New Year thoughts!!

Am I busy?

Am I bored?

Am I just plain lazy here?

New Year's coming..

This year about to end.

What have I done?

What will I be doing?

All awaiting answers..

And I am still thinking!!!

Chenda Melam @ Forum

As a part of Diwali celebration there was "Chenda Melam" by a group in Mavelikara. It rocked!!!

Day without computers...

Once in a while I have sat back to think what would life be without computers. I know that I should never evne dream of such a think working at HP but still liberty of thought you see. I dream of the umpteen oppurtunoties created in the "Computer Free World" where there will be more man labour, there will thus be more employment, thus better living standards and so forth.

Whenever I fantasised this would happen I really never wished the tooth fairy would make my dream come true atleast limited to me. My system at office crashed and that due to a roaming virus!!! Can you imagine at office , so much data at stake, there pops up a devil virus. Amd there began my saga of reformatting the computer, setting up the everything from scratch and there goes a day! It shattered all my wishes. I freaked out thinking of all that data I could have lost, those photos that hold memories, those important mails...

And now here I am with my computer looking all fresh. I don't have my old wallpapers thus the feel of this system seems alien. I feel as if I have just entered a new home. I guess it'll take time to get adjusted!!

Random thoughts

Sometimes you find yourselves in such situations that you don't know what to do. You seem to have pros and cons on both sides. Even after your head does the rational thinking you are unable to make up your mind. For most Indians the heart rules your head. Occassionally I find myself at a point that my heart also does not choose any (not even secretly ;) )

I am really not sure what people do at that point of time. I am not the type who ask others for opinion and go ahead and do what they suggest. I just let time be and when the last moment of decision comes I just do what I feel at that point of time. Somehow I have come to know that this is what I have desired all along!!

Rock On

Hey I am promoting the movie....not just because the movie is good but also it reminds me of my blog- "Life Rocks", so "Rock On" guys!!!

Nokia to Motorola

Dear Friend,
I miss you so much.
I have had such a great time with you over the years.
I miss talking to you.
I miss holding you tight.
I miss playing with you.
I miss the times you would not respond to me.
I miss the times I bruised you when you fell.
I miss all the emotions attached to you.
I miss you my Nokia 3310.

Yes, finally it has happened. I have changed from my very first Nokia 3310. The battery died and I was given the option to either change the battery or go for a new one. I gave it a thought and it was a huge decision. This is the very first phone I bought with my money. I have shared a lot of emotions with this phone and also stood through all those envious eyes of people around when I said proudly that I have been using the same phone since 6 years!!

Now that it was time to change, I thought what the heck let me go for a complete change over. I bought a W270 Motorola with a 2GB expandable memory. It took me 3 days to shake off my comfort zone and accept my new companion. Now I am cool enjoying listening to the radio and music on the player and truly speaking that’s the only things I would do other than speak on my phone. Whatever, I’m loving it!!!

When the blasts rocked Bangalore!

It's Monday morning once again and today I am actually glad I am back at my desk in front of my comp. On Friday when I ran out of office, I had a blank mind. I don't remember if I shut down my PC, I don't remember if I saved my data...at that moment nothing mattered at all!!

It was probably 2.30pm on Friday afternoon when we were alerted of the bomb blasts. For a second I was numb. I tried to call home immediately coz I was sure they would panic as soon as the news gets flashed on all channels. As expected the lines were jammed. The news was around that the transport from office was cancelled.

The next thought was not to stay in Electronic City and reach home as early as possible. Ironically I stay in Tavarekere that is walking distance from the places the first blasts happened. But I had stayed long enough in the area to know how to get back without touching those areas. I joined the guys who were leaving to get a drop to the nearest place accessible by auto. I reached home within half an hour that day thanks to deserted roads ;)

There was this feeling of unrest throughout the day of which most of it was spent watching the news. I was surprised to see how life went back to normal in no time. In fact at hostel the night shift girls were picked up to go to office as early as 6pm that was hardly hours after the blasts. The next day all seemed to be calm except the reduced traffic on the roads. I went out to Banshankari and Forum that day.

When I saw that there were still people going to the PVR Cinemas, shopping at the Westside sale etc on Saturday I knew that it takes a lot to take the spirit of a Bangalorean out of him. this is the only way we can combat terrorism too. Stand as one voice against it and be brave. What has to happen will happen. But it should not happen while we succumb to terrorism in fear!!!

In a relationship, then flaunt it!!

The latest trend in Bollywood seems to be stars going public about their relationships. These may be within industry or outside it. Way back in times it used to be a very hush hush affair. The love affairs used to be just rumours or denied by the stars saying “We are just friends!”

Of late relationships are more open. I guess it began with John and Bipasha who started accepting their relationship. This was followed by Shahid-Kareena, Preity Zinta-Ness Wadia etc and the latest among them being Deepika-Ranbhir Kapoor and Imran-Avantika. Flaunting the fact that one is in a relationship seems to be “in” now no matter how long it lasts for later. ;)


It just seems to be a reflection of our society itself. Parents seem to be accepting the fact that their sons have girlfriends or the other way around. The better half is taken home and introduced to the family in the early stages of a relationship itself. Celebrity couples seem to be behaving just like normal couples.

Whenever I spend time at Forum Mall in the weekends and see teen couples moving around, watching movies together, shopping or just sitting and talking I realize that the society has moved far beyond what I saw in my teens. There were hardly people in love when I was in school. There used to be just rumours and many of them just remained so. Not many had the courage to bring up a relation to the public or family front and many loves were just buried with time. Times change!!

Jaane Tu..Ya Jaane Na

I have a hum on my lips today. I feel all bubbled up. I am chirpy and happy. Now don’t have a misconception that there is something “special” happening. This big “smile” is all due to “Janne Tu..ya Janne Na”. I seem to be smiling remembering the instances in the movie and humming “Pappu can’t dance Salla!”

I have always been a movie freak. I never miss an opportunity to watch a movie at any time available. There are times I feel like seeing intelligent cinema and there are times I just want to push back and watch something that makes me happy! The reason to land up watching this movie was the songs that are already a hit. The reviews for the movie in papers have not been good but I was reading a few blog reviews and I found a majority to have liked it. So I thought “What the heck! Let me check it out!”

I loved it from the beginning till the end. The story line maybe cliché and predictable but the treatment is fresh and good. As I watched the movie I could so much relate to the characters I saw on screen. I saw my college mates and office mates at various instances in the movie. There were those silent, unspoken crushes, thick friend who move apart when they fall in love with other people, couples having a special song, and so many more.

I looked around me and there was the entire crowd enjoying each minute of the movie. Everyone was having a roller coaster laughing session. There were also those “Oh so cute” moments in the movie. I seriously wonder whether they make those romantic and honest type guys anymore.

Overall the star of the movie is Abbas Tyrewala! He wrote the story, script, dialogues, and lyrics and directed the movie. Hats off to him! Imran Khan is good for a debutant. He looks like Aamir in the song sequence where he dresses up in a big mustache ( Remember Aamir in RDB) Genelia seems to have perfected these roles with Bommirillu(Telugu), Santosh Subramanian (Tamil) and now this one. Nasurrudin Shah and Ratna are perfect and hilarious. All in all, I loved the movie and I came out with a smile that still lingers when I think about it. A total entertainer!

Getting geared to another year!!

Life has been yet so static since a few weeks. I haven't done anything much at all. Yeah you can actually count out watching "Dasavatharam". I lost interest in writing a review for the movie. Too much has been said for and against the movie. So I leave it to each self. I mean I liked the movie even though I hought some characters were just to increase the number to 10!!

I am looking forward to my birthday. Yeah I know..What's great in a birthday especially when you are (secret) and not married!! Well I just don't care. I still look forward to my birthday as I used to 10 years ago. I look forward to how to treat myself, what to give those around me and what would I get from those around me! ( ;) That's the best part)

As a part of "Oh my Gosh! I am growing a year older" blues I have started hitting the gym since the last month. I have been regularily going except for Friday when the weekend laziness hits me. So just to boost my ego, I feel good and fit. It comforts me to feel as young as my heart thinks! I am keen to stick around to this 1 hour gym routine till my laziness takes over atleast. I have a colleague of mine who is my gym mate. She inspires me to keep at it and so I do!!

So as I always say "I am 24 till I get married!!" and if that doesn't happen I am 24 forever...That's it..So I better get back to deciding what to do tomorrow!!!

Cool trip to Krishnagiri

Life in Bangalore City sometimes gets very monotonous. Everyone is cribbing about the traffic, the heat, the rush at the malls, the prices going high...The list is just never ending! Getting a break from all this is what I desire very often. And that's just what I got last week when I went to Krishnagiri Dam.

The drive to Krishnagiri is one of the best attractions of the trip. The road from Hosur to Krishnagiri is wide and straight. They are well maintained with trees on both sides. There are flowering plants between the double road too. Some portions of the road are cut through the mountains and thus are a beauty when travelling through them. The stops in between like Shoolagiri are breathtaking just to watch those towering hills!

The dam didn't give me a notion of much electricity being generated from the units. The water flow seems to be pretty less. But the reservoir is huge. Now for electricity generated and such trivia I would say who cares. I enjoyed the walk through the dam. I enjoyed the breeze. I enjoyed looking at the water before me. So I recommend this place to anyone who wants a break!

"Badi Mushkil" at HP

Last weekend was a memorable one in my life. We had a party at office for giving rewards to the top performers in the first half year. We won the trophy for being the “Best Team”. This was truly a moment of elate for our team. However there was something else that brought a sense of personal satisfaction.


After leaving engineering college I had not danced on a stage. I remember the last event being dancing for the farewell partied and ECE club activities. After that I have never danced for a crowd. Not that I haven’t wanted to, because I love dancing any time, any place..just that opportunities in office life are less. I do shake a leg once in a while on the dance floor when the DJ plays but that doesn’t count for a proper performance.


Last week, a colleague of mine and me, danced to “Badi mushkil” from Lajja and had a great time. When everyone in the audience cheered and clapped I was on top of the world. It gave me a kind of high that I had forgotten since a long time. I slept that night in that happiness!!

Tagged after a long time

Was tagged last week by Soul . It's been a long time that I have taken up a tag so I thought time to dig me up again!! So here goes...

1) LAST MOVIE U SAW IN A THEATRE? The Chronicles Of Narnia : Prince Caspian. It was awesome.
2) WHAT BOOK ARE U READING?? Mills and Boons : The Italian's marriage demand ;) Just recalling those teen days!
3) FAVOURITE BOARD GAME? Monopoly
4) FAVOURITE MAGAZINE? Hmm.. I don’t read any now. Reader’s Digest when I get hold of one!
5) FAVOURITE SMELLS? Tandoori Chicken smell…Yum Yum!!
6) WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD? The wait to uncertainity
7) WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN U WAKE? Oh no..I wish I could sleep some more..
O9) FAVOURITE FASTFOOD PLACE? “Stop n Joy” bakery (Tavarekere Road)
10) FUTURE CHILDS NAME? Mallu or else Surya
11) FINISH THIS STATEMENT---'IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY I'D'....buy a flat of my own in Bangalore and fully furnish it
12) DO U DRIVE FAST? Well I don’t at all…
13)DO U SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL? Yeah..a dog…His name is Febu
14)STORMS--COOL OR SCARY? Scaryyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
15)WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR? None so far
16) FAVOURITE DRINK? Chekku Milk Shake
17)FINISH THIS STATEMENT-IF I HAD THE TIME I WOULD ....watch TV forever!!
18)DO YOU EAT THE STEMS ON BROCCOLI? no
19)IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY OTHER COLOUR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE? Dark Brown
20)NAME ALL THE DIFFERENT CITIES/TOWNS U HAVE LIVED IN? Tellicherry, Kasargode, Changanassery, Trivandrum, Bangalore
21) FAVOURITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Cricket
22)ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? ..He is a bit weird, with a weak heart but a jolly good fellow!!
23)WHATS UNDER YOUR BED? A small Krishna idol
24)WOULD U LIKE TO BE BORN AS YOURSELF AGAIN?? Hmm..Yes with a few changes!!
25)MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? None.Get up late, sleep early person. Is there a name for that??
26)OVER EASY OR SUNNY SIDE UP? Sunny side up!
27) FAVOURITE PLACE TO RELAX? In front of the TV
28)FAVOURITE PIE? Chocolate..chocolate anytime!!
29)FAVOURITE ICECREAM FLAVOUR? I am a chocoholic man!!

Friends!

Sometimes there are some relationships that cannot be termed and classified. I am sure that we have all definitely come across one such person on this journey called life. I have never encountered any such person till I came to Bangalore.

As for introduction, his name is Surendar (Suri) and he used to work with me in my previous company. Just throughout my time in Bangalore he has become an indispensable part of life here. He has been a part of the Ups and oh so many DOWNs as well! And I have never had an opportunity to thank him for any selfless deed he has done for me! Not that he would ever accept one too.

I always wonder as to how we manage to find someone to support us along life’s way. There may be periods in which we find ourselves alone in a crowd. We feel there is no one around us to empathize or sympathize with us. But often within a short while we find comfort in someone or something that takes our attention away from sorrows. Is it an intervention from a “power above” or is it a rule of nature that equalizes sorrow with happiness?? Don’t know!

Week Review

Been a long tme that I haven't blogged. Two weeks maybe. Not that I never had the time, just that I was lazy. Now thinking about it, what have I been doing since the past weeks? Nothing much other than cricket, cricket and more cricket!!

Life revolves around IPL and its many controversies. I have been thinking about the matches, the gorgeous players, the cheerleaders, the BJP comments about them, Bajji-Sreeshanth hussle and Shah Rukh Khan!! Oh what entertainment. I never wanted to post any comments on any topic because enough have been said and forgotten ;)

That brings me to next enertainment - Shah Rukh Khan. He's all over TV . He's at IPL, he has a new show on Star TV on which he is absolutely lovable! I am just lapping up all I can get of him. I don't think he has any movie releases this year .

Work has been going good. changes everyday and thus new challenges. Keeps the energy kicking! Didn't go anywhere, no shopping done, no exploration done...hmm...now it sounds boring!! Let's see time to bring some excitement into "Life Rocks"

"Big Brother"

Sometimes I do think that blogging publicly does expose onself to the outside world a lot. Then at times I think who the hell cares. Lately I was reading about this so called software called "Big Brother" (Yeah!Yeah! I don't blame you if you think of Shilpa Shetty) developed for tracking personalities of employees by scanning through their emails and sites visited.

The softwares checks for words drink, love, depressed, lonely, break-up, divorce, suicide, kill, penniless, or phrases like "workplace sucks". Hmm.. I wonder if ever my manager reads through my blog or even my Emails (not that I write out many personal ones) , how would he create my emotional profile??? Sounds creepy! But seems a little funny too. He would classify me as absolutely crazy, pendulum of emotions and what not!

I know that there are millions of people out there who blog. Sometimes I seriously wonder if we really have the time to connect to people across the world when we find so little time to connect to people around us. As for emotional profiling it's a great idea but aren't there people who don't let their personal life interfere in their professional life. Let me speak for myself; I am one. So how could I be judged by scanning my emails? And the case of someone spying you and tracking your activities is a real put off too! I don't know for others but I kind of erform best when I'm let go! So "Big B" could you just drop me off ;)

Distance makes the heart fonder..

I know that if I were to tell one of those madly in love couples, they would never agree with me, but I do believe that "Distance makes the heart fonder." I have noticed this in many occassions right from the years I start knowing what emotions are. I wouldn't say that phase existed when I was studying abroad. At that time life was just a turmoil for studies. I don't remember a time I felt deeply for anything else. But life changed once I came down to Kerala.



The first I missed was family. In the first few years when I met them only once a year, I used to long to be with them. I missed mom's cookig and even complimented her for the first time in 19 years. I felt I realised their importance and place in my life. I also realised that they treated me very different from what it was when I was with them. They always loved me but this time they were expressive about it.

During college times, as I stayed in hostel far away from home and went down every 2 or 3 months for a short period, again I felt the same affection! I have experienced the same with friends. I miss them occassionally but know how much I actually missed them when I see them after a long time.

Even now I experience this feeling in another sense. When I am with a group for a long time I don't feel the emotions what I actually feel for them. It's only when I don't talk to them for a long time does my heart grow fonder. As it is I have never been able to maintain friend ship by a continuous every day contact. I prefer my space and give them theirs, and love them all!!!

"On the lonely bench.."

I usually have pictures of Lord Krishna on my desktop. I keep changing the pictures once in a while. This week I have a new desktop wallpaper. This is a photogragh taken by one of my blog friends, Dhanya. I loved the snap at first sight itself. Now that I have it on my desktop, I am falling in love with it each moment. This photograph brings a torrent of emotions to my mind.

A lonely bench..Under the vast blue sky...Among the green grass.

Is it me who sits there on that bench?.....

Am I alone or is there someone sitting along with me?....

Am I facing the green planes or am I facing the depths beyond the cliff?....

I wonder what I would be thinking when I sit alone on a bench like that?.....

I don't know whether I would think of the past with fond rememberances and say "What's happened, happened for good" and look forward to more peaceful times like these. I could probably sing one of those old sentimental Hindi Songs too. Or else would my mind turn to the back and look at the cliff below. Would I feel that a jump from this bench would solve a lot of problems, could elevate me to eternal happiness...Maybe this thought may cross my mind if I sit on the bench for a long time but otherwise "Na".. I am too strong to not face life on its face!

Amblee Resort (check photo link on right )

I have not been complaining of nothing happening in life since a long time. With my sister’s marriage rush during the last 2 months I was fully occupied. However there was a certain joy when we decided to go to “Amblee Resorts” from office.

Amblee Resort is a quiet little place on the way to Mysore on the banks of River Cauvery. It’s actually very close to Mysore, maybe just 15kms to Mysore from there. The riverside was one of the best features of the resort. I could count off food and service as “adjustable” but the scenery was definitely soothing and refreshing.

I always spend a few hours to myself during the weekend. Those few hours are what pull me through the weekend. I hate sacrificing those precious hours for anything in the world. There were just three girls on this trip (better than the ones when I am the only girl :) however). There was so much of activity through out the day that I really didn’t get my time.

Therefore, as always on trips, I got up early morning and went to the riverside. This was a great experience. I listened to the water flowing across the small rocks. I watched the birds as they flew over the water. I watched the sun rise slowly and the skies turn red to blue. The early morning peace is irreplaceable. I realized that small things around you are so beautiful and matchless. I loved that hour I spent to myself. Then again there came my colleagues and back to fun filled time with others!

Article written for Women's Day@ HP

Date : March 8, 2008
Venue : A flat in the middle of Bangalore City
Time : 9 am
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It’s just another Saturday morning at the Koshi residence. Grandma is sitting at the dining table with her favourite rosary in hand. Margaret (Maggie) is applying the final touches to her overdone makeup while her daughter Simi lay lazily on the sofa watching Channel V.

Grandma : Simi, why don’t you at least brush your teeth and wash your face as soon as you wake up. Hasn’t your mom taught you anything at all?? Why are these kids like this, God? Why don’t you tell her something Margaret?

(Simi raises the volume of the TV and turns the other way unconcerned)

Maggie : Ma, How many times have I asked you not to interfere in what Simi does? Let her be. It’s Saturday and no school today. And how many times have I told you not to call me Margaret? Not that I mind you calling me that when alone but you use the same in front of my friends too! What a boring name!

Grandma : I regret the day we came to live with Philip in this wretched city. Margaret turns Maggie, “Ammachi” became Ma, all I hear is vehicles honking through the day and night and no one has any time. I miss my small village in Kuttanaad.

(She pauses remembering Kuttanad)

Maggie : Ma, Bangalore is the reason for what we are today. We would be still looking after Dad’s poultry farm if back in Kuttanaad. I work for a reputed MNC. I earn along with my husband. I am financially independent and we manage a good education for Simi too.

Grandma : Education?? What is it you call education? Look at her watching all those scantily dressed men and women moving their legs and hands on TV , in front of her elders with no shame. She speaks loudly in front of her father and wears all these short clothes too.

Maggie : She wears what she finds comfortable and suits this weather. You don’t expect her to wear a saree when she goes to meet her friends in this heat.

Grandma : True, I don’t expect her to do that because her mother herself has shifted to wearing salwar kameez from saree. Like mother, like daughter. By the way, where are you going wearing so much powder so early?

Maggie : Didn’t I tell you I have to attend the Kitty Party at Lata’s house? I would be staying back for lunch. All your food is in the refrigerator. All you have to do is cook some rice. I’ll be home by tea.

Grandma : Oh no! Are we eating yesterday’s food again? When will I eat some fresh food in this house? Do you even remember the time you cooked last?

Maggie : Stop complaining, ma! How do you expect me to cook daily when I have to go to work? I get home late as well due to all this traffic. Moreover both Philip and Simi are “ok” with this setup, why can’t you adjust?

Grandma : They are fine with this because they have no other option. Your dad would never eat the previous day’s food neither would I let him to. That’s why we were healthy always. I looked after him when he was alive and don’t behave like you and Philip who compromise on everything, like friends. Look at the food you eat! Burgers, Pizza, all good for nothing! See how fat Simi is getting eating all this. How will you get her married if she grows like this?

Maggie : This is something I agree with. Simi, dear, it’s time you have a check on what you eat!

(Simi sprang up with a growl on her face)

Simi : Mom, Will you ask Veliyammachi to stop talking? Firstly both of you keep blabbing and don’t allow me to watch TV and now she’s talking about me growing fat! Chill people, give me my space. I’m out of here. Mom, I’m going to Ravi’s place to watch TV in peace. I’m not staying in here with Veliyammachi alone! (She fumes out throwing the remote)

Grandma : What! She’s going to some guy’s house! And you are not saying anything? What will become of this world? Oh God!

Maggie : Ma, it’s ok! They are our family friends since years. Don’t worry! I’m also leaving. Don’t forget the food in the refrigerator. (She picks up her handbag to leave)

Grandma settles on the sofa and switches to Asianet. There appears a young girl wishing all the women a “Happy Women’s Day”! Grandma sighs as she ponders through all the phases of womanhood she had been through and what she saw today before her eyes through her daughter and grand daughter. She thinks aloud, “What’s so ‘Happy’ about all this? Sigh!!”

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Note : Women’s Rights and Women’s Freedom is something very individualistic and varies through generations too. The women of today don’t share the same ideologies that the previous generation believed in. We may have different views on why and how to celebrate Women’s Day. I wouldn’t debate on any view proposed. Let’s just celebrate “Womanhood” today !

Wedding aftermaths!

The wedding's over. I am back in Bangalore. I had no track of time when I was at home. So much to do and so little time. It all seemed a mad rush. Now that it's over I get the space to think over what happened in the past week. It all happened so fast. My sister introduced the idea at home, a visit by my parents to Hyderabad, engagement on Jan 21 and wedding a month later.

The wedding was hectic. It was a coming together of two different cultures and their respective rituals but all was well at the end of the day. The wedding was a huge learning for me. It put me face to face with a lot of facts that I chose to ignore all this while.

I realise that the people who stand next to you may not be the people you expect. It is easy to stand beside someone with talk, but supporting the person with action is very difficult. It becomes even more amazing when these are people who put aside all differences you have had with them over the years. I was touched by selflessness.

I also realise today that money is not something that rules the world. Relations and mutual understandings are all that matter at the end. There were a lot of trusts that were broken and a lot of new hopes that were made during this wedding. I have started to respect some people like I have never before and am happy for this wedding to be the cause for it!

I always lived in the premonition that love required a language that connects. I thought I could not love a person who never spoke my language. Seeing my sister and husband blissfully wed I broke that thinking. English has truly become a global language!

Anyways the wedding's over and I feel a strange peace now. I hope my sis has a happy married life!!

Happy Valentine's Day

Oh it's the day of love again!! There might be not much for me as an individual in this day but I have always loved the day from the time I knew about it!!It all seems like a long time to me now but the memories are sure sweet. There was once the hard core romantic in me who lived within Shah Rukh Khan movies. The character "Maya" that Madhuri potrayed in "Dil tho Pagal Hai" movie was absolutely me. I lived in a world of fantasy where everything around me was full of love and beauty. Just like her I believed there would be a "Sapno ka Raajkumar" who would come on that white horse some day. I believed in the fact that there is a "Mr. Right" somewhere out there!

Most of my "love" thoughts at those times were governed by films as life revolved between just school and parents. Life has come a long way since then. Now that I am in the so called "real" world I definitely don't believe that there is a "Mr. Perfect". There are hardly any guys out there who match that matrimonial "wanted" profile.

At those times love was the dreamy picture of a perfect guy to me. Now it is more of understanding the person who is with you and accepting the person for the guy he is. I have a friend who tells me that the very thing he doesn't like about having a girlfriend is that they are all nice during the first days when love is just blooming. But once the proposal is made then it is all about trying to change him and making him the perfect guy!

So for all those people out there who are in love, "All the best"! Cherish your love and accept it as it is. "Jo thumhe badalkar pyaar kare, wo pyaar nahi saahibaan"... Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Shopping, shopping and more shopping!

I never knew shopping could be so tiring. It has taken me a week to recover from the wedding shopping we did last week. Two short days and lots of shopping. Walking around, checking out stuff and buying loads of clothes. It was then I realised how many relatives I have and how much of shopping we had to do!

But then like all girls I loved those two days. Picturising what would look best on who, whether they would like it, wondering how to carry stuff, thinking what to wear on which day and so on! I bet my mom was the appiest woman on earth that day. I always say-Leave my mom in Shivaji Nagar bazaar with money in her hand she would never find a better way to spend a day!

Meanwhile I discovered a lovely saree shopping place, Nalli silks. I had always heard of the place and seen it on ads but was marvelled by the place. Sarees of all prices and all varieties. Any woman's fantasy. We bought the wedding and reception saree from here. The moment I cast my eyes on those sarees I knew it was "Love at first Sight"!! Great place to do a wedding shopping.

There's just a week to go and I feel there is so much more to do. It's slowly dawning on me that the moment is so near...

Oh!! Those boring conversations...

I am doing a special thesis over some weeks and the topic is “How to handle boring conversations?”

There seem to be people all over these days and thanks to the Airtel commercial they really believe that all problems can be sorted out by talking. So they begin conversations out of the blue that you just don’t want to be a part of. I have been thinking about ways to get out of these for a long, long time and here are some I think work:

• Say “Oh please! Not this topic again. I have been discussing this all week.” That kind of puts off people and stop blabbing!
• Suddenly act as if your mobile phone in vibration mode is ringing and you are in some serious talk over the phone. (Caution : Make sure your phone is in “Silent” through out the conversation.)
• Act as if you want to use the rest room. (Ha ha..no one can question you here!)
• Start talking about totally disconnected topics that diverts interests.
• If it is a talk that you don’t have to respond to, then just look at the person and keep thinking of other “interesting” topics.

I am still thinking of more methods but alas here starts off one more of those “leading to nowhere” talks.

P.S : Please give me some tested tips ;)

I am supplementing this case with more inputs from others around me.

• Concentrate hard on your computer screen or anything else all of a sudden.
• Just remain quiet and don't comment. Maybe put up an awkward smile. The other person might just stop!

Sister's engagement

I have been busy for the past week. My sister just got engaged on 21st Jan. The function was held at home and that really meant work!! At the end of the day, all went well and we had a blast too.

It was so nice to have an occassion to celebrate at home. From the time we have shifted to our new home 4 years ago we have been having one tragedy followed by another every year. This stopped us from fixing up any event at home. This was after 5 years but worth the wait.

So here's a snap of the happy couple. The wedding's fixed on 21st February and that means more work!!

Makara Jyothi

For all those who missed the live telecast yesterday, here are those divine moments once again!!

I really did miss the commentary in Malayalam but then had to suffice with Kannada.

Makara Jyothi

Me and my comfort shell...

Sometimes I find myself strange. I retrieve into my Crab shell often. I am an outgoing person, talk to people easily, get along with all sorts of people but still I love my loneliness. I love to go into that comfort shell where I don't have to answer any questions, I don't have to ask any questions. I can sit for ages without thinking about anything. Today is an almost off day and here I sit doing nothing at all and looking at my computer.

Everyone is sitting and chatting and I am just here. I read philosophy, I read others' thoughts, I observe animated expressions from people around and just say put!Well not for long, people who know me always tend to observe when I go quiet .(Yeah,I do contribute to a significant level of noise pollution) So here I am back in action!!!

Titan- India's pride!

I have a sudden liking for brand Titan. It has always been a stong Indian brand and hasevolved with time never to fade into the background unlike Bata etc. Of late I have purchased two FastTrack watches within the past year and just last week bought a Titan Raga for my sis!!!

When I went to this Titan showroom in Indiranagar i was impressed at first sight. Truly professional staff and an air of style! they even took time to give me some trivia like Titan is the sixth largest watch manufacturers in the world! And more over Titan head quarters s located in "Namma Bangalooru"!

They have evolved their ranges in watches to suit the youth with Fasttrack (when John asks how many do you have? I can answer TWO) , for the trend setters with Edge, jewellery watches with Nebula (Sigh!when do I get one of those), the occassions with Raga and the ever affordable Sonata.

What I truly love is the new Signet club that i am a part of. I get Rs200 off on any watch I buy and moreover accumulate points for those purchases. Yeah! you get the idea right! I am shopping with friends too...Man..I love Titan!!!

Is life in Metros no more safe for women?

Just last week I wrote on the similar lines. Now that New Year's eve is past, the horrors of the night have surfaced. There have been numerous reports all over the country but the Mumbai incident is more gross than any I have read. I would not go into details at all. It sickens me. Read the NDTV report here.

I was shocked while reading this report. Moreover there was a chill down my spine to think of the fact that I am not safe in my surroundings.Metros seem more dangerous than villages. Back home in Kerala, girls don't go out in the night after 7 or 8. So the chances seem less. There is no safe feeling saying "I am going out with my parents/husband/boyfriend/friend circle". What could anyone do when faced with such a crowd of hooligans?? The thought scares me.

What disturbs me even more is to wonder "I agree the mob would have been drunk. But didn't even one guy from them have a least bit of sense to know what they were doing was wrong!!!" What's happening to humanity? We talk about rape cases as specific incidents. We talk about gang rapes also one off hand incident. We blame gang rapesin rural parts on ignorance. So what are we going to classify this incident in which such a large number of people are involved in one of the prime spots of the most mordernized cities of India on????

It disgusts me. It pains me. I am scared to go out in the night, alone or otherwise too.