The shortest month of the year whizzed past the way it should. It is a special month because of Hubby's happy birthday as I would like to call it. It was celebrated the way he prefers the best, spending quality time and having jolly good time with near and dear ones. As the day fell on Saturday this year the merriment started on Friday evening and ended on Sunday night. As he turned a year older I wish him all the happiness in the world.
Another day would be February 14th. If my father was alive he would be 67 this year. Some things are just not meant to be. He would have pulled my legs if I called to wish him. Despite being the quiet person he was, he had a weird sense of humor that my YB and I inherit. On the same day there was a family function, cousin's son's "Upanayanam" (sacred thread ceremony), which was attended by the close family members. Despite all the hue and cry about Valentine's day being over commercialized, I love red roses, chocolates, candle light dinner, wine and all that jazz and that is exactly how the evening was spent.
Mother was here for a weekend. I'm glad that slowly and steadily she is getting accustomed to the cellphone technology and social media. Her happiness has no bounds in seeing old family pictures. This time around she get to spend some quality time with her grandson and bonding with him too. One weekend we were away to visit MIL. She has beautified the home with few additions and she couldn't stop talking about her enhanced garden and her upcoming retirement plans.
Reading took a hit this month as I could finish only three books. Apoorva Paschima-Shivarama Karanth, The Great Alone-Kristin Hannah and Nightingale-Kristin Hannah. I was amazed and mesmerized by the travelogue Apoorva Paschima (Incomparable West) by Karanth. Its unbelievable that in 1953 he traveled the whole Europe at the age of 50. It only made me yearn for a holiday in those beautiful countries he so passionately narrated.
On movie front; Thugs of Hindostan, Beyond Clouds, Batti Gul Meter Chalu, Zero, KGF and Jalebi. Among which only Beyond Cloud is worth mentioning. A simple story with laudable casting. It is hard to believe it is Ishaan Kattter's first film and he is stellar in the role of Aamir. The rest are big budgeted and well marketed films which almost bored me to death.
We started off with final season of "House of Cards". Hubby was disinterested in this from the beginning as we all know it would be the last season without his beloved "Frank Underwood". And he was absolutely right. The episodes are dragging with introduction of few new characters that failed to impress miserably. We haven't finished them yet, 6 more episodes to go, but we have to endure this painful process for the sake of "Frank". How I wish "Kevin Spacey" was not guilty of the alleged sexual misconduct. Despite losing my respect for him as a person, nobody can take away what a brilliant actor he is.
As all our weekends were chockablocked with prior engagements we couldn't even take a day trip. The possibility of another trip looks bleak in the month of March too. I met my bestie from college after a hiatus of 6 years. Friend "N" being in abroad and with our busy life we couldn't make this to happen earlier. The meeting was just like old times, nothing much has changed between us.
That was all about February I could think of. March be less sunny and harsh.
The highlight of the month was new addition to the family, the brand new baby, a nephew again. If you had read my earlier posts I predicted baby boy for my YB in May. I haven't speculated it by seeing the size of mother's tummy or her choice of gastronomy. Add a lot logic and a little guess, the prediction is very easy. If I was in UK I would be betting every time a royal member is due. I digress. I'm aunt again the second time. Many people asked us (hubby and I) whether seeing the new born has changed our decision to be childfree. We just smiled at their curiosity. Now I have manifold of respect and gratitude towards my parents, Ammamma, aunt P and aunt B who were essential in raising me from an infant to toddler to teen to young adult. I know my father would have been over the moon with second grandchild, but it's just not meant to be. A person even had the audacity to say my father is reborn; this is the same person who told my father had attained salvation on the 14th day of Hindu funeral rituals. Is this person trying to make me feel better in anyway or plain stupid? I'l give the benefit of doubt for my sanity sake. The day was a time for family celebration. And the next day too as it was nephew V's sixth birthday.
On the movie front we have watched total 14 movies, that is almost like one film in two days. They are; Agenda Payback, Mahanati, Veere De Wedding, Avengers: Infinity War, Daddy, Deadpool 2, Mom, X-Men, Race 3, John Wick, Reverant, X-Men 2, Rangasthalam, The Blind Side.
I could read only 4 books this month. That is mainly because I picked a philosophical classic "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand. So far I was able to finish only 250 pages. It's definitely not a page turner. I'm going slowly, still finding it difficult to form an opinion on the characters. The rest of the books are "Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine-Gail Honeyman; Without Merit-Collin Hoover; Distant Shores-Kristin Hannah; The Perfect Mother-Aimee Molloy.
How To Get Away With a Murder season 4 saw an end this month. Until season 5 comes I bid adieu to Annalise and six-Keatings (I'm including Frank and Bonnie here). "Young Sheldon" was hubby's pick as a new series. He was bowled over by the trailer and wanted something lighter after the grueling legal drama. And what a terrific show it was. Funny, cute, and can't get enough of it. We finished the first season of 22 episodes within 10 days and can't wait for the new season.
Last weekend of the month we had gone to Shivanasamudra for a day trip with cousin M1 and friend B. As it rained heavily the cascades were at its best. The roaring and pouring of pristine white water over the giant dark rocks and magic of mist over us is truly divine. Surprisingly weather was sunny and I got bad sunburn on my arms and shoulders. Seeing my plight Hubby teased he will all go by himself to African continents as I couldn't tolerate the sunlight. I forgot to tell him I'm a true coastal girl and can kiss sun if I dare to.
I attended two cultural programs this month; one is M1's Bharatanatya performance and another one is family friend's Mohiniyattam. Compared to the former the latter is quite slow-moving and tedious, but enjoyable nonetheless if you are inclined towards artistry.
August had been super busy with work, drama, fun, and bit travel. Hope September will be the same.
