Horse Ride..

We had a day out at Zoo..with animals (Vihaan's best friends!!!) last Sunday. Vihaan completely enjoyed his moments playing ..n looking at all the animals. He couldn't stop explaining how wonderful those animals were...especially the huge Jumbo...n large horse.

During the lunch break..he informed us about his desire to take ride on Jumbo and Horse...but was little scared. After much cajoling… he agreed for a ride little later.

He took the ride..enjoying himself fully...n giving us moments of laughter..we laughed n laughed..the moment he said...mummy dekho mein horse ride kar raha hoon..

Inside the lift..!!!

We had to be at UK consulate at 10.30am on 3rd Sept for UK Visa stamping, target was to leave home by 9.30am….too early for us!!!

We somehow managed to get ready by 9.30 and were finally out by 9.35am with Vihaan leading the troop. He called for elevator and was inside it before we could get in...!! (Our floor doesn't have a display window, so we had no idea on the lift movement)I cud only scream..Vihaan wait..but the lift was already moving. Anish asked me to go down to the ground floor n inform him about the lift movement.

Lift was on 32nd floor..I informed Anish n he rushed up..only to find "no lift", it was back to 8th floor n still no sign of Vihaan. Anish asked me to inform concierge desk to stop the lift. By this time my panic grew…realizing the fact that lift may not stop as Vihaan loves playing with lift buttons. Finally….the .lift stopped at 6th floor and Anish found Vihaan coming out with a tall man...who was wondering about his parent's whereabouts..)))!!!! After thanking the tall man...Vihaan n Anish came down....one look at both of them...and a sigh of relief!!!

We managed to reach the consulate by 10.45am..thanks to rush following the long weekend….we had a wait time of 40 mins.

Month gone by.....!!

OMG!..it has been a month since I opened my blog page...time just flew.!!!!!

Its been a very beautiful n warm summer in Toronto and Vihaan n I spent almost 8 hrs daily enjoying outdoor fun. Hopping from one place to another...swimming classes to summer school (for Vihaan..:))...grocery shopping to weekend trips..can't get over it....YET!! Visited Hindu temple on Janmasthmi and relished mouth watering langar at Gurudwara the next weekend.!! Needless to mention..picnics on the shores of Lake Ontario with friends...were tiring..:)) Extended weekend visit to Quebec city - close look at beautiful architect of French colonies and beautiful vistas will be unforgettable.

Now I know how time flew..:))) Will update new posts soon...with lot of pictures..:))
Today is Teej...n I need to get ready on time for a visit to temple in afternoon. Hectic day again..!! I'm loving it..!!!

Rainforest Cafe

Once parent, your preferences normally revolves around kids desires. One such preference my little son has is - mommy lets go to jungle..!!! n that’s Rainforest cafe!!

As we hit the Yorkdale Mall on Saturday, Vihaan went on saying...lets go jungle..I want to see a crocodile n put a penny in his mouth...fast fast.!!!

Once inside, I knew we won't be able to come out before an hour. That’s the time Vihaan normally takes to speak with all his pals...elephant, crocodile.:)) After 15 mins, he wanted chocolate milk...instead I offered him yogurt smoothie, which he refused to take. My husband stepped in and said I'll look after Vihaan and why don't you carry on with your shopping (he was least interested in shopping..:))!!! Anish and Vihaan had lunch at Rainforest...with Vihaan's friends..closeby..:)) n I completely enjoyed my shopping for 2 hrs (when u can spend $$$ without any interference..:))..Needless to say.!!

Vihaan was very happy to see me back...and Anish was amazed to see me with many bags!! I got some good deals, so bought gifts for my sisters. Gifts..again!!.. was all he said n ready to move out of the mall. Lunch at Rainforest cafe turned out to be quite expensive..!!!:))

Orkut Mania

It started in early 2006, a college friend of mine called up and mentioned about Orkut. She informed about coming across friends…many of whom are married, have kids n catching up with all after years. After 15 mins of conversation with her…I wanted to get on to Orkut immediately…to get connected with my old friends.
Somehow managed an invitation (yes it was on invitation basis!!!) to create a profile and spent endless hours searching for friends. I could find friends, I connected with almost after a decade, it was indeed very overwhelming to know about the lives of friends with whom I had spent a considerable time.

Endless hours on Orkut.....my husband couldn’t understand…but for me it was worth spending all those “endless hours”..!!! as was to be able to connect with friends, whose whereabouts I wouldn’t know otherwise. And the mania..... has eased off now ..:))!!!

Reality Shows - demolishing confidence..!!!

While in India between Feb - April (2008), most of my time was spent in front of the TV so I had time to be myself.

Reality shows are the most popular shows on TV !!

I watched reality dance show...where millions of kids contesting with each other over months to reach the "number one" spot. Another musical show and parents trying hard to ensure their kids get a break and just dedicate themselves to music, when they should actually be enjoying multiple treasures of childhood!!

Forgetting schools, family, friends..5-15 year old were spending time to practice, to perform in front of the A-class celebs in anticipation of a life time break that could fetch them millions !!

Expect this from a 10 yr old...!!!!! No way...does anyone realize the pressure these kids go through???!!!! In the process...they face harsh criticism from panel of judges...which often destroys their "yet to be built" confidence.

Recent incident of Shinjini (participant in a reality dance show), where she misses some movements and was harshly criticized by the judges.....what happens to this child...is a known incident in TV media industry.

Authorities/ media groups need to step in...to ensure these kids are dealt with diligently, in the most sensitive manner. Kids need counseling NOT criticism.

1st Day at School...!!!

I had to reach Vihaan's school at Finch Ave by 9.30am...which means leave home by 9.10am. Clock strikes 8.30...yet to have shower..Vihaan still in bed...breakfast not ready..yet!!!!! Monday morning can't be more chaotic than this..!!!

Managed to reach school by 9.45am...wondering n thinking...1st day at school...n we are not on time..!! I certainly want my little one to be on time...but how?? I'm determined to be at school on time...no matter how difficult it gets. Discipline must be imbibed at every juncture..!!

It was a class of 10 students and Vihaan was OK to stay without mommy. He was very excited...rather..hyperexcited and beyond anyone's control. He was enjoying being on his own..grabbing toys..pushing someone to get a first hold on the swing at park...pushing teacher as she attempted to calm him down. All in vein!!! He didn't want to be under control and was not ready to take any instructions.

I was observing his activities from far end of the class...speechless..!!!

As I picked him up...his teacher came up to me and said he needs to calm down, and I'm afraid he might hurt himself while running all over. I was speechless..yet again.
We moved out of the school and Vihaan said - yeh mummy mummy bula raha tha (Mom - I was calling out for you after you dropped me) and was very excited to narrate his experience. Over lunch, I narrated my side of experience to my husband, he felt Vihaan was completely normal as any other child his age. He is exploring new environment....with new people..and may take sometime before he is ready to follow instructions from teacher. Be rational ...in ur expectations from a child...I learnt/realized at the end of our discussion...and felt at ease !!!

Globe Trotting…an experience and a realization..!!

It all started way back in 2004, my husband was traveling on work to Europe (Brussels, to be precise). He wanted me to travel along, but my job did not allow me long vacation break. My husband continued and found it difficult to manage alone. We mutually decided/agreed that I take a break from work to join him in Brussels.

On a vacation to Europe - I was completely excited..!!

I visited France, Netherlands, Germany, and I just loved the country side villages. Ride up to Eiffel Tower, glance at The famous Monalisa portrait (Da vicni fame), cruising on Amsterdam water channels, view of Rotterdam harbors are some of the amazing memories that will last life long.

My husband and I were back to India in 2005 to discover the happiest moment of life...we were going to be parents soon...!!! Vihaan (my son) arrived on 23rd Oct, 2005.

In Feb 2006, we arrived in California, US. I was excited to be visiting a new place after a long stay at home of 4 months. Bay area was amazing..bustling with summer festivities..full of greenery...surrounded by breathtaking mountains. I always looked forward to weekends..spend relaxing time with husband..or mostly out visiting new places. Trip to SFO, Lake Tahoe, Monterey (17 miles drive...the most romantic drive across the pacific shore), las Vegas, New York, Yellow Stone national park, Arches national park, Bryce and Zion national park in Utah were some of the memorable trips. Time flew...n we celebrated Vihaan's 2nd B'day with 60+ friends in Denver.

We came to Toronto, Canada in April 2008. Again excited to explore a new place/country was overwhelming. I was very happy to be close to my husband's office in downtown Toronto which was bustling with activities every corner of the street. Vihaan and I would hit the huge Toronto public library every morning and spend hours digging through the books..chatting with friends..as Vihaan played with other toddlers.Weekends are busy busy...exploring Toronto n nearby areas. But now I've started to feel a void in my busy life...urge to get back to work..make something productive out of life...do something beyond the daily household chores...n not restrict my life to familyhood.

Discussing/sharing my thoughts with my husband puts me at complete ease..as he is always supportive of my thoughts. As suggested by him, I took up a language course to enrich the list of languages spoken by me (yah..I can speak Hindi, English, Punjabi, Oriya, Bengali, Kannada fluently ..n German (not fluent though). Learning a language…an experience in itself..!!

Learning in all aspect of life in all form will always continue...yet I realize that the delight n enjoyment of Globe trotting...doesn't move away the urge to do something "beyond normal" in life...it lingers on...n life moves on...to face each day as it comes..!!