Leaving NJ IV - Finally @ MD

I never wanted to this to be my first post in new year. But anyway, this is also a new beginning.

For first few days after moving to a new home, I was both tired and excited. First couple weeks went just like that, in arranging and then re-arranging everything. Then I was struck with the reality. Every small thing I started to compare with old home. Compared to NJ, it is more quiet and peaceful here. And I was desperate to hear any sound, see people around. Cold and rainy weather was icing on the cake.


To spend the day was not difficult at all, but spending time after dinner was horrible. Every night memories from old place would haunt me like anything and I would lay awake hours after hours.

Now things are getting better. I have made a friend who lives next door. We have started going to gym and learning something new. He is well acquainted with his colleagues.

When I am about to conclude this post, suddenly a thought popped up.  I have been referring to this series as 'Leaving NJ'. I could have named it as 'Going to MD' as well?? Why are we always struck with the past instead of moving ahead? Is it common human nature characteristic or is it just me ho is trying to stop the time and hold everything within?

Diwali Cards

Since 2008, I have been making Diwali Cards to send to friends and relatives. This year, it was first attempt to try water color. I could make 4 cards in 10 days

 I started with the simplest one. Ganeshji in form on AUM has been my all time favorite. I just used thick border of green and red. The colored circles did not come out as I had thought, because green background became too bright.




After I gained little confidence, I tried these flowers. Three different colored flowers:

1. The smallest one has shades of Red, Pink and White
2. Purple, Red and White
3. Yellow, Orange and White

Stems and leaves are done directly with brush in black color
It indeed looks good, but not well suited for Diwali wishes



I used Kandil colors from one design and Diya from another one. Diya and Kandil has been hit Diwali design :) I painted Lotus with shades of Pink, White and little Red as a base for Diya. I should have been more careful while choosing Green for Diya since now I believe there is something wrong with this color. After it dries out, it always leaves patches. I outlined whole Diya design with white color and then with black pen. This one has been our favorite in the bunch so will go to my parents.





Another form of Ganeshji. Putting Ganehsji on two angled square offers completely different look. I  also like the combination of Orange and (Brown + Orange). Simple, but elegant.

Leaving NJ III - Final Good Bye

Finally the day had arrived, Oct 2, 2010. I had thought, actually taking out all the stuff and loading it and then seeing empty home would be very difficult. But by that time, I was so tired and frustrated with amount of work that I was like; let me get out of here ASAP!!! Kunal had reached NJ previous night and he was feeling very low since then. He told me, he had felt like this just once in his life, when he stepped in home after I left for India. It was good that we were never alone since his friends were there to help us with moving.



I could not say proper good bye to our neighbor/super, Charlotte and her husband, Junior. They are the people whom I want to remember for the rest of my life. They were always there whenever we needed any kind of help. I have all my doubts, if they would be Indian, would they be this good to us?


It was difficult to say good bye to our FIRST HOME, since this was the place we had started building our dreams. We hugged each other and said final good bye!


P.S. – Just a small thought, I have been referring to these posts as LEAVING NJ. But I could have referred to it as MOVING TO MD as well. Why are we always stuck with the past?