smittenbyu | Recent Entries

13 What are your favorite pizza toppings?
It's different every week!! Love the traditional margarita pizza - good mozzarella (Buffalo milk & smoked), basil and tomato. I love feta cheese in a "greek" inspired combo! yummm...artichoke hearts, or portobello mushrooms. not all on the same pizza... but the usual combo plus these.

14 Who was your very first best friend? Are you still in contact or communication with them?
I am not going to mention her name as that's a security question on my bank account! :P Well, guess she wouldn't be a best friend? I didn't really have what one thinks of a stereotype of a best friend till high school. But her name is Intan. We are still in touch and N got to meet her during his trip for work to Switzerland! Last time I met her in person was probably 2005!!! But we always pick up where we left off like nothing has changed! :)

15 If you could pick a new first name, what would you choose?
I'm very happy with mine and so can't think of one. I have been called Samantha and that's a nice first name.

16 What is your favorite board game?
Been getting random board games from the Library. I find deciphering instructions difficult. lol. But I have enjoyed Ticket to Ride.

( rest of January Questions )

Crossposts: https://smittenbyu.livejournal.com/1019762.html

I made N buy a variety of soda for the party. I am not sure what got into me. There were a few relatively-new to us people joining. So thought add a variety and not just water, wine, beer or cocktail. ahem. So, N got the mini cans so we don't need to drink the whole 225ml at a time.

Oh Boy! One would think I lit a cigarette inside the house or something! lol - that we had soda at the party! (to be fair even the alcohol is not really consumed in large quantities at our parties)

So, we have a cooler full of soda and neither N nor I really drink it regularly.

I guess we stick to water, juices, cocktails, wine and beer. Soda doesn't have an expiry date, right? It will take a LONG while to be consumed.

Crossposts: https://smittenbyu.livejournal.com/1019223.html

7 In the U.S., each state has a “state flower.” If you’re in the U.S., what is your state flower? If you live elsewhere, does your region or country have flower that represents it? (Post a picture?)

Virginia's state flower is a flowering dogwood. We have the pink variety at almost every street corner and in spring it's beautiful!

8 Would you rather live in a deep-sea station or a space station?

I think a deep-sea station? Just because it sounds like it's closer to earth.

9 What’s your favorite “comfort food” when you’re feeling down or unwell?

I like rasam (tomato) & rice, or yogurt rice or pasta with marinara sauce that's extra cheesy.

10 What was the last film you saw at a theatre/cinema?
11 Have you ever been asked for your telephone number and you didn't want to give it? What did you do?
12 Have you ever had a “crush” on a fictional character?
13 What are your favorite pizza toppings?
14 Who was your very first best friend? Are you still in contact or communication with them?
15 If you could pick a new first name, what would you choose?
16 What is your favorite board game?
17 What self-care things do you find helpful to ground yourself or “talk yourself down from the ledge” when you’re overwhelmed by your feelings or by stress?
18 What is the most extreme weather you have ever experienced?
19 Do you operate out of any particular faith system that informs your actions? Do you intentionally NOT have a faith system, and if so, what beliefs or ideas inform your actions?
20 When you go to a fancy coffee shop, what’s your go-to order?
21 What genre of books is your usual favorite when you read for pleasure?
22 Where is one place you wouldn’t ever want to be caught dead?
23 How would someone who genuinely likes and admires you describe you?
24 How would someone who doesn’t really like you describe you?
25 If you had to teach a one-hour class with absolutely no prep time, what subject could you competently pull off?
26 What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you while out for a meal at a restaurant?
27 What aphorism or saying is helpful for you right now?
28 What’s your favorite meme? (Post it!)
29 What is your skin care regimen?
30 What song are you listening to a lot right now? (Post a link?)
31 What superpower best suits your personality?

Crossposts: https://smittenbyu.livejournal.com/1018308.html

So, I have never driven a car as part of my morning commute. If I drive, it's because we are running late and I drive D to school and come home and get to my home office. The days I go to office in DC - I walk D to school and continue walking to the bus stop (all of which is maybe a kilometer). The bus takes me to the metro station where I take the train into DC. Well, yesterday, I had to go to the office. We were going to be a few minutes past 9AM to school and D would get a tardy slip. She is also under the weather and so she couldn't run/rush. And my brain was already tired. sigh.

Hence, I got the brilliant idea - all last minute - as I was locking our front door - to drive her to school, then to the mall next to the metro station, park there and go in. Would save me 20 minutes of my commute. So, I did it. Went to work, had a productive day and came back by train and already I was making plans of whether to catch the bus or to walk to school and do pick up and home. I saw the bus was coming in another 13 minutes (actual bus ride is maybe 5 minutes). So, figured I'd walk - it's a 20-25 minute walk. Needed my steps for the day.

So, as I begin walking, I get a call regarding work and was on the call for half the walking time. Went to school, picked D up. She was so excited to be coming home with a viola!! She picked viola as her musical instrument of choice! She was so excited to show what she learnt and I had shared that I had just gotten some bad news about work and I was feeling a bit down. We walked home. I wanted to go and have a good cry. sigh - but was excited to hear her play. As I was getting closer to the house, I was wondering where N could have gone with the car. There wasn't anything in our schedule. hmm. Strange. We get in and N is in the KITCHEN!!

And then I smack my head!! I FORGOT I DROVE TO THE STATION IN THE MORNING!!!! So, I grabbed some food and charged my phone, while D played the viola. They haven't taught her how to use the bow but she tried. I could barely hear her as the bow was not tightened and nor had any resin on it. So, taught her that part.

I walked to the bus stop and then headed to the mall. Halfway, I realised I had forgotten my WALLET & PARKING TOKEN at home (switched my bag!)!!! *cry* So, got off half way, got on the trail and started walking back home. I was soooo tired. I called N to whine. He offered to come down on bicycle and drop it off with me. It would be a 10 minute bike ride for him.

So, I sat there, on a park bench - it was actually nice. I had my quiet time to ponder and process the phone call I got earlier. And it was 15-20 minutes and N hadn't come. hmmm... I did see him after that and there was a smaller bike behind. D came along too!! She was so sad for me. She came over and gave me a hug as she figured I'd need one. And they headed back and I walked to the mall.

Oh gosh. What a fiasco! What a waste. I did get in 18K steps though! I thought - oh the phone will be happy!! But all it said was I did 8K steps more than normal and I should conserve energy for the next day! ha!

I should really put in reminders in my phone if I do something different from the routine. sigh

Crossposts: https://smittenbyu.livejournal.com/1013223.html

It's February!! The list was found here.

1 Is there a catchphrase from an old TV show or adverts that hardly anyone else remembers but that you still use?

Wel, I do remember catchphrases that I occasionally use that those around me don't get - because they are from Indian ads and if you aren't from India, you wouldn't get it. But otherwise, it's rare I remember any.

2 If you could talk to any one type of animal and they could talk back to you what animal would you choose?

What is it with talking animals? I doubt another species would have any coherent conversation with me. But maybe we will have some similar issues adn whine about the weather, food, and shelter? I'd pick a lion. No clue, always find it a majestic animal.

3 If you could put a custard pie in the face of anyone in the world (with no retaliation) who would you choose to do that to?

aww... I would eat the pie. Why waste a good pie??? And I can't throw things in anger or fun at people. So, while there are people I could imagine in my head that upset me, I wouldn't want to waste pie on them!

4 If you won the lottery would you still buy a ticket every week? What do you think of people who win a second time?

The whole thing is based on luck. So, sure I would continue to buy a ticket. It's for the fun and what are the chances of winning again? what do I think of someone who wins a second time? Why aren't we friends, yet?! :P

( Read more... )

Crossposts: https://smittenbyu.livejournal.com/996348.html

10 Which children's story, song or TV programme do you think is most fundamentally flawed, plot-wise?

I always wondered why in almost all stories the parents are killed off? I always had trouble with that. The fairy tale is already frightening and to make it worse the parents all die. I understand that's one way to keep the focus on the child - but as a story telling it feels morbid. And I guess that was a reflection of the time that the stories were written?

I think Moana changed that up a bit. It fits well into a child't mindset that all parents are mean and horrible and don't let them do ANYTHING! lol.... But the movie did show both sides.

( the rest of the questions for Jan. )

Crossposts: https://smittenbyu.livejournal.com/991959.html

9 Have you ever been in a canoe?
I have been on a canoe! I thought I hadn't. But then I got confused because the company that rents it out has kayaks in its name. But yes, we canoed down the Potomac here in Georgetown several years ago.

( List of questions for Jan )

Crossposts: https://smittenbyu.livejournal.com/990915.html

7 If you were guaranteed that you would be unkillable, indestructible and uninjurable for the next ten years, but you would die once the decade was up, would you go for it?

No - I will take my chances. Managed well for 4 decades.

8 When you are watching films do you Google the actors to find out if they are still alive and/or what else they have been in?
Sometimes - if it's a movie I liked and is new to me, I do check them out - I usually know if they are alive but find out what other work they might have done.

9 Have you ever been in a canoe?
10 Which children's story, song or TV programme do you think is most fundamentally flawed, plot-wise?
11 Do you prefer coffee or aeroplanes? If you had to choose to eradicate one of the two from all human history which would go?
12 What subject were you worse at at school?
13 Is there something you once abhorred that you now adore?
14 What is your most impressive party trick?
15 Which supposedly attractive film star do you think is a bit ugly?
16 Have you ever planned what you would do in the event of a zombie apocalypse?
17 If your house was on fire what three things would you definitely leave behind or even surreptitiously throw into the flames when no one was looking?
18 What children's toy or accessory do you wish they made in adult size?
19 What's the strangest statue you've ever seen?
20 Have you ever been in a police car?
21 Have you ever made a prank phone call?
22 If you had to invent a fifth season, which two other seasons would you put it between and what would happen in it?
23 If you only had a week to live who would you tell to go fuck themselves?
24 Why do you think the Fairy Godmother only gave Cinderella all the magic stuff until midnight?
25 Would you rather be a bee or a butterfly?
26 If you could turn anyone in your family into an animal which family member would you choose and what animal would they become?
27 If you were the ruler of the universe what laws would you make?
28 Would you prefer to eat nothing but chocolate or be able to read people's minds?
29 When you were a child what did you fantasise about doing when you grew up?
30 If I told you that one person you know is secretly an alien who do you think it is? Why?
31 If you could click your fingers and be anywhere in the world right now where would you go? Yes you can get home again with another click

Crossposts: https://smittenbyu.livejournal.com/990032.html

4 What's the best museum you've ever been to?

oh wow... hmm...how do I answer this?? We live a short metro ride away from the National Mall - when I first got here and people told me to go visit the Mall, I rolled my eyes. I hate going to the mall. I avoid it in every way possible. Only to realise the National Mall is in Washington DC and the whole stretch a mile and a bit (maybe less or more?) has a bunch of Smithsonian Museums. And they are all FREE!!

So, picking the best museum is going to be hard!! I have yet to visit the new one - African American Smithsonian. From what I hear, it's supposed to be really great!

Of the paid ones, I have been to the Spy Museum and the Newseum. I have to say, I did very much like the Newseum (it's going out of business though). I do think they priced it high - when you have all these free museums, anything would feel too high! Newseum tries to compensate by letting you come the next day - which is silly because most tourists come here for a short time and they don't get time to revisit a museum - even the free ones!!

Anyway - it was a great exhibit and I really liked it. The other one I really liked was the Holocaust Museum. I wish it didn't need to exist. It's a constant reminder of how horrible humans can be. I thin everyone should visit it at least once. It's moving.

I guess, I failed answering this question. I can't pick one best museum. The Vatican Museum is fantastic!! Mindblowing! But come on - that's hard to compete with!

( rest of the questions for Jan. )

Crossposts: https://smittenbyu.livejournal.com/989435.html

In case someone is interested! :)

Crossposts: https://smittenbyu.livejournal.com/982038.html

For those who might be interested:

For the fun of it, I decided to take up Spanish classes. I find myself cheating a bit since I have some basic understanding of Italian & French (I lived in Italy and took Spanish in Middle & High School) - mind you, I haven't actually spoken either of those languages at length since I left Italy and finished high school, respectively. But it's helped to memorialize Latin word roots in my head.

It's only been 3 classes - once a week and it's not necessarily a language I need to survive - I am there to learn something new. To converse with my colleagues who are predominantly from Central & South America, for my interest. So, every time I am in that class - I hear in my head the phrases that get thrown to the immigrants, "learn English!" And my heart goes out to them.

If it were only that easy. I spent half hour doing very basic Spanish homework. I spend two hours in a classroom trying to think in a completely different language. And I am left exhausted.

I of course, knew it wouldn't be easy. I can easily switch between Telugu & English - not exhausting at all - I grew up with it. I am able to now switch up English-Telugu-Hindi. But taking Spanish is really challenging. Clearly as adults it's much harder!! yeeks.

But I think to sharpen one's mind, we must pick a new language in adulthood. It's a brain workout, indeed! And as a bonus it teaches some empathy!

Crossposts: https://smittenbyu.livejournal.com/979171.html

OMG! The internet at parents' home is so ridiculously slow!!! I don't even know if this is going to post. I am aware this is a public post.

I can't even create a hot spot using mom's phone because they get their cell service and internet service from the same provider! gah!

Work is getting affected! And there's now such a huge backlog! ugh! And there's so much to do!! yeeks!

A few more days and we are back! So much am going to miss. But internet connection is not one of them.

Crossposts: https://smittenbyu.livejournal.com/970524.html

What is up with the weather? California (I think northern parts) is getting warnings of heavy rains. Mid-west is getting tornadoes and most of the North East (if not already) is getting a snow - on the FIRST day of Spring. sigh.

I got a huge box full of Spring Mix to make you know Spring-y Salad! But it appears more like we need to make a big pot of winter soup to ring in Spring!

Last week, N & I headed to Costco to get our Costco membership cards!! I got my contact lenses through them - with the membership even they costed lower than other retailers. So, the membership paid off for itself. Now I also had to make N promise that he will not go buy the whole store! N loves a deal. Whether you need it or not. It's the "Asian" stingy-ness stereotype fulfilled.

So, of course, we came home with a big box of salad greens. 5 pounds of CARROTS!!! And A few gallons of oil. So, we are set in that department. Lucky, we are going through a phase where my daughter loves nibbling on whole carrots??

It's just raining today. Some parts are getting sleet apparently. But the snow is to arrive tonight or tomorrow morning. Since it's raining, they can't really pretreat the roads - or at least it won't be that effective since the salt will just get washed away. So, they are waiting for the rain to turn to snow.

So on our first full day of Spring tomorrow, we will be having a Snow Day! Our estimates are 2-4 inches - we are missing the big brunt compared to those just a bit north of us. But they are saying we might even get more. We are right at that boundary where it could be a boom or bust.

Happy Spring everyone!

Current Mood: amused

Ah I thought. Why not...

"i wish it were spring" friending frenzy | Right here!

Today's Friday Five

1. Where did you go the last time you took an airplane ride?

Boston (Dec 2017)

2. Are you a nervous flyer or a comfortable flyer?

Not a nervous flyer but am not sure I ever get comfortable on a flight. Sleeping sitting up is impossible for me. And now traveling with a kid it's impossible to get comfortable.

3. Window seat or aisle seat?

Window seat - so I can set my head down and sleep leaning. But the new AirBus 380 completely messes up this plan. ugh.

4. What is the worst experience you've had flying?

I think growing up with Air India, I began seeing all the trouble with humor. I remember our flight out from Delhi, 1991, we were just getting ready for take-off and suddenly all the emergency lights went off. Not reassuring. We had to return to gate and we tried again. And then the power kept going on and off (that's more the airport losing power). On that flight there was a man who was already drunk. It was not pleasant.

For many this following would be the worst but it was frightening and amusing (amusing - because we lived to tell the story) - and I actually remember bits of this!! I was 5 years old. We were living in Brasilia. And before leaving Brazil dad thought we see some of the country. We went somewhere - a smaller town in Brazil to visit some dad's friend and their family. Well, we took the smallest passenger plane - i think it seated 10. Well, there were almost 20 (several were kids if that makes you feel better). The door of the plane wouldn't close. So there was a rope that kept it closed that was tied to the seat of the pilot chair. Passengers had to take turns to pull the rope to ensure it was closed. You know how objects move while in flight. By about landing time, all passengers would be tired and the door would go flying open - actually people couldn't wait for the flight to taxi to a stop and would just get off like getting off a rolling bus. Everyone hung on to their kids.

Anyway, since I was tiny, I was squeezed in behind the pilot's seat, facing all the passengers and was the "flight attendant". I was serving the pilot coffee. Mom attributes my great interest in becoming a flight attendant to that experience!

5. What is the best experience you've had flying?

Everytime we landed safely at the destination. ;) I think I truly enjoyed flying as a kid. I still remember images of our flight out of Rio de Janeiro to NYC. We got an upgrade (?) but we got to go to the seats that were upstairs. The flight attendants were doting on sis and I. Brought us postcards we could write in and they would post it for us. Met the pilot.

Over the 80s and the 90s we had collected playing cards from all the airlines we flew! Sis and I would play so many card games. We would watch movies when they played on that one common screen up front! ha! I guess this is why D also absolutely loves to fly!

Crossposts: https://smittenbyu.livejournal.com/956995.html

Today's Friday five.

1. After your first language, what language would you most like to learn? (Say first language too)
Spanish

2. Does your country have a second language? What is it?
My country (India) has several languages - too many to list. and the USA has multitude of languages - which is beautiful but some like to claim just one.

3. How many languages can you count to 5 in? To 10 in? List them.
8 languages - English, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, French, Italian, Spanish, American Sign Language

4. What is the first overseas country you visited? And from where? (ie/ timbuctoo to mars)
India to Brazil (via the UK and the US - back in the days when there were no direct flights)

5. What country do you most want to visit? And why?
My dream since I was 12yo is to visit Tanzania (and the neighboring countries). Why? See the big five, see the people, the art, and to see something that would be completely new for me as I haven't set foot in the continent!

Crossposts: https://smittenbyu.livejournal.com/954224.html

So, January I read two books and the third one is a work in progress as D and I are reading it together and no hurry to finish.

1. Trevor Noah's Born a Crime - I wrote some thoughts a few weeks ago here. There was so much in this book I wouldn't even know where to begin to describe all the feels and thoughts that went through while reading it!! I had of course heard about Apartheid. In the mid-90s, there was one trip that only mom, sis and I took to India over a summer break. Dad had work to do and I think he joined us later. Anyway, this was the time where we had to fly via Chennai to get to Bangalore. You know, when Bangalore was a "small" quaint town and before the huge IT boom.

I remember it being a big thing and mom was warned about traveling alone (without a man) with two young girls. We all shrugged and had an adventure in Chennai. Mom decided we play tourist and see the city before hiring a car to drive to Bangalore. (I think at the time this was cheaper than flights? And trains were all booked? I have no idea why mom picked going by road. That's a question for another day). Anyway, so we went on a city tour organized by the tourism board and the bus was filled with about 50 passengers or so and very few were Indians. Some were Indians tagging along with their foreign visitors to show the city. There was one from Singapore who constantly compared the 2,000 year old sites to places in Singapore that were around 100 years old. It got annoying. Surprised my sis didn't say anything. Ah well.

There was another family of four on the trip. They looked Indians but weren't? Over the course of the day we befriended them and they were sharing with us how this was their "pilgrimage" to find their roots. They were from South Africa and were able to visit India because Apartheid was lifted. Their family name was Golden and we were amused. The dad in the group thinks his great grandfather's name was probably Govindan or something to that effect and in the registry whoever the clerk was took it down as Golden.That was my closest encounter with someone from Apartheid and he had shared some stories.

Of course, every Indian grew up learning about Mahatma Gandhi and the reason he returned to India - he was riding on a train and he was kicked out because of his skin colour and being told to go back to India - which is so horrible - instead of preaching in a foreign nation. That's what we grew up learning. It's only in adulthood I learnt more about his work in South Africa. His grandaughter is in South Africa. I never knew that.

Anyway, all this to say, nothing prepared me to how Apartheid actually affected people and didn't know the impact on mixed race kids. Just wow! Trevor Noah staged the book so well. You knew what was coming. You know how it ends. You keep reading wanting more and more.. It was a great book! I wish I had read it sooner. I just delayed it because you know, a comedian. Sure, I like his work but it's not you know Nelson Mandela or someone that inspirational. But I am glad I picked it up and give it 4.5 stars!

2. A Long Way Home: A Memoir by Saroo Brierley
This is a book that was made into a movie, Lion. I usually never say the movie is better than a book. I can't say it here either since I haven't seen the movie. But I think this story would make a wonderful movie. The writing in the book was OK. Clearly, he is not a trained writer. It would be me writing a book and mine would be horrible. So, for attempt he did great. His story is gut wrenching and just so amazing. It so happened that N got the movie from the library!! So, am going to watch it this weekend! From the trailers, it looks like a great movie!

3. Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls
This was a book "Santa" brought D for Christmas. And D has absolutely devoured it. She takes the book everywhere and we have been reading not one but 2 or more before bed time. The bed time ones, I read with her. She has read some repetitively. She has become very interested in calculating the age of the women in the stories. And how long since they died (if they died). See, everyday math! So, all good reviews from me. I find myself over some of the choices they made in the book - or more the stories of the rebel girls they chose to highlight. I wonder if these characters are seen as "good" in their countries or if we in the US have decided they are "great". It is something that D and I have talked about how we all have opinions over what's good and bad. But we see that in each girl in the circumstances she was in she did great things. Can't wait to get the second volume.

Crossposts: https://smittenbyu.livejournal.com/954068.html

Wishing all a fantastic new year!!

I somehow thought that there were more posts than that! hmmm... guess I haven't posted as much as before!

2017 was a year that went by so very quickly and for once I was glad that it did. We did do a great deal. Very grateful for all the love that surrounded us with family/friends near and far, online and offline.

It's election day in Virginia! I'd like to be optimistic. Oh so optimistic. But you know a year ago we were optimistic. Well, I wasn't. I knew we would have Trump. But I was hoping. Oh so hoping.

Can one be a cynical optimist? I hate being a cynic. Skeptical I can be and should be. But more and more that's where I am finding myself.

And then I look at my child and her friends in her classroom a week ago all pretending to be something horrifying for Halloween except they were looking adorable. Kind souls. And I force myself to be an optimist. Because they are the ones we have to answer to.

Ugh. Everyone go vote. Obviously for those I like. ha haha... But whatever. GO VOTE!

Crossposts: https://smittenbyu.livejournal.com/946974.html

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The Adventures of the Little Indian Girl

Recent Entries

2020 Question A day - January

Soda / pop / coke - whatever you call it

2020 Question A day - January

So this is my story.. of yesterday's adventure!

365 Questions - February!!

365 Questions - children's stories & plots

365 questions - canoes

365 Questions - unkillable & watching films

365 Questions - Museums

Fall Frenzy 2018!

Fall Friending Frenzy

Every grown adult should learn a second language

connection poor...

On a weather note & Costco

Friending Frenzy

The Friday Five: Flying

Friday Five

Books: Born a Crime, Lion, Rebel Girls Bedtime Stories

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Election Day!