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THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our father who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those that trespass against us
Do not lead us to the test
But deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom
The poer and the glory
Forever and ever
Amen.
I grew up saying this prayer every night.
I thank God for every time that A- darling lisps it with me..
Or at least tries to...
Her regular prayer is the classic "Thank you God for the world so sweet"...
One which she says with fearful facial muscle movement!
With all the sincerity and innocence that Is the trademark of childhood....
And perhaps with a little idea that God is only going to give gifts if we pray very hard!!
God bless my darling.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
A thousand things to be done...
Even while the moon shines blue
There's the sun saying Run... Run.... Run
So much of life to be lived
A thousand things to be done..
Some duties, some for pleasure
Some junk that become a treasure!
There's the sun saying Run... Run.... Run
So much of life to be lived
A thousand things to be done..
Some duties, some for pleasure
Some junk that become a treasure!
So what is B Ed?
I had a definite image of the B Ed student- teacher,
Not that I knew that they were called student teachers...
They were troubled thin girls in traditional wear who came with heavy charts & you could conveniently read a book sitting in the back row, they did not bother if you did not talk, and no one can bother me when reading, period.
So when my father had suggested " beta, BEd kar lo", I had dismissed the whole thing with a laugh, "kya papa?"
Today the echo of that laughter haunts me, as I pursue BEd or should I say BEd projects with missionary zeal,
I am that lady in traditional wear with a heavy bag.......
Not that I knew that they were called student teachers...
They were troubled thin girls in traditional wear who came with heavy charts & you could conveniently read a book sitting in the back row, they did not bother if you did not talk, and no one can bother me when reading, period.
So when my father had suggested " beta, BEd kar lo", I had dismissed the whole thing with a laugh, "kya papa?"
Today the echo of that laughter haunts me, as I pursue BEd or should I say BEd projects with missionary zeal,
I am that lady in traditional wear with a heavy bag.......
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Had the dream trip....Having the nightmarish B Ed
I really really enjoyed the trip to UK, yes it did happen, in August, for 15 days,
With Chandan and Little A, not by myself with kid, in the long run, thank God for that! Who would take Little A to McDonalds, while I went to the pub by myself, just to see what a pub is, & was rewarded for my curiosity with really bad Shepherd's pie, really, is it supposed to be that oily? Also an English bartender who gave me back 25 cents less, not knowing I count my change before pursing it... But considering I was surrounded by not a single person I knew, I decided to drop the idea of going to the consumer's forum! The weirdest thing I tried was eating was "haggis pate", sheep meat... Not advisable & not finish-able!! Being the kind to experiment, I often found myself sitting opposite a smiling Chandan, eating stuff like 'risotto' , not having the guts to throw it away for I had just refused his offer to go to an Indian takeaway with him! I did eventually do a lot of the traveling by myself, for, the better half needed to rest two days after visiting Warwick castle, and I needed two more days to cover all I wanted to see... with such opposing views on how a vacation ought to be spent, we felt assured that we were indeed ourselves, always opposing and together! I found the Lake district to be a cleaner and greener Nainitaal, wish we could keep our country as neat... Really really
wish... Our Scottish landlady was a character straight out of Dickens, complete with scarf, and rosy cheeks, and her matron like accent! Getting in touch with Subhadra and her family was special, (my school friend,) and we saw Aarakshan with them at the movie hall, more like a home heater really. The evening was a little spoilt by little A banging her lips, but God bless her, she was back in shape next morning, ready to go out with me :-) the sunny days were to die for.. the strange thing is, people are willing to help you if the sun is out, on a rainy day, they help, but the frown is firmly in place.. Weather is all important, as even little A learnt to ask every morning: aaj rainy day haIn? No? Sunny day? No? Cloudy day? No? Get the drift mummy? No? ;-) one experience I would advise for all, is a Yeoman's tour at the jewel tower... One thing I feel good about, is having taken Little A to a theatre at the Scottish Fringe festival, her first ever " Hansel and Gretel"... I had to pick between my and her theatre, due to time abundance, of course it's sarcastic, and I did the Indian mom thing by choosing to watch little A watch the play... She was so happy, and I was happier... My years of speaking to her in English had paid off... She least of all had a language problem, telling who ever would care to listen, I live in..... The address is, first sleeping line, then standing line, then again standing line....and I live in a big house.. Yeah, even she got it, space is premium in UK! I managed to do a lot, did not manage a lot more.. And cherish some moments as the recitation in Wordsworth's cottage ( from where little A collected a pebble, as I did not have cash to buy a souvenir and Chandan was resting some place from where he would not have to walk!), lines which truly captures my trip for me:
For oft when on my couch I lie...
in vacant or in Pensive mood...
Now for the BEd...keeping it. For another time:-)
For
With Chandan and Little A, not by myself with kid, in the long run, thank God for that! Who would take Little A to McDonalds, while I went to the pub by myself, just to see what a pub is, & was rewarded for my curiosity with really bad Shepherd's pie, really, is it supposed to be that oily? Also an English bartender who gave me back 25 cents less, not knowing I count my change before pursing it... But considering I was surrounded by not a single person I knew, I decided to drop the idea of going to the consumer's forum! The weirdest thing I tried was eating was "haggis pate", sheep meat... Not advisable & not finish-able!! Being the kind to experiment, I often found myself sitting opposite a smiling Chandan, eating stuff like 'risotto' , not having the guts to throw it away for I had just refused his offer to go to an Indian takeaway with him! I did eventually do a lot of the traveling by myself, for, the better half needed to rest two days after visiting Warwick castle, and I needed two more days to cover all I wanted to see... with such opposing views on how a vacation ought to be spent, we felt assured that we were indeed ourselves, always opposing and together! I found the Lake district to be a cleaner and greener Nainitaal, wish we could keep our country as neat... Really really
wish... Our Scottish landlady was a character straight out of Dickens, complete with scarf, and rosy cheeks, and her matron like accent! Getting in touch with Subhadra and her family was special, (my school friend,) and we saw Aarakshan with them at the movie hall, more like a home heater really. The evening was a little spoilt by little A banging her lips, but God bless her, she was back in shape next morning, ready to go out with me :-) the sunny days were to die for.. the strange thing is, people are willing to help you if the sun is out, on a rainy day, they help, but the frown is firmly in place.. Weather is all important, as even little A learnt to ask every morning: aaj rainy day haIn? No? Sunny day? No? Cloudy day? No? Get the drift mummy? No? ;-) one experience I would advise for all, is a Yeoman's tour at the jewel tower... One thing I feel good about, is having taken Little A to a theatre at the Scottish Fringe festival, her first ever " Hansel and Gretel"... I had to pick between my and her theatre, due to time abundance, of course it's sarcastic, and I did the Indian mom thing by choosing to watch little A watch the play... She was so happy, and I was happier... My years of speaking to her in English had paid off... She least of all had a language problem, telling who ever would care to listen, I live in..... The address is, first sleeping line, then standing line, then again standing line....and I live in a big house.. Yeah, even she got it, space is premium in UK! I managed to do a lot, did not manage a lot more.. And cherish some moments as the recitation in Wordsworth's cottage ( from where little A collected a pebble, as I did not have cash to buy a souvenir and Chandan was resting some place from where he would not have to walk!), lines which truly captures my trip for me:
For oft when on my couch I lie...
in vacant or in Pensive mood...
Now for the BEd...keeping it. For another time:-)
For
Sunday, July 31, 2011
How to feel different every ten minutes or so...
Listen to music: feel good!
Read face book status of smarter, better, luckier folks: feel depressed!
Look at work pile: feel weighed down!
Take a walk: feel high..
Enjoy too much: feel guilt...
Feel guilt too much: feel tense....
Feel tense too much: get tipsy... Feel tipsy...
Feel tipsy: feel good!
Disclaimer n Note: it is not necessary to consume alcohol to be tipsy, happiness can also promote tipsy state of mind!
Read face book status of smarter, better, luckier folks: feel depressed!
Look at work pile: feel weighed down!
Take a walk: feel high..
Enjoy too much: feel guilt...
Feel guilt too much: feel tense....
Feel tense too much: get tipsy... Feel tipsy...
Feel tipsy: feel good!
Disclaimer n Note: it is not necessary to consume alcohol to be tipsy, happiness can also promote tipsy state of mind!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Midnight rant...
Posting now that net is back...
14th July 2011:
Oh where is the net connection when you need it the most? This is 14th July, past midnight, me the insomniac wanted some net time. I'm a night bird that way, enjoying any activity the most when the world at large sleeps n I can have my own peace. Staying at home makes me practically free all day right? But I have this theory, the days are for working, the nights are for enjoying, n all the time that you find in-between: for sleeping. I manage to do a lot of the the in-between sleep thing when my mind shuts down, or refuses to function any further, but till that exhaustion point is reached, n if it's night, when I can read, write, listen to music, n it is further established that none of these activities can give me anything but a severe headache, then why I must do it.. So here I'm, one am at night writing rubbish, or is the word hyperventilating?!
I cleared the DU entrance exam, but cannot take admission, as the subject I chose while filling the form was not the one I was eligible to take, n did not hence choose subjects I would have been eligible for........ Clearly I loved not wisely but too well.... I don't know wether to be sad, or accept it with a pinch of salt n move on... Move on I have to, but the exact style is what I'm still making my heart up about. Am trying to think there us some good in this, maybe I'll figure it out at some point, for now, I did cry at this, but only once, n that may have been largely due to hunger n exhaustion... However flippantly I put it, my heart has been a little bruised, however tragically I put it, my heart is not really truly bruised... Told ya I'm still making up my mind how to deal with this...... An afterthought: when ever something has not worked for me in this life, in the long run? That has bee the best possible solution for me. God keep n bless, n let faith heal what style cannot :-)
14th July 2011:
Oh where is the net connection when you need it the most? This is 14th July, past midnight, me the insomniac wanted some net time. I'm a night bird that way, enjoying any activity the most when the world at large sleeps n I can have my own peace. Staying at home makes me practically free all day right? But I have this theory, the days are for working, the nights are for enjoying, n all the time that you find in-between: for sleeping. I manage to do a lot of the the in-between sleep thing when my mind shuts down, or refuses to function any further, but till that exhaustion point is reached, n if it's night, when I can read, write, listen to music, n it is further established that none of these activities can give me anything but a severe headache, then why I must do it.. So here I'm, one am at night writing rubbish, or is the word hyperventilating?!
I cleared the DU entrance exam, but cannot take admission, as the subject I chose while filling the form was not the one I was eligible to take, n did not hence choose subjects I would have been eligible for........ Clearly I loved not wisely but too well.... I don't know wether to be sad, or accept it with a pinch of salt n move on... Move on I have to, but the exact style is what I'm still making my heart up about. Am trying to think there us some good in this, maybe I'll figure it out at some point, for now, I did cry at this, but only once, n that may have been largely due to hunger n exhaustion... However flippantly I put it, my heart has been a little bruised, however tragically I put it, my heart is not really truly bruised... Told ya I'm still making up my mind how to deal with this...... An afterthought: when ever something has not worked for me in this life, in the long run? That has bee the best possible solution for me. God keep n bless, n let faith heal what style cannot :-)
Monday, July 18, 2011
The Piper
The Piper...
Reading 'Rilla of Ingleside' for the nth time, actually fourth or fifth time, but the nth time bit sounds good to me..
What is it about war that turns ordinary tales classic,
n what poignant poem did Walter write from the trenches, titled 'The Piper'?
The Piper.
When man turns against man
Against child n woman too,
When prophecies of blood
Graduate to being true,
When we call it war
And holy terrorism..
And beauty is lost
Look to the sky or prism.
Then does the piper pipe
To the heart in you?
To take up the cause
Of tunes that hold true..
For a strife free valley called Kashmir
Or a green green zone on the hills
The piper's piping yet..
And forever will!
Reading 'Rilla of Ingleside' for the nth time, actually fourth or fifth time, but the nth time bit sounds good to me..
What is it about war that turns ordinary tales classic,
n what poignant poem did Walter write from the trenches, titled 'The Piper'?
The Piper.
When man turns against man
Against child n woman too,
When prophecies of blood
Graduate to being true,
When we call it war
And holy terrorism..
And beauty is lost
Look to the sky or prism.
Then does the piper pipe
To the heart in you?
To take up the cause
Of tunes that hold true..
For a strife free valley called Kashmir
Or a green green zone on the hills
The piper's piping yet..
And forever will!
Friday, July 8, 2011
To college, to foolish thoughts n wise dreams!
8th July 2011:
Got loads to do, lovely weather here, bunk it, have chicken, chill!
Surely God is taking care n I mean to rest....:-)
Got admission in Amity Saket for B.Ed. Degree, under I.P. University yesterday,
totally time taking n money consuming process it was too,
gone are the days when one could study for 300 INR a month
:-(
Why the sad face?
Well since I'm all big now, paying for my own education n feeling it too..
n to think I had laughed at the idea of doing B.Ed.when my father had suggested!
Truly, not once have I laughed superiorly in this life,
when that laughter has not come back to laugh at me...
But cheering up, I'm going back to college...
To foolish thoughts n wise dreams :-)
Got loads to do, lovely weather here, bunk it, have chicken, chill!
Surely God is taking care n I mean to rest....:-)
Got admission in Amity Saket for B.Ed. Degree, under I.P. University yesterday,
totally time taking n money consuming process it was too,
gone are the days when one could study for 300 INR a month
:-(
Why the sad face?
Well since I'm all big now, paying for my own education n feeling it too..
n to think I had laughed at the idea of doing B.Ed.when my father had suggested!
Truly, not once have I laughed superiorly in this life,
when that laughter has not come back to laugh at me...
But cheering up, I'm going back to college...
To foolish thoughts n wise dreams :-)
Friday, July 1, 2011
The daughter who does not eat...
What do you do when your daughter takes one hour to eat each meal?
When she just won't have food readily,
Won't drink water without being asked to?
What do you do when you are hoarse from trying to tell her,
That food is not optional,
Hoarse from telling it nicely n definitely not nicely,
N every day because you do know as a mother that food is not optional!
You find that you still go on loving your daughter"......
Ironically I don't know if that's the boon or the bane of being ma,
Does any mom?
When she just won't have food readily,
Won't drink water without being asked to?
What do you do when you are hoarse from trying to tell her,
That food is not optional,
Hoarse from telling it nicely n definitely not nicely,
N every day because you do know as a mother that food is not optional!
You find that you still go on loving your daughter"......
Ironically I don't know if that's the boon or the bane of being ma,
Does any mom?
CRAVINGS!
To crave for chocolate n get salad
To Know not for sure the good from bad,
To crave for the skies n get the nest
To be told it's all for the best!
To want to be secure when you are free
To want to fly n be free no more
To be tied to realities real...
To relentlessly try to soar
To be full n feel anxiety
To have nothing n anticipate
Which one, oh which one you'll pick..
Which desire will you satiate?
To Know not for sure the good from bad,
To crave for the skies n get the nest
To be told it's all for the best!
To want to be secure when you are free
To want to fly n be free no more
To be tied to realities real...
To relentlessly try to soar
To be full n feel anxiety
To have nothing n anticipate
Which one, oh which one you'll pick..
Which desire will you satiate?
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
The picture, the drink!
This is what I saw out of the moving cab:
A green Delhi park,
A big tree,
A big man,
Grizzly beard,
Huge teeth,
Tattered clothes,
Beggar like looks,
Holding a bottle of whisky,
A plastic glass,
N the biggest celebratory smile I ever saw....
He who did not know where his next drink was coming from was definitely having his moment.....
CHEERS!
A green Delhi park,
A big tree,
A big man,
Grizzly beard,
Huge teeth,
Tattered clothes,
Beggar like looks,
Holding a bottle of whisky,
A plastic glass,
N the biggest celebratory smile I ever saw....
He who did not know where his next drink was coming from was definitely having his moment.....
CHEERS!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The Dreamer.
Some dreams come true
Some don't......
Oh but the ones that do....
Enough to make you believe
That skies are indeed blue
And rivers run deep
Not without reason.....
But in every season ,
The flower of the time will bloom.
and some plants need a little more watering
Some dreams need a little more sweat
Some are sweet in coming true
Some truer still in dreaming!
Sayantanee Mishra.
Some don't......
Oh but the ones that do....
Enough to make you believe
That skies are indeed blue
And rivers run deep
Not without reason.....
But in every season ,
The flower of the time will bloom.
and some plants need a little more watering
Some dreams need a little more sweat
Some are sweet in coming true
Some truer still in dreaming!
Sayantanee Mishra.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Turning 29!
Okay first daughter gets to type her name...
Anoushka Singh.
N now for my post..
6th June 2011:
There's a time in life when you are 15 n can't wait to be 16..
(though why it's still important I can't imagine.. There was a time when girls came out to be viewed by boys at the appropriate age of 16, now girls wear thick spectacles n study for entrance exams with equally bespectacled guys... Okay shoot me for my regressive remark, but as nature is not so up to date on gender equality n stuff, kids still make a great deal of turning 16... I always wonder at my ability to digress, but I can never really avoid it... )
There's a time when you're 29 n can definitely wait to be 30...
(n I again wonder why is that? Ever counted the joys of growing old, unless asked to do so by Cosmopolitan or Femina issue?)
The joys of being 29 for me are....
1) I can have that drink or not have it, I'm cool!
2) Duniya jaye Bhar mein, husband has to pamper me, period.
3) I get to pick my dinner n gifts, n need not be shocked by pleasant surprises...
4) The first kid is now four n need not be fed at the table, the second is not yet an option, n need not be fed anywhere!
5) I have the luxury of knowing my limitations, n it's a blessed relief not be told, you can do better... Finally the world accepts I'm doing best!
6) I can tell my little A, " you can do better!!"
7) Too many reasons, am I not enjoying it? I stop to make my case... Happy birthday to me!!!
Anoushka Singh.
N now for my post..
6th June 2011:
There's a time in life when you are 15 n can't wait to be 16..
(though why it's still important I can't imagine.. There was a time when girls came out to be viewed by boys at the appropriate age of 16, now girls wear thick spectacles n study for entrance exams with equally bespectacled guys... Okay shoot me for my regressive remark, but as nature is not so up to date on gender equality n stuff, kids still make a great deal of turning 16... I always wonder at my ability to digress, but I can never really avoid it... )
There's a time when you're 29 n can definitely wait to be 30...
(n I again wonder why is that? Ever counted the joys of growing old, unless asked to do so by Cosmopolitan or Femina issue?)
The joys of being 29 for me are....
1) I can have that drink or not have it, I'm cool!
2) Duniya jaye Bhar mein, husband has to pamper me, period.
3) I get to pick my dinner n gifts, n need not be shocked by pleasant surprises...
4) The first kid is now four n need not be fed at the table, the second is not yet an option, n need not be fed anywhere!
5) I have the luxury of knowing my limitations, n it's a blessed relief not be told, you can do better... Finally the world accepts I'm doing best!
6) I can tell my little A, " you can do better!!"
7) Too many reasons, am I not enjoying it? I stop to make my case... Happy birthday to me!!!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
when dreams break...
My trip is not happening after all.
Chandan's passport is still not back, & we're just waiting to cancel the tickets.
I don’t even know why I'm writing this, as words can never express some feelings, but I guess, since I started to chronicle the anticipation, might as well note down the fall.
One day, all this might seem very trivial, but while enjoying the 44 degree centigrade soaring temp that's hard to believe,
& I realize when dreams shatter; realities hardly make up for them!
Chandan's passport is still not back, & we're just waiting to cancel the tickets.
I don’t even know why I'm writing this, as words can never express some feelings, but I guess, since I started to chronicle the anticipation, might as well note down the fall.
One day, all this might seem very trivial, but while enjoying the 44 degree centigrade soaring temp that's hard to believe,
& I realize when dreams shatter; realities hardly make up for them!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Rumble tumble roar: The good night poem!
The thunder rumbles, tumbles, roars,
The wind races, rises, soars..
Raindrops go splish, raindrops go splash,
lightnings silently, brilliantly flash..
Sweet dreams sweetly awareness steals..
Till all this I can no longer feel!
The wind races, rises, soars..
Raindrops go splish, raindrops go splash,
lightnings silently, brilliantly flash..
Sweet dreams sweetly awareness steals..
Till all this I can no longer feel!
When nothing works out........
Right now that's the status of my planned trip.....
Passport of Chandan, still with US embassy.
Flight tickets to London, done.
Cannot apply for UK visa as we're waiting for Chandan's passort.
Cannot check Chandan's visa status online, as the file is corrupt.
Hotel bookings will be confirmed or not next week, that's the week of 9th May.
Have not felt like this since my first crush, will I be graced with a look, a smile, an entire joke?! Really it's sickening, & no pain, no gain, has a totally new relevance in my present thought mode! God bless mere mortals when they dare to dream! & that is really my last hope :-)
Passport of Chandan, still with US embassy.
Flight tickets to London, done.
Cannot apply for UK visa as we're waiting for Chandan's passort.
Cannot check Chandan's visa status online, as the file is corrupt.
Hotel bookings will be confirmed or not next week, that's the week of 9th May.
Have not felt like this since my first crush, will I be graced with a look, a smile, an entire joke?! Really it's sickening, & no pain, no gain, has a totally new relevance in my present thought mode! God bless mere mortals when they dare to dream! & that is really my last hope :-)
Friday, April 22, 2011
To be happy with what we choose.
I have always wondered what it takes to be happy,& the greatest ambition I have ever harboured is to be truly happy. I guess when it's late at night, ideally you should be sleeping, & your brain is fogged, then its not the best time to blog....... but sometimes, its okay. That's highly sleep induced logic that justifies ramblings for me. Well, what fun in growing old, if one cannot speak disjointed thoughts & seem wise simulataneously?! So someone quotes on facebook, a quote by yet someone else famous in their own right, That the wise man cannot believe that the only purpose of life is to be happy, life must have some higher purpose, & must be of service to fellowmen, & many more similar sounding words. In all honesty when I read this all I could think was, wow, how great a thought & how meaningless even my life's goal: to be happy. But it is not easy to write off a life time's ambition, just by reading great quotations. So I strive each day, to fill moments with the burden of joy, to do those little duties that make for continuous supply of happiness, & to not do those little things that takes away from this bundle of bliss...
Monday, April 18, 2011
There's a mouse in my house......
Well that is the most inspiring title I could think to give this note regarding the latest occupant of my itsy bity teeeny weenie, yellow & brown kitchen-ieeee... The mouse in concern had come as a tiny little harmless jerry, & I kept hoping it would go away.. it would go away terrified hearing my terrified shrieks each time I saw it's tiny tail.. for the rest of it simply vanished before I could get a good look. But stubborn creature.. It simply stayed & fattened itself on the fat of the land of my tiny kitchen & now it's a big mouse that simply lords over my space.. Leaving half eaten rotis for me & the family, & still whisking out of sight each time we take to the broom to chase our house guest away... Oh atitihi tum kab jaoge? Kab jaoge? Kab Jaoge? :-0
Saturday, April 16, 2011
what is love.........baby dont hurt me!
- Is it not ironical that love & hurt is almost always said in the same breath?
- Does it not follow that one should always then desire the freedom of being single?
- & is not true that every one I know are happy being tied by love than liberated by singledom?
Saturday, April 9, 2011
The passport.......Is it valid, is it?
Scare after scare after scare.. Monday evening, Chandan informs me my passport has been expired for the last 4 yrs. We look totally shocked, kaise, I mean wasn't it issued for 10 yrs? But it clearly states that it's cancelled. Is it? Then..............? Ring Ring Ring... Calling friends & family left, right & centre. Do you know any govt official who can issue me a verification certificate? I need a tatkal passport. Ya, thank heavens, I haven't booked my flight tickets. Oh! You do but he's out of town? Finally my father sends me to his friend, who is director in supplied dept., Indian govt. I feel very blessed to be so well connected, with a dash of cynicism. My father knows this guy, can he be actually helpful?! We get the verification certificate. Run to local office for getting spellings corrected on Voter ID. Need an identification, who am I? Reach the SDMO office, & guess what? It's Shindh New Year, what ever that means. To me it meant, an wasted journey, for the office babus were on holiday. Go back on wednesday, & get my work done with amazing speed, skipping lines & the whole thing. Why? Maybe because I'm a single female, willing to say "please bhaiya" to the right bhaiyas in charge. I totally support discrimination based on sex, & have always benefitted from this disctinction. You see, God bless chivalrous men, & may I not jinx myself. I would say Amen to that, but am really not cool with blasphemy, even in small doses. Wednesday afternoon sees me in Notary office, getting my Annexture I printed on stamp paper, clearly stating my travel will not cause security threat to my nation or the nations that I'm visiting. & I have a totally new self respect for my hidden potential. The Notary office guy thinks it is his duty to charge me 450 INr for what costs 120 INR since I'm single unaccompanied female. See the discrimination based on sex is at work again, but I know I still have the last laugh. Not only the Notary guy does my work at super speed, he is quite sad when I give him INR 450 without much haggling, he could have got more only if he had asked. His crestfallen expression was worth the not bargaining. Go to husband's office, to get all docs scanned, & Husband comes back with query, "So, how much did you spend in terms of money along with sun burnt skin that you got for free?" Me: "roughly 1 K." Husband: "Good, cause I'm saving you remaining money & head ache of applying. Your passport is valid, we just did not flip the pages & note the validity extension stamp." Me: "Oh!................Oh!" We go out for diiner to clelebrate..... spend some more K eating delicious Italian food at Theos. Next day, my husband informs me his US visa will reach him in 5 week's time, which will give us about 2 weeks to plan our trip if at all. & I'm back on the pendulam, I'm going I'm not. I'm going now. I'm going later......... :-)
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Happiness Undiluted
2nd April 2011... India lifts cricket world cup trophy... Harbhajan cries like newly crowned Ms. Universe........ Dhoni tells it's Gambhir's fault he did not get the century in his acceptance speech,
Virendra Sehwag being opener goes to collect his memento first despite name being way down on the alphabetical order........
Yuvraj Singh dedicates his fine form & performace to Sachin.. many a girl friend's aspiration shattered...
& it rocks to be on the winning side!
:-)
Thursday, March 31, 2011
The explanation of the grind factor...
I never immagined saying yes to travel would mean sitting till 5:00 am in the morning doing reserach.
- Free things to do
- Non Free things to do.
- To do with kids.
- To do without kids. (No chance, but we're optimistic).
- Travel made cheap.
- Currency converter.
- How to be safe.
- How to be adventourous.
- Smart street food.
- Fine dining for you.
& note, each factor is opposite to the other, because well, I may do nothing at home, but wouldn't want to miss hard work on vacation, do I?
& all the lows that must accompany my highs......
I'm just noting this down, so that I always remember this phase. The disbelirf, that my vacation is actually going to happen.... The going to Mahindra Group of holidays... The sweet talks while signing up. & then after payment, the first reality check, you can book hotels only after 45 days of signing in... Which leaves us what, 15 days to book flights & visa? & then the follow up begins..... & continuing as of now.... we pressurizing for early booking..... they letting us know processing delays. Even spontaniety should be planned, & that's a very sad realization.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Some dreams coming true....
I have always been one of those people eager to travel. I have always been one of those people who have never travelled. Okay, so I do make a pleasure trip to some hill station once a yr, & go home about thrice a yr, but that's not travel to me. For the restless soul in me, always wants to go far.. never sure, what that would achieve, but still wanting it. & finally the husband got the hint.. The hardworking husband who would rather sit at home. The one who truly detests any travel, to the point, he does not feel need to go anywhere, & is much content, everywhere!! So for this birthday, he's taking me to UK... :-) 8 days only.. won't take more than a week's leave :-( But what the heck? & the real fun is in the anticipation.. For the seasoned traveller may make discoveries galore.. But the excitement of the first time is unmatched yet!
Monday, January 3, 2011
2011: Thoughts during a cold cold January!
I'm cold to my bones, having not a single warm bone in my body,
all apparently are located in my heart!
& this is the tale every winter,
as sometimes even higher evolved mammals called homosapiens are cold blooded living beings,
example in this case being me!
But why me?
Every shivering moment I think: Why me?
In plain Hindi: Itna sardi kyon hain Bhai?
As I grow older, I realize how easy it is to lose the folks most special to us.
You move states, your family represents numbers on your mobile.
You move houses, your friends represent more numbers on your mobile.
You change lifestyles or jobs, your acquaintances represent more numbers to be deleted from your mobile.
Maybe the contact list is too long, & the contact too brief!
& if indeed we're the sumtotal of all our thougts & experiences,
then boy, does life let us know the truth of the words:
We come alone, & we go alone.
Despite such deep thoughts,
wishing myself a happy new year! :-)
all apparently are located in my heart!
& this is the tale every winter,
as sometimes even higher evolved mammals called homosapiens are cold blooded living beings,
example in this case being me!
But why me?
Every shivering moment I think: Why me?
In plain Hindi: Itna sardi kyon hain Bhai?
As I grow older, I realize how easy it is to lose the folks most special to us.
You move states, your family represents numbers on your mobile.
You move houses, your friends represent more numbers on your mobile.
You change lifestyles or jobs, your acquaintances represent more numbers to be deleted from your mobile.
Maybe the contact list is too long, & the contact too brief!
& if indeed we're the sumtotal of all our thougts & experiences,
then boy, does life let us know the truth of the words:
We come alone, & we go alone.
Despite such deep thoughts,
wishing myself a happy new year! :-)
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