Now thats not something anyone wants to do – enter the new year on a bus. But we did exactly that.We wanted to spend New Year at Chennai with my parents, but could leave only after work on the 31st. So we took a bus at 7.30 Pm and at the stroke of midnight were dozing on the buz together. The reason we did that was to reach early on the 1st so we could goto church! It worked out and although we were tired we managed to go to church and have a blessed time. The bus got delayed in a few places but we reached by 5 AM and got ready and reached church before 7 AM! Thank…

Its a long story, but Merlin aunty and uncle (Beckys aunt and uncle) usually do a social/charity project every year and they entrust the responsibility with Beckys mom (my Athai). Athai decided this year to spruce up the Paediatric OPD and after loooong hours of making toys etc at Kodaikanal, early in December everything was set up. So here is an album of all the colors, toys, tiles, curtains etc that made the OPD really child friendly!Click here to see the pics of the Pediatric OPD after the transformation

So finally after all the zipping and zooming through air, road and rail I got back to where I started – back to the Doctors Quarters CSI Mission Hospital.I’m just trying to compile the numbers and here is my first shot at it:Trichy – Chennai (Road): 330 KMChennai – Ahmedabad (Air): 1900 KMAhmedabad – Udaipur (Road): 250 KMUdaipur – Jodhpur (Road): 270 KMJodhpur – Jaipur (Road): 340 KMJaipur – Bombay (Air): 1200 KMBombay – Chennai (Air): 1400 KMChennai – Kodai Road (Rail): 460 KMKodai Road – Kodaikanal: (Road): 60 KMKodaikanal – Trichy (Road): 200 KMAnd that does not include all the distances covered inside the cities visiting palaces and forts and shopping areas and malls and friends and lakes…. nor…

Finally we boarded the Indian Airlines flight at Jaipur and bid adieu to all the palaces, forts, architecture and the camels in Jaipur. It was quite a trip and we really enjoyed it. Thank God for safety, fun, excitement, timings, adventure and fellowship. Its a looooong story and you can see the pics in my Rajasthan album to get a whiff of all that happened in Ahmedabad, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaipur.

J is Beckys cousin and we were staying at their home in Udaipur while we were vacationing in Rajasthan. J has done extremely well in life and from humble beginnings as an Engineer, at 37 years in the Vice President of his company and is well settled. Inspite of his busy schedule and travel he spends quality time with family. All the money and fame has still kept the family very much down-to-earth. “I used to think a few years ago that I could never own my own new car. I got a second-hand Maruti800 and that was the best I could do I thought!” Today he zips around in either a Honda CRV or a Toyota Corolla and is…

This was Becker’s (aka Peters) first visit to Trichy and the last 2 days we introduced him to Tiruchirapalli (AKA Trichy)… or at least the better parts! Yesterday saw him shopping at the Femina Shopping Mall (mainly for food items etc which Athai was buying!) and then dinner @ Raja Garden (actually in the garden). He also managed to have his eyes checked up by Sandeeps dad.Today he went out and bought the chicken for lunch. And after the prayer meeting at home we chilled out a little and then went to McLawrence (AKA Namma Veedu) for subs/burgers and salads! His mouth dropped when he saw the cheap prices and the great food here – made it easier to polish…

Ooh the sense of humor that makes Trichy so special. Sometimes I feel that the humour was unintentional. Like this shop that we went to toi check out decorations – a stationaries shop.The shops punchline isAll stationaries are stationed here!I couldnt help bursting out when I saw this. Was it intentional or was it supposed to be serious – you decide.

…. and this Christmas is gonna be different for me. The crux is the same, but this year theres gonna be a tree, some decorations, a vacation, new clothes…!The core is the same – its the celebration of Christ who came to save me!!Today Becky and I went and bought the Christmas tree…. marking the beginning of an exciting season. We got a great deal and were soon zooming back home on my Kinetic Honda with the tree tucked between my legs. I logged on to the internet and played some Christmas music and soon we were unpacking the tree. It took more time than expected, but looked awesome. I decided to light it up before we started decorating it…

Becky and I have some of the most romantic conversations this world can ever dream of. I really cant narrate the more romantic ones on my blog, but here are some….. with a twist.The scene: I’d finished OPD a little earlier than Becky and after seeing her at her OPD, I was sent off to buy some eggs before I went home.The twist: Instead of going home after the purchase, I decided to take the loooong detour back to her clinic and walk back with her.The conversation:Me (with the sweet look in my eyes): Honey, do you know why I came back to pick you up at the clinic?She (with batting of eyelids, innocent look and a sweet smile): Uh……

To be frank, I have never ever thought of buying stuff during Christmas. I guess thats the usual attitude of a bachelor doing a PG and buried in work. But then marriage changes things and this Christmas looks like its gonna be a little different.Becky has already brought her dress. After a few years, I will actually be buying a new set of clothes for Christmas (color and design to be chosen, not surprisingly, by Becky). We actually bought a few cards. And we’re already tree hunting. Some nice decorations seem a good idea too. Hmm….. we actually will not be getting presents and gifts for a lot of people.But the bottomline? Christmas is NOT about stars and gifts and…