Hola...
Hope everyone is blending in well with the changing weather, situations, upcoming festive season or if not anything the upcoming winter season. It's just another week before Bengali's start celebrating their greatest festival of the year 'Durga Puja'. While living outside home and place our minds and hearts constantly oscillate between both the places.
This morning after my S left for school i was chatting with a friend of mine. She is a close confidante of me and over the years she can almost sense what is going on in my mind. We started with exchange of pleasantries and the weather to festival and importance of celebration. After our discussion a lot of questions started to bang my head. How am i doing in teaching my children our traditions and cultures? Are they getting a fair idea about their customs? Will they be able to identify themselves with the people of their roots? Will the binary surroundings leave them confused? What will they finally accept? These questions left me dumfounded for quite a few minutes until i stopped them from owning my mind.
According to me the first step is to talk to them in their first language. It is very, very important to teach them their native language because its their first identity. Language plays a very imperative role in building minds and identifying themselves. While it is also essential to know the local language for better adaptability, yet it is equally important to speak the native language at home. I believe you can express your true emotions only in your language. I may be completely wrong though. Many people have friends or spouses who do not speak the same language yet they bond over lifetime, but somewhere i feel its critical for the children to learn their first language first.
These days with the rapid changing scenario people back in my place are ignoring to teach their children their native language and teaching them to be global. While i am certainly not against it but what i fear is that down the lane the kids do not forget their roots. I have always been vocal about teaching my children my native language and faced criticism too. My S struggled in his initial school days but children i feel are are super absorbers. They grasp the situations pretty rapidly. While its a mix of two languages currently at home, yet i feel privileged to be talking in my first language. At least when i lose my judiciousness and i indulge in jargons (occasionally though) my S can figure out and help me with a glass of water. Hope he can read my mind in the near future too.
On a happy note i made cauliflower rice with a boiled egg for my S and snack box had fruits and smoothie. Catch you all tomorrow with some more rants...Till then enjoy....
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
Tiffin Tales 27
Hola...
Hope you all have started to a great week. To those who are celebrating 'Navratri' enjoy all the nine days of devotion, food and festivities. These nine days nine forms of the Goddess Durga will be worshipped. Many people will be observing fasts and having special food in place of regular food. The main emphasis will be on fruits and dairy products.
Bengali's do not observe fasts for nine days but the last four days known as 'Saptami, 'Ashtami', 'Navami' and 'Dashami' are of paramount importance. While it comes to eating Bengali's differ. Most people have vegetarian food on those three days while the larger section likes to devour non vegetarian items made specially on these days. On the day of Asthami Bengali's unite to have special 'Bhog' offered to the Goddess and relished by all. The Bhog is so special to Bengali's that all throughout the year no other day of the year the same Bhog tastes the same. Yes, i know all the Bengali's will unite on this thought.
We all have our different ways to praying and celebrating but what amounts most is our devotion and perhaps more than devotion is our acts and thoughts. Years back growing our parents would try to explain these things and lay stress on good deeds and actions. They never asked us to follow anything religiously but let us follow if our hearts wanted to do so. Now being a parent i also want to be a free thinking parent but somewhere my heart wants my children to learn and imbibe those things among themselves. I will never enforce or institute anything but anything that belongs to my roots and followed by my children will be my victory.
The above lines may seem philosophical, illogical, emotional or skeptical but holding on to ones's traditions and values can be a daunting task while living out of your place. There are distractions all around but inner voice should be the ultimate guide. These lines are an allegory to my morning conversation with my S. Tomorrow i shall discuss in details about our chit-o-chat. Please bear with me. Today's lunch box was beetroot rice and an omlette and the snack box had peaches and strawberries.This week yoghurt has been replaced by smoothie and shall continue this week. Take care friends....
Hope you all have started to a great week. To those who are celebrating 'Navratri' enjoy all the nine days of devotion, food and festivities. These nine days nine forms of the Goddess Durga will be worshipped. Many people will be observing fasts and having special food in place of regular food. The main emphasis will be on fruits and dairy products.
Bengali's do not observe fasts for nine days but the last four days known as 'Saptami, 'Ashtami', 'Navami' and 'Dashami' are of paramount importance. While it comes to eating Bengali's differ. Most people have vegetarian food on those three days while the larger section likes to devour non vegetarian items made specially on these days. On the day of Asthami Bengali's unite to have special 'Bhog' offered to the Goddess and relished by all. The Bhog is so special to Bengali's that all throughout the year no other day of the year the same Bhog tastes the same. Yes, i know all the Bengali's will unite on this thought.
We all have our different ways to praying and celebrating but what amounts most is our devotion and perhaps more than devotion is our acts and thoughts. Years back growing our parents would try to explain these things and lay stress on good deeds and actions. They never asked us to follow anything religiously but let us follow if our hearts wanted to do so. Now being a parent i also want to be a free thinking parent but somewhere my heart wants my children to learn and imbibe those things among themselves. I will never enforce or institute anything but anything that belongs to my roots and followed by my children will be my victory.
The above lines may seem philosophical, illogical, emotional or skeptical but holding on to ones's traditions and values can be a daunting task while living out of your place. There are distractions all around but inner voice should be the ultimate guide. These lines are an allegory to my morning conversation with my S. Tomorrow i shall discuss in details about our chit-o-chat. Please bear with me. Today's lunch box was beetroot rice and an omlette and the snack box had peaches and strawberries.This week yoghurt has been replaced by smoothie and shall continue this week. Take care friends....
Monday, October 8, 2018
Tiffin Tales 26
Hola...
'Subho Mahalaya', yes thats how on this day Bengalis all over the world greet and wish each other. Our belief that Goddess Durga had descended on earth and will be celebrated and worshipped all across in her various forms or 'avatars'.
Since it's my children's childhood now, i walk an extra mile to coach and develop their thought process towards our cultures and traditions. My belief is that even if we are not deeply religious but we should have fair idea about our roots and institution. Growing up we used we wake at 4 am and somehow waking up so early never seemed to be an effort. The excitement was so much that most of us would look forward to that very day. I have always been a morning person but the ones who weren't (cousin's) would comply with that exceptional day.
This morning was a bit different. The weekend was dampened with all most all of coughing and i had a brake fail runny nose. No amount chicken soup or warm lemon water was able to keep a tab on my runny nose. Goodness, it was terrible. Today even though the number of tissues are certainly less yet i have a sore throat and almost a baritone voice. Of course everything has its own influence. I hadn't had the need to request anything twice to my children because of my gravity of voice. The schools were closed today and we had a lazy day today at home.
My S is always fond of home made cookies and cakes. The morning started with 'chandi path'by the legendary Birendra Krishna Bhadra. Mahalaya is incomplete without him and we still get goosebumps listening to him. I tried my best to explain in nutshell to my S the significance though i am not sure how much he could fathom. In the evening he requested me to bake something and i oblidged. I baked him some orange flavored muffin and now my kitchen smells heavenly. We grated some orange peels because we never use orange flavor. Fresh orange zest always adds special kick to the aroma to the cake/muffin. My S was impeccably happy and what else could i ask for.
Have a wonderful time and catch you all tomorrow. Love!!!
'Subho Mahalaya', yes thats how on this day Bengalis all over the world greet and wish each other. Our belief that Goddess Durga had descended on earth and will be celebrated and worshipped all across in her various forms or 'avatars'.
Since it's my children's childhood now, i walk an extra mile to coach and develop their thought process towards our cultures and traditions. My belief is that even if we are not deeply religious but we should have fair idea about our roots and institution. Growing up we used we wake at 4 am and somehow waking up so early never seemed to be an effort. The excitement was so much that most of us would look forward to that very day. I have always been a morning person but the ones who weren't (cousin's) would comply with that exceptional day.
This morning was a bit different. The weekend was dampened with all most all of coughing and i had a brake fail runny nose. No amount chicken soup or warm lemon water was able to keep a tab on my runny nose. Goodness, it was terrible. Today even though the number of tissues are certainly less yet i have a sore throat and almost a baritone voice. Of course everything has its own influence. I hadn't had the need to request anything twice to my children because of my gravity of voice. The schools were closed today and we had a lazy day today at home.
My S is always fond of home made cookies and cakes. The morning started with 'chandi path'by the legendary Birendra Krishna Bhadra. Mahalaya is incomplete without him and we still get goosebumps listening to him. I tried my best to explain in nutshell to my S the significance though i am not sure how much he could fathom. In the evening he requested me to bake something and i oblidged. I baked him some orange flavored muffin and now my kitchen smells heavenly. We grated some orange peels because we never use orange flavor. Fresh orange zest always adds special kick to the aroma to the cake/muffin. My S was impeccably happy and what else could i ask for.
Have a wonderful time and catch you all tomorrow. Love!!!
Friday, October 5, 2018
Tiffin Tales 25
Hola...
It's Friday once again and it's raining here. It's an dark, dull and cloudy day and all i can think of is hot 'samosas' or 'pakoras'. Well, yes, i can only think of those goodies.
My house cleaning is in full swing and waiting for the Goddess to descend on earth. I am not sure if she will personally visit my abode or not but all i can do or try is to create a refreshing environment for her.
Mahalaya has many tales. It's said Lord Rama worshipped Goddess Durga before embarking on his final battle to win over Ravana. Lord Rama worshipped the Goddess in autumn and used 108 lotus flowers to please the Goddess. The Hindu Bengali's worship the Goddess on this time of the year. Of course Durga Puja is celebrated twice a year but the celebration in autumn is more popular. Mahalaya marks the end of 'Pitri Pakkha' and 'Devi Pakkha' starts. On the day of Mahalya people offer prayers for the departed souls of the family known as 'tarpan'. People do 'tarpan' at the crack of dawn on the riversides. As Lord Rama worshipped Goddess Durga before the battle this signifies the awakening of the goddess on the day of Mahalaya. Many people start shopping after Mahalaya.
Well, no extensive shopping for me but i try to follow a few rituals around this time. I don't know if the Goddess is watching me or not but my children are doubtlessly watching me and making tiny imprints on their minds. Somewhere the mother in me wants them to learn and know if not follow.
As it's been raining since last night i woke up a few minutes late and decided 'not' to make any lunch for S. Since he loves cheese pizza i thought of letting him have it for lunch and packed his snack box instead. His snack box had fruits, cheese and a small fruit bar. Hope he likes it.
Have a good weekend friends. Enjoy the weather, situations and surroundings for they rush very soon...Cheers too that!
It's Friday once again and it's raining here. It's an dark, dull and cloudy day and all i can think of is hot 'samosas' or 'pakoras'. Well, yes, i can only think of those goodies.
My house cleaning is in full swing and waiting for the Goddess to descend on earth. I am not sure if she will personally visit my abode or not but all i can do or try is to create a refreshing environment for her.
Mahalaya has many tales. It's said Lord Rama worshipped Goddess Durga before embarking on his final battle to win over Ravana. Lord Rama worshipped the Goddess in autumn and used 108 lotus flowers to please the Goddess. The Hindu Bengali's worship the Goddess on this time of the year. Of course Durga Puja is celebrated twice a year but the celebration in autumn is more popular. Mahalaya marks the end of 'Pitri Pakkha' and 'Devi Pakkha' starts. On the day of Mahalya people offer prayers for the departed souls of the family known as 'tarpan'. People do 'tarpan' at the crack of dawn on the riversides. As Lord Rama worshipped Goddess Durga before the battle this signifies the awakening of the goddess on the day of Mahalaya. Many people start shopping after Mahalaya.
Well, no extensive shopping for me but i try to follow a few rituals around this time. I don't know if the Goddess is watching me or not but my children are doubtlessly watching me and making tiny imprints on their minds. Somewhere the mother in me wants them to learn and know if not follow.
As it's been raining since last night i woke up a few minutes late and decided 'not' to make any lunch for S. Since he loves cheese pizza i thought of letting him have it for lunch and packed his snack box instead. His snack box had fruits, cheese and a small fruit bar. Hope he likes it.
Have a good weekend friends. Enjoy the weather, situations and surroundings for they rush very soon...Cheers too that!
Thursday, October 4, 2018
Tiffin Tales 24
Hola...
So, how are we all doing? All excited for the weekend? Yes, me too. Yesterday it was a mixed bag of emotions and somehow i did not let those mixed emotions fen me down. My spirits are somewhat spiking high today as i have to do little bit of shopping for my children for the upcoming festive season. This weekend looks somewhat busy with the kids running to different places and me managing maintaining the sanity. Tonight i will try to make small list. Of course the kids dominate the list.
On Monday its 'Mahalaya' and Bengali's all over the globe are waiting for the Goddess to descend on earth. We Bengalis believe that Goddess Durga descended on earth on this day to end the 'ashurs' or demons thus marking end to the battle between the Goddess and "Mahishahur'. This day is basically celebrated how the Goddess was sent by husband Lord Shiva and other Gods with other powers and weapons to fight against the demons. This day also marks the end of 'Pitri Pokkho' and if you are a Bengali you know what i am talking about.
Growing up i used to see my Mother and all the neighboring ladies cleaning their homes before 'Mahalaya'. They used to say we should clean before the Gooddess arrives on earth. The ladies used to clean everything from bed sheets to window curtains and try to sparkle every corner of the house. Many women used to prepare dry sweets to be stored in air tight containers to be offered to the Goddess over the festive season. I can go on and on but the clock is always swift and somewhat accelerated i feel.
On that note i packed a little different lunch box for my S today. He insisted that will have 'rotis/chapatis' since his friends also carry those. Well, i was happy since he wanted a different menu. So today i packedhim 'roti' with potatato and soya beans curry. I am waiting for the verdict though. His snack box was green grapes and pears and a yoghurt. Her's hoping everyone hold on for some more because Friday is almost here. Stay charged
So, how are we all doing? All excited for the weekend? Yes, me too. Yesterday it was a mixed bag of emotions and somehow i did not let those mixed emotions fen me down. My spirits are somewhat spiking high today as i have to do little bit of shopping for my children for the upcoming festive season. This weekend looks somewhat busy with the kids running to different places and me managing maintaining the sanity. Tonight i will try to make small list. Of course the kids dominate the list.
On Monday its 'Mahalaya' and Bengali's all over the globe are waiting for the Goddess to descend on earth. We Bengalis believe that Goddess Durga descended on earth on this day to end the 'ashurs' or demons thus marking end to the battle between the Goddess and "Mahishahur'. This day is basically celebrated how the Goddess was sent by husband Lord Shiva and other Gods with other powers and weapons to fight against the demons. This day also marks the end of 'Pitri Pokkho' and if you are a Bengali you know what i am talking about.
Growing up i used to see my Mother and all the neighboring ladies cleaning their homes before 'Mahalaya'. They used to say we should clean before the Gooddess arrives on earth. The ladies used to clean everything from bed sheets to window curtains and try to sparkle every corner of the house. Many women used to prepare dry sweets to be stored in air tight containers to be offered to the Goddess over the festive season. I can go on and on but the clock is always swift and somewhat accelerated i feel.
On that note i packed a little different lunch box for my S today. He insisted that will have 'rotis/chapatis' since his friends also carry those. Well, i was happy since he wanted a different menu. So today i packedhim 'roti' with potatato and soya beans curry. I am waiting for the verdict though. His snack box was green grapes and pears and a yoghurt. Her's hoping everyone hold on for some more because Friday is almost here. Stay charged
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Tiffin Tales 23
Hola....
What a day of surprise... The weather suddenly climbed the stairs and we almost thought that it's a summer day. It was a super windy day but given the temperatures were a darling number hence everyone seemed to enjoy the winds today.
As yesterday was spent in indulging in sartorial choices my cousins made for the festive season, the feeling somehow lingered in my mind and i guess the happiness remained in my blood vessels as well. But life is a jumble and when we try to solve a part of it, another part is alternated. As i spoke to my mother this morning i came to know a few of our long distant relatives passed away. I knew they were struggling with age old diseases and somewhere we find it very hard to accept that we won't see them ever agin in this journey. That barrenness is never repleted. Time makes those memories go weak but that essence never goes away. While i was praying to the Almighty for the departed soul i suddenly started to miss my grandmother. It's been more than a decade that she left us yet at times i still feel her gentle touch. I took a trip the memory lane for sometime and tried to recollect those wonderful years spent with her.
Every year before the festive season starts i pray for her soul to the Almighty. She would be so happy and excited for me and my brother during this season. Her excitement was connected with us and by any chance if there were any school tests around that time she would be more upset than us. Even though she lived a long life yet our human gluttony wants more. Memories are indeed precious.
This morning there was no Broadway show at home and everyone seemed to be very accommodating. I guess someone or something was preparing me for the upcoming news. Life and time moves on and moving on with them is perhaps maturity. Today my S took his favorite 'upma' with added 'ghee'. He loves it and i love making it for him. His snack was little bit different. Along with fruits he he took a packet of popcorn and he seemed quite excited with the change...
Enjoy those precious minutes for they will turn into like a beautiful butterfly of memories. Take care!
What a day of surprise... The weather suddenly climbed the stairs and we almost thought that it's a summer day. It was a super windy day but given the temperatures were a darling number hence everyone seemed to enjoy the winds today.
As yesterday was spent in indulging in sartorial choices my cousins made for the festive season, the feeling somehow lingered in my mind and i guess the happiness remained in my blood vessels as well. But life is a jumble and when we try to solve a part of it, another part is alternated. As i spoke to my mother this morning i came to know a few of our long distant relatives passed away. I knew they were struggling with age old diseases and somewhere we find it very hard to accept that we won't see them ever agin in this journey. That barrenness is never repleted. Time makes those memories go weak but that essence never goes away. While i was praying to the Almighty for the departed soul i suddenly started to miss my grandmother. It's been more than a decade that she left us yet at times i still feel her gentle touch. I took a trip the memory lane for sometime and tried to recollect those wonderful years spent with her.
Every year before the festive season starts i pray for her soul to the Almighty. She would be so happy and excited for me and my brother during this season. Her excitement was connected with us and by any chance if there were any school tests around that time she would be more upset than us. Even though she lived a long life yet our human gluttony wants more. Memories are indeed precious.
This morning there was no Broadway show at home and everyone seemed to be very accommodating. I guess someone or something was preparing me for the upcoming news. Life and time moves on and moving on with them is perhaps maturity. Today my S took his favorite 'upma' with added 'ghee'. He loves it and i love making it for him. His snack was little bit different. Along with fruits he he took a packet of popcorn and he seemed quite excited with the change...
Enjoy those precious minutes for they will turn into like a beautiful butterfly of memories. Take care!
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Tiffin Tales 22
Hola...
It's a Tuesday with lots of mixed emotions just like our weather here. The weather change is hitting hard this time and we are taking our turns to wipe our noses and having bowls of soup to clear throat.
This morning I woke up to see my phone flooded with photos from my cousins who are actively doing shopping for upcoming Durga Puja festival. Lots of sarees with matching accessories, shoes and what not. For a moment all the pictures made me green with envy but I enjoyed browsing the photos. While each one of us poured our crackerjack opinion on the purchases, but my early morning conversation with my cousins definitely exhilarated my mood for the rest of the day.
My S woke up and excitedly asked why i was smiling so i explained him in a nutshell. He grinned and said these are girly talks and doesn't want to know more. I could not help stop laughing. I saw him running to his dad and informing him the same. I don't know what he said but i could hear them giggling. Of course, I ignored because I was almost drowned in the conversation. A quick glance at the clock and I almost started to sprint.
My S had a dentist appointment last evening so he missed doing his homework. This morning I had to get after him to complete his work. Goodness, for a few minutes I was cursing myself why wasted those precious minutes over the phone but the other side of the brain and heart was smiling too.
Staying thousands of miles away from homeland and festivities I was somewhat missing the shopping part but this small moment of conversation cheered me up and this my gratitude of the day. On a happy note i packed egg fried rice for my S and snack box had berries, pears and his daily dosage of yoghurt.
Hop everyone finds their moments of gratitude all day and everyday. Take care...
It's a Tuesday with lots of mixed emotions just like our weather here. The weather change is hitting hard this time and we are taking our turns to wipe our noses and having bowls of soup to clear throat.
This morning I woke up to see my phone flooded with photos from my cousins who are actively doing shopping for upcoming Durga Puja festival. Lots of sarees with matching accessories, shoes and what not. For a moment all the pictures made me green with envy but I enjoyed browsing the photos. While each one of us poured our crackerjack opinion on the purchases, but my early morning conversation with my cousins definitely exhilarated my mood for the rest of the day.
My S woke up and excitedly asked why i was smiling so i explained him in a nutshell. He grinned and said these are girly talks and doesn't want to know more. I could not help stop laughing. I saw him running to his dad and informing him the same. I don't know what he said but i could hear them giggling. Of course, I ignored because I was almost drowned in the conversation. A quick glance at the clock and I almost started to sprint.
My S had a dentist appointment last evening so he missed doing his homework. This morning I had to get after him to complete his work. Goodness, for a few minutes I was cursing myself why wasted those precious minutes over the phone but the other side of the brain and heart was smiling too.
Staying thousands of miles away from homeland and festivities I was somewhat missing the shopping part but this small moment of conversation cheered me up and this my gratitude of the day. On a happy note i packed egg fried rice for my S and snack box had berries, pears and his daily dosage of yoghurt.
Hop everyone finds their moments of gratitude all day and everyday. Take care...
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