Pre-Inag Thoughts

This inauguration is emotional for me, as an “American” mother of two boys and the wife of someone who was born in India. I feel so lucky that my husband and I could grow-up on opposite sides of the world and yet find one another. Even with walking on a cultural tight rope with his family, love transcended all barriers. We had a strong sense of hope in one another, just as we have hope in President-Elect Obama’s administration; Better things are ahead.
This inauguration means much to us on varying personal levels by definition family. It's beyond looking into the eyes of our 3-year old, Nishad Isaiah, and full heartedly telling him that he can be whatever he so desires if he has dedication, education, passion and perseverance. It’s beyond looking into the eyes of our 1-year old Arun Nicholas, and telling him that no one can ever tell him that he can’t do something because of his ethnicity or the color of his skin. By the time our boys are old enough to really comprehend things, they will have grown-up in a free, global society, never knowing anything different other than we as a society, as a country, judging a person not by the color of his skin, but the character in which he or she carries. President-Elect Obama has made our jobs as teacher, as parents, so much easier.
This inauguration means so much to me as a citizen of the United States. For far too long, the powers that be have openly abused their power of office and imposed, in my opinion, something bearing characteristics of an imperial government upon its people. I have no doubt that President-Elect Obama will once again give weight to our Constitution and allow it to pave the path for our nation’s restoration. Under President Obama’s leadership, I have faith that he will take the necessary measures to allow us as a nation to persevere, to rise up and to once again be proud of who we are and where we are going. We the people have been left in the shadows far too long.
This past election also restored something in me that I haven’t felt in quite some time. It’s not that I wasn’t patriotic or proud of my country…but something definitely lacked in my heart in regard to my country. I think it was a confidence in regard to the land in which I love. This election has restored my confidence not only in my country, but more importantly in my fellow citizens.
No longer can we think of America being a separate entity. Our current economic situation has brought that topic to light. It truly is a small world. It isn’t how we became connected- it’s ‘that’ we are connected. For the sake of our future, the next generation and beyond, it was vital for our nations life line to act. We did. Though this may only be the beginning of a long road ahead of us, we the people, are not sitting on the side lines anymore; We are back in the game.
For far too long this nations politics have been ‘business as usual.” President Elect Obama has changed that face of politics forever. He consistently rose above and in turn, by example, we as a nation rose above. Someday, our children and their children will look back and reflect upon this time, this era. I am both excited and proud to be a part of a momentum that sets our nation on course for a better, more hopeful tomorrow. It is for these thoughts, and many more that my heart has composed, that I voted for President-elect Obama, and why this inauguration day means so much to me. It’s more than a history lesson, or a symbol, for us at the Kumar household, it’s the beginning of a new chapter for our family and this nation.

What we crave...

After dealing with our 2005 Dodge Durango "issues" (it only has 40k miles on it), $1,000 later (in four days) with no real answers or fixes....we opted to take a deep breath and trade it in for a new car. Safety...value...and dependability...all important factors in our book. Since we LOVE our 2004 Honda CRV, we decided to go with a 2009 Honda CRV. They each sit happily next to one another in the garage. The stress of the entire situation that shook our household has now been alleviated. I feel so relieved that nothing happend to Nishad or Ashish in the Durango. We did recieve a very good trade in amount for it (it's rating ironically was 92!) though we did have to take a $3,000 hit (in addition to the $1,000) as American cars loose their value so quickly. Ashish vows to never, ever again buy an American car.

Memory Lane

I use to "e-mail blog" (yes, my own term) about once a week. Looking through my old e-mails, I came across these photos. This is Nishad with Ashish and I, at the same age Arun currently is. These photos were taken about a month before we became pregnant with Arun...this same time of year! It was also the last time I had darker hair, prior to now. Must be a subconscious seasonal craving!

Back 2 School

...And back to "routine." I can't believe two weeks came and went! I for one, really enjoyed having Nishad around. Everyday we planned on something fun in celebration of the season and the break from school. Arun really grew over break as well. We're amazed at how fast he picks up things from his older brother. He is speaking more and more Hindi as well. I think because I know much more now and I'm able to speak to him, in addition to Ashish and Nishad.

On the last day of break, I managed to start and finish painting the main-floor bathroom, "cookie crumb." It's really like a sand color, but it is so much more exciting to call it by such a name. About two years ago, I painted a California cabana themed bathroom. I was ready for a change- something toned down a bit. I still kept all the beach photograhs I took while in California (when Nishad was 4 1/2 months old).

I've literally made a bout 9 loaves of bread while on break too. This last batch was divine! It was a honey cran-rainsin bread. It's such a nice European rustic bread; hard crust, soft center. Needless to say, I have been enjoying my bread book!

We dropped the Durango off to the shop today. Something is wrong with it- not sure. Ashish is convinced that he will never again purchase another American car. We originally purchased the 2005 Durango because we wanted room for the boys car seats, double stroller, and well... the October visitors from last year.

I haven't made any resolutions. This is the first year I haven't done that. When I get "in the mood" I will reflect on my life, how I'm living it and what path I hope it leads.

With everyone sick right now, I feel so blessed none of us are! For weeks all I hear is how ill everyone is. I will surely keep my fingers crossed AND attempt to be even more so OCD about hand washing. My hands are so cracked, red and dry right now. I need to be more diligent about putting Burt's Bees on them...Ahhhhh...soothing thoughts. I'm being extra picky not to have play dates right now with the germs in full swing. It's enough that Nishad is at school. We also didn't get our flu shots this year. I thought I would try something different as every year we get our shots, we seem to get the flu! How is that fair?!

Play Break

Over break, we received a phone call from one of Nishad's friends from LFM. It appears their little one speaks as much about Nishad as he speaks of them. Nishad's little buddy will be 4 years old in about 2 months. He has a little brother too, who will be 2 years old next month! It was great to get together with this wonderful family and get to know them better. The boys (all 4) enjoyed playing. Monday school resumes, so they'll see one another shorty!

Big Blow!

For the last two or three weeks, Arun has been busy impressing us all at how he knows exactly how to blow his nose, all by himself in a tissue and disgard it in the trash can.

This week, he dawned cotton, "big boy" undies as he's been telling us when he has to go potty ("Ka-Ka!"). He'll even run to the bathroom and attempt to take of his undies. So, we brought up Nishad's old little potty for him. No harm in letting him lead and set the pace for us! We're also proud to have announce that we think we have a left hander in the house! Arun eats with his utensils with his left hand, "writes" with his left hand as well as waves, blows kisses, rolls and tosses things with his left hand. Exciting!!!

The boys have really been forming a strong bond as of late. They have really enjoyed playing and working together...Nishad liked to "teach" Tiger things too. On occasion, getting into mischief as well! haha. I am so glad we have two boys. I couldn't picture life any other way.

Our Olympian!

Nishad *loves* doing summersalts, walkovers, break dancing, jumping, climbing...you name it! Today we went to open gym for pre-school children. Arun assisted Ashish at home and Nishad and I went off to work off some energy. We're always looking for creative and educational ways to get through these "indoor" months living in Minnesota. This was the third time we attended this gym's open gym. To this point, we haven't enrolled Nishad in a class yet because we wanted him to get use to his school schedule. However, after today, he's signed up for a trial class! Daddy and I think it just may be time! It really is a shame that we always have to venture so far and go to privately owned places to get good instruction. There are offerings through community education, however, you get what you pay for. Hopefully, there will be better qualified instructors on staff for community education, with programs that are as good or better than private offerings. That was one of the reasons why I started a dance program at a YMCA when I lived in Chicagoland. Why shouldn't quality programs be offered for all- regardless of demographics or incomes?

I beam (no pun intended!) with pride when I see Nishad interact with other children. He's so polite and courteous. We are so lucky and blessed to have Nishad and Arun in our lives. Such gifts that never stale, but only continuously grow and bring forth more joy.

Party Like It's 2009!

Como Zoo and Conservatory never disappoint.

Eve 2008

We were sure to party like animals, with the animals to bring in the New Year at Como Zoo's "Noon" countdown party. Radio Disney was on hand to supply lots of music, dancing, games and free "stuff." Complete with an animal print beach ball drop, noise makers and hats, this makes our list of things to do again in 2009! As the countdown approached, I collected my little party animals and safely placed both boys in the double stroller. There were way too many people there for me to worry about!

After we took a short elevator ride downstairs for lunch at Zöbota Café. They make the best spicy black bean burgers! Of course, we had to do our part in supporting the zoo by picking up a few 'souvenirs' from our favorite Saint Paul destination. Nishad picked out matching tiger shirts and socks for he and "Tiger" (aka, Baby Arun).

Our visit would not have been complete without a meander through the conservatory. January 3rd is the last day for the Holiday Flower show in the sunken garden. It was both as dramatic as it was beautiful. Of course, for this photographer, it provided the perfect backdrop to take pictures of my favorite, most precious two subjects! It felt good to be out, despite the cold. I had to stop halfway form teh car to the zoo to put on gloves as I couldn't take the stinging in my fingers anymore. The cold reminded me of how alive I am...and how much more alive, and better off, we will all be without this bitter cold!

We headed home and made it back by 3:30PM. Daddy was home early and made a pit stop to pick up some fresh Alaskan King Crab legs for our New Year's Eve celebration at home. It's our tradition. They melt in your mouth and they are so sweet, succulent and buttery. In addition, I made a fabulous fresh salad with a side of a baked potato. For dessert was a banana cream pie.

Tiger's Roar!

With having an older brother, one needs to know how to ROAR back! Nishad and Arun love to play animals and chase one another around. Here is a sample of 14-month old Tiger's MIGHTY ROAR!

MOA

In my early 20's, while living back in the Chicagoland area, I had a friend that actually made a vacation out of visiting- not Minnesota- but rather "Destination: Mall of America." She, her brother and his girlfriend drove here and spent a week of paid time off in a hotel adjacent to MOA where they could wake up and immediately hit the mall scene. I still chuckle to this day thinking of them. Each to their own, but it's definitely not my idea of "vacation." How ironic that I would live so close to MOA now. My friend and I no longer are in contact- oh, how she would be envious!

After moving to Minnesota, the first question one of my teen students that I taught dance to asked was, "How close are you to MOA?" I've always viewed a mall as a mall. I guess it is neat though to have so many things under one roof. Especially, when the temperatures dip and being outside is not an option. This is why this became one of our fun destinations while Nishad was on break from school.

When I do go to MOA, I like to park in the same area which is the lot right outside of Macy's. This enables you to walk right in. It's especially nice with kids and a double stroller. This is a popular spot to park, so I find myself stalking people, with a smile of course, as they exit the mall in hopes of their parking spot.

We left the house about 10:45AM and made it there by 11:30AM. MOA isn't only about stores, it's about enteratinment. They actually have an indoor amusement park. For 18 tickets, it was roughly $19.00. Nishad wanted to go on some rides first, so we spent an hour on the 36-inches and under rides (he isn't quite 42-inches yet for the next level of rides offered). Then we headed to made reservations for lunch at the Rain Forest Cafe. I wasn't expecting the barrage of people in front of the restaurant, waiting to do the same exact thing. The next available reservation was at 1:50PM. Being that it was only 12:30AM, a snack was in order! Late lunch today...which was fine. After all, that is what break is all about. Who needs schedules? We headed directly to the "Healthly Express" and loaded up on fresh squeezed orange juice and a snack. After, we took the elevator a level below and stood in line for the "Underwater Adventures." After we paid $28.00 for one adult and one child's ticket (Arun was free and this was in combination with a $4.00 off per adult ticket and $2.00 per child ticket coupon) for our wrist bands (you can come and go as you please for the entire day), we had 15 minutes to spare before our lunch accommodations. Up the elevator we went with wrist bands in hand. Nishad exclaimed, "We'll be back sharks!" as I feverishly pushed the stroller through the crowd.

The last time I went to the Rain Forest Cafe was actually in Chicago, during a Co. Dance Convention. Myself and a bunch of the kids ventured out of our hotel and walked to the popular little strip that includes the 50's Mc Donald's, Hard Rock and Ed Debevic's just off Ontario. At the time, I ate beef, so I believe I ordered a hamburger. Nothing "that" great, but I did recall what I ordered, so it couldn't have been too bad. Nishad and Arun shared the children's marinara while I ordered a simple chicken sandwich. We didn't plan on Arun's reaction to the periodic rain and thunder storms though as I had completely forgotten about that aspect of dining here. Needless to say, he was not fond of the thunderous BOOMS! Honestly, neither was I. How are you to properly digest your food with all that rumbling? Our tab was $30.00 with tip.

Off to the "Underwater Adventures" that honestly, I didn't have very high expectations for. However, I was delightfully surprised! I thought it was a wonderful exhibit and really gave you the opportunity to see things up close in a setting that was not only aesthetically beautiful, but educational. Nishad was chit chatting to everyone and anyone that would listen, even pointing out to them when sharks were above their heads. He was very excited! He even made up stories about the fish we saw, "That fish over there is sad, so the other fish is going over to him so he feels better." Such a compassionate soul! Arun was pretty excited too! His eyes were wide and filled with wonder. A few times he became so elated that he stood up in his stroller and pointed "fishy!" There is a conveyor belt sidewalk through the aquarium, so you simple stand and roll along. This was a welcomed break from pushing the stroller.

After we headed to the Apple Store to check if they had something for Daddy's IPOD Touch, but no such luck. It was probably as good thing as well because the line for the register was literally out the door. We looked for another animal ornament for Nishad's animal themed tree, but we didn't like any. So, without hesitation, it was back to riding some rides!

We left at 2:30PM, which milk and a treat in hand. It didn't take long before both of my babies were sound asleep in the back of the car. I really thought traffic would be a nightmare, however, we made decent time back.

MOA may not be my idea of a vacation destination, but as a fun destination to while on school break, it's A-OK!