invisible apple cake
3 days ago
Jigsaw Puzzles and Kids
Jigsaw time is bonding time between Ri and I. We act silly and I get to hear all the interesting stories from her. The Venice one is 300 pieces and she completed that in a breeze. She took a day to finish the boat puzzle with 500 pieces. Next we are off to 1000 pieces.
Ro on the other hand can do puzzles with 100 pieces in a few minutes; that's when there are no other distractions around and the characters on the puzzle appeal to him.
Finally they are up on our activity room.
Labels:
All in the Family
White House Material
The First Lady's style of dressing is all over the media. Magazines, web sites, TV shows, blogs and what not. This time, I was surprised to see her style in the department stores as well. I could have walked out of the mall dressed like Michelle Obama.
Labels:
Style
Weekend Diary
Friday
6:30 PM - Dressed up in a black pencil skirt, off-white silk blouse, gray sweater, knee high boots, black trench and a red bag.
7PM - Dropped Ri at J's house for a quick play date. Mun and I headed out to "Cool River" and had a fabulous time.
Saturday
8:50 AM - Started the day with a cup of coffee from Starbucks. Read "Four Seasons - The story of a Business Philosophy" while waiting for Ro to finish up Kumon class.
2PM - A trip to the Dallas Zoo won more votes than Avatar.
Sunday
11:30 - Chit Chatted with a couple of my old buddies at Ri's dance class.
3PM - Went to IMAX to find that Avatar was house full.
7PM - Brisk 30 minute walk with M.
Labels:
Dallas
Kids say the darnedest things.
As we were eating lunch today, the sun was going in and out of the clouds. I asked Ro, my 4 year old, what was causing the gloomy-sunny-gloomy thingy. He responded right away – “Hallucination”.
On further probing, I found that he thought it was just a word that rhymes with hibernation and I know they went over rhyming words related to weather and animals. It was a relief.
On further probing, I found that he thought it was just a word that rhymes with hibernation and I know they went over rhyming words related to weather and animals. It was a relief.
Labels:
All in the Family
Go Cowboys!!!
Ri had a playdate with her friends at J's house. Ro was all set to watch the Cowboy's game. He was planning on supporting the Eagles as he is an 'Animal Lover'.
I had an evening to myself. I went shopping and ended the cold evening with a hot cup of cappuccino.
Was back home right on time to see my team win. Go Cowboys!!
Sunday, I made chole from Suvir Saran's cook book - ingredient for ingredient.
Wish all weekends were as relaxing as this one.
I had an evening to myself. I went shopping and ended the cold evening with a hot cup of cappuccino.
Was back home right on time to see my team win. Go Cowboys!!
Sunday, I made chole from Suvir Saran's cook book - ingredient for ingredient.
Wish all weekends were as relaxing as this one.
Labels:
From my Kitchen
Movie Time
M and I sneaked out last weekend to watch 3 idiots. It was a good watch. The second half was a drag but the twist in the end, pepped it back up.
Yet to watch Avatar-3D.
Yet to watch Avatar-3D.
Labels:
Movies
Celebration Time
We went to P.F.Changs for dinner to celebrate my promotion last night. I did really good with my choice of food. Chose their lettuce wraps. Just protiens and fats.
Still working out !!!
Still working out !!!
Labels:
Celebrate Life
My journey to the Big Office
Inspirational Moment (2006) - In my previous job, there was an Indian girl who managed a team. She was in the same age group as I was. I think that’s when the goal of moving up the ladder seeped into my head
Next Steps – I expressed my interest to my boss and she took it up to her boss and we came up with a doable action plan. The next 6 months was glorious and everything looked great and positive.
Turning Point – While I was working on my professional goals, at the home front, M’s boss was in NJ and showed interest in moving him to NJ. The temptation to move to a bigger city worked its charm on us. We sold our house and were all set to move to NJ. I interviewed with Google and was in very high spirits. M found a better opportunity in Dallas TX. Ri was our big reason to move to a warmer place. We were not ready to deal long winters with two kids.
Starting New (2007) – I started my current job and things were going smooth. I was on an intermittent assignment and blew them away with my performance. The senior management was more than glad to have me on a high budget-high visibility assignment. The first few months were a struggle. There is a comfort zone for every one; I figured that once I made my way through a few good leaders, the effect dribbled through them to their teams. I had not forgotten my goal to reach the big office. I was the best they had and was foolish enough to assume that they would serve it to me on a golden platter
Down Time (2008) – I am not sure at what point my goal turned from a motivation to an obsession. There were a couple of organization changes and I was proving my worth all over again. I was already doing the job; all I was looking for was a title (plus the office space) to match it. There was a point in time, when I did not enjoy pay raises or bonuses, just because they did not come with a title. There was travel, working late nights, quite a few send off parties and celebrations for various project milestones. But my heart was still not on it.
Never underestimate the need for a Mentor (2009) – By this time, I was comfortable with my new boss and she was quite a lady. In one of our heart-to-heart conversations, she confided, that I had a lot of ‘Negativity’ in me. I was in a shock. That was not me. My greatest strengths have always been my optimism and the positive energy I bring into any project. But she was right. She pointed out where my obsessive need for a title has taken me to. I failed to associate my smalller accomplishments as successes. In such a short time, I had earned the respect of the entire cross – functional teams, I worked with. All I noticed in my career was a lack of title.
I tried to take her feedback in good spirits. I started working 2 days from home and focused more on Ri and Ro. I did my best to view my career from multiple perspectives. I had a job, when people were getting laid off. I started appreciating the monetary benefits of my job.
At the back of my head, there was a part of me that still wanted it. When you need to keep your motivation alive for like 3 or 4 years, it’s easy to sound negative, whiny or even threatening. Every time I had a change of boss, moved to another department, I went over my goals with positive interest to the new audience.
Finally it happend. They announced it yesterday.
Corporate America is different. A title change or even a pay raise could have absolutely no impact on what you do day to day. You ask for additional responsibilities and you take a few perks yourselves. I don’t think any body tells a CFO or a CEO where to sit, they choose their offices. I did the same. I am moving to a bigger office next week.
Next Steps – I expressed my interest to my boss and she took it up to her boss and we came up with a doable action plan. The next 6 months was glorious and everything looked great and positive.
Turning Point – While I was working on my professional goals, at the home front, M’s boss was in NJ and showed interest in moving him to NJ. The temptation to move to a bigger city worked its charm on us. We sold our house and were all set to move to NJ. I interviewed with Google and was in very high spirits. M found a better opportunity in Dallas TX. Ri was our big reason to move to a warmer place. We were not ready to deal long winters with two kids.
Starting New (2007) – I started my current job and things were going smooth. I was on an intermittent assignment and blew them away with my performance. The senior management was more than glad to have me on a high budget-high visibility assignment. The first few months were a struggle. There is a comfort zone for every one; I figured that once I made my way through a few good leaders, the effect dribbled through them to their teams. I had not forgotten my goal to reach the big office. I was the best they had and was foolish enough to assume that they would serve it to me on a golden platter
Down Time (2008) – I am not sure at what point my goal turned from a motivation to an obsession. There were a couple of organization changes and I was proving my worth all over again. I was already doing the job; all I was looking for was a title (plus the office space) to match it. There was a point in time, when I did not enjoy pay raises or bonuses, just because they did not come with a title. There was travel, working late nights, quite a few send off parties and celebrations for various project milestones. But my heart was still not on it.
Never underestimate the need for a Mentor (2009) – By this time, I was comfortable with my new boss and she was quite a lady. In one of our heart-to-heart conversations, she confided, that I had a lot of ‘Negativity’ in me. I was in a shock. That was not me. My greatest strengths have always been my optimism and the positive energy I bring into any project. But she was right. She pointed out where my obsessive need for a title has taken me to. I failed to associate my smalller accomplishments as successes. In such a short time, I had earned the respect of the entire cross – functional teams, I worked with. All I noticed in my career was a lack of title.
I tried to take her feedback in good spirits. I started working 2 days from home and focused more on Ri and Ro. I did my best to view my career from multiple perspectives. I had a job, when people were getting laid off. I started appreciating the monetary benefits of my job.
At the back of my head, there was a part of me that still wanted it. When you need to keep your motivation alive for like 3 or 4 years, it’s easy to sound negative, whiny or even threatening. Every time I had a change of boss, moved to another department, I went over my goals with positive interest to the new audience.
Finally it happend. They announced it yesterday.
Corporate America is different. A title change or even a pay raise could have absolutely no impact on what you do day to day. You ask for additional responsibilities and you take a few perks yourselves. I don’t think any body tells a CFO or a CEO where to sit, they choose their offices. I did the same. I am moving to a bigger office next week.
Labels:
Life at Work
Jump on the Wagon
Yes, I am one of the hundreds and thousands of those who went to the gym today. This time, I have a gym buddy and it’s on our calendars. I am planning it on a week by week basis.
It is ridiculous. Come November, the aisles in grocery stores are packed with foods high in fat and sugar. The second clock strikes twelve, you see healthy options all over the place. The library and book stores stock up on weight loss and dietary books. The gyms are full and even before you realize, its November again.
It is ridiculous. Come November, the aisles in grocery stores are packed with foods high in fat and sugar. The second clock strikes twelve, you see healthy options all over the place. The library and book stores stock up on weight loss and dietary books. The gyms are full and even before you realize, its November again.
Labels:
Fitness
Here comes 2010
For the very first post, I chose to write about something I am passionate about; partying with friends and family. This New Year’s eve, we threw a big bash with hookahs (of course non-tobacco), dancing, singing and table-scapes of fresh flowers and candles. M set up a dance floor in the game room. The disco-lights lit up the floor and we danced our way to the New Year for numbers like hadippa, twist, chiggy-wiggy …. For those who wanted to sing, there was karaoke connected to our speakers with the lyrics displayed on the projector screen. Ri broke the silence by singing first. There were a couple of shy guests, but for most part, everybody sang and danced.
How could I forget the best part, food? Thanks to all the friends who brought food. That provided me ample time to focus on décor and activities and rather than toiling in the kitchen. The menu was expansive – Spring Rolls, Jalapeño Poppers, Bruschetta, Nuts, Chips and Salsa, Pakoda, Veggie Tray, Cheese Tray, Channa, Cauliflower/Potato/Peas Sabzi, Raitha, Biryani, Tomato Rice, Bhatura and Rotis. I made Tiramisu (no alcohol/raw eggs) for the adults and brownies for the kids. Nigella Lawson’s Tiramisu recipe was way better than the one I made for New Year’s Eve with no eggs.
Of course there was plenty of wine and scotch (thanks to our guest from UK); champagne/sparkling drinks for the toast.
How could I forget the best part, food? Thanks to all the friends who brought food. That provided me ample time to focus on décor and activities and rather than toiling in the kitchen. The menu was expansive – Spring Rolls, Jalapeño Poppers, Bruschetta, Nuts, Chips and Salsa, Pakoda, Veggie Tray, Cheese Tray, Channa, Cauliflower/Potato/Peas Sabzi, Raitha, Biryani, Tomato Rice, Bhatura and Rotis. I made Tiramisu (no alcohol/raw eggs) for the adults and brownies for the kids. Nigella Lawson’s Tiramisu recipe was way better than the one I made for New Year’s Eve with no eggs.
Of course there was plenty of wine and scotch (thanks to our guest from UK); champagne/sparkling drinks for the toast.
Labels:
Celebrate Life
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