The waiting game....

Source: Google images

English, the one language, which I seem to speak, read and write in more than any other seems severely limiting in its expression. While speaking to a friend today I could only use an analogy for the time right now - that of a waiting room. We are almost ready, bags packed, quite a few ticks crossed, some abandoned coz of the moving and we seem to be waiting for that last thing which can make it happen. So many other factors control the next steps. In fact, everyone keeps asking me when, since we've announced plans of  moving and even if it is natural inquisitiveness it kind of creates a feeling of overstaying.

Not to mention the fact, the kids are out of school and questions like what do they do all day, or surely you could do some studies at home - perfectly natural or even neutral suggestions in our Indian context, though sometimes with a clear judgemental subtext of neglectful parenting :) When a friend far away who checks in with your change in status now on a weekly basis but hitherto has ignored your requests to have a phone conversation just indicates how much you do figure on people's minds. Flattering not! I must admit it is rather challenging at the moment to live disciplined lives, though we try. There are days when the Maths homework starts in the morning and ends up late evening, over just in time to get out and play with friends or even before bedtime when the parental recrimination and guilt kind of acts on the little person concerned.

It is tough on both the kids and me to be around each other all the time in this rather extended holiday.  School was a relief in that sense. Structures don't always work though we start the day with noble intentions.  Bath times eat into lunch time and sometimes gets skipped altogether..weather plays truant too.While I do Maths with the older one, the younger one sneaks off to play with the assortment of toys which we have not quite made up our mind about. To do this stock-taking exercise every 2 years and having to discard stuff is not fun, though one can just say it is a necessary spring cleaning of sorts. Come to think of it, we all have a focus issue for now, the number of times I have let the milk boil over....

It is only in the last 3 weeks that paperwork rigour has eased a bit and we are now playing the waiting game. All through that phase I was kind of overdoing it - what with chasing voter id cards, opening of bank account etc and marvelling at how inefficient the processes at work can be. Having worked in the financial services sector, the lack of responsiveness and customer support by a pvt sector bank earned my wrath on Twitter as well. Have managed to resolve some, reconcile to the other, keeping in mind the motto - One day at a time.

Have also applied for the children's Aadhar cards. One more bonus tick given we had to extend our stay. A few books read in the slow pace that they do get read. Last Saturday it was a birthday party we attended...we were scheduled to leave that day otherwise but for the visa. In the music class, Maami has to still start Geetham and it would have been left undone. I can't believe again and again how life is ...neither in the here, nor there. We have fans on full speed but I need to shop for woollens. Had to get a few clothes out of the suitcase as it is boring to repeat 2-3 sets for long. Have restocked groceries and provisions....

Bonus is to be meeting friends in the extended stay here. Starting tomorrow and over the weekend. Something good in everything after all. Read this somewhere ...While we are waiting, God is working. In our case, hopefully those consulate people are (keeping fingers crossed).

Source: Google images