Lessons Learned #1

Only forteen days has passed since the dawn of New Year, yet it has taught me some lessons in the hardest ways possible.

So here I am presenting the lessons that I learnt!

ü  Cough lasts for 15 days L

I was coughing when crackers were burst inviting a New Year. Slowly, I am recovering and feeling relieved.

I went to doctor because I was scared that I had some serious disease. I have finished at least two bottles of cough syrup – but no use. A dozen of paracetamol swallowed. Finally, I have become wiser if not healthier. Cough takes its own sweet time to fade. It is also like cold. Vapor-rubs and lozenges is temporal.

The coughing ordeal can make you hopelessly fragile and week. It doesn’t let you talk to anyone. Coughing fit can make you wish that you were spared such torture. Even stomach starts aching! At night time, you cough like you are possessed.

I am in USA for a week now. Funnily, (read as thankfully) I cough all through the day – Remember USA’s daytime is India’s night! 

ü  When you cook, you multi-task as well J

If you think that USA is a luxury unlike India, you are wrong. USA follows self-service. Imagine, the hotel we stay has a kitchen attached to it. I wake up hungry and wish that somebody is ready with hot coffee (Okay, tea is also manageable) when I finish brushing.

In India, I enjoy the luxury of mother, nice vegetarian restaurants and my dear PG (although it serves bad food). But in the USA, I cook myself.

And, note that I am cooking for the second time in life – so extensively and elaborately. And, most of my non-working hours is spent in the following:

·         What to cook? Planning the menu.

·         Learning the recipe

·         Analyze what is available

·         Cleaning vessels

·         Cutting vegetables

Please note that, I am cooking ONLY for myself and still it eats up so much of my time. I can’t imagine what a tough life my mother must be having – cooking for most of her life… for the entire family!

Amazingly, we have always heard that women multi-task. Now, I have experienced myself why they do! Cooking is not the only thing women do and cooking needs lots of time, not necessarily attention. So when rice is boiled, you can press clothes. When water is boiling, you can brush tooth. As one item is cooked, you can cut the veggies. You can clean room, fold clothes and WhatsApp and what not?

You can’t read books though. Malala is still staring at me. Long time since I started with “I am Malala”.

Well, all I can say is that lessons learnt and imbibed in heart!

PS: This post is dedicated to my dear mother who is celebrating her birthday today.

Happy Birthday ammaji!!! J