Deepavali Birthdays

Just got back from a lovely Deepavali lunch hosted by a bunch of young pretty women who outdid themselves in creating a pleasant environment to enjoy a filling meal -- after another of those long department meetings! Wesley, if you are reading this -- no offence meant!

The healthy main meal of chicken and mutton parental (dry curried meat dishes) and vegetable kurma (chillyless spicy curry) was satisfyingly just right. Topped off by an array of delectable desserts -- cookies and O! those hard-to-find ooorundais (ghee or semolina balls) and words-can't-describe kesaris (soft candy)! Of course, there was the all-time favourite -- murukku (crunchy, spicy swirls). And, eating all this among friends talking and milling around in a lecture room turned into a dining hall was a fitting end to a tiring week.

My friends created a relaxing ambience for a sociable meal. They drew a pretty kolam (floor designs made of coloured rice), created a water feature in a corner -- a basin of water filled with floating carnations, and added slight touches of Indian decor at the door and here and there.

Not only was it a festive meal, but a birthday celebration, too -- for those with November birthdays. And, that included Wesley's -- the department head. So, here's to all of you, and especially you, Wesley, .... Happy Birthday! And wishing you every good thing!

Next week I am taking a break because I need to catch up on beauty sleep! In the state I am in, I can go to sleep standing up! Which is better than sleeping at the wheel of the car! ZZZzzzzzzzzz.........