My New Car!

I finally got myself a car! At last! I went, I saw and I bought....a car....all by myself!

Over the years, the cars that I have had .....2 were Company cars that I was driving and the last one that I had, was bought after I got my friend to see, check and comment on it.

This time I had nobody with me. Forced to do things all by myself ...something which tradionally has been a man's domain....it's been tough deciding.....which make/brand....model...features. Now that I have done it all by myself and commended by my male friends as "good choice", this purchase has been real sweet!

I'm alive!

I know, I know it's been quite sometime since I have been active here. Been busy, barely enough time to indulge in a lil bit of writing?....nah....just plain lazy!

Then this morning I get one of this inspirational quotes in my Inbox from a friend in far away California.

Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life.

A postive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results. Let's change to make a change!

When it rains, most birds head for shelter; the eagle is the only bird that in order to avoid the rain, starts flying above the cloud. Winners win by pushing their limits until pushing their limits becomes their norm.

The Eagle Story. I begin to read more....about the eagle who lives to be 70 years old. For the first 40 years of it's life, the eagle has no worries. It flies, using it's talons it hunts for its prey and eats with it's sharp beak.

But at 40, age begins to tell. It's beak becomes bent and its talons dull so it can no longer hunt. Its feathers are so thick making its wing stick to its chest. It cannot fly like it used to. Now the eagle has 2 choices - either to remain in such a state and get weak & old or it can re-invent itself that will take 150 days or about 5 months to do so.

To re-invent itself the eagle must fly to the top of a very tall mountain and sit on its nest. There it will hit its beak agaisnt a rock until the old beak drops off and wait for a new beak to grow. When the beak has grown back the eagle plucks off its talons. When its talons have grown back, it plucks out its feathers one by one and wait for them to grow all back. Can you imagine the pain it must go through?

Finally after 5 months when its feathers have all grown back, the eagle stretches its wings and takes off to the sky again...flying & hunting for another 30 years before finally dying.

The story reminds me of my life too a bit. Still single and fending for myself, I need to re-invent myself. With this in mind, just 2 days back I joined the local gym. Need to shed the extra kilos I have put on over the years. And guess what?! I am picking up a brand new car! I'm alive!

Foot massage, Oooh La La!!

Having never been much of a massage person I was not so eager to try the many massages available abundantly and so cheap in this part of the world! (Indonesia) But, oh boy was I surprised when my friend introduced me to a couple of these massages!

One evening I went to get Reflexology done in a popular spa in the neighbourhood. The young Indonesian Boy quietly worked on my feet asking me if I wanted it hard or soft pressing. His minimal English communicating just how I wanted the hand pressure to be. Not knowing what to expect, I just told him to do the usual as my feet just needed to be fine for next day's jaunt. It was a bit painful and not much to enjoy. I guess that was because it was my first time.

Then there was the Fish Spa! There was this tank on the top floor of the mall, right in the middle! I had to try this out. The Spa Girl disinfected my feet and then I was ready to dangle my feet into the tank filled with these tiny fishes! The fishes basically were to nibble on one's dead skins leaving the healthy skin underneath clean and smooth.

Though a bit skeptical, nevertheless I was game for the spa! One indulges in all sorts when one is on a holiday! With a little bit of hesitance my feet slowly submerged into the tank and instantly my feet, my submerged legs were attacked! I let out a little shriek and pulled my legs up a bit but just as quickly I again put my legs in trying to get used to it.

The nibbling actually didn't hurt, a bit ticklish I must say but not very pleasant either. After a while, I got used to this exotic treatment. An experience it was!

Lippo Cikarang!

Cikarang, capital of Bekasi Regency, Indonesia is where I was. I guess this is about 30-45 mins ride from Jakarta but the rain made the traffic crawl at a snail's pace. It took nearly two hours to reach the quite neighbourhood where my friend lived - Lippo Cikarang..

The green green neighbourhood awash was a sight to behold. I just loved it! But in a couple of days time, the neighbourhood committee boys came in a pick-up truck and went chop chop! It looked so bald and bare...

This is how the neighbourhood looked when I went walking to the nearby mall, Lippo Mall after the rain....along with my firend. It looked ugly but I consoled myself saying it would grow back again in no time....what with so much rain!

Movie marathon!

It's been a movie watching spree once again. I guess watching the Golden Globes Award Ceremony the other night encouraged me to download  these wonderful movies!

First, Despicable Me. This is an animated movie and the main role is played by Steve Carell. Just love watching Steve. He's good. Well, the story is of a Supervillian who plans to use 3 orphan girls in his evil scheme only to find that their innocent love is profoundly changing him! It's a cute movie. I loved it. It was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film (Golden Globe).

Next, it was the Little Fockers. This is the sequel to Meet the Parents & Meet the Fockers. Jack begins to have health issues and so decides to appoint Greg as the new head of the family, the "Godfocker". Then Jack begins to have doubts and Greg has to prove his capability in looking after the family. Personally I prefered the earlier movies.

Next in line was the most talked about movie that I totally wanted to see The Social Network.  It won the Golden Globe Award for the Best Motion Picture - Drama. It also won the Golden Globe Awards for the Best Director, Best Screenplay & Best Scoreboard. This is about the founding of the ever growing most popular networking website Facebook and the resulting lawsuits. The movie is totally gripping. Brilliantly made. Loved it.

Grown Ups a buddy comedy starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade & Rob Schneider was next. A story of 5 childhood friends who meet years later at their Coach's funeral. Cute & funny. Pretty entertaining. The rented lake house looked gorgeous! I would love to holiday in one of those lakeside cottages someday if I could......go for a walk, have a picnic, go swimming, go boating....it would be wonderful!

More are being downloaded! :)

Screw it, Let's do it

The Dept Secy dropped off the latest issue of "Qatar Today" on my table couple of days back. Flicking through, came to the Books Review Page when I spied this fantastic title, "Screw it, Let's do it" by Richard Branson. Through the years, reading Richard's exploits and how he took on British Airways (a Giant!), his attitude, his spunk, I have been a great admirer of the man. This Book is really a quick read but gives wonderful insights to the philosophies and leadership that drive the man and the Brand. It's utterly absorbing and above all inspiring!

A quick run of the chapters...in a nutshell!

1. Just Do It! - Believe whatever you want to achieve can be achieved.

2. Have Fun! - Have a positive outlook and when something stops being fun, move on.

3. Be Bold - Take calculated risks.

4. Challenge Yourself - Aim high, try new things.

5. Stand On Your Own Two Feet - Rely on yourself. Chase your dreams but live in the real world.

6. Live the Moment - Love life and live it to the full.

7. Value Family and Friends - Put Family & Team first. Money is for making things happen.  

8. Have Respect - "Respect is how to treat everyone, not just those you want to impress."

9. Gaia Capitalism - Gaia is the Greek version of "Mother Nature" or the Earth Goddess. Go Green!

10. Sex Appeal - Create excitement in everything you do.

11. Be Innovative - The system is not sacred. Think creatively.

12. Do Some Good - Change the world, even in a small way.

13. Pow! Shazam! - Richard's dream of flying civilians to space with Virgin Galactic's spaceship! Anything is possible!

14. Think Young - Have a youthful approach to life!

I just did it! I quit my job.....no longer fun it was.....and am moving on! What am I going to do next? Where will I be? Only Time will tell!

PS:- Look for clues where I am in my Future Posts! :)

My Day!

It's my Birthday....once again.  Day was stress free....No Boss and it's the start of the weekend! I wore my uber sexy heels from the Korean Designer Suecomma Bonnie who makes handmade shoes made from luxurious materials imported from Europe. "I don't know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot!"

Evening was fantastic....flowers, gift, cake and sumptous dinner....I had it all!

Last but not the least, thanks to "Facebook", I am overwhelmed with wishes!

Happy 2011!

This year 2010 has been pretty eventful as well as interesting.

My Boss had been sacked just at the end of last year. One of my colleagues got removed from the office unceremoniously and legal suit filed against both of them. Change of Management brought in uncertainty as to where the company was heading to.....not that there was any direction earlier. It was time to move on....

Starting end September I took off for about 6 weeks to do a bit of travelling to places I had never been. I spent around 10 days with a friend I hadn't seen in 13-14 years in Java, Indonesia. The meeting was awesome. We hadn't kept in touch all these years but my friend finally tracked me down this year on Facebook! Even though she is now married and with a son, our friendship has withstood the time gap. It was just like yesterday. She took me all around Java and showed me some of the most beautiful Buddhist temples.

And of course, visit to Indonesia couldn't be complete without going to Bali! Bali was fantastic. So laid back and relaxed. I loved it and I am glad I stayed where I stayed...in Kuta! Sandy beach just walking distance, loads of restaurants, shops galore and opened till late late into the night!

From Bali, flew to Singapore to spend 3 days exploring the city. The city is really organized and once I got the hang of using the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit or the Railway System in Singapore) it was cheap travelling around. Taxi service here I guess is one of the best in the world if I may say so. There are these Taxi Stands and everyone stands in a queue to take the next taxi which comes along. The Taxi guy takes you straight to your destination and charges exactly what the meter shows! No haggling...no cheating...no extra charges!

Then onward to Thailand! Phuket, Phi Phi Island, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Bangkok, Ayutthaya, yes did all the touristic places as much as I could squeeze in. It's been so much fun travelling around, seeing new places and meeting new people. Staying near Khaosan Road too was a good decision. It is such a lively area with loads of tourists!

Then it was off to India to visit my Parents. Mom's been bed ridden for now 3 years or so. She hasn't improved much and it's awful seeing her like this. Dad's too getting old. Even our dog who always used to bounce up & down whenever I was down there no longer recognizes me. She's gone blind & deaf too I believe. She shuffles around barely. It was a depressing sight....

Coming back to work, there were more people gone from the company on one pretext or the other. No one seemed to be happy with the way things were going on. Work was getting to be really stressful. So last week, I put in my resignation.

Another year comes to an end. As always, New Year brings hope, dreams and lots of good wishes!!

Cheers!!!

I quit!

Had enough of the circus, so this morning I quit my job. Not a hasty decision.....I had been thinking about quitting for quite sometime now.

Thought I would first have an job offer in hand and then quit but just couldn't wait as another year passes by. What professionalism can you expect from a Company, owned by a Sheikha and is being run by one of her Secretary?! Yes, welcome to the Middle East!

Have given a month's notice as per my contract. The hunt for another job is now seriously on. If I don't have a job by Jan 2011, am thinking of terrorizing my lil nieces (5 of them!) if I were to go and live with my Parents! This would be really wicked of me....so wish me luck for a New Job with a Fat Salary soon!

Jogja Again!

Second day in Jogja and it's temple hopping once again!

We first headed to Prambanan Temple constructed in the 10th century. It has 3 main temples dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva and each had a temple facing it dedicated to their "vahan" or chariot. Garuda for Vishnu, Nandini for Shiva and Angsa for Brahma.

Candi Sewu, another temple built in the 8th century is the second larget Buddhist temple in Central Java. After the massive earthquake, restoration work was going on in full scale. The temple guards were real imposing.

Then off we went to Candi Kalasan, a Buddhist temple built in the 8th century. It didn't look like it had many visitors and the temple was in a poor condition.

The last of the temple visited in Jogja was that of Candi Sambisari. This was built about 8th century but through the years it was abandoned and then lay buried for centuries until it was discovered in the late 1960s. The temple was dugged up from the ground! This is a small temple and it's three sides are flanked by the statues of Lord Ganesha, a Rishi (don't know who) and Goddess Parvati? Inside the temple, we find a ShivLinga.

Amazing that Hinduism flourished so far away!