दिल तो बच्चा है जी ...!

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The famous literary genius Gulzar needs no introduction in India. And after ‘Jai Ho’ getting the Oscar in 2009, he doesn’t need much of an introduction in most parts of the world! This blogger had the blessed opportunity to be in his august company [with a host of other people] at an event in the national capital.

The Delhi University South Campus organized “A DAY WITH GULZAR SA’AB”, hosted by their INSTITUTE OF LIFE-LONG LEARNING. It was an apt choice of personality in keeping with the spirit of the Institute. Gulzar Sa’ab truly embodies the spirit of ‘learning’ in every sense of the word. An unassuming man of small height, he was simple dressed in a crisp white kurta and white pants. Not entirely devoid of colour, he teemed these with golden mojris having long pointed toes.

The event began with an introduction by the head of DUSC suggesting of Gulzar Sa’ab being a ‘mathematician’. Interestingly, this professor then went on to prove HOW Gulzar was actually a mathematician, albeit in poetic terms! ! The most touching part of this talk was the ‘turning point’ mentioned by him. It was Tagore’s poem “THE GARDENER”. Gulzar Sa’ab’s voice is very composed, grounded, as of one who has seen a lot in this world. This rich experience though does not prevent him from maintaining a child-like inquisitiveness and being a perpetual student.

The blogger noticed the deep respect he has for stalwarts of Hindi cinema whom he holds in high esteem and touched his ear-lobe every time he took an important name. He admitted to considering Bimal Roy as his ‘guru’ and narrating why he does so. The lucid, crisp and interesting description of his journey through the alleys of literature and cinema kept us all spell-bound.

This was followed by a panel discussion on “THE WORD AND THE IMAGE: Cinema, Literature, Culture.” For Gulzar Sa’ab, definitely, the ‘image’ comes first. This can be clearly understood while studying his lyrics as well as films. The word is a mere medium for articulating the thought process. Cinema is a medium that communicates through images. He compared his state to that of a lid on a boiling pan of water. The steam compels you for an expression. Expression arises from the desire to share and there is immense beauty in simplicity.

Being a creative person, he is beyond fixed domains. Artists cannot be, or rather should not be apolitical. As members of society it is their duty to express via art, and provoke too! The subjects of Gulzar Sa’ab’s movies, stories and poetry are a testimony to him practicing what he preaches! The discussion was so riveting, that the entire hall was on their feet, applauding for this greatly simple man. And yes, for the second time ever, this blogger gave a standing ovation to the ‘man of the day’.

Post-lunch, there was a poetry reading session. This definitely had the most heart-wrenching moments of the day. The layers of meaning, evoking vivid imagery and deeply sensitive themes, all tugged at the listener’s heart. Gulzar Sa’ab also has an admirable sense of earthly humour. लाजवाब चुटकियाँ लीं उन्होंने!!! His unassuming and humble demeanour are an important component of his ethereal charm.

To borrow from one of the speakers, this interaction was not just about that facet of Gulzar Sa’ab which is today best known. It was also delved into the realms of History, Economics, Mathematics, Literature and the indomitable human spirit. Gulzar Sa’ab brought with him this aura of positivity and calm. It was a fairly small [around 150-200] crowd and most, if not all, were charmed by his unassuming sense of humour and simplicity!

QUOTABLE QUOTE: “ BE A VAST AND BIG INDIAN. DON’T BECOME SMALL!”

2009...Aha!

THE GOOD LIFE

Year-ends don’t always have to be about the usual ‘Best of…’. This blogger wrapped up 2009 on a zingy note. If that wasn’t enough, the New Year [2010] was brought in with a bang and more!!!

Bombay…the city of dreams…that’s where the above happened!!! A beautiful holiday, beginning from X’mas and wrapped up on my b’day! i ushered in X'MAS by 'celebrating' it for the first time..that too in train!:P! In MY city then, there were the usual suspects. Worli sea face, Siddhivinayak, Colaba, Marine Drive, St. Xavier’s, meeting up with friends, et al!

Yours truly was there mainly to attend the culmination of the 140^th year celebrations of St. Xavier’s College. Everything else was just a bonus of being in Bombay…at the right time. Well, the time is always right to do the right thing!

It was a beautiful experience and I was showered with affection, admiration and gifts! Yeap…we live in a material world…though I’m not so much of a material girl! Each gift symbolized a bond of love, which has become stronger with time. And the absolutely awesome icing was the ‘good-bye’!!!

For the first time in my life… I was ACTUALLY given a surprise for my b’day!!! It was on the eve of my b’day...when a few friends dropped into the station to see me off. To be honest, it feels awesome to be the centre of all attention and warmth! And to top it, I was sent off with a gooey and delectable Ferero Rocher pastry [see image]!!!

Alas, there was no one to share my joy WITH me in tht Rajdhani compartment where I ushered my 21^st birthday! But, as I believe, wishes are sent from the heart, and I knew I had tones of it surrounding me.

As if all this wasn’t enough to qualify it as my best b’day ever…I had surprises lined up onine too! When it rains…it truly pours!!! I’d like to share the poem which Vikashji mailed me along with his wishes. words are inadequate to express the joy I felt when I saw that e-mail from my favourite creative personality!

जन्मदिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामना

जो भी यहाँ चलते हैं - जन्मे हैं.

पर जो भी यहाँ जन्मे हैं
उनमें से हर कोई नहीं चलता.

आज तुम्हारे जन्मदिवस पर चाहता हूँ
तुम चलो.
आज, कल और हर कल के बाद वाले कल भी.

तुम चलो
और तुम्हारे पीछे दुनिया चले.
और तुम्हारे साथ चले तुम्हारे अपने.
और तुम्हारे आगे चलती रहे सफलता -
तुम्हारे रास्ते के कंकड़ हटाती हुई.

--
सप्रेम,
विकास

Any cake is incomplete without it’s cherry [red, or otherwise!]. the one which completed mine is…

http://datarpreeti.blogspot.com/2010/01/and.html

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR MAKING IT THIS SPECIAL!!!

2010 is SURE GONNA BE A ROCKING YEAR !!!!

uber narcissicistic!

प्रियम्वद राधिका!

रंगबिरंगी, खूबसूरत, प्यारी सी
तितली की तरह चंचल सी
एक अनजानी लड़की, अब बन गई है पक्की सहेली
राधिका रानी, जो अब है राधिका दीदी

उछलती, कूदती, levitate करती
एक पक्के मन की लड़की
करती है हर एक काम ...
अपने मन की सुनती

जिसके संग रहकर
मैं मैं हूँ, और वो वो
न कोई ढोंग न कोई दिखावा
बस अपनापन बिना छलावा l

उम्मीद न थी, एक साँवली सी
dungarees और black tee में घूमती यह लड़की
मेरे इतने करीब होगी
वह भी इतनी जल्दी

अब जो हो,
तो मैं खुश हूँ
हमेशा यूँ ही रहना
प्यारी, थोड़े गुस्सेवाली, लाड करती,
vibes-conscious मेरी बहना
जा रही हो कई कि.मी. दूर
पर दिल से न जाना
न हमें जाने को कहना

आती रहना, बतियाती रहना
जीवन में जो भी करो ... सफल होना
यही हमारी कामना .. हमेशा खुश रहना!

-कोमल अग्रवाल

this blogger would like to thank the very sweet author of this poem from deep down under. i'll not lie...i'm way beyond the cirro-stratus!!! to Komal...MUAH!!!

MOOD INDIGO ‘08

Whoever thought that the name of a jazz song would actually grow to connote a whole crazy sub-culture of the cultural -festival circuit in the world’s largest continent?!?!!!

Well, MOOD INDIGO is the Indian Institute of Technology – Bombay’s very own ‘CULT-FEST’ [pun unintended], organized and managed entirely by the students of that institute, who are very neatly arranged in hierarchy with areas of authority clearly demarcated. They may go out of their way to help another fellow department in need, but each has an array of jobs which is to be taken care of by themselves, and NO ONE else!

It’s a hotbed of frenzied creativity, maddening marketing, crazy schedules, monstrous magnitude, reunions and cupid play[including this writer’s own], heartbreaks… the perfect potboiler!

This blogger has been a regular on the Bombay cult-fest circuit for 5 [long but extremely enjoyable] years being a viewer, participant, winner, organizer, volunteer, et al! and MOOD-I is my favourite event amongst all!

It’s nearly impossible to get over the MI Mania and believe that I’m finally out of this groove. But the happenings at this MOOD-I helped tremendously in closure with respect to the inseparability of student life and college festivals!

IIT-B is home turf, though I YET haven’t gotten over my tendency to get lost in this relatively small world! This was TRULY the most different MOOD-I in a lot of senses. For once, I stayed there for the entire duration of the fest. and especially the last night. That was one time-slot I never ended up being on campus, due to a different [legitimate] reason EVERY year! Except this one, of course!

Participating in any event in this fest is quite time-consuming and one invariably ends up missing out on other things they’d planned to do. I, for one, lost out of all the workshops this and last year due to accidental participation in their REALITY TV event. Though, I must admit, the chaos of ideas, meetings at odd timings, performing even odder tasks, working at close quarters with people you have no clue about…it goes down the memory lane as a beautiful video!
What played a major role in ‘closure’ was my WINNING AND EVENT!!! I had never in my wildest dreams imagined that I’d ACTUALLY be seriously participating in something at MOOD-I, leave alone winning it!!! But then... Dreams are meant to come true, aren’t they?!! Another adage that’s go with this win is, one is rarely satisfied with what one gets. NEITHER AM I!!! I so wanted to come second in that event…we were on the verge on getting that slot…until in the last minute one team member did an absolutely fab job on the stage and that made the judge give us the top rank!!!!! That’s ‘coz I wanted the i-pod which was there in 2nd prize and not the slick NOKIA 5310 which I got as 1st!!!!!!!!!!

I also participated in the RADIO PLAY after enough deliberation and as a conspiracy of half the world!!! Though we didn’t win that event, the process of participation itself was an entertaining and frustrating one!!! Yours truly rejected 8 themes for the script, 5 of which were my own!!! People from nariman point, to ahmedabad to new delhi were troubled at odd hours for contribution of ideas! I took a walk in the leafy campus of IIT-B from 5:30 to 6:30, hoping for inspiration to strike!!! ALL THIS…just so other people wanted to desperately do the event!!!
An otherwise chilled out time, spent varyingly with self, friends, acquaintances and the likes all added up to the pleasure that was [and always has been] MOOD-I! it comfortably sunk in that there’s always a right time and right place for everything. And it’s cool to move on and not be stuck in a warp longing for replication of experiences of the yore.

What follows next is a blotch in the extremely pleasurable experience described above. I’m glad it happened in the end. Even though it left a bad taste in the mouth, at least, THANK GOD, it’s over!

Leniency sucks
This blogger is certainly not a frequent user or promoter of usage of any kind of slang in common parlance. But the incident let the realisation dawn that being nice and sweet is not always the best approach, especially when the buck is supposed to stop at you! There were a few [ex] friends who gate crashed at my pad. In India, we tend to not be harsh on uninvited guests [especially if you know them] and take it as a matter of pride to be hosting a more than expected number. But, it’s extremely inconsiderate of the guests to take advantage of the host’s silence, throw co-habitation etiquettes to the winds and bite into the same arm whose hand of hospitality was wringed by them in first place.
This unfortunate happening marred what was a lovely joyride and ended it close to a big manhole staring right into your face. I’m glad nothing untoward happened, but the lessons have been learnt, and learnt well at that! Guys just keep proving how far down the evolution ladder are they STILL stuck and no matter how hard they try to climb up, it’s like the proverbial snail who slips down twice the distance he climbs up.

CLOSURE was quickened by the incidents of the last night of my stay. Though, as time passes, scars will also fade and beautiful memories are always there to perk one up and bring a mischievous smile that sends the face value to dizzying heights!!!!!!!!!!!!

Like I have always said…

MOOD I ROCKS!!!!!!!!!

DD-V

On 22nd evening we went to Purana Quila to watch 1857: EK SAFARNAMA.
The NSD guys were really helpful…they were doling out ODOMOS at the entrance!!!!!
The play was around 2 hours long. Following are a few personal observations and comments about the play.

• A lot has been said [both unwarranted and the opposite] about Bhanu Athaiya doing the costumes. I’m not joining the debate, but just putting forth my views [eh!].

The fabrics used for each of the characters costumes were absolutely apt, especially the rich silk used for the Indian rulers’ and courtiers’ costumes.
The detailing was very carefully done. Eg. In the Indian darbars…the end of every courtier’s dupatta [or uttariya, or whatever the traditional name is!] was different.
Shrimant Nanasaheb Peshwa’s costume was my favorite because of its gherao, fitting and the churidar effect on the sleeves.

• The play is a musical, true to the Indian tradition of having a song for every moment. No, the actors are not singing every time! But the act is interspersed with a few well-meaning songs that capture the simmering mood very well, and also help spreading the feeling of nationalism.

• The scene depicting a show of puppets [kathputlis] accompanied by lyrics meant to arouse a rebellion against the oppressive rulers [British] was played out really well. This is in keeping with the heartland’s entertaining way of conveying a strong message-to people who are basically illiterate- through fun and double entendre lyrics that underlie the need to fight for justice and freedom. Another example of this would be the playing out of Ramlila. Over centuries, this medium has been effectively used to reach out to large audiences and vehemently [but tactfully] convey messages that would otherwise be considered as treason!

The guy who played Tantia Tope… I think… he’s actually a Maharashtrian! Well…his style of speaking [to be carefully observed beyond the delivery of dialogues] gave off a hint of the marathi accent in it!A slight error in delivery happened when one of the female actors in a pre-climax scene said, “…patthar ki lakir hota hai.” Alas…seems like she’d practiced it wrong… or probably it was just nervousness!

The most touching scene was when Bahadur Shah Zafar [after being told that he has been sentenced to Rangoon] woefully rues… “humein apne purkhon ke pyaare zameen mein dafnaane ka mauka nahin milega.” Allah!

Lastly… the ‘first war of independence’ reared its head a full 150 years after the Battle of Plassey. The feeling of inadequacy in terms of communication and organization was a bit palpable through the depictions in this production.
It is startling to know that despite so much of spirit and gusto…the Brits actually managed to still reign on us [and consequently plunder our treasure trove of resources] for a pretty long time. huh!

http://www.indiaenews.com/art-culture/20080419/112308.htm

SURAT SOJOURN

This Indian city is as famous for its diamonds n garments industry as it is infamous for the plague epidemic that struck it not too many years ago!

I’d to make my maiden trip to this city all alone, because my bro had some exam to give! B-U-T…it was worth going alone…right from the word ‘go’!!!

Since the ticket wasn’t confirmed, I went to check the reservation chart when it was being put up. And…I didn’t know how to check that chart! So I asked the officer putting up the chart “how does one check the status?” and he very politely looked it up for me told me my confirmed seat and bogie no.!

When the train arrived I went and took my seat. The next two people to take seat were ladies. And by the time the train reached its second station in Mumbai, the other seats in that side of 6 seats were all occupied by ladies. So, I jovially commented to the co-passenger next to me… “hey! All the 6 seats are of ladies!!!” She smiled and replied that these were the ladies quota seats! All of us positioned ourselves very conveniently. I caught up on much needed forty winks. After some time, one of them pulled up the middle seat to sleep on it. So this beautiful lady next to me says…now u can lie down straight…and we shared a good laugh on it!!!

Later, we all got talking. One of them was a Psychology graduate from KC College-1994. the other one was from Sophia’s~ Socio-history and currently working with SOTC. She was going to Surat to her fiancé’s home for Holi. Basically, all of us were making a ‘HOLI’ visit to the city and no one was a native!

I felt so happy being in the midst of these ladies. It makes you realize that all this talk of ‘women empowerment’ is not a bluff, or restricted to the upper crust. There are ordinary women, going out there in the [ahem!] big bad world, using their education, skills and talent…and living it up!

SURAT has all the trappings of a tier-I city. THAT is a simple corollary of having high disposable incomes. As the service providers get a whiff of moolah, they come rushing to tap into this lucrative region. So, we get to see everything from a Pizza Hut to Gold’s Gym, from McDonald’s to Kaya Skin Clinic!!!!!

But, the Gujju’s inherent sedentary nature means that life still goes on at a very relaxed pace! I got to see a glimpse of many parts of this country in that city. From the Nagpur feel to Calcutta roads to Jamnagar by-lanes…it has a heady mix of all! Now, here’s what, makes Surat a typical tier-II city…one that is in no hurry to don the metropolis feel!...

• - roads are broad and well-paved.
• - traffic signals that don’t work [no..they really don’t! the only saving grace is that during peak hours… some of the busier junctions~ where the chances of accidents are higher~ have a traffic cop stationed there.]
• -rest of the traffic moves on mutual understanding!
• -lot of two-wheelers… mainly the non-gear ones.
• -loads of female drivers…with their typical covering of the face and neck area with a duppatta…leaving only the eyes bare, that too covered by glares!
• -the city sleeps too early for any business hotspot. But then, considering the gujjus’ fetish for sleep…the shops shut quite early!
• - shopping centers are another characteristic feature of tier-II cities that are ubiquitous in Surat too. These, of course, are a more like desi malls, with all kinds of outlets and affordable prices!

Here’s the brief on what ‘I’ did out there. I reached in the afternoon of 21^st march n left for Mumbai on 24^th early morning. Now, I’m somebody who doesn’t do pillion-riding as a principle. But there, I’d no option. And I had both my cousins [a bro n a sis] taking me around on their TVS Pleasure for most part of my stay! In fact, on 23^rd when we got out in the noon, I tied my bandana to cover my face eyes downwards and sported shades, because of the terrible heat!

By 21^st noon the HOLI mood had set in. and there were youngsters throwing water balloons at passer-bys from their homes. In daytime when we went out, no water balloon was aimed at us. But in the evening, I was actually in the mood to get hit. And twice, the balloons almost hit us…since we were riding on the scooty…hence it missed the aim. But, when we were about to reach home…someone’s balloon got it right and hit me on the thighs…so MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!

On the main day…ie HOLI- 22^nd…I had LOADSA fun!!! In fact, for the first time I actually danced on Holi, coz I’d never really got a chance to do that before. Then, my cousin sis drove me to their old residence to play with her friends. But, they were already done with it and the building compound had just 3-4 men and a lady in the holi colours. I’m someone who never resists while being applied colour…so I let one of the men put as much colour as he wanted to. But, I guess, he put some weird dark colour, because when we were driving out…one of the kids around looked at us…got surprised…and I THINK he said ‘bhoot’!!!! we also drew a lot of stares on our ride back home. A little before we were about to reach our compound…two guys on a scooty, on the other side of the road threw what I thought was a water balloon at us. But it missed the shot and hit the ground…n then I looked back n saw….it was a coloured egg!!!!!!! So I shouted to them… “BAD LUCK GUYS!!!!!!!!!!”

After all this dhamaal…when I finally took a bath…the colour didn’t go entirely. And I was very surprised, ‘coz I’d taken appropriate precautions before going out to play. I don’t mind colours…but that time…I actually looked like a terrorist! There were a few purple spots on the left cheek, right side of the face was a shade of red and a part of the neck was shaded in green!!! Thanks to mom’s solution on the phone, when I left Surat on Monday…there weren’t any holi colours left!

On holi evening, when we went out to my uncle’s family friend’s place…I wore a saree that was peach-coloured with silver appliqué work and in a flowing fabric. The best part of it…was the blouse…which had a deep cut on the back-side. This was the first time I wore a blouse with that deep a neckline and it felt so sexy with the hair brushing on the back!!!!!

23^rd evening, my cousins took me out for a movie. I’d fixed up a meeting with an e-pal after the movie. But then…my cell phone balance was really low. There was no recharge available around…coz all those shops had closed! Adding to our woes was the fact that my cousin couldn’t start the scooty…and later…she said there was no petrol! Also…my e-pal had not yet arrived. Balance was miserable and no recharge in sight. One of the medical store guys tried to be helpful by calling up some phone retailer for recharge. He took my no. but didn’t get the recharge done. Instead…I’ve had him calling me up [quite often] after I reached Mumbai. Though, I’ve been sensible enough to not take those calls!

Well, I finally did meet my e-pal…fun guy…as I already knew. next …I wanted to go to this one specific sweet-shop and none other. The problem was that none of us knew where the shop was! And I didn’t have enough balance to call up my uncle and ask for directions. Here, this e-pal was REALLY helpful. In the meanwhile that my cousin got her scooty filled…this guy called up one of his friends’ and got some hint on the shop’s location. He offered to come along to locate the shop, but I politely refused. He still persisted [gujju hospitality!] and ultimately had us guiding to the place his friend had told him of. In between he stopped to ask for further directions at a mall and then started ahead. But, as they say, when misery comes…it comes by dozens! after my cousin stopped behind my friend at the mall…she couldn’t start the vehicle!!!! There were people around who tried starting and even they couldn’t. I frantically tried my friend’s no. but, obviously, he wouldn’t pick up because he was riding his bike! Ultimately he did pick up and worriedly asked about our whereabouts. I managed to tell him the scene and asked him to come back. THAT WAS IT…my balance was over…can’t make any calls or send msgs!!!!! He came back and with a lot of difficulty got my cousin’s vehicle started. Not far ahead was the sweet shop. We reached and he said…this is it. I said…but this shop is closed. He was shocked…coz it was open 2 min.s back!!!!!!!! I stood perplexed for a min. and then ran towards the back door of the shop!!! I requested those guys to let me in … “I’m from Bombay and m leaving tomo!!!” so…there I was…making a back door entry!!!! I picked up my favourite sweets, profusely thanked the guys and made a hasty exit! Outside, my e-pal rode along till a point and then said that he’d be taking the other turn. I expressed my gratitude, pulled his leg for one of our inimitable jokes and parted ways.

THIS was one eventful trip. At the end of it, I decided I’m gonna go to a different place every year for holi!

Though, the sad part is that on my way back my health started getting bad. And by the time I reach hostel…I was really sick. Ultimately, I had very high fever…and was in bed for ONE entire week! Huh! as mom pointed out, i'd had to fall sick! i plunged into frenetic activity after my exams ..without much care for health. the surat heat and all that water juz compounded the scene and i got bed-ridden. it was the FIRST time i was properly 'sick'...and that's a bad thing to happen!!!

life mein PEHLI baar....

The blogger has now decided to adopt a more personal tone with usage of direct address.

Yours truly FINALLY moved out of ‘home’ and shifted to a hostel. Well…it’s all a part of a long-thought plan….natural progression… from posh [Worli Sea Face] to posher [Colaba]!!!!!

The first thing most people said after moving in was… ‘u must be missing ur parents/home’. And the natural response… ‘NOPE! I don’t have time to miss them!!!! Almost immediately after shifting into the hostel [june end], I was appointed as the Contingent Leader[CL] for Malhar’07. this kept me uber-busy for the next 1.5 months…till 16th August.

In fact, my movement and activities were ALL scheduled around work related to Malhar…. coming in late…dinner….taking head baths at 12 in the night…’coz there was no other free time! The CL job made it very easy for me to slid into the hostel environs, otherwise… I guess…I’d have to make conscious attempts to adjust…maybe!

Funnily….for the entire routine of coming in late, I was too lethargic to learn how to warm food in the microwave. And after Malhar when I finally found the simplicity behind it…felt a li’l uncanny…I ate cold food all during the run-up to the festival…whereas I could have easily warmed it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here’s another anecdote… for all those odd hours that I came in…food NEVER got over. And one day… not far after Malhar…I came in late and dinner and ACTUALLY gotten over! I had a nice laugh and…..put together some 8 food items, in small quantities, and had them for ‘dinner’.

An important realization that set in was the fact that I have the capacity to stay up WHOLE night [basically working without ANY sleep] and still be able to sail through the next day without any problem. This opportunity presented itself when I decided to do MY first Psychology assignment [only Xavierites doing Psycho. will understand what I mean by that statement!]… to hand-write at least 60 pages…referring to a stack of fat books…and the works. All this happened in the span of ONE NIGHT with its share of a dinner break, mithaai break and coffee break, each!!! A corollary realization that surfaced was… the first time the cock crows…don’t think it’s morning…it’s juz about 3’o clock in the morning!!!!

Since I decided to take a complete break from extra-curricular activities after Malhar, it was quite often [especially in the last leg of September and later] that I was in time for lunch… quite an enjoyable fare.

The entire two weeks that my 1st term exams lasted…. There were some cooking escapades that took place. One evening… I rustled up some corn-pasta in the microwave….turned out to be quite tasteful and was enjoyed by everyone who got a spoonful of it. Staying up late [2am is not late…. 3am is!!!] was not an irregular feauture during exams. One night/morning[ wateva!] I made pasta for myself at 3:30 in the morning!!!!! And before some exam… I had a mugful of milk at 3:00 am. THAT was fun….but at the end of it I was SO full…that I decided never to have that much milk so late in the night!
The only inconvenience amidst all the luxury is the howling of dogs! When at 3am …you finally decided to call it day…and take a nap….the 4 dogs downstairs will wake up from their slumber and for no rhyme or reason start wailing in unison. Shaayad unhein hamaara sona pasand nahin hai!

And NOW….the B-E-S-T of the entire lot…….has been saved for the last!

On the first day of my exam…before leaving… I locked my cupboard…and realised… the keys were inside…GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After coming back from the paper… I tired all possible means for breaking the lock…but of no avail. Then… I sent an SOS to MES…and pleaded them to send someone fast… ‘coz my 2nd exam was the very next day!!! Unexpectedly… the response time was an unbelievable 9 minutes! the carpenters came in and took some 15-20 minutes to break the lock….5 levers…Godrej!!!!!!!!! But…all’s well that ends well. Thankfully….the godrej ka taala finally gave in and my cupboard was free! No regrets….it’s all worth the learning experience as a part of hostel life!


[we …a dear blogger in collaboration with other hostelmates…..will come up with another post about characters in the hostel and the works!]

Until then….BON VOYAGE!!!!!!

working fun

MUMMMMEEEE!!!!!
Housekeeping is one S-E-R-I-O-U-S business. It took me full 30 hrs to realise that!!!!!!
Well, my mom’s out of town for 2 weeks, n 30 hrs down the line, I have made truce with the fact that this ‘business’, or so I’d like to call, requires big time management skills, intelligence and god knows what!! Housewives, hats off to u! Thank god, at least I won’t be one of them!!!!!
But then, who’s cribbing?? I’ve been gorging on exotic fruits ever since she left. And, never on earth, she’d let me make ‘Caribbean fruit salad’ for my lunch!! Mmmm ……I’m loving it, or rather, living it!!!!

Now Reading

I currently have my hands FULL with "The Monk who sold his Ferrari" and "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" and "The Zahir". interesting mix there!