2011 was marked with many happy memories! Rutha’s team made it all the way to the World Finals of Odyssey of the Mind. On the way they competed at the Liberty Regionals, then State Finals, and then the World. Their 8 minute problem was titled “Le Tour Guide” and the team of 7 took an Amelia Bedelia tour through the Egypt, Venice and then to Duct Tape World – a fictional place. At the Finals they placed #21 among 65 teams and 9th for the Spontaneous Problem Solving Session. It was a veritable fest of creativity at the University of Maryland with an important highlight of “pin-trading”. This was like a global marketplace of young ones, with a great stomach for risk, exchanging beautiful pins that represented their state or country. I had a hard time letting them part with some of the pins – so at the end of it I just watched from afar.
Both the kids played chess at tournaments and did fairly well. Rutha seems to lose interest while Rohun’s interest is still on the rise.
My Mother’s greatest achievement this year was getting her US citizenship. This is a huge milestone for her that required her to learn about US history – 100 questions/answers to memorize on US laws, government, & history – and be able to confidently hold a conversation in English. Anybody who knows my Mom – a soft-spoken timid person – will understand what a daunting task this was for her. We are immensely proud of her!!
The summer began with a bang! Kids & mother were dropped off at Toronto & the next weekend P & I went to Penn State. It was a great weekend – I returned after years, met friends I had not seen in at least a decade – it was all very nostalgic! The meet was inspired by friends who had relocated to India & were visiting with their daughters. We all were pleasantly surprised how “young & relaxed” they looked compared to the rest of us .
I went to Miami Beach for a conference in July before going to India. Kids left for India in mid-July along with Pramod. Mummy left a week before them. I reached there on Aug 6th direct to Poona – the most convenient flight ever! I was in my living room 40 minutes after the plane hit the runway! We had a wonderful time in Poona meeting family & friends. The sad note was that our dear Uncle was not around. It is always hard going back to India and missing dear ones since there just is no closure . I did Panchkarma which was basically good ole oil massages & steam baths. The massage did get too intense & by the 3rd day I had some black & blue spots! We went for a day trip to Mavalshrushti – my cousin Vijay made it memorable with his jokes and comedy routines. Old memories were revived on several occasions at get-togethers with cousins, aunts & uncles. As I was explaining to a friend here my India trips are like condensing family meets of an average American over 2 years – at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Super Bowls etc – into a little over 2 weeks.
Although it was hard to leave the parents they had a lot to keep them busy – a wonderful trip with friends to Israel, Jordan & Egypt, house-painting & renovations, Sunita’s visit at Christmas time.
We sold 1725 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies – my last year as Cookie Manager for the troop. Rutha became a cadet this year – she loves it! Rohun joined Cub Scouts & has been enjoying soccer. Both take swim lessons, Ro does tennis & piano & Ru does violin, flute & choir. Rutha is now 3/4th of an inch short from 5 feet & 5 inches at 12 years! Rohun is 4 feet & 6 inches at 7 years. Ro was saddened by a comment from his classmate who called him a giant. He is my unique son – keeps us so entertained with his fast comebacks!
I also trained to take over the Kitchen at a very successful fund-raiser that the school has every year at its Craft Fair. I introduced Indian food donated by a local restaurant – alums of the school – and it was a big hit! The craft fair is mostly visited by non-Asians & people were concerned about rocking the boat but all was well! This year 2012 I take on this challenge with my neighbor again!
I finished a good number of knitting projects – including keeping the ongoing tradition of knitting preemie Christmas hats for babies at the Princeton NICU. Rohun enjoys the trip to the nursery! I had a great time trying out new recipes. Following suggestions from my ravelry friends we also made a sugar-almond-coconut oil body scrub as home-made gifts, chocolate ganache balls & blocks to make your own hot chocolate in nicely wrapped mugs. We baked sugar, lemon, white chocolate cherry, rote & butter ball cookies and Sangeeta’s signature fruit cake at Christmas! I was not in the best of health in December so we did not have our traditional Christmas party with 40+ friends and family. Instead it was a small affair on Christmas Day with friends from MD, Abu Dhabi, a dear friend about to relocate to the West Coast and family – P’s cousins. We all had a great weekend – lots of laughter, great conversations, saw a lot of songs from old & new Indian movies – just an awesome time!! Was able to keep the focus of Christmas where it rightfully belongs for my kids – focusing on God, relationships with friends, family and the needy.
At work this was a difficult year – layoffs were announced at the end of the 1st quarter and executed at the start of the 4th quarter. Saw a lot of good friends & colleagues affected. Was very thankful for my job but have learnt to keep things in perspective at all times. It has resulted in a realignment of priorities and an urge for implementing significant changes in lifestyle.
As a family we have been so blessed in 2011 year with favor in every part of our lives, rich meaningful relationships, good health, opportunities, peace, contentment and growth! We look forward to everything that 2012 brings on knowing that God is in control!
