Purple...Purple...Everywhere...

Purple.

Violet.

Fuchsia.

Lilac.

Whatever you want to call them. These beautiful flowers are blooming all over Bangalore right now.

And this picture is taken from my office window.

Beautiful isn't it.

The Year gone by.

Not exactly. Still 3 more days to go. And then it'll be 2007!!

It seems like yesterday that we were bringing in 2006 at Sheesha in Pune. The memories of that wonderful night so vivid in my mind.

And here I realize that we are sitting so close to another New Years eve.

2006. A wonderful year in so many ways. And a heartbreaking one too.

1st Jan 2006. Mr. G and I started the year doing what we both love doing the most. A long long drive. Yes, we were driving back from Pune to Bangalore.

Two trips to Goa this year. Bliss at its best.

Work picks up speed. More responsibilities and more accounts. A wonderful and indeed very satisfying year at work.

Forged some good friendships. Which I know are for life.

Dad turns 60. Big time celebrations. A big achievement in our family.

I lose two very loved friends within a week of each other. Terribly missed forever.

Mr. G's cousin ties the knot. Celebrations again.

We move house and enjoy setting up our nest together.

It's a tough decision to give 'O' away. One which we will never forget.

We are overjoyed with the news that our family is expanding:)

All in all a very blessed year for Mr. G and me.

And as we prepare to welcome our little one in 2007. I realize how much these past 7 months have taught us and how much life has changed too.

And we have 2007 to look forward to.

Another blessed year awaits us.

Happy New year:)

Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket!!!

Afrikaans: Gesëende Kersfees



Brazilian: Feliz Natal



Croatian: Sretan Bozic



Eskimo: (inupik) Jutdlime pivdluarit ukiortame pivdluaritlo!



French: Joyeux Noel



Greek: Kala Christouyenna!



Hebrew: Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova



Maori: Meri Kirihimete



Thai: Sawadee Pee Mai or souksan wan Christmas



Yoruba: E ku odun, e ku iye'dun!


Merry Christmas boys and girls. As you can see the holiday bug and good cheer has bitten me. And I wanted to pass it on:)

The Dog on a tin roof.

I walk to work each morning. The route I take each day is the same. And there are familiar faces also I see each day.

And then there's this dog. A wasted mongrel with the most beautiful and soulful eyes I have ever seen.

He's spotted. A white dog with huge brown spots all over. A non-existent tail which I think was chopped off by some mean-hearted person! You can't put an age to him. But I think he's an old fella.

That's because he's always plopped on the roof of a car with skin that folds over and floppy ears.

Now this car's story I would really love to know. It's an old old car. Rusted with flat tires and probably not moved in decades. Tied up with some torn plastic sheets and tarpaulin. It's more tin now than metal!

And the roof of this car is what the brown spotted dog with no-tail has made home.

And this is where he's forever plopped basking in the early morning sun.

And this is from where he stares at me with the most soulful eyes I have ever seen as I pass him each day to work.

Secret Santa.

Tis the season for good cheer. And what better way to spread the cheer than from one's own work place.

So we are going to be celebrating and bring in the spirit of Christmas with lots of yummy food and wine and cake and music this Thursday right at our office.

Yes, its party time again and we are getting geared up for a bacchanal journey on Thursday night.

But this does not end here. We have started this little Secret Santa game a week earlier.

Each of us had to pick a name out of a box circulated around. Whosoever's you name got picked up became your Chris-child for a week. And each day you are supposed to do something nice for that person and on the day of the party buy a small little gift too.

Isn't that exciting??

I'm looking forward to it.

And do you know who's the obvious choice to play Santa at the party??

Lil ole me of course. I have a ready-made tummy don't I!!

Yin Yang.

The Yin is different from the Yang.

The X chromosome from the Y.

That is what theory handed down the ages says.

But contrary to certain aspects of the theory there are a lot of the X and the Yang related stuff that I particularly enjoy.

When I was little I loved to play with the boys.

I never remember having a collection of dolls or doll houses or doing anything remotely 'girly'.

My growing up years were typically the awkard years. Metamorphosis was not too kind on me. I was gawky with a figure that was hidden behind baggy trousers and over sized shirts. Eyes that were hidden behind huge reading glasses which I believed gave me an intellectual look. Or was it to cover all those strange eruptions and zits on my face. Hair which I kept short almost like a military cut.

During my college years my best friends were guys. I related better with them. And all those who I had a crush on confided in me about the girls they had a crush on!

But then I'd like to believe that a realization happened. And I discovered my feminine side. I grew my hair long, got rid of my huge reading glasses and all my tomboy clothes, re-vamped my entire wardrobe and learnt to be all coy and bat my eyelids coquettishly at the drop of a hat!

But last night I realized that the X and Yin are an inherent part of my life. I sat through a fifteen minute capsule of WWE with Mr. G and enjoyed it. Those huge, burly men beating each other to pulp.

And though I grimaced, winced and yelped with each blow... I'd be lying if I say I didn't enjoy it thoroughly.

And I realized its great to be Yin and Yang rolled into one. So much nicer:)

It happens only in India!!

I was walking to office this morning and noticed this sign hand painted on a wall...

Do not pass urine here.

It bought a smile to my face and I realized there are such signs all over which we see everyday.

* Horn OK please.

* No combing hair in restaurant.

Outside an undertakers shop: Drop in when you are dead!!

At railway stations: Aana free, Jaana Free. Pakde gaye to khana free!


Indian English so normal to us but funny to others.

* I'm like this only. Please don't mind it.

* You're going isn't it?

* She's here no?

* Put it off... Put it on...

* Current went, Current came!!

* Ladies Counter, Gents counter.


These are some I could offhand think of. Do add to my list.

Affirmation.

I believe the sun should never set upon an argument
I believe we place our happiness in other people's hands
I believe that junk food tastes so good because it's bad for you
I believe your parents did the best job they knew how to do
I believe that beauty magazines promote low self esteem
I believe I'm loved when I'm completely by myself alone

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love until you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye

I believe you can't control or choose your sexuality
I believe that trust is more important than monogamy
I believe your most attractive features are your heart and soul
I believe that family is worth more than money or gold
I believe the struggle for financial freedom is unfair
I believe the only ones who disagree are millionaires


I believe forgiveness is the key to your unhappiness
I believe that wedded bliss negates the need to be undressed
I believe that God does not endorse TV evangelists
I believe in love surviving death into eternity


Not one of my favourite songs in terms of the musical notes. But a definite yes in terms of the lyrics. Very evocative and profoundly deep.

Karma Cola

kar·ma /Spelled Pronunciation[kahr-muh]
Hinduism, Buddhism. action, seen as bringing upon oneself inevitable results, good or bad, either in this life or in a reincarnation: in Hinduism one of the means of reaching Brahman.


That in a literal sense is what karma means.

I think karma has its own interpretation for each individual. Also some believe in it and some don't know of its very existence.

I for one am a strong believer and interpret it in my own fashion.

So...

Do you watch each step?

Analyse every action?

Weigh every word?

Gauge every relationship?

Not really...

Or yes??

Retro.

Finished breakfast listening and humming to Kim Wilde's 'You came'.

Anyone remember Kim Wilde... I do. She did top the charts... way back. And then poof... oblivion. Wonder where she is today.

You came is a song I associate with my last year in school. 10th grade to be precise. For me songs categorise a certain period or phase in my life. Whenever I listen to these songs I reminisce about those times.


- Ma Baker and Sunny: I guess for me BoneyM is what initiated me into listening to music. My 3rd grade and my sista and I would blast the 'tape' on our Dad's 'two in one'. Literally grew up with BoneyM.

- Clementine, Do re me, I am sixteen, Songs from 'King and I' and 'Fiddler on the roof': Singing lessons in school. 12 year olds exercising their lungs to the strains of Ms. Patel belting her music out on the antiquated piano which had seen better times.

- That's the way A-ha: The nuns used to play LP records to pep up sleepy eyes just before morning assembly. It sure did spring us all up.

- High School: Sending all my love, Sealed with a kiss, Buffalo Soldier, All from NKOTB, Shoulder to cry on, Locomotion, Donna Summers and Chaka Khan.

- Early College Days: It must have been love, Hotel California, Smells like Teen Spirit, Hole Hearted, Doors, Two Steps behind, Rock you like a Hurricane...

- Late College: The pub culture creeps in. My skirts get shorter and my ways wilder. We party all night and cram equally hard. Cotton Eye Joe, Illusion, Barbie Girl, Tribal Dance, Dr. Alban...

- Early Xebec days: First days with writehanddrive and we exchange music... Don Williams, Crush, Life...

- Working days begin and music takes a backseat as chasing artworks and massaging ego's takes precedence. Still find time for Green Day and Tull.


- But I guess the most memorable song for me is Crusin': A cold winter day. It's pouring cats and dogs. Mr. G and I are in the backseat of a Santro. The car's vipers are having a tuff time keeping up to the mini deluge. Slowly Mr. G takes my hand and as Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis sing...

Baby let's cruise, away from here
Don't be confused the way is clear
And if you want it you got it forever
This is not a one night stand
So let the music take your mind
Just release and you will find

You're gonna fly away, glad you'll go my way
I love it when we're cruisin together
Music is played for love, cruisin is made for love
Well I love it when we're cruisin together

Music is played for love, cruisin is made for love
Well I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it
Woah oh

Well I love it when we're cruisin together


And I knew I was home!

Yuletide again!!!!!!!!

Its Yuletide again and that time of the year I love the most.

Its the time of the year which brings a smile to my lips, a spring to my step, a laughter at the most innocuous of things, a feeling of goodness and joy to all.

It's Christmas time!!!!

Time to bring out the mistletoe, candy sticks, rum cakes, wine and make a list of all the presents to buy!

Yay yay yay Santa is coming to town!

Things that pep me up when I got the blues...

I started the day by listening to Billy Joel on my office computer... She's always a woman to me... And realized its a song I used to often listen to when down and out while in college. And somehow it always brought a smile back to my face.

So I decided to pen down some of things that pep me up when I got the blues.

So here goes...

- Looking at old pictures of myself and my sister. The crazy fashion statements we made at that point in time. And the equally weird hair-do's we sported!

- Leafing through birthday cards I have received over the years.

- My high school 'slam' book. It has tufts of hair of my friends stuck on to some of the pages!

- A good hot water shower followed by slapping on oodles of perfumed body lotion. Somehow smelling good always chases away the blues!

- A packet of greasy calorie laden chips munched down while watching old re-runs of 'Friends'.

- Calling up my sister and dumping my problems on to her and getting her all bluesy:)

- Lighting up incense cones.

And how can I not mention the bestest way to chase away the blues...

A big bear hug from my teddy Mr.G!!

And so we turn one.

Time indeed flies. It still feels like yesterday but today Mr. G and I celebrate our first wedding anniversary.

And I have decided to dedicate this post to Mr. G.

For not only has he filled my life with laughter and love but he's also taught me so much.

So this is for the man who's my 'Rock of Gibraltar'!


You're Still the One.

When I first saw you, I saw love.
And the first time you touched me, I felt love.
And after all this time, you're still the one I love.

Looks like we made it.
Look how far we've come my baby.
We mighta took the long way.
We knew we'd get there someday.

They said, "I bet they'll never make it".
But just look at us holding on.
We're still together.
Still going strong.

You're still the one I run to.
The one that I belong to.
You're still the one I want for life.
You're still the one that I love.
The only one I dream of.
You're still the one I kiss good night.

I'm so glad we made it.
Look how far we've come my baby.

Food smells that make me go mmmmm....

WritehandDrive... I stole the heading of your post. Is this blogger plagiarism?

I thought I would add to your long list with some of my own. And hey you gave the leeway to keep the list on. So here goes my list of food smells and some other smells that make me go mmmm...

Be warned that some of them might be an overlap to your list.

- Tea brewing with mint leaves and freshly ground pepper.

- The smell of ginger pounded in a pestle and mortar.

- Fish frying in mustard oil.

- The smell of fresh coriander sprinkled on hot spicy chicken curry.

- The smell of 'hing' sprinkled into pot of boiling sambar.

- The aroma wafting around the 'Cookie Man' outlets at malls.

- Fresh corn being buttered.

- The various aromas floating around the 'Lush' stores.

- The smell of woollens when they are taken out for the winter months.

- Aahhh the smell of kerosene and 'rubber solution'.

- And how to forget the smell of mud rising up from the earth after the first rain showers.

- Garlic pickle in brine... mmmm

- The smell of 'curry leaves' crackling in hot oil.

- Crackling jeera and chili powder in ghee poured over hot and steaming dal.

- The smell of dogs (this is for all the dog lovers) soon after a bath.

- Fresh paint and varnish.

Hmmm... can't think of any more. Mr. G look forward to you adding or rather making a list of your own.

For all those who want to check Writehand Drive's list... here's the link - http://writehanddrive.blogspot.com/

Gastronomical Sunday!

The morning started with Mr. G on an expedition of his own. I strongly believe he was building up a hearty appetite for all the food to come. Full of energy and enthusiasm he cycled all the way for his classes. He reached there dragging his rubbery legs. very bravely shook a leg (and eyed the girls I'm sure for the next hour!!). And then... Mr. G I applaud you for this... "It was great show that you came back cycling' (Way to go)

The rest of Sunday was a pure gastronomical trip for Mr. G and me. What else would you expect when 6 foodaholics get together.

We had Abi and Basil chopping away furiously at some tapioca in our kitchen which they claimed they knew how to make. I figured somewhere well into the furious chopping that ...ahem They had made it once three years ago!! There was a huge pot of Kerala Fish curry and some Beef curry simmering away on the burners and (if I may say so myself considering I made those) smelling divine.

Vidya was busy in her kitchen upstairs cooking up a storm. And the delicious smells of appam batter and Vegetable stew wafted below to tantalise my nostrils.

Soon all the foodies had assembled. There was a fridge full of cold chilled beer. Which I eyed greedily!! But settled for glass after glass of chilled Guava Nectar. There was friendly banter and jokes being cracked. Beer being gurgled and Guava Nectar disappearing faster than the beer. Abi and Basil by then were keeping Vidya company and cooking up another storm in our kitchen.

Finally all the food was ready, all the beer and Guava Nectar guzzled down. The food was like a spread for the Gods. The mallu Gods that is! It was almost like Coconut grove being transported straight into our home:)

Kappa, Kerala Fish Curry, Beef Curry, More Curry, Bullet Rice, Vegetable Stew, Appams and Inzipulli! For all who know their Kerala cuisine... you sure know what a spread that is. Almost like a Mini-Sadya!!

So by 5 we all were stuffed and ready to sack. Which is precisely what Mr. G and I did till our slumber was broken and we were invited for an evening party.

So off we went for another round of food and drinks. The company was eclectic, there was good wine and booze which I again eyed greedily and then stuck to some Lemony Tang. It was a motley bunch of people comprising flight trainers, pilots, flight instructors, air-hostesses, mall managers and the like. Really enjoyed the night with good conversation, good tang(phew) and another gastronomical trip.

Steamed and fried sausages (they were the amazing crumble-in-the-mouth variety), coriander rice, chicken curry, exotic vegetables in freshly ground pepper, Prawns masala and creamy raita.

All polished up with some gooey-sinful gelato!

The night ended for us at 2 am(and on a Sunday night too). But a lovely Sunday nevertheless. Not so lovely on our poor tummies. But all the yummy food was well worth it!

So here's to more hedonism on Sunday's to come!!!

Object D'Art!

Walk up the Dom Joao's lane towards Ronils and on your left is this small 'tattoo parlour'.

Run by a Kashmiri chap who insists on speaking in English and doesn't seem to understand if you try Hindi on him. He's got this Japanese lady who works out of his parlour and does some amazing body art. She doesn't speak much English except for a 'Yes' and a 'No' and 'Ooh it pains'?

But she works magic with her hands, her pins, needles and various inks and transforms simple sketches and tracings into wonderful and amazing pieces of body art.

So like each time, along we trudged to pay her a visit. Mr. G went back again and again. Till I suspected if it were the tattoo's or the lady he was interested in!

But sweet Mr. G like always gave me an option to choose the design. But not the object d' art since that was fixed, set and sealed in his mind.

Now since I knew fuming, fretting, huffing and puffing and threatening to hold my breath till I die were ploys that would not have worked I relented and picked up the design for him.

So the next evening with his mission clearly defined, out he set for his date with the Japanese lady. After an hour of seething I finally decided to pay him a visit which lasted all of 2 1/4 minutes. I hate the sight of pins and needles and decided to make myself scarce before I did something as stupid as swoon!

Hate as much as I do to admit it... well the object d' art is well...nice...Ok...Ok...It's actually very nice. And well I married one didn't I?? So I got to like it:) No love it:)

I have the picture of Mr. G's tattoo up. Do let me know what you think.

Tripping on Goa!

This is going to be a detailed post on the eateries we haunted this time in Goa. And also some inane stuff I thought I should mention.

I have always binged on the food in Goa. Not because its a gourmand's delight but because just like Goa makes you thirsty for beer it also gives you hunger pangs at regular intervals.

This time since I had to curb the thirst pangs and satiate it with repeats of soups I made sure I compensated that with all the food I could get into my tummy.

- Lucky Star: Our favourite haunt though this time we didn't hang there as much as previous times. The Nepali waiters there know us by name and Mr. G loves speaking with them in Nepali and doing some serious bonding. Though I am yet to see it translate into some serious discounts for us. Lucky Star dishes out some yummy Butter Garlic Calamari and Squids which is Mr. G's staple diet whilst in Goa. Try their Manchow soup its yummy (can't beat the Kings though!). Also their Tandoori fish is nice with the yummiest salad served along with it. Evenings at Lucky Star are swell. Comfy chairs by the splashing sounds of the ocean. And Himesh Reshammiya competing with The Black Eyed Peas! The music is not worth writing about and its seems to be headed the 'party-sharty way'.

- Mambo's and Titos are best avoided. The Titos lane has lost its charm of being a beachy shacky by lane in Goa and has been transported straight into some by lane in 'the dilli'.

- Brittos is a lovely place to pig out on some scrumptious 'English Breakfast'. Greasy sausages and bacon. Stiff toast with sunny side-up eggs and a cool refreshing tall glass of Orange Juice. The latter being served in a jiffy and the former seems to take forever (almost like the cook has to catch the eggs as soon as its laid)!

- Walk down Brittos to our fave haunt this trip ' Athens'. Thanks to S and the oh-so-typical place he would frequent. The first day they killed us with some 'Fisherman from Goa' songs. Almost like an album made by them. But yes they did play some good Eagles and Don Williams after we made our displeasure clear. The cold coffee is to die for and the wood fire pizzas are outta this world. A must try is the Hot n Spicy pizza. The King Fish with Rechardo sauce is yummy by the beach at night. And not to forget the Goan fish curry and rice.

- Electric Cats. A small shack down Dom Joao's we discovered the last time round and into which we initiated our friends this time. Run by a small stocky ever-smiling Mallu chappie. So unassuming and you wouldn't believe that he owns four such restaurants in Goa. The Prawns and Calamari looked yummy enough to eat. But since I didn't want my tongue curling or me breaking into a rash I avoided those and stuck to (believe it or not) Dal and Roti. And Mr. Mallu sweetly gave me a Manchow Soup (Do I hear a not again!) on the house.

- Lousy Food and Warm Beer. A new place at Candolim run by some friends of S&S. Gavin with his sweet smile and lovely music. Zeereen with a constant cigarette dangling from her lips and her sweet chatter. Its was a lovely place. One that made you feel oh so welcome. I lived up to my oddities and had some palak paneer and rotis. Before I hear an 'Ugh!!' let me tell you that all would vouch that the palak paneer was simply delicious. I danced to some amazing retro that Gavin played a bit too loud and Savz did a crazy jig too.

- Do avoid Mike's hideout unless you fancy some hard-as-rubber Beef Chilly and runny soup.

- The best thing at La Calypso's Water-front was the mouth watering Nougat Butterscotch Cake. It was even yummier since it came complimentary for G's birthday. Its a lovely place but what makes it oh-so-sad is Himesh Reshammiya blaring out at you all the time in his nasal voice!

- The best part about Goa was sitting at the balcony at Dom Joao's bonding over endless cups of tea. Or just staring out into nothingness.

Thanks to all who joined us on this trip. It was great and the Goa hangover is yet to go!

It's a Goa state of mind...

We are back. The holiday is over but for me its still a Goa state of mind.

I can never have enough of Goa though this time round we were on a longer stay.

Goa... Goa... Goa... It was such a blissful, relaxing and rejuvenating holiday. We did absolutely nothing! And the feeling of 'doing nothing' surpasses everything.

No beds to me made, no breakfast to be made, no rushing in the morning to get to work, no meetings to attend, no calls to take, no briefs to be written, no egos to be massaged, no deadlines to be met, no groceries to be bought, no dinner to be made, no instructions for the maid to be left, no household chores to worry about... no nothing to be done!

Savz, Sushim, Nealesh, Lata, Salman, Sangeeta, Mr. G and me...

Brittos, Athens, Lucky Star, OPM, Electric cats, La Calypso, Lousy Food and Warm Beer...

Fish, Mussels, Calamari, Squids, Prawns...

Beach beds, massages, tans and sunscreens...

Gossip, gossip and more gossip...

For them Breezers, Kings, Fenny, Bacardi, Wine, Gin...

For me the soups after soups!!

A lovely birthday for Mr. G with all who love him around him.

A lovely holiday for us.

Viva la Goa - esa!

Yessssssss... its finally here!!

We are off to Goa tomorrow to soak up the surf, the sea and the sand. A break Mr. G and I both have been so looking forward to.

And then ofcourse Goa is our fave holiday place and oh-so romantic.

Write hand drive joins us on Thursday. My soul sista always brings a smile to my face.

So I am going to be taking a hiatus this week from blogging.

But I'm going to be back come Monday with loads of pictures and our holiday diary.

Until till then Viva la Goa-esa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Devil Wears Prada!

We finally caught this movie two nights ago on DVD.

A dishy comedy with an even dishier Simon Baker playing the role of the novelist with romantic ideas for Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway).

The movie is based on the novel by Lauren Weisberger who incidentally worked for sometime with the editor of Vogue. And some say that this book is her revenge!

A comedy with the boss-from-hell routine and a babe in the woods trying to find her footing in the world of New York publishing. Andy feels that working at Runway under Miranda Priestly will give her the experience to finally work at the New Yorker.

Meryl Streep is brilliant in her portrayal of Miranda who runs Runway like Pol Pot. I guess the movie would have sunk without her.

And the clothes in the movie are worth dying for. I loved the movie for its clothes and of course Meryl Streep.

A nice enough flick for a quiet weekday evening.

Strange Ways!

There are some things which in retrospect I find so intriguing. I was reflecting back to five years.

Year 2001. Sometime in August. I am not sure of the date but yes it was a Saturday. If I knew then that, that day would be of monumental significance to me, I am sure I would have etched the date in my mind for posterity sake.

That was the day I met Mr. G for the first time.

A Hi, I am Deepti and a Hi, I am Gaurav kind of meeting.

Who would have known then that our paths would intertwine and we would be together forever.

Though from after a week of having known each other, I considered me being his and he being mine. Nothing was said or assumed. It was like karmic destiny. And things just fell into place slowly and over time.

Today when I think of that night in 2001 and to today when we are expecting our baby... I can only say... Strange ways!

Week 21!

Each day brings forth a spate of mixed feelings and mixed emotions.

As the 40 week figure keeps on reducing the fear aspect keeps on increasing.

Fear of the pain.

Fear of being a good parent.

Fear of providing.

That's the flip side. But the joys far outweigh the fear!

The little flutters.

Somersaults and turns our baby is actively engaging in.

Burgeoning tummy.

Expectancy of seeing our baby again at this month's scan.

Still can't imagine that I am through the halfway mark! And in exactly 20 weeks time we will be welcoming our little one into this world.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

Adam Pontipee lives with his six brothers in a cabin in a remote area of the woods.

He goes to town one day and convinces a girl named Milly to marry him. They return to the cabin, where she suddenly realizes he has six brothers!

Milly tries to teach them some manners after her initial shock, but they are not entirely keen to change their ways. They are, however, anxious to get wives of their own.

After Adam reads about Roman capturing of Sabine women, he hatches a plan for his brothers - kidnap whoever they want to marry and bring them back to the cabin.

"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" is, today, somewhat of a classic.

And that's the play Mr. G and I are going to be watching this evening at Chowdiah.

Yay yay yay:)

Metrosexual or Retrosexual??

I have realised that among all the men I know I can classify them either as Metrosexuals or Retrosexuals.

Metrosexual Males:

Of the pedicures and manicures

Aftershaves, Shaving Balms, Splash On's

Conditioners, Hair Wax, Smoothing Balms

Deos, Eau de Cologne and Parfums

Body lotions and Face Creams

Robbie Williams and Jay Z

Flat Fronts, Chinos, Khakis and so on and so forth


Retrosexual Males:

Of the Old Spice and Nycil's

Brylcream and Side Partings

Nivea and Charmis

Scorpions and U2

Pleated trousers, striped shirts and so on and so forth


Mindset and Mentality of the above...

Same to Same!

Limericks.

Ogden Nash is one of my favourite poets.

Though I am not a connoisseur of poems or poets for that matter.

But I used to love reading through Ogden Nash's surprising and pun-like rhymes.

I'm posting one of his funny limericks which I am sure each of you would have read at some time or the other.


The Ant
by Ogden Nash.

The ant has made himself illustrious.
Through constant industry industrious.
So what?Would you be calm and placid.
If you were full of formic acid?

Wish all of you a very Happy Diwali!!

The Pied Piper.

Remember Robert Browning's famous poem 'The Pied Piper of Hamlin'?

Hamelin Town's in Brunswick...
By famous Hanover city...

And who can forget the Pied Piper of Hamlin. Though he played a different music on his pipe and led away all the children of Hamlin when the mayor and council members refused to pay him a thousand guilders.

Last night a Diwali party got me thinking of the Pied Piper. The crowd comprised of serious drinkers and serious teen patti players. They were married couples, singles and couples with children.

Now all the children somehow seem to get attracted to Mr. G.

They stare at him with a wonderment in their eyes.

He makes faces, they make faces.

They smile, he smiles.

He laughs, they laugh.

What is it... What is it... I ask that draws kids to Mr. G like the Pied Piper?

The chubby cheeks I suppose.

Kids like huge bug-bears.

And isn't Mr. G the cutest bug-bear on two legs!!

So that explains the affinity between Mr. G and Lil ones. (This is purely my theory)

AND

Am I glad it is not PYT's in next-to-nothings who feel this way towards him.

And a huff and a puff!

That's how I felt when I reached work this morning.

And the reason why I felt that way is because Mr. G's words just before I dozed off last night kept echoing in my ears all night.

And it was the first thing I remembered when I woke up this morning.

He said 'Deepy, its time you started exercising'!!

Well folks the only exercise I have been getting until now is the short walk to and fro from office, the never-sit-at-your-desk attitude at work, all the work around the house, chopping, cooking, cleaning etc etc etc.

So I said to myself enough is enough.

And took the longer route to work this morning.

Mr. G for your benefit it took me a good 15 minutes extra.

That means I have to leave 15 minutes early each morning.

Which means I get to see only a quarter of The Oprah Winfrey show each morning!

Which also means that since I waddle more than walk these days.

Its going to be a huff and a puff all the way!

Home Sweet Home.

Yesterday Mr. G and I drove all the way to see the latest developments on our little home which is coming up in Whitefield.

This is the first time that I actually stepped into what will eventually be our home and hearth. All this while I have been seeing it as bricks and columns.

But yesterday we actually climbed up the yet to be cemented steps, all the way to the 2nd floor and stepped into the cool environs of our home.

There was a certain sense of peace and calm about the place and the postive energy I felt were also very strong. Was it because that's our home or in reality there was something warm and home like about it. A sense of ownership and belonging.

Hand in hand we walked into our home. The walls are up and little demarcations separate the kitchen from the living room, the balcony from the bedroom, the baths from the bedroom.

But I could in my minds eye see the place as it will be years from now.

Full of warmth, joy, love, sunshine and God's love:)

The Quintessential Tomato!

Did you guys know that the tomato is actually a fruit and not a vegetable!

And for all you including Mr. G who like to say 'I don't like fruits in my food'... you better learn to love this fruit.

It's used in practically every preparation one can think of.

Sandwiches.

Chutneys.

Vegetables.

Rice.

Curries.

Pastas.

Soups.

Pickles.

Accompaniments.

Dips.

Did I miss out on anything...hmmm...maybe cakes...yeuck!

Why this post you ask me??

Well, I had tomato chutney with parathas for breakfast and it got me thinking.

Oops...she's pregnant!

There are some at work who are now beginning to realize that hey...its not a burgeoning tummy... she's pregnant man!!

Can you believe it!!

There's one guy who asked one of the girls... Psssttt...Is she pregnant??

Girl replies...Yesss!!

Guy... How did it happen?? (Stupid!!)

Girl... well one day her husband came home and....

Then there's another guy who eyes my increasing middle and says... Too much beer lately yeah??

Me... Well, the temptation's definitely been there!

Are guys blind??

I definitely think so!

Breaking it down...

Ever wondered how different people have a knack of forming their own abbreviated versions of your name!!

I do that!! There's

Gauroo for Mr. G

Savz for Savvy

Sush for Sushim

Askay for Akshay

Divs for Divya

Vids for Vidya

And here are some of my own name!

Dee

Dee Dee

Dips

Deepy

Deepoo

Deeps

Ditz

Do I like it? I guess I do.

18 weeks going!

18 weeks already and this is how I am feeling:)

Excited.

Apprehensive.

Scared.

Nervous.

Dreamy.

Sleepy.

Expectant of our baby's little flutters and movements.

No longer nauseous and sick!

Hungry.

Hungry.

And even more hungry!

Bhaga Bhaga... Dauda Dauda!

Most days when I have lots of work to do (not official of course) I feel like the heading of this post.

Though I am a firm believer that all personal work should be done during working hours in order to have the weekend to oneself!:)

But I have not been able to achieve that during the past two weeks.

So here I am on a Saturday morning charting out my things-to-do list.

1. Need to desperately get a haircut.

2. Need to get my eyebrows done before that's all you see on my face:)

3. Have to buy Diwali gifts to send for in-laws.

4. Pair of black sandals for myself. I have worn out the two I possess. Must be the increasing weight I guess.

5. Grocery shopping for the month. Though that will be done tomorrow with Mr. G. But hey I still got to work on the list!

6. Fix an appointment for the next Doctor's visit

7. Make plans for Saturday evening (which is a humungous task because they take many forms as the day progresses)

8. Supervise Saturday house cleaning by the maid. I have a feeling most days she just does the dishes and scoots (She comes while we are away at work!)

9. Buy a gift for for a birthday tomorrow.

10. Laundry, laundry and more laundry.

Phew...so you see why I am feeling bhaga bhaga...dauda dauda.

Of parathas and pickles!!

Let me warn you guys that my favourite topic (as you will surely see over time) will be food, and food and more food!!

Ever since my adolescent years, parathas for breakfast have been a major high for me.

Think...visualise...

Hot, hot fluffy parathas, crusty layers that break away at a bite...

The yummy smell of melting ghee being used to fry it...

Hot parathas on a plate which vanish with two to three bites.

Accompaniments of an assortment of pickles...chillies, mango, and lime

Isn't that culinary bliss my friends and a foodie's delight?

Well, the reason for this post is that I had hot, hot parathas for breakfast with pickles and curd.

What a way to start a day:)

There's a fly in my tea!

My early morning cuppa ritual is very sacrosanct to me. I need a piping hot cup of tea first thing in the morning and just cannot do without it. My best friend had once told me that she's never seen anyone enjoy tea as much as I do. I like to ponder, introspect and dream over that first morning cup of tea.

But this morning a very creepy and hairy visitor decided to drop by my morning cup of tea! yeuck. Yes, it was a fly. I have no idea from where it dropped by. And its so uncanny to see one that early in the morning. I always associate flies with late afternoons so somehow always believed that they were late risers. Anyways I didn't let that fly mar my first cuppa bliss. I just knocked it out and sipped away.

Yummm!