Next Week Resolutions ;-)

I have decided to set up weekly resolutions for myself. They are easier to set and achieve, I suppose…than those yearly ones. So, here are a few for the next week;

• Start reading the new books I’ve got – Rabindranath Tagore‘s selected Poems, Tagore’s Chokher Bali(Translated by Sukhendu Ray) and The last poem (Translated by Anindita M.), The secret of Naga(a special gift)
• Lunch get together with a set of friends, who have been trying hard to meet me
• A movie plan with the other set of friends
• and… a good blog post. That’s it, until next week.

Have a great weekend friends

Much Love!

Paranthe wali galli revisited through pictures

During my stay in Delhi, I did not want to miss the much recommended – famous paranthe wali galli – where they serve a platter of crunchy stuffed indian flatbreads, deep fried in clarified butter with a variety of curries, chutneys & pickles. Sounds too calorific, isn’t? Well, It is.

As I cross the dusty & crowded streets of chandni chownk, Old Delhi, I find my way to paranthe wali galli. It was a wintry morning and the sun rays sneaked in with great difficulty … through the tinned roof tops and several entangled wires to reach the narrow lanes finally.

There are quite a few shops selling paranthe, and I learnt that all are from similar clan who have branched out to cater to more visitors in that crowded street. I entered this one, the oldest of all… where there was a board in front, hosting a collage of photographs of yesteryears political heroes, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi who visited the place for their meals after India was freed.

Here’s the man who rolls out the flat breads using a variety of stuffings: peas, potatoes, onion, pulses, mixed veggies, cauliflower, paneer etc..They surely don’t look appetizing or even hygienic but who cares when you wish to gorge on Indian Street Food. , that too with global fame? It’s featured on several TV shows, books & journals including National Geographic.

That’s the stuffed flatbread being fried until brown and crispy in pure clarified butter… !! I couldn’t have more than 1 ..it was quite heavy!

And, that’s the platter served before the hot & fresh flatbread arrived…with north indian style potato curry, a curry made using pumpkins, a sweet and tangy chutney, green chutney made of coriander leaves & mint, and some sort of crunchy pickle using radish, carrots & green chillies.

Goood Morning – A new day, a new year!

This year has started on a whole lot of positivity, unlike last year. Don’t even wish to remember some “incidents” and difficult times caused by unscrupulous people. But, lessons learnt well

Anyway, met a childhood friend after 6 looooong years…we visited Delhi Haat…did some shopping…had some yummy steamy momoz …Met another friend…received a bunch of my favorite flowers(tube-roses) and a music CD that has a collection of my favorite old songs. A very thoughtful present I must say. Had delectable Chinese food for dinner…and a sinful cheese cake to celebrate the new year eve. Will post some pics very soon

So it was meeting friends, presents, shopping, food-ing and fun! Absolute bliss! Delhi is bringing so much happiness to me…could not have asked for more. Love this place.

Touchwood!

Happy New Year to alll you lovely people….. once again

Alllll iz wellll

This weekend was fun. Inclusive of good times, good food, good movies(Yes 2 actually), good shopping and a good haircut

Let me know how was yours? Have a super week ahead

 

Talk it out

You need someone to talk to…who can listen to you with keenness; “all” that you have to say, understand you… and someone with whom you don’t have to pretend. I share a great comfort level with this friend of mine and had a lovely relaxed time.

Ambience was perfect, on a porch – a mini-garden in itself. A brief shower, but we didn’t care…we talked and giggled like school girls while swaying gently on the swing and sipping hot tea.

This year so far…

…one of the best things, that happened to me was meeting a Blog friend for the first time. Yes, I met Swaram. The most popular Blogger around; on a very noble occassion for a Cause that we all know she is so closely associated with.

And, believe me she is as beautiful, lively, humble & kind as she exudes it through her writings.

Loved the experience of meeting her, besides the blessings that I sought from Swami Jee! Looking forward to meet my other Blog Friends too

Moments we create!

Well, I realise good moments are actually created. Just expecting things to turn fine all by itself is sort of inane. We must do things that bring us joy, do things that give us pleasure. We must create those moments, make them special. These days, I cook more often. I try new things, spend time watching classics on Television, listen to Mukesh/Md. Rafi / RD Burman songs, water my plants, I meet close friends, spend more time with family, read lots of books, journals,  & I write as much as I can.

O’er this weekend, I visited a very close friends’ place. It’s been a long pending one. This time, I had decided not to drop the plan, come what may. And, what an amazing time I had with him, his wife & adorable, beautiful, little daughter who is going to turn a year old in a few days.  Those were a few good moments. We went for an evening walk together along the road. There was so much greenery. We crossed a very old cemetery too. We talked, cracked jokes, laughed, remembered some good ol’ times, pulled each other’s legs, and walked back home. Later, we decided to go out for dinner, but on our way we changed our plan. We wanted to cook at home together.  We stopped by for grocery shopping and picked up all that we needed to cook up a sumptuous dinner. We returned home.

And in no time, while we were chatting, chopping, stirring & cooking, our meal was ready. Spicy Pulao, Chicken Drumsticks cooked in a tomato rich gravy on slow fire , Stir fried potatoes & frozen peas. All prepared and ready to be served with chilled coke. Yes. We gave a damn to calories and hogged instead. We did not regret going out. Had a relaxed hearty meal, & then I was dropped back home safely.

All in all, had a blast! Yes, we create moments like these and make life worthwhile. I shall cherish these special moments life long.

For a Delightful Day…

I often like buying a bunch of fresh Rajnigandha flowers (Tuberoses). I bring them home; loosely arrange them in a beautiful vase with water in it & the following morning I wake up to a room full of delicate, sweet fragrance around.  I smell the freshness in the air, feel the joy and start a day with all smiles. 

Yes, I remember its Diwali today – a festival of lights! Here’s wishing all my beautiful friends/readers a Sparkling & Safe Diwali! May all the fragrance of flowers & brightness of lights fill your days & nights ahead!

TGIF :)

It’s Friday evening & I am already thrilled at the thought of no waking up early mornings, no hurrying – worrying for the next 2 days. But, Friday evenings also bring around a lot of hard core thinking as in…how to effectively spend these two days… 

• A movie?
• Lunch/dinner?
• Meeting friends over coffer & some heartfelt conversation?
• Shopping?
• Self-pampering at a lovely Spa?
• Cooking or baking?
• Picnicking? 

Or… some good time lazying around at home with a book or possibly some sweet ‘n sour moments with family or all of that? Oh God!!! Can’t decide seriously! 

Leave my unresolved mind, may you all have a super weekend ahead!

Birth-day!

Well, I have always loved celebrating family’s and friend’s birthday. Throwing surprise parties, buying presents etc…gives me immense joy & contentment, especially when I get to see the smile on their face..(For sure money can’t buy this  ) but when it comes to my own birthday, I kinda really feel shy!!! :) Yeah…I know we have another year less to our lives, but nevertheless, I feel we all must celebrate our birthdays and thank our moms for gifting us such a colourful life. This, I believe is surely a good-enough reason to celebrate and have a blast on birthdays if not anything else. I probably try to keep it quiet… but, it can’t be a low-key when I have such a loving family & lovely friends around who carefully choose to remember birthdays and care enough to call and wish, send bouquets, buy me presents, pray for my happiness & goodwill. 

Yes, It was my birthday today and trust me at home the celebrations started since yesterday evening…when my bro got a cake and a beautiful bouquet and gave me lots of cash saying “buy whatever you love” (Afterall I am their only sweet adorable sis :) ) Well, with cake-cutting comes a free facial so…had a nice chocolaty creamy facial on my face and then the calls started overflowing as the clock struck 12.00 AM marking the beginning of my birthday…following beeps of message alerts, emails. It was a real sweet surprise….when during the day, my ex-boss and a few school friends called up to wish me…. I really feel blessed having surrounded by such warm and loving people.  The day was slightly boring as I had to attend a so called important Leadership Meeting…and the minute it got o’er I escaped and rushed back home to spend the day with mom…& as the day advanced I guess there was more fun in store. It wasn’t planned & we ventured out for lunch and movie…After having a sumptuous lunch….luckily with Rajneeti running houseful I managed to get tickets for the show, and my Mom, sis-in-law and I along wid my cutie-pie niece got to watch the heavy-duty flick. After the show, we did a bit of shopping, visited a bookstore, got more gifts :) and then ended the day with a lovely hot coffee Latte at Cafe Coffee Day. 

Overall, I had a great day! Thankyou God, thanks Mom and thanks to all who mean a lot to me and my life!

Fall Morning

“As I look out of my bedroom window at another Fall (autumn) morning.
Sun is shining but the air quite chilly and trees so bare…
All there is left on them are the empty nests of the birds that once lived there,
they have seeked refuge on green pastures with warm air somewhere south,
the fallen leaves which have lost their green color have turned into yellow and orange,
Around the tree that once they flourished on, ending one cycle of life to begin another.” 

How does it feel, when early morning you stir up to find a sweet little email sent to you by a dear friend? Yes, I feel the same …lucky and highly elated. It becomes all the more special when it’s penned down keeping you in mind

(J) Thank you very much for the above few lines, it made my day reading them!  Even if it was an attempt, IT’S BEAUTIFUL…so true, inspiring and straight from the heart.

A toast on their birthday!

It’s a twist of fate that I have two very close friends who are; very similar persona-wise, holds a prime place in my heart, and has played an imperative role in balancing my life! One I have known for a very very long time now and the other very recently, but I guess the camaraderie clicked instantly & effortlessly as they share the same birth date

I would certainly take this opportunity to thank them for everything, for having them in my life, for being such wonderful human beings and adding every drop of essence in their and their loved ones life! May God shower choicest of blessings upon you and may you have all that you want in life!!

With much love,

Dew