The friendly sparrows

While returning to Mumbai, I was surprised to see few sparrows in the Barrissta outlet in the Airport. They were feasting on the crumbs left by the travellers on the table and ground. Sarah was superdelighted to see the sparrows and she started running behind these sparrows excited, screaming "biiirrrdieeee biiiirrdie." Surprisingly, the sparrows that came hopping below out table were hardly scared when we tried to feed them with the crumbs of apple pie left out on the table.

Oh! and the apple pie was indeed delicious. I felt happy for the sparrows because of the good supply of food they received from the cafe. They might have come here in search of food as there were not much trees around. I was also happy with the assistance offered by Kingfisher Airline staff till the gate from which we had to board the flight.

I tied a bright green scarf around Sarah's head as she was running without any fear amidst the crowd - and this scarf helped me in locating her and of course running behind her before she enters the restricted areas. The funny part is that as soon as I catch her, she waves to all those on the way, blowing kisses and saying good bye. At times, when she realises that I am behind her, she increases her speed and runs like a pony, screeching and laughing.

We also met Pallavi, a cute Indian mom from Belgium, and her little baby Rani, who had really adorable eyes and a perfect white smile. Sarah spend some time socialising with Rani. We too had some new-mom chat. In fact, we were travelling in the same aircraft; however, I couldn't meet them after boarding the plane, but we promised to keep in touch by mail.

Take-offs and landings are nightmares to new moms - you can hear babies screaming their lungs out in the cabin. Sarah was rubbing her ear very hardly, but I started feeding her immediately to avoid more catastrophe. So this time, the flight was really peaceful and also we had a vacant seat near us, which was indeed great; so after her short nap, Sarah sat on that seat and became busy listening to music using the earphones they gave. (Earlier, when I had arrived to B'lore, Sarah had given me a real hard time - her bad mood had continued throughout the flight; by the time we landed, I was completely exhausted!)

A memorable drive

While we were planning for a short trip to places near banglore - we decided to hit those places that were less crowded during weekends. Mysore palace had been visited by us several times before and walking it again with a toddler amidst the weekend crowd didnt seem like a good idea. We visited Sangam, Ranganthittu bird sanctuary and Shivasamudram falls. The drive was amazing amidst fields and small streams. Sarah was a good baby throughout but the day before she had a bad sneeze which had started after she inhaled her talcum powder - so she had a runny nose which was irritating her, but the homeopathic medication kept it under control. First, we visited Tipu's summer palace and a river nearby it.

Walking till the falls of Shivasamudram was bit adventurous as the steps to the base seemed to never end. Miriam and myself had rubbery legs by the time we climbed it down. However, we kept giving each other the emotional support and encouragement needed to reach down. We teased Babitha, calling her "Iron lady" as she fearlessly climbed down the steps before us. Sarah appeared to go in a long and deep thought seeing so much of water around. The water was cool and fresh. It was so sad to see how people have polluted the base of the waterfall with plastic covers, broken bottles and garbage. We could also find people selling fried pakodas and fish along with bottled water.

Eventhough the sun was shining high, Ranganthittu bird sanctuary was cool. We saw many birds resting on the banks of the river and even crocodiles who kept staring at the visitors. A monkey or two were seen loitering around. We saw some rare storks with blue beaks - this place indeed is a paradise for bird watchers.

On the banks of Sangam, we saw some puja going on. There we could find many pujari's and sadhus. I was in search of wooden spoons that costed 5-10 rs and finally, we managed to get three sets of 10 wooded spoons - all for 300 rs. I also got some post cards of Mysore and Vrindavan.

On the drive to Mysore, we passed Chanpatna and saw many shops selling wooden toys. The toys were brightly painted. Nearby Sangam too, the shops sold many wooden stuff like crocodiles, vintage jeeps, spoons, key hains and mobile phone holders shaped like cycle rickshaws.

We had packed sandwiches and also Puliogare - with regard to food, all the credit goes to Babitha - as she planned, shopped and packed the needed stuff in different bags carefully. We also had a stock of chips and aerated drinks. On the way, we stopped to have coffee at different places. While coming back, we all craved for Cappuccinos; so the Coffee Day near the outskirts of Chanpatna came as a blessing. The chocolate-drenched pastry was also gobbled down without fail.

Those who cannot stand happiness

Many people crib about life, others, work, kids and money. Hardly do they realise that they cannot keep themselves happy. Last day while talking with my friend, we both came across a similar observation; i think this ugly trait is the most irrepairable part of people.

Some people cannot stand the happiness of others. They are basically jealous. And this jealousy is capable of avenging and ruining anything and everything that involves in building a relationship. People have a common misconception that killers, robbers, rapists the likes are the bad people bent on ruining the happiness of others. However, there are bigger villans hidden in everyone's self. See this:

• One who cannot be happy for his/her sibling's success - there starts sibling rivalry
• One who cannot see his/her better half being happy and content - there starts nagging
• One who cannot see his/her son/daughter pursuing their dreams/love - there starts scolding and mental torture
• One who cannot see his/her friend happy with her post marriage life - there broods jealousy and sarcasm and finally gossip and backbiting
• One who cannot see his/her collegue doing well - again evil pangs of jealousy.
• One who can never be happy with himself/herself - there starts self-pity and complaining

The fact - I have been jealous of things and people at some point of time for different reasons - this is my self-realization. However, once when I started concentrating on keeping myself happy, all these hardly mattered. Somewhere someone said right - "Be selfish."

Be selfish of your happiness first - Keep yourself happy - It works like magic - life looks beautiful and worth living. This does not mean that one should trouble others and keep himself/herself happy - Striking a right balance in keeping yourself and others happy defnitely helps in self-growth, and in turn - more happiness.

Branded for less

Long back itself, I had stopped buying clothes from street shops. When you are earning just 3000 INR, street shops can help, but then quality suffers big time. A 100 rs top can survive only maybe one wash, if lucky 4-5 washes. Branded clothes straight from the store always were overpriced for me. I mean I would not buy a simple kurtha for 700 -1000 rs from FabIndia store just like that.

The best part of branded clothing is the quality and stitching - and to top it, the comfort in wearing. Local shops sell stuff that do not have enough sizes or the material will be cheap and biting into the skin - At least, this is what I have learnt from my shopping experience. However, branded stuff in their original pricing may not appeal you after you have worn and washed it. Say a 1800 kurtha - if it doesnt look like one, then what is the point buying it - however, you would have been happier if the kurtha came for 300 rs.

Here comes those stores that sell old stock branded clothes for 1/4 th the original price or less. For instance, you can buy an Allen Solly tunic, which originally costs 1800, for 450 Rs at such stores. I love such stores - it is like you are getting stuff giving almost the right value for money. The only problem is that you will have to search diligently with patience to get the right cloth and right size sans any damage.

In Mumbai, I found the Loot Store in Metro junction, where I picked 3 Liliput and Disney princess dresses for Sarah for just 300 rs - but of course, after a long search. But then, whenever I visit Kalyan, I do check out the stuff in Loot mart and thus far, there has not been a bad buy.

Viva store in Mota Royal Arcade, Brigade road has a great, well-arranged collection of all sorts of clothes - the prices start from 150 and above. Last day, I got two branded tunic tops for me and three colorful pants and a top for Sarah in 1200 rs. I am delighted. I think anyone who is on budget and shopping in Bangalore should check for this store.

Coffee day and Mango Shake

Sarah was all in her playful self the day myself and Miriam went for a Coffee. She was gallopping around, waving her hands to the onlookers and when the waiter got the mango shake, she was all over it and not willing to part with it. In between, she sat calm for sometime on the couch - eventhough I thought she was going to sleep, she was again back in action in few minutes. Miriam had a great time running behind her.

At ease

Myself and Sarah arrived Banglore airport on March 12. The airport is real big with connected bus stops. So instead of taking a taxi, I decided to go to my friend's plac in the Volvo AC bus. I must say that it was a good decision as already it was a hot morning and the drive was long. The city had not lost it charm - there were more bulidings and malls and also greenery and fields on the way. Sarah had an apple and a biscuit and went to sleep. Was so glad to see Babitha after long time - After some rest, evening we went out to shop groceries with Sarah.

Smart and Funny

Recently, R got Parle smart chips; Ok, the image that I got from the Internet is quite small. Most of you might have seen Aamir Khan endorsing this product on TV. What I found funny about this chip is that it looks like a woman's high-waist underwear full of holes. Everytime I see it, I feel like I am going to eat a tiny bland crispy underwear. It, however, tastes bland like the regular wheat cracker - and I would prefer the regular cracker to it.

I did not know what the manufacturer intended. Maybe it is for a fat customer who is munching this chip - implying that - "See soon your underwear will be like this - full of holes - because you wont be left with enough money to buy a good one and you will be spending more on smart chips - so what if your underwear has holes, you have become smart like Aamir Khan and so All izzz Well!"