It’s Monday!

Author : Sangitha      Blog :Life and Times in Bangalore      Date: 6/25/2012 2:54:36 PM

---

And I am waiting for the weekend already.  In a nice way, the special ed course starts this Saturday.  Yippppeeee!

We’ve had a wonderful month of school so far, so much so that I hesitate to even say anything.  Son’s back and seems to be integrating well – please, please God, let this how his years go ahead.  Of course, I was told by someone yesterday that I am to expect a dip.  Seriously, like our caution even allows us to celebrate even a little.  What happens to people who have been through stuff?  Do they lose sensitivity – ‘I have done this, so what’s the big deal if you do’?

Anyways, I have decided that I shall celebrate every day as it comes along, dealing always with the issues it brings.  It is probably a small thing for most parents – I can’t tell you what a relief it is to be able to sit and actually enjoy the time I have now without worrying about what anxiety-giving information the school bus will bring.  I was here but not really.  It even felt physical…shallow breaths, a tight chest, jaw ache.  And today I celebrate that my mind and body are free of stress.  If that’s only for today (as that person seemed to think), then so be it.  More reason to celebrate while I can!

———————–

A fun weekend was had in which yours truly and the kids baked brownies and sold at the SuDatta annual meeting.  It was a fun Santhe organized and the kids were super excited.  One, they really really worked with me, waking up early in the morning voluntarily (after a very late night gupshupping with good friends!) and then did the heavy lifting.  All they seemed to need in terms of encouragement were the aprons….they say they feel professional wearing aprons. The small things in life!

So they got Rs. 40 to spend.  Son goes and tries for volume for the same amount.  He went and picked a book (after a bunch of chocolates were consumed), came to me and said, “I want to buy this book for you.  But it is Rs. 50!”  I was of course all about keeping things within budget….told him, it’s okay, if you can’t afford it, you don’t buy it.  His answer: “But I wanted to cut your fat for you, Amma!”  !!!

The book was one on cutting fat intake.  That the stall owners saw his enthu for getting it for me as cute and gave it to him for free just made his day!   Our brownies sold out, we made more than double what we spent despite a very reasonable price and donated the entire thing back.  Our small contributions….this marked the first time I have EVER made something for a stall, that it would be food stuff would have blown my (still)very-amateur-chef mind.  Who said only birthdays make you grow up?!

———————

More excitement for today – I have found a typewriter.  A manual one, old fashioned.  And in working condition that fit my very modest budget.  Son’s fine motor issues have got us thinking of innovative ways of giving his fingers the isolated exercise needed.  Also, if in future he needs a dispensation for writing, he needs to get comfortable with typing.  While it will be a computer of some sort he will use then, a manual typewriter will give him the resistance that a computer keyboard will not.  I could always use it later with other kids….love being able to say this. *Big time grin*

The kids loved it.  As usual, we’re retro, completely behind the curve.  If we keep this typewriter for long enough, can polish it and display as an antique!

———————-

In the meantime, organic farming comes up to the nation’s TV screens.  We hear that everyone working in organic farming are complete liars…the pesticide company owner was trying hard to defend the indefensible by saying people who use pesticides are healthier!  Glad it was so transparent.  His brother runs the largest organic farming company in a state….talk about covering all ends of the spectrum AND keeping it in the family.

Those in Bangalore interested in organic veggies and groceries, do check out Adi Naturals.  Run by two women (who take no salary for the entire week’s worth of work they put in!), it is a sustainable model for us to get healthy groceries at a price just a bit higher than the chemical stuff.  Like someone said, we go to a movie show and drop Rs. 1k without thinking but that curry leaf bunch better be Rs. 5.  Or else.  Penny wise, pound foolish (very obviously trying to put in as many idioms as possible into this post! )

When one adds in the doctors’ fees, I think the chemical option not economical – since money seems to make the world go crazily around!  I wasn’t happy that the farmers’ voices were not heard in more detail – I would have liked to see farmers talk about budgets, the initial slowdown in yield before the doubling of yield, the issues with seeds (not using hybrids, being able to use your own seeds….since when does a company have to control seeds?!), etc.  They didn’t even touch milk – adulteration and presence of hormones.  But as a starter for consumers, this was pretty good to get demand going.

———————–

Had my first NGO bad experience today.  We’ve normally chosen social sector organisations after references and involved ourselves with their work, visited, et al.  This time, went for an NGO versus a company that provide home care for the elderly.  Bad, bad idea.  Apparently it is all my fault that they were not able to find someone – we had two conditions that were make or break, very reasonable ones.

Went through listening to the supervisor trying to ‘convince’ the attender – ‘do and see, they’ll increase your salary very soon’.  Yeah, right – this is after we told them that we would not.  She got pissed with me when I told her I can’t make false promises – ‘it is only to encourage them, Madam!’  Is that what we’re calling lying these days?  Blatant encouragement, alright!

The supervisor tells me that they would refund the funds, despite it being a non-refundable deposit.  Er….considering they placed one person per day for two half days, I would say it was only fair that they refund.  Plus it was a cash only payment, cash only refund…they couldn’t send me a cheque after cutting courier fees.  Completely suspicious and pretty unprofessional.

So there’s the good and the namak for the day.  How are you guys doing?