A Thousand words

Linking in to Patty's gorgeous spotlight on 'A Thousand words' this May :-)

My books have always been my companions all over the years. Be it my cookbooks, or my collection of fiction penned by Indian authors - it's very difficult for me to choose which particular book I love the most.

This is my tiny little bookshelf back home in Mumbai, a space which I treasure very very much. It's not a very big collection, but it holds great meaning in my life.

Books have always interested me. I have been in love with the magical world of words every since I was a little girl, always enchanted by it. I would always be found in my cozy corner at home, surrounded by my fave cushions and a book in my hands.

I recall an interesting anecdote at this point. Once, my mother was about to step in for a shower and she had asked me to watch over my toddler sister. I was around 5 at that time and, as always, immersed in one of my books. Apparently, mum came back to see that my sister had crawled really far away and I was just so busy reading that I didn't even notice!!

The same holds true even today. When I bury my head in an interesting book, I am blissfully unaware of what is happening around me.

This is a book that's very precious to me.... it contains a lot of traditional recipes given by my mum, and it also has a few recipes I like and have tried over the past few years here in my kitchen in Abu Dhabi.

Some cookbooks I own!

And... last but not the least, this is my very tiny little book collection here in Abu Dhabi. I have always wished to have more space so that I can collect more books - Hopefully it will happen some day! :)

I am keen to develop the reading habit in my son and I am already seeing the love he has for his picture books. They lure him into their world, just as they enticed me :)

Happy Vishu to all the readers of my Blog !! May the nava-varsha bring lots of happiness, love and prosperity!!

Our children, Our priceless treasure

April 2011 has been selected as the Child Sexual Abuse Awareness month.

Call me paranoid, call me weird. Say what you want, but I won't budge.

October 19th 2006 - a day when hubby and I were entrusted with a little bundle of responsibility by the Lord Almighty, and then right there I had made a pledge. I had in my arms, a little baby that was born in this world in which molesters and paedophiles lurk around everywhere and no path is ever safe.

I don't know why some people like to imagine that it does not exist, and that all is hunky-dory with this world. OPEN YOUR EYES, I want to scream. I want to shake such people awake to the gruesome crimes that are happening all around us, and turning a blind eye to it does not mean that all is well.

Hah, you'll say. How is that even possible, do you think you'll take on the world all by yourself? Oh sure I think I will, but then that's the mum in me speaking.

Honestly though, I wonder if I will ever be able to safeguard him from all these evil human elements that are out to snatch his innocence. As careful as we are with keeping an eye on him, in a fraction of a second, things could change. And trust me when I say that. Read on for more.

On a recent vacation abroad, we were shopping at a boutique when sonny boy disappeared. In those 10 minutes that we couldn't find him - all sorts of thoughts roared past my mind !! We looked for him everywhere around the place, my heart pounding hard. I cursed myself for that 1 nanosecond that I had let my gaze wander away from him whilst I looked at some accessories. I screamed his name out loud everywhere and no answer. Finally at the end of 10 whole minutes we discovered that he had run past the exit and was looking for me.

But those precious minutes that we were clueless about his whereabouts - taught me a big lesson. That I could never take his safety for granted. Never, ever. Not for a single moment could I assume that this world had one nice samaritan who would return my lost child to his mommy.

These days, the 'cruelties' of humans who derive sadistic satisfaction by preying on children, have crossed all limits. In the Middle East, where I live, a lot of cases go unreported and a lot is hushed up due to the 'culture' and the 'laws' of the land. It is for this very reason that I have never been comfortable with the idea of sending my child to a daycare or even hiring a nanny to take care of him. I can't decide which option is better - so for the past 4 years I decided to do without it altogether and work from home for his sake.

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Read more about 4 year old Mousa's ordeal here, the crime took place in Dubai in November 2009 - his offender was executed by the firing squad on 10th Feb this year.

http://www.coastaldigest.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20331

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I call upon all parents to maintain a healthy relationship with their children - and always lend a listening ear to your child so that he/she will feel secure enough to tell you all about their day.

Most importantly, as a parent learn to trust your instinct. If you think something is wrong then 99% of the times, it is. Never ever ignore even the slightest change in your child's behaviour. If it appears unusual, try to probe a little more and look for clues.

Be aware !! After all, our child's safety is our responsibility - and not the child's!

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1. Read Sunayna's post on how mums can protect their little boys

http://sunayanaroy.blogspot.com/2011/04/csa-am-protecting-boys-from-csa.html

2. Aswathy's view on CSA

http://krishnnaleela.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/csa-awareness-my-two-cents/

Kids !!

Our children grow up way too soon for our liking :( Illustrated by my experience today with my child.

The above ad is a popular one aired in the Middle East for a chain of stores by the Landmark group that goes by the name of Centrepoint. In these 30 seconds, for a fleeting moment they show a woman admiring a pair of shoes :)

My 4.5 year old son saw the ad and said for the first time ever -

'Amma, I will buy you those shoes'. And I asked him when, and he said

'On Monday'.

And then.. I just stared and stared at him. Wasn't he a little baby playing in my arms just a while ago - WHEN did he grow up this much?? I love him more and more as the days speed past us, but really, I wish he was a little baby all over again for me to relish :) Sigh :)

The WoMaN in Me

The nurturer of happiness,

The harbinger of good luck

Together in your sorrow, behind every success

I sing silently, the tunes of hope

I'm rendered speechless, when I'm surrounded by infinite love

Sugar and spice, everything nice - it's me in a pink envelope

Deep inside me, the quest of this little heart

For love, akin to the little footprints in the sands of time

See it in the twinkle of my eyes, in the swing of my walk

I'm the real woman, I am confidence personified

Love me, understand me, know me

The world kisses my feet and I am mine!

Moi latest efforts : Indian Art :-)

This is my interpretation of a heritage project. The building or interiors could use motifs like this

These are just some motifs I was doodling when I had some free time at work. My job involved a lot of phone conversations; the perfect time for my creative pursuits :o)

Music that haunts me

Chitthi na koi sandes, jaane woh kaunsa des jahaan tum chale gaye
(You rest in an unknown place, from where you are unable to send us a letter or a message of your wellbeing)

This is a haunting song, rendered effortlessly by renowned ghazal singer Jagjit Singh. It was featured in a dark movie by the name of 'Dushman' directed by Tanuja Chandra. The story is about twin sisters [double role by Bollywood actress Kajol], in which one of them is brutally raped and killed. The other twin, traumatised and enraged - pushes against all odds to fight for justice. Her struggle forms a large part of the movie - the perpetrator of her sister's death tries to pin her down, to force her to back off.

I just don't know why this song shakes me up so much. There's just something about it that manages to wrench my heart out. I just can't place a finger on what is it that disturbs me.

To begin with, it reminds me of all the people who have passed away in our family - more so, of the untimely demise of my uncle in May 1992 in a car crash. My uncle was on a work assignment in a remote area where his car fell down a ravine. The incident is something I never forget as I was only 10 at that time. This song brings back memories of that horrible day; and I am transported back to what uncle would have experienced in the final moments before his death. The line below expresses just that.

'Koi Aah bhari hogi, humne na suni hogi'
(You would've cried for help, but it was unheard by us as we weren't around)


I remember listening to the song one morning in 2003 when it just came on the radio, and somehow I just couldn't control my emotions. I was sobbing so hard that I had to switch off the radio. Ever since I haven't heard the song even coincidentally, to my luck. Oh and by the way, writing about it here was like unloading my emotions.


Have you heard the song and does it shake you up too? Do you have a similar story; of songs or lyrics that affect you so badly? Leave me a comment!

it's NEW !

The blog now has a new look !! - I've played around with the font a bit and I love it !! - what do you think? Drop me a line!

Floral !

Her Calling

The keeper of her secrets, her friend in her lonely times. It was all she needed and she enjoyed the special relationship they shared. They were inseparable, and were the cynosure of all eyes.

When she spoke, it listened and never asked her any questions. She would spend hours and hours on her favourite cushion, and would tell all her stories. When they were together, days smoothed into nights and then she would continue till sleep encased her.

A blue afternoon, butterflies prancing about her head. She had nothing in particular to do, the day seemed to drag on. Sleepy. Dreams whirling aimlessly.

A loud sound; rattled her out of her trance. 'It' was ringing. She answered, and froze. THAT familiar tune. It had haunted her since childhood, and now it was back. To wreck havoc and change her life forever.

Merry Xmas and a Happy 2011 !!

Wishing all my precious readers a Merry Xmas and a Happy New year 2011. Cheers to a brand new year and bigger commitments :):)