A Year in the Life
This is the year Balendu emigrated to the United States, on the same day his first niece was born.
What is 1973. (Reena)
Balendu & Mia first lived in this village where Jasmine was born, and where Jasmine now lives.
Where is Ridgewood, NJ
“Take nothing on it’s looks, take everything on evidence, there’s no better rule” spoken by Mr. Jaggers in this Dickens tale that is Balendu’s favorite novel.
What is "Great Expectations."
No baby was expected, but Uncle Hasu helped deliver an unusual exterior paint job at 163 Hitchcock Ave, involving walls in these two colors
What are Blue and Pink.
17, 21, and 35 were all 'very good years' for him, Papa's favorite singer.
Who is Frank Sinatra.
You don't have ride the boat owned by SNL stars Colin Jost & Pete Davidson to visit this island where Balendu and Eleanor have each owned a home.
What is Staten Island?
In this favorite movie of Balendu's, an expatriate is torn between duty and the woman he loves, while the piano plays this iconic song.
What is 'Casablanca'
In 1989, Balendu took the family on a cruise to Newfoundland, but barely left his cabin due to seasickness caused by this Hurricane--not Sujan, but think Hunchback of Notre Dame.
What is Hurricane Hugo.
In 1989, the Berlin Wall came down; Papa turned 40, but this facial feature outlasted the Communist bloc
What is Papa's moustache
This is why Balendu left Staten Island and headed to Brooklyn on Oct 27, 1985. He later moved on to Queens, then to Manhattan's east side, and then up to the Bronx.
What is the NYC Marathon.
Balendu's favorite song; also something our late mother would dread having to drive over.
What is "Bridge Over Troubled Water."
Oliver the golden retriever never got fully trained, because Papa's children disobeyed him by doing this.
What is Hide in the trunk of Papa's car so they could also go to the dog's obedience training sessions.
In this year, Balendu's 7th grandchild was born.
The Vasavada's family home in Scotch Plains, NJ was located on a street named for this Washington Irving tale.
What is "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"
This is Papa's favorite cartoon as well as his favorite snack. Good Grief!
What are Peanuts?
Papa was never known as a great outdoorsman, but the whole family spent several months living in a trailer after french fries left on the stove gave rise to this event.
What is a house fire?
Papa played for the volleyball team at the Mahatma Gandhi high school until graduating in this year
What is 1967?
Papa never committed a crime, but moved out of Central Jail in this town after he graduated Baroda Medical College in 1972
What is Baroda?
"Trust, but verify" is one of Papa's favorite sayings, and was made popular by this U.S. President
Who is Ronald Reagan?
Papa owes his great success to this chocolate-favored malted milk powder beverage, which Dadiba saved for him....
What is Ovaltine?