Randomized Rainbow

Little Surprises of Life

2011-10-13T23:54:00.004+05:30

Absolutely Random thought... when u sit in your office cab after a tired day of work, what is the first thing on your mind?
Oh wow... who is my cabmate? Let me bond with her? Nope its like.. whoever you are and wherever you stay ... just do me a favor.. don't talk loudly on the phone, and dont make the cabbie take detours... coz I dont care if you don't have a life! But I do!! :)

What you surely dont expect is to meet someone that you talk 5 sentences with during the cab ride... to become friends with you.

But thats exactly what happened with me... I sat in the cab... asked her where she stayed... the look on her face was also like... "Don't you dare talk to me... coz I promise if you do, I will bite! I can!" What was convenient was... she stayed exactly on the way to my godforsaken part of the town... Absolutely no detour! :)

SO cunning me traced her out on the company intranet the next day... asked her if she would like if the facilities guys can group us together... coz that will be perfect... luckily she agreed. So there we were cabmates. Initialy the conversations were polite... how was ur day etc... then slowly the bitching stared... and our sarcasm was well matched... and we started looking forward to the lone rides to office.

The way back home was more fun... we will invariably have another extra person... (4th one) that none of us would like... we will start with snide comments... private jokes... then over time... ppl started avoiding the cab... coz we will show "the eyes"... the ones that said... "you wanna sit in our cab? like really? you dont like a peaceful life ? or are you suicidal?" It always worked...

We were not absolute demons... we had a few favorites... the ones who stayed two blocks away from the office kinds :)

Dont know when .... we became friends... like good friends... its difficult to meet people u gel with instantly... who are JUST like you... almost mirror image kind.

But all said and done... Divya Kiran I am happy I sat in that cab that evening :)

What Not to Say to an Armed Forces Wife

2011-04-29T10:55:00.002+05:30

A little note... this is not my original. But an adaptation of something an American Military wife wrote. I just fine tuned it and added some of my own experiences :)

1. "Aren't you afraid that he'll be killed?"
This one comes in at number one on the "duh" list for every Armed Forces Wife (AFW). Of course we're afraid. We're terrified. The thought always lingers in the backs of our minds -- but thanks, brilliant, you just brought it back to the front. Maybe next you can go ask someone with cancer if they're scared of dying.

2. "I don't know how you manage. I don't think I could do it."
This is intended to be a compliment, but it's just a little annoying. Here's why: It's not like all of us AFWs have been dreaming since childhood of the day we'd get to be anxious single moms who carry cellphones with us to the bathroom and in the shower. We're not made of some mysterious matter that makes us more capable; we just got asked to take on a challenging job. So, we rose to the challenge and found the strength to make sacrifices.

3. "At least he's not in the border."
This is the number one most annoying comment for those whose husbands are in Air Force. What do they think happens every time they go flying? A Joy ride? People get into emergencies and wives are as tensed!

4. "What are you going to do to keep yourself busy while he's gone?"
Short answer: try to keep my sanity. Maybe there's a AFW out there who gets bored when her husband leaves, but I have yet to meet her. For the rest of us, those with and without children, we find ourselves having to be two people. That keeps us plenty busy. We do get lonely, but we don't get bored, and drinking massive amounts of Vodka always helps keep me busy.

5. "How much longer does he have until he can get out?"
This one is annoying to many of us whether our husbands are seeing action or not. Many of our husbands aren't counting down the days until they "can" get out. Many of them can’t imagine doing anything else because they actually love what they.

6. "My husband had to go for business once for three weeks. I totally know what you're going through."
This one is similar to number two. Do not equate your husband's three-week trip toMumbai/London/Tokyo/etc. with a AF Dett. Aside from the obvious absence, at no point your husband was flying his own aircraft wearing a g-suit at 40 deg Celsius, he flew comfortably on a commercial plane, slept between crisp white sheets and ate well, paying for everything with an expense account. There is no comparison. We do not feel bonded to you in the slightest because of this comment and, if anything, we probably resent you a bit for it. Comparing a Armed Forces exerciseto a business trip is like comparing a Auto Rickshaw with a Honda City.

7. "Wow, you must miss him."
This one also gets another big "duh". Of course we miss our men. There are some wives who do not, and they're now divorced.

8. "Well, he signed up for it, so it's his own fault whatever happens over there."
Yes, he did sign up. Each and every day he protects your right to make stupid, ignorant comments like that. He didn't sign up and ask to be hit by anything -- he signed up to protect his country. Oh, and by the way, he asked me to tell you that "You're welcome." He's still fighting for your freedom.

9. "Don't you miss sex? I couldn't do it!"
Hmmm. Seriously ... AFW learn quickly that our relationships must be founded on something greater than sex. We learn to appreciate the important things, like simply hearing their voices, seeing their faces, being able to have dinner together every night. And the hard truth is, most relationships probably couldn't withstand weeks of sex deprivation.

Last but not least ...

10. "Oh, that's horrible ... I'm so sorry!"
He's doing his job and he's tough. Don't be sorry. Be appreciative and please take a moment out of your comfortable lives to realize that our men are deployed at the border so you stay safe.

The Radiance that is Hrusha

2011-04-17T23:23:00.008+05:30

You won my heart with hello. Not a day goes by, without me fearing that day when we will have to part ways, not because we want to but because we will have to. You take care of me like my mother will, when I am not well. You cuddle up with me, like your life depends on it. I can't stop hugging you at the drop of a hat.

Today, you are the most important part of my life and vice versa. Few years down the line there will be other people in your life who will mean more to you. Whose advice will make more sense and whose company you will enjoy more than mine. When that happens, I want you to know that I will still love you as much and care for you as much.

When someone hurts you emotionally I feel helpless. I want you to be strong. Like you can deal with the whole world when I am not around. I want you to be able to kick some serious ass that needs to be kicked. I also wish you will be sensitive enough to care for the old and the weak.

Above all, what I really want is for you to grow up to be someone who will respect the person she sees in the mirror.

I know you are only 7 now. I also know that to help you be the person I want you to be, your Baba and I have a major role to play. We promise that we will not keep any stone unturned to achieve that :)

Purani Jeans!! Central University!! And Cutting Chai!

2010-07-28T22:35:00.004+05:30

Sitting around trying to work... dil se songs playing in the laptop... एक अजनबी तू भी कभी आवाज़ दे कहीं से... मैं यहाँ तुकरों में जी रहा हूँ... Suddenly memories come flooding past. 1030 or so in the night, 5 girls and about 8 boys on top of the mushroom rock... no one is talking much just listening to the music and enjoying the lovely breeze that an unpolluted atmosphere has to offer... its drizzling... but we are all dry... shivering nonetheless... but dry coz are under the Huge Rock in the Central University of Hyderabad(UOH) called the Mushroom Rock... Mushrock as it is better known... :)

Along with this memory came rushing in other memories of times spent together with friends in the UOH... peacock lake... and the... faint bhajan in the morning from a faraway temple... or even ... NTS ki Mirchi Bhajji...

The hours spent outside GOPs waiting for some some gullible fool who will drop by and buy us samosa and tea... Man the lengths we would go to get free tea... :)

I also remember the one Sociology class I attended just cause I thot the proff was hot! Cant even remember the name now... and specially considering I am a Statistics Student and had a shortage in Attendance in my own subject.... thats must have been one hot guy!!! Now I wonder... was he really hot??? or was it just and illusion???

How I miss those times... getting drunk on brandy then head-banging to pathetic rock music... only to wake up with a sprained neck and a hangover the next morning...

Sitting outside LH3 trying to cram up on all the portions the day before the exams! Smoking amrutanjan coated cigarette and then puking our guts out!

And days later sitting in the same place with friends... and Bfs... :) now husbands :P (some our own ... some someone elses :P) and bitching about the same system! :)

When we growup... only those memories remain... the passion dies... or we supress them for our own good... but when suddenly something reminds us of those times it puts a smile back on our faces... some radio some where plays a song of that era and the gates open and the memories come rushing in!

Dear Señor Santa Claus...

2009-12-25T16:21:00.006+05:30

When I first heard him...I thought he sounded funny! But I had no choice, my friend loved him. Every time we hung out she would play his songs... But wait... after few weeks it started making sense. The songs were hauntingly beautiful, something I could hum along.

Come December... and out comes my colection of country music. Now that I am a mom and all we listen to are dance numbers... I still find time to listen to 'Am I That Easy to Forget.'

All those who know who I am talking about... how can you we forget 'Snow Flakes'
or 'Dear Señor Santa Claus' oh for those amazing Christmas times...Christmas times and mooney me is a regular phenomenon....

I am also digressing from my topic. This was supposed to me a wish list of all those things that I wanted for Christmas, not that I will ever get any gift for Christmas... :) but well no harm in hoping right?

1. I want to be able to walk without the fear of running late!
2. I wish I would know the right protocol when a beggar knocks my car window.
3. I want to know that my mother will always be there with me whenever I feel like talking to her.
4. I wish for the moon -- not so I can keep him for mine. I wish for him so I can have the courage to go on achieving more and more in life.

The Countdown Begins..The 12 Days of Christmas

2009-12-19T00:56:00.004+05:30

Its 7 days to christmas! And I am super excited! This time I decided I am gonna talk about Christmas Carols and Stories Behind them. :)

I will obviously start with my favorite Christmas carol.

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
...
...

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!

I will add the sing along at the end :)

We have all grown up listening to this number... but how many of us really know what it signifies?

The 12 Days of Christmas refer to the twelve day period that starts with Christmas day and ends on Epiphany (6th January). For the uninitiated Epiphany is a Christian festival on the 6th of January which celebrates the arrival of the wise men who came to see Jesus Christ soon after he was born.

It is said that in olden days England when King Henry VIII (the founder of 'Protestant' Church or 'the Church of England')ruled the country it was illegal to be a Catholic, so much so that one could get arrested for even carrying a Bible.

It was then, that this carol was written. Popular belief is that the 12 days and the various gifts are coded language for important parts of bible. Mainly written so children could learn about the Catholic religion, since it was illegal to have anything in writing that would indicate that you were a Catholic.

However there is no proof that this story is true. If you'd like to know more about this, please go to the 12 Days of Christmas page on snopes.com.

============
The song begins, On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me... The 'true love' was meant to represent God, and 'me' in the carol is the Christian man or woman who receives these presents.

The 'two turtle doves' are the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

The Three French hens represent God the Father, His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

The 'four calling birds' are the four Gospels in the New Testament of the Bible.

The 'five golden rings' are the first five books of the Bible.

The 'six geese a-laying' are the six days of creation.

The 'seven swans a swimming' are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The 'eight maids a milking' are the eight beatitudes, Jesus' teachings on happiness.

The 'nine ladies dancing' are nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.

The 'ten lords a-leaping' are the Ten Commandments in the Bible.

The 'eleven pipers piping' are the eleven faithful disciples of Jesus.

The 'twelve drummers drumming' were the twelve points of the Apostles' Creed.

============

While this explanation is very exciting and interesting... its is also very much possible that this song is a mere folk lore that was given meaning and a story much later.

However me being a mathematician couldnt help but note that if one added all the gifts that are mentioned in this carol the number that you will come to is this...

Day 1 - receive 1 gift
Day 2 - receives 3 additional gifts, making 4 total gifts
Day 3 - receives 6 additional gifts, making 10 total gifts
Day 4 - receives 10 additional gifts, making 20 total gifts
Day 5 - receives 15 additional gifts, making 35 total gifts
Day 6 - receives 21 additional gifts, making 56 total gifts
Day 7 - receives 28 additional gifts, making 84 total gifts
Day 8 - receives 36 additional gifts, making 120 total gifts
Day 9 - receives 45 additional gifts, making 165 total gifts
Day 10 - receives 55 additional gifts, making 220 total gifts
Day 11 - receives 66 additional gifts, making 286 total gifts
Day 12 - receives 78 additional gifts, making 364 total gifts received.

Coincidence??? I don't think so :P

Anyway, all that aside... lets sing along :)

My Vacation Plans for December

2009-12-11T11:54:00.009+05:30

I am happy today. I have made some vacation plans... managed to squeeze in some time out of my busy schedule.

So the plan as of now is this...go to Lucknow, Delhi, Jaisalmer. I am leaving on the 20th of December and back on the 3rd of January. Also planned to blog intensively during this period. So Watch out for this space.

The key things on my agenda will be...

1. A night at the Fort

2. A night on the Sand Dunes of Sam/Khuri

3. A extensive visit of the Kuldhara village

4. Explore Jaisalmer like a local.

I will keep adding new things as and when I can think of. Jaisalmer has always been my all time favorite Rajasthan Town.

Now just hoping that the train reservations get confirmed.

Until then guys ... watch this space :)

Paa

2009-12-08T10:52:00.003+05:30

I would perhaps have never seen the movie 'paa'... for the obvious reasons.

1. I dont like sad movies.

2. I like Karan Johar. I also like John Abraham...

3. I have developed a repulsion towards Abhishek Bachchan since the time he got married

4. Last but not the least... I didn't feel like watching the movie.

Well had I listened to myself I perhaps would have made the biggest mistake of my life... (ok not as dramatic! coz I have made some really big mistakes ... and my frnds are witness to that :) ) but yeah had I listened to my inner voice I would have missed a real treat in filmmaking.

Coming to the movie... no I won't do a review... makes no sense... that has been done a zillion times... I will just tell you what I liked...

1. The fact that its not over dramatized like 'Black'... the focus is not on pity... and thats a great and refreshing thing.

2. The wit... well you may say that a 13yr old can't have that kind of wit... I have seen a few kids of that age with that kind of wit! meet me and I will tell you who :)

3. The way the single mother angle has been handled was very very mature and new age. I wish we grow up to be the kind of mother that Vidya Balan had.

There were many other things that I liked... but thats a story for another day :)

Until then take care and watch this trailer of 'Paa'.

Mutability

2009-12-04T10:00:00.004+05:30

When I was a kid... I read this poem somewhere... it stuck to my mind... something about this is so profound and magical ... some je ne sais quois! Read and let me know what you all think

The flower that smiles today
Tomorrow dies;
All that we wish to stay
Tempts and then flies;
What is this world's delight?
Lightning, that mocks the night,
Brief even as bright.--

Virtue, how frail it is!--
Friendship, how rare!--
Love, how it sells poor bliss
For proud despair!
But these though they soon fall,
Survive their joy, and all
Which ours we call.--

Whilst skies are blue and bright,
Whilst flowers are gay,
Whilst eyes that change ere night
Make glad the day;

Whilst yet the calm hours creep,
Dream thou - and from thy sleep
Then wake to weep.

The Afternoon Visitor

2009-12-04T00:08:00.002+05:30

Every afternoon when I sit down to work... Half my mind is outside... wordering if the afternoon visitor will come today... will he eat my flowers again? Will he plunder my garden? Or will be just be happy showing his black face and scary teeth at Hrusha...

My afternoon visitor the famous sidekick of Lord Rama... God to most wrestlers. He who has a whole line of vehicles named after him ...'Maruti'

Yes you are right the long tail... monkey... when will my plants get a break from him?

Why Do I still Serve You?

2009-10-31T10:22:00.002+05:30

I came across this poem... Please read it and ponder...

How you play with us, did you ever see?
At Seven, I had decided what I wanted to be;
I would serve you to the end,
All these boundaries I would defend.
Now you make me look like a fool,
When at Seventeen and just out of school;
Went to the place where they made ‘men out of boys’
Lived a tough life …sacrificed a few joys…
In those days, I would see my ‘civilian’ friends,
Living a life with the fashion trends;
Enjoying their so called ‘College Days’
While I sweated and bled in the sun and haze…
But I never thought twice about what where or why
All I knew was when the time came, I’d be ready to do or die.
At 21 and with my commission in hand,
Under the glory of the parade and the band,
I took the oath to protect you over land, air or sea,
And make the supreme sacrifice when the need came to be.
I stood there with a sense of recognition,
But on that day I never had the premonition,
that when the time came to give me my due,
You’d just say,’ What is so great that you do?’
Long back you promised a well to do life;
And when I’m away, take care of my wife.
You came and saw the hardships I live through,
And I saw you make a note or two,
And I hoped you would realise the worth of me;
but now I know you’ll never be able to see,
Because you only see the glorified life of mine,
Did you see the place where death looms all the time?
Did you meet the man standing guard in the snow?
The name of his newborn he does not know…
Did you meet the man whose father breathed his last?
While the sailor patrolled our seas so vast?
You still know I’ll not be the one to raise my voice
I will stand tall and protect you in Punjab Himachal and Thois.
But that’s just me you have in the sun and rain,
For now at Twenty Four, you make me think again;
About the decision I made, Seven years back;
Should I have chosen another life, some other track?
Will I tell my son to follow my lead?
Will I tell my son, you’ll get all that you need?
This is the country you will serve
This country will give you all that you deserve?
I heard you tell the world ‘India is shining’
I told my men, that’s a reason for us to be smiling
This is the India you and I will defend!
But tell me how long will you be able to pretend?
You go on promise all that you may,
But it’s the souls of your own men you betray.
Did you read how some of our eminent citizens
Write about me and ridicule my very existence?
I ask you to please come and see what I do,
Come and have a look at what I go through
Live my life just for a day
Maybe you’ll have something else to say?
I will still risk my life without a sigh
To keep your flag flying high
but today I ask myself a question or two…
Oh India…. Why do I still serve you?

I wish I knew

2008-11-03T23:00:00.003+05:30

खामोश है जो ये वो सदा है
वो जो नहीं है वो कह रहा है
साथीयों तुमको मीले जीत ही जीत सदा
बस इतना याद राहे एक साथी और भी था
जाओ जो लौट के तुम घर हो खुशी से भरा
जाओ जो लौट के तुम घर हो खुशी से भरा
बस इतना याद राहे एक साथी और भी था
बस इतना याद राहे एक साथी और भी था

Every time I listen to this song... I can't help remembering a friend of mine. Don't know why I remembered him yesterday again...

Its as though it was just yesterday when he would come home and fight with me about inane things... or when he would waltz into our bedroom with his wife and boast about how nicely color coordinated their clothes are (trust me they always wore color coordinated clothes :) )

Or how when we were in Jodhpur he ould come to our place with a huge watermelon and sit and cut and eat it all by himself :) ... Yes he was capable of that....

Then there was the time when I threw him out of my house... don't remember why... but yes I fought with him as though he was the biggest slimeball...

How everytime we went for a party he and his wife would come with us... (I love her :) ) and I will make them sit at the back of our jeep and on the way back because of the chilling winter of North India I would con him into sitting next to my hubby....

How we could just pack our stuff and walk into their house ... once they moved to a different city and stay with them...

How my only regret was not saying bye to him properly...

I wish I gave him a tight big hug.... If I knew that will be the last time I will see him... I would have said bye to him... like it was the last time ever...

I wish I knew when I threw him out of my house that after two years... I will wish for the same banter...

I used to hate him... and care for him at the same time... I wish I had got more opportunity to tell him how much he irritated me :(

I still remember the last new year card he sent us... Happy New Year to Bozo Bandi and Indica... He was a sweet little devil... But a lovable one at that....

When a friend dies, one isn't truly forgotten...

Specially when touched by the lives of others, without asking
From heart to heart, in such a loving, caring and unique fashion
When a friend dies, one isn't truly gone...
Though departed in the physical but remains in my mind's gate
With me forever, regardless of their untimely fate.

All those people whose lives you have touched... can never forget you... Should have written this when the pain was still raw... 4 1/2 years back... but then would not have been able to keep the pain from my piece... maybe thats why I dreamt of you yesterday... and wanted to so say thanks for everything :)

We love you. We will miss you always... At times I think that this is all a very very bad joke... But then I realize that no one is laughing....

I miss my friends... Do you know where they are?

2007-08-24T00:30:00.000+05:30

Its weird how I was just sitting alone and started thinking about old times... my friends and the great times that we have had as a family... they are not around... but well can't help but miss them...

We all have come a long way the Gupta's the Ahmeds and the Boses...the Walias and the Jhamnanis! However, even today when I think of reaching someone at times of need or when I need advice... it is always either a Gupta or an Ahmed or a Walia...or even the odd Sindhi Babe!

The word friend has taken a whole new meaning! It takes precedence over family... everything. Ritesh and Rajitha, Nasir and Nicole...Shalu and Annu if you happen to read this... which you soon will coz I will make you... This is my way of telling you that we, Promeet and I are so thankful that we have such great friends like you... that even if i dedicate a whole blog to you it will not be enough!

I don't know what we would have done without you guys... our lives would have been quite different if you guys were not around... well not necessarily worse... but for better or for worse... we are glad that we have you guys as friends...

off the top of my head... there are memories that comes rushing.... put a smily if you can remember them with me as a comment!

....well this one is easy... being broke in Mumbai... and eating at most expensive restaurant coz we didn't have money to buy road side food!!
....Shooting for UGC... or simple shooting ball in the basketball court... ofcourse me watching while you shot...!!!
....Kutti Kamini Haramzadi....
....remember taking my khatara sunny and driving all the way to town... and driving back from escape all drunk you roshan and I?
....scouting shaadi.com together!
....calling each other names in Goa...but i cant imagine what it would have been like if you were not married to my friend!...
....Last but not the least...Nicole... thanks for being so understanding and accommodating.. I know we the Boses are a handful at times... so thanks for accepting us just the way we are... trust me it means a lots to us, guys...

When I say this I know I am also speaking for promeet....

We know we might be needing you more than you need us.... but trust me the day you need us we will be right there....
Too senti? I know but I just had to do this... I might never tell this in person... and this was the easiest way!

So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your jobs a joke, you're broke, your love life's D.O.A.

It's like you're always stuck in second gear
And it hasn't been your day, your week, your month,
or even your year
but..

I'll be there for you

You're still in bed at ten
And work began at eight
You've burned your breakfast
So far... things are goin' great

Your mother warned you there'd be days like these
Oh but she didn't tell you when the world has brought
You down to your knees that...

I'll be there for you

No one could ever know me
No one could ever see me
Seems you're the only one who knows
What it's like to be me
Someone to face the day with
Make it through all the rest with
Someone I'll always laugh with
Even at my worst I'm best with you, yeah

It's like you're always stuck in second gear
And it hasn't been your day, your week, your month,
or even your year...

I'll be there for you

I'll be there for you

Happy Independence Day!

2007-08-15T15:59:00.003+05:30

Call me crazy but I get this urge to listen to patriotic songs 15th August and 26th January. I woke up with the same urge yesterday.... ya ya I know what you are thinking that yesterday was 14th August.. and ya that's Pakistan independence day... but on my way to work.... there was this young boy selling Indian tricolor lapel pins... and flags! I wish I could buy one... but I didn't... and you know why? Coz in India we are ashamed of being patriotic... we think people will laugh... strange no? yeah! Or may be its only me and I prefer saying "people" as that takes the blame off me... hmm... point!!

Neways back to 14th August... so I walked into office expecting the same old same old... but no surprise surprise!!! The whole place was beaming with saffron white and green... yay!! We are vocal again about patriotism... life is beautiful again... there is a small flag taped to my monitor... the facilities guys were at work till late Monday evening it seems... long live Facilities!

And as I was leaving work i saw a group of people lined up to sing the National anthem.... blissful really!

So that was yesterday... today I woke up to the neighborhood Paanwaala playing "ऐ मेरे वतन के लोगों....." mesmerising ! A great start to a greater day!

My baby will be 3 tomorrow!!!

2007-07-28T23:42:00.001+05:30

I cant believe it, its already been 3 yrs since Hrusha looked at me with her big bright eyes... for the first time... I used to be afraid that what if I didn't feel the love that a mother was supposed to feel for her child? One look at the small little kid was enough to set my fears flying out the window. She was such a sweet frail... and pretty little child. i remember how I used to sit night after night with her on my lap and sing some cheesy Hindi lullaby... she actually can sing it now... Imagine how many times I must have sung it to her!!!

She is all of 3 years old now! And she has already learnt the 5 words most dreaded by parents! Why? Where? Who? How? When? Any thing I say is always well punctuated by one of these words by her… and we, the new age parents, were taught by the numerous “How to” books available in the market, that we should always give sane answers to all their queries and never discourage their urge to question! I a working mother to my terrible three year old, am sure that these books were written by someone who has never spent even 10 minutes talking to a child whose vocabulary is armed with the above 5 words! A typical example would be the following instance when I was urging my daughter to consume her daily quota of milk! I say quota here not because I ration her consumption of milk but because she keeps tab! So the conversation went like this:

“Hrusha, please have your milk!”, “But I had my milk yesterday only”. “You should have it again today, baby!”. “Why?”. “Because it’s good to have milk, it will make you a strong girl!”. “How?”. Now this is where I was tempted to give her the low down as in how milk has calcium and calcium is good for one’s bones! Thankfully before I could come up with my answer, she came up with a counter question! “Will I become as strong as King Kong? Will he get scared of me? What will happen if I don’t drink milk?” I should have told her that King Kong is a fictional character and even if he wasn’t, no amount of milk consumption would make her stronger than King Kong! So I gave her what was most logical an answer “Yes you will become stronger than King Kong and if you don’t drink your milk King Kong will take you away…” Because apparently that’s what King Kong does these days punishes kids who don’t drink their milk! So I am guilty as charged for enlightening my child with misinformation, so sue me!

Armed Forces a whole new Tribe!

2007-07-22T23:26:00.000+05:30

Culture is something that a person is born into… but is also forever evolving! I come from a totally civilian background… meaning neither my father nor anyone else from my family has ever stepped into a military organization let alone be part of one! Till I got married some 6 years back: I didn’t know that “Civilian” was a type of culture… or for that matter the “Armed Forces” that I got married into, is a clan or as my best friend prefers to call it a “tribe” by itself! For a complete civilian like me the whole armed forces culture was a paradigm shift! Over here ladies eat before the men. Officers would always call the lady “Ma’am” unless otherwise requested! The first man would take a seat after the last lady has taken hers! But well one can say that’s British Chivalry that makes the armed forces the way they are… Ok, so go the figure this out... you invite 10 people for dinner 22 turn up… the extra 12 are what we call “bouncers”… no they don’t come bouncing in… or maybe they actually do! They are the proud gate crashers… in this culture the number of gate crashers are a symbol of the hosts popularity! Worse still imagine this scenario… you have retired for the night, as you are not well… at 10 pm you get a group of 15 bachelors come home… asking you to cook meal… or better still saying “we’d eat whatever you have cooked” (how considerate… normal people always have leftovers that can feed 15 hungry men! right?!). So when you say “we have already had our dinner as I am not well” the answer you get is quite contrary to what you expect - “That’s alright, Ma’am. We will have whatever you make!”, and all this because they think you are really nice and cool… and its their way of showing love and respect! One would think that all these should be really irritating right? On the contrary after the first few incidents, I now invite 15 and cook for 25… and always have some quick fire recipes in mind for the odd 10 bachelors who decide to “bounce” me for dinner… and weekends I always have 3 litres of milk boiled and kept for the stray cat…or the fighter pilot who might drop in at 0230 am for a cup of coffee! I don’t mind I am privileged and happy to be part of this tribe!

"Random Ramblings!!"

2007-06-19T22:52:00.000+05:30

Oh God!! Has it already been 5 days?!! And I havn't had even one post since then... and with the tremendous traffic that my blog is getting ( what with my hubby and friends being held at gun point to visit my blog!!) I am surely gonna start running out of stuff to type!!!

Its all kinda like the one film wonder... where in your first film does OK... and then people expect so much from the second that you fall flat on your face! Didn't want that to happen with me... Specially with all the favorable comments I have been getting( point to note here is that all the comments are posted after I personally called each and every one of them and threatened them to do so!!) I am a real charmer you see... and my friends will vouch for that!!! You want them to post more comments and prove that? May be I will bribe them to...this time!

Now see what you have done... you made me forget what I wanted to wrote about!!! So it will be exactly what the title reads... "Random Ramblings!!"

Hyderabad is getting pleasant! It's raining cats and dogs... and roads are getting waterlogged... no that's not what happens only in Calcutta ... We in Hyderabad are privileged too!! Right after how Mumbai gets affected... remember 26th July, 2005?

Oh gosh I think Mumbai is the only place where people at work get Rainy day!!! Absolutely cool concept and I am sure apart from the bosses no body minds!!

Well I really miss Mumbai... had a blast there... had one in Hyderabad too but somehow not the same...

Some great friends I made in Mumbai...few life long enemies too...but thats water under the bridge...

Some one asked me once if you close your eyes what do you see...? Whatever you see is what matters most...

I see loads of stuff....

1. I see Villa Teresa... on Peddar road Mumbai... I see Sister Carminha screaming at me like there is no tomorrow
2. I see Shobha Ma'am ( From university) asking me why I didn't come for my classes... for 15 days... and me making excuses about my engagement... wherein i actually went to Pune with Promeet!!!
3. I see Mirchi Bhajji at NTS canteen... getting drunk on brandy with Shalu on the Rocks...
4. Smoking cigarette coated with Amrutanjan...for someone said it will help us study better...well its a different thing it just got us more nauseous!! :)

There are loads of stuff I could go on and on about...but no...will save it for later...just wanted to ramble on as there is no one that to talk to !!! And I am missing Promeet a lot... well just 127 more days to do.... and I wish I had more pictures to put up... that is relevant to what I am feeling...but well...till then these will have to do!!

Watch This Space!!!

Back from Chennai!!

2007-06-16T15:23:00.001+05:30

Eight years back when I went to Chennai... It was to run away from the love of my life... Eight years hence I went back there to run into the waiting arms of the same person... but that place is still the same...
The roads have got more congested... there is more crisscrossing of flyovers... but the smell of the sea; the warmth in the voice of my class mates that I meet is still the same!!!
Elliott's beach is as crazy as it always was... visitors still prefer the promenade than the beach; the odd guy would still scream "sundaaal" in your ears... the sea smells as sweet as it can... I love Chennai...
I left Pune in pursuit of myself... and you bet that I've found me... but I also realised that however I am... I would always remain the fighter pilot's wife... even now as I close my eyes in the crazy traffic of Hyderabad I can hear the sounds of silence of the air force station!!!
I feel like going back in time to when I can wake up to the roar of a jet flying overhead... to opening the door to receive my tired hubby who is come back from a whole days' work.... of pulling some 'G'... nothing more fulfilling than that...
I miss my life there and though I know its just a matter of time before I am back with my clan...
I cant help but quote an anonymous poet who penned these lines... reading them everyday makes me feel close to where I come from...

I hope there's a place, way up in the sky
Where pilots can go when they have to die.
A place where a guy could buy a cold beer
For a friend and a comrade whose memory is dear.
A place where no doctor or lawyer could tread,
Nor a management-type would e'ler be caught dead!
Just a quaint little place, kind of dark, full of smoke,
Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke.
The kind of a place that a lady could go
And feel safe and secure by the men she would know.

There must be a place where old pilots go,
When their wings become heavy, when their airspeed gets low,
Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young,
And songs about flying and dying are sung.
Where you'd see all the fellows who'd 'flown west' before,
And they'd call out your name, as you came through the door,
Who would buy you a drink, if your thirst should be bad,
And relate to the others, "He was quite a good lad!"

And there, through the mist, you'd spot an old guy
You had not seen in years, though he'd taught you to fly.
He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear
And say, "Welcome, my Son, I'm proud that you're here!
For this is the place where true flyers come
When the battles are over, and the wars have been won.
They've come here at last, to be safe and alone,
>From the government clerk, and the management clone;
Politicians and lawyers, the Feds, and the noise,
Where all hours are happy, and these good ol' boys
Can relax with a cool one, and a well deserved rest!
This is Heaven, my Son. You've passed your last test!"

I sign off today... wishing all the guys back home happy flying and safe landings!!!

Disclosure Policy

2007-04-27T14:23:00.003+05:30

This policy is valid from 27 April 2010
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact banditadutt@gmail.com.
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This blog does contain content which might present a conflict of interest. This content may not always be identified.

Randomized Rainbow

Little Surprises of Life

What Not to Say to an Armed Forces Wife

A little note... this is not my original. But an adaptation of something an American Military wife wrote. I just fine tuned it and added some of my own experiences :)

A little note... this is not my original. But an adaptation of something an American Military wife wrote. I just fine tuned it and added some of my own experiences :)

The Radiance that is Hrusha

Purani Jeans!! Central University!! And Cutting Chai!

Dear Señor Santa Claus...

The Countdown Begins..The 12 Days of Christmas

My Vacation Plans for December

Paa

Mutability

The Afternoon Visitor

Why Do I still Serve You?

I wish I knew

I miss my friends... Do you know where they are?

Happy Independence Day!

My baby will be 3 tomorrow!!!

Armed Forces a whole new Tribe!

"Random Ramblings!!"

Back from Chennai!!

Disclosure Policy

This policy is valid from 27 April 2010

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact banditadutt@gmail.com.

This blog does contain content which might present a conflict of interest. This content may not always be identified.

To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org