Harini’s WebLog

Santa Fe is in New Mexico.We decided to go there after we returned from Ithaca after dropping Sushi.It was a last minute plan.As we didnt want to waste sudhar’s vacation and at the same time we wanted to visit a new place, Sudhar has been wanting to go there for a long time it seems.
We booked the flight and had to start from home at around 5 in the morning.We woke up at 3 and were ready.But as we reached the Path Station and missed the train by just few seconds.It was the 5.18am and the next was only at 5.48am.
We had to check in at 7.00.Yes it was a big mess, we got into the next train, reached Queens, again started looking out for the bus stop.We were lucky one guy told us the right bus stop as we were waiting on the wrong one.As we reached the airport they were announcing our names and the flight was ready to take off.
Fortunately we reached jsut on time.
To reach Santa Fe, we have to get down at Alburquerque airport and drive to Santa Fe.
Its so unlike America, its in the middle of no where, oh my god!!!! fully surrounded by mountains, cacti, trees and desert nothing else, i dont know if many people even live there. Most of them were tourists .
Spanish is the widely spoken lang there and mexican restaurants are famous, but many of indians have also settled there, we had food at a good punjabi restaurant one day, having all this around food wasnt a major problem there.We could eat variety of food there.All sorts of restaurents were available.

The most popular thing which could attract people is ART , every nook and corner of that place has an art gallery or a museum. We definitely need to learn a lot about promoting ART from them.The thing which pinched me was that, there are so many good things in india, but who is there to promote them, artists struggle to survive their living, but no one helps, and even if someone does they mostly endup in scandals ,scams and controversies. Art and culture is almost extinct there.In order to change and adapt to new surroundings and become modern people are loosing their culture traditions and values…………

Well coming back to Santa Fe….The weather there was unusually cold.We expected it to be a little more warm but it wasnt.We were lucky that we took our sweaters and jackets.
They have an ancient train which is used for tourism development.Its probably maintained by the government there, and on payment of few dollars we can have a ride on it.It takes you through the desert of Santa Fe.We cannot get down from the train but once they reach the end they stop it for a while and we can take a look at the place and again back to the yard.
Next day we decided to visit “CHIMAYO” this is a place in mountains.
First we went to this place called Chimayo de mayo.This is a holy church and was built in 1857, its a wonder how they preserved it for so long, and there is a holy dirt which people bring home.Its made up of mud and bricks.Their beilf is that dirt never gets over, it keeps coming.At the same time few people say that the priest fills it in.
After finishing that we went to a very famous Spanish Restaurent there, which is i guess always crowded, we had to stand in a line to eat there.Very sweet lady was hosting us…. I was looking at the chweet frilly dress they wore.The typical frock with laces and frills worn in France.It was nice one, even i bought a similar top from there….
After our lunch we started again towards Taos, but we lost our way and were running here and there, and the worst part was that gas was almost over…and it was getting dark.
But finally we managed to find out the way and reached the gas staton exactly when the tank was empty.haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa were saved.The adventure ended and the day was over, we were not ready for anymore thrills for the day.
Plaza is another happenning place there in Santa Fe.So we decided to take a look at that.It was a nice place always crowded, we had been there for new years eve as well.People were praising the Plaza New Year Celebrations, but to our disappointed we couldnt find anything .
Nothing seemed to be happenning in the most happenning place.
During the whole errands here and there we wanted to buy something which would remind us of Santa Fe.
We decided to buy a wooden Red Indian Guy.It was hand made and was very beautiful.We were keenon buying one of those.We ran from one shop to other searching for the best one and at the same time we didnt want to spend more than some 30 dollars.On each one the prize was written and it said $2500 or $1900 so we thought of looking into something better and more realistic…………………………………………
We got the shock of our life when we realised that $2500 was actually 2thousand and 5hundred……
It was atrocious, how could anyone pay 2500 for a small doll which is jsut of our fist size.
we immidiately dropped the idea and came back with made in china, doll.His name is 6Feathers and he is the chief of the gang.
With all this we didnt know how the time went off, and we realised that the vacation is over and we have to start the next day.As ususal we woke up and started early around 10 so that we can reach the airport well in time.But we just cannot do it.On our way we realised that we have to fill in the gas tank before we return the car.I dont know why we always have problems with Gas.Now the search started for the Gas Station, well luckily we found it soon, and reached just in time.(I remember when me, sushi and sudhar went to the Revelon Store we had the same problem with the gas……..and we couldnt reach on time,it was their closing time and we were thrown out)
With this our vacation ended,we came back to Jersey City.Reached at 12 in the midnight and our bad luck had to sit seperate in the plane.:)
It was a great jolly trip Had Fun!!!!!!!

For the past few weeks nothing was happning,life was asusual without much of activity.But the last few days all of a sudden lots of things have been happening.

Sushi had come.I went to Port Auhtority to receive her.Its so good to think that here in America i am able to manage myself and go out do things.Well Sushi reached safely.We were all having fun,Sudhar wanted us to leave him alone to study.So we decided to go out on our own.That day we didnt do anything much.Sushi wanted to sleep as she was tired of the bus journey.
In the evening we had to go to Suresh(Sudhar’s college friend)Daughter’s Birthday Party.It was her first birthday.
It was fun, initially Sushi hesitated but after going there she realised that it was worth coming.We had a good time.The little girl was looking very sweet and luckily she didnt cry much.
The next day Sushi wanted to go shopping, so sudhar came up with a wonderful idea of going and exploring Flea Market(may be he suggested it to send us far off from where we wont return for the next few hours and he can continue doing his work peacefully).To be frank it was a total waste going there, she got upset that it was such a waste .But it was a good experience.
From there we reached mall finished her shopping and came back.The same night we went out for dinner in a nearby Thai restaurant.The food there was good.
Well i was tired and a little dull, probably i hurt Sudhar and Sushi.I didnt want to do it intentionally but it happenned.
The next day again we went out shopping for Sushi and myself(Sudhar was a little upset that i ddint buy anything for myself the day before),she had to start that evening.After finishing we reached Port Authority.
Sushi gifted me a small doggy we have named him Pappu.
After Sushi left things were back to the usual.On tehwhole sushi’s visit was a welcome change and asusual FUN……..
Another surprise was that all of a sudden things with FIt started moving .I was worried that even after 10 days they havent received the application i posted.I was about to go myself to fill it up but i got a mail from them that they have received the application.I have also received the take home.
Now i gotto work on that.
I hope i will be able to do it.Lets see…
I have not been drawing for the past few years, so need to refresh everything. But am glad i am able to do it, i tried few things yesterday.Sudhar felt much confident about all this after seeing my drawings.I am happy and excited, and also we have decided to take up a few drawing and painting classes to improve my skills furhtur.Colours drawing etc excite me a lot :) I am happy .We are going to buy few more colours today.
Today i have a lot of work, washing, cooking, gym,drawing, searching for a drawing class,grocery………………the list is endless.I dont think 24 hours are enough but shall try to manage with it..
Have a good day!!!!

Honeymoon is i am sure everyone’s dream and its a much awaited event after one’s marriage.
It was the same for us if not for any other reason but mainly for some kind of a relaxation and peace.
Our marriage was a very traditional one and had too much of bhaaga daudi(running around).Especially for Sudhar it was all the more tiring because he had arrived only a week back.And spent most of his timing talking to me over the phone that too till 2 in the morning :) without taking rest…. :)So once we were done with marriage ceremonies and all the temple visits, we headed back to coimbatore.We had a great grand reception waiting for us.We hardly knew anyone.I knew no one,but sudharshan knew few people so it was the ususal thing. And as i dont like posing for snaps, i had minor problems wiht the photographer for which i was upset the whole time during the reception.
Well it also got over and now was the time for us to get ready for our honeymoon.
After long talk and discussions about it, we had decided to go to a small place called “Coconut Lagoon”. Its in Kerala and is situated in an island in the midst of gorgeous back waters.
After lots of running around and fighting with the tiredness, we started packing and to our shock we realised that we havent washed our clothes and sudharshan also wanted to buy few shirts. So as usual last minute washing and running to the shop.
Finally we were done and started around 3am on Nov 10th morning.
Sridhar had booked our tickets in AC. We had to get down in Kumaragam .Its a town in Kerala.
I remember initially we couldnt sleep in the train so we called up chithi and wished her. It was her B’Day.
But slowly our bodies started realising that we woke up at 3 and need some rest. So we slept off.
Finally reached Kumaragam around 11 or may be 12 noon.From there we got into a taxi and it was a drive of about 1 hour to that beautiful place. Again there we waited at the lake front before a guy came in one water taxi to pick us up.
We were all thrilled and looking forward to this much heard about place.
We went through the beautiful kerala and saw all beautiful house boats and the wood houses, which we generally see in TV or read in books. We were lucky to see them live.
We didnt know which side ot turn to, One moment we would be astonished at the hosue boats and at the same time we would want to look to the water canal and the beautiful sun glowing through the tall palm trees.
Well somehow managed and reached the wonderful place.I have never been to such a beautiful place. I dont know what heaven looks like but this was nothing less than that……….we were so happy that we decided to go there.
It was equally expensive but after sometime we realised that it was worth the money we were paying.
As we got down from the boat, a young lady, well dressed in a traditional kerala outfit came forward to welcome us and greeted us with Coconut water and flowers.
As we were waiting for our paper work to be done we saw so many more people roaming and enjoying the scenic beauty of the place.
Mostly they were foreigners who came for relaxation or honeymoon couples.
Well finally paperwork was done and we headed towards our cottage house. The walkway was also very nice and lush grassy. eye catching flowers all around.
There were 3 types of rooms available. One was the normal single bed room. The other was like a small house with a hall downstairs and a bed room upstairs.(this was the one we had taken) and the third was the beautiful whole house wiht dining room and swimming pool included.
We reached our room and were more than happy to see it.
But before we could relax….bells started ringning in our stomachs.
They had this grand buffet with all sorts of food. Indian, eastern, western, veg and non veg you think of something and it would be there.
We reached there and were really excited to see the good variety of food. People serving there were too good, frankly these words are just not enough for them.
Sudhar was a little upset as he had mouth ulcer and was not able to enjoy the food…………poor guy somehow managed with the food.
I remember the best thing about it was the special jeera water they gave us. We literally loved it and got it to our room in a bottle.
And somehow they also knew that we liked it because the moment we would enter the dining hall they would instantly get us this hot Jeera Water.
Among the people serving, One young lady was very sweet and got very friendly with us. Had a very pleasing smile too. There was another woman who was all showing off, and we didnt like her, as she was biased and would only help and talk to foreigners :)…silly people still live with that mentality.
I also fulfilled my dream of tasting RED WINE there.:)
Well as these surprises and happiness came along, we also had a little problem which kept bothering us on the whole trip. Although we never spoke about during that time, I am sure both of us were equally worried about it and that was our VISA!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, sudhar’s visa papers were in the consulate and even after 2 or so weeks we didnt receive it and imd from cochin, we were going to chennai for my Visa Interview…but I need his papers to get mine.
Well not thinking of it we continued to enjoy the wonderful place, the good food and the nice peaceful atmosphere.
Our room was situated just next to the back waters and we could see the happennings in the lake from our room. Occasionally the local fishermen passing thru would stare at us, perhaps wondering how much we would have paid for something they live out everyday.
There was also an Ayurvedic healing centre where we got medicine for sudhar’s throat ulcer.
We also had a hammock tied outside our room so spent a lot of time there too, mostly after dark.
Well we didnt know how the time passed by and finally it was time for us to start.
We also went out in a boat to see the very famous yellow sunset there. It was defintiely an eye capturing scene. we wont forget that moment for sure.
we didnt get any info about our VISA yet, so we decided to cancel my appointment because if we won’t cancel it before 24 hours we might not get an appointment for the next 90 days.
So we cancelled my appointment and headed back to chennai.
We half heartedly got into the boat reached the land exitng the island. The young lady from the dining hall, rushed out to wave a happy good bye to us. It was so nice of her. We told ourselves that we should visit again just for that nice lady’s hospitality. We got into a car at the other end of the lake and after a drive of about 1 hour, we reached cochin airport.
This was my first ever flight trip, but as usual i didnt react much,. I was in a dilemma between feeling happy abt the trip, my first flight, and feeling dull and morose about the visa issue.
We reached chennai and I was in severe ear pain, not bearing the air pressure difference inflight. Spent few days at my home luckily. As we were planning to postpone our tickets, we got a mail saying that sudhar’s papers were cleared and that it will reach us in a day or two.
We heaved a sigh of releif. Again more confusion……….we were never free of it!!!!!
Preponement of the tickets, again reschedule my appointment. Oh My God!!!!!!!!!!!! can’t really express how we felt then.
But we were so lucky that I got an appointment. I remember the day we postponed my appointment there were no dates available inbetween, but fortunately the day we wanted to prepone my interview we got just one date that too 2 days before our original trip.
Another major Block…getting the VISA and by God’s grace I cleared it. I still remember how much we avoided to talk about what would happen if I didnt get the visa. I also remember how impatiently sudhar was standing outside the consulate and was not even able to react even after he saw me smiling while coming out of the main entrance.
But yes i got the visa and the paper back on time and everything had fallen in place at the right time.
We went back to coimbatore, in this running around process we couldnt spend time there with them, we had decided to stay 2 more days there but alas!!!
As also we had another short trip to kumbakonam temple and to sudhar’s native village.
Little confusion…..and it spoilt the whole plan…..We will surely make it up next time…….
After all this, Everything worked out and we reached Newark Airport..That story i shall continue some other time……
I think as sudhar’s friend, ganesh suggested ‘Coconut Lagoon’, we definitely owe a big thanks to him :) for introdcing this wonderful place to us..
I also wanna add something here……….
During all this i missed my grandfather veyr much who left us all just 2 months before my marriage.I know how much he was excited and looking fwd to it .He would have been very happy if he would have been here with us today.But somehow i feel he is with us mroe now, he went up there and requested god to help us and thats how everything is good and in place today.We r together and with us my grandpa is…….
I miss u thatha……..miss you very much..please be with me forever and ever!!!
Bye
Good night

I know its been ages that i posted my blogs but its jsut sheer laziness nothing else.The thing is that when i am eagerly waiting for something to come my way i just cannot concentrate on anything else.Sometimes i myself think how am i able to carry on with the other things like cooking tv etc.
I remember the old days when i was with my mom and family back in india, and if i was sulking for something i literally wont do anything.
I will switch on the tv swap channels for 10 mins and then switch it off go to another room switch on my comp, login and imd logoff now what?? go to the kitchen open few boxes and peep in looking for something to eat and also crying that there is nothing good in this house to eat.Again go to someone and start a dumb conversation which will have no meaning and scope…………
This is how my life was in those days.Howmuch ever people would try to help me i wont take that help and will stick to my sulking and brooding mood.
Now its a little different i dont know if marriage changes a person so much, i still want to sulk about not getting an apointment with the FIT Chairperson but somehow dont feel like doing it.May be because i dont want to give a big shock to Sudharshan but still even now sometimes i do that unknowingly and unwillingly poor soul manages it really well.
I havent yet got the appointment with the FIT and i wanna do the same thing, i almost did the same the difference was that i didnt create that much of scene…..Saturday and sunday were like 2 centuries but somehow the weekend passed peacefully.
Saw Kuch na kaho.We were just home the whole weekend, went downstairs and captured the most beautiful scene “Skyline of Manhattan” into our new Handycam.
Came back had something to eat .Sudhar was busy with his studies most of the time.
I was asusual logging into my messenger some 100 times.Spoke to Sushi and gave her some advises….ha ha ha cannot believe i am doing that.There was a time when every single person used to give me some advise and i used to hate that and today i am doing the same….Hope sushi doesnt feel the same:)
Spoke to Nagalakshmi, she was asking if i am willing to sell my toys, but i siad i havent yet decided.May be i can, it seem to be a good idea…………lets see what i have in store for me…………..

I think this blog is going total meaningless , i started it somewhere and its going somewhere else.
I am sorry for the bore…………shall try to write something useful and meaningful next time
By the way wanna say thanks to all of those who posted all encouraging comments and thanks for your wishes too……
Today morning Sudhar said that he feels that this week is gonna change everything in my life for something very good…Just waiting for that…..
bye
Tata

I know its very strange subject.QUESTION MARK but i dont know what to write in the subject, as also i dont have any specific matter to write about.
Well the weekend was asusual, nothing much.Went out buying few crafts items and to the temple met Hari/Visa.Got saradu for myself visa and sushi(am yet to post it to her!!!!)
As always the weekend flew off.Friday nights are so good because we have 2 great days to look fwd to but sunday nights are so bad and boring as the week starts ,bringing along lots of busy schedules.
Well i am sure many of u are thinking y i am worried about weekends and busy schedules, but what to do?I am connected with my husband and him being busy means me getting bored.
Off late i have started feeling bored at home especially during the day times.My main timepass during the dya is GYM.I spend a lot of time there but i still dont know if its that helpful.Other than that i do a little bit of crafts toy making and stuffs.
You knwo what?? one fine evening when we were starting to go out for a dinner with Sudhar’s colleagues we came across this Toy Design Course @ FIT.I remember we were so excited about it.WE slowly started thinking about it and now we have come quite far with our thoughts.
We contacted the School, spoke to them and they agreed to meet me with my portfolio although the date for the Fall Admissions is over.
I dont know what the standards are here like and i also dont know if i am apt for it?But still wanted to give it a shot, I didnt wanna lose this oppurtunity.I do make stuffed toys as a hobby but a course, its so good to even think about it :).
I have started working on my portfolio doing a little bit of things and also asked my mom to send me snaps of few of my work back in India.
But stil each and every moment i am living with the fear of what if i dont get it?

It might sound very simple and easy to think and to say for people “What if you dont get, try something else”?? But its not veyr simple for me.
I have had a major tragedy linked wiht me. I and studies probably dont go together, and one incident spoilt everything in my life.
All my aims,all my feelings to grow furthur to study died with it.
All these years i did my graduation and studies just for the sake of it, was never this interested so much in it.
I am seeing myself so excited and enthusiastic about something and that too a course ater so many years.I dont knwo how it has come all of a sudden.But now when i am willing to do it i dont wanna fail again.
This failure scares me .I might sound really silly saying all this, but i ahve developed a kind of phobia for exams schools tests etc.
I can already feel the stress developing inside me. Physically and mentally. I cannot take it furthur, i just wanna get in their and need to fight against all this.
And i also know that i am a pain for the person who is with me when i am totally stressed out. God give strength to that person…:)
I feel that once i get it i shall do good. It might take sometime for me to adjust to learn this technology and way of studying and also to come upto their level but i am sure i can do it.
I just hope i get a chance to do it.Sushi , Sudhar and my mom are being very helpful and supportive .They encourage me a lot. Thanks…
This is the only upcoming thing right now.
So many things are pending because of it, my shopping nails etc etc.
Now have to wait and watch if i a get a chance to do all this??? Will i be able to do it??
Shall attend the interview and let u all know about it.
Bye and wish me luck