2014 was a happy year. In 2014, I realized I can be a lot
happier. I aged younger. Thanks to the lovely people around me. Posting here a
quick brief on the 2014 highlights:
Starting with the places I visited:
- Bhopal yatra (January): In the excuse of attending a friend’s marriage, I visited Bhopal. Sid’s first trip to Bhopal, the place where his mom was born and brought up. He enjoyed the trip, the pampering of my relatives there, and everything. The only thing he didn’t enjoy was the journey to Bhopal. Sid was just recovering from loose-motions and the 25-hour Rajdhani express journey was just not ending. His travel dizziness during the afternoon added and an extra effect to the horrid experience. However, once we reached Bhopal, it was all over and some really good times welcomed us. The care of my people, the nostalgia of the place, the memories of growing up, meeting up with old friends, and a friend’s wedding --- all were something to jot down as highlights. Oh, and a Sanchi tour was a bonus point. Hubby dear likes to visit such historical, heritage sites and so we tagged along. I might be one of the rarest persons who studied in Bhopal and yet hasn’t gone to Sanchi as an educational tour or picnic. My destiny had it that I visit Sanchi with my hubby and Sid. Nice company it was.
- Sid’s vidyaarambham (6th July) – a trip to
Moogambika, Sringeri, Chikmanglur, Belur, Halebeedu: That was a real nomadic
tour. The three of us and my mother – all in a car. The main destination
was clear: Kollur Moogambika temple to get Sid all set up with his
vidyaarambham. However, the journey started with Davangare. And then to
Harihar, a small town close to Davangare. The name, Harihar, came from the
Harihareshwara temple, which is also known as the Dakshin Kashi. An old,
clean, simple temple that is believed to be built in 12th
century. I was really surprised to see this beautiful antique temple; I
had not even heard of it before. A good start.
We then started to Kollur. It was an auspicious day and so the Saraswati mandapam in the Mookambika temple was crowded significantly. Crowded less of kids, more of spectators (including me). If this was not enough, the clouds decided to shower some rains on us. I watched everything as my hubby held Sid’s hands and wrote “Hari Shree Ganapataye Namah.”Sid was very calm all through and was actually wondering why are the kids crying their hearts out. He glanced at me in between the crowd and gave me an angelic smile. Made my day.
Next was Shree Shardamba temple, Sringeri, which is also famous for vidyaarmbha pooja. It was another ancient temple, built architecturally well. After the pooja, we walked through the hanging bridge and I think that’s when the idea of a bridge registered in Sid’s mind. He was very happy, running on the bridge that made it all shaky.
We moved to greater heights of Chikmanglur. The misty roads, the coffee and pepper plantations, the slopes and valleys, the fresh greenery --- all welcomed us with open hands. In contrast to the chilly climate outside, the room was warm and cozy. We ventured to the Mullangiri peak the next day. It is said to be the highest point in Karnataka. If hubby knew how dangerous the peak was, he would have canceled the plan right away. But destiny had it that we go there. I could really feel the atmospheric pressure vary as we reached at the top. Yes, we made it to the very top sans Sid and mummy. They rested in the parking area inside the car. And then we rushed back to the room to get some much-needed rest.
The enchanting sculptures of Belur and Halebeedu modeled as show-stoppers. Unlike Hampi, they were still in good shape and well maintained. Though Sid didn’t understand much of the idols, he was amused by the spaces to sit, stand, and run around the idols. He would squeeze himself through the small doors or windows of those sculptures and run, unstoppable. Hubby and I were busy photographing each other amidst the stone characters and we would just catch Sid in the camera frame by surprise.
Thus ended the 3-4 day long trip. Sid had seen many wind-mills on the way back to Bangalore. He identified them quickly as he saw his nursery rhymes videos back in home. We blended the Karnataka flavor with all our daily routines and got back to it. - Goa trip (October) – Ahhh… Goa trip was fantastic, refreshing, intoxicating, and rejuvenating. Had written more about my Goa trip here.
- Kudajaadri-Udupi-Mangalore --- (November-December) - A
couples-only tour ;). All of us were in Calicut for a function and next
weekend was my Papa’s shraardam. I had a presentation in the middle of the
week. So, I left Sid with mummy in Calicut and left with hubby for a short
trip prior to the busy week.
We had saved a Sunday when we ventured to the Kudajaadri heights. Taking Sid or my mom to this place would have been an ultimate blunder. There are plenty of jeeps available at the doorstep of the Mookambika temple that gives a ride to the peak of this hill (almost, the peak). Only four-wheel-drive vehicles can move on these bumpy paths; I can’t even say roads since there were none. Even the tiniest of your bones displaces from its position by the time you reach the place where all the vehicles are parked. This place (which itself is in a good height) has a few idols and some pujaris. The rest of the journey uphill must be covered on your own. Steep slopes and rocky steps hinder your pace, but at the same time, the scenic view and the feeling of being above the earth keep you going. We finally reached the peak, the Sarvagya peedham, and had darshan of the small yet serene Shankaracharya madham. Climbing down the hill was more difficult. And the jeep journey downhill was worse than that. I was happy I reached Mookambika temple in one piece. Despite being a Sunday, we got Mookambika devi darshan easily and got on our way to Udupi. There was some special occasion in the Udupi Shree Krishna temple and the main darshan area was crammed. Luckily, we had a darshan on one of the proceedings and we felt that’s enough for the exhausted us. We soon left to Mangalore. There’s nothing that I saw in Mangalore; but still the mention of Mangalore refreshes me. Because of the spacious room with a sea-facing French window, because of the yummy food that hubby brought from outdoors, because of a touching Marathi movie of a surrogate mom and a son that we both watched and got sentimental, and because of the leisurely hours after such a long time. - Kappad evening (October) – The day my sis-in-law laid the foundation of her own house (kuttiadikyals), I was in for a surprise. Not much related, though. Dear hubby was in a romantic mood, and we left off for a long drive. (Yes, he is very impulsive in such matters ;)). I saw the lovely sunset die down to the Arabian Sea to boost up the almost-full moon. It seemed like Mr. Vaso de gama visited India in this very place just so that I could steal such an evening with hubby one day. I am so stupidly in love, I know.
- Eagleton – I love this place. And, can never be bored of this resort. This was our second trip (with mummy this time) and we just celebrated the vacation. On the expense of all the facilities available there, of course (must mention: including the swimming pool).
A few happy moments:
- Welcome Rohan, and a little unknown guy --- Whole-heartedly welcome the cutest and the tiniest member of the family, Rohan, to this beautiful world. Rohan, btw, is my sis-in-law’s second kid. So, here’s one more to the fiery boy’s army of cousins. Actually, not one, two. There’s this small little guy in production inside my sis’ tummy. Don’t yet know of the gender. :)
- Pampered my hobbies --- I started quilling, I restarted stitching, I advanced my reading, and I started my blog. Love this year for all such hobbiyish things I did.
- Shifted to a new home --- Recently. Read more here.
- Ettans met Sachin Tendulkar – Though I am not an ardent cricket fan, my hubby is. And he loves the God of cricket. And this year gifted him a meeting with this celebrity. Although, it was more of his year’s highlight, I included it in mine as it was a much-elated moment for the man I love the most.
- Personal grooming – A small haircut and a dental cleanup, precisely. Nothing much. Not even sure if anybody noticed, but made me happier in my own ways.
- A new smartphone --- Wanted it as a birthday gift. But hubby gifted it as soon as I worded it. (I told you he is impulsive, won’t wait till November). The objective was to install Whatsapp to be in touch with my old friends (and new friends too. Hate the look on their faces when you say u don’t have whatsapp installed). So, I did install whatsapp but didn’t get addicted to it. I realized I was doing fairly well without whatsapp as well. So, am I really happy with my new smartphone? Yes. It has opened doors of wisdom for me. I google, I wiki, I use wordweb, I read news, and above all, clear my doubts as soon as they appear now.
