My mini travelogue tales – NJ Times
Trips for this year has started and the first being a personal visit to NJ for Periappa Periamma’s sashtiapthapoorthi [60th wedding]. Few days before my trip, went to pick up gifts for them and for the friends whom I had planned to meet within that 2 day short weekend trip. Was totally tired when I boarded the flight and fell asleep. Woke up only when I heard “Thanks for flying with us today”. Nephew N1 had come along with uncle to pick me up from the airport. On seeing me, N1 got excited and shouted “Hey happy person!” [Not sure how this 'happy person' tag originated]. I smiled and he came close to me and said “You know what? I’ve score 100 in Maths”. I exchanged a hi-five with him and acknowledged his achievement with a ‘good job!’. Foodie me – hogged on 5 dosas for dinner 
The day of function was welcomed by heavy snow. Poor me and my cousin – We had slippers on, due to the fact that we were wearing Saree. On the way to Pomona temple in NY, saw 5-6 cars stuck in snow, skidded on the highway in different directions. Somehow, we managed and reached the temple. During our travel to NJ, I was the chatterbox [for a change] talking a wide variety of topics including the daily activities, happenings, family politics, movies, food, friends etc. N1 and I played Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja in iPhone and he introduced me to few more games/apps that I’ve not heard of. Kids know more about iPhone and iPad than us. N2, who kept looking at me the day before and crying had stopped giving that alien look on me. Function went fine, took ashirvadham from P & P, had good food and took care of N2 when the function was going. There were 2 other kids who had come for the function and they kept coming to me and talked about their drawing competitions, iPhone games, school – Either I am a total vetti and kids come to me or I have the great knack of dealing well with kids
From temple, went home. There was a car waiting to pick me up at the door – My college friends had come already. Met my college roomie D after 9 years and my other friend R had come from Phily to meet us. D who has never drove in snow before, came to pick me while it was snowing. Lovely friends D had cooked many varieties – Idli, Chutney, Pulav, Chapathi, Gobi manchurian and I heard from R that she wanted to cook something else in addition to this. Sema saapadu After a sumptuous dinner, me, D and R chatted past midnight – I recollected the past memory of D keeping the pillows over me to clean her bed, while I was asleep and did not know that until final year of college. Idiye thalaiyile vizhundhalum engalukku theriyadhilla – Sound sleep All college memories, those silly love stories in college, how lives had changed – we talked about all these. Me and R introduced “Why this kolaveri di” song to D and teased her for not knowing this viral International song of the year 2011 and insisted her to be active on Social networks – Yaam petra inbam peruga ivvaiyagam!
Had breakfast the next day @ D’s place and left to Phily to meet my best friend M. I had told him that I’ll meet his daughter once she emerges into this world. Liked his message when she was born – He messaged “M(his daughter) says ‘Hello World’ ” [M, I'm going to copy this when I get a chance 
]. Got to meet her after 10 days she came into this world. R’s friend picked us up and dropped me at Newark train station. I have not travelled much in trains since I live in COS, where public transport is not that common. Had to take 2 trains but it was not that difficult except for one thing that I had to confirm with someone that I’m on the right train. With iPhone’s battery issue where the charge gets dropped drastically, had to spend my time in train by listening to iPod songs. M picked me at Phily station and as always, we spoke lots of personal stuff and our opinions on certain aspects of life. Had a very tasty biryani and gobi 65 – Super lunch! Then, I held M in my hands for a while – She was sleeping most of the times but opened her eyes few times and saw – very tiny toes, fingers. Me, M and S (M’s wife) talked for a while and M started showing some trip photos and the photo shoot that M and S had the day before with their daughter. M loves photography which was evident from his photos. Loved every photo that he showed and the topic of talk came to how creative the wedding pictures are taken these days. With a huge smile I said, I’m not going to spend much on my wedding photos since I’ve already fixed the photographer and that’s you M! He acknowledged that he can do that I admire people who have artistic talents and S’s pencil sketch of M which was hanging on a frame enticed me a lot. Not everyone has such artistic talents, only few people are gifted with that. After a hot tea, left M’s place to cousin’s @ NJ.
N2 kept crying whenever he sees me. I had to play hide and seek – If he was in the hall, I had to run and go to the Guest room. I tried to cajole him by taking him for a walk, showing some things at home but nothing worked. The second para’s great knack of dealing with kids failed here 
Chatted for a while with cousin, P & P and went to bed.
And today I’m here writing this post revealing those memories and good days spent. With clocks ticking fast, another trip, another travelogue is around the corner…
