tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33203530782826086922024-03-07T06:05:05.782-08:00Sangry WordsSangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-68225771890356950202015-11-14T21:38:00.000-08:002015-11-14T21:51:26.541-08:00Better after taste <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What Vodka is
for Russians, Chai is for Indians. Chai can easily be termed as our National
drink. I am sure there won’t be any upheaval on this front but it’s much more
than a beverage for us Indians. I too am Chai enthusiast but I have to confess
that I am a late bloomer. I didn’t even know how to make a good cup of Chai,
though that is something that I have mastered now. Like how I was passed on
this craze by my mother-in-law, I managed to pass it on to my husband too. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Most days when hubby is back from work and Smera has retired for the day we usually sit down
together have our cup of Chai. It is like a ritual for us and this is when I
get to tell him all about the notorious things the little one has been up to
and exchange notes on work.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OnQhZz9bgvKyZq5Na2PvqxPCuXgkGR_SDiZXXA_4r02anmfM3DbLPgmPN1cYLYRXYSsnD4On9arX_hjX_nn7abNvmhyphenhyphenNj1jNYvk5ih3_ZuWknDnAFqzRNlEaRQUCvY2FHSFjPDuhmew/s1600/Corbis-42-55266671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OnQhZz9bgvKyZq5Na2PvqxPCuXgkGR_SDiZXXA_4r02anmfM3DbLPgmPN1cYLYRXYSsnD4On9arX_hjX_nn7abNvmhyphenhyphenNj1jNYvk5ih3_ZuWknDnAFqzRNlEaRQUCvY2FHSFjPDuhmew/s400/Corbis-42-55266671.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corbis.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After a lot of
experimentation I have finally landed with my own formula and I thought it was
really good, until we went to a friend’s place recently. She made us the best
Masala Chai that we have had in a long time and it was so good that even a week
after, we were still talking about it. In fact the hubby asked me to check with
the friend for her recipe. I left it at that, while he went to freshen up after
a tiring day at work. Just as usual I put on a pot for ourselves and we sat
down to discuss some work-related stuff. As he took first sip, he smiled and
asked<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Hubby:</b> is this
the new recipe for Chai from your friend? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Me:</b> No, it is
just the usual one<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Hubby:</b> But it
tastes really different, quite nice! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So I take the
cup from him and smell it, then I take a sip and I couldn’t spot any
difference. “<i>No it’s just the same! What is different?”</i> I asked him. Hubby
takes the cup the back and then says nothing, lost in his thoughts he goes back
to his notes. Then suddenly he shouts, <i><span style="color: #38761d;">“I know it is not the tea, it is KP
Namboodari toothpaste that I used now”. </span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For those who
don’t know KP Namboordari is a herbal toothpaste. Essentially, a tube full of
mashed up popular Indian spices like pepper, cloves, cardamom. According to my
husband, it is an Ayurvedic concoction that has cavity protection and tooth
cleansing properties. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I can not vouch
for those tall claims, but this product has left a better after taste in my
hubby’s mouth. Whoever said Ayurvedic
products do not have side effects!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">P.S.- We as a family are quite crazy, it's not just my husband, even my baby sister had come up with something equally ridiculous a while back. You can read <a href="http://sangrywords.blogspot.com/2013/01/silly-saturdays-secret-recipe.html" target="_blank">here on her experiment with Chai</a>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com21Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819754 58.39758649999998923.581520400000002 58.396955999999989 23.5824304 58.398216999999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-83318331668827051072015-11-07T23:29:00.000-08:002015-11-07T23:29:51.339-08:00The Logical Princess <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My daughter
suffers from the ‘princess syndrome’! A desire to look, act and dress up like a
princess all the time. I am sure it is the same case with many other parents
who too have daughters at home and unintentionally must have inflicted this
upon themselves. Even I am guilty of this, it all happened quite suddenly
though for me. What had started with reading fairy tales, promoted to watching
movies then further moved on to pretend playing and now has reached new levels –
personification! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">With Smera’s
birthday around the corner, we decided to go for her birthday shopping yesterday
and she would just not settle for anything less than a princess dress,
sparkling shoes and a matching tiara to go with. I am told that it’s not just
her, girls her, girls are age are naturally bitten by the princess bug. Last
year it was the Frozen craze and this time it’s the Cinderella mania! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After we came
back home from the not so productive shopping trip we all sat down to eat
lunch, just then she goes back to the Cinderella conversation: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Smera:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Mamma you know Cinderella’s mom tells her to
have courage and be kind, when she is about to die. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3WZd49KawLIBuLxzdxyVOAPx2_1h-O9zEw7i9VNbJ9RODU-oDlRAW9ymmqXCzeRs16U05Ila0AsQ4oLx25-mZt99NTPsa8jfFgSu-TxZPz2dRhrxtVI9zodeJPZqS2Txw-EYmOpaURE/s1600/Corbis-42-45420383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3WZd49KawLIBuLxzdxyVOAPx2_1h-O9zEw7i9VNbJ9RODU-oDlRAW9ymmqXCzeRs16U05Ila0AsQ4oLx25-mZt99NTPsa8jfFgSu-TxZPz2dRhrxtVI9zodeJPZqS2Txw-EYmOpaURE/s400/Corbis-42-45420383.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corbis.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Me:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Yes, that’s how real princesses are supposed to
be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Smera:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Let’s play after lunch you can be the step
mother. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Me:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Why? I am so nice to you! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Smera:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> But you are always asking me to tidy up and
do all the work. Daddy can be the Prince, I will be fairy godmother with this
magic wand and Abdu Haq uncle (my houseboy) can be the Cinderella! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Me:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> (Looking flabbergasted) How come Abdu Haq
gets to be Cinderella and me the wicked stepmother? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Smera:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Because you always ask him to do the dishes
and mop the floor just like the stepmother in the story!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Now with that
logic I couldn’t come up with something smart to answer back, so I decided to
use my ultimate weapon, the puppy face. She instantly changed me to fairy
godmother and she took upon the Cinderella part. Daddy continued to be Prince,
which is always constant and so we played happily ever after. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Moral of the
story is that if you cannot beat the child’s logic then play along, because their
reasoning is really nothing but giving their intelligence a form! </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 150%;">After all imagination
is the spark to the endless possibilities in our thoughts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com13Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819754 58.39758649999998923.581520400000002 58.396955999999989 23.5824304 58.398216999999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-24011081556610537662015-10-06T06:11:00.000-07:002015-10-06T06:11:44.058-07:00Win some, lose some <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Just as I was
thinking of my next post, little Smera walks in with a grumpy face back from
school. The expression was self-explanatory that her day at school was not very
exciting. So I got started my interrogation, to better understand why her mood
was off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 108.75pt center 207.65pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Me:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> How was your day? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Smera:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Not good!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Me:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Why not? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Smera:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> I was not the super reader in the class
today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Me:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> That’s alright, you were super reader
yesterday and you will have chance to try again tomorrow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Smera: </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But Hannan was the super reader and I did not
like that. The whole class clapped for her, even I did but very slowly<b>. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Me:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Hmm and why is that? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Smera:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Just because I was feeling angry in my heart!
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcJEJjhWUnL_bgY0i6-vTIVmUt36HNgngchkAgPepIc8zUVVB9uRRTzJXSoZfkC1kOniTbO0RWOp_fMvyIAqi1XzULXIgmABONU2M8GPgftiCSaIYs4RLFPRMKUD_HH0YOPRXA_gZyvk/s1600/Corbis-42-57240299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcJEJjhWUnL_bgY0i6-vTIVmUt36HNgngchkAgPepIc8zUVVB9uRRTzJXSoZfkC1kOniTbO0RWOp_fMvyIAqi1XzULXIgmABONU2M8GPgftiCSaIYs4RLFPRMKUD_HH0YOPRXA_gZyvk/s320/Corbis-42-57240299.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">corbis.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I was glad that
I got the little one to talk about it. By the end of the day Smera felt a lot
better after talking it out, but this incident really was meant to be a good
lesson in her learning curve. These little incidents teach children that they aren’t
always just meant to win. They would have to put it their best effort and the
best effort would eventually get to shine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">While Hannan got
to taste success, Smera got to taste competition and which in my understanding
was also a good lesson to learn. Every lesson that Smera learns, gives us also
a revision in old lessons learnt and which is why something that I read a while
ago made perfect sense to me today. Let
our children know that is absolutely alright to come second or even fail for
that matter, but what is more important is that we are there to help them when
they do fall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“It may be
necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can
rise from, how you can still come out of it.” - Maya Angelou <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Parenting is
such a wonderful experience, lets you re-learn, re-inspire yourself almost
everyday. I guess this is how we become more experienced and hopefully wiser in
life!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-13682326706134414712015-10-02T07:41:00.000-07:002015-10-06T05:11:54.516-07:00Don't give up now <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We all have that
one person in our lives who is a constant source of inspiration to our lives. For me it is someone who embodies the <b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">‘never give up’ philosophy </span></b>most brilliantly
in her life – My mother! Mom has been
my inspiration right from the very beginning. There is something about her that
makes everyone just fall in love with her. She is beautiful, energetic,
intelligent and a constant learner! Thinking of mum gives me this warm, fuzzy feeling
just like how one would feel while having a big bowl of soup on a cold wintery
night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">From the time
she remembers, she always wanted to be a Doctor instead ended up being an Air hostess.
She was always a topper in her class, even though math was a huge task for her
but that never stopped her from acing the class. But somewhere she never gave
up on her aspiration and just recently she has concluded her studies and has
become a certified Doctor in Alternate Medicine. What makes it even more special is the fact
that along with her long working hours, endless household chores and a recurrent
shoulder condition she has managed the doctorate degree. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3Ymg3NvpLkeGCbzcqgSMs_i9QsQC_QQ7UYwS7sXRGkJCF0wgLVNZ0ycEareQXnXT2FcIqhyphenhyphenh5YiBCm-0BUrlwkd6tEsqdVAusl0bYkcDHD365Ww-keQYxqxXS-0M48H7Wb6zsOgomts/s1600/Mom+graduation+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3Ymg3NvpLkeGCbzcqgSMs_i9QsQC_QQ7UYwS7sXRGkJCF0wgLVNZ0ycEareQXnXT2FcIqhyphenhyphenh5YiBCm-0BUrlwkd6tEsqdVAusl0bYkcDHD365Ww-keQYxqxXS-0M48H7Wb6zsOgomts/s400/Mom+graduation+.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Learning something
new has always been her first love! It has partially to do with the fact that
she didn’t have the luxury of going to med school. She moved to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:city> right after her 12<sup>th</sup>
exam got herself enrolled in the evening college for B.com and during the day
she would work. But once she cleared her graduation, she landed up herself with
a job at Indian Airlines as an Air hostess. Life got busy but learning never
stopped, while working she did her Masters in history and even cleared a few
papers while studying for MBA. Even though should couldn’t complete it then,
she did try to give her best. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In a few more
years she retires from her long innings at the airlines, but she has already found
something to new to keep herself busy with in her retirement. She plans on further
learning yoga which would come in handy with naturopathy and ayurvedic line of
medicine. It is this perseverance what inspires my life. Whenever I am stuck, I
would go back to thinking what would mum have done and just that thought helps
me get through tough tasks easily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Her life story
is inspirational and if there is one thing you can take away from her is - you don’t
really need to compromise on your dream even if it takes time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>P.S</b></span>. - And it goes without saying none of this would have been possible without daddy's support. He has always been a silent support in her life and so when she graduated he was the first one to announce about her success. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>P.P.S.</b></span> - I love you !! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com15Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819754 58.39758649999998923.581520400000002 58.396955999999989 23.5824304 58.398216999999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-26018571574303481992015-09-30T12:19:00.002-07:002015-09-30T12:19:29.415-07:00Been a while <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I know it has
been a while since I have been here. Initially it was time constraints that
kept me away, juggling between work and home. Later was hit by the writer’s
block. At the beginning of the year I had promised myself to make more time for
my blog but unfortunately that has not worked out well, however on the brighter side of things
the year is yet to get over and I hope I can do all the justice over next three
months. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And while I was away I did some take time out to go home and enjoy Mother Nature at it's best. Surrendering yourself completely to the beauty of nature is still by far the best way to re-inspire oneself.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SCku9nqgr8M/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SCku9nqgr8M?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com4Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819754 58.39758649999998923.581520400000002 58.396955999999989 23.5824304 58.398216999999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-74844836940151766772015-06-16T08:40:00.000-07:002015-06-16T22:36:03.299-07:00Caught red handed <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">My husband loves a challenge. It was
only to be expected that he would come up with something remarkable when I
teased him over his drawing skills. The hubby instead of reading the
Cinderalla, drew an illustration of the story for little Smera to colour. The
illustration was good, but the horse with the pumpkin coach looked more a dog.
This comment did not go down well with him. As for me it was just a statement,
I said it and moved on other things, while hubby continued to brood. So he decided
to set the records straight. This morning he picked up one of the "how to
draw anything" book and started drawing a horse. And this is what it
eventually looked like at the end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzcOF4AHLmoDEka7BaXtFkGE2XkM4etE6-L_CkbStePXUcZOE1KPt9nkwx9nkGvPxiUL8cPjk3w0pKh5SRuJhTwH70wzfO-Carelb-Las1a3RV8jyleW7qTmOGWsnRHjGFfigqmfeT6o/s1600/Horse+sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzcOF4AHLmoDEka7BaXtFkGE2XkM4etE6-L_CkbStePXUcZOE1KPt9nkwx9nkGvPxiUL8cPjk3w0pKh5SRuJhTwH70wzfO-Carelb-Las1a3RV8jyleW7qTmOGWsnRHjGFfigqmfeT6o/s640/Horse+sketch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Quite a horse isn't it? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Happy
that the horse looked so beautiful, he asked little to Smera to show me the
picture and then he asked Smera to use her imagination and colour the picture.<span class="apple-converted-space"> But the little one had some other plans. So
she went ahead and did some scribbling on the sheet instead of colouring it.
Later during the day when my post lunch cleaning session was in progress, I
chucked away all the loose sheets into the dustbin. Unfortunately I trashed the
hubby’s horse sketch also, but then I didn’t think of it as a big deal. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">As things are meant to be, trouble was
staring into my face when hubby got back from work. He asked Smera to show the
horse she was given to colour and little innocent child was running around the
place searching for the sheet. I pretended as if I didn’t know anything and
continued to look busy. After few minutes little Smera came in looking
disappointed and asks, “Mamma have you seen the horse painting?” To which I
quickly replied “No”, but the hubby caught the lying look on my face and went
straight to the dustbin and after what he saw there, he looked very crossed with me. In fact was he so angry that he took the picture below to keep it as a record for future fights. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz68AGbcJXklFPoHMLkJ60vj55YNA0G-pi6aOuEc8CV0FYQHF3OTkhrznOo8Cb71aM6NXjxM852y0kLu6yd31ggar03hLcXDZ3i7l5g-7GaTxFopoxtcYepIClXolWOulZRsn_sHoIUY0/s1600/Sketch+in+dustbin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz68AGbcJXklFPoHMLkJ60vj55YNA0G-pi6aOuEc8CV0FYQHF3OTkhrznOo8Cb71aM6NXjxM852y0kLu6yd31ggar03hLcXDZ3i7l5g-7GaTxFopoxtcYepIClXolWOulZRsn_sHoIUY0/s400/Sketch+in+dustbin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-IN" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I don’t think he will be
forgiving anytime soon. However I am really glad for one thing, this time he got my
birthday gift well in advance, hence the chances of him penalizing me on the
gift part are ZERO </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com3Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819754 58.39758649999998923.581520400000002 58.396955999999989 23.5824304 58.398216999999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-13034757950475630692015-06-12T03:01:00.001-07:002015-06-12T03:05:57.118-07:00Can aromatic food can make you feel depressed? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">I am feeling really homesick today. Usually when I feel homesick, it’s
primarily either I am missing home or home-cooked food. And today it is
home-cooked food that I am really craving for. Whether it is summer or winters,
I am perpetually hungry and worst part is I do not like my own cooking even a
bit! It is not that I am bad at cooking! Honestly my food is no match mum’s
magic or Kaipunyam as we would say in Malayalam. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVs8ZfSJBYR7mxA9H9yTyG7FMI702fHznH1F0JK-OX6iz-c93E7YdaQD6pUu4Jtm_wUyBieR1LBNBoRPcooqnVFhN6aUg-vK72cO1p-QIjFcP4Jcnqf0wmicNjto0Ju29LOqxNOsT3d4o/s1600/Food+memories+and+nostalgia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVs8ZfSJBYR7mxA9H9yTyG7FMI702fHznH1F0JK-OX6iz-c93E7YdaQD6pUu4Jtm_wUyBieR1LBNBoRPcooqnVFhN6aUg-vK72cO1p-QIjFcP4Jcnqf0wmicNjto0Ju29LOqxNOsT3d4o/s320/Food+memories+and+nostalgia.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image: corbis.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">To make matters worse, just this morning I was feeling miserable thinking
how far I am from home, have been away from home for over a decade and just
then I smell something really fragrant being cooked in my neighbour’s house. It
looks like they have invited friends over and I am suspecting they are up to cooking
and eating something scrumptious. My living room and kitchen is filled with
aroma over-flowing from their kitchen into ours. I am sure you can imagine how
it must be adding on to my grief. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">All that aroma is making super-nostalgic and hungry simultaneously. I know
I am sounding really absurd but that's how emotional I have got all thanks to my
neighbour. Food makes me feel real good because it reminds me of my childhood.
But when I am deprived of mum’s food it feels more like being tranquilised with
misery, which have a powerful, mood-altering influence on me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Such misery can stoop me to unbelievably low levels of irrationality,
for instance I am currently wondering if I could just call the police and ask
them to arrest my neighbours for enticing me. That’s a far-fetched idea and I
know the law wouldn't even have a provision for such a thing. However I am sure
of one thing, the constitution would have been much different if I were
entrusted with the law making responsibilities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com9Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819754 58.39758649999998923.5815184 58.396953499999988 23.582432400000002 58.398219499999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-51313588580446078662015-04-20T10:41:00.000-07:002015-04-20T10:41:38.816-07:00Good ideas gone bad<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Every child
loves their mother for the food she cooks! Food is an irreplaceable connection
between the mother and child that starts right from the womb. I am not planning
a philosophical post on motherhood. Rather this post is all about challenges
that mums like me face everyday with our mediocre cooking skills. By the end of
this post I will be able to unload the heaviness on my heart, which I have been
carrying around for the last few days. Beware this is post is going to take a melodramatic
twist, so prepare yourself!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To start with I
am not a great cook but I like try new things for my little one. I want her to
eat healthy and nourishing food. Not just for her, I believe every child
deserves it. I try to incorporate all elements of balanced food into her meal
everyday. Most mornings and nights are
spent thinking what to make for the little one. And on a recent afternoon I
made some rice along with her favourite chicken curry and carrot pachadi, a bit
of carbs, proteins and good old veggies all packed in one meal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 150%;">Now who in the
right mind would like a spicy chicken curry with a sweet and sour carrot
pachadi? Carrot pachadi is wonderful of combination of freshly grated carrot,
gently mixed with beaten yogurt that is tempered with mustard, onions, curry
leaves and green chilies. At least that is what I was thinking until Smera took
one bite and declared it “YUCK”! I was heart broken. This was the first time
ever in 4.5 years that the little one had called something that I made for her
as – yuck. I mean there have things that she has not appreciated before,
particularly when it involves veggies but her reaction had never been so harsh.
So I chucked away the entire thing and spent the rest of the day brooding over
it!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVckvnOJcr_JdNalm2CAnElxX5OLy8zhLLyZeCw-1pTfJJHRwYh_h_ZUqEClE40JD6YganbGA0XX77O5Mh5JtoCclT6DkSvIV_F5o8-htCmkfWEC-Hv3dw21GwX6uu4jHzflnaWznyMx0/s1600/Gajar+halwa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVckvnOJcr_JdNalm2CAnElxX5OLy8zhLLyZeCw-1pTfJJHRwYh_h_ZUqEClE40JD6YganbGA0XX77O5Mh5JtoCclT6DkSvIV_F5o8-htCmkfWEC-Hv3dw21GwX6uu4jHzflnaWznyMx0/s1600/Gajar+halwa.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After a day or
two, a great idea popped in my head. To make something yet again with carrot
that would win her heart this time and heal my wounded heart. So it was going
to be carrot and it had to be something sweet. So I decided to pull out the
trump card – Carrot halwa also known as Gajar ka halwa! So I spent Thursday
afternoon, preparing carrot halwa while she was at school. I put in all the
best ingredients and an extra dose of love too. To be honest the halwa’s idea
initially came up for hubby’s cousin but then it seemed perfect for the both of
them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So in the
evening after dinner when I gave her carrot halwa, she took first bite and
thankfully didn't say “yuck” however she did go on to make the dirtiest face
ever. If that wasn't enough the hubby
gave her the permission to spit it out too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com7Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819754 58.39758649999998923.581520400000002 58.396955999999989 23.5824304 58.398216999999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-13650883367536124662015-04-16T22:09:00.001-07:002015-04-16T22:09:19.569-07:00Me and my holiday confessions <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt;">Ah back from my wonderful vacation and suddenly everything is beginning
to look lovelier. That’s what a good holiday is really meant to do, leave you
with warm fuzzy memories and a smile isn't it? On my way back home, I spent
most of my travel in thinking of this post. Pondering what is it about<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Paris</st1:city><span class="apple-converted-space"></span></st1:city> </span><u1:p></u1:p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 150%;">and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:city><span class="apple-converted-space"></span></st1:place></st1:city> </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">that I could
write that has not been written or said before. Well everything has been
pretty much said and written, but the memories we made were new, fresh and here
to stay with us for the rest of our lives.</span></div>
<u1:p></u1:p><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">While I must
admit the trip was far away from what I was anticipating and here's how it all
happened:</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt left 108.75pt;"><st1:city w:st="on"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Paris</span></b></st1:city><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></b></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">was really cold:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">the initial choice of destination was Hong Kong, which is what we
should have stuck to considering it was really cold in</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Paris</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. The idea was to enjoy the Disney holiday
in a pleasant weather, rather than in hot and humid one. However the
weather in</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Paris</span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">towards the end of March is still far away from being pleasant. It
was rainy and cold at 5 degree Celsius and the hubby left no stone
upturned to make me feel guilty!</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWshG9IxkTUvcDJH67Zyz12d0DtvwIXfLM15aZUEkG0FyVZll9YkHTApWLJoOC9uBy5z7z9S2sLcVkaTgvFwP6iw9jEIGCWuM7m6JlYvk_AQiffw1nEKZenv9CvzZbaCajVLudnMQ5_Y/s1600/Spring+break.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWshG9IxkTUvcDJH67Zyz12d0DtvwIXfLM15aZUEkG0FyVZll9YkHTApWLJoOC9uBy5z7z9S2sLcVkaTgvFwP6iw9jEIGCWuM7m6JlYvk_AQiffw1nEKZenv9CvzZbaCajVLudnMQ5_Y/s1600/Spring+break.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></div>
<ol start="2" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">McDonalds was our saviour</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">in
this trip too! It’s not like we were in</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">China</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">but we had little Smera with us and nothing better could have come
to our rescue! A dose of McDonalds happy meal made the little one
extremely happy. Though I must confess the French desserts at the local
patisseries too worked like wonders.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<ol start="3" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We had not taken a holiday in 2 years and had almost forgotten how</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></b></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">naïve
tourists frequently get taken for a ride</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.
Case in point was our first day in</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><st1:city w:st="on"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Rome</span></st1:city><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">– our
first stop was</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Vatican</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">– to recharge our batteries before the long wait to get to San
Peitro, we decided to get something light to eat. We asked the waiter for
his recommendation and that is where we exactly went wrong. The lunch was
neither light on the stomach nor on the wallet. A total rip off, but on a
positive note I still got a very appetizing picture for keepsake! </span></li>
</ol>
<ol start="4" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Even if you are not a history or an art enthusiast, the city of</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Rome</span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">will turn you into one for sure. Everyone knows that St. Basilica
and Sistine Chapel are strikingly beautiful, but the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">spectacular
work of art</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">enchanted even our little Smera and the story behind the art and
history made her appreciate the Easter celebration even more this year.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<ol start="5" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This was officially the first trip where we spent most of the time
soaking ourselves in holiday fun rather than clicking picture! And now
when friends and family ask us to share the holiday fun,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri;"><b>I
have no pictures to share! </b>All I have is a few </span></li>
</ol>
<ol start="6" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Also I must
admit the French were nice, much nicer than my previous trip but the
Italians stole my heart! I particularly thought that the Italians people
were a happier bunch than any place I have ever been. Especially the
random people we met walking on the streets, in fact I loved it so much
that<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>I could actually
imagine myself living in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:city></st1:city></st1:place>. </b></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And the holiday
came to an end with little<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Smera
singing “let it go”</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>in full
throttle, while watching the movie on our way back home in the middle of the
night! Go bless all those passengers who were sitting around for having the
courage to bear her through that night! </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com5Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819754 58.39758649999998923.581520400000002 58.396955999999989 23.5824304 58.398216999999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-48639104557516646872015-03-07T07:02:00.000-08:002015-03-07T07:02:34.032-08:00Silly Saturdays: Daddy's beautician at work.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 150%;">We always talk
about the busy and industrious moms, who work day in and out. 365 days a year.
However the daddies of the world are equally incredible! No one talks of their
hard work. Call them breadwinners, head of the family or finance minister (as I
do) they too are equally integral part of the family.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I have been
instilling the virtue of hard work on to my little one, by holding up her daddy
as an example. Thus this weekend when we were all home, Smera decided to
take matters in her hands, I mean on daddy’s foot. Drawing inspiration from
mummy’s visit to the beautician’s her artistic skills were woken up. Without
wasting anytime out came the nail polish in ElePhantastic Pink. With an amazing
dexterity to match an accomplished painter, she covered both the toes in no
time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipg7EvZBLmfv0iXbKYnAbF6AKzQ4YU-MbvG4bUgJRp0QByDfS8mxF0fM-P6rcYPZXFjfJxH-KK1xBQ5gIzC6GCu8VfWbTtb3wsFfUo2VhoTG81E3kZc76Hqsigu-X9qAHb_4-Q1lqR86I/s1600/Daddy's%2Bbeautician%2Bat%2Bwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipg7EvZBLmfv0iXbKYnAbF6AKzQ4YU-MbvG4bUgJRp0QByDfS8mxF0fM-P6rcYPZXFjfJxH-KK1xBQ5gIzC6GCu8VfWbTtb3wsFfUo2VhoTG81E3kZc76Hqsigu-X9qAHb_4-Q1lqR86I/s1600/Daddy's%2Bbeautician%2Bat%2Bwork.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CorbisImages</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But there was a
catch, the daddy was asleep when all this was happening, so he was in for a
real shock when got up see the color pop pink on his toes. And to his bad luck
there was no nail polish remover at home. I somehow managed to convince him
forget it and anyway no one was going to know as he always wear shoes and
socks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Life wouldn't
have been so interesting if all his problems were to end there. Shortly after
this incident was forgotten about, few friends dropped for tea. After a few
minutes in the discussing the day’s match suddenly everyone’s gaze shifted on
to hubby’s shiny toes. The rest of the evening was spent laughing at daddy’s
new pedicured toe nails and Smera accepting accepting booking from her aunts
for their next pedicure appointments. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com13Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819754 58.39758649999998923.581520400000002 58.396955999999989 23.5824304 58.398216999999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-62072579178494652322015-02-28T08:29:00.001-08:002015-02-28T08:39:21.271-08:00Mommy's guide to happy mornings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Have people ever
doubted your parenting capabilities? I get it all the time and honestly I don’t
mind it at all. I usually get tons of advice on how to raise my child, while I
do listen to them, I do not guarantee to follow them. While I cannot claim to
be best at the task, but I do try to give my best shot at it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Just recently my
interaction with another newbie parents got me some eye rolling and this made
me wonder if I was really being tough on Smera. I mostly get in trouble for
being a bit too strict with my daughter. But I believe toddlerhood is just the
best time to learn all about discipline. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The newbie
parents were appalled to hear that Smera’s sleep time on school days is 7pm.
They felt it was an absolute injustice to the little one. I was asked questions
like then when does she get time to play? My response to them was – “She
perfectly manages to do everything a child needs to do before 7pm”. I might
have sounded a little rude but this was the truth! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMTh93r6kqgiVdhwnCFzl5YrytmynS8r6fiRPrw4ssTLJlJpgIgIrynRnV8GyhuCQLOLA8EnDzr2O5knd6ySVbNuBvzlAAcR_wZylOesFPV-wQnOEVoJAS7o9-cV6Mr_jKjaHPjhDctg/s1600/Corbis-42-33676528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMTh93r6kqgiVdhwnCFzl5YrytmynS8r6fiRPrw4ssTLJlJpgIgIrynRnV8GyhuCQLOLA8EnDzr2O5knd6ySVbNuBvzlAAcR_wZylOesFPV-wQnOEVoJAS7o9-cV6Mr_jKjaHPjhDctg/s1600/Corbis-42-33676528.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">corbisimages.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Smera is a
morning person, loves to get up at 6am (even on holidays). Her biological clock
is tuned to it waking up early in the morning. Nothing is more special than
seeing her get up with a smile every morning. The reason being she had a good
night’s sleep – just a simple logic.
Morning’s are never a struggle with Smera and on most days she is extremely
happy to be going to school. I never have to scold her to get out of bed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As an infant too
Smera had this habit of waking up real early, though I did have to put her into
an early sleeping habit but that too wasn't a big task with her. And this good
habit has helped her to settle into school routine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Smera leaves for
school at 7am and unfortunately her school finishes at 3pm – a real long day.
After school the little one loves to come back and unwind at home, colour a
bit, play with her friends, dawdle around the kitchen to find her snack, have a
bath, eat dinner and listen to stories just like any 4 year old child. The only
difference might be that she skips her afternoon nap. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There is another
reason why I chose early to bed routine for her that is because I have never
been a morning person for most part of my life. My dad has had some real tough
days to get me out of bed. Most days I have spent my time in classroom dreaming
of sleep. And that is the reason why I want to put in good habits right from
the beginning for her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 108.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I have learnt
from confirmed sources the ultimate mommy fact – most children are the happiest
when they have slept well and their tummies are full. As they grow up with they would need to focus
more on studies and that’s when sleep will become even more crucial. Then why
not practice good sleeping habits from the beginning itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com9Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819754 58.39758649999998923.581520400000002 58.396955999999989 23.5824304 58.398216999999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-15156395881956591142015-02-17T23:34:00.000-08:002015-02-17T23:34:08.395-08:00Parenting trap #1 - Perfection <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What is with parents wanting nothing but the
best for their children? Is good not good enough anymore? Why suddenly there is
a desire for everything to be perfect? Either it’s the best school, best
pediatrician, best tutor to even best prospective life partner. Does good not
satiate our desires? The world around me is split into two the one with that
have the best and the other striving for the best. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Competition is great and in any form would be healthy
not only for the mind but also for the soul. But the question that has been
going on in my head is if excellence too has the same effect? The idea of
perfection is not frightening, while the idea of desiring perfection for others
is asking a bit too much I guess. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We as parents want to give our children the
best school, but are they worthy of it? Why not let the child prove his or her
caliber in academics. We would buy the best of the branded clothes, take them
best vacations or dine in the at best restaurants. But are telling them how
much it costs to afford this best lifestyle? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I grew up in an environment where my parents
tried their best to give me a good opportunity in everything and expected me to
excel in studies. This I felt was reasonable, but somewhere from then to now
things have changed and the reason being our aspirations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5vifcjsUHJBUycU9vIEsHPfWD-JKvexn5VHjKMvbyIW0unA2gOcMTZpspf10ebnhWB-BAuTCiCYmszwf1DmvCUuBs5AJwmhrzYCoikrbe_E9LwiRfES3CF_XmwfLwS9ZynDvFTLRfGk/s1600/Corbis-42-64060207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5vifcjsUHJBUycU9vIEsHPfWD-JKvexn5VHjKMvbyIW0unA2gOcMTZpspf10ebnhWB-BAuTCiCYmszwf1DmvCUuBs5AJwmhrzYCoikrbe_E9LwiRfES3CF_XmwfLwS9ZynDvFTLRfGk/s1600/Corbis-42-64060207.jpg" height="320" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">corbisimages.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This new age parenting is a bit scary for me,
we are training our children to be the best. But what are not teaching is how
to get there and also understand the value of ones failures, that too many
positives. How else would the youngsters
understand what it takes to be best at something, if we don’t guide them
towards the right path. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I don't know why are putting ourselves and our
loved ones through this pressure. We parents love to celebrate the A grades. If
the child didn't win, then we wouldn't tell that child had even competed to
save ourselves of the embarrassment of acknowledging that someone else was
better. It is as if we are telling our children, there is no point
participating if you cannot win it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Now more than ever the youngsters must understand
the concept of discipline, dedication, practice, punctuality, consistency and
teach them to find positives from a failure. It is important to help them
understand that </span><span style="background: white; font-family: Calibri;">we are not perfect. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Even if we make
mistakes, we have a share in everything that's happens to us, good and bad. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The journey of our life may not be perfect,
but we will eventually reach where we want to be. We have to be careful not to
confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence is what we should aim for and
teach our children, perfection will follow us with </span><span style="background: white; font-family: Calibri;">persistence,
patience, and by prioritising our passion.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com24Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819754 58.39758649999998923.581520400000002 58.396955999999989 23.5824304 58.398216999999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-35878174034237135622015-01-30T19:24:00.000-08:002015-01-30T21:43:27.167-08:00Tough luck<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A
4 year old boy was recently expelled from my daughter’s class in KG -1. The
school was forced to take this drastic step against the child as he was
continually disrupting the class. But what was more defeating in all of this is
the fact the parents were in denial that their child could such a thing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
problem started right from the very beginning of the class in September. The
boy would bite his fellow classmates and occasionally push or kick them too.
Smera too was bitten and we asked her to complain to the class teacher
instantly. A month into the class this continued, so I spoke to the academic
supervisor regarding the matter was asked to send a written complaint. The
supervisor was asked to prove that the child really was biting by his parents.
Forced to provide proof to the parents, she decided to urge parents to send in
written complaints. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsscN5ZggEY-PlEzidGzmsq-b-NLHh60iHEgqsAJKE9KprzigvxySGtK4tbdTyUAZuZSovkmZ1QyKAXA0tX8ZQ05Pa4wqx8M_Rlx59vBwMSNQzpFhBEtzh2HZq3sAnFrYXxCLoBFHYOyM/s1600/Corbis-42-23886840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsscN5ZggEY-PlEzidGzmsq-b-NLHh60iHEgqsAJKE9KprzigvxySGtK4tbdTyUAZuZSovkmZ1QyKAXA0tX8ZQ05Pa4wqx8M_Rlx59vBwMSNQzpFhBEtzh2HZq3sAnFrYXxCLoBFHYOyM/s1600/Corbis-42-23886840.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">At
first I refused to give in a written complaint. I wanted to give the boy a fair
chance as I was not sure if Smera was exaggerating. As a mother I could
understand another mother’s situation too. It is difficult to hear when our
child does something wrong and I am really no one to judge about the little
boy’s character. So as days passed on, Smera continued to grumble until one day
when she came back home with a bite mark on her wrist. And that was it, I </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">didn't</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> want Smera to think
that it is okay to bite. So I finally sent an email to the supervisor,
explaining the incident and hoping that this time the parents would not ignore
the incident. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">After
the email, I very rarely heard Smera complaining about her friend. Though she
would tell me of how her other classmates were bitten by the same boy. And then
just this week I was informed by the supervisor that the boy has been expelled
from school. The reason </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">cited</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> was that the boy was given plenty of chances to
improve and the school no longer wanted to be held responsible for anything
untoward happening to other students. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
were not the only parents who had complained. But did the school do right by
putting the child out of the school? In my opinion, maybe not! The child of
course every child needs to know the difference between good and bad, right and
wrong but not all children are the same. I think it was a very harsh decision
on a 4 year old. Maybe they could have waited for few months for the year to
get over, this way the child would have saved an academic year. I am sure the
parents could have helped a bit more to help their child deal with his
aggressive behaviour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Discipline
cannot be taught overnight and definitely not by punishing the child. What we
must remember is that every child is different and a child needs our love the
most particularly when he is not worthy of it! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com20Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819754 58.39758649999998923.581520400000002 58.396955999999989 23.5824304 58.398216999999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-12862441594488455222015-01-27T21:47:00.000-08:002015-01-31T09:36:19.062-08:00Old habits die hard<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Can you believe it January has almost come to an end? What is it
with time that stops for no one or anything for that matter? I have been
thinking of posting something for the last few weeks and then got busy with
life. To be honest I am really glad that 2014 is over, had been a tough year at
many levels. That explains why I was keener on 2015 to get started, but time
seems to be rushing and I am yet to catch up with it this year.<u1:p></u1:p></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">I have carried on my old habits like laziness into this year too.
Not just that in fact I have attained new heights in being lazy already in
2015. Just yesterday Smera came in from school with her school bag all messed
up courtesy her lunch box. The bag had to be cleaned up and somebody (i.e. me)
had to do the job, so gave my washing machine a golden chance to be my </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">savior</span><span style="line-height: 150%;">.
30 mins later not only the bag was clean, my washing machine survived my
experiment (sporting a proud grin).<u1:p></u1:p></span></span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now that I have confessed of washing the school bag in the
machine, let me also share that I wash little Smera’s shoes too in the machine.
Actually I go to the ridiculous extent of buying only those kinds of shoes that
can be machine washed. To explain better these shoes do not come with washing
machine friendly label, but I have attained this wisdom through my trial and
error methodology (yet again sporting the proud grin).<u1:p></u1:p></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">Strange things happen to nice people. It continues to haunt my
life in 2015 too. It is quite to keep track of the number of times that I got
into trouble for bizarre reasons. After feeling proud about my accomplishment
yesterday, I decided to help myself to nice cup of chamomile tea. And just
before bed I stopped to have my daily dose of multivitamins. One of them is a
big capsule and just as I put that in mouth, I heard Smera crying in her sleep,
so I quickly downed the medicine with a small sip of water and ran to the
bedroom. </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">She was alright
and it just the dream, I switched off the bed to realise, something was stuck
in my throat. In my rush I took little to have medicine and that thing was
stuck in my throat. Went back to the kitchen had lots of water, the feeling got
a little better however it </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">didn't</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> go away completely.<u1:p></u1:p></span></span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-Ec-vMihhWuMfGimjhfcHJizdqm-uDp8WNfUpVeMZKdLC0pqDllQ9GVdzG700FSYtvz__0TeODk6LwjU9i9b7-6DIft-5n_YOlrofipdCVzlKgULi4SiEBSGEMGejhWUEe83oj2rqAQ/s1600/Old+habits+die+hard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-Ec-vMihhWuMfGimjhfcHJizdqm-uDp8WNfUpVeMZKdLC0pqDllQ9GVdzG700FSYtvz__0TeODk6LwjU9i9b7-6DIft-5n_YOlrofipdCVzlKgULi4SiEBSGEMGejhWUEe83oj2rqAQ/s1600/Old+habits+die+hard.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source:corbisimages.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suddenly memories of biology class flooded my thought and made
think how to get rid of the silly capsule stuck in esophagus. Remember
esophagus, a thin tube connecting the mouth to the stomach? Yes that was
hurting.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> Then I remembered
of rice, somebody once told me when something like this happens or a fish bone
gets stuck, fill your mouth with a large ball of this rice and swallow it.
Hoping the rice takes the capsule down my pipeline, I ended up eating an entire
bowl of rice to feel better. With no choice I retired to bed thinking of blogging
about this.<u1:p></u1:p></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And as I got up this morning I was feeling much better and the
discomfort was gone. Just then I decided to finish up my morning chore and sat
down write this post. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I
guess strange things will continue to happen this year too! Who knew that a
dirty school and a capsule could inspire me to write my 2015’s first blog post.
Wishing you all a very late but a real happy new year!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com13Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819754 58.39758649999998923.581520400000002 58.396955999999989 23.5824304 58.398216999999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-14389211236151200182014-12-17T04:42:00.001-08:002014-12-17T04:42:51.787-08:00Suffering the Questionitis Syndrome <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you get questioned often? I am bombarded by them everyday and most
of my days, start and end with a question. Mostly asked to make me go crazy,
but there are some real smart ones too I have to confess. There are some that
put me in a tough spot, if I should answer the truth or cook up a story to
support. Nonetheless I know it is good to encourage Smera and her is curiosity.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">A few years back I read somewhere that it is scientifically proven
that children who are naturally curious fare better at school, in
relationships, at work, and end up being intelligent, creative and satisfied
people. Right so this means no matter how tough it is going to find answers for
her questions, I must persuade her to be a flexible thinker! However this responsive
style of parenting, where we help the child to cultivate the habit of
questioning has its own flip sides too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">And today I plan to write about the question that has been disturbing
my little munchkin a lot, she has tried different ways find the truth but
answer is still evading her. The
question was –“Why was I not there at you wedding?”. “Didn't you love me then?”
she asked me once and I always tell her that she was with god watching the
ceremony happen from the heavens above. Then the next question she would come
up with is, “Really how come I don’t remember and why am I not there in the
picture?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Over a period of time, she has come to terms that she was not invited
to the actual party and that she omnipresent from the heavens above. But the matter
does not end there for me, just when I was thinking that the problems have
solved, the little child asked me another bouncer of question. “Can you get
married again? This time you can invite me too!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkddp7jnNelWTTLjdwguCQcaIp0-xiws2MEP0nlq3_94-HBlIMEl7dYjOOQZquGxnVQCVEKeWm5MeUCYyRvIm-actH7z6h4-xsqaNEF8bOfqSevNEOiM6pzn3ioEsjUCeknDL3vOuVMaM/s1600/Corbis-42-50542345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkddp7jnNelWTTLjdwguCQcaIp0-xiws2MEP0nlq3_94-HBlIMEl7dYjOOQZquGxnVQCVEKeWm5MeUCYyRvIm-actH7z6h4-xsqaNEF8bOfqSevNEOiM6pzn3ioEsjUCeknDL3vOuVMaM/s1600/Corbis-42-50542345.jpg" height="400" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: corbis.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">So as I am writing this post the little one is busy checking her
wardrobe for a white dress that she plans to wear and along with her princess
wings and tiara. Looking at her enthusiasm over getting us married again, I am
wondering maybe it isn't really a bad idea and probably this time I could get
married in jeans and t-shirt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com9Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819754 58.39758649999998923.581520400000002 58.396955999999989 23.5824304 58.398216999999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-11115574534959986422014-11-21T07:47:00.000-08:002014-11-21T10:17:51.110-08:00Fit in or Stand out?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We all live in comfort zones and find it really
difficult to part away with it. But such is life, it will bring challenges and
will expect you to raise yourself above the petty things and aim at the goal
that is set higher. If you are a regular at the blog, then you would know that
I love looking for inspiration from people in my life, everyday people like you
and me! And so today it’s going to be my eldest niece, Mariah but I love
calling her Ammu.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ammu until this June was studying at the <st1:placename w:st="on">Indian</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">School</st1:placetype>
grade 5, one of the most prestigious CBSE schools in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oman</st1:place></st1:country-region> and was in
the CBSE (I) curriculum, which is far more relaxed and than the regular CBSE. However
when we decided upon putting Smera into an international school known for
strong academics and extra-curricular activities, Ammu seemed excited about
this new school for her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It wasn't going to be a task as she just managed to
clear her entrance test in Math and the second challenge set for her was French
as opposed to Hindi was going to be the second language and she would have to
catch up on her French. The third challenge for Ammu was to make new friends
and so far it was easy for her as she joined and grew up from a toddler into a
confident and popular 10 year old girl. Now it was going to all back to square
one and at 10 it’s a bit more difficult to fit in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But in all of this she had an advantage as she had an
extra month of vacation which she utilised very wisely and got herself enrolled
for Math and French coaching. As a result of the challenge that was set in
front her, she pushed herself to the limits and in the very first test in
French she scored a 100/100 and in Math she scored an 87/100. Since the first
week her academic scores have been getting better the ever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Simultaneously she has been making friends too in her
peers and superiors but it is a bit longer process than she had expected. She
is trying to make friends without changing the person she is and believe me
it’s a tough ask for a 10 yr old. I keep reminding her of all the good parts of
her character, while some days are tough but some days are super cool. The
problem with the kids at her age is they without realising end up hurting, or
bullying their peers. But what is important is not to lose your identity to
become one of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In life I've learnt that trials are a great way to
progress ahead in our lives. Sometimes they may make us feel excited and
enthusiastic, while others simply are meant to overwhelm us. The key is to never to lose your confidence, you
may lose everything and get it back with firm belief in yourself. My advice for
you and every child would be not to hesitate in taking chances and appreciate
whatever you've have learned from a tough situation and you must also
understand that every step is necessary in this journey called Life!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">I know you've always enjoyed Dr. </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">Seuss, he once said "</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 24px;">Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 150%;"> Taking a cue from Dr. Seuss, there is wonderful song that I am
leaving for you and I feel best describes your situation. I Love You and you
make me very proud girl!! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/o7apR4spKZ0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
</div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-12206689377628962042014-11-12T02:51:00.000-08:002014-11-12T02:52:25.572-08:00Sweet November !! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">I love this month! Got god’s best blessing – my Ma, met my
hubby for the very first time 11 years ago and also got the most precious gift
of my life – my daughter Smera! They all celebrate their birthdays in November.
All the scorpions in my life have been the best bunch of crazy rock-stars that make
my life electrifying! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Little Smera celebrates her birthday today as she turned all of 4
years! This year had been tough for her especially with us shifting countries,
making new friends, to new schools, but she managed all of it with her charming
smile and few tears too alongside. With each passing year, she is becoming
crazier like me. I never thought I would say it this early but, “Smera your
questions are way too smart for mamma to give you all the answers”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">You are my best friend and my partner in crime. We laugh n cry n
tickle n dance sometimes all in the same hour! With you I am getting to re-live
me childhood and that is surely the best part of having you! I love it when you give me your lap to sleep and scold your daddy when he troubles me. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 150%;">God bless you girl
and here is just as I promised the Princess Elsa cake for your birthday.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkn-MmyoStsgvlSHcLfuIvL474TjGZMY_M1_INQALk0eTinli1V_NKbc7rQ7Eg6ICO9UZV9FNnRFspP-GIEiZLl29U7bLruPzUrAKemcRZVOcLRXEqFo5sCFAoRpR5ZVE_Z_pFj7PDW9s/s1600/IMG-20141112-WA0018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkn-MmyoStsgvlSHcLfuIvL474TjGZMY_M1_INQALk0eTinli1V_NKbc7rQ7Eg6ICO9UZV9FNnRFspP-GIEiZLl29U7bLruPzUrAKemcRZVOcLRXEqFo5sCFAoRpR5ZVE_Z_pFj7PDW9s/s640/IMG-20141112-WA0018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">You are also becoming naughtier by the day, however I will confess, I
love it when you giggle after you have done something mischievous. While I have to confess I am
not a perfect mum by any means but you have always made feel proud by just
being yourself. However I am little worried about your future plans of wanting
to become a fashion show girl, super-heroine girl and Barbie, I hope this year you
would find something reasonable real soon.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s a little piece of advice for this year – be tough, don’t shy
but never let anyone make you cry, spread smiles and always remember Mamma and
Daddy will always stand by your side!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com20Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819726 58.39752670000007123.5815176 58.396896200000072 23.5824276 58.398157200000071tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-11992453794165746682014-11-07T19:58:00.000-08:002014-11-07T19:58:53.652-08:00Silly Saturdays: Fellow asking me to be Mellow <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Been a while since I took a dig at myself and that made me wonder why?
Answer is quite simple it’s just that the hubby has been quite busy these days
and he is one who usually brings the best or the worst out of me. As a
consequence of spending sometime with him, this is what happens. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">On very silent Thursday morning, while I was gently urging little
Smera to drink her milk and get on with getting ready to school. The half awake
hubby walks in with his PBJ sandwich and sat down beside us. Munching on his
sandwich he heard me yet again to <i>Very Gently Urging </i>her to finish her
milk and just then he comments:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Hubby:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"> “Are you not well?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Me</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">: “No, I am perfectly alright and why do you ask?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Hubby:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"> “I asked as I’ve never heard you ask Smera to do something so
softly.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Me</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">: “What do you mean that I am always yelling at her?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Hubby:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"> “Err!! That’s not what I meant. I mean either you are too aggressive
or as today extremely mellow.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Me:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"> “Extremely mellow?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Hubby: “</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">I mean you need to find the right spot in your
voice! Ah I realise my sandwich is finished let me get ready quickly”, and he
quickly vanished off from the scene, leaving me fuming.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOzWmqffsmuOqA9CD2lQCmXHW7mXKCsgRJWa9M7afrRL2VywPl0PKFROb_-e28C5CF14A6eu6K_Zid5Jfp2PTmEvHPDmEc4K6aWvWABQ7TML5eSoHWm6wgItt_NMLORn5_tH0MylEj1g/s1600/Silly+Saturdays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOzWmqffsmuOqA9CD2lQCmXHW7mXKCsgRJWa9M7afrRL2VywPl0PKFROb_-e28C5CF14A6eu6K_Zid5Jfp2PTmEvHPDmEc4K6aWvWABQ7TML5eSoHWm6wgItt_NMLORn5_tH0MylEj1g/s1600/Silly+Saturdays.jpg" height="400" width="377" /></a></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Meanwhile while we were discussing the pitch of my tone little Smera
was giggling and slurping up her chocolate milk and that meant it time to get
her into her uniform.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 150%;">This made me wonder when the better half will really understand to use
better choice of words to explain his thoughts! </span></div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com15Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819726 58.39752670000007123.5815176 58.396896200000072 23.5824276 58.398157200000071tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-5797571317143251252014-11-07T02:54:00.001-08:002014-11-07T02:54:03.675-08:00A week that went by !! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Being a Stay-At-Home-Mom or SAHM as the new lingo is, is one the most
difficult part of job that any mother has do. Now don’t get me wrong, with all
due respect it’s a very important job and somebody’s got to do it but the
problem is at the end of the it’s a thankless job. I wonder how mums all the
over world and over hundreds of years have managed to stay at home all the time
and have been happy about it. I have never met a SAHM who has ever complained! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">I was brought by an extremely hard working mum, who would be away
almost 5 days a week but she made up for that I missed in just two days. Yes of
course she missed my report card days (that was mostly on purpose), or school
functions etc. But she was always around still and the one thing that I really
learnt from her is to be independent! Be it monetarily or emotionally, every
woman needs to be self sufficient!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">I am currently at a situation where I am absolutely frustrated as I do
a little bit of work from home, content writing, blogging etc. but it is just
not satisfying my soul. I want to get back to the corporate routine and which
is quite impossible right now with no one to look after my little Smera. It
feels like living in a jail especially on school days as I have to be on mercy
for the hubby to come in early and answer some of the her questions. Since we
moved to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Muscat</st1:city></st1:place>
we don’t have a baby-sitter so far and the question of having some Me-time is
zero. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">To help myself feel a little liberated I have started going to my
hubby’s office, working on the website content. So my usual routine starts at
4:30 am, and that’s all thanks to my body clock and if knew where it was located
I would have long thrown it out of body. Going after sending Smera away to
school I get ready and rush to work, work on the content bit till 12:30 come
back for houseboy to clean, cook lunch and pick up Smera. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Once Smera is back I am already feeling sleepyishly liberated and
that’s when I take her down to play for an hour that is roughly around 5-6 pm. This
is the time when I am really doing a security guard’s duty keeping both my eye
on her, while she plays. In between other kids from the compound ask the lovely
lady aka me the time, to make sure they don’t get in trouble with their mums.
Once back from the play I give her a bath followed by then dinner and then I tuck
her away by 7 pm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIcpqtMUbWeMCyruJznXj6C8P89wtXiORZu_3tyJtSjIAyW2q1MTqhH2q0aJJjSozniN-jiKwl-Jcrp5MxhSZDJH_1xetxe2M5LwNfyfPOeJekcj0UwhDhfEMD4gGFvlLmusIChaZ3pc/s1600/Corbis-42-56677408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIcpqtMUbWeMCyruJznXj6C8P89wtXiORZu_3tyJtSjIAyW2q1MTqhH2q0aJJjSozniN-jiKwl-Jcrp5MxhSZDJH_1xetxe2M5LwNfyfPOeJekcj0UwhDhfEMD4gGFvlLmusIChaZ3pc/s1600/Corbis-42-56677408.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy: Corbis.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Sigh!! I am feeling almost exhausted writing about it, imagine me
dragging my self with that idiotic body clock. Then the laundry, tweeting, whatsapping,
facebooking and thinking of the next blog post, while preparing for next day. Sounds
extremely chaotic but I am loving it. I just wish if I could find a full-time
help at home, which would make it more interesting then I guess. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">For now I am happy, for having started working from office instead of my couch! </span></div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com11Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819726 58.39752670000007123.5815176 58.396896200000072 23.5824276 58.398157200000071tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-75651617098649027992014-10-30T01:11:00.000-07:002014-10-30T01:11:06.334-07:00Say a little prayer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Every night as I put my little Smera to sleep, I say a prayer thanking
god for the things he has blessed us with. Now that she has become big she has
started saying her prayers herself. It goes something like this. “Thank you God
for the food we eat, thank you god the playground we have, for cheese and chocolate
milk Mamma gives and for the Lego that daddy will get me on my birthday. Could
you also give me Queen Elsa dress and a big cake? Thank you for everything!!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Much as it sounds funny, but she is god’s blessed child to have a good
childhood for she has good health, good school, healthy food and a home to live
in. There are so many who are struggling for their sustenance of the very basic
called – Life! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNk2iaDtoLhgMWcpPwQLEC8ZHau2HA4OOGdCD_F2CtzqxYmbMvW_poOhM_CWKaK1bEtjjAEIPxfgqN97PX6uAr92GW2ybmy0GgZBvtirI-vdHstZ-K0tafFXVMbEtO2UncBU1sLWT39Y/s1600/Prayer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNk2iaDtoLhgMWcpPwQLEC8ZHau2HA4OOGdCD_F2CtzqxYmbMvW_poOhM_CWKaK1bEtjjAEIPxfgqN97PX6uAr92GW2ybmy0GgZBvtirI-vdHstZ-K0tafFXVMbEtO2UncBU1sLWT39Y/s1600/Prayer.jpg" height="376" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image: corbis.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">What angers me the most is that we humans are ready to kill each in
the name of our religion. And I don’t believe in religions, I only believe in
the existence of God and humanity for all. All these religious upheaval
happening across the world makes me wonder what are becoming into. I am a Hindu
by birth, married to a Christian, lives in an Islamic country but in all of
this religion has no importance in my life. I do go to the temple, church,
mosque or gurdwara only for one reason they give me peace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">The Quran says, ‘There shall be no compulsion in the matter of faith.
Distinct is the way of guidance now from error.’ There is great wisdom hidden
in this line, our actions defines our intention and we people will receive only
what we intended. Then why not wish for good things for everyone, peace and
happiness, wouldn’t the world become a better place then? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">We humans fight in the name of Allah, Jesus, Ram, <st1:place w:st="on">Krishna</st1:place>
but have we ever thought what the god wants from us. Whether one believes in a
religion or not, but we all appreciate true act of kindness and compassion. To
truly understand the God we people should stop debating about scriptures and
religious texts; this only lets down our faith in the almighty! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Dalai Lama once said, “Our prime purpose in this life is to help
others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">If we have lost our feeling of peace and harmony, it is because that
we have put out of our minds that we all are a part of the very same god. I was
reading something Bulleh Shah, the great Sufi philosopher once said,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>“Break down the mosque, break down the
temple<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>Break down whatever there is besides;<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>But never break a human heart<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>That is where God himself resides.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Let's keep our eyes and ears open, help those who need us. Stand for
what is Right and I am sure our good intentions will somehow find the right
path! But if this to happen it has to start with me and my family! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com28Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819726 58.39752670000007123.5815176 58.396896200000072 23.5824276 58.398157200000071tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-84482010961912756992014-10-27T19:27:00.000-07:002014-10-27T19:27:25.185-07:00School is Cool!! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 150%;">I love to see the little children smile as they go off to school. My
daughter started her big school this September. Going to school has always been
an enjoyable experience for her. Be it back in </span><st1:city style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 150%;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dubai</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 150%;"> at Blossoms or at Kids World here! Just
as I expected her initial first week was great, I would take her to her class
leave her in with a big hug and she would happily proceed . By second week we
started sending her with cousin sister and our driver aka Salim Uncle.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 150%;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">This transition wasn't so smooth, Smera was not quite happy about
going with Salim. She being mamma’s girl found it difficult to let go, by the
end of the 2<sup>nd</sup> week slowly as she started getting used to it, the
poor child fell sick with terrible viral and bout of wheezing. While it’s
common for kids to fall sick when they initially start school, but in Smera’s
case falling sick was not a big hitch, re-starting the routine was most
complicated part. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">As a mother it was really tough for me to send teary little one away,
to school. I would spend my day restlessly waiting for her to come back and see
smile on her face. This is one of the challenges I wanted her to overcome.
Smera loves listening to stories and I would tell her about kids who are less
fortunate, who want to go school but can’t make it as they don’t have the means
to go to school. I would tell how I didn't realise as a child how important
school was. As each day passed her anxiety was reducing but the tears still
didn't go away! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Just then 17 year old Malala Yousafzai won Noble Peace prize, and this
gave me a perfect story to tell Smera. I pulled “I am Malala” book and read the
excerpts to little one, where she was shot on her way back from school. This
story really moved little Smera, she asked me a lot of questions, “why did the
bad men shot her?”. She had a lot of questions in her head, why girls can’t
study? Why the bad men killed children who wanted to go to school. After
satisfying her curiosity, I explained to Smera education helps us understand
between right or wrong. Those bad men didn't want kids to understand that
difference. I explained to her, how Malala’s parents stood as strength for her and
encouraged her to study and live the life she wanted to. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNAYlvj6IcwsJKDRozI0_kvG8ckvC-zlQb-aSnTZbFp3qvl5j17xGljteFHdaVKYkPTBkk2KMFbeK3eZpMEhq9a7YEZ9wJoL4xL1l4aXoU0cJPVgK5JfljLln4eRi4FEjLYJmq1R-oOY/s1600/Malala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNAYlvj6IcwsJKDRozI0_kvG8ckvC-zlQb-aSnTZbFp3qvl5j17xGljteFHdaVKYkPTBkk2KMFbeK3eZpMEhq9a7YEZ9wJoL4xL1l4aXoU0cJPVgK5JfljLln4eRi4FEjLYJmq1R-oOY/s1600/Malala.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="_4nq6" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 4px; padding: 8px 12px; text-align: left;">
<div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_42ef" style="overflow: hidden;">
<div class="_c24 _50f3">
<span style="color: #444444; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">Image courtesy: www.malalafund.org</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">I am not sure how much of the story she understood, but there were two
things that she took away from it, firstly education is a greatest gift that
god has given her. Secondly, good education will help her become a good
ballerina and super heroine girl! My child had such an impact that the next school, she was all smiles and it made extremely proud! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRVgHPwoybyqoo2XFE9kPO5hMSEgYr1opyHLPv0XUzwH0XxTjpnTgMCyYtBso_fqhwTBnoeGQ3uQKtljF5AZL00eu7SdfaPE1s0zxPdGJDJ8086lIVS9d7l2DcGxlAf5Nb9Mje2e9Jvg/s1600/SuperGirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRVgHPwoybyqoo2XFE9kPO5hMSEgYr1opyHLPv0XUzwH0XxTjpnTgMCyYtBso_fqhwTBnoeGQ3uQKtljF5AZL00eu7SdfaPE1s0zxPdGJDJ8086lIVS9d7l2DcGxlAf5Nb9Mje2e9Jvg/s1600/SuperGirl.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Thank you Malala you have in many ways have inspired our lives and may
god bless you girl! I wish more power to you girl and let there more girls who
show the same courage and the determination as you to study. The great part of
girls getting educated is that they would ensure the next generation of
children would also study.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com11Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819726 58.39752670000007123.5815176 58.396896200000072 23.5824276 58.398157200000071tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-22018183003303982322014-10-25T21:03:00.000-07:002014-10-25T21:03:43.760-07:00A frozen quagmire !!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Our lives have been changed completely ever since the day Disney
released its movie Frozen. This has been by far her most favourite movie after
Cinderalla and Mary Poppins. The love for the movie has turned into a craze and
little girl has been heavily negotiating for a Frozen dress, shoes, doll and
anything and everything related to it. Phew!! Now we managed to postpone all this
for almost 11 months saying “we’ll get it for your birthday” and now the
birthday is round the corner and I have a feeling we’re going to be in a soup! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">She loves anything and everything related Queen Else and Princess
Anna. Infact it is also her current ambition to become the Queen of Arendelle
and make a snow man with her magical powers. What has been adding up to my
problems is the fact, that she watches all the toy reviews too on the Ipad and
has been keeping herself updated to all the new things that are available in
the toy market. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdu4pL-woIznLmNbTXh9gbzGUhIPYFCdwPEbB7hxvlIe5sxTvKIWTw9Ee0WtlNL2a6ZhJvZ6TEMy-p2WNgxOV2wTvMssyjmCi3m9cCoIFTZo5pmT2M_EIrxkX4zRe9E_T0SiGNenG0dY/s1600/Frozen+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdu4pL-woIznLmNbTXh9gbzGUhIPYFCdwPEbB7hxvlIe5sxTvKIWTw9Ee0WtlNL2a6ZhJvZ6TEMy-p2WNgxOV2wTvMssyjmCi3m9cCoIFTZo5pmT2M_EIrxkX4zRe9E_T0SiGNenG0dY/s1600/Frozen+picture.jpg" height="409" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Now birthday just 2 weeks away, our child has not forgotten our promises,
that we had been making to her and I have a feeling that if didn’t do something
about it we are going to have a mammoth confrontation. To save ourselves from a
prospective ugly situation, I started scouting all shops in the city that could
possibly have the Blue Queen Elsa dress, but soon I realised that I had bitten
off more than I could chew. Now that not it, at this instant my task is to how
convince the little child to change her mind on the dress. Being her father’s
daughter that she, this too is no small challenge as she’s – a tough
negotiator! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">So lovely Friday evening, I summoned the little child and on sanguine note,
I started the conversation talking about ballerinas and how wonderful they
look, their costume is so pretty. Slowly Smera started looking a bit interested
in the conversation entire conversation. Then I also confessed to in my most
apologetic voice saying, “Darling, I have not been able to find the Blue Elsa
Dress you have been wanting for your birthday. I am sorry can we please change
your party theme to ballerina theme?” Smera was most understanding and said, “don’t
worry Mamma, I know you can get it from Walmart, I am sure you will get it
there, they say it on the Ipad!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Right to make sure she has her desired birthday dress, I will have a
take trip to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region></st1:place>
and visit the Walmart store! Thank you Walmart for giving me a new headache! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com28Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819726 58.39752670000007123.5815176 58.396896200000072 23.5824276 58.398157200000071tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-15520356976108825962014-10-17T09:24:00.000-07:002014-10-17T10:37:50.695-07:00Alarming insight<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Yet another weekend is here and I felt like putting up my feet and watching
a nice movie. I switch on the TV, I put on a romcom and start writing this post
while watching a movie and I am thinking - What kind of man do you like? Is it
the intellectual types or the guy who loves music or a man who loves to click
pictures or someone who just smells enchanting! Well, my man is the kinds who
is the intellectual types and also loves indulging in exquisite perfumes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">But hey I am not planning to write on how to find the right guy for
yourself! Instead it’s going to be all about, how the right guy can get you
into trouble with the building maintenance guys! My hubby loves his perfumes,
he stashes them everywhere, in the car, in his laptop bag, the bathroom,
doesn’t even spare the shoe-rack, name a place you can spot it there! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">However I have taught myself to live his obsession, but of late it has
been getting giving me a headache. Not because of the fragrance but because of
the fire alarm ringing in my ears. The building maintenance guys have upgraded
my flats alarm system just last month. Ever since the fire alarm has become
ultra-sensitive to the slightest whiff of anything. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">It mostly goes off just as the hubby as about step outside, the house,
and the reason – before getting out of the house hubby like to douse himself in
the Perfume! Now no matter where the location is of this act is the
hypersensitive alarm sniffs it and shouts out loud. For the first few days I
used to call the building maintenance guys to bail me out of the situation, but
then even they got fed up! So with no choice I had to learn on how to disable
the fire alarm and reset the gas connection which is all inter-linked in this
building. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGtQsNT4davhRkCxhnNpnLR4gWDS_oRBX0Ma061KL7uvQ_urg6ZuN8eAjbF6i0VPbyTWVTAVkh9s2R_SEr7VI4a0UQRppxVBigP4fwLFVv9XJqiVHo85QIUt54LFq5IBgiZBsRolSxeg/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGtQsNT4davhRkCxhnNpnLR4gWDS_oRBX0Ma061KL7uvQ_urg6ZuN8eAjbF6i0VPbyTWVTAVkh9s2R_SEr7VI4a0UQRppxVBigP4fwLFVv9XJqiVHo85QIUt54LFq5IBgiZBsRolSxeg/s1600/1.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">And just as I got one more thing to tease my hubby and feeling smug
about my recently acquired DIY skills the alarm went off, again. But I figured
that the usual suspect is not around. Quickly through the process of
elimination I found the villain – the boiling sambar this time! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com3Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819726 58.39752670000007123.5815176 58.396896200000072 23.5824276 58.398157200000071tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-34750799709129755952014-10-11T09:04:00.001-07:002014-10-11T09:07:58.221-07:00Something Fishy !!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">We Indians love to eat! Sweet, sour, savoury, spicy name we love it.
To top it up we Malayalees along with our fellow Bengalis and Goans most
certainly love our fish and rice. However I grew up in <st1:city w:st="on">Delhi</st1:city>
so my palate is a bit different, more towards the northern side of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Rajma
Chawal, parathe, dal-subzi-roti kind of palate, while I do like an occasional
fish curry or grilled fish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Hubby and me have very different likings when it comes too food, I
love Rajma which he hates and he loves Unakka chemeen (dry prawns) which I just
can’t stand. But we have a lot in common too. As a true Delhite I love chats
and samosas and so does the hubby and we both hate tuna and salmons. But what really
got me to right about this fishy post today is a humble paratha. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">I decided to make parathas for the hubby, aloo gobhi parathas and just
as I stepped into the kitchen, he followed me to set up his plate with
obligatory accompaniments curd and pickle. Just as I was about to take off the
first paratha, I asked him:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Me:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"> You will have two na? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Hubby:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"> Suddenly feeling all nervous, he asks “Tuna”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Me:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"> Yeah? And then suddenly realising, “Not Tuna, I meant two parathas”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Hubby:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"> Feeling relieved said, “yes of course”. For a moment he had his heart
in mouth thinking the wifey is going to serve Tuna parathas for dinner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZsWgvU8UBEg4k6HULCOJNuFWOnQxpHfPj-bMomWuEQ2GK4t8TS0e9av3dYqFDkNMOm70nAgRAMMDaLAe7yuHFSel9T4JQAjjONnbjaRpmqLy2Lxc3UHv4pf6Q2HzOU4zQgcOubEtMPI/s1600/Something+Fishy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZsWgvU8UBEg4k6HULCOJNuFWOnQxpHfPj-bMomWuEQ2GK4t8TS0e9av3dYqFDkNMOm70nAgRAMMDaLAe7yuHFSel9T4JQAjjONnbjaRpmqLy2Lxc3UHv4pf6Q2HzOU4zQgcOubEtMPI/s1600/Something+Fishy.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">He was grateful that good sense prevailed and that I didn’t made him
eat something exotic even for a fish lover. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 150%;">Now I know what to give him, in case I am feeling vindictive, ha ha !! </span></div>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com13Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.5819726 58.39752670000007123.5815176 58.396896200000072 23.5824276 58.398157200000071tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320353078282608692.post-30856108961384190292014-09-01T00:41:00.000-07:002014-09-01T00:41:39.241-07:00Perks of Parenting: Awesomeness decoded! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">The past week has been extremely thrilling as my daughter started her
trial classes at the big school. And as I would go back to pick her up after an
hour of the trial run, I am flooded with compliments on how wonderful Smera is
at practice sessions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Motherhood is not at all an easy project, as it usually doesn't come
with an end date or instruction manual and I have a lot of reasons to tell you
why you should not have a child. But not today! Today I am going to blabber all
about why you should have kids and not miss out on a prospective source of exuberance
in your lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s
amazing when someone says “OMG is that your daughter/son?” It some how suddenly
makes you feel light years younger. Forget the age defying face creams,
the hair colors and other expensive spa treatments. This one line works
better than all of those.</span></li>
</ol>
<ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">You
can get away with the long queues at the doctors, immigration, passport
office, you name it and voila it’s done. I recently skipped a line of 50
odd people at the immigration counter, all thanks to my little munchkin. </span></li>
</ol>
<ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">For
once you can be colour coordinated and not look silly.</span></li>
</ol>
<ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">You
don’t need a travel buddy anymore, your child automatically upgrades to
the best travel mate ever and the spouses can go for a hike! I mean not
literally, then that would more fun!</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOonMhzS1WvhDgVja5dqKiAJ0v7FzdTHGi8u72z54ko5r_OIjrnCYu2p2sEgYBHO-Mc0jfyKuu_sWXRS2URRaEm1zWks-s6aES_NH4kdwQeDHCh60YIgVPHwsFLfUljOZrItz_zsWKh4/s1600/Perks+of+Parenting+Awesomeness+decoded+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOonMhzS1WvhDgVja5dqKiAJ0v7FzdTHGi8u72z54ko5r_OIjrnCYu2p2sEgYBHO-Mc0jfyKuu_sWXRS2URRaEm1zWks-s6aES_NH4kdwQeDHCh60YIgVPHwsFLfUljOZrItz_zsWKh4/s1600/Perks+of+Parenting+Awesomeness+decoded+1.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ol start="5" style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Chances
are as your child grows they might look an updated version of you! If they
take on the spouse’s looks then you can take all the credit for the good
parts of their character. </span></li>
</ol>
<ol start="6" style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Personal
achievements mean nothing in front of your off-springs success. A parent
really experiences their hearts being pumped in with pride into every
chamber and ventricle of the heart.</span></li>
</ol>
<ol start="7" style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Moreover
your parents suddenly love you more, as you give them the best gift of
their lives – the joy of being grandparents. Guess that is what showers of
blessings are.</span></li>
</ol>
<ol start="8" style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">You
are up to date with the latest on games, movies, music and the works.
Definitely helps boost a parent’s confidence immensely when you can understand
what the younger generation is talking about! Makes you feel in vogue.</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2qZFZ7YNFMNbD255WjvNoBwPQKNwjRjl0c34kHqrz5ezDhHr_idibP1xwVTQcrEMn_ULDOEuuB0ZsaFAHCw6nfnALLZbO_D8jwaZOkBWo7Nvo8nuR1gz90LVafIZM_NFfEve2dYqpLQ/s1600/Perks+of+Parenting+Awesomeness+decoded+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2qZFZ7YNFMNbD255WjvNoBwPQKNwjRjl0c34kHqrz5ezDhHr_idibP1xwVTQcrEMn_ULDOEuuB0ZsaFAHCw6nfnALLZbO_D8jwaZOkBWo7Nvo8nuR1gz90LVafIZM_NFfEve2dYqpLQ/s1600/Perks+of+Parenting+Awesomeness+decoded+2.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ol start="9" style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"> You get to make more friends and most
importantly we somehow end up finding useful/VIP contacts, thanks to their
friends list.</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<ol start="10" style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">You
get to re-learn about life in general – finding happiness in small things,
thinking out of the box and the joy of giggling for no reason.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
</div>
Sangrywordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10088717507474208714noreply@blogger.com16Al Assalah Towers, Muscat, Oman23.582474129465197 58.39780569076538123.582474129465197 58.397805690765381 23.582474129465197 58.397805690765381