Category: Family

Sitara started at Carden this fall. In two weeks she was telling me how kids are baby goats and that she’s a child. How we don’t say ya or yup- we say yes; that we don’t say hey! because hay is for horses!! I love this school already!

I refused to give in to Sitara’s tantrum today– Immediately she said ‘I want papa!’ so if mom doesn’t give in — papa will. She knows how to wrap him around her finger! Oh boy!! And she’s only 2.

I’m going home to India in a month’s time. It’s hard for me to believe this. I haven’t been home since 2004 when we got married in Agra– the city of the Taj Mahal. It was a whirlwind trip- I didn’t get to soak in my Bombay, or I should say the Bombay I know and remember. We literally transitted through Bombay in a day! I’m going to visit my 94 year old grandfather. He had a close health call recently and the reality of not having seen much of him in nearly a decade hit me hard. I feel like my eyes were opened to the fact that I was taking his mortality for granted.

My husband gave me the ultimate gift and offered to take care of our little one for the 12 days that I’ll be gone, which means I don’t have to worry or gut myself into splitting my time watching over them (he always falls sick when we travel via air) and spending unadulterated time with daddy…which is what I call my grandfather.

So I started this writing by saying I’m going home, but home is where my heart is, which is here in this home with my husband and daughter who I miss already and I haven’t even left yet, and won’t for another month. I guess what I mean is, I’m going to India, and I’ll be home soon!

5 little words — so powerful, such impact. My husband said this to me night before last. I’m proud of you and what you’ve done with Arbonne so far. It brought a Ray of sunshine into my slightly dark day and completely changed my mood for the better. I’d been laying in bed with my back to him and I instantly turned toward him and snuggled into him. I slept well that night.

It’s a powerful phrase. Go ahead say it to someone – and mean it! You’ll see what I mean.

What magnificent creatures– saw 2 dancing on the waves as I drove home along the coast! They bring a smile to my lips and lift my soul. These days I’m flying pretty high as it is, so am particularly blessed right now. Just felt the urge to share.

I received this email from a friend I’ve known since 8th grade today. Our birthdays are 3 days apart and we’ve been best friends for as long as I can remember.

“I was recently at a funeral and the priest said – Life is short. He then talked about how this guy had influenced the lives of people in that room – friends, family, strangers. He said ” I’d like for everyone in this room to tell as many people as they can how someone has positively affected their lives. In our crazy, busy and stressful world nobody appreciates humanity any more and I’d like for you to make a list of people and go through that list. If it takes you months or years, then so be it.”
Good exercise.

You may not believe in all this but I felt strongly about it (you know, having almost lost life myself, I do see the value in appreciating life and people you care for)

So anyway… you are one of the people on my list…
You are dynamic, powerful yet sensitive and gentle, warm, loyal and strong. You have been there for me at probably my lowest point/s. I have learnt so much from you. I remember the crazy, fun times we had in our college days – from the canteen to the dosawala, to RG’s and Cellar and the maker towers terrace to the fashion show practices with the chunni’s, eating at Khyber, driving around in your little red Maruti, all the crazy stuff we did and I smile. You found me after a long disconnect after my accident. I thank you for that. You will never know how much that meant to me.
I’m sorry we lost so much time – I guess we were meant to to grow and mature into the people we are today.
You touch my life in so many ways – I thank you and cherish this friendship. You teach me so much, you inspire me, you listen, you care, you share, YOU ROCK!”

Thank you my friend- right back at you! YOU ROCK too!!

Remember – Aqua Rules!

We had the best weekend this past weekend…with papa gone on a fishing trip with the boys – it was just the two of us gals! We ran a 5K in the morning – with Sitara finishing 1 second ahead of me sitting in the baby jogger! My time was logged as 30:09 – not too shabby for being the first race we’ve run since June last year. We’re doing the Channel Islands 5K on July 4th – should be lovely along the harbor.

Anyway after the 5K we hung about for a while, enjoying the morning – we got interviewed by the videographer for the greek festival too! That should be interesting. He said I could get a copy of the video. Later that afternoon we made our way back to the festival and met with a friend and her daughter for a few hours of fun! Sitara was mesmerized by the greek dancers and sat and watched them for nearly an hour! And mind you – she’s 2 so that’s quite a feat! She asked for (and got) a sugarladen butter cookie followed by hummus and pita and oh of course her favorite – kalamata olives.

After a loooong nap we went to sushi with another friend – and she got to stay up an hour past her bedtime of 8pm!

The next day – that’s yesterday, we went to Costco – her (and my) favorite store, sampled juice, sausage, chocolate and smoothie, and then got home. Later in the evening we spent over an hour running in the park and playing on the slides! All in all, a fabulous fun filled weekend!

We missed papa – umm, just a little! We were having too much fun!