An Update :)

Posted on December 9, 2012 by Jyothi Nair

I haven’t blogged since Diwali. In fact I have barely read blogs since Diwali. This has been an amazing few weeks of my life. Not because I was away from blogging. I missed it miserably, but because of other things that kept me totally busy for a change.

I spent the first week planning a holiday in Istanbul with the hubby and kids. It was my Birthday gift. So how could I say NO, save the money.

Then my post got posted on Parentous. It is the first time I have posted outside my own space, and I think that went quite well. [Psst.... Please do go and comment there ]

Then there was this sudden trip to Muscat that I enjoyed immensely. You can read about my experience here.

My son fell ill after that for two days and it looked like we might need to cancel our travel plans. But then he got better quickly and we left for Istanbul to celebrate the UAE National Day Holidays there.

The post and photos on Istanbul will follow soon. I have been down with a throat infection ever since I got back. Today I feel a lot better and I actually sat down to write two posts at a go.

Since I can update my FB Photography Page from my phone, that was going on smoothly. Please do visit my page and click on “Like” to get updates from there. You can find the link on the right sidebar too. I am in love with that page and it is getting my full attention these days.

Hopefully, I should start reading and commenting on blogs soon. I am still on medications, so please forgive the slow pace.

And Oh yeah, I celebrated my 39th birthday on the 5th of December. I am year older now, and I am sure none the wiser. But then again, age has nothing to do with immaturity. I am like this only.

The cake was the best I ever had till date. I heated it up the next day because my sore throat couldn’t take in cold things. It was thaaaat good!

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Our New Garden

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Jyothi Nair

A garden is a sign of settling down in a place. I guess I have finally settled down in my new home. I also have done a few changes to the decor in the house to make it look different. But certain memories here will never fade away ever as long as I live in this house. That’s good. At least it will keep reminding me of the near collapse that we almost faced. A bold reminder of the turmoil my life went through over a span of 6 months.

The beauty of these plants hopefully will not fade in the hot summers that are coming our way. I am keeping my fingers crossed and saying a silent prayer each time I water them. Keep them healthy God, please. A fresh blossom of a plant in my own balcony feels like a birth of a new life, depicting a breath of fresh air or soothing rains on an otherwise parched soul. Poetic ain’t I?

Chrysanthemum Plant

Gardenia Plant

Jasmine Plant

Hibiscus Plant

Tulasi Plant

Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Jyothi Nair

It’s better to start the New Year doing something that you generally don’t do on normal days. It’s a way to mark the importance of a particular day.Jan 1 , 2012 was not a perfect day. It had its flaws.

Being perfectly imperfect is the key to happiness. Never wish for things to be perfect. Never wish for people to react the way you want them to. These are my mantra’s for the New Year. I repeat, I have no resolutions, just mantras for a better living. Reduced to almost nil expectations from people and life. Then whatever comes your way will be worth appreciating.

Jebel Hafeet, is a must destination for anyone coming to Dubai. It’s almost two hours drive from Dubai. If Bangalore is considered the Garden City of India, then Al Ain needs to be considered the same of United Arab Emirates. It’s a part of Abu Dhabi Emirate. The Jebel Hafeet mountains is on the Oman border with the UAE. The rocks are said to be formed from sand deposited over the years. Though its a barren area, they have managed to convert into a must see tourist destination. The view from top is absolutely beautiful. During the winter months, be prepared with sweaters and ear muffs. It gets quite windy and cool up there.

Mehendi Session

Posted on November 6, 2011 by Jyothi Nair

Eid Mubarak!

Eid means Mehendi and Biriyani to me. Yesterday we had Fish Biriyani at my sister’s house and then the daughter and I got Mehendi designs done. I think our Eid Celebrations end there. The reason?

1. Hubby can’t enter the country until his new visa is processed( He changed his job recently) and is in Kochi right now. Since it’s Eid Hols the entire week here, nothing official will happen until next Sunday.

2. The kids have exams starting Next Sunday!

I am finding it very difficult to get them to sit and study when all their old friends from the CBSE schools are enjoying (their exams are over).

Its astonishing that no new Hindi or Malayalam movie has released ,this Eid, here. At least I could have persuaded the sis and bil to take us for it. Not that I need them to go for movies. I took the kids to watch “Ra.One” and “Adventures of Tin Tin”. The metro is really handy that way. Parking and the traffic can be a headache during hols here!

I am posting some more pics of the Mehendi here. I hope you don’t think that they look “Bhayanak” or “Scary”. I love the smell, color and the cooling effect of Henna/Mehendi. This is the only time the schools will permit hand designs. The Daughter doesn’t like doing “illegal” things. She sticks to her uniform code to the core.(I wonder for how long!)

So I have been keeping myself with updating my music blog. I sometimes wonder why I do it. But then, maybe its the only thing keeping me sane these days.

I have not been visiting and commenting on blogs that much recently. The reason is that I prefer to keep my mouth (keyboard) shut when not in a good mood. I am hoping that will change today!

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Grande Arche – Paris

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Jyothi Nair

We were equipped with the Paris Pass Guide Book, plus a few Metro,REM, bus and rail maps. That’s the confidence with which we began exploring Paris. The most Romantic City in the world was the destination of a lifetime for us. It was our 15th wedding anniversary and this trip was to make the occasion more special. A place like Paris has a lot to offer. Either it be for honeymooners, retired folk, young folk or even the kids. The Paris Pass even tells you the course to follow if you want a specific kind of tour of Paris.

Though there was a family course to follow, we couldn’t follow their time table. Hence, we made our own route. The first place we landed at was the Grande Arche at La Defense.

This part of Paris, is considered the Technology Hub, with a lot of companies opening offices in the buildings surrounding this Arche. Compared to the other parts of Paris, this place has more modern high rise buildings. The color code of this place, with a vast ground and steps, makes this modern monument a place to relax and enjoy some family time. The Perfect setting to take in the calmness of an active Parisians Friday Evening Rendezvous Point.

THESE PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE UPDATED SOON. THEY ARE IN A HARD DISK IN A DIFFERENT COUNTRY. WAITING TO GET IT BACK!

Enchanting Munnar – May 2011

Posted on June 16, 2011 by Jyothi Nair

Even though this was not a properly planned vacation, it turned out to be a refreshing one. Since it was a last minute decision, there was an issue with the non availability of good accommodations. According to me, Tall Trees is a good option. There were no rooms available when we checked through their website. But when we checked through Expedia, we were able to book a cottage for ourselves.

We were under the impression that maybe Expedia has a special booking scheme with them, which makes the cottages available there. But we were in for a shock when we called up the resort with our reservation number. They said, there were no cottages available at all. Apparently they had not updated the information. Its just a matter of 6 hours or so by car from where I live to Munnar. So If we had just landed straight in Munnar without calling up first, we could have always come back the same day. But imagine if you had done the booking from overseas and this happens! I have no idea how they would accommodate the customers then!

Anyways, we had to settle for a smaller cottage (and there are many in Munnar), but we stayed only for a night and two days instead of the three night/four days we had initially planned.

The place is perfect for Honeymooners and for elderly couples to rest and relax. Munnar doesn’t offer many tourists attractions. There are dams and wildlife sanctuaries to visit. Since it was not the season for it, we didn’t take the Safari into the forests. We did Visit the Kanan Devan’s Tea Factory. The kids wanted to get back home soon, there was nothing for them there. But they too wouldn’t deny the peaceful effect the place had on us. It was cool, the rooms didn’t even have a fan. Even then we were quite comfortable. We were lucky enough to have missed the heavy rains there, and the bit of sight seeing that we did do there was cool and not wet.

I forgot to take my camera for this trip! So these are the mobile pictures. The beauty of the place cannot be captured by any lens though. It was mesmerizing.

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Eiffel Tower

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Jyothi Nair

What is a trip to Paris worth if you don’t get to see the famous “Eiffel Tower” , up close and personal. Our third trip to the base of the tower was the one that finally got us entry into it.

The first day, the day we landed, we were too tired to climb anything. We even turned down the free entry to walk up the 300 odd steps of the Arc de Triomphe. But that’s an another post altogether.

The Second day, we were shocked to see the serpentine queue that awaited us. We enquired at the information counter, if there was a way we can by pass this queue. We were informed that if we buy tickets online, then we can enter through a special entrance, without standing in the queue. But you need to book at least a day in advance and the tickets are limited too!

We were thankfully able to book the tickets online here that night at the hotel and made it up all the three floors of the Eiffel on the Third Day.

It was an amazing experience. The sights from atop the tower is mesmerizing. They sell champagne in glasses there. It’s a perfect place to propose to your sweetheart. Kissing is a common sight in Paris, so don’t be surprised if you see it in abundance on this tower.

There are restaurants on the first and second floor of the tower, with all the basic and essential necessities, souvenir shops and amenities.

It was a wonderful experience which will remain in our hearts forever.

We got to see the Eiffel Tower Glitter while we were on a cruise on the Seine River. The Tower glitters every hour in the evenings. It’s an amazing sight.

(Pictures taken by my Son and Daughter)

THESE PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE UPDATED SOON. THEY ARE IN A HARD DISK IN A DIFFERENT COUNTRY. WAITING TO GET IT BACK!