That Blessing!

If I were to tag myself for this year, it'll be "responsible spoilt brat"; for, the love not-so-ordinary boy showers me with me is that intense! (Not that he's all lovey-dovey all day, hence the "responsible" tag) The lockdown got us three so close together as a family that my heart aches even with the thought of us leaving the house one fine day for work. 

I thought we would suffocate one another; Simba honestly gave us those vibes initially. But with each passing day, we grow fond of each other. With these two boys celebrating their birthdays this month, I'm all the more panicky and excited as this year is going to be so special for all the three of us! 

With insomnia hitting me hard, I'm awake almost until dawn each night only to watch these boys fall asleep! So exciting this ritual is that I find Instagram boring in front of their unexplainable faces, humourous snores and many more funny things. I mean, the not-so-ordinary boy giggles in his sleep at times, Simba runs and barks in sleep and they both wake up with the slightest sound or a ray of light with faces that look similar to that of Garfield on a Monday morning. 

Tonight, unlike any other night I was watching these two sleep while fidgeting with my phone on and off, only to see the not-so-ordinary boy cuddle himself up for warmth. A man of his personality looking for warmth is just cuteness overloaded for my tiny ant like eyes. Less of a husband and more of a grown up kiddo that he's to me, I woke up instantly to grab a blanket and cover him up. As expected the Monster woke up but what wasn't expected was his love even in such deep sleep. I assumed he would yell at me for disturbing his sleep! (He also kicks people hard when he feels disturbed, literally! No, I'm not kidding 😂)  He took me by surprise when he placed his palm on my forehead and mumbled something. 

Though we are husband and wife legally, we still share a relationship that is bounded by friendship, hence I never experienced that "husbandly" behaviour. With me scratching my head as to how and what I have to do for his birthday, he swept me off my feet by showering some blessings tonight. I dint realise I would love this gesture so much. Maybe for women who touch their husbands feet on every festival this might not even be a big deal, but for someone like me who shares his beer mug with some authority, this means a lot more than I can explain in words. 

For his birthday this year, I plan to ask for his blessings again. But this time, when he is awake and conscious. If he cares for me this intensly even in such deep sleep, imagine the kind of love his heart is filled up with. Blessed is my tiny soul to have a person like him in my life. 

P.S: His birthday is on November 11th. Don't forget to shower him with your wishes. My man deserves all the blessings in this entire wide world! 

Times have changed and so did men!

Disclaimer: This is my take on men depending on the experiences I have had and the different people I came across in the last 2.5 decades. My thoughts may or may not agree with that of everyone else's. 

Whenever we talk of men in general, we tend to associate the gender with a negative notion. Each of us have our set of adjectives to describe this gender. Mine, until before I married the Not So Ordinary Boy were a list of not-so-positive adjectives! Phew, I don't blame myself for this though! Growing up, I have seen men being dominant, arrogant, full of unwanted pride, egoistic and filled with superiority complex. 

Well, if we look at two or even one generation above us, not many men were approachable for household worries. Starting from the breakfast in the morning until dinner, everything has to be served for these men on time, the plate in which they eat or worse wash their hands, has to be removed by someone else. They shouldn't be questioned about their whereabouts. They are never probed on their income and expenses. Most of the men from these two generations wouldn't have even held a broom-stick, why? Well, he is a man! And, there are also men of this age who find it intensely gratifying to oppress women of their house. Sick, ain't it? The sadder truth here is, these men were never independent yet gloat horrendously. 

Maybe there are these kind of men even today, I don't know! But most of them of today's times that I have come across are nothing like the ones' of this egoistic men's era. Agreed there are these spooky stalker messages we women receive on social media even today from hormonal men who find it okay to message a random woman without respecting her privacy, but there are also men who know to respect women and her boundaries. 

Back in those days, we would see women conceiving 7-11 kids with an year's (or worse 10-11 months) gap between each child. As far as I know, the woman's body takes a while to recover after a single delivery; how much ever healthy and strong she is! I don't think the women laid there willingly to give birth, putting such stress on her body and enduring all the pain. They were taught to be quiet, weren't they? We don't see this happening these days, right? There might be ample of other reasons for this, however, I wish to bring light on the man here! None of my friend's or cousin's husbands' I have seen are selfish; they care for their wives and they understand the importance of her health. They treat their woman with respect. Agreed, we all have our share of differences, however, these differences are discussed now; they are not shunned away stating the man is head of the house and he is the decision maker.

We see men taking over kitchen on gloomy days at home. Helping us with all the possible or impossible household chores. From men who humored with ill-manners on monthly cycles now we have men who understand the importance and subsequent changes a woman goes through in a month during her cycles. Also, thanks to movies like Padman, they now know that it is not a sin to walk to a pharmacist and ask for a sanitary napkin. 

I feel we have seen drastic changes in terms of their behavior and mannerisms; everything in a positive light. These might be tiny but let's not make them negligible. Let's not forget that with being all this responsible and independent, they have also got to terms with the fact that it is okay to be sensitive. Let's not be judgmental with every man we come across and push them to make harsh decisions in life. Maybe, we can take a minute to thank them for helping us out with the chores and make them realize the importance of their presence in our lives. 

Remember, not every man is a rapist! :)

The Bird That Couldn't Fly

We are half way through this miraculous year yet another half to get through. How many of us would survive this and come out strong is a thought that lingers in my mind round the clock. Call it mid-week madness or long held frustration, I really had to vent my feelings out before they erupt in a recalcitrant manner. What better way to share them, than through this channel!

In my previous blog, I mentioned that I am going to be a fine feather this decade and that my glorifying personality helps me move on from disappointing things in a jiffy. To all this that I have written, I just want to ask myself - WHOM WAS I KIDDING? I had a nervous breakdown and couldn't come to terms on certain aspects of life until I was forced to accept the changes and of course, move on. Well, I am proud that I sought help. But, but, but, where does that leave me now? I have no clue!

Those of you who know me for a longer duration would be well aware of the fact that I don't stay at a place which isn't healthy, positive or happy. I never was someone who stands somewhere that disrupted my happiness. Yet, here I am, stuck at an organisation from the past couple of months because I thought this is the process of growing up. At least that is what I was told. You stay, adjust, adapt and never quit. These methods and thoughts that people induce in our heads find me lost, most of the times. 

I fail to understand how are we growing up when we are not courageous enough to quit something we don't like, move away from people that are toxic, walk out from situations that are hostile and the inability to gift ourselves the tranquility that we deserve. Well, this just makes me wonder, are all those stipulated rules that we have been taught to abide by, all the rituals that were enforced upon, all the believes that were thrust on, of any good? Do we obey the practices taught just to please the society and assure ourselves that we belong, like the rest of them do? Or do we really understand most of these and observe them out of respect?

I have been humored on multiple occasions by many a people for switching jobs and career way too often, however, that sarcasm never bothered me; for, I was always a happy soul and my focus has always been a merry mind. Switch and swap gave me a long run of delightful life, until I fell for these traps of "growing up". I feel I was grown up before, where I knew my priority was me and my content. Now, it feels like life is taking me backwards and I am struggling to find my foot and pace with it in the right direction; the direction that brings in nothing but cheerfulness. 

One might feel it's mindless to pursue nothing but happiness and may also suggest that it is not possible to lead a gleeful life forever. As someone who had once achieved this, I know for a fact that it is nothing that cannot be executed. The determination, direction and strength, would take us a long way, farther away and beyond. Like Swamy Vivekanada said and I quote, our thoughts travel faster than that of words and we are what our thoughts have made us. Well, my thoughts are pertaining to happiness and happiness alone, at all times. I beseech the contentment for The Not So Ordinary Boy, Simba and I, now and forever; health and prosperity would instinctively follow.

Well, with all this mighty gyaan one must wonder why I am still holding myself back at a place I am not keen about. The answer I am unaware of either. The real challenge to self is to understand for how many more months or years(hopefully not) would I be able to prioritize these mediocre things over what is more important for me! 

Next time we catch up, I hope and wish I started to "grow-up" like I once did years ago! Until then, adios amigos! Take care and don't let Corona eat you up physically or mentally. We will all meet at the other side soon. :)

Hola 2020!!

This blog, my first blog of the decade, wasn't supposed to be perplexing, however, here I'm, my wholesome inscrutable self to confuse your minds.

Staying awake through dusk, when your rise and shine moment is at 4AM everyday, is beyond tedious. And, hitting the bed at 9 becomes just customary.

Me and the not-so-ordinary-boy had immense plans for this NYE because, common, it's 2020! When you set the room for celebrations and all your mind and body ticks about is sleep, you end giving up! That's exactly what happened with me at 11:40PM, just 20 minutes before wishing my boys a very happy new year. Oh yes, wishing them was imperative for me, after all it's a new decade altogether.

That being that, the new guitar we bought and the calligraphy set I received as gift, were all set to be used on the first day of the new decade. And that's when things started moving down hill. The dear hubby decided to tighten or loosen or whatever-en the strings as advised by the shopkeeper and then, ting came the string cut and separated from it's body, the brand new, just home brought, guitar.

Well, that dint end there. For, nasty deeds always come in a pair, you see.

I was all set with my art sheets, pre-painted, mandala drawn paper to use my dewn dip ink calligraphy pens decked in their glorious box. When I almost finished writing the wishes, that's what I planned to write first with the pens, ta-da, rolled down the pen, breaking my most precious pen's utmost delicate nib.

When the decade begins on this note, where everything I adore breaks in a split second, I admit I had to drag in the half full or half empty strategy into this and make it more melodramatic.

Well, I chose to look at this breaking spree both ways, induced. Maybe, my year is going to be such a disaster that everything I admire would end in pieces, lying totally worthless! And, I just have to drift myself along forgetting I ever cherished the object or moment. For better or worse, my extremely glorifying personality acquiesces me to move on in a jiffy.

So this 2020, if anything, I'm going to be a fine feather.

Ending this blog with warm and happy wishes to you all.

Happy reading!

I Belong.....

I belong to that generation that has seen a beautiful, unfenced lake right in front of Wipro, where we used to sit with our toes dipped.

I belong to that generation which has seen Chermas being overtaken by enormous brands.

I belong to that generation where ₹10 fetched us a coconut and ₹2 got a bag full of celery.

I belong to that generation to which divorce wasn’t seeken as a simple solution to otherwise solvable problems.

I belong to that generation where legs were scrapped, elbows were fractured and body was bruised, yet that dint stop us from playing outdoors.

I belong to that generation which had marriages considered as celebrations for over a week with a banquet hall full of relatives.

I belong to that generation that followed customs, traditions and other regulations without evaluating and analysing every single word.

I belong to that generation to which scarcity of water wasn’t known and water was available to everyone without having to think of affordability.

I belong to that generation that has seen food revolution literally.

I belong to that generation where everyone knows the names of every other person in the neighbourhood.

I belong to that generation which played around tall trees, green parks and sand without having the fear of germs and thoughts of hand sanitizer.

I belong to that generation that grew up in a household surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles and  cousins.

I belong to that generation where summer vacation was about cousins from other states visiting us for 2 months and then departed with tears yet with a promise to meet again next summer.

I belong to that generation that got excited with the smell of new school uniform and books.

I belong to that generation which used newspapers and library books to complete school projects.

I belong to that generation which craved for mangoes and slurped them all through summers.

I belong to that generation where granny’s pickles were relished delightfully.

And here I’m, a girl from that generation, wishing I was born a generation up so that my future offspring would’ve lived through the generation that I belong to!

The Travel Story of our Four-Pawed Super-Boy!

Boy, I would be lying if I say this was the best trip I have ever been on! However, as I recall the start of the engine from our abode in Hyderabad until it was off for good back again in Hyderabad, there were loads and loads of pleasantries that could void the hassles!

Honestly, I have an on-off switch for my moods and use it, though not often, modestly. One such off, was the recent episode at work, due to which the doctor said health was tampered for good and I need to back off. To take care of me, my duty-bound husband, stayed back on Friday. The recovery dint happen as planned, by Saturday, hence, he had to stay back again! In this transit of me recovering and he pampering, there came a trivial thought to travel.

While we were in Bengaluru, I happily used to leave my boy at OyePuppy boarding and I failed to find such a place in my vicinity where I would be certain of the fact that it would be a petcation for Simba too. How much ever we wanted to go on this delightful road trip, we weren't prepared to leave Simba behind. That's how the mark of his first journey began.

The entire back seat of the car was allocated to this ass, but nothing brings contentment in our boy! Our road trip was totaled to 500 Kms precisely and for his first trip, I must say, he very well adapted. Initially we were worried about his unforeseen leaps to the front, nevertheless, he gained the understanding of that action being a 'NO' action in the first couple of hours.

Our initial concern was to ensure the ride was smooth for him and that he had regular meals and adequate water as usual without any disturbance, whilst halting whenever required for enough muscle exercise and fresh air for the champ. During which, he managed to shoo away the mongrels and other passersby. Hero, ain't he?

Hampi being our destination, there were little to no places which had objections with us tagging along with Simba; Right, that's how I see it! To start off with, when I first called Waterfall Resort in Anegundi, Ramu-the owner, was thrilled to know that Simba was joining the trip. The accommodation provided suited the needs of our boy and yay! he loved the surroundings. We were curious to check if there were any anxiety attacks or symptoms about the new place, but NONE were exhibited!

We anticipated rejection and fear from strangers towards Simba, henceforth, started in the wee hours to avoid any embarrassment. Our first destination was Queen's bath and a helper who seen Simba from afar welcomed us inside with such warmth. Though she was highly strung, she encouraged us to walk inside the court to get the feel. My munchkin royally walked in the corridors and posed at the glance of we taking a picture. With this, our confidence levels upraised.

 With this successful trial we proceeded to visit the King's and Queen's Palace and other places. A local guide offered to share the history of the places and the curious hubby dear accepted the humble request. The guide, took us all around the city in an auto-rickshaw and showed us around. Our furball was pretty languorous while moving up-hill and enjoyed the breeze hitting his face and blowing away the velvet ears when we rushed down.

The only resentment we received was at the Virupaksha Temple, where we had to hop onto a battery car to visit the temple; not all but some of the not-very-fond-of-dogs kind of people were hesitant to share the battery car with our munchkin. We were benefited with this rejection with us being offered an entire back-seat where The Boy lied down gazing at the trees, demolished structures and people.

The only distress was to leave him alone for a while as we munch on some local delicacies, mostly Arabic food, while relishing every bit of it. As the path to Virupapuragaddi look traumatizing much for Simba, we could stay off food for a day, substituting the meals with take away food and fruits. This way, he totally helped us stay healthy during the entire trip! Yippie!

Though we made tons of memories, the one thing we would probably not forget until death welcomes us, was the way Simba kept waking up in the car every hour or two, to check on us, sniff, lick and kiss to let us know how concerned he was. This gesture of his, made us drive more cautiously.

I wanted to take him on a train journey, with Duggard(Insta Name) being a major source of inspiration, however, was skeptical, knowing the hyper-active nature of my boy. That being that, we both are looking forward with a lot of eagerness and love to travel with our boy, once again! For, that addictive his love is!

Until I pen down my next blog, loads of sniffs, wags and licks your way from Simba!

The Broken Girl - Series #4

I knew it was a long time since I last blogged but little did I know that my old blog belonged to an older era altogether.

From blogging, my passion drifted to photography and then to cooking, to doodling and now felt the sudden urge to blog again! Well.. I have segmented my interests into various pockets and developed an intense determination that I would pursue all these in an unbiased form. That being that! 

What motivated me to blog today was my morning's protein shake in which I lavishly added the King of Fruits. Post my Asthma diagnosis, I was asked by the medical supervisors to stay away from all the seasonal fruits and vegetables. Due to which, I haven't had the chance to even nibble mango for over 3 years now. However, since the last 2 weeks, I have consumed all the god damn food which I was asked to avoid and had the royal bites of everything edible within my reach. 

When my Asthma first triggered, we weren't even aware that it was Asthma. The cough, sputum, dizziness, none of it made any sense to us, until my mom decided to send me to a family doctor who again was, unfortunately and unexpectedly unavailable. That fugitive transit to the clinic and back home had an adverse affect though. While huffing and puffing with congestion, my aunt, whom I dearly refer to as "Uma Pinni", was the one who rightly identified the condition to be Asthma. 

By the time the diagnosis was done and I was rushed to the hospital, I was completely breathless with my body gazing at the world in it's ink-blue color. From that day, I have come very far now. All that day gives me is, shivers and goosebumps. Not to this horrendous extent, but a minute trigger scared the hell out of me a fortnight ago. My husband(well, the Not-So-Ordinary-Boy and I got married, FINALLY) had to rush from work while I was accompanied by my workplace friend in the hospital with all the cheesy wires plugged. 

From the day 3 years ago to the day 14 days ago, things have changed tremendously. From having an entire clan by my side that day, to 2 people next to me, things have miraculously changed. While lying on the bed in the Emergency or ICU ward, little do we know or think about who's waiting or praying or worried, but that glimpse you catch for a tiny second, the love that reflects out in their sparkly teary eyes, does matter. I would dare not deny that I miss that warmth and love, because, like hell I do. 

With 10 years of love and marriage though still at knee height to a grasshopper, the Not-So-Ordinary-Boy and I have become impenetrable to all the nonsense in life. We have both decided not to spare a single negative emotion or body surrounding us; that, including Asthma. Yet again, I had my Uma Pinni at rescue referring the best doctor available who can help us get rid of this annoyingly deadly condition. In these last 2-weeks, the calls she has made to check on me, the love showered and the confidence imparted has gotten me a swollen determination to be healthy- mentally and physically.

To her and many more people like her, would thank you suffice? In a world like today's, where people do not care to turn their heads and have deaf ears towards the ill(physically, mentally and financially), it is sparse to have someone who would monitor your well-being. Do not lose these loved-ones for anything in this world! They're beyond exquisite and they deserve the best of endearment in return.

Loads of love from The Not So Ordinary Boy and the Broken Heart Gemini Girl to all THE Uma Pinnis' in your lives.

P.S: It's not "just" Asthma. It's a horrible condition where the primary requisition(Oxygen) is blocked for an unbearably long duration. If you or anyone you know is suffering with this medical condition, please do not hesitate to reach out to me for any assistance or details. :)

Until next time I remember to blog, Adios Amigos! ;)