Ganpati 2016

We celebrated Ganpati 2016 at home with friends and family. I did the cooking while mom was in charge of making modaks. Kids took charge of decoration and all of us including the angry young man were on the cleaning committee. (Here after I will refer to my husband Tejive, as the angry young man of the house.)

It was fun in fast forward because we felt like those two days with Ganpati bappa came and went really fast. I like to call the second day as showcase day because Avanti danced, Shiva played her keyboard and me and aai sang in front of our bappa. The angry young man played his role of a silent spectator.

This year we did visarjan in the Sunnyvale temple where our bappa looked like the cute little one joining his big brothers in pomp.

Ganpati bappa morya, pudhcha varshi lavkar ya!!

Professional Development

Not checked in for a long time because I am trying to balance home, work and college together. Yes college again! Recently started the multiple subject credential program in SJSU. I have been teaching students from kinder through high school as a substitute, so decided to officially enroll in the teacher-training program and get credentialed. Fall 2016 is my first semester in the program and so far I am enjoying every bit of it. Mostly all my classmates are working in schools in some teaching capacity, so it is nice to be surrounded with like-minded people, learning together to be tomorrow’s teachers.

As a part of our Science – methods class, we got an amazing opportunity to attend professional development for teachers in Monterey Bay Aquarium. This training was focused on teaching science as per NGSS – Next Generation Science Standards. We were taught to teach science with more emphasis on inquiry-based hands on training, so that students engage, explore, experiment, evaluate and investigate like scientists. The idea is to encourage our students to dwell deep in science rather than superficially touching the topic.

I have been to the Monterey Aquarium four times before with my family and as a chaperone on field trips, but this visit was like never before. We got to explore the aquarium privately before the tourists came in. We worked with live starfish, anomalies, sea urchins, hermit crabs and abalones. We touched them, fed them and studied their characteristics, structures, and adaptations. We classified fish as per their habitat and also played with the new education app to make our presentations with pictures, videos, drawings, text and audio commentary. My favorite part was the session we did on sharks. It started with observing live shark, followed by science talk and each group working independently on different parts of a shark. The whole training program at Monterey Bay Aquarium completely changed my outlook about teaching and learning science in schools.

I am really looking forward to teach science as per NGSS  in real classroom.

Nritya Hriday 2016

Megha Shetty has this tradition of hosting a dance program every year with her students in San Jose bay area. That way all of them get a chance to show what they have learned and confidence to perform on the stage. It is a bliss to watch the girls blossom as dancers year after year. Hats off to guru Megha for the passion with which she runs the whole show.

This year Nritya Hriday was held at the Sunnyvale Theatre on March 19^th. As usual all the dancers were at their best in the traditional bharatnatyam attire. According to the tradition, the dancers offer prayers to the god of dance, lord Nataraja and then wear their ghungroos to dance. Such as:

I was assigned the role of lining up the dancers backstage and I cannot stress enough, on how much goes into getting each dancer ready to perform on the stage. On an average, it takes up to two to three hours to get a dancer ready for the bharatnatyam performance with hair, makeup, jewelry, costume etc… until the last-minute touchups……. 

 This year my daughter Avantika’s group performed Alarippu, which means blooming of a flower bud. This dance form is often towards the beginning of the  dance recital program because it depicts paying respect to the god and the audience.

The Alarippu group practicing backstage….

My evergreen friend Meena and her stunning dance group

The pushpanjali group

 

With guru Megha…happy for the achievment

Me the proud mom…

And the paraphernalia paid off…..

Thank you Megha and all the dancers for giving us a beautiful and memorable evening once again.

Mid night thought

Whenever I speak to my cousin sister in Mumbai India, I feel like how come she has so much time on hand to think and do insignificant things. Every time I call her, she tells me of it being some special day on the calendar and is busy celebrating it, or is always getting something specially cooked for guests coming over. As a working woman she balances her act so well with the help of her support system, which is made of only ….. 10 people. Ten minutes on the east of her house reside her parents. 20 minutes away on the west of her house live her in laws. At home, she has two baais (maids) for help with cooking, cleaning and other chores. And when all of the above eight members of her support system are not available, she avails the help of her sister or sister in law who both live pretty close by. Hmmmm….no wonder!

I am also a working woman in California, but my support system has only two pillars….one is me and other is my husband……Most of the times my husband tells me not to count on him because of his demanding work hours….So I am kind of exhausted always and whenever I yawn on the phone, she says you sound like you are sleep deprived….da! obviously……And why not, coz it is so right! I cannot make it to the bed before 12 any day of the week. I work and I drop the kids to school, and I drive them to swimming class everyday, and I cook and I clean, and I go to bed exhausted and the routine continues …..like I am in the “Java… if then loop.” As against my sister, when I am free, I am thinking of sneaking a nap, bring take out, or thinking of the next break to school. That way, I can sleep late and not worry of the packed lunch. And so much for living abroad ……

Therefore all I can wish for at this hour of the day……sorry….this hour of the night….. is a baai!

Bye Bye 2015

Time to check out the highlights of 2015.

At the Graduation ceremony SJSU May 2015

At the Gate way of India

Good times of 2015

Lake Tahoe, Dec 2015

 

Wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Teaching

View from my new classroom

Ever since I came back from India, I boarded on the mission for job accomplishment. While doing so, one of my friends  suggested that I should start subbing. That way, I earn something and keep myself constructively busy. I quickly agreed because classroom teaching can also give me some exposure to practical implementation of my problem based learning project n grad school.

On the basis of my Masters and CBEST and CSET, I got the first long term assignment to teach in a kindergarten class. I enjoyed working with the little wonders. They made me realize how every new generation is like super breed of humans. I had never seen kids like them who do not hesitate to talk anything and everything just about anywhere they want. They could disagree unapologetically and ask adorable questions, only to leave me awe struck and  surprised together.  All my kindergartners had unique personalities that kept me going. They were cute, funny, smart, witty, nosy, quirky, naughty and completely amazing in every possible way. Our learning was not one sided because I learned a lot from them too. I am sure, the sas and the attitude that I picked up from them will help me some day.

My second assignment is a sixth grade language arts and social studies position. These kids are about five to six years older than my kindergartners, but they are equally naughty and childish. I love working with sixth graders too because their responses and reactions give me instant feedback. This bunch of sixth graders is receptive about new information and knowledge, so they are a teacher’s delight when it comes to learning and exploring educational wonders of language arts and social studies.

In the mean while, I am brushing my technical skills to hit the job market with a well rounded techno functional profile.

 

Ganpati Bappa Morya

Shreemant Dagdusheth Ganpati Pune

The tradition of  collective celebration of Ganpati  runs in my blood as a Mumbaikar. I grew up in Mumbai with huge theme based Ganpati idols, massive decorations, standing in long lines for darshan, participating in maha aartis, watching nightly entertaining programs and seeing chowpaty visarjans. Visiting Lalbagcha Raja, Ganeshgalli Mumbaicha Raja, Khetwadi Ganraj, and Sioncha Ganpati in big groups was our yearly ritual. Further, I was introduced to the Dagdusheth Ganpati Pune and the typical puneri style of Ganpati celebrations with Nasik dhol and tasha, lejim bands and ladies atharvasheersh chanting pathaks. Festivities in India are out of the world, which we definitely miss in abroad. Therefore, I catch up with the celebrations of  Ganpati arrival and visarjan  with my kids on YouTube. My kids have never experienced the festivities in Mumbai or Pune so they are overwhelmed with the kind of crowd and cheer in people. The questions they ask while watching these Ganpati videos are obvious from their perspective like why are these many people gathering in such a small place? How do these people look so happy and content?  Where do they come from and where are they going? How do these people get the time, energy and dedication to participate in these carnivals? How do people of all class and communities forget their differences during this time of the year? Are they not scared of going in the crowd? Where are food, water and bathroom arrangements for these people?

And I say..…..“It is the strength of human spirit” that goes above and beyond the obstacles, doubts and reservations of human endeavors. 

Ganala naman

2015 was the eighth year of celebrating Ganpati festival at home. I made the typical Maharashtrian naivadya of varan bhaat, batatyachi bhaji, usal and ukdiche modak.

Modakam samarapayami

The highlights of this weekend were friends coming over, visiting Bayareacha raja in New Ark, my daughter’s participation in the cultural program there and Kareoke at a friend’s place. Avantika danced in a group represented by Megha Shetty’s, Bayarea Nritya Guru.

      

The New Ark Bayareach raja reminded me of Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai and Pune. The crowd, the big lines for darshan and Prasad and the ethnic sentiments there demonstrated how our cultural ties are deep rooted within us and we carry them wherever we go.

Bayareacha raja

My NRI chashma

In this selfie we covered our driver too

This summer I went to India after four long years. Well! I enjoyed my trip, had loads of fun with family and friends. Did whole bunch of travelling…eating…reading….and shopping!

But while I was busy in my activities, I realized the massive and rapid change our navin Bharat is going through….new infrastructure, new spending power, new aspirations, new ambitions…wow! kudos to our government, our leaders and our people.

I am eager to share with you this striking change I experienced in people, places, attitudes, and choices overall. Of course my views are confined to the people I saw, met, spoke to and observed while travelling and living in cities…they definitely do not represent the whole nation and there are exceptions…so I request the readers to enjoy with open and unbiased mind…….Here’s what I saw through my LADIES NRI chashma:

• Money wise – Ten rupees is the new one rupee and five hundred note is the new one hundred note
• Everything is four times expensive…a beggar refuses to take five rupees
• Domestically – Women are stressed over their baais (household maids)
• On an average people have two to three domestic helpers, children miss their nannies over parents
• Trend wise – Artistic yoga, power yoga, hot yoga, rumba, samba are the buzz words among fitness freaks
• Bollywood dancing is hot while traditional dancing is cold
• Drinking is the new normal coz Teetotalers are abnormal
• Craze for branded stuff is out of hand
• Online shopping is hot…..shopping in crowded stores is lame
• People have moved on from yoga with Ramdev baba to herbal products with Baba’s Patanjalli
• Hanging out in malls and bowling alleys is something while time pass on kattas like the good old days is nothing
• Technologically – Virtual life on Facebook is more important than real life
• Every person from bai to dabbawalla in gaav to city is on whatsapp!
• Parties, picnics, celebrations and dev darshan all are incomplete without selfies
• Smart phones are in and mobiles with press buttons are out
• Texting on phone is trendy while face to face conversation is waste of time
• Playing games on electronic devices are cool while playing on the play ground is old school
• Fashion wise – Western outfits among women are must haves while traditional clothing is heavy…”Kon pehenta hai ab”
• In skirt without satin and saree blouse without latkan are bore
• Hair straightening is a big hit
• Tunics and kurtas over jeans or leggings is everywhere while dupattas and pallus are too much to wear
• Gold jewelry out of fashion against imitation jewelry which is most preferred
• Among the kids – Parties are incomplete without donuts, cupcakes, burgers, pizzas and pastas while Wada pav, chaat, or other gharguti items are outdated and cheap options
• Coaching classes start before seeking admission in school and college
• New student routine is school, home, tuition, TV, and computer
• Spending power – Air ports are the new railways stations and budget airline is the new Rajdhani express
• Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand trips are more common than Rajasthan and Kerala tours among senior citizens and honeymooners
• Any day anytime in cities wait to be seated in a restaurant is minimum thirty to forty minutes
• With the new construction, pollution, and population explosion it looks like urban Bharat will take over…our natural Bharat…

What can I say…change is inevitable….

India is racing change…..as someone has already said that if you do not create change, change will create you!

so my bharatiya bandhu and bhaginis…..before it is too late….adapt to this change 

Nritya Hriday 2015

I want to dedicate this post to the classical dance form of Bharatnatyam in honor of Nritya Hriday 2015. Bay area Nritya guru Megha Shetty hosts bharatnatyam dance program Nritya Hriday every year with her students. This year the nritya group hosted Nritya Hriday 2015 at the Jain temple, Milpitas on March 21^st. 

Bharatnatyam is a graceful dance form that incorporates meaningful dance and dialogue with emphasis on facial and eyes expressions embedded in sculptural poses. It is termed as natya shastra, which translates as science of theater. Bharatnatyam dance was invented in the temples of Indian southern state of Tamilnadu. Lord Shiva is regarded as the god of this dance form. The lyrics of songs, shlokas, and dialogues in the stories enacted in bharatnatyam are based in Sanskrit and Tamil language and composed predominantly in Indian classical Carnatic music.

For the past two weeks while prepping for my daughter’s dance performance I realized, just how much it takes to put up with this dance on stage. Her dance group was busy practicing for the big day, while I was busy arranging for her costume, accessories, jewelry, etc. Here, I want to specially thank Seema for letting us borrow the costume and jewelry because the mallari dance group would have been incomplete without her help.

The Mallari group with guru Megha and Meena

 

With my gorgeous friend Meena

This dance form requires custom made dress that accentuates bharatnatyam dance poses. The dancers need to have a specific hairstyle with make up and the temple jewelry to go with the whole ensemble. I think, I was stressing out more than my daughter in this process because this was her first year of bharatnatyam. I spent hours in watching YouTube videos on bharatnatyam tutorials for hairstyles and makeup. Of all, I found the hairstyle most challenging because my daughter has really short hair.

In the wing before the dance performance

After two dress rehearsals with hairstyle and makeup trials, it took me two and a half hours to get her completely ready for the final performance. Of course, it would not have been possible without the assistance of Shivani. I really admire the way all the girls in the program carried themselves and danced on the stage gracefully with the heavy getup.

The Mallari Group

The Allaripu group

 

The program got a traditional head start with an authentic Nataraja and ghungroo puja. Next up were the dances on various invocatory items of bharatnatyam like alarippu, mallari, pushpanjali, varnam, and thillana. The program concluded with some semi classical and contemporary form of dances. All the dancers looked fabulous, and performed flawlessly to make Nritya Hriday 2015 a huge success. With audiences in their ethnic clothes the aura of the auditorium was culturally rich and nostalgic because it reminded of India at its core. The whole program was covered by INDTV and felicited by Cupertino city council member Mrs. Savita Vaidyanathan. In the end, all the dancers were rewarded with a trophy and a certificate. Not only the performances on the stage, but also after watching and experiencing the backstage closely, I salute Nritya guru Megha Shetty who strives to continue the legacy of bharatnatyam miles and miles away from our home country. She inspires our girls to follow their passion by dedicating her life to dance. 

The Nritya Hriday dance troupe

With guru Megha Shetty

 

Mommy Will Clean The Mess

I found a really apt board at the deli place we went as a family for lunch after hiking on Saturday. After reading it, my family was smiling at each other and swearing on how true it is.

 

I want to dedicate this post to all the mommies in the world who clean the mess created by their children. Lets just consider the morning chaos in every household having children while getting them ready for the day. Parents fight the battle to get their children out of the bed, at the breakfast table, and drop them in the school every morning. I always thought our morning trivia would get better as the children grow up, but new challenges keep popping in every growing phase. Not to mention the mess of clothes, toys, books, papers and everything in and around the bedroom to kitchen to bathroom to hall and to the car that accompanies them. Therefore, some times  the morning situation in my house is enough to get my heart rate up without burning it on the treadmill.

I think women are genetically engineered with the crisis management skill because they do whatever it takes to uproot the cause of the mess, and flawlessly clean it to make the house spik and span for yet another messy attack. My to do list of the day always tops with clear the mess and clean the house in the morning. Sometimes it is so bad that I wonder where do I start?

Most often, I lighten up my mood by treating the cleaning process as a mission to lost and found because you will be surprised with the places where I discover lost household items. With my kind of expertise I know that  in, under and around the sofa area is rich in pencils, eraesers, markers and pens. Glasses, their cases, TV remotes, hand phones, head balms are sure to be found under the throws, pillows, or blankets. Lost home work assignments, report cards can be found under mommy’s dresser, or pillow, coz that is where they are the safest.  Daddy’s iPhone, business magazines and books are sure to be found in the bathroom coz that is his favorite place of reading while relaxing. Lost laptops are sure to be found with the DVDs and headphones, but finding lost DVDs can scare the creativity of you. Like you have to be able to digest the relation between the lost thing and its place on this mission. For example,  we were almost about to buy a new phone last month after giving up all the hopes to find it at home until  one day I found it in the freezer section of our refrigerator. It is a different thing that we had to buy a new phone anyways coz the frozen phone won’t respond, but at least my mission was successful.  

I remember one of my friends always explained the everyday morning disaster in her house by saying “My house looks like it is hit by a tornado.” Most of my friends welcome others in their house by saying “Sorry yaar! but please ignore the mess in my house.” I totally empathize with them because I am sailing in the same boat.

Although real, I imagine myself on this selfless mission of relentless work towards success as a virtual reality because my mission to lost and found is only for me to execute and you to read. Forget about acknowledging, the best part after  flipping the house to almost clean and finding things to place them in their right place is that, nobody even notices it at the end of the day.  Because, children are sure at the back of their mind that mommy will clean the mess.