Happy Thanksgiving

The four days flew away. In the Thanksgiving night party with the 'Fantastic Five' families, we were all up until 2AM in the night. We had fun playing games - couple of them I organized. I have warmed up to dancing now - provided it is these folks that I am around, and there is dim light so that no one can comment on how bad I am at it.

The next day flew by in recuperating from the previous night. There was no strength in any of us to think of Black Friday shopping. All 4 of us slept well in the afternoon and woke up to head to a friend's house. It was just two families - host and the guest. The kids played well. It was nice to see Nithin open up and play with his peer. He used to cling to me all the time - now here is freedom finally! I don't have to carry him around. The new school and being full time there are bringing about some really welcome changes in his personality. Thanks to our friends who treated us to some nice cocktails in their wet bar. We were relaxed and it was a great evening.

Saturday, I had to go for shopping, lest I feel like a loser this long weekend. I grabbed some nice clothes for everyone in the family. We managed to take the kids to the mall and took a picture with Santa.

Sunday was spent in the church, followed by the Christmas Carols rounds. The weather was beautiful. We did not need our jackets in the day hopping from one home to another. Carols is as much about food as it is about singing! Every home, I vow not to eat any more - but the sight of home made vadas tempt me and I break the vow very easily. It wrapped up at 5.30 and we were home getting ready for yet another work week.

Mid week post

I am excited about weekends now. Not having to get up early and drive is one thing that take the stress off my shoulders. In Malayalam, there is a word called 'Ahankaari'. One could call me that since for 6 months I was home craving to go work. And now I started working and am already looking for excuses not to drive. I am thankful for not being stuck at home the winter days - which is what I dreaded the most. But you know what I mean, right! A break is always appreciated by everyone.

At work, I met some nice folks and am learning new things. One day, I went for a lunch out with UL at Salad Works. This is the first time I am going out for lunch by myself in this new area. Even though, we have met for 2 or 3 times in total, it felt like we have known each for ever. We chatted non stop!

Last Friday, I was excited because we went as a team for lunch for the addition of a new member - that is me! It was at P.F.Changs. We car pooled, had a nice lunch and the drive back through scenic back roads to work seemed like I am have a day off.

I took the afternoon off to go to Nikhil's class as the Guest Reader. The teacher had sent me a book this year. I go for it every year and I pick my book. I liked her choice better that mine. It was a story about Turkeys in a home and how they compete to be the ThanksGiving Turkey, but once they realize the winner would gets roasted in the oven, they run for life. It was cute. Nikhil gets to sit next to me in the blue chair - coz his mom is the reader. He was full of excitement, as usual. After the reading was over, I handed over the puzzles I grabbed for the kids from the dollar store. It was a SURPRISE. I have heard about other moms giving goodies, never got to do that myself. This time, finally!

Looking forward to the 4 days at home. You all have a great Thanks giving and a wonderful long weekend!

Nice break from the routine

The long weekend was extra long with the one vacation day I was able to take on last Wednesday.The plan was to spend the day one-one with Nikhil - just mom and son! Dad had work. As we dropped the younger one to the baby sitter, I went through my guilt pangs - my babysitter consoled me and asked me to have a great day with the older one.

So, stop 1 was a restaurant for breakfast. I ordered a veggie omelet and Nikhil was excited to see an item called Chocolate Chip Pancakes in the menu. He ordered that and was already on top of the world - with the powdered sugar, maple syrup, butter and cream. The atmosphere is really homely there and the waitresses are middle-aged ladies who are really friendly. I sipped my coffee and called B to give an update of where we were.

Step 2 was to catch the new kids movie 'Bolt', but when we reached the theater, we were too early. The doors had not been opened yet. So we had about 1 hour to kill and I called B again. "What do you think, can we catch a quick game of bowling before the movie begins" and he said that sounds possible. We drove fast to the bowling lanes nearby and paid for exactly 1 game and played just that. Mr.Niks was all excited and I too was. We compete with each other on Nintendo Wii and I occasionally win a bowling game or two in that. But real bowling was not that easy.
Anyway, Nikhil managed to beat me and was happy yet again.

It was time for the movie. I had no idea about the story, except that there was a dog with super powers. I went there only for my son's sake, but I ended up enjoying the movie so much so that my eyes were filled with tears!

After the movie, we headed home. We were tired by then and felt like being at home for an hour before heading to Nikhil's swimming class. It was a nice day spent with my boy! Would love to do that again!

Rest of the weekend - we went for two thanks giving get togethers - one with friends and one with family. We also watched the James Bond movie in theatre - all 4 of us! It was an adventure which went quite smoothly as Nithin slept on my lap. Sunday went by in preparing Idli/Sambar for the Xmas Carols folks who came after church. Carols was over and we were chitchatting with friends who stayed back. It was a great weekend and here we roll again!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Couple of things I like about thanksgiving:

1. It is one time of the year you spend with your extended family. Even if you are not the kind of person who takes time and effort to meet up with your distant cousins often, this occasion comes as an opportunity to meet all the uncles and cousins. What I said fully applies to only those who have lot of their family here, but I like the idea of meeting and catching up with folks of your kin.
Sometimes, friends are family! Having a thanksgiving meal with friends only shows how much they mean to us in this land away from home.

2. School is off: for my son, it is a whole week time off. Not only that gives the kids a nice break, I am also excited about the reduced traffic and the easier commute to work.

I was able to take one day off tomorrow, so it is so nice to think of the upcoming extra long weekend. I may or may not post anything in the coming days. Here is wishing all of you a wonderful thanksgiving weekend! Make the most of it and be happy!

Yummy long weekend!

We enjoyed every bit of the trip to Pittsburgh. We stayed at S and R's place and they have a toddler same age as Nithin. This helped us all enjoy their mischief and also break our heads when they threw tantrums.

First day afternoon, B and I went to meet my old friend A- short and sweet visit.It was nice to see the kids play together while we caught up on how life is for each of us. Back home with S and R, we all set out to the S.V.Temple with his parents. This is a ritual every time we go to Pittsburgh. A trip to the temple and stop at the Udupi resturant on the way back.

Next day, July 4, we left to the zoo after a simple and satisfying home cooked meal. Kids were excited to see the animals. The weather was really gorgeous and it helped us enjoy the day without feeling exhausted. After the zoo, we went to watch the Regatta at the Erie Lake. So we officially took part in July 4 celebrations! The shore was filled with different kinds of people and it was nice to see families and couples savoring the moment.

Then we went to Mount Washington to get a nice view of the fireworks. The fireworks were enchanting and when we came back home, kids were asleep. We would sit down and talk till 1 AM in the night every day after the kids slept. It was fun.

The next day we went to Presue Isle State Park and the beach. The place itself was so beautiful with the many beaches. We went to 3 of them and it got better each time. Kids were super excited to get into water and would not want to come back. If this place was close by, we could have made weekend trips to it. It was not overcrowded and it is so spacious that you could find a private spot for your family somewhere for sure.

Back home, I feel refreshed from the nice break we had. Being away from home and the routine chores makes a difference. You feel inspired to begin a new chapter in life - get regular with gym and cook nice things from NOW ON. It is a different question whether I keep up with the resolutions I make when we drive back home, at least it inspired me to approach life as a new chapter! Only one and half week left to our India trip, my heart beat increases when I think about the suitcases we have not packed and things we are yet to purchase. Life is exciting!