Chugging along the 50s..

 Something just didn't fit into my thoughts these past three years and i missed publishing my Birthday Blog.  It annoyed me and continued to bother me that i was unable to keep up with my self established tradition.  A lot happened every year, plenty of exciting events, travels, a first for that year and yet i was a little out of sorts, tongue tied and it just didn't come together to be put in a blog.  A blur and a stop.

But i need to do this blog this year in order to break the poor mould.  I know i will be better off and happier once i write this blog.  

The current state of affairs around the world is plenty of confusion, anger, hunger, power grab, divisive in a lot of manners.  Then we have the natural disasters that complicates matters.  

The Hawai wildfires two years ago and the recent California wildfires were examples of some callous calls and waste of resources.  

The furious Hurricane Helene was a chance for everyone to come together and overcome the effects but as humans many chose to use that to mess with people's mind and make it more difficult to help and heal.  The gift of communication was used to hamper the efforts instead of helping the efforts to comfort and support the impacted folks.  

So many suffered and many are still feeling the impacts and these are couple of  large incidents among the many ongoing events around the globe.  But gosh, we humans don't learn soon enough from history and let it repeat till it hits that part of the non functional brain for it wake up when the slide is half way...

Forget that part, it doesn't make sense like so many things these days 😅

Five years ago, i hit the half century mark on this day and my thoughts were that,  for whatever half or quarter of remaining life time  i have left, i should make the most of it along with the people around me and possibly spread that joy to the outer circles. 

My family has been the doubled up back bone for me and my partner in life carries a lot of that load these days. My now grown up little baby is my chief advisor who rings sense into me and puts up with my hysterics with patience. Talk about switching roles.  

My mom indulges me and takes joy in scolding a 55 year old like a 5 year old.  Its adorable.  I still engage in discussions and arguements with my brother but the sibling love remains strong and intact. In fact he makes it up for GC as well. We miss her immensely.  I continue to be the younger spoilt baby sister.  No complaints there.

I am a true example of being the cutest lucky person. My in laws support me and almost all my actions. My sister in law is the amazing sibling through bonding and my father in law is the sports buff like me and we can talk about all sports at all times. My mother in law and brother in law share their awesome mouth watering recipes in true faith and trust and i sure mess it up while recreating it.  That cute part is my ego, lucky is true.

My most amazing group of students who take each day in their stride and while i teach them TT techniques, i learn about life and life hacks from them. Our sessions are the most intense hilarious sessions one can witness. 

My TT playing group who make me feel every bit a champion that i keep dreaming of becoming some day. ( Hopefully soon)

My core group of friends from my school and college days just make the days more fun.  Meeting and chatting with them really brings out the best and worst ( in a good silly way) sides of us.  The joy and laughter and sharing details of our lives. Watching our kids go through the phases we went through from a different lens brings a whole new meaning and joy. 

Last year after a lot of courage i signed up for the World Masters Table Tennis Tournament in Italy.  It was my first international appearance.  While there is always room for improvement, i was mostly happy with my performance having qualified for the main draw in all of my events. I saw breathtaking points, fantastic matches, met some amazing folks, caught up with a dear friend from Scotland  and made more friends. Our trips from the hotel to venue were always exciting and a blast. And I almost had an amazing win except i crossed the finish line mentally not physically. Lesson learnt - Stay in the moment.  I had the pleasure of playing with complete strangers as my partners for my mixed doubles and doubles event.  And that's how we make friends.  

I hope to continue working and making my game better as long as i keep standing on my own two feet, sight the single ball, play with either or both hands, land my shots on the table and don't get them returned, keep my hair in place, ok thats not important 😜

I really enjoy getting Birthday wishes, gifts are even more enjoyable and extremely welcome. I hope to keep up with my tradition of thanking each of my friends and well wishers individually for their kindness and time taken to wish me.  I say this with gratitude and lots of love.  

Don't go by that image, I am actually a lovely, cute person. That's just my game face 😊

Wishing everyone a Happy, peaceful year❤️

 

Another year, just like that....50+1

 Last year I welcomed my half century into this world in style. There was a party hosted by my TT group, another one organized by my local friends, special treat and flowers from another friend and then it got better with one of the best surprise gifts from my boys - a TT racket signed for me by none other than Jan Ove Waldner.  Having adored Waldner for ages, this surprise couldn't have come at a better age ;) 

I was happily drowning in all the love and attention. It was great and I had planned for the year.  Travel to see family and friends, attend some big sporting events, play more tournaments, read more and so on. It was a wonderful feeling.  All was well until it wasn't.  COVID arrived and stayed.  I first thought, it will hang around for 2-3 weeks and then it was still around after 2-3 months. It was in for a long haul. Sigh!! And so began the change. It wasn't all bad. I just had to refresh some some older habits. Shaking hands was out, Namaste was back.  Wearing the mask has additional benefits, other than just preventing the spread of COVID, it also promoted oral hygiene. No more fainting from your own or others bad breath.  Then there was a toilet paper shortage, so we ate less, to avoid frequent bathroom visits and saved the paper. 

Then I tried new recipes.  There were many mishits and few good hits, my boys tolerated and survived.  The frenzy was over sooner than expected and I am now back to familiar recipes. I was missing not playing TT, so started cleaning and shining the carpets and floors at home. I was on a roll, with a schedule. Then the year came to an end, I didn't have my new scheduler, I now do it on a roll over schedule. We started family walks and came across beautiful sights :)

In house traffic got busier. One way stairs often saw two way  traffic. We found all the hidden rooms and corners in the house, something we didn't achieve in a decade, suddenly was a piece of cake. Govi moved into the Pent House home office and Achyuta took the Prince's suite,  and I have the House. 

Physical Travel was out, Digital travel was in. Zoom, skype, WhatsApp  are our travel partners. Visiting in person is always the best option but given the circumstances, technology is very welcome.

Chatting and being able to see family is a lovely blessing and look forward to it.  This does not take away the fact that I would have loved to be fed and pampered, by my mom and in laws.   The year had an added bonus, I connected a little more and celebrated  many more friend's birthdays, online. These are celebrations, I might have missed, otherwise.  

I kept in touch with my senior center TT friends and members and knowing they are all well,  is wonderful. 

I wish this technology could also connect me with my missing parts - Gayathri and Damayanthi.  I know they send me their best from the other world. Miss you both.

While I wait to play TT again,  I practice Tennis with Table Tennis strokes. I huff and puff  and sweat at CrossFit. 

Things are better, vaccines are ready and the pieces of the puzzle are slowing coming together.

While I wait my turn to get the shots, I will be in touch, with family, friends and all. 

A subdued party is not my style, so watch out, soon, I will be knocking on your doors. Till then keep me in your thoughts and send me those happy wishes. Cheers to everyone's good health and happiness.😊🥳🥳

Golden Girl - 50 years in the making :)

Its official - I have attained the Golden age. I can now boast of having half a century worth of life experience.  Many saw it coming. AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) sent me a " Welcome to the "50's club" application offering senior discounts for a variety of services.  Another vendor sent me discount coupons for adult diapers to prevent any leaks that might happen. An app on my phone reminded me of all the additional medical checks,I should do after today.  Now I can walk into the senior center feeling more comfortable. In a few more years i can start claiming senior discounts at grocery stores and get cheaper movie and airline tickets too.  I even get to compete in the senior games.  Truly the golden age.
 Its been filled with lots of love beginning with my parents, who had me after my two older, smarter siblings.  The brains were distributed between my older sister and brother,  so i got all the love. They got love too but i just got more. Both, my brother and sister, would spare no efforts to let me know that they were the older ones.  More importantly, they have loved me, in spite of our pillow fights and door slamming disagreements.  

My Husband and my Son, continue to shower me with more unconditional love and put up with all my hormonal imbalances and mood swings and eat everything i cook, with or without me.  

There were a few firsts.  My Husband was a step ahead, he got to the ancient age a few months earlier and so we started the celebrations with a trip to UK, Scotland and Paris.  Family vacations are always fun specially when all of us want to do different things at the same time.  We were somehow able to sync and watched the Cricket World cup match between India and West Indies.  Dancing and cheering along with thousands of other fans and food and drinks getting spilled on your head, watching passionate fans take off their shirt and whirl it in the air and reveal their 3- 12 pack abs.  Amazing experience!  We visited the temple ( stadium and museum) of Manchester United and Liverpool.  I am sure had they let me set foot on the United field, their fortunes would have been different. Liverpool did and they are at the top of the table.  Next stop was Scotland and how can one not love that place, the people,the accent, humor?  Had the most beautiful experience with the people and the country there. That country is a piece of heaven and its pricey but its lovely. 

Paris needs little introduction.   Just a day trip but made most of it by including a trip to a Table Tennis store on route to the Eiffel tower. Paris continues to draw crowds and still maintains its charm.   World cup Cricket and Football / Soccer stadium tours done, it would not be justified, to have returned without watching Wimbledon. So we stood in the very very long line, under a very hot sun for over three hours and finally got our tickets and walked into the Mecca of Tennis.  Watched some amazing games and had close encounters with tennis stars making way to or out of courts. Not completely satisfied we decided, we have to watch the US Open Tennis as well and so we did.   Flushing Meadows - NY was as good as it could get even from the highest seats.  It didn't bother us that at times we would mix up players from that height. We could always fix that after watching the replay on the big screen. The electric atmosphere, cool temperatures, fabulous tennis is all it takes to make fans into coaches and analysts other than being non playing players like me :) 

Next, I decided to participate in my first Table Tennis Tournament ( ITTF World Veterans Tour), in almost 20 years. I was on a self imposed training schedule and very few people knew that i was planning to compete. I arrived alone in Florida but returned after meeting amazing people and making some wonderful friends and also won a couple of Bronze medals and learnt some very valuable lessons. 

A trip to India is a must and this time we went to the ancient town of Hampi. I got to learn the amazing history of the place and the people. Hampi's natural stone formations are best experienced, description and pictures do little justice.

The best part of travel to India is time with family and friends.  Our time with parents and siblings were fun even without disagreements and pillow throws.  I am extremely lucky and thankful. I have the most amazing in laws. My sister in law is my confidant and my father in law and mother in law are my biggest supporters.  

My Mom continues to make me feel like a teenager and my brother keeps reminding me that he is the older one.  These are moments, that i always enjoy and cherish. I know that my sisters and my dad are looking out for me from another world. I miss them!

My friends have been with me through most of this journey, pushing me to do the right thing, standing up for me, sharing my grief , playing TT with me, celebrating with me, reminding me that i am still very very young, bless their hearts.  Friends are special. They will all get AARP referrals, diaper discount coupons, from me. 

I have been diagnosed with OCTTPD. I have had this for a while, many close to me recognized it, but i have escaped quarantine. I have passed it on to a few others but no one has complained so i guess my Obsessive Compulsive Table Tennis Playing Disorder will be allowed to exist. Medications include, rackets, balls, tables etc.

I will be stepping into the next decade, with the support and love of family and friends, AARP card, fixed joints, maybe discounted diapers, maybe new teeth, some hair loss, poor eyesight, slower response and most  definitely  my TT  game and gear.  

This journey has been possible due to all the love and good wishes that have been coming my way so please keep them flowing and i am not shy, i accept presents too :)

ME Time again along with a little rambling :)

Three weeks ago i ordered some TT equipment from a retailer. One of the item was partially damaged and i emailed the retailer with a picture of the damaged item. I requested for the details of the exchange process. I got a chastising email about opening packages, with a hidden sarcastic apology and a store credit for the item.
I didn't catch the sarcasm for a long time and accepted the store credit like a sucker.
The point here is, i still don't get sarcasm so nothing has changed since my first year. 

I missed writing the blog last year. I was hoping to write about someone who really had an impression on me and my passion for the game. I wanted his picture and after much searching, I was finally successful last summer. I found an old ill lit, faded picture of him.  He was Gopalan, Bacchu to most of us.  A generous man who was passionate about Table Tennis and someone who flaunted his passion with utmost truth and love.  I started playing Table Tennis a bit more seriously on a regular table in a club over  summer of 1984 and those were also the time, when i would love to sleep until mid morning but Bacchu had other idea and he would walk by my house and get my folks to send me over to the club for practice at 6.30 am. I loved to play but just not at that time of night ( for me).  But i was a bit selfish back in my teens and because Bacchu used to lure us not just with promise of practice but also treated us to a nice breakfast as well. I would grudgingly show up along with a  few others. I am sure everyone there was there because of the food mostly. But somehow with his generosity along with my mother's persistence,  of not letting me spend my time loitering the streets of Matunga, Table Tennis got ingrained.  I still remember the day my mother handed me the racket with a smile. She had just set a stage for an obsession - of  a good kind.

                                            Bacchu, Milan,Arvind, HP and Harish

 Bacchu,  passed away a few years ago. But he is remembered for his kindness and passion. I have been lucky to have known him and a few others who kept adding fuel  to my passion for the sport in the most positive way. 
These past two years, i got more fit - physically and mentally. I have dedicated more hours to playing and exercise.  My phone calendar just reminded me of my Birthday.  I put reminders on my phone and to back it up, write it in my diary. So one way or another, i remember unless i forget i have a phone and i have a diary. That would mean, i am under no pressure, not stressed about time and no where to be at any time. I know, a lot of you might be thinking, that would mean amnesia. But no, that would just mean, Life is good. Aah, the joy of debunking :) Fortunately i haven't developed memory loss yet but my vision does play tricks with me. 

Table Tennis has been a big part of my life these past few years and thanks to that, i have done a few good things and i hope to continue contribute positively. I continue to benefit from my association with the senior center. I have come to know some very nice, humorous, giving seniors and that in turn is rubbing off on me, to a good extent.  I am happy beneficiary of their wisdom.

Another part of me left me for the heavens last year.  If i am starting to look like my older sister -Gayathri, now, soon i will be talking like my younger sister - Damayanthi. My older one left 5 years ago and my younger one parted ways 5 months ago. Damayanthi or Damu to many lost a hard fought battle to Cancer. Though she was my cousin sister, she was more a baby for us in the house.  Having seen her grow up and then get married and have her own little one was surreal for most part because, it was hard to digest that the baby had grown up.  She was smart, sweet and very lovable. But she wouldn't spare me when it came to arguments. She would give me more than just a piece of  her mind and shred me to pieces. She would be the grown up, at times to show me the way. She was generous in kind and mind.  Its a loss for everyone who knew her and those who could have known her.  For me,its a double whammy but i am hopeful that i can emulate some of their kindness but i can never be them.  I miss them.

Travel, family and friends are all part of my continuing journey. India, Canada, Panama, YMCA (its one of the most frequently visited place).  Meeting my school buddies and college mates, during my trips to India and now Canada too, is a highlight and i really appreciate them taking time to come and meet me and share food, fun and laughter. 
Time stops when we meet because it feels as though we never moved on :) Our kids look at us oddly when we burst out laughing loudly and high five each other. They have the look that says "GROW UP"  :)


Family has been great. They continue to put up with my moods and tantrums and hormones.  They have resigned to the fact that i am who i am so they make the adjustments. Spending time with my mom, my brother, my in laws, chasing and playing with my little niece is beautiful. I am truly blessed to have them all in my life.

Every year there are a few firsts for me.  I have been a member of YMCA for years but was a no show until a few months ago. Thanks to a close friend, i put the membership to use and it has become a frequent destination. The trainer along with the other folks there are cheerful and motivational. I learnt the use of a lot of the equipment, for the first time.  Never too late to learn something new.
Those who know me, know, how i feel about driving. I am the happiest passenger but a very forced driver. But last year saw me driving for 4-5 hours straight.  I drove not just once but a few times on holiday road trips. Before that 4-5 hours was the maximum i would drive in a whole week. That was a first.  But i am still a very "driven person".

I also graduated to being a High School Mom now.  My son is having an annoying time, with me, trying to act cool. 

I still drive my CRV and take care of it like a Ferrari.  Haven't shopped at Harrod's yet but Amazon and some TT retailers have made much money out of me. I still like Birthdays and the wishes that come along with it and i welcome chocolates and gifts as well.  
This year, i hope to read more, cook more, eat less, stress less, smile more, play more!
  

Once again - It's HP time :)

I never complain about Birthdays.  I like Birthdays even mine but to have another one so soon, means that i will have to tone down the celebration a bit or maybe not! Just feels like a couple of days ago, i welcomed another year to my age and here i am, once again doing the same.  Well, looks like while i enjoyed all these days in the past year, time went by and the next Birthday came knocking.

Since taking the road to 40, my learning speed and direction seem to be cruising well. My brain map seems to comprehend much more though can't vouch the same for my body.  I still have to hold on to my joints lest they go missing or a muscle falls off place and my eyes see more of the same at times.
So as long as they stay together, the management is fine.  

Looking back to the days of last year, it has been a joy ride.  For a very long time i only thought Curacao was only the blue drink they mix with cocktails until we made a trip to the land from where it hails. :)

It was a history lesson combined with plenty fun and local exploring and not to forget got to watch the World Cup Cricket live, while we were there.  

I was still enjoying the blue water effect when Achyuta decided that a change would do me good. He tested and successfully passed his third degree Black Belt in Taekwondo .  I was very proud, patted myself in the back and sighed with relief and thinking that i did well to pursue the sport. So what if my son got the belt but i get the pat & Govi too . Hiyaaa.!!   Black seemed the new Blue ( sounds corny... who cares)

Spending time with family is always a highlight.  One doesn't need to talk all the time but being there in the same place matters more as the love shows.  

                                                  

Not to forget the joys of meeting friends from school and college.  Since we connected after long long years, the fun and games continue from where we left, each time we meet.  

And so the year moved on and we went on to visit Canada and Argentina 

The travels, family and friends are the continuous thread of joy that keeps me ticking other than of course Ping Pong. So to feed on my obsession, I am now a certified coach and umpire.  I know the primary reason for me playing this game was thanks to my mom but then i got two young men pushing me all through game. 

Life has been kind, so i take each day as it comes.  Not that i will give up on owning a Ferrari or anything else, i so desire but those can wait for another time, another year.  For now i will continue to eat, read, enjoy and will try never to miss play this year,  for who knows 

Thank you everyone for all your wishes for they are my food for the coming years!!

A Happier Birthday :-)

I was very excited this time last year, one, it was my Birthday and two because we had booked a trip to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.  I was in awe as i looked over the ocean and blue waters greeting us in Punta Cana. It was hot but then it was a cool place.  I had a busy time looking at the visitors there, no age was too young or too old, no color or race unwelcome. That was a beautiful sight. Loved walking on the sand as well as relaxing under the umbrella. And then i took the next step of getting over my fear of water.Last year i let my feet get wet. This time, I waded slowly into the water, holding Govi's hand and then as i turned with a smile a big wave knocked me over. I was underwater for over 5 minutes and i could see through the salty waters and faintly hear Govi telling me that he got me :-). So what actually seemed 5 minutes, under water to me was only about 8- 10 seconds. But those few seconds mostly calmed my fear of water and also took away my nice sunglasses.  Back on my feet, out of the water, salt water dripping out of my nose and my hair sticking to me, I rejoiced & so did  my boys, not at the loss of the sunglasses but at the partial loss of my fear.

Then there was more joy. While painstakingly clearing out the driveway of all the snow & ice in the end of February, i got news that i became an aunt to a pretty little baby girl.  I always like the February babies a little more ;-)  Everyday for the past year, she has been bringing a smile to us all. They don't have to do much to make us happy. At that age even their poop or fart makes us smile. The innocence of the babies, their every action, their every move seems wonderful to us.  And then they grow up like mine did. Well, he is now in the middle school. A transition that was easy for him but hard for me. But i completely enjoy the bond between us. Now as he grows up and does things independently i am learning to be a grown up's parent !!

The usual trip is India is something i look forward to every year. There is something special about spending time with family and friends. Eating the comfort food made by my mother, the chatting and getting into those disagreements continue even as we try to figure out who the grown up is between the two of us.
I love the attention and pampering i get from my in-laws, another experience which tempts me to stay back.

Meeting my school friends is always a thrill, so much fun, lot of love and another reason to go back every year to see them, meet them and laugh with them.

A group of us formed a book club last year. Along with reading and discussing books, the bond and friendship has strengthened and the topics discussed are at times "out of the book" too. There are books, food and fun on the table and what's more i am reading more!!

My doctor visits have been lesser which is a plus. My joints still play hide and seek but i am learning to manage them better & am playing more & enjoying it even more.

The year has been nice to me and i wouldn't complain except for the fact that Federer couldn't win another title and Serena is waiting for that elusive grand slam, & Waldner has retired :(.  Would like for Schumacher to recover, Rafa to play better, and for me to, drive that elusive Ferrari.

It's the "all about me" day and i love it as always. And if i am granted a wish today - i would most certainly want a happier world free of wars and fights, disease and disaster not just for me but for everyone. 

And again this year i will smile more because it's contagious :-)

This Birthday, Praying for Peace & Sharing a Smile :-)

I just finished watching a movie called Ping Pong. The short documentary movie about octogenarians playing the game at the world championships just gave me visions of my capabilities. Four and half decades into life, i feel inspired to look ahead to keep doing what i love and also make a statement. Still thinking of a punch line ;-)  With plenty of numbers and years to tackle before i compete in the 80 plus category, i will use the young age on my side to keep moving and shaking! My future looks bright :-)

Birthday is for me is my New Year. I get few presents and wishes from all my near and dear family and friends.  It's a time when i reflect on the past year and see how i can do better and in the coming years. I continue to have a few firsts while i trudge along.  We made our first visit to the beach in almost 5 years of being here and being as close as just about 3 hours drive. It was a trip to remember as i partially got over my fear of water. I let my feet get wet.

 We visited NY and walked the length of the city and loved the vibrant and lively attitude of the place. 

And then there was the trip to Switzerland. After an unsuccessful attempt, years ago on 9/11 - 2001, it felt like a statement " you can try to stop me but that's all you can do". After the frightening experience of being on flight but fortunate enough to not be on the hijacked or crashed flight, i am more thankful today, than on that fateful day. On that day i was worried for the families of those who lost their lives and for the safety of those who were in that place. But, on December 2014, our flight touched ground on the Swiss runway, i had that pleasing, exhilarating feeling of having done something special,  I really wished i could have made the earlier trip as well as this one, i really wished that 9/11 was just an ordinary day for everyone. 
The beauty of that place made it really a worthy trip.

Those were the trips that were long time coming but i went ahead and did another thing, let my hair down, changed my style a little.It wasn't something expected of me but i decided to surprise myself as well as others.

There's something else that i have been successfully doing and also getting a thumbs up for it. For someone who could just about make a cup of tea, i have covered some distance. I have managed to surprise myself and my boys with my cooking skills. It seems to have popped out of nowhere and doing pretty well too.  While changing up the menu every day is normal, even i eat the food i cook!!   I am truly surprised that my boys were patient, non complaining duo for a long time. At times i used to wonder, if they were happy to eat; what was on their plate just because they were either being polite or hungry?? But amends have been made, my natural flair is back in place and there's more food to be cooked ;-)

Earlier in the summer Achyuta had his Upanayanam ( sacred thread) ceremony in India. A big important step for my little guy. That was an experience to cherish specially when a mother's role is highlighted and elevated. It felt wonderful and special to be on that pedestal, specially looking around at the world where women are given scant or no respect.  There is hope for our kind :-)

The year went by without too many doctor visits barring a shot in the arm and a few teeth adjustments and new caps.  The "to do" list remains active and someday i will tick them off as "the done" list.  While my fancy for driving a Ferrari is still high and shopping at Harrods is far fetched, there is always hope. I now drive a Honda and occasionally take the BMW for a spin, Trader Joe's gets my business and opponents continue to fall at at the table and all along i enjoy the company of wonderful people around me. 
I treated my boys to a pre birthday dinner snack of "Bhel Puri" and don't think that in my current cooking form the kitchen will be closed but the district declared a school holiday!!!
(for those in the warmth of the sun, we here are freezing ourselves to become ice).

It's my day of the year again and i thank all of you for wishing me in advance and i will thank you when you wish me on time and thank you again even when the wish is delayed.  :-)

Praying for Peace and Sharing a Smile :  HP