Friends

My close friend Sm & me have 3 things in common we loved, atleast during my graduation days when we met as classmates in B.Arch.

Well, They were ( in order of pertinence) :

Harry Potter ( Books & movies) F.R.I.E.N.D.S and

Saurav Ganguly! ( dont ask me why and how, But we were in our teens then, uhhhhh.. almost ;) )

We would watch HP movies countless times, Bunk our training (I ll explain later in detail) to watch F.R.I.E.N.D.S and risk our reputation by racing to the staff library when our darling was on the ground to ask the scores..

I was not really known to be sober, but for Sm to do that was a matter of jumping out of her whole character and being a oxymoron of herself! :)

But I still remember the time when I met F.R.I.E.N.D.S!

We have a semester of professional training and we both decided to do it in the same office.Since Sm 's originally Bangalore and her parents were away at that time, We were allowed to stay at her place and another friend Ch joined us. Now she got us all watching friends (ya, I am tired of writing it as it actually is, Please bear with me) and i remember the first episode while she explained the story and I actually was yawning throughout the episode and finally fell asleep. Hmmm, but soon the day came when Sm and me managed to call sick from training, just to watch what happens with Ross and Rachel :D

Why I remembered this today? I was watching an episode sitting all alone yesterday since Aj s away on work and remembered all those wonderful time we had back in college!

ah, the bliss..:)

This is one of our favourite episodes....Enjoy!!

:)

Just a picture.. that s it!

:)

Secret Tag

I am not sure I am have too many secrets about me.
Even If I do, They are a BIG SECRET!! (Ha,ha Kidding)
1) During my School days, after say std 5, I have never written notes( you know the ones with Q & A) for any subject except Mathematics of course.
I believed that one needs to know more than what s in those questions and answers,So i used to study just from the text books and every answer coming on the answer sheets would be well, On -the -spot.
Helped the creative juices flow ;) but sometimes would be quite a disaster. :)

2) Regarding the same one, I think most of my teachers knew about me not writing any notes, But well, I think they would ignore this trait as I was not doing all that bad in Exams anyway and I could answer any twisted question from the text book, so why complain ?

3) Though I haven't given any formal exam, I have learnt Carnatic music for 8 years. Me along with my mum who used to learn it with me, have sung in quite a few programs and cultural functions. Sad thing is I am out of touch and as I told , Have not formal certificate for this.

4) Even though, I literally quiver like an arrow while facing a crowd or audience, I somehow overcame the stage -fear factor with real efforts and I am quite proud of it!! (now-a days people like me have no modesty- are you saying? well, What to do... sigh!! ;) )

5) I plan every single thing like I have a mental diary. It s another thing whether I follow it word by word, But my mind constantly churns out time table for me!

6) Inspite of being a very talkative person with a very active social life all my life, Still I am known to be a very reserved, silent and a quite person in my work place. I open my mouth only in front of certain people and never speak unless really necessary.
(I shall soon know if by any chance someone reads this from office. )

That s all folks!
Good night and I wont tag anyone , but you are most welcome to take the tag. But do let me know if you have any secrets to go public .Write atleast one in the comment box, will you???

see the sea and you shall see!

After successive hot days, today was no different. Here, everyone hits the beach during these heat waves and after all our weekend chores , we went down to Aj's favourite beach just before sunset.

The sea always have the same effect on me - calm and serene even amidst all that chaos. Back home,my parents house is just a stone s throw from the beach and luckily for me, We live in the Island country and in a city with beautiful beaches. Still, Every time I walk on the sand, It is a different experience. And I can never finish without soaking my foot in the warm and cold salty spray from the sea waves.The never tiring waves, the vast stretch of water and the ever lasting sand always , for me -seems to last forever .

changed and the un-changed

We all believe and agree we are in the modern age.Along with technology, we have also advanced , if not have lots of things that has changed in and around us.This huge world has shrunk to become a "global village" with greater advancements in technology.
Sometimes, As I run about, doing my routine,I stop to wonder how things have changed over time in me. From Dosas and Idli platter that I fed on almost everyday, we have changed to "whole grain" toast with "fat free spreads" for most breakfasts, Not just because I am quite inefficient in waking up any early than 6.30,but also because they are healthy , easily bought and we don't mind eating it.This is just an instance how the day's beginning has changed.
Our clothes, fashion sense, methods of going about a problem,living style are some other things influenced by modern times.
However, I still pray , religiously follow all rituals and festivals to my best ability, which again most of us do.A link to what has been learnt by us from our past.Most time we do this sensibly , but some times, we tend to believe in things that could sound just so unreasonable, yet we follow.
Like for Instance, I never accept anything with my left hand from anyone.
Even if I am hanging on to the holding rail in a crazy roller coaster ride(hypothetically) and some one from the left corner in the back seat offers me something, I will still do some stunt and stretch my right hand by turning in a weird position ,but No! I won't use left hand.
Sounds silly, to show such partiality towards your own hands, but that s the way I am.

A lot of such believes come and go as generations pass by, But the other day i saw this little boy of Indian origin standing beside his mum and incidentally stepped on her.Immediately he touched her and then put the hand back on his heart and forehead *. I was surprised and happy that the mum had taught her son something which we all learn and follow as Indians. I was only hoping, she would have also told the reason behind that act, Or else one day the child would think it is a belief without any reason behind it.

P.S: * It is a method of bowing to the person when you have hurt them ,which also means recognising all human beings and their feelings as you would care about your own.

some one s reading!

In the initial days of me blogging, I wasn't comfortable with anyone I know read it. I was a bit too conscious of people who know me too well, writing some comment.
May be the thought about how they would judge me reading this also was not all that appealing.
Aj himself was oblivious of the fact that I had something called a blog until I wished him on our anniversary and sent me a link.
Slightly surprised, his only reaction was "oh![??!!]"
He is not much of a reader unless it is of course about cars and Cars and More CARS!! :(
So it just was left there, unknown to many I know personally.
Until my Sis - in -law wrote to me saying she enjoys reading my blogs. I was quite surprised, But it seems she had followed some link and found me and reading names and other details was quite sure it was me.
It was quite encouraging for me. Since quite a few friends and cousins have read my blog now and then and it does not worry me anymore what they would comment.
After all that s whyI write.
But the biggest surprise came to me when Aj commented on my recent 2 blogs. I was thrilled,shocked and laughing reading them.
Asked, the man replied that he has been following my blog for quite sometime now.:)
sheesh! He even reminds me to write a post everyday. Hmmm, I guess the time has come to gear up ,Now that someone here so close, reads my blog almost everyday.

I want it too :)

I know this is going to be hard, Atleast for me.
It is going to include a lot of patience and care, But I am up for it.
I have always adored you, looking at you - stealthily in hands of others,

mejealous of friends who have you.
Now the time s come for me to get you.

There may be breaks and tears, But I am willing to take the risk -

Of pouring my love and care, Only to see you grow taller and stronger by the day.

Until.......





........



Holiday season and parties are done and I can chop you[in relief ?!!] to go back to my No maintenance, No fuss small and short NAILS :)

-Written in frustration caused by slowing down of doing dishes and typing ,but in anticipation of having beautiful ,slender long and well done nails :)
P.S: no, these aren't my hands.its a googled image. But I am hoping for similar results ;)

A block here. a block there..

This blog marathon is surely charging my brain. I look at all big and small thing with a critical eye,every incident is analysed and finally I sit and think about things even while eating lunch! :(

But today has been a very tiring day and I have ended with a blocked mind.

May be the 35 degree heat has just hit me hard ( atleast that s what I want to believe). I don't want to think too hard, don't want to write any incident.Instead i ll post some pictures from Otway Forest walk, which we went with a bunch of close friends last Tuesday.

This is a conserved rain forest area with dedicated path to walk around and enjoy the flora of green forests. the best part is the tree top walk, built atleast 3- storey high like a bridge amongst the tree tops making one feel like how a bird or any creature feels amongst the trees.

There s even a tower which takes you high above the trees and was exciting even for me, who s scared of heights.The entire walk took us around an hour,but was fantastic and I don't think anyone of us felt we had walked for so long.

Looks like there s some problem with the net,

So I ll be posting more pics tomorrow.

It seems there s a block there too.:(

A block here.. a block there..

Hail Bollywood!

No, I have not been paid to write things about praising bollywood and anyway, not that it needs any major support.
Today, it is as famous and beyond as tikka masala used in 6" sub ,harbhajan in cricket and Bangalore tech park. Bollywood themes especially the dances and music are getting popular by the day.
But for me, I have been a big fan since the times I know. The first movie I remember watching is Mr.India back in 1988 and the big screen has captured me since. After this came my school days where "Ashiqui ribbons"(forgive my spelling) to "Madhuri's salwar" was soaked in like a sponge.
I cried with Simran as she left London and her love to get married in India, Danced watching Karishma's moves in 'dil to pagal hey' and laughed my heads off at the crazy Govinda movies.
Later during under graduation I appreciated more serious movies , involving with the chronicles of Konkana and Rahul Bose in Mr.& Mrs. Iyer to biting my nails watching Bhuvan win over the firnags in a thrilling match.
No movie, however bad can put me off my love towards Bollywood.
Now living here, so far away from home, I ensure we follow every movie possible.
So much that Aj has become a fan too , So here we are reading every review possible and holding onto the most happening link to our country via a beautiful window called "Bollywood"!!

Alien -2

Read part 1 here
She was shocked and for a few seconds, held the bag tightly as if it is a life jacket and she is in a drowning boat. Suddenly she realised someone was staring at her and to add to her already shocked state, she realised it was the ticket checker.
"oh, my, I am dead" she thought as she realised both the tickets were with the hubby who had got down at the previous stop.
She saw the "T.C." advancing towards her, But had a wave of relief pass on her as he kindly said" I saw what happened, Don't worry,Get down at the next station and take a train back."
Smiling gratefully at him, she got ready to get off at the next station, when her phone rang.
"How dumb of me" she thought as she heard her husband's voice from the other end.
"Hi dear, where are you"
"still in the train, don't worry, I ll get off the next stop and take a train back"
"poor you, I am so sorry, dint realise you had that bag with you"
"come one, as if you knew I am a slow coach, I am getting off now, will try to get the next train, looks like there is one at the station now" so saying she jumped off the train but unfortunately the other train was only waiting for the signal and left as soon as her train reached the station.
Sadly, she called her husband again, who informed her that the next train is going to be 20 minutes from then.
She gave a sigh and for the first time looked around.
It was a deserted station and quite small. Pretending to be brave, she went and sat on a bench again clutching the bag tightly. She heard a few voices, not too far away and she swallowed hard to get rid of the heavy lump that was hurting her throat.
" No, I should be brave, there's nothing to be scared" she told herself as the phone rang again.
"Hi, what s up? scared"
"noooooooo"
" come on, be brave, Anyway lets talk till the train arrives"
"sure, as though we never talk at home " she smiled for the first time in the last half an hour.
" no, we don't, Not like we used to, remember . We were very far from each other then, so this tiny instrument was the only means to feel closest to each other " so saying he smiled too.
Soon they started to talk and she found herself telling him all those things she felt after she reached this alien land , her fears which she had never mentioned about, home-sickness which she was proud enough not to mention about and her insecurity about what the future holds for them. He listened very patiently , re-assuring her like he used to always and soon she heard the train slowing down at the station.
She hung up the phone and minutes later jumped into the arms of her dear husband who said " so, how was your train adventure ?"
" pretty good, comforting and most importantly very encouraging. Thank you" she said.
"hey, Don't thank me. Thank the train"
" no, no, I should thank you for jumping out the train like a monkey leaving me alone" she said and they laughed together, a laugh of hope and lots of dreams about a wonderful life together.

Even to this day, the biggest way of displaying feelings , sharing thoughts and clearing clouds of confusion are obviously over phone and the phone companies are having a great profit on our expense. :) :)