Pen, Paper, Inspiration

How alterning spending can make you little rich

2011-07-18T00:03:00.000+05:30

In my college and two years into my internship, I used to keep a diary to note all my expenses. Expenses were categorized into Food, Travel, Entertainment, Essential (or planned) and Splurge (unplanned). As I finished my professional studies and began working, this got more tedious. I now budget in my head or scribble against the expenditures/ debits in my bank statement. However with increased income at disposal the expenses shot up, mostly splurges. I had to do something to control them. Read some of my altered spending pattern which makes me slightly richer month on month :-

1. Take public transport - bus or train. Wiser still, buy a season train ticket, daily bus pass and/or train coupon/card

2. Skip Cafe chains - save the baristas and ccd for business meetings, semi formal meet ups or group meets where opting out isnt an option. Rather have coffee at local south indian joints, have fresh juice and/or snack on sandwiches from hygeinic stalls or outlets. Sure you wont have an a/c, but except for summers, you can survive without it.

3. Single screen theatres or mornings shows at multiplexes - single screen theatres by far are the cheapest. Downside though is not posh crowd, seats and online ticket booking options. Though snacks are cheaper, even tickets in black are affordable. If not, stick to shows that start before 11 am on weekends, they cost half of the primetime shows and tickets are usually available on the spot. Give up some sleep, save considerably.

4. Drink, but don't get drunk - drinks at a pub or restaurant are expensive. But when you cant refuse friends, stick woth maximum 2 drinks. Save the urge to get drunk for house parties. Also, happy hours are a wise choice too, especially on hot afternoons.

5. Meet friends in evening rather than night - it gives me more time to enjoy activities together, shop, take a walk, or have great conversations by the sea shore. Meeting at night invaribly involves dinner outings, late night and cab expenses to reach home viz a vis homemade meal, spending time with family and public transport.

6. Walk -Walk short distances. It gives you exercise, time to contemplate and the opportunity to take in the surroundings. Cabs do turn out more expensive for short distances and buses are too much wait!

7. Choose your gifts wisely - Usually gifts from family members are lavish, way more than you would like to spend on similar item. Also friends pool money and buy gifts. Hence, don't be shy to ask for something you cannot afford singly!

8. SALE - Shop on first few days of the sale, preferably on work days, or as soon as shops open in morning. sales usually happen in monsoon and/or winter. I suggest window shopping before the sale and grabbing the devoured things during sale for a great discount. Sale at sports shops, bag shops, shoe hops are usually genuine. However don't forget to check the date of manufacture!

9. Packed Lunch/ Dabba - Office canteens lack variety and eating out daily can be disastrous for your budget and the waistline. Home cooked packed lunch or signing up with a dabbawalla is the wise thing to do. However, keep one day in a week to enjoy an expensive lunch.

10. Use office phone - Have been doing this in through internship years and even in my job. Trust me free local calls never felt so good....!

And how little is the little rich that I have become? Quite so I would save comparing my old and new bank statements :)

T-shirt Reconstruction! - Snip Snip!

2011-06-15T21:52:00.000+05:30

Idle mind isn't always devils abode, especially not when the devil is snipping away on old t-shirts to give them a sexy new twist...!

I used an old westside t-shirt i wore for holi. This was just an ex[eriment. It turne dout decent and I may, just may try it on a better, wearable t-shirt..!

bursts

2010-12-12T01:57:00.000+05:30

People consider me to be creative. My perception matched theirs until two days back.

My an office colleague and a dear friend came over to my house to bake buns with me. She failed to accept that i am a creative person.

Or rather, I was. It set me thinking.As far back as i can remember, i have been doing creative things - draw, paint, create cards, decorate the room, write a story or a poem etc. For a while now most blogs on my feed reader are creativity centric. The categories range from arts, crafts, cooking, photography and poetry. Its odd but i have more respect for artists than for the usual brainy people. All this reiterates how much expressing myself matters to me be through varied creative modes.

But over the passing years my creativity has been restricted to penning an occasional poem and reading creative blogs (each time making a mental note of the things that i need to try from the blogs). Each day in my head the list piles on - stitch a denim bag, try patch work, decorate a drab tee, paint a wall, make cards, learn pottery. Oh! the endless possibilities.....but so little time. Or motivation?!

Just today i went to inorbit and couldnt resist entering the hobby idea shop. Its an ocean of possibilities. An endless sky. A flight of creativity bursting to be experimented with. I surveyed various books, tools and absorbed so much colour and life around. Thinking twice, i picked up a pack of multicoloured quilling strips. Next came a tweazer. Sadly the shopkeeper had never heard of quilling tweezers so i settled for a slitted quilling tool after seeing a demo. Pure impulse shopping but certainly not retail therapy.

With quilling basics tucked inside my bag and a head full of ideas, i barely got through the meal at the mall. The urge to reach home and drown in the youtube quilling tutorials was too much!!

Here i am. Two hour old quiller. Already acqauinted with basic quilling shapes and some simple techniques. Inspired by some force and loving the moment.

As i write this post all doubts of non creativity have eluded me. I feel energised. The activity in my head has reached new high and there is a whirlwind of ideas.I do not know how long this burst creativity will last. For the moment i am just happy knnowing it all came back to me.

In my quest to convince my friend, i was convincing myself. Perhaps, it was a question i was afriad to ask or answer. Else, I would not struggle for two days groping for an answer. Because i realised it was important for my peace of mind and my being.Because in the end one's perception of themselves holds more importance than what others perceive of us.

I always believed i was creative.
I believe i am creative.
Therefore i am.
And i feel it - stronger than ever before.

(12/12/2010 - 1.47 am)

its that day again...!

2010-09-16T23:59:00.002+05:30

It's been a very eventful one year. There have been ups and the ocassional downs. I've learnt, experienced, read plenty to enrich myself. But the passion for more will always be alive...!

Cheers to another year :D

And.....

2010-01-08T15:15:00.003+05:30

And the high-pitched voice,

That found me

On the stairs, in the washroom,

On the phone,

Perhaps in the bedroom.

And the Open-hearted hug

That embraced me

Sometimes tightly

Other time lightly

A gesture of support and love.

And the mile long legs

That walked together

Sometimes on roads,

Or through my words

To see places, people

Who matter to me.

And the big eyes that dance

More brilliantly than Shakira hips

They see what I see

But in a way so new;

Makes me wonder

Of the dance we do

Synchronized yet distinctive.

And the contradictions

And the contrasts

And the little child

And the wise-woman

And of everything

That’s her

What I miss the most

Is well, ummm….something

I can’t even decide upon.

-Preeti Datar

(16:20/ December 14, 2009)

How to keep a resolution

2009-12-30T14:52:00.000+05:30

If the same resolutions figure on your list year after year, then it's time you read further!

Making resolutions is fun. The fun however ends giving way tofrustartion when the resolutions remain merely on paper! The bridge between thinking and acting is wide and these pointers may help you in narrowing it!

Be Realistic & Specific

Guys, let's not aim for the stars, how about we aim for the Top of the tree?

The resolution should be challenging, yet achievable. It should strive you to work, raher than be a deterrent. Also, a resolutions should not be general, say 'lose weight'. The tone should be specific, say 'Lose 5 kgs in the year'.

Break it up

Even an inch is made by 2.5 cms!

Break the resolution in small parts that when linked will lead to the final goal. Each part should have time frames attached to it and the results of one part must traslate into the starting of another. If seamlessly carried forward, it'll sure shot be a success!

Maintain a record

Only YOU can make yourself feel guilty!

Write down your resolutions and your weekly progress and failure. This will not only help you keep a tab, it'll also act as a guilty-conscience!

Proclaim your resolutions

Shhh.....not anymore!

The more people you proclaim your resolutions to, the more it stings you if others notice that you're not working towards them! The mechanism is a 'stick' but a social one!

Carrot and Sticks

Kid, if you be good you'll get a chocolate! (unless you're on weight-loss prog ;))

Device a reward and punishment mechanism to stay on track.

Join a group

Join local groups that have same resolutions. This mostly works if you have resolutions like work-out regime, social work, etc.

Here's wishing YOU all a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR! May your wishes come true....and may you achieve what you RESOLVED FOR!

Message in a bottle.....or internet

2009-05-18T23:01:00.001+05:30

Theresa got her message in a bottle. I got mine over the internet.

I just finished reading a very moving story of undying love and moving on without guilt by Nicholas Sparks. Titled “Message in a bottle”, it traces the life of Theresa, a columnist with the Boston Magazine.

A single mother to 12 year old Kevin, she is forever on her toes. Her life takes an unexpected turn when vacationing with a fellow editor Deane in the picturesque Cape Cod. A quite early morning walk on the beach led to her discovering corked bottle that contained a tightly bound letter addressed to Catherine by Garrett. The letter spoke about undying love, the kind that goes on forever no matter the distance, time, space or life. The emotionally charged letter, that too written by a man, distinctly reminds Theresa of her own life, her marriage with David and the divorce.

Curiosity and a little coaxing by Deane is all it takes for Theresa on a journey to a beach town where she hopes to meet Garrett, the man who writes from his heart…..for she just cannot live with not knowing.

The book unfolds in Boston and takes the reader to wonderful beaches, sailing trips, diving lessons and a story so moving and fragile, that it makes one’s heart ache with every sad sequence. The story is very real – the problems, the feelings, the long, the longing and the little nuances of life.

I firmly believe that no amount of awards can decide if a book is good or not, not even the best-seller tag that ‘Message in the Bottle’ proclaims. For me, a good book is the one that makes me ponder, relate to it, feel myself in the character and one that brings tears in my eyes, of join or sorrow. This one did all this and much more for me.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who believes in Love. I am still torn between the power of love or whether it is over-rated, but nevertheless, I know a good story. And this is not to be missed. The style of writing tethers between chick-lit, romance and easy reading, but it’s the STORY that steals the show, just like it stole mine. 10-minutes into having finished the book, my eyes are still moist…..

The message in the bottle did the trick for Theresa, for me it was someone on the internet. I have a set of internet friends who I have met in real life and who’re very important to me, more than some of my real friends, so to speak. I have laughed and cried with them, and shared moments, on the internet and off it that I can never forget even if I try.

Some people become special for unexplained reasons. It is almost like you know you have to let go, but you cannot. There is the mind that talks about logic and then the heart that knows only emotions. I let either win, mostly as per my convenience. But deep down the heart wins. Though the message was all along with me, I never let it take control of my emotions.

Today Theresa’s story has brought me little closer to acknowledging my lesson. I think I feel blessed. I do not know if the special people know, it does not bother me, for I’m thankful for finally understanding the message that I got - Not in a bottle, not in a letter, but over the internet.

Thank you.

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE - 4****/5*****

This is how we braced the dark....

2009-03-31T22:37:00.003+05:30

Most of the neighbours were clueless about Earth hour. The streets were buzzing, the traffic moving as usual....some buildings did look dark....but they usually are so....

....the only unusual thing was the dark that enveloped and consumed our house.....until we let the light be.....the candle-light!

We lit candles -

floating candles.....

normal stick candles.....

votive inside an ornate candle holder.......

- and enjoyed our candle-light dinner of Pav Bhaji!

........brace the dark

2009-03-28T20:20:00.000+05:30

Feeling the heat....?
Seeing the silent tears of Mother Earth?
Getting blinded by lights?

Come, brace the dark! - switch off all your lights and enjoy the black-out today (28th March, 2009) between 8:30PM - 9:30PM!!

In my childhood i was afraid of dark, I still am, sometimes. But the thought of lights out sounds rather appealing. It not only reminds me of the numerous games of dark room, the getting-scared-in-the-dark and turning to face the other side while sleeping....and also a sense of peace, perhaps at the end of something chaotic.

In an hour the lights in my building will be switched off. I'm ready to brace the dark and to welcome it with arms wide open. I'm not only looking forward to a candle light dinner, but also to using my sensory skills in the dark. Also, if other residents co-operate, it's going to a rather dark one hour and maybe a good photo-op!

Bring on the candles!!
AND
Let there be light
the Light WITHIN US!!

Dirty dancing!

2009-03-27T18:41:00.004+05:30

Dirty dancing and me go back a long way. 21 years to be precise. I haven't been doing the 'dirrty dance' (Miss Aguilera Style!) since 21 years if you think it is so. The only connection here is the year 1987!

I was never a movie buff. But staying in the hostel somehow cultivated the liking for watching movies since was never a dearth of DVD rips and of course staying awake way past the owl's hour without any purpose! The laptop which I had for a while acted as manure. The seeds sowed then and now saplings....waiting to sprout into something larger. Only the occasional wind, heat of the situation and future repercussions holds it back. But every sapling-just like a dog- has its day. Well, these are mine. It began with one movie a month, until it reached a point where watching a movie every other day was synonymous with breathing. I was fortunate enough to have such a varied bunch of girls around me and hence the diverse genres of movies. However, dance movies are closest to my heart. I am not much of a dancer, but I do like to shake a leg. When I watch a dance movie I feel free. I become the dancer as my limbs slice through the air, gracefully.....and the world ceases to matter. Last night I wanted to feel unrestrained, where nothing matters. I decided to watch "DIRTY DANCING", the one dance movie I had been yearning to watch for the longest. I had no idea about the cast, director or the story. The only thing I knew was that I loved the song "Time of my life...." and as an afterthought I do have to add that the movie did not fail to enthrall me.

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

Dirty dancing is a 1987 movie. Set in the 1960s, it takes us on Baby's discovery of what is she and what she wants to be. Born in a well to do family, she has been sheltered, pampered and conditioned by her father and mother to grow up and change the world.

On her holiday to a summer resort, she meets Johnny, a dancer and someone whose background and upbringing is a stark contrast to hers. He along with his dancer partner are regulars at an underground club that promotes gyrating to the visceral tunes, where skin show is ample. Initially baby is scandalised, but once she gets to know there 'other people' better and helps Johnny's dance partner to undergo an illegal abortion, things never are the same.

She fills in for Johnny's dance partner and what follows are some brilliant sound songs and background scores and stunning choreography. The teacher-student bond develops into something more intimate and Baby stands up to what she wants and goes behind it, even if that means upsetting her parents. Though the movie is a slight drag in the middle, the acting/drama a bit over the top, the dialogues sometimes corny, the music and dance and the soul of the film more than makes up for it. The story is very appealing and strikes a chord with the audience. Somewhere it pleases the basal instinct, at the same time the thought of tender love, sacrifice and not fearing what you want.

Watch it if-

1. You love music
2. You love dance
3. You care for a good drama
4. You silently dreamy of dancing like Baby and Johnny! ;) (cause I do!)

Your time won't be wasted!!

Aaheli's artistic bend!

2009-01-25T19:16:00.004+05:30

Aaheli, I know, I know, I haven't take the legal right from you to post this on cyberspace....but kya karein, I'm so not someone who'd let go off a talent!

Check out the pictures below. My college friend Aaheli painted them on her bedroom and bathroom wall respectively.

Now I know who'll paint my house when I buy my house :D

PS@Aaheli- For any copyright issues, call me up ;)

A sleak-slide phone!

2009-01-22T14:22:00.005+05:30

Curious about the sudden flurry of images on this blog, as well as on my food blog and travel blog? It's all thanks to my new sleak, Nokia 3600 slide phone! Take a peak below-

Features-

3.2 MP Camera
MP3 and MP4
Radio
4 GB expandable memory
Comforting marron colour/Slide facility
Maps (non-functional in India as yet)
Tv cable (to view images and videos on tv) (RS. 800/- extra which i didn't think was worth buying!)

It cost me Rs. 9,000/- (incl one GB card, excl TV datacable)

Creative Sunday: Candle Making

2009-01-18T22:20:00.009+05:30

I'm a creative person. I may not be outwardly talented in drawing, crafts, painting, but trust me, I have some of the world's best ideas; and they actually WORK!

I occasionally dabble in some creative task to keep my creative juices flowing. This Sunday I tried candle making.

I remember making candles by reusing wax from old boring candles along with Pranay sometime in 2007. It was fun. Since then I've been wanting to learn candle making. Mom got me a candle making kit and a candle making book and hence the start of-hopefully-a lasting hobby, perhaps even business!

I made only two small candles today, both in reddish-orange colour-. One was shaped like a fish(which didn't turn out too good) while the other was in the shape of a star/flower. The candles even floated when we placed them amidst flower petals in a crystal bowl filled with water! Here's how it went!

(I used Fevicryl Hobby Ideas candle making kit!)

(The lit-up beauty, with another beauty :))

(Fire on water....)

(All in one collage!)

Tomorrow I'm going and buying a few candle making mouls, paraffin, wick, colouring agents and me and kaku will stir up a sensational candle(s)(hopefully) using our imagination!

Origami@Office

2009-01-14T21:36:00.004+05:30

This is the kind of CRAZY stuff that we do when we're really bored in Office (especially me...)

(Soaring into the skies. This origami bird even flaps its wings!)

For instructions on how to make this bird, go here ---> http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-flapping-bird.html

Credits: Thanks Madhuri for making this bird. Thanks to my cell for the images and video. Thanks kakkad for the smile, and for posing with the bird! :)

C'mon, be a SPORT!

2009-01-02T22:15:00.002+05:30

If this is the level of innovativeness that is needed for Mumbai Cleanliness drive, then they've struck it bang on!

I spotted this basketball ring dustbin while walking to Office yesterday, and I had to capture it, because the creativity, the 'be a sport tag' and the orange '!' daring you to show your sportsman spirit was too much to ignore!

Keep up the good work guys. I do hope this new twist in the tale helps :)

Here's a basket of appreciation for you!

Pictures of our rain trek! (August 2008)

2009-01-02T10:48:00.013+05:30

Thanks Devina and Tanya for the pictures :)

Read about the rain-trek here ---> http://datarpreeti.blogspot.com/2008/08/rain-trek.html

(Leaving Hostel....)

(Deposit your cell phones and money in the plactic bag....at Ashwini Gate)

(At Marine Drive)

(Soaked to the bones at 210 degrees, yet enjoying our breakfast-cum-dessert while the 210 degree staff hated the watery mess we'd created!)

(Admiring my two ponies :P at 210 degrees)

(I'm like a bird....)

(Suprestarz!)

THANK YOU......Radzee

2008-12-24T14:43:00.000+05:30

This has been long over-due and I have been so miser in using one of the GOLDEN word THANK YOU! - I extend my apologies to Radzee (aka Radhika)for not acknowledging how grateful I am on having a blog post dedicated to me and for the bond that we share.

I totally loved the farewell you gave me in cyberspace. But the last two months have been proved that indeed it is no farewell. We do meet less often, but someone rightly said that disnace ceases to exist if hearts are truly desirous of love and friendship, and hey, Prabhadevi is just round the corner! ;)

Thanks for-
* the Blog Post "FOR MY PREETO!!!!"
* for the fun, food and jam sessions
* late night talks
* frequent disagreements
* for testing my patience alot of times
* and for just being there, always....and making me realise a lot of things about how i see my friends and priorities, though unknowingly.

YOU Rock Girl!

Mood Indigo - DAY 2 - Concert

2008-12-22T22:44:00.001+05:30

MoodI, the very name invokes images of college rivalry, fundoo events, great prizes, fabulous crowd and of course four days of unlimited fun amidst contests, events and professional performances and concerts!

Unfortunately I have never been able to catch up on any major college fests/events, especially not MoodI. But this time I made sure that I did not miss it for anything! The fact that I have some friends in iit and a great host in Vikash and Radhika, made it all the more eventful.

I got the privilege to attaned MoodI 2008 on Day 2, a sunday. None of the events/displays really caught my interest leaving aside the Vintage car exhibit, despite the fact that I had seem better vintage cars.

However the fun began at the Antakshari finals and only increased during the Play 'Garam Kamra' and ofcourse the concert featuring the famed Sufiana singer Kavita Seth, Mrigya a fusion band from Delhi and the icing on the cake, Roop Kumar rathod and Sonali rathod. I have never seen such brilliant crowd and quality of the concert.

The security was very tight, but well executed despite the discomfort it caused us. The food facility was quite bad and no one really knew where the coupons were sold. The stalls were not so interesting, but overall it was a good show for a economy caught in recession. My friends from iit told me that time it was a Thanda show, the crowds have thinned, sponsors are okayish and the events lack the lustre. But for me it was almost a dreamlike Fest because this is what I had missed during three years in college!

Watch some of the videos from the Proshow (The concert) and hear the audio clips below :)and don't forget to comment and thank my cell phone for the graphical effects below :D

:) Smiling Moon :)

2008-12-17T21:05:00.000+05:30

What a way to welcome The last month of 2008. It was 1st of December. I and a couple of my friends were just heading back to the bus stop after our tryst with chocolate gelato. We saw several people looking at the stars. We did the same and noticed someone smiling back at us. It was the moon and the two stars! See it here if you did't see it that day :D

(Credits: All images and videos taken from my mobile)

Bus Ek Baar!

2008-10-04T21:52:00.000+05:30

Today was a crazy day!

It began with me waking up at 6:31 AM when I usually take a 6:35 AM bus for my class!! :P So I missed my bus and took a 7 AM bus instead and ofcourse reached late for the class.

I ran as soon as my bus reached C'gate station. But the 7:17 AM train had already left and the next train was after 10 minutes!! So I ran back outside to the bus stop and took a bus to Opera House.

Now as soon as I opened my wallet to buy a ticket, I realised that I had 5 notes of rupees hundred and a 50P coin in change :P The conductor asked me to give him a change. On my refusal he told me to get off the bus. The driver even stopped the bus mid-way between churchgate and Marine Drive!! A kind lady offered to buy me a ticket as it would set her back only by Rs. 4/- and as she thought that I was like her daughter, getting late for a class!!

I refused at first and asked if someone could give me the change. But on lady's countless insistance, I agreed and she bought me the ticket :)I felt a tinge of guilt and w hole lot of gratitude. Never before had a total stranger bought a ticket for me. Never had I bought a ticket for a total stranger. I thanked the lady and got off the bus.

Today's incident made me realise that life isn't so bad afterall and people do help!! I want to be able to help someone in similar situation too!

But, i learnt another lesson that I must always keep change, else the condutor would ask me on seeing the rupee 100/500 note if 'i wanted to buy tickets for the whole bus!' :P (a conductor actually asked that question to a friend of mine ;))

Our DONNA!

2008-09-15T16:10:00.000+05:30

Shades of Donna...

Resting....

The Tennis Star!!

The joy she gave us....

2008-09-13T03:30:00.000+05:30

It was in the evening chill of December 1999. My brother and dad walked into our house in Wellington, Ooty with a small, jet black german shepherd pup in their hand. The pup was scared and as we left her in the garden, she was trying to run off towarsd the house where her mother was. She was unsuccessful in getting back to the security her mom had to offer, but she successfully entered our family and our hearts!

We had never really thought about owing a dog, but it was fate in part, my brother's persuasion and my dad's agreement to the persuation that brought DONNA to us. The previous owner named her Donna, We tried calling her several different names, yet she responded to only one - DONNA. Indeed, uss jaisa aur koi nahi hona, hamari Donna!

She was a weak puppy, and the only female among the litter that was unsold, yet. Our house was new for her and one day she scared us by hiding behid a sofa and not even responding to our calls.

But Donna has taught us so much. She's taught us to love, to be loyal, to live through whatever comes in our way. She's taught us to care, to be committed to someone (give her food, water, walks etc) and also express our feelings without even without the use of our vocal cords. She's also bugged us alot with not eating, barking incessantly at humans and not at the dogs, wanting us to take her to attend nature's call when we aren't in the mood, not liking to take a bath etc. But she's give us ample love without demanding anything more. She's been a source of pure joy, pride and undiluted entertainment 24X7. She even gave me company late into the early morning hours as I studied for my exams.....

But today she's not us anymore. Just the memories of the past nine years remain....our house feels empty, but are hearts are full of love for her...and will be so till eternity!

Donna, we miss you! The last time I met you was in March, 2008. I was going to meet you again in October 2008, but I think God wanted a funny, pretty and cute friend and hence you had to leave us. But wherever you are stay happy and never forget us, even though we were lazy at times to brush your pretty hair or wash your bowl.

Oh, btw mom was going to give your biscuits away to the street dogs. But I asked her to save a packet for your B'day so that we can treat your friends on that day! :)

I just wish I had seen you one last time....heard you bark, stroked your pretty hair and played with you....

Rain trek

2008-08-11T16:51:00.002+05:30

(August 2008)

Hostel has some crazy girls. I am kinda normal, but there are days when I like to explore my other side. One such day was day before yesterday.

I and three of my hostel friends decided to go walk to marine drive from the hostel. The plan was to have breakfast and start walking. The final destination was to be 210degrees, a premium cake and pastry shop.

After a hearty breakfast of fluffy uttapas and dosas with sambhar-chutney and a cup of hot chocolate, I got dressed in one of my sportiest outfit - orange tracks (folded upto my knees), my black tee that has a girl drawn on it and a quote 'my problem is YOU!', grey floaters and hair braided in two plaits (so unlike me!)-and hit the road.

The rain thundered down on us. Within minutes we were completely wet. The windsheaters were hardly any good. My specs were dotted and the orange tracks turned tomato red! The other people walking on the road were starting at us four girls who were splashing in the water and rejoicing as the rain's intensity increased!

We walked upto Colaba bus station and then took a left to reach Cuffe Parade. Then we took the road to the Air India building from Mantralay to reach Marine Drive, but chnaged our mind and headed to 210 degrees to have breakfast! We wet the chairs and the floor there. The owners were semi-pissed but they were not vocal about their state of mind, instead choosing to wipe the floor while glaring at us.

After a quick snack, we reached Marine drive. Walking on the edge of the bandstand, we looked the the dark sky and the rumbling ocean throwing splashes of water up the rocks and onto us. The crabs were crawling all over the rocks as some kids chased them in the hope of a delicious meal. Families had come out, though not in a large number. The lovers were missing, thankfully thus proving it a welcome change.

After clicking random pictures, we took off our wind-sheaters and let our dripping clothes shed some water. Our leg muscles had begun to tighten and the enthusiams was dying. The sky over chowpatty was pitch black and the water looked silver - a sure sign of heavy rain! And we were right.

The freedom of roaming wind-cheater free lasted a few minutes until the clouds spat water down on us.y then our bones were chilly. Bidding goodbye to our adventureous mood, we fuelled the sweet tooth in us by oh-aahing as we took filled our mouth with geneours chunks of chocolate goey, oreo mousse, blueberry cheese cake and choco ferror pastry.

What a perfectly bitter-sweet (bitter the slight pain in our muscles and sweet the lingering taste of chocolate and memories created) end to the RAIN TREK!

Check out pictures from rain trek here - http://datarpreeti.blogspot.com/2009/01/pictures-of-our-rain-trek-september.html

Do Not Disturb

2008-07-25T13:53:00.000+05:30

Ordinarily a chime signalling 'one new message' on my cell phone would raise my spirit instantly. Off late, I curse everytime I hear the tone beacuse someone remembered me and smsed me, guess who? - MTNL! (who else?!)

I've been tolerating this 7 times a day harassment for about two months now. But my patience has been tested enough! I took one final look at the sms I had just received - 'Bhakti ringtones at Re. 2' and immediately typed www.google.com on my IE6browser. I googled for Do Not Distrub India and was lead to www.donotdistrub.in

This is what the website says about itself-

This is a Do Not Disturb directory for Indians. We will never collect your personal information but only link to appropriate service provider like a Bank or a Telecom company where you can register directly to stop telemarketing calls. A more comprehensive website is in place - The National Do Not Call Registry.

I clicked on MTNL Mumbai, followed the instructions and within seconds I received another sms! I groaned....until I read what the sms was - 'Thanks for registering for dnd service. Your name will be taken off the list at the earliest'.....and then I smiled.

I think if phone companies and banks happily give away our details to random telecallers, we have every right to choose not to receive their calls/smses. Use this right wisely, get yourself a DO Not Distrub Sign, just like I did :)

BOX theory of organisation

2008-06-19T00:23:00.001+05:30

I am a virgo. A perfectionist. An extremeist. Either too organised or completely screwed. Yet to find a balance.

Everytime I feel the need to control the reigns of my unorgansied life I have to start from my belongings. I need to wash my clothes, iron the crumpled one's, rearrange my books, clean the study table, arrange the shoes, put the clothes tidily in the cupboard and even clean up the storage space above the cuoboard. Once that is done, I can begin thinkign straight and get to making my to-do-list, get my finances straight, make study schedule and get organised in general in respect of how I use my time.

Just yesterday I did all the insane stuff I talked about up there.

I washed clothes in two cycles in the washing machine. I slogged in sweat, water and rin washing salwar suits and kurtis with my own pretty hands. Proceeding to my cupboard, I emptied the cartoon of books for it was getting infected with cockroaces (they are the only ones who seem interested in studying :P) and needle thin worms that eat away paper. The carton ws promptly thrown away by my roomie while I argued why I needed it, but she did not listen. The books now sit prettily in the book shelf that has sliding glass doors.

The shoes were sorted out, heels neatly put in boxes, shoes cleaned, wiped and put in more boxes. The storage space was rid of crappy plastic bags, broken lamp and other waste. The big suitcase was then filled with clothes that either don't fit me or are abhored by me! The smaller suitcase was used to keep clothes that I wear occasionally. That is not all. I even rearranged all my clothes and jewellery.

I used several cardboard boxes- for shoes, for jewellerty, for food items, for CD's, for miscellaneous things and a box even as a stand-by!

Once my things were organised and boxed, I wrote up a to-do-list (which hasn't yet been brought under my implementation scanner!), a study schedule, timings for internet (which I've overdone by 2 hours!), timing for sleeping and a budget complete with provisions for the things I want to buy in future!

Today as I sit hitting the laptop keys, way beyond midnight, my right hand pains due to washing clothes, back aches due to lack of hugging the bed for nearly 19 hours and my eyes are wide-open as they've forgotten to blink due to exposure to laptop in the hostel and computer at work!

Yet I feel satisfied. I have stuck to my BOX theory of organisation. I just need to begin sticking to the theory and tick mark the little boxes I have against several lists with a pen that is stored in a box shaped pen holder!

If you are inspired by me, simply get a carton box, draw squares, arrange stuff in geometrical pattern that is symmetrical and you'll instatnly feel proud of yourself and certainly more organised! (so what if in your own eyes!)

Enter Laptop & Internet !!!!

2008-06-05T19:19:00.000+05:30

Okay. I have to admit I've been lazy with my when it comes to this personal blog. But there has been so much happening in my life that the laziness isn't really laziness, its more like being over-burdened!

To begin with My articleship is hectic. I end up doing over-time atleast 7 days in a month. Then I had my B.com exams and after securibng 80% in them I can conveniently call myself a graduate!! The summer has paved the way for the rains, but I will cherish fond memories from Terence Lewis Summer Dance Camp - 2008 where I learnt Salsa and got a chance to perform in the Grand Finale held at St. Andrews Auditorium, Bandra. Apart from that www.p4poetry.com has been keeping me busy. Further, the lack of internet access (apart from the one I have in my firm where I'm an article) is a major contributing factor to the inactivity. But the biggest reason was not owing a computer/laptop!

Now that I have a working laptop (though 7 years old with limited memory) and internet access, I do intend to keep this blog updated. I do hope I can bring back the zeal of writing in my life for it seems to have got toppled off my to-do list!

Preeti, signing off, from the comfortable chair in herb hostel room!

Until next time........ciao!

Therapeutic Talk

2008-02-20T16:54:00.001+05:30

I intend to talk about something that happens every second, in every part of the world and its terrible a mark for a lifetime, yet it’s pushed under the bed and hardly voiced!

I want to be a voice…
…for so many others who know the power of speech, yet are speechless
…who know they’re dying slowly inside, yet pretend to live happily
…who subconsciously think that it was their fault of, yet live with a realization that they did not provoke any of it.

My voice is not the first. It is one in many that have been raised in the past and will be raised in the future. But because I, myself have been a victim, I think its imperative on my part to talk about it and reduce the fear, the guilt and the sense of having wronged, for it wasn’t my fault.

And t isn’t HER fault either if it happened to her,
But it is HER fault if she did not retaliate!

-------

What started as a pleasant conversation among friends, one fated night, turned into an outlet to talk about molestation. Someone happened to mention how they like to be seated by the window in the BEST buses. I admitted I too was a fan of the window seat, until I felt an unpleasant touch.

It was back in my second year of graduation. The bus was literally breaking down with crowd. I was elated at getting a seat somewhere in the middle of the bus. I was listening to the radio and enjoying Mumbai scenes in motion. Suddenly I felt a brush under my left hand. I touched the very spot and ignored it thinking it must be unintentional.

After a mini respite, I felt someone touch me again, this time slowly, almost trying to feel my bosoms from the side. I froze. The person felt me going cold and withdrew the wandering hand. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat and moved towards the right, away from the window. I lodged my hand in the gap between the seat and the window. But the hand ambled again, but found just my arm blocking their journey.

The person sitting next to me sensed my discomfort. I closed my eyes for a full minute, trying to gather strength, and turned back to look at the molester. The bastard acknowledged me and pretended to be looking out the window. But I knew, and he knew it wasn’t just that. I changed my seat and the bastard got off the bus. I don’t remember his face, but I remember his cheap thrills and my fear clearly.

What angers me today is that I did not do anything. I could have raised an alarm, slapped the man or gone a step further and lodged an FIR. But I did nothing but feeling helpless and somewhere thinking it was my fault, how I do not know, but isn’t it easier to blame ourselves for not being alert?

Then on, I avoid window seats especially if a man is sitting behind me, I squirm in my seat often and I swore to take action should anything like this happen again. Perhaps talking to my friends was the first time I was being vocal about it.

After having gone through numerous incidents, we’re now conditioned to such things. I know it’s a miserable thing to say, but we’re happy in wiping off those memories. Here we were recalling each disgusting memory, feeling sick again for it just wasn’t me.

Slowly, everyone poured their hearts out about what trauma they’ve been through in everyday things like traveling in the bus on walking in crowds. I thought I was the only one, but hey, here I was one among many and I just didn’t feel like I was at fault anymore! Two to three incidents did happen with me, and they were bad, but some of the others had gone through much more.

In our heart conversations, we even talked about how it is difficult to react when you’re the victim and what can be done. Everyone narrated what they had done in retaliation. We devised a ‘to-do-list’ to deal with molesters. We even joked about molesting the men-folk and wondered if we could rape them! Yes, funny as it sounds, but it’s this human ability to laugh through the gloomiest of things that keeps us going.

For two whole hours we had this intense talk, but it was worth the whole of the 120 minutes and more. Everyone felt relieved after the talk and also mentally stronger, and capable of taking action in future. This talk was a therapy for the bunch of us, and we understood that just talking about it makes your heart feel a thousand pounds lighter.

Freedom, they say is free. I say, freedom maybe is free, but for girls it comes with a heavy price, the price of putting our ‘izzat’ at stake every waking minute and even in sleep!

But at least we’re on alert-with the invisible antennae on our heads-looking for potential molesters, before they can find us!

-------

This is my voice, and it’s a voice of many others, and this voice will reach out and create a furor. This furor will empower the womenfolk and if you’re detected by our antennae, be sure you’re screwed! Remember, we can now rape a guy, and give him mental trauma…

7 Reasons to turn down a marriage proposal

2008-02-19T12:14:00.000+05:30

I wanted something light-hearted to write about and most of the ideas buzzing in my head were serious topics. So I googled up for writing prompts and found something to write about. I've written this piece purely as a fun read and incase you do take it seriosuly, too bad, you'll miss out of knowing a wonderful person! (haha :D)

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7 Reasons to turn down a marriage proposal

The wedding ring is too heavy for my fragile fingers (if its not, you're ineligible!)

My culinary skills can be life threatening!

Other ways of suicide are much cheaper (saving the prospective money spent on marriage for posterity) and more instant (used to the Maggie 2-minute patience!)

I don't want a license to add to the bulging population!

I’m a bad risk taker and marriages don’t come with guarantee cards!

Marriage certificate is a shallow testimony for my love!

I like variety (husbands included!)

------------------------
Will you still marry me? ;)

(19 February 2008)

Chocolate mousse, brownie and bounvita!!

2008-02-09T12:13:00.000+05:30

For a week I had been abstaining from processed sweets-save for a mango flavour hajmola I popped into my mouth by mistake- and eating carbs at night. Abstinence is said to create a follow. The compartment in my stomach meant for sweets and carbs [I am a firm believer that I have several divisions in my stomach. If I say I’m full and you offer me a soft drink, I may gulp it down for the soft drink compartment is empty ;)] was hollowed with severe craving. You see, fruits, veggies and honey [the only indulgence in this long one week that came close to being processed] were just not enough to satiate the hunger, to fill the void. I needed something bigger, sweeter, better and processed! – I needed the heavenly sweet, CHOCOLATE!!

Week long restraint just for chocolate sounds unreasonable, does it?! To some extent it was, but the sheer joy of digging chocolate in-excess was bliss beyond words. I broke my sweet fast with a spoonful of dark chocolate that enveloped the light-chocolaty mousse. As the chocolate sat on my tongue, the explosion of the bitter flavour spread through my body and the sound of ‘ummmmm….’ escaped from my lips.

As the bitter chocolate, then the light-chocolaty mousse flirted with my taste buds, my body began to unwind. The desire to consume all that is chocolaty overpowered me. The marginal utility I got from each bite of the mousse increased with each bite, defying the economic principle of diminishing marginal utility.

After the mousse I took a momentary break when I chatted with hostel mates about how I and we just couldn’t get enough of chocolate. The winner for the original sinner is Chocolate-hands down!!

Waiting in line was hot milk with oodles of bounvita. As I cupped the mug containing the bounvita milk, warmth spread through my body and I felt cozy in this out of the blue Mumbai chill. Sipping the milk, I felt the liquid flow down my throat. My stomach was being filled with every drop. The milk got over and the innocently indulgent brownie was screaming to be devoured from the cardboard box it sat in.

I heard the screams much before they even began. I wanted it all. Warming the brownie in the microwave truly tested my patience. Though, the hallow was almost full, the marginal utility was still at the crest. The brownie-though a little hard and not as gooey as I’d have liked it to be-was all my moneys worth at a mere 15 bucks! As I licked the last crumbs of the brownie, a sense of contentment rose at the pit of my stomach and traveled all the way to my head.

If I didn’t know better, I was high, high on chocolate!! I felt good, I felt happy, I felt like I was the queen of this world. I felt like how Deepika must’ve felt after consuming a huge glass of hot chocolate at Inox and entertaining us in her state of elevation! But before any entertaining for others and embarrassing for self session of entertainment could begin, I headed to bed and let the chocolate lull me to a deep sleep and sweet dreams.

PS - This abstinence was a part of my 'Sweet Rewards' drive, wherein I was allowed to gift myself sweets should I live through the requisities for that particular week.

Things I find HILARIOUS about the warden!

2008-02-06T16:29:00.000+05:30

Things I find HILARIOUS about the warden!

Her JUMBO Size underwear and bra hanging in the balcony of the computer room ;)

Yeah, we can see how BIG your assets are. But why disclose the size and make of your lingerie for the whole hostel to see?! Not just us girls, but also the cook, the cleaner and the other staff. We genuinely are not interested in seeing tents hanging outside our computer room. Please find interested spectators elsewhere.

Her earthquake like butt shake! :O

The warden is a one fitness freak woman. She's so dedicated to her workout that everytime she comes to the dining room to heat up milk in the microwave, she clings to the table that hosts the microwave, bends forward slightly from her waist and start jumping. Save us.....save us.....(that's the voice of our racing hearts). Her butt moves so wildly that it's nothing short of an earthquake. I've survived this earthquake twice, but everytime failing badly in my attempts to stifle my laughter. Now, you have to see this one in person, for some things like an earthquake can only be experineced!!!

Her desperation {:*

She's 50, and unmarried. Her singledom makes her hyper and desperate. Apparently she's into surfing for porn and enjoying cheap messages. If you're unlucky enough, you'll sample her desperation as she reads out cheap smses to you. Not just that, she even pretends like she's a saint and asks what those smes mean! I agree she can't find a man now, but accusing us girls of having affairs is unfair!! Everytime a girl looks nice, or gets her eyebrows done, or for that matter even a basic hair-cut done, she'll ask the girl if she's in love. Then, she'll go on explaining the girl that this is the age for wild love. Oh,right! :

Her Way of Eating!! :^

Have you seen a super hungry person hogging? (re0d 'not eating') No, then you have to see her. She eats only 1 roti, as on a diet. She'll break the roti into 1/4ths and she'll scoop out half the sabzi with the poor-little 1/4th roti piece, then dip it into he dal and then S-t-u-f-f her mouth with the food. A third of the food is immediately swallowed, the rest either falls out her mouth or if her digestive system is lucky, gets chewed by her teeth. A truly disgusting sight!

Cost cutting

The food normally gets over. Don't blame us, blame the wardens gujarati attitude! She orders ration for 40 girls, while 52 of us occupy the hostel, and then points fingers at us saying 'what big appetite you girls have got'. 'Not bigger than your tummy', we whisper and giggle behind her back! Then where does the money go? - ofcourse into her shopping! Which warden can afford to shop each time at Fab India, Westside and beat that, Aurum( designer store)?! Ours does. But where the money really goes is into her body, as each day she grows in size and reduces in self respect!

She thinks we love her......

....this has got to be THE MOST HILARIOUS THING ABOUT THE WARDEN!

What world does she live in, God knows, but she truly, genuinely thinks we love her, while we maybe spewing sweet words just to get our work done. And we can't help laughing our teeth off! (umm....does such a phrase actually exist? Who cares?! - *laughs*)

Live in the illusion that we love you - I pray for her.

But atleast be happy and stop running for our life- I pray for us!!

Poetree Revolution (an update)

2008-02-06T16:19:00.000+05:30

The name's p4poetry!

Yes, the blog for the poetree revolution is up. Everyone whose anyone is welcome at www.p4poetry.com

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Here's a short brief on why p4poetry.com!
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Why’d someone like YOU be prompted to explore and get addicted to p4poetry? Here’s why-

P4poetry is not about us……it’s about YOU.
YOU could be an amateur poet or a professional….
YOU could have written when you were young and life’s hectic pace swept the poet in you under the carpet….
YOU could be just a lover of poetry who relishes reading good works written by others….
YOU could be a voracious poet, but shy to share your works in person with your friends and the world at large…
YOU could be someone who doesn’t even know the poet that exists in you….
YOU could write in any poetry form, or in any language. Yes, you can write in any Indian language as well!!

This is the only site in India which let’s you share and read works in your own language, be it Hindi/Marathi/Telugu/Bengali/…………….etc in written form.

Based on inputs from poets like you, we’ve added a feature that enables you to post your works as audio recordings. This should make it easier to express the nuances, the tarranum in your works and also touch the reader on another level…

p4poetry.com has been created for you to come and share your poetry uninhibitedly, under your own name or a pen name…to get encouraged to write more…to be able to refine your work by the members’ comments….to rise above any language barrier and be one uniform expression of beauty in a written word
Where more in not enough…..
Where words dance around and come together in an ecstatic union…

What’s planned for YOU?
We plan to have monthly and annual contests where you will have to pay a nominal fee and the winners will get rewarded with handsome prize money.
Our future endeavour - depending on the response we get-is to be able to be a platform where you can get published, where you can listen live to any major poetry readings in India and to create poetry groups in as many places as possible which will meet on a regular basis and have live poetry readings, conduct workshops by well known poets on poetry and much more…

Let words flow free…
…Come, join our world of poetry!

Poetree Revolution

2008-02-01T11:16:00.000+05:30

Having penned down 160 odd poems myself, its only too obvious that I felt a need to take this hobby o the next level and make it something bigger. What began as a dreaded assigment in 7th grade, has lead to a passion, a greed to express more through poems. It was perhaps in the year 2005 when I turned net savvy, and the years that was the turning point for the poetic side in me.

I registered on a poetry site (http://www.poemhunter.com/) and soon enough got some disappointing reviews for my poems. I stopped thinking that I was a great poet, for before that day I used to take pride in the 10-odd poems I'd written and sometimes even boast about them. But that day on I never let the range of my poems grow and not my head.

Poetry is a great medium to connect with people. How a poem will touch someone, no one can tell. I made friends on the poem website and began exchanging e-mails with my select friend circle. While I haven't met any of my poetry friends in real life, I did have the pleasure to talk to two of them and one of them even made music for a lyric I wrote.

As I got talking to people, I heard about 'Delhi Poetree' (with a double 'e' at the end, I myself don't know why) from two different people I knew from the same website. It is a movement to revive poetry and began in October of 2005. They went from having poetry sessions once in a month, to once every week and from what I heard last, they have one every single night! Now that's how BIG it has grown since the US-returned poet, AmitDahiyabadshah founded it.

One of the dedicated member of Delhi Poetree and a sufi-poet has moved to Mumbai. She was spellbound by the amount of literature and culture that thrives in Mumbai in the theatres, libraries, art galleries, but she felt that somewhere, the poet's did not have anything to call their own. That's when she started a community on orkut called 'Mumbai Poetree'.

Presently this community has 35 members, some active while some silent readers, and some like me, who wants to start this revolution in Mumbai. The 5 enthusiasts from the community exchanged numbers and had the first Mumbai Poetree meeting on 5th january, 2008, which unfortunately I could not attend. It was a informal session with poems being read, nice wine and good conversation.

The second meeting should be sometime soon in Feb 2008. I am SO looking forward to it, for I already am excited that if the concept has taken off so well in Delhi, why'll Mumbai be left behind.

Will keep you guys updated about further exciting and not so exciting developments also :)

Small Wonder - Tata's NANO

2008-01-11T16:32:00.000+05:30

A family of four or five ridding on a two-wheeler is no new sight in India. We all have seen such over-loaded two-wheelers and have laughed by pointing out how the people are literally falling off the poor bike! But have we bothered to do something to change that situation?! Well, one of us did. The name's Tata, Ratan Tata.

He saw the same sight and made a promise to himself and to fellow Indians. He promised that a family would no longer have to travel by a two-wheeler by risking their safety. He promised that an average Indian can make his dream of owing a car a reality that too just by shelling out 1 lakh rupees. And his promises were not empty!

He launched the dream car of thousands of families at the 9th Auto Expo held in New Delhi on 10th January, 2008. The car is called Nano. It's a few inches smaller than the Maruti 800, but claims to be roomier. It meets all safety/security norms as well as international carbon emission norms of Euro VI which no other Indian car has met till now (most Indian cars are Euro III). The car is touted to give a mileage of 20-22 kms/litre of petrol. The car was launched in 3 models. The bookings will begin in June 2008 and the first car would be delivered in October 2008.

How could the environmentalists lack behind?! They gave unrealistic suggestions like banning such cheap cars to the outrageous one of taxing it at a higher rate. What they don't see is that the number of cars on the roads may increase by say 10 fold, but the pollution level will rise only by 1 fold, thanks to the Euro VI emission norms being met. If they're cribbing about the traffic and the pollution scene to come, I'm certain they haven't had their eyes open for new road projects to ease traffic flow and the black smoke that most vehicles especially taxis and buses let out! They don't realize that, the accessibility to a car will bring a smile on so many faces. Further, its a great leap for R&D in automobile sector and a great opportunity for Indian automobile sector to prove their mettle. In my opinion, the critics should just shut up and let something good happen, for once!

The credentials look great. Should the car perform well, it'll be one of the best gifts for the Indian masses. Then again, there's tough competition for Nano for various other car companies are planning to launch their small car soon. Until other competitors put their best foot(Oops..I mean car) forward, Tata's can revel in the glory of Nano!

PS - I'm in support of NANO. So if you're someone who can't zero in on a gift for me on my 21st birthday, be sure to know what I'll appreciate the most! *winks*

Godmother or 'Amma'

2007-11-07T21:48:00.000+05:30

I met the God mother in the hostel. She's an old lady, too old to walk without support, too old to climb stairs, too old to be doing work in the hostel, but as young as a baby in her heart. Truly, old-age is the second childhood.

I don't know her name, but people like her don't need common man name's, hence i refer to her as God mother, or Amma! Almost 80, she's got arthritis, her knees are perpetually swollen, she's been shifted to girl's hostel due to ongoing repair work at the boy's hostel, her son is being treated for cancer, or perhaps he's in God's home(no one knows for sure), she has no other family, she's lonely, yet she smiles.

The first time I saw her, she was sitting on a plastic hair outside the dining-cum-TV room. I smiled as i passed her and went on with my chores. When i got back to the hostel from college, a good 5 hours later, she was still sitting there. That's when my heart went out to her and i waved a 'hi' at her. Her eyes lit up, and she got into an animated conversation with me.

She spoke fabulous english owing to her catholic background. She asked me my name and how I was coping I the hostel. Thus began a bond, a bond of understanding, a bond unspoken about until today. Since then she'd ask me about my studies, and whether I ate food. She's drop in small details about herself, about her son and about the boys hostel. She'd meet me in the washroom during exam days and wish me luck, and tell me softly to not tell the warden about her using our loo as thats where she can hot water to take a bath with. I kept my word of secrecy.

This one time when my dad had come to give me some stuff, amma saw my dad wating on the road, dressed in his uniform. She hugged me and blessed me before I could meet my dad. She was watching our exchange. When I bid goodbye to dad and started up the stairs, amma caught my hand and asked, 'you dad is a bade saheb na, bless him also'. I was touched. Simple words that hit you in the heart, beneath the flesh and the bones.

This other time amma had a bad cold and fever. I gave her a paracetamol, and my roomate gave me vicks and she was grateful like no other gratefulness I've seen before. My roomate even took her to a private hospital for her knee review while i helped both of them get a cab so that the warden won't see them both. And slowly she became a permanent fixture in my daily routine. The same 'hi' in the morning when i leave for articleship, the same question 'beta breakfast kiya?', the same answer, 'haan amma, aur apne?' , and then the trademark 'God bless!' And my day surely would begin well, unless ofcourse I don't bump into the warden.

And in the evening when I happen to come late, she'd hug me and tell me to take rest as I've been out the whole day. Today while I was on my way back fron work, I met another amma who told me that old amma's (god mother) bed had been sent to the furniture depot by mistake. Mistake? My foot!- I'm sure it was intentional on you-know-whos part. Anyways, so the other amma told me to accomodate god mother in my room since one of my roomie was on leave. I agred to do so, but realized that it would be wierd to have her sleep in our room mainly because she sleeps early, and also cause my roomie who was away would mind the amma sleeping on her bed if she comes to know about it. I and swee2(my 2nd roomie) decided to talk to the warden about this issue.

The warden agreed to let her sleep in one of the vacant rooms. When we told amma about the same she smiled and conveyed thanks through her eyes. I went on with my usual business and at about 11 pm I and swee2 decided to check where amma was sleeping. We asked the warden and came to know that no room had been opened for her. Poor amma was sleeping in on the floor with just a thin bedsheet under her and a quilt to keep her warm. Tears came into my eyes, and anger surged. Anger at the warden, and anger at myself for not checking whether the warden kept her promise.

Then what, the warden told us that the authorities disapproved of opening up a room and with that the warden closed her door and we were left with two choices. One to go to sleep and pretend that amma was comfortable and second to wake her up and offer her a bed. The former would leave us gilt ridden so I and swee2 opted for the latter.

We noticed amma stirring and unable to fall asleep. We dragged the folding metal bed from our room as well as the matress and helped amma get up from the floor which was a very difficult task considering her knee pain. We laid the bed for her and she hugged both of us tight and wished us a good night and the usual blessing, but with moist eyes. I pitied her condition, yet felt happy for doing my bit, and without turning back(for i knew the tears wouldn't stop) I walked back to my room where i let the tears flow, the tears of mixed emotions.

The next day I was off to work and was on my way to home(jamnagar). On my return I would miss the wrinkled face, the smile and the blessings that made my day! But I made a promise to myself to visit her and let her know that there are people who care for her, and she isn't alone.

My very first interview - Part II

2007-11-04T10:14:00.000+05:30

...Perhaps the bimbo changed her mind!

I got a call at 2 p.m. the next day from bimbo. I was taking my power nap then. She wanted me to come for the second phase of the interview which they call the technical interview. Instead of wasting her time and giving her reasons for avoiding the interview, I flatly refused citing the same reason as before- not interested in getting slotted in indirect tax. She didn't say much-perhaps cause she was irritated with me-and spared me from feeling like I had blown away a good chance. I didn't bother to think about the lost chance, and resumed my nap, only to be disturbed by a call again!

These mobiles I tell you, always ringing at the wrong time! (Mental note- turn off the ringer while sleeping, and use the old fashioned alarm clock instead of mobile alarm) I took the effort to talk, and guess who it was...Bimbo again! She had some so-called good news for me. I was to be interviewed yet again, but this time for direct taxes. I was elated. Apparently she had consulted her boss and he had agreed to interview me for direct taxes. She reminded me to wear proper formal and not Indian formal, and I promised to abide.(anything for something that's not indirect tax!)

So I was back- 2 days later- in the same minimal, almost cold office. I think I looked fabulous in the black trousers, white full sleeve shirt with blackish-green striped, a black stole around my neck and dangling till my waist(a substitute for scarf), white heels(classic one's), black dot earrings(missed my trademark dangling earrings), and a brown bag with bronze handle(didn't have a black bag, my b'day just went by and if you haven't given me anything yet, well, I'm sure you won't have a hard time finding a gift now...get the clue?) to complete my classic formal look!

I met a guy this time. He must've been 30 something and again impeccably dressed, perhaps they gave a big importance to looks! This time the interview was held in a huge conference room and I felt like a big shot ready to start a board meeting. The interviewer made a quick phone call saying he'd be busy for 20-odd minutes and I wondered if the interview was going to be that long. He gave me no time to think and as soon as he shut his flip phone, boom, he shot his first question my way. Lucky me, I was prepared for this grilling!

This interview was more like a non-interview even though it began like the usual structured interviews. He asked me about the usual blah, all the time looking me in the eye. I realized he had amazing eyes, the penetrating kind. He went on to explain the long work hours they kept and why as an under-grad it'd be hard for me to cope up with the timings and the crazy tax season.

I defended myself, with every word or phrase that I had to describe my dedication and the eagerness to get an article ship, for time was running out. I also told them my reasons for not accepting indirect tax, opting instead for direct taxation. As our talk progressed, I got the feeling that this was not an interview. It was rather a take indirect tax or leave situation. The real problem was certainly not my ability to cope up, but their unwillingness to offer me article ship in anything but indirect tax department. I had interpreted their signals, but the poor guy perhaps did not read mine.

'Thank you for sparing your time' I spoke up.
The interviewer seemed a little startled.
'My pleasure'
'Though I'd have loved to work at BMR, I suppose the feeling is not mutual!'
The interviewer understood that I had got the hint much earlier.
'We'd have loved to have you work with us. Perhaps next year.'
He was taking the conversation in his favor.
'Yes. When I'm a graduate I'll come for the interview again...'
He smiled, the positive optimistic smile of an impressed interviewer.
'...for direct tax article ship'
I added closing the door behind me, not waiting for his reaction.

I was a tad bit disappointed, but I had tried every card, every trick I had. And hence the satisfied deep breath as I walked out of the building with an umbrella to shelter myself from rain, and something more.

------

Having started this two part interview series on a funny note, I came to realize that the humour was not real, but just a figment of my interpretation. I could not keep up the humor through the end for it just did not seem funny to me anymore. It seemed unfortunate for me, and for the guys at BMR (I like to believe that the loss was theres too!)

My very first interview - Part I

2007-09-25T23:31:00.000+05:30

Random thought that crossed my mind when I wrote the title for this blog post: I think I should re-name my blog as 'My very first...'

Part 'I'

I walked into the 'B'(not telling names) lounge and was freeted by a deckd up receptionist apart from the cold daggers that shot out from the air conditioner. Walking up to her, I introduced myself and told her that I had an appointment. She stared at me non-chalantly, and pointing towards the lounge- that housed four jumbo-sized leather chairs-she asked me to have a seat.

I settled on the jumbo seat that was the closest from the reception because I feared I'd slip and make a fool of myself even before the interview cause I was working white heald sandals I'd worn only once before. Once I was at home(I should say at hotel, cause it was nothing like home), I let my eyes wander and explore this whole new world, the corporate world and a hi-tech office.

The BMR office was clutter-free and minimally done up-almost cold.(if I were to say in one word) I noticed another girl sitting beside me and got talking to her. She had come for her phase 2 interview for post of article under internal audit section, while mine was a phase 1 interview, and I was clueless about the post/department I was to interview for. I did not let the unawareness deter my outwardly concentration(my insides were shaking, anxiety was at an all time high!), and sat there cooly, and making sure to avoid talking to the other candidate for the sheer fear of heightening my anxiety!

Within a few minutes the other candidate was called for her interview-which lasted for a few minutes-and she was chosen for the post! I congratulated her and next moment the receptionist told me to fill up a form with my personal details. I was glad for this diversion for my congested mind. After I was done with the form, a bimbo(the usual, tall thin, dumb looking, stylish, accented talk, dressed to impress) called 'V'(no names here please) called me to confernece room 2 where my interview was to be held. I settled myself in the small conference room and wondered why on Earth was a bimbo interviewing me, Kaisa zamana aa gaya hai!

I waited for 10 minutes for the bimbo to return and when she did, I felt like telling her,'can we get on with the interview now, cause I've waited far too long!'(but ofcourse i didn't want to crash the castle of my a'ship dreams) She sat accross from me in the conference room and 'I'm ready to shoot, all set?' I nodded and thus began my historic first interview!

She began with the usual name, age, qualifications, progressing to my hobbies-interests, family background finally ending with study related questions and those about my articleship. Here's a brief of how the interview flowed(only the really good answers, or the frank/funny one's)-

1. You're dressed traditionally. Weren't you aware about our 'formals only'(emphasis) dress code? I'm sure you did that much of research.(being sarcastic)
A.) I did say that i have bare minimum knowledge about your company, and that too right off the internet. Certianly you won't put such 'rules' there for the public to browse. Moreover, a kurti and a trouser is not traditional, we call it semi-formal. In India semi-formal is permitted for women(even traditional is, I added in my mind), so I presumed you'd follow the same policy. But I'll remember your 'formals only'(emphasis) dress code should you call me back for technical interview. ( a sunny smile, and bimbo is half pissed and hlaf impressed)

2. Our work hours are 9 am to 6 pm. Would you be able to manage?
A.) I have to manage, cause I have to do articleship for a reputed company/firm, and I'll do anything for it.

2.a) But what about college, will you bunk T.Y.B.Com classes?(with part concern and part shock)A.) (I smiled a naughty smile) No one goes to college anyway, so it'd hardly matter!(to not spoil my impression of being a full time lecture boycotter, I added) If you think it's just me who bunks, then you're so wrong. Come to butterfly Cafe and you'll know the truth.

(she chuckled and said) Oh, H.R. College, what else can i expect! I don't blame you.

3. Do you know what post you're being interviewed for?
A.) (What a wierd question! Am I not being interviewed for articleship. Shit, what if they thought I'm someone else, whose here for some other post. I took a deep breath and answered without letting my doubts show) I thought I was being interviewed for the post of an article, but if your organization has some other name for the same, then I'm sorry to say I'm unaware.

3.a) (Perhaps she gauged my doubt) I mean what department under articleship.
A.) Oh, that way. Nope, I'm unaware, still. The person who called me didn not mention this.

3.b) Okay, I'll tell you. You're being interviewed for 'indirect taxes....'
A.) ('Indirect taxes' , my foot! She blabbed on about how indirect taxes is a ocean ready to be explored, but my mind was closed already, the wave of hope had crashed into the ocean of indirect tax, leaving me to sink) If this is for indirect tax, I'd like to make it clear that I do not wish to be employed for it. I do not want to get slotted so early in my career, that too not under indirect taxes. I do not mind internal audit or direct taxes.

3.c) We have just one post left. But why don't you think it over and we'll call you in two days time.
A.) I think I've made my decision already. But if you still want to all me after two days, there is remote possibility that my answer will change.

4.) I guess that's about it then.
A.) Yup. I stood up, shaked her hand.(warily, for it might fall off her sholder socket, guys, give the bimbo some food!) And if you people change your mind and call me for technicals for direct tax or audit, I certainly would be dressed in formals! (bright smile.) Thanks.

5.) Hope to see you again.
A.) me too! (Only if you change your mind!)

----END OF PART ONE----

Young, Sexy, Lovely at 20!!

2007-09-16T12:27:00.000+05:30

Birthdays are exceptional days when we experience a see-saw of joy thinking about the year ahead and remorse when we realize we've grown older by 365 days! My20th birthday was the most exceptional and most heart-breaking. Exceptional because I am not a teenager anymore and can be categorized as an adult(which means making more decisions on my own, while i still hate to face the consequences cause there is no one to blame) and heart-breaking because teens were so much fun and also an excuse to act kiddish!!

And what are birthdays without gifts?!- Nothing!

Yes, one reason my 20th birthday was so special was because of a lovely gift that i got from a person I treasure the most. Without him I'd not have been where I am today (even though I haven't reached my goals and I have miles to go before I sleep!)

The gift is a perfume called "Young, Sexy, Lovely" and it's newly launched in the markets by the famous perfume company Yves Saint Laurent. And the person who gifted it to me is none other than my Dad (He's the greatest dad and he knows everything that is to know in this world!) Dad purchased the gift from Russia and it set his bank balance back by my age+ 2 more zeroes to its right. I did feel shocked as I heard the price, but when I took a whiff of the perfume, the shock evaporated and gave way to feelings of utter joy, for this was my first real perfume! (Chuck those body sprays and deos!)

A gift couldn’t have been more apt. I'm 20 as well as young, sexy and lovely!! What better way to begin my third decade on Earth, than by feeling YSL = Young, Sexy and Lovely as dab the perfume and get set to roll the ball for the years to come!

Thanks dad and mom too (for not showing me how freaked out she was when she heard the price!)

PS - If I find a guy, don't blame me, blame it on 'Young, sexy and lovely perfume'! (How convenient :P)

Tricolour Thoughts - Are we the youth 'not patriotic'?

2007-08-12T11:43:00.000+05:30

An appeal by a 20 year old Indian
(Written for Independence Day Contest held on sulekha.com)

Strength of India , as compared to China is its youth. Average age of India is 25 years while that of China is 33 years. It is the youth who will make all the difference in times to come for India .

I do not like to generalize, but most Indians who are 40 plus consider today’s youth as ‘not patriotic’. Patriotism per-se means love for the nation, and we youth have no dearth of it.

As youngsters, born in independent India, we haven’t had the opportunity to see how our people toiled for a century to attain freedom. Most of us have not witnessed the four wars that were fought by our Armed forces in 1947, 1962, 1965 and 1971. Thus, we may not feel our eyes watering we hear Lata Mangeshkar’s ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon’, the song that immortalized the sacrifice of Indian soldiers on icy Himalayan peaks in 1962 and which brought tears to the eyes of Pt. Jawahar lal Nehru.

Our interest in reading documents about great freedom fighters and freedom struggle, if any, is also academic, as our generation fails to really connect to that era. That, however, does not mean that we are not mindful of the hard work of our countrymen, because of whom, we’re living a dream life in a vibrant and growing India, which has created a niche for itself in the world. It’s just that we do not identify with the spirit of freedom the way our elders may, because our relations with that era are not even second hand but third hand. Merely because of this disconnect we should not be classified as less patriotic. It only makes us patriotic in our own special way: the youth’s way.

Had the youth lacked devotion for the nation, where would the Navy, Army and Air Force have got their new recruits from? Those who join the forces are ready to give their life and that too without asking for anything more than a remuneration to keep their family alive. Mind you, this remuneration is exactly same as the country pays to its Babus and Bureaucrats. While the whole country works only eight hours for that pay and gets paid overtime for every extra hour, it is they who work tirelessly 24 X 7, in adverse conditions and not even talk of overtime, so that their countrymen can have a good night’s sleep, day after day. Without the youth, the defense would have been crippled with only oldies and vacancies plaguing the Armed forces. Since this sorrow situation hasn’t materialized, one can safely conclude that the belief that today’s youth is ‘not patriotic’ is nothing but a perception.

What would have happened of Indian culture, values, tradition and way of life had it not been due to joint effort of our parents and us youngsters. Our parents brought us up in a cultured environment where traditions and modernism go hand in hand. We the youth have retailed and nurtured the Culture and Values of being Indian, while borrowing certain things from foreign land which is attributed to our curiosity.

Dressing in western attire, talking in English, and having Mcdonalised our diet doesn’t eat away our indiannesss. Macdonald or not, when it comes to idli-dosa, chicken tanduri or dal-bati we are most enthusiastic. You must understand that Mcdonalisation is part of being hep in the crowd. Even while we may be living in a foreign land, working on foreign shores and earning in foreign currency, our traditions are practiced with same fervor, if not more. In whatever foreign land we maybe in, our earnings are sent back to India, to help our families and also help the Indian economy grow with this added Forex capital.

Youth isn’t selfish, though it may be portrayed so. We may be more ‘me driven’ but we also invert the ‘m’ often enough to become ‘we driven’. On some planes we’re a force that is hard to beat. Had we not been a collective bunch, Jessica Lal, Matoo and such other cases including the quota debate would not have become a mini uprising. On some other, we can outwardly look selfish and overtly driven by success, though it isn’t so in reality. We would prefer to be indianised in competition, treating others as peers, but the globalization of Indian economy forces us to be excessively competitive; if I may say, competitiveness is forced on us. Rather than critcising us, one should sympathise with us because we are the victims of circumstances.

We youth don’t claim to be saints. We do go wayward on certain counts, but the older generation has always been there to steer us away from them. Without the elders we youth would be like a ‘rudderless’ boat, just swaying in turbulent waters. What makes us killers of a sort is the fact that we’re brought up the right way, as balanced individuals. Add to it the fact that no matter how low we may fall; our families would always support us and help us rise, which is typically an Indian phenomenon. The security of Indian ‘family’ system gives us the courage to move ahead and realize our individual dreams and our dreams for India because we fully well understand that we have a fall back option - our family.

The youth also has modern ways of celebrating Indian achievements. We take pride in cheering for India in every sports event with tricolour painted on our faces. We feel exhilaration in watching Aamir Khan in Rang De, and we feel the shivers while watching Ajay Devgan in Bhagat Singh. We feel overwhelmed when any Indian does genius feats. Our pulse races when we hear the National Anthem. We’re filled with energy when the song ‘suno gaur se duniya walon-buri nazar na hum pe dalo-chahe jitna zor lagalo-sabse aagey hongey Hindustani…’is played. We keenly track our industry and stock markets. We do this and so much more. We are patriotic, just that our ways of expressing it are different (read modern, perhaps even whacky).

We try to do things differently, we try to innovate, and we try to show our love in our own ways. We wish to ask, what more we can do to prove our patriotism? Do we scream our lungs out, or do we go out chanting patriotic songs in ‘Prabhat Pheries’ (morning marches), tell us what we can do to get out of our stereotype portrayal of being ‘not patriotic’?

We’ve conquered the air, water and land, but we’re yet to conquer every elderly Indian’s heart. We don’t want to be known as a bunch of selfish people, who’re money-minded and just looking for some fun, but as individuals who’re dedicated to the nation with the same affection that the generations before us were. Our methods and ways to make India the shining star (that it was in the past) may be different, but we share the same cherished goal and the vision for modern India with our elders.

We know we’re making progress, but sincere efforts always pay off and the speed of progress shall become a typhoon in times to come. In the end ‘Hum Honge Kamyab’ (we shall succeed) in this race to balanced progress, and young Indians are here to make India a winner as much our elders did in their times. And India shall be a winner, if you, our elders, put faith in us, support us in this endeavor and appreciate the efforts that are being done with due understanding that we converge for India. The situation isn’t as bleak; there is plenty of light seen at end of this tunnel to progress.

On behalf of young India, I’d like to end this appeal with a quote-

A man's feet must be planted in his country, but his eyes should survey the world.
-George Santayana

Please support us and guide us as we survey the world, while our hearts beat for India, our blood is Indian and every drop of our sweat is shed to do something for India.

Koi Shak (any doubts)?

(1345 words)

(15 August 2007)

(Statistics for average age used in opening quote is taken from http://www.fool.co.uk/news/investing/investing-strategy/2006/08/09/china-v-india.aspx)

Of Marriageable age

2007-07-01T21:49:00.000+05:30

Marriage in India is complicated. It doesn't matter if it's an arranged one or a love marraige. My cousin whose 'of marriageable age' (I refer to her as fish caught in a fishnet :D)and since she doesn't have a boyfriend whose not afraid of the 'C word' (for those who have a dirty mind - C word ain't an abuse like the 'f' word, it stands for Commitement, which is a rare quality to find in a guy!), she's stuck meeting prospective grooms under the arranged marriage setting.

The set up sounds easy, but imagine the preparations that go into finding a groom. First the family must like how the ladki looks, then they might insist on matching the patrika, and then the families will meet. Last sunday my cousin had to meet up with this guy for lunch at Bandra. Their patrikas had matched, and the ladkey-wale had liked(Make that 'approved') how my cousin looked. This was the first time I'd get to see a marriage drama unfold! I was all eyes and ears, and eager to let the camera roll!(I knew this would be fun that too at my cousin's expense!)

She had been talking to his guy for almost a week. They'd talk 4 times a day, perhaps even for 4 hours each time! We knew they were getting along...(even the phone bill would agree with me)My cousin got up at 12noon(cause she works for an american call center), and the first thing she asked me was to help her decide what to wear.I was honoured(ahem).

We dove into her cupboard, and to our dismay she hardly had any clothes in there!(not that she doesn't own clothes, but because we were in my uncle's place and not hers!)We found two lovely skirts, trendy tops, backless tops, dangris, trousers(as per my granny, all we found were torn clothes/airy clothes..lol)and the saving grace were two kurtis, so in all there wasn't much to choose from for her date.

We settled on a printed kurti, denims, white purse, and heels to complete her look(phew, it's a huge task, it can make or break the first impression on would-be-jiju). Then I gave her my last minute stupid instructions and told her not to be nervous.(imagine, I, the most nervous person that i've ever met was telling her cousin not to be nervous...haha)

I voiced my opinion that it's so lame to meet so many prospective grooms, and it takes so much efforts, i'd rather not marry! That's when my cousin said, 'why chuck marriage? Chuck arranged marriage! Find yourself a guy, and let your love bloom into a blissful marriage!' (That sure sounded easy :|)

But it's not eas to find a guy, is it? I mean, I'm already 19, and of marriagebale age(legally), and i still have 6 yrs until marriage(that's what mom says)...but it's something I'd rather not think about now. I have 6 yrs to find that special one, and if that doesn't happen, i'll THINK ABOUT going the arranged marriage way(Mom, dad, if you're reading this, read 'think about'...I haven't made up my mind yet on whether to marry on not!)

But for the time being, if there's anyone out there who's looking for love, I'm aways here. Just ensure that you've got Ab jr's face, Viveik Oberoi's hair, Milind Soman's body, SRK's charm.........hey, aren't you listening?(Trying to bring the guys back to consciousness, cause I think many fainted just reading the criteria for being my guy!)

Oh, and for those who're wondering what happened to my cousin's date, here is an update. She had a great time with the guy. And they've decided to marry!(it just took them 10 days to realize that...and me wonders why some people can't even decide who they love and after zillion divorces!)The engagement is on 21st July, and I'm sooooooooooo happy for her.....(me thinks though finding the guy is hard, but once you find him, life would be bliss, wouldn't it?!)

Here's wishing my cousin a great life ahead!

And here's wishing myself luck, cause in the years to come I'll be a commodity in this marriage market, a commodity that'd of marriageable age! (sigh)

Alone in the train

2007-06-25T08:46:00.000+05:30

When we do something for the first time, we're a little scared of how it would go. I was scared too when I decided to travel by train! (Duh! not because I'd never been in a train before, but because I had never taken a long distance train journey alone!)

I DID NOT cry when the train left and I saw my dad's image shrinking as the train left Jamnagar station, perhaps I was trying to be strong, like I'd need to be from now on. I had berth no. 13. It was a middle berth. Apart from me, there were only 3 other men in my coupe'. One was sleeping and I had no clue of how he'd look.Then there was a fat man with a belly so big that it could act as a stand for a coffee mug/chai mug! haha. He looked sortof scary cause he his face had tiny dots all over, just like Pankaj Kapoor has(Shahid Kapoor's dad).

The third one was thin and hilarious. He had two mobiles. One had the Tere bina song from the movie Guru as his ringtone. The other mobile has some jarring ringtone in Gujarati! And every few minutes either of the phones would sing(not ring, cause the tones were songs..i know its a bad joke...but ur still laughing?!)He'd pick up the phone after ages an say, 'hey-loo' as if addressing a washroom! The phone calls would go on for eternity and from his tone I could make out that the caller was either his boss, or his love for his voice changed from formal to roamtic-hushed. (I pity his GF or wife...but that's none of my business, right?).

Between all that i observed, I read Jaws and looked out of the window hoping to trick time and turn the afternoon into night, for I was thoroughly bored! To spare me from boredom, the train arrived at Rajkot bang on time! I rejoiced, got off the train and strolled on the platform. The heat hit me, but after being numbed by the ac, i felt like I was being thawed. I ate medu vada and alu bondo, and chatted up with a lady who was also travelling alone and coincidentally also had wierd people in her coupe'.We both ate ice cream and then resigned to our respective coupe's. The train left Rajkot, yet my coupe' wasn't filled. I was hoping someone good would come by and spare me from these three wierd men!!(Not that they harassed me or anything, infact they were being polite, i guess despite it i felt uncomfortable)

At a little station, 20 minutes from rajkot, a family entered our bogie. They looked as if they were back from some shaadi, atleast the mom and the daughter did thanks to their jhatak-matak salwar suits! Once the family arrived, i felt less awkward, and less bored cause I got new samples to observe *wink*

I thought I'd strike a conversation with the girl(daughter), but she looked unfriendly and too busy playing games on her brother's cell. I kept mum and got back to reading my book. Just then the girl took out a pack of cards. She and her dad began playing rummy. My eyes lit up for cards are my favourite. Dad even calls me, mom and Pranay as juvaris(gamblers) cause we can play cards for hours, especially in trains(though without betting money). I helped the girl to win the game and she asked me if I wanted to join them. The offer was too good to resist.That's how the ice got broken.

I got to know that this family lived in Sion, owned a dog, are stinking rich and they go abroad on every vaccation. Time passed by soon, and i realised travelling alone can be fun too! The aunty(from the family) was too concerned about me, almost like a second mother! She offered me bhel and whatever other food they had brought with them. I told aunty that I'd take a walk on Ahemedabad station and she flipped, and said, 'You're only 20. It'll 10:30 and you want to go alone? It's not safe...blah blah...' But i convinced her that I'd be fine and asked her to come along too. She didn't, but her husband, son and daughter and me all strolled had coffee and stuff and proved to her that it wasn't unsafe cause the station was crowded!(Yeh India hai!)

We were all sleepy but then the 3 guys again came into the scene. They started talking to the family in gujarati! (that was the last thing I wanted when i was sleepy!)They talked about business only. I wonder if Gujarati's have any other passion in life apart from business talk(discounting food and garba)Except the Gujju guy who was sleeping, evryone had their own business.I forgot to mention that everyone in my coupe' assumed that I was Gujarati and my dad also had a business. When they asked me about what my dad's business is, I told them he's into shipping business. They loked impressed, until i told them that he's in the Navy after which they got extra impressed!

I forgot to mention another chap who was sitting in our coupe'(he was fat too but was dressed impeccably) through out. After the family, he looked second most decent guy around.And guess what? - he also was a businessman. I was shocked to see business deals being signed right in the train. The guy who didn't have a business tied up with the fat guy to obtain supplies for the Dharamshala his company was building. So I've learnt one think, if you want to make contacts or expand your business, travel in this jamnagar-mumbai train, and you business will certainly grow, but the rate of growth would depend upon how well you can talk in gujarati and how politely you talk to people(don't forget to address then with bhen or bhai!). Also, praise the other party, it always works. Oh, and always keep your business carrd handy, and....oh! sorriy, this isn't a how to grow your business by travelling through gujarat! I'll stick to the point now...*hits her head lightly*

One good think I got to know is gujaratis are a united bunch, I suppose That's why they're famous in most fields. Apart from the family and the guy dressed impeccably, the other three guys weren't well off, yet they all chatted like they were from equal status in the society.

Amidst the business talks and business deals, I and the daughter talked about orkut and exchanged numbers. She even traslated gujarati into hindi so I'd know what everyone was talking about. Then thankfully everyone felt sleepy(I was sleepy since so loooonnnnngggggg) and we pulled down the bunks and tried to sleep. Someone began snoring and the daughter complained that she was getting disturbed. But then within minutes, even she started snoring. Apart from me, rest all were snoring so loudly that I barely slept!(another reason could be being paranoid about my luggage despite it being chained and waking up at 6 am to get off at Borivali.)

Morning came soon and I bid the train adieu. The train journey certainly was a memorable one. It wasn't as scary as I had imagined. I think it's all about finding good company. And you know what my greatest achievement was in this journey? - Nah, not travelling alone, something even bigger...guess????........it was not sleeping before bed-time! Cause when i travel in trains all i do is eat and sleep. I did the former, but sleep eluded me, even at night, as i tossed and turned in the cold and hoped borivali would arrive soon so that I wouldn't have to get down from my bunk especially to go to the washroom......haha...bloody a/c that they put on full blast!!

I think I'm more than fit to travel alone now. Am I invited to your house? I'd love to meet you, and I can come alone....alone in the train!!

Wildlife Extravaganza

2007-06-20T14:09:00.001+05:30

As i cycled out of my driveway, it began to drizzle. My specs got coated in a thin film of droplets. I so wished my specs had been equipped with vipers! Guess, that innovation is up for the grabs. Now coming back to the point; the drizzle didn't make me turn back and go back home and go online(as usual). Some force kept me cycling-divine intervention-I'd like to believe!

Taking the usual cycling route, i rode by the swimming pool, the parade ground, the clock tower and the main gate, finally reaching my favourite stretch. It's a 1 km road which winds in places. The road is flanked by low lying area on both sides. Water collects in this low lying area in-turn forming a perfect habitat for birds. You'll find about 50 types of birds in this stretch alone, the most impressive one's being Flamingos, peacocks and hummingbirds(i love these pint size birds).

I cycled on leisurely, taking in the breath-taking views and the different sounds of birds. By then the drizzle had died down and the sun was peeking from behind the indigo clouds. A couple of hummingbirds flew to my right and that's when i saw them.

A herd of Neel gais! (blue buck or blue bull in English)

There were about 6 of them, out of which two looked like kid-neelgais. They were feeding on the tender leaves and enjoying the weather just like me. As i got closer to them, i saw an impressive neelgai prick it's ears and get into the alert mode. I realized my cycle was creaking loudly. Without cycling any further, i turned back and took the shortest way back home.

Back home, I grabbed my camera, shove it into a plastic bag and cycled out in a frenzy, with a hope that the humble neelgais would be around to pose for a shot. Reaching the low lying area, i found them there- almost in the same place - maybe the grass there was tasty!

I parked my cycle a good distance away and walked with hushed footsteps. The closer i got, the more perturbed the neelgais looked. They started shuffling in their place, as if sensing danger. I stopped, and stood as still as a rock. They seemed to calm down. I focused my camera and took a snap, perfect pose! - looks like they're experienced.

I walked nearer with as little noise as I could make, but to no avail, the neelgais got frantic and ran away from me. They turned back to look at the danger (me) and when they were a safe distance away, they stopped and continued with their meal. By then they were too far away to be clicked on film despite of my zoom. But that didn't matter cause I was happy to be able to look at them with awe, for they're some handsome animals. They've got a body like a horse/cow, an innocent face like a deer and ears just like my dog, Donna's!

I let them eat in peace and cycled on with new found strength in my legs, maybe it was due to my excitement! Hold on...there's more to my wildlife extravaganza.

As i cycled further, i reached a Y-junction. There were two roads, one was a pukka road another a was a foot road leading to the lake. I decided to go on the pukka road after I saw a young boy, perhaps 9-10 years old, crouched on the road-side, staring intently somewhere inside the bushes. This got me curious and i decided to unravel the mystery of 'what the boy was staring at!'

I said 'hi' to the kid and got talking. He told me to stay quiet for there were deers resting/eating right behind the bush. I looked carefully and I saw them! There were 3 spotted deers, all looking healthy and well fed. One of them was sitting while the other two were filling up their tummies. But, none of the deers had horns

I tried to take a photo, but it was already too dark and the flash would have scared them.(which wasn't my intention cause i already seemed to have scared the poor neelgais, or maybe they're shy creatures...) I was glad to have just got a glimpse. I sat there for good 15-20 minutes and cycled back home as it got dark and drizzly.

As soon as I got back home, i made my dad the victim to my chatter. I told him the complete story about the wildlife extravaganza(the same that you read up there ^) and he didn't stop me from talking further about it cause he knew i was excited!

Now, for those of you who're wondering where I live, then stop wondering and listen up! This place is located 5 kms away from Jamnagar(Gujarat) and it's a small naval base. It isn't a sleepy place as I had thought when i first came, it's the exact opposite. It's alive, it's tranquil and it's full of life(humans, animals, plans, you name it, we have it here! :D)

for more info about neelgai- http://www.haryana-online.com/Fauna/neelgai.htm
neel gai picture@ www.haryana-online.com
deer picture@ www.thejunglebook.com

A Novel Idea !

2007-06-18T17:01:00.000+05:30

Having written scores of poems on scores of subjects and having written a dozen short stories on a dozen subjects, I decided it was time to move on to newer pastures(not in reality...just figuratively) ie. try my hand at writing a long story, more like a novel. "Aftermath" which I and Bhandu had written last year was appreciated by most, but it wasn't a full-fledged novel, cause it was just about 10,000 words.

Now the problem is, what should the novel be about? What genre should it be? Should it be for the teens or children or everyone? Should it be India centric or appeal to international sensebilities? Too many 'should it's', but not an answer to be found!

Then I sat to wonder about the zillion novels that have been written and more so published. Not all of them tell a great story, yet are best sellers. Perhaps, the trick is to take a basic plot and make it worth-while by the help of crisp writing. But then again, many books have a fabulous story line, but are not bestsellers because of poor narration.

Having diverted my thought away from 'writing my own novel'...I come back to decide what I should write about. But another set of questions pop up. Am I capable of writing a novel? Am I ready to toil for months on one story? Do I ahve that much patience? Even if I get a great story idea, will my writing do justice to it? Or is my writing good enough to compensate for a bad story-line?

I think I should stop the volley of questions and get thinking about my novel...perhaps I'll strike upon a novel idea afterall! If so many can write a novel? why can't I?

.......

.............

(a few minutes later)

.................

Lightning lights the sky
I shut my eyes tight
Opening them I stare at the computer screen
But I don't exclaim a 'eureka'
cause my serach isn't over yet
for the one novel idea!
rather, it's just begun...

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

Background to this post - I've started several long stories(novels) and left them after the prologue cause they didn't inspire me to write. Perhaps a bigger story is waiting to be told...

Jhoom Barabar Jhoom : My Review

2007-06-17T13:22:00.001+05:30

When you go out to watch a Yash Raj Banner film, you can be assured of one thing; no matter how unreal/non-sensical the story maybe, you'll never get bored! Jhoom Barabar Jhoom is just that!

The movie begins with the hit punjabi style version of the title track Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. Instantly the audience is captivated by the foot-stomping beats and ofcourse Amitabh ji in his rockstar avatar! Amitabh dosen't have any role as such, but from what I could gather, he's the man who actually controls he story, almost like GOD. He keeps popping up with his song and dance all through the movie.

The story revolves around Ricky Thukraal(Abhisekh) and Alveera Khan(Preity Zinta). The two happen to meet at the railway station in Britain. Coincidentally, both of them had come to receive their future spouse, ie Ricky comes to receive his fiancee played by Lara Dutta, and Alveera comes to receive his fiance played by Bobby Deol.

The two get talking about how they met their lovers and the rest, as they say: is history! Apart from the Jhoom Barabar Track(both versions) and a romantic track titled '' the music dosen't do much for the movie. The songs aren't memorable and you almost feel like they shouldn't have been in the movie.

Without doubt, AB jr. steals the show as the Bhatinda born, living in London guy. Preity Zinta is cute and Bobby deol is pretty decent too, but a surprise performace was definitely Lara Dutta's. She's perhaps at her best in this movie. Though she's always clad in clothes that hardly cover anything, but her acting is hilarious, and perhaps will deviate the mind of the audience away from her clothes, or the lack of them!

The story is absolutely basic, but it evolves well. Though the movie could have been shortened further. Leave your brains behind and go enjoy this movie. It's not the best from Yash Raj banner, or the Director Shaad Ali, but it's a 2 1/2 hour entertainer, and deserves one watch!

Rating - ***

Funky Bag

2007-06-15T20:27:00.000+05:30

I had big plans this summer. If I start to type down the list, it'll be way too long! But I'll talk about one of the plan from that long list of mine, it was to Stitch a bag with my old demin jeans, either from the blue demin or the black demin.

Since our sewing machine cannot stitch the denim fabric as it's very thick, I altered the plan a bit. I have begun work (or I should say 'we' have begun work. 'we'=mom and me) on a bag. But it's not a denim one. We're using a cotton fabric which originally was meant to be stitched into a pillow cover(shhh..don't tell!) It's got checks in bright mustard colour with huge rounds at equal distances from each other in red and green colour. This fabric will form the body of the bag.

Though the fabric is very disco-ish, we're toning it down by using a red fabric in poly-silk material for the handle. This cloth is actually a blouse piece! So technically the bag is not going to cost much. The major cost is the bakram( called interfacing in english) and ofcourse hardwork and mom's craftsmanship(cause she does the stitching...hehe)

The bag is based on a pattern and a tutorial I found at http://www.craftster.com/. This website has fantastic stuff and mostly with instructions or DIY's. All you need is the will to do it!

It took us about 3 hours to do the body of the bag. Here's a rough draft of how it'll look once it's done. (Don't mind my wierd drawing. Also, the black vertical lines on the body of the bag symbolise pleats, there are 8 pleats on each side!)

I can't wait to finish it! And I can't wait to show it off! I know the colours are a bit too bright, but who cares...it's a trial bag, and hopefully mom will stich me some more...lol...if mom reads this, she'll tell me to do it yourself, you're 20 now!!! haha

Chance Happenings? or meant to be this way?

2007-06-15T18:30:00.000+05:30

This one's not going to be a philosophical entry. It's purely based on the last few months that I've had. While reading this you'll come accross the word 'why' very often, kindly bear with it!

Why did i make a student's account in Syndicate bank(Ashvini Branch)?

Parents insisted on it for the branch is conveniently located, and it gives the facility of keeping only Rs. 200 as the minimum blanace(in the student's account). But those are just two vague reasons. The more concrete one was, if dad gets posted and you have to move to the hostel, this branch will be the mostr accessible!

(and Lo! behold! within a few months dad got posted!Did my bank account jinx my dad's posting? or was it meant to happen this way? why? why? why? I don't think I'd know for sure!)

After going to Jamnagar, despite of knowing that the college was to re-open on 11thjune, i booked my return tickets to mumbai for 18thjune.

Why did i delay my return? I wonder if it was only because I didn't want to leave home? Or was it because fate wanted me to get my teeth serviced?

(and yeah....dentist treatment it was! and the delayed return was a boon...though one that was panful...)

Why was the dentist on leave and when he joined back, why didn't i go to him until 12thjune?

I agree it was just for filling a cavity, but still, why did i delay it?
Was it because doctors and especially dentist freak me out?

(Yes, being scared to visit the dentist is one reason, but the real reason was someone luck/God/whatever had planned my front tooth sugery, that too in a place that has no specialist!)

Why has the dentist performed tooth capping surgeries before? Why did he have pictures of it all over his room? Why did i ask him about it? Why did he show me his cases?Why did he offer me to cap my tooth? why did I agree?

Was it because I was destined to get it operated on by him? Or did God take pity on me and sent an angel in the body of a dentist?

(I think this was truly a 'meant to be this way' and not just a 'chance happening' cause if a clmination of so many things lead to the surgery, I'm sure it as well planned by God!)

After reading my entry, you must be recalling inidents in your life that you felt were chance happenings at first, but later on realized it as was meant to be this way....perhaps, its just we who think of events as happening by luck, but who knows God maybe having a computer record of the course of each of our lives....or maybe, our actions lead to such events....

.....and if you're still not convinced and would ask me 'why?' I' say.."why, even I'm not so sure anyway! ask the Almighty!)

A denist as willing and enthusiastic as...

2007-06-14T15:25:00.000+05:30

A visit to a dentist is never pleasant! It's full of jaw aches, sound of drilling and ofcourse tooth ache and uncomfort. Having undergone two Root canals on the same tooth, I am quite familiar with it!

Having avoided going to the dentist long enough to get a cavity treated, I finally landed up at the Dental Centre Valsura on 13th June(yesterday). Luckily I didn't have to wait for my turn! I thought the faster I get out of this white tiled room, the better it is!

But that was not to be. Though the cavity was filled up within 10 minutes, I got talking to the dentist Lt. Zameer Ahmad. It all began when I asked him if he's an orthodontist after I glimpsed at the photos of seemingly orthodontic treatments that adorned the stark white walls.

As it turned out he's a general dentist, but having a fascination for tooth alignment and tooth capping. He's done about a dozen cases of multiple root canals along with capping the teeth. That's when I told him about my front tooth trouble.

When I was about 10, I broke one of my front tooth. Over the years I had got it root canalled twice and it was also remodelled using dental cement(I have no clue about the technical term). But the teeth was turning black and everytime i used to smile, the teeth would show.

The part below the black line shows the broken part of my tooth!

I told him about how the Dentist's at Ashvini,Mumbai refused to cap my front tooth. Then he told me that he can do the capping. The whole procedure takes about a week, but for that I would have to postpone my return to Mumbai. He also showed me some of his cases.

I was impressed. Never before had I met a dentist as willing and co-operative as him (if you discount Lt. Harshkiran who had done my root canal in Delhi). I agreed without second thought.

So here I am, typing out this blog with a smile on my face. Just today he grinded my front tooth and made it into half its original size. He did this to take the measurements of the cap that needs to be ordered. I look like a lunatic with this wierd front tooth, or even a gunda(goon), but I'm sortof enjoying it. I even delivered some wierd dialogues while troubling mom such as- 'Aye ladki, agar meri baat nahin mani na, to main tumhaarey daaton ko mere iss chotey baat jaisa bana daloongi..hahahah' or the even funnier, 'Mujhe panga mat lena(while i smile to reveal the tooth and tilt my head towards the right side!)

While I am having fun foling around, it feels wierd to go out. But I'm daring and going fo a swim. I've decided I won't talk to a soul..lol..let them feel I'm avoiding them or am being snooty, but it's better than scaring them! (Correction: I ended up not going for swimming but for cycling where I wouldn't have to open my mouth and greet people!*guess I chickened out!*)

In a day or two, I'll get a temperory cap and sometime around 19thjune, I'll have a perfect front tooth, in years!! - all thanks to the most willing dentist, Lt Zameer Ahmad!

*grins loonily*

Oh, I forgot to add that I'm getting used to the sound of the drills and keeping my mouth wide open! (I sleep like that too!)

My Challenge To Dad And His Promise

2007-06-12T20:15:00.000+05:30

My dad is a wonderful writer. He's been writing poems, mostly in hindi and the odd sher-o-shayari for eons. Apart from that he's got the best sense of humor and a gift of story-telling. Perhaps that's how I got interested in writing! Maybe it's in the genes. But one thing is for sure, I'll never reach his mastery.

Also, he's such a good motivator. He's the kind of a person who can move boulders with sheer power of words. Many things which I've had the pleasure to experience have been because of his contant encouragement and a wee bit of pushing!

So, my dad' has got a great pair there! A motivator and a fabulous writer. Despite being talented, he hasn't written much lately. The last of his works which I thoroughly enjoyed was the comical experience he wrote of his course in CDM, Hyderabad. Also, he's just edited a short story which I wrore for a contest. That's not too much writing, is it? Did you say 'no'? Bingo! That's just what I've been telling dad.

I keep pestering him to write. Sometimes I even bug him, but he never seems to have time. I can see his gift going waste, and I feel bad about it. I can say with conviction that if he ever writes a book and oublishes it, it'll be a bestseler. Even if it's not, it'll without doubt be my all time favourite book!

Enough of the background. Now coming to the point. Today, while searching for avenues to publish my poems, I stumbled upon a webite which let's you publish your own book/calender/essays/brouchers/music, that too completely free of cost! You can price the book as per your own judgement, and everytime someone buys your book, the website staff keeps some amount of it as service charge and gives you the rest.

My curiosity developed and I read the rules of that webiste and made myself an account. I told my dad about the same over lunch. Further, I voiced my views about his talent going waste and in turn gave him a Challenge.

The Challenge is quite simple. He's supposed to get serious about his writing and pen down book. The book specifically should be an inspirational/motivational one. That way, two of his strong points viz. writing and motivation skills will culminate.

I've give him an years time to finish his book. 365 days should suffice! In addition, I've promised to get his book published on the website I talked about previously. And a bonus too- I'm going to get a paperback addition of his book publishshed from my own money!

Now, he couldn't resist my challenge.(I should call it an offer, cause who guarantees publishing these days?!) He's promised to write a book, for you see he cannot say 'no' to me..and definitely not when it's such a noble request!

Dad, get started! You have a promises to keep...and promises should never br broken...never...

...unless your intention is to break my heart :(

Leaving the Nest...

2007-06-11T12:46:00.000+05:30

I've never lived away from my family. Until now there was no need. But change, like the say is the only permanent thing and my life is changing.

Though I'm looking forward to being on my own, I am apprenhesive. The scariest part would be making my own decisions and being accountable to no one but me! I suddenly feel all grown up too!

Yet, I feel like I'm a little bird, and my parents are urging me to spread my wings and attempt to fly! I'm looking at the world with my eyes wide. I move my feet as if to decide whether to fly or not. But I know I have to fly. It's what all creatures are meant to do. Family is there with you all the time, but you have to move ahead alone, that's the God's plan.

In a week I'll be in Mumbai. A face among the crowd, battling to be recognised, battling to make a name. I'm going to leave the nest behind....

.. to discover life
.... and discover myself
..... and be known as Preeti Datar and not the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Datar. Perhaps in a few years people will refer to my parents as Preeti's parents. That'll be a proud moment!

I'm flapping my wings...I'm ready for the flight!
Look at the sky...do you see me?!

Name-E-Game : the quest for a name!

2007-06-10T21:07:00.001+05:30

Having comtemplated several blog names and googled up several suggestions for blog names, I still coudln't find that 'one name' which I could see up there as the title and say, 'that's perfect!'
I gave up on my search, and temperorily gave my blog some wierd name by depressing random keys on the keyboard.

Today, I logged into my account yet again, but this time with a name for my bloggy baby! The name I had set mind on is based on one of the poems I wrote last SEptember. It was a random scribbling which I turned into a poem.

The poem is called 'Pen, Paper, Inspiration'. Isn't that a great name? (I know, I'm a pro at such rocking stuff *wink*) Though the poem is sad, the blog surely wouldn't be a sad one, it'll be like the seasons with varied hues of emotions!

For those who're still wondering about the poem, (which mind you isn't what I intended you to concentrate on when I wrote this entry, cause the real intention was to give a brief about the name of my blog!) scroll below to read it! No points for praising the poem!

Pen, Paper, Inspiration
To ensure that poems flow
Only inspiration will do
Pen and paper, thats for you.

For my mind has the power
to retain the words,
words that'll be appreciated today
forgotten tomorrow
my words today,
tomorrow they'll be -

dead
buried
begging for attention....

will they continue begging? !

pen, paper inspiration
i just need inspiration
you can keep the pen and the paper
to write to me notes of your opinion-
on my words
my thoughts
my soul

Inspiration (full stop)
I need no more....

(c) Preeti Datar
(Random Piece Written on 12th September,2006)