Milan the Charmer....

So a few weeks ago I was doing homework with Milan and he was struggling. It was Vim, Milan and I sitting at the kitchen table. I then proceed to make a general comment that went something like this.... 'So Milan may not be the smartest cookie, but he definitely is the cutest cookie in the world'... My statement was more along the lines that his quick wit and charm will get him much farther than is academic ability.

So, about 10 minutes after I made that comment, homework session was over, and Milan was off playing with his cars. Then Milan pipes up from the family room 'mom', and I say 'yes'... he then responds 'no, mommy, you are the cutest cookie in the world!!!' It was so sweet... It made my heart melt.

Now, the little Milan really knows how to work his charm. Ever so often he will come up to me and say 'mommy, I have to tell you something, but don't tell anyone' and I reply 'OK' and then he says 'mommy you are the cutest cookie in the world'! He has just out of the blue said this to me at least a dozen times... and it makes my heart melt everytime!!!

OK, now I did not hold my promise because he told me not to anyone, and I just did. But is was too cute of a story that I could not resist sharing!!

I am worried to see what trouble he gets into (or out of) using this sweet charm that he has!!!

Kerala

Another trip to the sunny state of Kerala in India. This time our adventures took us to Kovalam Beach for a long-weekend get away. It was very nice.

We made a day trip to Kanyakumari which is the southern-most tip of India.

Will post some pictures in a day or two.

A New Place to Eat

It happened yesterday, I was the bottom floor of my building which is known as the ITPL Mall (ITPL stands for International Tech Park Ltd). The 'Mall' basically has a few shops and food places. The current food selection is limited to a few decent places including Subway, Pizza Hut and KFC. Now, after a while they get a bit boring. So yesterday I was down there with my friend Charu and we were headed to our weekly visit to Pizza Hut and then I spotted it.... A new food venue... It was 'Au Bon Pain'!!! I stopped in my tracks, held a deep stare at the store front that was getting ready for the big debut.... ahhh.... another place to eat!!! Now I am not sure how many of you know of the place, but it is basically a sandwich and coffee type place. I suppose for me it holds a special memory because I remember the first time I ate at Au Bon Pain was when I was on a trip with my parents to Boston to visit my brother. We ate at the Au Bon Pain in Harvard Square. I remember watching the people all around and just taking all of the sights of Cambridge. Now, I am certain that I will not get the same feeling when I eat at the Au Bon Pain in Bangalore, but maybe if I close my eyes I can pretend that I am in Boston.... And enjoy a bagel which is hard to come by in Bangalore!!!

Long Weekend = Lots of relaxing

The weekend started on a little bit of an odd start... Milan was sick on Thurs and Friday. Fever and tummy troubles (will spare you the details....). Actually by Friday, he was feeling much better....

Friday night was the Ozone Garba night. It was dampened with rain, so turn out was low. They moved it indoors to the clubhouse. Vim and the kids were in bed by 8:30.... So they did not go. I went, it was nice, but not quite like last year...

Saturday, Vim was sick, and Mira was sick too..... So far I am the only one that has remained healthy thru all this illness that has been making its way thru the house. Thank goodness we have Monday off... this will be good to just chill for an extra day!!

Next weekend we are off to Kovalam in Kerala!!!

Hopefully everyone is healthy by then!!

Long Weekends....

It is that time of year here in India where we have many long weekends - back to back.... Plus a week break for the kids

Monday - Sept 21 - Ramadan
Monday - Sept 28 - Dusherra
Friday - Oct 2 - Gandhi Jayanti (Gandhi's b-day)

Week long break - Monday Oct 12 - Monday Oct 19

What does this all mean for the Patel's in Bangalore???? TRAVEL!!!

We are going on a beach vacation to Kovalam for one of the long weekends. And then for the school break we are going to Rajasthan and Dehli. On deck for that trip.... one of the wonders of the world.. The Taj Mahal!!!

Looking forward to the travels!!

Motor Cycle Diaries

The Motorcycle market of India has a bike for the need of every individual whether style, power or comfort. India is the second largest producer of two-wheelers in the world. It stands next only to China and Japan in terms of the number of two-wheelers produced and the sales of two-wheelers respectively. The feeling of freedom and being one with the Nature comes only from riding a two wheeler. Indians prefer the two wheelers because of their small manageable size, low maintenance, pricing, convenience, easy loan repayments and mobility for the Indian family. In most cases people can not afford a car, so they opt for the next best thing... a motor bike. This then becomes the primary means for transportation....

Indian streets are full of people of all age groups riding a two wheeler. And best of all they are VERSATILE!!! The two wheeler provides uses for almost any need. Creating sights that you would never see back at home. We have seen almost everything being carried on a 'motorbike' here in India. TV's, Doors, Huge Sheets of glass and metal, Huge water tanks, you name it... we have probably seen it. Here are just a few pictures so you can get the idea....

In closing.... Saftey.... The thought is 'yeah... whatever...'! People don't wear helmets or adhere to common sense when riding a two wheeler, hence there are many fatalities everyday in all the cities/towns/villages around India. Yes, we have witnessed some ugly sights....

Snow Day in India???

Well not quite....

Last week Thursday the kids came home from school completely ecstatic... (more so Milan). Milan had a little conference with Vim and I in the library. He sat us down and told us he had to talk to us. Then he tells us that they don't have school on Friday. Now, I had already gotten an email from the school so I knew that it was true, but I decided to pull his leg a bit. Why not, right???

The reason for the unplanned, unexpected day off? YSR Reddy, the Chief Minister for Andhra Pradesh (Neighboring state to Karnataka, which is where we are) had died in a helicopter crash. Sad. But closing all government offices and schools in a neighboring state? Really?

Now with Vim and I both working... this posed a little bit of an issue with the kids. Thank goodness for Manjula who came in early to watch the kids, but this 'unplanned' day off for the kids gave me an excuse to leave work early. So I came home at 1pm to hang out with the kids!!

So, not really a snow day, but definitely the same joy and happiness that is created by knowing that you get a unplanned day off school (and a legitimate excuse to leave work early!!).

India's Super Computer

Here is a Blog post from Vim.

India is no longer an emerging country it is on par in many areas with the west. The picture below merges the 21st century thinking with that of deep colorful, magical, and mystical, traditions from centuries past. The next few months, are months of many auspicious celebrations – in modern day thinking PARTY TIME!!! The start of these celebrations is kicked off by the “Ganesh Chaturthi”. This is the celebration for on the birthday of Lord Ganesh (Ganesha), the god of wisdom and prosperity, and is invoked before the beginning of any auspicious work by the Hindus. To learn more you can Google “Ganesh Chaturthi”. As our 2nd year of festive celebrations begin we will post our new experiences from adventurous journey in the weeks, ahead.

Wisdom To All!