In all fairness

When the test result papers are given to us, it is always semi thrilling. Not knowing how my parents are going to react makes planning the presentation of the mark sheets that much more interesting.

Well, in a term test, I had done decently (that's what I thought). But you never know!

madhurA - appA, answer sheets indhA (Here are the answer sheet)

appA - ok... (looking keenly) - inga nee pochu 1 mark.. konjam gavanam venum (Here, you lost one mark. You should have shown attention)

appA - What is the spelling of "Environment"?
madhurA - (tells the spelling correctly) yen kettA?
appA - nee thappa ezhudirkka AnA onnoda teacher "tick" potturukkA (You have written it wrong but your teacher has put a tick against it)

appA - onnoda teacher kkum attention porAdhu. eppadi sollikudupAlo! ida kAmi and mark koraikka sollu (Even your teacher does not show attention. Don't know how well she teaches. Show this and get you marks reduced)

madhurA gets visibly upset. The next day while going to her music class...

madhurA - nee-um appA-um thappey pannadhu illayA (Have you and appa never made a mistake?)
ammA - Of course thappu pannirkomey. ellarum edAvadhu thappu pannuva. thappey pannAdhavA pArkardhu romba kashtam ( Of course we have done mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. It is hard to find a person who does not do any mistake)
madhurA - appA-um thappu pannuvA nA, appo appA eppadi yen teacher patti appadi sonnA nethikki (if appA also makes mistakes then why did appA say something like that about my teacher)

madhurA - yen teacher good person and nanna sollikudupA. oru mistake dhaane. appA sonnadhu ennaku pidikalai (My teacher is a good person and teaches well. It is just one mistake. I did not like what appA said)

ammA - correct madhurA... namba appadi judge panna kudAdu (We should not judge people like that) (feeling proud of madhurA's respect and love for her teacher and in awe of how her teacher has won her heart that madhurA comes in her defence standing up against her parents)

P.S. - appA sincerely apologised to madhurA for the comment

Argumentative me

ammA - Madhura, poi ippo violin practice pannu (go practice violin now)
madhurA - (completely ignoring and continuing to do what she is doing)
ammA - (a few minutes later) - nAn enna sonnen? (What did I say?)
madhurA - practice panna sonna (You asked me to practice)
ammA - nee enna pannara (What are you doing?)
madhurA - vilaiyAdaren (playing)
ammA - (agitated with the disobedience) - madhurA (loudly!)
madhurA - ennA (what?)
ammA - thiripiyum solla matten (I won't say once more) enna pannanum (what are you suppose to do?)

madhurA - violin vAsikanum (I should be playing the violin)
ammA - yen pannala innum (Why are you not doing it yet?)
madhurA - onakku nAn violin vAsikkanum (You want me to play violin) AnA nee enakku enna pannanum nnu ketkalai (you did not ask me what I want to do) ennakku ippo violin vAsikka vendAm (I do not want to play violin now)
madhurA - enakku yenna pannonamo adhu  important dhaane? (What I want to do is important right?) onnakku enna venumo nAn pannanamA? enakku enna venumo adhu pannanumA? (Should I do what you want me to do or should I do what I want?)
ammA - okay ( what next? will she lawyer up! :)

Beautiful as Urvashi

pAdukA - ammA Urvashi Attam irukka (ammA looks like Urvashi)
ammA - (what is happening here?!*#)
madhurA - illave illai (not at all)
madhurA - Urvashi azhagA irukka (Urvashi looks beautiful)
pAdukA - ammA enna sonna theriyum-a? (ammA, do you know what she said?)
ammA - ketten (I heard)
madhurA - AmAm.. correct dhaane ammA? (yes.. Isn't it correct?)
ammA - appadiyA? (really?)
madhurA - (a little doubtful if she has said something wrong) ammA-um beautiful dhaan.. but Urvashi is beautiful and young
pAdukA - (totally enjoying this and could not control herself) - ammA, kettayA (ammA, did you hear it?)
madhurA - (have I messed up big time?) (bringing the Amar chitra katha book and showing a picture) - ammA nee ippadiyA irukka (Are you like this?).. Urvashi parappa and romba make up pottupa (Urvashi flies and wears make up)
madhurA - nee appadi illa dhaane ammA (You are not like that ammA)
pAdukA - chumma adjust pannarA ma (She is just trying to save the situation)
ammA - (smiling) ok madhurA nAn beautiful ila young-um ila (I am not beautiful and young)
madhurA - (hugging ammA) - But you are the best ammA
padukA - (I am sure ammA will fall for this :( madhurA.... only I know you like no one else. Will tell this incident to appA and put you in a spot)

Smart (watch) argument

Yeah, I get carried away by the new things that my friends bring along when they come to play. Recently I saw my friend wear a smart watch and I thought that it will be cool to have one for myself. 

madhurA - ammA, onnoda phone pAru.. Yen friend amma message anuppuvA (ammA, check your phone. My friend's mother will send a message)

ammA - Birthday invitation-a?

madhurA - illa smart watch patthi (it's about smart watch)

ammA - yEn (why?)

madhurA - nee apodane enakku vAnga mudiyum yen friend Attumey (then you can buy like my friend's watch)

ammA - no smart watch. indhavayasula vendAm (Not at this age)

madhurA - appo avo mattum eppadi vechikalAm-a? (then how can she have?)

ammA - idhulAm namma Athula 16 years apparam dhaan (in our household, all of this will be given only after you are 16 yrs)

(throws a tantrum and makes a scene)

madhurA - not fair

ammA - madhurA sure-a nAn onnaku 16 yrs Anaparam vAngi kuduppen (madhurA, I will surely buy it for you after you turn 16 yrs)

madhurA - adhuvaraikkum nee old aaittu umachi kitta pogama irupayA.. onakku nannA theriyumA.. (Till then do you know that you will not become old and reach God?)

madhurA - ippovave irukkum podhu vAngidu (Buy it when you are here)

ammA - !!!!!! (contemplating the impermanence of life and forgetting about the watch :)

Beginning of my musical journey

I have been watching and accompanying my older sister to her music and dance classes. I have been engaged in second hand learning and my older sister loves to play teacher and take class for me. My ammA believed that I am untethered and need some more time before I can sit down and learn something in a class. She always attributes this to the initial Montessori learning system at school :\

Once during my sister's guru's concert, we (students and siblings) kids sat right below the stage. I was enjoying the music and company of the children (tried to keep up with thaalam) and was fascinated by violin accompaniment. I let me goofy side shine ;) I copied the bowing and hand movements of the violinist and did not notice that she was watching me.

At the end of the concert my mother was exhausted from prodding me to behave well as I was sitting right in front. We were ready to leave but my appA went missing. He had other plans. He walked upto the violinist and asked her if she will teach. The violinist to his pleasant surprise was able to identify me due to my goofiness and accepted to teach me.

On September 5th, 2017, accompanied by the entire family I joined (my own) music class. Today I hope is the first day of the rest of my life enjoying playing violin.

ammA, this goofy is is getting serious....

I am my own person

I am yet to understand why people think that we (should) behave the same way someone behaves towards us. I am a person who has her own nature and I stay true to it. Sometimes I have tell this aloud to my parents.

It was my school picnic day and I have been excited about this for a week now. On the day of the picnic, I woke up at 5:45 a.m. and got ready. I was about to leave home at 6:45 a.m. My older sis was happily sleeping and did not get up to say "bye".

A week later, it was my older sister's. I am more excited than her :) I checked out the snacks that she is going to take. The night before I felt I am going to miss my sister since she will come 2 hours after I return from school and she will not come with me in the school bus that day.

madhurA - pAdukA, nAn onna miss pannuven ( I am going to miss you)
pAdukA (making a face) - enna? miss-a? (what? miss?)
madhurA - nAn theniyA bus la varuven and nee late-a varuva ( I will come alone in the school bus and you will come a little late)
madhurA hugs pAdukA.. pAdukA is confused as to why this is an emotional deal:)

Next day morning, pAdukA wakes up at 5:45 a.m. and getting ready.

ammA (seeing madhurA) - nee yen ezhundha? (why did you wake up?)
madhurA - pAdukA kalambara (pAdukA is leaving)
pAdukA - adhunAla (so what?)
madhurA follows pAdukA around and gets the things she needs to her. Once again she hugs pAdukA before she leaves.
madhurA (almost in tears) - miss pannuven. bye (I will miss you, bye)
After pAdukA leaves
ammA - madhurA, nee yen ezhunda evalavu sikkaram ( Why did you get up so soon?)
madhurA - Bye solla ( to say bye)
ammA - pAdukA ippadi ezhundu onakku "bye" sonnalA (Did pAdukA get up like this to say bye to you?)
madhurA - no
ammA - appa nee yen idhu ellAm pannara (Then why do you do all these things)
madhurA - avo vera person nAn vera person (she is a different person and I am different.) avo behave pannaraa madhiri dhaan naanum bahave pannanum-a? (Should I behave like her?) nAn avalavida different-a feel pannaren. (I feel differently from her)

I can do better

Well I have homework to do every week end and it so happened that the weekend got extended because of festival holidays.  Yay...! is what you would think now that there are 5 days of holidays and plenty of time to do the homework. But my ammA wants me to finish it right away.. :(

While walking with me and my my sister to a shop ...
ammA - madhurA, homework aachaa (homework done?)
madhurA - illa

ammA - evalavu dhavara sollanum. mudi homework-a. apparam marandhu poidum. ippo mudiche na adutta 4 days kavalai padavendaam ( How many times should I tell you? Finish it now and you need not worry about it for 4 days)

madhurA - seri (OK)

my sis (in low voice) - Don't worry.. innum 4 days irukku. Nee last day panna kuda porum (There are 4 more days. You can even do it on the last day before school)

my sis - naan onakku last day remind pannaren ( I will will remind you on the last day)

madhura ( in low voice) - Ok. actually ennakku avalavu homework illai. Last day pannalena kuda OK. Schoool bus la porche kuda mudikalaam (I do not have much of home work. Even if I do not finish on the last day, I can finish it in the school bus on the way to school)

my sis (surprised) - wow ! (she learns faster than I thought)

ammA (listening to the hushed conversation) - (Am I even being heard! One tops the other in postponing work1)

I wish...

Among many wishes I have this is one of the very interesting one that I have imaged for sometime

M - ammA, Chocolate saapadalaamaa? (Can I have a chocolate?)
ammA - no.. nee apple-a saapadu (no.. you can have apple)

A little later...
M - Doodle jump onnoda phone la vilaiyaadalaamaa? (Can I play doodle jump on your phone?)
ammA - No.. vera edhaavadhu pannu (no..do something else)

A little later...
M - Ice cream tharayaa?
ammA - Not now.. nee rAthri seekaram saapadu apparam tharen (not now.. finish your dinner fast tonight, then I will give you)

In the evening

M - vilaiyaada polaamaa? (Can I go down to play?)
ammA - po.pAl saaptaparam (Go after drinking milk)

M - ammA sometimes I wish ennakku oru "ok, seri" nnu sollara amma irukkanum nnu (Sometimes I wish I have a mother who will say "ok" all the time)

ammA - ! ! onnakku indha ammA vendAmA? ( you don't want this ammA?)

M ( realizing what she said to ammA now tries to talk her way out ) - ila ila indha ammA dhaan best. ennaku "ok" sollara ammA verum wish dhaan. indha ammA dhaan nalladhu laam solluva (no no. This ammA is the best. Having a mother who will say "ok" is just my wish but this ammA tells me what is best)

ammA (to herself) - good save.... :)

Guilty conscious

To drink milk or not ? This is the BIG question that I have been thinking about for a while.

I have recently learnt that cow's baby (calf) drinks its mother's milk. Milk is it's only food! But we drink cow's milk. I am confused. Then what will the calf have?

Should we stop drinking milk? But my teacher has told me that milk is good for my health. I like curd, cheese and butter more than milk. So, I told ammA that I will not have milk but just have curd, cheese and butter. ammA tells me that curd, cheese and butter come from milk. Really!

We are using all the milk. The calves are all hungry. Why is no one doing anything to help them? I think we should share our food with the calves since they are sharing theirs with us. I suggested to ammA that she should make more saadam (rice) and kaai (vegetable) everyday for the calves.

We eat saadam (rice) and kaai (vegetables) everyday but also drink milk  to stay healthy.

So, here is my plan - "Buy a lot of milk from shops and feed it to the calves"

Now that sounds fair :)

Atlast you understand

Our toy room was a mess. Crayons, clothes, and cards from a game strewn all over the place.

ammA (for the nth time) - pAdukA and madhurA, please room-a clean pannungo (pAdukA and madhurA please clean the room)
pAdukA - avalaiyum panna sollu (ask her (madhurA) to clean up)
madhurA - nAn idhu laam edukalai ( I did not take these things out)
pAdukA - poi sollara ma (she is lying)

The argument continues with a lot of accusation and screaming! No cleaning up was done. The room continues to be the same mess. After about 20 minutes...

ammA - clean pannalai yA innum? (Has this not been cleaned yet?)
ethanai vaatti sollanum (how many times should I tell?)
nAn kitchen velai yai mudikarthukku kulla clean pannanum (You should clean this up before I finish my kitchen work)

After a while.... Seeing nothing has changed in the room

ammA (frustrated) - onga rendu perkitta katthardhukku badhulA nAn clean pannittu poirkalAm eppovo ( Instead of shouting at you two, I should have cleaned it long back)
madhurA - good job ammA
ammA (furious) - nAn nannA clean panna "good job" sollarayA? (Are you saying "good job for cleaning this room well?")
madhurA - no ma. nee ippo dhaan purinjintta.(now you have understood)
ammA - enna (what?)
madhurA - enga kitta katthardhukku badhilA neeya velai pannidalaam. adhu dhaan easy (Instead of shouting at us, you are better off doing the job yourself. It is easy)
ammA - !!!!??!!!

Family tree

I am teased to no end by my appA. He calls me funny nicknames and on the other day I got really angry.

appA - madhurA oru kutti korangu ( madhurA is a small monkey)
madhurA - no no...
appA - nee oru cute kutti korangu (you are a small cute monkey)
madhurA - appo pAdukA? nee avala eduvum solla mAtta (Then paDukA? You do not call her anything:(
appA - nee kutti korangu na pAdukA periya korangu dhaane (If you are a small monkey, then pAduka is a big monkey)
pAdukA just smiles and does not react
After appA left for office and I had a question to ask ammA.

madhurA - nAn kutti korangu-a mA (Am I a little monkey?)
ammA (smiling) - amaam, cute pattu korangu (yes you are a cute monkey)
madhurA - appo pAdukA periya korangu dhaane (then pAdukA is a big monkey)
ammA - yes
madhurA - appA onna yen kornagu nnu solla mAttA (why doesn't appA call you monkey?)
ammA - ammA korangA? (is ammA a monkey?)
madhurA - amaam.. Peppa pig cartoon la, peppa pig ammA um pig and appA um pig dhaan (in Peppa cartoon, Peppa pig's mother is a pig and her father is a pig too)
madhurA - nAn korangu na, nee ammA korangua and appa vandhu appA korangu (if I am a monkey, then you are monkey ammA and appA is monkey appA)
ammA - (wonderful family tree:)

Safety belt

Travelling in airplane is bittersweet. I do not like sitting in one place and not being able to see anything clearly outside :( Seat belts make things hard for me. But the fun part is to playing with tray table, asking for glasses of water and juice. After the tiring travel and long layovers, we were at last in a cab to go home. Every one were tired especially my parents who were exhausted answering my ¨why-s¨ during the layover and the flight.

Little did my ammA know that I am not done yet. While lying down on my ammA's lap though tired I started questioning -


madhurA - yen seat belt irukku airplane la? (Why are there seat belts in airplanes?)

ammA - namba safe-a irukka (for us to be safe)

madhurA - appo car-la yen seat belt irukku ( then why are seat belt there in car? )

ammA - brake potta namba vizha kudAdhu, idichikka koodadhu, adhukku dhaan (When the brakes are applied we should not fall or hurt ourselves. That is the reason)

madhurA - appo auto-la yen seat belt illa? (then why do autorickshaws not have seat belts?)

ammA - ! (not knowing why!)

madhurA - auto la namba pidichikanum la ammA. apo dhaan woosh woosh nnu (Showing swaying gesture) fast-a jolly-a polaam (In auto we need to hold on, right ammA. Only then we can swerve and go fast and have fun)

ammA - (she has the right idea about autos :). Seat belt and auto what an irony that will be!)

Copy cat!

Copying is flattering to most people but my sis does not like it at all when I copy whatever she says.  I think I mugged the puzzle that my sis was asking ammA from the afternoon. I was waiting for appA to come home so that I can ask him for an answer to the puzzle just like my sis (also before she asks appA).  Once appA came home, it was time for me to show off and ask him for the answer to the puzzle.

madhurA - appA, puzzle ketkaren (I am going to ask you a puzzle)

appA - eppadi theiryum puzzle ( How do you know the puzzle?)

madhurA - ennakku theriyum (I just know)

my sis - no appA. avo copy pannara (no appA, she is copying me)

appA signalling to my sis that it is ok

appA - sollu madhurA (tell me madhurA)

madhurA - Pete and rupete went in a boat. Pete and rupete fell down. What is left?

my sis - rupeat-a! (hahaha) Pete and repeat fell down-a ! Thappu... Copy kuda seriya pannala (Wrong. You cannot even copy correctly) 

appA - seriya sollu pattu ( tell it correctly dear)

madhurA - Correct dhaan ( It is right)

appA - nee sollu answer (you tell me the answer)

my sis - (still laughing)

madhurA - boat is left!

appA - actually that's right!

naa na na naa naa.......Now who is laughing. That's how you can be original even while copying :)

Spin it

I am generally a very good, rule abiding girl ;) But every now and then I get into trouble and I have almost perfected a  technique to get out of it by spinning a tale which elders find funny and adorable.

I was struggling to drink kanji (porridge) in the morning and especially the last few sips are the hardest as there are some lumps in it which I don't like at all. Today especially was hard. ammA was feeding the last few sips so that I can finish it fast. After pouring down the lost few drops into my mouth, ammA went into the kitchen. When she came back she saw that I had spit out some of the kanji (porridge)! She was so angry and lost for words. I immediately jumped in with a perfectly logical explanation for this mess.

¨ammA kochikAda. (pointing at the belly button) en thoppaila otta irukku dhaane? nee kuduta kanji vaai vazhiya thoppai kku pordhudhaane? Thoppai la ottai irundha vella dhaane varum. adhaan kanji vella vandhudutthu. nAn edhuvum pannaley. thoppai ottai kku edAvadhu pannu¨

(ammA, don't ger angry. (pointing at the belly button) There is a hole in my stomach right? The porridge that you gave me went to the stomach through my mouth, right? If there is a hole in my belly, won't the porridge come out? So, the porridge came out. It is not my fault. Do something about the hole in my stomach)

That's how you make an angry person spell bound with logic and lots of creativity :)

What an amateur!

I might be the little sister but my elder sis has a long way to go in growing up. Want to know why?

Once, one of our toys was stuck somewhere in the bed railings and we called for help. ammA came and squeezed and pushed it through. It fell right under the cot. She looked under the cot and not only did she get the toy out but about 4-5 candy wrappers too! OMG! I totally forgot about them! Now an attack is going to be launched and I was bracing for it. But my elder sis had to blurt out that she did not eat the candies even before we were questioned. What an amateur mistake! Good for me though :) Probing started and my sis blamed me and swore her innocence. I said very little and with a sweet innocent face denied eating the candies. The investigation was over for the day and we survived it. yay!

The next day, it looked like everything was forgotten and forgiven. But in the afternoon, ammA heard some rustling noise and it came from behind the sofa. She went there without making noise and saw my elder sis opening a candy and stuffing it into her mouth. Caught! Now you just can't escape, dear sis. ammA was now pretty sure that my sis was guilty of eating the candies and hiding the wrappers under the cot. The case was strong against her now. No amount of pleading helped her.

Then she pulled me into this and asked to me tell the truth about the candy wrappers. Hmm... Oh my! What did she do now? But she was deep in trouble and does not know her way out. So, I told ammA that I ate the candies before . Cold stare and a lecture followed.

My sis interjects in between and says ¨ nAn appadi munnAdi pannala. First time try pannen. AnA mAttinden :( ¨ (I have never done this before but tried eating the candy hiding in a place but am caught :(

Ufff.. what an amateur!

My first Half Haircut

After my first birthday, my elders decided to take away all my hair - my first Full Haircut.
Today, my amma took me to my first Half Haircut. After I came back, I had an interview with my appa.

<In thamizh mostly>
Appa:           Madhura, enga ponai? (Where did you go?)
Madhura:   muDi cut paNNa ponen (Went for a hair cut)
Appa:           kaDai pEru enna? (What is the name of the shop?)
Madhura:   <after some thinking.. and with a tinkle in her eye indicating she is making something up>  Mysore!
Appa:           yaaru veTTinaa? (Who cut?)
Madhura:   yedho oru girl (some girl)
Appa:           girl-a? unna maadhiri oru chinna poNNaa? (girl? a small one like you?)
Madhura:   appa, naa big girl; ava ennoda big (I am a big girl. She was bigger than me)
Appa:           enna paNNinaa? (What did she do?)
Madhura:   ava kathiri vecchu cut paNNinaa.. naa "calm"aa irundhen.. (She did the cutting with scissors, and I sat calmly)
Appa:           "calm"naa enna madhura? (What is "calm?")
Madhura:   (with lots of action) appaDiye silent-aa okaaNDen.. naa satthame poDalai (Made no noise)
Appa:           Evalo paisa kuDuthai (How much did you pay?)
Madhura:   5
Appa:           5 enna? (5 of what?)
Madhura:   5 dhaan.. amma kuDuthaa (Just 5. Amma gave)
Appa:           5 Rupees-aa? nee yen kuDukkalai? (Why did you not give?)
Madhura:   naa periyavaalaa? periyaavalukku dhaan paisa irukkum (Am I an elder? Only they have money)
Appa:           onakku eppo paisa varum? (When will you get money?)
Madhura:   enakku paisave varaadhu. neeyum ammavum dhaan enakku kuDuppel (I will never get money. Mom and you will give me. no?)

...and they lived happily ever after :)

My school log

Now that I have settled well  and enjoying at school, I am publishing my experience of the first few days at school. I have to clear the air since my parents have their own version of my initial days at school.

Day 1 - After being brain washed about what fun school is, I am eagerly waiting for my first day at school. And yes, I keep checking with ammA if she is also going to school with me. After sending Paaduka off to school, ammA and I get ready for our first day of Montessori :) All new kids enter the room with their moms. I decide not to say a word to my teacher and hide behind ammA. The teacher asks me to remove my shoes, keep it in the shoe rack, take a mat and sit on the circle. I am now confused now. Does school mean more authoritative adults? Shock #1.... I manage to get through the half hour of school sitting on ammA's lap and tensely looking around while the teachers sang and allowed us to play. Oh wait.. I visited the bathroom too. School inspection is complete now.

Day 2 - To school with ammA :) I smile at my teacher and follow her instructions. But I ensure that ammA stays close to me. Half hour is too less to explore the toys in the shelf. I got a candy and a star drawn on the my hand. Exciting! I made sure that Paaduka knows that even I get star in my school :) 

Day 3 - I remember the way to me class from the gate :) yay! I make sure ammA is in the class but I am much more comfortable with my teachers. I ask for the a sheet of paper to colour and help to go to the bathroom. School is short and sweet just the way I like. I can also go to the park and say I am a big girl since I am going to a school now :)

Day 4, 5, 6 - Now I have to stay longer at school. One hour ammA says and of course ammA also attends one hour of Montessori these days. Now I am attempting to answer the roll call but no one hears me :( More time to sing and play. At times I am feeling that ammA is hovering around an little too much. ammA, please remember that I am a big school going girl!

Day 7 - Well, I am truly at ease now. I follow the routine without being instructed. ammA pulls a mat to sit beside me.  Shock #2 "ammA, nee velila wait pannu" (wait for me outside ammA). ammA was taken aback and was a little embarrassed when teacher asked her what I told her. My teachers were delighted and asked ammA to stay out side the class. I coloured a picture and wanted to show it to ammA to cheer her. So, I walked out to show but she was too eager to come back along with me. "nee angaye iru, classkku varadhey" (stay outside and do not come into the class).  

Day 8 - Well.... Things are truly going to be different from today. Parents were not allowed beyond the school gate! Gulp gulp..something was blocking my throat. Shock #3. My teachers held my hand and took me inside the school. ammA is nowhere to be seen. I was sad, really sad and made it known to everyone inside the compound by crying on top of my voice. My teacher carried me and I spent the entire time at school on her lap.

Day 9 onwards -  Tears starting welling up even before the gate opened. After initial crying bout, I settled down. I am getting better staying away from ammA (sob.. sob.. sob..)

After about 5 days of vacation to Chennai we came back to school and now I have to go to school in a van just like Paaduka. Shock #4. I protested initially bu running away from the van and made ammA drop me off. But now I have my friend who comes with me from our apartment, so it is a fun ride. 

And thus Madhura Shri Rangarajan goes to school like a good girl :)

Is it not obvious?

Finally I was given the cute and cuddly elephant bag which I can take to school now. I am in love with the bag but my parents are more protective of the bag than I am !

While I was playing rough with the elephant bag, ammA could not stand the bag being dragged and handled badly. She told me twice that I was going to tear the bag. Since this did not have an impact she decided to change strategy.

ammA - madhurA, nee adikara yaanai-a (madhurA you are hurting the elephant)
madhurA just smiles back
ammA - yaanai azha pordhu ipo (The elephant is going to cry now) yen adikara nnu ketkapordhu (It is going to ask why you are hitting)
I continue to play rough as it did not make sense to me! But ammA continues to ramble trying to attribute emotions to the elephant. After a while I had to put a stop to this and show her that I am not a little baby to buy this argument.

madhurA (a little angry)- ammA, indha yaanai pesumA, sApdumA, azhumA? idhu pAppa vA? idhu bommai. (Does this elephant talk, eat or cry? Is this a baby? It is just a doll.)

ammA - ok !?!

appA, ammA I am becoming a big girl. Get ready for more of such retorts. Here is my favorite :)

While eating some spicy murukku...

appA - madhurA porum. innum sApdAdha (madhurA, enough. Don't eat anymore)
madhurA (sighs) - pidichirukku (I like it)
appA - stop eating madhurA. ingarundhu po. (go away from here)
I look around and see that ammA and appA are devouring the yummy murukku. I see that there is no hope of something left for me :( I ran into the toy room with the packet of murukku.

ammA - murukku enga madhurA? (where is the murukku?)
madhurA - yen kitta irukku ( It is with me)
ammA - yen edutha? (Why did you take it?)
madhurA - safe-a vechukarthukku (I have to keep it safe)
ammA and appA - !!!!

(Pictures) Jan-Jun-2014

click for more sweetness

Why am I turning 3?

I am so excited about my bowday (read as birthday) tomorrow. I can't wait for the cake to be baked.

madhurA - cake pannitiyA (have you made the cake?)
ammA - nalaikku (tomorrow)

A little later....
madhurA - ippo nalaikku aachu. cake pannitayA (Now it has become tomorrow. Have you baked the cake?)

ammA could not stand my constant pressure about the cake, so she tried to test my persistence towards turning three tomorrow. Here is my on camera interview session.



ammA - Why are you turning 3?
madhurA - (What kind of question is this? I am going to give her an irrelevant answer.)
I went there and then came here. I played with this, ate that, dropped this in the garbage and then played with toys. That's why.
ammA - (Not understanding that I consider her question redundant, she persists)
Is this because of all this you are turning 3. Why should you turn 3 and not stay 2 years old?
madhurA - (Let me humour her.) I played with these toys and became 3.
ammA - So, you turned 3 because you played with toys? So what are you going to do when you are 3 years old?
madhurA - (What a question! Can't understand my mom.) I am going to play with toys.
ammA - You played with toys even when you were 2.
madhurA - (What else do you expect of me.. build a spacecraft?) I played when I was 2 and will play when I turn 3 and then also eat..and become 4 and later 5. (Let me change the subject)
ammA - When are you going to turn 4?
madhurA - (dah!) Of course later after I eat... after I eat thayir saadam (curd rice), I will be 5
ammA - Whose birthday is it tomorrow?
madhurA - (Why do think I am being so fussy? Take a clue ammA!) It is my birthday
ammA - What are you going to do?
madhurA - Cut birthday!
ammA - Are you going to cut birthday? really!?
madhurA - (now she is tiring me) I am going to cut the cake..
ammA - What are you going to do after cutting?
madhurA - Eat !( what else?)
ammA - You alone will eat?
madhurA - I will, Paaduka, you and appA can also eat
ammA - What song should we sing?
madhurA - (Now how much can I educate regarding birthday) Sing "happy birthday to you"
ammA - What did they sing at school today?
madhurA - "happy birthday...."
ammA - Do you like school?
madhurA - (She is getting into uncomfortable area now) yes I like
ammA - What do you do at school?
madhurA - (I have to now list some rhymes phew!) rolly polly... chapatti song (yeah really!)

I am not going to translate this anymore as this questioning gets into embarrassing details of my crying at school. I have my end of the story well documented and will publish the genuine version soon.

As of now "Happy birthday ennakku(to me)" :) ......