(naturally, Snehal)

- Sunday longer than Monday?

2011-08-28T00:52:00.002+05:30

:)

Read this line after a time, longer than I can remember!
As kids, we used to say this when somebody's inners were longer than the outers. Can I say it this way? :P ... ;) ... :D hehehee.. But yes, that's what it meant.

Reading the line now, aroused a kind-of funny feeling, a cheeky tease, drawing on me a cheezy smile.. But anyways, it's a very personal choice. If one wants to, they may, and should have full freedom to flaunt :D

Now get back to work.. no more non-sense talk :P

It happens

2011-05-25T12:50:00.001+05:30

Old friends. You were free, you found me, We chatted long hours, we had fun; Even though we were far away we enjoyed each other’s company; Then, you had to move on with other things.. We Lost Contact. I decided not to mingle so much with anyone.

New Friend, just happened. Did not talk much, as decided. But still, got used and began to enjoy the company.. Now have to move on again.. And I decide not to make friends again..

Colleagues. Did not intend to be friends. But, you always wanted me to speak, speak something, speak something more.. It was not easy.. Meanwhile u told me stories, and scolded me like a friend.. I tried hard.. ‘To speak or not to’, only to realize that it hardly matters.. Now we have to move on again.. And I decide not to think about anything, anymore.. Just Chill, Chill, Just Chill.. :)

Bench is fun

2011-05-18T17:47:00.001+05:30

It’s all at leisure,
Doing everything with pleasure,
No hurry to take the morning call,
No worry about the deadlines that make you fall.

Come to office at the time you please,
Play that match, or watch it at ease,
Read e-books, burst bubbles,
Play word games, throw out rubbles.

Freshen your mind,
Give it some peace,
Go for that run,
Everyone needs such a release.

Experiment on that dish,
Cook veggies or fry some fish,
Love what you do, even if you do just nothing,
Pamper yourself, for work isn’t everything.

Comb that hair; look at your face,
Try different ways of tying your shoe lace.
Watch movies; sing songs,
Life will just flow along..

Hang out in food courts with your fellow mates,
Visit the pantry at regular rates,
Have fun, enjoy the natural beauty,
You never know when you’ll have to be back on your duty!

Death, so close

2011-05-09T12:47:00.002+05:30

Nobody asks a bencher how his weekend was! So sad.. :( During the project, me and my teammates would enquire regularly about each-other’s whereabouts.. Today, it’s another Monday, but nobody near..

Listen,

We Friends were going shopping.. Waiting at the crossroads for the heavy traffic to subside.. One Tall, Fat lady next to me, accompanied with her equally Tall, Fat daughter.. They started crossing, and so did we.. But one thing did not seem to stop.. I saw THE BIG, GREEN, LOCAL CITY BUS approaching us from the right.. The ladies panicked, did not seem to move – according to me, they should have ran for their life! – But they did not! – It seemed like a pretty long moment – "Crazy people, RUN!" – I found a little space towards my left, and ran ahead, crossing the road, and my friend ran backwards.. Finding myself and my friend "intact and safe" was a relief – I had both my hands and feet, everything was just as it was when I was on the other side of the road. But these ladies were screaming at the driver! Crazy people, "Shout at yourself". I just realized that I would have died! Even though we continued with our work, My heart was in my mouth – for 15 minutes. Awe! Wonder! Laughter!

A hug that made the difference..

2011-05-03T18:13:00.003+05:30

I come to office today and read this line in a forwarded email: A hug is the shortest distance between friends.
Then as memory recalls: We were completing this company training and getting our postings to different locations.. Some guys from the other streams got their posting a month before us.. One of my good friends was among them.. He was the first to receive the black tag, which was kind-off an achievement for every trainee.. I was very happy for him.. felt like hugging him so tight at that time, but had to control those feelings :( That hug, missed that day, has maintained the distance between us till date!

when my bus breaks down at midnight

2011-04-04T11:55:00.003+05:30

me: Juhi,

u free or busy?

i'll tell a story

Juhi: ya tell...

me: i planned for a week long holiday

there was only one seat left in only one good volvo bus... which we usually take... i booked it....

all others went by state transport

and.. my bus breaks down at the starting point itself

at midnite they tell us, they cant repair it!!!

Juhi: hehehhhe

:-)

me: n i'm in sleepy mode

i come out.. only to see him returning the ticket amount to all passengers

wt could i have done?

Juhi: wat???

Juhi: wat u did then re

u got bus later or no

me: no bus

Juhi: then wat

???????????????

me: talked to a young lady.. asking wt was happening

Juhi: how u came then

me: she was with her hubby...

they were planning to book an innova.... along with 3 other youngsters... all planning to go to goa

she said i cud join them

Juhi: ohhhhh....

then u came with them??

me: and i said ok........ wtever the cost may be :P

taking such decisions in sleep was far easier

Juhi: then

me: then i came with them

Juhi: hmmmm....

me: hehee..

Juhi: great journey.... memorable one na....

me: donno how i decided this.. since i did not know any one of them..

ya memorable

Juhi: ya....

actually risky na

me: add to it... we got a sleepy driver who was so slow...

Juhi: the people where good so ok

me: this was a bigger risk :P which we got to know only after a lil bit of travel.

i introduced a lil bit of bgm to them ;-) feels like an ambassador now ;-)

Juhi: hehehe :D

Juhi: otherwise it would be a very very very very very wrong decision...

me: ya.. they were like me only.. so ok :)

but.. only other option was to go back home

n next day.. bus wud be full again... + match!!!

wt wud i do alone at home

my happy holiday wud go tie tie fish

at start oly :P

Juhi: hmmmm... but next time onward dont do like this....

me: hmm.. :)

hopefully

Juhi: no make it sure....

b'coz its too risky....

anyways u r home now... so enjoy...

:-)

saw the match or no??

me: yea

HEY... i called up dad tht time only.. and told.. wt i was doing.

he knew it all.

Juhi: hmmm

hehehe.... did one work right....

me: the group was nice

Juhi: :-)

good

me: hmm.. lucky

Juhi: ya very lucky...

me: hehee

all such deadly things happen to me... and i jus sail through them swiftly, knowing nothing, jus observing.. :P

Juhi: hehehhehehe :-) :D

daring baaz gal :D

me: lol, no re.. normally i keep myself very safe... doin all such faltugiri like... coming home early, booking tickets in advance...

and i see others NOT doin this...... but i only get into such hell like situations :P

Juhi: but it is not all the time na...

some times...

me: ya

Made my day!!

2011-03-14T11:52:00.000+05:30

It was a normal working day.. a Monday! K Din want to come to office, din want to get ready, din want to take tht same road to office again, din want to work, hush! But had to! K Anyways, there was something more to add to this day. . We were expecting our onsite pm at our odc. Since we had had a very good time with him in our first project, we freshers were lil bit eager to meet him. But I did not remember this on Monday. His coming, going, talks, whatever had gone in the background. I entered the main gate, lots of employees rushing in, checking in themselves, and their baggage, I was one of them. Suddenly I hear a friendly call, shouting out my name. I look around to find this guest – my first pm, and wow, it was indeed a very pleasant surprise! J J It was nice.. awesome meeting! ;-)

14th Feb is back again!

2011-02-14T16:23:00.001+05:30

Every time I ask if you are busy, you say yes. So then, I do not disturb.
When I come to you, just to be there, you ask if I want something. I say no, and u wonder why.
You don’t talk to me when expected, and surprise me with your casual chat at busy hours.
You sometimes act like a busy bee, and sometimes like a freak.
You care as well, but do you care for all?
All in all, like many other things, you go beyond my understanding.
But yesterday.. (on the eve of valentine’s day), I wrote a letter - “I hate you” type. Nice one, good writing style also, and hopefully you would understand, but I will never give it to you, I’m sure.

Note: This is about my project mate. And, Everything's official about it :)

Confirmed.. and now on..

2011-01-14T13:05:00.002+05:30

I got my new year gift from my company. Confirmation letter:) Seems like a good start. Also, I’ll be getting paid a bit more. I can use it as travel allowance :P
"Wanna go home, wanna go home.." this attitude of mine is changing. Coz now-a-days, m experiencing a strong feeling of "Home is where the heart is" type. And work is attracting me now.
As a trend, almost everyone sends out a mail bidding farewell to all colleagues and friends while leaving the company. I got two such mails today – one from my dear friend, another from an acquaintance. First I read my friend’s mail. Most part of it was like a letter, a conversation - direct from the heart. The other mail was a complete copy paste, with extracts taken from older mails, clearly noticeable, making me feel so ***! What’s the point in doing something just because you have to!!! (But you know what… both the mails had one common sentence… the one describing our training days at mysore… with perfectly identical wordings. How can two people think so similar? Huh! Both have copied this from another common old mail :P )
Even I used to copy paste when there was redundant work. But after getting a good firing, for my own good, my attitude has changed. "Original" – this is on my mind now! And hopefully remains forever.
So, confirmed now! This means I can choose my ways towards redesigning my career, and m working on it. Happy! :)

Dawn of 2011 wishes..

2010-12-31T19:35:00.003+05:30

For me, a few of these 2011 wishes have been blooming from quiet some time, a few were being wished for ever since the end of Jan 2010 itself :P
Being posted to Hyd in mid Jan 2010, a place with countable known faces, led to a million questions like ‘why here, why me’ along with a million wishes for change, most of them being changing for something that looked attractive, easy going life with friends and familiarities around. But 2010 has sure showed me some real life. So, it’s all started now… my life’s reality show has begun.. or I have started seeing it now! Whatever!
"Time changes the way we look at things". True. Now I love life at office. But not weekends. They’r most often, boring!
Have had some real good times. Have showed around the city to many. Had some real adventures. Good fun. Seen some Thrilling life scenes, some scary ones too. Met strange types of people. Hated lots of things. Got angry more than ever before, and sad too. Still.. "Learning by living".. the process is going on..
Just feeling a lil settled over here, and then, There.. Something’s up! And I am in a fix. No clue as to what to do.
Discussions!
Sleeping on the problem!
Thinking how to act!
This is how m tackling it :P I hate it. And then I really act. So "Hatred, in disguise, is good". Now that’s my own quote ok!
There are lots of issues around.. So, already I’ve lots of work for 2011. Professionally, personally, socially, Hush! All this - I only have to do! A busy life! Well, that was one of my wishes last year – It works! :)
Wishing everyone fruitful 2011 wishes for the coming year.. Cheers! :)

nostalgia

2010-11-08T20:50:00.003+05:30

It isn't the first time i'm leaving home for work, but somehow I don't want to go.

I came across an auntie in the city today, who recognized me easily, while I just kept wondering who she could be. Had met her about 6-7 yrs ago. When she asked me what I was up to these days, I replied saying, "I'm studying engineering. Oops, no no auntie, i've finished engineering, now working"

hush.. I need to get back to work, leaving tonight. :'(

Haunted by boredom.

2010-10-20T18:27:00.001+05:30

I'm bored to the core.. donno from where it all came, but it's with me today.. ALL DAY!
GTH man, jus get out. But its not going. This morning, I woke up with a heavy head, did something for 2 mins, n went back to sleep. Then woke up again after a lil less than an hour, started getting ready to go to office. Everything moved slowly, I din progress a bit.
Kya yaar... pata nahi wts going on!
I'm not working the least bit. Got late to office, Talked to my best fren on the way, continued, n then reached finally reached my cubicle. Trying to read some scripts since morning, but in vain. Then I decided to pass some time until evening, put on my ear phones, n without my knowledge I started humming 'more than a friend'. My lead, n a colleague, sitting in the neighouring left n right cubes stood at once gesturing me to soften down. I was so embarressed..that too deeply! ummmmmmm! I jus pulled out my ear plugs, tried to hide my face. OMG!
*(&X(%X^Z** ........ dinno wt to do!
Jus then I got a ping for a team discussion. Right timing, we were all distracted from my topic.
Chalo, that was good enough to get me out of the embarressed mood.
btw: small boss jus peeped in, and he has told me the next time post, write 'My lead is handsome' and I won’t do tht :P

Funtoosh

2010-10-20T12:50:00.000+05:30

I jus over heard big boss saying.. "at the detailed level, make the detail design as detailed as possible" LOL :D

The natural flow :P

2010-10-12T17:06:00.003+05:30

The natural flow was running smoothly. Now it was our turn to implement the same stuff together and we wanted to enjoy it ;)
Though we had a fair idea about the inputs and expected outputs,.....and those lil things to do here n there....., most details and procedures(whether right or wrong) were unclear. In order to be on the same lines, we needed to talk and do things synchronously. So we started with a talk :)
I thought that I had quiet a lot to speak about my research and current knowledge, but he wasn't far away. He had lots to say.
Without wasting a moment, he began... and I was like, 'ok.. ya.. right.. n then, wt's this?... I hope it'll be fine... how do we do this?'
He said, 'See, it's like.. First we do this.. We'll try this way/that way.. how about.. What do u say?'
I said, 'hmm..'
He said, 'Snehal, you are getting it, right?'
'hmm, somewhat' I had some doubts, as usual, but he made sure that his knowledge was perfect..(or so it seemed to me!)
'ok, No worries, I'll tell you when needed', he said.:)
So finally, he was done, and expected me to take over.
OMG.. I was damn tired, just because of him!
'You there? Listening, right? Shall we start?'
I thought, 'If we got to start now, what was all that you did till now? A demo?'
Well if that was a demo, then I'll be dead :P
'hush! I need a break!'

Note: This incident is one of the project development activities in office, involving long, tiring conversations over VOIP.

Funtoosh

2010-10-06T16:36:00.002+05:30

I jus over-heard my small boss call up my actual boss...saying "hi..." n the actual boss says... "hey...what is up?"
lol, I can't stop laughing :D

Finding some free time, is a must.

2010-09-28T18:22:00.000+05:30

Okay.. Even with this huge amount of work
- daily onsite meetings, trying hard to understand what they are speaking about, then humming some a yes(most frequently) or a no(rarely)
- updates with team mates, my immediate boss(small boss), onsite head(better boss) , and how could I forget – apna local SPM(the actual boss, who, I usually forget – exists, and can have extreme impact on my grades/other benefits etc),
- colleagues, waiting impatiently for the daily coffee breaks, which have become compulsorily two per day,
- chatting, with my best friend/ sometimes friends, and sometimes a good long call ;-)
- a good long lunch break, n the exciting discussion on the menu when there is a food fest announced by the canteen committee :D and a further analysis on how it all looked and tasted,
- later in the afternoon, feeling drowsy, yet trying hard to understand what task I’ve got to do :
- n then re-discussing the already discussed stuff :) n trying to prepare some document :)
I’ve started ‘chit chatting’ with a neighbouring friend. This afternoon, post lunch, it went out of bounds – we were trying out ‘talking tom’, an application in her iphone. It recognizes your voice and repeats all that you say. And I was having a weirdly funny conversation. But it was fun! I had a wonderful time. And after some time, one colleague, sitting 2 cubicles away pings me asking, "What are you doing?".
I said, "Just having some fun"
"You are not supposed to do this. You are disturbing our Proj group"
"Well, sorry for that"
So, looks like, I’ve got lots of free time, isn’t it?

look at him

2010-09-24T13:26:00.003+05:30

If you are NOT IN INFY, u gotta be in some neat n clean place ABROAD. Well, that’s the trend these days, I see. I say this because, their albums in picasa or elsewhere, unless it is a friend’s or relative’s wedding, contain pics taken at some nice, neat n clean location. I can only relate this to INFOSYS, because of the long hours I have to spend here. I see lush green lawns, beautifully architecture buildings, n people, sometimes lots, sometimes few, but nothing new! Well well well, there is one new person I happen to come across in lifts, at the coffee pantry - a lil often in the last few days. :) he’s smart, handsome, n his height is also appropriate ;-) and.. he roams alone! :) But he’s got a ring on his ring finger, right hand. Well, does that mean he’s already hooked up?

Just fun

2010-08-29T07:03:00.005+05:30

I’m checking the date on my cell – It is 29th Aug 2010. Not very particular about dates u see, unless on leave or need to fill some timesheets in office. Anyways, it’s Sunday evening 7pm. Wow! I’m so happy that tomorrow is a working day. I see fun at workplace you see, because these days I actually don’t have much work. Also, I can chat with my best friends on communicator :) Yeppie! Feeling so nice after 48 long and worse hours of my life. No cooking gas cylinder for a week, has made my life so dull over here. I’ve been trying so much to get one, but in vain :( daily I need to think where to eat, n wt to eat. Also, I don’t have the company of a foodie, else I wud hav enjoyed even more. I wish I’d been home this weekend or at-least mom dad should’ve been here, staying always with me :’( Anyways, 10 more days n I’ll be home :) :) :) The countdown begins..

Guess wt, I jus found Rs.10 fallen on the footpath. The tea I had with tht money was far more refreshing than the usual ones ;-) Well, this is far lesser when compared to the Rs.500 which I’d found some 7-8 months back. Then, I din kno wt to do with tht bit big amt. So, about 7-8 of us friends had had a yummy dinner and the remaining I used somehow.. Most of them had suggested to drop it into the donation box, but I din find tht box anywhere at tht time :) Anyways, wts the point in doing tht.. I feel, one must give from one’s own pocket and feel the pinch (even a slight pinch wud do ;-) then it’d make some good sense.. right? Right! :)

Hmm.. so wt else.. nothing much now.. jus waiting for these 10 days to go by.. n I’ll be home :) :) :) One-way, Good tht this place is far from home, mom dad sis had a nice long holiday here, I enjoyed every bit of it. How we had had wonderful times roaming around the city, taking one place at a time, but one day they had to go by themselves, without me :’( and how they had waited outside when I had come home late :’( how me n my roomie were not bothered about the daily cooking, how much I had talked in tht short lil span of time, my mouth had almost pained, and their ears too hehee :) :) Even now, I jus need to say come and dad will be here the next morning, I know. Papa always makes me proud yar :) I love him :) :) :)

At the office

2010-06-06T10:36:00.002+05:30

I’m in office; Supposed to be working. Servers are running damn slowly, making me also sleepy. Client website (having the same icons, which I have to open a million times because of our super slow connectivity links), times-of-india (for some out of office refreshment), igoogle page done with errors(to see weather reports, and to play hangman), and some random links are open in internet explorer. Office Communicator is open, with three conversation windows. These were started as soon as I had logged in. The server is still slow. But it’s running. Even m running into sleep mode.. hmm.. gudnite.. .. .. *PING* I’ve been assigned another task. *WAKE UP*, *WAKE UP*.. have some water.. the bottle’s empty, need to fill it now.. hush! :)

I don’t want to work as usual. So, first I come in late, act as if working, (work a bit to avoid feeling guilty), have coffee, tea, snacks, play, n rest, chat with friends, curse the servers, n those who play lazy, those who get the benefits of our hard work! **#&%$^#^#^%%^** huh! Forget them!
It is a Sunday! Enjoy! :)

I don wanna fade away

2009-12-05T11:15:00.015+05:30

home again!!! :) yup, m back home.. away from my co, away from my current workplace, away from that beautiful yet not-very-appealing dreamworld.
Yes, when I joined my campus-placed-company, it literally looked like I was picked up from home and thrown into a dreamworld. Everything in the campus looked so neat n tidy, with beautifully architected buildings, lush green lawns, a poky-dome-shaped-multiplex, quite luxurious hostel rooms, hmmmm :) it was just WOW!
Mom was the happiest, and I was indeed very glad that she saw this.. The Beautiful Infosys Campus @ Mysore.. because of me ;) ;) ;) lol.

Then they allocated me a pc, scheduled all my days for 4 hectic months which they call "training", loaded me with springs of god-knows-what modules, do-or-die tests, and heaped compre(s).. (I barely managed to keep the nights, and my Sundays/Holidays to myself)..

In the process, I forgot myself, rather found a new self, missed my gang of friends, made some new, met weird people, acted weird at times, observed their reactions, talked so much less, and Lots on the phone (hehe, they call me "infy BPO"), Lost touch with most things I used to be busy with, Lost my interests, adapted some others. Attended my Best Friend's Wedding, and missed another!
Life looks different now, hopefully I don't differ from myself.

Oh ya, m learning to take leave, and it's so much fun! You go running home, all excited, while your colleagues drag themselves to the workplace, hehe.. ;)

Shopped heavily this week, and there's still to shop for quiet a few..
Have to save now, for there could arise a need, totally new!!

An sms from my friend says, "Wassup? Enjoying lots, right?"
I'm replying, "M just relaxing at home right now.. Catching up with one of the things I love.. writing :)"

Curry leaves

2009-07-05T15:45:00.010+05:30

All my classmates gathered for a class photo @ the lib entrance. Then, our valedictory_function()-cum-official_farewell began… It began..with an invocation song. The hostesses uttered some not-so-famous quotes appropriate for the closing ceremony of the dept association. Our staff coordinator listed out the activities of least interest carried out during the year. Princi spoke for more than 20 mins. He loves to speak. That even makes the function long enough to be noticed. The already known winners received their (kind-off) delayed certificates. A few clapped and got bored. Few others clapped just to have the fun of hearing the clapping sound. Few “prejudiced” awards were given to selected outgoing students. Literally, everyone was bugged up. Sitting like dummies, without the power to raise a voice (neither in protest nor praise…) but I was busy. Busy wondering whether what I had prepared to speak as feedback would be appropriate. Should I or should I not say what I wanted to say?

I wanted to speak. I wanted and this was a moment long awaited – 2yrs! And so I went up the stage n spoke, just because of those few good people whom we appreciate in the dept. I was shivering (a bit) wondering how it’d be. And it was fun! Absolute fun and I can happily say, it was the best part of the function that day! Big shouts for those who deserved, as I took their names, and chilled silence for those who didn’t. We all were happy. Some grateful. Everyone appreciated and I was satisfied. And..for that one day, princi knew me :P

It was like a different refreshing flavour..like the one produced by adding curry leaves to the garnish! :) lovely!

Excerpts from mobile dairy:

2009-07-05T14:53:00.004+05:30

21st May 2009 (evening):
With an incomplete project in one hand and clothing for 3 days in another, we students are being taken- for a proj competition. lol... looks like d dept is making up for all its tortures in d past semesters by taking us for a compulsory picnic :)

We’r on our way to Hassan. After all d hotch-potch at home, of attempting to study for ia n not attending it, instead being taken on this trip, n hurriedly completing some parts of the project while learning a lot of new things so quickly, n now d cool ride.. feels gr8!
Things are turning out to be exactly opposite.. had thought it’d be very hot, but it rained all night..n d lone driver had a tough time. Its 24 hrs since he woke up, n 13 hrs since he started driving. Journeys like these keep me awake these days.. though I dozed off a few times with d sound of d heavy downpour last night. And since 6am d scenes outside have been eye cooling. We even took a wrong route with a lake on one side n a railway track on another, n came back, but it was d most beautiful route till now. Most wrong routes are often d most beautiful n adventurous ones, n I love them :) They’ll come for a very short time but leave behind memories for a lifetime. Later today will be reg n resting day. Will update later :) chao! Gudde!

22nd May 2009 (night):
Had a tiring day…along with d enjoyment of being with classmates.. Its fun to stay together like this…like, in a hostel…for a short time! Learn co-ordination… jus for those 2 days…while d thought might remain for abt a week :P Doing daily daily chores together scares off laziness coz otherwise u are sure of not getting a bathroom…in time, now warm water, or, not even plain water for that matter. Oops, need to wake up early tomo for this.. but m planning to be at leasure. For a change, hanji is seeming calm. It’s midnight n everyone is sleeping. They even seemed to be sleeping during d journey! M still here(awake), though I was awake in the bus too. But now I can see 2 mobiles, n even d words m typing are looking double! Guess I need rest :) good night.

23rd May 2009 (night):
I wanna go home!

24th May 2009: (nothing written in mobile diary.. I was jus happy, I’d be going home.. hehehe. And sir took us for a 1 hr tour to halebidu :) this was good, compulsory picnic from d dept :)

Terrace - 2.

2009-05-20T11:42:00.001+05:30

It was a cool breezy evening. He was practicing helicopter rides and stuff. She stayed in the same area where he and his fellow fauji trainees were getting trained. He asked her to come up on the terrace. She guessed he’d be in that copter, flying above. She ran upstairs. The copter took 2 rounds. No signs of any human traces, no hand-wave, nothing. She knew they took turns while flying. After some time, when she was a lil bored and let-down, but still waiting on the top, she saw something flying out of the copter. It was a cloth. He held out a flag kind-off thing with “***, I love you a lot” written on it. She was thrilled, shy, scared, over-joyed. She had mixed feelings. And the flag flew with the copter all round that city area. Children screamed on top of their voices, hoping they’d be heard by the flyer. And others just watched with wonder. Wow! :)

Terrace

2009-05-13T21:32:00.011+05:30

The sun is set. The night has dawned. The breeze is getting cooler. The plants are thirsty. She waters them, they smile. They move with the breeze and say, thank you. Lights appear in houses – doors, windows and cracked walls shine bright, and rays come out into the open spaces. The road echoes heavy sounds of vehicles – small ‘n big – all of them want to make noise, a sound which all of us are used to, now! A few vehicles turn home – to rest n find some peace, while she strolls to and fro from the water tank to the planted pots. It is all wet now, with water, cooling the atmosphere even more. It’s lovely!

A few white clouds move in the sky, blurring her sight to the twinkling stars, but the moon hasn’t come yet. She wants to talk to him… She wants to tell him everything – all that happened during the day – incidents, thoughts and feelings. She wants to send messages to her bestest friend, but the messenger, the moon, is not there, not yet!

When he comes, he shines brightly, but not alone; his friends, the stars are all there, with him. They all make the sky look beautiful. She wishes he (her bestest friend) was here. Then, they’d both sit together n may be talk, may be say nothing, just enjoy the company of each other. And in the moon-lit night, they’d look into each other’s eyes and speak volumes, not found in any book of any library.

Then, he’d say to her, you are so beautiful.. and Ah! That’s it. Her ears would shut, at that very moment – shut to every other sound from the surrounding, only to hear him. She’d find him beautiful too and so be there totally with all senses awakened. And all these would have just one input source - he, her bestest friend.
Time would cease while beautiful moments would be made. They’d know nothing but the presence of each other and it’d be the best feeling ever. That’d make life worth living and dying for!

ek pal ke liye hi sahi, ghadiya hamko mili makhmali pyar ki, iss ek pal ko jee le zara..
phir kya ho kya khabar, dekha hain kisne kal, aa raat rok le, phir ho na jaaye sehar

My Best Friend’s Wedding – 1.

2009-04-05T12:20:00.008+05:30

It was time for the wedding bells to ring for the first girl in our group of super seven. Wow! We were excited, but I tell you.. when I seriously thought about it, I was scared. She met him, they became friends, and profited reliance communications for quiet a few months:) They kept visiting each other’s places everytime they could, not letting any opportunity go by. Then their marriage date was fixed and my dear friend kept herself busy throughout the day, everyday, with lots of shopping and other prep for her D-day (And of-course with reliance)

Now our gang had got a chance to get together again.. n none wanted to miss out this chance. All of us waited excitedly. Nivi madam had started planning well, 3 months in advance and I would say to her.. its still December Nivi.. long time to go.. n we are not the ones getting married to our respective hubbies :P (had to extend the sentence ‘coz dostana has affected people’s minds A LOT)

Finally the day came, four of us were to travel together with the bride’s cousins n relatives, n catch up with another friend at the destination. One of our gang members couldn’t come ‘coz of work n we.. hell, missed her soo much:) The travel was good, we caught the last seat in the bus n made a hell lot of noise. Got some good n mocking expressions too.. ‘coz when we sang, we entertained the kids in the bus, but later.. one uncle plugged his ears with ear-phones. God! That was so rude:) still we had a good laugh, n that was good. Oh yes.. how could I forget.. The best song was sung by shrado.. she was singing ye dil, deewana (from yes boss) in such a draggy way that Nivi had to shake her head vigorously to get shrado back to the actual tempo of the beats. Lol, this act was too good, simply unforgettable.

It suddenly started to drizzle n then came the rain for just a few minutes. I got my hands wet through the window:) n before we noticed two of them started dreaming.. n we, the other two (bekaar people), wanted to get them back mentally, with us! So we started teasing them.. n while they enjoyed it, we too had fun.. n then something happened, Nivi got angry on us:( guess we laughed instead of just smiling.. Sorry yaar Nivi.. Bhulado, bhulado wo batein purani jo dil ko satati rahi.. (now I don’t even know if this song is appropriate, but am singing it for you, ok?..ok.)

If it wasn’t for these my friends, there was one thing I would never forget in my entire lifetime (only while attending functions), and that was.. forgotting my sandals at home. I was wearing shoes while traveling n Prags was imagining me wearing shoes (with socks of-course) on the saree/chudi/whatever-a-girl-can-wear-for-a-marraige-other-than-jeans:D All I could do was.. stare at my shoes n wonder why they looked the way they looked. Well, I have no comments here, just a big ThankQ for the borrowed sandals, hehe.. but size matters you see.. n I can proudly say WE FIT PRETTY WELL INTO EACH OTHER’S SHOES :D

Then, we finally reached the destination n enjoyed a very comfortable stay at the hotel. The bride looked simply beautiful, like a doll, in all functions, even while missing on most of her sleep continuously for those 2 days. I was remembering scenes from mythological tele-serials.. ‘coz she looked like one of those actresses.. n we just kept looking at her constantly. Devi-ji was stunning, excited, n was enjoying every moment. I haven’t, n will never see a bride like this. Bhari!!!

Then the next day, we stayed back while all others left to their homes. We did some ultimate shopping with juhi n made a new friend.. sada. :) Now we can travel often to Pune;) Every moment in the hot sunny day, the music n drousy people in the mall.. were nice.. n our eating plans flopped, we got full too soon, couldn’t eat even one khulcha easily!!

After shopping we had a nice dinner at shrad’s uncle’s house, n left Pune to Belgaum.. it was a horrifying bus.. lol.. Many scary things happened.. Broken glass window next to me, the urge to talk all time, shhhh from one ajja-ajji, shifting seats, touching someone who was sleeping on the last seat.. by mistake, sleepy people looking like dead bodies, n then.. one stupid fellow from behind looking at us or the open window next to me.. n my expressions as I was narrating his movements to Prags.. Ah! This was something different, I was really scared, for the first time.. that’s why we din sleep all night.. kept talking.. n indeed it was a wonderful chat:)

All said and done about our Pune trip, We’r waiting for the next marriage now.. ;) isn’t it girls?

It pricks sometimes..

2009-02-17T21:08:00.000+05:30

Achievements.. we get them, and then comes the celebration part. We think of everyone who could share that joy with us. First come the people immediately beside us at the time we hear that delightful news, then come our family n friends, with whom we share the laughter, fun, excitement, thrill.. jumping around, spreading smiles with twinkling eyes.. We immediately message the ones far away and they reply so instantly that we don’t have enough time to hold all those moments together.. we laugh and laugh, for few minutes with each one, on every call.

And then we think of our colleagues, our teachers.. but little do we know at that moment how little they’ll get involved in that joy. We excitedly go ahead the next day.. to meet them.. and share with them.. that joy for which we had waited for so long.. and finally when we meet them, nothing much happens! Nothing but an expression of outward “wow” or “oh, that’s good” and a plain dry smile:! And my happy balloon, which had reached the moon, starts to leave the air out from a tiny hole sometimes, and sometimes from a big one.

Then I think of things that matter most, things that happened way back at home, things that added so much joy to that achievement few hours ago, and things that now prick my balloon of joy! For here, there’ll always be better people, with better grades than me. People who’ll compare our grades, and people who’ll not even bother to ask.. I suddenly become invisible to them in the presence of my mates with better grades. That’s when it pricks. But I don’t bother, for I remember my little happy community of happy “frenz” with whom I’ve shared that bundle of joy already.. and a few more whom I now meet. Then I patch up the hole and blow the balloon again. And then it flies constantly, without interruption, there.. high up in the air.. :)

Still Waiting!!!

2009-02-14T21:23:00.002+05:30

Its 14^th Feb today. We’r coming close to celebrating our first anniversary, which falls on 26^th March. That was the day we selected each other, to be together in the years to come. It was the only day we met. And since then am waiting, waiting for your official response, because that is the only way we can be together. I know you’ll need me because I’ll do everything possible for you, but actually, I need you more than that, a reason for my earning. You’ll be the reason for most of my busy days in the future. You’ll be the one with whom I’ll spend most part of my days. Yes you, only you. And here I am, still waiting for your response. When will you call me? When will you mail me? Am waiting, and you know it. Dear HRs, Do reply, at the earliest.

Btw: one good news.. I got 70% exact, for the first time in many recent years.. and I am shocked. It’s my first FCD, lol.

Everyone is very happy on this my valentine’s day gift ;) from my varsity.

Thank you Balaji baba (our evaluation registrar) :P and thank you Khincha babaji :) even if you are not involved in me getting this.

Thanks to God, well-wishers and FRIENDS :) love you all.. Cheers! booozzz as much as you want, i won't say a word! lol..

Happy Valentine's Day :)

Booozzed

2009-02-10T13:31:00.000+05:30

We were four of us that day.. a nice lazy evening, the mood to do nothing, just lingering around in the room.. when there was a power cut. Ah! So then we were again the four of us, with a couple of lighted candles.. in an even more lazy atmosphere. One of us climbed up the stairs to the terrace, and Wo!.. found a big bright light glowing for the entire city – the moon, it was. He called out to her (who was still with us, in the candle-lit room) ‘Hey! Come up, the moonlight is beautiful out here’. She lazily said ‘ya, ok’, moved to the other side and continued to lie on the bed. He called out again.. ‘Hey! Come up..’. I said, ‘Wow! He’s calling you in the moonlight.. go na..’ she smiled but stayed in her place. He called out again.. to all three of us.. ‘Come on guys, come up.. and get that bottle along.. from the fridge.. and get three glasses also’. I knew who would run to the fridge.. the still-unknown person in this post.. the fourth person, who till now laid silent and still on her couch, and now on hearing the orders ran to the fridge. For the one who would get the things together, would get to drink from the bottle. It was a made-up rule, so to say.

Within three minutes, we four were lying on a mat, on the terrace, looking at the stars, talking whatever.. I don’t clearly remember, and sipping from the glasses. For the first time I felt my head go round.. a bit.. may be I took fairly big sips.. and for the first time my glass was empty before any of the other’s! All were shocked, but that didn’t matter any longer.. everyone was in their own world! You don’t expect me to say something more, do you?

Date:

2009-01-28T13:35:00.005+05:30

We go out with someone to.. may be a restaurant, a museum or a theater or just be together and talk about each other, about ourselves, our likes and dislikes, our interests! How many times have we done that kind of talking? Many times?.. A few times?.. At-least at sometime?

One friend said.. Dates - need not be planned. They could just happen. (The other day one of my classmates came up to me and spoke about his fantasy. He showed me his drawings (in his class-work book) - an imaginary world that he had created and narrated a story. It had monsters ‘n heroes, guns ‘n gadgets, speed ‘n accuracy, fire ‘n flowers and someone beautiful, that could be called a boy’s fairy-tale..? You just can’t stop smiling at something like that. But I had to come out of that story and concentrate, for we had internal test in an hour. Huh! We cannot change the internal dates)

Other said.. Well, dates could be spontaneous but they need a ‘lil planning. (It was that day when she was angry over a mischievous act and finally decided to speak out. So she called up this friend of hers and shouted.. whatever she felt like.. without thinking much. When you don’t understand anything, you tend to do as the other says. It was then that things fell into place, at-least it seemed so. Such days are rarely forgotten)

Another said.. Dates - We do it online these days. (Chatting through the little windows, sharing thoughts and feelings with people far away.. and not saying a word to the person next to us.. yeah, the one right beside us. Uh! What game are we playing?)

I think I should stop here.

Re-Union

2009-01-27T12:58:00.002+05:30

Many re-unions happening around here.. I found them to be of three types – 1. A school/college re-union where all batches meet, and u can see lots of faces, most of which will be unknown, and you’ll end up hanging around with your chosen group of few with whom you had decided to attend that re-union! Lol, So what difference did you make by attending it?

2. A class-re-union where the entire or most of your classmates meet-up and you spend some good time meeting people, recollecting forgotten faces and enjoying with them and finally getting re-connected with contact numbers, work/home addresses, etc including the discussion.. Are you on orkut? Kool, I’ll add you there. Or the lazier ones might say Add me! Anyways, fewer the better.

Meeting people after a long time is usually surprising, when they come along with their kids (a 6yr old, and another 2 ;) lol, that's when they leave you speechless, if it's too much for you to digest. That's not the case with my friends, not as yet.

And 3. Your group-re-union of intimate friends with whom you are always in contact and still wait excitedly to meet them and finally when you see them in front of you, happy eyes shed tears of joy (if not at the beginning at least at the end! ;) When with them you forget about time, and you just can’t stop talking even though you had talked the last night, or you talk nothing but still enjoy the silent conversation. Then, life simply seems worth living :)

Neat Untidy

2009-01-23T19:42:00.003+05:30

My city is neatly lit up like as if in celebration of a wedding of some royal personality. All buildings and pathways along with the dividers of the roads shine with glowing bulbs using the same electricity that was saved by real long hours of power-cut throughout the city, leave alone the extension and rural areas. And mind you, we bared it for weeks while our electricity producers sold it to the neighbouring states. All the current decoration is just an outward show of marking the presence of our very own elected state cabinet in the city. They are here for a week to participate in the sessions of the legislative council. They are the ones who are supposed to take care of us – voters and local residents.

So how do we cast our vote? – On the basis of our voter ID cards. Last month there was a call for the required photographs of those who did not have their voter ID's. I was among one of them. My name was in the list already, but the member in-charge couldn't find it. I knew my name had to bein the list because during the last elections I had used my college ID and voted. Now am not so insane to imagine doing such a serious thing and claim it to be real. But the in-charge smiled at me (must have laughed in his heart) and gave me a new form to fill – form-no-6, so that they could add my name to the voter's list. God! Who will listen to this kid I thought after wasteful persuasion, took that form-no-6 and left. The next day I took my dad along, who found my name jumbled up in some other residential ward's list. Then they quietly took my photograph for the same. If it wasn't for my dad, I would have filled up the form again to see my name appear twice in the voter's list in the next elections. No wonder there's so much of invalidity with voter lists in our country. Regarding incorrect information I remember there was a priest having a beard (even in his voter ID photograph) whose gender was termed female in the same card. Funny mistakes, is all I can say. And today what are they doing with the ongoing sessions in our city? – enjoying the facilities and the attention provided, moving around the city during session hours, causing traffic diversions and trouble to local public.

Though, I must mention the notable improvement in the attitude of policemen especially the traffic police, who are on their toes - day and night. The usual roads with potholes are now looking better than never before, with radium lights and well directed markings. All government offices are working 24 hours a day. The poor villages display painted walls of all houses (even painted taps) in one single uniform colour to welcome the visiting ministers with a clean look that was never seen before.

Whatever all this means, to us localites it just brings a thought, that hopefully they will discuss on some implement-able strategies for the city's development, which would make a noticeable difference in the near future. Even though we know that this neat looking city will soon turn to be untidy as before, there is always the urge to expect the unexpected.

Whom are you messaging?

2009-01-09T16:56:00.003+05:30

“Who is that messaging you so late in the night?” Mind you, it was just a while past 11:15 pm.

Arey yaar, you just can’t stop yourself from being amused on reading a joke-sms. You tend to smile, usually alone – simply because the others around don’t know about the joke. Butterflies start fluttering in your stomach and you giggle.. by yourself, in a very controlled manner, yet displaying external signs of your amusement to the others around.

Things get worse if you just can’t read out the joke, aloud. You quickly want to share it with someone and select the ‘forward’ option and there it goes..

Within no time.. rather, at an unexpected time.. you hear mom’s voice..

“Who is that messaging you so late in the night?”

You hear.. “Who is that still awake?”

You to mom – “Chill mom! Am just forwarding, not chatting.”

You to yourself – mom! Its just past 11. Don’t expect everyone to go to sleep so early. Am the only one, ********, of that kind. The world is out there, totally awake and alive!

Just then you get a chat-sms – a comment, probably, on that joke u just forwarded. And you are in a fix of mixed emotions. Expressions dont know what to say.

Yes, your heart jumps, eager to continue the chat. But first your eyes look at mom’s whereabouts, the fingers waiting desperately to start playing on the keypad.

If the field is clear, you enjoy the singles.. else, grumble on your invisible handicap! : )

The proposal

2009-01-09T16:47:00.004+05:30

Ah! It was a wonderful day. Princess and her friends were together again (at another bachelor’s B’day party), talking out through long hours and having fun. They spoke, spoke and spoke. Discussions that lead to no conclusion are always the favourite topics among guys, coz they love debating with girls on the silliest topic on earth. Bla bla bla.. it went on.. They began speaking about relationships, proposals, etc.. Then they made pairs/groups and enacted some funny acts.. (Now, the dialog between Princess and her friend while they were asked to enact the proposal scene..)

“If I were your crush, how would you propose me?”, Princess asked.

“I’d do anything that u’d want me to do for you..”, he said.

“Anything?”

“Yes..”

“Ok, then.. Would you sing for me?”

“Sure..” he said and bent one knee, as-if ready for the show..

“What would you sing?”

“Anything that u’d like..”

“I like Christmas carols.”

All eyebrows up! Eyeballs turning left and right.. Bursts of laughter surrounded us for a really long time. It was fun!

: )

Magic..

2008-12-02T13:06:00.001+05:30

There was a bird I thought,
At a distance.. on that tree,
Ya, it looked like some creature that could fly,
So bird I called it, but which.. I wondered.
It had a long tail, like that of a peacock,
So peacock I called it.
It was sitting on the tree, and suddenly, to my surprise, it flew.
Now peacocks don’t fly so high.
It flew up till the building’s height,
A few stories may be, and up into the clear sky.
Then made circles in the air.
Magical rings they seemed to be,
With colours of shining yellow and gold.
Strange, but beautiful; and I stood in awe
Watching it dance to the tune it felt so.
Round and round, it swayed in curves,
Making beautiful shades in the dark sky.
With beauty, grace,
A happy smiling face,
And no one to comment,
It danced to its heart’s content.
Then left a bubble in the air,
That grew so big.. big enough to swallow it in.
Still, it danced inside, though I thought it would faint,
And left another bubble, that grew as large, but slightly smaller,
Which pulled the big bubble, and the bird,
And its wings, and its head..
And everything else..
Until it disappeared, like as if magically dead.
A dream it was, I was sure,
Yet it seems to be so real and near.
Ya, it was magical, that is true,
It made me write another poem, for you.
:)

2008-08-10T20:05:00.001+05:30

Have never waited for exams
But now I do,
For it feels like finishing it off
In a day or two.
Wish they were now
In about a month or so,
Never mind the struggle it’d take
Confident, I’d make.
For I see no friend or foe
Only long ‘n lonely distances, to travel alone.

3. (Royal Welcome)

2008-07-03T20:49:00.000+05:30

It was the end of autumn and summer had just begun. Nights ended sooner than usual. For a change, Princess decided to go for morning walks – all for fun, it was. But as expected she snoozed the alarm, twice. Heard a voice teasing her that she couldn’t keep resolutions. Then finally got up, ready to take up the challenge, lazily got ready and slowly tied her shoe-laces and set out. Little did she know about how wonderful it would turn out to be!

The moon was out there waiting to be seen by someone atleast, like, for the last time for that night, as if to say that it had done its duty, and now saying good-by for the day. The stars had already left. They are too proud of themselves being *stars*, but the moon is much more humble. So, the walk began.. it was cold and dark everywhere. Princess was wondering what she was doing at such a time on the national highway. Felt like going back home, and into the bed.. oh how nice and cozy it would be, but she continued just to keep up the resolution. Yawning while walking didn’t seem unusual at all.. After quite some time it was getting clearer ( is ‘getting closer to dawn’ a proper sentence?)

Pretty flowers of the Gulmohor and similar trees had begun to shed their petals. And they all lay there on the ground, as if to welcome the morning walkers. The pathway looked like a carpet, coloured in patches of red, orange and yellow. Some places were patched with dry leaves, and the rest of the road was bare. Wow! What a wonderful sight it was! Quiet a few vehicles rode that way, but surely they must not have enjoyed the sight enough. Then at a particular point, at a crossroad, one could hear the sound of water, trying hard to gush out, but unable to do so, probably because of a very small outlet. That was a starting point of a water pipe, a valve may be. But the sound of the struggling water was so pleasing to hear. And after some more time, on the way back home I mean, one could see the sky changing colours beautifully, from the initial darker shades of blue to it’s lighter tints, then to a mix of orangey yellow, and then bright, really bright. And all this setting for a delightful sunrise, which occurred in moments you couldn’t even count. Ah, so lovely!

Indeed it was a Royal Welcome!

2. (Involved)

2008-07-03T10:23:00.001+05:30

“Seriously yaar, it’s been enough; enough of running away from boredom and these weakening thoughts. Enough of being idle”, Princess thought. “I’m gonna get involved, into some activity or the other. After all life’s motive is this, right? -to be involved into something until you never know what happened to you!!

Complex, is it? There could be complexities even more complex.

So, involvement is the key to a life of simplicity. Isn’t it?”

1. (Dry weather and the Diary)

2008-06-30T11:23:00.011+05:30

It was a warm afternoon. The sun shone bright outside. Even a peep out of the room seemed to be eye-cracking. There was a power cut. So neither the fan would work, nor the PC, nor the TV. The radio was spoilt, and the i-pod had lost charge. Princess was bored. Dull day, so to say.

She went up to her diary. This diary was the first lucky one that she must have ever used as a diary. And since this was a rare time of the year -one of its kind- as she had got a good long holiday, Princess had decided to make it beautiful. It was her responsibility, she thought. Indeed, it was this Dry weather that led to the birth of the Diary. She noted down random things and events that either occurred or were planned. She decorated her diary, literally. It looked good. Indeed, the year was being made fondly memorable. Though, the diary had many things hidden, while mostly revealing the fun part of it. Only Princess would know, and may be a few others. The rest was buried in memories to be forgotten. Now, this had turned out to be one asset she would never want to loose. Experiences and attitude, the outcome and their memories, were recorded in there. The rest was left to history.

It’s always friends..!!!

2008-05-30T10:11:00.006+05:30

Sometime back, during vacations, a house in our neighbourhood was robbed; and robbed heavily. The family had been on a week long holiday for the rarest of times. And for some reason the robbers had their selected list of items – Branded clothes, Some money left open, and Mangoes! Yes, they robbed mangoes too.. Ate a few, left the peals there and took away the rest. Indeed, they were hungry robbers! (I wonder if they took away the shoes as well.. If at all they had planned for a Feast.) No electronics were even touched! Surprising! Coz they all lay there.. open.. Only ‘they’ knew why?!!!

Rumours spread. Such a planned and dined robbery was sure to be made by some known fellas (bastards). Known fellas are called friends, right? May not be best friends, but friends.. yeah!

It’s always friends..!!!

Similarly, only a friend can betray. For, for a friend to betray someone, one must have the privileges of a friend.

That’s why.. It’s always friends..!!!

Also, you do things, things in secret, and you wish them to be secret always. But you are caught. And when you are caught, it’s got-to be either by a cop Or a friend.

It’s always friends..!!!

It feels like a celebrity.. hehe!!

2008-05-29T20:55:00.010+05:30

When you are tracked all through.. When every move of yours is followed.. You feel like a celeb.

When someone insists on befriending you.. When that someone does things to impress you, and remains unsuccessful.. You feel like a celeb.

When you are watched for even which way you look.. May be even which way you walk.. You feel like a celeb.

When that someone imagines what you might be thinking.. When they try to read your thoughts.. You feel like a celeb.

When you get free publicity for doing nothing.. When actually you abstain from doing something.. You feel like a celeb.

When you are a topic of discussion.. Whether the topic is sweet or sour, cold or hot.. You feel like a celeb.

When you are the center of attraction.. For no reason what-so-ever.. You feel like a celeb.

When you hide your head in the sand like an ostrich, and think that no one can see you.. You feel like a celeb.

When that someone cannot imagine the extent to which you can act like a celeb.. You feel like a celeb.

When in life you feel you are down.. Just moments before you realize that it’s all up.. You feel like a celeb.

When your life looks like a mess to others.. While in reality it may be just perfect.. You feel like a celeb.

When that someone performs a comedy of errors.. When you enjoy the attention you are getting.. You feel like a celeb.

When you are happy and unaffected by outside talks, words or deeds.. You feel like a celeb.

Isn't it?

SILENCE

2008-05-29T15:49:00.004+05:30

Who said, “If Speech is Silver, Silence is Golden”, ??? - False it is.

For once, Tin happened to experience a whole new situation in his life, one like smelling the odour coming out of a sugar factory.

This was Tin – a jolly good fellow in every walk of life. He believed in keeping the atmosphere pleasant. Enjoying every moment being his passion for life, he would make new friends pretty quickly.

Now, he was a young guy, just out of college, and searching for a job. It was his interview day. He had applied in a large shipping agency and they needed lots of workers to join the crew. While waiting for his turn to come, unlike the other applicants who were getting anxious every now and then, this lad stayed cool. He was observing things around and trying to enjoy the ongoing skit, where helpers assisted the applicants and the interviewers. They were running around like as-if settling things out of a big mess. One such helper Avi was guiding Tin and a few others. Anxious interviewees made the atmosphere cold. Silence filled the air for most of the time and occasionally a few scared footsteps were heard. It seemed like a dungeon wherein a serial killer was waiting to do his job as victims approached him one by one. Tin broke the silence, made friends with Avi.

“Is this all we need to take in?”

“Yes, they won’t bother much.”

“How is it inside the dungeon?”

“There are two. One in this room and another in that..”

Just then, a.. tired of life kind-off.. old man walked out and in through one of those dungeons. Poor fellow was given the job of the serial killer for that day.

“How is this taskmaster?”

“He is crack”.. (Giggles surround).. “very slow and Strict too.”

“And I am going to be killed by him, right??”

“Yes”.. “The other one is good. He is recruiting many.”

“Then send me there..”

Now, Avi seemed to be dog tired, still kept a smile on his face constantly, and that attracted Tin. Avi told Tin, it was a hard life in this agency. But optimistic Tin showed extra excitement like an ever-ready battery. Avi smiled. Probably, he remembered his interview day. He sent Tin in the better dungeon and Tin was happy. Tin got the job easily and was heartily glad, for now he had something to do.

He was to be boarded on a ship - Riana. But this also meant that he had to be away from home for months. Anyways, he had to do it. Excitedly, he boarded the ship at the earliest he could. There he met many others, different crew members doing different jobs in different departments. He befriended most of them.

Riana was beautiful. A small cruise ship when compared to the other ships of the agency, but very big one for Tin. It had three decks. The top was the open deck, with a golf court, a garden lawn with snacks and drinks. Cool blue waters shone on all sides during the day, and at night created a deeply chilled atmosphere. The middle deck had food and lodging facilities for all. The bottom deck included games, entertainment theaters, and party rooms. An alluring waterfall ran down from the top to the bottom deck, behind the stairway. Another tantalizing thing was a painting in one of the corridors.

“Wow!”, exclaimed Tin to his fellow worker, whose name was Rev. They were passing that way, towards the food-house. They both were managers of that food-house.

“That painting was got from an antique store.”, Rev said, “Beautiful, isn’t it? It will soon be shifted into our food-house. It would make a nice show piece on wall opposite the cashier”.

“Oh! Is it?”

Nod.

Now that painting of an unknown author was a special one. Rev had to take it safely somewhere, but this he hadn’t told Tin. He somehow managed to put it under Tin’s responsibility. Tin saw to it well and they often admired it for hours. One fine afternoon, when the ship landed on the shore, the police came in for a casual checkup. They found stolen gold inside the frame. Since it was under Tin’s responsibility, he was caught and put in jail.. actually Trapped..!! And jail is never a good place to be in.

Tin had nothing to say but that he was innocent. He preferred to be quiet, as no one would accept his plea. He was jailed for 2 years.

Now there were different facilities available in jail, for the prisoners -Things to do, to learn, that could earn them a living once they got out. Tin found new life in there. But how good was it? Once he got out, he could again apply to join the ship, but would they take him? And even if he got that job, would he be accepted by his fellowmen? Would he make friends the same way as before? Questions in his mind wouldn’t end. But one thing needs to be answered..

Was his new life worth?.. worth his silence?

for that oh so spl Autograph book..

2008-04-19T12:16:00.014+05:30

Hello again.. :) [I’m back.. took some time, as I couldn't hang on to a single topic, and also lacked patience.
BigB has just started blogging, and look at the comments he’s got.. and look at us..!!! hehe, I’m just expressing my thoughts on what I’ve noticed. No envy.]

Ok, so here's what I’ve done while I was idle on this.. my blog.
Wrote a quote-turned-into-poem for the first page of her autograph book..

" Dear Teacher/Friend,

Write down a line,
In this book of mine,
For it will shine
Always, in future time.

You are my gift,
Special and dear,
The words you write for me,
I will always keep near.

Your memories,
I will always treasure.
And whenever I read them,
Draw immense pleasure.

So, what are you thinking dear,
Just take the pen and start scribbling here.. :) "

TP, but Fun

2008-04-19T11:23:00.004+05:30

[Read the first two lines, then added a few more..]

Tu sui, mi dora
Tu kali, mi gora :D

Tu paus, mi themb
Tu wild, mi tame

Tu bucket, mi mug
Tu chadar, mi rug

Tu limbu, mi ras
Tu driver, mi bus

Tu kissa, mi purse
Tu patient, mi nurse

Mi dhag, tu ambar
Mi road, tu dambar :D

-- So, how was that?

I wasn’t money minded, until yesterday..

2008-03-19T12:31:00.004+05:30

Money should be flowing.. from place to place, person to person, bank to hand, hand to bank, hand to wallet, wallet to shopkeeper, wallet to vegetable-seller, wallet to my hand and then back into the wallet, wallet to my hand and then to the one in need.. Whatever the case may be, to me.. money seemed to be either flowing (through my wallet) or stagnant (in others wallets). But I always felt it was made to be used.. like in.. to play games (the games we had played as kiddos – dukaan-dukaan, remember?). Till date, I still think it is meant only to be given to the shopkeeper, so that he gives you what you want. Easy thing to do, isn’t it?... hmm..... Hey!! Also to my college, so that I can someday graduate.. and to my evaluators, re-valuators, the varsity in general. They all seem to be in need of it.. that’s why they keep asking for it every-time.. are they in need, really? Or is it that they are just attracted to it for some earthly reason? I did not understand, until yesterday..

Yesterday was the day.. The D-day of my earthly life, Life that needs money, the one most precious thing created by a group of moving earthly bodies called humans. It was this D-day when I actually thought about the need for money. Discussed how I’d use it, when I’d earn (whenever that would be). It was an impossible task for me to do alone. Thank god for the company of my kiddo sis. Or.. so I had thought about her, coz yesterday she seemed to know more things-to-do than me..!! And again.. the money seemed to be free-flowing out of my wallet.. like captain cook salt.

God!!! I thought. Now I can get a small glimpse of what it would be like afterwards. And also understand a bit of what those words.. (what are they?.. haan..) money, earn, burn, save and the other similar ones mean.

Even after living on this earth for so many years, after having shopped for things in most of those years, after having done quite a few things to join educational institutes, after having gone to the doc so many times, after having starved that day when we did not have enough in-hand to eat coz we had used it all for journal binding, I still lived in ignorance. That’s why I said, “I wasn’t money minded until yesterday..”

Greenday – I walk alone – my way..

2008-03-07T16:26:00.006+05:30

I walk this dirty road
The only one that I got-to walk along
Knowing where it goes
Is just the reason for me to sing this song
I walk alone, I walk alone
I walk alone, Alone ya
The crowd is moving all around me
My shadow’s lurking well behind me
The sunshine makes my eyes go, in and small now
Now as I walk alone.. ta tada tada tada..taada..

They spray their mouths in air
’n decorate the pathway all along
Why it’s me again
I wonder, as I walk along
I walk alone, I walk alone
I walk alone, Alone ya
The smoker’s walking right in front ’o me
He’s looking like a moving chimney
As his cigarette is gives him company
Now slowly I take a turn.. ta tada tada tada..taada..

I look up all around
At everything that my vision shows me now
Hangings everywhere
But the kids play, is what I’d love to share
I walk alone, I walk alone
I walk alone, Alone ya
A new lane I see so curiously
I wonder where about it goes now
The building seems to come a ’lil closer
So here my dest. I found.. ta tada tada tada..taada..
ta tada tada tada!

Fantasy:

2008-02-29T17:15:00.008+05:30

Fantasy = daydream, fancy, hope, vision, flight of the imagination, castle in the sky.

I always had a fancy thought, as a kid of std. four or so, of seeing everyone traveling only on cycles, and the reason was it’s eco-friendly nature.. I used to think proudly. So then.. there would be nothing like rich or poor. Only one’s ability would decide where one would reach.. hehe!!

On thinking about our graduation day, I always got the vision of all of us -friends- wearing the black cap and holding a white paper roll in the hand.. all standing on the steps for a class photo. And then.. we take off the cap and flung it in the air together.. wow! it’d look so nice.. Feel even better - a sense of achievement. My friend even told me that such a thing doesn’t happen in our college.. but the word graduation still brings to me the same vision. Got lots of would-have’s (things I’d do) with that photo :)

A little sweet, a little sour, a little close, not too far.. all I need is to be free..

Random Thoughts

2008-02-11T11:49:00.000+05:30

Had been to water the plants this morning.. n wow! I saw quite a few flowers, in the otherwise mostly green garden. There were roses of all colours.. red, pink, yellow, orange.. I guess spring is finally here, after the long winter. Ahaan!! Now I know.. these business minded people make good use of this time. It’s just so easy to please someone with a flower right? No wonder.. Valentine’s Day is celebrated around this time of the year!! Hmm.. fine. Everyone has the freedom to do what they want, whenever they want. If only anyone could get me a green rose, I thought.. (of-course a non tinted one) ;)

on our Visit to the cement factory

2008-02-02T15:14:00.002+05:30

We had been to visit my friend’s cement factory.. one of the much awaited things to do. Had thought thought ’n thought, said said ’n said, but nothing was done in this case, for semesters.. until yesterday. So.. gathered all friends together and made the day totally ours.

We left home early in the morning, but started the actual journey out of the city a bit late.. a lil bit. Similar was the case while coming back. And that happened because of unmentionable reasons. Unmentionable because.. it’s about the rare expertise girls have in finding and following routes. Oh! Before you think otherwise, let me tell you.. we’r really good at this, better than most most most others :) And such things happen only because we want to stay connected, ’n saath-saath, so to say.

On-the-way-rides were fun both the times.. even with the normal chatting, music, and the country-side views.. and the not so normal search-the-right-ways. This becomes a vital issue when u don’t know where the shortcut turn is and are trying to find it in dark evenings. Add to it.. getting caught in the mini traffic jam.. ’n thus becoming a lil restless. But how else do u learn?.. learn to discover, ~~use~~ read the notice boards meant to guide travelers, get out of the situation ’n feel a sense of accomplishment, and.. learn to listen! So, such things must happen. What’s the fun if u go the right way always.. isn't it? (we should sometimes go to the left also;)

Btw: I missed out something.. my driving session:

On our way back home, I was asked to hold the steering wheel for a while, kind-of an open invitation to me to try my hand at driving for the very 1^st time.. wow!!.. I caught it tight at first.. trying to understand the movements.. (of the wheels that I couldn’t see.. and the curves of the road that didn’t actually move).. and the moment I stopped trying to understand.. I instantly, fell in love with it! With a wonderful guide, teacher, friend on the hot seat, I did not have the slightest hesitation of what I was doing. Neither did I have to accelerate, nor apply the breaks, nor do anything with the clutch. While I was enjoying this.. there were 4 of them on the back seat.. on full alert (coz the speed was nearly 100) Hehe, they, who were till that moment relaxing, almost tired and half asleep, were now.. I can say.. on their toes, ready to scream at any moment. But they got no chance.. instead they they too began to enjoy the ride..(I thought so, because of the pictures taken at that moment). So now I feel.. aa.. well.. Confident, that I too can someday take anyone for a wonderful ride on the country side.. :)

’n ya, the cement factory was.. like a cement factory.. well managed, out of the city, with efficient labourers ’n good machinery to produce good product, comfortable guest rooms, real good cooks, and a jhoola :)
As for the factory’s cement processing info, any chemistry book would give u the details. That’s why I did not mention it. Don’t mind ok.. ;)

Sirsi Talk (Season -2)

2008-01-16T17:28:00.001+05:30

[Written on public demand ;)... or call it the panch-request(read as: punch-request)... after reading Season-1]

We again went on a trip to Sirsi this holiday season. This time.. with the complete hum-panch group, as compared to the trio of season-1. While going, we were a little impatient to finish-up with the journey. The bus was noisy. This time.. the plane, on the way to Hubli, had already taken off, but, it was moving pretty slowly, to our surprise. And the nine Bahubali statues still lie there, but with little maintenance. Also,every town now, I guess, has this new fashion of possessing a new, meagerly-used bus stand along with the rushy-pushy old one.

This time our stay was divided. One night in this house, and another night in the other. What to do.. two families, two homes, two nights, requests/demands from both sides, and our convenience! :D
Our days were on roaming - visiting, repeating some journeys along with a few new ones, recalling..was like revising memories of season-1.., still making it a new experience as we panchams were together. We enjoyed with everyone, be it at home, out, dining table, bus, bed or bathroom! :P

These days were like.. made to fulfill our wishes.. wow! Felt so good, and satisfied as we saw them happening one by one. The visit to the rocky waters, and the amazing field-like view of the flowers in the nursery.. were among those special wishes. This time we had been to the Krushi Mela, organized by ‘some’ organization, in favour of the local farmers. They had a beautiful show set up for everyone to enjoy. The flower nursery was also a part of this exhibition. In the centre of the ground was a live musical, dance, comic show going on. This was surrounded by stalls.. of all kinds. I’ll talk about my favourite few.. The silkworm stall displayed the entire life cycle and the method of silk production with real keedas(silkworms). It seems that a single worm produces almost 1000 meters long silk thread. Rich keedas, aren’t they? Other wonderful things were the tents.. skillfully decorated, one with paddy, another with jackfruits, another with coconuts.. of all types.. and another with areca-nuts... That was one amazing style we saw for the first time. Also, the trees there were beautifully lit with lampshades, side-lamps and other small bulbs. It gave a really pleasing sight in presence of the single-lingual crowd that I don’t like. Thus distracting me and giving a good feeling of having attended the display. (Btw: crowd is what I don’t like and single-lingual speech is what I don’t hate;) They also had handicrafts made of cane, jute and wood. Another interesting thing was.. the natural plate making factory – a bull tied to a machine took rounds continuously while the machine produced dry, leafy, strong-enough food-plates. Wonder how the bull didn’t seem to feel dizzy! :-?

The next day.. we had the most wanted thing to do.. trip to Yana :)
Hired a vehicle and fled off to the rocks, all excited! It was the ghat section. But no dizzy-bizzy feeling.. all were into the singing mood, enjoying the ride and the ghaty scenary. To our surprise, uncle was taking a video; and we did not know it was our’s until we saw it at home later that night.. mast video bana hai, comedy knows no bounds in there! :D
Ok!! so.. after completing the long journey.. we began our trek towards the yana rocks. The walk was good.. enjoyable, amidst thick trees and a narrow pathway. Soon we heard the sound of water flowing.. though we saw it only a few times, it generated a feeling of ‘wow!’ from within. After the walk, there were big, uncomfortable steps to climb. But the sight of the huge, cracky-looking rocks and the exitement to reach them finally, was enough to get us moving. It seems that the continuously flowing water has made a Shiv-linga.. on the rock, and so they have made a temple over there. And that was the reason for us to go over.. round the temple, on rocky, amazingly beautiful pathways.. bare-footed. Later we got nicely roasted on foot, because this place is a manganese storehouse/ore. So imagine how hot the mud would be. Ah! We heard lots of screams and shouts. We climbed everywhere possible, and relaxed in the marvelous scenery. Photo sessions were continuously going on. Unmentionable Comics happened at the tap-waters. We were told that there are 61 such rocks in the entire forest area, but we saw only two -huge ones.

And then, when we did not want to get out of there.. hunger was the key.. we went to Honnavar, got our stomachs over-full and left to see the Sunset at Murudeshwar.. another wish from season-1 fulfilled here. No jatra this time.. I was heartily glad :) wow! but the beach was full:( ~~lovely waves though :)
And as it was just a few minutes to sunset.. we saw masses of people.. don’t really know if they were young, old or kiddos.. all being drawn towards the Sunset Point. It was indeed a worth watch, with all the effort rewarded instantly. (Not like our stupid exams, with delayed unsatisfied results). The Sun must be feeling so precious, so much loved, that so many people flock to see him, time and again.. Everyday.. at different places. Lucky he.. enjoy!!.. both he and we, the Showman and the Audience :D

Then next day we came back home.. that’s it. But the journey was funnily enjoyable. Playing background vocal music for the fellow travelers, we sure made their journey memorable, but the happier ones were we. One fellow was getting a little restless.. felt like giving him one box on his face.. but he behaved himself well in advance. At lunch time.. we irritated the conductor.. went to buy biscuits and he had to wait for 1 full minute extra. There was no lunch, but we played food-antakshiri.. this is one nice game, playable anywhere, anytime, with anyone. We reached one-n-half hour early and that was indeed a very pleasing end of the journey :)

What should I call it?

2008-01-01T18:19:00.000+05:30

Well now.. have you seen the main theme of anything changing anytime??
Or should I say.. have you seen the title of any product changing??
I have done that.. changed the title of this.. my blog.. every now and then in the last two months, that now I’m confused as to what I should call it.
First i had called it princess writes..
then changed it to it's me.. Snehal
then, :) and a picture
and now it is Snehal writes..
Arranging, changing and re-arranging.. tried everything but nothing seems to be absolutely fine.
Can you help me out?
And.. that is also the reason for me adding all these pictures over here.
Let them be, or ??????

Oops... btw: HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008 :)

now that's like me.. (naturally, Snehal)

X'mas 2007

2007-12-26T12:05:00.001+05:30

Hear 'Christmas' and I can't stop thinking about carols. Old, new.. all the same.. they take me into the jolly-good-mood I need to get a feel of the festive season that comes with blessings, love, joy, cakes, friends, fun (and now exams). Whether it's the lively joy to the world, or the soft silent night, or the story telling long time ago or those with funny rudolph, dashing santa, angels or the three kings... I like them all :) And before this festive excitement dies down, I thought of taking a few pictures..

heard that jingling music of the play toy at the very start of the song.. nice no?

2007-12-15T15:40:00.000+05:30

Try this.. (If you are interested ;)

Above average.. what rubbish.. I know nothing enough to even pass.
But the grade is still B.. :P
If you try, tell me yours.. :)

2007-12-07T13:05:00.000+05:30

Felt I should continue this poem
Now that I read it again,
For, forever a note to retain
It will remain.

Times and Things, both have changed
For better, for worse, I know not yet
It’s going to be nonane, decane instead of heptane, octane
Copies they’ll be though
Yet completely different.
I don’t want this gift
Still santa insists.. and I must have it.

Magical it seems
Still.. to me and all.
I dare not even wonder, it holds what all!!!
For I fear, me it will mould.. to what I am untold.

Remembered the times of gold
When all good luck itself showed.
Quite some times of real fun
They still come alive, those thoughts of old.

Cherishable they are,
I will never forget
That joy of friendship, of love and care,
Of excitement, of thrill,
Of small achievements and crowning titles,
All those moments, of fun so rare.

Now they are moments of past
Forever in memories they will last,
Decide to make many more
Such livening pleasures, for life is untold.
And we may need them all the more,
While shrinking with sore.

Today is the day we got to share
Joys, fun and loving care,
With everyone whom we meet
Ah! All these words only seem so sweet.
Yet I’ll give it a try, I know not why
And how this will benefit
I’ll tell you, the next time we meet.

Actually there’s no need of that. For..
I tell you.. I laughed my heart out when I read this completed piece,
And that’s the benefit it all yields.
(And I’m still saying wah! wah!! ..hehehe)
Ah! Feels so good when we’r light.. isn’t it?
Thank you dear words for making me alright.. again :)

Catch 2

2007-11-12T17:49:00.000+05:30

Just as I was about to retire,
Just as I was to extinguish the fire,
A thought flashed into my mind,
That I was to leave my college days behind.
Those were the days of fun and frolic,
Those were the days of gifts and gossip,
Those were the days of bunking the classes,
Those were the days of “cheering” with tea glasses.
Days of bowing down before seniors in first year,
Days of fearing EDC and NT the next year,
Days of running behind Profs for internals in third year,
Days of preparing for MBA and Campus the last year.
Now, these days will never come by,
Now, we’ll never do “Assignment ki Chapayee”,
Now, in the canteen, we’ll never have samosa and tea,
Now, in the gathering, we’ll never dance to the rhythm of beats.
No “hyaaa…t” screaming in the class,
No aero plane flying towards the dais,
No linking of girl’s name with that of a boy,
No fresher parties full of “masti” and joy.
But these days have taught us to take pride, A
nd also to take success and failure in our stride,
They have brought out our hidden talent,
They have taught us to be independent.
There are so many memories to take away home,
There are so many friends that I am not alone,
There are so many contacts in my “INBOX”
There are so many messages on “Sign-off”.
The extra tuitions, the Internship training,
The “Industrial” tour, the canteen chatting,
The VII SEM seminar transparency,
The VIII SEM project: FACTS and FANTASY.
The Exam form, the Express coffee,
The Result day, the Class party,
The writing on the desk, the writing on the wall,
The cheating in exams, fearing one and all.
All these “yaadein” are there forever,
All the GFs-BFs, may there love be forever,
The DOSTS and YAARS may change NEVER,
Remember the movie we saw together!
So, Just as I was about to retire,
Just as I was to extinguish the fire,
Another thought flashed into my mind,
That this part of the tape will never "REWIND"

The 'Sachin' Incident.

2007-11-10T19:33:00.000+05:30

This happened a few months ago at college. It was noon. Nivi and I had been to the library for some work. After having done with it, we happened to walk towards the mini cross-road (one leading to the lib and another to the café).

Nivi wanted to meet a friend from another class.. whom we usually find almost anywhere in the campus, cross-roads included! Normally this place is crowded. But that day we could actually count the ones present.

There was one group of boys standing on that way. We passed by them and something happened. Suddenly I turned, thinking that I had seen my friend’s classmate.. (naturally.. wanting to ask him where we could find her). I called out.. Sachin. He didn’t hear. So I called out once again, this time a lil louder SACHIN. And all of them looked at me. But this fellow wasn’t looking like Sachin. For a while I wondered YYY????

Soon I realized.. almost everything.. my misunderstanding, his not being him and possibility of people watching (but... amm.. probably his green shirt was the culprit). Ah!

Sorry.. I thought you were someone else.. I said and took an about turn. My shoulders up! Tongue out..to the left.

And this side I find Nivi laughing at me, at my funny act (as she thought it was).

That wasn’t the end. I began explaining to her why all that happened.. the causes, reasons.. After all.. it was she who wanted to meet that madam. I just happened to have a helping heart at that moment, that too.. one completely out of the way :D

And among that laughter and those live facial expressions.. as we walked with all possible hand movements, I saw hero (another fellow!) coming towards us. He met us within half a minute after that incident. Thank God! He didn’t witness it all.. I thought. But what would have happened?.. Just that his gleeful face would continue to smile a little longer.. for the reason being me and wouldn’t that be nice?.. Naa!.. I shared this with quite a few friends that day and many times wondered yeh kyun hua?!!! :)

I’m left alone :(

2007-10-16T17:33:00.000+05:30

They come, they sit, they talk, they laugh,
They go away…I’m left alone.
I’m forced to come, I’m forced to sit,
I try to talk and laugh the same way,
I feel I can’t.. I’m left alone.

They come their way, they do their will,
They sing their song and go away…
I come my way, I sing my song,
I try to be the same I was..
I feel I can’t.. I’m left alone.

They see a dream, they have a wish,
They fulfill their desires and go away…
I get no sleep, I’m scared to wish,
With a blank vision.. I’m left alone.

They try to get me involved, I be with them.
They try to make me happy, a (false?...not really!!) smile I put-up.
They enjoy.. I try to.
And when they want they go..
I feel like waiting.. I feel I’m left alone.

They keep the atmosphere glowing
When they are not there, I feel like crying.
With a dark cloud and a heavy heart.. I’m left alone.. I’m left alone.

They are my thoughts.. oh yes! They are mine
At cloudy times they come and shine,
They make me glad and I’m no longer sad,
I’m happy they are mine.. at least THEY are mine :)

---

These were his thoughts.. when he fell hard..
or it must have been even harder..
I know not how much..
but yes, they sure were close to this.

I love...

2007-10-04T18:55:00.000+05:30

It’s been a long time since I’ve loved a day so much. It began in a very similar manner like any other day. I just did not want to get out of bed even though I was awake... Hmm...so goes a saying..."Every morning you are given a choice, either to go back to your dreams or to get up and chase those dreams". No. I did not wake up with this thought :D (just remembered it now...while it is time to rest again).

But I had to get ready, dress up.. pretty soon, then go attend those ever boring lectures for hours together. They seem like ages, but are much better than the company of those dangerous, gloomy, weakening thoughts. Work keeps me busy and I love it. However trivial it might seem to be...still it is the best way to pass time.

Did I say pass time? Well! Today, time just passed...gleefully...and I noticed it.

When in the morning I was late for the bus and got mama on her nerves on this,

When I enjoyed the breezy ride on the way to college, When the class got totally packed…for attendance...and shruti had to use a plastic chair and sit in the middle of a passage between the rows, blocking the way on all sides :D (well, that’s the chair...a special one...that nobody wants to use. There are about 3-4 of them actually...hehe).

Then, I loved it When akshata taught me a few Vedic tricks on mathematics, When nivi and me discussed some real good algorithmic stuff together, When we(sneha, nivi, manu, juhi and me) jumped to see who could touch the name plate on the door-top...hey!! sneha and juhi did not jump :P

Then...When we were so few for the last class that turned out to be so interesting with effective mind processing and kool eye-contacts, When I felt the lunch weighing me down, When I loved the way I pampered myself and then the oh! So masti-bhare labs we love, where we have applied for more efficient printers...that will surely be considered in benefit of our juniors. Loved them so much today that I came home and wrote down all that we had done till now :P

and after all that, spending a lovely time at home...here I am ready for the break...cya! :)

Catch 1

2007-09-25T17:55:00.000+05:30

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with a bag of potato chips and a six-pack of root beer and started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park, just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her some chips. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.

Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Again, she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon, eating and smiling, but they never said a word.

As twilight approached, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave; but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman, and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.

When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, " I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"

Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, "Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?" She replied! "I ate potato chips in the park with God." However, before her son responded, she added, " You know, he's much younger than I expected."

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime! Embrace all equal...

---
How true are these words... Indeed! there are so many such people I meet almost everyday.
Isn't that lovely? Thank God for them. Yet, many times they go unnoticed... and I keep searching for some good, for some joy... failing to realize that it is always there with me.
It's a funny life!
:)

Private message

2007-08-13T18:19:00.000+05:30

I was just going through my Inbox, checking mails, as usual. Read a few, forwarded some, deleted some, and ignored some others. Checked out if anyone was online but found none. Needed to get my hands on something interesting but nothing seemed to click. An all time boring song was playing in winamp. Was just bored of all this. ENUF!!! I said. And just before I logged out, mama was here, next to me. She was curiously looking at the screen, trying to read something sensible...and probably find answers to her own questions...like, what makes me sit in front of the pc for so long. She knows that these contain jokes, pics etc. She knows about chat too. But is still curious to find something more...obviously, every mother would.

Just then, before I notice, a mail...(so-and-so)has sent you a private message dropped right at the top my Inbox.

There it was, on top, like the latest headline of the day, clearly noticeable.

God!!! I thought, as I looked at the screen...shocked!!!

Never had I seen a mail with such a title.

Motionless, I was, for a while...probably wondering how, why and what this individual contained.

It was playing its solo instrumental on my mind...BANG! BANG! BANG!

I tried to scroll the page up n down, but nothing seemed to work.

She read it out for me, loud and clear, with deepened curiosity.

Woo! I had to open it.

Both of us were looking at the screen. Even the screen must have wondered what was on it!

Ah! To my relief, it just had a link...an invitation to join another virtual community.

God! Who gives such weird titles to such mails!!!

Forgive them lord for they do not know what they do, enlighten them with some basic knowledge (like how to give appropriate titles) and save us too as we become prey to mails like these.

vacating the mind of vacation thoughts

2007-08-09T19:38:00.000+05:30

Yeh hawa, kehti hai kya, samjho, meri jaana, meri jaana...

This is the song I must have played more than 15-20 times in the past few days…just love to hear it, hum it, listen to it, utter it and that’s it…I said…that’s it!

THAT’S IT echoed somewhere in the back of my mind. But there it was, on my lips…I was singing it again! :)

[smiling]…dil kya kare jab kisiko..

Pata nahi kyun…but the state of my mind might just be the right reason for me to sing yeh hawa…an unsteady, wondering state of mind.

These holidays have been no different from the past ones…(the semester vacations received in bits, of which you can hardy relish a byte) and yet very different. It included every basic characteristic from each of its ancestors > some work that needed to be done like… cleaning the wardrobe, the book shelf etc. > taking a look at the messy room and attending to it > the unplanned trips…forming fond memories > irregular visits and meetings…that keep you involved for most part of the day and give you a feeling of WOW! I’VE DONE SOMETHING > the rain…yes, the lovely continuously pouring rain, which creates a pleasant atmosphere with the sound of every drop, cutting off all your meetings while it comes to meet the earth!! > and other times…really long ones…which leave you wondering as to what to do next…leave you with one big question mark…bigger than yourself, bigger than your world > and then a few efforts to write something that went in vain…which now I guess is undone :) And then there was some placement activity too.

A glass of water in this vessel and another in that. One, for the noodles she wanted, and the other for my tea. Ah! Chores apart..

So, here I was supposed to be enjoying my holidays and they continued…without ever stopping the search…the search for something that was missing, something that was making me anxious all the time.

Mama, I cry, she isn’t here. And by the time she comes, I’ll be fine.

To phir aaaoo...is the song running on tv and I decide to stop here…got-to go have the refreshing cup of tea :)

That day, @ the wedding…

2007-06-26T13:16:00.001+05:30

We had an invitation to a Hindu wedding...and after quite a lot of discussion we all agreed to go. Since the sky was clear that morning, it looked a pretty dry n sunny day. Little did we know that it would start pouring just when we had to leave. Anyways, we reached the place in time. It was a very big hall with as big dining room sufficient for accommodating about 500 people. hmm...and I was wondering when the Pujari-ji would finish his lullaby.

Then, at an unexpected instance, a young lad came forth to meet my dad. I didn’t know him and was just looking at him. He was well...a very good looking, descent fellow and probably friendly too...NEVER JUDGE SOMEONE SO QUICKLY. He looked like a smart young man well eligible for one of those ‘Raymond’ ads.

As I was wondering who he might be, dad asks us both…do u know each other?...I quickly said NO. So then after the briefest intro...(so I felt...coz I din have words to speak at that moment)...and some hi/hello...he left.

Then later, quite some time before we left the function, he came again...this time to meet mom...again there just could not be any talk between us...obviously all were around. Naa..that's a lame reason, just that I didn't speak up. He was an ambitious person...wants to be an IAS officer. Saw him walk off...n ya, he walked pretty well too...smart gait.

Well, finally let me introduce him to you...He is the son of my dad’s best friend...to whom I was talking when he came...for a moment I felt like saying, “wow uncle, is that your son?!!”.

well..all this apart...some people leave an imprint on the mind...n that's what has got me into writing this post.....balle balle!! jeeyo unke lal :D

The lucky soul

2007-06-12T11:49:00.000+05:30

Once upon a time in history,

Born in a holy city,

To a noble couple with hearts so sweet,

Was this princess, whom now you meet…

I actually don’t know what happened then,

May be I looked like the chick of a hen.

Coz my cousin used to pull my leg,

Down to the floor, from the bed.

A kid he was and very dear,

Whose birthday I didn’t miss, even in his first year.

We fought at times, but the victory was mine,

I am sorry I say, for those childish days.

With all love and care bestowed,

Only joy to me was showed,

And when a loud cry echoed the street,

Every heart with a soul would beat.

And I always got a treat

Of chocolates…very very sweet.

Which did rot my teeth...but they were really very sweet.

Then at school my friend I found,

And turned into a smile, my lazy frown.

There I learnt how to mingle,

And spread smiles to every single.

Always waited for vacations to come near,

More than that to meet my mate so dear.

To sing and dance and play all day,

And to share secrets, I must say!

She, then, had two little surprised eyes,

Now, has grown with grace and poise.

I was admired all these years,

And now it’s my turn to admire her :)

And in between a star was born,

Much more noble than the old.

It stuck on my face a smile so tight,

Which no power of the world could wipe.

I wish you luck and blessing so strong,

So that you may never go wrong,

And if ever, always grow strong.

Life indeed has silently,

Many a lessons to me taught..

Fixed in the permanent memory,

That need not say...forget me not!

Was kept away from films, but the TV was close..

Was left alone at times, but God was close.

Was kept away from all harm, intruders got close..

Was about to slip and fall, but got awakened...this lucky soul.

With that great resistance, a power developed;

This coy became bold.

And never again would allow this happen,

Made a firm decision..untold.

Thank you dear friend for always being here

With me, sailing through cloud and clear.

Always in me you will remain..

Please make this promise once again

2007-05-23T15:58:00.000+05:30

LIFE

2007-05-19T17:53:00.000+05:30

IN MINOR CHILDHOOD…TO BE IGNORANT,
IN MAJOR CHILDHOOD…TO BE PLAYFUL,
IN MINOR TEENS…TO BE OBEDIENT,
IN MAJOR TEENS…TO BE OBSERVANT, REASONING & LEARNING.
IN TWENTIES…TO BE SPECIALISING,
IN THIRTIES…TO BE JUDICIOUS,
IN FORTIES…TO BE WATCHFUL & THOUGHTFUL,
IN FIFTIES…TO BE FORGETFUL,
BUT ALWAYS TO BE ENJOYING
& IN THE REST of LIFE TO REMEMBER & CHERISH
THE MEMORABLE MOMENTS
TO MARCH MAJESTICALLY INTO ETERNITY.

The Perfect Companion

2007-05-15T18:16:00.000+05:30

It was a pleasant sight that dawn, when I was out in my gallery, to check out how the day looked like. I saw two little birds, kingfishers they were, with their bright blue wings and a shiny red beak, attracting my sight and possibly the other’s too. With a pale white body and two brown feet that went unnoticed, there they were, preparing a nest for their living.

I saw them once and couldn’t take my eyes off. The sight was unusual. I had never seen a bird actually making its nest, its home! It was indeed delightful to watch both of them alternately helping in carving out their house. They were making a hole in a broken mud-wall, digging out the extra unwanted stuff with the strong beak and the two quick feet.

Then, there came a time when both birds were tired and were still trying hard to complete the job. Finally, one of them couldn’t continue and stopped. Now, both of them were looking at each other and wondering what the other wanted to say. Or may be that I was wondering and the two little ones were actually conversing, in their own silent way!!! After a while, one of them again decided to continue and it did the job alone until the other joined, very soon. For a moment I wondered which one of them was the female bird. Surely, it must have been the hardworking one

The job was not that could be done in a day’s time. So, the next day I again went out, this time…to SEE if the birds were still there. And YES, they were, doing the job silently and dedicatedly.

Now, I thought, why were they building a NEW nest? May be that the old one was struck by a windfall, or was invaded by some other powerful bird, or the hot climate might have caused their migration, or that they felt the NEED for a brand new nest, just like that. Whatever the reason, they taught me one thing – that, LIFE MUST GO ON…with the same vigor and zeal as it had first begun.

Indeed, they were to each other, A Perfect Companion, I concluded!

just a poem

2007-05-15T18:10:00.000+05:30

My heart is not in pain,
Without those moments of gain;
I hope to shine sometime,
Even before I become thine;
Please show me the sunshine,
Before I loose my mind;
Please let the rain drop,
Before my eyes stop;
Help me hold on…
Until this life goes on

An oasis I want to be,
To someone who really needs me;
A useful part I want to become,
To every body that includes me;
A happy soul I want to remain,
Even when everything else is drained;
Just like you O divine,
Let my little light shine;
Help me hold on…
Until this life goes on

:)

my teacher mai

2007-05-15T17:41:00.000+05:30

Waking up in the morning with an open mind to see what the day has in store for her, beginning the day with a regular visit to the nearby church, doing the same household chores and giving tuitions to the little ones. This is the daily routine of a 65+ years old woman called “gori-aunty”, who does not feel bored even for a while, who does not complain of any of her adversities, who considers every moment of her life as the will of God.
She never expects any favours. Instead does favours for others, may be her friends or neighbours. Sharing, especially the tasty dishes she prepares, has been her unique act which everyone in the neighbourhood must have observed. Taking one day at a time and finding joy in those activities, which she has been doing since years, is one wonderful quality in her, which I truly appreciate.
Then why do I just being a young college student at times get frustrated when things don’t go accordingly, feel disappointed when I’m not accounted for my work, get angry when my younger sister does not listen to me, feel bored in my vacations and complain when there is so much to do?
Can’t I, being educated for about 15 years now, learn a simple lesson from the not so highly educated gori-aunty?

Sirsi Talk

2007-01-25T18:12:00.000+05:30

Our trip to Sirsi began early that morning at about 8:30am. The journey was good, with our talks including topics about friends, reduced number of holidays, roads (remembered quite a bit of Civil Engg.), birds (peacocks) and Orkut too.

On the way we were astonished to see the air-plane move on its track...(along with us) and the Bahubali statues, close to Hubli. We also delivered a SIM-card on the way to a friend at Dharwad, which took some effort from the receiver missing us at the old bus-stand and then moving ahead to catch up at the new one. We did a bit of pet-pooja… munching some snacks. And then, singing throughout till the end of the journey was real ‘strain-buster’. So, we did not get very tired. With the two singers on my either side, I was indeed into the game complementing and supporting both of them. It was exciting.

We reached Sirsi in the afternoon at about 2:30pm. Lunch time :)

We had the typical ‘Sirsi food’ including sambar, tambli, hashi and appehuli daily. Early that evening we had been to see a few places within the town like Maarikamba Temple, Raghvendra Math and St. Anthony’s Church. The sunset there was awesome! We then had GM...t’was spicy n’ tasty... and sapota-shake and went back home.
The next morning we had the benne paper-dosa (the butter being optional), which was our morning break-fast almost everyday. Heading towards Sahastralinga, we travelled partly by tempo and partly by Rick. An uncle accompanied us there. Blessed by the Sharavati river it makes a nice water place for an enticing picnic. We seriously missed the other friends a lot. Took a few snaps...snaps se yaad aaya, I re-wound Pragati’s camera role. Oops! But then later told uncle and got it done well. Ah!

You know, the people there are so kind. Go to anybody's house and they'll serve you home-made banana chips. And every-one there has a fixed menu for the guest to choose from. It goes like this: “What would u like to have?
1) tea
2) coffee or
3) kashai (now, this new drink is ‘flavored milk’)”.

Coming back, later that afternoon we went to Banwasi. The Kadambas once ruled there. Hence there is this Madhukeshwara temple. The temple is built in the name of Lord Shiva with a honey coloured ‘Shiv-linga’ installed in the place of worship. It was built gradually over the centuries. There is a big chariot made of black rock which is taken in procession during the festival. A smart Nandi, about 10 feet tall, also, cut out of a rock, is seated in all its elegance in front of this temple looking at the Shiv-linga through it’s left eye, while looking at Goddess Parvati seated in the adjacent temple through it’s right. The pillars of the temple display images as should be seen though concave and convex lenses, partly, but both in the same curve of the pillar - A mark of great engineering work and architecture. We did Bharat-darshan too...because the Kadambas have collected statues as memoirs from all over India and installed in the surrounding area. The trees required for worship were planted in Pampa-vana, named after the great poet Pampa. The Varada river flowing though this place is a treat to the eyes and looks just like wallpaper on the PC.

The next day we got into an almost empty bus to Honnavar.
Singing along was so much fun as the only people alive, except the driver, were ‘we’!!! Others were simply waiting to reach their destination, I guess. There were lots of fruits being sold on the station like the local jumbo and some veggies. We stayed at Savitakka’s home (nivi’s aunt). The same day we visited the Karikanamma temple on the hill. The scenary there was wonderful. The view included the deciduous forests (on the mountains covering almost all the three sides visible), and the Arabian Sea at a distance giving a feast to the eyes. I seriously wished I had a handicam. Oh!!! for that. Then, getting into the cab again we moved ahead towards Idgunji, where residents told us that the Ganesh idol in the temple was installed by Narad-muni. Artistic handicrafts made of cane were being sold outside. We then headed towards the Murdeshwar. From quite a distance we could see the huge idol of Lord Shiva which is located near the temple. To our fate, it was the day of ‘jatra’ (festive day), which had dragged lots of devotees there and we had to walk enough though the crowd. This was just another reason for us to miss the sunset. These feelings were soon replaced by wonder and awe as we approached the Big Statue of Shiva. One of his arms is damaged, actually broken, due to lightening during the last rains. But there’s nothing to worry. It’s under construction:). There is a pillar made of real gold situated in front of the temple which is on one side of the statue, while on the other side, there are hotels. We saw an old couple seated outside in one of the balconies gazing at the majestic Shiva. The sunset point is supposed to be another scenic place.

The next day, we spent quite some time at home, enjoying auntie’s delicacies. Later that afternoon we drove to see the railway on the bridge. The picturesque river with small islands wasn’t getting out of our sight. We simply marveled at it. There is a road bridge also, of about 1km. At a short distance across the road bridge is the Kaserkod beach where we played and strolled-by for quite some time before moving on for a boat ride, on our way back home... Imagine 4 people seated on a single motor-bike. We surely were an amusement for the passers-by.

Next morn, there was a twist for all of us. We made an unexpected visit to Roopa’s house(@ Kumta) while going back to Sirsi. We sure made her happy. This was the cause for our ‘double breakfast’ that morning.

Nivi’s father’s ancestral home is in Goran-mane while her mother’s is at Jaji-mane. I’m sure you’ve not got these Kannada words:). Both of these are villages nearby Sirsi. People have made their homes close to the farms which are located on the mountains. Hence there was no network for our mobile. Though, there were basic facilities including electricity and a landline telephone connection.

Every family has a well, for water, used at home as well as in the farm. Since the food crops do not provide sufficient income, villagers grow areca-nut (adike), banana, vanilla and pepper too ‘all-in-one’. Luckily, we got to see how the worker removes the areca-nuts from trees and slides the bunch down to ground on a rope tied to him, while another worker collects them at the other end of the rope. Using a simple ringed cloth he slowly and carefully moves from one tree to another with much ease. T'was brilliant. A part of these areca-nuts are then pealed of their skin, boiled and then allowed to dry in the Sun on an over-head roof called ‘betta’. Another part of adike is dried with the skin to produce another variety. Totally the farmers produce about 6 varieties, which are then converted into a whole lot of 16 varieties in the market.

We spent a whole evening at the fire-place outside the house where they boiled the adike. It was a cool moon-lit night. With the stars above, in between the palms and other trees, we recalled past memories. Ajji served us some more mouth-watering dishes which made our stay ‘perfect’.

We soon drove to Sirsi. All excited to give an actual description of our trip to all at home, we got into the bus. Again the 6-hour long journey just passed off in a short time. This time it was without those ‘hit ho ya flop’ bollywood songs. Finally, the journey was made memorable by our very own Belgaum-sunset and the leafless birdie trees.

:)