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