1st BLOG - VERSARY !!!

Ha.... It's been one year since I started my own blog.... Time flies....

I started this Blog last year during Talent Time to record my views and experiences.... a kind of diary. Amma keep on insisting me to write diary regularly. I would start to write few lines but would not feel like continuing it. It is amma who initiated me to write something or other regularly and I immediately thought of starting a blog, as I got inspired by my Chithi Nithu Bala's Blog http://www.nithubala.com. She is a versatile blogger. She often writes stories in various weekly magazines, monthly magazines and her recipes have been published in many magazines including the ones in India and in Abroad and in leading News Papers like The Hindu.

Here Comes My Chithi's Carrot Eggless Cake http://www.nithubala.com/2010/10/eggless-carrot-cake.html as Greetings for My Blog's First Birth Anniversary.

I thought of blogging atleast 75 posts (ofcourse I could not do that) in this one year with regards to my daily activities, day today affairs, my ideas, my suggestions and so on. I treat this as my friend or my sibling (as I don't have one), to express myself and share all my feelings, my thoughts and ideas without any inhibition, even if it is a joy or a sorrow.

No hiding of words here.

No polishing of thoughts here.

No controlling of feelings here.

I could post
what ever comes to my mind,
what ever flashes in my thought and 
I may be myself here. 

It is a wonderful platform to discuss some or other issues / events and so on.... 

I am really very happy for that I have blogged 1 post in 9 days on an average. But It is really really very hard for me to sit and type after writing the post once in a paper and got it corrected at times and then used to type slowly. I find very little time to blog a post. I try my best to do it perfectly with amma's little help. Amma is one of the best critics I have ever seen.... I have received both the bouquets and brickbats from her and also from my well wishers.


THANK YOU WELL WISHERS FOR ALL THE ENCOURAGEMENT & SUPPORT YOU GIVE ME. 


THANKS ALL....!!!

Memories of Our Holiday.... - Scanned Memories!!!

I have already made posts of our holidays at Anamalai, Alleppey, Thrissur, Guruvayur, Pollachi and Coimbatore.

I have visited so many places from Alleppey House Boat Stay to Pollachi Circus.

To make this trip a memorable one, I have scanned all the parking tickets, entrance tickets, circus tickets and the movie tickets.
These scanned memories will remind me of those good old days in future.

Here are few of my scanned memories.....

Went to Kalakalappu @ Masala Cafe- on 18th May, 2012, at Pollachi. The Actual Cost of the Ticket is Rs.60 

Vehicle parking @ Alleppey House Boat Office + Entrance + Mattencherry Toll Tickets -- Went on 21st & 22nd May,2012

Went on 22nd May, 2012 - Mattencherry Palace Ticket

Went to Circus - on 23rd May, 2012, evening 7 O'Clock Show @ Pollachi Ground

Thrissur Art Museum & Thrissur Zoo - went on 24th May, 2012.

Thrissur - Edapally Toll Ticket

Few more are there... could not scan, as the computer printing is so dull.

Memories are treasures. It should be preserved for ever.

Thank You Doctors...!!!

Today is Doctors Day.

I take this opportunity to Thank all the Doctors, who were there with me and who are there for me when I am sick.

Let me first Thank My Paediatrician Dr.Nalini. I usually call her Aunty. She is such a friendly lovable person.

She is a retired Professor and Head of Paediatrics Department, PIMS. Earlier she was a Professor in JIPMER. Now she is the President of Haemophilia Society, Pondicherry.
From my 1 ½ years, she is my doctor. She knows each and every problem of mine. There are times, such as when we went to Munnar some 4 years back, on vacation from Chennai in Ernakulam Express, I started to vomit non stop and severely, when we are about to reach Ernakulam. From there we called her over phone and proceeded to M.O.S.C. Medical College Hospital, at Kolenchery on our way to Munnar and had an emergency Injection and proceeded further.
THANK YOU SO MUCH Dr. NALINI AUNTY, for all that you do and have done for me. 


Let me now Thank My ENT Dr. Thambi.A.Cherian. I usually call him Thambi Uncle. Another Wonderful person. 


He has been relocated from PIMS to somewhere in UAE. He along with his wife, Dr.Meenu Cherian (also an ENT) worked in PIMS. When I was around 2 ½ years old, after joining PreKG, I caught heavy cold and got ear infection, with severe ear pain. He tried so many ways to clear the infection but could not and suggested a surgery in my ear to clear it. Both Mom and Dad accepted his suggestion and he performed Myringotomy in my ears. From that time till 2 years back, he was my ENT. Now that he has been relocated somewhere in UAE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH Dr.THAMBI UNCLE and MEENU AUNTY, for all that you have done. 


Let me Thank my Ortho Doctor Dr. Matthan Mammen. A Great Human. 


When I was doing my 1st Std., I got fractured (broken fully into 2) my Right Upper Arm, just below the shoulder. Such a painful moment. It is he along with another doctor, operated and fixed 3 KWires. Later after some 45 days, he  operated again in the same to remove the Kwires. KWires are nothing but three Big and Long Steel pins, looks like a book stitching needle. Now he has also been relocated to Australia, it seems.
THANK YOU SO MUCH Dr.Mammen, for your timely encouragement and support. 

Also let me Thank the other doctor who accompanied Dr. Mammen. He is Dr. Vijayaragavan. He is such a warm, friendly and jovial person, who made me relaxed whenever he comes to check. He used to tell jokes to make me laugh, without any fear. Still I would cry with pain, after dressing. Earlier we often see him here and there, while shopping. But could not find him these days.
THANK YOU SO MUCH Dr.Vijay Uncle. 


Also let me THANK THE ORTHO DOCTORS WHO HELPED ME TO OVERCOME ALL THOSE DIFFICULT DAYS, Dr. VINEET, Dr. CHANDRASEKAR, Dr.PRAGASH. Daily they would come to visit me and encourage me not to get panic and every thing would settle in course of time. There are times when I thought that I could not write anymore, or lift my hand and so on... But it is they, who helped me to overcome my fear and speak with me in a friendly, soothing manner. I am really grateful to them.
THANK YOU DOCTORS. 

Also, let me Thank Paediatrician Dr. Balu, who has a clinic in Chidambaram. He was my doctor from my 6th month till 1 year. He worked in Annamalai University, after resigning his Government job. Dad used to tell me, he is such a warm person and we could call him anytime and he would immediately attend to it. He has become our family friend later.
THANK YOU SO MUCH Dr.BALU, for your kindness. 


Also Let  me Thank My First Paediatrician Dr. Sundaramurthy. He has his clinic in Bussy Street. I am not much familiar with him, as I was a kid. But dad and mom used to tell that he had attended me even after 12.30 midnight, when they knocked at his door, for the first time when I am down.
THANK YOU Dr.SUNDARAMURTHY, for your timely service.

Let me now Thank the doctors of my Dad and Mom.

I Thank Dr.Ganapathi, Senior Consultant Neuro Surgeon, Apollo Speciality Hospital, who treated and operated my Dad's Extradural Haematoma with lots of clots in the brain, occured to him in a major bike accident, in Annamalai University, way back 1998. Dad used to tell me that Dr. Ganapathi is such a dedicated wonderful doctor, always with a smile and kind words. He is the FIRST Indian Doctor to get Ph.D in Neuroimaging, in 1990.
THANK YOU SO MUCH Dr.GANAPATHI, for your wonderful service and the encouraging words from your mouth that made mom and dad strong. 


Now Let me Thank Dad's Ortho Doctors in PIMS, Dr.Sudhir Robertson in PIMS. He is the one who specialised in arm surgery and it is he, who operated Appa's left hand multiple fracture with both rods and plates for more than 6 hours, in 2009. He told us that he fixed appa's hand with so much difficulty, as the fracture was heavy and even the bones in some places has been crushed to powder. He is such a doctor, always very vibrant and active. Very friendly too. He used to pull Appa's leg often. He too has been relocated to UK.
THANK YOU SO MUCH Dr. SUDHIR, for your kind jesture. 


Let me Thank Amma's Childhood and Family Doctor Dr.Ramanathan. He is now the VC of Annamalai University. His daughter and amma are schoolmates from KGs. He is a friendly and down to earth person.
THANK YOU Dr.RAMANATHAN. 


Its time for me to Thank Dr.Shankardevi, Amma's Doctor. She made me see this world. I have met her many times and she is one kind of person, a mix of old and new generation. Moves very freely.
THANK YOU Dr.SHANKARDEVI.


Another Person not to miss while thanking.... A person, down to earth, very very friendly, mixes freely with all our family members, advices what to do and what not to... Also very soft spoken. Yes... Thank You Dr.Badrinath. He is Amma's Doctor. Earlier he worked in PIMS, as General Physician. But later he has become a Cardiologist. Now he is working as a Cardiologist in PMM. Now that he has become our family doctor. 

THANK YOU Dr.BADRI. 

This List goes on and on.... I take this day as a great opportunity to Thank all the Doctors. 



THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL THE DOCTORS WHO HELPED US AND TO ALL THE DOCTOR COMMUNITIES FOR THEIR WONDERFUL ROUND THE CLOCK DEDICATED SERVICES.

Happy Father's Day....

Yeah.... Well.... Everybody loves our father very much.... My dad is more special to me.... He is such a doting father.... no words to explain my love for him....

He is my Best Friend... I share all the things that happen in my world with him... I have never told any lies to him...

He taught me how to handle life... He discusses every single thing with me... He used to tell me his whole days happenings & discusses his work related problems, his finance and all things in earth... 

Basically, this sharing of things was started by Amma from my childhood... She is such a chatter box and would speak to us about her day at home for hours...  ( I wished Mom, on Mother's Day & could not blog, as we were not in town that day).

Here I would like to tell one important lesson I have learnt in my Childhood days.
Those days, whenever I ask for something...(this happens almost daily....      ;-)....) "Appa buy me this.... that...." .
He normally says... "I would buy you one.... But don't ask me immediately....right.... If you demand.... or command... we won't give you...." .
Mom used to tell this in a stern voice... But Dad would tell in a calm voice... Mom & I, at times, were like Tom & Jerry (some 3 years back);-)...ha...ha... just kidding mom...

Also... whenever I was about to cry in my KGs by demanding something to buy at once.... Both my dad & mom used to say.... "Ask the things you need, without crying... you will get it... If you cry.... we never ever give you.....".

Now I am telling this to my little sister Sathvi, when she cries... "If you cry, you won't get a single thing... Don't Cry Dear...." . One day, when I told this to Sathvi, Amma and Chithi over heard this and laughed loudly.... and said, "Hey Shri... She's just a baby.... she could not understand what you say.... tell her when she understands." .

Also Amma & Appa keep on telling me... (even now, at times....)... "Whenever you want something.... think twice...before asking us.... If you really really need that and if you are sure to use that, only then you should ask.... otherwise not.....".
Earlier, I would say... "Yes pa... I thought of this... and its of real use to me... and I want it...".
Now... slowly I realise..... I was wrong... Today, I really think of the use twice before asking anything to appa & amma. Normally I won't ask anything that is exorbitant... I ASK ONLY BOOKS.... Earlier it was Cartoon CDs. For books, he never says NO!!!


For any occasion, whether it is Birthday, Diwali, New Year, Daughter's Day, Pongal, Christmas, even for their birthdays and anniversaries....  they give me BOOKS as gifts.... Even my Thatha and Paatti give me books for all the occasions.... apart from the regular gifts. This has become  a custom in our house for years.... I never expect anything more from them.... Also I would like to say one thing.... no other gift fascinates me like a book..... I am proud to say I LOVE BOOKS.

He often tells me not to get upset over few teasings by somebody close to me, whether they are my friends, neighbours or relatives and asks me to take life as it comes... and not to give too much importance to those hurting comments... Also told me not to speak anything wrong about anybody and also not to speak any abusive slang.

I Love You Dad.... You are my friend.... a great support... and my guide...

39th Wedding Anniversary for Thatha & Patti

Back home only on 25th May from Anamalai, after spending wonderful memorable holidays there.

On 26th May afternoon, we started to Chennai, to Nithu Chithi's house, to celebrate Elango Thatha & Viji Patti's 39th Wedding Anniversary, that falls on 27th May. We thought of celebrating their day on 26th May itself, as Thatha has a lecture in Pondicherry University on 28th May and from there he has to go to Bharathidasan University for another meeting on 29th May. So he has to start to Pondy on 27th May evening.

We reached chithi's house by evening 4 pm. Loved to be with Sathvi... Naughty Little Angel...

Chithi has already made the grand feast ready... After coffee, we chatted for hours. We celebrated Thatha's day with a delicious feast.... Hats off Chithi... Thanks for the wonderful dinner with desserts.... and gave gifts to the elders. Thatha has arranged for Meditation and Prayers. We prayed Sri Mother and Sri Auribindo. Amma read Mother's Golden Words, Chittappa read a page in Life Divine, I read a page in Savitri, Thatha read a page from Sri Karmayogi's Book and at last Appa read Mother's Words. After prayers, we slept.

The next morning, 27th May, we again wished them. That day Thatha started to Pondy... but we stayed back in Chennai. Played with Sathvi...

Appa came back to Chennai, after finishing his works in Pondy on 31st May morning. We waved hands to all at Chithi's house and back to Pondy that day itself.

That evening, we bought my bag, shoes, socks for this year.

Here comes the whole new academic year.... All the best to you all.  

GURUVAYUR - The Temple Town of Kerala

24th May, by Morning 6 O'Clock, we started from our Anamalai Guest house.

Guruvayur is just 116 kms from our guest house. We happily started our journey through --

Anamalai --to-- Aambarampalayam --to-- Meenakshipuram --to-- Mangalapalam --to-- Kollengode --to-- Nemmara --to-- Mudapallur --to-- Vadakkencherry --to-- Mannuthy --to-- Thrissur --to-- Punkunnam --to-- Choondal --to-- Guruvayur.


When we are about to pass Nemmara, suddenly two persons, stopped our car and asked us to park in the side of the road, till 6 pm and from their angry voice and body language ( even though we could not follow their Malayalam, as they spoke very fast ), we could guess that there might be Local Bandh of Kerala Government. We were worried to halt in an unknown place & also we could not go back, as we have already entered Kerala. Dad quickly thought about it and proceeded further hurriedly. But Mom was a bit tensed up althrough her journey till Guruvayur.

No hotels, shops were open on our way. We reached Guruvayur by around 8 O'Clock and to our relief, Indian Coffee House and Hotel Saravana Bhavan were open and flooding with crowd. We prefered Indian Coffee House and some how managed to get chairs. Had our breakfast and the Hotel Incharge informed us that there wont be any hotels for Lunch and asked us whether we need parcel. We ordered him to pack Pooris for lunch.

We kept all our belongings in the car, as the camera, mobile phones were not allowed inside the Temple premises. The Shops on both the sides were closed.... But there was a huge crowd, inspite of the Bandh.

We joined the queue by 9.10 am and the queue slowly moved forward. We finished our Darshan by 10.20 am. We sat there and watched people for sometime and came out of the temple by around 11.30 am.

We then planned to go to Thrissur Zoo and Art Museum and also the Mural Museum on our way.  Even we planned to visit the Palace. But due to Bandh, the Palace was closed.

We first went to the Zoo and Art Museum, as both are located in the same premises.

There were number of animals, like different varieties of Deer , Himalayan Bear, different varieties of Bisons ( A Real Big Scary Bisons), Lion, Tiger & Tiger cubs, lots and lots of Monkeys, different Birds ranging from Storks to Scary Owls. 

Asian Open Bill Stork

Woolly-necked Stork / White necked stork

Painted Stork

Owls

Deer

Relaxing

Only this could be photographed. Inside the photographing is Prohibited.

In the Art Museum, we could see old artifacts, weapons, ornaments, vessels, paintings, sculptures and so many other things. It was quite interesting.

Inspite of all these, it is very obvious that THRISSUR ZOO and MUSEUM need MAINTENANCE. Most of the zoo area is unused and many cages are empty and dirty. These are common and seen everywhere in India.

Inspite of my observation, I enjoyed this visit to the zoo and musuem.

After having our lunch in the car, that has been parked outside the zoo, we took rest for sometime. Around 2.15 pm, we started to Anamalai. We thought of purchasing 'Kerala Special Nenthirankkai Chips ' at Mangalapalam. It was 3.45 pm, we reached Mangalapalam. No chips shops were open by that time. So we proceeded further and reached Anamalai by 4.30 pm.

We straight went to the Resort site. Appa went to look after his work and I started to photograph what ever comes by.

Busy Talking in Guruvayur Costumes

Watchman Thatha-- in deep thoughts 

Men at work

Thatha Poo ( Tridax procumbens)-- A variety of Daisy

 Inspite of bandh tensions, its a real great day. We planned to start in the early hours to Pondy the next day.

ATHIRAPILLY - VAALPARAI -- Adventurous Dense Forest Drive....

On May 23rd, we started to Athirapilly from Chalakudy, by morning 5.15 am. The climate was too good, chilly and breezy. Appa wanted to fill diesel. But normally the petrol stations would open only by 6.30am. We waited in a Petrol bunk. The Owner came by around 6.00 am and asked us to wait for another 5 mins. After 10 mins, our vehicle was filled with diesel.

Wow...Beautiful big bungalows were on the way.... Modern.... Traditional.... Posh bungalows with very big lawns, gardens... superb.

On our way, we now & then took a break to enjoy the nature.

We reached Athirapilly early, by around 7.15 am. The ticket counter for the entry into falls would open only by 8.00 am.

Photo Taken by the Forest Guard

Also, there was very less water in the falls. So we decided to proceed further, to Vazhachal Falls.

In Vazhachal too, there was no water. On our way, only one tea stall at Vazhachal was there. Absolutely no tea stalls or hotels anywhere between Vazhachal and Malakkiparai (55 Kms).

We enjoyed the scenic beauty of this forest range. Appa now & then stopped the vehicle, got down and took snaps.

No single vehicle passed or crossed us.

No single human seen in the vicinity.

No single mobile signals.

No single tea shops.

No single houses.

No single habituation.

REALLY AN ADVENTUROUS DRIVE.... WE ENJOYED EVERY MICRO SECOND OF IT.... 

There is a Forest Check Post at Vazhachal. There they are checking the number of plastic bags -- both carry bags and snack pouches, like Lays Chips Packet, Kurkure packet and any other packets, plastic water bottles, and disposable plastic kind of things. They are putting everything in writing and getting signature from us.

This forest zone is PLASTIC FREE, NOISE FREE and a TOTAL POLLUTION FREE ZONE.


Again at Mallakkiparai (after 55 kms), there is another one Forest (Out) Check Post.... There they are checking the number of plastic items (those that are mentioned in the previous check post), to make sure, that we have not thrown any packets or bags in the middle of the forest. They ask us to dispose the covers or bags that are empty in their dustbin itself and then only allow us to proceed further.


This Athirapilly - Vaalparai Stretch is a dense forest, with wild animals, freely moving here and there.
We have seen a very big Cobra on our way. We just stopped in the middle of the road and waited for the snake to pass. It took more than 8 mins to cross the road. It stood still in the middle for 5 minutes and then moved slowly. We took snaps. As there was a huge mist, the picture is not that much clear. Amma literally cried out of fear, as the snake was too big and long.

We proceeded further.

Number of  small falls were there on our way.... 

There were fresh Elephant dung on the roads... we searched... initially we didn't find any elephants... after sometime later on our way again we found two, at a distance. But althrough our drive, we could see number of elephant paths and its fresh dung.

Number of animals such as Wild Squirrel, Bison, Red Spurfowl (Kaattu Kozhi), lot of Monkeys, Wild boar, Green coloured Pigeon crossed us on our way.

Wild Squirrel

Green Coloured Pigeon

Monkey family

Bison

Elephant
  

No Mobile signals were there on our way Vaalparai. We have Airtel, Aircel, Reliance and Vodafone. Absolutely no service.

We have travelled for more than 4 hours from Chalakudy to Malakkiparai.... No single vehicle passed us... We were all alone travelling in the thick dense forest.

Thrilling.... and Spine Chilling.... trip...

The route we drove from Chalakudy to Vaalparai is ---

Chalakudy ---to--- Athirapilly ---to--- Vazhachal ---to--- Perungalkuthu dam ---to--- Sholayar ---to--- Malakkiparai ---to--- Valparai.

The Total distance from Chalakudy to Valparai is 110 kms.

On our way, we went to Perungalkuthu dam and Sholayar, where the hydro electric power project is going on.

As we have already visited Valparai during my December holidays last year, we straight headed to Aliyar.

We reached Aliyar after 40 hairpin bends in the Valparai - Aliyar Stretch. On the way, we drank tea in Waterfalls Tea outlet. Also we bought some Premium Waterfalls Tea and Amrit Waterfalls Tea packets.

By afternoon 1.00 pm, we reached our guest house at Anamalai, had our lunch at a mess there. Took some rest, visited the work site.

We went to Rajkamal Circus at Pollachi that evening, by around 6 pm, from Anamalai. Enjoyed a lot. Had our dinner in Sri Gowri Krishna Restaurant, in Pollachi, one of the best hotels there. Back to the Guest house by around 10.30 pm.

Quite a memorable day.

I am sure, would definitely make another trip to GOD'S OWN COUNTRY. 

I agree with the phrase, " Adventurous Trips are Enjoyable"

AN ADVENTUROUS, THRILLING & AN ENJOYABLE DRIVE.

Thank you Appa.