Line of Thought

munchkin woes

2011-09-16T14:45:00.001-07:00

You know the meaning of "heartache" when you see your baby go through a troubling phase. There is nothing you can do. There is only that much help you can provide even though you are doing everything you can.You get a reality check that another life's journey has begun, with her own fate, fortunes, misfortunes,good and bad phases.That precisely is hard to accept everytime you take a look at your tiny jaan. Other than ensuring your best efforts at every stage, which is a given from any parent...you have no real control over her unhappiness or happiness in a way.That sucks. The worrying has just begun...

buttercup diaries

2011-06-30T19:14:00.000-07:00

Neck deep in diapers,wipes!Feeding scheduled every 2-3 hrs!Followed by burping and holding her upright! Massage and bath time have become the most important chores of my day and give me the distinct feeling of great accomplishment after she goes to sleep.Of course there is the evening fussiness which warrants carrying around and lap time. And the daily disturbed sleep or the occasional sleepless nights... Thats correct the DAY is no longer mine, but completely dictated by the button nosed dumpling :)

So there I am sweaty,sleep-deprived,irritated, in the middle of cooking ,the phone is ringing off the hook,there is the UPS delivery at the door.I just want Peace!!

As if sensing the chaos,the buttercup gives the widest,innocent smile which turns to a full fledged toothless grin.I am disarmed.The world is a beautiful place again :)

9 months

2011-06-26T14:06:00.000-07:00

Pregnancy was one of the most complex times, of my life of 25 years! Tumultuous,ecstatic, worrisome. The excitement and a steady inner happiness lasts throughout, no matter the tough tests and rough times that are thrown at you through the nine months. The heart-beat of the tiny pea-shaped fetus, all of 45 days old, was the most awesome moment for the husband though he complains I ruined it for him by fainting after the confirmatory obgyn visit. Of course I was happy too, but you know I blame those hormones, anxiety, the onset of great changes to come etc.

The first trimester was one of my better ones, unlike for others who suffer with nausea, vomiting and morning sickness! I was free from that evil and could enjoy all food, apart from being careful about it being safe and well-cooked. There were some back-aches, head-aches, tiredness and extra sleepiness but hey, no one is gonna be THAT lucky.

Then came the second trimester, one which is supposedly enjoyed by the couple. Mine was far from it. The integrated Genzyme test which is a blood test at wk 11 and 15 gave me an abnormal quad screen and the Hell began. The obgyn dint waste time in telling me the bad news but took a while to schedule future tests for solutions! There was the high risk ultrasound after a week, which checked for markers of a genetic disorder with a perinatologist. While that was fine, it was only a predictive test. Then came the awful amniocentesis, after another week, which took a load of mental prep from my side.I dont intend to be morose but imagine getting stuck with a long needle through your belly and uterus to extract 3 syringes of amniotic fluid.*gasp and faint* There is no anaesthesia, there is a small risk of miscarriage and of course the trauma one may have to face depending on the results. Thankfully we passed and hats off to the perinatologist who was possibly one of the best in the business! Bed rest for 3 days followed. It was one of the most stressful and depressing time of the nine months.It teaches you so much, makes you stronger but I still wouldnt wish it for any mortal enemy.

As I moved along to the second part, I was down with a cold virus! It took all of 11 days for complete recovery without medicines. I dont remember ever having a cold,sore throat for that long as my Roxid 150 antibiotic took care of things in 3 days :) New years was spent repeating cycles of salt water gargling, steaming, honey lemon water, vicks and tissues! Soon after recovery we did rush and got them flu shots, whew!

The third part of the second trimester, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes! Jeez. It was difficult as one is supposed to eat and get a list of nutrients for the baby but also limit portions to keep the blood sugar steady. You have to prick yourself 4 times daily and monitor blood glucose levels, till delivery. Not fun!
I gave up simple pleasures like reaching out guilt-free for 2 gingersnaps or good ol' Marie biscuits at every milk/tea time :( I could only have 2 slices of pizza at a meal, be it thin-crust or coal-oven baked (yummy!). No dessert after any meal. No white bread. Limit carbs. Only 1 poli at meal time and more after 2 hrs. I never realized the granted liberties I have taken with simple/everyday food consumption quantity before..

Then there was a scare of preterm labor like symptoms and was assigned almost-bedrest for a week. Thankfully we passed that quickly and I could resume my normal activity and walking.

And finally mommy came and the last 6 weeks flew in a whirlwind of good health,weight gain, evening spring walks, excellent food,lots of relaxation and gossip :D I think I deserved it after the drama of earlier months ! Oh and also babyshowers and baby shopping.Assembling the crib,manic cleaning of the house amongst a million other things. Pink,white everywhere.Cuteness overload.

The husband deserves a mention for sheer calm,presence of mind, help and support during this time!He was subjected to all that I went through if not physically, but also didnt have the liberty to act cranky like someone with turbulent hormones,hehe. Also nerves of steel to coach your wife through administration of the epidural, labor, delivery and other unsightly aspects of the miracle of birth :P I bow to thee :D

And then out came the bundle of joy.It was all worth it.

having my cake and eating it,albeit moderately!

2011-04-25T19:01:00.000-07:00

All of them were in my honor, for ME! And as someone with a sizable sweet tooth I have to acknowledge all of their taste,texture and dreaminess :D
So the above was an ice cream cake from B&R. It was a chocolate cake sandwiched between cookies and cream icecream and covered with good quality frosting.
This was vanilla-bean buttercream with unmatched creaminess.The sponge cake had some heavy whipping cream in its batter for sure! It was so well decorated that I felt a teensie hesitant to cut it :P

This was the most moist of them all and the secret of the local bakery was to take two sponge cakes,add a layer of jam in between and douse them in half-n-half! They later piled on the cream frosting and icing.

While I couldn't stuff my face exactly,I could at least enjoy all of them,in small pieces spaced out over time,thanks to the G-Diabetes (nature's cruel joke :P for a sweet toother!). But the memories associated with all of them are priceless and I cant help humming "yummy yummy ,I got love in my tummy" which seems appropriate across multiple levels <3 ;-P

Spring has sprung

2011-03-22T08:45:00.000-07:00

Its spring! The evenings are lovely with a light breeze, an orange-crimson setting sun and green lawns with purple and yellow wildflowers.I particularly enjoy my slow walks, due to the forward shift in gravity! I also have a new favourite spring fragrance-Clinique Happy as my Issaye Miyake for women is nearing emptiness. The husband has been busy with garden work, pruning bushes,weeding and emptying bags of heavenly smelling cedar and pine mulch chips. After several trips to Lowe's and Home Depot we stocked up on sulphur dust,Dr T's snake-away (yikes i know!), potting mixes,top soils and weed-killers. Also fire-ant control mix,hornet/bees spray and Home defense multi purpose spray! Well,everything has been sprayed and spread and this constitutes only the general upkeep and maintanence!! There is a long way to go before the backyard or the front lawns resemble any of our neighbour's, who have diligently spent time, love and care on their texan roses,vines,palms and pear trees!!On second thought, spring, yay, whatever :P :-x

oats anyone..

2011-03-18T08:03:00.001-07:00

I have taken a recent liking for oats. Instant or quick cooking oats as you call it. I cook them in milk for a creamy consistency and sprinkle on my powdered blend of flax seeds,cinnamon,sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and a touch of dark rich amber organic maple syrup! yum. Just half a cup of uncooked oats have 4 g fiber, 5 g protein and 10% iron of your RDA. Yet to try the husbands version, where he adds a dash of nutella, strawberries,blackberries and blueberries and calls it the chocolatey-antioxidant bowl. :)

before we are 3 :)

2011-03-10T13:04:00.001-08:00

We had idyllic evenings with not much going on.Or three course dinners, sometimes just frozen pizza and blackberry merlot. Always good movies,rom coms,animated sitcoms and good ol Raymond on cable with after meal peach cobbler/vannila or frozen orange candy.Also reading books together and opinionated discussions:)! Taking off to places near and far on whims, best laid plans or plain good weather days.Carefree bliss :) Regular gym evenings of an everyday life, jogging by the river, yoga and boot camp followed by fresh hot polis with tuup and early dinners.Weekend drives,lake swims,
martinis with bbq and bowling nights or lattes and scones for hours at cute bookstores. I was skimming through old pics, listening to some songs which bring back acute, pertinent details of fond memories and strong nostalgia..
Such wonderful times,the two of us,sometimes simple,other times grand
but always special and filled with fun ,that I am going to miss..
before we are three :) <3

Asian nights

2011-02-27T09:28:00.000-08:00

We have one every week where we make some south east-asian style dish. Its delicious, healthy and a lot of fun.It also means a break from cooking if the husband is in his adventurous chef mode, meticulous as he is- right from washing,cutting to leaving the woks and countertops gleaming! So he made this tofu stir fry with lots of garlic,bell peppers,sauteed onions in a vegetable hoisin-chilli-soy sauce.It was a perfect 10 :)
I was inspired by the taste and the ease of this type of cuisine and was lucky to have found some fresh baby asparagus and broccoli at the store today.I also substituted the egg noodles with whole wheat cappellini pasta noodles :P In went sauteed baby spinach, asparagus spears, broccoli florets, onions and mushrooms. Followed by black bean paste with chilli-garlic sauce and low sodium soy sauce.Yumm:)

movies and other things..

2011-02-27T06:05:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Netflix, Redbox and movie dates (considering they aren't going to happen for a couple years in a few months time) we have been watching a varied range.Minus the munchies for me :P Here is my list of good watches and the ones I thoroughly enjoyed:
1)Social network
2)The King's Speech
3)Wallstreet (the end could be better)
4)The Kids are alright
5)Temple Grandin (fab)
6)Just go with it (chick flick)
7)Phas Gaya re Obama
8)No one killed Jessica (ok)

The soap/sitcom sessions are eternal-one season after the other. A few interesting ones were:
1)Modern family (fab)
2)Weeds
3)Anthony Bourdain Collections
4)Coupling
5)30 Rock
6)The Big Bang Theory
7)Ted/Better off Ted
8)Californication

Of course we have been watching meaningful documentaries too :P All of them have been excellent!These are the ones about food, healthy eating, organic vs natural, America and obesity, factory farming, importance of farmers markets and local produce, GMO's, lobbying for profit even at USDA and FDA levels.
1)Food,Inc
2)Food matters
3)Supersize Me
4)To market to market to buy a fat Pig
5)How to Cook your Life
6)Killer At Large-Obesity
7)The future of Food

These documentaries were based on general topics such as nature, politics, human behaviour etc. They were fantastic either in cinematography or the issues they brought to light.I rate them high for bringing about an increased awareness and knowledge across extensive topics.
1)Freakonomics (the book is good too)
2)The March of the Penguins
3)The Botany of Desire
4)South of the Border
5)Secret yosemite
6)The Life of mammals-All episodes/seasons.
7)Planet Earth- all seasons
8)Walmart-The high cost of low price
9)Yellowstone-The battle for Life

Disclaimer:I haven't exactly become a couch potato or a TV bum and this list spans over a year of entertainment :P

everyday scribbles

2011-02-23T06:33:00.000-08:00

(courtesy:http://www.lodgemfg.com/use-care-seasoned-cast-iron.asp)

Had the perfect breakfast today :) A tall glass of rbst free USDA organic milk with cardamom. Organic whole wheat toast with organic crunchy peanut butter and Lingonberry jam topped with some flax seed powder.Two egg veggie omelet. Oh also the Lodge cast iron pans and vessels work wonderfully and are also supposed to up the iron content of the food that is cooked in them.I am loving them, though they require more careful handling over my favorite high quality Emeril Lagasse and Cuisinart stainless steel!
(http://www.wemanagestores.com/emeril-cookware-store/)

snack time

2011-02-04T15:13:00.000-08:00

There are two kinds of healthy in-between-meal snacks to satify hunger, craving and nutritional needs. These are the store bought version ,for reasons such as variety, saving time, or if you always want a backup in your pantry.
--Chobani Greek Yogurt (Blueberry,Peach or Strawberry)
The sugar content is high so you have got to time it right between meals or before excercise.Its delicious,creamy and the 14gm protein is unbeatable!
--'Naturally More' Peanut Butter
I pile it on whole grain toast or multi grain crackers. Or just slowly eat a tablespoon at a time like a lollipop. It has egg white protein, flaxseeds and 4 gm of fiber.
--Sargento Light String Cheese
60% of calcium needs, 6 gm protein and easy to carry around in your purse for an on the move snack. This won over the Horizon Organic singles over the fat content comparision.
--A DIY fruitbowl with 4-5strawberries, half an apple and half a sliced banana.

hw

2011-02-02T12:35:00.001-08:00

The house warming-1 went off wonderfully inspite of my back-aches and slow movement. Perfect weather. Perfect amount of food. Everyone showed up. So I arranged for cocktail samosas, chutney sandwiches, bacon-cheddar-broccoli rolls, provolone-tomato-cheese deli spirals, bite-sized cheesecakes, chips, 7 layer dip and fried pappadams,khakra.The wine and beer flowed freely and all the canapes almost disappeared, lots of chatter ,exclamation and laughter. One more to go, with a more desi menu.

GDM

2011-02-02T12:07:00.000-08:00

courtesy:diabetesmellitus-information.com

I never appreciated or realized the freedom of normal indulgence before. A case of you don't know what you have got till you lose it,albeit temporarily! I have been a healthy,conscious and where-possible-organic kind of an eater anyway but the portion control, 6 small meals a day, blood glucose monitoring really threw me off balance ! These days I crave doughnuts and cheesecake just because there is no way I can fit them into my diet plan :P Its not like I had them even remotely regularly earlier, even though both are within 5 mins reach! I guess I can add it to the list of blame-the-hormones, for making me childish, amongst other numerous traits that have shown up :P

Its not so bad once you get used to it! I feel full with these moderate, health-packed portions and often wonder how much unnecessary food I have stuffed myself with over the years! The finger pricking 4 times a day is a pain and a boon, as it actually helps you keep track of what food sky-rockets your mg/dL values-be it soups or rice.

So these days its all about protein- eggs,egg whites, tofu, paneer,soy granules, beans and legumes! I never remember paying attention to my protein intake before and am pretty sure it was less than the recommended daily allowance! I have come up with delicious omelet and tofu stir fry recipes, you know all that about necessity being the mother of invention blah. The above foods makes one feel full, takes care of the protein needs and doesn't elevate the mg/dL values, kind-of a win-win-win!

To think 2 chapathis/2 wheat tortillas/4 Amboli(pancake made out of wheat/bengal gram/fenugreek seed flour) at one time would cause an inflated blood glucose level!! I was surprised..cos you know its all healthy! Well the portion has to be half of the above and then it is healthy, who knew :(

So for other GD meal planners out there some of the winners after careful observation and value monitoring are: palak paneer, zucchini stir fry, nachni(finger millet porridge), matki usal, vegetable pasta (whole wheat cappellini). Will update and add with time!

food and happiness

2011-01-18T09:20:00.000-08:00

The weekend visit to Dallas (nothing fancy,really) satisfied many a purpose and pursuit-food ,friends and family.The aunt made fabulous "Gul Poli" and "Til gul",rare items in my state and amongst the friend-circle, as no one is enterprising enough to make them for Sankrant :P There was a comfort thai food night with spicy red curry and pineapple fried rice, both with liberal amounts of baby corn, tofu, cashews, bamboo shoots, peppers, onions, grilled eggplant!I played the modern day Monopoly with cousins after ages and had a good time! Did you know they have credit cards, electronic banks and calculators these days?!I dint,and they have cut down on the math involved while playing so I call it the American version :P
We met a good friend of the husband's at the downtown Rennaissance and had a delicious breakfast at the Original pancake House. It was probably the first time I finished my 5" long 3" thick veggie omlette, a quarter waffle, 2 amazing buckwheat pancakes with syrup and whipped butter and a Hot chocolate.All at the same time of course courtesy my appettite these days :)
There was the usual indy grocery shopping but the new chat/south indian food corner made it worthwhile.The paper dosa was really good, so were the samosas and Gol gappas.I never considered myself a foodie before,nor are the items I am raving about eclectic gourmet, but it was a weird-surprising contentment.
Now for breakfast its a pumpkin spiced latte and toasted spinach and jalapeneo Einstein bagels with schmears,as we head back. Its raining and there is just one stop at the Central Market for some fresh wheat tortillas, dried lemongrass and veg sushi.

a roof over your head and bills

2011-01-07T09:57:00.000-08:00

Buying a house is all about research and payments. First you have to research and find a good real estate agent.Then banks and mortgage rates. House inspectors. Pest and Termite control. And finally houses. Then come the expenses. The mortgage, closing costs,down payments,property taxes, home insurance. Title ownership,flood insurance, security system, household appliances.The omnipresent bills- electricity, natural gas, phone, cable, Internet, water and sewage, HOA dues. Then the maintenance costs.Replacing air and vent filters, fridge filter, carpet steaming,regular pest control. Of course the usual and extra chores, cleaning, decorating, accessorizing. Basically you wonder instead of moving up, aren't you just a tiny bit closer to filing bankruptcy..? (yes!)
Is it all worth it..hell yeah :) Home sweet home.

lost in thought

2010-12-02T09:45:00.001-08:00

do you remember that time
when all you did was laugh or play
days of sunshine and activity
yet not a mundane moment

the hardest choice was to
pick the colour of your popsicle
you could love and share
without expectation of return
you would fuss and be fussed over
yet be free from the seven deadly sins

there were few questions
and the answers you dint really seek..
and still be shielded from consequences.
you could run,like you were escaping satan
yet be oblivious to competition

the glorious times
that am thankful for
and secretly wish to relive
when despair sets in
its hope that i hope for
here comes the sun
let everything be alright.

getaway

2010-08-31T14:02:00.000-07:00

I just love acting on an impulse and taking off.The weather was fantastic the past couple days and I figured it can only be better at a slight elevation.A rustic wooden cabin, sunrise, fresh coffee and a morning trek :)Also I had to mention this fantastic dessert I had at Winrock farms atop the mountains of the Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas.Of all the places! It was a strawberry sorbet on a bed of chocolate cake,covered with flambéed meringue and fresh strawberries.recharging with simplicity..

An Empire State of Mind...

2010-08-23T10:47:00.000-07:00

NYC!! These 3 alphabets had me excited and awed as a kid and I always wanted to visit. Then there was the tween phase where I repeatedly watched the popular sitcom "Friends",based in NY and I wanted to visit. Then there was Sex and the City,with some episodes shot on the streets, cafes and clubs of NY; fashion/food that my friends talked about and again I wanted to visit!! So finally I did.A whirlwind of endless walking,tourist landmarks, authentic south-indian and Indian-Chinese, crowded subway and Path trains, 5th avenue and Bloomingdales, Central Park and the MET (metropolitan museum of Art)...and I enjoyed it all.A good 5 days worth of gastronomical,touristy and fashion-related exploration ensued. It was great to meet and catch up with old school and childhood pals.
Day 1 & 2:We walked around the Rockfeller Plaza and got some heavenly Magnolia Bakery cupcakes,after taking the mandatory pictures at the Radio City hall and NBC studio :D The view from the Top of the Rock was stunning spanning NJ, the Hudson river,Central Park,and all the boroughs.The statue of Liberty in the distance, the Chrysler building and the Empire state and much more..After a yummy lunch at Sarvana Bhavan we relaxed at the Madison Square park and later made our way to window-shop at Bergdorf Goodman. In the evening we visited Times Square and all the jazz that there usually is. The Toys R Us is interesting with a giant-wheel inside the store.Day 3:The views from New Jersey are stunning and my friends had apartments overlooking the skyline and the Hudson :P We explored NewPort and spent time talking about how things have changed since we played "house" and "kitchen-kitchen" when we were all of 3 years, while watching my friend's adorable baby fall asleep. In the evening we checked out the humongous Macy's and later the Museum of Modern Art. After a fantastic meal at the Chinese Mirch on 27th and Lexington,we walked over to the NY Public library and later to the Grand Central Station to gasp at the amazing architecture. A large slice of Junior's strawberry shortcake cheesecake gave us the strength to walk towards the bus stop outside Port Authority and get home.Day 4:After exploring the Financial district (the bull of bowling green,NY stock exchange,customs house etc etc) we walked to the Battery Park for a breeze and views.The Staten Island ferry offered memorable views of the Liberty Statue,Ellis Island and the Downtown Manhattan skyline. We cabbed it to the West village near NYU. The NY style oven roasted pizza was heavenly followed by a falafel sandwich from a middle-eastern cart place. Oh and in Greenwich there was a creperie where we helped ourselves to a crepe filled with sliced tiramisu,strawberries,nutella and chocolate!
Dont judge too quickly, as the next 5 hours were spent walking inside the outstanding MET on 5th along the Museum Mile.A dinner of delicious panner and aloo katti rolls ,delectable Macaroons from Bakery Bouchon (Columbus Cirlce) and a exhausted dreamless sleep:)Day 5:We went straight to Bloomingdales and stumbled onto a sale!! As my friend found herself designer seventy dollar dresses(after 50% off) I got me an original Ralph Lauren pair of denim for an unbelievable price:)We walked along 5th and checked out the Tiffany's.We then cabbed it to Chinatown for lunch and browsed through the millions of bag/jeweler/belt/sunglasses cart vendors. We explored the old historic Chelsea Market and had a coffee break at Sarabeth's tired after all that shopping.The newly opened Highline Park was delightful at sunset and we walked amidst the charming restaurants of Tribeca.Finally it was destination -the Empire State building. I wasnt amused by the heavy summer tourist traffic and 3 hr lines but it was worth it when we made it to the top!!The trains, gutters, dirty sidewalk and the volume of people share a stark resemblance to good ol Mumbai. Of course Newyorkers would argue and vehemently disagree, but in all fairness I used the word "resemble".People- all kinds, ethnicities,in cutting edge fashion and single colour work suits,the variety and options in any and every area be it cuisine,fashion or art definitely makes NY worth the hype and imparts a unique charm.Its a great city to visit at least once if not more times in a lifetime.However,I have gotten used to the fact that there is more room to spread in the southern states and I never remember having to parallel park :D

Summer reading..:)

2010-08-20T08:38:00.000-07:00

Number of reasons or excuses had me finishing many a book, apart from boredom and the dangerous heat index outside :D this summer time. Some I had meant to, wanted to,hadn't gotten around to yet or had already watched the movie versions :P Lounging in the coolness of the home or the ac chill at the book-cafe, throw in a latte and scones or iced lemonade and nachos..

A Thousand Splendid Suns was a revelation, albeit depressing. It evokes helplessness,pity and terror at the same time. Khaled Hosseini drives a powerful narrative following the lives of two women in Afganistan.The child marriages. Patriarchal society. Abuse and violence against women,so routinely commonplace. Air raids and war. Taliban. The effects on the innocent and their feelings.

Secret Life of Bees was an ok read.Its set in South Carolina and talks about the impact and differentiation of being white and african-american in the 1960's, a woman's strength and ability and the universal need for love.

The most intriguing however was the Millenium series by Steig Larson published post-humously after he suffered a sudden heart attack.The Girl with the Dragon tattoo was intense, fast paced and disturbing. So was The Girl who played with Fire,only better! But my favorite was the final rendition of the series- The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. Lisbeth salander is a fabulous portrayal of the tattooed hero/heroine - one of the most intelligent, humane, powerful, crazy, insolent,candid genius with Asperger's.As I read the books, I held my breath,gripped it tightly or widened my eyes-if not all of the above at some point and all I wanted was Lisbeth's triumph.The plots are mindbogglingly intricate and my head was bursting with the details, characters, freak personalities.Overall outstanding!

A surprisingly interesting Eye-Opener was Eating Animals by Johnathon Saffran Foer. It talks about factory-farms, animal cruelty and humane methods of killing.I use the term meat so as to include all animal derived meat and products including sea food, chicken, turkey and whatever else. Hormone pumped meat, artificially engineered animals and excess antibiotic treated meat. Its shocking and makes you think. Most importantly, its powerful and straightforward enough to convert one into a vegetarian:P Definitely worth a read for all just to increase awareness, to reducing carbon footprints and global warming, reducing strain on earth's resources and getting back in touch with your humane side!

The problem with plots..

2010-07-09T09:06:00.000-07:00

All this hype about Sex and the City. Seriously. Some days I am a little ashamed of having been a follower of the series. Sure they had parts where I gagged,rolled eyes or simultaneously finished up other chores.But there were also parts where I managed a smile ,was sufficiently stunned or pleasantly surprised..Single mom, single appartment ownership,homosexual relationships, heart-break, craziness, fashion, power-play...it didnt stink all-together. The movie parts- one and two have digressed from the quintessential USP of the series, which tried to show things the way they are-full of imperfection, freak shows, deviant sexuality, fashion fanaticism, stupid heartbreaks, loneliness,STD's etc. The city of Manhattan was the setting, sex was the tease but it was really about four single friends going through life, full of flaws,questionable decisions and scoff-worthy attitudes!

Which is not something that can be said about the movies. I agree some good movies have been made on smaller crises, but getting stuck in a martial rut in 2 yrs or not being allowed to carry hormones to a fancy Abu-Dhabi vacay...:-/I mean are you freaking kidding me! Carrie and co end up doing monumentally stupid things to satisfy the movie's plot and achieve the veritably SAD happy endings!I am all for Blahniks and Dior but the fashion does not justify the scenes and is inappropriately over-the-top if not a trifle baffling..I mean have you ever seen at any point 4 friends walking around in those garbs even in the French Riviera ,Beverly hills or the streets of Milan?! The characters are ridiculously shallow and the problems they face even more absurdly fake.

Moving on,you would think I was done with the scathing remarks making up a larger part of my version of movie reviews.. But then,I watched Rajneeti. And predictably all hell broke loose.I could finish the review by saying "less said the better" and a Straight F minus for it, but thats not exactly fun.:P In a nutshell it defies all logic and EACH of its character, has No morals.I gathered the following:
-killing high profile politicians is a piece of cake,there is no FIR lodged forget heavy CBI consequences.
-After a series of murders its rather easy to hop on and leave on a jet plane(with a clean record) to a country with some of the most strictest and troublesome port-of-entry immigration procedures.
-the protagonist families misfortunes are the only ones that actually matter,although there are hundreds treated unfairly and callously throughout the 2 tedious hours.
-pure love can blossom in spite of having no interaction with your husband who is a treacherous,conniving,sleazy jackass, while harboring love for his brother.

You know what,I am going to stop the list as its starting to get me annoyed. I partly blame us viewers-who are willingly paying to have their intelligence insulted.Watching a movie shouldnt make you feel like taking a long walk to clear your head and forget what you just saw!

Oh well..I am bracing myself for Ravan next. Sigh.

Summer solstice brunch

2010-06-26T14:53:00.000-07:00

I was in the search for a great,long,lazy breakfast which is not your usual IHOP or McD or a measly Starbucks muffin type fare.I found it at the newly opened Another Broken Egg cafe and it was a morning well spent! It originally opened in Mandeville, Louisiana, just a few miles from New Orleans in '96 and has already expanded in the southern states.

I felt like I was walking into an upscale French country kitchen with lots of charm, earthenware mugs and stone floors:) They have a multitude of menu options even for vegetarians and isnt just about bacon and ham omlettes! The coffee was delicious in their custom earthen mug which was being attentively refilled throughout our breakfast.I was (for the use of a better word) Fida over the Cinnamon Roll French Toast which was essentially thick slices of cinnamon roll, grilled with French toast batter and layered with cream cheese icing , topped with banana's foster sauce and fresh berries.Yum!

The Garden delight omelette was huge and three inches thick filled with porcini/portabella mushrooms,chives,grilled tomatoes,peppers and jalapenos. Topped with Monterey Jack ,it came with a side of country potatoes, fresh biscuits,whipped butter and grapefruit slices. You'd think can a single person finish that..and I did (sheepish grin) well I did have the rest of the day ,to work it off!
The husband's choice didnt disappoint either.It was a generous portion of golden yellow scrambled eggs with asparagus,spinach,mushrooms.On a fresh baked croissant. Smothered in Hollandaise sauce..! Each bite was rich and moist and it came with its own set of sides:P

I can't wait to go back and try the veggie Benedict, Biscuit Beignets and quiches to name a few :D

of kayaks and quaint B&B's..

2010-06-25T17:14:00.000-07:00

Beavers Bend state park turned out to be a perfect long weekend getaway with satisfying amounts of relaxation,adventure and trekking.It boasts a huge lake with water-sports, swimming.Lots of hiking trails and little streams for fly-fishing..Reubens was the cutest little bed and breakfast, where we stayed two nights,right next to the park in Oklahoma. Our room was luxurious ,replete with an armoire,chintz chairs and foot stools with tassels!! The bathroom was gorgeous with a jacuzzi bathtub,plush robes and double sinks.Not to mention the heavenly toilteries such as grapefruit bubble bath,aromatherapy oils and colourful bath salts!!The lap of luxury continued to the gold brocade bedspread with tempurpedic matress and 700+ cotton sheets. Out in the hallway was freshly brewed coffee,a fridge full of snacks and sodas and a microwave!Being a vegetarian wasnt a problem as the owner whipped up some delightful fresh breakfast every morning.So after devouring a veggie benedict and maple syrup covered french toast, I was ready for my five mile kayaking over the Mountain river.It was a beautiful and tiring four hours with several stops where we pulled in our kayaks to have lunch and take in the scenary.I had one embarasing albeit hilarious incident ,where my kayak did a voltaphase and I was going backward,crashed through a two foot rapid and got stuck in an overturned tree :P I had my life jacket on and was fine except for losing a slipper which floated to an amused husband downstream, trying very hard to keep a straight face :P.Coming back to our haven, we jumped into our private pool,enjoyed a glass of merlot by the fireplace and picked out a rom-com from their huge collection downstairs. Whoever said bed and breakfasts are for octogenarian couples :P

the slow arrow of beauty

2010-06-14T12:26:00.000-07:00

"The noblest sort of beauty does not sweep us away all at once, does not make stormy and intoxicating assaults, but is instead the slowly penetrating sort that we carry around with us almost unnoticed.." Nietzsche.

Grand Canyon

2010-06-12T16:09:00.000-07:00

I got my first glimpse as we flew over Arizona, approaching Nevada. There it was in all its red-hued, stark glory! As I took it all in,we passed over Lake Mead which looks rather pretty from the sky. My attention was later diverted as we got the full frontal impact of the Las Vegas strip!!
277 river miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep. Millions of years of erosion by the mighty Colorado river and offering 3-4 eras of geological records, it is an extensive geological, paleontological, archeological and biological resource. It's not a surprise that it is one of the most studied landscapes in the world and a world heritage site!Its just one of those places I always wanted to go to once. A place of strange,arid but magnificent beauty.As I walked along the trail from Bright Angel point ,I was repeatedly awed, humbled and aware of the wonder next to me..The reds,browns,beige and gray layers of rock,shale,sandstone are distinct. So is the pristine sky.Strong,pleasant and constant wind. And the glimpse of the blue Colorado.I remember this feeling of awed humility and breath-taking excitement at the Tweleve Apostle National Park in Australia.I would definitely like to go again, hike down the canyon, a bit of river rafting, mule ride and some helicopter viewing!

Jubilee

2010-06-08T15:20:00.000-07:00

Las Vegas has a smorgasbord of shows for you to choose from. Whether its music, stand-up comedy, erotic theatre or acrobatics. There are shows you could watch with families, as a couple, for a girl's or guy's night out, with kids or alone!
Cirque Du Soleil alone ,gives you a choice of "0", "Zumanity", "Mystere" and "Ka" ,so you get my drift...I can assure ,you will be spoilt for choice, time and whether or not to max out your credit card!
So after weighing our options we decided to go for the longest running Las Vegas showgirl extravaganza,Don Arden's Jubilee.And it did not disappoint us.VIP seats for less than half the price, champagne and beautiful people all around-the stage and in the audience.The ninety minutes was filled with exotic lighting, marvellous sets,talented perfomers, topless/rhinestone-covered/perfect-ten figure showgirls, Adonis resembling acrobats in thongs and Prince-of-Persia robes...! .A stunning visual treat intertwined with displays of difficult tricks,fantasy,skill,'wild' and lots of imagination.
Our second option was Russell Peters LIVE :) Sheer luck had us stumbling on some good last minute seats.There was predictable hilarity,grossness and entertainment.
I'd say two well-spent evenings. Though it would be fun to check out some of the tongue-in -cheek, naughty, "for ladies only" kinds of hunk shows with my girlfriends. Some day!

Mediterranean diet

2010-05-22T12:58:00.000-07:00

I had with me some of the best and creamiest Goat's cheese.Toasted some wheat sandwich rounds and slathered on some great Pesto. Next sautéed baby spinach in olive oil with garlic and basil.Top that with delicious vine tomato slices ,crumble on some of that heavenly Goat cheese and I had myself a rather delicious and healthy sandwich! The husband said you can sell this ,while helping himself to a couple more :D So for tonight I have bought a fresh-from-the-oven Baguette.The plan is to cut thick slices and drizzle EVOO(extra virgin olive oil) and toast them in the oven. And follow up with the same toppings, to make some marvelous Bruschetta.Of course that is not ALL :P,I do plan to serve some ravioli in mushroom cream sauce. What can I say, the chef is only as good as the ingredients ;)

Spring time..

2010-05-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

March flew.So glad to have two of the most important people ,visit us.Lots of laughter,long conversations and reminiscences.The joy of being a tad less responsible for a little while:P.To taste mom's wonderful cooking again.Most importantly having had all the time to show them around and making the most of their stay!

NewOrleans is an interesting place,quite different from the major US cities,according to moi. We stayed at a quaint bnb at the French Quarter and lived it up for the three days we were there for.The Mardi Gras world museum is rather unique and massive. The WW II museum was pretty awesome ,especially for dad and the husband. The 1 hr 4d movie about D-Day and the invasion of Normandy was fabulous.We spent our evenings strolling alongside the Mississippi river-walk, helped ourselves to some delicious warm Beignets and coffee at the famed Cafe Du Monde. Canal street dotted with colorful houses and shops is touristy, with street theater and shows at the Jackson square.Oh and dont forget the spicy Cajun and Creole cuisine and some novel,potent cocktails such as the Hurricane:PRue De Bourbon, the famous and infamous Bourbon street was 2 blocks away from where we were staying. Naturally everyone was(secretly ;)) highly curious to explore,given that we were visiting with parents.It was loud,festive,boisterous and flamboyantly scandalous. It was definitely something,the likes of which, none of us had seen before:) There was a St Patrick's day parade happening. I was given a fake rose by a gentleman in a Tuxedo and a mask..just on a random note:P
People were mostly drinking,dancing,lounging in balconies above and beads were being thrown about! Essentially everyone had started partying from 6 pm and the pace was just starting to pick up by 9 pm as we were making our way through grooving groups of people!There was a bar whose ceiling of wooden panels was replaced by colourful undergarments!!The shock value is greater than what I can post here:D. The wildness slowly increases and reaches a crescendo probably late midnight until the big party ebbs by 5 am. Till the next evening that is. Marvellous isnt it?!

Spring is here and hopefully to stay. Have had enough of the El Nino and its harsh unpredictability, to say the least. The evenings are my favorite time of the day.Warm temperatures, constant light breeze and daylight till 8 pm. There is so much activity everywhere.On the roads, people running along the riverside and cycling, frisbee and picnics in the gardens and open spaces.In the front yard, children playing along with cute Beagles and Cocker-spaniels:)

In other news,its been 1 year!!! A great one at that:) I managed a corny surprise in advance and the husband reciprocated with the right amount of shock and a hint of blushing ;) I had baked the perfect ,golden brown peach cobbler which we polished off with extra creamy vanilla- bean ice cream. So far so good...

Natrang

2010-02-06T13:17:00.000-08:00

It had been long since I watched a Marathi movie and a darned good one at that! It was snowing outside.. a weekend, with family.Couldnt have asked for more appropriate conditions overall :D. So we made some masala chai with lemongrass, spearmint and ginger and cut the large Tiramisu for everyone.And we also started watching Natrang.While not attempting an in-depth review, I just felt like saying a few things about the movie.

Natrang in marathi roughly translates to the many parts a person/actor plays in his/her life.The movie itself focuses on the life of the actor (Guna), a simple ambitious village dweller who works at the local farm.He secretly aspires to be a performer and is often busy writing prose and poetry ,towards which most of his time and real passion is dedicated.

The story thus follows the protagonist's life.Guna starts his own performing arts show or a Tamasha.The team manager advises his troop that to attain real success,they have to procure a lady figure who can dance,cajole and connect with the masses.The addition of the lady to their troop comes with its share of conditions and problems.Guna is forced to compromise his dreams of seeing himself in the role of a king to that of a "Nacha" (eunuch with feminine traits or something to that effect!). This paradigm shift in characters and how he originally envisioned himself is delivered skilfully by national award winning - Atul Kulkarni. You have to watch the movie to feel the discrimination and treatment he faces from the common man, the audience and his family. Its best I don't attempt to do so with words and undervalue the brilliant performance!

It is a soul-wrenching rendition of a simple story and yet it manages to leave profound impressions on the viewer's mind. A culmination of a myriad emotions conflicting and subsiding,are executed beautifully by a single man,not destined to easy realization of his true dreams.In spite of extreme hardship and the road ahead lined with perpetual desolation-somehow life goes on and one has to along with it, is the movies message to the viewers.

The songs are pretty neat but the hands-down winner is Khel mandala and for some reason I am unable to embed the youtube link :-/

Must watch for all Marathi audiences and others if you find a print with subtitles!

Lights,Camera,Action...

2010-02-06T09:47:00.000-08:00

A drive through Deerfield,Plano-TX was akin to wandering between a million twinkling lights,tinsel and opulent christmas decor! Talk about taking the spirit of festivities to another level.Thats right,that level where six bedroom mansions with vaulted ceilings is your everyday home :P The effort taken by the households and the homeowner's association is not to be undervalued, especially not with their electricity bills for the winter months:) However,it was a sight to behold in all its extravagant glory and here are a few snapshots.

pensacola

2010-02-03T14:05:00.000-08:00

The Florida trip during thanksgiving break was perfect.I came across some jaw-dropping scenery and try as I want to-I can't do justice with mere words.Having said that,its fair to declare I have exhausted my expressive ability and vocabulary to describe the "white sand blue sea experience" in spite of my obsession with that landscape!! :)So this post is going to be easy..muhaha
Otherwise however, Destin was spectacular;Okaloosa had a charming Dolphin cruise; Pensacola was interesting with an ancient lighthouse, offering credible views and an impressive National museum of Naval Aviation.Fun,Fun :)

don't you think a sprinkling of Cheddar makes everything delicious..

2010-02-03T13:56:00.000-08:00

It was time for dinner and I realized I hadnt even thought about what to serve the poor husband who will be home in a little while after a hard day's slogging :P So I dragged myself to the fridge to take a peek for the possible whip-something-up scenarios.I was surprised to see how well stocked my refrigerator was and the quick delicious something I came up with. Here is the recipe for a Mixed Vegetable Quiche with smoked Cheddar, which I served with a side of lightly sauteed greens(snow peas, broccoli, asparagus).

-saute onions,carrots,broccoli,cauliflower,garlic.
-Add hot chilli sauce eg Tabasco chilly garlic.
-beat 2 eggs,half cup milk,salt,1/2 tsp cumin-coriander powder,1/2 tsp red chilli powder
-transfer the sauteed veggies to a frozen Graham's pie crust,followed by a topping of the egg mixture
-Sprinkle bread crumbs,butter and grated cheddar cheese on top
-Bake 3o mins at 375 F till crust is crisp and golden brown.

The raised eyebrows were replaced with a appreciative mmph and a second helping :)

I am back.And about time..

2010-02-03T12:58:00.000-08:00

I was mulling over the quiescence of my blog activity over an almond & poppy seed muffin..figuring out the why's.I suppose I was busy with people and activities..maybe my muse needed feeding..maybe I was reluctant to write just for the sake of posting...waiting to be struck with that evasive touch of inspiration..some traveling..lots of cooking...
I am not saying I was happy with this absence...after all I love writing/penning thoughts with drama, call it what you like :P..
Christmas was rather enjoyable-with family,excellent food,desserts.Oh also my first snowy christmas in the United States! Of all the places to witness it: Dallas,TX!Pretty.
In other news, its been a long winter, the kind that sends a chill to your bones.Damp,dark,gloomy. Hard freeze and black ice. Cant wait for spring ,when the bayous will be abuzz with activity and sunshine!!

winter road

2009-12-18T07:52:00.000-08:00

an everyday journey

silhouttes of brown twigs
outlines of dark branches
amid white mists,
a sepulchral aura
a strange beauty

and further down

vivid green wreaths,
twinkling stockings and pine
red bricks, church steeple
gentle snowy flurries

when the bell tolls...
out of my reverie
a patient heart..

as the miles vanish
a crackling fire,warm rugs
comfort.a smile.

back and forth

2009-11-19T07:33:00.000-08:00

six am in the morning
is it dewy fog,
that clings so pristine

or heavy mist,overshadowing...

dark winds, ripple giant puddles
patterns in wood and water

saltatory sparks
a solemn silence
nonchalant glances..

those moments of churn,
disperse eventually

the background score fades..
and for that moment
it is just right.

iCrave

2009-09-30T10:50:00.000-07:00

I woke up today and realized I crave for a lot of things,like most mortals. Material, worldly and otherwise.But not focusing today on clothes, cosmetics, shoes, handbags, watches, perfumes, home art etc..:P For all of you who are aghast with sarcasm, shame on you :P I am not 'always' shallow. Especially today, I have donned my sage-like aura denouncing 'em worldly pleasures ..sigh. Which brings us back to the basics of indulgences,the king of cataclysmic cravings, the Ice cream.

My craving for ice-cream and its varieties has transitioned from when I was three years old to now. As a child, every kind of ice-cream was good enough, milk-based Qwality walls or Arun, street-side kulfi, water-based orange 'candy' on sticks and even frozen flavored Popsicle a.k.a 'pepsicola'...oh the simpler time!! Then came the teen phase of Swiss Movenpick and giant Freeze Zone sundaes (popular ice cream parlors in Chennai).

The late-teens was a time ruled by desserts. Cheesecakes, pies, brownies, sorbets, accompanied with ice cream, whipped cream, sauces, nuts and fruits. The twenties were a continuation of the above along with Haagen Daaz, Ben and Jerry's and Gelato. Melbourne's Lygon Street was filled with gelato and gelati parlors along with the gorgeous Italian food it offered. And it helped staying at the edge of its Italian quarter district as a grad student! The specialty chocolate stores such as Max Brenner and Koko Black served up great coffee ice creams and wonderful flan and babkas! I was fortunate to have worked at the Leonda Ballroom as a part time food and beverage attendant. The joy to be able to sample and satisfy myself with rich food and grand desserts at any time! I carry the memory of some of the best berry cheesecake, mango souffle and a mocha tiramisu, I have ever had.

I am a fan of all of that even today. However,my taste buds have rekindled their passion for ice cream. That ultimate comfort food,a therapy for boredom, mood-swings and hogging for no reason at all :) Breyer's strawberry cheesecake and Bluebell's Banana pudding flavored ice creams are creamy, have optimum flavor and have enough of either the cheesecake crust or the biscuit, respectively.Who would have thought one could buy a bit of contentment and bliss in Styrofoam pints!
In other news, I am discovering the pleasures of baking! Today I baked my own version of a Blueberry-cinnamon cheesecake pie! And it was a good show for first attempts.Its simple and makes for a quick, yummy dessert. Beat 2 eggs,half cup brown sugar,1 tsp cinnamon and 8 oz of philadelphia cream cheese. Add the smooth batter to a graham ready pie crust.Bake at 350 F for 25 minutes. In a small bowl, combine blueberries sprinkled with cinnamon,sugar, lemon juice and flour. Mix well and add on top of the pie and bake another ten minutes.Voila!!Next on the list are cheesy potato bake, apple strudels and banana muffins.Till then,ta!

Dragon Boat Racing..

2009-09-17T07:53:00.000-07:00

Have you ever signed up for something novel, and not known how the day was going to progress, only to find out you ended up having an absolute blast,so that you wonder why you had uncertain thoughts in the first place..!? Well, firstly I am game for trying out and being a part of any new experience (almost :P). Secondly, my doubts dissipated when I found out me and the husband were on the same team. So here's what we did from 7 am to 3 pm that fabulous rainy day.. Oh yeah! Dragon boat racing on the Red River! Wait,it gets better! We came in at third place and got us some pretty medals with the blue ribbons!!
The dragon boat is a long ,narrow canoe-style boat powered by a team of peddlers.Dragon boat racing has its origins in China and modern day boats are adorned with decorative regalia of dragon heads and tails,hence the name. The contemporary team consists of 20 peddlers, 1 drummer/caller at the bow and 1 tiller at the helm. The drummer is responsible for coordinating the timing and frequency of paddling strokes.Traditionally he/she is referred to as the heartbeat of the dragon boat. The tiller or helmsman steers the canoe, with a sweep oar rigged at the end of the boat and is responsible for direction.The helmsman also follows protocol of maintaining distance from other racing boats,avoiding collision and bow waves. Acquiring speed is primarily a function of high level synchronization by the peddlers.The aim is to minimize drag, ensure steadiness of the boat and work in conjunction with the drummer and the helmsman.Sounds easy enough,doesn't it :P In our case it was all the above no doubt, coupled with luck as we sailed away under the bridge , soaring towards the finish line!Far from the IDBF (International Dragon Boat Federation) we may be, but its a start. And here's to many more years in the future.

It was a rainy afternoon...

2009-09-16T12:39:00.000-07:00

Nothing gets you going like a gray wet afternoon, slate skies and a downpour.They almost validate the rants, the blue mood and the crankiness.Add to that vague armchair philosophy ,as you slip in and out of your reverie.The weather outside mirrors your indistinct temperament and mocks you at the same time. Sigh.Storms are omnipresent,outside and withing one's life.They will be around always..
What matters is riding them out. More importantly how we go about doing that.Its true whoever said that an idle mind is a devil's workshop.Does that mean all work and no play is better than none..I wonder. Of course I know the best thing is to have balance,but we live in the real world and are subject to the ebb and flow of fate's tides.Call it coming together of events or opportunities,if you think fate is drivel.But sometimes, all you require is a change in perspective.Even the balanced ones, who thought themselves immune to fall into mundane circuits,eventually do!

I figure your life needs to be shook up a little bit,every once in a while,not including drastic misfortune! So you retrieve alignment and focus on the real stuff,the good stuff...Come out of your monotonous reverie,smell the rains,count your blessings...Delight in the sight of the green grassy lawns stretching out in your front yard,the gleaming blue pool surface with dancing raindrops, allow yourself to feel the happiness...Embrace the warmth of your cozy appartment,appreciate the circle of events, simmer in gratitude for the place you are in, at that moment in life...

On a random note I remembered this from American Beauty ,not intending relevance or irrelevance to the present: When there's so much beauty in the world, sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst. And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life.

I am thinking a hot mug of fresh ,cinnamon coffee is in order to complete the silver lining...:D

PS: For an obsessive compulsive pessimist,boy did this end on a positive note!!

motorbike babble..

2009-09-10T08:32:00.000-07:00

Me: Oh my god, these bikes look so amazing! Ferrari bikes?!! *disbelief*
Bike enthusiast friend: Yea..I haven't seen anything so beautiful!
Me: Look at their shape..such smooth lines..resembles a Coke bottle.
Bike enthusiast friend: Oh,All I see is a female shaped figure *devoted adoration*
Me: uh huh *rolls eyes*..so when will these be out?
Bike enthusiast friend:These are not for production,at least not yet.They are futuristic prototypes.* patience*
Me: Why not..I am sure people who can afford, will buy them!
Bike enthusiast friend:For starters, they have a four cylinder engine,like a car! Bikes have a 2 cylinder engine! *superior smirk*
Me: Oh,I see...*whatever* :P

I suppose to the untrained eye like mine they are incredible pieces of work.To be able to envision such detail and deliver striking, glossy blue-prints, is a feat in itself.The transformation to physical form cant be that far away..don't you think?!

caffeine dreams

2009-09-09T14:33:00.000-07:00

I am a coffee lover, albeit far from a coffee connoisseur. I like my coffee with milk ,more often than not ,with an exception of a well brewed kahve. The cappuccino,constitutes an all time favorite, given the coffee is strong,rich with a smoky aftertaste of ground beans,creamy,milky and low on the foam.Easy to please am I not ;) And not everyone gets it right,believe you me, not even when I try brewing and making it myself :( Some of the most perfect cuppas I have had were in inconspicuous town bistros and tucked away cafes in cities.I am not a fan of Starbucks,in all honesty :P But Costa on the other hand makes the cut,so does the Gloria Jeans brand.Vittoria coffee reigns supreme on the personal favorite list, an Australian owned brand with Italian heritage apparently! The husband and I have taken a liking to a New Orleans's blend of chicory and coffee.It is lush on the palate and rather delicious.Recently we discovered an organic foodstore selling premium Turkish coffee beans ,which one can grind to their liking before purchase and is next on the list.I love Kahve,the Lebanese spicy version.The cardamom smell entices you first and the heavy,luscious taste enthralls you next.Before you know it,I have downed two of their dainty ceramic cups,black! I am not the obsessive coffee drinker who is always in search of elevated brewed perfection bordering on science and technique.The coffee snobs might even deem me a non-drinker,as Coffee isnt coffee unless its black ,though I respectfully disagree.In all propensity however,I would like to note the Floral aromas of the Yemen mocha,enjoy the spice infused Morrocan concoctions and err..maybe even give the Indonesian Kopi Luwak a shot..some day!

days of revelation

2009-08-07T12:10:00.000-07:00

there are days when the lyrics of
a song playing in your head
unfold before you,

those days when words fail you
unraveling emotion
from a clairvoyant memory..
fractions of understated elation

and days when, in a sudden flash
everything is illuminated
the reason unclouded,
culmination of connected dots
that unadulterated blitheness

when antecedent detritus,is cleared
awash in gratitude, for that beatitude
of dubious existence...

you are that reason, integral and whole.
you are that brilliance ,which sets me alight.
you are that moment, unambiguous and intact.
you are that happiness,undivided and complete.

mountain magic

2009-08-03T13:00:00.000-07:00

I had been longing for a weekend in the mountains after an excessive exposure to lakes,bayous,gulfs and things such.So we took off for the "natural state" Arkansas.We stopped on our way at HotSprings and reveled in a thermal whirlpool spa of sorts.A relaxed boat ride on Lake Hamilton and a giant Falafel later,we were at Petit Jean National Park,near Morrilton.It totally lived up to all my romantic notions of a mountain lodge,made out of wood and stone with great food and atmosphere.The surrounding stimulating scents of white oak and dogwood,stirring my mind awake.

There is that magic in breathing the crisp air at higher altitudes.The exuberance of an elevated heart beat ,from the physical activity of hiking and climbing.The exhilarated gasps of delight and satisfaction of the sights and views along the way.The dazzling vistas from peaks and rocks perched high.Infusing freshness into the tired and mundane,almost imperceptibly.

The misty waterfall.The rounded pebbles in clear pools of water. That perfect log cabin,tucked away on grassy slopes.Replete with a stone fireplace and polished wooden floors.A haven if you please,reminiscent of earthy cedar smells.

Trickling streams over undulating terrain,soothing in their wake,frazzled nerves. Streaks of sunlight through red oak foliage.The soft rustle of pine.Near perfect stillness.And all of a sudden,a burst of mountain air.
Peace.

Amidst all the moving..

2009-07-20T14:10:00.000-07:00

This weekend was all about shifting.Packing things in trash bags and polythene bags,section wise so that things do not go missing or get misplaced.Then came the several hundred car trips to and fro from Quail Creek to Chateau.A monotonous rhythm of loading and unloading awkwardly shaped packages and boxes.I did the husband proud by lifting heavy, expensive electronic items and maintaining my distinctive non-dainty demeanor through-out!
The weekend was also about trying out three different types of cuisines as a direct result of all this shifting.Tacomania was a spunky Mexican cantina and their salsa was decidedly fresh and unforgettable.The sangria was passable and could have done without the tinge of cranberry flavour.The vegetarian quesadillas were mouthwatering with the perfect amalgamation of cheese,sour cream,Mexican fried beans and salad.They had five types of salsa along with the nachos.My favourite were Verde and Guacamole.Ming Garden was a quirky Chinese cafe serving healthy,cheap food in the right quantity.The vegetable stir fry with steamed jasmine rice was delicious.So was the fortune cookie.Al Basha was an elegantly laid-back Greek and Lebanese restaurant.The Lebanese coffee was excellent,thick and rich with the flavours of earth,wood,grass and smoke.Sounds crazy but you just wait till you try it!! The falafel sandwich had the right amount of crunch,vegetables and hummus.The salad was a combination of feta cheese,mayonnaise and tzatziki. The pita bread basket kept refilling itself accompanied with those heavenly dips of Hummus(chick pea based), Baba Ganoush (egg-plant based) and tzatziki (cucumber,yogurt and rosemary).The grape leaf roll was interesting,with steamed brown rice rolled in grape leaves which have a henna-like smell.The new place rocks,with a pool five steps away and abundant,invisible storage which is bound to give the house a clutter-free look,I hope :)Now if only all the things would unpack themselves:P

silver milestone..

2009-07-11T08:51:00.000-07:00

My 50th post!!!Thankyou very much :)(takes a bow :D).
Oh and full points to everyone who noticed :P hmph

For the sake of my literacy:)

2009-07-10T14:47:00.000-07:00

The book is a laudable effort by Randy Pausch.Soulful,moving and fairly inspiring.It failed to have the expected effect on me probably because I have read Tuesdays with Morrie earlier and was familiar with the nuances of this kind of a plot.So Randy is a professor at a university,diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer,3 small children and a wife.With six months, till the cancer cells obliterate his immunity.He therefore tries to maximize the memories he can leave behind for his children in the form of video-tapes,photographs and his book.Emotional insurance as he impressively described it. What he meant by that is a record encompassing their time spent together,life lessons and things he would have liked to teach and discuss with them.The book also highlights the importance of hope and strength.

Maximum City is a powerful description of Amchi Mumbai, by Suketu Mehta.As a former mumbaikar I can relate to so many of the various comparisons,messages and statements he is driving home, in his fabulous narrative non-fiction.He combines the zeal of an investigative reporter and an inquisitiveness of a voyeur ,giving us insightful glimpses of this dynamic metropolis. The book is filled with measured wit,outrage and opinion of the writer and his love-affair with the city ,which is revolting,repugnant yet incredible at the same time.
In other news,I am starting Shantaram.That's gonna last me a lifetime by the looks of its thickness and my erudition speed.Especially since I keep getting distracted with Vogue and Cosmopolitan :P

Healthy hydration :)

2009-07-10T13:46:00.000-07:00

I have recently joined the organic bandwagon.I try to incorporate the principle in as many food and food products as feasible ,based on their existence,availability and pricing.The husband and I have upped our intake of fruit and vegetable portions,pulses,non-fat or low-fat dairy products, antioxidant rich fruit juices, whole grain ,fiber rich bread/tortillas to name a few.And exercising of course - for that dose of endorphins,serotonins whilst balancing unfavorable sodium,lactic acid and LDL levels.After all,you are what you eat and I count myself a firm believer of that adagial concept.

I have never been a fan of aerated drinks.Which is a shame of sorts,since the US encourages every individual to drink mega sized gallons, accompanied with liberalized cost,wide availability and unhealthy incentives such as unlimited refill and size upgrade.So what does a person interested in healthier alternatives do ,to fight the propaganda of Coke and competitors..? I opt for the range of functional fruit juices and enhanced waters available,slowly gaining popularity, in the interest of fighting the obesity epidemic.

Fuze Slenderize is one such product.Low sugar,low calorie,enriched with nutrients.Its available in flavors such as strawberry melon,dragonfruit lime etc.My favourite is tangerine grapefruit and it totals all of 10 calories for the 240 ml serving size.It contains Chromium(an essential micronutrient helps in energy metabolism)),Vitamin C,L-carnitine( a protein enhancing performance and muscsle activity) and SuperCitrimax(a patented appetite suppressant extracted from a south Asian fruit Garcenia cambogia;helps curb appetite and relieve hunger pangs))
Similarly your regular icetea can be replaced with Fuze Black&Green Tea fortified with vitamins and natural tea antioxidants with the antioxidant capacity of 3 servings of brocolli!They contain polyphenols(potent antioxidants with varied benefits such as anti-carcinogenic properties), Vitamins C,E and B complex.They have the right amount of refreshing quality and sweetness to curb the sugar cravings apart from delivering health benefits.
There is no replacement for normal water when thirsty,but if you are in the mood for tasteful hydration then Vitaminwater fits the bill.Manufactured by Glaceau,they offer over ten different types of the same for targeted hydration.I tried the multi-V and tranquilo and found them to my liking.Consisting of over 5 vitamins,calcium,folic acid and minerals such as magnesium and zinc,its quite a beverage.

So long then,drink responsibly and hydrate responsibly.And wait for my next post on yogurts.Prost!:)

Deep sea fishing in the Mexican Gulf :)

2009-06-30T13:17:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was fun-filled, interspersed with unforgettable and exhilarating activities.The husband and I went Deep sea fishing with some friends, off the Gulf of Mexico.We departed from the Keesler Air Force base,Biloxi Mississippi after banana-nut and blueberry muffins.Strong coffee of course,given that the reporting time to board the Keesler Dolphin was 6 30 am!

I have always been a sea and ocean person. I reveled on the ship deck ,under the sun with the perfect breeze showering me with salty spray.The skies were enthralling, with cumulo-nimbus formations hinting at thunderstorms. And as luck would have it,we ran into a school of dolphins :)We anchored at one of the off-shore oil rigs known to be a hot-bed of fish activity, after our three hour long venture into the Mexican waters.

I caught a baby hammer head shark,which we let back into the sea.Talk about beginner's luck:P They are smooth and oily to touch in one direction and coarse,sand-papery in the other.The strength they possess is astonishing and one whack of the fin can cut and injure a person rather severely.The husband did me proud by catching several impressive snappers,red fish and the like.He is evolving into a seasoned fisherman almost,living up to the southern country life-style, me thinks :)

Our companions and friends on the boat caught heaps of other fish including speckled trout,groupers and oh..a 7.5 feet long Tiger shark! It was a spectacle to watch the elderly gentleman put up a fight for 2 hours to reel in this massive cartilaginous beast.Ministering heavy blows with a base-ball bat on the shark's head, gutting, cleaning and filling its hollow sack with ice.. was indeed a sight to behold.I do not support animal cruelty,so animal activists hold the phone before you sentence me! All I am guilty of is going deep sea fishing and witnessing routine procedures of handling big catches.

The next day we took a trip to the beachside towns of Gulfshores and Orange beach in Alabama.My weakness for white sands and blue-green clear waters is known :) To the husband's intense amusement,I went into a childish frenzy ,as all I could see were wide white expanses of white sand and jade-green ,clear waters.The Mexican Gulf was calling out to me and I spent a few good hours letting the waves wash over me.We then went to Florida Point,a scenic gem tucked away from the main beaches.The waters here were tranquil and free from waves, ranging dramatically from peacock-green to cobalt. Tanned and tired, we hit the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi that evening,enjoying Japanese sake at one of its famed Asian restaurants.Followed by a mean Margarita.And a sizzling brownie a la mode :D

Attaching bait(read pieces of squid,shrimp,cut fish-heads :-x) to the heavy metal reels is not one of my most favorite chore,though I support fishing as a recreational sport:P It was a highly eventful weekend laced with adventure,excitement and camaraderie:)I loved every moment of it.

southern skies...

2009-06-19T13:46:00.000-07:00

first the road signs,
complicated graphics

the way ahead
rolling hills,sweeping lakes..

the rev of boat engines
a hum behind behind my ear..

yellow daisies,peeping haciendas
concentric circles on green

pink and golden skies
a glimpse of a sunset

willows frame the road,
swinging tall,overarching

an open road,a full tank
southern skies for company

solitude.

night sky and memories

2009-06-12T10:50:00.000-07:00

tunneling through
a full night moonsky
a star spangled canvas
a glimpse of
streaking shooting stars

life goes forth
at the speed of light
an induced hope
of a tangible tomorrow
of realizing dreams.

a smile,a memory
coming a full circle.

And then some...

2009-06-10T13:52:00.000-07:00

I have been away for a while now.Really busy, getting married and everything:).Yeah,you heard that right!!!Anyways,I am back and here to stay.The last two months have been a whirlwind of things and events.Interspersed with puja marathons,cultural obligations,wedding shopping,irrelevant fussing by relatives,getting dolled up in traditional Marathi avatars and the like.I have been on the move baby.Shuttling between three cities while having all the time in the world for the dear husband :D. I would probably have to devote a post for every single day to capture the details right.But I am not going to do that.That's right and you all can breathe easy :)An awe-filled applause to the parents for the effortless execution of their daughters marriage in a short time,considering the traveling involved ,back and forth.So glad granny was around,given her precarious health,enjoying herself and smiling through the whole episode.As for the husband,he is an absolute sweetheart.No complaints there,yet..:D.I also moved to the US of A and loving it so far.The world is really flat out here and buildings maxed out with two storeys.
In other news my blog realigned itself and I had nothing to do with it.I had been trying, constantly fiddling with the html codes and browser settings to no avail.Joy from simple things..which puts the smirk back on my face..:)

humour and life in "quotes"

2009-04-11T08:29:00.000-07:00

I had just read a rather thought provoking Calvin and Hobbes strip.It was one of those slightly overcast days,and I was reflecting over things in no particular order.For no particular reason.Just trying to make sense of unrelated facts. Of no particular significance.So the strip went something like this..

Calvin: Isn't it strange that evolution would give us a sense of humour? When you think about it,its weird that we have a physiological response to Absurdity.We Laugh at it,We Like it,We think its Funny.Don't you think its odd that we Appreciate Absurdity..? Why would we develop that way?How does it benefit us?

Hobbes: I suppose if we couldn't laugh at things that Don't make much sense,we couldn't React to a lot of Life.

Calvin: (After a pause) I don't know if that's funny or really scary...

And then I thought how comedy and life are intertwined.Whether advocated by some profound theologian or the instances one sees in real life. These two quotes by Gilda Radner about life and laughter I came across, are highly pertinent.The second one may be something out of a stand up comedians bible,but doesn't each one have the ability to spread and share a few laughs..

Now I've learned that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it. Delicious ambiguity.
Comedy is very controlling - you are making people laugh. It is there in the phrase 'making people laugh.' You feel completely in control when you hear a wave of laughter coming back at you that you have caused.

I remembered a conversation with a dear bum chum which took place several years ago, in the middle of Kodaikanal lake.Our discussion focusing on life, perceptions, dreams,fears.And the importance to look at the lighter side of all things.
“Humor is perhaps a sense of intellectual perspective: an awareness that some things are really important, others not; and that the two kinds are most oddly jumbled in everyday affairs.”Christopher Morley.

So I resumed dwelling over the events and happenings taking place around me.Points to be noted, realizations. Of deterrent and hopeful wisps of memories and musings.Patience and pragmatism.Dealing with situations either which way they turn out.Cheerful resignation of events beyond ones control without adopting a fatalistic attitude.
“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on" according to Havelock Ellis makes much sense.
While not trying to propagate any armchair philosophy,this quote from her gtalk status surfaced..“But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?” Albert Camus.

74 islands Out of The Blue

2009-04-08T04:14:00.000-07:00

Off the Queensland coast, along Eastern Australia is one of the world's most spectacular aquatic playgrounds.The Whitsundays. A group of 74 tropical islands scattered amongst the pristine turquoise waters of the coral sea.They originated from the coral of the Great Barrier Reef, as it broke off in storms over a period of million years.It solidified as white deposits, when the coral died and piled up as small mounds under the waves. The islands became bigger and the coral was crushed by the wind and waves ,turning into some of the purest white sand.Also contributing to the genesis of the Whitehaven beach.Deserving of every award and accolade. Staking its rightful place on the worlds top ten/best beaches lists.A place like no other.

At the northern end of Whitehaven Beach is Hill Inlet, a stunning inlet where the tide shifts the sand and water, to create a mind-boggling fusion of beige,blue and white.It a gorgeous spread,taken in best via an aerial view or a boat ride as permissibly close by navigation.

Whitehaven beach is found along the largest of the Whitsunday islands, a result of coral erosion of sand.The sand is minute, micro-grains of quartz and has been assayed at 99.89% pure.This is well above the minimum requirement for glass-making and suitable for the finest glass meant for optical lenses and binoculars!! Its chaste composition is what contributes to its properties to resist heat at 2 pm, under the influence of extreme UV and the merciless Australian summer sun.

Feeling the powder-fine sand beneath my feet and lounging in warm aquamarine waters, as this 3D postcard stretched on in front of and around me-is forever etched in my memory.Combination of incredulity and laziness.An unforgettable sensation.I spent the entire day covered in sunscreen,hat and dark glasses.With a bit of kayaking, swimming and attempted wind sailing.Apart from lying around in the cute beach tents and sipping coconut rum spritzers:D

Six km's of unblemished white sand lapped by the crystal clear waters.One can never have enough of 'doing absolutely nothing':). Each one of us have several dreams..I would equate experiencing this natural masterpiece to realizing one of mine!Pure beach lovers heaven :)

nation of potheads

2009-04-07T08:23:00.000-07:00

Talking about aversions and principles, I am against drugs of any and every kind. I do not support their usage based on peer pressure or novelty. Though an ardent abettor of experimentation, I have a subzero tolerance towards the excuse of trying these vile dependency-inducing substances .Be it just once, for the first time or for the heck of it. It is one of that weird, personal bete noire.

Speaking of which, some twenty-four years ago, the Dutch government embarked upon an innovative trial, a tolerant "soft drug" policy, differing broadly from that of its European neighbours. The new drug legislation differentiated drugs such as heroin, cocaine and LSD, which were viewed as presenting "an unacceptable risk," from the "softer," less dangerous cannabis products.(source:http://www.parl.gc.ca/37/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/Com-e/ille-e/library-e/dolin1-e.htm)

This has caused friction between the Netherlands and other countries about the policy for cannabis, most notably with France and Germany. As of 2004, Belgium seems to be moving toward the Dutch model and a few local German legislators are calling for experiments based on the Dutch model. Switzerland has had long and heated parliamentary debates about whether to follow the Dutch model, most recently deciding against it in 2004.

Possession of 30 grams of marijuana or hashish (supposedly enough to satisfy the average user's needs for several weeks) was decriminalized. The Dutch government went ahead to permit sale of marijuana and hashish in licensed coffee shops, with certain restrictions. I am no expert and I am sure the assessors had their reasons. However, how can one exercise regulatory control over a subject controlled by his/her dependence of an addictive chemical compound. The dependence of which causes wars, robbery, gun-shots, vandalism, looting when withdrawal symptoms set in. While some may hail the highly progressive outlook of tackling the problem, I fail to understand this blatant endorsement by the government.Of course there are consequences of the legalization of the so-called risk-free drugs, whose repercussions today are wide-ranging.

Firstly, THC (delta-nine-tetrahydrocannabinol), the component that provides the high was 3-5 % in traditionally grown cannabis. Nederwiet, the now-popular Dutch-grown cannabis, is far more potent, with a THC that can rise to up to 20 percent, providing a quicker, more enduring high. Greater quantities of the elevated-level THC cannabis is required to get a high as smokers developed a tolerance to the high THC-level joints. THC, which does not dissolve in water, is absorbed by human fatty tissues and remains there longer than either nicotine or alcohol. Thus, the THC effects remain with the heavy user far longer than they realize, causing a decline in short-term memory, and diminished ability to learn and decreased motor skills.

Secondly, twenty odd years ago, the Netherlands was comparatively free of international drug-trafficking criminals. Today, Holland has become an illegal drug producing and distributing giant, a devastating threat not only to the Netherlands but across Europe.(source: wiki).

In the Netherlands, the national drug policy has officially four major objectives:
• To prevent drug use and to treat and rehabilitate drug users.
• To reduce harm to users.
• To diminish public nuisance by drug users (the disturbance of public order and safety in the neighborhood).
• To combat the production and trafficking of drugs.

In all fairness to quote statistics, 9.7% of young adults (aged 15-24) consume soft drugs once a month in the Netherlands , comparable to the level in Italy (10.9%) and Germany (9.9%) and less than in the UK (15.8%) and Spain (16.4%). Dutch rates of drug use are lower than U.S. rates in every category apart from drug related deaths.
(source http://www.drugpolicy.org/global/drugpolicyby/westerneurop/thenetherlan/)

Most countries take the point of view that drugs are detrimental to society and must therefore be outlawed, even when such policies fail to eliminate drug use. Significant numbers of policymakers in the Netherlands believe that, if a problem has proved to be unsolvable, it is better to try controlling it instead of continuing to enforce laws with mixed results. What they probably don’t take into consideration is that the monitoring is intended for humans, the worst offenders of any pragmatic policy. Another factor is that as a small nation with high literacy, income and government aid, these liberal laws may work to varying degrees.But can one ever imagine implementing the same in other countries?

I am no preacher. There is enough knowledge and information at our fingertips. Reason and comprehension abilities if we can spare a few minutes to mull things over. Legislative liberalization , policy modification , reverse psychology or rampant availability cannot affect or dramatically alter the basic response of the human body to the chemical reactions induced by potent substances. One can choose to learn a lesson from A Requiem for a Dream. Or relive it.

unfazed

2009-03-27T03:16:00.000-07:00

virtual reality
anticipated unreality

conceptual shards
like crushed starlight
piercing through hazy dreams
cosmic dust
sprinkled across
a blank canvas

unfazed still,
i begin ,a slow stroll
across the universe

ocassional must-haves

2009-03-16T08:48:00.000-07:00

I realized I haven't really written anything fun and frivolous for a long time..:D On that note..I thought I would ramble and simultaneously review girl stuff and make-up!So coming to my new favorite body-mist,blush,mineral foundations and things such..:P

Victoria's Secret VerySexy body mist is dreamy..The scent is typically oriental- floral with musk,soft woods and white amber notes!!Light,airy and perfectly pleasant!The bottle doesnt look too bad either.

Blush,for the uninitiated goes on cheeks and defines the cheekbones and face shape with the right sweeps and strokes.There are a million brands.Types include powder blush/cream blush/bronzer blush/liquid tints to name a few.I came across this one particular brand ,courtesy of a friend in the US, whose packaging caught my attention.It is bold and tongue-in-cheek at the same time. But I do think it has highly creative nomenclature and brilliant advertising :P!"Orgasm" blush by NARS will give your cheeks just the right kind of glow :P The matter-of-fact aptness of the brand combined with that hint of initial shock is probably what keeps the sales going and the product an absolute fav with the ladies!:D

Bath and Body Works Wild Honeysuckle Cream bodywash,enriched with milk and oat proteins to soften, smooth and condition skin. Its creamy lather leaves you feeling silky-smooth and beautifully fragrant.So they all claim..But all in all a worthwhile indulgence.

Bare Escuentials Mineral makeup.Made with pure, crushed minerals from the earth, bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation-Medium beige,looks like a powder, feels like a cream and buffs on like silk, giving skin a natural luminosity. Free of preservatives, talc, oil, waxes, fragrances, and other chemicals that can irritate skin and cause breakouts, its ideal for all skin types. Cant wait to get my hands on this one!!!

And finally,I got gifted the new Antonio Banderas Blue Seduction for women.I would rate it reasonably high in my perfume choice.It was bergamot and violet leaves all the way.Aquatic freshness.Reminds me of citrus orchards and essential oils.
Thats all for now on the shallow and self indulgent worldly-desires :P I like the good life as much as the next person or the Queen or Paris Hilton, call it what you like :D

verse in motion

2009-03-13T03:32:00.001-07:00

Its all coming down
Down like the raindrops
Not enough time

The music doesn’t stop
It goes on
And on

Just a tune
evoking nostalgia
deep rooted emotions
majestic in rhythm

love and sadness
leaps of faith
rankling uncertainty
question marks

a euphony
Resonating familiarity
A spectacularly haunting melody.

Catching up..

2009-03-06T05:36:00.000-08:00

A quick catch up with an old acquaintance prompted me to write this post.We were discussing about life,how things have changed,mistakes,choices,if we would have done things differently.About just not giving a damn.Distorted perceptions.Memories of people all around being short.She declared she was living life on autopilot. That is a first..I wondered why she worded it that way.Whatever happenend to seizing the day,living it up,taking responsibility for all of one's behaviour.Isnt it all about we being the masters of our own fate.A friend once told me,if one is miserable,its their own fault.It is upto every person to actively amend or ameliorate their happiness or sadness.I tend to agree with the view.However circumstances sometimes stand in the way of our amending or improvising situations and happiness.Besides that, each one is probably capable of influencing thier overall contentment and maximising satisfaction and peace in their lives.So living life on autopiltot. Doesnt it essentially mean going with the flow,dealing with everything dealt out and not really having any sort of control on destined events..Its true that without the lows one cannot value and appreciate the highs.A life without expectation is no life at all.But with expectation, there is disappointment.I wonder if she is right after all...

Quick thoughts

2009-03-04T05:32:00.000-08:00

I came across a compliment regarding one of my posts ,from a stranger.The other day a colleague at work who I am hardly acquainted with gave me some flattering comments regarding another.Which makes me think about my blog,in a different light.Sure,on one hand its about expressing my ideas or random musings.It's also about documenting some experiences which I wouldn't want to forget.And hell,its my space which gives me absolute liberty to opine,write and let the world know what I think.As long as I am not infringing any copyrights ,be it pictures or quotes.

Secretly it thrills me to no end to see comments,insights and criticism regarding any post of course :)In any which form communicated to me.It propels me to write more, imparts a purpose and an urge to improve quality.Oh and recently I received requests.The fact that someone would like to hear my account on things gives me a great kick!Shameless gloating indeed :P But it also makes me nervous regarding expectations from the same.

I am confident and passionate about every single word I enter..I love writing..I look at it as a creative pursuit...Above all, time well spent. In an attempt to make the posts diverse ,interesting and genuine -I cant but help give a part of me away. On the other hand,I think about how much of me is out here, open for scrutiny and interpretation.There's a possibility that some posts reveal too much and my personality is exposed to considerable judgment. Should some of the material not be here?Should I be filtering out details,events?

So why do I write what I write?Who wants to hear my take on things anyway?People's time is precious and patience scant.Is it because they are too kind to point out otherwise? Perhaps to humor me? Well..I don't have all the answers..:P As a persistent blogger,I sincerely value all the encouragement and duly note the appreciation from all concerned.Thank god for small mercies :))

Unfathomable reverie

2009-02-27T09:17:00.001-08:00

I am not an avid fan of The Matrix trilogy.Honestly,I dint really understand either of the movies.However,I was forced to take note of some of the dialogues with reluctant fascination. I felt it conveys and interprets love,life,karma in a vague yet powerful way.Maybe I am imagining some intellectual allure in these lines.It made me stop and ponder.It made me think.And think some more.

There is so much in this world that I do not understand. See that machine? It has something to do with recycling our water supply. I have absolutely no idea how it works. But I do understand the reason for it to work. I have absolutely no idea how you are able to do some of the things you do, but I believe there's a reason for that as well. I only hope we understand that reason before it's too late.

Reason.I think there is always a need to define.Categorize.Analyze.Find answers.The right ones.Understanding follows.Then there is acceptance without which there can be no healing or repair.There has to be reason to counteract chaos, reason to explain change, reason to fathom and conclude.

Trinity:You always told me to stay off the freeway.
Morpheus: Yes, that's true.
Trinity: You said it was suicide.
Morpheus: Then let us hope that I was wrong.

Every one of us is capable of the acts of right and wrong,at every second of our lives.I believe in the duality of a person's character.It could go either way.Whether or not the dark side dominates,is ones choice.May one always choose the right above wrong,though the latter is just so much easier at times :P

Trinity. I know you can hear me. I'm never letting go. I can't. I just love you too damn much.

Love makes the world go around.Be it conditional,unconditional or unrequited.
I can be all cynical, I can say its overrated. I may wonder 'what is it that people actually feel?!', I might even think that it is total bullshit.But,there can be no life without love.Love, in its myriad arresting forms,kinds,types.It influences us at every turn,bend,fork.In spite of the pain,life experiences and wisdom, there exists an undying,hopeful romantic inside me which keeps screaming at me.It asks me to believe.It asks for vested faith.

But, as you well know, appearances can be deceiving, which brings me back to the reason why we're here. We're not here because we're free. We're here because we're not free. There is no escaping reason; no denying purpose. Because as we both know, without purpose, we would not exist.
It is purpose that created us.
Purpose that connects us.
Purpose that pulls us.
That guides us.
That drives us.
It is purpose that defines us.
Purpose that binds us.
I think we are responsible for every single action,reaction and choice that we make in our lives.It is ultimately defined by purpose.And it is purpose that we need at any stage, to come a full circle, from genesis to death.It is purpose that will lead to karma.Cause and effect.

On that note, I'll leave you with my abstract musings.Its been a long day.

Ambrosial heaven

2009-02-25T08:12:00.001-08:00

What Kind of Drink Are You?

You are a Fine Glass of Wine. You are sophisticated and refined, but also complicated and hard to deal with. Not everyone loves you, but those who do swear that you're the coolest thing since sliced bread. One of these days the people that matter will understand you. Until then, you will be sitting on your throne as the distinguished product that not everyone has the taste to appreciate.

Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

I don't necessarily agree with the above result :P however, I did venture out on a wine tasting jaunt while in New South Wales.We took the tourist route through scenic mountains and via parts of the historic convict trail ,into the Wine Country at the town of Wollombi.Then there were the vineyards ,stretching across horizons,row after row of neatly planted grapevines. Embarking on a winery tour of sorts we wound our way through the vine lined hills.The Hunter Valley is one of the oldest wine producing regions of Australia,a famous supplier of the Semillion and Shiraz worldwide.

Red varieties included Shiraz, Pinot Noir & Merlot fermented in open vats followed by age maturation in a mix of French & American oak.White wines consisted of Verdelho, Semillon and American oak matured Chardonnay.Our primary site of visit was the Lindemans Estate,though we made passing stops at the Tyrrell and Wyndham Estate.

While the area is dominated with larger established winemakers, one of the unique qualities of the Hunter Valley is the number of boutique wineries hidden among the grape vines.The vineyards are a labor of love and handed down over generations. Wine making and maturation processes are closely guarded secrets,while neighbors fiercely compete for the innumerable medals and recognitions at contests and trade shows.

Our time was spent walking through the vineyards, hand-picking grapes, observing the on-site processing and maturation process.Getting into gigantic vats and stamping on ripe grapes is fulfilling and fun at the same time.The smashing of fruit with juvenile abandon helps separate the skins as well :).

The most exciting part was the visit to the cellars followed by wine tasting.The right way to taste and evaluate wines is to swirl,smell,sip and spit!So one observes the colour,followed by smelling the liquid to detect significant aroma.This is followed by rolling it over the tongue so as to expose all the taste buds and nerve receptors to assess the faintest textures,notes and body of the wine.As a group of enthusiastic amateurs, we were spared the terminal stage of the process of the four "s" ; )

I am fascinated by the colours of wine,especially the red.It ranges from a rich burgundy to a chocolate-crimson.The whites range from pale gold to gleaming topaz.I am certain my olfactory sense picked up faint tang and citrus hints.My palate of course picked up tastes on all levels.Ripe, rich and round, earth-scented,smoky black cherry and berry flavors, hinting deliciously at spices and on the smooth finish.That's my best shot with words.Ambrosial heaven.

Exhausted after the pleasant attack on all my senses,I felt like I could discern 'flavor'.And I must say I did very well..got myself a certificate and everything :D

confounded faith

2009-02-21T07:01:00.000-08:00

Some believe what they hear
some believe what they are told
some believe all the schit!
and then there's the truth...
to think we had the answers
all of them, all encompassing
but it were the questions
that were wrong..
that elusive verity.
would it
step out of the shadow
emerge from twilight
and if it doesn't...
enable deductive reasoning
count on Verisimilitude.

Random Two Five

2009-02-19T00:33:00.000-08:00

My 25 random things list..

1)I do not forgive and forget easily. I would never forget a favor and I would never forgive a crime or unpleasantness caused at a personal level. That does not construe holding grudges.

2)I love the color blue, especially navy, turquoise and aquamarine.

3)I love coffee and can have as many different kinds, flavors or cuppas on any given day, thank you very much. But I’d kill for the Vittoria Black Large like they make it at Café L’incontro, Swanston Street, Melbourne 3053!

4)I love the rain and the smell of the rain on earth. I love thunderstorms even though they freak me out. I like taking artistic, dark pictures of raging ,lightening streaks across inky skies.

5)I love my clothes .I love shopping for clothes. I love the feeling of finding that specific and perfect skirt, an earring or a pair of shoe which I know would look absolutely fabulous. Its almost an instinct. Its not so rare , but completely worth all the time/effort and money .My face splits into a grin when I see the reactions I anticipated ,mirrored on people’s faces!

6)I love my family and am fiercely protective of them. I don’t believe in unconditional love, but I would make an exception just this one time.

7)I hate it when people misspell or use excessive abbreviated forms of words in emails,chats or text messages. For example “dan” for “then”, “vat” for “what” and “s” for “yes” really annoys the life out of me.

8)I hate it when people deliberately misconstrue things and misrepresent facts. Also when people try to act dumb and pretend to not get the drift. Plain irritating.

9)I hardly ever forget names and faces. I also have a tendency to remember conversations pertaining to certain individuals ,which took place eons ago-be it chat , phone or in person.

10)Terrorism and politics- twin concepts which anger me.

11)I love traveling to and exploring new places. Countries. And cuisines. Throw in some adventure sport or culture specific specialties like flamenco or Spanish guitar and I am good to go baby!

12)I like writing. I love my blog and spend a lot of time and effort on it overall. It doesn’t have to be profound nor be filled with exceptionally good posts all the time. Yet I am compelled to write and hope I always will be…

13)Everyday I try to be less judgmental and less hypocritical.Sometimes I succeed but more often than not I fail.I am constantly trying to better the odds.

14)Though a follower of rational thought,I am secretly superstitious to some extent on an innate level.I believe in luck and signs and auspicious influences.

15)I believe every good turn deserves another .I also believe in setting things right and that what goes around comes around. I constantly try to amass karmic credit against negative debt!

16) Sad movies, happy endings, mushy Rom-Com's and senti chick flicks make me cry.I am not particularly proud of it..but that's just the way it is.I thoroughly enjoy watching them nevertheless :)

17)I cant sing.Period. I have 2 left feet when sober but can undo this awkward gawkiness in a flash after a delicious martini or two ; ) (not including learning/undertaking dance lessons of course).

18) I like massages.I like spas.I like discreet pampering.I adore being fussed over, especially when feeling sick :P Only mom gets full points on that one,so far.

19)I hate deception of any kind.I prefer to tell it like it is.I also prefer to hear it the same way from anyone else.Yes,and I am fully aware it may not always be pretty but honesty scores any day.

20) Acts of violence,unfairness and crimes against women anger and affect me to the point of depression.That's one area I would try to help and make a difference in, at any given point,be it financial aid or otherwise.

21)I have a sweet tooth..or more like a sweet jaw.I love desserts of any kind.And I wont say no to some Indian (read Bengali,Marathi etc) sweets as well, from time to time.

22) I love swimming and am a complete water person.It soothes me. No deep oceans or rough seas though.

23)I like cars and I like driving good cars on great roads.I do not mean city traffic and shifting between first and second gear, on roads filled with cycles,mad buses and cows.

24)I love Calvin and Hobbes.I love reading. I can spend hours on it be it a Cosmo,Dan brown or any other material with print on it.

25) I like being low profile.I like people who respect and let me keep a low profile.Behind the scenes-that's me . That does not mean I don't appreciate due acknowledgment :P!

Which is why, for all those of you who know me well you guessed it right-I would never put this up on FB instead of my own space:D

missed footing

2009-02-17T01:51:00.000-08:00

I direct
a baffled glance
to the world at large

Flowing streams,
Slippery stones,
Waters edge,
Missed footing.

Caught unaware
Direction less
in the maze
I flounder

Imperative
To find the compass
Retrieve counterpoise
Escape the vicious cycle

Reclaim,
Decide,
Act,
Celebrate.

Amateur Car Junkie Revelations

2009-02-08T10:34:00.000-08:00

A friend recently commented on my inclination to describe things and experiences and suggested if I could do the same for a car.I thought I would give that a shot,though I am no jalopy genius and probably wouldn't be able to address all the automotive jargon.So here goes,

Gleaming phantom black exterior.Reminiscent of strong Arabic stallions with glistening ebony coats.The Bang and Olufsen surround sound transcending the musical experience within.The low growl of the divine engine,almost a sexy drawl.Thundering down all terrains with speed and profound vitality.The front end and the gently curved roofs, drawn into lavish sweeping lines.The sleekly accentuated rear end almost flexing its muscles.Restrained sophistication, rearing to go.An almost immaculate compact appearance ,it sits expansive and low.Untamed,quiescent.

The aerodynamic styling : faultless and progressive.Minimizing central gravity and setting all things acceleration (latitudinal or longitudinal)on fire! The strategic central engine position working its magic for weight distribution.Delivering an outstanding power:weight ratio.Imparting stability and agility.Almost reigning in the latent brute.Three dimensional LED's,creatively placed .Akin to bright eyed xenon intelligence!Like a cougar.

The interiors, an ergonomic dream .Dark hued upholstery and supreme craftsmanship,inviting a caress.Fusing form and functionality,inciting deep seated envy.Aesthetics and focused essentials turning it into a driver centric pedestal, stimulating smugness and unadulterated pride. Offering unmatched comfort for both occupants.The savage charisma,almost overwhelming.Visible presence of exemplary engineering.A touch of haughtiness.Temptation on a thin leash.Sparking the need to have,to hold,to own.

Torque,chassis,drive train,equipment:a synergy of sovereign technology.Emphasized by finely attuned responsiveness to any driver input - at the speed of thought,rather than touch.Equivalent to obeying intuition over action.Accelerated heartbeat in sync with horsepower. Embodiment of automotive precision.Unrivaled elegance.

Optimum driving dynamics?! Hell yes!.There must be a god after all and he's in the details!

Applause.A standing ovation.The Audi R8 arrived. And conquered.
Achtung baby!

GOD OF SMALL THINGS

2009-02-03T09:14:00.000-08:00

I walk in to the chamber. The air is comfortably cool and crisp.The temperature is just right.Subdued lighting and polished chrome upholstery.I walk up to the bar while mentally deciding on my choice. Heels clicking on invisible ebony marble.

I look up to see a disarming smile behind the mahogany counter.I am asked politely but with a definite hint of challenge to try his signature cocktail. I accept the sleek glass of martini. Clutching the sparkling crystal,I make my way through tables and entwined couples. I survey my plush confines,tipping the gleaming red and gold liquid lightly.

The cranberry explodes at the base of my throat. The chartreuse overwhelms my palate with its slightly acrid taste. The vodka diffuses a luxurious warmth which courses through my limbs.Tinkling chandelier above. A whiff of Dior.Sprinkled stardust on navy silk. Burgundy silver gleaming against my neck. Black diamonds at my ear lobes. Enclosed in great company.Relaxation seeping through. Echoes of soft laughter. Stripping away my troubles.I stop finding reasons to be happy.Analytical grey cells strolling to a pleasant halt.Whirls of elation.Spiralling contentment.The Doors playing especially for me, the remixed crescendo This is the end…

The bar tender sure knew what he was talking about.

shades of gray..

2009-01-25T09:39:00.000-08:00

weary of the games,
hackneyed phrases of the multitudes
wishful contemplation
everything was black and white
shades of gray instead
Abound ubiquitous.

multiplying manifold
my futile introspection
perplexity undefined
Omnipresent.

I have realized
in infinite bemusement
there is nirvanic elation
Disencumbering

my elevated chagrin
rendered null and void
judgment and rationale
ascend prominent

it’s a sign,
i return to the drawing board
it is unremarkable, that I am perturbed
yet speak to me, not in tongues
Ad infinitum.

of enzo's and MC 12's

2009-01-23T09:43:00.001-08:00

What Type of Car Would You Be?
	You are a Ferrari Enzo. You are quick, slick and ever-so-cool. Your ostentatious showiness may put some people off, but your friends know you're the real deal.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Well, I am not exactly disappointed with my quiz result, bored as I was to attempt it. I always thought I was more of an Audi or a Maserati,a bit more subdued but classy,slick and fast nevertheless.To me it stands for understated elegance and perfectionist technology, without being in-your-face :)The Enzo would get unwanted attention from all sides,gold-diggers,tax collectors and other unpleasant elements.It wouldn't align with my lifestyle or my inherent nature, irrespective of the money I had or the clout I could exercise.And I think the obvious bling is obnoxious.The Lamborghinis on the other hand are over-the-top sexy and way too low slung :).A tad too impeccable.I cannot perceive the common man driving it around.It would be a complication lest I craved anonymity and I would become a part of an exalted statistic.I can safely say I am more the behind the scene genius :P What I am really trying to say is..I prefer the R8 or the Quattroporte S(if not the MC 12) if anyone is taking note ; )

cognitively obsolete

2009-01-23T08:25:00.001-08:00

i am tired and spent
mentally strained as well
sick of the routine
a thing, too many
need my attention

yet relieve me
from this scrutiny
incessant maneuvering
a notch too high
a point too far
unrelenting

take me away
from the reigning chaos
so i figure out
a method to this madness
a semblance of peace

Guarantee me,
I would be rid of the nightmares
And my gratitude
Is yours.

twilight

2009-01-22T01:22:00.000-08:00

a moment of melancholy
dawning understanding
passive acceptance
blinding sunlight

in that instant
a flood of remembrance
my old self
a butterfly in the breeze

chain reactions
channeled healing
akin to awakening
My dormant spirit

rooms of gaiety
joyous banter
shared laughter
A wisp of a smile

Evaporating sadness :)

existential freedom

2009-01-16T23:25:00.000-08:00

Inhibitions
Call it prohibitive
To self or by society?

Existential freedom
Is it real
I often wonder

Follow the heart
Tune into impulse
feel no regrets

carefree abandon
The radiance of a thousand suns
Filtering through
stirring the soul

Unexplored intuitions
Unfulfilled desires
Wave after wave
crashing intruders
of the mind..

People moving all the time
in a perfectly straight line
I just want to curve away
stop and enjoy the music

Endless outcomes
Innumerable possibilities
Unknown ,unforeseen
I have said too much already.

when i was 8...

2008-12-19T21:48:00.000-08:00

Blue clear skies
Mountains far away
Pretty purple blossoms
Dotted our way
The sounds of steam engines
Echoed in the background
Amid swishing of tails and mischievous brown eyes
I heard short barks and playful yelps
Sounds of delight and innocent laughter
Ringing in my ears...
I think of a simpler time
When life passed me by
Full off carefree fun
I ran in the fields
Of grass and tall reeds
crisp scent of the wet earth
was enough to fill my insides
with contentment, a feeling of bliss.

Surfers Paradise

2008-12-13T04:17:00.000-08:00

So it was another boring weekend and I came to know that the RipCurl surfing championship was happening at Bells Beach near Geelong.We decided to drive down at once and be a part of the brouhaha.Neither of us had ever been to one. Plus the extraordinary surfer dudes:D Well,it takes some time to figure out whats happening out there at sea. Nevertheless we were drawn into the pinnacles of excitement and adrenaline ,even by lounging a thousand miles away in the beige sands. It was a chilly day in April.Helping myself to some warm thick banana bread and mascarpone cheese,I took in the action as another awe-struck bystander.

Pschyed by the refreshing activity,we decided to put our plans of visiting Gold Coast,Sunshine coast and Brisbane into action.I could feel my mounting excitement as I saw the endless Pacific coastline from air.i would never forget my fist glimpse of the enormous skyscrapers of Surfer's,particularly the arrow-shaped Q1. Surfer's Paradise, capital of Gold Coast stands true to its name.The place scores for its sheer gorgeousness,life,spirit and activity. Its a popular spot for teenagers to unwind after schools in summer making it impossible to get reservations around that time of the year.The period is popularly referred to as Schoolies week!

My days were spent hiking in the Hinterland famous for its tropical forests and caves with waterfalls abuzz with fireflies at dusk! Gold Coast is also iconic for the sheer variety of amusement parks and each took up one day in my itinerary.DreamWorld, Seaworld,Movieworld and Wet n Wild pretty much caters to your every idea,whim and fancy about whatever you would expect from amusements parks .One can taker their pick from nerve-rattling rollercoasters, whale and dolphin shows, astounding waterslides apart from wild ,novelty rides which made me sick!

The evenings were our favourite part after the oh-so-tiring event packed days.Surfers Paradise literally comes to life as the sun sets.Roaring beach barbecues, musicians, fire eaters and a boisterous crowd ready to dance the night away at the infinite night-life hot-spots are all one can see! The mood is one of living life with arduous zeal ,while enjoying every second of it.Its a great feeling and sure catches on quick if I may add:)

I cannot but mention one venue of considerable innovation that we happened to visit.Minus Five is a frozen cavern with walls of ice,the furniture and floor is made of ice and so is the bar and the glasses which serve you drinks!The temperature is maintained at a constant -5 degree celcius as one enters bundled up in their cosy humongous jackets.The manager gave us gyan that the place only serves Russian Vodka as it happens to be the drink which does not freeze.It drinks well at those temperatures unlike beers which would spoil.The subtle lighting has a transforming effect on the magical icicle walls decorated with snowflakes and the like.Oh and great music.

I may not have mastered the art of surfing after several embarrassing plunges in the Pacific waves but no ones complaining..Its just a matter of practise.Victory shall be mine :)

10 things to do before i die....

2008-12-13T03:50:00.000-08:00

1.Backpack my way through the Cornish countryside and Northern Ireland.
2. Spend a blissful week at Bora Bora in the French Polynesian islands doing absolutely nothing..
3.Sky Dive..
4.Have the finest Riesling atop Tour de Eiffel at midnight with a significant someone..
5.Drive the Lamborghini Estoque at the super secret Volkswagen track in Germany.
6.Go on the Alaskan cruise and watch the Aurora Borealis in the Northern sky..
7.A full week of pampering with a spa getaway at the French Riviera-Cote d'azure..
8.Just once,shop on an unlimited credit card at the galleries Lafayette in Paris, Rodeo Drive,L.A and Bond Street,London.
9.Have a sundowner watching the incredible sunsets with the black silhouettes of Masai Mara and the wildlife against blood red skies,in Kenya.
10. Yacht my way through Capri,Santorini,Sicily...
10.1.Be able to make enough money ,to be able to do all the things that I want to.

to love and cherish,to have and to hold, in sickness and in health..

2008-12-08T22:44:00.000-08:00

So I am about to turn 24 next month.Yeah well I am not exactly over the moon nor am I touchy about the whole getting old part.My mind is in a conundrum albeit neutral.. Except my parents are officially going to start looking for a groom.For me! It definitely freaks me out a little bit.I would be lying if the idea of love, of finding someone close to, if not the quintessential “soul mate” had’t crossed my mind and at times even taken over. But then again I have seen way too much heartbreak, cheating, extra marital mayhem all around me ,with people who found their supposed soul mates.

So its no surprise I am in two minds.A friend told me the other day that the best way to look at the whole marriage incident is as ones’ luck or fate. Which does nothing to calm or reassure me one tiny bit. I mean the decision of spending the next fifty odd years with some one cant possibly be left to fate,can it?! I have seen the best of love marriages fail and the least expected arranged marriages with flimsy compatibility flourish beyond any one's dreams.I have seen true loves and dream companions wreck their partners lives beyond repair.Which makes me think about my aversion to arranged marriage.

In the end I want everything with whoever it is that I am going to end up with.And I want some things more over others.It definitely transcends trivial criteria and/or horoscopic matches.Its gotta be All or Nothing,if it is a person I like/love and I am quite sure I will not tolerate deviation from main priorities and principles.

I dint realize I was so old school. Of my emphatic views on the sanctity of marriage and non negotiable fidelity. Of mutual trust, loyalty and respect. Of intellectual stimulation and being able to enjoy Scrabble and pictionery apart from just physical attraction. The ‘forever’ and ‘growing old together’ cliche's firmly in place in my head.On that note,I would like to reiterate my earlier statement of being in a neutral conundrum...More like pessimistic interminable gloom and an uncertain, confused anticipation of disaster..?Somebody give me a crystal ball!

Night on the town..

2008-12-02T07:33:00.001-08:00

Located at the 72nd floor of the Swissotel Stamford ,New Asia Bar is part of the Equinox entertainment complex. It offers uninterrupted views of the glistening lion city, harbor and waterfront right up to the islands of Pulau bin. The place had fantastic pink and burgundy decor with wall to wall pristine glass windows. There is an intimate upper storey where the tables are wedged right into the glass and its definitely not for those with vertigo :). I sipped a mango and peach martini while admiring the lit Merlion and the Fullerton hotel,followed by a lychee champagne spritzer settling right into the slick atmosphere and breathtaking views of Singapore!

The evening was just warming up and we headed to Brewwerkz to sample some home brews and also to indulge a friend who is a staunch beer fan .This was followed by a quick dinner at Billy Bombers though we couldn't but help make a stop at Bar Iguana. In our defense they serve enchanting margaritas in these bucket sized glasses.Now no one would want to miss that!:D

Eager to explore some more, we proceeded next to the much hyped Ministry of Sound located at Clarke Quay. Its quite an interesting venue divided into four different spaces, each playing a specific genre of music from progressive house, trance, hip hop to country and desi tunes!So one is at a liberty to find their niche or experience a little bit of everything that’s on .The bar tender effortlessly awed us with the flaming Lamborghini and Jaeger bomb tricks as he spun, toppled and served our drinks with practiced ease. And Panache! Not to mention I was in a state where I was impressed easily of course:) Its all about leaving your troubles behind isn't it!

filial piety

2008-11-29T09:58:00.000-08:00

I wasn't a problem child and nor was I a tragic adolescent.I can safely say compared to some of my friend's horror stories of unrelenting rebelliousness,I made my transition through puberty almost a smooth ride for both parents.Nevertheless I had my share of arguments with them be it over going out all the time,staying out late,taking the car,some of the people in the friends circle,dressing etc

Then came the dating,the long telephone conversations and mood swings ,constantly supplemented with arguments about misunderstood identity and choices and how I always knew what exactly it is that I am doing.I have renewed respect for my mom who took it all with impressive calm while scanning and looking out for me the entire time.She shared stories and advise, patiently listened to what everyone else was up to, endured my whining and comforted me through uneven times.She was even the mediator between father daughter explosive exchanges.She never once faltered or loosened the leash of unseen balance between shielding her daughter and letting her have fun at the same time.The father on the other hand,was always my hero and I truly admire him for everything that he has done for all of us, and the exceptional way that he has raised me.Though I failed to see the sheer protectiveness of all his actions at the time, today I am glad that it was the discipline and safety he was trying to enforce by those manoeuvres and grounding that I lashed out against.I owe them for the level headed,responsible individual that I am today.

I have never underestimated the powerful support only a family can provide and the unconditional love that only one's own family is capable of. I have grown up..to say the least and its about time.I am no longer under unrealistic illusions about love or live.There comes a time when I suppose every one of us has to face it, learn and accept the way things really are and the way the world runs.Sometimes its the hard way.Its at times like these where I truly understand the magnitude of debt I am under.The volume of my dependency and their incessant support.The comfort I seek in spite of the fact that big girls don't cry.The amount I owe,without a doubt ,willingly to them.

So before the bawling begins...I love you both the most <3

Coz you're there for me too...:)

2008-11-29T08:25:00.000-08:00

It was a rainy day,the skies were a distressing gray and the overall atmosphere was dominated by gloom.In other words it was a day to savour a bad mood or go into a depressive overdrive.I reminisced instead as I thought of the old friends who have stuck by me through excessively rough times,shared a great deal of laughter and tears.Of course,my family gets the most credit for that,but more on that later.Some of them are married now with kids, some have moved across continents in their pursuits of higher education and careers.

I miss all those times of having hung out at the beach, the terraces and pizza parlours.I miss the infinite gossip and bitching sessions accompanied with oreos and ice cream.I miss the countless sleep-overs with who-went-out-with-who and who-did-what inane conversations interspersed with unending fits of giggles.I miss the hours of shopping at the malls,trying out ridiculous clothes followed by watching chick flicks.I miss the cheering up-get drunk sessions after a break-up or the excited buzz and obsessive chatter of some one's new BF/GF.

I am extremely fortunate to proclaim that my relationship with most of them,though evolved over the period of time, hasn't changed in the most basic sense.Most importantly they have always been there for me during my highs and lows.Every time I correspond with them,be it the phone,email or in person-I am ecstatic of having the experience of picking up where we left it the last time.I realize that this fact makes me incredibly happy and I am genuinely grateful of having the pleasure of these relationships.I am equally proud of being there for them throughout their life's charades and problems.

I had grown up hearing that one rarely makes as good friends as those from their childhood days spent playing hide-n-seek, cycling or at school.I never honestly believed that and thought one can always make new friends at any time. I accept that did happen,but there always was a certain amount of reservation no matter what the circumstance,time or place.Of course I probably became a lot more jaded and cynical myself and never truly let anyone get as close.Which makes the above tribunal acknowledgment just that little bit more poignant.
Here's to all of you who never failed to put a smile on my face..:)

chocolat' addiction

2008-11-22T01:39:00.000-08:00

As yet another soul who shares the love for chocolate,I was thrilled to come across these beaut cafes dedicated to chocolate and all things chocolate!

Max Brenner -They claim chocolate is a culture and are known for their hugmug, serving world class hot chocolate! Basically they have three types of chocolate-dark,milk and white in all forms,states,shapes and shavings.It is the only place (that i know of)which serves a chocolate pizza replete with fudge and truffle toppings.The fondue is trademark blended dark and milk chocolate accompanied with strawberries. Its every bit as blissful as it sounds!Ooh,and the chocolate filled babka will leave you weak-kneed.:)

KOKO black -I fell in love with its rich mahogany and deep brown decor, at first sight!As I remember the countless walks at 11 pm during the winter nights (2 degree Celsius and a windchill!), this was the haven we seeked , so oozing warmth and style.Their first salon opened at The Royal Arcade in Melbourne and I would highly recommend their enrobed pralines and other handcrafted chocolates.The chocolate martini is wicked and the Belgian Spoil is the best thing that can happen to you!

HOT Chocolate -It definitely scores for its location at the Melbourne docklands, with the twinkling lights,activity and winds of the harbor.It serves some mean chocolate waffles and crepes apart from the usual chocolate drizzled coffees and desserts. I must have a Chocolate tooth..did I hear? So in the mood for spicy Andhra food right now:-p.

Indulge, I say..:)

My personality is colour-coded

2008-11-18T08:36:00.000-08:00

That comes as no surprise :)

you are aquamarineblue

Your dominant hues are cyan and blue. You like people and enjoy making friends. You're conservative and like to make sure things make sense before you step into them, especially in relationships. You are curious but respected for your opinions by people who you sometimes wouldn't even suspect.

Your saturation level is medium - You're not the most decisive go-getter, but you can get a job done when it's required of you. You probably don't think the world can change for you and don't want to spend too much effort trying to force it.

Your outlook on life is brighter than most people's. You like the idea of influencing things for the better and find hope in situations where others might give up. You're not exactly a bouncy sunshine but things in your world generally look up.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

Day--In--Hyphens

2008-11-18T06:14:00.000-08:00

I woke up--a glass of milk--went to the gym--got ready for work--had dosa and sambhar for breakfast--yum!--reached work at 9 25--started off with checking work emails--replied to the important ones--stared at the screen--thought of a weekend break at the Maldives--logged into Gmail--said a few lines to someone who I haven't seen in a while--started secondaries--stared at the screen some more--imagined running in lush,wide open fields that very moment-- coffee break at the 4Th floor--made calls--scheduled appointments--some more secondaries--writing reports--thought about a lovely spa in Bali I saw over the Internet--answered my manager's queries--scheduled power cut--fantasized about taking off on a long drive--back to reality:darkened workplace--sigh--met up with colleagues on the floor-- lunch and small talk-- felt sleepy--got my ipod out--in vain,as I felt drowsy nevertheless--worked some more as per changed deadlines--yet again stared at the screen--pondered on why i haven't yet got around to sky-diving--more writing--3 o clock masala tea break--more browsing,writing,reading,editing--waiting for 6 pm--home sweet home...whew.
Definitely a far cry from Uni life.Disillusionment? No.But experiencing being officially chained to a life of monotony.Unnerving.The recession and total absence of jobs in the market doesn't help one bit :-/ so much for corporate triumphs.Hmph.

despondence..

2008-11-14T06:51:00.000-08:00

the warmth of brown eyes
the flash of an indulging smile
the engaging glance
the intrigue which never ceased.

in a second it was gone
and i was
tethered to an emptiness
which threatened to engulf

devoid of emotion
i stumble forth
unsure and my faith shaken
heart and head on different journeys

rationality would follow soon
as i continue on the present road,I see
a dim light.a blur. finally darkness..
i succumb to the tears.

Reef Song

2008-11-13T01:48:00.000-08:00

Warning: The following is not an attempt at actual poetry.Nor is it a song.Maybe a rhythmic alliterative expression of sorts,if you like.:P

That magical place
Where the sky is clear,
And the sun strong in my eyes,
The ocean shimmering with turquoise reefs.

Of myriad fishes and sea cucumbers.
Rainbow colored coral as big as trees
There exists another world,
Under the seas, that I hadn’t seen.

The ocean is deep,
And the reefs pop out,
In pretty shapes , they dot the surface
Browning the otherwise sapphire scene.

With goggles on I take the plunge
And come face to face with the fish,
A turtle passes by,startling me
As I float in this colourful dream.

I navigate through the endless line
Of coral,in the submarine
I view their grandeur from above
As I fly over the Coral Sea

I am filled with awe over such beauty
The reefs rising up, over 30 kms vertically,
Their expanse over sheer nautical miles
Sure boggles me.

I found a place which scored
on scenic wonderment and activity
At many levels, it set me free and charged my batteries
Oh I want to go back again!
To explore the great barrier reef.

Only human..

2008-11-06T03:13:00.000-08:00

Hurt puts things into perspective.Loss of a dear one even more so.By loss I don't necessarily mean death.. Loss of a friend a while ago affected me deeply.Does it mean I would no longer have any form of correspondence or interaction with the friend?Does it mean I can no longer share a smile after having shared innumerable jokes and roaring-on-the floor type of laughter?Does it mean I can no longer make even polite conversation after having discussed all about life, randomness and every other detail-silly or otherwise?I realise these aspects bother me more than the hurt per se.I let my cynical indifference intervene before I dissolve into further cliched ramblings.It doesn't lessen the tightening sensation in my throat.Or make the memories go away.I am only human...

Fly High!

2008-11-06T02:12:00.000-08:00

If there is one incident that I have not had second thoughts about ,it was my decision to go Paragliding over the Swiss Alps.No,it isn't as easy as it sounds so stop the smirking and scoffing.And Interlaken is just the place for it!:D

Interlaken is ensconced between the glacier lakes of Thun and Brienz at the foot of the famous trio of peaks, the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau.It is a delightful place replete with alpine scenery, wooden chalets,quaint churches and fabulous resorts. Except I could do without the excessive and loud desi tourists having the cliched holiday of their dreams and chatting noisily in Gujarati and Punjabi (call me a regionalist:P but I stand by what I say!)

It started with stowing away the necessary gear into the Merc van as we piled into it.The journey to the top of the mountain seemed endless and I had the distinct feeling of suppressed nausea.After about 30 minutes we climbed out on a short stretch of grass on pine and fir covered slopes,to get strapped and attached to the parachute.I was freezing and I am sure it was more than the chill of the mountain air.When our guide however took me to the edge of a steep slope and asked me to run a few steps down ,was when I experienced the real numbness.

Of course I wasn't ever going to do that! My cerebral cortex and my legs were one on this.As I figured out in the next few seconds,I dint exactly have a choice..With a gentle nudge,I went tumbling down accompanied by my trained para glider (who was practically running down the slope!)

Those 4 seconds were the scariest of my life ,as I was made aware of the feeling of a total loss of control.And then I was airborne,soaring over the glistening Alps.It was beautiful beyond belief.I spotted the lakes,the churches,the endless row of conifers,the snow-caps,the ski-lifts on icy slopes far away,the cute chalets so very distinctly scheiwz and so much more..Mindblowing.More importantly the feeling of ecstasy,awe and thrill all rolled into one..Priceless.

We were gliding thorough the skies a good 45 minutes before slowly descending like eagles on a wide grassy plain at the centre of the town.By then I was all smug :D The feeling was back in my legs and brain. Apart from that,all that flying had made me ravenous.The rest of my evening was spent indulging in Grueyere cheese and dark chocolate fondue accompanied with assorted fruits and bread speared on steel.Followed by kirsch (fruit flavoured brandy,made from cherries,heavily distilled,usually had as a shot after dinner)and honey dipped pastries.
Nothing like a bit of adventure and calorie rich food to get the ultimate endorphin high :)

B100

2008-11-06T00:16:00.000-08:00

The Southern ocean on one side and lush vegetation on the other,I meander through the outstanding landscape.The clear blue skies and dappled sunlight above me, I cruise along at 50-70 kph.And I don't want the road to end.Sigh!.

The Great Ocean Road definitely makes it to my list of favourite roads,be it the driver's seat or passenger seat.It is dotted with numerous stops where one can pull over and take in the stunning views.We made several stops,some by the beach,others on hillocks,yet another opposite ancient shipwrecks and some in those fabulous sea-side towns all along the way till Port Fairy.The B100 highway runs all along Victoria's southern side and is a work of art considering the time when it was built.It has numerous pretty towns such as Lorne, Anglesea, Appollo bay, Port Campbell and continues right upto Warnambool.

The highlight from the tourist point of view are the twelve apostles.These 11 limestone sentinels stand a few metres away from the coast,unsupported in the ocean,one of which degraded into a pile of rocks after the years of tidal erosion.The various paths in the national park offers views which would leave a person awe-struck but the right way to have the complete Apostle experience is by the helicopter flights.As I was airborne,I was conscious of the strong winds,the proximity of the cliffs and the tiny helicopter which is after all just a machine, prone to snags...

It also made me realize how the carefully marked paths in the national park can never do justice to this view!The fields,the ocean ranging from midnight blue to turquoise, the microscopic car park.So I fly over the azure abyss,with the dear pilots commentary in my ear and I am paralyzed with scenic wonderment.Also just a little bit of fear ;P.All I can say is that 120 AUD well spent..

I take a break as I sit by a quirky Irish cafe at Port Campbell overlooking the endless ocean with the setting sun.A gentleman packing up his fishing lines and a jolly group of youngsters cutting down the engine of their boat.Families with children getting started on the evening's barbecue and couples cherishing their Shiraz.A plate of fluffy scones with Berenberg's raspberry and fine cream.With a steaming soy hazelnut mocha in my hand,I just sit there with a grin on my face listening to the lapping waves..

Barmitzvah

2008-09-30T22:10:00.000-07:00

It literally translates to "son of commandment" and implies "responsible male."According to Jewish Law, every Jewish boy becomes a bar mitzvah at age 13. As a bar mitzvah, he becomes obligated by God's commandments - as prescribed in the Torah and as interpreted by Moses, the Prophets, the Sages and the Rabbis. The bar mitzvah boy also becomes eligible to count in a prayer quorum (minyan), lead prayer services, testify before a religious court...

Pertaining to Marathi or Tamil customs it is synonymous with "Munja" or "poonal" respectively.
So coming back to my curiously titled blog. Of course, yours truly was working at this opulent Jewish shift at the ballroom and enjoyed herself thoroughly.There were about a thousand guests out of which 400 were kids.The entire ceremony was strictly kosher.The barmitzvah boy was attired in Armani and also got himself a neat little MiniCooper with a chauffeur as one of his gifts (sigh!).

There was one Food and Beverage Attendant assigned to each of the 40 tables.The foyer had a twelve foot ice sculpture shaped like a mountain .From it rivers of 7 different types of Mexican tequila flowed to be collected neatly at the bottom ,stacked with baccarat crystal shot glasses. There was an impressive array of cold cuts,pastrami,kosher salami and corned beef. The evening started with canapes and champagne.It was followed by a three course traditional meal replete with white and red kosher wines (I know,I was surprised too,kosher wines?!!).

The desserts were the best part of the evening with every child enjoying a huge martini glass of Strawberry Romanov (strawberries,whipped cram,ice cream!) apart from a selection of chocofudge ,brownie sundaes and the like.The adults were more of the sorbet-souffle kind and preferred the liqueurs and sweet dessert wines.Then came the humongous platters of date and honey cake,exotic fruits and seven types of cheeses accompanied with crackers.There were trays of coffee and Kahlua,baileys and espresso shots.

A comedian,a great band,music, strobe lights and a lot of dancing followed.There were speeches by the Rabbis who also monitored the entire evening,right from the way the food was prepared and served to the other customary aspects of the barmitzvah.It was a million $AUD event.Oh and did I mention I got to try All of the canapes,dessert,some quality Riesling and Lindeman's ,whichever took my fancy..:P

The trivial and not-so trivial

2008-09-19T04:29:00.005-07:00

It has been two years.I don't think I have had that level of hectic activity as the one preceding my departure to Melbourne.So I was supposed to be all set.Except that I wasn't.For starters my visa arrived a week later from when classes had already started at University.I started 2 weeks late on my course.Uneasiness.

It began with elections in Chennai delaying Madras University results.Helplessness.More delay for getting the academic transcripts from University of Madras. Patience with gritted teeth.Bribing the guy who sits at the register so that he wont ask me to come back later, for the 5th time.Annoyance.Applying for my visa really late due to prior lack of these documents.Tension.

I dint have my passport till the afternoon of the day my flight tickets were booked.Stress.I was packed to my neck with pressure cooker,winter clothes,masalas and more.I was palpitating as I really dint know till 4.00 pm that day whether I would board the flight at 12.00 pm ,on the same night.Stupid public holiday in Delhi causing a delay in the visa stamping procedure and infuriating courier time-lapses.A lot more stress, tension, temperance.

As you would have gathered I did board the flight :) Business class et all courtesy Star Alliance points.I did get my masters degree :). I did complete my Masters thesis and graduated with distinction.And most importantly I did have the most awesome time at the Land Down Under. So they say all's well that ends well.. :D

I am passionate about Food science and NPD :D

2008-09-19T04:29:00.003-07:00

So my first market insight was published on my company's website.I thought it was an interesting read about yogurt shots(sans alcohol) with functional benefits, which also support weight loss.I thoroughly researched the functional yogurt markets worldwide and specifically for Europe which is my assigned region.I delved extensively into the new product developments and was quite happy at the overall outcome of my article.

There are widely held misconceptions about food science and technology.Its not related to hospitality.Nor hotel management.And food tasting or rather Sensory Evaluation is just a part of it.The area which most excites me is New product development and technical research tracking emerging technologies.It includes products appearing on supermarket shelves or breakthrough health ingredients for fortification and enrichment.

OK,I will stop with the jargon already.In my defense it was just the passion pouring forth :P I would really like to work some day, with the likes of Danisco or Chris Hansen in their state-of-the-art labs.If not Cadbury's or Hershey's would do just fine :P.So coming back to Nestle Sveltesse Iogurte Saciante .It is a satiating drinking yogurt with probiotics ,fiber and is fat-free.The fiber and the ingredient makes one feel full and avoid unnecessary snacking.Multiple benefits anyone!?

One thing which really sucks though is that none of these products ever make an appearance in Indian supermarkets or speciality stores.Thank god the luxury of travel and the fact that the father has numerous business trips to Europe makes some things accessible :)
Of course I understand that there probably isn't a market or a large enough customer base for such products in India. Where one needs to fight for day-to-day sustenance and survival premiumly priced exotic products would definitely take a back-seat.But does that mean we should be excluded from knowing and experiencing whats out there.Should we be deprived of functional food novelty already existing as mainstream products in other countries..

The whole point..

2008-09-19T04:29:00.002-07:00

You win some.You lose some.But never give in and never give up and definately give it your best.Because isnt that the very point of life...

New beginnings and then some..

2008-09-19T04:29:00.000-07:00

Excited:DMy very own new blog!Exclusively dedicated to my Randomness.Rants,Raves and Ramblings.About love and family.Travel and food.Work and play.

So here's to further posts..!

Exit stage..(clap,clap,bow,cheer,champagne and smiles!)