60 minutes of non stop fun - Our Litte Hero's first theatre experience

60 minutes of darkness, excitement, fun and ofcourse little patiance( if you arent really excited the same way when you walk in). Did you get some clue???

Let me help you little more. Actually the excitement begins few minutes before the real excitement. The deciding factor to know whether we will really witness the fun or not.

Well maybe not, we need (or rather I had) some prep work as well.Do I have a choice after having "I know what I want to eat" kid

and I have waited for almost 2 (should I say 3) years to experience this.

Oh yeah!!! Viola!!!! We went to theatre for the first time with our little hero. To add more fun, its a cartoon and you want more fun...Its a norwegian cartoon film :)

and this is the movie that we (or rather I) will cherish forever

We decided on a friday evening that we shall visit tommorrow the not yet visited SFKino....well yeah thats the theatre name. As usual with just some thoughts in mind, saturday 2 hours before the show, my english/tamil only speaking hubby pulled out of the game once we finalised on a cartoon movie (come on!!! Its my kiddos first movie, so it has to be cartoon, any doubts!!!!) and when we found its only norwegian and it costs 100Kroners (around 1000 Indian Rupees) even for the kid, we decided for once to be wise parents and so the norwegian speaking (hehehehe!!!) members of the family were chosen to go out and have some fun over the weekend.

The D'Day

After the usual weekend laziness and the excitement to do something over the weekend, we quickly finished our brunch, made the prep for the intermission (What Else, POPCORNS!!! Can you image that they cost another 100NOK, see we are wise again) and got our naught hotty ready.

The minute we reached the parking lot, the very usual things from kids....I heard you!!! you are absolutely right....."Mama, I want to go to the restroom", now where the hell they have a restroom in parking space, so the supposed to be fun ride started as a 5 minutes troublesome ride until we hit the theatre. And you rush to the restroom, first to just get releived, he physically, I emotionally!!!!!

The the usual stuff - buy the tickets, get  some clicks and there we go in.

He was super excited when we went inside, it was little dark, not pitch dark as they are yet to close the doors and he saw too many kids around, he kind of felt happy. And then the little brain did a lots of maths, stats and what not before he decided on Seat number 3 for him and 4 for me :)). Now we are settling around, we still have some more time, lot of ads and trailers were going on and then he starts "Can I have my popcorn now?". I thought they were for intermission so I kind of tried to explain "Can we eat them little later", and then he declares NO and before he launches his audition release, I oblidged :)

So this boy happily settled with his box of pops even before the movie started.

and believe me, the box was finished even before the movie started (OK Ok, he did offer me some). And he was like "What else you have in your bag?". Then I take charge and say "You need to wait until the movie starts". So its not things to eat now but time for things to know "How many kids are there in the theatre?", "Why had that kids papa here and not mine", "Will you bring me here often?", "We came to see what?", and then again "I dont want to eat, but just tell me what is in your bag?". and Thank you God, the movie started.

It was a good cartoon for the kids, the characters were Cars and Animals, so it was really interesting for all. And as the story slowly unfolded, so did our boxes of cookies and chocolates. Next time I think I need to spend more on prep time as he doesnt need things to eat just during the intermission but all through the way.

And when the last cookie was munched, he declared, "mama, lets go home!!!!". There was atleast another 20 minutes still. So I try to impress him with the story, he is like "I want to see papa". Then i said, Its dark until the movie completes so you cant go out, (Oh gosh, did I really told him its dark, i thought he kind of forgot that :( Silly me), "yes mama, its dark but its day outside, come lets go", then I tell him if you standup from your seat, there is a monster waiting right behind you, he suddenly gets up from his seat and runs "Where is the monster, I want to fight". Now, he wants to go home, he is running around, he is screaming. So All is not well at that point of time and the much planned excitement and fun started becoming a nightmare.



The last 10 minutes, I dont know what attracted him towards the screen, he became a good boy and sat down, oh no no!!! he wanted to lie down "Mama, sleepy!!! I want to sleep". And we just had last few minutes he declared "mama, restroom", So easy you see to have a very good reason to go out!!!. What a timing, the movie juz finished and even before the first set of names could come on the screen, we were the first mom-son running out of the theatre.

And while walking back hom "Mama, I really like it!!! Shall we do this every weekend?" and then I humbly tell him, "Next time, its papa's turn" see, I proved wise again!!!!!

Divide the work to Multiply the fun

"Tadatata..Tadatata...ta" "Tadatata..Tadatata...ta" grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....search for it inside your blanket, underneth your pillow or sometimes even on the floor.You guessed it right, I am searching for my mobile to bang it so that it can stop screaming that its 5.30AM in the morning. But dont dare to peep outside the window or slide your curtains, its summer time in Norway, so Mr.Sun is already out there waving good morning with a big smile :)

 

"What!!!Its already 5.30AM!!!!" (very rare though!!!) "Oh gosh!!! I am missing the luxury of being a full time mom" (very frequent actually) . As the saying goes, grass is more greener the other side, so do I feel.But changes are always good. Ikke sant? (hehehehe...it means isnt it in Norwegian.)

 

Let me quickly tell you all about my job, its called Senior IT Consultant. Sounds like an experienced job title right. But you know what, after my 2 years of funfilled break with my kiddo, i really literally forgot most of the stuff (When did you knew something in the first place...I can hear some of my team members murmuring when reading this ;) ). I have done (forced to do so)) a technology shift with the hope and knoweldge that i have gained as a database programmer. Ok not so bad, you can manage. But did I tell you the medium of communication (oral, written, draw, walk, and everything under the roof)  is Norwegian. aaaaaah now its becoming interesting right!!!! It is, trust me!!!!!

 

So ok you wanted a job (desparately!!hehehehe), Mainframe programming is not such a appealing or interesting profile for Norwegians IT folks. Infact, I couldnt find a single organization in my 3 months hunt which knew or wanted mainframe skill. Now I can proudly say I know a rare skill (which is of no value here). Ok, but that cant stop me. Count that as Challenge number one. So the hunt became more vigourous and widened up to related technologies. So if at all you manage to match something similar, the first question they ask when they pick up the phone, snakker du norsk?. That just doesnt mean you speak norsk, it means do you walk, talk, eat and sleep in norsk. so that was challenge nummer tu :). So, how did you convince them? I can hear so many caring curious voices :) - I just managed to do it. I presume my profile did most of the talking plus me talking litt norsk here and there convincing them i know ABCs, I will soon start words and sentences.

 

So ok I now have a job. I am going to quickly skip the funny part of Visa confusion we had which bought me another one month salary of more fun and more laughter of being a fulltime mom. It was like, I have the visa, but i think i dont have types. So that became (i shouldnt say became, i think i made it!!!) challenge number three.

 

Then, one fine day phone rings, all the confusions have been cleared and we just agree to start work from the next day. Pinch me now!!!

 

and pinch me again, because its already one month as a full time employee + full time mom now. When getting a job itself could be so challenging, wouldnt be more fun executing them, it is!!!!

 

We are learning to be more punctual (like i explained how i react for the alarm in the morning..hehehe), more systematic (I need to catch the bus at 6.45AM...its ok next one is it 7 ;)), more organised, more planned in scheduling the work and school so that we can have more fun and time together in the evenings and the weekends at their bestest.

 

Did I tell you, by the time we realise we have some routines and schedules to be followed, TA-DA, its vacation time!!! India, Grandpa, Grandma, Aunts and Uncles, here we come. So lets talk about being organised and managing ones passions after another month, what say???

Living the Life of Legends

When I say Legends...Did Gandhi, Subash Chandra Bose, Mother Terassa flashed in your mind?. They are all definitely role models in everybody's everyday life. Though we cant try to be like them, we try to enact atleast one single act everyday which reminds us of them. In today's complicated world, I presume its difficult for many human beings to be them or follow their footsteps. Either you should be generous to unsee the challenges faced because of the consequences or strong enough to handle more pressure and stress.

See how difficult it seems to be a legend. No wonder they are Legends :). Well, Now lets see this whole legend thing from a perspective of a three year old kid. (You got my point, I am not going to do some serious talks here :)). Does my kiddo know Gandhi - YES, Does my kiddo know Terassa - YES. I have shown him all theirs photographs. He knows them as person. If I try to explain him about them, Do you think he will able to understand? -No. So according to him, they are just some old grandpa and grandma as of now. I should not be surprised if he questions me "mama, who's grandparents are they?". I think thats the only thing that small superfast brain can think as of now.

So who are his legends?. He not only knows them but likes to live like them and he is living like them. How did these super human beings make a such a super impression on these small souls. Did you catch my clue? - I hear all moms screaming..Oh!!!!Ben 10? Spiderman? Superman? Batman? - Mommys are genius :)). What surprises me more is sometimes Tom, the cat Jerry, the mouse, Scooby, the dog, all becomes his superhereos and he just want to be like them.

Like anyother mommy of just born or one year old kid, "how can these parents be so irresponsible and leave these small kids in front of the TV for such a long hours?" "What on earth these parents are busy with, cant they sit and play with their kids?", - I have told all of these and now I am - "are you telling me all these? - wait for your kid to be 3-4 year old toddler," thats what I would say. I have learned it in a tough way, DO NOT BLAME THE PARENTS FULLY :)

Ok, now parents arent to be blamed, kids are too young to be blamed, so who takes this blame now?. - As of now lets safely park them on CARTOON CHANNELS. I dont think my parents will ever complaint that I was hooked to television at the age of 3, not even 7-8 I guess. So as grandparents, Its a real surprise to them :). But does the channel pops up on its own? :). As I mentioned, we as parents are responsible partially. So from no blame, I take 50% responsibility now.

Technology is advancing in an amazing pace. And no doubt because these small kids know already how to keep them technically well connected. If I say "Enough, Ben10 is gone home to do his homework. come lets read or play something" my smart kiddo "Mama, He has gone from TV to laptop, switch on the laptop, lets catch him there". Ok, as any other compelled mama, I put an episode in youtube and then tell him "Come on!!! Its time to sleep. Let me read you some story book so that you can sleep" and he is like "ok mama!!!" (for a minute I feel glad and relaxed, but he didnt complete his sentence ;)) "lets watch some rhymes on your mobile phone, lets read ABCs there". Once again another compelled situation. No mommy want her son to go to bed weeping. And you know what, he overheard some of our conversation and eagerly waiting for iPad :). Its as simple as that, Its just another playtoy for him.

Do you think all these drama and fun just ends within four walls?. Not at all!!!! Did you forget the "REKLAME" which means advirtisements :). He knows exactly what toys he want to play with, What we should gift him, Which toy is available in which shop, Is it for boys or girls, their knowledge is wealth, but not all parents are wealthy enough to keep such kids happy :). He is one happy kiddo who loves his friday evening shopping. Happy Mom, Happy Son, Very Very troubled Daddy!!!!

My little prince started with Dinosaurs (Such a scary start). These really big creatures were his first pals. I still remember watching Jurassic Parts 1 to 3 back to back on long weekends. He can tell you atleast 5-6 dinosaur names when he was just 2 years!!!. Then we had some mood swings - from really scary to something really funny - Uncle Donald Duck and his three troublesome nephews. After watching almost 100 different episodes and after scrolling almost 10 to 20 pages in youtube we decided to chase Tom and Jerry. It kept him glued because there is so much of an action, chase, rattling things and there was Spike. Like any wellwisher if you approach this small boy and tell him "Do not watch Tom and Jerry, they are always fighting", the next moment he starts fighting with them saying "You are not my friend (ne en friend'eh ella)". So as nobody wanted to befriend him, they decided to sit back and just laugh with him.

Now he is 3.5 years old, a big boy, as he claims!! so Donald Duck, Tom and Jerry do visit us once in a while after we are very tired fighting with a monster. He was a spiderman few months back. His T-shirt has to be spiderman, his tracks has to be spiderman, his lunchbox is spiderman, his drinking flask is spiderman, we paint spiderman, we colour spiderman, we write spiderman (No ABCs, straight Spiderman), we sing Spiderman title song also as rhymes and we have a Spiderman dress!!!. He is still called as Spiderman in his playschool. So he plays with spiderman toys in school, his teacher draws him spider, spiderman tatoos in his hands, he wears spiderman dress at home, he watches spiderman cartoons, he eats in spiderman plate, drinks from spiderman flask - Is he not living the life of his legend?

Who said we cant live the life of two legends together?. When we adults struggle too much to be little as nice as our legends, these kiddos prove they are smarter and more capable than us. Yes, my son manages to be both Ben 10 and Spiderman these days. Whom to follow, depends on the kind of monster he meets :). He have started shopping Ben10 toys, we already have a Ben10 T-shirt and we are eagerly waiting for our Ben10 watch as a gift from his aunt.

and the saga will continue......

Padam Pakalama? - Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya

First thing that came to my mind - what!! Is this the title name?. Well, before we research more on the title, let me quickly translate this to my non-tamilian friends, it literally mean "Dear, do you have a desire to eat sweets?" and generally means, "are you tempted?". This was a punch dialogue in one of the commercials - Cadburys' dairy milk shots. Well, from the title it reveals that this is supposed to be a comedy movie. Ofcourse, with Santhanam and Power Star in the cast, you cant expect anything serious from them, other than some serious comedy.

Lets talk about the crew, Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya has rather garnered interesting levels of curiosity not because of its title but because of the star cast it boasts of. Power Star!!! Always assumed he was a some self-proclaimed(ofcourse, thats what he does:)) actor with a crazy self title "Power Star". BTW, to some not so movie-maniac like me, his real name is Srinivasan. (My Grandfather is also Srinivasan :)) Have seen some of his banners while in India, it really brings a smile on your face - his attire, his style, his smile, oh no I am not praising him here ;) I assume you got what I try to explain. Santhanam, joining the line of comidian pyramid - ok ok for some time, peak for very short time and again ok ok for more time. Its too early, but I am already little bored of this guy. There is another hero being introduced in the movie, Sethu - Looks wise OK, acting wise OK. So I am sure he will get another movie chance to prove his drama, action and romance. Nice to see Kovai Sarala after a long time. Oh yeah!!! There is Simbhu in special appearance and there is VTV Ganesh. But dont worry, they dont meet each other in the movie :). Vishakha Singh is the female lead.

Storyline - When you cant expect this from Big directors with serious message, come on its a comedy film, all you need is non stop laughter - be it emotional, be it romantic or be it a fight sequence - everything is supposed to make you laugh!!!. Storyline simple "Three Close friends, Jobless, One girl comes as Neighbour, three becomes Romeo's, Attempts to win Girl's heart, Girl Bandha, Ask to Impress, Girl in Love with someone else, Three Musketeers becomes heroes, One becomes real hero". The story is not new and it is old wine in new bottle. Remember "Indru Poi Naalai Vaa"???.But it is the out and out comedy track which keeps the movie going nonstop.

Songs - No comments!!! they were all fast forwarded at 8xx speed.

Dailogues - Yes, not as bad as I expected!!!. Some really good punches by Santhanam and Power Star. Best of Santhanam - When his Music Master asks him to practice more so that Shruthi will come, he asks for "will Kamal sir also come?". Best of Power Star - When the girl says she loves Simbhu, Power asks "What is there with Simbhu, which he doesnt have?". These are few to name. But almost every other dialogue in the movie brings a smile on your face. One of the dailogue in the movie says - Power star power is to see all his negatives as his postives. How true!!!. He is not all that bad as that I thought before watching the movie. He can be given some more chance to prove himself. Its not Surprising, he is acting in one of the Shankar's movie.

All said, If you really want to kill time without knowing how did 2.5 hours go - this movie is worth a watch!!!. I would give 3/5. Had this had some good songs, its definitely a must watch movie.

No Promotion, But a Huge Incentive

I guess the title reveals it all :). Another year passed by so damn fast like a tornado. Like how Dec 6th is memorable, nicely matching the sequence Jan 7th has become another day of memoirs.

Jan 7th 2011 - just releaved Senior Software Engineer, Super excited mom, dreamer with so many (still unaccomplished) dreams, supposed to be a perfect housewife. Jan 7th 2012 - I was a software engineer, still a super excited mom (but little tired running behind my terrible troublesome (but definitely funsome) toddler, dreamer with some plans in planning, some in analysing, some in designing and yet nothing being implemented, and a not so bad housewife. Jan 7th 2013 - (First thing it comes to mind - OMG!!!! Dont tell me its already 2 years) - I am a software engineer looking for a job, bored at home mom (Oh yeah!!! My kiddo is more busy than me these days), dreamer has successfully implemented one plan - Anuhya Jewelry and a  not-prefer-to-be-a-.housewife. Anybody wants to guess what could be on stock for Jan 7th 2014?. I am sure its a real wildcard to guess all the 4 in sequence to be rightly guessed. (Remind me folks!!! I should come back here on Jan 7th 2014 to really update as to what I am. This is making me super-excited now.)

Let me try to be little optimistic here and see from growth perspective - Got loads of time to activate my left brain. Learned lots of craft (There is a surprise store in plan :), Started thinking beyond idly,Dosa,Sambhar and Rasam, oh yeah how can i forget my Norwegian skills. Jeg kan snakke,skrive and lese norsk mye bedre na :), my PRINCE2 certification - Not bad, I guess I have covered both non-technical and little technical this year compared to last year. Trip to Legoland will be in our memories all-time - More than the fun Shravan had on the park, he becomes super excited and starts screaming by recollecting everything he did when he sees Reklame (Oh yeah it means Advertisement in Norsk).

But inspite of exploring a lot of things, I think I should become little more serious in one or two planned item and got into action. (I know I know, I shouldnt go out and say I am fit to manage projects ;). So I get a chance to quote something "Better late than Never". Photography is one thing which i didnt really persue as seriously as I planned. (Do go and check my another photoblog "One Click Everyday"). Any real photographer will laugh at me and say "so what was special in your photograph? Did you know whats the aperture size of this photo? what was the ISO? Did you do White Balance? Is  light falling properly on the lens?.", I can answer all these questions so simply by just a smile :). "Think beyond mainframes" - this was a thought which came very late or got highlighted very recently. So I dont regret much, but if I think now, I had two full years in hand, I should have visualized "this" day "those" days.

Good or bad, I absolutely have no regrets for having left my job - Everyday with Shravan still liggers in my soul just like yesterday. You guys know, what is our very recent timepass - open an album, recollect the story but narration is always by shravan and then there is a laughter riot.

Now that the pros and cons has been quickly scanned, Its time to get into action. Wishing all my fellow friends a vey happy, properly planned and successful new year. Oh yeah, I am on twitter these days. If you are there too, add me @anutweets