Happy Birthday!
Now a date is just another day in the bigger picture. I wish........i really wish.....
Monday, February 02, 2009
Monday, August 18, 2008
An old note
Stars, stones and moon shine from far. The emotion of being everything and nothing when locked hard within - then a explosion is just a mere whisper. All those unexpected hallways, showers, lifestyles walk with me. Just a breeze would brush a brief memory. The fear of losing wasn't as bad as the fright of reaching.
I want to walk with myself. But the burden of those unspoken landscapes sketched deep inside me wouldn't let me. I saw myself working hard, trying to finish tying knots, meeting the ends. The early mornings, the anxious dusk's and dawns.
I miss home.
I found this note while rummaging thru boxes of old photgraphs.
I want to walk with myself. But the burden of those unspoken landscapes sketched deep inside me wouldn't let me. I saw myself working hard, trying to finish tying knots, meeting the ends. The early mornings, the anxious dusk's and dawns.
I miss home.
I found this note while rummaging thru boxes of old photgraphs.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Lipstick Jungle
No I don’t mean the book, these days as I head out to work, my lipstick lands on taran’s forehead and hair, so his head ends up having a tint of my lip gloss. My clothes, I make sure that I’m wearing something soft that he can rest his head on. Since fashion guru's (read Sex & City)ban on scrunchies to be worn in public, I’ve followed that restriction religiously, but now that is gone down the drain, I swear, I’m Imtiaz, I sport a scrunchie in public once in a while…because my little boy likes to pull on my hair as if it’s the last hope to hang on. Though I’ve bought some cute spring shoes, now I’m afraid to wear them, what with the extra fifteen pounds I carry (my son again), I cant dare to slip on the runway : )
So this weekend I’ve splurged and got 2 Vera Wang bags. Atleast he can’t mess with that, and I have a reason to think that I can throw his stuff in those dear bags.
So this weekend I’ve splurged and got 2 Vera Wang bags. Atleast he can’t mess with that, and I have a reason to think that I can throw his stuff in those dear bags.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Randomly
Ankhon mein teri ajab si ajab si aadaye hain !! Listening to this at work, and suddenly I’m filled with shahrukh’s voice in my head, and i feel good ! love you shahrukh : )
Did mention about the cake tasting tradition we started at work, every monday. So now monday feels a lot like fridays. someone asked why did we start it, this is the reason.
Did I mention that Roadies 5.0 started, I’m so exicted. I’m so rooting for ashu to win, if not him maybe Sonel, the rest are just clowns.
Wassup youngistan
Did mention about the cake tasting tradition we started at work, every monday. So now monday feels a lot like fridays. someone asked why did we start it, this is the reason.
Did I mention that Roadies 5.0 started, I’m so exicted. I’m so rooting for ashu to win, if not him maybe Sonel, the rest are just clowns.
Wassup youngistan
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Just my days
Sat & Sun were terrific. Sat went shopping with my son, totally splurged, and bought some spring shoes, clothes, and pants for my son. He’s four months old now.
While I was shoe shopping and in a pensive mood, a lady starts to approach me and I was just about to say “I don’t work here”, when she held a pair of shoes to me and asked “do you think this will go well with the outfit”. Aahah…. I’m being asked for fashion advice. She had both pink and white shoes, for the Easter outfit for her niece. The outfit had laces of pink, white and light brown. I told her to go with soft white shoes, since the stockings are in soft white color.
She: What color sweater should I buy.
ME: There you could turn the knob for color and get a baby pink sweater,
She: hmm… then what color hat…
Me: Smiled ), since we are doing pink sweater, definitely a baby pink hat.
She turns her gaze into thin air and says aa ha… I see what you are getting to.
Apparently her brother sent her to buy all the accessories, and he got the poor kid a dress without sleeves, so of course the little kid would be cold, so now she has to go shopping for sweater as well. All this for Easter Sunday church goers, she wants her niece in her Sunday’s best.
Baked cupcakes on Sunday nite, turned out yummm…
Happy Easter, dear sheebu, rekha, and all my other friends.
Got compliments on my new shoes (already), yeah, mission accomplished. The two teams in the aisle I sit at work decided we’ll start a cake tasting tradition, and get cake from each bakery and rate which one is best. So today, A got it from Genaurdi’s, it was good, alright. Arent we sweet ?
Taran got his immunization shots on Tuesday, wed he got sick : ( so I took the day off and we spent time together
While I was shoe shopping and in a pensive mood, a lady starts to approach me and I was just about to say “I don’t work here”, when she held a pair of shoes to me and asked “do you think this will go well with the outfit”. Aahah…. I’m being asked for fashion advice. She had both pink and white shoes, for the Easter outfit for her niece. The outfit had laces of pink, white and light brown. I told her to go with soft white shoes, since the stockings are in soft white color.
She: What color sweater should I buy.
ME: There you could turn the knob for color and get a baby pink sweater,
She: hmm… then what color hat…
Me: Smiled ), since we are doing pink sweater, definitely a baby pink hat.
She turns her gaze into thin air and says aa ha… I see what you are getting to.
Apparently her brother sent her to buy all the accessories, and he got the poor kid a dress without sleeves, so of course the little kid would be cold, so now she has to go shopping for sweater as well. All this for Easter Sunday church goers, she wants her niece in her Sunday’s best.
Baked cupcakes on Sunday nite, turned out yummm…
Happy Easter, dear sheebu, rekha, and all my other friends.
Got compliments on my new shoes (already), yeah, mission accomplished. The two teams in the aisle I sit at work decided we’ll start a cake tasting tradition, and get cake from each bakery and rate which one is best. So today, A got it from Genaurdi’s, it was good, alright. Arent we sweet ?
Taran got his immunization shots on Tuesday, wed he got sick : ( so I took the day off and we spent time together
Friday, March 21, 2008
Let's Hi
Me a mom, ammi ! Hmm… it’s super weird, in loveliest way. My son is everything I wished for. A sweet kid ! I could go on and on about everything he does – y’day I noticed he’s biting his lower lip and making fists in the air and kicking his legs so vigorously, it almost seems like he’s going to burst into life. When I make dishoom dishoom sounds, he giggles like it’s the silliest thing he’s heard but still asks for more. When I read his “Moonbeam Bear” book showing him off the bright colors of chanda mama, the bear, the green hills, the browntrunks of the tree, the mommy duck with her duckings, his lips spout as a big O, the wonder in his eyes is inexplicable, while his fingers try to reach the sleepy moon.
He almost every time gives enough time for us to warn of his hunger pangs, he wiggles his head on my chest and curls up to get cozy on my shoulder when he’s sleepy, after he’s finished his kakka, aka pooping, he adorns a calm face and waits for you. Once I start changing his diaper, he patiently lets you clean him up, sometimes he stretches his legs in a tight posture and shows off the newly formed chubby crinkles in his legs, I love to kiss his cute butt. For once kissing someone’s butt is for a good reason.
When he’s unsure if he still wants to play or doze off to sleep he rests his cheek on my cheek and we look at each other in the mirror, and he hurls this small smile which spreads lightly across his face. For a second my heart would just stop and wish my life would just freeze up to that point. At random times in the day, when he’s playing he coo’s he coo’s like a cuckoo, and no music is sweeter than that. My heart just melts to those sounds. I now officially know what that phrase means “melting hearts”, sounds like a name of a band, doesn’t it. When I’m in the shower in the mornings, I hear V talking to our son and for those few seconds, the world feels like a better place.
Am back to work since March 3rd. It’s been not so bad, since I have a good support system at home, first my mom and dad, now my in-laws. V is being great in anyway he possibly can, my friends who keep checking one me, if I’m ok. So I’m thankful for all that god’s given me. Thank you, god.
Since I found out I was pregnant, I was in for a roller coaster ride. My son’s birth story, my time with my parents after such a long time, flight to Melbourne with my son, my son’s time with his cousins, spending time with my sis, my jeej and my nephews, seeing my sister’s life first hand, coming back to States, starting my life, the new team at work of which I’m part of , my realization on how my son’s presence has grounded me – it’s a circle of life that I’ve enjoyed with few low moments.
So that’s my hi ! what is your’s ?
He almost every time gives enough time for us to warn of his hunger pangs, he wiggles his head on my chest and curls up to get cozy on my shoulder when he’s sleepy, after he’s finished his kakka, aka pooping, he adorns a calm face and waits for you. Once I start changing his diaper, he patiently lets you clean him up, sometimes he stretches his legs in a tight posture and shows off the newly formed chubby crinkles in his legs, I love to kiss his cute butt. For once kissing someone’s butt is for a good reason.
When he’s unsure if he still wants to play or doze off to sleep he rests his cheek on my cheek and we look at each other in the mirror, and he hurls this small smile which spreads lightly across his face. For a second my heart would just stop and wish my life would just freeze up to that point. At random times in the day, when he’s playing he coo’s he coo’s like a cuckoo, and no music is sweeter than that. My heart just melts to those sounds. I now officially know what that phrase means “melting hearts”, sounds like a name of a band, doesn’t it. When I’m in the shower in the mornings, I hear V talking to our son and for those few seconds, the world feels like a better place.
Am back to work since March 3rd. It’s been not so bad, since I have a good support system at home, first my mom and dad, now my in-laws. V is being great in anyway he possibly can, my friends who keep checking one me, if I’m ok. So I’m thankful for all that god’s given me. Thank you, god.
Since I found out I was pregnant, I was in for a roller coaster ride. My son’s birth story, my time with my parents after such a long time, flight to Melbourne with my son, my son’s time with his cousins, spending time with my sis, my jeej and my nephews, seeing my sister’s life first hand, coming back to States, starting my life, the new team at work of which I’m part of , my realization on how my son’s presence has grounded me – it’s a circle of life that I’ve enjoyed with few low moments.
So that’s my hi ! what is your’s ?
Friday, August 31, 2007
If not you, who ?
During lunch on last Saturday, I saw the horror unfold. The images on TV of my home town, being torn apart, the images of blood on the stairways of Lumbini park, the same area I’ve driven past innumerous times, I just couldn’t swallow the fact that my home is attacked. I know there has always been some communal tension, but to this elevated level didn’t seem real. I wasn’t sure if I was seeing the images of NY WTC, or the subway in London, all I knew is it was a place I call HOME in my heart and soul. Hyderabad, being attacked so horribly, seems unbelievable.
We stand with each and every family affected by these horrifying acts in these difficult times.
The story of a sister, the tears of a father in law, the cries of a mother in Maharastra, the silent moans of an ambitious son’s father, all in Hyderabad, sharing a moment in Lumbini Park / Koti…are united by the love offered by hyd but struck tragically. My eyes swelled with tears……feeling helpless. Feeling anger that someone touched my home.
From the unique blend of cultures, the incomparable accent, to the irrefutable biryani and the laid back attitude, we are like no other and yet we are the same in this moment of truth.
You be a New Yorker, Londoner, Iraqi, or a Hyderabadi, we cant escape, with all the attention and growth we’ve been having, a fumble of human lives wasn’t what I expected. Will my fears be translated in the same way by anyone traveling to hyde, forget people from other countries, what about our own fellow Indians, will they think twice before heading to Hyde.
One Hyderabadi said, this is not about religion or anything else, these people are against humanity, “ek ek ko sadak pey lakey, suli pey chada doh” (bring each one of the convicted and hang them in public), I couldn’t agree more, my sense of anger, fear for my loved ones and friends, definitely makes anyone squirm and go find a peaceful place. But we need to remind ourselves that this search for that special place doesn’t go beyond where we live.
Though the mood of Hyderabadi’s seems somber NOW, I know we’ll bounce back, I know we HAVE to bounce back, locking ourselves in the “so called comfort” of our homes, is not the answer. I know we want to protect our families, our friends, but don’t forget the fear of people we are instilling in them by not going beyond the bounds of our home.
Don’t forget that by doing so, we are giving the terrorist outfits just what they want, fear for them. Don’t let yourself be bullied. Be strong, have faith in yourself.
Questions, our ancestors, our grandparents, our parents, asked themselves are the same ones we are faced to find answers. It is now or never.
In the quite moments, not understanding and judging everyone by their appearance, we ask these questions:
What do we do, what, we are not terrorists, we didn’t die, we have enough money to save our ourselves if this even touches us remotely?
What we can do is stop, just stop blaming the govt, the state, the country. Just stop it.
What we can do is volunteer help at the hospitals, to the cops, to the families of victims.
What we can do is stop spreading rumors. You know I saw this, I saw that…no…just stop it. Don’t spread fear.
What we can do is talk to our kids, talk to people who are confused, talk to people who don’t understand how to deal with this.
Just watching inspirational movies and talking principles doesn’t do a thing to our country.
You might wonder, “But I’m only one person what can I do ?”
You can talk, you can talk to people, spread the word of love, send sms’s, collect money for clean up efforts at these places, you don’t trust govt, hire your own service orgs and give them money to do this. Show your face, show strength. We are no less than a newyorker or a Londoner, we have what it takes to beat it.
You don’t have to be a hero, you have to be yourself.
If not you, who, if not now, when? Just ask yourself this ….
I love you, Hyderabad, and always will.
We stand with each and every family affected by these horrifying acts in these difficult times.
The story of a sister, the tears of a father in law, the cries of a mother in Maharastra, the silent moans of an ambitious son’s father, all in Hyderabad, sharing a moment in Lumbini Park / Koti…are united by the love offered by hyd but struck tragically. My eyes swelled with tears……feeling helpless. Feeling anger that someone touched my home.
From the unique blend of cultures, the incomparable accent, to the irrefutable biryani and the laid back attitude, we are like no other and yet we are the same in this moment of truth.
You be a New Yorker, Londoner, Iraqi, or a Hyderabadi, we cant escape, with all the attention and growth we’ve been having, a fumble of human lives wasn’t what I expected. Will my fears be translated in the same way by anyone traveling to hyde, forget people from other countries, what about our own fellow Indians, will they think twice before heading to Hyde.
One Hyderabadi said, this is not about religion or anything else, these people are against humanity, “ek ek ko sadak pey lakey, suli pey chada doh” (bring each one of the convicted and hang them in public), I couldn’t agree more, my sense of anger, fear for my loved ones and friends, definitely makes anyone squirm and go find a peaceful place. But we need to remind ourselves that this search for that special place doesn’t go beyond where we live.
Though the mood of Hyderabadi’s seems somber NOW, I know we’ll bounce back, I know we HAVE to bounce back, locking ourselves in the “so called comfort” of our homes, is not the answer. I know we want to protect our families, our friends, but don’t forget the fear of people we are instilling in them by not going beyond the bounds of our home.
Don’t forget that by doing so, we are giving the terrorist outfits just what they want, fear for them. Don’t let yourself be bullied. Be strong, have faith in yourself.
Questions, our ancestors, our grandparents, our parents, asked themselves are the same ones we are faced to find answers. It is now or never.
In the quite moments, not understanding and judging everyone by their appearance, we ask these questions:
What do we do, what, we are not terrorists, we didn’t die, we have enough money to save our ourselves if this even touches us remotely?
What we can do is stop, just stop blaming the govt, the state, the country. Just stop it.
What we can do is volunteer help at the hospitals, to the cops, to the families of victims.
What we can do is stop spreading rumors. You know I saw this, I saw that…no…just stop it. Don’t spread fear.
What we can do is talk to our kids, talk to people who are confused, talk to people who don’t understand how to deal with this.
Just watching inspirational movies and talking principles doesn’t do a thing to our country.
You might wonder, “But I’m only one person what can I do ?”
You can talk, you can talk to people, spread the word of love, send sms’s, collect money for clean up efforts at these places, you don’t trust govt, hire your own service orgs and give them money to do this. Show your face, show strength. We are no less than a newyorker or a Londoner, we have what it takes to beat it.
You don’t have to be a hero, you have to be yourself.
If not you, who, if not now, when? Just ask yourself this ….
I love you, Hyderabad, and always will.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Ahemm...!
I was at Sub-way for lunch and because of my growling stomach, I finished more than half of my 6 inch sandwich before I even opened the bag of nachos. As I was making peace with my lunch, I saw Bob D. walking in to Subway, I gave him a friendly wave, and he stopped by at my table. This gave us a chance to swap news of here and there. KT is visiting India for 4 months atleast he said, I said nooo… just 2 months, she told me of it. Ohh…oh…JM’s wife delivered a baby girl after a long very long labor, I was like woof ! when did this happen I curiously asked, he said oh just y’day, Scott is trying to do other projects too while still doing some work for VWR, oh u should see MM, she’s cut her hair short and dyed it red ! I was mildly surprised and told him I have to come by to see you all. AK’s wife is finally here and we all went to lunch, she seems nice – he continued. I asked him so how is my replacement working out, he said oh he’s doing alright…he paused as if he wanted to correct himself, he then said, well you know he’s not as terrific as you are, but I think he’s doing ok, I gave him a knowing smile, and said I’m glad you corrected yourself, Bob, and he just shrugged. Just then I mentioned to him about my impending baby. He heartily congratulated me and had the usual preggo talk…when was I due, do I know if it’s a girl or a boy ?, his 10 yr old girl who’s such a drama queen these days, but how he still loves her when she hugs and kisses him. After a bit, he mentioned that he gotta be going. Just b4 leaving my table he asked “so what are you reading”, before I answered, he gently flipped the book 
to see the name of it on the cover – he read it out loud, “Yummy Mummy”, this time he gave me a broad smile and said “Nyyyce”… and he walked away to order his lunch. There wasn’t a chance for me to tell him that it’s not a racy book instead it’s about the blues a woman is experiencing after her baby delivery, how she makes new friends, her inability to decide if she should get back to work, losing weight, issues with her boyfriend….and so far I’ve read she is still getting a handle on the situation. It’s not my fault that the author chose a sassy title for the book! Can I....
to see the name of it on the cover – he read it out loud, “Yummy Mummy”, this time he gave me a broad smile and said “Nyyyce”… and he walked away to order his lunch. There wasn’t a chance for me to tell him that it’s not a racy book instead it’s about the blues a woman is experiencing after her baby delivery, how she makes new friends, her inability to decide if she should get back to work, losing weight, issues with her boyfriend….and so far I’ve read she is still getting a handle on the situation. It’s not my fault that the author chose a sassy title for the book! Can I....
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Can't stop
in dino, dil mera, mujhse hai keh raha
tu khaab saja, tu ji le zara
hai tujhe bhi izaazat, karle tu bhi muhabbat
I've been humming this song for two days straight, first thing in the morning, while driving to work, while heading for lunch.....just smooth beautiful lyrics.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Brave Hearts !
I went to refill water and saw this lady in the pantry. Her hair looked different this time, so I complemented her – how good it looks. She said “oh, jeez…” and revealed her secret of beautiful tresses - Breast Cancer.
Yup, she’s a survivor y’all.
She told me how becoz of chemo, her hair is baby soft and there is nothing she can do with it. So opened a catalogue and ordered her self a great set of hair, which she “weaved” (for the lack of better word) herself. She worked on it for 2 months, she exclaimed. Another friend of hers who also works here, resorted to wearing a scarf after her chemo sessions, which she didn’t want to, I believe. She said, it would be declaring it to the world, “hi look I have cancer and I didn’t….” she paused to look for the right word to fill the void… I prompted “settle down”, she said “yeah, exactly, I didn’t want to settle down with it, I wanted to make it a part of my life and not the other way around, because I know it can come back any time”.
I just beamed at her and said she looks terrific and I meant it. She smiled with no sighs, and went on, “there are days I don’t feel my fingers and bottom part of my legs, there are no senses to them, but if someone asks me, “how was I feeling”, I’d just reply, “great and you ?”. I felt so proud of her, as a person and I told her "you are brave, you really are", she said "I don’t know about that", but I reaffirmed she is that and much more. She smiled again and told it feels good to hear that.
My backaches from new life inside me, just evaporated, that sleepless feeling from last night just …gone. While walking back to my cube, I realized I don’t know her name, but then we didn’t have to know, we touched each others lives in some way. My heart is swollen with pride to all women with great hair or not, with or without breast cancer who face the world with such fierceness. You go girls…
Yup, she’s a survivor y’all.
She told me how becoz of chemo, her hair is baby soft and there is nothing she can do with it. So opened a catalogue and ordered her self a great set of hair, which she “weaved” (for the lack of better word) herself. She worked on it for 2 months, she exclaimed. Another friend of hers who also works here, resorted to wearing a scarf after her chemo sessions, which she didn’t want to, I believe. She said, it would be declaring it to the world, “hi look I have cancer and I didn’t….” she paused to look for the right word to fill the void… I prompted “settle down”, she said “yeah, exactly, I didn’t want to settle down with it, I wanted to make it a part of my life and not the other way around, because I know it can come back any time”.
I just beamed at her and said she looks terrific and I meant it. She smiled with no sighs, and went on, “there are days I don’t feel my fingers and bottom part of my legs, there are no senses to them, but if someone asks me, “how was I feeling”, I’d just reply, “great and you ?”. I felt so proud of her, as a person and I told her "you are brave, you really are", she said "I don’t know about that", but I reaffirmed she is that and much more. She smiled again and told it feels good to hear that.
My backaches from new life inside me, just evaporated, that sleepless feeling from last night just …gone. While walking back to my cube, I realized I don’t know her name, but then we didn’t have to know, we touched each others lives in some way. My heart is swollen with pride to all women with great hair or not, with or without breast cancer who face the world with such fierceness. You go girls…
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Camping with friends
I hadn’t been to a full on REAL camping until that day. I went to picnics and slept under the moon on the terrace humming songs and with flash light pointed towards the dark sky, but never inside a tent nor cooked food at the camp fire. I ate when others cooked, if that counts.
That day I was referring to earlier was in Australia, maybe 3-4 months after I reached there. Some holiday was coming up and Trevor, was making plans for us. He’s a serious bicyclist; he would ride for miles on his bicycle. He was also a friend of the owner of the house we all lived at. So, he’d drop by once in a while to see how the appointed house parents were taking care of us, how the house is being maintained et al. Anyway, the house parents suggested to him why doesn’t he take the bunch of us for camping and he agreed.
On the day of our camping he showed up in a hatchback to our relief, we all pooled to bring food, chips, drinks, cans of food here and there. We were the most colorful in all senses we could be, I for one, I forget the name of my v. good friend from a nearby country of Kenya (he said he was a journalist back home, he told us some of the most exciting stories on quite evenings at home), the gal from Taiwan (she was studying music, I had never met anyone b4 who was studying music for education, only had come across lot of engineering & medical students, people who seemed to have a job by the end of it all. She and I would exchange traditional outfits, take pictures and she’d play piano and I’d listen.), the Canadian guy of course and Trevor.
On route to the camp site, as we slowed down for the other campers to share the road, one of them said there’s a broken branch ahead of us, be careful while we drive. Whilst a halting damp rain, we arrived at our camp area, and started our escapade. Oh I forgot, my Canadian housemate’s friend also came up with his “girl friend” who was in the same class as the Canadian housemate, but he always fancied her and is upset that his friend is dating her, he told us so, that’s how we knew it. Anyway, after setting up the tents, starting a camp fire, we started the grill as well and then Trevor said why don’t we take a walk. It was dark by then, but we were all game for it. Trevor knew his way around, he said to bring the flash lights but not to turn it on unless he says so, this way we can see the wild life in it’s natural state.
We started to walk in the woods, with the crushing sound of dried leaves under our feet, whispering of different sounds in the woods and what they signify, as we went along further Trevor suggested we should enjoy it and just sit in the dark, in quite silences we all found a place to lean on and sit down. At that moment, to somehow capture the time in my heart, I looked up at the sky; it seemed so far away, felt like the trees were floating and the sky was the bed of a sea with stars sprinkled everywhere and shining bright.
We resumed our walk back and finished cooking. As we were eating, my Kenyan housemate suggested we all sing a song, maybe even our national anthems. It was a sweet thought, so we all cheered him on to start first. With his lively eyes sparkling in the light of the fire he sang and we listened as if we were all being connected to Kenya in some way, then we all took turns to sing and dance too. We all united in a strange way at that camp fire. We later retired to our tents to sleep.
The next morning woke up smack in the middle of the woods, with the pale sky, the dampness of the ground, and the remains of the camp fire. The next two days were spent trekking, swimming in the water springs, sharing jokes, later our house parents joined us in their RV.
The morning we were supposed to leave are the few hours that’ll always stay tucked deep in my heart. I got up early, sensed that Canadian housemate’s Friend and his Girl friend (Sheila was her name, no she wasn’t a desi), were coo chi-cooing : ) I looked around, there were few people from nearby camp grounds were up, I saw a board pointing to a “Bird’s eye view Point Trek”. I heard Trevor talking about it before, so I challenged myself to take the walk, the nite b4 Trevor said we’ll start our way back by 7.30am, so I knew I had to be back by 7.30. To trek alone, what would happen if I’d get lost, if I was hurt, such adversities crossed my mind. But determined I was.
The path was very welcoming, u could hear distant waterfalls, the voices of awoken few, birds chirping, I was walking briskly. The terrain was naturally paved, there were wild flowers just about everywhere, there were dense shadows of the towering trees, amongst them I walked following the directions for the “Bird’s eye view Point”, sometimes it would be so sharply steep, you’d have to be so cautious. Then I reached the point they called Bird’s eye view, the view from there was astounding. Everything looked so minuscule, acres and acres of land till the end of your sight, trees at different levels, the way the landscape danced at unusual stratums, and I was there alone but remembered all I love, wind gushing from both sides, I felt like I accomplished something, don’t know what, but I did. I thought if I could do this alone, I could do anything.
In a daze I trekked back and realized they were all about to leave in 5mts if they hadn’t found me, yeah right! It’s only like…8.15 ! oops. Sorry guys, but really, would they do that? Naah…cherishing many memories, we sat silently and Trevor drove us back.
That day I was referring to earlier was in Australia, maybe 3-4 months after I reached there. Some holiday was coming up and Trevor, was making plans for us. He’s a serious bicyclist; he would ride for miles on his bicycle. He was also a friend of the owner of the house we all lived at. So, he’d drop by once in a while to see how the appointed house parents were taking care of us, how the house is being maintained et al. Anyway, the house parents suggested to him why doesn’t he take the bunch of us for camping and he agreed.
On the day of our camping he showed up in a hatchback to our relief, we all pooled to bring food, chips, drinks, cans of food here and there. We were the most colorful in all senses we could be, I for one, I forget the name of my v. good friend from a nearby country of Kenya (he said he was a journalist back home, he told us some of the most exciting stories on quite evenings at home), the gal from Taiwan (she was studying music, I had never met anyone b4 who was studying music for education, only had come across lot of engineering & medical students, people who seemed to have a job by the end of it all. She and I would exchange traditional outfits, take pictures and she’d play piano and I’d listen.), the Canadian guy of course and Trevor.
On route to the camp site, as we slowed down for the other campers to share the road, one of them said there’s a broken branch ahead of us, be careful while we drive. Whilst a halting damp rain, we arrived at our camp area, and started our escapade. Oh I forgot, my Canadian housemate’s friend also came up with his “girl friend” who was in the same class as the Canadian housemate, but he always fancied her and is upset that his friend is dating her, he told us so, that’s how we knew it. Anyway, after setting up the tents, starting a camp fire, we started the grill as well and then Trevor said why don’t we take a walk. It was dark by then, but we were all game for it. Trevor knew his way around, he said to bring the flash lights but not to turn it on unless he says so, this way we can see the wild life in it’s natural state.
We started to walk in the woods, with the crushing sound of dried leaves under our feet, whispering of different sounds in the woods and what they signify, as we went along further Trevor suggested we should enjoy it and just sit in the dark, in quite silences we all found a place to lean on and sit down. At that moment, to somehow capture the time in my heart, I looked up at the sky; it seemed so far away, felt like the trees were floating and the sky was the bed of a sea with stars sprinkled everywhere and shining bright.
We resumed our walk back and finished cooking. As we were eating, my Kenyan housemate suggested we all sing a song, maybe even our national anthems. It was a sweet thought, so we all cheered him on to start first. With his lively eyes sparkling in the light of the fire he sang and we listened as if we were all being connected to Kenya in some way, then we all took turns to sing and dance too. We all united in a strange way at that camp fire. We later retired to our tents to sleep.
The next morning woke up smack in the middle of the woods, with the pale sky, the dampness of the ground, and the remains of the camp fire. The next two days were spent trekking, swimming in the water springs, sharing jokes, later our house parents joined us in their RV.
The morning we were supposed to leave are the few hours that’ll always stay tucked deep in my heart. I got up early, sensed that Canadian housemate’s Friend and his Girl friend (Sheila was her name, no she wasn’t a desi), were coo chi-cooing : ) I looked around, there were few people from nearby camp grounds were up, I saw a board pointing to a “Bird’s eye view Point Trek”. I heard Trevor talking about it before, so I challenged myself to take the walk, the nite b4 Trevor said we’ll start our way back by 7.30am, so I knew I had to be back by 7.30. To trek alone, what would happen if I’d get lost, if I was hurt, such adversities crossed my mind. But determined I was.
The path was very welcoming, u could hear distant waterfalls, the voices of awoken few, birds chirping, I was walking briskly. The terrain was naturally paved, there were wild flowers just about everywhere, there were dense shadows of the towering trees, amongst them I walked following the directions for the “Bird’s eye view Point”, sometimes it would be so sharply steep, you’d have to be so cautious. Then I reached the point they called Bird’s eye view, the view from there was astounding. Everything looked so minuscule, acres and acres of land till the end of your sight, trees at different levels, the way the landscape danced at unusual stratums, and I was there alone but remembered all I love, wind gushing from both sides, I felt like I accomplished something, don’t know what, but I did. I thought if I could do this alone, I could do anything.
In a daze I trekked back and realized they were all about to leave in 5mts if they hadn’t found me, yeah right! It’s only like…8.15 ! oops. Sorry guys, but really, would they do that? Naah…cherishing many memories, we sat silently and Trevor drove us back.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Lunchroom view
Looked out of the car, the leaves with dark green lines showed off its silhoutte with sun shinig right thru them, just like when you hold water in your hands and can see the sun shine transparently. I was trying to finish my lunch while readin gthe newspaper, which btw i borrowed form Harriet. It's a lasting concidence that her husbands name is Harry : )
Thursday, June 07, 2007
My dad(s) rules
I was talking to a friend few days ago and was reminded of a sweet memory that I couldn’t help but blog about.
After lot of coaxing and pleading, from me and my brother, telling stories of bus rides et al, my dad agreed to get me a Kinetic Honda. When we were in the Patny showroom, bringing that bike out, my joy knew no boundaries. Then the irony started to roll by the time we reached home. My dad made a deal with me that he’d show me how to drive and until my driving satisfies his standards, I wasn’t getting full control of it. I thought well, that shouldn’t be hard, I had driven 2 wheelers before so how hard would it be to please him…..yaaa… he proved me wrong there. First, he made me sit behind him, then he’d drive me until my school, constantly training me the right way to accelerate the bike, how you have to anticipate the oncoming traffic at turns, how to gently apply brakes, the right way to drive over the speed breaker and the wrong way, what a bad habit it is to drive without the shades (or goggles or whatever u call them), how to keep the gas at least half full, there was no end to the checklist. I finally got them all down and he agreed to let me drive. Almost after a week, I was like finally dad wont be there to police me so I can do some slants and all, and go over speed if there is less traffic, and of course the idea of shades was all the more fashion related than functional to me.
So I step out, thanking god that at least dad didn’t force me to wear my head gear. Just then he stops me to ask where was I going, I said to school, of course. But he said he’s not ready yet, I was like but it’s me who’s going nah, baba, why should you be ready. He smiled and made me wait for him.
Apparently, he was planning on following right behind my kinetic in his jeep, “policing me”, to see if I was doing as he preached. I was dumbfounded at this suggestion. By the time we reached near school, I pulled my bike to the side and said “baba, PLEASE, go now, don’t embarrass me in front of my friends”, oh just as well, he agreed and turned back to his office.
This saga continued for a week before he “graduated” me on his terms to drive on my own. Yipee…no matter how much I cribbed then, I just can’t help laughing when I think of that story.
Folks can be real funny sometimes.
After lot of coaxing and pleading, from me and my brother, telling stories of bus rides et al, my dad agreed to get me a Kinetic Honda. When we were in the Patny showroom, bringing that bike out, my joy knew no boundaries. Then the irony started to roll by the time we reached home. My dad made a deal with me that he’d show me how to drive and until my driving satisfies his standards, I wasn’t getting full control of it. I thought well, that shouldn’t be hard, I had driven 2 wheelers before so how hard would it be to please him…..yaaa… he proved me wrong there. First, he made me sit behind him, then he’d drive me until my school, constantly training me the right way to accelerate the bike, how you have to anticipate the oncoming traffic at turns, how to gently apply brakes, the right way to drive over the speed breaker and the wrong way, what a bad habit it is to drive without the shades (or goggles or whatever u call them), how to keep the gas at least half full, there was no end to the checklist. I finally got them all down and he agreed to let me drive. Almost after a week, I was like finally dad wont be there to police me so I can do some slants and all, and go over speed if there is less traffic, and of course the idea of shades was all the more fashion related than functional to me.
So I step out, thanking god that at least dad didn’t force me to wear my head gear. Just then he stops me to ask where was I going, I said to school, of course. But he said he’s not ready yet, I was like but it’s me who’s going nah, baba, why should you be ready. He smiled and made me wait for him.
Apparently, he was planning on following right behind my kinetic in his jeep, “policing me”, to see if I was doing as he preached. I was dumbfounded at this suggestion. By the time we reached near school, I pulled my bike to the side and said “baba, PLEASE, go now, don’t embarrass me in front of my friends”, oh just as well, he agreed and turned back to his office.
This saga continued for a week before he “graduated” me on his terms to drive on my own. Yipee…no matter how much I cribbed then, I just can’t help laughing when I think of that story.
Folks can be real funny sometimes.
Friday, June 01, 2007
The Memorial day went something like this
Tuesday after the long weekend is a killer. I almost fell asleep at my desk, went to “some” meeting, and drank decaf tea but in vain. The gal next to me, KV, I like her, she’s a newly wed, she met her husband from match.com. Isn’t that something, he’s a craftsman, does wood work and this and that, yeah she also drives a Jaguar to work, umm humm…Any way, she was at Key West, FL for her honeymoon and she asked me how was my long weekend, and my story went something like this -- It started on Sat late afternoon as we reached Point Pleasant beach and met up with our friends. The weather was just terrific. The sun wasn’t too hot, there was slightest hint of breeze in the air. The crowds were not too “crowdy”, there was a definite air of holiday spirit everywhere. After waiting for ten minutes for the 3 bikers to leave, who were taking their own time to go, we finally got the parking spot. We then strolled to the beach, relaxed in the sun for a while, took a walk along the beach, we realized for some reason the water was freezing cold, and very deep too. So we lounged, played little ball, and ate a colossal portion of strawberry waffle ice cream. People in the line loved our’s and asked what it was so that they could order too. We shared 2 of those and headed back to R’s place for a yummy take out Hyderabadi biryani. Uff…what can beat that. We all chatted in leisure. V, IN and R were too busy swapping their silly stories over their scotch and with smirks on their face wondered if I (me) and P could drive back home. They were meeting after a long time, but they talk to each other practically every evening, so I don’t know what else there is left for them to talk. So I and P started our drive back.
The next day after a lazy morning, we ate heartily, shopped a bit and went to see “Cheeni Kum”, (turn the vol. up), what can I say, Amitabh still got the charm to create romance on screen and Tabu looked terrific, they seemed so compatible. I’d love to give the story away, but in a way it is so self explanatory. It has elements of fierce individualities, compassion, love and humility that would make you want to be happy for them, for people who just are trying to live their lives. The best part of watching movies in Nj is u get steamign masala chai and other chaat's in the theatre, I know can u beleive it.
We drove back the next morning, but in my friends neighborhood looked like there was going to be some parade, the fire dept had their trucks decorated, we saw old men in Scottish outfits, we just picked our coffee at dunkin donuts and headed back, surprisingly there was no traffic.
That was my weekend, I could have just said --- I got a chance to relax, spend time with friends and catch a movie but I thought little detail wont hurt.
The next day after a lazy morning, we ate heartily, shopped a bit and went to see “Cheeni Kum”, (turn the vol. up), what can I say, Amitabh still got the charm to create romance on screen and Tabu looked terrific, they seemed so compatible. I’d love to give the story away, but in a way it is so self explanatory. It has elements of fierce individualities, compassion, love and humility that would make you want to be happy for them, for people who just are trying to live their lives. The best part of watching movies in Nj is u get steamign masala chai and other chaat's in the theatre, I know can u beleive it.
We drove back the next morning, but in my friends neighborhood looked like there was going to be some parade, the fire dept had their trucks decorated, we saw old men in Scottish outfits, we just picked our coffee at dunkin donuts and headed back, surprisingly there was no traffic.
That was my weekend, I could have just said --- I got a chance to relax, spend time with friends and catch a movie but I thought little detail wont hurt.
Friday, May 25, 2007
A window to this week
After my appt with Richard, I felt desolate for him, his dog died, and he’s got no family around, he had a fall at the mall entrance that he’s trying to get covered for, but was denied and now is looking for a lawyer. He seemed so lonely. He emulates this bitterness that makes u wanna not be there. So I tipped him well and walked out of the salon with a cool hair cut. V says it looks the same length, grr….but me totally likey !
Moving on, I want to work on my “Time” issues, really. I have a habit of rushing at the nick of the time, and take the gamble and totally trust the elements of other forces, translated as traffic, weather etc to contribute to my success in reaching on time – this is especially true in case of work. If I had to catch a plane to head to a vacation, u bet I’m on time. For my time issues, I partly blame my mum. See when we were kids, we (I and mom) were always in a rush to get to school, get to the train station, get to somewhere or the other. There was an element of adrenaline rush that I never realized at that time. Also there wasn’t traffic, no worries to fill up gas, no worries of packing lunch or snack by yourself, someone else always did that for you, making the bed, not to forget to take flat shoes / sandals incase I decide to take a walk later after work, all the normal life thingies. Since my new job started, I’ve noticed people were stickler of being ON time, really like it’s sickening to me. C’mon don’t u expect things to be late, traffic, packing lunch, filling up gas -- well u should plan for all those, they say. So I’ve decided to give this a try – to be at work by 8.45, I need to be in the garage inside my car, at 8.20 SHARP. I’ve started this since last 2 weeks and so far it seems to work, but there is an element of predictability (aka being responsible) comes with it. I can’t say if I like it, but it seems to work for my cred. I’ve taken away the pleasure of thinking in leisure what I’ll be wearing to work, I think once and that’s it. It better be pressed already otherwise, I need to plan extra few mts for that. I don’t think of things here and there while I brush now, I actually tried counting my brush strokes, but seemed futile, of course. I drive with a purpose these days, and I don’t yield as much : (
I had my training yesterday; it’s called an Experience day. I met the mail man whom I run across all the time in my bldg. I, him and another 2 went out for lunch at Boston market, after that everyone went their ways, which was good, I took a slow stroll in that part of the town, Paoli. The sun was gently hot and the walkways in that strip mall was playing cheerful music and I window shopped at Ann Taylor’s, Pier 1 imports, the cute part was the fountain in front of Chico’s. My book would have been great company to sit in front of that fountain and see the people pass by and read. After lunch, the lady in orange jacket from SUSA dept was explaining some of the products and how they work and what r they used for and such, it was too technical for me, so my mind wandered and I looked at the huge windows behind her, the trees waltzing to the slight wind, the sun sieving through the leaves on the dark road, the parked cars bursting with energy to get out, the rocks at the dip of the landscape, it was lovely, at that moment I felt I’m –like we are such intricate parts of the society. This bldg is where it all started – they claim. Being a part of that, standing there and looking out of the window, from which many would have had passed by, so many conversations might have been had and will continue to. It felt eerily symbolical of being a part of something larger than my own life. The rest of the day, I paid attention to people and things around me. I treated myself with Rita’s Ice, on my way back.
Did I say, my darling sis had sent me tons of terrific looking clothes from Malay. I totally love them, they would have been the kind I’d have picked myself. Pretty cottons, lovely colors, I cant start wearing them, in fact I have one on today. Thank you, sweetheart. When I told my mum about how much I love those clothes, she said well if you liked it, they must be really good. I thought to myself, boy I must be hard to please : ) which I agree to, I can be a bitch about what suits me, I don’t wear bcoz they are in fashion, they need to suit me right.
The highlight of the week is my book and my new clothes. My book bcoz I’m in love with each and everyone of these characters, in their simple very normal lives they all have a certain zing. I’ve learnt and taken away so much from them. I traveled to Rome with them and the way they plan and do things together seem like what I’d do or be a part of. Thank you, dear book. I’ve taken away a bit of Italian too, if anything, mi chiamo Linku : ) The Evening Class is a total hit.
A friend of ours is selling their house and buying a bigger one, they have an offer and the house is scheduled for inspection today. They have a new born, so they wanted to find out if they can come by our house for those few hours of inspection, since they didn’t want to take the week old baby girl anywhere out, so we were like, there’s nothing to ask, do come by. I left cookies in a nice jar on the island, with clean glasses for juice. Incase they decide to drink tea, I left tea bags, and sugar out for them, with cups. Aren’t I a terrific host? So whenever people come over our house, I have this charade of things that I need to do – make sure the counters are free of any clutter, the floor is clean, the coffee table is dusted, the chadar on my divan is neatly tucked around, and the throws on the sofa are neatly folded, and home fragrant. While V was on the phone with friends, I was going through this checklist. So V thinks that I’m really silly, he’s used to my style of things but still finds it acutely funny, so I laugh with him at me and continue on.
Moving on, I want to work on my “Time” issues, really. I have a habit of rushing at the nick of the time, and take the gamble and totally trust the elements of other forces, translated as traffic, weather etc to contribute to my success in reaching on time – this is especially true in case of work. If I had to catch a plane to head to a vacation, u bet I’m on time. For my time issues, I partly blame my mum. See when we were kids, we (I and mom) were always in a rush to get to school, get to the train station, get to somewhere or the other. There was an element of adrenaline rush that I never realized at that time. Also there wasn’t traffic, no worries to fill up gas, no worries of packing lunch or snack by yourself, someone else always did that for you, making the bed, not to forget to take flat shoes / sandals incase I decide to take a walk later after work, all the normal life thingies. Since my new job started, I’ve noticed people were stickler of being ON time, really like it’s sickening to me. C’mon don’t u expect things to be late, traffic, packing lunch, filling up gas -- well u should plan for all those, they say. So I’ve decided to give this a try – to be at work by 8.45, I need to be in the garage inside my car, at 8.20 SHARP. I’ve started this since last 2 weeks and so far it seems to work, but there is an element of predictability (aka being responsible) comes with it. I can’t say if I like it, but it seems to work for my cred. I’ve taken away the pleasure of thinking in leisure what I’ll be wearing to work, I think once and that’s it. It better be pressed already otherwise, I need to plan extra few mts for that. I don’t think of things here and there while I brush now, I actually tried counting my brush strokes, but seemed futile, of course. I drive with a purpose these days, and I don’t yield as much : (
I had my training yesterday; it’s called an Experience day. I met the mail man whom I run across all the time in my bldg. I, him and another 2 went out for lunch at Boston market, after that everyone went their ways, which was good, I took a slow stroll in that part of the town, Paoli. The sun was gently hot and the walkways in that strip mall was playing cheerful music and I window shopped at Ann Taylor’s, Pier 1 imports, the cute part was the fountain in front of Chico’s. My book would have been great company to sit in front of that fountain and see the people pass by and read. After lunch, the lady in orange jacket from SUSA dept was explaining some of the products and how they work and what r they used for and such, it was too technical for me, so my mind wandered and I looked at the huge windows behind her, the trees waltzing to the slight wind, the sun sieving through the leaves on the dark road, the parked cars bursting with energy to get out, the rocks at the dip of the landscape, it was lovely, at that moment I felt I’m –like we are such intricate parts of the society. This bldg is where it all started – they claim. Being a part of that, standing there and looking out of the window, from which many would have had passed by, so many conversations might have been had and will continue to. It felt eerily symbolical of being a part of something larger than my own life. The rest of the day, I paid attention to people and things around me. I treated myself with Rita’s Ice, on my way back.
Did I say, my darling sis had sent me tons of terrific looking clothes from Malay. I totally love them, they would have been the kind I’d have picked myself. Pretty cottons, lovely colors, I cant start wearing them, in fact I have one on today. Thank you, sweetheart. When I told my mum about how much I love those clothes, she said well if you liked it, they must be really good. I thought to myself, boy I must be hard to please : ) which I agree to, I can be a bitch about what suits me, I don’t wear bcoz they are in fashion, they need to suit me right.
The highlight of the week is my book and my new clothes. My book bcoz I’m in love with each and everyone of these characters, in their simple very normal lives they all have a certain zing. I’ve learnt and taken away so much from them. I traveled to Rome with them and the way they plan and do things together seem like what I’d do or be a part of. Thank you, dear book. I’ve taken away a bit of Italian too, if anything, mi chiamo Linku : ) The Evening Class is a total hit.
A friend of ours is selling their house and buying a bigger one, they have an offer and the house is scheduled for inspection today. They have a new born, so they wanted to find out if they can come by our house for those few hours of inspection, since they didn’t want to take the week old baby girl anywhere out, so we were like, there’s nothing to ask, do come by. I left cookies in a nice jar on the island, with clean glasses for juice. Incase they decide to drink tea, I left tea bags, and sugar out for them, with cups. Aren’t I a terrific host? So whenever people come over our house, I have this charade of things that I need to do – make sure the counters are free of any clutter, the floor is clean, the coffee table is dusted, the chadar on my divan is neatly tucked around, and the throws on the sofa are neatly folded, and home fragrant. While V was on the phone with friends, I was going through this checklist. So V thinks that I’m really silly, he’s used to my style of things but still finds it acutely funny, so I laugh with him at me and continue on.
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