1st SMS from London

Sheens 1st sms from London received today at 2.45pm:

Hello mummy... (isnt that the best sound in the world!)

its not too cold at all. More like india but our hands tend to freeze more. The weather is lovely! I can't seem to sleep for some reason. Dinner was awful, I had to eat vegetarian coZ MY teacher thinks i'm muslim. Thus I didn't eat anything. First day was great. We went to some poet's house and walked around a bit.. It gets colder at night, but we've got heaters. And i'm much better covered than others so i dun feel the cold at all :)

:) :) :)
Thank you God - my baby is safe and she's good - I must have re-read the message ten times and I know I will read it all nite again and again. I just can't stop smiling now.

shalini

Cling-y Mom

Kids - they decide who and what you are everyday!
I became a Clingy MOM today...

Nisha left on Nov 14 for her annual delhi trip to my ex inlaws place. First it showed how comfy she was and also how well she has adjusted to the family. Sheens was not going till Dec and yet Nisha was clear that she wanted to go "home" regardless of Sheens being there or not. The first few days I missed her like crazy and call her at least 3 times everyday. I use to wake up saying I wonder how she's doing. And sheens use to say "Oh Grandma starved her and she's dead' or "She's been kidnapped" and the best being "Oh my grandparents sold her off as a slave" and gives me that wierd horrific look - Grow up MOM. I know Nish not my birth daughter but I can't help it if I feel/care so strongly for her.

Sheens left last nite for London. And guess wat - after 15 hours i broke down. This is the first time I never had any sms or call from Sheen for such a long long time. We talk (either sms or phone convo) every few hours wen she's in sin or in india.

First time for 15 hours no news - no convo - no sms.

I freaked out - i started crying. Called Parul and she did not pick up the phone. Called Victor he did not pick up the phone. Called Rakhee next and thank god she picked up the phone and told me to not worry, she's safe and in a flight. Of course she's safe and on a flight! But that "lost" feeling is persisting. I calmed down a bit though.

Kathryne came over to keep me company till sheens calls me. And victor called finally and made full fun of me. Let go - stop being a clingy mom. What happens if she goes away for a weekend with her bf in future or if she elopes. To which my reply was I will pick you up and we will hunt her down - period. No two ways about it.

Finally sheens calls after 18.45 hours. She's ok. A bit cheesed off that her brand new winter jacket's belt has gone missing. It fell off somewhere.

She's ok - and I'm ok now. Victor came over then to take me out for dinner. I had no mood to eat earlier but since Sheens had called, Victor says you will eat now.

For all his bravado and macho exterior - he cares about me and is a true true friend. He came over as soon as he was free, and kept a tab on me till sheens called and finally insisted I eat and took me and Kat to Chicken Rice.

And today I gain the title - Clingy Mom!

shalini

Sheens in Hospital

Does she looks sick to you at all? It just looks like she has a bad hair day rite?

Well she was sick. Got herself admitted in TTSH all because she refuse to see a doc wen she felt her first few pains at her back. God child!

Pain means you are ill. See a doc - get medication!

She had kidney infection. Was in for 5 nites and she was a total baby at the end of it. Was crying with pain cause of the drip connection. Here's a pic of the drip-


She gave me such a scare - even to Parul & Sunil. Come day 3, the nurses forget to give me her medication dosage and the ward doc did nothing about it. By evening, she was in such agony that she couldnt move her right arm. Finally got the doc in and he realised that she had missed a dosage. Gave her an instant dosage via the IV and she was fine in 5 mins. But was a scary & horrifying experience. How could they forget!

Day 6 dawns and she decides to discharge herself. She did. Why - because she got some camp she has to go for. She promised her 2 best friends Hazique & Zhi Yu.

Aiyo.

But she survived the camp and recovered well and now preparing for her London trip.

Thank you god! And thank you Parul, Nidhi, Gana, Lala, Chacha for doing hospital duty of entertaining her. Nisha for being my 2nd arm and always being there at Sheens back and call in the hospital. Muneer & Serena for the high school musical book that kept her entertained for 2 nites. And Kat, Kim & Celine - the flowers and the teddy bear. That brought a big big smile on her face (even mine!) Though I am still wondering - why did i not get flowers when i was admitted? Sigh - life is not fair!

PS - yes the 2 best friend plus some guy named ming yao took good care of sheens, made sure her medication were taken with tons of water and returned her back in good form and spirit albeit without a voice. They even showed her Madagascar as a bonus and till date she can't stop talking abt her camp and her friends - thank you guys for being her angels :)

shalini

Horoscope

Saturday morning. In the kitchen - cooking for lunch since the gang was coming. Sheens starts convo by saying that a school friend for her, Zhi Yu, created her horoscope online. Site being www.cafeastrology.com. No big deal - I dont believe in astrology anyways - as a muslim, there is no such thing!

But guess what - sheens reads the horoscope and everything i believed in flew out of the window. Forget being a muslim, forget being a logical person with brains (at times!), forget being a rational person - just forget it.

According to Zhi Yu's newly discovered site - sheens will not marry. And if she does it will be at 34 and she will not be faithful! No children, she does not like doing housework, is lazy but though its politely defined as she knows how to separate leisure time with work time hence she appears lazy to others.

As HER mom, let me tell you - she is lazy. Period. No 2 ways about it - no matter how beautifully you phrase it. But if she's in the mood, she'll do everything - mopping, vacuming, clean the house to perfection. Otherwise the tea cup will sit on the table till it becomes moldy and smelly but she wont lift a finger at all to wash it. And she has the making of being a good cook - she has that magic in her hands.

Now back to sheens horoscope, she will have good job and money. She likes finer things in life and becomes materialistic.

Panicked - I started by saying:

Me: Listen sheens - marriage is sacred institution. its important to be faithful and committed in any relationship. And it is each individual human being duty to marry and reproduce.
Sheena: Where is it written mummy?
Me: In the Islam & Hindu religion (remember her dad is Hindu)
Sheena: Yeah rite
Me: In the society we live in!
Sheena: Yeah rite
Me: In my book Sheena!
Sheena: Sighs and give me that weird look

So I start again by saying marriage is sacred and how its a holy institution - yada yada yada. And she turns around and says - I am not getting married today Mom! So chill mom.

I did the next best thing - I called India. Spoke to mom and got dad to go to the pandit there and then. Relax Shalini - says dad. Apparently when sheens was born, her khundli was done. And it says she will marry at 32 and have 2 kids. Phew - relief.

Then bomb drops - timing on the khundli is wrong. Aiyo. Panic again and sent dad out to the pandit immediately. Now he goes to some physco pandit who says he wants sheens india time of birth and it will take him 3 days to do it. So am waiting.

Then told sheens to do nisha's horoscope. Bad bad bad choice. She becomes a drug addict! Aiyo! But she gets married and have lots of kids. In hindsight, yeah right! Nisha is the straightest and the sweetest kid around.

In walks Victor for lunch - seeing me frantic he says "kya hua shalini?" and gives me a big hug. Told him the issue. And you know what he does - "Hei Sheens - good job - you have a rocking life" and hi-fives sheens. Next parul, sunil and montu bhaiya walks in. They all are just too happy she has a great life ahead and agree with Victor. And I am left stunned!

Where have i gone wrong? What values have I thought my kids? To be a drug addict, not get married, have no kids, be unfaithful. Oh god - where did I go wrong! Was in a drugged state the whole weekend. And all nisha could do was - laugh and sheens was all smug!!!

Today is Tuesday and am in the office - reality is surfacing in me. Slowly I am coming out of the haze! My mind clearing. I did my level best with the kids, its not something i know, its a fact of life. I refuse to believe my children will turn out such in future. They are good kids with good values. They are my pride and joy and they will not disappoint me.

Besides - how can a website be right - right? And its a horoscope - i have better faith in my kids and my parvarish!!

And sheens you will avoid Zhi Yu whenever she is visiting funny websites! If I ever meet that child....

shalini

Eid Photos

I won!

How often do we win in lucky draws & toto? I guess after cribbing so much on the National Day toto draw, God decided to be merciful and award me a prize.

Recently I won a 32" Sharp LCD tv. Yippee Yeah. It was a customer appreciation lunch and they had lucky draw. First prize being the TV. I had gone there with Pramod, a colleague of mine. Immediately after the lunch, Pramod's mantra was - "lets go na.. we wont win. chal na - lets go"

But I stuck my guns out. And they announced the 1st prize winner - some lady from Singapore Tourism Board, Pramod gave me that "I told you so" look. I sighed - i offered to buy him chai for a week for making him sit thru this.

But no lady came forward - the lady was gone. She did not wait for the lucky draw. The next name drawn was mine. Oh the smiles, the laughter, the joy - the happiness. I won - oh god - i won!

The last time i won a pair of diamond rings were 10 years back at the CK Tang lucky draw. And now this!

First person i called is Victor and he was really sweet about it. Then Pramod says - dont you want to call your kids - oh yes - my kids - how can i forget. Called sheens then parul and put them on conference. Called nisha after that.

Last saturday - i went to redeem the tv. I upgraded it to 37" by paying $400 more. I think its totally worth it. And the new tv will be delivered this sat.

Now the problems this new tv has created for me in my life:

- Sheens is hopping mad. She says I get headache with a 29" tv (our current tv size) and now you got us a 37". I told you to just stick by the 32" rite? I am still trying to figure out - who is the mom here!

- The current tv was given to us by Jacqueline before she migrated to Melbourne. Its a nishani (momento) - how can you get a new tv. How can you just throw the nishani away?

- 37" is too big for our hall! We live in a hdb flat and not a condo!

Aiyo!

First of all kid (the mom is speaking here!):

- I always wanted an lcd tv. since parul got hers 2 months back, i have been craving for one. I would have gotten one sooner or later.

- I am not throwing the nishani away - I am giving it to my bro who needs a tv. So the tv will still be around and we can always go visit him whenever YOU miss Jacqueline auntie too much. I miss her too but i dont need to see the tv to miss her! Child - you got your logic of missing people - distorted and twisted!

- Wats the point of having a lcd flat tv if its only 32"? besides victor and rajiv said for $400 its worth it to get a 37". And once you place the tv against the wall, it will look fine in the hall. So please blame them too for my decision!

Anyways all said and done, am really happy. I won a tv.

shalini

So much happening

Have been really lazy and busy...

- My brain angio happened on Aug 26 and it went well. There must be someone up there who is really happy with me or either all my friends and families prayers came thru. I must say am really thankful and grateful to god, family and friends for always being there when i need them. From next year onwards - its only an MRI - no more angio - yippee yu!!

- Eid. Last week. Was awesome. The family and friends came. Sunil running up and down getting drinks and change for eidi, Parul in a beautiful saree looking gorgeous as always, playing taboo till 11.30pm. The star of the taboo game is Urpala - for an 8 year old - she rocked! All her statements started with either Appa this, Amma this or Akka this. Point to note: the life of this little girl revolves only around her family and it shows how much she is loved and secure in her childhood. Her dad, Raymond, was the exact opposite - boring! Too precise and no fun at all. Came sheena's turn and she says "Mummy when i grow up, I want to be this" And prompt came the reply from Sunil and Victor - "THIN". Sheena was just too shocked and rolled her eyes. The answer was a millionaire. Met the NUS team after 1 year and was just too happy to see them.

- Kids exam going on!

- Sheens falling sick all the time. Need to get some multi vitamin or home made remedy for her. Let me call mom!

- "When will I get a new job?" is a question thats asked to me by Rohini everyday without fail. Any ideas on the perfect reply? I always say - "When i get one babe - you will get one too.."

- JayJay was here for a visit over the weekend with his wife, Navaz. Too short a visit but it was great to see them. First time in 9 years did i see Nisha saying a proper goodbye and with a hug too. Wow - normally she's so cold. But then that is one special couple!

shalini

Toto - Lottery

On Wednesday morning (6/8/08) Pramod comes up and says - you know Shalini its the S$8 million lottery draw on Friday. The chinese believe 8th being the lucky number and its 8 of August (another 8) and year being 2008 (another 8). So its a lucky day and there is a $8 million prize. You have to buy!!

I got the bug.. i actually did. I gathered 9 of my colleagues - conned them into giving me $7 each and bought 18 tickets at $3.50 a piece. I met Parul for lunch and conned her into buying 6 more tickets.

And i started dreaming. All i want is 500K, no need for millions. I want to do my europe tour with the kids, i want to pay back my loan for the kitchen reno, i want to donate 100K and finance one underprivileged kid's education, i want to - i want to - i want to. I just keep building castles in the air. For 2 days.

On Fri nite, the day of the draw, i was one the 1st to check whether i won. Lo behold - my castles burst. Deep down i knew i would never win - its a chance in a million. So why am i disappointed and upset? Why am I blaming god for not giving me luck?

Is it fair? As a muslim, the money earned from lucky draw/toto is haram. So why am I blaming god?

Life has always been unfair to me - my dysfunctional family, my divorce, my job, my surgery last year, sheens problems with bhabhi, nisha's family problems, my both brothers personal problems. It just goes on and never ends!

Is it?
- My dysfunctional family has always been there when i needed them. Always.

- I have fantastic "outlaws" from the divorce. Our relationship of 14 years is the best and I can count on them everytime, whenever i need them.

- Its has been 16 years since i joined the work force. And I always had fun. Even today and I have made tons of good friends over the years. Ask anyone about Shalini and all they say is - she's always playing games in the office and getting paid for it.

- My surgery gave me one thing - my FRIENDS - my extended family. Everyone prayed, called, and were there for me this past 1 year.

- Kids are resilient. They will face problems in their lives. How long will i shelter them. I just have to be there when they need me and I promise i will be there.

- My brothers are old enough to know what they are doing. They know what is right and what is wrong. Why do I have to worry about them?

Now - after listing down these points, life looks great and fair.

Life is a journey and I have enough people to ride it out with. I am not alone and I have lots to be grateful for.

Will I buy toto again? I might and I will try again for the $8 million. Maybe next time I will be lucky.

Umeed pe dunia kayam hai!

shalini

Sheens's Progress in JC

As most of you know, sheens has settle down to JC (junior college) life pretty well. She still learning to manage her time and rushing to finish her assignments and projects but she's enjoying it.

Had my first parent-teacher meet last saturday. Her result is suppose to be good - she failed 2 subjects (english and economics) - and yes her results is good. The teachers words are :
* its her 1st exam and this is very different from secondary school, so she needs time to understand and adjust to jc lifestyle and do well in exams
* she needs to read magazine and newspapers to substantiate her facts, she's all over the place when she is writing essays - needs to be focused
* her major problem is - she can't spell. She needs spelling lessons. Its amazing considering she speaks very very well AND she can't spell simple words
* she needs to go one-on-one with her econs teacher in order to understand her questions
* I have no complains from her other teachers (this considering she was the naughtiest child in primary school!) Thank god for small mercies.

Being a kiasu mom - my questions was how did the other student fare? Not too good. A few students have been asked to leave. Some of them are having meeting with the principal and vice principal. So if you are meeting a teacher, then your child did well.

You know something - I am still confused. Did my child do well? She failed 2 subjects and her teacher keeps saying she did well. sigh!

BUT but but she bringing glory to the school's name. She's in debate and the school came in 3rd in the inter JC debate championship. 1st time in history! The underdogs had their name up there! And sheena's name is up there..

All of that is ok i guess - so i am suppose to be happy with the fact that she is bringing glory to her school?? Logic please. Did she do well in her exams? Should I start hiring tutors, restricting her movements so that she studies day and nite, sit with her while she burns midnite oil - more sighs - is it normal to get such result in jc 1st exam - did my daughter do well in her exams!!!!!!!!! arghhhhh

shalini

Lame-st excuses

Here are some excuses I received for forgetting my birthday:

Happy Birthday. I did wish you. Its just that i did not sms you or call you or email you. I thought it will be too impersonal. Love you
Vibs, London

The competition to be the first one to wish was huge and unfair. So i decided to settle for the last one to wish you. So from the "last one" SELAMAT HARI JADI!!
Ravin, Kuala Lumpur

I never forget a very good friend's birthday but I was in jb. Came back at 1am. Will c you for lunch today if you are ok. i want to c you. Sori dear
Shaan, Singapore

So so sorry dear. Was so so busy n had many things in mind. Sometimes its so cruel of me that i forgets my own birthday. Just imagine! Ever heard of it? Anyways happy belated birthday. Sorry again
Chaya, Singapore

Belated wishes! See i dont miss much
Pramod, Singapore

Wishing you a belated happy birthday. I was on medical leave yesterday
Teghjeet, Singapore

My dearest shalini wish you a very belated but very very happy birthday. Sorry for that. We are moving places and so totally tied up in it all
Pavan, Singapore

Ok I am an old man - Happy belated birthday
Deven, Singapore

Your bday is on the 9th na? Neha and I were talking about you over weekend.
Rajesh, London

See in our diaries, your bday is on 9th so we will wish you on the 9th. Happy birthday..
Neha, London

Hey srrryy.. u know us! happy bday. hope you had fun!!
Neha & Ravi, Hong Kong

See shalini its 11pm on 8th July in Delhi rite now. As far as we are concerned, we made it in time to wish you happy birthday
Jeeya & Tanya, Delhi

The sincerest:
My darling I am truly very sorry. No excuses I agree, but am so stuck at work I dont have a moment to breathe these days. Will make it up to you I promise - Divya, Bombay

The best:
Victor did not sms us to remind us - hence its his fault

shalini

I'm Blessed

I am BLESSED. I have angels looking after me day in day out. I realised this at the end of my birthday dinner last nite.

I'm 41 - yippee. Old? Is it just a number? Is in the heart? Is it in the mind? God knows.. all I know is I am truly happy.

The first bday wish came on fri - with rajiv calling me up saying
R: "Jaan i just want to wish you happy birthday. I cant make it tonite to cut cake"
Me: "Idiot - its not my bday yet. My bday is on Tuesday"
R: But Parul sent me an sms saying its today

Aiyo... Rajiv Stephen Banerjee - I just give up on you!

On Monday celebrations started. Went lunch with family (kids and parul), went Number 5 in the evening with Parul, Mani, Kat, Kim & Victoria and cut my 1st bday cake.

Came rushing home by 10pm and started cleaning the house. First thing I did was - take out all the eggs from the fridge and hid it under the bed. As most of you remember, last year hospitalisation started with Montu Bhaiya breaking an egg on my head!

So now safe - no egg breaking this year on my head. No hospital. Red wine, white wine, beer and cider in the fridge. And waited and waited. Sharp 12 - in walks Gana, Parul, Sunil and Victor with the cake. Cut my 2nd bday cake.

Surprise was that this time there was no cake smearing on the face also. Every year, every bday I get smash with cream and cake all over my face and hair. I guess last year must have been really scared or freaked them out. But then, who wants to go thru last year's agony again... Phew

Took the day off from work, so stayed home and chilled. Talked to everyone on phone and sms. Everyone remembered. Wow.

SMS started with Girish, Mandy, Ashish, Zainab, Swetha, Chisty, Devendra, Jasbir, Kathryne, Wai Kit, Montu Bhaiya, Gana, Poonam, Urmi, Jackie, ED, Shradha, Yanti, Jacqueline, Aru, Praveen, Ajay, Meetu, Lala, Mohit, Minky

Calls from Sheens, Dad & Mom (early morning), Nisha, Chunnu Bhaiya, Anjali & Praveen, Jay Jay, Shana, Gayathri, Meenu, Nidhi, Praveen, Priya, Bhavna, Bhabhi, Ravi Topo, Hani Bhaiya, Jeeya and Tanya

Emails from Anil, Diana, Shakun, Tony, Amrita, Joyee, Lesly, Saerrah

Then the highlight of the day - the DINNER. I never knew so many people - so many of my friends could keep a secret. Parul refuse to tell me the venue. Dinner was at 7.30pm. Till that time, I had no clue where dinner was. Noone - not even my own kids - ALL - refused to tell me where it is. Let it be a surprised was all they could say.

Well it was. It was touching, very meaningful to me and very humbling. The gang was there. My immediate extended family was there. Every single one of them. Aayush, Anjali, Gana, Montu Bhaiya, Nidhi, Parul, Rakhee, Rajiv, Rohini, Sid, Sunil, Victor, and Kids. Cut my 3rd bday cake!

It was fun - awesome - amazing - humbling day : All the sms-es, calls, lunches, dinners : To know that I am surrounded and blessed by so many loving people in my life. So here's to you my friends - You make a difference in people lives especially mine. All I can say is May god bless everyone with close friends like mine.

So what do I have at the end of 41 years:
- marvelous kids
- authentic friends
- tons of jewellery
- beautiful home
- good health (after last year's fiasco!)
- peace
- some wisdom!

Firstly - Thank you god for I am really blessed! Secondly - Thank you Parul, you made it a very very special day for me.

And the party goes on this week with lunches, dinners and a fervent prayer that this freebies last for at least the next 2-3 weeks.

The belated bday calls and sms continues as we speak with Neha Bakshi, Rajesh, Deven, Loga, Teghjeet, M K, Girish Kamat, Pavan, Pramod, Chaya, Abhishek, AJ, James, Shaan, Sheela, Shivangi, Shashank, Pankaj, Ravin, Neha S, Zeenat, Shabab, Deven (with beautiful flowers),....

PS - dinner was at Cafe Iguana, Riverside. Apparently i forgot to mention tat. Sorry Jacqueline... aiyo - m really getting old

shalini

Happy Birthday to ME

Time flies - it really does whether you having fun or not. Its already July and my big day - my birthday tomorrow. With all the activities going on, I've just been too busy to reflect where my life is heading. And i started doing just that this morning in the bus on my way to work but all i could say was - "Thank you god for this life. Its perfect in every way with the ups and downs!"

Festivities starts today:

* Lunch at our fav turkish restaurant - iskander kebab and kunefe. Yum Yum.

* Daru party at number 5 with my fav chicken wings and all my girlfriends only.

* Tomorrow - Parul has taken the day off to spend it with me - yippee.. so will start with a good lunch (brake - lunch is after 3pm since there is delivery to be received at her home) - she's really going to starve me on my bday.

* Then the usual dinner with family and extended family and friends. Though half of them are vegetarian. Arghhhh

Will pen down my thoughts only after the dinner and how i feel on getting old but in the meantime here is something that Ajay sent to me that I am sure you will all agree on:

Kagaz Ki Kashti Thi, Paani Ka Kinara Tha
Khelne Ki Masti Thi, Dil Ye Aawara Tha
Kahan Aa Gaye Is Jawaani Ke Daaldal Mein,
Woh Bachpan Kitna Pyara Tha

shalini

Technology & Human Changes

Kabhi Kabhi Aditi Zindagi

a month back, sheens comes home and says - mom listen to this song. With an open-mind, i listened. I'm hooked on it. It has such simple lyrics and with all the tension in office, the line "everything's gonna be ok" is my mantra nowadays in office. I keep singing it thru out the day just to survive being in the office.

Its from the movie Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and the title of the song is Kabhi Kabhi Aditi Zindagi by AR Rahman.

"Kabhi kabhi Aditi zindagi mein yuhi koi apna lagta hai.
Kabhi kabhi Aditi wo bichhar jaaye to ek sapna lagta hai.
Aise mei koi kaise apne aansu o ko behne se roke?
Aur kaise koi sochle everything's gonna be ok?

Kabhi kabhi to lage zindagi mein rahi naa khushi aur naa mazaa.
Kabhi kabhi to lage har din mushkil aur har pal ek sazaa.
Aise mein koi kaise mushkuraye, kaise hasde khush hoke?
Aur kaise koi soch de everything gonna be ok?"

Of course, for the longest time, sheens did not know that Aditi was the name of the girl in the song. She can be a blur queen at times - but i guess it goes to show she's normal rite???

shalini

Boss' Life in the Office

Ever wondered what our goes on in our BOSS life?.....



this is the best:-



Trust me - there is some truth in these cartoon. I know it for a fact!

shalini

Holi Photos

Finally - SUNIL got the job done - here are the holi photos...

http://picasaweb.google.com/sunilr78/Holi_2008

Sorry for the delay folks..

shalini

Email et·i·quette - s

An email conversation between 2 colleagues..

Shalini: PLS FOLLOW UP ON THE LEAD (attaches the lead to the colleague)


AC (replies with cc to the bosses and his team mate):
Shalini, I would just like to point it out to you that as per the email etiquettes, an email with Bold letters is considered as rude and conveys Shouting.

Can you please explain the reason behind sending an email with all bold letters for my understanding?

Regards,


Shalini (stunned and dont know what hit her):
AC

First of all, its not in bold. I just checked my sent box, its not bold just caps.

The caps lock must have been on without my knowledge. It was just a general mail like all my other mail to you have been. Thank you for bringing it to my notice...shalini


AC: Thanks for the clarification. I meant mail with CAPS/BOLD on is suppose to be rude.

We will follow up on the lead and will keep you updated. - AC


Then a reply out of nowhere from one of the bosses who was cc'd in the mails:
AC,

I don’t think such conversations warrants any copies to be sent to seniors like me and SM and also to juniors like TN. Such small issues are at best resolved between colleagues one on one instead of trying to create a big issue out of it. I saw the email trail, and it is quite apparent that Shalini had typed with the Caps lock on. In my 21 years of professional career have also often written such internal emails to colleagues in a hurry with caps lock on and without salutations and greetings but have never seen anyone reacting like this. Between colleagues we should have that much of understanding between us unless we are exposing any ugly face of personal enmities which I am sure as professionals we should never preach nor practice.

I hope that if you have any interpersonal frictions, you will resolve them within yourselves.

Regards - BOSS


Shalini: More Stunned and Stumped! Feeling so guilty that the boss has to write such a mail... no food and supper tonite :) Though I did go and watch Made Of Honour with the kids. Patrick Dempsey is so so cute...

But in hindsight, I know its my fault. The blame will ultimately be dumped on my head. Sigh. Such is life..

shalini

School Holidays

Its the june school holidays for both Sheens and Nisha. I remember my earlier school holidays being running around in the kampong with all the kampong kids, my 3 other siblings - creating rucus and chasing chickens all around. Becoming filthy with dirt and sometimes "dungs", torn clothes at times, coming home and getting thrashing from mom for creating such a rucus. We were considered naughty kids.

Then we moved to a HDB flat and met new friends. Their idea of fun was exploring the "longkangs". We would form a team, go down the longkangs to catch the drain fishes, and compete who had the most fishes and whose fishes lived longer. And of course the badminton games, the catching game, the 5-stones game, basically in the playground from morning till dusk - where every kid from the neighbouring blocks will be present.

Now lets move to modern times ie today. My kids holidays have always been a family trip to somewhere - anywhere but somewhere out of Singapore. I used to take them to genting for the longest time until they outgrew them. We started going phuket, bangkok, even Krabi last year!

And this year - guess what we are doing???

NOWHERE - NOTHING - NADA - kids are studying for their exams. Sheens has got mid-year exam once school re-opens and nisha failed her maths, hence major revision going on. They having tuition and are busy studying - arghhh.

They not even keen to watch movies - I am eagerly waiting for the kungfu Panda releasing on 6th June, and they can't be bothered! "You go Mom" with that look in the face saying - please act your age mom and not your shoe size!

But I must say - Sheens is back for a month. Been taking half days off work, to sit at home and spend time with her. The house is livelier and merrier I must say. So what if we do not have an "international" holiday - but the family is together - and I guess thats more important... And yes, we are using our new dining table and spending time eating together as a family...

shalini

Zeenath's Wedding

The saying, every bride is beautiful on her wedding day, is so so true. We all attended Zee's wedding this last weekend and I must, she was glowing and looked so beautiful. There's just something about brides!

Its tuesday and I am still have the wedding feelings. I dont know how to word it but am just happy that she is happy and sincerely wish her all the best from the bottom of my heart. Watching her take her vows with Alex, surrounded by her family and her friends was very moving. The love and the magic surrounding the couple could be felt by every single one of us present at the wedding.

All the best Zee and may god bless you always...

shalini

Carefree Years!

You know wat - looking at the pictures below - i want to be their age again. No kaane peena ka tension, you just have to study, watch tv, chat online and your parents take you on holidays every year. I want to be a kid again!






Pictures taken from our Krabi holidays last year.


At Parul's wedding - where sheens was the flower girl and nisha the ring bearer.

shalini

Victor Cherian

Yesterday - I got a card from India and was told - bhabhi all you have to do is go to an ATM and withdraw the money. The pin is 9505. How difficult can it be? I tried 6 times - all accounts - savings, checking and credit card. The last try - the machine beep loudly. My 1st thought was - I am going to jail today. Where's Victor - is he in town? I walked out as fast as my legs could carry me!

Screamed at bhai over a 10 mins long distance call for nearly giving me a heart attack and threw the card in the bin! Its a card from India - how can it work in Sin? What were you thinking shalini?! Dufus!

Then sheens came to Suntec for a visit. We had chocolate frappucino at startbucks with a low fat mango cheesecake. I really doubt its low fat though! Rohini takes her back in the evening after work. See Rohini stays near cck and so she gets the honor of taking sheens home whether she likes it or not. But seriously - thank you Rohini. Both mother and daughter appreciate the gesture and bless you everytime you do it. I am always excited about sheens coming. I cant seems to stop touching her or smiling like an idiot everytime she comes. Its her birthday this friday and I have not got her a gift yet! She will be 17 - what would she like?

The day did not end there. Went home and guess who calls - Victor. Why he called i have no idea cause i said hello and said there's food (allu ghobi and dhal) and asked him to come over. I presumed he called for food. Did he or did he not? He says he got work and he passes. And I still didn't get why he called?

But guess what - he came over! He only came for 3 reasons
- parkway parade was all closed hence no food
- cause Sunil was home for food
- and lastly i like to believe cause I sounded a bit off on the phone and he came to check on me?! He cares a little bit about me???

He uugathan-ed (christened) the dining table! He had dhal all over the tablecloth and the table. I had 12 people on Sat and the tablecloth was spotless. It takes one Victor to stain it. Aiyo! But he made up for it. He said - your kitchen really looks nice after the renovation. It was way better than his earlier comments when he came to check the kitchen after his HK trip and YES i still believe he was in a hungover stupor.

OR Maybe he stained the tablecloth as he's taking revenge for what we did to him during holi? hmmm - But Victor - we (me, kids, the gang) all love you and we can't imagine life without you. You the 1st person we all run to and your opinion and thoughts counts. May god bless you always with tons of happiness (which is relative in every individual's perspective anyways) but thats a sincere prayer from all of us.


shalini

I WON

Got a package from Zee Television from Bombay last week. Please note - courier via DHL. It had a mug, a small cricket bat, a key chain with a congratulations note. Apparently i won the "Incidental Love Contest". My name is displayed on the website - number 35 - shalini chauhan.. yoohooo!

http://www.zeetelevisionasia.com/winners.aspx?winnersid=48

The bat has been given to one of the 2 cricketers i know in my life - Sunil. The key chain - bhawna swiped. The mug is still mine!

Now the last time i won a prize was a set of diamond rings from CK Tang - 1st prize in a lucky draw. And now this. My standard has really dropped. And I really have no life. I am participating in zee television contests!!! Oh god...

shalini

Mother's Day

Now coming from a dysfunctional family, for me to understand and appreciate mother's day was non-existent in the beginning. But over the years, with sheens and nisha's love, i started to appreciate it. Motherhood is a thank-less job and but i really do look forward to that one day - where the kids buy me my favourite carrot cake, soya bean drink and a single rose. And dinner at a nice restaurant in the evening.

But alas - this mother's day was really disappointing. Sheens left on sat nite to stay with her dad - since he is having a crisis and needed her. Nisha was totally clueless and did nothing. It was just another normal sun with sheens calling me to wish me a happy mother's day on the phone. Nisha did not even bother!

I must say i am totally disappointed. You do so much and yet they can't just spend one day with me pampering me? But then the crisis with Tinku was genuine too. And nisha? Is she not my daughter? Arghh

The only consolation was - the sms from friends around the globe wishing me a happy mother's day, Sunil popping over to say hi and Gana offered this morning to take me out for dinner since the kids neglected me at my favourite chicken rice stall.

Plus i know the kids love me - their world starts and ends with ME. Right?

shalini

1st official lunch

I finally managed to drag sheens and we bought a dining table 2 weeks back. It was delivered on Tuesday and Sat we had our first family lunch. Of course, my family choose not to be around. Parul had to chose that time to go to frisco & victor to sydney... sigh. But never mind, Sunil, Montu bhaiya, Siow Leng, Jo and Praveen were there :)

Anyways - i learnt something. I dont know how to set a table nor do we (kids and me) know how to eat at a dining table.

The glaring mistakes:
- No plates were set on the table. I am so used to everyone getting their own plates and just helping themselves to the food! We just sat down and then realise the blunder.
- No spoons were set next to the plates - i just assume everyone ate with their fingers! Had to get up and get spoons for them.
- No glasses were set next to the plates. Had to get up half way to wash the glasses and put them on the table.
- We have no jug! I had to fill it up from the sink and bring it over.
- Finally, we need a dustbin. We have no bin in the kitchen.
- We need napkins - cloth!
- We need placemats!
- We need a nice see-thru table cloth to display the glass top.

Gayathri (and hopefully rakhee - if she picks up my calls) coming for lunch this sat. I have to make sure its perfect this time round. I learnt my lessons! This is wat i will do..



BTW - when are the rest of you coming over for lunch????? You know I strongly believe in feeding my friends. The friendship and the relationship lasts longer in my warped mind!!

shalini

Decisions - Decisions

I did it! Yeh Yeh I did it.

On Friday nite, i went to 4 shops and finally chose a table i like. Went with Nisha since sheens was on her way back home from chao chu kang(cck). Took Parul and Sunil there on sun, and they loved it too. Parul managed to bring the price down to 900 bucks from 1K. Nearly made the payment wen Parul decides to go Harvey Norman and I decide to check out that place too. Nothing there hence we decided to buy the $900 one. Everything is going great rite?

Then why have I not purchased it yet? What is it that is holding me back? Now I want to wait for the Singapore sale in Jun. Apparently AMK has got a new Courts thats opened and they having sale. I want to check that out. God I am a typical singaporean - where there is a sale - i run towards it.

Will i get a table before EID?

PS saw the much awaited Tashan on sat nite - god - I cringe even now thinking of the torture i went thru watching the movie. Total drag and a total waste of time. Like Sunil says, people will go to watch Kareena K in her 2 piece bikini and the producers will make their investment back. And wats so great about her bod? Her rib bones are shown jutting out and its ugly and her hideous facial expression have not changed! And picture this ridiculous climatic action scene complete with shaolin monks, a jet ski zipping through a dirty naala (drain), and believe it or not, even a Dhanno-style horse-driven tonga being driven by Anil Kapoor. There are films that kill you softly, and then there's Tashan, a film that kills you with excess.

shalini

Dining Table

I distinctively remember telling sheens and nisha - i want a glass top table at the start of the renovation. I always wanted one - its a dream - a desire to own one while i was growing up.

Sheens says: No
Nisha says: Anything
Rohini says: What a waste of money! You dont know to spend your money wisely
Rakhee says: Tacky!
Parul says: Shalini whatever you want - i will support you
Gana says: Not good choice shalini
Victor says: Where is the table?
Bhavna says: Chalte hain chalte hain dekte hain

OK i dropped the idea. I consoled and convinced myself to settle for a all wooden dining table. Now that the kitchen is done, guess who wants a glass top table?? You said it - the kids esp sheens. And I want wooden now!

Forget all that - for the past 2 weekends I have been begging the kids to get out and get a table. I want family dinners and lunches - where everyone sits down and eats as a family. I only want one hour of their time. They can't be bothered - they don't have time. I even short listed the 3 tables i want - Parul agrees they will look great and go with the decor of the kitchen. Took pix on handphone to show them. Nothing - nada. Sigh. Please someone tell them to move their butt and get a table for the kitchen. At this stage, i just want a table. Either wooden or glass top - anything will do. Just give me a table!

Presenting the NEW kitchen

Finally after waiting for 10 years, the HDB decided to upgrade the building. And i decided to join the bandwagon and renovate my kitchen. Parul, Rakhee and Zeenat gave ideas and we finalise on material and design. But tragedy strucked! As most of you know, the 1st contractor ran away. So we got a 2nd contractor and he finally finished doing up the kitchen on Sat morning. Khalid came and fixed the wiring and the sink on sun. And wala - i've got my new kitchen. I love it. So do the kids. We all loved it. Now to put it to test with the extended family!

Of course i wanted Victor to be the 1st person to see the kitchen, for obvious reasons. But he was clubbing and getting drunk in Hong Kong. Parul saw it 1st in the group on Fri and she loved it. Victor made his way on Sat and admired it. Though not so profusely.. hmmm.. was he still hungover? And Rakhee is still missing in action - planning her Japan trip is more impt than my kitchen!!!

Now I have a loan of 12K - please god - give me a good bonus in May so that I can clear at least half of it.

And now - lets party. Dhaba is open every sat. Please do drop by for a meal...

shalini

Sunil's Birthday

As you all know, Sunil's is Parul's significant other, 2nd half of her soul, etc etc.. Parul is my family official sister, massi, friend, counsellor - i am sure you get the picture.. Sunil is a gem of a guy and in the short space of time, he has created a niche spot in both the kids and my heart. He can be a pain at times but he makes one good jiju for my family. And now the big event of everyone's life - its his birthday on 30th Mar. Frankly I have no clue what to get him - and its ongoing nitemare in my life with so many birthdays. So decided to be creative (arghhh) and come up with a poster of A1 size for him with his pictures in it. Here it is... Happy birthday Jiju - and have a great year ahead

shalini

Man proposes, god disposes

There is a reality in the saying "man proposes, god disposes". All the huge and big plans for the weekend - all kaput!!!

On wednesday nite, we took dad for hainanese chicken rice - the best is only available at east coast of course. Sheens came running home to meet her DAD and left early morning for school. Thurs - he slept the whole day and did nothing. He was not well. We went Komalas at the beach for dinner, since he's ghas phus. Nisha took good care of him the whole day - he said. She better - she had bunked school for this! Fri he managed to motivate himself and went to the Air India office to get his ticket re-validated and we went seafood dinner at Jumbo on the beach. Visited Parul and Sunil after that and wished Sunil happy birthday since he will be in Amdabad with parul. Sat went mustafa shopping and he left on sunday.

The big plans - esplanade, samarkand, duck tour - nothing happened. All he wanted to do was sit at home and watch TV and rest!

Sheens had debate on sat and sun - hence no time for her to spend with her grandad. She cried buckets at the airport and was totally exhausted and tired at the end of the day. Poor girl, came home and went straight back to Choa Chu Kang to finish her homework. She did not even spend time to talk to me.

But but but - the cabinets were delivered yesterday. And they starting to put it up today from 10am onwards.. finally some order in my life!

Dad's in town

Finally after like donkey years, Dad (my ex father-in-law) landed yesterday. I cant describe the feelings i went thru seeing him, but it was a myraid of emotions. Surprisingly, i felt peaceful and "shant". Nows that is a word I will never associate with me but I am feeling that, even now. Nothing like elders in the house to make you feel calm and collected. And he makes me feel very much loved and that I am his family, even after 12 years of divorce from his son. I dont know how but he does.

Well it will be a busy and short visit. He's leaving on Monday back to Delhi. Sheens came running home from Chao Chu Kang and we took him to Hainanese Chicken Rice last nite. Nisha took the day off from school today and to bring him on the duck tour and I'm taking him to little india for lunch. He's vegetarian today and hence only indian food will do. Tomorrow, sheens taking him to the esplanade and Samarkand for butter chicken. Sheens totally loves the butter chicken there must be from the NUS days! Sat is shopping at Mustafa (God!) and Sunday is still undecided.

My cabinets was to be installed today (thought could count on dad to supervise it) only to have it postponed till Saturday as the water pipes are leaking. Couldn't the contractor tell me earlier so that I could get the pipes fixed earlier. My renovation is really doomed and jinxed. One problem after the other. Sigh!

Well here's to another hectic weekend! :)

Holi Hai

The weekend came and went. The family and guests came and I managed them.. The best was holi.. as usual i hurt myself - and as usual, it was Victor's fault. He was out to get me in the holi colors, that he tripped me over a rock and I injured my leg. Was out on 2 days MC since it was swollen and I was in severe pain. Of course, the boss had to sms me with this message the next day - "u shld be more careful. At our age work is more impt than just having kiddish fun" - is he calling me old? I replied "i learnt a painful lesson. next year will be more careful. now let me wallow in self pity and pain" And really next year, i will let them come and put colors on me instead of running away and having them chase you down! Everyone had so much fun. Victor was up to his usual antics of drowning everyone in sea water. Parul wins the multi-color award since she was always the most colorful. And we got our revenge on Victor at last - we drowned him in colors after suffering his abuse the whole day. The bhang ke pappar, the besan laddoo and the gujjia. Oh that was the best. Thanks Meetu - that hit the spot. Plus tons of liquor, bacardi breezers and beers. After that, watching everyone's antic. Mandy went haywire first, then anjali with all her non-stop laughing. It was real fun.. till next year then..

shalini

Long & Busy Weekend

I have been looking forward to the long long weekend that starts tomorrow. Was so so looking forward to it. But as usual i managed to packed myself up to the max.. when will i change??

1) Sheens coming home tonight and bringing with her - her 2 cousins. Khalid and bhabhi are in India, hence the 2 kids are spending the weekend with us!

2) Fri - We have a wedding in the community to attend. Wedding starts at 5pm till 10pm. No way out. We have to go. Its one of those things that you have to do in life. Plus Sachin parents are landing in Sin at 4pm. They will be here till the 26 mar.

3) Sat - Zahir Bhaiya, Bhabhiji and 2 kids are landing at around 10am and they will be here till 24 mar. Plus its holi. As per tradition, we playing again at the ECP beach. That should be fun. I am really looking forward to this one. I just hope no handphone gets "drown" this year.

4) Sun - entertaiment day. I was so looking forward to resting on sunday but the gods decided it was not to be so. I have guests to entertain plus sheens and the kids are leaving to go back to Choa Chu Kang!

Too much things to do - please god give me strength to survive the weekend.

Contractor's woes

After waiting for 10 years, i finally decided to renovate the kitchen. What a happy moment it was for us. They spend 3 weeks doing the kitchen flooring and wall tiles.



And guess what - when it came time for the cabinets, he bailed out. he started hacking up the price and demanded $1500 extra. I refused to do it and he came home and stole the invoice, quotation and his name card so that I have no records of him and his company. Nisha was alone at home and she went to kitchen to talk to me and he took the invoice which was lying on the table. The thing he forgot is that we have the HDB permit which shows Ro-Well Interior Revelation. So on monday, i will make a police report and go to CASE to lodge a report. Now I have to re-do the process of finding another cabinet contractor. Damn

Please be super careful and do not use this contractor in future - shalini

She came, she conquered and she went

Sheens came home on Friday nite. And I had to have dinner plans with the Fantastic 5 at Suntec - damn. Nisha and I were all excited, happy and charged up. Even Parul & Sunil came running to see her and say hellow. Spent the whole weekend being lazy and catching up with each other.. The bummer was she left on Sunday nite. She got use to waking up late and going to school at leisure. Sob sob sob...

Settling Down

Well 2nd and 3rd day of JC was better. She was dancing to "Its the time to Disco" and she made friends. Now she does not want to leave that school. She loves it. She will stay at Khalid's place and come back on Friday nites as school finishes after 7pm.

We (nisha and me) finally shifted sheens to Khalid's place yesterday. She settled in and she seems happy. She estatic that she gets to wake up at 7am, have a bath, leave home at 7.20am in order to reach school before 7.40am. School starts from today onwards. She's also over the moon that they get to wear polo tees to school everyday except on monday.

Guess wat.. a freaking calculator costs 200 bucks in JC. I just pray she doesn't loose it. The chips must be made in platinum for it to be so pricy!!!

Well hope life is smooth sailing from now onwards - though Rohini says - sheens will come running back home soon. Sheens can't stay away from home for long!

Sheen's Posting

Sheens got her placement result yesterday morning at 6am. She got Pioneer JC which is in choa chu kang. It take 1.5 hours to commute one way so thats like 3 hours on travelling everyday. arghhhh

First thing we did, we went to tampines JC to appeal. We decided mutually that she will stay at my bro place in cho chu kang from mon nite till thurs nite. She would come home straight after school on fri and I will fund her cab fare every monday morning directly to school. Perfect plan, she was happy and i was happy. after all we still in sin - not tat she leaving the country. After that we went courts and ikea shopping for the new kitchen. I came to work.

She sounded ok and was cheerful and looking forward to JC. I came home at 7pm and the moment she saw me, she started crying. She cried for 2 hours. i cried and even nisha was crying and distributing tissues to all of us. At this moment, we are all sitting at sheens bunk bed - tiny measly thingy and all crying.

Problem - She does not want to go and stay at Khalid's place (my bro). she wants to stay home only. Seeing all of us crying, I gave in to her and told her its ok i will fund her cab fare every morning. she's saying its too expensive - 20 bucks every morning. But it has to be done - rite. we settled on this and she stopped crying and went to bed.

this morning she went to school in cab costing $19 bucks. she sounded so happy. In this JC, 900 students were selected from 35000 students that sat for 'O" level last year. at this moment - she's grateful to god that at least she got a place even though its far - buts she has a place in school.

i come to work and i get hell from my colleague, rohini and jasbir. they say i'm spoiling the child and pampering her - etc etc etc. of course in between this blasting 1/2 hour session - zeenat sms me and consoles me saying I am doing rite .

and guess wat - tats wen i got motivated. i looked thru the website - come on guys there got to be a freaking bus in sin that connects cck to the east!! and there is - its 985 and it travels on PIE expressway also!!! then there is also bus # 67 which comes to changi road - even closer to home. she can sleep in the bus. its ends in the interchange only, so no question of missing her bus stop! all in all max 1.5 hr but 1 long bus route where she can catch up on sleep.

bottom line:
- we will try both route thurs n fri mornings to see which one is more comfy and faster. and settle on one. she will hv to take 3 busses but thats ok since its less than 2 hours by train & bus
- on days when she has a hectic schedule and early start, she will stay at khalid's place for the nite - since its only 10 mins to school from there
- i cannot live without my daughters. the thought of sheens staying at khalid's place was making me miserable and i was crying really bad. she's still in singapore and i can't take it. AND here are priya and gayu all set and planning on sending sheens to london for further studies ... oh god - wat will happen then???
- sheens will have to struggle a bit but hei she made her bed. she should hv just studied harder and scored better. then she will be in the east school. she knew from day one - for the schools on east she has to work hard. i hope this teaches her a lesson and she will study harder for her uni.
- its tough being a mom and i need to let go and stop pampering the kids

keep fingers cross that this works out well and pray that the appeal is successful