Star of the day - Aarav at school

My almost 3 yr old son has been going to a christian preschool for the past 6 months. After the first 2 days of 3hr separation, he got the idea of school. From day 3 until now, he's always been excited about "going to school"! At home he converses like adults, frankly he has a great memory and he uses my sentences exactly each time in the right context!

I got his FIRST report in Dec, all good but working on skills of crayons, painting and pasting. So over the Christmas vacations I made him complete all the crayon art sheets he gets in school, that are incomplete. He wasn't very interested but I managed to sweet talk him and hold his hand to finish all the incomplete sheets.

For pasting, I had color papers and glue from my art hobby, which I'm not pursuing anymore. So now everyday we sit and do simple pasting projects like a tree, sun and letters!

Art work at home

Over these months at every meeting with his teachers, I have learnt that he's a very sweet kid in class, never throws a tantrum, in fact he's always smiling! I asked them at occasions if he talked to them willingly, because he was in that phase of conversing 3-4months ago. But they said, apart from asking for using the restroom he wasn't much of a talker! Surprising, coz we at home were pretty much like "Shhhh...stop talking for 2 mins".. haha.

Reason for this post is- Yesterday one of his teachers, Ms. Tiffany came to speak to me and she mentioned "I just wanted to let you know that Aarav has been doing so well, he's been talking to us off late, he does all the activities so well, we just wanted to share this with you. He was the best kid in class today!"

I was so happy..I just thanked them. I'm so glad they are getting to see his real side! The way he's so interactive and talking with us at home!

When I checked his bag, I saw the certificate for being the 'Star of the day'.

Proud mama! JJJ

Road Sweeper

The locality we live here is developing rapidly; every day we see new cleared forest area with construction vehicles and workers. On a particular route I take to my son’s preschool, I saw a vehicle that was cleaning the dust, gravel, dirt from the road. When trucks move in and out of construction sites, they obviously leave trails of thick soil which make such a mess of the existing good roads.

Superior Broom - Road Sweepers Model DT80CT

Living in India, be it any city Pune or Bangalore, we’ve all witnessed how the municipal people come, dig out a perfectly good road and then cover up haphazardly leaving back mud/gravel and bumps. When we lived in Bangalore, Electronic city was developing with construction sites everywhere. So much of fine dust would be on the roads that during the rainy days the roads would be full of the muddy slush! And in the dry hot weather, it would fly up in the air.

Every time I would tell my husband, why don’t these construction site engineers make sure to clean up the roads after they are done! All that dust and dirt particles going into our eyes, nose, mouth, hair and skin! Uugh! I never knew there was vehicle to clean roads like this!

When I saw this dirt cleaning machinery here, my mind instantly flashed back to those Indian streets. Why don’t we incorporate this tool? Make it a mandatory equipment in construction!

One of the major differences between American and Indian roads is the DUST! You never ever see dust on the streets here…we’ve discussed on this..how come there is no dust here! I guess I saw the answer – Road Sweeper!

Note: Image link - http://www.jandjequipment.com/SuperiorBroomz.ivnu

BLACKFISH – A Documentary on Seaworld Orcas

During the recent December 2015 vacations, we visited Atlanta, GA. Our son Aarav will turn 3 in March 2016; we thought it would be nice to visit a zoo and aquarium again. At his age, this was his 4^th visit to a zoo and 2^nd to an aquarium! We just assumed he has much better understanding now so he’ll enjoy better!

Atlanta Aquarium is rated as the best aquarium in USA! Personally, I have never seen whales! Never been to Seaworld. Had been to a small seaworld kind of amusement park in Hawaii where I saw the dolphin and sea lion shows; the jumps and tricks they do! Atlanta Aquarium has the Beluga whales and giant whale sharks! Huge magnanimous creatures that just leave you in awe!

Aarav was excited to see the Dolphins! He loved the show, though he was almost asleep by the time the show started! The dolphins were just beautiful!

After we returned we were discussing with our friends of the two amusement parks and how the Aquarium is one of the best! My friend shared that this particular corporation has intensive care for the dolphins and they have a panel of scientists, doctors and psychiatrist to study and provide them a healthy environment! She then suggested of a documentary “BLACKFISH” that’s available on Netflix which has the orca trainers disclose and share their experience of training the wild orcas, the unpredictable nature of the animals, how they are captured from the wild, the emotional trauma that the animals endure in captivity through their life, the major accidents that have occurred and how the huge business corporations ruthlessly work despite history of fatalities and clear indications of disturbed animals, while putting the trainers lives at risk each day!

The documentary is very emotional on many levels, mainly from the animal’s perspective that without a doubt it shames me to think of how selfish Human race is! And not just selfish, but ruthless, ignorant and utterly insensitive! There are so many points that the audience probably never thinks of like how did they get them, how are they trained, how are their enclosures etc. I never did myself!

Prior to this documentary, I never had any idea of how gentle, super intelligent and emotional these gigantic animals are, so much like us humans! After watching the documentary, I felt so so sorry for these animals, though they are so much larger in size than us, our cunning intelligence beats their innocence!

It makes me think how as an audience, I’m contributing to the animal’s captive life! I know that just sharing the information won’t stop people from going to these amusement parks, but can spread awareness. The story of Tilikum the Orca at seaworld is truly heartbreaking and to see that huge fish with a bent dorsal fin…you know it’s just WRONG!

Sharing the trailer video link on youtube. Recommend to watch and share.

While I was still disturbed after watching the documentary, I came across an article of how even Dolphins in captivity suffer and how the ‘Swim-with-dolphin’ program is disturbing!

The Disturbing Truth Behind Your Swim With The Dolphins

"The World Collage" Campaign - Get your own copy!

As continuation to my previous post, I now have the actual Campaign website which shares the details of the photo book from my Author friend Mrunal Gawade, a small video describing the book in his own words and details of the variety of contribution that can be made with the corresponding perks for the same.

The campaign link: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-world-collage-juxtaposed-photo-stories/x/12208849#/story

The Campaign is trending #1 on the platform with $1300 raised in just 24 hours! 

My humble appeal to all readers across the world is to have a look at the link, do read the details mentioned, the right section of perks and if it appeals to you, please come forward and contribute and help my friend to succeed in this campaign!

Mrunal has discussed all points regarding what the book offers, why did he pursue this idea, how can you contribute and if you still have doubts he has shared his email ID to be contacted.

Thank you for reading through my post and your time and contribution to the campaign!

Good Luck Mrunal!

"The World Collage" - photo-stories across 4 continents

Here is an idea I came across from a dear friend. My friend Mrunal Gawade has been working very hard on a book recently. The book, "The World Collage" tells the photo-stories across 4 continents (Australia, Asia, Europe, North America) through juxtaposition of people, cultures, places and architectures. It's a collection of 142 photos, with insightful descriptive captions. 

He has been an avid traveler and a photographer, and an excellent one at both. Being a computer professional, he has traveled to many countries. Not limiting himself to conference rooms, he has ventured out and captured glimpses of what's around. Having seen his work before, I am sure, these are amazing clicks!!

One often says that life offers opportunities to explore your passions despite busy schedules. Mrunal Gawade has actually proven it.

I want to spread the word around hoping more and more people get information on this effort!

Please click on the attached pictures to view them fully - the book cover and the flyer .  I will update when the campaign link becomes available. Thank you!

The Book cover

The Flyer

I am back

Hello to all my readers from the past and new ones to be. I have been away for long long long time! It almost feels like I took a sabbatical! The last time I posted was from Nashville, Tennessee and today I am posting from Savannah, Georgia. Yes we moved to south of USA, almost into Florida; so Disney World is like 3 hrs!!! Great time to move so close with a 2.5 yrs old toddler at home!

Ganesha - Acrylic

YES! My dear son Aarav is grown up and guess what, he started his preschool just yesterday! Now, that should explain why I am back here on my blog! :) From Nashville to now, a lot has changed and happened! We moved to this new place but have a bunch of old friends from India, so for the first time, it feels good and close to home here in USA. This movement makes me be in the same time zone as my brother is Boston! 

Crab Shack - Watercolor

I jumped back to my painting hobby and have taken it up a few levels up this time around...now when I look at the paintings I did 8 yrs ago, they look like some kid in 4th grade did them.

Dancing Lady - Watercolor

I started with Watercolor painting and slowly moved on to Acrylic paints. I have started painting on CANVAS! Now, that I hadn't even dreamed of. As always, my husband is pushing and encouraging me to go for big..do canvas ...do oil painting! Do big stuff. But I know my limits and I try to set smaller achievable goals...so far I am doing stuff I see on the internet, ideas that come in my head and I look for them and see if there is something I can replicate! There is lots to learn on YouTube, many tutorials and lessons that help me improve each time!

Traditional Indian Man - Watercolor

Friends only wonder how I manage to get time to paint with a toddler at home. Well the secret is that I do all my paintings late at night, after the kid and husband sleep at 10! I paint till late like 2 or 3 am! True Artist style! J

Buddha - Acrylic

We recently went on a long 5 week vacation to India. Had my son meet all possible relatives in both our families, had his hair removal ceremony. That was pending since his birth and he had really long hair..looked like a cute girl. Now he looks like a perfect BOY!

Spanish house - Watercolor

The past year without the blog has been so busy with raising Aarav, moving to new city. He has been growing up so fast! Learning things so quickly. He speaks English and everyday I hear something new and we are surprised how quick these kids can learn and speak! He is so thorough with the letters and numbers and rhymes. He's reading story books from the library! I am so proud of him!

Poppy field - Watercolor

In 8 yrs of our marriage, I never had a driving license in the USA. Thanks to my growing son and his needs to school I had to get it done...I am glad I did. Now I have a driving license and today it truly felt like the typical American lifestyle. Woke up at 6 am to drop my husband at work, came back and got my son ready for his school, dropped him, stopped at the post office and mailed off Rakhis to my brother and now back home; waiting to step out and get my son back in 2 hrs! Now I know what the other ladies meant by freedom after getting a driving license!

Cheers to taking more responsibility and of course freedom! J

Aarav’s FIRST Birthday celebration

WOW! Almost 6 months since I have posted anything on my blog. I had been very busy in the first quarter of this year. We had planned a visit to India to celebrate my son’s first birthday with his grandparents. Last year, we had left India abruptly and came here to Nashville. We hardly have any friends here.

It was my thought from the beginning that we should celebrate Aarav’s first birthday with both his grandparents. I mean first birthday is the special one…the next birthdays will happen.

"Super why" blueberry cake

I wonder if I mentioned earlier, but he is a fan of this educational cartoon program “SUPE WHY”. So we decided to have a super why themed party; for which I pretty much bought all the decorations here in the US. His birthday banner, balloons almost 100, the super why character cut outs, plates and cups and spoons and fork – all with super why cartoons on them.

I had my brother-in-law in India to help and co-ordinate the party. I stayed there for 6 weeks; 3 weeks each at my in-laws and my parents in Baroda and Pune respectively! It was a trip to remember. Both his grandparents waited eagerly to meet him, play with him. 6 weeks flew by so fast! Well his entire first year has gone by so fast! He got used to seeing so many new faces all the time. He used to get scared and feel shy…by the end of my trip he learnt not to cry seeing new faces; yet didn’t go instantly to any new person. That is probably common to most kids.

"Super Why" theme party

We bought a Samsung tablet only to keep him busy on the plane with Super why episodes. Well actually I was travelling back alone with him, since my husband had only a 10-day vacation planned for himself. But my son as before too, did not trouble me at all. He pretty much slept though both ways.

By the time we started to India on March 18^th, he had picked up walking. He would walk 5-6 steps and then put his hands down instead of crashing badly. And by the time I returned he was a perfect walker! He got enough space and opportunity and people to take him out walking in India.

"Super why" coloring activity for kids

He played a lot with his grandparents, especially his grandfathers. He bonded with them easily. May be because they would let him play freely, as against grandmothers who like to cuddle more often; with his age of being a rebellious walker! J

My grandmother was there to spend time with him tooJ. She of course could not dare to pick him up, but she enjoyed playing with him at a distance.

As per Indian traditions, we successfully displayed his skills where he showed where the fan, light, moon, airplane, birds. Now it’s a coincidence that all his answers are the same – up, towards the sky! But he knows them correctlyJ. He got to see lots of birds in India, he pretty much screamed with joy every time he saw them. I thoughtfully taught him actions to “how do birds fly” and “how does fan work” – some new entertainment for the grandparents and more stories to brag aboutJ.

Color imaginations

Nowadays he has learnt to say few words – choose (shoes), train, truck, tar (car), dog. He can show A to D on the picture chart, Apple, Ball, Car and Dog. And off the sequence Onion, because he played with it often in my mom’s kitchen.

Those are the important updates from recent months. All in all, beautiful start to the year. 

One of the best things about Aarav’s birthday was this idea I implemented – a diary with hand-written best wishes from all near and dear ones on the occasion of his FIRST birthday. Something he will have to read when he grows up. I hope he will enjoy it as much as all the well-wishers did!