet!
3. You know..
4. Arre...
   
5. Makes sense
6. Betu!!
7. Hmm..
8. Kya baat kar rahe ho?
   
   
4. 8 Books I've read recently (Since my book reading is limited to what I read to Betu these days, I'm copying pasting what I wrote in Betu's tag)
   
1. Topsy & Tim's Birthday party
2. Goldilocks and the 3 bears
3. Animals
4. Numbers
5. Three Billy Goats
6. A very hungry caterpillar
7. Alphabet book
8. Air buddies (DVD)
   
   
5. 8 songs I could listen to over and over
1. Chhupa lo dil mein yung pyar mera..
2. Sakhi Piya..
3. Chain se ko kabhie , aapne jeene na diya...
   (Mind blanks out here.....)
   
   
6. 8 Things that attract my best friends towards me
   
1. Fun loving
2. Can play the role of agony aunt at times :P
   
3. Always smiling
4. Happy natured
   
5. Trust
   (I guess thats the best "blowing my own trumpet" that I can manage. Can't think of more)
   

Excuse me for not tagging anyone. Its been almost a month since I was tagged so I'm pretty sure everyone I know would have already done the tag!

20 - 20 Series!

Naah..I am not talking about cricket here but about the 20 - 20 tag that I was passed on by Swati to me eons ago! I kept pushing it under the carpet but I guess its time that I get done with it.

So here are the...ahemm...revelations..

The Rules:
Remove 1 question from the tag and add your personal question. Make it a total of 20 questions, then tag people in your list, list them out at the end of this post. Notify them that he/she has been tagged

1. Name Three Things you Enjoy?

1. Chocolates
2. Sleeping
3. Shopping

2. If you have the chance, what would you probably say to your beloved one?
What chance? I have chances everyday since I'm married to my beloved :D But if I still have to choose one thing then maybe"Lets love each other..forever!" ewww...too mushy....scratch that!
I don't think I have anything to say!

3. If you were to be stranded on a deserted island, what are the 3 things you would hope to have with you?

1. Clothes
2. Food
3. Laptop with working net connection :P (Yes..i admit ..I am a net-addict)
   

(Replaced question; Original Question: "If you were to be stranded on a deserted island, who are the 3 blog buddies you would take with you?")

4. Where is the place that you want to go the most?
Hawaii

5. If you can have 1 dream to come true, what would it be?
That I can fly!

6. Till now, what is the moment that you regret the most?
I regret it so much that I can't say it here.

7. What are you afraid to lose the most?
My Papa, hubby and Betu.

8. What would you do if you found a briefcase full of money?
Give it to the police station so that they can give it back to the person to whom it belonged! I'm sure that person must be in dire straits after losing a bag full of money!

9. If you meet someone that you love, would you confess to him/her?
You bet!

10. List out 3 good points of the person who tagged you...

1. Happy hearted
2. Beautiful smile
3. Loving person
   

11. What are the requirements that you wish from your other half?
He is good as he is! So no requirements!! :D

12. Which type of person do you hate the most?
Snobs

13. What is your ambition?
To be happy, successful and being surrounded with loved ones!

14. What is the thing that will make you think someone is a bad person?
Snobs

15. What is the one thing you would change about yourself?
Temperament

16. Are you a shopaholic or no?
Yup!

17. What is your stress buster?
Shopping or Sleeping!

18. What should be done to people who make such long tags?
Give them some other interesting work to do :P

19. Do you think God actually exists?
yes..very much!

20. What is your one great weakness?
hassled too quickly!

I guess everyone in the blogworld (whom I know of) has already done this tag so no point in tagging them again!

How cool is that?

Specially for kumbhakran's like me! A nap pod!! :P

Here is a pic of Google's nap pod. "An employee takes a nap in a nap pod which blocks out light and sound at the Google headquarters in Mountain View, California."


Don't you all think this should be available at all offices? Ok ok..that was quite a ear breaking chorus of "Yays!" :D

Betu's birthday is round the corner.

Its just about 10 days to go for Betu's birthday and he is super excited about it. Everyday, right from the time he wakes up I am targeted with questions about his birthday party, his friends, and the gifts! He talks about it at least 4-5 times a day taking into account he spends 1.5 hour with me in the morning before I drop him at school and another 3 hours in the evening after I pick him up from daycare. So whatever little time I spend with him these days goes in talking to him about his birthday.

The crux of the matter is that for him birthday means gifts! So his excitement is all about getting loads of gifts on his b'day!

I somehow get a little embarrassed when he gets so excited with gifts and in fact demands for return gift when we go to any birthday parties. Me and hubby both wonder if its just a phase he is in where birthdays and gifts are such an attraction. There are also times when we feel why is it such a big thing for him when we buy him so many toys and stuff.

In fact yesterday only I was discussing with Hubby that we as children never demanded any toys and stuff. And look at the children now. And I wondered where have we gone wrong?

Any of you faced such a situation? If you did, what did you do ? Shall I let him be? Or shall I do something to get him out of this gifts mania?

My diamond kitty

They say diamonds are girls best friends. I am yet to experience such friendship and am definitely looking forward to it :P

I have forgotten how many years its been since I have been saving money for my first diamond(s). Every time I would get money gifts for Rakhi or Bhaidooj or on our anniversary or birthday, I would keep putting them in a separate place and declared it as my diamond kitty.

In the early years of marriage when earnings were measly, we had occasions when the salary would not be sufficient enough and we would need some extra money and thus would end up digging into this kitty to take care of such contingent expenses. And its been very rare when the money taken out was replaced back. Typical human nature..right? :D

There was a time when I saved unto 15K for them and we even went to a few shops but whatever I liked was way beyond our kitty money. And I just didn't want any teeny weeny jewelery just in the name of it being a diamond jewelery. I wanted it to be classy and chic. But when were diamonds ever cheap!

Then there were times when we had enough money in the kitty but I would be tittling towards some electronic gadget. So after a lot of thinking whether to spend the money on diamonds, which would be lying somewhere in my cupboards or to buy a gadget that I can use everyday . Ok..maybe not even everyday but definitely more frequently than the diamonds. I would think "Who's going to get occasions to wear those diamonds often anyways!"

As expected I would always go ahead and splurge on the electronics. Once it was the ipod, other time it was for a phone for Hubby, then a laptop and it went on and on.

Earlier I used to blame our financial situations for not being able to buy diamonds but now the reality is that if ever I had the option of buying jewelery or electronics, I would ALWAYS end up buying electronics. It doesn't mean that I don't like jewelery (I'm a typical woman here :P) but love for gadgets is far more than the love for jewelery!

So I'm still waiting for my first diamond(s). But who knows I might tilt towards something else ...a 37" LCD TV or a sexy home theater system or a hi-end digicam! Who knows! *wink*

What's my name's hidden meaning?

You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row. You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace. People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated. You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want. You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way! You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

My take on this: Lot of things it says about me is true. The people close to me will agree on this.

From the Delhi roads!

Quite a "Noti"...err...a naughty boy!

Sent on my BlackBerry® from Hutch

Why is English hard to learn?

Found this funny compilation and felt it was quite interesting.

Twenty-one reasons why English is hard to learn:

1. The bandage was wound around the wound.

2. The farm was used to produce produce.

3. The dump was so full it had to refuse more refuse.

4. We must polish the Polish furniture.

5. He could lead if he would get the lead out.

6. The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

7. Since there was no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.

8. A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9. When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

10. I did not object to the object.

11. The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

12. There was a row among the oarsmen on how to row.

13. They were too close to the door to close it.

14. The buck does funny things when does are present.

15. A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.

16. To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

17. The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

18. After a number of injections my jaw got number.

19. Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.

20. I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

21. How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

The tag bag!

If anyone would notice my last few posts have one thing in common. Did you notice? Or Didn't you?

Well..they all are tags! My tag bag has been getting filled in every now and then. The moment I feel elated that my tag bag has just one left from Swati about the 20 questions, which I have postponed way too long since it was passed on to me last month (..jeez...how lazy can I get?), I get another one shoved into my tag bag.

I just counted number of tags that I've done so far and would have done by end of this week it comes to 16! And its long way to go before I celebrate the anniversary of this blog. Which further implies that I've been doing tags at a rate of more than 1 per month! Don't you guys think I should get some kind of a reward for that? And I just expect to hear 'ayes' from you...anything else and you will get a big swat on your bum from me! :P

So, I guess I better gather up my act together and start working on them one by one to finish them off this week...err...ok..by next week...pukka!

The tag of 8s!

Anirudh has been tagged by Moppets Mom & K3 for the his crazy 8s. So here they are:

8 Things I am passionate about:

1. Painting & Coloring
2. Music - Be it song or Dance. Swati has seen hsi passion for Dance at her bro's wedding which I attended last month.
3. Chavanpash (Chyavanprash) & Bovita (bournvita) 5-star
4. Angrood (Amrud/Guava)
5. Blocks
6. Jigsaw Puzzles
7. Playing with water
8. His DVDs

8 Things I do that drives Mama crazy

1. When I close the bathroom door and empty the shampoos in my tub.
2. When I color on anything but paper.
3. When I throw the seat and back cushions off the sofa.
4. When I go to the loo without wearing my slippers even after she tells me each time just before I need to go.
5. When I completely empty my toy cupboard in the living room.
6. When I make a fuss that I don't want to take my bath and when I fuss even more as I do not want to come out of the bath.
7. When Mumma calls out my name 5 or more times and I don't respond.
8. When I go close to the TV to watch my cartoons.

8 Things I say often:

1. Galat baat kari na!
2. Main aapka chhonu bachha hoon na? (Saying this just before putting up his demand :D)
3. O-O (o-oh)
4. Mumma, chalo duddo le kar aate hain (When he wants me to buy something for him..such a clever boy he is)
5. DVD laga do!
6. Mujhe school nahi jaana. Main aapke office chalunga.
7. Koi aise baat karta hai? Usne galat kara na (When he sees an Ad where kids are eating chocolate)
8. Mujhe pasand lagta hai! (When he likes something)

8 Books I've read recently:

1. Topsy & Tim's Birthday party
2. Goldilocks and the 3 bears
3. Animals
4. Numbers
5. Three Billy Goats
6. A very hungry caterpillar
7. Alphabet book
8. Air buddies (Sorry for adding a movie name instead)

8 songs I can (and do!) listen to over and over:

1. Dard-E-Disco.. (Om Shanti Om)
2. Dil na diya.. (Krrish)
3. Dhoom Macha le.. (Dhoom)
4. Deewangi Deewangi..(Om shanti Om)
5. Halla Bol ..(Goal)
6. Yeh Ishq Hai..(Jab We Met)
   
7. Nagada Nagada..(Jab We Met)
   
8. Bum Bum Bole...(Taare Zameen Par)
   

8 Things that make me me:

1. That screwed up nose when I'm in a naughty mood
2. Give me water and paint and few sheets of paper, and I'm good to go!
3. When I sulk on being scolded..with the head lowered down, and I walk away from whoever scolded me in verrrrrrryyyyy slow gait.
   
4. The moment Mumma is done combing my hair, I rough them up using my hands!
5. The non stop chatter on the dinner table.
6. The way I preach people elder to me with such an intense expression on my face!
   
7. When I screech at the top of my voice...for no rhyme or reason.
8. When I wake up I ONLY want my Mumma!!

Edited: I forgot to tag people :P Ps, Purplexia, & Silent One

Happy Anniversary to us!

Its the first time hubby is away on our anniversary. He has been gone for about a week and it would be at least another week before he comes back.

I wrote a poem for him as my gift to him on this day. This was the only gift I could think of giving him when he is so far away.


Ode to love
---------------

Today we complete eight years of married life
Its been an enlightening journey as your wife!

There have been happy times
And also not so happy times.
But I can say for sure,
That I couldn't have asked for more.

First time today, you are away on this special day.
I hope and pray 'never again' come what may.

They used to say "Distance makes heart grow fonder"
And now I know, it's so true!

It's been so long and I've started to feel sore
I want to hug you, kiss you and love you some more.

Words are not enough to say, how much I love you,
And deep down the heart, I know so do you!

The quirky me?? - Part II

I've been tagged again to do the quirky me tag by Ditty. I thought 7 that I mentioned earlier were enough to embarrass myself in front of the whole world but it seems I'm not going to be let off till I' bare out myself completely!! The only consoling part I can look in this tag part II is that I've to mention only 6 and not 7 like the earlier one.

Okie then..here you go

First, the rules:
- Post the rules on your blog.
- Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
- Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
- Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

Now the quirks:

1. I always carry a toothpick, anywhere and everywhere, with me to clean my nails. I don't keep them long and paint them rarely and I hate it when they get dirty.
2. I check my blackberry every 10 mins to see if there's anything - a new mail, a message or a chat alert and I sleep with it under my pillow.
   
3. I own about 15 pair of shoes and if I don't stop myself I will go ahead and buy at least that many more :)
4. I always have to sleep on the left side of the bed when we are at our house. It doesn't matter if we are traveling.
5. I can eat a chocolate at any time of the day.
6. I don't know why but I tend to always put the left shoe on for Betu whenever I am dressing him up.

So there goes my quirks. And now to tag others, here I go
Prisha - the Miracle
Adorable Pancreas
PixelChick
CrazyBugga
Cuckoo

About cooking and et al..

I just now read a post by Still Searching about her foray into cooking and the adventures she has had. It reminded me of my first experience in making tea. For most of the people this wouldn't be worthy of a post in itself but in my case it surely is and I'm 100% sure you will also agree after you read my adventure of "I made my first cup of tea!"

This incident dates back to when I as in 8th standard. It so happened that my Chachaji came visiting us from out of town. It was around 4 in the evening and Ma was not home. And neither of my elder sisters were there too. So when Chachaji asked for a cup of tea I kind of froze but just couldn't tell him that I don't know how to make one. I thought I would belittle myself if I said so. But then I was in a fix about what to do now. I even thought of asking my neighbor Aunty (Mrs. Jain) to help me out but to take her help I would have to go out of the living room where Chachaji was resting and he would come to know that I got the tea from outside. And then I suddenly remembered something and I felt like I had cracked a jackpot!

I went and searched for my Maths book. Yeah yeah..go ahead and roll your eyes but thats exactly what I did. And flipped open a page and started to read it line by line and successfully made my first cup of tea without any personal guidance from anyone. :)

And now to reveal the secret of how the hell can a mathematics book help anyone in making a cup of tea :D

We had a chapter on Algorithms in the book and one of the examples explaining what an algorithm is, had all the steps involved in making a cup of tea. Right from picking a pan to switching in the gas till switching off the gas and using a strainer to strain the tea. And lo and behold my first cup of tea was ready but I was quite nervous when I served it to my Chachaji.

But when he took a sip and told me that the tea is very good, I swelled with pride no less than e a hot air balloon and had to really control myself to not jump up and down, basking in the glory of such an achievement. I guess Einstein would have felt the same happiness in his discoveries and inventions.

I've had many more adventures in cooking regular food but that will tackled in a separate post.

I have come a long way now. Cooking comes easy to me and I can surely say that people love my cooking if I look at the amount of compliments I receive after each get together. OK..Ok.. I will stop beating my own trumpet now.

Now why don't you all tell me about your first experiences with cooking?