Some funnies from our family...

Chris goes to an electrical shop and asks for soldering iron. The bihari shop wala says "milega" . Chris turns around and says to me (waiting in car) he only has "milega" :))))) is that the brand??? 


Me: Does anyone want some coconut crunch for dessert?
Chris Bastianpillai : No way, I don't like it...
Me: How can you not? You are not Normal !!!
Kanish: Listening to us talking, " That's because his incident ray angle does not equal is reflected ray angle" obviously he is not normal :)))

Kanish's 10th birthday poem from Mom

Dear Kanish - Tomorrow you will be 10!

You sure have had an eventful decade, 
but now make most of the century you need to hit ahead....

I respect and learn from your resilience and your ways of adjusting to the new country with unending patience...
I always admire your curiosity and eagerness, when you learn to fix things from dad with such perfectness...

You have given me moments of pride and glamour,
 I wonder how I would ever return this honor....

As you now discover yourself, remember what dadu Sid and all your teachers said!!!
They think you are too loyal a friend and too sensitive, but remember the world may not be as Rosey as you think...

Be wise, be merry, and don't every let the smile fade away from that happy face...

Birthday poem for my uncle - Anant Bhide

It was devastating to lose my father,
But am grateful that he has an elder brother…

“Dada”, is what we all call him fondly,
As a pillar he stands behind us firmly…

The first one to leave his village, taking the road less travelled
The first one to be an engineer, leaving everyone marvelled…

What a privilege it is to observe your conviction,
your genuineness, your dedication is truly an inspiration…

The ideal son, the ideal brother,
The ideal uncle and the ideal father…
It is not easy to live such a life
And you did it all without strife.

A realist, an atheist an advisor to us all,
I wonder, how do you manage to master it all?

A walking Encyclopedia, a voice of reason
A multi-talented man, a friend for every season…

At your age most compliant of pains and ailments,
You teach us to embrace our problems with no complaints…

On your birthday today, and many more to come
Hope we all learn a thing or two and like you we become…

Chris's Borthday Poem - October 8th 2014

Continuing my theme of Birthday poems,
I sat down to write one for you,
Words seem to have disappeared,
As I cant find the right one's for you...

So let me make an attempt,
To tell you such an entertainment,
It has been to watch you settle
In a fun, bizarre and crazy environment...

May 2013 is a milestone, an adventurous step for you,
Adjusting in a country, quite foreign to you,
thought of eating at Vaishali's make your eyes lit up,
Enjoying jalebis and ladoos for breakfast, aren't you living it up?

I promised you a retirement, a promise that will happen!
But then, who will teach the kids to ensure their futures we shapen...
There is so much you have experienced, there is so much you can share,
So forget the dreams of afternoon naps, lets go help those kids in despair...

I know driving is your hobby, so is cruising at high speeds,
But when drivers cut in mindlessly, it sure does push your limits..
Let me tell you something, most Indians have a PHD in driving,
Oh those stubborn Punekars, they wont change for you, so just enjoy your riding...

Dealing with Indian systems, is last on your "things to do",
Every time you wait in queue,
I chuckle at the murmur of , " do they have single digit IQ"...

UK, Aussie, US, every country you traveled,
Perfection and quality is always what you nurtured,
"Its OK na" attitude, surely makes you grumpy,
Just chill my dear, its only because we are too many....

All said and done, its just amusing and amazing...
Amazing, that you are here, a step many only think of taking...

For someone who is chatty, for someone who loves to talk,
Its a shame that the language has become a block,
Cultures, festival, traditions, hindi, marathi the list of unknowns is long,
However your sporty spirit and smiling face, makes up for it all...

Thank you for being here, making my dream yours,
Thank you for giving meaning, to this blessed life of ours!!!

Siddharths 13th Birthday Poem from Mom

Happy Birthday Sid, my big boy with a charming smile! 

You're now thirteen,
You've arrived at a special age,
Choices and plans, what will you be,
A doctor or lawyer an engineer or sage?

It's quite okay if you don't know,
More important it is, to live each day,
Take each challenge one step at a time,
Learn and enjoy, your work and play.

Live each moment, do all things well,
What's inside you, are things that last.
At home, at school, wherever you are,
Thanks be to God, you're growing fast,

Life goes quickly, it's a great gift,
God grant you wisdom to reach your quest,
For us dear son, you are most precious,
We Hope to see you do your very best.

May true friends come, they are a blessing,
Choose them wisely, this is our advice
Everyone fails at one time or other,
But learn from the failures and grow wise.

You have the smile that kills many hearts,
And surely the looks to make impression that lasts,
I know you love to eat, but eat only what you should...
Now be a good teenager and make us proud!

Of people, things, generations and more during my morning walk....

Since being officially diagnosed as a "sweet person" aka diabetic, one thing I have been stickler about is a decent 5 km morning walk...I'd like to add rain or shine, pan sadhya punya madhe, "Ye re ye re pausa" situation aaslya mule, just shine!!!

I set my mood right by loading the ipod playlists with Mangeshkar to Bhosale to PL Deshpande to Sonu Nigam to Rafi to Kishor Kumar to Yo Yo Honey Singh :-)) Unhh Unhh, I must confess, walking on the beat of, " Char Bottle Vodka" at 6.30 am is not always a bad thing!!! Now some readers may want to kill me for even typing his name on the same line as the other legendary musicians, so my apologies...but in the end whatever gets me going, right? 

Anyhow, while I walk I come across so many strangers who now seem like unspoken friends, same recognisable faces at same spots and turns. What has become more and more obvious in my interpretations is the generation gap and how we techno-savvy people are really changing for the worst!!!! Let me tell you why….

I see many disciplined old couples going for a refreshing morning stroll. I meet one Aji Ajoba (grandma, grandpa) daily. Ajoba is tidily dressed, aged gracefully with silver hair combed neatly…portraying his years of experience…while Aji is sweet and comfortable in her cotton salwar also dressed meticulously and gives a broad smile each day we cross paths. I reckon they are in their late 70s…but nothing softens my heart like the sight of the handsome old man holding his wife’s hand as they cross the Baner road at MyWorld…simply a nourishing sight!

And then there are the sport model wannabes…with their fancy sporty attire and shoes and colourful headbands…one wonders are they out to get a good morning run or to model their branded sports wear…its amusing!!

On the other hand, I see many many groups of mums and their kids also waiting at the bus stop for the school bus to come. From their uniforms, I can tell they go to some up-market international schools. What is appalling is that all the kids are standing with smart phones in their hands, crushing candy or playing angry birds without interacting with each other. When I went to school, my friends at the bus stop and I wouldn't stop talking with each other after reaching school…and even in the classroom Ahem!!

How unfortunate can it get? Kids, with their heads buried in phone, who can't be bothered to look up and say a good morning let alone smile????

It made me feel disappointed and concerned at the same time and I just couldn't stop thinking, will these kids grow up to be the old together and turn into the gentle and caring ajoba who hold’s ajis hand while crossing a busy road??

Is this a dream for todays generation?

My Aaji, Ayurveda and Diabetese...

Ayurveda and Diabetes

Ayurveda has always been close to my heart. The immense faith and love for Ayurveda was fostered by my sweetest Aji (grandmother) who also was the daughter of an “ayurvedic Vaidya” in small city of Chiplun along the Konkan coast.

For every symptom / illness anyone complained of, she had an all natural remedy to suggest.  . As kids we never went to a doctor for anything. She always had her small pitara (treasure box) of her magical medications that just made us feel better. I think the real secret was in the warmth of her loving hand stroking my hair or face when she applied fever or headache medication on my forehead. But mind you, her medicines may sound ancient, but she was the most progressive grandmother I have met. An expert home maker, a Annapurna and a firm believer of, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, just don’t say it”. She brought us up with these values which I sincerely wish I didn’t forget from time to time. A short sweet lady who embodies love and how I wish she was around today like she did whenever I needed her in my forming years….

I hope to make a diary of all her medications for various illness and hope to publish it some day. But in the mean time, here is my first set of blogs Aaji, in your memory. I know you are watching from up there and I want you to know that my belief in Ayurveda still exists and I have the conviction to support my diabetes treatment with the natural remedies, just like how you would have wanted me too. 

My Aaji, Neela Chitale.

A Sugarfree Sweet Life

A Sugarfree Sweet Life

I had always heard that life really changes when you turn 40, of course I never believed it until it happened to me!!! Sept 2013, I turned 40 and a switch went OFF…..things just started to change, heels started to hurt, hunger pangs, blurry vision and on and on….I procrastinated seeing a doctor for almost 6 months and finally I did…What a rude awakening that was, sugar levels of 400, Holy cow!!!!

I like to believe I am a sweet person, but don’t want to be this sweet either J It just doesn’t fit well with my “ Kokanastha Brahmin” tag! Once I read the reports, the sugar in my blood translated into buckets of salty tears….Being a gestational diabetic thru’ both my pregnancies, and a family history of diabetes, I always knew that I am future candidate for this condition which millions suffer from, but I didn’t expect it at 40! Honestly speaking, having home help in India and an academy to establish and run did play a small role in me ignoring my food and exercise habits… Needles to say, I have simply embraced the world of insulin needles and exercise and carb-controlled diet….

Chris, my life support has been a great husband and kept my spirits high to tackle this. My kids have started to remind me, Mom don’t eat this and that and even have been courteous by choosing a banana over an apple from the fruit basket, as I am not allowed to eat bananas. I must say am fortunate to have all this support and a great doctor to take me to a life without needles…

The chef in me is now challenged to create unique and easy diabetic friendly Indian recipes and hence this blog to help me document my journey dealing with diabetes, create awareness and to help others like me to manage this condition…. I am really looking at diabetes as a catalyst to healthier, happier and sugar free sweet life.

Buying our first car in Pune

Engineers of analytical minds do their research on everything...so did we and shortlisted three cars, one of them soon to be my Dhanno to take me thru' the busy and narrow streets of Pune. The criteria for selection was: stylistic looks, ease of driving and fuel efficiency. Based on this we had three cars picked, i.e Maruti Swift, Hyundai i10 and Volkswagon Polo.

The next logical thing was to visit the showrooms, so we stared with Maruti dealer, being close to home. It seems like every third car owner drives a Maruti and one would imagine they must have the best service! We entered the showroom and felt what P. L Deshpande said about Puner's shopowners...."The least important thing in a shop is the customer". The salesman gave us price quotes and said he didn't have time to take us for a test drive but he would bring the car home the next day and let us drive it....Haven't heard from him yet.!

The Hyundai guys were typical car salesman..they are still calling me even though I have told them thrice that I have decided against it. The i10 is a good car and I wanted to get it mainly because of the Automatic model...dealing with a manual car in Pune traffic is surely overwhelming...but I told myself if so many others can drive, so can I :-)

Last but not least we visited the B.U.Bhandari showroom for checking out the VW Polo...we were so impressed by the overall customer service (the CCD coffee served was not the best :-) though). The team was professional and knowledgeable about the features and functions. Chris took the car for a spin and loved the pickup and felt he could "race" in the car....obviously decision was made and we walked out handing over the payment check! The red color is stunning and we decided to go with the diesel version - Polo TDI. The petrol prices are at all time high, costing more than Beer. People say "Just Drink", don't Drive!

Another brownie point for the VW dealer, they have a registrar on staff and he certified all my docs, making it easy to purchase despite the NRI status...Maruti and Hyundai didn't offer this service and it was another hassle I would have had to deal with. I have managed to get the car out a few times and having a lil too much fun with the 1st gear :-))) especially when I stall at the signal...the honking in all directions is becoming music to my ears now!!!!

...Happy driving!!

Young Adult Speaks - The Art of Living way!

Over the past month School has been great! It's not like US school's, it is really very much different. First of all it is a little longer than my old school, but I don't really mind it. The bus ride is a long one - almost one hour from our temporary house. The drive is rather scenic so time flies by and now we have a group of us back benchers who can get naughty!!!

Our Young Adult now has Glasses!

  Once we arrive at the school at 8.00 am, we go to our class for prayers. After prayers all the kids go for Kriya. In Kriya there are three parts: 1. Bastrika, 2. Sudarshan Kriya and 3. Ending Mantra.
In Bastrika you have to sit in Vajrasan and perform breathing through your nose and stick you hand up in the air with open palms. This is one count, we do 15 counts per round and three rounds total. In Sudarshan Kriya, we take two breaths thru' our nose and then say very softly, " Ha Ha". Then we say Ho Ho, so we alternate breathing between the " Ha's and Ho's". We end this by a mantra and head out for assembly.

In assembly each class takes turn to say daily news, thought of the day and upcoming events. After assembly we go down to our class for a delicious hot breakfast...of course I enjoy that thoroughly :-)

The classes start at 9.00 and we follow the time table set in the beginning of school year. Every day we have different classes. In US we follow the same schedule everyday, here it varies. We are also doing special classes. Every week we have three Taekwondo lessons and for my elective, I am learning Harmonium. It is sorta similar to Piano and since I have learnt piano for 3 years, I am finding it easy to grasp.

Sanskrit! Yes I am learning it and its pretty easy actually. Infact I told Aai that I would rather do Sanskrit than German when I go to 9th grade :-)

Shastravahini - This is a special program our school is running and it focuses on different engineering disciplines and modeling. Never thought I could do hands on engineering and find it so interesting!

Overall, I am really learning many different things at school, music, academics and martial arts. I look forward to it each day and I really LIKE ALL THE KIDS. They are so warm and friendly and even if there are fights, I feel there is more understanding amongst kids. I like the value education class they teach us to make right choices, even though they are not always easy :-)) Ask your parents about moving back and join SSRVM, you'll will love it just as I do.

I don't much like the amount of Homework and School on 1st and 3rd Saturdays, but I can live!

Do keep reading and let me know what you want to hear more about..

-Sid!

Koffee with Kanish - (Being Class Monitor)

1. Kanish, it has been 6 weeks since you moved to Pune, How does it feel?
I feel much more relaxed and I am enjoying my routine now. The bus ride felt long in the beginning but now that I have made friends on the bus, I enjoy our time. I also feel good to teach them how to solve the Rubiks Cube. They all think I am smart because I can solve the cube in less than 2 minutes...:-)))

2. I hear you didn't like the first few days of school, why is that?
Because it was too loud for me and I was not able to study properly. My teacher said, "you can get cotton balls", now she says I am one of them :-)

3. Have you made any new friends?
I have made 5 friends their names are Ishan, Karan, Aniketh, Aditya and Mohinesh. They all are very nice to me. 

Mr. Goofy Answers...

4. So anything exciting happening in school?
YES!!!I Became The Class Monitor For The First Semester. I got 15 out of 24 votes...so am feeling pretty excited! It felt so nice to be chosen by my classmates even though I am new in the class. 

5. What is your plan for your classroom?
My plan is to make my classroom cleaner.

6. That is nice, but what have you done about it?
I made an announcement in my classroom and told kids separately that we should not litter because we are not cleaning it up, the Maushi's are. 

7. Is there anything you miss terribly from US?
YES my best of friend Atharva and also Dad since he has not moved here yet. I hope he can sell our house and come here soon. It is not the same without him, even though he is strict, I miss him so much as I learn so much from him everyday, especially when I do my projects. I also miss Neilu, he is so cute..and Dipti Maushi and Gautam and Gayatri. 

8. Is there anything you like to say to your friends in US?
Yes I miss you more then anything else and am looking forward to coming there next summer to see you all. I also want them to come here and stay with us. 

9. Do you think you are doing better in Pune or was it better in US?
I still haven't decided, but I have a feeling I will do better in Pune. I also enjoy spending time with the kids in our society and playing with them downstairs. We play cricket and hide and seek and we also play small pranks :-) :-) I can't say everything we have done so far :-)

10. Oh and have you missed your Steak yet?
Yeah...that I miss for sure. But when Dad comes here he can make it for me, he makes the best Steak. 

Revisiting Bachpan...!

One of the benefits of R2P is how little time the kids have been spending on "screen"...every chance they get, they run down in the society parking lot to play with their friends. Badminton, Cricket, Hide and Seek to name a few....Even when they play Wii, it is mainly for their new friends who haven't see some of the new games that are not released in India...

My lil Dhoni!

My Harbhajan!

The Indian culture mandates that If you are a boy and you didn't spend hours playing Galli Cricket, you aren't following the religion of cricket, which truly unites kids from all races and religions. Both Sid and Kanish have started practicing this religion and thoroughly enjoying the Galli Twenty 20s :-). I get demonstrations of how one is becoming a good "spinner" and one hit the car front light of a poor neighbor. Thankfully, nothing happened so all the kids told me "mum was the word"  I just let that one sly, as I have done worst things as a child myself :-))

Chasing frogs 

It's monsoon time and I simply love monsoons here (minus the mosquitoes and water ditches of course). Pune is simply green and luscious this time of the year and the smell of onion pakodas and tea with ginger n lemongrass is pure Bliss! But more than that, its being able to play out in the rain. In Portland, we hate when it rains and going out to play is out of question as it is freezing too..The first rain and I was out there with the boys. We ran after the little frogs and made paper boats and they also played cricket in rain..totally relived my childhood days...and rather than me writing more, these words from Jagjit Singh's Ghazal will do complete justice to our experience...

Ye Daulat Bhi Le Lo, Ye Shohrat Bhi Le Lo

Bhale Cheen Lo Mujhse Meri Jawaani

Magar Mujhko Lauta Do Bachchpan Ka Saawan,

Woh Kagaj Ki Kashti Woh Barish Ka pani....

Kabhi Re't Ke Oonche Tilon Pe Jaana

Gharonde Banana, Banaake Mitaana

Woh Massoom Chahat ki Tasveer Apni,

Wok Khwabon Khiono ke Jageer Apni.

Na Duniya ka Gham Tha Na Rishton Ke Bandhan

Badi Khubsoorat this woh Zindagani...

A Day at RTO

Eager to get my license done, I reached the RTO office with all the relevant documents forms etc. Long lines, stinky people around, mis-behaving college students and mostly a non-value added workflow for the officials, all too annoying!! but frankly, none of the DMV trips have been very quick either....!

Here is the process and experience at each step:

1. Document review: We wait outside an office in a super long line to have documents checked. After 45 minutes my name is called, the lady looking at my docs asked if I have temporarily come to Pune or moved here. After I told her we moved she didn't look at rest of my docs and said, "Are waa phar chan" with a big smile :-)). Blue Stamp of approval, relief that I cleared the first milestone and on to next counter...

2. Pay Fees: Go to counter 2 for paying money, the line system breaks at this counter, so managed to push my way thru' and got the payment receipt.

3. Get your picture taken: After showing the payment receipt, we were allowed to enter a huge room with benches along the walls and few fans keeping it relatively cool! We sat on the benches and moved along the walls as people were called in for finger prints and pictures. I was being somewhat arrogant and leaving a one person space between me and the guys next to me (u know why the arrogance, the smell!!!!)...Oh boy, did many eye that space!! To be precise, around 8 college kids (not targeting here :-), perhaps they were as eager to get their first time license) tried to come and grab that spot thinking they could just cut the line. But each time, I said with a blank face, "Line tikde mage suru hote" :-)) I wasn't going to give in. After a while I started to get some looks, but I ignored and continued to calculate time per person to get the picture done!

4. Computerized Test: After the pictures it was time to take computerized test. This is when it was challenging to be patient. It had been close to two hours already. I looked around the room and there were 50 people! I was thinking to myself, OMG, it's going to be another 3 hours before I get called for my test!...after 5 minutes the test room doors opened and they called all of us in...curiously I entered the room and there....a huge room with Kaun Banega Crorepati scene...50 chairs with handheld devices and a huge projector screen in the front. The multiple choice test was displayed on the screen and we had to make our selections on our individual handhelds. 10 questions, 10 seconds per question to answer and I was done!!! They displayed the failed person names in "red" on the screen, thank God my name wasn't on it :-) All that public humiliation...

.......Finally I was out of there thinking the 5 minutes computer test made it worth the 2 hour wait....I was impressed by the way they managed the test for the masses, only if they could extend that efficiency in steps 1,2 and 3......

Update on Pancard

So I finally received my Pan card in mail last week. Not only did I receive it in the promised time frame of two weeks but I was notified by SMS when it was approved and also when it was dispatched! But all this was a smooth sail only after I got the documents right...which wasn't easy. 


For Pancard processing you need to produce 1. Proof of Address and 2. Proof of Identity. I figured that's easy. For proof of address I have the Index-2, given by the builder constructing our house and proof of identity would be my passport. I took all the Xerox and originals to Pan card office and stood in line with many others. The sweat smell in that small office with one small fan was simply unbearable!!!. Won't it be nice if government of India handed out free Deodorant sticks to the public, especially the ones who cannot afford :-), maybe institute a "ration card" system for Deo's :-))). Anyways, when I finally pushed my way to get 2 minutes of the "document reviewer's time" he said he government does not accept Index-2, bummer!!!

I was in a real fix as I had no other way to produce proof of address. No electricity/phone bills, nor is my name included on my Aai's house etc...So advice to readers (especially one's with US citizenship), maybe a good idea to have your name added to your parent's property before you have apply for your Pancard. For those of you with Indian passports, your residence address in on your passport which can be used for POA.

I made that one phone call to my cousin Satish Dada (Mr. Knows it all and helps them All). He gave me a fantastic suggestion. "Apparently a nationalized bank passbook qualifies as POA". I do have NRI accounts, but they are no good. I walked into Bank of Maharashtra with my Sis. They let me open a bank account based on the same Index-2 the same document, Pan card officers wouldn't accept as POA!!! :-)))...I deposited some minimal amount, got a passbook. Made Xerox copies of the same, submitted to the PanCard office and Wolla..!!!!

I found it ridiculously strange that they accepted a daughter document (Bank passbook) but not mother document (Index-2). Unfortunately, In India, one needs to know the loop holes to get around the systems which is sad but did the magic for me.

I hope this helps those of you wanting to get your Pan Cards....

Regrets? Not yet!

It has been two weeks and thus far I have no regrets about the decision to move back. It has been a mixed bag of experiences...some pleasant and some very frustrating but all in all I feel good about doing this at this stage of our lives. 

Pune has changed so much....from once being a "pure Marathi" speaking community to an " English Speaking" community...except for Bhajiwalas and Rickshawalas pretty much everywhere I went so far I was able to get by with English. Not that I cannot speak Marathi, but am just testing the waters for my darling husband who has no clue of Marathi and from my experience thus far, I think he can get around just fine...

Speaking of rickshaw guys, the arrogance has only gotten worst!. A couple of days ago, I came by auto with three kids. After getting down he returned change deducting Rs. 20 for the extra seat in (my nine year old is one petite kid)..I don't have problem paying but I expected him to tell me upfront not just take my Rs 20 !! After a mild discussion and his refusal to return the money, I told him "You didn't tell me upfront, so until you return my amount I will not get down from the rickshaw"..5 minutes of power struggle later...full of "Bh" language by him...I got down with my Rs. 20 :-)

The school has started and the kids have lot of stories to share when they come home...they are amused by many things...The school bus Tai apparently screams, " mage ja, mage ja...mandiwar ghya bagaa" was amusing to them! I must say that on the first day, the sounds of Santoor and a special welcome to each child by applying Chandan on their forehead was very warm and inviting. They have liked their teachers and feel they are very friendly. So far the kids have been excited about the school but a little unhappy with the bus as there is no A/C :-)

Dealing with systems continues to be difficult...in general people are decent about following a process but there is huge lack of training and hence anytime they have to deal with a request slightly outside the box, they tend to makeup stuff and create more headache...The localities know "how and when to scream and shout" to get things done. This is surely a skill I need to polish...everyone gets the benefit of doubt once, but if they don't keep their promise, I too will have to be "part of the system" and just yell and scream to get things done :-)

At the end of the day "aaple te sone"  feelings prevail...I guess embracing our imperfections is what makes us unique! 

** (Aaple te sone - what belongs to us is gold!)

Young Adult speaks - Day 1 of SSRVM school

I could not believe how different school in India would really be!

First off the obvious is that we have to wear specific school clothes and shoes even to the extent of a school belt and socks! Another different thing was every day before class we have prayers (I knew all of them thanks to mom and Saksham) and Sudarshan Kriya. Sudarshann Kriya is basically breathing exercise. I found the way it was preformed quite interesting. Today, I made lots of friends. I met a nice boy named Atharva. He told me lot about the school and introduced me to all his friends and I ended up with two more friends! Like me he came from America (Michigan) and this is his second year at Shri Shri Ravishankar so I guess its not that bad after all.

Classes are similar to America only the teachers come to our home classroom. Speaking of teachers I met all my teachers today and they gave us a short speech on what their teaching expectations are and so on. My class teacher (teaching English) is really funny and cool, and he has a guitar which he played for us! 

We also met the Taekwondo teacher and he was also funny. He asked what we did over holidays and I said I came here from America and he didn't seem surprised. The same with my other teachers....

So thats how i spent my half-day at school

 -- Sid

An Ode to Gulmohar

After dropping the kids at the bus stop in the morning, I went for a morning walk across the DP road...on the way back it got quite hot and I decided to take the by-lanes back. For those of you who know Karvenagar well, these small lanes are dotted by huge Gulmohar trees...The vibrant colors are simply gorgeous! I had to stop and take some pictures of this tree.

I realized how growing up, I never took any notice of this tree, the abundant bright red orange colour flowers, the symmetry in its small green leaves almost like a green carpet and the shade it provides....it was so cooling to walk in its shade and feel sheltered...

I hear in fall the leaves change color which I never noticed as a kid, but now am looking forward to it....

Gulmohar Tree

Words thein Ameriki phir bhi dil hai bilkul Puneri!

Being mobile as quick as possible is of extreme importance to me. Not to keen on depending on the whims and fancies of the notorious Pune Rickshawalas as they clearly call the shots if they will take you from destination A to B or not! So decided I will get my driving reflexes back via a two wheeler before I move onto driving a car. Yes, I am determined to not have a driver if I can help it as I don't want to be dependent on people...it seems like it is more work to manage them than doing it yourself.

We visited the Activa showroom on a beautiful bright sunny day of 95 deg F temperature! After looking at the models on paper in an A/C room! we went out to check out the vehicles and accessories. Did I tell you about the number of glaring looks I got for choosing a glaring red sawari? :-))

Let me be the Customer 1 and then there was a Mr. Customer 2. 

Mr. Customer 2 kept on interrupting every 2 minutes.....I ignored once, ignore twice, and the third time around the American in me woke up thinking " so rude to keep interrupting" and the demonic Puneri in me wanted to take over. 

The situation demanded that I start with a "chaaayla" under my breath and then Bhaskan Ordun (brashly) ask Customer 2, 

"aaho kay madhe madhe kartay, te sales rep aamhala madat kartayat na, tumhi thamba bar jara "  

but I couldn't bring my self to do it and instead said with a mega smile and on my face and an innocent tone of voice....

 "Tumche prashna sampestowar me ithech ek tas bhar unhat ubhi rahile tar chaaalel na? ka ajun ek don customers  yeun prashna vichare paryanta thambu?

the rest is history....I got complete attention of the sales rep and he got a FREE sales tip from me, " Ekala madat kartana tumhi aase satra janana handle nahi kele pahije na, nahitar customer parat kashala ikde yeil..baki kiti tari dealer aahet Punyat"

The million dollar Q is, Does he care? :-))