My constant friend

Quite unexpected things happen over in blogworld. You come across people. Read their views. They read yours. You get a feeling of how the person might be, just by the way he writes (although this might not hold true for many ppl) Well, through such an experience, I came across Thanu The one person who is a "Constant friend" Today, is this wonderful girl's Birthday! We all have friends with whom we fight, we argue and then we patch up. Me and Thanu have been friends for as long as 7 months. And during these 7 months, I do not recollect having said "Sorry" to her for any reason. Despite talking to her every waking day of my life ( except weekends, when I let her be with her hubby):P She is one person who really is marvellous. Although, I have never met her, she still is someone with whom I can totally relate to. We know our usual routine. In those 7 minutes that she takes to reach home from work, we catch up on day to day events. Idealistic, organized and humble are the traits one can associate her with. In fact, as we all know, she comes alive through her blogs. Explains simple facts in less verbose way. Usually talks about childhood memories;) And one who is never found cribbing about life. Thats what I adore in her. And no wonder, we all want to have such a friend in our lives. Just like how Sayesha puts it "We can never have too many friends" and like how I say "Thats why hold on to the few whom you have" So here as she wakes up "I wish her a very happy birthday' and well, indeed she would remain my "constant friend"

Dus afsane

I have been tagged by Thanu to list 10 different things I miss. 1. The two stars far far away from me 2. My sister's scolding: Yep..I would hate it earlier, when Tai used to scream at me for every indisciplined act of mine. Be it leaving books anywhere in the house except for where they belong (that is..in the shelf). Or when she ironed all my clothes for one week and kept them neatly in the cupboard and the bashing that I got after I would stain them with tea or daal. As suggested by this card that she gave me when I was in 6th standard.Which says "Happy Birthday from Lady Hitler whom you better know as your sister" Now my sister is more of a friend than a sister and now I realize that i miss someone screaming at me. Like they say "Siblings are the best links to your past" 3. My School: Lourdes High School, Kalyan A place that I owe everything to. Best grades, best friends, best dhamaal. Where the guys teased me "Teacher's pet is that you?yes yes yes" I miss being a teacher's pet:( 4. Public Transport: I have travelled by every possible route in Bombay (except for boats).:P Rickshaw, dukkar gadi, empty trains, tongas,over crowded trains, buses, taxis! Although hectic, it never seemed overwhelming. I hate being dependant on 'your owned vehicle" 5. Aslesha: My dearest friend with whom I had the opportunity to travel on Scooty:)) One with whom I can simply say any crap without being guilty. One who used to come home every day just to have a "masala chai" made by me. With whom, I used to hang out at "Chaat cafe" in Kalyan. When one day, she wrote me this " Tere ko pata hai kya main chaatcafe gayi hi nahi hoon tere jane ke baad". Its been more than 3 years, the babe has not stepped into that place which was our favourite hangout. 6. Terrace: I miss living in a building that had a terrace. Wonderful memories associated with that particular part of the building. Playing until late at nights, being scowled at for leaning across, or disturbing the papads that were left to dry, throwing baloons during holi, or spending the better part of teenage years with Priyu discussing our "crushes" which used to get "crushed" 7. Sunday afternoon naps: The erstwhile "Kumbhakaran" is now a confirmed insomniac. 8. Being easygoing: True. The once laidback typical "Cancerian" now worries about everything. Like how my friends put it "I look for trouble, where none exist". 9. Nimboo ka juice: I remember the times in college, when we came home in scorching sun. The 2 Rs..limboo juice was the thirst-quencher. 10. Being truly contented: There was a time, when I really was contented. When I was happy to be a second rank holder, was more than satisfied to get a first class in university exams. To work hard during the semester and get a comfortable summer vacation. Those indeed were the best days of my life! I miss a lot of things that cant be expressed here. I tag: Vikram:- who is now getting these urges to quit blogging Bag of Peas: An awesome writer and a new blogger Vi: Havent tagged her in long Nitin: Long time havent tagged him Shreyas: A new blogger as well

The High-Life

God gives us one life. Few dull moments but too many moments to rejoice! Ordinary yet priceless moments. Here I am listing few of the things that give me a "high" An email such as this, from a dear friend only to bring a chuckle to your face! A hand written letter via snail mail. They indeed have become a rarity thats why even more priceless! An SMS that beeps in the middle of night screaming "I miss you" Enjoying those times with friends with whom you can goof around. Act like a child and be yourself! A warm cup of freshly brewed coffee. Aromatic. Strong and full of zest! Enjoying a great conversation with older and experienced people. They always have something that will open up the cracks in mind. A heartfelt prayer that gets answered, Making you beleive in prayers! A simple and warm home cooked meal after a tiring day! Nothing beats this satisfaction! The Rainbow: The sun is radiant, Rain is refreshing but isn't it beautiful to witness the rainbow? To watch a sleeping child: Ever wonder what they think of?? I can spend hours just watching a tiny baby lost in the land of nod! A warm Hug:) To bask in the glory of nature. Palm trees on a beach! Fowers in full bloom: For me, more than the roses its the yellow sunflowers that are refreshing to the soul! With all this beautiful things, how can life ever suck?? These are my highs! Got anything to add??:)

Day after sunset

Ain't I predictable?? And rightly so my friends predicted that my hiatus wont last long. Situations tend to pull you down but hopefully dont they don't keep you down. I even tried penning my thoughts on some another account. But that site was given a step mother treatment by me. It just did not seem the same. So here I am! The sun just set for couple of days. As evident from the picture below, the sun is shining bright!!! Spring is here!!!! I took this pic while driving on this favourite lane of mine here!!! I thought, where else will I post these except for my blog!!!!! Its like the whole world is moving and some things are just stationery. Quiet and unruffled. Except for the ocassional breeze in which the leaves sway! I dont know what I wish to convey through these lines, but the meaning is probably evident only to the one is is penning it down:-) Maybe, the return is coz of my many "offline" friends whom I have got to know so well beyond the bloggers. Nitin, Sudeep, Sayesha, Thanu, Vikram & Virdi..who asked me a million questions as to why I stopped blogging and even for them, I had no answer. Aria, Vi and Jeenu:- My Oldest pals on the web. Freakshow:-The only person whom I know personally and one who has been there for as long as I have known blogging. Apy:- For that nice lovely email which I have not answered to:( Sorry about that!!! The baccha party: The Girl, Neha,Rohit Gangadhar:-who said //Friends that are sincere and have been kind to me since I entered the blogging world through her orifice!! // True:-) Archana:- A new entrant. //I tried out your rasam recipe (from your comment on Thanu's blog) and it was a big hit with my friends :-)! // Well, what can I say. Thanks for that! Thats precisely what I feel. Someone somewhere gets benefited for what little thing you do and someone somewhere appreciates something that you do! Shreyas: //from what I have known u.. u seem quite stubborn abt ur decisions// Not quite. In fact I consider myself to be quite pliable:-) So here I am ready to blossom again:P RP, Kini:- Hahahaa..kya senti maara hai:P:P Lastly, my oldest and closest real life pal Harshal. The dude has abandoned his blog a year back :X He made a casual remark yesterday, "Well, I have known you for so long, that even if I dont want to know you, I know you" Who probably has seen the best and the worst in me and when he said yesterday that "Blogging did good to you", I buy it!! Maybe, on a subconsious level, I have become a better person:) And for many others who like reading my page:)

Sunset at Starsandsun

I had started with a cause. The cause of writing something other than emails and science. A place where my thoughts rule (Sorry Ujwal using your blog title here) Started reading a few blogs on Sulekha in March of 2005. Follwed by a only-for-my-eyes blog on Livejournal and culminating into bloggers. March of 2006. I think I have seen it all. Came across a lot of really really really good people. It has been fun. Starting from 2-3 visitors to hitting a maximum of 72 visitors. And I wanted some more. Finally on second thoughts, I think I am not comfortable with so much of attention and I prefer anonymity. Somewhere, along the course I lost my way and the focus After a lot of debating I have come to a conclusion that, I have known a lot of myself through 145 posts of mine. So, with this I disappear into the backstage as the drama has come to an end:) Its really hard to break away from this, I know..but then attachment indeed is a cause of concern. Maybe it is one of those moods of mine, but as of now, I dont forsee making a comeback. For that, I probably need to be in avery very very good mood or in a very very very bad mood. For those of all, who are looking for me, know where to find me! Love you guys and am sorry if knowingly or unknowingly, I have hurt you. The least you can do is to forgive..... Like my dear friend Sudeep said in a forward today, 'Every night someone thinks about you before they go to sleep" [That includes giving nightmares as well..Hahahaha.]poor joke, I know... But, I hope I bought smiles across some faces:-) and you remember me for that! After all its just a blog.....

Of having contacts and feeling disconnected

I was returning home last at night 1:30 It was an empty road with only two cars. Mine and that of my friends. Who was only driving ahead of me to take me to an intersection from where she was to continue on her way further. At this time, the song from Green day "I walk an empty street" was just ringing in my head. I walk a lonely road The only one that I have ever known Don't know where it goes But it's home to me and I walk alone It was a long drive from my home and just like always i flipped my phone and glanced through my "Recent calls history" to dial-a-friend. And let me take you through my current bizarre state of mind. These days I have started filtering my calls. I answer the phone only when I want to and if I want to. India calls do not fall into this "filter" Sometimes, I don't return calls for days. No, I am not acting pricey but its just that I dont think I have that motivation to talk to friends with whom I would rather not talk to at that time. And, thankfully my friends are supportive of that whimisical mood of mine, hoping that it would not last too long:) In my phone, I have a total of 110 'contacts" including the; 'Miscellaneous" people whom you call upon to 'fix' your problems..such as the landlord, insurance company, the AAA or the DVD rental place or your travel agent! And then there are some whom you hear from once in 6 months or so. Some who aren't really your friends and who call on you ONLY when they need a ride to the nearby grocery store. Man! be selfish, but atleast be diplomatic about it;) Some who the moment they call, you hit the "END"button of your cell phone, mainly because you need to be in a certain mood to talk to them, or maybe theyr touch that wrong nerve (though, in my case there are hardly anyone with whom I am tempted to behave in this manner) Then there are some whose numbers are imprinted in your memory in this manner, that you don't really need to save their number in your phonebook And then there are your "Speed dial"friends. I have only 6 very close friends who are on my speed dial And then there are some with whom you end up just "hmmming"most of the times. I don't know why, but conversations just dont' go anywhere beyond hmming in such cases Some (read Indian) whom you happen to meet at the grocery store. End up conversing and ultimately exchanging phone numbers. But later, you never end up calling and they never do either. It has happened with me once, when I met someone named "Pooja" at Wal-Mart and unfortunately I stored her name as just Pooja only to realize that I have 6 other friends named Pooja, adding to my confusion. Espeically, coz I dont remember phone numbers. And then there are some who don't even get to your 'list of contacts'. Don't ask me why. I am generally very frugal when it comes to storing numbers and avoid cluttering my phonebook;) Coz once in the phonebook, its hard to erase the contact And those people who are in the Recent call history are the ones with whom I can talk to at any point of time. And generally, these days..its only them that I talk to and can talk for hours And some with whom conversations seem to continue forever and you are still left wondering, whether it would last forever......... [Don't you sometimes think, that this tiny piece of gadget is indeed your lifeline??]

A star close to the earth

Today, had been to this place I had never been to in Downtown. A few of us..the excutive committee members had an informal meeting with none other than the vice president of a multinational drug company! It was an amazing experience. At a time when it is hard to sit through an hour class of Statistics, we were wondering how it will be to spend time with one big shot! At the end of it, we looked at our watches to find that it was dinner that lasted for 3 straight hours. Filled with sharing experiences, smiling, laughing, eating and them drinking beer. Incl him there were three guys and I being the only girl. First, when we reached the restaurant, I was totally surprised to see him clad in jeans. Secondly, when we reached inside..he amongst the other three guys was the one who pulled the chair out for the girl! Believe me, the guys were equally surprised at this. No matter the age, chivalrousness is a quality in a guy thats sexy! Later, he started asking us,how many years we had for our graduation. To which he said "Do not rush through it". Being graduate student is good! I said "The grass is greener on the other side" Later, I quipped "So whats good about being a student" He said "Your dress! You can wear jeans. You can work wearign shorts.Thats good thing! I hate wearing that damn suit and working in the lab(when it is required)." He also said that just to make fun of that formal attire, he wore totally non sensical Tie's that had Santa claus, a cat, Jingle bell etc on his tie!!! Believe me you blush a million times, when a big shot such as him gives you a compliment that your smile can light up an entire room! I remember Nandya giving me this compliment a long time back!! We decided to order some drinks and he and the other guys chilled out over a pitcher. While me, the fool decided to try Irish coffee..not knowing what it was but still had heard a long time back from a friend that "Irish coffee, contains some coffeee, some whipped cream, some cinnamom, and some alcohol that gets evaporated after you flame them" I ordered it. The whipped cream made it even more tempting. The first sip and I went "Whack..thu"..like actually! Still, I continued sipping through the damn thing just coz it would have been rude to not drink it. I added 5 packets of sugar to it. Still the damn thing was bitter. He saw it and said "Dont you like it?" I pretended to say that I liked it just that it was bitter. He said "It is Irish coffee, alcohol and coffee.What do you expect" I was like "Whoppsssssssss!! I narrated my view of an Irish coffee. They smiled and said "Irish coffee has alcohol in it and it does not evaporate and it stays" I finally stopped sipping it and ordered a pepsi!! After ordering appetizers, I already felt full and decided to skip the main course and ordered the dessert which was "Warm Caramel Bread Pudding" It was yummiee and he said so too!! Before starting to eat, I just said "Would you like to dig in"? of course, I did not expect him to say yes but just coz he said it looked good, I asked it out of curiosity. He said no. The dinner was over and we were casually chatting. He mentioned that he weighed 250 lbs as a high school kid and lost 70 lbs later. But it does not show on his body coz he exercises everyday. Believe me he looked handsome! Totally amazing was when he mentioned his writing skills sucked. We thought he was just being candid but then he totally blew us off when he said"Now, I want to try that dessert of yours" :O :O I said "I am sure you are kidding again. I have eaten from it" He said "So what. We all breathe the same air" Never in my life has someone had that piece of dessert from my plate. I have always cut the slice into two and then eaten it. Thats what I call "feet being firmly ground" How many times, have you found someone sharing a piece of morsel from your plate? Although I have done it often times with my friends, but never with a person of his caliber" I could not control from saying that "Your modesty speaks for itself" To which, he said something that would echo on my mind forever "When you are there at the top, you need to be modest, coz its really lonely up there" "You need friends from different backgrounds, different nationalities, you got to remain friends with your high school friends. You need to establish network without severing of ties from the past" This one evening made me reflect on so many things. That made me change so many of my perceptions. And I wished I would have known a lot more about that person! In the end "Its not the altitude, its the attitude that maketh man"