Yellow Roman Candles

Hulk...Smash!

2012-05-10T19:05:00.000+05:30

10 days back I watched Avengers. I fell in love with the movie instantly. So both B and I went to watch it again. It's actually one of those movies you don't really get tired of. One of my favorite parts?

Bamm!

Apart from that when Capt America goes... "Hulk...Smash!" and Hulk goes berserk. This baby is slowly climbing the movie charts into being my top 5 movies of all times.

How I wish we could "Hulk...Smash!" through life. Just bulldoze through all the work, unpleasantness, uncomfortable parts of our lives.I mean of course life wouldn't be as much fun but atleast you don't have to face that asshole after 12 hours of work who wants to suddenly switch lanes or the slow poke who takes 10 mins to pay 20 bucks at the toll gate.

It's interesting how both examples are driving related. It gets on my nerves even when I don't do the driving. Imagine B actually doing the driving. So even when I thought that he'd absolutely gone nuts when he declared that he now has a driving face (read really unimaginably weird face) I didn't say a thing. I figured he needed the distraction from trying to scream his lungs out and tearing apart the assholes on the road.

City traffic just plain sucks. And B's been so good. Driving me to work, then to the pool so I can pretend I'm losing weight by splashing around and back home. The schedule is literally screaming out for a break. Therefore, Rishikesh it is this weekend. Oh and I can put my camera to some real use :)

26

2012-05-03T17:44:00.000+05:30

Yes, we may think we're all destined to play certain roles, but sometimes those roles can unexpectedly change: a nervous student may discover a hidden confidence; a long time wife may confront a harsh reality; a busy mother may find her attention needed elsewhere; and a woman who wanted to do a little bit of good may be finding herself playing a much bigger role than she intended. ~ Mary Alice, Desperate Housewives

Midweek birthdays are not exceptional by any stretch of the imagination. Especially when it's mine. Just hours before my birthday I have been known to become this crabby sorehead who only wants to turn the AC on and sleep.

But over the last couple of years I have grown to accept the fact that some people will always come to wish you when the clock strikes 12 and my perfection of a boyfee will have some arrangements in place no matter how much I make him promise to not do anything at all.

and sometimes he will get the perfect gift .

But for reasons I cannot mention yet this birthday might be more symbolic than others. Might mean a teeny weeny bit more than the others. This birthday might have had me a li'l bit more jittery than others. But the point I'm trying to make is this:

Postsecret.com

We'll see what happens and where life takes us. For the longest time I have planned and planned for the way

I want things to happen. In my teenage years when I was acing my tests, getting best performer certificates at school level and even doing well in sports I never imagined I would ever not have a plan.I was "The Man With The Plan" - figuratively.

But as I glide into my late 20s expecting bad metabolism to take over I realise I don't have a plan. I'm not sure what's going to happen work-wise, life-wise. I don't even know if I want my proverbial white-picket fence house - I really like my 1st floor flat with an adorable stray dog who comes running to protect me. All I know is that something exceptional is going to happen...now, tomorrow, a year later - don't know. Till them I'm just working towards it. For now:

Only things you work on...will happen.

I'm a weird mood, yes. However it can't be easy not knowing where you're heading...or maybe not. See...not sure about absolutely anything, except this:

except it's a "he" in my case

But while I embark on this journey which I don't know anything about, amidst all our crazies and cronies and randomness and nothingness I will atleast have a super fly SLR to record it!

Weekend Trip & Music Monday #6

2012-04-23T19:14:00.004+05:30

Everybody needs a little break. And that's exactly what we got this past weekend. We went to Mussorie, a nice little quaint hill station some 6/7 hours away from Delhi. Considering how the temperature levels in Delhi have reached are-you-crazy levels, this was a very good idea and such a bliss. Also, since I'm addicted to Instagram (now that it is available for Android) so I'm going to tell you the rest of the story in Instagram (more or less).

It started with the expected greenery and mountains.

The most beautiful cottage and an equally comfy room. I don't think I'm really the hardcore
backpacking kind - I NEED a good and super comfy, double mattress beds that you can absolutely sink in.

And super cute kids who don't actually make a lot of noise but are fun to watch.
I'm not a big kid person. But these kids? They were actually FUN!

Wild Daisies. We went to the highest point of the hill station.
And we found thousands of these at ~6000ft !

Also, there is no limit to how much you can eat when you're in the hills. It's crazy. I felt like I had 2 breakfast, lunches and dinners.

On that note. We even found some cotton candy.
We took one and some 20 people ate out of it -
each and everyone reliving a vital part of their childhood.

And the lady bug that sent all the kids in a crazy frenzy. I know, awful pic but
this is the maximum my Android phone can do.

And after the most bumpy bus ride ever - HOME!

Well, Home is always good and Mondays are almost always a drag. So here's some music to get rid rid of your Monday blues: Drive By - Train

Not This Me

2012-04-17T12:53:00.001+05:30

You know, when you see some of those classic new age chick flicks and they show those busy men talking into 3 phones at the same time? No time for play, no time for friends & let alone a girlfriend. They don't return calls from family and don't know the names of the people reporting to him. The secretary does all the work, sends flowers, collects laundry et al.

Well, for starters I don't have a secretary. But I'm afraid I'm becoming that person. The one who doesn't remember birthdays or send flowers or forgets to return calls. In my defense though, I haven't forgotten a birthday and I was always bad with phone calls. But I feel like I have such less time for people. I'm on the phone almost always and when I'm not on the phone I'm on the laptop sending some damned report. Weekends, I'm too tired.

Okay, this was not the plan. That is not the person I want to become. The kind who is going through life in a hurry and everything else is a haze. Where I have no time for the people who matter or where I snap when I'm too stressed. Nope. Not becoming that.

But then my friend got admitted in the hospital because of his appendix. You'd think an organ which is of no use in your body would sit quietly without making much fuss. But no. I mean imagine the audacity of that stupid vestigial organ making life hell for you. So much so that you'll end up needing an emergency procedure. I was there at the hospital that evening.

And then M went through a rough patch with the boyfee. Her text on a Friday mroning totally shook most of us. I called her some...I don't know...bazillion times.

Last night as I lay down desperately hoping I haven't missed My Kitchen Rules episode. I thought maybe I haven't crossed over to No-Friend-No-Love-No-Love-Only-Work side of life yet. I make time when I have to. I just have buck up and do it more often. And take work a little less seriously. Leave the stress at the workplace.

I want to be my mom who would come from work and experiment with a dish that all of us swore we would never eat again or wake up in the morning and make sure she sits outside with her tea for atleast 10 mins. I want to be my dad who always had just enough ebergy left to get stuff for my art project or take me out to have my favorite ice-cream.

There was always enough energy, enough love, enough heart.

New Baby = More Complicated Strategy For Eloping

2012-04-02T18:28:00.000+05:30

I like to Elope. Once in a while. Yea, you read that right. I like to Elope.

Whenever I'm all Blah and there's nothing interesting happening I have a fake conversation with B.

"Let's Elope!"

His first reaction ever was - "But why baby? we don't need to, do we? Is there something I need to know?" Yes, it's safe to say he was scared. But then he started playing along and got even more creative than I normally do.

keep your bags packedI'll come to pick u up

and you come down from your balcony

I'll throw a rock at your window

Yes, I love crazy pillow talk.

But now we have a new baby. Our neeeewww car :) It looks fab, runs like butter and even has those lights that switch on once you slide open the mirror on the sun visor (my favoritest feature). No points for guessing that both of us are seriously crushing on this new baby. I should probably put up a picture. Anyhoo. This changes a few things though. How?

12:20 AM
Me: Lets' Elope, man.
B: How will we earn money?
Me: We don't need to. We'll sell beer or something.
B: But how will we buy fuel for our carrrr.

Silence.

Yes, this definitely changes a few things.

Complicated

2012-03-27T21:30:00.000+05:30

Have you noticed how really simple questions can be mind boggling and very very complicated?

You would think a simple "How are you?" is well...simple. But no. You're wondering do you really want to know. What about the fact I don't feel too well today or that I haven't saved money in the longest time or I had really less sleep yesterday you know. While work is fine I don't know if that's what I want to do, I'm having trouble zero-ing in on something that I really really want that is truly deeply me.
But then you put a screeching halt to your train of thoughts and say "I'm fine, thanks."

And then the customary "How was your weekend?" that makes me want to end my association with corporate life.

Weekend? Well I twisted my ankle and it wasn't even a proper weekend considering I felt so damn tired. I'm clearly over-worked. One weekend is just not going to cut it anymore. But, honestly, who wants to listen?

I mean you could've asked me how many monkeys NASA sent to space last year and you would have got the same smile & nod.

I don't know if I'm suddenly repulsed by all scoial human contact or is it just PMS. Don't know. No idea. Zilch. Nada.

What I do know, however, is if one my girls asked me that question I would actually say everything that's running through my mind. That's probably why most of our conversations start with "So where are we going drinking?"

Mom's The Word

2012-03-15T14:30:00.000+05:30

I'm not sure how this works but mom's are always right and ... they make things happen. If they say, "You'll grow up to be a handsome boy" or "You'll make us so so proud" - take my advice and believe them.

I've seen it happen.

Ecommerce Addict - Done By None

2012-03-14T14:00:00.000+05:30

OK, now, I'm pretty much in touch with everything cool that's happening in the virtual world. The latest fads, clothes, websites, twitter trends and I literally stalk Cracked.com.

A particular weakness is ecommerce websites in India. I look and scour through so many websites selling umpteen number of designer labels - it's positively mind boggling. However the other day I came across this websites selling the coolest freaking set of handbags a girl could imagine. And oh the candy colors were almost making them look edible. It's this website called DoneByNone.com.

Did I tell you they delivered in 1.5 hours!

Is that freaking super star customer experience or what?! They are launching their apparel collection and ...man, I cannot wait! I've never done a feature like post on any website I have ever visited but for this one...I had to! I even pinned about them. I'm clearly in love :)

Whole Lotta Love

2012-03-13T22:17:00.001+05:30

It's amazing how overworked I feel everyday. Ideas come and slip away. And I'm just left wanting more and more sleep.
It's amazing how B puts up with my bad mood when the work pressure is too much.
It's amazing how less I spoke when I went for one my dear friends wedding reception. And I had so much to say.
It amazing how bad I feel when I'm taking an interview and I know that the candidate wouldn't make it. I never thought I would!
It's amazing how attached I feel to some material things. I know I'm not much of a material girl (except when it comes to perfumes), so why is it so hard to get rid of that bed i bought 5 years ago or the ugly looking library card from college.
It's amazing how much I'm bothered about keeping the house clean when I've lived in messy apartments and messier rooms all throughout my college life and beyond.
It's amazing how I want to leave everything and just run away. Travel frequently and live more simply. When all that matters is a little bit of sunshine, a little bit of laughter and a whole lotta love.

Inspiration & Pinterest

2012-03-07T19:48:00.003+05:30

I have been listening to Cee Lo’s Fuck You for the 100^th time. Yesterday we drank a little too much, again. After I had promised myself I’m not going to drink myself silly on a weekday. Because frankly the new workplace comes with a lot of drama and responsibility workwise. Better pay does come at a price, you know. When I woke up it was that feeling that makes you want to leave drinking… almost. But we keep going back to those pints and concoctions…like a moth to a flame.

Anyhoo, my point is I need a little inspiration. Inspiration to write, read…you know the things that I usually love. The only thing I’m loving right now is Pinterest.

Dear Life, throw me that famous curve ball!

Life

2012-02-26T19:45:00.001+05:30

A month, thousands of tweets, hundreds of posts, a few articles and numerous memories later - we miss you. As much as that first day. As much as we ever had.

Now as some time has passed us by I know a few things for sure. There are 2 people who will never really move on from you. There are a few who will care as much as they cared before - zilch. There is that one whom I will never forgive. Because when you share houses, you share lives as well. When you can't be strong enough to be around during the worst times, you don't mean much anyways. There are a handful who will keep restoring your faith in love, life & friends.

Amongst other things, I am coming back from a weekend trip to my hometown right now. I like how life comes to full stop at home. I'm addicted to that feeling. Therefore it's obvious that I feel an overwhelming surge of sadness when I leave. I want to spend more time with my folks, talk to them a lot more, listen to them, be with them. I hate how parents have stopped being a part of my everyday life. We need to be more available to each other!

There must be a way to be at 3 places at the same time. With Mr B, with the folks & at Vegas ...preferably in a casino... winning money.

Pro-Adele, Oh Whitney & Love Games

2012-02-14T12:01:00.001+05:30

Tell me you watched the Grammys and was almost as excited as Adele at the way she OWNED the Grammys. I’m mighty glad that the Gagas and Biebers did not take over. On second thoughts, they couldn’t have. Adele’s so “real” it’s hard not to connect with her. Her non-lip synching & non-auto tuned flawless voice is her biggest asset. Apart from the fact that she actually sends out the message that you don’t need to conform and be anorexic, skimpily clad to out-shine everybody in show-business. While the industry buzzed with how REAL music won that night… they also mourned the legend that was Whitney.

The reason I loved, loved, loved Whitney was that…one of my first memories that involve music was this cassette Mum had. Album name: Whitney Houston. So like most people I know, “I will always love you” was not the only Whitney song I heard, though I did love it to bits. The Whitney love never went away. The day I discovered “I will always love you” was the day my dad almost contemplated giving me up. I would sing it everywhere – home, bathroom, classroom, lunch break, playground – think it & that place would have heard me sing. Aloud. Finally a month or so later my older cousin had to sit me down and say “I hate to break this to you but you’re NOT Whitney Houston!” So I stopped singing. Aloud. But inside my head? I was singing in front of a packed audience. Everywhere.

I hate what she got reduced to. The drug abuse, the erratic public appearances, the cancelled shows and everything she was not. I’m sure, now, she’s back to being the Gospel singer’s daughter who had a voice that could only be God’s special blessing.

In other things, Today is Valentine’s Day. (Guffaw).

Yes, I hate “celebrating” any part of it. I wouldn’t for the life of me, buy you a gift and take you out on dinner. Last time this year, I remember we were crazy broke. So I just took a printer paper and wrote “happy valentine’s day” and made some nonsensical drawing. B did the same. We were happy, content. Not because we didn’t expect a big surprise or something extravagant. But mainly because we did expect anything at all. Luckily for both of us, we loathed the idea of “celebrating” this day equally. Well, maybe B’s loathing is a degree or two more.

However, I find it very hard to be cynical towards this day. I mean how can you be disgusted with so much love all around - couple coo-ing at each other, candle light dinners, walking with that silly smile. C’mon it’s nice in a weird way. And let’s admit it. We are a busy breed and maybe having one day to remind yourself to be nice…why not? To each his own, right? So what I’m saying is you will never find a post on how commercialism is ruling our lives through valentine’s day or how corporates are making money off common people just because of this day on this blog. Ever. Because, frankly, there are bigger problems than shooing kids off the streets or banning Hallmark cards.

The A Word

2012-01-31T15:50:00.000+05:30

Abuse. The dictionary has a very simple meaning for this word. Misuse. Maltreatment.

Unfortunately it does not even begin to cover the complexity of the reality of abuse. The multiple ugly layers that it has. Take this from someone who's been there, done that. So when things turned ugly between a friend and the supposedly better half, I saw red. No matter how bad things are, how ugly the things you say to each other are, a guy/girl absolutely cannot in any extent of the imagination think that hitting the other is a possibility.

But does that really eradicate Abuse? The very nature of something like this is it works in many, discreet ways. It need not always be physical. A lot of times it's emotional and mental. Afraid to talk about that co-worker who is funny that you share a completely platonic relationship with? Or about the good things that are happening at work? Just because it might make him mad? If that's a yes...it's abuse. Most women go through life unable to even recognize those tell-tale signs of abuse. These signs may not be in-your-face but it will surely and steadily eat you up and make you a different person. I'm trying to not be too dramatic...but one day you are going to wake up and not recognize the person you have become. Also, just because I'm talking from a woman's perspective does not mean it doesn't happen the other way around. It does.

I think the saddest the thing is, abusive relationships are also addictive. You are addicted to the authority the other person brings in your life. The confidence, self - importance that compensates for your own lack of it. Because admit it if all the above were there...you would have called it quits as soon as it started. This may not be helping anybody at all as I write it...but please, please get out of it as soon as someone hits you. That's a line you don't want to cross.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I know it's hard. Easier said than done. Because when you discover the full extent of how loveless this whole fiasco is (does not matter how many times he cries and says he won't do it again) it's going to tear at the very core of your being. You'll need a heart of steel, agreed. But do it, because you owe it to yourself, to the parents who raised you like you were the only thing that meant anything to them, do it for the friends who love you unconditionally, to the perfect guy in future who is going to treat you like a princess.

Forever And A Day

2012-01-25T15:30:00.002+05:30

“Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh," he whispered.

"Yes, Piglet?"

"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw, "I just wanted to be sure of you."”

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

2012-01-24T09:20:00.003+05:30

"So when tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart,
For every time you think of me, I’m right here in your heart."

Cancer won that battle. Early Friday morning we watched helplessly as she quietly went away. We hugged and cried as there was nothing to say, no words to comfort or reason. And what do you say to someone who has lost their mother. Nothing. So you just quietly stand there and hope the tears will be enough to express the grief and hurt inside.

I thought, an ode to one of the most amazing women I've met was due. But words can't do justice to the glorious life she'd lived. So we cried some more.

Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on snow;
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
I am the gentle Autumn's rain.

When you waken in the morning's hush;
I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight;
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.

The Sound Of Heaven

2012-01-10T16:44:00.000+05:30

A couple of days back I woke up quite early for work. As I drowsily walked towards the shower, I realised that I had left the towel in balcony. Ugghh...

So bracing myself to face the freeze-your-brains-out cold outside I walked to the balcony. Hoping to get it over with soon, I grabbed the towel and started walking back. But then...

...that's when it started raining. A gentle pour, like something soft falling on velvet. And there was pin drop silence and I could see the clouds clearing up. I swear I could hear them moving/clearing. It was just a beautiful sound. It was then that I knew, everything that was going wrong would be alright. Don't ask me why, but I just knew.

I stood still for a few minutes before the biting cold drove me in.

But I couldn't help but wonder, if that's what Heaven sounds like. Either that or it sounds like B's drowsy morning voice.

Weekend Education: Dating Don'ts Part 4

2012-01-06T12:21:00.001+05:30

[Scheduled Post]

OK, here it is again. I told you the Holiday Season should officially be termed the Hook-Up Season. If you remember, I explained how people are desperate to hook up during this time. Most women definitely have their Manhunt Game face on. However, sweet and undeniably adorable that I am, I will tell you how to steer clear of the assholes. Here goes:

Never trust a guy -

1. Who thinks chivalry is for Mills & Boons historic novels.If he doesn't hold the door for you, give you the seat when the tube is crowded, he's not worth it.

2, Wears more jewellery than you. Ok, fine, this may be a more personal kind of a bias, but I do think it's a good benchmark.

3. Makes you pay for his drink. Well, equality and all that is just fine. But if he's interested in you he needs to come over and buy you a drink. Yes, this is what God wants and this is how it shall be.

4. Hits on your friends...what? there's nothing to explain! Take that at face value.

So here's hoping that this year be free of assholes in your life.

xoxo

Why Was It So Good?

2012-01-05T16:58:00.000+05:30

The other day one of my friends asked me - why was your 2011 so good?!

For a moment I didn't know what to say..I mean why was it good? I think I just came out of that year feeling like things were okay. They could have been worse, but they were not. But then, she told me a series of things that I know didn't go too well for me..and asked me if I still felt the same or was it the alcohol on 31st that made the whole year look good. As if!

She wasn't trying to drop me in the despair zone...but I think was looking for a way to see if she should be feeling happy about 2011 at all. Because I will admit, 2011 wasn't her year.

Then I thought there MUST be something more than me feeling "Oh, I came out of the year feeling good!" What were the things that made me happy?

- For starters, after a really long time I got something solid going with a guy whom I adore and who loves me back equally if not more.

- Second, I was beyond ecstatic when I realized that my parents saw the side of B that I fell in love with and actually really loved him! I was more grateful for the fact that they did not make a fuss about religion/caste or what not like most households. They showed the exact same values that they taught us growing up. It's very important for your parents to not fail you at any time...

- Over the course of the year some of us became a family away from home.

- I also realized no matter what people say there are some people who will remain friends and it doesn't matter if they're Down Under, Or partying with Uncle Sam or just rotting 2 buildings away.

- It's IMP to have a BFF. Or two. You need a little perspective when everything else fails.

- Sometimes you need a little push and a shove to get out of your comfort zone. Once there, you could be braving it better than anybody else.And things that matter, don't change just because you changed jobs.

So while, there will be times when the breath is knocked out of you and the ground is pulled from under you and, in either case, you fall, you just have to make sure there's someone to catch every such fall. In case the fall is too bad and they fall with you, make sure you laugh it off.

Because everyday does not need to be a battle. Choose your fights. And choose your Army. Because on days that you think you can't fight no more or that the fight is over, your army is what will carry you forward.

2011...

2012-01-02T10:44:00.000+05:30

rocked better than Jagger.

Dear 2012, I don't know how you can top 2011. Just try and be half as good, OK?

Blogoversary, Resolution Wisdom, Life List Alert!

2011-12-27T14:44:00.001+05:30

Tomorrow is my first Blogoversary! Yay. Wow, we survived people! Also, it'll be the end of another year. Maybe it's just me, but this year went by at lightning pace.

New year always brings with it hordes of resolutions, that more often than not we end up not doing or "breaking." So, I made up a list of resolutions that everyone can draw inspiration from and more more importantly are doable:

1. Eat everyday.
2. Sleep everyday.
3. Don't whine
4. Don't steal other people's boyfriends
5. Never flash a stranger
6. Don't daydream at work. Doesn't matter if owning a bakery looks glamorous in movies, not think about it as a career move unless you can bake better than...well, most pastry chefs of the world.

And here are resolutions you shouldn't make:

1. Lose weight/Go to gym EVERYDAY (please, get real.)
2. Get married by Valentines Day. (Well, you need a person of the opposite sex for that)
3. Stop using Facebook and Twitter. (Ha! let me see you do that)
4. Give up on alcohol. (Who're you kidding? Don't ruin the only good thing you have going for you!)
5. Become Awesome! (Seriously? Do you hear your self. No matter how much you want to...you are NOT on How I Met Your Mother!)

In other things: I finished 6 items on my Life List! The last one being making a full three course meal for family and friends! I didn't even realize until I started talking about resolutions and what-not. There was: Russian Salad, Fried Fish, Chilli Chicken (It happens only in India), Hash Brown Potatoes & Fruit Cream. I think maybe, just maybe it was more than 3 courses. Job well done, good old me! So at the rate I'm going I might be done with my Life List in the next 7.5 years. That's not bad. But then, oh, I'll have more things I want to do...damn! it's vicious, never-ending cycle.

Anyway, till then I'll bask in the glory of getting some things done and having attained the super-power you need to overcome the trend of resolution-making.

First Day At Work

2011-12-26T17:28:00.000+05:30

The last time I remember being genuinely nervous and having sweaty palms was in 2004 as I entered my college gates. Today, surprisingly, I was nervous! Ah, Mr. Change, why this kolaveri di?

But once the initial moment is over - it's amazing how easy things get. The best part was I knew everything about the things they talked about, but then, I guess that was the point of hiring me. Also, there is office boy who actually gets your coffee/tea right to your desk...yes, right to your desk! However right in the middle of the work day everything became a major blur...afternoon siesta time. But then I willed myself back to consciousness. It was my first day of work in a looong time - had to etch it in my memory.

However, I was the first to reach work, courtesy Mr. B driving me down. 'No! My baby's not going to work alone on her first day' - he put his foot down & I was more than happy to let him. SO I looked around the office, got an early cup of coffee, made plans on how I should decorate my desk while the others arrived. Once the zillion forms had been filled out and the bank account with 1500 priviledges set up, we had 2 hours to while away. Which is too bad...because all I wanted to do was run to B, who was 3 buildings away and give him a detailed account of how my day was. First day impressions are important!

So, the first day was pretty much perfect and subdued considering I didn't have to battle it against the Delhi Metro. I'll give you an update once I start using it. Because I may be a Public Transport Ninja...but commuting via Delhi Metro is no mean feat.

The Thing About People & Wants

2011-12-23T14:11:00.001+05:30

...is that people don't really know what they want when they need it & when they want it, they can't have it. Cinderella hit gold when they said 'you don't know what you got till it's gone.' I concur.

Take A Giant Leap Of Faith With Me

2011-12-20T17:38:00.000+05:30

It's been 18 days since I've been here. I don't think I've been away from the blog that long since it started. It's going to become 1 year old in a week from now. How time flies. Anyhow, the shutdown was part intentional, part forced. I wanted to get rid of everything while I focused and concentrated on getting that right job. Sometimes it helps to not be distracted... by the internet I mean.

So while I plunge myself into the Road Never Traveled I'm scared, excited and skeptical at the same time. B-Boy is his usual positive self and for some reason my friends (my real friends, that is) have this indelible faith in me which more often than not leaves me flabbergasted. Also, thankfully somehow that last week or so has been jam-packed with events with no time to think about how I was going to tackle the future. Between friends, alcohol, overflowing love and catty fights it's easy to forget things that will eventually come and scare the daylights out of you.

So here I am a week from my joining date, 5 days from Christmas, 10 days from the New Year - and all I can think about is that what a pleasant surprise this last year was! I remember thinking - Bring it on, 2011! and boy, did it bring it on and how!

There were goodbyes, but there were also amazing, fabulous new friendships forged. There were tears but there were also side-splitting, loud, insane laughter. We were broke but we splurged. We broke down but then we were so, so strong! There were fights but we also made up. This was the year, that gave us a lot but also took away loads, that changed us but also let us remain the same. And while remembering this, I realize it was really all about the faith.

That's what I like about the New Years - it makes you hopeful. That little glimmer of hope that tells everything's going to be alright. So, that's what I'm doing. I'm hoping and keeping the faith and asking you to take a Leap Of Faith with me. A giant leap of faith, at that.

Weekend Education: Dating Don't Part 3

2011-12-02T06:25:00.001+05:30

Dating Don'ts are back to make your lives happier & less traumatic. This time a more advanced state of dating don'ts is in store for you. Let's say you managed to convince some poor fool that you are meant to be together...forever (yikes). You took his/her commitment phobia stomped on it and made it disappear for enough time so as to make him believe that he/she would be really happy with one person for the rest of their lives. So much so that the thought of kids, runny noses, minivans, houses with white picket fence and babyproofing that same house doesn't scare them out of their wits...anymore.

I will take a moment here and acknowledge the awesomeness that is you, because you managed to do something that a lot of people...well, can't.

However, let me tell you for most of you while you're dating - it is the best your relationship will ever be. There are addendums to that rule, but let's assume that is not for you, Ok? So when you're planning to seal the deal with a kiss and a bomb of a ring - here is what you should keep in mind:

Make sure you're alone while you're popping the question that keeps the human race moving forward. And maybe a few close friends for the after party. Trust me you need to do this. You need to remember how good you two are together and how happy you were while doing it. You need you're happiest memory in place for the times you want to throw utensils at each other!

Also, once the families take charge, there's no looking back. Everything goes in lightning speed and there's hardly enough time for you to catch your breath & the whole shabang. So, while you can, get the private moment and save it in your memory.

5 Minutes

2011-11-22T07:26:00.012+05:30

Source: http://dearpseudodiary.blogspot.com

When a woman says "I'll be ready in 5 minutes" and when a man says "Let me call you back in 5 minutes", both essentially have the same time frame in mind.

So, Dear Men, when you groan, get angry and throw a fit over why she can't be ready in "5 minutes" think of how much time it would take you to "call her back"

And, Dear Women, before you free-fall into depression, become suicidal and decide to slash your wrists because he hasn't called you back in "5 minutes" think of all of the hours you've had him waiting because your ass didn't look too flattering.