No good comes out of ignoring your Prime Minister!

When I first started to writing about women's issues, I could NOT decide one issue that is the most important. There are just so many of them! But I know many great bloggers (mostly women) all around the world are writing about all these issues, making their readers aware. This post is for them. And to the Prime Ministers of our homes - the prominent women in our lives. Mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, daughter-in-laws, who run the household, work, maintain public relations, take care of everyone, find time for all the people in their lives and yet manage to look wonderful all the time! What else must these superwomen be called if not Prime Minister? It takes more skills to do all this alone than it takes to run a country!

And this thought made me back up a little bit. What exactly is a Prime Minister? Someone who is responsible for everything. The buck stops at him. Or in this case her. And then it's really easy to make the correlation. Unfortunately, that is where the comparison ends. There's all the responsibility, but none of the perks. A bulk load of money and resources are spent for the well-being of one, but none for the other. It pains me to see that we go about our lives taking so many things for granted, including the health of these great women.

How many of us go for regular complete check-ups? For all we know Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Breast or Ovarian Cancer and many other life-threatening diseases could be right around the corner. We live precariously on the edge! I have seen many women lose their lives for ignoring symptoms and going to the doctor at the last stage, when nothing can be done. When something could have been done, only if they had been more careful! If you have ever air-traveled, you would know this - Anybody is supposed to put on their own oxygen masks first before helping others. Then how can we go about our lives taking care of loved ones, without ever thinking to take care of ourselves? How many of us remember to regularly check for lumps in our breasts? How many of us even know when it is supposed to be done? How many of devote time for regular exercise? How many of eat stale food so that the rest of the family eats fresh? Why? Why do we do this to ourselves?

And I also know that there are many more issues that are far more grave than this one, and yet we forget the lessons of childhood. Start with the simplest problem. Take the first step to solve this problem that should not even exist in the first place! And then, when that is in place go out and change the world! Make it a better place for all women.

And so, this is my appeal to each and every woman out there - Please take care of yourself. Take time this women's day and appreciate the best one you know - yourself! Let this be the day when all of us make efforts to keep ourselves healthy and fit, so that we can help out many others out there who don't have the resources to do so. Take time this women's day to go for that annual check-up, join that yoga class or just remind yourself of how much you and your life is worth, not just to yourself but to an entire household that you run, which will break down if it wasn't for you. Appreciate the "me"!

Cheers!

This is my entry for the IndusLadies International Women's Day Blog Contest. I chose to write for Hygiene & Healthcare. I am very interested in knowing a man's point of view in women's issues, so I am also going tag one along with the women. I apologize if you guys might not find time to participate, but I am still really interested in knowing what you think!

So I tag - Amortya, Avanti and Chica. Take it away guys! You can find the contest here.

Profound thought for the day!

And you bettah hear me cuz it don't hit me everyday sistah!

Ok so now that that's out of my system. Phew. Anyway, it hit me in the shower, just like all great ideas do...based on my day today - You cannot keep waiting for the right moment to take the plunge. Like you cannot keep saying I am going to do it(whatever it is that you want to do) when I have a new house, enough money, more friends etc.You just have to go ahead and do it. Take the plunge. Dive into it. Immerse yourself. You know, get the picture? And no I'm not talking about swimming here. (Gotcha!)

And yes, I know what you're thinking (I can read minds). This? I already know this? What's new in that? Well I'll tell you what's new. Nothing really. I just wanted to remind everyone who reads this today/tonight.
Go. For. It. No matter how big or small .

(Although I would suggest start with small. Also this blog and it's author are in  no way responsible for the ill consequences of this advice, even though we are open to receiving gratitude. In cash.)

Seriously. Do it. Also, here are some steps on how to "go for it" -
Step 1: Figure out what it is that you want to go for.
Step 2: Think of consequences that might affect this blog or it's author.
Step 3: If there's anything that you thought of in step 2, goto Step 1.Else goto Step 4.
Step 4: Go for it.

If you want more redundant algorithms on how to go for it, please contact the author. (It will cost you.)

Later!

PS: Seriously, Go for it! :)

Getting older, dreams, wedding...Life!

I had a funny lil dream last night. I was at my engineering college reunion. There were boys there too somehow, even though my college is all-girls. But that's not the point. The point is, all girls were crying cos one of my friends (who is now married for 2 years) wrote a speech about how difficult life is after marriage. And of course I missed the speech, since I reached there late (I reach late most of the places, it's a disease, I'm a victim!), but got this gist when I reached. In my dream.

I woke up laughing. But obviously I had to dissect it under a microscope. Why did I get this dream? Why? Is it because I am scared of getting married? Maybe. See I am not even sure where I am going with this information here. But I guess I just wanted to put it out there. In case someone knows a cure. And while you're at it, I would also like to know how to get it up for my own wedding stuff like - mehendi, make-up, jewellery, saris.

On an aside, these days I keep thinking about how old I am getting(25!). And how it's changing me. Just the other day I was looking into the mirror and getting the famous "I'm so ugly" syndrome. But soon enough I checked myself. I reminded myself that i am 25 and not 16 anymore. I need to be more confident and comfortable with myself. Obviously this pep-talk didn't help for long. But something else did. I saw news, and saw how terrible a situation it is in Haiti. And then I couldn't help but feel lucky and surprisingly got over my syndrome in a minute. If I was 16, this wouldn't have happened. So yea, maybe being 25 gives you flabby mid-rif (or is it - sitting and doing nothing), but it also gives you wisdom. For which I am so thankful! Life's good!

Long overdue story

A few thousand years back, I had promised to come up with the story of "Meet the parents", and why it's such a bad idea for me to go through with it. Now, after several thousand years, here it is -

Yes. I met his parents (obviously, since we are getting married now!!See the more I say it, the more I accept it). And before I go into anymore details of how it went, we will travel through time a bit (No, not just because. There's a reason I promise.).

So let's rewind to some months back in time. In my defense I did not even have any business being there. I was only tagging along. There I am sitting in the living room of a friend's brother, who's just had a baby. Let's call him "Bhaiya". (duuu-uh). And his wife(newborn baby's mother) - "Bhabhi". (super duuu-uh). Anyway. I could not find out for sure, but she definitely looked not more than 26. Alright? so now use your imagination. There I am visiting them for the first time. And there we all are - my friend, couple of other friends, me, Bhabhi, baby; all laughing, cooing at the sweet kid. And suddenly, out of nowhere, God alone knows why in the world, Bhabhi goes - "Aap log kuch lenge, kuch chai yea cold drink?". I mean why? Why would she do that to me?

You want to know why it is so terrible? Ok, I'll tell you why. Because I replied this - "Nahi nahi Aunty, don't worry, kuch takleef mat kijiye!!!" Duuuuude, I called that girl barely an year older than me AUNTY!!!! Imagine my embarrassment! OMG. And reading many mommy blogs did not help, as I knew, right around this time - she would have been also dealing with post partum depression, relatively low self-esteem, and such like! Now I was feeling super embarrassed AND super-duper guilty. Eventually I did go and apologize and to her utter amusement, explained my stunted social skills and awkward behavioral syndrome as the reasons for the "unfortunate accident". Thank God I did not drop her baby after all this.

This was exhibit 1.

Now lets forward to two weeks ahead (we had traveled back, remember? we are still in the past of now, for all who think we are looking into the future). I am invited by this friend over dinner, since his parents were visiting and are leaving in a couple of days. I am meeting them for the first time. He(my friend) has of course invited like 15 more people, and there I am sitting in living room - full of people who I am seeing for the first time! Just for fun imagine you are a deer and it's night time. You are going along happily on your way without a care in life, and suddenly out of nowhere you are blinded! There's more light than even in daylight, and of course you freeze. Did you imagine the deer's face? Good. Now put that face on mine, when his dad asks me a loud question across the room - "Where do you live beta?".

Disclaimer: Not only am I very awkward in social situations, I go mute when people talk to me across the room because then everybody can hear what I say. Ok back to the question. Simple enough right? Wrong. (Background: He's visiting US for the first time has no clue about any area in Boston) And so I stuttered my way to utter embarrassment - "I live at 42 Symphony Rd, Apt 5". And the moment I said that I realized how dumb must I sound, so instead of clarifying I just shut up! Fortunately - M came to my rescue and saved me by saying that's near our school. (Maybe that's why you need someone by your side. See another good reason to get married).

And there are many many other similar stories, but all this time travel has made me time-travel-sick so I'll summarize by saying these were reason enough for me to freak out of my wits. Cos I was not just meeting his parents, I was meeting his uncles, aunts, their children, and then their children. You get the picture. Long story short - it went well. I might or might not have had a Cosmo before meeting them. Although I was quiet for the most part, I mostly did not talk crap when I was asked questions. Maybe God was finally cutting me some slack (at the right time too!) after all the crap He released into the universe through me. Or maybe, just maybe I am not socio-phobic (is that a word? I'm too lazy to google) anymore. Yea right?!

Later folks!

It's official

All the time that you & I have known each other - if there is one thing that you should know about me by now, it's this - I am a bundle of controversial joys (to put it nicely). Like how I hate fuss and creating scene, but myself am a drama queen? So when you read the previous post - yes you thought right. It was about M and me. It was about us fighting. (Gasp! How can she admit it so openly?!) (And it was also a little about drama).

Tangent - I am trying to let my other voice speak too. See I have these two voices in my head like everyone. (If I'm wrong about this don't bother to tell me otherwise). One is the serious me who takes everything that life throws at me in its appropriate seriousness and deals with it like normal people. The other voice though is a little whimsical. It laughs at everything that is serious. And deals with everything else that is normal with sarcasm or something like that. The brackets are this voice.

Anyhoo. (You can ignore me all you want, but I'm not going anywhere). Yes we got into fights. Plural. Ugly ones. Fights that lasted days and nights. Like war. But unlike any other war story this has a happy ending. Somewhat. We both decided not to fight. (Yeah, that worked! Sure!)

Reason. Motive. Why? (Wait for it.........) We are getting married! (Pin-drop silence followed by laughter?) And since I have to be stubborn and difficult every time something changes, I sure as hell did not leave out this opportunity. And you know how I tell you all the stories of how understanding and how co-operative M is? Well he chose this opportunity to be not so. So basically it took long days and nights of discussion, fighting, yelling, to reach a common focus about the wedding. Yes, the reason for the fight was difference of opinion, prejudices and lack of common vision. About the WEDDING! (How much more lame can this get. A wedding? People have bigger problems. Grow up.) And then I remembered what Saif Ali Khan seems to be saying in all the movies that he does - We were perfectly happy till we decided to get married. Makes you think. Made me think for sure.

So why? Why do people get married? I obviously did not want to get married before knowing why I am getting into it. So I thought - why not? I obviously love him enough to want to be around him. I know I enjoy his company. And obviously it gets a little lonely after a while, so why not have someone who is obligated to accompany you! (Ha! You are so evil!). And so kind ladies and gentlemen, we decided to plunge into it with all we have! I will be obviously including you in stories of what happens after. Till then stories about how I am trying to enjoy the fuss that weddings are and how all the fuss is.Driving. Me. Crazy. (Did I tell you I HATE wedding fuss, but that story some other time since we ARE talking about peaceful beginnings called marriages! Ha!).

We are now accepting your best wishes (in CASH ONLY). I will come back with a concrete plan of wedding as soon as it's good enough to be dissected by public eye.

Over and out. (Later b*****s!)

She didn't know what, but something changed...

Why did he turn away?
Why didn't he pull her close?
Why did she see no emotion in his eyes when she was crying hers out?

How could he leave her alone to fight with her worries? All she has is questions that are unanswered and tears that are ignored. She feels alone. Like a crushed soldier in the battle field whose mate has left his side. The point was not what he said. Or did. It is all the words that he didn't say, it's all that he didn't do.

I have news!

Our family has the newest addition - my lovely niece was born yesterday!!! I love her. I loved her from the moment I knew of her existence inside my sis-in-law's tummy, and she couldn't have come out fast enough! I don't even know what she looks like but to me she's the most beautiful thing on the planet. She doesn't even have a formal name yet (kachori & chinti don't quite work as formal) but like my bro said yesterday - this nameless wonder has four fully-grown adults totally captivated and right under her thumb! God bless you sweetheart...I will always love you so so so sooooo much! And I am sorry (and you cannot begin to imagine how sad) that I am not there to welcome you, but I do hope that someday you love me a lot.

When I got the news, I called up Sai (Hi Sai!) who did not wait to inform me that I will soon be obsessed and call home at least a hundred times each day. I laughed it off. I even thought to myself, she's nuts - just because she did it when her nephew was born doesn't mean I'll do it too - I'm not her. And it's true. I did not obsess a lot. Just a little bit. Like when I woke up at 2am last night to drink water, I decided to call home so that I can hear her crying (that's all she does, when she's not crying she sleeps!), but she was sleeping(big surprise huh?). So then I just told my mom to describe in detail every little thing that she had done during the day. After a good half hour, I hung up and went to sleep really regretting the day I decided to come to US. And then when I woke up in the morning, I called up home again to try my luck again and ended up talking to my bro this time asking him to tell me every little thing that she does.

I feel so sad to be all the way over here. I just wish, so wish that I could go home for some time before my job starts to spend some time with this little wonder. Dear Santa - I did not ask anything for Christmas, can I get this wish, pretty please? And no I am crying right now, just a little choked up.

And now I think I'll call up home again. For the fiftieth time! (Just kidding, it's only third in this day).

Later!

I don't usually do this!

What you ask? Well, you know - reminiscing and recounting the past year, making resolutions etc etc. All the "New Year" customary things that people do. I get too lazy around this time to do anything at all. But I do have this one superstition belief - Whatever happens on the first day of the year, whatever you are feeling that day, and however you deal with things - is what will happen the rest of the year. And sure enough, on the 365th day(like today for 2009) I don't remember a damn thing to actually confirm this. So I just move onto the next year without thinking much about the past and without really looking into the future, and just live in today. This year it won't be like this. I may not remember what Jan 1, 2009 was like but I do remember bits and pieces of this year and I want to document them. I am 25 and I already don't remember so many things that have happened in my life. I think it will be good to have notes about it!

This may seem like a deviation, but I promise it is related (remotely). So day before yesterday, I saw "Up in the air". George Clooney is like the messiah of anti-relations, anti-commitment, anti-family, and anti-love. Eventually he realises it doesn't work that way, and is talking to his bro-in-law-to-be (who's got cold feet), trying to convince him that love and marriage are the right thing to do. He asks him this - Remember the most important moments of your life? Were you alone? I won't tell you what really happens after this as that is not the point of this post. The point is - most important moments of life. So today I give you just that. Most important and memorable moments of my life (in 2009) -

• Second year of my Masters had just started and my grades were on the lowest level of the deepest pit on the least-distance-above-sea-level plain on the.....you get the point. I had to do something. I spent my entire time, resources and energy in working towards my grades. And I got straight A's. 
• I got an internship even before people had started applying.
• Befriended my friends (Sai & Sneha) again and started reconnecting with them.
• M got a job in the worst of economies.
• Lived through an entire summer of not-so-perfect internship. I learned to deal with difficult people and tried not to let them get to me. Also had some really interesting experiences - here, here and here.
  
• Also spent a great summer traveling and hanging out with friends and having fun!
  
• Went to India and saw my father as a retired person and realised it is so great to have him home. This could be the first time I spent so much time with him, and I loved it. Bonded with my mom, dad and told them how I met and fell in love with M.
• Met M's parents and his entire family, and loved them. I couldn't have asked for better in-laws-to-be.
  
• In the second semester of my Masters I started applying for jobs, with the economy still bleak. I spent hours, days and months just applying and mailing people. Let's just say - I am more than happy and satisfied with the outcome and I got more than I could ever imagine!
  
• Also did I tell you, straight A's in this semester too? (ok, so I took super-easy courses)
• Lost my only grandparent - my Aaji
  
• And lastly, but most importantly - grew up. I realized my responsibilities towards family, friends and boyfriend. I became comfortable with the way I look and accepted all my flaws. I became comfortable with who I am and tried to correct what could be.
  
• And finally, came to terms with life's realities like marriage and responsibilities and realized that if you have the right partner by your side, it is all not too big a deal. I am taking things one at a time and by this time next year I might be committed. (Can you believe it? I can't!!). We'll see.

It was a great year for me, I learned a lot about life, love and myself. I hope to be a better daughter, girlfriend and friend, but above all a better me. And that is my resolution.

Have a great year ahead all of you! Hope you find happiness and success in everything you seek!

"Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action"

Said W.J. Cameron.

So here I go.

I am thankful for M for bringing joy in my life. I am thankful for M's wonderful parents who also support and encourage me in everything. And I am thankful for all the opportunities I have got and for getting what I did. I am thankful for my wonderful family and friends.

And lastly, but most most most importantly I am thankful for my parents who always have and continue to support me through all the decisions in my life, who have sacrificed so many things and continue to do so, so that I could be where I want and who have always stood by me and continue to do so as I face tough times.

I don't know how they do it, but they are my strength. They give me courage and always always are ready to support me through anything! I feel lucky!Thanks Aai Baba. Love you guys.

Trivia

What do you call a guy who is extremely loving and cute(&hot!) and makes me laugh and really patient with me the whole day, and then some more?
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My boyfriend!

Wishing & Hoping & Praying

...for a happy conclusion. Don't want to be disappointed at the end of it all!

Can't stay away for long!

I am getting this itch to write something, and my empty head gives me nothing to write (unless you want to hear me crib some more? No, right. See how well I know you!).

So this interesting tag I picked up from Rani.

1. If your lover betrayed you, what will your reaction be?
Well, it has happened more than once. First time I couldn't get over it. The next time, I just said - Shit happens. And I moved on.

2. If you can have a dream come true, what would it be?
Find a job that I love. Buy an apartment for aai-baba. Own entire closet(s) for shoes, and have enough money to buy all kinds of shoes!!!

3. Whose butt would you like to kick?
There are too many people to list here!

4. What would do with a billion dollars?
Stop looking for job. Start apartment hunting for mom dad. Go shoe-shopping, all around the world! yaay!

5. Would you fall in love with your best friend?
I did. The trouble was he didn't ;) But I would say - you can't really know if you want to be with someone you "date" them.

6. Which is more blessed: loving someone or being loved by someone?
Both, ideally. Being loved the way you want to be loved, and loving someone the way they want to be loved is a rare find though.

7. How long would you wait for someone you love?
I can't wait. I am very impatient.

8. If the person you secretly like is attached, what will you do?
Well. Forget about him. Delete him from my orkut, facebook and my life. Life's too short!

9. If you could root for one social cause, what would it be?
Education.

10. What takes you down the fastest?
Ummm. I am sure as hell not disclosing that! :)

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Tricky question. But one thing I know - I want to be with M after 10 yrs too. It would be interesting to see what new quirks he develops and what happens to the ones present right now!

12. What’s your fear?
Of losing my close ones.

13. Would you rather be single and rich or married and poor?
almost-to-be-married-single & poor-turned-overnight-rich?

14. If you fall in love with two people simultaneously who will you pick?
Someone who can love me back. Yes, I am selfish that way.

15. Would you give all in a relationship?
Give all. Take all.

16. Would you forgive and forget someone no matter how horrible a thing he has done?
Still trying to. Just as someone else somewhere might be trying to do the same for me.

17. Do you prefer being single or in a relationship?
Single. No, in a relationship. No wait - single. Naaa - relationship. Ooops - Didn't mean to tell you'll my biography!

So who wants to do this one? M - obviously you. Avanti you? (whenever you find time)

Okay. Can't think of nemore bakras! :) Whoever else wants, would love to read your answers... muhuhahahahahaha

Sayonara.

Typical day...

...these days is very much like those forwards that all of us have read -

1. Wake up, check mail.
2. Brush teeth, if time permits get coffee/cereal, check mail.
3. Study, apply, read, check mail.
4. Rush to take a bath, get ready, check mail, run out of the house (remember to take a jacket, Fall is here; but forget to have lunch)
5. Come back home, starving, check mail, stuff myself with some junk
6. Check mail
7. Check mail
8. Sleepy, try not to fall asleep(actually rarely am I trying, I am almost always sprawled on the bed even before feeling sleepy), check mail.
9. No mail :(
10. But still, the eternal hope does not die, so check mail & go to sleep
11. Wake up, check mail..
12. You get the picture!

Sayonara

Did you miss me yet?

No?
Fine. I was gonna say I missed you, but now I don't think I will.

And anyway, I barely have time to write this post, let alone deal with emotions! I just came online to tell you all that, since I am now back to school, this blog as history has seen for 4 semesters now, is gonna go into a sort-of hibernation. More so, with all the job search going on.

But, the good news is (which is assuming that you actually thought of the previous news as the bad one!), since bloggers' itch isn't easy to control, I do mini-blog quite regularly on twitter. So yeah, follow me right there.

And yes, I did meet M's parents and it went well! But the detailed story will have to wait till I can find time enough to get my life, room and closet in order..not necessarily in that order!

Ciao people. See you (hopefully) pretty soon!
Take care...

I miss you...

This song tugs at my heart. Especially these days.

What's your story?

Everything has a story. Budding love has a story. Broken up love has a story. Long lost love has a story. Meeting your best friend has a story. Getting your permanent job has a story. I have most of these stories except for the last one. And right now I am trying to walk through one. Hopefully it will have a happy ending. But like every story it has disappointments, rejections and depressions! That part of the story sucks. Doesn't it? I know. I am hoping it ends soon for me. There's also discussion, anticipation and palpitation part left in it. After which I am hoping (with fingers of both hands & toes of both feet & both legs crossed) for the celebration, exhilaration and relaxation(as in breathing a sigh of relief) . Annnyway. I will keep you guys updated about my status with this. Yes I will. So what if you find it boring. It's not a rosy picture all the time is it. That's right it's not. Okay stop arguing already!

In other bit of news I am at home in India for a fortnight!!!!!!!
yaaaaaaaaaaaaay! I am so enjoying every moment of this (apart from the walking through the afore mentioned story bit) :)

And I have finally decided to come clean and declare that I too am a shopaholic after I read the confessions of a fellow shopaholic Rebecca Bloomwood from here. It's good to know you are not alone.

So guys...what's your "story"? Are any of you shopaholics? Please share. Me needy some spirit-lifting!

Ciao.

Many people die at twenty FIVE and aren't buried until they are seventy FIVE - Benjamin Franklin

Okay that is not at all related to what the post is about except in a very subtle way. Rani tagged me for - "FIVE lesser known facts about me" (I assumed, by me she meant me and not her!) Okay okay..I'll cut the crap and state them now....

Hold your breath. Okay don't. I will. Here goes.

1. At one point in my life people thought I was a lesbian.
So why? Well cos -
- I was in an all girls college & all girls hostel.
- I was and still am a very shows-my-affection-openly sorta person - so hugs and kisses even to girls are normal.
- I was in all girls college, so people did not have enough gossip floating around.
And the strangest thing of all is - everybody knew I had a boyfriend, and still they thought this. I think since then I have changed to this neurotic person with a complex of people. That's right. I was very outgoing and friendly before (my parents still think I am), but now I am just plain scared to interact with people, not knowing what they think of me. Yes, it may seem funny now, but it was pretty traumatic - all the negative publicity and dirty "details" that my friends told me people are telling each other. It was ugly. I was too innocent to imagine people could think like that.

And here's my disclaimer - I am not saying being gay is wrong/bad/abnormal. To each his/her own. You are the way you are, and good to be what you are.

My only point is - Negative rumors and hearing horrific details about one's 'lesbian' acts are not a nice supplement for your teenage. Even though you know you are not wrong, you feel ashamed, scared and guilty. I still feel horrible thinking about it, and have told this to very few people in my life(despite half my hostel knowing). I have never written about it, and I don't know if I ever will. But this incident took a hard blow at my self-confidence. I laugh at it now, but it was anything but pretty then.

2. I am terrified of turning 25.
I never planned this but I had assumed turning 25 would bring wisdom and maturity along with more successful life. I don't expect they will be arriving in a month if they haven't till now.

3. I freak out about how my life will change after marriage and kids.
I don't want those changes.

4. I love Bombay.
I have spent the best years of my life there. I am just not sure if I can take it for a lifetime.

5. I want to get into full time social service some time in my life.
And sooner rather than later.

Phew. That was tough.
So now who should I tag for this....hmmm?
I tag M, Rajita, Rambler.

Have fun guys! :)

Woohooo!!

The Time Traveler's Wife movie is here!!

I so hope its good!!!

I am excited!

Is this for real?

That's what I thought in my head when I saw a friend request on orkut from my mom. Yea that's right - my mom. I almost fell off my chair when I saw the request. I called her up to confirm if it was really her or someone playing a prank on me. Turns out it was her. She was all chill about it, like yea I joined orkut, now I can keep a watch on you even there, watcha gonna do, types. Actually no, all these were my thoughts. She actually was all cool about it in a way like yea, I've been surfing the net for some years now, writing mails, booking movie, train, flight tickets, googling for things, didn't you see this coming? And she's right. I should have.

So what did I do after confirming it was her who sent the request. I scanned my profile, pics everything to see if there's anything that might offend her. Yea I know, she's all modern in a way to book movie tickets online, google "remedy of insomnia", sms her friends on friendship day and join orkut, but she still freaked out after watching Love Aaj Kal, and was questioning me if it was true that couples today really do all the "stuff" shown in the movie. Trust me I had a hard time trying to change the topic!Damn you Imtiaz Ali. It's weird with moms. One moment they are all modernized what with - "you should wear what you want", "it's okay that you left your previous boyfriend and now have a new one" and "oh I am okay with it.. live with boys if you have to", and the next one they are all "I am very shocked at what they showed in Love Aaj Kal, it's abominable and shameful, I hope you know what I am saying". Phew.

But they are adorable. Just so cute. And lately I am realizing so human:)
In fact if I was being interviewed by CNN and asked to name one human being I am most proud of? It would be this one. My mom. And she does not earn it just by being my mom. No sir. She earns it for being the extra-ordinary woman that she is. I haven't met anybody else who learnt and mastered swimming at the age of 50. Or who learnt to sms or surf the net all on her own(I did not teach her one thing about it). Or who is and always has been the sole point of contact between the rest of the members of family. A great manager-material wasted I would say.

It's not mother's day. Neither is it her birthday. It's just the day I am again reminded of how blessed I am to have her as my mother. And also the day when my mom joins orkut. I think I am going to scan my Facebook profile just in case she catches up with me there too. And thank god I am not on twitter yet!

Later.

8

8 TV Shows I Love to Watch:
- Sex & the City
- F.R.I.E.N.D.S
- The Big Bang Theory
- That 70's Show
- Full House
- Dekh Bhai Dekh
- KBC
- Any show that is showing latest movies' promos
ps: The reason why most/all of these shows are old is none of my homes since 2000 have had a TV/Cable(First hostel and then student apartment in US)

8 Favorite Places to Eat:
- Home
- Come-in, Pune
- Durga, Pune
- McDonalds
- Quiznos
- The Kebab Factory
- Moby Dick's House of Kabob
- M-cooked prawns & chicken

8 Things That Happened Yesterday:
- Came to know about some job opportunities
- Tried to work at getting them
- Bought Oakley's glares for bro
- Ogled at ALDO shoes while at the mall
- Watched "Sach ka Samna" for the first time
- Laughed too hard at a joke that I cracked
- Laughed too hard at a joke that M cracked
- Laughed too much basically, and loved it

8 Things I Look Forward To:
- Watching what happens next in "Sach ka Samna"
- Getting a full time position of my interest
- Meeting my family soon
- Meeting M's family soon(more on this later!!)
- Living & sharing an apartment with M(the reason why marriage ceremony is not on my list is cos I find it a big taxing thing that can be avoided, but can't be!)
- Graduating
- Joining a mentoring program
- Reading a good Agatha Christie book


8 Things I Love About Winter:
(this one's gonna be the toughest, I am thinking of cheating)
- It's not blazing hot
- First day of Snow
- Gloves
- The way I can see my breath
- The warm feeling of entering an enclosed centrally heated place
- Making footprints in the snow
- Closed school due to snowstorm
- I hate too much cold.Third point is a lie.

8 Things on my Wish List:
- Fossil Watch - this, this & this (if anyone's taking notes)
- Pearl-drop earrings
- All seasons of SATC
- Aldo Shoes
- NY&C Clutch & Tote
- Abercrombie Vintage outerwear
- Figure to wear Herve Leger Dress, and then one dress too please!
- Good health & happiness for my entire family, friends & M.

8 Things I’m Passionate About:
- Reading
- Writing
- Traveling
- Watching movies(only in theaters)
- Did I mention Reading
- Community work
- Shopping
- Shoes, Clothes & Handbags

8 Words or Phrases I Use Often:
- Fuck
- Oh man!
- Fucking shit
- LOL
- Shit
- WTF
- Really?
- Frigging

8 Things I Have Learned From My Past:
- Being emotional gets you nowhere
- Speak up, that's the only way to go, even though sometimes crap comes out
- You and you alone are responsible for where your life is, maybe also a little luck
- Value your friends, cherish them, appreciate them
- Listen, think, process, talk. In that order
- Do what YOU want
- Don't let annoying people get to you. Be nice even to them
- Don't take life too seriously
Note: Just because I have realized these things over a period does not necessarily mean I actually follow them. I'm trying. Getting there.

8 Places I Would Love to Go or See or Visit:
- Europe
- Egypt
- Malaysia
- Africa
- Florida
- Australia
- Entire India - New Delhi, Rajasthan, North-East, Lakshadweep everything.
I guess that kinda covered the entire globe.. :)

8 Things I Currently Need or Want:
- To get over with my internship asap
- To pee
- Cute brown peep-toe flats
- Haircut
- Silky hair too, if possible :)
- Manicure & Pedicure
- A nice book to read
- Ideas for gifts for my parents..anyone?


And this folks was the one of the many tags I have got lined up in the pipeline! Avanti tagged me for this one. More to follow, where I am tagged again by her & Rani.. :)
I had so much fun doing this tag. I also realized - sometimes 8 is too big a number, and other times too small. Also that I am quite materialistic, more than I realize :D (All the best M, huh?). Anyhoo...like I mentioned, I am going to meet M's parents soon. And you'll know soon why it is such a BAD idea. But, like a wise friend said to me yesterday - "these things have to be done". Though he said it in context of cutting vegetables & cooking them. I am guessing, the context is a LOT different..eh..never mind. So anyway, more on that later.

First....first first first first...I've got to tag someone...mu hu ha ha ha ha ha...
Here goes -
Rani
Rambler
Pari
Saurabh
Mansi

And anyone else who wants to take this up!! Off I go to finish number 2 in the last "eight".

Later guys!