Travertine pools & sunlit hues!

 

For the rest of the 9 nine days we were in Turkey, our mornings were crazy! The climate being moderately cool to chilly, curling up under the covers be it in our cozy hotel at Istanbul, the cave hotel at Cappadocia, the flirty Ramada at Antalya or while at peaceful Pamukkale was especially appealing with it being a dream vacation. But were we going to go spend the best hours of the day under the covers? Nooooooooo! 

The break of every dawn saw us wake up groggy from the previous late night, craving a few more winks but with absolutely no lack of zest for the day that lay before us. Seeing each other every morning was a reminder that we were doing something incredible that would remain with us for life.  

The one time I woke up first, I tried to crawl back into my warm sheets after switching off the alarm hoping I wasn't spotted but the alarm was too loud! So while I began to get ready first (or was forced to rather!), they got a few extra minutes to shut-eye! Hmphhh!

Merhaba Türkiye!

“Ladies and gentlemen, Air Arabia G9321 welcomes you to Istanbul. The local time is 2:40pm. and for  your safety and the safety of those around you, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened and keep the aisle(s) clear until we are parked at the gate. The Captain will then turn off the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign, indicating it is safe to stand. Please use caution when opening the overhead compartments and removing items, since articles may have shifted during flight. Thank you for choosing Air Arabia. We hope you have had a pleasant flight and wish you a wonderful time in Istanbul. Eid Mubarak!”

44 hours after I received my ironed wardrobe, I am in Istanbul, Turkey, the land of amazing history, fingerlicking delicacies & delights, and breathtaking experiences! I sit still, savoring the moment and thank my Almighty Father for bringing me this far. It's quite overwhelming considering the (for the lack of a better word) stress I had, for this journey. A smooth flight via a 3 hour stop over at Sharjah with clear, bright skies to swim through! 

Nearly there!!

 

So what made me write again? After 5 years since my last post, the world having seen a pandemic and everyone's life being turned around by just around 360° since the past 2 years, I am back here and I would like to narrate one of the exceptional stories of my life. A journey that I ventured out entirely on my own (I still cannot believe it!), which would have never happened if it wasn't for the persistent wisdom, courage & favor from above that opened the right doors at the right time.  

I'm no perfectionist and neither are my blog posts, and with that disclaimer, I would like to take you on a trip with me. A trip that took around 4 years of dreaming and wishing, 2 years to shape up, give or take 3-4 months to plan out, which took me by an absolutely delightful surprise. Distanced at approximately 5.634km north west of Bangalore, this trip quite literally took me 20-24 years back in time. Phew! that's quite a bit isnt it? So get your popcorn, nachos or shawarma (whatever works for you!), fasten your seatbelts as we are about to take off! 

Hits and Misses

What a mess, what a sight

What a way to put one to fright
What lured me here I curl up on the window sill and wonder,
As I assess the kitchen, all left for me to plunder.

I see the much coveted milk pot
Not to mention the fish covered there,
Never mind that it's store brought.
The biscuits, the pie, the can of meat!
Where to start, where to end,
Calm down my mind and let me comprehend!

The rain outside is a blessed distraction
Else should my sly presence be known and give away my plan of action.
Thank God for the light left on
Lest I hurt myself with a bite gone wrong

Time is short and less to spare
Get started on the treasures soon, rises my hearts' prayer
But alas, there I heard the kitchen door squeak
and now I'm found, by a pair of eyes equally meek.

Author's note:

The above poem is based on the image prompt provided by Magpie Tales (Mag 294). 

Joy comes in the morning

Susan tried to respond to her mother's last sentence.
But she couldn't. She didn't know what to say. "saram ila mole, ichiri nerathe aayi poyi enne ullu" (It's ok daughter, it's just a bit early that's all)

Slowly and deliberately, Susan deviated from the subject and ended the call. Knowing what she had to do, she picked her phone again to dial a familiar number. "I need a train ticket to Cochin as soon as possible. Could you arrange it?" "Lemme see." came the reply and the line went dead. Susan was thankful for this confidant who never asked for explanations at the wrong time.

Susan wasn't good at taming her emotions very well. Neither now, nor before. "Kazhikkan vaayo kunje"  (come to eat child) said Mary chechi from the kitchen. Coming out of her daze, Susan looked at herself in the mirror, tucked away her new, peeking gray's and tried not to think of the coming week.

Two and a half years and Learning.

My Mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it ~ Mark Twain

Hello. Well, to start off, Wish you all a month late, but a just as warm, very Happy New Year 2015! I never did think I'll be back at this space ever; but, here I am. :)

Evlyn is 2 years and 7 months young today. It's afternoon and I've picked up a chicken soup and am sitting in my balcony in a quiet house under a bright blue and clear sky. As she sleeps, I'm perfectly elated for this time of peace and solitude that I have got on a holiday.

The stories are short, nice and humorous. It's a chicken soup for mothers of preschoolers and the stories are easily relatable. I do try to read books, listen to speakers, and talk it out to experienced members regarding parenting, disciplining, expressing love and on teaching good virtues. But as a parent, the fear is always there. Not just the fear of their health or if they are eating well or if they are okay at school or if they pick fights with others.

My Brother, My friend…

We've known each other for our whole lives,
From near and from far apart..
We've had moments of anger, laughter, grief and love,
And stood by each other in times that were tough.

I thank God that you are in my life
A face that I can look to in times of smiles and strife
A family is not just about faces, words or physical presence
It’s also about love, care and genuine prayers
Something you've done and shown me how to do.

I've lived in Bahrain till I turned 18. We were just four… me, my dad, my mom and my elder brother. We were a very close knit family… Always went about together, did stuff together as my dad never really thought it was a good idea to roam about the streets of Bahrain without adult supervision. Maybe it was because it was never really safe. Maybe it was safe but he wasn't very sure about it. Maybe he thought, after all the time we spent in school, tutions and for extra-curricular activities, the remaining should be with family. Whatever the reason was, we understood very little of it back then.

The Journey

I joined a world famous club last month! The joining fee was quite expensive as it was painful, and the maintenance fee is even more expensive in terms of worrying, fretting and praying fervently! Any guesses what the club is? It's Motherhood. Yup, I'm a mother today to my sweet little baby girl.

A couple of months ago, my brother had asked me to write a guest post on his blog regarding my pregnancy. Reluctant due to various reasons, I had declined from doing it then. But today, having completed the miraculous journey of 9 months, I'm glad I have such a forum to discuss what I went through. So, calling all mothers-to-be [and others as well ;)] , do read my post here. And psst... come back and leave comments here ok? LOL.

Black n White Please!

  What is it about the old black and white movies that seem so appealing off late?? Be it English, Hindi or Malayalam for that matter, I am tempted to simply curl up with some goodies and turn everything else around me off! Not that I don’t watch or enjoy the latest movies arriving in town, but there is some sort of unnerving simplicity or complacency that calls out when, to name a few, either Dev Anand , Nasir, Waheeda Rehman or Sharada run around trees or cry over a heart break! 

When the Going Gets Tough..

Know that song?? Heard it when I was a kid from the Boyzone album...hardly understood it in the naive ages, but had it memorized to keep up with the 'happening' crowd back then....

I think the words are apt for every walk of life... When the going gets tough, the tough get going...  Ever had to deal with situations calling you to stretch to your max that had you almost snap into two like a rubber band? Or even deal with people for that matter who are absolutely closed nutshells? Friends, parents, kids, relatives, people you care about...Yeah, it can be real tough. Especially when one starts to work at the situation for betterment of the same, it suddenly seems to clam up tight and seem to be a tough nut to crack! The door is all of a sudden bolted tight from the inside as if it has a mind of it's own and is determined not to let you in! And then...and then, what course of action would you take chérie ?

Forgiving and Forgetting

Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.
                                                                                                                 - Mark Twain

"Uh-oh I think I know what she's going to be writing about..the title says it all.." Is that what is going on in your head? Well, I'm no one to beat around the bush so yes, in a way my post title does say it all... How many of you have actually experienced both? Are you stuck in anyone of them? i.e, trying to forgive or trying to forget? Well, just read along then.. You might enjoy the post after all...

Forgiving those who wronged us is hard... is really hard sometimes... but ever realized how hard you are making it for yourself?

Make Way!!!

With an out burst of an extended monsoon season here in Bangalore, 2010 bids us all farewell almost as

though unwilling to exit the stage...

Another year gone down the memory lane... Achieved your goals, dreams, desires? Fulfilled your resolutions?? Got a few tears, few bouquets of happiness or both? hahaha... I don't know about you, but I'm thinking I'm in between.. :)

The Road Back Home..

 "Hilda!! Mole(daughter).. wake up...Hilda "  "mm...Amma....Amma, which morning is this? School morning or TV morning?"  The most beautiful face looking at me breaks into a smile and says " it's time for Tom and Jerry... Ettan(Big brother) has switched the TV on already..come on..." A pair of small hands go up in the air, only to be lifted up with a lot of love and I slump back drowsily on to warm, familiar shoulders...Shoulders which will never let me fall,  never let anything harm me, shoulders of my dear mom..

Twilight Moments

It's the midnight hour....

And I'm still awake

Causing me to pause and think

Of what lies at stake

The stars mock me silently

From above and beyond

Like all those shadows passing by

Though not twinkling , their smirks can be found.

My friend's wedding

It's 11:15 am on Sunday the 8th of May 2010.... I m sitting with a cup of coffee in front of me(which is empty already!!!???) and thinking of my dear friend who is in church right now getting married... Are you wondering what am I doing here then? Good question...can't say I don't share that doubt... Was it really the unavailability of tickets that hindered my trip...or was it just the plain fact that I'd hate to see her go in a sense...? Maybe a little bit of both...(I'd say quite a bit more helping of the latter!!!)

I have known her for almost 9 years now and it's been a very close and memorable friendship... Like they say, the older the friendship, the better it gets...just like old wine...

It's that time of the year again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
had a very shiny nose.
And if you ever saw him,
you would even say it glows.

All of the other reindeer
used to laugh and call him names.
They never let poor Rudolph
join in any reindeer games....... "

Aah!!!! the lovely warm music, food and the inexpressible lovely feeling of this time of the year!!! It s absolutely beautiful!!!!

It's a start....

It's been on my mind to start blogging for some time, inspired by my friends who do the same. Well today's onam and I am feeling unusually homesick. I had spoken to my mom in the morning and it brought back all memories of celebrating this festival when I was a kid. When we were in Bahrain, my dad used to make a huge deal out of all occasions....