Slice Of Life: AtoZ Challenge Theme!

AtoZ is almost here! Unlike last time, when I joined in at the nth moment and ran around like a headless chicken, this time I'm more planned (or so I think!). Of course all the credit goes to the cheer leaders at WT who are known to be tough taskmasters (:-P)

Speaking of WT, it has got me so addicted to fiction writing that I realize I have not done justice to the loves of my life - Books, travel and food........

Revealing my AtoZ theme - "SLice Of Life" ...

Munch(my Nephew) can be the eye-candy in this collage no :)

Head over to Vidya's blog to know the themes of rest of us participating....

Darkness to Light....

Today is a guest post by a dear friend. A friend who I associate with "Generosity" - after all my Kindle, favorite watch are courtesy him. It was in strange circumstances we became friends but am glad he remained my friend even when the "circumstance" ceased to be! He is a "ping" away at office - and on days when am down or downright bored - he is the man to go to :).  A man of few words(atleast when you met)  - he amazed me with his writings. Hidden deep somewhere is a philosopher - I wish he would write more.....

Over to him for his post on IWD....

It was a bright sunny day. A perfect day to spend time outdoor, the options are numerous, cricket?? football?? beach?? fishing?? long ride?? long drive??... the list goes on but something in my mind prompted me to go and experience the vastness, harshness & the calmness of the sea. The decision was indeed easy I decided to go with it..

Now I cannot just run into the vastness of the sea. First I packed some grub and loads of water. A bottle of sunscreen lotion, shades, cap and a fishing rod ...I think I am good to go. I rented a motorboat from the adventure club outlet near the beach and with their assistance I started my ride...er I set sail..

I was first amused then absorbed into the vastness of this giant creature we call an Ocean/Sea, gradually the beach and the people were becoming a distant memory. With every moving second the bright sunny day was turning into a cold windy and darker day. The next second I could feel myself lifted 500 ft and the following second a huge wave came crashing down my boat and the immediate second that followed was filled with emptiness.

The next moment was that of submergence. As I gradually went down and darkness set in, reminiscence of all things good made way into my empty & wet mind. This feeling of submergence was familiar, was not the first time ... I remember the helplessness of a newborn and the hand that pulled me to her warmth. I remember the helplessness of a boy and also the smile of an angel that pushed me through. I remember the struggle and helplessness of a young man and the soft shoulders that calmed me every day. Now I see another hand that is gradually pulling me and there I was in the arms of my sweet heart with coffee n toast beside me . She kissed me good morning and I woke to a wonderful day yet again.,, and indeed it was a good day,,, a sunny day,,,, time for outdoors., a walk by the beach with my sweet heart is all that is on my mind.

Every passing day and every passing moment, you have pulled me from darkness to light. You continue to inspire me to live another day another moment...

Do head over to his blog and tell him how beautifully he writes.....

Linking this to Day 7 of WT Fest ..... And with this comes to an end third edition of WT Fest of Words!I had an absolute whale of time during this fest.....

Chandru's Pink Elephant...

Two-year old Chandru dozed off - cuddled up with his favorite pink-elephant.

A tight slap woke him up - Chandru whimpered when he saw the stick in his mother’s hand. He knew these toys that his mother sold on streets for a living, were out of bounds for him. But the child in him refused…

Link this 55 word fiction to Day 6 of WT Fest....

Family HeirLoom

In this post written a good three years back, I grieved about not having a hand written letter from my father... Here is an excerpt from the post...

Today when my dad is no more, all the memories I have are in my heart and may be a few pics that will speak for themselves. Isn’t it sad that my child will never have a chance of knowing him better especially considering what a beautiful writer my dad was........

But what I do have is this souvenir (this plank was stenciled and laminated by him) in which he had engraved the principle that truly governed his life and was a permanent resident at his office table!  Today it endows my home, at a place where I set my eyes as soon as I wake up in the morning..... My Kitchen window. A good piece of wisdom  to take in as I brew my cup of morning tea rt :)

This souvenir in indeed an inspiration for me... On worst of my days, I take a deep breath and read this aloud - The day suddenly seems more bearable.....

 Linking this to  Day 5 Of WT Fest of words - "An Inspiring Story" .


 This post is also my entry for the ‘My Most Memorable Memento’ contest conducted by My Yatra Diary travel blog and Indian Coupons.". I tag Pixie, Aditi, Ishi to share their most precious souvenir and its story...

Book Review: Monsoon Diary

This is one review that was long overdue. "Monsoon Diary" was in my to-read list from the time Sabs mentioned it revolved around Kerala and its food. So it was an absolute  delight when I received it from Leo as a part of secret Santa.

The book is autobiographical -  author's story  from the time she is a toddler to well  into her 20s intertwined with food associated at each age.  Starting with choru-unnal(A Malyalee hindu custom of initiating an infant into solid food) to injipulli(A sweet and sour ginger pickle) to fusion food, end of each chapter has the recipe for the delicacy.

The first few chapters can as well be the story of any other child growing up in parts of Kerala and that's where I began losing the interest - I could have as well penned those chapters! But the latter part of the book when she flies off to USA for higher education is where the book gets interesting - the coming of age of an young Indian girl !

What though makes this book extra special for me is the unexpected meeting with the author herself as I was reading the book. She bowled me over with her simplicity and is somebody who has  absolutely no-airs about her .... Was a pleasure meeting you Shobha Narayan!

I would recommend this book especially for non Kerala readers -it  gives a simplistic glimpse into our food and lives.....


This review is a part of WT fest - Day 4. 

Of Cakes and Tees....

Day 3 of WT Fest and we are literally given a free reign ! "Free Write" it is- You could read more about it here...

Off late I have been having a whale of time organizing  cakes, gifts for birthdays and small family gatherings. That instant smile, the unguarded, non -calculative reaction that pops up as soon as the lucky recipient (:-P) lay eyes on it is all the credit you'll ever need. And it's not as if you need a heavy wallet to do this - all you need is some creativity(nee, strike it out - Google zindabad!) and the inclination to do it! Here is what we have been up to last few weeks.....

My nephew is turning three this week and he is a big fan of spider-man. I got my favorite thaddikaaran to put together this pic for me.... The moment the little imp set his eyes on it, he literally went berserk kissing the laptop monitor :-D. Am planning to put this on a cake(a "picture cake") or print it on a Tee.... I cannot wait to see his reaction then :-D. Thank you Thaadikaaro... U absolutely rocked it!

I absolutely enjoyed putting together this cake for my sister's little fellas homecoming... beautiful rt :-D. The design idea was again courtesy Google. My sister's excitement when she saw this was the perfect reward.....

Now why kids alone, when I got this tee(the pic on it was clicked by him) for my peter-pan last year, he actually wondered aloud "How do you manage to do this every-time!". Now this coming from somebody who thinks gifts are his birth right was absolutely exhilarating :-D

That's enough of self-dabba(self praise) for one day no :)

PS: Nee am neither an event planner nor a baker. Am the perfect "Project Manager" - I can come up with "larger than life" ideas but will need people who can execute it :-P

PPS: Do hop onto Pixie's blog where I have done a guest post for her. While you're there, do read the extra-nice things she has to say about me  :-D

Am absolutely enjoying this season WT Fest of words......

Blog Love!

I have many a friends talking about "Social Responsibility", "Giving back to society"  but have seen very few who'll as much as lift their little finger to do anything about it(am guilty as charged!). And then, there are these social activists who'll look upon rest of the world as mere minions!

So imagine knowing somebody who in her 20s, chucked her well paying IT job and wholeheartedly embraced social activism. Even though she is neck deep into all this, she hasn't become a cynic or let it kill the joy in her.... she is somebody who'll slog with street children through the day but will not think it beneath her to catch up with you over a cup of coffee at the nearest CCD!  Indeed a rare gem I tell you....

Go on say a hello to her at The Song Of Life..... her posts not only talk of the the great work they do at YFS but is also generously peppered with all other good things in life......

Swathi, its been as pleasure knowing you sweetheart!

PS: Did I tell you, she was the first ever blogger I met in real life :-D

The theme for today's WT fest is "Blog Love" - show some love to another blog or blogs by showcasing them on yours.  Loved this one - am off now to explore other lovely blogs..... Jump the bandwagon, wont you?

Lalita's Guruvayoor

Lalita sat in the courtyard picking stones from rice when Nair saar walked in along with next-door Venu who was visibly seething in anger."Lalita Chechi, did you hear supreme court has decided to legalize live-in relationship! Am I glad I didn’t give into Geetha’s vain arguments and settle down in Guruvayoor before little Shalu started her high school. At least here she will be far far away from live-in and other urban maladies" Venu went on. Lalita smiled indulgently as she silently offered him a glass of kattan that brewed through the day in her kitchen – ready for Venu and many other young men who came in at all hours of the day to have a word with Nair Saar.

It was a visibly relaxed Venu who stepped out a few minutes later! As Lalita locked the gate after him, she saw Nair looking out with furtive glance. She knew exactly what Nair saar must be thinking now – a thought that had been troubling Lalita since this debate of legalizing live-in has erupted. Would this Venu and other minions in this temple town look up to Nair Saar if they ever knew that this octogenarian couple was never ever officially married!


Saar - In many parts of Kerala, "sir" is colloquially referred to as "saar"
Chechi - elder sister
Guruvayoor - A temple town in Kerala. Off late its been a haven for retired couples
Kattan - Black tea\coffee

This 9 sentence fiction is for Day 1 of WT fest of words 3