Hours Melting Slowly into Days. February 22, 2009

and the days…. they melt slowly into the night… and then the night breaks into the colors of dawn … and within moments the sun sprinkles its brilliant light on us.

this is the most romantic I could get while describing day and night at this point when the minutes in my day JUST WON’T PASS.

Though I’m having a great time with my family, especially with my mom, I DO get BORED (the word my tongue has uttered most in life)

It’s not like I don’t like being with family in India. It’s just that I have absolutely nothing to do at home. Or as a routine. And then D-Day is getting closer.

So all I do is read up about it. Think of DH and the Baby. Think of whether he will be able to make it early. Think of all those fears about the health and normalcy of my baby. And then I’m on high alert all the time. Think of what else the baby may need. Cross off all the items on my mental checklist of things to be carried to the hospital. And thinking whether I’ve indeed purchased all the items on another checklist – of the things baby will need after birth. Oh! And of course, I’ve already packed my hospital bag. So I guess the nesting instinct is high.

The only thing that actually makes the minutes melt slowly is the anxiety due to my husband’s absence. And what makes it worse is that on my last visit to my gynecologist in Mumbai, he said that my uterus was tight and I could deliver early. And even though he’s given me a capsule to relax my uterus, and therefore delay delivery – I’m on tenterhooks without DH.

Oh……………….. Just another few days. Hope emotional blackmail works with God!

Episodes from Mumbai January 29, 2009

Reporting from Mumbai – People drive like their grand dad’s owned the road. A car isn’t a car – visualize it as a non-understanding buffalo that just strolls in front of you at no notice. A bike isn’t a bike – it is a goat. And it moves in traffic like a goat would with its herd. Honks replacing bleats. Five cars and two scooters moving side by side on a three lane road. And its the first thing you notice when you enter Mumbai.

But its Mumbai and love it or hate it… it doesn’t make a difference. Personally, I quite loved it when I lived here.

I’ve been at my mom’s for over 10 days now. I’m so happy to all the time in the world to be with her. Enjoy my self her way. Listen to her. Watch TV with her. Discuss life with her. Gossip with her. Do little things to make her happy – even those things that bored me… for example – running my fingers through her hair for hours on end.

Through all this, I’ve been missing my husband. Missing our silly daily routines. Our private jokes. The companionship and the constant banter. I’ve been missing cooking for him. I’ve been missing the walks and him irritating me.

So time passes real slow. I keep looking at my watch to check the time in UAE. I keep checking the calendar several times a day as though it will fast forward time. Anxiety (of a good type) is overtaking me everyday. Each day it is getting more and more difficult to sleep and turn.

I experience stitch like pains/ knife like pains and I think I had my first real semi-painful contraction today. Round ligament pains are now a daily thing. There’s some small amount of swelling on my feet and my stomach looks and feels larger and heavier with the morning of each day. It’s so enjoyable to feel all these things. Even the Rib pain which has increased. It just means that D-Day is 55 days close. And that my baby is growing steadily, getting ready to meet with us, parents. My stomach is going to be nice and huge by the time I deliver – at the rate at which it’s growing. Plus my doctor brother assures me of my good health. He’s the one doctor my hubby and I both trust – and I’m so happy he’s been a great doctor to me during my pregnancy – if only unofficially.

My brother and cousins have been keeping me great company. They come home so often. They really go on about my baby – all the badwords they’ll teach my child, how they’ll wrestle with the baby…. and all I tell them is to wait until the birth. When they see the tiny face and hold the child, they’ll be overcome with every maternal and paternal feeling in the world!!!

We have given pet names for our baby. Papa or DH has got a bright imagination….. and DH talks to me daily. It is so much fun. Getting back to chatting on GTalk. Like our courtship days when he was in UAE and I in India. The saved chats serve well when I miss him.

I have been updating my baby diary regularly. And been reading Mills & Boons (they help release some endorphins). Started watching God father and some soaps like “Balika Vadhu” with mom..

And the episode continues…

My Trip So Far January 29, 2009

Its been 19 days since I landed and it feels like 19 weeks.

My inlaws had the Ageni function for me (that’s a sort of baby shower where the mom in law gifts the daughter in law with Gold and holds a prayer ceremony for her and her unborn child.) It was so touching or maybe I’m just getting overly emotional over everything. It reduced me to tears to see so many women pray for my little one. I was dressed like a bride – as is in tradition. The ceremony was followed by lavish food. I was so happy to have my mom with me at my inlaws.

Being in her position today, I understand the emotions she feels for me. I understand her hopes and her dreams. I understand her smallest expectations from me. I understand her need to be close to me. I understand the reason she cries at the airport when she catches first sight of me exiting the airport – walking towards her – with my big tummy. I even understand her pain. I even understood when she kept looking at me with tears in her eyes through out the ceremony, dressed like a bride, looking beautiful, filled and happy with child.

It was so tough to leave my inlaws home and return to Mumbai with my parents -
after the day of the ceremony, as per traditional beliefs. I miss my mom in law and all the care and loving she offered me. But while we were together for that one wonderful week, we went shopping and eating and she was so thrilled to show me off to her friends.. all those friends who wouldn’t have ever imagined me in this very pregnant state. I saw all the dreams she had for my Teeny in her chinky eyes and all her concerns for me.

_________________________________________
This post could get as long as a hundred paragraphs so will continue with the Episodes from Mumbai in my next post.

WAYN? Or WhereAmINow? January 11, 2009

This is my first day in India. I am so happy to see the faces of my parents and in laws who are also my parents. 

But I’m sad at having left hubby and home. DH is  where my soul is. Home is where my heart is. 

But right now our whole life ( DH & Mine ) is in my belly. 

Teeny. This is what baby is being called right now. Teeny is doing Teeny’s thing. And both of us are waiting for papa dearest (PD). 

Do babies know whats happening around them? Outside of them? It’s so strange that Teeny starts kicking at exactly the same time that DH returns from work. And then exactly at 12:30 or 1:00 am – when DH and I are in bed and feeling my tummy – waiting for the movements. Saying this because – today Teeny is passive. Almost not interested. 

Merry Christmas! December 25, 2008

Here’s Wishing all my people : Family, Friends, Readers, Haters – A very happy christmas! 

May the season bring you love, peace, health and harmony.

May your pots be filled with gold.

PS: And to those who have them: Wish you blissful holidays! 

Eid Ul Adha Vacation December 11, 2008

Was quite worried that the vacation wouldn’t turn out nice.
Fortunately, it was one of the best vacations I’ve had.
5 days of bliss.

(5th Dec 2008 Friday – 9th Dec 2008 Tuesday)

4th Dec 2008 Thursday Evening – We visited my sister in law and her family, spent our time with them and came home late. Slept after a dinner that started at 1:30 AM. Woke up in the afternoon, ate breakfast at 12:30 PM and so on……..

5th Dec 2008 Friday Evening – We visited Dubai Mall and met up with my best friend and her husband. Spent our whole evening in the food court laughing and making plans for the days ahead. Both our husbands get along fine and so we generally have a blast together.

6th Dec 2008 Saturday – We were home. Spent time watching TV, eating, sleeping and fun-quarreling. We purchased groceries for the Trip to Fujairah, scheduled for the next day and for the week ahead. We ate scrambled eggs for dinner.

7th Dec 2008 Sunday – My friend and her hubby fetched us from our place at 9 AM. We spent the entire day in Fujairah, Khorfakkan, Dibba, Masafi and cruising the cultural sites out there. We spent a few hours at Khorfakkan beach, soaking up sun, eating, and ultimately going for a speed boat ride. (AND OH WHAT A HORRIBLE TIME IT WAS FOR ME TO BE ON THE BOAT!) I realized my tummy was almost banging against the seat. Very afraid for my baby, I stood the entire ride on tip toe, at the foot of the boat where the waves hurt least. Good for Junior, after doing this I hardly felt any bumps.

Junior assured me he was doing okay.

We reached home late into the evening and I prepared Mumbai’s famous ‘Sev Puri’ for our friends. It was delicious. They left at 9 PM and after that, Iqbal and I spent all our time, cleaning the mess and clothes and clearing dishes. What a day!

8th Dec 2008 Monday – Understanding my requirement for rest, we stayed home and spent our time watching TV, sleeping and cooking. Iqbal was very happy with the goat mince I prepared. It was so delicious. After all, he taught me the recipe and he’s a great cook! In the evening, we went visiting my aunt and uncle – to wish them Eid Mubarak. After which, he took me for a long drive, my favorite weekend activity. We returned home for dinner.

9th Dec 2008 Tuesday – We made plans with our friends to visit Jumeirah Beach Park. We reached in the afternoon and headed for the sea within 20 mins of our reaching. We swam for 2 hours or so after which we washed up and gobbled our ever so fattening snacks. For once, I couldn’t resist salted waffers. Yumm! We spent the rest of the day discussing UAE, India, Pakistan, and everything in between. We were quite tired off, early into the evening and decided to return home.

Sis in law called and we were more than anxious to see her, and her adorable new baby. We spent the rest of our day with her family. Her baby started getting irritable and they had to leave. Iqbal took me to grab a few Shawarmas late into the night. We returned home with them and they served as good dinner between Need For Speed Underground and an english movie.

Our lonnnnnng weekend OR short vacation was awesome! I’ve really been enjoying my pregnancy and wonder that if pregnancy is so nice, maybe I’d love having a large family! {yeah rite!}

Eid ul Adha in UAE December 22, 2007

This is what I observed about the Eid celebrations in the UAE. Wednesday’s dawn saw Muslims on their way to the mosque to offer the Eid prayers. By afternoon, the goats were sacrificed and women and servants were busy making celebratory meals.

The roads were empty during mornings and afternoons and there were atleast 4 or 5 cabbies who stopped by my side when I was on the road – to ask me if I needed to go anywhere. One of the cabbies I’m acquainted with, even called me to ask me if I needed to reach Dubai.

People from Sharjah reached their homes from the third interchange on Sheikh Zayed Road in a record time of 20 minutes at 100 km/hr.

The holiday destinations within the UAE were jam-packed. People of all color and religion were all over the streets and malls and food joints.

Parks were full with young families and events were held for children. Jumeirah beach was covered with people lazing about under the sun with books and sun tan lotion.

The holidays sped by with a blink of an eye. A percent of people who go to work on a Saturday have returned to schedule. The other percent of people who start on a Sunday could be ironing their clothes or sleeping it out or watching movies until the holiday hangover meets with reality, tomorrow.

About the traffic, only tomorrow will tell.

My Eid Ul Adha Holidays December 22, 2007

The holidays have gotten by. Wednesday until Saturday. How they sped by, I haven’t a clue. I just know that I slept through a lot of it.

My in-laws are here in Dubai so it has been all about going out and showing them around the place. We went to Dibba and spent the entire day in the mountains and on the adjacent beach. Dibba is beyond Dhaid and falls in Fujairah. Really, the beauty of the timeless desert and the dry mountains is just something else. We had loads of fun. I have some pictures of the place. I’ll upload them.

This is on the way to Dibba. We stopped at a place where you get toys for kids and they’ve kept animals in a stable.. – This is a pic of an Earthship building I spotted on a hill.

A beautiful dear in the stable.

The scenes in Dibba:

By the Sea Side.

By The Sea Side.

AND

In the evening – the Sun Behind the Mountains.

__________________________

We went to the Supermarket and finished weekly shopping. We cleaned the house. There was a lot of cooking, vessel washing, card games and personal jokes. It was not entirely tiring but it didn’t even relax me. I’m still so sleepy and tired and I just feel like getting drowsy and drunk.

Yesterday, it was Afrin’s birthday – she’s turned 30 and looked really pretty. She treated us to a great dinner at Gazebo. I’ve got this amazing mat of quotes from Gazebo, which I’ll write about in my next post. From Gazebo, we went to Qanat Al Qasba. She cut her cake and we left for her place – cuz that’s where Iqbal had parked the car.

We drove off towards Nahda immediately after we reached the car park below her place. Today, Iqbal woke up at 6:00 a.m. to head for his office. Tomorrow, is reality for me.

Week 4 – Part 2 – 16th Nov – 20th Nov ‘Oh7 December 4, 2007

Week Four of our vacation saw some serious family bonding. We spent loads of time with my in-laws. We talked and played cards and really had fun. On the 17th of November 2007, late evening, my parents arrived in Ahmednagar. It was great.

Iqbal took me to buy some refreshments for them. Then we ate real late. Iqbal roasted chicken on the fire. Mum had prepared great food for my parents. After food, we sat down by a bonfire constructed by Iqbal. It was amazing to sit outside in the cold with a bonfire warming our bones.
The next day, Iqbal called Indian-Airlines to confirm our going on the 19th. They said that
Indian-Airlines doesn’t fly on a Monday anymore. So our tickets could be used for the flight departing on the 20th of November and we were confirmed for that day. Our “ready to board” authorizations would come on the morning of the flight. Iqbal’s face fell. He didn’t want to spend another day in India. Neither did I. Though, it was confirmed we would only go back to the UAE on the 20th of Nov.07

We went for Ziyarat i.e. visiting the tombs of our priests. I prayed for everyone who had made my life beautiful. My mom bought loads of corn on the cob. We roasted that on charcoal the same day in the evening. I ate three. My mouth still melts and I keep wondering why we don’t get it in the UAE? We slept late that night. After I took my medications (yup I still had that horror of a cold). After everyone was worn off. After we exhausted ourselves with every topic possible. Tomorrow was going to be another long day.

There was more good food, and I seriously don’t understand how, but people always find some thing to talk about. We had our beauty sleep at noon. The day sped by. We didn’t expect it to. Night fell, everyone was exhausted, and our parents were even more anxious and nervous than us. We had to leave early. So we had to wake up by 6 o’clock in the morning. Okay, I said. Don’t worry. And my people only worried more.

I woke up with the alarm that rang at 5:45 am. I lazed about until 6. Then dressed up and waited for everyone. We had a sumptous breakfast. Fitted all of our luggage in the carrrier of our car. Iqbal went to fetch the driver. Meanwhile, I had an extra cup of tea.

We all left for the Pune Airport at 8:30 am. The drive took us 4 long hours. In those 4 hours, we recieved news that our flight was going to be an hour late. I went completely mad. Outside the airport, we took pictures with our parents. Since the flight would be an hour late, they sat with us and to kill time, we decided to eat. After snacks, they decided to go their ways.

My parents left for my aunt’s home in Pune and my in-laws left for Ahmednagar. And we were waiting at the Airport. Then I experienced the Toilet Disaster. We met our friends at the baggage check in counter and spent all our remaining time with them. At the Airport, we got to know that our flight would leave only at 17:20 hours. WOW! I was really mad at Iqbal for not having bought me a Sony PSP.

We killed time somehow and the pilot managed to reach us to Dubai at 19:30 hours. Afrin was waiting for us at the airport. Royal treatment, no? Iqbal drove home and I was excited to see my home after one long month…

So guys, that was my vacation. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did.

Tapola – Backwaters of The Koyna Dam December 4, 2007

Pictures of Tapola: The Beautiful Backwaters of Koyna

These two pictures (below) are from when we got into climbing down a hill to reach this secluded spot. Beautiful, no?