Happy Mother’s Day

For all the moms out there celebrating today, Happy Mother’s Day! I wish you all a relaxed day, filled with laughter, love and time to yourself. 

I’m celebrating my Mother’s Day away from my kiddo this year because we are at a cottage with a bunch of our friends. But I did send my mother a bouquet, as I always do and gave one to my neighbor/aunt who lives next door. 

This cottage mini-getaway is my Mother’s Day gift from Dev and Nid and a well-deserved one if I may add. The past week has been an extremely busy and stressful week; with the household chores to 2 exams and 2 assignments due, I’ve been busting my arse off. Let’s just hope I pass everything with flying colours, as I have been in the past. 

Well, I’m off to some cottaging adventures. So, enjoy your day and weekend and have a blessed Mother’s Day!

~Tamana

Quick Update On Life

It’s Sunday morning and I’m finally able to sit in my balcony with a cup of coffee. It’s cold, windy and muggy outside but I’m dressed warm and enjoying my new patio set; which is what matters. The kiddo and hubby are asleep, so I’m enjoying the morning to myself. It’s nice to be able to enjoy the early morning without any responsibilities or list of chores to do.

My sister and nephew slept over last night; it was a nice evening with them. We went for dinner and watched movies until late into the night. Nid especially enjoys herself when my nephew and sister are around because she gets spoilt rotten. 

As for school, I finally got my scrubs (aka uniform)! I’ve done a couple of quizzes, my major group assignment and a final module exam. The exam was easier than I had expected and I aced it with a 98% grade. I know it’s just the beginning but I feel a sense of accomplishment and pride that I’m doing so well. 

The more I get into the course, I more I realize how much hard work is ahead of me. Everyone keeps telling me how exhausting the workload is. But people that I’ve spoken to outside of my course, whom had PSWs care for their parents or loved ones, tell me how appreciative they are for the PSWs. I guess that’s what makes this job so rewarding and worth the back-breaking labour. 

I’ve heard stories about the care and compassion these PSWs give and how they the depth of their care has benefited not just the patient they’ve worked for but also the family of the patient. 

It’s unfortunate that more people aren’t becoming PSWs with the rapid speed of our aging population. But the ones that are becoming it are deemed as a very special type of person, or so I’ve been told. 

Four weeks into the course and my outlook has very much changed. I’m a little more courteous and patient when I see an elderly or special-needs person. I feel more compassionate for these people and maybe even a little more empathetic; it’s a good feeling. 

Well, that’s where I am so far. Personality changing to a more calm, composed and passionate person and feeling a little more content with my life overall. I’ll keep you all posted on my progress. But until then, have a safe, beautiful and restful Sunday. 

~Tamana

Quick Update: Week 1 Complete

I’ve just finished my first week of school and am happy to say that I have enjoyed it. It’s a cramped course; which will be completed in eight months, so there’s a lot of information to process. However, I think I’ve done good so far. 

I’m taking lots of notes and writing every detail down which may be useful. In addition, I plan to review my notes and highlight my textbook with important points this weekend. 

This past week has given me the opportunity to understand how hard PSW’s and nurses work. It’s also shown me how much support some people will need as they age; making me reflect on my own aging parents and loved ones. I’m glad I decided to take this course. It will enable me to treat and care for my aging parents in a manner that will make their upcoming old-age slightly more comfortable.

This morning as I was getting ready to leave for school, I couldn’t help but wonder if my parents would come stay with me when they’re old and unable to fend for themselves. I would be the perfect caregiver for them because by the time they will be that old, I would be well-trained and hopefully working in my profession for a few years. I can only hope that they would give me the honour to repay them for the years of love, care and compassion they’ve given me all these years and allow me to care for them in their time of need. Time shall tell. 

Anyway, that was my first week in review. I’ll keep you guys and gals posted on how I progress over the next several weeks. Until then, my lovelies, enjoy your weekend and stay safe and blessed.

Xoxo ~ Tamana 

The Beginning Of A New Chapter

Today I start a new chapter of my life; I’m starting school! I’m super excited and nervous all at the same time; it’s been over 10-12 years since I last went to college. I’m anxious to begin and start learning a bunch of new things. But my stomach is also in knots thinking about how I’ll do. 

Please wish me success with my new chapter and pray that I make it to the end with flying numbers! I’ll keep you guys updated on my progress as I move forward. 

Thanks in advance and don’t forget to pray for me!

Xoxo ~ Tamana

The End Of Another Chapter

Today I close another chapter of my life and embark on a journey towards bigger and better things. I’ve decided to end my relationship with the media industry and also quit working with/for my husband. 

A year ago, I quit my project management job out of frustration towards ill-behaved managers and lack of professionalism. I joined my husband at a restaurant he has stakes in and became his business development assistant manager. That role entailed me to develop marketing plans for him to reach new clients and promote his catering offerings. My success is that he now has at least four new house accounts that frequently order catering from him. I was also his cashier, administrator and voice for all email communication.

It was nice to work in a self-employed environment; making my own shifts and developing new business ideas. But that ship has sailed and I’m ready to do something new and different, away from the food and media industry.

My father always hoped that one of his children would go into the healthcare industry; whether it was to become a doctor, a nurse, a physiotherapist or medical assistant. None of us did; until now.

On Monday, I begin working towards becoming a Personal Support Worker (PSW). It was a tough decision but one I had to take to ensure the betterment of my career and future of my family. I’ve had a lot of people give me a critical reaction to my decision to become a PSW but that hasn’t altered my decision; my biggest critic and supporter being my husband. 

It’s hard work, I get it. However, it is also rewarding work and I’m moving into an industry that will never phase out. Plus, I can be a very selfish person at times and for me this new job will be a way of giving back to the world and possibly enlightening a few people’s lives that I may touch. 

I’m excited to be starting this new journey of mine and hope that I will succeed in it as I have in previous journies. I hope you’ll all send your good wishes and thoughts my way as I embark on my new career path and goals.

Restaurant Diaries: Colaba Junction

A couple of days ago, Dev and I decided to go out for dinner and try a new Mumbai street food restaurant in downtown Toronto. Colaba Junction is located at the corner of College St. and Bay St. It’s a fairly small restaurant with roughly 15-20 seats. The decor of the restaurant is fantastic and well designed. 

When we first arrived, I started looking at the menus hanging against the wall and immediately the cashier asked me to ignore those menus as those were the new menus and weren’t currently valid. 

He handed me a paper menu and told me to order from there. I started looking at the menu realizing it was slightly higher priced than the menu hanging above. So, I jokingly said to the cashier that had we come the next day, we’d probably save a bit of money since the new menu was lower priced. He said, “yeah but there’s nothing I can do about it.” Probably not the best first impression to give a customer that’s about to write a review about you. After that disappointing start, we still ordered tons of food and took a seat as we waiting for it to arrive. 

The arrival of the food was reassuring and had me extremely excited. The presentation was extraordinary and looked amazing. 

Dev ordered the Vegetable Thali and a vara pau and I ordered a Meat Thali. The thalis looked completely different than any of the thalis I’ve ever had before. There was ample food served that could easily feed at least two other people. 

However, the food wasn’t hot, it was lukewarm and by the time we got to our second naan, it was cold. I complained to the cashier that the temperature of the food was quite cold but he assured me that the food was fresh and because of the front door opening it may have gotten cold. 

I later went to order a paratha and noticed the “chef” or guy behind the counter take out a frozen paratha wrapped in plastic; the same way that you receive Shaana parathas from the grocery store. I immediately changed my order and asked for a naan instead hoping that it would be freshly made. Unfortunately, that too looked like a grocery store frozen naan. 

Disappointed and turned off from the frozen naan and paratha, I folded my napkin over my plate and decided to end my meal. 

The curries and gravies taste good aside from the cold temperature. But paying $49+ for two thalis and a vara pau just to receive frozen naan was extremely disappointing; that I didn’t even bother to finish my review of the meal.

Before leaving, I spoke to the cashier again and explained how disappointing it was to see their chef take out frozen naans and parathas from the freezer to serve us and he kind of just shrugged his shoulders as if that was normal. 

This restaurant could have been a big hit with its decor and food presentation, had the food actually been up to the standard it was expected at. Needless to say, we will not be visiting or recommending this place to anyone. 

5 Year Anniversary

Yesterday, Dev and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary. We didn’t do anything extravagant or buy any gifts for each other this time around. We just spent the whole day together, with Nid and my family as my mother had prepared an amazing lunch for us. It was a nice day. 

As we were driving home from their house, I reminisced on all we had gone through over the past five years. All the ups and all the downs, all the fun trips, exploring and experiencing new things. All of the disagreements and moments when our personalities clashed. All the times we held each other and overcame our doubts and fears. And through all the those years and events, I realized that I married a gem-of-a-person because not once did he make me feel inferior to him or give me a doubt that we’d separate. He held my hand through it all and always reassured me that we’d get through it. 

As I remember everything we’ve done and experienced, I cannot help but count my blessings for having met the love of my life. I cannot thank him enough for loving me and taking care of me the way that he does. 

Happy Anniversary, babe. I love you and forever will and can’t wait to hold your hand through the next 50-60-70 years with you!