22nd Feb. 2008

"Hey !, I got an invite for Google woman in Engineering, award ceremony."
"Great, ......Where, Bangalore!"
"of course, where else! It will be an extended weekend for me. No classes on Friday to Sunday.
So, going is no problem. I'll send them my confirmation."
Swati's excitement was making all the words run into each other.

Eveyday, after that I started asking her, if she had received her travel information. On 27th night, a fed up Swati told me to check my mail account.
On opening it, I saw her travel plans n tentative tickets for her summer intern.
when I informed her of the wrong mail, a tired voice told me....
"Ma, I'm overloaded with work. Have not slept for even 4 hours, in the last 2 days. Busy with deadlines. Can you please come n help me pack."
I decided to go.

28th Feb.

• sms on my mobile....8.00 am

"Can u come a little later.....like 3.30......becoz i still have some project work before that....."
When I reached her room, it looked as if a tornado had just hit it. Nothing was in its place, n I ended up asking her, if I had landed up in a pigs sty, accidentally.
We started packing......both of us, getting irritated in turns.....as I felt a lot of things would be required, n kept them in the case, while she promptly kept throwing them out. All of this circus was being watched by her roomy, Abha. I am sure by the end, she must have placed all moms on the horrors list.
"Whew, a big job done. But oh, Swati do you have any locks."

Another search started for them. A lock was found in some corner......with keys missing. Her mobile rang, n news was that her laptop, was still in the lab.
We both ran.....she to collect her lappy, n me for the lock from the market across the road.(SDA).

After handing her over to Sakshi's father.....they both were supposed to go together to airport, I got back.

• sms recd.
• 
  

''love you lots ma.......:) :) :), thanks for coming......:) :) :) :) :)

After, a couple of hours, I told Googi to ask her if she had got on her flight.We got to know that fight was delayed by an hour.

• sms recd.

"m abt to fly......."

Late at night her mobile could be reached, to confirm her safe landing.
At 10.30pm, a sleepy Swati told me that she was still in plane.......about to get off.

My next worry was how will she locate the hotel in an unknown place....
"Let me check outside n I'll let you know. "

• sms recd.
• "there are innovas to collect us."

We at home were so impressed. Then after sometime another quick call......"room mil gaya".......

• sms recd.
• "amazing room.....bath with a big tub n a hair dryer.....etc....etc..."

I again called her....."tum sab raat ko wahan bhuke pyase pahoonch gaye, ab kuch kha lo, order kar lena."

• sms recd., 10 min later.

"can order anything for dinner......everything is for free......yay!!!
will have lunch at google office tom."

Next morning, at 9am, Shyam called her, with me screaming in the background.......ki bachon ko kabhi rest bhi karne diya kar.
But we came to know that she was already in google office enjoying a great breakfast n all ready to face her day.
In the afternoon when I did not get a call or sms from her....I sent her an sms, asking what she was up to.Promptly, got an sms back, saying busy with games.

• sms recd. 10pm.

"I didnt get any award.but I am so proud to be a woman.......:) :):)"

The shortlisted candidates were about 50. All from 2nd year students to p.hd. levels. Swati did not get any award but came back with the rich feel of being there, of being proud to be a woman.(Ready to fight her own battles within self and with others.)
The women speakers according to her were very dynamic n their speech equally eloquent.
And, ofcourse not to forget the overwhelming experience of Google office.

Google Office.......
Amazing office. chairs were out of this world. Ambience just great.All cuisines were spread out for breakfast.Chinese, Indian , Continental.......u could have anything.....Cafe Coffee day was there....free for invitees...A glass fridge full of all soft drinks. Could open n have any n as many.
A similar one was full of chocolates, could help yourself to any amount.
No wonder they have +15 rule......which means whoever joins Google gains 15 kgs. in the first month.

Swati's's eyes almost popped out when she talked of her experience.
So, its Thanks to Google that gave her a short n a sweet break from her very tight schedule of deadlines, and assignment submissions.


And yes, how can I forget the one day she got to spend with Nona didi, Jiju, n dear Suhani.
All four of them had a restful, but enjoyable Sunday.She n Suhani played like mad, watched a kiddie movie.There was this packet of roller tipped colours for Suha....according to Nona, "charon ne sarre ghis dale......".In th evening, they all went to some Mall, where Nona didi got Swati a smashing pair of boots.

Now, she puts them on n feels so good n confident.And her morale flies high.......


Ah! what a lovely trip out of the blue,
makes me feel so happy for you......

• sms recd

Infants can be very intelligent. They are capable of perceiving situations like adults. My little grand daughter barely three years old proves this theory.

Suhani and I were playing a boisterous ball game on the carpet. Our aim was anything to everything in that room.We were generally, yelling n screaming our heads off at all the shots and missed shots.Her father, Sachin came and sat down very gently, and quitely in one corner of the room.The moment he caught her eye, she jumped up, gave the ball a vicious hit and screamed....."Papa don't sit go take mummy doctor".

22nd, Feb, 2008.

"Ma, I want to send in a painting entry for a competition, tonight."
"With only an incomplete drawing and no paint whatsoever, how will you do it?"
"I just have to send in a mosaic entry of the actual painting on line."

Next morning I hear a cheerful Swati telling me......."Hi, Ma I got he first prize for my painting, and a cash award of Rs. 1500 from IIT.
The whole thing sounded absolutely crazy.
"How many entries were there Swati?"
I received a very dry reply, "Ma mine was the only entry......."

Eventually, the dead line for the entries was extended, but even then Swati's painting was adjudged as the best.It was an original idea that did come out very well.Each stroke of the brush highlighted a detail to be admired, ( atleast that is what I thought!).

Such was her "Lady in thought."

Memories have a time span........some stay in your mind for a few fleeting moments....some may be there for seconds, minutes. On the other hand, some may still be there for months, or even years. But all of them do fade with passage of time. The minute details start missing from recollection.Gradually, the pleasure derived from each instance is lost forever.
This anxiety of mine gave me a reason to create this book of happiness. All that I hold dear to my heart should always be with me, to make me smile once again, when I find that I have nothing to smile anymore about.