The Year Going, Going....Gone By

A time for reflection....on the months gone by....filled with joy, surprises, expectations, disappointments and loads of frustrations.... not necessarily in that order...

Realization that Parents do get old....never thought it would happen to me.....

Jan-Feb - Finally made my trip to South Africa.....beautiful country. Visited all the major cities..Durban...Johannesburg...Sun City... Pretoria...Cape Town...and tried to do all the touristic thingie. Unscheduled stopover at Ethiopia as due to flight delay missed the connecting flight. Got to see "Lucy" even though she was a duplicate.

Rest of the months passed in a blur... though my quest for a better job saw me getting a call to go to "Down Under" for an interview sometime in April....and another in June/July. The latter got me an offer too which I finally decided not to take it up.....for reasons I thought was wise then....but now...wondering if I had done right.

August...took to Bloggersphere like a fish in water. Blogging to release my thoughts....

The month of October saw me getting connected. Touching base with old friends (Facebook) and making new friends (Bloggersphere).

December.....stumbling into Iraqi Bloggers.....and getting dragged into the World of Politics....a subject which has always fascinated me.....but had been dormant all the while....

Life goes on.....Hope beckons....Next year will be a better year!

Last Journey for Benazir

We were in office..........when we heard about the blast in Pakistan...late afternoon yesterday. We scrambled to the BBC website...CNN & other sites being banned sites in the company. There were two reports....but conflicting....one said she had died and the other that she was injured and was taken to the hospital. We hoped that it was the latter report which was true.......but then...

The news, the media...and everywhere you turn around, the news of Benazir Bhutto's assassination is the hot topic. Al-Qaeda has claimed for the killing. Such a dastardly act...is this something to take credit for or be proud of? World shocked......but what would happen? What would be done to prevent such happenings? Will we be able to stop the next killing....the next blast?

Benazir returned from her exile....only to be killed in her own country. May her soul rest in peace.

New Year's Holiday

Coming to the Middle East, I was quite amused with the practice of giving holidays not on the day of the occasion when it fell but shifting it to another day thus getting a long weekend in the bargain. And this morning, there it is this bit of news in the paper saying that the "Civil Service Commission (CSC)" will issue an official statement by tomorrow when the New Year's holiday would be set.

It seems about a couple of years back, the Government had decided that any holidays that fell in the middle of the week would be shifted to the first day of the week. Thursday & Friday being the weekend, it would mean getting the Saturday off. The purpose of it was to have a longer weekend. Now, ever since the official weekend since September was changed to Friday & Saturday, a new directive was brought out to change the holidays falling in the middle of the week to Sunday. This directive is being hotly debated in the parliament again as New Year's Day, 1st of Jan falls on a Tuesday.

The majority of people are against the law of shifting the holiday to the beginning of the week. "Any feast will lose its meaning if it is celebrated a few days later. If these feasts were not important, why would we make a holiday for it, we would just consider it as a normal day. It's not only about the day off, it's also about the celebration. If we celebrate the occasion after a few days, we will forget the occasion," said Jamal, an employee in the private sector.

I too cannot find the sense of shifting the holidays to another day. To celebrate an occasion before or after?! How strange.

The office memo came in this afternoon....for now...for us...1st of Jan has been declared a holiday!

Politics on my mind

Still under the influence of Iraqi Bloggers, I continue with my musing on Politics....

Whoever said "Politics is dirty" is right in a way.......but I find it interesting....I always have.

I am fascinated with the clean & nice image one presents.......and when you go on to read or hear about some of the deeds they were to have done.........one is not too sure...but then one have/had to understand the times and the circumstances........and whether or if, it was actually necessary or called for.

Like a coin, there's always two sides of it....but in the present time can we clearly say that one is right and the other wrong or one is good the other bad? I guess now its become a choice of choosing between the two evil.

If Iraq was a living hell during Saddam, what is it like after Saddam? Has the situation improved or has it become worse?! Whose support did Saddam enjoy in the earlier years? What is it that they say about controlling the oil barrels? Who is pulling the string? Who is controlling whom?

Yes, Saddam was bad and needed to be put on trial but why was Idi Amin allowed to go scot free? Why was he not put on trial? Was he not responsible for the abuses on human rights, ethnic persecutions.... hundreds of thousands murdered in the torture chambers? Why was he not extradited from where he had relocated after fleeing his own country? Initially, who/which country helped him to get him to power in spite of knowing his past deeds?

What about Afghanistan? The country continues to reel under the after effects of the war raged as a consequence to Bush Administration's campaign of "War on Terrorism". The Taliban Government has been toppled but is it over?!

The consequence of a war is the collateral damage. Is there any way to avoid this? The destruction of innocent human lives is what saddens me most.

Still giddy with Iraq & Iraqi Bloggers

Whatever time I spent on the net yesterday, has been solely devoted to Iraq & Iraqi Bloggers.....browsing through their Profiles....getting to know more about the Bloggers...reading their Posts and comments & counter comments! It started with that article on BBC (Previous Post) and it continued till the wee hours of this morning!

And I woke up...still giddy with Iraq & Iraqi Bloggers! Late into the night I was reading about this Blogger who supports Saddam and felt things were better then....and now the Blogger was mourning and will not celebrate any festival/holidays till the country gets truly liberated. The Blogger gave all kinds of statistics .....but then there were others, commenting on the Posts on how to explain the atrocities....the rape...the murder...

Yes, how much of it is an exaggeration and how much is the truth...who can tell? Only one who has experienced....or one whose family has experienced...or one who has lived there...will be able to shed some light. No media can/could give the exact truth.....different perspective....different sources whether reliable or unreliable...different political associations....different motives....whatever....

One thing which I must say is....whatever it was about Saddam Hussein..........I personally didn't liked/agree with the ending. Was the attack on Iraq necessary? The UN Investigation was being conducted peacefully.....the call for attack did not have UN sanction.....did anyone find the "Weapons of mass destruction"? Did Saddam, President of Iraq deserve to die like how he did? I wish he had killed himself rather than be captured and be treated thus and lived up to the name he was known as, "Lion of Iraq".

This is not to be misconstrued as supporting Saddam and his actions. It is not related. I condemn all kinds of atrocities....anywhere in the world.

Iraqi Bloggers

The latest headlines....randomly selecting from the RSS feed on my browser....I came across Iraqi Bloggers and I, needlessly to say was intrigued.

The page is a round-up of some of the Iraqi Bloggers, blogging from within or from outside of their country. It's real interesting.....to know a civilian's perspective untainted by any political view and sad at the same time.........to read about the sufferings of such innocent people.....some of them brought a lump to my throat. This led me to visiting some of the sites of these Iraqi Bloggers and reading their latest Posts. Something to think about and ponder. We have enough natural calamities in the world.........why then add to the destruction? Why?

Not so long ago, when I read or heard about the city of Baghdad, it conjured up visions of a typical Middle East scenario as depicted in the Arabian Nights story books or in the movies.....those arabic music, sheesha, flying carpets, beautiful buildings with minarets and in such colors......Of course you had the wicked Vazir...but in the end you had the good triumph over the evil...
How times have changed....now you read of Baghdad burning....about the torture chambers found....the bombing and the Bomber.....When would it all end? When?

The Sea Beckons

There's something about the sea which I can't fathom. I can sit for hours by the sea and just look at the vast expanse of water. It's so soothing and I am at peace with myself.

My imaginations take me to the adventures the boats sailing by out to the sea would have....or to the adventures the boats docked at the dockyard must have had. Far far from the maddening crowd of the society that we live in today, especially true in large bustling cities and towns.....the vast ocean is so calming to the senses.

The sea fascinates me....and beckons me to come again and again...and I will....another day....

My connection with "Apoorva Dance Theater"

A sketch.....a comment.....a website......that was the chain reaction. In a matter of few hours, I travelled.....to more than 10 years back!

Flashback......
I was new to the Bangalore city. I had taken up the job offer at the branch office......to re-group my thoughts and possibly to experience a change of scenario......my life was going nowhere. The culture of sitting late in the office was not prevalent here....I had plenty of time at the end of the day. I joined "Alliance Francaise" to learn French. I always wanted to learn a foreign language and French was my favourite....and now I had the time! The after office French classes, for want of students was shifted to the morning batch. I now attended the morning classes, after which it was rush-rush to the office.

My evenings were left free and what better way than to enroll myself for some Dance Classes! There were these classes in the "Alliance" that I could join. I love dancing, even though I can't dance for nuts! I am terrible! I wanted to join, one Modern Jazz Group....unfortunately the timing didn't suit me. Then, I was introduced to this lovely girl, Tripura Kashyap and she took me under her wings, right away! I found her alone, doing her dance routine out on the terrace. She was so welcoming and when I told her that I was a non-dancer and had a regular job and so could only come after the office hours, she was most accommodating! I was now part of "Apoorva Dance Theater". The other members too were very welcoming and most understanding to my limitations and awkward movements. I really enjoyed being part of the group. We were invited to Mumbai for the "Anand Shanker Ballet Festival"..............and I was there in one of the piece/performance! Yes! I danced on stage to a Live audience on a national level!

Present....
The flashback brought nostalgia.....I wrote to my friend, Tripura. I heard from her today and guess what she said....just last week she met up with the guys who were in our Group and they were talking about me....wondering where I was and what I was doing! Is this telepathy?! I hope someday, I meet her and the guys once again....It would be so lovely!

Cloudy Sky

This was how the sky looked.....as I made my way home last evening. I thought to myself....At last! looks like the rain which had been eluding us this season....is finally here! But, was I so wrong?! No rain...not even a drizzle!

The Weatherman on our local FM Channel....has become the butt of our weather jokes. His forecast would go something like this..."Today sunny sky with scattered clouds". Groan....We all can see that! One has to just peep out! "The maximum temperature would be from 20 to 30 degree." Oh! For God's sake we expect some degree of accuracy! Talk about playing it safe! The Radio Jockey would then ask if we were expecting some rain...if not when. The Weatherman's standard reply. "Uh, we are expecting slight precipitation.... Inshallah!......the north-westerly winds might effect the climate.... Inshallah!....yaani.....blah...blah". He would rarely use the word "rain". We guess, this is just to make him sound very knowledgeable!

The year has nearly come to an end. I don't think, we would have any rain now. Inshallah! next year, we'll have the rain!

PS:- A budding Photographer in progress. If the Reviews are good, I'm going to take it up with a zeal!

Meet Cat

Meet Cat, my companion for this afternoon.......as I sat on the parapet....by the sea. Cat and I, do not belong to each other.....we are independent creatures.........but we got along. I enjoyed his unobtrusive company.... (Psst....for sure I had a male cat for company!)

We enjoyed the glorious weather and the soft sound of the lapping waves as it hit the rocks. Far away, we could see a big ship moving farther and farther away.........while a couple of speedboats were zooming from one side to the other.....

As I got up, to continue with my walk............Cat too went his way.....

My Shoe-Style Personality?!

What's my Shoe-Style Personality? That's what the quiz was about.....in one of the Beauty & Style website I was browsing, today. I was curious. The result:-

You're a pointy-toe stiletto/slingback!
The latest fashion magazines are your monthly bible. You love shoes so much that you ran out of room in your closet for shoe boxes, so the oven now doubles as a storage unit. You're always looking sophisticated and polished, even when you have jeans on, and Gwyneth Paltrow and Sarah Jessica Parker are your idols. Every seasonal trend is right up your alley, and most trends work back to things that are already in your closet. Looking great was never so easy!

Now, how uncanny this is! See my photos! Apart from the fact that I have yet to run out of space and use my oven as a storage......other things I would agree to it! Gwyneth and Sarah have a great sense of style....although I never considered them my idols! Actually, I don't have any idol as such. My personal style..........tailored classic pieces with just-the-right-trend items.

My BMI

While reading a magazine, I came across an article of "Celebrities and their BMI".......and I got down to calculating my BMI (weight in relation to height). As per the calculation, I found that I fall under the Normal Weight category....... and if I were to lose the minimum 10 pounds that I badly need to.......I would still fall under this category! Yippee!!

To calculate your BMI, here's the simple equation:-

BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)2
example, if weight = 52 kg and height = 1.5 m,
then BMI would be, 52 ÷ (1.5 x 1.5)
BMI = 23.1

Classification of weight by BMI:-

Below 18 = Underweight
18.5 - 24.9 = Normal Weight
25 - 29.9 = Overweight
30 - 39.9 = Obese
40 and above = Morbidly Obese

Even though the calculations has been kind...........I know I am too healthy! The excess mass of Protoplasm from all the wrong places needs to go!

10 things that I don't need!

The year is coming to an end......here are some of the things that I simply don't need, next year!

1. That extra 10 pounds.........I must lose it somehow!
2. A dull lacklustre life...........being a Single Girl in the Middle East.
3. More advice from well wishers............on finding a man......getting married.
4. That dripping sarcasm.....from my Boss.
5. That same old job....doing the same old thing.......
6. The habit of Procrastination!
7. The lure of a "Good Bargain"............and ending up with things which I don't really need!
8. Rude Behavior/Service...........in the Airport/ Supermarket / Restaurant / on the road...
9. The racialism which is prevalent everywhere you go.....more so in the Middle East.
10. More news on worldwide atrocities.

Stand United Against Ragging

Mirandian, my Second Blog that I write.....when nostalgia drives me to re-live some of the best days of my life....the College Days....actually more of my College Hostel Days.....as a Resident of "Miranda House College". The initiation......ragging as we all know was one period where as "Freshers" we all hated it. As a Senior, I never indulged in it.........nor supported it.

Kushal found my Blog........his relentless effort in the eradication of Ragging from College is indeed very commendable. I hope I am able to contribute even if it is a wee bit....by showing this (colorful!) email that I got today from him. Tomorrow is World Human Rights Day....let us stand united against Abuse of Human Rights.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

From: Dr. Kushal Banerjee
Date: Dec 9, 2007 3:51 PM
Subject: World Human Rights Day

Dec 10 is the

WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS DAY .

On this occasion, let's stand united against Abuse of Human Rights in the name of RAGGING in educational institutions.

RAGGING !

At least 31 Ragging-deaths have been reported from India, only between 2000-2007.

In the current session, at least 7 deaths have been reported, even after the historic May 2007 orders by the Hon'ble Supreme Court came into force.

The number of the injured & the disabled is much higher.

The number of those who have been forced to undergo prolonged physical & sexual abuses are virtually countless.

Experts have proved the lameness of the excuses that Ragging makes relationship better and that it is necessary.

It's time to realize that for a healthy society, we must get rid of RAGGING completely & welcome Healthy modes of interactions between seniors and juniors.

On the occasion of the WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS DAY, let's join hands to stand united against Ragging.

Thank you very much for taking your time to read this mail.

Hope you would kindly forward this email to your friends and contacts in support of the cause.

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

Issued in the interest of the students and of the society by -

No Ragging Foundation ( www.no2ragging.org ),

A Non-Profit Organization Devoted to the Eradication of Ragging.

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"Coconuter"

This is to the "Coconuter" as he journeys in his search to find the "perfect coconut to fall...from the sky". To leave a life of security....comfort...good living....for self-retrospection in hopes of understanding life and finding oneself..... meaning and purpose of it............it takes a lot of courage!

Here's wishing to all the "Coconuters" of the world, the very best and hoping they find what they are looking for. Sometimes, I too wish I could run away from this concrete jungle...........

Christmas is here!

*Jingle Bells*!

I'm slowly getting pulled into the Holiday Spirit......not that I'm complaining! Wherever I surf...Blogs or Websites....the Home Pages are now decorated with various Christmas decorations. Some of them look real beautiful. Decorated Christmas trees.....twinkling lights....small & big boxes wrapped beautifully.....Santas & elves....and lots of Ha-Ha! Ho-Ho!....as I surf the net. Some sites even have popular Christmas Songs belting out!

The Card Making Mafia that I know of, have been busy churning cards by the dozen. Some are so *Sparkly*......some "let it snow" kinds....some so red-red in true Christmas colors.... Santa & his reindeers...holly & mistletoes all are there! I am just wondering where these cards would all go.......who all would be finally receiving them?!

In this techno savvy world......I know there would be a couple of Christmas forwarded messages in my mailbox.....or one of those electronic greeting cards....but, how nice it would be if one of these hand made cards came my way! I'm one of those who love hand made things.....and to know that the sender/giver has made a special effort to make it.....would give me double joy! Wishful thinking! I know....I will blame it on the season!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Me & My Makeup

I guess a girl can never have enough of Makeup! This is applicable to yours truly too!

Today again, I succumbed to the various goodies for hair, skin and various face & eye products! This, in spite of my telling myself that I will not buy......just look! But, as always...the look turns to smelling.....smelling to trying....and before long its in my shopping basket! And if the Sales Person has a nice smile....coaxes & extols the virtue of the product.....I end up buying more....different smell...color!

The excuse.....I don't have this particular one....this smells of lavender....and the one I have is rose...jasmine...whatever! This shade of lipstick is soooo sexy.....really brings out the color of my face! This mascara is for lengthening.....this one for volume! This is gloss....this is for shine....this for shimmer. Lotions - hand & body, moisturizing lotion, eye cream, toner, cleanser, nail cream....with coconut & almond oil or primrose with vitamin e or cocoa butter or grapefruit....

The Makeup Industry is to be blamed....for my splurge! How can they make lipsticks or nail colors in so many colors/shades?! Perfumes........lets not go there! I love perfumes! Some of my ever lasting favorites....Obsession, Poison, Opium, Jádore, Dolce Vita,......Why am I not content with having just 2 or 3 or 5? Why do I have more than 10 lipsticks or nail colors at one given time......or for that matter 8-10 perfumes! Why do I have 4 mascaras....different color eye pencils....eye liners....eye shadows??! Foundations, concealers, loose powder, pressed powder, blush on - powder, cream....

Having so many....I never seem to finish any...and after sometime, it would go straight to the trash can! I read somewhere that it was not hygienic to use makeup after sometime....after having opened or from the date of manufacturing date.

The glossies, Tv....temptations are everywhere....and with the pressure of looking good in this corporate rat race............what am I suppose to do?! Nah! Not true....I just love makeup! Makeup which looks not made-up.....if you know what I mean!

Oh! the frustrations of working for a large Organization

Oh! the frustrations one has to go through.......working for a large organization! Getting things done from another department is like getting it done from another company! The attitude is not of that all of us working for the same company!

Being in the Brand Merchandising Department we have to deal with all other Support Departments like Finance, IT, Warehouse, Logistics, etc in our daily working. One would expect, working for the same company that things would get done faster. Instead, we have to plead, cajole & argue to get things done. The general feeling we get is that of dealing with an outside company. Sometimes we feel, dealing with an outside company would be better!

These Support Departments feel that the Merchandising Department does not do anything and just sit in front of the PC, with the phone stuck in one ear! The Finance & the IT guys have an attitude of being super intelligent & doing much productive work while the Warehouse guys feel that they are the ones who are doing all the hard labor! What these Departments don't understand is that we are Jack of all trades. We have to do a little bit of everything! We are involved in the Buying, Production, Shipping, Sales, Merchandising, Warehouse Picking, Marketing, Claims, Pricing, Store IT issues, etc.

I guess, the age old saying....."The grass is greener the other side" is so true!

"Hi"

A simple "Hi"
It made my day!
Have not been feeling so nice,
These past couple of weeks.

The silence was killing.
Nothing could fill the emptiness.
Something was missing.

I now know what...
The banter between us,
I had missed so much!!!