Asleep at midnight

 Yes, the day was hectic at work, and yes, the day was even more hectic at home (with 'Hindi ka exam' tomorrow )

Ideally, it is easier to sleep after an exhausting day. 

But I am awake, enjoying my random reads, way past midnight!! 

Wondering to myself....why am I doing this? Why dont I sleep after such a draining day. 

And something inside tells me, rather asks ...was it 'draining really?'

Yes, it was hectic at work! But then, I enjoyed every bit of it....because I love my work. 

And yes it was hectic at home with Chia's exams, but I enjoy sitting and studying with her (trust me, I am in no position to teach unless.first I study it myself)

And so I realise from my experience what I already read in Ikigai some years ago, that thoda sa stress to achha hi hota hai. 

Being happy and content with my efforts in some areas charge me up to do 'little' more, moreover, it is so rewarding to look back at a constructive day. 

Aapke saath bhi hota hai kya kuchh aisa? 

The soft spoken and the splurge

 Dear dad,

Today I had a 'nice' day. 

Well, you already know there are various kinds of nice for me. Like a one where I laughed a lot, or the one where I am so quite and yet so content, a one where I indulged in physical activity which completely exhausts me and gave those happy muscle aches.

Well, today was your kind of nice. A one where I enjoyed the finer things in life, and the one where I felt so proud of the person I have become. 

The trigger for me writing this top notch 'bakar' is the lady who came to do my pedicure at home. 

And she complimented me - Mam, you are very soft spoken. 

Maybe to your astonishment as well as delight, I get this compliment so often, that I sometimes feel right to think as one of my trait. 

And let me tell you, I paid double for this pedicure than what I used to pay till last year. Not in top for her sweetness, but because thats how rates for home service have increased, and I just wanted to splurge. 

Also today morning, being all alone, I treated myself to the kind of morning that feel is so rewarding. A pricey coffee with a pricey piece of bread in a cafe where we don't go very often.

And honestly, I enjoyed it so much. I have told Ravi and my Mehta family several times jokingly, that I like spending money. 

But today, I not only understood, but truly felt, that it's not a joke. I like feeling expensive. 

And why I am thanking you for it? 

First, the soft spoken part - You remember how you used to ask me to talk softly every single day? I still remember when we were having dinner in front of our 27 inch texla, and you asked me to get up and go if I can't talk softly. 

Though it did feel rude at that time, but only now I know how it shaped so much of my routine communication. Having a voice which used to be a replacement for mic during power cuts is not an easy thing to tame. But you did it, and I feel so proud today when I get sweet compliments for my soft spokeness. 

And then, I still remember you took so much pride in the lampshade you bought which costed more than your two month salary.

And that you took us dining in restaurants like Rajdarshan and Paras Mahal. 

What you have taught me is that money adjusts itself according to your wants (not needs) and taste. And it takes good experiences, company and time to think right to build the good taste and vision. 

Normally the materialistic things don't matter much to me, but today when I was in that cafe and on a video call with a very close friend in Singapore...we did talk about the regular stuff like kids and husband, but both of us being from Amadeus, we talked business too.

Something happened there...we talked about opportunities and experiences, the unique and good ones which only few in Amadeus have....like interviewing a sr leader, or driving a panel discussion, sharing aspirations and motivating each other. 

 And I felt I was automatically in a mood to talk about it because of the good ambience that I was in. Also, I could totally imagine myself doing all those extra ordinary things that our leaders do, coz that cafe was making me feel that I am in the same class, and I am part of the same elite. 

Hell yes, I paid more for one person's breakfast than what we normally pay for all three of us together, but having those dreams and aspirations was totally worth it. 

And that I am able to feel the importance of it all and enjoy it without worrying about the unnecessary and completely avoidable expenses, I think is something that I inherit from you. 

Taking pride in your achievements, taking pride in how you played the game of life, it all comes from you and thankyou for that. 

Luv you! 

A Blue and a Takoi

 Blue Tokai! Isnt that an interesting name for a café, thats why I invited myself to it on a day which was only mine.

The episode starts by being a mom of 12yr old kid. No wonder weekend school sometimes feels like the best idea ever. It is one such day.
Normally, myself and Ravi treat ourselves to Lunch dates on such occasions, but today he too had some plans with his office colleagues. 

So even without planning, I had the luxury of what today's word has branded to be "THE Me TIME"

Being in South India since over a decade, I am not only Idli/Dosa lover but a loyalist too, and so, that's how I thought I would start my day. But then something in me told me...."Garima, plz dont be a bore!!! Today should be different."And you know when it is coming from the only person that you listen to, you cant ignore it ;) (Ya, main apni favorite hun :P) 

So I head to this café where all the items display calorie information along with price. 
After a certain stage in life (stage...because I am just avoiding the word age), high price doesn't bother you as much as high calories!! 

So my Natural Intelligence managed some complex algorithms which no AI can ever do for me --- connecting calories, my inner voice, my natural self, several memories from yester years and those carefree days, who I am , who I want to be, and plethora of emotions and feelings and ambitions and what not  ---  I finally made my order and selected a seat. And for no reason at all, I started singing to myself "I can buy myself flowers"  
(Though I feel there should be another version of the song, singing -- I have someone to buy flowers for me, yet, once in a while, I would like to buy my own!)  

Being a quite person (dont laugh, I truly am), I normally like sitting by myself and just looking around. I can spend hours doing just that. 
But then, the "bore bore bore" voice came in again and challenged me again to make it a different day with different choices.
I wish I was wild, but I am just me, so my choice then was ... a group call... to one of my group which is named "Best Buds Forever" 

Now this group, is one which has never appeared on my social, but it truly stands for its name. Four of my bestum best friends, each from a very different background, culture and with such different perspectives and ideologies, each one a strong pillar in herself!! 

I got reminded of the very little, but super beautiful time I had with all of them. 
Oh boy! And the last time I met them all was in a café too. 
Giving in to nostalgia, the call was made, whoever could, they did, and I am so grateful for that.


So we created the perfect virtual cafe vibe, where we chatted, while I had my Croissant (which reminds me of all the time alone I have spent in France) and the cold coffee (which reminds me of all my pocket money and early earnings I splurged in CCDs)

After a very short 45 mins call (time is relative, you understand with experience), here I am - all charged up, rejuvenated, motivated, cheerful, thrilled and so much grateful for the world that I live and love in. 
(Surely, it can and has to get more peaceful, but...that's a talk for another day)   

Just like me, I wish you too have those "Best Buds" to whom you can talk to, who will support you morally come what may, who will not judge you for what you are but rejoice with you and appreciate the human you have become and understand the reasons behind. 
Trust me, it's a luxury beyond any material. 



So, I really hope you do, but if you don't...I am here for you.
To see you laugh, or to cry, or being just so happy for our guilty or the dreams, and imagining ourselves with a Tokai, taking pride in whatever and whoever we are.  

Like Forest Gump

 I started narrating our farm construction story to one of my colleague - Amit today. After like half an hour Shakti joined and I kept telling the story. 

Then in few minutes Amit realised his meeting which was about to start in 30 mins already began, so he had to leave. 

I continued my narration with Shakti and the story took a while to finish.  

Why am I writing this down?

Because this episode reminded me of Forest Gump today....and he is nothing less than a legend in my book. 

Add on - 

Also, I was planning to pen down our farm stories, and the interest I saw in my story made me feel stronger about the idea.

The Gluten Feeling

I have a hubby who can relate almost anything in this world to FOOD.
Working in kitchen with him is like entering a battlefield...he being the stronger one (ofcourse) and me just trying to avoid him to make my moves and do things that i really want.
Do i like it? "NAyyyy" ...o wait,...but "Yayyyy"...no no...its "Nayyy" !!!
Confused - because of the good and the bad times. There are mostly bad times when my recipes (however good they are) are overwritten by his "Final touches" - People who cook would know how irritating that is!
There are worst times when you keep things chopped and ready for you to cook, only to realize that they are being cooked by "Mr Chef" while you decided to be away for silly reasons like may be put an apron before starting or something else.

There are even tussles sometimes to get hold of the "Cooking position"  but even when you win that it wont matter as the 'overwriting' will still happen then.
But then, there are good times as well - when we help, we talk, we laugh, we appreciate ...When 2 souls amicably come together and create a marvel for the taste buds. (Mostly for the sake of Paneer I
wd say :D)

I guess it was one of those times when he said that, but before he said that...there was something else.

It was the gluten. The dough preparation is without fail my duty and so is chapatti. People who know me  already would know how hateful a job it seems to me - The rotis!
But then, you gotta do it - because somebody has to do it, and Chia is too small to be able to do it for me!!
(What? Did you say she already does it and better than me as she already did that one time in her 4 and a half year lifespan? - If yes, then i know its you bhai :P)

So, it starts with dough. Its quite a mindless job i tell you. I have started liking "doughing", it gives enough time to be with your own thoughts.
At one such instance, it so happened that i was too busy thinking something while preparing the dough. And so deep were my thoughts that i kept twisting and turning the thingy till...i heard "WOW! tune to shandar gluten activate kar diya yaar!!" Post which we had some discussions and arguments regarding gluten itself, but Result - awesome chapatis!!! Amazing compliments!

If somebody asks me about my turn-on's - its appreciation. So, the days past by and the activated gluten kept our lives happy for days to come.

Then one fine evening, i was returning back from work while listing to FM. It was thanksgiving day and the RJ was asking some random people some random questions as to whom and what you are thankful for or something alike that i dont remember well - which triggered the idea.
So, back from office, while cooking together, I just asked Ravi if he would like to thank me for anything (Why i did not tell him rather what i am thankful for? hmm!!! never thought about that before :P)
The answer - he stops chopping for a while, turns towards me, looks into my eyes and says - "Thanks for activating Gluten in my life!!!"
.....
...
.
Something happened in that moment.
And the story of the gluten embossed a happy and content memory in our lives forever.

Main = Moti

Its a bright sunny day in the winter. I got up happy, had happy breakfast, got ready for office wearing happy clothes - my Jean and T-Shirt. I stand straight and look down straight to the floor. Oh, where are they? I cant see them...my feet!!!!
Oh!! That bulge...its my belly :(
Not only cant i see my feet, i also cannot see the floor 100s of meters away from my feet :(
Suddenly the happy day does not look to be happy anymore, and that happy breakfast!!! OMG, why did I even touch the Breakfast???  :(
Looking deeper into the mirror, i see those big ladoo sized ...wat? Are they MY cheeks? :( :(
I used to look thinner than this even during pregnancy!!

It has been ages now that I have started thinking about exercising regularly and remain fit.
My New Year resolution last year was to exercise atleast for 15 mins daily morning. Yeah sure, Resolutions are made so that they can be broken. Obviously I broke this one too, but guess when? Smarty you, yes correct - the very next day - on 2nd Jan :D


No no, I am not saying I am proud of it.

 It's just that I find food so sinfull!! Oh...the Paani Pooris and the chaats, the Tandoori Mushrooms, that lasagnea, those Mexican wraps, and and and...do you know Dominas has resumed the double Cheese crust after 5 years? Yeah...that double Cheese crust is what my body is made up of!


No no no no Garima. You are eating too hard to 'vaporize' yourself. Do something about it.
But what?
And at that very moment, I caught attention of one of the Yellow pamphlets which are genarally circulated with newspaper and blindly put aside for the bin.
It read 'YOGA'.
Yoga? What time? Well...5:45 am to 6:45 am. Hmm...can I?
I stopped exercising because I don't have time in the morning amid all that cooking, and cleaning, and feeding blah blah. (You think it's just an excuse, right??? Well, I don't blame you, because I think so too. huh? !!!)

I can't really say I am busy at this time doing this and that to make all of us ready for the day. Maybe I will have to give up on some of my precious 'Dreams' (They say morning dreams come true dont they? O ya they do, so why don't i just DREAM about shedding ponds right in the morning instead of going for Yoga? argh...let go your thoughts Garima, You are too good at excuses.)
So, the only thing I will miss upon is Dreaming. (And yes, sleeping, but thats the only thing I can cut my time on if ever I think of doing anything apart from routine. So I think that's fine.)

Ok, so decided. Yoga to start on 4th Jan 2016...when everybody else is sleeping.
Lets see how it works :P...rather...'how long' should I say?? :P

What do you do to stay fit?
Except 'abandon eating', please share whatever ideas you got. Would love to read them.

Happy Birthday to ME!

Never thought, and I don’t believe I am doing this. 32^nd Birthday!!!

From a tiny toddler, to a young carefree girl, to an independent lady, to a wife, to a mom, to a working mom…whatever state I have been in, I have always been super-excited about my birthdays. Who else would write card to themselves, and wrap gifts just for the sake of pleasure of opening gifts wrapped beautifully :D

Mom and dad had always been there to make it a special day for me, but if I felt that the pampering I am getting is not good enough for me, I had all my ways to pamper myself. Well, since past 8 years, I have never felt the need of additional pampering (Ya! Its when I met Ravi).

But due to some events yesterday, we were not in the best of our selves and hence Ravi had no intentions to pamper me -It was decided not to take a day off. 

In all these (so many) years, I dont remember when I went to office on my Bday…I think never. And true it is that I did not want a day which started with cooking breakfast, to cooking lunch, and after lunch take a nap, and then whatever time is there spend it in chit-chat …not about ourselves or our plans/dreams or anything that’s related to us, but about others and their lives …ya…my in-laws are here :D

Anyways, got Chia ready, sent her off to school, Ravi also left for offce, and I was on my way to Office…Driving riding. Riding is a good time. This is the only time I get to spend with myself. What I do in this time? Well…think about things, dreams, visualize Chia eating her food and milk :P (that’s my most desired fantasy BTW), think about Ravi caring about what I love, think about ma-pa & wish mumma to come here and spend time with me, sometimes even solution to the current business requirement I am working on J, and if I am in not in a thinking mood, simply hum songs or sing them loud (Ofcourse helmets are sound-proof, aren’t they? ) 

So, I was riding…and I had this sudden urge to listen to my heart - which said - "Garima! I still beat for YOU. Please don't forget the person I beat for." 

I wanted a break. A break from everything and everybody!!! And more-more-much-more than that, I was craving for pampering.

So lady!!! If you know what you want, then why dont you go and get it? Why don’t you become that carefree girl again who did not depend on anybody for getting some pampering??? Fighting this idea with myself, I found myself stopping by a toy shop. Taking my phone out, I messaged my boss “Not coming today. Thnx for your wishes :D”
Also, decided not to tell anybody at home that I escaped for my self. 

Then, got inside the shop, bought few things Chia would so love to have (Including story books :D), got it gift-wrapped beautifully. I love to imagine that she also loves the gift wraps as much as I do :P

Ok Garima…what next? Maybe…get some gifts for myself? Hmm…I like that idea.
Took the road to shopping mall, spent some good amount of time seeing each and everything in the display (ladies with indifferent shopping partners would understand what a joy this is :P). Then picked up things which I don’t essentially need, more importantly I know m never gonna use them. Things which can ONLY be gifted. 

Then went to the cafe there and ordered my favo frappe and aaram se settled in the couch thinking of something which I love doing but I rarely get time to do it. Click!! Writing.

Yes yes, I will write, may be a letter? My be some home ideas that are ringing in my head since long? Or, may be just a diary page? Ya, I dont remember when I made an entry in my diary last. Diary Page it is. 

Ok Laptop buddy, I need you. Alas, they think people are thiefs and thus find it so necessary to lock the laptop bag, grrr…where do I write then?
And then I caught attention of the office family day invitation card which was still there in my purse. (Also the reason for our fight).  And then the coffee got served with some tissue papers too ;)
Yippie…just the thing that I need.

So here I am writing all this which I think may become a post for my dormant blog, if so, then that will be THE gift for myself.

3 hours of ME time seems to be the best gift for my bday. I so clearly remember now what I am, rather than what people around want me to be.

And now…having this ample ME time, Ravi…I have started missing you now.
Love fighting with you…it brings out the best in me ;) 

Finding Ninnu

I am writing this post just because I had to.
Why? Purpose?
Well...Nothing :) Just some random thoughts.

Long time, did not post anything.
So, what should I talk about?
Lets talk about Passion today. I feel happy when people do things out of their way to pursue their passion.
What? What did I just say???
I feel Happy, when others pursue their passion? Wondering why I just wrote it (though going deep into this thought, I realize it is so much true)
I had so many passions in life. If I think back, there was a time that I loved reading. Hehe...don't know whether I mentioned this story anytime earlier, but have to tell you this.
I was in my college and the exam time was approaching soon. I used to get up early to study. My parents obviously aware of this. Once, there was a power cut @ 5 in the morning and I was studying in candle light. My dad passed by my room gave me a smile and very affectionately asked me to stop studying in dim light. I did not pay much attention, gave him a smile and continued studying.
In no time he was at my desk and and and!!!! His facial expressions are unforgettable. He found me reading a thick book, but it was a "Sydney Sheldon" :P
And guess what! It was not the first time. During school days(And again during exam times), my mom caught me reading "Gone with The Wind" which I was hiding behind a syllabus book. Funny, I don't remember the subject which I was pretending to study, but I remember all books with which these incidents have happened.
Oh yes!! I was passionate about reading.

Then there was a time, I was so passionate about sketching. Every week I had to do one, else I used to become restless. Obviously, I don't do it anymore, and hence few of them have become my priced possessions.

And how can I forget the time when I used to write poems during 12th standard. I wrote 26 of them including Hindi and English.
Why I never shared?
Well, I am trying to search for this diary since 7 years now, but it's lost somewhere :( :'( :'(
It really hurts thinking about that.
O, I did publish one. Hahaha, reading this one after ages now, and it looks so funny now :P
But I was in my teens, and that's a stupid age. So please don't laugh :D

What else?
Shopping, Haircuts, Movies - infact, my movie collection, My First Desktop, those photoshop collages, My Play-lists,  hand-written letters, hand-made cards, travelling, gossiping...
Hmmm!!!
Forget  about passion, I have to balance time amongst essentials now. So, If I wish to exercise in the morning, I have to skip reading News Paper.
Hooo!!! This topic is making me sick now.

Change maadi!!!

Lets talk about something happy. (As if passion is not, but...ok :) )
Happiness?? Why Not!
Yeah, happiness.
So, how would you define happiness? For me, I feel happy when people around me are happy. And I feel happiest, when people around me are happy because of me.
And, if there is something that would make me happy, but would not be ok with Ravi and Chia, I wouldn't feel happy doing it.
What??? So, to sum it up, Happiness for me is now, not to be unhappy???

I don't understand myself now.
I HAVE a happy life, a happy family, an "almost perfect" husband, a wonderful and sweet baby. Ravi supports me in almost everything (Till the time it does not come to car driving :P all of you know it now), shares my responsibility, takes care of Chia better than me. He is simply wonderful. Infact, as they say, my Monday fasts have paid me well ;)

Still, I am not able to change this philosophy of happiness I mentioned above.
Being selfless, you can just be happy about not being unhappy?
Does being happy means being selfish?
Hooo!!! M completely sick now.

One of the strangest post ever.

Tanu, I miss you. And yes, I had been thinking about writing this since we talked last time. (Also somehow I am wishing I shouldn't have got time to write this up and hence think more in this direction and get all confused about my feelings :P)
Wish both of us could have some extra time to chat/talk/whatsapp each other.
Tanu ofcourse means Tanupanti, but somehow this Tanupanti inspires me to LIVE :)
And yes Raji, as promised 2 years back when you were trying to inspire me to write something, mentioning you in my post as well ;)
You see, I am good at keeping promises :)

And guys!! If you are wondering what does this title means, well, as I had no nick-name, so my PG mates nick-named me Ninnu. And I think those Ninnu days were one of the best days of my life.

Finding a Role Model

How does it feel when you are able to see where you want to be say 20 years from now?

I met this awesome French lady "Lawrette" who had come to take one of the travel domain trainings in office. Though the training was for 4 days but because of work pressure, I could not attend after 1st day.
Feeling sad (and guilty for unnecesseralily occupying a seat) I went the next day to apologize.

Before I tell you what we talked about, I would like to tell you my first impression of Lawrette.
I enter the training room, one nice middle aged french lady is already sitting in the room.
Blue eye shades, dark grey mascara, very pretty haircut, to top it all a very smooth and glowy skin...i never could imagine she was 59 if i had never talked to her about personal life. She was old, yet so pretty. Weird combination? O, you should see her once to believe me.

So, I go ahead and apologise having to miss such an informative session where she was not only sharing knowledge on the given topic but also her experience in various travel related organisation and associations. One topic led into another and so on, I did not realize when we had actually started talking about home, kids, husband - LIFE.
And why instantly we connected is because when I told her I have a 20 month old baby, she also started telling me about her life experiences when both her kids were small. She loved raising them, teaching them good habits, teaching them about good behaviour and being polite, teaching them what is right what is wrong. The moment she told me this, I could so well recollect how momji insisted that we should leave Chia with her as I want to work, and how I explained to her How important it is for me to see Chia grow, teach her Sorry , please, thankyou, inculcate good habits and good language.

She liked it when she started working after her second baby. At home, there used to be no time, but at work, she could find some time to relax. She told with a naughty smile that sometimes she used to rush for work to get her space :P
And this reminded me of the first week when i started working after Chia :P

Lawrette before babies, indulged in too many adventure sports, excercise routine, reading etc; but after babies, she hardly used to get time for anything else. Sometimes even husband was forgotten for the sake of babies. People to whome I generally talk would have heard similar stories from me :)

Then I did tell her I do want to have another kid sometime in future but Ravi does not. For which she started talking about the relationship she shares with her brother. They talk a lot and discuss about almost anything and everything, so she also feels that having more than 1 kid certainly makes up for the company and kid is not rendered alone.
To this, I almost remember the statement that i always make to ravi "What fun could possible Garima have without Gaurav? And you would agree the same for Rinku without Shinu" :) :) I felt as if an older form of me was talking about my thoughts and ideology :P
She says "That phase when your kids are small and need all your attention, is like a tunnel. If you plan for a second one, you may think of the tunnel to become a little longer.
In your age, spending those 2-3 extra years would mean something, but you should take it like this: Say your baby is 3 years, and you talk about her 1 year, it's 1/3rd of a lifespan that you are talking about, so it's huge; but at my age, if i talk about 1 year, the % is much smaller and hence that 1 year is nothing to me. Investing those extra years makes so much sense to me now"
Wow! I never thought on these lines.

When her 2nd baby was 5 years, she decided she will start gymming again. When her baby was 9 years, she started playing Piano again which used to relieve her from all tension. She did start reading again, but only after 15 years.
I was little disturbed, rather scared to hear this. 15 years!!!! Man, will it happen to me too?
But then, she started explaining:
"It's just a phase of life. Although I love adventures, but when I look back the most adventurous things that I have done is raising kids. You do have to invest all yourself during the initial years, but then what you get in return, words are less to express those feelings.
It's so nice when your daughter comes to you and say "Mumma thankyou so much for whatever you have done for me."
 :) :) :) "
It definitely was a goose-worm moment for me.

At 60, she does have retirement plans and much more fun and adventure plans after retirement.
I cannot think of that long, but she has definitely inspired me to be even more attached to Chia, find out time for Ravi inspite of the busy schedule and yet have time for myself to indulge in activities I like.
Tough??? Ya! looks like, but it would be interesting trying to work that out.
And why not...this is a blog after 2 years or little less, let me consider it as a start ;)

Thnaks Lawrette for making my day a happy one and giving such an inspiration.

Yet Again...

30th Jan, early morning around 2:30 am, 2nd night after Chia was born!

I was totally bedridden, could not even get up without help.
Little Chia started crying. Till the time her Dadi n Nani woke up, Chia's papa was already up - beside our bed with bottle in his hand.
He was looking lovingly towards our daughter - bottle in a hand, napkin in another - feeding the baby with so much affection in his eyes. Right in that moment - I fell in love with him AGAIN :)

Hi Body and Soul

Personal Life these days:

Have you heard of Snapdeal, Dealivore, kooves etc? Yeah right…sites which you can use to get things for yourself without making your hubby’s temper loose on the amount you spend :P

There was a deal from Body and Soul offering Fish Pedicure…something I was longing for since a long time. I took the deal a week back and thought of taking an appointment this weekend.
I am a happy soul…a relaxing weekend including pampering oneself! What else could I ask for :)

Professional Life these days:

Working as Business Analyst for our business Partners based in Europe. Daily interactions with clients, some documentation, some testing and lots of complaints these days as things are not working they were suppose to.
And yes…I hate Lotus Notes. Outlook was so much better (An inspiration to write this blog)  :-/

Read on for the explaination---

One Fine day (Today):

I am in office jotting a mail to Nicolas:

Hi Nicolas

This is not working that is not working 

blah blah blah…
So I am blocked and cant work.

Thank you!
Garima

‘Send Mail’

Meanwhile, Ravi pings me on gtalk:(By the way, galk is the best thing I like in my office :))

RV: Did not get an appointment for this weekend

Me: body and soul?

But unfortunately, I saw my message was not displayed in the chat window…then where the hell did it go?

The Horror Show begins:

I realized immediately, that this stupid Lotus Notes was performing the Spell Check before sending the mail and it had highlighted the word “Nicolas” for me to correct. Ofcourse…dictionary could not have his name.

To add to the climax, my mail had no other spelling mistake…

Any guesses guys????

Yeah!!!

The mail which was sent to Nicolas was:

Hi body and soul?

This is not working that is not working 

blah blah blah…
So I am blocked and cant work.

Thank you!
Garima

:( :( :’(

Bu hu hu hu

Yeah ofcourse…it was marked to lots of people.

Subak subak :’(

Ok! What can I do next…

Ah! The recall feature and a big sigh of relief! :)

Nicolas being in a different time zone would login only after an hour.

Manager and TL both standing over my head wondering how could I do it???

AND...guess wat?? The Lotus Notes version we are using does not have Recall option!!!

Can you believe that?????

M dead meat!

And laughing stock for the entire team. 

NICE is Nice

Today I got reminded of the time in Noida when I used to go for movie, coffee and McD all alone :) Its not that my frenz never accompanied me...its just that they could not tolerate just every movie in theatre...and i was crazy to watcheach and every one. Nyways!

I m in Nice City (France) right now.

I got reminded of those bachelor singleton days because today there was nobody to accompany me on a city tour of Nice.
I was roaming all alone. Trying to find out routes with a map in hand and having such a sense of directions as i have (poor...very very poor) things simply became hilarious at a point.

I missed the bus at one spot and walked to another spot as next bus wd be after 45 minutes :P (Such a long walk that ravi will let me eat extra for this :P).
I was trying to talk to people and understand from where can I get the bus, or to know the exact location where I am in :P, best part is...all the people I talked to did not understand english, still I managed to converse with them for more than 5 minutes :P U see, bolne ke liye bhasha ki zaroorat nahi hoti...wat an idea sir ji :D, But honestly...i did not understand a single word of 'toi, phoi, kumpho, kumchu' they were uttering.
I asked some lady to click my pic, and got scared when she started talking to me :P

One guy asked time (in french) while i was walkimg. I told him time, showed my watch...god knows he was asking time or what...i cdnt understand the 'toi-phoi-kumphu-khumchu' he was blabbering. He left, i took a sigh of relief and dropped my bag on a chair where i thought of sitting for some time. But, as soon as i saw that guy turning back and coming towards me...i hurriedly picked my bag and started running :P. Can you imagine the scene??

I kept my eyes very strict and ran away from many people thinking they'll rob me :D

Bearing the cold, taking pics, entering an asian restraunt and trying to find out a dish which is fully veg :D...what not!!!!

Man, it was hilarious, it was fun!!!

I had almost forgotten what an idiot stupid kiddo I am without Ravi :P

Good nice day it has been, and now beneath a blanket with coffee in a hand, I am trying to upload some pics and write this blog to capture these memoroes for ever :)

The Flavor of Surprise

It's 28th June -- 11pm.
I am waiting for the clock to put one hand over other so that ma bday wd start, Ravi wd wish me, I'll attend few calls and then I'll doze off. Very very sleepy I was.
What? B'Day cake??..Hmm...already checked the fridge...no traces of the cake.

Letter to God!

My mom is a theist and she has taught us right from the beginning how important and powerful prayers can be. She also encouraged me to write right from the beginning. Letters, essays, cards, 'WORDS' have been with me since childhood.

I was in 2nd standard then, I was complaining mumma about something. She gave an intelligent solution "Why dont you write to God? He'll solve all your problems." :)
Yeah!!! Sounds good. Afterall, i have never written to God, so why not give it a try!

I sat with a paper torn from my H.W. copy (Homework Copy) and started writing.

Dzire to Drive!!!

Know what marriage does to you?? Read on...
There was a girl who loved driving her dad's car.
She drove on highway @ 110/hr...such was her confidence.
She took an overloaded car in heavy traffic, through narrow lanes, and none of the passengers(dada-dadi-chachi etc etc) knew driving...such was her confidence.

And then one day...she got married.

The Morning T...and Angry Me

2 weeks to go!!!

Waiting desperately when I’ll have somebody to talk to in our house besides Ravi, when somebody will come and pamper me in the way ravi wd never do…when that somebody will wake up at my first call to her…or rather will even wake up before me.
Who else…ofcourse…mumma!!!
(These statements definitely mean that m angry with u shona x-( )

It generally happens that I wake up at 7-7:30, preparer T, brkfst, get ready and start calling ravi by 8:30 or even 9 sometimes. But this guy is sooooo much found of sleep…rather ‘AALSI’ that he wd not get up!!!

Once I got so angry that I locked up the house and left for office. Before going I wrote him a letter…letter full of anger stating clearly that I won’t talk to you. And where I wrote letter...ofcourse on the first thing he picks up after getting up…’NEWSPAPER’ So intense was my anger on that day that I spoiled the entire first page of the newspaper, poor guy did not even make out what news is ‘encrypted’ behind ma handwriting :P

Hey??? It’s not funny, OK!!

He kept calling me but I wd not pick up! He called up my colleague but I wd not talk to him. How we made up things I can’t recall…but ya he wd have definitely done something sweet. I was also happy that atleast he realizes now that I need to take the first cup of T with him…spend some time talking with him in the morning before starting the hectic/lame whatever kinda day…that half an hour is so important without which the day can’t start off well!!!

This was a tale of 5 months back…and today again….m ready to write a similar story :(

Ufff!!!!!!!

Any body can propose any solution to help me? Or any solution for Ravi to get a loooong sleep without an irritated wife irritating him unstoppably???

M A Shopaholic!!!

Puzzle for you:

Tell me that one thing with which you can win a girl’s heart, that one thing with which you can rejuvenate her spoiled mood, that one thing with which you can sort out your ‘tu-tu, main-main’…the list is endless.

Any clues what am I talking about? Well, I hope you guessed it right…

It’s ShOPpiNG!!!! :D

You don’t agree?? Ask a guy with a wife, or a gf, or might be both ;) and he’ll tell you what is the significance of shopping in his life.

The word shopping takes me 3 years back, when I was in Noida. I had my own cash in pocket and for little more sugar coating…I was a spinster then!! :D Man!!! I was a shopaholic. Whenever I was too happy, or too sad, or none of these…I caught hold of any of ma friend and forced her to accompany me (Tanz was my most frequent shikar), and most of the time we entered house with minimum one baggage :P 

Then I got married and consequently I had a hubby who acted like a mirror telling me what looks good on me or what will look good in house. Gradually I became habitual…or rather…dependent on his comments/compliments. The dependency grew till an extent where I could not shop even for onion or tomatoes without his consent :P
You might think what a joke….but that’s true.

Once I got a chance to go on a shopping spree with office frenz in absence of ma manager. That was the first time I actually roamed in the lanes of commercial street, entering each and every ‘dukan’ to check what’s available, be it of any use or not :P
That day I realized what a miserable shopper I had become where I could not decide on my own whether I intend to buy something or not.

Uss din maine 1 prann liya, that I’ll fall back to ma shopping habbits and main apne shopping ka hunar waste nahi hone dungi.

And here I am..bunked office this friday and went out for shopping :P

Believe me…such a nice feeling it is to have shopped something!! And even better you feel after flaunting the shopping experience to the whole world.

Ah!!! I confess, M a shopaholic and I love shopping!

The Barking Dogs

That was the time when I was in Noida and was suffering with viral fever. My friend ‘Mili’ insisted that I must go for a check-up.

Max hospital was just few steps away from our PG, and I was in a condition that I could walk. 

How I wish the hospital was not near…how I wish we wdnt have decided to walk.

On our way, a cute little puppy came to us and started staring us, and then started making rounds around us. My frnd Mili was too impressed  (might be till that time she liked dogs! Now I can swear she hates them). She started calling the puppy with cute names.
The dog could not resist the love and attension mili was showing ‘him’ and made a long jump on her!!!

Ghosh!!!!! I still get a shiver thinking of that scene.
He caught hold of mili’s leg and dint let it go easily. I started shouting, the ‘iron wala’ and other passer bys came to our help. By that time I ran towards house to call bhaiya.

What I ran? But I had fever???
Yes!!! But I totally forgot my fever in front of that deadly scene.

Then dibu took both of us to the doctor (what happened there and after is another story…but thanks dibu for helping two suffering souls :)).
Mili was crying! And I was feeling so guilty that she got bitten because of me :(
She got those big injections. 

Since that day I, and I believe all other PG mates started hating dogs, especially cute looking puppies.

We are humans and we try to turn all our deadly memories into something which we can remember and laugh…
So we started calling our da’ling Mili ‘DOGGY’ :P
Infact, we started comparing her face with a face of a doggy, and pretended as if it resembles :P

Jokes apart!!! But Mili…love for the courage you had shown. And this ofcourse doesn’t mean that I’ll stop calling you ‘kuchi puchi barky shweetu DOGGY’ :P

So guys, this is the story behind my immense ‘nafrat’ towards dogs.
And here I have landed in a city where jahan dekho vahan koi naa koi kutta dikha jaega. You can sight 12-15 of them partying together, running   and barking after bikes
We don’t go for an evening walk on roads just because m afraid some dog will come n bite me :P
I don’t try to take new routes in Bangalore city as I am afraid that the dog won’t recognize me and jump on my bike!!
Infact, when we go by car and some dog starts running after the car, I become so happy, and I literally tease the dog showing my thumb :P:P

What? Is it funny???
No, it’s not.
Ask Mili the doggy :P

Bachpan ki Mohabbat

1 छोटा बच्चा था... बड़ी शरारत करता था ...उसकी चोरी पकड़ी जाती... :) :P

I'll tell you a very cute किस्सा today. This is a story of one of my bestttttessstttt and very very cute friend :) When he was 5 years old, he had an equally cute girl-friend (friend who was a girl) with whom he used to play daily. Then the summer vacations came and the girl went to his nanaji's place. Mr Cute started missing Ms Pretty. He spent the evenings alone at home...without playing. तन्हाई तन्हाई ...मीलों तक फैली हुई तन्हाई :(
When Ms Pretty returned, Mr Cute was so overwhelmed with joy...उसकी ख़ुशी का तो ठीकाना ही नहीं रहा .
He had recently learned how to write and was proud of his achievement...being able to make his own words and scribble it over paper. So, our hero decides to write a letter expressing how he missed her, a small letter on a small sized paper...छोटे packet में बड़ा धमाल . And he runs to her house shouting 'पोस्टमेन आया पोस्टमेन आया' and drops the letter in the letter box.

The letter is picked by the girl's mother and...and...and.....पूरे मौहल्ले में बात फ़ैल गयी that hero ने heroine को luv letter लिखा है :D :D
One didi came to him and asked 'letter likha hai??? bata naa...kya likha???' Then did he realize की कुछ तो अजब कारनामा कर दिया है महाशय ने :D:D
he gained a different identity at the age of 5....wow!!! what a hero :)
one fine day, his chacha came home and very sweetly asked the boy in front of his mom...क्या लैटर लिखा है पास वाली लड़की को??? The super-mom turned towards his son and gave 'that' look to the lad and...satakkkkkkkk!!!!! Yeah...that was a slap :P

Ofcourse, my cute friend does not remember any extensions to the story.

But ya, after 20 odd years, when he went to see a girl (Ya...ladki dekhna wala 'see a girl'), he did something...such that as soon as he left, the girl's dadi came स्मिलिंग to her and with immense interest asked her "तुजे चिट्ठी दे कर गए हैं क्या???"

:)

What did he do???

He gave the girl a small ...very small piece of paper...his visiting card...and scribbled his mail id and phone numbe over it :P

Abb purani aadat hai...aasani se to nahi jaegi naa :P

So, this is a story of ma best friend. Any guesses who is he???

M not well...Yippieee :)

I am suffering with Chicken Pox...Thank God for that :)
What??? U really think m crazy???
Unhu Unhu...plz read on.

Well...how about i ask my boss "Hey bossy, i wont work for 10 days...i need a freaking break!!!!"
Unh...i dont think i know his answer...the point is...i wont be able to ask that 1st of all. This sickness has made me realize how workaholic i have become..and believe me, it's a sad feeling.
So here comes my bro for rescue...hey di, do any godamn thing in world, but plz...STOP THINKING ABOUT WORK. ok. I'll follow it. n hey...m relieved :) n m happy :)

Or let me imagine...i walk up home from work one fine day and tell ravi..."I don wanna cook n clean...JUST FOR 10 SWEET DAYS" and throw a filthy smile @ him :-) :-D :-P
Noooooo...it's difficult to imagine...again, m8 be ravi accepts this happily bcoz i know he loves me, or m8 be he gets annoyed (love is not everything in life after all :P)... i cant imagine his reaction, again the point is....i cant do that!!

Or how many time does that happen that mom calls me and tells "Meri Pyarai Bitiya...abb kaisi hai???" Yeah i know that's the way my name is stored on their cells 'Pyari Bitiya' , but how many times actually do i hear it in in words :):)

So, i thank god for blessing me with this sickness which has not left me bedridden, alongside has given me enough time to njoy, watch movies, have good food, do surfing all day long, read whatever i like, chat for the entire day, receive calls from all over the world... :):):)
Its good to feel important, wanted, the focus of somebody's (read everybody's) life, to get so much of attention, care, love.

Aaah!!! m blessed :)
But Sonal correctly said yestday "इंसान कभी भी खुश नहीं रेहता!"
So God! here i am praying ... Thanks for making my life heaven for all these days.
But please, please recover me soon. I wanna go out, feel weather, see the world, take a bath and feel fresh, and most of all...hug ravi, put my head on his shoulder and talk to him. It's hard...really hard to shoo him away :)