Family blog

A quick note about this clip. A couple of days back, Anand had a fancy dress competition in his school for which he was dressed as a priest. The theme was based on the cutures of the world and since Anand's forte was his vedhic chanting skills, we decided to go with it. Stepping into the school, we were really taunted by the other dresses and the amazing creativity of a few others. We did not discern any chance against those children. I went out looking for any other similarly dressed child flaunting himself, which in those hindsight, did not catch my vicinity. As his turn came, he chanted the lines perfectly and i was happy that he did well. He was selected along with a few others for A Special Mention Prize. His joy knew no bounds when he came home with the news. The winners were asked to perform again during a UN carnival which was held on saturday, the 31st october 2009, at his school. This is the video of the recitation at the carnival. Do watch and enjoy.

As a mother you do not know whether you want to be in awe at the kid's natural abilities or just brush aside that these are possible by many. But, "possible by many" is also not something that you could easily attribute to in that appropriate age group, because what is possible to one is impossible to another and general readiness is quite uncommonly found these days. I am sure you would not be able to understand what i'm trying to aim at.

Well, read these conversation and do let your thoughts decide on what is true.

M: " So, A, did you like the juice that i gave you for lunch?"

A: " What juice?"

M: " The new one.."

A: " Oh, Ceres..I loved it."

M: " Did you like it?" ( just to reconfirm what i heard)

A: " Yeah, i loved it. Please give me that everyday. I just love it. You know it is fruit medley and it has all the tastes"

M: " How did you know that? Did you read it?"

A: " Yeah, i read what was written. "

M: " Was it nice? Was it sour? I dont know how it would taste."

A: " It tastes  nice. It said no sugar added, but it was good. "

M : " Did you read that too? "

A: " Yeah, i read that too. It is 100% fruit juice"

Just tell me what should my reaction be? Like you, i was amazed at the child's astonishing eye to read the labels and to read them clearly too. At this age, when all of us are so conscious of reading labels or so should we.. here is a person who has unconsciously kept accumulating details to his cerebellum without realizing anything that he is doing.

On another occasion, he had been following a sloka with the verses in front of him. Not minding the speed in which it had been recited, he was also racing his mind and eyes to keep up with the pace and also correctly singing it. Again, we were flabbergasted at the thought that this kid is able to read

"ghOra tATakA dhAtaka rAm "  " krtavaivAhika kautuka rAm "

and lines of those tenacity in both pronounciation and visibility. Again, i wished that this kid deserves what he truly is made of atleast in the years to come, if not now, for he is able to read lines that we are daunted with, not intimidated by the length of the sloka to memorize them at an amazing speed, constantly chanting them in both conscious and unconscious states...(i still havent heard him in his subconscious state..probably, it would surely be better than his original), i am sure even adults would not be ready to learn at this age. God speed him.

I am reminded of yet another incident where according to his age, he was not expected to read vedhas because his peers were still struggling to get hold of the right lines and he would be reading them effortlessly. One of the parents said that these group children still do not know how to read while in front of her, he broke the iceberg by reciting easily.

I wish he gets what is rightfully his, a true identity.

The following videos were recorded when A and N had their performances staged in the same platform and on the same day. What followed seems like a true cinematic climax. A's performance was scheduled as the first one and N had it around 50 minutes following N. For that, they went for practice early in the afternoon along with N.

I had been getting phone calls from N that A had not been feeling well and he showing slight temperature. Well, i gave him medicine around 3.30 and he had by then fallen asleep. Time was elaspsing and his performance was at 4.05. Well, all our persuasions that it was only for 3 minutes and he just had to sit and we would carry the keyboard up to assist him went in vain. He could not be persuaded and dragging him into something which he did not want to attempt seemed like a very bad bargain for our souls.

 Are we going to push him just because he was listed in the schedule? Is our interest taking an upperhand than his health? Will facing all other fellow parents with questions bombarding our ego on why he could not perform when he was already there trying to allude our minds? Well, these and endless other possibilities of why should we try to compel him crippled us.

But, this poor boy lay down oblivious to all these and the programme was inaugurated and his name was also called upon along with a few others. He was still lying on the chairs and we were consoling our souls of he getting many more such opportunities in the near future.

We saw the other children perform Malahari's "Sri Gana Natha" and getting lauded. And my other mind was also thinking of 3 other children who were found missing as their names were announced. They unfortunately had gone home to change their dresses.  Being the first performance and indian programmes having the reputation of delaying atleast by a quarter and also going by previous year's start, they had not expected it to start at the right time, which was unfortunately not to be. It started right on time and 4 children did not perform.

The parents of those children missed started asking the concerned authorities of what could be done- whether another chance would be given for these children as it is their day. Well, after so much deliberations from either sides, it was decided that they would be given chance at the end of the programme. But, all these did not affect us, since our boy was already clear in his mind before falling asleep that he wanted to go back home.

After an hour, he awoke and we asked him if he would perform with the other children who had missed and he readily agreed, to our astonishment. Was all this HIS play? WHy should he fall sick just before the programme and had to miss inspite of being in the auditorium? And why should the children go home and come back late? Well, we could not get answers and what could be concluded was that It was surely His Divine play and He saw to that the children all got equal chances and we parents could sit right in the front to click them in our cameras without any hindrance.

It should be said that N's performance which was scheduled 2 hrs before the close of the programme also had to be the second last programme before A's. So, father and son followed each other to the podium to do the honours. It was a befitting evening in the end amidst all the tension and puffs from the faces of the parents' for dragging the schedule and the children, who had been dressed up for nearly 4 hrs and were feeling tired to these authorities' fancies.

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It has been a long time wish for Anand to slurp the steaming hot mushroom soup all by himself. Mushrooms were bought just for this but had to use them in gravies and before they were exhausted, i tried to make his small wish come true.

And on one lazy sunday afternoon when the clouds hung down and were overcast, drinking something steaming hot seemed the best option to override those and to give the soary sore throat a break, mushroom soup just emerged.

Dont think that so much fanfare has has gone into showcasing a teeny weeny mushroom soup, but indeed, making a soup has become a rarity that unless you are cozying yourself within the luxury of your home in winter(which isnt in this tropical weather), they seem just short of hands. Well, this is the recipe which has been tried many a time and i love it this way than any conservative style of making a soup.

Ingredients

White Button Mushrooms (sliced/whole)            :   8

Onions (optional)                                             :   1

Ghee/butter                                                     :   2 tbsp

Milk                                                                :  1 cup

All purpose flour/ Maida                                    :  1 -1/2 tbsp

Black Pepper powder to taste

Salt to taste

Procedure

1. Wash and cut the mushrooms and onions finely.

2. In a wok/pan, add ghee and saute the onions till it becomes golden brown. The browner it becomes, the richer the taste. Care not to burn it.

3. Add mushrooms to it and keep sauteing until the raw smell disappears and nice aroma fills in.

4. Pour in the milk and allow it to boil for a while.

5. Make a thin paste(to prevent lumps) of the all purpose flour with water and add it to the boiling contents.

6. Remember to keep stirring to prevent lumps.

7. If the mixture gets too thick, pour in water to bring it to the desired consistency. Boil for a while and the cream of mushroom soup is ready to be served piping hot with salt and ground pepper to taste.

Note: You can add croutons but, this cream of mushroom soup can be served just plain. They taste great.

You can omit onions if you want, and that doesnt take the taste away. Can add a pod of garlic as well.

Variation: Cream of Broccoli soup can be made just the same way by blanching the florets for a while in boiling water and then trying to scrape the top buds from the florets to be served in the end as topping for the soup. They are just great too.

 Happy slurrping!!!

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Planning started a month earlier to correct all earlier errors of hosting a boy's birthday party. Inspite of the care, it should be mentioned that some older girls felt lost but they managed to garner the lost energy towards the end.

This was the second CMA National level competition in Singapore which was held at Republic Polytechnic, Woodlands. A word about the preparation. They had practice sheets with timings and markings 3 weeks prior to the competition making it a mock competition. Flu as it was for Anand, he could only manage to go two weeks and was just ready for the competition. It was so competitive that one correct question and also younger the age determines who takes the better prize out of the lot. Anyway, it was a good exposure in terms of seeing a big group of peers, (all of them wearing the CMA shirts), be on his own and able to listen to the instructor well.

The event was well planned and it saw a big turnout in the history of the competition in Singapore, also entering the book of records for the largest number competing in  a single day. So, history was there. We were there. And of course, the media. There were two huge halls capacitating 1000 people at one time in each for the participants and the parents. Rows of tables and chairs just as in an Indian wedding were laid and the children were ushered into the hall well ahead of their time. Lot of staff assisting the children to occupy their correct seats and also helping them to take their things out .All of those and much more could be seen right from our chairs in the other hall.

Yes, there were two giant screens telecasting the live feed from the competition hall making us just point our fingers in search of our child whenever any was shown. It took us to the scene giving us the mixed feeling of butterflies and honey together as we heard the time being countdown and teachers asked to step aside to let the competition begin. Master Tai, who is the founder of  CMA Mental Arithmetic in Taiwan, had come to organize and give away the prizes. He did the honours of inaugurating the competition and giving the children instructions as to when to start and stop making it a big time shocker for kids when they heard the loud shriek "Stop" from the translator. The parents, watching the screen were led to experience the same feeling of a bomb blast and running helter skelter. It was as if we were taking the exam.

The competition was only for exact 9 minutes, but the panoply took 2 hrs to see it through. The children sat through in all happiness without complaining. I guess, they were really awed to see so many kids in the same hall and wanted to be with them.

There were games,  a violin performance and magic show to pack the kids with until the results were announced. It was a mad rush to see who was where when the results were put up. Just imagine 800 odd parents and others mobbing to 4 boards which displayed the results.

One incident that i should mention here is the plight of a mother searching in vain for her child among the odds of 800 children wearing the same t-shirts. To manage and safeguard the children's safety when they were inside the competition hall, no parent was allowed to collect their child without prior permission. And as our center's turn came, i went to the hall looking for the placard of our center. I found "Marine Parade" and in earnest my eyes went gazing around for that vivid face and in my frantic mind, every face seemed that of my little boy's. I completely scanned the place but no trace of this boy. I went around to the end of the hall where some children were seen and immediately set to frisk and to my luck, he was not there. So many things were clamming in my mind and a quick prayer was said as my eyes were continuing to hunt. I was also screaming his name but in that environment with so much noise zooming in from the parents and children, mine seemed like a whisper and hardly reached out. There were a few other parents sharing the same plight and so forlorn. We consoled after managing to enquire inspite of our restless minds. I went towards the stage and was still shouting my boy's name when i caught his frame within my vicinity and called out to him. He came running towards me and we were hugging eachother.

Our boy collected third and fourth prizes in Abacus and Mental Arithmetic categories respectively and was feeling out of the world. I guess, it would be like that for every kid. As parents, we were elated too. His first ever trophies and they would always be the best in his collection. It was so heartening and also a little embarrasing to see him show off his trophies to whoever came by to our house. A child he was, he sure would be elevated to share his knowledge with anyone he sees and the reactions associated with those would cover him in ecstasy. That would be the best term to describe, for this age is one which transcends just plain happiness.

We wish him many more laurels in whatever field he chooses to set himself into. Besta Best, Anand.

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This pasta comes in handy whenever we are completely short of afternoon tiffin ideas. Usually, the likes of idlis, dosas, chappathi, uppumas surface umpteen number of times and pasta is little thought of. And eating pasta in all its authenticity is least suitable to our palate. So, our version of indigenous indianised Pasta fills our stomachs to its content.

Just try it with onions, tomatoes and garam masala and add whatever veggies that are available in your counters. The masalas that go into it are according to our taste and tries.This is easily a very good filler. Enjoy this on any lazy afternoon when you run out of ideas.

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These are also first time tries. We are so used to making microwaveable popcorns that we were unaware that these could be made without any hassle and also without burning them at all.

One of the distinct advantages it has over ready made ones are the high salt content that you can easily do without. Just try it out and let me know whether you agree with my point or not??

Things you will need:

Raw Popcorn kernels - 1/2 cup

Pressure cooker/any other quart pan.

Oil - 1 tsp (if you are using a non-stick pan with lid, you can do without this)

Butter - 2 tsp (optional)

Salt to taste

Red Chilli powder - 1 tbsp

Method:

1. Heat the cooker with oil and once heated, put just 3-4 kernels and close the lid.

2. when you hear the pops, open the lid, take the cooker out of the stove and put the remaining corn kernels and close the lid.

3. You try to shake the cooker a little to help coat the kernels in oil and also giving time for all the kernels to come to the same temperature. You can count 30 seconds and put back the cooker on heat and keep the flame to medium. You can hear the pops slowly and continuously and keep giving the cooker a shake every few seconds.

4. Once the pops reduce drastically like say one for every 10 seconds, you can switch off the stove, open the lid and transfer the popcorns to another bowl/plate.

5. This is the stage you can add butter to the pan and it will melt in the heat itself. Then add a salt and chilli powder and put back the popcorns into them. Give them a big shake by closing the lid.

6. Serve hot. The popcorns stay fresh for a week if kept in an airtight container.

Tips:

If using a quart pan/nonstick pan with lid, you have to keep the lid ajar so that the steam will release from the pan to allow the popcorns remain crispier. In the pressure cooker, there is a valve which lets the steam out.

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This is one of the easiest variety rices that you can make. It flavours you with the best of buds, if you love huli puli tangy.

There are some who would not prefer to have a peck but, i have grown up with this rice ever since my memory can trace back.

Well, there was a religious gathering for which this rice was made and as always, it came out well and the colour remained pleasing.

Ingredients:

Raw rice - (cooked with less water{3-3/4 cups} to separate the grains)- 1 1/2 cups

Lemons - 3 medium sized ones (add or reduce this acc to preference)

gingelly oil - nearly 3-4 tbsps

Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp

Split urad dhal - 1 tbsp

Asafotedia/hing (perungayam) - 1/2 tsp

Groundnuts -raw- a handful

Green chillies - 7to 8 (depends on the spice tolerance) cut thin and fine.

Ginger -  a small piece cut fine.

Turmeric powder - 1/2 -3/4 tsp

Salt to taste and a handful of coriander leaves cut finely.

curry leaves - 2-3 sprigs

Procedure:

Cook the rice with less water and spread them over in a big tray(we call it thambaalam) to cool so that the grains would separate. While it is cooling, generously add a tbsp oil on top so that it will quicken the process.

Heat a pan, add 2 tbsps of oil and fry the dhal and groundnuts till they are crisp. Transfer them to a separate plate for the final garnish.

In the same pan, add mustard seeds. Wait for them to splutter and add ginger, chillies, asafotedia and curry leaves and immediately turn off the stove. Add turmeric while the pan is on the stove and saute for a while.

Squeeze lemon discarding the seeds and add salt to it, depending on your taste.

Pour the lime mixture (not all..just half first and as you mix, depending on your taste, add the remaining) to the cooled rice and add the sauted tempering too. Mix gently so that the rice doesnt get sticky. Do not over mix.

Check for taste. If salt is needed, add it. Finally, add the fried groundnuts, urad dhal and coriander leaves for garnishing.

The groundnuts would be crisp when added like this. It would definitely give a crunchy taste to the rice.

Have a great time trying this out. Hope you would agree with my argument that this is one of the best variety rices to make and to eat!!. Happy eating!!!

 Variation : You could add in grated carrots and 2-3 tbsp of grated coconut as garnish.