Walking again in the rain

It seemed to me that the universe was playing games with me. The skies were clear when I ventured out for my morning walk. And just went I had started walking, it started to drizzle. When I looked up to check on the clouds, it started to pour. I had been already in a bad mood for the last few minutes going from anger to frustration and it seemed the weather was complimenting my mood. 

"Why are you doing this to me again?", I asked, looking up. There were a bunch of people standing under a man made structure that served as a temporary shelter from the rains. They were all strangers and I moved to a far end and pulled up my phone, the only connection to my small world. 

Raj must have finished and left. How convenient for him that the weather is also on his side. Before I could think if it was right or wrong, i had already sent a message to him. "Was it ok to message", I asked myself.  "It is already done and too late to change it. Besides, he can always not reply. No one is forcing him to respond". Thankfully, he responded. And just like that I felt safe. 

It is surprising on how a conversation with someone you know could make you feel safe when you were in the midst of strangers. 

It stopped raining and I resumed my walk. In a few minutes, I could see the sun's rays through a small opening between two branches of a tree. Nature always surprises me. I looked up after some time and there was the sun, a white halo among the clouds. It seemed that it was trying to fool me in thinking it was the moon. Just a few days back, I was telling someone that I liked the moon than the sun. It was as if the sun was not happy with it and wanted to show me how beautiful it was as well. I smiled and just like that my heart felt lighter and I was back to my normal self. 

Walking in the rain

When I stepped out for my morning walk today, I was a little hesitant. The skies were cloudy and it looked as if there would be a heavy downpour in a few minutes. There was a light drizzle as well. I was so tempted to go inside. Still, I just couldn't do that.

I started my two wheeler and looked up at the skies above and said silently, "Please, don't rain until Iam done with my walk". Why are you doing this to me", I asked the world.

I drove to the park. The air was cool and the clouds filled the skies completely. It seemed to me that there was magic in the air and I was about to experience something beautiful.

I started my walk after reaching the park and it started drizzling. That is when I realized that nature was giving me the gift that I wanted. I have been wanting to walk in the rain for the last few weeks. It was a desire that kept growing every day. It might seem stupid to many when they hear this. "Have you never walked in the rain", they might ask. Yes, I have. But it is usually to go somewhere or run some errand. I have never actually stepped out to just experience walking in the rain.

When I understood this, I decided to stop thinking and just enjoy my walk. It was like playing hide and seek with the rain as I walked under the tree branches. And then as the drizzle turned to light shower, I asked myself if I should stop. I looked around and found people walking. Some had pulled out their umbrellas and held them in one hand while walking. "Iam not crazy to go on", I told myself, smiling at the people who continued to walk. And so I went on unmindful of getting a little wet. Every time I thought of stopping under the shades they had put up at a few places, the people who continued walking would inspire me and I would continue again.

"How is it that nature looked more full of life when it rains, the trees look more greener", I wondered.

I finally finished my walk and got back home, smiling all the way while driving back. I had wanted this and it seems I was given the experience that I so desired all these days. I wished I could have stayed back and spent more time in there. Some day, I would do that.

Gifts

Gifting is an art, in my opinion. Choosing a gift that is both useful and would make someone happy takes a lot of time and patience. What is very important is to understand what the other person wants and will like. 

As a child, I have received many gifts (just like any other kid) and I have always liked all of them. I have memories of getting excited while unwrapping the gifts and then feeling so happy after looking at what they were. 

As I grew up, probably when I was in my late 20s, my age and my experience made me look at gifts differently. I looked at the gifts that were given for birthdays, weddings and other occasions. People gifted more or less the usual stuff. Some bought unique items that were so beautiful but of no use. They were usually articles that could be kept on display in the showcases in the house. Still, only few could be kept and some were stored in those shelves or boxes. Some people were so good at recycling the gifts 😀. Whatever they didn't like were given as gifts to others. Iam guilty of doing that a few times. I mean what do you do when you absolutely don't like something and get a chance to give it off to someone else. You give it hoping the other person would like it. I would then estimate the cost of that gift and promptly ask my dad to give me that money😀

I know a lot of people say it is the thought that matters and not the actual gift. Still, I think in this age when everyone makes their own choices and the world is quite changing, we should also change the way we give gifts. One way is to ask the intended person on what they like and buy it for them or actually take them to a store and ask them to buy within the budget you have in mind.

The other best option is to give them the money or a gift card and ask them to get what they want. Am very sure everyone would be delighted to buy what they really want to buy.

Still, sometimes a surprise gift gives you so much joy no matter what it is. At that time you don't actually think about the value or price of that gift. It is the gift and the person who is giving the gift that matters. The thought and the time they spent in buying the gift overrides everything else.

Sleep paralysis

 While watching youtube recently, I watched this video where the guy had explained in detail what sleep paralysis was. I was glad I found the video. I finally found the answer to a question that has been haunting me for a few years now.

I remember vividly what had happened to me. The first time it happened was when I was sleeping at my grandparent's home in my native place. In the night after a few years of sleep, I wanted to get up and found that I couldn't. I couldn't open my eyes nor could I move my hands or legs. I wanted to wake my mom who was lying next to me and tell her about my predicament. I couldn't speak. I got scared. I thought it was some power or energy that had paralyzed me. Thoughts of evil spirits, ghosts came to my mind. This happened for a few minutes and I also felt as if someone was crushing my chest. 

After some time, a few seconds or minutes, I was finally able to open my eyes and move my hands. I lay in fear the whole night and could not go back to sleep after that. When I told my mom and grand mother about this, they promptly put in vibhuti on my forehead the next night. 

After many months later, I experienced the same problem one night at my house. I went to the temple nearby and then shifted my bed to a different place the next night. I had one last experience after a few months back and then have never had it ever since.

No one in the family had answers for it. We never spoke about it and all I was asked to do was apply vibhuti on my forehead before going to bed. I did that diligently and then stopped after a year. 

I wanted to know the reason for it, believed that there must be a scientific explanation for this but was not able to find it.

Finally, I got my answers after all these years and the word is Sleep Paralysis. The explanation is simple - when one goes to sleep,  the body makes sure that some body parts do not function to ensure that one doesn't act out the dreams. Under normal circumstances, this ends upon waking up, so a person never becomes conscious of this inability to move.

Sometimes, in very few cases, our brain gets out of the dream state but the other parts of the body are still immobile and that is what causes this. 

Phew, Iam relieved to know that many people around the world experience this and it has nothing to do with supernatural power!!! 

Rooh Afza

Blame in on the article on Rooh Afza in the papers, I was suddenly interested in it and wanted to taste it. Looked up on the internet and found that the brand name was Hamdard. They have been selling this syrup for years and it is especially popular during the fasting month of Ramadan. 

I was intrigued and thought I had discovered something new. Asked the girls in one of our regular calls and was surprised that everyone knew about it and have had that drink. Have you never had it, was there question. 

That evening I decided I had to try it. It had to be done.

After looking around for days, I finally found it in one of the stores. I was so excited and told my mom that I had to buy it. She looked at me, asking silently, if I really wanted it. I was adamant.

So that day, I got the bottle home, proud that I had accomplished something big. When I opened the cap and poured the syrup in the tumbler, I was filled with anticipation. I poured the water as per the instructions and then took my first sip of this rose drink, eagerly waiting to taste the rose flavor and sweetness.

I had my first sip and I had no words to describe the feeling. It tasted like cough syrup 😠😟..

All the happiness, excitement was gone!! My first worry was, what to do with that big bottle of Rooh Afza!! I tried to persuade my parents to taste. Apparently, they were more intelligent than me. They refused to even have a sip. 

My mother gave me a stern look and said, you asked for it and bought it. Now, you better make sure you drink and finish this in the next few months. Don't even think of throwing it away. Don't waste it.

I don't know how she knew that I had actually planned to dump the whole content in our kitchen wash sink!!!

Later a friend told me that it is an acquired taste. Well, yeah.. I have one whole bottle of rose syrup to finish and to experience that taste...

Lessons learnt - what tastes good for others, might not taste good for me!!!

Things to keep in mind when caring for someone who is bedridden

My grandfather had a surgery recently and that is when our normal life went haywire. This was a first time experience for all of us since he is really old now and we had a lot of challenges in taking care of him.

A few things I have learnt personally from this entire episode -

One, it is ok to reach out for help and hire an attender or caretaker to take care of them at home. This does not mean we love or care for them less. It just means that we are bringing in experts to help with taking care of them. These folks are professionals and are trained to take care of sick people who are bedridden.

When we got someone for help, I was surprised by how expertly she changed the bed sheets and diapers. When we tried to do it ourselves on the first day before we hired her, we struggled to do that.

There are many healthcare providers that run these kind of services. Ask around for recommendations and hire someone.

Second, there are so many products in the market that are used to aid us in taking care of them at home. Check them out online. We got my grandfather a temporary seat adjuster that helps him in sitting and lying down. The first thing we made sure we had before we got him back home was an air bed. 

All said and done, the most difficult part is in understanding them. They will have mood swings, will throw a tantrum. Don't take it personally and continue to provide them with the best care.

The elaichi factor

I was disappointed after taking a bite of the Chandrakala sweet that I had bought. The reason?? It had  yelakka (elaichi) in it.

Elaichi is a common ingredient that is added in most of the dishes that is made these days. They add it in sweets, curries, rice. The only problem is I don't like that flavor at all. The whole taste goes for a toss when this is added while cooking a dish. 

I really don't have any childhood memories of having a dish that had this ingredient in it. Probably that is the reason I don't like it.

Me (loudly): why, why?? why do people add this yelakka to everything. Spoils the taste of the sweet.

Amma (looking at me): Other than you, I don't think anyone has any problem with yelakka. And it is good for digestion. So if you want that sweet, you need to have it with that flavor.

To all the cooks out there, can we please remove yellaka from the dishes.😞😞😞

Random thought on friendship

When I was excitedly telling a friend about connecting with someone after many years, she told me sarcastically to see how long that would last. I was taken aback initially. Later I realized she was right. 

I have had a few experiences where I started off on a great note with a friend. After the initial excitement of starting a new friendship starts to wear off, there are signs of disinterest. The conversations gradually move to formalities and the other person starts showing signs of disinterest. That is when I know it is coming to an end. Being some one who wouldn't easily give up on friendship, I tried my best to keep it going. When I realized that it was just not going to happen, I finally gave up and it just fizzled out.

On the other hand, some old friendships have stood the test of times and the bond has only grown stronger over the years.

My friend went on to say, "R, when I talk to someone after many years, I cannot be expected to pick up from where I left. Iam not going to open up and share all my life events, my problems with that person immediately. It is going to take some time. Only after we spend a lot of time together, will I move on to talk about more personal stuff." 

She was right as well. It takes a lot of time and patience to build a friendship that would last. There is no easy way.  

Why do some friendships last longer than others. I guess it depends on how much the two people like each other, trust each other and are committed to that friendship. Otherwise the friendship will just fade. 

Why it is difficult for an unmarried woman to get married at the age of 40

Why is it difficult for an unmarried woman to get married at a late age?

Well, the obvious reason is that there are too few men at the age of 40 to 50 yrs who are still unmarried. Most of them are already married before the age of 30.

Second, in the Indian society, men (no matter what their age), always look for someone who is younger to them by atleast 3-4 yrs. So if a woman has to look for a man to marry at say the age of 40, she has to look for someone who is more than 45 yrs of age which again narrows down the search.

Third, there is a reason for the men at this age to remain unmarried. Some of them, want to stay single for reasons only they know.  I mean why would you say no to a life long companionship. It still baffles me!!

A few of them have conditions (not expectations) and are still looking for a woman, who will meet those conditions. In Indian society, that could easily be a long list. It would definitely include religion, caste, eating habits, education, family background, horoscope match, looks (oh yes, they all want only a woman who has a fair complexion). 

These are the men who still want to go through the traditional route and are looking for parental support to make those decisions. They don't want to take any decision. They don't understand that if they ignore others advice including their parents and look past these conditions, they would definitely find someone they like. Yes, unfortunately the parents are part of the group the men need to ignore coz most parents want the best for their son, However, what they don't get is that finding a girl who complements the man is what is important.

And then there are some, who really want to get married and are still looking. Trying to find someone who will hold their interest. Unfortunately, this is a very very small number and that is where the problem is!! sigh !!!! 😔

Now, back to the women. Iam not an expert. This could be just what Iam thinking. At the age of 40, a person has gone through a lot in life. They have seen their share of ups and downs. They are more mature, are more strong and independent. They understand that good looks or education to name a few, don't really matter. It is the personality of a person that matters. 

Most of them want someone who would care for them, trust them, treat them as an equal and accept them for who they are. Iam sure that if they find someone who have these, most of them would definitely go ahead and marry them. 

The men have also gone through the same and are looking for the same traits in the women. Unfortunately, most of them have reached a point that they don't care anymore. Sad, but that is the truth!!

Ulutha vadai

My mom has always been an expert in cooking. She cooks delicious dishes and we enjoy them daily. 

The only dish she can never get it right, is the Medu vadai (the only we call as ulutha vadai). Ironically, this is one of my favorite dish. All these years, whenever my mom has tried to prepare this dish, it has ended in a disaster. Either it is too oily or very hard. She used to give up on it and make bondas instead of vadais.

That is the reason, whenever my grand mom is around, she makes it a point to make this vadai for me. She knows that I like them and always cooks them. I have tried to ask my grandmom (on behalf of my mother) on what mistake we have been doing. Even though she explained, my mom never gets them right.

So, it was a surprise when two months back, amma made this vadai and it was just perfect. I was jumping in glee, proud that my mother had finally mastered the art of making ulutha vadai. My mother was herself surprised and tried to remember what she had done to make it right.

I just walked in to the kitchen room today when my mom was frying something. I had a hunch and looked into the cooking vessel. And what did I find, ulutha vadai. They were perfectly made!!!

Me: Amma, you are making ulutha vadae. Wow!!

My mom(*beaming with pride*) : yes.  

Me: you have become an expert, amma. they look so nice.

My mom: yes. ana kannu vetkathe. yetho ippolaam nalla varuthu

Me: ok ok. no problem.

She finally finished frying all of them and we got to eat those delicious vadais. They were perfect in shape and were delicious!!! I just love my mom 💓

The forecasting game

The leadership team wanted us to share the forecasts for the next nine months. My manager set up a meeting to discuss on how we should do this. 

My Mgr: Guyz, we need to give forecast for next year.

All of us: ok

Mgr opens the worksheet to explain

My Mgr: here you see, the revenue has been given. We cannot change it

All of us: ok

My Mgr: The profitability is also given. We cannot change it

My Mind voice: ok, everything is given. Then what shd we do 😖

Me: So V, revenue cannot be changed, profitability cannot be changed. Then what should we update.

My Mind voice: R, why can't you shut your mouth and stay quiet like the others. 

My Mgr: you see the costs - there are different costs. You need to update that which in turn will update the profitability

Me (still not learnt the lesson): Costs is also fixed right.

My Mgr: yes, the total costs is fixed.

Me: I don't control how much salary should be given for an associate. In fact, Iam not supposed to even know those details. The overall cost is fixed.  Nothing is in my control. Then why do they want us to update something I don't know,.

My Mgr: R, I understand what you are trying to say. They want us to update it and send it. Can we pls move to the discussion on what numbers to give in there.

Me: ok.

My Mind voice: company le oruthanukku koodava arivu ille. Just put a formula and derive those numbers na. ithukku oru email!!!! 😂😆

No football for kids :)

I was having a conversation with a colleague at onsite who had taken a day off earlier to be with his son who was having a surgery. 

We started the call,

My colleague: R, a piece of advice. Never allow your kids to play football

Me (perplexed!!): ok...

My colleague: that is bad, very bad.

After some time,

My colleague: What is the name of the popular game you play in India. The one that everyone plays...

Me (racking my brain.. it was so unexpected, I really didn't know what to say): hmm. wht game..

My colleague: the outdoor game that everyone plays including kids.

** Finally a bulb switches on in my brain

Me: are you talking abt cricket. that is a popular game.

My colleague: yes... cricket!!! That is a good game. Ask your kids to play that game. But not football. That is not the right game. They run around and get hurt, badly hurt..

**It was on my tip of the tongue, to tell him that I was unmarried and had no children. But he went on talking and I realized that there was no point in telling him my situation 😄😆. 

He was just a worried parent and was letting out his emotions. So I just let him talk.

Living with parents

No matter what your age, parents still treat you like a kid. 

On top of this if you are a woman, unmarried, living with parents, the situation is going to be even more bad. Well, bad for you, not for them!!

I did hear that it is much more better for men who are unmarried. They still have independence in doing what they want. I don't think parents would ask them where they are going when they leave the house or what they are doing when they are on the phone or in their room.

The same is not the case if it is a daughter.

If Iam chatting on the phone for a long time, Iam advised that it is bad for health. Well, yes, it is bad for health. But what do I do when Iam bored. I don't have a family to take care of or responsibilities as a married woman.

When you ask them to treat you as a woman who is in her forties, they look at you as if you have grown crazy. Add to this, the emotional blackmail they use when you confront them. 

Sometimes, it feels as if you are just bound and trapped by their love. I remember the scene from a thamizh movie. The hero's father wants the best for him and in doing so, does not allow him to make any independent decision. In the end, the hero tries to explain to his dad on what is wrong with him. He tells him that he is a good father, someone who loves and cares for his family. He is someone who wants the best for his children and gives them everything they want. Unfortunately, there is one thing that he is not able to give them - independence. He advises them on everything, never realizing that they are all adults and can make their own choices in life.

The conversation in that scene between father and son is what Iam reminded of whenever I have an argument at home. 

I just wish they allow me to be independent and look at me as a woman who knows what she wants and can manage on her own.

Guilty of snacking on unhealthy snacks

Although I still had my stash of the last few Kaju katli's in the fridge, I had this sudden urge to eat something sweet.

I walk into the kitchen and find these packets of Horlicks that my mom had got for my grandmother. Since it gets hard when stored in a container for a long time, she bought these small packets that could be opened and used whenever my grand mom wanted it.

So when I looked at them, I knew I had to have them. Opened one packet and then started eating them. My dad looked at me as if I had gone mad. Asked me to put it in milk or hot water and have it. 

I told him that I have never liked Horlicks with milk. I just loved to eat it just like that.

After it was finished, I still wanted to have something sweet. 

And that is when I remembered the Nestle milkmaid tin. Well, opened that one and helped myself to two big spoons of milkmaid. I had to stop myself from having more!!! It was so yummy!!! 

To get the vaccination shot or not??

Have been in a confused state in the last 2 weeks - should I get the vaccination shot or should I not get?? Have read the pros and cons of getting the shot. The effectiveness of them, the side effects, the risk involved in getting them. Whatsapp forwards and discussions going back and forth on the good and bad of the vaccination.

The question is how long can I go without taking it. When we are all asked to get back to office, we will be forced to get the shots. So can I defer it for now. The what-ifs are never ending!!!

I don't want to be forced to get it. I want to make a conscious decision in getting the shots. All the people who got them look at me as if I am being stupid and making a grave mistake. On the other hand, the people who have not yet got it are in the same confused state of mind.

So for now, Iam going to wait and watch on how bad the situation could get and the necessity to get the shot.

I hope Iam making the right decision.

The Vaccination survey

The firm I work in, has been continuously sending in emails about the vaccination outlining the benefits of vaccination. 

After a few weeks, they scheduled vaccination drives and sent in emails urging the associates to use the opportunity to take the vaccine shots for themselves and their dependents. 

After the first two drives, they sent in a survey asking all of us to participate in it. The survey had questions related to the vaccination status of the associates and their dependents. If they did not take it, then their preferred location and date which would help the company in scheduling future vaccination drives.

Well, I thought when the firm was doing so much for us, the least we could do was participate in the survey and give them the information. 

Unfortunately I was not able to submit the survey - the date question was a mandatory one - one should select the date they got their last vaccination or the date they want to get their vaccination shot (if not taken). What if someone chose not to take the vaccine at all. Why did they not have a "NA" option.

The final sentence was what made me stop submitting the survey - allowing the firm to pass on the information to the government when asked for. 

I have seen many such check boxes in many forms that are basically legal clauses to protect the major parties from law suits. And in all those situations I have happily confirmed to them because I had this don't care attitude. I mean what could go wrong.

This one for some reason did not go well with me. And so I refrained myself from checking that tiny checkbox at the end.

After that, there have been multiple email reminders from the HR team asking us to submit. Last friday I decided to see what they would do if someone asks questions and I sent an email to the HR asking them why I should agree to give away my data to the government and why I should select a date.

As with all such emails, there was no reply to this one. Either they are not reading emails in their inbox or they don't know how to respond to me. Will have to wait and see what they are gonna do.

The White Cat

I got up last night to use the bathroom. When I was finished with the task, I walked to the other room hoping that I was wrong. 

I peered through the window and found the shadow that has now become familiar to me. Damn, I thought. When is this ever gonna end!!!! 

I went to get the glass of water and slowly pulled the curtain. I heard a faint sound and then I found that it had jumped on the compound wall. It walked towards my neighbor's bike, made itself comfortable on the seat of the bike and then stared at me. I stared back. 

We both stared at each other for some time and then I got tired and went back to my room to sleep. 

It all started a few days back...

I had woken up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and heard a faint sound near one of the windows. I peered closely at one of the windows and found a white outline on the window ledge. The windows at my house have a protective mosquito net. This served two purpose - one, to keep the mosquitoes out and the other to keep cats, squirrels and other insects from entering through the windows.

Very cautiously, I peeled off the net and slowly opened the door. And that is when I saw this white cat sitting on the ledge. 

I don't like cats and can't stand them. It is one of the species that irritate me.😏 So every time, I see one, I drive it away from that place.

Coming back to the story, as soon as I saw the cat, I wanted to get rid of it. I tried swinging the window back and forth many times and it still did not leave. I finally got a big stick and hit it hard. Only then did it move from the resting place.

That night, I thought the problem was solved and the cat would not dare come near my bedroom window again.

Well, I was wrong. The next night, I found the cat again sitting there. This time I got a glass of water and poured it on the cat. It had the desired effect and the cat got away. It ran and sat on the seat of my neighbor's bike and stared at me. Well, if you did not want that, you should have stayed away from my windows, was what I thought 😂😁

This has become a routine now. 

Every night, I find the cat sitting there. I get a glass of water and pour the water on it. As soon as I do that, it gets away and moves on to the other side of the compound wall. 

For the last two nights, I didn't even get to the part of pouring the water. I just pushed the curtains aside. On hearing the sound, the cat jumped on to the wall, knowing very well what would happen if it stayed.

I just don't get it. If the cat was smart to know what was bound to happen, why did it sit in the same spot last night 😉

It seems we are both adamant - the cat and I. Let us see who is going to win this match!!!

Random thoughts - April 27

I type a message on Whatsapp and then just before I press the send key, I read it again. Isn't this too much. What will the other person think of me? I then delete it and retype a new message. The new one is simple and lacks the emotion that the previous one has. I hit the send message.

Iam on a call with someone. When I realize that the other person is not interested in what Iam saying, I leave that topic and move on to something else.

Iam speaking to someone and perceive that they don't want to continue the conversation. I don't prod them. I say good bye and end the call or stop the conversation.

They are all examples of how I have learnt to restrain myself in saying or doing something because I know that the other person is just not interested in it.

There is nothing wrong in what the others are doing. They have their own life, commitments, their own problem, thoughts running in their mind. If you insist, they might listen to you. They will do it either because they are too nice to say no or they don't want to offend you. 

Unless it is really important, you just have to feign nonchalance and go on with life. 

Perhaps this is the reason, people kept diaries. You need an outlet to put down all your thoughts without worrying about how others will react.

Review of the Susanna Kearsley's novels

It was by accident that I stumbled upon the novel, The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley. I remember I had read a few pages of this novel a year back. At that time, I was just not interested. 

Two weeks back, I was browsing through the novel list at an online site and came across this one. I told myself what could go wrong with reading this one. The novel is set in the Cornwall county in England. It starts with a detailed description of the place which I now understand is Susanna's style of writing.

It takes some time to like this novel. One has to have a little patience to wait for the story to unfold. It was a very sweet romance story that includes time travel. Although it was slow paced, I liked the story and the ending. When I was done with it, I wanted to check out if she had written more that one novel. I read reviews of a few of her novels and then went around searching for her other novels at the same site. 

I was not disappointed and found a few more at the same online site. They are all feel-good novels and have a happy ending. She has done a lot of research on the historical events and the places around Europe.

Here is my own personal review of a few that I had read -

a) The Rose Garden - a romance novel set in the Cornwall county. I loved the time travel part of this novel. The time travel blends in with the story. At no point of time was I confused if the heroine was in the present or in the past. The decision that the heroine takes felt right to me. There were a few surprises in the story towards the end and I had to read those sentences a second time to understand. I liked this novel and wouldn't mind reading it the second time. This was my first introduction to the group of people called Jacobites.

b) The Firebird - The hero and heroine are born with a gift - they can visualize who owned an object merely by touching it. In fact, the hero can actually go back to the events that happened in the past when he touches an object. They follow the journey of a girl who had lived in the past and that takes them to the different places she had lived including many parts of Europe and Russia. I was excited when I read the scenes that take place in Russia. As usual, the author does a good job in writing detailed descriptions of the places.

c) The Shadowy Horses - this is a novel that is set in Scotland. There is a friendly Roman soldier who is a ghost and a boy who has psychic powers. When I realized that there was a ghost, I assumed it would be a typical ghost story. I was surprised when the sentry is just one of the characters in the novel. I really didn't know much about what happens at archaeological digs until I read this novel. When I first read this, I was wondering why the boy and his mother sounded familiar and then I realized the connection between this book and the Firebird. This has to be read prior to reading the Firebird. I made a mistake of reading the Firebird first and then had to go back and forth between the two novels to understand the connection.

d) The Splendour Falls - after reading three of Susanna's novels, I was hoping for some kind of time travel or magic in this one. I was rather disappointed when it was just a sweet romantic novel with a sprinkle of mystery. However, as usual her detailed description of the surroundings was what made it a nice read. The novel is set in Chinon, France and as you follow the heroine's journey, it takes you through the nooks and corners of Chinon. When I finished this book, I wanted to immediately travel to Chinon and visit all the places described in this book.

e) Mariana - finally, I got another time travel romance story to read!!! While in the Rose Garden, it was just time travel, in this novel, it includes reincarnation. The heroine actually is the same person who had lived in the 17th century in the same house that she lives in the present. I just loved this novel. It was a bittersweet romance and the twist at the end was completely unexpected. Was I a little disappointed?? Maybe, maybe not!!! It is set in a lovely village in England and I could picture myself in all those places she had described in the novel.

I think I have become a fan of Susanna and her novels. Just when I thought that this was the last novel I would be reading online and I had to go out and buy other novels, I found another of her novel - The Desperate Fortune yesterday at the same site.

Well, I have started reading it although Iam very sure that this is just a normal novel. 

I hope it is a good one!!!

Chennai summer is back!!

 You know that summer is back in Chennai when - 

       # The water heaters in the bathrooms can take their well needed rest. They are not needed any more since the water is already hot.

                # The clay pots are pulled out from the cupboards and washed. They will be used to store the drinking water and keep it cool.

       #  The air coolers are now back in action. One cannot go to sleep without switching on the air coolers.

       # The plants look withered the whole day. It is only in the evenings after they have been given some water, do they come back to life.

       # The pickles and vadagams (that are used in sambhars) are prepared to last for an entire year are prepared.

       # You start sweating and hate going outside in the day time.

       # You drink lots of water and still feel thirsty.

       # You long for the mangoes to turn up in the stores and start dreaming of the various ways of having them either eat them as a whole or savor them in the form of juices or milkshakes. 

       # You wait for the rain gods to show some mercy and wish that it rains every day.

       # You wait eagerly for the water melons and nungu fruit.