the highs and the lows of learning

I was averse towards developing myself technologically.. probably just a mental block.

So last year I decided to stop depending on others and learn to do things by myself.

So here is what all I learnt :

1. uploading images from a camera (after aquiring a digital camera)
2. loading the ipod (after acquiring one - a gift from A)
3. burning/copying CDs (after being given a laptop in my last job)
4. Scanning documents

I have considered them small achievements looking at the value they brought into my life just like driving did 4 years back.

I gave up my new job and landed myself a new one. Most of the stuff I will be dealing with is stuff I have never done before. I had arrived at a learning plateau in my old job. The situation scared me. I don't know if it was a lack of learning opportunities or the unwillingness to find them. anyway it was time to move on.

Today I learnt to chat. I chatted with my ex colleagues and my brother while going through a pile of resumes..like a true wet behind the ears chat(ter) I used emoticons with every sentence I typed..

I have just finished reading 'pitching the tent' by Anita Diamant. The book is about Anita's life, her first and second marriage, her relationship with her daughter and her jewish faith. Loved the book though it is a bit of overdose on Judaism.
learnt about the concept of 'marital love'. I was releived.
A and I have drifted to state of being, which I used to think was abnornal despite feeling fairly contented.

Marital love is..
1. sharing cupboards
2....hobbies
3. KIDS! and gloating over them
4. buying presents which are not wrapped and have price tags attached and seeing nothing wrong with it.
5.being objective about each other and still wanting to live with A
6. looking forward to A coming back after business trips and going back to sleep as soon as he lands after a quick hug.
7.exchanging glances across the room and knowing exactly what he is thinking.
8. not being able to fib to each other. getting caught when we do!
9. being able to laugh about fights
10. organizing surprize birthday parties.. once in 7 years.
...... well you get the drift.
a lot of water needs to flow under the bridge to get to this stage. A and I have been through a lot in the last 8 years of marriage. There are issues we resolved, some we have'nt and still others we never will.
Life goes on .. day after day, month after month, year after year.. some things never change.
I don't think I would have anyone else cook sichuan food for my birthdays.. ever .
State of being. I like it this way.. at least for some things in life.

once an author always an author

Just finished reading 'cat o nine lives' by (sir) Jeffrey Archer.As with every other Jeffrey Archer book I've read, I found it extremly engrossing.

Jeffrey Archer landed in jail accused of various illegal activities- providing false alibi, insider trading and few other things.And guess what the man does - continues writing publishing book(s) on stories he sniffed out, from his fellow inmates, in the high security Belmarsh prison. Though his political career ended with his conviction, he continues raking millions with his best sellers, some of which were written during his prison term.
Cat-o-nine lives is a collection of short stories of criminals of various kinds.Some seasoned, some novices. The though that it is fact and not all fiction makes them even more interesting.
Enjoyable reading!

the year that's gone

Year 2006 has been good to us.
Here are things that made me smile that year
1. junior's wise cracks.. seem sharper by the day.
2. Cinderella changed and her step-up article.
3.A's new guitar
4. Junior's attempt to play piano and guitar
5.our new Toyota Corolla
6. Dad in the media
7. Mulshi after the rains
8.Driving to Goa.
9.three new job offers (all doubling my current salary)
10. my certification
11. realization that I love chocolate.
12. walkathons
13.Dr T.
14.my new bose wave music system- a surprize gift from A after I oogled at it for 6 years. I am still confused about what made me happier : that A remmembered I wanted it or the bose itself.
15. Wagah border :closing of the gates ceremony.

Cinderella makes us proud

I watched her handle herself at the Sasoon hospital. I felt really really proud of her. She seemed to know how to behave, how to dress (faded salwar kameez), how to organize.She suddenly seemed grown up, responsible, self assured. And she stood out.