Jul 19, 2010
Jul 17, 2010
Jul 14, 2010
Attack of the Crazies!!!
In some parallel world, I am living in ancient Greece, I am studying for the joy of it. Knowledge would come to me sweet and steady. Books and people would not be insipid.
I could spend hours observing nature,listening to scholars,spinning theories about the future and not have wasted any time.
My mind would not be in a constant state of torpor. I would absorb all that I could see and read.
My only employment would be copying famous books for the public and this would be a job completely lacking raises and rivalries but rewarding everyday!
I'd probably be living on three meals a week and thus die young of disease but wow what a life that would be!
I could spend hours observing nature,listening to scholars,spinning theories about the future and not have wasted any time.
My mind would not be in a constant state of torpor. I would absorb all that I could see and read.
My only employment would be copying famous books for the public and this would be a job completely lacking raises and rivalries but rewarding everyday!
I'd probably be living on three meals a week and thus die young of disease but wow what a life that would be!
Jul 11, 2010
Jul 9, 2010
Mental Health Week?
I read on Facebook that its Mental Health Week. I haven't been able to confirm this but it doesn't matter if this is set or not. For once,I don't mind pasting 'support a cause' messages on my wall.
I've always felt that Depression is worse than other diseases like Cancer, HIV,AIDS etc. Its sneaky. Its more dangerous than any of these other diseases.It doesn't always happen for logical reasons.It can happen to you whether you have a zillion friends or none. Unfortunately, people who get depression usually never realize it and hardly ever admit that they have a problem. The symptoms are very difficult to recognize and even when they do, nobody wants to get treated for fear of being labelled insane, or just cause of the general opinion prevalent about asylums.
It is important to understand the difference. Not everybody who has depression is a lunatic or needs to be left in the asylum or be secluded.
It is also extremely important to understand that this disease which if not treated in time can reach mind boggling proportions and adversely affect everybody who is around the patient.
Depression can be treated but it is mostly never possible for the patient to get the required help on their own.It needs a lot of love,strength and patience from people around them to help. There is no coming back if help is not given in time and the scars can stay lifelong on everybody involved.
I think the most important thing is to not be ashamed if you have this problem or ashamed of being associated with a person who suffers from Depression.At the end of the day it is a disease like all others.
This is for people who are involved in any way with people who have mental problems like depression. It is understandable if you stop loving a person who has depression. It is a relief to turn away and leave them to their fate the minute you have a chance while you try starting your life afresh but try not to do this.
If you won't go back for the sake of the love/friendship you felt towards this person in better times, go back because you are humane and are compassionate and simply because you can find the strength and power to take care of someone who's been driven helpless by their own mind. They may have done bad things to you and you may never have had a happy moment together but don't give up on them. It is impossible for such people to get support anywhere except from people who have been around them for long.
This disease is more difficult to understand than others and its harder to trace the causes. You would never realize that there was something so grim behind the smiling face. You would never understand how a completely happy looking person could suddenly change into this new person who you don't know and don't like. Be strong.
If I were to talk statistics which I have only read in other places,not verified myself.I think its believable when they say 1 in 4 people suffer from various forms of depression. Yes, the problem is that bad.
Cheer up though. Be strong and seek help for people who you know have this problem. Hushing it up will take you nowhere and will only aggravate the problem.It is like other diseases in this respect,it becomes uncontrollable when not treated.
I've always felt that Depression is worse than other diseases like Cancer, HIV,AIDS etc. Its sneaky. Its more dangerous than any of these other diseases.It doesn't always happen for logical reasons.It can happen to you whether you have a zillion friends or none. Unfortunately, people who get depression usually never realize it and hardly ever admit that they have a problem. The symptoms are very difficult to recognize and even when they do, nobody wants to get treated for fear of being labelled insane, or just cause of the general opinion prevalent about asylums.
It is important to understand the difference. Not everybody who has depression is a lunatic or needs to be left in the asylum or be secluded.
It is also extremely important to understand that this disease which if not treated in time can reach mind boggling proportions and adversely affect everybody who is around the patient.
Depression can be treated but it is mostly never possible for the patient to get the required help on their own.It needs a lot of love,strength and patience from people around them to help. There is no coming back if help is not given in time and the scars can stay lifelong on everybody involved.
I think the most important thing is to not be ashamed if you have this problem or ashamed of being associated with a person who suffers from Depression.At the end of the day it is a disease like all others.
This is for people who are involved in any way with people who have mental problems like depression. It is understandable if you stop loving a person who has depression. It is a relief to turn away and leave them to their fate the minute you have a chance while you try starting your life afresh but try not to do this.
If you won't go back for the sake of the love/friendship you felt towards this person in better times, go back because you are humane and are compassionate and simply because you can find the strength and power to take care of someone who's been driven helpless by their own mind. They may have done bad things to you and you may never have had a happy moment together but don't give up on them. It is impossible for such people to get support anywhere except from people who have been around them for long.
This disease is more difficult to understand than others and its harder to trace the causes. You would never realize that there was something so grim behind the smiling face. You would never understand how a completely happy looking person could suddenly change into this new person who you don't know and don't like. Be strong.
If I were to talk statistics which I have only read in other places,not verified myself.I think its believable when they say 1 in 4 people suffer from various forms of depression. Yes, the problem is that bad.
Cheer up though. Be strong and seek help for people who you know have this problem. Hushing it up will take you nowhere and will only aggravate the problem.It is like other diseases in this respect,it becomes uncontrollable when not treated.
A Whale of a Time!
Its taken me long to come back to this blog but well.. I am here again.
I am excited to start a post again but am also at a loss for ways to start this post. There are a great many things I could talk about but none of them seem all that important at the moment. I don't feel like writing about Miami or New York as I had promised myself I would, earlier.
I went to watch whales on the Monterey Bay twice in the last two weeks. Its truly scary and humbling to see a fifty feet long whale. I saw four of these beauties on my first trip and our boat followed them deep into the sea. Summers are feeding time for the Humpback whales in the Monterey Bay and they swim at the surface of the sea. Even an animal of that size and weight moves so gracefully through water. Its beautiful to see its tail fins plunging into the water while it swims.Not having experienced much of the sea,I was rather skeptic about actually seeing a whale.It was a surprise to see four huge ones. The scary thing about this particular kind of whale is this sound that it makes while spraying bubbles and water into the air when its breathing.I am not sure if its breathing or something else but it sounds like it.
Would you believe this species of whale SINGS?!! Yeah they actually sing songs during mating seasons! I must be precise, the male whale sings songs for the female.
oh, how romantic
I shouldn't forget the other sea creatures that I saw. I also saw some sprightly dolphins and the cutest,cuddliest sea lions and sea otters! A dolphin was swimming under our boat in the beginning and soon we saw more who put up quite a show. I saw some gray dolphins on my first trip and on my second trip some green ones.
Sea lions look very adorable.. not sure why they're called sea lions but our guide told us a very funny thing about them. They like to sleep on the water surface and also like to wake up in the same spot that they slept in! Cool, isn't it? Maybe it was just that the guide chose his words well.
It was freezing cold on the sea. I wasn't very well-prepared for the trip and almost felt as if the blood had clotted in my head. The cold can start a horrible body ache if you aren't wearing a couple of layers. When I got back to the coast, it was burning hot sun! This is a funny country.
I absolutely had to go a second time. This time I saw a whale with her calf swimming in the sea. I also took videos this time which I shall put up here on the weekend.
I hope to see the Blue Whale next!
I have been invited to go see the Gilroy Garlic Festival.. :D I am not sure if I am going!
I am excited to start a post again but am also at a loss for ways to start this post. There are a great many things I could talk about but none of them seem all that important at the moment. I don't feel like writing about Miami or New York as I had promised myself I would, earlier.
I went to watch whales on the Monterey Bay twice in the last two weeks. Its truly scary and humbling to see a fifty feet long whale. I saw four of these beauties on my first trip and our boat followed them deep into the sea. Summers are feeding time for the Humpback whales in the Monterey Bay and they swim at the surface of the sea. Even an animal of that size and weight moves so gracefully through water. Its beautiful to see its tail fins plunging into the water while it swims.Not having experienced much of the sea,I was rather skeptic about actually seeing a whale.It was a surprise to see four huge ones. The scary thing about this particular kind of whale is this sound that it makes while spraying bubbles and water into the air when its breathing.I am not sure if its breathing or something else but it sounds like it.
Would you believe this species of whale SINGS?!! Yeah they actually sing songs during mating seasons! I must be precise, the male whale sings songs for the female.
oh, how romantic
I shouldn't forget the other sea creatures that I saw. I also saw some sprightly dolphins and the cutest,cuddliest sea lions and sea otters! A dolphin was swimming under our boat in the beginning and soon we saw more who put up quite a show. I saw some gray dolphins on my first trip and on my second trip some green ones.
Sea lions look very adorable.. not sure why they're called sea lions but our guide told us a very funny thing about them. They like to sleep on the water surface and also like to wake up in the same spot that they slept in! Cool, isn't it? Maybe it was just that the guide chose his words well.
It was freezing cold on the sea. I wasn't very well-prepared for the trip and almost felt as if the blood had clotted in my head. The cold can start a horrible body ache if you aren't wearing a couple of layers. When I got back to the coast, it was burning hot sun! This is a funny country.
I absolutely had to go a second time. This time I saw a whale with her calf swimming in the sea. I also took videos this time which I shall put up here on the weekend.
I hope to see the Blue Whale next!
I have been invited to go see the Gilroy Garlic Festival.. :D I am not sure if I am going!
Jun 16, 2010
Jun 15, 2010
My New Love : Couscous!
I have finally come across a kind of food that I absolutely love. I've made so much couscous at home that it can feed an army of me(s)!! I don't think I'll ever get bored of it! The trick is to not over do it but its too late for that now.
Jun 7, 2010
If you think breaking four lovingly grown long nails and limping on the beaches of Miami and streets of New York on an injured, swollen knee is a holiday that you would rather skip then I won't invite you when I go on my Everest trip!
I have never walked as much as I've walked in the last 10 days and at the oddest hours with never more than 3 or 4 hours of sleep a day and certainly never with so much pleasure.
My trip started with Orlando.I reached there and instantly gave my friends a scare by getting lost at the airport without that remarkable invention called a cell phone.
I've never cared much about possessing cell phones.
Disney's amusement parks come top on my list of the most beautifully made places I've seen so far. I loved Magic Kingdom. It was straight out of all the favourite fairy tale books I've read so far. You're probably rolling your eyes now if you've seen the place - Its a great place for kids!
Cinderella's castle was absolutely lovely. The paintings on the walls were spell-binding. I couldn't go beyond the ground floor of the place cause apparently the upper floors are restaurants which only hold private parties for people who've booked it 6 months in advance!
The place and the people work really hard to make things very enjoyable and pleasant for tourists.Though its been made for small kids, there's still lots of good stuff for older people to see. My favourite was the ride through the set of The Pirates of Caribbean. They took us on a boat through a dark cave-like place into a stunningly life-like world of ships and pirates complete with booms of canons and sounds of the sea.It was like a movie set with perfectly dressed actors (which were actually moving wax statues),props and unnerving sound effects. I went on this once twice. Every statue in this ride has a very distinct facial expression and action to do from the others.Captain Sparrow ofcourse was the cutest and so were the wax imitations of the cats and dogs.
All rides that you take in these amusement parks have an exit which will lead you to the shopping area. Shopping for Disney souvenirs can be rather expensive but they have such cute,pretty things on display that your stomach can develop a heartache if you try too hard to resist splurging! I gave in!
There were also other rides that splashed you suddenly into water from a high altitude without a hair going out of place. (I'll come back again to this ride to describe something I didn't like one bit!)
I also saw the dance parade around the park by all the Disney characters. Its heart-warming when Mickey Mouse blows a kiss at you! My favourite has always been genie though. They had recreated Agrabah complete with the bazaar and the ride in which camels spit water on your face while you scream wildly on a mad swing.
Another good thing I must point out is that this is probably the only place where you'll find tons of kids who are not whining and managing to look the way they do in the cerelac ads.You won't have to try too hard to find an occasional whining parent though.I can't blame them, their kids are old enough to burn a genie sized hole in their bank accounts.
I thought it probably couldn't get better than Magic Kingdom. I was so wrong. Epcot was the better of the two Disney parks I visited. I may go as far as recommending it as a perfect one day honeymoon destination! It was slightly rainy there too.
The rides were better in this park and apart from the rides they have recreated the magic of some of the nicest places on earth. It was called World showcase. They were showing France, Canada, Morocco,Mexico,Japan, England, Italy etc. A really large variety of restaurants with awesome food. I tried the restaurants in Morocco and Italy. The couscous was the best I've tasted in Morocco.
There are two particularly nice rides in Epcot that I really liked - Soarin' and Spaceship earth. These are both very relaxing rides and a feast for the eyes and the mind.I can't believe a swing and a screen can be so beautiful. I really felt as if I was gliding over snow-capped mountains and washing my feet in the Amazon. What would the real thing be like? Spaceship Earth was a rather slow ride in a car and it took you through the story of civilization again with great displays.
I had dinner in the Italian restaurant.The ambience was good and our waiter was nice and rather sweetly asked me for my age proof when I asked for a wine. They know how to flatter, he said I looked very young for wine. I realized that there was very little point in me splurging on fine dining in this country if I cannot eat eggs and meat. There were barely two vegetarian dishes on the menu and the one I ordered turned out to have egg. I cannot stand the smell of eggs.I enjoyed the wine though and also the fireworks and pretty lights. The staff used to suddenly break out into an Italian birthday/anniversary song at various tables. It was quite nice.
I'm not done yet!
(To Be Continued)
I have never walked as much as I've walked in the last 10 days and at the oddest hours with never more than 3 or 4 hours of sleep a day and certainly never with so much pleasure.
My trip started with Orlando.I reached there and instantly gave my friends a scare by getting lost at the airport without that remarkable invention called a cell phone.
I've never cared much about possessing cell phones.
Disney's amusement parks come top on my list of the most beautifully made places I've seen so far. I loved Magic Kingdom. It was straight out of all the favourite fairy tale books I've read so far. You're probably rolling your eyes now if you've seen the place - Its a great place for kids!
Cinderella's castle was absolutely lovely. The paintings on the walls were spell-binding. I couldn't go beyond the ground floor of the place cause apparently the upper floors are restaurants which only hold private parties for people who've booked it 6 months in advance!
The place and the people work really hard to make things very enjoyable and pleasant for tourists.Though its been made for small kids, there's still lots of good stuff for older people to see. My favourite was the ride through the set of The Pirates of Caribbean. They took us on a boat through a dark cave-like place into a stunningly life-like world of ships and pirates complete with booms of canons and sounds of the sea.It was like a movie set with perfectly dressed actors (which were actually moving wax statues),props and unnerving sound effects. I went on this once twice. Every statue in this ride has a very distinct facial expression and action to do from the others.Captain Sparrow ofcourse was the cutest and so were the wax imitations of the cats and dogs.
All rides that you take in these amusement parks have an exit which will lead you to the shopping area. Shopping for Disney souvenirs can be rather expensive but they have such cute,pretty things on display that your stomach can develop a heartache if you try too hard to resist splurging! I gave in!
There were also other rides that splashed you suddenly into water from a high altitude without a hair going out of place. (I'll come back again to this ride to describe something I didn't like one bit!)
I also saw the dance parade around the park by all the Disney characters. Its heart-warming when Mickey Mouse blows a kiss at you! My favourite has always been genie though. They had recreated Agrabah complete with the bazaar and the ride in which camels spit water on your face while you scream wildly on a mad swing.
Another good thing I must point out is that this is probably the only place where you'll find tons of kids who are not whining and managing to look the way they do in the cerelac ads.You won't have to try too hard to find an occasional whining parent though.I can't blame them, their kids are old enough to burn a genie sized hole in their bank accounts.
I thought it probably couldn't get better than Magic Kingdom. I was so wrong. Epcot was the better of the two Disney parks I visited. I may go as far as recommending it as a perfect one day honeymoon destination! It was slightly rainy there too.
The rides were better in this park and apart from the rides they have recreated the magic of some of the nicest places on earth. It was called World showcase. They were showing France, Canada, Morocco,Mexico,Japan, England, Italy etc. A really large variety of restaurants with awesome food. I tried the restaurants in Morocco and Italy. The couscous was the best I've tasted in Morocco.
There are two particularly nice rides in Epcot that I really liked - Soarin' and Spaceship earth. These are both very relaxing rides and a feast for the eyes and the mind.I can't believe a swing and a screen can be so beautiful. I really felt as if I was gliding over snow-capped mountains and washing my feet in the Amazon. What would the real thing be like? Spaceship Earth was a rather slow ride in a car and it took you through the story of civilization again with great displays.
I had dinner in the Italian restaurant.The ambience was good and our waiter was nice and rather sweetly asked me for my age proof when I asked for a wine. They know how to flatter, he said I looked very young for wine. I realized that there was very little point in me splurging on fine dining in this country if I cannot eat eggs and meat. There were barely two vegetarian dishes on the menu and the one I ordered turned out to have egg. I cannot stand the smell of eggs.I enjoyed the wine though and also the fireworks and pretty lights. The staff used to suddenly break out into an Italian birthday/anniversary song at various tables. It was quite nice.
I'm not done yet!
(To Be Continued)
Jun 6, 2010
Boomerang
I'm back! I've returned from one of my most enjoyable vacations ever. Two weeks seem to have flown by though I won't say that it was too short.I feel very contented at the end of it.I feel better about the days to come.
I have loads to write about. This trip has been all that I've been craving for and a lot more! I have loads of things to think about and lots of things to say about Orlando,Miami and New York.
More importantly,I'm amazed with all the random, significant and insignificant discoveries I've made about myself. Its been a trying,demanding vacation and I've enjoyed every moment of jumping into things headlong,literally too.
I will soon be back with loads to tell you but it may take some hours or some days for everything to come out. I want to do as much justice as possible to everything I've seen.
There are just too many mails to be answered. Absence seems to have made several hearts grow fonder!
I have loads to write about. This trip has been all that I've been craving for and a lot more! I have loads of things to think about and lots of things to say about Orlando,Miami and New York.
More importantly,I'm amazed with all the random, significant and insignificant discoveries I've made about myself. Its been a trying,demanding vacation and I've enjoyed every moment of jumping into things headlong,literally too.
I will soon be back with loads to tell you but it may take some hours or some days for everything to come out. I want to do as much justice as possible to everything I've seen.
There are just too many mails to be answered. Absence seems to have made several hearts grow fonder!
May 21, 2010
May 20, 2010
The Heist at Isabella Gardner Museum
I was so busy on March 18, that I forgot to write about this on my blog. I found about this story when I was researching on the topic "The biggest robberies in the world". Yeah, I like to read on topics like that :p and also "Famous haunted places", and "History of the comic strip".It probably sounds weird but it was fun. Going back to the main topic..
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston is the site of the world's biggest art and personal property theft in history.It was a private collection of the works of renaissance artists like Matisse,Rembrandt,Botticelli,Vemeer to name a few.
On March 18,1990, some people managed to get away with priceless works of Rembrandt,Vemeer,Degas and other artists. The paintings have never been recovered unlike other art robberies when the stolen things do turn up over time.
I will not go into the heart-breaking details of how the paintings were stolen.It makes me cringe to think that they hacked those masterpieces off the frames with knives! It is agonizing to think that these works of art will not be available to be seen by common people like me but are instead stashed away in some dark corner of the world by a ****** mafia don.
I remembered this cause I've been planning a trip to the east coast and this was one place I wanted to visit. Also, would you believe another art theft occured in Paris recently?!! http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/europe/10130840.stm
I wonder if the paintings and other art items will ever be back where they belong, in public view.
Here's a picture of the one and only seascape that Rembrandt ever painted. It was among the lost paintings on March 18,1990. Its called Storm on the Sea of Galilee.
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston is the site of the world's biggest art and personal property theft in history.It was a private collection of the works of renaissance artists like Matisse,Rembrandt,Botticelli,Vemeer to name a few.
On March 18,1990, some people managed to get away with priceless works of Rembrandt,Vemeer,Degas and other artists. The paintings have never been recovered unlike other art robberies when the stolen things do turn up over time.
I will not go into the heart-breaking details of how the paintings were stolen.It makes me cringe to think that they hacked those masterpieces off the frames with knives! It is agonizing to think that these works of art will not be available to be seen by common people like me but are instead stashed away in some dark corner of the world by a ****** mafia don.
I remembered this cause I've been planning a trip to the east coast and this was one place I wanted to visit. Also, would you believe another art theft occured in Paris recently?!! http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/europe/10130840.stm
I wonder if the paintings and other art items will ever be back where they belong, in public view.
Here's a picture of the one and only seascape that Rembrandt ever painted. It was among the lost paintings on March 18,1990. Its called Storm on the Sea of Galilee.
May 19, 2010
Lights Out!
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/05/19/arizona-official-threatens-cut-los-angeles-power-payback-boycott/
Can this really happen?!! Maybe Fox News isn't the most reliable...
Can this really happen?!! Maybe Fox News isn't the most reliable...
May 13, 2010
Simplistic
Sometimes staying away is to our advantage even though we don't realize it immediately.I've been dished out a variety of... (for want of better words) bad news today. From as small as me losing my glasses to as big as a country banning free speech among its citizens.
Well, good times will come again. I hope.
Looking at the times we live in,the hope is thin.. I think humans keep proving repeatedly that someone, probably most unwittingly gave them the power of intellect to abuse.
Its rather distressing how everything that was discovered or invented for our comfort and convenience is two-edged and how extraordinarily consistent we are in rubbing against the wrong edge.
I have not made up my mind if the world was a better place when we did not have so much information readily available or if it is better now with all that we have.
I do not believe ignorance is bliss nor do I know if there should be any limits to exposure.
There's a middle path somewhere.
With all that we have now,we could all have been so contented.If not contented, Could we have been peaceful? Its a question with probably no answer.
To make it simple, Lets blame it on Pandora. She shouldn't have opened that box after all. Thank god for hope which stayed in there!
P.S. I HOPE to find an optometrist this weekend!
Well, good times will come again. I hope.
Looking at the times we live in,the hope is thin.. I think humans keep proving repeatedly that someone, probably most unwittingly gave them the power of intellect to abuse.
Its rather distressing how everything that was discovered or invented for our comfort and convenience is two-edged and how extraordinarily consistent we are in rubbing against the wrong edge.
I have not made up my mind if the world was a better place when we did not have so much information readily available or if it is better now with all that we have.
I do not believe ignorance is bliss nor do I know if there should be any limits to exposure.
There's a middle path somewhere.
With all that we have now,we could all have been so contented.If not contented, Could we have been peaceful? Its a question with probably no answer.
To make it simple, Lets blame it on Pandora. She shouldn't have opened that box after all. Thank god for hope which stayed in there!
P.S. I HOPE to find an optometrist this weekend!
May 7, 2010
Apr 25, 2010
One funny thing and one sad thing
When I was on the bus yesterday on my pursuit of the elusive Winchester Mystery house, I could not help hearing a funny conversation between an American Dad and his little girl. They were sitting too close to me to avoid hearing :P
Girl:Dad! Isn't that the hospital where I was born?
Dad: Huh?... No it isn't.
Girl: That's the hospital where I'll have my baby.
Dad : No, you're not allowed to date.
Girl: But I have a boyfriend.
Dad: No no no no. You're not dating until you're eighteen! Thats another eleven years! You don't have a boyfriend.
Girl: I already have a boyfriend.
It went on in this way. I had great difficulty controlling my laugh.
========================================================
On my way back, while I was looking for my bus back from the mall. I saw an old woman in a black veil. She was asking a very unhelpful,weird-looking guy on the bus stop in very unintelligible english,whether her bus would come on this stop.
She saw me and asked me the same question. After I'd answered her,she asked me if I was Indian. She told me she was an Indian from Kozhikode and was trying to find her way home to Cupertino. I didn't even know where that place was. She had bus numbers written on a piece of paper though I think she couldn't read very well.Feel rather bad seeing old people abandoned in a foreign country where they don't know the language nor how to get around.
I wonder how she ever came here....and what idiot thought it smart to leave her like that with a paper full of instructions which she didn't seem able to follow.
Girl:Dad! Isn't that the hospital where I was born?
Dad: Huh?... No it isn't.
Girl: That's the hospital where I'll have my baby.
Dad : No, you're not allowed to date.
Girl: But I have a boyfriend.
Dad: No no no no. You're not dating until you're eighteen! Thats another eleven years! You don't have a boyfriend.
Girl: I already have a boyfriend.
It went on in this way. I had great difficulty controlling my laugh.
========================================================
On my way back, while I was looking for my bus back from the mall. I saw an old woman in a black veil. She was asking a very unhelpful,weird-looking guy on the bus stop in very unintelligible english,whether her bus would come on this stop.
She saw me and asked me the same question. After I'd answered her,she asked me if I was Indian. She told me she was an Indian from Kozhikode and was trying to find her way home to Cupertino. I didn't even know where that place was. She had bus numbers written on a piece of paper though I think she couldn't read very well.Feel rather bad seeing old people abandoned in a foreign country where they don't know the language nor how to get around.
I wonder how she ever came here....and what idiot thought it smart to leave her like that with a paper full of instructions which she didn't seem able to follow.
Apr 24, 2010
Mission Failed : I could not see Winchester Mystery House today. I lost my way :(
All the blame goes to Google Maps!:P
On the other hand,I did finally find a very easy way to reach Valley Fair Shopping Mall. It was awesome inside it.The VS store there was amazing!
I think Winchester Mystery House was very close to the shopping mall. Atleast, going by the maps on google it looked liked it was only a 9 minute walk. I know I was very close to it but I just couldn't find the right road towards the last bit of the journey. I ended the day at the shopping mall. I do know now that I'll definitely find my way to the mystery house next weekend.
I just don't get the street directions.
All the blame goes to Google Maps!:P
On the other hand,I did finally find a very easy way to reach Valley Fair Shopping Mall. It was awesome inside it.The VS store there was amazing!
I think Winchester Mystery House was very close to the shopping mall. Atleast, going by the maps on google it looked liked it was only a 9 minute walk. I know I was very close to it but I just couldn't find the right road towards the last bit of the journey. I ended the day at the shopping mall. I do know now that I'll definitely find my way to the mystery house next weekend.
I just don't get the street directions.
I'm listening to an audio book - Pride and Prejudice. Everyone but me thinks its a very boring book. I have loved it from the very first time that I read it in Class VIII.I keep going back to it again and again. I wish I had my granfather's old copy of Great Expectations and Around the world in eighty days.
I have resolved,determined,firmly decided to get out of the house this weekend. I have learnt the map and directions to Winchester Mystery house by heart. Lets hope I don't lose my way today. Looks like Macy's is close too, will probably drop in.
If I don't dig myself out of the house today, I'll really need to be excavated later.
I have resolved,determined,firmly decided to get out of the house this weekend. I have learnt the map and directions to Winchester Mystery house by heart. Lets hope I don't lose my way today. Looks like Macy's is close too, will probably drop in.
If I don't dig myself out of the house today, I'll really need to be excavated later.
Apr 22, 2010
Apr 17, 2010
I saw something interesting on the streets of San Jose on April 15. People were celebrating TAX DAY! April 15 is a tax filing date. I saw some really funny placards and people were cheering on the roads.
There was a lady carrying a chart which showed Obama strangling a long necked swan by its neck and saying "its for your own good".
There were also a lot of kids in white shirts that screamed the word "Exemption!". Lol!
I forget all the other witty one-liners I saw. When I was back in India, I remember how everybody admired Obama. I don't know if I see it wrong or if people here really don't like Obama..
There was a lady carrying a chart which showed Obama strangling a long necked swan by its neck and saying "its for your own good".
There were also a lot of kids in white shirts that screamed the word "Exemption!". Lol!
I forget all the other witty one-liners I saw. When I was back in India, I remember how everybody admired Obama. I don't know if I see it wrong or if people here really don't like Obama..
My Fad Diet!
Its incredible how all the samosas, pakoras and chaat that you ever ate can come back and haunt you.
I have actually been imagining fried food sitting on every flat surface around me. The curious thing is that all that deliciousness never seemed like such a big deal when it wasn't restricted.
The last couple of months were tough on mind and body. Its Detox time!
Its really difficult to turn my face away from the Tandoor place on Santa Clara Street. It doesn't help that I need to pass it everyday!
Its all in the mind!
I have actually been imagining fried food sitting on every flat surface around me. The curious thing is that all that deliciousness never seemed like such a big deal when it wasn't restricted.
The last couple of months were tough on mind and body. Its Detox time!
Its really difficult to turn my face away from the Tandoor place on Santa Clara Street. It doesn't help that I need to pass it everyday!
Its all in the mind!
Apr 15, 2010
Make Hay While The Sun Shines!!
The craziest thing happened today! I won a lottery! Nah I'm not kidding! I did! Ok, I'm not a millionaire yet but its the most amazing feeling winning something this way! I was at a little wine party today and they were pulling chits with people's names. Your's truly won the top prize! Yay!!
Let The Shopping Spree Begin!!
Let The Shopping Spree Begin!!
Apr 10, 2010
Apr 8, 2010
What's this phenomena?
You go backward when you should be moving forward, keeping quiet works better than talking..
Compromise?
..when you feel like its your business when it isn't..
when you continue to do things that could never do you any good,anyway..
when you feel tired all through the day,every single minute..not having done a thing.
Viral Fever? :P
Nah..not a funny joke, I know.. wanted to fill in something drastic..
You go backward when you should be moving forward, keeping quiet works better than talking..
Compromise?
..when you feel like its your business when it isn't..
when you continue to do things that could never do you any good,anyway..
when you feel tired all through the day,every single minute..not having done a thing.
Viral Fever? :P
Nah..not a funny joke, I know.. wanted to fill in something drastic..
Apr 3, 2010
Apr 2, 2010
There's no such much as too much!
Overboard's on board today!
I wanted to have a really productive day at work. Red Bull has helped me on a few occasions since I've been here. I've actually felt that I concentrate better with a Red Bull in me. Well, I went to the cafe downstairs at my office and bought a couple of cans.
The manager who I'm friendly with, told me smiling at my purchase " Its not a very healthy breakfast,etee!" Yeah, thats how she spells my name on the receipts :D
On the way up, I passed a senior who saw the cans and asked "You wanna fly,etie?" :p
I wanted to say "Yeah! See what you're pushing me to!" I don't always say everything thats on my mind :D Maybe next time..
I got another, "Woah! That kinda day huh?" comment. Seriously, what's with people? Its just two measely cans of Red Bull.
I downed two whole cans one after the other without actually realizing it. I've never overdosed on Red Bull before.
The outside of a Red Bull can says "Vitalizes mind and body". They mean it, one can does vitalize blah blah.. the second,can excite your system like hell and make you rather restless..I couldn't sit in my chair.It suddenly felt like a good day for rappelling! I think they jinxed it with their comments!
Don't tell me its a mental thing! Its not! My brain didn't fool me into getting me excited after the drink! I give the manufacturers all credit!
And thats the end of that story!
I have another one.
Today I made grand plans of dining at an Indian place close to office. My system had been craving for some salt and spice in my food. Well,this plan got washed away in a downpour that never happened!
Around sevenish my dinner partner came and told me that the plan was cancelled cause it looked like it was raining heavily outside. My senior even came and told me that I could get a drop in his car if I could leave rightaway. So I packed my things with my new found Bullish energy! When we got out of the parking lot, I was annoyed to see that there was not a single drop of water falling from even a blade of grass! It was very windy though.
I reached home fuming and stubbornly decided to go all the way back in a train to the Biryani place. I think even a real Bull must have better sense of direction than me!
Yeah! I freakin' lost my way! I've been to that place once before and seen it so many other times and yet I couldn't find it! Think I'll get a map tatooed on me,ghajini style!
Well, Not to be put down, I went around doing some therapeutical shopping and have some new clothes now :P err.. Did I say some NICE,new clothes? :P
P.S. I made a new word!! Stubbullish! Go figure!
I wanted to have a really productive day at work. Red Bull has helped me on a few occasions since I've been here. I've actually felt that I concentrate better with a Red Bull in me. Well, I went to the cafe downstairs at my office and bought a couple of cans.
The manager who I'm friendly with, told me smiling at my purchase " Its not a very healthy breakfast,etee!" Yeah, thats how she spells my name on the receipts :D
On the way up, I passed a senior who saw the cans and asked "You wanna fly,etie?" :p
I wanted to say "Yeah! See what you're pushing me to!" I don't always say everything thats on my mind :D Maybe next time..
I got another, "Woah! That kinda day huh?" comment. Seriously, what's with people? Its just two measely cans of Red Bull.
I downed two whole cans one after the other without actually realizing it. I've never overdosed on Red Bull before.
The outside of a Red Bull can says "Vitalizes mind and body". They mean it, one can does vitalize blah blah.. the second,can excite your system like hell and make you rather restless..I couldn't sit in my chair.It suddenly felt like a good day for rappelling! I think they jinxed it with their comments!
Don't tell me its a mental thing! Its not! My brain didn't fool me into getting me excited after the drink! I give the manufacturers all credit!
And thats the end of that story!
I have another one.
Today I made grand plans of dining at an Indian place close to office. My system had been craving for some salt and spice in my food. Well,this plan got washed away in a downpour that never happened!
Around sevenish my dinner partner came and told me that the plan was cancelled cause it looked like it was raining heavily outside. My senior even came and told me that I could get a drop in his car if I could leave rightaway. So I packed my things with my new found Bullish energy! When we got out of the parking lot, I was annoyed to see that there was not a single drop of water falling from even a blade of grass! It was very windy though.
I reached home fuming and stubbornly decided to go all the way back in a train to the Biryani place. I think even a real Bull must have better sense of direction than me!
Yeah! I freakin' lost my way! I've been to that place once before and seen it so many other times and yet I couldn't find it! Think I'll get a map tatooed on me,ghajini style!
Well, Not to be put down, I went around doing some therapeutical shopping and have some new clothes now :P err.. Did I say some NICE,new clothes? :P
P.S. I made a new word!! Stubbullish! Go figure!
Mar 30, 2010
Update: I'd published this one night in a bad mood. Removed it the next morning :P What the heck!Thats how things are! I'm publishing it again now for reasons unknown to me so far. I feel good today! See! Good times are always round the corner!
There's no end in sight
my mouth's gone dry
its an endless ocean of sand
that I must cross with all my might
They tell me there's going to be an oasis
where I can drink my fill and more
but I know its an empty promise
I can't be lulled to dream anymore
I don't want the gold at the end of the rainbow
I know it was never mine to have
Gold is a slippery friend, my dear,
Just like the ones you have in flesh and blood
Paint me a flower of the brightest red
I'll hide it in my satchel
I'll be wherever we can be together
It'll make one half of my soul glad
The part of my soul that still exists
too free for my own good
too naive to do what's best for me
too happy with the little in my hand
On hot days, when my feet are blistered
I'll open my bright red flower
It'll smell of cream and roses and grass
The sand would flow like springs of wine
I won't be tired anymore...
But then I'll open my eyes again
to the endless journey that waits me ahead
I don't believe there is an end
I don't believe there are treats waiting only for me
I'll walk,clutching my bright red flower and wait..
I'll sing on the night when the lonestar appears
For that night,the oasis will not be a mirage
The thought will carry me through the heat of the day
And I will be born new again...
There's no end in sight
my mouth's gone dry
its an endless ocean of sand
that I must cross with all my might
They tell me there's going to be an oasis
where I can drink my fill and more
but I know its an empty promise
I can't be lulled to dream anymore
I don't want the gold at the end of the rainbow
I know it was never mine to have
Gold is a slippery friend, my dear,
Just like the ones you have in flesh and blood
Paint me a flower of the brightest red
I'll hide it in my satchel
I'll be wherever we can be together
It'll make one half of my soul glad
The part of my soul that still exists
too free for my own good
too naive to do what's best for me
too happy with the little in my hand
On hot days, when my feet are blistered
I'll open my bright red flower
It'll smell of cream and roses and grass
The sand would flow like springs of wine
I won't be tired anymore...
But then I'll open my eyes again
to the endless journey that waits me ahead
I don't believe there is an end
I don't believe there are treats waiting only for me
I'll walk,clutching my bright red flower and wait..
I'll sing on the night when the lonestar appears
For that night,the oasis will not be a mirage
The thought will carry me through the heat of the day
And I will be born new again...
Mar 29, 2010
Mar 28, 2010
I finally have an idea that could cause a revolution,end poverty and hunger, make the rivers flow backwards etc etc..Errr...
Okay, it won't do all of that but it does help tormented souls like me to work on the weekend...happily!
The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes at 9:00AM was a broken door. I knew if I woke up on that note,it was going to ruin my day! I went right back to sleep and took care that I turned to the other side. Nah.. that's not the bright idea..Just wastin' your time cause I know you have so much, on the weekend to be reading this!
Next time I woke up was 10:30AM :D I got a phone call and guess what?? I had to turn back to the broken door side of the room and take the call! After the call I played Michael Buble loud on my laptop!! The day felt better!! He's so cute! I am going to work now! I have now decided to buy an ipod! :D :D :D
I remember, I was so excited a few centuries ago that I might go attend Taylor Swift's concert when she comes here.I hadn't thought that I'd be so crazy busy. Anyway, I missed the tickets.. Her show got sold out in January :( I want to make some grand plans for April ! Atleast one day in April when I have some fun..Have explored very little of this city..
Okay, it won't do all of that but it does help tormented souls like me to work on the weekend...happily!
The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes at 9:00AM was a broken door. I knew if I woke up on that note,it was going to ruin my day! I went right back to sleep and took care that I turned to the other side. Nah.. that's not the bright idea..Just wastin' your time cause I know you have so much, on the weekend to be reading this!
Next time I woke up was 10:30AM :D I got a phone call and guess what?? I had to turn back to the broken door side of the room and take the call! After the call I played Michael Buble loud on my laptop!! The day felt better!! He's so cute! I am going to work now! I have now decided to buy an ipod! :D :D :D
I remember, I was so excited a few centuries ago that I might go attend Taylor Swift's concert when she comes here.I hadn't thought that I'd be so crazy busy. Anyway, I missed the tickets.. Her show got sold out in January :( I want to make some grand plans for April ! Atleast one day in April when I have some fun..Have explored very little of this city..
Mar 23, 2010
Mar 20, 2010
As I was telling a friend the other day at work, if my yawns had any power,I'd take up a job blowing at windmills. Not getting enough sleep is making my brain fuzzy.
Last night I had a very pleasant walk from the train station to my house.This was around 10 in the night and I wasn't very confident about walking back but I did and the city looked beautiful. Santa Clara street was all lit up and the last stretch that ran up to my home gave me a glimpse of the surrounding mountains. They weren't clear but could make out the dark outline.
I got pinched! I got pinched for not wearing green on St. Patrick's day!
I've been flummoxed by how many people back home think coming to this country has worked some kind of Cinderella magic into my life! I agree with my train station friend now, America definitely has managed to sell itself well. People do have strange notions in their heads about this country and its sad to break anyone's heart.Well, the grass is always greener on the other side.
I am slightly rattled by the idea that people around me have a rather inaccurate impression of me.
Example1: A set of people invited me to make a visit to a temple in the morning but excluded me from invitations to a Jay-Z concert! Lol!! :D (I think I know the guilty party responsible for this!)
Example2: I went to a bank, the banker asked me what school I'm studying in.
I simply must write about this awesome Burrito place I discovered!! Its called Iguanas! They made the best Burritos I've ever tasted and thats a big thing considering it was a veggie burrito!They gave this fiery sauce that made up for all the spice I've missed out on since I got here.The taste was amazing though it set-off those yawns I was talking about earlier. Also went to a rather pricey Indian place,the food was great there too!
I was hoping to finally fit in a trip to the Winchester mystery house tomorrow but as I've lazed around all day today,that plan has fallen apart.
Did you hear Google might be pulling out of China?!! Don't Be Evil!!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/digital-media/7490223/Google-in-China-were-closing-tomorrow.html
Talking about evil, heard something from Mamata Bannerjee back home :P
http://www.thehindu.com/2010/03/21/stories/2010032155981000.htm
P.S. Today's cake didn't taste good! Blame it on the milk!
Last night I had a very pleasant walk from the train station to my house.This was around 10 in the night and I wasn't very confident about walking back but I did and the city looked beautiful. Santa Clara street was all lit up and the last stretch that ran up to my home gave me a glimpse of the surrounding mountains. They weren't clear but could make out the dark outline.
I got pinched! I got pinched for not wearing green on St. Patrick's day!
I've been flummoxed by how many people back home think coming to this country has worked some kind of Cinderella magic into my life! I agree with my train station friend now, America definitely has managed to sell itself well. People do have strange notions in their heads about this country and its sad to break anyone's heart.Well, the grass is always greener on the other side.
I am slightly rattled by the idea that people around me have a rather inaccurate impression of me.
Example1: A set of people invited me to make a visit to a temple in the morning but excluded me from invitations to a Jay-Z concert! Lol!! :D (I think I know the guilty party responsible for this!)
Example2: I went to a bank, the banker asked me what school I'm studying in.
I simply must write about this awesome Burrito place I discovered!! Its called Iguanas! They made the best Burritos I've ever tasted and thats a big thing considering it was a veggie burrito!They gave this fiery sauce that made up for all the spice I've missed out on since I got here.The taste was amazing though it set-off those yawns I was talking about earlier. Also went to a rather pricey Indian place,the food was great there too!
I was hoping to finally fit in a trip to the Winchester mystery house tomorrow but as I've lazed around all day today,that plan has fallen apart.
Did you hear Google might be pulling out of China?!! Don't Be Evil!!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/digital-media/7490223/Google-in-China-were-closing-tomorrow.html
Talking about evil, heard something from Mamata Bannerjee back home :P
http://www.thehindu.com/2010/03/21/stories/2010032155981000.htm
P.S. Today's cake didn't taste good! Blame it on the milk!
Mar 18, 2010
sunflower,hot springs,fountain pen, old yellow paper, cane, birthday, black convertible,evanescence,3206,white sand, carolina herrera, pocketbook,
old jeans, photo album, dog,1:30 A.M.,picture post card,scrapbook,
singin' in the rain, cameoz, black cat, candles, cloves, pot-pourri,
Calvin & Hobbes, Blossom, Sunday evening, nutri-bar, paper plane, plans,
Florida.
old jeans, photo album, dog,1:30 A.M.,picture post card,scrapbook,
singin' in the rain, cameoz, black cat, candles, cloves, pot-pourri,
Calvin & Hobbes, Blossom, Sunday evening, nutri-bar, paper plane, plans,
Florida.
Mar 17, 2010
Mar 11, 2010
Joke of the day!
I read this on my friend Yaamyn's blog. Its the most hilarious thing I've read in a few good weeks! Don't sue me for borrowing this from your blog,Yaamyn! I couldn't resist copying it here:
"With the smugness of a Pharaoh at the end of an orgy, the Adhaalathu party*** has released a statement saying that it now believes that "no political party can run a government" without its support.
Erm. Excuse me?
The dairy farm called. It wants its bullshit back."
***An extremist political party in the Maldives.
Thank you for a really long laugh,Yaamyn!
"With the smugness of a Pharaoh at the end of an orgy, the Adhaalathu party*** has released a statement saying that it now believes that "no political party can run a government" without its support.
Erm. Excuse me?
The dairy farm called. It wants its bullshit back."
***An extremist political party in the Maldives.
Thank you for a really long laugh,Yaamyn!
Mar 9, 2010
Little Joy
Happiness comes in small packages! In my case it's come in a large package and is hanging on the wall! :D
Here's the background. I returned home from work one pretty Thursday night to find a painting shifted from its place on the wall to the floor,quite far away from its place. I groaned at the prospect of having to write another mail. Well, as it happens with mails like these,they usually go unanswered...The mail writing part was a bit tricky too. I mean I didn't care about the painting's existence on my wall but as long as I'm in this house I've got to keep an eye on all things bright and beautiful and all creatures big and small(FYI,there aren't any creatures except me in here). It seemed too silly to be bothering someone with a miscreant painting. The thing was so heavy and large that I couldn't move an inch of its fat frame (No damsel in distress here!). I couldn't get started on the thing with a mallet and hammer myself though the thought of hammering something or someone gives me great pleasure these days :D .It took me a while to figure out a subject line. I did not write" Reporting a moving painting".
I was feeling sheepish about the mail when I didn't receive a reply after what seemed like a long time.
Ok let me make this story short!
When I walked in today,I was surprised to see a smashingly beautiful new painting on my wall.
It cheered me up so much! It is very different from the other paintings around it which is probably why I'm so excited about it. Love it! :D I will even make dinner tonight in celebration!
Here's the background. I returned home from work one pretty Thursday night to find a painting shifted from its place on the wall to the floor,quite far away from its place. I groaned at the prospect of having to write another mail. Well, as it happens with mails like these,they usually go unanswered...The mail writing part was a bit tricky too. I mean I didn't care about the painting's existence on my wall but as long as I'm in this house I've got to keep an eye on all things bright and beautiful and all creatures big and small(FYI,there aren't any creatures except me in here). It seemed too silly to be bothering someone with a miscreant painting. The thing was so heavy and large that I couldn't move an inch of its fat frame (No damsel in distress here!). I couldn't get started on the thing with a mallet and hammer myself though the thought of hammering something or someone gives me great pleasure these days :D .It took me a while to figure out a subject line. I did not write" Reporting a moving painting".
I was feeling sheepish about the mail when I didn't receive a reply after what seemed like a long time.
Ok let me make this story short!
When I walked in today,I was surprised to see a smashingly beautiful new painting on my wall.
It cheered me up so much! It is very different from the other paintings around it which is probably why I'm so excited about it. Love it! :D I will even make dinner tonight in celebration!
Mar 8, 2010
The Axe Effect
The ax effect has someone reeling. It happens when someone writes mails that go unanswered. Some people in life become Ax for a reason and they should be allowed to be that way! Let buried skeletons lie! No, no I shan't let an axe kill me,there are plenty of things killing me anyway,for instance, a 16 hour workday.
Oh by the way I'm back! I have a feeling that nobody but me is surprised! What was that line in Lord of the Rings at the beginning when Bilbo is about to leave and tells Gandalf " I feel like butter that has been spread over far too much bread...I'm worn thin." It was something along those lines..
I'd better get back to work before I sympathize myself to distraction. That last sentence sounds all wrong but I don't care about grammar right now. Axe off!
Oh by the way I'm back! I have a feeling that nobody but me is surprised! What was that line in Lord of the Rings at the beginning when Bilbo is about to leave and tells Gandalf " I feel like butter that has been spread over far too much bread...I'm worn thin." It was something along those lines..
I'd better get back to work before I sympathize myself to distraction. That last sentence sounds all wrong but I don't care about grammar right now. Axe off!
Mar 4, 2010
Rehab
Dear Anybody who reads this space,
Blogging and social networking have become too addictive and are eating up too much of my time. I'm taking off for a while. I will hopefully have some focus back in my life after this stint of staying away from my beloved blog! I may or may not be back next month.
Good Health and Good Wishes to Everybody!
Cheers!
Kwytegirl
Update: So much for my staying away!
Blogging and social networking have become too addictive and are eating up too much of my time. I'm taking off for a while. I will hopefully have some focus back in my life after this stint of staying away from my beloved blog! I may or may not be back next month.
Good Health and Good Wishes to Everybody!
Cheers!
Kwytegirl
Update: So much for my staying away!
Mar 2, 2010
Mar 1, 2010
Sometimes we cling on to places more than to people. The smells of some streets stay on in your mind years after you've stopped walking on them. You won't go back to them but they remain etched in you memory.
These days I find myself thinking a lot about the Durga Pooja celebration in West Bengal and all the associated fragrances on the streets. There is so much excitement in the neighbourhoods and in all the homes. Its as if the adrenaline doesn't go down for three entire days among the young people . There is a lot of sweet-sampling, socializing and meeting up that goes on among families.
People turn out in all their finery.Everybody gathers together at the crack of dawn to the pandal to offer the first prayers to the goddess, each girl giving a match to the other in her perfect dress and make-up. They walk in a flock sometimes coyly sometimes not so coyly,giggling,chattering,their colourful bangles jangling, their sarees fluttering leaving a strong scent of various perfumes to trail behind.
There is also always a bunch of kids who run about the place getting in everybody else's and also each other's, way. For three days,anything that they do goes unnoticed by their parents. There's nobody to pester them about doing homework or just plain behaving! All their pranks are simply laughed at or only lovingly rebuked.
The housewives are the most ecstatic. A three-day picnic and they aren't even the ones who have to cook lunch for the batallion at home ! A sumptuous lunch is served in the pandal adjacent to the Goddess. Its delicious and free too! They serve piping hot Bangla khichdi with tarkari,which is a mix of spicy, fried vegetables along with fish or chicken curry and sweets. It tastes divine! Men are great cooks and they should cook more often! The young guys serve the food in little bucket sized containers walking among the people seated for lunch around the long rectangular tables.
Come evening, the fair actually begins. The devotional songs on the loudspeakers are changed to fast-paced bollywood dance numbers. The ladies put more effort into their evening dresses. There are a lot more gold chains and necklaces out to be snatched away in the evening though I guess the thieves are vacationing too cause I haven't heard of a single theft. The kids show remarkable finesse in wheedling money out of their parents for all the rides and all the chaat that their little tummies can hold. They are the principal spending group,I think. A little stage is made where young people sing and dance before the crowd in groups or solo. Some small contests also happen. Talent shows must have started here. This goes on late into the night.
The girl who lives next door and is very quiet ,that guy who's never seen without his fat books and even the old couple who live alone upstairs venture out to see the celebration even if its only for a short while.
What I see most vividly is the greenery and the flaming red flowers on the Gulmohar trees. They clash brilliantly with the white,sweet-smelling flowers of the Bottle Brush tree. Mix this up with the scent of the wet,black earth and you have a taste of paradise.
Feb 28, 2010
Feb 25, 2010
Feb 23, 2010
Feb 21, 2010
Cookie Night
I made my first ever batch of cookies last night.It was also the first ever batch I burnt as you can see in the picture.The plan for the day was to bake a cake but I couldn't find vanilla essence anywhere and didn't want to wait another weekend before I baked anything. I looked up an easy cookie recipe on the internet and started! It was a recipe for groundnut cookies. I needed crushed groundnut but didn't have anything to grind it with so I used my knife handle to crush it. I must tell you,it took me more time to crush the groundnut than it took me to make the cookie.
Things were going fine until something on the instructions stumped me.
The list of ingredients asked only for baking soda but the steps asked me to mix the baking powder in the dough. So what is it? Baking soda or baking powder? Yeah, those are two different things and I didn't know about it either until I went shopping yesterday for my cake!I decided to put in a bit of both!? :D Let them take care of each other!
Well so the dough was ready and I put the cookies on the sheet for baking.The baking time given on the recipe was 15-20 minutes.This was for a crunchy cookie.I watched the oven with bated breath.My kitchen was smelling delicious with the smell of baking. After twenty minutes, I went to check on the cookies and was surprised to find them still soft! I decided to increase the temperature by 200 degrees all the time cursing bogus people for writing cookie recipes when they obviously didn't have a clue of what they were doing! I was all set to leave a scathing comment on the website! I kept checking my cookies every five minutes after that but they just wouldn't harden! 20 minutes turned into an hour and I was racking my brains for what I could possibly have done wrong apart from following badly written instructions! It suddenly hit me! After an hour! :(
"Things harden as they cool!"
Okay, I have no excuses for this. It seems like the most obvious thing now!Didn't we learn this when we were in school or something? Ofcourse I vehemently refused to pay attention in Science classes unless my ears fell off or something.
I ran to rescue my cookies,burnt my fingers in the process. Alas! It was too late! Out came my first batch of brutally wronged and burnt cookies. To their credit,they still smelt good!I kept them aside to cool and called a friend for consolation.
After much egging on,I nervously broke a piece of the smallest cookie and tasted it. It was horrible! It tasted like a ship wreck,like a burnt splinters,like burnt papers! errr...I haven't tasted any of those..(just FYI).They tasted good in the middle area where they weren't burnt.I made cookies which only tasted good when you found your way to the middle!(which you wouldn't after you'd tried the edge)
Utterly disappointed,I decided to never bake again!
After some time when I'd recovered from the shock a bit I decided to make another batch of cookies.I had run out of groundnuts so I decided to add raisins to it. This batch was a lot quicker than the last one. It was all ready and in the oven in half an hour. I was quite tired while it baked and sleepily went to switch off the oven after twenty minutes. I didn't even bother tasting it and fell asleep. This is the result I got in the morning.
It tastes all right. Another thing I learnt
"When you add sweet ingredients like raisins to your cookie,decrease the sugar a bit or else the cookie will come out sweeter than you wanted!" :D
I suddenly have a lot of sweetness in my life after baking. I wish everybody reading this as much contentedness as I have this weekend. Cheers to cookies!!!
Feb 18, 2010
Feb 17, 2010
Debut : My favourite Ring!
This was the funniest Valentine week ever!They left candies on our desks and I'm proud to show off my sweet little candy encrusted ring!
How cute is that!
Who was that King in history who hid poison in his ring,licked it in the face of defeat on the battlefield and died?
Ah...never mind thinking!
Feb 15, 2010
Feb 11, 2010
Blast from the Past!!!
Ram Shyam Shyam Ram
Chadhe ped par khaane aam
Daali tooti gire dhadam!
Bistar par karte aaram!
=====================================================================================
Bees kachori puri tees
dahi vade khaaye ektees
teen pav rabdi khayi
kheer katori bhar aayi
itna sab kuch kha karke
Lala bole jhalla karke
papad nahi khilaya hai
bhooka mujhe uthaaya hai!
=====================================================================================
Phool pattiyon ka sundar ghar
ghar ke upar jhanda!
Uske aage Sohan Mohan khele gilli-danda!
=====================================================================================
Update : I remembered these hilarious poems from my school textbooks. I think they are gems. This is some of the stuff I want to document seeing that I'm going to need a few laughs so much in the days to come.
Chadhe ped par khaane aam
Daali tooti gire dhadam!
Bistar par karte aaram!
=====================================================================================
Bees kachori puri tees
dahi vade khaaye ektees
teen pav rabdi khayi
kheer katori bhar aayi
itna sab kuch kha karke
Lala bole jhalla karke
papad nahi khilaya hai
bhooka mujhe uthaaya hai!
=====================================================================================
Phool pattiyon ka sundar ghar
ghar ke upar jhanda!
Uske aage Sohan Mohan khele gilli-danda!
=====================================================================================
Update : I remembered these hilarious poems from my school textbooks. I think they are gems. This is some of the stuff I want to document seeing that I'm going to need a few laughs so much in the days to come.
Feb 10, 2010
Feb 9, 2010
Balderdash!!
Today's day at work was a day I'd like to forget in a hurry. My surface temperature is still high enough for me to make omlettes!!
*Chanting from my copy of " The Great Book of Survival in the Big,Bad World"* - Thou shalt not let thy work get to thee" :D
I have another book called "The Quaint Book of the Beautiful World" which says - "Flee to San Francisco!!"
*Chanting from my copy of " The Great Book of Survival in the Big,Bad World"* - Thou shalt not let thy work get to thee" :D
I have another book called "The Quaint Book of the Beautiful World" which says - "Flee to San Francisco!!"
Feb 7, 2010
So what shall it be?
I started blogging regularly, fairly recently.It has been only about me so far.I blog just to kill time and for fun.When I started some months ago it was because of a friend who insisted that I blog. I had a follower before I had a blog! :D
Well,I got tired after the first two or three posts and didn't come back for many months. I came back only when I found myself shut up in my room in Bangalore with little to do and very few people to talk to after coming back home from work. I started again. In the beginning I only knew what my blog wouldn't be like - I won't get into the details here.
I read other blogs too starting with the one belonging to my friend who'd asked me to write. He has a very popular blog where he writes about Politics,Social issues,Religion,Society all serious subjects written with a lot of good humour. Last night, I checked out some blogs dedicated to photography, travelling,wine-tasting,cooking,poetry,pets,charity,even some teenagers outbursts against cheater boyfriends/girlfriends and other quaint things.
There's been something on my mind and I thought about it again. All the blogs that I've seen so far seem to have a central theme,a specific subject that they usually write on.Its like ..well..a blog with some definite idea/purpose?
I wracked my brains a bit about what subject I'd write about if I had had some specific purpose in mind when I started. Its fun reading when other people write
about politics etc. I just can't see myself writing on the same things.It'd obviously require more time and commitment than I'm prepared to give.I guess the easiest thing to write is about one's own life so here I am.
I watched a movie called Julie and Julia.The story is about a woman who starts a blog where she tracks her progress on the task of cooking all recipes from her favourite cook book.It was based on a true story and it looked awesome with all the day and recipe counter tools on the page.
At the end of this post I still don't have a particular subject that I could dedicate my blog towards.I'm not dissatisfied either with how things are now.
I have a wise friend who reigns me in by saying something when I start thinking too much or making too many plans - "Go with the flow". I think I'll take that opinion.
Well,I got tired after the first two or three posts and didn't come back for many months. I came back only when I found myself shut up in my room in Bangalore with little to do and very few people to talk to after coming back home from work. I started again. In the beginning I only knew what my blog wouldn't be like - I won't get into the details here.
I read other blogs too starting with the one belonging to my friend who'd asked me to write. He has a very popular blog where he writes about Politics,Social issues,Religion,Society all serious subjects written with a lot of good humour. Last night, I checked out some blogs dedicated to photography, travelling,wine-tasting,cooking,poetry,pets,charity,even some teenagers outbursts against cheater boyfriends/girlfriends and other quaint things.
There's been something on my mind and I thought about it again. All the blogs that I've seen so far seem to have a central theme,a specific subject that they usually write on.Its like ..well..a blog with some definite idea/purpose?
I wracked my brains a bit about what subject I'd write about if I had had some specific purpose in mind when I started. Its fun reading when other people write
about politics etc. I just can't see myself writing on the same things.It'd obviously require more time and commitment than I'm prepared to give.I guess the easiest thing to write is about one's own life so here I am.
I watched a movie called Julie and Julia.The story is about a woman who starts a blog where she tracks her progress on the task of cooking all recipes from her favourite cook book.It was based on a true story and it looked awesome with all the day and recipe counter tools on the page.
At the end of this post I still don't have a particular subject that I could dedicate my blog towards.I'm not dissatisfied either with how things are now.
I have a wise friend who reigns me in by saying something when I start thinking too much or making too many plans - "Go with the flow". I think I'll take that opinion.
Feb 6, 2010
There's nothing as loyal as a weekend! It always comes back on time and keeps me ever so happy!Dawn will break out in some time and I'm reminded of this song I heard in college 'God is a DJ, Life is a dance floor..."
Now that I think about it,God has cropped up a lot in my conversations with people this week...
Believe it or not there's a song on my radio going "Life is a highway..."
Life must really be such an absorbing subject for all the writers all over the world.
My heart did an awkward flip and tripped over a vein when I saw this awesome link in my mailbox,it led me to this beautiful book of fairy tales that I've been searching for a long time.It reminded me of all those occasions as a child when I used to sneak under a blanket with only a torchlight to read the book when it was supposed to be my nap time.Now,times have changed..I'm more likely to be found under the blanket with my eyes tight shut even when it is not my nap time.
I made a friend on the local transport station.We'd been chatting every morning while waiting for the train and he was asking me what I thought about the country and how I liked it here so far. I told him it was pleasant. I don't think he was satisfied with the answer. He went on to tell me that he thought America has sold its brand very well to the world.They come here with high expectations and are disappointed "What! No Ferraris?!!!" That was his exact line..:D
I absolutely had to put this little episode here.
Now that I think about it,God has cropped up a lot in my conversations with people this week...
Believe it or not there's a song on my radio going "Life is a highway..."
Life must really be such an absorbing subject for all the writers all over the world.
My heart did an awkward flip and tripped over a vein when I saw this awesome link in my mailbox,it led me to this beautiful book of fairy tales that I've been searching for a long time.It reminded me of all those occasions as a child when I used to sneak under a blanket with only a torchlight to read the book when it was supposed to be my nap time.Now,times have changed..I'm more likely to be found under the blanket with my eyes tight shut even when it is not my nap time.
I made a friend on the local transport station.We'd been chatting every morning while waiting for the train and he was asking me what I thought about the country and how I liked it here so far. I told him it was pleasant. I don't think he was satisfied with the answer. He went on to tell me that he thought America has sold its brand very well to the world.They come here with high expectations and are disappointed "What! No Ferraris?!!!" That was his exact line..:D
I absolutely had to put this little episode here.
Feb 4, 2010
This Love!
Was she a fairy? Was she an angel?
She came into my life like the wind
And the air around me was fresh again!
She was gone before I knew it...
I would have kissed her hand
And never let her go from my home and my heart..
But alas there's only the lingering smell of soap remaining - The person who cleaned my apartment tonight. Thank you ;p
She came into my life like the wind
And the air around me was fresh again!
She was gone before I knew it...
I would have kissed her hand
And never let her go from my home and my heart..
But alas there's only the lingering smell of soap remaining - The person who cleaned my apartment tonight. Thank you ;p
Feb 2, 2010
The Night Owl is back
Tonight's gonna be a tough night to crack. I need a hammer to knock some sleep into me.
Feb 1, 2010
I have a plan today which I'm prepared to swear by my own blood,I will not let go down the drain like all my other plans.
I will find happiness in all the small possessions I have.I will not dream of finding happiness with or in people. If it comes my way,that'll be accepted but I will not chase people to make me happy.At the same time I will not make any sacrifices where I should be able to do without making any. My happiness or sadness will not be dependent on anyone's actions. I will read a lot more and give myself a lot better company.I will make up my own interesting conversations to keep me interested in life. I pray that all this won't be impossible to do..The world's a big place with so much to discover and so much to live for. My life won't go wasted searching for things I might never find.I will take good care of and be happy with all that stays with me and is in my hands.
I once wrote about myself that I dream of baking,gardening and running a library all three of which I haven't been doing..It looks like I did have it right in the impulsive moment that I wrote those words..Those are the kind of dreams I want to have and should have.
I will never let myself be used in anyway and if with all the things that I have seen,I still get abused by people.I will not complain about it cause I would deserve it for not learning life's lessons well enough.
Life's too valuable. We were born individuals for a reason. I will not look for the comfort of groups anymore.I will find my own way to the malls or shops in any country at any time or not go at all.
I think its also time to stop ignoring my TV.I will get it fixed and start watching. Atleast,all that the poor thing demands from me is a plug point.
I will find happiness in all the small possessions I have.I will not dream of finding happiness with or in people. If it comes my way,that'll be accepted but I will not chase people to make me happy.At the same time I will not make any sacrifices where I should be able to do without making any. My happiness or sadness will not be dependent on anyone's actions. I will read a lot more and give myself a lot better company.I will make up my own interesting conversations to keep me interested in life. I pray that all this won't be impossible to do..The world's a big place with so much to discover and so much to live for. My life won't go wasted searching for things I might never find.I will take good care of and be happy with all that stays with me and is in my hands.
I once wrote about myself that I dream of baking,gardening and running a library all three of which I haven't been doing..It looks like I did have it right in the impulsive moment that I wrote those words..Those are the kind of dreams I want to have and should have.
I will never let myself be used in anyway and if with all the things that I have seen,I still get abused by people.I will not complain about it cause I would deserve it for not learning life's lessons well enough.
Life's too valuable. We were born individuals for a reason. I will not look for the comfort of groups anymore.I will find my own way to the malls or shops in any country at any time or not go at all.
I think its also time to stop ignoring my TV.I will get it fixed and start watching. Atleast,all that the poor thing demands from me is a plug point.
Jan 31, 2010
There's too much temptation in the world.
I've discovered a side to me that I didn't know existed - Crazy Shopper!!
I went wild at the mall yesterday.Sigh. There are too many pretty things in the world.I could go on and on about all the clothes,shoes,accessories,perfumes etc etc that I saw.I had to try hard to resist buying everything that caught my fancy. In Bangalore the malls used to bore me,everything was overpriced and unappealing.
I tore myself away from an awesome pair of green boots that I saw but even with all the caution I still ended up coming back home with a lot of cool stuff I hadn't thought I'd be picking up. No regrets there!
Another thing I didn't know was that I was interested in matching things together so now I have accessories that go with clothes and a candlestand that goes with the sofa!
It was a super successful shopping day!
I went wild at the mall yesterday.Sigh. There are too many pretty things in the world.I could go on and on about all the clothes,shoes,accessories,perfumes etc etc that I saw.I had to try hard to resist buying everything that caught my fancy. In Bangalore the malls used to bore me,everything was overpriced and unappealing.
I tore myself away from an awesome pair of green boots that I saw but even with all the caution I still ended up coming back home with a lot of cool stuff I hadn't thought I'd be picking up. No regrets there!
Another thing I didn't know was that I was interested in matching things together so now I have accessories that go with clothes and a candlestand that goes with the sofa!
It was a super successful shopping day!
Jan 30, 2010
Coolin' my heels
Its a beautiful Saturday morning and I'm lazing around my house contentedly listening to the combined racket from my radio,dishwasher and washing machine while they work and I relax. Bliss.. There's Michael Buble on the radio right now.
I've spent this whole week following up about one thing and another.The primary items on the list were : Why my TV doesn't have a plug-in point,Why my phone doesn't work,Why is the bluetooth on my laptop disabled blah blah blah(Do I sound like a slave to technology? :p)
And most importantly why I still haven't bloody f**** received my deposit from Bangalore! Been givin' me oodles of grief this one! :D
Yay!! Its Jason Mraz on the radio now... They want to keep me happy today :)
Je recherche des directions pour aller au magasins.
I miss my French classes. Okay I can't guarantee that last sentence in French was completely error-free but atleast I didn't cheat from the translation tool on the internet. I only meant to say I'm looking for directions to go to the mall.
Someone very like-minded is choosing the songs on the radio this morning.
Well lemme get back to my lazing around..
I've spent this whole week following up about one thing and another.The primary items on the list were : Why my TV doesn't have a plug-in point,Why my phone doesn't work,Why is the bluetooth on my laptop disabled blah blah blah(Do I sound like a slave to technology? :p)
And most importantly why I still haven't bloody f**** received my deposit from Bangalore! Been givin' me oodles of grief this one! :D
Yay!! Its Jason Mraz on the radio now... They want to keep me happy today :)
Je recherche des directions pour aller au magasins.
I miss my French classes. Okay I can't guarantee that last sentence in French was completely error-free but atleast I didn't cheat from the translation tool on the internet. I only meant to say I'm looking for directions to go to the mall.
Someone very like-minded is choosing the songs on the radio this morning.
Well lemme get back to my lazing around..
Jan 27, 2010
Jan 22, 2010
FAQs
I know the people who are the inspiration behind this post will never come here to read this. This is a list I intend to update as time goes along..
Q.1. Am I vegetarian? Does that mean I don't eat garlic and onion?
A.: Yes,I'm vegetarian. Yes,I eat garlic and onion.
Q.2 Even plants have life. How can I say I'm vegetarian?
A : (In my mind - Buzz off!puhhhleaseee!) Aloud : Hehehehe..with a polite smile..you see as long as we don't eat animals its vegetarian for us...
Q.3.Have I watched Slumdog Millionaire?
A : No,I decided to spare myself one atrocity.
Q.4.Do Hindus and Muslims still fight a lot?
A : Yeah, Who doesn't?
Q.5. Is the Buddha considered a betrayer by the Hindus?
A : (Wasn't expecting this one) No! absolutely not!
Q.6.Are Buddhists persecuted in India?
A : No, They aren't! For crying out aloud! (At this point my Buddhist thread pokes out of my sleeve on its own!)
Q.7 How do I survive without meat?
A : It is possible even if you think it isn't!
Q.8.Why does Buddha look more Chinese than Indian?
A : ummmm...another smile...ummmm...another smile...Can someone please pass me the pepper?
Q.9. What does my name mean?
A : A happy ending!!
This post hasn't ended yet!
More to come folks!
Q.1. Am I vegetarian? Does that mean I don't eat garlic and onion?
A.: Yes,I'm vegetarian. Yes,I eat garlic and onion.
Q.2 Even plants have life. How can I say I'm vegetarian?
A : (In my mind - Buzz off!puhhhleaseee!) Aloud : Hehehehe..with a polite smile..you see as long as we don't eat animals its vegetarian for us...
Q.3.Have I watched Slumdog Millionaire?
A : No,I decided to spare myself one atrocity.
Q.4.Do Hindus and Muslims still fight a lot?
A : Yeah, Who doesn't?
Q.5. Is the Buddha considered a betrayer by the Hindus?
A : (Wasn't expecting this one) No! absolutely not!
Q.6.Are Buddhists persecuted in India?
A : No, They aren't! For crying out aloud! (At this point my Buddhist thread pokes out of my sleeve on its own!)
Q.7 How do I survive without meat?
A : It is possible even if you think it isn't!
Q.8.Why does Buddha look more Chinese than Indian?
A : ummmm...another smile...ummmm...another smile...Can someone please pass me the pepper?
Q.9. What does my name mean?
A : A happy ending!!
This post hasn't ended yet!
More to come folks!
Sailani Mode!
Guess who's visited me??
The Weekend is here!! *blare of trumpets*
I've hit the tourist mode! Starting with some fancy mall tomorrow! Tralalalalala
Come rain,come sleet,come snow!
The Weekend is here!! *blare of trumpets*
I've hit the tourist mode! Starting with some fancy mall tomorrow! Tralalalalala
Come rain,come sleet,come snow!
Jan 21, 2010
Jan 20, 2010
Today's goal is to try not to be as gloomy as San Jose's weather. I never thought I could have two different temperatures at the same time on my arms.The cold is absolutely biting and the rain makes it worse.I don't want to imagine how folks on the east coast are getting along in the snow.
I solemnly swear I shall not crib more than one sentence per para from now on!
I really need to be optimistic right now but its so difficult.Its been a week in this new country but I still can't get accustomed to the change especially the weather.I've been listening to the radio a lot to distract myself.Shashi Kapoor in his young days was a sight for sore eyes.I've been tuning into youtube a lot to watch some of his famous song videos.I think I'll play some of Nazia Hassan's music now. Its a pity I don't see any nice people or nice songs in Indian pop music these days..I had a lousy veg wrap in this all-meat eating country today (1)
I'm looking forward to Saturday shopping at one of the malls here.Pray it doesn't rain! I'll try catching the Winchester Mystery House too one of these weekends.It has a fascinating history which I'll write about after I've been there.If it rains on saturday,somebody gonna get a hurt real bad...yeah probably,Russel Peters before bed is a good idea.I need to get back to work now (2)
*END*
Yay! I cribbed only twice, it could have been so much more!I deserve an MTR Ready to Eat for dinner!(this isn't 3,we already stopped counting a few lines ago)
I solemnly swear I shall not crib more than one sentence per para from now on!
I really need to be optimistic right now but its so difficult.Its been a week in this new country but I still can't get accustomed to the change especially the weather.I've been listening to the radio a lot to distract myself.Shashi Kapoor in his young days was a sight for sore eyes.I've been tuning into youtube a lot to watch some of his famous song videos.I think I'll play some of Nazia Hassan's music now. Its a pity I don't see any nice people or nice songs in Indian pop music these days..I had a lousy veg wrap in this all-meat eating country today (1)
I'm looking forward to Saturday shopping at one of the malls here.Pray it doesn't rain! I'll try catching the Winchester Mystery House too one of these weekends.It has a fascinating history which I'll write about after I've been there.If it rains on saturday,somebody gonna get a hurt real bad...yeah probably,Russel Peters before bed is a good idea.I need to get back to work now (2)
*END*
Yay! I cribbed only twice, it could have been so much more!I deserve an MTR Ready to Eat for dinner!(this isn't 3,we already stopped counting a few lines ago)
Jan 19, 2010
I drove all night to get to you...
I could do anything in the world right now to sink into a pool full of chocolate!
No, I'm not much of a chocolate lover.I don't like sweet stuff much but the prospect of immersing myself in something sweet looks attractive...
There's just too much in this world to worry about.People should be given respite from problems once in a while. How do you get away from anything thats been bothering you? Answers anybody?
What am I chasing anyway?
No, I'm not much of a chocolate lover.I don't like sweet stuff much but the prospect of immersing myself in something sweet looks attractive...
There's just too much in this world to worry about.People should be given respite from problems once in a while. How do you get away from anything thats been bothering you? Answers anybody?
What am I chasing anyway?
Jan 16, 2010
Honey Honey!
Yeah everything feels as sweet as honey right now! The old dame in me is looking out for the bee stings though :D
I'm in my fabulous new home and have loads of work to do but here I am tapping away my new post with a sprained and happily ignored ankle.There's good music playing on the radio and that seems like all I need right now..
I've just gotten used to the temperature control. Guess what Miss LatelySmart did?
Slept all night in the cold. I thought I'd adjusted the temperature to what I wanted when I found out this morning on my second investigation that I hadn't switched on the heater at all!
I found that I have all the equipment I need to make a cake in my kitchen.I guess I should bake once a month atleast and there is a gym and a pool to take care of any guilt later on.
On the bright side I'm quite cosy in here and on the slightly sad side I've missed the movie Sherlock Holmes!
The dinner table's been set out for four here complete with napkins,cutlery and flowers..Wish my family was here now..
I've been recently dared to try sushi here. I think I shall take the challenge though is that a good start at becoming non-vegetarian? Should I start with the conventional egg and chicken first? :P
Ok People,Have a happy weekend!!
I'm in my fabulous new home and have loads of work to do but here I am tapping away my new post with a sprained and happily ignored ankle.There's good music playing on the radio and that seems like all I need right now..
I've just gotten used to the temperature control. Guess what Miss LatelySmart did?
Slept all night in the cold. I thought I'd adjusted the temperature to what I wanted when I found out this morning on my second investigation that I hadn't switched on the heater at all!
I found that I have all the equipment I need to make a cake in my kitchen.I guess I should bake once a month atleast and there is a gym and a pool to take care of any guilt later on.
On the bright side I'm quite cosy in here and on the slightly sad side I've missed the movie Sherlock Holmes!
The dinner table's been set out for four here complete with napkins,cutlery and flowers..Wish my family was here now..
I've been recently dared to try sushi here. I think I shall take the challenge though is that a good start at becoming non-vegetarian? Should I start with the conventional egg and chicken first? :P
Ok People,Have a happy weekend!!
Jan 11, 2010
Jan 9, 2010
Dissolution
I've been itching to write something funny or atleast cheerful in this place.It was taking a lot of hardwork and unsuccessful attempts until I realized something in a flash of daylight!(I usually flash-realize things.)
I'm moving away from Bangalore soon and had to get rid of all my furniture.The plan was to get a small lorry and transport the stuff to the orphanage I visit sometimes.
Now,this talking to truck people is in my list of horrifying things to do. I just cannot bargain! Well,so here I find myself in a place rampant with drunk,noisy,rude truck and lorry drivers(hope mum never reads this!) mustering as much courage as I could summmon and walking into their midst with my dear friend A who's as good at these things as I am.They sniff the prey and encircle us "Medam,you want small tempo,big tempo? Onely 1800 rupees medam".I remembered the only lesson I'd ever been taught about bargaining - Quote your price and start walking away!(I hereby pronounce PGs as a center of learning).
I want to get to the funny part fast so I can get to sleep.Well,we managed to scale them down to 500bucks! Talk about Naari Shakti!:P
We managed to get a somewhat gormless looking Man Friday and I told him my address which was a few streets away. At this point I must stop the story to write about a thing the foreign folk in my office keep complaining about. Apparently,Indians have a habit of yessing around even when they don't understand something.They will not ask a question in order not to reveal that they don't know even if it might cost them their life. :D.Mr. Gormless ManFriday was yes Medaming me around that he knew the way and told me he'll follow me while I went ahead in an auto.
Now our auto guy decided to take us on a joy ride just then.So we were circling my area for fifteen minutes without reaching it.Meanwhile,the lorry disappeared from our view.We frantically started looking over all the streets.Thats when I realized that there's no point keeping a phone on me all the time if I forget to take people's numbers.A called up Just Dial trying to get another tempo,they sent her a list of tourist package providers.Why don't we ask questions when we don't understand what the other person wants?!
We searched high and we searched low. I didn't feel like returning home without a lorry in tow.Just as we were giving up..we see a familiar green vehicle coming towards us.Yeah,the number plate matches too!2856!We wave at it hysterically...The driver is looking around searching...ignores the two wildly waving creatures on the road..and wooshes past us in gust of dust and smoke! !@#%^&$%^&#^beep%&%^*&^&beep
After a few disheartening minutes we see a running tempo with stuff already in it.We decide to try our luck anyway and after a bit more haggling during which I don't pretend to walk away,we manage to trim him down to 500 bucks too!
Don't ask me what it was like to sit in a truck and get to the orphanage (Ok I'll admit it wasn't so bad!)
As we start nearing the orphanage,I start preparing my lines for a second round of bargaining.You see they never stick to what they've agreed upon a few minutes ago
Wonder of wonders he seems to have softened at the sight of the orphanage and doesn't even grumble again while helping me unload the furniture.He actually tells me "Medam,you leave it,I will do it" and very unbelievably doesn't ask for a penny extra!(I've sometimes been told I should trust people more).
Well the day ended with me treating A to a sandwich at CCD(She wouldn't listen to me about going to a better place!)
Moral of the story : Don't sweat over trouble that you haven't encountered yet!
And that when a problem is history,you will always laugh at your past self so chillax!
I'm moving away from Bangalore soon and had to get rid of all my furniture.The plan was to get a small lorry and transport the stuff to the orphanage I visit sometimes.
Now,this talking to truck people is in my list of horrifying things to do. I just cannot bargain! Well,so here I find myself in a place rampant with drunk,noisy,rude truck and lorry drivers(hope mum never reads this!) mustering as much courage as I could summmon and walking into their midst with my dear friend A who's as good at these things as I am.They sniff the prey and encircle us "Medam,you want small tempo,big tempo? Onely 1800 rupees medam".I remembered the only lesson I'd ever been taught about bargaining - Quote your price and start walking away!(I hereby pronounce PGs as a center of learning).
I want to get to the funny part fast so I can get to sleep.Well,we managed to scale them down to 500bucks! Talk about Naari Shakti!:P
We managed to get a somewhat gormless looking Man Friday and I told him my address which was a few streets away. At this point I must stop the story to write about a thing the foreign folk in my office keep complaining about. Apparently,Indians have a habit of yessing around even when they don't understand something.They will not ask a question in order not to reveal that they don't know even if it might cost them their life. :D.Mr. Gormless ManFriday was yes Medaming me around that he knew the way and told me he'll follow me while I went ahead in an auto.
Now our auto guy decided to take us on a joy ride just then.So we were circling my area for fifteen minutes without reaching it.Meanwhile,the lorry disappeared from our view.We frantically started looking over all the streets.Thats when I realized that there's no point keeping a phone on me all the time if I forget to take people's numbers.A called up Just Dial trying to get another tempo,they sent her a list of tourist package providers.Why don't we ask questions when we don't understand what the other person wants?!
We searched high and we searched low. I didn't feel like returning home without a lorry in tow.Just as we were giving up..we see a familiar green vehicle coming towards us.Yeah,the number plate matches too!2856!We wave at it hysterically...The driver is looking around searching...ignores the two wildly waving creatures on the road..and wooshes past us in gust of dust and smoke! !@#%^&$%^&#^beep%&%^*&^&beep
After a few disheartening minutes we see a running tempo with stuff already in it.We decide to try our luck anyway and after a bit more haggling during which I don't pretend to walk away,we manage to trim him down to 500 bucks too!
Don't ask me what it was like to sit in a truck and get to the orphanage (Ok I'll admit it wasn't so bad!)
As we start nearing the orphanage,I start preparing my lines for a second round of bargaining.You see they never stick to what they've agreed upon a few minutes ago
Wonder of wonders he seems to have softened at the sight of the orphanage and doesn't even grumble again while helping me unload the furniture.He actually tells me "Medam,you leave it,I will do it" and very unbelievably doesn't ask for a penny extra!(I've sometimes been told I should trust people more).
Well the day ended with me treating A to a sandwich at CCD(She wouldn't listen to me about going to a better place!)
Moral of the story : Don't sweat over trouble that you haven't encountered yet!
And that when a problem is history,you will always laugh at your past self so chillax!
Jan 5, 2010
Jan 4, 2010
Jan 1, 2010
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