I remember reading on another blog-“You have arrived,when you get Tagged” and every time a tag did the rounds,I secretly wished to be tagged!And its just such a happy a coincidence that my first tag is from one of my favorite bloggers and about one of my favorite things-Books!
I was always fascinated by books and its all thanks to my mom.She introduced me to book really early and I am told that by age 5,I had read and reread,kids books and magazines like Champak and Chanda-Mama and was trying to read the comic section in grown-up magazines.Mom was more than happy and her only rule was that I shouldn’t read the stories as they are for grown ups. Well,I listened for a few years and then curiosity took over! Like Boo,before the school year even started I would have finished reading the english and hindi text books and so needed some more stuff to read up. Here’s my list-
Some of the finest stories I read were in Marathi magazines,Diwali edition.Unfortunately,I dont remember the authors or the stories,because most of these stories were read in a hurry, rushed through with trepidition of getting caught.But two books I remember reading leisurely were-
Ramayana and Mahabharata in marathi.Again I dont remember who the translators were,because this is a long long time ago,when I was 10! But,I remember thoroughly enjoying these two novels and I took my own sweet time to finsh them.
The next one that comes to my mind is Swami and friends.We had just moved to Saudi Arabia and I was curious what happens to Swami.Mom searched high and low and found the book for me!And it is one of my most treasured reads.
Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh.
Short stories by Ruskin Bond-I used to love reading those.
And then there was this beautiful story about a cow..it was so well written and was so full of emotions..I just cant seem to remember the author or the name of the book..It was a hindi read..if anyone else has read it and know the name..please please tell me!
Of the new ones-
An Equal Music by Vikram Seth
The Mango Season by Amulya Malladi-Its a very well written story of an indian girl,coming from a strict andhra brahmin family,who falls in love with an American!Makes for good light reading!
The Mistress of Spices by Chitra Divakaruni Bannerjee-I had so much fun reading this book..it was just so mysterious and magical,the movie was a disappointment!
And this one I have to mention-
Shantaram by Gregory DAvid Roberts-I started to read this when I was pregnant-Its based on the life of the author,who was an australian robber,he escapes from a prison in New Zealand and comes to Bombay..I couldnt complete this book as I had borrowed it from the library, but it just made me so nostalgic and at the same time pointed out facts which we just ignore..like drug pedalling in Leopold restaurant etc..I still need to finish this one.
Other books on my list are-
Gods of Small Things by Arundhati Roy- Reading it now!
Ravan and Eddie-I want to know what you guys are raving about!
Midnight’s children by Salman Rushdie..Has been on my list for a long time,just never got the nerve to read it.
The house of BLue MAngoes(Now that i know its written by MM’s uncle-I gotta read it)
Mistress and Ladies Coupe by Anita Nair-They are lying on my bookshelf
These are all I can think of right now..I havent really read too many Indian writers,but I am always on the look out for new India writers.
Thanx to this tag,I have added a lot of titles to my list of must-reads!
I tag-
Mona,Asha,rdbans,Kodi’s mom and Rayshma!
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Is Gloomy!!
We got back from a weekend road trip to LA last night.It was a fun trip and calls for another post..But right now,I feel so low and gloomy.Aadya has been fussy all day long,refusing to nurse and refusing to sleep on the bed or in her crib..And there is this crying every hour…
Throughout the trip, I would nurse her when she was awake and change her diaper,let her stretch and then put her in the car seat.DH feels that’s may be she thinks that i will strap her into the car seat again and so doesn’t want to nurse.May be it is true.
I thought she must be tired and tried to make her sleep and she was sleepy.. but refused to be put down. Now,its the end of the day and I am at my wits ends.I have never felt this way in the last 3 and a half month.
I was trying to wean her off the Paci(her Pacifier) butI postponed it to later,may be when she is not as stressed out as now.
The nursing has been better since around 8 pm..and now DH is putting her back to sleep.I just needed a breather..Suddenly,I am feeling sad for being alone here,away from family during my pregnancy and during the initial post-partum days.Is this post-partum depression? I just chatted with this friend who was pregnant around the same time as me and she spent most of her pregnancy and postpartum days with her parents..Her Baby is 5 months old now..and she is just going back to be with her hubby now..Could that have added to my depression?My dad was planning to visit us from August 1st and somehow that doesn’t seem to be materialising just yet..May be I am sad because of that.
I know,I would have never stayed away from DH for that long.I know he wanted to be involved every step of the way with my pregnancy and baby.But suddenly,it seems like he is always so busy,during my pregnancy he was trying to finish off his work to enjoy the baby’s arrival.And I know he is still trying his best to be as involved as possible..And upon the baby’s arrival,by a crazy twist of fate,his work increased ten-folds.Then he fell sick.He is taking it easy now..at least easier than he used to..but…Its not that he doesnt try..he does.But I dont know..I mean he is the one running around to grab a clean diaper or the baby oil or the towel,while I just hold the baby or bathe her or talk to her.He even takes her out for a walk..so that i can cook in peace!And lastly(but in no way,least)the lack of friends around makes it harder.I have always been a very friendly,people’s person.And suddenly I find myself without anyone to talk to..Anyone other than DH..Sure I am still in touch with my some close friends over email and phone,I talk to my dad almost everyday and chat with sis every other day,but I so need a girlfriend HERE.The only thing that makes me feel like ME now is -Blogging..And all you blogging friends are more real to me than anyone else right now..Thanks for being there..And thanks for listening.I feel a little better after ranting!
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Aadya has been so busy the last couple days..
You see,she has taken up a new job..She is now the daily reporter..As soon as her Papa comes home,she has to give him a report of our day! And since he is away for a long time.. the report takes atleast 15 minutes!
So, as soon as he comes home..Mamma gets royally ignored.by both father and daughter alike… the first kiss is planted on the baby doll’s face.. followed by more.. on her head,hair, hands,feet..all the sweet smiles are now directed towards Papa and mamma is banished to the kitchen. And Papa-baby have a tete-e-tete.Aadya is comfortably propped in the crook of dad’s crossed over knee.. and she starts talking..even waiting for Papa to answer and if he asks questions.. then there is a longer answer…God bless me when she actually starts putting words in her baby babble..Papa is going to know everything.. how many times the phone rang..how many times.. mamma just left her alone to play in the crib.. how much time mamma spent blogging.. Ohh Well!She takes after her mom.. and so I will just have to deal with it. If someday, when Papa comes home and is on the phone..or rushes to the bathroom without greeting Princess Aadya..then he has to see her frown,pout and then their conversation gets extended.. because the first few minutes are spent complaining!And what is Mamma doing in all this..Mamma is getting kicked.. As Aadya squirms to follow her Papa’s movements..And he does PACE around a lot when he is talking on the phone!!
She is also busy practicing for the next Indian/American Idol competition..My only help to her is..laying her on her back and the singing starts..Aaa,laaaalaaaalaaa..aaa
And last but not the least.. she has to help Mumma fold the laundry..So, mumma folds the clothes.. and she unfolds..mumma folds again..moves them away from her..she slides upward,or sideways and unfolds them again..When Mumma finally moves the folded clothes out of her reach,she decides to turns her attention to the unfolded lot.. and tries on each as a blanket..and the last one I managed to get on camera..Here’s Aadya..helping me with the laundry! -
Ohh My God! The sweetest thing happened today! Aadya was in her crib..playing.. suddenly she started calling..Ohh yes..she has the sweetest way of calling out to us..more like pigeon call..Uuuhh..Uuuhhh.. and she keeps at it,till we don’t go and talk to her..Mostly when I answer her call, and go talk to her..I am rewarded with a broad toothless smile..today however..she took me on a love-powered ride to heaven!
So,like I said..she was calling me..I went and looked at her..asked her..”whats up? Kya hua Betu??” And she is still..Uuuhhh Uuuhhh…So,I leaned into the crib to pick her up..She grabbed my hair..Well,nothing new..She loves to hang from my hair like Tarzan..But this time,instead of trying to hang from it,she pulled my face down..And when it was close enough,raised her body and planted this wet Open mouthed KISS!!!
Ohhh Myyy GOddd!!I thought I had just died and gone to heaven!!!
It was the sweetest most beautiful kiss ever!!I felt so much love for her-I am short of words to describe my feelings..
Needless to say,I spent the rest of the day grinning.. and carrying her around!!
