Timeless Imagination

Defining Justice

2012-02-08T15:54:00.000+05:30

For the last couple of days, our Judicial system has been the center of the storm.
Getting the ire of the media and the big corporate houses with respect to the judgment on the 2G scam, wherein the Supreme Court has been told that they have over reached the powers that are granted to them.
Then there is the Maria Susairaj case where again the judicial system was condemned, for releasing that girl for being an accomplice to the murder.
Then, there is the ever impending matter about Ajmal Kasab being the guest of the country.
The latest in the list being the reduction of a sentence of a low class laborer who sodomized a 10 month old girl. I came across the controversy on Bikrams' Blog.
I read the article in the Indian Express and finally, through my own research found the judgment that was pronounced by the Mumbai High Court.

This blog post specifically answers certain averments that have been put on the lawyer (s) who fought the case for the accused, and some of the general gyaan that the general junta should know about how the criminal justice works in our country.
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The Judgment, the text of which you can read online, simply states, that they have upheld the conviction of the Accused. The only thing being that, they have reduced the sentence from 10 years to 7 years, RI. RI meaning rigorous imprisonment.
And, just so that you all know, a judgment, unless there is no settled law or previous judgment do not give in to the bald arguments of a lawyer.
If you see the judgment, there is a previous judgment that is relied upon by the court to lower the sentence. Further, the reason was because of the 'perversity and deprivation' of the mind, and not because he was 'lonely' as alleged by the newspaper.
There is a difference between a submission that is recorded in the judgment and what the judgment really states. I am appalled that newspapers misquote like anything.
Further, it is imperative to note that the judgment records the fact that, the trial court was aware that the accused had a family back in Uttar Pradesh and that by no means it meant that it should have been the reason for a lenient sentence. But, it was important that a proper perspective be given while passing any judgments/ orders.
And he agreed with the position of law as explained in the case that was cited.

There is no where, where he has said that, what the accused did was right. Just because he set off the sentence with the amount of punishment that the accused had already under gone does not make this judgment wrong.

Of course, if the family is not happy, they can always go in appeal. But just so that you know, that poor baby was 10 months when this happened to her. She would now reasonably be almost 7 years. Through the entire proceedings, she must have been traumatised, considering she wouldn't have really remembered what happened to her then. So just remember you are not fighting for a 10 month old baby.

Here is the thing about our Criminal Judicial system:
1. It is largely based on the principles of Natural Justice, wherein, a Criminal is not considered is always considered to be a non criminal till proven otherwise.
2. The reason why the laws are so strict about the criminal justice system are, so that, an innocent is not put behind bars *YES, there are n number of cases wherein, an innocent is behind the bars*
3. And, there is the reformative aspect of the criminal justice system that we have adopted in India, wherein, if it is the first offence, the punishment should be such that it does not end up hardening the criminal, but instead makes him realise that he has done wrong and that he has to reform. *I hope you all remember that Tihar is one of the major models for this system*

And lastly, whenever we are wronged in any way, we cry ourselves hoarse preaching about the fundamental rights.
The same fundamental rights guarantee that, each and every accused has the right to be represented through a lawyer. And in case he cannot afford a lawyer or doesn't know of any, then it is the duty of the State to provide a lawyer for that person to ensure a fair trial.

To answer you, Bikram, if you read the judgment from the top, you will see that the lawyer for the appellant was appointed.
And, when we get ourselves enrolled as Lawyers, we are governed by the 'Advocates Act' wherein it is our duty to do any and every case that comes to us. We are NOT allowed to say NO to it unless there is a conflict of interest. *By conflict of interest it means that, if you have appeared for the other side before, you can't appear against them.*

Just like it is the duty of the doctor to save lives, irrespective of the fact that the person on his table is a serial killer, similarly, a lawyer irrespective of the moral turpitude that may go inside him, he has to do his duty. And mind you, we cannot sabotage the case of our Clients. That goes against our ethics.
Believe it or not, all lawyers in their lives defend criminals and fight against them too. You cannot take a case based on your emotional assessment, it has to be assessed based on the facts of the case. Whether, morally you approve of it or not.

We lawyers are called by various names, including being called as crooks, but just like everyone else, who sit on their desks and type codes, attend meetings.. we do our duty bound by more rules and regulations than what you can imagine.
We ADVOCATE, we put forth what a person has to say based on the laws of the land.

And as far as a judge is concerned.. they are highly educated and people with more experience in the field of law than what you cant even imagine. They too cannot go beyond the certain jurisdictional restrictions and above all the restrictions placed on them by the laws itself.

The Courts of our Country our bound to serve the society, but there are the laws of the land that have to be followed, because no one in our country is above law, not even the PM. And, these courts are also the custodians and protectors of the Constitution, that helps running the Country. It is the bible on which the laws are made, and a place to look when you require interpretation on ANY law.

Saying what I have said, that does not mean that I endorse what the accused has done. I think that the quantum of punishment for such offenders should be very severe, but that does not mean that a trial be done with biased heads and punishment be awarded without weighing the pros and cons and putting the entire thing in perspective.

It is even more appalling, that, we Indians, have no faith in any system. At least have faith in the Judicial System of our Country, wherein the Courts, ONLY think about the benefit of the society at large.

And you know, why this judicial system is clogged, because, of certain strata of the society who keep appealing every order that comes against them.

Justice never only means punishing the accused. There is a lot more involved in it.

In the end, I would like to iterate what I have said before, that, if the parents are not happy with the order of the Mumbai High Court, then they can go for a appeal to a larger bench and then to the Supreme Court. And, you all should remember that, that 10 month old baby is a 7 year old girl, and thanks to all the hue and cry, even if she is over the incident considering that she is was just an infant then, she will be forced to live through a hell that she never knew.

Happy Rose Day!

2012-02-07T11:08:00.000+05:30

Buy me a rose for the rose day? She asked on phone from miles away. He bought her bunch, and gave em to his mum. Surprising her and her!

7 yrs later she still giggles and blushes, while he pleads ignorance. Forget buying a rose, he forgets even to wish!

I am back to dancing!

2012-02-05T22:54:00.000+05:30

It feels so so good!
No, I have not rejoined TDX, but another dance studio that two friends from Tdx have started!
And OH BOY!
I remember the first class that I had gone to in Tdx.. where I was so conscious of the way my body moved, whether I looked like an idiot while dancing! And there over the two- three years, I learnt how to zone myself out and completely focus on me and not to what anyone would think of me!
And, all of it just came back to me in the dance class! I was just doing my dancing and not looking at the other dancers!
And because these classes are by the ex-Tdx people, there is the familiarity in the things.. be it the work out and even couple of dance steps in the routine, which makes it fun. Especially, since there are just six of us in the class including the two instructors!

Feeling good, emotionally, yes, but physically, trust me, my body is in spasms. I can hardly move without my muscles protesting in pain!
I am gonna take a pain killer to sleep tonight, but starting tomorrow, I am gonna exercise, even if it is just walking for 30-40 minutes, so that the muscles get used to the exercising bit once again!

Cheers!

Happy Birthday Kashvi!

2012-02-02T17:01:00.001+05:30

To my darling Kashvi-
A very Happy Birthday :)

She has become a big girl in the true sense, from her last birthday to this- From a college student to w working professional.. I wish her all the best in everything that she desires!
I pray that she becomes this phenomenal journalist with loads of fame and one day snubs her boss for all the attitude that he gives her!

It is just simply a pleasure to have a friend, who doesn't judge you but still manages to pull your socks up! :) A friend who is there, ALWAYS!
Thanks for being the wonderful being that you are!
I love you!
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PS: I really appreciate the concern that all of you all have for me. But there is a reason why I close comments on certain posts. There are times, when I have to JUST speak without giving a justification. A lot of people know and respect that, I would really like all of the readers on this blog to respect this.
Thanks.

2012-01-29T15:10:00.000+05:30

There are certain people who always seem happy.
They have everything in life. Good money, great wives, great jobs. Passions that they are able to pursue.

And then there are people like me. Who have the fear of their happiness, the little little things in life, that make them happy. And when life denies you even that, then you end up doubting your faith and belief in the Almighty above.
Because, you wonder if He listens to the ones with the silver spoons only.

Don't make me doubt my faith or my belief in you. I have had enough. And, I am just asking for what is rightfully mine.
Dear God, Please JUST for once, give me what I have been pursuing for this long.
Like PLEASE.

Love, Love, Love...

2012-01-29T00:47:00.000+05:30

Ever wondered how much dedication does it require to love?

It requires the patience of a saint, when the one you love refuses to take your calls and you are up the whole night wondering where he is and why is he not calling you back.
Just the craving to meet him, when you know, that it is the worst time to meet.

It requires, being your strongest when he is at his weakest.. to be his support when you want to break down yourself, but know that he needs you.

It requires you to be that little kid, and make cute naughty noises, when he is super stressed about everything in life.. and to give him a jaadu ki jhappi and tell him that, our world is just fine, and all that we need is each other and our love.

To walk with each other, hand in hand each day and to feel that love, every day, even in the mundane chores of life!

Love is just a little bit of all of this, and a lot more than what words can say!

I love you, my sweetheart!
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PS: It had just been ages since I wrote about love and him! And about the last post- I don't think that I have the heart of talking about the person in that post. Just too up close and personal.

25 on 25th- We would have partied all night!

2012-01-25T11:27:00.000+05:30

You know that right?
Even if we did not party on any other Birthday, yours was always a party. Considering the next day was a holiday irrespective of the week of the day it may be!

It would have been a big deal. Tuning 25, of legally drinking age. Yup, if nothing else we would have sat in that room. Our room, gotten drunk out of our wits and still manage to get up in the morning to catch the Republic Day Parade.
You could have been anything now.
A computer whiz, a doctor- But even if you were already married or just taking care of your own self- I would not have minded.
I mind the fact that you are not here.
That, irrespective of anything, I would have made sure that we celebrate your 25th in style.

But, now, there is nothing- Just a void.

I just hope that wherever you are, in the Heaven that you have created, that they do your 25th in all your style.
Here, I am gonna miss you.. and still wish in my heart that you were here!

Happy Birthday, darling!

Passion!

2012-01-22T23:24:00.000+05:30

" going to bed so i can wake up in 2.5 hours to watch the Pats... dedication son. let's go baby!"

Don't wonder too hard about that line. It is my ABCD brother in Mumbai who wrote that status message and made me google what 'Pats' is. Turns out that it is a football in team in the US of A, and some tournament around it.

That made me realise that, I am not passionate about anything. Sleeping maybe, but then that does not count.

But, seriously, all of a sudden it seems that, there is nothing that is happening or that there is something that I have to look forward, which has nothing to do with a wedding or wedding planning.

But something that has something to do with ME!

I know, bf is crazy about his technology and his games.. and when he is into that thing- he is into it. Completely. I know about Kashvi and others, who read. Read as if their life depended on them, and they discover new authors, new books and are so into it that, they even quote the lines verbatim.

I know that doctor sahiba, a.k.a Karishma is into plays, and despite her schedules, she finds time to pursue that. She is an audience that any play would want.

But there is nothing it seems that stirs the desire to push myself. I am tired of the social calling. The clothes, whole pomp and show surrounding me all the time.

I thought that I was rediscovering music. But now, that too sounds repetitive. I feel constrained. And unable to discover good music. I am musically deaf.

I want to get back to dancing. I think I need that one thing which I can look forward to, twice a week. To just go there and be there by myself. Even amongst people.

I need to re-ignite some thing in me, to get the passion back in life.

Something, about which I can bore you all about!

Damn, where do you all get this passion from?

The BFF!

2012-01-20T19:03:00.000+05:30

I don't know about guys, but I feel that for a girl, it is important, no imperative to have that ONE friend. The chuddy buddy, who is more like family but still a friend.
A friend, who is there.
She can be a bitch to you, shout at you, make fun of you, and tell you that you can't more food because you are going fat, but when it comes to the world, your happiness means a world to her.

My BFF, PJ, is probably the ONLY one in the world who I listen to. She basically makes more sense than any one else I know. I thank god for the fact that I have her in my life.

We are exact opposites.
She is thin, I am fat. I am a hardcore Non-Veg and she is a shudh shakahari :)

But together, we can make sure that we can make the life of the people around us hell... :P *In a good good way!! *
And, the fact that she has been there for me for everything that matters the most to me, and that she is gonna be there for me- even when I am not making any life changing decisions- I feel like, I have everything.

I can't thank her enough for being the bestest buddy.. Forever :D

This is going to be ..

2012-01-19T14:44:00.000+05:30

A hell of a long year!
Why is it that when you really want something, you have to wait the most!

Including happiness!

In a totally random update sorts..
Office has become usual. And so has life.
Moving in a settled pace.. till the next thing,
jolts thy life!

PS: Was getting bored and just wanted to update.. :P

Just saying..

2012-01-16T14:11:00.000+05:30

Imagine to always being told that 'This is your father's house' and that you shall have your own when you get married'. You all do know the saying about 'Ladki ka sasural hi uska ghar hota hai'

To pick up your entire life from where you had started it, and to plant yourself not only in a new house with new people but also to new routines and new style of living!

It is ironical that we girls are often subjected to restrictions at the fathers home and then instead of getting apnapan from the in laws you are presented with a struggle to adjust your life, the one that you have been living for the last 20 (+ or - couple of years depending on the age of marriage) years and like magic 'adjust' 'compromise' and JUST accept the change!

How about for once, the in laws and the husband for once make the adjustments and compromises and go a little out of the way to make the new family member actually a part of the family!!

There are 3 or 4 of you staying in a house as a family, following certain rules and routines and that too for like ever and when you get all worked out about the fact that the new member is flouting those, just imagine the plight of the girl, who is trying to break ground with the new family on the value system that she has been brought up on!
But instead of understanding that, the fights happen!
When you don't know what she has been upto for the last so many years of her life, is she a psychic to know every little detail of the life that you are leading for last million years yourself?

She will make best of the efforts to understand and to mould in the new life that she starts, but that in no way means that she will not require the support, love , understanding and patience from the rest of the family!
Like each one of you, she too is a different person, celebrate a new facet to your family instead of criticizing her and understand the fact that she leaves behind her whole world to make place for herself in yours!

Give her that chance, your love support and understanding instead of telling her all the time that it is her problem that she has left behind her world!

The Alumni Meet

2012-01-15T22:23:00.002+05:30

There are enough movies that revolve around the topic of college and school re-unions. As a matter of fact in most of them the protagonists are not really keen to go back to their olden golden days!

I remember that I had just gone to one alumni meet which was organized by my school in the year 2004! That was the first and the last time that I had gone to the school reunion. Basically because that was the ONLY year that I knew that 'my group' from school will be there. There is a reunion every year, but there is no charm for me to go there. I lack the attachment to Modern Bk and the seniors! *Two years in a school with hostile environment well, doesn't make you like it!*

Today, the very first Alumni meet was organized by my college for the last couple of batches and OMG, it was such a fucking reality check! People had gone fat! They got married, yup there were couple who even had children.
It was almost like I was meeting different people altogether! All of us had the ego battles when we were in college, trying to match up to each other! But, after all this time, it seems like all those were just futile attempts to do God only knows what!

Well of course there were certain batch mates of mine who were still the same. Talking to you with an ego, which was nothing but fake attitude gone all wrong!

Anyways, this alumni meet made me realize the long journey that i have undertaken, from the fiasco in the engineering college to 5 years of law school, to finally being a professional!
The journey seems like an immense uphill task that I have finally completed.. only start a all new journey, all over again!

PS: Edited to add: That I did do my engineering, for one year and then gave up. Good sense prevailed!

January Update

2012-01-06T02:24:00.000+05:30

I am in Mumbai.
Attending yet another wedding! This one is mum's bestest ever friend's daughter's wedding.. and it is almost 2.30 in the morning.. I am tired.
And, all I want to say is, I am gonna catch up with all of you all's posts in a couple of days!
Till then enjoy the novelty of the New Year!

Cheers!

Hazraaon Khwaaishein aisi..

2012-01-04T13:37:00.000+05:30

Ki har khwaish pe dum nikle,
bahut nikle mere armaan,
fir bhi kam nikle..

Every dream we have comes with a bloody price tag! And somehow, 'enough', is never enough. I have heard that there are just about 15% of people all over the world who hold the wealth and who may be use dollars to wipe their asses every day and not give a fuck about it.

Whereas we, the Aam aadmi, in a bid to make just the ends meet forget about the dreams.

You know, there are often the dreams which are like- throwing a tantrum and asking for the moon, when you know that come what may, you will never get the moon. But, then there are the lucky few who get their moon too.
the operative word here being- 'Their' moon.
The definition of moon is different for each ne of us. Perspective you see, makes a whole lot of difference.

There are a lot of dreams, that are not the moon, not even the stars, but something that you have nurtured for so long in your heart. Waiting for that dream to become a reality. Because you see, that dream was always going to be a reality.
The jolt comes, when even that dream even though is ready to become a reality comes with a price tag. With a choice, of compromising that dream and ground it into the real life or live that dream in a moment and rest of the life regret with the choice of pushing it too far!

One way or the other life has a way of showing you- Who is the boss!

But in the end, it is about the choices that we make and the happiness that we want. Or so I guess.

"Heck, I would never ever want to see a frown on your face if I could help it.
I would make you stay in palaces, take you to world tours, shopping marathons and make you romantic dinners every single day if I had the means to.
I hope you believe that much."

And I believe that. Ironically, I just want the romantic dinners cooked everyday!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T00:30:00.000+05:30

I was not at a party. I was home, I was happy, satisfied and content.
I have hope alive in me! And, I am going to hold in my both hands faith and believe that I can be happy and that my dreams will also come true.

Here is wishing every one, A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As we all get ready in anticipation of the newest year..

Here is wishing and praying that each one of us realise our Dreams, Passions and the keeps alive in themselves that determination of living life on our terms for our Happiness!
Above all, holding on to the belief in your own self and faith in the Almighty, that he shall guide you through and through!

Dear 2011...

2011-12-31T00:57:00.000+05:30

Dear 2011,

I remember penning down my hopes and my prayers in the little red diary that I took with me to Mumbai, last year. I also remembering crying myself to sleep on my much deserved vacation, because I did not want to come back. I just want to live like I am on a holiday and that there is nothing else in life, but that holiday.

But most of all, I remember, jotting down the hope that I had from you and here on this blog page, I wrote:
"Hoping and Praying that this year brings with itself, happiness, success, wealth & health to all of you!
And above all, I pray that this year bring with itself, Faith and belief in the ability of loving others and ourselves."
2010, turned out to be one 'hell' of a year and I really needed some semblance of my little heaven with me for a little while. And I must say that you have not been disappointing in that aspect.
Actually, I wanted to grade you through and through the year in loads of categories, I had as a matter of fact written the entire post down in my mind, but that never really translated into words.

So I finished a quarter of my life. A huge phase of my life got over, just to kick start another. And you know what, just like I started the teens, when I quit the whole big party scene, this time also, I decided, enough throwing parties.. spending time with the people who matter the most.

Yes, I know that I did not grow any wings on turning 25, but I think that I learnt some very important lessons which I would like to keep for life. I am recounting them here, so that I can back to this whenever I feel lost about life and hope:

- About office & colleagues: I remember how happy I was about the people I worked with. But after the merger of the law practice with the big law, firm and me going there and rest of them staying there, and later the cold shouldering leading to the revelation of their evil plans to get me out of the way taught me that, there are no friends and friendships in an office. Yes, you can be helpful. You can be nice to each other, but holding your heart out on your sleeves for the people who can take advantage of all of that is a bad idea. It is good to have a great rapport with your colleagues at work but being superficial is the best bargain.

- About expectations: Of course, this being the whole wedding year, considering that I have just been attending weddings through and through, the deal breaker in the entire thing was, that my bua, while mentioned all her friends who had come from all over the world to attend her son's wedding forgot to mention the name of her nieces, who ran all over the city to help put the wedding together. I know, that we are family, but a word or two of appreciation in front of the entire crowd, would have made me really happy. There is nothing wrong to expect, but then, you should be prepared for the hurt that you may get!

- About Friends & Friendships: I think that the most beautiful relationship is that between the friends. I rediscovered a lot of my friendships whilst making new ones. Somehow, the virtual world gave me another great friend Sharmaji (of Whatthefuckisgoingon blog). About rediscovering friendships, I think, friendship is about knowing and understanding what the other person is trying to say, irrespective of the distance between them. Therefore, I would like to mention here;
Kashvi- I have not really spent time with her. I just forced her to have dinner with me on her birthday! :) But I have heard that she is planning on to make it a point to meet one friend a week. I think I will adopt that resolution too!
Su: The busy mommy! However, I know that I have whatsapped her like at real odd hours, and she has nothing but the best to tell me- Always!
Harshita: Now, she has the knack of disappearing, but of late she has been around more often, normally writing about the things that matter the most, and sometimes not that much!
TUIB's: Sadi, doctor sahiba! I think, I can read her, and see her smile and OMG- Her cultural upbringing is AWESOME!
Then there is my COW, who randomly pings me, when ever she has a minute! I think that I had the most fun when I met her in Moo-mbai :) She has been one hell of a support system back in Mumbai!
Of course, there is Chandni, meri Chandni! Who incidentelly turns out to be connected to me through my younger sister! Talk about the world being strong.
Then the two idiots chud buds Pjs and VY, who have the atrocity to call me at quarter of 10 in the night, when I am half sick and drag me out of my rajai in these cold winters to just have a random chat!

I have learnt that, you don't have to be present 24x7 in the lives of your friends! You just have to be there, because you are friends and that there is a life that they lead apart from you and you also have a life beyond them. And there is NOTHING to feel about that!
*Of course PJ calls me and offers to build me a sleeping place at work!!*

-About 'Downloading from Torrent': I have finally discovered the of downloading the episodes and seasons of my favorite series (english mind you) and then get stuck to the laptop to watch it all. The lesson I have learnt is, that, you have to always move forward with the times, and learn to take risks. I used to be super finicky about using a P2P software, lest it spoils the computer.
But you have to take risks in life. Like it or not!

- About Jealousy: Look at the work Jealousy properly, and you will realise that it has the work 'lousy' in it. And I learnt, that you can either be happy about your life or miserable about your own life because of someone else's life. It took me constant conscious work and I am still working on it- But every time I get sad about someone else having more fun than me- I just remind my self about my own blessings and remind myself, that my happiness is about me and not someone else!

- About rediscovering love: Random conversations. Fights. Not talking to each other. Getting flustered. And, in coping up with our loss, bf and I somewhere, have discovered our comfort zone of being with each other and of loving each other. Not the intense, sexually charged love/lust, but just the fact that we are there with each other. You know, last year, when we were coping with relationship crisis, he had promised me that he will get my smile back- the original 'sakshi smile' and he did! That is the best gift that I got in 2011!

Life in general also, was mostly a roller coaster this year. It was about growing up, both professionally and personally. It was about coping with loss and rediscovering the love that I have for life in general. For some weird reason, FB was flooded with all the 'Happy Go lucky' sort of pictures and messages, that infused a very positive thought in you. And, I also decided to do it all. One way or the other. To live my life on my terms also, and not just on the terms of office alone. And, I have to tell you, 2011, that the whole idiom that keeps on propping up- 'Whatever happens, happens for good' really made it's presence felt!

In one wink, I can relive the entirety of what you were. And, yes, I am bidding bye bye to you, because, I want to open my eyes in the new year, with new hopes and a renewed sense of relief, that Belief and Faith are not just two words in the dictionary, that they do work wonders when you push yourself with their backing to make the wonders work for you!

Thank you for being the year that you were. You will be remembered, for all the reasons, bad and good, but trust me when I say that, you will always be etched in the hearts of the people as the year, wherein people and power became one, where India got the Cricket World Cup, where F1 came to India and where we lost and found treasures of the world!

Lots of love,
Me!

Dear Santa..

2011-12-26T00:13:00.000+05:30

It is the last half an hour before the Christmas ends. The super lazy me, and the super busy weekend that it was * Considering that it was my mother's birthday today and I sorta asked her friend to organize a BBQ, while I spent time with my darling BF*, I could not write this post earlier.
But never late than never.

Here is wishing all of you A very Merry Christmas! May God bless you all with lots of love, peace and happiness :).

And since Christmas is incomplete without a Santa Claus, so here is a little letter to Santa. *You know, I am still the kid when it comes to writing to the santa*

Dear Santa,
Merry Christmas!!
Now considering that lot of people call y bf 'Santa', after shortening his name, and that he has a nice paunch too, you are still the BEST Santa ever :)
And, even though I am not a kid, and I did not write you a wish list, you still made this Christmas really special for me.
I have always loved Christmas, and it is very special because it is my mum's birthday, but this year, playing Santa *The secret santa in office, where I played santa to one of my colleagues and made the whole lot of effort to make the card and pack the gifts*, I realised the joy of giving. Of making people go all, WOW! at the gifts, wishes and pleasant surprises that are given to them.
I now, understand why you are such a jolly fellow.
For so many years, there have been debates about whether you are real or you are not, but I have always believed in you, and have never been let down.
Each Christmas, there is a present waiting for me, to make me smile. And the best part is, that, that present may not be a materialistic thing, but, it is there. Just for me.
So thank you. *I am hoping that you have become tech savvy and read blogs!*
Thank you for making this Christmas so merry for me! :)

Yours,
Me.

This year was..'about blogging..'

2011-12-22T00:10:00.000+05:30

I did not blog that often, neither did I come close to the amount of posts that I had put up last year. But despite that, I think that I have shared the most important bits of my life with this darling page, and as I have often said that I have found the greatest friends here on the bloggerville!
Can't thank you all enough for being a part of my life in the most weirdly amazing way! *considering the unusual way that we have become friends!*

But this year, I think, that I have had the maximum number of new bloggers, who have been kind enough to drop on my page and leave their lovely comments and critique for me and this beloved page. Therefore, before the year closes- I just want to thank each one of you for being my readers and for being there to guide me, love me and scold me.

There are a lot of new followers, and it is amazing how many new blogs am I discovering. Yes, I am yet to update my blog rolls and feeds. But each one of you is wonderful!

Just quick one line messages for the newbies who have been the most regular here:-

Ria: Thanks a ton girl, your blog makes me smile the most.

Izidher: You are the super sweet girl who loves the simple things in life, be like that.

Chintan: MY God, if I forget to visit blogger one day, I know I have missed out on a lot of stuff from your life! It is amazing the way you write. It is so profound and yet so simple.

Raampyaari: The most famous novelist amongst my followers, I'll die :) You give writing a new twist! :)

Rachit: Dude- Awesome. Keep up the great work!

Alka: Gosh, your satire on politics is amazing. BIG fan.

Ashutosh: Writing what the heart says! :)

Sulagna: Super mommy! :) Keep up the great work!

Rohit: Great writing with good clarity..

Megha Sarin: Fitness and fashin freak, maybe, looking at her, I will be able to push myself!

Alright, these are the few that I remembered, and in case I have forgotten any one, then bhool chook maaf karo ji!
You have all been awesome. And I hope that in the coming year, I will have as much love, if not more from all of you. The old ones and the new ones :)
Happy Blogging!

One liner update

2011-12-20T11:16:00.000+05:30

Okay, I see that my fellow bloggers have been very active, and I have to catch up!
I am going to catch up, soon!
In between parties, weddings and hangovers, I am swamped with work! :(
I have the 'guys' meaning friends from all over here and I am here at work, which is no fun! :(

Will catch up on the blogs, and put up a proper post, soon!
Stay tuned!
Lots of love!

This Year was about... "grief and loss"

2011-12-15T23:10:00.000+05:30

There is a silly joke that is doing rounds of the internet now days is

"Dear God,
Your love for Films (Shammi Kapoor & Dev Anand), Music (Jagjit Singh & Bhupen Hazarika) & Technology (Steve Jobs) is now beyond all doubts.
May we suggest that you take keen interest in Politics too"

And how true is it. It seems that this year the profoundness of death touched each one of us in many ways. The fact that no one is invincible was reminded to us over and over again this year.
We lost the best in every field, from the guy who added the 'i' to the technology, to a path breaking painter, a rock star- a life cut short.
The Ghazal King, the one person who made the song on the holy Ganges like an anthem.
And if it was not the famous that were dying, it was mother nature making us all realise that there are so many things other than the petty things in life.

The nature stuck in all it's might. Shaking the every day lives of the every day people.

This year, I know that I have re learn't the lesson of live. All over again.

Love is!

2011-12-13T02:48:00.000+05:30

Some sadist out there must be sitting happily in his heaven! Because, he created the concept of love, and decided that he is going to let the world work on the concepts that he has left behind. And somewhere out here the concepts remained and the practicality of the entire thing parted ways!
And trust me, coming from me, a person who firmly believes in the concept of love and a happily ever after, there must have been a hard hitting reality that must have struck Me!

You know the romance doesn't last forever, but the fact that he or she understands your full stops in the smses also, lives on for a long time!

But the long lasting live based relationship not only requires a lot of patience and compromises, but it requires a lot of self restraint, because there is always better fish out there! I am not going to preach as to how, one can imbibe these qualities or run a relationship because no one but the two people in the relationship know how to run their relationship, and what works the best for them!

But here is the thing: you will go through a heart break each time you have a fight with your other half! Each time, a dream shall be broken, but the good part is, that you will always have bandwidth to build a new dream! Just remember, that, the new dream may or may not be drastically different than your own dream, that you had woven before the relationship!
Because, the number of people in your dream increase!
To think about it, we always make that compromise in every relationship, to accommodate peace in it! We just hype it when it comes to the special some one relationship! If you want it, you will take that first step!
Gone are the days when the guy ran behind the girls, aaj kal toh ladkon ke zyaada nakhre hai!

Love hurts, accept it!
It is it's own medicine,
an unfortunate truth, a
misconceived lie,
take your pick!
Love, dream! But above all-
Believe!!

PS: This is in continuation to, or a comment to Su's blog post!

This Year was about... "Inqlaaab"

2011-12-10T13:21:00.001+05:30

Zindabaad!!

And social media played the all important role in making sure that things and issue become viral even before the people who uttered a few words could close their mouths to take the next breath.
I can totally understand why Mr. Kapil Sibal is so worried about the content that goes online. *I do not support him in his cause, I believe in freedom of speech and expression*

The thing about social media is, that even though last when people were crying foul over the whole common wealth games and all, this year, thanks to social media concrete action has been taken by people, and not only that, 'Riyaasten bhi giri' from the 'Revolution' in Egypt to the killing of Gaddafi and Bin Laden, not only has social media highlighted the problems, but has also become a platform for solid and educated discussions.

Whereas the world saw the entire middle eastern and the muslim states undergo a huge radical change, because of people, back at home also, the power of the people is at it's full force.

From Mr. Hazare, who ignited a small little 'chingari' against corruption, caught fire like a dry piece of wood on a really hot day would. And, again there were discussions all over the world both the real and virtual,about who what and why of Mr. Anna Hazare. And, like it happens in India, the cause got diluted over the egos of the politicians, it eventually did fizzle out!
But, the message of power of the people, went loud and clear to all the politicians. And trust me, I just wish that 'We the People of India' move beyond the pettiness that we keep fighting over,and actually stand together for a real cause.

The year gone by, has shook the people in power, because they are a minority, and has made them realise that, the world order is slowly changing. And change, it shall.
Because, like they say, 'Waqt acha ho ya bura, badalta zaroor hai!!'
**********************************************************************************
PS: The last post with the pictures..one of them is the bf and one of them is me. *I am going to still keep you guessing who is who* But the babies in both the pictures have such an uncanny resemblance that when I first saw the pictures together, I was like- 'OMFG', how can that be!

UPDATED TO ADD: I have to read all the pending posts of ze fellow bloggers, but my computer has gone kaput again, and my sister is not kind enough to share hers. So pardon the delay!
*Sis in the bathroom when I am writing this*

It is good to be different!

2011-12-05T19:38:00.000+05:30

There may be basic differences between the two of us.I really won't dwell upon those, but, yes, we agree that we are different people. Saying this, I also know that we both really want to be with each other, and that is more than enough of a resolve for both of us! :)

Saying this, I am gonna leave you all with two pictures and you have to in your comments write the first reaction that comes to you, after seeing those two pictures. *basically you have to tell me if the two people in the picture same or different!!*

Re: Solution

2011-12-04T23:48:00.000+05:30

This post is a reply to a post titled 'Solution' and its concluding part, written by Uncle Jack. *I suggest that you read the posts in order to understand, why I decided to educate you all on 'Sexual Harassment'*

This is one of the many posts where Uncle Jack has described an illicit relationship outside marriage. Here, the poor girl, because of the circumstances at home was molded in such a way that she became an easy target for any one who wanted play around with her feelings.
Yes, I agree, that the parents- be it of a girl or that of a boy, need not be their best buddies, but should not become control freaks. Times have changed, and bad childhood often leads to disasters later in life. But, that does not give any leeway to the victim here.
Whenever in life there comes a point, where one has to make a decision, remember- YOU have the choice to make or to not to make this decision.
Coming back to the post- We see that, the girl was able to move on with her life after her bf from college breaks up with her, but then, gets caught in the cobweb of deceit and blackmail thanks to her own boss.

Now, this is a lesson that I have learnt through college and at work- There is ALWAYS a line as far as office is concerned. And, as a rule I personally feel that you should never EVER get involved with people from your workplace. Not only does it get messy for your personally, but professionally also, there is a good chance that you are signing your divorce papers with your success!

Now, girls, this one is for you-
If EVER a colleague and even your boss for that matter, does ANYTHING remotely sexual around you, including sharing a double meaning joke- It constitutes sexual harassment. And under the orders of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, EVERY office, has to have a sexual harassment committee and a complaint box, where the victim can go and complain of the sexual harassment. [Read the details here]
My reason for talking about this is, that often girls for the fear of reprimand and the societal pressures do not really do anything about the male colleagues crossing the line in your weak moment and then using that to leverage favors out of you.
THIS IS WRONG! And, the more we as women play this thing down, the more we shall be subject to this nonsense at work.
First and foremost- Avoid any sort of a meaningful relationship with a colleague. Yes you can be friends, but the moment you feel that, the friendship is becoming the one with fringe benefits, stop it right there. Please.
And if at all you feel, that you are being appreciated for all the wrong reasons, PLEASE put your foot down. Right there and then.
There is nothing wrong in looking pretty. But being taken for a ride because of being pretty is wrong.
Say it. *And please, use the laws for your benefit and not as revenge tools!!*

See, we women are seen as mere tools for men. The reason being that most women are taught just that. The situation becomes worse when even the educated women also behave in the same way as the uninitiated in our country. Men need to change their mind set. But, they will only do that when they are forced to look at women with respect and as human beings with their own dreams, needs and desire!
And, I really want to add here, that all these bloody beauty creams, which advertise that a woman has to be beautiful in order to succeed and be confident makes a mess for all the people advocating feminism.
And to add fuel to fire, even though the entire nation knows from their history that earlier Indira and Sonia Gandhi have been the two of the MOST powerful women of our country, they are still unable to look at women like intelligent beings!
Respect comes, when we ask for it. Put our foot down at the wrong that is happening to us and the women around us. The moment we put our foot down, nothing and no one who we don't want can touch us.
And always remember just because you wear western outfits, does not mean that you are available!

This Year was about... "Weddings"

2011-12-03T22:45:00.000+05:30

Another wedding post.
But this one takes us back into the past.
Since we are reminiscing the year gone by, it cannot be complete without talking about weddings!!!

I mean that was the FIRST big news of the year, on the very first day of the year. Rewinding a little bit more, I remember going to a New Year Party, where I was flirting with some random guy, whose name I do not remember. But I do remember that, it was a big group of gujju couples, and trust me- Gujju women, well, they drink and their men they flirt. Even in front of their wives!
Any ways, so after dancing the whole night and hitting the bed only at 6 am, I managed to miss the big wedding announcement that my brother made.. about getting married to his long time gf!
And, wham, the trend of the year was set.
The entire year, all I did was to hear about a dozen or so people getting married, with a realization, that time has just flown away. That, there was a time, when I was actually looking forward to, and thinking ahead of being a grown up,attending a friend's wedding,my brother's wedding.. all of it was a just a future that was yet to happen.
And when it did, it was weird at first. Then it became the hectic pace, the sole reason for all of planning for the entire year. And the trend continues. In the coming year or two, there would be 'couples'. In a breath, life has taken a leap.
I know, that I am entering the New Year, with loads more cousins getting married. HECK, my cousin is getting married in the first week of January!
So, now you know that there are gonna be loads of posts about weddings and marriages.. as I look forward to the year ahead! :D

What a Party!!!

2011-12-03T01:16:00.000+05:30

This has to be recorded NOW!! Am just back from a office party which was held at Taj!

Basically a Client Event, where we let ourselves lose and get drunk!! And trust me, I have no idea about the amount of alcohol that I have drunk!
So, I get to know that this hot client of mine is my batch mate from school!! And another contact that my boss made in one of her networking trips is my classmate!
The world surely is a small place!!

So from getting drunk, to flirting incessantly with clients, dancing away in glory and being dropped by a colleague, who is like the sweetest person on the entire office- this has been one great night!
Oh, one couple from my social dancing class are big boss's friends! And they told him and his wife that! :)
And the other office, Ms. M, Ms. P,Ms. V and Mr. MDR were also there, and the best part is, that even though they did not give me a cold shoulder I was simply nice to them, like I am to anybody I know superficially! And no I did not feel guilty or bad about it! And I am happy to move forward!!

So one heck of a night!! :) I am very happy! :) and yes, I looked very pretty, in my black dress!!

It is the 'Year END'..

2011-12-01T11:53:00.000+05:30

And now that we have established that I can have an alternative career as a 'Wedding Planner', I can breathe a sigh of relief!
Someday,may be, some where I will realise this dream too! :)
I can't thank you all enough for the encouragement that you all have given me in my previous post!

So, it is December already.
Time flies.
And this year, from day one has been, a journey of self discovery, of lovely surprises, and losses which were beyond our own hands. This year shall be remembered on one hand for the fond memories and the exhaustion that it caused me, and on the other hand, it will be remembered for the sorrows.. but most of all it shall be remembered for lessons in life that are learn't through experiences.

And, of course, the world also underwent a huge change.
And all shall be discussed in the 'Year end saga', where I shall try and bid good bye to this year, with as much gutso, as I welcomed it. And embrace the New Year, with as much hope as I can muster.

Happy End to a Happy-Sad- Overwhelming Year!

Lets talk 'Weddings'!! A user guide, or well sort of!

2011-11-25T18:47:00.001+05:30

Like Su said in my previous post, this wedding seems to be like a movie! And a movie without a critical analysis, is just another movie that come and goes.

Even though this was a FIVE star wedding at a FIVE star hotel, there were a couple of things that could have been better, and since charity begins at home, I should start with myself.

I should have LOST weight. Like really should have lost weight and I could have done a little better with the outfits. I mean, I am extremely happy about the clothes that I had worn.. but my whole lehnga thing sort of got things a little out of place. The blouse/choli was a disaster.

Here is a little tip for you girls: Whenever you are getting a ‘Choli’ style blouse with cross strings in the back, NEVER get the string fixed. If you have the leverage of tying the strings instead of fixed ones the choli will always fit you better.

So, now that we have that sorted out, let us get back to the wedding.

The fun about destination wedding, rather about weddings is the whole thing about shor-sharaba and the family (ies) getting together. So, if it is a destination wedding, then having the functions away from the place where the wedding is supposed to happen and ferrying people to and fro can be a bit of a problem. The whole fun of the thing goes out, because people are normally hurried into getting ready.

If it is a Punjabi wedding, where you want to have a traditional dholki and the songs, then make sure that your guests are involved and are interested in them. Having an open bar, on a pool side, where the guests are all over the place, and no actual place where you can sit properly around the dholki and jamaao the raunak is a bad idea.

Here is another thing- It may be boring to confine your guests to a five star property, but people, the guests are there to enjoy the wedding and not sight seeing at your expense. Also a Goan wedding is a dream, but having a sangeet function out on the beach where the law bans the loud music after 10.30 pm, is again wasting too much money. In our case, it was not only the venue at the beach, but also the cost of the expensive DJ and special systems for the silent party, which was very enjoyable to the youngsters, but left out a lot of older family who left by 10-10.30. That means, effectively for a wedding that they have come so far for, they just enjoy for 2-2.5 hours, and then because they are no longer a part of the party they have to go back.

In a five star hotel, normally your room tariff includes the buffet breakfast which is on fixed timing and if you expect the guests to attend the morning pooja then you should make sure that they serve late breakfast to the guests, otherwise encourage the other guests to enjoy breakfast and only have the family, really close ones to attend the pooja.

Now, on the day of the wedding, there are a million things that are to be put together for the ceremony, apart from sending the bride to the parlour to get ready and making sure that the groom is not running all over the place. To take upon hand to arrange for lunch outside the hotel- ABSOLUTE NO- NO. Even if you indicate to the guests that the place is 5 minutes walking and that they should take it from there, being a host you are expected to make sure that all your guests eat their lunch.

TIP: On the wedding day, there is a pooja in the morning. Most of the people who sit for the pooja have to sit without eating anything, and after the pooja is done, then they are allowed to eat. So instead of having a breakfast and then a lunch, have a late breakfast *because the pooja starts as early at 8 in the morning and finishes by 10* and most of the guests are just getting ready at that point of time. So a nice heavy late breakfast shall take care of the guests and their hunger till the evening tea, when the sehrabandi happens at the boy side and the bride’s sisters, friends and relatives are too busy getting ready for the welcome and getting ready themselves.

Yes, the baraat is TO dance, and enjoy. But also be considerate about the bride and her family who anxiously wait for the baraat to come. (This one, I must say, we got it JUST right. There was no unnecessary delay on any end) I just HATE the fact when the baraat comes in at 11 or 12 in the night. The guests who come for the wedding just come there and don’t even see or congratulate the bride and the groom. And it is distressing, to wait that long after getting ready. For both the bride in her dress and make up and the groom with his ass on the horse.

TIP: It is a money saver too!! Get married in the evening, the bride and the groom will be fresh, and not cranky. And they will actually be able to enjoy their pheras and then continue it to a wedding dinner/ reception, where rest of the people who are invited will come to congratulate or eat the food. Basically, the guests will at least have a couple to bless and the couple will atleast enjoy their own wedding!

And very important, Friends are very important, they make our life complete, but in a wedding, close family and family members are more important. So, if the friends have to step back a little and push the family forward it is okay. Your friends will not talk about this or feel bad about it, but if you make your family feel unwanted at what primarily is a family function well, you will have troubles in the family. So instead of the friends giving uptight smiles at your family’s way of doing things, get them involved and because they are friends, you can push them around a little and tell them to follow the lead of the family members.

So after the fun analysis and tips about the wedding and the ancillary functions, here are some pointers about the things that really matter…

Cards: Your wedding card will always be special to you. No matter what people say. So, think through not only the card design but also through the colour schemes and more importantly the content. ALWAYS sit down with the card guy and proof read what is going to get printed in your card, bad spellings and grammar turn off even the most expensive card. Also, doing the leafs in the cards is a less costly option, because then you can easily put in the requisite invite for requisite people.
Accompanying the Card: Yes, you have the standard mithai and the matthi+ shaker pare box, but there are many more options available. It does not matter whether you want to give traditional or contemporary suff, just make sure that it tastes and looks nice. My bua darling gave some weird chikki with the card in a cute potli. The potli was cute but the chikki, was well cutting corners where you should not.
Venue: VERY important. But it should be decided not only on the basis of the cost factor, but also on the number of people who are coming. Sometimes, a big farm house costs you dear because the number of people are very less and the cost of renting a farm huge, then in that case a five star or a banquet is cheaper.
Food: PLEASE. There is no excuse for bad food. PERIOD.
Entertainment: Very IMPORTANT. But again plan your entertainment. I personally feel that a DJ is not required at the wedding *NOT if you are getting married in early evening and following it up with a party* Especially if it is the whole raat ki baraat and super late night pheras. Background pipe music lovely, because, the baraat is tired of all the dancing and the ladki walaas are too busy taking care of the guests. The DJ just adds to noise and nothing else. Also, for the other parties make sure that your DJ gets paid for the work and not for just being there, if there is a 10.30 pm limit, make sure that the party kickstarts early.
Clothes: Just because something is expensive does not automatically make it super pretty. R & D properly. Start early in the clothes preparation *My personal favorite place for buying value for money wedding outfits for the bride is Chandni Chowk and for the groom Ushnak Mal at South Extension*. Also, dear bride, don’t load up on the sarees. Especially if you are a working professional. You will end up not wearing them. Instead buy the clothes that you will actually use. Same for satiny lacy lingerie.. one or two for the special night are fine. If you are allergic to anything but cotton in lingerie, stick to it.
A Good photographer: The wedding is a life time keepsake of memories of not only of the festivities, but also marks a milestone in your life, wherein you start new journey. Thus, a great photographer is a MUST. There are the usual photographers who click the usual posed photographs, and then there are the new breed of photographers who click beautiful natural pictures and capture the moments that are real. Again, do you research well in this regard. Thanks to FB, you can go do a random search and find some great photographers at a good price. Sincere suggestion: Put aside money for the photographer. Trust me, when the pictures will come, you will know that each penny was worth it.
Mehndi: There are brides who don’t care, but if you are like me and love the whole mehndi like a bride thing, then again, go test out. Do NOT go reccos made by other people. Put them on the top of the list of try outs but try the others too. Sometimes the random search helps you get better people at best prices. Also negotiate with them every penny that you are going to pay to them, including the so called ‘shagun’ that they always ask for. There is a tendency that they escalate that, taking advantage of the whole wedding situation. Also, discuss with them in detail the style of the mehndi that they will put on for the rest of the guests and point out the special people, like your mom, sister and whoever is super close to be put special mehndi. That ways there will be lesser chance of things escalating out of hand.
Parlour: Pre-bridal et all. Very important that you look the best in your wedding and the functions. But instead of torturing your skin with pre-bridal session for like half a year *and spending tons of money on the parlour sittings*, just stick to a proper routine with the products that you have been using and which suit your skin. Drink loads of water, exercise and lessen your alcohol add in some healthy food and sleep well, and VOILA you will be a million dollars without really spending those million dollars! If you plan to experiment with your hair- like getting a new hair-cut then, do it 6 months in advance, so that in case it doesn’t look nice, you will have some time for the hair cut to grow out. And if it turns out to be nice, then you can always get it done again J. Stick to your own parlour and your own lady. She normally knows how you like your eyebrows and how your skin responds better than a new place. Also, big names in bridal make often don’t listen you and end up giving you a horrible look on your big day.
Booze: Very important in any party. If you are given an option to get your own booze, get that that with a license and you will again save loads!

Apart from these tit-bits, just remember, that you are getting married, because you want to spend your life with this person and wedding is just a tiny part of the entire life that you are going to spend together. I have seen couples stressed for weeks about the whole wedding. As a matter of fact, when bf and I are in the thinking ahead of time mode we end up quarrelling. Marriage is a start of a new journey, try and start the same in the happy mode and not in the stressed mode.

Budget it properly, there are excel sheets available on the net that can help you list things down with the costing in easy heads. And communicate about how you want things and try and avoid Chinese whispers! When delegating work, delegate it to the right people, so that you know it will be done and are not stressing about the whole thing... Enjoy, the preps and the wedding!

I hope I haven’t bored you with this post. Just trying to be helpful. Even though no one asked me to help.

Cheers!!

PS: The day I announce that I am getting married, push me to read this mail all over again!

Goa Unplugged: The Wedding: Day 3 The Finale

2011-11-20T13:00:00.001+05:30

Super sorry to give you all the wedding story in bits and pieces but I have been swamped in work!

This is the final leg of the wedding that happened! The analysis will be next!

Now over to the wedding!

Since the wedding was a punjabi wedding, as per the rituals. We had the early morning puja for both the bride and the groom! Separately thank God!

It was the one ritual where my parents being the maternal uncle and aunt played a super important role! And the pandit ji that we had was really awesome! But droned on and on! After we got done with groom's puja and put Haldi, which btw was Vicco Turmeric cream, I helped in the preparations for the bride's puja!

Much more elaborate fare, because of the chuda and the kaliraas! Had this been an Indian bride, she would've broken down, as this is normally the big realization of the marriage in the wedding! But our bride was American ( with an American family) and all of em looked confused! The highlight of the puja was me the dear getting all the blessings from the bride to be the next one (bride) *I am telling you, the entire family is obsessed with my marriage*! She even shook her kaliraas on top if my head, twice *First time she did it, none fell, and then masi ji told her, we did not see you do it on Sakshi, once more please!!*! And finally, one did break on me! So good luck! To me!
And because we were all into this puja, I could not have breakfast! Just had a bite here and there!

And then because there was a good gap of four odd hours between the puja and the next evening events, instead of trying to grab a bite, I just got into the pool with my cousins... :)

And after the dip in the pool, we had to start getting ready for the baraat and sehrabandi *Time was of the essence, but we still managed to not to get things started in time!! :P*
And ready we did get! All of us in sarees! And, barring my father, no one particularly said nice things to me after I got ready! He was the only one, who was like, wow, you are looking stunning, rest of them were very uncomfortable owing to the fact that I was in a saree and looked twenty five instead of 18! I think I looked very pretty!
And then there was the dhol and the baraat! And I din care a damn!
Okay, so we got thru seharaabandi *You know manage get his pagdi on, the sehra, which my Bua and I had picked so lovingly from Chandni chowk along with the kalgi, then there was the sarbala, my nephew, who got so confused and cranky through all of this!!* But my brother looked really handsome and *touch wood to that* Oh, and the dhol guys, they tied pagdi's for the baraatis.. which was very awesome for the americans... and then finally we got my brother on to the ghodi!
Realized that the chane ki daal we had carried all the way from Delhi was useless as we had not soaked it! Made the horse eat some sugar and tied the waange and got the baraat rolling!

Now, I have seen my fair share of baraats but this one was different! We had dhols with a live dj playing in jeep right at the front! And then there were us dancing to some weird rendition of snoop dogg with the live dhol mix! And on top if it, barring us, the Indian cousins and kids every one including the groom had a beer in their hands! And there was the elder brother, who was carrying, a big bottle of grey goose and giving us shots! And then there was champagne too, yes in the baraat!

Finally, we made it to the mandap, got the bride's brother to get my brother down, do the milni!

Now, The mandap- was beautiful! Simple and classy decorations! The ceremony was in the hotel lawn and the madap, had in the background numerous candles and lanterns! With glass hangings reflecting their light!

There was proper seating and yes, we were ALL required to be seated during the ceremony! And we all did! Since, for the obvious reasons- there was nothing else to do! And mind you, only thing being served during the ceremony was water, and nothing else!
The ceremony also had a Goam twist, these priests who were there, they did a mix of konkani, punjabi and vedic wedding, I think. But it was really cool.*If the whole budget thing would not have been a constrained, I might have considered getting them for my wedding..* So we just sat and waited for the ceremony to get over while listening to classical background music by two sitarists who were there and admiring the decor! And yeah, we had the brides maids and the grooms men also, they came in before the bride walked in just like you have it in Christian weddings!!
Being the sisters of the groom, Sister, another cousin and I did the gath-bandhan for the couple and also did a little puja there on the mandap!

Finally, after the pheras and the pictures, we were ready to grab some drinks and get something to eat!

But, we all had to change for the Cocktails and Reception! My father wore a tuxedo and oh my Gosh- looked super handsome! *That was sorta a dress code, almost every one was wearing a tux but for my dad it was the first time, and trust me when I say handsome, I mean handsome with a BIG H*

The reception was American, inside the Banquet hall of the hotel! We had our tables assigned to us with our name cards!*Even though we were right in front our table was Number 10* There were the speeches, which were good but which were also a let down! (will tell you why in the analysis) and since this wedding was just about surprises, the one for the reception was the Flash Mob dance! Which went well, except..that the cake cutting and champagne were forgotten! *there was another thing about me not being able to get my other cousins involved in it, because they were sitting on a different table!!*
I got drunk that night coz there was nothing that I had to do! So all I to do was to get my drinks and have a lil food! And crashed, in my bed!
My parents were wary of drunk people around me and sister!So they came back after changing to get us from the party! And honestly, I was glad that finally, the year long project came to an end!

The pictures, ( I hope) you can see here!

And the analysis shall come soon! I mean, it was a big budget wedding and there are things that could've been done differently! And who knows, my analysis may help some one :)
Cheers till then!

2011-11-19T23:25:00.000+05:30

It is a happy day.
I got a order in a court case vide which I got the case closed in favour of my Client.
I am very Happy!
And, now I really hope that my salary is increased.

Yes office makes me work SUPER hard, for a salary that is VERY less!!

November Update!!!

2011-11-16T00:22:00.000+05:30

Yes there are things other than weddings that are also happening my life. Please appreciate the fact that this is the wedding season.. and like Best Friend puts it, we are in that age group, where most of our friends are getting ready to get married.
So, yes, one of my closest college friend is getting married, making me realize that my time too is near. It is just weird though, because the whole thing that I will have to leave my house, to go in to another house and make it mine and live there, all my life.
The whole leave behind all your life and picking up the pieces anew is a scary thing. It makes me nervous. Because, I know that life is gonna take a 360 degree turn and I can't do anything about it. Because ironically getting married to the bf is one thing that I really want.

*****

Office is going great. *touch wood*. There is work. And my kind of work. My only complaint is my salary. :|

I wish that they would increase it soon.

Since my desk at office had a previous owner, it's drawers were not empty. I would tell her to clear it, and she would forget it.

Today, I cleared em for her. Put my stuff in it. And made the desk my own. In all respects. I am no more a tenant. I have become the owner and a part of the firm completely.

Yes, bitterness at being cold shouldered by the extension office a.k.a previous office, does creep in. But I am managing. I am slowly forgetting.

******

There is the Delhi Judicial Services exam that is coming up. Since it is in Delhi, no point hiding it from the college batch mates, coz I have been told that my entire batch and the batch junior to me are all giving that paper. No, I am not hopeful at all. Though, I am trying to study very hard.

******

Can you imagine, that me being a SRK fan has not watched Ra.One. Yup, I am upset. But now it is hardly on at any nearest cinema ghar. So to make up for that, I am going to watch Tintin this Saturday. At any cost.

******

I miss having bf in town. There is hardly anybody that I can go out with. I went out for a coffee today, after ages. :|

*****

And I have been told by a million people that I need to loose weight.. someone inspire me to get rid of the lazy me!! :(

*****

Lastly, I have become super obsessed with the song 'Katiya Karoon' from Rockstar. It just doesn't get outta my head! And the weirder part is that, when it was released I just did not like it. I started liking the song only after I watched the movie, which by the way is good in parts. I absolutely did not like the second half. The movie could have been crisper and shorter. Somehow the dots just did not connect in the second half.. I absolutely loved the first half. It was just right. Nargis Fakhri, well, can't act. Ranbir Kapoor has out done himself. And A.R. Rahman is back with a bang. His music had become repetitive but in Rockstar, he has proved again why was he given that Oscar!!! Also if you go watch the movie, don't miss the dance sequence that introduces Nargis Fakhri, that has been choreographed by The Danceworx, the place where I danced and my dear darling instructor R was in there and I saw him shouted, 'Oh my God, that is R!!' in the hall in a loud voice!! :)

*****

Just a little help here- I need to gift a friend couple of ours something for their engagement- and somehow, can't think of something nice.. please suggest!! Thanks :)

Goa Unplugged: The Wedding: Day 2

2011-11-10T23:26:00.001+05:30

So after a serious discussion about 'What really makes a marriage work' and well of course giving you all a preview about the wedding that happened in Goa.. it is only fair that I narrate the rest of the story as well!!

So the second day that we were in Goa, was the day when the guests had to arrive and the mehndi was to begin. I was rudely woken up early in the morning by my father, insisting that we have breakfast asap since the hotel will close the breakfast soon.
And plus we were supposed to shift to the hotel 'Alila Diva', where the wedding festivities were to take place. So, after having breakfast, the bags were quickly re packed and casual but nice clothes were worn for the running around. And trust me, run around I did!
The hotel, Alila Diva has a 'Diva Wing', which was totally secluded from the rest of the hotel, and that wing was given to us. The best part of the wing was- That, we had a lovely swimming pool all to ourselves, along with a 24x7 coffee shop and nice comfy rooms for all those who were staying in that wing.
The worst part being- That so many of the guests were staying in the main wing of the hotel, and me the great was co-ordinating everything. So, after running around for like, just 45 odd minutes, I felt like I had not taken a bath in like two days. Such was the humidity levels there!
So I went around to our guests' room with a 'Welcome Bag' making sure that our guests are fine, and that, they know what the exact time of the various events are and also where they should be coming for the events!!
After, making sure that the guests are taken care of, I made my dear sister get ready and go down, so that she can get the mehndi done.
The women doing the mehndi had already come, and there were loads who wanted to get the mehndi done first so that they are able to enjoy the festivities..once all the people gathered.
Of course, as soon as the relatives started gathering, and I got ready and came down.. there were only talks about 'Oooh.. Sakshi you are next..' fortunately I was looking super pretty.. and very nice :)
And, the Mehndi function which is primarily for the bride fizzled because the bride to be made a grand entry- super late. She was to be there by 12 noon, instead she came at around 2pm!!
The food on the other hand was very nice. We had 'chaat corner' as the theme for the lunch and it was a huge success!!
Of course we wanted to have a couple of traditional punjabi songs.. we even had a dholki for it. But, because the whole thing was pool side and half of the people were just interested in getting drunk.. it was not as much fun, as it ought to have been.

But the second half of the day/evening, that is the sangeet night- WAS AWESOME!! Of course that is THE night that I was to shine.. and I did. Actually both sister and I did! :)
The thing that we messed up on was our dresses. We were so fixated upon wearing a lehnga, that, it sorta spoiled the fun, because, I was looking really huge, and I had to tie the lehnga so high that, it spoiled the look!!
But, sister and I managed to put up and awesome show! I was to emcee the show with one of Bhaiya's friend, and well, that poor guy got to speak only once.. and then.. it was only me who took over the mike.. *ironically, the name of bhaiya's friend was ''Mike'' ;P*
My bua and Uncle's dance was a super hit.. and they still can't get over the fact that I was able to get two of their friends, my mom and chachi to dance together ... and then there was sister and me! We dazzled the dance floor.. and that is what the reviews are :)
We had worked so hard for this!!

This is the ONLY good picture of me at the Sangeet

Oh, and my 3.5 yrs old niece did an amazing performance.. she was so so so cute on the stage!! And then there was the performance by the 'Mumbai Clan', meaning the other brother, his wife, and their friends! They mixed three songs...
The best part being, that the songs the Mumbai Clan chose were especially for my brother.. and the ones that we the 'Delhi Waalas' had chosen, were for the bride to be!
And this was when there was absolutely no sitting and deciding about the songs happening between Delhi and Mumbai.

The Sangeet btw was at a beach side shack called Zeebop.. and it was a beautiful setting and all except that Goa, despite being a party place has a law against loud music being played in open places after 10.30 pm! Yup, that spoils the party big time.
So, party buffs came up with the idea of a Silent Party, wherein each one is given a wireless headset and the DJ plays the music and everyone can dance on it!! And we had 3 DJ's playing the music for us. We had a guy playing Hip-Hop, one playing R & B and one playing bollywood! :)
And that means that we had three channels on our headsets.. and each channel was a different colour.. so you could actually see what the other guy was listening to. And, yes in case you are wondering, it did look like a lot of loony people swaying like drunkards to no music!

But, trust me, it was one hell of a sangeet night, which I know, no one in my family will forget for a loooong looong time to come!!!

Btw- You can check the mehndi and sangeet pictures here.. I have been told that I look terrible.. a.k.a SUPER fat. So please refrain from commenting on those terms! :) Enjoy!

PS updated to Add: I had no idea about the code thingy, I have linked you all now to a FB album. I hope you like it. Thanks.

What makes a marriage work??

2011-11-08T00:33:00.000+05:30

Loads of my older cousins got married in the last five odd years, and every time a wedding would happen for all the obvious reasons, the topic would turn to the ones who are next in line.

Of course I was teased, and there was leg pulling all the time, but every one knew that I still have time, considering the fact that I was still in college.

Now, amongst all the cousins, there are a set of cousins who we meet ONLY at weddings. And that is one reason why we are not close to them. Be assured, though we have heard enough stories about them. Because these two distant cousin sisters are very bright and intelligent young ladies.. you know the always on the the top sorts!

The older of these two is getting married too, next year. *I hope that it does not clash with the n number of other weddings that we have!!* And, her parents had been looking for a match for her for almost 3 years now!! And I remember when her parents started looking out for a match for her, a shout out was given to all the relatives including us, lest we have some one in mind for their highly qualified daughter.

And one of the first questions that my mum asked at that time was 'What is the kind of family that they are looking for??'

And that became a debate, because my cousin bua who had touched the topic here, told my mom that they are looking for a family of their own status.. and my mother retorted mind you stating that they should get her married off in a family richer than what her parents are...

Now, I know that love does not feed hungry mouths, but, what exactly is the definition of financial security that the parents of a girl expect?? If the boy has a job and gets home a salary at the end of each month.. then isn't that enough?

Again, enough has loads of definitions.

I also understand that the parents want only the best for their children.. but the parents in case of the arranged marriage trust their choice and in case of a love marriage trust the choice of their children. The world has changed, and so have the needs. We do not live in times where lives were simpler.. as a matter of fact, we are living in a time, where petrol is costlier than beer, and inflation is at all time high.. but can having all the money in the world fill the void of being lonely.. or will a marriage work solely because there is financial security??

Tell me, my lovely readers.. if you were to marry your daughter.. what is it that you will look for in the groom that you would choose for her.. and in case the groom is of her own choice.. what are tick offs??

My grand father had devised an A to F formula.. which is one way of looking at things...it goes something like this.. *Modifying it a little bit, coz his original was only for the selection of a girl.. I am gonna try and fit both the genders!!*

A- Age

B- Beauty/ Brains

C- Character

D- Dowry

E- Education

F- Family

******************************************

PS: The next installment of the Goa Post is coming soon :)

Goa Unplugged: The Wedding: Day 1

2011-11-05T23:14:00.000+05:30

Yes, I am going to bore you all with all the details of the wedding, thus dividing the whole thing into days and events. I am a sucker for details.. but you are more than welcome to not to read the details. :D

So we landed in Goa, one day prior to the official start of the wedding festivities, after all we were part hosts.. And it was a mess to just get to the airport. There were 6 of us going from my house and two other who were reaching the airport from their house.
For 6 of us, we were carrying NINE bags. It is not funny. Trust me! Because these nine bags were just the check in luggage, there were the hand baggage that each of us was carrying too.. and for the two grand mothers that were travelling with us, well, I was lugging their hand bags along with mine. So, basically I was looking like a coolie.

IMPORTANT lesson, in case you are travelling with loads of people in an early morning flight, either eat breakfast, or keep your mouth shut. Because, we were so flustered about making sure that everything that we would need is there and is packed properly, we did not bother to eat at all. For some weird reason, I was very calm and composed but my usually calm and composed father was totally cranky and that gets us scary.
So a cranky lot of 6 of us reaches the airport, manage to check in and despite the our luggage allowance being 120 kgs, still manage to be overweight and thus end up carrying another handbag!!

All this while my father is super cranky and super grumpy. Thanks to the new food court at the airport, the moment my father gets his morning breakfast he is back to being his normal calm and jolly self, and finally the eight of us *two others have also joined us by this time* board the flight, and Dad blasts off again.. because, both sister and I wanted window seats.. and in all that confusion.. we all end up sitting separately! *Mom and dad sat together, both grand moms sat together and two others sat together and sister and I were on totally different seats* and because it was a flight to Goa, there were foreigners and there were weirdos.. esp the one sitting next to me! I think his girl was coming from else where to Goa and he was sweet talking to her all the while till take off! And then, as soon as the phones were allowed to be used again after landing he was talking to her.. and he had a weird hairstyle and was too much of an metro-sexual male for my comfort zone.. and yes he had a super fake accent.. and jumped between fake accent english to bengali.. like a jumping bean...
So any ways we landed in Goa, reached our hotel.. Martin's Comfort, a simple hotel for the night before we moved to the hotel where the wedding was! And after lunch... I went with my bua to the Wedding hotel, coz, the Bride, the groom, and my other brother with his family were staying there only. Plus, the Bride was getting her mehndi done a day before the actual mehndi so that she could have fun on the function.

The Dulhan's Mehndi (Designer, not ethnic Indian)

And, since, I was required to do the running around the whole of next day.. I jumped in the Que as well. Bua also got her mehndi done with me that day.

My Mehndi (Can you see the 'S' in it??)

The back of my hand

And, by the time it was evening.. there was enough confusion.. with the decorators not getting the decorations ready for next day, and last minute up downs!

The Sour part of the day was the Dinner. My sister and I were told, that every one including my brothers and their friends and all of us will have dinner at the same place.. a shack called 'The Pentagon'. It had a live band, and lovely food. The rude shock.. that the youngsters were at another place 100 mtrs away and sister and I were stuck with Parents, Bua and Uncle, Grandmoms and my other bhabi's mom! Because we were not told about the change in plans or invited at the shack.. I decided I wont go. Sister felt bad too! Esp since the groom a.k.a my brother and the other Cousin 'A' came to say 'Hi' to us, and did not invite us!

We did end up going to their party later on.. to catch on some drinks, because my darling chachu dropped in for dinner with us! :D
Oh..
Sister had her first 'Kamikaze Shot' ever, that night! :) She has become an adult, officially mind you.. and we all had fun making her do her first ever shots! :)

But, the festivities were yet to start.. and the party had just begun!

I am blue

2011-11-04T15:35:00.000+05:30

Post holiday depression setting in!!!
No, don't get worried, it is the lull after the storm.. no more phone calls, no more getting the clothes and the things organized for the wedding... so the silence is weird.
Even though there is another wedding to be planned *I am not a major player here*, the whole wedding in my house thing is over now.
The next wedding in the house thing will be for me. So no point hoping for anything else at all, because there is no one other than me who is left for getting married! ;P

The detailed Goa post, shall come.
I am still sorting the million things that I took along with me and getting the winter wardrobe in place.. it is chilly here!!!

Also, I promise to read and comment all of you all's blogs. I am right here, only a little disoriented!

Quick note from Goa!!

2011-10-31T12:54:00.000+05:30

The connectivity here sucks BIG time. I have been dying to write really nice long posts.. but alas, my Reliance Net Connect, just doesn't work here!! *The phones too conk off*

Any ways- The most awaited wedding in the family, finally happened, and I am happy to report that all went well.. now, we are all relaxing, and trying rest up the tired bodies and rejuvenating the souls!!

Hope you all are doing well!!
Cheers!

Wedding Report: Live Coverage: Pre-Wedding-I

2011-10-26T23:20:00.000+05:30

Finally, the bags are packed! :D
Well, at least, sister put her foot down and closed all hers and mine. Mom is still going on checking off her mental checklist. And, I am also ticking things off in my mind. This wedding is becoming a very stressful affair.
We leave home inc around 8 odd hours, and I am super jittery, about- What if we forget something.. though we have been very careful about everything.. but one can only be so careful.

It was sister's birthday today. And it being on Diwali did not flatter her that much. She was very pissed that her bf was having trouble coming to meet her.. but in the end he did manage to come.. so she has been the least cranky amongst all the women.

I well, am in a different universe altogether.
I will write more detailed post when I am flying tomorrow! I mean, this is the maddest trip that is gonna be.. and I am already tired.
I hope my polar bear mode kicks in and all the reserve energy kicks in.
We ll have worked very hard for this, and I pray that everything falls in place!
God Bless :)

Happy Diwali :)

2011-10-26T01:17:00.000+05:30

Ramblings

2011-10-24T00:39:00.001+05:30

It is a bad idea to get all emotional high when you are drunk.. especially if it is a week- night.. because you end up having a huge head ache, thanks to not only the alcohol, but also to all the crying and anger bouts!!
Just a tip!

The good things about my rants though is, that, I fight it out with the bf. And, he knows, how to handle me in such situations. So after, like 30 odd minutes of hearing me go all 'Blah Blah.. I am so mad at the world' he manages to steer the topic to movies and SRK.. and that is the end of the angry bird.
Well, the only thing that is nagging me about that night is the best friend's diamond ring.. some people are born lucky, I guess. I mean, she has the looks, and she is talented, has a brain of her own, and has a super rich boyfriend. Yes, I do get J.
But, then, I know, I have something special too. I may get really mad at people and their materialistic gains, but, I know how to find my happiness in the smaller things of life. *Best friend did not get the down on the knees proposal.. that I got.. even though the ring did not have the diamond.. it did have the intentions and the love behind it, that is WAY much more than what a diamond can be priced at!! :D*

It is the festive and the wedding season.. and after all the hoo hoopla.. my bua and her husband leave tomorrow for Goa. And, we have a wedding guest at our house too. And, it is the happy jolly mood, with a lot of women throwing a lot of tantrums around. My poor father can only take so much.
At one point today in my house, I had SO many people, that, it sounded like a fish market.. EVERYONE talking all at once! :P
The family that had come to our place, was my grandfather's best friend and his family. They are one big family *touch-wood*, who always come together to us on Diwali, or even on other occasions! This uncle, he and his entire family is that of lawyers. And, trust me, he was the happiest person, when he saw me in my robes in the Supreme Court. He strictly told my father.. that this girl is not going in corporate. Let her join the profession as is!

Any which ways, the wedding is almost on our head. I have all the jitters possible in my stomach. No, I know, that the wedding will be fine.. but then the newest song will start playing in the loop of the relatives.. 'Sakshi ki shaadi kab hai' I have been cornered like so many times in the last two days.. actually in the last 10 odd days, all I have been hearing is, that NOW the time is right.. plan your marriage and get married. My sister is feeding fire to the flames.. and leaving no stone upturned lest, something comes up.
I have to like a diplomatic person, go around the question of 'So, have you found the guy or you want us to find you one??' Since, my parents have not yet made any commitments on my relationship and my marriage. My mother of course is on a completely path/page/universe.. I foresee a major collusion.. God help me here. It is going to be bad couple of days as far as my marriage goes. Brother's wedding, will of course be, one the most remembered.. and I really hope for all the right reasons!

I hope you all are having fun, preparing for Diwali.. and the festivities!
Cheers!

Rant- a Thon!

2011-10-21T00:49:00.001+05:30

I am 3 drinks down,. It is my best friend's birthday.. actually it was her party that I got drunk in.. Thank heaven's that I had another of my buddies to drive me back.

I am very upset.
I generally, cry over these things, but then, I did not feel like crying. Instead felt like channeling my anger here. In this post.

My best friend got a diamond ring from her bf, for her birthday. And, you know what, I have not even gotten proper time from my bf. Yes, I love gifts. But, then I also love my gifts to be thoughtful... but you know, right now, at this instant, I am not craving a materialistic gift. I am craving my time. I know, bf will say that I give you all the time that you want.. it is just that I can't ALWAYS give you the time that you want. But, I feel that there has to be something wrong somewhere then.. because, I am always craving for more as far as time is concerned.
Just can't have enough of him can I.

You know the wedding that I talked about in my previous post.. well, sister and I had a whole 25 minute piece ready for the sangeet, but apparently my other brother and sister in law feel that it will be too long. Yeah, now, we have to ration out, how much do we perform.. for a wedding that we have been preparing for so long. Of course, it is their wedding.. we are just guests after all.
I am a very family person. Maybe too much of family person.
But for my dear darling brothers, who are like really nice and very generous otherwise.. when it comes to the most important things in life, it is their friends that take precedence over family.
And I hate that.
Don't misunderstand me, I still love them. A LOT!

It is just that expectations kills everything. Be it love, family, friendships!
All, I can do is feel about things. And vent the ire here.

Yes, maybe this is the alcohol speaking.. but, you puke your troubles out, when alcohol comes in!
Cheers!!

The Wedding Expert!

2011-10-17T23:34:00.000+05:30

It has been more than 10 days since I have posted last! And, first apologies shall be in order!

To my Dear Blog, I love you. You have kept me sane. you have given friends and have shown me a world of genuine people.. I have not forgotten you. I just have been a little lazy. *Which has become the excuse of the year!!!*

Dear Readers,
You have been absolutely amazing! I am right here, I have been commenting of and on, on the posts, nothing, just keeping busy!

And here is why-
*************************************************************************

I had been shouting myself hoarse from January, that, we should get our clothes, and our gifts and everything else in order. Today, we are less than 10 days away from my brother ki shaadi, and I have yet to see, ONE single piece of ANY of the outfits that I intend to wear for wedding.
And now, thanks to the festive season, the market has become, nothing but super crowded.. you can't move
an inch without stepping on to another's feet!

Since, the most exciting thing that is happening in my life is mere brother ki shaadi, the updates are ONLY about the mishaps to the wedding.. my dear male readers, do bear with me..
So, the dancing sessions are ON!
From choreographing dances for my Bua & Uncle, to making their friends and my mom dance, sister and I are just going crazy! I got the songs edited by a professional studio! Yeah, that is the level of commitment that we have for this wedding!
Talking about choreographing, sister and I are working SUPER hard for our dances as well. The only disappointment that I have is, that, it is again just the me and her hogging the stage, none of my cousins are ready to make any time what so ever! But since we are talking about dancing, I think, I can be a lil greedy and hog all the limelight that I want! :P

Add to the dancing the travelling all over Delhi bit, trying to shop, trying to close stuff, help my Bua pack the stuff, and making sure that we don't end up leaving behind anything that is required.

There are lists that are made EVERYDAY! I have NEVER in my life for ANY family wedding been so 'list' oriented!

Had I made so many lists otherwise in my life, I would have been one sorted person!

So, now, I know, how to even to a big budget out station wedding.. seems like, I can start my own wedding planning business- from taking people shopping, to choreographing the dances and entertainment, to finalizing the menus of the food.. I am pretty experienced.. and then there are the after marriage services, like getting the wedding registered.. and God forbid if things don't work out, I'll even offer mediation services along with divorces in worst case scenarios!

Quite a package I tell you! :)

I hope you all are having fun.. in the festivities!
Love you and cheers!!

Reservation starts right on the Top!

2011-10-05T14:25:00.001+05:30

A very insightful and an extremely educative discussion with a colleague in the office triggered this blog post. Honestly speaking, the, conclusion about the fact, that the reservation starts at the top hit me like a bolt of lightening and yes, it truly was a revelation.

We were not really talking about the reservation in the job sector , education sector etc done by the government. As a matter of fact, we were talking about the 'Vaman' avatar of Lord Shri Krishna, wherein the God had come earth to save the earth from a demon king.
You don't have to hear this entire story to actually know the moral of the story, that being, that Good always prevails over the bad!

Now, the thing about reservation here was, that, have you ever wondered that, all the demons and the atyachaari kings that the Gods have come to earth to kill, happen to reach Heaven? And that they become the lucky ones to be killed by God, and attain the highest order of after death ranking i.e 'Mukti'.
Now, the other cadre of people who attain this Mukti are the Saints, the people who have left their 'Moh' and 'Maya' behind, and have embraced the way of God.
But what happens to us?
The 'General' class, who are neither the Demon kings nor the Saints, who leave behind everything to embrace God.. why are we instilled with the fear of God, and who are also told that in case we do not live in the fear of the Almighty we for sure will be in the cycle of million births and may also be born as low life's!

And, what exactly are we the cadre of General Class doing? Living our lives. On the norms that have been set by a society. In case, those norms are broken, there have been instances that have been publicized of those of honor killing!

Isn't it ridiculous, that the general people, the mango people, as we are commonly known, do only what is expected out of us to do- We are born. We study. We get married. Take care of our responsibilities while struggling with the daily grind of life. And then we die. And in between all of this, we are not even guaranteed 'Mukti', because we do not fall in the category of either being a saint or being a sinner.

It is like sitting for your Board Exams and wondering that even if I score a 95%, there will be someone from the 'Reserved' category with lower marks who will get in the college, and then there will be no seat. And then there will be the super rich who will send their children abroad.. and then you wish that you were not the mango person that you are! Unsure about your future, because, you are what you are and not the 'Reserved' one!

But, then Reservation has been done by Almighty himself, when the Almighty can't guarantee you a decent life after Death, especially since you have done nothing extraordinary.. this is just your Life. Governed if not by the norms of the society then by the norms of the Government.. who squeezes everything out of you.. after all.. you and I, we are just Mangoes!

Conversation with the Moon- II

2011-09-29T23:58:00.001+05:30

In mood for a conversation,

with the moon,

the friend, confidant and,

so much more...

I see in him, the distance,

that vanishes into thin air,

because it is the same moon,

that You see there,

and I stare here!

I see you in the Moon,
I wish, I could just reach up,

right there..

And touch you!

Oh! how I wish,

I could, close my eyes,

and murmur a wish..

to close this distance between us,

to hold you in my arms,

for each night,

My dear moon, seeing, HIM

in You just doesn't suffice!

In the magic of the moonlight,

when the fairies dance and

love blooms in full might;

My dear Love,

come hold me, sway me..

and take me away, in a new world!

Let the Festivities BEGIN!

2011-09-28T12:08:00.002+05:30

MY most favorite part of the year has officially begun!
The Navratras and Durga Puja, kick start the festival season... and Oh BOY! Ain't I in my usual, festival spirit! :)

Even the stupid economic crisis that I talked about in my previous post can go take a hike. Because, even if I am not celebrating the festivals, the whole spirit of the festivals just gets to you. It is the time to be happy and thankful for all that we have got in life. And, the happy spirit that these festivals infuse in all of us, makes up for the crappy times that have gone behind.

So here is wishing All of You- A VERY HAPPY NAVRATRAS and a VERY PROSPEROUS DURGA PUJA!!!

May Maa Durga, bring us all lots of Happiness, Prosperity & Peace!

I am Okay :)

2011-09-25T11:23:00.002+05:30

It was just a rant, the previous post!
A sleep deprived me often talks like that!

September Update II

2011-09-18T01:54:00.001+05:30

Like I say, life is nothing more than a couple of bullet points and loads of ramblings. Things happening each day.. and I sincerely wish that I could record each one of them. But then, there is the lazy me, who likes to sleep more than anything... therefore you get the updates!

I am alive. I am sure that much you all gathered from the opening lines. Currently, I am in Gurgaon, at my Bua's house, getting things set for son's wedding! *Praying to God, that this goes off without a hitch, and everything is a big success!!*
So, I have been helping out in the shaadi shopping. And, I have never EVER explored Chandni Chowk the way I have done for this wedding. So much so, now we have a fixed shop to buy the saree and the lehnga! ;) Yeah, yeah, I am gonna buy mine from there too! You know, I just love the way the shop keepers sell their stuff in Chandni Chowk, it is overwhelming to see these numerous shops, just selling similar and in lots of cases, same stuff, but each one of them has some fixed customers, who will come to them in the end! But it is a crazy world in those small shops, and smaller roads!

By now, most of you all must have read, commented and gotten over and maybe even followed the blog of madam Madrasan. Trust me, when I read it, I was enraged. Beyond anything. I agree about the Delhi boys being super asses.. but then the way she has pointed fingers at the entire culture of north India is an absolute disgrace. I feel that it is people with this kind of mentality that make sure that, the diversity in our culture instead of becoming our strength becomes our weakness! But she has gotten enough footage for the last one week, and now, she has finally broken her silence on that blog of hers, that is gonna be another major week of nothing but more footage to her! Before you start waving the fundamental rights ka parcha at me, responsible actions are fundamental rights, seditious acts to break the nation is a serious crime!

Hmmm, today while going to C.P. today, my Bua put a rupee in the 'shani ka daan' (in the name of the God of saturday, you give alms to beggars) and I generally remarked, "Bua, kiska shani bhari hai.." cant really explain that in english.. any ways, this remark got me a nice long lecture telling me that, this whole planet, and kundli thing, should never ever bother me! That is the last thing that I should be concerned about, ever in my life. I should just think about leading a happy healthy life! This sort of put a lot my fears to rest. Because, those who know me, also know, how much this astrology thing has troubled me, as far as my relationship with the bf goes! Now I am more determined than ever to go forward with the person who I know, will make me happy.

Talking about the bf, I think the scientists claims about the men PMSing is true! Every month I deal with his maha moody behaviour. And it almost sympathetic, because, in the next week odd, it is my turn to PMS! Ridiculous couple we are. But nevertheless, I just pray that we have our share of happiness.. soon.

Now, I'll zip on to office!
Did I tell you guys that no one really called me from my Ms.M's office to wish me on my Birthday? Well, Mr. MDR did call, at around 11 in the night. And, I told him that, I was offended that no one remembered that it was my Birthday. Of course, bf told me to not to care.. and it was then that I decided, that, I have had enough. I cannot mope about the people, who don't care. And who don't bother. At all. Unfortunately for me, there is no way to totally avoid them, being the part of the same organization and all. I just hope that my contact to them remain minimal.

And, since we are talking about jobs and careers, I did not clear the god damn judiciary exam, and I am slightly disappointed at myself, and I am really looking for a new job. If any of you knows, a law firm or a corporate where I can work in the legal department, just let me know!

Rest all is good! hopefully a meaningful post shall come up next time!
Till then, miss me!

The hare & the turtle story!

2011-09-12T00:22:00.000+05:30

Facebook has become such a necessary hazard.
This is how you remain in touch with people, you get to know what is going on their lives, and above all, despite the distance, you end up feeling a part of the happy moments in the life of the people with whom you once shared certain moments of your life!
But for a person like me, it is a tool, that makes me depressed and is the easiest way to make me jealous.

Yes, I am human too.

See the thing is, that I see, so many things that are happening in people's lives. They are holidaying. They are having family functions. They are changing jobs, they are in general having fun.. whereas, looking back, as to what even facebook shows, I have singing the same song over and over again. The words may be different but, the meaning is the same.

On a totally random note, there is no picture of me, for my 25th Birthday. This is totally depressing!

Any ways, coming back to the two faced knife called facebook.
Now, recently, I thanks to FB, got to know that Shayon's very first boss, who runs a start-up, got engaged. Like ENGAGED. Not in a relationship, not a new girlfriend.. or anything- Simply engaged. Now, this guy, even though, very nice, has a history of having many a girlfriends. And now I see his status as engaged.
I am happy for him.
And then suddenly..
I am jealous. I am angry. And I am flustered.

Because, after almost 7 years of being in a relationship, bf and I are back to the square one. He and I are in different cities, again. There is absolute uncertainty about whats next.
The mundane existence is killing me.
Bf doesn't have time for me. It's like we are always on a different time, despite the fact that we stay in the same country. Yes, we are working around that, No, there is nothing wrong in the 'Love-Land' per-se. But, I am feeling very restless.
I don't know, what tomorrow holds for bf and me in terms of marriage. All of a sudden, I am very scared, that in a bid to make everything right something will go wrong.
And I am blabbering.

In one line- I think I am ready to take the next step in our relationship. And, the wait is becoming unbearable.
Almost every one is getting set to get settled, start a new life. And here I am stuck where I have been.
And there was a time, everyone was sure that, we would be the ones to take the plunge first!

Delhi High Court Blast : Just Another day in the life of a terror sick nation!

2011-09-07T15:52:00.000+05:30

So the High Court of Delhi was attacked today.
As I write this post there are confirmed reports that 11 people have already died and there are 65 people who are injured and in the hospitals.

The government, is doing, all that it can- Basically meaning, they are nodding their heads, condemning the damn blast. And, I think, that is all that the government is ever going to do.
I am not going to go on the UPA blaming spree, because, I feel, more than the failure of the government, it is the failure on the part of the intelligence agencies.
Unfortunately, they do not have ACP Praduman of the CID fame to lead them. As a matter of fact, barring the CBI, which is mostly investigating, the charges framed for the tainted politicians, and high profile murders, and low profile murders that are inflated to becoming high profile murders by the media, I have not really seen an active intelligence thing happening!

The most of what I saw of them, was for a couple of months after the Mumbai attacks, when there was a back and forth and the buck passing about how despite the information, there was no action on the same.
Actually, I wonder, if the so called intelligence agencies work at all on any information that is given to them. How come, with an average of one blast/ terror strike EACH year, mind you, there is an absolute lack of any kind of security up-gradation at any place in India.

Delhi High Court, was and hopefully now shall be more, secure High Court in India. The other High Courts, I have heard, including the one in Mumbai, has no security measures. One reassurance vide this blast is, that the terrorists are breaching the outside perimeter of the High Court here in Delhi, because, every one OTHER than a Lawyer is frisked, and there are X Ray scanners to enter the court premises; whereas, there are none of these things in the other High Courts in our Country.
And there is a catch here too, no one absolutely NO ONE checks the identity card of the person entering in a black coat and lawyer's band.
And, I being a lawyer am agreeing to it, that- This has a lot to do with the 'Ego' of the Lawyer.

But, saying that, it does not mean that these intelligence agencies should take for granted the rest of the citizens of the country. When I am not in that black coat and the lawyer's robe, I am also just like another human being. Just another face in the crowd.
And today, it was the high court, yesterday it were the main markets of Delhi... from the Five Star hotels, to sadak chap markets.. the value of human life in our country is valued in terms of the so called 'Compensation' announced by either the state governments or the central government.
All the philosophers tell us, that the gift of Life is precious and priceless, but looking around, one feels, that both the preciousness and priceless-ness have gone down the drain.

I know, for all of us, in sometime or the other life will get back to normal. We will rant, curse, and for some time, even follow the security guidelines without fussing; but then what? By the time, life will come back to normal, we will start cursing the security measures and procedures, our standard line being.. "Do we look like terrorists to you?" and "Whats the bloody use of this... the blasts will happen any ways".

But I feel, that, just like for corruption, we all stood together, and pledged, and had debates, that how we should root out the corruption, the same should be done with terrorism. No, that does not in any ways mean, enacting another law. Because, there is no which ways that we can prevent a blast with a new law.
But, what we can do, is-
To demand for a VERY strong attitude from the government *I don't care, if its the UPA or the BJP or the Mayawati*, but the government has to put its foot down and say, enough.
Hang the idiots languishing in the jails.
And like seriously, make an exception to Article 21 of the Constitution in case of terrorists, wherein, no terrorist be represented by the lawyer. *Under the law, you can very well represent your own-self in the court of law, let the terrorist explain why he killed so many innocents and conspired against the state and the country in general*
And, also make an amendment to the Indian Penal Code, where, a terror attack and the terrorists involved in it, be hanged to death. Under this code, and as a general practice and as per the precedence taken by the Supreme Court in view of the Human Rights etc, a death sentence is ONLY awarded in the rarest of the rare case, where the crime is ghastly!
And, terrorism is an ghastly ghastly act, where one person and/or ideology of a group of people, when not acceded to, go on to kill innocent people. Of course, the terror act, is no more rare. It is becoming very common.

Here is the deal;
If these terrorists cry foul over the religion, then they should know that, bloody hell, right to choose the kind of religion that we want is our Fundamental and a Human Right. We shall follow, which ever God we want. And, you asshole fanatics have a problem with religious policies of the government (s); you are more than welcome to take it up with them directly. We are NOT scapegoats.

And people advocating Human rights, for the terrorist, get your stupid fundamentals right. Right to LIVE, is the first and foremost right enumerated in every GODDAMN human right charter and/or law all over the world. When that is flouted by these dimwits for the people, who have absolutely nothing to do with their fight and/or jihad.. they waive all rights of living there and then.

And you know, what is the saddest part, in this whole cycle of terror attacks?
That there will be no one, absolutely no one, who would fight the government, push the authorities and the so called intelligence agencies to go no holds barred on these terror outfits, and send a very strong message to our darling neighbours, that Enough is ENOUGH!
But, you see, we are a Gandhian nation, maybe, we should send, someone to do an anshan in front of the Pakistani Parliament, till they give in to the demand of banning the terror outfits or better still, why not open the borders, and welcome them with open arms, and more innocent people as sacrifice?

Have I grown wings.. as yet?

2011-09-05T15:52:00.000+05:30

No, I have grown no wings.
And, today doesn't really seem to be special at all.

I am going to be mean and say, that since boyfriend is not around, there is no excitement in life.. but the truth actually is, that, there is nothing exciting happening. I am gonna go out with two, three (if Kashvi is free) of my real close friends out for dinner. That, we do otherwise also.

I don't feel like, that it is my Birthday today. My boss, Ms. MA, the seniors P,MDR & V, have not even wished me Birthday. Not that I was expecting them to, but, then there was a tiny winy hope that they would. But, then, a wise person has said that, expectation is the killer.

There is no meetha, that has been cooked in my house. On the contrary, there was gheeya for lunch. *Which I don't eat, so basically, no lunch from home either*. Actually, my parents also don't seem too excited about it being my birthday.

Boyfriend, sent me a bunch of roses, and a Black-forest cake last night. Along with it came a card, which started as 'Dear Jaan.... ' and ended with 'I love you'... and I think that it was super funny because, well, because, dad was the first person to read that little card!

The thing that made my day, was the message sent by boyfriend's dad. It is an amazing message, and it just fills me with warmth and love!

And yes, there were the usual calls, meaning, usual people *who would have been killed had they forgotten my birthday* called to wish me! Which is always awesome :D

But honestly speaking, it doesn't feel like that, I have turned 25.
Was I expecting fire works at my Birthday.. well not really, but some sort of excitement somewhere. But, never the less, it is after all my Birthday, and I am sure that this will be a better than the year that has gone by, that there would be loads of stuff to look forward to, and most importantly, like Moo, the cow puts it, hopefully, by next year on my Birthday, I would be getting all ready to take the next big step in life!

So, wings are yet to be grown, as I step into another year and start the quarter life crisis!

Happy Birthday to me!

Missing You!

2011-09-02T13:35:00.000+05:30

Even when I am blind,

I can walk on these roads,

because for 25 years,

they have been mine!

I walked my first baby steps,

and then learnt how to,

sprint across them,

and today, I drive in my car..

But even in this crowd,

of people, who I know,

the ones, who have seen me

grow;

a twinge of loneliness,

sears me, entangles me,

and makes me miss..

Your hands, which hold me,

now,

when I stumble..

your arms, that support me,

when I am super drunk..

Your kisses, that filled,

my ever so boring, usual,

evenings..

Your naughty gimmicks,

and your stupid pinches..

Each day, that you are away,

makes me long for you,

makes me wish,

to spend, one more day,

in your arms..

looking in your eyes,

kissing you, till, the-

world ends!

Touch Me

2011-09-02T00:21:00.000+05:30

The sands of time,
the passing seconds,
re instate in my memories,
that past, the present,
and that future..

Through the half closed eyes,
I see you, and see that desire,
I see the fire, as you close in,
the distance between us..

The magic of your kiss,
the love of your touch...
the want in your breath...
I see that you want me,
more now than ever...

The vice like grip,
of your arms around me,
the need to possess me,
not only in your heart,
but also in your body..

I want to be to,
possessed by you,
by your love,
by you making me love,
and making me love you back..

Yes, my love,
through the sands of time,
I see you loving me,
not merely in your heart,
but also in your mind,
running me through, not just your body,
but making me a part of your soul.
**********************************************************************************
Republishing this post, today again, for the one I really love, and for the person, I am missing right now! My dear darling boyfrriend, Shayon, I love you & I miss you! Like crazy! This poem, is JUST for you!

September Update

2011-09-02T00:02:00.000+05:30

Life has, bloody, become just a bunch iof update! But then again, it is a good thing that I am keeping busy, a bad thing, that I can't write all about it, thanks to the lack of time and then the laziness!
So the bullet update; here goes:

I am doing fine :D, well, barring the usual up and downs in the health sector, I am fine.
The boyfriend, is also doing great! As I type this out he is on a road trip with his friends, and he is having fun!
I was in Mumbai last weekend, and it was a blast. Rain played a spoil sport, but, I was sleep deprived, and hardly slept for the three nights that I was there. There is lots to talk about, about the Mumbai trip, so, I guess, that will make for a nice long post, that should come up very soon.
Alright, here is a big thing that very few people know, I for some weird reason, at some mad moment of time, decided that I would like to give Judiciary examination, meaning, that I would sit for the entrance exam to become a judge, and that exam is like, on this Sunday. And, no I am not that well prepared for it. People, for years, just sit and study and do nothing. I decided to take it while doing a regular job. I have no real hopes, but whats life without a little adventure.
There is something in the air. My mum has been extremely loving and caring towards me, and she loved the shopping that I did for her in Mumbai. The Boyfriend has also been wow to me lately. And, so has my boss, and life in general. I hope that it continues, for a long long time to come. Amen.
I met a 25 yr old businessman, really great looking, who is my client. I turn 25, like really soon. I am not feeling too good about knowing his age all of a sudden
It's the Birthday month. Am I excited, yes, I am. I will be of legal drinking age. But, that also means, a quarter of a century worth of living already done. Achievements re assessment doesn't look encouraging! Will, I grow up? Now, that is worth wondering about!

I know, dear readers, that you all are doing well. And, I promise, I will catch up with the reading as soon as I get over with my exam this weekend. You all, till then, miss me!

Cheers!

Phew.. I made it- The Journey from home to the Delhi Airport!

2011-08-26T01:04:00.000+05:30

I am en-route to Mumbai, as I write this blog post! *Yeah this is a draft, and will be published when I land in Mumbai!*

Normally it is the journey from one city to another that is eventful.. rather, I am one of those “Lucky Ones”, who have no excitement revolving around the travels that I undertake! Presumptions, I tell you make for really bad lessons!

So, I am going to Mumbai and that makes me VERY happy. There is NOTHING in this world that makes me happier than a trip to Mumbai.. even when the boyfriend is not there, I just LOVE that city. This time round, the major reason for travelling to Mumbai is my Sister- In-law’s Bridal Shower! J

And, I almost did not make it to the airport on time to catch my flight! And, had I missed my flight today, I would have totally cursed Anna Hazare and his entire campaign to go to hell.

Now, normally, the Airport is exactly 45 mins from my house, it maxes out to one hour, if there is traffic on the Ring Road, and trust me, *touchwood*, we have never had a problem with reaching the airport. As a matter of fact, we would normally reach a nice 1 to 1.5 hours before the flight departure, and lunge about in the airport!

But, today, thanks to Mr. Hazare and his instigation to attack the PM house, all roads leading to 7 Race Course were BLOCKED. Like there was the riot police deployed and barricaded! *I am telling you this Anna Hazare will make sure that, we have a civil war at our hands.. and that will be like a doomsday for all of us any which ways!*

So, since almost have of the Delhi was blocked, there was bound to be repercussions on the nodal roads of Delhi, and the traffic, which would usually be bearable, was tripled, and it refused to move.. We were on the Ring Road, got traffucked there, then, turned towards the back lane of Sarojani Market.. turned out that, it was barricaded, went to the Safdarjung Tomb, only to turn back, and head into the traffic leading towards AIIMS i.e. the Ring Road!

Instead of turning into the Ring Road, we went perpendicular to it, and headed into the Bottle Neck on the Green Park, Hauz Khas road.. thank Heavens, I knew that, the traffic there was only a bottle neck.. and that, even though it was tad bit slow, it will not take more than 10 mins to clear that stretch, and thank heavens we made to the outer ring road in the minimalist possible time. And then, there was the usual jam on the outer ring road, close to the IIT.. I was of course, cursing everybody under my breath.. while my sister decided that instead of willing the traffic to move, she would rather take a nap! And, then, there is the greatest architectural structure in Delhi, near Munirika, a NODAL fly over, right before the Gurgaon Express way.. why is it so great, is because that the Public Works Department, instead of making a two way flyover decided to make a just a single lane flyover, and then divided the goddamn thing into two, using the plastic dividers!

That creates a bottle neck, worth all the curses in the world. By the time we reached that bottle neck, I was neck deep with panic.. and almost in tears.. I mean this is the first time that I had bought tickets out of my own salary.. and I really did not want to end up not going on these tickets.. it is special.

So, I am neck deep in panic, and then dad suggests calling the Go- Air people, and telling them our situation, so that, if nothing else, I am allowed to board the flight 30 mins before the take off instead of the usual, 40 mins window! So, I call up the Go- Air people on their Airport number, and voila, first miracle, that they actually pick up the phone. And, secondly, the poor chap, tries to calm me down, and tells me that he will give my name on the counter, and that I should like really try hard to reach ASAP. *As if I was deliberating delaying coming to the Airport*. So by the time I finish the call, we are at the thresh hold of getting on to the Fly over, and voila.. as soon as we get on to that “Flyover just in the name of it”, we sail through!

And reach the Airport on time. By time I mean, 10 mins before the 40 mins window closes…

And now, there is something more to it-

Dad stops the car bang in front of the entry gate.. and I jump off the car.. and say quick byes.. and rush to the entry gate.. and both the security guards, stad up and see my e ticket and my identification, and tell me to breathe, that there is still time. I rush in to the Go Air Counter, give my bag for check in, and plead the good looking guy at the counter with my sweetest smile, to give me a window seat/ aisle seat.. and very sweetly tell the guy who checks in the luggage that I have fragile stuff in it, so to be careful with it.

Both of em, seeing the poor harassed girl.. be super helpful! The guy who issues the boarding pass, tells me, that he will go and check if there are any window seats/aisle seats. While the luggage guy puts fragile stickers all over my bag. And the boarding pass guy gets me a window seat, and while printing my boarding pass, asks me if I work in Mumbai.. and I also smile back telling him, that I am a lawyer based outta Delhi :D *I am such a flirt!*

And, then, when I rush to the Security Check in, the security uncle asks me, what was the problem with my boarding pass.. so I tell him that, I was telling the boarding pass guy why I got late and thanking him etc. I got this super “OMG Girls” nod and smile from him! :D

And, then, me the wonderful, sees that my flight is boarding and rush to the boarding area, without looking at the Boarding Number gate.. but one round to and fro in the boarding area and I was in the right line, and guess what.. I am sitting totally alone! It is an awesome thing.. :D, coz I am able to write this post.

Mumbai.. here I come!

*PS: Did I mention that the usher in this flight was a super cut guy! ;)*

The Silence of the Long Distance Relationship

2011-08-23T19:16:00.000+05:30

After deliberating the whole day, whether I should be writing this post or not, I am finally writing it. And it is a rant. So read at your own risk. The risk of the boyfriend getting angry after reading this post is much higher though.

Six and a half years ago, boyfriend and I used to talk on the phone like crazy. Yes, we generated a bill of 30k, in a matter of 20 days, which did not include the amount that we spent on our mobile phones. Then there was this constant urge to talk, to tell each other about every little thing that was happening around us. You know, making each other familiar with our set of surroundings and people.

Cut to present, it has not been even 20 days that the boyfriend has moved to Mumbai, and already, I am feeling the pangs of being left out. From the decision to buy a new television, to his completing one whole year in the present company, to knowing, in general what his day has been like, all the information that I gather is through the social media.

And, despite staying in the same country, with no time difference what so ever, we do not have a common time frame to talk.

Of course, his contention, that I should not push him to call me up, and talk to me, especially because he doesn't feel like doing so, has a lot to contribute in the cause. And, the reason that I have been given is that he has become vary of the long phone calls.

Barring the call last night, where we talked about our knowledge of the Indian Mythology, every time I call him, day or night, his first question is "Is there any thing to talk about?" and I have a usual answer.. that there is nothing ultra important, it is just a call!

Samajhdar ki ishaara hi kaafi hai, and so, I keep down the phone, knowing very well, that he is super busy and that there is no chance that I am going to have a word with him.

And, if you feel that I should call him, only because I have work.. then duhu to you. I am his girlfriend, and sometimes, you just WANT to maybe hear a nice apni si awaaz, because you just happen to miss him. Or maybe, you just want to say I love you to him.. or tell him something totally random.

And, NO, I do not call him at work unless, I have e-mailed him a query and expect a reply ASAP. And, he hardly disturbs me at work, because there is not time.

But when there is time, then, he doesn't feel like talking.

Yes, I am feeling very neglected. I hate the fact that I get to know about your where-abouts from your status updates. Yes, I know that you can't tell me every little thing, we have grown out of it, but, how about telling me something?

How about not fighting with me about the time that you can't make out for me, especially when I coming over, and instead making some time out for me? And, all the time talking to me in that clipped tone won't help.

Your coldness scares me, yes, I shout a lot may be, but at least I am not cold to you!

And, the worst part is, I have no idea what to do. It's like a catch-22 situation, forcing him to talk to me will just make matters worse, and not talking to him normally gets me in this irritable super rant mode!

I have NO idea what to do! :(

Jai Shree Krishna!!!!

2011-08-22T23:37:00.000+05:30

Today is Krishna Janamashtami, meaning birthday of Lord Krishna!
And, today, for some weird reason, I was remembering the times that this festival meant a lot of celeberations, practices and performances! *Its the same now, except, that I am a grown up, and there are other kids who do it.*
There was always a dance performance in our local temple, where, I used be Radha. A very dear aunty, God rest her soul in peace, used to tell our grandmothers in the temple, that she is going to start the practise for the Janamashtmi, so the grand kids should be at her house at the given day and time. Oh, it was so much of fun! Dressing up, to dance and sing.. *No, wonder, all the aunties in the temple still love me so much!!*

And there used to be a jhanki competition *not really a competition, but amongst us kids, it used to be, whose depiction of Shree Krishna's life looks the best in the colony* and trust me, we used to be at our worst enemy behavior then! But like my mom said today *especially, since she was sad that there were no jhankis in the colony this year [there was just one, in one remote corner, at my time, there used to be one at every 10 mtrs or so!]* "That, it was not just about you guys getting dirty in the mud, but it was also about how, you used get exhausted by being in the heat the whole day, with your face going all red"
But those, were some fun days. I am truly saddened, that the kids in my colony, do not do the effort any more. Talking about jhankis, the last one that I did, was with my best friend and we had used all of our barbie dolls, to depict the life of Krishna!

As, I was reminiscing all of this, I cam across a lovely article on the relationship between Radha & Krishna, about their eternal undying love for each other... the article is titled as "Atma Tu Radhika Tasya- Radha, You are His Soul" , I highly recommend that you read this. Here is a sneak peak:

"Life always gives you moments when you have to choose between two options. Always take side of truth and love and you will gain wisdom. Each decision will bring you closer to your true self.

How can you love Krishna so intensely even when you are not with him and even then remain free from everything?”, Uddhava asked.

Radha replied, “Faith and insecurity. There is a difference when you love a person and feel insecure about him and there is a difference when you have faith in him. Fear results in shackles and faith results in freedom. Fear gets lost in some time but faith grows with every passing day. The love because of insecurity leads to fear and the latter leads to the enlightenment. And that change is the only constant thing in world. Even Radha and Krishna are just ripples in the water but their love will remain forever.”

I fell in love with these lines. I do not do favoritism towards the God (s) almighty, especially because, each one of them is so special in their own way! And, I have grown up watching all the mythologies possible.. from Ramayana, to Mahabharata, to Shree Krishna! And each of the story is tuck to me, like a beautiful fairy tale.

The thing about Lord Krishna, always has been about his mystery. There is a charm, a twinkle in his eyes, an eternal naughtiness, that you just can't let go of! At all! Though, I do blame him for polygamy, and get really angry, at the fact that he broke a lot of hearts because of the number of women that loved him! But, I do follow the path that he showed Arjuna, in Kurukshetra during the battle in Mahabharata.. probably the only sermon that makes sense in the present day world!
So, on lord Krishna's Birthday, I leave you with his most famous lines from the Bhagwad Geeta

"Karmanye Vadhikaraste, Ma phaleshou kada chana,

Ma Karma Phala Hetur Bhurmatey Sangostva Akarmani"

RE: Don't Spread Rumors, they cause- Fire! And Panic!

2011-08-17T12:46:00.001+05:30

In response to my previous post *Which I shared on Google + also*, a dear friend of mine Souvik, who was kind enough to take time to write his views on my post! :)
PS: I have posted the whole comment, as is, verbatim! :) Thanks, Souvik, for the food for the brain! :)
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Hey.....nice post. But I beg to agree AND differ simultaneously. I agree what we are seeing on the streets now is, to put it harshly, mob culture. This CANNOT be the way laws are formulated in a country;least of all, our country.
But, having said that, does the government really want me to believe that every political/apolitical agitation that is normally held in this country, is bound by the conditions of 3 days and 5000 people? I hope the government will be able to stand by its claim through proper documented proofs. The issue, right now, is not whether the bill proposed by Hazare is good or bad. The issue is...are people in this country allowed to protest peacefully? The government, including the PM, seems to be bypassing this very question.
I have read the article that you linked, that states why the Jan Lokpal Bill is unconstitutional and unnecessary. I'd request you to also read through the analysis of that bill that they have put up on their site.

http://www.indiaagainstcorruption.org/downloads.html
(download the detailed analysis given here).

Finally, it may be true that today, we, the people of this country, are a major reason why corruption refuses to go. I am willing to pay my fine when I'm stopped by the traffic police next time, but can you, or ANYONE, please guarantee to me that I'll get my driving license done in a time bound manner following all rules and regulations, without having to go through a tout? Can anyone guarantee me that if I complain against a government official to the CBI, the agency will indeed investigate my case with all earnest and sincerity that it deserves, and the guilty will be brought to justice WITHIN A DECENT TIME FRAME? Can anyone guarantee me that if I complain, I'll not be subjected to backlashes from the government? Can you guarantee me that when a police officer from the local PS comes to my place for Police Verification before issuing me a passport, he'll do his work without me paying him a bribe? (When you answer this question,kindly consider the situation that I may need a passport with some urgency, and that the police may decide to neither pass my case nor fail it).

The problem, as I see it, is this. The existing system HAS NOT dealt with corruption in any effective way for so many years. Why do I believe that now, with the same set of people at the helm, something effective will be done? Yes I'm sceptical, I'm being pessimistic,, but this system hasn't given me much to be optimistic about either.
Give me an effective bill to deal with this. What this government is doing, is simple time-wastage. That will not do. Tell me a practical way to force this government (not idealistic ones...please) to bring an effective anti-corruption law, and I'll stand with you and....if the need be...against Mr. Hazare.
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I ADD:
I agree, that most of what I may have said sounds impractical. But there are checks and balances that have been provided in our Constitution. And, honestly speaking, when we talk about Democracy, it is the power of the people. And, because, there would be chaos and anarchy in the country, if every one speaks together, there is the thing about sending your "representatives", to the assembly to speak on your behalf. The day that we start treating them, like they are on our mercy and not vise-versa, all shall be solved.

Look at the where the politicians hit you the most, at the places, where it hurts the most. The educated middle class, who refuses to vote or comment on anything, needs to shed it's "Who cares, they are politicians... blah" attitude and start giving their opinions. Mobilize. Your Thoughts! And the politicos have understood that the middle class uses the power of the internet. The moment, you highlight the cause, and move forward, saala koi mai ka baap, aakar apni akar nahin jhaad payega!

Don't Spread Rumors, they cause- Fire! And Panic!

2011-08-17T00:21:00.002+05:30

The views expressed in this Post are purely of the Author. And since, this post is all about politics and,democracy and raising hell, I \ have the constitutional freedom to raise hell in my own way, a.k.a. express my views. That is exactly what I am doing. This is not a personal attack on any one, or their idealism.

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I have tried to keep myself away. I have been commenting on lots of statuses on FB and sharing my views on twitter. But, then, I just can't answer everyone! It's too many against a handful of us *Or so I am assuming*
who do not support Anna!

Now, before, you get ready to spit fire on me, and before you shut down my blog page in disgust, you may want to hear me out. And in case you don't want to, then, well, the country is any which ways going to the dogs, you are just going to be another breed that is gonna rip it apart *Its a pun, please do not take it personally*.

So, as I write this, Mr. Hazare, has refused to get out of the jail. There are people at Chattrasal Stadium who refuse to leave. And then there is the mayhem outside the Tihar Jail that refuses to subside, earlier because Anna was arrested. Now, because, he refuses to come out!

Does that mean, that I am supporting corruption? Or that, I am a secret spy from the government side, who is trying to influence her mere 50 *now again 49* followers?
No. Neither of it is true. And, I do not want it to be true.

Who doesn't want a corruption free nation, where your work is done by the virtue of the fact that, it is the duty of that official to do your work because that is what he is employed to do. I mean, I would love it, if for once, I do not have wait like a five million years to get my phone line back in order.

But, in this case, where Anna is spreading the fire of the cause of rising against the plague of corruption, does the end truly define the means? Today, he is holding the entire government, all the political parties at their tether ends, by what? By the power of sheer black mail. I am going to go to the extent of calling it pure extortion.
Tell me, who starts this vicious circle of corruption? Who.. the babus, who take the money, or we, the people of India, who will pay some hari patti, for the short cut! The day, we put our foot down, and tell the babus, Dude, nothing doing, this is a part of your duty, your KRA, and in case you do not do this, because you want money *Bribe* from me, then I think that I will see you in Court.
Oh, you all do know that there is a Prevention of Corruption Act (PoCA) in our country, that lets you complain to the CBI for any act of Corruption that is done by any government official? And do you also know that if a departmental inquiry is started against an employee, his career is as good as finished.
But, tell me, would you rather go to the authorities with a complaint against a babu for bribery or pay him some money and get your work done?
My guess, is that you won't.

*And if you do, and need a lawyer, you know where to contact.. right?*

Extorting the government, to bend to your demands is not a way to protest. This makes you no less than a terrorist, who would want it his way or boom. Isn't that the basis of the terror attacks, that the government does not listen to them , therefore the innocents get killed!?
Anna is doing exactly the same thing. Of Course, thank God, there has been no super violence, else innocents would have lost their lives here too.
Supporting a cause is not wrong. But, when the focus shifts from the Cause, and moves into the territory of an ego battle, that is the time, we should be thinking, what to support!

Most of the people who are out there right now, have no idea, what the Jan Lok Pal Bill is all about! They just know one thing, that this legislation will fight corruption. Half Knowledge is more dangerous than no knowledge at all! And that is what is happening on the streets out there.

*You remember how in Rang De Basanti, that staunch party worker, finally realised that the cause has been lost in midst of the power game? I fear, that is exactly what is happening!*

The Jan LokPal Bill that team Anna is so keen to get implicated, says that all the power will be vested in one body, that will look after the corruption cases. In short, there is no provision for an appeal against for whatever Team Anna says. They thus, are putting themselves, even above the Supreme Court, the Guardians of our Constitution. And, the Constitution itself was drafted in a way, so that one does not become all too powerful. *There is a reason, why the Supreme Court, can rattle the government * And because, the team sitting in the LokPal panel, would any ways be of the pre conceived notion that all those in the government or in government jobs are corrupt, *that is what they are claiming right?* how would one expect a fair trial?
Now isn't that killing the democracy?
If you are here, and reading this blog post I request you to please read this article, and analyse the legislation yourself!

Support the Cause. We are a Democratic Nation! We have been given a choice to select the people we want up there in the Parliament! Why is it that, when ever we are asked to exercise, this one right, we make the most DUMB decisions? Either we don't vote, or we don't know who to vote for and end up voting for some random guy! Read the manifestos that are given to you. Question the candidates when they come to ask for your votes! Almost all the Candidates, come in their constituencies for election campaigns! And they organize interaction sessions, use it. Vote. Encourage people to vote.

And whenever, you are supporting a cause, don't support it or follow it blindly. Make a decision, through information. Especially because you are a literate *I am assuming that you are* because you are reading this. You have the right to make informed, and educated decision. Use this right well.

And, if you are supporting the cause of India, free of corruption, then start doing your bit. Accept your mistakes, and next time a traffic cop stops for a fine, don't bribe him to get out of it. If you are wrong, pay the fine. Bear the punishment.
Get your passports and Driving licenses, done through your own efforts and not through touts!
To clean the system, We have start by cleaning our own-selves first. Support the cause, not the ego battle that this is turning out to be.
Be wise!
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PS: I would really like you all to also go through these Posts:

Post 1, Post 2 & Post 3

Quick Update!

2011-08-15T21:32:00.000+05:30

Even though I have nothing to do right now, no, actually, I have to study, I have dances to choreograph, and I have all the time in the world to do it. I will not.
Why, please don't ask.

I will write a nice detailed post soon! And, since I am going through the 'I am super lazy' streak, I am reading the posts, but just not commenting!
SIGH!

See you soon!

Why do I Love You?

2011-08-11T11:48:00.000+05:30

There are a lot of reasons that I know, I love the boyfriend.

But here is a little passage out of a post titled "Reasons Why I cannot Love You" from Thought Catalog, and it says so much about why I would never be able to love someone other than him!

"You’re wonderful for thinking I’m wonderful, but I can’t love you because you don’t love me for my flaws—you love me in spite of them. You don’t see me, you don’t even want to see me, for what I am—the ugly, pungent parts of my guts. You can’t and don’t want to tear these parts out of me while I scream. I can’t love you because you won’t defy me, because you won’t fight me when I’m wrong. I can’t love you because you don’t stand eye to eye with me and challenge me, demand of me, to be a better person."

Also, my blog now has 50 followers!

The 50th Follower being- Ms. Raam Pyaari.. who happens to be a novelist, too! *I have some super famous people following my blog it seems*- So please help me welcoming this young lady and making her feel at home, here on Timeless!

Happy Friendship's Day!

2011-08-06T22:17:00.000+05:30

This is for all of you, my dear readers, who have become a part of my life, beyond this blog, and have not just read my rants, but have also given me solutions, support and above all unconditional love by just being there to let me feel the warm relationship of Friendship!

Thank YOU, ALL!

Happy Friendship's Day!

Goodbye my Lover!

2011-08-02T15:25:00.000+05:30

This has been impending on me for a month, actually more than a month. I knew, that it has to happen. But, somehow, how so ever hard I try, it just doesn't sink in. Maybe, my power of letting go. The confidence that, I am harboring, about making through the next couple of months has a hollow foundation.

Yesterday, in his arms, all enveloped in his and engulfed in his kisses, talking about the future, I could hardly believe that the little world of ours was crumbling, and that in less than a week, we will again be a world apart. All his re assurances that, he will take care and that, we both will not make the same mistakes again... are a Deja Vu!
I don't think that I am ready for this forced separation. A cruel joke in every way possible played by our destiny. The last separation. I don't think that, I can survive another of these debacles. And I sincerely pray and hope that, this is the last of our so called 'Test of love', because one more and I'll probably throw myself out of a window.

I don't know if any of you have ever felt it. After the whole living in the same city thing, the separation and the going away pains my heart and I mean, not a literal pain, but it physically hurts, an emptiness shrouds me making me feel alone even in the midst of the most crowded room.

But I have to be strong. I have to focus. Hopefully I will manage!

And I leave you all with a couple of lines from a song by James Blunt (Good Bye My Lover) :

You touched my heart you touched my soul.
You changed my life and all my goals.
And love is blind and that I knew when,
My heart was blinded by you.
I've kissed your lips and held your hand.
Shared your dreams and shared your bed.
I know you well, I know your smell.
I've been addicted to you.
.......
.......

And as you move on, remember me,
Remember us and all we used to be
I've seen you cry, I've seen you smile.
I've watched you sleeping for a while.
........
........

I'd spend a lifetime with you.
I know your fears and you know mine.
We've had our doubts but now we're fine,
And I love you, I swear that's true.
I cannot live without you.

Identity Crisis

2011-07-30T15:14:00.000+05:30

My father always used to tell me that 'Law is in my genes!!'..

Not that I am ever going to argue about this statement to him, because, I certainly feel very related and extremely connected to my profession.

And, yes, unless its dancing or doing nothing, I don't see myself doing anything else for a living. As a matter of fact, I know it for sure that, I wont ever be able to make a living out of me being a dancer.

But right now, at this instant, I am in what I would like to call a situation of 'Passion Dwindling'; it seems that in a profession where, you learn something new each day, and that the learning never stops, I feel like I am a misfit. Often, I am made to feel inferior to my colleagues who have way way way more experience than me. As a matter of fact they are the ones who make me feel like that.

And there is a problem of 'fitting in'; that I am facing. I am supposed to belong to the 'Litigation Team'; that was acquired by my Law firm a couple of months back. But since there is another partner apart from my original boss, who handles litigation here in the Big office and owing to the fact that my seniors MDR and P do not like my work, they got me shifted here. And because there isn't too much work here in litigation and that I am supposed to be working and learning, I had to take over some additional responsibility in the Infrastructure Team. And to be honest, I like the work in this field better, maybe because I wanted to do corporate in the first place.

But now, I am having identity crisis... as to which team do I really belong to. Because, I have been thrust with a project in the infrastructure team, that is like my own baby.. and here in the so called litigation team, MDR, Ms. P and Ms. V; have their taunts ready to make me feel inferior. From, 'Oh, you don;t work on saturdays any more' to 'Oh, are you sure you can do this matter, or you have you ABC project running.. do you even have the time!'

Yes, there is a huge difference in the working styles of the litigation team here in the Big office and the other hard core team headed by my dear old boss. And, honestly speaking, I like it here, because, it gives me the bandwidth to explore more apart from my work life! The two litigation teams, are like a joint family, who have to pretend that they love each other because the partners are best friends and awfully close to each other.

And all the effort that is put in to do the team bonding.. goes awry. Because the team here can't shift to the smaller office, because of lack of seating space, and also the breathing space that they get here. And MDR, Ms. P ans Ms.V, will not come here. Their ego, and their ONLY WORK AND NO PLAY attitude doesn't gel with the light attitude here.

And, I do NOT want to be a part of this Tug of war. At all.

I am not going to let my career go down the drain, because they have their attitude. Job hunting thus begins, all over again.

Of course, Shayon moving to Mumbai is also a main reason. But, their sick attitude, makes me go mad!

So jobs any one?

Palace of Illusions

2011-07-29T14:34:00.002+05:30

Rarely you come across a book, that makes you feel like, that, there is one more side to the coin that you have already flipped over, many a times.

Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee's Divakaruni, is one such book.

If you are an Indian or for that matter, even if you are not from India and have even a tiny bit of interest in Indian Mythology and the Indian Traditions, you must be aware of the Epics of Indian Mythology- From Ramayana to Mahabharata to Bhagwat Gita (which by the way comes from Mahabharata).
Now, we all know the basic story of Mahabharata -
Pandavas ousted by the jealous cousins Kaurava's leading to the epic battle at Kurukshetra, where Lord Krishna gave one of the most sought after sermons of Karma and Aatma. Where, the Good finally triumphs over the evil cousins!

And lo Behold- Balance is again restored in the land of Bharat where the righteousness is restored.

What more you ask, is there to this mythological drama, which has been repeated over and over again if not on television then as course book in Hindi..

But...There is more.

The main reason behind the battle of Kurukshetra might have been to gain the kingdom back, but the nudge and the push was given by the most sought after character of the entire play, i.e Draupadi. And wherein all the writers have focused on the male characters and their perspectives, Palace of Illusions is narrated by Draupadi. By the girl who was born out of the fire *The unwanted child, who refused to let go of the hands of her brother Dhri*.

The book traces the story of Draupadi, through her childhood and then her marriage, and finally to her last journey that she makes with her husbands. All the facts that are given in the book are the same that we all must have read or seen or heard through ages.
From, her birth, to her swayamvar, to her troubled marriage with the 5 brother *Can you imagine, staying with five men, at the same time*, to her complicated friendship with Lord Krishna, who names her Krishnaa, and finally it throws open a plethora of emotions that she has for the one man who she truly loves.

Yes, there is also the relationship with the other wives and her mother-in-law, Kunti *I used to always feel sorry for her and the conditions that she had to bring up her family, but after reading this book, I have a lot of changed perspectives* and the narration of the Battle at Kurukshetra.

The entire narration of the book is in first person, wherein Draupadi is telling her tale. Her story. Of what she really went through.
And, one thing that the author takes care of here is to make sure that she portrays the divinely born Panchali and Pandava's as humans!
Yes, of course, I still can't get over the fact, that none of the central characters of this Epic tale have a normal birth. In the times that these mythologies are set its seems, IVF was the more preferred technique of conceiving than sex!
Like Draupadi says to her Dhai Ma, when she hears the story about the birth of Pandava's "It seems like no one's birth is normal anymore"

But over all, I feel, that this is by far one of the BEST perception of a mythology, that I have come across. The narration is simple. The research on facts, is very detailed, and trust me, I was mystified and once more pulled into the world of Panchaali after ages!
Go pick this one up!

Aami Ashche

2011-07-25T23:29:00.000+05:30

As each day passes by, brick by brick, my heart weighs down. I have no idea, how do I react.
I know that it is not easy for you to say that, "Take it as a fact" and this time there is nothing, nothing that I can do to stop you.
To compel you to stay back.

The other day when I was talking to BFF, she was dismayed too. Already saddened by the idea of me following you to Mumbai. My second home.

I have been trying. Really hard too, to be a strong a girl, to make myself understand that, there is no other option. This time, unfortunately there is none.
I know, I have to let you go. I know, that, now, I will have to fill my evenings either with work, or with video chats. So near, yet so far.

The impending moment. The moment of truth, too shall come. Will, I be able to see you off at the airport, I don't think so. Yes, I will cry too, at the helplessness, that I am faced with at the hands of fate.
Worse of, all, I will always live in the fear of going wrong, doing wrong..
Just the fact that you are at an arms length, made life so easy. Now knowing that you wont be around, will make it unbearable. With nothing to look forward to in the evenings.. no bunking office to catch on the romance.. but worse of all, I will miss the hugs, that always reassured me, that even if all the world is going to hell, ours is right here, in peace even in the worst of storms!
Oh, baby, I will Miss You!

Just, one little request my love, at the airport, don't say please don't say bye.. leave me with hope and instead say "aami ashche"

Blockbuster Movie weekend

2011-07-22T15:08:00.001+05:30

Shayon is a movie buff, and trust me, the fever of watching movies catches up real quick!
So here we were, desperately trying to get decent tickets for two of the most awaited movies EVER!
And after two hours of negotiation with the movie hall server and our timings we finally got tickets for both Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -Part 2 and Zindagi na Milegi Dobara. (This happened last weekend BTW)
And here are my reviews!

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara:-

Farhan Akthar is to die for. The chemistry between Farhan, Abhay & Hrithik, takes the cake. As a matter of fact, the ladies in the movie were there because, the story had to be told. And this was a story very well told through the eyes of the director a.k.a Zoya Akthar.
Yes, you will be reminded of Dil Chahta Hai- Alot, but then this movie is very different from DCH at various levels.
First, being that, these are friends from school and now leading their own lives. Its, almost like, where DCH left off, Zoya weaves her story from there. It is not about the past, but about the future.
The movie starts with Abhay Deol proposing to his lady love, and then starts a journey into the beautiful country of Spain. What starts as a Bachelor party * Road Trip *, slowly turns into a trip that makes me let go of their past, their pain and to start anew.

The story is backed by some tremendous performances!
Farhan Akthar as Irfan is amazing with his 'chance pe dance' attitude and amazing one liners! The one that stuck with me is when he introduces him self to Katrina Kaif:
"Hey tumhara naam kya hai?
Hi, I am Laila...
Hi Laila mera naam Irfan hai, but mere dost mujhe pyaar se Majnu bulate hain"

Abhay Deol as Kabir was the thread that bound the friendship of the 'Three Musketeers'. And he is amazing at maintaining the friendship between all the three friends!
Yes, he is cute :D
And Hritik as Arjun, is awesome at portraying the guy obsessed with money so that he can live life king size after retirement!

Kalki as the insecure to be bride is good, and so is Katrina Kaif. She is herself, foreign bred and born.. totally bindaas and amazingly natural for the plastic doll she otherwise is!

Trust me, you will fall in love with Spain! Somehow, the movie makers are re-discovering the joy of shooting at the most virgin locations in the world!

And amazing movie with loads of credit going out to the movie makers for using the Fraaandhips of the Baaouys to the maximum extent and not messing it up with the who love shove ka scene!

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Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows -2

If bollywood came out with its blockbuster, how could hollywood be far behind, and thus the last leg of the journey of Harry Potter & his friends finally hit the theaters world wide!

Yes, I am a big fan. Yes, I did laugh and cry at the closure. But, does Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows -2 live up to the expectations... did it do justice to all the built up that it created in Part-1 of movie? Well, the answer to this is a Yes & a No!
I feel that, part 1 of the movie did justice to the book that was written, and the climax that I was hoping for, well it did not come. Ofcourse, boyfriend kept on telling me through out the movie to treat is more like a movie and lesser like an adaptation of a book. But, alas! That advice was all in vain.

The journey begins where it was left in Part 1, where Harry, Ron & Hermoine, start their search for the lost horcruxes that lead to the final show down between Lord Voldemort and 'The Boy who Lived'. The most amazing part of the movie is when Harry comes back to Hogwarts, the place where it all started and the entire school stands up to support him and his cause. It is then, when the movie becomes not about Harry alone, but about all those who have supported and saved him thus far.
Yes, its a magnum opus.
But, I still feel that the director could have done a better job in interpreting the duels between the wizards and the death eaters, especially the actual confrontation between Harry & Voldemort. The extravagant ride that J.K. Rowling take you into in her book, is not reflected too well in the movie.

In the end, all I would say is that, if you are yet to see the movie, try and see it as a movie and not as a book adaptation, it will help you realise the movie through the eyes of the director rather than the author.

Mr. Filch after all the students in Hogwards are gathered in the Great Hall, before the fight begins running into the Great Hall and shouting:
"Students in hall, students in the corridor, students out of bed"
Professor McGonagoll "They are supposed to be out of their beds, you idiot!"

I really hope you guys have fun in catching these movies! Please see them in the halls! They deserve to be seen on the big screen!

And we are going to start the Blame GAME!

2011-07-14T00:26:00.000+05:30

Again.
This is what the nth time that our country has been attacked?

It is Mumbai again. After the ordeal of 26/11, just when the calmness was returning to the city, the terrorists decide to blast off again.
There is nothing that you and me can do in such a situation, except pray that all our loved ones are safe, and pray for the souls who unknowingly become pawns in this game of power.

Soon, the investigation will start. The buck will be passed, maybe, some terrorist will be caught, more likely, a terror outfit by tomorrow morning take the responsibility of the blasts.
And the what?

Investigation. Case. The blame game, where public will blame the government, the opposition will blame the government, the government will blame someone..
But will that really solve the problem?

Correct me if I am wrong.. Had there been ANY government- would they have been able to prevent what has happened? Would, any government take a stance against our troubled neighbours, put its foot down and say, enough!
Will any government do that?
No.
Because, lessons in Political Science do not encourage war. An unintended war as a rash decision will only leave more wounded than healed...
Then what can we do?

Yes, the government should send a very STRICT message across the border.. and that would be hanging Kasab ASAP.
It should put its foot down and say, that as long as the neighbours want co-operation, they should stop sending unfriendly, uncouth visitors to our doorstep. Else, stop ALL aid to our dear neighbours. No more operations or medical treatment to any one across the border. No more aid to their flood affected areas... and no more of being friendly with them.. at ANY level.
Yes, I know, I sound like an autocratic ruler, but when they have no measure of remorse in their hearts or intentions about killing/injuring hundreds of innocent people, why should we?
All the humanity of the world is only in an Indian?

And, I reiterate - That NO religion, whatsoever, talks about killing of innocent men, women or children! All religions of the world preach only Love and Humanity. And, someone really needs to get this message across to the estranged men and women, who in the name of upholding their Gods, kill people.
It is time, that the World unites to stop any & all violence that has origin in the name religion.
But First,
Let India stand united in the face of adversity, and Indians, leave behind the facade of being a Hindu/Muslim/Sikh/Issai/ Parsi/Naga...etc.. and start Being a Human first!

I pray for all the injured for a speedy recovery and pray for peace for the families who have lost their loved ones!

A special applause to Twitter & Facebook, instant updates and help was being offered while the city of Mumbai was in panic. See, there is still some sensibility left in us.. lets spread it!

Tagged- Randomly

2011-07-11T15:33:00.001+05:30

Delphian Oracle had tagged me in this TAG! And since I have nothing better to do for the next couple of minutes and I also wanted to update my blog, here goes!

--What is your best friend's Mom's name?

Suman

--Where is the weirdest place you have a mole?

On the corner of the back of my left hand

--Who was the hottest teacher you ever had?

R any day from my dance class, I still have a HUGE crush on me!

--Have you ever made out in a movie theater?

DUHU!

--What body part do you wash first?

Feet

--Do you have any piercings?

Yes, two on my left ear and three on my right ear... :P

--Do you have an innie or an outtie?

what was that?

--What's your favorite flavored Pringles?

Sour Cream

--Have you ever been tied up?

To work, yes, as the bf, who has to wait coz of my tie ups!

--What was the last thing you ever got grounded for?

I get a nice lecture for the late nights (thanks to work and otherwise) but have not been grounded *touch wood*

--Have you ever had two dates in one night?

NO!!!

--Have you ever been to a gay bar?

No *unfortunately*

--Did you French kiss before you were 16?

No...

--Is there one thing all of your ex's have had in common?

There is just one ex, so no common habits etc!

--Have you ever been cow-tipping or snipe-hunting?

Nopes

--Who is the last person you think about before you fall asleep?

It is my dear bf only!

--Have you ever had a poem or a song written about you?

Yes :)

--What was your childhood nickname?

Tini!

--When is the last time you played the air guitar?

I have never really had the joy of that :(

--Have you ever peeked in the opposite sex's locker room?

No.. unless you count the TV etc where they take in the camera..

--What's the weirdest thing you have done while driving?

Drinking Coffee and eating.. and Talking on the phone...

--Have you ever bitten your toenails?

NO, I am not that flexible!

--How do you normally eat your cookies?

A packet at a time!

--When working out at the gym, do you wear a belt?

No..

--Name something you do when you're alone?

Imagine, all possible things that can happen to me, in all plausible ways.

--How many drinks does it take before you get drunk?

Three...

--Have you ever sniffed an animal's butt?

Gross.. NO

--How often do you clean out your ears?

Everyday..

--Do you have any strange phobias?

Yes, I am always scared to take a risk!

--Have you ever stuck a foreign object up your nose?

Ahem, No!

--What is the stupidest thing you've ever done at a bar?

Made out!

--Have you ever been dared to do something you totally regretted?

Yes!

--Have you ever called your bf/gf by another girl/guys name?

Nopes!

--Have you ever played naked twister?

Naah.. though would love to try, with my bf!

--Have you ever been drunk at work?

Never!

--Have you ever found your gf/bf's sibling more attractive?

Bf doesn't have a sibling!

--Do you want to bring sexy back?

Definitely

--What is your favourite form of travelling: car, bus, train, or plane?

I would love to travel First Class in an Airplane, followed by a nice train journey and a romantic drive!

--What's on your current wish-list?

Lots of its..

For starters, a raise would be nice, and then the wedding, and Peace of mind.. If its even just peace of mind and contentment, I will be satisfied!

--What social networks do you belong to?

All of em, I have to keep tabs on someone you see!!!

--What's the last film you saw at the theatre?

Ready... *And then I fell ILL*

I tag all of you who want to do this tag! :D

A Birthday wish!

2011-07-06T23:54:00.001+05:30

Today its your birthday...
I want to write a BIG post about you..
I always do!

But, I am just very overwhelmed, and have no words to express my love for you today.

I know how you are feeling. I know that in today's celebrations, something is amiss,
but I just want you to know, that I am here for you and that I really love Love love you and that, I pray each day for your Happiness, your Success and above all I pray for that contentment to return to you.

I love your smile and that is what makes me fall in love with you, over and over again!

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!
Here is to your Long life, great Health.. Loads of Success & Happiness!

I love You!

The Year gone by!

2011-07-04T23:44:00.000+05:30

If there was a way to measure time, I am sure that, we would really realise that how easily time flies!

Today, I complete ONE whole year at being a professional! I joined my senior last year at the re-opening *First day of the court after the summer vacations*, that day it was another experience, something that awed me, that made me squirmy and at the same time gave me a sense of the quantum leap that I had taken.

And today, when I realised, that one year has gone by, I couldn't believe that time has actually flown, and that, I am already one year old, and I have colleagues who are my junior joining the office! :)
The last entire year in the profession has been a great learning experience *As a matter of fact, in my profession, every little thing a learning experience* but there are still miles to go before there is a milestone for me!

Yes, a lot has changed over the last year.
The small little practice that I had joined, is now a part of a law firm, where, I get time for other things than work.
I have learnt a very important lesson, that, there are no friends in office. Only acquaintances who you can talk to.
I have been given an opportunity learn new things, and 9pm is not so late any more.. there is the new car that I have, and a salary that is decent for now.

But one thing that has not changed,is my dislike towards litigation. It just doesn't attract, and now, after I experienced a project in corporate, where I have realised that, even though seniority matters, it does not discount your opinion, or that your work is looked down upon! Unlike, where in litigation, a young lawyer is always just that- Young and brash!

But here is wishing myself, all the good luck for the life and career ahead! :)

Save Room...

2011-06-28T00:16:00.001+05:30

"What If..."
I don't know if you all do it, but I know that I do it very often.

There is always an alternative going on in my mind. There is always the 'What if', which is bugging me. But the reality is always different. In the world of imagination that I have created for myself, I am always thinking about the other way that I could have taken, then what life would have been.

But the one constant that is always there in all of my 'What If' situation is my boyfriend. Somehow, I just don't see myself living the last six years that I have without him being a part of it. There is always a way that I fit him in, so that he be a part of my life. And the ONLY 'What if' alternative that I have not made, is getting married and/or spending my life with some one other than him.

And today, when I hugged him for one full minute at the airport, after meeting him, I realised that how much I missed him, making me feel more guilty that I could not be with him when he was in Calcutta.
Then at his house, when, I held him for longer, I also realised how much he missed me. How much that hug meant to him. The one that I should have given him twenty days ago.
And as he held me, he kept kissing me on my head and calming me own. It was without any words that we shared the grief, the loss and the sense of our togetherness. The words, are they ever enough between the people who share a lot more than common interest?

I sometimes, wonder *the sometimes is a lot many times*, how can any one be in a marriage or for that matter of fact in a relationship, where you can't even understand when a person needs a hug, when he needs to be comforted. And, I am glad, that my darling bf know, when I cry, when I am laughing, even when I am not in front of his eyes.
Today while I was trying tell him where I am standing at the airport,

I said "Can you look at the Y place next to the X, Place.. I am on that side.."
He said "I am near that Y place... "
I said "I can't see you..."
He said "You can't see me, because, I am sure that you are looking only at the place X"
I am like "Huh! How do you know? Can you see me?"
He said "That is because I know you!"

And that just made me smile. Made me feel proud, of the person who I have chosen to be my life partner. I know, that there are still loads of hurdles that are to be crossed. The tough period is yet to begin. The frustrations and the fights, well, they are round the corner too, lurking somewhere...
But, despite all of that.
Despite, knowing the fact, that, another battle is about to begin, I know that today, I love him, that I am proud of him. His strong spirit and his love that is just for me.
My sweetheart is back to town, and the hardest good bye, just a couple of weeks away..

Baby, if you are reading this- Know, that I love you. And I missed you!
And this song is just for you!

Say that you'll stay a little
don’t say bye-bye tonight
say you'll be mine
just a little bit of love,

Is worth a moment of your time.

Knocking on your door just a little
it's so cold outside tonight
let's get a fire burning
oh I know I'll keep it burning bright

If you stay,

Won’t you stay?

Stay

Save room for my love
Save room for a moment to be with me
Save room for my love, Save a little,

Save a little for me
Won't you save a little?
Save a little for me, Oh

This just might hurt a little
Love hurts sometimes when you do it right
Don’t be afraid of a little bit of pain
Pleasure is on the other side.

Let down your guard just a little
i'll keep you safe in these arms of mine
hold on to me pretty baby
you will see I can be all you need

If you stay
Won't you stay?
Stay

Save room for my love
Save room for a moment to be with me
Save room for my love, Save a little,

Save a little for me
Won't you save a little?
Save a little for me, Oh

Oh c'mon,

Make time to live a little
Don't let this moment slip by tonight
you'll never know what you're missing
'till you try,

I’ll keep you satisfied

If, you stay
Won't you stay?

Stay

- 'Save Room' by John Legend

Office Laptop...

2011-06-27T00:08:00.001+05:30

"Fake it till you make it"

This is the mantra that we are taught often in our dance class!
It is normally an exercise so that we develop the attitude, and start [read: stop] thinking and dancing outside the box.
But you won't believe, this philosophy works really well, in the real life as well.
If you are in an expectations zone, and you get hurt.. then either you can cry about it, and mull over it.. or you fake it. Even to your heart, about being strong, about telling yourself, over and over again that, it doesn't matter. That there is a life beyond the thing that has gone wrong!

The boyfriend has been explaining to me for last so many weeks, that I need to move on, and that I have to be professional in my approach to the people in office. The emotional me, is just not ready to move on. * an immensely stupid thing to do, trust me!*

So, Ms. P, ignored me on my face. I said nothing. I smiled.
And today, I go to FB, I try to find Ms. V, because I need to pass on some information to her, to help her.. and what do I find, that she is no longer listed in my friend list. I finally find her. Send her the message that I had to. And, I feel like shit!
I have no idea, why she 'un-friended' me. And I don't intent to even find out. But yes, it does hurt you alot. The fact that, even when you do nothing, just follow the orders, try to adjust to the new situations [read: new office] and make the best out of it- You are coldly ignored.

To be honest, I feel like crying. But, I am not. I am going to be a strong person. And, she is just a colleague. Nothing more. As a matter of fact, with the attitude that P & V have shown me, they have lost respect in my eyes. Yes, they have. Oh, MDR, is chilled as ever. He had made it very clear to me that, long distance relationship, even if it is two offices in the same city, just don't work out. So, he will act like a cool dude.

Here is a decision that I am going to stick to. No more 'feelings' in the whole office business. You are my senior, I am your junior. I ask you a question, you answer my question. That is it. I have to grow out of this nonsense. And, I am going to grow up. And move ahead!

Our Walk- For Dignity!

2011-06-23T16:34:00.001+05:30

There is enough said on the web about the ‘Slut-Walk’; that is going to be organized in the rape capital, a.k.a. Delhi!

The media, the netizens,.. almost everyone has had their take on it. I also have a take on it. Actually I have been meaning to write for the longest time, but, my state of mind has been such, that I just could not formulate anything in my head to write a post that makes some sense.

But today when I read the post at Bohemian Rhapsody, I just could not stop myself from typing my thoughts out.

So, Ms. Seema Goswami thinks, that if we dress up the way we dress up, we should be ready to face the consequences of it. Therefore, if we do take her advise on this issue, we should dress up like idiots and go to work. But there is just one problem here, madam Goswami, that, even when we women are dressed up like idiots, or as a matter of fact, even if we are dressed up in Burqua’s, sarees or even bloody Salwar Kameez (with a dupatta mind you), we are sneered upon. Then what should we do?

Stop working, is what you or rather most of the people would say, but tell me, is that practical? Won’t that mean that India will be pushed back a couple centuries behind.. and you too happen to work, just that you are a media person and have all the money and wealth to afford it, the aam junta, can’t really afford that.

Why is it that, every time there is a question of women safety, it always comes down to the way we are dressed. Of course, we know what we are wearing. But, my question is, why the fuck can’t we wear what we like? Why should I be made to think twice if I have to wear a nice dress or a nice top?

Why can’t for a change, the mentality of the men be questioned? Just because you can’t tangibly measure it in the terms of whether it is dirty or not? Every time a woman whether dressed conventionally or provocatively walks in front of a man, if he is of a filthy mind, he will undress her, in his imagination, and rape her there and then. But, it doesn’t matter, because, by the virtue of being a woman, we invite it. Is that it?

The MEN will never change their mentality.. will they? The day they start truly respecting a woman, they will not be just innocent by standers to an incident of eve teasing. But no, they are males, and they have feelings too [read: EGO] and therefore to ‘protest’ against the Slut-walk, there is also a Stud-walk that is being organized… they basically are protesting against stereotyping of Delhi Boys as Jaat Boys who are rapists!!

How ridiculous is that?

Again the whole purpose of the Slut-Walk is lost on them!

And then, we are told, that we call it upon ourselves, when we dress the way we dress!

We have said it umpteenth times, but they don’t listen, do they? It is the menial mentality of the male that needs to be changed. And the first change that needs to be done is; to teach them by hook or by crook, that Women are human beings, not just a pound of flesh or a sex toy! And NO it doesn’t hurt your darling ego, if you mind your own business instead of leching over the next woman that passes by you!

2011-06-09T15:05:00.000+05:30

There is a sense of helplessness in me right now.
Yes, I took down the last post too, because every time a comment came, or every time I logged in blogger, it was a stark reminder of the way life has turned upside down.

I was happy. More than that, I was content, that life finally was settling down. There were the occasional arguments. The confusions, the decisions.
But for the last couple of weeks.. things were as they should have been. Good.

But, no, some one up there, He doesn't like to see me or my boyfriend happy and content.
And, yes, call it cliched, call it very filmy or call it what ever you would want to.. but I am really sick of this nonsense.. sick of knowing the fact that every time there is something that would make us happy, there will be something else, waiting for us, round the corner to create a storm and break all hell loose over us.

Why us?

I really want us to be happy together.

Elope.. A preview

2011-05-31T23:54:00.000+05:30

My legs are aching and I am very sure that my feet are a mess.

Today was one of those days that could have gone in any direction. But, thank God for his little graces that, right now I am going to sleep with some peace and a sense of achievement. Whether it's actually an achievement, well, that will only be ascertained in some time.

Remember, I had talked about the couple who were planning to elope? Well, they actually accomplished that feat today with a lot of help from the boyfriend and me. So to put it simply, we were at wedding today, for which shayon and I did everything and our super efficient clerk arranged the wedding venue.

It was a first for both the boyfriend and me and I really hope that it's a last. I have a life time of strories related to the most coveted event, from the bride being more concerned about the saree and the make up than the time running out, from getting affidavits notarized to the drive into the most obscure part of Delhi, where I was almost hit by a mob for running over a woman's foot to well translating the wedding vows in English for the bride and the groom.

There is a severe need for a detailed post which will come soon.

Weekend… Clothes..

2011-05-30T17:32:00.002+05:30

The weekend that went by, was by far one of THE most costliest weekend in like 6 years of the relationship that the boyfriend and I have been in. Yes, of course there was the birthday lunch two years back that was all five star and what not… but then this weekend was WONDERFUL!

And yes, in case you are wondering… much more special than the birthday lunch.

The MOST costly item in the list was a much hyped and a much wanted *not needed, but wanted* DSLR camera, which is VERY expensive, and every time I think about the money that has gone into it, my heart breaks, but then I see the pretty pictures that have come out of it *of me!* and I am much happier girl.

On Friday, when the camera was purchased, we met. And we also met, my best friend and her boyfriend, who btw, also completed 6 years yesterday! It was a typical 'Couple's Night Out' sorts, except both the couples were unmarried and had deadlines to go back home.

Saturday, was totally impromptu, after working for couple of hours and going crazy, all of a sudden, boyfriend and I decided to meet for lunch.. and not just any where, but at Shangri- La , where we had a Chinese buffet with a glass of wine J and clicked loads and loads of pictures.. later we went shopping for some Indian ethnic Kurtas for the boyfriend..

As we were heading homewards, he towards his, me towards mine, he said something thinking about which makes me smile and thank my stars .. he said that slowly he can see life settling down, and that after the turmoil of what to do, where are we heading.. he was happy that things are settling down. And for the records, if he thinks that life is settling down, and that he content with things, it is a great sign. And trust me , like I had said earlier, I really am not keen on any drama, I am mostly concerned with the contentment with life.

And on Sunday, my dear boyfriend went and bought 'Formal' shirts and trousers, with cuff links… actually he has been on the change of the 'wardrobe' spree for a really long time, but all of a sudden the speed of change has increased, and with that, the realization of the 'grown up' factor has also come into play. I don't really know why, but not the time of 6 years, not the fact that, the boyfriend has been working for the last couple of years, or the fact that I have been working for almost a year or that I have a car now, NOTHING, has made me realize the passage of time that has gone by. But the fact that he has bought himself formal clothes, has just given me the jolt and made me realize how much time has passed.

Weird, what all can clothes make you realize?

WTF!

2011-05-27T00:02:00.000+05:30

I am very disturbed. Actually, I am very worried.
The thing is that, I am very scared, scared about the fact that me and my boyfriend will not end being together. I really do ant to be him. Just him.
In my dreams, in my reality, I have never ever id magined my life with anyone else but him.

Okay before you all open your eyes wide, here is the thing;
I have written about it before also, the fact that my parents have said a categorical no to me and him because our kundlis don't match. We both in response have categorically stated that we don't care. As a matter of fact, my father recently asked me if I had 'reconsidered'; to which I had replied no. And then later, he had asked me about our future plan.Which btw, is a GREAT sign.
But then, I did something stupid...

Our office clerk and SNM, were talking about Palmistry etc... and I over heard and realised that the clerk knows palmistry and I also showed him my hand. And he also in many words told me that 'madam, jisse aap chahte hain, usse toh nahin hogi aapki shaadi'
And, yes I laughed it off. But the stupid nagging doesn't leave me! AT ALL!

On top of it, my mother dear,is so super concerned about the admission of my younger sister that she is following some advise given by some baba on the television *or so my mother claims* and because my younger sister is adhering to my mother's advise, I too have to do a couple of things that she says. My only concern is that, since she is the one who started the whole kundli natak, that she is making me do things that may just create havoc in my love life. And asking her questions means, a full fledged world war in the house. I avoid most of what she asks me to do by comfortably forgetting it but..

Yes, there is always a BUT, there is always this scare that, I am going to end up losing the person who as made me who I am. I would have probably ended my life, had I not had my boyfriend with me. I was a HUGE mess. I am very scared. I am very confused.

And shit just doesn't get over here... Office is a HUGE mess, a matter is a matter alive till the Supreme Court doesn't kill it. The current matter that I am dealing with is taking its toll on me. I almost decided to quit, till it stuck me that, I have no back up job and I need to double my salary ASAP so that I can get married to the boyfriend ASAP.
There is my stupid colleague SNM, who is living in with his fiancée and they have a pregnancy scare... which basically means that I am in the shoes of the 'Calm them Down' stuff! *Yeah, no ONE knows about this except me!*

And the lesson learnt from all of this- is That NEVER EVER TEMPT FATE! After that happy dappy post that came up a couple of days back... you can pretty much guess, that I am not so happy dappy any more!

DAMN!

Song in My head

2011-05-26T23:32:00.000+05:30

A hundred days have made me older
Since the last time that I saw your pretty face
A thousand lies have made me colder
And I don't think I can look at this the same
But all the miles that separate
Disappear now when I'm dreaming of your face

I'm here without you baby
But you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby
And I dream about you all the time

I'm here without you baby
But you're still with me in my dreams
And tonight it's only you and me, yeah

The miles just keep rollin'
As the people leave their way to say hello
I've heard this life is overrated
But I hope that it gets better as we go, oh yeah

I'm here without you baby
But you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby
And I dream about you all the time

I'm here without you baby
But you're still with me in my dreams
And tonight girl it's only you and me

Everything I know and anywhere I go
It gets hard but it won't take away my love
And when the last one falls, when it's all said and done
It gets hard but it won't take away my love, whoa

I'm here without you baby
But you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby
And I dream about you all the time

I'm here without you baby
But you're still with me in my dreams
And tonight girl it's only you and me, yeah oh yeah oh

- "Here without you" by Three Doors Down

*********************************************************************
I made my poor darling wait for like two hours for meeting which seemed like couple of minutes! I really wish that something happens, despite all my efforts, I am hardly able to keep time. I just hate being late every time I have to go meet him.

Just wanna tell him that I don't intent to, but it just happens. I miss you!

The Crazy world of MARKS!

2011-05-24T10:06:00.000+05:30

Where the hell is the world heading to?

The 12^th Class result was declared yesterday. Those of us who have been and brought up here in India under the Indian education system are well aware of the fact, that how important is it to get a GOOD score in class 12^th. Or as more often put by the teachers and parents- "Your future depends on it."

Yes, I agree that our future depends on our school result, because from there we start our journey to choosing our colleges etc.! But HELLO- the amount of pressure.. the value of marks? All has gone down the dumps.

My younger sister too got her results today. She is scored a 94%. I scored what a 70%.. she is still very unhappy because- this may mean not a good college in Delhi University!

Now- the college admissions are divided into two categories here-

One- is your professional courses, like engineering, medicine law etc, wherein you give their entrance examination and clear the same and require a minimum of 65% in your 12^th Class boards to get admission.

Second- Is getting admission in Delhi University, where you need SUPER scores to get into a great college. Delhi University is divided into two campuses- The north campus, that houses the colleges like St. Stephens, Hindu, SRCC etc and the South Campus, which has maximum number of girls college, top most being Lady Sri Ram College and College of Jesus and mary along with some top notch colleges like Sri Venkateshwara college.

And to get admitted in these elite institutions you have to have a score which is above 90%. A 90% makes sure that you get into a decent college in Delhi University. You can forget about the premiere institutes, unless you decide to go for a course that is your secondary choice or tertiary choice… but a 90 + means that you may get a good college and MAY get the course of your choice and a 95% + makes sure that you have the world at your feet.

And trust me, there are kids who get, those many marks and there are loads and loads of kids, whose plans get altered because of .1% difference in marks.

There was a time when a 75% marks and a distinction meant a world. People valued marks and more importantly the university meant having fun in college. College did not mean such tough decisions on life.

I went through the same thing. As a matter of fact, I nicely fucked up the 'future making' years. Do I regret it? Yes, I used to. Today, well, there are times that I look back and give a 'what if' situation to myself.. but then you get what you deserve and nothing can change that!

My poor younger sister is very very distraught right now. The number of students in the 90+ bracket, is almost the double of what there were last year, and we all are very worried, mainly because, knowing her- She is VERY determined to do what she WANTS and nothing in this world can really take that away from her. No one has dared to any ways, but today, she knows that it is not the parents, the school or the friends who she has to deal with, but the crazy real world. And crazy realty of life!

I really hope for her sake and for all the hard- work that she has sincerely put in that- Her dreams come true!

Am I grown up?

2011-05-22T00:05:00.001+05:30

How do you know that you are grown up? Is there any sort of a indication that you are given- that tells you that now you are a grown up.. and hence you have to behave in a manner that is prescribed by the society!

Or one day you suddenly get up in the morning and you *WHAM* you are a grown up!

This question has been troubling me a lot these days, as a matter of fact it feels like that I am back in my teenage years, when it was often said that, we are 'Young' Adults and were expected to behave rationally, think rationally, but were still treated like kids.

So I am going to analyze, whether or not I am a grown up.. and then leave you all with a bunch of questions…

Age: I am of the 'legal' majority age- Meaning thereby- I can vote, I have a driver's license and legally, I can get married too!

Education: I am a graduate and a Law degree holder, passed with Honors…

Work: I am employed in a law firm, where I am expected to work at least 7 hours a day and generate revenue for the firm! *It is a completely different matter altogether on the actual number of hours that I put in* and I get a salary at the end of each month.

I have a car, I drive to work every day!

No, I am not married, and thus have no kids.

Yes, I stay with my parents, younger sister and grandmother.

No, I do not make my bed each morning. As a matter of fact, I like to sleep in late.. and I am super lazy!

Whenever my parents are out of station, the max that I have done is talked on the phone late night and helped my darling best friend, to sneak out at night. I am responsible kid/ grown up.. whatever!

Oh, I don't smoke. And, I love a drink after a hard days work, but that is about it- I get a hug from my darling boyfriend after a hard day at work- I will not even have a drink after that!

And that pretty much sums it all up for me, now the thing that is happening is- that- There are girls in my office, who are my contemporaries, a year younger to me actually *I dropped a year!*; but the way they act- is NOT at all, the way that I act. I am just myself. And they both well, actually, behave like they are so much more senior or experienced than me. They, if I may use the word- act 'mature'. I do not know how a 24 year old is supposed to act.. but considering that the Partners I report to, have told a lot of times that- I need to grow up- has to indicate that I am not 'Grown up' as yet
But then, does being a grown up- mean, that you can't be excited about things.. or that you can't jump about, when you are happy? Or that, you have to always be in control of all your emotions? Yes, I do have a tendency to say wrong things at worst of timings. I have the knack of saying absolutely nonsensical things at times. Boyfriend has told me a million times to think before I speak- and I have tried too!

But this being a 'grown up' business, is little too out of my league.. or so I guess. I like to be babied, I love it when my father talks to me in the 'dad' tone, you know, like he is talking to his little girl. But at the same time, I can't stand it, when my father, acts like a total authoritarian, coz I am his little girl. That sort of gets me confused all over.

Maybe- I have to take a conscious decision, and stick to it- That I have to be a 'grown up'. But. The child in me, refuses to let go…!!

What do I do?

Change in the winds..

2011-05-11T22:52:00.000+05:30

I have been meaning to write for a really long time, but I just did not want to jinx the good times that are rolling around me. Actually, there is nothing particularly exciting that is making me happy, but the mundane peace that has started to descent over- that works for me too! More than the excitement that is very loud!

The most exciting othing, apart from the car, is that Castle Season 3 starts end of this month, and so does the new season of How I Met your Mother (Of which I think I wrapped up like, 12-13 episodes already, thanks to the boyfriend).

Rest of the excitement is in the the hours that I spend at work. I was very confused at towards the mid of last moth when the change over happened and I was literally shoved to the firm's original office, where as the rest of the team was continuing to work in the old office. Rather, there were couple of days in the middle, when I was absolutely miserable, and I felt like an outsider to the 'Litigation Team' which I had left behind. There was the occasional leg pulling about how I had become a part of 'THEM'.. *Yeah, they are still not warming up to the idea of the merger!* as a matter of fact, there was on such occasion when I actually smsed Mr. MDR, telling him that I was hurt by the behaviour of Ms. P and Ms. V! Of course, there was a lecture that came my way which talked about the 'Physical distance changing the relationship equation'; well, of course things have changed.. aren't they bound to? But treating me the way they did, well, gave me the final push of what boyfriend has been trying to explain.. that I need to move on. Not that they are not there, its just that, time for expanding horizons and making new friends, has come! So, it hurts a tad bit less, but never the less, it did provide for a little growing up.

Talking of which, I have absolutely NO clue, about how to behave in the 'super chilled matured' way that the rest of them behave.. I was babied like crazy since the day I started working... now, it is time to grow up, and assume responsibilities! The best part being, that I get to interact with the clients and they call me first to get clarifications etc.. yes there have been days that have literally made me go MAD, by yapping on the phone, but then, I think, I will be able to adapt to the new world order.. as a matter of fact, the process continues! And I am a much more happy person than I was 15 days back!

Moving on, the personal life has been on an upswing! *TOUCHWOOD*, I have been meeting friends, Boyfriend and I took Kashvi out for dinner and drinks, where she drank non-alcoholic stuff *and she bumped into me in the middle of Def Col market, where we squealed and hugged like crazy girls in middle of the road, a cute guy honked at us to clear the way, and we exchanged smiles with the cute guy, only couldn't exchange numbers or names! SIGH!*! Boyfriend and I also hosted a friend's wife.. and best of all, boyfriend and I have been meeting, regularly, I may add. And, we have been talking again. Like really talking to each other. Not the mandatory conversations that had become sorta, weird, actual talks that make us smile! Yes, we have tiffs, but who doesn't! I still maintain and believe that, the best part about a fight is the 'kiss and the make up part' !
Hell, We have been kissing a lot.. lately! ;) *touchwood to that too*

*And, oh, we went to this AWESOME place in Saket's Select Citywalk Mall called Haggen-Danz, where, we both had some heavenly, ice creams and waffle, and that was our dinner! DAMN- I lost another day to lose weight!*

My parents too are calming down, to me being back at home from work at 10! I know it is ridiculous, but then that is how it has been... crazy busy! There is also the occasional of boyfriend's name and our future together talk thrown at me randomly.. which btw, is a great sign of success, that I hope shall follow soon!

There are the bad days. There are days that are worst off, but then everyday, the first person I see, is our receptionist at office, Anu (lets call her that here), who gives me courage to petty out my life problems.. you know why? Because, she hardly 30, and she lost her husband two years back to a terminal illness, and has two lil kids to look after! There is HUGE family support to her, but no family can replace the emptiness of heart.. that void! But, I still see her smiling an laughing.. talking to us, and pulling us up, for coming late.. giving us gossip, and making sure that the office is running smoothly!
And each day, she makes me Thank God, for what I have. She is really sweet, I tell you!

And before I sign off, in about 10 odd days Ms. Bludheemary will be joining the gang with Kashvi and me, here at Delhi, and I can't wait to have her here, and to have girl friends in real life to hang out with.. and I sincerely hope and pray that we get to spend time together... a lot of it!

I hope that life has been treating ye all well..!!! Till the next post- Cheers!

I have an Autobot!

2011-05-07T00:03:00.000+05:30

I have a NEW car!
A Chevy Beat! :)

For all those who are uninitiated, the Chevy Beat was one of the 'Good Cars' called the Autobots, in the movie The Transformers!

This is my newest possession!

Dear Juliet...

2011-04-30T23:50:00.000+05:30

Today, by sheer coincidence, I watched a movie called 'Letters to Juliet', and after researching on the net for a while, I realised that there actually is a huge club, that answers letters which are addressed, to THE epitome of love, Juliet.

Just imagine, to read about what real love means to people, all over the world, and to know about love, in real.. a love that involves real people and real stories.
Stories that have courage, stories that have happiness of meeting and the pain of parting. Love that is slowly fading, and love that is lost forever.. love that binds through generations and through miles of separation!

Love that is just that- Four letters worth of pain, joy, helplessness, madness, insanity and all that jazz!
And I am going to talk about my love, talk to Juliet about, all that I have gone through and all that I intend to go through.. let us see, if I get a reply back.

And, now amongst the places that I have to HAVE to see, is a tiny lil place in Europe called Verona, the very place where Juliet lived!

Note to self..

2011-04-29T23:37:00.000+05:30

I really have to lose weight.

How in the world will I ever do that?

I can't wake up in the morning, because, I am mostly up late nights.

I come home by 9ish on most of the days...

How in the WORLD, am I going to fit in my pants, again?

Thanks to the material called lycra, it atleast helps me wear my kurta's with churidars.. but I am running out of clothes to wear to office..

Can't cut down on food..

Bloody, hell, I am becoming a gol gappa.. shucks... I have to start losing weight! ASAP

Just the usual conversation that I have with myself, a million times daily, without any result!

Here is a song for you...

2011-04-26T23:33:00.000+05:30

There is different world, when you are wrapped in the arms of the one you love! The time stops, or so I wish that it would, when I am in his arms.
The distance, well there seems to be none, and the things that matter *read: practical realities of life*, they seem to vanish without a trace.

Today, out of the blue, I told two totally random people about the boyfriend, and how I would just want to get married and settle down. One out of the two is my client.
Call me weird, or call me absolutely stupid, but the it just came out!

I have been missing him way too much..
Since I always believe that songs say much more than what words can, here is THE song that we really connect to.. at a very different level of course!

Elope!

2011-04-25T23:15:00.000+05:30

Their families were friends and by that virtue they had to become friends. Tolerate each other may be for some time, only later did they realize that there is more to it than mere tolerance.
He did his law, and started practicing here in Delhi. His office colleagues never questioned his not having a girlfriend, or for the fact that he was not in a hurry to get married. Bane or boon, early marriages of lawyers is less heard of! She made her career there and started working as a T.V. anchor in a local bengali channel.

He turned 30, and went back to Calcutta for some work, some urgent work is what he quoted in his leave application, all his colleagues wondered and hoped that now he might come back with the good news of his wedding being fixed. On his return, of his colleagues, from his team, started coaxing him, asking him if there was wedding on the cards, that is when he told her that, 'I belong to a very conservative bengali family. When I was leaving for college, my mother told me that, look son, you have some weird doshas in your horoscope, so be careful and don't get yourself in trouble'; that is one major reason why he had to wait to be older than 28, apparently the doshas reduce their effects after that age. He was always the simple, shy and totally a mothers darling boy...

The night of the world cup final, at the annual office retreat, he along with couple of others were not watching the match *they were asked to sit out because they were jinxing the match* and sitting near the bon fire, over a couple of drinks, he and his colleagues talked about love, and matching horoscopes, swapped stories about the resilient parents and how love has to, has to win at the end. It is after all the happiness of the couple that get married!

Another week later, the hard working, always on his seat and never distracted guy, is pacing all over the office constantly on the phone. He sits down and gets up, and takes another walk with the phone glued to his ear. Two days later he doesn't turn up in office. Every one thinks that he is in court. That is nothing new for him. More than half a day is gone, clients are eating the head of his other team mate colleague. Finally, she calls him up, only to find out that he has flown to Calcutta!

After the weekend he comes back, he is blushing all over. They had a strong liking for each other for the past three years. He was super scared of facing the consequences of both the families. It was her, who told him, that 'I know, who makes me happy and I know that I want to get married to you. Period'. That is when he took the decision, and took her to a mall bought a ring and put it on her finger, to make it official. Did not care about what the parents have to say. She too gave him a ring. And they made it 'official' for themselves.

The parents are of course horrified, and are meeting up in the coming few days in order to ascertain the viability of this match. He is super jittery, but has his mind fixed, on the girl he wants to spend rest of his life with, so in case the parents agree to not to get them married, the entire office is ready to throw them a huge party and get them married!
And yes, they are ready to Elope!
***************************************************************************
This is a real story of my colleague in office! Yes there may be slight variations depending upon certain presumptions that I have made. But, to be honest, when he told us his story today, I was scandalized, because, maximum number of lectures about love, marriage et all have come from me. I was also very happy for him, because, he finally took a step and stood firm on it. She I think is landing in Delhi tomorrow, and he was super flustered the entire day, and our boss was sweet enough to over look all his absent mindism and supported him full on!
I wish that his struggle bears the fruit!

The Office Laptop!

2011-04-22T09:55:00.000+05:30

There are very few things that make my mother proud of me. The last time she was supremely proud of me and bragged about my achievements was when I got my class X results! Yeah, that long time back.

After that, I only never gave her a chance to really tell me that, I have achieved something in my life.

No amount of college prizes, or the recognition in college helped. [for some weird reason, it so important to top when you are in school, and no one bothers when you are in college!]

And the later when I started working, it did not help that a cousin of mine, from the same batch but from a 'national' law school, got a job in a top notch firm, and well, is earning way beyond what I am! On the other hand, there is me, who started working in Litigation. With a Lawyer in the Supreme Court and considering what I heard about my boss from the fraternity, it was AN awesome opportunity for a young lawyer to work under such an awesome boss.

The turn of events happened this year, mid- january when the boss announced that our little practice is getting merged with a law firm!

It became official just about 22 days back on the 1st of April, 2011, and I got my very own visiting cards, a desk, and big office in general. The big thing tough was getting the office laptop, which even though is a hand - me- down, is in a superb working condition and is super solid.

The day I gave her my visiting card that I got from office, my mom super happy, and yesterday when I got the system home, and show the 'official e-mail id' etc.. she was relieved that, now I am actually settled!

The most that I have to thank for this stability are my two seniors P and M! They had faith in me, and when my boss was ready to throw me out told me and more importantly molded me into being a person who not only works hard but also appreciates good work and hard work, they have taught me how to stay away from office politics, and because I am the only one who sits in the new office and they all are yet to shift, for every little thing, I call em up, actually mostly M, because he is the less scandalous of the two! But will always give sane advise. I am glad that I am building the foundations of my career with people who appreciate not only your work but also the person that you are. Give an opportunity to find your own 'foothold' and become a respectable name in the fraternity!

I love them to the core, and trust me, working in the new office is like working in the foreign lad, at the end of each day that goes by, I call em up and give them the report of what all has happened, and one day we don't get to talk, its like we are missing out on some thing!

Such is the bond that has become between us.

I pray that we love each other like the way we do- Always!

Dear God,

You are being kind, please keep on showering your kindness at me!

Thank you,

Me!

Have you ever..

2011-04-19T23:25:00.000+05:30

hated yourself, for becoming the reason for the misery in someone else's life?

Hold me Baby!

2011-04-18T14:48:00.000+05:30

On a starry night,

When the moon shines through,

making me look back,

in to the past that was-

wonderful, a future, that was,

always ever so bright...

and a Present always so pleasant...

Dark storms plundered us apart,

our love still rode through...

Another dark night has approached,

another storm has just broke...

Hold me tight, to make

me feel alright, tell me

our love shall ride through,

tell me this is just another phase,

just another test to make,

our love stronger than before...

The Road ahead..

2011-04-16T00:52:00.000+05:30

I am supposed to be working right now. I am swamped in work and on most of the days, like today, I bring work back home. Because I am swamped with work.

Things have changed. Finally they have.
The merger with the Law firm is official and I am a part of a law firm now. I have my own business cards, my own official e-mail id, and lots of work. The merger became official on 1st of April, and on 2nd I went for an official 'Retreat' to Shivpuri. Three days of camping with the office mates. That too new ones, considering that no one else apart from V came with me for the trip. I was apprehensive at first. Even scared being the new kid in groups that were already formed and chemistries that were already going on. But, that did not stop me from making new friends. The crowd from the Mumbai office was also there, and they were fun to hang around with. I also discovered that many of my office colleagues are into photography in a BIG way, so, there are loads of pictures of the birds and the bees from the pros, and all the people photos have been taken by the layman photographers.

Now, the logistics after merging of two offices is sort of difficult. There are files that need to be moved, there are files that have to be numbered and re numbered and matters that have to be sorted according to number of people that have increased and decreased in your team!! I being the junior most, was sent to the new office *which btw is super awesome* on the first day after we came back from the retreat and from that day till today, I have been having the hardest time hanging in between the offices. I have become a part of the new office, settled in, and enjoying the big office experience whereas, the seniors are yet to move in, thanks to the logistics, I was asked to move in start working ASAP because, I was needed there. The dilemma here is, that, I loved the atmosphere when it was just us, you know the four of us P,M,V, me and ma'am, I was the baby. Here there are atleast 4 others who are my contemporaries, who make me feel like a grown up. A little more confident about myself and generally it is always nicer to have people your age around you. And because I have been spending a lot of time in the new office as opposed to the rest of the team, they have started teasing me, telling ,me that, 'I have changed' or that 'Mujhe wahan ke logon ki hawa lag gayi hai'.. I know that they are teasing me, but somehow, I don't like it. The rest of em, have not really been too enthu about the whole merging thing. And, I am stuck in between two offices. Swamped in work!

The people and the politics will come soon enough. I am just playing along.

I have no idea what the road ahead has to offer me.. taking one day at a time! :)

Band Baaja Baraat!!!

2011-04-11T23:54:00.000+05:30

Yes I know, I am sorta late in watching this movie, but never the less I achieved this great thing tonight and watched the movie in original print! *yes, please applaud for me!*

I can't write a review on this movie. I think that this is one of the most deserving movie of last year. And to be honest, this movie, touches a chord somewhere. Shruti Kakkar is so much like Sakshi Chopra, ki haaye mera dil aa gaya!
And Bittoo Sharma- I am totally fida over him! I can't imagine any one else portraying these two characters on screen.. trust me, Anushka surpassed the chichrapanti of Kajol in K3G! So that is a HUGE compliment.

So if you all have seen Baan Baaja Baraat, and see the joy on their faces when they make the wedding such a special day for the couple, that is exactly what I feel about weddings.. the atmosphere, the family, every thing!

Yup, I have lost it! :P
But I just ADORED the movie!
Here is my totally fav song from the movie that did great biness!! ;)

Song in my Head!

2011-04-10T23:10:00.000+05:30

On the first page of our story
The future seemed so bright
Then this thing turned out so evil
I don't know why I'm still surprised
Even angels have their wicked schemes
And you take that to new extremes
But you'll always be my hero
Even though you've lost your mind

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn
But that's all right because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry
But that's all right because I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie
Ohhh, I love the way you lie

Now there's gravel in our voices
Glass is shattered from the fight
In this tug of war, you'll always win
Even when I'm right
'Cause you feed me fables from your hand
With violent words and empty threats
And it's sick that all these battles
Are what keeps me satisfied

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn
But that's all right because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry
But that's all right because I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie
Ohhh, I love the way you lie..

So maybe I'm a masochist
I try to run but I don't wanna ever leave
Til the walls are goin' up
In smoke with all our memories

It's morning, you wake, a sunray hits your face
Smeared makeup as we lay in the wake of destruction
Hush baby, speak softly, tell me you're awfully sorry
That you pushed me into the coffee table last night
So I can push you off me
Try and touch me so I can scream at you not to touch me
Run out the room and I'll follow you like a lost puppy
Baby, without you, I'm nothing, I'm so lost, hug me
Then tell me how ugly I am, but that you'll always love me
Then after that, shove me, in the aftermath of the
Destructive path that we're on, two psychopaths but we
Know that no matter how many knives we put in each other's backs
That we'll have each other's backs, 'cause we're that lucky
Together, we move mountains, let's not make mountains out of molehills,
You hit me twice, yeah, but who's countin'?
I may have hit you three times, I'm startin' to lose count
But together, we'll live forever, we found the youth fountain
Our love is crazy, we're nuts, but I refused counsellin'
This house is too huge, if you move out I'll burn all two thousand
Square feet of it to the ground, ain't shit you can do about it
With you I'm in my f-ckin' mind, without you, I'm out it

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn
But that's all right because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry
But that's all right because I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie
Ohhh, I love the way you lie

Love the way you lie

- 'Love the way you lie' (Part 2) Rihana Ft Eminem

2011-04-08T23:30:00.000+05:30

Madness of the world,
a tiny part of insanity,
you me and our love...

There is always a 'only if',
and there is also an 'when and if',
down and out, over and over..
patience,
lost in all the muddle..

Fighting within,
fighting with the world,
fighting for your right,
and fighting for what is wrong..

Material gain versus the,
person within you,
sanity versus the insanity in you,
love versus the society,
war versus the peace..
It is all about the fight,
all about the choices,
that we make in our lives..

A path less taken,
or the one oft treaded on,
our destinies are writ,
whether we like it or not..

Defying the fate,
holding on to what is ours,
just love, of you me, and ours!

One more Update!

2011-04-08T23:24:00.000+05:30

There is so much that has been happening around me. I have been dying to write. Dying to update you all into the little little things that are changing me, each moment. Forcing me to move ahead and to move on in life, towards a new beginning. A new me, in the making.

But there is still a long way to go!

A detailed post with all the mirch masala is coming soon.

PS: I am reading all the blogs, just being super lazy about commenting! Will get active in commenting soon! :)

PPS: Thank you all for all your prayers. Shayon's mom is doing much better!

Lil Update

2011-04-02T00:45:00.000+05:30

Hi All!
I have load of blogs to catch up too! Just saw so many new blog posts up!
But, I have been finishing up a lot this week, especially, with the half day on Wednesday... and now the office trip in couple of hours. I am really nervous. It is like going for a school thing when you know no one else at school! Its scary!
But hope fully will make through the weekend, and will be back happy. Two nights with loads of strange people in the wilderness and no phones! That is a tough one!
Wish me luck!

And all the best to team India! This one we have to win for own little Master Blaster!
Have a great weekend, I promise to catch up on all the pending posts when I am back! :)

PS: Please also take a minute out and send a little prayer and best wishes to Shayon's mom, she has taken ill!

Thank you!

Hi Fiving the tag!

2011-03-29T18:33:00.000+05:30

The Cow tagged me into boring you all and telling you about the five things that are this and that! So carry on and be bored! :P

A) Five things in my room:
1. My sofa cum Bed! The thing that surprises most of the people and they end up asking me, ‘Who sleeps on this, you or your sister?’
2 Big Picture Collage- That is hung right above my bed, it captures my journey from being a toddler till turning 20!!
3. My big Study table that houses everything, from the computer to books to clothes
4. Stuff Toys- There is one pony hanging from the handle of my almirah, and there are stuff toys generally all around the room.
5. The BIG bold stripes of yellow and orange that captivates the fun element in my room!! J

B) Five things in my bag:

1. My notebook- Very important considering that I am a lawyer, and I need to take down notes as and when required.

2. My lip gloss (es)- Yeah, not one or two atleast four of em are present in my bag. Depending on the nature of the occasion that I might have to go to after office.

3. Earrings- A pair of earrings just in case I need to dress up asap!

4. Hand sanitizer- A must, now that we get hungry like nomads, we don’t have the patience or the inclination to wash hands. We do away with the Hand Sanitizer!

5. Then there is the Comb, clips, pens and pencils. Along with loads of rubbish papers. And a book.

C) Five things in my wallet:
1. Money- Atleast some.

2. Id Cards- I need to carry my proximity card around to gain entry in the court premises.

3. Other Cards- That include business cards, credit cards and a Debit card.

4. Old Bills- For some weird reason I have loads of old bills that I carry around.

5. Barkat ka Sikka- I was gifted a silver coin on Diwali for prosperity and I keep it with me all the time J

D) The five most favourite things about my house:
1. My secret Window- There is a bay window in my room, and whenever I need some ME time, I sit there and close the curtains. No one knows where I am hiding.

2. My Bathroom- I have a fetish about clean, hotel like bathrooms. The one attached to my room, is just like that. A big Mirror, loads of girly stuff and super clean. One of the many reasons why my sister and I can stay in there and talk on phone for hours! ;P

3. The Drawing room- I just love the drawing room. It is the joint effort of my mom and me and we are very proud of it.

4. My house is super airy, and has loads of sources of natural light and during summers it is great coz, you have loads of natural light for most of the day.

5. The big Veranda- I have loads of plants there and it is the most awesome place to sit during the winters and enjoy the sun.. and the rains.

I tag:
Ria
Shagufta
Kashvi
Bludheemary
Uncle J
Harini
Bikram
Rohit
Su-ruchi
TUIBS
Orange
Banupriya
Kali

And anybody and everybody who wishes to take up this Tag! Happy tagging & you are It!

Do you think you know him?

2011-03-27T23:55:00.000+05:30

My cousin got engaged yesterday. She is two years younger to me. It was a lovely party and an appropriate occasion for all the relatives to raise their eyebrows and ask me 'So when are we hearing your good news?'

In the light of all this leg pulling by cousins and taunts by the elderly (considering that she is younger to me...yeah they were taunts) my tyaji pulled me apart and wanted a status update about 'us'.

And so she heard my side of the story. About how the horoscopes have increased our woes in life.

She reacts by telling me 'M is back home (M is a distant relative who got married last to last year). I was like huh, why?

Tyaji tells me that M had a love marriage and she got married within 6 months of knowing this guy, and their horoscopes did not match either, but she went ahead and got married. I ask her again that why is she back home? Then she tells me that he used to hit her etc. I ask her, did you get married after your kundlis were matched? She tells me- But I am good. And I know that you are too. But is he good? How long have you been together? 6 years, I answer, then she asks, so you know him. His mood swings etc..' This is where the conversation ended.

And, I was left at this question of, 'Do I Know him?' I think that I do. I know when is he mad. Because most of the time he is mad at me. Most of his mood swings are because of me. I am an irksome person to be around, easily can get on any one's nerves. As a matter of fact, going by what the boyfriend says, I have become unpredictable and he doesn't know what ticks me off any more.

I think, that we human beings are all very complex beings. There are a gamut of emotions that passes through our head in what 1 second! How can I guarantee that I know him? Or that I will not do anything at all to tick him off to an extend that he loses it all? Don't we all have thresh hold limits?

I can't guarantee anything, but I just know that he is a good person. A good human being, maybe not perfect, actually he is not perfect at all. His romantic quotient is zero. He is more happy with his PC, phone and his bunch of games than talking to me at the end of the day. Hates my nosy relatives , who I love Alot!

In a way we are two different poles, but thanks to our magnetism, we keep our world intact. Or atleast try to.

I wish that this becomes easier for us every day. It is just that, easy and our love life don't go hand in hand at all. So just hoping for the best, and yeah, getting to know him each day.

Affirmation!

2011-03-26T13:33:00.000+05:30

I believe the sun should never set upon an argument
I believe we place our happiness in other people's hands
I believe that junk food tastes so good because it's bad for you
I believe your parents did the best job they knew how to do
I believe that beauty magazines promote low self esteem
I believe I'm loved when I'm completely by myself alone

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love 'til you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye

I believe you can't control or choose your sexuality
I believe that trust is more important than monogamy
I believe your most attractive features are your heart and soul
I believe that family is worth more than money or gold
I believe the struggle for financial freedom is unfair
I believe the only ones who disagree are millionaires

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love 'til you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye

I believe forgiveness is the key to your unhappiness
I believe that wedded bliss negates the need to be undressed
I believe that God does not endorse tv evangelists
I believe in love surviving death into eternity

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love 'til you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye
Until you say goodbye!!!
-Affirmation, by Savage Garden
************************************************************************
I was supposed to complete this Petition ASAP, but when this song played in the background, I just could not help smiling and feeling all lifted! And for some weird reason I felt like sharing it with you all :) I love this song, it is so positive and so so uplifting :) Happy Listening !!!

Timeless Imagination

Defining Justice

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I am back to dancing!

Happy Birthday Kashvi!

Love, Love, Love...

25 on 25th- We would have partied all night!

Passion!

The BFF!

This is going to be ..

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Hazraaon Khwaaishein aisi..

Happy New Year!

Dear 2011...

Dear Santa..

This year was..'about blogging..'

One liner update

This Year was about... "grief and loss"

Love is!

This Year was about... "Inqlaaab"

It is good to be different!

Re: Solution

This Year was about... "Weddings"

What a Party!!!

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Lets talk 'Weddings'!! *A user guide, or well sort of!*

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Goa Unplugged: The Wedding: Day 1

I am blue

Quick note from Goa!!

Wedding Report: Live Coverage: Pre-Wedding-I

Happy Diwali :)

Ramblings

Rant- a Thon!

The Wedding Expert!

Reservation starts right on the Top!

Conversation with the Moon- II

Let the Festivities BEGIN!

I am Okay :)

September Update II

The hare & the turtle story!

Delhi High Court Blast : Just Another day in the life of a terror sick nation!

Have I grown wings.. as yet?

Missing You!

Touch Me

September Update

Phew.. I made it- The Journey from home to the Delhi Airport!

The Silence of the Long Distance Relationship

Jai Shree Krishna!!!!

RE: Don't Spread Rumors, they cause- Fire! And Panic!

Don't Spread Rumors, they cause- Fire! And Panic!

Quick Update!

Why do I Love You?

Happy Friendship's Day!

Goodbye my Lover!

Identity Crisis

Palace of Illusions

Aami Ashche

Blockbuster Movie weekend

And we are going to start the Blame GAME!

Tagged- Randomly

A Birthday wish!

The Year gone by!

Save Room...

Office Laptop...

Our Walk- For Dignity!

Elope.. A preview

Weekend… Clothes..

WTF!

Song in My head

The Crazy world of MARKS!

Am I grown up?

Change in the winds..

I have an Autobot!

Dear Juliet...

Lets talk 'Weddings'!! A user guide, or well sort of!

Goa Unplugged: The Wedding: Day 3 The Finale