Thank you all for the wishes!!!! :) Hope we all continue writing!!!
2008 - year of changes
Lots of changes - our entire family has relocated to the south!!! My parents, his parents, and my sister and finally us too!!! we have become a true south indian family... well maybe .. at least in terms of location!!! (I am more of a north indian at heart!!!)
At work place... everything changed not just the location.. many bosses.. change in clients.. team etc etc.. dont wanna spend too much time on this topic!!!
2008- an year of firsts
A lot of firsts for this year-
An international vacation wherein just the two of us traveled. We have been planning it for the last 2 years but managed to go only this year!! So i am quite optimistic that now that we have done it once, we will be able to do it every year!!!
Domestic travel/ driving holidays - Till now most of our travel has been centered around weddings / functions etc.. the ooty trip is one the first trips that the 2 of us planned and actually went for and that too alone!!!! Hoepfully 2009 will see many many more such trips!!!
My initiation to wine - while we used to have wine even in bombay... the frequency of having wine has increased. And i can safely say that my initiation to wine has happened in this year!!! Incidentally, we are going to have wine tonight to welcome the new year!!! :)
Gym - I have been planning and planning and planning some more.. to join something.. anything.. but success eluded me till now!!! Last month of this year.. and i have joined the gym.. went even today. I hope to go tomorrow so that I go regularly next year too (rem this concept... whatever you do on 1st is what you do the entire year.. like that)
Cooking non veg over weekends - Again something which has started in Bangalore because of easy availability of non veg!!! Almost every weekend i should say!!!
And lastly, but most importantly BLOGGING - I took up blogging in the month of May this year. The first few days, i felt extremely silly.. writing stuff on the blog.. which nobody was reading. And when you guys started commenting - scarlett / knife/ mommie.. everyone.. is when i felt elated and actually started enjoying writing!!! I am totally hooked on to it.. to writing and i am as excited to read your posts.. to receive comments on the post.. theres nothing like it to see that you have "3 comments" on what you have written.. makes your day!!! A FAN-TAS-tic medium to talk.. to voice opinions.. even your relationship with friends surpasses what it was because of the blog!!! Truly awesome!!! Everyday, i just cant wait to get back home, and check my blog and read other posts!! Thats the first thing i do when i enter home! Everyday, the minute i observe something or go through something myself, i just cant wait to put it on the blog and share it with everyone... its such a powerful medium!!!! Its one of my favourite activities.. its been 100 posts now and i am still not bored!!!
So cheers to our blogs!!!!! And cheers to all fo us bloggers. may we all continue blogging all through the next year.. all of you - please put in a post tom - rem, whatever we do tom is what we do the entire year!!! So please please put in a post :) Meet you all in the next year ... Happy new year :)
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Hey, this is my 99th post!!!! (Indian Travelers etc)
So cool isnt it... i just noticed it!!!! And tomorrow will be my 100th!!!!! Fitting isnt it.. as in 31st Dec last day of the year and 100th post!!!! I am surprised that i have been able to stick with it!!!
Well, ok back to what i wanted to talk about ....i talk a lot dont i....100 posts is a lot... and theres still so much to talk about!!!!! Ok ok.. back to Indian tourists!
Extermely irritating and annoying usually when found in domestic destinations... contrast it with the level of discipline shown at foreign locales... i dont get it.. why???
There is a severe lack of etiquettes!!! Throwing all kinds of wrappers at such beautiful places.. thats why Ooty has become such a dump now.. at the Dolphin nose point at Coonoor.. people were throwing all watse...bhel puri wrappers, chips wrappers everywhere.. and some with a warped sense of cleanliness were throwing it all, not at the place they were standing at i.e. Dolphin nose, but over the fence and in the hills!!!!! Completely destroying the pristine hills!!! In the middle of the serene lake, out come floating bottles of water!!!!
In the toy train to Coonoor, couples with very young kids... the couples looked very educated and all.. and yet.. a pack of biscuits got over.. out goes the pack.. out of the window!!!!!! I was sitting at the window... out of the corner of my eye, i saw this hand moving towards the window.. my hand almost shot out to stop it.. i curbed this instinct.. settled for an angry glare.. unfortunately the person turned away and i only caught the back of his head.. i thought i will tell him off.. but stopped myself.
I was not like this in college... i remember arguing with a friend on this.. a group of us were quite environment conscious !! A girl once threw an empty pack of chips from her car on the road.. this friend of mine picked it up and threw it right back in!!! And then we had this big argument with another friend who was like how can you dirty anyone's car.. and i was like it is my country and you are dirtying it !!!! A big big argument!!! And we used to tell people off in the public buses.. esp during winters where ppl would buy peanuts and drop the shells all over the seat.. the entire bus.. But now maybe i have mellowed down!!!
Its completely outrageous the way people behave.. at sims park, they had fenced in the trees .. as the trees were about a century or two old.. but people would climb over the top of the fence / hedge to take pictures with the tree... COME ON... READ THE SIGN... IT SAYS YOU CANT DO THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean there is a reason why the fence is there.. the reason which became very clear when you saw some these trees which were carved with initials!!!!!! We found a kid shaking the entire fence for no reason.. extremely destructive.. with the parents hovering around and not saying anything... My husband walked up and glared at the kid and said why are you doing this.. the kid immediately left everything!!!!
Even the photograph bit that i was talking about in my last post.. people hanging from the train and at the tracks trying to take every possible pic.. and the TT and other guards running around all these people trying to get them back in!!!!! It might be dangerous.. the train would get late.. but no, these people have to jump around everywhere ...break all rules.. why cant they just get back in the train!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its really sad how people irresponsibly behave .. you could see it often at India Gate in Delhi.. food stuff, ice creams sticks etc all over the nice lawns!!! THERE ARE DUSTBINS THERE!!!! But nobody sees it.. or maybe they are too lazy.. and some even say.. this place is already dirty.. one stick doesnt add anything much to this!!!
Thankfully Delhi Metro has been left out of his carnage... rules have not been violated.. it use to be spic and span at least till the time i used it!! I mean I dont know if the same level of cleaniliness is still there. But they are quite strict with the rules!!! Thats what is required.. a stick!!!
Of course everone is not like that... but for every 5 people who are conscienctious.. there will spring up another 5 who dont care!!!
Think about it.. the entire life the kid will see this .. and it will keep on getting re-iterated time after time... candy wrapper.. chocolate wrapper.. orange peel (this i have seen in delhi.. orange peels beign thrown on the road during winters) ...and this is exactly what they will teach their own kids.. maybe not teach.. but the kid will learn this at a sub conscious level.. the parent is doing it.. so it must be right!!!! The cycle will continue!!!!
Its a nuisance... somebody needs to teach these people a lesson.. get them to clean the entire area if they are found dirtying it!!!!!
Well, ok back to what i wanted to talk about ....i talk a lot dont i....100 posts is a lot... and theres still so much to talk about!!!!! Ok ok.. back to Indian tourists!
Extermely irritating and annoying usually when found in domestic destinations... contrast it with the level of discipline shown at foreign locales... i dont get it.. why???
There is a severe lack of etiquettes!!! Throwing all kinds of wrappers at such beautiful places.. thats why Ooty has become such a dump now.. at the Dolphin nose point at Coonoor.. people were throwing all watse...bhel puri wrappers, chips wrappers everywhere.. and some with a warped sense of cleanliness were throwing it all, not at the place they were standing at i.e. Dolphin nose, but over the fence and in the hills!!!!! Completely destroying the pristine hills!!! In the middle of the serene lake, out come floating bottles of water!!!!
In the toy train to Coonoor, couples with very young kids... the couples looked very educated and all.. and yet.. a pack of biscuits got over.. out goes the pack.. out of the window!!!!!! I was sitting at the window... out of the corner of my eye, i saw this hand moving towards the window.. my hand almost shot out to stop it.. i curbed this instinct.. settled for an angry glare.. unfortunately the person turned away and i only caught the back of his head.. i thought i will tell him off.. but stopped myself.
I was not like this in college... i remember arguing with a friend on this.. a group of us were quite environment conscious !! A girl once threw an empty pack of chips from her car on the road.. this friend of mine picked it up and threw it right back in!!! And then we had this big argument with another friend who was like how can you dirty anyone's car.. and i was like it is my country and you are dirtying it !!!! A big big argument!!! And we used to tell people off in the public buses.. esp during winters where ppl would buy peanuts and drop the shells all over the seat.. the entire bus.. But now maybe i have mellowed down!!!
Its completely outrageous the way people behave.. at sims park, they had fenced in the trees .. as the trees were about a century or two old.. but people would climb over the top of the fence / hedge to take pictures with the tree... COME ON... READ THE SIGN... IT SAYS YOU CANT DO THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean there is a reason why the fence is there.. the reason which became very clear when you saw some these trees which were carved with initials!!!!!! We found a kid shaking the entire fence for no reason.. extremely destructive.. with the parents hovering around and not saying anything... My husband walked up and glared at the kid and said why are you doing this.. the kid immediately left everything!!!!
Even the photograph bit that i was talking about in my last post.. people hanging from the train and at the tracks trying to take every possible pic.. and the TT and other guards running around all these people trying to get them back in!!!!! It might be dangerous.. the train would get late.. but no, these people have to jump around everywhere ...break all rules.. why cant they just get back in the train!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its really sad how people irresponsibly behave .. you could see it often at India Gate in Delhi.. food stuff, ice creams sticks etc all over the nice lawns!!! THERE ARE DUSTBINS THERE!!!! But nobody sees it.. or maybe they are too lazy.. and some even say.. this place is already dirty.. one stick doesnt add anything much to this!!!
Thankfully Delhi Metro has been left out of his carnage... rules have not been violated.. it use to be spic and span at least till the time i used it!! I mean I dont know if the same level of cleaniliness is still there. But they are quite strict with the rules!!! Thats what is required.. a stick!!!
Of course everone is not like that... but for every 5 people who are conscienctious.. there will spring up another 5 who dont care!!!
Think about it.. the entire life the kid will see this .. and it will keep on getting re-iterated time after time... candy wrapper.. chocolate wrapper.. orange peel (this i have seen in delhi.. orange peels beign thrown on the road during winters) ...and this is exactly what they will teach their own kids.. maybe not teach.. but the kid will learn this at a sub conscious level.. the parent is doing it.. so it must be right!!!! The cycle will continue!!!!
Its a nuisance... somebody needs to teach these people a lesson.. get them to clean the entire area if they are found dirtying it!!!!!
Monday, December 29, 2008
36 hairpin bends..
Thats the board that we saw when entering ooty... so in that one minute i decided to name my post 36 hairpin bends... there are actually that many.. and they help you count too... at every hairpin you will find a board...35/36...8/36 (8 more to go i.e... as we were climbing up)!!! So highlights of the trip... not mentioned in any particular order..
1) The drive down to Ooty is nice, post you hit Bandipur... we started late.. so we reached Bandipur in the evening.. and these days its dark by around 6pm! But its beautiful.. bandipur, mudulamai national sanctuary is quite beautiful in the night.. hurtling down the (not kidding.. we were hurtling coz we didnt want to take these roads so late) road listening to Ghajini / Abba, windows rolled down.. fantastic!!!!.. Coming across a herd of deer.. their eyes twinkling in the night.. priceless (thats the mastercard ad, lol)
2) Cold in Ooty ... well, my husband liked it.. i am a sunshine person.. but chasing sunshine during winters is fun.. धुप सेंकना and keep changing your position as per the setting sun.. and in the end you will be standing ine remote corner and or almost one step of the cliff face!!!!
3) Having hot hot soup in cold cold winter... mmmmm
4) Fireplace in the room.... ecstasy!!!! But it does die down in 2 hours.. but so what!!!!! The effect is amazing.. i have a feeling thats why the hotel ppl (we stayed at a place called Sherlock) deliberately ensure that the rooms are cold!!! Did you know fire actually cackles.. its not a book thing!!!! Heavenly. That cackling sound itself is so warm and pleasant.
5) Sherlock - nice place.. an old colonial bungalow converted into a hotel.. has about 9 rooms.. food was not that great.. breakfast was horrible.. not just horrible.. it was cold!!! But charming place nevertheless.. all the rooms named after, you guessed it, Sherlock Holmes novels!!! We were at Baskerville!!! The view from the hotel.. breathtaking.. really makes it worth the while staying there!!!
6) Ooty in itself is extremely commercial... we went to rose garden.. more people less roses.. we visited Ooty lake.. boating in the lake was fine.. but to get to the boat you need to fight your way through 1000s of people!! Also picked up home made chocolates.. here i need to mention we went by outlook traveler's recommendations and went to the address listed in the book.. we reached their residence.. so embarassing!!!!
7) A honeymooners haven.. you will find them everywhere.. and i really mean everywhere...a girl with chamkeela sweater.. chamkeela suit... shining sandals , with heels which also have glitter, shining clip.. shining everything basically.. trying to eat candy.. romantically (both husband and wife nibbling on one candy stick!!!).. and of course getting such phtotographs taken!!! Uff ... so irritating!!!!
8) Going to the washroom in winters.. tough (i had forgotten how hard this could be...even though i am from delhi)
9) Toy train to Coonoor... loads of people.. with kids!!! Beware!!!! People clicking anything and everything they can possibly click.. hanging from the doors (no wonder the hinges were coming out).. taking snaps on the tracks , from the tracks.. of the kids.. of the train.. approaching train, standing train... b****y tiresome!!! We had window seats.. the seats are not very comfy..and we also had a kid for company ..a yelling kid who first wanted the window seat.. NO WAY I AM GOING TO GIVE UP MY WINDOW SEAT is what i thought to myself!!! So i said with a smirk the door is unwieldy which it was.. thankfully then the parents took over... and then i opened my pack of biscuits.. and the kid wanted it all.. our entire breakfast!!!!!!!!!! Much yelling, shouting and a slap later (i didnt hit the kid, the mom did) we got the pack back!!! Lol... btu didnt feel hungry after that.. i was busy trying not to feel cold!
BTW, we were sitting at the wrong windows.. not much views from there!!!!!
10) Drive to Dolphin's nose was amazing.. the site itself is not exciting.. because of so many people again.. but the drive is beautiful!!! Sims park.. peaceful.. nice place.. Indian travelers though are horrid.. throw stuff everywhere.. will write my next post on this!!!
11) Needlepoint, a shop, sells embroidery work.. the shop is located in a house.. beautiful beautiful place!!!!
12) Lunch at Taj Retreat Coonoor.. awesome..
13) Journey back by toy train.. more kids!!! And we got the wrong window seats again!!!! Damn!!!
14) Dinner at Savoy. not good.. but company (my husband i.e.) brilliant!!! Good conversations next to a fireplace.. what more fo you need
15) Rooms at Savoy - awesome.. you dont really think that much about the food!!! Fireplace too!!! And a room heater!!!
16) Chatting with random people was fun.. we chatted with a Brit couple.. and then another family who we bumped into at least 3-4 times.. 1st time at rose garden where they got my husband to take their pic...4th time at conoor when finally they came over and chatted.. they were from mumbai too and were terribly excited at seeing our mumbai car!!!! :)
17) And finally the fight between Hindi and Tamil music stations ..fighting for our time .. to be heard :)... the signal was strange.. so we would hear one line from a Jodha Akbar song , rest all would be Tamil. Anyway I got a hear a mallu song which i actually recognised!!! That was quite exciting for me!
18) Ghajini and Abba - we were carrying only 2 Cds.. and because we couldnt listen to the local FM channel.. we heard these 2 CDs turn by turn... actually we heard Ghajini at least 20 times if not more!!! The music is good!!!!
19) Lots of monkeys on the way... which if you stop, come near actually hold a paper plate up for food!!!!!
20) A traffic jam in the hills (i dont mean in the city... but when going up or coming down)... its an experience to see how bus people maneuver themselves out fo the jam.. this bus reversed quite a way bit.. and that too reversed uphill!!!
So all in all... an awesome trip!!!! Will try to post some pics this weekend!!!
1) The drive down to Ooty is nice, post you hit Bandipur... we started late.. so we reached Bandipur in the evening.. and these days its dark by around 6pm! But its beautiful.. bandipur, mudulamai national sanctuary is quite beautiful in the night.. hurtling down the (not kidding.. we were hurtling coz we didnt want to take these roads so late) road listening to Ghajini / Abba, windows rolled down.. fantastic!!!!.. Coming across a herd of deer.. their eyes twinkling in the night.. priceless (thats the mastercard ad, lol)
2) Cold in Ooty ... well, my husband liked it.. i am a sunshine person.. but chasing sunshine during winters is fun.. धुप सेंकना and keep changing your position as per the setting sun.. and in the end you will be standing ine remote corner and or almost one step of the cliff face!!!!
3) Having hot hot soup in cold cold winter... mmmmm
4) Fireplace in the room.... ecstasy!!!! But it does die down in 2 hours.. but so what!!!!! The effect is amazing.. i have a feeling thats why the hotel ppl (we stayed at a place called Sherlock) deliberately ensure that the rooms are cold!!! Did you know fire actually cackles.. its not a book thing!!!! Heavenly. That cackling sound itself is so warm and pleasant.
5) Sherlock - nice place.. an old colonial bungalow converted into a hotel.. has about 9 rooms.. food was not that great.. breakfast was horrible.. not just horrible.. it was cold!!! But charming place nevertheless.. all the rooms named after, you guessed it, Sherlock Holmes novels!!! We were at Baskerville!!! The view from the hotel.. breathtaking.. really makes it worth the while staying there!!!
6) Ooty in itself is extremely commercial... we went to rose garden.. more people less roses.. we visited Ooty lake.. boating in the lake was fine.. but to get to the boat you need to fight your way through 1000s of people!! Also picked up home made chocolates.. here i need to mention we went by outlook traveler's recommendations and went to the address listed in the book.. we reached their residence.. so embarassing!!!!
7) A honeymooners haven.. you will find them everywhere.. and i really mean everywhere...a girl with chamkeela sweater.. chamkeela suit... shining sandals , with heels which also have glitter, shining clip.. shining everything basically.. trying to eat candy.. romantically (both husband and wife nibbling on one candy stick!!!).. and of course getting such phtotographs taken!!! Uff ... so irritating!!!!
8) Going to the washroom in winters.. tough (i had forgotten how hard this could be...even though i am from delhi)
9) Toy train to Coonoor... loads of people.. with kids!!! Beware!!!! People clicking anything and everything they can possibly click.. hanging from the doors (no wonder the hinges were coming out).. taking snaps on the tracks , from the tracks.. of the kids.. of the train.. approaching train, standing train... b****y tiresome!!! We had window seats.. the seats are not very comfy..and we also had a kid for company ..a yelling kid who first wanted the window seat.. NO WAY I AM GOING TO GIVE UP MY WINDOW SEAT is what i thought to myself!!! So i said with a smirk the door is unwieldy which it was.. thankfully then the parents took over... and then i opened my pack of biscuits.. and the kid wanted it all.. our entire breakfast!!!!!!!!!! Much yelling, shouting and a slap later (i didnt hit the kid, the mom did) we got the pack back!!! Lol... btu didnt feel hungry after that.. i was busy trying not to feel cold!
BTW, we were sitting at the wrong windows.. not much views from there!!!!!
10) Drive to Dolphin's nose was amazing.. the site itself is not exciting.. because of so many people again.. but the drive is beautiful!!! Sims park.. peaceful.. nice place.. Indian travelers though are horrid.. throw stuff everywhere.. will write my next post on this!!!
11) Needlepoint, a shop, sells embroidery work.. the shop is located in a house.. beautiful beautiful place!!!!
12) Lunch at Taj Retreat Coonoor.. awesome..
13) Journey back by toy train.. more kids!!! And we got the wrong window seats again!!!! Damn!!!
14) Dinner at Savoy. not good.. but company (my husband i.e.) brilliant!!! Good conversations next to a fireplace.. what more fo you need
15) Rooms at Savoy - awesome.. you dont really think that much about the food!!! Fireplace too!!! And a room heater!!!
16) Chatting with random people was fun.. we chatted with a Brit couple.. and then another family who we bumped into at least 3-4 times.. 1st time at rose garden where they got my husband to take their pic...4th time at conoor when finally they came over and chatted.. they were from mumbai too and were terribly excited at seeing our mumbai car!!!! :)
17) And finally the fight between Hindi and Tamil music stations ..fighting for our time .. to be heard :)... the signal was strange.. so we would hear one line from a Jodha Akbar song , rest all would be Tamil. Anyway I got a hear a mallu song which i actually recognised!!! That was quite exciting for me!
18) Ghajini and Abba - we were carrying only 2 Cds.. and because we couldnt listen to the local FM channel.. we heard these 2 CDs turn by turn... actually we heard Ghajini at least 20 times if not more!!! The music is good!!!!
19) Lots of monkeys on the way... which if you stop, come near actually hold a paper plate up for food!!!!!
20) A traffic jam in the hills (i dont mean in the city... but when going up or coming down)... its an experience to see how bus people maneuver themselves out fo the jam.. this bus reversed quite a way bit.. and that too reversed uphill!!!
So all in all... an awesome trip!!!! Will try to post some pics this weekend!!!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Ooty calling...
I dont know what to write about... usually theres always something to talk about.. but today i am blank.. i dont know what to write .. so it is going to be another this that and the other kind of post... will address the ooty bit later...
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Missed the gym today .. i was regular for the last few days (weekdays i.e.... one needs to be specific in these matters you know)... missed it today because of a stupid mail.. took the work (one mail) home.. didnt go to the gym even then coz it was already 7.30 and auto guy who i have an arrangement with was to come at 7.45! And i didnt want the poor chap to wait in the cold for such a long time.. esp since he esp came to pick me up!! So no gym today :( .. what???? I actually do like it... gym day (weight training, leg press etc etc) is quite painful i find... i lift only upto 1 level of weight.. hoping the instructor doesnt see that!!!! She usually has this disbelieving expression on her face!!!
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I took me more than an hour send the mail.. mail would not load.. then file would not get attached etc etc...
*********************************
You know today was one of those irritating days.. when you wake up, you know already what a terrible day you are going to have.. waking up on the wrong side of bed it is called!!! First half od the day was completely wasted.. in some completely useless things.. teh food we had was atrocious.. esp since i ate veg but paid for non veg... at the buffet i selected the non veg menu (282 as opposed 113 for veg).. after tasting the chicken dishes (there were 2) once, i kind of ate veg only!!! What a waste of money!!!!
And then at work.. tried to cram everything else i was supposed to be doing into a few hrs.. concalls (i hate these concalls!!!)... christmas cake.. wishing everyone.. discussing more stuff.. and finally waiting for something to be able to send a mail!!!
*********************************
Of course the good part, or the best part was the christmas carols.. some people at work sang carols at every desk.. it was fantastic.. though i missed most of it bcoz of that con call.. grrr!!!! But still i heard 2 carols i think.. it was so fantastic!!!!
**********************************
So this year we are at Ooty for christmas!!! I hope the place we are staying at has a nice christmas dinner!!!!! What i am truly truly excited about..about ooty is that the place we are staying at has fireplaces in all the rooms.... that in itself is so exciting i cant tell you!!!
I have always associated Ooty to be a dreamy place.. much of the perception driven by movies maybe.. i hope it turns out to be as dreamy and romantic as i always thought it would be!!!!
mmmmmmmmmmmmm... will try to post ooty pics in the next post.. on sunday!!!
Merry christmas everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
**********************************
Missed the gym today .. i was regular for the last few days (weekdays i.e.... one needs to be specific in these matters you know)... missed it today because of a stupid mail.. took the work (one mail) home.. didnt go to the gym even then coz it was already 7.30 and auto guy who i have an arrangement with was to come at 7.45! And i didnt want the poor chap to wait in the cold for such a long time.. esp since he esp came to pick me up!! So no gym today :( .. what???? I actually do like it... gym day (weight training, leg press etc etc) is quite painful i find... i lift only upto 1 level of weight.. hoping the instructor doesnt see that!!!! She usually has this disbelieving expression on her face!!!
*********************************
I took me more than an hour send the mail.. mail would not load.. then file would not get attached etc etc...
*********************************
You know today was one of those irritating days.. when you wake up, you know already what a terrible day you are going to have.. waking up on the wrong side of bed it is called!!! First half od the day was completely wasted.. in some completely useless things.. teh food we had was atrocious.. esp since i ate veg but paid for non veg... at the buffet i selected the non veg menu (282 as opposed 113 for veg).. after tasting the chicken dishes (there were 2) once, i kind of ate veg only!!! What a waste of money!!!!
And then at work.. tried to cram everything else i was supposed to be doing into a few hrs.. concalls (i hate these concalls!!!)... christmas cake.. wishing everyone.. discussing more stuff.. and finally waiting for something to be able to send a mail!!!
*********************************
Of course the good part, or the best part was the christmas carols.. some people at work sang carols at every desk.. it was fantastic.. though i missed most of it bcoz of that con call.. grrr!!!! But still i heard 2 carols i think.. it was so fantastic!!!!
**********************************
So this year we are at Ooty for christmas!!! I hope the place we are staying at has a nice christmas dinner!!!!! What i am truly truly excited about..about ooty is that the place we are staying at has fireplaces in all the rooms.... that in itself is so exciting i cant tell you!!!
I have always associated Ooty to be a dreamy place.. much of the perception driven by movies maybe.. i hope it turns out to be as dreamy and romantic as i always thought it would be!!!!
mmmmmmmmmmmmm... will try to post ooty pics in the next post.. on sunday!!!
Merry christmas everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
All you talented people, this way please!
Today was the state traditional day... in the sense you had to wear your state dress.. so i wear a Kerala sari (nothing else to signify that i am from kerala). Thats how creative i was.... in comparison to others who actually wore the sari in the traditional tamilian way.. another person wore normal sari but wore the typical maharashtrain nose ring.. bengali sari with the traditional white and red bangles.. you get it i am sure..
I am pretty bad at being creative.. ask people to decorate their bays messily... and they spin this wonderful beautiful cobweb (made of thread).. and they make these spiders/ bats.. hang actual nests etc... i mean the only thing i could think of was tearing the stars from the ceiling and scattering it around.. and strewing paper here and there.. the height of my creativity levels!! BTW, we didnt even do all that!!!
And then during the evening, there was a question asked .. whats your talent.. are there any talented people around.. and i promptly hid myself behind cubicles.. i cannot sing.. CANNOT sing sounds better... i draw ok.. but you would be really hard pressed to find any talent there (i did try.. picked up books for the same.. but tried only a day or two.. now my niece uses that book as a playbook).... i cant play any instrument.. dance.. i can dance.. is freestyle bollywood govinda style dance classified as a talent? I guess not!!!
Pretty talentless I am.. I envy people who can sing!!!! Now Bongs are a different breed altogether!! Every bong (usually) is multi talented.. i have a friend who sings / plays flute / guitar/ tabla.. you name it!!!! How is it that they can do all this!!!!!!!
When i was a kid.. i got inspired by my friend who wrote poems.. and i was like.. yeah i can do that!!! For days, i tried.. thought of some theme / topic to write about (one was "postman").. let me clarify i was in 3rd or 4th std!!! And i couldnt write anything... the page was blank.. blanker than before if it could be possible.. mocking at me!!!! I also tried writing jokes once (again when very young).. i created my own joke.. a person keeping his hands around (above) the lemonade pan (as if protecting it)when the lemonade is being stirred.. when asked why.. he says its to prevent wastage ..all the drops (cheente) will hit my hand / palm and will go back into the pan!!! like Hahhahahaah.. and that was the end of my jokes career!!!
Sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Monday, December 22, 2008
Expressing solidarity with Taj
Well, we didnt intend to do that.. it just so happened that we went for brunch yesterday to Taj Residency .. the day Taj Mahal Hotel opened to visitors!!!
We have spent many a good moments at Taj - our honeymoon was at Taj Kumarakom.. and we visited Taj Palace Delhi quite often (whenever my husband used to come to delhi)... we also celebrated both our annivs there.... hmmmmmmm...
Snapping back to reality... coming back to the brunch.. what an amazing time we had.. we were sat by the poolside.. literally by the pool.. if it were really windy, i would surely have fallen into the pool.. water lapping by the feet etc etc.. and it was nice and warm.. fuzzy warm...
To complement the sunshine and beat the slight chill, they had the live counter right there.. lamb, prawn etc etc.. so we started our meal with wine.. i fed myself as i have never fed myself before!!!! Started with chaat.. gol gappe.. went on to pasta.. lamb.. stir fry veggies.. lip smacking!!
Then the salad / main course and finally the desert. We finished the meal with a brilliant digestive they give (you need to ask for it).. its honey lemon in hot water.. tastes marvellous (ravalgaon candy melted in water)!!
We were there for about 2 hrs!!! An amazing lunch... great company (my husband i.e.).. didnt wanna move from there.. were sitting around till all guests left.. were sitting around still when the restaurant managers etc starting having their lunch.. it was when they started clearing tables.. i think the chill also had got a lot to do with the movement.. we got up.. satiated.. satisfied.. with the thought that we probably never ever need to eat again!!!!
Turned out to be an amazingly romantic lunch.. as it always is when you are eating at Taj (as a couple i.e.).. you come out of the hotel and suddenly you are pulled back to real world.. honking, pedestrians.. hawkers.. bikes.. its crazy!!
**********************************
Watched Oye lucky Lucky Oye on Tata Sky. People from Delhi will be able to connect with it.. the language used.. like oye monk- ee ... Its so delhi!! Its so punju... you can watch the movie just for this reason!!!!
Theres something about Abhay Deol. He is completely unlike the Deol family in terms of the roles essayed.. refreshingly different..in the entire movie, he didnt scream, shout, beat up people (except once).. he plays the role of a petty thief.. an affable one.. who even chit chats with the people he stole from!!! A cute movie this..
**********************************
Also watched A Wednesday on TV... it may give people ideas esp after Nov 26!!! A good movie again.. Nasseerudin Shah rocked.. and Anupam Kher too!!! They have actually tried to show it like they show "intelligence" meetings in English movies.. that seemed a bit over the top.. else movie was definitely worth watching!!!
**********************************
Was up till 2 last night filling up my appraisal form!!! Phew!!!!
**********************************
Today was christmas competition at work - we had to decorate our bays.. and people were enthu enough to start right in the morning.. even come over the weekend.. we as usual (am always late lateef) started in the afternoon thinking we have 2 days before the judgement is pronounced.. it was, you guessed it right, today itself... we started our grand plan by making stars.. pls note the use of the word MAKING... yes we made zillions and gazillions of stars out of thermocol covered with glaze paper.. however much we did, it was always less.. we ended up as we started.. we were still making stars when the judges turned up...(lesson learnt.. make less stars) ...some of which we were actually able to attach to the ceiling.. we also made a cute little snowman.. a WHITE Xmas tree which we decorated with coloured confetti which fell off... a lots of snow, READ COTTON, on everyone's desk.... some other bay won the award... but at least ours was the one wherein we actually made stuff, not bought and displayed..(also spent the least money.. i like to think we were creative with the less material, less resources we had!!!) ... and it showed ...stars with the corners missing... glaze paper coming out.. we had enough paper only to cover one side of the zillion stars (it seemed like zillion when cutting)... so when stuck it on the ceiling, the white part (the thermocol side) is what showed throughout .. all because of the AC, damn it !!!! Also the judges asked us to explain our theme (what theme?????).. so i said.. theres stars on the ceiling.. snow.. snowman with pipe.. theres the christmas tree etc as opposed to the other bay's Mumbai carnage etc etc!!!
And tom is messy day... the theme i.e. .. now thats not too difficult is it...
We have spent many a good moments at Taj - our honeymoon was at Taj Kumarakom.. and we visited Taj Palace Delhi quite often (whenever my husband used to come to delhi)... we also celebrated both our annivs there.... hmmmmmmm...
Snapping back to reality... coming back to the brunch.. what an amazing time we had.. we were sat by the poolside.. literally by the pool.. if it were really windy, i would surely have fallen into the pool.. water lapping by the feet etc etc.. and it was nice and warm.. fuzzy warm...
To complement the sunshine and beat the slight chill, they had the live counter right there.. lamb, prawn etc etc.. so we started our meal with wine.. i fed myself as i have never fed myself before!!!! Started with chaat.. gol gappe.. went on to pasta.. lamb.. stir fry veggies.. lip smacking!!
Then the salad / main course and finally the desert. We finished the meal with a brilliant digestive they give (you need to ask for it).. its honey lemon in hot water.. tastes marvellous (ravalgaon candy melted in water)!!
We were there for about 2 hrs!!! An amazing lunch... great company (my husband i.e.).. didnt wanna move from there.. were sitting around till all guests left.. were sitting around still when the restaurant managers etc starting having their lunch.. it was when they started clearing tables.. i think the chill also had got a lot to do with the movement.. we got up.. satiated.. satisfied.. with the thought that we probably never ever need to eat again!!!!
Turned out to be an amazingly romantic lunch.. as it always is when you are eating at Taj (as a couple i.e.).. you come out of the hotel and suddenly you are pulled back to real world.. honking, pedestrians.. hawkers.. bikes.. its crazy!!
**********************************
Watched Oye lucky Lucky Oye on Tata Sky. People from Delhi will be able to connect with it.. the language used.. like oye monk- ee ... Its so delhi!! Its so punju... you can watch the movie just for this reason!!!!
Theres something about Abhay Deol. He is completely unlike the Deol family in terms of the roles essayed.. refreshingly different..in the entire movie, he didnt scream, shout, beat up people (except once).. he plays the role of a petty thief.. an affable one.. who even chit chats with the people he stole from!!! A cute movie this..
**********************************
Also watched A Wednesday on TV... it may give people ideas esp after Nov 26!!! A good movie again.. Nasseerudin Shah rocked.. and Anupam Kher too!!! They have actually tried to show it like they show "intelligence" meetings in English movies.. that seemed a bit over the top.. else movie was definitely worth watching!!!
**********************************
Was up till 2 last night filling up my appraisal form!!! Phew!!!!
**********************************
Today was christmas competition at work - we had to decorate our bays.. and people were enthu enough to start right in the morning.. even come over the weekend.. we as usual (am always late lateef) started in the afternoon thinking we have 2 days before the judgement is pronounced.. it was, you guessed it right, today itself... we started our grand plan by making stars.. pls note the use of the word MAKING... yes we made zillions and gazillions of stars out of thermocol covered with glaze paper.. however much we did, it was always less.. we ended up as we started.. we were still making stars when the judges turned up...(lesson learnt.. make less stars) ...some of which we were actually able to attach to the ceiling.. we also made a cute little snowman.. a WHITE Xmas tree which we decorated with coloured confetti which fell off... a lots of snow, READ COTTON, on everyone's desk.... some other bay won the award... but at least ours was the one wherein we actually made stuff, not bought and displayed..(also spent the least money.. i like to think we were creative with the less material, less resources we had!!!) ... and it showed ...stars with the corners missing... glaze paper coming out.. we had enough paper only to cover one side of the zillion stars (it seemed like zillion when cutting)... so when stuck it on the ceiling, the white part (the thermocol side) is what showed throughout .. all because of the AC, damn it !!!! Also the judges asked us to explain our theme (what theme?????).. so i said.. theres stars on the ceiling.. snow.. snowman with pipe.. theres the christmas tree etc as opposed to the other bay's Mumbai carnage etc etc!!!
And tom is messy day... the theme i.e. .. now thats not too difficult is it...
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Happy post part 2 - this is how a weekend should be like
Ultra lazy.
Yeah, thats about the best way of describing blissful, close to perfect weekends..
Like today ... evening is young.. many many hours to go.. and lo and behold tom is sunday!! :)
This time on a saturday is usually just purrrfect!!! Hmmmm
I used to wake up (a few yrs back) directly around lunch time and then promptly go back to sleep. I have of course taken a turn for the worse (or some say better) and get back up at around 8.30-9.00am.. my parents still get shocked when i call them at that time.. why are you up so early they say.. they are just not able to get over it..
Anyway, today woke up at 10.30.. waking up for me is a process.. which i thoroughly indulge in during weekends.. which means i wake up.. stare at the ceiling for a bit.. stretch.. then again stare.. look around.. nap some more.. wake up.. sit for a while.. hunt for hairband .. mobile... and then finally wake up!!! And of course I am never properly awake till i have my tea. I am a total tea drinker.. and the drink has to be made in the perfect way.. which obviously no one else but I make.. a tough ask of myself, esp over the weekend.. but what to do (tea deserves another post actually.. will elaborate next time)..
Post tea + paper .. it is time for... you would think breakfast... but most of the times, no it is not.. i am not a morning person.. and i really admire women/ men who are able to go into the kitchen and start their day by making breakfast. Dont get me wrong, i love breakfast.. absolutely love it.. if someone makes it or buys it or takes me to it. Of course a few days of the year, i do go into that much trouble (the deal is, if we breakfast then no lunch as usually by the time i finish making breakfast its already 11-11.30 OR if we lunch then no breakfast.. seldom have i been able to manage both) .. so we usually manage the breakfast time with some biscuits + tea.. basically starve ourselves till lunchtime...
By around 11-12, i am up and running and then make lunch. And then we hog as we have been starving all thsi while ..Post lunch I am too tired.. and immediately curl down in my bed with a book and drop off when reading. Post lunch nap on weekend is the best part of the weekend i think.. just the thought of even the remotest possibility of sleeping during the day makes me feel as if i have attained nirvana. I LOVE IT!!!!
But of course, I cant sleep too much (not cant, dont want to).. coz then when I wake up, it would be dark.. and I start feeling cranky as the day has just gone past.. wasted.. as if feeling woozy isnt bad enough.
Dinner outside.. some wine.. nice!!!!
Sunday - same pattern.. except a nice romantic english movie or an old hindi comedy movie (amol palekar types) ..or even a nice mallu comedy(very rare nowadays)...on the telly in the afternoon.. bliss..
And in between all this, i usually rush to the theatre for some movie or the other... a weekend can never be complete without one... so many a times, we watch the morning show.. less money and then once awake (if awake) i feel happy as even after the movie the entire day lies ahead of you!!! Some shopping (even though i am not a shopping person.. i feel happy looking at the all the things bought esp if bought for me) and my weekend is done!!!! Happily done.
And there are many variations to the perfect weekend theme.. but will get into it some other time!!!! Right now my bucket full of hot water awaits me!!!! :)
Yeah, thats about the best way of describing blissful, close to perfect weekends..
Like today ... evening is young.. many many hours to go.. and lo and behold tom is sunday!! :)
This time on a saturday is usually just purrrfect!!! Hmmmm
I used to wake up (a few yrs back) directly around lunch time and then promptly go back to sleep. I have of course taken a turn for the worse (or some say better) and get back up at around 8.30-9.00am.. my parents still get shocked when i call them at that time.. why are you up so early they say.. they are just not able to get over it..
Anyway, today woke up at 10.30.. waking up for me is a process.. which i thoroughly indulge in during weekends.. which means i wake up.. stare at the ceiling for a bit.. stretch.. then again stare.. look around.. nap some more.. wake up.. sit for a while.. hunt for hairband .. mobile... and then finally wake up!!! And of course I am never properly awake till i have my tea. I am a total tea drinker.. and the drink has to be made in the perfect way.. which obviously no one else but I make.. a tough ask of myself, esp over the weekend.. but what to do (tea deserves another post actually.. will elaborate next time)..
Post tea + paper .. it is time for... you would think breakfast... but most of the times, no it is not.. i am not a morning person.. and i really admire women/ men who are able to go into the kitchen and start their day by making breakfast. Dont get me wrong, i love breakfast.. absolutely love it.. if someone makes it or buys it or takes me to it. Of course a few days of the year, i do go into that much trouble (the deal is, if we breakfast then no lunch as usually by the time i finish making breakfast its already 11-11.30 OR if we lunch then no breakfast.. seldom have i been able to manage both) .. so we usually manage the breakfast time with some biscuits + tea.. basically starve ourselves till lunchtime...
By around 11-12, i am up and running and then make lunch. And then we hog as we have been starving all thsi while ..Post lunch I am too tired.. and immediately curl down in my bed with a book and drop off when reading. Post lunch nap on weekend is the best part of the weekend i think.. just the thought of even the remotest possibility of sleeping during the day makes me feel as if i have attained nirvana. I LOVE IT!!!!
But of course, I cant sleep too much (not cant, dont want to).. coz then when I wake up, it would be dark.. and I start feeling cranky as the day has just gone past.. wasted.. as if feeling woozy isnt bad enough.
Dinner outside.. some wine.. nice!!!!
Sunday - same pattern.. except a nice romantic english movie or an old hindi comedy movie (amol palekar types) ..or even a nice mallu comedy(very rare nowadays)...on the telly in the afternoon.. bliss..
And in between all this, i usually rush to the theatre for some movie or the other... a weekend can never be complete without one... so many a times, we watch the morning show.. less money and then once awake (if awake) i feel happy as even after the movie the entire day lies ahead of you!!! Some shopping (even though i am not a shopping person.. i feel happy looking at the all the things bought esp if bought for me) and my weekend is done!!!! Happily done.
And there are many variations to the perfect weekend theme.. but will get into it some other time!!!! Right now my bucket full of hot water awaits me!!!! :)
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