Amazing ABBA

Jabiz commented on a previous blog post of mine and stated, “We should do a series of posts about songs and memory. To keep us motivated. One a month….pinky swear? First one due January 31st.”

So here I am, trying to sift through the memories and the music to decide what I’ll write about.

I’ve thought about it, and it’s going to have to be ABBA and in particular, “Super Trouper.”

This takes me back to the early 80s when we lived in the UK and HK. It takes me back to a time when the music my parents listened to was cool. This takes me back to a time when my sisters, parents, and I danced together and sang at the top of our voices as the album played (on our ultra cool hifi turntable). There we were; the five of us, lost in our own worlds, but still together. My sisters and I would still get a little embarrassed when our parents shared a little too much love between them. We giggled when they danced with us. We had the best moves in the room. Yes. We would give Mick Jagger a run for his money!  My sisters and I had a routine for all ABBA songs. We especially loved showing off our dance for “Super Trouper.”  I bet all three of us still remember the moves. I know I do.

This group is etched in my mind. What are the names of the members of the group? I still couldn’t tell you off the top of my head; hence the link above. What I can tell you is their music influenced my childhood. Our New Year’s Eve parties (for a good part of the 80s) always included ABBA and their “Happy New Year” track.

As we counted down, we’d run to change the track and maybe wipe a cloth on the record as the record turned. Excited. The possibilities of the New Year were around us. With tinsel in our hair, with way cool sweaters on, and with a little fruit punch on New Year’s Eve, as ABBA played, my parents, sisters, our parents’ friends and our friends sang in the new year.

ABBA has filled my life with wonderful memories and so I say “Thank you for the Music.”

India’s 63rd Republic Day

It’s India’s 63rd Republic Day on January 26th. Thailand’s first female prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, is the chief guest this year.  For the last few years India has invited a dignitary from Asia to serve as chief guest, this is all part of India’s “Look East” philosophy of late.

So India gained independence on 15 August 1947, but celebrated it’s first year of being a  republic on 26th January 1950.

I really like this clip on Indians. I’m not sure I can do the part of “more spice than food” but I do understand that and the rest of the sentiments on this clip.

I’ve been cooking for 41 years

Those are the words my mother had to say about her 40th wedding anniversary. “You know what, Shruti? I’ve been cooking for 41 years.” My dad’s response? “What do you mean, you’ve been cooking for 41 years? You haven’t done it by yourself; I’ve also been cooking for 41 years. We’ve done it together.”

My parents have known each other for 41 years and been married for 40 t0day: January 25th. That’s a really long time to be with someone. I think you grow dependent and add your own special recipes to surviving relationships; to learning different levels of love: from madly in love couples getting to know one another, to parents, to grandparents; through good times and bad; through hospitalization; through deaths and births. You learn more about one another.

From the youthful 22 and 27 my parents are now a lovely 62 and 67. They’ve cooked and fed; they’ve loved and been loved by not only their children but also friends, extended family, and now grandchildren.

I asked my dad today, “So did you buy mum rubies?” He then asks my mum, “Shruti wants to know if you bought me rubies for our anniversary.”   I laugh.  I know he heard me correctly. He comes back online, “No. She didn’t.”

Well it’s all about reciprocity for my parents. Everything is done in partnership : cooking, cleaning, and buying each other rubies.

That said, my mum does have some pretty, pretty diamond jewellery. I guess diamonds aren’t part of the reciprocity!