November 2020

 Dearest Sweetheart Ceyone,

November was a busy and festive month for us! With festivals having remote celebrations we all were trying to meet friends. Our handwriting classes continued as usual. I had a breakfast meet at Neha's place and you went to Haruto's home for a playdate. 

I was badly craving Ratlami Sev and was able to sneak it into someone else's order. I think you may also enjoy this black peppery spicy snack once you grow up. I have passed you my taste buds :) 

I had decorated this chair and was going to give it away. I thought of clicking some pictures before sending it away. On second thoughts I might send this to India! 

 

Our book club sessions in progress along with handwriting class. 

We celebrated Diwali doing pooja at home and I made kheer with rice, almonds and condensed milk.

 

That's Nana at his shop with a customer. 

A sweet and nice Diwali gift I received from one of the students. 

We went for dinner at Deepti's place like every year for a potluck dinner.

And we took pooris and chhole.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More of handwriting classes at our place. 

Breakfast at Neha's place which was done up so beautifully :) 

 '

 

  

For your 8th birthday you had asked for a pc, so we went to the Apple store to check it out.

Visiting the Apple store was by appointment only so I had to make up my mind quickly on the purchase decision as visiting again would be quite tough. 

I finally struck a deal with you to buy you the pc on the condition that you will open it only on your birthday.

 

Receiving box of home made sweets from VJ's family (your friend Arjun's home) was so good. You enjoyed the gujiya a lot. 

Ready to go to school in the morning, wearing Indian clothes. 

 

 

A random old photo from the archive. That's me, Priyanka Mami and Antara many years ago in Udaipur, Rajasthan. That's The Trident, Udaipur where Shirish Mama used to work and we all went to visit him. 

  

 

That's Priyanka Mami, me and Guddi Mausi at Hiranandani complex in Powai, Mumbai, back when I was a teenager. 

 

You and I made a trip in vain to Apple Store at Marina Bay Sands. They accepted guests only by appointment and we didn't know this. So we went there and were not able to gain entry. 

 

Kids at our place after the writing class. 

 

 

 

We put mehendi on everyone around Diwali and enjoyed doing it. 

  

 

We also went to Meenal's place at Aspen for a Diwali night gathering. 

You went to Vivaan's birthday party at his place and had fun. 

More handwriting class moments at home :) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A little bit of me time. 

 

 

We got organic chaat masala as a present for Diwali from Gayu, Neel's mom. I found it to be very unique. 

More of the handwriting classes in progress. 

Some of the food that we enjoyed - black sesame ice cream and home made poorie and paneer curry. 

 

  

  

 

 

 

A play date at Haruto's place in Fraser Residences, near your old school campus on Paterson Road. 

 

 

More of our writing class and art and craft fun. 

 

 

That is the picture of my grandmother and your great grandmother. Her name was Smt. Rajabai Pisal and she was my father's mother. I realized that family trees were so rare and people hardly remembered anyone beyond their great grandparents max. 

We got some sweatshirts from Twitter 1 was very excited about it.

 

  

 

 

I realized I've clicked way too many photos, especially of the writing class. All the moments were so fun with you Ceyone. You changed my life forever. 

May you always have colorful, tasteful and family and friends-ful Diwali every year Ceyone. 

Lots of love, 
Mumma