We were allowed to return to our homes on Thursday afternoon. Our home is safe though our yard looked like a war zone. Our Garage and our yard were covered with a layer of fine black dust, dry leaves and objects that flew in from others yard. We had no power, phone and internet for several days. Pretty much felt like camping in our own home.
We had quite a bit of cleaning to do especially the kitchen which smelt of spoil food, I had to throw out a lot of food. One good reason to clean my entire refrigerator :)
I am very glad that my fishes in the pond survived the ordeal though the pond was covered with ashes and dry leaves and they went without food for several days, It was a day's job to get it cleaned. we have our power, phone connection all restored over the weekend and life is comming back to some normalcy for most of San Diego. Even though the fire is not all out I am hoping they will be able to contain it eventually.
Kirthi is back to school; about 20 teachers and around 348 students lost their home in his school district. I would like to thank you all on behalf of jay, kirthi and myself for all your support and prayers.
31 October 2007
29 October 2007
Rain, rain
Chennai got to see non-stop rain on Sunday to the extent that the government declared a holiday for all schools on Monday. They probably expected it to rain continuously today too but fortunately the city woke up to a clearer sky and some sun. My son's little school also decided to make the most of the govt order and declare a holiday today.
In the night, we could hear a cyclone brewing as the wind lashed against our windows and the aluminium window frames trembled in the onslaught.
Just one day of rain and the rain-starved, water-starved city-dwellers feel they have had enough.
Chennaites almost sang:
Rain, rain go away
Come again another day (but not on a Sunday)
All of us want to shop
Do not show your face again (until Diwali at least!)
In the night, we could hear a cyclone brewing as the wind lashed against our windows and the aluminium window frames trembled in the onslaught.
Just one day of rain and the rain-starved, water-starved city-dwellers feel they have had enough.
Chennaites almost sang:
Rain, rain go away
Come again another day (but not on a Sunday)
All of us want to shop
Do not show your face again (until Diwali at least!)
Maha's missive
I spoke to Sunita over the weekend and promised her that I would update you all. Her house, fortunately is still standing although covered in soot and other debri. Some of her neighbours have lost their houses and Suni and her family are really grateful that their place wasn't damaged.
It was a nightmarish experience as she woke up at 3 a.m. and found everything around them - the mountains not far from them, burning. They had to evacuate with just their passports. Luckily a friend of theirs was able to host them for a couple of days. Schools were closed and employees were not expected to be at work. On their way out of ther campus they had to clear a tree that was felled by the fires.
Sunita was coughing a lot as she was allergic to all that was going on around her. Jay and Karthik were cleaning up.
The worst is over. The cleaning and reorganizing remains. Good luck guys and glad to know all three of you are well.
Maha.
It was a nightmarish experience as she woke up at 3 a.m. and found everything around them - the mountains not far from them, burning. They had to evacuate with just their passports. Luckily a friend of theirs was able to host them for a couple of days. Schools were closed and employees were not expected to be at work. On their way out of ther campus they had to clear a tree that was felled by the fires.
Sunita was coughing a lot as she was allergic to all that was going on around her. Jay and Karthik were cleaning up.
The worst is over. The cleaning and reorganizing remains. Good luck guys and glad to know all three of you are well.
Maha.
27 October 2007
Railing at the railways
I did something in record time today. I boarded a bus to the Central Railway Station, which is two stops away from my office - say 3 km - booked two tickets at two different counters and got back to work - all in the matter of 30 minutes! Amazing by Indian standards, I'd say.
For one, I didnt have to wait long to get a bus to and fro. For another, there was no queue at the ladies counter and the credit card counter being lunch time. Only I was surprised the booking was on at lunch hours. But then, I think each counter has a half hour lunch/tea break but they all dont fall at the same time. And luckily for me, both my destinations had a reservation clerk in attendance.
And mind you, they are not the unpleasant kind we had to endure when we were in college. We dreaded going to the Mambalam reservation office 15 years ago with the students' concession forms duly signed and stamped by the Dean's office. The clerk would somehow find fault and make us make at least 3 trips to the office - first to book our tickets before they were all sold out during the vacation rush, second to book a revised ticket with our concession forms in tow (but they would spot some error in it) and third with the foolproof form once again - seething inside, we pretended to be extremely courteous and polite while the clerk behaved as if he/she were doing us a personal favour. As if it were his/her personal funds and not that of the Railways.
Well, the fact is the Indian Railways is trying to seem more people friendly with a cut-throat businessman of a Minister heading it. But Laloo has straightened quite a few things with India's largest employer. The PSU in fact is reaping profits. What with Tatkal tickets booked at Rs.75 (AC 200) in the off season of July-Sept. and Rs.150/300 in the remaining season, and a charge of Rs. 10 extra for return tickets booked and many other such little charges... And they still sell like hot cakes. And no one is complaining either.
* I know the above topic might not interest many of you, but I hope this will fill the interlude till Miller's epic post comes.
For one, I didnt have to wait long to get a bus to and fro. For another, there was no queue at the ladies counter and the credit card counter being lunch time. Only I was surprised the booking was on at lunch hours. But then, I think each counter has a half hour lunch/tea break but they all dont fall at the same time. And luckily for me, both my destinations had a reservation clerk in attendance.
And mind you, they are not the unpleasant kind we had to endure when we were in college. We dreaded going to the Mambalam reservation office 15 years ago with the students' concession forms duly signed and stamped by the Dean's office. The clerk would somehow find fault and make us make at least 3 trips to the office - first to book our tickets before they were all sold out during the vacation rush, second to book a revised ticket with our concession forms in tow (but they would spot some error in it) and third with the foolproof form once again - seething inside, we pretended to be extremely courteous and polite while the clerk behaved as if he/she were doing us a personal favour. As if it were his/her personal funds and not that of the Railways.
Well, the fact is the Indian Railways is trying to seem more people friendly with a cut-throat businessman of a Minister heading it. But Laloo has straightened quite a few things with India's largest employer. The PSU in fact is reaping profits. What with Tatkal tickets booked at Rs.75 (AC 200) in the off season of July-Sept. and Rs.150/300 in the remaining season, and a charge of Rs. 10 extra for return tickets booked and many other such little charges... And they still sell like hot cakes. And no one is complaining either.
* I know the above topic might not interest many of you, but I hope this will fill the interlude till Miller's epic post comes.
26 October 2007
The wildfires of CA
I had not seen this message from Sunita until now. I hope posting this on the blog will benefit those who didnt see it in their email inbox.
"Thanks for inquiring, it means a lot to us. 3 houses in our area completely burned down. I hope ours will still hold up. We are not allowed to go back yet. We are still at our friend's place. I am not sure when we will be able to get back. I hope it is sooner than later. But eventually what matters is we are safe.
Lot of our neighbors had to move couple of times since the place they evacuated to were not safe either. One of our neighbor had to move three times before they eventually managed to get back to Del Mar ( to their relative's house) were the authorities let the residents move in. Rancho Bernardo is were we live and it is still off limits since it was one of the hardest hit areas. As of now around 280 homes have been completely destroyed just in Rancho Bernardo alone. It seems like we will not be able to go back for another couple of days???? I hope we( not just us but the whole of San Diego) can put this ordeal behind us as early as possible. I will keep you all posted as much as I can.
Regards, Sunita"
"Thanks for inquiring, it means a lot to us. 3 houses in our area completely burned down. I hope ours will still hold up. We are not allowed to go back yet. We are still at our friend's place. I am not sure when we will be able to get back. I hope it is sooner than later. But eventually what matters is we are safe.
Lot of our neighbors had to move couple of times since the place they evacuated to were not safe either. One of our neighbor had to move three times before they eventually managed to get back to Del Mar ( to their relative's house) were the authorities let the residents move in. Rancho Bernardo is were we live and it is still off limits since it was one of the hardest hit areas. As of now around 280 homes have been completely destroyed just in Rancho Bernardo alone. It seems like we will not be able to go back for another couple of days???? I hope we( not just us but the whole of San Diego) can put this ordeal behind us as early as possible. I will keep you all posted as much as I can.
Regards, Sunita"
23 October 2007
Usha the dancer
I will try and put some more pics of our conventions talent show. Check out UST dancing sitting! Our whole family was there. You can check out the website for more - www.yuvajanaconvention.com
22 October 2007
20 October 2007
European English!
The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility.
As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5- year phase-in plan that would become known as "Euro-English".
In the first year, "s" will replace the soft "c". Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard "c" will be dropped in favour of "k". This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter. There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year when the troublesome "ph" will be replaced with "f". This will make words like fotograf 20% shorter.
In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where! more komplikated changes are possible.
Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling.
Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the silent "e" in the languag is disgrasful and it should go away.
By the 4th yer people wil be reseptiv to steps such as
replasing "th" with "z" and "w" with "v".
During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords kontaining "ou" and after ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a reil sensi bl riten styl.
Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech oza. Ze drem of a united urop vil finali kum tru.
Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze forst plas. ul
If zis mad you smil, pleas pas on to oza pepl
As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5- year phase-in plan that would become known as "Euro-English".
In the first year, "s" will replace the soft "c". Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard "c" will be dropped in favour of "k". This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter. There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year when the troublesome "ph" will be replaced with "f". This will make words like fotograf 20% shorter.
In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where! more komplikated changes are possible.
Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling.
Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the silent "e" in the languag is disgrasful and it should go away.
By the 4th yer people wil be reseptiv to steps such as
replasing "th" with "z" and "w" with "v".
During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords kontaining "ou" and after ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a reil sensi bl riten styl.
Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech oza. Ze drem of a united urop vil finali kum tru.
Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze forst plas. ul
If zis mad you smil, pleas pas on to oza pepl
17 October 2007
Back to basix
I am on a comic reading spree now. After finishing Asterix and the Golden Sickle, I am now reading Asterix and the Magic Carpet.
No, I am not reading it out to my son. A colleague is lending them to me and I am reading them at work breaks - which explains the blog silence.
Asterix has been a favorite reading material for me though I was introduced pretty late in my childhood - or was it adolscence? Tintin had been an equal favorite but now I feel Asterix makes more enjoyable reading for an adult.
I am told that the entire Asterix series is available at the Hindu shopping plaza on the net for Rs. 12000 odd. You also get 22 Tintins free. Not bad, eh?
No, I am not reading it out to my son. A colleague is lending them to me and I am reading them at work breaks - which explains the blog silence.
Asterix has been a favorite reading material for me though I was introduced pretty late in my childhood - or was it adolscence? Tintin had been an equal favorite but now I feel Asterix makes more enjoyable reading for an adult.
I am told that the entire Asterix series is available at the Hindu shopping plaza on the net for Rs. 12000 odd. You also get 22 Tintins free. Not bad, eh?
09 October 2007
CONVENTION-DETROIT 2007
The national conference was this time our church 's (DETROIT) responsibility. From the day it was announced it was tensions, meetings, raising funds, organizing - the last few weeks even sleepless nights for convener's and others. Dance/song practices were all part of other things for sleepless nights. For topic and some comments/photos you can check out in the web site http://www.yuvajanaconvention.com/
We had 1 Bishop, 5 achens (priests), 3 main speakers for the topic"ROOTED AND CONNECTED IN CHRIST AS A DIASPORA COMMUNITY" . Sam George (1 speaker) has published a book called " coconut". website... http://www.coconutgeneration.com/He talks about his personal life.. in the symposium ,and rate of divorce increasing.. identity thefts-struggles of Indian American youth,raising children is like baking cake,can have disaster's!Children feel uprooted, scattered, transplant them and they are like invisible people- children feel exposed. Need care and attention like plants re potted. Have cultural disorientation- can't perform. His favorite was Tarzan, Phantom; he showed "Tarzan 2 Disney's" cartoon the kid trying to find who he is.."someone tell me where i belong..i got to find my way... place where i could be.. a place i fully belong" song.. these are the feelings of 2nd generation... the Ape later tells Tarzan "u are simply u".. we have to find our uniqueness.
Take the healthy habits of the generations' American/our cultures.
Sam George ended the talk with quote from Mother Teresa' Whom he had met.."By blood &origin Am Albanian,by citizenship I am a Indian, AM a catholic nun, as to my calling I belong to the whole world as to my heart I belong entirely to Jesus".
Reny Samuel spoke about traditions ,language and other things which an Australian survey did -their results .Her emphasis was on the Diaspora meaning, transition-not able to understand Lang..structural or multilingusiam.. ,pluralism-Lang,religion,ideology..
our goal is the binding factor.Borrow positive core values.
These are the few sessions I sat through.And took notes like in college.. We gave all who registered a file with pen, paper pad,name tags a book with songs, worship/meeting times/food serving time...
They had Bible studies, kids session ,group discussions,competitions,talent night,camp fire which kept everyone awake from morning 6 sh to late night 3 ish...our church got prizes for solo/group song competition,quiz too.
I was part of food committee that meant i had a reason to disappear.so sat through only part of the program..what with running round getting kids ready for dance, food/snacks clean ups, getting our selves ready for our talents..!
our bodies are all aches and pains.. everyone of us trying to catch up on sleep too!
hope this will keep the blog awake. Rosh, is this enough!
hope you all had a good week end. please do find time to write a few lines.. either in chat/comments/blog.
God bless.
04 October 2007
The MCC years
I am also tempted to take a trip down memory lane...
When I was doing my BA, my dad told me that he would send me to a college in Madras to do my MA if I scored good marks in the final exams. That promise had inspired me and a good friend of mine, whose dad had studied in MCC. So I dreamt about MCC in my BA final. JNU also was a fascination until my dad said he has no plans of sending me there since students there lived like 'in the films'.
But by the time my BA results came and dad went to Madras to check, classes had started in MCC. But Pr0f. VSV was interested in my case and offered to enrol me (he always referred to me as the Kerala Professor's daughter). Dad however tried to dissaude me especially as I had got admission in the Kerala colleges I applied, and also since the MCC women's hostel was full. I insisted that I want to go to Madras to study since I knew it would give me some exposure. Studying English Literature in a closed society like Kerala has its limitations.
I got admission and joined the class one month after classes had started. I also found lodging in a nun's hostel in Pallavaram which had good rooms with attached bathrooms but bad food. I also had to walk a good distance to the railway station to catch the train to Tambaram but it was fun. Most of my room mates were in MCC too but in the continuing education dept doing one-year diploma courses. I wasnt homesick because this was what I had wanted. My friends joined in colleges in Kerala itself.
I was told by the stout and stern lady at the Dean's office that my class was in Selaiyur Hall. I found some of my classmates in the corridor to the hall with Prof Jayaraman in their midst taking class. While in Kerala teachers expected students to stand up when asked questions, here I had a prof (SVF) telling me that I made him nervous by standing up. I learnt to live life casually soon. I most loved classes by Profs. VSV, Francis Soundararaj, Dorai and Ganesh. Initially it had been tough as I hadnt done linguistics or Am. Litt. for B.A.
I coped though I had people making fun of my Malloo accent or the food I brought from hostel. (Annie wondered if I had no tastebuds or how I could write well when I couldnt speak as fluently as she could etc.) But Usha had been kind and supportive throughout, which is probably why I looked up to her for support/refuge and why I always kept in touch. Thank you, dear friend.
Most of the class guys save for Miller and Rajeev didnt talk much to the girls. Indraneel Ghosh, one year senior to us, who happened to be in our class for MA studiously kept away till II M.A. when Rajani's casual teasing during a class set off a hot romance in the class (it had a sad ending though). I initially couldnt stand the sight of Prem and Venky (sorry to say that) with their wayward attitude to studies and life but slowly got to know and like them. I still remember Venky calling us "prurient adolescents"...
The Kodai trip in II MA was fun. Prof. Arul was in charge though he wasnt our teacher, but having him was a blessing (for him and Maha too) as he joined in all the fun and revelry. There was this lovely cottage we stayed in courtesy Grace's father. It was a season of romances - old ones grew stronger and new ones blossomed.
I remember the trek to Suicide Point and the lift we got in a Malayali couple's Maruti car on the way back. Some 6 of us had fitted into the back seat tho initially they had been reluctant to give us a lift.
On our last day there, me and Maha were ready before the rest were. Arul sir came out and asked Maha if she would like to go for a walk. She casually asked me if I would like to come along and I declined. A good thing, since she said that it was then he proposed/expressed his love for her. They were late in returning, and everyone chided Maha not knowing the decision of a lifetime had been made then...
Some old faces left and new faces joined us in the MPhil years. We had to sign the register like professors. We changed the nutty thesis topics we gave at the interview and chose more challenging ones. Life got busier after we cleared the theory papers and began work on our dissertations. Some were preparing to make the marriage vows. Princy left half way as she was in the family way.
Murali was called the Krishna of our MPhil batch by Prof. Rajani since he was the only visible male face around (Rajeev working at IE and Miller getting to know Griz were busy); he would say that he just needed a murali (flute) to be the Krishna. Sir would smell Murali's palm to check if he had had his lunch!
http://dosamma.blogspot.com/2007/07/tagged-8-random-things-about-me-college.html
When I was doing my BA, my dad told me that he would send me to a college in Madras to do my MA if I scored good marks in the final exams. That promise had inspired me and a good friend of mine, whose dad had studied in MCC. So I dreamt about MCC in my BA final. JNU also was a fascination until my dad said he has no plans of sending me there since students there lived like 'in the films'.
But by the time my BA results came and dad went to Madras to check, classes had started in MCC. But Pr0f. VSV was interested in my case and offered to enrol me (he always referred to me as the Kerala Professor's daughter). Dad however tried to dissaude me especially as I had got admission in the Kerala colleges I applied, and also since the MCC women's hostel was full. I insisted that I want to go to Madras to study since I knew it would give me some exposure. Studying English Literature in a closed society like Kerala has its limitations.
I got admission and joined the class one month after classes had started. I also found lodging in a nun's hostel in Pallavaram which had good rooms with attached bathrooms but bad food. I also had to walk a good distance to the railway station to catch the train to Tambaram but it was fun. Most of my room mates were in MCC too but in the continuing education dept doing one-year diploma courses. I wasnt homesick because this was what I had wanted. My friends joined in colleges in Kerala itself.
I was told by the stout and stern lady at the Dean's office that my class was in Selaiyur Hall. I found some of my classmates in the corridor to the hall with Prof Jayaraman in their midst taking class. While in Kerala teachers expected students to stand up when asked questions, here I had a prof (SVF) telling me that I made him nervous by standing up. I learnt to live life casually soon. I most loved classes by Profs. VSV, Francis Soundararaj, Dorai and Ganesh. Initially it had been tough as I hadnt done linguistics or Am. Litt. for B.A.
I coped though I had people making fun of my Malloo accent or the food I brought from hostel. (Annie wondered if I had no tastebuds or how I could write well when I couldnt speak as fluently as she could etc.) But Usha had been kind and supportive throughout, which is probably why I looked up to her for support/refuge and why I always kept in touch. Thank you, dear friend.
Most of the class guys save for Miller and Rajeev didnt talk much to the girls. Indraneel Ghosh, one year senior to us, who happened to be in our class for MA studiously kept away till II M.A. when Rajani's casual teasing during a class set off a hot romance in the class (it had a sad ending though). I initially couldnt stand the sight of Prem and Venky (sorry to say that) with their wayward attitude to studies and life but slowly got to know and like them. I still remember Venky calling us "prurient adolescents"...
The Kodai trip in II MA was fun. Prof. Arul was in charge though he wasnt our teacher, but having him was a blessing (for him and Maha too) as he joined in all the fun and revelry. There was this lovely cottage we stayed in courtesy Grace's father. It was a season of romances - old ones grew stronger and new ones blossomed.
I remember the trek to Suicide Point and the lift we got in a Malayali couple's Maruti car on the way back. Some 6 of us had fitted into the back seat tho initially they had been reluctant to give us a lift.
On our last day there, me and Maha were ready before the rest were. Arul sir came out and asked Maha if she would like to go for a walk. She casually asked me if I would like to come along and I declined. A good thing, since she said that it was then he proposed/expressed his love for her. They were late in returning, and everyone chided Maha not knowing the decision of a lifetime had been made then...
Some old faces left and new faces joined us in the MPhil years. We had to sign the register like professors. We changed the nutty thesis topics we gave at the interview and chose more challenging ones. Life got busier after we cleared the theory papers and began work on our dissertations. Some were preparing to make the marriage vows. Princy left half way as she was in the family way.
Murali was called the Krishna of our MPhil batch by Prof. Rajani since he was the only visible male face around (Rajeev working at IE and Miller getting to know Griz were busy); he would say that he just needed a murali (flute) to be the Krishna. Sir would smell Murali's palm to check if he had had his lunch!
http://dosamma.blogspot.com/2007/07/tagged-8-random-things-about-me-college.html
03 October 2007
Down the memory lane from MK
I thought I would go down the memory lane a bit too. I remember my first day at MCC walking into Salaiyur Hall. Professor Jayaraman was teaching a Shakespeare play (I forget which one now) and I was to show my ID. I didn't know he was blind. I figured it out in a few seconds. From then on he always picked on me as he knew my name. He came to our wedding with his wife and son who was our junior in the department. That was nice of him.
I sat down next to Barathi - the only familiar face. After class Barathi introduced me to two people one of whom became a good friend - Miller and Saleem. Barathi had a lot of comments about everyone including professors. I don't know how she knew so much personal stuff about them - probably through her dad.
I remember Roshin's first day. It was a bit later in the year. Her dad introduced her to me and Barathi who were the first two kids standing around. I think we introduced Roshin to all the other Malayali kids. Now wait, with the exception of me and Barathi, everyone was from Kerala (I am just talking about girls here.)
The year went fast for me as my dad was ill and later passed away in February on '92. But good friends were supportive and very helpful exchanging class notes and stuff. I remember some of you coming to visit me at home - Venki, Prem, Miller, Anne, Usha Sarah, Usha Nair(?), Persis, Grace sorry if I missed anybody else.
And then came summer and then Sunitha's reception. It was at Sunitha's reception that my future husband noticed me - what with all the pattu saree and jasmine flowers. But it didn't go any further then. It was the trip to Kodai that changed some things around.
Usha, Annie, Grizilda and maybe Rosh, do you guys remember meeting at the Tambaram bus terminal to go to Sunitha's reception and coming back terribly late. My mom was quite worried as I had worn jewelry and what not.
Then came M.Phil with some old and new friends. That year just flew by as I was busy dating Arul, teaching at Vaishnav and working on M.Phil classes. I honestly don't remember what I worked on.
Then came May of 1994 when Arul and I decided to get married and in the next three months we landed in Canada. Life in Canada will be a separate post.
Grizilda, Annie and many others at MCC I also knew from Christ King school. I might have been Grizilda's classmate in either gr.6 or 7 - two years I spent in that school. I hated those two years as I had just come from Andhra and found it hard to adjust to Tamil Nadu and learn to read and write Tamil. I didn't understand tamil jokes and Philomina, our tamil teacher wasn't very kind towards me. Not to mention Rosy the terrifying math teacher. But it is all in the past.
I sat down next to Barathi - the only familiar face. After class Barathi introduced me to two people one of whom became a good friend - Miller and Saleem. Barathi had a lot of comments about everyone including professors. I don't know how she knew so much personal stuff about them - probably through her dad.
I remember Roshin's first day. It was a bit later in the year. Her dad introduced her to me and Barathi who were the first two kids standing around. I think we introduced Roshin to all the other Malayali kids. Now wait, with the exception of me and Barathi, everyone was from Kerala (I am just talking about girls here.)
The year went fast for me as my dad was ill and later passed away in February on '92. But good friends were supportive and very helpful exchanging class notes and stuff. I remember some of you coming to visit me at home - Venki, Prem, Miller, Anne, Usha Sarah, Usha Nair(?), Persis, Grace sorry if I missed anybody else.
And then came summer and then Sunitha's reception. It was at Sunitha's reception that my future husband noticed me - what with all the pattu saree and jasmine flowers. But it didn't go any further then. It was the trip to Kodai that changed some things around.
Usha, Annie, Grizilda and maybe Rosh, do you guys remember meeting at the Tambaram bus terminal to go to Sunitha's reception and coming back terribly late. My mom was quite worried as I had worn jewelry and what not.
Then came M.Phil with some old and new friends. That year just flew by as I was busy dating Arul, teaching at Vaishnav and working on M.Phil classes. I honestly don't remember what I worked on.
Then came May of 1994 when Arul and I decided to get married and in the next three months we landed in Canada. Life in Canada will be a separate post.
Grizilda, Annie and many others at MCC I also knew from Christ King school. I might have been Grizilda's classmate in either gr.6 or 7 - two years I spent in that school. I hated those two years as I had just come from Andhra and found it hard to adjust to Tamil Nadu and learn to read and write Tamil. I didn't understand tamil jokes and Philomina, our tamil teacher wasn't very kind towards me. Not to mention Rosy the terrifying math teacher. But it is all in the past.
02 October 2007
Remembering Gandhiji
Today India celebrates another Gandhi Jayanti. Or do we celebrate? For most of us, it is just another occasion for a holiday. We have forgotten the contributions, sufferings and struggles of this great man and his associates to win the country's freedom. At the most, schools in India remember to teach children that he is the Father of the Nation.
Let us, after reading this post, observe a moment of silence, in prayer, for this great humanitarian and the country he fought to create. Let us hope that India becomes as prosperous and its people as aware and civic conscious as the citizens of the countries some of you are now residing in.
Long live Gandhiji. Long live India.
01 October 2007
Festival Kerala & Bandh TN
Chennai played host to two Kerala festivals yesterday - a Kerala fest at Royapettah with a lot of stalls selling a variety of stuff and Aavanipoovarangu at St. George's school, Chetpet opposite the Pachaiyappa's college. The latter was a belated effort at an Onam celebration for all Chennai Malayalis, bringing in the Thrissur pooram element too with 12 elephants (not real, but almost real since they could move their ears thanks to springs inside though not their trunks).
And today is one of the rare bandhs/hartals in the city and in the State. A DMK-sponsored bandh to protest the Centre's stalling of the controversial Sethusamudram project, a pet project of the DMK govt in the State. The Chief Minister is also observing a day-long hunger strike because the Supreme Court said the so-called hartal seemed like a bandh (which is illegal now) since it was claimed to bring life to a standstill. The Sangh Parivar is aiming for the CM's head because he said Lord Rama is an imaginary character and hence dredging the Adam's Bridge or Ram Setu (beleived to have been built by Ram to cross to Lanka to save his wife Sita abducted by Ravana) for the shipping canal project shouldnt be given relivious overtones.
Well, life wasnt exactly standstill like hartals in Kerala where even a cyclist wont dare to ply on the roads. There were no MTC buses on the roads, but share autos and private vehicles were all on the roads. I didnt venture to try the autos today, because they are sure to charge double their normal fares (which itself is double the actual meter rates) and got my dear hubby to drop me, with the two lil brats seatbelted on one seat (since there is no babysitter now). Everyone of my colleagues had got a lift to work or rode their own vehicles. The Railways is not in the strike, so trains were running.
Once in a while, life gets interesting in Chennai. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)