On whats kept me busy

Now that my life has more indications of some kind of sanity, I figured this would be a good time to pop in, say hi and find out if anyone stills reads this space :)

Basically, my life has been defined by the word "change" these last two months. I quit a plum PSU job to join an NGO and further my desire of contributing something back to the society I took from :).  I am still grappling with the realities of the decision and while I cannot say that all is perfect, I certainly do not regret my decision.

Meanwhile we also got our home renovated and moved in to a new home. Its a good feeling to have got this thing done with by this age in life. But our financial status has become so precarious, that we are having some stressful times on that front. 

New home meant a new school for Chittu. And that means new routines and new needs. Settling into it all was also quite a process. To add to the mess, Maami- my full time house help went down with some sort of Pox and was off for nearly two months. Though it was a great relief to not have her in our face ALL the time, it was difficult for us to manage a newly constructed house with the dust still settling, a million house works pending, a toddler and our respective jobs. I have to admit, that with her return, things have got much more saner!!!

In the midst of this madness, I ran the Kaveri Half. I still cannot believe I did it.But at another level I feel like a faker, because I walked so much of the course, I feel like I hardly ran. Still at the sight of the finish line, I was grateful that it was finally over. I felt like I had pushed to my maximum ability and my legs and feet were begging for mercy!!! At one point of time during the course, I promised myself that I'd never embark on such lofty targets ever again!!! Funny that I am waiting for the Auroville registrations to open, to register for the half :) Running does amazing things to the body and mind.

Between the Kaveri Trail till today, I have run only thrice, done some kind of yoga some days, but have mostly stayed off the gym. I am yet to shift my membership to the gym closer home. However, as if to compensate, work got so hectic that I have not had the time to think of food even though I was hungry. No complaints there cos I do love my work that much! On the food side, I have tried my best to be mindful. Our poor financial status also means no more(far lesser) restaurant meals and a LOT of house work!

In the shifting process, I may have damaged my weighing scale. May be I should buy new batteries to verify. People seeing me after long have told me that I have lost a lot of weight. My clothes however fit the same and I'm hoping that no exercise after heavy duty half marathon training has not resulted in tipping the scales yet again.

Proper exercise resumed yesterday with a 5.5k run in my new neighbourhood and a Jillian Micheals yoga workout this morning. Whats up with you guys, I hardly see any updates???

Updates Galore!

Hi!

On Sunday, I told you, dear readers, that I was going to have an important week. So important that, I told my manager at work that I needed half a day off. But the work that was supposed to be done in half a day, took two whole days. And I stayed away from work, without any intimation of my proposed leave.

The transaction – purchase of our home.

Really??

Pinch!

Ouch. Yes. Really.  

We bought a house. Now let me tell you that all is not rosy about it, because it involves getting work done at the Sub- Registrar’s Office. And that means – lots of “non-rosy” things which I will not cannot say here. Sibbal might just send me a notice, you know?

Anyway, everything was supposed to get done on Monday. It did not. Our lawyer said, “Alright. You just need to come at 10.30 a.m. and get this done.” Simple. Yes?

No. NO! “Just get it done” means fill up forms written with instructions in a language you cannot read, with many hands to grease and just very disheartening to know about. So our work did not “just get done”. When we were done it was about lunch time. I had some Xerox copying to do, then deliver some papers in the Bank which financed our not-so-rosy-home, relieve my bursting bladder, drink water, have lunch and then get to work. By the time I got to the last bit – work that it is, it was 3p.m. Not a time to get to office, and too late to inform boss of my day of absence. So, I went home, slept, and rested my aching back.

“I expected you yesterday”, said the Manager this morning in a grave tone. Oopsie!! No promotion next year, was my thought. Whatever.

Food & Exercise Update:

Been a good girl, except the Rava-Onion Dosa at Shanti Sagar on Monday, during a much needed coffee break in the registration process. Been keeping up with Phase 1 South Beach Diet, adding fruits, as an exception to the general phase I rules.

My elliptical, kind of died on Sunday, and needs to be fixed. Yesterday I managed to climb a lot of steps and walk as well. Am thinking of walking/ running in the park this evening.

Weight Read :82.3kg this morning. But, please dear God, don’t make it increase tomorrow. I am working really hard on this.

 I might just achieve my New Year Goal of making it below the 80 mark. Do you think I will get there? Any suggestions?

The week end and a few other things

We went to the National Handicraft Exhibition the last week end - the Scientist and I. We are rather co-ordinated on this sort of things - handicraft, tribal art, sculpture, paintings- you get the drift, which may precisely be why that after two years of marriage, we have an amount in savings that is not even worth mentioning. But, well, lets not spoil things, now that we went there. After priding and reveling in how much colour and fine fancy our country had to offer, we did some great shopping, consisting of some paintings and wall hangings which we will use to adorn our dream home (sigh!! when will that happen?). Just in case the guilt worm caught up with us, we insisted that our shopping shall predominantly comprise of bright colours, which will delight little Chittu. (May be the pictures will come up later). Right now however, our pieces of art are all wrapped in newspaper, concealing what lies beneath. So every time I glance at them, I slip dreamily into my imagination of how beautifully  my home will be done up. That's a long way to go I know, because I have, after two years of marriage, not been able to get the Scientist to drive a single nail into the walls of our now, rented home. 

******

I'm beginning to love this - the sitting at home thing. But considering I have not yet gone back home after the baby's birth, I wonder how well I will manage. Even worse, what do I plan to do come June 1, 2011, on which date I hope to go back to work?

******

Ok. I was fat before the baby. And baby birth has certainly not contributed to weight loss. Although I spend 45 (aha!!! you read it right fortttttty fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive) sweaty minutes on the elliptical, the oodles, doodles and masses of lard refuse to go. And oh! must I mention the cheesy-creamy-yummmmy au gratin that I shoved down my digestive system over dinner with the Scientist this week end? But damn the calories!!After all, I get the rare romantic moment on even rarer week ends when we are not fighting.

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Baby calling. I'm off. 

How was your week end? Leave me a line.