It’s almost time!

Author : Sangitha      Blog : Life and Times in Bangalore      Date : 4/22/2013 4:39:54 AM

'We’re almost there, counting down to a month long vacation, visiting old haunts.  The stuff we saw on TV in Boston – part of old haunting grounds.  So a bit moderate in cheer, there will be serious security and Indian looking husband will probably be ‘randomly’ picked every time for security checks, we’ll have to … Continue reading »'

Read full article

Give the guilt up! First!

Author : Sangitha      Blog : Life and Times in Bangalore      Date : 4/14/2013 4:40:43 PM

'Have been reading posts, trying to focus on my exams.  Well, they’re done.  And this dam has to burst. In the last month, I have heard so MANY stories of how people feel guilty.  Not exaggerating to say almost everyone.  Except me.  I have (kind of) kept quiet about what I think of guilt, I … Continue reading »'

Read full article

Because I need to remember this!

Author : Sangitha      Blog : Life and Times in Bangalore      Date : 4/7/2013 4:34:29 AM

'A quick post because I have to remember and need a break from the studying! Honest, straight, fact based, matter-of-fact feedback feels like praise, when it is not.  Got this from my viva yesterday, was on top of the world and that is not normal for me.  I normally question it, give excuses (saying things … Continue reading »'

Read full article

A short one

Author : Sangitha      Blog : Life and Times in Bangalore      Date : 3/28/2013 4:30:40 AM

'on history.  We’ve been putting together quite a set of resources on history recently – somehow just happened.  Some books: Roshen Dalal’s two volumes on Indian History, Ancient World, Percy Jacksons that use ancient myths in a fantasy context, graphic novels of different personalities and books on famous people – it all adds to the … Continue reading »'

Read full article

At double digits

Author : Sangitha      Blog : Life and Times in Bangalore      Date : 3/27/2013 4:34:19 AM

'Daughter turns 10 on Monday.  Double digit hit. Eeeep!  Where did the years go? From the little one whose head was only as big as my palm to the pint size I could carry under my arm to the ahem…piggy-back-mostly times today, this girl is something else.  Calm, self-assured, able to stand up for herself … Continue reading »'

Read full article

The world is a good place!

Author : Sangitha      Blog : Life and Times in Bangalore      Date : 3/26/2013 12:55:46 PM

'Recently, it has been a pretty big deluge of bad news in the world outside.  Women are threatened everywhere, it seems like.  I see parents of children with special needs and their struggles are massive, often they are battles fought by armies of one on the behalf of the child.  It is easy to think … Continue reading »'

Read full article

Some books

Author : Sangitha      Blog : Life and Times in Bangalore      Date : 3/25/2013 8:19:28 AM

'A book that made its presence felt in the 15 minutes we ended up having at Higginbothams in Chennai.  Can I say it is awesome to see more of stuff on Indians for them?  The book is a decent mix of the current, just past and long past with Akbar/Kabir to Kapil Dev/Kalpana Chawla. This … Continue reading »'

Read full article

But they want it…

Author : Sangitha      Blog : Life and Times in Bangalore      Date : 3/18/2013 4:24:32 AM

'This whole thing on pink and blue, princess and superhero/knight/any other form of violent macho avatar across an era.  If this is what they are exposed to in what they see, hear and are bought, is it any surprise that they want it?  Like the religion thing.  If all they see around is one kind … Continue reading »'

Read full article

Why is it

Author : Sangitha      Blog : Life and Times in Bangalore      Date : 3/14/2013 4:58:14 PM

'that you can have 17 things to do in a limited time and most things get done but 3 tasks in a whole day is an issue? that no amount of preparation can stop the children from crying out when it is time to stop reading aloud, the 51st page…the 101st, all same? that stories … Continue reading »'

Read full article

Paneer!

Author : Sangitha      Blog : Life and Times in Bangalore      Date : 3/14/2013 6:47:33 AM

'Because Sangeeta Khanna of Banaras Ka Khana  and Healthfood Desivideshi has helped me do something I never thought I could: make paneer in cubes.  The stuff that looks like store bought but is better in taste.  The variation that did it – using a collander/large tea filter type thingy versus hanging in cloth (bonus: not … Continue reading »'

Read full article

On religion – an update

Author : Sangitha      Blog : Life and Times in Bangalore      Date : 3/12/2013 4:41:21 PM

'That organized religion is akin to organized crime is my view.  Still my view.  Have pontificated on that here, so no point doing it again. One of Daughter’s good friends had her communion.  We went to church and sat through the service, listened to the songs (by the way, other than one prayer, every prayer … Continue reading »'

Read full article

It is over, people!

Author : Sangitha      Blog : Life and Times in Bangalore      Date : 3/9/2013 5:37:20 PM

'One dissertation done.  Two case studies, super thick, heart and soul (mine) included also done. Some exams left but have time.  Doing nothing this weekend except listening to total zonkers like these: “Amma, who are your favourite inventors? Mine are Homo Erectus, for standing up.  And cooking with fire….” He was puzzled at how hard … Continue reading »'

Read full article

Bookstop!

Author : Sangitha      Blog : Life and Times in Bangalore      Date : 3/6/2013 10:32:17 AM

'A long overdue post dedicated to the indie bookstore in Bangalore – Bookstop! Started by Jayanthi with her husband Venkat, the store has that warm, cozy feel that one loves of bookstore with a difference.  No brand merchandising here, no same-same feel regardless of which part of the city/world you are in- I was already … Continue reading »'

Read full article

And part one is done!

Author : Sangitha      Blog : Life and Times in Bangalore      Date : 3/6/2013 3:07:38 AM

'The practical exam happened yesterday.  I think it went okay.  They’ll give feedback only in April, I guess after everyone in the class is done – my classmate and I were the first because one of my kids was waiting on this to relocate.  Such sweetness, huh? I love doing this stuff when I am … Continue reading »'

Read full article

Getting tested

Author : Sangitha      Blog : Life and Times in Bangalore      Date : 3/1/2013 2:43:02 AM

'Gayathri, a reader of this blog, wrote in with this message.  She was nice enough to write in last year, roughly same time, with information that helped me a lot.  The power of people who care can never be overestimated.  Her NGO is working to help register people (who are interested and able) to donate … Continue reading »'

Read full article

Career change

Author : Sangitha      Blog : Life and Times in Bangalore      Date : 2/24/2013 1:33:33 PM

'is this to this Because my three year old at school can’t tell parts of the body.  The nose has a little switch that makes it light up in different colours when flipped.  Guess who HAD to learn ‘nose’?  Guess … Continue reading →'

Read full article

The simple things in life

Author : Sangitha      Blog : Life and Times in Bangalore      Date : 2/24/2013 4:03:27 AM

'are the most un-simple! Watch this ad. I wax eloquent on how ads suck.  It goes to show that the tool is only that, it is the mindsets that made the ad that make ALL the difference.  If this message … Continue reading →'

Read full article

Procastinitis!

Author : Sangitha      Blog : Life and Times in Bangalore      Date : 2/21/2013 6:42:27 PM

'Writing reports, closing up the year with bows and binding…being procastinated on.  Have the stuff recorded in bits and pieces, first attempt at daily recording got all dogeared in my bag….kids were absent, let it go, started writing in my … Continue reading →'

Read full article

One long conversation

Author : Sangitha      Blog : Life and Times in Bangalore      Date : 2/17/2013 11:49:06 AM

'Adoption and related topics are one long conversation in this home.  Son’s homecoming day meant the reviving of some conversations.  He has expressed curiosity about his biological parents before. “I wonder if they think about me, Amma – the people … Continue reading →'

Read full article

Kabir

Author : Sangitha      Blog : Life and Times in Bangalore      Date : 2/16/2013 4:58:28 AM

'The one place my Hindi textbook actually taught me something of import – Tulsidas’ and Kabir’s dohe.  It was dry text only…the message was still powerful.  Might have helped if the teacher didn’t make it an issue of homework and … Continue reading →'

Read full article