June 17, 2015.

A day with dad at GHKL. 8th floor view. How time flies and this was taken on June 17, 2015. It's a strange feeling or rather a mixed feeling I get whenever I think of him. I miss you Dad.

Diwali 2014

October 21, exactly one year.... I was roaming and driving around KL with my Dad. Some things we spoke about and few things we didn't speak about. Last year was a total mixed feeling Diwali mood as B didn't join us in KL. The lanes around Kamdar I walked with dad and the rojak and teh tarik which Appa bought was the bestest. I last chose the shirts for my dad. It was such a tiring and long day as he hired a helper to clean our rooms....and the Pisang goreng he bought....for the family. That I see as a perfect Diwali. I so miss you dad, I know we disagreed on many things but we loved each other. The space you've left is sooo empty and I terribly feel your absence, wherever you are right now, I hope you can see how much I miss you dearly and please ignore silly talks.

Appa.

I never imagined that you would leave us so sudden, without even saying goodbye and a tight hug like how you wished my birthday last year. APPA , I'm sitting here in my room , reminiscing all the good and bad times growing up in your home. Last one year, it's truly "our time". I'm happy that I've spent most of my time with you, hearing you talking so much of past glorious stories about Brickfields and Kuala Lumpur. You are an ocean of knowledge , this I admit. Though you are not with us physically, there's isnt a day goes by without thinking of you. I miss you so much.

Vennamuddu Krishna

The kondaveedu fort

Temple planned by ISKCON



Venna muddukrishna

 

 

After all these years growing up in a metro city of  Kuala Lumpur, life seems to be very fast and stressful. I never knew that there is a complete silent life existing in India. Today we decided to visit the family village, our origins and our family temple given by the King of Kondaveedu centuries ago! I was all so excited and my imagination was totally different than what I saw throughout my journey starting from Guntur. The family temple is not taken care as of now though we're having few priest in the village to conduct the daily puja. Our temple is called Vennamuddu Krishna and Baby Krishna holding butter is the main deity. He is an absolute beauty and has beautiful eyes.

We've given the temple to ISKCON to develop and conduct pujas so that everyone can benefit. Here are some pics and I saw this 2 cute kids near the temple who was so curious to know who am I. They were so polite and refused to take my 10 rupee note , how adorable are they. Certainly a trip to remember through my life as I saw the reality of farming and huge farms producing jasmines!

Amaravati's Amaralingeshwara temple.



Watched these cuties so nearby :)

The bungalow/hotel.

Now that we must sleep one night out , i.e. since we have to travel to Malaysia  to my parents home , we had an alternative way of staying a day out at any Shiva temple. Therefore , we chose the Amaravati temple for a day out.  It was like an hour drive from Guntur to Amaravati and we took a van to get there. 

This is my ever first experience on seeing a village , silent and dark night. The rain season started and thank god it wasn't that bad. By 7.30 pm we reached the hotel which is 5 minutes walking distance to the temple. Truly it was more like horror movie scene, B and I never expected such scary hotel room ! :) Nothing much to blame as the people who maintain ( I mean the employees appear very poor ). It's called AndhraPradheshTourism something.... we didn't get to see any restaurant and there was not electricity in the hotel. It was really scary and lots of mosquitoes! Finally we ended up sending the working boy to get us some chapatti and curry. Now....we've been counting minutes to pass by so that next morning we could visit the temple and go home.





Beautiful village scene , so peaceful.

 

 

 

 

 

The next morning,  Monday July 8 2013 , we had good darshan of Amaralingeshwara , a unique shivalinga which kept growing so tall ! We then proceeded to the local nearby Hanuman and Shirdi baba temple before visiting the Museum and Buddha stupa which was visited by Dalai Lama. The Buddha statue is still under construction and finally after getting burnt under the scorching hot sun , we returned home at 2.30 pm. Such tiring day!

Gow dhaanam

My dear Ammakutty and Ammukutty.



Cows are considered to be purely sacred in Hinduism , thus the worship of  Kamadhenu is normal for hindu families. Cows play an important role in our itihasas and mythological stories as they are seen as mother who provides milk , thus they have lots of significance in hindu rituals. On our Amma's name , we chose to donate the cow and calf to a temple and this ritual is called Gow dhaanam. For the ever first time in my life , I witnessed and touched the cow and calf ! I was afraid of them but finally I learnt that they are so friendly. I called them Ammakutty and Ammukutty and later on we came to know that Ammakutty was pregnant! The grass and food was never enough for her. I was wondering why is she eating so much and we could never satisfy her hunger , but looks like the babykutty inside her tummy caused all moodswings for Ammakutty. Too many things to learn in India , It is INCREDIBLE INDIA !

Applying turmeric and kumkuma for Ammakutty!

That's me standing so near to the cow, I was excited of course!

June 14 , 2013

My dearest Lakshmi Amma.

The hurry burry travel plans unexpected but I managed to book a flight via MAS to Chennai. One of my most tiring trip ever , only to know that my mother in law waited to see me before she passed away.

A true legend , Samrajyalakshmi is a women of substance. She have worked hard with her will power and faced a lot of challenges in continuing her education which got stopped after her marriage. Supplied with such courage and perseverance , she stood on her ambitions to work , which is considered a big no - no in the orthodox Brahmin families in the 1960's.

She's a passionate woman with lots of talents over languages , handicrafts and a great cook herself , she have provided me the best husband one can have as she herself is the best mother in law a girl could have. Very brave and daring , she don't even think twice to point out if one makes a mistake.

I cannot believe that I have lost my loving mother in law , whom I have seen as my mom as well. I had tears when her colleagues told me that she have always felt great me being her daughter in law! I called her Amma from the day I knew her. Amma was very courageous and have always supported my dreams and steps. I wanted to dance and she let me be myself. The home was so lively , now she is no more , I feel totally lonely to be in the home where she lived. I cherish all the good and memories as I have shared the very best of my relationship with her. I miss you , I wish I can sit next to you and talk to you , I miss your caring and comforting words , your listening ears and the knowledge you had on all the things we do. The pooja's performed next to you , I miss my confidence and strength now, how I wish you come back from the hospital and lived with us for some more time :(

I know she is in a better place now but it's such a big , huge loss for us for not having her around. May her soul RIP.


Cant believe I am lighting up fire for her final rituals for 13 days.

Wesak 2013

No mood for this year's celebration. I was really tired after going to Nilai early in the morning around 7.30 am. Before heading to Nilai, we managed a few minutes at Teerthatarasi Siva temple. Thank god I was back home by 12 pm, the freaking traffic jam in KL and the Wesak day chariot procession to be held at night. Later at night just jumped inside the temple for blessings. Just reminiscing last year's fun with Bee :)

SKITTLES

Do little..........to brighten up your day. Love my skittles :) Been a long day after taking mom to TAR Rd and then headed straight to the Midvalley Megamall! I need a real good pampering now.

Bhoomi pooja

 Finally a dream come true. Waited quite long to get all the work done and I must admit that today is one of my longest day ever , waking up by 5am to start the day. Reached Nilai by 7.45 am and it's a beautiful morning , by 8.30 am the sun was baking hot and thank god for the Syed Alina's restaurant for a quick coffee grab.

Remembering my Graduation :)

The day I've been longing for...........years passed but those memories do remind you of the hardship you've faced in reaching your goal. This day will be remembered forever, I personally take up the space to thank ( words aren't enough ) my mom and of  course Bee. My BFF.

THONEH again !

It's been a long wait to complete my task , finally the day is here. Mom's left eye surgery at Thoneh. I'm just happy that I'm nearing to complete my task and work after long years in the US. Thank god for a wonderful doctor , great weather and of course support of  Bee.

The first floor operation room.

Waiting room for the guests.

We're 6 , Gong Xi Fa Cai !

It's been a long wait after all the viral fever...and still recuperating. Bee's back , in a hurry burry of course. So happy to see Bee and yes, I'm gonna wear my new dress! Our fav place, Ramalingeshwara temple and then for a silent dinner at Lakshmi Narayana's @ Leboh Ampang. Total last minute decision to jump in KLCC Park :)



Energized 2013.

I'm just full of  energy today though physically tired. Okay........it's time , to stay focused on what I want to complete this year. This quarter itself!

Without thinking much, just drove up to Nilai. Yes, I have to do this one up asap. I'm not going to wait Bee to be here cos we end up losing days trying to do simple things. I cant believe I actually drove up till MPN and thank goodness for the remisi form !

Pakcik's not around and I have to start running around for these basic things. Anyway, I managed escaping the high traffic on the North-South Highway.

Though it's only Wednesday today, this weekend is going to be THE weekend for all KL-ites.

Maulidur Rasul tomorrow, followed by the Thaipusam weekend and public holidays. Oh....boy! I love Malaysia for the food, festivals and public holidays!!! How I miss my working days back then :) Just looking forward breaks!

Salam Maulidur Rasul to all my muslim friends/readers.

Happy Thaipusam to all my hindu friends/readers. I truly miss walking with the chariot procession from Maha Mariamman temple to Batu Caves. Those were the days.......the real good'ol days , I was only 16.....my friends and I decided to volunteer at Hindu Sangam and ISKCON. Whole night I kept awake and slept for the next full day! The fun we had.......I have tears in my eyes when I look back!

May Lord Subrahmanya fulfill our prayers and faith in him. I am really moved that this year I am blessed to see Batu Caves Subrahmanya. I miss Bee now. We are planning to jump in once the crowd is out of  sight.

Happy holidays to all of  you. xo

BHOGI PONGAL / MAKARA SANKRANTHI 2013

The Indian Thanksgiving festival of  the South India, particularly Tamil Nadu is known as Thai Pongal :) Thai is a tamil month where the sun travels to north from the southern most limit i.e. it's the beginning of  the first 6 months of  Uttarayana.

The concept is simple as to those days people lived on farming. Therefore after moonsoon and winter, it's the harvesting festival. Therefore we thank the Sun god for providing us food all along the year. The Thai month is the beginning of the auspicious month for marriages too.

Every year pongal festival holds a very special memory :) Mom and I was interviewed in the local newspaper  couple of  years ago before I was married!

Since January is very close to our heart, each and every day is a memorable day of my travel to India. I know I did not do much in the US but this year though Bee is faraway, I decorated my pooja room as much as I could and hey, guess what.............. found a mango leaf resembling Ganesha's trunk!

Wishing all of  you  a bright and prosperous year. Happy Pongal ! Now, I cant wait for  our lunar new year!!!

Maha Mariamman Temple

Okay, finally got the opportunity of  driving up mom to Chinatown, KL. Surprisingly one car park space available right behind ex Uda Ocean building. We walked up around the Petaling Street and thank god, this time I had the chance of  taking the temple pictures right at the entrance. Freaking hot day though!

Happy New Year !

HELLO  2013 !  Love you sunshine, bring me good luck, happiness and great health. Keep us united as kind, understanding and wisdom loving souls. May this year be a better and bestest year for all of us ! Hope all of  you had a great journey , the good, the bad and the ugly 2012 is past now!

2013 is the only new year my Bee and I are away. That's alright because we have a cause and though we are far by distance, yet we are close by heart. We're together in spirit and missed each other. The best part is we are not going to celebrate our New 2013 on January 1st but , keeping our fingers crossed , we are hoping for the best Ugadi/Chittrai Putthandu. :)

 

Here's a toast for all the good sons/daughters on earth, who have taken a lot of  pains, who have put  in a lot  of  efforts , who have stood alone by their  hardwork to achieve things, who have undergone tremendous health problems to face challenges of  life , people who stood by their self-respect and principles...........BRAVO and remember that each and every sweat of  our hard work and good behaviour will certainly be awarded by the super power up above one fine day. My word on all the wounded hearts , remember that each of  us face some kind of  problem or obstacles in life, NEVER GIVE UP. Fight till you overcome the hurdles.


I have learnt my lessons and experiences over the  years. I may not be a millionaire by wealth , but certainly I know that I have a heart , big enough to consider the right and wrong things. I'm so proud of  my  Bee, we chose to be away this year to take care of  our parents.The biggest compliment I got was elderly people saying that no one can be a good daughter like me.

I do have my own frustrations , I know I'm too polite , I tolerate people very easily. I dont try to please people but that was my nature since childhood. I dont complain on people. When the entire world talks about something, I remain silent. My silence might be a plus or minus but let it be.


Here's wishing all of  you a great new year and hey, it's time to restart our life with fresh mind, fresh hope and fresh attitude. Keep fighting against all the odds. Life is beautiful , live life to fullest. I love you Bee.

12.12.12

After all the big hoohaas about the world coming to an end (the Mayan calendar), well, we're still surviving with lots of  things happening in our interesting, unpredictable life !


The 12.12.12 made really interesting news on our national newspapers about weddings and registration of marriage ( R.o.M ). Yes, one of my cousin sister got registered to her beau. The Home Ministry's Dept @ Jalan Duta was too crowded, and guess what.......... after a span of 6 years met one of good friend who was there for his brother's 12.12.12. R.o.M.

The crowd!!

Sweet roses.

The couple is supposed to be registered @ 2pm but due to the crowd, the ceremony got extended to 4.20pm ! Well, I totally miss Bee for not being able to attend!

 

5 pm and we had our lunch-a din @ Naga's Brickfields. Overall, a day to remember !

Tirukarthikai deepam 2012

Deepas in my balcony....

It was a total, last minute unplanned visit  to Ganesha  temple......... I never knew the surprise awaiting for us :) Astro vanavil recording on Tirukarthikai Deepam. Mom was asked to explain the reason behind tirukarthikai and yes, we will be featured in the tv. I'm so proud of  my mom. All I ask God is to bless her with great health , happiness and peace. I felt happy to be in KL this year, for a change after all that routine US style. Can't wait to visit Tiruvannamalai again!! Bala Murugan looked beautiful. I will certainly miss my Malaysian life terribly when I return back to US!