tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932Tue, 29 Nov 2011 04:58:05 +0000Artemis FowlChupke ChupkeWhat's upGood FridayTired housewife burns down kitchenATMChristmas Dreamsworking from homeParentingbrides and groomsrandom musingsGoodbyeSports DayBetrayaleasterGol MaalMotehrBalancing ActGaneshaBollywoodMigraineRajesh KhannaSchool TroubleCoates DiseaseDo Bigha ZameenGanesh ChaturthiFriend's babyLinkedInLazychanging jobsclash of faithsCoatesMatrimonycarsfraudnew jobPsychiatric HelpFacing Baseless AngerChristmasEidSahir LudhianviManaging Fearworking mothersSocial NetworksBirthdayCryopexyVacationBossnetworkingHealth and FitnessHindi moviesLaser Treatmentgoing crazyThank youHrishikesh MukherjeeBangaloreMahatma Gandhionline forumjust a thoughtHeadachesRichard Burtongaining courageMahatmaFestivalsDharamendramy mothermother and sonHusbandI hate pessimismHot mealspassportSurfingMarriageBIALAngerShort StoryTimes of IndiaMothers and DaughtersWedding AnniversaryWriter's BlockFriendshipKabhi KabhieMissing the Good Things in LifechangeAmitabh BachchanGreedBangalore?globalizationVodafoneSubhas Chandra BoseGandhiblessingsWikipediagender biasbankBasu ChatterjeeMy HeroReclaiming My LifePersonal fashiontaking control of my lifeMorning RoutinesScarringKhayyamlayoffsMilestonesWritingBingingcredit cardsetting goalsSleep Deprivation.Fancy DressprayersTime magazineKitchenbaby talkCoats DiseaseKidsHairstyleofficeInternetClosurehouseworkCookinggiving thanksArranged MarriageGrowing UpDisappointmentChristmas holidayseye examAnandred tapeMe FirstWriters NetworksCopingplastic moneyjob searchChildrenMarchinglearning to driveholicashColorsUpdatehomecooked mealstrafficfictionMausam Beeta Jayehttp://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)Blogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-4440542525168153307Sat, 17 Sep 2011 17:34:00 +00002011-09-17T23:29:35.881+05:30There must be something wrong with me. That's the only conclusion I am able to reach after today. Otherwise, why can't I please or love the ones I love most. What mountain of despair drove my mother to tell me this morning that I was 'worse than my father'. The man who thinks I am a disappointment, the man who wouldn't talk to me or her six months each year because of something we said or did http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2011/09/something-is-wrong-very-wrong-i.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-4832005732706398036Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:34:00 +00002011-09-01T21:32:19.779+05:30Ganesh ChaturthiGanesha This year, I'm ashamed to say, I welcomed Ganesha to my home with the bare minimum of joy. Given everything that has been going on in my life - a rollercoaster ride to say the least - I was just about ready to give up and consign myself to everlasting depression this morning. This was only the third year that we've had Ganesha come home. And not knowing the rituals that are supposed to be http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2011/09/ganesh-chaturthi-conversion.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-336624753316214108Mon, 24 May 2010 14:35:00 +00002010-05-24T20:27:26.664+05:30I hate pessimismI wonder if it's possible. To turn into an individual with an ice-cold brain. If an emotional, talkattive, worries-too-much individual with overly transparent face expressions like myself can turn into someone who keeps their emotions in check, talks when needed, stops worrying about cooking right, having enough to send her son to a good college, saving enough for retirement, and of course, http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2010/05/ice-cold-ice-cold.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-5922115265168030266Thu, 20 May 2010 16:44:00 +00002010-05-20T22:40:42.786+05:30Coats Diseasetaking control of my lifeReclaiming My LifeHusbandprayerThanks to Karen over from WorkitMom, I'm making an effort to restart things a bit. It's been over a year since I last posted (and I only posted 4 times in 2009 sigh).And it's weird the way things come together sometimes. A few days back, I was updating the blog I have on my son, writing about the vitrectomy he'd had last week - needed to tackle a macular pucker that had developed as a result of http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2010/05/i-am-going-to-love-me.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-909833097842861920Sat, 02 May 2009 06:29:00 +00002009-05-02T12:38:48.445+05:30CopingDisappointmentBalancing Actworking mothersCookingI've felt this building up for months. A point where all understanding, comprehension and the will to think clearly get sucked into some huge black hole, which for some inexplicable reason - instead of sucking you in - keeps you teetering on the edge with a dramatic view of the inferno within.My body is a reflection of what has happened to me - I am bloated, inert not just physically, but in thehttp://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2009/05/balancing-act-hit-by-bout-of-vertigo.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-895269359449199940Tue, 28 Apr 2009 02:43:00 +00002009-04-28T08:22:18.368+05:30Coats DiseaseChildrenworking mothersrandom musingsYea, yea...I know I've been neglecting this blog. The not-so-new job is now a huge challenge - and oh yes, I got a promotion amid all the economic madness. So things just got busier.Worse, I don't have access to Gmail at the office and therefore, no opportunity to upload a quick post during lunch break. Come to think of it, the official one-hour lunch break usually leaves my team and I with just http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2009/04/umpteenth-comeback-and-random-stuff.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-7232807310695868189Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:15:00 +00002009-01-15T21:54:15.142+05:30ParentingFacing Baseless AngerThe kiddo finally did what I couldn't - ticked off the DH over his impatience and his tendency to get irritated over nothing. He's always looking irritated (the DH, that is, not the offspring.)DH very often stomps around the house (really, audibly stomps) staring straight ahead, giving off toxic vibes. All because...um...he didn't like what was made at breakfast, because breakfast was cold http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2009/01/out-of-mouths-of-babes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-8697821839168100613Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:09:00 +00002009-01-14T15:09:21.465+05:30going crazyI've lost track of the number of times I've signed in to update this blog but have had to give up because either the DH wanted something or the offspring was throwing a tantrum. Or I just couldn't get the words out.It's been a real stressful time, balancing work, falling sick, coping with the exhaustion of the trip, temper tantrums, attitude problems and the offspring's cryo (the swelling was http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2009/01/tenth-time-lucky.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-3286670641211518441Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:04:00 +00002008-12-23T22:42:21.511+05:30ParentingCoats Diseasegiving thanksChildrensprayerLife is strange. This time last year, I was going to pieces, hoping that my son's Coats disease was under control (it was). But just some time before that, I'd gone to pieces and sought help. I know I still need it, but for the past 7 months, I've managed on my own. Not commendably, and not the way I'd have liked to, but I've managed...Now, I'm close to going to pieces again. Which is why it's http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2008/12/giving-thanks-and-praying-for-strength.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-4778894430518377370Sun, 21 Dec 2008 09:49:00 +00002008-12-21T15:26:33.974+05:30ParentingCoats DiseaseChildrenclash of faithsI managed to get us an appointment with the eye doctor yesterday. The leakage has started again. Munchkin was really irritated about keeping his eyes closed for them to be dilated. And somehow, ever since we left home, I was expecting bad news.This time, the exudates (old leakage) had reduced, but other blood vessels had swollen and have begun leaking. Amazing, how quickly things can change in http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2008/12/leakage-is-backand-im-falling-apart.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-5509503721420718114Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:02:00 +00002008-12-19T22:01:44.028+05:30ParentingCryopexyeye examCoats DiseaseChildrenLast Christmas, I was thrilled to post that my son's Coats Disease had stabilized after two rounds of cryo and laser. It was my best Christmas gift ever.Now it's that time of the year again. And just like last year, the eye exam has been delayed for one reason or another. He's actually not past his due date but I usually start early because I work myself up into such a frenzy that I want to know http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2008/12/that-time-of-year-again.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-3547095359341887374Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:06:00 +00002008-07-11T19:45:44.014+05:30bankcashplastic moneyATMcredit cardfraudI made the mistake of using my credit card in Sri Lanka in May. Just a $3.50 payment to cover for the cash I didn't have at the Colombo airport duty free store. The next thing I know, I get a call from the card company telling me that Sri Lanka is a high-risk location and I would be better off if I had my card cancelled and get a new one at no cost. Sounded good.Around the same time, I lost my http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2008/07/life-without-plastic-moneyits-really.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-2035927987342972746Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:36:00 +00002008-07-05T22:15:42.739+05:30MarriageWedding AnniversaryArtemis FowlToday was as good a day as any to restart blogging -- our tenth wedding anniversary! I can't believe we are now in our second decade. Sure, there's been trouble, and I sometimes find it tough to be optimistic, but sometimes, being practical works just as well.Confession time: DH got me a card and money to buy a gift (I got a silver bracelet)...but I didn't get him anything...I mean, it's not likehttp://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2008/07/happy-anniversary-to-us10-years-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-8069562083075865022Thu, 15 May 2008 16:02:00 +00002008-05-15T22:00:57.470+05:30passportReclaiming My Lifeworking mothersnew jobYep, that pretty much describes the past six weeks. But the past six days have been ultra-stressful. It's more like two steps forward, one-and-a-half steps back. So here's another bland and quick update.1. The damned BlackBerry finally got repaired. Created a serious hole in my pocket, too. But at least it isn't a sword over my head any more. I'm free, at last.2. The idiot 'boss' got so excited http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2008/05/one-step-forward-two-steps-back.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-7905606676834463945Tue, 06 May 2008 15:52:00 +00002008-05-06T21:40:16.528+05:30passportBossred tapeworking motherschanging jobsnew jobI can't believe it's been almost a month since I last updated my blog. I have good reason, and to tell the truth, I'm soooo stressed out right now, this is the only thing I could think of doing! So here are some quick updates that will explain why I've been out of the blogverse for so long.1. I quit my job - am serving out the notice period now. {Yay, yay, yay...!!!}2. I found another job. The http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2008/05/its-been-one-heck-of-month.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-8853027000834927439Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:11:00 +00002008-04-10T18:03:09.363+05:30taking control of my lifeofficeworking from homechanging jobsjob searchIt's been a crazy week. A lot has happened. I didn't want to post today because everything still seems mixed up. But I thought I'd just start with one thing. (Yes, yes, the vacation update and the handbag meme are pending. * hangs head in shame*)Let's start at the office for today. I've made up my mind to leave this job. Not because I had a fight or because I'm seething about some usual politics.http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2008/04/made-up-my-mindfinally.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-3092335283392520934Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:26:00 +00002008-04-03T17:15:26.013+05:30carsReclaiming My LifeWriter's BlockBingingThe past week was bad. I couldn't write, I was binging, I was constantly hurried, and my fridge was empty because I hadn't shopped for groceries the previous weekend. So we've been eating weird experiments. Tasty, but not very healthy and certainly not good for my peace of mind. And to top it all off, things were going from bad to worse at work.One step at a time.I couldn't write: Everybody told http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2008/04/clawing-my-way-back.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-850794533523489770Sat, 29 Mar 2008 16:14:00 +00002008-03-29T22:05:31.488+05:30Writingtaking control of my lifeWriter's BlockfictionI'm drawing a blank on what to post on my blogs. Writer's block? Maybe. I have a sneak feeling that the absence of misery in my life might have something to do with it. :) Yea...I've been miserable for the past five years. It's just that I didn't know I was miserable and depressed and thought that's just how my life was meant to be.Then I couldn't cope anymore and sought professional help. http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2008/03/drawing-mental-blank.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-6652897268282500060Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:35:00 +00002008-03-26T22:12:54.431+05:30ParentingCoats DiseaseUpdateVacationI'm smiling. I'm relieved. I'm thanking the Almighty once again. And I'm taking my son on a beach vacation. All because he had his doctor's appointment on Tuesday (1 day later than planned) and it turns out that there has been no fresh leakage since his second cryopexy treatment last October to treat the Coats Disease. The exudates (residue of the leakage) are still there but the doctor believes http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2008/03/update-on-my-sons-coats-condition.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-715119755894916659Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:02:00 +00002008-03-24T16:57:33.653+05:30Time magazineeasterEidGood FridayholiColorsFestivalsTime magazine reported that six major religious days co-incided this past Friday."Good Friday! Happy Purim, Happy Eid, Happy Holi, etc... In what is statistically, at least, a once-in-a-millennium combination, the following occured on the 21st: Good FridayPurim, a Jewish festival celebrating the biblical book of Esther Narouz, the Persian New Year, which is observed with Islamic elaboration in http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2008/03/happy-holi-happy-easter-what-weekend.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-3176510510710062005Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:22:00 +00002008-03-21T18:49:34.071+05:30Writers NetworksReclaiming My Lifeonline forumholi I spent some time last night poring over the profiles and comments of fellow members of the online writers' group that I'm a part of and that's left me...awestruck doesn't begin to describe it. People have written SO much. They ARE WRITING SO MUCH! All.the.time.There's one woman who has a husband, two kids, two dogs and she's written two books in her spare time. Also ready to wrap up the third!!http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2008/03/whatever-made-me-think-i-could-write.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-3447439501401091453Wed, 19 Mar 2008 05:14:00 +00002008-03-19T11:22:22.323+05:30ParentingCryopexyCoats DiseaseLaser TreatmentChildrenI was at the kitchen door when I saw my son trying to pour out a glass of juice. He’d never done that before. So I grabbed my camera and clicked. He turned around and beamed. I took another picture. He ran over to see it, smiled, and left to watch TV. I looked at the photograph in the viewer and my heart sank. His right pupil was reflecting not a red eye, but a golden one – called a ‘tiger eye.’http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2008/03/pray-for-my-son-please.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-547756189666383994Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:04:00 +00002008-03-17T18:50:00.868+05:30baby talkHairstylePersonal fashionI finally got my hair cut after months of trying to grow it out and not losing it all in the process. There was a minor hiccup at the salon. The woman who normally does my hair is no longer with the salon so I settled for a fellow who'd styled my unruly tresses for the company gala last month.Problem is, my knowledge of spoken Kannada - the language spoken in Bangalore, where we live - is http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2008/03/i-dont-look-like-mommy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-8137326996846163719Sun, 16 Mar 2008 11:55:00 +00002008-03-16T18:09:40.047+05:30KhayyamSahir LudhianviVodafoneKabhi KabhieI'm still on my TV boycott, but when I was in the kitchen earlier today, I noticed that wonderful classic, Kabhi Kabhie (from a movie of the same name) feature in a commercial in different voices. It was being sung by ordinary folks who love the song, but cannot necessarily sing (myself included.)I caught the commercial again later in the day and discovered that it was an ad for Vodafone's music http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2008/03/thank-you-vodafone.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612540686921980932.post-2000203323163979949Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:02:00 +00002008-03-11T18:23:51.896+05:30FriendshipBetrayalClosureRichard BurtonGoodbyeDear H,I am writing to say goodbye to you. I should have done this a long time ago but a part of me was waiting for some kind of closure. Or perhaps a renewal of our friendship, although I admit that was being hugely optimistic.We met as fellow outcasts in college, thrown together by our love of English literature and teenage troubles. We dressed differently from most of the others, too. Not to http://expandingthemindscape.blogspot.com/2008/03/goodbye-my-lost-friend.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (A Lost Writer)10