Blog Surfing

I have been indulging in Blog Surfing today. Visited couple of Blogs of Note......to see what was noteworthy here......although through random browsing, I came across some which according to me were more interesting...and stayed to read a couple of their Posts.

From the Blogs that I read today.....one was of a Blogger who made Collages..........and they are all so beautiful! Reminded me of the Collages stuck to our walls in our rooms in the University Campus. These were made of cuttings from various Fashion Magazines. Cut and paste randomly on a large chart paper or over a newspaper! Nothing so high tech & beautiful as the one I saw here on the said Blog!

Another very interesting Blog that I read was of an Anthropologist. Makes you think....Animal Rights....Human Rights....The pictures of the Gorillas, Chimpanzees, other monkey families....so beautiful.......

Lastly, an NGO's Blog.....working to improve Health care of women & children...... betterment of general economic conditions...human rights.... Kudos to such organizations!

Me, Queen of Sheba?!

Out of the blue....she came to my mind....an ex-colleague....(she was here in my Company 2.5 years back) a friend....I wondered if I would be able to get her in her office....as I had lost her mobile number........when I lost my mobile phone at the beginning of the year.

I dialed the number of the Company she had left for...and hoped she was still working there.....her phone rang.....a male voice answered....I asked if she was there....and seconds later I heard her voice. She asked me to call on her mobile number.......we chatted for a while. It was good to talk to her. She made me laugh....with her over protective/concerned motherly/sisterly advises! The usual....I guess, all Single Girls get these in plenty....especially Single Girls of my age....where we are no longer getting younger!

She's asked me to stop acting like the Queen of Sheba! Now, I ask...from where/what/why/how in Heaven's name am I being compared to the Queen of Sheba!? She's asked me to go out...socialize....mingle....to stop being choosy... I never said I don't want to.........any of these things......but I just don't understand where & how should I be doing it here! Can anyone enlighten me?! Hence, the question of being choosy doesn't arise! She also mentioned that no Prince is going to come riding on a horse! Come on, at this time & age.......I'm not even dreaming of anyone coming on a horse......leave alone a Prince! A common man driving up on a Mercedes would be just fine with me! ;-)

The morning rush

Beep...beep....one alarm goes off at 5.30am.......I stir....stretch my hand out & just manage to shut it off....nothing to panic...I have plenty of time. Then my second alarm goes off at 6.00am......I have to get myself out of the bed..........to shut it off.......but again I crawl back.....just 5 mins...I tell myself.....which at times becomes 10 mins!

Then.....its rush rush! Rush to the bathroom......grab my clothes... depending on the time that I have, I choose my clothes......whether it needs ironing or not. Make-up.....jewellery .....at times I have to shove these in my handbag.......to be put later. Like yesterday, I forgot to wear my watch, my rings, earrings....I even forgot to shove it in my bag...in my rush to leave for work!

I tell myself....I must...I should get out of bed when the first alarm goes off....but then.....I love the early morning sleep......and then starts the morning rush........

Winter is here!

For the last couple of days, at last the sign of Winter approaching is finally showing. There's a slight nip in the air.....the wind is a bit chilly in the morning and in the evening. Yippee! I love Winter.....not that I don't love the other seasons!

I love the feel of cold on my face....love to wear shawls.....jackets, coats and feel nice & warm in it. I love to be wearing all my woolies...tights, stockings and my boots! I love to have hot-hot coffee & cocoa and having my palms warmed by the cup as I sip my drink!

I remember......Shillong....a hilly town in the eastern part.....we lived there a couple of years as I was growing up....it was cold, real cold all year long! Every room had a fireplace!

This part of the world...the Middle East...Winter is real short. So, I'm going to enjoy ever bit of it!

Earthquake rocks Delhi - Flashback....

I just got to read....Earthquake rocks Delhi & adjoining areas, early this morning...4.43 am...minor it was....4.3 magnitude and that there was yet no reports of injuries or damage.

Flashback - 26 Jan, 2001, New Delhi. I was residing in a Women's Hostel in the heart of the city. Early morning...I was still in bed....it was a holiday...National Holiday...India became a Republic on this day. I felt my bed shake....voices drifted by....running footsteps.....I was alert....could hear some girls saying that they were "going down...others were down....to come down....." I was living on the 3rd Floor. Having lived in places where Earthquakes were prone to come & go...thanks to Dad's various postings....this once in a blue moon...mild shake was not going to make me leave the comfort of my cozy bed....on a day where I did not have the pressure to get ready for work!

Being so close to India Gate, where the Republic Day Parade starts, on its way to India Gate.....I assumed the Parade Salute....start of the Parade...or something like that.....cannon/guns would have been fired....and the sound of it must have shaken the building. It never occurred to me that the tremor felt could be an earthquake. I was in fact irritated that these girls were screaming and running down the corridor.........making such a ruckus.....you know how some girls are....

It was only later in the day, we heard about the devastation the earthquake had left Gujarat, a State in the western part, bordering Pakistan. This was where the epicentre of the quake was. It measured 7.9 on the Richter scale. It was a sad day for all of us....

Just wondering....

Just wondering....

Would I have done certain things differently
if only I had known how it would end?

Would I have really studied hard
and tried for Harvard or Oxford or Cambridge?

Would I have studied music,
playing an instrument...as I can't sing for nuts?

Would I have done all the things
that I was not supposed to have done?

Sadly, the answers to all of the above
is a resounding, Yes!

Yes, I would do certain things differently
and changed the course of my life's history.

Yes, I would have studied hard, really hard
and tried to get in, in any one of these universities.
For the simple reason that it would bring me
a good job with a great starting salary!

Yes, I would have tried
learning a musical instrument,
for the simple reason that it interests me
and perhaps make a living out of my hobby!?

Yes, I would have done all the things
that I was not supposed to do,
for the simple reason that I cannot do now.
Even if I could, it no longer holds the excitement
that would have brought to me then.

If only I could, I would....

Toast to a Friend!

A friend of mine is getting married.....come 8th of Dec. Here's the electronic card that I received just last evening.........with a promise that the actual card would be in the mailbag, shortly! The wedding's in India..........


Darling Manleen !

I would love to come but............please accept my apologies & hoping you will understand.....



PS:- I just went Irish.....with this toast!

Tagged?!

The first thing that I got to read in my inbox over my morning cuppa was that I was tagged. I'm "It"! "It"? Am not very happy to be called "It"..........to tell you the truth!

The instruction is to check the Tagger's site and I have been warned/told that there is no running away from this. The rules of the game would then need to be copied to one's site followed by 7 random/weird? facts about oneself.........and then further tag 7 unsuspecting Bloggers - "You're it!"

I'm not up to this game for various reasons. This is like the many chain mails that one periodically receives in one's inbox.....forward the mail to X number of people for good luck and if you were to ignore, misfortune would befall on you.... or send to X number to get your heart's desire in 24 hours, X-10 to get your heart's desire in 7 days, etc, etc. Life would have been so much nicer...better.....for all of us....if it was so easy to get your heart's desire thus! Since it doesn't.....I find such mails a nuisance. People who are gullible as to believe such mails, I have nothing to say of them.

Coming to this Tag Game, I would not like anyone to be/feel obligated to further Tag 7 more who may or may not like to play this game. That's why, I'll take a chance........and am just walking away from it.....

The Tagger has tagged me thus - drifter and romantic. beware the wrath of this little package. she scares me.

PS:- Hmmmm...........it's interesting to know what others think of me!

Under My Skin

Seriously speaking..........either I need to have my head examined or just go away for a while.....to some exotic place and meet interesting people.....and have my day & night filled with new faces, new surroundings, new smells.....'cause the Devil's got under my skin! I have even taken to humming..........though Diana Krall sings it so well!

I've got you, under my skin.
I've got you, deep in the heart of me
So deep in my heart, you're really a part of me
And I've got you under my skin.

I've tried so, not to give in.
I've said to myself, this affair it never will go so well
But why should I try to resist, when I know so well
That I've got you under my skin.

I'd sacrifice anything come what might
For the sake of having you near
In spite of a warning voice that comes in the night
And repeats, in my ear

Don't you know you fool, you never can win
Use your mentality, wake up to reality
For each time I do, just the thought of you
Makes me stop before I begin
Because I've got you, under my skin.

PS:- I solemnly promise not to....nay.... never to write of the Devil after today................at least, for a long long time! Never say Never....... that's what they say..........so I will just say.....I will try NOT to..... write about the Devil.......this sounds better!

The Devil Wears Prada.....but I wear Zara!

Looking into my staple wardrobe.........which in my case would be for my daily office wear ...........and the only ones for which I shop regularly..... having been living in this part of the world, the Middle East with minimum of socializing (at least where I am concerned).....I can see that apart from my lingerie and a few odd pieces from here & there, all of my clothes seem to have been bought from Zara.

I find Zara offering quality clothing which is priced pretty reasonable and are of the latest international trends. Zara can afford this as they have factories/ sources all over the world and so the lead time for production is really short which means the latest trends from all over the world can be in their stores within 2-3 weeks!

ZARA BASIC - The trousers fits me real well......of course I do have to alter the length a bit....moi being petite, otherwise the fit is perfect especially on the butt! The tops too are really chic! I love the Baby-doll tops in Zara (various colors/prints/fabrics) which is a fabulous trend from the runway that works so well for all of us non-models! Baby-dolls, with their forgiving fit and romantic feel are the smart choice for the kind of summer weather this part of the world. Flirty, flowy and feminine, they are a perfect staple for work, weekend or travel.......not to mention to camouflage the unforgiving bulges acquired from rich unadulterated food and sedentary lifestyle! The Trouser-Jacket suit is also perfect for office wear! With just minor alterations....the length.......Voila! Je suis très chic!

Speaking of the Devil last night....I was reminded of The Devil who Wears Prada.......and then it struck me..........but I wear Zara!

This Devil DOES NOT Wear Prada!

I need to get it out of my head........to regain my sanity.....

Some nights back.....the Devil asked me for a dance. We were just chatting....about this & that......the music was way down low..........still it came wafting by..........then, the hauntingly beautiful music of Strauss - Blue Danube Waltz came up. He got up....stood in front of me and offered his hand..........I looked up into his eyes and the next I knew....my hand was in his.....I had left the comfort of my chair and had followed him to the middle of the room....

This Devil does not wear Prada..........but the Black Trousers and the Black Shirt that he was wearing, the other night.....was beautifully cut & tailored....it looked very classy! Beside his tall frame of 5.10 or is it 5.11....I was tiny.....my left hand on his right shoulder...my right hand in his left......I floated beautifully.....at least I felt that way! The music...the night....there was magic in the air......we both felt it...

Then the music came to an end...........and I landed with a thud...........on my bed! The last thing I remember him saying was "mucha gracias". Oh, My God! Español, otra vez!? Spanish, again!?

Flying Away

The weekend just flew......and now, the blues sets in..........just thinking..........tomorrow's going to be a long, long day. The two days of solitude.....just reading...writing....watching tv...movies on dvd...I still have not had enough!

Out of the blue, I re-collect this piece of conversation between my Boss and someone who had resigned from the Company. Boss to X, "When are you physically flying?" Now, I ask myself the same........ as mentally, I have been flying away from here........umpteen times!!

Hable Español?

blogthings.....took a random quiz......wondering what it would throw up. My fascination has always been La French......though of course....secretly, I have wished that I could speak as many languages as I possibly can! In my mailbox I just received a mail from one of the Job Recruiters....Opportunity with a well known brand....in Spain.......and now..........this! Is this a sign.........or what???????

You Should Learn Spanish

For you, learning a language is about career advancement and communication. Knowing Spanish will bring you tons of possiblities for jobs and travel. Bárbaro!

What Language Should You Learn?

"If you fail, destroy evidence that you tried!"

For sometime my friend's slogan has been, "If you fail, destroy evidence that you tried!"

My stand till now, on this has been, "It's quite debatable! For posterity..........evidence is a must to teach or show...........so that the same mistakes are not committed again! But again...........I do know where you are coming from!"

......but today, I'm in no doubt and would have to agree with what my friend says. On failing, all evidence would have to be destroyed that I tried.........failing which, I would have to move to Plan B and follow what Hitler had to say........and that is..........

"If you win you need not explain......but if you lose you should not be there to explain."

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Its Dad's birthday. I remember the times when I was home...and it was Dad's Birthday......Dad would always plan the menu for the day. He loves to eat.....not that he ever has much.....he loves a good meal. I gave a call in the morning to wish him. This time...he sounded surprised. Had he forgotten that today was his birthday? Time....age..........how I wish sometimes, I could just stop it for a while...

Here's a poem by Regina Hill which I really liked. To you, Dad.

Dad, If I Had Three Wishes
on Your Birthday...
I'd make a wish for
your health and happiness
and your dreams coming true.
I'd wish that you would be given
whatever your heart desires.
And after I was sure that
all of these wishes
were fulfilled,
I'd make one more wish for you -
the most important one of all...

I'd wish that you'd know
beyond any doubt
that I love you with all my heart,
and I'll always be here for you
no matter what.
- Poem by Regina Hill

Happy Birthday, Dad!

A Walk by the Sea...again

I went for my walk by the sea. It was a beautiful day and the weather was lovely! With the wind blowing against my face & whipping my loose hair......I walked on......enjoying my solitude walk. Only my dark Armani glasses protected my eyes against the glint of the sun.....as well as, I am assuming.....my identity!

There were quite a few people that I recognized from my Office....by the sea....enjoying the weather. Onward from the Marina Crescent...I walked....and left the crowded promenade. Soon I realized that I was being followed....not scared as it's broad daylight and I could see people in the distance....just irritated....I walked fast....and then slow. He crossed me and mumbled..."It's beautiful day." The accent was Arabic....I ignored him.....though I couldn't agree with him more....

In the distance I saw a man throwing a net out to the sea. When I reached the spot where the man was, I shouted whether he had caught anything. He showed me his bucket....there were a few fishes that he had caught. I stood for a while...he threw the net again....and voila! he caught one more fish!


I turned back for home from here. The stalker had caught up with me again....he had witnessed my conversation with the fisherman. As I passed him....he again mumbled something about feeling hungry and wanting to have fish. Loser! I said to myself............and then broke into a jog......

Breakfast at Tiffany's

The weekend has been a marathon of watching various soaps & movies on TV & DVD....in English as well as in Hindi. What stood out of course was Breakfast at Tiffany's with Audrey Hepburn. This is the story of a woman on her own making her way in the big city. It's quirky, funny, serious, sophisticated & entertaining.

We meet Holly Golightly played by Audrey Hepburn driving up in a taxi on New York's 5th Avenue in the early morning hours, dressed to the nines, sipping coffee, nibbling a danish and window shopping at Tiffany's under the opening credits. She looked gorgeous!
When Holly says,

"I don't want to own anything until I find a place where me and things go together. I'm not sure where that is, but I know what it's like. It's like Tiffany's." or "You don't have to worry. I've taken care of myself for a long time."

This could be Moi saying it!

Audrey strumming her guitar and singing on the fire escape...beautiful lyrics....I could identify with...

Moon River, wider than a mile,

I'm crossing you in style some day.
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker,
wherever you're going I'm going your way.
Two drifters off to see the world.
There's such a lot of world to see.
We're after the same rainbow's end--
waiting 'round the bend,
my huckleberry friend,
Moon River and me.

The ending.........I always love to see a happy ending. The rain drenched Cat and the famous kiss-in-the-rain ending............didn't fail me!

Diwali

It's my weekend..........and today happens to be Diwali, the festival of lights....not that it feels in any way different from my usual day or weekend. I called my Parents. Mom was telling that my sis-in-law was preparing for the puja as well as to light up the diyas/candles in the evening. Yesterday was Laxmi Puja....Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth......don't we all need her to come & bless our homes?!

Now here in a foreign land....all alone.....as I stand on my balcony, in the growing darkness.....far away...in a couple of flats I can see the twinkling lights on the balcony which has been decorated....Hindu families....as they make a vain attempt to celebrate the festival. I can also hear a couple of crackers bursting intermittently and the sound of the rockets whizzing out in the distance.

I remember when I was back in my country......the sound of crackers, rockets & different fireworks would be all around as soon as evening approached. It would be so loud that one had to shout to be heard in the din.....and the street dogs would be howling their lungs out while our dogs would be cowering under the beds or under anything & in between, we would be consoling them saying that it was all ok. Each and every house in the neighborhood would be lighted up either with diyas or candles or with the modern decorative small light bulbs. Personally, I prefer the diyas....it's so very traditional and looks so pretty!

Days before Diwali....everywhere you go, you could feel the festivity in the air all around. Shops tempting you with all kinds of goodies....people buying new clothes, gifts.... Offices too would be enveloped with the Diwali spirit...bonuses are given out this time of the year, so there's more excitement... over and above the Diwali sweets & gift which one gets from the company. There's the traditional puja in the offices...after which the gifts are given....not much work gets done on this day............as people are busy with the puja, greeting each other, exchanging gifts...

My friend just sent me a message, "Wish you a very happy diwali." I wish I was with my friend....watching the lit sky from the balcony together......

Culture Shock - Q8

Going through my papers.....I found this crumpled copy of the "transformation" which a friend had passed on to me......when I was pretty much new to the country here. One lands in this part of the world....all innocent, brimming to start a new life here.....only to undergo.....in the days.....weeks....months....years to come....a major transformation....that would transform one to the local inhabitant.........the camel!

You arrive at the Airport...all innocent. Convinced, you could/would make a difference here!
1 week - The whole process of sorting out your papers/documents...id cards...seems to be taking for ever. Everywhere you go, it takes forever and asking when it would be done seems to be pointless as the only answer you get is "Inshallah". You're so doubtful.
2 weeks - By now you get suspicious as to whether work ever gets done here!
1 month - The whole system.....hmmmm.....you seem to be skeptical of everything.
6 weeks - By now, you're astonished that the country is even running!
2 months - By this time, you have been left a nervous wreck. Your nails have all been chewed and you have pulled out a couple of your hair from your head!
3 months - Things seem to be looking quite hopeless but you can't do much about it.
6 months - You are disappointed that things are not turning out the way you visualized.
9 months - You are in a shock! What or who in heavens name made you decide to come here?!
1 year - Frustrations sets in and you don't know what to do. Anything & everything you do or want to do takes its own time.
2 years - By now you are really disturbed. You need to be treated!
4 years - You are nearly there......becoming like a local! You are now pretty stupid!
6 years - Now that you're stupid, you are oblivious of what's going in the world! You are an idiot!
8 years - Your metamorphosis to the local inhabitant, the camel.... is nearly complete! You are totally lost!
10 years - Congratulations! You are now fully converted!
20 years - You are a full fledge camel!

I have now been here for 5 long years. Am I now stupid? Have I changed? If you can't change them, join them, it is. If I need to get something done....done on time or done quickly, I need to have "waasta" which means connection in Arabic. Yes! "waasta" is very important here! Without "waasta" it's difficult but with "waasta" things gets done quicker & is much easier! So far so good! Inshallah!

Facebook Craze

Facebook.....is this a craze thats going to last?.....only time will tell. My networking till very recently has been limited to a couple of mails or IMing once in a while....again to a couple of friends. Once in a gathering...someone asked me whether I was in orkut..........to be frank...until then I hadn't even heard about this word orkut leave alone be in it! I went home and looked it up....where else but on the net! Everyone seems to be there....all leaving messages for everyone else to see....photographs...testimonials?....whatever...so juvenile I found....not for me.

Then came a message in my mailbox.......someone had added my name as 'friend' in Facebook. For a week or so I ignored it......didn't have the time nor was I so into the net thing....but then I accepted. I could now see her photographs that she's posted there...know what she's upto, etc. For a long time it's been limited to me seeing my friend's photos and seeing her & her friends poking, gifting, throwing punches, graffiti .....and whatever games they would be playing.

Then another girl that I knew added my name....an orkut person who now took to Facebook with such an enthusiasm.........adding friends I guess was like chalking up one's Totem Pole! Then another message saying someone, with an unfamiliar name had added my name as a 'friend'. I didn't know who it was but soon discovered it was a friend that I knew...who was using a pseudonym! To touch base again, this was wonderful! Then I discovered a couple of more friends from the past...from my College days...my junior. A colleague adds me in, 'friend'....which came as a surprise....for some reason. It now hit me that I could be so easily discovered....I feel a bit apprehensive. Just yesterday, another friend who lost touch for a while, added my name to his list! I'm now elated...at being discovered! Everyone seems to be on it.........everyone seems to be doing it.

Facebook.........true to its name, people are baring it all.... there are loads of applications which you can add and take various tests...compatibility, your likes & dislikes, your knowledge on particular topics, quizzes, etc...for all to see. You could send various kinds of wall posters, videos all in the name of fun? Write on the walls for all to see.

I frankly don't have the time to take all the tests that I am invited to nor participate in any other activities which is ongoing....throw a pie, poke, hug.... Personally, I still prefer sending one on one emails. Getting connected with friends with whom we lost touched is the only best thing that has happened for me through Facebook....other than that....I have very little to do here or think very little of it!....but, to be in Facebook is like being so "Cool"?!

Red Bull Challenge

The weather was lovely....not hot at all......with cool breeze blowing. As promised....to myself and to my friend....I went for a walk down by the seaside. The seaside was crowded...really crowded. Some were there to see........and some, to be seen....down by the sea....in full war paint & high heels!!

Red Bull was having a DIY Flying Contraption Challenge....something like that. Participants were to fly off the ramp which was especially built for this....but it was more like jumping off the ramp! Splash!!

I weaved through the crowd....a friend & her brother was there with me...they followed....and in no time we were out in the front....on the shore. I rolled up my jeans....kicked off my sneakers...and waded in the water......to enjoy a clearer view! The ramp was too far...the Participants were just a speck....the cacophony coming over the mike was in a language which I have not been able to grasp...in spite of my having been here in the country for 5 long years. There was the beating of drums & some sword wielding men came on the ramp & did a war or is it a victory dance?.....whatever. The first participant was ushered onto the ramp....he in his contraption stood near the edge of the ramp...and before we knew.......splash...it was over....and he was rescued by some men in speed boats below! Some more waiting....some more dancing...and the next....and the next...and the next....


I enjoyed the sun, the sand & the sea...............more than the dud Red Bull event!

The lure of a SALE!

The mail came.....announcing a special offer.......it was for toiletries/cosmetics.

Staff Sale

upto 80% OFF

I read and trashed it immediately. I did not have any intention of even going for a dekko. I have enough cosmetics......I need to use those first....I told myself. Moreover, not a brand that I would particularly go for.

Colleagues were going for the Sale....they asked me if I was coming....I said, "Carry on....not interested...have work to finish". Whosoever went.........none came back without a carrier bag.....all filled with goodies...at such tempting prices! The day wore on.....another colleague asked if I cared to go and have a look at the Sale. I needed a break.....stretch my legs a bit.....the walk to the Training Center where the Sale was, would do me good....I told myself.

I went.....I saw..........and I bought! I bought what I saw.........but what I saw.... was very little! I am glad I practiced...."Self Restrain"!