We're back!

...from the Island of a Thousand Gods.

All too soon, for my liking...we had the most wonderful time.

Bali was like being in a Chinese version of my home state of Kerala. The hot and humid breeze, the palm trees, the banana trees, the gorgeous green paddy fields, the narrow winding roads, all felt vaguely familiar and homely. But dotting the familiar (to me) landscape were these little houses and temples with their pointy red chinese roofs, huge oriental statues, and intricate stone and wood carving that turned the whole island into an exotic wonderland.

The fantastic setting aside, I think what made the holiday really special was that for the first time, it was just the 3 of us, being together without the routine distractions of life and work. Moppet enjoyed herself tremendously and was absolutely fabulous about all the travel, the long drives, the unfamiliar food, and the complete wrecking of her normal routine.

Since she has proven beyond doubt that she is a fun travel companion, she and I have decided that we're going to tag along with Moppet's Papa to whichever exotic location his work takes him. (Ha! No more excuses, Papa!)

More on the vacation once he gets back from Bali (he had to stay on for a conference) with the camera and the pictures.

On holiday!

Back on Wednesday.

Optimist-me says I'll get back all refreshed and relaxed, but realist-me will settle for getting back with Moppet in one piece, and my sanity intact!

Happy Easter weekend, everyone!

Resistance is futile

An unguarded bucket of dirty water with a mop handle sticking out of it. A clarion call to a one-year old mischief maker.

She grabs the mop handle and rattles it, producing a loud clatter against the wall, and some gurgling sounds from the bucket. Rattle, clatter, swish, glug.

The sound effects are satisfactory, but what she really wants is to touch the water. She knows she shouldn't. Several weeks of being told 'No!' whenever she tries to stick her hand in the toilet bowl, or fish her dirty nappies out of the bucket they're soaked in have obviously had some effect.

She looks up - no maid, no mommy - she doesn't see me watching her from the study.

Her hand steals out...then stops. She shakes her head, and gives the mop handle another good shake, as if to take her mind off that lovely, swirling water that she shouldn't touch.

But her hand has a life of its own and out it comes again. She stops herself a couple of times more, shaking her head each time.

Finally, the temptation is too strong to resist - in goes the hand and merry splashing ensues.

************

I was so proud that she had at least tried to resist before getting into mischief (that too when she thought no one was watching) that I let her splash around in the bucket until she showed signs of trying to drink the water...which was about 5 seconds after the splashing began anyway!