Its leap year!!!

29.02.2012

Yay!!! Its leap year…

I am leaping out of joy…

What a gift it is!

It gives an opportunity to enjoy an additional day in life which comes once in four years. It is a present in disguise for those who keep complaining that they don’t have enough time. They tend to become argumentative and say, “I would have done better/I would have completed the work if I had more time; at least an additional minute, another hour or a day for that matter.

I hope that none of you would disagree with me. 29^th February is one of those rare days which we keep expecting from the dawn of the New Year. Of course, a year which is divisible by 4! It is more like our own Birthday, which never passes away unnoticed.

And here we are, enjoying one supplementary day.

I am wondering how I would make it special and memorable.

I am thinking ways to make it unique; do something that is unusual.

But, what would I do?L

Ok, I am going to jog over my memory lane and find out what I was up to during this special day over years. To be frank, I don’t remember how year 2000 or the years preceding it was except that I was a tiny little girl with two plaits enjoying the warmth extended by mother’s kiss and father’s hug.

Anyways, I clearly remember 29.02.2004

I studied for 12 hours at a stretch. After all, my exams were nearing. I also remember that it was the first time ever when I managed to sit for such a long hour. I felt really happy that day. I felt proud. That day I realized that I can slog.

But what I did in 29.02.2008?

I really don’t remember. I desperately wished that history would repeat. I hoped that I would stay determined and study for 12 hours. But, I failed drastically. My exams were round the corner, but, I was feeling way too confident to waste my energy on studies!!

And here comes 29.02.2012!

I don’t think I need to study. Hurray! My exams are not round the corner. I dreadfully hope that I don’t end up working for 12 hours!!

As an ending note, I wish you all a Happy Leap Year.

A Happy Birthday for the rare souls who happen to have born this dayJ

AC... Gadgets... Blah... Blah...

We belong to a generation which is obsessed to Air Conditioner. We need it wherever we go. These days, it is used more as a style statement than a necessity. It is really funny that even people who are getting to be in AC for the first time, eventually, get addicted to it. Thanks to the fully air conditioned offices! Now, we need AC in bus, car, train, bed room and may in a loo too soon.  

AC is an addiction and it is scary to find that people are just not ready to stay away from it. The habit, however, is commendably unhealthy. Our body needs to shed its heat. It needs to sweat. It has the right to look healthy. However, it is suffocated and prohibited from doing its routine task.

The outcome?

Gym… Morning/Evening walks… Yoga…

And a crappier Sauna bath... massages,...

WHATEVER!!!

And of course the inevitable…

Electricity shortage!

The victims being the lower middle class and the poor!

I really don’t understand all this. Why would anybody need an AC when it is raining heavily outside? When chilly breeze is being swayed? When the moon is glowing and a rhythmic wind is blowing? Didn’t our fathers and forefathers live without it? Weren’t they healthy and weren’t they glowing radiantly? In fact, they are healthier than we are. They are less dependent and far free from diseases and illness.

Come out… Detangle yourself.

Let yourself breathe fresh air rather than the alluring room spray.

Listen to the chirping and cawing rather than some jazz or pop.

Write something in your diary or in a parchment rather than in your laptop.

Visit your friends and relatives rather than texting or calling them.

Come on….

There is so much to do.

Life is not all about being pampered by the ACs and gadgets.

It is about people, love and sharing.

Smile at your neighbor. Oops! Do you know them at all?

Hug your loved ones…

Gift them your love rather than some expensive souvenirs.

Life would be less tacky…

With lesser complains.

And more enjoyable!!!

Its Woohoooo Time!!!

I am gobsmacked!!!

This is my 100^th post and my eyes are wide open out of wonder.

My eyebrows are so raised that I fear that it would touch my hair line.

I am stunned!!!

I never knew that I could write so much and so regularly.

I did not know that I am an observer and I can write my mind out.

I am flabbergasted!!!

After all, so many people have read my blog and it is well received.

I feel just awesome beyond words.

Really dear readers…

If you people did not read, I would have felt discouraged. I would have given up blogging convincing myself that I was rolling my sleeves up to attain the unattainable. I may have taken myself as a poor writer who is unable to convey the thoughts through the medium of words.

However, here I am feeling stunned.

Thank you all.

Thanks to the readers for reading what I posted…

And thanks to the World who constantly inspired me to write.

Well…

Isn't is the time to celebrate…

A cake? Champagne? Or should it be a “thank you” to Almighty?

Hmmm…. 

I have chosen rather different path.

A determination to write more☺

Rockstar

Disclaimer

Well, I am not going to talk about the story and all that. After all, I am sure that half of the World would have watched before I did. So I am going to share what I felt watching the movie!

My Thoughts

I really wanted to watch this movie. Too many reviews are already over and now it is showered with an array of awards. And, yesterday, I finally watched it!! The rocking performance of Ranbeer Kapoor in Rockstar; a film directed by a promising and never disappointing Imtiaz Ali!

I really enjoyed watching it. I always like to watch and read about complicated relationships; the kinds where love conquers and never strives to give a valid name and recognition to it. The relationship between Jordan (Ranbeer Kapoor) and Heer (Nargis Fakhri) is one of those kinds. They love and that is all about. They don’t create hoopla for any commitments or recognitions.

The screenplay and the way it is edited are commendable. The cuts reminded me of Mani Ratnam. The narrative is swift and always has something to unravel. The songs are very catchy. Mohit Chauhan, my favorite, only made me like him more. The way he sings never fails to strike a chord within. He brings soul and sings as if he really feels what he says. I particularly liked Jo bhi mein kehna chahoo

Ranbeer Kapoor is doubtlessly the show stealer. He has a long way to go. His mannerisms are that of a mature actor, very convincing and empathetic. He has carried the evolution of Jordan from Janardhan rather expressively. Aww!! When he sings sadda haq, you would be forced to believe that it is he who is actually singing.

Nargis is the only mistake in the film. She looks plastic. Her voice has no modulation. Expressions!? Are there any at all? She was supposed to be charming like Geeth in Jab We Met. However, she comes out as a dumb. The movie would have been lot better if there was somebody who could compete with Ranbeer and create some magic onscreen.

And

As the movie ended, though in sad note, I did not cry. Instead I felt complete. Though for a very brief time and with no formal relationship, they have had their share of life and fun. Sometimes, you end up feeling like you don’t need more; you may opt to end it with a happy note and feel content. That is exactly what you feel towards the end. You feel happy.

Thus, the movie is a must watch, for Ranbeer’s sake and for Imtiaz’s effort. Two thumbs up and a bunch of stars for the movie!!

Strange Faces and Umpteen Thoughts

A journey in train will never fail to ignite innumerous flow of thoughts. Especially, if you travel for a little over a couple of hours! There would be scores of strange faces with their own sweet story which can be captured by being a silent spectator. And this is what happened to me yesterday during my three hours journey towards home!

There was a rather well-disciplined man reading a Malayalam novel sitting straight. He smiled at times and looks serious depending upon the mood offered by the book. He would have been a little over middle-age, yet constantly combed his hair like a budding teenager!

Then, there was a guy who was about to step into middle age. He sat staring outside the window as if lost in his own thoughts. Occasionally, he would glance at the newspaper which another fellow traveler, in his early twenties, was reading. This guy, through gestures asked where I would be getting down. I told him and realized that he is mute. However, he had a mobile phone and I felt suspicious. I shared my fear with my friend and she said he would be using that to text or listen to songs. But, I continued to feel afraid. Thankfully, he got down and so did others.

And, then a huge family hurried in. There was a really young mother nursing her baby. She was glowing and looked very happy. Her eyes had a twinkle. I wondered if life is just that. She would be barely 23 years old and had a six months old baby. I wondered if she would have enjoyed the independence that life could offer on option. I wondered if she would have earned a few hundreds and smelt the hard-earned money. I wondered if her happiness was due to the little bundle of joy alone or about her life per se.

I did not want to hang around the crowd. So, I moved and sat beside a girl who was animatedly conversing to a boy. They were talking about the medicines course, their teachers and all that. I understood that they study in the same college. I was shocked that it costs about 2-14 lakhs per annum for the medical course. OMG!! If somebody has so much money, then, on earth do they have to study? They may just invest and lead a King’s life from the income it generates. And, if they are out to study by taking loan, then, a giant share of their earnings would go in repaying the debt! Well, we need doctors. It is a profession having demand due to necessity. Why can’t they offer in a comparatively cheap rate? I don’t know. But, 14 lakhs is something unimaginable!

Ah! Finally, a teenage girl clad in an embroidered salwar kameez. She was sitting with a guy. The casualness in her mannerism made me decide that he can’t be her friend or brother. He has to be her boyfriend. He shared her dinner and they sat as close as possible. The TTR came and found that the guy does not have a reservation. He shooed him away though the girl said that they would adjust in her seat. Based on my observation, the TTR was very lenient. He made the families scattered along the train to sit together and confirmed many RAC tickets. But, he did not confirm his and looked compulsively harsh. I liked him. After all, he acted more like a concerned and protective father than a TTR. That girl looked embarrassed and never once tilted her head away from the window and the guy walked away with his backpack frowning.

All the while, I was sitting with my ear-phones plugged in listening to three songs repeatedly for three continuous hours. I used to close my eyes for sometime, else look away through the window. And most of the time, I would be observing people which would make me think and think more. I felt like writing a summary of my thoughts. But, I did not have a book. Taking the laptop out would seem to others as if I am showing off. So, I made a mental note to get a small notebook which could be used as a scrapbook. I also wondered how difficult life would have been without a mobile phone; smart phone to be precise. It keeps us connected with the loved ones. It acts as loved one who wards off boredom and entertains us. Above all, we may stay busy with it and avoid conversations with suspicious strangers!

It was, now, I realized that I have reached my destiny. A wide smile broke on my face. I collected my backpack and walked rapidly; each step making me a step closer to my home…

Think Positive

 You are a reflection of what you think; I believe in this philosophy blindly. It is said that our eyes reflects our inner mind’s thoughts. In order to look confident, we need to be, firstly, determined within. We need to believe in ourselves.

There are many people who complain that people don’t understand them. Some say that their family, peers or their superiors don’t show confidence in them; instead they always suspect or over-explain things. Do you know why this happens? Because the person complaining may be unsure of what he/she really want or is supposed to do!

I don’t know how many of you believe. There is a huge power for positive thinking. Please think about something that scares you to death and loudly read the following out:

☺ I CAN

☺ IF I CAN’T, WHO CAN?

☺ I AM DETERMINED

☺ I AM CONFIDENT

☺ THIS IS MY DREAM AND MY AMBITION

☺ I AM GOING TO RISE AGAINST ALL THE ODDS.

☺ I WILL COME OUT SUCCESSFULLY

☺ I REALLY CAN!!

Don’t you feel a difference within? As if you have fed your heart with a barrel of glucose. You feel magnanimous, don’t you? Don’t you feel a strong drive to perform and achieve. That never ending thirst is a pre-requisite to accomplish your long-term as well as short-term goals.

All said, positive thinking gives you confidence and drives you to do more in a better way. But, what about the attainment of desired results?

Well, that is certainly not in our hands. Someone else may outshine us. Our destiny may have some other gifts to enthrall us with. This is where the positive thinking comes into a more active role. It ensures that you don’t give up. It instills a positive thought steam. That would make you more determine which would help you in analyzing the failure and jotting down the causes of failure. This is a vital step in climbing the ladder of success.

The smell of success is very sweet like that of a rose. But, it is not very easy to hold it. You need to be careful and cautious before holding it. After all, there may be thrones. However, you can’t completely avoid it either saying that the thrones would hurt you. If you complain, you may never know how charming a rose is – what a high success gives!

You may think that I am bluffing; that I am highly influenced by some Godman’s lecture or by a philosophical book. Hey! You are wrong.

Guess what? I am a positive thinker myself. I have had my share of failures and pitfalls. But, I have never let myself to under-estimate myself.  If you can believe and trust others, why can’t you believe and trust yourself? What is wrong in praising yourself in the case of success and consoling during failure?

I don’t want to sound preachy. Yet, I wish that we belong to a community that thinks positively, have faith in oneself and attain the heights of life tasting the delicious food offered by life to the bold and determined - Success!

Girl Beside a Lake

Should not have gone away...

Am I ready for it?

I hear asking myself a dozen times.

You should have waited more,

Shrieks my inner voice.

Waited more for what?

Asks my irritated mind.

Should not have flown away from your nest,

Says the irrational heart.

But, what else I could have done?

Demands my exasperated soul.

Chill man, it would be Friday soon,

Declares my hardnosed self.

Yahoo…!!!

I would be flying back to my nest.

I would be sleeping in my room.

I would me myself.

Free from pretence.

Unmindful of pleasing others or being pleasant!

Yahoo…!!!

Dear home, home town and people there…

I am coming.

Wait with open arms…

Welcome me with a tight embrace.

Going away...

Each time when I travel in a train, I would be quite sure of when I would get back to my home in order to kick-start my routine life. But, this time, I am traveling away from home, to meet my professional ambitions. Indeed, I will be coming back to my home. But, there would be no routine awaiting me. I would be narrating to my parents the incidents that left mark during the five days of stay at a strange place. I would update them with the new friends made and the assignments handled. I may go for a brief walk or visit the temple. May be, I would take my Siamese, scooterette, to do some shopping or have the toothsome Golgappas. Otherwise, I would be sitting in front of TV, or lying back reading a book, else, posting something in my blog.

All this sounds so alien to me. I feel so unlike I am.

It is easy to adapt to changes. But, it is difficult to forego the habits.

It is easy to flutter away. But, it is very much hard to leave the nest.

It is easy to make new friends. But, it is hard to stay away from the loved ones.

Oh dear Hometown…

I am already missing you.

Oh dear home…

I can’t think about befriending another place.

Oh dear cubby-hole…

I can’t think of another customized domain for me.

Oops!

I am not carrying any heavy luggage.

But, my heart is heavy.

After all, I am carrying a mountain of verdant memories.

My eyes are heavy.

It is longing to catch the glimpse of the people and place to which it is so used to.

But, the train is running fast.

It is transporting me from a small town to an almost-developed metro.

I am excited to add new experiences to the memory lane.

Yet, I am feeling agitated to leave the cocoon.

Sev Puri and Reminiscences

I really don’t remember when my taste buds were treated with the concoction of Golgappas. But, I still remember that I enjoyed the taste it spread. Aw…. It tasted yummy beyond words!

My ammaji used to hold my hands tightly and we used to go for evening walks. Then, she would get me a plate of bel puri from Rajajinagar 1^st Block. They used to give a whole heap of it which I used to share with my ammaji.

As my aunt started residing at Malleswaram Bangalore, my ammaji used to take me there occasionally. Then, we used to go to Malleswaram 8^th Cross to taste the lip-smacking bel puri.

Occasionally, I would eat Masala puri or Dhahi puri. But, pani-puri has been in my least favorite list. And, eventually, I fell in love with sev-puri.

However, once we shifted from Bangalore, our evening rendezvous at the chat-shop came to a halt. But, the taste stayed green in my memories.

As a practice, my ammaji would buy me a platter of bel-puri whenever we went to Bangalore for holidays. I always wished for a chat-shop in my neighborhood. But alas! The shops that offered them never neared the taste which I was so accustomed of.

Years passed by. My single digit age became double digits and even crossed teens. But, my pining for the mouth-watering golgappas only multiplied. More so because our visits to Bangalore became less frequent.

I was serving the last six months of my Articleship when we discovered a mobile chat shop very close to our office. I felt joyous and gushed to the shop.

Oh! It tasted heaven. I felt nostalgic. It brought back the sweet memories of Bangalore; the days when I used to hold my ammaji’s hands with my short hair swaying in the wind.

Thus, I became rather regular to that chat-shop. I came to know that they hail from Rajasthan. That further ignited the memories of my best friend – Sangeetha – a Rajasthani herself. It has been 14 years since seeing her. How I wish that Orkut, or Facebook or at least a mobile phone was in existence those days. I still remember how pink her face would look post Holi and how scrumptious her roti and dal would taste.

Thus, the Mateshwari mobile Chat Center has never once failed to bring back a stream of memories. I am going to miss that place badly amidst of so many other places in my home town.

Yesterday, as I tasted the Golgappa, I became maudlin. This time memories of the bitter-sweet days of Articleship also started flooding.

Ouch! Such criss-cross of reminiscences associated with a bhel puri, or sev puri for that matter. Unbelievable!

But that is how we human are, aren’t we?

We hate the present.

Crave for the past; this was once “present”

And feel scared and insecure about the future.

Well, I am no exception.

If you agree with me, then, join the club!

No, I don't want to fly!

“I don’t want to leave”, I tell myself. I tell that to my parents and my friends. In another day, I would be far away from the comforts of my home. I know that I have learnt to fly. But, I really don’t feel like flying.

Aw… My amma! I want to see her smiles and her never ending enthusiasm. I want to see her being 24*7 on-duty, the duty being looking after me; yet, never once complaining. I want to eat the food which she cooks by pouring tons and tons of love. I want to hear the sound of her sewing machine. I want her so close to me that I could hug her any time as I wish for.

Oh… My appa! I want to see him shuttling in and out of home, regularly checking if the clothes have dried. Or, writing in his diary. Else, reading ‘The Hindu’ or ‘Maathrubhoomi’. I want him to be around me checking how many blog visits are achieved or which book I am reading. I want him to be around murmuring each time when I say “I love Simbu” or “Wow… Ranbeer Kapoor is just too handsome”. I really want him around when I prepare for my exams, patiently staying awake till I go to bed.

What about my Siamese? I have never stayed away from my scooterette since the day it (she) was bought. Now, I may have to walk miles or travel in crowded buses or bargain endlessly with the auto-driver.

I can’t think of another place in this World where I could just be who I am. A place where everything that belongs to me is within my hand’s reach.

Starting from my coffee mug to the blanket, I am going to miss them all.

I may earn handsome, but, what is the point? I can’t stay with people or things which I really care for. I can’t go to the nearby golgappa or the sarbhath shop. I can’t go to the temple at our street and get transfixed by His charm. I can’t do any of these when my heart says. Instead, I can do these only when my brain says, “Crazy, its time to go home. It’s weekend!”

Here I am…

As the darkness is encompassing,

With the silvery ball like Moon tantalizing,

Here I am…

Gazing up at the sky,

And trying to look up at the horizon

Here I am…

With enormous unreciprocated thoughts

And endless unrequited questions

Here I am…

With a plethora of dreams

And a glut of expectations

Here I am…

With anticipation

And enthusiasm

Here I am…

With lethargic eyes

And a wish for a better tomorrow

Chinar & Srinagar

Chinar leaves… 

It always convey the sweetness of love. I really don’t know why? But, I am obsessed with it. Its leaves are unique. The color of the leaves varies from green, orange and  red depending upon the season. For some unknown reason, I think that it symbolically represents the varying shades through which a relationship passes. After all, it may go green in envy... Red in love... Orange in happiness and joy. The sight of leaves reminds me of the romantic climate of Jammu & Kashmir. It makes me long more to visit the Paradise on Earth. 

Srinagar – A place which never fails to enchant me!

I have never been there, but, I really wish to visit it someday.

Ah… The snow fall

What an awesome experience it would be!

Then, the Shikara…

Those water melons with chilly powder sprinkled over it…

Green roofing and Jhelum River…

Intricately woven scarves and the beautiful looking kanghan

Oh…

Dal Lake…

Gulmarg…

Lal Chowk…

The Hazratbal Shrine…

Shalimar Gardens…

Mughal Gardens…

Nishant Bhagh..

Tulip Garden...

Srinagar never fails to leave me enthralled!

Aw... How can I forget?

The sweet sounding Kashmiri!

Arey Kashmir…

Mye Chha chain maai!!!

Well…

Wondering what has suddenly happened to me? Actually, I was searching for a good looking blog animation and I happened to see Chinar leaves… And here I am rambling about it. 


I promise to myself that one day I would visit Srinagar. And, I will carry a Chinar leave and tons of green memories with it!

I am Possessive...

A virus

Which multiplies itself

Eats away mental peace

Splits the relationship

Confuses others

Hurts the emotions

Kills the cherished love

Unfolds the gray shade of loved ones

Leads to hatred and regrets

Makes life difficult

And the association traumatic

If you ask me, I would say that I am a very possessive person. I know that it is bad; that it hurts others!

I am not exaggerating when I say that I hate the sight of my mother playing with other kid; or even talk with care and affection. I can’t tolerate when my father shows concern to others. Yes, even today! But, possessiveness towards parents is understandable and it would not hurt others much, particularly, if you are a single child like I am! Woohooooo, some solace there.

Apart from that, all other relationship can be ruined by the predator called possessiveness.

Why there is so much news about harassment and conflicts between the in-laws? The parents and siblings find it difficult to see their son/brother being shared by a third person, called 'wife’.

Why there are so many break-ups? The partner is may not like to see his/her loved ones talking freely or befriending to others.

Why friends are not in touch forever? Because when new people start coming in life, they tend to become possessive and start thinking that new people are entering due to lack of proper bonding. However, that may not even be the reason.

Trust me, possessiveness has the capability to ruin any relationship. It erupts when you are unsure about your love and suspect others. Understanding the loved ones and being secure in a relationship is the key to slaughter the devil called possessiveness. Come on it has the tendency to hurt others. When the loved ones is hurt beyond the limit, they start walking away. One day, they would be too far away to reach out.

Possessiveness is not the solution to hold back your love. It is not the means to seek their attention. Instead, it is true love, understanding and caring that is superior. Also, shoo off insecurity. Then, nothing in this World can conspire to take away your love from you.

Just understand…

Someone is with you because they love you.

Suspicion would hurt them.

They would start doubting if they are good enough for you.

They feel upset seeing you disheartened and dejected.

They try to make you understand.

They try to ward off your insecurities.

But, if they realize that there actions are only hurting you further, they start walking away slowly.

Please don’t let that happen.

Let love conquer.

Not jealousy and possessiveness.

Enjoy love!!

Stay spellbound by the magic cast by it!

♥♥♥Dear Valentine♥♥♥

Sitting beside a window sill

With my gentle hands on my chin

And my doe eyes closed

I am trying to envision my Prince.

 

My heart beats are racing

When would you sweep me off my feet?

When would you look deep into my eyes?

When would I hear your heart-beats?

 

Are you like the scintillating orange sun?

Or like the glowing full moon?

Are you like the enigmatic cool breeze?

Or like the mighty waves of the ocean?

 

They say, Love is in the air

May be, that’s why I could feel you and not see you

Do you miss me?

Would you turn up at all?

 

Come on sunlight…

Paint rainbow for me

Soak me in your yellow rays

Sun bathe me

 

Dear moonlight…

Throw light into my gloomy life

Enchant me with phantasmagoric dreams

Envelop me with your warmth

Alas! Where are you?

Have I seen you?

Do you know me?

Would our love live for an eternity?

 

My eyes are longing to see you

My ears are desperate to hear you

My heart is calling out for you

My thoughts are enchained to you

 

Oh dear Valentine…

Come panting to me

Cast your magic and leave me spellbound

A Cinderella is awaiting her Prince-Charming

 

Oh dear Valentine…

Wherever you are

This Cinderella wants to say

I LOVE YOU

 

Regardless of your love for me

Unmindful of your reluctance

Despite the geographical separations

After all, you are the Emperor of my heart!

♥♥♥HAPPY VALENTINES DAY♥♥♥