The little one is all set to fly out of the nest

It has been some time since I blogged. That is because I spent more than a week recovering from the severe allergies and nose bleeds after that super bloom hike. Was also under a lot of pressure from family to recover before first week of June, to be at the little one's high school graduation!

We came to Cupertino when she was a 6 month old baby, chasing a school district that was "the place to be" in our local circles. Most of our close Desi and Chinese friends were all moving to Cupertino and so did we! It feels like yesterday. 

17 years later, we have graduated out of this school system. It has been an interesting experience as a parent and I am sure both Jr. and the no so little one may have a very different view of things. I for one was happy to have them study here! The elementary, middle and high schools were all within walking distance given our location, they had great friends and we got great friends through them over these years. They also got a decent well rounded learning experience be it academics (thanks to all the "subject aunties" who tutored them where the teachers could not give individual attention), sports or music.... especially music! These schools had amazing music teachers who truly inspired! This place is also beautiful. We don't realize it everyday as we go through the grind, but when sitting in the stands looking at the graduating class, the backdrop was just beautiful!

While Jr. got to go places while still in high school (be it as a exhange student in Taiwan, a trip to rural Indonesia as part of a camp, a training program in Berkeley, etc.) the little one was not so lucky as she was pretty much grounded and at home thanks to COVID. That goes for almost all her classmates who missed out. 

So she was naturally hesitant to go far away. That is always music to my ears as I would like to see the kids every now and then. Not sure if I can handle San's undivided attention. It always reminds me of the ant that gets burnt by the lens. That said, both kids will be going to school in California.  The little one for undergrad and Jr. for a masters. 

While Jr. missed out on prom and a graduation ceremony thanks to COVID, she really enjoyed the grad ceremony and lived it through her sister! She made a secret collage gift and seeing that made my day!

Taking prom and grad pics made me tear up a lot. All these kids we have seen grown up over the years are now going out to the world as adults. Still see them as noisy kids yelling and screaming excitedly in the car as I used to take the group to badminton class every alternate week. 

(that background was modified using Photoshop.. I did have some fun editing grad pics!)

The little one was so happy that grandma made a quick visit for her graduation!

Slowly reconciling myself to the fact that this is going to be a very sad empty nest. Time to play board games till 3AM with a continous flow of chai with our friends I guess. We can do that again now that there are no kids in any of the houses... (in case I lost you there, here is an old old post from this blog!). 

Life does come full circle!

The kids have done us proud so far! Hope they keep succeding at whatever they try!

A bittersweet moment

When I posted this in 2007, there was always the realization that before we knew it, this girl would be going from high school to college.

We have had a good run in this home when it comes to the kids, schools and the folks in the neighborhood. 

The virus was a curve ball that has spoilt the graduation plans. The kid has been doing her work from her room in silence for the most part.. (I say that because when she plays that Alto Sax, no other zoom meetings are possible in the house or in a 500 meter radius). Hearing her play is a treat though!

In a lot of ways, we are going to miss her when she goes to Indiana, if and when Purdue opens. 

The original plan was for me to go with her and drop her in college as the little one (who is not little by standards outside my eyes) has first day of school the same week. 

The kids lobbied for me to stay home and my darling wife to be the college dropper and room setter upper.. 

Happened to be in the other room listening in on this discussion between grandma, mom and the two girls.

Apparently, I am emotionally unfit to do the drop. They were predicting that I would cry, make Jr. cry etc.. there was betting that I would say something like "nee padichchadhu porum. veetukku pogalam vaa!" (you have studied enough, lets go home!) or something like that right after the first day orientation is over and bring her back home with me.

Then they were talking about me being depressed if I don't go and the little one says "don't worry. I have him covered. Will take care of him and will make sure he is kept busy and distracted when you are gone!" 

The confidence and authority in that voice was a little scary. It is one thing to know that you have been managed by these three women for the most part of your life, but looks like I am the kid and she is the adult. 

There was a time when I was incharge of distracting them while San fed them gerber with one of those spoons which would change color if it got too hot.. now the kid is distracting me while one of them is being dropped off to college. In a way the world is coming full circle for me.

The official high school graduation from home is next week, but we did go take pictures this morning with the gown and cap that were received. . .

Here is a comparison photo..

Really wish this kid would go on to do everything she wishes to do as she steps out into the world!

Screen time

It has been sometime since I came back to blog about anything. Life has been interesting as usual. A recent business trip that ended up with delayed flights, a missed connection, multiple subseqent delayed flights all in an effort to just  return home made me weak and tired. Also ended up with a virus which left me with a lasting eye infection for a good 10 days post all other symptoms. 

Doctors advice was to minimize staring at the screen.. so work had to be done in intense installments between eye drop sessions, driving was difficult, Yoga attendance became sporadic, social media took a break as did this blog.

The last three days have been better. I am back online with some self restraint. 

While all this was going on, the kids started school last week. The little girl who made us toil every morning just to go to kindergarten, is now a senior at high school..

The little one is also now a high schooler and that puts things in a different perspective! 

Had taken these pictures last week but never got a chance to download and edit them.. 

We are getting into the routine for this year. There is a lot less driving given Jr. drives herself. 

One theme that keeps coming back in the house is "daddy is getting old"..

We are all getting old. Also this "if you do all this yoga, how come you are sick?" discussion. Traveling in dirty airplanes can be a risky thing for anyone. 

Then there is the "if you do all this yoga, why do you get angry?". No one said you will be emotionless if you do Yoga. You get to control the anger faster, at least that is what I am striving for. 

The kids are still on daddy's side on all these arguments. Will have a tough time when they are not around as there will be no one to take my side.

Mentally preparing for it starting this year.