Chupke Chupke...Shhhh..

Over the years, I have hoarded bindis/sticker pottus. Every time I visit a "Fancy store", I would buy a couple of packs of bindis.  It has been 41 days of lockdown and I have not had to step out of the home with an "emergency" need to buy these bindis. I still have quite a few left which will last a couple of months.  So I guess hoarding on some of these has paid off.  No, I am not saying this is essential or critical to living life. I am just saying that these are....never mind!  I have a huge forehead and I have worn a Bindi every day since I was a child. I feel something is missing until I sport a bindi right between my eyebrows(almost a unibrow). Never in the middle of my forehead. I think that look does not suit me too well.  My main complaint about bindis is this - If I like a particular design, they never make it again. When I find one I actually like, I would end up buying 2-3 packets of them. Also, I use the age-old trick of keeping bindis...

Over the last few years, we have tried growing, nurturing different plants and it has always ended up in a dried-up plant. As a child, I have always wanted to have a garden with loads of flowers, vegetables, and plants. I have always lived in apartments that leave little space for this wish to be fulfilled.  My maternal grandmother lived in a huge independent house with a garden behind the house where we would sit and sip coffee. It is no longer that glorious garden anymore, though it still has a wide variety of plants growing around. Sitting outside on the slightly wet grass having coffee, looking at flowers and the greenery is my absolute favourite memory of my childhood summer vacations. They were ironically spent in Delhi, which is super hot. We went from Chennai heat to Delhi heat to beat summer blues! Anyway, the point is -  my love for plants conflicts with the lack of maternal instincts for nurturing them. My cousin recently started posting pictures of her plants ...

Is that a redundant title? Read again after reading through this post. Let me know if this makes sense. I recently took up an additional role at work that has high visibility and we sent out an announcement mail today to my department. The number of pings and appreciations/acknowledgement was overwhelming. Also, someone warned me, "Hey, you could fail miserably in this role".  Well, I may. I'll never know unless I try it, right? So here I am! Well, let's not focus on the negatives! There was one trend that moved me the most and that was when the younger girls in my department and team were reaching out to me with wishes. They all seemed to echo one thought - of how they were amazed at the write up of achievements(which I don't think was extraordinary) and how they are glad they have women leaders who they can look up to. Wow! When did I become the person inspiring the next-gen of women in my firm! I still remember how I looked up at some of the first women ...

It has suddenly become a huge trend of posting home cooked food everywhere. Earlier it was limited to special occasions and when we would go out to dine. On one hand, there are people who are struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic right now. And we are at the other end making delicious food and sharing photos as if nothing that's happening around us affects us in any way. Well, I thought a lot about this conflict and why it has become so important to everyone.  I think it is a way of sharing hope, keeping everyone's spirits up by engaging in activities as a group, but at your own home. It is our coping mechanism. Some folks are irritated by those who share their workout stats or videos, while others may be inspired to workout and start their journey towards fitness. We must not be judging anyone , especially right now. We need to learn to let others be. There may be someone who cannot survive this quarantine without thei...

With the lockdown situation continuing,as a family, we have found us a routine. Every evening the 4 of us- in laws, Mr. and I play carrom. We are all extremely competitive and forget all relationships while playing against each other. While I try to hit a follow coin after red, they start making comments that make me laugh. They would say simple things like, she will surely not hit it or say it is easy shot and invariably I would miss my chance. We then end up laughing until our stomachs hurt before playing again. Carrom is a game that is bringing 4 people from 35 to 75 together. 1 hour of pure entertainment, away from our devices, away from any complaints we have against each other, away from the pandemic that we are currently facing. My mother in law has a nerve damage that impairs her vision to some extent and she is the best player out of the 4 of us. It brings out her most beautiful smile and laughter out that is so wonderful to witness. Almost a childlike enthusiasm. ...

 The year 1965. Author - Subbalakshmi(my maternal grandmother). Recipes for Sindhi Kadhi, Punjabi Kadi Pakoda, and Dal. Written for her younger sister in New Zealand. The treasure trove that my mother sent to me today on WhatsApp. Right now we are in the midst of a lockdown in Bengaluru and all over India over the pandemic - COVID-19. While we read too many messages and posts around this topic that are quite the anxiety-inducing content, this was a much-needed message. While my great-grandmother and grandmother are exceptional cooks, my mother is a great one too, I am glad I can manage to cook well and a lot of variety. Kadhi is one of my favourite dishes. Paati made it the best, then amma and while I make it every now and then, I don't quite get it right every time. Maybe next time I will follow her recipe word to word. It will still lack something as it is not made by her. The love and enthusiasm with which she would cook are unmatchable. Maybe I will try something soon. ...