26/11 - A year after

And we still burn.

Those agonising 60 hours of nonstop horror; I feel as though time has just stopped! The whole episode keeps on running in my head over and over again! How the entire year just passed by is not a secret to anyone - Finger pointing blame game continues but we will never forget or let it fade away the happenings of that fateful night.

And I am still angry, angrier than that night and it seems to build over time promising not to subside. If I feel this way I cannot imagine what those people, who lost their kith and kin in that horrific tragedy, would be going through. I can’t even express and it will be a shame on anyone sympathizing with us! Sympathy is for weaklings not fighters...

Today, exactly a year later, while watching the entire tragedy unfolding yet again on all the news channels I keep thinking what did they gain? We have fought back and always will! I guess that's human nature.... Life goes on...

Time keeps teaching us that hope still prevails and justice will be done, it is just a matter of time and we shall wait for it to come.

This burning candle is my tribute to each and every person who fought that night; each and every person who lost their precious life that night; each and every person who shared a helping hand that night; each and every person who lost someone important in their life that night.

God Bless and Jaihind!

Time flies

Wow yes it does realising that it has been over few months without any updates on my blog. Interestingly now that I am a homemaker there a lot of things that demand attention including gym,sleep and other activities, I've somehow lost track of days; quite contratry to my belief that staying at home will give me a lot of time to myself... but there is always something to occupy my time.

It was quite difficult to leave work after 3 and a half years it had almost become like a home but change is inevitable for the both of us (office and myself) and so I had to take this decision.... I must admit it was a bit overwhelming as I had made a lot of friends as well as enemies (You know what I mean :)) well that is past and past it shall remain - I am happy now that this action atleast leaves me with time [its been nearly 8 years since I have been working - 3 and a half yrs being an articleship student, one year at GE and 3 and a half at Amba]...

I was so frustrated at first but now I am kinda loving this timeout however long this turns out to be!!!

The Way it is always!

Grrrrrr... Why cant people just be professional and enjoy a professional relationship? Why be so lame??? Is there a different way to communicate your displeasure cos I think certain people don’t understand the simple plain human language!!! And whats more LAME is when people think you are dumb enough to not understand a lie...

Darn!!!

I wish I could use the F word here but.... I will just be polite as always... Hope you get what I am trying to say!!!

To Everyone's favourite God!!!

Vinayaka or Ganesh, we all so fondly call him!!! Like many Hindus, I too love him and adore him... Although a Jain by religion we still place Him first in all our functions, invite Him first and thus put Him before all of our Gods as well.

This year Sunil & I invited Him to our humble abode with lots of love and affection on his birthday “Ganesh Chaturthi”… I am not aware of the pujas that are performed as we do not celebrate it but for Sunil, this is a much more important festival almost as big as Diwali.

Today was a testing time for me in terms of cooking while Sunil took care of the puja stuff… I made modaks for the first time and definitely would like to skip the details… However, lunch on this special day included mooli sambhar, beans curry, semiya payasam and of course “curd rice”, the husband is so obsessed with!

And so I am leaving with you a snapshot of what happened at home today and wishing you a very Happy Ganesh Chaturti… while I retire now after a tiring morning and a very heavy lunch!!!

Another feather in my cap

Rads has so kindly awarded me the best blog and tagged me as well to answer a few questions. That’s so sweet of you Rads thank you so much, I am so touched!

Allow me to carry on with my answers while you get yourselves a cuppa coffee!

1. What is your current obsession?
Stay at home and sleeeeeeeep!!!!
2. What are you wearing today?
Pyjamas and t-shirt
3. What’s for dinner?
Long way off – haven’t thought bout it (its morning here)
4. What’s the last thing you bought?
Chanel Chance
5. What are you listening to right now?
Nothing
6. What do you think about the person who tagged you?
A wonderful long distance friend who interestingly I haven’t met :)
7. If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?
Bangalore
8. What are your must-have pieces for summer?
Anything cotton
9. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
Some place cold with snow
10. Which language do you want to learn?
Cantonese
11. What’s your favorite quote?
What goes around comes around
12. Who do you want to meet right now?
My Nephews
13. What is your favorite color?
Mauve/sea green-blue
14. What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own closet?
Nothing yet :)
15. What is your dream job?
Restaurateur
16. What’s your favorite magazine?
Vogue, auto car and of course food lovers guide (very specific to Bangalore city)
17. If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on?
Probably something for my house
18. What do you consider a fashion faux pas?
People trying too hard to be what they are not…
19. Who are your style icons?
Nobody
20. What kind of haircut do you prefer?
Rachael in friends
21. What are you going to do after this?
Cook lunch
22. What are your favorite movies?
Too many to pen
24. What are three cosmetic/makeup/perfume products that you can't live without?
Deo, Chap Stick and moisturiser
23. What inspires you?
Nothing in particular – I am a very self obsessed woman
24. Give us three styling tips that always work for you:
Be confident, casual and comfortable – It does me good!

25. What do you do when you “have nothing to wear” (even though your closet’s packed)?
More shopping
26. Coffee or tea?
Coffee – anyday :)
27. What do you do when you are feeling low or terribly depressed?
Cry!
28. What is the meaning of your name?
Dream
29. Favorite Dessert/Sweet?
Brownie with lots of chocolate sauce
30. Favorite Season ?
Winter
31. If I come to your house now, what would u cook for me?
Probably a yummy salad with pasta
32. What's your favorite cartoon character?
Tom and Jerry
33. My question: What’s your ideal holiday?

Unfortunately I dont have that many blog friends to tag so I'll just tag my husband here... but for the others - here are the rules...

Respond and rework – answer these questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own, and add one more question to the list. Then tag eight or ten other new set of people.

Have fun and be good.

Fimply Fexy!!!

Not mumbling mind you, this is just my reaction after watching the latest Bollywood flick – “Kaminey”.

I haven’t really enjoyed any Bollywood movie off late (thanks to all the mindless ones that get released week after week) than I have watching Kaminey – and watta movie I say!!! Ladies and gentlemen, Shahid Kapoor has finally arrived!!!

This movie definitely transforms him into an actor leaving behind all the chocolate-hero roles he portrayed in Jab We Met and Kismet Konnection… His character as Charlie is much more macho than you can ever imagine him to be… so mature, so uber cool and so much oomph!!!

After drooling over Shahid, here’s my take on Vishal Bharadwaj - unlike his previous movies this is not an adaptation from any of Shakespeare’s plays. Honestly, I never liked his earlier movies (Omkara, Maqbool etc), coz am not really into those intense slow-paced movies – I kinda find them borrrrring!!! I like more of the fast paced ones with a lot of comedy/drama/action – something like, say, Mummy/ Dil Chahta Hai types… I give a thumb’s up to movies which have a certain comedy element in it and which are very gripping!!!

Now I wouldn’t want to be a party-spoiler and give away the story but what I can say about the movie is that it is really a gripping, fast-paced and entertaining movie leaving you glued to the screen. If you take your eyes away even for a moment, you might end up missing a crucial moment and only chance you can understand it is by watching it again!!!

And as far as Vishal Bharadwaj goes – with Kaminey, he seems to be in his elements and has proven that he is a better movie-director than a music-director!!!

Must watch people – go catch it… Dhan Tanaaaa nanana!!!

A break from break!!!

After 3 long weeks of disappearance, here I am back to my blogger space. Well I really owe this momentary lapse to blah blah blah…

To tell you the truth; I kinda owe this well deserved break to myself! You see after a lot of speculation / discussion /contemplation (and after having spent 3 1/2 years in the company), I finally quit my job a couple of months back. And after spending about a month and a half at work (doing nothing), I was given the opportunity to spend the balance notice period at home… What do ya say to that; I had to grab it, it was perfect! A break from break :-) if you know what I mean… well never mind…

And so, these three weeks were meant just to unwind and do nothing at all... All I wanted to do was to enjoy this break to the maximum even if it meant isolation from my blog :-). With no worries about work, phone calls, gossip with colleagues, filling timesheets etc., I had all the time in the world to do what I wanted; didn't have to think twice to take a nap or a coffee break or for whatever!!!

Hmmm… after having spent my days with empty thoughts/action and having another month at my disposal, we (with hubby & in-laws) have decided to go on a vacation to Singapore and Malaysia… how thoughtful I would say – just in time because I really did want this before I can actually take a step forward and think about my future in terms of work or otherwise.

So we leave on Friday, the 24th of July and get back to India in the early hours on 1st August… I’ll just skip the detailed itinerary here – don’t want to bore you’ll with it, but will come back with much more details of the trip.

So long everyone, have a great time – I know I will!!!

Tearful Goodbye

He was my first icon; the very guy who got me listening to pop music. It was for his cassette (in those days) that I would get bashed up by my big sis when trying to flick it from her bag… Thriller, BAD, Off the wall, Dangerous… sigh!

I don’t care what the bloody papers talk of him or all the nonsense that’s running in the media 'bout him – the fact is I love him and I am deeply depressed that he is no more… shell shocked!!!

Rest in Peace MJ – you are truly The King of POP no matter what anybody says!!!

Gemini

The month which is very close to Sundru's heart (and his wallet also!!!). I pity him because the b’days of all his loved ones fall in this month (Zodiac sign “Gemini”). It all begins on the 27th of May and ends on 12th of June. I can’t tell you how pooped he gets at the end of this month…

The birthday calendar is as follows:

1. Mom – 27th May

2. Dad – 1st June

3.Yours truly (me ;) ) – 8th June

4. Sister – 11th June

5. Mom – in –law ( My mom)– 12th June

Phew... No wonder he has a 0 balance account… Am sure no wallet can take this birthday shower :) For more cribbings (from the horse's mouth itself) and for some sadistic pleasure (:) ), visit his blog here!!!

To the Indian in me

Call me an emotional fool but I cry each time our national anthem is played anywhere in the world, my chest just swells up with pride; I just leave everything that am doing and stand still while the Indian in me salutes the anthem and then the tears roll down… I did that yesterday during the start of India vs England match… I can so relate to the aggression shown by Bhajji when the anthem finished. Felt like I wanted to do something for my country!!!

Is that the true patriot in me or just a feeling I don’t know but I do know that I am proud and very proud that I belong to India – there can never be another place like this (if you minus all the bloody corrupt things going on in the country though). Unlike others I do not have this urge to settle down outside of the country – I know a lot of people would give anything to come to India. Sundru seconds me on this – he is a true Indian boy and will never find solace anywhere else. Though I have come across a few opportunities to go abroad, deep down I know I can never be as comfortable anywhere else as here. I still remember; on my honeymoon I missed Bangalore so much that on day two I was ready to come back and chuck all that traveling thing… I am not denying the temptation to take the opportunity to work outside but somehow I am not really bent on it.

When I hear about all the racism stuff all over the world, it makes me wonder whether it is really worth leaving the country for whatever crap the outside world is trying to offer? Don’t we have it here in India? Why should we always have this NRI tag and proudly display it around when you know the kind of treatment you get abroad. What you can do there we should try to do it here… I hear my friends who are settled abroad and keep complaining when they visit India saying that it is something else outside and corrupt here... I am disgusted!!! I feel you have no right whatsoever to say things when you don’t make an attempt to try and change your surroundings – but no, all they want in life is a NRI tag…

Its time to think about it – show these NRIs that India is no less than "their" beautiful outside world…

It is my home and nothing else can be sweeter than home, sweet home!!!

@29

On the 8th of June, I celebrated my “golden year of the twenties”… I don’t intend to sound sarcastic but unfortunately age does that to you… sigh!!! I just can’t accept this – for a very long time I believed that I’ll never come this far and that my time will just stop; oh crap!!!! What was I even thinking *grump*…

The reality apart, Sunil made it a point that I celebrate my 29th birthday in style :)… That was the only happy thing about the b’day… Keeping the surprise element in place, the celebrations began with my sis Mamta and bro-in-law Mithun dropping in at 12am with a yummy chocolate mousse cake!!! A very sweet gesture!

Subsequently, I was asked to get ready by 9am sharp for the next round of surprises in store… Sunil dropped me at the Ayush Spa for a tantalizing ayurvedic massage along with herbal facial and an awesome shirodhara to follow… was that rejuvenating or what!!! After a quick bath (or baths – it took such a long time as I was dripping wet with oil!!!), I got ready for the other surprises that were in store for me :)

I was quickly zipped across to Café Masala where we had a romantic lunch date together… This was my first visit to the restaurant and I don’t regret it at all – the experience was good (the ambience and the food); just one embarrassing moment though – he made me cut a cake there (again!!) and that too in front of so many people – the sweet thing was that the other diners there clapped while I blushed and cut my cake - there I was, feeling so old as Sunil happily had me indulged in this juvenile behavior!!!

Post lunch, I begged him to give me two hours to myself… I felt so drowsy and sleepy (after the massage and the fab lunch) that I almost dropped dead and refused to get up before 6.30 in the evening… I was then asked to get ready by 7.15pm for more surprises (by now I was extremely tired!!!) and while I was getting ready, my folks started dropping in followed by friends… I was busy thinking of an excuse to run out of the house (for the plan which Sunil had in mind) failing to realize what the surprise actually was!!! How dumb can anyone get??

And there was another round of cake-cutting (ridiculously once again - come on its time I stop this!!!) and over samosas, kachoris, gulab-jamuns & rasagollas (all nicely organized by Sunil), the last of the surprises came to an end and I can definitely say that my 29th birthday was the most memorable of all… Not because I cut so many cakes (guffaw!!!) but because of all the wonderful things that Sunil did (I never felt tired on my b’day earlier) and these memories will take a long time to fade :):):)

Thank you so much sweetheart… you don’t know what this meant to me!!! Also special thanks to all the people who took time out to visit me - Mummy, Mamta, Mithun, Appa, Amma, Gayathri, PJ & Rach; Shaatz & Dia and also to all the people who wanted to make it but couldn’t… GPz & Nanz; Barry & Ranji; my soul sisters at Amba – Divs & Vikas (who celebrated his b’day that day as well :)); Rashu & Sid; I know it was a long shot for you’ll but the thought is what counts…people who called in to wish me (Nethra, Dinesh, Pinky, Bhaskar, Divya, Naga); others who smsed and also left scraps on facebook & Orkut; hopefully I haven’t missed anyone and finally a very very sweet thank you to the cutest addition on earth – Dhruv aka Changu for coming home and not getting cranky at all :):):)!!!

You guys are the best!!!

Of chasing demons and killing angels

Well... not a philosophical post but a quick one on the movie Angels & Demons. A prequel to the very famous Da-Vinci-code, I found this movie to be much more entertaining than its sequel (or its movie prequel!!! well... whatever).

This movie is set in Rome unlike its prequel which was in Paris… The best thing about the book is the extent to which the author Dan Brown goes to describe the small/intricate details at such length but unfortunately movie just spoils it all. Am not saying the movie is bad or something... at least it is definitely a much better attempt than Da-Vinci-code, which, if seen without reading the book leaves you baffled & clueless and many scenes which really needed attention were just done so short and abrupt that it kind of made no sense…

But I guess that's the problem when a movie is made out of such books (which mix history & fiction). It’s really hard to put everything into a 2 hour movie. However, the director must be commended for his effort to bring to life this book!!!

Coming back to the movie – the story begins with Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) being called by the Vatican City to probe into a threat note from the church's perennial enemy – The Illuminati, declaring to blow up the entire city by midnight… The movie is thrilling and nail-biting and leaves you at the edge of your seats with the way all the murders are carried out and with such brutality…

Hold on... I think I should stop right here (I hope to have built the suspense already)– you should watch the movie for the rest!!!

Eating out

I know can be risky to health if done on a regular basis but I guess it’s ok to indulge in that sometimes esp. in my case where I have to do all the cooking no matter what time of the day it is!!!

Not that I cannot hire a cook but the main problem is because of the irregular timing that both of us get home making it almost impossible for any human being to adjust to it!!!

Therefore the question of an easier option (eating out, what else??) springs up automatically leading us to the various small food joints all over Bangalore… One such joint that I happened to visit last week is Ganesh Darshan, enroute from Sundru’s workplace to home... This is in Jayanagar 3rd block (very close to Jayanagar shopping complex)...

That's me with the so called Famous coffee!!!

Why it's getting featured on my blog is because of its yummy akki rotis and the amazing masala dosas (which is supposedly one of the best in town) attracting crowds no matter what time of the day it is. Also famous is its coffee though am afraid it didn't really score very high on my list of best coffees in Blore... The ultimate coffee choice for me is Brahmins (Basavangudi) and no other place is very close to it right now!!!

As far as eating out is concerned, I guess that’s inevitable sometimes; unless I find a cook who can cater to our diverse taste buds (both Marwadi and Iyer Cuisine).

Coincidence?

What would you call if you find the library stamp of your school (which is more than 300 kms from where you live) on one of the second hand books you buy in a book store???

Recently I bought some old books from a second hand store on Church Street in Bangalore – actually I purchased a lot of them and when I opened one of them, I was shocked to see it carrying the stamp of my school “Holy Innocents High School” (Wellington, Conoor). Obviously this was least expected and left me pleasantly zapped… I carry a lot of fond memories of my school days since it was a boarding school and we as boarders, were left to act independently at the age of 10!!! :)

I quickly called my elder sis (just a year senior to me) who was one of the head girls in school at her time and gave her this news… and guess what??? My sis happened to know the girl who's name was mentioned in the book (and this girl stays 300 kms away on the other side of B’lore.... that's from my hometown of Tiruppur!!!)

Bizarre or what???

The Winner takes it all

The loser standing small/tall... is all I feel for the glorious game with Hyderabad winning it... They deserved it as I said before.

As far as B'lore goes - well we sure did come a long way but the best team won, at least we came till the finals - that itself is a proud moment for us.

IPL Fever – Semifinals

Continuing with the IPL fever, we decided to meet up at the 8th floor (Shaatz &Dia’s place) to watch the second semi-final between RCB & CSK yesterday.. With some light drinks and some light Chinese stuff for dinner, we had a ball of a time watching the match… And obviously the victory of B’lore was the icing on the cake… Though some of us (incl me) didn’t want them to win but what the heck, the best team won at the end!!!

It turned out to be an eventful evening with Chiins and Shaatz cheering Dr. Mallya’s Bengalooru guys while Sundru just bummed on losing again (his bet was on CSK)… Well, actually it’s like this - whichever team he chooses the always ends up on the losing side… So much for luck huh!!! So the next time you bet, you know whom to call up ;)

All I can is it was one helluva night and whatta match – can you believe it!!! The 7th and the 8th teams of last year’s IPL season in this year finals… Phew!!!! Is that a coincidence or what! Though Dia and my dad have a different story to tell (giving a match fixing angle to it) but I honestly think that’s definitely not the reason for their success… They have done all the hard work and I can definitely say that Kumble will be extremely happy that the numerological twist from Sanjay Jumani did work for sure and looking at the way these guys are playing, I wouldn’t be surprised they take the cup!!! B’lore is definitely on a roll!!!!!

Am leaving you guys with some snapshots of last night’s get-together while I catch up with the spicy match that’s currently on, Kumble is on a roll… Don’t wanna miss this ;)

People at UB city – watch out for Mallya’s free pitcher of beer for everyone in the building after B’lore’s victory on Sunday ;))) High hopes for sure!!!
That's Chiins, Sundru, Moa and Dia with breezers and Vodka

Shaatz, Chiins and Sundru celebrating B'lore win!

Dia and I posing while the husband peep!

That's Chiins, Sundru (drunk) me and Shaatz...

IPL Fever!!!

It sure has got me gripping and the whole nation as well I suppose… well it definitely has turned out to be one of the most exciting tournaments, though I am a bit sad that the team I am supporting, RR, didn’t make it to the semis but what the heck, they won last year and its only fair that some other team deserves to win this time around... Also because I personally think that RR wasn’t up to the challenge this year and their lack of practice showed up clearly…

Leaving that aside, I am really happy that RCB made it through… being the underdogs for sure, from last year’s second-last place to this year’s no.3 as of now, they sure have come quite far... I won’t be surprised if they finally hold aloft the cup on sunday seeing how things are turning over its head so far...

Though always brought up on a staple diet of cricket, I have not really been a crazy follower like my dad or Sundru but being an emotional fool, I would always follow the game esp. if it concerned India… after all it is nothing short of a religion here… I still remember there were times when Papa had actually recorded old matches in our VCR and played it over and over again until I suffered from “cricket indigestion” (if you could call that!!!) and now I am with another lunatic who eats, sleeps and drinks cricket :-)

Coming back to the league - today begins the semi-finals and I am happy to be at home to watch it… It is going to be a tough competition as there are some amazing guys playing in all the teams; my personal favourite now is definitely CSK and I sure would want them to take the trophy this year if not RCB atleast… DD, I feel is somewhat arrogant and though they are playing wonderful cricket, I am not really loyal to them… and last but not the least, DC…. what can I say… they were at the bottom of the table last year and this year they are in the semis because they have done all the hard work and definitely deserve it…

Clearly IPL is turning out to be a wonderful platform for our young talents to show their abilities and say – look out, here we come… way to go guys!!!

So there you go… confused as I may sound but one thing is clear… IPL has caught the imagination of one & all and has everyone asking for more… It is definitely one of most glamorous events in the sports calendar and I guess that’s because it has everything –style, arrogance, controversy, entertainment, thrill etc… and of course, some good cricket!!!

Super Sunday

Long drive in a perfect weather… What else could you ask for an enthusiastic end to an eventful weekend… first, a day out with my nephew and then this long drive…

The wives of the Boyz club decided to take some time out from our respected household chores and came up with the following options for the weekend… It was left to the husbands to choose the best one…

1) Lunch/dinner
2) Any movie – maybe 8*10 Tasveer
3) Long drive to Taj Kuteeram
4) Home Crash - watching Sivaji, The Boss

The Boyz decided on the Taj Kuteeram option during their tennis / breakfast meet on Sunday morning and we ladies couldn’t have asked for better.

It was around 12ish by the time we started – Sundru & I joined Shaatz & Dia while Ranji & Barry came in their new Linea… When we started off while it was hot and stuffy though the weather got better every passing moment… We passed through some amazing country side full of mango groves and what not!!!

Finally reached the place at around 1.20 types in the afternoon but still couldn’t make it to Nrityagram, the famous gurukul style dance institute built by late Protima Gauri Bedi (ex wife of Kiran Bedi & mother of Pooja Bedi)… Apparently Nrityagram is closed for the summer (March to May) and was supposed to reopen on the 19th… Gosh…. We were 2 days earlier :-(

And so, we then spent time at Kuteeram (which is right opposite Nrityagram)… Had a very expensive lunch (not worth the price though) and finally started back at around 4ish… By then dark clouds were starting to develop and we were definitely preparing ourselves for the pleasant pre-monsoon showers!!! Our return trip was rather quiet, sleepy and sort of introspective I should say, as each one was lost in his/her own thoughts… After a quick stop at the Hesaraghatta lake, we drove nonstop in the rains till we reached the outskirts of Bangalore…

Our last and final stop was at CCD for a cup of coffee and after saying our good-byes, it was time to end our short and sweet trip, uneventful but yet fulfilling the purpose!!!

A trip down memory lane

Is what I’d call my day out with my nephew today… First time, just Sunil, me and the kiddo… The day was packed with fun, heat, crowd and badly maintained public places and children spaces. Having said that, I won’t argue on the fact that my nephew enjoyed, I think the smile on his face said it all. :)

Let’s get into the details now – Our first stop today was the Nehru Planetarium here in Bangalore. So poor and badly maintained I should say; we did manage to book our tickets for the Solar System show at 12.45. Well my nephew is around 4, so I don’t think he enjoyed this bit, though it was more like a refresher course for Sunil and me… No complains there, I was always fascinated with stars and things from my childhood days :). And as far as my nephew is concerned I think I shall come back in another 4 years from now – he’ll understand constellations and Orions by then hopefully!!!

I unfortunately can’t help but compare this with the Birla Planetarium in Hyderabad, the best one that I have visited so far… The Govt there is so willing to cooperate and have managed to maintain it so well. That’s what I can remember it. This sucks!!!

Next was a trip to the Govt Aquarium on Kasturba road – stinking & smelling and packed with local crowd though… I can definitely say that the nephew had a wonderful time and so was Sunil I think, explaining all the fishes to him. ;)… I am unfortunately the impatient types and hence have no patience with children at all… The husband is crazy about kids! Suits me :)

After a quick lunch at Subway, we ventured towards Cubbon Park for the toy train ride… First and foremost, the crowd management was very poor and I think they definitely need to do something about it... So, finally after much waiting & pushing through the crowd, we finally got onto the train… Boy was that fun or what!

We then let the kiddo play for sometime in the playground / park, which, though designed for kids, was primarily occupied by elders!!! That was that… phew… it was really one tiring day I tell you!!!

And btw, time for some gyan and insight now; how I long for some change in such public places. These are places that really need maintenance and am surprised that the Govt has ignored its duty completely and isn’t doing anything. These are the things for which we pay taxes and I would like to see that being used wisely for the well-being of the people… It’s disgusting to say that our future generation will be devoid of childhood fun if things continue the same way. We need a start somewhere...

Blogger Friendship award 2009

Surprise Surprise (yay!!!!!)… My blog has managed to bag an award – The Friendship Award!!! And thanks to Rads who has honored me with it. Does it feel great??? Feels awesome!!!

I am being very honest when I say, when I first started this blog it was a mere extension of my thoughts and feelings and nothing more – so it revolved around writing and posting… I had no time to stop at other blogs or read the others except for the husband’s of course… I had no blog friend for a very long time (in contrast to my hobby blog but that’s a different community altogether). And then all of a sudden I realized that my blog was getting noticed, people started looking at it, admiring me (if I can say that), laughing at my silly jokes, leaving a nice little message… And then I started making friends on this one too…

Ok; now coming to the point… First of all, I want to thank everyone who have time to linger on my blog to read all the mindless mundane stuff and leave a comment, however torturous the content may be! (hear hear). It really goes at length to prove, atleast to me, that there are people on whose faces I put a smile on or rather who laugh at all the dull jokes I try to crack (the husband has just gotten used to my joking techniques!)… It’s time to push it on to others. Sorry guys you’ll just have to bear that!

And now to pass this forward, I have strictly been advised to do so: - well the thing is since I have very few in my kitty, the list become exhaustive! Here goes,

Neilboy -The husband’s blog - there gotta be no choice on this…

Vijay – the stockmarket fanatic who cooks as well...

Finally there is Rads – the so humble and down to earth friend who always has a comment or two about my posts, come what may.

There are a lot of other blogs which I read every day but don’t leave a comment or make myself visible to the reader – not like a mysterious/anonymous reader or someone but just that blog has been blocked where I work and by the time I get back home, well the sob story starts… so, amongst them are:

An Indian summer – a lovely interior blog I have ever come across

The ketchup Girl – the writer

Lemondrops and Norwesters – Doppelganger - I can so relate to her blog, the same things we muse upon.

And that’s about it… but since my blogging community is growing I am pushing myself to make more and more friends… it’s a start…

I also want to thank all my non blogging friends who leave me a comment here and there…

And last but not the least, a huge applause to all my readers – you guyz are the best!!!

ZooZoos

ZooZoos - Unconventional characters in the world of animated ads… Well I don’t know if we can call them as animation but they seem so much like it... They are just awesome and I never realized that they are actually humans, in fact I still find it difficult to digest the fact that these cute creatures are actually thin women models from local Mumbai theatres, clad in body suits, dressed in white costumes that are stuffed with foam to portray the characters.

For those who haven’t heard of them, here’s an introduction – These Zoozoo characters have been created by O&M for Vodafone to convey different value added services offered by the mobile phone company including travel tips, music downloads, fashion tips, cricket alerts, etc. Apparently there are around 30 ads produced and only 15 presented so far – so there is hell lot more to see. If you have been following the IPL matches, then you would know what am talking about.

What I like most about these characters are their funny laughter (makes you wanna laugh out loud) and their stupid way of communication. So far the best of the lot (according to me) is the travel alert – with the boy dancing behind the girl while she explores the world!!!

Oh and there's more - you can follow them on facebook as well. How cool is that!!! I am in for sure.

Latest fetish of mine

Yummy yummy paani puris /gol-guppa / puchkas… by whatever you call it, my mouth just starts watering at the very thought!!! This is my new craze, every time I see a tehlewala, I’ve to stop for a plate. Had two plates on saturday during my romantic evening walk with the husband and had two more today evening after our grocery shopping!! ;)

5 years back the story was a bit different – it was sev puri all the time and now God only knows how the fetish changed. I used to hate the very sight of paani puri earlier and look at me now; I just can’t stop myself from having a plate!!!

Well… I can’t explain the reasons behind this latest fetish of mine and not sure how long this would last!!! This is one of my favorable changes in my life which I definitely don’t mind at all.

Here you go, have one yourself :-

Of sweet somethings and busy nothings

So this long holiday has been a refreshing one for sure, but I don’t think I can take much of it… as I am most of the time all alone at home and the only thing I seem to get addicted to is the TV which btw is not a good habit. Therefore I don’t think I’ll make a good housewife at all.

I actually took this long absence from work just to see if I’ll make it through – I was just testing on how I’d take it just being a housewife in future and I think I am not yet ready for it. I’d want myself to be occupied with something and feel am not cut out to be only at home. It’s definitely very nice to be at home on a “holiday” and during weekends but nothing more than that, at least not yet :-)

The long weekend is here which means that I won’t be alone and when the husband is at home, it is a double joy (sometimes, not always) considering the past 10 lonely days I spent at home… When he’s around at least I have company to eat and chat with… So after the refreshing holiday, I was just dying to do something apart from lying on the couch and watch TV… And what’s the best and easier way to do it? To cook of course… so there you go, put my best cooking cap and voila, daal ka sheera, corn kebabs, corn soup (very corny affair I must say!!!) kabuli (Jaipuri biriyani), chocolate milkshake… the poor husband… I was kinda feeding him all this at one go!!!! Not sure how he took it but from the looks of it I think it just went down ok ;-)

Looking forward for Monday – I have to make a most important decision; I can’t be sure how that’s going to go down! It’s not the right time to share about that now… will blog about that later – for now let that be a secret!!!

So long people – have a great weekend (whatever is left of it!!!)

Akshaya Thrithya

Or Akkha Teej (famously called back home in Rajasthan) brings back a whole lot of memories to me. This festival is one which was always celebrated in my village (Deshnok – Bikaner dist) in Rajasthan with a lot of relatives and when I say lot, I mean a whole lot of them (nearly 150 people in one house)!!!

As per the Jain tradition, today is the day when the first Thrithankar (Rishabh Bhagwan) broke his fast after completing one whole year of giving up food of any kind and living only on water. Jains consider this day as very auspicious and people who undertake similar fasting rituals break their fast with sugarcane juice today. This day also marks the foundation of the city of Bikaner and hence it is kind of a double joy to residents like me…

This is the day when there is kite flying activity happening from day break till night fall!!! Normally all the male folk indulge themselves in flying kites and if you do happen to visit Bikaner during this time, you can actually get the feel of the festivities upclose… There are even bets placed on who cuts the most kites, whose kite flies the farthest and so on and so forth!!!

The women folk indulge in cooking the very famous and scrumptious Khichda (made 4 times in 2 days) and this is made from wheat, bajra and jowar with lots of ghee. Apart from Khichda, there is badi ki sabzi, laapsi and ambalwaani (tamarind water). The food is served only in silver utensils under the guidance of the eldest person in the house…

What I clearly recollect about this day is my grandmother who would make sure that each member of the house is well-fed and usually would be the person who would pour homemade ghee on our food… And she would do this with her shaky hands and considering that she was over 80, you could imagine the amount of ghee that would fall in the plate!!! :-) hmmmmm heaven…

Sadly over the past few years, this kind of celebration is no longer happening, esp. after the demise of my grandmother. Everyone has kind of moved on with their lives and bringing everyone together to celebrate the festival would be a Herculean task… But I have just this one wish that I get to relive those wonderful days of fun and laughter. Hope it does not remain as only a dream :-(

Some facts on Akshaya Trithya

It usually falls on the 3rd day of bright Vaikash and is considered very auspicious particularly in Hindu tradition. Many couples get married today as it is considered to be the best day of the year – in fact my parents got married on Akshaya Thrithya and so did Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan. Though am not sure if buying gold or silver is auspicious but down south this seems to be the tradition.

Oh glorious day!

I am at bliss… I cannot express just how happy I feel today… It is difficult to choose the source of this feeling… either because of the brief-break from work (till Apr 29) or the weather or may be a combination of both…

I am loving every bit of it – just sitting at home doing nothing… Watching some chick flicks (as the hubby terms it!!!), spending some “quality time” (don’t get to do this often) in my neglected house and missing the husband (read that!!!).

Off late life has been a bit stressful for me and so decided to take this break… to refresh the mind and the soul and what better way to do it but to spend some lovely time at home… let me tell you, for a working person there is no place heaven other than home.

And what a way to start my holidays – its raining cats and dogs here and the sight is just awesome… the pitter-patter of the raindrops bringing me relief from the heat and soothing my nerves… The birds near my place chirping away to glory while I call the husband and tell him what exactly he is missing ;) (Devilish grin)

And so to ensure that I don’t miss the moment - I am gonna pick up a book, sit in my balcony with a hot cup of nice filter coffee while I leave you with a nice view of my balcony… The nice trees and greenery surrounding my house… my way of sharing my thoughts through the picture – am sure none of us want to miss even a bit of it.

Culinary skills at its best…

Thanks to Vijay who has helped in supplying me traditional Tamil recipe’s to satisfy my husband taste buds while I have submerged myself in Vidhu Mittal’s book Pure & simple for the north Indian dishes.

You can check Vijay’s blog here, but sadly he does not share any of the recipes on his blog – you will have to write to him for that! Lol… kidding – actually he was kind enough to ask me if I needed help to improve my cooking and I shamelessly said yes!!! :-0 sorry Vijay for the additional trouble I give you on and off!!!

A book review - I happen to come across this awesome book at a rendezvous with Sunil’s team-members one evening and was floored with it. So impressed was I, that I ordered this book from sapnaonline.com. Voila I received this in a day’s time and from then on I haven’t stopped myself from experimenting and trying out new stuffs. Am really amazed with her cooking techniques.

What I like about this book is that it not only gives you clear cut instructions but the recipes are simple and very easy to understand and isn’t lengthy at all. Apart from the recipes there are also additional information given w.r.t spices and all kinds of accompaniments. A very helpful book not only for beginners but also the housewife kinds...I give 5/5 on this and definitely a must have for any girl.

As far as Vijay goes – what can I say; he is the closest blog friend I have! Thanks so much.

Will the real honest politician please stand up?

I am in a dilemma – with the elections around the corner I am clueless on the appropriate candidate to cast my vote! I feel no one here deserves to be on the heading lurch!

Have you seen the petty fights and the cat fights that the members of each party are indulging in? It is disgusting! What kind of maturity are they displaying? I don’t think democracy means pelting stones at each other just for the sake of the throne… I really feel sad for us Indians – we have no place to go… We are back to square one!!!

The guilt (of wanting to vote but don’t know whom to) is following me each time I think of the elections – I have a lump in my throat at just the thought. Each party is filled with corruption and manipulation. Tomorrow will never change for us…

Why can’t we have someone who is well educated to carry the load for us, or why can’t we have a panel filled with educated and responsible people working for us. Yes they are working for us but the way it is portrayed, it’s always the other way around

My one question is that, these people claim that they are servants of people then how come they declare assets worth crores? Doesn’t that account to corruption? I don’t think they are born with all that money but yet can get away with it… and the common man still struggles with unemployment, inflation, increasing interest rates, etc. Is this the way India is going to prosper? They don’t really seem to be worried about all these problems , it is left for us to suffer in pain while they keep cashing on…

I am seeing an aggressive phase of elections in Indian history – the role of media to advertise candidates like it is some kind of a product that they are offering… I see them everywhere – on blogs, on TV and even on the local radio…. It is the new segment of Indian political drama!!!

End of it all – there will be no change – we will continue to have problems. We will still be targeted by terrorists while they will always get VIP protection, we will still have no valuable additions to our assets while they will show an increasing trend in the value of assets, we will still strive to add to our savings while they will cash it all in their bank account and all this in the name of growing India!!!

Obama says that Indians are the main competitors to the US and also that they are highly intimidated by us… But the reality something else… When all our talent is being eaten up by the politics of this country... We are cash rich country but unfortunately the cash is sitting with all the politicians and yet we beg IMF / World Bank for money each year.

Be Brave India. We still have to do our duty as all responsible citizens are required to do – Cast your Vote but think twice before you do that.

My day out

The long weekend was perfect way to spend two lazy days at home at the cost of one outside – well… that was the threat I gave my poor husband. Well whatd'ya expect, a girl needs a break after all! I just needed to cut loose from my crazy life!!!

So off we went on our drive!!! Roped in Shaatz & Dia and drove down to the old town of Mysore. It's about 130kms from Bangalore and takes you approx. 3 hrs to reach . We started around 9ish on the 11th (Sat), enroute stopped at Kadumane (at the outskirts of Blore) for a quick breakfast. Now, though I would have preferred Kamat Lokaruchi anytime we were too late and being a weekend, it would have definitely cost us a lot of time. That place is crowded even on a normal weekday… And weekend was totally out of question. The feedback on Kadumane – you might as well give it a pass…

The journey was nice with green pastures around when you move further from Bangalore. We finally reached Mysore around 12ish. Dia wanted to go to the Mysore Palace and we thought it would be a good idea for us to revisit the place and get a little nostalgic!!! Am sure all of us would have visited the palace during our school days…. After an hour & a half long trip around the palace (with the heat accompanying us) including a little bit of shopping (wee bit :-0), our tour of the old place got over at 2pm – just in time for lunch! We did work out quite an appetite!!!

For lunch we headed to another palace – Lalith Mahal (on the way to Chamundi Hills). Well, I was more than impressed with the palace than the food!!! But, we were so hungry that we would have even managed with grass if we could lay our hands on it. I had been there nearly 20 years ago and wanted to see if anything had changed (not that I remember it all that well)... I vaguely recall the place being so blue-blue and let me tell you that it hasn’t changed one bit!!!!

After a “bharjari oota” (sumptuous meal), we headed back to Bangalore around 3.30pm. Thankfully the weather gods were kind to us and the drive was a pleasant one with slight drizzle as well… The mood was perfect for some hot Chai (Coffee for me though) and some Maddur Vadas at Maddur Tiffany’s. With Sharath’s awesome driving skills on display, we finally reached home by 7pm, thus putting an end to my wonderful day out.
What the heck! It was fun to the core!!!

PS:- Unfortunately I have no pictures to show off!!!

Chikungunya

Is back and with the summer at its peak, it is infecting each door it passes.

My parents are infected with the disease for the last two days and what I do hear from our doc is that there has been an outburst reported recently, therefore my parent’s case does not come as a surprise to him.

What I do like to know from him is that, how did it manage to make an entry into my place with my mother ever so painstakingly particular about cleanliness not only at home but the surroundings as well. Now that’s a mystery to all.

And we try to find that one infected mosquito, I’ll leave you’ll with certain practical facts of the disease.

1. How do you catch Chikungunya – through a mosquito
2. Symptom – Usually begins with some pain in any part of the body, slowly moving to the whole body in totality and after which you’ll probably catch a shiver and finally fever (up to 103 degrees)
3. Duration – for an average adult, fever will probably last not more than 2 days or so but might take a while for the body to recuperate.
4. Action – Take a crocin immediately and rush to your nearest doc asap.
5. Diet – avoid all items of urad daal.

Precautions – since it is better than cure, my suggestion is sanitize your respective homes by whatever means you prefer be it Hit or burning a coil or by using any other disinfectant. My preference is Kachua chap coil. Just to inform you guys, normal All-out or Good Night mats WILL not help you in warding these mosquitoes.

Disclamer - The above mentioned action plans are from my own experience. Please use the best means you know.

Best of health always and keep clean.

Heatbeat

Seriously! Summer is something that I wholeheartedly hate… I wish it was winter all through, contrary to Sundru’s opinion (if it were for him I would have already melted away, the boy likes no fan/ air-condition even on a very hot summer day). Phew, we have two more months of such misery before rains strike again very typical of a Bangalore climate, we aren’t sure when the rains come or go or when it is sunny or not, the weather here has a mind of its own - if you’ve been here you’ll agree with me.

Usually the problem with Bangalore is, it gets highly affected with climatic/weather changes surrounding the place. For example if it rains in Chennai it will rain here and so on and so forth. It gets annoying after a while...

So, what do I do to beat the summer heat?
1. Drink lots and lots of water – preferably cold (earthen pot) not ice water (well that too sometimes, since I don’t have a clay pot at home)
2. Nice fresh homemade juice – nimboopani
3. Fan always at the maximum
4. No makeup – I do that either ways!
5. Wear loose cloths so that it doesn’t stick to your body - I like Kota -Doria sarees...very nice & cold... :)
6. Keep windows open all the time (there's a nice big tree right next to our apartment which keeps our drawing room cool)
7. Preferably if time permits have bath twice (again cold)
8. Drink lots of Tender coconut water - nothing like it
9. Dont venture out in the sun too much - not good for your tan as well as your head (gives me a headache)
10. Carry coolers all the time
11. Wash your face atleast 5 times - it's good for your skin too...
and last but not the least dont forget your sunblock.

Weekend Khana

Or should I say saappadu… with work and everything I simply don’t get enough time to cook an elaborate meal on weekdays… therefore when a weekend comes along, it’s time to put my culinary skills to test!!!

And last weekend was no different... Since it was long weekend (Friday was also off since it was a local festival celebrated here in Bangalore), I started my arrangements to cook my best stuff a little ahead itself. Usually during weekends I prefer to start with some South Indian stuff – for obvious reasons (Iyer connection) and I did the same last weekend as well...

The Menu included– Arachutta vengaya sambhar, Beans poriyal, kosumbari, Parrupu saadam, rice, curds and some vadaams to munch... I took about 3 hours to do this all… I know this is an elaborate one but when you have a hardcore tambram in your family, you’ve got to sweat it out. :-)

Hope the Iyer boy liked it as much as I enjoyed cooking for him – after all “the way to a man’s heart is though his stomach” which I am totally getting the hang of it by now…

Some pics following the cooking…

Chai ya Coffee?

A typical north Indian Marwari community girl will go with the former any day while I choose the latter. This is quite contrary to my husband (an Iyer) who is an out and out Chai person while I am a total coffee gal!!!

I am obsessed with coffee and that’s probably why I am writing a post dedicated to one of the most important components in my day-to-day life… I cannot start my day without a fresh cup of coffee, preferably filtered (south Indian style) and since I don’t know how to make it, it is often prepared by Sundru every morning. And days when he is not around then I am forced to make my own using Nescafe instant coffee (that’s the only instant powder I use – can’t stand the others).

My obsession to try the best coffees has made me wander to the ends of Bangalore just to find that perfect blend of coffee and chicory… now mind you if you are resident of Bangalore then you’ll definitely vouch for the pain of travel… well not that I drive so I have nothing to complain ;-) it’s the poor husband’s headache – not mine :-)

Coffee or filter coffee (which is most predominant in the southern part of India) uses coffee beans of Arabica, Robusta, Malabar and pea berry. There could be many more but these are the ones I know. They are sold in abundance in this part of the world under many brands like Bru, Cothas, to name a few which comes to my mind. I usually prefer locally sold bags which I frequently buy in bulk each time I visit places like Coorg, where they are abundantly produced.

My quest for good coffee has made me a frequenter to the following coffee bars in Bangalore:-
I am writing in the order of importance or favorites ranging from the most to the least…
1. Sundru’s :-) (obvious choice otherwise I will be deprived of the morning nirvana)
2. Brahmins (along with hot Idlis and the famous chutney)
3. CTR (again incomplete without benne masala dosa)
4. Adigas
5. Airlines (along with yummy Channa Bhatura)
6. Java city – Mysore coffee
7. Kalmane coffee
8. Brio
9. Barista (now owned by Lavazza)
10. Café coffee day

Missing in my list are perhaps international brands like Star Bucks or Costa ones – just to experience what the flavor is all about, that makes it crazy worldwide. It is yet to step into India.

I shall leave you’ll with a nice picture of my coffee along with some tatted creations of mine.

Change

Are we ready for it? I am not sure whether I am. Not when we cut down our precious trees to make way for the ingenious automotives all over the place. Where have the long speeches of global warming/ campaigns of a green world gone?

I am not sure whether I like living in Bangalore any more - the once so ever green Bangalore is suddenly transpiring into a concrete jungle day after day. Every road I take is undertaking some structural changes, am not denying that this could possibly result in a better infrastructural undertaking but why torture the greenery around?

One thing that I have noticed is that due to the average tree cuts there has been a direct impact on the climatic condition. While a few years back we would refrain from using fans even on a normal summer day/night we are now resolving to install air conditioning in our respective homes and thus resulting in larger energy consumption and obstruct the green world. It is a full cycle if you ask me.

Even before we would feel the pinch of the sun, we would be stormed by rains but alas...now we just wait for the rains and yet no sign of it. thankfully owing to the occasional depression in Bay of Bengal helps us now and then - at least sending us strong pleasant winds these days, making me just sit by my window sill or my balcony - but then again i hear from the met dept to be short lives and we can expect soaring temps in coming days. *sigh*

I am surprised that no one condemned these or acted against it, but then I don’t know why I am even waiting for them to do it. I think as good citizens we should all take a pledge to plant 10 trees for every single tree cut. Only that can save us now.

Here are some snapshots that I took shocking and disapprovingly the heartbreaking infrastructural changes on Sheshadri road, an on-route to my work place, while some are from the web and some others I happen to take from my Phone. They sure look disturbing now.

Can you clone yourself?

Coz, I could do with one right now. I am completely lost in life, mental and frustrated to the d.

The reason for the sudden emotional outburst is that, I have been really busy these days with absolutely no time to spare… my mornings is lost in cooking both bfast/ lunch, rest of the day finishes juggling btw some stupid forced work training alongside my official work, finally I drag myself out of the beastly place and reach home by 8.30 – 9pm and it literally takes me an effort to cook dinner and by the end of all this I am pooped out!

I wish I had a way in to another Sapna… otherwise I might just break myself into two very soon (figuratively though).

I am done for the day – I am finally going to hit the sack now and wishing tomorrow never comes.

Holi Hai!

The ever so colorful festival this year has come but does not knock our door.

We have decided to refrain from colors this year in view of the two recent painful deaths in the family. This is our way of paying tribute to my late uncle and grandfather.

Usually Holi for me is a very dull festival, as I have long forgotten to play with colors – last being the year 2004… I guess one thing is age and the other the pain to clear the color off your face. Also I have become conscious of the chemicals that go into puccka (real) colors… now that coming from a Marwari is surprising as we are considered very jubilant when it comes to such festivities.

And while I am sitting here in office (since I don’t have a holiday today and Sundru has one) scripting this entry he is spending his day at home watching movies and lazing around (sigh! Don’t we all want to do that?) . Being an Iyer he is celebrating the festival in true sense than I…

I still remember my first official holi after wedding in 2007, Sundru & I did play little holi in our bathroom just for shagun:-0 (Yes we did). He quotes me in saying that he too doesn’t like it for the same obvious reasons but secretly I think he wants to just that I don’t give him that much required company, needless to say along with chilling thandai with a little bhaang in it ;)

As far as this year goes, I did go to my sister’s place (playing my part of the daughter of my family and filling in for my mom who is away on a holy business). For shagun I did put a little gulaal (pink color) to all her family members carrying along some savories for the occasion.

So here’s wishing everyone a very happy and a colorful holi…

Soaring temperatures in recession

That’s a very heating subject. Bangalore is getting hotter and hotter day by day.

Latest temperature shows that Bangalore has hit the 35°C mark already and it is just the beginning of March. We have a long way to go through the summer. No relief in terms of rains as well, I see clear blue skies forever.

Sigh and with the recession, companies have altered their cost structure to cut off Air-conditioning after a certain timeline during the day!

All I can say is we are being hit left right and centre. :-(

We need rain…

Another attack

And this time in Pak itself targeting the cricketers. They have me guessing the motive behind these attacks and I hope they have made their point clear in contemplation to why they have planned these for.

It’s atrocious, instead of moving forward the world is moving backwards with talibanising and terrorizing the globe! Thank God the players are safe and that too at the cost of 5 other lives…

God please save us for we are desperately in need of you and your support!

Book reviews

I recently read two books back to back by Indu Sundaresan – The twentieth wife and a feast of roses. I had wanted to read the Twentieth wife for a very long time now but never found the book here in India; finally I managed to catch hold of it along with its sequel a feast of roses.

The story revolves around Mehrunnisa (Nur Jahan) who was the Twentieth wife of Emperor Jahangir – more so with Mehrunissa. The writer knows the history well as well as is very much aware of the extravagance the Mughals lived in at their rein and that’s just what I loved in this book.

The lushness is intricately described taking you way back in time with virtual hallucinations. Both the book in captivate you knowing that the end is predictable but what makes the read worthwhile is the journey of Mehrunissa from birth till death.

Surely a must read, they are one of the best I have come across esp. if you like history…well not too much of it also. The love binds us all and that’s the theme behind the book.

Mamta's Wedding

With all the bad news following us around from the beginning of this year, we were literally thinking of postponing my sister's wedding to later in the year – but like the saying goes, God’s will cannot be altered. And so it was that we decided to carry on the wedding.

Though a very low key affair, the wedding took place on 20th February 2009 and with great effort we managed to put on a big smile and made the event successful, after all my sister’s wedding doesn’t happen every other day, does it?

Thanks to my elder sis Mukti, who ran around so much that I have no words to thank her or praise her enough. She is definitely one of a kind and next to my mother to me… though just a couple of years older to me, she definitely acts like my mother at times :-)… and on top of everything she gave my family the best beautiful gift we ever asked – my sweet nephews Anuj and Darsh.

Well as far as my sister Mamta goes, we call her chotu at home – all I can say is she is no longer a chotu anymore…it was a bit weird to see her going away to a different house. I guess that felling is always there when every daughter gets wedded.

I hope the best for her in her new and the next phase in life.

Shraddhanjali

To my grandfather… we lost him on the 14th of Feb 2009. I guess god loved him so much that he decided to spend his valentines with him.

It has been a very tough year on our family, first we lost our Uncle on 31st Dec 2008 and then just after a month and a half we lost my grandpa. Two closest people ever in my mother’s life!

I leave a snapshot of him at my wedding ceremony.

A once in a life time opportunity!!!

Is what I would call my lunch date today with the dear husband… in all our 4 years of relationship there has never ever been a day wherein only the both of us have met for lunch on a working day, marking today an exception...

We had our sweet two hour lunch date at Fiorano, a small Italian restaurant in Koramangala. Over Crostini, Lasagna, Penne and a delicious dessert, we pretty much had little to say but just gobbled, enjoying each other's company…. But sadly we had to get back to work, thus tipping off our cute little endeavor to an end. :-(

Leaving you with a snapshot of him at lunch!!! My dashing hero eh????

Excitement or Nuisance???

Yesterday while shopping for my sister’s upcoming wedding (scheduled for next week), so engrossed was I that I failed to see Gautami, a yesteryear Tamil actress… not that I care for any actor or actress... am absolutely dispassionate about any of them (except for Aamir Khan of course ;-) )..

Well, I bumped into her yesterday while entering Lifestyle store on Richmond road… she was leaving the store after shopping and her inconsiderate driver had parked the car right at the entrance... this really pissed me off and I was literally swearing under by breath for that... not sure if she heard that but then who cares… and while she was wondering what I was actually upto, there was a huge crowd which had gathered to catch a glimpse of her (including the dear husband enquiring if I recognized her DUH!!! Is there a need?)... I felt that was really stupid...

They seemed awestruck and were gaping at her like she was a goddess or something - that's when I realized how crazy we Indians really are... we give so much importance to certain people who we hardly know... may be I would have been like that when I meet someone like Abdul Kalam – now he's really worth all the attention and not these bollywood/tollywood or any “wood” actors...

They have never managed to get that kind of attention from me and guess, will never in future as well – after all, they are also humans like us, have the similar problems like us, eat, sleep and do everything like us, so why give us that snooty behavior??? Such pity!!!

Later I thought I should have asked her about how Kamal was doing ;)…. That should have caught her off-guard – naughty me ;-)

Dev D

I just got out watching this movie sometime back... I hate to say I haven't seen such a movie in a very long time!


Couldn't digest it AT ALL..... total Crap!

My Travel Plan for the Year 2009

As per my resolution I made up a list of places in India that I would like to visit this year…

Here goes it

1. Coorg (can’t take it out as I’ve already done it)

2. Flameback/ Serai in chickmagalur

3. Goa of course – it’s been two years (plus Sundru has already gone alone last week :-0)

4. Karwar and Gokarna

5. Masinagudi jungle lodge

6. Northeast India

7. Rajasthan (very nostalgic :-()

8. Coimbatore (again very very nostalgic)

9. Windflower in Mysore (for the lovely massages)

10. Pondy? I am not sure on this one though but if I make it there then might as well club mahabalipuram along as well.

11. Delhi (wanna meet everybody) & Agra (Just for Taj and S&S posing in front of it ;))

12. Shimla & Kulla for the snow

Now what does the husband want to add to it?

Coorg!

My much awaited trip and the first one for this year… looks like I am at least following two of my resolutions religiously if not for the others… :) one blogging and the other traveling.

Here go the fine points of the trip...

Where – Coorg
When – 24th Jan to 26th Jan 2009
With whom – The Boyz
Why - ??? Do we really need a reason!

I have no strength to elaborate on the trip… it was great yet a tiring one – maybe later when I have the time to write perhaps… for now the pictures will tell our story.

I am off!

Yes! I need a break – this republic day long weekend came just in time.

This time it is to coorg… I remember the last time I visited the place… Man! It’s been 3 years since.

Pictures when I return. Tadaaaaaa

Oscars - Here we come eventually…

10 Oscar nominations for slumdog millionaire…. Awesome or what!!!!

It does deserve it and guess what I knew it would make it that far… I cant be happier than this but unfortunately it hasn’t even been mentioned in any of the Indian award ceremonies so far… we have just made it to all the debate in all the news channels for now again discussing the basis whether this can truly be called an Indian movie or not… what crap.

Sad story as usual, how conveniently we forget to appreciate good cinema and rather brag on stupid useless Shah Rukh khan movies… senseless.

I hardly have any regards towards any of the Indian awards and I am in total agreement with Aamir khan for his behavior towards them.

But then Oscars are a class apart, they don’t think twice to appreciate good cinema… sadly we have to go that far off to get our movie respected.

One thing that really couldn’t make it to the Oscars is our very own Taare Zameen Par… I wanted it to win – I still can’t stop my tears every time I watch the movie…

But nevertheless I am satisfied with the recent nominations and I hope we bag it all…

To AR Rahman… way to go dude, you rock! This man never ceases to amaze me with his music and he is taking India to different heights altogether.

Make way ladies and gentlemen… we Indians have finally arrived.

What would you do?

1. If the husband constantly annoys you by working long hours in spite of your repeated futile efforts to remind him about his family?

2. If he runs away from small domestic responsibility though you continue to jog his memory on them each day?

3. If he keeps rambling about his work yet is engrossed in it day in and day out?

4. If he ruins your weekend by working from home (WFH) while you get bored!

5. If you still cannot get back home early and end up reaching around 9pm every day?

6. If you have to wake up early cook breakfast and lunch and get to work by 10am?

7. If you continue to put your best efforts both at work and at home and yet get unnoticed.

8. If you have a long list of to do things and they conveniently still remain to do.

9. Finally and the most important when he doesn’t let you shop?

I am not sure why the sudden outburst but I am certain it is very easy to guess where it is coming from. Looking back at my list the culprit is clearly strewn across.

*sigh* if only he realizes… Ohhh Darn him!

Who wants to be a millionaire?

That's the entire story summed up for you in the movie slumdog millionaire. With all the golden globe awards and the entire hullabaloo being thrown up I had to get my hands on this cd, and after a lot of trying I finally got to see it last weekend. What’s my take on the movie – well here it is,

Story – mind-blowing – I just love the way in which Jamal (Dev Patel) goes around unwinding how he knew the answers to all the questions in such a gruesome yet truthful way that you just stand amazed. And all for his lady love Latika (Freida Pinto). Now I have lived in India forever and never imagined such a disturbing lifestyle the slum or rather the below poverty line people have to spend each day, it's making me think and yet the movie just flings back the harshness on your face without shame.

Actors – well I guess the success of it says it all… it has some of the finest actors like Irfan khan who is of course my fav though in a very small negligible role and Anil Kapoor who is somehow like this unconventional villain, I like that I haven't seen him in that avatar. And of course the new comers Dev and Frieda and his brother Salim (I dunno his name). Mahesh Manjrekar – there isn't anything familiar with him and I choose to ignore.

Direction – literal Perfection, no wonder it is bagging all the awards. It is beautifully done and the harshness is because the story demands and revolves around it. Danny Boyle just strikes that perfect sentimental emotional twine. I was touched at the same time moved at the sheer fact of poverty.

Music – Another AR Rehman’s creation. Dint get overexcited with the music except for Latika’s theme and Jai ho. Having said that, it is no secret that AR Rehman’s Music grows over time, you might not like it the first time you hear but definitely it parasites on you till you actually start loving it. RDB, Jaane tu ya jaane na are among the few.

There has been lot of gossip and criticism going on with regards to this particular movie but then hey it is their opinion. I hear that even AB didn’t like the movie criticized Slumdog Millionaire for portraying India as a "Third World dirty underbelly developing nation". But that’s what we really are – all the glamour has overshadowed the real truth. In fact I know a lot of people Indians moved out of here to different first world countries and when they return to homeland they haven’t one single good thing to talk about it. This is Sad – this is where we got our basics no matter how it is. The westerners never say that about their country do they?

I am not critical in saying he is wrong in doing so but sure that wasn’t the director’s motive. I totally agree the movie’s concept of celebration of human spirit.

I am not a critic but I am a movie buff and in saying so I am not unenthusiastic and unobliged to give my final verdict on the movie - It is a must watch whether you are an Indian or not and if you are an Indian you’ve got to see it for it reflects the true Indian spirit – never give up! I wish and pray that this movie bags an Oscar cos it is worth the entire hullabaloo. And it is the Brit’s gift to us!!! If I may say so…

Music

To borrow a few words from Berthold Auerbach

“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life”

And so true it is… Music just drains everything out. Some of them are so captivating that you can immediately forget everything.

Music for me from the start of my life has always been an essential element – be it Ma humming bhajans of Anup Jhalota while I would get ready to school
Or
spending all my pocket money in pick and pack dept store buying the latest albums and then bullying my sister for her pocket money
Or
now with the guitar strings killing me out as Sunil tries to master the instrument and listen to this - I sing the verses for him (ouch!) I am surprisingly more and more inclined towards it.

I was mostly westernized on the music front then, I loved the then rock bands or the romantic songs of the new boys band but never was I keen towards Indian music. That’s a change now after living with Sunil that I have become more apt towards Indian music. My personal interest has taken a rapid drift.

I am now familiar with the Indian singers and to such an extent that I can actually recognize their voice and Sunil does his bit by constantly checking that on me lol…

I am not a trained singer but then am not bad at it either. Sunil who has learned carnatic can definitely vouch for that, he is a fabulous singer btw and very apt when it comes to music. It’s his Joy :-) if i can say that. I am forcing him to take it up more seriously now. I feel if you adore something that dearly then you shouldn’t really give up.

There is so much to say but then am sure the feeling is mutual when it comes to the topic. I’ll just leave a few favorites of mine which has defiantly left an impression on me!

A sneak peek at what’s running in my Ipod these days!

Albums

Vaaranam Ayiram – Just pure melody… I have no other words to describe the music and I don’t want to waste writing on it as I have decided to dedicate a post whole and exclusively on it.
Jodha Akbar esp.Khwaja Mere Khawaja – yet another master piece from AR Rehman, he has won the award for the year 2008. I am a huge fan of Sufi music and AR Rehman is wonderful with Sufi composition. Another one that I can think of is Haji ali and of course who can forget dama dam mast kalender.

Siliunnu oru kaadal – Just simply love it – it has it all from folk (I love Tamil Folk btw) to AR Rehman’s NewYork song, simply marvelous!

Umrao Jaan – unchained melody – if I can borrow that from Todd Duncan…. It doesn’t stop captivating even after 30 years and Asha bhosle’s created history with it… she doesn’t get better than this.

Dor – A classic movie again and wonderful music, it’s inspirational that’s all there is to it.

Rock On – what Music – am surprised that we Indians can rock :-) as I said earlier I love the western touch to music and Rock on does just that – watch out for Farhan Akhtar, an entertainer, I can’t believe that he isn’t a singer by profession. He should be.

Masoom – That’s very close to my heart, I’ve been brought up with Lakadi ki katti and Do naina aur ek khahani, Huzur is kadar, tujhse naaraz nahin zindagi. I realized that it has more meaning to it as I grew up. Ghazals are always important to me; I feel it is untainted in itself, though I am sure Sunil wouldn’t agree to this – Ghazals are one thing he isn’t familiar with.

ABBA – nothing new here, whoever has heard it can vouch for me.

Pudhiya Mugham– I can only smile when I think of this – I sang netru illada maatrum the day I got married and what perfect way to start the new life :-)

KanduKonden Kandukonden - I love the movie and the songs... There is something more to it but each time I listen to this album I really feel refreshed. AR Rehman is just too good.

Solos

Ek Chalees ki last local
Meri Kahani by Atif Aslam
Apadi Podi from the movie Gilli
Graduation song friends forever – Vitamin C
Haji Ali – Fiza
Superstar by Jamelia
Alai Payuthey from Alai Payuthe
Sneghidane again from Alai payuthe
Pachai Nirame:-) I have very fond memories connected to this one.
Hero by Mariah carey
Tumse hi from Jab we Met

Looking back at my list I can clearly see that Indian music dominates my list. I guess it is a matter of choice really.

Resolutions for 2009

Every year I try to make a list of to do things and just like everyone and by practice I try to make up a list on the day one beginning of the New Year, and I usually do this mentally. Well that just stops at that after marking the requirements/ for the year I somehow misplace the paper rather the Mind loses it as we progress further into the year ;).

And just like every year this year too I have thought of a few things that I’d like to change. And this time around I am trying to be very determined to hold that thought and do not want to overlook the list (how funny, I say that every year)… that’s why I decided to blog it away so that I DON’T FORGET IT. I hope!

So here is my record of out with the old bring in the new and a little explanation as to why it makes it into the list of 2009.


1.To wake up early – early to bed early to rise makes Sapna healthy, wealthy and wise.

In the whole of my 28 years there have been just a handful of times when I’ve actually got up early, so handful that I can barely count. I have hardly seen the sun rise! And as I advance into the later wedlock years I have realized how important it is to have time on your side.

The inspiration actually comes for the dear husby who makes it a point to rise early each day. I am so jealous.

2. To save Money – a penny today makes a rupee tomorrow, a penny saved is a penny earned.
Sigh don’t we all want to do that! I think the world has become so materialistic that everything revolves around liquidity.

3. To read a lot of books - "Woe be to him that reads but one book." Herbert.
I love books any kind, make it a mystery novel or a comic or even a teen book… I love reading them all. This year I want to read a lot of it. I feel nothing else relaxes me other than a cup of fresh coffee and a nice book. I’ve decided that I’d want to read a minimum of 50 books.

4.To take up another craft hobby – My quest to learn something new never quenches. Last year it was crochet and this year I am trying to learn new different crafting techniques. There are two of craft ideas that come to my mind, pottery and wire jewelry. On pottery am yet to find the source but for the later I fished out a book from my sister’s craft library and now I seek resources to start.

5. To travel to a minimum of 10 destinations- Though I am not a travel freak but would still like to see new places. This change in me is attributed to the dear husband who craves for travel. I just thought I’ll add this entry to heep him happy.

6.To walk/exercise - Yes this is again an inspiration drawn from the husband, who am sure will be the most happiest if I try to take this up seriously. I want to wake up early and go for a nice little walk. I used to do that once I moved into my new place but then as I got used to the new cozy bed I abandoned the idea altogether. When it comes to excercise I hate to admit that I am extremely lazy. I'd run a mile when spoken on the subject.

7. Control on my expenses – Thanks to internet I managed to spend all my salary last year on a lot of things by shopping online. E-money can be dangerous you know, esp when you have access to it all through the day. you wouldnt believe how much I spent on online stores and by the time that realization struck me the damage was already done. Well better late than never.

8. To cook different recipes – This is coming from a very tired cook – I face this difficulty each day trying my best to crack my brains to eat something new and different. I am bored of the stuff I eat L… this one goes out especially to the husband. No matter how much I plead him he refuses to come up with ideas and then I am left with no other option to cook the same usual recipes time and over again. I feel like drawing up a time table every start of the week as I just know what to cook each day. Mind you the timetable never changes!

9. And finally to be more regular on the blogging front J now that’s a challenge.

So far the activities seem pretty small but mind you this list isn’t exhaustive. As I think of many more changes I’ll defiantly try and share it all.

Now I have tried my best to keep me happy as well as the husband cos here are a few things am sure he’d want to see them change in me… are you in agreement now dear?