tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7070402318716853562024-03-13T03:03:28.453-07:00My musings...I RANT, THEREFORE I AM.Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.comBlogger272125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-77911868216901624162023-09-12T11:18:00.002-07:002023-09-12T11:18:21.594-07:00This is 40.<div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="" dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="x1iorvi4 x1pi30zi x1l90r2v x1swvt13" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id=":r7c:" style="font-family: inherit; padding: 4px 16px 16px;"><div class="x78zum5 xdt5ytf xz62fqu x16ldp7u" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px;"><div class="xu06os2 x1ok221b" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto" style="color: var(--primary-text); display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem;">Four decades of hearts and spades - </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The heat of summer slowly fades…</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">From <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>not caring what the world thinks,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">To discovering it doesn’t care to think.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Grey hair, crow feet, and wrinkles - </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Merrily coexisting with still surfacing pimples.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Stuck between saving for the future,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">And realizing “you live life only once”!</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The bartender no longer asks for my ID,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">And neck tightening cream ads crowd the feed on FB (seriously, wtf!)</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">People around me keep getting younger…the teacher, the police officer…</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Can’t keep my new ob/gyn - ffs, the doctor needs to be older!</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">20 years ago is no longer in the 90s</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">George Clooney and Hugh Grant are in their 60s!</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">New words sneak into my vocabulary -</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Retinoid, collagen and apparently the need for vitamin c?</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Trying to hold a plank and committing to regular stretching,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">While snapping some unknown muscle doing nothing .</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The self righteous follies of younger days</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Have moved over for calmer acceptance of others’ ways..</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">While my jokes continue to be incorrect, politically, </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">In my heart I surely am less judgmental.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Also, the way it goes, Age is just a number…</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">But pls somebody wake my metabolism up from its slumber!</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Life begins at 40, they say</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">9 pm is when I am done with the day.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Quadragenarian is the word. fellow millennials!</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">40 is the new 20 they advertise,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">40 is the new 40, I summarize.</div></div></span></div></div></div></div><div class="x1n2onr6" id=":r7d:" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><div class="x1n2onr6" style="font-family: 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max-height: inherit; max-width: inherit; min-height: inherit; min-width: inherit; place-content: inherit; width: inherit;"><div class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1o1ewxj x3x9cwd x1e5q0jg x13rtm0m x1n2onr6 x87ps6o x1lku1pv x1a2a7pz x1heor9g xnl1qt8 x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x1vjfegm x1lliihq" role="button" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-radius: inherit; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-height: 1.3333em; outline: none; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: none; z-index: 1;" tabindex="0"><div class="x9f619 x1ja2u2z xzpqnlu x1hyvwdk xjm9jq1 x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x10l6tqk x1i1rx1s" style="box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); font-family: inherit; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; width: 1px; z-index: 0;">All reactions:</div><span aria-hidden="true" class="xrbpyxo x6ikm8r x10wlt62 xlyipyv x1exxlbk" style="float: left; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; width: 100px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="xt0b8zv x1e558r4" style="font-family: inherit; padding-left: 4px;">38</span></span></span><span class="xt0b8zv x2bj2ny xrbpyxo xl423tq" style="background-color: var(--surface-background); float: left; font-family: inherit; margin-left: -100px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="x1e558r4" style="font-family: inherit; padding-left: 4px;">Nithya Iyer, Aparna Bhaduri and 36 others</span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="x1e558r4" style="font-family: inherit; padding-left: 4px;"><br /></span></span></div></div></span></div></div><div class="x9f619 x1n2onr6 x1ja2u2z x78zum5 x2lah0s x1qughib x1qjc9v5 xozqiw3 x1q0g3np xykv574 xbmpl8g x4cne27 xifccgj" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #65676b; display: flex; flex-flow: row; flex-shrink: 0; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; justify-content: space-between; margin: -6px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-88071065883333001902021-02-04T16:08:00.007-08:002021-02-04T16:10:31.926-08:00To the other colored<p>My innocence is white as the pristine veil of the bride</p><div>The cold isolation I feel when you ignore me is also white</div><div><br /></div><div>The light that shines in my eyes with hope and laughter is yellow</div><div>When you resent me, yellow is the fear and sickness of my heart gone hollow</div><div><br /></div><div>The beautiful earth that gave birth to me and you is brown</div><div>Brown is the dirt on me when you throw me down</div><div><br /></div><div>Black is the power and authority of my written word</div><div>My anger at your injustice is black and so is all the hurt</div><div><br /></div><div>Then there are all these colors that we experience together -</div><div>The red that flows through our veins, the blue that covers us all,</div><div>The green that we breathe and depend on</div><div>The pink, the fuchsia, the crimson, the peach, the violet -</div><div>In our setting suns and sun rises</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, I am a person of color and so are you.</div><div>We are all people of color in a colored world with every hue.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>(Inspiration for this poem was a conversation with my daughter <a href="https://mommystalesfromthecrib.blogspot.com/2021/02/to-other-colored.html">here</a>.)</div>Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-26593705838452467932020-09-28T08:27:00.003-07:002020-09-28T08:27:33.469-07:00Fall sunsets...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUUTN0I12ZI/X3H-mcN-a4I/AAAAAAABT-M/-WQai4wAAKAHdS4ukMN2EMvSKulhDDdgACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUUTN0I12ZI/X3H-mcN-a4I/AAAAAAABT-M/-WQai4wAAKAHdS4ukMN2EMvSKulhDDdgACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0495.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The slanting oblique rays of the sinking sun<p></p><p>Turning everything a brilliant hue of golden;</p><p>Crimson and fuchshia dance around in the sky -</p><p>A riot of colors in the vast expanse up high.</p><p>As the embers begin to die down</p><p>At the extreme edge of the horizon,</p><p>Nostalgia and melancholy intermingle and I sigh.</p><p>Moments sometimes linger but years sure do fly -</p><p>Like sand thru the fingers, everything does slip by.</p><p>As twlight engulfs the whole world in its fold,</p><p>I worry the night creeps slowly yet steadily into my soul...</p>Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-45737848568393192782020-09-09T14:55:00.004-07:002020-09-09T15:05:06.082-07:00To The Lord of the Rings (or not)...<p>Dear Tommy (waiting for you to claim yourself as The Lord of the Rings),</p><p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xASgRFOrq7Q/X1lJBUuvEyI/AAAAAAABTbI/iss58-chQSY-6r9g6CY2Rt0ujGxu5CYbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0066.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1394" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xASgRFOrq7Q/X1lJBUuvEyI/AAAAAAABTbI/iss58-chQSY-6r9g6CY2Rt0ujGxu5CYbgCLcBGAsYHQ/w136-h200/IMG_0066.jpg" width="136" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Thank you for the beautiful gold ring (that you claim in the accompanying tag as pure and of a considerable gram value) that you sent. It came well in time for my birthday. I was delighted - not my husband though. But you never mind him, he has never been fond of competition. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">What ofcourse makes your gift so very special is that I don't know you - absolutely no clue as to why a complete stranger would be so benevolent. I have to just presume you know me and are very fond of me - how you got my address and full name is a mystery that shall baffle me forever. The fostering of this relationship of wonder between you and me has an endearing romance to it, don't you think so? My daughter does. She exclaimed, "Mom, you have a secret lover!" with such joy and enthusiasm that I almost forgot I was turning 37 and not 17. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Her dad, who like I said before can be a bit of a kill joy, jumped to the conclusion that this was some sort of a scam. Now what kind of a scam is this where I get things and not lose my money, I naively tell him. He's exasperated. While I allow myself to indulge in fascination and the charm of an elusive puzzle, my daughter joins him in conspiracy theories ranging from a smitten unknown trying to woo me - to - maybe the ring being laced with poison from a long forgotten enemy - to corona virus packaged in. (It is 2020 afterall - anything is possible!)</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>Why was I chosen? Can such questions really not be answered? </i>So finally I searched your address and name on the big wide web out there - and when I saw the results, I felt cheated, almost like a jilted lover. You <i>did not choose me for any merit, power, wisdom </i>or eternal love. You have been sending out rings to quite a few people. That's not romantic at all, Tommy! Simply not done! Why would you do that? Even if you doubted I'd reciprocate your grand gesture or not, you should have atleast waited - clearly I was not even number 1 on your priority list. That knowledge did wither my otherwise blooming heart alive with all the prospects that could be, but alas. I don't know why you sent the ring, what you hoped to achieve but now your ring lies spurned in one corner - very close to the trash can - not sure what's stopping me from tossing it in - maybe I am still deciding what bin it should go into - trash, compost or recycle. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">(P.S. One deep corner of my heart does admire you though for your commitment irrespective of what the others might think of your present - unrequited love or rather in your case no need for any response from the other end - it does have a glamorous allure to it - pining away for nothing - oh tell me you have weeping willows in your yard or atleast an arm of wisteria under which you sit and decide who to send such tokens to.)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">And hey, I would never judge a gift or the giver usually but here I am obliged to give you honest feedback - that ring didn't even fit me - it was much to big; the pattern was not elegant enough; the packaging leaves much to be desired - and how do I believe you it is real! Next time, do send in an order form at the same address before dispatching jewellery so that I am not disappointed. As for you sending presents to multiple recipients, that is your prerogative, I have come to understand - you must have a large heart.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Anyways, thank you for introducing some excitment in my life even if just for a few moments. Days can get dull and monotonous and while you may or may not be <i>The Lord of the Rings</i> (can you <i>bend the ring with your will</i>?), I was reminded of these lines:</p><p><i>"Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,</i></p><p><i>Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,</i></p><p><i>Nine for Mortal Men, doomed to die,</i></p><p><i>One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne</i></p><p><i>In the Land of Mordo where the Shadows lie.</i></p><p><i>One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,</i></p><p><i>One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them</i></p><p><i>In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie."</i></p><p><i>- J.R.R. Tolkien</i></p><p><span class="authorOrTitle" face="Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><p>Never yours, but still with some warmth,</p><p>Yuvika</p>Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-86837888046890109992020-08-10T16:44:00.007-07:002020-08-10T16:44:56.302-07:00Walk with me...<p>Walk with me..</p><p>Even though you kick hard </p><p>for someone so tiny.</p><p>Can't wait for you to see these sights</p><p>When you are out of my belly.</p><p><br /></p><p>Walk with me...</p><p>Your curious eyes absorbing</p><p>Everything they can see.</p><p>Not too happy constrained in a stroller,</p><p>You'll soon be on your own two feet.</p><p><br /></p><p>Walk with me...</p><p>My heart melts eveytime</p><p>Your little finger wraps around mine</p><p>Uncertain steps but a strong will</p><p>There are places you simply must be.</p><p><br /></p><p>Walk with me...</p><p>But I know you'd rather prefer</p><p>To run a mile ahead of me.</p><p>The first realizations that I cannot hold you forever,</p><p>Begin to dawn on me.</p><p><br /></p><p>Walk with me...</p><p>You stride so beautifully;</p><p>I can't take my eyes off you.</p><p>We match our steps and our enthusiasm -</p><p>New adventures await you and me.</p><p><br /></p><p>Walk with me...</p><p>I think I get tired more often now;</p><p>I sometimes struggle to keep pace.</p><p>But I promise I do try, and the world</p><p>Is such a wonderful place for you and me.</p><p><br /></p><p>Walk with me...</p><p>I need your hand</p><p>The hills seem steeper than before</p><p>Leap forward, race ahead, my dear</p><p>But promise to keep checking in for me.</p><p><br /></p><p>Walk with me...</p><p>Distances and spaces separate us,</p><p>But our love mends them all.</p><p>Carry me in your heart my little one -</p><p>It's you who breathes life into me.</p>Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-26979887805756691962020-07-01T18:02:00.000-07:002020-07-01T18:02:42.758-07:00Rain...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We played in it in abandonment<br />
Drenched in the ecstasy of youth<br />
Those innocent carefree caresses<br />
Soaked tresses and glistening faces<br />
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Shivering in the aftermath<br />
The sultry humidity helping little<br />
But assuring comforting warmth and cheer<br />
Far cry from this icy chill that envelopes now<br />
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Do you reminisce those moments too?<br />
Can you count the knots in your heart when you do?<br />
Don't the miles we have travelled since bother you?<br />
Can you feel the falling drops missing you?<br />
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When the sun in shining bright and happy<br />
I don't expect you to remember<br />
But it must still rain in your city...<br />
How do you keep from thinking about me then?</div>
Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-22950328740060994602020-06-20T13:52:00.000-07:002020-06-20T13:52:14.435-07:00Home...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In a parallel universe, today I would be at "home" with my parents in Delhi...Thanks to the global pandemic I am here thousands of miles away reminiscing about where home is. Home is where the heart is, they say. But what happens when your heart is split - it's pieces claimed by more than one person, more than one location...you end up having "homes".<br />
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Till we had Manya I think my idea of home was very singular. Vish and I moved around so much together that home for me was where my parents are. Young and footloose, we were so caught up in the idea of exploring the world, that we bounced from destination to destination rather than finding our forever nesting grounds.<br />
(Well forever is a mirage, I have learnt, and I think I may have given up the pursuit of such fleeting illusions - perks of growing old)<br />
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Like most children do for their parents, I guess, M brought with her ties and knots that made us a family. She had us hook, line, and sinker. We made a home together. Suddenly home wasn't only the home that I grew up in but also the home my child was flourishing in with meaningful memories etched on walls forever. The realization of the responsibility of being the forever home for your kid like your parents are for you is very humbling and extremely daunting.<br />
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The joy and richness of more than one warm, comforting haven is often rivaled by an equally measurable ache that the distance from loved ones brings.<br />
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Living far away from my parents and brother; knowing that my daughter will in the years to come have to make decisions of her own...I allow myself to wallow in self pity - my heart is never going to be one whole again. </div>
Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-33115676745320052052020-06-11T09:50:00.000-07:002020-06-11T09:50:06.795-07:00In the Emerald City...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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...not of Oz but the shining gem of the Pacific Northwest - Seattle. So we moved up north from <a href="https://yuvikachaube.blogspot.com/2014/06/hello-from-rose-city.html">Portland</a> - more than two and a half years ago! What do they say about better late than never?</div>
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Well for one, I am getting too old for packing things up and setting up home again. The kid though has been a champ with <a href="https://mommystalesfromthecrib.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-big-move.html">the big move</a>.</div>
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Life has been humming by fairly steadily - we found a home to call ours, a nice neighborhood, a great community, a wonderful city, an awesome school, lovely friends, favorite hangouts .... basically the village is being formed. </div>
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I love the overcast weather - have never been a sun person - its cold and damp 8-9 months atleast and I don't complain. M could take some more dry spells because rain often interferes with plans in the great outdoors. However our tolerance for other weathers is decreasing. If it's 55F and sunny, M declares it a hot, sunny day and strips down to shorts and will eat only watermelon and icecream. I lose patience if it crosses 74F. Vish wears hoodies till its 76F and then complains at 77F that it has become too warm! So go figure!</div>
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Seattle is beautiful, green - no dearth of places to visit or hikes to do. It's avant-garde - arts, foods - it has something for everyone. We do miss the exclusivity and the "smallness" of Portland as tens of miles mean nothing in this giant city with a huge suburbia but you do best with what you get. M often syas I do not want to move to anywhere - I just smile - it's forever till today. Tomorrow guarantees nothing.</div>
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(And now with no posts for 3+ years and two in a single day, I might have jinxed my come back. Still looking for my muse, for inspiration to strike...)</div>
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Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-26787743962445968232020-06-11T09:24:00.000-07:002020-06-11T09:24:09.194-07:00Passing thoughts...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It has been more than three years that I have posted on this blog (I still continue to post in fits and starts on <a href="https://mommystalesfromthecrib.blogspot.com/">my mommy blog</a>) - A lot has happened since then or not, maybe, who knows. Has it taken a global pandemic to make me cawl back into what used to be may favorite place on the world wide web? Not sure. In one moment, I feel I have so much to write about and in another I am blank. I second guess my opinions. Some days I am not sure how I feel about anything and everything. Have I become a fence sitter too long? It is a comfortable position but not very rewarding. Over the years, I feel my leanings and affliations have become theoretical - they inhabit the space between far left and far right, a little bit of this and that - When I see the people around me I seem to have known for ever, I see them taking stand, gravitating towards firm, almost rigid, views on a particular side - while I swim in the murky grey waters where I don't have much company.<br />
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Increasingly, I get this feeling that the world and the people are getting polarized - not many want to trudge the middle ground any more. If you don't take a "stand", your view is considered pointless or just not interesting enough. There is growing absolutism in faith, belief, the sides we take. We no longer want to talk about the pros and cons of the two sides - any attempt at the same is promptly dismissed as appeasement and even libtardism. Absolutist discourses make me uneasy and uncomfortable.<br />
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As I often find myself pondering over this shift in attitudes and behaviors I wonder is it because moderation is not cutting it anymore? Making allowances for everybody's failures and everybody's wins is no longer cool because is it no longer working for the civilization - Is the need for "radical" change driving this wave of 'my way or the highway' sentiment. I am not naive enough to not understand that activism needs more substance that theoretical ruminations... Maybe revolutions cannot be brought over by empathy for all involved. </div>
Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-32726717767223165512017-03-01T16:38:00.000-08:002017-03-01T16:38:00.772-08:00A decade of marital...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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umm, marital <strike> bliss</strike>. (sorry, too rosy)...marital <strike>discord</strike>. (no, too negative)... marital <strike>cord</strike>. (seems too forced)... marital...eff it. There's no perfect way of putting this - a decade of marriage. Yes, so, this past week, Vish and I celebrated 10 years of being institutionalized in the socially enforced and culturally mandated, in our case, also self inflicted, paradigm of matrimony.</div>
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Once your wedding anniversary cake needs two candles, you know your relationship has evolved to a more-or-less stable plateau. The peaks and the troughs have mellowed to a more balanced cardiogram - this evolution is not easy though. So, ladies and gentlemen after <a href="http://yuvikachaube.blogspot.com/2012/02/high-five.html">five lessons of marriage</a> and the <a href="http://yuvikachaube.blogspot.com/search?q=seven">seven secrets of a happily-ever after</a>, presenting to you 10 different way your relationship evolves once you tie "the' knot. If you nod your head in agreement, do share the love and if you don't I'd really want to hear from you!</div>
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Here goes...(Needless to mention it is from the wife's perspective, which also happens to be the right perspective)</div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Dating period</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Honeymoon period (first 1-2 years)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">5-7 Year Milestone</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">10 Year Milestone</span></span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><b><span style="color: #cccccc;">1. His Memory<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></b></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">10/10 - remembers first meeting, what you wore on the first date, date and time when he proposed, date and time when you sad yes etc etc.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">8/10 - The wedding ritual itself seems to damage the part of the brain that stores dates and events for most men. However, with some hinting, they do remember at this stage and will also work towards making it up to you. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">4.5/10 - There’s a complete loss of memory from the Pre wedding era. That they are alive is only because birthday and wedding anniversary dates are not forgotten.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Never mind the score - you announce the celebratory event date and time weeks in advance, plan the details, and set up calendar invites so there are no “surprises”.</span></span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">2. His presents</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Not just physical expressions of love but long letters, love ballads, musical compositions and what not</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Surprise presents sill happen every once in a while, there are surprise trips too - celebrations are mostly lavish. </span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">“What presents do you need? Am I not your greatest gift? You have everything,it is very difficult to buy anything for you.”</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">She finally takes charge - spends time researching her own perfect gift and then buys it on his behalf. No disappointments on either side.</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">3. Text messages</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">I love you.</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">I Love you too.</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">She: Why don’t we text each other like we used to?</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">He: What do you mean?</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is there tylenol at home? I have a massive headache.</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">4. Random phone calls</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">1152 times a day</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">I was missing you / your voice. Blah blah.</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">2-3 times a day</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Now we stay together right, what’s the point of calls!</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Why did you call?</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Just like that.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Arre, didn’t we just meet in the morning, and will meet again in the evening. </span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">If something comes up and is really important, text me.</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">5. Good mornings</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Early morning calls - yours is the first voice I want to hear when I get up.</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Good morning love, how nice to see your face the first thing every morning.</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Why do you put an alarm when you don’t want to get up - it always disturbs my sleep.</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">It’s your turn to wake up early with the little one - get out of bed, now.</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">6. Dreamy nights</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Long never ending phone call till one literally falls asleep.</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Oh love!</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">I don’t understand how a person can take over the entire bed while sleeping - I have been suffering now for so many years.</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Did you lock the front door?</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">But you came in after me?</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">But I asked you to check?</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Did you atleast switch off all the lights?</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Why is there only one responsible person in this house?</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">7. His compliments</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">You are the most beautiful - your hair, your eyes, your face, your cheeks, your lips, your hips, the feet everything!</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">You are so beautiful.</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">She:How am I looking today?</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">He: As always.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">She: And how do I look “always”</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">He: Usual</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">She: ??</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">He: Great</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">She: How am I looking today?</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">He: Awesome (has not bothered to so much as even glance in your direction)</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">8. His observations on her cooking</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">She: I can’t cook.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">He: Who needs food, we will live on love.</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">She makes half-cooked half-burnt food.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">He: this is the yummiest food I have ever had</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">She has graduated to a reasonably decent cook.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">He; I don’t like how you make <i>aloo gobhi </i>(a medley of potatoes and cauliflower). I don’t like <i>baingan</i> (egg plant). </span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">She is a confident cook now - and she no longer needs his opinion. He has two choices eat it or leave it. He doesn’t complain anymore.</span></span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">9. His shopping behaviour</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Oh those trips to the mall hand in hand.</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">I’ll buy what you like and you buy what I like.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Why do you take so long shopping? Why do you shop so much?</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">He: Bye, have fun shopping. I will stay at home - can you please get a couple of Ts and shorts for me too. And I am out of perfume. If you see a good wallet and a belt - but only if you come across a decent shirt….</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #cccccc;">10. Expression of love</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">I love you 1241 times a day</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">5-10 times a day</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Occasionally - on special events</span></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">I don’t understand why anyone would say I love you.If you truly mean it, it will show, you don’t have to say it.Ofcourse I love you, that’s why we are together even after all these years. That is so naive. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Uh oh.</span></span></div>
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So which stage of evolution are you in?</div>
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Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-14684975724763541842015-11-18T12:52:00.001-08:002015-11-18T12:52:32.725-08:00What is God?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We have started having conversations about God with our three year old, and if God's here, religion's not far behind, right? <a href="http://mommystalesfromthecrib.blogspot.com/2015/11/what-is-god.html">Read our approach here and let me know what you think about it.</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://mommystalesfromthecrib.blogspot.com/2015/11/what-is-god.html">What is God?</a></div>
Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-88814652215015777972015-07-20T14:50:00.002-07:002015-07-20T14:50:39.110-07:00The Lament of the First Silver<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As I brushed my (not-so) long (not-so) silky mane in front of the mirror today,<div>
My eyes noticed a shimmer in one of those (not-so) desirable tresses -</div>
<div>
What was it - a play of the newly fitted incandescent light bulb?</div>
<div>
As I looked closer, my heart grew heavier...</div>
<div>
However fanciful a sliver might sound - there was my first white - white as snow!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Oh good lord, my first white at the (not-so) tender age of four years before thirty-five</div>
<div>
Does this happen, is it true, was this a sign of a cancer or a tumor or worse,was it simply old age?</div>
<div>
Old age at one year after thirty - has this what it has come to? Should I sign my will already?</div>
<div>
Are days of spring long gone, am I in the autumn of my life already?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Oh but hang on, what was that news about pollution and stress - all those chemicals in the food and air?</div>
<div>
I look around and forget the pollution, there's my toddler and my (supposed) better half </div>
<div>
There's also some unrecognizable mess on the rug, and piles of laundry from the weekend.</div>
<div>
I can't blame the gray today on global warming alone, I sigh!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My first reaction was of rage - I plucked that unwanted weed from my (not-so) happy garden</div>
<div>
The sense of foreboding doom loomed large over my (otherwise fairly well) being</div>
<div>
And I turned for solace to my best friend these days - the WWW.</div>
<div>
Don't pluck, it said - color it the colors of joy - like really burgundy colored white hair seem like the thing?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Disheartened I called my loving mother who was mighty amused and said - one's a mother's blessing!</div>
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Humbug, clearly she waited a little over three decades to bless her daughter...</div>
<div>
I mentioned it in passing to the man of the house who tutted over his tablet without so much as a glance up.</div>
<div>
With accusatory eyes I showed the lock to my daughter who heartlessly laughed away my lamentation.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Clearly, I am growing old, in oblivion.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
(Epilogue:</div>
<div>
A couple of calming scoops of strawberry icecream later, I am trying to live again</div>
<div>
It is difficult I won't deny, but then I take my self for a survivor.</div>
<div>
Life is so cruel that it beats me, I think I need to open some wine tonight -</div>
<div>
That with more icecream and chocolate should show that mocking silver that I haven't given up, as yet!)</div>
</div>
Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-80525297362233490852015-02-20T10:43:00.000-08:002015-02-20T10:43:00.123-08:00A decadent and sinful celebration!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Vish and I clocked 8 years together as a married couple, and with a toddler on a week day, this was pretty much the highlight of our day (after a satiating meal of home made pasta and bruschetta - yes, you see I am finding my way back to the kitchen :p)!</div>
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This is an Irish car bomb cake - A chocolate Guinness cake with a subtle flavor of Irish whiskey. The frosting is whipped cream cheese with a hint of whiskey for the layers and Baileys for the top. <a href="http://www.eatthelove.com/2014/03/irish-car-bomb-cake/#recipe">Here's the recipe I followed</a>. And if you are not drooling already, here's the picture of the show stopper of the evening.</div>
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Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-45992250127408277152015-02-11T08:49:00.002-08:002015-02-11T08:49:59.527-08:00A generation lost.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Today my <i>nani</i> (mom's mom) passed away...</div>
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...what she has left behind is memories - of huge jars of <i>amle ka murabba</i>, <i>meethe aate ke cheele</i>, <i>suji ke pue</i>, <i>aloo ki roti</i> (so that I would eat <i>aloo paratha</i> during those fussy teen years when crash diets were the norm), <i>daal</i> and rice from the solar cooker, hand knitted baby sweaters and nappies, her gentle voice (In all these years, I had never heard a shout or an angry tone), her subtle sense of humor, her liberal thinking, her spectacles, her freckled hands that were always soft, the <i>pallu</i> on her head, the red <i>bindi</i>, the grey curls, the bend of her spine as she said her prayers, and also the hesitant footsteps, the forgotten words, the empty silent eyes, and the fading touch with reality in the last few years. </div>
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With her going, I have no grandparents left. She has taken with her a whole generation of "parents". </div>
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Life is cruel; it is brutal.</div>
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Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-10429462223631992612015-02-03T20:49:00.000-08:002015-02-03T20:49:02.336-08:00Yesterday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Through a dusty window with a broken pane,<div>
I peeked at the lane that seemed left behind -</div>
<div>
Not really though, it did continue to eternity,</div>
<div>
But nevertheless there were paths that lay uncrossed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I contemplated reliving that abandoned haven;</div>
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What is it about the days gone by,</div>
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That they always seem so perfect in introspection?</div>
<div>
Why is today the happiest from tomorrow's point of view?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
The mind's the devil you must give your due to -</div>
<div>
It concocts this web of rose tinted nostalgia.</div>
<div>
I often fall prey to it, but that day, I didn't;</div>
<div>
I opened the pane wide enough and looked at Yesterday.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
There it was curled up in its smug satisfaction of having passed.</div>
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I stirred it a little, rattled it some more, and gave it a gentle shake -</div>
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And - memories fell out like the crisp leaves of a vibrant fall</div>
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Not all were warm rays of the sun, cold wintry days were wrapped in too.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
"Why do you hide the chill", I asked Yesterday.</div>
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"You choose to remember the warmth", it shot back.</div>
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"How so very naive of me", I wondered out aloud.</div>
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"How else would you carry my burden", offered Yesterday.</div>
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Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-49092660901394034812015-02-02T08:44:00.000-08:002015-02-02T08:44:13.611-08:00This.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(P.S. This was meant to be published around Nov-end/December during my stay in Delhi but got stuck in my Drafts folder. Here it is, now.)</span></i><br />
<br />
This grey haze enveloping confused skies;<br />
<br />
This nip in the air that makes you wrap your arms around yourself;<br />
<br />
This shortening of the day and the lengthening of twilight;<br />
<br />
This celebration of the short spurt of warm sun rays that were up until now very unwelcome;<br />
<br />
This series of haloed lamps on the roadside vendors' carts;<br />
<br />
This crackling of roasting peanuts and popping corn;<br />
<br />
This feeling of loved fuzziness and dazed dreamy state that only the cold can bring;<br />
<br />
This is the Delhi Winter!<br />
<br />
And, boy, have I missed this!</div>
Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-23343786473370493982015-01-28T18:20:00.004-08:002015-01-28T18:20:54.411-08:00Indulgence for the wintry days...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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P.S. I have not been washed away in rainy Portland - I have been growing fatter during my Great Indian Vacation, of which I hope to share more in the days to come but meanwhile coming to my perennial sin - gluttony. So I do promise to be more disciplined and less indulgent from February 01, 2015 but for the time being, you have to have to try this out - <b>Chocolate Cup Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting </b>- as sinful as this sounds, the one saving grace is that it is<b> whole wheat</b>!</div>
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<a href="http://www.3boysunprocessed.com/whole-wheat-chocolate-cupcakes/">Check out the recipe here.</a></div>
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Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-72722386108613160912014-07-29T15:31:00.000-07:002014-07-29T15:31:18.455-07:005-Day Happiness Challenge: DAY 5<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Last day of the <a href="http://yuvikachaube.blogspot.com/search/label/happiness%20challenge">Happiness Challenge</a>...</div>
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Here's what makes me happy/feel grateful for:</div>
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1. That I was able to complete the challenge - To remember to post everyday and also think of 3 nice things to pen down - it wasn't all that easy! So I pat myself on the back for that :D.</div>
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<br /></div>
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2. Medical advancement: I was just scheduling my daughter's routine health checkup and also simultaneously reading an article about how many under-developed countries still do not have primary care access for all - this is so sad. What we take as granted in our lives is a privilege for others.</div>
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3. Fire engines and cop cars: And I grateful for not just what services they provide but also because every fire engine and cop car that passes our home, my daughter squeals in delight and is engages for a good 5 minutes giving me time to do random things like check facebook and blog!!!</div>
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So there, I have successfully completed the challenge and as part of the rules, I need to tag three people to pass on the challenge to...And they are...</div>
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- Aditi at <a href="http://diaryofacusp.com/">Diary of a Cusp</a></div>
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- Aditi Varma at <a href="http://aditivarma.blogspot.com/">The (MIS) Adventures of Sugar'n'Spice</a></div>
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- Steve at <a href="http://steveroni.blogspot.com/">Steveroni's Blog</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Onto you guys!</div>
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Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-82233851104300516952014-07-28T18:47:00.003-07:002014-07-29T15:31:29.609-07:005-Day Happiness Challenge: DAY 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Fourth day of the <a href="http://yuvikachaube.blogspot.com/search/label/happiness%20challenge">happiness challenge</a>, and here we go...</div>
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Today I am happy and feel grateful for:</div>
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1. Easy and relaxed Monday mornings - I miss working sometimes but surely not on Monday mornings. It is not easy being with an early rising hyperactive toddler but considering I don't have to rush anywhere, we get by the mornings at our own pace - with cuddles and snuggles and chasing each other, while poor Vish jealously looks on as he gets ready for work!</div>
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2. Home cooked food: I love food but hate cooking, and after a weekend of excesses and outside food, it feels good to cook a simple meal at home. Imagine, I am saying this - I must be really bored of eating out!</div>
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<br /></div>
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3. Online gift portals: Just sent a <i>rakhi </i>to my brother for<i> rakshabandhan </i>(an Indian festival) - about 3-4 clicks spanning a time frame of 45-60 seconds, and I was done - so easy these days!</div>
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Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-41010794307452575332014-07-27T16:05:00.000-07:002014-07-27T16:05:33.668-07:005-Day Happiness Challenge: DAY 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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DAY 3 of the <a href="http://yuvikachaube.blogspot.com/search/label/happiness%20challenge">5-Day Happiness Challenge</a>, and I am thankful for:</div>
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1. Public Libraries - That are huge, spacious, clean, beautiful, free, and house one of my greatest loves - books! Weekly trips to the library are something that all three of us look forward to!</div>
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2. Greenery - Living in one of the greenest cities in NA has its clear advantages - all the greenery, the lush trees, the soft and vibrant grass, the tall and stately pines - anybody would become a nature lover.</div>
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3. Internet TVs - We bid goodbye to cable a while back and good riddance to that because now we can enjoy what we want, when we want, and how much we want it for! Yay for online streaming, Internet TVs and Chromecast we got ourselves covered!</div>
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Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-31129116301282159612014-07-26T10:25:00.000-07:002014-07-27T10:25:49.159-07:005-Day Happiness Challenge: DAY 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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So today is DAY 2 of the <a href="http://yuvikachaube.blogspot.com/2014/07/5-day-happiness-challenge-day-1.html">5-Day Happiness Challenge</a>. Here is what makes me happy or feel grateful today.</div>
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1. The online blogging community that is so enriching - Blogging is a great tool - not just the cathartic experience of writing but all the perspectives one gets when reading other accounts! And I just got nominated for an award too :)</div>
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2. Pizzas: Weekend pizzas means a break from the monotony of kitchen, cooking, and cleaning. Yay for pizzas!<br />
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3. Shopping: Need I elucidate how therapeutic shopping is!</div>
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Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-46979400452265736032014-07-25T20:53:00.000-07:002014-07-25T20:53:33.515-07:005-Day Happiness Challenge: DAY 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I was tagged by a friend on Facebook for a <b>5-Day Happiness Challenge</b>. For 5 days, every day, I have to post three things that I am grateful for or happy for. Have decided to take this on my blog here rather than on FB...So here goes...</div>
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Today is<b> Day 1</b> and I am happy and grateful for the following:</div>
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1. Internet phones and other such calling/video calling technology such as VoIP, Skype, Hangout etc. that help me keep in touch with loved ones back home as often as I want and whenever I want. Staying some trillion miles away from home and family, I sure can't imagine a time when these were not available!</div>
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2. Icecream in the freezer! One mood lifter icecream is - anytime of the day, any day of the year. My bowl usually boasts of a medley of cookie and pie dough, lots of nuts, crunchy biscuits and brownies and chocolates, fruits, - you name it, it's there!<br />
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3. A tiny little sweet smelling being who after a long day tries to cuddle as close as possible while trying to get some much needed sleep :).</div>
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Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-6483060431163733652014-06-09T10:30:00.000-07:002014-06-09T10:30:28.678-07:00Hello from The Rose City!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We moved! Yet again! And even with all the craziness associated with a cross country move all the way from the east coast to the west - new beginnings are always welcome!</div>
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Portland is a beautiful city, no doubt about that. We have been here for a week now and all these cedar and pine trees with hilly terrain everywhere and the balmy breeze with the bright sunshine (did I say sunshine - well yes - we are still to witness the characteristic gloomy weather of Portland!) remind me of my hometown in Uttaranachal India - similar topography and climate BUT no comparison in terms of infrastructure, resources and comfort - that is a :) and a :(. </div>
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We have not yet settled into a routine - the cooking, eating, sleeping schedules, especially for the little one, are all over the place. And we are still to call a place home - temporary acco is just that - temporary. But, what we have managed in just about a week's stay is visit to two landmarks - the Oregon zoo which is supposed to be one of the best in the country (though we were not very impressed - on a weekend afternoon there were lots of people and hardly any animals - M ofcourse was elated to spot elephants, gifaafe (giraffe for her), hippo, monkeys and lots of birds). The other place is called Mt. Tabor - an extinct volcano - a fun place with a playground and hiking trails. </div>
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It looks like we will have lots of options for recreation and within reasonable driving distances!</div>
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So far so good, I say. Let's see how this fairs out!</div>
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Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-65535594101375668222014-05-23T09:46:00.000-07:002014-05-23T09:46:41.497-07:00Hollow Lives<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Sometimes the line between truth and lies<br />
Is ambivalent like weather with cloudy skies.<br />
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Where the light ends, and the darkness has not yet begun,<br />
The romance of the crimson twilight may be overdone.<br />
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I'd like to believe I know the wrong from the right,<br />
But then why do, for simple choices, I sorely fight?<br />
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Morning follows every night, they vehemently assure me;<br />
That night follows every morning is what haunts me.<br />
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If nothing that we do or say changes this never ending saga,<br />
Then why these discourses on good, and bad, and karma?<br />
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Destiny is a desolate consolation - we live to die;<br />
This vicious circle remains unbroken as hard as you try.<br />
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Before and after the intermittent streams of consciousness -<br />
There is no memory, no sound, no pain - only stark hollowness.</div>
Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-707040231871685356.post-86020146271977027872014-05-06T07:28:00.000-07:002014-05-06T07:28:12.285-07:00BlogHer Voices Of The Year 2014!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.blogher.com/">BlogHer</a> is the largest community of women who blog. And I am delighted to share with you guys that this post of mine:<a href="http://yuvikachaube.blogspot.com/2013/09/a-letter-to-previous-owner-of-my-mobile.html"> A Letter to the Previous Owner f MY Mobile Number</a> has been selected as one of their <a href="http://www.blogher.com/announcing-2014-blogher-voices-photos-year">Voices Of The Year</a> posts.</div>
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So happy to be part of the illustrious bloggers' community!</div>
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Yuvikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12871366730928566530noreply@blogger.com2