Highlights

... of the past few days are:

• We sat at home yesterday thanks to the Pongal holiday. V bought some yummy chakkarapongal (a sweet made with rice, jaggery, ghee and nuts)from Sri Krishna sweets.
• We attended a couple of Chennai Sangamams at the parks and watched/heard some classical music amidst bites of 5-star fare at thattukada rates (well, you cant exactly call Rs. 80 for a plate of non-veg combo - fried rice, chicken curry with a couple of pieces, 2 parattas/curd rice - earthly prices. But in that ambience and mood, price does not worry the public.
• My mother took the night train to Kerala yesterday, half worried about the kids' welfare in her absence. She doesnt trust the maid's handling of the kids but we have no choice until my old nanny, Leelamma,comes in mid-Feb. She will be a stopgap arrangement until I find a more permanent domestic help cum nanny.
• My newborn niece has been named Tarana Miriam Koshy, so that makes two Miriams in the family. I hope to call her Tara for short.
• Mira has been granted admission in UCA school for lower kindergarten. The fees have to be paid next week, but classes will start only in June.
• Ash's face is looking clearer - hardly any broken skin from the itching - this week. I'd like to think the meds are working. Touchwood!