Birthdays and Celebrations

Just started thinking about birthdays all of a sudden today. I don't know why! My birthday this year was quite splendid. Kushal actually bought me a cake, the first time ever without an ounce of hinting, prodding and sheepish reminding. I didn't quite plan a party, but then Adu and Vinod came over and so did Tulika, Nandu and the kids and Jyothi came with her kids and Rajani, Mitesh came with Rani as well. So it turned into quite a party. We took pictures, we had dinner, I opened presents everything was so perfect.
Plus I was still getting some hangover effect from our lovely Europe vacation, so for once, I couldn't complain about a thing. And then the Dell written offer came in that day too. Arya forgot to wish me in the morning, but she made up for it by making me a card and several other things.
I actually went to work this year, just....! Older and wiser I guess. I don't ever remember working on my birthday prior to this.
And now, we are in the midst of festive season. We went to see the Durga Puja on Ashtami day. Got to see the Aarti. Kushal didn't come because he was suffering with his back ache. But Baby aji and Lorena came with me and Arya. We had a good time, I wore a sari - Adu's Kancheevaram (finally ghadi-modli). It was fun to see familiar faces and even more awesome to note that the hoi-polloi was actually performing the Dhunuchi naach.
We are having Dandiya-raas at our condo this Sunday. On Saturday we are celebrating the Lantern festival. I have choreographed a dance with the kids. Arya is taking part, I am so excited that she is. She is also taking part in a dance at school. Maybe, maybe, maybe she will actually start liking dancing. She was the only person who didn't dance at my birthday party (and at several other parties) and that made me sad!
Plus Diwali is just round the corner - and this time under Baby Aji's expert supervision, I am planning to cook a whole host of goodies. I guess we will need to go shopping at some point, because I am sure i don't even own most of the tools and ingredients. It's all very exciting. I can hardly wait for Oct 21.