I need one of my own...

My nephew is adorable.  Even with the screams of sheer distaste in not being picked up by someone while in his car seat (despite the law).  He is joyous and happy.  His smile radiates.  His fussiness forgiven.  I love him.  Plain and simple.  I love him.  He has bits of my sister, namely the eyes and the love for television (I'm a map...I'm a map...).  Itty bitty bits of his dad shine through, mostly in his love for the outdoors.  He is, without a doubt, my favorite Clint in this whole wide world.  Here he is at 5 months, with two front-bottom teeth, progression to solids, and wild attempts at trying to lift himself into the crawl.

People say we monkey around...

A good friend...savory egg caserole (with grits!)...warm monkey bread...ice cream chai...

Saturday mornings do not get better than this...

Two Things...

I love learning...

I do.  So long as I get to choose the topic.  And, recently, the topic has been photography.  If you follow my blog, you know I took baby pictures for Jatin (pronounced Jay-tin and not Ju-tin) recently.  Now, I have posted pictures from a nighttime photography class I took.  I wasn't wholly impressed with myself, but it was fun!

http://simplicitybymamta.blogspot.com/2010/05/nighttime-photography.html

I love my family...

I have never realized just how thankful I am to be a part of a group of seven people who sincerely live relaxed lives, rarely get offended, often offer a helping hand, don't require formalities, and love unconditionally.  Gosh. I should say this so much more often.  Even if those same seven people roll their eyes at this post (if they even read it!!!) or call me out on the cheesiness that I am.  I should say it more often. 

Five quick takes in my life...

I'm stealing an idea I saw on my childhood best friend's (Tamara) blog, which I stalk, of course.  She does real quick updates in life when she doesn't have time for a long blog entry.  So here's mine!

Who can plan a wedding when there's a honeymoon?

I am having so much trouble concentrating on wedding planning because I am just way too excited about turning Srin's six weeks of leave into an unforgettable around the world trip.  It's so much fun to imagine circling the globe, volunteering at local charities, and indulging in the flavors of each continent.  Gosh-what's a bride to do? 

Guess what's my latest hobby?

I really wish I were more talented.  I have way too many interests for things at which I am just not very natural.  But, I enjoy them oh-so-very-much.  The latest?  Good question.  Sewing.  Though, you will all be happy to hear that someone contacted me via my website to tell me she thought I had natural photography talent:)  So, I am taking pics of her new baby son, Jatin.  YAY!  Anyone good at guitar or know someone is?  I have one and no talent.  I could use lessons.

Who's moving where?

Oh the loaded question.  It seems that everyone in Houston thinks they know I am leaving.  "Knowing" is a funny state of being.  "Assuming" might be more accurate.  Not sure where people get to making assumptions.  Must I remind everyone what assuming does to all of us?  If I knew who was moving where, I would tell the world.  Trust me.  No one wants to know more about Srin's and my future than us.  We are both looking in each other's city and hoping that he can find a professor position in a place where I can maintain my fabulously-secure government job.  There are only a few places that warrant such positions.  So don't fret, Houstonians.  When I know where we will be, rest assured there will be a post!

For a girl who doesn't watch much TV...

I sure have become obsessed with Law and Order: SVU.  I blame my brother.  And, therefore, less obsessed with my books.  I have got to turn it around.  Latest read?  An older book by Kiran Desai called Inheritance of Loss (Man Booker Prize of 2006).

My job is cool...

I just got finished my latest flight, STS 131-19A.  I worked for a position with call sign AVENGER, which is in charge of all that snazzy video you see on NASA TV.  Don't lie. You know you watch it.  :)  Next up?  STS 134-ULF6 where I have been training the astronauts assigned to the flight. 

Small town values with downtown preferences...

I'm sad.  But oh so glad.  So very sad though.  We cannot wait until my parents can retire and sell the motel.  Yes, the motel.  The small family business that managed to put five kids through college.  Alas, it was not without the diligence of my parents.  As much as I want to sell the motel, it is also the one place I call home and not one day in the thirty years my parents nourished it has it ever failed to be just that--my home.  I love the smells, the look, the memories, the random carts, the tool shed, the old motel signs, and the peace of mind it brings.   I won't get too sentimental yet...I'll save that post for the day we close on its sale.  For now, though, I bring you a few slideshows of San Angelo, TX, the West Texas town that I will always call home.  Although Atlanta and Houston have turned this small town girl into a metropolitan snob, San Angelo will always be at my core. 

If you just want to see the pics, just press play.  There are some captions, and the best way to read those is to click on the picture (not on the play).  You will be directed to my Picasa web albums. 

I got friends in low places...

When I came to Houston, I direly missed Atlanta.  Not just because the ATL knows how to par-tay either.  I missed the people I had in my life.  I missed the weather, the hills, and the greenery.  But more than anything, I missed the food.  And I am not talking about the good eats you can get at the many divine restaurants.  I mean the many pot lucks I had with my ATL pot luck family.  

I remember coming to Houston in 2005 and trying to set up a pot luck, thinking that it would compare in some way.  Imagine my sheer disappointment when I saw plain store-bought bread, HEB potato salad, and fat-free Kraft ranch dressing.  I loved the friends who came because it's not like I require cooking or delectable taste buds to be friends.  Honestly.  I don't!!!

So, I didn't really try to re-create ATL in H-town when I moved here in 2008.  The disappointment would have killed me.  That's the truth--my ATL family spoiled me.  Thus, imagine, if you will, my sheer happy face when I met Dan, Karen, Jatin, Pooja, and Purav (and Guiness and Kansas).

 

Let's start with Dan and Karen.  This gorgeous couple eats more Indian food than any other non-Indian people I know.  And I know many who LOVE Indian food.  They cook chana masala and rasam.  Their favorite restaurant is Madras Pavilion.  So favorite that I witnessed Uncle giving Karen special treatment.  Seriously.  They're regulars.  And, now, I've come to find out that they both are as fascinated with photography as I am (except they are much more talented with much better cameras/lenses than I have).  Dan must think I am obsessed with his Mexican beauty of a wife.  I am.  :)

Then there's our little brother, Jatin.  Or Jats.  Definitely the pickiest of us all, Jats is ultra spoiled by his moms, the former Indian chef whose food can put you in food-coma.  Seriously.  The woman marinated paneer and mailed it to him for our last pot luck.  I kid you not.  Auntie rocks.  And therefore Jatin rocks. 

Then, there's the most beautiful Indian girl (well, just plain girl.  No Indian disclaimer!) I have ever met in real life, Pooja and her cute-as-can-be beau Purav.  These two are high school sweethearts who just work.  They are perfect together.  Pooj has spunk, and it's obvious to me that she's confident but not conceited.  Her energy is infectious!  Plus, she's got moves and she knows how to use them (reference: Pooj and the cabbage patch...).

Recently, we added my girl Brini and Adam to the mix.  Our last pot luck was Rolls Royce It Up!  All food that can be done in rolls.  Lettuce wraps, spring rolls, egg rolls, kathi rolls (hence Auntie's paneer...yummo), and vegetarian sushi rolls.  On top of it all, Srin got to join us for this one.  My weekend was perfect.

What's next?  A road trip to Karen's hometown, Monterrey, Mexico to visit her family.  I cannot wait for the food and the scenery (which just begs to meet the Nikon). Stay tuned.

*Except for the picture they are in (I took that one!), all picture credit goes to Dan and Karen.*

H-town...

I have been on a photography kick, as you know. In my hunt for a reception hall for the wedding, I have grabbed my camera, the lens, and my eye to capture Houston as I see it.

I have posted some of the pictures on Simplicity's photo-blog. Here's a sneak peak of the historic Houston Heights firestation at Yale and 12th. Vote:  With or without the splash of brick?

Next? A group of four friends and an urban attitude.  All captured by the lens. Stay tuned!

PS...I am LOVING having this photography bug...It's SO me.