Back to School - again

 The kids are back in school. This time as the PM claims, it is a one way street. So hopefully there will be no lockdown 3.0. 

Chiyaa and Pumpki were eagerly waiting for school to start. Such is the irony of schooling system in the UK where the kids actually look forward to going back! They were counting days to when school would start. Sunday they went to bed all enthusiastic about the next day. We were all set for school from ironed uniforms and book bags perspective since we expected schools to start as normal from January itself. 

But the next day did need a bit more preparation from our side. Since K has changed jobs, his new company needs him to be a bit more around calls and meetings since he is still coming to grips with the systems. This meant drop offs at school by him and pick ups by me. Pick ups by me  meant I had to wrap work pronto at 1500. Earlier I could sit through till 1600 ish depending on the flow of work. This meant the only way of getting a load of work done was to start work a bit earlier. This made my work start time around 6 in the morning. It is a big struggle waking up, but, there is no other option.

The kids got ready for school without a fuss. Pumpki seems to have matured over the months and there was absolutely no cribbing from her. While getting dressed she did mention to her sister "I will M.I.S.S.Y.O.U" Aww my heart just went out for the little one. They had had a lot of fun playing and watching television with each other. We  reassured her, that she would have much more fun with her friends. She will get to play outside a lot more. She was a bit teary eyed when she started for school, but eventually by the time she went into her classroom she was fine.

They both had a good day at school, while K and I missed them terribly. The house was quieter, cleaner and emptier. Their toys were still strewn all over the living room floor, but it was weird getting used to the lack of the two mischief makers. We were somehow going through the  motions of our working day. 

I had set up event in my calendar to notify me of the different classes  of Pumpki (I was in charge of Pumpki's classes) Last Friday I took special joy in deleting the recurring events. But then on Monday when I had one event pop up I nearly had tears in my eyes. 

Its been 4 days since the kids are back at school. It is again a new routine. Getting used to work during the time they are away and being 100% with them once they are back. It is different, but I must confess, though difficult, I thoroughly enjoyed having them around the past year. 

A letter to my daughters - second of many :)

Well as assured kids, here your mom is back with a letter for you guys. The pandemic has been wearing on, so a lot of the advice here might be clouded by the state of the world. 

1. Don't quantify success, or failure. You might be tempted to measure success in the number of things a person has, the places the person has been to, what the person does and many other such measurable attributes.  You never know the struggles or the freebies that came a person's way. Someone might have a seemingly having a sedate life, but you may not know the health ailments or loneliness the person may be battling. A person may have a jet setting life, but you never know the stresses riling him or her. Don't quantify your success with outwardly measurable quantities. Be grateful for many things you may take for granted. A healthy body. Be thankful  if you have a small caring circle of family and friends. Draw a sense of contentment from what you have.

2. Improve yourself and make things. Always try to become a better version of yourself. If you read 2 books in a month, try to read 3. If you can do push ups, try to do single arm ones. Try new things, and make new things. At the moment we are in the middle of a pandemic. And the internet  is the source of all things wonderful if you are willing to learn. I have learnt so many dishes and have started making our own pickles, breads and nut butters. I have finally managed to bake, which I had been trying to 10 years! And it is such an immense joy to bake and cook with you girls. Making something is the best feeling ever, giving you an immense of accomplishment. So make something, learn to cook new things, learn to grow new things, learn to make new things. Keep your fingers and your head busy.

3. If you need help, ask. It might seem a weakness, to seek help. But if you need help do ask. Most people will try to help. But unless you say, they may not know. So don't be afraid to ask for help. If someone declines, be happy that you tried.

4. Reserve your opinion unless asked. I have learnt it the hard way, but if you have opinions and if you have strong ones at that, it is very tempting to make it public. But be aware that it is not appreciated always. So keep your opinion to yourself :)

5. Try not to have regrets. I recently read in a book "The worst thing in life is having regrets. It not knowing whether it would have been a yes or a no. It is worse than rejection, because rejection is no and you can deal with it." Whenever faced with a choice, don't think of the failure that might come forth with an endeavor, the rejection you might face for your efforts. Think of the regret you might have if you don't take the step. So go for it! 

Well, that's all for this installment :) Till next time!