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Know this tradition..

SupriyaDinesh — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:59:18 GMT

Friends,
I would like to share my favourite tradition in sourashtra wedding.The groom side gifts the bride with all the items needed by her in the new place in a suitcase on the wedding day.It is termed as "samsazha pedi".Pedi means box and the term indicates a box giving to bride from the groom.
Here comes the exciting part.The items can be categorized into the basic necessary items,must be items and others.
The following were the items i got
Must be items : Turmeric,kumkum,Yellow thread,Dandiya sticks(wonder why?),Hair pattu kunjam(English term ?)

Basic items(what the bride uses in her home) : Soap,Powder,powder case with puff,hait oil,shampoo,comb,saree with the necessary accessories,salwar

Others: Saree brooch,Hair clips(beaded,normal),Hair band,Bindi,Makeup set,lipstick,Nail polish,Silver anklets,Danish cookies,Nighty,

I loved all the stuffs given and could not wait to try them all.I thanked ever one who helped to put all these things together which included DH,MIL,Her sisters.Normally SIL is supposed to be buying all these stuffs.Since i dont have one others took this responsibility.

I wanted to give my hubby similiar stuff.Though there is no tradition of bride giving to the groom ,i went ahead and bought few basic items .It was a surprise for every one and handed him his suitcase.

Hope you enjoyed this reading about this custom.

Mommy Brain - (Entry for Mother's day Blog Contest)

SupriyaDinesh — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:59:34 GMT

MOMMY BRAIN

It�s a known fact that every human being has a powerful brain, until I discovered "Mommy brain" which can be the sharpest when needed and blank at times. Not all are born with a motherly instinct. But the birth of a child gives birth to a mom too.

Coming to the topic, the brain of a new born mom is fuzzy, days and night filled with diaper change, feeding and tiredness. I used to be embarrassed, when I used to think hard which side should the next feed be. Hope you got what I meant. I cursed my brain which could not remember anything that had happened before few hours time. Later I discovered that there are special bands, pins to be worn by the new mom to remember the feeding schedule. That's when I was relieved that I was not alone.

As the baby starts to coo, giggle, blow bubbles, every mom behaves as though no one has done such cute things before. We go ga-ga about the baby�s activities unaware that the person listening has snored half way. This phase of mommy brain can decipher the cry perfectly and cater the needs. Every day we learn and not all day the reactions to our actions are the same from the baby.

Something that made them happy will make them fuzzy next time. We can put our heads high in being able to be spontaneous. These are the times when we are least bothered about the world and surroundings, let alone studying and updating to the latest technology.

Crawling, walking, running..Mommies brain races faster than the kid�s mobility to check out the surrounding dangers and preventing any injuries. A normal cup of hot coffee will suddenly look like the most dangerous thing a kid can reach to. Alert, react- these are the military mom�s brain. When our brain and body are sleeping the subconscious mind is always awake to check for any roll over, dirty diaper or hunger which keeps them prompt at night times.

Little did I think that I will be learning rhymes, action songs, read board books, memorizing the characters in Dora all over again to teach my little one. Still I cannot believe that I learnt the characters of Thomas and friends, Yo gabba gabba to teach him. Is it me, who few years back did a Master degree and bagged a Gold medal for the same..Cannot believe...

Masking the senses..Amazing part of the mommy brain. It is a myth or a coincidence that the moment mommies sit to flavor their food, the kids unleash their bowel and fill the territory with an alarming odor. After many days of these repeated events, we can pick the smell we want and not be bothered about the unnecessary ones. We can perfectly understand the gibberish shriek of our little ones.

Baby food- Moms are the first one to taste before feeding the baby. Right from the formula to, mushy jar food nothing escapes our mouth before feeding, to check if the kiddo will like it or not. There are times when I had tears when my baby had rejected the food (the 5 the one in a day) I had cooked with great effort. I did not remain hungry though, because I need strength to cook again.

Comparison is at its peak during the initial mothering phase. I never dreamt that I will have sleepless nights because my neighbor's son had 4 teeth while my son had none at the same age. Now it sounds funny, but I was damn worried that then.

I am a 3-year old mother. Learning every day, I am sure there will be days ahead when I need to figure out much more about the boy, teen and a grown-up.

Mommy brain is Forgiving, Unconditionally loving and at its best during the motherhood.

I have just brought out one aspect of mothering.

Happy Mother's day.

The Art of catching.....

SupriyaDinesh — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 23:48:24 GMT

Well friends..I am sure in some phase of a women's life,we all must have faced the existence of unwanted,itchy friends and struggled to get rid of them.The art of catching them is tricky ,before the birth of specialized shampoos.Did you guess..Yes i am talking about the lice that resides on the scalp.
I can vividly remember the days when my mom used to sit on a stool and myself on the floor to look out for the head lice and destroy them.They used to be in different shapes and sizes- black,brown,heavy,small,thin etc. There used to be a special comb to remove the nits(lice eggs) and it would pain awefully.I dread summer holidays because of the reappearance of this pests from my cousins,when we all sleep together.
The itching used to cause utter embarrasement and somtime one could lierally see these lice playing and fighing on the hair..Medikar did not help for complete removal of lice.There was a God sent invention called "perlice" which effectively helped in getting rid of them.
I had a friend during my college days,who had the shortest of hair yet filled with lice.I used to campaign for the use of perlice and many were benefitted from it.
I hope some(or most) of you would have experience with them..Do share it here.

K karimasaal

SupriyaDinesh — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:57:58 GMT

Wondering whats it about..its "Karunanidi kari masal" a spice powder with a unique name,very popular in madurai.
I heard about this during one of the cooking session with my MIL.I was very much amused with the name and wanted to have a look at it.All the years before,my mom always make garam masal at home ,so this one raised my curiosity to see this store brought masala ,which was much raved about by my extended family.At that time my Mil did not have in stock.
Initial reaction when i saw the pack was - shock..It was a tiny square shape dpaper with a 1 tbps masal filled and tightly bound.The packet consisted of hundreds of this small packets.The aroma itself was wonderful and added a distinctive flavour to the dish.The highlight was it includes a thin booklet of the latest movie karoke notes(paatu postagam) which was in great demand.

For my household cooking i get two packets of the same home made powders.One my mom packs which has her touch and another my mil packs which has the flavour of her cooking.similiarly this garam masal too.Now the package of the karunandidi kari masal is changed and it looks like Betal nuts package.
Whenever i use the homemade powder in the kulambu/sambar/curry i feel very close to them and that feeling is unmatched.Miles apart i have been using the special powder which is different from the store brought.
I can recall the whole procedure of making the traditional kulambu powder.Carefully picked ingredients,sundried for the right amount of time and ground in the flour mill.Then tighly closed with a newspaper on silver containers.It was a delight to open these fresh made powders and pack in to the ziploc covers to fly with me.
I allot ample space and weight for this royal items and use it with care.These powders are the secret of my cooking.

Calendar

SupriyaDinesh — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:11:11 GMT

Calendar,One of the integral part of one's life has seen huge changes from the day born till date.I would like to share some things about me and calendar.
I love to get new calendar during the year end and place it in my desk.My dad used to get loads and loads of calendars and planners..and i keep my favourite ones and others gift to friends and relatives.Chubby babies,natural scene,medical advertisement,glamorous ladies,Diety photos,with proverbs are few categories.every room in our house used to have 2-3 calendars..and we had 10 rooms(including bathroom and kitchen..LOL).
There was a tamil newspaper that handed over a full blown calendar with the then-hot actress in traditional wear.My father hung it in the bedroom.I was a little girl then and did not find anything unusual.Later when we had guests they said something hush-hush to my mom.On enquiring she said that they adviced her that its not a good idea to have actress pictures as calendars in house...so that i will get spoilt..Hmm..I still cannot come to terms with this.. :rotfl
Desk-top,wall hanging,magnetic,plastic,glass covered are some interesting designs of calendars that decorated my room.I love the simple daily calendar which give proverbs and sayings..we see only the date and proverb in the tamil calendar .I used to climb the bed to change the monthly ones and the fresh scene would bring a new look to the room.How i miss all these..
Some of my relatives jump to the calendar to do daily activities like going out,buying things,taking bath,brushing(he he just kidding).Dates for ceremonies are fixed uopn reference from calendar..Its always fun to see the holidays in the next year and find when my birthday falls..
Looking around now..i dont have any calendar..other than a small one in my kitchen(hidden).Calendar,planner are taken care by devices.. i rely on my mobile for dates now..

Me and my bag of potatoes..

SupriyaDinesh — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 16:07:44 GMT

With a cancelled potluck and as usual my over enthusiastic shopping spree i ended up with a bag of red potatoes sitting on my counter top.Looking at my skinny son i made up my mind i will feed him potatoes in various forms and make himself one.
First day after lot of googling ,decided to try MacD style french fries.Settling my son for his nap,i sneaked into the kitchen and hurriedly picked up 3 voluptuos potatoes and started slicing.Keeping all steps and ingredients in mind i prepared the fries.Wow..it tasted great.Let me have few for myself...munch,munch,munch..Before my son woke up from his nap..i had finished off half."Hear is your french fries"-I presented it to my son..He looked happy and asked "Where is coco-cola with it?"i grinned sheepishly..today eat this i will get it tomorrow...He had only 3 slices..enough and ran away..while doing cleaning chores i gobbled few more..Oh..i have to keep some for DH..controlling myself,i restrained..
DH tasted and said i never knew you can make good fries..why did you make very few..I said i made a lot, but kutty ate 3 and i ate the remaining..Day 1 over.

Next day bought burger buns and ventured into pav-bhaji.Excellent taste and my son enjoyed it.

Day 3-Puri and potato masal.Lovely combo..

Do you want me to tell fourth day..what form the potato had..nothing..DH said enough, give me rasam rice..my tummy has already become like a potato..DS made embarassing sounds while shopping.
I have still some potatoes..wondering what to do..

Nomads

SupriyaDinesh — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:00:14 GMT

I could not find a better word to describe my path of life for the past few years.Blame it on jinx , we(myself,DH and DS) have not sustained in a place,to be specific in the same residence for more than 9 months.Very frustrating indeed,either job change or project change we have been moving, shifting things ,packing,buying,settling and then whole process starts within a short period.When i look back my childhood,i had lived in the same place for 23 years,except for one change in house in the same lane.Gone to the same school from L.K.G to12th std.All my town people have seen me grown up and its a blessing to be well wished by many people.

Will my son remember his neighbour after many years?Will he ever have strong childhood friends like mine which has lasted from my 3rd std till date..?So many thoughts puts me in pensive mood.

As we try to expand our horizon for better work,more comfort, visit more new countries/places and the list continues we have become modern day Nomads.
My future blood relatives will not cherish any antics from family.They can chersih only digital photos and videos.Our life is filled in suitcases and packing cartons.
It has been 3 months we have been in this new place.Hope we will break the 9 month jinx and stay here for a longer period.

Deciphering Gossips

SupriyaDinesh — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:02:42 GMT

Come sunday,I would wait for the newspaper to be thrown in to my home.Not that I am too involved in to current affairs..The eagerness is for the sunday supplement "Vaaramalar" which comes with Dinamalar, a tamil newspaper.Flipping the pages one by one,there I reach for the movie gossips column.The news will be all decoded and given indirectly for us to figure out who the actual person it.
At that age finding it correctly is like a big achivement to boast among friends.The clues will be like "uyara nadigar"- tall actor,"viral vitthai nadigar","todai azhagi" to mention a few.Gone are the days when I decoded it perfectly.During my recent visit to India,I hurriedly went in to this page with the same zeal.Alas,not one I could decode who it was.Blame it on my memory,minimal exposure to movies or shear signals of getting older.
Hmm..Do you also like to decipher gossips?

Video conferencing with family from abroad

SupriyaDinesh — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:09:55 GMT

Video conferencing is a boon to families living abroad to stay connected.Too much of anything is bothersome..This I learnt from my experience.Chatting with my parents with webcam on is not a problem at all.I chat often, not more than 5-10 minutes..inquiring this and that..I need not care about what i wear and about my hair do.
But if its going to be my in-laws ,it causes tension and stress in me.I have to double check myself on my dress and how I look in front of camera.Whole load of people sit ready to watch on the other end as if Im going to do some show here.The moment they get to see me I get all sort of comments "you have become thin/fat/fair/dull".. Next i have to focus the camera on my son who goes through all sorts of screening like in airports.."why is he thin", "he is scratching his ears- may be you didnt give him bath","he resembles you/your mom/your great grand dad now "..I get mad on these comments..
Next query will be on his food habits _ WHat ever dish I say is my son's favourite,MIL says "Vaarisu yerangudu"(means he is inheriting ancestors traits)..the food ranges from banana to briyani..Arent there people other than them who eat all these food..By now my rage would have doubled ..
Then my son has to showcase all his talents- singing rhymes,playing and more..I slowly sneak in to kitchen leaving my hubby handle this drama..
The voice quality from their side is so bad that we cannot hear any thing properly...They start giving details about who got married/pregnant/gave-birth/house warming/eloped/divorced..",Now why do I need all these details..My ears will be swollen with all gossips.
Because of all these I am avoiding this chat.Am I over reacting?

The Mandap

SupriyaDinesh — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:27:10 GMT

It is weird to think that a place made of bricks and cement.. has seen the stages of my emerging woman hood..Which is not my home..It is customary in our family to celebrate the puberty of daughter with close relatives and friends..Lets not discuss the pros and cons of this now..
I hated the thought and idea of this..but due to pressure from elders..a kalayana mandampan of resonable size and price was booked for the occasion.Though we skipped lots of formalities..I was dressed in silk saree,jewels and beweilered on being the centre of attraction.The good part was eating lot of goodies and special attention from every one.
Years after this funciton was over..my in-laws booked the same mandapam for my baby-shower function(valaikaapu).I got goose bumps when they said the name of the mandapam.it was a grand function.
A year later..I took my new born son to the mandapam for a function where we introduce the baby to relatives and friends..
This place has always been close to my heart..and will remember for ever.

My friends and their Moms..

SupriyaDinesh — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:08:10 GMT

Hi Bloggers and readers..I have few close friends from my school days.When I recall the times I have spent with them,I can recollect spending time with their respective mothers too.I have great respect for them.I would like to share few good qualities that they possessed.
I used to address them as aunty..whenever my parents had to go out of town..for a day..my friend's mom(let us call her usha) will pack lunch for me.She is a wonderful cook.In the evening straight from bus stop i would accompany my friend to her house for a yummy food which will by milagu rasam and fish fry..She has never treated me and her daughter differently.Usha aunty lived in a big joint family.She has always toiled to upbring her kids,cooking and keeping the family one.I have never seen her doing things she likes.Sometimes I used to wonder.."Does she likes to live for herself and do things that she likes?"..Only she can answer this..
Another aunty(let us call her Uma),is a pious lady who has seen the worst financial crisis in her married life.She visits temple daily in the early morning for past 25-30 years without fail.I always admire early risers..and i used to ask her dont you get bored of this activity..?She said its give a boost to do other chores and peace of mind for all the problems.She has brought up her duaghters with good qualities and they have made her proud..

Thank you friends for reading this blog..

Living according to selected Proverbs/kural/sayings

SupriyaDinesh — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 19:25:06 GMT

Dear Friends,
I have always been fond of learning the meanings of proverbs and such.I made up mind such that to select few of them and follow them in my life.I would like to share those and its influence .

1.Thirukkural

Meaning: Great is the joy of the mother when a child is born to her; but greater is her joy when she hears his unblemished character and merits.
My ambition during my school/college days was to make my own recognition instead of being referred as a Doctor's daughter.When friends and acquaintances said this kural to my dad when I got gold medal for my graduation and post-graduation i was overwhelmed and felt contented that I could do this favour to my parents.

2. Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, sup like a pauper
For the well-being and maintaining healthy life this is my motto.Another fav quote is "undi surungudal pendirku alagu" which means the more ladies stomach shrinks the more you look beautiful"

3. Defeat the defeat ,before the defeat defeats you.
This has given a boost in every walk of my life.

These are few of them.I would like to know which is your favourite saying that has played a great role in your life.

Thanks for Reading my blog.

P.S : Thanks to few sites for kural and its meaning.

Road to Driving License

SupriyaDinesh — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:37:27 GMT

Immediately after landing in US from London, we could feel how important is to own a car.No car,no move.I was very disappointed after travelling in the luxury of Britains road and railways which was our car.
After 2 months of search ,bought a car.Toyota camry and withing few weeks my hubby got his license.There is a strange procedure here in DMV(Department of Motor Vehicles),New jersey.A person with a valid driving license from his home country can drive in NJ after passing the vision and knowledge test.No need to take road test..:omg:

Next it is my turn for getting license.Writing exam after many years and with a toddler brought me chills.I had totally lost in touch with books and exams.I took the Driving manual,looked easy.But I couldnt concentrate for more than few pages,as my mind was wandering to the household chores.This shook me,coz I am a 2 time gold medalist(one in UG and PG).Is it me ,the same person who enjoyed studying ,now dreading to face this simple test..bonk.
The moment I take the manual,my son runs and grabs the book.. and starts turning pages..too young for driving.. tsk.OK..no book to read,atleast let me write online exams..I opened the webpage..my dear boy dropped the book and came running and started demanding to play his nursery rhymes in the laptop.. Oh no..
With so many hurdles,somehow I passed the knowledge test.:queen
But to my dismay my Indian drving license was rejected for some lame reason.. So yet to take my road test..
Wish me luck ILites.

With regards,
Supriya

Nostalgia

SupriyaDinesh — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:25:25 GMT

From birth till the end we breath.We inhale air every moment.Along with it in goes lots of smells.Out of all that goes in I have some smells that brings back memories on any day.
On a rainy day,the fresh smell of damp soil takes me to my school days which was situated amidst nature.I can visualize my self as a school girl sitting in my class and seeing the puddles and rain drops,waiting for the peon to ring the bell.
Whenever I smell the fragrance of washed clothes,I can see my mom drying clothes in our verandah in my home town.I smile to myself very often coz there is laundry room which smells of detergent and washing liquids.
The smell of freshly baked bread triggers my appetite no matter how full Im.
We had a pet dog,whose fur used to smell like the aroma of basmati rice(wonder how).When ever i cook basmati rice,my heart aches to see and smell my pet dog who is no more.
My toddler.no matter how dirty he is,always smells heavenly and it will remain in my nostril no matter how old he grows.
Dear ILites share u r nostalgia on smell.

With Regards,
Supriya