And that's 1 year up!

Dear Karthik,
Today as we complete one full year of being together, I only think its appropriate I dedicate a special post to you :-) The year has flown past us and I've learnt a lot in this short span. We've had some wonderful times together and also some "not so great" moments... Through this post, I do want to let you know how much I appreciate the things you've done for me. I know you work very hard to provide for me, for us and to ensure we are in a comfortable situation. I love the cozy home we have along with every gadget possible to make things easy for me especially in the kitchen. I love that you don't think twice when I say I am lazy to cook(I know I've done this a lot especially last year when we'd just gotten married) and would immediately get takeaway food. I love how you say "Lets get away somewhere every month". Now this is not a luxury that everyone can afford and I'm truly lucky! :-) And you do mean it... I have totally enjoyed all the trips we've done this one year - Kumbakonam, Tanjore, Madurai, Rameshwaram, Bangalore, Kerala, Delhi etc
Eagerly waiting for that long vacation coming up in October! :P
What really amazes me is that when I expect you to be angry with me, you just don't even get the least bit annoyed. Still remember the night when I had gone out with my girlfriends and came back late in a "not to nice state".. you ensured I was ok, you tucked me into bed so tenderly, searched the road and the entire building for my phone at 2am, was up early the next morning washing clothes and basically doing all the chores that I normally do, just because you knew I was too tired to do anything. And till date, you haven't mentioned a word of it and it goes on to show that you are extremely broadminded and liberal. I couldn't have imagined living with a man that wouldn't give me my sense of space and freedom. I thanked my stars for not letting me get married to someone that was narrow minded and even more thankful that I chose the right person :-) Thanks for having been there, it truly meant a lot to me!
I love how you are slowly but steadily building a nice rapport with my family and friends. For a person like you, who hates to socialize, I know it is a bloody big deal to handle TMK(!!) and I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see you smiling, talking, wishing them on birthdays/anniversaries etc. I really hope to be able to do the same, or at least 50% of it, with your folks and friends, someday.
I also love other smaller things that you've done for me - like how you are so patient in certain ways. For instance, when I have trouble getting my gold earrings in, I love how you come and sit next to me and patiently help me, all the while ensuring that I don't get hurt. Fussing over me when I cough/sneeze just once. And then of course constantly follow up with me to ensure I've taken my medicines :P
All the romantic things we've done - Night drives, ice cream, eating at shady joints after a fight, watching movies cuddled up in our bean bags, off roads, sunrise photo sessions, watching cricket with me even though you hate it so much.. gawd..I could just go on.. all these mean so much to me..
You push me to give my best. While I've not been able to deal with this completely, I know that if I take things in the right stride, I will be a better person. It has stressed me out a lot in the past, which has led to a lot of fights/arguments between us. I do realize that it is part of your personality and you expect the best out of everyone especially me. I am trying hard to change myself and become more responsible. However, today as I look back, I can only think of all the fun times we've had. These small areas of concern don't seem like such a big deal anymore! ;-)
You've put up with a lot of my nonsense this one year. Hope it hasn't tired you out completely, coz honey we have a lifetime ahead of us and you better be ready to do this on and on and on... especially my cooking which I know is a work in progress.. :-( I really hope to get there someday! lol
Thanks for being there for me & with me this last year... Cannot tell you how excited I am about taking off to Kodai this week...You're the "awesomest" thing that's happened to me... And I'll treasure you for life!
Happy 1st Anniversary, Karthik.
Love,
Aishu 

Contemplating...

One thing I've noticed about myself off late( and my best friend confirmed it this morning) is that I'm losing my temper too easily. U see I'm a very patient person. It takes a lot..like a LOT.. for me to lose my cool. And when I do, God save the other person. I usually save it for once in a year kind of situation.. yes I'm weird that way. Now, post marriage, I'm ready to snap and swear at just about any time. Hmmm. Wonder if there is a connection there?

You see my husband is a perfectionist(or at least he would like to think so) and I'm anything but that. Our friction arises here. Initially, it used to make me wonder if I was the one with the problem. Later I would accuse him of being silly and abnormal(not proud of it at all). But now, as we complete one year of marriage, I realize that it is more of a personality issue. He is not wrong. But then neither am I. We just need to understand and work it out between us. So the last few months I have tried to do things that would make him happy(ier). It could be small things --at least in his eyes, but for me it took a lot of effort. And when he would still crib about things not happening or not being in place, that is where my stress levels would rise. And I would snap back! 

I sit here wondering how things can be different. Coz I would really do anything to make him a happy person. Like anything. Yoga is something I'm seriously contemplating. I know. Again, I'm more of a gym/aerobics/dance class kinda person. But then I've heard Yoga helps you relax and I think that is what I need to do at this moment. Will be back later, hopefully in a better frame of mind. Peace.
I'm leaving you with a couple of songs that makes me feel very ummm..mushy? Dunno. Or maybe peaceful. Oh in general gives me a nice high. Enjoy listening.. Later!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2PQtEnLv-U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiItLWWxgOI

My 1st birthday as a married woman :-)

22nd April 2012 - 5:45 am - @ home

I wake up hearing music in our room. I know for a fact its not my ringtone but it wasn't K's either.. But it kept ringing so I got up thinking maybe he changed it. I walk to his side, check his phone and its blank. I quickly walk back to check if it is my phone and nope, wrong again. By now its gotten pretty loud and our man is still blissfully asleep. I was like.. "WTH"! By now, I'm convinced there is someone in our room and its pitch dark. I am slightly freaking out.. what if there is a robber or someone who broke into our house? And then I see light on our mirror.. like flashes of red... and its coming from underneath our bed. Oh oh! I quickly peep and guess what I find....

Isn't it the cutest thing on planet earth? Hahaha. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.. but yup as you can see, my birthday started with a loud bang.. literally!! And I saw a little note next to it which read...

Now I'm like a treasure hunt... Err.. Its too early to start running around.. so let me rest for a bit and then begin. By which time, our man has woken up and wondering "why the hell isn't she running around to find her gifts".. which led him to start being grumpy.. and then I get up and start looking.. and kept lookin and kept lookin.. Gosh.. I got so many gifts.. but the treasure hunt.. Grrr.. He made me run all around the house!!! And to the car downstairs around 3 times...

Some of the clues were super tough.. but of course there were some classic moments.. Sample this.. 

"Look in the coolest place of the house". The first thing that comes to my mind is the AC! I jump up and down, looking near both Ac's in the house, at the stabilizer and all sorts of places near it.. Nothing.. And then it hit me.. It's the freezer.. DUH!! Rotfl. Ok ok, blond moment I know. But I was smart enough to unravel the clues and get to all my lovely gifts.. the alarm was one of course, then I got earrings, perfumes,
a fridge magnet that says "I love cricket", a baggage tag that says "The Lost Girl", the cutest ANGRY PIG(see below and you'll agree!), a gift voucher from Oryza(Yipee!) and many more such lovely gifts.. thanks a ton, K! :-) 

Then we headed to lunch with the parents and in laws.. was nice.. I had to definitely visit the grandparents as well and ended up spending some much needed quality time with them. I stayed until around 6ish, met the uncles/aunts etc  

I am quite exhausted by now and I enter the house and guess what.... SURPRISE!!! 

It was super cute... Sne, Ashwin, Sanju, Mosh and K had gathered around, decorated the house with balloons, got a yummy chocolate cake, and generally made is so much more special! thanks a ton guys.. u are the best!! :-) 

Of course, I treated them to some nice Chef Express pizza and garlic bread and we danced around, laughed a lot and generally chatted.. was super fun! 

To all my friends who called and wished and made it much more special.. THANK YOU. MERCI BEAUCOUP!! What a lovely way to turn..err.. a year older :P 

Here's my latest buddy - Isn't he absolutely adorable! Sigh.

Destination Bangalore!

Hi ya folks!
Back from a highly rejuvenating, extremely funtastic trip to Bangalore this weekend. It was extra special because it was the first time we were driving our new car on the highway and I must say it behaved very very well! :-)
So we leave home early morning on Friday, our drive was quick, thanks to the lovely toll roads and the elevated highway in Bangalore. We reach Bangy around 11ish and change to head out to lunch with one of K's MBA friends. We went to this place called "I & Monkey", which had a nice ambience but the lesser I talk about the food, the better. Best part about Bangalore is of course you get beer/alcohol in abundance :P
"V" was a real fun person, extremely chatty and nice to hang out with. Then K takes me on a nice, super long walk around town... he showed me his college, the places and pubs he used to hang out in, talks endlessly.. Yep, that's right, the boy can talk & talk & talk... He was so thrilled to relive his old memories in Bangalore. I'm surprised the boy didn't settle there. We then head to Brigade Road, I wanna shop but decide to hold it off until the next day. By which time, we were ready to head to "Toit", which is this cute little brew pub on Indranagar. They brew their beer in house, K was in seventh heaven, it seemed :) The music was good, overall very nice place to chill out.. would have been even better had there been a bigger gang, of course.
We call it an early night, thanks to us waking up at 4am and not resting all day.
DAY 2: We wake up early, head to the restaurant for a nice Udipi style breakfast, come back, watch tv, relax and K promptly falls asleep! We had promised to meet one of my FIL's bestest friends for lunch at the Army club. So we again start walking(we really loved the walks, especially at nights). I sneak into a handicrafts store and start buying up the place, K heads to a book store and we are at peace without each other for a bit. After about an hour,we head to the Club. Nice looking one, that too. We meet JP uncle, have a nice time chatting. And then again do a quick tour of the city... K shows me the house where his folks used to live, the Madras Sappers mess(that's the FIL's army regiment), the hostel where my beloved K stayed(!), the army ground etc etc etc. Then the much needed retail therapy... Commercial Street. Lol. I was on my own for the most part and had a blast. Shopped. Shopped and Shopped! Can never tire from it.
We then head back, again change and decide that we want to have a late nighter.. So we first go to Hard Rock - chill out and enjoy the music. And then go to this place recommended by his friend, V called the Skyee Bar in UB City. Sooper nice place.. I loved the music! Very romantic indeed :) We party our asses off, and have a coffee and then troop in late. Phew. We've had a lonnggg day indeed. We crash.
Day 3: And wake up early again, and decide to have "Topi Dosa", which my MIL said I must try. Was cute and tasty of course. By this time, its hit me that it was time to head back :-( We pack, we start our drive back, we talk about our lovely weekend throughout. Good times indeed! But I cheer up because I'm going back to Bangalore in May for K's cousin's wedding. So I'm not too disappointed.
Overall, SUPERB TRIP! :-) 

Introducing the latest member of our family....

There's been quite a bit of action this past week/weekend. First and foremost, I have a very important person I'd like you all to meet. We brought it(still unsure if it's a "he" or a "she") home on Saturday night. Doesn't it present such a pretty picture? Welcome home sweetie!!  I hope you enjoy being with us as much as we love being with you! Cheers to us! :-)

Of course this did mean we had to leave the good ol' gypsy back at the service station temporarily and K and I missed him dearly. Sweets, just because we left you back, doesn't mean we love you any lesser. You have been and will always be a very important part of our lives! I miss u already, waiting for K's next offroad.
So now that we have a new car, step two is to of course plan a road trip!! And Friday, the 23rd being a holiday, we have decided to head straight to Bangalore for the long weekend. Wohoo. I'm super excited, I haven't seen Bangy in forever.. Waiting to just chill out and indulge in some much needed retail therapy.
On another note, I'm just so so glad that dear Sachin made history by becoming the first cricketer in the world to hit 100 centuries!! What an achievement. Seriously! Congratulations Little Master, u are indeed the God of cricket. Super proud of you.. Keep going this way, no matter what the rest of the world says!!! :-) I would also like to take this opportunity and wish all the March bday babies -- Tanu, Gautam, Maxi Chitti, Mala, Krish & Ganesh a very happy birthday!! Alright people, I'm off now. Catch ya'll later. Ciao!

What am reading..

The Immortals of Meluha, which is Book 1 in this Shiva Trilogy, by Amish Tripathi.. Not a very big fan of mythology/religion etc but this one was very engrossing and I finished the book in a day much to my husband's annoyance! :P  Eagerly waiting to lay my hands on the 2nd and 3rd ones! Miss. M are you listening? :-) 

Road trip update!

K and I went on another road trip end of Feb - this time to Madurai/Rameshwaram/Dhanushkodi. Tamil Nadu had dream like roads.. no kidding!! We reached Madurai well before our expected time of arrival... and crashed for a bit. First stop in the evening was of course the Meenakshi Temple. I don't really have words to describe how beautiful this temple was(is). The architecture was brilliant. It was calm, peaceful and serene. The lights on all 4 towers were lit up and made a pretty picture. We revisited the temple next day early morning, this time we actually prayed ;-) Breakfast was at our very own Murugan Idli Kadai, K says this was the original.. so there's no way am leaving Madurai without going there! It did live upto its expectations.. great stuff! We then drove to Rameshwaram which took us about 3 hours.. you know somehow I've always thought that TN was not too green. You will be surprised.. the drive was so pretty, with green fields all around.. Sigh. Made a quick dash in to the Rameshwaram temple, didn't do the dip in the holy water, we decided we would come back later in our lives to cleanse ourselves :P
Then the drive to Dhanushkodi began.. Man this is one awesome scenic drive. We cross the Pamban bridge, and after a point all you can see is blue water on both sides... Picture perfect!!! Supposedly the water gets really rough on one side, but I guess it was a low tide that day so both sides were calm. Once we reached Dhanushkodi, K said he would drive me along the coast on the sand. Wowie. That was one exciting ride, the offroading began and went on and on and on.... until we reached a point which was literally No Man's Land! Just a narrow strip of land, and clear blue water on both sides.... we played in the beach(es) and had fun. We waited and waited for one thing though.. and here it was finally...

The sunset!! One of the most beautiful ones I've ever seen... Totally worth all that time we waited... Good job, K! :-)
We then started our drive back to Madurai, was quite an adventure.. we reached quite late that night and we were super tired. Next day was all about doing the usual touristy stuff.. went to the Madurai Palace which was again beautiful!

I know, so pretty na? Well well, we had a good time, Saturday night we went to the Taj Madurai which is on a slight hilly terrain.. we could see the entire city from the lawn... we drank(thats the purpose u see!) and ate and chilled out in general. Woke up late the next day and we started our drive back to Chennai. Boo. Me thinks road trips must be never ending. They are so much fun! Well here are a few more snaps I could steal from K's album.. I must say they don't do full justice to the actual picture it presents.. but nevertheless, good job K. U and your Canon are a super combo! :-)