The Adventures of the Little Indian Girl

I thought I'd try this. I think I did this two years ago? I am not sure why I am asking you, when I feel so uncomfortable asking! But hey, there are a diverse group of you! All of you are welcome to ask a question (or more than one) and you have to pick the day you would like it answered for the month of April. You can ask about anything related to me, I can choose to answer it the way I deem fit. :)

( the days... )

Day 5: Not mine

Yesterday was such a nice full day! By the time I was considering sitting down it was 11pm and I chose to call my parents than browse the web.

For the preschool auction, we made a family donation of an Indian vegetarian meal at home. A family we had never met had bid for it and we met them yesterday evening at our place. They have three kids, a 7, 5, 2 year olds.

What a wonderful time we all had. D was an absolutely wonderful host! I have not seen this side of her in a while. We also haven't hosted anyone (with kids) at our place in a long time. How much she has grown.

The adults sat at the big table with the two year old on the high chair. The three kids sat at their table and they had such serious conversations all spanning which class they go to, how old they are, what they did in school! We just overheard some snippets of their conversations. Kids can really talk! Then they moved on to playing with blocks parallely. When D needed help with something, she asked me as usual. The 5 year old (who is the one who goes to same preschool) offered his help and they are likely to be friends for life! ha!

But my highlight, the two year old's passion for food! Oh my goodness! I have never seen a child more enthusiastic than him over food. The moment he saw there were parathas, rice, curry he just couldn't control his utter joy and came running to all of us in turn with an open mouth! Really, am not kidding! And he ate all the stuff, the spicy, the mild, the yogurt, the raita! For those who don't know, my daughter eats as to do a favor for me. I really couldn't stop staring! lol...

It's also been a while since I cooked seriously. Not just putting something together last minute. So, the whole day, while N entertained D at the playground and the car wash, I cooked and cleaned and enjoyed my peace. But I also offered something not made by me - different types of Indian bread - chapatis, paratha, and onion naan.

Day 2: In my hand

When I first came to the US for college and landed in Hawai'i, I read somewhere in some guidebook that mango was classified as a poisonous fruit! I was flabbergasted! The king of fruits is poisonous?

Right! Love of mangos and childhood in India are so strongly intertwined! It's something that doesn't differentiate between caste, creed, religion. Doesn't matter if you are a city rat or rural kid, summer meant sucking over juicy mangoes.

Growing up we were surrounded by mango trees by the roadside and also orchards. Living on an institute's grounds, technically we couldn't pick them. If any were found on the ground then that was ok!

There was a tree right at the main intersection our school bus would pass. The teenagers would just stick their arms out of the bus window and see how many they could catch. It was easier apparently than climbing the tree!

Oh and climbing trees we did! I didn't. They did. In our group some would dare to climb the tree. But usually our slippers are sacrificed to break some fresh ripe mangos. Some times the slipper would get caught in the branch. Not willing to bear the brunt of mother's rap, the brave soul would risk being caught by campus security and climb up the tree to salvage his slipper and while he/she's at it grab a few mangoes too!

And we would eat some right there and then. Coming home to a lot of scolding from moms that would be heard everywhere. Some would pick the not ripe ones to eat and often would get bad burns on their lips. I think it's the acid in it? We weren't scared of the health effect on us, we were more scared of being caught red-handed by our mothers!

But it never stopped us from eating mangoes. And you sucked the stone dry! yum! The ripe mangoes were so juicy and succulent, they were eaten by hand, with juices flowing over your hands and all over your shirts. No forks, spoons, or cutlery could interfere in the enjoyment of mango eating. It was the best way to cool off in hot 90-100F summers!

As grown ups, we of course, cut it up a bit, but the fruit around the seed, no fork or spoon will clear it all and no wastage is allowed! mmm...so glad N found a crate of them brought home! They are so sour that D & I are loving it! N says his hair on his back is standing up! ha! 

The weather is so nice! D is still down with the flu. We thought she was getting to normal and sent her to school and only to come back with high fever (which we had skipped during her whole week of flu) and so much congestion, feel like back to square one. Dang it. I had a play-at-the-park everyday planned for the week!! It's in the 50s (Fareinheit)!!! That's WARM for December! We have on average gotten snow (although just an inch) by Dec 7th the last few years!! Feel so cheated!

I would enjoy doing the December talking meme that's going around. But I realized I don't like asking people questions. It's so peculiar of me. I feel I end up framing the answers in this narrowed down box. Oh it's a meme. I shouldn't be over thinking it. If there is anything you would like to know, please ask. I am generally an open book. Just need to ask! And yes, pick a date! Dec 6-31!

December 6 - musicpsych- Do you keep up with Bollywood films? If so, what have been some of your favorites?
December 7 - ms_hecubus Your talk of Bollywood films today inspired me. Can you follow up tomorrow with some soundtrack recommendations if you have any?
December 8 - tediousandbrief - Talk about your five favorite books
December 9 - aliki Do you feel any regret raising D so far away from your grandparents? If so, how do you best integrate your life as a cultural Indian into her life?
December 10 - echomyst How did you spend your free time, pre-parenthood and also pre-marriage?
December 11 -
December 12 - musicpsych -Since you've lived in multiple places... do any of them feel the most like "home," or do each of them feel like "home" in some ways? Do you ever go back to visit those places?
December 13 - aliki Give us your best prediction on what kind of career/job D will have, 20 years from now!
December 14 -
December 15 - echomyst A skill or trait you're most glad you have?
December 16 -
December 17 -
December 18 - voyageofdreams Do you think you'll live in the US for the rest of your life? If not what your long term plans?
December 19 -
December 20 - voyageofdreams What do you hope for D's future? Do you hope she holds more if her heritage values or that she embraces the US culture? In terms if marriage would you hope she looks for someone from her background as you did or are you open to marriage across cultural lines?
December 21 -
December 22 - aliki What is your view on arranged marriages? Was this something you knew you'd do, or something your parents had to convince you of? Did you feel you had another option?
December 23 - echomyst advice you'd give your younger self if going back in time was possible.
December 24 -
December 25 -
December 26 -
December 27 -
December 28 -
December 29 -
December 30 -
December 31 -

amygooglegirl & later echomysttagged me some time ago with this meme:

First, 11 random things about me:

1. I always set my alarms at odd numbers. Even if I want a 7am alarm, it's always 7:01. I don't know why. Just a habit.
2. I freak out completely at the sight of frogs (at one time, it was even at the thought of frogs and even mentioning the word, frog!! but that has subsided).
3. I dream in English not Telugu (my mother tongue).
4. I enjoy being with and around people; at the same time I am terribly shy.
5. My handwriting changes with every pen I use! 
6. I can whistle only blowing air in not out.
7. Littlest of things amuse me
8. I much prefer catching a bus to somewhere than driving a car to somewhere (well, I prefer the train/metro actually).
9. I sleep mostly on my right side. 
10. Every time I remove my glasses, I have to rub my eyes. 
11. I enjoy doing the dishes at the end of the day/evening. But of course, these days I am too tired and ask hubby to do it. But it's a great time for me to think about stuff.

Now for amygooglegirl questions:

1. What did you do for your last birthday? I was in Mumbai with my in-laws. A friend and his family had come over to the spend the evening with us! They have a daughter just two weeks younger to D and had a nice time! 2. What is your favourite movie? I could watch the Back to the Future series a few more times! 3. What time do you go to bed at night? 11pm 4. What kind of exercise do you enjoy the most? the relaxing kind, hahaha... going for a brisk walk down the trail we have by our place! 5. What do you miss most about being a kid? just being carefree and not worry about cooking up the next meal.  6. What are your favourite foods? anything spicy, sour, and filling! 7. If you had an extra room in your house what would you use it for? to hide away all the clutter in the living room!! It would be an activity room for D and us. 8. What is the furthest you have ever traveled? Hyderabad (India) to Brasilia (Brazil) via London. I don't think any other journey has beat that distance. Found this cool link - neat!  9. What do you like to do to relax and unwind? These days - go for a walk alone, read a book, watch TV, take part in meme's! 10. Do you have a good relationship with your family? yes. We have our grumbles and fights but yes! 11. Where are you most likely to be found at 8pm on a Saturday night? at home playing with D and N!

And from echomyst

Here are my questions:
1. If you could choose anyone (living or not, real or fictional), who would you pick as your mentor? That changes as my life changes! Right now I look to the mothers who are so wonderful with their kids, the ones who are patient and keep their children engaged!

2. What’s the best/worst gift you’ve ever received? the best gift, growing up getting "gifts" were rare. We got a few toys and stuff, but they weren't labelled "gifts". The first one I remember was when my dad travelled to the Singapore for the first time in the late 80s and brought back a dress, which I absolutely loved! I am sure I have a ton of pictures in it as I wore it for years every chance I got! My mom had to hide it for a while before giving it away I think! 

The worst gift? The gift in itself was not bad, it's just that never got used - a photo album! I no longer print photos. So, feel that was wasted! :(

3. What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done? Leaving Hawai'i in 2003.

4. What did you do during your childhood summers? played outdoors!!!!! :) 

5. Your home’s on fire. What are you going to save aside from loved ones, pets, and important documents? The external hard-drive and cameras!! Too many memories saved inside to just let go!

6. An apocalyptic event strikes your area and you’re unsure how widespread the disaster is. Where will you go and why? If I can fly out of the city, to Bangalore. My parents' home. I am safe there.

7. You are about to make a sizable donation of time and/or money to a cause near and dear to your heart. What is this cause? Well, recently I did donate to the Breastfeeding Center of Washington DC!

8. If you could give your younger self a piece of advice, what would it be? Don't limit your opportunities. 

9. What irks you? tardiness

10. What is a book and/or artist and/or movie that you think I should check out? I wish I was reading and/or watching interesting things to answer this! But all I can think of is Dr. Seus & 1,2,3 Magic!

11. What’s the strangest/most awesome food you’ve ever eaten? This prawn pizza in Brasilia. We were brought up vegetarians. In Brazil in the early 80s there was no access to good vegetarian stuff. Only red beans. So, we did eat some non-veg stuff then (as a family). So, that prawn pizza was strange since I had never eaten prawn before and never heard of it before and never had pizza either!! And it was just delicious!

Desktop meme stolen from echointhebone 

Make a screenshot of your current desktop. Don't change your wallpaper. Tell us in five sentences (or less if you can) why you have that image.



The picture is of my handsome hubby, whom I miss as he is traveling. Do I need to say more? ;) Plus he thinks no one takes good pics of him, but I think I captured this nicely... him on a snowpile throwing a snowball up in the air! This pic reminds me of his playfulness and always brings a smile to my face!

Last movie you saw in a theater - Lars and the Real Girl

What book are you reading - Two Lives by Vikram Seth

Favorite board game - Scrabble and monopoly (although these days I am not so keen on it)

Favorite smells - mom's cooking... usually when she makes tomato rasam...mmmmmm comforting

Favorite sound - the gentle ocean waves

Worst feeling in the world - the mere thought of losing the people i love

What is the first thing you think of when you wake up - another five minutes...

Favorite fast food place - any good idli/dosa place

Future child's name - not sure.. if it's a girl like it to be a Hawaiian name

Finish this statement. "If I had a lot of money, I'd" - travel the world and catch up with my friends

Do you drive fast - when I drove, at times I did

Do you sleep with a stuffed animal - nope... i sneeze

Storms - Cool or scary - Cool! as long as I am indoors and not stuck in it!

( Read more... )

Of all the people you tagged this to, who is most likely to respond first? - oh I don't know...

I tag: amygooglegirlfussycatgoofy_duck2004

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Some I just couldn't spell..bleah :P