Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Meanderings


Before she knew, the twisting and winding path took her deep into the pine forest. She turned around to see if there was a trail, but all she could see were the tall coniferous trees. Still, silent, observant of the entangled thoughts. She felt goosebumps on her soft skin. What if this was a black hole of pines? The only saving grace was the bright sun, playing hide and seek. There were no clouds, but the pines were tall enough to block the light every now and then. 


Her feet started aching. Her head was spinning. The beautiful wonderland forest was becoming a maze of illusions. The green pine trees, lined in rows, with mountains in the backdrop, looks prettier in pictures. She was thirsty, and her stomach was growling. She called out for help, but there was no reply. She didn't pay much heed to the chirping, or the rustling. Tired, broken, and with lost hope, she rested herself on a flat stone. The stone was wet. She closed her eyes, and drifted away to sleep. She dreamt of her childhood days, spent in the woods of her hometown. It was a small town, with dense forests. She knew the trees, the shrubs and the creepers. They grew up together with her. The riverbed was her afternoon hideout. 


A familiar sound woke her up. It sounded the same, like the gushing of the clear stream. She pulled herself up. A bit of hope fluttered in her heart. Climbing higher up the rock, she raised herself on her toes, just to sight a clear sparkling stream of water. The sun rays created a mystical glistening sight. She slowly but steadily walked up to the stream, cupped the crystal clear water, sipping the drops. Her lips quivered, he heart jostled the lost hope. Walking along the bank of the stream, she could see the clear blue sky, the green path ahead. It was no longer meandering aimless. 










Image source: 
www.usda.gov
www.divineglowinghealth.com

Monday, August 11, 2014

Every cloud has a silver lining - The Sunshine Award

Life is a tough journey, irrespective of the famous saying - "life is what you make it". This is true to an extent, but sometimes as a human being, you tend to loose yourself, and bow to the difficulties. 
In such days, when you get nominated for an award by a fellow blogger, the feeling is indescribable. This makes me feel proud of what I do. It also makes me confident and motivated. 

Dr Gauri Kekre is a dentist by profession, full time mom of two little sweethearts, and a multifaceted blogger. She pens down recipes, some amazing DIY projects, reviews and a her thoughts. She blogs at Mindbrew

Thank you for nominating me for this award Gauri. I feel privileged.   

sunshineaward

Rules of the sunshine award
  • Display award on your blog with a post
  • Show gratitude to the person and link back the person who nominated you 
  • Nominate up to 10 of your favorite deserving bloggers who positively and creatively inspire others in the   blogosphere
  • Link the nominees in your post and let them know
  • Write TEN interesting things about yourself  

Nominating a specific number of blogger friends for awards is a difficult task. Here, I nominate a selected few, blogs which have touched my heart. I sincerely hope they will accept the sunshine award. 
Nirjharini - www.ruchirashukla.com  by Ruchira Shukla
Between write and wrong - www.sakshinanda.com by Sakshi Nanda
Words - www.sarusinghal.com by Saru Singhal
Memoirs of a homemaker - www.janakinagaraj.com by Janaki Nagaraj
Juztamom - www.juztamom.blogspot.in by Sfurti Sinha
Thoughtless Ramifications - www.poojaabhay.com by Pooja Abhay
A spoonfull of ideas - www.aspoonfullofideas.com by Poornima Kulkarni
A school of thought - www.jaibalarao.com by Jaibala Rao
My unfinihsed life - www.myunfinishedlife.com by Sushmita Sarkar
While the coffee brews - www.whilethecoffeebrews.blogspot.com by Naina Madan
And now, the most tedious. 10 interesting things about me. Well, I am sure I can twist this a bit. So I list down my favorite 10 songs with top of the mind recall. These songs represent my thoughts to a certain extent. 
1. Hero by Mariah Carey

2. Main kaise kahun janeman by Jagjit Singh

3. When you say nothing at all by Ronan Keating

4. Bade achhe lagte hain (Balika Badhu) by Amit Kumar

5. Luka Chhupi bahut hui (Rang de Basanti) by Lata Mangeshkar

6. Taarein zameen par (title track) byShankar Mahadevan 

7. The look by Roxette

8. Aaoge jab tum sajna (Jab we met) by Ustad Rashid Khan

9. You're still the one by Shania Twain

10. Chhota sa ghar hoga (Naukri) by Kishore Kumar 

Leaving you with melodious memories



Sunday, July 6, 2014

Because I'm happy


Soft sun, cool breeze,blue sky with white cumulus blowing by cautiously, but basking in the summer. On this beautiful day, I feel caressed and kissed. 

Kokos, the white and black cat is our new neighbour. She is the pet of our apartment. She sleeps cozy just outside the building door. The fuzzy weather makes her lazy and happy.

Daniella, the slender 10 year old, (coincidently, she is new to our apartment as well), has developed an unusual bond with Kokos. I love to watch them play with each other. Every morning, when I open the kitchen window, I see Kokos sitting near the door, waiting for her breakfast. Sometimes, if Daniella get late, she will meow, and not stop till she gets her food. There have been instances, when Daniella has been away. Those days Vihaan gives sausage and milk to Kokos. Kokos has her own plate and water bowl. She also has her own small bed, all thanks to Daniella.  

Lately, Vihaan has developed a liking for music. He has also been singing this song, which suits the mood of the day. It's "The Happy Song" (Soundtrack for Despicable Me 2) by Pharell Williams (lead singer of N.E.R.D.). 




And the chorus goes like this: 

Because I'm happy,
Clap along if  you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy,
Clap along if you feel like happiness us the truth
Because I'm happy,
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy,
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do



Monday, June 30, 2014

What is love




Love is bright, sunny, spring
Love is when the cuckoo sings
Love is drops of pure rain
Love is droplets in your mane
Love is rustling green of the pine
Love is flowing river shine
Love is a blooming fragrant rose
Love is "not-so-perfect" jive on toes
Love is a heart doodle, or a kiss
Love is a smile on your lips

And specially for the newly weds -

Love is to hear Nelson chuckle
Love is Nelson's bright eyes and hair ruffle
Love is when Pontus recalls a loving anecdote
Love is Salina's sweet surprise note



07.06.2014

Written for my dear friend Salina, on her wedding with the ever charming Pontus. Nelson is their 2 year old son. 

Friday, May 16, 2014

Abki baar.. No ullu banaoing!!


16th may 2014 was much awaited. Especially at my home. We recently installed a new dish and now we can watch Indian channels (thanks to my mum's visit). Mudit (the husband) who is extremely interested in property and politics, was super excited. "I will take leave, and watch the results. Will wake up around 6. Hope I won't miss much, it will just be 9.30am in India."Well, he is traveling to Helsinki, meeting a CIO of some client. God has his plans you see! ;) 
So mum and I did track the results. Mum being a journolists wife and another one's sister, is over enthusiastic about the result. The morning showed a clear answer-it was saffron all over. There was no need to wait till the evening, and I tweeted- 

Orange day in shukravaar
Abki baar Modi sarkaar 
Women want no atyachar
No war aar and paar
No ram-Allah-god suvichaar
Development growth barambaar
Abki baar Modi sarkaar..

Time will tell how fruitful was India's 66% voting turnout. India will have eyes on Modi and his cabinet. A lot is expected from them. But what I am sure of, is that / India has finally awakened to freedom. They know what is democracy. I was happy to see my teenage cousins glued to the TV sets since morning, and discussing seats, votes, leaders, winners, parties. 
So finally, no ullu banaoing, coz achhe din aane waale hai, Modi sarkaar banane waale hain. 

Jai Hind



Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Zest of St Thomas' - You and Me


Hello dear Thomasite, 

My dad tells me - "whenever you feel low, remember that you are a Thomasite."Trust me, it works. 
This is an open letter to all of you. All the proud woman, who once adorned the STS badge. 



I am sure, all of you today, are independent and strong woman. You have your own identity. You may or may not yet be successful, but each of you strive hard towards achieving the best which your heart wants, and you mind says.Creating one's own identity is a task. You need to explore your potential and your interests, and follow the path of desire. You have to tread a difficult path, and then you create yourself. St Thomas' enables this. She helps us realize who we are, and what we can do. And through this, she has spread the light. Like her motto says, "Light to Lighten", she enlightened us, so that we can take it forward. 

There comes a pause. 

Through this post, I ask all of you - how many of you have spread the light it further? I can hear a lot of ayes. Feel proud of this fact. I can hear some "can't say/ don't know". Think about it again. You spread it in your profession and personal life, amidst family and friends, amongst colleagues and clients. So, now is it an "aye"? Excellent!! 

Read more. 

Woman in India are oppressed. There is no doubt about it. We are treated as second class citizens. The much talked about divide amongst rich and poor makes it worse. India is definitely a country of extremes. Indian woman faces challenges at every stage in her life. Be it professional, personal or social life. Gender inequality, female foeticide, illetracy, child marriage, sexual assault, non marital and marital rape, harassment at work, oppression at home within the family, and the list goes on. 

I do not know how to solve this ad sort this. But there definitely is a way to reduce this, to an extent possible. As a fellow Thomasite, I appeal to you all. If each of us pledge, to help a woman in need, a woman who cannot help herself, who doesn't have enough support, guidance or education: our country will be a better place. 
So, are you with me? How many "ayes"? 

Let's spread the zest, the zest of STS!! 

Oh yes, and all NRIs and PIOs (me included) - there are several ways to help Indian woman, especially in the virtual world. I have started to be a part of the MILAAP community, and trying to do my bit. I encourage you to do the same. Milaap helps woman, who are partially independent, and are in need. For more details visit - www.milaap.org, and be the change. 

My memories of my alma mater are evergreen. I thank fellow blogger Arlee Bird to seed the thought of this challenge, was back in 2010. And I thank indiblogeshwaris for giving the right push, and land me into this. Once I was in, there was no way out. And from April 1st, started the journey of my most cherished memories of my life, the memories of school days. 



This post is dedicated to the A-to-Z blogging challenge - the largest Blog Challenge in the history of Blogkind. My selected theme is "memories of St. Thomas' "- my Alma mater. This is the twenty sixth and the last post of the challenge 2014, and is linked to the letter Z: Zest of STS. 


Linking this post to UBC too. 


Yonder are the bricks of red


Yonder are  the bricks of red
Girding our dreams and hopes
Alma Mater so dear and old
Whose motto we do uphold
Light!! Light!! Light to lighten!!
Keep it glowing till the end of the world
Light!! Light!! Light to lighten!!
Keep the light of life aglow.

Cherished and taught by her
We are sent out into the world
To break the fetters of pain
And to lift up the weak ad slain
Live!! Live!! Don't just exist!!
Conquer the fold, and lead the whole world
Live!! Live!! Don't just exist!!
Is the silent plea of her soul.

Oh STS how may we
Try to be worthy of thee
Now standing of life's threshold
We pay our homage to thee
Reach!! Reach!! Reach for the heights!!
And when you get there, Reach for the next star
Reach!! Reach!! Reach for the heights!!
Is the challenge that we must take. 


Some things in life are never to be forgotten, never erased. Some words are by heart. So is my school song. Trust me, I typed it in one go, word by word. I sometimes sing the last paragraph. It gives me energy to go on. To live by the promise. To never give up, keep going, even when it gets tough. 

Life maybe really cruel, or maybe so is what you think!! 





This post is dedicated to the A-to-Z blogging challenge - the largest Blog Challenge in the history of Blogkind. My selected theme is "memories of St. Thomas' "- my Alma mater. This is the twenty fifth  post of the challenge, and is linked to the letter Y: Yonder are the bricks of red. 

Linking this post to UBC too. 


Xmas parties @STS


Christmas. The best time of the year. And christmas parties. Ask any Thomasite, and she will swear. The Xmas party day, used to be the best day of the year. 

The venue of the dhol tamasha, DJ and dancing (its bigger than what it looks in the picture)

The Xmas party was an annual event. It was held a day after the christmas play. Class decorations, informal dresses were allowed, non stop music in the class and in the big quadrangle, Dhol, a Delhi must (a double headed drum) and food. That day STS was not a school. I am not sure when did this all start. But God bless the soul. Sheer fun. It started from shopping for dresses. Everyone had to look the best. It was like a fashion parade for the senior school. Of a different kind. No ramp, no careful walk. Just self controlled rampage. Teachers not far behind, enjoyed it all as well. For junior school, it was more like a competition of class decoration, which was done a day before. Our classroom had to look the best. 



When I was in Class 10, a distasteful incident within the school, led to a stern decision by my then pricipal, Mrs Manoharan. The informal dressing was banned. Since then, the parties were in school uniforms. It did dampen the spirit, for a while. but nothing could stop the "Indian style" christmas party!! 

Much love to my alma mater!! 



This post is dedicated to the 
A-to-Z blogging challenge - the largest Blog Challenge in the history of Blogkind. My selected theme is "memories of St. Thomas' "- my Alma mater. This is the twenty fourth post of the challenge, and is linked to the letter X: Xmas Parties @ STS. 

Linking this post to UBC too. 



Ma'am, may I go to drink water?


Sprite bujhaye pyaas
Baaki sab bakwaas..

No way. It had always been the water. Then, today and forever. After surds, trigonometry and quadratic equations, the water cooler used to be the escape.

"Ma'am, may I go to drink water?"

Teachers used to think twice before saying a yes. After each period, the bell rang, and the queue at the water coolers grew longer. The big green water cooler. Taps had to be either pressed, or lifted up for the water to flow, and the gush of cold H2O would chill our dry throats. Dry of chattering away to glory, be merely standing in the queue - admiring the teachers and seniors (sometimes a little bit of loose talk as well - do not kill me for this), ragging the juniors, or envying the talented batchmates. 

In the world of purifiers and RO systems, I wonder how many of us would drink water from the old refrigerated school coolers. I have a gut feel, the coolers must be fitted with such systems now, just for their survival. I need to cross check this. 

Water reminds me of this: 
I carried it till class 7, and lost it umpteen number of times. Finally, totally abandoned it, out of embarrassment. Seniors do not carry water bottles and lunch boxes. Well, they just manage. Fool's thought. Who leaves home without water, that too at 45 degrees? Oh, yes, it was me. 



Water reminds me of the monsoons. The rains. Puddles of water to splash around. Slip in the puddle while accepting a challenge to walk across, and then beg Sister Thomas, for extra skirt, to change. (This is truth, experienced truth). 
Once, when it was raining hard, my Hindi teacher, Mrs Vinod, ordered samosas for all of us. Peter, the canteen guy, was thrilled. It was me and my friend Anjana, who had the responsibility to get the samosas to the classroom. While going down the stairs, we slipped. Both of us, together, hand in hand. And the first thing came in our mind. Thank god, we didnt slip while going back with the yummilicious samosas. We would have wasted the delicacies. Up we stood, and ran to the canteen, getting drenched. Thank god, it was the last period of the day. 
  



This post is dedicated to the 
A-to-Z blogging challenge - the largest Blog Challenge in the history of Blogkind. My selected theme is "memories of St. Thomas' "- my Alma mater. This is the twenty third  post of the challenge, and is linked to the letter W: Water bottles and water coolers 

Linking this post to UBC too. 



Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Victories, virtues and virginity


Victories


Board Results, debates, admads, quiz, modelling competitions, dramatics, dance, street plays, basketball, athletics, kho-kho (yes, trust me) - STS participated in all sorts of competitions, and won many, not all. Victories were celebrated with vigour. Defeats were taken in stride. I don't recall any nagging n ragging of girls who lost the competitions. Participating amongst India's top students is enough to earn respect, isn't it?

School's board results are always good. Students stand amongst top CBSE scorers.
But this post is not about singing laurels of STS. That's not the only objective. My memories attached with them is what I want you all to know.


In the fall, STS holds a week long celebration. My memory says it's known as book week. Each day is celebrated as a subject day. So we had English day, Hindi day, Mathematics day, Science day and Social science day. Each day full of activities related to the subject. Quiz, debates, street plays, skits  and various other competitions. Learning Shaw, Premchand, Einstein and Algebra, all in a week, was memorable and cherished. So many students from all different schools participated in the events. How can I forget to mention, those were times when we used to have boys in our school, for a refreshing change. Wins and losses, all were celebrated. The much awaited STS book week was a success every year.



I recall attending a 2 day science fest at St. Columba's. Our school won the quiz and the science modelling competition. Some cold drink company was the sponsor, therefore the first phase of the quiz was - drinking a cola as soon as possible. Fastest was the winner of that round. Yes, we did win. :) Dear friend, Prarthana Dhameja, did it for us. The liberalization phase had gripped the economy by then. So had the Cola war. 
Along with ours, we used to cheer and celebrate for other schools as well. The school needs to be our favorites. A lot of "yay yay Modern!!" was heard on the basketball courts. Fun times!! 

Virtues 

Quite recently, my cousin brother, who has completed his year 10 (Class 10) from a extremely renowned public school in Delhi, moved to St Columba's in Delhi. He noticed a lot of difference in both the schools. I jot down a couple of them: 
1. When the teacher is taking a lesson, the students remains calm and quiet. 
2. All Students get back to their classes after lunch. 
3. Teachers are given full respect. There is no leg pulling or sorts. 
4. Football is played only during the games periods. Students do not bunk the classes to play football in the school field. 
5. No one uses foul language in school, even though  they are aware of the vocabulary. 

I am not sure how much is true. But what I am sure of is that my brother will be a better human being once he graduates from Columba's. Most of the convent schools focus on virtues. 

At the school, we learnt the seven virtues for life - Chastity, Abstinence, Liberality, Diligence, Patience, Kindness and Humility. When you meet a Thomasite, you will get the feel of all seven, almost in similar proportions. I pray to God to help me achieve the same. I may not have learnt it all as yet. 

Virginity

Well, well, well. All my feminism comes from STS. I am grateful to thee. 
It was a girls school. No boys. And trust me, amongst Danielle Steel, Sydney Sheldon and Nicholas Sparks, we all were strong feminists. Strong headed females. We didn't care who will loose "it" and when.  Being a virgin or not; having a boyfriend or not, having a valentine date or not - were the NOT HOT topics. We were a world of our own - virgin or non virgin. 

And that is how I still am. Mother, wife, sister, friend, daughter - but above all, I am important for myself. I love and respect myself, as a woman. 



This post is dedicated to the A-to-Z blogging challenge - the largest Blog Challenge in the history of Blogkind. My selected theme is "memories of St. Thomas' "- my Alma mater. This is the twenty second  post of the challenge, and is linked to the letter V: Victories, Virtues and Virginity. 

Linking this post to UBC too.