2010 has been quite eventful so far.
Before leaving for the Vipassana trip (earlier this year), I had promised myself that the day I got back to Mumbai - I would bring an end to my career in investment banking.
My job had presented me with many opportunities and accolades. However, I just didn't think it was anywhere close to a 'calling' for me.
Ofcourse, this crazy plan was well guarded from most people. Not everyone takes a deviation from routine as normal.
So, for the first time in 4 years after graduation, I had truckloads of time on hand.
I slept, read, watched movies and cooked.
I visited my school and went out with old friends.
I shortlisted nine sectors worth doing business in, made business plans and sought feedback from experts.
Yet, most of the time, seemingly engaged in interesting activities, my mind worked overtime.
I had NO idea where I was headed.
It was extremely difficult not to have any answers. For someone who prided herself on always knowing what she wanted from life and working towards achieving it, these months of uncertainty were quite daunting.
Thankfully, the year has progressed well and my experience of 'doing nothing' has been quite revealing and worthwhile.
Though some questions still irk me, most concerns have been ironed out.
Having spoken about the year, I now want to specify why I write this post.
I don't think I could have fared as well as I did, had it not been for my friends.
Ofcourse, my family was the most supportive. But then, they are blood relations and will have to wait for a vote of thanks.
Today, is just for friends.
People who have stood by me, supported me, corrected me, humored me, mentored me and just plain, heard me out.
People who showed me kindness and faith.
Most important, people who made me feel good about myself.
Once a friend told me that my future didn't bother him much. 'You are a Sindhi after all! Your innate resourcefulness will see you through!'
Ofcourse, that didn't solve my problems. Still, coming from a friend, it was the most comforting balm! (And, yeah, he earned brownie points for the Sindhi's ego massage ;-) )
The point I am trying to make is - Old friends are valuable and good for your health. Like wine, they get better with each passing year.
Often, people don't value their friendships. Different colleges, separate career pathways, boy/girlfriends, marriage, children are quoted as reasons of 'letting go'.
Agreed not all friendships are worth the hassle. Still, the few that are, must be treasured.
So, on this Diwali, while I thank God for my wonderful set of friends, I hope you reach out to people who have made your life worthwhile.
Here's wishing you and your loved ones a Sparkling Diwali and a fun filled new year!
With the blessings of God and a very thoughtful friend, I will finally have Dhoop Kinaare in my collection.
I have already expressed how keen I was to have it.
Not just for myself, but even for my mom. She is a bigger fan of the Marina Khan series like Dhoop Kinaare, Tanhaaiyan, etc.
Anyway, I am writing this not because of Dhoop Kinaare, but because of this friend.
Searching for the series through the crazy Internet maze was not easy. Even more difficult if you have a list of friends, each with his/her own wish list.
Never known to say a "No" and always a source of laughter and happiness, I am glad for how things have shaped up for this friend.
I wish him all the very best and hope I get lots of goodies when he gets back after a two year vacation in London.
Till then, I will continue building up my download list.
Tomorrow might not be like previous years.
I shall miss my sister Anshu. She is back to her hometown after staying with us while studying.
Both of us love this fest of water and colours and always had a blast during celebrations.
The day always started with lots of excitement and anticipation.
Mukund and Anshu would often team up and make sure I would be the first one to be thrown off balance with truckloads of water and all the colours.
Fir aati Mummy, Papa aur Chotu ki baari. Baari baari sab ko gulal lagaya jaata.
With my mom, it's very formal...just "shagun" ke liye, since she hates colours.
But with Papa, it's the exact opposite ! He loves to play Holi and has always been a favourite amongst relatives for his cheerful celebration of the festivities...
Even as kids, when Mukund and I weren't allowed to venture out on Holi, lest we be thrown in water drums and spoil our skins with oil colours, we satiated our desires by using the pichkaari aur balloons on Papa.
As we grew, I always invited my closest friends for a Holi celebration to my house.
It was an annual function which we all looked forward to !
Lots of water, music, Colours followed by a sumptuous meal and lots of sweets prepared by my mom.
So much was our fascination and love for the festival that after the day was well spent and all were supposedly clean and bathed - we prided on the pink and red hues that covered our skin and hair.
Jiska rang pheeka pada, usne Holi kheli hi nahi !
Holi also reminds me of a very close friend, one I have known and grown with since the age of three and the one who today refuses to see me.
Lack of time is her reasoning.
Lack of inclination is my retort.
It's strange, how in this age of hi-fi technology, cell phones, instant messengers, networking sites and VoiP, people can't "manage" to keep in touch.
I say, it's not technology that makes the twain meet. It's the bond, the love.
Anyway, I hope if there are people you have kept waiting - the time to end the wait is now !
Go out, celebrate, play, chill out with your near and dear ones.
!!! Happy Holi !!!
Phew...I have been away for too long now !!
Have wanted to write about loads of things...but have been tied up with work and padhai...
Aaj ek dost ne bataya ki he has been bitten by the Blogging bug like never before...said he probably was acting strange and stupid (like me) for wanting to write more, for planning out his next topics and dwelling on the details...
This was enough to get me back to my dearest online diary...
Also, I completed a year of blogging and fande maraoing in Feb 2009 !!
It's been quite a fulfiling experience for me.
I wouldn't want to list down all that I have gained from blogging, but would just say that it is something I absolutely love to do and shall continue for many years to come.
Thank You PsW.
on a different note, I have been in a reflective mood ever since my birthday...
23 felt soo young, so childlike, so carefree...
24 makes you feel all grown up, more responsible, a little tensed about the list of "To Dos"...
Thankfully, a few friends re-inforced that 24 or 40...doesn't make a difference as long as I am doing what I always wanted to...
Things shall fall in place as long as I keep my spark alive and do not give up my dreams...
It's all in the mind - never rang so true !
And anyway, knowing myself, I am sure, 24 or 40 - my string of stupid questions and fande maraoing shall never end...So what the heck !! Age be damned !
I also got a very pleasant surprise on going back to office after a long weekend...
Lots of Birthday cards by sooo many people... I didn't expect it to be so warm and sweet.
Last year, most of them would have been my colleagues, a new department I was expected to win over.
This year, most of them are my friends and ones I am very proud of.
Thank You All !
One good thing that I did after watching Delhi 6 yesterday was to go and buy a new Carrom Board!
It's been an old love and I had been itching to get the board since a lonnng lonng time...
I still remember the family matches we had almost every other night...Papa, Mamma, Mukund and I...
Nights interspersed with carrom and ludo...loads of matches and bets... We had lots of friends visiting us...weekends were filled with gaming sessions with friends...
And then suddenly, we grew up....
Cell phones, the Internet, chatting, I-pods, friends took over...
We still played, though now it was taken over by card games and general bakar after dinner...
Yet, somewhere all of us also missed the lovely games that kept us happy...
Isliye, Carrom has been on mind since a long time now...
Today, Mukund and I set our hands on the board after ages !
Wow..what bliss !!
Both of us have to get back to our earlier form...and it shall take time...
Yet, it's a start...
A wonderful start...
Today I received Shaadi ka Nimantran from Dipal, an old friend from college.
She is getting married next week and my best friend and I shall be attending the ceremony together.
I loved her Invitation card since it had a traditional touch to it. It's always great to receive cards written in regional language along with English. Gives a very Indian touch !
This marriage makes me happy and at the same time nostalgic too. I shared some very nice days of my life with Dipal in college...from being bench mates to project partners to extra currics buddies...we did it all..
It seems just like yesterday when we passed out, she went for her MBA and I started working.
Can't believe it shall be a good 3 years in a few months...
Somehow, I always knew that Dipal would be the first one to get married - coming from a very traditional family...
Yet, in some ways, it seems difficult to digest that we are now "reallllyyy" out of the College mode and friends have started getting engaged/married.
As a little girl, I hated to discuss shaadi and vidaai...Even today am not a big fan of the topic...
Funny, seeing my irritation with marriages, my brother had started detesting the word too...He just thought ki shaadi karna matlab mummy papa ko chodke jaana padta hai....As kids, when marriages were discussed at home, he, more than I, would pledge never to get married !( He is very much over it now and is at his charming best with ladies ! )
The thought of marriage makes me realise that I shall have to LEAVE a family behind, adjust with new people and customs and try to get on with the inner turmoil.
It is difficult to think of a home without a mother fretting over you, a father providing his never ending support, a brother who is more of a buddy than a brother...
There are hearts to be won over and new roles to be played while dealing with the emotional burden of leaving one's family behind...
Though, these days, the transition into married life is not very tumultuous. With women staying away from families due to work or studies, the pain doesn't really surface.
Yet, for the many hundreds of "ghar ki badi aur zimmedar beti" this is one hell of an emotional roller-coaster ride.
I can't start to imagine what Dipal might be feeling right now...
I wish her all the very best... and knowing her, I am sure she shall make a smooth transition !
Just heard an amazing account from a friend about another common friend.
The common friend, a lady, has been working with a leading Indian I-Bank as a Management Associate.
A few days back she received an email stating from Management stating -
"Congratulations. You have completed 6 months and are now an Associate with us. We are proud to have you on board and are looking forward to a healthy relationship with you........................................."
The lady beamed with pride.
Within a span of 5 minutes, she received another mail that read -
"Please Ignore The Previous Mail. Thank You."
Stumped ! Are you?
Phew!!
What a week - loaded with outings, free dinners, some padhai-vadhai and a spectacular IPL Finals !!
Have been busy with a few assignments…catching up with old friends and spending time with family…
In general - taking life easy !
Talking about IPL - Had been wanting to catch the drama LIVE this time around…had been bored to death by friends and colleagues who kept narrating their experiences. I wanted to see and decide for myself if the T20 actually deserved so much attention.
Yes! It did deserve the attention :-)
The one word that comes to my mind when I look back at the finals is - Spectacular !!
From the opening ceremony, the laser shows, the star studded performances to a nail biting and pulsating climax - everything about the event was spellbinding !
Through out the match, I kept vouching for the "underdogs" and Whoa !! What a show they put up !!
Warne did an excellent job without a coach and managed to get the trophy for a bunch of "nobodys". In true bollywood ishtyle - Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar :-)
Now, I ain't an expert on the game. Infact, I hardly follow it ! I did not know most players and frankly, couldn't care less about the "Strategy" the captains used in trying to out-do each other.
Yet, even as a novice, I enjoyed the game, the spirit, the exhilarating masses, "the Mexican waves" and the mesmerizing Cheer Leaders ! A complete Paisa Vasool match !
Initially, I felt awkward and contained my excitement. Just how could a game bring people to the brink of madness?
However, a few overs into the game, I gave up all thoughts of sanity and joined the crowds in the fun filled banter, the boos and the aahhhs…
The energy exuberated was so very infectious, you just couldn't "not" get affected !!
Above all, I went for the match with 2 close friends who are "experts" in the nuances of the game. It was fun to watch them challenge and boo each other, while their bets played on the field.
All said and done, an amazinnnngggg week !!
Jab raat 3 baje Mummy-Papa gale lagne ke liye jagte rahe...
Jab bhai-behen har aadhe ghante phone karke pyaar jatate rahe...
Jab koi 12 baje ka alarm lagakar soya taaki mujhse baat kar sake...
Jab koi door pardes se 11:55 call kar baitha taaki traffic na mile...
Jab kisine class test ke dauraan mujhe msg karne ka risk liya aur professor ki daant kha baithi...
Jab koi pure din ki thakaan ke baad, Mumbai Locals ka saamna kar, sirf mujhse gale milne aa pahuchi...
Jab kisine "In search of the perfect Cake" 50 calls ghumaaye...
Jab bachpan ki saheli din bhar call karti rahi...aur phone na lagne par gaali deti rahi....
Jab kuch logon ne mujhse sampark na hone par "We hate you BUT God bless You" ke chain mails shuru kiye...
Jab kisine yeh din yaad aane par Client meeting ke dauraan mujhse batiya ladai...
Jab koson door baithi..Maa jaisi ne bada laad aur pyaar jatate hue mujhe bachpan ki shararat yaad dilaai...
Jab kisine jald baazi me apni padhai, quizzes, assignments puri kar...mujhe der raat office se nikalva kar coffee treat di...
Jab kisine apne fiance se meethi baaton ka tyaag kar mujhse phone par bakar karni chaahi...
Jab kisine bade gusse se mere pura din "not reachable" aur "out of coverage" hone par new battery gift karni chaahi...
Jab kisine 21vi baar finally phone lagne par..."Kyun Bey Kameeni kahan marr gayi thi..." se shuruaat ki....
Jab mere chote se jaan ke tukde..mere Chotu ne mujhe pooch lehraate hue chooma chaata.....
Tab mujhe bahut rona aaya.....
Lekin jab yeh ehsaas hua ki bechaare Shivji ko mere saath apna janamdin share karna pad raha hai....toh mai fir se kameeno jaise has padi :D
All, near and dear ones, who made my day special....THANK YOU ALL :-)
Love You all...
Some seemingly innocuous wishes can shape your life for better or worse. One such wish was made by my Dad.
One sunny weekend I was jolted out of my cosy date with "Buffettology" when mere Pitaji ne ek googly fekte hue kaha " Beti, hafte bhar tu kaam ko lekar vyast rehti hai. Isliye 14 mai se 1 baar hi sahi, par tere haathon se paki Roti khaana chahta hoon.."
Le..First Ball and Clean Bowled !
"Papa, agar yeh koi test hai toh bata doon - Mujhe khana pakana aata hai ! aap jo bolo..mai banakar dikha sakti hoon!" No sooner were these words out than I found myself cornered.
"Haan beta, jaanta hoon ki tu badhiya khaana pakati hai. Kya mujhe haq nahi apni beti ke haath ka swadisht khaana khaane ka??"
Reasons ranging from giving weekly aaram to our cook to preparing me for larger roles like that of a Biwi to just plain making me forget Buffett's pearls of wisdom raced through my head.
"Lekin har weekend karne ki kya zaroorat hai?" I asked, miffed with him. "Tujhe tere sawal ka jawab mil jaayega. Bas meri yeh ichha puri kar".
Ab jab papa itna pyar se, behla fusla kar kuch maang le..toh bhala mai kya kar sakti thi?
Thus began my weekly encounters with the kitchen, cheeni and masala.
Now, I am an above average cook and till then had always thought of cooking as a good leisure and stress busting activity. However, this weekly assignment unnerved me since cooking under my Mom's surveillance can be quite a test ! Not only is she blessed with great culinary skills but demands perfection! Khud toh chutkiyon mai khana pakati hain...aur ab toh inhone kasam kha li thi ki mujhe bhi apne jaisa banakar dum lengi...every grain of masala is monitored and no clumsy work is accepted ! Plus after the cooking is complete...the kitchen should look as spic and span as one of those "Good Housing Keeping" idyllic kitchens....phew! I braced myself for the "Mirch-Masala" sessions with her.
Week after week I prepared dinner for the whole family - dal-chawal, parathas, Mughlai Gobi, Shahi Paneer. Kabhi "perfect" Dal banti , toh kabhi namkeen bhindi...kabhi khana lazeez hota aur kabhi sazaa samajh kar ghar wale kha lete..
As weeks progressed, I started enjoying the activity. I did miss my lazy sundays and had to forego a few plans with friends - But I tried to fulfil this one wish my Dad asked of me.
Yet, I still hadn't got the answer to my question.. "Har hafte Kyun??". The answer came to me in bits and pieces.
Work took me away from family for 6 months. Naya Des, anjaan log and dher saara waqt! Since I was on my own, cooking became a necessity and no longer a stress buster. Uff yeh paapi pet kya kya karvata hai ! I started with simple dishes like aloo-gobi, bhindi, dal-chawal, and the like. However, I got bored in a few days and decided to try my hand at more challenging delicacies. I made them all - from puri to pasta. I started surfing bawarchi.com and making frantic calls to Mom every time my elaborate cooking plans derailed due to some reason. I enjoyed the "waiting" game, loved the phhisshhh of the cooker, the pungent aroma of the curry and the delicate feel of butter.
However, it is here that I missed Maa ke "nuskhe". I missed the special bonding that had developed between us due to our weekly sessions. I had always been close to her. But this new relationship between us had various shades - I saw her as a mentor who shared her precious tips, a teacher who scolded me for goofing up with the Curry and a friend who gave me a Thumbs Up every time food turned out to be remotely edible. I missed the anticipation and excitement of feeding my family. The first bite, the oohs & aahs, the ragging sessions by my brother and the bear hugs by my Dad. Cooking teaches you patience and rewards you with love & appreciation from your loved ones. Humor comes along as a by-product too since NOT all your experiments go down well with the guinea pigs. Nothing beats the bonding that takes place at a dinner table. I missed all of these ! On more thought, Life resembles cooking - everything depends on the ingredients you put in - love, humor, care and perseverance. You can be dry & methodical and spoil the fun or be creative, take risks and add zest to it.
Finally, I had the answer to my question !
Thankfully, I made a few close friends who shared my love for cooking. We all had a blast cooking for various occasions. Bhagwaan unka bhala kare...jinhone mere pakaye hue khaane ko itne maheeno saha :P
Now that am back home, I try and keep my weekly dates with the kitchen. Pichle hafte Paneer Kofte banaye jise Master Chef ka stamp of approval mila ..Any suggestions for the coming weekend?
