Vacation time

I am on my summer vacations, reading, writing and sleeping. We must not forget the eating part either. Delhi is too hot. I needed to get away from it. So I am going to Nainital, a beautiful place, hill station really. It ought to give me a bit of relaxation.

So I will be away from 17th to 21st. Without internet. Ah, bliss! I will not be doing any sight seeing but just about relaxing in a resort. I need that. Actually all of us need that. I will write poetry and take pictures.

Yes, I will take along books. Can I survive without books? My list:

The Crying Tree by Naseem Rakha
The World I never Made by James Lepore
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Baby Shark by Robert Fate
Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
Selected Poems of Carl Sandburg

I have scheduled a few posts to come up in the next few days. Don't forget to visit and leave your foot prints. And please someone link my Thursday post to Read Write Poem and Totally Optional prompts? You can find the those on my left sidebar. I will catch up when I get back on Sunday.

Tidings of the mind

The title sounds as if for poetry! But it has nothing to do with it.

Schools closed for nine days! Last afternoon and early evening I was out shopping. I literally shopped till I dropped. I was so tired that I feel asleep at 9.30 pm. Too early for me. But I could barely manage to keep my eyes open. This morning I was up early at 4.30 am.

Hope the kids like what I bought for them, clothes, toys, junk jewellery, books etc etc. Chocolates, cakes, pastries comes next. The best news was, we finally received one month's salary. So that should more than cover my splurging.

I had ordered books and those too arrived at the right time. Next task is to decorate the christmas tree, pack the gifts and invite the kids. And hope I too get gifts...LOL!

I don't know why but I feel happy as well as as sad. conflicted emotions. At times it gets too much to deal with those.

SANTA, where ARE you?

In Bangalore (II)

Flower Market in Bangalore







It has been six days in Bangalore. This is my third visit. Previous two ones I spent sightseeing, shopping and dropping dead at the end of the day. Now I seldom go out after the first two days. I prefer spending time with my SIL and my niece, not to forget my brother after he is back from office. Only places I have visited are few flower markets.

This time I am here for my brother's Grihapravesh (housewarming). I had promised him that I would attend his housewarming irrespective of when he held it. Mid December is very busy for us in school. Second terminal exams are held at this time of the year and we do not like to take leave at such times. But as I had made that promise, I took a week's leave and here I am in Bangalore. It was his Grihapravesh today. All those pujas (rituals) took a long time. It started at 8.30 am and finished at almost 4 pm.

I seldom sit through any puja but I don't what made me do that this time. I just did not get up. I had almost forgotten the rituals followed. But as we went along, my memory to refreshed itself. I seldom go to temple nowadays. I have a love-hate relationship with GOD. So I had closed my mind to all these rituals that Hindus follow in any Puja. I am a believer in Karma so why did I feel this way today?

Maybe I am less cynical than I thought I was. Maybe I need to reconnect with GOD. Maybe I am getting on with age. Maybe I am just being stupid. Too many excuses (or are these questions?) but no specific answers.

In Bangalore

Landed up here in Bangalore on 8th Night. Our flight was 90 minutes late. I had called up the airlines before proceeding for the airport but they said it was on time. Why can't we get proper info? Good thing I take along books almost everywhere. I wasn't bored. My mom was travelling with me. She gets tired sitting and waiting. I sometimes forget that she is 70+. Travelling is tiring for her despite the fact she is rather active.

We reached 10 minutes past midnight, i.e., 9th Dec! It was my niece's birthday. She was still awake waiting for us. My eldest brother lives in Bangalore with his family. His eldest son is studying in Delhi.

It has been two days and we are here till 17th. I am just savouring the time doing virtually nothing. Break from work, routine and stuff. Going for walks, hitting the malls, drinking endless cups of tea ( I am a tea person!), utter bliss...ah! Coming back to Delhi, I will need to work out harder after all that food I am gorging!

Writing too has taken a backseat. So if I do not come to your blogs to read and comment, you know the reason why. I will catch soon enough, I hope!