Pocket full of Sunshine - For Mom

The earliest memory of my mother is of her chasing me with a pan, round and round the Jamun tree. If I recall correctly it was because I was playing Rangoli with all the spices, trying to make patterns with turmeric and chilli powder in the rain water. Daughters have this uncanny ability to drive their mothers crazy, be it with their choice of boyfriends or wacky hair colors. 

I still remember the day when I went home after applying blonde streaks in my hair. Aghast, she could only utter – “Ram-o-Krishno-Ram-o-Krishno”!!! To avoid further damage I prevented my sister from revealing her plans of getting blue extensions. :P

As I look down the memory lane, unknowingly a smile spreads, to relish those memories again. To have spent 28 years under the comforting wings of women so strong and confident that whatever little achievement I have received till date is due to her incessant support. 28 years I had spent cuddled in pure love and fun.

She is a perfect example of how extreme determination can melt any hindrance in the way of your dreams. My mom is a farmer’s daughter who never had enough paper to solve mathematic problems during her school days yet she dreamt of being a Graduate. That dream didn’t die when she got married during her final year and household duties soon fell upon her. Two years later while she was carrying me, she wrote her exams, got her degree and soon secured a job as teacher. So now you see where I get the intelligence from. :P

Although the three of us- my brother, my sister and I keep on testing her patience, I was hugely surprised when she let me marry the guy she had met only 4 times till date, just once before the engagement. Maybe I was more paranoid about my wedding than her who travelled from one part of India to the other on my special day. Words are not enough to describe how proud I feel to have a mother who trusts her daughter’s decisions. I know sounds bizarre. :P

Today, as she lies in the hospital bed, suffering from a gall bladder infection, all I could feel is guilt - extreme guilt and shame for not being with the one woman who made me who I am. I have written about a lot of women around me, but never my mom because she’s not the women around me, she’s the women within me.

“On looking back I see you smile, blessed always were we

How can I ever be alone, when you’re watching over me”


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‘I am writing a Tribute to Mom in association with Parentous.com‘

Photo Blog: Home Affairs - Assam

 Being at home means absolute bliss. I know that’s a cliche now. But still I just can’t stop chattering about how perfect the weather was, or how finger licking good was the food or how fun it is to have a pet who listens to all your commands. There was rain and sunshine and even the garden lizard seem to be awaiting my return.

 

And Biker seemed to have found a new friend :)

 

I must have blogged about my Grandmother’s home in Madhupur gazillion times. All my cousins get to meet up only during special occasions.

This visit was even more entertaining as it was the first time I was visiting home after my marriage.

Rongali Bihu marks the start of our new year. I have mentioned here how the children would dance and sing and bless the household.

 

These were the first bunch of bihutoli that visited grandma’s home. My cousin brother seemed to get into the mood, brought the Dhol from my uncle’s home and started playing it. No he doesn’t know how to play it. He could have used a cooking vessel as well 

 

But that’s when the fun began. My Dad joined the Bihu gang of little kids, one by one my Aunts, uncles, cousins and even my grandma came out and started dancing Bihu. Biker too took the instrument from a kid and started playing something or the other. It was fun to watch them laughing and dancing together – to watch the true essence of celebrating a festival, being a family and enjoying moments.

After the delicious lunch consisting of fish curry, desi chicken and mixed veg. we all went for a walk, in my uncle’s tea garden. The area has become unsafe now as leopards, elephants and small tigers frequently visit the place.

 

You see the shed in the first Bihu picture where the car is parked, a herd of elephants had eaten manure that was stored there just the day before our visit. As people are encroaching on Animal’s land, they are encroaching on ours too.

The tea garden looked as beautiful and as serene as it could.

 

The sun was setting when we started from Madhupur.

A day later we visited my maternal uncle’s home. The place still looks the same. Biker tried catching a fish from my uncle’s fishery, but after looking at the bait he let my brother do it. They did catch a fish, a small one though.

Stay Tuned for more :)

Earliers posts on Assam

A glimpse of Assam
A glimpse of my world
Of Tea Garden and Cousin

Bratty Kids - One Picture From My Photo Album

Paper boats and sticky pink candies,
splashing puddles  and jumping off trees,
kabbadi, cricket or driving mom insane,
Dad always watched from  a safe distance, 

Flickering images from yester-years,
memories that my heart holds dear,
Looking back, I laugh for a while,
relishing again those summer smiles.

I remember my siblings and I suffered from constant hair loss, because of all the pulling and kicking we used to get involved in.

“You ate my Maggii!!!” – dhaam dhoom dishum
“You stole my jeans!!!” – Bhamm bhoomm
“You used my shampoo!!!” – chapaatt!!!

We were a crazy bunch of military brats, driving each other insane.

There isn’t much age difference between us; a reason why we are each other’s best friends, worst enemies and partners-in-crime too. 

  

This photograph is the dearest of all, clicked by my dad about 15 years ago. We were as usual playing one of our brutal games – Kabbadi in our garden. The only problem was - how to play Kabbadi with three people? Dad immediately chose to be referee.  He was intelligent enough not to get involved in our games. We were a bunch of fierce kids … guuraaawwww. Finally we decided that each time one became the intruder, the other two would become catcher. Yeah, that’s how we named the team.

When three hot headed kids play a game like this, it is bound to get ugly :P Fortunately Dad broke up us before we did any permanent damage. :P

I miss those times, the arguments, fights, chats over a cup of tea. I don’t know if we will be able to relish these moments again. 

Guess what my brother is planning to gift me from his first salary. Emami cream – to compensate for all the creams, shampoos and lip gloss he stole from me.

I nominate - Sree, Meghana and Kalyan to write on the topic.

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"This post is my entry for the 'One Picture From My Photo Album' contest conducted by My Yatra Diary and CupoNation."

DIY - Quilling Flowers

A flower fest on Mother's Day

I was trying various flower designs. 

Materials used - Quilling paper strips, quilling tool and glue.

The yellow fringed flower was supposed to be something else. You won't believe it if I tell you I was trying to make a hairy mouse :P but sigh... it turned into a Marigold look alike :P

For more- check out my page - www.facebook.com/RajlakshmiOrigami

How to make my mom go Bat-Crap crazy?

As Mother’s day is fast approaching, I can’t get this mischievous thought out of my mind – To make my mom go Bat-Crap crazy. It’s not that I have failed in doing so in any way. In fact I might be top of the class. But it is fun when you are all grown up and you mom finally thinks that you have matured (?), if only by an atom.

So let me put on my devil horns.

{Beware; this is only for the brave hearts, for hell hath no fury like the wrath of an Angry Mother. :P }

Cut my hair and flaunt pixie style - a la Anne Hathaway. Just by showing up like that is enough for my Mom to go berserk. This is highly dangerous as that might be the last time I would be going home.

A slightly less dangerous idea would be to ask her whether blue hair streaks would look cooler on me or pink ones. Yeah just like Nicki Minaj. :P

Ask my little cousin to play kitchen-kitchen with Mom’s prized glass-wares.

Conspicuously spread a freshly washed white bed-sheet, take out the choicest of dark polish and start applying them on my toes. That would definitely deserve a Broom-Chase.

I had once placed a plastic spider on my Mom’s bowl while serving her some Maggi. That was the highest jump she had ever made :P and I even ended up eating the Maggi :P Maybe I should try that once more :P

Offer to cook a meal. The thought itself would drive her insane. 

Long long ago I once tried preparing dal. I added salt and instead of turmeric power added heaps of chilli powder, unknowingly of course. Once the dal was cook I gave it to my mom like soup. This is exactly what it did to her.

Well I guess that would be enough, after all I just got one life. And I have been a total brat, most of the time. :P

***************

Having all said and done, you and I know that life without Mom is just not worth it. Every moment is memorable, every smile, every argument, every little things she did for you which you notice only when you are living far far away from her. 

Salvation Of A Saint - Book Review

Book: Salvation Of A Saint

Author: Keigo Higashino

Price: Rs350Price

Rs. 214 on Flipkart

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Imprint: ABACUS

Publication Year: 2013

Language: English

Number of Pages: 384 Pages

 

Salvation of a Saint is the second of famous Japanese author Keigo Higashino . The first book Devotion of Suspect X was highly successful and was a hit with critics and readers. That was when physics professor Manabu Yukawa aka Detective Galileo was featured for the first time. “Salvation of a Saint” is second book in Doctor Galileo series.

The plot begins with a sober conversation between Suave CEO Yoshitaka Mashiba and his beautiful wife Ayane. In the next few chapters an extra marital affair is revealed and Yoshitaka is found dead by poisoning. The suspicion falls on his wife Ayane, but she has a watertight alibi. On the day of murder, she was far away from Tokyo, visiting her parents.

The story then revolves around whether Ayane is the murderer or not. Meanwhile Kusanagi and the newly recruited female detective Utsumi are at loggerheads with their understanding of the murder. When Utsumi feels that Detective Kusanagi has fallen in love with Ayane and his judgment is clouded by his feelings, she calls for Physics professor Manabu Yukawa aka Professor Galileo’s help. The challenge to unravel the secret behind “perfect murder” is too tempting for Yukawa to let go. Keeping aside the difference between him and Kusanagi, (which happened in the first book) Yukawa starts investigating the crime.

There are not many characters in the story so each gets time to develop. Although it is evident who the murderer is but till the ending chapters the mystery remains as to how the murder was committed. When eventually the detectives reveal the procedure of how the murder took place, I felt it was somehow illogical. Possible yes but illogical, which kept a few questions unanswered.

The narration of the book is gripping and fast. The various turn of events in finding a clue, the detailed explanation of investigation and Kusanagi’s emotional upheaval keeps the book interesting and entertaining.

Having said that, Keigo Higashino being called Japanese Steig Larsson still remains unjustified.

Anyone who enjoys reading a nice murder mystery and challenging their minds to figure out how the murder is committed will love the book.

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About the Author

Born in Osaka, Keigi Higashino started writing novels while still working as an engineer at Nippon Denso Co. (presently DENSO). He won the Edogawa Rampo Award, which is awarded annually to the unpublished finest mystery work, in 1985 for the novel Hōkago (After School) at age 27. Subsequently, he quit his job and started a career as a writer in Tokyo.

In 1999, he won the Mystery Writers of Japan Award for the novel Naoko, which was translated into English by Kerim Yasar and published by Vertical Inc. in 2004. In 2006, he won the 134th Naoki Prize for The Devotion of Suspect X (Yōgisha X no Kenshin). His novels had been nominated five times before winning the award. The novel also won the 6th Honkaku Mystery Grand Prize and was ranked as the number-one novel by Kono Mystery ga Sugoi! 2006 and 2006 Honkaku Mystery Best 10, annual mystery fiction guide books published in Japan.

The English translation of The Devotion of Suspect X was nominated for the 2012 Edgar Award for Best Novel and the 2012 Barry Award for Best First Novel.

He writes not only mystery novels but also essays and story books for children. The style of writing differs from his novels, but basically he does not use as many characters as in his novels.

This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

Quilling Earrings - 2

 Remember I did a post on Quilling earrings - here
Well I made some more :D Hope you like them :)

DIY Hairstyles - Ramp Ready? Always

Sophisticated chignon , messy braid,

or let them flow like glossy cascade,

To own tress that’s fashionable,

Is now no longer an untrue fable.

In my pursuit for fashionable hairstyles I had experimented with highlights, streaks and heat to straighten my hair. And as a result, my current hair is not even figment of what it used to be. Rough, dry, split ends. You name it, I had it. The lustrous hip length tress is long gone, all I have is wavy waist length shrub I call hair.

So you can pretty imagine what my “Ramp Ready” hairstyles looked like

 

{Photo credits - Google}

I blatantly used to scare people with my Vampire Look :P

 

{Photoshop done by a blog friend Kalyan}

When Indiblogger sent me a pack of TRESemme Smooth and Shine Shampoo and Conditioner for dry, rough hair, I was quite skeptical about its effects. But (and this is a big but), TRESemme proved what it claims. This is one shampoo which gave immediate results. I have been using it for quite some time and now I am convinced that my hair is in safe hands.

I used it like a regular shampoo, applied conditioner along the length of the hair, left it for about 10 minutes and then rinsed with lukewarm water. (For effective results use both the shampoo and conditioner)

Price

TRESemme Smooth & Shine Shampoo – Rs. 64 for 100 ml

TRESemme Smooth & Shine Conditioner – Rs. 64 for 100 ml

The final Verdict

After the first wash I felt my hair was softer and less frizzy.  As I continued using it, my dry and rough hair became more manageable and silky. Since I specially asked for for dry and rough hair, I could feel the change within 2 washes. This made my hair easier to style when I tried some of the hair tutorials provided by TRESemme.

Here’s a video link of extremely easy and trendy DIY hair tutorials for those moments when you want to steal the show : TRESemme India - YouTube

Usually I keep my hair tied. They look pretty neat after I started using TRESemme.

For Ramp Ready look I loved Voluminous One Sided Braid. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-wfauTnCqk

 

Here's my Attempt :P

For more hairstyle tips, check out Tresemme Facebook Page

So Girls, unleash the Diva in you, select a style and woo the crowd with TRESemme.

This post is part of the TRESemmé Ramp Ready Hair Contest hosted by Indiblogger in association with TRESemmé.  

Quilling Husked Flower

Ever since I saw the technique on Claire's blog, I wanted to try it. It's a brilliant way to make the paper flowers beautiful and different. 

Here's a picture tutorial by Claire - http://clairespapercraft.blogspot.in/2010/06/white-husking-flower-tutorial.html

And this is what I made. 

 

Click on the image for better view

Of Birds and Bees

We usually keep our room window open, as there’s a wide field near our apartment we let the fresh air circulate within the four walls. Seems that’s wasn’t such a good idea, especially since it was the onset of Spring. 

One evening after returning from home I switched on the lights and saw some bees flying near the mirror.  Naah it didn’t strike me to check from where they had arrived. I was nonchalantly looking out of the window, combing my hair when I heard Biker shrieking like crazy, pointing over my head. 

The sight scared the lighting daylights out of me!!! We couldn’t close the window, so somehow covered it with large cardboard and thermocol sheets. (A Papercrafter always saves those) :P I didn't have the heart to smoke them out.

Since the bees are sensitive to light, we had to eat out dinner in dark. Boy!! you should see how berserk they go when we switch on the light. Just like an angry Roommate.

Luckily these were travelling bees, tired after a long day they had decided to rest near our window and were gone by the next evening.

And here's a Quilling - Little Qwly :)