Manu's Medley

Recently, I was talking to a friend - let’s call her Smitha. Her husband had a major car accident, and the car was completely destroyed. Along with that, there were legal complications, court cases, penalties - it was a huge mess. When she told me about the accident, my immediate thought was: "You are so blessed. Be thankful. Despite such a major accident, your husband walked away even without a single scratch, and no one else was hurt. That alone is a huge blessing!" Smitha’s husband had been manifesting a Tesla for many years. He had wished for it so deeply, and when the accident happened, she felt upset, thinking all their efforts and plans had gone to waste. They were just starting to get financially settled and had big plans for the future, so this felt like going back to square one. She found herself revisiting old memories - especially the painful ones - and they pulled her down.  These days, the term “manifestation” is everywhere. People talk about visualizing their d...

Just a few hours remain before we flip open a new page on a fresh calendar. As I sat sipping hot water, watching my son absorbed in a drawing that had caught his fancy, a quiet thought crossed my mind - what did 2025 really give me, and what did it change within me? Like most years, 2025 arrived as a mixed bag. It offered moments of joy and gratitude, alongside phases of discomfort and challenge. Some of the brighter glimpses - the places I visited, the books I managed to read, the thoughts I shared - are already scattered across my YouTube and Instagram spaces. What I tend to keep private, however, are the harder chapters. This year was particularly demanding on my health and mental well-being. Navigating life as an immigrant, a parent, and a stay-at-home mother came with its own set of quiet battles. Yet, if there is one lesson 2025 gently but firmly taught me, it is this: even in the most exhausting seasons, hope exists . Sometimes, all it takes is a little courage to stay put, br...

It's summer break and like many parents, I find myself navigating the ups and downs of having my child at home - full time. Recently, one morning stood out in particular - a moment that turned into an unexpected adventure. My son woke up feeling sad. When asked him he said he is unhappy as his friends don't call him a certain way. That feeling carried so much weight in his little heart and it was tough seeing him like that. I reminded him that we cannot control how others treat us or what they say about us. Instead we can focus on what brings us joy like "May be take a walk in the nature, or read a book, or ride your bike" I offered. To my surprise he immediately responded "Let's go for a walk in the nature" and so we did. We stepped out just with a bottle of water and my mobile phone. Initially I thought we would get some fresh air for few minutes to lighten his mood and head back home. But what we started on as an impromptu walk ended up with a wonderf...

I keep getting direct and indirect questions on Why I Write? There won't be a better occasion than this to address this Q and other frequently asked Qs. It's been exactly 2 years since I started this website -  Manu's Medley  and apparently this is my 100th blog post.  So Why I Write?  I can give a fancier reply stating "I chose to follow my passion". But I won't, as it isn't true. After being in the IT industry for more than a decade, working tirelessly all through the weeks, months and years, I moved to Canada carrying my little one, when the whole world was witnessing one of the deadliest diseases COVID. It was at the same time, I had to take a career break due to few compelling personal reasons and decided to be a full time mom.  It's a new place and a new role, with almost zero support, unlike the support system at India. To top it, the lockdowns and restrictions were never ending. The three of us spent months together within our apartment and my ...

Ugadi, also known as Samvatsaraadhi is celebrated as New Year by people of various states in India like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur etc. It is also regarded as the spring festival, which falls in the Hindu lunisolar calendar month named Chaitra. So usually, Ugadi falls in the late March or the early April as per the Gregorian calendar. Ugadi is observed by oil baths, new dresses, rangolis, ugadi pachadi, sweets, a lavish festive spread, special prayers at temples and panchanga sravanam. At our home, Ugadi is celebrated with lot of festive cheer, with all of those listed above. Times since I remember, on the day of Ugadi, apart from rangolis, we decorate our home with toran made out of mango leaves, symbolizing prosperity. Mango leaves is known to keep out the negative energy. My father/ brother head out and bring fresh raw mangoes and neem flowers required to prepare the festive special Ugadi pachadi, while Mom and me work on the festival delicacies. ...

Hello Readers, Hope you are doing fantastic.  *** Long post alert *** But definitely worth reading. The intention of this post is to create general awareness, as this is indeed the first time I or anyone in my known circle had such a freakish experience with an injection!! I have been off the writing wheel over the last few weeks, which wasn't something I wanted to. I had my blogging calendar well prepared, before I set off to India on a vacation. After years of wait due to covid and visa related issues, being away from my family for the longest period of time, missing the most important event in my life and innumerous functions, festivals and get togethers, this was the much awaited trip to my home country. It eventually turned out to be the most unforgettable too, due to an unexpected event, which changed the trajectory of my entire trip.  I tripped off at the Abu Dhabi International Airport, during the layover of my onward journey and sprained my ankle. Somehow I managed to...

Manu's Medley turns ONE!!! It was exactly the same day, last year, I published my first post. You can read the post here . I took more than an year contemplating about blogging, primarily unsure whether I will be able to write consistently. But somehow I took the leap, worked on identifying a suitable blogging platform, designed the look, published my first post and shared with my very close circle of cousins and friends. Then, I started circulating with others through watsapp status, Facebook and Instagram posts. Whoever came to know that I write, their direct and indirect reactions/ questions were: Why blogging?  Why this blog (without a specific niche)?  Why not vlogging?  You have good writing skills She doesn't have anything great to do, so she writes It is very easy to write  Let us see how long she blogs How much do you earn out of this?  In what way blogging helps you? And the list doesn't stop here.... I will publish a dedicated post to explain "Wh...

Wish you and your amazing fathers, a memorable and happy Father's Day!!!!  Father's Day is observed on different dates by people in various countries and cultures, while it is celebrated widely on June 3rd due to westernization. Countries like US, Canada, India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, Ukraine, Mali etc. celebrate on 3rd Sunday in June; Italy, Portugal, Spain on 19th March; Egypt, Syria, Lebanon on 21st June; Australia and New Zealand in September. Many countries have declared this day as a national holiday, so that families get together and celebrate their father and father figures in life. In the year 1972, President Richard Nixon has declared Father's Day as a national holiday in the US. But Sonara Smart Dodd was the one who founded Father's Day. Her father, William Jackson Smart, a civil war veteran, raised 6 children including Sonara, as a single dad, after his wife's death. One day, while Sonara was in church sh...

             To all those who celebrate, wish you all a very happy Bhogi and Sankranthi. May the Sun God bless you with abundant prosperity.  Makara Sankranthi is a harvest festival celebrated by Hindus across India. It is celebrated on the day on which Sun transitions into Makara (Capricorn) on its celestial path. This day marks the beginning of the spring season. Predominantly, Makara Sankranthi falls on 14th January every year and occasionally on 15th January.  This festival is celebrated with different names and rituals in different parts of the country. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana it is known as Sankranthi or Makara Sankranthi; Tamil Nadu as Pongal; Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Goa and West Bengal as Makara Sankranthi; Maghi in Punjab; Bihu in Assam etc. As it is a harvest festival, farmers worship the Sun God, as a way of saying "Thanks" for blessing them with good harvest and prosperity. Bonfires, rangoli, kite fl...

First snow fall at our place, was technically yesterday. But all we had was only flurries (light shower of snow). Today though we had flurries since morning, the real deal started now. Yay, it is snowing. This is just the beginning for the season. Sharing a glance of the snow fall for my readers.  I had my first snow experience in the USA and it was surreal for a person like me, who hails from one of the hottest places in India. First time snow is always fun. But honestly, it isn't as enticing as it appears. Especially, commutation becomes really challenging during and after snowfall and this season witnesses a lot of road accidents. Cleaning snow is a very critical task and physically tiring. It is a punishable offence if we don't clean up snow on our cars before hitting the roads. Personally I am not a fan of bundling up, but we are left with no choice, if we have to step out.  Irrespective of all these, year on year I look forward to snowfall and marvel at it.  Follow ...

It was 6am and the sky was pitch dark outside. I woke up to another lazy and gloomy day. For those who are wondering why, it is currently fall season here at Canada, followed by winter. So the upcoming 4 to 5 months will be so, except for a very few sunny days in between. If it had been India, by now I will be in the kitchen helping out mom for Durga Pooja!! Since it is Vijayadasami at Canada today (though we are nine and half hrs behind India, almost all the festivals arrived a day in advance at Canada this year) per astro-calendar, I pushed myself out of the bedroom and got ready.  Initial plan was to make a small portion of sweet for prasadam and pav bhaji for lunch (as it is quick to make). Another reason is the guilt of eating lot of sweets and cakes over the last couple of months.  Before entering the kitchen, I texted my friends at Canada and US. Surprisingly everyone responded the same - "Thank you. But it is tmrw". We exchanged couple of texts, mostly me explaining t...

Hello Friends, Welcome to my blog!!! Apparently this is my first post.  Why a blog, while Vlogs and Instagram are ruling the cyber space? If you had read 'About Me' section, by now, you know that I am fond of reading. So I chose writing to present my views and experiences. I am sure, it is the same passion to read, brought you here. You can expect posts on parenting, cooking, books, life experiences etc. in short, "A Medley of my Life" !!! Though I planned to launch a blog, almost an year ago, I was skeptical whether I will be able to provide enjoyable, readable and consistent posts for my readers. Everything needs to begin somewhere and someday. So finally, I am here today, publishing my first blogpost.  Follow me on my  Youtube  handle to get notified about my latest articles!!