Hola...
So, the much awaited week starts today. It's 'Shosthi' and Maa is at her father's home. This morning i woke up to a wonderful feeling that She is home, somewhere so near, so close all around. Her aroma is everywhere and her presence is so strong that everything else seems blurry.
The weather looks good outside. It's windy but the sun is shining and the leaves are hastily disappearing. Sitting near the window i am wondering how the world looks so different from a child's eye. There are so many things, perhaps quite some are minuscule that do not escape a child's eye. They have some exclusive way to decipher things which is so pure and pristine.
Over the weekend we had lot of discussions and in one of those discussions my S asked why can't everyone be happy? Why do people get sad? What is sadness? Even though i tried in my lucid way to explain him sadness where we get upset when our expectations aren't met properly, to which he said , if we cannot get a certain thing why not concentrate on something else. While it was difficult for me to explain him that there are diverse ways to look and solve a problem he wasn't convinced. Everything looked simple to him and complexity of any problem didn't seem to make any sense to him. For any problem he always has a solution which at times makes us burst into laughters but we never forget to encourage him.
This afternoon as i sit near the window and trying to find ways to solve a few daily life problem i am thinking about my S. Had he been around he would have come up with quirkiest of solutions and solve all of them in a jiffy.
As of now, i am leaving all my problem at Maa Durga's feet and asking her to take care of them. For today's lunch box i packed vegetable rice with some raisins and dried cranberries. I hope he likes the sweet and a pinch of sour taste of the rice. The snack box had peach and cheese a small pack of yoghurt.
Take care and enjoy your day.
Monday, October 15, 2018
Friday, October 12, 2018
Tiffin Tales 30
Hola...
Yay, its Friday and yes it's for real today unlike yesterday (if read my last post, you know what i mean). Today we woke up to some freezing numbers and stayed the entire day. Cold winds with low temperatures and it was a lethal combination.
While i am regulating my room calefaction, my cousins are almost set for Pujo and these days, they are busy doing some dress rehearsals before the Goddess arrives. Durga Puja is a big festival and owing to enormousness and complexity of rituals it is not possible to do without priest. The preparatory measures are many, that the reason only a handful of qualified priest can perform this Pujo. It almost takes half of a village (if i am not wrong) to organize and maintain the celebrations seamlessly.
An average Bengali looks forward to Pujo for multiple reasons. More than being religious its another way to welcome their daughter Durga at her father's place. Bengali's wait for an entire calendar year to meet their daughter and immerse in celebration. Apart from waiting for their daughter and preparing hundreds of delicacies it's another way to bypass the regular lifestyle and do regular jobs differently. People fly from different parts of the world just to gather with family, friends and even neighbors. For Bengali's its the bonhomie that supreme's everything.
I will share a different post on Pujo special food that are available during this time. As i am sitting cosily and enjoying the pictures that my cousins are sharing, my S is curious to know more and more about the festival. I feel happy and sad at the same time, because i believe somewhere my words fall short to explain the magnanimity of this festival and this is where experience matters, which i am unable to give him. Someday... Till then i will hold on to my faith and wait for some magic to happen soon.
Coming back to reality and grinds of life, i went outside to get some groceries. Braving the wind i conquered but lost a pair of my cute gloves. Now i have to do some treasure hunting to find another pair to beat this weekend's wind. Today my S took 'paratha's'for lunch with some sautéed vegetables. His snack box had pears and a fruit bar.
Have a wonderful weekend friends. Whether you are preparing for Pujo or you are enjoying through the pictures, enjoy till it lasts for they become memories very soon. Take care!
Yay, its Friday and yes it's for real today unlike yesterday (if read my last post, you know what i mean). Today we woke up to some freezing numbers and stayed the entire day. Cold winds with low temperatures and it was a lethal combination.
While i am regulating my room calefaction, my cousins are almost set for Pujo and these days, they are busy doing some dress rehearsals before the Goddess arrives. Durga Puja is a big festival and owing to enormousness and complexity of rituals it is not possible to do without priest. The preparatory measures are many, that the reason only a handful of qualified priest can perform this Pujo. It almost takes half of a village (if i am not wrong) to organize and maintain the celebrations seamlessly.
An average Bengali looks forward to Pujo for multiple reasons. More than being religious its another way to welcome their daughter Durga at her father's place. Bengali's wait for an entire calendar year to meet their daughter and immerse in celebration. Apart from waiting for their daughter and preparing hundreds of delicacies it's another way to bypass the regular lifestyle and do regular jobs differently. People fly from different parts of the world just to gather with family, friends and even neighbors. For Bengali's its the bonhomie that supreme's everything.
I will share a different post on Pujo special food that are available during this time. As i am sitting cosily and enjoying the pictures that my cousins are sharing, my S is curious to know more and more about the festival. I feel happy and sad at the same time, because i believe somewhere my words fall short to explain the magnanimity of this festival and this is where experience matters, which i am unable to give him. Someday... Till then i will hold on to my faith and wait for some magic to happen soon.
Coming back to reality and grinds of life, i went outside to get some groceries. Braving the wind i conquered but lost a pair of my cute gloves. Now i have to do some treasure hunting to find another pair to beat this weekend's wind. Today my S took 'paratha's'for lunch with some sautéed vegetables. His snack box had pears and a fruit bar.
Have a wonderful weekend friends. Whether you are preparing for Pujo or you are enjoying through the pictures, enjoy till it lasts for they become memories very soon. Take care!
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Tiffin Tales 29
Hola..
I woke up thinking today is Friday...lol...I looked into my phone only to realize my feelings were very momentary. As i dragged myself out of bed, all of a sudden i started to skid and almost skated in bed of lego pieces and found myself rolling in the floor. It was indeed a very good morning and to shake myself up. Ouch!
As i discussed yesterday the importance of talking in native language, yes, i blasted in my language this morning. Starting from the weather to the clock, to the toys and finally at the dishwasher which i had forgot to turn it on. My misery knew no bounds when important pieces of the kitchen were in the washer and turning in cycles, i was struggling a bit with sleepy eyes to put everything together. Sensing a trouble brewing, the other members kept a safe distance from me this morning. Oh yes, i was murmuring in my language.
As the day settled down, and sense dawned upon me i realized that for most of the things i was to be chided. Had i slept with the alarms on, i wouldn't have been late. Had i paid a bit more attention and turned on the dishwasher, the morning would have been different. Had i shown some extra patience and helped my child in cleaning up his toys perhaps i would not have tipped off. Extra of everything would have made it but i guess i was too tired. We all like anything 'extra'. From extra cheese on pizza to extra minutes of sleep, to an extra day off we all look forward to our extra moments. From extra morning snuggles with my children, to requesting the clock to provide extra minutes, we all look forward to these additional. This morning i couldn't say anything to my husband, he came pretty late and was almost drained out to have that 'extra' patience to help in cleaning or other jobs.
Whenever i visit my parents i always secretly wish for some miraculous extra days. Miracles do happen but never for mere mortals like me. For my S extra is extra cheese, extra piece of his cherished cake, extra playtime, extra screen time. While he doesn't like any extra food except his favorite one's but secretly wishes for extra holidays though.
As of today i will stick only to the positive side of extra. Not all extras are enjoyable. In my next post i will discuss a few anecdotes of what undesirable extra did to my family (humorous though). Today my S carried 'upma' as i had shortage of utensils and cooking equipments and this dish seemed like a quick fix. Snack box was regular with fruits and cheese though.
Have a great Thursday folks...
I woke up thinking today is Friday...lol...I looked into my phone only to realize my feelings were very momentary. As i dragged myself out of bed, all of a sudden i started to skid and almost skated in bed of lego pieces and found myself rolling in the floor. It was indeed a very good morning and to shake myself up. Ouch!
As i discussed yesterday the importance of talking in native language, yes, i blasted in my language this morning. Starting from the weather to the clock, to the toys and finally at the dishwasher which i had forgot to turn it on. My misery knew no bounds when important pieces of the kitchen were in the washer and turning in cycles, i was struggling a bit with sleepy eyes to put everything together. Sensing a trouble brewing, the other members kept a safe distance from me this morning. Oh yes, i was murmuring in my language.
As the day settled down, and sense dawned upon me i realized that for most of the things i was to be chided. Had i slept with the alarms on, i wouldn't have been late. Had i paid a bit more attention and turned on the dishwasher, the morning would have been different. Had i shown some extra patience and helped my child in cleaning up his toys perhaps i would not have tipped off. Extra of everything would have made it but i guess i was too tired. We all like anything 'extra'. From extra cheese on pizza to extra minutes of sleep, to an extra day off we all look forward to our extra moments. From extra morning snuggles with my children, to requesting the clock to provide extra minutes, we all look forward to these additional. This morning i couldn't say anything to my husband, he came pretty late and was almost drained out to have that 'extra' patience to help in cleaning or other jobs.
Whenever i visit my parents i always secretly wish for some miraculous extra days. Miracles do happen but never for mere mortals like me. For my S extra is extra cheese, extra piece of his cherished cake, extra playtime, extra screen time. While he doesn't like any extra food except his favorite one's but secretly wishes for extra holidays though.
As of today i will stick only to the positive side of extra. Not all extras are enjoyable. In my next post i will discuss a few anecdotes of what undesirable extra did to my family (humorous though). Today my S carried 'upma' as i had shortage of utensils and cooking equipments and this dish seemed like a quick fix. Snack box was regular with fruits and cheese though.
Have a great Thursday folks...
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Tiffin Tales 28
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....
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....
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!
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