Some updates, thoughts & beliefs

The charms of a mom are finally being overcome. Yes, Mira has started liking her school and goes without saying that both of us are extremely happy about it. Graduating from just having a mom and nanny for company, the school has suddenly exposed her to a whole new world of friends, teachers and toys.

Staring through the glass window at her, I am always overcome with a sense of pride. My little girl whose views about the world were just limited to what her mom told her about is now shaping into her own person each day – struggling to meet new challenges and learn new experiences unaware of her mom’s loving eyes watching over her.

Hearing about my exaggerated emotions, Papa always jokes around saying that if a playschool can manage a lump in my throat, wonder what the grad school will do. I completely agree with him – I have absolutely no clue.

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The first couple of weeks when I was accompanying Mira to the playschool everyday, I’ve to admit to my falling for the profession of a kindergarten teacher. It is noble. It is fulfilling. It is fun. And I think it is highly suitable for someone like me who mostly believes that her arrival in this world was programmed to don several roles, with that of a mom being the most important one. While I was busy imagining myself having interesting conversations with an army of kids, the damn ego kicked in - reminded me that if I haven’t worked on communication that might completely elude consumers but does manage to win a couple of awards every once in a while, the ROI on my MBA hasn’t been availed of.

And so, here I am devising plans to crack strategies, write programs and bribe judges. But, probably some years down the line when the heart has completely overtaken the brain – it will be nice to head towards a noisy kindergarten, to pacify wailing toddlers as their poor moms embark on a guilt trip.

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My home lately has become a laboratory for political experiments. Remember, there was a talk sometime back about how toddlers easily latch on to the word “Obama” and not “Clinton” for whatever reason – simplicity, appeal, magic etc. Papa being a huge Obama fan immediately put the theory into action. A few days’ instructions and the results were apparent. Whenever the man appeared on the screen, both Papa’s and Mira’s eyes lit up – former with appreciation and the latter with recognition. While Papa struggled with his new policy on change, Mira ran across the entire room shouting – “Obama bama bama”. And at times, it was preceded by the ubiquitous loving punju title– “Oye Obama, Oye Obama, bama, bama, bama”.

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Animation movies seem to have a profound effect on me these days. Ratatouille was the first thing on the planet that made me believe that I had all the capabilities of being a great cook. I had just about managed to crack Moong daal and a couple of other tough recipes, when Kungfu Panda hit the theaters. According to Panda, everything in this world is possible provided you believe in it. I’ve lately started believing that I can have a rocking full-fledged career while also being able to attend to Mira, every-time she smiles or cries. I know it is a bit difficult given that humans still haven’t invented the technique of being present at two different places simultaneously, but what the heck, Panda says believe in yourself and I’m just going to do that!

Trailers show that Wall-e is the next upcoming one – any idea what that would be about?

News at our end

Mira is a well-behaved child. And so, did I think until she unleashed herself in Toys R Us, Bangkok’s biggest toy shop which we went to over the weekend. It was maddening, it was crazy and it was just not Mira! She behaved like a whirlwind, dashing from one toy section to the other. Pushing the walker one minute and banging the xylophone the other. She didn’t care whether I was around or not – she just kept running wildly as toys called out to her from different rows of the shop. We frantically looked out to buy something for her but unfortunately, nothing really worked out. She wanted toys which were way above her age – 3+, 4+, 5+ while Papa and I just couldn’t find something she liked. And so, we took the plunge – I forcibly picked up Mira in my arms and we sprinted towards the exit. I kept showing her toys on the way hoping that we might manage to find something good and compatible while Mira kept howling and punching me in the chest.

And finally, we found something – something that three of us liked.

We paid at the counter and hurriedly left the shop – my cheeks still red with embarrassment, Papa shaking his head in disbelief and Mira smiling ear to ear with a lovely Barney in her hands.

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Papa has always accused me of being a spoil sport. He travels to various exotic places on account of work and despite repeated encouragements, I’ve never really accompanied him to any. But this time, I made an exception to the rule. I said yes and as a result, all 3 of us are leaving for a full 11 day trip tonight. Place? Hmmmm….let me keep it a secret this time…….but I promise to fill you in with details once I’m back – to unload a camera full of photos and a mind full of anecdotes. Will catch you guys soon! See ya…