Passing Thoughts...

**NO OFFENCE** 1. Yesterday, my cousins came over, along with my aunt, uncle, and my grandparents. Then Aniket asked me for tea to spill and I said I had nothing. Why is it that every time someone asks me how my life is going, I have very little to say?  2. My tuition teacher who teaches me political science, history and economics, sucks at her job. All she does is read from my textbook and explains whatever she knows. The other day she told me some student's parent came over and gave her their child's textbook for my teacher to go through so that she'd at least know what the contents were before teaching, she said she didn't need them. So every time I open my book to learn something new, she also learns it for the first time. My 98 in social science is literally all because of me, my Youtube teachers, and my school teacher. Another half-witted student goes to her to learn 10th grade science. So she's the one who's going to teach him physics numericals, the stru...

 Back after months! I'm now in grade 11. I took humanities (arts) because I want to be a product designer and I don't really understand why I must take science or commerce when it won't add any value to my career (not like arts will, either). If you're wondering what subjects I took up, they're- History, Economics, Political Science, English and Painting. I took Painting because I thought it'd be at least a little helpful in my future, if I want to join NID (National Institute of Design), or something when I show my portfolio.  Also if you're thinking that the subjects I took up are easy, they're NOT. I just don't seem to understand why people feel like arts is easy. Of course stuff like who Genghis Khan is, what administrative changes he brought about, etc. doesn't and won't help anyone, ever. But it isn't easy to remember useless stuff like this and fill up pages and pages of answers in History to get marks.  How much ever I've rant...

 For this year's summer vacation, we decided to visit Singapore. Singapore's name is itself derived from 'Singa Pura' (which means "Lion City"). We didn't arrive at this decision to go to Singapore right away, though. My dad and mom went back and forth constantly between going to Baku, Azerbaijan, or Singapore and Malaysia (Malaysia was included in our plan of going to Singapore). We decided the only way to arrive at a decision was to weigh out the pros and cons of each place.  So we came to the following conclusion: Singapore - is hot but not very expensive; Baku - is pleasant but expensive  Keeping this in mind, we decided on Singapore. We were also mindful of the fact that because it would be hot, we would not keep the itinerary very hectic, with a maximum of two activities planned for the day so we wouldn't get very tired.  Our flight was booked for the 15th of April. It was a four-hour flight that I found very exhausting as I couldn't sleep at...

Along with Singapore, we went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It's called the City Garden of Lights due to its rich nightlife, illuminated skyline, and rich green parks, gardens, and spaces. We stayed there only for 3 nights and a day. I felt we should've stayed for some more time, as just 2 nights seemed like such a short time. Anyway, when we entered our hotel, I noticed it was so much more spacious than the previous hotel, and cost 3 times less. It also didn't have a sink next to the bed, which felt much more normal. DAY 1 Our flight was a four-hour one, and by the time we reached our hotel, it was 4 pm. Also, we were really tired from the journey of the one hour it took to reach our hotel from the airport. So we spent a few hours relaxing and freshening up. When it was about 7 pm, we decided to take a walk in and around our area and then have dinner.  For dinner, we found a restaurant that served Indian food and tried it out. We ordered South Indian but it was definitely not...

Before you bombard me with questions similar to the one this blog is titled, I'll give you my answer- I had been extremely engrossed in studying for my tenth-grade Board exams (*internal scream*)! When I say engrossed, I mean not able to focus on literally anything else. I'd made a mental resolution before the beginning of tenth grade- I'd give my 100% in everything I was studying and not let any distractions deter me from my path. At the beginning of tenth grade, everything was going decent. I'd been focusing in class like never before, noting every word the teacher uttered, and got decent marks. For some reason though, I'd always make some or the other silly mistake in math and science and my overall percentage would go down, making me lose confidence. My teachers Luckily, I had the best tuition teachers who wholeheartedly taught us. They were a big boon to me, I must say! If not for them, who knows how I would've managed! They kept motivating us to do our bes...

I had been awaiting my holiday to Vietnam for a long time. It finally came after my final exams. We flew from Bangalore to Hanoi on the 30th of April, and with a stopover at Kolkata, we reached the hotel in Hanoi, way past midnight. Hanoi is Vietnam's capital city, where centuries-old architecture meets modern urban life. My dad did his research this time and we made plans to stay at a place called Old Quarters, bustling with vibrant markets, street food vendors, and ancient temples. One of the things I remember most about Hanoi is the busy streets filled with tourists. My mom and I were keen that we try all the local delicacies. After a lot of research on various local delicacies, we made it a point to experience each one of them. We started with Coconut coffee, followed by Pho (a Vietnamese soup dish containing broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat), egg coffee, and many more delectable items!    Famous for shopping, Hanoi's busy streets turn into night markets as dusk a...

Hey folks!   Back after long. I don't seem to find time to write to you everyday and hope you can bear with my extremely irregular timings. I'm mostly going to be writing when something big comes up, like this trip I'll be going to.  I'm going to Vietnam! My mum, dad and me have been spending the afternoon binge-watching travel guides related to Hanoi, Hoi-an and other touristy places in Vietnam. Even as I'm writing to you, background music, crowded voices and other goings-on can be heard. I've been recommended many things to do and eat by my friends. I initially thought I could snorkel there, but that's not actually what Vietnam is famous for. Rather, its culture, food (like pho), amazing beaches and friendly people is what makes it what it is.  Flipping through the videos, the humbling architecture there caught my eye. Being able to explore different types of buildings and their ancient history is nothing less than breathtaking. It was like this time I wen...

  Hey folks!  A few updates:  I turned 14! Also, its my summer holidays, which means 2 whole months of doing absolutely nothing ( my idea of doing nothing is not going on vacation), L uckily, I've got a list of things to do, so I'm hoping I don't get bored to death.   Since I have been painting for almost a year now, mum has asked me to take up classes to pass time and enhance my skills.  I've been suggested to do some small time jobs too, just to get an idea of what earning money feels like.  By the way,  I made a trip to Kerala, during December. It was a religious one, the main purpose being to see the "Theyyam". I had seen it before , but it had been long, and I was scared, including Devika.  The first day was a mini display of events. The next day, it was a grand occasion! Ironically, I didn't fear it the second one at all. Seeing the man getting ready itself made my fearless. Apart from that, we've regularly visited our " Tharavadu", dad...

 Hey everyone! It's me again, a year later.. Wanted to update you on what's been going on... I've been spending each day eating, doing a lot of assignments, trying to catch up on my yoga, now that I'm in grade 8! Wow, Feels different to enter high school.. Once in a while, I watch some of my old childhood videos and wishing that I was one again.  These days, one hour just passes by so quickly, I don't even notice. When I was young, and staying in "New House", I wouldn't have anything to do once I got back from school. And now, although I don't have many friends in my new place, I am always caught up with so many assignments, tution, and art classes. Each day is being spent in front of the laptop, trying to catch up with all that's been taught, making notes, finishing up all my homework, eating, and trying to find time to relax.  Aaand that's another alarm reminding me to finish my Math homework. I guess I have to go.  Have a good day everyo...

Yeah, I haven't written in four years, I know. That's quite a long gap. But before you think anything else, let me tell you that things have changed quite a bit. Those changes included some boring ones, some happy ones, maybe some exciting ones as well.  Okay, so let me start at the start. Well, the first thing is I am writing this blog and not my dad. So basically, I have inherited doing this activity from my dad. And the next thing is ... I am 12 now. Yes!! A double-digit number finally after all these years!  I am in grade seven and going to school will remain a cherished memory.. Well, if you are thinking I quit school, I didn't at all!  Suddenly, there rose a semi-powerful disease called Coronavirus Disease or in short, Covid-19. So, if you have no idea about what I am talking about, this is basically a disease that is shaped like a crown and that's why got the name Covid-19 or Coronavirus Disease. Also, one needs to take safety measures and stuff to be safe from i...

Arpitu..!! A feeble yet firm voice woke me up in the middle of the night. 'Where am I? Who are these people?' I looked around the unfamiliar room. AC shows 18 degrees. Ah! now I get it. It's time to welcome the Gods! 'You need to get up in the night and be ready to see the Gods', Amma had told me. There she is - Ananya Chechi is still in her deep slumber, not letting go off the last micro seconds of sleep. Kuttappan and Devu were beginning to get up. Aarav is still unaware of any human presence around him. Now things are becoming clearer. We are here in Kerala, my father's never-ending-childhood-story place. Ananya Chechi and Aniketh had come a few days back from Dubai, we all drove down yesterday. And, my exams are over! No school! All fun and play!! We got ready soon after and with all of us awake, it felt like it's mid morning. We were all eager to see the Utsavam, for the first time in our lives! Off we went, in the middle of the nigh...

Before you think I am mad, let me clarify. It's my mother. She went crazy over this dish called Mee Goreng. What else would you call someone who has the same dish for breakfast, lunch and dinner - and pay for it each time? Flash back. Almost a month back - Oct 19th to be precise. We are ready for our 'most awaited holiday' - (phrase: courtesy Amma). They said we are going to Bali. Now, what is that? "Is there a TV in the room and do they have Doremon?" - I wanted to know before Achan looked at me with deep empathy, that 'when will this girl grow out of Doremon'- look.  The flight journey was long, as expected Achan filled the entire journey with selfies. Him, Us, Him-Us, Us-Him, Him-Us-World and many such combinations. I really thought Bali is like a big monster thing - a half human-half mountain kind of place. But, guess what - it's a really cool place. I loved the villa. It had a private pool and no TV ( Have strong reason to believe that it...

Ok, the headlines. I am 5..I now study at GIIS, a much bigger school. I am now living at the new house, which is now not so new. I am with my mom, achachan and achamma. Yes, I miss my achan. I am sure he misses me too :-( Lots of things have happened, since I wrote to you last. The good things are that my hair has grown big now. I am a little big girl. I spend my days watching TV and playing with Devu, who comes home after her school. I am looking forward to my trip to Dubai. Amma told me that we will go to Dubai and join Achan, may be after a few weeks. Don't know why he went. Yes, I liked Dubai. I had been there last time on vacation. Didn't like Dino..err..actually I like him, but I am scared. But, for me, I love being with my family, the best place is where you have the best company to spend time with. If that's Dubai, so be it. A few months before he left for Dubai, we all went to Wayanad to spend some good time together. I enjoyed the stay. I enjoyed...

  Peep into my life..  This was on my 'Choroonu' day. Taken at HAL temple on 24th Aug 2008. This is the first time I was given rice to eat and it is a big celebration..!  A big turn in my life...I actually turned..! 16th Aug 2008. My mom was prompt enough to capture this..thank you Amma..!  Choroonu or rice eating ceremony..!  Don't I look cute in this? This is my first Onam..24th Aug 2008,this dress was bought in Guruvayur when Achachan and Achamma went there. I was all thrilled to see this golden color..and of course, Onam was grand.. 17th Feb 2011. My annual day. The teachers had made elaborate preparation. I was supposed to be a nightingale. Here I am waiting for my turn. Was keen to know if Amma, Achan, Achamma and Achachan are watching..

 Gods..they are! Today was Gauri Pooja and tomorrow is Ganesh Chathurti. Big festival for my mom..and more than anyone else for Ajja Appooppa..we went to select the idols of Ganesh and Gauri..you can pick your god..all of them looked equally good to me. I guess this is my fourth Ganesh festival..i vaguely remember the last one. I get to wear pavada..and get to see a lot of people. It is an elaborate pooja for us.   Awesome threesome.. I have been quite busy over the last few weeks. Ananya and Aniketh were here. We had fun. Ofcourse, we fought..who will not? I had to protect my toys at any cost..and the attention. But, we became good friends. Ananya Chechi was quite good..we hit it off pretty well..she taught me the rhymes and I taught her all my tricks. Aniketh is a real cool dude..I taught him how to scream and how to get angry for the smallest of things. I guess he picked it up pretty well.   Like last time, we all went for a small trip. This time it...

Yeah....2011. I enjoyed. I really enjoyed. I did not know anything about all this. I just heard Achan and Amma discussing about what we should do for the 'New Year'. I was wondering too..what can be more exciting..for me going out on a drive is exciting..just relaxing on Ammas lap..listening to my favourite music and slowing falling asleep is as exciting as anything else. I find playing 'Ku..Ki' with achan exciting..he hides and I find him..very exciting. I find making bubbles very exciting..I always want to hold the soap solution in my hand and invariably spill it..that's exciting too..Playing in the water..I can do that for a whole day..and each moment is exciting..finally...being with my family..Achamma, Achachan, Ajja Appoppa, Ammamma, Amma, Achan..I find that very exciting.. But, my parents were searching for something more, I guess. They were happy..there was Nupur Paachi and Mikku Pachi. lot of things to eat and drink. My father set up Karaoke. People...

I am not again going to blame my father for not writing for more than a year now. I have been telling him my stories..it is just that he has not found time. Hah..I see that the last you heard from me was way back in Aug 2009. Jesus..I was such a young baby then. Too many things have happened in my life since then. Not to worry, I can give you some interesting updates. Ok, let me start from today and then go back. Currently I am at my Ajja's house. My mom and Nupur Pachi are planning for some thing for new year. I wonder why Achan is not here. He sure wants to do something, but, as usual, looks confused. He probably has left it to Amma to decide. The most important update from me is about my school. It is called 'Roots to Wings'. Just about 5 minutes from my home. I did not know this concept called 'school'. One day my parents took me to this place and this place was a little weird for me. A lot of kids who look like me, some of them crying. I thought my par...