31st December 2012 Thank you notes...

Thank You for...

• Family, for being together, however far away. Being there for each other in times of need.
• Friends, for making life fun, beautiful and worth living.
• The work I do, keeps me on my toes day and night... without it I don't know what would I have done.
• My colleagues, who are more like friends, makes a lot of difference when colleagues are like friends, for being warm, understanding and fun.
• My students, who give me happiness each day and show me in their own way, that no matter what, life is indeed beautiful.
• Festivals, Birthdays, Anniversaries, all these celebrations to celebrate togetherness and to bring in a little cheer.
• People who are not amongst us anymore, but have been there for us, with us and will remain in our memories forever.
• The places I've been to, making me realize that there's so much more to learn and experience.
• Prayers and Blessings, from people who wish well for my family and me.
• Gifts, small or big, old or new, the thought that goes into choosing one, keeping in mind my likes and dislikes.

.....2012 however it was, Good, Bad and Ugly.

All set for New Challenges, New Endeavours, New Beginnings that 2013 would bring.

Happy New Year!

Exploring Bombay- Banganga

Banganga, Walkeshwar.

So, my friends and me had an exploration after a long time. This time it was a visit to the Banganga tank at Walkeshwar, Malabar hill. It is the much heard of place as there used to be musical concerts that took place there called the Banganga Festival.

We went there and we saw so many things happening there. There were kids playing cricket and an enthusiast foreigner who played with them.

There were a group young people, I'm guessing students photographing different things around the place.

There were also a group of women who were singing and very well.

 The mythological story that goes with this place is, Lord Ram, was tired and asked his brother to bring him some water. So Lakshman instantly shot an arrow into the ground, and water gushed forth from the ground, creating a tributary of the Ganges, which flows over a thousand miles away, hence its name, Ban Ganga. Source: Wikipedia

As it is supposed to be a holy place, there were a lot of temples around at every nook and corner.

There were ducks and geese. It was amazing to see them and when we went close to them they were all running away.

It's such a great place. Quiet, Peaceful, Enjoyable.

You can just sit there for hours.

The only turn off was the water was not clean, well that was expected.

This time in our expedition, our dear friend Maria joined us who we met after years as she was away. So this was our reunion. :)

I am a girl...

I am a girl who works.

I am a girl who pays the bills and buys groceries.

I am a girl who takes care of her parents who are ageing.

I am a girl who educates children.

I am a girl who teaches them to overcome their fears and to be independent.

I am a girl who balances family, home, work, friends, relationships.

I am a girl who is a daughter, a sister, a friend, a lover, a student, a teacher, a care giver, a cook, an artist, a handyman, a listener, an advice-giver, a decision maker.

I am a girl who you would want to threaten and kill.

Thank you for...

• 2nd saturdays off, having a saturday holiday is so valuable.
• The call from Suzan from Goa, it's amazing how people still remember me even when I've lost touch with them for years.
• Colourful Pens, gifted by pree from Chennai.
• History, the past that has a lot to do with the present and the fascinating stories that are told.

Exploring Bombay

Exploring Bombay, is something that my friends and I have decided to do. Visit places that we have never been to but have heard a lot about it. Many places in Bombay are beautiful and have many stories attached to it that we want to rediscover.

Tourists: Heena, Priya, Me

Duration: No time limit. Cover as many places in a month.

Rules: A camera is a must. A little research before visiting the place. Carry plenty of water.

1. Phillips Antiques, Colaba
This is the first palce we visited. They have a collection of different ancient things like pottery, toys, furniture, etc. There were maps of pre & post India. Pictures of Old Bombay. We were NOT allowed to take pictures inside the place so we took one outisde.

research source: http://www.phillipsantiques.com/home.aspx
Fox traveller.
(inset pic: Heena Priya outside Phillips)

 2. Sassoon Docks, Colaba
One of the biggest fish markets in Bombay. We went there in the evening where there was nothing to see. The market is right inside from the main gate of Sassoon dock. We plan to buy fish one day from here.

research source: Wikipedia, blogs.

3. Afghan Church, Navy Nagar Colaba
This is one place I have always wanted to go. I have heard so much about this church.  It is built by the British to commemorate the dead of the First Afghan war of 1838.

When we entered the premises it didn't look like we were in Bombay. It was silent, nobody was there except for the garderner who told us that the Church shuts at 1pm. Unfortunately we didn't get to see the inside of the church.

Research source: Wikipedia

Death

Death and the stories left behind.

Death and the secrets buried with it or revealed.

Death and the questions.

Death and the hopes gone with it.

Death and the tears that flow.

Death and the grief.

Death and the discards.

Death and the ashes.

Death and the name engraved.

Death and the end of struggle.

Death and the silence within.

Death and the peace.

Gaurav

Dearest Gaurav,
I know you are in a safer place now and you are at peace. But I want to tell you that you have been so much fun to be with. You knew how to enjoy yourself and remained happy even in your illness and till your last breath.

Your friends in class remember you and talk about you. Your teachers have loved you and will always love you.

Gaurav, I will miss you immensely and I will always love you.


May you rest in peace.

Gaurav 21st July 1989- 2nd August 2012

My student passed away on the August 2, 2012 because of kidney failure. He became very ill towards the end of last year and discontinued school.
His parents said he had a spiritual death. With unclear speech he asked his mother for the time, she said its 4.30 pm. He told her to open the doors and windows and after she did,  he breathed his last.

Merci Pour..

• WD, her birthday on the 2nd of July. Spending that time with her after a long, was very peaceful. Waiting for her to come back from her foreign trip and to listen to all her exciting stories.
• Stories, people's life stories...how everyone goes through tough times and rise and fall and rise again...it's beautiful how each one's life is designed differently.
• That call from SBH from the border of China, it made me happy.
• The special BEST bus services when the train drivers went on strike on the 20th of July. Although it took me 5 hours to reach home... I reached safely.
• The company, in the long bus journey- Pree.
• The physical strength and a calm mind in times of high stress.
• My colleagues, for their kindness and concern.
• All the time spent with Heen.
• Pan, for everything. My Superman.
• My students, for all the fun I have with them.

Balance for me is...

• Keeping a smile on the face even on a gloomy day.
• Keeping my cool when people are trying my patience.
• Juggling family, work, friends, relationships, emotions.
• To recharge the talktime on my mobile phone.
• Giving a high five to my student for a good job.
• Text messaging/tweeting in a super crowded train.
• Singing in harmony.
• Maintaining a conversation.
• Maintaining eye contact.
• The connection between the weak and the strong.
• Savings and expenditure.
• The transition from sad to being happy.
• Team work and team strength.

What is balance for you!?

Thank you for:

• Heen coming to India and to Bombay. So much happiness and peace to have her here and the nonstop talking and catching up of the 2 years we've lost.
• Her family really nice to see them healthy and happy.
• The celebration of my principal's birthday, the program set up by one of my co teachers and how the children danced and enjoyed.
• The route from Powai to Goregaon through the Lush Green Aarey. An incredible journey by bus and the rains adding to the beauty. It filled me with so much happiness. It was even a shorter route with no traffic. Fabulous!
• The call from MB and knowing that he is fine.
• 3D movies, it is so real. Watched the Amazing Spiderman...indeed amazing!
• Pree, for discussing the issues of communal disharmony and making me feel a little less upset by saying 'the people with narrow mindsets are inmates of a zoo you just watch them and move on to your business!'

Thank you for:

• Pree, with whom I can be however I want to and have funny, awesome moments at the same time.
• Pree's family, who welcome me and treat me like their own.
• Children, who manage to put a smile on grumpy, frustrated faces too.
• Food, for whoever makes it and makes sure I don't remain hungry.
• The child in the train, who cleaned the compartment and smiled at me when I gave him something to eat although the amount was very little.
• Birthdays, to celebrate life and the people who've been with you making it worth the ride.
• An occupation, to occupy my mind.
• The public transportation, that make efforts to reach me on time to places and safely...how much ever I crib about the price hike.
• The rains...it cooled the city and my mind. :)

Thank you for:

• The physical and mental strength to take care of my dear ones.
• Wisdom for making quick and good decisions.
• Money, for all the things I can buy and can live a decent life and provide support.
• The time alone to rethink over things and rejuvenate myself.
• Friends, who come bring in cheer and leave and will hopefully come again.