L'eau

If rain on dry earth doth be the rave fave smell of any Madrasi (or I should really say Chennaiwasi), I am a typical one then.

A Chennaite will surely know the value of water, its true worth.

And this from a dyed-in-the-wool Chennaite. Another to add to the list. For all such like me, the fave sound in the whole wide world will be the sound of running water. Have you ever closed your eyes and lain down on a green river bank. Have you ever listened to the water gurgling and the bird chirping quiets in the tall swaying branches of trees nearby.

And of course, to spoil that beautiful picture, have you ever gotten up double-quick when you hear a dog in the distance, because you don't want it walking (or doing anything else, for that matter) all over you.

I have!

But even today, I do not leave the tap running, feel guilty if I throw out any water and water my plants quite sparingly. And many other things, besides. Old habits dies hard. Besides, I quite can't forget how bad any sort of wastage is _ my granmother and mother have drilled that into my head quite firmly.

And this makes so much sense to me now in a universal perspective. Misuse of resources. Poverty in a world of plenty. When people are dying due to lack of food and water, who am I to waste either of them?

Voiceless

It all went off really well, actually speaking. Except for one major disaster _ I totally and completely lost my voice for a couple of days _ those couple of days when we had the b'day party and the sahasranamam.

A really bad viral infection meant that not only was my throat swollen and painful, my voice box jammed up. With the result taht I could only manage whispers, and even that was painful.

Still, it was a very busy and very enjoyable weekend. (july 15/16/17).

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But, still can't keep hoping that I will get my loud and obnoxious voice back _ God wouldn't be that cruel to me, for how else will I keep the kids in place?

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The single biggest casualty of my new job _ my blog!!! Can't seem to find a couple of minutes even, most days, as the job is so full of interesting things to do, I cannot stray away even into my blog. But still, I'll do my utmost.

All of which brings me to one thing!! Why on earth didn't I veer away from my misguided journalistic path earlier! A wasted 6 years....Blessed are those who love the job they are doing. As for a career change, why ever not? The whole idea is to get out of your comfort zone and do something newer and better.....

A nasty voice in my head whispers to me that maybe, just maybe, I am rushing it. Enthusing too much. After all, it's only been a month-and-a-half in the new job and it is still the honeymoon period.

Nah, I am living for the minute. At this point of time, this is how I feel. Good enough for me and my blog.

Busy as ever

IT's been so busy. Busy doesn't even begin to describe it.

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Three weeks into the new job. Its a big learning curve alright. But
still, quite interesting to see in first person the workings of the NZ
state sector and be part of it.


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Had a work-related trip to Rotorua last week. Day trip. Gorgeous day,
excellent views. Got an aerial view of all the snow-topped volcanos in
the Rotorua region _ Ngauruhoe, Tongariro and Ruapehu, which are anyway the biggest.
Only pity was there was no time after wrok to pop into the thermal
mineral spa for an hour or two. Would have done my weary old bones a lot of good ;-)

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Planning for the house-warming next week (day after Nandita's 3rd
b'day.) July 16. Have to cook for about 50 people, I reckon (am not
making it a big bash this time around, nearly 100 people turned up for
the last one). Menu? I thought maybe idlis and pongal to go with sambar
and chutney. Then puliyore and yoghurt rice. Some sundal and payasam.
And may order some sweets. How does it all sound? The biggest trouble
will be to get the idli batter to ferment in this foul winter weather.

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But having bitched about the weather earlier, have to say it's been a
pretty mild winter so far. Have been walking to get the train every
monring. I am up at 6 am to do this daily. Help, is this me? And as far
was the walking goes, am doing nearly 5000 steps daily (out of the ideal
recommendataion of 10000 steps for an adult). Hmmm. I can't see that
I've lost any weight yet!

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Finally, the long-overdue hutch for Stapy is here (Rus is the one who came back, but we've now renamed Rus Stapy). She's happily ensconsed in it from today onwards.

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Getting busy for Nandita's b'day too, on July 15. That's another weekend when there won't even be time to breathe, methinks. Plus Kitty, Mini and co are going to be here, so it will be full on.