I have had an extremely worse office schedule because of a poorly performing team and as a result - a completely dissatisfied client manager. Had to put in a lot of extra effort and do some ground level work to get things back in shape. So a typical day would start with a morning call at 9.30 and return time is not assured – varies anytime between 8 and 10.30 PM. I was roaming around like a zombie with no time for anything at all. Still things are not completely alright, but atleast kind of under control. To top it all, I had certain differences of opinion with the management. After a number of escalations and meetings, I have been promised that all my issues will be taken care of in March 2012. If not, then maybe I don’t have a choice other than to move to a different company. But the problem is no other company can offer the work environment and flexibility this one offers. At the same time I know that I can’t have the cake and eat it too. Let me see. Amongst all these, my only solace was the good time that I spent with Chittu. She surprises me everyday with something new and the time I play or cuddle with her or put her to sleep or take her out for a small walk or ride or talk to her, all my problems take a back seat and I get myself drowned into those enjoyable moments not thinking about anything else.
Ooru vittu ooru vandhu
First things first – We have shifted from our own house in the heart of the city to the rental house in suburbs on August 28th 2011. We decided not to have packers & movers, so I & S started packing 2-3 weeks before. But with Chittu around, even possible is impossible. On 27th evening, the house was still half full. So we decided that we would put Chittu to sleep early at 8 or 8.30 PM and do a night out to finish packing. But the little missy slept only by 10.30 and got up promptly by 1 all crying and we just couldn’t do anything after that. So all of us went to bed and with great difficulty made her sleep by 2. Me & S had to get up at 4 as we had asked the truck to come at 7. They started loading packed boxes as we were still bundling up the remaining. Finally we left at around 9 AM. Chittu was still sleeping and got up in time when we entered the new house. J paati, thatha, S mama were all there and we performed a small pooja and boiled the milk. Settling down with all arranging took almost 2 – 3 months because of various good and not so good happenings in the extended family but now we are all set. The first function that we celebrated in the new house was PiLLayar Chathurthi on 1st September. We had bought a clay Ganesha idol and did a quick and simple pooja as we had to leave for P akka’s viratham function
Bottomline: Packing all by yourself is a difficult job, doing it with an extremely mobile 9 month old makes it real tough
Kannan vandhaan
Gokulashtami was on August 21st – comfortably on a Sunday. It was Chittu’s first Gokulashtami and both me & S were excited for our krishnar. We planned things well on Saturday itself and bought chart paper, golden sheet, peacock feather, friendship band,etc. With the little craft that I know and guidance from S, I made the kreedam with chart paper and stuck the golden sheet on it. Took an old magazine, rotated it to form a thin long cylinder, tied both the corners and stuck goldn sheet on it. Had some old golden coloured danglings which I tied to one corner – and flute was ready. S took one of his brand new angavasthrams and did a trial run of panchakacham on Chittu. On Sunday evening, I prepared the ezhai kolam maavu and put “krishnar kaal” by dipping Chittu’s legs into the dough and imprinted it on the floor. But actually speaking the shape doesn’t come out properly when you do that when compared to the kutti legs that we put manually. However, it was fun, though Chittu was a little scared that we were doing something unpleasant to her. Then S tied the panchakacham, I put her single krishnar kudumi and inserted the peacock feather, put on the necklaces & golden aranaakayaru, friendship bands became vangi on the arms, placed the kreedam and gave her the flute and our cute krishnar was ready!! We took numerous photographs and she posed beautifully, though was a little cranky towards the end as the ornaments started irritating her. All 3 of our dinner was delayed that day, but she adjusted very well and didn’t make a big fuss.
Kalyanamaam kalyanam
P akka’s wedding on 2nd September was a grand occasion. For Chittu, I had bought a bluish green silk cotton pattu pavadai which she wore for the muhurtham and a cute mini skirt and blouse with floral prints which she wore for the maapiLLai azhaippu. Her hair had grown longer and we started adopting the rettai kudumi rengudu style. We stayed at U athai’s house which was closer to the marriage hall and made umpteen shuttles to & fro– not to forget all the decking up & the sumptuous food 3 times a day. A anna had come and exclaimed “She looks the same as I saw her 4 months back”. H akka mentioned “Looks like all the dresses that I had bought for her will fit her only after 1 more year” Chittu enjoyed all the pampering and was behaved so well. She ate and slept at the right time and did not give me any trouble at all. She even coped up with all the exchanging done among multiple pairs of hands. The photographer had snapped many photos of Chittu and they have come out very well. She was so attached to PK – the groom that she sat on his lap in the maapiLLai azhaippu car. The next day during reception, she refused to go to P akka to pose for the photo but jumped over to PK with a wide grin. The wedding ceremony got over on the 3rd day afternoon with kaatu saadham and we took rest at U athai’s and came home that evening.
Navarathri
We had kept kolu this time at the new home. We invaded K paati’s room to arrange kolu because we were not sure how Chittu would react to the dolls if they were kept in the hall. This room was an easier option for we can close the door and keep her at bay. But she just loved those dolls. During navarathri time, she learned to clasp her hands whenever we said “Ummachi kaapaathu” and to do the “namaskaram”(actually she kisses the ground J) She also learnt to put thaalam when we sing “SA RI GA MA” Whenever we entered the kolu room, she would promptly clasp her hands and do the namaskaram. The wax fruits and vegetables that we had kep was her favourite and she just loved them. S perimma had bought a pant – shirt for her, J paati got her a couple of denim frocks and T paati also got her a new frock.
Deepavali thala Deepavalai
It was Chittu’s thalai deepavali this time – 26th October. She got up at around 8.30 AM and had her mangaLa ganga snanam with “Gowri kalyana vaibogame”. S mama came in and we had a lengthy photo session. I had bought her a pair of pedal pushers and cuddle neck full hand t-shirt. She was a red beauty that day. She didn’t get scared with the crackers sound but somehow she didn’t like them much when we gave a sparklers to her. During Diwali time, she could stand without any support when we make her to. T paati got her a new frock and J paati also got her a pinafore. Morning was spent in our home and evening at J paati’s home. The day ended with crackers bursting which Chittu just watched without any expression on her face.
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