The year that went by ..

Yes,2011 comes to an end.....and I feel older....no longer a kid or a teen....it depressed me for a while amongst many other things....but then there were a whole lot of things the year taught and made me experience. A bullet point post again ( one of the best things university exams taught me ;)). So, people here's 2011 in bullets :

• A holiday start to the year to the "Scotland of India", Coorg, words might not be enough to describe the lovely place it was, a home stay amongst coffee plantations,a private waterfall, a tree house style room and the view outside,colours spread around in absolute harmony,balancing and complementing each other,a pretty house and the fairy tale life it was for 3 days :)
•  The initial excitement of first job faded with the year passing by, work does affect life in more than one way, financial independence makes way for a confidence boost,on the other hand a realization strikes when you get to know that this is not what you dreamt of since childhood, that dreams come true but yes, they have a cost,be it love, family or career and the balancing act can fade the dream itself.... I hate to believe still that luck does wonders for some people and NOT for some....and I still believe hard work might not pay instantly but it comes back in the form of pleasant surprises and I really want to live up to these beliefs
• Some relations did wonders to my life,leaving me amazed....My Parents are my pillar of strength and I wish I could be as supportive of my kids as they are of me when I myself become a mother....My sister is my mirror and my bond with her keeps getting stronger "anti jinxing"....Friends act as elixirs, I run to them when I am happy,I run to them when I am sad and I run to them when I am neither of the two....makes me believe that though a loner, I can't do much in life if I don't have people to share joys and sorrows with
• I worked hard for some things,not getting them is another thing,but I am happy I did not take anything for granted,neither work,nor relationships or studies for that matter
• I am unhappy that my reading list did not get any longer, read a very few books and lot many new blogs, I wonder how will I survive if I don't get to read them. I want to read a lot more in the year to come....a lot more means a lot lot more..
• My love for cooking grew manifold, thanks to the blog-world and Master-Chef India 2 :) Also, the fitness and diet freak in me has rebound in full swing, and I so feel happy shappy about it :)

I am bad at resolutions and its no point making them because for me well planned things do not work,so there is going to be just a wishlist for the life that waits by, and it starts with,

A lesser cribbing me, a lesser lazy me

A more happy me, A more prompt me

A little more singing, a little more dancing, a little more cooking and a lot more reading :) .

Wishing you all a very happy new year, May the year bring health,happiness and prosperity to all our families and friends !!!!

And May we make the world a better, greener and happier place to live in !!!!

Let me be me ........

It seems that I am being caught in the most cluttered state of  mind....and I when I try to take some decisions there are people who take take me back to ground zero(with their so called"thought processes")....Here is for them :

People please stop bugging me on the marriage issue,being 25 does not mean,"U HAVE TO GET MARRIED",there are a whole lot of things unaccomplished, unfulfilled desires and incomplete goals,and I just can't get married before I attain them....I want to settle down peacefully and successfully,Marriage is not a mad rush because age is passing by,I want to take up that phase as gracefully and happily as I can,so please stop forcing,I am working hard towards other priorities in life..do not distract me...And Marriage is not on my priority list for the next two years....I know my Parents are worried but I know they would understand....I am not the kind of person who can sit back without attaining certain set criteria for myself...and it would get difficult if marriage happens now....So please understand....Spare me !!!!

Job for me is also about satisfaction with what I do....its important to me that my work keeps motivating me....there are decisions that need fast action....so please do not confuse me....with that security oriented and money minded thinking of yours...even I know I hold responsibilities but then If I cannot experiment now...I will never be able to...If I cannot take risks now,do you expect me to be a risk taker after becoming the mother of two kids....so please grand-motherly thoughts are not invited...

Yes, I do not want to keep contact with some people,explanations required...Well take them down,I was sick of some kind of people around me, and I waited for them to go away,for the first time in life,I met people who were cheap,brainless and never missed a chance to fake themselves.....I was disgusted with them to the core and was shocked at myself for not giving them in face.....So when it came to the "keeping contact" thing ,Well...there's nothing more for me to say than...Good Riddance !!!!

(I know this post is just pure rant,but I really am so tired of suggestions and advises that I just am not being able to be me....:( So sorry folks,till some sanity arrives at this end,Please bear with me...)

To the new journey that you begin !!!

From under-graduates to post graduates....

From batch mates to best friends ....

A journey of  7 long years.......

From knowing to understanding.....

We met before I joined college,when I came to check out how University hostels are...and you gave an honest opinion,not too good but not bad,not posh but clean.... and I sometimes wonder If I hadn't met you,had I ever thought of staying there....I just can't say.....You were the first one whom I went to after Ma left, With those tear filled eyes,sobbing and wiping my tears....since it was the first time away from home,but somehow you managed to comfort me(even when you were sailing in the same boat)....helped me with the arrangements,made me eat dinner with you....and we began a friendship that could just grow stronger.......

The hilarious ragging days,I do not have a count of the number of times you were made to do"smile-shoots",and those silly dances and aarti's we sang for the seniors,laughing our hearts out when we came out of their rooms....

The running around from one building to another...to reach each other's rooms',studying together for exams,maggi treats and coffee breaks and the madness for street food and shopping that we shared....umpteen discussions about life and career and love and relationships....ahhh those dreamy nights were spent talking endlessly into the mornings....

The mad planning for birth day bashes and the midnight parties...the picnics where you did what not every time I had the "Mad Hydrophobic attacks ;)"

The cooking together and eating together....

The "falling ill days" when one of us got a bad cold-cough or a headache or viral fever or heat-stroke and the other went running around for medicines and food and books and photostats......

How mad I had been when I came to the hostel again for post-graduation and you had left....and how much I thanked my stars when you returned.......

Even when I came to Bangalore....how endlessly our phone conversations went....we just couldn't stay without sharing minute details about our lives.....till the big day :) your wedding....... which all of us enjoyed to the fullest,the coolest bride that you made(what do you call someone who can plan to have lunch with her friends on the day of her wedding with her night suit on :D)....the way we could not get enough of watching both of you as the loveliest couple on stage and how our hands never got tired clicking pictures...the lovely family of yours....we never felt we met all of them for the very first time....:)

And today when you have entered into wedded bliss...My heart goes out to wish you happiest of the happy things life can offer....:)

To the lovely smile of yours that brightens up your eyes.....

To the wonderful couple both of you make....(anti-jinx)

To the promise that I saw in his eyes to keep you happy always....

Happy Married Life Sweets !!!! :)

May God bless you both with all the happiness in the world  !!!! :)

Image 1 courtesy : http://www.123rf.com/photo_1696886_girl-friends.html

Image 2 courtesy : http://dilshil.com/wedding/religious-aspects-of-weddings/wedding-hindu-customs.shtml

Here's to the first first time :)

Standing beneath a waterfall,giant enough that the force of water can send u rolling in circles similar to being caught in a whirlpool :) and  I did stand beneath it,for the very very first time in life...the mystical experience that it was,with water rushing down your back with that thud thud sound....and the feeling that it is,one with nature....And Yes,for the first time in life conquering the crazy crazy fear of water :)I did that,Kudos to the self and some lovely lovely friends who made me do that..I am still at a distance from taking those no breath "Dubki's" but I will get there soon :)

Friends,this was a trip to Shivasamudram, a giant waterfall,150 Km's from Bangalore,set off in the morning at 7,a group of 7 friends,the day was Saturday,the 8th of October.....The journey started with a feast of Hot Idlis at Bidadi and then off to the destination which seemed too crowded at the first sight but then weekends are for everybody, Right !!!!

Stood beneath the water fall,securing a place that was cozy enough for the 7 of us to sit in a small cave like structure and take turns to enjoy water patting our backs .. :) After which the adventure crazy lot of the group wanted some trekking to be done and where would we do that???.The answer to which was..."We would find a way to the top of the waterfall"...now is that scary,If not,it will be when I post the pictures of the waterfall below and No,No we did not go to the top....We found a picturesque small,shallow pond,showered with water from 2 short and sweet "Baby falls" that I would call them....and the gala time we had there,resting in the "baby" fall and floating in the pond.....

The best part of the trip was the lovely set of people,some of whom met each other for the very first time but bonded like "age old trekking partners" at the end of it"Anti-jinxing"....So,here's posting some pics from the trip and hoping for many more in the time to come :)

     

 

I would love to...........

The sound of pitter patter of  mustard seeds in oil.....

The flavor of green chillies, ginger......

The colour of capsicum,tomatoes,corn,peas.......

The freshness of fenugreek, spinach and coriander leaves......

The smell of basmati rice boiling in water and corn on the cob......

These are some of the most important things that make cooking an essential dose to the soul for me. Its such a feeling of accomplishment when the vegetables are cooked in the right proportion,spices added to bring the right taste,mixing ingredients to experiment recipes and then the applause that my heart receives from myself.....:)

When rice boils in its full length and each particle is separate from the other after being fully cooked,when the smell of a tadka fills the house with that heavenly aroma....and my heart is full of joy......

Its not just the taste part of cooking that makes me cheer,the other aspects involve knowing the nutritive value of each and every ingredient added and taking care not to spoil the original taste of vegetables.....Knowing to balance the calorie intake and the fats.....and further to that hoping to build my own kitchen garden someday,plucking fresh organic vegetables and cooking them would be an absolute delight.....to see the those plants grow and taking care of each and every stage involved from flowering to bearing those wonderful green vegetables. That is still a long way to go...but I hope I do that sometime in future........ :)

Image courtesy : http://www.schoolguide2011.info

Then & Now ....

Then :


1. The first year in college + no mobile + a long line for that one land line connection that the hostel had + birthday+nostalgia = a wonderful surprise planned by a best friend and another best friends Mom+ another surprise planned by the newly made friends + a blunder done by inviting all seniors for a birth day bash = a fun filled first birth day away from home...


2. Classes that started at 7:00 am sharp,rush in the morning to start and the wonderful hours of sleep after returning,a college where an average of 8 hours were spent on a daily basis (that includes holidays),a library that was the witness of most of our group study hours read completing lab practical journals :)


3. The college hungry hours,a common room,one table, 3-4 tiffins,10-15 pairs of hands.....The college canteen,to reach where a small track with trees on both sides had to be followed....10 people walking in a line  to cross the same....


4. An evening,waking up at 7 after a long afternoon nap to find that chai time is over in the mess...rushing to the neighborhood chai stall after waking another friend...chai with yummy pakodas and green chutney...eating in a rush but chatting non-stop just to realise that the hostel gate will be closed at 8:00 PM sharp,taking a shortcut route and running like mad to reach just in time ;)


5. A definition of absolute fun after exams...a laptop loaded with English chick flicks enough to spend nights watching them back to back + packets of Maggi noodles for the mid night breaks and coffee mugs filled to brim with lather......


6. A college fest=  Preparing for the same a month in advance+ deciding upon the outfit to be worn+checking out the shops to find out something that fits in the budget + ending up borrowing from friends + accessories from the hostel mates = Finally the day arrives + hitting the dance floor like mad to the extent that the shoes start hurting in legs,legs aching to the extent that the joints are unable to move for the next two days ;)+hoping that the night never ends.... the aftermath= discussing the day in details for the coming few days + waiting for the pictures from that one and only friend in the group with a digi cam ;)


Now :


1. Office at 9:30,I get up at time,bath,pooja,yoga all come right after that :) ( I am a good girl that ways ),head straight to office,sometimes without breakfast....reaching where sometimes i message a colleague/friend about the no breakfast thing,and here comes whatever she can bring,straight on my office desk....


2. The lesser friends time that has been haunting since the past 1 year(for a person who has been with the closest friends for 6 years) makes me sad to the core but there comes one friend who has been a part of my life since long,someone who gets to bear a dose for all that lack of friends,midnight food cravings,home sickness,happy hugs and sad tears,I can't be more thankful for this one gem in my life


3. There have been parties and fun but I miss those old days,where with the limited money in hand we had the craziest fun,the non stop laughter..celebrations are still there,but they lack the familiar voices and love,the aura of sophistication and non familiar people,the pubs and the bars,no water-parks and water-falls,when a birth day party would be fun because of the people and not the place...I miss the innocent days where I could just be myself, when I would not have to worry talking about my interests,my favorites,everything would be accepted if not appreciated....


4. The being independent phase,emotionally,financially.....is what I feel good about,it keeps me sane and confident


5. The city that I live in,I love the weather,the cool breeze that makes the hottest summers cool and the weary nights refreshing....


6. The office colleagues,people of the same age group who joined the company at the same time,takes me back to the hostel days,giggles,laughter,fights....


Then & Now:


Wonderful Parents who stand like a pillar in all situations,lows and highs,who taught me to be honest to oneself,made me what I am....a rebel for a sister ;),who incidentally happens to be the cutest thing that ever happened to me...... :)


A set of lovely friends,from all phases of my  life....who handle all my worries n troubles in equal share....
and I thank the Almighty on my 25th Birthday......... for 


Some things that do not change.....wherever life leads me ...and
Some things that change forever ..........for the better :) :)

A PG switch and things that change !!!!

Wanted to update this space,so thought of adding some details that have been happening around.......Changed my PG accommodation and shifted to a place that is just a 2 minutes walk,to be more precise,it just the opposite lane,though it is quite comfortable now but here also we are actually confronted with major shortcomings ;) (I suppose now the perfect place for me to stay would be my own house for which I do not have hopes being single,so that is something to be left upon the person I marry, and guys this is not an indication that I am getting married soon,I am happily single for some more years to come :)) 

So talking about the shortcomings here :

• The bathroom here is slightly bigger than the ones we have in trains,though it is clean and well constructed,We cannot get enough of our hands touching the roof by just a slight raise.
• I am getting into a habit of cold water baths,because the solar heater provides hot water only till 7 AM in the morning which is too early for me to manage,so Cheers to another achievement in the list of adjustments
• The breakfast part is again a trouble,not a trouble actually it does not exist ,because till now I have not been able to put up with Rice and Oil clad chapatis in the morning,have switched to "Corn flakes" and I swear its such a saviour :)

Also there are so many things that I miss about the last PG,leave apart the monster owner,I can list them down as well :

• The open wide corridors with balconies at the end,where I did most of my phone conversations after office,ardent believer of "Walk when You talk",I am,"Abhishek Bachhan, are you listening ?",
• Jokes apart,the loved the open space outside our room there,here though the room is far better but as I step out,I find myself enclosed in a match box like structure,no open space,Have to run to the terrace on the 5th floor so as to take in some amount of fresh air :(
• The well lit market outside the lane,the lively feel of shops and people,everything was accessible at a distance of a few meters,be it medicines or ATM or grocery or small North Indian restaurants,Hot chips,Shanthi Sagar, and of course,the Cane Crush :( :(and most importantly,the small town feel the area had,I miss it the most
• The 2 km walk from from the old Pg to office,and back. In the morning when you see familiar faces on your way, an Uncle on morning walk,a lady on her way to office always dressed in smart western formals(we had times gossiping about her dresses and our expert comments on them :),girls after all ;),glancing at all the showrooms on the way and knowing the offers on almost all brands,discussing the new food outlets which caught our attraction and what not,also it was refreshing to walk back after office discussing the day in detail.
• Writing about the walk reminds me of many little kids on their way to school,chatting loudly,water bottles around their necks and cute bags on their back,it was such a treat to watch them every single morning,and here there was a special one who caught our attention,a small girl,might be 4-5 years old,with her bag and bottle along with a lunch box basket,she usually has a fresh flower in hand or her Mom's handbag,always smiling in glory,I have never seen so much happiness and gleam in the eyes of  a small kiddo on the way to school.Whenever we crossed paths,I can't remember a single day when I did not feel like hugging her,and the best part is she goes to school from somewhere besides my new Pg,though our timings do not match now,still I have some hope of seeing her :)

Its nice to take note of some short and sweet events happening around you in the course of the day,somewhere it reminds you that there are things happening everyday that can keep you fresh all day long,Thank You God for such memories from each place that I live in,Hope to build some more in the new place as well.