Reading Day (23).

Got up thrice to go to the rest room, turned back and went off to sleep yet again. Sent all the messages at 5

and then got up at a 20' to 7. Went through the chores, there's power interruption and therefore, had bath in cold water! Left for the Foundation at a half past 8.

After collecting the necessary material, went off to the Chinmaya Mission School at Kunnumpuram behind Ayurveda College. The Quiz Competition had 55 students but the painting, drawing, recitation and Thesaurus-based 'padamalsaram' were over subscribed! And we'd to get additional drawing papers!!

The overall performance in the quiz comp was disheartening! The first was Akhil with 34 followed by Sunil with 27 points - they form the Thiruvananthapuram District Quiz Competition team at the state level competition next Saturday, again at the same venue! As the quiz master, I wasn't happy.

Had lunch by 3 - veg fried rice and paneer masala gravy - followed by medicines. Tried to catch up with my 40 winks but to no avail!

Off to Poojappura by a half past 4, Today's topic was "Bhaasha pathanam" by Dr SK Sreekumar. The audience added up to about 26 people but his talk was good and consequently had an interesting discussion from the crowd.

Returned home by 8. An early dinner and hit the sack comparatively early!    

Reading Day (22).

Got up at 5, sent the messages and turned off to sleep yet again. Got up at 7, went through the chores and was ready by 9. Rajanna was our chauffeur.

Worked on my laptop.

Went to the Vanchi Poor Fund School for the Vaayana Maasaacharanam activity. About thirty children drawn from classes 1 to 5 were the audience; we told them stories, made them read out passages from a few books, gave them Frooti and presented them with books for their library. There were a few group photographs taken on the occasion.

Vasantha's lunch was nice followed by siesta at the top floor.

Off to Poojappura but not before dropping Uma at Printech to collect our banner for tomorrow's Thiruvananthapuram District Quiz Competition at the Chinmaya Mission School at Kunnumpuram near Statue junction.

The Sarga saayaahnam saw Ranjith Nair speak on "Maadhyama channelukal : nallatho cheethayo?" which saw an enthusiastic participation.

Secured a trifle later than usual! 

Reading Day (21).

Got up around 2, washed up and recited the first half of my prayers; turned off to sleep yet again. Got up at a quarter to 7, the chores and was ready by 9. Anish cleared up the wash basin block in the morning. I, then, gave him tasks to get me things that I wanted.

Went straight to the Cantonment House and met up with Ms Bindu Krishna, the minister. She warmly welcomed us and has agreed to be the chief guest, at our program at the YMCA, on the 15th at 1500 hrs.

Worked on the laptop till lunchtime.

To V Muralidharan's office around a half past 1, wasted time till about a 10' to 4 and it turned out to be a futile exercise!

Dropped at the Poojappura circle for the Sarga saayaahnam which was by the 'ezhuthukoottam'. The subject was "Saahitya rangathe copyiyadikal". Nice and interactive!

Bought me a new pair of bathroom slippers and had an extra hole drilled into my belt. 

A comparatively early evening!

Reading Day (20).

Got up at 5, sent the messages, recited a part of my prayers and turned off to sleep yet again. Got up at a 10' past 6, went about my chores and was ready by 8. Off to Chennithala's house but could just tell him our requirement for him to attend our function on the 11th. He would be off to Harippad on that day he said.

Went to the Navajeevan Bethany Vidyalaya, Naalaanchira for the Vaayana sadassu at a quarter past 9. It was a nice program where the manager, Rev Thomas George, Principal Shana Rejith and DCP Anjali Bhavana was the chief guest, who read out the Reading Day pledge too. Joseph had omitted me from the initial swaagatham but made amends to it later.

Had a part of chicken biriyani bought for me for lunch, which was nice.

A short siesta.

To Poojappura for the sarga saayaahnam, where Anil Vengodu spoke on "chalachithra gaanangalum alankaara vruthangalum", where he concentrated on Yusuf Ali Kechery.

Secured a trifle late by a half past 8.

 

Reading Day (19).

Got up at 5, sent the messages, turned off to sleep yet again. Got up at 7, the chores and was ready by 9. Off to the Foundation.

Worked on the laptop all through the forenoon.

Lunch was okay but had reduced my intake considerably; so felt comfortable.

Tried to catch up on some siesta.

Off to Poojappura for the evening's session by the Ezhuthukoottam - "the autobiography of a book". It was a nice way to introduce a book penned by someone. And there were ten writers who'd come up with their experiences!

Secured from there by a quarter past 7. 

Went to the Poojappura jail cafe to have our dinner. Had parathas and chicken.

An early evening comparatively!

Reading Day (18).

Got up at 5, sent all the messages, turned off to sleep yet again and got up at a half past 6, washed up and recited my prayers. Went through my chores, washed clothes and was ready by 8. Anish took us to Thiruvallam for it was Muthachchan's Remembrance Day by the Malayalam calendar.

Offered the "bali tharpanam" and was helped by Sunitha of the Municipality thanks to Suma kunjamma's prodding. Damn sweet of her!

On return, had breakfast and reached the Foundation by 10. Went off to the Fine Arts Society's program at the Museum hall. Saw a new lift superimposed on the staircase which took Maman up and down. Circle Inspector Prashanth, the SHO of the Museum Police Station got the things going.

Lunch followed by siesta.

Got 

To the Poojappura traffic circle for the talk, "Sthreekalum samoohavum" by Prof Udayakala, who didn't fetch up eventually. I'd converted it into a 'samvaad' on the same topic and everyone participated, making it very interesting. 

Suma kunjamma was there; she wanted to sing and Maman was damn cross!

A comparatively early evening. 

Reading Day (17).

Got up around 6 in the morning, recited my prayers and turned back to sleep yet again. Got up at a half past 6, the chores and left for the railway station to drop Maman as he was headed to Alwaye for a function.

Worked on my laptop for a while.

Took Ammayi and Chambu to lunch at the Padma Cafe.

Returned and had an hour's siesta.

To Poojappura for the Sarga saayaahnam at 5. It was Salim Njekkanaal's talk on "Basheer anusmaranam".

Went to Saurashtra Hotel at the Overbridge for buying poories and allied stuff, for dinner.

At the Foundation waiting for Maman. His train came at a half past 9.

Back home by 10, dinner and a late hitting of the sack!