Paris

Christmas is over and so is over short holiday. We had 4 days off so we decided to use them well and go on a short trip to Paris. I had always wanted to go to Paris - so now i can cut off one name from my list of things-to-do-before I die :) And belive me the visit was surely a dream come true. It waaaaasssssss beeeeaaaauuuutiiiifullll (hope adding so many extra letters to the word gave you the exact idea of how I found it) :)

Ok - we decided to drive to Paris (read here - my husband loves driving) Well it wasn't that long a drive so we decided to go for it. According to the navigation system it was 4 hrs 22 min drive and we planned to cover it up in around 6 hours counting dinner breaks, coffee breaks and baby breaks :) ok ok ...like dinner and coffee we were not planning to have any baby *wink* ...it was rest break for our baby when she would get tired of sitting in her car seat or just crave for some special attention from us. We started our drive around 6 in the veening on 24th Dec. After one dinner break and 2 more short breaks (crying-baby breaks) we reached our hotel at 12:30 in the night. Christmas morning was beautiful. After lazying around a bit and gulping down some delicious frenc breakfast we were all set for a touristic round of the city. Our first destination - which everyone would have guesse by now - was Eiffel tower. It is an iron tower built beside the Seine River in Paris. It is gigantic. Huge lacy iron structure. Besides Eiffel tower, we saw Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, cathedral Notre Dame, palace of the Louvre, Palace of the Tuileries, Place de la Concorde, Parc du Champ de Mars, Les Invalides, Grand Palais and many more such touristic places (many names have already left my not so strong memory)


Food options in Paris were great - millions of cafe's and restaurants from all over the world. And it wasn't all that expensive too ( compared to prices in Netherlands). Also, the best part was you could get a huge variety of warm food all through the day - now that might not be a great thing for anyoen from India but yes - for people from Nethetlands and around, it is something of great value :) Warm Lunch is not the concept here. It's almost like winning a lottery if you get warm lunch somewhere. The only warm meal dutch people have is dinner. Warm-Lunch term is alien to them. Ok back to the trip recap now.

Moving around Paris is very very easy - infact by the end of three days we realised that we were going round and round the same 5 km diameter area. Everything was easily accessible by metro or even on foot. (Though we didnt use any of these means - we preffered our car to get some warmt in otherwise freezing weather) IT WAS VERY COLD. Hopefully these bold letters are conveying the true temperature feeling :) It was around -5, -6 all the time.

Evenings in Paris were heavenly beautiful with lights all around. Effel Tower was a sparkling wonder. It was illuminated in blue to celebrate the French presidency of EU. It even had twelve golden stars of the European flag. Few minutes every hour the whole tower would start sparkling with millions of lights. We couldn't go to first floor or above as we had Prisha with us and babies are not allowed and moreover there was such a long queue - we had no patience for that.

Greetings!!

Long holiday

We had been away to India for 6 weeks starting weekend before diwali. Another valid reason for my absense from blog world!
It was quite a nice trip apart from the fact that we were too busy all the time. After 3 years we celebrated Diwali with family . And there was my little daughter's first b'day too. This was the main attarction of the trip. I will write a complete detailed record of all our activities there. This post is just to get back the feel of writing.

Her b'day was a great success - A huge party where we got to meet all our relatives, cousins and many friends. We all enjoyed it a lot and so did our little darling. It was a surprise to see how happy she was there and how much she enjoyed it all inspite of big gathering and loud music. Believe me I was assuming i would be holding a cranky baby for couple of hours who would not want to go away from me and keep crying for no reason (Well valid reasons from her side though) But she had a great time cutting the beautiful cake and dancing on dance floor. She was happy and so were we.

We also went to Vaishno Devi for her mundan ceremony (Shaving off hair form her head). It was quite tiring but again very nice. Rest of the days went into eating eating and eating. I wanted to eat everything i had not had for last couple of years. I myself dont remember what all i ate there. We didnt go for much of shopping as we had already received enough as gifts. Our parents didnt leave us with any scope of any more shopping. Our bags were already full. Infact we had to leave behind Prisha's toys and dolls.

One thing i really feel bad about this trip is that i didnt get to meet my friends. I couldnt even call anyone. I met only 3 of them and that too shortly. I couldn't stay and have fun with my little sister - who is not little anymore - she herself has a 6 months old darling baby girl. We had made huge plans but all in vain :(

Biggest surprise on this trip was the drastic changes delhi has gone through. We were really happily surprised. The food quality, the hygeine, cleanliness, the presentation, the variety - everything has improved manyfolds.

Another good part of the trip was how Prisha(our daughter) adjusted so well with everyone there. We could leave her home for hours and she would even notice. She adjusted well with everything and everyone - people, environment, weather, food etc etc etc. Infact we both9me and my hubby) fell ill and had indigestion but she was perfect all through the trip and that was the best that could have happened. We were quite glad about it.

Our 6 weeks long trip ended in Dec 5 and we landed here on Dec 6 morning. Cold wind gave us a nice welcome on the morning of our anniversary. We spent our anniversary day sleeping. It was too cold for us to step out right on first day. Well, how long could I have stayed in. Monday came and i had to be back at work. Work load was waiting for me. My friend was ready to leave for her vacation and It was my turn to take over.

This is festive and holiday time here and christmas fever is all around in the air. So not a bad time to be here. Last 2 weeks of this month would be relaxed as most people are off for celebrations. Though it's cold and dark most of the time yet christmas lights keep it all light and cheerful. One can feel the happiness in air. We are up for some shopping in this huge sales season. Lets see what all good deals we can get our hands on.

Till next time - Enjoy, take care and keep smiling.

I need. What do I need?

I saw this tag on couple of blogs and just felt interested in trying what I get...
So We are supposed to search in google for "[our name] needs" and see what the results are and write them here ... So Here i go.

Bharti needs it.
* Oh yes...i sure do need it. But what? Keep guessing!! :)

Bharti needs to be listed in South African market.
* Oh ya? Oops...

Bharti needs to generate predictable and sustainable positive free operating cash flows.
*Now that sounds like a jargon to me. Can anyone explain?

Bharti needs to do less of awareness marketing.
*Ok..noted!

Bharti needs to take a look at her staff and these reviews if she is not to lose her reputation.
* Now that's a very important one. Noted.

Bharti needs more spectrum to ease pressure on growth.
* OOkayyyy...!!

Bharti needs to prove itself to maintain its leadership.
* Whewww!! What a doubt...I am no longer a human being...i am a thing (note "itself")

Fun..Isn't it? You sure get some insight. Now whosoever feels as insterested as I was giving it a try, please go ahead.

History Repeats??

I had written this around 2 years ago and the same feelings have crept in again. Who says history doesn't repeat itself - It does - just that it's quite picky in what to repeat and what not.

"Life is not the same ever since I have moved away to NL. There have been ups and downs every next moment... one moment i feel the best in the world and the next moment i have surprises waiting to wake me up to reality and prove once more that i dont deserve to be happy for long...
Sometimes i feel i am too much a cribbing person..i always find a reason to cry over...don't know how much of it is true...

It pains to realise that I am all alone here now...have kind of walked too far from everyone...friends are no more within sight...family is far far away... all is left behind somewhere ... i have faint pictures of everyone....just memories to cherish and recall and cry over... somehow everything seems to be moving away... i feel left alone in the middle of a deserted island...witnessing everyone slowly moving away...me spreading my arms for someone to come to hold me tight...

I feel as if I have no friends, no companions...

the moments of long chats, long talks, having lunch together, going out, having coffee together at barista, Nirulas, evening samosas, taking lifts back home with pals, looking forward to every new day to go and see each other ...are all history now...

History that has a rare chance of repetiting itself... :( esp in such cases. It almost makes sure it does not repeat.
I hate to be alone, i hate to be helpless, i hate to think about all the happy moments and not be able to do anything about it ... i hate it all !!!!!!! "

Cigarettea

Tea bags and pack look like cigarettes. Some fun for you and youre frends. See? - you take a cigarette and drop to hot water cup - and you got tea, because its tea in cigarette (not tobacco). Filter work like float.
Isn't it funny? :)

WOW

Now...I am smiling wide, happy till deep inside, and all jolly ... Can anyone guess the reason... Yes? No? ok no prizes for guesses..

I am honored with one more award. My dear friend "Monika" thinks I am a "Million Dollar Friend". I am so delighted. Thank you soo much Monika. I am equally thankful to have found a friend like you. She says "I too can relate to her so much... currently her life is almost a reflection of mine...work, home and babies of the same age :) and thus the instant bonding."

So very true. Thanks again!!
And Thanks to all of you for being a one of a kind friend. You all make me feel great :)

I would also like to present this award to few of my cherished friends and thank them for being sooo wonderful. Thanks for adding smiles to my life!

~nm : I can't thank her enough as she is the whole soul behind getting me in this blog world. Though I used to write for few years now but it was just for myself. Sharing has surely added a new dimension to all this. She is a great supporter and motivator. Thanks my friend!!
PG : Thanks my friend. Your stories, your recipes, your motivating words inspire me every single day to explore like.
Mampi : Should I thank you? I guess that would be less. Thanks for getting me back in this beautiful blog world. I surely was stuck. And your continuous visits to this small world of mine bring joy and smile.

Done for now :)

Ok, my new design is here now...i did soooo many changes, worked on it for loooooooong- changing whatever possible I could in the standard design from blogger and using my HTML skills *wink*. I used over 100 permutations and combinations of colors and images, fonts and sizes, backgrounds and headers - and finally came up with this one :) Hope you like it and feel like coming back :)

So far I plan to stick to it for few weeks to come (Please note - No promise for that. You never know when something new/some new idea pops up)

Enjoy and smile a lot.

Mood Designs

Please bear with me as I am in the process of finalising a nice design for my blog. So for few days or rather till i am satisfied with one; you might see new design every other day. More annoying part is that I am not getting that Upgrade button under Customization tab..so i just have to fiddle around with standard templates which i am not liking at all.

"How-To" Guide for people

I am so tired, I feel so sick, i feel so weak. This 10 months girl of mine is driving me nuts...uhh...am i a bad bad mommy to say this?? :( I have been home since thursday afternoon because she is ill.

I am totally out of energy today - both mentally and physically. I dont know what to say and what not to say. My mind is stuck - or rather full of too many thoughts- its too restless. Wish there was some "step-by-step" guide to deal with this.

Why can't there be a manual or a guide like we have for appliances or tools or anything that man has created for his comfort. Why can't anyone come up with a guide for dealing with tough situations in life that we face daily? Let me try to create one for the situation I am in.

"How to keep yourself cool and composed when your child is sick and you are also unwell and there is noone else to take care"

1. Try to put your child to sleep as much as you can - that would help the child to feel better and also give you time to relax and do other things.

2. Let your child sit next to you and do whatever you are doing - if not fully atleast a part of it to feel engaged in the same activity as you. This way your child would be excited about doing something new and you owuld be able to finish your work.

uhh..I could not come up with any more en cemy condition. Anyone has any more ideas to add to the list?

It's still sinking in...

I don't know where to begin..i am just spell-bound to receive this award. I can't Thank PG enough for this. Thank you Thank you Thank you so much!! Ofcourse I have seen many talented people being awarded and I myself have been dreaming of receiving one such some day- but it would be this soon, I had never thought that even in my dreams. Such few posts and yet an award. I am just flattered. This award is a great morale booster to keep writing.

This is what PG thinks about me :)
"
A very creative person . Her blogs have impressive designs. A very sweet blog about her darling baby daughter. Her self ponderings can be as thought provoking to us as well. She is comparitively new to me, but it is always a pleasure to be there. Surely a deservingly Brilliant blogger!
"
Ok Now about the award:
The Brilliant Weblog Award- a prize given to sites and blogs that are smart and brilliant both in their content and their design. The purpose of the prize is to promote as many blogs as possible in the blogosphere.
Here are the rules to follow:

• When you receive the prize you must write a post showing it, togetherwith the name of who has given it to you, and link back to them.
• Choose a minimum of 7 blogs (or even more) that you find brilliant in content or design. Show their names and links and leave them a comment informing them that they have been awarded with the ‘Brilliant Weblog’ award.
• Show a picture of those who awarded you and those you give the prize (optional) to.

I am pretty new to this blogging world and don't know many as yet. And all those I know have already been awarded. Though I won't mind awarding them again.

So i present this honorable award to :

Monika : For sharing different tastes of her life - travel, baby, food and also how she deals with every day life. I can relate a lot with her situation.

Mampi : A great writer...puts across het thoughts amazingly. I love her posts. And i admire how she encourages me to keep blogging.

Vinay : An excellent poet - every line in his poems gives you food for thought. Though I am pretty new to his blog - those beautiful words flowing out in poems leave a mark.

~nm, Swati, PG I would have loved to award this to you too - But I know you have already been awarded. You are great writers and inspirers. Keep writing!!

Sarhad par kal raat...

Subah subah ik khwab ki dastak par darwaza khola,
dekha Sarhad ke us paar se kuchh mehmaan aaye hain
Aankhon se maanoos the saareyChehre saarey sune sunaaye
Paanv dhoye, Haath dhulayeAangan mein aasan lagwaaye...
Aur tandoor pe makki ke kuchh mote mote rot pakaye
Potli mein mehmaan merePichhale saalon ki faslon ka gud laaye the
Aankh khuli to dekha ghar mein koi nahin tha
Haath lagakar dekha to tandoor abhi tak bujha nahin tha
Aur hothon pe meethe gud ka jaayka ab tak chipak raha tha
Khwab tha shayad!Khwab hi hoga! !
Sarhad par kal raat, suna hai, chali thi goli
Sarhad par kal raat, suna hai Kuchh khwaabon ka khoon hua ha

(~Gulzar~)

Such beautiful words...simple yet touching. Every word leaves a mark. Every word tells a story of life. Every word hits deep down.

Sweet and Spicy

Yesterday I was out for dinner to a french retaurant and had the chance of tasting an icecream I had never had before - Pepper Icecream. I was amazed at the name itself and had to have it as soon as I read it in the menu card.
(Well may be you all know of it already - kindly adjust with my little general knowledge)

I must tell you it was awsome. The spicy pepper and sweet icecream made a great combo...it left a very lovely taste in mouth.

Here and here are recipes I found on web. Am gonna try making it once. May be you all can give it a try too.
[Photo from I can Do that]

I am a snow covered white day !!

Thanks Mampi for tagging me on this. I had a great timing imagining and just loved it. I feel much better going through this process.

I was required to write what kind of a day I want to be.
===============================

It is snowing since dawn .. It is white all around. I feel fresh and pure. Feels like I am a renewed day. A day so calm. A day so soothing. Not many cars came on road in the morning. All life forms decided to cuddle their loved ones and feel warm. I felt on top of cloud nine when some people looked out of their windows and said - Oh! What a beautiful day. (Who doesn't like praise!! *wide smiles*)

Few shiny rays of sun are trying to peek through the clouds and add to my beauty. Kids have decided to come out and play with snow and enjoy me - "the beautiful day". I am liking it. These giggling kids add to the joy of their parents and all passers  by and I feel great when they smile and look happy.  The chilly air has turned every one's nose red. They are enjoying and I am glad to be a day they would remember.

Time is moving. The play is about to end. It's getting chillier..i so wish i could be longer - but no...i live in a cycle of 24 hrs and this is the time i am given to spread smiles and wipe some tears. I am just a day. I am going into darkness now but would be back again to add to brightness and life.

=====================================

I would like to tag ~nm, Purplexia, PG, Swati and Monika on this.
Hope you all enjoy imagining what kind of a day you want to be.

Get Set Goooo...

I am home today. Usually I am home every tuesday as my daughter doesn't go to day care on tuesdays and one of us needs to be home to look after her. Morning went into physiotherapy sitting - I have been having quite a lot of back pain ever since I had my surgery. And also it gets worse when i carry Prisha up and down stairs few times. So the doctor advised physiotherapy.
I have noticed that doctors here have quite bookish knowledge - just when my physiotherapist was about to start , she got confused about which side should i lie down on - so she went back to her computer , looked there at the screen and came back asking me to lie down on left side. It was quite weird. She anyway had to repeat the same process on both sides and which side first didnt sound like anything to cause confusion. And weirdest of all is that she has done this all the 4 times I have visited her so far. Everytime she has to check on computer. I find it both weird and funny. Anyway, she helps me feel better, so no complains!! :)

I just hope these sittings start giving some results now.
I am also forcing myself into stepping on my "stepper" for atleast few minutes everyday now. There are so many reasons- weight, legs pain, back pain - even if it helps in one of these - I would be more than glad. *sigh*

I started it yesterday only. Five minutes on it and I was half dead - uhh thats almost no stamina. I felt ashamed at myself. So I went on for 5 more minutes. 10 in all isnt bad for first day - right? This morning also I stepped on for 5 minutes. Am planning to continue - the question is how long :)

I would be travelling back home to India in November and want to get rid of all these pains and shed off some extra layes by then. Keeping my fingers crossed !!

I am back !!

I am back !!

Atleast that's what I feel at the moment. :)
I have been reading all your posts - all of them left some mark in one way or the other - food for thought from some, smiles from others, tasty ideas from few more and obviously a push to go back to blogging world from all of them !!

Thanks to all of you for your inspirations and supportive words while I was lost in my "undefined" mode.

And sorry for not leaving back any comments while I visited your blogs to get a sneak preview of what's happening in your lives.

Such phases are quite a regular part of my life. I give up on my likes, i dont feel like doing anything and feel sad and low all the time. But I come back bubbly and all smiling (that's what i am doing now).
After reading all your blogs I had already got a feeling how you all have created a strong emotional bond with each other and support each other - come what may. It gives such a wonderful boost to my mind and heart to have such people in your life. And now I also feel lucky enough to have such a bonding with some of you (though it is more of one sided as of now - i have been selfish mean person in this aspect - never put any effort to leave few charming words to cheer you up) I would work on this lovely relationship and nourish it too!

How our life gets such twists and turns- it's such a strange roller coaster ride. And it keeps on going - never stops - obviously there would be hiccups every now and then. But i am glad i am at highs also and can enjoy while i am there. Suddenly everything seems to have fallen in place (touchwood). Deep inside i am still complaining about million other things but still its going pretty smooth - work, home, baby, relationships, friends, etc etc etc. I wish this smooth ride continues for sometime. I will do my best to be at this level for sometime for I know the roller coaster has to go down someday but then again it has to come back up.

Not up for it

Just so you all know the reason for my absence from blog world - ofcourse besides surgery - I just do not feel like writing. I started writing around 20 times...wrote 2-3 lines or sometimes few more but just didn't feel like doing it. I don't know why I am not up for it these days. I have no explanation.

I read other blogs in my google reader, I even read all the comments and messages friends have left on my blog - but i just didn't feel like replying. I forced myself to do so but i just - plain and simple - could not do so.

 

Thanks to all of you who have been remembering me - Hopefully I would be back soon.

 

Till then - happy writing !

Ups and Downs

I am still in recovery phase after the surgery. Infactthe cylce seems to be mving the other way round. I was feeeling quite fit anf fine for 2 days after surgery (yet was not allowed to do any house hold chores) But after 2 days, i started feeling the after effects of loosing that organ - constant indigestion, nausea, tiredness, pain, etc etc etc. Though I am eating only the simplest *satvik* food I can :) yet the stomach refuses to accept that.(Guess its the used to such simple food - it is demanding some dosage of chilli and spices) I did give it some servings of that too - once or twice. But nothing is helping. Sometimes i feel as If I am totally fine and other times i feel strange - some weird feeling in stomach is continuing.

But nevertheless, the pampering at home is going full time and I am enjoying it. As soon as I dont feel like doing something- i just have to mention in most pleasing accent and tone - oh i had a surgery just last week *wink*.

I am home for one more week now - hopefully I should be better by the end of it.

Almost back in action

I had been getting these severe pain attacks in my upper abdomen and back. Repeated attacks and subsequent mid-night visits to doctors revealed that I have stones in my gall bladder. Having ultra sounds, Meeting surgeon, getting blood tests done - everything happened in a blink. Wednesday afternoon the doctor tell me that I need to be operated the day after - ie; thursday. And before I would even prepare, it was all done.

Wednesday at around 16:30 i got to know that next morning I have to go for the surgery. I spoke to my hubby and we decided that I should go for itand not wait any longer. I quickly talked to my manager and emailed/informed others i considered need to know. Passed on details of my project to my colleague for taking over while i am away. Explained to each one who came surprised as to how can it happen so suddenly. By the time I could wrap up all this, it was around 5:45. I left for home. My friend was with me. It felt as If I had some freedom to eat/drink anything I feel like as who knows how many days after that I would not be able to have all those. SO I picked up my favorite coffee and muffin at starbucks. Reached home, the ever popular discussion - "what to have for dinner" went on for few hours. Finally we went out for some finger food instead. I had lots to do at home and was getting panicky with every passing minute. I had to pack up the bag for hospital, clean up the house so hubby doesnt have to do it for next few days, iron clothes esp those of my little one. By the time I could finish it all, it was past midnight and I decided to go for sleep. I had to wake up early morning to have some light breakfast eg; biscuits/tea. Morning also went by little busy with calls at home and last minute things at home. We dropped our lil one at day care. I was to be in hospital at 11. After couple of blood tests, question-answer rounds, I was escorted to my room. I was told that I am next in line after the surgery that was going on in operation theater at that moment - so that meant max 1.5 hrs to go. I laid down, talked to my hubby and started reading a book. And soon came the nurse to prepare me for the surgery. Injections, glucose, other thousand monitors, talks with surgeons and time to fall in deep sleep. It was late in the evening when I came back to senses(though quite little I must say - i could hardly remain awake) I slept through the night till late next morning. After a check up with doctor, I was declared fine enough to go home and recover there. So i was home by late afternoon - watching TV, reading books, enjoying pampering :) And it's still going onnnnnnnnn........ :)

Can anyone guess what was the first thing I did when I came back home :)
I stood on the scales to see if losing one organ has left me any lighter - **grin** But to my shock - it was much higher than I had left home the day before. I blamed it all on 20 bottles of glucose they injected in me. (it's a BIG relief if you can blame your weight gain on something or someone)

Ok- so am still recovering, relaxing, getting bored at times, reading and getting pampered!!

Update

I am home recovering from a surgery. Would write details soon. Thanks to all of u who have been waiting.

The Reader me

~nm tagged me for this I was wondering if there was more information about the book than just those 3 lines.

Ok before i reveal the latest of my reading indulgences, here is what i am supposed to do. Pick up the book that I'm reading, go to page 123, find the 5th sentence and write the next 3 sentences here.

OK...so the book that i am reading these days or should say have almost finished is "The Monk who sold his Ferrari" By Robin S. Sharma

Here it goes...

"They were all asleep. Anyway, once i got to the office, i noticed that my seven-thirty appointment had been waiting there since seven, and, boy, was he furious!"

"What was your response?"

"I fought back, what was I supposed to do, let him push me around?"

I just loved this book...have never read such a wonderful self-help book ever. It gives such practical ways of improving our lives and thinking. How to add that missing positivity! As someone has rightly said - It is an excellent step by step approach to improvement. A must read :)

Constant Reminder !!

While reading thru some posts I came across the following piece. I couldn't believe it could be so magical for me. I am thankful to whoever wrote this and treasure it as a reminder for the rest of my life. This is an excerpt from Paulo Coelho's 'By the river Piedra I sat down and wept'.

Thanks to "Color me happy (beingthea)" for posting it on her blog.

QUOTE...
"You have to take risks, he said. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen.

Every day, God gives us the sun—and also one moment in which we have the ability to change everything that makes us unhappy. Every day, we try to pretend that we haven't perceived that moment, that it doesn't exist—that today is the same as yesterday and will be the same as tomorrow. But if people really pay attention to their everyday lives, they will discover that magic moment. It may arrive in the instant when we are doing something mundane, like putting our front-door key in the lock; it may lie hidden in the quiet that follows the lunch hour or in the thousand and one things that all seem the same to us. But that moment exists—a moment when all the power of the stars becomes a part of us and enables us to perform miracles.

Joy is sometimes a blessing, but it is often a conquest. Our magic moment helps us to change and sends us off in search of our dreams. Yes, we are going to suffer, we will have difficult times, and we will experience many disappointments—but all of this is transitory; it leaves no permanent mark. And one day we will look back with pride andfaith at the journey we have taken.

Pitiful is the person who is afraid of taking risks. Perhaps this person will never be disappointed or disillusioned; perhaps she won't suffer the way people do when they have a dream to follow. But when that person looks back—and at some point everyone looks back—she will hear her heart saying, "What have you done with the miracles that God planted in your days? What have you done with the talents God bestowed on you? You buried yourself in a cave because you were fearful of losing those talents. So this is your heritage: the certainty that you wasted your life"

Pitiful are the people who must realize this. Because when they are finally able to believe in miracles, their life's magic moments will have already passed them by.

...


Sometimes an uncontrollable feeling of sadness grips us,he said.We recognize that the magic moment of the day has passed and that we've done nothing ahout it. Life begins to conceal its magic and its art.

We have to listen to the child we once were, the child who still exists inside us. That child understands magic moments. We can stifle its cries, but we cannot silence its voice.

The child we once were is still there. Blessed are the children, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

If we are not reborn—if we cannot learn to look at life with the innocence and the enthusiasm of childhood—it makes no sense to go on living. "

Kitne Ajeeb Rishte Hain Yahaan Pe...

Had loved this song first time i heard it...It's one of my favourites ever since. (from movie Page 3)

i love the music, i love every word..somehow touches somewhere deep inside - and It touches like none other.

 

Here it is for keep sake and sharing.

 

Kitne Ajeeb Rishte Hain Yahaan Pe...
Kitne Ajeeb Rishte Hain Yahaan Pe...
Kitne Ajeeb Rishte Hain Yahaan Pe...

Do Pal Milte Hain, Saath Saath Chalte Hain
Do Pal Milte Hain, Saath Saath Chalte Hain
Jab Mod Aaye To Bachke Nikalthe Hain
Kitne Ajeeb Rishte Hain Yahaan Pe...
Kitne Ajeeb Rishte Hain Yahaan Pe...

Do Pal Milte Hain, Saath Saath Chalte Hain
Do Pal Milte Hain, Saath Saath Chalte Hain
Jab Mod Aaye To Bachke Nikalthe Hain
Kitne Ajeeb Rishte Hain Yahaan Pe...
Kitne Ajeeb Rishte Hain Yahaan Pe...

Yahaan Sabhi Apne Hi Dun Mein Diwaane Hain
Yahaan Sabhi Apne Hi Dun Mein Diwaane Hain
Kare Wohi Jo Apna Dil Theek Maane Hain
Kaun Kisko Poochey, Kaun kisko Boley
Kaun Kisko Poochey, Kaun kisko Boley
Sabke Labon Par Apne Taraane Hain
Sabke Labon Par Apne Taraane Hain
Le Jaaye Naseeb Kisko Kahaan Pe
Kitne Ajeeb Rishte Hain Yahaan Pe...

Khwabon Ki Ye Duniya Hai, Khwabon Mein Hi Rehna Hai
Khwabon Ki Ye Duniya Hai, Khwabon Mein Hi Rehna Hai
Raheen Le Jaaye Jahaan, Sung Sung Chalna Hai
Waqt Ne Hamesha Yahaan Naye Khel Khele
Waqt Ne Hamesha Yahaan Naye Khel Khele
Kuch Bhi Ho Jaaye Yahaan, Bas Khush Rehna Hai
Kuch Bhi Ho Jaaye Yahaan, Bas Khush Rehna Hai
Manzil Lage Kareeb Sabko Yahaan Pe
Kitne Ajeeb Rishte Hain Yahaan Pe...

Do Pal Milte Hain, Saath Saath Chalte Hain
Do Pal Milte Hain, Saath Saath Chalte Hain
Jab Mod Aaye To Bachke Nikalthe Hain
Kitne Ajeeb Rishte Hain Yahaan Pe...
Kitne Ajeeb Rishte Hain Yahaan Pe...

Kitne Ajeeb Rishte Hain Yahaan Pe...
Kitne Ajeeb Rishte Hain Yahaan Pe...

 

Life - in general

Swati's post inspired me to do a quick recap of what's going on in my mind and life in general these days.

Weekend went normal yet nice - esp because i didn't do much of house hold chores :)

2 weeks ago we had got a portrait session done for our little daughter and saturday was the day we had to pick them up. They didnt come out as per our expections yet they were great. So we have some big posters now.

Yesterday was a great day for us - 3 celebrations to do
First my little daughetr turned 7 months
Second it was my dad's bday and
third one it was father's day

So we treated ourselves to some favorite food, outing and general shopping.

The thoughts tat are contstantly going on in my mind these days is about time for my daughter. I feel we are unable to give her as much time as she deserves or we must give to her. On a normal week day, i spend max 2 hours with her - that too goes mostly in talking to her from a distance while i am busy cooking or doing other things. Weekends i spend more time with her but i still feel it's too less. In those 2 hrs in the evening I have to give her different things to eat, play with her, freshen her up, put her to sleep. i feel it's too less time to develop that bonding with her and teach her one million things that keep coming to my mind. I don't know how I am going to move on like this. First things perhaps is to move closer to work so as to gain little more time in the morning and evening.

Another worry thats killing me these days is my upward graph of weight - i am gaining like leaps and bounds. I HAVE to do something about it before i am attacked with thousands of diseases that come with the package of weight gain.

One thought that has been going on for quite some time is about studying further. I want to do some more studies now but am unable to decide what. I dont know what do I want to do. I am getting so confused. (I surely am a confused personality)

After writing these, i just realised how Swati's and my thoughts are on the same track these days- same issues going on. Guess these are quite common ones.

It's Me

So I was tagged too :)

Thanks ~nm

I was so happy to get tagged until i started to write - uhh..lot of thinking..but here I go....

 

I'm : a confused person!
I think : all the time.
I know : I am very emotional.
I want : a clean nice big house.
I have : a beautiful daughter.
I wish : I could take a long vacation.
I hate : confrontation!
I miss : my sister and friends.
I fear : arguments.
I feel : heavy.
I hear : my daughter's laughter.
I smell : perfumes.
I crave : talking to friends.
I search: inner peace!
I wonder: why we are the way we are.
I regret: a lot.
I love : dancing.
I ache : when my HD is unhappy.
I care : for everyone.
I am not: a good negotiator.
I believe: happiness is on it's way.
I dance : if the music is catchy.
I sing : rhymes to my daughter.
I cry : almost instantly.
I don't always: do what i think is right.
I fight : like mad!
I write : occasionally.
I win : some.
I lose : some.
I never : had long hair.
I always: want to be on time.
I confuse: myself.
I listen: to my dad.
I can usually be found: on the couch with my laptop.
I am scared: of lizards.
I need : a satisfying career.
I am happy about: getting tagged by ~nm for this!

 

I don't know whom to tag...would tag when i have a list of readers.

Books

I have been quite fond of reading but had lost this interest in betweeen for few years. Am now back on track- thanks to my friend and my brother. My friend V who inspired me to start reading again and my brother refers such nice books all the time that i cant stop myslef from picking them up.

I am reading three books these days and two of them are "inspirational-cum-life's lessons" kinds. I am liking them. I have always liked reading inspirational stuff and these ones are pretty good. i would write about them once i finish reading.

Just wanted to mention this here so i can rejoice the feel of back on reading track even more.

WHAT?

I feel i lost a big battle...a battle i had been fighting for years, a battle i did not want to win but hoped to find  truce somewhere on the way.

Guess that "most important" factor of trust is still missing - dont know how many lifetimes it would take to reach that level. So many times I feel it's not fair. It's not fair how relationships develop. It's not fair how people judge each other. It's not fair how so many explanations are needed at every point in life. Why can't we just take things as they come and not judge each and everything happening around. Why can't we just be happy for being born as humans.Why can't we just be plain and simple contented with whatever we have. Why can't we accept each other the way we are. Why do we always want more than we get. Why so many "whys" come to our mind????

 

It's easy to question the world about all this..While writing i realised even i am unable to do any of this. I don't even know if i even try.

 

Sometimes it all seems much much more complex than i think. I feel i am nothing. everything else in the world makes more sense than me. What am I missing? WHAT?

And the change is visible :)

I was so glad when my friend told me i look and sound so much happier for few days now and asked me the reason for it. I smiled in my heart..and was more happy to know the changes i have been trying to bring about in my life are visible now. This is how i want to be. To feel happy, to look happy, to sound happy. I just wish this continues and am able to make people around me happy too. I wish to bring freshness to the life of my loved ones. I think If i keep working towards it, i would be able to reach there soon :) [Wow i like myself for sounding so positive :); pat on my back for this]

 

 

I am on it...

It sure is helping!! In my previous post, i gave myself some "to-dos". And I am glad I have been able to make a difference. I have tried to be less complaining, though (as old habits die hard) i did complain a few times. But i surely was able to think everytime i was doing something like that and i was able to stop myself from indulging in blame game. It gave me a sense of achievement whenever i was able to do so. I felt nicer everytime i was able to mould my words of anger into composed, soft ones.

So i had another realisation. If you put in sincere efforts in something you really want, nothing can stop you.

I am motivated enough to continue and am sure that I would also be able to make few beings jealous of it all:) (haha..sounds like revenge taking, Not that i mind it :))

Forecast for the day!!

This was my horoscope for the day...I found it quite interesting :) Perhaps gives me motivation in disguise...

"You are a delicious combination of irresolvable paradoxes today. On one hand you are technically capable and are interested in exacting scientific solutions to a problem. On the other hand, your concentration may be temporarily shot, making it a challenge to stick with the facts. Instead of frustrating yourself by trying to balance logic with intuition or thoughts with feelings, just follow whichever feels right."

So the crux is i can follow whatever "I" feel :)

The complaining me !!

Just today i realised how much i complain all the time.
I complain about everything. I keep blaiming my luck (and for many of them HD too ) for everything that goes wrong or anything good that doesn't happen.

Everytime someone gets or does something good in life..i feel so jealous (well, with everyone i don't mean just anyone on this earth..i mean some people only) I start feeling how unlucky I am and how fortunate they are...why don't i ever get anything like this. But then a thought stuck me, do i even put efforts for getting those things? Whosoever has got something of whom  i get jealous has actually put in efforts to get them..they have shown interest, taken out the time to work on them and then only enjoyed the outcome. i just keep complaining for whetever i dont get. I rarely put in efforts.

when i have th opportunity to work, i don't do anything and when the opportunity goes away, i start complaining. Ahh...am  feeling so damn idiot and loser today. It's all my fault for whatever i havent achieved in life. Ah see...here i go again..this time blaiming myself.... i always find someone to put blame on. So i can prove myself to be the innocent one, the victimised one.

I gotto change. Change this way of thinking. Change the way i act. Change the way i work. Change the way i have lived so far.

I have to start workiing. To put in efforts. To take out time for things i like. To organise myself.
I need to nurture those basic management skills.

And first of all, STOP COMPLAINING !!

5 quirky things about me :)

Hm..i just started blogging and here i am expected to expose myself...

Anyway...it sounds like fun and i have been thinking since yesterday to find out what to mention ;o)

So i begin...

First, the rules:
- Post the rules on your blog.
- Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
- Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
- Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

• I always look for time on my mobile phone even if i am wearing a watch or there are clocks all around me...i somehow trust only my mobile phone for that :)And i look at time everytime i wake up at night even if its just that i am turning side.


• I hate hand-washing clothes infact anything to do with washing, drying, ironing. I keep ignoring all such work till there are piles of them in the wash bin or next to ironing table.


• I refresh my mail box every 5 min for the fear of missing out on some imp information :)) (ahhaaa...as if i wud miss some billion dollar deal offers)


• I am obssesed with pink..i have about 10 pink Tees and tops...5-6 pink night suits...And now thanfully i have a daughter whom i can dress in pink as much as i want to


• I love hand bags/purses/wallets. I have more than 20 of them. I could have had many more if i hadn't forced myself from buying more

Hmm....so now my turn to tag someone..well..i haven't read many as yet so cant do much here.
I can tag Scott and Bibi and Purplexia

In search of an answer or answers

For sometime now i am thinking a lot about my career...

where am i heading to? Whats next? Do i like and enjoy what i am doing? What is the growth i look forward to? What do i actually want to do? Where do i stand? What have i achieved in last 2 years or rather 5?

 

These questions keep coming back to my mind and are bugging me a lot these days. So far i havent been able to find convincing answer to any of these. I feel kind of tired and done with what I am doing. I does'nt motivate me anymore. One  thing is for sure... I definately want some change now. i want something that would give happiness from within. Something that would be motivating enough to put in my best. Sometimes i feel i need to do some further study now. I don't like that fact that i didn't study enough...i dont even have a master's degree. I feel so low coz of this missing factor. I feel so embarassed when i have to mention my qualification somewhere. Just a bachelor degree...huh...shameful. I remember that day with utmost regret when my parents and brother were trying so hard to convince me to go for further studies but the adamant me only wanted to start working, to start earning as soon as i can. I had BIGGG plans of becoming an enterpreneur someday....Dunno where did all that spirit vanish...dunno when my  bigg plans got lost somewhere in the journey of life. I feel like a loser now. my career curve has been weird...i can't even follow it now.

 

The quest to find out the "right" thing is continuing...Let me see if i can reach somewhere soon. I want to sort it all out soon...very soon!

Thinking

I am in deep thinking mode these days..so much so that its getting too much now. I need to sort it all out and re-learn to focus.

Time to choose

A note from a friend put me into thinking...

Quote...
"No wonder it is getting too much. Earlier, when there was a baby, the whole family (nana, nani, dada, dadi, chacha, chachi) chipped in to raise the baby. Now, not only that there is no family now to speak off, the lone mother also has a career to maintain.

Sometimes I wonder if our generation has spread itself too thin. There are too many things to juggle with. A career. A set of relations. A new life. It is too much. If anyone tries to do justice to all these, it is not possible. Things are bound to go wrong.

And when things do go wrong we blame anything and everything but our own unjustified lofty goal to do everything at once.

We see the rebellious teenager. Not the fact that the growing child never got the attention that we got as a child.
We see the bitchy wife. Not the fact that we never had the tenderness in relation that makes a girl a wife.
We see the insensitive husband. Not the fact that the husband never got the love that would have made him care.

It is nobody's fault. The only way out is to drop a few balls and do justice to the ones that you choose to keep. Now which ball you let go is your choice. Career. Parents. Friends. Spouse. Kids. Which one would you let go?

The choice has to be made. If you think you can delay the choice you are just fooling yourself. Time would make a choice if you dont. And if time makes the choice it might not be the ones you would have made.

So, choose, we must."