tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37744456337204704462024-03-14T03:51:28.326-07:00Food For Thought..for all gourmet minds :)Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-67628027310847703832011-12-22T02:21:00.000-08:002011-12-22T02:21:53.420-08:00Shifting base to WP<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Dear readers,<br />
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Like I mentioned in my last post I've finally decided to switch to Wordpress. The humbling support and encouragement I got from all of you here is expected there too!<br />
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Here's my new url : <a href="https://somemorebanter.wordpress.com/">AVibrant Pallet</a><br />
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Hope to see you there! Ciao!<br />
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</div>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-84926749159710353972011-12-13T20:12:00.000-08:002011-12-13T20:12:43.501-08:00The place I call Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's done and is ready to come out in the open. It has a new address, a new ring to its name, and still is the good old me. Personalising has become a whole new experience with it. I’ve been spending a considerable amount of time on trying to give it a spanking new look, and I must say, it is quite alluring. Why then haven’t I yet shared it with all of you? I don’t know!</span><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The <i>identity in question</i> is a new blog that I’ve been meaning to put up at Wordpress (actually I have already put it up). I’d signed up a few months ago, while the whole ‘importing’ my older posts from Blogger happened few days back. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was mighty glad to be able to upload the pictures of my choice and had a beautiful collage prepared for the same. The choice of themes had changed; the appearance was fresh and different.I could do away with some of the many widgets on my blog which I’ve hardly ever used. In short, it was like buying a new house and renovating it for comfort, with your signature touch. I always liked the various new features that Wordpress offered and was curious to try them out.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Having said all this, I haven’t yet made my blog public. Wonder whether it is the confidence and comfort that comes with familiarity or the affection one has with a maiden project, I’m just not able to give this blog up. I’ve not been regular enough with this one itself, maintaining two would be ridiculous. For me writing is fun when it's done by choice, and boring when it is just for the sake of it. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Also comes the question of losing out on my readers who'll need to change my url everywhere. And what happens next? If I get bored with Wordpress in some time will I need to create a new blog again? What is wrong with this one then? This too has been autographed (!) by me (Check out my digital signature)! :D</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’m not able to find a solution for my quandary. Shall I give this one up and start the new one or shall I let the new one remain under wraps like it is now? Many of you have gone through this dilemma. Any suggestions?</span></div></div><br />
<div style="color: #660000;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div><br />
</div>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-48279357546341041422011-12-11T21:56:00.000-08:002011-12-11T21:57:45.721-08:00Err...is that really you??<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Does internet offer the same opportunities to everyone in general, like <b><i>Bigg Boss</i></b> offers to its contestants? Does it give you the chance to live the identity that you always craved for? Does allowing you to put yourself up on a public platform and creating an image that is unbeknownst to a lot of people, ultimately not lead you towards an identity crisis? </span><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">These questions have been playing in my mind since a long time, and once and for all, I want to get them out of my system. Why has internet become such an inseparable part of our lives is beyond at times. I've gone on long hiatuses, as my readers know, and although I did miss the interaction and sharing of ideas, <b><i>it wasn't like my life came to a standstill</i></b>. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There were many things I wanted to write about which might remain unsaid, there might be many posts written by our wonderful bloggers that I might've liked to read but missed (which I can always go back to by the way!), there might be experiences with A Jr that would stay in my memory and camera forever but which never made it here, and so on.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are things about me that even my friends never knew before and which they do now, thanks to my blog and FB. They didn't know that <b><i>I could write and that I was interested in poetry</i></b>. Although its amusing when I tell them that its a hobby I've been harbouring for ages, its a little sad that my 'little secret' is out. No one forced me to do that though, isn't it? Then do I have the right to complain? I don't know.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Most people from my childhood would remember me as <b><i>reticent and an introvert</i></b>. I was a very nervous kid and unfamiliarity with anything would freak me out. I had very few close friends and wasn't open even with them. I'd find disagreeing with anyone insulting to them and often ended up doing stuff I never wanted to. I think you get the picture, if only a vague one.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now its me here, the same person. Discussing love, life and A Jr, without the slightest hesitation, even when I know many of my readers personally. I find myself <b><i>updating status messages</i></b> on FB, sometimes out of boredom and sometimes out of compulsion (like many many others, mind you!). I have something to comment now, a practice I strictly reserved to myself earlier. In other words, I've come out of my shell and how.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Having said that,I have to agree that in person there hasn't been a very drastic change in me now, though I'm not as docile as I was before. I have a strong opinion and have the courage to stand by it. I'm more 'out there' now, even though I'm never comfortable in a crowd. There's an improvement, but its when I'm <i><b>online</b></i> that I become more vocal.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We form an opinion about people from what we see and read about them, but its <b><i>genuineness</i></b> can never be gauged correctly. We might make countless friends here, but wouldn't know what they're made of unless we see them in person. Wouldn't it be like some sort of alternate personality then?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Coming back to my questions in the start of this post, I guess everyone would have his/her own take on it. Would love to know what you feel. </span></div></div><br />
<div style="color: #660000;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div><br />
</div>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-55190273730539444672011-12-07T04:23:00.000-08:002011-12-07T07:48:17.227-08:00The hand that rocks the cradle...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Leaving one's comfort zone is never easy. The nervousness of stepping into a new world, of seeing and meeting people we don’t know properly, the perplexity of how to blend in when at times you simply won’t want to, the thought of changing and sharing your life and everything with and for someone else, and many such baffling questions and sentiments occupy our minds when we make the big shift: </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>marriage</i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I might’ve started my post on this note, but it’s not marriage that I’m going to write about. My life has been transformed beyond recognition after A stepped into the life partner’s shoes, but there are some things that just can't be done away with. And for me the first and foremost thing that is simply unchangeable is <b><i>my dependence on my mother</i></b>. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A lot has been said about how a mother is the first teacher to her children, how she’s the epitome of love, care and dedication and how important she is in anyone’s life, so I’m not going to repeat any of that stuff. We know that already, don’t we? What I’m interested in are the <b><i>unique</i></b> <i><b>individual traits</b></i> that separate every single mother from another one.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Having a kid of my own has now made me realise just how handful I must’ve been. I was a very fussy eater even when I was 25 yrs old, was a little brash for a girl, had mood swings which would come unannounced anytime, had demands which would never seem to end, and….well..well…I’m criticizing myself on my own blog, duh! What I want to convey here is that having to deal with me wouldn’t have been at all easy for her, but she did so, wonderfully.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">She told me that <b><i>my life’s decisions were my responsibility</i></b> and I needed to be answerable for them. She never blamed me for not making it to the top. She celebrated my not-so-good results by taking me out for dinner, just to cheer me up. <b><i>She was not just my friend but a friend to my friends</i></b>. She was there every single time I was on stage, for anything, just to watch me. She sacrificed her plans to buy a new ring so I could get my earrings. She cleaned my room, even my cupboard at times, removed clothes that needed washing and replaced them, ironed. She never complained when I misbehaved, only silently allowed that teardrop fall down her cheeks, when I apologised. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I left my house for the first time, for pursuing my post-graduation, she cried like she’d never see me again. Although she slowly started pursuing her interests <b><i>she made it a point to talk to me every single day</i></b>, a habit she hasn’t left till date. My marriage was a very emotional topic for her and though she never mentioned it upfront I knew she wanted to find a suitable boy for me herself. I happily let her do the honours, and hence came my better half, the one person who could never be replaced by anyone. Am I glad for it now or what?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Even now the mother in her hasn’t let go of her kid daughter a bit. She still worries for the smallest things concerning me, but yes, her encouraging nature hasn’t changed too. When I told her I wanted to study further, she was elated and proud of me. She’s very happy to see the way I’m bringing up A Jr, and says <b><i>I do a better job than her at times</i></b>. Boy, could there be a better compliment than this!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So I guess, leaving our comfort zone is not that difficult, when the one person who makes it all happen is there with you, practically or virtually, through phone, emails or messages.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What more can I say…I’m out of words now! </span><br />
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</div></div><div style="color: #660000;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div><br />
</div>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-47110175701366242832011-12-02T02:30:00.000-08:002011-12-02T07:54:59.490-08:00Is my way the right way?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">All of us must've heard the line, '<i>parents try to relive their childhood through their children</i>' many times. It is not unnatural for parents to be all dreamy-eyed about what future holds for their little ones and expect them to carry forward their name and legacy. Parents have a tendency to assume that the virtues and vices with which they're born and lived with will undoubtedly run down to the next generation. Is it true and does that happen every time? I guess not.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are lots of things that we, as parents, fail to notice while bringing up our kids whilst unknowingly comparing our ways to the ways of our parents. '</span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I never had so many toys</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">', '</span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">father never spent so much time with me', 'My mother was always there for me','I didn't have a cupboard full of clothes</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">' and things like this are pasted all over our minds, and mistakenly we expect our kids to be thankful for the kind of lifestyle we're giving them.For them, this is the way life is, isn't it?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A Jr is just about 3.4 yr old now and I'm amused when people come and ask what plans I have for his future. You're going to make him an engineer like both of you or you're going to put him in Commerce? The world's so full of competition, you think you're choosing the right school for him? Make sure you encourage him to pay attention to extra-curricular activities...and so on. I stare incredulously at them, not knowing the answers to most of these questions.Such a little baby and subjecting him to competition,especially when it is not necessary? Why not let him choose to do what he wants, like I was allowed to? Encouragement is one thing, compulsion is another.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was always a good student but never the one who stood first in class or brought home medals or certificates. My parents never complained or compared us with the better performing ones around, only motivating us to outperform ourselves. They gave us what we wanted but only after we did something worthy of achieving it.Is it not better to give our kids the same treatment, not bribing but complacently awarding?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think I've digressed a lot here, but I guess I've made my point too.Wanting our kids to be clones of us is unfair. We might be the best amongst the lot of our time, but its not necessary that our child will be too. If we do something for our kid,it should be out of love,not duty or authority. Let him choose what he wants to. We can only lead the way, walking or not should be in his hands.</span></div><br />
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<div style="color: #660000;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div><br />
</div>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-69747754750112183092011-11-28T06:24:00.000-08:002011-11-29T03:58:04.851-08:00Bas Ek Koshish<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I didn't write these lines, they've written themselves. They just came to me and I jotted them down, although they succeed in expressing my state of mind quite accurately.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 28px;">कोशिश करना </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 28px;">आसान</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 28px;"> है, कोशिश करवाना </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 28px;">आसान</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 28px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 28px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">नहीं</span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 28px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">जब हार बैठे हिम्मत ही कोई, कामयाब होता वो इंसान नहीं</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 28px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">कर सकूँगा कुछ मैं या नहीं, क्यूँ सोचके वक़्त बर्बाद करें</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 28px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">बेपर भी हम उड़ पाएंगे, मुमकिन पाया था ज़माने ने?</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 28px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">वक़्त के धुंए ने राहें भुला दी, मंजिल का कहीं निशाँ नहीं</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 28px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">क्या ऐसे में मुमकिन नहीं, नयी राहें हैं रौशन और कहीं?</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 28px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">खुद से या ज़माने से क्यूँ कोई भी कुछ शिकायत करे</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 28px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">चुना ज़िन्दगी</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">को तुम्हारी, क्या एहसान न किया उपरवाले ने?</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 28px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">हमारा हक है कोशिश करना, कामयाबी की शर्त रखना नहीं</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 28px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">जो ख्वाब देखे पूरे होंगे, न हुए भी तो ज़िन्दगी खाली नहीं...</span><br />
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<div style="color: #660000;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div></div>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-18597560085461601752011-08-09T01:03:00.000-07:002011-11-28T22:31:19.742-08:00The Magic of Three<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wow...hadn't written since so long and another post so soon! :)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This post can be considered as a sequel to the last one since it deals with 'motherhood' once again. My little prince, who gave me the chance to be called a mother, who made me experience this lovely feeling by coming in my life, who made me realise that I wasn't a complete woman without him, turns Three today.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Seems like it was just yesterday (and I'm sure I'll feel the same every year!) when I held him in my arms for the first time. Remembering that frail figure, those tiny fingers, that angelic face, that immediate and almost necessary throwing of tantrums, etc. makes me feel like an eternity has passed since. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I can't help but reminisce the time when his standing up on his own feet, his first baby steps and his senseless and unclear blabbering gave me a big high. I longed to hear him say 'Mamma' and understand and reciprocate correctly to my questions. I did everything I could to get him flash me his wonderful smile. I wanted the world to be at his feet and give him each and everything he wanted.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I had to be the tougher one too and instill discipline in him by creating deadlines for his television time and limiting his chocolates. I had to make sure he had his fruits and meals on time and tell him that a bag of chips/burger/pizza is not a replacement for chapatis and vegetables.(Even A had issues accepting these rules! :P) I took all efforts to make him realise the significance of listening to his parents and following their suggestions. In short, I had to act like the villain in our family scene.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But, but, I'm not one! So to counter my acting controlling he gets to sit on the kitchen platform while I cook for him and demand whatever he wants, he gets to choose which movie to see next, he's awarded a new toy every single time we go out,etc. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">God, I can go on and on on this, can't I? He's evolved and so have I. Time changes so fast that before you can cease the moment, it's gone. Who once rode a cradle is now in Nursery, and before I know it, will go to college and make a life of his own! Am I over-reacting here? Possibly, but in my place, who wouldn't?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I gave a Bugs Bunny milk chocolate cake in his school for celebrating his birthday today. My kiddo (who wore his new Popeye t-shirt and capris)who was looking like a killer hunk in the making,couldn't get enough of all the attention and was glowing with happiness. When I left him back and came home I almost had a lump in my throat and a feeling of pride in my heart. That, ladies and gentlemen, is A Junior for you!</span></div><br />
<div style="color: #660000;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-62976856940926651862011-08-06T07:37:00.000-07:002011-11-28T22:27:50.949-08:00On Being a Mother Tag :)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I'm way behind schedule on this one. This might even seem a hasty job since I haven't thought it through, but nevertheless I want to take up this tag that <a href="http://myexpositions.wordpress.com/">Nu</a> had passed on to me a while ago. Consider this as a Friendship Day gift from me since it managed to break my blogging hiatus! :)<br />
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I have to list 5 things that I learnt on being a mother. Honestly and ideally the list would go much longer than that but the kind soul that she is, <a href="http://myexpositions.wordpress.com/">Nu</a> graced us by attaching a decent limit.<br />
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Here's my five things:<br />
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1. <b><i>Patience:</i></b> This probably holds true for everyone. We've lived our lives as per our time and wishes but a child simply takes away your freedom and independence. You need to eat sleep and live as per his schedule and it can be quite trying at times. God knows it tests the most patient ones of us, but I learnt it! :)<br />
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2. <b><i>Nutrition:</i></b> Junk food is probably an all time favourite for all of us, but not when it is regarding your child. It is quite tricky to send healthy and nutritious food down that little devil's throat but persistence and some fun recipes pay off. Teaching him to eat good food is tough but somehow I've managed successfully till now.<br />
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3. <b><i>Learning:</i></b> As adults our learning graph more often than not goes for a toss. We're so happy with what we know that the hunger to know more simply subsides. It is such a delight to see things through your child's eyes and wonder about how and what drives them. It is like growing up all over again.<br />
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4. <b><i>Smiling</i></b>: Children have the kind of innocence that attracts even strangers. They don't mind smiling at people they don't know and are approachable. Although it is not safe to show this knowing-like attitude towards everyone we meet, a little bit of genuine courtesy is alright, even for us.<br />
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5.<b><i> Honesty: </i></b>We all lie for some or the other reason; to avoid uncomfortable situations, embarrassment, answering, or just for the sake of it. But children seldom lie unless we teach them to. I like it when A Junior comes to me and confesses that he broke something, instead of placing the blame on someone else. I feel encouraged to follow suit.<br />
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So there, a bit hasty, but a tag nevertheless. Hope other blogger Moms out there agree with me too. :)<br />
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<div style="color: #660000;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div></div>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-37189376899299481192011-02-07T22:33:00.000-08:002011-02-07T22:38:05.688-08:00My Valentine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="color: #660000; text-align: left;" trbidi="on">(This is my first attempt at story-telling. Any sort of criticism/suggestion is welcome and appreciated)<br />
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It is Valentine’s Day. The day of celebrating love and all it entails. The day of happiness, warmth and affection, not only for your partner but for everyone who you share a special bond with. The day on which even the most unromantic person cannot let all the mush around him go unnoticed and is prompted to join the expressing-my-love brigade. <br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Misha is sitting in her chair quietly witnessing the activity in her crowded neighbourhood through a tightly shut glass window. In her hand is a red rose, now all dried up and flaky, but very carefully preserved in her personal diary over time. Her face looks beaten, her eyes resigned. The tastefully done room around her is in stark contrast to the gloom that is now an integral part of her life. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This day holds a significance in her life that no amount of words can come to measure. She wonders about the antithesis of today compared with her recent past. As she flips through the pages of her personal diary she can’t help but observe how a lifetime of happiness and grief can be experienced by someone in such a short span of time.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Her’s was a whirlwind romance. She was a young girl of 20, a Commerce student, dreamy-eyed, carefree and uncertain of her future. He, Sameer, was 25, a Computer Engineer, smart, intelligent, chivalrous, successful and with a ready smile. They bumped into each other for the first time at a common friend’s party. Cupid struck the moment they were introduced, but both were at such a loss of words that all they could manage was smiling and shying away. The whole evening went in stolen glances, indirect references and non-accidental run-ins until on a friend’s coaxing Sameer went up to Misha and asked her out. She agreed. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>A love-struck Misha writes in her diary:</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>I love even your thought so much,</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Can’t imagine how I’ll love you.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>‘se even when I think about you,</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>I feel I’m missing you.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Before their first date was over both of them knew they’d found the ‘one’. They stepped into each other’s lives easily and naturally. They couldn’t bear being apart from each other. When they weren’t together they were constantly in touch on phone. They’d been together for almost a month when Valentine’s Day came. Sameer hadn’t planned it but didn’t want to miss a rather clichéd but very romantic opportunity either. He proposed. She accepted. Meanwhile, he encouraged her to get her first ever accounting job in a small firm.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Glowing, starry-eyed Misha gushes about her love:</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>My love for you cannot be expressed,</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>In the warmth of your arms I feel loved and caressed.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>You are above all the treasures in the world,</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Your love is a precious gift with which I’ve been blessed.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Their wedding was a low-key affair. It was a simple ceremony held in the presence of both their families and close friends. It was by planning, luck or sheer coincidence is tough to comprehend, since that too was Valentine’s Day. Both of them were over the moon and had eyes only for each other. They’d been saving for a rather unusual but immensely exciting and adventurous honeymoon, a trekking trip in the Himalayas. Both of them were very kicked with the idea and were looking forward to have a memorable experience.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Misha writes in her diary during her honeymoon:</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Now we’re here it’s just so great,</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>To be there for the sake of another.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>So come ahead and hold me now,</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>For the world we needn’t bother.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was the first of the many adventures of life, big and small, planned and unexpected, domestic and professional, that they were going to share together, as one. Theirs was an ideal life; intimate, content and blissful. There was nothing more and nothing else they could wish for.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But just as even a bright sunny day has to make way for the night and happiness has to inevitably be followed by tears, their smooth-sailing journey of life inadvertently hit a roadblock. Misha was planning for a dual celebration, her recent promotion and their second anniversary, when that dreaded call came. As she listened to the person on the other side her suddenly rubbery legs started giving away. She felt the whole room closing in on her until she collapsed on the floor, unconscious. While he was returning home from work Sameer’s car had been run-over by a bus injuring him severely. The bus-driver had sped away for fear of getting caught even while Sameer had been profusely bleeding. He succumbed to his injuries even before help arrived.<br />
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What happened in the days after that is too hazy in Misha's memory. She recalls being surrounded by her grief-stricken bawling relatives trying to console her, their words don't register though. Sameer's garlanded picture that was put up for offering condolences was the one she took on their first anniversary. How could that smiling face ever fade away?<br />
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Today, it has been a month since Sameer died. Her anniversary present for Sameer lies on the table, unopened. Misha refuses to step out of the house or meet anyone. She knows she has to collect the battered pieces of her life and move on but it is too hard. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<div style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Misha’s painful words in Sameer’s remembrance :</i></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>The world’s painted crimson and in all its shades,</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>But my heart’s all dull and bare.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>There can be no love or the thought of it,</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>If you can’t be here with me to share.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>We swore we were one till death do us apart,</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Forgive me, for I outlived my part.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Heaven or earth, you were and will always be mine,</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Could I live without you in my heart?</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>I miss the smell and that touch of you,</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Days and nights are alike, nothing’s right or true.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>You’re too far for even my mind to go,</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Tell me, there, do you miss me too?</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As if by an apology from God for shattering her world, and a surprise gift from Sameer, she’s found out that the seed of their love has been sown. The dark tunnel has finally ended and a ray of hope has found its way in her life. She has received a new lease of life. As she closes her eyes and caresses her abdomen in anticipation she can feel Sameer’s omnipresence. Her Valentine, thus, has returned. Just then the Celine Dion song plays somewhere, “ My heart will go on…”.</div></div><div style="color: #660000;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #660000;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div></div>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-24231177795160305112010-10-13T00:38:00.000-07:002010-10-13T00:38:45.959-07:00Clutter or fond memories? You decide...<div style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Out of the many things that are constant inspirations for the unabated cute squabbles between me and A, one is my habit to collect souvenirs. Ranging from gifts, cards, soft toys to college files, registers and even a project floppy of one of my dearest friends, I've carefully collected and preserved these personalised items that are inevitable reminders of my near and dear ones and the wonderful time I've spent with them.</div><div style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A calls all this useless clutter, more appropriately a piece of junk that crowds an already crammed space that is typical to a Mumbai household like ours. It is only the prospect of seeing the very scary side of me that has encouraged him to retain all my gifts and cards till now, else they'd have somehow found their way out of my home. </div><div style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">All this talk on old memories attached with such stuff has not come suddenly.There was something special that made me write about this right now. Back in school I had a pocket Oxford dictionary which I always referred to in case of any vocab related emergency, as is the case with any teenager who doesn't want to make any embarrassing mistake. It was my constant companion and I carried it in my school bag everyday. I used it regularly and it sat on my desk comfortably along with my course books. I had scribbled my name over its first page quite hastily, but two of my friends, both with a very beautiful handwriting insisted that they use all their calligraphic skills and tag it themselves, which they did. </div><div style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To cut a long story short, I'd blindly packed it with all my other stuff when I came to Mumbai and had not sighted it till some time ago. I was cleaning up some drawers when I suddenly spotted it lying amidst a bunch of books. Time has taken its toll over it (also probably while being moved around by helpers), the pages are coming off in bits and pieces, the spine is separated and a brief handling by A Jr has ensured tearing away parts of it. However, miraculously still in place is the first page along with my name written on it, beautifully, by two of my dearest friends. The moment brought back memories from the past and left me smiling away to myself, all day. The fact that its in a battered state didn't even cross my mind. Useless clutter? I don't think so! :)</div><div style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Wish I could make A realise that no matter now big or small, what matters is the emotion of the person behind giving you something. It is not something that can be measured in material terms. Some things might appear useless, but can still mean a lot to someone.Isn't it?</div><div style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">By the way this happens to be my 74th post. I'm glad I've reached this landmark and can't express enough gratitude to all my readers and blog friends who motivate me to keep writing. The next one might take long, but I hope to make it special. :)</div><br />
<div style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">P.S : I think I'd let you know that one of my friends who wrote my name on that dictionary was none other than our very own Nu! :)</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-76208671186230192472010-09-19T03:45:00.000-07:002010-09-19T07:49:52.863-07:00Books et al<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Nowadays I feel blessed to be able to find time to read more than ever before. There had been a huge backlog of books-to-read and I’m glad I’ve atleast begun my journey towards bridging the gap between wanted-to-read, reading and to-read ones. There's just one small glitch, so many books and so less time! :)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">I don’t know how people go about choosing a book but for me it’s a very tedious and baffling process. I somehow never go by reviews and pick up any book by pure instinct. No wonder then that many times my hunch is not completely correct and I end up wasting my precious time on books like </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">The 3 Mistakes of my Life by Chetan Bhagat, Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">or</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"> Unruly Times by Prashant Bhavalkar.</span></span></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">I’m not a very literature obsessed person but I like to read sensible stuff. I prefer reading what I can follow without having to rack my brain for perceived meanings. I despise it when people think they sound intelligent when they add difficult looking and spelling words and twist the language unnecessarily. There’s a chance of the entire meaning of the sentence getting confused and the sequence getting lost, what good is it for the reader then?</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Worse still is the current crop of ‘casual’ writers coming in. Any tom dick or harry who must’ve at some point of his life entertained the thought of writing a book finds himself getting backed by publishers who’ve started waking up to the fact that as long as they write anything relating to love it will sell. Quality no bar! Hence any IIT or IIM pass-out is seen coming out with some or the other love story of his/her own. The same campus ranting, lashing out at and by professors, clandestine romances, incomplete dreams etc is seen in most of them.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">If some book does have a corporate backdrop then it sure talks about either super-achievers or super-losers, while in reality most people conveniently fall within these two categories. An extra-marital affair is suitably embedded in the story, anyhow. Simple sensibilities like honesty, respect, gratitude and empathy are blatantly frowned upon on shown in a dark light, almost as if they’re a crime. As long as it sells, nothing matters. Is this only what writing is about?</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">I do not wish to imply that all Indian authors are disappointing. We do have Sudha Murthy, V.S.Naipaul, Chitra Divakaruni Bannerjee, Mohyna Srinivasan etc who have a class of their own. Their books always succeed in teaching us a thing or two, if nothing else a few new words in English perhaps! :)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Sometimes I do rely on suggestions by people with a good taste and an even better judgement, like </span></span><a href="http://myexpositions.wordpress.com/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Nu</span></span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">,</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"> </span></span></b><a href="http://memoriesandmirages.wordpress.com/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Titaxy</span></span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"> and </span></span><a href="http://thesongoflife.wordpress.com/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Swaram</span></span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">, and honestly I’ve never been disappointed. :)</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></span></span></a>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-10719796328215993542010-08-12T06:04:00.000-07:002010-08-12T06:04:13.638-07:00I just want to say...<div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Let me begin with an apology to all my blogger friends. I haven’t been reading them of late, have been giving delayed replies to their comments and haven’t acknowledged their mails. Couple of my friends messaged me to ensure I was alright, so sweet of them! Am I blessed or what to have such caring friends?? :)</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The fact of the matter is that I’m having some problem with my laptop which apparently (and sadly) may take longer. And while I’m dejected beyond consolation for not being able to come online for so long, not able to check mails, chatting with friends, and most of all, blogging, A couldn’t be happier. He says my obsessive blogging fever needed just that, a break! So not fair! </div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This internet hiatus has been good in a way though. Must agree, I’ve had a lot on my plate to keep me busy throughout. I’ve read at least four books in the last two weeks, celebrated A Jr’s second birthday, did a lot of shopping (again!) and spent some quality time with A. Contradicting my own words, this isn’t so bad. But the blogger in me keeps itching to share all this stuff with you, which cannot be helped.</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So I’m hoping my laptop gets fixed soon, how soon this soon will be is a mystery in itself though. Till then, please do keep writing in. I miss you guys a lot and would keep updating as and when possible. Take care.</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-1622205624463161632010-08-04T00:47:00.000-07:002010-08-04T00:49:11.341-07:00Role Reversal<div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All mothers are crazy, period! They exaggerate their kid’s smallest achievements, they feign indifference to people’s complaints against them, they adore their silly obsessive habits, they practice extreme caution when it comes to their health and well-being, they over-react at the smallest glitch regarding anything related to them, and…so on and so forth. <br />
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I’m saying all this while being well aware of the fact that I’m included in this generic but to-the-point indicative list of ‘compulsive-n-paranoid’ mother traits. What led me to suddenly come up with this? Let me tell you..</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
It so happened the other day that I was finishing up some work in the kitchen (grudging and sulking) late at night. While I was at work the father and son duo were having a blast; pillow fight, horse-riding on Papa’s back, cycling, dancing. Displaying extreme pride over being a good father, A said he’ll cut an apple for A Jr and make sure he eats it.<br />
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I was mildly surprised (and I swear I even blushed a bit) when A came to me with an apple slice and offered to feed it to me. Well aware of his habit of restlessly shoving one full slice in my mouth to save time (and spoil the whole romance along with ) I begged him to leave it aside for me to have it later.<br />
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What A did after that was completely unexpected! I thought I heard him tell A Jr, ‘<b><i>Jaao Mamma ko apple khilake aao</i></b>’ (go feed Mom the apple slice) but wasn’t sure if I heard it right. Right I was indeed! There came my cute little prince armed with an apple slice and the most killing smile in the world and extended the slice towards me. When I tried to take it from his hands he flatly refused and asked me to bend down. I obliged. I couldn’t believe my destiny and was almost in happy tears when he fed me the whole slice, no rushing, no hurrying, allowing me to chew it properly, all the while flashing that million dollar smile! *Getting all emotional again!* :) :)<br />
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It was a sight to behold. I wonder why it never struck me to take a video. May be some moments are best kept that way? I remembered all the times when I got all restless and squirmy while feeding him and felt immensely guilty for them. How true, kids teach us valuable lessons in the most unusual ways. And we mothers always take pleasure in accepting that our kids outshine and outlearn us, at any age whatsoever. </div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
So, crazy justified?? :) :)</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-35235804786621249042010-07-25T10:49:00.000-07:002010-07-25T10:53:33.819-07:00My Regular 9 Picks<div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My previous post was on tags and this one is an apt continuation. Some days ago <b><a href="http://myexpositions.wordpress.com/">Nu</a></b> tagged me with this one. In fact she has tagged me quite a few times and now I’m trying desperately to finish them. I’d liked this tag since it was shorter and more interesting than other ones and hence it comes first! </div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have to list 9 things that I wear regularly. This can be a bit tough for the mother of a 2-year old, since I’m left with little or no time for myself or my choices, but let me try and get this list ready :)<i><br />
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1.<b>Rings</b>- at any given point of time one would find me wearing at least 3 rings on my fingers. I’m absolutely in love with them and do not choose to part with them at any cost!:)<br />
2.<b>More rings</b>- My brother <strike>jokes</strike> exaggerates that one day I’ll become a sieve, owing to my fondness to get pierced. I wear three pairs of earrings and a nose ring too!;)<br />
3.<b>Hair accessories</b>- Though I have gorgeous hair that look best when left open, on any regular day my hair are carelessly done up into a bun with the help of a clutcher/hair pin. I hate the constant distraction they cause otherwise.<br />
4.<b>Kajal</b>- I detest any other form of eye make-up but I can’t do without my kajal. I love the sensuous and smoky look it gives to my eyes and wear it everyday. <br />
5.<b>Jeans</b>- From being signature cowboy attire to being an integral part of any girl’s wardrobe Jeans have come a long way. I swear by my untorn and very conservative pair of Jeans (colour no bar) at all times and comfortably slip into them anytime!:)<br />
6.<b>Smile</b>- Wonder if this should’ve been first on the list, but nevertheless. A Jr’s innocent smile has taught me the importance of a smile like I never knew before. So now even when I’m not in the best of my moods I try to wear a smile on my face and scare those frowns away!:) :)<br />
7.<b>Slip-ons</b>- I don’t like being barefoot even at home and love to don my soft and comfortable pair of slip-ons all the time. <br />
8.<b>Face creams/lip balms</b>- I’m very picky when it comes to either of those ‘se my skin is very sensitive. I do not put any make-up but there won’t be a single day when I didn’t pamper myself with these!<br />
9.<b>My heart</b>- People say that I wear my heart on my sleeves, and that I guess can come under the regular ‘wearable’ category! I’m very emotional and feel and cry more than I’ll ever accept.:D</i><br />
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So there!! That was the list of my essential and regular 'wearable' stuff! I'm not tagging anyone here. Whoever likes it can this up and drop a comment on my blog informing me of it! <i><br />
</i></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-81759744096093840242010-07-22T05:28:00.000-07:002010-07-22T05:50:33.959-07:00The 'Tag' Bug<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAnc-cmFXkJEC6tyryEhMNki5YOF-IDOHzO_07FEkoGqnGpNC6PRa2Uh_tAstV_dLv141eoSiYOrHImcPHO-1IWtJwuI2YWqUm6sot6DtIs0HBElIf_wAllheSSjLy5vI_wOiW0EtnwMW/s1600/Picture+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAnc-cmFXkJEC6tyryEhMNki5YOF-IDOHzO_07FEkoGqnGpNC6PRa2Uh_tAstV_dLv141eoSiYOrHImcPHO-1IWtJwuI2YWqUm6sot6DtIs0HBElIf_wAllheSSjLy5vI_wOiW0EtnwMW/s320/Picture+005.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Not too long after I’d started blogging <a href="http://konnotation.blogspot.com/"><b>Reflections</b></a> tagged me for the first time. I recollect being confused and lost as to what I’d to do with it and going through the blogs of all those who’d done it. It was a long one, but I felt compelled to complete it as fast as possible, like an assignment that had a deadline attached to it. It was unnerving, almost like a pressure, to do it the right way lest I disappoint the one who tagged me!<br />
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Since then I’ve done many tags and can comfortably say that I’m unfazed by them now. I like to see them as a challenge; making one think eccentrically in a direction we don’t usually direct our minds to (remember my <a href="http://varshabagadia.blogspot.com/2010/03/hi-five-tag.html"><b>Hi-five</b></a> tag), making us look at the fine picture of our lives closely (<a href="http://varshabagadia.blogspot.com/2010/06/go-strike-it.html"><b>Strikethrough</b></a> tag), looking at ourselves in a different perspective than we have till date (<a href="http://varshabagadia.blogspot.com/2010/07/my-manly-sins-and-me.html"><b>My Sins against Gender Stereotypes</b></a> tag) or simply sharing certain facts about us with everybody (<a href="http://varshabagadia.blogspot.com/2010/03/seven-random-things.html"><b>Seven random things</b></a> tag)!<br />
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With all due respect to the person who came up with this idea at the first place, there are some people who like tags while some think of them as work. I’d like to know what is it that you think tags are really meant for. Here’s what I think:</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
1.First and foremost, giving a personal touch to this electronic medium of writing. Giving fellow bloggers an insight into the person behind that blog page.<br />
2.Increasing your blog’s popularity by joining the bandwagon. <b>'Everybody does it, so do I'</b> thinking.<br />
3.Trying to increase traffic to your blog with the <i>tag-so-many-people-in-the-end</i> clause.<br />
4.Facing blogger’s block? Tags provide good filler posts.<br />
5.Venting out your creative energy by dancing on someone else’s tunes. It seems mysterious and exciting. Take it as an extempore.<br />
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Whatever the reason, they're fun and I accept that I look forward to people coming up with splendid and unique ideas for them. Bloggers out here have such a fertile imagination that some tags require a lot of hair-pulling and head-scratching to complete them! Some tickle your funny bone while some make you retrospect on certain untouched aspects of your lives.<br />
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There are bloggers who take up tags rightaway while some sit on them till they eventually have to drag themselves out of their laziness owing to peer pressure :). I'm sure everyone must have a different take on this whole 'tag' thing.What is it that drives you? Would love to know your thoughts on tags too. Share them with me.</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-47587115527444981812010-07-20T09:55:00.000-07:002010-07-20T20:58:10.614-07:00Meeting the Parents<div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>Mera dil bhi kitna pagal hai ye pyar to tumse karta hai</b></i></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>Par saamne jab tum aate ho kuch bhi kehne se darta hai…</b></i><br />
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(My silly hearts loves you, but is afraid to confess it in your presence)<br />
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What I’m about to say might not be in the same context as this song, but comes closest to it. Normally A’s the perfect husband; considerate, caring, helping. I’ve happily confessed many times on my blog that I feel blessed to be married to a gem like him. He’s more resilient than I ever can be and can tolerate my insanity and temper with surprising ease. He showers me with endless ‘I Love You’s , random pecks and hugs are aplenty, making me feel like a very desirable queen! :)<br />
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Having said that, there’s another side to this story in which the queen magically gets converted into a make-shift stranger. And it does not feel good! :(<br />
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Let me elaborate a bit on this. One thing that me and A end up arguing most when at my in-laws’ place is his indifference towards me. When we’re on our own I’m at liberty to voice my opinion and behave according to my wish and will. But in front of his parents I’m expected to blindly follow their rules, no matter how demeaning and chauvinistic they are. The usual excuse is, ‘Follow them for as long as you’re here. You’re free to do what you want at our place’. Is there really the need to have such double standards, especially when I detest it from the core?<br />
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Forget about the cute mushy habits, I know they are tough to follow (the concept of stolen moments is lost on him) when there’s people just about everywhere. But aren’t there simple things that can convey love too? Or is it a taboo to express your feelings when your parents are around? The MIL doesn’t mind claiming full right on her son for as long as we’re there while I’m left sulking and grimacing for not being able to get through to him. Tricky situation, and my loss all the way.<br />
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This setting is bearable when the number of days is limited to single digits. When it starts getting longer than that, it becomes a pain and I can’t wait to come back home and get my <i>normal</i> husband back. It is not at all exciting to have to endure all this. I’ve not been able to figure out where exactly the problem lies. Is it the mother who still can’t let go of her son? Or the son who thinks ignoring his wife would make his mother feel better? Or the stupid belief that we need to bow down to our elders’ wishes at all times?</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
Whatever the case, I don’t see myself being freed from this maze anytime soon. </div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-10583821946733285312010-07-07T01:51:00.000-07:002010-07-07T01:53:54.522-07:00Past, present and future<div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After having a wonderful time at the Blogger’s meet over good ambience, good food and above all, a group of very warm and <i>real </i>blog friends, I was looking forward to capturing this great experience in a dedicated post and locking it up in memory forever. However, due to my procrastination, <a href="http://kaimhanta.blogspot.com/2010/07/lunching-under-stars.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gappa+%28gappa%29"><b>Ugich Konitari</b></a>, <a href="http://vivek-uvaach.blogspot.com/2010/07/on-bloggers-lunch-again.html"><b>Vivek</b></a> and <a href="http://myexpositions.wordpress.com/2010/07/06/after-meetingeating-now-its-writing/"><b>Nu</b></a> came up with their versions of the meet well before me. Can’t beat their all-inclusive accounts of it, hence I’m not going to do it again. Go to their blogs to read and see what all we did there! :)<br />
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Have been missing from the blog world for over a week, quite unlike me. There’s so much to write, but no time and even less patience and concentration. The job of a mother beats everything else hands down. Last few days I’ve been very busy nursing A Jr who’s not been keeping very well of late. Blame the rains for it, which bring along with them a whole lot of infections and diseases. It’s been crazy, but he’s a little better today, and I’m slightly relieved. The next few days are going to be very eventful and I want him to enjoy every moment of it.<br />
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There’s a whole lot of fun awaiting us on the other side of this weekend. My Uncle-in-law and family are coming from US after almost a decade, which makes this out first <i>official</i> meeting. Along with this, there’s my bro-in-law’s wedding which is going to be a grand affair, and for which we’re doing our part of the preparation too. Starting from brushing up our dancing skills, getting our best sarees and jewellery in place while matching it with our spouses and kids, to cooking up new ideas for pulling the desperate groom’s leg, we’re doing the best we can. <br />
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Everyone’s been planning for this from months in advance and eagerly waiting for it. And what better time for it than a wedding, when everyone’s in high spirits and out there just to have a good time? Such occassions are always the best way to make amends, form relationships and come closer. All in all, it’s bonding time for the family.<br />
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All this is going to take a while. Will be gone for some days but will be back with a lot more to share with you. Till then be good and be safe! Ciao! :)</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-84307309902408103062010-07-01T06:06:00.000-07:002010-07-01T07:49:50.201-07:00My 'Man'ly sins and me! (edited)<div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I was having the time of my life reading everyone’s sinful confessions, not worried in the least to think of my sins even once. <a href="http://pinashpinash.blogspot.com/"><b>Pinsy</b></a> tagged me to do this (!) and before everyone claims my sins along with theirs, I’m doing it right away.<br />
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<a href="http://indianhomemaker.wordpress.com/"><b>IHM</b></a> has created this interesting tag. It goes like this – The tag is called <b>‘My Sins against Gender-Stereotypes’.</b> You are to<b> list at least ten things you have ever wanted or done which your gender is not supposed to</b> and tag twelve blogging friends to come out with their sins ;)<br />
<blockquote></blockquote><br />
<i>1.There seems to be a collective obsession for SUVs amongst girls and I’m no exception! I’ve been in love with Land Cruiser ever since I set my eyes on it few years back. Buying it would imply me robbing a bank or something, so I’m ready to settle for a Tata Safari :)<br />
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2.I’m a Mechanical engineer and was the only girl amongst 75 boys in my class. Girls from other branches joked that I blended so well with them that it was impossible to spot me in a group!:P <br />
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3.I love speed and have been reprimanded by my parents countless times for it. At times I was threatened with dire consequences if I didn’t keep check on the speedometer. And oh yes, my Kinetic had very loose brakes too :P<br />
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4.My beautician always complained that I was her lousiest client. My eyebrows, hands, legs resembled a mini-jungle whenever I went to her. She tried to make me understand the rewards of being well-kept, but finally gave up for good. :/<br />
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5.Just let someone say I cannot do something ‘se I’m a girl, and he/she can be sure I’ll prove him/her wrong! There’s a rebel in me who refuses to acknowledge the belief that choices/preferences/opportunities/endurance are gender-dependant.<br />
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6.If being a girl means crying at the drop of a hat or being hyper-sensitive and delicate, then I don’t fit the bill for sure. I’ve always been the rugged one, cold and distant. I prefer being on my own and cry in solitude. <br />
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7.I swear sometimes when I’m upset, a big no-no for an <b>acche ghar ki ladki</b>. This is too much to comprehend since I’ve never heard A swear in 4 years of our married life. I still remember the incredulous look on his face when he’d heard me swear for the first time. :O<br />
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8.For a better part of my childhood I had a boy-cut and loved it. Some people even mistook me for a boy once. Even now, many times I have this sweeping urge to snip my long tresses and get that very comfortable zero maintenance haircut back!:)<br />
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9.I do not qualify to be the cover model for the most <b>dutiful bahu</b>! I’ve done things (which I wouldn’t like to confess here) which would give the MIL a heart-attack of sorts if she ever finds out about them. My stance is clear, obeying but non-committal.<br />
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10.I love the feeling of love and all that it entails but I can’t stand a lot of mush. I hate reading romantic novels. And more so, I hate sharing personal things with others like most girls do. It seems very tacky to me.</i><br />
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So there…my sins are out in the open. Doesn't feel less of a girl,really!<br />
Need to get back to being a pampering Mom and loving wifey mode anyway ;)<br />
<br />
Here are few people who's sins I'd love to know : <b><a href="http://garfsecret.blogspot.com/">Garf</a> <a href="http://rohinirojindar.blogspot.com/">Rohini </a> <a href="http://nupurphatak.blogspot.com/">Nu</a> <a href="http://justamotheroftwo.blogspot.com/">Preeti</a> <a href="http://me-letmebme.blogspot.com/">D</a> <a href="http://memoriesandmirages.wordpress.com/">Titaxy</a> <a href="http://theanalystquotes.blogspot.com/">Analyst </a><a href="http://konnotation.blogspot.com/">Reflections</a> <a href="http://cybernag.wordpress.com/">Zephyr</a> <a href="http://gunjaaish.blogspot.com/">G</a> <a href="http://www.dialoguewithyou.org/">Chatterbox</a> <a href="http://www.overacuppacoffee.com/">Psych Babbler</a></b><br />
<br />
And yes, most people I know have been tagged already, so those who haven't done it already consider yourself tagged and drop a comment...would love to read your sins too :D</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-15177893009082558672010-06-28T05:34:00.000-07:002010-06-28T05:37:48.265-07:00Thanks my new friend :)<div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Four years ago: <i>Marriage, dreams, aspirations.</i><br />
<br />
Two years ago: <i>Career, financial independence, freedom.</i><br />
<br />
Currently: <i>Career on a backseat, husband provided expenses, responsibilities.</i><br />
<br />
The story of my existence can be summed up in these past four years. Why? Because the life that I had before getting married has almost faded into oblivion. What I did, what I liked or what I hated before this has no bearing on my actions or preferences now. There are days when these things frustrate me, there are days when I want a break, but then there are also days when I feel grateful for them.<br />
<br />
It is all about setting priorities and sticking to them. And when you have done that, be sure that you did the right thing. I decided to be a full-time Mom ‘se I didn’t want to leave A Jr with a babysitter or a day-care. I wanted to see him grow up with my own eyes, didn’t want to miss any of the cute things he does. I did just that. My career suffered, the loneliness at home was killing, and the demands of motherhood were daunting and exhausting. I got a bit tired of it.<br />
<br />
But today, I met someone and things turned around. I met a lady whose son is A Jr’s playgroup-mate. The kid’s younger than A Jr and has just started school. Understandably, she was anxious about her son’s doing, the way<b> <a href="http://varshabagadia.blogspot.com/2010/04/first-chapter.html">I was during A Jr’s first week</a>.</b> It took all but one smile from me and she joined me in waiting for our respective kids. We got talking and hit it off almost instantly. Her story was similar to me. She left her job after her son was born and is a full-time Mom now. The situations and experiences she mentioned sounded very similar to mine.<br />
<br />
She doesn’t even know this, but after talking to her I felt more confident and sure of myself. Not that I needed a proof of it, but seeing someone in the same shoes as mine made me feel like I had company. I was not alone out there. It felt heartening to finally have someone who's riding the same boat with you and wants to know if she's rowing it properly. I’m sure I’ll look forward to meeting her everyday and talk about everything under the sun with her.</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-76744797045667178622010-06-25T06:13:00.000-07:002010-06-25T10:08:00.611-07:00Togetherness @ 4<div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I've seen people planning for this day from months in advance; preparing the guest list with utmost care, making sure to get the most enviable gifts for yourself, never missing even a single occasion to display your undying love for each other, etc etc etc.<br />
<br />
As much as I'd have liked to go by the conventional way of celebrating my 4th wedding anniversary, it was not bound to happen, and I was glad for it. I'm not exactly the anti-social type, but these so-called social-dos seem like work to me. They're fun for A Jr, but definitely not for me. I prefer being in the company of loved ones and sharing a quiet cozy evening together. But what took place was even better than my imagination.<br />
<br />
We had two of my very dear and very fun-to-be-with brothers-in-law for company this time round. One of them's getting hitched next month and they were here for the whole wedding shopping thing (A dedicated wedding shopping post coming up very soon for you).Anyway, the day started with heavy showers and a visibly sick A Jr. Poor thing, he was down with cough, cold and some viral infection. Bunked his school and stayed home while the BIL's went for shopping alone and A joined them later.</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
Predictably, they got stuck in the rain and were running late. I, on my part, made sure to plan ahead a lovely surprise for them at home! Cooked for them ( Soya+moong+cheese sandwiches and Hakka noodles, strange combo, but it totally works!) and got a sinfully rich and very delicious Chocolate cake for us. When the very exhausted trio returned, all they could manage was an honest and grateful smile and an endless string of compliments on the food and the cake. Could I ask for anything more? :)</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwIBvUYVyhQ-S4zvuRMHzEX6b39cQLjawE43qdJUbjjceJXXxsnzzkjjbOSgRsbgSlcbCn4KfYBufopcgosJUtxdfwJalxEICgDCrdE-nqLBm3fhgc0hzcVYYmHnN__8Kat8eRtx_69Mf/s1600/23062010384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwIBvUYVyhQ-S4zvuRMHzEX6b39cQLjawE43qdJUbjjceJXXxsnzzkjjbOSgRsbgSlcbCn4KfYBufopcgosJUtxdfwJalxEICgDCrdE-nqLBm3fhgc0hzcVYYmHnN__8Kat8eRtx_69Mf/s320/23062010384.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
A's gift to me is not to be divulged, but yes, I gifted him a poem that I wrote exclusively for him, from the time we met till date. His million dollar smile after reading it proved that it was well worth the effort. Am sharing it with you:</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
<i><b>Chale the safar par tab do ajnabee the,<br />
Ab lagta nahi ki kabhi bhi juda the,<br />
Pehle ek saal nikla, phir do, aur phir teen,<br />
Chautha jaane ko hai, sach mein kya hum yahan the?<br />
<br />
Wo kal hi to tha jab hum tum mile the,<br />
Main accident mein aur tum train mein fase the,<br />
Kuch kaha nahi tumne, main bolti rahi bas,<br />
Khamosh se tum aate hue kal ko dekhte the.<br />
<br />
Aapas ki hamari an-ban ko tum natural kehte the,<br />
Main ruthti, chillati, tum hanske jhelte the,<br />
Anjaane mein kabhi jo tumhara dil dukhaya,<br />
Mera bachpana samajhkar use bhool jaathe the.<br />
<br />
Ye chaar saal hote chaar sadiyon ki tarah,<br />
Tum inme agar apne pyaar ka rang na bharte the,<br />
Na jaan paati kabhi mein ki khushi kya hoti hai,<br />
Apne chiraag se gar mera jahan roshan na karte the.</b></i></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Am I still stuck in my dreamy world or love is really in the air?? ;)</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-18435951488646123072010-06-14T05:31:00.000-07:002010-06-14T05:31:49.796-07:00The First language<div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A short post, which is more of a question for all of you. I’ve read many articles on the growing influence and English-nisation of education around the world, so much so that many native languages are on the verge of extinction. More often than not I see parents, especially in metros, conversing with their kids in English. Whatever happened to our so-called mother tongues? Do we have fond memories of our grandmothers and mothers singing lullabys to us or telling us stories in our native language or English? If at home we do not take the initiative to make our child follow and understand our roots and language, where else would (s)he learn it? English is the first language in every English medium school; hence the child can be relied upon to grasp it with little difficulty. </div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Doesn’t it become our collective responsibility then to safeguard our language and our culture, or is it too down-class to use your mother tongue at all?</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-18473007282185162202010-06-10T00:04:00.001-07:002010-06-10T00:24:18.922-07:00Go strike it!<div style="color: black;"><meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 12" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 12" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CUser%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CUser%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CUser%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link> <m:smallfrac m:val="off"> <m:dispdef> <m:lmargin m:val="0"> <m:rmargin m:val="0"> <m:defjc m:val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440"> <m:intlim m:val="subSup"> <m:narylim m:val="undOvr"> </m:narylim></m:intlim> </m:wrapindent><style>
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</style></m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><a href="http://pinashpinash.blogspot.com/"><b>Pins</b></a> tagged me with this one. Though it took more time to complete than I’d expected, I enjoyed doing it!</span></div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> 1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Graduated high school</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Ofcourse!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Kissed someone</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>I’d be a waste if I didn’t! :D</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Smoked a cigarette – <i>Never! And don’t even intend to</i>..<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Got so drunk you passed out <i>– Nopes</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Rode every ride at an amusement park</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Always. It’s a must-do!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Collected something stupid – <i>No. Nothing I buy is stupid for me</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Gone to a rock concert – <i>No</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">8.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Helped someone</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Yes. As much as I can, always</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">9.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Gone fishing – <i>No. I’m a vegetarian. What’s the point</i>? :P<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">10.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Watched four movies in one night</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>College life. Hah!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">11.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Lied to someone</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Yes. Haven’t we all?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">12.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Snorted cocaine – <i>No. Never!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">13.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Smoked weed <i>– Why, no again!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">14.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Failed a subject – <i>No. Was close to it, but got saved! (grace marks zindabad!)</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">15.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Been in a car accident</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Yes. I wasn’t behind the wheel though, and it was the day I met A for the first time. (No, we didn’t hit him)</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">16.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Been in a tornado – <i>Thankfully, no.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">17.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Watched someone die – <i>No. Hope I won’t too, I’m hyper-sensitive</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">18.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Been to a funeral</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Yes, unavoidable.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">19.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Burned yourself</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> <i>- I’ve lost the count of it! Everything from hot pans, tawas and even hot oil have done their job well!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">20.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Run a marathon – <i>In school, yes. Would love to be a part of one now.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">21.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Cried yourself to sleep</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Yes, many times</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">22.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Spent over 10,000 bucks in one day</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>I’m capable of spending more!! :D ;)</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">23.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Flown on an aeroplane</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Yes.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">24.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Cheated on someone – <i>I hope not.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">25.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Been cheated on</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> <i>– Yes.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">26.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Written a 10 page letter <i>– Don’t have that much patience! A long mail qualifies?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">27.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Gone skiing – <i>No</i> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">L</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">28.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Been sailing</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Yes yes, and I loved it!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">29.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Cut yourself</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Many times.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">30.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Had a best friend</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Wrong question! Best friends are applicable only in present and future tense. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">31.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Lost someone you loved</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> - <i>We</i> <i>all have, some or the other way.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">32.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Got into trouble for something you didn't do</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Oh yes! Ask <a href="http://nupurphatak.blogspot.com/"><b>Nu</b></a>, she knows</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">33.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Stolen</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> (<i>yes :P</i>) <s>borrowed</s> (<i>yes</i>) a book from a library -<i> I forgot to return it, so that means I stole it right?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">34.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Gone to a different country</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Yes.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">35.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Watched the Harry Potter movies</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Yes, but not all of them. I’m not too much into special effects aided movies.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">36.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Had an online diary</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Yes, safe and secure, far from all prying eyes.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">37.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Fired a gun</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> - <i>Yes. At fairs, for bursting balloons :D<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">38.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Gambled in a casino – <i>No. But I did play a lot of those coin games at clubs</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">39.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Been in a school play</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> <i>– Yes. College plays were more enjoyable though.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">40.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Been fired from a job – <i>No. Kiski majaal hai ki ye gustakhi kare??:P</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">41.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Taken a lie detector test – <i>No.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">42.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Swam with dolphins – <i>I can’t swim, can I try that with safety jackets?? :P<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">43.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Voted for someone on a reality TV show</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Yes, did that only once for Rahul Vaidya, cute guy, but wasn't foolish enough to repeat it.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">44.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Written poetry</span></s><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">- Yes yes yes. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">45.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Read more than 20 books a year – <i>No! I lose interest if it’s overdone.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">46.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Gone to Europe – <i>No.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">47.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Loved someone you shouldn’t have – <i>Confusing question!!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">48.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Used a colouring book over age 12</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Yes.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">49.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Had a surgery – <i>No,Thank God!! I’m too scared of it.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">50.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Had stitches – <i>No again!!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">51.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Taken a taxi</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Ofcourse, what’s there to ask in this??</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">52.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Had more than 5 IM conversations going on at once</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> <i>– Yes</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">53.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Been is a fist fight</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Ya ya, my brother was my favourite assailant and prey!:D<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">54.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Suffered any form of abuse <i>- No.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">55.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Had a pet – <i>No. Dad didn’t like pets. Want to get a goldfish when A Jr grows up a bit.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">56.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Petted a wild animal <i>– No!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">57.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Had your own credit card & bought something with it – <i>No, I prefer swiping debit cards. Have used A’s credit cards sometimes.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">58.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Dyed your hair</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> <i>– Yes.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">59.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Got a tattoo</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Yes</i>. <i>All sorts, ranging from flowers to Power Puff girls to cars!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">60.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Had something pierced</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Oh yes. I wear three pairs of earrings (Absolutely love it!) and a nose ring too! <o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">61.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Got straight A’s</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> <i>– We</i> <i>didn’t have grades, but I always managed to get good marks.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">62.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Known someone personally with HIV or AIDS <i>– No.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">63.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Taken pictures with webcam</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Yes, my Gtalk pic for one :D</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">64.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Lost something expensive</span></s><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> – <i>Yes.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="color: black; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">65.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Gone to sleep with music on – <i>Music I don’t think, but lights yes.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I’m not tagging anyone with this one since <a href="http://pinashpinash.blogspot.com/"><b>Pins</b></a> tagged a lot of people already. Whoever wants can pick this up! All yours! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="color: black;"><br />
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</div><div style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-67226360219467463312010-06-06T21:23:00.000-07:002010-06-06T21:25:37.979-07:00Another one on Blogging<div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><a href="http://nupurphatak.blogspot.com/2010/06/blogaholic-me.html">Nu</a></b> says she’s a <i><b>Blogoholic</b></i> and <b><a href="http://pinashpinash.blogspot.com/2010/06/cure-anybody-plzzzzzzz.html">Pins</a></b> says she’s <i><b>addicted</b></i>. If given a chance we’d all attach many such similar adjectives to our names. Blogging is like that one drug which when administered in our body even once enters our bloodstream in such a way that it makes us crave for it more and more. Right?<br />
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We write once and we’ve to write more…we read once and we’ve to read more…we comment on some blog and come back to see ours to check if our gesture has been returned :P…we pick out our favourite ones and follow them…we voice our thoughts and opinions freely…talk about issues bothering us without having to bother about the repercussions…its a virtual world but still so real..<br />
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All this is much beyond non-bloggers though. For them such cute little paranoia’s are comparable with temporary insanity and obsessive <i><b>Blogomania</b></i>! Don’t agree with me?? I’ll tell you what all I’ve had to endure after being a part of this world.<br />
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After returning home from work the first thing A asks me everyday, ‘ So did you write a post today?’ (Hello…what happened to the ‘How was your day’ routine?)<br />
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He simply has to see what I’m reading! He reads posts from over my shoulders standing behind me and then says, ‘What’s the big deal behind writing this? So and so happened with so and so, what’s there to write about it?’ (I didn’t call him to read it now, did I?)<br />
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I’m commenting on someone’s post. He has to point out atleast once that if its not compulsory why do I have to do it at all. I’ve to think and comment, so why the needless stress on the brain?<br />
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This one is funny. I follow a lot of people many of whom don’t follow me back. Nevertheless I visit their blogs and read them regularly. He seems to not like it. He says I must get them to read me! Doesn’t that sound desperate and needy I ask. He doesn’t answer but stands firm on his views :P<br />
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If I’m chatting with someone on Gtalk he asks me, ‘So is this person your school friend/college friend/colleague/acquaintance or most likely a blog friend? Don’t you guys talk too much on blogs already?’<br />
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Many more such things to add, but you already know what I mean to say right? The concept is completely lost on these people. Smartly judging that such remarks invite only my wrath he’s learnt to hold his tongue on few occasions. Good for him.<br />
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Notwithstanding his comments I love to be here and will continue to do so, always :)</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-68979430411382719582010-06-02T22:20:00.000-07:002010-06-05T02:23:26.697-07:00Riding High and Eating away<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In three months’ time I’ll hit 30 and the weight of slowly and steadily stepping into middle age seems to burden me sometimes. That is why whenever I get the smallest opportunity to relive the childhood that I once had, I seize it promptly and wholeheartedly. One such thing which was an integral part of my childhood (and all of you too I’m sure) was visiting those typical Fun Fairs…more commonly called as <i><b>Anand Nagari</b></i> at our place.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As kids we waited eagerly for any such fair to come up since it promised us lots of enjoyment; all kinds of fun rides, games and unrestricted binging on junk food. Mom and Dad were lenient and didn’t mind us getting overtly demanding and vocal. We could buy anything of our choice; clothes, accessories, games. I remember buying cute hand carved pen-stands and hair clips for myself from there and guarding them with my life. What fun!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This time when I went back home I got a chance to visit one such <i><b>Anand Nagari</b></i>. I did enjoy myself, but what I enjoyed more was A Jr’s excitement and insistence to see each and everything! Here are some pics from back there. Do you miss these too??</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSMf7ZIPkzh2iK6fSDhO3GAQ8rNBu8zuGO3s859v7yiXIP5lc7QQiytXfRKTLolEJzfCLXl-3469AC_J4k_AVzkQxTQDi3ZhH7rUX3xxe5FEeNWlSZYSaOgAufKsyr5_yzxjh_87qqCjt/s1600/02052010280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSMf7ZIPkzh2iK6fSDhO3GAQ8rNBu8zuGO3s859v7yiXIP5lc7QQiytXfRKTLolEJzfCLXl-3469AC_J4k_AVzkQxTQDi3ZhH7rUX3xxe5FEeNWlSZYSaOgAufKsyr5_yzxjh_87qqCjt/s320/02052010280.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">One would expect a kid of his age to be scared of a merry-go-round but he simply loved it!! I had to hold on to him tightly to stop him from dancing in the moving riders. I'm sure he had a better time than I did :P</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDtblwQ97JH7fs3TbG74BwYwNgPicQvGKqTaw1feOajVXPQXzw8yZmaEkIa5ZYu6VWGdXqzFxF0N3TenKYa4kZYMJGvQdsq37IlThyphenhyphenljU3WzaYiAVCjXSjpsY-xpMdFAUaG3lloaJVk4-/s1600/02052010279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDtblwQ97JH7fs3TbG74BwYwNgPicQvGKqTaw1feOajVXPQXzw8yZmaEkIa5ZYu6VWGdXqzFxF0N3TenKYa4kZYMJGvQdsq37IlThyphenhyphenljU3WzaYiAVCjXSjpsY-xpMdFAUaG3lloaJVk4-/s320/02052010279.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This one was my personal favourite. The ride was probably not more than a minute long for one round and the ride had 6-7 such rounds. I always insisted on riding it over and over again but gave it a miss this time :(</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJD0O-f3To4ZG7jglDiYCpOitN3x1PYDNPLb9v4GXg7l03hO83DDD6coRmFX2uKNTBzqUyOejATVhjd6SMd-Tplt47QZk46OtlAl7ljwjCLDdc7NUme2Qb7sPRV2dIiP7ZNQSMXtHTBINq/s1600/02052010276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJD0O-f3To4ZG7jglDiYCpOitN3x1PYDNPLb9v4GXg7l03hO83DDD6coRmFX2uKNTBzqUyOejATVhjd6SMd-Tplt47QZk46OtlAl7ljwjCLDdc7NUme2Qb7sPRV2dIiP7ZNQSMXtHTBINq/s320/02052010276.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A Jr had the first <i>baraf ka gola</i> of his life. A mix of Rose and Cola flavours, he devoured it and slurped it greedily. Needless to say his whole dress was drenched in the sticky liquid, but watching him have it so diligently made me ignore all that :)<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rm6zc1FtU297HSHt7XLWKIdjeRwKjKYSA-yhOKoxI4v1YKWR64fnblsTh4v-T6CxL4lEEXRGJwV4X3KgEFvGTWtvMJX8cRijhGAzYcbhs6aVxpMQ5W7yyzp1I6EqiJIoz-pSBZrrLNzf/s1600/02052010281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rm6zc1FtU297HSHt7XLWKIdjeRwKjKYSA-yhOKoxI4v1YKWR64fnblsTh4v-T6CxL4lEEXRGJwV4X3KgEFvGTWtvMJX8cRijhGAzYcbhs6aVxpMQ5W7yyzp1I6EqiJIoz-pSBZrrLNzf/s320/02052010281.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
We girls have a radar which detects any <i>chaat</i> stall immediately. Without the slightest care of an already upset stomach and even more calories I ate and ate lots of pani puris. This one is the pic of the chana chor stall. Had some of it then and there and carried some back home too :)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I bought lots of beautiful bangles too, but was so busy selecting and buying them that taking a picture didn't even click me, pun unintended! :P</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My parents just couldn't get enough of his antics. Even at this age my father took him around everywhere. He was physically drained but had a proud smile on his face throughout. Ditto with my mother. She was the one who fed him that <i>baraf ka gola</i>. Loads of patience, I must add. But that's how grandparents are, right? :D</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And such was an awesome fun-filled evening. Tell me, did I take you back into your childhood too?? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/124/9867EAA552D4A5EF727D6B5D3817AE3B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Varshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690725907527097964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774445633720470446.post-71357188316947116562010-05-27T05:57:00.000-07:002010-05-27T06:13:58.731-07:00Masti and more masti!<div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A Jr’s on a roll. Every new day seems like a day for new challenges and new pranks. I’ve to agree that it gets the better of my patience and tolerance many times but it’s simply cute the way he pulls off stuff I can’t even imagine. Sharing few of them with you.<br />
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I’d bundled up all the clothes to be given in the laundry but somehow one of my tops got left out. I couldn’t sight it but A Jr’s prying eyes caught it right away. He ran ahead of me to fetch it and simply refused to part with it. Curious as to what he’d do with it I let him have it. He directed me to help him put it on and danced away in it, happily and triumphantly!! :D<br />
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The other day he tried to climb atop a jar so he could reach onto the kitchen platform and pick up something from there. Worried that he might trip I asked him to get down, which he obviously did not listen to. I pretended to get angry and scold him on which my poor baby made a very <i>bechara</i> face and looked down. Feeling guilty, I started laughing to get him to smile. The prankster looked up and laughed louder than I did and gave me the <i>fooled you</i> expression. :(<br />
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I got a whole set of very cute toy cars for him to play with. Not the one to do what is meant to, he likes to do all kind of possible experiments with them; disintegrating all its parts and also reassembling them sometimes, throwing them with full strength to check if they break, and blah blah blah…<br />
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He’s learnt to climb on the couch and reach out to the balcony where we put the clothes out to dry. His favourite sport is to remove the clips used to hold the clothes in place and flinging them in the balcony. The washed clothes also land there many times. FYI, it is an extended balcony and doesn’t have a door, so fetching the items back includes climbing down it which is an unpleasant job. Nevertheless… got to do it! :P</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I’d also like to add here that my dear friend <b><a href="http://rohinirojindar.blogspot.com/">rohini</a></b> has given me two awards. Thanks dear…you’re so very sweet to find me worthy of them!! </div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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