Srikar Kovvali's Blog

Namaskaram

Did you see the pictures of my birthday event? If you liked me in them, let me know and I will share more pictures of mine shot in the recent times. Mom complains that am too naughty and not eating well these days – well, moms are boring anyway when they complain – haha !

Listen, as mentioned in my previous note, here are the updates on your blessed donation(s) to various organizations. I am extremely thankful and happy for the support and encouragement provided. I really feel so good. None of the toys could have given me so much happiness that stays forever with me. I am still crawling but I want to crawl to ur feet for more of ur blessings. Thank you! !

Forget math, heck, I dont even know how to convey all my thoughts in words yet – lol. But, Amma, nanna helped me count and distribute all the funds. I demanded the details so that I can update my blog. Funny that they meet all my demands in no time….OR else….I cry nonstop – hehehe (wicked me !). The strange thing is, nanna tried to explain me the math in a very funny way which I just could not understand – so I post it here – if you do, let me know. He is a wierd guy talking his own language.

If you remember, I did negotiate with my parents for 100% match for all contributions received, even for the very few toys/gift cards received from some. My dad converted them to an approximate value and included to his pool of match.

I wanted my party to be frugal with limited invitations and low expectations. Yet, we all managed to contribute reasonably well. Here is the BIG number – a total of $1010.00 will be donated to various organizations (hurray !!) . How did my dad arrive at that ?

category A. Total recd from paypal (cash) : $125
category B. Donations made direct to respective organizations + toys/giftcards value: $170
category C. my parents 100% match for A = $125
category D. my parents 100% match for B = $170

Total: A + B + C + D = $590.

So, my question : how is the BIG number $1010 ?

Looks like my parents employer will further match 100% for all donations made directly by my parent.(sssh!!)

Hmmm, in that sense, a direct payment of A + C + D will be made to various organizations. That will be a cash donation of

125 + 125 + 170 = 420.

la-la-la….the 100% donation from the employer will be another 420 – making a total of  420 + 420 + 170 = 1010.

In short, $590 got stretched to $1010.

This shows that ONE dollar cash gift recd (via paypal) is converted to

1 + 1 + 2 = 4 dollars.

phew ! That was rocket science to me ! If this wasn’t enough to get bored, he started to explain me more on how much each organization will be getting. My little brain was so tired, I wanted to sleep. I asked him just to give me the details in a grid format to post it. You may view it here if you are like him. I also updated the FAQ on proof of donations made etc.

The bottom line impact summary is what bought my hands together to thank the lord and you all – makes all of us proud and thankful to almighty for what we can do together.

• A total of approximately 20 students will go to school this year – courtesy spandana.org
• A total of 4 elderly blind people (fully/partially) will see this beautiful world of god again – Courtesy Sankara Netralaya’s cataract surgery.
• A few animals rescued from the clutches of cruelty and suffering – courtesy ASPCA.
• A needy hand for someone trying to set their livelihood – courtesy Kiva.org

Please lord, provide me and everyone involved, the strength, maturity and heart to keep doing this again and again and again.Hopefully, some day, all birthdays,graduations and all life events are celebrated for a cause with everlasting happiness to all involved.

If you like what am doing, can you do me a tiny favor for this little one – pls leave a comment down below on what you think with ur name and email – even if its two words! It will make me *very* happy.I will give you BIG smile and will put my hands together again.

mommy, I want my bottle now – if you dont bring it in next 5 seconds…..

great selection - I love the clown !

phew ! that was exhaustive – what a bash it was on the 9th.

I THANK each one of you to have made my day memorable.

THANK YOU ! THANK YOU and…..THANK YOU !

(I am just learning that I need to repeat three times for everything that I want to get attention to – courtesy: my parents- lol)

Here’s a quick quiz:

How many of you knew my actual Birthday was on 8th ?
How many of you knew that my mom’s birthday was on 10th ?
(I see quite a few hands raised for this one- ok , ok )

So you know the reason for the delay in updating you. My mom just didnt want to celebrate along with me – citing that I should have the night all for myself ! What can I say ? – I think its with the “mom’s” species

The dull start made me wonder if I was gonna have a party or not – but it was well worth the wait. The kids, the cake, the blessings and…the food – hehe !

watch all the pics here : did you make it ?

Watch out for more of my updates on the gifts received. I am still receiving them. So far, here are the commitments I received:

Srinivas Kaja uncle – to Spandana.org
Rajeev uncle – to sankara Netralaya
Ramu uncle – to Spandana.org
Manjula Aunty – to Sankara Netralaya
Raghu uncle – to Kiva.org
Hari uncle – to Spandana.org
Raveendra Uncle – to Spandana.org
Vishnu uncle – to Spandana.org
Anu Aunty – to Sankara Netralaya
Sowjanya Aunty – to ASPCA.org

(note: maybe my parents need to improve their communication – I still received toy gifts – and I couldn’t resist opening them. I am gonna demand 100% match from my parents regardless for them too – hahaha !)

Based on the gifts recd, I negotiated with my parents to divvy up the 100% match between sankara netralaya and Spandana.org. Once that is done, will update you again, so long !

Hi Aunty / Uncle

Namaskaram

Thank you very much for thinking about giving me a gift.

This is my opportunity to ask what I like and want – right? After all, its my birthday

I was listening intent to my parents thoughts for more than a year now (if you count my time in my moms tummy too).

I have witnessed all that my parents went through during the first year of my life. Almost all of you have provided great support  to my parents during the tough times with your nice words and deeds.

A BIG THANK YOU !

During all those times, my parents and I worked together. I listened to them and to the doctors. I behaved just as a good boy as much as I can.

I have seen them weep, pray, thank and smile too. I almost felt guilty for being a reason for their troubles. But, I also am the source of their joy today.

I have come a full circle. I now play lot of tricks to put a smile on their face. I crawl like a soldier, sit like a champ, rollover like a lil monkey, stand steady like a pillar – yeah, I will walk like a hero too – but after my first birthday !

Today, I am happy and proud …so are they !

Midst all the happiness, I did not forget my parent’s resolve and advice to me at around 6 months of my age – it was in language of hearts in silence.

“Dear son, do your best to help others who may be less fortunate – count your luck and Thank the lord ! Spend every year of your life as an eternal gift” !

As I turn one this year, I want to remember those thoughts and put a piece of action.

My resolve is to turn around all my Birthday presents to one of your chosen charities/funds listed below.

1. Microplace.com
2. kiva.org
3. US division of Sankara Netralaya
4. Spandana Foundation

My parents are involved in more than one organization above. They researched and hand picked these organizations.

With the help of my parents, I plan to donate 100% of your contributions to the organization you select.

Also, my parents will be matching 100% of your contribution (your gift will be doubled) to one of the four organizations.

A gift is to remember ! Your gift of contribution will be remembered for long and will be thanked not just by me and my parents but some other needy family/person too.

Thank you very much for your thought of giving me a present on my Birthday and making it BIG with fond memories.

PS: Pls do not bring any presents to my house on my Birthday. Any intended present, pls contribute below.

PPS: All payment processing is via paypal – none of the info is saved on my website   click here for FAQ and detailed info.

PPPS: Any specific question on the contribution, my parents will be glad to represent me to talk to you – lol !

Thank you and Happy new year 2010 !