Inspiration!

Watched 'Homeless to Harvard" Liz Murray's story. After watching "Saturday Night Live" ritual, popped this DVD and lied in the couch warm, cozy, ready to fall asleep. Movie started as usual with drugs, police arresting, AIDS, kids becoming homeless, etc. Two daughters, one very close to MOM, trying to protect mom at her young age. Well, when the MOM dies, decision this girl makes almost woke me up completely. Liz, that is her name, goes back to school. With no prior academic records or transcript, she completes her high school education in two years. She gets a "New York Times" scholarship and lands in Harvard. Movie abruptly ends by saying that she left Harvard too. I completely woke up, sat straight, powered the laptop, did a google on her. I was very curious to know where she landed after leaving Harvard. To add to my surprises, she joined in Columbia to stay close to her dying father who live in NY. Speechless!

Priyasakhi Song!

"Mudhal Mudhal Paarthen...Unnai...
Naan Muzhuvadhum Izhanden...Ennai...

Idhan peyar dhaanaa...ulagathin Kaadhal?"

Uma Maheswaran's voice. Never heard before. Very nice!

Manathavippu.....!

Kappal kavizhandadhu pola oru sogam....
Sollavum Mudiyaamal Muzhungavum Sakthiyillaaamal.....
Thondaikkuzhiyil yedho oru poraattam....
Vaazhkkaiyin payanam puriyaadha oru thavippu.....

Kaathirukkiraal!

Mazhalai paruvathile....aval thaayai edhirpaathu!
Palli paruvathile............aval thandhaiyai edhripaathu!
Kanni paruvathile.........aval kaadhalani edhirpaathu!
Mana kolathile.......aval kanavanai edhirpaathu!
Thaimai paruvathile....aval seyai edhirpaathu!
Kudumba thalaiviyaaga....aval poruppugalai edhirpaathu!
Mudhumai paruvathile....aval thozhanai edhirpaathu!

mmm...Ival Vaazhkaiye...oru Kathiruthaalaagi vittadhe...!

Idhayathil Padhinda Kelvi!!!!

Urukulaithaane Oru Penn
AAnai nokki odugiraal?

Uru kulaithaane Oru Penn
Aaanai nokki odugiraal?

Urupadhuvadhaaga irundhaal...
Aval Odhungi Allava Irukka Vendum?

Golf!

Many times I wondered if there any field that would remain untouched by my Karthik. Here he goes: In the beginning of this school year, he asked, "Amma, can I play Golf for school?" He has been a #1 Varsity player ever since 7th grade almost and tennis is Karthik. Since five years old, he is playing tennis. I was surprised for a moment, but looked at him and said, "Sure, why not?" I love tennis, but should'nt I encourage him for what he loves? At times, in life, being a parent is a blessing. Thank God! I emailed school Golf coach first day of school, also tennis coach. Two sports fall during the same season. Then checked with Sports Coach in general to see if he can play both. Karthik came back from school, "Amma, thanks for emailing my golf coach. He mentioned about it." It was almost eight months ago.

Now today he is a Varsity Golf player. He qualified for the team, not only as just another player, but a key one, as one of the top players in the team. He worked his butt off for getting qualified. Sheer hardwork, practice, passion for the sport just reflected in his victory. Pride in that little face, is very difficult to hide. More than him, I guess I am more stunned. God, bless my child!

Love you Karthik!

Independence Day!

Today is Independence Day!

Yaad arahi hai!

Yaad aa rahi hai
Yaad aa rahi hai

Teri yaad aa rahi hai,
teri yaad aa rahi hai
Yaad aane se,
tere jaane se
Jaan jaa rahi hai

Yaad aa rahi hai,
teri yaad aa rahi hai

Pehle yeh naa jaanaTere baad yeh jaana pyaar mein
Jeena mushkil kardegaYeh dil deewana pyaar mein
Jaane kaise saans yeh aise Aa jaa rahi hai

Yaad aa rahi hai,
teri yaad aa rahi hai

Bante bante dulhanPreet hamaari uljhan ban gayi
Mere dil ki dhadkanMeri jaan ki dushman ban gayi
Kuch keh kehke, mujhe reh rehke
Tadpaa rahi hai

Yaad aa rahi hai,
teri yaad aa rahi hai

Yeh rut ki rangaraliyaanYeh phoolon ki galiyaan ro padi
Mera haal suna to Mere saath yeh kaliyaan ro padi
Ek nahin tu, duniya aansu
Barasaa rahi hai

Yaad aa rahi hai
Teri yaad aa rahi hai

Yaad aane se, tere jaane se Jaan jaa rahi hai
Yaad aa rahi hai, teri yaad aa rahi hai

USTA Tours!

United States Tennis Association - First tour in 2000 when Kathik was 9 years old. We flew in Jetblue and were picked up at the New Jersey airport by Shobana and Dilip. In the flight, Kar was carrying this tennis bag that was bigger than his size. One passenger commented, "Young man, can I take your autograph now itself?" It was a pleasant journey. Then after going to Shobana's apartment, we all ate good food. Kar went to bed early. Me, Shobs and Dilip had a round table talk about life in general. Then next day, Kar's first competitive tournament. How would I describe his demeanor in the court? Very matured, composed, determined. No such excitements as to first match or whatever. It was like watching a Junior Agassi with a overall court charm. Shobana was amazed. I was crying inside with suffocation of happiness. Kar won one round and lost the other one. I was happy because I did'nt see my kid crying for losing. That is his first lesson to lose with grace. But reaching that point itself is an achievement. Then many many USTA tours follow that. He was ranked #8 in the eastern USTA for boys 12 and under. Till today, I have never seen Karthik crying whenever he lost nor jumping up and down, whenever he won. He maintains a level of moderation. That shows his strength. Well, the first tour remains a very memorable one and thanks to Shobs, Dilip for such a great hospitality!

Karthik and Sports!

Sports - NBA, NFL, NHL, PGA, US Open, Australian Open, Wimbledon, and list keeps going. Football, baseball, basketball, swimming, tennis, golf, chess, ping pong, soccer, tae kwon do - Karthik played them all. Officially for school, he played for Modified team Basketball. He is a #1 varsity player for tennis. He represents the school in chess. But Karthik's best sport is tennis. Amazing tennis player. I am his #1 fan and what attracts me to Kar is his natural but smart play. I remember when he was four years old, I used to feed him balls at our driveway and he will be hitting. I thought he was just a kid and how can he hit hard, right? One of his balls hit our garage door glass and it broke. That moment I decided I want to join him in Tennis. I took him to Tom Fleming. Till today, I think that is one of the best decisions that I ever made in my life and wow, it helps Karthik immensely. Tom is old school coach. He never gave any trophy or pizza or t-shirt, but he gave him the right way of learning tennis. He gave him the longstanding skills. Tom made a big impact in Kar's life I should say. Then comes golf. How many times in the past two summers me and Kar would have hit the golf courses! In all those times, I just remain a caddy girl. I clean the balls, I pat him good job, I encourage when things do not go good. Wow he is good at golf. I am proud because it comes on its own. But I wanted him to have a chance to learn it from a professional, so took him to Jim Guzack. Few classes, Kar got the grip of it. He wants to play for school. But I told him as Tennis season and Golf season clashes, maybe after going for States in Tennis, he can aim at Golf one season. Wow he plays excellent Chess. I cant compete with him. But I can play ping pong with him. (Who cares about the points!) I can play poker with him. I can play basketball with him. When I was young, I played tennicoit, volleyball, kho-kho for the school team. I was in scouts. As with Kar, I dont want him to grow old and think, "ah, I should have tried that sports. Maybe I would have liked it". I want to give him every chance for anything that he dreams he needs to try. I have no doubt, Kar is a super star and a great athlete with his charming personality, talent, smartness, and teamspirit. I also make sure to remind Kar not to hesitate to share his knowledge with the world! He needs to learn knowledge sharing right from this age. I am glad he is assisting Tom with tennis lessons (though at times I am jealous he is earning more than me).