You turn 2 today. Well technically, you are much older considering I've written and deleted you innumerable times earlier. However, just as last year, I want to thank you for being a constant in my life. I love this relationship we share. I can rant to you about almost anything and I know you will listen. We share a lot of private notes in this very public space and sometimes its just us who know what we are talking about. You've seen it all in these 2 years. Rants,promotions,friends,foes,break-ups and make-ups and let me warn you, this is only the beginning.
Anyway thank you once again for helping me go through this roller-coaster of a journey called life with knowing that I have a companion to share my deepest desires,secrets,rants, sorrows and happiness!
Here's to us! I can say I love you, and truly mean it!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Going going gone!
So I'm off tonight, for a well deserved (or so I would like to believe), vacation. Will be off for 20 odd days to spend some time in a land far far away from my beloved Bomcity. Looking forward, to meeting some friends, family, seeing a few cities I've always wanted to, and basically looking forward to doing a lot of things I have not done before.
Things I'm dreading- The long long longgg flight to get there. Passing through Brussels and not stopping by (I love the city for obvious reasons). The rain, turbulence, slimy immigration officers in India, the excess luggage issues on landing (friends need food..haha) and of course some digusting aunty or uncle who will be seated next to me on the flight
I'm running away for a little bit, away from people, away from work, away from everything known to experience a whole new life (Will miss the folks though). This will not be the typical run-in-the mill sort of a touristy holiday, it will be an adventure. A positive one I hope.
Anyway more about my experience...once I'm back. Wish me luck and a safe journey!
I will have a lotttt of time on my hand because there will be lot of times where I will be alone. I'm looking forward to using up this time to clear a lot of confusion in my mind, some thoughts, some strong pending decisions which I hope to take once I'm back.
Ok then, have a flight to catch soon. Canada awaits!
PS: I also look forward to the shopping
Things I'm dreading- The long long longgg flight to get there. Passing through Brussels and not stopping by (I love the city for obvious reasons). The rain, turbulence, slimy immigration officers in India, the excess luggage issues on landing (friends need food..haha) and of course some digusting aunty or uncle who will be seated next to me on the flight
I'm running away for a little bit, away from people, away from work, away from everything known to experience a whole new life (Will miss the folks though). This will not be the typical run-in-the mill sort of a touristy holiday, it will be an adventure. A positive one I hope.
Anyway more about my experience...once I'm back. Wish me luck and a safe journey!
I will have a lotttt of time on my hand because there will be lot of times where I will be alone. I'm looking forward to using up this time to clear a lot of confusion in my mind, some thoughts, some strong pending decisions which I hope to take once I'm back.
Ok then, have a flight to catch soon. Canada awaits!
PS: I also look forward to the shopping
Thursday, June 17, 2010
SRK- Naam toh suna hoga?
Only once in your life (that too if you're lucky enough) will you meet someone like SRK. Before I begin this post, let me clarify that SRK does not (which you will definitely realize as you read further) refer to Shahrukh (who I think is awesome) but is a nickname for somebody, meeting who was an encounter I will never forget in my life. I hope you enjoy this post as much as I have enjoyed my time spent with SRK.
It was roughly 60 days ago when I spoke to him on the phone for the first time. I had called, wanting to speak to someone else, but landed up in a long conversation with him that day. His persistence was evident even through that conversation. While talking to him that day, I realized that I was soon going to be a part of a long project far away from home with a few strangers and SRK in tow.
My next encounter with SRK was at the train station where I met him physically for the first time. This was after a series of long conversations of constant questions fired by him almost continuously. Haha well to be honest, he was nothing like he had claimed to be. No washboards abs, no Tom Cruise resemblance nothing, but trust me when I say I wasn't surprised when this 5 feet 7 inch "boy" came up to me, said hi and ran off to meet a few "celebrities" he claimed he knew who were at a nearby coffee shop.
Not quite sure if the celebrity knew who he was but SRK claimed to have had jamming sessions with older brother. Anyway, you know those days when things just don't go your way? the celebrity was seated next to SRK all through the train journey, right until we reached our destination :)
After spending a few days with SRK I realized that he was a piece. A sample. Someone so unique that you won't find one of the same kind even if you kept looking for years. At this point I would like to introduce 2 strangers on this same trip who later became close friends. Lets call them A and A1. The first memory I have of SRK was a dinner we went to at a local bar where he claimed that the Singaporean waitress was hitting on him who in reality was so confused because he spoke to her in French, something which she did not even understand. A1 and me tried hard to explain to SRK that the waitress may not be as interested as he thought she was, but we were shunned by comments like he could feel positive vibes and something about her mentally checking him out :) Obviously A1 and me did not miss further opportunities to egg him to ask her out which eventually did not happen. However there was a mental French connection! Apparently!
One afternoon when A1 and me just decided to chill hanging around at a book store, SRK and A went sightseeing and shopping, and I have never ever felt so bad for A in my life. A was following SRK's directions unfortunately and landed up reaching the mall in 60 minutes when they could've just gotten there in 20 thanks to all the French SRK spoke in a land where no-one understood what he was saying :) SRK bought bitter chocolates for his grand-mom who had diabetes thinking that bitter chocolates contain no sugar!! Hahahaha! In A's exact words "His grand-mother would have tapakofied had I not stopped him from buying the chocolates in the nick of time".
SRK was an all rounder- A musician, a poet, a linguist, a romantic who was in love with places you've never even heard of. He could eat 1/2 kilo of bitter chocolate at one go, randomly jam or at least pretend to with street musicians,and speak in languages as unheard of as the countries I mentioned earlier.
He has prayed with resteraunters, jammed with celebrities, recited in front of international audiences and the works. He is someone who lives by his instinct. At one point, he wanted to perform a cleansing ritual (Indian style) at an internationally acclaimed hotel, as the rooms there gave him neagtive vibes, so you can imagine the craziness I am talking about.
No words will ever be able to describe our days with SRK. I don't think anyone has ever tested my patience as much as he did and although I pretty much did what I could to keep shut, we ended up in a quarrel on one of the days, during this journey. SRK was a specimen- he would get lost and not know to get back, tie his jacket backwards because it reminded him of one of his 105 girlfriends, eat- 2 appetizers, 3-entrees and at least 2 deserts and tell me how much weight he has lost cause I haven't given him enough food to eat :), carry 2 t-shirts on a 7 day trip and the works.
Being the responsible fool I am, I did look out for him at times, which is why ultimately I reminded him of his grandmom who apparently looked out for him similarly :) Obviously I stopped once I heard this statement.
Meeting SRK in my life was an oppurtunity which not too many people have. A and A1 would agree. Words cannot really describe a few incidents and other times we shared, but trust me when I say, these days I will never forget!
It was roughly 60 days ago when I spoke to him on the phone for the first time. I had called, wanting to speak to someone else, but landed up in a long conversation with him that day. His persistence was evident even through that conversation. While talking to him that day, I realized that I was soon going to be a part of a long project far away from home with a few strangers and SRK in tow.
My next encounter with SRK was at the train station where I met him physically for the first time. This was after a series of long conversations of constant questions fired by him almost continuously. Haha well to be honest, he was nothing like he had claimed to be. No washboards abs, no Tom Cruise resemblance nothing, but trust me when I say I wasn't surprised when this 5 feet 7 inch "boy" came up to me, said hi and ran off to meet a few "celebrities" he claimed he knew who were at a nearby coffee shop.
Not quite sure if the celebrity knew who he was but SRK claimed to have had jamming sessions with older brother. Anyway, you know those days when things just don't go your way? the celebrity was seated next to SRK all through the train journey, right until we reached our destination :)
After spending a few days with SRK I realized that he was a piece. A sample. Someone so unique that you won't find one of the same kind even if you kept looking for years. At this point I would like to introduce 2 strangers on this same trip who later became close friends. Lets call them A and A1. The first memory I have of SRK was a dinner we went to at a local bar where he claimed that the Singaporean waitress was hitting on him who in reality was so confused because he spoke to her in French, something which she did not even understand. A1 and me tried hard to explain to SRK that the waitress may not be as interested as he thought she was, but we were shunned by comments like he could feel positive vibes and something about her mentally checking him out :) Obviously A1 and me did not miss further opportunities to egg him to ask her out which eventually did not happen. However there was a mental French connection! Apparently!
One afternoon when A1 and me just decided to chill hanging around at a book store, SRK and A went sightseeing and shopping, and I have never ever felt so bad for A in my life. A was following SRK's directions unfortunately and landed up reaching the mall in 60 minutes when they could've just gotten there in 20 thanks to all the French SRK spoke in a land where no-one understood what he was saying :) SRK bought bitter chocolates for his grand-mom who had diabetes thinking that bitter chocolates contain no sugar!! Hahahaha! In A's exact words "His grand-mother would have tapakofied had I not stopped him from buying the chocolates in the nick of time".
SRK was an all rounder- A musician, a poet, a linguist, a romantic who was in love with places you've never even heard of. He could eat 1/2 kilo of bitter chocolate at one go, randomly jam or at least pretend to with street musicians,and speak in languages as unheard of as the countries I mentioned earlier.
He has prayed with resteraunters, jammed with celebrities, recited in front of international audiences and the works. He is someone who lives by his instinct. At one point, he wanted to perform a cleansing ritual (Indian style) at an internationally acclaimed hotel, as the rooms there gave him neagtive vibes, so you can imagine the craziness I am talking about.
No words will ever be able to describe our days with SRK. I don't think anyone has ever tested my patience as much as he did and although I pretty much did what I could to keep shut, we ended up in a quarrel on one of the days, during this journey. SRK was a specimen- he would get lost and not know to get back, tie his jacket backwards because it reminded him of one of his 105 girlfriends, eat- 2 appetizers, 3-entrees and at least 2 deserts and tell me how much weight he has lost cause I haven't given him enough food to eat :), carry 2 t-shirts on a 7 day trip and the works.
Being the responsible fool I am, I did look out for him at times, which is why ultimately I reminded him of his grandmom who apparently looked out for him similarly :) Obviously I stopped once I heard this statement.
Meeting SRK in my life was an oppurtunity which not too many people have. A and A1 would agree. Words cannot really describe a few incidents and other times we shared, but trust me when I say, these days I will never forget!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
! Life's like that
Been away from the blog long enough. Not really. Just don't have much to say these days.Trying to survive in this muggy business called life.
Life has been pretty much the regular. Routine go to work come back, hang out with friends on the weekend, the usual. Travel has been at its minimum. Haven't been aroung too much after my last trip in April, umm well technically thats not too long ago, but you know what I mean right?
Planning to go on a longish vacation this month. Be away from everyone and everything around me (you can exclude the folks from this one). One really bad habit I have. I disconnect myself from things and people really close to me sometimes and although they (At least the people) tend to think I'm cold and snobbish, that is not the case. I care, I really really do. I'm just not very good with emoting and hardly ever really show what I feel. This attitude (pretend to care-a-damn but actually really care) had got me and still gets me into loads of trouble with people . I should really try and let people know how I feel. But by the time I try, they are already far far away.
Why people, I mean even my poor Blackberry must think what a lousy owner I have. Doesnt even care to glance a look at me on the weekends. Little does he know that he is like my soulmate and I'd die without him in my life! Sigh! I wish people understood me better, well how can they? It's not like I ever give people a chance to get that close anyway!
Diverging slightly from the topic, my close friend from school got married 2 weekends ago. M and I have been really thick since we were in Standard 5. Although we parted ways after school and continued our studies in different fields we always managed to keep in touch. M introduced me to A while we were in Std 11th which is when she met him and I thought he was a complete sweet heart. M and A finally tied the knot after a courtship of 7 odd years and I couldn't have been happier for them. I met S after a gap of 5-6 years at the wedding (S,M and me were best buds in school) and the gap just didn't seem to exist. Things seemed just the same as they were, only thing different being that we were attending M's wedding and not birthday party :)
S and I were remembering our days in school. Apparently I had a passion for traveling ever since I was 12, S recalls. Although at 12 I told her I wanted to be a travel journalist which I am not quite today, the passion still continues. S however thinks that my approach towards my profession has drastically changed from the last time she met me (Which was around 5-7 years ago). She finds me thinking less creatively and more logically and practically than before. Well to put it exactly in her words, I am not that jhola journalist wannabe anymore, but I am more of a cold blooded, profit oriented, corporate slave :). Well S you couldn't be more correct in your judgment.
So weddings apart last week I visited the new Indigo Deli at Phoenix and I absolutely loved it. Went to meet a friend (N) and happened to also catch up with her friend (M) and trust me I really wish I could go back in time and punch her.
M was this typical Delhi-ite! Now please don't get me wrong. I love Delhi as a city, and although I am a pure bred Bombay-ite, I am totally over those Delhi-Bombay debates. I think both cities have their own charm and basically suit yourself. If you like Delhi, live there if you don't move out! M went on and on and on about how dirty the city is, the pollution, the lack of bling (loser alert!) and I don't know what else because in order to save myself from socking her in the face I had to switch off from the conversation and dig deep into the pizza (Which btw is totally recommended). What surprised me the most however was that this same M who had been bitching the hell out of Bombay for at least an hour and a half was visiting Mumbai (Staying at the 4 seasons mind you) for the 5th time on a vacation. I mean for that much money she could have just gone to Bangkok instead!!! If you hate Bombay so much, don't come here! We are anyway short of space in this city and you will only be doing us a favour!
Coming back to "the job", yeah you read an awful lot of my job stories on the blog don't you? I have like 2 people I can proudly call friends at work. I have a lot of accquaintances and friends as well, but there are very few people I let into my real space. I am very private by nature and share my true feelings, opinions and the works with very few people. So over the 2 years I've spent in my current job I managed to make 2 such friends. S1 and S2. We spent most of our 2 years together as in India one does spend more time at the workplace rather than outside of it. We had our quarrels, arguments but shared some amazing moments together. The lunches, the working overtime, boss bitching, office gossip, random rubbish, meetings, travels, parties, nightouts, dinners and what not. Sadly for me S1 and S2 both resigned last night. I didn't really see this coming and was really upset and happy for them at the same time especially for S1 as she is really moving to a better oppurtunity. S2 hasn't quite figured out what he wants yet, but I guess he needs this break to sort it out within himself. Once I am back from this long vacation that I am planning to take (God knows when and where though) I will also have to take certain decisions on the work front. Rather important, maybe life changing decisions. I just hope they work out in my favour. I'm not very good with this whole decision making process.
Meanwhile I am so glad I met H and N in Brussels in April. I have really found such close friends in them and it surprises me how we got along so well in such a short period of time. H claims he has the best sense of humour and I think he does. Meanwhile N and I have so much in common that there is never a dull moment with her around. I'm also really glad I found a friend in H1, Again, even though we don't meet too often whenever we do, our random conversations range from Obama to Bollywood gossip and lots and lots of white wine :)
Yeah so this is basically an update (A long pending update) of what has been going on in my life currently.The FIFA World Cup 2010 begins this Friday and I am obviously supporting Torres and Spain! But going by my past records of always supporting the team that loses I'm kinda scared for them! Let's hope they prove me wrong.
I have also come to believe of late that theres no point holding a grudge or anything against a person, because as time passes everything fades away and you never know who you will need when. I've really calmed down or so I would like to believe (not reaching nirvana still going to hell) comparitively and have really stopped paying attention to petty issues. Where you start is ultimately where you end, I've had a fabulous start and I hope my life completes a fantastic Full Circle when it ends. After all as Creed puts it "Rearrange and distance makes the pain fade away. So important then, doesnt matter now, both feet on the ground, we've come Full Circle!
Life has been pretty much the regular. Routine go to work come back, hang out with friends on the weekend, the usual. Travel has been at its minimum. Haven't been aroung too much after my last trip in April, umm well technically thats not too long ago, but you know what I mean right?
Planning to go on a longish vacation this month. Be away from everyone and everything around me (you can exclude the folks from this one). One really bad habit I have. I disconnect myself from things and people really close to me sometimes and although they (At least the people) tend to think I'm cold and snobbish, that is not the case. I care, I really really do. I'm just not very good with emoting and hardly ever really show what I feel. This attitude (pretend to care-a-damn but actually really care) had got me and still gets me into loads of trouble with people . I should really try and let people know how I feel. But by the time I try, they are already far far away.
Why people, I mean even my poor Blackberry must think what a lousy owner I have. Doesnt even care to glance a look at me on the weekends. Little does he know that he is like my soulmate and I'd die without him in my life! Sigh! I wish people understood me better, well how can they? It's not like I ever give people a chance to get that close anyway!
Diverging slightly from the topic, my close friend from school got married 2 weekends ago. M and I have been really thick since we were in Standard 5. Although we parted ways after school and continued our studies in different fields we always managed to keep in touch. M introduced me to A while we were in Std 11th which is when she met him and I thought he was a complete sweet heart. M and A finally tied the knot after a courtship of 7 odd years and I couldn't have been happier for them. I met S after a gap of 5-6 years at the wedding (S,M and me were best buds in school) and the gap just didn't seem to exist. Things seemed just the same as they were, only thing different being that we were attending M's wedding and not birthday party :)
S and I were remembering our days in school. Apparently I had a passion for traveling ever since I was 12, S recalls. Although at 12 I told her I wanted to be a travel journalist which I am not quite today, the passion still continues. S however thinks that my approach towards my profession has drastically changed from the last time she met me (Which was around 5-7 years ago). She finds me thinking less creatively and more logically and practically than before. Well to put it exactly in her words, I am not that jhola journalist wannabe anymore, but I am more of a cold blooded, profit oriented, corporate slave :). Well S you couldn't be more correct in your judgment.
So weddings apart last week I visited the new Indigo Deli at Phoenix and I absolutely loved it. Went to meet a friend (N) and happened to also catch up with her friend (M) and trust me I really wish I could go back in time and punch her.
M was this typical Delhi-ite! Now please don't get me wrong. I love Delhi as a city, and although I am a pure bred Bombay-ite, I am totally over those Delhi-Bombay debates. I think both cities have their own charm and basically suit yourself. If you like Delhi, live there if you don't move out! M went on and on and on about how dirty the city is, the pollution, the lack of bling (loser alert!) and I don't know what else because in order to save myself from socking her in the face I had to switch off from the conversation and dig deep into the pizza (Which btw is totally recommended). What surprised me the most however was that this same M who had been bitching the hell out of Bombay for at least an hour and a half was visiting Mumbai (Staying at the 4 seasons mind you) for the 5th time on a vacation. I mean for that much money she could have just gone to Bangkok instead!!! If you hate Bombay so much, don't come here! We are anyway short of space in this city and you will only be doing us a favour!
Coming back to "the job", yeah you read an awful lot of my job stories on the blog don't you? I have like 2 people I can proudly call friends at work. I have a lot of accquaintances and friends as well, but there are very few people I let into my real space. I am very private by nature and share my true feelings, opinions and the works with very few people. So over the 2 years I've spent in my current job I managed to make 2 such friends. S1 and S2. We spent most of our 2 years together as in India one does spend more time at the workplace rather than outside of it. We had our quarrels, arguments but shared some amazing moments together. The lunches, the working overtime, boss bitching, office gossip, random rubbish, meetings, travels, parties, nightouts, dinners and what not. Sadly for me S1 and S2 both resigned last night. I didn't really see this coming and was really upset and happy for them at the same time especially for S1 as she is really moving to a better oppurtunity. S2 hasn't quite figured out what he wants yet, but I guess he needs this break to sort it out within himself. Once I am back from this long vacation that I am planning to take (God knows when and where though) I will also have to take certain decisions on the work front. Rather important, maybe life changing decisions. I just hope they work out in my favour. I'm not very good with this whole decision making process.
Meanwhile I am so glad I met H and N in Brussels in April. I have really found such close friends in them and it surprises me how we got along so well in such a short period of time. H claims he has the best sense of humour and I think he does. Meanwhile N and I have so much in common that there is never a dull moment with her around. I'm also really glad I found a friend in H1, Again, even though we don't meet too often whenever we do, our random conversations range from Obama to Bollywood gossip and lots and lots of white wine :)
Yeah so this is basically an update (A long pending update) of what has been going on in my life currently.The FIFA World Cup 2010 begins this Friday and I am obviously supporting Torres and Spain! But going by my past records of always supporting the team that loses I'm kinda scared for them! Let's hope they prove me wrong.
I have also come to believe of late that theres no point holding a grudge or anything against a person, because as time passes everything fades away and you never know who you will need when. I've really calmed down or so I would like to believe (not reaching nirvana still going to hell) comparitively and have really stopped paying attention to petty issues. Where you start is ultimately where you end, I've had a fabulous start and I hope my life completes a fantastic Full Circle when it ends. After all as Creed puts it "Rearrange and distance makes the pain fade away. So important then, doesnt matter now, both feet on the ground, we've come Full Circle!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
I will never forget...
- The day Mom dressed me up as a "bunch of grapes" for a fancy dress competition. (I was 4 and won the first prize btw)
- Mom and me fighting every morning on "Why milk is good for you". Little did she imagine that I'd be a fan someday
- Proposing to go vegetarian every 1st January and failing miserably.
- Accidentally bumping into SRK while watching Darr. The photograph is too embarassing to upload but the memory, priceless
- Being devastated at losing my first elocution competition
- Treating cricket as a religion and India's loss to Pakistan as the end of the world
- Having the drawing teacher, hold up my painting, show it to the class and state how even a street food vendor would not sell food in this sheet of paper
- Playing trump cards under the desk during class
- Going home for lunch from school and never going back
- Composing and recording a song for my maid (Indu bai)
- Being disappointed at the officers not stamping my passport during my first trip abroad (It was Nepal:))
- My Mickey Mouse birthday cake which was so huge that it couldn't fit into our car and we didn't know what to do with it
- My first official date. (First New Year Eve without parents, we were about 16)
- My first online crush
- First time I traveled alone. Got upgraded on the London flight too! (Delhi- domestic, London- International)
- Playing, singing, staring and dancing in the rain
- Ajay Jadeja (*drools*)
- 6 of us ending up in colleage wearing the same clothes (blue jeans and black tshirts unintentionally). We looked like jackasses
- My first time in a local train. Chaos!!
- My ICQ number
- My first barbie doll (I still have it)
- The first time I saw my name in print. My first international presentation
- Taking a rickshaw through all the flooded streets to get a "feel" of the monsoon season and getting abused by the drivers later
- Hitting a six while playing cricket- Gulmarg- Kashmir
- Falling flat on my face in a casino in Nepal
- Winning 3 pounds in London slots. Spent them on fish and chips
- Eating gajar ka halwa on Mount Titlis in Switzerland
- Getting R's photo on my Malaysian visa
- My ICU experience
- The day I lost nana
- My first sangeet performance
Monday, February 1, 2010
Butter Chicken in Chennai, Dosa in Delhi- It's a contradictory life!
January 2010
1/12 of the year is already over! Like any other year beginning January 2010 has flown past!
That could also be cause I traveled to all the 4 major metros in 8 odd days around mid-Jan. It was hectic but a really productive trip work and otherwise. Met some great people along the way, caught up with a long lost friend who was (luckily for me) stuck with work in Chennai after 10 odd years. It was so much fun, driving around and getting completely lost in Chennai only to find the perfect Italian restaurant. (Italian in Chennai- haha don't say it, I know). And of course A's highly recommended Amethyst cafe which by the way totally lived up to its described standards.
Delhi was freezing (Yes, I am a Bombay girl) and foggy and a completely different experience. The boss recommended a really nice Indian restaurant for the firangs with me called "Vedaa" to eat at. Good food but boy it was expensive! Rohit Bal's I think.
Never thought I'd meet P and gang who did manage to sneak out of work even though for a little bit. And then there was A, who I finally managed to meet after God only knows how many months. He took me to "Big Chill" where we ate the most delicious cheesecake (Irish something). They really need to open up in Bombay soon. Really missed catching up with the cousins though.
You know that's what I like about everyone I know in Delhi (well most of them). The special effort they take just to make sure they meet me even if it's for a bit every single time I visit. Really love all of them for this. Yep! the long lasting forever type!
Anyway moving on, Kolkata was a whole new experience all together. A couple of us went wandering around the city, me with a genuine belief that I will find Ganguly somewhere. Alas! no Sauron anywhere :( Weather wise Kolkata was the best..not as hot as Chennai and not as cold as Delhi! Also kudos to the staff at Taj Bengal. It was such a pleasure to be around such courteous and helpful people.
Life was even more hectic once we got back to Bombay. Headed straight to a meeting from the airport and then did 4 trips (in one night) from Marriott to home. Phew! The after party at Enigma was fun but I think everyone was way too tired by then.
It was rather pleasing to see the foreigners completely mesmerized by the diversity of India all throughout. They almost felt like they were visiting a whole new country each time we landed in a new city (be it in terms of culture, language, food or even physical features of the locals). Got me thinking how much tourism in Indian could prosper even if corruption in India could be reduced by 30%. I mean seriously, I'd love to work with Incredible India someday!
Anyway moving on, life is currently in a dull phase. With all that activity around me almost whole of January I suddenly feel a vacuum and don't really know what to do in my spare time. I am thoroughly enjoying my new founded interest for Power Yoga though. It helps me release stress (which I don't think I have been able to do ever since I can remember). I am a worrying person by nature. It has almost become a habit, but power yoga is really helping me break it.
I've changed my opinion about a few people. They did not turn out to be as I thought they would be, but that's a part of life. (not being judgmental, as I am often falsely accused of being. I mean calling a spade, a spade is not always a bad thing is it? )
Have things planned out for the year, like every other year. Have the "secret project 2010" planned out for June. Lets see if it works out. Only 2 weddings to attend this year, maybe more later, who can tell.
Lunch time, Subway calls! More updates later. Leve you with 3 pictures I managed to click during the whole India trip :) Really need to improve the interest in photography . Maybe buying a SLR would help?
1/12 of the year is already over! Like any other year beginning January 2010 has flown past!
That could also be cause I traveled to all the 4 major metros in 8 odd days around mid-Jan. It was hectic but a really productive trip work and otherwise. Met some great people along the way, caught up with a long lost friend who was (luckily for me) stuck with work in Chennai after 10 odd years. It was so much fun, driving around and getting completely lost in Chennai only to find the perfect Italian restaurant. (Italian in Chennai- haha don't say it, I know). And of course A's highly recommended Amethyst cafe which by the way totally lived up to its described standards.
Delhi was freezing (Yes, I am a Bombay girl) and foggy and a completely different experience. The boss recommended a really nice Indian restaurant for the firangs with me called "Vedaa" to eat at. Good food but boy it was expensive! Rohit Bal's I think.
Never thought I'd meet P and gang who did manage to sneak out of work even though for a little bit. And then there was A, who I finally managed to meet after God only knows how many months. He took me to "Big Chill" where we ate the most delicious cheesecake (Irish something). They really need to open up in Bombay soon. Really missed catching up with the cousins though.
You know that's what I like about everyone I know in Delhi (well most of them). The special effort they take just to make sure they meet me even if it's for a bit every single time I visit. Really love all of them for this. Yep! the long lasting forever type!
Anyway moving on, Kolkata was a whole new experience all together. A couple of us went wandering around the city, me with a genuine belief that I will find Ganguly somewhere. Alas! no Sauron anywhere :( Weather wise Kolkata was the best..not as hot as Chennai and not as cold as Delhi! Also kudos to the staff at Taj Bengal. It was such a pleasure to be around such courteous and helpful people.
Life was even more hectic once we got back to Bombay. Headed straight to a meeting from the airport and then did 4 trips (in one night) from Marriott to home. Phew! The after party at Enigma was fun but I think everyone was way too tired by then.
It was rather pleasing to see the foreigners completely mesmerized by the diversity of India all throughout. They almost felt like they were visiting a whole new country each time we landed in a new city (be it in terms of culture, language, food or even physical features of the locals). Got me thinking how much tourism in Indian could prosper even if corruption in India could be reduced by 30%. I mean seriously, I'd love to work with Incredible India someday!
Anyway moving on, life is currently in a dull phase. With all that activity around me almost whole of January I suddenly feel a vacuum and don't really know what to do in my spare time. I am thoroughly enjoying my new founded interest for Power Yoga though. It helps me release stress (which I don't think I have been able to do ever since I can remember). I am a worrying person by nature. It has almost become a habit, but power yoga is really helping me break it.
I've changed my opinion about a few people. They did not turn out to be as I thought they would be, but that's a part of life. (not being judgmental, as I am often falsely accused of being. I mean calling a spade, a spade is not always a bad thing is it? )
Have things planned out for the year, like every other year. Have the "secret project 2010" planned out for June. Lets see if it works out. Only 2 weddings to attend this year, maybe more later, who can tell.
Lunch time, Subway calls! More updates later. Leve you with 3 pictures I managed to click during the whole India trip :) Really need to improve the interest in photography . Maybe buying a SLR would help?
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Love Actually!
Over a period of time, my blog has been like a collector of my thoughts, feelings, emotions..you name it! I have been nothing but brutally honest in every word that I have typed on this forum much to the annoyance of few others, but am proud to have this collection of memories from parts of my life where I have witnessed different emotions like happiness, sadness, insecurity, deceit etc.
It's 4:00am as I scribble this post on a piece of paper lying on my bed stand. I have just wound up a party I hosted for a couple of my friends. So exhausted but sleep seems to have evaded me these days. I made a cup of hot chocolate and am digging into what you can call my divine "Christmas Cake" which I baked from scratch and I look around my room. The radio plays on, facebook logged in on the desktop, clothes all over the floor, me sprawling under my blanket along with this piece of paper and I suddenly glance on this wall in my room which holds a giant collage of memories I have safeguarded over a period of time. As I reminisce the good old days gone by, I see a picture with R and me. We clicked this picture at her sangeet function. I go back to the days when R told me about M (A fantastic guy she met online). I was so unsupportive and cynical about this whole falling in love online system. At that time I assured her how this would never work out, and how he is probably cheating her by talking to 100 other girls like that or even the fact that the "he" could be a "she". Haha, well clearly I was wrong and it did work out for them. R is happily married for 5 years already.
Coming back o the point as to whether you can actually find the right person for you in a virtual world, I am not too sure what side of the fence I belong to as yet.
Nosey aunt no 26 came in with a so called "rishta" (matrimonial) the other day. In Hindi to my mum "Ladka, accha hai, London mein rehta hai aur MBA hai" When I told her that I had no intentions to tie the knot yet, she wanted me to at least begin an online connection by chatting with him which was evidently ruled out by me, but for nosey aunt to even suggest something this forward was a really big deal. Trust me!
Off late I know at least other couples who are now dating and met each other online. What I find amazing about each one of them is their confidence and belief in knowing that the person they've met online is the right person for them even before they've actually met!
But if you think of it, after all it's an online/virtual personna of the individual that you know. How do you know if what is been shared is the truth at all? How much of your own information do you share? How much is too much, or how much is too little when you meet someone interesting enough online? At what stage should you pick up the phone and talk? What stage do you meet? And then the last stage: What happens after you meet?
Let's face it. Life is not always hunky dory. Surely things can swing the other way. An online personna, expectations may not meet up with what you expected from the individual. What happens then? All these emails, these day/night chat sessions, these phone calls which you couldn't do without, suddenly vanish in thin air?
Anyway going back to the stage before the actual meeting, let's talk a little more about what this online relationship is all about? I mean seriously, what is this online relationship? Does it even exist? Are you committed to that one person without even meeting them or does it signify that you are trying to know someone better before you meet them? But what if the person you think interesting is not honest with their details and has lied to you about things he/she really doesn't want to share and you being the goon you are believed every single word?
What about insecurity? A new friend suddenly props up, an ex comes back, chats decrease as does online frequency. What do you then? You're obviously not in a position to ask questions as after all you were always the "online" friend remember?
Many readers may find this topic pointless and will probably think that I have put in too much thought into something really frivilous but I'm not sure I agree.
I mean till a few years ago, finding love online was for people with "issues". That concept has totally changed today. In this fast paced city life, where you spend 18 hours of your day on your laptop, meeting someone interesting online is quite a regular option. I mean where else is the time otherwise right?
It's 4:45am as I now plan to close this online love debate with my mind....As for love, it will happen, when it has to, with who it has to, how it has to..online or off it!
PS: As I am no expert on this or any other topic I have ever written about, I would really like to read your thoughts, comments or anything that you have to say on this topic. Maybe even your own experiences. You guys have been honest and forthcoming with your views in the past and I would like to hear from you now more than any other time.
It's 4:00am as I scribble this post on a piece of paper lying on my bed stand. I have just wound up a party I hosted for a couple of my friends. So exhausted but sleep seems to have evaded me these days. I made a cup of hot chocolate and am digging into what you can call my divine "Christmas Cake" which I baked from scratch and I look around my room. The radio plays on, facebook logged in on the desktop, clothes all over the floor, me sprawling under my blanket along with this piece of paper and I suddenly glance on this wall in my room which holds a giant collage of memories I have safeguarded over a period of time. As I reminisce the good old days gone by, I see a picture with R and me. We clicked this picture at her sangeet function. I go back to the days when R told me about M (A fantastic guy she met online). I was so unsupportive and cynical about this whole falling in love online system. At that time I assured her how this would never work out, and how he is probably cheating her by talking to 100 other girls like that or even the fact that the "he" could be a "she". Haha, well clearly I was wrong and it did work out for them. R is happily married for 5 years already.
Coming back o the point as to whether you can actually find the right person for you in a virtual world, I am not too sure what side of the fence I belong to as yet.
Nosey aunt no 26 came in with a so called "rishta" (matrimonial) the other day. In Hindi to my mum "Ladka, accha hai, London mein rehta hai aur MBA hai" When I told her that I had no intentions to tie the knot yet, she wanted me to at least begin an online connection by chatting with him which was evidently ruled out by me, but for nosey aunt to even suggest something this forward was a really big deal. Trust me!
Off late I know at least other couples who are now dating and met each other online. What I find amazing about each one of them is their confidence and belief in knowing that the person they've met online is the right person for them even before they've actually met!
But if you think of it, after all it's an online/virtual personna of the individual that you know. How do you know if what is been shared is the truth at all? How much of your own information do you share? How much is too much, or how much is too little when you meet someone interesting enough online? At what stage should you pick up the phone and talk? What stage do you meet? And then the last stage: What happens after you meet?
Let's face it. Life is not always hunky dory. Surely things can swing the other way. An online personna, expectations may not meet up with what you expected from the individual. What happens then? All these emails, these day/night chat sessions, these phone calls which you couldn't do without, suddenly vanish in thin air?
Anyway going back to the stage before the actual meeting, let's talk a little more about what this online relationship is all about? I mean seriously, what is this online relationship? Does it even exist? Are you committed to that one person without even meeting them or does it signify that you are trying to know someone better before you meet them? But what if the person you think interesting is not honest with their details and has lied to you about things he/she really doesn't want to share and you being the goon you are believed every single word?
What about insecurity? A new friend suddenly props up, an ex comes back, chats decrease as does online frequency. What do you then? You're obviously not in a position to ask questions as after all you were always the "online" friend remember?
Many readers may find this topic pointless and will probably think that I have put in too much thought into something really frivilous but I'm not sure I agree.
I mean till a few years ago, finding love online was for people with "issues". That concept has totally changed today. In this fast paced city life, where you spend 18 hours of your day on your laptop, meeting someone interesting online is quite a regular option. I mean where else is the time otherwise right?
It's 4:45am as I now plan to close this online love debate with my mind....As for love, it will happen, when it has to, with who it has to, how it has to..online or off it!
PS: As I am no expert on this or any other topic I have ever written about, I would really like to read your thoughts, comments or anything that you have to say on this topic. Maybe even your own experiences. You guys have been honest and forthcoming with your views in the past and I would like to hear from you now more than any other time.
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