Dearest Sweetheart Ceyone,
I will start this blog post with some old memories. Many years ago Nana Nani took their first out of India to travel to Tokyo to visit me. We found their boarding old passes and were so nostalgic. It was such a good time to spend with my parents in beautiful Tokyo, taking them around for sight seeing and relishing the amazing food cooked by Nani. It was a lovely experience!
There's Guddi Mausi, Nani and me doing a video call and chit chatting about life and happenings.
That's beautiful you, dressed up in festive clothes around Diwali season. Later enjoying the double pancake dessert in one of your favorite Japanese restaurants called Tamago.
In Autumn break, Papa took you for staycation at W Sentosa. You seemed to have a luxurious time and when you returned after a day, you legit cried and complained that your staycation was too short. I consoled you a bit and then let you be to settle yourself as I felt that you were quite privileged to even enjoy a staycation.
The view was beautiful from your room and you enjoyed room service too.
Your soccer ball accompanied you wherever you went. We ensured to pack it every time.
After a good night's sleep you were ready to seize the day.
Relishing the in-room dining breakfast.
Later going to Sentosa for sightseeing.
Meanwhile, I was cleaning up some of your old toys and found this ginormous collection of beyblades. It was incredible to see how many you had collected over time, ordering from every possible source and including every single variety.
Your soccer practice continued almost 2-3 times a week and when you did not have Real Madrid classes you went to Funan Mall and Ark Futsal at Funan Mall. Sometimes we got their coach to teach you and you were learning some good stretching there.
You went to Ahaan's place for Pav Bhaji dinner one of the evenings.
You also had playdate at Zeeshan's with Vansh and had a good time.
You also had playdate at Zeeshan's with Vansh and had a good time.
Whenever I found some good old photos I saved them to refresh my memory again. That's Binu mausi and me in Switzerland. Then that's me with baby Kiaan in Bhopal.
That's Dolly Mausi, Adnan and me and that's Adnan and me in a phone call.
I had to attend the wedding of one my team member, Rebekah and I was planning for it. Finally, the day came and restrictions were not bad, so I got the chance to attend the grand ceremony. It was splendid and I had tears in my eyes.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting ready for the event and dressing up.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting ready for the event and dressing up.
I even got myself a sequins mask.
They had made beautiful arrangements given the numerous limitations of Covid-19 rules at that time.
That was the bride, beautiful Rebekah with her beau Sam.
That was my team and we were happy to see each other in person.
I took some photos of the ceremony on the stage and got to witness the full wedding along with the vows for the first time. It was very touching.
After returning home, I enjoyed a bit of photo session before getting out of the dress and makeup. I was quite pleased to find the perfect pink stole to go with my dress and wore the pearl necklace that my good friend from Japan, Shizuho san had given me almost a decade back.
I was also preparing for one of the dance shoots and used the opportunity of the same make up to film my video. With working from home I avoided too much make up as it felt tedious and taking it out was also a task. Girls always like to get ready and I was no different.
In that high paced life we made sure to have some quiet, peaceful and restful moments on our cozy bed. That's us relaxing in the afternoon, talking and sharing our stories with each other.
That was our me time and I loved bonding and laughing with you over silly things together.
Life was after all made of these moments that went into the memory jar.
Life was after all made of these moments that went into the memory jar.
Samar and you enjoyed spending time together, reading, eating, watching movies. We tried to make the most of it while Samar was still around before moving to Canada in a few months.
October was also the time of Deepti's birthday so we went for manicure and pedicure and then hung out at Clarke Quay by the river, eating some rolls and chit chatting.
Deepti did not eat sweets so Neha made dhokla cake for her and we all got together in the morning for a quick wish.
We went to their place in the evening and took a tray of mixed fruits, gluten free cookies and some dates. We had dinner at their place and cut the cake as well.
That was some of our cooking experiments. Tita made this feta, egg and chickpea baked one pot which turned out to be quite nice. We also attempted pasta in pink beetroot sauce, also decent.
I prepared a dance for Navratri and got ready once again.
I purchased a product from an ex-colleague, Soumya who had started her own venture, Himalayan Origins and I tried their hair care butter. It was quite nice and enjoyed posing with the product itself for her instagram.
I purchased a product from an ex-colleague, Soumya who had started her own venture, Himalayan Origins and I tried their hair care butter. It was quite nice and enjoyed posing with the product itself for her instagram.
During the Autumn break, we got the chance to play tennis with coach Anu. You were quite happy to try tennis and I thought if we could learn together in the holidays, it could become a sport and you and I could enjoy together. We were able to swim together and I was planning to make efforts to play tennis together as well.
We made a visit to Vivaan's house and it was a life changing experience as they had gotten a cute kitty, Jasper. After returning we discussed Jasper for a long time and you watched its picture everyday. You had already put in the request of getting a kitty for yourself and I was contemplating how to fulfill it for you. It required a lot of prep and commitment to get one and we were not ready. I was not completely against it and this story was to unfold. Jasper was definitely someone who'd steal heart, even I was in love with him. He also did a stunt and when no one was watching, he jumped on the dining table and nibbled a few potato and salmon patties.
It was the time of Navratri and I made halwa poorie and chane. I couldn't find the black chane so we made do with the bigger chickpeas. It turned out well, a bit spicy though. That's what happens when I don't cook often and enter the kitchen only on annual basis. I was trying to change that and get more dishes rolling, especially with help from Tita.
It felt nice to make the prasad and share with friends and family. You and I loved Durga Ma and prayed religiously whenever we could. I was particularly proud of the fact that we had female goddess to worship as it felt nice to worship mother.
I also picked up a recipe from a person I befriended on Twitter, Prachi, who was an activist in Bhopal. This was oats tikki and it came out to be quite nice with millet and peanut added in it.
That month I was trying to swim more than walk and in a one off walk caught those lovely yellow blooms.
I also won a book from Twitter, meant for parents and was happy to receive it.
I also won a book from Twitter, meant for parents and was happy to receive it.
Our prayer place with lights and diyas on.
I remembered this childhood dish called satori and attempted to make it. It turned out to be well and I enjoyed the sugar drizzling part particularly.
That was your heavy chair, Ceyone. I took to picture to post in social media so I could extend the warranty from 3 to 5 years!
That was your heavy chair, Ceyone. I took to picture to post in social media so I could extend the warranty from 3 to 5 years!
Aunty Sandy came to cut your overgrown hair. I think she was the only person who cut your hair all that while and we loved her simple ways.
You asked me to click the pic of notorious Bunny whose character you had invented by narrating her annoying voice everyday. Bunny was the trouble maker at school who was like Mean Jean and often beat kids around her. She liked to slid on floor and smell people's underarms (that was all your invention, by the way!)
You asked me to click the pic of notorious Bunny whose character you had invented by narrating her annoying voice everyday. Bunny was the trouble maker at school who was like Mean Jean and often beat kids around her. She liked to slid on floor and smell people's underarms (that was all your invention, by the way!)
At school, every month you had to share a presentation and write a script on it. It was an amazing activity and you tried your best. I was glad that you wrote well.
When I saw ads of Pisal Tailors on Facebook I liked to save them. I was very proud of the skills that Nana had and realized that it was some amazing talent.
Your very talented friend, Samar, picked up tie dye and put up stall at the Diwali bazaar. We were one of his first customers and flaunted his creation together. I was very happy to see Samar busy with his creative work.
I liked to create magazine inspired looks as it filled me up with more energy. So I played around with it sometimes and had fun.
Meanwhile, for your Diwali bazaar we did coconut laddoos, which were more done by me. We gathered supplies such as grated, fresh coconut and condensed milk. Then I set off with adding much cardamom and tasting the contents until I arrived at the right proportion. The laddoos sold well and the feedback was positive too.
I manufactured about 150 laddoos over the weekend and Tita helped me to pack them. Delivery was also a task and it took about an hour to visit 10 homes to deliver the product.
That was your marketing flyer and I was pleased with my quick 5 minutes stint on Google slides.
You also received the goodies that we purchased from other bazaar sellers in the condo. It was so much fun to see the festive vibes all around. Bazaar and Halloween coming together at the same time.
I also found the recipe of tomato soup and tried to make soup from roast tomatoes. Tita had to dump a whole pack of creme (instead of half) to get the desired taste. With homemade croutons, the soup turned out to be nice. You enjoyed eating it.
I booked some tickets to a screening concert to attend with Deepti.
We tried the ice cream from Mrs. Plumps's which had Diwali special flavors such as chai, phirni, falooda and mango pista ice creams.
We tried the ice cream from Mrs. Plumps's which had Diwali special flavors such as chai, phirni, falooda and mango pista ice creams.
You had photo shoot at school and I saved a few photos. I wanted to purchase these prints but couldn't apply the discount codes and gave it a pass.
There was Halloween celebration at school and you wore those black zombie run t-shirts.
Your class organized a party and you were part of the food committee. You were tasked with getting cutlery and plates etc. I made a trip to Daiso to get all your supplies, packed them well in zip locks and gave to you to bring to school. I think your party went well as you returned quite happy.
May the joy of celebrating with friends and family, feeling the festive vibes and being ready to take a dip in the atmosphere be always with you, Ceyone. May you always be surrounded with people who believe in you and experience the contentment of meaningful company.
Loads of love, friendships and celebrations to you!
Mumma
Loads of love, friendships and celebrations to you!
Mumma
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