Chinni's 2nd Birthday

Finally, we couldn't celebrate her 2nd birthday. All credit goes to cold, cough and fever. 

She had been asking for cycle since so many days after we returned from Hong Kong. As a gift for her birthday, we brought her a new tricycle yday, which is not as good as the one in HK. 

Unfortunately, I could not bring the tricycle that was purchased in HK. We really miss that one, after all the first ones are the first ones!

Hoping that her next Birthday will be a rocking one.

Will never forget that kiss

Date : 22nd Dec, 2010
Time : Around 2.30 am

 Chinni was not doing well since a couple of days. Severe cold, cough and repeating fever made to loose charm in her face, but she would still smile and play when ammi and pappa returned home from office. It's been 2 days that N has re-joined office, but Chinni has very little cribs except for not having proper food. After all, cold and fever also contribute to that.

On 22nd, she slept with running nose and little fever at around 11 pm drinking 5 ml of crocin juice (yes, she calls all the tonics as juice). It was 2 am, I woke up to her cry for water. My hand went to console her, kept it on her back and she was burning, had very high fever ? N had already woken and was warming milk. I took Chinni on my lap to make her sleep, she felt a little comfortable.

She closed her eyes for around a minute and woke up suddenly. I was wondering why ? She sat on my lap and kissed me. I was literally amazed, couple of tears dropped too. This is what is called as "Love".

I can never forget that kiss!!!

School ? No, no, nooooo!

It's been quite some time that Chinni has started going to play home. Unfortunately, or fortunately, she had more breaks than her attendance. She took almost a month's leave after completing the first week. Who gets such rare chance, it can only be at this age. Once she starts going to school, I am afraid she can ever enjoy one such vacation.

And not only that, once in 2 weeks there is definitely a holiday. There isn't dearth of holidays in India, but hardly few can realize them, except kids and government employees.

Well, now that Chinni has been attending play home sessions, she has identified the path from our house. She immediately reacts "school byada" (don't want school) if we step on that road. The reluctance has started appearing now itself. Myself and N are much worried how will she go to school if this continues ?

Even after reluctance to go to play home, we haven't received any complaints from the care takers. She plays normally and doesn't remember pappa and ammi, hopefully a good sign. Now that N is going to start her working from tomorrow, I am worried how will Chinni manage without both of us. It's never been a situation where we both have left her alone, except for couple of unavoidable circumstances.

Iksha is going to complete 2 years on 23rd this month. It's been amazing till now with all sort of experience. I remember the day when I first took her in my arms and she was fast asleep, totally unaware of where she has stepped in. After the first 2 years, she has learnt so many many things which is truely astonishing for both of us. 

I don't think it's easy to identify colors, sing rhymes, count numbers from 1 to 10 along with pappa, play simple games on mobile, sleep listening to songs, identify Mr Bean, Chota Bheem on pogo, Barney, Thomas, Tulli etc on tv, select which dress to wear depending on the colors, pictures on them, identify animals, fruits, vegetables in books.........for a 2 years old child.

I know she will learn lot more in the next year, but I hope she will gain more on behavioral aspects. There is learning at each step of life, hoping she will identify what is good and what is bad.

Wish you a very Happy 2nd Birthday, in advance, Chinni. Btw, she can say "Happy Birthday to you" too :)

Struggle of life or Struggle for life?

I dropped N and Chinni to Dharwar and returned to Bangalore last month. My bus reached at 5 am, a bit early than the normal arrival. Thought I would get some time to sleep before going to office.

The only option was to take an auto to home, so asked one autowala if he can drop me to my home. Unfortunately, in Bangalore, it's the auto driver's option to drive to a location, commuters just keep pleading and waiting for the right auto. So, this autowala agreed but said he would charge Rs 80/-, which is 2 times  more than the normal fare. I tried to bargain, but in vain. So agreed and headed to my home. My home was just around 500mts - 700mts far from the location I had told the driver. Upon dropping me, I handed over a 100 rupee note and the driver promptly denied to return Rs 20, only because he had to come 500m far from the spot I had mentioned. At 5.30 am, I had to argue and fight with him to give me back Rs 20. Finally, after heated arguments, the auto driver just left the spot ignoring me. I stood there helplessly for 2 minutes, thinking what to do. I was upset for the whole day and could not concentrate on my work and it all happened because of Rs 20.

After a couple of weeks, I had to been to Dharwar again to get N and Chinni back to Bangalore. Again we travelled by bus and reached our destination around 6 am. Again, didn't have any other option than auto. to reach home The auto driver again asked Rs 80 and I agreed upon without trying to bargain. Upon reaching home, I handed over Rs 100 note and told the auto driver to keep the remaining amount. The auto driver smiled and finally before leaving, he asked to verify I had left any luggage in auto.

I could not judge who is right and who is wrong after these incidents. I can give Rs 20 extra, but I can't afford to give each and everybody to make them happy. I am struggling to survive with my own earnings.

Now thinking in autowala's perspective, if I am struggling to survive with my earnings, definitely autowala would also be struggling for life with his earnings, since his earnings might be less than me. It would be hard to imagine his situation and circumstances of life. If fighting for Rs 20 with autowala can spoil my whole day, autowalas are spoiling their whole life fighting with several customer every day for the same Rs 20.

Last week, I completed impact analysis and estimation on couple of change requests that came in from my client in office. After the estimations where submitted, client scheduled a call to discuss the estimates. Even after explaining thoroughly why it would take so many days to complete the task, the clients disagreed and we had to come to a common platform by reducing the estimates. 

I could relate the client with autowala at that moment and was laughing within myself., difference being autowala argue for livelihood and clients argue to save & earn more money. The question that arises is - what is the purpose of life ? It has merely reduced to earning money. There is no more healthy competition, in fact there is no competition at all, all that has remained is just fight.

Farmers burn their blood and grow grains, vegetables, fruits etc. What do they get is very pity money to survive. But what to financial institutions do ? they hedge upon the same commodities, create futures, options and other derivatives and earn millions of money. They survive, not only survive but also live a king size life because they don't grow!!!

What I want to say is life's goal has simply reduced to "Earn Money". I really don't find any other motive of life. Ending this blog abruptly without any conclusion. Wish I had the powers to change this motive of human beings and work towards meaningful life of mankind.

Adu

I bought this T-shirt around 5 years back. When I had picked it, out of several colorful ones, my friend disliked it and suggested not to go for it. But I insisted saying "I really like it and I will wear it for my sake". Never had I imagined at that moment I will have a daughter and she will insist me to wear the same T-shirt again and again!!!

It happened very recently after I returned home from office. As usual I changed my dress, got fresh and was ready for dinner. Chinni had already spent around 30 mins playing with me before I could get fresh. The dinner was served and I had just had one bite of chapati......Chinni came to me complaining of something which I didnt understand. I could not ignore her, since she compelled me to look into whatever she wants. She was pointing to something "adu, adu, adu". Not able to tolerate her, just kept my plate on table and followed her. She took me to bedroom and pointed at my black T-shirt with orange and white stripes.

I was literally amazed. I was made to remove the one I was wearing and put on the Tee. Uffff, kuch hazam nahi hua. I don't how that Tee attracted her. After I had put on, I loved the smile she had on her face and she gave a tight hug saying "pappa" atleast 4 times.

And this has been repeating since then. Now, I need to hide my Tee if I don't want to wear it that day.

......I sang and she cried

Chinni is badly hit by cold since a couple of days. She is struggling so much to sleep.

As she is used to listening to songs while sleeping, this has gone to a new height now. She wants her ammi to sing A B C D, Barney, Pingu (penguin song) and other ones. Yesterday night, around 2 am, she woke up to her choking nose and started asking A B C D. I thought let me sing it for her .......I had not even finished C she started crying :(

I stopped immediately, N continued and she slept as if she had not woken up :)

No time

I wonder if people in Bangalore really blog, they do and to my amaze how to they manage to get time ? After I have shifted to Bangalore, its been very tight schedule.

My routine is something very straight
6.30 am - wake up sid
8 am - start to office
9.15 - 9.30 am - reach office
1 pm - lunch
7.30 - 8 pm - start from office
10 pm - reach home (starting 30 mins early doesn't help)
11.30 pm - finish playing with Chinni, dinner and go to sleep

Where is the time to blog, finish pending stuff, talk to everybody at home, watch tv, catch up with friends .... ?

No, this is not the life I want to live. I got to do something ! but what ?!

A new era begins

Finally, the day has come to step out, to spend time away from home, away from parents, away from grand parents, to meet new people, make friends, learn new stuff, mingle with strangers, cope with situations, convey thoughts and what not !!!

Yes, it's Chinni's first day out at Playhome. I am so excited to hear how she spent 3 hours at the new place. Right now it's just been 2 hours and still an hour to finish up. And I am just keeping my fingers crossed to hear "everything went fine".

Wish I could leave her to Playhome today. There are going to be many more such stages going further, but this was as important as others. Hoping that I won't miss the remaining ones.

Chinni and Playhome

We can't keep Chinni confined to home anymore. Her desperateness to play, explore is killing us. Finally, we have found a good play home nearby. She will join in a day or two.

I want to be with her on the first day, leave her to play home, watch her play and take her back to home. Looks like its not going to be possible, my office timings and her timings are going to clash very badly :(. I wanted her to start on Saturday, so that I can be with her, my mom suggest "Saturday" would be a bad day to start. Although I am not superstitious, can't ignore it just keeping Chinni's future in mind.

Hopefully, she will start tomorrow i.e Thursday 21st October, 2010.

There is something missing in me

I feel this very often now-a-days, its when Chinni gets out of control, when I can't explain her what to do and what not, when Chinni goes and bangs her head to anything, may be sofa, bed, wall or even a cupboard, since pappa doesn't listen to her request, when Chinni gets adamant on chocky or doesn't want to eat food. I am simply not able to handle the situation properly. 

There is something missing in me because I am not able convey the good and bad message to Chinni. Or she is not in a stage to accept the good or bad thoughts ? Whatever it is, I am worried a lot.

Yday evening myself and N visited a play home thinking that Chinni can now spend some time in a play home a few hours in a day. To our surprise the lady has a PUG at her play home. Chinni was so excited, she said "bow bow" more number of times than the dog itself barked. After spending a good half an hour, Chinni was reluctant to come with me!!! She wanted to stay back and play. I failed to convey "its not the time, we will come tomorrow morning". There is something missing in me.

Today, the clock ticked 12.45 pm and I still at home. Wanted to quickly eat something and head off to office. But Chinni was happy jumping over me, because she had not seen me since morning. She started pulling me towards bedroom and show her favorite rhymes in laptop. I politely, calmly explained her "pappa needs to go to aassis, you go and watch". She got angry and banged herself to the cupboard in dining room. She has a swollen forehead now (nothing worrysome, but still ......). I again failed to convey a message. There is really something missing in me.

When DOCTOR became DAAKU

The other day, I took N to our regular doctor for a routine checkup, obviously along with us came Chinni. She was making all sort of nuisance and was going out of control.

Just to make her quite, N told her that "doctor will come and give her injection, if you don't keep quite". Chinni repeated "daakuuu ?" and we laughed like anything. Even the doctor laughed at her pronunciation saying "exactly".

That's not all. Doctor wanted to check N's bp and so opened the instrument to put the strap around her arm. Chinni started crying "byada byada" (meaning "no no") as if doctor was hurting her in some way. She stopped crying after we allowed her to touch and feel the instrument. Doctor was completely astonished and so were we!!!

Message of the blog: This time its a message from Chinni - "I love you so much ammi and won't allow anybody to hurt you"

3 hours to travel 25 kms

It was another rain havoc in Bangalore yesterday. I have experienced the heavy rains in the last 7 years, but had never suffered due to it. The day finally arrived.

I started from office around 6 pm. At 7pm, I was just 1 km away from the office, was giving a second thought to go back, swipe and start again, atleast it would have increased my login time. Well, I couldn't do that as well, was so badly sandwiched in traffic.

I reached home a few mintues past 9 pm.

Had dinner, checked a few mails and slept. Chinni was feeling too sleepy at 10, couldn't even play with her. Got up at 6.30 am, had bath, dressed up and started back to office. Damn, Bangalore life sucks!!!

Message of the blog: Stay close to office, preferably within 5 kms radius

Desperate

Hong Kong was a good place for Chinni to play and enjoy. She had enough open space to walk, jump and run. She finds all sorts of restrictions in Bangalore. I can see her desperateness to go out and play. She is definitely not enjoying the stay in Bangalore, but my dear Chinni "you got to adjust this from now, this is your home town and you might have to live here for a very long long duration".

She has been desperate from day 1 to go out for a walk in the evening. Her one hand is always pointed to the door, which communicates to the outer world.

I, myself, don't like restrictions neither I would like to pose them on Chinni, not at this age atleast. But they are inevitable. No playgrounds near my home, rainy season, too much traffic and ammi & pappa are too much occupied right now to take her out.

The coming days are going to be harder for her, since N has to join back. I am little worried as to how will I cope with the situation, rather how will Chinni cope with the situation. Because, it is Chinni who will have to wait from morning till evening to play with her ammi and pappa.

I am thinking of sending her to a play home, where she can spend some time with her aged people. Is it the right age ? Am I thinking the right way ? Definitely this age of Chinni is very difficult handle.

Who can pull my beard ?

Well, every body knows the story of "Who can pull my beard ?" of Krishnadevaraya and Tenali Ramakrishna. It had to be none other than the king's child itself. 

Here is the new version of the story. Who can sleep in between me and N ? None other than Chinni !!! Unless and until another chinni arrives. No, its not a hint.

She likes to sleep in between us. If at all she is made to sleep beside wall, she definitely jumps and occupies her favorite spot. The bad thing about this spot is, she pushes both of us on her either side and captures a huge space, leaving very little for both of us to sleep comfortably. In the morning, either me or N have a back ache.

Yesterday night, I tried a trick. I shifted her to the wall side, after she has slept. There was a smile on my face and slept happily. 

Suddenly, I felt somebody is holding my hand, turned around to see Chinni hopping over me and wants to occupy her favorite position again, Oh god !!!. I just pretended to sleep, she didn't care. Calmly crossed me and squeezed herself in between us. I had no option other than shifting myself to the corner, near wall. Looked into my phone, it was 4.30 am.

I have a back ache today :(

My new car Nissan 370Z

Yeah, I got a new car, Nissan 370Z. Have a look

The on road price is $199 :)

Toysrus is one just amazing place for toys. I am not promoting it, but recommending a visit if you are in HK. It unleashes the kid within you. 

Chinni couldn't control herself at all, neither did I control myself. She grabbed toys at every section, leaving behind the ones she had picked from the previous section. Chinni had smiles and smiles and smiles for an hour. Every interesting toy she found, was brought to my attention by pointing her finger at it and asking me to buy. Wish I could buy everything she wanted. Not that I can't buy, but she throws it away within no time. That's how children are. So I had to be a little careful and choosy.

She was so hungry after we came out of the store, that she barged everything handed over. Neither did she realize she was hungry nor did we realize she might be hungry, inside the store.

There are toys for children at every age. If there is a kid inside you, there is one for you too. This beauty, Nissan 370Z grabbed my attention in spite of several Audi, Merc and Toyota models. And it has remote too. I told N that I am not giving it to Chinni :)

Message of the blog: Bring out the kid within you and let it enjoy.

Aassis

A month ago, Morning around 8.45, dressed up, picking up my bag with lunch box in it and Chinni gives a sad tone sounding like "where are you going ?, I will also come with you !".

Present , Morning around 8.45, dressed up, picking up my bag with lunch box in it and Chinni waves her hand saying "byeeee" after throwing away couple of flying kisses. Ask her where is pappa going ? she promptly replies "Aassis"!

For those who still can't guess what Aassis is - its "Office".

Well, that's not all. The reluctant bye is always there. It all depends on her mood. Along with flying kisses I would get kisses on my cheeks if her mood is absolutely fine. Else I will get a crying send off. My legs disobey moving forward listening to her cry, though it doesn't last more than a minute.

And if pappa is not in viewing distance any time during the weekend, where is he ? aassis! Aassis is Chinni's favorite place for pappa.

In the evening, the door bell rings and I can hear Chinni running (her leg chains tell me) to door yelling "pappa .... pappa".

Message of the blog: Pappa loves you a lot honey, no matter how much you love, kiss, irritate, hate or annoy.

Annoyed

Chinni annoyed a lot over the weekend (or was she annoyed of us ?) Both of us were kind of fed up with her requests and demands. There were requests which turned into demands, when not fulfilled.

It all started in the evening and Chinni slept crying, ending the day tragically.  Don't know how to manage her some times, be it either playing with her, meeting her demands or consoling her when she is crying. Things go out of control as she starts crying and drastically refuses to listen anything.

What do I do when she throws away my mobile ? kiss her, embrace her with love, scold her, convince her not to repeat, tell her its wrong or slap her ? Believe me, I have tried every possible way I know of, except slapping, which I never wish to do even by mistake. But she never tends to listen whatsoever. Little does she understand that what she is doing is wrong.

But why does she throw mobile ? There are several reasons behind this act. It could be out of anger, when she is too much excited or when the mobile is just lying on sofa where she wants to sit.

Well, poor mobiles (mine and N's) have suffered a lot and still serving their purpose. General there are 3 pieces when thrown - the whole mobile which is glued by screws (I thank the person who invented the screw, else I was screwed), the back panel and the battery.

This time it was not mobile which flung out of her hand, it was the TV remote. It also split in 3 pieces, the whole remote as one part, the batteries and the back panel. The batteries caught her eyes and that was it. She started finding all devices which could possibly have batteries in it. She brought AC remote and asked me to remove the back panel. My mobile was another victim. I don't how does she guess, simply amazed and puzzled.

I simply refused to remove the battery from mobile and hell broke down. She kept crying intermittently until she caught deep sleep.

Have you witnessed Lightning?

First of all don't confuse it to Lightening, there is a huge difference, but I am referring to Lightning, the one without "e".

Well, most of you might reply saying "yes", no wonder everybody does during a bad weather or in rainy season.  I witnessed it too, this time the difference being a fierce lightning, so fierce that my heart beat rate plunged more than couple of times. It was yday night. 

The bigger question here is "Have you captured it?". Aahha, most of you might answer "NO" and here comes the difference, I happened to captured it in a video, it was really difficult to snap it which I attempted more than 10 times. Lightnings are very fast, they show up and leave before the message from your brain ,"click", reaches your finger on the camera.

Here is the footage of lightning. Watch the video completely, if possible, or else don't miss these particular timings in it - 0:08, 0:29, 1:07, 1:41, 1:53, 2:03, 2:26, 2:35, 2:57, 3:00, 3:04, 3:52, 3:57, 4:06.... uffff, please figure out the remaining :)

All copyrights reserved ;)

Definitely can be a Chef

Empty mind is devil's workshop. 

Russell Peters was so true in one of his show telling a guy can sit, stare at sky and absolutely think nothing. His mind can be totally empty, no thoughts ... nothing ..... would be running. I have gone through such situations several times when the devil playing its role asking me "what would you do if fired ?". 

Looks like I have found the answer, a Chef !!! after preparing delicious onion pakodas without N intervening until they were ready to eat, over this weekend. Believe me, even Chinni complimented saying "mast" when asked "how are the pakodas ?". Its was not the first time I had cooked something good, ever since I started looking out for job the experiments have been going on and fairly have been successful. I can say the art of cooking is in my blood as my Mom cooks finger licking food be it either special dishes or the routine ones.

There are varieties of dishes I can prepare, but all of them being vegetarian, egg being an exceptional if that falls under non-veg category. Dishes ranging from daily needed to the special occasional delicacies, from sweets to spicy, from breakfast dishes to dinner platters ....... have hands-on experience in cooking all kinds of stuff.

Many of you might say "gosh, please save me from kitchen". But what drives me to cook is the compliments I get after people have tasted the dishes. They bring the smile on my face, makes me happy and I become lighter for a moment. 

Isn't my wife lucky ;)

Message of the blog: Learn to cook, it can help even when you don't have job !

Parenting Skills

Striking the right balance between home and career is increasingly important. Amazing to know a company realizes this and offers tools, information resources to assist managing the challenges of balancing employee's life at work as well as at home.

Parenting skills was such session organized a week ago. Missing this opportunity, being a Dad of 1 year 7 months kid, wouldn't be the right thing to do. In fact, it was an opportunity to brush up the known skills and know the unknown ones. Everybody learns technical skills, communication skills, managerial skill and ever wonder you would need parenting skills too. Believe me, it is truely difficult to understand your baby. The more you know better the relation. And there is no ending to know your baby, it just doesn't end. As the baby grows the needs, demands, desires, behavior, attitude ...... change on a daily to monthly to quarterly to yearly basis. 

I am here going to put together what I learnt in one hour session. Not the entire stuff but the basic five love languages that every parent should learn and understand.

• Words of Affirmation
• Quality Time
• Gifts
• Acts of Service
• Physical Touch

Words of Affirmation can be accepting what your child does either right or wrong. There is a learning curve at every stage. Young and elders commit mistakes often knowingly or unknowingly. But children do it unknowingly most of the times. Accept it and correct it. Affirmation could be in other form of appreciation, encouragement in public or private. This is really important. Don't always compare your kid with the best ones, (s)he definitely interprets as "I don't have the ability". Appreciate your child for what has been done, giving a pat on the back can increase confidence and bring up the best in him.

Quality Time is as much and more necessary as the affirmative words. Children need your attention all the time, a 100% is what expected. I have noticed the same in Chinni. Recently Nanda brought this to my notice, after my return from office I used to open up my laptop and scroll through the luring networking sites eager to know what my buddies are upto. Chinni would be pulling my hand asking for something, ignoring which tears rolled out a few times. Ignorance came because she used to drag me to kitchen searching for an interesting thing almost unknown to herself. Quality time is what Chinni expects from her dear pappa, so would your child. Practice a few things like create 1:1 opportunity, do activities together, maintain eye contact and follow bed rituals like singing songs, telling stories or could be anything that your kid is interested in.

Don't you love gifts ? Everybody does. I still expect gifts being the major earning resource of my family. Time has passed by and its my turn to give instead of expecting. Gifts can bring a new smile on child's face, get away with happiness and loads of love towards you. This little smile can cure your tiredness, stress and tension too. No need that it has to be expensive every time. Just a word that pappa will get chocky in the evening way back from office lit up Chinni's face.

Acts of Service is what we all do. But do you do it the right way? For example helping your child in his/her studies, cooking the favorite food, getting involved in what (s)he is interested in a new skill, drop and pick up from school could be some of them. Services never end, that's an on going process till death. Doing it with a little care, love and passion makes a huge difference.

Kisses, hugs, holding hand, playful gesture, a pat on back for good job are all indeed part of the fifth love language, Physical touch. We all shower love and happiness when they are doing good. The same applies when your kid is struggling. You need to give your shoulder, your support in bad times.

Every child may or may not require all of them and may need them in different quantity. Its entirely up to you to understand which one is needed by your child. Some times compensating gift with quality time is just not the right way. Gift and time are totally different for any individual.

So what do all these five love languages preach ? Fill up the Emotional Love tank, speak the language that your kid understands and perceive as love. Finally, a touching video to watch, didn't find one with English sub-titles (Please let me know if you get it). The child steals some money to buy his father's 1 hour, since he earns $500/hr, to attend a function at his school. Father punishes before listening to him and regrets later.

Different Strokes 2

Pappa Pappa.....

My sweetie, cutie pie, darling, honey, sweet heart, little princess Chinni wakes up in the morning and screams "pappaaa, papppppaa, pappa.....". And guess what ? I am in bathroom taking shower. What to do ?

Another addiction

Chinni gets addicted, to anything, so soon. I am much worried about it. Hoping she doesn't get addicted to shopping!!! As of now, the latest addiction is her video itself. Have a glimpse of it. We had been to Bangalore Central just before my travel to HK. While Nanda was busy picking up dresses, Chinni enjoyed the songs played shaking her legs and I was busy videoing her!

Enjoy the video.

Mispronunciation

Have you heard children mispronounce ? It's very cute, however wrong they are. Chinni also mispronounce many words. She has a big difficulty when is comes to phone, photo, fan, fish and other words starting with "fa". She pronounces as "shone", "shoto", "shan", "sish"  and we laugh like anything. Some times we too refer phone as shone.

And also she can't say TV. With ease she utters TD. However and whatever it is, we love the way she speaks and pronounces them rightly or wrongly. After all, who is perfect ?

Johnny Johnny...

Date: 30-Aug-2010 Time: 10.30pm
Pappa: Johnny Johnny
Chinni: Yes pappa
Pappa: eating sugar
Chinni: no pappa
Pappa: telling lie
Chinni: no pappa
Pappa: open your mouth
Chinni: ahh ha hahhaa

Pappa and Ammi: Very good, very good
Chinni: blushes with smile 

ಬವ್ವಾ ಬಂತು

Children don't sleep in a normal way. You got to make them sleep by telling stories, singing songs or a habit of its own. There are situations when they are scared to go to sleep or the evil would come, pick her and go away. Getting scared to this evil, ಬವ್ವಾ in kannada language, they pretend to sleep. The most amazing part is when they pretend, after some time they are asleep. Wish elders could have this characteristics.

Chinni is no different in her sleeping habit. Its been very difficult to make her sleep. When she was aged between 6 months - 1 year, that was the hardest time. It was nearly impossible she would sleep as per our convenience. Now she has normalized a lot. But the struggle still exist and the only way left out is to scare her a bit. So the lights are off, she has gulped a bottle of milk, the phone is singing rhymes and Chinni's eyes are still wide open. Inviting ಬವ್ವಾ is the last resort left. She sleeps after scrolling over ammi and pappa couple of times.

But there are times when even this last resort doesn't work. Chinni tells us "ಬವ್ವಾ ಬಂತು, ಮಕ್ಕೋ" (the evil has come sleep). We should pretend that we are afraid and sleep!!!

Chance Pe Sleep

It's hard to watch movies having a baby sitting beside. Being it in theater or at home, they simply don't allow to watch us movies. In fact, not only movies, it could be anything on tv. Children, especially babies, need your 100% attention. The very second it knows your concentration has drifted, you are in trouble.

So are we both. Its been ages that we both have enjoyed a complete movie in theater or on tv. Atleast Nanda hasn't. During my "married bachelor's" life of 3 months in HK, I have watched like hell. Most of my laptop's memory is filled with good/junk/time pass/romantic/thriller/mystery/comedy movies. I can manage watching them on laptop and no fetish to visit a theater. A different story with Nanda, unless she watches them on theater ,"there is no fun".

Just to give a try, I booked tickets for My Name is Khan and took Chinni along with us. The first half was simply superb, the movie and as well as dealing Chinni, because she was sleeping!!! No sooner the interval came, Chinni gave one to her sleep and hell broke out. I had to take her out and walk along the corridor. There were people waiting for next show, who played with Chinni and gave her lot of compliments. I enjoyed the compliments, after all she is my daughter :), but Nanda enjoyed the rest of the movie. I had told her to forget "movies in theater" for the next 5 year then. And now that we are in HK, its absolutely impossible.

Going with my decision to watch Chance Pe Dance on laptop, Nanda had no other option. So Saturday was the best day, sorry night. Chinni slept around 11 pm and night show started without pop corns. Reducing volume when a song came, increasing it when there were only dialogues, skipping song sequences, checking if sound was reaching Chinni were other things we did throughout the movie. Finally, the movie had a happy ending at 1.30 am. It feels good when you sit through the entire movie and happy ending is what you get!!! You deserve!!!

Okay, "what is this blog all about ?" might be your question. Here comes the main part of the story. Sunday morning 6 am, rings the alarm. Now nobody can make this alarm stop, because its none other than Chinni. "What do you expect Chinni ? Pappa and Ammi watched movie till late night. Please allow them to sleep for some more time honey" was our sincere plead, which was rejected promptly.

Message of the blog: Chance Pe Sleep. Just sleep when your baby is sleeping. Missing this opportunity is definitely asking for a trouble.

Don't dare fight with me

Don't dare to fight with me, I know how to escape from your attack, throw you down and kick your butt.

Its everybody's dream to kick the troubling ass, I dreamt too. Was always fascinated watching Jackie, Jet Li and other's Kung Fu skills. Remember the way people fly in The Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon ?, not possible to fly like them (not because I am hefty, because it requires wings!) but definitely can swing swords and knock an opponent down.

Hence I decided to learn some stuff to become a martial art master. You might just laugh at the very moment I said "master", obviously it was a joke. People have been preaching Kung Fu for several years and are still not proficient. It requires time, effort, dedication, interest and most of all the right person to teach.

I found one, rather my master found me (that's a different story) and I joined him to learn Tai Chi. Every Sunday I used to get up early in the morning at 8 am (you got to agree, 8 am is early on a Sunday) and learn a new skill under the able guidance of Mr Sing W. Yes, he is a master with a Black belt. He has a well built body in terms of height and muscles. Wish I could have such physical body :(.

My master is not only strong but kind too. Do you believe such a strong person makes you laugh and loves sweets ? Both, he and his wife, Po, invited me for Yum Cha one day after Tai Chi session. He ordered couple of sweets for me, after knowing I too love sweets. Porta (Portuguese Egg Tart) is one amazing sweet dish, he insisted me to taste. Definitely taste it if you happen to find it. I am so shameless, yet to invite them for lunch and make them taste Indian food.

Coming back to my skill set. I have learnt the Five Element Fists. These are the efficient and practical defense techniques. Don't just go by words if you don't believe. I can do it live for you :) The Five element fists are Splitting, Drilling , Shooting, Pounding and Crossing. They basically tell you the usage of hands, how to escape from enemy's attack, defend yourself and counter attack.

After this comes the Linking Five Elements. This art is linking all of the above five element fists. Truly, when all of the five fist elements used together (called as Linking Five Elements) against any enemy, he is bound to run saving his ass.

Well, that's not all, my master taught me the Tai Chi form also. Tai Chi is more difficult and takes quite lot of time to be proficient. Each steps has its own meaning, is known for its defense mechanism and health benefits.

Message of the blog: Learn something new when on a foreign soil.

Visit to "The Victoria Peak"

Finally, we made it to the Victoria Peak. Couple of attempts, to visit this most attractive place (my view) in Hong Kong, had failed.

The best way to start off is "The Tram". Its a small jolly ride,  climbing a mountain at around 40 degrees is really a unique experience. Couple of chances you might get to watch the city being in the Tram, but are quite enjoyable. The onward trip was exciting, guess the return trip would be more thrilling.

Everything didn't go well. The queue to buy the tickets was long to make us little tired. Had not realized, there is no queue for people taking the Madame Tussauds tickets. Once we got the tickets, there was little crowd stopping us getting into the Tram. A little struggle with sleeping Chinni and the baby trolley, got hold of seats to sit, within minutes the journey started.

Shops with all girl material treated us. Obviously they are the one who spend more, have to attract them. Few steps further Jackie Chan was inviting us to enter Madame Tussaud's museum. Not really, his wax clone, Welcome to the wax world!!! Unfortunately, nobody is allowed to click Jackie with their own cameras. We crushed Jackie in between, a guy captured the scene and asked us to collect the snap at the exit. Three floors were categorized nicely, the most we enjoyed was posing besides actor (myself beside actress, Nanda beside an actor) and clicking, as viewed in the slideshow.

Chinni had just woken, was asking herself "where am I?", "who is the lady pappa is standing beside and ammi is clicking?", "why is ammi, with a smiling face, standing with that guy ?". Little did she know  she wouldn't do it with real objects! She just pretended to sleep until we exited from the museum.

At the exit, the snap with Jackie flashed on a big screen, I promptly said no to buy it, $100 ? .... nah! I was more happy to click Mahatma Gandhi free of cost. But truely, some wax models were close to realistic like the Nicolas Cage's, Brangelina's Gandhi's Johnny Depp's ..........

Sun had a long day, was ready to set down. I was getting eager as we were about to witness the beautiful view of Hong Kong from 1300 feet above sea level. The lights had started to glow when the sun went down. The Sky Terrace was jam packed, I was very disappointed, there wasn't enough space to move around and capture HK illuminated with different colored lights. I could not even click the beautiful view and Chinni, sadness prevailed for some time.

We decided to return after taking couple of snaps. Chinni had already started troubling. She is good when let to walk by herself. Another trouble came in picture when the queue to tram for the return journey was as long as a Chinese dragon. Taxi was the best pick, that's why the guess.

Message of the blog:  Visit all the important places, you wish to, before marriage or before having a baby!

A new look

Started off blogging and I didn't spend much time in designing and selecting the background image, text, color, font etc etc.

It's time to review the look and feel of my blog. This isn't the final one. I want have, a pictured clicked by myself, as the background image. But the one I selected is quite larger in size than the blogspot allows.

This background appeals to me. Quite calm, soft and attractive, the way I am :)


I will change the background going forward, but I wanted a soft look till I capture the right one.

Which one did you like? The current one or the previous one (the one attached) ?

The Father of Our Nation

Mahatma Gandhi, who doesn't know this name ? I have been reading about this man since my childhood and really feel proud he is "The Father of Our Nation".

I happened to come across this letter by Gandhi to Fred Campbell after being released from prison following his promotion of Non-cooperation movement. Gandhi took the opportunity to personally respond to the allegation that he 'hated' the British people.

I always wonder how can a human being be so tolerant ? We come across many silly matters in day-to-day life and loose our temper within no time. Like, at a traffic junction, the signal goes green and a guy doesn't move for 5 seconds ..... every other vehicle behind him will honk. The lunch box wala comes 5 minutes late and we start cursing him. A owner fights with a tenant to keep his house clean. Chinni spills few drops of water and we both are red face. (I can write hundreds of them). And have you ever imagined what our freedom fighters have tolerated ?

It's unbelievable.

I have not been finding any interest in celebrating Independence Days for quite a few years. In fact, it is not supposed to be celebrated. The day has to be remembered for what our elder generation have gone through and gave this freedom, it is the day we owe something good to our nation.

Sincerely speaking, even I have not done anything to my country. Leaving my country suffer, I have been enjoying Hong Kong for the past 4 months. I have a reason though, my own responsibilities. Yes, this is the answer from majority of us. Aren't we selfish? 

Mahatma Gandhi and other freedom fighters were not!

I Salute and my Gratitude to all of you on this day, 3 days past our 64th Independence Day.

What am I Singing?

I was on my way back home yesterday and was singing something. Was just eager to catch the train and reach home soon, so was not too much concentrating which song was it.

But "wait a second" I said to myself, gave a thought on which song was it and to my amusement it was the rhyme "The cat came back" which Chinni listens to day and night.

OMG!!!

Pappa cheats Chinni

It was Sunday afternoon and what would anybody do? zzzzzzz! Even I was feeling sleepy, but only one thing kept me awake, Chinni!!!

What was Chinni doing? Playing with stuff that she could grab from the wardrobe. Not only that, she used to pull me to the wardrobe, ask me to pick her and pull things which were not within her reach. This continued for a long long time, that my sleep swept away. I decently obeyed her and took her to the wardrobe at least 8-10 times, just to avoid her scream.

Evening around 6 pm, we went for a walk and returned around 8 pm. Not yet I had completed watching a song from Lagaan on Sony, Chinni came to me again and started pulling me towards the wardrobe. I was fed up, can't even make her understand what to do and what not.

I obeyed her twice and gave her couple of jewelery (fake ones) boxes to play with. I knew the next request was coming soon. Went inside the room quickly, before her next request came, cleared the wardrobe (the section where she was picking all the stuff) and shifted them to another room.

Then came Chinni running to me and pulled me to the wardrobe. Asked me to pick her and is shocked to see the section. The section is totally empty. She got confused, her face was filled with sorrow within no time and it matched a perfect sad smiley. She didn't know what to ask and was about to weep.  I was laughing  at her and she looked perplexed at me

Pappa had cheated Chinni.

Moments

This blog is for myself. Just want to capture and remember the moments I have lived.

The Happiest Moment

There wasn't one, but the moments when I returned home from office and Chinni was waiting for me to pick her up were the most happiest moments. And now when she iterates the word "pappa" are the happiest moments.

Sorrow Moment

This was when my family was shifting from Bijapur to Banhatti in the year 1994. I was so much attached to my neighborhood friends, tears dropped from my eyes and my friend's eyes. We "statue"d each other at the same moment.

Successful Moment

It was when I was offered my first job. I was asked "Are do you talk less or nervous?" at the end of technical interview and my answer was "Both, I talk less and now a bit nervous!!!". Even then had cleared me!

Winning Moment

Academically, I haven't fared neither too good nor too bad. Exceptional case was MCA 2nd sem, I stood first. That was really a winning moment for me. Don't ask me the results of remaining semesters ;)

Loosing Moment

Got a chance to lead my college chess team, in the year 1999-2000, at the Inter-College Competition held at Dandeli. It was in the month of December, accommodation provided was a hostel, which didn't have hot water facility. We used to have cold water bath at 6 am and attend competition at 7 am. Dandeli was kind of surrounded by forest and winter would be cold, damn cold!!! I had played very well throughout the tournament, but lost the last match with a minnow. Out of around 120 players, my rank was 9th, which could have been 6th if had won the last match. The last match was a loosing moment and I will never forget it.

Scared Moment

It was prelims in 10th and around 20 of 24 failed in English, I was one among 20. I didn't know how to inform this to my Dad. I was very scared. I had to get the signature and return the marks card.  He normally used to take a small nap after lunch. I kept the marks card under Dad's pillow. Dad talked to me so calmly in the evening, asked what was the reason of failure and explained me how important was the final exam. He gave the marks and it was signed already!!! 

Hate myself moments

There have been several such occasions. One of which is when I scolded and hit Chinni a bit hard recently. The evil face of Avinash showed up. Also when I didn't clear interviews during my first job search.

Love myself moments

Hahahaaa......this has never happened

Shy Moments

Shy is one of my built-in feature. Always felt shy and scared when it came to talking to girls. This prevailed in me for a very long long time. Now I don't feel shy but certainly hesitate at the first instance.

Embarrassing Moment

Primary school was were I had a reputation of a good boy with most of the teachers in the school. Many students had copied in a monthly test and the Headmistress came to know about this. She came to  my class and asked who were those. Many stood up along with me. We all were also asked to confess in front of the whole school after the morning prayer, standing on the stage!!! After the confession all my teachers came to me and asked "WHY?". That was the most embarrassing moment.

Cheating Moment

Aaah!!! This one is more embarrassing to blog. I have always been in the category "you can get very good marks, if put a little effort". And I never had put in that effort, which resulted in failing in monthly test conducted in 9th std. I used to modify the marks, make it pass with decent score and get it signed by Mom (Dad was in another town for some period). Again edit the marks card to the original score, submit to the class teacher. Nobody got to know this, until now. It was all because I wanted to escape from Mom's scolding. Any Mom would scold looking at such score!!!

Cherishing Moments

The moments spent with Nanda before marriage.

Mixed, Happy and Sad Moment

My marriage was such a moment which falls in this category. Everybody were not happy and everybody were not sad. This reflected my mood during my marriage. Marriage should be the most memorable moment of one's life, mine is too, but for wrong reasons.

People I love the most

Mom, Dad and Naina and Nanda and Chinni. No order followed !!! There are others whom I love very much like my Mom's sisters.

People who love me the most

I think this list is very similar to the previous one. Chinni because, she says "pappa" every morning even if I have scolded her previous day!!!

My wishlist (as of today)

Wish I was an Astronomer or a Chess Grand master

iPhone (now it is within my reach, but still can't buy)

Own a helicopter

Trip to Mauritius (this has been ever since long)

Always wanted to take my parents to a foreign destination

........

Crush Moment

The first time I saw Rani Mukherji smile.

Best Compliment

It was Nanda's grandmother who said "ಚಿನ್ನಿಗೆ  ದ್ರಿಷ್ಟಿ ತಗಿಬೇಕೋ ನಿಮಗೆ ದ್ರಿಷ್ಟಿ ತಗಿಬೇಕೋ ಗೊತ್ತಾಗಂಗಿಲ್ಲ"

Would like to reborn as and Why?

Myself. I had failed to reason the answer during a competition in MCA. I haven't achieved anything being "Avinash". Definitely would like to reborn as the same "Avinash" and achieve something and be identified.

Initial Days in HK

Continuing from previous blog

And I landed in HK the next day morning. Anup had given so much instructions (on how to reach hotel from airport) that it was impossible for me to get lost. I reached safely to the accommodation provided by my company. The hotel was good, the rooms/flats were even better. Fortunately, I got a 2 bedroom suite, due to unavailability of 1 bedroom suites.

I slept as soon as the reached my room. Hunger woke me up in afternoon, found a Indian restaurant near by and had nice lunch. It was so good that I had dinner too at the same restaurant. I strolled near the sea shore and gazed at the other side of Hong Kong island, the Kowloon Island. It was so beautiful, my eyes just refused to blink.

I am feeling like this blog is going to be a bit long, have so much to write.

The next day was first day to my office. Anup had asked me be at the reception at 9 am. But I started very early and reached at 8.30 am. Again his instructions to reach office was very precise. He had shifted to Tung Chung as his free stay at hotel expired. He escorted me to the office and introduced to my manager. My desk, user id and phone were waiting for me for nearly a week.

The first weekend was a looooong one. April 2nd, 5th and 6th (3rd and 4th was Saturday and Sunday) were declared as Easter holidays. I was so much detached from my family. Loneliness lured me during those 5 days. Neither was I acquainted to city nor had the enthusiasm to explore it.

By this time I had started searching for a shared accommodation for the next 3 months, since Nanda and Chinni would be coming in July. All the flats that I had seen were either too small or didn't have kitchen. I had visited Dinesh's house too, but it didn't attract me so much. I was in touch with a lady, Caroline Xiang, through mail, who had offered me her flat for less than what Dinesh had offered me. I felt it was a good deal to accept. 

But then Caroline was in UK and the keys too. She some how convinced me to send money over Western Union and she would send keys. The agreement was $8000 deposit and $4000 rent. I was not so much convinced but also wanted to save more money. She asked me send $8000 first and then she would send the keys. This raised a doubt and I asked for her credentials. She sent her passport copy too.

I had to vacate the hotel on Saturday evening, it was 7th Thursday and I had not decided upon anything. I finally informed Caroline that I will send $4000 immediately and $4000 upon getting the keys. She agreed and I sent $4000 on Friday !!!!!!!!!!!! She replied saying back "Please send the remaining $4000, as I spent all the money in paying utility bills and don't have money to courier the keys".

She turned out to be a crook. I had lost $4000 before earning it. Talked to Dinesh, discussed my willingness to share his flat and moved on Saturday 10th April evening. By this time, the advance pay was approved and credited to my account. $7700 was given to me during my travel and I had given $4000 out of it to Caroline.

I still argue to myself that am I so dumb or I ignored everything in urge to save more. Whatever, it cost me an amount which would have helped me in several ways.  Now when I want to gift a nice dress to Nanda or send money back home, I remember $4000 and feel wish I was careful in making that decision.

There was never a willingness to disclose such a dumb act. Will it bring back my money doing so? Only Nanda knew the updates on this matter, also had told her not to share it with anybody. Definitely, Mom and Dad would feel more pain than me.

Never have been bitten by bad luck so badly, never have lost money before this, never was so ignorant and never will I ever send money via Western Union.

PS: Make sure this doesn't reach my parents please :)

Hong Kong, a dream come true !!!

Hong Kong was a dream come true to me and Nanda. She was offered several onsite opportunities, but she didn't have an option to accept it, bcoz of me. 

I remember, onsite was one among her wish-list. So, I had promised her in 2009 that  it would definitely happen in the following year. And now this blog is being published from Hong Kong :)

My desire for on-site grew due to 3 reasons -

• Financial problems.
• All our MCA classmates and other friends had visited on-site. Pinched badly.
• Had to fulfill Nanda's wish (of-course, mine too)

I had come out of GS (on 8th Jan) asking for an on-site opportunity. The first and foremost offer that came was an assignment in HK. I was very skeptical about taking it, where in I should have grabbed it at the first instance. I inquired a lot about HK, the salary aspect, the work, the distance from home, living cost, how much can be the savings etc etc. I didn't get a satisfactory reason to accept, hence neglected. HR just dropped me.

But after few days, the offer came back. I had spent a good 1 month sitting idle, playing games, chatting at office. Was frustrated not getting any openings. Decided to grab the offer and went ahead. The interview happened and I had cleared it to my amaze.

I can recall the moment when I got a nod from my manager for HK. I was going for lunch and then my manager informed me about the good news. I was happy, surprised and flying for few moments. I called up Mom and Dad first to share the news. Dad's mobile was busy. Dialed Nanda, she picked up the call. I could not speak ..... literally, I could just say hello ...... the words just struck in my throat. Voice from other end kept on asking "what happened?" .... "hello" .... "you there?"

I had never experienced that before ......... had watched in movies. It was a dream come true!!!

Almost a minute and words started coming out. No prize for guessing, Nanda was happy too. 

Mom's voice was pale, she would have definitely felt sad. Dad had a mixed response.

And finally I flew to HK on 27th March, 2010, leaving Chinni, Nanda, Mom and Dad in Bangalore. 

Say NO to Rickshaws - 12th Aug

Wish I was in Bangalore and would have definitely supported the Event.

My idea of supporting would be - give drop,in my car, to as many people (people looking for an auto) as I could, on my way to office. This idea is not hypothetical and is really practical. Car pooling is very popular in Bangalore, it could also be a way to extend support to this event.

And I think, why these thoughts all of a sudden? Only because there is an event? Do we really need some event to drive us? The answer should be a big "No". This should be practiced regularly in our life, if not everyday.

As anybody in Bangalore, I was also bitten several times by"NO" answer from rickshaw drivers. The instance you decide to take auto, the problems you face are in-numerous. Everybody agrees to it and there is no way to take action against them as a single person. It has to be a joint effort.

So the event is an opportunity for everybody to join hands and make it a huge success. Rickshaw drivers should learn a lesson and should definitely face consequences on rude behavior.

Say No to Rickshaw TODAY!!!

Different strokes

Shame shame

Chinni has unusual disliking for changing dress. She hates changing dress as much as a normal girl likes dressing up. So we normally tease her saying "shame shame" when undressed. You should see her blush at that moment. Then she runs towards pappa or mummy and gets dressed up. Chinni is clever too. She doesn't leave an opportunity to tease both of us.

Over last weekend, we were watching a English movie and Chinni was playing around. There came a scene when a lady in the movie was least dressed. Chinni noticed her carefully and said "shame shame"!!!!. We were dumb struck.

Sheer knowledge

Chinni has a lot lot and lot of grasping power. Some times I tell Nanda "How come Chinni is so intelligent when we both are so dumb?" We teach her a word and she remembers it forever. Like for example, her mummy showed her sun in a cartoon show. After couple of days, she showed us the sun in an advertisement paper.

Either be it toys, chocolates, vegetables, food items, trains, planes, animals (a few), watches, shoes/sandals in shops dresses or anything on her way, nothing goes unnoticed. She knows eyes, ears, nose, head, hairs, pummy (stomach) and what not!!!

Isn't it too much of knowledge for an one and half year old kid?

Naughty

Not naughty, very naughty. Chinni knows to turn a clean home into vegetable market. She tries to imitate everything that pappa and mummy does. Brooming, if the stick is within her reach. throw water all over the room, displace the chairs, switch off/on A/C, try mummy's sandals, stand in front of mirror and talk to herself.

She saw children roaming around with tricycles. Chinni used to use both her hands, hold face and turn  it to show me the tricycles. So we bought one for her. Now she not only strolls in it but also does a bit of circus on it.......like this

Banking is so cool in HK

Last Sunday, a ATM ate up my debit card and refused to return saying "Your card has been retained please contact customer care". The customer care suggested me to visit the nearest branch and get the card. Fortunately, I had some cash and Octopus card in hand to return home safely without starving. Octopus card is one of the coolest feature in HK, will have to write a separate blog for it.

All my cash was struck in my account and I was running out of money the very evening. I thought of transferring some amount to a friend and withdraw it from his account. But I had not changed default online transfer limit (which is 0), so couldn't transfer online too. I decided to visit my bank branch during lunch hours.

I got the most royal treatment ever. The person at the reception listened to my problem carefully and took me a counseling room. He gave me the solution on how to get my card back, how long does it take and how can he help me to get it !!! This was not enough

• he suggested me the best way, upgrade to premier account, which would fetch me a new card, sooner than getting my card, struck in ATM. The advantage being free for a year (even though the premier accounts should be opened with 1 million credit balance)
• the pin for new card doesn't change
• a credit card (again free for a year)
• instant change of address, without proof. HK ID will just do.
• arranged to withdraw cash without having my debit card
• hassle free documentation, just HK ID did everything. I had opened my account using passport and I didn't have it at that moment.
• sit back and enjoy Cafe latte

If it was in Bangalore/India, 

• there would have been nobody to listen to me
• go to a machine and search which option suited my query (and find none)
• the person at the counter would suggest to visit the branch where I had opened my account
• "the signature doesn't match sir, please get your pan card" - could be a possible reply
• you will get a new card and a new pin in 2 different couriers. you will end up waiting either  for card or pin at the end of 3-4 days.
• to change address, get address proof and submit a form (which will reflect in next 3-4 days)

Nanda has been struggling with her bank account ever since she has opened it. Every time there was a change she needs run to Electronic city branch, with pan card. And the customer care guys just don't care. The most common reply is "Sorry Sir, we don't provide this facility over phone banking. Please visit your branch".

Definitely, HK is much much better organized and well maintained in several aspects.

Addiction to Rhymes

There have been situations when I was addicted so many bad things and none to good ones. 

Like I was addicted to tv during my high school days. I used to watch a comedy detective serial of Gufi Paintal which was aired at 8 am. Mom got irritated so many times and scolded equal number of times.

Later after 10th, was addicted to movies. I watched nearly 200 movies in 2 years. No wonder why i scored less in 10+2. That was not the only reason though. When the results came out I sat and analyzed why ?  Along with couple other reasons, I found that (had made a list of movies that I watched in those 2 years) the number was huge enough to blow my results. This was one of the bad addictions.

Then came B.Sc. I got addicted to chess. Chess was (and is still) a passion since my childhood. If not a Software engineer, definitely would have been a Chess Grand Master ;) I used to spend at least 5-6 hours daily practicing for Inter-University competition during 1998-2000. Indeed, I was the captain of my college team. But I could not take it up further as a career. It impacted my B.Sc final year results, slightly.

During MCA, was addicted to PC games. Road Rash, Dave etc etc.

After MCA, I was addicted to Nanda :) This addiction was good I guess.

The latest one is blogging.

The list is much short here, but I was never addicted to a good thing till now. The shocker of my life time,  Chinni is addicted to Rhymes. Yes, she is so much addicted that the day starts and ends with rhymes. Chinni even recognizes them with particular names.  Here goes the list of rhymes and how she identifies them

The Cat came back - back (this is her favorite)

Twinkle twinkle - twinkle

Jack and Jill - ದಮಕ್ಕು (damakku means fall, Jack and Jill both fall in the song)

Johnny johnny - yess

Humpty Dumpty - dumppy

ABCD song - ABCD

She likes to watch the videos of all these. She makes me sit in front of laptop, pick her , sit on  my lap and then says the word she wants me to play. I just need to play it and no other go. Some times she gets bored and says "ಬೆರೆ" (means change), I have to change the song!!!

The Cat came back is her favorite. She opens her mouth as the cat opens in the video. She spreads her hands as the cat is shown jumping in the video. And her body dances to the background music.

And that's not all. Me and Nanda have these rhymes in our mobiles and Chinni listens to them in mobile too. 

Were you ever addicted to rhymes?

A View from my Flat

I have been wondering where should I post these pictures ever since moving into this flat. Happened to create this blog before I could post these in Orkut or Facebook. And here I publish the pictures clicked from my bedroom.

Hong Kong is known for skyscrapers. Every building competes with another. One such is the ICC, where I work. Its the 4th tallest in the world, as far as I know. Another tallest is the IFC. You can see batman jumping  off the IFC in the movie The Dark Knight.

My flat is also located in a tall residential building and there are 60 floors in it. My flat is on 43rd floor. If you are lucky, you could get a Airport view flat. I wasn't, got a Mountain view flat. 

Here are couple of pics from my flat.

The zoom view

It was a beautiful Saturday morning and there were lot of clouds hovering just above the mountains. It was a good moment to capture clouds brushing the mountains. This view is very typical here. This isn't a great shot but a great view. 

A far view of the mountain

The Airport view could be amazing, I am just imagining now, with planes taking off above the sea and small mountains in the back drop. Spectacular isn't it? Will definitely take a snap and surely post it.

Chopsticks vs Spoon

I never thought I would have to use Chopsticks in my life. It didn't happen in the first couple months of my stay in Hong Kong. Then came the team lunch on a Saturday, when we decided to have at a vegetarian Cantonese restaurant. Ahmad and Simon gave me few tips how to hold and use them. I had to give a try for chopsticks against Turnip cake.

Frankly speaking, I never got a hold of them. I struggled, finally gave up using them and switched to spoons.

Today morning, I was having my breakfast Corn flakes with milk. My daughter insisted on corn flakes and I put a few flakes in a small plastic container and gave it to her. She is fond of spoons, not for eating purpose but to play with them. She saw me using a spoon and grabbed one from the kitchen. Chinni started imitating me and gathered a couple of flakes into the spoon but failed to get the flakes till the mouth. The flakes just dropped on the floor.

She again tried and gather couple more flakes and dropped them on floor. I calmly told her "Chinni you can't do it, eat it with hands". Chinni was least bothered. The spoon went down in the container again, gathered lot more flakes. This time a flake made it to her mouth and she ate it with pride. She looked at me with a smile and I was delighted (with my jaws hanging). Then on there was nothing stopping her. She finished all the remaining flakes using spoon and asked for more flakes. I wondered if she liked flakes or she liked eating them with spoon.

I remembered how I struggled using chopsticks and gave up. The situation was so similar. Chopsticks were new to me and the Spoon was new to Chinni. But she tried and tried and never gave up.

Chinni taught me a lesson today. I knew this lesson and have been reading it since my school days. Alas, I never implemented it. Chinni implemented it without even learning it!!!

Chinni stumbles for the first time

This one is coming so soon, after I started blogging, that I never expected. And its bcoz of an event in itself. Yes, for the first time in my/her life Chinni (that's the sweet nick name of my daughter Iksha) fell while running. I shouldn't even say while running, she has started keeping her steps a little fast than normal ones.

The story builds up like this. We slept a bit early yday, around 10 pm and after much much struggle we made Chinni sleep around 11 pm. This made her wake up so early that it was "early" for "early morning", around 5 am. She asked for duddu (means milk). I warmed a glass of milk and fed her, hoping that she would sleep after gulping it. To my surprise, her slept ran away and she got more energy of milk and started rolling all around the bed and completely disturbing our deep sleep.

I decided to take her for a walk at 6am. Both of us got ready, her yammi (that's how she calls her mummy) is still in deep sleep and might be dreaming of SUDEEP, i thought :P.

We took a walk around the swimming pool and showed her water, trees, birds etc etc. And finally we came near the children's play area. Chinni's eyes are full wide and her desires are to rock and roll all over. She started running and suddenly she stumbles. I was just 2 steps away and could not hold her. I uttered "Oh my god" before she could ground herself and ran towards her. As soon as falls, the word comes from her instantaneously "bittu", which means "fall" in kannada. I was expecting her to cry loud and wake people up on all 60 floors. Fortunately, she didn't!!! And she wasn't hurt, not even a light single scratch on her knee or elbow.

Before I could check her completely she was again ready to run. I said to myself "Grow up Dad!!!"

My first blog

Here is my first blog, after several years of blogging's birth.
What brings me here?
I really don't have a clear picture of what all to blog. But I am sure, i will have lots of thoughts to share. I have been mum since last 30 years, have hardly opened up my mind. This could a platform to open up my thoughts and express my feelings. I wish to continue blogging forever, but who knows my destiny!!! That's the reason I am naming my blogspot as "InSearchDestiny".

I don't know if anybody knows their destiny. I would like to know or the better would be "I would like to create my destiny". Let's see how far can i do it. The success till now is 0% :)
I have just swimmed the downstream, just followed where my fate has taken till now. Have dared to face upstream but have failed miserably. Doesn't matter, I will get more chances in future and I hope I will win some time.

Through this blog I would like to share my experiences in life and my sweet memories with daughter (hoping she will read these one fine day and know what she did in her childhood). Could be there are more to add to the list......better to blog than just list the topic here.

Where am I ?
I am currently in Hong Kong.
With whom am I staying?
My wife, Nanda, and my daughter Iksha. Iksha completed 1 year and 7 months on 23rd.