Who said car wash is only for big cars ? His hot wheels need some cleaning too, says A!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Weekends are for car wash...
Who said car wash is only for big cars ? His hot wheels need some cleaning too, says A!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The sinusoidal wave
Am talking about the love-hate-love wave of little A with his play school. The first day he thought was a bliss and was the happiest ever kid on earth. So many kids to play with, umpteen number of puzzles and blocks and bikes and skate boards and what not. Actually the whole first week went well, we gradually increased his time at school, 2 hrs, 4 hrs and the he willing did 6 hrs, i.e the fun packed 9-12 morning hours and post lunch siesta from 12-3pm. In spite of not understanding a word of hebrew, he coped very well and i was going ga ga over it. Then came the big interval, the Pesach or Easter break for about 1 week and the real movie starts here. He had totally forgotten about school!
Every morning was a saga to wake him up and get him to get ready and we saw the other side - the cry baby in him! Never has he cried so much, not a drop of tear when he gets his vaccine shots, he used to take them like tiny mosquito bites. OK, he did cry a bit when we got him tonsured, but that too towards the end of it for a few minutes when the falling hair irritated his eyes. The next time was when his ears were pierced, even this didn't last long. Some bitter crying was during my sis's wedding when A and I had disappeared early in the morning to welcome the then groom's side. But all those are excused since he was hardly 18 months old. But this 'no school war cry' was something which we never anticipated from him. He got more and more aggressive and it came to dislike-> hate -> abhor! Every morning we got into a deal, "Today, if you stay a good boy at school, then i would take you to the pool in the evening", then some mall, a park, a zoo, a great weekend trip and what not. This went on for 2 weeks. He didn't know their language, nor did the other kids understood English and he was frustrated to a large extent. He used to yell at his teachers, only 1 among the 4 understood and spoke English, so only she fell a prey to his screams, "call my mom, call my dad, call them now, i don't want to be here, i want to go home..." kinds. In fact Israeli kids are known to be very aggressive at school, so all the more and he learnt the worst :-(. One month of play schooling and he was getting no where.
We arrived at a point where we had to start all over again from zero. I started accompanying him, stayed with him for the initial 1 hour saying that i was going to be his friend at school. With the little hebrew i know, made friends with his play school mates and patched them up with A, then assured him that i would be back in 2 hours time, before his lunch was served and promised to take him home before the other kids got to bed for their afternoon nap. Arranged play dates on weekends, this really helped to a great extent. This continued for about 2 weeks and at last triumphed!!
Now, its like I drop him at school, walk into his class with him, sit with him and do a puzzle or two as he finishes breakfast and he would by himself say, " Inum 4 minutes-la kilambiko", meaning, you can leave in four minutes, he is obsessed with 4 - his birth date! And eventually when i say, "its time" he would just give me a big hug and a loving kiss. Doesn't stop there, his orders before i leave still remain, "come before they sleep and take me home!".
So, It has taken solid 2 months for him to get used to the whole play school thing. First time play/preschoolers moms, celebrate not when you see your toddler loving the play school at first instance, the trouble is only after the first few days. They usually complete this love-abhor-love sinusoidal wave before starting to be OK with it. But, as we all know every kid is different and they take their own sweet time in coping and this may not be the case with kids who are used to day care.
Every morning was a saga to wake him up and get him to get ready and we saw the other side - the cry baby in him! Never has he cried so much, not a drop of tear when he gets his vaccine shots, he used to take them like tiny mosquito bites. OK, he did cry a bit when we got him tonsured, but that too towards the end of it for a few minutes when the falling hair irritated his eyes. The next time was when his ears were pierced, even this didn't last long. Some bitter crying was during my sis's wedding when A and I had disappeared early in the morning to welcome the then groom's side. But all those are excused since he was hardly 18 months old. But this 'no school war cry' was something which we never anticipated from him. He got more and more aggressive and it came to dislike-> hate -> abhor! Every morning we got into a deal, "Today, if you stay a good boy at school, then i would take you to the pool in the evening", then some mall, a park, a zoo, a great weekend trip and what not. This went on for 2 weeks. He didn't know their language, nor did the other kids understood English and he was frustrated to a large extent. He used to yell at his teachers, only 1 among the 4 understood and spoke English, so only she fell a prey to his screams, "call my mom, call my dad, call them now, i don't want to be here, i want to go home..." kinds. In fact Israeli kids are known to be very aggressive at school, so all the more and he learnt the worst :-(. One month of play schooling and he was getting no where.
We arrived at a point where we had to start all over again from zero. I started accompanying him, stayed with him for the initial 1 hour saying that i was going to be his friend at school. With the little hebrew i know, made friends with his play school mates and patched them up with A, then assured him that i would be back in 2 hours time, before his lunch was served and promised to take him home before the other kids got to bed for their afternoon nap. Arranged play dates on weekends, this really helped to a great extent. This continued for about 2 weeks and at last triumphed!!
Now, its like I drop him at school, walk into his class with him, sit with him and do a puzzle or two as he finishes breakfast and he would by himself say, " Inum 4 minutes-la kilambiko", meaning, you can leave in four minutes, he is obsessed with 4 - his birth date! And eventually when i say, "its time" he would just give me a big hug and a loving kiss. Doesn't stop there, his orders before i leave still remain, "come before they sleep and take me home!".
So, It has taken solid 2 months for him to get used to the whole play school thing. First time play/preschoolers moms, celebrate not when you see your toddler loving the play school at first instance, the trouble is only after the first few days. They usually complete this love-abhor-love sinusoidal wave before starting to be OK with it. But, as we all know every kid is different and they take their own sweet time in coping and this may not be the case with kids who are used to day care.
News
Nearly a week after the 2009 elections, i turned to some news pages to check upon whats happening back home and this is what i come across on http://ibnlive.in.com/,
Kolkata spared, Aila kills 24 in Bengal battering
Vienna Violence: Akal Takht appeals | 2 killed in Punjab
Tuesday twister: DMK in but oath-taking may be put off - equally tragic to TN
No bail for Satyam auditors, trouble at Satyam BPO
Assets worth millions seized from Delhi govt officers
Hmm, where is this taking India to ??? Looking at it from an other angle, so many people killed in natural calamities flood,storm etc etc, plus these unwanted politically, religiously motivated killings, burning of buses and vans and trains, accidents due to negligence and lack of proper infrastructure and security blah blah, the list is endless.... why hasn't India's population gone down per se ??
As i learnt it in school, "Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country - JFK", know what, i feel i have done some good, by not voting for these irresponsible jugheads.
With great power comes great responsibility. Oh, does it, really ? Because with Indian politics we only experience, with great power comes greatest atrocities.
Kolkata spared, Aila kills 24 in Bengal battering
Vienna Violence: Akal Takht appeals | 2 killed in Punjab
Tuesday twister: DMK in but oath-taking may be put off - equally tragic to TN
No bail for Satyam auditors, trouble at Satyam BPO
Assets worth millions seized from Delhi govt officers
Hmm, where is this taking India to ??? Looking at it from an other angle, so many people killed in natural calamities flood,storm etc etc, plus these unwanted politically, religiously motivated killings, burning of buses and vans and trains, accidents due to negligence and lack of proper infrastructure and security blah blah, the list is endless.... why hasn't India's population gone down per se ??
As i learnt it in school, "Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country - JFK", know what, i feel i have done some good, by not voting for these irresponsible jugheads.
With great power comes great responsibility. Oh, does it, really ? Because with Indian politics we only experience, with great power comes greatest atrocities.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Summer!!
Come summer, people freak out in such fancy vehicles... obviously with SPF 45+, else we would all turn into kaanja karuvaadus...
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Wisdom is pain! Ignorance is bliss!!
Am talking about that wisdom tooth jutting out of my gums tearing them apart! For God's sake, do i need them now ? - i mean, wisdom ? After all, what am i going to do with an extra pair of teeth ? Eat better or eat more ? No, thanks! am already doing enough of that now!
Just read on yahoo answers,
Why are they called wisdom teeth ?
Because they give wisdom to the dentist to make alot of money removing them.
So true, they appear after so much of a pain that can even be compared to the labor pain as a new born comes out and the end result only to get removed!!!
"Kudukkara deiyvam, gums-a kizhuchuttu kudukkum-a ??"
What a waste of wisdom ?!
Just read on yahoo answers,
Why are they called wisdom teeth ?
Because they give wisdom to the dentist to make alot of money removing them.
So true, they appear after so much of a pain that can even be compared to the labor pain as a new born comes out and the end result only to get removed!!!
"Kudukkara deiyvam, gums-a kizhuchuttu kudukkum-a ??"
What a waste of wisdom ?!
Bet She'an
Bet She'an, a valley bordering Israel and Jordan, has many interesting facts and places of visit. For a nature lover, there is Gan Hashlosha - a waterfall and a stream that surpasses the visitor with its aqua-bluish-greenish waters. It is a natural spring whose waters stay warm through out the year. It is also called Sachne in Arabic meaning 'warm' or Gan HaShlosha in Hebrew., meaning Garden of the Three. The name is in memory of three men that were killed in 1938 stepping on a mine, while guarding the area.
For the kids, there is the kangaroo park just adjacent to this water body and its called Gan-guru. In hebrew, Gan is park and combination of Gan and Kangaroo renders Gan-Guru.
The highlight of Bet She'an is the ancient roman city which is only half excavated. The entire city was destroyed in a massive earthquake in 749. This is exclusively for a person who can appreciate architecture and history.
By architecture i meant, even the simplest, bare essentials like toilets and baths were constructed and provided with utmost interest and care. Managed to capture a few signage that explained their stages of bath.
A much more interesting and a rather phenomenal excavationsat Bet She'an are the Roman public toilets. 
You can see the "toilet seats" sticking out from the wall. One cheek on one and one cheek on the other, and you're good to go! Underneath was flowing water, as irrigation was routed through this area as a public sewage system. The waste would be washed downstream. The groove in front of the seats was for the placement of leaves which would be used to wipe.
Additionally, the Romans believed in enjoying one's time in the restroom. Therefore, live musicians would play for the enjoyment of all, since they didn't have magazines to occupy their time while seated. Additionally, these public restrooms were for both men and women. When one was in the sitting position, his/her robe would cover the front side. Thus, the phrase, "cover my feet," would refer to going to the bathroom.
PS: Shan or She'an coincidentally means 'peace' both in hindi and as well in hebrew. Should i rename this post as Bet She'an - "bathroom mein shaan"...;-)
For the kids, there is the kangaroo park just adjacent to this water body and its called Gan-guru. In hebrew, Gan is park and combination of Gan and Kangaroo renders Gan-Guru.
The highlight of Bet She'an is the ancient roman city which is only half excavated. The entire city was destroyed in a massive earthquake in 749. This is exclusively for a person who can appreciate architecture and history.
By architecture i meant, even the simplest, bare essentials like toilets and baths were constructed and provided with utmost interest and care. Managed to capture a few signage that explained their stages of bath.
A much more interesting and a rather phenomenal excavationsat Bet She'an are the Roman public toilets. 
You can see the "toilet seats" sticking out from the wall. One cheek on one and one cheek on the other, and you're good to go! Underneath was flowing water, as irrigation was routed through this area as a public sewage system. The waste would be washed downstream. The groove in front of the seats was for the placement of leaves which would be used to wipe.
Additionally, the Romans believed in enjoying one's time in the restroom. Therefore, live musicians would play for the enjoyment of all, since they didn't have magazines to occupy their time while seated. Additionally, these public restrooms were for both men and women. When one was in the sitting position, his/her robe would cover the front side. Thus, the phrase, "cover my feet," would refer to going to the bathroom.
PS: Shan or She'an coincidentally means 'peace' both in hindi and as well in hebrew. Should i rename this post as Bet She'an - "bathroom mein shaan"...;-)
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Thopu karanam
Not long before they start teaching Sandhya Vandanam!
So, this is our age-old thopukaranam reinvented. When i was a toddler my grandma made us do it every day in the morning before heading to school and it was also a means of punishment when we cousins fought amongst us. A 108 thopukaranams is a practice or a prayer which is followed by many a men even now, for example one of my uncles does it as a special prayer when he prays for someone's speedy recovery of health. And i bet he has always had a blood clot on his thighs which wouldn't heal for the next couple of days. Three years ago, when i came back to India while i was heavily pregnant, in my last trimester with little A, my mom begged me to do at least 9 every morning in order that i have a normal delivery. It doesn't stop here, even the post pregnancy fat could also be gotten rid off with daily thopukaranams and it did work for me!
Hence the thopukaranam is not only the super brain yoga, but the head to toe rejuvenating yoga! After having written and realizing the goods of it, its high time i restarted my thopukaranam regimen.
PS: Thanks to Chiku who sent me this link and made me scribble today!
So, this is our age-old thopukaranam reinvented. When i was a toddler my grandma made us do it every day in the morning before heading to school and it was also a means of punishment when we cousins fought amongst us. A 108 thopukaranams is a practice or a prayer which is followed by many a men even now, for example one of my uncles does it as a special prayer when he prays for someone's speedy recovery of health. And i bet he has always had a blood clot on his thighs which wouldn't heal for the next couple of days. Three years ago, when i came back to India while i was heavily pregnant, in my last trimester with little A, my mom begged me to do at least 9 every morning in order that i have a normal delivery. It doesn't stop here, even the post pregnancy fat could also be gotten rid off with daily thopukaranams and it did work for me!
Hence the thopukaranam is not only the super brain yoga, but the head to toe rejuvenating yoga! After having written and realizing the goods of it, its high time i restarted my thopukaranam regimen.
PS: Thanks to Chiku who sent me this link and made me scribble today!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Nazareth
Nazareth, an old Jewish town is where Jesus grew up and is a very important Christian/Biblical pilgrimage center. This is the native town of Jewish Mary and the town where she got married to Joseph of Nazareth. The main attraction is the Basilica of Annunciation, where Gabriel, the angel announced to Jewish Mary about the birth of Jesus and they fled to Bethlehem and returned to Nazareth after a while where Jesus spent the rest of his childhood, so they say! because the place of birth of Jesus is still a mystery and the modern day scholars still argue between Bethlehem and Nazareth.
But, you know what, i was totally surprised to see that the town comprised of only Arab population today. Arabic is the most spoken language, folks hardly speak Hebrew or English. It is said that at the Basilica and St. Joseph's church, the services were also initially conducted only in Arabic.
Basilica's Main entrance,
Main Grotto of annunciation, this is where virgin Mary was told by the angel about the birth of Jesus
The old caves/Grottos can still be seen under the Basilica and St. Joseph's church or let me put it this way, the churches were built over these old jewish caves.
The huge dome, said to be shaped like a white lily.
A corner restaurant,
Bang in front of the Basilica of Annunciation,
A coffee shop where you get freshly ground coffee powder from the beans of Kenya, Columbia, Turkey etc etc.
But, you know what, i was totally surprised to see that the town comprised of only Arab population today. Arabic is the most spoken language, folks hardly speak Hebrew or English. It is said that at the Basilica and St. Joseph's church, the services were also initially conducted only in Arabic.
Basilica's Main entrance,
Main Grotto of annunciation, this is where virgin Mary was told by the angel about the birth of Jesus
The old caves/Grottos can still be seen under the Basilica and St. Joseph's church or let me put it this way, the churches were built over these old jewish caves.
The huge dome, said to be shaped like a white lily.
A corner restaurant,
Bang in front of the Basilica of Annunciation,
A coffee shop where you get freshly ground coffee powder from the beans of Kenya, Columbia, Turkey etc etc.
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