Broadmoor Diwali Function -2017

Our annual Broadmoor function is a grand event each year. This year was no less, wonderful decoration, great performances and lastly tasty and yummy food.
Preparations normally start a month in advance but this time we started it late and tried to keep it very low-key but nevertheless we had about 50 families for the function.
As I was not taking part in the dance programme I took up anchoring after a long long time.
It was fun! Me &Manvita made a good pair together.
We started at 5:30 with the Ganesh Arti, then we had the Ramayan Skit(a different program this time) , then the dance performances followed by the Ladies dance and then the food.


Uploading pics soon

Omaha Diaries--After Parents Left to India

This was the first week that the family would have to do without parents. I woke up at 5am fo rmy 7am flight. made Bumble's tiffin, packed his bag and got in my Lyft vehicle and reached airport and then to office.
Work and eve home, made Lauki daal and rice and slept.
Next day pretty much same routine except I went to hyper for some exercise.
Wednesday I made Mint biryani kindof for dinner and watched F.R.I.E.N.D.S
Thursday there was a Sogeti event --Employee Appreciation Week. at The Escape Room.
I went with my colleague, thought that we will be for half hr and then leave.
Turns out The Escape Room is this new concept of solving mysteries and can be done as a team building activity.
After about 5 of us were gathered we were put in a room and the idea was to Escape from that room in a given time with the help of the clues available in the room.
It was super-fun, it was the first time and we did not know what to expect but Darn! did we have fun. We could not complete the task in the stipulated time but everyone enjoyed. Another group were already in another room for their mystery .
Then we all went to Godfather's pizza, had wings and Veggie Cheesy Pies.
Went home and then had some Gobi paratha and slept
Fri flew back home. I should definitely try The Escape with hubby, it will be so much fun.


Much more next week.
Ta da

Oct 2017 Month Omaha Diaries

I cannot believe it has been a month since I posted here. I moved out of my current accommodation that I was staying with 5 students to a place with 2 other working girls. They had arranged the house over the week-end, so I went to a well set home. 9th Oct I moved most of my stuff to the new place, then chatted with new roomies, had dinner and slept. Next day after work went to HYPER , did some exercise and came back, talked, eat and slept. I was not planning to travel this weekend of 13th Oct and asked G and family to come here on Thu nite and they would return by Sun.
The weather was supposed to be good but as Thu neared it started getting colder, then Wed night G was clearing all the farm stuff and he got back pain again, so travel looked dicey for him , he searched for tickets and got a good deal for me. Fri fly to MN and return on Tue.
Thu morning he went to the Chiro and he got the ok to travel but since weather was bad I asked them to skip and I went to MN on Fri and returned on Tue.


The weather this week turned out to be great so I asked them to come on Wed(18th Oct), sudden plan and afternoon they started driving and reached here by 8:30. I had not cooked anything so we went to a nearby pizza place(Lighthouse) and had Pizza.
Next day I came to office late and left by noon as we had plans to go to the Zoo. Mom had made some cauliflower sabji and Sambhar.
We reached the zoo at 1:30 and then went to the Kingdom of Nights & Desert area. There were some animals which I had not seen except read in books like skunk and was happy to see them. It was hot and after walking around for some time parents were tired, so I send them via the zoo vehicle to the Aquarium place while we walked around and saw peacock, elephant,Giraffe,Ostrich. Finally we reached the Aquarium and saw many fishes and beautiful Coral. We were done after that and left the Zoo, came home, had tea and then went to ElmWood park, the kids played and then at 7:30, I took them to HYPER , then returned home, had dinner and everyone slept by 10 pm.


Next day I went to ofc in the morning, they came by 12 to my ofc and then we all drove back Home. Gopi was working in the car while I drove all the way, reached home at nite.
Week-end was busy with Diwali programme organizing. This week I was @ home as parents were leaving for india.
26th Thu was their flight, we dropped them a the airport, their flight was delayed and I was with  them till 12:40, then came home and worked for some time.
Finally week-end also done and flew back Monday morning back to ofc .


Cannot wait to go back.....

Omaha Travels -Sept29th 2017 Week

I flew to MN on Sept 29th eve flight and this time decided to get my car, so I drove back on Sunday noon itself, hardly any time.
Here in Omaha I got enrolled in HYPR (an all-round fitness/gym facility)
You need a student to get you admitted, so I got a student from the floor below us and on Tuesday went and got my self enrolled. After dropping him back I went around the facility, Pretty good, nice hi-tech equipment and such. Toured around the facility and got back.
Next day I went and did some stretches and took the chair massage, this time I travelled back on Thu.
Reached home Thu evening, next day Fri had ofc for the first half then went and got my license stuff renewed, on the way went to Costco , then picked Dindu and G and came home.
Sat lazed about at home in the morning,went to MOA afternnon, got a  dress and top,came back, went to farmland then went fishing, got nothing and came back
Sun, went to temple , came and slept, played VB till eve and then night got ready to go in the morning.
Woke up at 3:15, got ready and came to the airport, no lines , so security etc was done fast and flight departed on time from MSP to Chicago..Had breakfast at Chicago airport and then took the next flight to Omaha, reached at 9 and off to office.

From a time long gone by

This happened in 2008 when a few months after marriage Gopi went to GE, Eden Prairie , MN, USA and I was out of project with a stamped l1 visa and searching for projects in the same location.
I got an onsite opportunity at Milwaukee for 4 weeks, initially I refused but since it was 4 weeks and a chance to come to US I compiled.
I got accomodations with Sribala..she was living in a 2BHK alone and preferred it that way but since she was going to India on vacation and I was there just for 4 weeks she agreed for me to stay with her.
I reached US, Chicago on Aug 3rd 2008, G came to pick me up, since the connecting flight was next day I got a complimentary stay from the airlines. We had some dinner and went to the restaurant and I slept. It was hubby's bday but I was damn tired after my long journey.
Next day instead of taking my flight  we drove to Milwaukee, G dropped me at the apt and left.
Next day to travel to ofc my roomie arranged for a guy some sardar(forgot his name) to pick me.


My manager was Henash Patel. He wanted me up to speed immediately. It was a hectic time for the first 2 weeks just getting to know the project, understanding the problem, I was full time working even at home. By the end of the 2 weeks I could deliver a solution which fixed a major part of their problem and it was a big win for me. That week-end I relaxed and went for a movie with the roomie to Kismet Konnection. By then we also got friendly and we went for a Milwaukee Fair with her friends. The next 2 weeks went by fast but less work, we girls went for a bowling nite and celebrated few friend's birthdays and had a great time.


The sardar was good, I told him I'll pay for my share of fuel for the month but he refused and so I just took him out for lunch.
In the cafeteria there was a helper(black) who hit on me big time. Whenever I went down he would ask me my # and out for a date. I even stopped going downstairs. One day (later) when I went and was filling water he came near me with a glass on the pretext of filling water and said that the management had complained as he was talking to me and he still kept pestering for my # to take me out. I hurriedly left form there.
Last week I had an interview with ShopNBC, Eden Prairie and my next assignment was there and so I left from Milwaukee aug end, G came to pick me, we drove to Chicago and then to Eden prairie.


What triggered this was old pictures that I saw.

Omaha Travels - Part1

I landed in Omaha on Sept5th, 2017. My joining date was on the 6th Sept but as I had already booked my tickets for an exorbitant price I went ahead and came here on an early Tuesday morning flight. My flight was at 7:10 am in the morning. I reached the airport at 6:15am. Due to the long week-end there was a huge line  that went a long way away from the Security Checkpoint. Within 15 mins we reached at the beginning of the checkpoint and after another 10 minutes I was done with my Security Check.The boarding gate was at some other corner and I ran all the way till I got to the gate, thankfully the door was not closed and I boarded the flight. It is a short flight duration and I reached by 8:30.
My colleague had come to pick me and we went to the U.S Sogeti office. I was very depressed and wanted to go back immediately. We came to the client's place for a 1 hr meeting and then went back. We went to Qudoba and I had some Shrimp tacos, we then went back to Sogeti office and was looking for accommodation and working on some accomodations. I was not finding any place and at last with my colleague's help I got a temp acco with 5 other girls.
I went to the apt, washed my face and then me and my colleague went out for a walk.
Next day we reached office by 8. it would still be time before we got our badge and laptop etc, I wanted to go back immediately, I asked Gopi to rent a car. At the apt also I did not eat anything much, at ofc I had lunch from out.
Wed, Thu same routine of ofc to home and back. Fri, I asked for permission and left at 12:30.
 Drove for 5.5 hrs and reached home by 7.lazed at home. Sat went for fishing, did not catch anything, Sun, did laundry and then it was time to leave, drove back to Omaha.


Next week pretty much followed the same routine, 2 days played Sand Volleyball with the guys, then I got a throat infection which got pretty bad on Wed and Thu it got little better and Fri is always good as I was flying home.
Reached home by 6pm, played Vb, next day went to Costco and eve we went to India Spice.Sunday we went to Cub foods and then I packed my stuff and slept for the early morning flight at 7:10 am.
This time there was less rush and I was at the boarding gate by 6:50.
Oh, the roomies did not want me to use their stuff so I got chapatti atta, dosa mav , banana,salt,and some more eatables.


This week I went to Walmart and bought milk and eggs and did a little cooking, made some chapatis, some kale sabji, omlette etc, One day I even made dosa for myself and the roomies.
Fri again traveled back home, played VB, Sat went to Costco and Cubfoods, wanted to go out to Don Pablos but it is CLOSED.Sob Sob. So we went to Potbelly and also went fishing, caught 3 fishes.
Sunday again we went fishing and caught 2 fishes, played VB, packed my back and caught the early morning flight back to Omaha.

Job Changes

Mu current project that I was in for 6.5 years ended on 16th June 2017. I had a happy hour and couple of lunches with friends and then back at home. Market was really really down and I barely got any interview calls. I rested at home doing my 9 round and spending time with family and playing VB. In July a friend asked if I wanted to take part in a dance for the India fest programme. I readily said yes as I had nothing much going on. Practices started, everyday from 6-7am..We had a audition on the 15th July. 1 week prior to that the dance choreographer got an ankle sprain, she was telling she will dance directly on audition. On the day of the audition 1 another girls daughter got sick and she could not make it.
We 5 went and gave the performance and also told the judges abt the 1 participant not coming, they were okay with it.
Then we had our dress rehersal on 5th Aug.1 week later I sprained my ankle very bad while playing VB. The pain and swelling was very bad. I skipped practice for some day but tried to make it 3-4 days before the dress rehersal. Finally on 5th we all gave the dress rehearsal together. On 6th Aug was our Sand Volleyball tournament, we lost in the Finals, the guys won though...
On Aug 19th was our grand performance I already put the pics up in a previous post.
http://myendeavours.blogspot.com/2017/08/india-fest-mn-2017-dance-performance.html


Then a week later I got this job interview for a project in Omaha, NE.It was supposed to be a project initially at client's place and then WFH for which I agreed. I got the job but later it looked like they wanted the candidate to be Local.
I was almost going to say NO and then changed my mind and took it up for  a 6 month commitment.
I moved to Omaha, NE on 5th Sept for job purposes and travelling every week to MN.
Will write a separate post about my time in Omaha.

India Fest MN 2017 Dance Performance

Summer _May 2017

• Had family come from India on May 10th. Mom, Dad, Chechi and Paarth. Went to the airport at 10 am and picked them and got them home. Luckily they did not have any jet lag, spend time eating chakaada, lots of sweets and seeing all the nice dresses from India
• Ritiha got attached to my sister and wanted to stick by her and play with her all the time. The two brothers were competing, fighting all the time, playing video games. We all together played a lot of UNO.
• Took them to just nearby places and I did not stress too much on taking them out. Went to Costco, soccer matches and just generally around.
• We did go to Lake Calhoun one evening , had ice-cream, clicked a lot of pictures and returned.
• We also went to Willow river Falls and had a gr8 time getting wet in the waterfall.
• Since we took farmland a lot of time in the evenings went in putting water and getting farm work done
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Happy Birthday my darling Dindu

July 9th , you turned 3 years old and let me tell you my love, you are my most precious one.
At this age you are such a delight to be with. You are talking non-stop and I am amazed by your vocabulary and some of the words and constructive sentences that you use.
Also your amazing manners to say Please and Thank-you.
In fact when we went to Fedex Store 2 days back the lady at the counter complimented me on your good behavior.
You are such a great helper, helping at home an also in the farm.
Nowadays you want to play with your friends all the time and it is easy for us to leave you down stairs. You are also very good at making friends.

Some pics from your bday party.
Love you lots

Happy Birthday to me

Yess, Its my birthday today and what did I do. Well for starters I wanted to buy a dress but no time :(

Thankfully got a new kurta from India so I adorned that and accessorized it with some earrings and bangles (from India) . Got wishes and kisses form hubby in the morning. WhatsApp messages from school friends and other dear friends, facebook . Got a cutest

Sweetlings - Week 3

As mentioned last time I had skipped the week-end as we were having our Volleyball Tournament this time by MMA(Minnesota Malayalee Association). We WON!!!(more details and pics later)

On sunday we had our Apt frinds gathering for a potluck and the dessert was Ice-cream(it has been long since I had icecream so gorged on it).

Mon: 27th: There was a potluck at office and there was a huge variety of desserts. I had Mango  pudding/gulab jamun/cake/jalebi, evening I had tea too

Tue: 28th: Today being ugadi one of my frinds got gulab jamun at work and I had two, so that means today would not be counted either.
Lets see how the remaining days go.

Sweetlings - Week 2

So you remember the No Sugar Challenge that I had undertaken, well for my own sanity I decided to omit Week-ends, we had two birthday parties over the week-end and it is difficult for me to tell No to a piece of cake.

Weekdays are easier for the challenge. So continuing on to this week, again committed to the same.

Mar20: No tea/no sugar routine followed.

Mar21: I was at home and after having a bread omelette, wanted to have a tea, so had one small cuppa :(

Mar22: Uneventful, though I did order a burger from cafeteria but omitted the fries

Mar 23: We ordered lunch from out and since the restaurant goofed up our order they gave a yummylicious coconut cake. God! it was irressistable. I had to devour it and since the day was not counted anyway  and it was a rainy day , I came home to a hot cuppa tea.

Mar24: Uneventful.

I am not sure if this is helping in anyway but atleast Weekdays I am making an effort to minimize my sugar intent.

Sweetlings

Inspired by Sayesha I decided to do a 30 day no sugar challenge. recently I have also been reading a lot about how too much sugar consumption is bad for the body yada yada and I really want to give it a try. I always had a sweet tooth but lately I have been going to extremes like simple eating sugar if I cannot find anything sweet, popping 2 macroons and sometimes even 3, buying chocolates from the cafeteria if I feel like it etc etc. So just for myself I have started this 30 day challenge on no sugar which means no tea, no chocolates,no fries,no pizza,no macroons and no artificial sugar. I still decided to go ahead and eat sweet fruits and honey and jaggery if needed(though I usually do not consume that too much)

GO ahead and join me or encourage me

Day 1: Mar 13th
No tea, had egg and bread for bfast, some rice and sabji for lunch, no tea in the evening, was so hungry by 8, quickly eat the rice and fish curry.
Told Ritvik about my challenge, he wanted to join too. I told him he could do a shorter version of it, maybe 10-5 days and he said very confidently, "Amma, I will do it for one evening" :)
he however did request to give him healthy options for lunch and not the bread/jam I give him everyday.

Day 2: Mar 14th
As I could not give bread/jam for school lunch, I made a panner grilled bread, had it for bfast(omitted ketchup), took grapes and strawberry for lunch, but laptop crashed at ofc and I would get the replacement only the next day, so came home had rice/fish curry for lunch..No tea, snacked on some mitcher  and nite had panner/broccoli paratha.

Day 3:Mar 15th
Send panner parantha for lunch, had bread/omlette for bfast, got curd/rice and pickle for lunch.
Went home, someone got a cake asked hubby to eat but he refused, couldn't control and took a bite.

Day 4: Mar16th
Had maida dosa for bfast, got shrimp and chapatti for lunch, couldn't control sugar urge so went to cafeteria and got a blueberry/honey/pecan bar. Evening picked a bourbon biscuit but before popping it in the mouth remembered the challenge so restrained from eating it.
Had dal /rice and fish for dinner

Day 5: Mar17th
Had bread/butter  for bfast, omitted the sugar.


 

Mere Maa ke Haath ka Khana

Not sure how I missed this but way back in 2013 when IMC had just started they had a Giveaway on "Mom ke Haath ka Khana". I submitted 2 recipes and won the prize.

http://www.indianmomsconnect.com/2013/05/12/happy-mothers-day/
http://www.indianmomsconnect.com/2013/05/07/mere-mom-ke-haath-ka-maida-ka-dosa/
http://www.indianmomsconnect.com/2013/05/08/mom-ke-haath-ka-potato-stew/

I got reminded today whn I made Maida dosa for my son after a very long time.
 

Summer Activities--2015--Soccer tournament for Kids

End of Blogathon

My dear friend Vincy commented on many of my posts and that really encouraged me to write a post a day and complete the Blogathon, but I missed the weekend of 14th and them my daughter fell sick, she had a fever and loose-motions. I could not send her to day care and had to keep her home for 2 days. On Friday the fever subsided and so I send her to day care but got a call in the afternoon as she had 2 loose motions and they wanted us to take her home. She felt better only by Saturday evening and then I got a nasty cold again.
it was so bad water kept dripping from my nose and I took medicines to help me.
When I got a little better the son felt sick and had to be kept home for a day and then who else but the hubby to catch the cold.
Hopefully we are all done with the entire family getting sick in January but unfortunately I was not in any way motivated to open my blog and post.

Me thinks the only way to complete a successful Blogathon is to write all 30/31 posts as drafts and the just post it each day :)

 

Post 12 - Puerto Rico - Day 5 - Blogathon 2017

Woke up leisurely and then went for brunch to a Mexican Restaurant, it was great Mexican food , fajitas, sizzlers, enchiladas yummm.
Then with no really fixed agenda we went to a nearby gaming area, they had pont rides, ATV rides and Go-Karting. Since the little one was not allowed on ATV me an Ritvik decided to go on the ATV whereas father-daughter stayed back. It was an awesome 1 hr ride, middle the guide took us to a secluded place where all of us dived in a beautiful naturally formed pool. We got back and did some Go-Karting and then off to the resort, after a nap all of us went to the resort beach, the little one not being used to sand did not want to get down from my lap, the son had lots of fun.
We then returned to the swimming pool and the kids had a great time.
We also walked around the resort a lot as that was the last day for us there and we were checking out to another place in the morning.
 

Post No 11 - Broadmoor VB Tournament 2015 Picture Post Blogathon 2017