Mini's Scripts

Little Sia is afraid of every bug around. We lovingly called her 'button' because she was as cute as a baby could ever be. She is afraid of spiders the most, and any other bugs like mosquitoes or houseflies who are also 'spiders' to her. They are sometimes lovingly called as flying spiders (read mosquitoes) and buzzing spiders (read bees), yucky spiders (read slugs and earthworms) and spiders (the genuine kind). She once found a slug during her walk in the neighbourhood and called it a "naked snail"! She quipped, "Its coat is missing Mum! It will catch a cold!" Who could talk to her and make sense of the invertebrates! It's not going to be me! Sia also has a lot of words up her sleeve. And because we also speak Hindi at home, she ends up speaking Hinglish sometimes, "My vest is ulta-pulta (My vest is inside out!)", she says. Some noteworthy words are: Thunderstoms = Understoms Best Friend = Yest Faynd (as in Hair)  Brother = Brather (as...

Once upon a time there was a little boy called Adi who lived near a dense forest. It was a forest where the sun only shone when it was high up. There was no sunset or sunrise to be seen. Adi had always heard stories of the bright orange-ish  sun when it was at the horizon, but had never seen one.  And now, his current list of likes included, eating apples, climbing up very tall trees and following the sun. It was holiday week and Adi had gone out to explore the nearby forest when he came across a big giant tree. The leaves of this tree were very big, just like an elephant's ears and its branches were  also very long and went high up in the sky. Adi really wanted to see the view from the top of the tree but he was worried that he would not be able to do so as it was already mid afternoon and there was very little time left until the sunset. So, he decided to quickly call his friends Pixie, Jensen and Elze on their walkie-talkies, to come and help him make a very tall...

In my childhood years, where wisdom was none and bravado and quick retort in abundance, I used to laugh a lot on the hindi one liner - sharma ji, sharmaate hai, chuhe pakad ke khaate hai! Now, I am married to one. And both my children have their surnames as Sharma! The cat got/caught/bit my tongue! Now, obviously, there is Mr. & Mrs. Sharma and then there is Master and Miss Sharma. The junior Sharmas' like singing tunelessly in a loud voice and the senior Sharmas' love cooking exotic food everyday which makes the neighbourhood smell of curry at least a good half mile from their kitchen windows. There was one incident when Mr. Sharma decided to make lamb curry on a rather hot Indian summerish day in England and when he went out for a smoke, he found that all the neighbours windows were closed. He came home and told Mrs Sharma what he had seen and she said, "at least the summer season bugs have been warded off from the homes. ;) Such ingenuity! Haha!  The Sharm...

Oh no! This is not related to your present state. O! mothers. You hard working, ever on your toes , eyes like a hawk, nose like a dog, ambidextrous, conversation filterer, multi-tasker and what not.  Oh! what would the world do without you? But hey, just when you thought that men were no longer important to procreate courtesy sperm banks, the boffins have now come up with 'artificial womb' and they have already produced sheep/ lamb  from those. Weird! Anyways coming to the point, I was aware of the world. A single dimensional unit, where everybody had roles defined and rewards set up . Now I have two kids + one man-kid and that world which I knew, doesn't matter anymore. I am not concerned with Excel sheets, or anything that might take longer than a minute to be ready. Apps, smartphones, Wi-Fi kettle all fail when the kids cry. I have resorted to pen and paper, use the broom as its quieter than the hoover, no extractor fan in the bath as it drowns sound from out...

Six steps to rid boredom/sadness/restlessness 1. Start by cleaning up and clearing your surroundings (As boring as it may sound it is very therapeutic)  2. Talk to your near and dear ones (Nothing beats the feeling that someone cares for you, and if no one is there, talk loudly to yourself. Your Mind always listens) 3. Go for a walk outside (Listen to any upbeat music; it always lifts the mood. I also listen to music from different parts of the world... its refreshing and catchy) 4. Indulge in serious self–pamper (Scrub-Rub-Massage your face, skin, hands, feet, hair-care) 5. Shopping (Well, I don't prefer spending money during this mindset as the decisions behind the items purchased are mostly made in spite) 6. Cook a meal from scratch (‘Made by me’ is a great feeling) These are few of my many tricks or tips that have worked every time I was at my wits end. Hope they help you too. xx

I have a bucket list, like everyone else and one amongst many is travelling and sightseeing all the beautiful places on earth, except I don't want to be stuck in traffic or any other situation unknown. I am a mother too, which like most mothers, do have thoughts which make me want to escape I always think if I were to escape the mundane yet very important task of feeding, changing diapers, burping etc like a clockwork, I would very much want to be in a white egg-like pod. Not big at all, but just right to move, sleep, jump, jog and read with nothing but silence. As I write, my 4-year-old, who has of late started barking like a puppy (paw-patrol effect) is standing behind and doing the same and the little baby continues to howl like a cub over stuck burpees. Life And right now is truly a musical world. I have also not been updating myself on most things that don't concern my children. I know about healthy food, cooking a nutritious meal and ensuring they are taken care...

How do you feel when someone you love doesn't love you back? No.. no.. no... I wouldn't want to discuss this one. Some things are better left unsaid. Yet there is someone I pine for.  There is someone, who I would like to meet, see every day , every hour. Spend my holidays and evenings sharing activities that we enjoy together . I would like to show him all my favourite places and introduce to all my friends and the world. I have a husband and two kids and any spare moment is a Me-time, and yet I am ready to sacrifice those precious time to be with him.  No, we can't talk, let alone see each other. You see, he speaks in his mother tongue and I am all but signs and grunts. Even as a little girl I had told my parents, that I, of course, want a dog and they had gladly got a giant cow.  The cow is gone with her two calves, in possibly a good home and I, after these many years still want a dog, but can't have one for all obvious reasons. Maybe my kids will g...

While we women who have procreated, have little or no time left for ourselves; we have always got time to smother our kids in one way or another. A kiss, big momma cuddle, food, treats, gifts, outings... its never enough! Lately, my little boy has been telling me funny things like - Maa - all grown ups have fat bottoms! Maa - Sia and I came from your tummy, so its a big fat tummy, but why does Papa have a big fat tummy! So, one sunny day, my clamped heart courtesy the damp English weather, decided to open up a little more and cuddle the kids. As I began my act, the two of them began fighting for attention even while sitting together in my lap. Poof, went the feeling and I was back to my normal harping screaming self. The act of smothering was replaced by the usual disciplining act. Sometimes dogs tolerate being smothered with love much better than your own progeny. 🙄🤐🤦🏻‍♀️

Life becomes so much easier to understand in monochrome. I used to get confused when everybody around me used to tell me that you cant have this thought process. You do need to have a midpoint - a grey zone too ... And over the years I have thought many a time on this same topic and trust me - this theory makes taking decisions so much simpler. You either like it or don't like it. Similarly, you can either breathe in or breathe out - no middle way of holding the breath there. But there will always be exceptions to this rule if people are involved. Some are just not that simple to interpret. And for me it leads to avoidance - ignorance is certainly bliss ;) Good night reader! x

Open the blind, close the blind. Open it in the morning so that whatever little sunshine falls in our share seeps in through the window. Close it at night; as who needs moonlight anyway ;). And the view outside stays the same. Sometimes I see a bird or two and the next thing I know, they have flown away. There was also a lovely couple with an adorable puppy pug. And some other times, I wish I lived above a bustling street or in its view and make stories all day about normal people and what they would have been had they not been what they are... But, a wish that I always wish is having a view full of greenery and blue skies and a waterbody around. Oh! I need to get this kind of wallpaper. :)

As the doorbell rang yesterday, my little boy ran to open the door, shouting - "Coming! Wait!". He has hardly been saying much except gibberish in his two's. This incident is now one of the most memorable moments given by our two year old, who has as of today said his first three word - "big red bus", which a few days ago was limited to being a pair - "red bus". Such a bus-fan! He is an excellent babbler. All I can now hope is for Mr.Speech to settle on his wonky palette in another few months.  Anyways, coming to the door bell. I have a habit of running towards the door wherever I am on the first floor or even the ground floor of the house by shouting the exact words told by the little man, and today it was very sweet yet hilarious to see the same action repeat. Time to refine the language. Lot of tongue cleaning to do. 

My write up for Valentine's Day circa 2016, that was featured on my lovely friends very interesting blog . …I told him, “ I love you “. He was too busy checking out the new wheels and didn’t answer. I was dumbfounded! I waited for a few more seconds and then I said with little more emphasis on those three simple yet most important words, “I LOVE YOU”. He gave me one long look, which went right into my soul. I noticed him taking in my chunky nerdy glasses, dishevelled hair and a tired looking face. But he finally lisped the sweetest words, “I ove you”. I couldn’t be more happier hearing these words. My little boy has turned two this week. He can’t yet pronounce words with letter ‘L’ in them and tends to say lollipop as ‘wayapop’ and love as ‘ove’. The only L-word he has mastered is ‘Let's go’, perfect to remind us that it’s time to go out for a walk. He likes spinning things, pretty much every thing that he lays his eyes upon and is always on the move. He can be especi...

Courtesy : http://atastychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/pacha-pattani-dried-green-peas-curry.html Ingredients                                          Serves 3 Dried Green Peas………………3/4 cup (wash and soak in Water for 4 hours) Oil…………………………………..1 Tablespoon Mustard Seeds…………………1/2 Teaspoon Onion thinly sliced…………...1/2 cup Split Indian Green Chilly…..4 Ginger Garlic Paste…………..3/4 Teaspoon Curry Leaves…………………..1 Sprig Red Chilly Powder………......1/4 Teaspoon Coriander Powder…………....3/4 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder…………..…1/4 Teaspoon Garam Masala Powder ……..1/2 Teaspoon Tomato………………………..….1/2 big sliced Thin Coconut milk………..….1 Cup Thick Coconut Milk……….....1/2 Cup Vinegar…………………………...1/2 Teaspoon Salt as needed Method of Preparation...

The typical question that comes across every human being during their life time is – Who am I? It also does sound more like the dreadful question as always asked to start a conversation – tell me something about you? Coming to I – Even before I could understand that – God first, World next and I last – I had glued this into my neurons - I first, World next, God last. My identity as gratefully handed over by this social world is firstborn of my wonderful parents, eldest of siblings, related to many a relatives, student, best friend of a few, friends of some, acquaintances, employee, national, transferred national – Errrrrrrrrr! Wait! I am an Indian! I can’t be a British yet in my mannerisms, although by now I have blended into the non-fashionable, nearly obese, always working, Sunday grocery shopping, and weather conversing general populace. As an Indian to the core – I am more of a foreign calling/skyping weekender, pound – rupee-rate-converting deal hunter. Just today as I was havi...

Feeble attempt to yet write another MINI-PIECE - I have to remind myself that my type of writers usually have all the time, but nothing on mind worth scribbling down to long sentences. Not wanting to write long sentences reminds me that I used to have a Twitter account, but could not keep up with those tiny one-liners as I preferred back then and continue to, use full words in my written conversations; unlike these - u, der, dnt, ystrdy ...etc. You know what I mean! Talking about mean, I am in a constant state of wonder whether is it me or everyone else finding the job adverts, applying, getting called for the interview, and then coming full-circle with the mother of all interviews. Happening right where it is supposed to be your next office, interviewer who is going to be your next colleague, discussing your next seating arrangement and things etc. in such a warm manner that you bask in the glory and sweetness of that formal discussion until you don't hear a word and then ...

not to mention the residual odour! Even after a biriyani or any spicy curry has been prepared, relished and expelled from the body, the smell remains. It’s to an extent that I have now started distancing away from the Indian dishes. Anyways, my well of cooking talent, dries often!   I don’t mind eating a well cooked dish, but then being a non-fussy eater, my platter was always based on quantity and not quality. Life in boarding school teaches you this lesson at a very primary stage of childhood. These and many such situations have led me to treat myself to a happy meal if available and not to bother, if there is no food around. I have always been inclined to stay hungry as much as I can and then finally cook something that stops the growling stomach. Coming back to the smelly part, we Indians are so fond of eating, that no matter what happens to the tolerance of the liver and the entire digestive system, until the butter is absent from the chicken curry, and until the ...

This was the first "Valentine Day" after marriage and my then boyfriend and now husband had been sweet but clueless as to what to do this time! He simply continued playing another of his mundanely virtual shooting, killing, jumping thing on that PS3. That little **** box of plastic and metal has ruined my life. Even Facebook has become boring now. So, coming back to the few details of my personal life, the Husband knows my taste and preference so well that during the weekend-(window)-shopping that he said ‘yes’ to every watch, pizza, dress, shoes, flowers and paintings, mobile phones that I was pointing to and I had to say ‘No’ in the end. How I wish, I should have not said that in the end, but just taken it gracefully. Like a greedy child, my ‘I want that ____’ rant still continues on although it’s a rare thing of past now. While he bought a game for himself, I received a beautiful ring, which is my wedding/engagement ring, till the next purchase. The husband’s gift is sti...

Seeing friends/colleagues reach new highlights in their career always made me feel proud that I had once been in close proximity to these “stars”. In fact, It has always been a subject of discussion within (un)common circle of friends and incessant torture within the mind. Knowing that they were successful and you were hardly able to crack and interview, leave alone landing a role! This cruel irony of pride and jealousy was shown in 3 idiots, but I had experienced it much before the movie was even released. It was during once such appraisal, where my friends were promoted to senior roles owing to their previous experiences in the industry, I, however, consoled my bruised egoistic-self with the highest pay rise among the team, being a fresher. My boss did believe in me, as a useful resource. May be! Anyways, cutting to the ‘present continuous’, this is my fourth day as a contractor for one of biggest companies in the United Kingdom. And till today, I’ve time to write my daily itiner...

No header for this one... Lets just assume that silence speaks for itself. As a married and happy woman, which I am now, I continue surprising myself on a daily basis. Just as a dear friend had remarked - improving my learning curve. Have been multi-tasking since December last year, from cooking-to-cleaning-to-laundry-to-housekeeping etc etc and also hunting for a job. With the approval of Mr. Husband, I am now an accomplished housewife. Alas, I should have done a course in hotel management, had I known that I would be coming to the UK, and not some half-fed journalism degree from some reputed college of Indian capital. Even as I write this, the husband is busy with his PS3... of which I have never been an admirer. Those killing games, dead/to be dead soldiers and their harmonious noises; why Sony why!