Son: Mommy, tatha(grandfather) is all alone Mom:No, he is not alone Son:No, he isn't Mom:Why do you think so? Son: He is not with his mommy and daddy Mom:Oh!but he lives with amamma(grandmother).So he is not alone Son:Mommy, where is tatha’s dad Mommy:He is with God Son:You mean heaven? Mommy:Yes Son:Where is tatha’s mommy? Mom:She lives in her home.Did you not go and see her? Son:Yes.Tatha is all alone Mom:No, it is not like that.When you grow big, you live with your wife Son:Why? Mom:Hmm...how do I explain this to you? Mommy and daddy do not live that long with you.So, you need a friend and she is your wife

My Curious George

Dad:Parks the bike outside Son and friends are playing outside Son:Mommy,mommy someone is taking Gautam babai's bike Mommy:Goes outside and sees a man checking the bike Guy:Hi there, came to transport the bike Mommy stands there while son and his group of friend's gather around, their eyes wide open in fascination Son's friend:What bike is it? Son:Gautam babai's bike Guy smiles Son:What are you doing? Guy: checking Son:What?? Guy:call your mom Son:Mommy, he is calling Mommy goes and the guy hands over a paper and also tells him there are minor scratches on the bike Son:Did you put scratches on the bike? Guy smiles Mommy raises her eyebrows Son:Did Gautham babai put scratches on the bike? Mommy:Go and play with your friends Friends:No, let us see the bike Guy moves the bike Friends move even closer Mommy: Give him space.You might get hurt Friend:Is it heavy? Son:Where are you taking the bike Guy:to it's home Son:Who's home? Son pauses a moment Son:Gautham babai's home? Guy:That's right Son pauses half a second Son:Do you know Gautham babai's home? Son:Are you going to drive the bike? Guy puts the bike in his truck Son:Is this truck going to Gautham babai's home? Guy:That's right and you, why do you have so many questions? Guy:Who built Tajmahal? Guy:When was the Tajmahal built? Guy:Where is Tajmahal? Son looks puzzled Guy winks at me and says 'I have three kids this age' Guy leaves and friends also go home Son: Mommy, what is Tajmahal? Mommy:It is a building Son:Is it a building? Mommy:Yes Son:Like my home? Mommy has a face palm moment and says 'No' Mommy shows pictures of Tajmahal and is worried about more questions so she thinks it is a better job to show him on TV Few weeks later Daddy is watching TV Son:Can we go see Tajmahal? Mommy runs away from that room leaving dad to enjoy son's questions for the moment

A new journey

It is just not any day. It is a big day-the first day of school for you my little kiddo. A new chapter in your life and of course my life too. Yay! I am an Ashley parent and I am anxious about how I will manage more than how you would do. Kindergarten anxiety is not a word in your dictionary. It should be kindergarten excitement. I see your excitement from the last few days as we went hunting for your school supplies and your kindergarten orientation. After that day every other day you did ask me 'Am I going to Ashley?' and every day I said 'Not today'.So today is the day you go to Ashley, dressed up in new clothes ,wearing a new shoulder bag and a big smile on your face . You were and are such an easy kid and you put most of my worries away . I never really had to worry about how you will manage at school . You have a curious mind , a friendly smile and a go-getter attitude . Speaking about that I was an exact opposite of what you were as a child . You taught me a lot since you were born . All I wish is that you need to know the importance of the place you are heading to, listen to your teachers, behave, work hard, play harder, be kind and make a lot of friends . I love you and best of luck on your new journey my son.

Afterthought

Directing a movie is a difficult job. They have to look into how every scene goes, is it making sense or turning into complete nonsense.In Bahubali when romance is needed between the lead pair ,much thought has been put into it.If we see properly ,the hero paints tattoos on her hand first then the waist.He directly does not go and disrobe her to call it a rape.It was poetically delineated.I guess everyone of us have gone through this -a pair of eyes staring at us could still prick you even if you were not paying attention.So did Avanthika not know about Sivudu's existence? Did he directly come and disrobe her?Even a brave warrior could fall flat to someone and that is just called love at first sight.I find no fault in this direction.Just some journalist who wanted a story did post a junk article which inspired a girl(Annapoorna Sunkara) to post a video online.Publicity stunt ? May be 'Yes' or may be 'No'.This girl faced the heat from many people who themselves were craving for attention. I don't completely disagree with this girl on certain things.When she talks about 'color' I agree with her.Was it necessary in the movie? Not very necessary.What are we showing exactly?' You are dark.Grow ,drown yourself ' This is going to pollute the already polluted society.There is this comedian called 'Ali' who makes cheap comments on anchors and actresses and these actresses say 'Oh! he and I are great friends.We know what he is....blah blah'.Really?? don tell me such public comments are necessary.If you enjoy them don't bring them on to the stage where the common public sees.They might very well think that commenting on sisters and their body parts is just ok. No, it not so ok.I appreciate her questioning here.We don't need such anchors.Thankyou!! Disclaimer :These are personal opinions.Purely personal

Yevade subramanyam

It's a film for anyone who has been through a quarter-life crisis..And if you don't know what it is, then clearly life hasn't hit you yet -- Hemanth Kumar C R. Life has not only hit me but also took me on a roller coaster ride and plunged me down so deep where I felt I would never become normal again.Life had become a struggle,a serious quarter-life crisis.It was a bad phase of my life and yes,I am not afraid to say I had some sort of depression.We wanted a baby and I had trouble conceiving.I had to see this particular Gynecologist in Kalyan nagar for help because few other doctors refused to handle my case.She was/is a very renowned doctor in that field and since I had several other complications I was referred to her by a family friend who was also that doctor's cousin.I had reluctantly gone there due to my mother's pestering.I just wanted a baby but she desperately wanted a grandchild.I already had my second stroke by then and was apprehensive about treatment I should be taking if I got pregnant.We sit there for 'n' number of hours waiting there for her appointment.There was a long list of patients waiting for her like me.There were two Scorpios downstairs and her little girl going to school while her mother was busy operating inorder to bring out a newborn into this world.Finally after these 'n' number of hours passed I got to see her.She went through my long medical history and with confidence said she could treat me.She was a vibrant person inside out who would still wear a smile even after working busily every morning and night.She would sing while she was doing an ultrasound but I was highly uncooperative even to her.My mother did complain that I seemed depressed to the doctor.Depressed?? she asked me and before I answered she said even depression hit me for a while.Really?? even after being this famous,being this wealthy,coming from a family of doctors and being married to a doctor herself.Why would depression hit her?She had an answer for that too.She told me that her sister lives in New York and practices there and I am stuck in this city and was very unhappy about this.That was a time when she did not have her own hospital in Kalyan nagar.She was one who believed in the proverb 'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade'.She fought her depression away ,set up her hospital and became so busy that she had no time to think about herself.She now said that she had great interest in cultural activities,she was a trained dancer but having no time to practice .She was one of those many people who helped me find my way,gave me courage to combat my fears and have a positive outlook towards life.During this casual talk she also spoke about her children ,her son's interest in movies and that he was working as an assistant director.Parents being successful doctors and still they let this young boy chose a different yet difficult field ? I must have thought disapprovingly but I soon forgot about him. Few days back after I heard rave reviews about 'Yevade subramanyam' I watched it online.I have seen my doctor in one of the shots but I din think it was her.Why would she act in a movie?I was so smitten by this movie that I googled and saw even the audio launch.In that I get to see the young boy who spoke about his movie mentioning his mother during the conversation.It is then that I come to know who he was.This film is one of a kind. Definitely a rare movie in tollywood.No item songs,no blood shed,no sleeze but still an entertainer with meaningful songs and right amounts of philosophy that makes all the difference.One cannot help but introspect themselves about the true meaning of life.It is not your bank balance,your Ferrari or even costliest of possessions that define you.All these status symbols are temporary but only one thing that makes you happy is your destiny and you reach there through your journey of self discovery.I totally loved that flawless direction and that philosopher in the director.Again I see Rishi and Anandi in him.He had not chosen a safe career ,he went out for adventure and he taught us a story which none his age can narrate this beautifully.If his mother taught me a thing or two about life,this boy shows us what life is all about.For me he is the hero of 'Yevade Subramanyam' not an ordinary Joe caught in any rat race

A letter for you my sunshine

Where did the time go? I keep questioning as we get ready for your birthday party this evening.That baby has turned into a toddler and from a toddler into this little man all in a span of five years and that too at jet speed.Every year with you is a learning experience.No, you are not a highly demanding child but there are changes within you as you grew up.The biggest achievement this year is sleeping in your own room .There was no serious persuasion.The simple trick of buying you a car bed worked like magic.Even if amamma or daddy asked you to cosleep you denied.I din dream that you will graduate so fast.I am so proud of you. You graduated into a big brother.Though she is your little cousin,you are more than a brother and of course a very possessive one.You would not want her to go away far from you.You like to see her smile and she seems to enjoy your company.Down the road, you both will have many memories to share. You are a very emotional person.Just like your mommy,you cling to your loved ones and your favorite things.Beware you are going to collect more trash and treasure it just like your mommy does.You love music,you love art.You are lost in your imagination and sometimes you give them a shape on a piece of paper.You drew your first complete picture from scratch,played your first basic song on the keyboard,fell in love with Katy Perry and Justin Bieber.You are a great story teller.There was a time when I used to think why my son does not look even a bit like me but now I know why.This is because appearance does not matter but qualities wise you are completely like me.This year I find so much of me in you. Coming to your negatives.You are no more that little guy who believed in 'sharing is caring'.Be it a toy or your amamma at times you would throw a tantrum if you had to share.Your lack of stability is another thing that I have a hard time to deal with.When it comes to doing your homework,mommy has a hardtime getting it done.I see no improvement in your eating habits which is a major issue.May be next year you would show us improvement on all these fronts You are five today and in a matter of few months you will be going to school full time.You will make new friends,find new interests but you will always be my little Sunshine.We love you soo very much my little kissy monster and your surprise is waiting for you.WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND A FUN YEAR AHEAD!Love you!!

Who's the smartest??

Son has a picture book about Billy the Bear, who's hungry but he can't reach the biscuit tin on the shelf up above (so he then goes to the forest, blah blah blah..)
Me: So what happened to Billy?
 Son: Billy aakali (hunger)
Me: But where is the biscuit?
 Son: Bikki paina (biscuit up). Billy andha (Billy can't reach).
Me: So what does Billy do? (correct answer is Billy goes to the forest in search of food)
Son: Billy paina ekku (Billy climbs up..to the shelf!)
Me: @##$#!!-----Courtesy Priya Athipatla Arun
When I read this post a month back , it just reminded me of my childhood days.When my mom had a new baby(my sister) ,she sent me to my grandparents home.I grew up there for a while and so did my sister.I don't quite remember how we spent our mornings but every evening my grand mom became our maths teacher.She is a very intelligent lady who could do complex calculations without using a paper or a calculator.My grandfather was no less.They both taught us the basic math.My grandma used to ask us "They were four birds on a tree.After you pelt a stone, two birds flew away.How many birds remain on the tree?".The word MATHS scared me more than any monster in this world.I remember very well,I used my fingers to count ,add and subtract.So I would open four fingers and close two fingers into my fist because my fright for maths had made it's grand entrance. I would whisper "five" because they kept asking me continuously for an answer.They raised their eyebrows in anger/disappointment and asked my sister the same question.My sister promptly answered "two".Not just in maths but she was always a smart kid.This is not the end of the story.
Nearly ten years later we came to know the exact definition of smartness-my first cousin.Even she grew up in my grandparents home .When we went there on a vacation,my grandmom asked her the same question "They were four birds on a tree.After you pelt a stone, two birds flew away.How many birds remain on the tree?".Even before she finished the question my cousin shouted "None".My grandmother did not expect this answer neither did we.My grandmother tried to explain"4-2=2" but this four year old had a different thing on her mind.She replied in a huff "Nayanamma, if you throw stones at birds, all birds will fly".Practical thinking she had.She knew what were the easier methods she could get things done.If my sister beats me in smartness, this kid beats even the best of the best. Happy birthday Goldy.May your intelligence and practical thinking bring you the best in this world.