Namaste London!

So life can take quite some turns, huh!

After finally getting my life on track, settling in (and starting to like) Mumbai and my new job, another change awaited me. A new year, a new global city.

London!

Another move. Sometimes, I find it almost funny the way things have turned out for me. From not having left my hometown for almost 26 years of my existence, I have now lived in 4 global cities of the world in less than three years!

Phewww. That has been something.

Apart from the excitement, tons of new experiences and discovering new ways of living in each of these places, it has also meant painfully packing up kilos of luggage and even more painful unpacking, over and over again. How the word 'pack' irritates me now.

So, London. I arrived here unfortunately in the worst weather. London almost got a red flood alert that week. And I was not prepped up for that kind of cold. It was drippy, freezy, windy and so, so grey in the first month. I was still able to deal with the cold but the rain and high speed winds really got to me. Like how much can you wrap yourself up, right! And it is hardly encouraging when people tell you that it was hardly cold this year - because it didn't snow! Isn't that a relief to know that what when felt I could die wasn't exactly the worst.

But, it is just so lovely when the sun is out! I finally understand why people in Europe so await the arrival of summers and the sun - it hardly shows up here! So there was some sun and I made it a point to soak up a lot of it. I visited some fab places - Westminister, Buckingham Palace, Oxford Street (and I shopped! ), Madame Tussaud's, Sherlock Holmes museum etc etc. But what I have truly relished the most is visiting streets, tube stations and even restaurants featured in the books that I devoured growing up - the Enid Blyton's, Agatha Christie's and the latest, J K Rowling's. So whether it is Bond street, Baker street, Paddington station - it has all been much fun! But what I am waiting for most is to go on a Harry Potter walking tour which takes place within the city and in nearby areas where the movie was shot.

The weather has picked up beautifully since I first arrived here. Having always lived in a hot climate which essentially burns you, I need the sun! The grey sky gets to me sometimes, but its sunnier, brighter and so much less cold now. And having started work again, my spirits have so picked up.

Sooo looking forward to the approaching summer and exploring Europe like crazy!

Tada

  

What's up Doc!!!?

Oh no!

Another long gap since the last time I posted. I remember wanting to put down some stuff which I thought was interesting, but it got skipped because of how busy life had become these past couple of months. Yeah, I got back to professional life.

No way I am complaining. I am sane when my days are full with work !

I remember now. I got to see some great sci-fi movies, which managed to leave a lasting impression. It is pretty rare these days, huh. Sci fi movies are thrown at us so frequently that it is difficult to distinguish one from another. Still, I loved Oblivion and I was blown away by Gravity.

Oblivion simply stands out mostly for its terrific visuals. They were breathtaking. They stood out. I could have gone on watching the movie many times over. I haven't heard good things about the movie from people, but me -- I loved it!! The fact that it made me think after leaving the hall is something in itself. I thought the story was brilliant. Makes you think about that thin line between make-believe and truth and how perspectives can change once the facade crashes. And of course, Tom Cruise for one and half hours on screen doesn't hurt the eyes! Though I agree, the end was a wee bit convenient and hurried!

Gravity, what can I say. For me, it was a 9.9 on 10. Couldn't get enough of it. Guilty as charged - I would have loved to see more of those breathtaking visuals of the blue earth, the sun rising and the pitch-black space and feel that weightlessness and emptiness of space a wee bit longer. Not to mention the shots of the slow deterioration of the International Space Station - WooHoo! I had been waiting for this movie since the first time I saw its trailer and I knew there was no way I was gonna be disappointed by this one. Though I admit the movie wasn't that high on drama and adrenaline as one would expect from a sci-fi.

Going a bit deeper into why I Loved this one - It made me feel SO small. So tiny in front of the sheer magnitude of the outer space! For me, the last scene was the cherry on the cake and pushed this movie in my list of 'The greatest movies ever made'! That final shaky step as our protagonist lands on solid ground in full force of the Earth's gravity can be a blessing, makes one wonder (again) of how we take nature for granted, those subtle processes of nature which are so important for the survival of mankind, lost in the backdrop of our day to day worries and problems.

Gimme more, Hollywood.

Clouded thoughts

I am quite the cloud gazer and my mobile phone and I are partners in this. And why not?

I'm bookmarking this!

So like I mentioned before, I have been reading like never before. Recently, some friends were clearing out their house as they are moving abroad. Apart from the household stuff which we might take from them, I found my best junkyard sale yet: 3 new books given by them!

Yes!

This is better than anything I could have asked for! Looks like the job hunt will be on pause mode for a while. This holds true, especially for a reader like me.

A bit about my reading habits: 

I hate being interrupted in the middle of reading a book,

I hate keeping down a book to eat, drink or sleep,

I love to fall asleep while reading,

I love the smell of new books,

And I read to finish a book as soon as I can, preferably overnight

I usually order my books from Flipkart. And Flipkart sends these really cute and silly, yet extremely funny bookmarks with the books. These days I am in the habit of collecting them as and when I order a new book. 

This one is already my favorite titled Important reasons to use silly bookmarks 

What is the important reason ? 

(Click on the pic to read the text)

(even my long forgotten camera was put to use)

And on flipping, I get a pair of cool glasses to appear nerdy and keep the buggers away

Of course I don't mind one bit. 

Looks like for a change, these silly marks are going to keep me hooked on to the books ! 

Will keep posting more of these as and when I discover a new one.

Till then, its my book and me.

Teeny bopper -- Yo !!!

It's 5:30 in the morning. Am on my way to meet my lil one. And a little annoyed at choosing such an early flight. On top of that, I see that I have been assigned the emergency exit seat. Ughh. An air hostess approaches me

"Ma'am I see you are seated next to the emergency exit. Would you like to assist us for our emergency proceedings?  "

"Yeah, sure"

"May I know your age please"

"28"

"(Smiling) Actually you look quite young so I asked, like 15 or something"

I didn't hear the rest.

Didn't need to, since I had heard all that I needed to. Gone are the days when i used to get pissed off at people taking me for a school/college kid. What with the year closing to an end and another candle being added to my birthday cake, its good to know that I can still pass off as a teen on the outside.

.... Heyyy, on the inside as well !!

For the love of Mexican food - El Patio

It has been in my mind for sometime to experiment with Mexican food cooking. Other important stuff or just lack of ingredients has not let that happen. Though I have tried the most basic of Mexican sides, salsa. 

I love Mexican and have been craving for it for quite some time now. I am a sucker for this cuisine and well, what makes my liking delve into the realms of love are margaritas! Traditional unadulterated margaritas. This love, and the follow up craving, was also made possible by a restaurant which is ranked in the Top 5 of my all time favorite eating out places. Today I couldn't help but think about it.

El Patio.

Unemployment ke side effects

Yawwn !!

Been sleeping too long, haven't I :D

Well, I am awake now and hopefully would be so from now on, here on this page at least.

I kinda try to do new things, big or small. Some things are done on purpose. Like temporary unemployment. Somethings happen on their own.

Like extended unemployment.

I Have to say the initial months weren't great.

They were awesome!!

The freedom from corporate world was exhilarating! Like freed from a 9am-6pm cage.

There was so much on my plate. A new life, a new city, a completely new way of living. The months off helped me get in the thick of things, set up house etc etc. But now the no work routine is something I am looking to get off, things are just taking their own sweet time to shape up, hence the extension of the unemployment.

I was up to a lot of other things as well during this time. Things which I call side effects of unemployment. A look :

• Reading, reading and more reading. The voraciousness is back !! I am devouring books at a blitzkrieg pace, reading everything from Hindu mythology fiction, India's freedom struggle to marketing in Internet age and what not; including Harry Potter - Book 7, probably the sixth time. JKR, am still a fan \m/  And, I already have a list of ten titles in line.
• Sleeping like never before. Why a side effect? Coz I find sleeping a waste of time. Thankfully, this didn't last long.
• Made more than the usual number of trips to my beloved Delhi, than would have been possible. And spent some Quality family time.
• Writing this after a hiatus.
• Movies - of course. With my new LED, lazy afternoons turn me into a couch potato at times and I end up catching up on movies- the crappiest and the nicest ones . Crappiest -- hindi version of Serendipity; Not even going into it. Baaah
• Came around to knowing names (Mind you, ONLY names) of Hindi soaps.
• Saw Titanic ten more times and fell in love with it all over again - every single time.
• Oscillating dangerously between frustration of sitting unemployed and giving up the comforts of sitting unemployed :D
• Logged on to Linked In more number of times than I ever did these past years combined!
• Took to cooking and realized that I actually enjoy it a lot.

I guess that has been pretty much it. The hunt is on to get back to corporate world , but till then it is about doing all these things I never had the time for.

Till the next post, Adios

Mrt diaries

1. There is a universal jubilant look on the faces of those who manage to scrape through just before the doors close. Always. This is followed by nervous or victorious laughs n giggles accompanied with an occasional hi five.
2. Its almost laughable to watch people suddenly sprint to catch a departing train and then brake as suddenly coz the doors close just in front of them. Also notable is the dejected look on their faces. Errmm, though its not funny when you are on that side of the doors.
3. Most of the kids here have thick glasses, almost 95% of them. Most of the statistics are just made up, but I am pretty sure about this one.
4. A lot of times seats go empty as people prefer to stand! What a contrast to India where even bucket seats are expected to be shared.
5. There is always that old crony who elbows you, breaks the queue or shuffles past you to take that last seat. Yes, even in this extremely rule bound country.

More to follow as and when observed.

That's just my parents in one of the plentiful mrt rides. Just for that bit of glam to this post ;) 

And we parted

Finally, I belong to the Have-Lost-a-Mobile-Phone club.

I lost my phone two days back, but the realization is hitting now. 

I have finally lost a phone ! 

Oh my Blueberry. 

My striking blue colored vintage Nokia.

You were a good phone. You gave people so many chances to crack a joke and make fun (of you as well as of me). You invited stares when you were whisked out in public. You gave me some challenging times to type with you as I alternated between my smartphone's Qwerty and your ABC keypad ( Its important you know - The Lesson of adjustment ). 

Most importantly, you survived for days while my smartphone died multiple deaths in a single day.  

There it is, a glimpse of it

Bye bye, good friend.

Rain rain, stay!

Its booming outside, like cannons.

Yes, its the oncoming cloud parade. Huge grey clouds, with a promise of cats n dogs waala rain.

Am home cooking lunch with my flatmate. Intermittently, we peek outside the door and giggle mindlessly at the falling sheets of water. You know that childlike smile. Its on our faces. A perfect mirror image.

What IS it with rain that lights up the heart like nothing else can!

I feel I wanna fly, I feel I wanna dance !!!!! But for now, I'll just sing.

And I just have one song on my mind

Pani da rang ...... Tra la la la

:) :)

Image source:google

No roar in this one

A 55 minute queue for check in is not cool. Especially on an empty stomach and sore muscles from a hectic gym class.

After the long wait for the check in, there is a mad rush for the security check as the boarding stops in ten minutes. 

Huffing and puffing, we now brace ourselves for the next queue. Crossed. Jubilant, you wait for the boarding, expectantly. Not so expectantly , an announcement -- "the ladies and the gentlemans, sorry for the inconvenience (or something that sounded like that) , but the gate has shifted to f36"

Cursing, and a lil more for the bad English, I, along with my two mates, make a dash for the new gate. Another queue for security check and 25 minutes later, we finally get our seats which have been assigned wrongly.

One of the worst experiences ever. I demand some dollars back. Somehow, most of my trips in SE Asia have been doomed one way or the other. This one is clearly no exception. 

The one thing that mildly saved the day were fellow passengers; a guy straight.out of hollow man, a dude who seemed to be from sets of cast away oh, and this extremely cute kid with the cutest giggly laugh ever!

And then when you atleast expect an apology for the massive delay of 3 hours, all you get in a website to check our more deals with the damned airlines.

This Tiger is definitely crouching today ! 

Movie Duff(er)

I missed out on catching up this movie sometime back, which is India's entry to Oscar's for this year. And somehow, all my friends had either seen it or were planning to see it with other people. Having no one to go with, I thought to myself - why not do a new thing then? - watch a movie alone.

Though I should mention that my flatmate did offer to watch it with me again. But then I couldn't have forced the movie on her again, especially after the facial expression when asked to give her review.

I had always wanted to watch a movie by myself and had thought of going for the mostly empty morning show, you know as a safe first-time-watching-a-movie-alone experience. But here in Singapore, you obviously don't get zillions of shows for a Hindi movie which you do in India. So not having much choice in the show timing, I had to book one for the peak afternoon show. It was almost full by the time I booked it (we Indians are everywhere!).

As for the seats, I wanted to book the center most seats as opposed to the center aisle seats I usually book. This change happened after someone mentioned to me how the center seats are well distanced from the four corners and more importantly, people will never bug you by crossing left and right.  

So, the fourth row which I was booking initially had two seats available right in the center. It would have made sense to book one of them, right?

But no. What if people around me think that I got stood up by my date? 

So, errr, let me not book this row. 

I booked the center seat in the third row. Tolerate a little more strain, but don't let people think what they can think. 

With that done, I set off the next do-a-new-thing-today day. Movie was to follow the Harry Potter & Andy Warhol exhibition. Yes, the same exhibition.

I have already mentioned about the goodies I bought from the exhibition. Looks like those people trust us to spend tons of money on the shop. Guess that is why I was handed over an XXL sized bag for my meager purchases.   

Whoa! I was running late. Reaching the mall which housed the hall, I stepped into the lift and pressed level 7. Cursing under my breath for the hall to be at the topmost floor and at all those people who had to get off at levels 2,3,4,5 AND 6, I finally collected my tickets. Not to mention, a popcorn bucket and coke!

Once inside the hall, I realized that the movie was on and the hall, full. Armed with my handbag, popocorn, coke and my extra large HP bag, I made my way to my seat. And there, Standing at the aisle, I was dreading the trek to the centre seat.

I prayed.

Banging my HP bag on the guy in the front row, spilling some popcorn on the guy ahead, stumbling over someone's foot and somehow controlling my swinging handbag, I finally crash landed into my seat. Squirming in my seat and wishing I could disappear in it, I waited for the movie to take care of the numerous stares.

Phew! Whattay start.

But hey, the movie is on. And I have my bucket of salted popcorn. I laugh loudly at this extremely funny scene. The guy next to me is staring at me.

The expression on his face? - Totally makes up for coming for a movie, alone !

(Till the time we do a new thing again)

*Photo Credits Google

Are you two a number?

This post was supposed to come sometime during my MBA. Posting it now.

I thought I had met all types of professors. Some who were funny, some who were witty, some who could never be forgotten, some who were best forgotten.

And then came along TLo. Walking with the Staying Alive rhythm, dressed in his floral shirts, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the Laughing Buddha. To say that he had the naughtiest face ever would be an understatement.

Running into me and one of my male friends standing on the staircase talking, he looked at me and then at my friend and then back at me again. Looked with eyes as innocent as a baby's. We both looked at each other and then at him, questioningly. And he asked:

"Are you two a number?"

"Err ... No sir ... Aheem, excuse me sir .... What sir ??!!", stumbling and falling over words.

Since then, he has passed winks whenever he crosses us and words like girlfriend, boyfriend feature during intellectual discussions with him.

Oh, that's a devil smile on that monk face.

Well, he definitely gave me something to write about after all these months!

it will always be the town of your home

So many rounds to the airport to drop off departing friends. So many times having to look up at the dig board to check flight status.

There it is always.

A flight departing to New Delhi.

The name is enough to skip one of my heartbeats.

Everytime.

Its never enough when its Harry Potter

After a delay of almost seven weeks and getting a final kick from the fast approaching deadline, I finally chose the day to attend the Harry Potter Exhibition at Marina Bay Sands ArtScience Museum.

I cannot emphasize enough on the excitement which watching actual props from the movie sets on display, can generate. Maybe other obsessive fans can help me here.

Not having any HP fans around, I was going for the exhibition alone.

Even better!

Harry Potter books have always brought out this childlike wonder in me. I have spent a lot of my idle time imagining the world which Rowling has created.

This time was no different. Waiting just outside the entry to the exhibition with dozens of kids around me, I could feel my excitement mingling with theirs. I could see wide smiles on parents and kids alike. And why  not! To be greeted with the flying car was a signal of what to expect next.

After been shown through the veiled mist door, the main exhibition started. Various props, clothes, sets used from the movie were on display. Be it Harry Potter's glasses (THE GLASSES!!), the snitch which Harry caught in his mouth, Lord Voldemort's wand, Half Blood Prince's potions book, recreation of Gryffindor dormitory, Hermione's Yule ball dress, I couldn't stare at these wonders enough.

Goosebumps, Yes!

Sadly, I could not take any pics as one of the witch attendants warned us of being thrown to Azkaban if found doing so! That's a warning enough, no? :D

And as is the case mostly, there was a souvenir shop at the end. How could I not shop from the goodie store sale (not a sale though, going by the prices). Wands, pens, Hoodies, tees, book, diaries, glasses and what not! After much adjustment to my budget and sacrificing some magical stuff for others, forty five stressful minutes later, I was armed with a Gryffindor Tee, a pic of mine superimposed in front of  Hogwarts, a Chocolate frog, Bertie Botts every flavor (Not the ones from the movie!) beans and a Marauder's map. 

Yes! My very own Marauder's map. I am going to be upto no good for sure.  

Whattay day! 

HP relived all over again. 

goodbye, muscles

After an initial burst of positivity , i have started to find the gym so boring. I go alone and that adds to the boredom. Also, i have realized that i need to be distracted from my workout to be able to finish it successfully. Either the dance class across my gym or my workout playlist does that for me, mostly.

Until I discovered that the cycle I workout on has a games section! it has been fun cycling since then except yesterday.

Hitting the gym after a month's lull, I was raring to go.

Too raring.

Too tired after two hours, I gave myself ten minutes for cycling.

But wait, this Sudoku puzzle is too interesting. Lets cycle till I finish it. After all how tough can a medium level be. ( I have this obsessive fetish for puzzles and brain teasers)

Wrong! after struggling with it for an eternity, I had to admit defeat. But not before I checked the time.

25 minutes on the damn cycle.

Nice try, gym waalon. Your tricks work.

Good morning, sore muscles !!

image source: clipartof.com

Its getting rainy, Singapore!

Its has happened twice now !

For lunch I have to step out and go across to the building across my office. It is a good 5-7 minute walk, like all places in Singapore.

Twice now, just when I have finished my lunch and am about to step into the open, it has started to rain; no showers, no drizzles mind you - its torrential rains. The best part is both times I have been caught without an umbrella and a few cents in my pocket, definitely not enough to call for a cab!

The funny thing is that the other times when I have had company, it has been bright and sunny enough for flowers to bloom.

My facebook and twitter accounts saw tons of activity during that time. Thank humans for the smartphones they have created. What can I say it is to be stuck in a building for two hours straight and watch grey clouds pour down mercilessly.

I carry an umbrella everyday by the way. Just that I promptly forget to carry it with me out in the open !

No worries rain gods, I will be prepared the next time you wanna play this game :P Else, facebook will let you know about my misery, again.   

social bug

Yearning to become social again. 

In the virtual world. 

Want to reactivate my twitter account, post mindlessly on facebook, write random stuff on my blog, maybe start a travelogue.... 

Yawnn, i think ill go take a nap now 

Decisions, decisions

Sometimes there is so much happening in your life that it takes one fine day to realize that a significant amount of time has slipped away, without you having the faintest clue of how and where it went away. You are supposed to have aged but you don't feel it. 10 months back you were going to office, working your a** off, coming back home, fixing yourself a meal, catching up on stuff (if time permits), sleep off to start another similar day and then letting your hair down over weekends. The usual work life routine. Days go by like this. Ten months later you are still going to office, working your a** off, coming back home, fixing yourself a meal, catching up on stuff (if time permits), sleep off to start another similar day and then letting your hair down over weekends.

Does something change during this time? Something does. Something intangible. I have felt it, I feel it. Is it feeling aged? Am not so sure. Even though every birthday post my twenty fifth has been spent lamenting on me being pushed to the terrorizing figure of 30, I am back to routine within a few weeks. So, I can say that it is not exactly the fear of growing up. I think it is what growing up forces you do. 

Take decisions. 

Not to decide which new restaurant to try out tonight (which is one the hardest things I have to do), but to decide upon stuff which can be life altering. And with every such milestone I cross, I look back and suddenly the previous decision looks like a cakewalk. I know, the usual restrospective thought process.

Another thought which is not so comforting is that suddenly the stakeholders (or their number) involved in the decision making/affected by the decision, increases. You are no longer deciding for yourself. Soon, it will be time for you to take decisions for other "human beings". 

Human beings.

Life, you are not making decision making any easier. The thought of being responsible for other lives is mildly discomforting. Whoever said growing up is fun, lied. I wanna be that schoolchild again who was scolded by her parents, bullied by siblings and was told what to do and what not to do!

Phew, life was so much simpler when I was a kid. And the only thing I wanted to do back then was grow up. Boy, does the 16 year older me wants me to go back and tell the 10 yr old me: 

We screwed up, stay there !!          

gems

an emptiness engulfs

and coils tightly,

around the heart

...the eyes moist slightly

when all you want

is your epitaph to read:

lived a nice and happy person,

you are slapped by someone of your deeds

the head is spinning

ears are ringing

there is a numbness

but it is screaming

screaming with reality

of what I have lost

of what was mine,

what I should have cherished the most

why are the lessons lost over time?

how many chances will life offer?

god gifts few priceless gems

but showered countless in my coffer

they'll shine for you;

they love you, they'll shine some more.

So, no matter how dark the clouds,

never lose the ones, you they adore

some i lost.

some i have.

some i threw,

faulted in judging value of many, perhaps.

Time to take this as the last lesson

life anyway gives only a few.

else, soon the last of the gems will slither away defeated,

all left then will be just you, you and you