Dealing with change..
I don't like change and I don't do too well with change either. I think I have mentioned that before.

Does that mean life gives you a choice? I was reading some of my older posts and I realized. It was one thing to say that I don't like change, and it is one thing to have to face change when it is staring at you, unabashedly..

That morning is the day that my life changed, forever. It was not like I was not prepared. I had two years to prepare and especially last couple of months when it was obviously inevitable. Yet. I did not have a choice to reject this change..

So, yes. I don't like change.. change seems to love me..

Me too!

I see a trend amongst the current generation to try be a me-too! Photography is one thing that blatantly stands out. Visit social networking sites and you will see so many people trying their hands at photography. Digital SLRs have made the dream of many wannabe photographers true. And it does take them a notch higher than where they would be with a regular camera..

Not all of them are exceptional.. But atleast, it has opened avenues for many folks to try their hand at creativity. And its not like painting or music, where there is no substitute for real talent. Snap, edit and post. And you can click several dozen photos with the digital media to not care about missing a few (or most ;) )

And then every once in a while you land up with a gem... till you get your gem, click away..

They say opposites attract.

So true. I am yet to meet a couple that agrees on bedtime, fan speed, A/C settings (or the need for an A/C), preference for sweet / spicy food ..the list is endless.

Every time you talk to a couple for a long time, these differences creep up. You find yourself identifying with one half of the couple, your spouse with the other half. Need not be the same gender.

You will say "hey, I am like that too and my husband is like the other one"

As, rightly pointed out. I wouldn't want to be married to myself. Thats a scary thought!

Hate.. Vs..Don't like

I think age is mellowing me down. There were times when I said explosive statements, that started with "I Hate". Over time, its changed to "I don't like". Same things.

Maturity and being a parent plays a role in this I am sure, a big role.

My SIL recently commented on how my blog is like a girlfriend to me. It is, because this is where I talk about what I feel and its my space. These are my opinions. Not being forced upon you. Read it and forget it.

Why is it so fashionable to hate US?

I keep on running into people who hate everything about US. Some of them have not been to the US, some have for various lengths of period. And yet, they all keep on telling me how they don't like US etc.

I left US by choice, not because I ran out of visa or because I hated it. I came back, because I wanted to be India. Thats it. But people fail to understand, why I don't hate US.. hmmm

Then and Now..

This is us. Every weekend, neeraj and I seem to talk about the life before we had kids. Before we had two kids. Now we think, even one child was so much easier to manage.
Make me wonder. I don't remember my parents ever saying this. It is likely that they did, and I was too young to remember or understand. But the expectations were different. We did not go out every weekend (or thursday for us). We went out sometimes and that more more frequent than most of my friends.

Going out as a family, every week was unheard of. So what has changed? Neeraj said, we are more exhausted. My dad had one day off and worked from 7:15 am - 8 pm. On a good day. Many a times, he came home after nine or even ten. I am sure my mom got bored. But, it was just how things were. With most of us, middle class working people.

Similarly, I was talking one of my close friend. Her husband is away for three weeks and she works full time as well. With a 4 year old and a 1 year old. She and I were discussing, how once her husband gets back, she deserves a shopping spree or time off to compensate for all the days that her husband was away. And since Neeraj will be away for 4 days later this month, I chimed in, that I will join you, for my time off in advance.

Her mom and my mom were "house wives". So she and I have very similar background. I don't remember our moms saying, now its our turn. I don't think women in those days ever said, I deserve some time off because I do all the housework and cook and clean and feed the kids.

Its not to criticize anyone or any generation. Just an observation of how things are starkly different now..