Monday, December 31, 2007

Happy New year!!!

Bonne Année 2008!

Courtesy a very generous Santa we are currently enjoying the holidays at the beautiful Quebec:)
I blame it all on the laziness of the vacation for being away from the blog world. I'm sure all you beautiful people are having a great time too. Sending a tight big squeeze Hobbes style to all of you for being a part of our chaotic life and for being such great pals. Never knew I would one day stumble upon this virtual world and end up meeting such a wonderful bunch of men and women. Here's wishing you all a wonderous and wonderful New year 2008!!! To new dreams,new beginnings,hopes,joy,friendship,tranquil moments and peace... rock on my dear dotcomrades!


" We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential"
- Ellen Goodman

Monday, December 24, 2007

Festive wishes

Merry Christmas,Happy Kwanzaa,Happy Hanukkah and Happy Holidays!

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Ina in control

Hi folks! Ever since I tried to be nice enough to my mom by rearranging a few keys (she will tell more than half of the keyboard..but you know how she tends to exaggerate things don't ya?) of her laptop just so she doesn't get bored of seeing the same ones in same places everyday, I have been banned from coming anywhere near the comp for sometime now:( I tell ya, the world doesn't recognize good deeds done with good intentions these days*Sigh*. Anyway somehow today I managed to sedate her with some coke and pizza and got her knocked out snoring on the sofa seizing my chance finally to be here.

It's hard being a toddler really. First of all half the time people just think you are being cute when actually you are trying to communicate with them,those who do manage to listen fail to understand what we are saying and then there are evil people like my mom who listen and fully comprehend what I babble yet choose to ignore it and manipulate me into obeying only her rules. Is it any wonder why we have to resort to desperate measures like scream the place down to get our say? No more memos to my mom I have decided. This time around to change things I'm going to send her a howler. I hope you kind folks will put in a good word too and help me shake things up a little around here. I promise I'll be willing to share my gummy worms with you for this. Let's get to the howler:

Hey there mom!!

Since this is Howler there won't be any sweet little introductions,it's all business so just get reading.

1. I'm soon going to turn 2 next month and don't you think it's time to re-negotiate certain rules and regulations around here. I think we should allow some flexibility since now I do have a say in many matters which I feel you refuse to acknowledge. See, I do a lot more to keep you guys entertained. I flash those twinkly smiles, throw those delightful giggles you all gush over and over, the prancing around, somersaults,the tiny little hugs and kisses I throw generously your way, pretend to be a "mishher" (Mixer) emitting loud grinding noises holding cups and bottles all that cute crap -Look they don't come easy,it all takes a lot of work. For all that I think I'm entitled now for a raise. So keep that in mind when you guys go hunting down for presents this time. Spare me some of the cuddly singing toys please..it's humiliating to be treated this way. You have the whole Toys r us at your disposal,make some intelligent choices this time around.

2. Santa- I love Santa. I do,I do. But please don't force me to sit on laps of completely strange obese men in red suit with fake beards. Would you like it if you were asked to go and sit on the same creepy guy's lap? While I howled away dad even managed to capture that frightening moment on camera forcing me to take things into my own hands, ending up pulling the fake beard off the scary red suit guy. It confirmed my fears he was not the real Santa. But see I did take the candy bag from the guy so he wouldn't cry. I am nice that way.

3. "Chishmish"(Christmas) tree at home was a swell idea. It was so much fun taking down all the glittery things you guys managed to put it up I swear. We ought to do it more often. You tried to make me feel guilty by saying how the tree would feel bad without it but you see I think he is much better off this way. If I was a tree I would have hated having all shimmery shiny stuff that are not even color co ordinated (Blue,red and white all together mom??*shakes head in disbelief*) hung all over me. I think we got the point across the day you groggily woke up one morning and went flying on the floor by stepping on the shiny balls. So there...

4. I know you've been pretty frustrated by how I end up putting a lot of forbidden things on my mop of curls. I'm trying to be innovative mom and finding out the best possible conditioner to suit my hair,can't you see that? I admit "vashiine" (Vaseline) and "dieper" (diaper) creams were probably not a very good idea as they made it pretty messy. But cooking oil,moisturising lotions and "shootpaste"(toothpaste) seemed pretty harmless and fun! So lighten up and let me experiment. Who knows you might even end up thanking me when I manage to find the perfect hair conditioner for your hair dresser's nightmare frizzy hair.

5. I know you are very proud that I manage to identify most of the colors ,even manage to count a little,draw circles and lines,finger paint and color. But do you need to interrupt every single time I watch my friends "Elmoo" (Elmo) and "Dori" (Dora didn't sound Indian enough) by pointing at every *gasp* color and number that springs on the TV screen? I get it mom that you and dad cannot stop from making a spectacle of yourselves and gush over how I will give Einstein a run for his money but ease up on the flashcards and running commentary when I watch my shows. Let me enjoy those moments of peace with my mink (milk).

6. *Fake cough* Now to the more impottant matters. I love how you put such intense efforts to get me to use the potty these days. All I have to do is yell the magical words "pee pee" and you guys go into such a state of frenzy that it's hilarious. Falling all over yourselves and as if there's a ticking time bomb attached to my bottom you guys compete with each other peeling off my pants and diaper, running as fast as possible towards the finish line aka the bathroom all in a matter of seconds. And when I take my sweet time ah,the entertainment you guys provide!The songs,dance and the cajoling and sweet talking and cheering but of course the tribal victory dance that ensues when I manage to do the deed is the highlight of the whole show. At times when I feel bored I use this yell to see just your response. Escaping and running around the house sans diaper in the name of this pee pee business is so much fun too. But keep at it mom, I will promise to go a little easier on you soon enough. Just keep the act interesting so I won't get bored alright?

7. I would like you to join me when I say my salutations to that dog we meet on the elevator,the trees,the squirrels in the park,my doll kissy(christy),the moon and that horsey doll at the daycare. After all it just takes a few nice words like "Hiiii,haaw aar uu? bye bye,cheeio, laav(love) you"
Not that difficult at all. You got so thrilled and turned into a mushy puddle ,snorting loudly into that tissue as if your nose fell off that day when I came to you, hugged you telling "Mama ,laav you"? So I think it's fair enough to make them all feel good by saying it to them too. Can we do it from tomorrow? Think of it as a means to build meaningful relationship with our environment.

8. Can I get some more Rihanna songs please? The "ella..ella illaaaaa"(In varying pitches ) one is fun and when I cut you in the middle of "Baa baa" and "Twinkle " by requesting it for the nth time please oblige. Tell dad not to murder it by singing it to me,its insufferable. I much prefer to hear it from you. I also love that "Saabiyaaa..hahahaha"(Saawariya) too. Why can't they make nursery rhymes without much words like these with zany tunes I wonder. I'm planning to send a email to Rihanna to remix Mother Goose's nursery rhymes to suit our generation of toddlers right now. You can put in a word of recommendation too.

9. If I do spill something intentionally on the floor or knock something down and you are around I'll immediately shake my head it utter disapproval and pretend dismay covering my mouth with my hands for special affects saying "Uh,oh...cheee..Diirtee,who?who?" looking around to catch that dirty culprit right now. It's nothing personal mom, it's that little game we toddlers like to play. Anyway when it doesn't work we have that secret weapon..get our big saucer eyes filled with tears,pout and cry. It does work like a charm. Come on,I can't let my tribe down by being all goody goody,we always deny,deny and deny.

10.. And now for the most important thing. Don't be lazy and throw a shabby birthday party like the one you did last year (I know,you kept telling me it was because I was too small. But I think I know the real reason). I have many friends now from daycare and having gone to all their parties where you gobbled down all that cake including my share it's fair enough we invite them over to mine. And PLEASE don't BAKE any cake at home. Let's just order in one OK so we can enjoy them without burning down the house. Plan well both of you,it's my reputation on line here!

And umm..mom,there's a reason why your dal ended up tasting like vegetable payasam last night. I actually poured the sugar into your dal container during one of my sneaky trips to the kitchen cabinet. But I know you will over see this one for one more hug with "laav you" won't you?

I will wait for you and dad to discuss these terms and draw a fresh contract soon. Did I tell you again I laav you?* melting shy smile*

Now I am off to sleep. Every girl needs her beauty rest after all.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Riding on a cookie cloud

A massive blizzard ruined all our retail therapy plans for the weekend. So we did what all normal people do,sat inside warm houses chugging cups of steaming hot chocolate and catching up on some favorite shows. But unlike others who would have made a sensible choice of watching some beaten to death reality shows PC Man decided to tune in to the food network.

I have nothing against food network really. It always warms my heart to see people effortlessly whipping up dishes after dishes giving domestically challenged people like myself those delusions of grandeur that even we could easily be running a gourmet restaurant. Just as I was enjoying such moments of fantasy PC Man interrupted by a comment of how we should perhaps try making some home made cookies. Herein lies the difference. While such shows give me the sensible inspiration to dial for a take out he gets the inspiration to cook.

He is an eternal optimist and bless his kind soul he still has hopes that his wife would someday prove to be as good as any of those crisp white apron clad ,knife wielding chef. It was hard in the beginning to break the news gently to him as to how culinary challenged I was while he looked up every time thinking I would produce a sadya feast in a jiffy. But years have mellowed him down and he has now scaled down his expectations to bare minimum standard which I happily continue to maintain. But on this particular day I guess the cold from the outside had crept into my brain and caused the whole system to freeze that I found myself even weighing that option.

I have had no doubts on my baking skills. They are outright non existent. Every time I have gone near the oven it gives out a creepy get-away-from-me vibes so strongly that till date I have tried to minimize our rendezvous as much as possible. We get along with each other but let's say we are not the thickest of friends. But then again the brain freeze had rendered me incapable of recalling all the bad blood between us. Ina Garten's pretty pink apron and Anna Olsen's Soft clean oven mitts bewitched me. Perhaps the curse of the baking gods would finally be lifted and like the lady of the cake I could maybe do a good job at this. After all it was baking cookies and no rocket science,right?

......Umm....WRONG!

So we set out with PC Man surfing the inter of the net to hunt for that perfect foolproof recipe. We hit a jackpot where the mission would get accomplished by following just 3-4 steps. It even had rave reviews from 50 odd people. Souls as culinary challenged as myself falling over themselves thanking the lady for providing such a easy peasy recipe. Yep,this was it PC Man decided. Knowing very well never to leave the preparations to his super skilled wife he got hands down getting the sugar,butter and flour. Carefully weighed it all to exact proportions he mixed them all and handed them to me so I could just give it that magical fuzzy touch. Elated and dizzy I mixed them all with my daft seasoned hands dreaming of giving those wannabe chefs a run for their money. Iron Chef America,move right over and hail for the new star chef in town.

Soon enough under adept guidance and watchful eyes of PC Man the dough was ready. Nothing could go wrong now could it?I assured him I could totally take over from here and he should just go plop himself on the sofa and wait for some tantalizing goodies. I got the fancy cookie cutter wiping it clean a la master baker style ,cut it all out and plated them over the sheet and voila!into the oven...Perfect!I beamed.

Waited patiently for 25 minutes with my nose in the air for that warm aroma to fill my wannabe chef heart.

The smell did come.....

Not exactly aromatic but sort of waxy....a wee bit burnt. Hmm time to check the oven...

Smoke blinded me for a moment...checked the cookies,nothing seemed wrong. Perhaps need some more cooking time,a little smoke is perhaps natural my frozen chef brain told me and I obliged..

10 minutes went by. My beauties still didn't look ready for the pageant.

Gave it another 10 minutes undeterred by the, now wee bit strong burning wax smell.

Ignoring my elite chef advice at the end of 40 minutes the exasperated PC Man decided to check on the little beauties and let out a loud yelp. I mistook it to an expression of elation until the smoke filled the whole room. Wading through it all like a badly choreographed bollywood dance number I found my way into the kitchen ,where PC Man stood looking not so pleased with something that resembled a nasty hideous blackened alien forms stuck steadfast onto the sheets.

Hmm..still wondering what happened??read on...

I totally place the blame on the recipe for deceiving me. In the interest of all my fellow culinary challenged brethren I hereby issue this precious little tip - This wax paper guy is nasty. Not only does he leave your cookies charred and stuck hard on to himself which no force on earth can remove ,smokes like a chimney inside the oven and he will get fire engines knocking at your door. NEVER confuse him with parchment paper guy who is perhaps more sweet and baker friendly.

Sigh! But I think I just got an inspiration out of this to write a guide book for HOW NOT TO BAKE to share all my gleaned knowledge with the likes of my tribe. I will also probably throw in an offer of being the first to taste my baked goodies as a part of the book promotion . Perhaps a fancy cover like " The tales of Beedle the Bard" and hand written notes and caricatures I might even convince amazon to buy the rights and I could make a fortune *daydreams away*
With such a irresistible offer I'm sure my book will be the on the best sellers list in no time. Any courageous guinea pigs takers out there??

Thursday, December 13, 2007

I solemnly swear I'm up to no good

ITW tagged me to reveal my darker and wicked side. You have to read her factual fiction to know how wicked this lady can be! As for me I swear all these were done by that evil alter ego and the blame came to lie on my shoulders,you all believe that don't you? *with that sweet puss in the boots look*

-Driving on a two wheeler with 1(younger cousin) in the front and 3 at the back asking one to cover the licence plate and another to watch out for the traffic police uncle on a busy main road. Plan was anytime we spot the traffic police far away ditch the 3 guys and ask them to come meet us around the corner soon after by passing the police. Got caught only once.

- Witnessed a flight attendant being extremely rude to a old woman who was travelling all alone (No prizes for guessing to which airlines she belonged) Seen shortly was she, balancing precariously a tray of drinks and her high heels. She tripped over a leg "unknowingly" placed on her way and fell on her face spilling the drinks all over her painfully straightened hair. Tsk Tsk...every rudeness hath a fall,doesn't it? *swishing of the red cloak*

- Seen in a neighborhood was a girl who made fun of a pet dog calling it a sissy when compared to hers everyday. Soon came a day when she was seen squealing on how "someone" had managed to dye her dog's ears and hair all pink while that "someone" remains mysterious till today.

- A high maintenance uptight bridegroom was taking his first bath at the girl's place. Soon heard were shrill screams "Snake..snake,climbing it's way to the bathroom window" with some description of "how long" and "scary " it really was. The bridegroom bolted out of the bathroom managing to hold the towel to protect his ahem things-which-shall-remain-unnamed in lightening speed complete with shampoo in his hair. The evil master cousin of the new bride walked around the next few days with a boxed reddened ear courtesy her mom, warding off questions by humming "U can't touch this".

-PC Man one day couldn't find a matching pair for any of his socks after leaving his shoes and socks on the carpet for the nth time in spite of all warnings. An apology to the socks god and appeasing in the form of flowers later made it possible for the reunion to happen. Spooky, I know!

-A annoying room mate used to set her alarm to ungodly hours disturbing the sleep of other occupant. One fine night while the "other" room mate was away she found herself waking up every hour to hunt and shut down alarms going off precisely every hour hidden strategically in secret locations within the room. The alarm problem soon seemed to get solved itself...Hmm...wonder who made that happen!

- A bald man seated next to a school girl on a jam packed bus was acting funny making her very uncomfortable. Standing near the very same seat holding the seat rail was another school girl observing this. Soon with every jerk of the bus every now and then she whacked his bald head with the curved end of her umbrella holding it strategically behind his head blaming it every time on the crowded bus and jerky driving. The guy finally kept his hands to himself using them only to rub his now sore bald spots. Smooth operator wouldn't you say?

Ahem..I think I have given enough a glimpse into the wicked side of sweet old moi-même for now. How about I tag a few more to join me over at the dark side? I tag Lavs (Making up for letting you off a previous fun tag buddy), dotmom (Banana peels eh?* searches around for the pitch fork*) Parul (I know you will make this a fun one) Moppet's mom (Being my twin you've got to give me company in this one) and Rayshma the cheesecake girl (I have a feeling this tag is tailor made for you). Anyone else who wants to take it up please do so. The more the merrier... Mwahaha!

Monday, December 10, 2007

To the awesome women

This is in support to all my blog pals who are smart,intelligent women and wonderful moms to boot. Kick those vile troll's ass ladies and let it not get you down. Coffee is brewing and the comfy couch is right over the corner. Click those stilettos and join in for a big group hug. Let's celebrate what we share and with a big "Mom blogger"esque roar for everyone to hear. Everyone are welcome ,just leave the categorical tags at the door and with open heart and mind let yourself in..there's enough room for all of us.

This one's for the girls............

Friday, December 07, 2007

The choices

Hypothetical imaginary conversations inside Fuzzy's head #64562

Ina- Mooom! I HAVE to go to this concert..all my rich-spoilt-rotten friends are going. I HAVE TO!

Mom-O.k. How much is this going to cost?

Ina- Just a mere $1200!

Mom- Sure sweetheart...I trust you would love a limo to go with it?

Ina- Wow mom!that would be swell

Mom- And of course you will need to go shop for a brand new outfit that's a "must" have for the season to flaunt as well?

Ina- Of course mom..you are a darling.

Mom- *Looking up from her book and straight into her eyes* Tell me one thing sweetheart. Do I look like I just had a lobotomy to you?

Apparently though some parents do undergo lobotomies when they have a child. Perhaps that explains why anyone would contemplate "This". By indulging kids in their every wish,whims and fancy instead of teaching them the difference between needs and wants are we not ending up raising a generation which grows up with unrealistic expectation of the world and that they are entitled to everything that they want? is it the guilt of our hectic lives that drives us to compensate it with other materialistic means for the time we cannot spend with them? or are we trying to live vicariously through our kids by yielding and indulging them with things we were not able to have as a child? Are we being so blind as to lose our common sense that a parent agrees to work double jobs just so the kid can indulge in $1200 stupid concert for her vanity??

In North America $3 billion is spent annually on advertising's directed towards kids. Kids today wield a power in the marketplace than ever before. Nearly half of the kids ask for the brand named things by age 5 in North America. They alone influence nearly $50 billion purchases of North American parents. According to a market study done two-thirds of parents say their kids define their self-worth in terms of possessions; half say their kids prefer to go to a shopping mall than to go hiking or on a family outing; and a majority admit to buying their children products they disapprove of — products that may even be bad for them — because the kids said they "needed" the items to fit in with their friends.

I think as a parent aspiring to give our kids everything and making their life comfortable is perhaps natural. But by raising them ill equipped to handle any disappointments,loss or responsibility is almost unforgivable. How are such kids going to fare out there in the real world where life is less than perfect? Making the right choice is a tool we need to provide them right from the start.

Parenting in today's age is harder than it was ever before. The streets are no longer safe,outer world demands we empower our kids with the knowledge of the dangers and evil that lurks out there. Technology is a big part of their lives from a very young age,they are more aware and more exposed to outer influences. We believe in a kid centered parenting where at times "No" is less preferable to explaining rationale behind it. Ground rules still exist not because "I said so" but because we are expected to engage the child to reach a common ground. The pressure to perform for the kids and the parents to prove themselves on that "Good parenting= successful kids" scale is intense. Long working hours, prosperity , indulgence and luxuries are a part of our lifestyle. Internet opens our home and kids to a treasure of knowledge and communication along with unthinkable evils which our parents generation never thought possible before. Amidst all this where exactly do we strike the balance to be authoritative yet approachable? yielding yet not over indulging?understanding yet in control? responsible yet lenient? Perhaps each one of us will find the answers along the journey learning every step of parenthood.

As for that $1200 ticket; Ina will probably know by the time she is capable of stating her wants that there's no way in hell that her mom is going to indulge such whims unless she had earned her way into it.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

All's fair in the name of Christmas

Sunday evenings the fuzzy family is usually seen hanging out at the supermarket trying to buy things they don't necessarily need and leaving behind stuff they do actually need. As Fuzzy gushes over the lushness of the lettuce or the organicness of her apples PC Man usually manages to look sufficiently bored and Ina manages to scare all the neighboring well behaved kids and mothers by shoving grapes up her nose and yelling at the top of her voice as we pass through the chips aisle. This week however in spite of the bad cold weather outside Ina looked mighty pleased. Her dear daddy wrestle and punch a fellow dad had managed to get her one of those cool "Car" shopping carts and she rode it threatening in her gibberish language to run over anyone who dared to cross her path giving the mom nightmares on the day she would get a licence. As they waded through the vegetable section with Fuzzy oohing and aahing at the freshness of beans and carrots PC Man continued to stare trans fixedly at something.

PC Man- Hmm.. what do you think about getting a Christmas tree this year?

Fuzzy- *stops in her tracks* Is this one of your weekly green obsessions which get triggered by visits to supermarkets?

PC Man- It'll be Ina's first Christmas at least practically a Christmas where she can open her own presents without drooling all over it. *trying to play the senti card*

Fuzzy- Real or fake trees?

PC Man- There's a 50% discount on the fake trees...

Fuzzy- Fake tree it is!..but..... *pretending to mull over the idea*

PC Man- *Pitching it like a master salesman sensing an opportunity* See no prickly spines,no pine smell,less cleaning,no fire hazard...and doesn't the thought of a lighted tree in the hall as we watch your reruns of "Friends" sound perfect Christmassy??

Fuzzy- Hmm.... *caressing the tomatoes gently replacing the one Ina had managed to pick up and drop*

PC Man- It'll be fun hanging out the decorations and lights. We will even get those LED lights.


Fuzzy-*Moving on to deeply inspect some potatoes* Hmm...

PC Man- You don't have to do a single thing.. All work will be done by me and Ina.

Fuzzy- So...I don't have to do anything at all right?

PC Man- Yep,not a thing.

Fuzzy- Hmm..*Raising her hand in a patronizing approval* Are there going to be stockings as well?

PC Man- Y..es.... *apparently sensing some trap coming on*

Fuzzy- You do know that stockings mean presents right?*waiting for the words to sink in* ...
.....Presents as in my-wife-loves-them-but-I-refuse-as-they-are-pricey kinds?

PC Man- *sighing in resignation and trapped* Yes I guess ONE of those kinds ...

Fuzzy-*Triumphant grin* What are you waiting for then?Let's go get some tree!!!!Woo hoo!!

After much haggling about the height of the fake tree we have brought home a 6' majestic looking tree. But the accessory designers have been busy. One is busy taking whatever the other one has been managing to put up. Mom however is seen humming around the house singing suggestive tunes composed by Chanel and Bur berry making the dad squirm in his seat exchanging sympathetic looks with his wallet. Christmas has never been more fun at the Fuzzy household!