The first step, the last mile and every bit of the journey in between. Living every hour with myself, trying to unjumble little parts of life and figuring out the rest of it. All this and a lot more unfolded in the 3 days i spent in that little beautiful village of naggar! 

Waking up to the dim morning light and sleeping off to the silence of darkness, i enjoyed all the splendor that nature gave me in between of those variations in daylight. The stretches that i explored varied from gasping views of the snow clad mountains to the deep green views of the valleys around.

For the records, i was in a village but there was less of ruralism. Every step was full of splendid beauty in the rawest form but in the absence of a lot of civilization, i couldn't breathe the rural air much. People were simple, untouched, basic and simple but were quite aware of the world around. The cottage i put up in, was made by the villagers but was completely equipped with all modern amenities.



But despite lack of the rustic feel, the peace in the place was unparalleled and the contentment of the people was evident in the enviornment. The views were mesmerising and the children were adorable!

 

Situated between the kullu valley and the peaks of Manali, Naggar is a village that brings the glory of snow clad mountains, green stretches with rich flora and the silence of the lambs in one spot.

Climbing through the slopes to discover and unveil the abundance of prettiness the place holds, gives you goosebumps and takes the senses higher than the altitude. I walked through the mountains wanting to go on and never stop. I ended up seeing Manali and Naggar from all points and never did i trek to so much content ever before.

2 nights and 3 days of nothing but exploration was something i had never done before but the melancholy of leaving the place made it one of my best expeditions in recent times. Add to that, i ended up writing my first poem after 4 years which would follow next.



 (Raja's Castle - enjoyed the most fascinating views from here)

You can have one bad experience in one weekend. But sometimes, fate gives you one after the other.

Watched both Billu and Delhi 6, one after the other.

Billu  : An extremely powerless script, a poor adaptation of something which would have worked in southern india but seems a mockery as a hindi film. Low on emotional value and technically marked landscapes of Kerala as UP. Why can't we provide visual treat to the audience without trying to fool them?

Delhi - 6 : A big waste of great music and some interesting art direction. The biggest candy for me was the white pigeon which looked super pretty in the song 'masakkali'. The songs were directed well too. But with a no-purpose concept and a message like "hum sab ke dil ke kone mein ek kala bandar chupa hai", the movie couldn't have gone anywhere.

We make great movies like "A Wednesday", 'Dev D" and some smooth entertainers like "Dostana' and "Dasvidaniya". Yet, big names in the industry spend time and energy making movies like Delhi 6? I am in fact extremely disappointed that "Delhi 6" was written by prasoon joshi who has given us some great TV Commercials otherwise.


Well, i can only say that much and pray for a better weekend ahead! Whew!

These days, i am thinking about elections, voting and all that. Not that i have not thought about it anytime before but the rigidity of my idea of "not to vote" because no one really makes any difference, did not drive me to any constructive thoughts.

But we have seen how the youth has been constantly motivated in the past year and the results have been been impressive if not outstanding. 

The time the Mumbai shoot outs happened and all the time the country had been in the middle of crisis, i have found myself being aggressively digging news and having ideas to counter the problem but in the process, i have only been critical of our leaders (not openly but i have been angry). Initially, i was put off by all the communal debates that would obviously surface every time anything goes wrong in the nation but specially in the case of Mumbai, i was driven to see the complete lapse of security measures in the country.

But these security breaches are not about what/how the government behaves only. This is about the sheer definition of knowing what we are as a country. We don't protect ourselves anywhere from any kind of exploitation as an Indian. Because we don't know what threatens us as an Indian.

We could broadly categorise the mindset of people in this country:

What is my country?

- You may be confused as to what you really feel for the country
- You may be not bothered because your personal success has taken you beyond all these LITTLE issues (i actually met some senior people in a company laughing & gossiping in this taste)
- You may favor a particular religion and uphold the country as a representation of your community rather than humanity
- You may be one of those laid back people who can see everything, know everything yet can't take a step to make anything happen (most of the educated youth falls in this category)
- You may actually know a lot, be concerned(the thinking class of scientists & researches) but unfortunately, you think someone else will have to take care of these things

In a democracy, with so many distinct perspectives in even defining ourselves, how do we even know whether we are "thinking right?" and how do we know whether the choices we make for our representative are made in the right direction?.

Well, most of us "conclude" on what seems right to ourselves. Very few of us "think" and arrive at a point where we know what would change the situation very clearly. And majority of these few shy away from putting thoughts into actions and there words,views and discussions are confined to their entourage.

I personally think that we need smart, inspiring and wise individuals governing us who are pro-active and can turn things around. But how do i make a move to see if that can happen? 

I can't myself stand there probably but i can consider a small plan. I can make a beginning by making a choice from the ones i have. I can follow the process of elimination.  

I can remove the ones who are farthest from my idea of my country. I can pick the one who can be pushed up there carefully. I would also decide that once he is chosen, what "I" would be doing as an individual to bring a change. The benefit of such a plan would be that i would somewhere start thinking and discussing. Whoever i choose, would be atleast not a random idea but a responsible choice. I would come out for discussions and would know everyone else's opinion. Evaluate my decision before i make the final call and would believe in what i do.

There might be a situation when the person is not chosen. I would be disappointed yet i would be aware of the strengths of the one who goes up and would research on why this person went up there. Also, when i was making my choice, i also had thought about what i would do if the person does not get selected. In this situation, i would  implement that plan. I would be careful and sincere about exercising my rights & duties. Once, that is in line, i would align my personal decisions in accordance. 

In this discussion the "I" is not me but everyone who is educated and has the ability to think and take firm decisions. Even if your thoughts are not 'ideal', a sincere decision would only pave way to hope to reach the idealistic set up. If you have the ability to think and are compassionate towards those looking for a direction, it would only mark the beginning of the creation of a stronger nation.

I would be honest here. I have been one of those who always thought that not voting is a symbol of "knowing what would be better" and discarding everyone who is not inline with what you think. Basically, being a non-voter was being cool for me. It's only dawned on me in the past  years that i can keep complaining and never have a change around me. I had no right to even comment on anyone who was chosen either cos i did not do anything to give a better option ever.

But yes, now i WILL make a choice. I still do not know which one though. 

I reach work, the guy at the parking lot fits my car in a seemingly small space. He gives my keys back and i "THANK" him for his service. He looks up at me and smiles.

I walk up to my elevator, the lift man asks me which floor i want to go to and then takes me to the level, presses the button to let me out. I say "THANK YOU" before i leave the lift. I can sense that he was still for a second.

The office boy at my work place, keeps my morning cup of tea on my desk and i say "THANK YOU BHAIYA" , he hears , says "welcome" and goes away.

That was my first day at work.

The next day, the guy at the parking lot remembered me and was eager to offer his service, although i did not need it. The elevator guy knew the floor i was to go at but smiled at me as i entered and left the lift , me again "thanking" him every time for his job.The boy at my office gave me a welcome smile as against a monotonous "Ok, you are here" the previous day.

What's my point?

COURTESY for SERVICE.

When i was in Australia, my first day was awkward as i found every person showering me with undue verbal politeness and courtesy. As i continued to observe and understand, the respect for every service irrespective of its nature and respect for every human being irrespective of his job was evident in the culture.

People tell me that all that had emerged since people were always less in that country. I believe that even if there was a cause for a certain cultural trait, if it could be used to change a certain social aspect, it better become a habit.

I learned to thank the bus driver, the office boy, the cleaner at home and every shop keeper or bar tender. It became so regular that i returned back with that habit which is now deep sitting in my public interaction. I realised it was reaching nicely even to the people around me.
________________

A simple act of 'thanking' every person who does the simplest service for you would only help in removing the feudalistic nature of our society where every man is judged by what they do. Although this is far too ambitious but it also would add a little enthusiasm in the person who is doing that service.

Creating a little pride for the service every man around you is doing, will only bind us together through basic humanity. It just takes two words:

THANK YOU

3 jobs, 3 countries and uncountable unaccounted stories later, i am back , yes, the place i started from.

I had forgotten this space for quite sometime, just checking updates from blog friends for whom i had email notifications. Well, it's yet not i know what i am doing state, but yes, i can retrospect and reflect for sometime.

Australia introduced me to distinctly different facets of me, personally and in a way, professionally too. I was a sales person, a bar tender and an IT professional(3 jobs). I was a woman, a student and a scared housemate who emerged with troubles in getting along socially.

All done, i am through it , in some cases positively, in others i prefer not mentioning. All came with un-ignorable learnings and hazy thoughts.

I have loved that country. A place i found had extreme respect for every individual. It showed no or ignorable concern towards any feudalistic mindset. No one was judged according to what they did. People had a way of life. Live your way, love it your way and don't give a damn to what others think. Ofcourse, the convenience of money played a huge part for the people.

Beauty in this place is in abundance and nature sits as comfortably as most of the people in this place. Melbourne was my favorite in my entire investigation on which place i would like to stay in.

My social circle and people i could bond with, had only started expanding when the time to leave was getting closer. It was a nasty game but i think , i enjoyed my last few months in this country more than the time before. Well, that accounts for one country.

In between, i had been to California visiting LA , Grand Canyon and Vegas for , guess what? 6 days! I spent my birthday in the states. I think i was crazy to travel from one end of the world to the other for a week but i had the most comfortable 6 days in the last 400 days. i drove a hummer just before GM decided to close it down. I know i was on cloud 9 when i had that 4 wheeled

Malaysia had already been travelogued in one my previous blogs. Hence, that finishes my 3 countries. I loved all 3 of them for different reasons.

------------------------------
Why am i back?

Logistics. Immigration issues and couldn't manage a decent job in my area so quickly. I was getting more interview calls from India and in any case, i would have wanted to come back to India someday. So, calculated my options and decided to head back.

------------------------------
Job hunt - 4

I had been traveling across the country - Chennai, Bangalore and Delhi and was even supposed to be in Mumbai in between. I got some offers and worked for a couple of agencies on trial basis to assess my comfort level. Ideally, i would have been in Bangalore today since i loved one of the companies i had tried but some unforeseen issues made me change my decision.

_____________________

So, here i am, back in Delhi, working with a small agency since past 1 week as a Senior Copywriter. It has just started, so nothing much to discuss but as they say, it's a new chapter and there would be some learnings. Some clients i worked for in the past 1 month include : Meena Jewellers, Yahoo, General Motors, Ansal, Hindware and currently am engaged with The Park Group of hotels.

Someday, i would have an update portfolio up here, somewhere, if it's displayable.

Cheers.

Was filling up a form online and one of the columns asked for "Place of Birth"

In the drop down, one of the options was "IN THE AIR" :D

Oh, i love the extended common sense ;)

I can't write poems for her!

I cant express how much i love her......

Sometimes when i am spaced out (which is more often than not), i wonder what makes mothers? Specially, the ones like mine, who redefine their spirits, keep up the head to align with the ones they gave birth to!

Why do men lose out on sense of the world faster? Is it only my observation or is it how it goes?

Whatever, right at this hour, am overwhelmed with the thought of that woman who gave me all the freedom to be me and kept holding on to her children so nicely! And no, she aint the old mother, she is the cutest, chirpiest 50year old i have met and someone who lives life with as much curiosity as she might have lived at 18!

Belated b'day wishes ma! (6th Feb)

Am trying ma, real hard sometimes!

Cut apples and put in creamy-sweet yoghurt! (no, not curd)

Heaven! Simplest yet such a satiating dessert for me!

Life lately has been full of interesting ways to bore myself but in between the boredom, i do manage to fill my tummy with some silly experiments!

- Made my first fried bread rolls , came lip smacking for indian,american and australian taste (house mates)
- Made my first egg curry (disaster according to me, but the firangs love the curry anyway!)
- Made grilled steak to be sandwiched with salads for a week's lunch menu! (slurp)
- Made tomato rice with parmesan cheese :D (nothing out of the blue, but was decent)
- I please myself with my own recipe for pasta-white sauce (easiest yet is a super substitute for the hackneyed tomato sauce)

And the kebabs in the store , that too in pita bread , oh yeah!!!

Long time since i read posts or yelled myself !

How has everyone been?

Am home these days, traveling, meeting people or simply relaxing!

This post is wishing everyone a very Happy New Year!

- I have a camera finally. Canon SD1000 (IXUS70). Was being purchased but eventually got gifted :)
- Last week, had been to the Brisbane Riverfire. A glimpse of the fireworks.
- In between, had been to a Jazz-Carnatic experiment by Toby Wren. I was amazed. Had recorded a bit of it. Apparently, Toby announced that he had been trained by U.Srinivas for one of the compositions.

- Rest, almost nothing or everything is keeping me busy.

Its pouring hard at this end of the world! Beautiful rains!

For my love for the drizzles, the thing which keeps me moving, for a while though :)

I wish i could click some bits but am busy living it !

Misty, the sky around
Misty, the path i found
Misty, the leaves on the tree
Misty, the eyes that fail to see

Carnival of rust - poets of the fall
Sleep - Poets of the fall
Turn the page - Metallica
Behind Blue Eyes - The Who
Ever the same - Rob Thomas
Show must go on - Queen
Hey Oh - Red hot chilli peppers
Breathless - Shankar Mahadevan
Random Carnatic Violin Compositions - MSG

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The above songs play almost everyday on my ipod... All relatively old but suddenly have become a way of life!

--

In other news, i wanted to attend the Linking Park show in Brisbane (not that i am a fan etc but i don't mind attending it) , its a whooping 100 dollars ticket ....waaaah :(

Wonderfully written and much better than the movie itself since the movie missed out all the "Chaos Theory" enlightenment etc. The only thing missing which generally happens when i enjoy a book is the air of imagination which was hindered by the fact that all the movie scenes were flashing instead of what the words might make me think.

Nevertheless, i am glad i finished a book after ages! More in line, hopeful :)

I landed on this movie's website and they have the recipe of all the dishes prepared throughout the movie as a part of their promotion!

Interesting i say :)

Also, in a thoughtless state, i find my once in a while association with a personality's skin/outlook shifting from Sandra Bullock to Catherine Zeta Jones!

Was at Caxton today, on a company lunch! I have been horribly feeding on "any" kind of food for sometime now.

Trying to get back to some revivals and who would give up a lavish treat :)

Alcohol abuse aside(beer + not-so-good pina colada + JW black) , "tasted and smelt" seafood.

Crispy skinned Atlantic salmon, with special hot English paste and pepper sprinkled! Without the paste and the pepper, it was still bland for me but with those added recommendations, it was pretty decent and good. I had loved fish and chips when i first had it and was desperately seeking a sea food dine out!

This is a post for the burp, acknowledging some rare times when am just eating and not thinking!

My landlady tells me , "so India got it's first woman president!"
 i went like "eh? whatever happened to ______?"

Man, i don't like the idea of him being not the president anymore :(

I know zilch about his side of politics and no , i don't idolize him or anything, it just does not _feel_ nice!

"Wings of fire" is one of those very very very few things which had influenced me ever!

:(

Half the world thinks advertising == marketing!

Even the bunch of super smart geeks i work with!

Add to that, some folks in the sales and marketing division can't demarcate the two!

Bossa Nova, Lambada , Salsa, Merengue

i love lambada! Merengue looks easy and fun but should watch/do more stuff before concluding. As of now with my body language lambada gives me chemical shots ;)

All the forms are attractive and fun but for the high energy thing and a bit of more innovative movements, lambada scores well!

_____

I read a comic book after decades! A very short attention span and some reading problems made me find Asterix !

Next on the list goes :

Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton

and a book on scrum theory which i have been holding and looking at for a month now :P

No, this is not about the movie :D , I LOVE THE MOVIE THOUGH!

I joined salsa classes today! Was damn fun! More, when i actually get on to it :)

Neh, am not talking about the book (i found that silly once though) , sem one results out and i thought i would be a 6 grader!! Damn-ess!

Come second semester!!!

SS SODHI, relived!!



One of my college friends was a big fan of simpu singh and would perform a theatrical mimicry of the character! I bumped into this video on youtube during one of my time killer sessions on the internet!

The popstars ad was one of my favourite ads of sodhi ever!

enjoy :)

Something 10 months in my first company made me think i was the person to convey 'it' just the way it works!

I had decided but life had changed by the time i actually started studying it! That act of relating to different things you know and have seen did not pop up when required. The things they call thinking laterally which is the root of everything exciting was no more my prodigy! I have struggled through one part of the course with little air to breathe and think freely.

I did come up with 'ideas' but none of them, i acknowledged as good!

The most petrifying part was, after i made one, whether it means what i want to say and many a times, it did face the problem of being clear enough.

Unwatched and unmonitored loss of communication can have adverse effects specially when you pick up a line which solely depends on it.

I am hoping to deal with the issue and come up with a decent portfolio by the end of the second semester.

when you are staring at the screen, start moving your finger through your eating plate and begin wondering what's wrong with the touch-pad :P

The focus, the intensity and the charm of a father who just knew what he wanted was what he could get! A simple story with some interesting moments but a great performance. There are some unrealistic situations but the movie is not about being all correct and real. A recommendation for those who might have missed it back then like me!

And

~har ghadi badal rahi hai roop zindagi~

Last week was the weirdest ever but am a bit comfortable now!

I got the kind of work and professional backing i was looking for! yay!

Some drunken parties which better go unmentioned ;) (but i can't help it!)

Off for a short holiday beginning tomorrow! Ozland, here i come to explore ya :)

I don't think of right and wrong Or rather i stopped thinking about it. I would like to do things with an understanding and when something is understood well, it becomes a part of the way you connect and relate to the world around.

Last week , i had been slogging through my work. I am in sales , and yesterday i got a crack with one of my customers with one instinctual 'NO' to a question he asked, although the answer was 'Yes'. I was uncomfortable getting them into my company's network after that although it went pretty smoothly and he genuinely believed in everything i told him. I could not make out why i just could not immediately help the situation. It troubled me the whole evening.I saw what it would lead to and how much it would hamper customer care and bring about an unrest, beginning with the unrest i was going through. I was discouraged by my boss to think about it and was asked to leave it the way it is.

It took a lot to call that customer this morning from my personal phone and let him know that i had not informed him about the right details and he can cancel his subscription if he wished to.

I thought i was far more clear in my head to fall prey to such shortfalls but i was obviously wrong.

Otherwise, last week had been a personal best time since coming down under and this thing minutely colored the happiness. Whatever it be, i am going to try and be more free in my head and think happier , to prevent such unnecessary pitfalls.

Watch it, real close!

Just finished watching 'The Prestige'. Brilliantly made stuff! I started getting intrigued after the first half an hour and it was mind blowing.

What with even Thoman Edison and Tesla featuring with the Magicians who have been wonderfully put as skilled people making science the idea of affective fun!

I have not watched a thriller in a long time now, was a great re-vamp :)

Watch-o!

Update: I had written this post sometime back and just watched 'The American President'. Another extremely well crafted and witty political plot. If goosebumps is about celebrating a pleasant political character , then hearty laughs was about a smart script!