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All posts by Joseph Jude
A Frustrating Week
It has been a frustrating week for the three boys. Jerry dropped iPad in his toe and had blood clot. I had mouth ulcer and pain in left hand. Piyo developed severe cough again (we suspect it might be because of pizza we had on Friday).
As I type this all of us better. But it leaves us drained and tired.
1000 Posts
Small drops makes ocean? One by one in the past decade I have posted here 1000 posts. Unbelievable.
Sleepless Nights
The past week has been horrible with regards to sleep. As Piyo is suffering from cough, we wake up multiple times throughout the night to give him medication (nebulization) or warm water. One night I had to carry him and put him to sleep on my shoulders because he couldn't sleep lying down. He recovered in a day.
But then on Monday, we had to administer regular vaccination to Jerry. With the vaccination he couldn't move his leg and also he was suffering from fever for two days. So again we couldn't sleep yesterday too.
I have an option of sleeping in a different room. I do that only when absolutely needed. Otherwise all of us prefer to sleep together.
Am Working Out
For long, I never bothered about how I looked or even about being healthy. There was a time I tasted every food and drank almost all kinds of drinks and thus, had a waist size of 42. I was, then, growing every day. Pants I bought six months bak wouldn't fit me.
Then in 2007, I took it as a challenge to reduce weight. I bought a treadmill and I was on it for an hour everyday running 8 kms/hr. Some days I would be on it both morning & evening. In about six months, I lost lot of weight and got a 32 waist.
Once I got weight under control, running in treadmill wasn't so much of a challenge. So I learnt swimming (at the age of 34) and I swam almost everyday.
I did it not so much for keeping fit, but to challenge myself physically.
In Delhi, my commute time is hour and a half and in the early days I was working long hours (not long compared to my life in IT orgs). So I didn't exercise and that started showing. I put on lot of weight.
In August, I stumbled upon an article and an accompanying video about an scientific exercise routine. The routine is only 10 minutes (though it's called 7 min workout) and you can do it at home. There is no need for any fitness equipments; the routine needs just a chair. I started doing it and I felt good. In the initial days my body was painting a lot unlike the days of running on treadmill.
Last week, I got a wacky idea of trying out skipping. I never skipped in my life. Once I tried earlier and I failed. I watched few YouTube videos and practiced step by step. Now I skip around 300-350 daily. Boy, it's so much fun to challenge your mental block and overcome it.
With skipping and 7-min exercise, I feel great. Throughout the day, there is pain in the body – in one part or the other. But it feels good.
Am I loosing weight? I have been working out only for a month. So I can't say with any data. Results matter, but right now I am enjoying the path.
பிறந்தநாள் பிரச்சனைகள்
நாளை பியோவின் பிறந்தநாள். ஆனால் கடந்த இரண்டு நாட்களாக அவன் இருமலில் சங்கடப்படுகிறான். நேற்று இரவு முழுதும் அவனும் நானும் தூங்க வில்லை. இன்று அவனை குழந்தை மருத்துவரிடம் அழைத்துச் சென்றேன்.
இரண்டு நாட்களுக்கு மருந்து கொடுத்துள்ளார். அதற்குள் குறையவில்லை என்றால் திரும்பவும் போக வேண்டும்.
அவன் சிரம்மப்படுவதை பார்க்கவே கணமாக இறுக்கிறது.
Piyo Is Four
Come this Monday, Piyo is four. Time flies unbelievably fast.
Piyo is growing up well though we have concerns about his food habits and health. He doesn't eat all that well as much as we would like him to eat. He eats less than Jerry most of the time.
He also falls sick quite often. He has been sick for the past two months of cough. I have shown him to two docs. Both say that he has allergic bronchitis. He has to be administered with nebulization before going to bed. Today I noticed a bump near his right ear.
But he is excellent in his studies. He gets A+ on all pages of his notebook. I met his madam twice and she informs me that he is studious at school too but he is asocial.
I was asocial when I grew up and remain one now. But I am concerned that he doesn't talk to even the people he knows, like the aunty from upstairs.
But he is active, always. I have not seen him sit down tired (though he does sometimes, mimicking me).
Also he sleeps well.
So that's his report card. I am excited that Appa is coming tomorrow. I didn't have the privilege of growing up under the care of grandpa, but all the kids in our family have. That's a great blessing for all of us.
Superb Trip – Part II
Piyo & Jerry have travelled by air and road mostly. So when joy proposed that we take train from Tuti to Bangalore, I readily agreed. Joy booked in a two-tier AC car. It turned out out to be wonderful experience, which I'm convinced Piyo will remember for long.
While in Bangalore, we went shopping for land in Hosur. I liked what I saw.
Though coming back to south has been in my mind, I have not been taking any serious steps towards it. I have been living with the mentality of “living out of suitcase.” When I saw this land, I felt a desire to settle in a place which I can call home. Even Rani who wasn't keen to get a land, liked and agreed we should buy it.
In addition to we liking the place, the idea of getting a land and building something according to our wishes later, was tempting. As I write this (after two weeks of returning to Delhi), we have deposited an advance amount to purchase this land.
On Saturday Joy threw a party for Appa's birthday and gifted him a golden watch.
We returned to Delhi on Sunday, physically tired but mentally refreshed.
We quickly got back to the daily rhythm, but not Piyo. Piyo sobbed missing Dharishika and all the fun he had. He kept repeating, amidst tears, that he liked thuthukoodi and Bangalore and he wants to go back. He wanted to the chicken he befriended in Tuticorin. I had to leave whatever I was doing and had to play with him to divert his attention from the depressive feeling that engulfed him. In two weeks, he is better, but he still says that the flat is “uncle's and not ours,” so we should leave to Bangalore. He is constantly praying for his Appa to get a job in Bangalore and to quickly build a home in Hosur.
Superb Trip – Part I
We returned last week from a long 11 days trip. This is probably the first time in 10 years that I have taken such a long break.
We went to chennai on Aug 1st. We stayed in hotel trident as like the last time we went to chennai. On Aug 2nd, I attended the AGM of Manali Petrochemicals. Ever since I started investing I have been wanting to attend an AGM, only this year it became convenient to attend. To my surprise, lot of people had come for the AGM. However most of them were concerned only with getting snacks and gifts. I witnessed shareholders piling up gifts in bags while the meeting was going on. Add to it, one if the suggestions during the Q&A session was to revert back to soaps and cosmetics for gifts rather than the wall-clock that was gifted. Despite this gift-seeking crowd, there was a good gathering in the hall for the meeting. The chairman of the board, Ashwin Muthiah, chaired the meeting. He answered most of the queries from the shareholders, directing some queries to CFO.
In the afternoon, we visited Isaiah's (Rani's relative) house. He has two kids and they had gone to school. We waited until they returned and spent sometime with them.
Later we visited the church at st. Thomas mount. I have a emotional attachment with this serene hill. I had spent hours weeping in this place. But for the past five years or so, I'm returning to this place every year with thanks in my heart – my delhi engagement, two kids, kid for Joy and this year, increase in my engagement fee. It has been so consistent that even Rani started believing.
After good amount of time, we went back to the hotel at about 7 pm. Then I went for swimming, which of course is highly relaxing.
Later in the evening I met with Deepak and discussed his business plan. He is a committed and skilful guy. He bounces off ideas with me every now and then over phone, so I took some time to meet with him in person.
As you can see it was a full day. Am glad about it.
On Saturday we left to Tuticorin by Spicejet. It is a 50 sweater and what surprises me is that it is full every time we have taken. That much demand exists!
We visited Ganesh & Mary on Sunday. For long Ganesh worked in far away places like Andhra and Bombay. All those times Mary was in his native place taking care if the two young kids. We have prayed often that they should stay together as a family. Recently Ganesh got a job in Nellai and Mary got a teaching job in a near-by school. It was a satisfying and happy occasion to be in their house. Am convinced they will only grow in every aspect from now on.
Aug 5th was the big day for which we went to Tuti. Six adults and three kids had to get ready early in the morning. Despite that inconvenience, we decided to go for the high mass of the golden car festivity. We knew its going be heavily crowded, as like every other time. Yet I wanted to be there and I wanted Piyo to experience the same. To our surprise, the crowd management was well done. We were very close to the golden car and were able to watch the proceedings from near.
Next day we visited churches in Uvari, Udangudi, Periyathai and also the Manal Matha church. As a custom we finish the trip with a visit to Manapad beach. Manapad has a clean serene and safe beach. I couldn't play in the beach as I had to take care of Jerry, nevertheless it was a relaxing time.
Annual pilgrimage
It has become an annual ritual, though I have missed it few years. Joy has been continuing it unbroken for more than a decade. This year there is golden chariot festivity too. So that makes it special. On our way to Tuti, we have stopped by Chennai. Last year & this year we are staying in Trident. It is a wonderful experience to stay in such a hotel as a family. Last time Piyo & I went for swimming. This time we may not do that. I am excited to spend time with the family, however small time it is.