Results

Every result tells us where we stand be it a test in class or the election results.

Of the people who voted (137,400,124 as of 9:00 am today (11/5) according to Time), 47.5% voted for Harris. Our country is one of the few greatest in this world. Yet, when it comes to electing a woman president, there are many reasons put forth without saying gender is a factor. 

I just hope people realize their inaction in not voting may have led to the result we see now. But I am hopeful and wish for going forward—those who are able to vote and voice their opinion make every effort to do so whether it’s to vote or to speak up in a meeting or at home. Remember--having a voice and speaking up does not have to be an argument and it takes more effort to teach someone how to converse  for a purpose rather than ‘winning’ it.

An opinion article on USA Today stated:

“My politics are deeply influenced by my identities as a woman, a queer person, the granddaughter of immigrants and a member of Gen Z. I cannot separate these things from my political voice, and I vote accordingly.

Trump has spent the last leg of this election attacking trans people directly, acting as if they are the biggest threat to this country. They are not. Trans people will continue to exist even if Trump is elected.”

I just want to add to that opinion that all who are disappointed in today’s results will continue to keep their heads high and continue to work harder to shift the mindsets through larger action from young adults in keeping this country together—united as the land of the free and home of the brave—embracing Natives and all the rest (once immigrants and current &future voters).

#HopefulandMovingForward

A legend & a surreal night

Feeling overwhelmed is an understatement! Started yesterday with the news about Ratan Tata, an icon, a legend who will continue to live on forever— to me he seemed like the Carnegie of India. I had admired him through his brands, Titan Raga — and of course Tanishq (after Chikku was named), and many of his quotes that became strength many a times!

To be..and to do everything purposefully with a vision, with humility, and fervent passion…the name Ratan Tata embodied all of it and he will continue to—for generations, like Carnegie did.

Today, a lifetime’s dream to be able to see the aurora—northern lights…after seeing it (even if through a phone camera) it is still a dream keeping me awake until sky shines again in those different hues.

Mr. Ratan Tata must have reached the cosmos! May he continue to shine upon us, guide those without a purpose to just believe in themselves and that everything will be okay and to keep on marching (ahead)—to remind us to just be the best version of ourselves—always—through the good, bad, and the ugly—through it all!

Ratan Tata (Dec 28, 1937 — Oct 9, 2024 in person and Forever through his brands, institutions, and far-fetched visions that have or will become a reality).

https://youtu.be/7-ZbWV61uMs

ആരൊക്കെ കൂടെ ഉണ്ടെങ്കിലും ഇല്ലെങ്കിലും—നമുക്കെല്ലാവർക്കും—ആർക്കെങ്കിലുമൊക്കെ ഒരു നേരത്തെ തണലോ സാന്ത്വനമോ സന്തോഷമോ ആകാൻ കഴിയട്ടെ—എന്നും എപ്പോഴും.

Wonders of this world will never cease to exist. May we have the opportunity to see and experience them all and let’s make sure to keep our world safe and wondrous for generations to come.

Mind is going to continue rambling..don’t want to miss an opportunity to see them lights if possible..but sleep i must! Good night universe!

Awed

Looked up Pasoori after I saw Ali Sethi on Time's 100. As I searched for his channel on YouTube, I realized I had subscribed to his channel when I had landed on Chandni Raat sometime ago. I am always awed every time an artist speaks to an audience beyond boundaries and barriers. The visuals of folks from all walks of life and of all ages having to share a space and how humanity is found each time there is an event happening beyond the labels -- that is art and bless the hearts of artists who speak and spread love beyond labels. The last time I felt this moved by a song was when I listened to Ki Jaana Mohanaanga — The Thilang Connection by singer Srinivas. 

While the search went on and after a few dance covers, I found the making video, sort of a behind the scenes video where Ali speaks about the idea behind the song, and a beautiful message that I thought is apt to share with the kids, especially youth!

Here's me trying to rephrase:

Like Ali said in the making video, [choose to] "be completely rooted [in your culture, heritage, the strong genes that brought you to this world, the wisdom of good teachers, etc. and yet] "be completely free and open"; "be local [embrace your identity and be proud of it] "and also be global" [because you know your audience is the world though your identity is local; so absorb and acknowledge the good around you--even if it's different--and use them in your words and actions carefully].

Choose to do--what your older self will be proud of--and make your best allies (your parents and grandparents) proud! 

Now (until the time your brain is fully developed at the age of 25) is the time to study for knowledge is something no one can take away from you and that knowledgebase you get--will become the foundation of your successful future!

Gratitude to the artists who remind us of how human we are--how alike we are amid labels for we all bleed red and share the same emotions.

Article on Time:

https://time.com/collection/time100-next-2022/6213744/ali-sethi/

Making video:

The song - Pasoori:

Oru Covid Apaaratha!

Charithrathil oridam - athaavanam covid kaalam aagrahikkunnathu. Pakshe ee charithrathinte bhaagamaavan ere aagrahikkunnathu - maattiyezhuthappedendathennu pande thonniye chila reethikal aanu.

Answers

...on my finding journey...for the saying is 'seek and ye shall find' 

-----

no, we were not given training or even a manual, and no one ever warned us of what to expect - except as a deep sigh comment 'you will realize it when you have one on your own' or 'time will teach and tell'

as parents, we give, give, and give some more, and we continue giving because what we receive in return is so much of pure love-adoration with extended hugs and kisses and 'you're the best in the world' statements.

• our brains are lazy - it starts expecting the things, the feelings, the experiences - to stay or change only to be enhanced - we stop thinking.

this changes with kids as they grow - literally in a blink of an eye - at a time of tiredness, a time of hunger, a time of any type of stress - and the parents get shut out, yelled at with extended silence or angry words, without even a look in the eye, and 'i hate you' statements.

• our brains are lazy - there are no exceptions - except for those who train our minds to pause, think, analyze, and then act. Act is also important, it's always better to restate our understanding of the situation or a question to make sure our response is to the right question or scenario.

when a new experience comes along, we often forget to realize it's a new feeling or experience and try to boggle our minds looking for a previous scenario to pull from and react.

• the most famous, stop and think before you act, and we should act and not react - all these wisdom as old as time - all get forgotten. 

the saying is, look to nature and you shall find all the answers there, or look within and you shall find the answers there as well.

so dear parents, look to birds and animals, the nature, that kick out the babies as soon as they begin flying or walking so they learn to be on their own and survive - survival is still the biggest thing there is for them. for birds and animals, their lives are not as long, each stage of life is not long at all - the babies sometimes start walking the same day they are born. 

yes, we are looking to nature - not to copy but to understand and take lessons. so, don't kick out our kids like birds and animals do - always provide food for their body and mind and shelter - as needed

• and another saying that is almost always playing the consolation role is - expectations hurt, stop expecting, keep giving, and stay true to oneself - okay so that's a combo of few sayings...but together, consolation role is well played.

when expectations go wrong, pause, think, and analyze. remember that we want our kids, as young as 11 or 21, or as old as 31, to not just survive, but thrive physically but more importantly, mentally.

• they are going to make mistakes, they are going to sometimes say and act mean, but they are learning to thrive mentally. give them space, give them time and space. the time and space will let them reflect upon their actions, find solutions to their problems.

but dear parents, what we must remember the most and always is never to shut ourselves off from being there when our kids - as young as 11 or 21, or as old as 31 or 61, come to us for consolation, solution, advice, or food and shelter. share your wisdom, tell them how brains work, tell them about the timeline of life, and remind them of mortality and the footprints they want to leave behind.

-----

my dear parents, i love you, and amma, you are the 'bestest' in the world.

Mind Dump—Ramblings

nammal free aayi nammude ishtangal maathram cheyyunnu ennu vichaarikkumbol athine okke maatti marichu nammal ottum thanne controlil allaa ennu ormappeduthunnu jeevitham... 

;(

Time and again...there are no answers...

Can't ask questions...for I don't want answers...

But it needs to stop.

May you be the reason

for someone to discover their talent

and do what they love...fearlessly

May you live on forever.

What's life without love &

What's love without music

For you, they were all the same

May your music live on forever.

Verpiriyalum, Vidaparayalum, Koode illaatha avasthayum,

ennum dukham thanneyaanu...

viswaasangale chodyam cheyyappedunna,

praathikshakal kaivittu pokunna avastha...

Ottappedalinekkaal aa shoonyatha nikathaan aavilla...

athum sweekarikka maathram vazhi..

Thirakkukalkkidayilekku irangi

Swayam marannu thudangum varekkum..

Ente swakaaryathil ninnormakal maathram

'Innumente Kannuneeril Ninnorma Punchirichu'

May no one ever be forgotten...

2011-2012-2014-2015-2016-2017-2018

The truth is that death is inevitable.

Age is counted, but the moments are not...

for they are etched, priceless, timeless.

May the moments be countless.

10-counts-to-Bliss | Let-it-B

Be...and let others Be!

"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." - Maya Angelou

This quote struck me today. Just yesterday, in the middle of a migraine, thoughts on life and being without purpose must be the end of that [life] is where the resurfaced thought ended...as I continued to drive around without a direction.

Sometimes, life is just to be when we don't a GPS for the roads we take in life. Sometimes, even when the GPS tells you to take that turn or exit, we just drive straight or go the opposite way. That will be to just turn back around or discover a scenic or shorter route.

The map stays the same regardless. Truth is such. Bliss is such. But unless we experience the truth or bliss, it just remains a  5-letter word. People call this truth or bliss many a thing but what is the use if one can't experience it?

Today, Maya Angelou's words struck me as the GPS for life. Yes of course I knew that already, but I needed that reminder.

Just be, do your thing, be kind to yourself first, and be kind to those around you. We are all here now and the guarantee for this moment is that long, not even for a blink.

"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." - Maya Angelou

Be and let others be!

"BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD" - Mahatma GANDHI

Hey You...wherever you are...at home, street, or in public...raise awareness, teach your sons and other men in your life to respect and stand up against evil; teach your daughters and other women in your life to be an individual, to voice their opinion, to stand up and react; Let's not wait until something like this happens to our loved ones...

Intervene. Act. Motivate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_Tf5w-Rl2A

Sharing "The World Hates Women" video and rather than asking WHY...let's learn/teach/do the right thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwl7olQ54iw

Sharing "One photo a day in the worst year of my life": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ertu9_MhFiM

END domestic violence. Ask for CONSENT--always, even in a marriage. 

Get help: http://www.loveisrespect.org/ - "love is respect is the national resource to disrupt and prevent unhealthy relationships and intimate partner violence by empowering young people through inclusive and equitable education, support, and resources."

MentalHealth.gov: http://www.mentalhealth.gov/ 
GlobalMentalHealth.org: http://www.globalmentalhealth.org/

"BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD" - Mahatma GANDHI

Realize YOUR power...

One of my colleagues from China asked me...in India, women are treated so badly, isn't it...CNN had something in the news about it.

What is happening in the world today - all plain unbelievable inhumane acts of violence. Wars everywhere that is benefiting no-one! And..everyone with power and voice are doing nothing! How long can we ALL sit around and hope somebody else will open their mouth and say STOP and enough is enough??? President Obama? Democrats? Republicans? Prime Minister Modi? US? India? China? Russia? UK? UN? I can only sit and whine...is that it???

I go on with my 'normal' life - going to work, taking care of home, kids, like posts on FB, listen to songs, and replace any thoughts of people (kids!) being killed and of kids being raped in India! Doesn't anyone have any sense of humanity left in them? Don't I have it in me? What CAN I do?...I feel HELPLESS but can no longer ignore what I see and hear...

I truly wish for change...to see a world where kids can roam the streets without the fear of guns, bombs, or ..being raped! As adults, let us make sure they are given the chance to live, a chance to realize who they are! Parents, Kids, EVERYONE...let us be aware and let us stay vigilant. 

React, respond, Make aware, and Educate kids - both boys and girls! Pay attention to the kids in your community, know the names, the parents, be aware of your surroundings...look, listen, and react!

"...Today, may each one of us become incarnated hope."

~Make Everyday a Festival~

Onam - My favorite festival of all times. 

Onam Story and message from some unknown person - I liked it :)

Excerpts from the message - that caught my ears and made me re-post :)

Onakkaalathu namukkundaakunna aa unarvu, unmesham, sauhridam, samadhanam, athellaam thudarnnum undaakumenkil....

Onakkaalam kondu varunna aa change in mind set...athaanu Onathinte sakthi...aa sakthi poornamaayum samaaharichu...jeevithakaalam muzhuvan namukku Onamaakkaan kazhiyanam.

Enjoy the moment...Enjoy the substance and not merely the form...and Make everyday a Festival - an Onam Festival!



Hope everyone had a great Onam 2013! DC Metro region came together to celebrate Onam with KCS and KAGW coming together under one roof with an entire day of festivities. Kayyodu kai chernnu ellaavarum othu koodiyappo Onathinu pakitteri!  MahaBali chakravarthiyude suvarnna kaalam nammalil ethu cheratte! The world definitely needs more unified strength!

Let the unity stay in its true sense and stay without any doubts and for the rest of my time and yours!

As for me, videoyile messageil paranjathu pole "Onakkaalam aathma parishodhanayude...thirinju nottathinte kaalamaanu!" Differences okke maatti vachu enikku kazhiyum pole orumayode...othorumikkaan oru kaalam...Onam kazhinjappol, enikku ithiri kooodi praayam koodiyonnu oru samsayam! :) oru Onam koodi undathinte pakvatha! :)

Ini oru Onakkaalam varekkum Onathinte sandesham koode undaakatte - "Make everyday a Festival - an Onam Festival!"

A Re-post from a blogger - "I wonder...therefore I blog: Of Methil Devika"

Unbelievably expressive eyes, movements, a perfect dancer - Methil Devika.

Found a post on her - and had to share: I wonder...therefore I blog: Of Methil Devika

Sharing my happiness to have found a great dancer :)

/\ Motherhood /\

When I was a kid I wanted to be just like U....
when I thought I had it all figured out, I wanted nothing to do with U....
And now that I have one to call my own....
I thank you for all that you gave me!
And I realize that this life is nothing but a 'daanam' from you!

/\ Motherhood /\

Teaches one a lot about themselves
gives an opportunity to see what our mothers have done for us
- from the moment of choice to keep the baby,
- to protect with anything and everything by going above and beyond capacity
- and once born, nourishing the body and soul with all they had and even more of what they didn't have
- taking love and hate alike and keeping calmn
- and finally an explosion of tears that comes about in harsh words
- all while going through their own ups and downs in career and physique
- and all while knowing well in advance to expect nothing in return!

That's love unconditional !

Amma endrazhaikkaadha uyir illaiyee
Ammavai vanagadhu uyarvillaiye
Neril nindru pesum deivam
Pettra thai andri verondru aedhu

Abirami sivakami karumari magamayee
Thiru kovil deivangal needhanamma
Annaikku andradam abishekam alangaram
Purigindra siru thondan nandhaanamma
Poruloodu pugazh vendum maganalla thaiyee
Un arul vendum enakkendrum adhu podhumee
Adutthu inghu piraponrru amaidhalum naan
Undhan maganaaga pirakindra varam vendumee

Adhai neeyeee, tharu vendumeeee

Amma endrazhaikkatha uyir illaiyee . . .

Pasum thangam pudhu velli maanikkam vairangal
Avai yaavum oru thaikku eedagumaa
Vilai meedhu vilai vaitthu kettalum koduthalum
Kadaithannil thaai anbu kidaikkadhamma
Eeruaindhu maadhangal karuvodu enai thaangi
Nee patta perum paadu arivenamma
Eeraezhu genmangal eduthalum uzhaithalum
Unakinghu naan patta kadan theeruma

Unnaalee pirandhaenee . . .

Amma endrazhaikkadha uyirillaiyeee....



[Mannan (Tamil) | Ilayaraja | Kavignar Vaali (T.S Rangarajan)?? | KJ Yesudas]

If there is anything wonderful in this world...it's a newborn who brings a big 1000 watt smile to anyone's face..

After a long... time

Idakkoru blog ezhuthanam ezhuthanam ennu vachirunnittu nadannilla...but today I got the final push...and it was perfect timing as Onam is right around the corner :)

For those who don't know..."Thiruvonam" is on Monday, the 23rd of August, and as usual...our Onasadyas begin before "Uthraadam" on the 21st.

And to my surprise..."Atham" is before Chingam 1st this year...This Saturday, 14th of August is Atham! So..it's countdown :)

Aaaarrrrpppoooooo...............!

Othiri naalukalkku shesham Onam veendum oru late mid-Augustil...Now..that shouldn’t be a big deal for anyone working...but for kids and the parents of these kids…it should be huge...as it gives an opportunity galore to really celebrate (that’s if we really want to) in its whole nine yards...incorporating the traditional games and sadya in vazhayila and at least visiting the tharavadu if not meeting there already...making memories for our little ones to take into their heart and live – passing it on to theirs..

Pande paranjille...Onam varumbo ariyaathe vannu povunnu oru thidukkam...that no other celebrations give...actually that’ll be a lie...Christmas has always given that feeling in winter when everything else is so cold, gloomy, and dark! Onam too..Karkkidakathile mazha (as it has shifted to US with the evident thunderstorms we got over the last two weeks) kazhinjulla oru velicham and freshness and life..calls for a celebration...not to mention the vilaveduppu (that too with the many karshaka-sree awards going on around here)! :)

Njaan puthiya oru joliyil keri...so that’s one of the highlights I’ve got to share...contractor aanu but still…pays me and I love it :) Now...why is that a big deal? Because it is also giving me a chance to be in sync with the new tunes...thanks to RadioJoyAlukkas.com :) Their live radio has been keeping me sane and happy and definitely up-to-date with songs with a 'back at home' feel :) No...i’m not taking any ‘achaarams’ from them...I simply love them as they have become part of my daily routine :) There isn’t any news reading to listen to...well for that I got my own pathrakkaaran (MNL) delivering news to my inbox ;)

And before I go off the track...as I was saying...I got the final push to write again :) Last week was really super duper busy at work with long hours and deadlines...and this week therefore is all calm and catch-up on overdue self-study training :) So, I’m doing my self-study and went to get a coffee...and the creamer is out..can’t still drink up American black coffee...it’s just bitter! So..I went to the next floor as they actually have a real kitchen with stocked up coffee, sugar, vending machines, etc…..took 3 cans..came back down and Walla!..there’s a fresh pot! As I was getting a disposable cup…someone else comes in…takes the coffee with the claim that he just made the pot (nicely) :) "So, by the way, I’m not good with names...you’re...?", he asked. I introduce myself and ask him the same and he tells me who he is. Then, of course the next question was... “where you from?” I replied...India!. Then he goes...“Oh I know you’re from India..what part?” I said...ummm...this place called “Kerala”. And he goes..KERALA? I’ve been there :) Where you from in Kerala? So the conversation went on for another good 10-15min and to my surprise...I learned more from him! He has been to just the south – Trivandrum, Cochin, Tanjore, Coimbatore, Ooty, Madurai, Bangalore, Mysore, etc. etc. He told me about a boulder on top of this temple in Tanjore that weighs 70-80 tons and how it was taken to the gopuram and how there’s a plaque from Mahatma Gandhi, so on...and on...He visited in 84, the year Indira Gandhi was assassinated. And how he would be disappointed if he went back now as he was with Bangalore then. He bragged about the details and how he loved it in Mysore and all other places and I stood there amazed and proud! Then someone else came to get coffee and we said bye-bye to catch up later :)

I went back to my desk thinking Oh..I’ve got to visit these places..forget beach vacations and camping! I almost felt like a fish out of water..what am I doing here? But then as I thought...here I’ve as much freedom as I will have in India..actually a whole lot more (being a woman)...to practice, live, explore, and even pass on all of my Indian-ism to my kids with as much respect and admiration! Then, I came to a conclusion, it isn’t really visiting these places that gives me a feel for the culture...it’s the actual knowing and practicing that makes me Indian where-ever I may be. So, Chachu and Chikku...here comes amma with thumpi, pookkalam, oonjaal, vaazhayila, and sadya for Onam ;)

And here is a song for you...to prepare for this year's Onam! Come...Let's Celebrate...say aaaarrrrrpppoooo! :)


[Ulsava Ganangal Vol.1 | Raveendran | Sreekumaran Thampi | KJ Yesudas and Janaki Devi]

As always, I thrive on your comments and suggestions..and please be honest! :)

2009

The clocked ticked 11:59 on the 31st.... I believe....To the many of you, it's the ball dropping in the TV and the champagne bottles popping...or kissing your sweetheart/significant other....holding on to your dear ones....and to me...

it's looking at my cell phone to see the clock read 12:00 so that I can start dialing the minute it does...to wish my dear ones..Happy New Year :)

I wanted to send in my blog on the 31st at 11:59 ;) and being on time was on my mental list of resolutions...but....I guess that went off the list before even the year started...and fell back to saying "better late than never" :) But, I am not going to quit...i'll keep on trying - to be on time - because.....'practice makes perfect' right? :)

So...talking about Resolutions....I'll be on time for at least all the programs this year (pls feel free to harass me if i'm not ;)) and next on the list is to bug you! (as always, please feel free to tell me if the bugging becomes pestering ;))

For the past few years....my new year's eve and the day of always have me searching for the lyrics to "Only Time" by Enya and as I may have done in the past...I would like to share it with you (again to at least the some of you):

Who can say where the road goes where the day flows only time
And who can say if your love grows as your heart chose only time
Who can say why your heart sighs as your love flies only time
And who can say why your heart cries when your love lies only time

Who can say when the roads meet that love might be in your heart
And who can say when the day sleeps if the night keeps all your heart
Night keeps all your heart

Who can say if your love grows as your heart chose only time
And who can say where the road goes where the day flows only time

Who knows - only time
Who knows - only time

Yes...only TIME will tell me a lot of things....but one thing I ought to know is 'myself'. Many-a-flaws have been brought to my attention and as the year goes it'll be my time to be flawless....as I become more 'imperfect' :)

And...Here is to "2009" ~CHEERS~

~Happy New Year~

A Social Evil Called...Rumor/Gossip

There's just this one thing that I believe is IMPOSSIBLE to do....."aayiram sooryane pidichadakkaan kazhinjaalum oraalde vaa moodi kettaan pattulla"....angane entho oru chollille...?

but there's also the saying that..."where there's a will, there's a way"....and that’s what I like to believe so that I can make the ‘impossible’ - POSSIBLE

Puthiyathaayittu oru joli thudangi or puthiya oru sthalathekku thaamasam maari….avide oru malayaliye kandu parichayappettu..and as the stereotype goes…and even as a joke…malayali-kolayali-paara…all these go hand in hand as time goes on UNLESS there’s an “open-ness and a sense of one-ness”

And the main one of these ‘paaras’ we come across are ‘paradooshanams’ or mattullavare kurichu dushichu parayunna swabhaavam..or gossiping to make it simple J

I'm sure it is something everyone has come across at some point in their life either by being a part of it or by just watching or hearing it pass by...

Age old saying of people who got ‘yellow-fever’ seeing everything ‘yellow’….It’s as simple as that….but instead of not giving into hearing one or taking part in one…the “conversation” goes on and on....from one mouth to the other....

it's everywhere...at your home, work place, between friends, family, relatives..EVERYWHERE! ....and more than often, many of us take part in it "as long as it doesn't affect me or anyone i care about"

just about everyone HATES these gossips……....yet...it never dies out.........

So what can we do about it? You tell ME and the world if you want to ‘step up with me’.

Luv & Regards,

Renjina

September 18, 2008

I finally decided to be an 'official' blogger! Thanks to all who read the Onam Blogs and for bearing my 'kathis'. I had few reasons for doing such a thing and I am glad it was taken at heart by at least a few.

Reason why I decided to continue...

Yes the saying is..."Honesty is the best policy"...But more than often...you have to realize who you are talking to...the level of comfort you have with the other person...and how well your honest opinion is taken by the other person....

So, I had decided to keep the opinions to myself...

but..that wasn't working...ppl say if you keep too many things to yourself...you end up exploding!

And..that's the reason why I'm continuing....To Speak My Mind :)

But before I start..I wanted to share with you..this Tamil song from "Kuruvi"

I was just watching "Idea Star Singer" and Parvathy was singing this with Franco!

The song is by Vidyasagar. Padiyathu Shreya Ghosal and Udit Narayan. Hope you enjoy it :)

Happy Friday!

--------------------------------------------------------


My first attempt at blogging via email to my friends/family list:


Ente Onam Blog - 1


Happy Onam to ~ALL~

Just wanted to wish everyone a Very Happy Beginning to Onam 2008. As many of you know, I can express myself a little better in Malayalam so for anyone who cannot read Manglish...my apologies up-front.

But before I start out in my malayalam....want to wish you again a very happy onam! and yes...you will be getting 9 more of these in the following days ;) but please if you really don't want one anymore....let me know!

And before it turns 12...lemme start :)

Innu ATHAM.

Atham-Patthu-Onam Ennaanu chollu...Athaayathu, innu thudangi pathaam naal THIRUVONAM.

Ente Achanteyum Ammedeyum kuttikkaalathu Atham muthal pathu divasathekku, raavile eneettu koottukaarodoppam pookkal parichu pookkalam undaakkum....pathaam naal onathappanem undaakki maveli thampuraante varavum kaathirikkum angane angane kure nalla ormakal....Athellaaam enikku paranju kettu maathram arivulla onam

Enikkariyunnathu.....exams aanu.....Enthinaa ee onathinte idakku exams vakkane ennu orthu nadanna kaalam.....Onnaam onam aaya Uthradam muthale ullu enikku aakhoshangal...athinu munne muttathu oru oonjaal undaakki tharum...pinne schoolilekku pokumbol busil irunnu oro veedinteyum muttathu kaanunna pookkalam nokki kannum vidarthi angirikkum...exams theerunna annu muthal books ellaam evideyo ittittu kittiya poovum ilayum okke vachu oru chumma pookkalam....pinne thiruvonathinu munne ulla cleaning.....amma undaakki thanna oro vibhavangal....ente ormayil ullathu amma aadyamaayittu ullivada undaakkiyathaanu....vanithayil vanna recipe nokki onathinte etho oru divasam undaakki athu kazhichu kazhichu kazhichu njangal maduthathu...angane parayaanumorkkaanum enikkumundu kunju onangal...athu ichiri ichiri aayittu ezhuthaaame.....

Innu njaan enna kutti valarnnu randu kuttikalde ammayaayi....onam ingethi....

Atham ethiyathu ariyaathe...Athathinu oru special feelingsum thonnaathe athangu kadannum......dhe poyi....another busy day with traffic-work-traffic-home-grocery shopping-home...

Shedaa...onam vannittum 'orithu' illallo ennu thonni feelings adichu ezhuthi thudangiyathaa tto...ini ningal ente mail vaayichu delete cheyyaaan thonnunna feeling venda tto.....i'm actually trying to make a point......

Onam is a harvest festival ennanallo...but innu evideya harvest? Ivide nammal aarum thanne krishi cheyyanilla...viLavu edukkanillaa...pinne enthina nammal ee ONAM aakhoshikkunne?

onathinu innulla prasakthi entha??

Ariyaaamo? Ariyumenkil enikku reply cheyyu :)

Luv & Regards,
Renjina
--------------------------------------------------------

Ente Onam Blog - 2


Before the day breaks out...I'm back for a bit...again!

Hope everyone took the first part in a good sense and may be put a bit of thought into why we actually celebrate.........Either way....

Atham kazhinju Chithira ethi :) Again....another day with mooooore traffic-work-traffic-home..and on and on..

But the Anticipation...it kept me going..couldn't wait until I got home to check all the replies I would have gotten...I guess it is a good thing they don't allow personal emails at work...allenkil ithu thanne aayi poville ente joli ;) productivity ennoru kaaryam undaavande :)

So I got home.....and read all the replies.......Should I say thanks? Naaah...wouldn't that be too formal? So...entha ippo parayuka? I was over-joyed? yeah..that's the word I was looking for! Ee thirakkilum...enikku vendi Onathinte peril oru reply ayachille :) I really was 'over-joyed'!!

There were two replies in particular that I liked...that I guess deep down my heart..thought i would hear....and i'm pasting it here...for everyone so you may experience the happiness I had when I read it :)

1) Each celebration is connected to a story or a season, but when we celebrate onam, x'mas ....... we,re celebrating our life , our harmony with family,fellow beings & nature itself. So even if we're not harvesting, we still can celebrate our life, give thanks to all we have, & enjoy those nostalgic memories.................................Remember people who r harvesting for us & pray for them...........................

2) Krishi cheyyunnilla pakshe nalla relationships nilanirthuvannulla shramam aanu Onavum vishuvum.mithrangalodu chernirikyan,shathrukkale mithrangal aakkanum.

It took me all of these....almost 29 years of life...to figure out just that! go figure, right? And it happened when the "feeling" of Onam almost left my heart :( But NOPE...I couldn't let it go....So I guess this was a way for me to reach out and capture the essence of Onam...and keep it for it to be spread out to others in the however many years I get to keep saying 'life is beautiful...but not a bed of roses'.

Ini ente ormayile oru Edu:

Ullivada undaakki thannu oonjaal aadiya aa onam maathramalla....aalochichu vannappo (especially ammede reply vannappo ;) ) amma undaakkunna diamond cuts...cakes...athokke orma vannu tto :) sharikkum oru utsavam aarunnu veettil :) amma annokke nalla pole cook cheyyum...and i used to be a very picky eater....and amma put up with me!!!!.....kuttikaalam pole oru kaaalam..athethra hardships undenkil koodi...madhuratharam aanu ennaanu enikkippo thonnane...shariyalle? only if i knew it then...but i guess...that's they mystery of life....can't figure it all out until each stage passes us....appo ullathu illaaathe aavumbo athinte prasakthi manassilaavum..entha paraya..."kannullappol kanninte vila ariyulla".......athoru paramaardham!

Let's hope that we all realize the true essence of Onam before we lose it...In fact..i think each of us should make that a challenge to realize what we got (no...not checking the bank balance or the number and magnitude of the degress we earned or the type of job we do)...but what we got that made us who we are...that keeps us the way we are...that keeps us going forward in full force....athu naalathekku vachekkaam lle? too much thinking at this hr is really going to get my brain fried...so...i'm wrappin' it up :)

Appol...Happy Onam...once again :) & thanku for bearing this pain of reading my manglish bloooooooooooog ;) And I re-iterate...if you really can't stand these...let me know and I'll take you off the list ketto :) there won't be any hard feelings :)

Good Night!
Renjina
--------------------------------------------------------

Ente Onam Blog - 3


As my alarm goes off...I tell myself...che....orangi poyallo....enthaa ippo cheyyaa...?

I fell asleep with the laptop on the bed....yes...with the intention to be up and go vaachaalam ;) but my body beat me :( orangi poyi....

But ini innale raathriyilekku thirike poyi orangaathe irunnu ezhuthaan pattullallo...so i'm here....yes it's still dark....yeah i guess fall is getting here faster than I want it to be...

Live at the present.....yeah that's what any 'yogi' would tell you....or i think every yogi would tell you :) from what i have heard....that's what they teach in 'art of living'

I guess i would modify that a bit....we all HAVE to live at the present, at the same time remember the past only for today's betterment....and have to think of the future but not live in it so we may make the right choices today......what goes around comes around lle?

That reminds me......veendum aa oru 'edu' edukkaan pokunnenu munpu....

Innale Chothi aarunnu and today it's Vishakham.....

Newsflash over over :)

......So I was saying....in the past...Onathinte annu thirakkittu joli okke kazhinju veettil vannu oru paayasam undaakki ennittu....packed up my baby chachu......yeah and my big baby...aju :) and took myself over for a dinner.......before I continue......

on a side note....[removed]...memories sometimes are painful even during happy times like Onam.....but life must go on.....and for that...we just have to sometimes do a burial with our hurting past and put the differences away...[removed]...if you think of the reaction before the action....life will be moooore beautiful....but yes, not a bed of roses....

I got more to say....but i have to wrap it up since each min in the morning is another 3 minutes i have to wait at a light which would make me late to work....and I have a 8:30 meeting on fridays....so i'm runnin.................

Wishing you a Very Happy Friday...i mean A Very Happy Vishakham......

& yes...before the day is over (at 12 midnight) i will be back since technically i should be at Ente Onam Blog - 4

so..will have that to you tonight.....pls make sure u read it because it affects what happens on Saturday ;)

Luv y'all!.....still runnin.........
Renjina
--------------------------------------------------------

Ente Onam Blog - 4


Should I start with an excuse...ayyoo njaan late ayi poyi because....all these happened? Does it really have any relevance? No, because I wasn't here as promised or expected.........

See that now makes sense as to why my boss gives me the look when i show up 2 min late! ....yes those days are long gone...because i realized that excuses r just that!

Atham-Chithira-Chothi-Vishakham-Anizham

...nammal ee thirakkittu enthokkeyoo thedi pidikkaanulla yaathrayilaanu....whenever there's a program....there's no question as to whether we should go....

today...there's one at murugan temple....and next saturday...there's another one at the same place......and on sunday there's one at walt whitman high school....and are we going for each of them.....OF COURSE! otherwise i might not get another opportunity to see everyone until Christmas :) and who knows where I would be by then.......i can't tell what's coming my way tomorrow....Hannah hit many places....and we will have a huuuuge down pour....but is that going to stop me...no....because as one of the replies i got say.....

".......Carpe Diem - Seize the Day! You have this moment to make a difference in your life and in the lives of others around you. Live in the moment. This moment is yours.... You have the Power to Make it or Break it!"


First time around pole....2nd time aroundilum enikkoru athi ugran reply kitti....

"Having grown up outside Kerala all my life, never really celeberated Onam, with amma trying to make it as authentic as possible. But we as kids never really cared except for one or two Onams. After coming to the US too, never felt like celeberating Onam for the reasons you specified, work, traffic, no school holidays etc and even if it was getting together with family, mostly happened on a weekend (WOW!! by that time who is in high spirits as the day has actually passed). But your blog stirred something in me that I feel this Onam I am definetely going to celeberate. Maybe even take off from work on Thiruvonam (hey!! we have just one life to live. Why not make it joyful right???)..."


I completely agree! For the first time....I also put in a request to have 12th off and asked aju whether he could be home for lunch......so i'm taking the initiative....because the spirit the holiday season brings us....is when we try to not pass out on the celebrations today!

With that bein said....I hope I can see you today, on sat.13th and def on sun.14th! like leiberman said....you have to vote for the candidate....not for the party!

until later on....it's me .....trying to get the clothes ready for everyone.....what u wear gives enjoyment to other's eyes and yes u'll feel better when you're dressed up with confidence ;)

much luv...........
renjina
--------------------------------------------------------

Ente Onam Blog - 5


Atham-Chithira-Chothi-Vishakham-Anizham-Thrikketta-Moolam

Thrikkettakku miss aayi...so innu lunch timeilu this was my first priority - over lunch! :)

It seems like I've missed out again..I just wish there was more than 24hrs to a day..well only on certain days. There definitely are many days where I wish it would just end so I could sleep ;) Ellaa divasavum ore pole ponam ennu paranja nadakkullallo lle? Nammalkkellaam oro time machine undaarunnenkil…ayyoo..let's not even begin with that! Instead..let's stick to our Onam routine :)

So Hannah came…we didn't really get hit...but definitely had a looooot of rain...and I can't tell you enough of how much I love rain :) yes…it's a pain to drive in it and it gets us wet but oh well…I still love it with all it's downfalls :)

I had been married for over an year and we went to our 'tharavadu' and it was like noon-ish :) so as soon as we park….there's this biiiiig rain…yeah a pop-up shower…heavy drops and it was awesome…so we run in and all three of us 'kids'….me, aju and vaava…well for that instance…njangal moonnu perum became kids…we ran out in the rain barefoot…and oooh man…was it cold!....pullu ellaaam nananju enthaa thanuppu….but that sure didn't stop us…we just started running in the rain…around the house…and when we couldn't bear the thanuppu anymore…and we got back in the house…I was supposed to be the 'mc' for some program in couple of days after that and….well my voice was gone! That was terrible…but I would still do it if I get a chance :) I think we all have to become kids…take things in a fun spirit and run with it :)

So..it was really raining when we went for the Onam program #2 for this year…Again…I was happy to see everyone and well got few comments on the blog…I kinda felt like having a parda on for a min…but it was all cool :) The turn out was kinda on the low I guess mainly because of the rain…but I didn't get any paayasam L since the food is all home-made it had that special taste to it :) good aviyal! :) and then there were the programs…..hmm now what I'm about to say might get me in trouble…but sometimes we just got to do what we gotta do..right? :) I'm going to give out my true feelings about the 2 Onams I had so far…at least a small piece of it but important to me :)

may be i should put that in the next one...allenkil ningal aarum ithu vaayichu theerulla :) appo adutha thavana...be prepared for something you may or may not like...and advance aayittu oru 'jaamyam' edukkuvaanu....my intention is not to hurt anyone's feelings....but i believe it needs to be said....

therefore...until next time...

with nothing but love (for the mankind) :D
Renjina
--------------------------------------------------------

Ente Onam Blog - 6


Innu Moolam naal..to my favor....there were two Vishakhams so I guess in a way I'm still on time? :)

Atham-Pathu-Onam ennaanu chollenkilum Pathaam divasamaaya Thiruvonam kazhinju randu onam koodi undu....Avittam and Chathayam...so technically we got 12 days ;) I guess that's a good thing lle? Gives more time to anyone so Onam can be celebrated with everyone! 12 daysil last four days aanu main ones....Uthradam, Thiruvonam, Avittam & Chathayam.

Naattil aarunnappo...Uthraadathinte annu oru bahalam aanu...veedellaam clean aakki..i mean literally floors ellaam kazhuki vrithiyaakki...oru renewal aanu....mothathil....Thiruvonathinte annu motham cooking...amma ellaaa koottavum vachu sadya undaakkum...uchakku veettil sadya...ellaam kazhinju vaikittu ammede tharavattilekku.....avide ethumbo raathriyaavum...pona vazheelu achanodu njangal moonnu pillers sthiram chodikkum....ithreeeeeeeeem doooore vannu achan pennu kando? shoo.....pakshe the trip was soooo much fun....ammede naadu....aviduthe manninu vella niramaanu.....thari mannille...i mean sand...beachilu povumbo polathe mannaanu...so imagine njangal kidsinte thrill :) and to add to the fun....vazheelokke njangalkku (we were really young) muttolam vare vellam kaanum...puncha alla....but i don't know what they called them...thenginu valiya thadam vachu vachittundaavum...athinte idayiloode ellaaam vellavum undaavum....oh maaan i miss those days :( ippo athellaam nikathi :( can't even find one to look at.....so athellaam kadannu veettil ethumbo raathri aavum...njangal varumbozhe aviduthe patti kurakkaan thudangum....and to this day...if there's someone in the street walking their dog and as soon as I spot them...i cross the road and take the sidewalk on the other side of the street! that's how scared i'm of them :) so once we're there...Avittam naal avideyaanu oonu...

Avittam kazhinju annu vaikittu thirichu veendum njangalde veettilekku....ennittu Chathayam veettil aanu and it was an Onam for everyone and anyone who came to our house.....

but what tops all of that....is someone else's Onam....that I just learned about after sending Blog 5...that's when I saw the replies when there was a delay (yes..i got my excuses....but as mentioned in Blog 3...it's not worth mentioning, lle? :) so....here's the latest 'bestest' reply i got.....

"I've been in this country for only 10yrs 6mnths..But I am happy to announce that I've been celebrating onam here every year (except for the year my GrandMother passed away). I've taken off from work and the times that i could not wiggle my way out...had cooked an Onam dinner. The same goes for Vishu too. There were times when I've said...maybe not this year; but as Onam day approaches I have no doubt in my mind...I cook the entire sadya anyways.

I shower, enter the kitchen adorning Mundu Veshti. Light the lamp in kitchen & begin cooking. Everything is made entirely on that day! I try to squeeze enough time to make a pookkalam just before my guests arrive..I seek their help in creating the pookkalam. _____ & ____(mallu Christians) has been my neighbours since 2002 ; since then we've always had a tradition...Onam & Vishu with us...Christmas & Easter at their place..............Next year we'll be celebrating Onam in Kerala (as they are moving to Kerala). But one thing is true...I'll miss the US Onams & practice sessions a LOT!!!........."

I really was impressed to hear that....it's awesome to hear that it's done traditionally to the core! and that too without having an older parent at the house....And you...just gave me the final push to do it at home ;) We have so many conflicting schedule with the Onam programs...but manjechi has had one every year for the past few years and to my surprise....the kids (and there's a whole big sweeeeeet bunch) look forward to it and bug her to find out the times :) And I believe it's great she does that..especially since the kids are growing up as teenagers and adults.....I guess that's all we can do for the kids...hey may be we'll try to do an ooonjaal for chachu...we'll see ! :)

Talking about onam programs....i was supposed to be writing on that but..but..it's like u r given the topic and you have sooo much to say...but don't know where to start...yes..i'm kinda stuck...but as someone long ago said...just start somewhere don't worry about going in the order of intro-body-conclusion...just start...so i'll just do that...but that gets confusing unless u can see thru my head ;) well i'll give it a try.....so that'll be comin up soon ;)

so...have a Happy Day...Tuesday or Moolam Naal ;)

Luv,
Renjina
--------------------------------------------------------

Ente Onam Blog - 7


Innu Pooradam :)

Pooradam ennu kelkkumbo orma varuka Yodha movieyile dialogue aanu....Athil Madhubalayude peru Aswathi. So when the 'rimpoche'? athalle aa kuttide peru? aavo :) so anyway...mohanlal rimpocheyodu Aswathiye kaanichu kodukkumbo he says "aa chothi?" and mohanlal says....aa chothi alla...pooradam...karim pooraadam :)

ormayundo ee mukham..i mean aa dialogue...orma undaavanam ;) dialogue allaaa....Onam :) because tomorrow is UTHRADAM :) OH MY!!!! can't believe it's almost here......

So I found out why we used to finish all the cleaning by Uthradam day...because on Thiruvonam....Onathappan...or our own Maveli/Mahabali comes to visit us (his prajakal) :) So choolum kondu aare enkilum varavelkkumo? illaaaa :) so that's why we all dress up and have the sadya ready and be at our 'best' and try to do the 'kaanam vittum onam unnanam' part :)

But u know what I think...may be this might have crossed ur mind at some point....if not..it should...well i'm sure u have at some point in ur life :)....at least all of u must have heard.......Maaveli naadu vaaneedum kaalam...maanushar ellaarum ONNU pole.....

So this whole Onam must stand for "Samathwam"? Did I get the word right? Enikku reply ayacha Teachere....pls correct me if i got it wrong :)

Innathe kaalathu evideya samathwa chintha? I mean even here...just in the DC-Metro region...we got 3 'secular' associations.....many many religious groups.....and even worse....different associations/groups based on castes and denominations!

Let us just hope that there isn't one in the making....because we only got a few of us here.....considering the number of other Indians (non-mallus)....AND WE HAVE STAY TOGETHER! Where's UR mallu-pride???

ok...so we won't make a new association....but ee ullathokke enthu cheyyum? can't even get everyone to do the one and only MALAYALI festival ONAM together......so i guess forget about dissolving them lle? :)

Hey....I'm a pisces and my aliyan's aliyan once told me that Pisceans are very optimistic :) so on that note....

We can use these organizations for the upbringing of our own little princes and princesses....It'll be the perfect platform to showcase the talents....young and old alike! After all...we got loooooooooooots of talents...some that are still too shy to come forth....

There was a time when...few groups of kids/adults did programs for all these associations holding Onam & Christmas celebrations !!

And I used to be a part of it....not to have a label on myself to be called this or that........but for the love of music & dance and i'm sure the majority who participated did it for the same reason...

And...that's how I've celebrated Onam in US..mainly via these association programs....Juneil school adachaal pinne weekends ellaam...were booked for some practice...Those were really fun days....paattu thappi eduthu athinu steps oppichu...athu kalikkaan vere kidsine thappi eduthu.......or easier when we just had to go and learn the steps and be ready for the program......it was all fun and it's with great pride that I say this....that there were true friends found and have lasted (to this day)! Learning Malayalam and a little bit of our ever-so-rich culture.

And I thank those who encouraged us....from the bottom of my heart!! And definitely thanks also go to those who pointed out the errs...gave suggestions...and criticism.

Without feedback/suggestions & positive criticism..I don't think performers can achieve higher dimensions....

But...there have been times when I told myself after hearing a comment...I'm never picking up a mic in public....to sing or be the MC....or I'm never going to dance in public ever again......That's how hard the criticisms went........

But when I think of it now....I shouldn't have done it when I wasn't completely confident of it or hadn't practiced enough! Who's to blame...but myself?

When we go to school...and when we have a final test....we won't score unless we get it right. Why would performing be any different? Practice makes perfect and if I couldn't find enough time to practice....I shouldn't have participated until I had the time....So giving an excuse (even valid ones) serve no purpose after the performance.....

I remember last onam...I just love music and dance and even at the slightest opportunity...my heart jumps in......

There were instances were looooots of practice went in....like the 'thiruvathiras' for every onam....a "music live" we did for kagw's spring festival once....onam 2004 with kcs where we did a dance medley for the first time......and sooo many or a few.....here and there with a song or a dance......I was confident...and I think the audience liked the outcomes.......and my satisfaction at the end of the program/performance....can't really describe it in words....

I would definitely have my Chachu and Chikku exposed to music and dance....so they will have an interest in it.....but sometimes...interest alone is not enough....time, dedication and hardwork has to follow the interest before they can go on stage.....I really wouldn't want anyone saying "great job" when it is done 'below average'.

There used to be a saying among us 'kids' when we did something....no matter what you do.....everyone will give you 'high-fives"....and it shouldn't be that way....

Just like a homework is checked by the parents before it's submitted to the teacher next day....I think it will be upto me to make sure the 'great job' comment they could get is for real!

ayyooo Chikku is waking up....so Good Night & Happy Pooradam :)

his eyes r wide open............bye now
--------------------------------------------------------

Ente Onam Blog - 8


Oru adi pratheekshichaa innu irunnee....and kept myself on the low all day today...and to my surprise...adi poyittu oru one liner reply polum kandillaa :) samaaadhaanam! aaano..hmm...actually allaa tto :) ithoru one-man show aayi maariya pinne entha rasam......rasam poyitttu athile puli polum undaavilla :)

so tomorrow is the big day!!!! :) Uthraaadam......

Innu ajunte amma paranju..."oh enthonnu Onam" ennu paranjirikkunnavar polum Uthraadam aavumbo oru 'parakkam paachil' aanu :) the final push...and everyone runs around like crazy trying to get things for thiruvonam....in the last hr :)

ente joleelu there's a big project going on....something that we can implement anywhere! home or work or car ;)...it's called the 5S project and some actually call it the 6S....and for those who haven't heard about it....5S stands for...

Japanese: English
Seiri: Sorting
Seiton: Straighten or Set in Order
Seiso: Sweeping or Shine (as they called it at my work)
Seiketsu: Standardizing
Shitsuke: Sustaining
and the sixth one.....Safety

for anyone who wants to explore it in detail...pls go to wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5S_(methodology) :)

now what does that have to do with Onam???? well....njaan paranjille...Uthraadam aavumbozhaaa last cleaning and ellaaam oru orderil aakkane...so it might help to go with a proven methodology at hand to practice with ;) and remember 'practice makes perfect' ;)

but but but...it's the law of nature to let things go to 'disorder'....no physics was never my favorite...actually not true...i enjoyed it the 2nd time i took physics 1 ....along with physics 2 for the first time....in college :)....and i remember my terms...may be because it overlaps with chemistry......yes...i'm getting to the word....."ENTROPY" :) so kids...well if there are any kids reading this at all....i really doubt any kids would venture out reading manglish...hey if there is one...i'll be sooooooooooo happy :) there's nothing like passing down ur 'wisdom' to the youngins ;) yeah haven't gotten even a wisdom tooth to say i got any kinda 'wisdom' but i believe i qualify in some senses :)

so what i'm saying is....even if you don't make a pookkalam or make the whole 18 or 16 or however many sets of curry and the many number of paayasams.....get together with your family.....at least for dinner! in the evening...we all go to bed at home...so why not get home an hour earlier so you take the effort to spend the time at the table with everyone....and talk about something....hey if u got nothing....talk about the blog!!! what u like or don't like...see i am even giving u ideas to what to talk about for the get together...for anyone who needs an icebreaker.....

most of us are 'videshis' here....yet we take the effort and embrace thanksgiving which is truly a 'onam' kinda thing...we spend hours buying and cooking for the 'thanksgiving dinner'.....and i love it that we got one more reason to be together with our kith and kin....but do we need to forget our Onam? i don't want to.....do u? i hope not :)

with that said...i think i've taken too much time out of ur morning....hey but don't forget...if it rains...pls run through it :) lol but don't get sick!!!! u got 3 onasadyas by 3 associations for the two days of the weekend! :)

so......do ur last min shopping for groceries.....and 'onakodis' ;)

getting busier....
Renjina
--------------------------------------------------------

Ente Onam Blog - 9


Today is the BIG day............Thiruvonam!

Wishing everyone and anyone who takes a glance at this....A VERY HAPPY & OVER-JOYOUS ONAM!

Onam varunneee ennu orakke paranju nadanna njaan athingethiyappo...entha parayaa...

Ellaarem pole njaanum paaanju...."thiruvona paachil" enno matto oru term ille...i think that was what it was and i wasn't exactly done...with what?....shopping!

Joleennu correct samayathu thanne irangi ulla kadayokke keri irangi kore pachakkarikal medichu....and on the way....oh there comes the rose-man at the traffic light....hey can I get couple of bunches???? but I've to cash...can you pls pls take a check...so kooduthal kathakaliyum mattum cheyyaathe i got my point across and wrote him a check for the flowers and took it home....frozen muringakka "drumsticks"-inu ithra valiya demand undennu njaan innale arinju :) well i was honestly happy that it ran out...that mean someone took it...hopefully to make Ona Sadya ;) so finally i got the last pack at the 2nd store and took that home......all after a two hours shopping in 4 different stores

but ellaaam medichu veeettil vannappo....there goes my heart....eh? poyo? evide? it sank once again to the bottom................... ;( instead of feeling all the rush and happiness for today...i was just .......'simply sad eh' :) but why??????? i missed my Amma :( Yes amma....we do miss you....

so....what do i do??? i had to get myself out of that mode.....i talked to manjechi...called india as soon as I could....and to my surprise....ppl were still sleeping at 6! on Thiruvonam day :) hehe

And I was up and runnin again.....thank God for chlorox wipes and swivel sweeper ;) made very good use of it until the last min past 12 midnight.....

And you know what I realized while cleaning....yes..it's another brainless activity i enjoy like 'paathram kazhukal' :)

Everything I know about Onam goes back to my previous life - before marriage...when I considered myself as a 'kid'. And to my surprise...it's what most of us think of...."oh it was too good...." "gone are those days...." hey but we got the memory to go back to...enjoy....and even re-live if we really try!

So what about our kids???? Who is giving them these memories...so they could once look back at it and say..."Onam varunne.....onam varunne......." and do all the crazy runnin trying to do Onam on a weekday where they would have to go to work or school......and still make the best of it???

YOU! ME! and any one of us...I think we should live it make it a memorable day for our kids because to us Malayalees....Onam should be no different.....actually it should have a higher place.....than Thanksgiving in their/our heart!

So....with that being said....I'm sorry for those who have to work today or go to school today....but as I said in an earlier blog....get home an hr or 2 early (hey it's friday so it should be a little easier to get out of work ;) ) and try to make it a special day.......and if you really can't because of the heavy schedule.....do it this weekend!

Happy Onam!

Sasneham,
Renjina
--------------------------------------------------------

Ente Onam Blog - 10


Innu Kanni maasam onnaam theeyathi.....

That means nammade new malayalam year thudangeettu oru maasam kazhinju...Onam vannu...poyi...

"Njaan oru Onam kooduthal undathaane" ennu paranju kettittille?....so there you go....

2008 Onam kazhinjathode I'm a bit more wiser....'supposedly' :)

But, I'm modest ;) so I know that I have faults in me and I am not always right and that there is someone out there who thinks differently and may step up and correct me.....or if I am right..step up with me :) either way.....

Why am I 'wiser' after having an "onasadya" or 4...too many in a span of 2 weeks?

For the first time, I was part of the audience! ....I took part in preparing onasadya for my family! ......I celebrated and enjoyed the onasadya with my family and friends......and it gave me a chance to 'see' things the way they are and sometimes….the way things were portrayed even if it wasn't what it really was....okay..time to slow down...what am I talking about? :)

Confuuuuusion....here comes a side note ;) Mohanlal just propped up in my memory...w/ his dialogue in the middle of a song in the movie "Gaandharvam"....athenthaannu enikkum ariyullaa....it's when he's at the party for a women's club with jagathy....'supposedly' singing about women :) no that doesn't have anything to do with what I'm thinking or talking about...but it just came out....my mind is wandering...may be because I'm not sure whether what I say makes any sense...U tell me...deal?

should i call it quits.....or continue.......?

--------------------------------------------------------