Locked, Unlocked

In the world of today, the title itself is quite indicative about the subject of this post.

Gentle Disclaimer: Before I proceed, I know the world is going through a massive turmoil. And this is just a simple post, about a simple woman and how a not so simple virus impacted her simple daily life when the world was forced into Lockdown. A cathartic experience to pen this down and to talk about the lessons and learnings it Unlocked for me.

So, the “Unlockdown” phase has started in the country. And with that my crashed laptop is back, unlocked with a new hard disk drive. I can write again. (I absolutely abhor writing on a small mobile device.)

A quick look at how things went:-

• Celebrating landmark 1^st birthday of Little Ms. A – ✔✔
• Celebrating (visiting) brother’s landmark birthday – ✔✔
• Celebrating 6^th b'day (+farewell to buddies) of Bigger Ms. A  – ✔✔
• All set to move to another city (and school for the elder one) – ✔✔
• Lockdown announced – ✔✔
• Existing plans of the family - ✖✖, all of a sudden

First up, the two little women and their mommy had to get used to the Daddy being around the house -- Was this for real… 24x7, All days of Every week??!!

The man, himself, would initially move around with a dazed look, as colleagues got substituted by three women of different sizes and serious discussions on video calls got interspersed with whoops and giggles and clattering of toys and banging of pots and pans. 🤣

[Psst…. He’s still not adjusted to WFH, though he now relishes the giggles that accompany his breaks]

Let’s move on to the 10 Lessons that were Unlocked for me even as I remain Locked up.

#1: Human proposes, Virus disposes

My grandmother’s favourite idiom kept replaying in my mind, as I went about my newfound chores – “Man proposes, God disposes”. Just that it got replaced by the heading I have written above.

I had totally envisioned what the next few weeks were to be like, with Bigger Ms. A starting a new school in a new city, we setting up a new house… blah blah blah.

What I was doing instead was scrambling for groceries + trying to cope with housework + handling the toddler + managing the questions of a kid who’s suddenly stuck at home + keeping the two girls entertained and engaged +

(long sentence alert) all the while getting amused at the wonder on the face of the ever-traveling husband, who experienced more of this house and the kids in this lockdown, than he ever has in the past few years that we have been here (snigger, snigger) +++…… 😉

#2: All that glitters is not Gold, but definitely your golden hard work

I re-learnt the art of sweeping and mopping, early in the morning, before the two girls awoke.

And what did I realize – that the house has never sparkled so much in the past!!

Validation came from a childhood friend (that’s what friends are for), from a far-off continent, on a video call, who commented on the spotless white floors that she could spot (pun intended) behind me. Never had I imagined my heart would sing with joy at such commendation… !!! 😜

#3: When your back is to the wall, you have to do it all – even what you have always disliked

Of course I am allowed to dislike certain chores

Back in my youth (and that’s seeming quite a long time ago), I used to rock the dance floor. Now I rock the bathroom floor. 

The lockdown ensured that I get to do my “beloved” task of cleaning the bathroom on a regular basis, under the hawk-like surveillance of the ultra-finicky Bigger Ms. A. 

Recognition came from the satisfied smile on her face and more so when I saw her trying to emulate me. 😇

#4: No one is born a great Cook, one learns by Doing

I have always defined myself as a reluctant cook who produces edible stuff. It’s a different story altogether that Bigger Ms. A considers me as one of her favourite cooks.

Lockdown graduated me to someone who is a necessary cook (albeit sometimes reluctant) who can produce pretty fancy stuff, too. And hey, even manage all the four burners of the hob at one go… Applause!!

And may I also add with pride, Baking became a piece of cake – so much so that a whole post should be dedicated to it.

On a serious note, mistakes helped me to gradually shed my fear of experimenting with seemingly tough recipes and embrace cooking. 😃

#5: Variety is the spice of life

Continuing the above point, this of course includes my fancy chapatis.

It must be so boring for my mom to dish out perfectly round, same-sized, super soft chapatis every day.

Her worthy (not) daughter can produce chapatis in various shapes and sizes (Reasoning: If kids can have multi-shaped pasta, why not chapatis).

Also, my chapatis can sometimes pass off as khakra, sometimes as papad, sometimes as chapatis and sometimes a combo of all. Isn’t variety more fun? 😜

#6: Record Setter

I have started bettering my personal records.

Previous bathing time of 5 mins 20 seconds is now further reduced to 3 minutes 02 seconds. It’s often accompanied by a rap song that goes like “Mumma.. Knock knock.. (louder) Mumma.. Knock knock.. (Shrieking) Mumma Mumma.. Waaaaaaah”.

I can also go a (personal) record 7 hours at a stretch without sitting down even for a few seconds. Yippeee..

The body weight and shape remain stubborn though, preferring bulging over budging. 😏

#7: Slow and steady wins the race

Earlier I had an obnoxious record of devouring books by the hour. Now… pause… at least one sentence… pause… is completed… pause… in a day!!! Applause again…

On some days, the book even has to be satisfied just by displaying its enticing cover to me. 😭

#8: A New (Multi-tasking) Sport

Again, back in my youth (read it in a tone of lament), my favourite spot/ sport used to be perching on a comfortable seating, reading books, accompanied by some warm beverage.

I have had to adopt a new favourite spot/ sport – the anterior of the kitchen sink, trying to sparkle as many vessels as possible (we had so many!!), often accompanied by the warm beverage on the kitchen platform, as a test of multi-tasking…

…and quite often balancing a toddler weaving her path through my legs and a multi-question asking inquisitive child.

Bigger Ms. A along with her Daddy even composed a song with actions in my honour – please note, it did nothing to assuage my temper. 😒

#9: Back to School

And while on multi-tasking, it’s no mean task to juggle household chores with a child’s new medium of learning (read: virtual), that too when she’s just starting “big” school.

Helping her understand the importance of assignments and helping her execute them gave me the Back to School feeling (the one feeling about school that I could do without at this moment, with limited resources available). 😵

#10: When it rains, look for the rainbow

Ending the post with another favourite quote from my grandmother.

Well, it has been raining some days and we have actually seen rainbows, too.

The silver lining in this new world is the abundant family time we are getting. The kids and I absolutely love and cherish having Daddy around. We did stuff that we never had but surely could have done pre-virus, too.

For instance, encouraged by a cousin, we had a balcony picnic and needless to say, the kids were thrilled.

Video calls with friends helped us re-connect regularly. And we definitely could have done this earlier, too. Well, as the saying goes, better late than never. 💖

Q.E.D:

I have learnt a lot about my capabilities and the art of tackling certain adverse situations.         

So I keep my chin up (will help with the developing double chin) and wait for this crisis to tide over. 

Happy Annuversary

Each wedding anniversary is a special milestone in the couple’s lives.

And then there are those extra special milestones – because they denote completion of “x” special years.

Husband & I were all set to celebrate a landmark anniversary this month.

A Special Anniversary!! So let’s plan something nice…

Our Anniversary falls two days after a national holiday.

Perfectly planned the date those “x” years back.

It falls on a Saturday this year.

Just Perfect.  

So the dear husband has to only take the Friday off (read: “the dilemma of a workaholic”… giggle giggle) from work.

Totally Perfect.

And off we can go for a short & sweet “celebration” trip, of course with the little daughter joining in.

Couldn’t be more Perfect J

Quick Check-list:

a)     Destination –

• Let’s choose a special place close to our house
• Hubby loves driving, so we can drive down
• Lot of greenery would be good for the fatigued city lungs

b)     Attractions –

• It should be a place to simply relax
• So that the “people/places of interest” seeking, camera-toting wife doesn’t do a disappearing act
• The food should be good – special occasion = yummy grub & cake of course !!

c)      Budget –

Aahh… a teeny weeny bit splurging is fine – after all a “landmark” anniversary

So, we thought of the perfect place to go to.

d)     Packing –

Not much of a bother, since it would be only a 3 days’ outing.

e)     And the dreaming began…

• Our FIRST special milestone anniversary
• Will request the resort staff for a candlelit table – ooohhh… a romantic candlelight dinner with the child ;)
• Maybe all 3 of us could wear new outfits for the occasion
• There would be music and hopefully a dance floor – maybe I can request the DJ/ singer to play/perform some of our favourite romantic numbers

Aaahh… Excitement builds up in anticipation of this short relaxing trip.

And the D-day is finally here… Yippppeeeeeeee !!!

Wow!! We are going to celebrate our special Anniversary and how!!

a)     Destination –

• Special place, close to our house – ✓
• Drive down – ✓
• Lot of greenery – ✓

This place is called “The School Garden” 

b)     Attractions –

• Total relaxation - ✓
  After the morning frenzy of getting the daughter & ourselves ready.
• Persons of interest - ✓
  Many precious little people actually – it is the School Annual Day.
• Camera toting wife’s disappearing act - ✘
  Note: Photography & videography restricted, so as not to distract the little performers and to prevent various arms & mobile devices from blocking the line of vision of fellow audience members.
• Food - ✘
  But the kid did manage to get a cake from the cake stall. 

c)      Budget –

Splurging – ✓

But what we splurged on was a lot of happiness & joy at this colourful event.

d)     Packing – ✓ 

Truly not much of a bother, since only a 3 days hours outing. So, an extra set of clothes for the performer and the snack box with fruits.

e)     And the reality begins…

• Daughter’s FIRST annual day – a landmark in itself – and waiting for many more to come.
• Forego the candlelight, we were in full sunlight – lot of Vitamin D produced today.
• Dress up we did – in traditional wear, to keep in sync with the theme of celebrating the country’s cultures.
• Daughter’s delight at dressing up & performing – beyond any delight we could have got at any resort.
• The cute innocence-laden performances – could any entertainment be more pure? And yes, we grooved too, standing side by side, happiness in our hearts.
• And through their adorable actions, we re-learnt the various traditions in India.

 Now that’s what we call a unique anniversary celebration J

Happy Milestone Anniversary

Each anniversary is denoted by Traditional & Modern symbols.

Our traditional symbol this year signifies flexibility, a prime requirement as we embrace parenthood.

The modern symbol signifies beauty and strength – the day was beautiful indeed and a powerful reminder of the responsibilities we need to undertake as parents.

So Cheers… And Happy Anniversary (or rather Annu-versary) to Us J

Food for Tot

That dreaded day has arrived.

I have to cook “home food” for the school mates of the daughter.

Am no expert chef & never have I ever cooked for 30 people at a time.

Oh, and here we are talking about 30 very special little ones.

Step 1: Exam Jitters

A deluge of questions hit me.

-          What will the precious little ones prefer eating?

-          Will they like the taste of the food I serve them?

-          Will I be able to cook adequate quantity? Oh, I cannot fall short!!

-          Will I be able to finish cooking on time? I needed to reach by 11:30 in the morning.

Step 2: The Syllabus

The syllabus entailed - Starter/ Salad, Main Course, Dessert/ Fruit to be served.

Ok, that took care of the categorization process.

Now, with so many options running riot in the mind, I needed to shortlist a menu.

After much deliberation, I decided to go by what our daughter likes to have. And that meant sticking to absolutely simple stuff.

The exam guides (read: her teachers) readily agreed to the menu & it was finalized

(And that brought with it, the first sigh of relief)

·         Corn-cucumber-pomegranate salad  – colourful salty sweet blend that our child loves (and even I am very fond of, although that’s irrelevant here)

·         Paddu (the benefits of moving to a different city & learning new dishes from friends) - cute little steamed balls of dal & rice – a wholesome meal for a child along with coconut chutney

·         Baby bananas – to complete the lunch

Hmmm, it really wasn’t too difficult!!

Step 3: Preparing for the Exams

·         Consulted the maestro (read: grandmother) on phone – to reaffirm the menu and to get an idea about the quantity of raw materials to be purchased.

·         Acquired the raw materials – with meticulous detailing & planning (or so I thought).

·         Mommy confidantes approved the menu & even shared their paddu pans (to speed up the cooking process, of course).

·         Daughter got very excited when she realized I would be getting food for her friends the next day. Proudly proclaimed “When I go to school today, I shall tell my friends, Ms R & Ms V, that my mumma will bring food for us tomorrow.”

Oh no, darling daughter, do you realize you just jacked up my jitters?? You are setting certain expectations here.

Step 4: Exam Day & the last minute Revisions

·         D-day is here – had kept the corn washed the night before. But just before putting them to boil, the jitterbugs hit me, and I add another 250 gms to the pot. Oh, I cannot fall short!!

·         Pomegranates deseeded, I am busy chopping up the cucumbers. The excited little lady jumps onto a chair to get a better view (of her momma’s quivering hands).

·         Then she picks up a cucumber dice, pops it in the mouth, crunches it with her tiny teeth & with a very serious face declares, “This is fine for my friends.”

Yeah, thank you for ratifying it & thank you Mother Nature for making such an awesome fruit/ vegetable (the debate continues but let’s leave it to the botanists).

·         I pack her off to school with her daddy.

·         Have requested the cook to come over & help in making the zillion paddus. And as I turn to prepare the chutney, “Oh no, I have forgotten the coriander leaves!!”

Last minute dash to the veggie guy.

·         And finally, the exam paraphernalia is packed::-

a)      Salad is mixed, tasted (Umm… its tasting fine).

b)      The paddus are packed in a humongous container (Had forgotten I have one such at home!! This exam has led to such awesome discovery).

c)      The chutney is filled into 2 boxes.

d)      The bananas sit bright and pretty in a huge packet.

e)      Have packed in serving spoons too.

·         And off I go... On time !!

(Second huge huge sigh of relief)

Step 5: The Exams

Am standing outside the examination centre - the butterflies are doing their merry flutter in the tummy. Gingerly I tug at the school bell.

The invigilators (her teachers) let me in with a warm welcoming smile.

And as I wait for the kids to get set for lunch, my daughter rushes out and spots me in the waiting area. She would not leave her nervous mother’s side. Or is it the other way round? She’s my little mommy at the moment.

And then when I am summoned inside, she holds my hand & guides me in.

The adorable expectant faces greet me with a loud “Namaste” & suddenly all nervousness disappears.

I start serving and the teachers help me out.

Two little girls discuss gravely, “She had said her mumma will come on Sunday. But Aunty has come today with the food.”

I smiled.

For my daughter, any out of the ordinary day is Sunday.

Step 6: Exam Results

The older kids are very encouraging - They ask for more servings.

Some even say, “Thank you aunty, you home food is superb/ very tasty”

As I wonder are they just being polite, I hear two little shy voices discreetly call out to my daughter and say, “Your mumma’s home food is very good”

My heart does a happy flip.

A certain little boy is, apparently, for the first time agreeing to have food at school, made by a friend’s mommy.

As he shyly asks me for one more paddu & chutney – it feels so heartening & special.

And all I can do is serve & grin.

The exam results have definitely been favourable (out comes a third huge huge huge sigh of relief).

Added experience: I observe how the kids conduct themselves in the school eating environment – they sit on their mats, in a circle, neatly put their plates aside once done, wash their hands & mouth, stack their bags back on the shelves, and then run out to play in the garden.

So, ??

Did I start the post by saying “dreaded”?

So, let me alter it to “That much awaited day has arrived”.

Looking forward to the next turn and hoping to serve up yummier home food.

P.S. Now I understand the joy & immense satisfaction my mother derives from cooking for everyone.