Of new beginnings and some updates

Howdy people!
Its been a while since I updated this space. I was caught up with a lot of things and hardly found the time or energy to write something. Hope, I was missed :-)

First things first, R has started Montessori since last week and he has taken to the place like a fish to water. I had expected some protest from his end and had braced myself accordingly but it seems he has not inherited my genes in this matter. He went in with the teacher on the first day without as much as a backward glance at me! Whereas, I, his mother, used to cry buckets at the mention of school even in class one and two. Sheesh! Don't tell him this, OK? It is tough for any parent to wait outside listening to the apple of their eyes wailing helplessly. Passing even half an hour might seem like a mountain to move. I am just grateful that the journey has been easier for me so far. To the extent that on the second day itself his teacher handed over to me an activity sheet that he worked on (random crayon artwork by the little master along with a few legible, clear sketches by the teacher ) that had a couple of smiley stickers from the teacher as a mark of encouragement. He was kept back for an hour from the second day on itself. Touchwood!

I am driving R to and back from school. I don't exactly enjoy it, I tell you. While going, it is the peak rush hour and am juggling (poorly) with the mad traffic and the near constant driving instructions/advice/reproaches from the hubby who accompanies me. The return journey is relatively easier as the traffic decreases to a considerable extent, and he somehow, trusts me to handle it on my own. Of course, trust or no trust, there is no choice- both for him and me. Driving for me is just a necessary life-skill and not an enjoyable experience, yet. Since I haven't been driving regularly, am still rusty and get panic attacks, so all this driving seems much like an ordeal. But the husband is determined to polish off the dust and he is not taking any excuses from me! :-0 My other grouse is that I have to wait out the entire one hour that R spends at school, outside the school waiting for him since the duration is too short for me to get back home and to school in time to pick him up. The prime time when I generally feast on blogs is gone thus. The school will increase the timings to the full duration only gradually.

Anyone who wanted to understand Murphy's law, just had to be at my residence last fortnight. Unfortunately, it was my own folks who were at my place then. From major water crises to intrusions from pests in the house to a leaking tap due to negligence, and even a Bharat Bandh, all that could have gone wrong had aligned themselves to make an (im)perfect setting! Even our car was away for an unexpectedly long duration at the service station during this time. Bad karma is all I can say! Although we survived the odds, I couldn't help cursing the sense of timing of the outside forces. The silver lining was of course the kid's world where such mishaps do not derail life and happiness. The niece and R had a whale of a time and it was a treat to see them have such undiluted and pure pleasure from just being with one another, living and enjoying in the moment.

On a  happier note, I finally met up with my oldest blog pals- Aparna (Adventures in Mommyland) and Aparna (Life as a mom)! The former had an official meeting at Bangalore, so the three of us grabbed this opportunity and met up for lunch at the 100ft Boutique restaurant sans our kids. As expected we had loads to talk and catch up on. Time was a constraint due to other personal commitments and we were loath to end the wonderful conversation combined with some lovely food. Looking forward to more such meets in future!

So, that's what has kept me busy. Will catch up soon on reading and commenting on your blogs too.

36 comments:

  1. I had keyed in my comment and it seems to have gone, just as you had for a while! As usual, nice reading your update! And R starting school, indeed a new milestone for both of you! Don't crib, use all the opportunity to drive the car, if only my husband was as encouraging for me! And I've been searching for your email id on your blog, couldn't find it:(

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    1. Actually its good that the hubby pushes me into it, it keeps me motivated and ya, I shouldn't be cribbing but old habits die hard, you see ;-)
      Oh, I guess, I haven't added my email on the blog page.
      itsuma@gmail.com is the place you can reach me.
      and thanks, Vibha!

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  2. aww.. on R starting school. Congratulations to the both of you as you climb on another step on R's growth ladder. and awesome tht you met up with your blogger friends. I wish I could meet some of my favorite bloggers too. :(

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    1. Thanks, Purnima! We'll plan a meet when you come down to India next. A would be a little older then, so it should not be a problem.

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  3. Hi Uma,
    I was actually wondering where you have disappeared!! Nice that R has joined Montessori!! Although I don't remember too much, but certainly remember crying like hell on the first day@school!! :D Lots of luck to R.. n you too.. ;) :)

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    1. Thanks for all the luck, Radhika. I need it. Just as I was thinking all is well, R has caught a viral and is down today :-(

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  4. You have contrived a post out of thin air!!But made for a delectable reading.Thanks

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    1. hehe..ya, sometimes personal updates make good material for a post. Glad you enjoyed reading this, sir! :-)

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  5. I know all about driving in the crazy Bangalore traffic so both the kids are put in school bus. It is too much stress and I completely empathize with you. All the best to R for starting school.

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    1. I know..am just waiting for R to be a little older so that I can use the transport..
      Thanks so much, Rachna!

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  6. Hi Uma,
    Good to hear from you after long .. Yes you were missed :) But since your blog has been a recent find for me, your old posts have been keeping me occupied ..
    Congarts on the lil one's foray into Montessori !
    And a suggestion for the one hour waiting time .. Why dont you carry a laptop with a portable internet connection .. Its even worth buying one to do something you really love ..

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    1. Hey Aarthy, thanks so much for reading my older posts and for missing me :-)
      Laptop sounds good but not sure if it would be a viable idea..lets see..thanks for the suggestion and good wishes :-)

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  7. Missed you definately were Uma.. congratulations on R starting school. A huge milestone for both of you. All the best and take care

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    1. Thanks, Me for the wishes. That's very sweet of you guys to say that I was missed. Not that I don't believe you. Feels good :-)

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  8. Ha ha ha, these days kids can't wait to get away from us I guess :-)When he starts full time, more time for blogging!

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    1. hehe..err..the feeling is kinda mutual ;-) I am eagerly waiting for the day when I'll have solid three hours to myself :-)
      and thanks Bindu for the follow :-))

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  9. Take the laptop or atleast a notebook along...even if u dont have internet connection, u can work on a blog post.
    Murphy's law is a bad one...wish I had been a fly on the wall tho;-D
    I for one am glad to find only one post....seriously I feel so guilty when I visit u and find 5-6 posts;-P

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    1. I have extreme aversion to all kinds of pests and do all it takes to drive one away...so maybe that's not a good wish ;-)
      aah, so I see some one (at least only one is vocal about it :-0)is happy that I do not post regularly :-)

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    2. No, no I'm not happy u do not post regularly...
      I'm happy that I found only 1 post to read when I reached here...

      There is a BIG difference u knw;-D

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    3. yes, of course there IS a difference. I completely understand ;-D

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  10. Driving--yes, isn't it stressful? My bro says one can get over it. Another colleague says that he now finds humanity in himself through driving...but it drives me against the wall. So I can understand what you would be going through. And waiting outside school--arghhh!!1 Now worries, even these days will pass!

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    1. Maybe one can get over it...it takes practice and will-power..also as they say, well-begun is half the battle won, so I too have hopes :-)
      thanks, Bhavana! :-)))

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  11. Congrats on the school start and I can so hear not liking to drive..thats the same with me :)

    Please come back to blogging

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    1. thanks, RM! Ya, will try to back as soon as there is some semblance in the routine.

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  12. Congrats!! Lucky you that R has adjusted so well, he's a very good boy :) and believe me it's really good that your hubby is forcing you to drive. It's the only way to make your learn and gain confidence. Sanjay used to do the same thing to me when we were first married. I cursed him then, but thank him with all my heart now when people tell me I drive so well :) all the best!!!

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    1. Looks like he has adjusted better than many others, but eerily enough, since the day after I wrote this down and gloated about this to others who asked, R cries (although just for maybe 5-10 minutes)as he enters the school. So, having my fingers crossed now!
      So, is there a supportive man behind every good lady driver?? ;-)
      Thanks a lot, Aparna!

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    2. Our kids always make fools of us, don't they? :) Hope the crying was just an abberation!

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    3. Agree!
      the crying seems to have become a routine..kids can be so unpredictable!

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    4. Oh no...
      But he'll settle down don't worry. That much I am sure of.

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  13. Hi!!

    This is the first time I am visiting this space :)

    I work in a school and I am used to children wailing during the first few days at school - I feel my heart sink every time I hear a kid crying at the idea of being separated from his mother - I was a crybaby too when I was small but I am so glad your son is not giving you that experience!

    And it's always fun meeting blog pals - reminds me, I need to catch up with some of them :)

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    1. well, looks like the son doesn't want to deprive the mother of the experience. Although he doesn't wail for the entire school-time, he has begun to cry as he enters school :-)

      Welcome here Divya and thanks for the follow too :-)

      btw, you've mentioned in the reply to my comment that you used to visit here earlier?? Well, am glad that you decided to de-lurk, albeit with a different name :-)

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  14. I had a different blog back then - Sapphire was my ID :D :D

    I was a total crybaby as soon as I entered the school gates - I am sure your baby too will outgrow it :)

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    1. Oh I see! :-)
      And I was a total cry baby too..for quite some time, much to my parents' chargin :-)
      thanks Divya :-)

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