I'm so vain so here's a few fun, little extras about ME!

1. I try to start my day with a 3-km run. I have NOT met my goal of 7 days a week.
2. I say 'I love you" to my daughters no less than a hundred times a day. They got me at HELLO!
3. I kiss and make up with my hubby before the end of the day. I'm yet to know for sure if tomorrow will ever come.
4. I rush to work every morning. With or without traffic.
5. I knock on wood three times before I fall asleep. It's a childhood habit for good luck which I've never outgrown.
6. I read the obituaries in dailies before anything else. Reminds me life is short.
7. Reading is my favorite pastime. New Age. Asian. Para-Psychology. They humble me.
8. I'm partial to the number '8'. Nevertheless, '7' is my favorite number.
9. My dresses are mostly in black. However, emerald green is the color I love.
10. I never leave home without something red or gold. These are colours that "feng shui" ME!

Have I gone crazy or did my books just sent me a mail?

Ahaks...it's kinda awesome to have your books send you an email which goes like this. I've, however, deleted some parts for "security" reasons: -


"Dear Sashi,


Holy canasta! It's me...it's me! I can't believe it is actually me. You could have picked any of over 2 million books but you picked me! I've got to get packed. How is the weather where you live? Will I need a dust jacket? I can't believe I'm leaving Mishawaka, Indiana already - the friendly people, the Hummer plant, the Linebacker Lounge - so many memories. I don't have much time to say goodbye to everyone, but it's time to see the world!


I can't wait to meet you! You sound like such a well read person. Although, I have to say, it sure has taken you a while! I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but how would you like to spend five months sandwiched between Jane Eyre (drama queen) and Fundamentals of Thermodynamics (pyromaniac)? At least Jane was an upgrade from that stupid book on brewing beer. How many times did the ol' brewmaster have one too many and topple off our book shelf at 2am? I know the trip to meet you will be long and fraught with peril, but after the close calls I've had, I'm ready for anything (besides, some of my best friends are suspense novels).


Just five months ago, I thought I was a goner. My owner was moving and couldn't take me with her. I was sure I was landfill bait until I ended in Better World Books' book drive bin. Thanks to your socially conscious shopping, I've found a new home. Even better, your book buying dollar are helping kids read from Brazil to Botswana.


Eargely awaiting our meeting:


A Positive Life: Potraits of Women Living with HIV; The Blue Sweater: Bridging the Gap between Rich and Poor in an Interconnected World; Life is One Big To-Do List: A Woman's Life After 40; On Life After Death; The Unquiet Dead: A Psychologist Treats Spirit Possession

Raneesha, you've turned THREE!

1. Your favorite word, for now, is BEAUTIFUL (pronounced as "bee-ti-fool')
2. For now, and for the past 6 months, you are aspiring to be a BALLERINA. You constantly walk on your toes and show off your dancing "skills" to drive home this point.
3. Your favorite color is PURPLE. Thank God it's not pink coz your Ga Je's (Cantonese word for elder sister) is simply too fascinated with pink, much to our chagrin!
4. You love DRESSES just because your Ga Je loves dresses too. Please know that you always do the curtsey and say "thank you Your Majesty" whenever anyone tells you you're pretty.
5. You LOVE the most: your maternal Thaata and Paati; followed by your Appa, Amma, and Ga Je - in this particular order, yes.
6. You also always TALK about your Roan Anna; Australian Mummy and Achan. Your Thaata is now familiarizing you with Skype. :)
7. You are STUBBORN (trust us!); do not give in easily, and your best friend and number 1 enemy is your Ga Je.
8. You use a host of key words in 4 LANGUAGES/DIALECTS : English, Tamil, Malayalam, and Cantonese - for now, that is.
9. And oh, Appa insists that you know this coz it's really important: you have created a SONG of your own (that is actually a combination of different Disney songs) and which goes..."everything you do is a boom boom clap and a folie..." Please don't ask us what it. We are just waiting for you to outgrow this song and move on already!

We LOVE YOU, Raneesha, more than WORDS could ever say. On this very SPECIAL day of yours and ours too, we wish you the most LOVING of GOD's BLESSINGS. Thank you, our dear girl, for coming into our lives. REMEMBER, OUR LOVE FOR YOU WILL SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A BEACON IN THE DARK - FOR ETERNITY.

Love always from all of us on August 8, 2011