The one thing that I dread, after the tigers/lions from my nightmares, is visit from 'his' friends and family friends that are here in Oz. I dunno why...
Then he jokes, "Not like they're gonna eat you alive!" *yeah! That helps!!*
"No really, you're so sweet and they love you!", he tries to calm me down.
But c'mon! I cant help it. Its not like I like to torture myself or anything!
They are punjabi and their spoken Hindi is not too good. To be fair, they take just as much time to speak a sentence in Hindi as I take to speak one in Punjabi. *ok..ok.. I'm exaggerating just a little bit.*Their Hindi is better than my Punjabi. And the credit goes to Bollywood. IF only they made more punjabi movies that were watchable... I would be completely fluent in Punjabi by now.
And who wants to talk English?! For some strange reason its only 'ok' with uni mates to ramble away in English but other elder people don't always appreciate that. They probably think - "Angrez!!"
So, I smile politely when someone cracks a joke and everyone laughs. I nod as if I understand ever word, I mean I understand most of it, unless a word I've never heard before is used. Then I pretend that I understand. They talk to me in Punjabi and I reply in Hindi.
And it does not end there.
I consider my cooking decent enough. Some of my dishes better than some others. But, I cant even think of making Punjabi stuff! No Chhole - No Rajma - No Daalmakhni etc. Those ladies make much better of all those than me!! It would be impression-suicide!!!! *is that a word, oh! you know what I mean.*
And cant make effortless stuff like aloo-matar, as they only visit me once in a few months. Would seem like I can't even make a small effort.
Ok...fine, I'll make Paneer butter masala!
And after 5 hours... Phew!
*Hugs* "Bye Nupur, it was great. The food was absolutely delicious! My turn next time."
"Thanks" *shy smile!* ;)
They are all nice....but I get so nervous every time! No matter what, they will always be the people from the 'other side'. Or will they?
Until next time...............
Does anyone/anything makes you just as nervous?
Sunday, February 6
Wednesday, February 2
Come to think of it...
Reading news and blog-hopping and basically just wasting time on the net has become me favourite past-time lately. Its like even though I know that I have to do something.... if I have a fair bit of time to do it ; then I'll just leave it till the last minute. I can't just finish it off and then crash on my couch with the laptop!
I boast to myself, 'I thrive under pressure'- when I'm running out of time and there is no escaping!
*rolling eyes to the ceiling*
Like today...I'm doing my washing. Its raining like anything, but like a nut-case I started with my laundry when I woke up. Now, half the clothes are waiting in the basket to be hung dry, the other half are either in the washer/spinner/just piled on the floor! And here I am, writing a post on my blog!
How do I end up with so much laundry in just 7 days anyways?! Not like I'm changing every few hours or anything..(ok I am, from my work suit to my night-suit, but thats it!)
So who else could it be?
Suraj!! Ya...has to be him!! *evil grin*
Just like me when I came to Oz five years ago... young, vulnerable and inncocent, he is searching for a new life. You know what I mean...?!
A life away from all that you've ever known. Getting into a rhythm thats not your own, into a lifecycle that dosen't fit strightaway. There have been a few crying sessions on the phone. How I used to cry myself!
Actually, I didn't cry for the first few months..even though didi started sulking in the first week I remember. Coming to Oz had been completely Dad's and my doing. Didi had to accompany me coz after finishing her Masters in Eng.Literature, she had nothing better to do. She came against her will. So she had every reason to whine and complain. I was 17 then, looking around, lost and confused (only at times!) taking everything in. Pretending to be bolder than I actually felt inside.
I broke down on the day all my friends were going to 'Dandiya'. All dressed up, they were ready to leave and after taking out my salwar suit (as I hadn't been proactive enough to envision the future and get my 'ghagra choli'!) I just started crying. Missing Mom, how she would help dress me up. I didn't even know how to put my eyeliner or lipstick!!
Had been a tomboy all my life and whenever any traditional occasion came Mummy would take up the challenge and help me look my 'girlie' best!! :D
So three months in the new country, in a new city, in a new house, with new friends - I cried, cried my eyes out!
Didi remarked, 'What are you crying for? You wanted to come here!'
'But they are my parents! They should have known better, they should have stopped me, never let me come!!', I cried.
---------------
And like a silly-billy I haven't been to a single dandiya since! The memory just makes me squirm inside, 'Nah! I'm better off at home, watching TV.'
*sigh*
He will find his pace, like I have.
When I try to think what would my life have been like if I had stayed in India, continued the Engineering coachings with friends.....what would I have done; where would I be today?!
~blank~
I have no idea. Its like the alternate world, where my choices would have concluded to a different outcome.
Don't you feel the same sometimes? Where would you have been today, if you would have done something differently? Chosen a different path?
P.S. - btw, I came across this great photoblog called 'Utata: The serial photography of Catherine Jaimeson'. Great pictures. A must see if you are into that kinda stuff. Adding to the blog's 'Good Stuff' section below.
I boast to myself, 'I thrive under pressure'- when I'm running out of time and there is no escaping!
*rolling eyes to the ceiling*
Like today...I'm doing my washing. Its raining like anything, but like a nut-case I started with my laundry when I woke up. Now, half the clothes are waiting in the basket to be hung dry, the other half are either in the washer/spinner/just piled on the floor! And here I am, writing a post on my blog!
How do I end up with so much laundry in just 7 days anyways?! Not like I'm changing every few hours or anything..(ok I am, from my work suit to my night-suit, but thats it!)
So who else could it be?
Suraj!! Ya...has to be him!! *evil grin*
Just like me when I came to Oz five years ago... young, vulnerable and inncocent, he is searching for a new life. You know what I mean...?!
A life away from all that you've ever known. Getting into a rhythm thats not your own, into a lifecycle that dosen't fit strightaway. There have been a few crying sessions on the phone. How I used to cry myself!
Actually, I didn't cry for the first few months..even though didi started sulking in the first week I remember. Coming to Oz had been completely Dad's and my doing. Didi had to accompany me coz after finishing her Masters in Eng.Literature, she had nothing better to do. She came against her will. So she had every reason to whine and complain. I was 17 then, looking around, lost and confused (only at times!) taking everything in. Pretending to be bolder than I actually felt inside.
I broke down on the day all my friends were going to 'Dandiya'. All dressed up, they were ready to leave and after taking out my salwar suit (as I hadn't been proactive enough to envision the future and get my 'ghagra choli'!) I just started crying. Missing Mom, how she would help dress me up. I didn't even know how to put my eyeliner or lipstick!!
Had been a tomboy all my life and whenever any traditional occasion came Mummy would take up the challenge and help me look my 'girlie' best!! :D
So three months in the new country, in a new city, in a new house, with new friends - I cried, cried my eyes out!
Didi remarked, 'What are you crying for? You wanted to come here!'
'But they are my parents! They should have known better, they should have stopped me, never let me come!!', I cried.
---------------
And like a silly-billy I haven't been to a single dandiya since! The memory just makes me squirm inside, 'Nah! I'm better off at home, watching TV.'
*sigh*
He will find his pace, like I have.
When I try to think what would my life have been like if I had stayed in India, continued the Engineering coachings with friends.....what would I have done; where would I be today?!
~blank~
I have no idea. Its like the alternate world, where my choices would have concluded to a different outcome.
Don't you feel the same sometimes? Where would you have been today, if you would have done something differently? Chosen a different path?
P.S. - btw, I came across this great photoblog called 'Utata: The serial photography of Catherine Jaimeson'. Great pictures. A must see if you are into that kinda stuff. Adding to the blog's 'Good Stuff' section below.
Saturday, January 29
Cook...like there's no tomorrow~!
Hey! My kid bro can cook...! And not just silly Maggi or Tea/Coffee, but proper food - glorious food. Boy, am I glad. :D
I found out last night when he prepared the spread that included "Kadhi" (the one with besan dumplings not the lazy papad or aloo one!) with steamed rice topped with cucumber, tomato and sprouts salad.
Yummmmm!!!
*slirp*
He made it all using the recipe book that he got from India. When I had seen it in his stuff and given him an amused look, he had said, "I don't know anything in this book but I read it on the plane and it sounds not that bad!"
I found this great blog with yummy recipes, Shiok's Site. I'm trying to prepare a collection of such similar or other various sites in the "Good Stuff" section of my blog. Lets see as the lists grows...
Suraj is in the kitchen again today..to make 'Poha'.
:) Boys.. can you cook? huh?
Girls... are you suffering with saucepan-phobia??!
P.S. Oops! Sorry Madhu, hey all, the blog is called "Chef's Notes" not Shiok's Site! :D
I found out last night when he prepared the spread that included "Kadhi" (the one with besan dumplings not the lazy papad or aloo one!) with steamed rice topped with cucumber, tomato and sprouts salad.
Yummmmm!!!
*slirp*
He made it all using the recipe book that he got from India. When I had seen it in his stuff and given him an amused look, he had said, "I don't know anything in this book but I read it on the plane and it sounds not that bad!"
I found this great blog with yummy recipes, Shiok's Site. I'm trying to prepare a collection of such similar or other various sites in the "Good Stuff" section of my blog. Lets see as the lists grows...
Suraj is in the kitchen again today..to make 'Poha'.
:) Boys.. can you cook? huh?
Girls... are you suffering with saucepan-phobia??!
P.S. Oops! Sorry Madhu, hey all, the blog is called "Chef's Notes" not Shiok's Site! :D
Friday, January 28
When I'm lost...
...I read this...
"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
Don't we all??!
"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
Don't we all??!
Monday, January 24
Vrrrrooooommm! In a real car.
I love the Carting game on my XBox, especially using the steering wheel and accelerator/break thing... very real(yeah!) and thoroughly entertaining.
:D
But..when it comes to real life, the last time I drove something with wheels was more than 5 years ago, in India. I had my own Bajaj Spirit - deep red in color. For those who haven't heard the name, it was your typical girlie, Sunny type bike. I used to go to my IIT coachings in that. Made some great friends *smiling, thinking of those times* because of that bike.
Ok..ok.. back to present. So, I have a full Indian driver's license with a dodgy date of birth! It says I'm 2 years older than I actually am. *yeh mera India, I love my India* ;)
Anywho..! So, when I came here to Oz, a year or so later, I gave the Learner's Test on the Computer and passed with flying colors....to acquire my legitimate (read correct DOB) DL.
Another 2-3 years passed. I still haven't upgraded myself to P Plates!
(Here is Oz after a min. of 6months on Learner you can give a driving test by actually driving a car and get to Probationary License, which then goes for 3 years, till you get your Full license! Unless, of course, you have a legit overseas license which can be upgraded directly to Full License after the computer test.)
Much gyaan... back to the situation at hand. Achhaji, I found this great car, at a great price in a great deal. Done all the paperwork, and when I went to pick it up on Saturday afternoon. They go..."Errr, you have a learner's?"
"Umm, yeah!"
"Sorry mate, you have to be atleast P to buy a car."
"Oh! I have an overseas Full license (praying in my head - *God plz don't get them to ask me for it coz it had dodgy DOB*) and I'm about to get my P's soon."
After 10 mins. of contemplating and discussing and arguing with the issurance and finance guy.
"Promise us, you will get your P's in one month and we'll give you the car now!"
:D *Yiiipppppeeeeeee*
I sign the papers and my designated driver *he* drives me home!
My first car!!!!!!!
And I'm oh! so excited about the long drives and the cool trips that I'm gonna take and oh! so nervous about the P test that I have to prepare for before I can take those long drives and cool trips!!
*Pray for me...no?!*
:D
But..when it comes to real life, the last time I drove something with wheels was more than 5 years ago, in India. I had my own Bajaj Spirit - deep red in color. For those who haven't heard the name, it was your typical girlie, Sunny type bike. I used to go to my IIT coachings in that. Made some great friends *smiling, thinking of those times* because of that bike.
Ok..ok.. back to present. So, I have a full Indian driver's license with a dodgy date of birth! It says I'm 2 years older than I actually am. *yeh mera India, I love my India* ;)
Anywho..! So, when I came here to Oz, a year or so later, I gave the Learner's Test on the Computer and passed with flying colors....to acquire my legitimate (read correct DOB) DL.
Another 2-3 years passed. I still haven't upgraded myself to P Plates!
(Here is Oz after a min. of 6months on Learner you can give a driving test by actually driving a car and get to Probationary License, which then goes for 3 years, till you get your Full license! Unless, of course, you have a legit overseas license which can be upgraded directly to Full License after the computer test.)
Much gyaan... back to the situation at hand. Achhaji, I found this great car, at a great price in a great deal. Done all the paperwork, and when I went to pick it up on Saturday afternoon. They go..."Errr, you have a learner's?"
"Umm, yeah!"
"Sorry mate, you have to be atleast P to buy a car."
"Oh! I have an overseas Full license (praying in my head - *God plz don't get them to ask me for it coz it had dodgy DOB*) and I'm about to get my P's soon."
After 10 mins. of contemplating and discussing and arguing with the issurance and finance guy.
"Promise us, you will get your P's in one month and we'll give you the car now!"
:D *Yiiipppppeeeeeee*
I sign the papers and my designated driver *he* drives me home!
My first car!!!!!!!
And I'm oh! so excited about the long drives and the cool trips that I'm gonna take and oh! so nervous about the P test that I have to prepare for before I can take those long drives and cool trips!!
*Pray for me...no?!*
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