6 May 2014

FIL-MIL Mehfil

For the first time, my MIL has been able to shake off her jet lag. She came into the kitchen early at 6 am as Sharmila and I were sipping coffee and chatting softly. The first thing MIL did was start complaining about “Kaal-ke tor baba khub-se tenechhe” meaning, “last night your dad (referring to FIL) had too much to drink”. For the first time this trip, she woke up before FIL. And she immediately started complaining that he is sleeping too much. And that alcohol is to be blamed 🙂

Sharmila, of course, had to protest (not sure why she cannot just hang back and observe and have fun)! First thing she pointed out was that MIL slept for a solid four hours the previous evening. Maybe that is why she got up early. MIL’s response was classic  – FIL slept even more the previous evening. Sharmila pointed out that the three of us were in the backyard for a clear two hours before MIL strolled in the last evening. MIL claimed that she was lying down most of the time – not sleeping. And in any case, FIL went to sleep before her. Further, she pointed out that FIL was snoring and sleeping uncontrollably due to all the drinks we three had last evening.

Sharmila missed another golden chance. Instead of baiting her mother a little longer, she blurted out – “But dad did not even have anything to drink last night. Rajib gave him some wine. But I had to have it since he did not touch it”. MIL looked at her for some time, decided that she was indeed telling the truth and finally settled down with her cup of tea. The “gojgoj kora” had stopped 🙂

And in all this commotion of arguments and counterarguments between mother and daughter, my FIL woke up and walked into the kitchen half sleepy wondering what the heck was happening 🙂

It is awesome fun to watch this family from a distance 🙂

 

5 May 2014

Intersection point right under my nose!!!

I moved to this city back in 2007. One of the first things I did was look for a running group. Thru Google (what else?), I found out about Windward Road Runners group. Joined them promptly and among many other friends I made was Samantha Taylor. I remember how funny she was and how she always left after coffee at 6:20 to get to her preschool where she was a teacher.

Ever since, we have run into each other during runs, during races and once even talked about a professional gig she was starting.

Roll forward from that day in 2007 by 7 years. This afternoon, her daughter Madeline told her “I am scared of how to draw Natasha’s 16th birthday card – her mom is a professional artist!”. And Samantha went “Wait a minute, your friend Natasha Roy has a mom who is a professional artist? What is her dad’s name?”

And as she told us the story when she came to drop her daughter for our daughter’s birthday, I found out that the Madeline who is my running buddy’s friend is the same Madeline from school that Natasha keeps talking about!!!

I missed that intersection point completely so far!!! Is that cool or us that cool?

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4 May 2014

Relaxing with the inlaws

In American culture, I am told by my American friends that “relaxing ” and “inlaws” are rarely found in the same sentence 🙂

Relaxing on a Sunday afternoon by the pool with some old “Anurodher Asar” Bengali songs with my inlaws…

So far we are 3 for 11 in terms of recognizing the old singers. My mother in law is blaming the sound speakers for that 🙂

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4 May 2014

At Sharmila’s art show

By the time we showed up for this art exhibition where Sharmila is an invited artist, one of her paintings was already sold. I was taking a few pictures on my iPhone of that painting with the Sold tag, when a lady came up and said “Please do not take a photo. I already bought it” (I guess she was afraid that I might make copies of it or something).

So, I told her “It’s okay. I have a lot of photos of this painting. My wife is the artist” 🙂

“Oh! Then it is okay”, she said, relieved.

Anyways, I got hold of Sharmila and introduced her to her patron and customer 🙂

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3 May 2014

Even if medical science fails, this human spirit will surely beat ALS.

Amitesh, Sharmila and myself went out to run a 5K at Fiesta Run to raise money to fight back ALS. Among others, we did this for Arpita’s dad.

Great crowd, great spirits. There were senior citizens walking and running, a mom pushing two of her kids in a stroller, couple of handicapped folks in wheelchairs, kids one fifth my age weaving past me… The endorphins were kicking in just due to the environment itself!!

Raced after a long time. The time was 25:26 (unofficial). It was not too bad by my standards.

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