'Mother'ing

Every parent knows how difficult it is with a four year old. But their troubles are nothing compared to mine. Parents work while the kiddo goes to the school/ day care. We are studying parents.
Morning is a running race which beats Olympics in excitement. Get everything and everyone ready. No one finds anything ranging from hankie to important files. Maid turns up precisely at the wrong moment and you wish you were transported to outer space right that instant.
In the evening, struggle with manager to leave at usual time, struggle in the traffic to find that elusive space for your vehicle, struggle with your household chores while trying to handle your kid who goes ‘waaah’ at every second minute (god knows why they don’t cry at school !!).
Ahaa.. I can see familiar looks on the faces of those who are reading this. Now what different do I have to say? I am a “studying” mother not a working one. Don’t raise eyebrows, I’m not done yet. It is not an ordinary college where u just attend classes and forget what you’ve heard there and be back home on time.
Imagine a campus like IIM where its study-study 24/7. Aah! Now I have your attention. I’ve got to do my homework as well as get my kiddos homework done. Read for my exams as well as follow the LKG test schedule. I end up getting many comments in the school dairy so much so that it actually is a daily conversation between the teacher and me.
Kids these are intelligent. My kid follows my timetable more than hers. She goes cranky the day before I’ve an important submission or test. It has become so much of a routine that when she goes ‘waaah’ I start thinking ‘what’s there for me tomorrow?’
I wonder why the kids forget that they have daddy’s shoulder as well to cry on. Dad’s there just for play or to get those things that are forbidden by mom done. Dad is daughter’s best friend. Ya, ya, but what about mom?

Trip to Kanipakam and Ardhagiri

This time our weekend getaway was to Kanipakam and Ardha giri. We had to go to Chittoor first and then to Kanipakam.

Kanipakam, which is 12 kms from Chittoor, is famous for its Ganesha temple. The idol is in water and it comes up a little bit every year. When it was first sighted only the eyes of Ganesha were to be seen. Many have tried to bring out the idol forcefully, but failed. Now a temple has been built aroung the well in which the idol is there. Right now the idol is seen till its belly. Small place, serene temple.


Ardha giri or Ara konda as it is locally known is another 12 kms from kanipakam. It is said that the hill is a piece of Sanjeevini mountain which was carried by Hanuman. There's an hanuman temple in the middle of the hill. Some 200 steps will take you to small temples of Ganesha, Lord shiva and Parvathi. Another 170 steps will take you to Shanmukha's temple on the top of the hill. The 'koneru' or the spring of water which u can see in the photo is said to be having medicinal values. The water is ever fresh and ready to drink. It is said that consuming the water for 41 or 91 days would cure many a diseases.

The hill and its surroundings are nice trekking spots.

Our Earth

Isnt that a fashionable title for people like us? But it is very important for environmentalists all over the world. It made many people give up lucrative salaries to join hands for a cause. It made many scientists face the wrath of politicians. It made many people more aware of the importance of nature in human life.
Why have I posted this? I saw a video taped lecture of Al-gore, a documentary made to make more people aware of the lurking danger. Though I knew about global warming to the extent that rest of you know, the film is a real eye opener. It told me that in my own way I can conserve the resources on this planet. I've enjoyed the fruits of our ancestors on this planet. I would like to pass them on to the future generation. Are we creating or destroying the valuable resources? stop for a moment and think.
I want my children to breathe the freshest air possible, to drink the cleanest and clearest water, to play in the lap of nature, .... So what can I do about ensuring that the environment is safe and pure for them?

I've made a list of things that we all can do in our daily life to contribute to this noble cause. They are not difficult to do. Here goes the list:

1. Shutdown or keep your systems in a power saving mode when you go for lunch or meeting or when you are away from your workstation for more than a few minutes.

2. Use power saving CFLs instead of bulbs at home. Switch off electical appliances when not needed.

3. Walk or cycle for travelling small distance like your neighborhood stores instead of using petrol or diesel vehicles.

4. Plant trees wherever and whenever you can.

5. Do not take unnecessary printouts and waste paper. If you have the power/authority, use technology for processing rather than paper.

6. Try and use alternate resources of power like solar energy. There is no dearth of household appliances which use solar power.

7. Get leaky taps repaired. Do not waste water.

8. Keep your vehicles in condition and comply with the pollution norms.

9. Try and use public transport or car pooling whenever possible and do your bit to reduce congestion on roads.

10. Refuse to use plastic covers.

Ten simple things that we all can adopt and make conservation a way of life.
I have started doing my bit. Have you?

Drive to Pearl Valley near Bangalore

May, 2007: We went on a drive to pearl valley known as 'Muthyalamaduvu' to the locals. Water droplets supposedly fall like pearls... hence the name.

The place is approximately 50 kms from Bangalore. Most of the road is good. Route taken: Bangalore to hosur highway. It usually takes an hour.

Alas, we got our timing wrong. We went in summer and hence there is not much water. But could trek upto the waterfall.
There are small temples near the waterfall. It would have been lovely with more water. DId you notice the small trickle of water in the photo? (ya.. go on.. strain your eyes). It is a nice picnic spot though. One can trek and laze around for the whole day and come back in the evening to city. There are hills all around and absolute peace.

There's a KSTDC restaurant as well up there for lunch. So are local hawkers. A weekend getaway from the buzz of the city.

Poetry

The Person I Long To Be©
By Victoria A. Mogyorosi

The day light breaks again
Another day has begun.
But still no sleep has come.

My body is weary My mind overworked.
I lie awake thinking.. But what I am unsure.
I need to break free from the cycle I endure.

Everyday is the same and the nights are undistinguished
I feel as though I am being pushed along with the tide
Unable to break free from the everyday flow.

This is not me I need to change, before
time takes over And I am unable to change.

I need to be freed from the grasp of ordinary
And become that person I have always longed for.

Express myself in every way,
and conquer the dreams as I lie awake.

Then I may fall asleep and put my mind to rest.
Make changes in my life and help those in need.

I would like to touch everyone's life in a positive way
And leave my mark on society before I fade away.

Campus

College days? Fun starts during graduation and peaks in PG.. my experience.. especially since I am doing post-graduation 9 years after graduation.
Coming back to college was an awesome experience. Most fun-filled time in my life.
Friends all around, time to chat, time to ponder, learning experience, competition, cooperation, ups and downs, sharing and caring, ... the list is endless and similar for all of us.
The best part of IIM is its campus which nurtures all these feelings. It is a home away from home for the students. We make friends who then become family (one way or the other!!).
What do I miss? bunking classes :-((
What do I gain? gyaan.. very true .. i havent gained much during graduation.

What did i gain personally? confidence that I can do anything in this world if I set my heart to it

Ever dreamt big?

It is said that teenage is the time where dreams fill the sleep.. definitely true for me. I started dreaming about my future. Dont ask how many of them came true. Cant remember most of them now. They kept on changing and getting bigger and bigger as time progressed.
Ever remember what you dreamt about your future - studies, life partner,job, vacation? quite common for all of us.
So what's special? Special dreams are those that you really really want to come true and work towards making them come true.

The major ones in my list
- getting an understanding partner who would share my dreams
- higher education in a premier institute which would polish my potential
- independence which comes with power in career

two out of the three came true. I am working towards making the third one come true.

Message: dont stop dreaming and start working towards making the dream come true