The journey so far

The things I have done the past few months while I was pulling off that disappearing act.

1. Burnt some midnight oil,sprained a muscle or two,kicked myself for having not been smart enough to have chosen another easier profession and somehow got through a long series of exams.

2. Went through a nerve racking residency match and flew across every corner of the country attending interviews. Drained every penny from PC Man's generous pocket while he sweetly drove me to airport religiously every week and took care of little Ina.

3. Spent the post interview months making PC Man pull his hair out in sheer frustration trying to stop me from chewing my nails off in frenzied anticipation of the results.

4. Finally landed a residency in a field I love but which required a big move from a beloved city to a smaller,colder town in the west. Sold the condo, rented a house in the new town and got poor grandma to fly overseas to help us with Ina.

5. Began a journey of planning a life around a call schedule,being constantly sleep deprived,demanding,thrilling and utterly tiring life as a first year medical resident while trying to balance an equally choatic life with a preschooler.

I love what I do but at times it can get pretty stressful and starts to get to me. It's been just a few months into the training and the constant tiredness at times consumes me. Every 4th day being on call working straight 36-40 hours exhausts me. I miss being there 24/7 for Ina above all. But at the end of each day when she shreiks in delight at the sight of me and comes rushing in with a big little hug and outpouring of such abundant love everything else just melts away making all of it worthwhile. We try to take one day at a time and ofcourse having a great hubby and a patient mom certainly helps!

The Infamous Ina-isms

Some recent Ina isms:

1. Grandma in throes of affection : "Ina,sweetheart would you come and help me with the dishes?"
Ina: *busy trying to create a Picasso masterpiece using 3/4 of water and 1/4 of paint* No ajji, Me very busy.

Grandma persists and tries to lure her into the exciting world of washing dishes just like she tried to lure her daughter years before finally giving up on her: "Look Ina,won't you want to play with water and wash these spoons. Look at these lovely bubbles too.It will be fun"

Ina:*looks up sympathetically at her grandma and shakes her head in disbelief* Nah!

Grandma now slightly hurt by the brutal snubbing retorts to emotional blackmail: "In that case I will go back to India. Then your mama only has to wash the dishes and then no one will be there to play with you"

Ina: *raises her little eyebrow and thinks for a minute* No,mama no dishes (Trust the daughter to know her mom so well,she makes her momma proud doesn't she?)

Grandma: Oh,then will daddy do the dishes? *PC Man is heard clearing his throat rather loudly in the background*

Ina: *this time replies without thinking* No,daddy not do dishes"

Grandma: Oh,Well somebody has to do it...then will you be washing the dishes?

Ina: *looks up incredulously at her grandma as if saying Jeez grandma and states matter of factually shaking her little finger to make her point* "No Ajji,we put in dishwasher"

Grandma was left speechless and went back muttering how the dependence on machines is ruining young minds.

2. It's bedtime at the fuzzy household and lights are off with Ina in her bed. Mom is tucking her in and as always start singing her favorite lullaby. Just as she gets to the end of the song Ina stops her.
Ina: Mama,stop

Mom: What happened sweetheart?you want some other song today?

Ina: No

Mom: you want no lullaby today?

Ina: Yes want lullaby

Mom: Then what is it?

Ina: Want lullaby in cd!No mommy lullaby

Poor heartbroken mum curses evil dad who bought that silly blasphemous cd which now has bewitched her little baby. Sulking big time mom goes to fetch that cd and plays it and tries to lie down and sing with it to her baby to show that dumb cd can never replace mommy.

Ina interrupts and admonishes heartbroken mom: Mama,no,no singing.

Stupid technology mom muttered furiously under her breath and spent the next few days casting cold et tu brutus looks towards PC Man who never realized why his pancakes looked a little burnt for few days.

3. Early morning at fuzzy household which is chaotic to say the least. As usual the scene is mom shouting war cries that she is running late and the world will burn down this very minute if she doesn't find her cell phone/pager. The mini me Ina starts running around frantically as well shouting out to poor grandma "Ajji,whale is my pager?uff!whale is my shoes ajji? getting ate".

Trust little one to provide the healthy dose of common sense at times to the household not to mention shaming her mom into realizing how neurotic she seems in the mornings.

4. Mom trying to teach the gender for Ina: Ina,what is mama?

Ina: *trying desperately to rebuild a leaning tower of Pisa with her blocks* Mama is a girl..

Mom: *looking mighty pleased* good,now what is Dada?

Ina: *casting I-can't-believe-you-put-me-through-such-humiliating-rituals-and-insult-my-intelligence look* Dada is a boy
Mom: *beaming* what is grandma?

Ina: *takes one look at her grandma* Ajji is old

Mom: Oh!ok *Mulls over it for few seconds and thinks she needs to coax her mom to dye her hair and then decides to continue* So what is Ina?

Ina: *pauses for a minute* Hmm...

Mom: *now starts hinting* Ina is a guuurr....?

Ina: No mama,Ina is no Lion...

Mom: *Decides to try another approach* is Ina a boy then?

Ina: *stares incredulously and says* No mama

Mom: *Now wondering whether allowing PC Man to teach this stuff to Ina was a mistake,the poor child is thoroughly confused* then what are u Ina?

Ina: Duh!I'm a princess mama. Dada told me so!!

5. In a busy supermarket one workday evening a tired fuzzy is trying frantically to get stuff inside her shopping cart and race towards the counter while handling little Ina on the other hand.

As she stands in the line behind a elderly couple one of whom perhaps caused a not-so-pleasant smell to waft in the air. Just what the tired duo needed that day!

Crinkling her little nose Ina announced "Shee..somebody done poo poo"

The elderly lady looked so scandalized and mom tried to tell Ina "No baby,no one did poo poo"

Ina doggedly persisted: No,somebody done poo poo mama, Schmell here"

All around me people had started to exchange grins and again mom told her "No Ina,no poo poo"

Ina then retorted loudly with a all knowing compassionate "Been there,done that" look towards the old lady " Oh,so no poo poo" and pointing to the lady said "You done gassy huh?" then proceeded to clap her hands and giggle. Amidst of solid chuckles and laughter I apologized to the lady who mercifully thought the whole thing was funny (My guess is the old lady didn't have any other choice than to do that) doled out the money and ran as fast as I could to safe heavens of home.

Ah,the joys of raising a cheeky preschooler!

Cuz I missed you so

"I'm feeling like I'm missing something in my life" I melancholily announced yesterday while PC Man was busy stuffing the popcorn into his mouth while catching up and savouring the dialogues of his hero Mammoty.

"Yes I know,I think what we need is a big ass plasma tv in the living room" he retorted thinking as superficially as only a man can, totally ignoring the philosophical depth of my question without moving his eyes from the tube.

" No,it's something more bigger "I continued enlightening myself all alone on my inner self discovering journey.

"Bigger?huh?You mean like a bigger car?I totally agree" *Pointing towards the hummer ad playing on the TV at that very moment "See that's what we I need" *Looking like a kid at a toy store and went back to munching his popcorn noisily.

Ignoring PC Man's materialistic rants I continued "I'm thinking of simpler things like...I'm thinking I'll restart my blog" I raised my eyebrows and dramatically let the big news in with a virtual drum roll.
In a split of a second as the word "BLOGGGGG" was out of my mouth there was thunder and lightening and lo and behold the unbreakable magical bond between the big screen and PC Man and the rest of the materialistic things were broken and he almost choked on his jalapeno popcorn. I sprung from my seat ready to perform Heimlich's maneuver on him being ready to deliver the blow and save his life once again but he recovered before I could put my internist skills into action.

Then a pair of puppy dog eyes looked up at me and asked with a softer voice"Why?I thought you had decided not to blog"

I gave my cheshire cat grin and shrugging my shoulders said "Well,I changed my mind. I actually miss blogging you know"

He cleared his voice and tried again diplomatically "You have a pretty busy schedule now with the residency. Will you find time to blog really?" *casting longing looks at his brand new desktop and reminiscing whether the good old days when he had it all for himself was about to end*

" I think I can manage. I miss my blog friends too you know. It was so much fun" I sat down on the sofa with my devdas look and sighed as loudly as I could manage conveying how hard it was being suffering withdrawals from my bloggy land for long.

PC Man's knitted his eyebrows and I could tell his mind was on a overdrive to find ways to implement mission "derail-blog". He decided to try again this time employing emotional tactics. " You know fuz,I don't think any of your bloggy friends remember you much less follow your blog anymore.Think of how sad you will feel when you post something and no one would comment" *suppressing a grin and feeling smug for hitting a sure sore spot with his blogger wife*

"Hey,I'm sure that won't happen. I know I can get back there and find them all again. You are simply scared I will use you and Ina again as blog fodder ,aren't you?" I replied determined to still ward off deblogging vibes.

"Me? scared of that?Not at all" *Hollow hesitant laugh* "I was just thinking about whether there is anyone who still reads your blog though" said PC Man before looking at me and adding slowly "Is this going to be your first return post?" and exasperatingly returned back to the warm comforting arms of his mallu movie.

But his question did hit the spot. But hey,I'm sure I have friends still out there who still remember me,isn't there?If yes,just give a big shout so I can ask PC Man to relinquish his sole rights on the comp and move over.*Pst..pst..proxy attendance will also count and then you can sneak back door to collect your bribe treat.* So can I trust to hear a hi back??

Our fun weekend

We decided to beat back the snow with a brickbat and went out. Wanna take a look at the fun day we had?

Ending a sabbatical!!

I told mom this look is perhaps the only one which can help her get away with her disappearing act. Can't believe she did this in spite of all the interesting blog fodder I provide day in and day out!It was time I took matters into my own hands and hence this post. Some more time and we had to declare an official mourning for this blog. But why worry when Ina is here folks!I will get her out of her cave dwelling existence and get her back to the bloggy land in no time now:)

So what have we been doing while officially denying ourselves the pleasure of being a part of all your wonderful blogs. Let's see..first there was that big trip followed by my new daycare which by the way is Awe-Some and then there was that mad dash to India citing my great grand pop's demise which prompted mom to go into this hibernation for a while. Hey,there was also my b'day which she totally missed to post about in her mopping state. But she made up for it by gifting me my very first cool looking three wheeler bike which I refuse to peddle but command the lesser mortals around me to push (trust me ,they can use all the exercise I can give them and more). I now also give them the pleasure of performing the ever entertaining potty duties once in a while so as to not deny them those exhilarating euphoric moments of their dull lives. After all being a born entertainer and a diva I can't let anyone down can I?

So here we are surely back again speaking from another heap of snow. Where is the spring that damn groundhog predicted??Too much snow has been befuddling brains of people I tell you.

All that shovelling and driving through snow has been affecting my dad's brain too. I present this scenario supporting this theory and let you folks decide for yourself!

PC Man aka dad comes to pick me up from daycare one fine evening instead of mom and gets greeted by our Miss sweetie pie the ever smiling shushing teacher.

Miss SP: Hi Mr. PC Man,Ina had a good day today and here's her art work and yes she did have her BM today afternoon as well.

Dad:*scratches his head wondering what sort of dish BM really is..and not wanting to appear like one of those foolish clueless parents on tv decided to pretend he knows it ,mentally deducing it like any other engineer, M surely=Meal hence BM= Some Barley/bread Meal? Bingo! and opens his mouth with that concerned smile* So did she enjoy the BM?

Miss SP:*looking totally puzzled by the question* Huh?well.. I guess so

Dad: *pleased with himself* Good. How much would you say she had this BM?was it a good quantity? (makes a mental note to tell wifey fuzzy about this new dish Ina seems to fancy so much)

Miss SP: *with narrowed eyes and taken aback by this line of questioning of the BM,thinks she has never met a parent who was so enthusiastically curious about BM* I would errr....say the usual amount.

Dad: *Now smiling broadly and ready to take his proud BM accomplished daughter's hand*Well,that's good. It's hard to get her to eat anything at home too. She must have really liked this BM.

Miss SP: *Bulb suddenly burns brightly in her head* hahahhahaahhhhaaa... *doubling with laughter now realizing the confusion* (holding her aching stomach and laughing she informs) It's BM=Bowel movement,poop would perhaps be the term to be precise.

Dad:*turning beet red with embarrassment and muttering to himself why they couldn't just say poop* I'm sooo sorry. I don't know why I thought it as something else (runs away from the place avoiding any one's eyes as fast as he can dragging an appalled me in tow)

It goes without saying what my mom Fuzzy's reaction was to this right?She had a field day with this one and gave him such a hard time laughing her head off for this whole week. One thing I know my dad will never forget one word anymore.He has however declared us outcasts for going ahead and posting this on the blog. Now,how could we deny you such a juicy fodder?Afterall it's all fair in the name of blog and war,what do you say??:)

Anyway it feels great to be back folks and I'll get mom to fly out to all your spaces soon and say a big HI!!!Hope all's well on your end.

I'm off to break a leg and shake the place down to the tune of The Ark's crazy song. Don't ask me what it means,all I can say is it will make you happy. Go ahead give it a listen.

I'm back:):)

I've been gone for some time now
Enjoying a much awaited vacation that's how
I'm sure I've missed quite a lot of things that were good
Sorry couldn't keep up with it as I should

Now that I'm back feeling refreshed
However the work has kept me enmeshed
With Ina also adjusting to a new daycare
Which has a cool feature to let us log in and stare

It's so addictive that I keep at it all day

It makes me happy to watch her every play

However it's time I know for me to be back
Get ready to hear a lot of Fuzzy's yak yak!!:):)

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

Festive wishes

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

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.

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??

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!