Beginnings...endings...

There was a certain frantic pace in life for a while, as if I must move to still myself or continue to be absorbed in some pursuit which would burn me out and somehow protect me from facing my own thoughts, demons and the reality of my life then....The black cloud of difficult times has now blown over....not that the times are less strange or one might say more normal but here relativity comes into play and makes things seem so much better somehow.

I followed some of Zeenat's advise....over a Skype session she was kind enough to talk to me and one of the things she said was to try and meet new people. Somehow around the same time, I came across a similar tweet on the lines of "a library where you walk in and meet people who share their stories with you". Maybe one day I can be such a person to some people, as on date I am still working on my story.

I find each person's story fascinating and perhaps some day when I am not so consumed with my own demands on myself, I should write about them, of course tempered with my understanding and its limitations. R, is a recent acquaintance who has self-taught herself for her career growth. She looked after her mother who had throat cancer simply because her older siblings were not courageous and caring enough. She thinks 33 is too old to marry and I tell her it is not, so long as she wants to. She spends judiciously and has invested very wisely in gold, and is a yoga freak. Inspite of everything, she lives life wholesomely. Maybe we were kindred souls who were meant to cross each other's paths at that moment.., and spent our time gradually opening out to each other. I am very much of a wabi sabi believer when it comes to relating and relationships....and am glad to have met her. And that's all I can say about it now.

The dance school premises is sold out, we do not know why and what for. In the last meeting for parents the dance school Guruji, who travels every weekend from Hyderabad said that unless we find a new premise, the school may come to a close. The yellow and maroon salwar worn for the dance will lie unused. Kuchipudi dance teachersschools are not easy to find compared to other dance forms. And I was lucky to find one at walking distance from home. And it was a weekend community...as usual everything begins and ends with relationships and relating. There is Su, a programmer by day and dancer at other times, Guruji who travels to this center not for the money but more for his passion for teaching the dance, the other girls, some of their mothers,....in a strange way we belong to a common cause or quest, whatever one might choose to call it...

Walking reminds me I need to do more of it or just give it up for running. Walking also implies I don't drive or ride yet. The daily exchanges and dependence on auto-wallahs continues and small change is a problem for both the parties, I err on the side of honesty while most of the tribe is on the other side. 

Mom spent a couple of weeks with me and I was very short on time to spend in a relaxed way with her, which I regret now. She has her good days and low days with respect to energy levels. If I say I can't be committed like her to my duties and responsibilities it does not mean I don't try, it is just that she is a class apart. 

Have I already mentioned that the library we used to go to "MyLib" closed down. It felt like a world of ours came crashing down. Again, at a walking distance, it was one of the activities we looked forward to. Apparently it is the online models which are in favour with most folks, while for me walking into a library and reading the cover and smelling books....that's an experience in itself too. In any case, since they were disposing their books, I bought a few for us all and it is a delight to see Big G intent with a book and a dictionary for quick reference!

Then there is already the farewall party at "Magic Puddles" for lil G and I have such mixed feelings. We have been associated with the school for only 1 year and it  has been a great experience for lil G, extended to siblings and parents. I have never come across a school which is run with such dedication, care and attention to detail and kudos to Ravi and his team for that. For lil G it's been a second home and she always wants to stay back in the daycare till 5;00 pm!! Heard of a place where teachers are addressed in dimunitives - Malu and Nandu, if you please..

The biggest attraction is the sandpit @ school, the walks to mini-forest and the endless specimens she gets home of stones, pebbles, copper pods, assortment of flowers, leaves, seeds, tamarind leaves for her sister to sample. They have a lot of varied outings - Rangashankara, mini-picnics, park visits, observation walks, and the latest was a sleepover which was the most awaited of it all. Lil G has had a great time here and insists on staying back for one more year.  I looked forward to the PTA meetings, usually theme-based, interactive discussion with parents....or even the mails which Ravi sends out...with information on events and activities.If you are considering a pre-school for your child, do take the time out and visit the school. I will share some pics of the Art Mela they did this year and the sheer dedication and passion to introduce the entire school to art forms is a must-see for even casual readers.

This whole post is such a curious mixture of endings and beginnings. I have not dwelt too much on my own self. It is easier that way. By the way, does anyone even read this blog anymore, I wonder:))