Concerned

Sunday 25^th April

Age is only a number when you are in love I know, but what is tried tested and accurate is that age is also ONLY a number when it comes to a genuine and no frills friendship.

With the fever dying off but yet the tiredness kicking in I couldn’t do much but BINGE on netfilx or read a  book.  To lighten things up I decided to call an extremely dear friend who went through the covid with her dad. She is more than a decade older than me but has attitude of someone who is a decade younger than me.  We chatted and laughed through it all. This optimistic approach lifted up my mood. I was happy I made that call. She had taken the test too as she was now flying to America  (Im not supposed to say when) and boy her escapades with all the documentation and the processes were hilarious. She’s witty and humorous, finds a silver lining to it all. In the midst of or very jovial conversation she said something very true to the given scenario. When someone is ‘concered’ as they say- they may be inquisitive or  intrusive and sometimes  irritating .

This could not be put more aptly in the given condition I was today. I was tired, starting to run a bit of a cold and ready for another round of fever away from my baby. People would call and call as they were concerned and trust me I had zilch energy after a while. Takes me back to the times I was preggo ! Every woman irrespective of them having a baby or even not, had to be 'concerned'. The thought of those endless aunty advise making me choke and gasp for air .

Talking bout gasping for air, one of the things  to monitor along with your temperature during these times is your oxygen. One needed a oxymeter to help you measure that.  We bought this tiny little device ,the mere size of a matchbox and had to be clipped onto your finger and voila you could know your heartbeat rate, your oxygen level and your pulse. Fancy yeah ?

Also..my phone needed oxygen in these tough times too..it told me to update to 'oxygen 11.0' 

PS : yeah hunk Roy called me , he said he was coming over. 

 

I am postive.. so I think !

A regular Friday night was turning out to be a bit iregular one.

The baby was put to bed the chores were done the prep for the next day? Hmm I couldn't there was a certian weird glitch.

An intch in my throat which was definitely not a regular one. Of course I get into my panic gear. what's happening ? Why am I feeling this ?

Just last night we watched the news (very bad idea)  and it had the alarm of high death rates , all time high in India's rise in cases. Of course we all know the story. It's 2021 and the corona still takes the lives of many.

Back to me. Waking up very early Saturday morning with the chills wasn’t a good thing and the Crocin I took didn’t help then. Was this really happening ? I didn’t go out, nor did I meet anyone, nor did we come into contact with anyone. So may be I’m just going to chum. But deep down I knew this wasn’t true. With the heaviest heart I woke up the husband who barely gets enough sleep. Quickly explained the situation and both decided to do the tests.

No lab was ready to send anyone over till Monday !! I couldn’t wait that long. There had to be another way. Lucky for us, we knew someone who helped us arrange for someone to come to take our tests enroute to his next visit.

In a couple of hours a very positive, calm and composed lad came to our door . His attitude calmed me and I knew I could get through some swabs shoved in my nose, even though the thought of it was disgusting.

The process was a breeze and we were done in 15 minutes. Within that span he received numerous phone calls and messages. One of which he answered with the uttermost calm to a person who I think was freaking out on the other side. This guy not more than 35 was pooped out, but yet here he was out of his way because ‘he gave us his word’ and also reassuring people who were blasting him with phone calls that things would get better.  

No he didn’t charge me extra, nor did he make a sneaky comment for a tip. He simply did his job with dedication and left. 

The rest of the day was a daze. In and out of high and low fever throbbing headaches and recording the temperature and intake of medication every couple of hours. That wasn’t the heaviest yet.

 I ‘isolated’ myself in our bedroom away from my son and husband. I had separate cutlery , towels, toiletries and so on. The heaviest part was the evening I woke up to my son crying as he just woke up . Motherly instinct kicked in – I opened the door, and he ran towards me crying reaching out for a hug and comfort . My husband quickly grabbed him and I had to shut the door. 

 

This was the contagious Corona BUT I AM determined to hug my son soon!

 

#33to33- Reading

After a bit of going off track and a bit of laziness I decided to get back to reading. Something I completely loved, something that took me out of this world allowed me to build my own cocoon of peace and harmony. Reading allowed  me to forget all that happened during the day and look forward to something new with every new chapter. Today picked up a book that I had left midway.  To set the mood I had the best accompaniments of chocolate milkshake and a tart to go with it. 

With the baby asleep and pin drop silence it was gonna be a blissful night.

Back in college I couldn't afford to buy new books. With little pocket money, I would buy books from the guy on the street who would sell second hand books or pirated books. I know many wouldn't support the idea, but somehow this guy on the pavement always had good books. After many buying on a regular basis, the guy set up a deal- I could read a book and give it back and he would offer me half the price for it. He was happy, I was happier :)

 Today I am blessed that I can buy any book  at full price and sometime I'm even gifted one.

The bliss of opening a book and flipping pages  under the dim lights and peaceful nights.

#33to33 greetings

Meeting and greeting 

A lousy post cause it was a lousy day, I just couldn't get my head and heart to think about me.

Well I did at times but it was all rot and negative.

I had to pull myself together to think of something to really snap myself out of the drama.

My instant mood fixer, my go to for a little happiness portion -is a ride to Bandra (rik-shaw) of course !

The sheer thought of it was completely bliss. Bandra has been the little 'city' as I like to call it my world ! My school , my college, my first office of 3 years had all there. My heart... Was there there. 

We set out to meet my aunt over a cuppa tea and boy what a good idea that tired out to be. We haven't seen each other which would now be close to a year thanks to the Pandemic.  

Old memories,flavours of Bandra PAO and snacks and catching up got us beaming ! To see the joy of meeting one another on everyone's face is something that can't be explained.

Tea time soon rolled on to dinner and there was no talk of leaving.

 With a lighter hearts and heavier bags we got back home ! 

Oh to be on Bandra ! 🎶

#33to33 - the universe

 was a rather rough and tough day and it only grew worse .

I didn't think I'd want to do anything for me today, I had my daily chores outlined, which seemed even more dreadful today.

I was close to giving up on what I should do for me to make me cheerful. I am excellent at psyching my self into various negative notions.

The mind is so so susceptible to accepting negative notions rather than a positive one. And it really take hard work and daily reminders to convince oneself about confidence and self esteem! 

But I'm guessing along with doing what makes me happy, happiness is also a state of mind, may also be a very conscious choice.

With my 33 to 33 quest, I knew I was forced to make time for me- something I would never do or else , but what ?

Minutes later into a video call with my family over a cuppa chai  , my heart was lighter and my mood brighter. This was further extended with mum and I reminiscing over the funniest moments of life when I was a child.

The universe wanted me to accomplish 33to33 !

I may not have done anything out of the way for today, but God knew how to put this  happiness portion there. He sent my mum :) 

She told me I was rougher and rougher !

#33to33 - leisure walking

A walk to remember 

Since I've gotten married I've always tried to spend alone time with my mum.A bond that developed differently with the different roles we both played over the period of years. We love to catch up over evening tea and share random conversations. 

Today my one thing to do was walk down the road with my mum. I had two goals to achieve, one  - get her to get over the fear of moving out in public and two- spend alone time with her . Since I moved to a new residence, we both had much to simply gaze at even though it was just down the street.

It was a role reversal stage. There were times where she used to hold my hand and show me around. Today it was the other way.

My mum isn't the type to gossip, talk about others or pass judgement. And yet, we have good conversations.

We walked together with our masks on our faces and sparkle in our eyes. We both needed the time off . Surprisingly we didn't have much conversation - but we were so content on our hearts.

The simple joy of walking with each other

 fully understanding each other

 with out exchanging many words with each other.

#33to33- Baking

 

This is going to be  short and deliciously sweet !🍰🍰

Last night I did sleep happy fulfilling my goal of doing one thing for me! However knowing me, I stressed about 'what next' , what should I do next ? will I have enough material to write about it.

By the morning I knew exactly what I was doing to do for me! Bake of course.

Baking for me is therapeutic especially late at nights.  My love for baking started when I just finished school. My mum got me enrolled at a local baking class and soon I was doing some sugar crafts too. She would allow me to use the kitchen after she finished with her share of the kitchen work. we didn't have very big kitchen nor tooo many resources , but her encouragement was enough to get the ball rolling. Sometimes she would bake with me, some times she would simply allow me to do my bit.

Late night baking meant a quiet house with the whirring of my hand blender, the cracking of eggs, the scrapping of the vessel and the faint aromas of freshly baked cake. I'd wait patiently reading whatever material available or clearing up the kitchen and the dining table checking on the cake from time to time. The sounds of the times always made my heart skip a beat - excitement and yet.. 'darn they better not wake up'. And at that very hour... where Id bake my cake, I would eat it too! :) 

Today I baked reliving all those memories and how blessed I am to have a fancy ass kitchen, all the necessary baking tools , space for 3 in a kitchen and yet the aromatic smells to fill my home! 

What special today ? Mum is here with me and she will wake up to the aromas of freshly baked cake!

#33to33- Journaling

        I'm going to turn 33 in exactly 33 days and have decided to do something that 'Sparks Joy' in me for these 33 days. Of course it's a big deal, its more than just the big 3...'O' it's 3 more ! 

Gone are the days where I can be drunk, tipsy and bar hopping anymore... not cause I cant- cause its the damn pandemic !  So I'm going to trip on something that keeps me happy or something that brings back a memory or will make a memory. No judgements , no rational, no opinions! Just me DEE!

The first on my list is to write/to journal all that I feel, to pen down my memory of the one thing that made me happy on the journey to 33. I'm super kicked about this idea and very skeptical of sharing it... only cause Im shy ! But heck may be the journey will get better. 

Writing in its true sense sparks joy in me. I love stationery(and if u know me - Im a hoarder) Also to write about the one thing that made me happy, makes me more appreciative of all that I've really been blessed with .  This year may be rot, but it has taught me to be truly appreciative of all that I have even the tiniest of gestures and deeds make a difference. 

I'm hoping to be consistent and not a lazy ass on this project, So I'm going to give it my best shot !

To memories and finding joy in all that I do 🍻🍷! Lets keep up the SPIRIT ! -always 

The goon restored faith

A couple of colleagues and I decided to pep up the tiring day by going for a drink after work.
Quickly wrapped up our work and hoped into the car and headed on to the local bar.
No worries about what your wore, or how much money you had. These were non judgmental areas.
As in Mumbai, everyone's in a hurry and we were too. As we drove through the narrow by lanes, we brushed into a big guy riding d bike. He yelled abuses at us, but heck it's what everyone does.
We continued to maneuver through the narrow lane only to realize he is riding besides us scratching and banging the car.
We drove away as fast we could and all this narrow lane.
He soon started to follow us. Unfortunately we get a red signal and we are forced to stop.He parks his bike ahead of us and starts banging the car.
Locked in the car with our windows rolled up, all of us begin to panic. So we cant move...this bike is blocking our path. He get angrier and he pulls out the vipers, bangs the glass and even hits the door.
Thankfully nothing is cracked and we are still out of his reach.
The situation is still very tense and I'm in d front seat. What do I do?
This guy was big enough to knock me out in one blow! What if he did through the glass. He wasn't the kind who you can talk to. And he is getting rowdier and the language couldn't get more filthier.
With sweat trickling down the forehead, my friend decides to try and call a help line. Though we connected, the fright held her back.

A good Samaritan  appears and holds the big goon and tries to take him aside..He wont budge, continuing to abuse us. WE are 4 women in a car, and scared to death.
Thanks god the windows r up
The Samaritan move the bike while the good walk over to the other side of the road. In no time the signal goes green and we drive faster than ever.
No sooner he noticed,he picks a huge rock and throws at the car. We missed it!
Thank god......WE DROVE
We drove on to a flyover non stop to where ever the road took us. No looking back. Some how we lost him.
In all this...when it was over....my sweet macky friend says....shit shit

"Jesus is real"..He saved us .

The Recipe Book

Met this very old lady the other day, who handed me a book and said 'Here my girl read it, u may like it'. Wondering what it could be, I glanced to look at the book hoping it was not a self-help book or those that tell you how to live your life.
'I thought it was a recipe book' she mutterd.

The title read
'Chicken Soup for the Soul'

Pintresting

              Searching for ideas to carry out school activities was a task, and ones to match the Indian standards… difficult. Pinterest is what got my attention while browsing through the many sites on the internet.

This particular one has it all. From craft activities to recipes to DIY articles to ideas for your home, name it and they have it.

Having newly discovered this site I decided to share it with my very close (even in proximity) colleague.

We were pintresting in no time. I was looking for craft ideas for school and she was looking for greeting cards.   She was excited about it and in due course of the day decided to make a birthday card rather than buying one. It would be more personal she thought .
The next day being a holiday, she browsed all day at home. She was brimming with creative ideas to make her card.

Should she make a pink one with bows or a yellow with buttons?  The more she looked the better the cards were. Not to forget they were all so easy to make. 

She browsed and browsed through all the categories only to think ‘Oh my gosh it’s the party in an hour, I better just buy a card on my way to the place’

Getting Started

My very first attempt at creating a blog finally !
Been pondering and pondering and pondering over it.
Would I be able to do it? Would it make sense?Would I have enough to pen down?
But heck, I could try. I'm going to do this no matter what the result be.

Lots to vent out and a lot of stories to be shared.  

Bucket list Point 1 - Done ü