This and That

I'm a sunshine person. The stronger the sun shines, the happier I am. Its been raining like a tropical rain forest for the last two days here and my gloom has returned.

Office is starting to feel like work after a long time. For two days straight, I've put 13 hour days, and it's likely to get worse. Some people ask for responsibility, others have responsibility thrust upon them (to misquote someone) but I am lovin it (McDonald eStyle!)

Met PS for lunch today. Gorged on Pizzas, Coffee, sinfully delicious DBC (death-by-chocolate), Pink Floyd and a whole lot of girl talk... Whole lot includes men in our lives, women in our lives, clothes in our closets, food in our refrigerator, plants in our garden, you get the point... anything and everything.

I was taken aback when she suddenly asked me if something was wrong with me. I looked a little pale and ill to her. “Naah- just the usual job pressure and lack of proper sleep”, I tried to sound convincing, gesturing towards the dark circles that have developed of late under my eyes. But she is one person who understands me inside out and didn't sound look too convinced. Thankfully, she didn't prod and push me much this time.

On a lighter note, post lunch walk to the post office and I see this kid wearing a t-shirt that said
How to make God Laugh?
Tell him your plans.
How true!

I got a rather belated b'day present from my little bro in the form of Motorola V3 Razr (Limited edition in Black). Since time immemorial, I have been a loyal Nokia user. Too lazy to re-learn the sms keys of another brand, I always turned my back on other brands and always chose good ole Nokia. Not this time! I fell in love with the sleek MotoRazr the minute I saw it. Designed as the thinnest flip phone ever, this black beauty oozes style. I have to admit, though, the camera’s resolution leaves a lot to be desired but hey, I wanted a phone not a camera.

Just finished talking to Hagar the Horrible. That man catches me at the weakest of moments and I say the weirdest of things to him and it all ends with him calling me "Crazy! You are even crazier than I originally thought you to be". Our tête-à-tête broached on THE sensitive topic. I had a water-shed moment during his ruthless tongue lashing, and then the man was all apologetic. Damn! I hate crying in front of people. I feel so weak and small.

Next 10 days are going to be pure agony. I so need a tight huggie (scale 10/10). A kiss would do too!!

Its tough..

You can erase a phone number from your diary
You can erase an email address from your contacts list
You can erase a photograph from an album
But how do you erase a memory?

Busy bee has no work..

The past year has been rather hectic at work. There have been some regular posts on my being overworked and my incessant complaints about the same (though in my heart of hearts I love being a busy bee!)

I gave my lifestyle a lot of thought during my vacation and realised that there was much more I wanted to do in my life. I had promised to myself then that there would be changes I would make the moment I got back.

When I got back, things were already a little different. The last quarter of the year and with Christmas and New Years round the corner, the amount of work to be done had automatically reduced. And thus, ever since I have come back I leave for home on time. Basically, I have no work. And I hate it. Hate it, hate it, hate it! It makes me lazier and more lethargic.

BP is again travelling. It’s an unlucky coincidence that most of my friends have moved out around the same time. AC is the US until Jan 2006, SP moved to M'lore a couple of months back, TK is yet to return from her Diwali vacation. So, as a result, I’m completely dependent on my parents for entertainment.

Everyday, after work, I rush back home so I can play scrabble with my parents. Yeah I know, it is not the exciting social life that a young single professional strives for. But at the same time, don’t scoff at it. It is not a game that anyone can play. And the three of us are a competitive lot. We don’t just play to win, we play to defeat. That’s right. We’re mean and dirty when we play. Especially when there’s a ‘triple word score’ at stake. There’s even some sledging that happens. Mom and I gang up against da and irritate him when he’s trying to think. Da gets hassled so easily that it is fun teasing him about how slow he is.

Sigh! I need to make some new friends.

All good things must come to an end...

My vacation's over as of tomorrow...boohoo!! Why do they always have to go by so fast? I wish I could take a permanent vacation. Oh well, these 10 days haven't been bad either. And I virtually did nothing for a change. (And it actually felt good.) I pretty much sat on my butt and vegged (but for that one day of shopping). Tomorrow.. Its back to hell with fluorescent lighting.

And to think I almost skipped this one. In fact, I went on the trip only because the tickets had already been bought and I was not very keen on going through the rigmarole of getting them cancelled. Now in the retrospect I think even procrastination has its own virtues.

Lotsa stuff happening in my life but I am not telling now. Need some time to assimilate it all. Overall, it was a great vacation. More like a family reunion. Met some of my cousins after a decade. Everyone seemed so grown-up. Lots of new additions to the family, 6 more nieces and nephews. The "Singh" Clan is growing fast!! and everyone's doing extremely well for themselves. That's a nice feeling!!

The highlight of the trip was a visit to IMA (dad's an alumnus). Indian Military Academy at Dehradoon is built on 1500 acres of land and has the charm of a rustic British colony. Picture Perfect! The academy has a rich history of transforming young men into courageous, dynamic and erudite young officers of integrity, who are to bear the brunt of battle, or hardship whilst guarding the Nation's frontiers. (quoting dad verbatim here)

IMA is near the supposed ‘Ashram’ of Guru Dronacharya of the Mahabharat era. Hence, the ceremonial gate opposite the Chetwode Building is called Dron Dwar. Kingsley and Collins Block, Tons Valley, War Memorial and the Museum and of course the Gentlemen Cadets (GCs)... It was so worth the trip!

There was a time, when I was younger, when I thought that MEN in UNIFORM had the ultimate X Factor. What the heck? I still do. Anyways.. Where was I? Me and my digression!! Yes about Men in Uniform..

I feel there was something about an all male contingent braving it out in the elements, among alpha male machinery and equipment (Guns and Tanks), bonding over drinks and backslapping, something about them that was undeniably macho and rugged, and those crew cuts, straight pants, structured life for a grander goal - defending the country - something bigger and better than cramming for some B school entrance to become a corporate yuppie.

I really liked the engraving in Chetwood Hall which sums it up nicely:
"The welfare and comfort of the country comes first, always!"
"The welfare and comfort of those you command comes next."
"The welfare and comfort of your personal self comes last."

No wonder then that Indian Army has produced people like Major Somnath Sharma, Col. Hoshiar Singh, 2/Lt. Arun Khetarpal, Capt. Vikram Batra and Lt. Manoj Pandey who valiantly laid down their lives for the country. Now thats a life well lived!!

Festivities and Fireworks

'....cause I am leaving on a jet plane, and I do know that I would be back on 8th again!'

Yuppie! I am going on a vacation. One whole week. "All set and raring to go" shall be my YM status today. Going to Delhi, Mathura and Dehradoon. Will be meeting my nephews, cousins and mausi's after eons. Its definitely going to be a fun week especially with Diwali round the corner.

I love this time of the year. I love the slight nip in the air and the unadultrated look of joy on people's faces. I love the beautiful multiple coloured lights. I love looking at people shop. I love being with my family, lighting diyas, making a rangoli and gorging on mithai. This time of the year gives me hope. It tells me that no matter how bad things are, they'll look up and that there really is someone up there who is looking out for us.

This year, I don't quite feel that way. Too many things are going wrong in the world. Too many natural calamities. Too many man-made tragedies. Too much sadness.

But a passing thought before I rush for the festivities: This Diwali try to light up someone's face instead of just lighting diyas and candles. Not a clique but really do something.

Our nation is a nation of extremes, rains on one side and desert on other, hot and humid on one end and cold & snowy on another. The the biggest divide is that of the rich and poor. Every Diwali while I shop for festivities I see people right outside the sweet shops begging to get some money. What does Diwali mean to them? On one end, I always see houses well lit up and on the end end I could witness small lamps symbolising Diwali in small huts. We spend exhorbitantly on the festivites, if we could just tone down a bit and make someone else happier it would be great. But I could very well be wrong, how can I say that someone who has money would be happier than someone who doesn't?

Again caught in a paradox! Better get back to work, before I leave on a Jet plane.... (actually Kingfisher!!)

A few days early, but Happy Diwali, everyone! :) Enjoy maadi!

Bangalore getting 'Bangalored'?!

Rains have been following me everywhere. First, Baroda and now Bangalore. It has been raining cats, dogs and every other animal in Bangalore and other parts of South India since the weekend.

Today, I was happily plonking away at my keyboard at work, while people around me ran helter-skelter and started leaving for home. Yeah, the rain outside seemed a tad on the heavier side, but I didn't think anyone needed to panic. It was just rain after all. Then came the announcements via smses by the Police Commissioner that "due to heavy rains/water logging, drain system is badly affected. Trees have also fallen. There are traffic jams on most roads. It was advisable to return / stay home." Hmmm. That seemed serious then.

But not to me! (I heard enough about it from Ma, so don't any of you start!!) I've survived heavy rain before, even floods in Baroda. This was not such a big deal. Ha! Most people seemed to just melt away. I was left alone with a couple of more colleagues. They lived close by and so they didn't worry about getting home. We finished up our work and at 6 PM, I was ready to go home. The rain seemed to have abated a bit, but water flowed all over the roads and umbrella in hand, I splashed my way through to the car park.

What follows was totally nightmarish! The drive back home was harrowing and what normally takes me around an hour took almost five hours. As it is, we in Bangalore are struggling with pathetic roads and bad traffic conditions and the incessant rains made things much, much worse. The roads were flooded with water, at some places around 3-4 feet of water. The water was so deep at one place that it actually entered my car. At other parts, the traffic just wasn't moving. Not an inch! Two hours wait at the Kormangala - Ring Road junction. The traffic cops just kept diverting traffic. At one point, I was so close home but the cops said that the road ahead had been closed and diverted me again. Another long wait in the traffic pile-up. At one point, I just wanted to abandon the car and walk home. Anyways, inched my way with the traffic and reached home at about 11:00 PM.

Ma was waiting with her danth (scoldings) and hot soup. Some warm food in the belly and I was as good as new. Well almost! It was time to catch with others. Almost everyone had a tough time getting home but were all safe. October 26th!! Will remember this experience for a long time.

Time to tuck in...

Nighty Night!

Guess! Its time

..... for an update. Ah well, it isn't as though anything overly interesting has been happening in my life that I need to update on a daily basis. Actually that’s true most of the times but the last 3 weeks have been crazy. Frankly, I don’t even remember where I had stopped but I shall just tell you all the things that I can recall.

For starters, I had been waiting to announce the exciting news about this new job for which I was interviewing with a NASDAQ listed product development company, where your chotu se S would have been the HR Director for the Asia-Pac region; with Japan, Singapore, China and India offices under her direct purview. How cool is that!! But…

The company in question took its own sweet time reverting back (after 6 grilling rounds of interview) with the offer. First, K (the HR Head) was traveling and then SD (honcho in India) was sick and blah blah and so they took almost 20 days to get back. By then, I had lost the enthusiam about the new job and also forgotten the reason why I was looking for a change in the first place. Plus for a host of other reasons, I refused the offer. Basically, I buckled under the pressure from my pointy-haired boss and R (our CEO) . Everyone knows the love-hate relation I share with Richard and also the fact that I cannot refuse him anything. So here I am, back to where I started.

AC, NG & RM were livid. They thought this was such a great opportunity to catapult my career to the next level. Imagine being Asia-Pac HR Director at the tender age of XX. But honestly, I am not really a career woman. I am more of a relationship person. The new job meant a lot of travel, leaving precious little time to spend with my family (and hence Ma was not very keen about the job either. Infact she didn’t even pray for me. I had a big fight with her on that) And I would have missed the friendship and fun I had with colleagues here in my current company. There was one positive outcome though. I got a BIG raise!

Then what else? I completed another year of existence on this planet on October 24. Spend the night partying crazily at Taika. I got so drunk that I had to be lugged back home. Woke up with a major hang-over. Stumbled till the mirror to find my face decorated with cake. BTW, there were 4 birthday cakes that night. Everyone was so excited about my b’day. Phone rang continuously and smses poured in the whole day but I was waiting for just one person to wish me. :o( He didn’t in person but did send me 2 e-cards. Tons of flowers, chocolates and presents along with a skirmish with AS (aka Hagar the Horrible) completed the day.

I have been so wrapped in myself and my misery of late that I failed to notice the effort and the pain everyone took to make my day extra special. Today as I reflect back, I feel extremely selfish. Thank you God for the wonderful friends and family you have given me! I know I complain perennially to / about you but I know deep inside that I am truly blessed.

There were so many presents; I just can't remember all of it... The best gifts weren't the material ones though. The ones I liked best were these -- the cake AC & RM sneaked into Taika, Rohit’s excited voice wishing me a very very happy birthday at the stroke of midnight, T’s bone-crushing hug, the way she and RT decorated my face with cake, PS phone call @ 2 am in the morning of the 24th to apologize for not wishing me happy birthday at the crack of midnight, Belly’s face when I opened her gifts, N's smile when she walked in to the house with the cake she made for me herself (it was dee..lish..ous, by the way!), the thought behind the Lillies sent by BP (he remembered that they were my favorite flowers), msg on the company board which said "Happy Birthday S", my brother's hug (he never hugs me otherwise), love in my ma’s eyes as woke me up with a hot cuppa chai, dad’s tender kiss on my forehead …… Can anyone ask for anything more?

Why?

.... do I feel homesick in just 3 days when I was itching to globe-trot and it was me who initiated this trip to Baroda?

.... does MLTR (Micheal Learns to Rock) have to come to Bangalore when I am not there?

.... does the office dabba food get worse with each passing day????? I mean, has anyone here heard of aalu-carrot's gravy subzi??? Can someone tell me which region of the country this dish comes from???

....don't the rains let up? Its been 4 continuous days (and nights) of raining.

....do the ONLY people who can make you really-truly happy have to be thousands of miles (or even kms) away from you??

....haven't I got into the holiday spirit yet? We (some 16 of us who have come down from the B'lore office) are going to Mount Abu tomorrow. I don't feel the festive spirit at all!!!!

.... does Murphy always have to act like the toe-scum, navel-lint that he is and make Art cancel her trip to Baroda cos of something hugely important at work???

.... can't I post about happy things today??

'Cuz words aren't enough...

Miss the person who hummed this to me..

Tumko dekha to ye khayaal aaya
Zindagii dhuup tum ghanaa saaya

Aaj phir dil ne ek tamannaakii
Aaj phir dil ko hamane samajhaaya

Tum chale jaaoge to sochenge
Humane kya khoya, hamane kyaa paaya

Hum jise gun gunaa nahin sakate
Waqt ne aisaa geet kyun gaayaa...

And I know he would be so proud of me for the translation below:

When I looked at you, this thought came to mind,
Life is heat, and you are the deep shade

Today, again, the heart has wished (for something)
Today, again I had to reason with my heart

When you leave, I will ponder
What have I caused myself to lose, and what have I found

When I am unable to hum such a tune
Why has time sung such a song...

Travel on my mind

Pangong Lake, Ladakh

That jewel of a lake in a fascinating place that mesmerised me completely around this time last year.

This year, all my travelling has been done from the straightback chair in front of the computer. There were some Goa plans for September but rains played spoil sport.

My friends are all taking off. Little bro is on an African Safari in South Africa. Arts and Belly are trekking somewhere in Coorg. Two lucky people in Germany have just come back from a picture-postcard trek. NG will be off to my favourite faraway land soon. Bips is back to work but she did have a Himalayan odyssey before that. I WANNA TRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAVEL TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS: My wish just came true! Hey! I think I could have asked for anything today and got it. My travel to Baroda for 3 weeks just got confirmed by the bossy. In the words of John Denver, "Leaving on a JET plane... my bags are packed (or will be soon), I'm ready to go".

Vadodara, Mount Abu, Bhuj, Rann of Kutch, Gir Santuary, Diu!! Here I come...