tea at 10

The first cup of tea kick starts my day. A little after 10, with most of my work done in the kitchen, I sit at the table with a HOT cup of tea.
The aroma of the tea infused with cinnamon or cardamom in summers, relaxes me when stressed and invigorates me when tired. In winters, ginger tea soothes my itchy throat and warms my fingers!
While the first cup activates my body , tea at 10 feeds my soul, my spirit. This is the time that I organize my days. To-do lists for the day and for the week and shopping lists are made. I feel energized to get all of it done - the most hopeful time of my day!

Most mornings I wake up to the doorbell ring. Sauntering through the dark hallway, I open the door to find two litres of milk in four half-litre packets. The milk is pasteurized and packed and delivered, as is the norm in India.
The sight of these milk packets, more than the alarm clock, signals the start of my day. I pour the contents of two packets to boil and on another burner, water for my tea.
I like this time of the day, or night - as it is dark outside. As the aroma of the tea wafts around the kitchen, my still sleeping brain wakes up. I inhale deeply, stretch sometimes... and starts the day, and the grind!

full circle

Five years into our marriage, I woke up one day to realise that I no longer minded entering the kitchen. No, not even for the mundanest of cooking.
Add to that, I found an omen. As I cut into one-third of an onion, I found the layers make a perfect smiling face. Life, as I knew it, had come full circle for me.
Years speed by, changing feelings and perceptions. There had been days, when I wished I woke up in another place, for fear of goofing up in the kitchen, yet again!
It has been an interesting journey. It is the story of my life, chapters of which I will share with you...