New place; New people

Feeling like blogging after long time.
Life has taken totally different turn and had given me really different experiences.
I have never ever thought that I will develop patience and tolerance in my character.
But I am really happy for that.
I have lost my two fathers ( Dad and Father-in-Law ) within 3 years; I had to move homes, places and even countries in the last 1 year.
I realized that we take many things for granted and we never realize the importance of them.
When I had most of the things in life, I didn't realize the importance of them.
But after I shifted to Australia, I really really realized the importance and values that life wants to teach us.
I realized the importance of one dollar, importance of having a rental house, importance of your privacy, importance of earning your own money, importance of having time with children and importance of being aggressive and sometimes importance of keeping quiet in a conversation.
I met many people who had inconsistent thoughts and activities, who tried to impose their views of life on me, who wanted to help me genuinely and many many characters.
In all these, I was able to survive only because of the support and love that was provided by my husband and daughter ( Without her knowledge ).
I think that God wanted to test our rapport, thats why all these happened.
Wanted to write many things. Starting with this.
Many more to go.
Have a Happy Week end ( Yes. I work till Thursday only ).

Being Vegan in India

I wanted to try vegan diet for some days.
Today is my 55th day as Vegan.
I just wanted to try for a month and leave it. Strangely, I started liking it.

Difficulties:

Honestly speaking, I didn't face much difficulties in following this diet.
I had been following vegetarian diet for more  than 12 years.
Basically I am allergic to Milk smell.
The things I had to avoid was Curd, butter, Cheese and Ghee.
We can strike off Cheese and Butter, as I don't have any space for them in my day to day cooking. My family's way of cooking will not have Cheese and Butter for many generations.
So, Curd and Ghee were the main targets.
I told people that I don't like to have curd now. It was acceptable.
But when it comes to sweets made using Ghee, I had to explain that I am following Vegan.
Though I am not fond of sweets, colleagues in office will bring one or the other sweets and insist you to have them. I successfully avoided them.

How it helped me

Why I started liking this diet?
I could not eat any unhealthy or junk food items.
Sweets, Bakery snacks, Pizza and many items got off from my food list.
I felt very happy.
I got a good habit 'Mindful Eating'.
I found out that most of the south Indian foods are already 'Vegan'.
I started exploring traditional snacks and healthy food.
I just started avoiding animal products. Now for some days, I am not taking 'White Sugar' and 'White flour\Maida\All Purpose Flour'. This helps me to be fit and healthier even more.

I just started this diet without any intention. But now, I want to follow for some more days and explore this completely.

Let me see how it goes :-)

With Love,
Vaanadhi

Happy New Year 2018

I wish you very happy new year.

Instead of wishing, I have learnt to observe what the year wants to teach us. But still we can't go without planning. So I making my plans and destiny will make its own plans.

Here's my plans for the next one year.

My main focus areas:

1. Settling down with a job in Sydney, Australia.
2. Continue to follow healthy diet and exercise plan.
3. Good Financial planning and follow up in budget.
4. Develop good relationships.
5. Learn to avoid things which hurts unnecessarily

Plans:

1. Make a daily ritual in diet and exercise.
2. Make a daily expense notebook and calculate.
3. Practice to be silent in unwanted conversations.
4. Read many books.
5. Do a course in Early childhood education.

With Love,
Vaanadhi

Year 2017 Review

Year 2017 has been a learning year for me personally.
Main thing which I learnt is 'Things can go out of your control even if you plan'

When I look back my resolutions of 2017, I have a slight pain in my heart.

First one was 'Do Better at work' - I completely stopped working due to tension in personal life and have resigned my current job, January 10, 2018 is my last working day in my present organization.

Reading and Writing - I could read some books and could not write anything.

Travel - I could not travel much, but we managed to visit new places in Karnataka.

I achieved my relationship resolution, that is what I believe.

Gardening - I had to vacate the house where we stayed and  half of my plants were adopted by one of my friends, It is really painful to give away your plants. I do not know in the near-by future whether I will be able to start a garden.

Good Things Happened : 

* My brother's family got confirmation that they are expecting baby in 2018.
* We got family permanent residential visa to stay and work in Australia, which was a plan in our life.
* We started constructing a house in native, which is in finishing stage; this was a dream in our life.
* I learnt what a minimalist life style is and started practicing minimalist lifestyle. I understood that I am more interested in minimalist life structure. It makes e happy.
* I have formed good exercise and yoga routine.

Bad Things Happened:

* My husband's father has been diagnosed with Cancer and he is counting his days. Life of each person at home is like hell.
* We both resigned our jobs.
* We had to take off our daughter from her favorite school.
* We could not travel to Australia even after getting Visa.
* There was misunderstanding with my sister-in-law ( It helped me to understand that we both are totally different and It is better to stay in distance )

On last day of 2017, My husband said, 'Every year will have good and bad things, Don't blame the time.' I agreed.

Be Happy To Be A Woman!!

Two weeks back, I was into management training.

'Women In Management' was the training name.

It was really interesting.

They used the 'Strengths Finder' method and encouraged each and everyone of us to find our own strengths and develop them to shine in life.

I have never had a thought to manage people, I hate it at work.

But still the ideas given in the training was really good.

At last, the trainer made us to write our own poem about the things we learnt in training.

Oh.. We were capable of writing a kind of poem..

Here's ours..

Becoming a leader is not impossible

Try and make yourself that capable

5 AM people, we were the one

Got to know, we are not alone

Don't leave before you leave

For you don't have any clue

Be brave and have fun 

After all it is all your life, Be a winner in the long run !!!

Isn't it interesting? Please say so.. :-)

I got a chance to meet women in higher management in our firm and they shared the work-life related issues. Now I realize that most of the women are struggling to bring their children up, and I am not alone in this. This gives me more interest to come back for work daily.

Just a chitchat

Have a Happy Weekend ( One more day is there.. But still )

With Love,

Vaanadhi

Happy New Year 2017 !!!

'What is the new year resolution?'
'I don't make resolution this year.'
'Why?'
'Because I always break resolutions'
'Resolutions are to break only na'

This conversation I heard yesterday.

Actually resolutions are not meant to be broken.
And it is not that you have to take resolutions on the New Year's day.
But we can have a fresh start.
And if you stay in a city like Bangalore, the new year sense automatically comes and spreads to your heart, at least to me it had happened.
Even though, I am not a party-lover, we still celebrated at home.

And here goes.. My plans for this year..

1. Do better at work :- Actually studying ( not reading ) well and performing well at work have never been my resolutions in any years. Because I used to work for my salary and I will have that satisfaction. But last year, due to personal stress, I couldn't concentrate much on work. That gave still more stress. Hence, I have planned to do better performance this year. I should give as much inputs as possible.

2. Reading and Writing :- I should read various types of books, apart from historical novels and love stories. And I should start writing more as well, on various topics.

3. Travel :- As I had mentioned in many posts, I love visiting new places, but I hate travelling ( If I have a machine which will take me to the place that I think, in a minute, will be wonderful ). I would love to visit historical pilgrimages and artistic places. At least two places, I should visit this year.

4. Relationship :- I should not hurt people and should not ignore loved ones ( not annoying ones ).

5. Gardening :- I should grow more and more plants. Try to grow some.. The pleasure is immense :-)

Apart from these, I have a simple resolution as well. It is a family resolution. After getting back to home from work, We should use our cell phones like 'land-line' phones. Whenever we have to make\receive calls only, we should go near to it. Let me tell you next year by this time, how it worked :-)

Wishing you a great and wonderful year ahead!!!

Love,
Vaanadhi.

The YEAR 2016

Year 2016, was the first new year which I came across without my dad.
It took this whole year for me to recover from his death. And I am still recovering.
I encountered My first birthday without him, his first birthday without him, My wedding day without him, His wedding day without him and many more like these.
These are some things that I have never thought that will happen in my life.
It is really difficult for a girl like me, who will be clinging to dad always.
Many days, I have gone through depression.
I should be thankful to My husband and brother for helping me to recover from this disaster.
And I should be really thankful to my little wonder, for the wonders she does in my life, without her knowledge. Whatever she does, it makes me happy.
I had a job change for no reason.
Got new friends. Encountered new environment and managers.
This year had taught me many things.
I had really understood how important every relationship is.
And why we should think before hurting anyone by talk.
I could not read as much books as I wanted to read.
I could not travel as many places as I wanted to.
This has been a great and unforgettable year in my life.

Once in a while, we need to think about the happenings in life.

Be grateful what you have in life. Especially people.

With Love,
Vaanadhi

P.S. I could not post this on the last day of 2016, even though I wanted to.

Happy Children's Day Little Ones :-)

Capturing Innocence!!!

Innocence, the word itself looks beautiful when I think of you My dear.
It started before your birth. When We used to tell 'Wake up Chikku', the response you gave through kicks, oh the real joy!!!
As a three KG bundle of joy, When i holded you, I perceived the first purest smile in the world.
The innocence went on..
When you started moving on your tummy.
When you got your first fever and wanted my presence.
When you started standing on your own.
When you smiled with your first teeth.
When you said the first word 'Light'.
When you said the first sentence 'we will drink milk'.
when you asked your first question 'Why don't we make biriyani with all these hens?'
And still going on..
The joy i see in your face when I return back from work.
The joy that you give me when I get a new book for you.
When you tell the rhyme 'Kiwi black fdhuit' ( Your version of 'three bags full' in Baa Baa Black sheep)
When you combine three rhymes together, and make your own version of rhymes.
When you want to wear my clothes.
When you ask me to show pink color cow..
When you ask me to make 'Spicy Apple Curry'.
When you tell me to give bath to your 'Thidhi'( Teddy )
When you tell me 'Go thoo aapithe' ( Go to office ).
Innocence is the only feel that I have captured in our Mother-Daughter journey.

sometimes I have expected you to be a matured girl according to my needs.
Many times I wanted you to be a naughty toddler.
You have always got confused, because of my controversial expectations,
But even in confusion you have given me a big smile.
You have been my great teacher when it comes to parenting.
Love you A lot

Happy International Children's day to all the Children in the world.
You People are really wonderful!!!
Without You there is no life for this World itself!!!
Please be more naughty and innocent, to make us happy!!!
Enjoy your Childhood.

Love,
Vaanadhi

I love reading..

No time to blog now a days.
Working parents can understand the limited time we get for ourselves.
But writing is something which will pull you towards it once you start doing, even if you do not have any readers.
I am like that, I want to write whatever is there in my mind.
Today I got some Me-Me time.

Hence posting this Meme which I got it from here

1. How long did it take you to finish your last book? - 5 Months ( Historical Fiction )

2. How many times do you stare at your bookshelves each day? - At least 2 times

3. How many Goodreads friends/books do you have? - Many Books

4. Do you ever quote books in public? - Yes

5. Do you ever re-read books? - Yes, Many Times

6. Do you judge a book by its cover? - Not Always

7. Do you take pictures of your books before you read them? - NO

8. What are your biggest distractions from reading? - My Lovely daughter

9. Where is your favorite place to buy books? - Namakkal

10. Do you always have a book with you? - Yes

11. Do you read during breakfast?  - No

12. How many hours a day would you say you read? - 30 Minutes

13. Do you read more or less now than you did, say, 10 years ago? - Less, after Motherhood

14. Do you consider yourself a speed reader? - Yes, in Tamil

15. Do you read in bed? - Yes

16. How old were you when you got your first library card? - 8 years

I was kindled while answering these questions.
I have to read more. Many books are waiting for me.

Happy Reading!!

Love,
Vaanadhi

Woman and Financial Independence

I hate the middle class scenario in India, wherein a husband insists or restricts the willingness of a woman to work or not to work.

Also I wonder if a woman tells that I do not want to work and to stay at home.

I agree that Home-making is very very difficult task and home-makers should be given respect more than a working person.

But somewhere in a corner of my mind, I still feel that there should be financial independence for every woman.

Especially if we are a nuclear family in Indian scenario, and don't have any assets ,we definitely need some financial independence.

In my case, I had planned to resign my job after giving birth to my daughter ( after maternity leave )

I was taking care of my daughter for 3 months doing so.

I really enjoyed with the time that I spent with kid.

But at one saturated point ( I did not expect that it will happen in 3 months ), I wanted to get back to work as it started boring.

One main thing is that I wanted a refreshment for my mind.

Apart from family I wanted my set of people to discuss things with.

I can't sit and watch TV for more than 15 minutes ( Really! )

I love reading books, but my daughter loves all my books  (I really wonder what that 'Going-to-be-2-year old' understands from my books), hence she won't allow me to read.

Of course, my husband is a big supporter to me, but his work timing is very difficult to cope up with us.

It started boring for me; Then I joined back.

So here are the reasons that I found out why a middle class mother (!) should work:

1. We will get our set of people to communicate with,apart from discussing about serials, dresses,husband's office and child's school with other apartment ladies.

2. We can support our husband financially, there could be really difficult situations for him to handle alone.

3. We will become much more active; All working women will know about this.

4. Our knowledge gets improved a lot.

5. We don't need to be blank-minded when some unexpected things happen. We can make our own decisions. We will gain self-esteem.

We may take break for children, but once they grow up, we should get back for our own space.

Not a high-paid job, at least we can work in our free time ( say 10 to 3 )

These are all my observations. But each one will have different situations and opinions.

Some days , whenever I had a hard time at work, even I have felt why not should I stay at home and enjoy with family.. But I don't dare to take that decision, because I have experienced how it would be.

Anyhow, Happy Working :-)

Love,

Vaanadhi

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This marathon helped me to reform my early raising habit.

Because of this one habit I got a bunch of good habit as gift voucher.

1. I had time to cook and have home made food.

2. I never had a wish to eat outside for 20 days

3. I got time for gardening

4. I have become very punctual at office.

5. I became little more active.

Love, 

Vaanadhi 

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The concept of money is the worst thing that human ever invented.

It was invented for easy commutation.

But it has become the only motive of people.

It stopped production completely.

We all need to produce something to get money.

It's a Friday thought :-)

Have a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend.

Love,

Vaanadhi 

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Last night my baby was little cranky

But still I managed to get up by 5.50 AM.

Hastily I am typing to post this.

Have a happy day.

Love,

Vaanadhi 

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"Before you criticise someone you should walk a mile in their shoes"

We really do not have any idea what the other person went through.

It's easy to tell that they are going a trip often, they are rich by birth or whatever.

But each person will know the real risk that they have taken to achieve all these.

We don't need to analyse good or bad things about others; just lets live our life peacefully and let others live theirs.

We are not judges for everyone's life mistakes. Let us be lawyers for our own.

Love,

Vaanadhi 

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Before and after becoming mother:

I used to get irritated by seeing animals; some times no feelings. But now I realise how it is difficult for them to take care of Little ones.

I used to think why people are bringing such small kids in buses; it will disturb other passengers and the kids themselves. Now I painfully realise that there is no other option some times.

I could never tolerate if someone tells to clean poop of a kid; But lovely motherhood changed that feeling too.

I used to get irritated when people talk something about their kids always; but now I am also in the same boat. I couldn't stop talking about my baby. That is not to boast, but to share the happiness.

Even if you have to tolerate many pains , physical and mental ones, motherhood is an awesome time.

I love being a mother.

You don't need to get your own baby to feel this, but be with kids, you will become a kid and a parent.

Love,

Vaanadhi 

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If our loved ones are not keeping well, we feel as if the world is vanished.

We get the urge to bring all the medicines in this world to cure them.

We want to get the pain from them and feel it for ourselves.

Especially if children are not keeping well, parents can't tolerate it at all.

But one thing is that, time heals every pain. 

We want bad times to run fast.

Vaanadhi

Wake-Up-Before-6-Marathon-Day-14

Today I was traveling; couldn't get network in the morning. But I woke up before 6.

I don't like to travel but I love to visit places.

As a working mother I seldom get time to visit new places.

But I have to manage time little more effectively.

Plan your trip whenever possible, especially if you are a working woman and a mother.

Time and age will never return.

Have a happy Sunday.

Love, 

Vaanadhi

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Today's post is photos from my garden:

Have a happy weekend..

Love,

Vaanadhi 

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What makes a relationship alive?

I think that the lively communication makes a relationship alive.

There should not be any diplomacy or grudge in a relationship.

It should be a straight forward thing.

If you hesitate to say something with your partner, there is something wrong in the relationship I believe.

And we need to work a lot to understand each other.

After marriage, Life is not always like a fairy tale.

We may need to give up a lot and we may need to adjust a lot.

We may need to give up our dreams as well.

In such times, partner's real understanding is required. The other person should really value the adjustment or sacrifice which we do. That is the main thing.

There will be fights; if there is no fight, nothing will be there to get to know the problems.
 

This is the morning thought that came to me
 

Have a happy Friday:-)

Love,

Vaanadhi 

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From Bangalore to Bengaluru:

I was gazing through window for a while before writing this.

'Bengaluru climate is back to form' This is the statement made by many of Bengalurians for last 3 days.

Yes. This time summer was really heavy.

Now rain started.

I remember the same Bengaluru exactly before 8 years.

Oh God.. How nice it was!!!

I can put it as 'Bangalore bachelor life' in my life-diary.

'If  time machine is set 8 years back, these will be thoughts in my mind.
 

- I forgot my umbrella. I am going to drench in rain ( even if it is summer )

- I should get ready by 7.20 AM. Otherwise I will miss my office bus

- How bad the PG food is :-(

- Today I ll buy dosa in road side shop ( daily )

- why my weight is getting reduced
- When is the next holiday
- Will I get seat in BMTC bus today?

- what will happen if something happens to this flyover when we are in it.'

I had many good and not so good experiences like this; Stopping here.

Enjoy monsoon.

Love,
Vaanadhi