The Journey

Tags

dreams, Fiction, Journey, Life, Poetry, Travel

The unknown path, the indefinite journey,

I ventured inadvertently, aimlessly.

I know not, where would this lead to,

All I know, I have to make my dreams come true!

 

Sun Kissed Summer Flowers

Tags

Bright, Brightness, Colors, Dahlia, Flora, Flowers, Hills, Hillside, Hilltop, Inspiration, Life, Magic, Mountains, Pastel Shades, Rose, Wild Flowers

Flowers have a mysterious way of hypnotizing me, be it in any form. Whether it’s wild or exotic, whether it has fragrance or not, they never fail to bring a smile. Fragile, timid, in variant shades and colors, they look strikingly beautiful.

Golden Marigold

The Rose

Pink Blossoms

Sun Kissed Wild Flower

On a recent trip to a nearby hilltop, I noticed this pastel colored wild flower, sans any scent, perched delicately against the mighty hills. It was beaming with joy, as it bathed in the abundance of golden sunlight,  so nonchalantly, happy & bright, oblivious to any uncertainty, any hail or storm, bad weather conditions, unlike we humans, who spend most of our time worrying what the future beholds, errr.. let me correct, what the next minute holds. 😉 Strange. No?

I loved it, found it inspiring. Hope you like it too. Sharing this to spread some brightness around…well, not quite on a Wordless Wednesday! 🙂

How Our Preferences Change…

Tags

Choices, Favorites, Hair Care, Just Like That, Life, Long Tresses, Preferences

There’s nothing called “My all time favorites”, or “Love Forever”. I have realized, with passing time, our tastes, likes, dislikes and preferences change. Things we used to like as kids or adolescents,  might not be something we like anymore, of course, that’s the process of growing up and discovering life and blah blah.. but am a bit surprised. You know, I have noticed, few things I used to like before, I have started disliking them.. And things I’d hated, I’ve started liking them…Just for instance, I’d never liked long hair, especially since it involves so much care, you know for good, long, shiny hair. So always preferred keeping it shoulder length, but, for the last one year or so, I have started liking it, and am growing my tresses now…! Sharing a pic too 😀

Long Tresses

Right now, it’s reached…just a bit above my waist. 🙂 But, with this …comes in a lot of trouble to maintain its texture and quality… Sigh!!!!

The Cycle of Love & Life

Tags

Fiction, Life, Love, Poetry

You live to love,

In love you find pain,

In pain you learn to live,

You live to fall in love, once again.

The Crunch, Taste & Yum Factor

Tags

Carbs, Diet, Dinner, Fitness, Food, Good Health, Grill, Maggie, Masala, Vegetables

So, my fitness instructor / personal trainer, has put me on some sort of a diet and restricted me from eating any carb after 8:00 PM. And, all I can feed my tummy is with loads of vegetables, some egg whites and milk …. or grilled chicken/fish etc. The latter part isn’t convenient after work

Now, I kind of get severe hunger pangs in the evening, and since my training is in the evening, it’s nearly impossible to eat just veggies, so here’s the cheat bit – I sauteed lots of fresh vegetables – broccoli, french beans, carrots, mushrooms, spring onions etc, and then added just a little boiled, strained Maggie noodles with its masala-powder 😉 And I  did not complain .. 🙂

Good Food, Good Health

Morning Splendor

Tags

Breakfast, Dawn, Eggs, Happiness, Inspiration, Love, Morning, Photography, Sky, Toasts

This morning, the sky looked this vibrant. Yes, bright and happy mornings inspire me amazingly. And how we are going to spend the rest of the day quite depends on how well we’ve opened our mornings. For me it surely does.  Even if there are struggles that lay ahead, we possibly would have enough positive energy to fight it.  I believe so. No? 🙂

I have just had my morning cup of tea, and as I type this, my breakfast of fried eggs and toasts are in the making, followed by some chopped apples and nuts.

A New Day

Stay fit, happy and inspired!! 🙂

…Your Dreams are Valid!!!

Tags

12 Years of Slave, 2014, Academy Awards, Acceptance Speech, Cate Blanchet, dreams, Happiness, Inspiration, Life, Lupita Nyong'o, Movies, oscars, Winners

The much anticipated Oscar ceremony is over. I think these awards thingy is a tad too hyped. Though, I don’t care much, but I guess, it matters to those who work hard to get recognized in the field of cinema. So amidst all the honorary give-aways, what really caught my attention, the most, was this bit of Nyong’o’s acceptance speech – “No matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid”.

Yes, her words, kind of sound magic to me. And reinforces my belief that we should not put our dreams to rest. We must dream big. We must live to see our dreams come true. Yes, that’s what Life is all about  – to give wings to your dreams and fly high in the scale of life…:-)

Out of all the nominated movies, I did watch Blue Jasmine, and I think Cate was very natural, and she delivered a fine performance. Her acceptance speech was genuine too. And, I am going to watch “12 Years a Slave” very soon.

Congratulations to the winners!!

Happy Hours Ahead :-)

Tags

Beautiful, Forget, Fun, Life, Thoughts, Weekend

Source: Google

 

 

Sweet People Around…

Tags

Auto, Bangalore, Happiness, Kindness, Life, Sweet People, Thoughts

Bangalore has been tough when it comes to auto rickshaws. It really is difficult. My everyday tyranny is inexplicable in words – especially with the drivers. I have observed they are even worse with people who are not the natives of Karnataka., or cannot speak the local language.  Few are good though. Just few. But yesterday, my experience was sweet. Extra sweet.

So, usually, after workout, I wait for an auto. At times, if I am lucky, I get one, in not less than 10 mins, and at times, it’s 15 mins or over. Some pass by, ask and refuse to go to the direction I say. Some ask blatantly for 3 times more. All this leaves me exhausted and irritated, imagine after a day at work and the gym. Yesterday, it took me quite sometime again, but I saw an auto cross, with a passenger in it. My heart sank. But, the auto suddenly stopped ahead, and the passenger, I saw stepped out, after paying him. I sighed a relief, I immediately rushed to ask the auto, if he would go. He agreed too, without asking extra fare or anything else. I softly whispered a little prayer, thanking God and sat inside.

Apparently, the driver told me, “Madam, the guy got down, seeing that you were waiting anxiously, and decided to walk ahead. He had to get down further ahead.” I could not help but smile. Little ahead, I almost screamed out a big “Thank You” to the guy, I noticed, who was walking ahead. He smiled and gently waved. 🙂

This world would have been a difficult place to live, without these sweet people around. Let us show our kindness in whatever little way, possibly we can.

Little Birdie Says “Good Morning”

Tags

Bird, Images, Photography, Pictures, Travel

Little Bird

Break the barriers…

Tags

Happiness, Inspire, Joy, Laugh, Life, Live, Love, Triumph, Victory

Break the barriers, and unshackle yourself.

Set your heart free.

Love yourself. Enjoy a bit.

Laugh out loud. Live your life a little.

Do not look back.

Let each day be a triumph over yesterday.

Let every moment be a victory.

Life it is…

Tags

Fiction, Poetry

I am getting better,

I am becoming stony.

 

 

I am Me, Myself

Tags

dreams, Failures, Fears, Hopes, Me, Mistakes, Successes, Triumphs, Virginia Satir

I am Me. In all the world, there is no one else exactly like me. Everything that comes out of me is authentically mine, because I alone chose it — I own everything about me: my body, my feelings, my mouth, my voice, all my actions, whether they be to others or myself. I own my fantasies, my dreams, my hopes, my fears. I own my triumphs and successes, all my failures and mistakes. Because I own all of me, I can become intimately acquainted with me. By so doing, I can love me and be friendly with all my parts. I know there are aspects about myself that puzzle me, and other aspects that I do not know — but as long as I am friendly and loving to myself, I can courageously and hopefully look for solutions to the puzzles and ways to find out more about me. However I look and sound, whatever I say and do, and whatever I think and feel at a given moment in time is authentically me. If later some parts of how I looked, sounded, thought, and felt turn out to be unfitting, I can discard that which is unfitting, keep the rest, and invent something new for that which I discarded. I can see, hear, feel, think, say, and do. I have the tools to survive, to be close to others, to be productive, and to make sense and order out of the world of people and things outside of me. I own me, and therefore, I can engineer me. I am me, and I am Okay.” – Virginia Satir

Every Picture Has a Story – Kolkata Diary

Tags

Boat, Calcutta, Cargo Ships, Classic, Ferry, Ganga, Hand Rickshaw, Happiness, Heritage, Howrah Bridge, India, Kolkata, Launch, Life, Monument, Photography, River, Timeless, Travel, Victoria, Weather

Calcutta, hasn’t changed much. And, I hope it does not. There is something very intriguing about the city – I wonder if it is the fragments of history in some nook and corner or it’s the prominence of modern day progressions. Or may be it is just the fine amalgamation of both. Definitely not to forget.. its rich, vibrant, boisterous life & culture, that will impress you instantly.

My recent visit to Kolkata, and some nearby towns and countryside was quite satisfactory. It was a photo journey, so to say… and most pictures reflected a very classic frame, so I have processed them slightly, to retain and radiate the age-old effect!

Stillness

I’d wished if time just paused. The bridge as a backdrop and the dawdling cargo ships, over the holy river Ganga, far from the rat race and hustle bustle was a perfect prop and pinch to the nostalgic feel.

The Bridge

And life was just the opposite at the other end. People, of all sorts – Babu Sahibs, Clerks, Hawkers, Peddlers.. and also probably a few… who simply came to tour the city, rushed to board these economical launches, and longed to be ferried to the opposite bank, so that they don’t get late to work.

Timeless Gaze

Many come and wait at the dockyards, aiming to reach their destinations sooner… to make their both ends meet and probably also those…who can’t afford the comforts of a taxi or a metro ride.

Tough Ride

So the river is frequented by these fishermen too, who struggle for their everyday catch.

The Window Love

Off the river, you witness these beautiful buildings that exude such intricate nuances of old, colonial architecture. The distinct wooden window frames, paints peeling off, and a home that whispers a story.

The Wait

Calcutta diary would be incomplete without mentioning these yellow colored vehicles, which stops at just a mere call “TAXI” and the driver pulls over and cranes his neck to ask “ko thai jaaben” (where to?)”

The Enchanting Victoria

This classic heritage piece, the monument, the museum, holds on to a significant past. You strangely feel you are taken back to the not so golden period, politically I mean.

Still there… The Mighty Hand Rickshaw

I was quite baffled, to see the hand rickshaws being used. Still. This can be the worst form of bearing the burden – the human burden I mean.

Nearby towns and countryside picture posts, has to wait, but will do it shortly. 🙂

A Promise to Myself, This Year! Promise Yourself…too!

Tags

Fiction, Life, New Year, Poetry, Prayers, Resolutions, Thoughts, Wish

To be so strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity
to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel
that there is something in them
To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side
so long as you are true to the best that is in you.”  – Christian D. Larson

Travel Wonders

Tags

Evening Glow, Evening Muse, Life, Muse, Photography, Sunset, Temple Ruins, Travel, Writing

Holidays don’t have to be to exotic locations always, or luxurious, or for that matter extravagant. Even visiting a small town, or a countryside can be a very interesting experience in itself.

Evening Muse

It not just soothes you, but helps you connect with the roots, when you meet with common folks and get introduced to their simple life with no artifice at all.  I took one such, very recently. Will write more soon. 

Cold, Misty, Yet Not Dreary!

Tags

Air, Blush, Chill, chill in the air, Cold, Joy, Mist, Morning, Seasons, Sunlight, Warmth, Winter, Winter Love

The crisp, light chill in the air,

and the mist-coated sky,

Lovely blush of morning it is,

with feeble touch of sunlight,

Tell me, why won’t you rejoice…

..in this ever so gleaming wintry delight?

And the snowfall begins…!

Tags

Bucket List, Chilly, Snowfall, Travel, Winter, Wordpress

On WordPress I meant… 😀

I have never personally witnessed a snowfall, and I am aiming to visit some place next year to experience that. One of the MUST do things, from my Bucket List!!

Source: Natural HD Wallpapers.com

And yes, loving the onset of slight wintry chills here 🙂

Wednesday Love

Tags

Baking, Brownies, Chocolate, Dryfruits, Labonel, Love, Walnut

Love for Brownies

Gulzaar Sa’b – A Mere Reflection of Eternal Classic

Tags

Charm, Enigma, Ghazal, Gulzaar, Men, Poetry, Poise

I had the golden opportunity to meet Gulzar Sa’b, at the Blr Lit fest, this season. And believe me, I could not have been happier meeting anyone else on earth. His poetry has always mesmerized me, and after meeting him, I am in complete awe of this man. It actually left me wondering, if men … do exist with such a fine demeanor and eloquence..! Do they? In reality? 😀

Look at his face, it exudes such wisdom, poise and charm.  And, his aura is equally infectious when you meet him up, close & personal – Very humble, polite and grounded.

The charming Man

“Dil dhoondhta hai, phir wahi, fursat ke raat din” (Once more, my heart yearns for those leisurely days) – The Great Gulzaar Sa’b (If you can… listen to the music. It will stir up your mind surely)

Gorgeous Pieces of Silver

Tags

Fun, Handcrafted, Handicrafts, Happiness, Life, Photography, Silver Jewelry, Sunday Soul Sante

Silver Jewellery

Recipe on Request :-)

Tags

Bengali Meal, cauliflower florets, Comfort Food, Cooking, Culinary Skills, cup basmati rice, Food, Fun, ginger paste, Khichdi, Lentils, Life, mung dal, mustard oil, peas carrots, pot meal, Rice, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Dear Girl Next Door, this post is specially for you, on your request. So, here’s how I made this Khichdi; 🙂

Portion: Can serve two people

Ingredients

• Half Cup, Basmati rice, washed and drained
• 1/4 cup yellow mung dal
• Mediium size, ripe tomato, coarsely chopped, 1 (Optional
• One medium size potato, peeled and diced
• One Onion, thinly sliced
• A cup of cauliflower florets(little bigger chunks if you are to pressure cook), french beans, carrots
• Handful of green peas
• One tablespoon of ginger paste
• Couple of green chillies
• 1/4 teaspoon of garam masala powder (green cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, black pepper)
• One teaspoon of turmeric powder
• One or two bay leaves, 1 black cardamom, 1 small stick of cinnamon
• Mustard Oil / Ghee / Refined Oil
• Sugar / Salt as per your taste

The Know How;

• In a pan, dry roast the mung dal until the lentils are gently browned. Once, done, let it cool and keep it separate
• In a pressure cooker, heat oil / ghee, and add bay leaf, black cardamom, cinnamon stick. Saute for a few seconds
• Add the onions, green chillies and the veggies(green peas, save it to add towards the end) and a pinch of sugar. Now stir fry for a couple of minutes until the veggies are slightly colored

One Pot Meal – Khichdi

• Add the ginger paste, and the spices. Mix everything and keep stirring
• Now you can add the lentils and rice. Mix it well
• Add one and a half cup of hot water and sprinkle some salt and garam masala.
• Cover the lid and pressure cook until two whistles, and then lower the flame of stove and let it rest for a couple of minutes
• Turn off the stove and wait for the pressure to drop on its own.
• You can then add some clarified butter and serve it hot with pickle and fritters or fries

Moong Dal Khichdi

A few things:

• You can add more of veggies and little rice and make it healthier
• You can cook this in a pot too, but the cooking time would be extra, plus more water would be needed(hot water in both cases)
• You can also use a mix of lentils (Masoor Dal, Mung Dal, and Tuar Dal)
• If you are using frozen peas, put them in a bowl of water(room temperature) and keep changing it for a couple of times unless they defrost. This will retain the texture and not make the peas chewy

Please try and let me know if you liked it. 🙂

WordPress Woes!!

Tags

blogging, Blogs, Interactive, Just Like That, Like, Thoughts, Wordpress

Well, everything seems to shrink, eventually. Just fancy, how interactive the blog used to be earlier, before the sinful existence of “Like” button.

Source:dalybuajitti.wordpress..com)

Then I tell myself, on a positive note that at least something is better than simply lurking around. No?

You Know Why Books Are My Best Pals?

Tags

Books, Friends, Happiness, Joy, Knowledge, Life, Love, Pals

Because you can always reach out to them whenever you want, whichever hour you want. They impart indefinite knowledge. They inspire you in several ways. They are so dependable and the bond only grows stronger day by day!

Books (marketmybook.in)

They are the most reliable companions of all times. 🙂

A Poetry

Tags

despair, Fiction, henry w longfellow, Life, Poetry, song of peace

And in despair I bowed my head;
There is no peace on earth, I said;
For hate is strong, And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep!
The Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!

– Henry W. Longfellow

Getting Used to New Gadgets & OS

Tags

Android, aPPLE, gadget freak, Gadgets, htc, Laptop, Mobile, Operating Systems, Phone, Sleek, technology, vaio series, Windows 8

It’s only when you switch to new, trending gadgets and its Operating Systems, you realize that it can drive you nuts with its multiple features and apps. Have recently owned a new sleek Ultrabook, Windows 8, Sony Vaio series, and the sexy HTC, Desire 600 – needless to say… am slowly lowwving it 🙂

Well, laptop, I bought from a very convenient standpoint, wanted something lighter, primarily since I travel a lot and a little heavier in size becomes unnecessary burden on my shoulders.

Sony Vaio Ultrabook(engadget.com)

The battle over phone was between Apple and other sleek phones, and my brother rightly convinced me for an HTC. it’s again lighter and very user friendly.

HTC Desire 600 (htc.com)

– Gadget Freak, me!

A Mesmerizing Song Today!

Tags

asha bhosle, Bollywood Classics, Classics, Courtesan, Lyrics, Movies, Music, Rhythm, Songs, Soulful Music, Umrao Jaan, Urdu Poetry

The classic movie, “Umrao Jaan“, has some of the best musical scores of lifetime. But this one, in particular, I find it so soulful. The lyrics, the music, the song, the rythm, is so very mesmerizing.

Asha Bhosle, has always been the most favorite, awe-inspiring singer to me. She has mysteriously weaved some sort of magical ecstasy into this piece, that it leaves you nothing but poignant, and makes you want to dance in trance.

“Dil cheez kya hai, aap meri jaan leejiye, bas ek baar…bas ek baar… mera kahaa, maan leejiye” – …And yes, this, I am not translating…’cause it will lose its essence otherwise. 🙂

Compliments!!

Tags

Awkward, Compliments, Happiness, Joy, Life, Situations

I still feel shy, when someone compliments and fail to suitably react to the situation, unless it’s from very close set of friends and family. 🙂

I end up feeling awkward. How do you handle them?

The Delectable Goan Food

Tags

Babycorns, Berry Drink, culture, dessert, Fish, Food, Food Photography, Food Post, Fritters, Goa, Goan Food, Goan Rice, Ice Cream, Indian Food, Journal, Main Course, Pomfret Curry, Prawns Curry, restaurants, Salad, Sea Food, spices and condiments, Starters, Travel, Vegetarian, Western India, Yoghurt

Ok. I know. Silence and this long absence. I blame it to work partly and a bit to my sickness. The sickness is because of this unpredictable, cold, gloomy weather here in Bangalore. Anyway, feeling slightly better and posting the pics from my recent trip to Goa. Yes, my taste buds have gone for a toss, and my cravings for spicy food has just shot up. Hence, this food post 😀

The Welcome Drink

This was an amazing juice I had. Apparently made of kokum, Garcinia indica, of berry family – very mildly spiced, with a hint of tang, and garnished with green chillies.

Veg Starter – The Babycorn Fritters

These were crisp babycorn fritters, which tasted heavenly.

Goan Prawn Curry

Like I said before, trying anything else other than sea food in Goa would have been a sin. So gorged on my favorite prawn curry. The prawns were fresh, succulent, and cooked to perfection with right blend of spices and condiments.

The Crunchy Salad

Stir Fried Prawns

I am not a hard-core non-vegetarian and eat very very selective kinds. Stick to mostly chicken and very limited types of fish – Just prawns, pomfret and rohu fish, so I never had the zest to try out the exotic ones, like lobster, crabs etc. and I was just happy with what I had.

The Pomfret Curry

I did taste the local rice which is unlike the fine grains of Basmati. Similar to parboiled rice. The curried fish sauce with the rice very well complemented each other.

Homemade Frozen Fruit Yoghurt Ice Cream

Am not too fond of the other Goan desserts, so just went ahead with this which was strongly suggested by the Chef there – it was not too bad.

I terribly want to eat some good food now – very spicy, hot and flavorsome. While I go and get it, do tell me if you liked this post? 🙂

From the Book – Mitch Albom’ Time Keeper

Tags

Books, Mitch Albom, Time, Time Keeper

Man alone measures time. Man alone chimes the hour. And, because of this, man alone suffers a paralysing fear that no other creature endures. A fear of time running out.

A simple, thought provoking and must read.

Goa Journal

Tags

Beach, Beautiful, Benaulim Beach, Break, Getaway, Goa, Goan Rice, Lifeguard, monsoon season, Monsoons, monstrous waves, mystic dream, Overcast, palm trees, Photography, Seafood, Travel, Vacations

The View When I Woke Up

It was nothing less than a mystic dream, those three days – Beautiful, Panoramic and Blissful. They were the most indelible memoirs of my life. Far from the tumult of city, I got to escape and unwind in nature’s lap along the shores where tranquility had stationed itself for eternity.

The Overcast

So, where do I begin from – the mesmerizing overcast shadowing the magnificent Arabian sea, the monsoon struck weather, rain-swept grassy land, gleaming tender leaves of palm trees, the moist breeze wafting or just the overall feel of Goa? Everything was just so very terrific; including the sea food with Goan rice. Yes, it would have been a crime to try anything else there.

The Red Flag

I have always been fearful of coasts, especially those monstrous waves, and since it was the monsoon season, there were already red alerts/flags everywhere. The lifeguard cautioned about the water having severe currents and how it could be dangerous and life threatening. Yes, I cheated a bit, but did not go deep, and maintained a safe distance.

The Walk Along The Coast

The joy is inexplicable and I reveled completely, listened to the soft rainfall, got soaked in the rain, walked along the coast,  soiled myself at the beach, photographed, and significantly loved every minute of my time spent there. It’s a paradise during the monsoons, I would say. Well, Beach is one such place, which must be visited at all seasons I believe, to witness its versatility.

The Fisherman’s Challenge

It was a very short trip though, and many things were left unexplored – the charm of old parts of Goa, those colonial churches, the heritage sites, the culture, local Goan music, authentic Goan food, and interacting with the localites. I would definitely plan that sometime soon maybe.

The Old Time Feel

Will post other photographs later…! 🙂 Let me know if you like these?

GOA… Finally :-)

Tags

Beaches, Clouds, Getaway, Holiday Destinations, Horizon, Hungry Tides, Life, Monsoons, quick getaway, Rainfall, Rhythm, Sea, Uttarakhand Floods, Vacations

Am excited as a little girl. A quick getaway but a royal one. Much awaited. Much deserved. I wish if Life was all about Vacations 🙂

I have always wanted to witness the spectacular view of the beach during the wilderness of the Monsoons – the thick gray low lying clouds, the horizon, the hungry tides lapping against the shore, the soft rhythm of the rainfall mingling with the sea, and the magical whiff in the air… Well, Goa, has always been a dream destination around this time, so it makes me really happy. Looking forward to the trip, so much..muchy muchy more 🙂

Do I need to express enough – my love for monsoons and the beach?

P.S. Nature’s Irony –  For some, the rains are blissful and for some, it’s a curse! My prayers and thoughts for all the victims and their families!

No time to stand and stare!!!

Tags

Break, Breakfree, Holiday, Monsoon, Rains, vacation, Work, Workload

Quite literally.

I have hardly got any time to breathe. Good part is my work has been highly recognized and I have got a good raise 🙂

So in between work and other things,,,am just taking this minuscule break to write in – a sudden urge to breakfree.

I promise a holiday to myself after this, workload.

Oh yes… and I am loving the MONSOONS…And you?

🙂

How beautifully a song can inspire?

Tags

Bollywood, Classics, Dev Anand, Films, Hum Dono, Inspire, Lyrics, Md. Rafi, Movies, Sahir Ludhianvi, Songs, Youtube

Last weekend, I was watching an ol’ time 1961′ movie, Hum Dono. I have always been a fan of classics and chanced upon this song once again while watching the movie.

I love it…especially the tinkling music and the profound LYRICS…something I must learn to implement in life…”har fikr ko dhuein mein udata chala gaya…main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya“

Listen to this beautiful piece and stay inspired 🙂 On the movie, I shall write some other time!!

Monday Morning!

Tags

Action Items, fresh start, hangover, Incentive, Monday Blues, monday morning, New Beginning, New Day, peace and joy, Plan, positive energy, Priority, Things to Do, Weekend

Mondays are always MUNDANE! Unexciting! We all think, after having a good weekend, there’s always a fresh start. A new beginning. But, alas! Instead, we find ourselves struggling to get out of the “good weekend” mode. Sort of a hangover. So, this Monday morning, when I woke up, the first thing that came to my mind was the long list of “Things to Do” and I started fretting. I somehow did not want a bad day for the beginning of the week.

Loaded with a good breakfast and positive energy I started my day. Quickly planned and prioritized the action items and finished them one by one. Now, I kind of feel better. Relaxed. Having accomplished a nearly successful day brings peace and joy. Of course the incentive is – 4 days down the line, there’s  another weekend. 🙂

Stay happy and don’t forget to smile!!  🙂

A Life With No Regrets!

Tags

Aspirations, Books, Care, Destiny, dreams, Explore, Family, Hopes, Joy, Love, Loved Ones, Night, Places, Read, Regrets, Remorse, Satisfactory Life, Sun, Travel, Twinkling Stars

I want to live a life with absolutely no regrets. I want to enjoy every bit. Every moment. I want to make the most of this life – a satisfactory life at least.

All about Life (parisanoman.wordpress.com)

Towards the end I do not want to feel remorse thinking… Oh! I should have done this, I should have done that…I should have spent a little more time with my loved ones, or that I should have expressed myself a bit more, or could have spread more love and joy, or may be I should have traveled there, explored places, met more people, should have tasted that exotic food… or read that book under the sun over green pastures, or stared endlessly at those twinkling stars in the night-time… etc etc. I don’t want any space for could have and should have.

With conviction, I want to fulfill all my dreams, all my wishes, desires and aspirations. Whether I will be able to do so… I don’t know as yet. At least I would know I tried. I attempted. Rest all depends on destiny. Strange, no? How we are all enslaved by the thing called destiny. But, nevertheless hopes should not die, and that’s exactly what fuels our spirits.

So, go ahead, make a list of all that you wish to do…and fulfill them. In the meanwhile, I am going to work on mine. 🙂

Musical Trend These Days…in Movies

Tags

Barfi, Bollywood, Dama Dum Mast Kalandar, David, Films, Genre, Love, Music, Rekha Bhardwaj, Songs, Sufi, Wake Up Sid, Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani

Good Music equals to Good Mood.

I plug in to music while working or doing chores at home via radio, TV, Stereo. Sometimes very loud too. 😀 These songs(listed below) particularly, the genre, I have noticed, has become a trend to be included in the movies. No hassles, as long as the lyrics make sense and soothe our ears and I enjoy listening to them pretty often…

Phir le aya … from Barfi

Iktara…from Wake Up Sid

The latest Kabira song… from YJHD

Dama Dum Mast Kalandar…from David (Though it’s a remix, and I don’t like remix..however this was done quite well)

And yes, Rekha Bhardwaj is too good 🙂

Reminiscing…!

Tags

Birds, darjeeling tea, Hammock, Joys, peace, Relax, Sunshine, Warmth, Weather

Those early morning days, when I relaxed comfortably on this hammock and enjoyed nature’s abundance. Listened to the chirping of birds over a cup of sweet Darjeeling tea with some peace around me 🙂 I can’t complain, really. Life is good!

The Hammock Experience 

P.S. Such short picture posts by default reflect the lack of time. Please bear, will write soon. 🙂

A Brekkie Delight!

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Almonds, Breakfast, Cereal, Eggs & Bread, Figs, Food, Good Health, Health is Wealth, Healthy, Honey, instant oatmeal, Kickstart, Mangoes, Milk, Muesli, Nuts, Oatmeal, Parfait, Photography, Robert A Heinlein, robert heinlein, sweet mangoes, Yoghurt

“One should not attend even the end of the world without a good breakfast.” – Robert A. Heinlein

And I totally second that. Breakfast is an important meal. A good one helps you fight the day. I usually try instant oatmeal with different variations, or the eggs and bread, or muesli /cereal. Now, with muesli, it does get slightly boring if you do not spice it up a bit..so I try different things.

This morning I soaked the nutty muesli in skimmed milk for about an hour or so and then created a sort of parfait with layers of soaked muesli, whisked yoghurt with honey(to give that creamy effect and a bit of tang), and then chopped ripe and succulent sweet mangoes and figs. I loved it. It did help me kickstart my day on a very healthy note. 🙂

Muesli

Happy Weekend Ahead! Celebrate & Enjoy!!

Some Interesting Plans Brewing..

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Fun, Happy Birthday, Plans, Weekend

Yes.. yes.. it’s my birthday …just the day after!!!! And I am all excited to make it special. The EXTRA special way! 🙂

Have an awesome weekend ahead!!

A Wordless Wednesday…

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Dusk, Evening Hues, Ferry, Kerala, lovely evening, Nature, Photography, Pictures, Sea, Sunset, Twilight, Varkala Beach, Wordless Wednesday

Not entirely though, as I am always tempted by the grandeur of sea. This was shot during my recent trip to Kerala.

At Varkala Beach

It was a lovely evening – the beautiful dusk and the hues complemented perfectly, while the boatmen who plunged into the roaring sea, just created a highly picturesque and inspiring view. Oh! These magnanimous water bodies have such enigmatic charm, which I can never express in my words.  I think it was a fine shot. What say?

I have a HUGE crush…!

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Crush, dr derek, Dr. Shepherd. Derek, Grey's Anatomy, Patrick Dempsey, TV Series

…on Dr. Derek Shepherd 🙂

Dr. Shepherd (Google – Source)

Does anyone else have too?

 

Acceptance

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Acceptance, Challenges, Life, People, Situations, Thoughts

Life, perhaps gets easier and comfortable, when we slowly learn to accept things around us – accepting the situations, accepting people, and all the challenges that life conveniently throws up at us. 

I Missed It…

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blogging, Computers, Internet, Mobiles, Switch Off, Weekend, Writing

Yesterday’s post I mean. Somehow, I was too exhausted, and I just felt asleep. And, also I realized, I need a break, at least a day in a week from computers, mobile, internet etc – a complete shut down. Anyway, since I did that yesterday, am posting something today and going forward, I guess I would choose Sundays as a complete switch-off day 🙂

Hope you all had a nice weekend!

The Sheer Fun of Writing Letters!!

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Chinese Pens, Conventional Thoughts, Emails, Friends, Fun, Handwritten Letters, Letterpad, Letters, literature, Mails, Phone Keypad, Postal Services, Postcards, Texts, Writing

I am quite fond of writing. So much, so that… I prefer writing and expressing myself over talking, except that texting on phone. I simply can’t engage myself typing patiently on the tiny phone keypad – I hate it. Anyways, coming back to writing…I like to write mails, would anyday prefer the age old method of letters, but nevertheless the emails work in this jet age. So, I write to close friends often, and I like to read their replies, and then the series…back and forth. Sounds conventional, but they make my day invariably 🙂

Postcards / Letter Pads (dailybuzz.co.au)

Someday, I want to revive the letter writing practice using a letterpad, inked chinese pen, and post them to distant friends or use a postcard maybe with a brief handwritten note…!! I think, am gonna do that soon!! What say???

Have a fabulous weekend anyway, and see if you can write a nice loving letter to a dear friend soon?

It’s Been Perfect this Summer!

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Cooking, creamy mushroom soup, Crispies, Food, Friends, Happiness, heavy downpour, Hot Weather, Joy, Life, Love, Monsoon, Mushrooms, Nature, pitter patter, Rains, Soup, Summer, Toasties, Weather

Summer time is soon about to end, and I did not even feel it. This season, it’s been pouring. Every now and then. In fact, it’s drizzling outside at this very hour, after a heavy downpour, and I can hear the pitter patter through the sheer silence of the night. It’s cold, damp, yet, magnificently pleasant.

Pitter Patter (fineartamerica.com)

A weather like this, and I have just had a rich creamy mushroom soup with some perfectly toasted bread crispies.

Finding joys in little things like these, make life a perfect reason to celebrate. No?

A Day to be Bookmarked!

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Friends, Love, Mother Teresa, People, Quotes, relationships

“Go out into the world today and love the people you meet. Let your presence light new light in the hearts of people.” – Mother Teresa

Time to Remember Those Who Touched Our Lives With Affection!

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bestest, Care, Colleagues, Food, Friends, Lentils, Life, Love, Lunch, morsel, People, Tiffin, Workplace

As the saying goes, people come into your life for a reason, in my life too, they came in with a reason. I have been mostly fortunate to have met good people in every walk of life, except a few of course, who have left some bitter taste. Otherwise, the ones, who have showered immense love and care on me, I do not forget a moment to feel grateful towards them, and pray to God for their well-being always. We at least owe them this much. No?

So today I specially remember this person, from my earlier company, a colleague turned friend, who out of her care and generosity, knowing I skipped lunches, would most of the times, pack lunch box for me from her home, so that I could at least eat a morsel or two at my desk. We were not the bestest of friends, nor we seemed to talk about anything under the sun, but we were very comfortable with each other at workplace. :-)And yes, she also knew I loved sambar(a medley of vegetables & lentils) and rice, so she would make them specially for me and bring it to office, and what an amazing cook she is.

Here’s to dear D, thanks a bunch for all your love and care. I do cherish all those moments and shall always do… God bless!” 🙂

Just a Few Lines!!! :-)

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Aims, Fiction, Happiness, Joy, Moon, Poetry, Smiles, Stars, Sun, twinkle

I ask myself,

What next?

I look up there and smile,

I aim high!

The Sun, The Moon,

and those stars that twinkle at night !!! 🙂

A Recipe Today – Burnt Chili Garlic Noodles!

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Cabbage, Capsicum, Carrots, Chili, Cooking, Culinary Skills, Egg Noodles, Food, Garlic, Green Beans, Happiness, Joy, Life, little salt, Mushroom, Onions, salt and pepper, sauce soya, Sauces, Seasoning, Spring Onions, tomato ketchup, Vegetarian

All That You Shall Need

1. Boiled and strained Noodles – One Packet
2. Shredded Vegetables – I used plenty of Mushrooms, Capsicum, Cabbage, Green Beans, Carrots, Spring Onions, Slivers of Pink Onions
3. Seasoning – Chilli Flakes, Oregano, Salt, Pepper and a Pinch of Sugar
4. Two Eggs, scrambled with a little salt and pepper
5. Sauces – Chilli Sauce, Soya Sauce, Tomato Ketchup
6.  Others – Finely chopped garlic, green chilies and some ginger julienne
7. Oil

Burnt Chili Garlic Noodles

The Making

Heat oil in a wok. Add, finely chopped garlic, chilies and those ginger julienne. Stir fry, until the garlic turns golden in color. Then add the slivers of onion and the other veggies. Remember to crank up the heat for a couple of minutes, else the veggies would ooze a lot of water, and continue to stir fry. I like it crunchy, and if you like it too that way, then don’t overcook. Now add the sauces and cover and cook for another minute or so. Add the noodles, eggs, mix it well, and finally sprinkle the seasoning as mentioned above and salt as you shall prefer.

Garnish with some finely chopped spring onions and serve it really hot. Really HOT. 🙂