Mind of an orchid

........is the number of years you and I have been married. And somehow these 9 years have been my entire life. Strangely, I don't remember a whole lot about my pre-Uj life!
Last night, as I went to bed, I kind of tried to do a recap of what has been the last 9 years, the highlights mainly and what I visualized bought me joy and comfort and I drifted off to sleep with a smile on my face. The day I met you for the first time, the day we got married, our first home, the day we found out we were pregnant with Li'l A, the day he was born and a host of other things that are so special to just us. Of course, we've had our share of downs and god knows they were real nightmares but hey if it weren't for you neither would I have the attitude to deal with it nor the courage to toughen up and move on. You've taught me how not to be a wuss and I appreciate that. I've learn't to stare right back at adversity when it stares me in the face and that's because of you! Now, if only I could acquire your sense of purpose and conviction of thoughts....
And now that I know you some more, I love you more because you never let your mental age catch up with your chronological age. You know how to laugh and thanks for teaching me how to as well. And those hyperbolic impressions of mine that you make of me all the time....well, I love them! And thanks for believing in me, more than I do in myself, in fact and also for putting up with my idiosyncrasies all the time. I know I am difficult sometimes, make that most times but really I think you have me figured out!
Boy, I just read through this post and it looks I did good. No, not in writing the post but in finding the right guy.
You care and I know that even if you don't express as often and in as many ways as I would like. But every once in a while you do. Thanks for slowing down this morning and spending a few extra minutes with me. But hey, remember what happened the last time you did that? You rushed off to work after and ended with a speeding ticket! Oh well, there's never been a dull moment since I met you anyway!

HAPPY 9TH honey!


and yeah ladies..looks like I am pretty good at giving hints, after all!! We are doing the formal living room, yayyy!!! Pics in a few weeks!

I will not browse home decor websites.

I will not watch HGTV.

I will not go to home decor stores to burn those calories.

I will not go home decor shopping because I am bored or I need a break or because the Olympics is over and there is no more Michael Phelps parade on T.V

I will not take you to a home decor store and try to throw endless hints for an anniversary gift. BTW, if you do stop by this blog (ever!!) it is this saturday!

I will not let my friends' home decor shopping inspire or influence me. Not even when they tell me about the fabulous sale!


What!?!?.....i will not...well if that sale is really "the knock your socks of kind", then maybe....

That's right! I finally know what it is like -having to deal with the other woman. The jealousy, the anguish and the hatred-it's all sheer misery. Not so long ago, I was the first thing he turned to every morning. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach and indeed I would be greeted with the biggest, warmest smile as I gave him his morning cuppa each day. Not anymore, she wakes him up at exactly the same time each day, filling the house with exotic aroma and his heart with unbound love. Oh! how she has taken over and completely- my kitchen and his heart! You would think she is just brewing those mean cuppas but I tell you she is actually brewing marital discord in what has been a solid marriage of 9 years. The morning used to be ours. Before the madness of a busy weekday took over, we always made sure to give each other time and bond of course over my specialty - "The masala chai" We planned for the day, got to know each other's agenda and shared some love. None of that happens around here anymore. She makes sure he has coffee "to go!" In sickness and in health , read those marriage vows but that doesn't hold water anymore either. Troublesome headache, bad throat? No problem, she says and of course, there is always her caffeinated elixir to the rescue. She doesn't make excuses on the weekends like I do and of course, she will never let him take over. It couldn't get any better than this, surely! No wonder, he is in love....... trouble's brewing folks. You take a look at her, while I go figure out how to put a lid on that steaming anger!!

....day 1 of Kindergarten! And this morning as he walked out of the door armed with backpack and lunch bag, he looked ready-ready to take on the world. I, on my part looked nervous and anxious and so did the other parents who all hovered around Mr. H's class well past the 7.45 start time. It was remarkable, the contrast in attitudes, the kids all looked excited - after all, they were all in "big kids' school ", the parents, on the other hand , absolutely apprehensive! Some were busy instructing their kids on locker operation-101, others were engrossed in training their kids on restroom usage - "Look Michael" said one parent, "You have to go through this door, where it says B-O-Y-S!!" and then there were parents who themselves need some instructions with the forms, the name tags, the folders and endless other formalities. On one side of the class room were hyperventilating parents and on the other side were hyper-excited kids and in the middle of it all was poor Mr. H, I can only hope that he deals with this each year and is in perfect control of the situation. There was a flurry of activity with some parents managing to even take a few pictures!
It's 4 hours since and the clock seems to be ticking away rather slowly this morning and I can't wait to hear all about Mr. H and the 17 other kids in class. Does he have friend yet ? Does he like Mr. H? Does he like eating in the cafeteria with all the other kids? And more importantly does he like school? And the answers are key for sustained enthusiasm or else we at the Orchid household are going to have a tough time when the the alarm goes off at 6.45 am tomorrow.
Join us for more from "Life in the kindergarten"

Are you over the Phelps' mania yet? I for sure am not!! I think I am kinda smitten , c'mon I know there's plenty of you out there who think the guy is hot despite the "ears" and the "mandible" (that's right!!). Admit it now! And of course, since this past week was all about him, the summer olympics did really feel like "The Primetime show with Michael Phelps" but we didn't mind it at all, did we? Agreed, Michael Phelps is an amazing swimmer, a great olympian, and his story-truly inspirational. But that's not the only reason we don't mind watching dolphin-man on T.V day after day it's also because the guy is hot!! What?!?! I am a sinner now??
And oh, Uj and I had this really heated discussion about whether Phelps really is the greatest Olympian of all time. Uj does not believe he is and his arguments were all very valid with plenty of supporting documentation (that's right, we tend to take our debates rather seriously) thanks to Wiki and google and most of what he said can be found in this article in the LA times. As for my argument? I said, "Michael Phelps is GOD" and that gives him reason enough to be the greatest Olympian ever! Of course, someday this very argument is going to come back and bite me in the you-know-what ....... of course for now I just have to contend with how hot Stephanie Rice is!!

.....yes, that's the feeling as we get ready for school next week. Well, school of a different kind really. We've already done 3 + yrs of montessori, preschool and daycare and there have been plenty of other first's as well- swimming, soccer and the likes but still this feels different. Of course, I am feeling the uneasiness more than anyone else. Li'l A, as usual, is approaching the idea of a new school with excitement and enthusiasm that would be typical for any 5 yr old. And Uj, of course, is as pragmatic as ever. But me, I am anxious, skeptical, uncertain and a wee bit worried even. I feel like it's my boy's first big tryst with the real world. Everything from the early bed time, the 7.30 start time, packed lunch, after-school, homework and new friends have me thinking in the hyperbole! I read Tharini's post and like her I have many unanswered questions too and I believe it is very much a mom thing - this apprehension. I remember my mom going through a similar phase even as my brother was getting ready to leave the country a few years back and he was all of 23 yrs at the time! To me however, part of the anxiety stems from the fact that I may not be of much use to my son since my schooling was in an entirely different setting. I feel unprepared and ill equipped to answer any questions he may have and I hate the feeling! It's just a phase and I am sure we will ease into school, get used to it and maybe even have a little fun in no time at all but for now I am uneasy as we say goodbye to the montessori. Thursday is snow day at the montessori and thursday is also the last day.

...i am now a "soccer mom" in the true sense of the term and here is the evidence!


move over Beckham!!