Petals of my life....

Mumbai nagariya......

2006-05-12T12:55:00.001+10:00

For all you lovely people who have patiently borne my crazy ramblings, especially the extremely prolonged weddings post series thats been goin on for the last few months.... here today, finally I bring you the final post. *phew!*

A quick recap for those who may/may not have had a chance to read the previous posts -
> Where our love story began....
"He's a kid - better leave him alone"...
"Look after 'My' Nupur".....
"We are too different, it will never work"....
> The desi wedding.....and Punjab darshan.
"Bhabhi, tussi ghar chheti chheti aao naa"...
"Mae inna makkhan aaj tak kade vi nahi khaaya"...
"Urgh!! That was so disgusting"....
> No place like 'home'....
"Arrival of a Bollywood star"....
"Even Mom was jealous"....
"we skipped the whole crying episode"....

Last post - "Little did I know that the change of water 3 times in 24 hrs (Kanpur + Delhi + Mumbai) was going to make me really really sick......."

Then -
Flying over Mumbai is an experience in itself!! The crowded metropolis and the crazy life that its inhabitants lead is a realisation that hits hard even at hunderds of metres up in the air. The hustling bustling streets and the honking horns tell you that no one has a single moment to waste...as there is so much to be achieved and time is running out....!

As soon as I stepped out of the plane, I was greeted by a strong gust of hot and humid air. Ah, Mumbai indeed!! Having never stepped foot in the Bollywood city ever in my life, this humidity in Feb was totally new to me. I nervously moved to the baggage lounge huddled by hubby dear as people hurriedly brushed past us.

As two of the four baggage carousels didnt seem to be running, there were crowds around the others. I waited with our hand luggage a bit away as M waited for our stuff to come through.

While waiting I see a very pretty girl with a baby sleeping in her arms walking towards me, but looking down at my hands/my hand bag. I kept looking at her and she kept looking at my hands. Don't know if she was looking at my Mehandi clad hands, or my Choora or my Chanel hand bag *:P* but we just kept looking as she came closer. Then she must have realised that I was looking at her as she was too, and she looked up - eyes met - and it was Karishma Kapoor with her baby daughter!! :) She lowered her eyes and walked past, to the end of the carousel and then later went past with her stuff again while I was still waiting - smiling slightly this time. *There, you go! my 5 seconds claim to fame!*

Met with M's Uncle out of the airport and we packed our stuff in his car and drove off to his place 2 hours out of the city! It was a long, hot and humid journey as the A/C of the car seemed to do no good against the agonising heat.

After 3.5 hrs of battling with peak hour traffic at various townships, we finally reached M's Bua's place. She waited for us with the very Mumbaiya, 'Wada Pao' for us to have!!! :D M absolutely loves wada pao...and was in cloud 9 when he saw it. I am sure, it must have tasted nice.... only trouble was a major cold had caught my throat and I couldn't smell/taste anything!!

Next day, I got a call from RA, one of my girl friend's in Banglore who was flying into Mumbai to catchup with me. It was fantastic to see her at last after 5 long years. And she hadn't changed a bit. The same skinny bubbly self.... talking about so many things, asking so many questions all at the same time!!
That night M was to be exiled out of our bedroom but she insisted he stayed and we chatted away into the night, giggling and laughing and hubby dear tried to catchup with what exactly we were talking about!

Next day, 26th Feb was a sunday, and NT, the other best friend of mine came to Mumbai from Pune. She silently stared at me all morning, looking at me up and down - making short observations like - "You've become fat!" "Your nails are very long!" "They look dirty!" "You seem tired." "M seems nice." and many more....

All of us went on a huge Mumbai Darshan tour.... going to the India gate, Hanging Garden, the Munna bhai stony beach *sorry cant remember its name*, the zoo among other places.... it was steaming hot and my nose wouldn't stop running. I almost fainted twice at the zoo, till finally everyone agreed that roaming around in the heat with me so sick was a bad idea.

So we drove back hame, and as I showered at 5 in the evening, I remembered - "It was M's b'day today!" And in all the excitement of my friend's coming over, I had totally forgotten to even wish him!!! He was very sweet about it, said, "Shukar hai tumhe yaad raha! Koi nahi ab to shaadi ho gayi hai naa...." :P

I felt so bad and so guilty as the past 5 years I had always done something special for him, and religiously wished him at midnight with a cake and all!!! This year, I almost forget his b'day and I didn't have a cake....not even a pastry! :( I felt so horrible!!
Later I simply blamed it all on the fact that I was in a strange city totally out of the loop - how could I have possibly arranged anything!

Anyways.... once the bday blunder was done and dusted, we prepared for 2 days of major shopping! I was about to start on a new job here in Melbourne and hence needed a major revamp to my wardrobe. 2 days we hunted and hunted every mall we drove past looking for ladies business suits - but nothing! I had thought with all the MNC's in India, the corporate wardrobe of ladies in India must have grown as well, but - nada!

Finally when all hope was lost, we drove past this relatively new mall called "Pheonix" or something similar - where one of the departmental stores had only 1 brand that had only 4 styles/colors of ladies business suits on display! Mumbai had finally redeemed itself!! I had two colours of the four that were available, so I tried the other two and bought them immediately.

Packing my whole wedding trousseau was a major task as we were definately going over weight with the luggage and were running out of things that I was prepared to leave behind! I had already left our 19kg wedding album back in Kanpur and was not prepared to part with anything else. After much haggling and getting all the packing ideas from M's Uncle in to action, we were done.

We were lucky that the lady who checked our stuff in at the airport was nice as well. When she saw on the weight-reader that we had already gone almost 12kgs over weight, she was worried for a sec, and asked, "Do you have more?" and I gave her my sweetest smile possible and said, "Only my wedding dress!" (which was in a seperate little case by itself) - not counting our hand luggage which was *ahem* lets just say - a 'little' over the allowed weight limit and thankfully she didnt ask for it to be weighed. She smiled, winked and nodded at us to take the wedding dress with the hand luggage!

The flight back was long..... but exciting as I was coming to Australia after officially becoming Mrs. M!

And since the return, have caught up with all my friends here and shared the stories and some of the snaps that we luckily had with us. Work has been crazy to say the least. And its well, I wont say that I'm busy as I have merely started, but its a lot of pressure being new and all. There's heaps of training and just trying hard to prove your worth to a bunch of new people!

But I am enjoying it nonetheless!

Finally, I ask you today for a 'official' blog-break as compared to the unofficial that I have been on these past weeks. Thank you all for you continued love and your sweet wishes and lovely comments and your emails!!! You guys are absolute champs!!! I hope to return soon, once I have found some stability at work and the new life. It may be weeks or may be months...or may just be days.

But obviously I'll be dropping by your blogs every so often, and meeting up on orkut or YM. So......till then..... take care! Good Bless!

Ciao!!! =)

Khusbhoo....

2006-04-08T19:21:00.001+10:00

....mere ghar ki - mere shehar ki......

Isn't it true to no matter where you go, and however long you go for - the smell of 'home' is always special and unique. No other place in the world can be like it - no one place feels like it - no other place can ever be 'home'!! =)

We took the express train from Ludhiana to Kanpur. Hoping to catch some sleep on the way, as it had been a hectic time - the wedding and then so many places that we visited after that! But that was not meant to be. While my brother-in-laws were busy putting away our luggage on the top berth, I had to wake up the two girls who were sleeping on the bottom berth - so that M and I could sit. And as we settled in our seats facing the two girls it dawned on me that they were both my school mates - one my senior and one my junior. What a small world..!! And once we got chatting, M and I continued till we got off at the Kanpur station!

It was a fantastic scene. 4 cars full of people to recieve the two of us!! =) Bouquets and garlands. Someone would have mistaken it for the arrival of a Bollywood star. ;)

The sweetest bit was that NA - one of the group of 5 best friends that we were at school, had come to the station to recieve me at 1am!!! I was soo happy to see her and ofcourse all my cousins - specially those who hadnt been able to make it to Punjab and hence were meeting M for the very first time.

I can say one thing - right from that moment till we left Kanpur - I think the only time I got time with my husband was when we'd finally retire to our room at some crazy hour of the night after my family/cousins would be sick of seeing us yawn - as we'd usually start at around 8-9pm (being past midnight down under!!) ----- And that was solely because I was in "my" hometown and I was "totally out of control" as hubby dear would say. ;)
And why not - I would retort! I mean.... this is my city - my house - my room!!! LOL!

*I must admit though - that I did kinda ignore M those three fabulous days. But I didnt think he minded a bit, as he was surrounded by his 'sis-in-laws' all the time. If it wasn't my cousins, it was my friends - NA and VD. And I took as much time as I could to spend with my Naani and all other cousins and the huge bunch of Mamas and Masis that I have!!*
*Even Mom was jealous!:P*

One tip for all overseas Desis - when visiting home after a long stint - Try and have a big function/celebration at your place or *better for the pocket* get home during someone's wedding (even your own! like me!! ;) ) or holidays when the majority of your "Khaandaan" is there in one spot.
==> This saves a LOT of time! You get through all your relies in one big blow and then you have time for the special ones and best mates etc.

The "Kirtan & Dinner" that Mom organised was great. I was kinda doubtful about how M would get through it as it was his first live Kirtan (with Krishna ji and all the old crowd going wild and dancing etc. - I know I know....I freak out about silliest of things!) - but he loved it!! =) So that was a + !

The three days were gone in no time as we entered the final leg of our trip.

Brother was returning to Melbourne early because of his uni, so Mom n Dad and the three of us left for Delhi. Then the same day M and I flew from Delhi to Mumbai - the final destination on Circuit India!
We were so silly that after checking out baggage in at Delhi airport - we forgot to go back to the Visitor's lounge to say Bye to Mummy and Papa. Poor Mum and Papa waited and waited.... and we just flew to Mumbai.... *It was a blessing in disguise I guess - Mummy and I skipped the whole crying episode!*

Being my first trip to Mumbai - I was bubbling with excitement!! "The Bollywood city" And the final two girl friends of mine RA and NT (yes her name is the same as me!) were coming from Banglore and Pune respectively to catchup with me! :)

Little did I know that the change of water 3 times in 24 hrs (Kanpur + Delhi + Mumbai) was going to make me really really sick.......

Yeh jo des hai mera.....

2006-03-19T19:37:00.002+11:00

....swades hai mera....

With fluttering hearts and rhythm in our steps, we reached the Melbourne International Airport. Out of the six bags that we were carrying, five were M's!! *yes I know its hard to believe that my luggage was so less but* It was his first trip back home after he came to Australia in Nov 99. And since then tickets would be booked every year, gifts shopped for and then when the time came closer, something or the other would come up and his trip would be cancelled. But *obviously* not this time. =)

There were plenty of flowers and tears at the airport. My parents were surprised that the slim son-in-law that they had expected had arrived with bulging biceps and triceps. And my In-laws were expecting the chubby cheek girl they had seen in the photographs and found a slightly slender girl instead. *no chance of pulling my cheeks now...hehehe!*

The week after in Delhi came and went..... I just remember shop after shop and salesman after salesman.... I was like a little girl in a candyshop when I entered the gorgeous ladies designer stores. I loved every sari they showed me. And later choosing the lehanga took forever....!! Mummy got so sick and tired of the salesmen who were singing praises of pieces that didn't look that good at all that at one point she told him to shut up and let us make our own minds - just in not exactly that many words!

The good thing that I felt in this trip this time was that I didnt get pushed or shoved or rubbed against in Karol bagh like I remember from my previous trips years ago. There was a tape playing on loudspeakers all day about Delhi Police and how girls should not tolerate eve-teasing and inform the authorities if they felt that a guy was misbehaving. Thankfully I didnt have to bear a single sleazy brush from any guy that whole week. It may sound like a silly thing to mention here in this post - but it does make a huge difference to one's whole experience.

Anyways, returning back to the wedding preps. We reached Ludhiana on the 7th - 5 days before the wedding day. Thankfully one of Papa's close friend's lives there and we stayed at his place and his lovely wife helped us with all the remaining shopping. What a relief to have a local show you around and guide you and to do all the haggling for bargains! *what a girl wont do for a bargain!!*

My three brother-in-laws are so cute. It was so funny to see them, how they looked at me from top to bottom - everytime we met. A strange expression of awe in their eyes. They are all in their late teens and thought it was amazing that someone from so far off could have so much in common with them. I laughed at every joke, endorsed every prank, cheered every antic.... it was amazing and I had a great time...never a dull moment with those boys. They religiously came to see me everyday at Uncle's place and would pull me aside to say, "Bhabhi, tussi ghar chheti chheti aao naa. Hor jaldi nahi aa sakde tussi?" (Bhabhi, please hurry up and come home. Cant you hurry things a bit more?) :)

As tradition would have it - the bride and the groom aren't allowed to see each other before the wedding....for about a week atleast. But we had to cut it short to two days as a week was just out of question. So when we finally locked eyes as I walked to the stage on the evening of our ring ceremony - sparks flew! :) It was so strange.... as if I was seeing him for the first time. He just stared, with a small smile dancing on his lips. And when I went up and sat next to him, he just whispered, "Stunning!"

The only thing I remember of those two and a half days that constituted my wedding was -- the Beauty Parlour!! I spent probably more than half of the two days in there... getting all sorts of treatments and makeup done to my hair and myself. But the pictures came good - so I'm not complaining. =)

Then the next day was gone smiling shyly at all his relative's that had come to see the new "Nu"! I was trying my utmost to remember every name and every relation... because after the initial intros at the wedding reception - they were actually asking me, "Haanji, saanu pehchaana?" :] (Do you recongise me?) "Sada naa ki aa?" (What is my name?) -- how silly of me, how could I forget to keep a taperecorder or something to record their names. So disorganised!

==========================================

Gurdwara Saahib (Golden Temple at Amritsar) was amazing! It was everything it is showed to be in the paintings and the pictures and so much more. I hadn't seen Rang de Basanti before visiting the Golden Temple or I'm sure I would have been singing the Ik Omkar in my head that day......

Traditionally the newly weds have to bathe in the lake and then visit the Gurudwara together. And so I was escorted to the ladies bathing area to take the dip. To be honest, walking around bikini clad ladies on the beaches of Melbourne is not the same as the scene of the ladies bathing quarters in these temples and gurudwara kind of places. This is way waaaay more agonizing and awkward than anything else imaginable. And then the huge gold fish like creatures in the water...... I think I'll stop right here... you get the picture.

The next day after our return from Amritsar, we went to his 'pind' (village). It is about 2 hours drive from Ludhiana on the banks of Satluj and is the most beautiful place I saw in the trip. I had specially asked for the swaying fields of Sarso (mustard) - the gorgeously blooming yellow flowers dancing side to side in the cool wind. I had to get my DDLJ pictures.... and this was my chance!! =) I ran around like the Bollywood actors and pulled out fresh white radish from the fields, playing with the village kids. One girl in particular grew such a liking for me in that one afternoon - that she wouldn't let me go when we were leaving....
The lunch in his 'pind' was extremely tasty with all the fresh ingredients - cool lassi (buttermilk) and oodles of makkhan (butter) in everything! The bowl of daal that they gave me was half full of daal and half makkhan - and no matter how tempting it looked I had to say - "No thanks! Mae inna makkhan aaj tak kade vi nahi khaaya" (I have never eaten so much butter in my life) and I pushed it towards M and he ate it with extreme delight.

The next evening we visited the much acclaimed 'Haveli' restuarant in the outskirts of Jalandhar. The restuarant is setup in the midst of a mock-village. Full with a potter, a puppeteer, balloon men, tailor, jeweller and all sorts of arts and crafts and things one would expect to see in a typical Punjabi village. The camel ride around the village that I took with M was the best and funniest bit. My shrieks are recorded in the handycam as proof!

The last two days in Ludhiana were our 'Maintenance Days'. We went to the Dentist, the Optometrist and the Ear Doctor. He eyesight had impaired a bit spending all those hours in front of the monitor while I still enjoy a perfect vision! *touchwood!!*
The solution that the dentist used to scrub my teeth with was the most sickening, horrible tasting thing ever! And being my very first trip to the Dentist of my life, probably made it worse. When he was finished with it and allowed me to gargle I couldn't resist and exclaimed, "Urgh! That was so disgusting!!" And his sharp assistant retorted, "You dont brush you teeth properly naa thats why we had to do it for you!" *grrrrr!*

Finally.... the morning came when we were leaving for Kanpur. My hometown. My first visit since Jan 01 and M's first visit ever..........

Hum to hain pardes mein......

2006-03-11T13:15:00.001+11:00

.........mere des mein nikla hoga chaand.

As I finally find my feet in this new life...... with a new life partner and a completely new take on life - I struggle to find the words. The thoughts are clamouring to be poured out... but everytime I find a few minutes to come here and attempt to type something up, I am faced with a strange *blank*.

I don't know where to begin.... how to begin..... to document this strange transition =>

- from bare hands to those scrawled with henna

- from empty wrists to those brimming with bangles red and white - the bridal 'churaa'

- from a barren forehead to one marked with the deep red of the sindoor and the glistening bindi

- from vacant toes to those circled with toerings

- from a younger daughter to the eldest daughter-in-law

- from 'Didi' and 'Beta' to 'Bhabhi' and 'Nu'(Bahu)

- from being my parents 'little Princess' to *his* 'Queen'

- from ......
.......being so much to being so much more!!!

If I started today from where it all started, from where 'we' started, then we all are going to be sitting here for a long long time. As my dear mates and girlfriends know already how I love to tell each and every story without omitting the smallest of details....... so lets just do a quick recap.....

This story starts when I had just celebrated my 18th birthday in Nov and was the *bholi-bhaali* kudi like Juhi in QSQT. =)

Nov/early Dec 00 => Me visits A's *friend* home as A is helping Me and my sister to shop for gifts for the first trip back to India. A mentions a family friend "M" who is a 'young 16 year old who works almost every night and goes to uni in the day'.

Dec 00 => Me meets M at A's party. M is shy, just plays romantic Boyzone songs on the music system all evening. Me thinks, "He's a kid - probably just intimidated by me - better leave him alone".

mid Dec 00 => Me meets M at A's again. Chats. Compliments M for being such a hardworking 16 year old. M is shocked!! He claims to be 18, becoming 19 in 2 months. OK. Continue chat. M interrupts, he insists that he'll show his passport next time as proof. OK. Continue chat. M interrupts again, still cant believe that Me had thought he was 16. OK. Continue chat. M interrupts yet again, he will definitely get his passport next time to show Me. OK - FINE. Me thinks, "What the....." *rolls her eyes*.

end Dec 00 => M helps A, sister and Me during shopping. He carries bags as the girls shop frantically during the Christmas/New Year Sale. All this time - he only gets a Nike cap with the "N" and Me foolishly exclaims, "Thats like 'N' in Nupur" and M smiles and nods knowingly! Me blushes and walks away.

early Jan 01 => Sister and Me fly to India. Sister gave A and M a contact no. for India just incase.

mid Jan 01 => My friends come home to see her and giggle and catchup with all the goss that everyone has missed in the past months. M calls. Sister gives phone to Me and Me in her naïveté give the phone to one of her girl friends - who just giggles on the phone. M says to them, "Look after *my* Nupur". They giggle some more. Me has no idea why they are laughing!!

12 Feb 01 => Sister and Me return to Aus. Me smses M from Sydney that she's coming. M comes with G *friend* to pick Sister and Me at the Melbourne Airport. On the drive home M confesses to Me in a whisper that he missed her terribly. Me smiles and looks away.

13 Feb 01 evening => Sister and Me unpacking. Me in her room, with handsfree - talking to M. Talking about anything and everything. Clock strikes midnight. M pops the question. Me replies, "I don't know". M says that he wont hang up or let Me go to sleep till he gets an answer. They talk some more. The question again, and topic change and the circle continues. Around 5.30am (free talk time ends at 6am) M cant take it anymore. M wants an answer - NOW. Sleepy Me whispers "Yes". M happily hangs up and lets her sleep - plans of the day ahead already swimming in his mind.

19 Feb 01 => Me is worried. She admits to M that they are culturally very different and they are very young and are just being naive and silly and it'll never work blah blah. M is heart broken and so is Me. They stop calling each other - day and night like they had been. Only Hi's and Hello's.

26 Feb 01 => M's birthday. He invites Sister and Me to his party. He greets Me with a heartbroken and gloomy face. They eye each other all evening. M takes Me to the beach behind his house and talks. He says it will all be okay - they will make things work - together.

end Feb 01 => Silent pact - M and Me will be *close* friends and will talk to their families once they are on their feet.

Jul 01 => Sister and Me move to a new place and Sister talks to M if he wants to be their housemate as he is looking for a place to stay as well. M is thrilled and agrees immediately. Sister and Me's parents in India, agree reluctantly only because they have spoken to M over a phone quite a few times and Sister claims that he is a great guy. M calls Me's Mom religiously once every fortnight, God knows what the two talk about!!!!

Aug 01 onwards => Happy times. Bad times. M and Me find each others queer and annoying habbits. Laughter. Fights.

Dec/Jan 03 => Me goes on a study exchange to Washington DC and then visits Canada and England on her way back to Australia. Meets some long lost family friends that her parents insist she meet to help/guide her around the *foreign* countries. An *Aunty* in Leeds, UK, with a 25yr old son, particularly likes Me. She introduces Me to all her relatives/friends etc.

Feb 03 => Call from Me's Mom in the middle of the night. The *Aunty* from Leeds is visiting India the following month and she had some very excited conversations with Me's parents. Me's Mom asks her if she likes Leeds!! Me tells M - he panics. He calls Me's Mom and tells her his intentions. She laughs - she knew!

April 03 => Sister and Me go to India for Sister's wedding. Me returns to Australia and moves in with a girlfriend from her uni and M with his mates. Phone bills skyrocket again. Hard times. Strange times. Laughter. Fights.

early Nov 04 => Me's Brother is about to come to Australia. Me and M are excited. They decide to move back together like before except this time its Brother instead of Sister.

Dec 04 => Brother comes to Australia. Happy times. Hard times.

Early 05 => M and Me's families in India finally meet. *Fingers Crossed*!! All goes well. Only confusion is - where will the wedding be? Kanpur? or Ludhiana?

May 05 => M's cousin comes to Australia. House is now packed to capacity. Happy times. Hard times.

Late 05 => Ludhiana is chosen as the venue for the wedding with a function later in Kanpur as well. Wedding preparations in full swing!

1 Feb 06 => M flies back to India for the first time after coming to Australia in Nov 99.........

(TO BE CONTD..)

Just for laughs....

2006-01-11T16:26:00.000+11:00

Its so crazy down here that I cant even begin to explain.....

So while I sort things out - here's a joke I found at work in the engineering department wall stuck by the only Indian/SriLankan guy in the department for the rest of the white fellas to see. Some may have read it elsewhere.... but its here today - just for laughs!

Dear white fella,
Couple of things you oughta know
Firstly, when I'm born, I'm black!!
When I grow up, I'm black
When I get sick, I'm black
When I go out in the sun, I'm black
When I'm cold, I'm black
And when I get scared,
Gee, I'm black
And When I die, I'm still black

But you white fella...
When you born, you pink
When you grow up, you white
When you get sick, you green
When you go out in the sun, you red
When you get cold, you go blue
When you get scared, you yellow
And when you die, you purple
And YOU got the cheek to call ME coloured??!!

waving madly!! I'M HERE!!

2006-01-04T16:58:00.000+11:00

The stupid lappy broke last week. :(
---> Hence havent been able to come online for a while and not had a chance to reply to comments or come around your blogs.

New boss at work.
---> Hence not much time at work to do anything else online - except work!

28 days to go till I fly home.
---> Hence shopping like a headless chook and packing like crazy lest I forget something! :P

................but I got a moment of peace this afternoon so writing here today and I am jumping on the blog-hop ride and visiting you every once in a while whenever I can - so you shall she me appear and dissappear in the coming days - But I'm here folks and will be updating as often as possible!!

Till then - Tell ME - What has the New Year brought for you till now?!

Popcorn and Coke!

2005-12-29T21:30:00.000+11:00

*Sigh*
A nice relaxing weekend - that got me going to the cinemas two days in a row to see the two most popular flicks on this Festive season.

First I saw "King Kong". The LOTR Director, Peter Jackson, really did it this time. Having only heard of King Kong movies but never read or seen any of the previous movies, I was quite excited when I heard positive reviews for it. Some reviewers even went all the way - saying that King Kong will eventually out do Titanic!
*ahem - I don't know about that...!*

With the highly acclaimed success of LOTR Trilogy behind him, Peter Jackson had gigantic expectaions to live up to. And I believe that he has definately done much good to his name and his reputation with King Kong. The animation, the sets, the costumes, the scenaries - the whole works was just too good. Clearly seemed like the work of someone who had paid much time and effort and paid attention to the smallest of details.

The 'beauty and the beast' theme underpinning the love/understanding between Ann, beautifully played by Naomi Watts, and Kong - really tugged at my heart.

I know...I know... I admit at being a sucker for romantic movies and a big cry-baby when it comes to emotional scenes. I mean... I can find myself crying for any thing from the scene where children are taken away from parents due to various circumstances all the way to loneliness and helplessness of lovers apart etc etc.
And I did have a tear in my eye - when I saw this movie.

I laughed at the silly antics of Naomi, I squirmed at the abundance of creatures and insects on Skull Island, I awwwwed at the peaceful scenes between the Kong and Naomi, I cried when Kong was captured and treated barbarously, I was fuming when Kong was being shot at by humans when the creature had been forced by humans to come to the city in the first place!

I said to myself, "How cruel can man be!"

All in all.... the story got me involved in more ways than one and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience! :D

"Two Thumbs up!" for Peter Jackson

********************************

Then the next day I carried my bucket of popcorn and a large tumbler of coke and went and saw the Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe.

I must admit that like many.... I was absorbed in by the animation and the special effects and the mystery that "What/Who is Narnia?"

Seeing a huge crowd of parents and children aged around 6 to 14 - 'He' said, "Should we go and swap the tickets? This is a little kids movie, lets get out of here!" But then.... we were there and so were the popcorns and we continued munching, waiting for the doors to open.

Having never really read this children's classic - I was in for a surprise. Oh! Well may be not...

Disney definately spent loads of money on the movie and worked hard to make their latest creation stand tall amongst the Harry Potter and LOTR kind of special effects abundant movies. And I reckon they did a fairly good job.

The acting by the kids in the cast Peter, Susan, Edmond and Lucy was specially commendable. Lucy, the youngest girl had beautiful expressions throughout the movie. The other three did an equally good job - but then being elder n all... one would have exprected more from them.

The talking animals were kinda funny but well done too. Aslan, the Lion King did especially well. Every hair in the fur looked real and very convincing indeed.

But like all kids stories - no matter how desperate and sorry the circumstances may be - everything always gets fixed and happy endings always come around the corner. And so was the case with Narnia.

Seeing the trailers so many times also sort of gave the story away - because some characters and scenes whose clips were shown in the trailers - and while watching the movie I knew what was about to happen or not happen.

I walked out of the theatre saying - I knew that was going to happen! :)

But it was good entertainment I guess. You can see it once.......

********************

The title Chronicles of Narnia reminded me of another movie that I saw quite a while ago - but I liked alot. That movie was the Chronicles of Riddick - the sequel of the sci-fi thriller Pitch Black with Vin Diesel.

If you are a sci-fi buff who understands and appreciates the vision of sci-fi movies/stories then if you get a chance then do watch Riddick if you havent already!

Thats all for this year folks!!!
:D

Have a fantastic NYE and see you all bright and fresh in 2006!!

Be Happy - Be Safe!

2005-12-23T13:36:00.000+11:00

Sending my warmest wishes to all my blog-mates and readers this Festive Weekend.

May the good Lord keep you happy and safe in his kind care and may you enjoy every moment with your loved ones and family (if not in person then in your thoughts!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Dear Naanaji,

2005-12-22T16:15:00.000+11:00

A devoted son,
A freedom fighter,
A supportive brother,
A wonderful husband,
A great father,
A strong businessman,
A sweet uncle,
An inspiring father-in-law,
A strict but (secretly soft-hearted and loving) grand father,
and much much more.

Dear Naanaji,

I have always known you to be 'the best'. As a kid I always looked up to you - literally and metaphorically becuase you always said and did what was right. Your hearty laugh and your boisterous snores always got me smiling! :)

Naani never liked when you disturbed her in 'her' kitchen - playing with pots and pans pretending to always know more than her when it came to cooking. The almost a foot and a half difference in height between you and her was made up for with all the love that you both had for each other...in the 60+ years of married life.

Mummy always loved her 'Babu' and I was for such a long time scared of you - till one day when playing you saw me roll myself into a tiny ball - so small that you could not believe! And you asked all the cousins if they could do the same. But when they could not - you smiled and declared that I was the most flexible little kid you had ever seen!
Years after that - on every summer vacation when I saw you I'd remember that evening and try to turn into the little ball again. :)

Oh Naanaji, I will miss you so much! Miss your presence, our funny conversations, the fun times during the summer vacations when all of us kids slept in your large room and we would giggle in the middle of the night when we'd hear your loud snores.

Naanji, I love you! I will look for you among the stars every night. We will look after Naani the very best way we know how. Please stay with her and us for ever.........

Your grand daughter,
Nupur

After struggling with cancer for many months, Naanji made his way to the heavens - days short of his eldest grandson's first death anniversary.

We always knew him to be a very strong-hearted man, but that blow was probably too strong for even someone as brave and strong a man like him!

God Bless.

Social...butter....fly!

2005-12-20T17:35:00.000+11:00

Of all the things that we do in life.... 'socialising' is something that takes considerable effort for some while it comes naturally to others. Makes me think sometimes... is it in the chromosomes? Or ...?? Why is one person very out going and sociable while the next is not?

Like....
Do you remember that girl in class who would just never shut up? She was always invited to every kids birthday party and every social outing at school.
Do you remember that guy in college who was everywhere? In canteen, in the labs, in the local pub, in the discos.
Do you remember that work mate who is present at every social outing from work? He organises most of the events and still finishes the report on time!
Or how about that girl friend of yours who has a crazy career and a very demanding husband, but still she organises the tea-party at her place first saturday of every month?!

Wonder how they do it? Why they do it? Are you ever jealous and wish it was you?
***************************************

I am aiming to be 55kg by the time I step on board the plane that's bound to India. And looking at this at the moment.... well.... I'm just a measly 5 kgs off the mark!

Don't you smirk!

Even though same girls at work have already been commenting that I have trimmed down from the chubby cheek girl - to a bony faced chick. But I dont know...... every time I look at myself in the mirror I still see FAT! :(

Good bye Butter (and your fatty mates!)
***********************************

43 Days and counting!

I wish I had wings.... really....
because I just cant wait to fly home!

And I know what 'some' particular mates out there are thinking - :P

*sigh*
Tick! Tock! Tick! Tock!

Who said time flies?! *grrrrrrr!!*

The odds are......

2005-12-07T15:31:00.000+11:00

....what are the odds of watching 3 relatively new movies in a week and not enjoying a single one of them?

All you antagonists will say - "Looking at the kind if crap that churning out of the mill.... *sigh*"

But tell me really.... where does one go on a weekend -
--> One who does not drink
--> One who does not have $$ to go on long drives
--> One who does not have $$ to eat out as often.
--> One who does not have $$.....

Wait a sec.

That one - is me and do I mean to imply that I go to see movies because I dont have enough moolahs for anything else?
NO - Thats not what I mean......

I mean.. its unfair to be cornered this way - to want to go see a movie becuase you want to forget about your worldly troubles and just go off to another place - but instead you get....!@#$!#$!#@$!!!!!!

I guess its too late to say that I'm in a ranty mood this arvo!! *Grrrrrrrrr!*

Anyways - to save my fingers and your eyes -
Read -->

Please don't bother watching
Maine Gandhi to nahi mara
The Brothers Grimm
Kyunki.....

<-- Thank You!

....unless you are really really desperate and have nothing better to do!

*I wonder what I'm going to do with the DVDs of the two Hindi ones among these........ *sigh in double asterix!* !!*

Some one please give me names of a couple of "DECENTLY GOOD" movies that are forthcoming - becuase really... this state of affairs is causing me much grief! :(

Try to say good bye.....

2005-12-05T15:56:00.000+11:00

"Sarah, I just completed my test! I think I'll get a High Distinction!!"
"Insha Allah!"

********

"I have an interview for my work experience year - lets see....."
"Insha Allah... you'll ace!"

********

"I got it! :)"
"Mubaarak ho!"

********

"I'm absolutely starving....."
"Come home, I'll make you some veg. biryani!"

*******

Thats my Sarah!
My best girl friend in Australia. I met almost 2 years after I came here. By that time, I had convinced myself that I was doomed to a company of boys becuase there were hardly any Desi girls doing IT. I was the only girl in the class..... and that was a boon and a curse at the same time.

Very troubled times those....
Then Sarah came from India and she's the sister of one of the guy's I knew at uni. We clicked instantly! And even though we weren't in the same uni or doing the same course... there was so much else that we did together!

*sigh* before this turns into one of those very very senti posts......
Sarah left for India yesterday. And I want to wish her well. I think her decision is very wise indeed.

There comes a point in life when you just want to "Stop" and take a breath. Because there is no point in going on and on just for the heck of it. And I see so many helpless unhappy people around me - who do just that. Every day that passes, they find themselves sinking deeper and deeper into the quicksands of life...... never able to escape..... never able to live the life that they want to live..... until its too late and there's just no looking back. The mortgage, the bills, the family, the job, the responsibilities just take over. They run your life and you cant do - no nuthing about it!

Even though she's studied in a field that's highly saught after. Then she even did her MBA. But it just wasn't what she expected. Thats why one day she made up her mind that life is just not the way she wants it to be and she's making her own way.

First I couldn't understand. Why would she leave a perfectly decent life.... an okay job and go out into the unknown! Why?!

We used to talk for hours over the phone or late into the night if either of us were bunking at the others place. So many times I'd give her advise about her problems and she'd give me for mine. And one thing I particularly remember saying to her often, "Sarah, you're right in the middle of it all. And its possible that you aren't seeing things the way I - as an outsider to your issue - see it! Sometimes you just have to move back.... as if walk up to a high hill and then look down at the whole situation from that high vantage point from where you can see it all and not miss anything."

Now, I understand that she's doing just that.

Because finding out exactly what you want is something that many of us never find. And its probably easier to cross things out of your list one at a time instead of just going on and on and on without knowing where you're headed......

*sigh*
I said it soooo many times in the last days together.....
"Sarah, jahaan rehna khush rehna......" (Sarah, be happy where ever you are....)
And she smiled.

I'll see her again.....soon.
And I wish that after her break... she may still decide to come back down under. *I know I'm selfish!*
That she may find her true love.... and he may keep her really happy.... and that they may find great career opportunities in Oz *yes, because I'm here naa...!*.
That she may see all, listen all and then tell herself that her life is actually in Australia... with her friends! *yes I'm saying it again and again and I'll keep saying it - so that if my one wish for the day is about to come true - let it be this one!!*

But if you find your life elsewhere..... I'll support you and send you my best wishes and hope for the very best for you always! I am and will always remain your friend and I will understand..........

Sarah - I love you and I'll miss you..... till we meet again!

Do you even know me?

2005-11-29T15:11:00.000+11:00

Where has our time for nurturing friendships gone?

Welcome to the Spring(4 Southern Hemis.)/Winter(4 Northern Hemis.) 2005 edition of Getting to know your Blogmates.

What you are supposed to do is copy this entire post and paste it onto a new post that you'll publish on your blog. Change all the answers so they apply to you, and drop a comment on the post of the person who tagged you. The theory is that you will learn a lot of little things about your blogmates, if you did not know them already.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 0745
2. Diamonds or pearls? (If ur a guy - what can u afford for 'her'!) Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Flight Plan
4. What is your favourite TV show? The Amazing Race/Survivor
5. What did you have for breakfast? One slice of toasted rye bread with butter
6. What is your middle name? :( none!
7. What is your favourite cuisine? Italian - vegetarian thanks!
8. What foods do you dislike? Things with 'too' much of strong stuff... that just turns me off!
9. What is your favourite crisp? --?! Are we talking about potato chips? I like Smiths - Sour cream and Onions.
10. What is your favourite CD at the moment? Chilled in the Sun (love Chilled out music anytime!)
11. What kind of car do you drive? Holden Vectra
12. Favourite sandwich? Wholemeal with one slice of tomato and cheese toasted and other slice with fresh guacamole.
13. What characteristic do you despise? Arrogance for no apparent reason.
14. Favourite items of clothing? Colorful Indian kurtas - all sorts!
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you? How about around the world?! ;)
16. What colour is your bathroom? White & Beige
17. Favourite brand of clothing? *phhrrr* I dont think I really have one!
18. Where would you retire to? A nice cosy house on the hills or near the sea.
19. Favourite time of the day? Evenings...
20.What was you most memorable Birthday you ever had? 22nd and 23rd!
21. Where were you born? (I cant remember the name!) Hospital, Kanpur, India
22. Favourite sport to watch? Figure skating and Gymnastics OR Cricket if India is playing!
23. Who do you least expect to send this back to you? *hmmmmmm.....*
24. Person you expect to send it back first? No idea.... its anyone's game!
25. What fabric detergent do you use? Spree - Why pay more! :P
26. Coke or Pepsi? In the days when I did drink it day/night - Coke
27. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Night
28. What is your shoe size? 8.5
29. Do you have any pets? No! :(
30. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with your family &
friends? I have just been offered a job in my dream company!! :D And I start next year when I return from my trip to India!!
31. What did you want to be when you were little? Doctor! *its a pity that I grew up to be one of those silly billies who hate the sight of blood!!*
32. What were you doing today? Fixing IT issues...
33. Name a movie you've seen recently that you're sure many have not and its worth watching. 21 gram and Crash (saw it last night!)

OK -- 33 easy peasy ones!
And I send it out to Aarathi, AmitL, Anubha, Anumita, Ashish, Ashtrix, ClickedElk, Colors, Cynic, DJ, Divya, Fundoo, Ganga, Gaurav, Hagrid, ITNL, Inci-vinci, Kaush, Khushee, LDude, Manu, Melody, Navjot, Neelima, Neetie, Pallavi, Prasad, Preeti, Puneet, Red, Ricky, Saba, Sanaja, Sherriff, Shub, Stone, Surinder, Tony, Vaibhav, Vicky!

*PHEW* is that all...? Ummm.. I think so... and any more who drop by the blog and dont find yourselves on the list above -- please feel free to take the tag and drop me a comment once your post is up! :)

(This post is from an email forward I got from a girl-friend at work and I thought "Oh! I love to get answers for these from my blog-mates! so just tweaked a few questions here and there ;)

CIAO!

Oh! I see it......

2005-11-24T13:21:00.000+11:00

......a light at the end of the tunnel!!!
*or is it my mind, playing games with me again.*

Apologies people for the sudden fits of appearence and dissappearence.

The offline life - that has been over-shadowing everything for the past few weeks is finally looking towards an optimistic outcome.

I hope to return soon.... with some good news! :D

Till then - you keep talking coz I am all ears..........

For someone like me....

2005-11-17T09:31:00.000+11:00

...who has never seen a real scorpio in her life *and No, the preserved ones in the biology lab don't count!* and who will probably will shriek at the top of her voice if she saw one....

- I reckon, I'm a pretty good "SCORPIO"! =)

Don't know if you guys believe in astrology and horoscopes etc....and I guess I am not sure if I believe entirely in the whole phenomenon - but Linda Goodman is one lady whose two books I've read, and I reckon - she has hit the nail, on the head.
If I may quote it from a review in amazon.com this particular guy said when he read his own description and I felt *exactly* the same way *word for word!*,

"..it reads like it was written by me, my mother, the CIA, the FBI and all my friends!.."
&
"..I first found that rather scary, but now I find it comforting. It means I'm simply being me, the person as I am supposed to be."

And well.... you may say that no one is has the right to tell you what you're 'supposed' to be, but I feel that though is a lot in our own personality that we can affect or change but then there is more that we just cant. And knowing "that" - what you cant change and what it is and how you can deal with it..... is an absolutely invaluable tool to have.

And since reading her book, "Sun signs", I have grown this strange habbit of descretely asking people their birthdays only to find out later that its so true what Linda said about it. I havent read that book in years...but still remember the bits fro it vividly.

I dont care about the scientific explanations.... becuase as William Shakespeare said,

"There are more things in heaven and earth......
than are dreamt of in your philosophy!"

Anyways... all I want to say is - I do believe that the day I was born had a lot to do with the person I am and am turning out to be.... and I basically, I'm just proud to be me! And proud to have come this far in life and achieved so much in such a short span of life, to have found some amazing friends in these years including the blog-world and its all just overwhelming .....

And even though they say - "Never ask a woman's age and a man's wage" - I'll tell you, its my 23rd birthday today!! :D Hopefully, it'll be a bit more exciting than last year!

Shall see you all on the other side of my Birthday!! :)
Adios Amigos!

feels like.......

2005-11-15T17:28:00.000+11:00

..... I have a long long way to go.......and I'm just sooooooo tired!

*come on Nupur..... one more.... you can do it...... come on...............*

ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz

2005-11-07T17:19:00.000+11:00

*Zzzzzzzzz!!!*
waaa.... oh! ur here.

Well.... I had a 'fun'tastic time this morning till 3am attending the Bloggeratti VBM. BRAVO Anubha for the huge success. :D
..........zzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZ!

Oh.... sorry for dozing off like that - just cant keep my eyes open any longer, but before I drop unconcious into deep slumber, my {BIG HUG} and hearty congratulations to all Bloggeratti Winners! Well done... and truly well deserved. And all those.....*poor souls* nomineees *like me!* my {BIGGER HUG} to you as we were all just as much a winner as the winners themselves! :P
*OH! Ouch... that hurt! No more sandals n shoes plz!*

And last but not the least - my BESTEST of the BESTEST wishes to Anubha *yes the one responsible for my miserable state this morning!* - on her adventures outside Blogsville! May she miss us sooooo much that she may have to return back! :P

But seriously gurl - LOVE UR WORK! :D
BE HAPPY... where ever you are.....!!!!

Cheers to all......
*THUMP! crashed on the floor!*

Blog....blah blah blah....!!!

2005-10-31T14:18:00.000+11:00

OK.... officially this is it.

One colossal year for this blog,
One dwarf year for the whole of Blogsville!!!

Many milestones have been achieved and left behind, as the journey still continues.

The blog that was opened, originally due to desperation - to comment on a friend's blog. And then...... curiousity took over me and "When even I don't know..." got its first post - "I have no idea..."

Time teaches you the survival skill - "Bloghopping"!
And in your journeys you come across some excellent blogs, some nifty published apps, some cool templates and so much more......And then these tips and tricks are shared between strangers - but they are strangers, only till you write the first comment/tag and then as soon as they reply - Viola!~ You have found a new mate!!

And you join forces to conquer yet unseen, undetected, undiscovered, unobserved, unpercieved territory (yes I plundered dictionary.com for those words! *hehehhe* ) of the "Land of Blogdom"!!

And my partners in crime.....
my mates in this battalion are -

AmitL - The first mate, I found in the middle-east.
Enjoying, these days everyday, the Ramadan Feast.
His categorised posts - so sizzling yet simplistic,
The endjokes - hilarious, and thoughts of the day - realistic!

Anubha - The lady called A-N-Zee.
Some even know her as Honey 'Busy' Bee! :P
She's into organisation..... events n all......
Her creation 'Bloggeratti' - much loved by all.

Anumita - Ma'lady, she's here and she's not.
Some times I doubt that ma' blog she's forgot.
But then you come to know of her secret escapades.....
The naughty dealings with her hubby and goss' with her maid! ;)

Ashish - Mate, what shall I say.....
Many a times, I've seen him away.
His Blog-reviews making waves to lands a far,
But dude, where've you gone? I'm looking for my car! :P

Ashtrix - This mate, I eavesdropped from a long while,
I saw his awards that crossed Filmfare, by a mile.
I lost him and I found him all b'coz of his 'Easy Prey'.
"Pray, dear friend, where did you dissappear away?!"

Colors - My girlfriend, my 'bichdi hui behen' in Blogsville,
This gal, my friend, is not ur ordinary run of the mill.
She hails from the land, high up in the Himalayas,
And is so caring and thoughful - beyond all her years.

Cynic - This lady's template was the first of its kind,
At the time when I saw it - it was imprinted on my mind.
She's funny and she's silly and she's crazy in her ways!
And her recent matrimonial dealings will crack u up anyday.

Deepak - DJ, the intellectual, the academic, the rational one,
He's works of fiction are one of the best under the sun!
His reviews, his interpretations written with such poise,
And to top it all off - DJ enjoy's debates and Lata didi's voice!

Divya - She's a darling who loves quizes online,
This girlfriend from southern lands - is truly divine.
If life's a dance - this lady knows how to at'tune',
For the good sport that you are gurl, hats off to u!

Fundoo - OK - I don't even know where to begin.
This hilairous, comical, boffo guy - is my 'blog-kin'.
He works in lands where they give "bhejitediyaan phood" :D
We've had some pretty funny times on blogger and on orkut!

Ganga - One of the most genuine guys I know,
He's absolutely down to earth, that his posts clearly show.
Amazing - the research into each post that he writes,
Tallest female, human fruit and many more such delights.

Gaurav - How many times he has made me J in these months,
and its due to his travelogues of lands where he's had fun!
Some very intuitive posts he's written in the past,
And his insightful research of social topics - sure is a blast!

Hagrid - The Hoogie-woogie bear that we know,
He's recently gone past the Atlantic where soon it will snow.
His funny and thoughtful comments, very genuinely real,
Lets pray his Mrs. get to him soon, to cook him a hearty meal!

ITNL - I met this mate, at a VBM oneday,
His funny posts and his pun will get him in trouble someday! ;)
The thoughts that he expresses are a pleasure to read,
He smiles and he smiles and he smiles - in times of need!

Invincible - The 'dude' who was up all night,
And all because he found the Indi VBM a delight.
Some really funny and intuitive posts he's written.
To tell us about himself and the life he's living.

Kapil - The mate that got me into blogging ages ago,
My real friend in life whose many secrets I know! ;)
He's genuine, he's sweet, he's great fun to be around...
And I wish him much luck and happiness to be found.

Kaush - The lady who'll one day fix my teeth,
She's jovial and bubbly and very thoughtful underneath.
One of the creators of the idea - V.B.M.
Don't talk to her in English - if you are an Indian! ;)

Khushee - My girl friend from 'the land down under'.
She used to post everyday with tits bits of daily banter.
These days she's been busy with new job and new car.
One day u'll visit all those places in the postcards of lands afar.

Lean Dude - This Mr. is as moody as they come....
He knows how to enjoy life and have loads of fun.
'Absolut'ly crazy and hilarious when he's in the mood,
I dunno about lean n mean but I enjoy this dude's attitude!

Manuscrypt - The man of many many words,
For months his stories have haunted all souls of blog-world.
Every time I read his work, I think to myself - 'Wow!
How did he think of that!' - wish I could somehow.

Meen - She's been away from her homeblog a bit,
As she's busy with hot Spices plus Miso and Sushi.
I used to enjoy the little pictures on her space,
and now with the new recipes - they'll make u race!

Neelima - So colorful this girl friend writes away,
and the pictures and the songs - such a beautiful display.
She's the teacher that kids love to have at school.
A funny little lady with many stories in her pool.

Nikhil - another one, thats gone with the wind.
This guy loves jamming and making new friends.
It was fun knowing him and reading his comments.
I wish him luck and happiness - till we meet again.

Pallavi - Ma'lady, whose templates are awesome,
she changes them like seasons and fresh new blossoms.
Recently she became the author by the brook,
Multi-skilled, multi-talented, the 'bike' road she took!

Prasad - The quiet-achiever, I say.
So many heart-felt posts he's written to this day.
He hails from Kerela, how I wish I'd see.
Hidden behind 'Dennis' - a cool guy definately.

Puneet - Another blog mate, met during my rounds,
some really cool and fun stuff this guy has found.
Now he's added to the list of bloggers - overseas,
And here's wishing him luck and may life be a breeze.

Red - We love to call her lovingly, 'Red ji',
A light-hearted and cheerful gal - nice to know thee.
She can find much logic even in the simplest of ads.
C'mon gurl lets play - no rewind or fast forward - so relax.

Ricky - The Blog Prince - the Birthday Post King!
And much much more...... all day I could sing.
'The' most thoughtful person I found in the Blog-world.
Stay the same dear friend - unshaken, unwavering and unfurled!

Saba - She loves to share her two cents.
Cooking meating point that she shares with her friends.
The second master mind behind the Bloggerati awards,
Hope to hear from her soon, her personal posts n all.

Sanaja - My dear friend in the U S of Ayyy,
I havent heard from her in a while - but hope she's okay.
Loves dancing and camping - no spare time she'll waste.
And hilarious stories she tells of - cut, copy n paste!

Sherriff - The funny guy who writes with a flair,
At times thought-provoking, at others with witty air.
His anecdote with the misses are hilarious n cute,
Mate, did I say, your opinions I don't refute?!

Shub - The smiling writer, I've read for so long,
Her blogger tips and tricks got many bloggers to throng.
Now in Singapore, she misses all things home,
My best wishes for you gurl - enjoy life as it comes.

Sir Rocks - Come n gone, gone n come this guy,
When he's in the mood, he's witty and he's sly! ;)
His descriptions, his ideas, his thoughts are so jolly,
I hope he'd write more about life and its follies.

Stone - Not the stone he likes to be called,
his wit clearly shines thru his comments n all.
These days he's missing - gone somewhere walking?
I'd hardly call him - the bad man talking.

Surinder - Mr. Garfield or Mr.Marriage guy?
He posts multiple posts a day - all in a fly.
Many of them funny and many words of wisdom,
I enjoy the witty humor, in his own, when he writes some.

Vicky - What's up Doc?! I'd like to say,
We share things 43 things n places to go away.
So bright and interesting his comments always,
In the blog world I know I found another mate!

*PHEW!!!*
:D

I know this is not all.... as my list of blogmates grows everyday.

So please excuse me if your name is not written above.... as the above list was plucked from my Blogroll - which hasn't updated in a month or two.

--------------------------------------

And before I finish -

"The Seasons BEST wishes for you and your families.
May this coming year bring with it
much prosperity and happiness........"

As a kid who was scared of fire-crackers *to an extent*... Diwali was always a time of the year when the house was beautifully lit with diyas and candles. It is a tradition, *if I remember correctly* to light diyas in each and every darkest dingiest corner where you would'nt usually think of lighting them. I used to follow Mummy as she's go around the garden and in the back yard.... spreading the light.

I have always loved the glimmer of the little lights, that brighten up such places. And that is how I still celebrate diwali... with little tealight candles around my tiny apartment! :)

So.... hoping that this year we may all find light - in the darkest corners of our life!

God Bless!

Please Take Care!

2005-10-31T12:39:00.000+11:00

I know that my Blog-niversary post is due - but while I scrabble for time to actually finish it.....

All you people in India - PLEASE take care.
I hope that none of you or you friends/family were harmed in the Delhi bombings this weekend. Its imperative that you guys take caution anywhere you go in crowded/public places.

My prayers for those that died.....
Its so sad.... their family's Diwali has ended even before it began.

Understatement!

2005-10-28T16:59:00.000+10:00

"I have my hands full" - will be an understatement.

This week has been so crazy, and I am just glad that its finally over. At any other point in time... it wouldn't have mattered. I would have not posted anything for a few days and no one would have even noticed - But I had to proclaim my great Blog-niversary and vow a "one post a day week" and then get myself caught up and........................ *Blah blah blah blah*!!

Lets just FORGET IT!
-----------------------------------

Okay, festive season is well and truly upon us and you may like it or not but that means - Loads and Loads of Sugary sweets and Fatty feasts! And nothing wrong with enjoying the festive season to the fullest - but - what that will do to the waist...... we all know!

I had been thinking about this for weeks and well, I have books and quite a few of them if I may say so, about healthy lifestyles and good diets and Detox plans etc. etc..... but I never really applied any of it to 'myself'. :) I used to just give my expert advise to all my girlfriend's here and they would go, "Wow! You're right... I should do that!" "Excellent idea. I'll try that." etc.

And it was not until my back injury, that I really realised what I was doing to myself. I was in a job where I sat on my bum the whole day and then I'd go home and stuff my face with anything and everything. And excercise?! - No way!!

When my Physio asked me at our first meeting, "What sort of exercise do you do?"
I was silent for a few seconds and then I blurted - "None"
She just smiled and said, "Hmmm.. well... We're going to have to fix that - won't we?" :)
And I was like, "Hmmm..wokay!"

That was 6 weeks ago.

And today I am proud to tell you that I had my final visit to the physio this morning and she says, "You're cured!" and I feel it too!!

The credit of it all goes to:
* the swimming lessons - that my physio pushed me to join (and was something that I had wanted to do for so long)
* the cool swim gear - that my girl friends help me find.
* the evening jogs - with 'him' or my bro.
* the new wrist-weights - that I simply wrap around my wrists and tone my arms while I jog!
* the new hi power juicer - that 'he' got for me! (it motivates me to drink lots of fresh fruit and vegetable juice everyday) :)

*sigh* I feel a whole lot better.......

It has really been amazing - this transformation, and I want to continue this spell.

So I have decided to document this 'lifestyle journey' in a new blog called, "Peace-Calm-Harmony" . Here on this blog, I shall keep track of my weekly progress with my diet and exercise routine. I'll keep a record of my 'healthy' recipes from time to time and *hopefully* nice pics of my 'healthy' self as I go along!

A glimpse of that new space is here for you -->

All you ladies, who would like to join me in this journey are most welcome to drop by from time to time. :)

Tomorrow *Thank God! finally!* is the D-DAY. The day that I have so shamelessly been raving about for sooo long! I am not going to make any more promises about my post or my surprises etc etc.........

Like someone said -

"The course of life is unpredictable,

no one wrote their autobiography in advance."

And neither can I.

So.... Sayonara!
See you....when I see you. :)

Thats it!

2005-10-26T17:05:00.000+10:00

I'm BEAT!
I'm just sooooo tired....
Every muscle in the body aches.....

(:|

*this unfortuantely is my Blog-niversary Celebration post for today!*
Somethings are just totally out of one's control... and "this" fatigued - drowsy day is one of them.

I promise to be back tomorrow with *hopefully* a double surprise.

Loveyall,
Nupur

Mate.....

2005-10-25T14:48:00.000+10:00

...that I found!

*As the Blog-niversary Celebrations continue!*

:)
One year ago, I was going about my business.... oblivious of a parallel universe.

*A universe where you met a new friend 24hours a day and seven days a week.
*A universe where you can pour out deepest feelings and not be scorned at.
*A universe where friends are found and kept for a lifetime.

So to day I send, MY BEST wishes for my very very dear Blogmate on his birthday today.

RICKY!! Many many happy returns of the day, mate.

YOU ROCK!! :D

Ricky...... I didnt even know who he was.
Ricky...... poured in his comments to every post.
Ricky...... he made my weather-chic into a weather-bloke.
Ricky...... he found humor even in my quirkiest of posts.

Ricky...... I thought he was my age.
Ricky...... I heard him on VBM one day.
Ricky...... sang the 'Lakshya' song.
Ricky...... he had the solutions for every problem.

Ricky...... showed his luggage for his weekend trip.
Ricky...... he told the secret of 'Lord of the rings'.
Ricky...... he was "Sania" fan from day one.
Ricky...... he was always fun!

Ricky...... why do I write as if its past tense?
Ricky...... you're thinking I make no sense.
Ricky...... mate, it started as a flashback.
Ricky...... now I'm coming back on track. ;)

Ricky...... mate, I'm honored to know you.
Ricky...... the one of the most thoughful people I know.
Ricky...... mate, did I say, "You Rock"?!
Ricky...... this one is for you alone! :)

All the best for everything in life!
Take is easy...... and I pray that your 'her' is found on shaadi.com ....soon! ;) LOL!!

CHEERS!!!

EFIL - Life the other way round! ;)

2005-10-24T13:32:00.000+10:00

Post II - in Blog-niversary Celebrations :)

----------------------------------------

When you think of all the important turns your life has made, when you think about all the milestones you have crossed in your journey, when you envision all the scenes of happy days and sad that have passed you by..... you are either thinking too much - or are probably at the verge of old age! :P

Because living life to the fullest, is all about looking forward - to the unexpected and not worrying about things till you really have to! Ofcourse the little devil misanthropist inside me wont ever let me take anything lightly - till I prepare myself - conjure a backup plan, a Plan B for that unforseen worst case scenario. And tho' some might find this trait of mine a little annoying, I know I will have much success with it in my career! *I have inside information that people get top $$ for planning for times when $hit hits the fans!!!!*

Ahem.... no we are not doing any of that here today tho' *Sorry!* :)

Hence, the discussion today is about not what we should do in life - but rather what can we do "without". What I think I want - out - of my life and what you think you want out.... *of your life..not mine! ;)*

1. I reckon, I can do without - keeping stuff in my heart!
Symptoms => Sleepless nights - Crying alone when no one is watching. :(

2. I can also do without - Guilty feelings when eating things with lotsa bad FAT.
Symptoms => *white angel in the head going - "Hey! What is wrong with you?! Put it down! I say put it down!!"* and I go, 'munch! munch!!' :[

3. I can definately do without - Procrastination. *oh man!!*
Symptoms => Job to be done ASAP - me making note in my calender for a reminder tomorrow! :P

4. I can surely do without - SitComs *Godness how much % of my life has already gone by in front of the Idiot-box! grrrr!!!*
Symptoms => I have to make dinner - I see 'Coming Up Next = Survivor' - 2 hours later - I have to make dinner!! *Oopsie daisies! :P*

5. 6. 7. 8. 9......... And many many more.......
The list is endless and the whole week will pass by while I whine n grumble.

So...
Let it be told to all ye blogmates of mine, I, Nupur, solemnly swear to not do what I'm not supposed to do and not grumble and complain that I did what I wasn't supposed to do.

And I know for sure - that you also do what you are not supposed to do - *hehehe* - so whats there to hide?! Tell me.... I wanna know.
:)

UPDATE - Halo comments playing up BIG time!
Pliss to be using Blogger comment today. :[

A week of celebrations....

2005-10-23T16:37:00.000+10:00

Is it some sort of divine intervention..... that the festive weekend has fallen at the same time as this blog-niversary! :)

So while everyone is busy shopping and cleaning up - I thought I'd take this time out to entertain you online. And hence, the coming six days will be - 'One post each day' week with different ideas, different styles of posts each day till the finale on Sat, 29th Sept - the D Day!
I realise that with the amount of talent thats around me...it's a huge task -but I shall try my best. And you... yes "you" - please don't be mean *and please don't "Booo" me!* :P

But before I begin - I have a huge concern that I'd like to bring forth here on my blog.

I am being neglect by my blog mates! :(
And I have proof!! 2 VBM's that have been announced recently have not taken into consideration the times here in Oz.

Sunday Evening IST= Very very Late Sunday night AUST.
=> I can not attend them!

So please... all future VBM organisers, be kind and consider bloggers like me too. My suggestion, please organise VBM on Sunday morning IST, so its only Sunday afternoon in AUST and Saturday night in Europe and Americas.

*phew* OK... now that thats out of my system, my first post for this week --

---------------------------------------
Quotes - old ones that I quoted before. *now lets see of they can make new waves!*

"Teach me to care and not to care....
in this brief transit where dreams cross.... "

- By Anonymous

"It's a sure sign of summer if the chair gets up when you do."

- Walter Winchell

"If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable,

you disconnect yourself from what you truly want,

and all that is left is a compromise. "

- Robert Fritz

"Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos

- the trees, the clouds, everything."

- Thich Nhat Hanh

"Pain (any pain--emotional, physical, mental) has a message. The information it has about our life can be remarkably specific, but it usually falls into one of two categories: "We would be more alive if we did more of this," and, "Life would be more lovely if we did less of that." Once we get the pain's message, and follow its advice, the pain goes away."

- Peter McWilliams

-----------------------------------

Quotes - ...and new!

And I have found some silly and serious quotes on birth, age and death - for this blog has seen me born fresh in my happy days, age in my tired days and die in my shitty days....

"Somewhere on this globe, every ten seconds, there is a woman giving birth to a child.

She must be found and stopped."

- Sam Levenson

"When I was born I was so surprised, I didn't talk for a year and a half!"

- Gracie Allen

"The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age."

- Lucille Ball

"A man should not leave this earth with unfinished business.

He should live each day as if it were a pre-flight check.

He should ask each morning, 'Am I prepared to lift-off?' "

- Diane Frolov and Andrew Schnieder

"Never knock on Death's door: ring the bell and run away!

Death really hates that!"

- Matt Frewer

Tally ho!!
:D

Home and Away......

2005-10-18T10:24:00.000+10:00

".......
pata nahi crazy kyun wilayt layi,
Punjab ich saariyaan kuwaariyaan.
Phool koi wilayt wala lay gaya,
hor chunta mai reh gaya kiyaariyaan......"

Firstly apologies if my Punjabi written above is not correct, but thats what I was able to make of a punjabi folk song that I heard a while ago. The rough translation by yours truly is written below for those who arent familiar with the language.

* dont know why crazy for foreign lands,
are all these maidens of Punjab.
The flower's been plucked by the man from foreign lands,
and I am left, picking at the flower bed....*

And I quote this song here today because this idea is whats been running thru my head - off and on......for a while now.

India, the developed nation full of educated females and (ahem!) decent boys... but you still come across a female every once in a while who just cant wait to get married to a guy from foreign lands and get away!! And I dont think this is the case with 'Punjabi' females alone...as stated by the song above - and although I am trying my best not to use the lyrics out of context, the idea still rings true for a lot of young adults in my homeland.

I'm not sure what irks me more -
* A Bollywood star flaunting a US of A flag shirt...
* A shaadi.com advert with prefered partner to hail from US of A or Inglaand or Canedda!
* A desi mom in India talking to her 3 year old in English and not feeding the kid his porridge till he says 'Yes, Mommy!' ..

I wonder......
-- Why dosen't the 'Bollywood' star wear the Indian flag shirt with just as much enthusiasm ? - *on a day when India is not playing a cricket match!*
-- Why the first preference of a possible mate from foreign? And will the girl compromise with a uneducated or useless foreign boy instead of an educated and self-sufficiant guy from next door?
-- What is going on here? Does 'Yes, Mommy!' make the kid more lovable or let the pompous 'Mommy' have another thing to brag about to her kitty friends?!

..................
I do not understand........

I admit that I wanted to study overseas since I was 14... it was the most exciting idea my teen head could comprehend! And I was proud of myself when I finally accomplished that dream three years later. But when I came here and met other Indians from my homeland, I realised that some had very different and some even totally wierd perceptions and views about India. And because intentionally or unintentionally I fall in the same category as them - I fear of being categorised as the 'females who cant get enough of foreign land!'

I am not practising what I preach.....
I am going to turn into them - even if I'm not like them just yet....

Is this the beginning of an identity crisis for me?! Are any of you out there in foreign lands facing a similar dilemma? Are you the people of my homeland thinking - what the hell is she complaining about? .......??

New Chapter....

2005-10-14T17:10:00.000+10:00

...for the petals of my life!

Thank you so much to all you dear blogmates - This month I will complete my first year in Blogsville! And what an exciting year it has been.

* I discovered blogging.
* I discovered new templates.
* I discovered free web services.

* I found a pool of new friends.
* I found my writing skills.
* I found the best past time.

* I was amazed at what people can write.
* I was amazed to see the most beautiful web-spaces ever.
* I was amazed when I saw the literary genius of you people!

There is still a fortnight to go for my Blog-niversary, so I thought that I will take this time to reflect on this past year.....what it has been for me and what I have written, ranted and gossiped about.

But - please to be not thinking that *FLASH BACK* has begun, so time to be going to make that dinner or to wash those dishes or to clean that garage - for new petals will soon appear as new blossoms bloom. :D

Could not have done this without you!
*muaaaahhhh!* *blushing!*
:)

New Beginnings......

2005-10-07T15:23:00.000+10:00

Life both offline and online is taking a turn, going around the bend, about to reveal something unkown and unexpected...! And someone who loves to be surprised (good ones ofcourse~!) - I am just enjoying the 'joy ride'!!

Just to name a few things that are going on-

Online-> I pay attention to my cooking blog again!
Offline-> I begin to learn Japanese (read+write).

Online-> I start a new Blog Event: If thoughts could cook....
Offline-> I shop for my swimming gear as I prepare for my first swimming lesson ever!

Online-> I have found a very beautiful new template for moi blog...the unveiling in a week's time.
Offline-> I prepare for my trip back home in Feb06.

Online-> I'm getting involved in e-debates!
Offline-> I'm planning to update my resume and go for a tour around handing them out....

Its wierd..... how things stay motionless for so long and then suddenly the heavy creaky machinery called 'life', starts to give way and turn and then things just start rolling one after the other....

I'm having a gala time - to say the least.
Just hang on guys... for the fun has only begun! :)

Here n there.....

2005-10-06T12:46:00.000+10:00

While I try and take the reins of my life back into my hands, here's something to keep you occupied. :)

Found this on Puneet's blog.
My Cyborg name - and somebody please explain....becuase I just cant understand it! Ultimate Repair?!! LOL!

And then more from Divya's.
Do you guys believe in this stuff?! I mean... it does make sense at times........

The Goddess of Magic and Peace. You are a born
star. Always supportive and influential, you
the centre of attention and you are
exceptionally friendly. You are a classic
beauty.

Which gorgeous goddess are you? For girls! (breath taking pics!)
brought to you by Quizilla

Dominant Personality: Understanding

Good Traits: You gravitate towards people,
and are a shoulder to lean on. You give advice
at any given time.

Bad Traits: You aren't close with any one
person. You immerse yourself in other people's
problems and forget your own.

People see you as: Friendly, secretive, and
popular. People envy you, and may try and use
you as a tool

You're most like: Grace. You both have
positive relationships with people. Neither of
you have close friends, but unlike graceful
people, you try to help people out and aren't
as arrogant.

You need more: Solitude. You hardly get the
chance to breathe when you take on the world's
problems. You can't take other's
responsibilities or put them before your own.
Be selfish once in a while and discover who you
really are.

What's your dominant trait? (10 unique results)
brought to you by Quizilla

Take care guys.......
I shall be back!! :)

wanted to say.....

2005-10-04T16:35:00.000+10:00

I wanted to say..... its alright.
I wanted to say..... its all good.
I wanted to say..... things put me down.
But I'm up and running, as I should.

When the mind is saying.... thats it.
When the mind is saying.... its enough.
When the mind is saying.... hang on now.
I'm saying - I've just started up.

Its wierd ..... this blank within.
Its wierd ..... this hollow deep.
Its wierd ..... how life is in a maze.
And I stop myself from falling asleep.

Just when things..... are picking up their pace.
Just when things..... make no sense at all.
Just when things..... are taking a crazy turn.
I feel as if I'm about to take a fall.

I want to say.... I'm here.
I want to say.... hang on.
I want to say.... don't worry mate.
And thanks for cheering me on! :)

BTW...
I'm simmering away!

Little treats.....

2005-09-29T16:48:00.000+10:00

Absolutely flood out day?

"Warm scones....with jam and cream!"
mmmmmmmmmmmmm................
(what about you?!) ;)

BTW - I'm Cooking again... and some more...

ENJOY the weekend!

Hands Full....!!

2005-09-26T09:42:00.000+10:00

Hang on guys.....
I have my hands full with so much happening in the offline life. :[

So, in the meantime - would you like trick or treat?! :D

No prizes for guesing that these posts above are my eccentric entries for the Bloggerati! And have been nomiated for the peotry category.
*why! I am honored...!! Robert Frost - here I cumm!!*

:D
En-zoy!!

Peace One Day!

2005-09-21T12:54:00.000+10:00

As we all enjoy the fictional 'masterpieces' of our fellow blogmates, I would like to bring to your notice something that I found out yesterday - while watching a documentary on SBS.

Today is United Nations "International Day of Peace" - a day of global ceasefire and non-violence.

Or so... was the dream of the creater of this day - Geremy Gilley.

In a very moving documentary last night, I saw how this man travelled to the world's most devasted cities whose citizens are to this day, doomed to live in constant fear. These people are surrounded by violence, fearing everyday whether it'll be the next bomb or the next bullet or the next shooting or the next massacre - that'll finally end their miserable lives.

There are so many places in the world where UN volunteers cannot go and provide aid because these places are just too violent and dangerous.

After Geremy's efforts of years of visiting Ministers, and Ambassaders and Seminars and Nobel Peace Laureates - finally in 2001 in the UN General Assembly, the day was approved.

So this day was made - so that this one day - all countries will unite and observe a ceasefire, so that the people in need can be helped. But, thats still not the reality yet.
There is no cease fire yet!

But it has to start somewhere. Before we can have 365 days of Non-violence, we can atleast begin with ONE day of peace.

Lets all observe a minute of silence - for all the people who will be killed 'today'.

Peace One Day 2005.

You tell....I tell.... we all tell....

2005-09-20T12:09:00.000+10:00

:D
Wow! We all have so many hidden fiction writers amongst us bloggers!

This weekend past - saw the rise of many bloggers to the challenge of 55 Fiction Stories. And what an interesting read it has been.

Currently the challengers tally looks like so -

Arathi -- Her 55
Ashish -- His 55 *NEW*
Ashtrix -- His 55
Colors -- Her 55
Cynic -- Her 55.
DJ -- His 55.
Divya -- Her 55. and more!
Invincible -- His 65!
I Take No Logic -- His 55. *NEW*
Kaush -- Her 55 and more! *NEW*
Manuscrypts -- His 55 <-- great stuff! Pinks -- Her 55
Prasad -- His 55. *NEW*
Ricky -- His 55
Seema -- Her 55
Vicky -- His 55 *NEW*
Wise Donkey -- Her 55

....and counting!!

And here's my second attempt at 55.
------------------------
Angel?!

"She is inviting me home!"

red devil - 'Yess! Go for it. You're wife wont know.'
..........

"Hey! Where's the other one?"

red devil - 'Who cares. Listen to me. Go with her tonight! :D'
..........

Up in heaven -
white angel - 'God! I hate traffic. I'm late for work again!!'

THE END
-----------------------------

And this one - not a 55er - but a short story nontheless I got in a forward this morning.

A college class was told that they have to write a story in as few words as possible. The instructions were:
The story has to contain the following three things-
1. Religion.
2. Sexuality
3. Mystery

Below is the only A+ story in the entire class.

"Good God, I'm pregnant; I wonder who did it."

:)
Any more takers??

Ig-jactly!!

2005-09-18T20:20:00.000+10:00

* How does it matter that I am in Melbourne?
* So what if I have seen all the places that they show in the movie? Its going to be good fun.
* Arrey, I have heard it from A. She reckons its great!
* Lets go see it naa.... I dont want to wait for it to show up on DVD.
* Pleeeeeeeeeeaase!!

Finally I went to see "Salaam Namaste".

Warning - Possible plot-spoiler ahead! My apologies. :)

*Phew*
A 'big' critic of Bollywood movies that I am (with reviews of some latest movies and older ones like this, this, and this. ) But this movie... I walked into the theatre with a biased mind..I'll have to admit. Melbournian, that I am.... I'll have to say that I was really excited to see what part of Melbourne they had captured for the Indian audience!

My two cents!
=> Ofcourse they have captured all the scenic locations of Melbourne + surrounding places in the state (Victoria) like the Great Ocean Road. But its strange to see the actors driving in the middle of city traffic and seconds later driving on roads that are hours away from the city. And also some scenes with honking horns when there's hardly any traffic. That - I can say dosent happen here...because honking here is equal to swearing at someone.
But hey! Who's complaining.?

=> They did show the guy's character as pretty selfish n shallow - it seemed... but later as the girl explained - he had been honest abt it all. And I reckon it was not wrong at all.
Being so far away from home and family backup - financial situations can be messy at times and stress in such situations can bring out the worst. And the yelling and fighting and making each other's life hell - having gone thru my share of housemates here -- It was totally correct. Even I have had to yell like that *a couple of times!* :[

=> And I had heard that Javed Jaffrey's role was annoying. But surprisingly - I really enjoyed it. The whole theatre full of Desis at the 9pm screening - all at his "ig-jactly" brought roars of laughter every time!! :D The good thing was that it was short n sweet. Just long enough....

=> When the movie began - I was like - 'What the hey! Cant I escape from the AB khaandaan?!' In almost every movie that I have seen recently - either I have seen AB, or his son or AB's voice over and here - AB's son's voice over!!
But later when he finally showed as the wierd gynac - the serious second half of the movie was again provided with a comic relief. And the theatre was once again roaring with laughter all thanks to his idiotic antics. This one was again... just a few minutes of sillyness - not stretched to the limits that might start to bore n annoy. I laughed a LOT!!

==================================

To cut the long story short - I care to disagree with all those who didnt like the movie. Who thought that the guy was shown as a jerk. Or the girl had been ridiculous in her expectations. Who said the comedy was annoying......

I wont say that I know everything there is to know about - young adults thousands of kms away from home and family. But I can vouch for one thing - all that they showed in the movie is very much possible!

Yes.... falling in love can be the most amazing thing ever. And yes later its does tend to lose its initial 'magic' and thats something each and every one has to deal with.
How each of us deal with this loss of magic is entirely individual.... some take it as an inspiration to start the magic all over again, while others leave it and move on.

Living alone without family can be very liberating and will bring great sense of independence. But it is extremely stressful. At such a time - having understanding friends can be the difference between blissful and miserable existence. And stress has a strange effect on even the closest of relationships.

.....ok. I'll stop my lesson of 'gyaan' right here!!
:)

Movie Concept - ****
Songs - *****
Acting - ***1/2

Overall - ****

Go and watch the movie. Go and see my Melbourne.

(Haanji - YRFilms, where is my cheque?!) ;)

Talk about ......succinct!

2005-09-14T15:32:00.000+10:00

Found it at Megha's, who in turn got it from Rajesh's. And it all began at Karthik's, who was inspired by 55 Fiction.

And I went thru them and reckon they're great!
So I thought... I shall continue this fun tag for all those interested!

My first one -

Backup

He used to keep it in the boot of his car.
His mates would laugh at him - "Offsite! yeah.....right!!"

The day they fired him, he was laughing!

The END

And tag goes to -
AmitL
Anumita
Colors
Cynic -- Her 55. *NEW*
DJ -- His 55. *NEW*
Divya -- Her 55. *NEW*
Fundoo
Invincible -- His 65! *NEW*
Seema -- Her 65 *NEW*

........ Oh ALL on my blogroll!!!

And as you give your 55 cents... I shall update this post to link your story. *just like the creator of this tag did!*

Some Excellent examples from 55 Fiction below -

AT THE AUTOPSY

"Victim's blood is completely drained, apparently through two small puncture wounds in the neck," said the coroner.

"Hey... you don't suppose it's, you know, the real deal?" asked his assistant.

"No, just some psycho."

"You sure?"

They stared at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing - but stopped when the corpse laughed, too.

THE END

------------------------------------

PAYBACK TIME

I woke up on the couch with a stiff back.

Quietly, I eased into bed and lay there without sleeping, replaying our argument. Beside me, Karen writhed, screamed, trapped in one of her night terrors. I always woke her.

Tonight, I let her suffer and savored my revenge.

THE END

------------------------

So what are you waiting for?? Off you go - and write me some!! :)

In the mood....

2005-09-12T16:09:00.000+10:00

....for B-o-l-l-y-w-o-o-d!

This weekend that went past was "Bollywood-movies-one-after-the-other" weekend!! And it all started with the one hour drive to and fro trip to 'Bharat Traders', one of the bigger Indian Stores here in Melbourne....you know stores where you get everything from Margo Soap 'Neem wala saabun' to Zandu Pacharisht 'Saatth saal ke boodhe ya...' - from Indian Maggi Masala to MTR Sambhar Masala, from Dabur Amla Kesh Tel to Multaani Mitti .... all sorts of namkeens, sweets, utensils, music CDs, DVDs (original and camera prints) and 20kg sacks of Lal Quila Basmati and Annapurna Atta, bottles of Thumsup, Limca and Maaza....blah blah blah....

And believe it or not... even the messy price tags, smelly refrigirators, dark aisles and overflowing shelves do not deter the feeling of nostalgia. *things I have to do...places I have to go these days to get one 'sniff' of homeland!*

Anyways back to the matter at hand and how my plans of being the 'Spring-is-here-Jogging-Queen' were turned to 'Rainy-days-Couch-Potato'!! :[
After weeks of waiting and haggling we got the original DVD for Parineeta (I had promised myself not to watch it on camera print with crappy picture and sound!)

So the series began -

*Maine pyaar kyun kiya - I saw it during the week actually and then again on the weekend. First time round, I just found it irritatingly annoying. I was like, 'Maine movie kyun dekhi!' Then... I found my sense if humor in the 2nd screening. And I enjoyed it.

*Dus - I was fooled! :( I did not like the movie at all.... actually this one I walked off in the middle of the movie, to make lunch, as I could not stand it at all.

* Virudhh - I liked it.... the movie concept, direction and AB's acting especially was really good. No songs! *that was a refreshing change* And as I have seen the effects of corrupt Police and Lawyers on my family first-hand I could relate to the movie in more ways than one.

*Parineeta - This one was quite good. I tried not to get too technical with the dates and the fashion and the technology etc.... so I just enjoyed it thoroughly! A girl friend of mine here had told me that she was reminded of me and 'him' when she saw this movie. I wont say that I agree entirely...but there was a striking resemblance. I even asked him after the movie was over, "Did this movie remind you of us?". He smiled and nodded 'Yes'. And I left it at that..........

*...Yahan - This movie was unexpected. I hadn't heard of it and got it just becuase it was there at the shop. And to my surprise it was a great movie...the songs were excellent - humable and different from your usual style. And I liked Jimmy Shergil's acting. I think he has great potential, and I have liked him in most of the movies that he has done! *what a Bollywood crush - finally!! blushing! :)*
The final twist of the movie was well... kind of 'oh yeah - I knew it!' ...but still, it was a good change. And I'd like to recommend it to those who havent seen it or even heard of it *like me*!!

---Blast from the Past---
*Paheli - I saw this movie quite a while ago.... and had thought about writing about it. I heard from my Indian girlfriends that the movie wasnt a huge hit. That I thought was a bit wierd because I liked Paheli a lot! This was one movie that I just took in as if I was watching a 'fairytale adaptaion'. I didnt go into the slicing and dicing of the whole ghost-makes-female-pregnant thing. Just enjoyed the beautiful colours, the great acting and character buildup... Ofcourse there were some of those 'yeah right!' scenes in there - but the thing that sort of clung to me was the 'love' bit.
May be I saw it in one of my lovey-dovey moods...but I just found the scenes like 'ghost's first contact with family love' (dheere jalna song) and 'floating rose petals' too cute and romantic to be scorned at!!
I dont know..... I just liked it! *and no! I'm not a SRK fan. Don't like him much at all...as I'm just over him and his emotional scenes and his bad crying!*

---------------

And only if 'he' would have agreed to take me to see 'Salaam Namaste' at the theatres (like he does time and time again when I want to see an Indian movie!), I wouldn't have insisted to watching all these movies - the whole two days! :P

But I guess.... I was finally able to catchup with Bollywood and see some movies that I had been looking forward to seeing for a long time! *Next weekend - I'll buy the tickets for Salaam Namaste in advance so 'he' cant say "No!"* :D

Catching up....

2005-09-08T16:06:00.000+10:00

on books & life!

Its been a long long time since I read my last Sidney Sheldon...probably around four years. And last week I got my hands on his somewhat new book, "Are you afraid of the dark?". God knows what it is but I have almost thrown the book away in frustration atleast 4 times. I mean.... the characters, the dialogues, the scenes are so predictable that I get the impression that I'm reading the script of a Bollywood movie! :

I still have like 50 pages to go.... and I've come this far only because I have nothing better to do on my way back n forth from work. Train rides can be extremely boring!

Not happy Jan at all....... I reckon I have just outgrown him, in my taste for fiction!
No more Sidney Sheldon for me.

---------------------------------------------

On another front, after hearing about 43things.com for months, I finely thought I should do something about it. I mean there are loads of things I want to do in life....and I never stop complaining how years are just passing me by and I still havent done so many of them.
So.. a coupla days ago I visited 43things.com and jotted down my first 5 things. On my way I also jotted down my first 5 places at 43places.com!!

They always teach in your "Reach your Goals" type of classes/seminars how writing down your goals in life gets you one step closer to actually achieving them. So I am putting this theory to the test.

You are most welcome to join me on the journey.... to laugh at me or pat on my back about my goals...by commenting on the new segment on the sidebar here - My 43 things....

I forgot the title!!!

2005-09-06T13:51:00.000+10:00

Okay... I have been thinking all morning about this post. And now even though I remember what the content of the post will be I have forgotten what title I had in mind for it!! It was a very quirky title that had struck me on the train to work and now I just can't remember it. Grrrrr......

Anyways!!
I wanted to write about "Influence". And no, I am not thinking about the very deep, life changing influences...but simple things that people do, or want to do when they see others do them!

One could even say, we are all copy-cats! Or that little kid in the park who sees another kid with a new toy and runs to his mother and says, "I want 'thaaat'!!" And then the virtuous mother, patiently replies, "Honey, its that kid's toy. You have your own, so play with yours."

And we grow up - or do we? Hardly!
We still dream of our neighbour's clothes. Neighbour's car. Neighbour's career. Neighbour's life...or even the neighbour's wife!! :P And becuase we have grown in 'size' and in our 'mind' - we usually don't have someone with the authority to tell us to sit still and be happy with what we have.

But then - that is ambition..no?! The drive to achieve more!
But surely there was a difference between Sunil Shetty and Akshay Khanna...no? In the movie Dhadkan I mean. Sunil, who wanted all that Akshay had (including his wife literally!) while Akshay seemed to have it all effortlessly~!

*Where did that come from? I have no idea.*
No I didn't see the movie on the weekend... it just sprang out of the blue. Anyways you get my drift.

All I 'm saying is - we all are trying so hard to achieve something that has been instilled into our minds as the 'benchmark'. The 'ideal beauty', the 'ideal career' or the 'ideal life'~!

There are some who just have it... by birth or by luck or by chance. and then there are others working day and night to get it - get it all.

And I wonder, who is happier? the 'influenced' or the 'influencer'...?! Mey be both - may be neither. But they go on ...... striving to reach that point of excellence. For what good would life be without an aim to pursue....

You tell me today, which force is more prominent for you??

Blog Day - Belated!

2005-09-01T11:43:00.000+10:00

Oops!! I almost forgot.
But because its still 31st August in some parts of the planet so I thought I'll quickly squeeze in. :)

I had read about it a while ago on Ganga's Blog and thought yeah...I'll remember. But ofcourse, thats expecting too much from my memory!

More info on Blog Day 2005 can be found at http://www.blogday.org. It turns out that the day 31st Aug was not chosen at random but if you look carefully "3108" had a striking resemblance to the word "BlOg"..like so

Very smart indeed!!
In the words of Nir Ofir, the founder of Blog Day - "August 31st, bloggers from all over the world will post a recommendation of 5 new Blogs, preferably, Blogs different from their own culture, point of view and attitude. On this day, blog surfers will find themselves leaping and discovering new, unknown Blogs, celebrating the discovery of new people and new bloggers."

So being the noble citizen of "Blogsphere" that I am, here are my 5 links for recently found blogs of note!

-- Conversations with Dina
-- Joho The Blog
-- Brad Ideas
-- Trevor's Blog
-- Russell Beattie Notebook

I think all the five links above are quite different in the geographic location of writers, to the style to the content. So..go now and enjoy!

:D

There is magic...

2005-08-31T10:59:00.000+10:00

...in the hands of a healer.

Wish I knew Reiki or Physiotherapy or similar skills where people are healed by the hand.
*sigh*

Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos - the trees, the clouds, everything.

-- Thich Nhat Hanh

Pain (any pain--emotional, physical, mental) has a message. The information it has about our life can be remarkably specific, but it usually falls into one of two categories: "We would be more alive if we did more of this," and, "Life would be more lovely if we did less of that." Once we get the pain's message, and follow its advice, the pain goes away.

-- Peter McWilliams

I am too young....

2005-08-30T11:08:00.000+10:00

...to be suffering from backaches.

*That is what I keep telling myself!* But ofcourse none of us are exempt from it. Especially stupid, bad posture holding people like me.

Caution- This post has been identified as 99.5% on the Rant-o-meter.

So many of you sent your wishes...and I rested. I swear I did... only came online a bit when I was bored out of my senses. But yesterday back at work and back came the back ache. (3 backs in one sentence!) So have an appointment with the physio today. Hopefully she will find out whats ailing me and rub the pain away!

If discomfort was not enough, this Sunday that just went by, saw me miss my first Mid Year Party at my workplace that I was supposed to lead. I was voted the President of the Employee Social Club at work about 3 months ago (youngest President, if I may add). And I had been working hard to get my first social club party as president a great success. But as God would have it: Backache + Cold/fever = No Party!! :((((((((
Now I will just have to content myself with the pictures of the party...... which I hear turned out to be one of the best ever!

I don't know....if its some kind of lesson God is trying to teach me or what!! What have I done?! God please tell me!!

*siiiiiiiiiiiiiggghhhh* :|

Please all - No pity.
No comments.

No Health, No Beauty, No Diet!

2005-08-25T18:13:00.000+10:00

HEALTH:
Gardish mein hain taare!
*my stars are in ...gardish? ummm... a bad time!* Best I could do in this dazed state.

Yesterday morning at work - got a shot of pain in the lower back while running up the stairs - rushed to doc - strained muscle - told to go home n rest - whole day in severe pain ad grogged with pain killers.
Today - second visit to doc - pain a little less but continuous n very uncomfortable - advised to take rest of the week off from work.
At home - caught the cold from my bro - even sneezing makes the backache terrible!

Now eating medicine for back n cold/flu!

BEAUTY:
Lets not even talk about it....I look terrible!!!

DIET:
Feeling so sick that don't feel like eating anything. Only have a little something before my medicine.

:(
Been laying in bed all day to rest. Sooo bored... so here to eat ur heads!
:)

Of Beauty, Health and Diet!

2005-08-23T13:13:00.000+10:00

All of you boys who after reading the title have gone...."Oh! A girlie post again!" read on. As I think there will be stuff that even you will find useful. ;)

This weekend that just passed - I finally gathered courage and decided to put eggs on my hair! And considering the fact that I'm not such a huge fan of eggs and their smell used to make me nauseous for years...it definately was a big feat for me to undertake!

And all that for what? - for silky, shiny after effects!!

While making my mind about the whole egg-thing...I struck a conversation with a punjabi friend. He used to be a sardar till about 2 years ago. And I thought if anyone would know about hair - he would!
So, I told him my plans and he said, "Hey! I'll tell you what, use Beer!!!"
I was like :O "You gotta be kidding me!"
But he was very serious. He said that he had used it many a time and his locks would turn out absolutely great. And he'd recommend it to anyone who was willing to try!

Yet another girlfriend told me - "Use black Tea!"
Then she went on to explain that hair rinsed with black tea that has been cooled down (to prevent burns!) gives instant shine to hair! An excellent trick for last moment bling to your tresses!

Wah!! I havent tried the beer and the black tea trick yet - but all those who have known about it or better still who have tried it -Please concur!! :)

The above two incidents gave me an idea! I thought that with sooooo many blogger-mates that I know in blogsville, surely some might have awesome tips n tricks like these. For Beauty - Health and Diet!

So I Call Upon Thee,
O wise Blog-mate of mine.
Write down for me,
Three tips that'll make me shine!

:D So, your choice - Give one, two or all three kind of tips if you know any or have been imparted the wisdom by your Granny!!

Mine -
Beauty: Use Vitamin E (in capsule or serum) on your face to get smooth skin and lighten acne/cut marks etc.
Health: Leave work during your lunch break - put on your running shoes and have a jog around the block everyday.
Diet: Make sure to have atleast 2 serves of fruit per day!

NEXT!!

The ninteenth day....

2005-08-19T09:36:00.000+10:00

of the month of August of the year 2005..

Today we celebrate "Daffodil Day" in Australia.
This day we support and help Cancer research by buying Daffodils or Daffodil pens or pins etc. and all the money collected goes into funding this great cause.

My sixth year of support...and today it has a special meaning.
My "Naanaji" (my mum's father) has been diagnosed with cancer just a few months ago and he is undergoing treatment for the same.

AND.....

"Rakshabandhan" is here again!

A brother come,
A brother lost.

The first rakhi ever....without Anant Bhaiya.
And the first rakhi after five years, when Suraj is here with me.

A time of mourning? A time of celebration?

My best wishes to all the brothers and sisters out there!!

The VBM that was......

2005-08-16T17:02:00.000+10:00

record breaking,
timezones spanning,
highly entertaining
and best of all so much fun!!!

A very big Thank You to all my dear fellow Bloggers who were able to make it to the Independence Day VBM that I hosted this weekend! My thanks to all those that came even after I left.....hours after I left!

The VBM went on for over 14 hours!! And that is definately a record in itself....plus the number of bloggers that came from a number of countries in the 3 continents! The whole outcome was just massive to say the least. And I could not have asked for more.

When I had thought of the ID VBM - having a meet where bloggers could meet, no matter what country they were in and what time zone they fell under - I had not even in my dreams imagined that the VBM would literally "follow the sun"!

Just amazing how bloggers came and went, cooked food, had meals, did their work, chores around the house, took naps, even some who were up all night and continued the VBM on!!

It was just simply soooo convenient and so much more than I had expected it to be!

We definately have to do it again. A long weekend maybe...*oh that'll be a tough one!* where more than 70% of blogger-mates are able to make it.
And we can call it the 24 Hour VBM!! Who is up for it???!!!! :D *evil grin*

I wish I could thank individually each and every one who came.... but I don't have the full comprehensive VBM script just yet!
But I'd like to give my special Thanks to -
-- Ricky my co-host who did make it to the meet on time. :)
-- Kapil and Invincible for staying up all night.
-- DJ, Amit L and Anubha who kept the whole meet going for hours.

Love you ALL!!!

Until next time............

*my Oscar-style speech is over!* :D

My best wishes.....

2005-08-15T15:21:00.000+10:00

....to all Indians, in and outside India!

Thank you so much to all of you who came online yesterday and made the first ever Independence Day Virtual Bloggers Meet, such a great success!!!

It was a lot of fun. And I'm still laughing reading the whole meet's notes as I am going thru it to make a post about how the meet went. :) You guys... you're hilarious!!

Will be back with the post soon! Till then....Take care! Cheers!! :D

VBM Agenda...

2005-08-12T22:12:00.000+10:00

Hmm......ok people. The countdown into the last 48 hours to the first ever Independence Day Eve - Virtual Blogger Meet has begun.

And most of us know what the VBM launch was about, what the VBM Info had detailed and who our lovely VBM Attendees are - so its time to figure out what the heck are we going to talk about in the VBM itself!!!!

Before I forget, a couple of quick things...

It appears that most of us VBM attendees have the latest Yahoo Beta - the one with PC to PC calling and I'm told that it does support Voice Conferencing very well. So lets all make sure that we are updated to Yahoo beta before the VBM begins. (I shall probably test it sometime on Saturday..at random.. chatting with whoever is online ;) )
All VBM attendees please make an effort to get urself a PC mic and headphones so we can yell out..and make ourselves heard!! (have no idea how I'm going to control a rowdy rowdy crowd as this one *sigh...* but I shall give it my best shot :P !!!!)
All late comers have been added to the Attendee list this afternoon. And any one later than today may not get added to the list any more. We will have to leave the intro's to the VBM itself and there the people can post their blog addresses and get other attendees to check out their blogs as we go. Please bear with me on this one...if I get the opportunity I will most definately add late comers here in the list.

OK...where was I ? The VBM agenda..ofcourse...okay!

VBM will begin at 2pm AUST sharp-

After the first 10 minutes or 'Hello's n 'Hi's all VBM Attendees at that point in time will sing the National Anthem - "Jana Gana Mana" , and officially start the meet.
All VBM attendees will go alphabetically - post their blog urls and give a brief intro on their microphones. *So you better not have a sore throat that day/night!*
Various topics to be discussed on the VBM are - What do you think about India's progress in the last 5 years? Why have you left India - study/work/play? OR Why do you want to leave India? Don't you think you have a moral responsibility towards your nation? How many truly think that they are satisfied with the way their life is right now?
Then we will take a 15 minute break by singing patriotic songs like - Vande Maatram, Nanha munna rahi etc.
More topics on India will continue like - What has a greater effect on the Indian youth - Bollywood OR Indian Politics? Do you think Aishwarya is ever going to commit to one guy? What is the inspiration behind Ekta Kapoor's serials? Will Big Brother series ever be run in India?
Then we will have a game of Antakshari - only patriotic songs allowed.
Then all bloggers outside India will beg for money - credit card and paypal accounts accepted - to collect funds to visit India.....

:D Ohhhoooo!!!

What we are going to talk about in the VBM - who cares..!!

;) All I know is that it will be great. The best part is that there are a lot of new faces *ahem* bloggers - among all the old familiar ones. And that just makes it all the more fun and exciting!!!!

So.... in short - BE THERE or BE ..........

Independence Day VBM is almost here....

2005-08-08T19:48:00.000+10:00

Thank you so much to all of you who have sent their wishes, support, "Aye's" and emails to attend the very first Independence Day Virtual Blogger's Meet on Blogsville ever!!

For those who want to know what is going on - check the VBM launch and the VBM Info page. Coming in a day or two is the VBM Agenda. *God knows what's gonna be in it* :)

Last minute things to do -

* All VBM attendees - Please check out the blogs of as many attendees as possible before the meet so we all know who the others are.

* All Indian Bloggers (VBM Attendees and non-Attendees) - Please check out the following link - A very very comprehensive list on Indian Bloggers around the planet. It must have taken Mukundan and Magnus ages to do this thing. And I reckon they deserve a pat on the back for their efforts! :)

Independence Day VBM Attendees - Include emailed, commented, and tentative Aye's.

Amit L - Dubai

Anubha aka Anz - Delhi,India

Ashutosh aka Cliched Elk - Washington D.C.,USA

Colors - New York,USA *late addition*

Deepak aka DJ - Nepal

Divya - India

Fun-da-mental - Japan/Mumbai

Invincible - Palau

Kapil - Chicago,USA

Krishna - Banglore,India *latest addition*

Meenakshi - Toronta,Canada

Navneet - India

Neetie - Delhi,India *late addition*

Neha - Mumbai,India

Nirenjan - Chennai,India *latest addition*

Nitty - New Jersey,USA

Poonam/Neeraj - USA/India

Prabhu - Chennai,India

Prakash - SriLanka/UK

Prasad - Banglore,India

Princess - New York,USA

Puneet - Mumbai,India and here

Rajjan - Conneticut, USA *late addition*

Ricky - Canada

Sameer - Mumbai,India

Sanaja - Tempe,USA

Sree G - India

Sumit - India *late addition*

Vab - New Delhi,India

Vicky - India

Vishal - Melbourne,Australia

This list is still growing.

I am soooo excited and utterly nervous as well. I was thinking on the weekend - what if Yahoo dies? Or what if my internet gets disconnected?! Or What if no one comes? Or What if I forget to make it? :O *haha* Thats'll be funny...eh? ;)

Any more takers please email me at nupur dot forblogs at gmail dot com ASAP so that I can add you on the list above so that all attendees may check out you blog before the VBM.

RSI scare.....again.

2005-08-02T17:18:00.000+10:00

The weekend that was......

Sat/Sun was painful. Right wrist in a lot of pain.
Friends who came to dinner on Sat saw me cry for the first time!
Could not make chapattis (due to pain) so they had rice only with aloo dum and paneer butter masala.
Doc says inflammation of the joints in the wrist.
Monday off from work to rest.
Back to work today.
Staying away from kbd/mouse as much as possible.
Surprised how much more work I can get done by point no. 7.
Emails for VBM are pouring in. - Thanks for all the support!!
VBM attendees list will be up soon with blog urls for all to check out.
I am still around people.... coming to your blogs.... slowly...slowly......

See yo'all laters!

Independence Day VBM 2005

2005-07-27T16:58:00.000+10:00

Thanks so much all of you who have sent their "Aye" for the Independence Day VBM!!! It will be great!!!

Below are the timings for the meet. I have taken the same time that we had on the first VBM that Kaush and Princess had organised as I thought that the time had suited many. So lets just leave it that way!

Just incase anyone is unable to view the image, the time for the meet is -

Sunday, 14th Aug -- 2pm AUST
Sunday, 14th Aug -- 9.30am IST
Saturday, 13th Aug -- 11pm CST

Things to do --

All VBM attendees, please email me your yahoo ids on nupur dot forblogs at gmail dot com. I will add all these ids to my buddy list so I am able to invite those who come online to the VBM conference that day.
All VBM attendees, please send your blog URL in the email as well so I can post it up on the blog. This way all others attending the VBM will take sometime to go thru your blog and will have an idea of who you are.
All VBM attendees must make a genuine effort to get a PC mic and headset. If you have a webcam then sure why not! but a mic is a MUST! *Remember we have to sing~! :D*
*hmmm... thats all I can think of abhi!*

Agenda -- shall be up next!

Watch out!!

2005-07-26T11:53:00.000+10:00

Update: My apologies people, for the slight confusion! It will NOT be the sunday night, because many who are not in India have to go to work/uni on Monday, 15th August.

It will be -
Sunday afternoon - AUST
Sunday morning - IST
Saturday late night - GMT
Saturday night - CST

So it will cover from 13th August to 14th August around the globe. And then those lucky ones in India can have the long weekend till Monday! :P

Also for those new to VBM - yes it is a Virtual Bloggers Meet - courtesy Yahoo Messenger!

+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+

The Blogsville has been a hive of activity this month!!

Blockbuster stories - Touching poems - Emotional experiences - Hilarious anecdotes - Memorable Travelogues - The Grand Awards "Bloggeratti" -- and soo much more!

It is amazing...and utterly infectious.

So I thought now that our National holiday is just around the corner, let it be a time to catch up with all the mates. To share a few stories and jokes and just about anything at all. We can even sing, "Jana gana mana", "Vande Maataram" and many such patriotic songs into the night!! :D

So here I organising my first VBM ever! To let everyone know - it will be on the 15th August weekend *obviously*!

In the next post are coming the details of the meet and the 'Agenda'! :D

So all of you who are available that weekend please register your "Aye" in the comment box below!

Jai Hind!!

My drafts...you choose.

2005-07-25T14:28:00.000+10:00

Again.... it happened to me again today!

I started writing with a seemingly good idea and half way thru the post I felt lost. As if I had started running behind a gold deer and I ran and I ran until I could run no more. And before I knew it I was deep in an unknown forest, in unknown surroundings - totally lost. Looking for the shining animal everywhere but it was gone. Dissappeared into the unknown.
And frustrated - I clicked - 'Save as Draft'.

And I check and find that the no. of drafts are steadily increasing.
Why is that?
Am I losing it? Or I'm simply too good.
With so many ideas bubbling out of my mind that I can hardly contain. My mind races while my fingers struggle to keep up! *yeah! right!! Oh! how she fools herself.* :)

Well what ever the reason may be. I do know one thing..... I come here for a reason. And even though I cant pin point what it is exactly, I know that there surely must be a reason behind it. Like everything else in this universe.

No, I don't mean that we are all meant to do what we are meant to do. That would mean that there is no excitement... because everything is set on a fixed plan. That, I think, is hardly the case. We are faced with choices and every choice has a consequence. And what we choose effects the future. Our future....which is inter-linked. We all are inter-linked somehow. And what we do here - right now - we effect each other. Even though we may not realise it just yet. But in a very strange and subtle way we do. So the choice I make actually effects your future.

*You think I'm going nuts...don't you?!* But honestly tell me - when I choose to write something funny - you laugh. When I choose to write something sad - you console. When I choose to write something dreamy - you smile n nod. When I choose to write something ambitious - you congratulate.

Its all about choices. I choose to be here and so do you. My choice to post is your future to read and your choice to comment is my future to respond!

:O Confused you totally didn't I? See I choose to do that!
Now do you choose to comment? :P

Around the corner.....

2005-07-22T17:16:00.000+10:00

Around the corner.......... is the idea waiting to be scribbled.
Around the corner.......... is the recipe waiting to be sizzled.
Around the corner.......... is that scarf waiting to be knit.
Around the corner.......... is that book waiting to be read.
Around the corner.......... is that dress waiting to be tried.
Around the corner.......... is that picture waiting to be sent.
Around the corner.......... is that ribbon waiting to turn into a rakhi.
Around the corner.......... is that moment waiting to be shared.
Around the corner.......... is that peace waiting to be felt.
Around the corner.......... is that wisedom hoping to be found.
Around the corner.......... is Life.......

I am coming.........

I am right here everybody. Just one little me and so much to do!
But I shall be coming around to all your blogs...very very soon.

Hang ON!!!

To be... or not to be....

2005-07-18T11:32:00.000+10:00

.....nice to the fellow Indian on the train/tram/on the side walk... and all public places one can think of.

I mean.... with the number of Indians here in Melbourne increasing exponentially since more than five years ago when I first arrived here... I am sure to bump into someone every 10 metres that I walk! And although it makes me proud to see that more and more people from India, taking the chance to make it big in foreign land, I cant help but wonder whether should I acknowledge their presence with a nod or simply ignore their existence.

If I was in India - ofcourse India is full of Indians - so it is but obvious that you hardly look at the person next to you *you never know what ideas they might start conjuring in their minds! oops!!*. And Australia is full of Ozzies and I never look at them twice *Except ofcourse if its Ricky Ponting passing by! :) *

But Indians in Oz is different. One look and there is a sense of recognition. The other person recognises you as well and then its a race -- who will look away and pretend to ignore first!!
If its a gal - no one knows who won because we both look away instantly and if its a guy then the confident ones keep staring till you look away and the shy ones look down towards the ground hoping not to be caught staring!

But then thats probably why we Indians are not as strong as the other communities overseas. The Greeks or the Chinese or the Italians for that matter... they all are so close knit. They are a force to be reckoned with. While we Indians just scatter ourselves - closing ourselves from the rest of our community. And then, we probably even complain that there isn't a community feeling in Indian groups. Why..no wonder!

So the question is... should we keep doing what we are doing? What if we smiled if not by lips then may be just a smile in our eyes when we looked at an Indian on the street next time? Should we?
OR Do we even have to bother about it? May be this whole discussion is absurd! We are all fine the way we are. Ignoring and acknowledging who ever we like - Indian or not Indian! *who cares!*

What do you think? Tell me - I'm very curious to know!

Short ....stuff. :)

2005-07-14T18:11:00.000+10:00

Updated:

I got a name for this!

Trivia - Thirteen :)

I am a scorpio.
I am the second kid out of three.
Hazelnut is my favourite dryfuit and I love it in chocolate.
Mom calls me 'Chatori' because I love spicy chatpata stuff.
I have 2 date of births!
I have been to singing and dancing competitions all thru my school years.
People used to call me the 'junk-food queen!'
I have long hair almost till my waist but I have been dying to get them cut short till my ears for 3 years.
I was addicted to Coca Cola for the first 2 years I was in Oz.
I want to go to Europe for my honey-moon! :P
I despise double-faced people.
I love to go on long drives - as long as someone else is driving!
I want to go skiing by the end of this year.

Short n sweet!
13 things about me!!

Bitten by the blog bug.

2005-07-11T22:38:00.000+10:00

My ninth month in blogsville and I still feel like a new comer - a little kid in the big bright city. Looking around, tilting the neck back looking at the high rising blogs around. And when I tour around blogsville, hopping from one link to another. ..... I amazed at every point. What I see around me, is really mesmerising.

So many people scribbling their loves away... every happy incident, every sad moment, every silly joke, every thoughtful peom. Surely it must be worthwhile otherwise why would there be so many of us doing it day in and day out. With the crazy lives that we lead, the books/novels to be read, exams to be written, work to be done, money to be made, children to be taken care of, houses to be cleaned, food to be prepared, friends to have coffee with, girlfriends/wives to be pleased, boyfriends/husbands to be bugged *evil grin!* , parents to be made proud of - after all this - we still come here and say whats on our mind.

Surely we must be so idle! Spending hours posting on our blogs, modifying templates, blog hopping and commenting in every nook and corner in blogsville.

But the trouble is that - my online time isn't all that I have invested to my blog. (And I know - for sure - that that is the same with almost all of us).
Everything I see, everything I do, makes me think - ah! I could post about this today - add a bit of mirch masala, a sprinkle of humor, a dressing of drama and viola! present it to my fellow bloggers and get them to go "oohh!", "aah!!" :)

So, not just my online time but a significant amount of my 'alone' offline time goes in planning my next post on the blog as well. I know..I know! You must be thinking that looking at the sort of stuff I write about... it dosen't really seem that, much thought has been put into quite a few of my posts!! LOL!! But thats the whole fun of it... no matter how much I plan and think in advance of what the next post will be about - it hardly ever goes that way. Once the thoughts start flowing, even I don't know where they'll go!!

To be quite honest - I wont say that these are my personal rambling/musings/etc.. because I admit that I have them here for an audience - if they were personal as personal can be I hardly think there would be any posts here at all..... Although this blog is partly an image of who I am, I assure you that it is not 'all' that I am. And then again, even I myself do not know yet what I am or what I am truly capable of - therefore its more like a journey where I discover myself every step of the way...and then look around for encouragement and support!

*sigh*
In the end I admit that I have really and truly been bitten by the blog blog and unfortunately *or fortunately* there isn't any vaccinations against it! :)

And given a choice - I would probably choose to do this all over again!

Update: And while the blog blood still flows through my blood stream - I am updating my blogroll and I know I have missed many... Can you please drop ur link here so I can do the needful! :D *Thanks so much!*

Desi kudi on train!

2005-07-10T10:57:00.000+10:00

(translated: Indian girl on train!)

Armadale Stn: Such a cold morning. I'd rather be sleeping in bed right now.
Toorak Stn: Hmmm.. Oh! Thats a pretty face. And she looks Indian.
Hawsburn Stn: She's looking this way. And now looking away.....
South Yarra Stn: Such arrogance!
Richmond Stn: Hey man, can you move out of the way, I'm trying to look at someone.
Parliament Stn: Bye.

Next morning -
Armadale Stn: I wonder if she'll take this train.
Toorak Stn: Guess not!! :(

Next morning -
Armadale Stn: Zzzzz....
Toorak Stn: I think its her!
Hawsburn Stn: Different coat today. I liked the other one better.
South Yarra Stn: Why is she always standing so close to the last door again? There are empty seats in the middle, sit down woman!
Richmond Stn: Shit! She saw me looking at her!
Parliament Stn: Parliament again.

Next morning -
Armadale Stn: Am I smart or what?! :)
Toorak Stn: Here we go. Come sit here. Hmm... okay the seat opposite me is not bad either. Good that I chose to take last door seat this morning!
Hawksburn Stn: She likes my shoes! ..I think..
South Yarra Stn: She wears the whole thing - boots and gloves n all. I like your style girl.
Richmond Stn: Oh! she's looking this way.. no she's looking past me at the window.
Parliament Stn: Bye bye.

Next morning -
Armadale Stn: Friday..!
Toorak Stn: Hello again.
Hawksburn Stn: :) It sure is a beautiful day today!
South Yarra Stn: She's taking her gloves off...
Richmond Stn: Is it what I think it is? The right finger...?! Oh! Yes!! Oh No!!!
Parliament Stn: Good bye forever! :(

Outside Parliament Stn: :) Silly boy!

Every angle!

2005-07-07T10:31:00.000+10:00

Its been a busy first week back at work full-time. Now that uni is over, I am actually enjoying working more *thinking about the $$ that I'll get at the end of the month :D*.

It has not even been a month since I finished uni and I'm having nostalgic thoughts. But no I wont write about how I love my uni and the mind bogling assignments and crazy projects or the frienships that I made and some that broke during uni itself....

I am thinking about motivation! What motivated me then and what is motivating me now?!

Beginning of school -- obviously getting into school was not really my choice and therefore there was hardly a question of motivation in the earliest years that I can remember.
Mid School -- I loved my needle work, English singing and Hindi singing classes. *I used to think at that time that I was the brightest and most melodious chick in the flock! :)*
Year 9/10 -- I had settled on the fact that may be I was not the most beautiful girl in class, but surely I was an all-rounder. *And it was perfect time for revenge from all the ultra fair n beautiful chicks when I was class-captian! :P Used to give them all the "dirty" jobs in class like dusting the black-board, cleaning the teacher's cupboard etc!*
My singing and dancing glory was in full bloom and I actually had fans from junior classes. Had a very good chance at become one of the house captians/school head girl in future!! *imagine that!!*
Year 11/12 -- I missed my opportunity to become vice captian in year 11 by thinking of changing school and hence missing the election week! The rest two years I was miserable... my dreams of leading my house shattered... *regretting why I missed school during that week!* Then I got selected in year 12 to act the lead in the play in my school's 'Centinary Year' celebrations. And that was my time to shine!! *again!* for the last time in school!!
Pre Engineering Screening -- I hated Physics and so was lost in the coaching classes. Didn't know what I was doing in those classes...
End of School -- Year 12 results were out and though I shined in computers with the highest marks, my physics results were predictably not so impressive. I knew I was not getting into any engineering uni ever - looking at how I could not 'get' Physics at all! *Why did I have to give entrance exam in physics when all I want to do is Program in C++ ?!* I needed a uni where they could let me study computers without studying Physics.....
Diploma in Oz -- They didn't let me into the uni because I applied late, so I initially came for a diploma instead. I was the only chick in my batch! :O One of the Indian boys who cam eon the saem plane as me left after 5 days because he missed home soo much!!
I found casual work and got top marks in tests - life was breezy!
Uni years in Oz -- Its been a rollercoaster ride, but I'm glad that I chose the degree that I really wanted to do...(unlike some people I know who didn't even know why they chose it and changed after one or two semesters!). Probably the Diploma helped me realise that Multimedia was not for me - * I was not "that" creative as I thought OR rather I cant be creative 24/7*. And I cant program code the rest of my life - I prefer "people-roles" and management stuff!
Right here - right Now -- I just want to do great at work - earn top $$s and make my parents proud. Settle down and decorate a beautiful house near the beach/on the hills with hand made stuff by 'me' and 'IKEA'! :D

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Where are you headed? What do you want to do??

BTW - I can hear 'Italian' from the kitchen.

Story teller.....

2005-07-05T15:09:00.000+10:00

(My very first attempt at story-telling!!)

If he were a story teller, he would tell you the story of his life with all the trimmings and details. But that is where the whole problem was... that he could not express himself.

She had appeared in his life a few years ago. And that had also been her doing. It was as if she knew something, a girl's intuition may be! And so they became friends. Met a few times a week, chatting away about school, career, family, and just about anything at all. And that was fine. They were happy.

At the end of their school, he moved to another city to pursue higher studies in a well known university. But they were still in touch. On and off they mailed and chatted....and even spoke on phone. They would catch up when he would return to visit his family during vacations.

It was strangely simple...and completely uncomplicated.

There were rumors about her. That she had found someone. But he did not believe. Ofcourse she would tell him if that were the case. And really.... why would she go and find someone else, they had something just perfect going on here. Or so - he thought to himself.

And one day out of the blue - she called. And confirmed it all. Yes, she had found someone else! Someone she was madly in love with. He congratulated her. "About time!", he said.

He sounded happy for her, she thought. There had not been any dissapointment in his tone. He was happy for her, like a good genuine friend would be.

She smiled to herself. :)
*hmmm..* "So they were all just rumours", she thought. How did her intuition prove wrong, she did not know. But she was happy with her new found love and today - that she had told him all about it and got his reaction, she knew that 'today' she could really move on.

He put down the phone, "DAMN!"

Inertia - Move... d#$% it!!

2005-06-27T16:14:00.000+10:00

in·er·tia (-nûrsh)
n.

The tendency of a body to resist acceleration; the tendency of a body at rest to remain at rest or of a body in motion to stay in motion in a straight line unless acted on by an outside force.
Resistance or disinclination to motion, action, or change.

Today is one of those days when things are out of whack for no reason what so ever! And there is nothing I can do about it either.....

I mean,

- Homesickness is engulfing me like a dark blanket and I cant for the life of me think straight any more.... I want to go home right now and every news/rumor of someone going back to India makes me ache inside. I think - "Take me with you. In your luggage or something...anything!!"

- There are things *I think* 'I need' to buy for myself.... (for a while)... but cant. Because I'm afraid that I'll feel guilty later... that I should have postponed it a bit more. Since when did my bills and financial commitments become more important than "my peace"??

- I have to start working out a plan for my career...what I want to do in the coming months - continue where I am or move on. Being where I have been for almost 5 years.... the thought of leaving is very frightening. I don't remember being interviewed for soooo long!!

And I cant run away, because I know that I'm the kind of person who needs stress to feel alive!! Its ridiculous and its just pricking me from the inside.

There are goals but they seem so far away -- almost out of reach.
There are tasks to be completed -- almost impossible to be finished.
There are things to be said -- almost unable to form them into words.

There are .........oh so many things... -- don't even know where to begin!!

simple and relaxing weekend...

2005-06-24T18:08:00.000+10:00

....to a very very busy week.

See you all soon!!

Milestone....

2005-06-20T16:47:00.000+10:00

mile·stone (mlstn)
n.

A stone marker set up on a roadside to indicate the distance in miles from a given point.
An important event, as in a person's career, the history of a nation, or the advancement of knowledge in a field; a turning point.

MS Project: A task with the duration equal to 0!

And I guess, for me this much anticipated milestone of my life has come finally. It has been long overdue and now that it is here...I don't know what to do!!
YES - I expect to pass all my exams and graduate with (a-hem!) flying colors!!

Does it feel different you ask.
Well, to be honest, I do feel light on my shoulders, but that is a wierd feeling I tell you!

I just go home and think, what do I do next? I am not stressed..! Why? Am I forgetting something? Should I be doing something rightnow? Did I miss something? Whats going on?.....and these questions are making me crazy!! I am getting stressed because I am not stressed?! What that $%^#^!!!

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The first thing I did when I finished with my last exam was took a tram to Crown Entertainment Complex, bought a large size Protector Juice (Orange, Caroot, Ginger and Apples) from Boost, and 3 tickets to see Mr. and Mrs. Smith with my girlfriends!!

My take:
-- Story was okay.
-- Action was not very impressive.
-- I liked Brad and Angelina! (woh! ..how come? I dunno, may be coz she didn't pout too much! I know thats how her lips are...but I thought she was better in this one than many she has done. And yes there is the very obvious chemistry between them. But I'm not the one who likes celeb-goss so I'll let that be.)
-- I liked the humour in the movie - the husband n wife arguing away to glory!! :D

You can see it once if you like!

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Whats next? - Please don't ask me that question, not just yet!

I'm trying to bask in the sunshine of freedom!! :D

-------------------------------------------------

Internet at home....died! Oops!!!

So.... can only post from work!! ;) *hehehe*

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I need an action plan - and then put the plan into action.
Like they say, "A dream is just a dream. A goal is a dream with a plan and a deadline." -- so I need an action plan with lots of goals.
Achievable ones, thanks!

What? yes you..... tell me because I'm lost.
What should be my next goal??!

catching up...

2005-06-14T11:33:00.000+10:00

with Sleep:
Been sleeping all weekend...and *dang!* does it feel good!!

with Cooking:
Been making some great stuff... like pani -puri! *that I just popped out of the box, boiled some poatatoes and added water n jal-jeera masala to the chutney provided! :P* And posted 3 kinds of Kad-hi!

with Shringaar: *now how do I translate this one!*
and what did I do? Had my very very long overdue hair cut.... now they are 2 inches shorter, but hopefully they will grow faster! :D

with Movies:
I call myself a huge science fiction buff. Seen all the sci-fi movies at the local Block-Buster and ABC video. But for some very wierd strange reason....I never saw Star Wars!! I just dont know why..just didn't. So on the long Queen's birthday weekend I saw Star Wars I and Star Wars II. Finally I can say that now I'm ready to see Star Wars III.

My review: (Keeping it simple and short!) Star Wars (I hear) was actually a kids movie that adults liked a lot...and so the first one is quite interesting and kiddish fun!
The second one, I hear was not such a huge hit and I can see why. The story has a love-story which may have not appealed to the kids and the adults...for the obvious reasons. Though I still reckon that if you are into sci-fi then the story is good and might make sense to you too!
So... next weekend after the exams - Star Wars III - The revenge of the Sith!

Also bought 'Mai aisaa hi hoon + Company' DVD. -- MAHH is the Bollywood version of 'I am Sam' as many of you may already know and well.... the bollywood masala twist at the end was IMHO quite stupid!

And talking about stupid Bollywood movies - also bought 'Jo bole so nihaal'.
And please this one was not my choice, it was 'his'. And being a pakka punjabi that he is, he had to buy it no matter what I said.
"Arrey, Sunny Deol hai aur woh bhi sardar banke - to dekhne to hai hi!!"
(Its Sunny Deol and acting as a sardar - so have to watch it anyways!)

DUMB movie - is all I can say!

Raising.....Hell...!

2005-06-10T10:44:00.000+10:00

I am angry! *very angry!!*
This may sound just a little out of place coming from a gal who knows nothing about raising kids, so those who do have little bundles of joy please don't mind my point of view in this post!

I know an Indian couple here with a very cute daughter who had her first birthday a few weeks ago. Now this kid is the first offspring and as expected the parents are more like kids themselves who are not really sure at times what to do with her. But sometimes I see them and am appalled by the way the treat their baby!

For example --
- The mama forgets and dosent start preparing the baby's food till the she cries her eyes out.
- The daddy plays video games while the baby is crying - hungry/thirsty/just plain needs attention.
- The mama beats the baby if she is angry at the daddy.
- The daddy angry at the mama (that she hit the baby) also hits the baby to show that he is very very angry at mamma's behavior!

What is going on here?!
Now the couple love each other a lot (been in love 8 yrs before getting married!) and have the martial "tu-tu mai-mai" (arguements) a lot as well. And I know that they adore the baby...but why do they treat her like this?

If only they were not 5-6 years elder to me I would give them a piece of my mind. I mean... am I missing something here, because I cant stand seeing them treat the baby this way! What am I to do? How do I tell them - Grow up!!!!

2 gone! --- 2 to go!!

2005-06-07T23:18:00.000+10:00

Today I had the first two exams - morning n afternoon.
And even though I complained to no end - how it sucks having two exams in one day, now that its over, I reckon its not that bad after all. It very scary when its approaching, but when two of the hardest subjects go by, in one hit -- its swwweeeeet!!

*17th June - Here I come!*
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Laloo prasad yadav - made to it the local Melbourne paper today!

I saw a snap of little 'Lalooji Dolls' in the "What in the wierd!" section of the paper. It seems that little Laloo look-alike dolls are sweeping Bihar, and Lalooji is one of the biggest fans of these dolls. :-/

*what the.....*

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My blog has reached - rather - crossed the 10,000 counter hit! And I have to thank each and everyone of you, very sweet n very *wela* people that come here day after day to listen to me!

I am honoured indeed!!

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Saw on TV in a current affairs show that cooking in Non-Stick pans could be extremely hazardous to health!

The fumes that come out of the pan after it reaches more than 250 deg. (thats heating a pan for 2.15 minutes) are so toxic that they can kill birds! And ofcourse all kinds of problems like cancer or liver troubled for humans..!!

*ohh! my golly gosh!!!* :O

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Thanks also to all the lovely people who sent me the their wishes before these two exams. Hold on people...just 2 more to go on the 17th and then I will be as free as can be!!!

Stress....

2005-06-01T17:30:00.000+10:00

6 days to go for my first exam;
I don't have the printout of any lecture notes......

was Taggie Tagged!!

2005-05-28T02:05:00.000+10:00

Why am I still 'ere?!
Shub did this to me.......

And being a good sport that I am - I shall follow her request. :)

THREE NAMES YOU GO BY:
Nupur - *du-uh!*
Nups/Nupsi - *don't ask me why!*
Nupur-the-great - *from my girl friends at school - I think*
*some others...I wont tell!* ;)

THREE SCREEN NAMES YOU HAVE HAD:
3?! Hmm... can I make sum up?? :D
No...the only one I think I've had was 'Trinity' in ICQ in 1999. *I have no idea whether I picked that name up before The Matrix or after!*

THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
Ur asking a gal that question?! Don't you know we gals hardly like what we have! :P
No...serious...
I like my 'eyes', 'nose', 'fingers'!

THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU DON'T LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
The hereditary bum from my mum's side! *aaarrghhh!!*
My curly hair!! *somedays I don't mind them that much actually!*
hmm......

THREE PARTS OF YOUR HERITAGE:
I have no idea what this question means..! But if my guess is right - I'm a Kanpuria all the way!! Thats my heritage!! :D

THREE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU:
All creepy crawlies!! *yes all of them!*
Wild animals - *I used to have nightmares filled with lions and tigers!!* :O
The thought of losing all that I treasure in my life!

THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS:
Sound sleep, fresh bath, and my Moisturiser.

THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW:
Track pants + T + a jumper!

THREE THINGS YOU WANT IN A RELATIONSHIP:
Understanding + Love + My 'space'!

TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE (in no particular order):
I love Maggi!
I love HARD ROCK music!
I love going on long drives. *with a good driver! ;)*

THREE PHYSICAL THINGS ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX THAT APPEAL TO YOU:
Intelligence *is that considered physical?! I'm confused now!*
Height + Hair + Smile!

THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO REALLY BADLY RIGHT NOW:
I want to go n SLEEP! *its bluddy 2.30am!*

THREE CAREERS YOU'RE CONSIDERING:
I'm in IT Admin + Support - dunno how long I can stand it.
My own jewellery designing store/something.
Interior designing/mosaic work.

THREE PLACES YOU WANT TO GO ON VACATION:
Europe
South America
I already have vouchers for tickets and accomodation to go to New Zealand *got for a project at work - stingy people....$ would have done me more good than silly vouchers..hmm I guess now I have a reason to go..but no time! even though..I'm just an hour's flight away!!!*

THREE KIDS NAMES YOU LIKE:
I love all the hard to pronounce names!! :D
*But for my kids I'll keep them simple.... kids at school can be very cruel with nick names!!*

THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:
*Ahhh!* - die? already?!
Get married n have a happy family.
Have a content n fulfilled life..
A trip to the Moon would be nice! :D

THREE(make that more!!) PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THIS QUIZ NOW:
Who wants to be the ......... *next scape goat!*
My pick (in alphabetical order) -
Colors, Fundoo, Kapil, Kaush, Ricky and Sanaja.

Its upto you people...take it or leave it!
If you do take it...then leave a link for me here!! :D

That's all folks!!

2:43 am...why not!!

2005-05-25T02:43:00.000+10:00

Today I was supposed to sleep by 11pm the latest so I may get up nice and early and go to uni to study etc... and my 5 min. online trip to check my mail n blog has turned into a 5 hour long journey!!!

*what is the matter with me?!* - Even I'm not 100% sure... I think I'm just frustrated that days are passing by so slow - I just want to graduate now!! Please let me graduate and go home...... PLEASE!!!!!

***************************************

Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown is a must read people. You have to go check this one out if you have not already.
I believe that the book is based on facts and very convincing facts at that! Its amazing, the real photos on Dan Brown's website n all (don't see them till you read the book!)
*Europe - my next travel destination!!*

I have studied in a catholic school for 12 years - and I thought I knew 'a lot' about Christianity - but I was shocked at what I found out! It confirmed some of my doubts and gave me many new things to ponder about........

I hope I am not lifting anyones expectations too high or anything, as heard one person didn't find DVC 'that' good. But I read the story without knowing what to expect and the prologue gripped my attention so strong that I could not put it down......

GO GET IT!

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And any one out there, who is hungry and not too worried about eating deepfried and piling on some of those extra kilos, then go check out 'the kitchen' as I have been busy with some thing that I'm sure most of us love and want to have as often as possible!!

C ya people........
I *don't* want to study!!!!

Somethings in control and some totally out of!

2005-05-15T22:10:00.000+10:00

I had to write about this - if not for the pleasure of writing then just to warn my fellow blogmates!

Yesterday, I was asked if I wanted to go see "Kaal" and .......*unfortunately* I said "yes".

I'll be short.
-- I thought the clothes the chicks wore were ridiculous.
I think I don't even want to start on it.
-- The acting from all involved was utterly horrible.
Some scenes overacted, some extremely no expression at all.
-- I thought, the story line was stupid. I predicted it way way in advance!
Either I should stop watching Bollywood movies or stop complaining that the story line of almost 95% movies is crap.
-- The sound effects were too loud and very very annoying.
I can appreciate good background score as I do admit that it has a important part in movies. But *absolutely unneccesary - extremely ill-timed - unusually loud* noise - I just hate that. Instead to keeping me on the edge of my seat, it made me put my fingers in my ears because I just could not stand it, after 15 mins into the movie, at all!

I was sooooo upset when I left the theatre, had to control my anger and disappointment - literally.
Good thing that my friends with me have a great sense of humor and they helped me calm down n let go.

To conclude -
All those who made the movie,
all those who acted in the movie,
all those who told me I should see it,
all those who made me see it -
"Jee karta hai, ki mai unhe jaan se maar doon!"-- "I feel like killing them all!"

*********************************
Height of desperation - After hearing soooo much about "The Da Vinci Code" I finally got my hands on a copy from a girlfriend at work. It lay on my desk most of last week and with the work and studies crushing me down I had to control myself........

Now (sunday night) I am at page 350 of the book.
*A weekend well-spent or ill-spent!*

"Kya karen control nahi hota!" -- "What to do can't control!"

*************************************

Thanks to all my dear blogmates who have sent me their wishes. Yes, I know I should be studying right now - well........

"Jaa rahi hu naa!" - "I'm going no!"

Catching up....

2005-05-09T16:59:00.000+10:00

Hey there!
You are surprised to see a new post. *What the $@#$"$@#$!@# am I doing here?!*

Well... I'm drowning deeper and deeper, day by day, in the abyss of books and assignments. Thanks so much to all of you beautiful people who have sent me their wishes in this very difficult time of my life! ;P

To catch with some things --

Wanted to thank the organisers, Kaush and Princess for a very successful Bloggers Meet yesterday. Blogsville is definately gonna have many many more of these in the coming weeks.
-- Although I should mention that I was probably the only chick out there with a webcam and that is so not fair!! Next time I'm gonna get myself a mic and hide behind the curtain of anonymity like you all did! -- How convenient..huh?! ;)

And just coz I'm busy don't mean I won't be cooking! - *thats my only salvation! haha!!*
So go on - check out whats the beautiful smell coming from the kitchen!

Ciao...

I'm soooo full - I could puke!

2005-05-06T14:09:00.000+10:00

Seriously - its just geeting too much!!!

As times draws closer to the end of my last semester at uni, I am literally being bombarded here with assignments and projects. And work is just as crazy! *I know I say that all the time anyways!!*
And after it all whatever little time I have left, there are hundreds of other chores just waiting to be started and then finished ofcourse..... and there isn't more than one of me!

So, I think I will have to do one of my dissapearing acts and return in a couple of weeks. In the meantime ....enjoy the new Rice recipe in the kitchen.

I might jump in here in Blogsville now and then to say "Gudday mate!!"

for hungry souls!!

2005-05-02T13:59:00.000+10:00

They say, that music is the food for soul..... but I guess, it really depends what you are hungry for.

Love
Companionship
Friendship
Food
or plain old music

The first one being the hardest to find and the hardest to keep. I won't even go into it, as a thorough discussion on this topic will just be out of the scope of this blog! ;) *ahh! always wanted to say that..used to be in so many books at school!*

Then comes companionship - and that includes just about any kind. Work mates, blog mates, gym-class mates, swimming lesson mates etc. etc.. And their is never ever the feeling of expecting something/any thing - or so it should be. We just are part of it because it feels good. Feels like you are a part of something.

Friendship though it begins at companionship, its more than that. Because if you dissappear for a while, you are genuinely missed. Friends lookout for each other, encourage each other and tell the bad discouraging stuff on the face too! *sigh! How good that feels sometimes..!!*

Food - *slurp!* It sure is the reason everything is the world is done for. People work - To put food on the table! And not just food to survive, we need once a while something niiice and tasty, to make the tastebuds happy! My mom always used to say - "Nupur, tum badi chatori ho!!" (Nupur, you are ......*I don't know the translation of 'chatori'!!*

And Music, I don't know if music can replace love/companionship/friendship, (and it sure can't replace food!) but, it does keep one occupied when these are or aren't present!!! Music heals, music transforms, music fills, music satisfies, music fulfills, music incourages, music persuades.... and much much more~!!

And though I can't help you people in most of these regards that much - I sure can help you in one of them. Food - so if you are tempted - checkout my first recipe in the kitchen!!

long lost........ love?!

2005-04-30T12:59:00.000+10:00

It doesn't even matter now....

Your very presence in the room,
used to give me goosebumps,
my heart would beat a little faster,
my breath coming in small puffs.

I would wait to see you look at me,
and then look away, pretending you didn't,
then you would talk to your friends,
while my girl friends would tease me - to no end.

It took me months to sum up the courage,
to talk to you for a moment,
to pretend to not look at you,
while eyes were at nothing else but you.

I couldn't understand what it was,
was it a silly infatuation,
a little fancy I had taken,
about to dissapear into thin air?

And then the winds of time changed,
for Destiny she loves to joke with us mortals,
she chose that I should go where you wont,
she chose that you would go where I don't.

And years have gone by, and I stare out at the moon;
A pyramid - that sees ages go by,
not knowing if its purpose has been fulfilled,
Should it crumble down to peices or stand for another century?

I have not crumbled to pieces I think,
I have just taken a new form, a new shape,
for I did not have the virtue of patience,
or the audacity to just fall.

The random thought still comes at times,
when I think where you are,
what you must be doing....
when a day just like today comes by.

You must have found your soul mate,
surely, just like I have.
Does she keep you happy?
Does she make you laugh?

Is she beautiful?
More than I am....

Do you even think of me? Ever?
Ever think of those times we shared - or didn't.
Of how it would have been,
only if we had taken the step.

I wish you have grown into an ugly bald guy,
with lots and lots of acne.
I wish that your girl is not any more prettier than me.

I wish I get to see you someday.
And then, I'll feel better.
That yes... I'm better off.

But you know what....
this is one of those rare days.
When I'm thinking of you,
but I don't fell the same.

I'm happy and content with my life,
and I can think of you without feeling sad.
I hope you feel the same....
that you are happy and content with yours.

Because it doesn't even matter now,
what you are.. what you do....

*although it'll be nice to know,
if you think of all this too!
I hope you'll get jealous when you see me!!*

but ofcourse -
It doesn't even matter now.......

garnish...from all directions.

2005-04-27T23:47:00.000+10:00

I saw my little Shiru get his massage today at 1.30am on the webcam! :D The little chimp has started rolling on his back already!!

-----------------------------------

Just heard that Miss Rai was on Oprah. She seemed to look a bit better than she did on Letterman and she didn't embarass herself again this time either - though her giggles seemed to never stop! She gave Oprah a sari and thinking about how much money she makes, I really think that she could have got a sari bit better than that!!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

My exam timetable is out. 2 exams on 7th June and 2 on 17th June!! So..exam from morning till evening both the day. I wish they had clashed on the same time or something so they could get changed sumhow!! *sulk!*

********************************

The biggest passenger plane, Airbus A380, took its maiden flight today. Oh! beautiful!! *Does that mean that once these huge monsters are in business Qantas will reduce the airfares or the smaller planes to let broke students like me visit home regularly??!* - I wish!!

////////////////////////////////////

And we have begun - preparations in the kitchen!!

excellent start to the weekend!

2005-04-23T11:33:00.000+10:00

Just what I needed - a *bangin'* start to my weekend!!

This morning, round half past eight, when I was *deep* in my slumber (dreaming about my tutors laughing on my face as I struggle with my books and assignments!), the glass shade over my ceiling light slammed on the floor and shattered to pieces!! I woke up shocked, my first thought that the crazy tutors were throwing things around my room..! :O
Even the carpet on the floor couldn't stop the glass from breaking to bits and flying to every corner of the room - Thank God my bed is at the corner and not right under the light! *phew!*

I called my property manager - what if its saturday morning?! - and the girl said, "The light still works right?"
*umm...yeah?!*
"So its not an emergency. Send us the details of the damage in writing and we'll send someone to fix it sometime next week."

.......my head under that light would have been an emergency..eh?!

----------------------------

In other news-
-- Treating my right arm with loads of balm each night.. almost healed *I hope!*
-- The third toe still hurts...damn the cold! coz wounds hurt more in winters!!
-- I got through that day in that warm woollen tee - after quite a bit of embarrasment.... *Weather Channel - oh why did I forget you??!*
-- The test went brilliantly! I forgot my calci - not allowed to use mobile - and so struggled with my fingers counting 17+56 - so dumb that I actually began with 56 and went counting on my fingers till I reach the 17th square on my fingers! -- du'uh!!!

Honestly I have become soooo bad with numbers - its not funny! I rely so badly on calculators that I dont even trust my own calculations, I recheck it on the calculator - the digital numbers giving me confirmation!!

Now... weekend till Monday! But have to work on my Digital Imaging excercises - Photoshop, my idea of relaxation from the crazy programming and networking subjects.

Now more than ever I believe in the saying - This too, shall pass!! Years of labor and finally the bachelors is at its last 2 months..... almost there Nupur!! Almost there......

Hows ur weekend coming along? Any exciting plans??

Just one of those days...

2005-04-21T13:30:00.000+10:00

you know...

-- Right arm in pain *had a RSI scare!!*
-- Hurt my foot on the door of my closet while looking for something in the dark last night! still hurts... so wore the old pair of shoes. They look horrible!
-- Was freezing in the morning so wore a thick warm tee instead of a business shirt, now its beautiful n sunny and I'm sweating!!
-- Have a test at uni after work, not prepared.

Just one of those days.....

at random!

2005-04-18T10:35:00.000+10:00

Some things that caught my eye -

Padmasree Warrior has become the new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the $31-billion Motorola Inc.

-- Some one making it big and earning so much respect + $$ is surely a source of inspiration!!

Pakistani fans got crappy treatment at the Green Park in Kanpur during the weekend match....bad seats, bad view, no food/drink stalls near by.

-- What happened to my home town? We are famous for our Kanpuriya hospitality. I am dissapointed to read that. What if it was the Pakistanis?!

--------------------------------

While writing the above two points I had this flash - that this has happened before! This same screen, my typing this post, this bottle of water next to the monitor right there, the phone ringing, the sticky post-its on the screen even the thought that this has happened before!!

And I'm sure many of us have had that, often in our day to day life, when a scene seems like action replay!!
I wonder what the scientific fact behind it is.
Can I see the future? Did I dream it? OR you are just saying "What the...."!

--------------------------------

For some unknown reason I have that stupid song from the movie 'Page 3' in my head.
"Kua maan doob jaaungi!" - "(I'm) Going to drown in the well!"

*I wonder - if that's my future!*
:D

Ridiculous - I know!!!! Pathetic isn't it??!
"Nupur, get a life!"

OMG!

2005-04-15T16:05:00.000+10:00

Where on earth have you been girl?! What have you been upto??!

I could say that I'm taking a breather... but the truth is that even after cutting time out from my online schedule like everything else... there still isn't enough time to breathe!
Gosh!! There are are only so many hours in a day and there is soooooo much that's got to be done.

To make the long story short - I have been churning in the hours. Work for uni + work + personal life and still... it doesn't seem enough. I still end up thinking, if only I could do this more, if only I could do that better.... if only!!!
And then one day you come online to blog and find, OMG! so many days have passed and now all the stuff that I wanted to rant about... has all, but lost its sting! *sigh* *long deep sigh*

Synopsis -

2 assigments due last week.
3 assignments due this week.
1 test next week.
Trip to Canberra last weekend.
Trip to the beauty parlor (first one in months!) ;)
Visit from friends that I hadn't invited since I moved to this place! *yikes*
New system launch at work - setup + training + deployment.
One person less in an already busy department - therefore, overtiming almost everyday.

*sigh* and it will be just as crazy in the coming weeks.

----------------------------------------

My dear people, pupils of the Kit*chen*blog, I apologise for the delay in publishing my post. But worry you not, it will be here.

----------------------------------------

Do you guys believe in superstitions? Because I have been loosing a lot of hair lately - yes, unusually 'lots', so much so that I fear washing them as hands full come in my hands!!! And someone here suggested its because I posted my piccie on the blog with my hair down and could be that people have gone, "Hai!!" !!! makes sense to you?? Yes? No..? May be...?!
I may just chuck my pic one of these days... because you never know!

Ow... a penny! *I better pick it up!*

Knife in one hand and Belan in another...

2005-04-05T16:39:00.000+10:00

Fact 1 - I like cooking.
Fact 2 - I like my cooking.
Fact 3 - I am told that others like my cooking.
ok..ok.. Now that we have established that, lets move on shall we?

Fact 4 - I can only cook veg. dishes.
Fact 5 - I love sharing recipes.
Fact 6 - I like learning new dishes.
Fact 7 - I can make North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, Italian, Thai...ummm that's all I can remember right now.

And NO! Fish is not vegetarian thanks.

So, finally to vent my "Masala Venom" I have decided to launch a new blog called "What's Cooking?". I will try n post pics and recipes of things that a student, overseas n away from Mommy's cooking, dares to conjure in her kitchen!!

Do peek in from time to time and say "Hey!"

---------------------------------

Also, posting another pic of my cute Shiru on Kaush's request.

:D He looks quite naughty to me already.... the cutie is just over 3 months old!

It can be miles.....

2005-04-04T10:10:00.000+10:00

Nothing beats Mommy's hug and Papa's firm handshake.....
Nothing beats the soft touch of Shiru's blankets with him wrapped in my arms.....
Nothing beats the time spent in the kitchen while Didi demonstrates all the new dishes she has recently learnt/discovered......
Nothing beats the laughter of my sweet girlfriends as we share the cuppa n giggle away at glory.....

Nothing beats it all......

and I know it, and so I kept myself at bay from the luxury of a webcam, coz it just does not seem personal enough, not close enough......

Didi was online last night.. just before midnight. I am hardly ever online for chats but she called and asked me to come.

It was her Sunday morning, jiju was home too, making the 'Sunday Lunch'. Didi said, "Nupur, put on your webcam."
"Didi, I dont have one!"
"Yes, you do, remember the one that ur Jiju had brought when he had visited Oz, I know its still around in my stuff there sumwhere..."

After finding the little thing wrapped in cords and other junk in the deep old forgotten drawer of the closet.
"Oh... but I dont have the drivers, so I cant install it."
"Fine, look for it this week and make sure that I see you on the weekend...I really really want to see you! Well, can you see us? ", didi asked.

And their image appeared.
Shiru had just got up.. and he was cooing and opening his eyes slowly.
Though they were wide open and sort of surprised, *if babies three months old know what being surprised means*, when he was thrust towards the lens of the webcam so that I could get a clear view of his face!

Then didi took him in her arms and kissed him from my side. She looked up and smiled as if saying, "He kisses you back!"

*DAMN!! I need to be there... I wanted to hold that little bundle, the little coochicoo soo bad! I want to twist his ears and I want to pinch his cheeks till they turn red/till he cries - which ever happens first!!*

That just inspired me..and I started googling for the cam drivers. Took to me 3-4 attempts till I found the right one, coz the cam was a little old and its drivers had to find...
But at 2am in the morning, I finally got it up n running!

Man!! I couldn't stop smiling. Part of it was because I looked cute on the screen but also coz I looked quite ok in the middle of the night... *buhhahaha*
And Didi was just as ecstatic as I was, ofcourse the first thing she said was, "Nupur, you look chubby like u've gained some weight!"
:D
"Yeah!! Just a little." ;)

-------------------------------

The distance between us may be miles n miles, but for a few moments last night, I was --this-- close to Didi, Jiju and Shiru!

Now we will meet every weekend!

--------------------------------

I know you must think... its a webcam - old technology - whats the fuss about?!

*sigh* but for sumone who hasn't used her 3G video phone for video calls at all in the 2 years that she has owned it - hunting for drivers + installing a webcam + using it - is a big feat indeed!!

Fools....!!

2005-04-01T18:01:00.000+10:00

April Fool's Day is here again, and the good thing about being here down-under is that I dont have cousins and friends making a big April Fool out of me!!
Because no matter how hard I try, I could not get a single person fooled *may be I tried too hard and planned too much that it became obvious!* and I would get fooled easily. They would say, "Who's the first one that fooled you this April Fools'?"
And so it went.....
I am a self-confessed FOOL!!

---------------------------------------

Read about the arranged marriage setup thing at Sanaja's blog, and I remembered an incident I heard a while ago.

That there was this chic who was getting arranged with a guy, and the Boy's family came to her place for the initial interview . And before anything else, the first question they asked was,
"Do you follow any of Ekta Kapoor's serials?"
*where did that cum from I dunno!*

The girl after overcoming her initial surprise nodded, "No! I 'm sorry I don't."

And there was a big grin on the faces of all the prospective groom's family memebers. And then one ventured to explain, "Actually we hate her shows and would have not considered much of you if you followed them. There is so much crap in them that we cant stand it at all and would hate to have a daughter-in-law who watches them religously!"

Fair enough??

---------------------------------------

Well...... another very crazy week has come to an end.
*sigh* Time to go home........

---------------------------------------

Is this what it feels when one goes thru Blogger-Burntout?! Or may be my case is more Work-brunout? Or Uni-burnout?
I better do some workout to counter this burnout!!

b l a n k

2005-03-29T17:36:00.000+10:00

Been thinking of something smart to write......all day.
But c'mon who am I kidding?! First day back to work after 7 days and I'll get time to blog/post? No way??!
*ehem! Don't count this... I'm kinda staying back after work to finish some imp. stuff + posting! :D*

BTW - I didn't go to any Holi function.... *boooo - I know!* There is always some excuses or the other and so I have stopped making any excuses. If only I had a car - hey! wait a minute I do have a car, but I'm still on Leaner's and thus I cant drive without a resposible adult, with a Full License, next to me. My driver's text was weeks ago.. but I have been postponing it like forever! (Just dont get the time to practise!)
....see more excuses - when will I stop!!!

It was a relaxing weekend -

4 hours drive to Great Ocean Road
Picnic at the beach with friends
Slept a lot!!
Had 1 Chocolate Easter egg! - *couldn't resist coz it was Chocolatier* :P
Called home - got a scolding from Mommy for calling after 3 weeks!!

But today at work has be HECTIC - so busy..its mad!
I just want to go home.....!!!!!
But no!! When I get home, I'll have to make dinner..... :( *why?! Please God why???*

My head is B L A N K.

Colors - festival and life!

2005-03-22T16:32:00.000+11:00

Holi is coming.... I know because friends are getting excited about going to the Indian temple on the coming weekend, where there is gonna be a huge Holi Mela with most of the Indians here in the state of Victoria attending the celebrations. Don't know the exact date.. coz havent called mom this week.

And ofcourse, like Diwali or Dandiyaa, I have never been to a single Holi function here in Oz. Why?
Well there used to be soo many reasons.... now the reasons have faded, but the habbit continues. And when the day passes by I winge and cry and complain how I have missed another Holi!

---------------------------------------------

I can't fall asleep, we have to get up early in the morning and go to the nearest crossroads 'chauraha' near my place and roast the sugarcane tops!!
I can taste the sweet nector, the seet sugarcane juice that we will drink the next morning after playing with colors and then having a bath.... in the sticky 'ubtan'.

"Ohhh.... Is my water gun 'pichkari' oiled and ready to use Mom?"
"Yes beta, go to your room now and sleep, or you wont be able to get up on time!"

I run to by room, and jump on the bed. The excitement is too much. Dad will put the music system out in the garden in the morning so when the relatives start to come... there will be lots of colors, lots of music and lots of dancing!!

And then we will have the sugared 'gujiya'...yumm. My mouth is watering at the thought. And then holi mela. Babaji with take us to the relatives.
And all the money I'll get! This year I will not take anything less than Rs.10. I am a big girl and if the kiddies get Rs.5 I should get Rs.10
I have to remember that line to say to any stingy Aunty or Uncle who tries to hand me a Rs.5 note. .! :D

How many choclates can I buy then? How many Maggis?
Oh! I cant sleep....

----------------------------

The night before Holi.........
I miss you soooo much...

You tempt me!!

2005-03-21T14:37:00.000+11:00

O! Easter holidays... the long weekend!!
4 days of total fun - masti - forecast of warm sunny days, a trip to the beach...

You look sooo tempting on my calender, but I know.... you will dissappear in no time.

**************************

And another thing that is soooo tempting this time of the year is the chocolate easter eggs and chocolate bunnies!!! They are right on your face...no matter where you go... gocery shops - coffee shops everywhere!!

Yummmmmmm........

*But I'm trying to be a good girl!*

Got an education!!!

2005-03-18T17:41:00.000+11:00

This one is soo silly that I had to post!

Another one for the boys and supposedly educational for us chicks!

-- Forwarded from a male colleague at my work place! Poor guy who gave it to me!!!
He dosen't know what he has given in the hands of a female!!!
*evil grin!!*

------------------------------------
Rules from the Men's side
------------------------------------

(All are numbered 1. on purpose)
1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You are a big girl. If its up, put it down. You dont hear us complaining about you leaving it down.
1. Saturday = SPORTS. Its like the full moon or changing of tides. Let it be.
1. Shopping is NOT a sport. And No, we are never going to think of it that way!
1. Crying = Blackmail.
1. Ask for whatyou want. Let us be clear on this one -
-- Subtle hints don't work.
-- Strong hints don't work.
-- Obvious hinsts don't work.
-- JUST say it!!
1. 'Yes' and 'No' are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.
1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. thats what we do. Sympathy is what your girl friends are for!
1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem - See a doctor.
1. Anything we say 6 months ago is inadmissable in an arguement. Infact, everything becomes null and void after 7 days.
1. If you think you are fat, probably you are. Don't ask us.
1. If something we said can be interpreted in 2 ways, and one makes you sad/angry, we meant the other one.
1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done.
-- Not both.
-- If you already know best how to do it, do it yourself.
1. Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during the commercials.
1. Christopher Columbus didn't need directions, neither do we!
1. We only see the 16 colours, like Windows default settings.
-- For eg. Peach is a fruit not a color. Pumpkin is a fruit.
-- No idea what mauve is!!
1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.
1. If we ask what's wrong and you say "nothing", we will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying but its just not worth the hassle.
1. If you ask a question you don't what an asnwer for, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
1. If we have to go sumwhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine - Really!
1. Don't ask what we are thinking unless you want to talk about - sex, sports and cars.
1. You have enough clothes.
1. You have too many shoes.
1. I am in shape, Round is a shape!

Now are you girls thinking what I am thinking.....???!!

*Phew! I'm tired of typing this out.... unfortunately could not Copy-Paste from paper!!*
:D

Observation!!

2005-03-17T14:51:00.001+11:00

Guys - Please shed some light on this one!

-----------------------------
From the time that I have noticed boys, I have observed some thing.
I would like to put it down before you people - Don't, I repeat don't take it critically as its just a silly little observation...and I'm curious to know if it means anything.

Indian guys with glasses are less afraid to approach girls than those without!!
*there said it!*

I will give you 2 recent examples -

----- My sixth year in Oz, and it has never ever happened that an unknown Indian guy may have spoken to me in Hindi. But this changed last week, I was at the Immigration Office to pick up some forms (no no! I'm not getting deported - just visa expiring!) And as a lot of International students have their visa expiring end of March, there was total chaos and confusion at the entrance. And from nowhere this Specy guy came with his mate and said to me, "Tumko yeh forms kahaan se mille?!"
I was shocked for a few secs. No, he wasn't bad looking - just the fact that he spoke to me in Hindi! When I came out of my initial shock, I pointed him in the appropriate direction 'in English' and he walked away, turning and smiling in a strange way!

----- I was in the city this Monday with Suraj to see the International Auto Expo thingy at Melbourne Exhibition Centre. We toured around the place and then decided to walk through Crown (a five star Hotel + Casino + Entertainment Complex). I was convincing Suraj to stand next to a big Golden Bugs Bunny outside Warner Bros Showroom for a picture ...and this Specy guy came and asked me pointing at his mate, "Can you please take our picture [with Bugs]?"
I didn't offer as I let Suraj take his camera.
*I know...us chicks and their attitude problem!*
And when the pic was taken and Suraj returned his camera, I was standing quite far away,and still the specy guy turned and gave me a huge grin!

---------------------------

I told Suraj about this observation as we walked away, telling him the first incident to support my point.
He simply replied, "I also wear glasses, how come I am so scared to approach chicks?!"

:D

Broken - then fixed!

2005-03-16T23:25:00.000+11:00

My blog has been having so much trouble lately. And I'm sure that its not just mine, many others are having trouble with blogspot.
:(
If I had been busy myself...then I may not have noticed, but when I had a post in mind and I could not put it up.... for the first time I was desperate!! I tried everything... mailed Blogger support that my blog could not be accessed. I tested many other blogspot blogs and when I thought that it was just mine that seemed broken, I even tried swapping the template in an attempt to troubleshoot the problem.

*sigh* well...it seems ok today!
:) Desperate times need desperate measures.

Bollywood Dilemma

2005-03-11T17:20:00.000+11:00

The movies.....

Expectations have this strange thing about them. The more you expect the less you receive and the less you expect, the greater is the chance that you may be surprised with a better outcome. It specially means much more when its your precious time coz time is Money.
*Foolish me!!*

What are the odds of watching 2 Aishwarya Rai movies in 3 days and terribly hating one while liking the other?!

Bride and Prejudice OR Balle balle Amristar to LA (now who ever came up with that??!!) Honestly I admit to being naive and thinking the similarity of the movie name to Jane Austin's 'Pride and Prejudice', was a coincidence.
No...may be not. May be I knew that the Bollywood version was inspired by that story. But each and everything? 4 sisters, Mom eager to get them married, Sensible Father, Rich suitor Bingley, his friend Darcy... And I can go on and on.
To make the long story short - Gurinder Chadha I expected something a liiiiiiitle bit original from you!!

Shabd - The trailers that I had seen when I went to see Black seemed a bit promising, and although it started out slow. With loads of visual effects...graphics all over the screen etc.. the end justified the means! IMHO..ofcourse. You can walk away from it thinking..yeah, what were the odds of that?!

Great Expectations indeed!
(yes...go on...say it! - Nupur, stop being a fool!! - You are taking Bollywood way too seriously.
But I like to see good films you know... I invest my precious time and energy into them..!!)

--- too much energy..!!! *a bulb lit!*

---------------------------------------------

For those wondering, "Urvashi" will come in future... but I think I'll keep that as a surprise. When I know what I'd like her to do...I'll let you know.

---------------------------------------------

Time for me to go home......
Tell me, what have you pretty people been upto this week??

Women and Women's Day!

2005-03-08T14:40:00.000+11:00

Every morning when I go to work, I walk 5 mins. from the Parliament Station to my office. Somedays I catch the tram instead of walking 3 tram stops...somedays, when its nice and beautiful, I just walk!

And there is this lady, this old Oz lady (around 50 yrs old.) who sells this mag called the "Big Issue". This mag claims to have current affairs with a twist! A bit of humor and laugh etc. And well.. I'm not sure but I think its a weekly mag for $3 or something. I never buy it.

Why I'm writing about it today... because every morning, I see this woman and I see her every evening when I'm walking back to the station. Not matter if its summer/winter...no matter if its rain or storm she's there. She greets most of the people walking by. She smiles and they smile back.

But she never smiles at me. Never ever!!
I tried smiling at her a few times when she was looking my way, but no! She just stares. Looks at me up and down and then I have walked past her.

Its been months now. We even look at each other now - right in the eye and stare, or may be just I stare at her. And I walk away. Its as if she dosen't like me, for something that I don't even know what?! *wierd!* Those eyes saying, "I am watching you!"

I don't dress different, I am usually in a work suit like most girls at offices are.
I have never even spoken to her, so its not possible that I have offended her.
Then what on earth is it?! Whats her problem?

Is it because I'm not Australian? Is it because I am, where I am, dressed as I am and she is where she is, dressed as she is?
Discrimination? Racism may be? *big words those!* But why?!!
Havent we grown out of all that? Or may be its just her and few like her. They will never change. They will never accept.
OR
Is it just a female thing! That one female just cant see another do better. But what the hey! Guys are like that too... so its a human thing!! Oh whatever it is....... even I dont know what it is..why I'm writing it down... have u felt anything like this..ever?!

Fine, I will walk past her this afternoon.
*My eyes are watching you!!!*

BTW
A very Happy International Women's Day to all you beautiful ladies out there.
We ROCK!! - Don't we boys?! ;)

A face to the name

2005-03-07T12:44:00.000+11:00

Just felt like posting my pic!
:)

Feel Pretty!

2005-03-04T10:06:00.000+11:00

*Apologies*
Sorry to all my dear readers.

Just like everything else that I rush into...I rushed this post and now regret it.
Please accept my sincere apologies. I will not be boring you with any stories...atleast not for now.

After thinking over it a while I thought I don't have to do anything just coz everyone else is. That is so silly. And its gonna become Blog-Story overdose in the Blogosphere if everyone starts writing stories. Phew! So I have realised that I should withdraw from the blog-story writing arena while I still can.

Chickened out....hmmmm!!

_____________________________________
Original Post:

When I'm totally steaming with anger and frustration....
I remember Adam Sandler in Anger Management!! :D

[AS] I feel pretty,
Oh so pretty,
I feel pretty and witty and gay,
And I pity,
Any girl who isnt me today,

Jack Nicholson: Lalalalalalalala

[AS] I feel charming,
Oh so charming,
It's alarming how charming I feel,

Angery Driver #1: Move your ass dip shit!

[AS] And so pretty that I hardly believe I'm real,

Jack Nicholson: lalalalalalala

------------------------------------------
Feeling pretty yet?! :D

I don't know if I'm any good... but what the heck!
Now that I have tried my hands on Poetry [and singing] then Story writing.... whats the big deal with that?!
*ehhem - All you big high and mighty writers.. please disregard the last line. Thankyou.*

And so............
-------------------------------------------

Her life has been so predictable till now. Nothing has been out of the ordinary - ever!
She had been a good daughter, a better than average sister and good student at school and university. Never got into trouble...for anything.
Everyone who met her, praised her. "So soft-spoken", "Such a delightful girl!", "Great singer", "Such a graceful dancer!".

And now she was 22.... and her grand parents thought it their last chore in life, to find her an agreeable match. But they didn't know what future had instore for them. All their efforts were about to go in vain. For the turn that Urvashi's life was about to take, even she didn't know!!

-----------------
That's all folks!
Let us take this ride through Urvashi's life...starting on the 10th March 2005.

Till then.....
God Bless!!

Excited to the extremes!

2005-03-02T18:04:00.000+11:00

Woke up this morning pretty excited! There was a F1 Road parade happening here in Melbourne in wake of the Australian Grad Prix starting this week. For the first time the F1 cars were coming to the roads in the city touring around streets!!

And I am not working! Yaayyy!!
It meant that I could bunk a class at uni and run and see the cars.... and no railings between me and the cars to spoil the view. Just some road blocks... but not high enough to marr my enthusiasm. I am all smiles.! :D

I tried to take a few pictures... but you know how fast these cars are..and although my position was good, near a turn, so had a better coverage..but still. I even tried to make a few videos, and I think all they have is the LOUD LOUD *sweet* noise!!! :)
(Might upload one if its any good.)

While waiting for the cars to go past... I started chatting with this Oz chick next to me. When the first car whizzzzed past and everyone shrieked and yelled and clapped, she said,
"Man, what have we girls turned into? We are getting our kicks by looking at cars?!" :D

------------------------------------------

Every one must have noticed, especially the dear Doddle-buddies that our beloved Doodle has DIED! And we have been orphaned...forced to look for new Chat-boards.

I am trialing the flooble-booble... whatever it is. Lets see if its any good. I wasted an hour or so on google and haven't found much choices.

Had dumped Taggie for Doodle and now Doodle has dumped me!
Very VERY frustrating indeed!!

When did we became soooo dependent on Doodle?
Why isn't there any board out there that comes close to Doodle's comparison?!

------------------------------------------

Don't feel like going home................
*Strange!*

For feelings, thoughts and all those things!

2005-03-01T12:04:00.000+11:00

Feelings that you feel,
that make this life so real.

Thoughts that you think,
that make long distance shrink.

Ideas you create,
that life may imitate.

Imaginations far and wide,
that make the days so bright.

Why do I say - 'I cant!'
when I haven't even tried.

Why do I tell a lie,
for my jury will decide.

You come and go this way,
and nothing I can say.

To tell you what I feel,
how this is just as real.

My feeling and my thoughts,
are bent towards that door.

And when you will walk in,
those ideas in within,

The imaginations running wild,
and cheers the inner child.

I will not say - 'I can't!'
For that will just not do.

I will not tell no lies,
cause I'm in love with you!

------------------------------------
My first poem - dedicated to 'Him'!
*blushing!*

Feeling.....

2005-02-28T12:20:00.000+11:00

so tired today!
I had a busy weekend as it was 'his' birthday on Saturday. All the cooking for the little get-together and cleaning up later has made me exhausted!!

so geeky today!
I am occupied with a SQL server database that I had created that saves transactions via an ASP.NET web interface. And the query is not working.

so foolish today!
I can't seem to remember anything... where are the reports I printed on Friday?!

so fit today!
I have worn my dark green suit whose trousers had become tight after a month or so. It fits perfectly again!

so pretty today!
I woke up to a beautiful sunny day and it just feels wonderful~!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
O Summer, please stay!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*coz my summer is going away.*
People of the southern hemisphere - Do you share my concern?!
And all you people in the northern hemisphere - Are you ready for spring yet?

I just wanna...

2005-02-25T13:44:00.000+11:00

ROCK! DJ,
coz you're making me feel alright!!

Happy days are here! *or soo it seems for many of us* And I'm 'happy' for that!! =)
Recently there has been a lot of good news from all sides, including the buddies from Blogsphere! First it was Gaurav - returning from a trip, Shub - with news from family, Pallavi - going on a trip, and finally Arvind - back into the blog world with a BANG!!

*Strange how their post titles are 'Yeeehaaawww!', 'Paaraam Paaraam Paaraa!', 'Deliriously, insanely happy' and 'And the Adventure continues' - wont the title itself bring a smile to your face?!*

Thats the way - aaha aaha - I like it!!!

Me out of my cold n flu! Hey... the way I was busy answering the questionaires, I didn't really let anyone know did I?! ;)

=============================

I was reading an article earlier this week in the Staff Cafetaria on my break named, "Forever Happiness - Are you really happy?", on a local magazine. The writer had an interview with a scientist who had been researching on happiness for the past 20 or so years. I don't remember the exact details..and I tried to find the mag today, but its gone.

Some things in particular that I remember about the results of this scientist's research are -

=> Women are usually happier at age 20-25, while men at 30-35.
Reason: These years are the peak times for their lives.
*really?!*

=> People who are married are generally happier than their unmarried counterparts.
Reason: Marriage makes people 'content and fulfilled'!
*now who was complaining about marriage again?!*

=> People in Switzerland are among the happiest in the world!
Reason: The social and economic life style.
*any Swiss resident looking for someone's hand in marriage? Please contact ASAP!! ;)*

And many such quirky ones. Its a shame that I cant remember any more and that I cant find the article to quote some more.

============================

Now I want to know -
What has made you happy - today ??

Ironing out the creases.

2005-02-24T14:52:00.000+11:00

* Phew! I hope it works. *
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

Oh Hi!
I was just playing with the comments for my blog. On Shub's suggestion, I have added the HaloScan comments to this blog for those that find it easier to use. Please find them by using the link - hcomment.
I have read all the rave reviews about the blogger comments and how they have improved it now. And I had those all this while and now have a good reason to continue with them. :) Please find them by using the link - bcomment. (copyright Surinder!)

I have changed the Bcomments to appear in a pop-up window. Do you guys reckon that's a good idea?!
Also, I have updated the Bcomments code to say '0 bcomment', '1 bcomment' and 'n bcomments'. You must be thinking what a crazy perfectionist I am... but what to do... I am ... and I like to be this way, particular about - even the smallest of details!! *ho! what a claim!!!* :)

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Thanks to all those that took the challenge and posted their questions. I hope that my answers were satisfactory (or interesting enough!). The post with be open till this weekend (on Sanaja's request) for further questions.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-

Much talk - about the blog.

These last two days have been a little crazy.
My first week at uni..and being the lucky girl that I am, I have managed to squash my whole timetable into 2 days!! Yes, you read it right, 2 days!!!
So I shall be working on Mon, Tues, Fri and coming to uni on Wed, Thurs and have Saturday and Sunday off!!!!
Yahoooooo!!!!! Lucky...ain't I??

Oh! may be not so lucky. Because of the 2 day uni timetable, I will have awefully long 2 days every week. But I ain't complainin' coz I get enough breaks in between the classes to reboot my brain. (read...Blog!) *giggle*

-+-+-+-+-

Achha, apart from that, another thing that return to uni has brought is the inadvertant meeting with a 'friend' that is no longer a 'friend' any more! *or is she?!*
You know, those people that you part with, on a sour note ( a fight/rude email)...and then bump into all over again!!!

I shall keep the long story short...this is a friend that I used to share an aprtment with after Didi got married and went to US. We had met at uni and it was natural for us to move in together after Didi left, as she didn't have a flatmate either.
All was good for the first few months as we tried to hide our annoyance (due to each others bad habits) with a facade of friendlyness. We didn't want to be rude!

But we all know what that does...
One fine day...the volcano of anger burst out with its full force.
*Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!*
That followed with days, weeks and months of eerie silence....only broken by the seldom, "This week the rent is due!" OR "I have paid the electricity bill and I'll fix it in the balance".

Then when the one year of industry experience was to begin in 2004, she went back to India. (A lot of Indians do that as an easy way out from applying for jobs here - interviewing - working, and return with a phony work experience certificate!)
She sent me an email during the year apologising for her behavior etc. And I had replied that I was sorry too and that there were "No hard feelings!"

Anyways...she is back for the last semester of studies, and when I saw her yesterday, all those bad, bad, bad days came flooding back into my mind. I sat next to her in the first class, smiled at her jokes about the tutor and ignored her politely as she continued to talk while he was talking too. And when I finished my lab task early, I said 'Bye' and left.

I don't know if my behavior was rude and contrary to my own words "No hard feelings" ..?!
I don't know how to behave...its very awkward.

Can we be friends again??
I am sure it wont be the same........

And the question wazz..?!

2005-02-21T12:15:00.000+11:00

The week has started on a very busy note. The weekend was crazy and didn't even get time to rest really!

And today instead of writing the comings and goings of my life I thought I'd play this game I found on Khushee's blog. As I have asked her 5 questions already, so following the rules, I have to do the same.

Ask me 5 questions.
Any five - no matter how personal, private, or random.

I have to answer them honestly.
I have to answer them all.

In turn, you post this message in your own journal & you have to answer the questions that are asked to you.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Geez, I think I may be getting myself into a whole lotta trouble! But hey! I'm a sportsgirl with a sportsman spirit, so people,

BRING IT ON!!!

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*--*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

P.S. Depending on the questions, I might leave this post up for a day or two!

113 Days..

2005-02-18T21:29:00.000+11:00

....and counting!

Thats how many days young this blog is. Before that, I had no idea what blogging was about. Oh! the number reminds me of that Jackie Shroff movie '100 Days'. *where did that come from?*

Probably in my subconcious the movie still lingers on. Do you people remember that movie, where the heroine finds out that her newly wed husband had murdered his elder sister and buried her in the walls of her new home!!
Man, was I scared..!!
It was probably one of the first 'skeleton' movies of my life.. no wonder I never ventured towards my Biology lab at school by myself. It was very freaky. Although I got used to the phony skeleton eventually... but really... I still feel a shiver go down my spine when I think of that movie.

Ok, now that that's off my chest.. back to where we began. Why I mention the count today is because I think its worth noticing that though this blog is just over a hundred days old, it has found me sooo many great mates on the Blogosphere.
Good one indeed! Thank you dear Blog, you certainly ROCK!! :D

--------------------------------

Today was a strange day. I received a mail from HR at work about job opportubities in Dubai. And the strange thing was the fact that I actually considered applying for it! I forwarded the mail to 'him' to see his reaction and he said, yaa go ahead and talk to them and ask for me too!

We both work in the same company, and so the same HR people look after us. So, I spoke to the lady down there and it turned out that the job did not suit my current situation partially and did not suit 'him' at all. The position that we work at, does not have vacancies in Dubai and the positions that are available, we don't have experience for!

So, we left it at that. *Made a mental note to look out for future opportunities.*

Then, heard that while I was off from work on Wed-Thurs, two friends from another department got retrenched! Just out of the blue!!! Honestly, the very first thing that came to my mind was, 'Were they sacked because they were surfing more and working less??!'
*See, probably my subconcious feels guilty about blogging when I have loads to do at work, hmmmm*

There I was, considering another job position thousand miles away and here right under my nose people are losing their jobs. One of them had worked in the company for more than 10 years!! Talk about Job Security.

----------------------------------

Wanted to thank all of you who commented yesterday. Thank you so much, it means a lot to me. And I shall try my level best to meet your expectations.
See, today *after I heard about retrenching, I went to work and worked the rest of the day*, I have come online at 9.30pm after dinner to post just coz I had stuff to post and I didn't want to forget it by tomorrow. (Ricky, I saw the moon on my weather-chick today!! )

:D

Love you people!

As you like it!!

2005-02-17T16:28:00.000+11:00

I had got myself to be regular and post a new post everyday for the last week or so. And it is rather nice I must admit... getting you all lovely readers here to comment day after day. And these last few days had been quite interesting as well, a new template, my experiment with my mobile camera then Valentine's etc. So there was something to write..everyday.

And then, yesterday I thought...okay I've replied everyone and so I should think of a new post quickly and put it up... and then... laziness came over me and she said,
"You are putting too much pressure on the lovely readers..expecting them to read your blog and comment in 24hrs! You should take a rest... don't blog today and see how you feel."

So, I packed the laptop and went to the kitchen to make sambhar and the first Dosa of my life! And honestly, I suck! I couldn't make one decent dosa. Its another thing that I gave up after two tries. :) And my dear little bro came to the rescue. He explained very scientifically why my dosas were a disaster. The gas was at a high and the batter was cooking too quickly to spread properly and form a decent circle. So I let him show me what he meant. And man what a dosa he made after cooling the tava with water ....it was perfect really!!

Excited with his first attempt he exclaimed, "I really am doing a wrong degree! I should take up professional cookery or something!!" :)
"But you will have to chop dead animals", I teased.
"Yaa, I could never ever get myself to do that", he admitted.
He will never have to stay hungry thats for sure... (unlike other guys I know! ;)

Well people I ask you now, do you think its a good idea for me to post something everyday? (Read, Do you solemnly swear to come and comment everyday?! :D ) OR Its okay to follow what Lady Laziness commands and post whenever, wherever ???

I promise to comply, as you like it!
=)

Here and there...everywhere....

2005-02-15T17:19:00.000+11:00

Hoping that the 14th of Feb has treated everyone well!

I for myself agreed with the opinion that the day is way too commercialized, but I could not get myself to not celebrate it!! Its another reason to show your loved ones that you love 'em and care for them! Right..??!

So my evening in short,

'He' picked me up from work
We drove to the Pizza shop we used to visit as friends (ahem!)
Had a little picnic at the beach we used to visit as friends (ahem ahem!!)
He surprised me with red roses! (He had never given me roses out of fear/respect of my elder sis who was here previously.)
I surprised him with a handwritten card.
We walked on the beach bare feet in the sand with the waves at our feet.
10pm. I'm home.

Nice!!

Enough about VDay, its gone and wont be mentioned for the next 300 days atleast.. you have my word.

-------------

Had another dream about India this morning. It happens when my sleep is broken and then I have visions of school, friends, relatives.... and the pattern is disturbing as surrounding are becoming stranger and stranger. I will forget my city in a few months....!! I get up and rush to see my friends picture set on the photo frame, the faces familiar.

------------

My last semester of university is beginning next week. Another 4 months and then I shall graduate! And then....?? I am not sure. I know I don't want to do Masters not yet, not because I have nothing better to do. I would like to pursue a post graduate degree in future when I know what I want.... or when my employers pays for it!!! :D *chuckle*

------------

I would like to have more expendable income. I mean more income to spend (or save!) So, what I am doing right now will not suffice.... should I go searching for opportunities or wait for opportunities to knock my door?? (or slam thru it! *I'd prefer that...hate to miss my chance!*)

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I'm confused..... I'm tired.....

Petals of my life....

Mumbai nagariya......

Khusbhoo....

Yeh jo des hai mera.....

Hum to hain pardes mein......

Just for laughs....

*waving madly!!* I'M HERE!!

Popcorn and Coke!

Be Happy - Be Safe!

Dear Naanaji,

Social...butter....fly!

The odds are......

Try to say good bye.....

Do you even know me?

Oh! I see it......

For someone like me....

feels like.......

ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz

Blog....blah blah blah....!!!

Please Take Care!

Understatement!

Thats it!

Mate.....

EFIL - Life the other way round! ;)

A week of celebrations....

Home and Away......

New Chapter....

New Beginnings......

Here n there.....

wanted to say.....

Little treats.....

Hands Full....!!

Peace One Day!

You tell....I tell.... we all tell....

Ig-jactly!!

Talk about ......succinct!

In the mood....

Catching up....

I forgot the title!!!

Blog Day - Belated!

There is magic...

I am too young....

No Health, No Beauty, No Diet!

Of Beauty, Health and Diet!

The ninteenth day....

The VBM that was......

My best wishes.....

VBM Agenda...

Independence Day VBM is almost here....

RSI scare.....again.

Independence Day VBM 2005

Watch out!!

My drafts...you choose.

Around the corner.....

To be... or not to be....

Short ....stuff. :)

Bitten by the blog bug.

Desi kudi on train!

Every angle!

Story teller.....

Inertia - *Move... d#$% it!!*

simple and relaxing weekend...

Milestone....

catching up...

Raising.....Hell...!

2 gone! --- 2 to go!!

Stress....

was Taggie Tagged!!

2:43 am...why not!!

Somethings in control and some totally out of!

Catching up....

I'm soooo full - I could puke!

for hungry souls!!

long lost........ love?!

garnish...from all directions.

excellent start to the weekend!

Just one of those days...

at random!

OMG!

Knife in one hand and Belan in another...

waving madly!! I'M HERE!!

Inertia - Move... d#$% it!!