Wellington winter day

Seagulls at Petone beach (right opposite my office building)

Petone pier

Eastbourne on the hills

Wellington CBD from across the bay

The ferry coming in from Picton

Loving it:-)

How can you not?

At work.
Out of the blue, I am seized by a sudden and powerful longing to be back home, a violent wave of homesickness.
Why, after 11 years away?
Why, when I’ve just gotten back after a long holiday in India?
Why, when I am the object of envy among all my friends, not just for living abroad, but for living in clean and green NZ?
Why, when we have friends, a life and much more here?
Why, when even our family back in India says: “What are you coming back here for?”

Never too early to start

Last night, out of the blue, little N (who is all of 7 years old) said: Amma, I am sad, because K is not my friend any more (K is another girl in her class).

Why, what happened? I asked.

K said she won’t invite me over for her play day at home, said little N, looking sad.

Why did she say that, N, I asked.

Well, she said I am too Indian and that means I am too boring. So, she said she doesn’t want Indian people in her group any more, said little N, shocking me into complete silence for half-a-minute.

Well, if that isn’t one of the saddest things I’ve heard of in recent times, I then don’t know what is….

But there is something even sadder (and scarier). K is an Indian.