i seriously doubt it...i started this blog, promising myself that i would update it regularly..but looks like this promise too, like my several other ones, was meant to be broken :( am here roughly after a year!!! i cant believe it!! i know there were several reasons for me not being regular but i am mostly to be blamed...the same ol' excuse..no time to post!! :D
anyways, lets hope that at least from now on, i try and drop a line once in a while!
j
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Monday, July 13, 2009
Jackpot Prelims
back after another unintended break...got quite busy with other stuff..
there is a website called http://chennaimoms.com. came across this site sometime in jan when i was googling for some reviews..found it to be quite interesting...have been a member since...a nice community of young moms..sharing the same thoughts and beliefs...a forum to discuss all kinds of issues- anything and everything from baby foods to playschool reviews to shops selling designer sarees..as someone in the group rightly said, its a virtual family!!
a few weeks ago, one of the members (actually the founder!) had expressed interest in particpating in Jaya TV' s Jackpot show as it would be a nice way to promote the website.. i was one among the early birds to reply to her post and soon, we found ourselves in Tellyzoom' s office( the company that produces the show). On saturday, we had a prelims round...The four of us- Bhavani, the founder of the website and mother of 2 lil boys, Nisha a mother of two and a part time editor, Sayee- an IT professional with a 3 year old daughter and moi- were waiting to be interviewed by the producer of the show..Our slot was at 12 45PM but we had to wait a good 2 hrs before we got to meet the her. It was a very generic interactive session...they first asked abt the website and then abt each of us..and some questions abt the show and finally, a set of survey questions that we had to answer...i shud say we did pretty ok..the final list of selected teams will be announced after the 16th of this month..and if we get thru, they will have the shooting sometime in august!! keeping our fingers crossed!! :)
more than the enthusiasm for participating in the show, it was the excitement to meet these young and interesting ladies with whom i have been interacting these past few months..i was finally abt to put a face to their names.. had so much fun..after a long time, got to spend time with ppl of my age, gossiping and giggling like high school gals...although there are regular meet- ups every month, i have not been able to attend any till date..hope to make it a must henceforth...a nice break from monotony for working moms like us!!
j
there is a website called http://chennaimoms.com. came across this site sometime in jan when i was googling for some reviews..found it to be quite interesting...have been a member since...a nice community of young moms..sharing the same thoughts and beliefs...a forum to discuss all kinds of issues- anything and everything from baby foods to playschool reviews to shops selling designer sarees..as someone in the group rightly said, its a virtual family!!
a few weeks ago, one of the members (actually the founder!) had expressed interest in particpating in Jaya TV' s Jackpot show as it would be a nice way to promote the website.. i was one among the early birds to reply to her post and soon, we found ourselves in Tellyzoom' s office( the company that produces the show). On saturday, we had a prelims round...The four of us- Bhavani, the founder of the website and mother of 2 lil boys, Nisha a mother of two and a part time editor, Sayee- an IT professional with a 3 year old daughter and moi- were waiting to be interviewed by the producer of the show..Our slot was at 12 45PM but we had to wait a good 2 hrs before we got to meet the her. It was a very generic interactive session...they first asked abt the website and then abt each of us..and some questions abt the show and finally, a set of survey questions that we had to answer...i shud say we did pretty ok..the final list of selected teams will be announced after the 16th of this month..and if we get thru, they will have the shooting sometime in august!! keeping our fingers crossed!! :)
more than the enthusiasm for participating in the show, it was the excitement to meet these young and interesting ladies with whom i have been interacting these past few months..i was finally abt to put a face to their names.. had so much fun..after a long time, got to spend time with ppl of my age, gossiping and giggling like high school gals...although there are regular meet- ups every month, i have not been able to attend any till date..hope to make it a must henceforth...a nice break from monotony for working moms like us!!
j
Friday, July 3, 2009
Back after a hiatus
hello ppl,
have been quite busy this past week..had a long weekend..left for hyd on saturday afternoon and returned on wednesday morning..it was a very relaxing and much needed (though a short one) break!!
sunday was my bro' s engagement..so the day was spent getting all geared up for the evening as i had a critical role to play.. as the bride' s would be naathanaar, i had to garland her and welcome her and then help her into her new saree and other such customs...got to meet a lot of my relatives after a really really loooong time..and of course had to keep tabs on jeetu as he was running thru the length and breadth of the hall...all in all, a gr8 evening!! will post pics soon..
monday and tuesday was spent with all my aunts and uncles, gossiping about everything from the bride to the seer varisai to the food the previous evening..typical maami talks...once in a while, it does feel nice to indulge in such mindless chatter.. spent some quality time with my cousin, who at one point of time, was the closest one! education, career and marriage somewhat thwarted tat bond..but best part abt our relationship is we could always pick up from where we left..be it a gap of one day or one year..so it was nice talking to him..
the return journey was a horrible one..i have vowed never to travel by second class with jeetu!!! wat a trying time it was for us!! the lil brat he is, kept running compartment to compartment, running and falling!! since i booked my tickets at the last minute, didnt get tickets AC and worse, mine was in S12 while my parents were in S4. finally after some coaxing and cajoling, managed to put him to sleep for abt an hour in the evening.. but i knew that i was in for a loong nite since he would be even more active after his short nap..as expected, he got up and had another round of all the compartments, then made him sit with his books for about half an hour..
when it was time to sleep, the nightmare started..although jeetu did feel tired and sleepy, he simply couldnt sleep coz it was so damn hot and stuffy and to top that, the train stopped at every station for about 15- 20 mins..he would almost be asleep and the train would stop and there would be no wind or breeze and he would wake up..it was so frustrating for me and very uncomfortable for the lil one!! poor thing, finally at abt 11 30, he could not hold it anymore and fell asleep..by then i had made a thooli for him with my dad' s veshti...thankfully, the train too picked up speed and didnt stop so often like before..both of us had a sound sleep till we reached chennai!!
to me, the joy of seeing the basin bridge signboard is simply unparalled!!! however short the trip, the indication that chennai is just round the corner manages to lift my spirits!!
will try and post some pics soon
j
have been quite busy this past week..had a long weekend..left for hyd on saturday afternoon and returned on wednesday morning..it was a very relaxing and much needed (though a short one) break!!
sunday was my bro' s engagement..so the day was spent getting all geared up for the evening as i had a critical role to play.. as the bride' s would be naathanaar, i had to garland her and welcome her and then help her into her new saree and other such customs...got to meet a lot of my relatives after a really really loooong time..and of course had to keep tabs on jeetu as he was running thru the length and breadth of the hall...all in all, a gr8 evening!! will post pics soon..
monday and tuesday was spent with all my aunts and uncles, gossiping about everything from the bride to the seer varisai to the food the previous evening..typical maami talks...once in a while, it does feel nice to indulge in such mindless chatter.. spent some quality time with my cousin, who at one point of time, was the closest one! education, career and marriage somewhat thwarted tat bond..but best part abt our relationship is we could always pick up from where we left..be it a gap of one day or one year..so it was nice talking to him..
the return journey was a horrible one..i have vowed never to travel by second class with jeetu!!! wat a trying time it was for us!! the lil brat he is, kept running compartment to compartment, running and falling!! since i booked my tickets at the last minute, didnt get tickets AC and worse, mine was in S12 while my parents were in S4. finally after some coaxing and cajoling, managed to put him to sleep for abt an hour in the evening.. but i knew that i was in for a loong nite since he would be even more active after his short nap..as expected, he got up and had another round of all the compartments, then made him sit with his books for about half an hour..
when it was time to sleep, the nightmare started..although jeetu did feel tired and sleepy, he simply couldnt sleep coz it was so damn hot and stuffy and to top that, the train stopped at every station for about 15- 20 mins..he would almost be asleep and the train would stop and there would be no wind or breeze and he would wake up..it was so frustrating for me and very uncomfortable for the lil one!! poor thing, finally at abt 11 30, he could not hold it anymore and fell asleep..by then i had made a thooli for him with my dad' s veshti...thankfully, the train too picked up speed and didnt stop so often like before..both of us had a sound sleep till we reached chennai!!
to me, the joy of seeing the basin bridge signboard is simply unparalled!!! however short the trip, the indication that chennai is just round the corner manages to lift my spirits!!
will try and post some pics soon
j
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
My date with the RPO-2
Today, although didnt manage to go at 7 (as advised by the wise auto driver), i reach the office by arnd 9. i very confidently go towards the second level when the security stops me and asks me to join the queue. i tell him that i am applying for my minor son and he replies " ellam ore queue dhan..poi line la vaama"- imagine my reaction when i heard this!! i retort telling him that i was told there is a separte line for minors and he says"queue la vaama ..apram paathukalam". frustrated and irritated, messaged DH , abusing the system and the security guys.. i wait for abt 15 mins and when my turn comes, thankfully, he lets me join the spl queue and find myself standing behind some 50 odd uncles and aunts and young moms/ dads like me!! cursing my luck for the second consecutive day, i grudgingly wait. suddenly the young dad b4 me asks if i have attached Annexure I with the application...now wat? i think..i cooly reply with a no and he tells me that i need to attach one..i decide not to pay heed to his advice and continue to wait. suddenly, the PO tells the elderly man near the counter"last one year bank statement oda vaanga"..OMG!! i dont have tat- immediately ask DH to mail to my dad so that he can send it thru his office boy!! happy that i managed to act on time, i continue my tapas!! suddenly it struck me that i didnt have a photocopy of my passport!! inform the dad behind me and rush to the shop inside the complex and stand in queue behind another 10 ppl!! finally managed to finish the whole ordeal in 10 mins and rush to my post, after explaining to all the oldies behind me that i was already in queue and had stepped out to take a photocopy. some 45 mins later, when i am just 2 ppl away from the counter, i fervently pray to the almighty, offering him a coconut, if all goes well!! my hands literally shook when i got all my papers ready!! have neverbeen so nervous in my whole life..the PO looks at my papers and asks "where is the minor declaration certificate" while i give him a blank look, he explains that i need to attach a doc available in the ground floor. i nod resignedly and then he asks for something else, which i cant even remember now..he tells to get all the docs ready and come later..totally defeated and dejected, i come out and search for the vendor who sells those papers..after some running around, finally locate him underneath the staircase( no exaggeration) and he very patiently explains what to do..by then, my senses have returned and i smartly note down everything.
now i have to get all those docs ready and again visit the RPO next week. Simply dreading it!! Wish me luck
j
P. S. the bank statement was on its way when i was out of the RPO. another disaster!
now i have to get all those docs ready and again visit the RPO next week. Simply dreading it!! Wish me luck
j
P. S. the bank statement was on its way when i was out of the RPO. another disaster!
My date with the RPO-1
Well, here goes my account of how i lost my accumulated leave on something that is nothing but a nightmare!!
yday had been to the Regional Passport Office(RPO) to apply for a passport for jeetu. I had filled the form online and was pretty much sure that i had all the necessary papers. I had applied it in tatkaal, thinking it would be a hassle- free process!! how wrong i was!! the day started like this- i take my son to my parents' place to leave him with them while i stand in the sweltering hot sun to submit the application; but turned out that he too was destined to visit the RPO. After getting jeetu' s thumb impression on all the annexures, i am almost ready to go, when i decide to call my friend to check if the minor applicant is also required at the office. She cautions me to take him along just in case the PO decides to meet my son. So in the next few mins, my mom dresses him up while i pack his things(diaper, water etc etc). and who else but my mom to babysit him while i wait for my turn? so she too gets ready in a hurry and we are off to the office in an auto. on arrival, the auto drives makes a very casual remark "passport office ku poi ivalo late aa vareenga? inge ella morning 7 o' clock vandhu q la nikkanum ma"- tat comment was enuf to trigger my anxiety. but my application stated that my appt( or so its called) was at 11 15 am and we were there by arnd 10 30. i decided to pardon the auto driver for his ignorance (how stupid of me). we arrive at the first floor and are told to wait in the queue meant for tatkaal applications..we patiently wait for sometime. suddenly my mom raises this doubt" DD aa cash aa?" i confidently reply"cash" amma: "but all arnd ppl are carrying DD. so better check".- another call to the trusted friend and turned out that they accept only DDs for tatkaal applications!! off i run to the nearest bank and to my luck, another queue to get a DD!! managed to return in 15 mins and thankfully, the queue hadnt moved much..we continue our wait.. we reach the next floor by arnd 12 15. the security at the entrance looks at my application and asks "minor applicant aa madam?" i say a yes with some trepidation and he cooly replies " there is a separate queue for senior citizens and minor applicants madam. you should have come here. counter closed". i try to explain that i was not aware of such a thing and there was no notice anywhere informing the same and he replies in that same self assured tone " ground floor la board irukku madam..poi parunga..come tomorrow morning at 8 30. you wil be the first". amma and i try to stand there pretending not to hear his last comment and desperately try to figure out a way to join the queue. amma, in the meanwhile, calls one of her friends who happens to work there to see if she can help us and to our immense luck, she is on leave and resting at home!! :( after some 10 mins, we decide to return the next day at crack of dawn so that this whole thing can be wrapped up and forgotten!! how i wish!!
j
yday had been to the Regional Passport Office(RPO) to apply for a passport for jeetu. I had filled the form online and was pretty much sure that i had all the necessary papers. I had applied it in tatkaal, thinking it would be a hassle- free process!! how wrong i was!! the day started like this- i take my son to my parents' place to leave him with them while i stand in the sweltering hot sun to submit the application; but turned out that he too was destined to visit the RPO. After getting jeetu' s thumb impression on all the annexures, i am almost ready to go, when i decide to call my friend to check if the minor applicant is also required at the office. She cautions me to take him along just in case the PO decides to meet my son. So in the next few mins, my mom dresses him up while i pack his things(diaper, water etc etc). and who else but my mom to babysit him while i wait for my turn? so she too gets ready in a hurry and we are off to the office in an auto. on arrival, the auto drives makes a very casual remark "passport office ku poi ivalo late aa vareenga? inge ella morning 7 o' clock vandhu q la nikkanum ma"- tat comment was enuf to trigger my anxiety. but my application stated that my appt( or so its called) was at 11 15 am and we were there by arnd 10 30. i decided to pardon the auto driver for his ignorance (how stupid of me). we arrive at the first floor and are told to wait in the queue meant for tatkaal applications..we patiently wait for sometime. suddenly my mom raises this doubt" DD aa cash aa?" i confidently reply"cash" amma: "but all arnd ppl are carrying DD. so better check".- another call to the trusted friend and turned out that they accept only DDs for tatkaal applications!! off i run to the nearest bank and to my luck, another queue to get a DD!! managed to return in 15 mins and thankfully, the queue hadnt moved much..we continue our wait.. we reach the next floor by arnd 12 15. the security at the entrance looks at my application and asks "minor applicant aa madam?" i say a yes with some trepidation and he cooly replies " there is a separate queue for senior citizens and minor applicants madam. you should have come here. counter closed". i try to explain that i was not aware of such a thing and there was no notice anywhere informing the same and he replies in that same self assured tone " ground floor la board irukku madam..poi parunga..come tomorrow morning at 8 30. you wil be the first". amma and i try to stand there pretending not to hear his last comment and desperately try to figure out a way to join the queue. amma, in the meanwhile, calls one of her friends who happens to work there to see if she can help us and to our immense luck, she is on leave and resting at home!! :( after some 10 mins, we decide to return the next day at crack of dawn so that this whole thing can be wrapped up and forgotten!! how i wish!!
j
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
mylapore maniac
well guess tats how my husband would have thought about me!! he keeps asking me "wats so gr8 about mylapore"...well is there a short and sweet answer to tat question? i dont think so...
for someone who has not lived in mylapore, its quite difficult to fathom why its so popular and special? the locality is a city by itself! it has a life of its own, which i dont think any other area can boast of...well parry's may be known for its busy business activities and besant nagar for its hep and happening joints but somehow mylapore is different..guess its the perfect blend of both the tradition and the contemporary tat makes it unique..on the one hand, you have the temples and ancient shops ( they were started even b4 my grandmom was born!) that sell everything from books to dosai kallus to kumkums to appalams!! am sure ambika applams and srividya kumkum have travelled far and wide than anybody living in tat locality! on the other hand, you also have the pizza joints and cafes tat are a true reflection of today' s world!!
well, i can go on and on about mylapore but i guess enuf has been written this much loved and famed place in chennai..how else do you explain a group started by and for mylaporeans in almost every social networking site? this post was simply meant to show my love for the place!!
case rested.
j
for someone who has not lived in mylapore, its quite difficult to fathom why its so popular and special? the locality is a city by itself! it has a life of its own, which i dont think any other area can boast of...well parry's may be known for its busy business activities and besant nagar for its hep and happening joints but somehow mylapore is different..guess its the perfect blend of both the tradition and the contemporary tat makes it unique..on the one hand, you have the temples and ancient shops ( they were started even b4 my grandmom was born!) that sell everything from books to dosai kallus to kumkums to appalams!! am sure ambika applams and srividya kumkum have travelled far and wide than anybody living in tat locality! on the other hand, you also have the pizza joints and cafes tat are a true reflection of today' s world!!
well, i can go on and on about mylapore but i guess enuf has been written this much loved and famed place in chennai..how else do you explain a group started by and for mylaporeans in almost every social networking site? this post was simply meant to show my love for the place!!
case rested.
j
where do i start?
hmmm... well wat else do i say? this whole idea of blogging has been in my mind for quite some time now but somehow just could not work up the motivation to start one..not sure whether it was lack of time or simply because i didnt know where to start!! well, there goes my title for the first post!!
just a teeny weeny bit abt myself....a self- proclaimed hard core chennaiite...or to be more specific mylaporean..maybe i shud have named by blog mylaporemaami.blogspot.com!! :-) am sure someone else has already taken the not so glamorous title!! schooled in the same area and attended college in an adjacent one!! married and went a few miles(!!) away from mylapore but now living close by though not IN mylapore!! (psst..hope my hubby and inlaws dont ever read this!)
am a working mom..have a one and half year old, cute, adorable and extremely smart son!!
wat else? guess have written enuf to call it a post!! so tats it for now!!
j
just a teeny weeny bit abt myself....a self- proclaimed hard core chennaiite...or to be more specific mylaporean..maybe i shud have named by blog mylaporemaami.blogspot.com!! :-) am sure someone else has already taken the not so glamorous title!! schooled in the same area and attended college in an adjacent one!! married and went a few miles(!!) away from mylapore but now living close by though not IN mylapore!! (psst..hope my hubby and inlaws dont ever read this!)
am a working mom..have a one and half year old, cute, adorable and extremely smart son!!
wat else? guess have written enuf to call it a post!! so tats it for now!!
j
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