Bbhibbhian

I was on the phone with Sharath in Hyderabad the other day. "Shoroth" (as we say in Bangla) lived in Kolkata for several years and he mentioned that Vivian's name might be a bit of a challenge for some people.

What would a Bong say at the Wendy's drive-thru: "Dada - one Bbhendi's bbharghar and one co-ka-co-la. The night is bhat yong."

All the bbh's are breathy and chesty, and yes - we are a poetic people.

In Bangla, we write but don't say "a". Instead, it's an "o". My name in Bong is "O.roon".

And we don't say "v" or "w". To start with, most of us Desis including myself are somewhat sketchy about our v's and w's - we usually mumble something in between. "The wine comes from vines" is pretty hard for me. And Jo smirks when I say "vowels". It's anti-German. They "v" everything - "vat are you doing". We Desis on the other hand, take our "witamins".

Bongs add another twist - "w" or "v" become "bbh". If you are a native Angrezi speaker, put your lips together like you are going to say "b" as in "buddy", but save some breath in your lungs and exhale a bit explosively when you open your lips. But don't over do it.

So, to my peeps from the far corners of India, my daughter's first name is Wiwian. And to my Bong peeps, it's Bbhibbhian. Her first trip to Kolkata should be bbheri pphanny.

Vivian likes Bharatnatyam

Yesterday we took Vivian to see Simran's dance recital. Jeanne had saved us second-row seats. Vivian was enthralled. She clambered up on Jo's lap and danced away. She approved by burping loudly.

Chase and Priya were in the audience. Chase took some great pictures of Simran. The girls were dressed in beautiful bright costumes with ghunghroos (bells) on their feet. Bharatnatyam is the classical dance of South India dating back 2000 years.

All that dancing did Vivian in. Last night, she slept for nine hours straight.

After the show, Jo asked Anu how soon Vivian could start taking classes. We are thinking next week.

Happy Birthday, Mom

Jo - happy birthday, dearest.

Where were you the last time the earth and sun were in this configuration? Returning from camping at South Llano. And going to Japan on a whim. And then a quick trip to Kansas City. Followed by Seattle and Alaska. Yes - that was May 2006.

Something happened after Japan, though we didn't know till after Alaska. This morning, I told her it was your birthday today. She smiled.

love
-me

Happy Tenth

On Fri, the girl turned 10 (weeks). We had achieved double digits in a somewhat ad hoc but widely used numbering scheme. Time to loosen up.

For Saturday, we decide on a double header: dinner on the patio at Whole Foods, followed by a jaunt through Jagruti's birthday party. Yes - it's ambitious. But the evening goes well. Vivian holds up under a complicated system of frequent hand-offs between several women.

On Sunday, Dadu (Grandpa) makes it from Hyderabad to Ann Arbor with only the loss of toothpaste at the Frankfurt airport security check. And we take Vivian to Opal's. We sit out on the deck. A band is playing downstairs. A kids' party is in full swing upstairs. All in all, enough distractions keep Vivian busy for a quick beer and about half of a Divine brownie.

On Monday, Vivian decides that napping is for the birds. By the time I get home from squash, Mom is a bit ragged. Vivian and I step out for a quick stroller ride. The rains have come and gone, and the air is nice and cool. Quick, my ass. Forty five minutes later, I stumble back home, ready for bed. Vivian is, on the other hand, very alert and happy. No sign of sleep.

She finally passes out, we all sleep. Tuesday morning is slow (except for a call from Dadu at 730am). We finally crawl out of bed at 1030am and drive down to Juan's for breakfast. Vivian charms the Don and generally has a good old time. We get back home and Vivian embarks on a marathon five hour nap. I go off to see if I can hurl a slightly digested taco on the soccer pitch.

It's Tuesday evening. The clouds roll in. The meteorologist warns of rotating thundershowers (a new term for me) and tornadoes. We plonk the little girl in her stroller and take off to Jorge's for a quick margarita. We sit out in the covered patio. The storm comes. Vivian loves the terrific racket of huge raindrops on the tin roof. But then the rains stops and it get all muggy and nasty and Vivian's had enough. "Two Mexican restaurants in one day?", she conveys. So I down my fresh drink and the remnants of Jo's unfinished first, and we hit the road.

But the rain isn't done. We pull up the cover on the stroller and walk back in the rain. Vivian thinks it is hilarious. I can sense the disapproving gazes of good (and dry) Rosedalians as we walk past their homes. We get home and dry off.

We spare the kid a third trip to a restaurant, and instead, Mom makes a quick run to Amy's for a shake.

But it could happen. Girl - this is what Mom and Dad did before you - we ate out - a lot. Happy 10th.