Cradling a hot cup of tea this afternoon, we mused with incredulity that another year has sped past in a blur of joy, challenge, and frustrating tears (especially when Shobhita and Sarvesh are asked to practice their violin).
Let me start with our usual musical video spectacular. Take a peek:
2012 opened with a winter which promised much from its late October 2011 storm, but delivered little: heartbreaking for us Sundarams who now watch snow reports with alacrity ever since we took up skiing as a family. But undeterred, we proceeded to haunt Catamount Mountain in Massachussetts for our regular weekend ski trips, and then through Vijay's inspiration alighted upon the delectable Bretton Woods mountain for Winter Break. Both Shobhita and Sarvesh conquered their first double-black diamond slopes, although in Sarvesh's case it was a case of do before tell: we realized his conquest only when we happened to peer across from the ski chair to the sight of him descending the precipitous slope with seeming nonchalance. The Clan as a whole made its first foray into glade skiing at Bretton Woods, against the backdrop of a blue, blue sky, and the resplendent Mount Washington.
What could match that beautiful view? Well, hiking at the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area in West Virginia, our choice for spring break for one. Reminiscent of a Scottish Highland landscape, walking through open spaces that long ago had been farmed, and now been reclaimed by nature, and experiencing everything from snow to bright sunshine in the space of 10 miles. It was as exhilarating, as it was magical. Between these lovely vacations, Vijay continued to navigate the mire of perhaps the worst depression for the Financial Services sector since the 1930s. The kids, having settled into their new school settings in 2011, excelled at various endeavors. Shobhita dove into activities from the Debating to the Knitting Club, while maintaining straight "A"s from Algebra to Literature. Sarvesh achieved his red belt in Tang Soo Do (South Korean Karate), besides developing some nifty passing and kicking skills in the Old Greenwich Recreational Soccer League.
And if that wasn't enough, our family was swept away in the excitement of the English Premier League, as Vijay's beloved team (now also Sarvesh's) Manchester City overcame 44 years of abject failure to claim the League title from beneath the noses of their deadly rivals (and perennial overlords), Manchester United. Neither us, nor any City supporter on the face of earth, will forget that heart-stopping finish on May 13. Of course, who but Chitra would scream so loudly at that final, unexpected goal in injury time that she would actually lose her voice? She then spent all evening worrying that she had somehow permanently damaged her vocal chords. Something that the other members of the Sundaram clan pooh-poohed, but maybe secretly hoped for. Sadly for them, her voice soon returned quite unaffected.
This was the year of great sports moments. The English Premier League was followed by the UEFA International Championships, where our dear friends, Maseena and Heinz joined us for the Final. And then in a moment of joyous celebration and fist-pumping for Shobhita, her idol Roger Federer regained the Wimbledon Championship. For a moment, we thought she had won the lottery! Meanwhile, Shobhi continued to hone her own tennis skills, challenging Vijay to several tense tie-breakers.
In case you are thinking it's all sport and nothing, Sarvesh aced his advanced Orchestra class at School, developed a mean talent for impressionist and cubist painting inspired by a session on Picasso in Art class, and forayed into both Choir singing at school, and South Indian Classical (Carnatic) Vocal Music with Mrs. Venimadhavan of Norwalk,CT. Shobhita, after much hard work, was appointed First Violin in the String Ensemble Orchestra, the most advanced group in her middle school; was selected to play with the Greenwich Symphony at its Young People Concert scheduled for January 2013, and continued to build her own Carnatic repertoire under Mrs. V's kind tutorship. Not to forget her inspiring "Eliza Doolittle medley" at her school's annual talent show fiesta!
We were all ready for a relaxing Summer. But it was not to be! As we prepared to leave on a much-planned trip to India, our long vigil searching for a new home finally bore fruit. A house, no less, that we would be able to design and build to our particular taste! Enter 38, Carriglea Drive, with its sweet outlook to the Mianus River Bay and its winding brook in the backyard. Suddenly, it was all guns blazing between negotiating with the sellers, and building records at Town Hall, deciphering whether this might indeed be the home of our dreams.
We just about got everything done, before breathlessly boarding our early August flight to North India, which lavished us with a variety of spectacular sights, interspersed with the well-known tribulations of travelling through this treasured land. The Taj Mahal glistening after a sudden summer rain; the bright afternoon sun highlighting the pink-tipped wings of the Painted Stork at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary; the quaintly painted mud huts around the village of Sisarma, during our hike outside Udaipur. But most of all, seeing Thatha's (Grandpa's) serene and loving persona welcoming us at Bangalore International Airport; enjoying the magnificent rocky landscape from atop of the hill at the Sri Sathya Sai University Campus at Muddenhalli (where he now teaches: see photo); learning yoga from Chitra's older sister, Sheela, and having a cosy cuppa with her on the swing of her serene terrace garden. Precious people making precious memories.
All too soon, it was back to the whirlpool of everyday life. This meant suddenly holding the keys to our new home, jumping back into the school routine with its cycle of homework and tests, and sparring with family and friends over the US Presidential Election. Our vote didn't count for much (Connecticut is not exactly a marginal swing state), but Shobhita and Sarvesh loved accompanying us to the polling booth, even if Sarvesh proceeded to then tell everyone at the booth how and why we had voted as we did! Thanksgiving was a time to chill out with Vijay's parents and older sister Hema at her home in Maryland. We re-lived some more priceless memories, introducing older cousins Vidya and Giri to Hema's and Vijay's childhood passion of Dungeons and Dragons; and enjoying family videos with Pama (Grandma) and Papa (Grandpa).
And so we wind down 2012, and look forward to another rip-roaring year in 2013. There will be much to do and much to learn, but through it all, we are thankful to have such wonderful friends and family as you all. It makes the joys of living so much sweeter, and eases the challenges that we all face. So we want to wish you a fantastic and very Happy New Year. Wishing all the World Good Cheer, Peace and Love in this New Year.
Lots of Best Wishes,
Chitra, Vijay, Shobhita and Sarvesh
Let me start with our usual musical video spectacular. Take a peek:
2012 opened with a winter which promised much from its late October 2011 storm, but delivered little: heartbreaking for us Sundarams who now watch snow reports with alacrity ever since we took up skiing as a family. But undeterred, we proceeded to haunt Catamount Mountain in Massachussetts for our regular weekend ski trips, and then through Vijay's inspiration alighted upon the delectable Bretton Woods mountain for Winter Break. Both Shobhita and Sarvesh conquered their first double-black diamond slopes, although in Sarvesh's case it was a case of do before tell: we realized his conquest only when we happened to peer across from the ski chair to the sight of him descending the precipitous slope with seeming nonchalance. The Clan as a whole made its first foray into glade skiing at Bretton Woods, against the backdrop of a blue, blue sky, and the resplendent Mount Washington.
What could match that beautiful view? Well, hiking at the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area in West Virginia, our choice for spring break for one. Reminiscent of a Scottish Highland landscape, walking through open spaces that long ago had been farmed, and now been reclaimed by nature, and experiencing everything from snow to bright sunshine in the space of 10 miles. It was as exhilarating, as it was magical. Between these lovely vacations, Vijay continued to navigate the mire of perhaps the worst depression for the Financial Services sector since the 1930s. The kids, having settled into their new school settings in 2011, excelled at various endeavors. Shobhita dove into activities from the Debating to the Knitting Club, while maintaining straight "A"s from Algebra to Literature. Sarvesh achieved his red belt in Tang Soo Do (South Korean Karate), besides developing some nifty passing and kicking skills in the Old Greenwich Recreational Soccer League. 
And if that wasn't enough, our family was swept away in the excitement of the English Premier League, as Vijay's beloved team (now also Sarvesh's) Manchester City overcame 44 years of abject failure to claim the League title from beneath the noses of their deadly rivals (and perennial overlords), Manchester United. Neither us, nor any City supporter on the face of earth, will forget that heart-stopping finish on May 13. Of course, who but Chitra would scream so loudly at that final, unexpected goal in injury time that she would actually lose her voice? She then spent all evening worrying that she had somehow permanently damaged her vocal chords. Something that the other members of the Sundaram clan pooh-poohed, but maybe secretly hoped for. Sadly for them, her voice soon returned quite unaffected.This was the year of great sports moments. The English Premier League was followed by the UEFA International Championships, where our dear friends, Maseena and Heinz joined us for the Final. And then in a moment of joyous celebration and fist-pumping for Shobhita, her idol Roger Federer regained the Wimbledon Championship. For a moment, we thought she had won the lottery! Meanwhile, Shobhi continued to hone her own tennis skills, challenging Vijay to several tense tie-breakers.
In case you are thinking it's all sport and nothing, Sarvesh aced his advanced Orchestra class at School, developed a mean talent for impressionist and cubist painting inspired by a session on Picasso in Art class, and forayed into both Choir singing at school, and South Indian Classical (Carnatic) Vocal Music with Mrs. Venimadhavan of Norwalk,CT. Shobhita, after much hard work, was appointed First Violin in the String Ensemble Orchestra, the most advanced group in her middle school; was selected to play with the Greenwich Symphony at its Young People Concert scheduled for January 2013, and continued to build her own Carnatic repertoire under Mrs. V's kind tutorship. Not to forget her inspiring "Eliza Doolittle medley" at her school's annual talent show fiesta!We were all ready for a relaxing Summer. But it was not to be! As we prepared to leave on a much-planned trip to India, our long vigil searching for a new home finally bore fruit. A house, no less, that we would be able to design and build to our particular taste! Enter 38, Carriglea Drive, with its sweet outlook to the Mianus River Bay and its winding brook in the backyard. Suddenly, it was all guns blazing between negotiating with the sellers, and building records at Town Hall, deciphering whether this might indeed be the home of our dreams.
We just about got everything done, before breathlessly boarding our early August flight to North India, which lavished us with a variety of spectacular sights, interspersed with the well-known tribulations of travelling through this treasured land. The Taj Mahal glistening after a sudden summer rain; the bright afternoon sun highlighting the pink-tipped wings of the Painted Stork at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary; the quaintly painted mud huts around the village of Sisarma, during our hike outside Udaipur. But most of all, seeing Thatha's (Grandpa's) serene and loving persona welcoming us at Bangalore International Airport; enjoying the magnificent rocky landscape from atop of the hill at the Sri Sathya Sai University Campus at Muddenhalli (where he now teaches: see photo); learning yoga from Chitra's older sister, Sheela, and having a cosy cuppa with her on the swing of her serene terrace garden. Precious people making precious memories.
All too soon, it was back to the whirlpool of everyday life. This meant suddenly holding the keys to our new home, jumping back into the school routine with its cycle of homework and tests, and sparring with family and friends over the US Presidential Election. Our vote didn't count for much (Connecticut is not exactly a marginal swing state), but Shobhita and Sarvesh loved accompanying us to the polling booth, even if Sarvesh proceeded to then tell everyone at the booth how and why we had voted as we did! Thanksgiving was a time to chill out with Vijay's parents and older sister Hema at her home in Maryland. We re-lived some more priceless memories, introducing older cousins Vidya and Giri to Hema's and Vijay's childhood passion of Dungeons and Dragons; and enjoying family videos with Pama (Grandma) and Papa (Grandpa).
And so we wind down 2012, and look forward to another rip-roaring year in 2013. There will be much to do and much to learn, but through it all, we are thankful to have such wonderful friends and family as you all. It makes the joys of living so much sweeter, and eases the challenges that we all face. So we want to wish you a fantastic and very Happy New Year. Wishing all the World Good Cheer, Peace and Love in this New Year.Lots of Best Wishes,
Chitra, Vijay, Shobhita and Sarvesh
Thanks for sharing your beautiful and precious moments with us! So happy and proud of Shobhita and Sarvesh. Our best wishes to them for continued success in all their endeavors <3
ReplyDeleteA very happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous 2013 to you all!!
God bless!
Love,
Indu and Kumar. The girls send their hugs and love as well :)