Happy Birthday Sister-in-law

Today is Rathi's (my BIL Ram's wife => my SIL for lack of a better term) birthday. Here's wishing her a very happy birthday, and best wishes for her good health and continued happiness on this day and in the future.

Man alive, Man dead

Deadly goof-up

Anbe Sivam

Stumbled upon this on the net. Thought I'll post it here

Person: Where is God when a child is dying in the gutters of Calcutta ?
Mother Teresa: God is there, where are you ?

Happy Birthday Chithi

Today is my Meera chithi's (my dad's younger brother's wife) birthday. She turns 45 today. I have known her for the past 17 years, since the time she got married to my uncle. She is one of the few women that have a great deal of inner strength. Never will she crib about anything, inspite of all that she has gone through and will always have a warm positive smile for you. She is also extremely humble and will always treat guests, expected or unexpected, at their not-so-spacious home in a warm friendly manner with utmost hospitality. If there is one place that I'm truly at home, away from my own home, it is their place

She, with some basic support from my uncle, is struggling day in and day out to make ends meet for their family. They have pillared all their hopes on their 12 year old son, who is shining really well in his school and other extra-curricular activities

I really pray to God for giving her good health and continued happiness on this day and in the future. A very happy birthday to her

P.S: I'm trying to explain to Vidyuth the names of relationships in Tamil as opposed to the generic Uncle/Aunt in English. Here is how a recent conversation was

Me: Vidyuth, we call appa's elder brother as "Periappa"
Vidyuth: Ok, appa
Me: Vidyuth, we call appa's elder brother's wife as "Periamma"
Vidyuth: Ok, appa
Me: Vidyuth, we call appa's younger brother as "Chittapa"
Vidyuth: Ok, appa
Vidyuth: Appa, do we then call appa's younger brother's wife as "Chittamma"
Me: @#$@&$@)

Actually it is logical for him to ask that, however they are, for reasons completely oblivious to me, are called "Chithi"

First to come, probably first to leave too...

Never shake your baby!! No matter what the situation is

Mera Bhaarat Mahaan

Let's celebrate as an Independent India turns 61 today!!! Jai Hind!!

Heard this or seen this?

Heard but not seen during the Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing

Seen but not heard during the Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing


Never seen or heard about this. Read on

17 going on 18....

I have been in the US for the last 12 years. I landed in Chicago in Aug 96. Got my masters, moved to Pittsburgh, PA in March 99 and then moved to the bay area in Oct 2000. I left home (Chennai) to pursue my bachelor's degree in BITS Pilani in 1991. In essence, I have been away from my parents for the past 17 years and me being the only child doesn't make it any better for either them or me, especially given their old age now.....the pangs of separation really hurts...

BTW, this is the 100th post for this blog. one good thing at least :-)

8/8/8

Today is 8/8/8. The Olympics has started in China at the auspicious moment of eight o'clock on the eighth day of the eighth month of 2008. Waiting until 9/9/9 now :-)

White belt

Vidu (front row, third kid from right) who has been learning Kung Fu for the last 3 months, got his white belt (first stage) on July 19th and made us all very proud. He is really excited now about this whole kicking and punching routing, and is now firmly set his eyes on the next color (yellow)

Lion's share

My little one Vishruth is a perfect Leo (born in end July). Not to mention that he turned 2 recently and can't speak fully coherent sentences, he now literally roars to get his way. The kids usually eat their breakfast(bread) on our way to work/school/day care. Recently one morning when we were driving to his day care, he was eating his bread (pre-cut into bite size pieces by L) as usual. Since I was very hungry and couldn't reach my lunch bag, I asked him for a small piece and here is how it all went

Me: Paapukku (that's how he calls me) oru kutti slice thaaa
Vish: nooo....(expected first reaction)
Me: Please kutti...paappukku romba pasikudhu da please
Vish: nooooooooooooooo.....(high pitched shriek)

Sensing that talking to him was not going to work, I tried to reach for his bread box at which point his leo-like instincts kicked in. There were at least 4-5 slices remaining and when he sensed that I was going to help myself to a slice, he quickly stuffed all of the slices into small mouth and gave me a look that can't be described in words......He was able to munch in the bread without actually spitting out any

P.S: However today he offered me slice after slice even though I wasn't interested. I guess you can never understand kids and their moods......