(Apr 28, 2:44am)

It is common among us to think of a past era and conclude it to be more happy and more blissful..

It is our way to run away from the complexities of today, and imagine that what was past was also necessarily simpler..

Was it?

The other day, as the families assembled in the ground following earthquake aftershocks here, I heard those children discussing the homework..

One was very scared that he had not been able to learn the tables.. and as he narrated the horrifying demeanour of the Maths teacher, it seemed to me that this unseen person was the most brutal of all..

And it was clear, that it seemed to the child that his Maths teacher would most certainly devour him up the next day... for his failure at this "learn by heart" assignment..

Hadn't we all been at his stage and situation in the past?

Didn't it seem to us then, that the lives of adults was so much more superior.. as it seems to us today that the lives of these little children is free of burden?

And still, we run away... into some different situation.. sometimes we imagine ourselves, during our happy dreams, in the shoes of somebody else.. somebody who we think is happier.. somebody who is our neighborhood example of a successful man.. somebody who we perhaps envy..

But do we, in the midst of it all, realise we too are subjects of envy... that there may be so many out there who think we have the more pleasant circumstances?

I think, we ought to... That will make us content... that will make us aware of and embrace the gifts God gave us.. that will end the desire in us to seek happiness in idle reveries that do not come true..

XXX

(Feb 11, 9:50am)

I can't explain this lethargy in writing.. but all I can hope is I would write again... In fact, this is not lethargy.. this is something else..

So many things keep me preoccupied... when my mind is sad, I can still write.. as writing to me is a way to come out of my agony..

But when I am entangled in everyday chores, work, settling out other issues, writing takes a back seat..

I have noticed writing is a great healing process when I am depressed.. but the same is not true when I am overworked.. In that situation, reading seems to be a more joyful excercise..

XXX

(Dec 31, 10:47pm)

Ok, signing off.. Wish you all a very happy new year 2015..

Thanks for following my blog for five years now.. I started it in 2010 as a pastime.. It's my good fortune that so many of you followed it..

Thus encouraging me to write more often... thank you also for accepting these posts with all their beauty and flaws... for loving the humility, and overlooking any notes of arrogance..

Wish you all the very best..

XXX

(Dec 31, 10:44pm)

Done with all the cooking.. a delicious chicken.. a delicious paneer-capsicum cooked in poppy seeds,..

No delicious is not being used here in blind love with the self.. I bet if you tasted, you wouldn't contradict it..

But God this was crazy.. even with all the preparations in hand.. How would mumma manage all this on the night of 31st.. considering she cooked so many other stuff too.. and without any maid doing the preparation..

I guess the love for your child kindles special talent, special dedication, and unremitting energy to most parents..

It is a good day.. and I am happy..

XXX

The diya is still aglow at the pooja space..

It is adding so much more bliss to my present happy moment..

XXX

(Dec 31, 10:06pm)

Between, I bought a table-top calendar from the old Archies shop, nearby my apartment.. It was also a nice meeting up with the shop owner.. an old, thorough gentleman..

He has known me since my high school days and thinks highly of my family...

Table-top calendars and some other miscellaneous purchases at Archies is a part of my year end buyings..

I really like them... It's a beautiful 12 sheet with nature pictures and good quotes..

XXX

(Dec 31, 7:47pm)

These days I can connect easily to the Goddess again.. I don't know how it is all the same again.. but I'm very happy..

The Goddess had been kind to me all through.. but I felt there was very little communication.. May be the news agency job was too hectic for comfort..

XXX

She's started indicating again, she's there for me always..

And anyway, year ends are a time when you feel the Gods are near.. when the glow of the candle tells you, they are always there...

XXX

(Dec 31, 7:44pm)

Hadn't planned anything for my birthday... but some neighbors indicated they were expecting a get-together..

So yes there is one.. tomorrow evening.. I have ordered coffee and a few varieties of snacks..

The cook spent a good amount of time today... she has prepared a lot of delicacies including my favourite gajar ka halva..

But I need to cook too.. I will be cooking chicken... paneer with capsicum and poppy seeds.. but these will be stored for tomorrow's lunch..

For dinner I will prepare noodles..

Don't think I have to toil too much... all the masalas are ready and all vegetables and all other arrangements have been made by the cook herself..

So, it's going to be like how you see in recipe shows..

Cooking for fun.. plus I'd be watching TV..

XXX