Signed up for the Spice Swap at Nupur's.
http://onehotstove.blogspot.ca/2013/05/sign-up-for-round-two-of-spice-and.html
http://onehotstove.blogspot.ca/2013/05/sign-up-for-round-two-of-spice-and.html
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Grandma and the Hdyrogen Peroxide
Spotted that typo did you?
So did my Grandma - a long time ago.
I spent all of my childhood in a quaint little hill station - ever so many feet above sea level. However, come school holidays, the family would pack bags and travel down the winding hair-pin bends all the way down to Bangalore to my maternal grandparents house.
My grandparents lived in a large rambling house in the older part of the city. Holidays meant the house was packed to the brim with uncles, aunts and cousins. My Grandma was your typical as-traditional-as they-come types, complete with nine yard saree worn Marati style.
There was never any reason for me to suspect she knew how to speak English let alone read it.
One holiday, it so happened, the rest of the brood had not yet arrived so we had the house to ourselves. I got busy with a science project. I slaved over it all morning and lost track of time. In the interim the whole family had gone out and only Grandma was at home. She began to get concerned as there wasn't a single peep from me and popped in to see what I was up to.
I proudly displayed my fantastic bristol board with 3D pop-ups and meticulously painted diagrams and the works.
"It's amazing," admitted Grandma. "Just correct the spelling of Hydrogen."
You can imagine the level of my astonishment!
Some years later I got to know that her father - my Great Grandfather was a Professor of English! He had actually published books in English. We are talking about the 1920s. The books - actually booklets - were topics like "Fifty Frequently Used Idiomatic Expressions and their Meanings" - however, they were very popular (surprisingly the larger percentage of readership were the British!) and my Grandma and her siblings spent many hours sorting and packing the books. Also, since my Grandma and her sisters went to the local school, my Great-Grandfather took it upon himself to teach his girls English at home.
Guess I know where my "writing" genes come from!
So did my Grandma - a long time ago.
I spent all of my childhood in a quaint little hill station - ever so many feet above sea level. However, come school holidays, the family would pack bags and travel down the winding hair-pin bends all the way down to Bangalore to my maternal grandparents house.
 |
| Marati Style Saree Courtesy: Google Images |
There was never any reason for me to suspect she knew how to speak English let alone read it.
One holiday, it so happened, the rest of the brood had not yet arrived so we had the house to ourselves. I got busy with a science project. I slaved over it all morning and lost track of time. In the interim the whole family had gone out and only Grandma was at home. She began to get concerned as there wasn't a single peep from me and popped in to see what I was up to.
I proudly displayed my fantastic bristol board with 3D pop-ups and meticulously painted diagrams and the works.
"It's amazing," admitted Grandma. "Just correct the spelling of Hydrogen."
You can imagine the level of my astonishment!
Some years later I got to know that her father - my Great Grandfather was a Professor of English! He had actually published books in English. We are talking about the 1920s. The books - actually booklets - were topics like "Fifty Frequently Used Idiomatic Expressions and their Meanings" - however, they were very popular (surprisingly the larger percentage of readership were the British!) and my Grandma and her siblings spent many hours sorting and packing the books. Also, since my Grandma and her sisters went to the local school, my Great-Grandfather took it upon himself to teach his girls English at home.
Guess I know where my "writing" genes come from!
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Hand Me Downs
If you were a child that grew up in the 70s and 80s and from a middle-class family in India chances are you ended up with hand-me-downs. The funny thing was that the source of hand-me-downs would typically be from siblings, relatives or close family friends - but it was considered absolute taboo to get any "second-hand" clothes from shops!
It didn't matter if the clothes didn't fit. Too long - no problem - fold, run through machine (singer sewing machine) - there you go. Too loose? Again machine - who cares if the sides are uneven? Too short or too tight? Hmmm... sadly discarded and handed over to some other recipient. The parents weren't picky either - so a mistakenly shrunk pair of office trousers from an uncle, with a mismatched plaid shirt from a cousin (machined over) and became part of the wardrobe.
For a long time I had to put up with my sister's clothes - she being the eldest in the entire family - got spanking brand new clothes. Note the clothes weren't handed over directly - they went through a few cousins first! The only time we all got new clothes was only for occasions like Diwali or some other festival.
Also remember those pattu-pavadais with their innumerable tucks? The joy when the last of the tucks was removed! Remember our moms washing them with the special soap-nut seeds?
Sometime after those lean childhood years - the hand-me-down system abruptly ceased. New clothes became the norm and not just on special occasions either.
And so I got this beautiful new gorgeous (and expensive) silk kurta - unfortunately it shrunk a size too small (should have dry-cleaned it but mom swore by her soap-nut cleansing). Well I simply handed-it-down to my sis. You see by then I'd grown taller than her!
It didn't matter if the clothes didn't fit. Too long - no problem - fold, run through machine (singer sewing machine) - there you go. Too loose? Again machine - who cares if the sides are uneven? Too short or too tight? Hmmm... sadly discarded and handed over to some other recipient. The parents weren't picky either - so a mistakenly shrunk pair of office trousers from an uncle, with a mismatched plaid shirt from a cousin (machined over) and became part of the wardrobe.
For a long time I had to put up with my sister's clothes - she being the eldest in the entire family - got spanking brand new clothes. Note the clothes weren't handed over directly - they went through a few cousins first! The only time we all got new clothes was only for occasions like Diwali or some other festival.
Also remember those pattu-pavadais with their innumerable tucks? The joy when the last of the tucks was removed! Remember our moms washing them with the special soap-nut seeds?
Sometime after those lean childhood years - the hand-me-down system abruptly ceased. New clothes became the norm and not just on special occasions either.
And so I got this beautiful new gorgeous (and expensive) silk kurta - unfortunately it shrunk a size too small (should have dry-cleaned it but mom swore by her soap-nut cleansing). Well I simply handed-it-down to my sis. You see by then I'd grown taller than her!
Friday, April 26, 2013
10 books to read before the end of the world
According to this article.
The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins
I haven't read it. My son has though. Maybe I'll get started on it.
Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
Read this one way back in Grade 9 or 10. I don't remember anything much about it. My son wants to read it. So I guess I'll re-read it now.
Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell
I read this in in Grade 9 too, immediately after "Animal Farm". At that time I didn't quite understand what a satire was, let alone concepts of dictatorship or communism or socialism. Back to my son (see the theme emerging?) - I'll get his copy and re-read.
Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro
Another one in the science-fiction genre though some critics laud it as a "coming of age" story. Somehow the synopsis doesn't appeal to me.
Lord Of The Flies, William Golding
Ha! You guessed it. My son had this book for his English and hated it. Mom's genes go into their offspring, something tells me I wont like it either.
Neuromancer, William Gibson
Pretty interesting tale.
Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury
The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins
I haven't read it. My son has though. Maybe I'll get started on it.
Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
Read this one way back in Grade 9 or 10. I don't remember anything much about it. My son wants to read it. So I guess I'll re-read it now.
Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell
I read this in in Grade 9 too, immediately after "Animal Farm". At that time I didn't quite understand what a satire was, let alone concepts of dictatorship or communism or socialism. Back to my son (see the theme emerging?) - I'll get his copy and re-read.
Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro
Another one in the science-fiction genre though some critics laud it as a "coming of age" story. Somehow the synopsis doesn't appeal to me.
Lord Of The Flies, William Golding
Ha! You guessed it. My son had this book for his English and hated it. Mom's genes go into their offspring, something tells me I wont like it either.
Neuromancer, William Gibson
Pretty interesting tale.
Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury
I found many of Bradbury's woks to be kind of sadistic, so I have always been hesitant of reaching out for this one.
The Time Machine, HG Wells
I love the concept of time travel. That's the only thing that was attractive about this one.
I love the concept of time travel. That's the only thing that was attractive about this one.
Divergent, Veronica Roth
Never even heard of this.
Never even heard of this.
The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood
I prefer other Atwood books. But to give credit where due - her writing skills are truly superb.
I prefer other Atwood books. But to give credit where due - her writing skills are truly superb.
Which ones on this list have you read? Did you like them?
Monday, April 22, 2013
Gawah
I used to know a polite girl who never failed to thank me for anything I did for her, no matter how trivial. Then as it happens we parted ways, but since I kept in touch with the family I heard occasional snippets about what she was doing.
Then one fine morning when randomly perusing the news I came across this article:
http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/film/gauri-chadha-focuses-on-the-victims-of-the-mumbai-attacks-in-new-film
Way to go Gauri for your sensitive portrayal that will tug at the heart strings and remind us that as citizens of the world we all need to stand united and do our bit to fight this nasty, brutal, ugly thing of terrorism.
Then one fine morning when randomly perusing the news I came across this article:
http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/film/gauri-chadha-focuses-on-the-victims-of-the-mumbai-attacks-in-new-film
Way to go Gauri for your sensitive portrayal that will tug at the heart strings and remind us that as citizens of the world we all need to stand united and do our bit to fight this nasty, brutal, ugly thing of terrorism.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Full Disclosure
Was re-reading some old books...
The first thing that comes up when talking about Michael Cricthon's "Disclosure" is sexual harassment, in particular, the sexual harassment of a man by a woman.
Fair enough, but to me I find the book is actually a really good mystery story. As Sanders (the protagonist) is advised throughout the book "Solve the problem."
I liked the movie too. This is one case where the movie does not disappoint. I did see the Hindi version "Aeitraaz" too - with Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor. Actually it wasn't too bad - only wish they hadn't gone the "utmost devoted loyal wife who will lie on burning coals for her husband" route.
Disclosure - Revenge is Sweet and best served cold...
The first thing that comes up when talking about Michael Cricthon's "Disclosure" is sexual harassment, in particular, the sexual harassment of a man by a woman.
Fair enough, but to me I find the book is actually a really good mystery story. As Sanders (the protagonist) is advised throughout the book "Solve the problem."
I liked the movie too. This is one case where the movie does not disappoint. I did see the Hindi version "Aeitraaz" too - with Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor. Actually it wasn't too bad - only wish they hadn't gone the "utmost devoted loyal wife who will lie on burning coals for her husband" route.
Disclosure - Revenge is Sweet and best served cold...
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Nostalgia
Folks from India - do you remember those blue inland letters?
For the longest time ever I always thought they were "England" letters. My parents used to regularly write to their folks back home using inlands. I remember my mom or dad leaving a small space at the very end where I inevitably would write:
"My dear Uncle/Aunty or Grandpa/Grandma,
How are you? We are fine. I went to school today.
Write soon."
And then would follow a drawing of a house or a car - colored most painstakingly. After this came the most important task of all to go and drop the letter in the mail-box and wait for the reply where the usual comment would be "By the way Uncle/Aunt/G'pa/G'ma liked your drawing. They say you've improved a lot".
When my sister went off to Medical School and I was given the privilege of actually writing a whole half page to her. By then I had graduated to writing poems! "There was mouse who lived in a house, His tail was blue and one day it grew etc". (Probably put her off Literature for life!)
And the terror of telegrams. Telegrams meant one thing - either a death in the family or a serious illness with summons to hop onto the next available bus. It was the maids that communicated arrivals of the dreaded telegrams. "You know madam - one of those horrible telegram things arrived at so-and-so's house. Madam So-and-So burst into tears and they are leaving for the bus-depot in an hours time."
Few years later - it became acceptable to send telegrams for Birthdays and Weddings and later extended to congratulating someone on passing their exams. Since the amount you paid was based on the number of words - the less said the better. The P&T came out with a list of standard greetings. So all you had to do was to pick the number. So if it was someone's birthday you simply said "17" and the recipient would get to see "Many happy returns of the day" - while you paid only for that one word.
Here's what I found...from the Rourkela Post Office site - looks like not much has changed ...
List of Standard Telegram Greetings
For the longest time ever I always thought they were "England" letters. My parents used to regularly write to their folks back home using inlands. I remember my mom or dad leaving a small space at the very end where I inevitably would write:
"My dear Uncle/Aunty or Grandpa/Grandma,
How are you? We are fine. I went to school today.
Write soon."
And then would follow a drawing of a house or a car - colored most painstakingly. After this came the most important task of all to go and drop the letter in the mail-box and wait for the reply where the usual comment would be "By the way Uncle/Aunt/G'pa/G'ma liked your drawing. They say you've improved a lot".
When my sister went off to Medical School and I was given the privilege of actually writing a whole half page to her. By then I had graduated to writing poems! "There was mouse who lived in a house, His tail was blue and one day it grew etc". (Probably put her off Literature for life!)
And the terror of telegrams. Telegrams meant one thing - either a death in the family or a serious illness with summons to hop onto the next available bus. It was the maids that communicated arrivals of the dreaded telegrams. "You know madam - one of those horrible telegram things arrived at so-and-so's house. Madam So-and-So burst into tears and they are leaving for the bus-depot in an hours time."
Few years later - it became acceptable to send telegrams for Birthdays and Weddings and later extended to congratulating someone on passing their exams. Since the amount you paid was based on the number of words - the less said the better. The P&T came out with a list of standard greetings. So all you had to do was to pick the number. So if it was someone's birthday you simply said "17" and the recipient would get to see "Many happy returns of the day" - while you paid only for that one word.
List of Standard Telegram Greetings
1. Kind Remembrances and all Good Wishes for the Independence Day (18)
2. Sincere Greetings for the Republic Day Long Live the Republic (19)
2. Sincere Greetings for the Republic Day Long Live the Republic (19)
FESTIVAL
1. Heartiest Diwali Greetings (1)
2. Id Mubarak (2)
3. Heartiest Bijoya Greetings (3)
4. A Merry Christmas to you (9)
5. My Heartiest Holi Greetings to you (20)
6. Heartiest Pongal Greetings (26)
7. Heartiest Gur Purb Greetings (27)
8. Heartiest Onam Greetings (29)
9. Heartiest Ugadi Greetings (33)
10. Wish you a Happy Bihu (35)
11. A Happy Easter (36)
12. Heartiest Greetings on Buddha Jayanti (37)
13. Heartiest Guru Ravidas Purnima Greetings (39)
2. Id Mubarak (2)
3. Heartiest Bijoya Greetings (3)
4. A Merry Christmas to you (9)
5. My Heartiest Holi Greetings to you (20)
6. Heartiest Pongal Greetings (26)
7. Heartiest Gur Purb Greetings (27)
8. Heartiest Onam Greetings (29)
9. Heartiest Ugadi Greetings (33)
10. Wish you a Happy Bihu (35)
11. A Happy Easter (36)
12. Heartiest Greetings on Buddha Jayanti (37)
13. Heartiest Guru Ravidas Purnima Greetings (39)
SPECIAL OCCASIONS
1. A Happy New Year To You (4)
2. Many Happy returns of the day (5)
3. Hearty Congratulations on the new Arrival (6)
4. Greetings on the occasion of Parvushan-a day of universal forgiveness (28)
5. Heartiest Congratulations on Greh Pravesh (38)
2. Many Happy returns of the day (5)
3. Hearty Congratulations on the new Arrival (6)
4. Greetings on the occasion of Parvushan-a day of universal forgiveness (28)
5. Heartiest Congratulations on Greh Pravesh (38)
WEDDING
1. Best Wishes for a long and Happy married life (8)
2. May Heaven’s Choicest Blessings be showered on the young couple (16)
3. Wish you both a happy and prosperous wedded life (17)
4. Convey our blessings to the newly married couple (25)
5. Best Wishes on your wedding anniversary (30)
2. May Heaven’s Choicest Blessings be showered on the young couple (16)
3. Wish you both a happy and prosperous wedded life (17)
4. Convey our blessings to the newly married couple (25)
5. Best Wishes on your wedding anniversary (30)
GENERAL
1. Congratulations on the Distinction conferred on you (7)
2. Hearty Congratulations on your success in the Examination (10)
3. Best Wishes for a safe and pleasant journey (11)
4. Many Thanks for your good wishes which i/we Reciprocate Most Heartily (13)
5. Congratulations (14)
6. Loving Greetings (15)
7. Wishing the function every success (21)
8. Many thanks for your kind message of Greetings (22)
9. Best Wishes for your successes in the examination (23)
10. Wish you a happy retired life (31)
11. Wish you a speedy recovery (32)
12. Congratulations on your victory (34)
2. Hearty Congratulations on your success in the Examination (10)
3. Best Wishes for a safe and pleasant journey (11)
4. Many Thanks for your good wishes which i/we Reciprocate Most Heartily (13)
5. Congratulations (14)
6. Loving Greetings (15)
7. Wishing the function every success (21)
8. Many thanks for your kind message of Greetings (22)
9. Best Wishes for your successes in the examination (23)
10. Wish you a happy retired life (31)
11. Wish you a speedy recovery (32)
12. Congratulations on your victory (34)
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