I left at 8.45 Am today to pick up Becky from the Railway station. As usual I cringed everytime I hit a bump. I stared aghast as I found a few depressions and cracks on the road filled hastily with big stones actually causing more harm than good. Pedestrians scooted across in front of me. A guy with his wife and kids on a bike dangerously overtook me and then screeched to a halt as a cyclist cut him off. An old lady sauntered across the road in her own world. Buses thundered past me. A car zoomed past to beat the lights while in the opposite direction several motorists jumped the red light. I made it safely and reached…

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…

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……

Its good to buy things a little cheaper than the marked price. FSM @ Trichy is one of the biggest shopping places and you can get everything about 5% cheaper. We do shop there quite frequently. But everytime we go there this sign pasted in a lot of places stumps us. Ok the message is quite clear, but the grammar and the unconnected eco message make it grin-worthy. Enjoy:WE BEAT THE PRICE!!NO ONE ON MRP!!!(KEEP OUR COUNTRY CLEAN) Figure it out and enjoy Trichy!

I finally got round to book a ticket for the trip to Chennai. No trains – so that left only the bus option! The best private buses were already booked as it was Diwali weekend. I hunted around for an hour in the hot afternoon and finally ended up booking the Government Airbus – slow and not the most comfortable. But thats all I could get for the weekend. I paid for the ticket on the dusty counter and pocketed it and rode back. A gust of wind suddenly blew the ticket out of my pocket and sent it flying onto the road! I almost didnt even realise it till I was about 50 meters away. I turned back and…

Today was the longest Becky and I were away from each other. I was on duty so i was stuck at the hospital and Becky went for a retreat organized by the hospital at a place 1 hour away. The day was quite eventful I started off early and went to church at 7.30 AM when Becky left for the retreat. I got no calls during the church service. Unfortunately I wasnt so lucky the rest of the day. Rounds took a long time and I had to squeeze in some shopping, cleaning and cooking (yes…. I said cooking). There were frequent interruptions and lots of sick children. Becky too came back tired but we had a joyful reunion (the…