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 against 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!

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!

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!

Kunafa!

Coming to the middle east, I was introduced to this cheesy & sweet dessert called Kunafa for the first time about 8 years back in Kuwait and I simply felt in love with it! I have always loved cheese....all kinds... so it was obvious that I would favor this cheese based dessert!

Kunafa is a traditional arabic dessert and is quite popular particularly around Ramadan. Don't know why but during Ramadan many shops would make this dish in huge pans and just the look of it would be so tempting!

By far the most delicious Kunafa I have ever tasted were the ones in Kuwait. The cheese were real soft with a crispy layer of vermicelli on top and were bright orange in color topped off with sugar syrup. It was sweet but not so sweet and I could easily polish off quite a bit of it.

Two weeks back, knowing my love for this sweet dessert my friend prepared Kunafa just for me. The cheese was too little and it was more of the vermicelli. The vermicelli was too hard and it was tough to chew. It was a disaster but I was sincerely touched by the thought that went behind it. I will never ever forget this Kunafa!

Then today, I passed by Carrefour and I spied Kunafa in the delicatessen section! It wasn't that good to look at and now having tasted it, it wasn't that good at all!

One of these days, I shall learn how to make Kunafa. One of these days....

A letter from a friend

Amongst my papers I stumbled into this gem of a letter....

Hi M,

So good to hear from you too! It really does seem to be a good year - I had quite a run of doom and gloom last year. This year things seem to be looking up already - two emails from a chum and good news in them too! don't worry about being "not exactly the budding flower". You could just be a late bloomer.

Age creapt up on me faster than I could imagine. I still think young but from somewhere (quite likely from the sky - not the hundreds of bars of chocolate I scoff on a regular basis) the kilos have piled on. Weight is certainly the enemy to age. If you can fight off the fat, you will have no problem - age will be your best friend. At the moment my body is my main enemy with its ally - a rapidly expanding waisline!!

.........

Right now we are experiencing the worst summer ever. Steaming hot days and rain at night. You would think we are in the tropics! One good thing about it - it keeps me indoors so I can catch up on my writing. I haven't managed to publish anything yet. I lost most of my early work when my computer crashed. So its back to the grindstone from scratch. You'll have to hang on for that autograph for just a little longer. Maybe in years time I'll have completed a collection of short stories about women who have overcome odds. Serious stuff! When I get to writing about fun times I'll have to consult you - remember our flashes of hilarious moments? Laddoos and naps in the sun?

My phone number is xxxxxxx. Do you know the time difference between SA and Kuwait?

When is the best time to call? Hoping to hear from you soon.

Lots of love
Su...

We lost touch after my visit to SA. Wonder how she is? Did she publish her book? I did email her but received no reply. I will try the number she gave here hoping it's still the same....

PS:- I called after doing this post and yes! the number still was the same. It was her at the first hello...the same ol 'Su!

Down memory lane

Just a couple of days back, a mail came in....from a friend, announcing the start of a 3 day training program - Creative Dance Therapy - Introductory & Advanced.

Looking at the advertisement, it reminded me of my awkward movements and the group's encouargement.....not so long ago! Even though I was in the group for a short period, I loved every moment I was there! After work, I would drive down straight.....my way of unwinding! Some stretching, few movements and a whole lot of laughter!

Below, "Apoorva Dance Theater" practicing on the roof of Alliance Francaise just before heading to Bombay for the "Anand Shankar Ballet Festival" - 1996.

South Goa Tour!

I was in Goa for the first time and I wanted to see the place! So on the third day of our stay here, I booked myself for a day tour of South Goa by bus. We were staying in Calangute which is in the North of Goa and thanks to my friends all the famous beaches here were covered! So, going to see the other side made sense! None of the others were interested in the tour....all they wanted to do was lie on the beach whole day long just drinking & eating & drinking some more!

Boarded the bus around 9am from Calangute. The drive itself was nice and the beautiful weather helped! We headed to Panaji and stopped for a while at Miramar Beach while we waited for some more passengers to join the tour.

Then off we went to see the South. This was old Goa. The Portuguese were here long long time ago and they built many beautiful churches but the influence of the Indian artisans could be seen in the architecture.

The tour first takes us to Basilica of Bom Jesus which holds the remains of St. Francis Xavier. The body of the Saint is here on display in a silver casket and it is said that the body is as fresh as the day it was buried. The Saint is said to have miraculous powers of healing and so pilgrims come from all over the country.


Then on the other side of the road, we walk down to Sé Cathedral of Santa Catarina. This cathedral is dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria and is one of the oldest and most celebrated religious buildings in Goa and also one of the largest churches in Asia. This was built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese army over a Muslim army leading to the capture of Goa. It was on the day of the feast of Saint Catherine, hence the cathedral was dedicated to her.


The tour then continues to the famous two temples in the South. First was the temple of Shri Manguesh at Priol. I am told that this is the ancestral village of the famous Mangeshkar Family of India (Lata Mangeshkar, Nightingale of India and her equally accomplished playback singer, Asha Bhosle).


Then onwards to the temple of Shree Shantadurga at Kavale. It is believed that there was a fierce war between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu which sent the world into turmoil. Lord Brahma prayed and asked Goddess Durga to stop the war before the world comes to an end. The Goddess held Lord Shiva on one hand and on the other Lord Vishnu and brought a reconcilation thus bringing peace to the world once again.

After a brief halt along the way for lunch, we proceed too see Ancestral Goa at Loutolim. The tour only had time for us to see an old Portuguese Mansion. Got eductaed on how the Portuguese lived in style back in those days!

Then the last place to see was the Colva Beach. It was really crowded with tourists from all over India. There were less of foreigners here unlike the other beaches that I had visited.

After a full 12 hours of South Goa, the Bus brings us back to where we started. As I walk back to the hotel from the Tour Agency's Office, my friends pick me up on the way. We head for one of the many lovely bar/restaurant, "Cavala". They had a Live Band playing such wonderful music and singing old time favourites! We were at a bar for some time just enjoying the music, the band. Then for dinner we head to "The Fiesta" and I am glad we did. This is a beautiful place and I just felt in love with the place. It's an open air restaurant bulit on different levels with lovely nooks & corners. Very pretty and very well maintained. The food was equally very good!

All in all, a really wonderful day!

Goa!

At last, I got to visit Goa!

Plans of visiting Goa, not once, not twice but umpteen times never really took off...it remained but as Plans. This time it was just out of the blue decision. Someone had walked away with my suitcase at the Airport when I landed in my home country for a 3 weeks break. I couldn't proceed on my onward journey further up North where my Parents lived till investigation on the missing suitcase got concluded, so I decided to say "Yes" to a friend who was off to Goa for the New Year's! And am I glad that I did? I sure am!

Delhi was biting cold and Goa....perfect weather to be on the beach! That's where we headed as soon as we landed...3pm, 31st Dec 2008 ....even before we checked in to our hotel!

After checking in to our hotel rooms, showered, changed and off we headed once again to the beach. It was simply beautiful. The beach was all lighted up and there were plenty of music from different shacks wafting!

We were here at the beach for a while and about an hour before midnight headed to Nikhil Chinnappa's Party "Submerged". The music was great & Nikhil was good. His wife took turns to play too. The place also had a pool and towels were in ready for those who decided to take the dip & for those who got thrown in by their friends!

It was past 4 am, 1st Jan 2009 when wearily, sleepily we trudged back to our hotel rooms but the streets were still alive with people and various music from all over the place!

Woke up late in the morning....nearly 12 am and off we went to the beach...Anguna Beach. It was a short drive from where we were staying.

We headed straight for "CURLIES" but due to late night there was no staff to serve us and so we had to trudge to the next shack where we parked ourselves and ordered breakfast/lunch. I settled for the local favourite, Goan prawn curry with rice while the others had various omelettes & juices while waiting for "CURLIES" to open up.

"CURLIES" opened late in the afternoon and we shifted our base there. We were there till the sun went down and darkness set in. We ate, drank & we ate some more. For me the coconut water & the tender coconut was really refreshing as I walked down the stretch of the beach...all alone.

When night fell, we headed back....only to head to a bar/restaurant for dinner! It was aptly name "The End". That was the final stop. What a day...the first day of 2009!

Teeing Off!

Wish the rest of my days could be such a lazy & a fun day that I had today....playing golf the whole day long! The weather was beautiful...perfect winter day! Not too cold!

First to the Range...practice shots hitting about 50 balls. Then to the course playing 18 holes! Thoroughly enjoyed myself learning more about the game which has always fascinated me. Teeing box...green...par...Started with playing foursome the first 9 holes and for the balance nine, twosome.

Broke up for lunch after 9 holes at the restaurant -"Olive Bar & Kitchen". Sat outside enjoying the winter sun and the beautiful view of the golf course!

This was my first full course that I was playing and I had a wonderful Caddy who gave me tips as we went along.....advising me to be a regular to perfect the game! I am told that I am good for a first timer! Yay! I hope to improve my game! I want to! I have to! I love the game!

Qutab Golf Course, New Delhi
Olive Bar & Kitchen, Qutab Golf Course.

Sexy Santa!

Got an invitation to visit Santa's Grotto to see Sexy Santa. It was real hilarious! Enjoyed the show thoroughly. Didn't expect Santa like this though!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Covering Letter

A Friend promises to try for better prospects for me. Wants me to send in my CV....and as an afterthought a covering letter! Later, he says he was just joking and that its just my CV he wants. But my mind raced, he will get a covering letter! This is what I wrote....to my friend.

Dear Mr. Fun-do,

I'd like to outline immediately the great skills I've obtained from many years of service within the garment field. This position that you have in mind (I am actually not very clear what title this would be but as long as the salary & perks are good I am ok with it) is probably in high demand, so please consider the degree of experience I possess both in my country (India) which has over a billion population as well as in the Arab land where the locals get people like me to do all the work except reap the rewards of the labor...meaning be paid adequately.

What some don't understand is that there's an art to doing business. Time management, having the right connections and of course getting the right product are factors that are key to good business. A person just can't open a business, buy some stuff with the hopes that those that are bought, will sell at whatever price he dreams of. A more scientific and proven method is needed to run a good business and see the profit coming in.

If given the opportunity, I'm sure I can pinpoint areas where your local businessmen or businesswomen are missing the mark with improper or nonexistent planning. It sounds simplistic; however, improper planning can be costing businesses all over Macedonia thousands from a lack of employee productivity to nonexistent planning.

Let me bring in a fresh outlook. Once I arrive, you can see for yourself. Your only regret would be.....why you didn't know me earlier.

I look forward to hearing from you now...as soon as you finish reading my resume. The answer is immaterial....Yes, No, I will see, I will think, ....whatever. Let's nip off the suspense quickly!

One and only
M

PS:- I am dead serious. Dont try reading too much into the picture on my CV....thats a picture I now have had for many years.

You

We connect
And we connect
Just so beautifully.

One day
You decide
To go away just.

Just as quickly
You go out of my life
You re-appear once again.

The spark still evident
The excitement not ebbed
The surprise still pleasant.

The reason...
You dont know
I don't know....

But then,
Not knowing....
Is reason.

Hey Baby!

Hey Baby!
You got me all wrapped....

When you came into my life,
I never thought I would feel it this way.
You know there's been nobody like you.
You take my blues away and make me laugh.

Hey Baby!
I may not be perfect....
But parts of me are excellent!
Don't let anybody and anything come in between us.

Hey Baby!
You're the best thing,
That has happened to me,
In a long long time...

Hey Baby! Hey Baby!

No Office!

My eyes flew wide open when the alarm rang at 5am but I was awake long before then.....probably due to the early night that I had! I tossed from one side to the other.....curling up spoon-shaped ....trying to snatch a few minutes more.....before another day starts.....and then it hits me! There's no office for 5 days...EID holidays! No office?! I jumped out of my bed wanting to embrace the "No Office" day!

Got my morning cuppa (green with citrus), a slice of bread and a fried egg well done. Logged online to see what the world has been upto while I was sleeping....and generally catch up on my mails, blogs, etc. A friend back in my own country was already in the office pushing his Team to get the 3.5 million dollar deal closed! I am imagining him sitting at the edge of his chair, drumming his fingers on the desk, getting impatient....waiting for the phone to ring...telling him, "Boss, all signatures are there on the dotted line!" We chatted for a while and laughed at some silly jokes.....he was distracted....his mind was elsewhere....the deal needs to be closed. I left him to deal with the deal and decided to get out....

The weather was sunny and not that terribly hot. The pool was inviting and I went for a swim at the back of the villa. I swam & I thought and I thought & swam....how lovely it would be if everyday was just like today! No Office!

Alone I swam.....in the blue blue pool....with the sun beating down making the water just about warm. The swim was really invigorating and I am thinking to myself....I must, I must try to swim every morning....good for my soul & good for my body!

The swim made me hungry. I am not on a diet, I just happen to love salad! A big bowl of green pasta salad - M's Special! On a bed of spirally pasta also called fusilli, some Japanese mushrooms layered with diced carrots, cucumber & corns and topped with scrunchy green lettuce drizzled with olive oil. On the side, deep fried "Red Snapper" with pickled olives! To round off, settled for a couple of pieces of that nutty chocolate from my small stash of candies & chocolates!

PS:- I wouldn't have thought of photographing what I ate.....but the couple of food blogs that I happen to browse this morning inspired me!

#This was my morning! Evening, we'll see!