Each year, on or about Super Mar10 (Skanda's birthday), I write (on Facebook) a yearly update to Stork about Skanda's progress through his age. I will be blogging as well, from now on. You'll be able to read the previous issues here.
Dear Stork —
A decade! Our "sapiens" (one of his favourite book - outside many others) has reached double digits. The warranty paperwork is still missing, but I'm hoping this is one of those lifetime guarantees rather than the planned obsolescence we see everywhere these days. Remember when you first delivered him with that coned head and no instruction manual? Now he's hitting milestones I can barely keep up with.
The world has transformed since I last wrote. Trump has returned to the White House with policies (and reversals) even more bewildering than before. His trade wars with various countries, including Canada, have everyone on edge. I wonder if we all will make it to the end of his term! But enough about politics—this is supposed to be your yearly product review.
We celebrated Skanda's 10th birthday at Disney's Magic Kingdom in Orlando—a fitting place to mark a decade of childhood. While he displays remarkable maturity in many ways, his social circle remains small (one of good friend - Divit - with whom he has sleepover has moved very far away for them to meet up.). The nerdiest tendencies I mentioned years ago have fully blossomed. He still maintains a selective approach to movies (remember when I wrote that he was hesitant about Harry Potter films?), but that changed when we took him to Broadway to see "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child"—it was phenomenal! But ... No movies!
His musical abilities continue to impress. His piano teacher is consistently awed by his progress, and I've even started taking cello lessons myself, often consulting him on certain pieces. Who's teaching whom? And ... We upgraded his keyboard to a full 88 keys. His swimming has advanced wonderfully too—remember when I mentioned we'd consider buying a canoe once he became proficient? Well, he's gone beyond that and recently went snorkeling mid-sea off Key West, Florida!
Speaking of travels, we've had quite the adventurous year. Our India trip stretched to 45 days, where Skanda trekked up hills to temples and waterfalls, a safari in Mudhumalai, 8-bit video games with amma and paati, discovered a passion for cricket (we bought bats and stumps - and continue to play inside our home here), and sported several Vadivelu-ism t-shirts that were a hit with family. Before India, we went camping at Bon Echo with Anjana and Sreeram—our first camping trip together. This is where he finally took my advice about buying a Kayak instead of Canoe - we had one wobbly, choppy ride in the lake.
A significant moment was witnessing the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8th near Sandusky, Ohio. We made a special return trip to Ohio later to pick up a Blackstone grill—for dosas, of course! With Thiru's family, we visited Ottawa for the Tulip Festival, Coin Mint, and stayed at the intriguing Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel. New York City was another adventure where we utilized plane, ferry, and train transportation, returning on the Maple Leaf train.
One of my favorite memories was our cycling expedition from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Niagara Falls—about 15km round trip. Skanda handled it like a champion!
On a more serious note, we created our Will this year and explained it to him. He approached the conversation with remarkable clarity—further evidence of his maturity. Academically, he's doing well without unnecessary pressure. He is still going to Tamil school - but would like to discontinue next year and learn from my mom. He made a neat vaazhai elai poster as part of his Tamil project.
His interest in technology has evolved from recognizing Android lock patterns (remember that early sign I mentioned years ago?) to programming in Python. I built him a locally-hosted LLM Chat interface to introduce him to AI, explaining how dramatically different the job landscape might be when he enters it.
Skanda is now a dual citizen. One more thing that is going to bear on
him as he becomes an adult. Boon or bane? Only time will tell.
The allowance system I mentioned last year has evolved. He's become quite the saver—hasn't spent a penny from his wallet (which we secretly spend and replenish) and proudly maintains his bank account. No more poker chips needed!
On the food side of things, we made biryani too many times, made jaangri and jalebi, and experimented with different types of parotta. Our culinary adventures have become something of a family ritual, with Skanda taking an increasingly active role in the kitchen.
So, dear Stork, how are things in your realm? Has AI impacted your delivery business? Are you still flying through all kinds of weather, or have you upgraded to some advanced transportation? Does your union have thoughts on the gig economy and delivery services?
Until next time, when I'll update you on his journey through double digits!
P.S. He no longer believes replacements come from Home Depot. That trick expired years ago! His preference went from really long hair to totally short one and not planning go back to long hair:
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