Jayeeta Majumdar Singhee

There were umpteen "Show Up" moments this year. Recollecting just a few of them - not in any order:

1. Griha pravesh - The first day in your "own" house is compelling, evocative and clearly a feeling which cannot be described in words. Years of thinking (in our case - more than two) of what goes where, which chimney, what furniture, traditional or contemporary, what color of walls - suddenly comes alive. Even after a year of living in the new house, I take people around to show-off my house. How we have hidden the
   gyser inside the cupboard, how we broke the walls between the dining and the kitchen, how we came up with Ishaan's beautiful room and bathroom, where all we picked up the lights for each room. Home - I am still living this dream.
2. Pramati - A year in the company I truly adore. A place where I look forward to coming to everyday. A place where I began my career, and have come back to stay - hopefully for a long time. Where I have loads of friends, and seems more like home than office.
   
3. Ranthambore - The tiger, at a distance of 2 feet from me - with nothing between the two of us - cannot be described in words. Everyone thinks this experience will last me a lifetime. Sure it will. But I couldnt sleep that night. I had nightmares of what would I have done if it would have jumped on me, what would I have done for Ishaan, how would Sanjay save Ishaan or me....and other things. I think I even heard the tiger roar the entire time in the forest rest house. The fact that our jeep couldnt have moved an inch if something would have happened just made my dreams worse.
   
4. Ishaan and Pujo - Ishaan is turning into Mr.Grandfather part 2, when it comes to addas. He never wants to go back home or let people leave his, whatever time of the night it is. He just never wants to finish his adda sessions. This Pujo, I lived my childhood again, thanks to Ishaan. I think I spent longer hours at the Pujo than what I have in the last many many years.
5. Shivratri/Ganesh Chaturthi - These yearly family meetings with Sanjay's family seems to be getting addictive. These puja sessions at my in-laws are sooo much fun, that I look forward to them every year. This year was no different. Lots of puja path in the morning, followed by the disco and drink sessions in the nights, Richa Sharma the singer for this year's shiv ratri, picnics, swimming sessions, rakhi, you name it and the family does everything in style. Times like this, and I realize how glad I am that I married into a joint family - you never really need friends. Ishaan has some 30 cousins, the eldest is 27 years old and Ishaan is the youngest. How cool is that??
6. Ipod - This has to be one of the high points of the year. The Ipod has changed my life - lots of music all the time, started seeing movies after many many years. You name the movie and I have seen it. I dont think I have ever had it so good before. And I am loving every 'movical" moment of this :).
7. Ishaan's birthday - this was the first "normal" birthday that Ishaan had. We had one in his school, and then another one at McDonalds. He has grown up for sure.
8. Christmas - Ishaan had gifts (small and big) kept in every room in the morning. He just couldnt believe that Santa could tip toe around the whole house without waking anyone of us. We even went for a great Christmas party - thanks to Roma's cousin, Tina. Ishaan by the way, has been writing letters to Santa, complaining about his mom because she has been doing badmashi.
9. Club Mahindra - Another good investment - I hope. We havent been to any of the holidays yet, but will be travelling to Malaysia (an all expense paid trip) thanks to this...next year. and from what I hear from my friends who have this - its going to be great experience - for the next 25 years. And a forced holiday - since we have already spent the money.
10. A great new year to look forward to - going to Celebrity Club right now for the new year. We spend the night there and come back tomorrow evening. So, hopefully a rejuvenating first day of the year will ensure the same for the entire year.

So heres wishing you all a very very happy and a prosperous new year. Have a great and safe 2008.

This track from Taare Zameen Par made me cry. The simple lyrics combined with Shankar Mahadevan's poignant voice is just perfect. I liked most songs of the movie, but this one I think was special. Its a heartfelt track, where the child informs his mom about his fears, how he hates being left alone and how he is sure his mom knows everything about it....even if he does not tell her this.

The song reminded me of Ishaan telling me everyday when I reach home from office. "Main apko kitna yaad kiya mummy". Everyday. Without fail.

Its cute and filmy for most people who hear it. I joke about this too....most times. But then, each time I hear him say that, some part of my heart just breaks. I think I have my own doubts about not being there for most part of the day during the day for him..like most moms around me.

And i think when I heard the song, it's simple, effortless and effective lyrics made me more senti than I otherwise would have been. Maybe the fact that the child's name in the movie is Ishaan also helped generate bigger drops of tears.

Whatever, Maa is not a song you can close your ears to. Its pretty superb, in my words.

Listen to it here. http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=ti_ROzwPCtM

Life has been hectic, and blogging really low. Not a great sign, but then such it is.
Travelled to Jaipur and Ranthambore for a five day vacation. Lots happening on that trip, including an almost-handshake with the king of the jungle.

We also missed the flight to Jaipur. Hmmm, look at the bright side. I can atleast "feel rich" when I say this even ten years from now. "Oh you know, on that trip we even ended up missing the flight and had to take the next one in the morning. So damned tiring." No mention of the expense will be made in the conversation, of course.

Anyways, lots of update. Soon.

For now, I wanted to leave you all with two links. The first one to please all the bongs. A real lovely piece on Dada by Sambit Bal .

The toughest challenge lies ahead. Australia will come hard at him, and the pitches will test his skills. But he is living out a fairytale at the moment, and nothing he achieves will be a surprise anymore. There are many, me included, who believed Ganguly's time as an international cricketer was over. We owe him an apology and a salute.

Read the full piece on Cricinfo.

The next one is a shame. These so-called educated communists doing this to the country.

Asked about the passengers’ ordeal, CPI (ML) Liberation Bengal secretary Kartik
Pal said: “We regret it if inconvenience was caused. Our supporters are poor
people. They cannot afford to book seats.”

So much for these Pals and Bhattacharyas. All in the name of Poor. Read the full piece on Telegraph.