Few days with Maasi

This post is going to be brief as my baby keeps me on my toes. He is very active now and.... I have very limited time to spend online. I am already late... :( but we are going out for the long weekend and I want to finish the posts before that.

Satu's maasi has been in his life before he came. She bought him gifts and clothes and what not. Even when she was in India and Satu in US, she sent regular messages and songs and voice notes. I wasn't surprised when Satu smiled at her the instant he saw her (He doesn't just smile at anyone)

Monday we went to meet Samuel Clemens and thankfully, I have already written about it. Nothing went as per plan but we made enough memories until our next meeting.

We went to the Gillette Castle State park on Tuesday. It is a beautiful place. Here is me admiring the castle.

Here are all of us. My little monkey is busy admiring the castle. :P

 We posed for pics on the bridge.

This is after we had our sandwiches and snacks. Yes, we had a lovely picnic. I am starting to love them. By the time the summer ends, I hope to have mastered it. I have already bought a plastic picnic cloth and am hoping to buy a basket soon.

After eating, we went trekking. With the baby! sigh! so difficult but so pretty. I like walking but I am really a girl when it comes to climbing or going down a slope. I feel scared that I will fall and... I was almost half way to the top when my sis clicked this for motivation.

This was it, we called it a day and came home for some kairi daal and rice. 

Wednesday is the day for group meditation. We went to have a very satisfying lunch at Mystic Pizza Most day was spent with friends and it was fun.

She had to go to Boston to be with her friends.. so we had a small trip to Mansfield hollow dam and park on thursday morning. She was busy going the long route...we chose the shorter one. This is the best snap of all. (In case it isn't clear, I was blowing bubbles.)

For this pic, I blame the photographer and also the bright and lovely day. but I also blame the photographer for coming to meet us and giving us so much of her love and memories.

I have been cribbing that she got us only a few items. No sweets, no papad, no clothes. I was soo bugged and kept cribbing but I am so glad that she came and gave us so much joy and this greedy heart is never satisfied and wants soo much more.

Hope to be with family soon.
 

Meeting Samuel Clemens...

You might or might not know of Samuel Clemens but you must have surely heard of his pen name - Mark Twain.
Even before we moved to the US, I tried to see the places around the place I was going to live. The Mark Twain house was on the top. The small writer in me or really really really wanted to go there once and... we finally got the chance.

A lego made Mark Twain greeted us at the entrance of the visitors centre.

It is amazing to see it all made of lego. Imagine the patience and skill and art and time that must have gone in making it. I was amazed to see it.

and there was a cut out of this. I had to get my picture taken. I don't make a good Mark Twain in picture or writing but there is hope. Please pray that I write the way I am supposed to write.

Though our guide called it Picturesque Gothic architecture. I found
The house to be beautiful inside and out. Here is a groupie of all of us with the house. Oh, did I mention that my sister is in town. She will be with us for a few days. Satu loves her and smiles at her often.

Photography isn't allowed inside the house but I can tell you that it is beautiful. There are over 25 rooms and the guide does a good job of taking you through it and explaining things. It is fascinating to know about Mark Twain. What is more fascinating is - Samuel Clemens. He was a simple, devoted and loving father, unlike the image he has as Mark Twain.

We enjoyed listening to stories of him, both as a father and writer. He was so disciplined. He would write after breakfast and till dinner. He wouldn't take lunch and would produce 4000 words a day. Isn't that something?

I was sad to know that the tour is only an hour long. I wanted more :(

After a satisfying lunch at Chipotle, we took a small walk in Glastonbury arcade and walked in Munsons and did this ;) My little monkey with this big one.

Our day ended with a brief visit to Elizabeth Park. Sadly, it was raining and we didn't go for a stroll as decided but I did see many pretty roses and huge sunflowers and ducks and so many pretty flowers (that I don't know the name to but that really doesn't affect their beauty)

Our day was good. Hope there are more like it.

Heartfulness Conference at NjPAC.

What a hibernation it has been! We ended up staying indoors the whole Spring and finally got out (for a very small time) to NJ for the Heartfulness Conference at NjPAC.

We left our house around 12 pm and Satyen slept till New Haven. It was going to be a good trip. Then we took a break and after he ate, he played a little and then... he kept telling us that he didn't like his car seat. Anyway, we reached the hotel. A lovely and familiar feeling welcomed us. Friends met us and the stress and tiredness of the trip was long forgotten.

The next day, 25th, Sou took care of the baby and I got to attend the group meditation. It was lovely. I felt calmer and more like what I should be. We met all the people we hadn't met in a long time and Satu met them and smiled and kept everyone charmed.

This was going to be a long day. We got together outside NJPAC and clicked a lovely heart shaped pic. I can't wait to upload it. It is in edit.

As we were leaving, one of our friends clicked this pic. Do you remember the cute girl standing on the right and lovely and thin lady in blue. We had gone to Niagara falls with them. The trip was sooo smooth because of them and few others. I wish I could click pics all the time of all the lovely people in my life.

Pranita, the sweet girl is so talented. She knows so much about raising children already. She made a lovely sign for Satyen. If you zoom, you can see it in the stroller. Sadly, it got dropped somewhere. Please let me know if you saw it anywhere.

The conference was lovely. What a crowd! You can see the live recording of the conference here

I am not a big music fan but loved the songs by Honor Finnegan. I liked the answer given by Daaji for heartfulness for busy people. (It is around 1.20 mins) I also loved his answer for dealing with children. (It is around 1.40 mins)

The jugalbandi in the end was awesome and did inspire me for personal but insightful blog post

After this and dinner, our day wasn't done. We met family and what a joy it is to meet. I am sad that I didn't click a single pic when ALL of us were together. There is a pic for old times though.

Next day wasn't really eventful.

Sou attended the morning group medi and I attended the mid morning one.
We left shortly after that with so many things to talk in the car. We learnt to take break at apt times and Satu didn't really trouble us.

The event left us with feeling so much peace and love. The next one is going to be on 23rd July. We don't know where yet. Hopefully we will attend it too.

My sister will be visiting us soon and we hope to make up for our hibernation and gather enough memories and posts for our next.

Few days of Heaven in Washington

This has been the most special vacation as this is probably the last vacation before we hibernate for the winter. The trip was physically tiring but mentally invigorating. I loved being in the city, though my husband didn't like the noise and the traffic, I on the other hand loved being independent in the city.

We travelled on Sunday and reached Hyatt Regency at Bethesda at 7pm. We had carried dinner, so we went around Bethesda on foot and came back to eat dinner.

I wanted to rest the next day and after a good and heavy breakfast, I went around Bethesda in bus and got to see the town. Bethesda is known for its hi-profile shops and fine dining. I did a lot of window shopping and came back for lunch. We travelled to Washington with my husband's friend and his family. The family had plans to go to the Discovery museum and I went along.

I wasn't sure that I would enjoy it but I liked it. There is a plane which you can sit and move a few parts of.

The discovery space shuttle is amazing too. I knew that it would be big but this was HUGE.

I also saw Amelia Earhart's uniform and other cool stuff that I don't remember. :)

The Bellman at Hyatt, Raul helped me understand the city and the metro. He told me about the one day bus tour and I took it on the second day. I went to Union station and took the bus tour. The bus took me to the memorials

and gave a good commentary about almost everything. I saw the city and went to the NGA. With some help, I saw some works from Pablo Picaso, Da Vinci and other big names that I don't remember sadly :) I also saw some really interesting paintings. I think it was American art that had a part of it almost bright and white and gave a lovely embossed effect to the painting.

I liked the architecture of the city, it reminded me of CST. The tour lasted till evening but took me everywhere. Tired, I reached the hotel at 7pm.

I spent the second day on my own completely but started my day a little late. I went to the National museum of American History and took a one hour tour. The tour showed the highlights of the museum. The star spangled flag banner, the red ruby shoes of Dorothy, Abe's hat, dresses of the first lady and many other interesting things.
One thing that really took me by awe was this dress. The fiancé was saved by the parachute and the mother of the girl sewed the wedding dress out of the parachute.

I wanted to go to the Natural History Museum next and spent a good time there. I liked all the exhibits and enjoyed the butterfly pavilion the most. I also liked looking at the Hope Diamond. I didn't know that it was there. :) I didn't click any pics. I went to the botanical garden after this.

At first, I wasn't sure I made the right choice as it is Fall weather and most of the plants were barren but the Chrysanthemums took my heart.

 

I was super tired but as I went to the conservatory and sat there without my jacket and took in the oxygen. The tropical plants were amazing and sat took my aches away.

I went back early as we had found a group meditation place near our hotel and decided to go there. It was lovely to go there on the day of Diwali.

Thursday was my husband's presentation and I decided to watch and be part of it. After the presentation, we ate some delicious south Indian food and went to the zoo. The best part of the zoo was watching a real deer who came near us as we were waiting for the ride.

Friday was the day to come back. We went to the US capitol and then drove back to home. A lovely and memorable trip.

The essex train ride and the fall colors in CT

Have you ever been to a place where no matter where you point and shoot with the camera, the image is simply perfect and ... stunning? The Essex train ride was one such ride.

When I got up on Sunday, 25th October, I was super excited. My husband was going to take me shopping. It doesn't happen very often and I was soooo looking forward to it. Sure, it isn't as fun as shopping in mumbai but shopping is shopping!!! I had planned the day hour by hour. Not just clothes, we were also to buy things for the house. So, I was excited about it and knew it would bug him to eat out so I also made sandwiches and planned... really planned the day.

Fortunately or Unfortunately, My day didn't go as per plan.
In the morning, as I checked my whatsapp before leaving the house, my friend, Jaya told me that a couple of them were planning to go to a train ride. The Essex steam train ride to see the fall colors. It is a historic train ride with all the bells and whistles. I told my husband while eating our standard sunday breakfast - cheerios and knew that he wouldn't be very keen on it. He wasn't. I wasn't very unhappy either as I had shopping to look forward to. We packed and left. We met friends for the morning group meditation and had planned to eat muffins when Jaya invited us for breakfast. We went along as we had an hour before the heartfulness group meditation at Mystic Yogashala.

I still don't know what happened but somehow my husband said that we can go and push the shopping to later. Everyone got excited but we didn't have tickets. My sandwiches were still uneaten and we ended up having lunch at the magnetic house of Jaya and Ramky where once you enter, it is super difficult to leave. Somehow as fate would have it, one of our other friends, Saranya got tickets arranged and we left for the ride. Somehow we got late and were the last ones to leave.

The train was to leave at 330 pm and our GPS told us that we would reach the place at 330 pm. Frantic calls were made and specific instructions were given for parking. We reached the place at 329. I got a phone call from one of our friends, Phani saying that we shouldn't rush as they are making the train stop for us. I thought that he was kidding but I saw that it was 330 and the train hadn't left. From the window we saw the ladies sitting and telling us not to rush. And as we reached the almost deserted platform, we saw the conductor and two of our friends with him. They showed our tickets, we gave our thanks and at 336 pm we boarded the train and heard "All aboard." Almost red faced as I took my seat, my dear friend Phani said that the trip is more exciting because of all this. It was a relief to hear this and made us feel better.

Here is the kind hearted man who made it possible. I have never had a whole train wait. It still quickens my heartbeat when I think about the start of the trip. I normally don't write so much but I had to share the events to make you feel as if you are with me on the trip

So, the ride is gorgeous to say the least. The colors are prettttty. My phone or my photography might not do justice to the beauty of nature but it was an amazing experience.

 

They really do have the whole experience of a steam train with the bells and whistles. The smoke is so pretty to look at. Also, the train is so cool. They have some old advertisements and as you can see, antique lights. Worth going to once.

Well, here are all of us.

The trip ended beautifully. We still had uneaten sandwiches which we shared and one of our friends didn't eat lunch.

Anyway, we went shopping after this. We completed 3 out of 4 tasks and since we got late, we ate at The Indigo - Indian Bistro which was the cherry on the cake. I personally doubt if the food is fresh but it was delicious.
A very thrilling day that makes me smile and grateful for my life here.

I am not done yet. I have fall colors to show you. People had told me that the fall is the best time to be here. I so AGREE.
These are some pics from around the area where we live.

The roads are so pretty now a days...going places is fun and not very tiring.

The view from our house isn't bad either. I didn't get the chance to click images when the trees were in full bloom and vibrant but they look so pretty none the less.

 

This plant has leaves that look like petals. I love this weather. It makes my walks so much easier.

A day in Newport - 18th Oct 2015

The International Student & scholar Services (ISSS) of UCONN arranged for a trip to Newport. I have been after my husband and our friends for a visit to Newport from a long time. So, when my husband told me about the trip... We went.

Newport is known for the mansions and the cliff walk. Sadly, we didn't plan our trip well to be able to go to the mansions but here is what we did.

The bus left UCONN at 830 pm and we crossed the Newport/Pell Bridge to Newport. We saw the Light house but were so fascinated with the bridge that didn't really click any pics.

Our first stop was at Fort Adams. We tried to get a shot of the bridge in the background.

It was cold!!!I was prepared for snow! The chilly air didn't let us stay out in the open for long. This is a pic of Fort Adams from the bus. :) What I found interesting is that there is grass growing on top of the building. War Aircrafts will find it hard to locate. Smart job!

We quickly left this to continue on the Ocean drive. We crossed the Eisenhower summer home and the summer white house to see the belted cows. Each mansion is simply wow. We kept looking at each passing mansion. I have to mention that even if someone told me that they would give me a mansion for free (my wishful thinking) I would not be able to choose. They are sooooo wow!

The lawns are so nicely cut. Mansions are a sight to see. We crossed the Brenton State Park but didn't see any kites. It was toooo windy. We did see a few birds though :)

We stopped for lunch and then went to the Sea food festival at Bowen's wharf. Non Vegetarians in the group enjoyed it best. We spent some time and then went out exploring. We also saw the ship making yard.

I think it is best to know about a town from its museum. We visited the Brick Market: Museum & Shop on Thames Street. It isn't a very big museum but did give us a small peek into the first people who came to Newport and the kind of furniture, wagons, printing press of that time. Since this was a sunday the NMAI was closed. So we made the most of this open museum.

This tile work is right outside the museum. Pretty interesting!

After the Museum, we walked on Thames Street. Although it was unseasonably cold, we saw all the nice big shops and their merchandise.

We took rest at the visitor's centre before going to the cliff walk.

The cliff walk is one of the 50 things to do in life. The view is stunning, sadly my photography isn't.

 

On the left is the beach with unimaginably white sand. Then there is the majestic Atlantic ocean and on our right were the beautiful mansions. 

But honestly, we walked till the 40 Steps and nothing changed. We got bored ;) and I was tired. We decided to head back for some coffee.

Love is the same everywhere. Like in India, we saw many locks tied on the safety rail on the way. Symbols of LOVE!

Cliff walk was our last event of the day, We walked back to the visitor's centre. We had already seen the Thames St and parts of the Bellevue Avenue, we took the Spring St. There are many many pretty houses on the way. I love a house covered with green, just like this.

The small houses had some really neat architecture. We ended our trip with some time on the Bowen's wharf. The seafood festivities were almost over. We took in the sunset.

We didn't wait there too long. As soon as we finished our coffee, we headed back to the bus. It was almost time to head back home.

A nice trip. Next time, we take our car and the pass to see the 5 mansions. We have to see the breakers and the Elms.