Rare weather, coming home and corn on the cob

1. The weather in Nagpur is perfect right now - its cloudy, pleasant and breezy. Grandma and I sit on the swing on the terrace, gently rocking and chatting about nothing in particular. I'm happy to let her ramble on, telling me about the new neighbours and the birds that visit her bird bath and the flowers. Its a lovely morning.
2. After lunch, I plant myself on my mom n dad's bed, fighting for space with dad. It's good to laze around, doing nothing, being the kid and getting pampered. This is what I came home for - for what else is recuperation?
3. The best bhutta in the world can be had at the stalls outside VNIT's gates. The one's available in Pune seem rather poor fare, with their garnishing of salt and lemon juice. Here, there's butter and green chilly chutney (the kind that makes you go sssssssssssssss) to go along with it. Seriously, no one makes corn on the cob the way these guys do. We even got one home for grandma, and can you believe it, she ate it! She's 90!

Entertainer, variety and white

1. I'm seeing my cousin Aaditya after a long long time, perhaps a couple of years have passed since we last met. He keeps entertaining us with really silly jokes. His supply seems inexhaustible.
2. There's a handloom expo at Kasturchand Park. We're amazed at the variety of sarees available there.
3. I like wearing the crisp white chikankari kurta. Wearing white makes me feel all pristine and superior...

Coming back to life, hungry and involved

1. Coming home after almost a fortnight at the hospital seems to be doing some good for Grandma. She looked so frail lying on the stretcher when they brought her home just two days ago. Already, being in her own room, sleeping on her own bed and being surrounded by her familiar knick knack has brought in a striking change and she can sit up unaided and for longer durations. An unmistakable sign of recovery is the returning interest in life's daily activities - she asks me to find her pearl earrings and later tells dad that she'll clean the bunch of coriander he got from the market, and does.
2. Being at home, in Nagpur, whets my appetite. Is it the air?
3. Finding the time to be completely engrossed in a book. I didn't quite expect to like A Queen of Dreams... but I did. I got involved in it to a surprisong degree...

A little glutton, a big glutton and roads

1. Seeing little Ira's pictures... she's a year old, and is one cute, healthy baby. 'She's such a glutton', dad tells me indulgently.
2. Varsha Mami makes such amazingly yummy fish cutlets, I can not stop eating! She keeps frying and unloading them on our plates, and I keep gobbling them down!
3. Nagpur's clean, wide, uncluttered roads. They're such a pleasure to drive on, after Pune's chaotic roads.

Taking charge, Papa's car and taken care of

It's Papa's birthday today, so all my BTs are for that one awesome person who I can always look up to, and fall back on - my father.

1. Catching a glimpse of Papa as he walks towards me on the railway station before he sees me. And then, a minute later, letting him take charge of my suitcase.
2. Driving Papa's car for the first time (other than for driving lessons, that is...). He's nervous, and keeps giving instructions, and I keep telling him not to, but at the end of the short drive, he accepts that I don't drive that bad. Maybe there'll be fewer instructions next time...
3. My right arm is stiff and has been aching for a couple of days. Many inefficient massages later (that I give it with no appreciable result), Papa gives my hand a very comforting massage, and it really eases the pain.

And really, these are only 3 of the numerous beautiful things this day had to offer... who keeps count of those that a lifetime contains?

Morning at home, crossword and atlas

1. Waking up in my old bed at home, so snug and warm in the quilt, that I don't quite want to wake up... and then when I finally do pull myself out of bed, sitting at the dining table, half asleep, trying to make sense of what the newspapers are saying... and then mum giving me a cup of tea...
2. Solving the crossword puzzle with papa.
3. I mention to Sadu Kaka that I'm planning a trip to Ranthambore in March. Out comes his atlas, and he tells me what other places I should visit while I'm in Rajasthan.

Winter, doc and it's up, look!

1. Finally, winter lives up to its name. It's cold and its fun to wear sweaters and shawls, and stand in the balcony, basking in the soft winter sun.
2. A doctor who inspires confidence. He explains and answers questions.
3. Ashok Mama calls up to tell me that the painting I got for him is up on the wall, and I should come see it. My day is quite packed, but suddenly, Prashant Mama turns up, and he's going there anyway. I tag along.

Curls, long time no see and vrooom

1. Having a good hair day... my new hair cut has finally settled down after 3 or 4 washes, and it it now naturally falls in place. I just love the way my hair curls - no rollers needed for me, its a natural wave... and my hair is so much more manageable and soft - the water here in Nagpur definitely makes a difference in as little as two washes! (OMG! I sound like a shampoo commercial!)
2. Meeting Ajay and Uma after a gap of eight years.. it feels strange and nice at the same time... they're both so American and so sweet and eager!
3. I'm getting a car next month... and I can't wait for next month to arrive!

One up, moisturised and driving lesson

1. Nagpur has two new FM channels. That's one more than Pune... yay yay!
2. The weather here is nice. Nice for my skin, that is. My skin isn't getting all scratchy and itchy because of the dryness... which is actually quite surprising, because this time of the year, there's usually a very dry chill in the air in these parts. But a couple of days of rains have ensured a very comfortable amount of moisture in the air.
3. My first driving lesson! Papa lets me take the car on the road, and I even drive my way through a traffic signal... not as effortless as I'd hoped, but better than I'd expected!