tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229Sun, 03 May 2026 22:11:15 +0000peoplelovelessonslifehomeSustainable LivingbollywoodeducationfamilymeunknownsEnvironmentPlastic BagsReflectionsYear EndcrazydearthdecisionsfriendsinspireplacesDelhiSandalwoodbookreviewbookscausesfictionfort collinsindialyricsparentingrhymesongsummertimeupcyclingyouResonating thoughts..http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)Blogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-3047530170779930122Wed, 28 Oct 2020 11:03:00 +00002021-06-15T13:25:24.846+05:30Angry, Super Angry, A Head that can't stop thinking, Splitting Headache, 2 days oldHopeful, Why Now?, Shy, CuriousAngry, Eyes Wavering but watching, Can't get enough Audible heartbeats, WishfulJust wanting to know, There's much to talkWhy are all these people here?Can't focus, Abrupt as alwaysStill,In Love.Dated: Dec 21, 2019 http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2020/10/maana-ke-hum-yaar-nahin.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-7529458306539986958Thu, 26 Sep 2019 11:53:00 +00002019-09-26T17:23:32.043+05:30bookreviewbookseducationfamilyparenting How many of us mothers really have an opinion on what kind of parenting is best for our children? Have we really given this a serious thought and taken steps towards achieving a certain kind of parenting. That's why I think "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother" really matters. Because through this book, the author and mother, Amy Chua establishes 1) The need to give parenting a serious thought 2) http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2019/09/book-review-bit-of-me-battle-hymn-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-3204611527795816893Tue, 09 Jan 2018 08:30:00 +00002021-03-21T18:13:18.122+05:30decisionsfamilyinspiremeReflectionsYear End While 2017 was completely abuzz with work, family gatherings and my daughter growing up, I didn't exactly float through happy into 2018. A death in the family, visa troubles and vacuum in work marred the last few days of 2017. I know it sounds stupid but as per astrology these are the last few tough days and post January 14, I and my family will have reason to cheer. (I will let you know if thishttp://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2018/01/a-note-to-myself-hello-2018.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-5326586831058822351Tue, 14 Nov 2017 10:38:00 +00002017-11-15T09:10:39.613+05:30 Ending a relationship needs courage. Here I am, ending my 5.5 yr relationship with my workplace.The only way I know to do it best is by writing. Mechanically and systematically going over my memories, filtering out the best moments - the positive ones and forgetting the bad ones. Memories purposefully purging their way through my head, so it can filter, well. All is well that ends well, isn't http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-best-way-to-end-something.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-7125306788209689894Thu, 16 Feb 2017 06:39:00 +00002017-02-22T13:57:03.202+05:30meReflectionsYear End Same time last year, the reflective last few hours of 2015, I had decided that in 2016 I will take out time to do few things out of routine, out of my general commitments to family and work. I will do this to enrich myself with new knowledge, to gain new experiences and to continue to discover myself even as I am turning boringly old in the 30's club.  I opened an unused Diary and http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2017/02/year-of-beginnings-2016.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-1735001650613452413Sat, 31 Dec 2016 10:56:00 +00002016-12-31T16:26:16.333+05:30 Who in this world has the time to make something for you, with their own hands? In the age of assembly line like production for pretty much everything including our daily diet, handicraft stores come as a welcome change. Luckily, I live in Vadodara, Gujarat – a city well known for being a producer and marketer of Gujarat’s handicraft products. Here are some reflections from a recent handicraft http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2016/12/art-with-heart.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-1218491963622088193Thu, 26 Nov 2015 11:17:00 +00002015-11-27T12:15:07.575+05:30lessonslifepeople The world is full of people and people are full of thoughts, ideas and feelings. We live in a society and enjoy the company of friends and family. But what happens when these people who share your life, who become a part of it by virtue of relationships or friendships contribute in negative ways to your life. People share negative thoughts, negative ideas, negative emotions and constantly prod http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2015/11/kick-out-negativity.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-8870603536295399485Thu, 08 Oct 2015 11:50:00 +00002015-10-09T12:28:59.555+05:30 Yesterday, my daughter turned two. That marked 730 days of awesomeness with her! To be honest, not all the 730 days were exactly awesome, some were terrible and some I marvel that I got through. To note a few of the ups and downs in this mommy journey of mine, I write this self appraisal note and wonder what's my next KRA (key responsibility area in corporate lingo). The first 10 days: http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2015/10/2-years-of-mommy-ness.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-9138279927497932668Thu, 08 Oct 2015 11:10:00 +00002015-10-08T16:49:54.563+05:30 Few are White. Few are Black. Most are Grey, alright. It's tough to be White. It's tough to be Black. It's easy to be Grey, alright. White has No Compromise. Black has Little Conscience. Grey has No Other Choice! Alright. White feels good. Black feels bad. Grey is life and Grey is human. I am grey grey grey, alright. http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2015/10/grey-grey-grey.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-7723592799557803982Tue, 27 Jan 2015 15:36:00 +00002015-09-22T11:52:06.922+05:30lessonslifelovepeople Some relationships never get closure, And some dreams never get freedom. http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2015/01/closure.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-2413451122588210041Mon, 15 Dec 2014 10:47:00 +00002014-12-15T16:17:53.225+05:30EnvironmentSustainable Livingupcycling I recently read that upcycling is the new recycling. Instead of crushing up and using waste products in a different form altogether, upcycling is basically reinventing a waste product and giving it a whole new purpose as well as value. I think  I might have two examples of this at my place.     #1 - I upcycled Cereal and Cerelac boxes into CD holders. It http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2014/12/upcycling-1-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-2209294288931143002Sat, 29 Nov 2014 12:01:00 +00002014-11-29T17:31:52.616+05:30Plastic BagsSustainable Living The one thing that my fellow nation dwellers are ready to give away promptly, the one thing they are ready to gift to any random stranger, the one thing they don't mind parting away with for FREE -  is that friendly neighbourhood plastic bag. They seem to commit this act of charity or what they think is an act of supreme courtesy with so much pride that it puts me to shame (for not http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2014/11/plastic-courtesy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-2094768467222427893Mon, 30 Jun 2014 10:01:00 +00002014-12-15T14:16:13.809+05:30 Sometimes I listen to your eyes that narrate vividly the depths of your love for me. Sometimes I breathe in and out of ecstasy until I feel you inside of me. Sometimes I wait for time to pass by and let us be. Sometimes I giggle merrily just to watch you watch me. Sometimes I cry to see if tears still come to me? Sometimes, I question if good times will always be? and then regret my doubts over http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2014/06/sometimes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-3916109176351172225Tue, 15 Apr 2014 08:38:00 +00002014-04-16T12:46:24.666+05:30friendslifepeople Don't you treat me like a convenience store. We are friends no more. Now that you are far as you wish I want to say good bye to you bitch.  I put that in because it rhymes, but i chuckle at the splendid coincidence!  I feel sad from within that you did this to me. We were friends before but not any more.   http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2014/04/friends-no-more.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-1298944336656925314Wed, 19 Mar 2014 21:30:00 +00002014-11-29T16:19:04.704+05:30EnvironmentPlastic BagsSustainable Living I know most of us have given this a thought - How can I contribute to a greener planet given that I don't want to take too much trouble doing so. If you haven't yet given this a thought then maybe this is a good time to do so. I have at least 5 really simple things you can do and feel much greener about yourself. It is not going to be too hard but it might need you to be more thoughtful and http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2014/03/5-simple-ways-to-start-being-greener-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-2018422761193807507Thu, 30 Jan 2014 09:47:00 +00002014-01-30T15:17:03.034+05:30 Just let it come back to me naturally. I think it has, after three years and a baby. http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2014/01/writing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-738047618881034178Thu, 06 Oct 2011 05:00:00 +00002014-01-30T15:16:12.631+05:30decisionsyou Time is running away from me. As I struggle to make sense of the world I am in, never for a moment forgiving myself that I was the one who created this very world for myself, I get more and more swallowed in its depths. I wonder if I can ever pull myself back to the surface and breathe. I really honestly want to breathe. Why can't I get a second chance? Why. Or rather how can I get a second http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2014/01/vicious-weave.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-704797305773769962Sun, 20 Feb 2011 15:11:00 +00002012-05-01T16:15:22.657+05:30Delhifriends I didn’t like the first look of Delhi. The language was new to me, the people were rather rude and the weather was awful. When my family landed there, it was hot, really hot. Since the admission deadlines for most schools were over, I joined a school called Kathuria Public School in south Delhi. It was almost like a government school with very limited facilities. My parents weren’t too happy http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2011/02/dilli-diaries.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-7704519786401455140Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:02:00 +00002010-11-29T08:40:31.550+05:30homeWe lived togetherfor many a year.The growing up dayswere not easy at all.Hand in handwe braced it all.You watched on meas I tried to steera paper boat on a stream thatsprung up from rain o dear!You were the only oneto witness my danceuninhibited.You were the audiencebefore the show.You have been my studentas I loved to teach.Ah! the blackboard, me and youtogether it taught me to learn.You stood http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2010/11/you-dont-really-know.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-2436686299453091227Thu, 01 Jul 2010 19:46:00 +00002010-07-02T04:02:00.578+05:30lifepeopleConversations. We have them every day amongst family and friends and even acquaintances. I don't think a whole lot about most of them.But there are some that leave me with a sense of satisfaction, joy, just a smile or just more questions. These are the ones I'd like to take note of. Think about why they were so. Why do we linger on to some conversations more than the others?Let's see. My most http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2010/07/conversations.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-6708737054697914593Fri, 18 Jun 2010 04:49:00 +00002011-02-20T20:40:55.275+05:30inspirelifeसुबह के अबोध धूप से रोशन होता हैं जहाँ ;संध्या की लाली से डख कर हो जाता हैं दुआं।जीवन की भी लय यही हैं;बड़ी सीख मिलती हैं यहाँ।मम्ता की गोद से उतर केजवानी के नशे में झूलते हैं हम।ज़िन्दगी का मूल हूँ "मैं"यह समज बैठ्ते हैं हम।मांगों की अपार दौलत सेदुनिया लूट लेते हैं हम।अपने अस्तित्व को भीदांव पर लगा देते हैं हम।अपने परायेसबको दुःख दिए जाते हैं हम।मैं को खुश किए जाते हैं हम।हर ज़िन्दगी कट जाती हैंhttp://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2010/05/blog-post.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-3538831163053952310Tue, 18 May 2010 00:39:00 +00002010-05-27T00:24:41.132+05:30fort collinssummerSprightly green Aspen leavesunshy for a ballad feat;spirited by the musicOf the gusty wind.Dyed in youthful greencountless leavessparkle as new.Love it is;as golden rays kissthe dainty greens.Crabapples' pinkshow up few;in testimony to nature'ssense of hue.O' shimmery summeryou've brought in a world anew. http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2010/05/golden-glory.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-1129896211758314612Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:17:00 +00002010-01-09T23:05:29.178+05:30bollywoodeducationindiaThere have been few movies with a message as strong as the one in Bollywood flick 3 Idiots. Excellent thing to talk about in an out and out commercial movie : Education. A long neglected issue in India and by far the most important. In order to pull India out of it's fallacies, it needs it's people to grow out of their ignorance and finally grow by education. Can a movie such as 3 idiots bring http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2010/01/open-it-up.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-246181477992016709Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:13:00 +00002010-01-27T03:21:54.773+05:30lyricsSandalwoodsongThis is a English translation of one of my favorite songs, originally in Kannada. It is from a Kannada movie, Pallavi Anupallavi. The movie stands out for it's unusual story line and offbeat look. It also marks itself as the directorial debut of Mani Ratnam , and the debut of actor Anil Kapoor. But what also stands out in this movie is it's incredibly soulful music , by the legendary http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2009/11/naguva-nayana-smiling-eyes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442135638569674229.post-3922694556401763948Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:34:00 +00002009-10-08T10:08:47.801+05:30fictionloveMohan decided to take the first step this time. They had had a fight numerous times before and each time it was Rashmi who would talk her way back to him. She would dis-solve their misunderstandings, each time. This time though she had made no such efforts, yet. Mohan felt responsible for their present dispute and so resolved to make the first move. He decided that a letter would be a powerful http://aastha-inks.blogspot.com/2009/10/letter.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (aastha-inks)5