Where in the world do you live? And, are you from there?
I now live in a City known as the ‘Garden of India’ – the famous city of Bangalore (or “Bengaluru” the politically correct name today). I came here a little over 5 months ago on account of my job change.
However, I was born and brought up in the Kingdom of Kuwait, then did my graduation and post grad in India. And my place was the little southern state of Kerala, known as ‘God’s own Country’ in tourist brochures 🙂
What language(s) do you speak?
Well, I speak a little of this, and that. My mother tongue is Malayalam (which is also a palindrome by the way, the only language which is a palindrome). I also speak English, and have a working knowledge of Hindi and Tamil (enough to haggle with the auto-rickshaw drivers). I can also read and write the Arabic script. I am not that great at picking up language speech and do better with their scripts.
When did you first become a mother?
I first became a mother at the grand old age of 27 (old by Indian standards). In India, unfortunately, girls are expected to be married by 21 and have a kid by 22. If not, we invoke the wrath of elders (and other nosy bodies who keep inquiring to the girl’s parents either 1. Why is she not married off yet?, or 2. Why isn’t she pregnant yet). You know, I could write a whole post about those things. Maybe more on that later 🙂
Are you a stay-at-home mom or do you work?
As evidenced in my first answer, I do work as a Business Analyst. Though I would love to be a stay-at-home mom, the very thought of using the room known as the ‘Kitchen’ terrifies me, and I think I am better off in the corporate world.
Why do you blog/write?
Hmmm…..not something I have thought of. I blog simply because I want to. Also, I get to pen down those memories while they are fresh in my mind and on some day in the future, I can again go back and skim over those lines and remember those incidents again.
How would you say that you are different from other mothers?
Are moms different anywhere in the world? I really don’t think so. Each of us thinks that her baby is the sweetest living creature on earth (and for the life of us, can’t figure out why others don’t see it the same way 🙂 ). All of us would do anything to keep our little one safe and secure. So, basically, I think we are all the same inside – with just a few quirks of our own to keep things spicy in each of our families 🙂
What do you view as the challenges of raising a child in today’s world?
In a world riddled with strife and discord, raising a child is certainly a challenge. We, as mothers, want our kids to grow up with the right values and the right attitude. Unlike the old days when all a child had for role-models were their parents and a few extended family members, today’s children are exposed to a range of elements, beginning from the omnipresent television set to the Internet. So, vetting all these, as well as, the people that the child comes into contact with is a hurdle that needs to be crossed by every mother.
How did you find World Moms Blog?
I don’t remember exactly how I found it, but one of the articles I read here captured my interest ( It was the one Veronica wrote about her Grandmother), and I was hooked. I started subscribing to the blog, and slowly, I began to feel a kinship with all the mothers on World Moms Blog.
What do you like best about writing for World Moms Blog?
I get to retrospect about my feelings and thoughts as a mother, and spill those thoughts here. Also, I get to hear about experiences from mothers all over the globe and how they handled so many of the situations that I am facing today.
Besides, it is a great support group that I can always reach out to, and there will be someone somewhere, who can relate to what I am going through and offer help and guidance.
Do you have any questions for Fire Crystals?
This is an original World Moms Blog post from our book-loving mom from India, Fire Crystals. You can also find Fire Crystals on her personal blog, Merry Musing.
Love this lady! So much fun to learn more about you!
Hey! thanks 🙂
I’m loving these interview posts! I like learning more about our writers!
Fire Crystals
I envy your language skills! And, I agree — our children get exposure to so many varied influences these days. It keeps us, moms, on our toes!
Jen
Hiya Fire Crystals,
I really enjoyed reading your interview. I am impressed you read and write Arabic well, that’s usually the hardest part of any language (in my opinion anyway) I would pick up conversation faster (and more willingly) than the written language.
Look forward yo reading more of your posts 🙂
Well, I am hopeless at picking out conversations and would always prefer to read and understand something rather than listening to it (probably a result of my love for books).
I enjoyed reading about you Fire Crystals. I am quite impressed with your language skills, too! I love your answer – “How would you say that you are different from other mothers?” All of us mothers do think our babies are the cutest, sweetest little things and you know what? We are all right!!
Nice interview, sweetie! 🙂
You have changed a bit; stay the same hun! 🙂 🙂
Love ya! 😀
Oops! I meant you HAVEN’T changed a bit!
Typo! Sowwie!!!! 🙁
Hmmph…I did wonder how I had changed when I read your previous comment 🙂
These writer interviews are fantastic! I am in agreement with you about the challenges we face today, with raising our children. So much to think about!
You sound like such an interesting woman! You know so many languages, you are from a place I am so curious about and I love how you have done things your way, a bit untraditional for your culture. I can’t wait to read more of your posts and find out more about you.
I agree that moms are more alike than different. 🙂
Glad to know that you enjoyed it 🙂
Wonderful, funny post! I would love to visit more of India someday. It is such an amazing place!
Do come over…and make sure you stay with me when you are here 🙂
I loved reading this…hearing your story. I especially like the line about how we are all the same as mothers but have enough of our own quirks to keep things spicy. What a great way to explain it! Looking forward to reading more of your posts!
Thanks Tara 🙂
What an interesting life you have already lived. Reading this made me wonder what will happen next for you…Ahhh so good to have such a variety of mothers here! 🙂
So nice to get to know the other writers! I love perspectives from moms on the other side of the world from me. I agree – a lot of things are not so different.