Earth Hour 2010 - 27th March (8:30 pm)

Now who is not accustomed to unpredictable weather these days? Extreme winters and summers, unexpected showers or heat waves; catastrophes like tsunamis, earth quakes and hurricanes are now more regular in the news than before. “Global warming”, “Climatic changes”, “Monsoon delay”,…etc. are terms that have become household discussion points. Yet how many of us consciously try to do something about it? Nothing earth shattering, but something as small as switching off the non essential lights and appliances or switching of the television when you are not in the room??

Earth Hour in the year 2009 was a global event organized by WWF (World Wide Fund) and was supported in a big way with over 4,000 cities in 88 countries coming forward and pledging their support as a common cause towards sustainable development.

It’s that time of the year again, when we all need to stand up and take charge. Earth Hour is being observed on 27 March, 2010 between 8:30 – 9:30 pm (local time) worldwide. Earth Hour is an initiative to create global awareness on climate changes. On this day all we need to do is switch off all lights & electric appliances at 8:30 pm and show our support.

Well, me thinks, that Earth Hour is to shake everybody up from their comfort zone of ‘all is well’ when somewhere in our hearts we all know, it isn’t. We have somehow gotten used to taking things for granted. One power failure and our life gets disrupted. Maybe we should ask our ancestors who spent their lives by lighting candles & petromax lights!

My plea to all is that Earth Hour shouldn’t be an initiative that you undertake once a year!! It should be something which you will carry forward through the year. All we need to do is get conscious of the deteriorating environment and do our small bit towards sustainable development.

Few other things we can do are

# Walk whenever we can – something which is good for health also..:)
# Car pools – very much a doable thing for city dwellers
# Ride a bicycle – once a while atleast!
# Unplug appliances when not in use – for they consume power as well
# Use energy saving appliances at home and work places
# Replace bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
# Plant a sapling – and take care of it later also!

A personal effort on all these fronts coupled with an enthusiastic family to support this endeavor will be the best way to support this movement. So on a personal front educate your near & dear, encourage your kids and more than anything get conscious yourself and you are on the way to being an environmentally friendly person!!

Well, good news for the lovey doveys this year is that Shiv Sena is busy doing more important stuff like vandalizing Shah Rukh Khan’s poster, trying to break in theatres etc so probably one can expect a peaceful Valentines Day this year. Or is there another repeat of pink chaddi or a hug karo pub bharo campaign round the corner?

Anyways, this post is for those who wait for 14th February every year to tell their girlfriends / boy friends / spouse how much they love and care. I was generally browsing through the net to catch on the Valentines Day buzz this year. Frankly the prospect of following any of these Valentines Day ideas and thinking of the reactions from my partner thereafter itself makes me laugh

For example Valentines Day Ideas on one of the sites says – Start the day by filling up the room with red roses. Wake up your partner by showering him/her with rose flower petals. Well, I refuse to do it since I care for him. Don’t want him to fall off the bed early in the morning! People really do this? I have seen it in movies of course…but real life…really?

The next idea that follows – Proceed by making breakfast for your beloved. In case you don’t live together, give your beloved a good morning call to wake him/her up.  In my case my partner likes to wake up by himself besides I prepare breakfast everyday! So should I make it different by not cooking that day?

I don’t want to even mention the other ideas that were mentioned thereafter. Frankly, it does make me wonder if marriage has made me too pragmatic! But I find it funny to see couples dressing up, planning romantic lunches and dinners and cutting out pink hearts on 14th February (only to pull out your dagger to pierce that very heart the very next day! ).

The contention here is why wait for one day every year when you can do things the Valentines Day sites suggest any / each day of the year. What stops you from planning a candle light dinner with a simple or elaborate meal at home any time during the year? You can or rather you should go on a long drive when ever you feel like! If you are a greeting cards person, pick them up as and when you feel like saying sweet nothings to your partner! Deliver flowers to make your partner’s day; you don’t have to wait for his/ her birthday to come by!

Anyways, I shouldn’t be spoil sport for the ones already making big plans for the Valentines Day. So especially for you guys here are 24 Valentine’s Day sms that you might like to use to flatter you partner every hour of this special day! Here’s wishing you all a happy Valentine’s Day!

SMS 1

Loving is not just looking at each other, it’s looking in the same direction. Happy Valentine’s Day.

SMS 2

For you see, each day I love you more
Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.

SMS 3

U r unique
U r caring and
U r the Best.And I am d luckiest to have U in my life!
Happy Valentine’s Day my sweet heart!

SMS 4

Love is missing someone whenever you’re apart, but somehow feeling warm inside because you’re close in heart. As we are, Happy Valentines Day sweetheart.

SMS 5

Soul-mates are people who bring out the best in you. They are not perfect but are always perfect for you. This is for you, my soul mate who is the love of my life.

SMS 6

Life is so short, so fast the lone hours fly,
We ought to be together, you and I.
Miss you every hour and every moment of everyday sweetheart

SMS 7

I finally got my past, present and future tenses correct today. I loved you. I love you. I will love you forever!

SMS 8

In School, They Taught Me That
1 hour = 60 Mints
1 Min = 60 Secs
But They Never Told Me That
1 Sec Without You = 100 Years:

SMS 9

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart. As my love for you..

SMS 10

If I reached for your hand , will u hold it ?
If I hold out my arms, will u hug me ?
If I go for your lips, will u kiss me ?
If I capture ur heart , will u love me ??

SMS 11

I never saw so sweet a face
As that I stood before.
My heart has left its dwelling place
And can return no more.
Be with me forever.

SMS 12

Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be.
Will you spend the rest of your life with me?

SMS 13

Don’t wait until it’s too late to tell someone how much you love, how much you care. Because when they’re gone, no matter how loud you shout and cry, they won’t hear you anymore.

SMS 14

Wen things go wrong…
Wen sadness fills ur heart…
wen tears flow in ur eyes…
always remember 3 things
1) I’m with u…
2) Still with u…
3) Will ALWAYS b…

SMS 15

I luv my eyes when u look into them; I luv my name when u say it; I luv my heart when u luv it; I luv my life when you are in it.

SMS 16

As days go by, my feelings get stronger,
To be in ur arms, I can’t wait any longer.
Look into my eyes & u’ll see that it’s true,
Day & Night my thought r of U..

SMS 17

I would cross a thousand oceans just to hold you tight. I would climb a thousand mountains just to be with you every single night. Darling I miss you so much.

SMS 18

I would never be tired of you even if I am with you all day long. In fact I grow to like you a little more every day. I love you.

SMS 19

I m on a mission:
Misson 2 avoid u,
2 forgetu, 2 get rid of u,
2 not 2 talk 2u or meet u,
in short….
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE!!

SMS 20

Ur precious love has
turned my life completely around,
I feel lik Im wlaking but
my feet dont seem 2 touch d ground..!!

SMS 21

Relationship doesn’t get closer by meetings, but it is sweetend by THOUGHTS. I care for you in my own STRANGE ways. Maybe you will never know,  Maybe I will never show..

SMS 22

To be honest with you, I don’t have the words to make you feel better, but I do have the arms to give you a hug, ears to listen to whatever you want to talk about, and I have a heart; a heart that’s aching to see you smile again.

SMS 23

The only regret I have is not knowing you since the day I was born – so that
I will be able to spend my ENTIRE life with you.

SMS 24

Sending you my bed to let you rest, pillows to give you comfort and my blanket to keep you warm. I can’t sleep now coz’ I’ve lent you all my things already. Gd nite! I love you.

Read about the history of Valentines Day. Apparently it wasn’t a greeting card company who invented it!

You have already read people’s views and comments on this subject in troubled relationship – part 1.

The post received quite a few interesting comments from the readers. My views are no different. But since I have the whole post space to myself I have the freedom to elaborate on my point of view citing few examples ofcourse!

In addition to what Avinash and Pradeep had to say, what I think is that in our youth we search for that right one who would understand our pulse than no one can. When that person comes our way we feel our search is over or that we might not find any one better (as the case may be!). In the initial excitement of what can be called love one forgets or rather ignores the not so happy aspects of their partners. We feel those things would go away somehow for that is the phase where you lay lot of importance to the word love and understanding which makes you full of hope. (so speak up when you have a chance…later your partner might not understand what the fuss is all about)

Few might argue that, that’s the way it should be – accentuate the positives forget the negatives. And that if you really love your spouse / partner you will accept all vices along with the positives etc etc and, guess what?.. I do agree! My argument would still be that if “some of the vices” are bothering your partner, and is being communicated to you more often than not; then you definitely need to look into it. When you start feeling your opinions and feelings are not valued, impression you get is may be your partner doesn’t care enough. (show you care)

Another option few take up is by completely ignoring such issues that might lead to disagreements and disharmony. They are hesitant to speak to their own partners about the challenges for they feel that their partner might get offended. But whom are we fooling here? I agree with Raj when he says that you should not take you spouse for granted. Give a patient hearing and resolve issues. If you have a better suggestion, give or else make peace with what is being suggested to you. (communicate, be a good listener and find a mutually satisfactory solution)

Trouble is part of your life, and if you don’t share it, you don’t give the person who loves you enough chance to love you enough.  – Dinah Shore

I feel that the potential problems between couples need to be openly communicated and not stifled. That is the only way things would work. The risk you run by stifling your emotion and feelings is moving slowly towards irreconcilable differences where you fail to see eye to eye. And that’s the end of it. And more than anything its respect towards your partner, than love that starts fading. (important to earn your partner’s respect year after year)

I used to be surprised looking at this couple (both of them head strong) who supposedly had a love marriage but hardly had any matter or subject where they had agreement on. And funnily (or unfortunately) they made disharmony the way of their life. Well, whatever works for them!

For me what is important is sharing, caring and open communication. Make your partner feel special and important enough for you to open your heart out. Don’t make you partner feel left alone. Those were the cheerful thoughts one generally has earlier on and it doesn’t have to change with times. (stop being indifferent)

Stop reading your partner’s mobile messages in their absence! Give enough breathing space to each other. I know of someone who doesn’t “allow” his wife to have her own circle of friends let alone friends of opposite gender and a guy who keep deleting messages from his friends of opposite sex for his wife is ever suspicious!! (trust your partner…have faith)

Many a couple find it more comfortable to talk to their friends about their marital challenges than their own partner and if infidelity follows you can’t feign surprise. Sadly that only happens when the partner is less receptive and just doesn’t want to change. Breaking a relationship is far easier than nurturing one. The question is if one is up for the challenge. Relationship is troubled only if either of the partners refuses to reach a mutually satisfactory solution and stick to ‘my way or the high way attitude’.  (again…communicate, be a good listener and find a mutually satisfactory solution)

“Whenever you’re in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude.” – William James

Marriage is a two way street. Today most of the partners don’t have patience to stick to any unacceptable behavior like in older times. You don’t have to look far. If we look at our parent’s generation we will find enough and more examples of sacrifices and forever forgiving attitude. I had a friend once commenting jovially about his parents that “if divorce was an option my parents would have been divorced 100 times!”

If you look at it subjectively even that wasn’t a very perfect arrangement either. Healthy relation is where you help grow each other, nurture, and care enough for each other.

Varsha made a valid point that – wouldn’t things be simpler if we were, ourselves be able to abide by all ‘self help advice’? Well, me thinks that’s the only way to go! The day you let ego in between the two of you, life is doomed. You do things for each other not because you have to but you want to!

The reasons for a troubled relationship might vary but the solution is just one….own up to your mistakes, be open to learn, forgive and be open to change for a better future together – in other words commit yourself to the relation with full heart.

I completely with Anjana that “A healthy relationship, be it a marriage or any other, is based on the building blocks of love, respect and trust and even if any one of the 3 factors is missing ,the relationship will not be a balanced one.”

It’s just been 2.4 years since my husband and I got together, and life couldn’t have been more beautiful. Well, we do have our share of disagreements and arguments, but we are learning and working towards my dream which is – me silver haired and him probably with no hair and set of denture (hehe ) sitting in our dream home somewhere on the hills very much in love talking of our fun filled journey and enriched lives. Amen:) !

This is my 200th blog post!

What started as a casual affair back in 2006 is now the thing of present for me. It is only last year that I finally got to buying my own domain and now am totally addicted to it so much so that I started another blog of mine that talks about recipes and lots more. I admit that of late I haven’t been able to blog as much as I would love to, but nevertheless I will try!

This particular blog is to thank few people who have played a pivotal role in not only opening my eyes to the blogosphere but also supporting me in their own ways in the last one year of my Blogging.

First and foremost I thank Adheeth Ibrahim for opening my vision to blogging possibilities. Over a cup of coffee at Cocoa tree, a café in Kochi, it was Adheeth who prompted me to buy my own domain. Adheeth who is currently pursuing his MBA at Christ Church College, Bangalore is a budding entrepreneur and has one of his online ventures called Koch Vibes and pretty successful one too. Thanks Adheeth for bearing with all my silly and some not so silly (please give me some credit ) queries and never once getting bugged. Keep smiling that million smile.

What started as a suggestion tweet culminated to a great friendship with Anand Subramanian, a full time blogger and Internet marketer from Cochin (Kochi), Kerala the proud entrepreneur with his one of his online venture Cochin Square!. Thanks Anand for being a chat and a phone call away for all my “unique” challenges. Only you would know how unique and different I can get But for me how would you have ever enhanced your knowledge..hehe.. Jokes apart a big thanks to you for all the support and guiding me with all your tips and tricks over yummy doughnuts and cakes!

I would also like to thank my husband Q for all his encouragement and his non-sugar coated reviews. Q is a quizmaster by profession and also manages an events management company.  Q is a reservoir of information and ideas and I value all his advices and comments. Thanks Q for being there. Though I wish you could contribute articles more often, considering how my readers simply loved your write-ups!

I thank all my other guest contributors (in alphabetical order – Anagha, Anand, Girija, Lyndsey, Maria, Pradeep and Rajan)

Last but not the least; I will like to thank all my readers for encouraging me to come back with more, with your comments and feedbacks. Thank you so much. Off late I realized that am getting many readers from Russia, Bulgaria and Ukraine. Talk about world getting smaller! Am simply thrilled!

To all my readers - if you would like to read something specific around travel, food and living (relationships, social issues etc etc) write in to me at cogitoergosumpriya [AT] gmail [DOT] com. And I shall try my best write something for you.

I invite for my blog, guest contributions around the related topics of travel, food and living. Places to visit, place to eat in a particular city, kids, parenthood, relationships, write about anything of these and email it to me with a brief intro about yourself. Please ensure that your article is substantiated with related pictures with no copyright issues. I look forward to your contributions.

Thanks for everything!
Cheers to good times!

Tennis star Sania Mirza recently called off her engagement with her fiancée on incompatibility grounds. I was in two minds. Whether to mentally congratulate Sania on her stand early on in her relation or be skeptical for I know of many young couples with zilch resilience. Presuming the reason is not the latter one I would say good call!

I have wanted to write an article on this subject from a long time. Thanks to the falling apart of couples all around me!  Couples don’t seem to be blinking an eyelid before mentioning the dreaded D word. 7 year itch is no more than a misnomer; couples are parting ways as early as one year of their wedded life or as late as 20 years.

I decided to take opinions from both genders on this subject. Here goes….

Aninda Sen, Single, Employed (print media)

“I think that today’s high rate of divorce and incompatibility is a tell-tale sign of lack of time that couples spend with each other, do things together and more importantly grow together. Chasing a dream lifestyle means working out of different locations, time zones etc and its a recipe for growing apart. At a deep level, it’s about understanding LOVE and COMMITMENT. I think most people are not quite sure what it really means to share ones life with another. This may stem from the fact that folks don’t want to make any trade-offs with their lives – trading off something of value for something which has a higher perceived value.”

Suhasini Ravi, Single, Student (NY University)

“I think compromise is the key to any relationship. If even one person is ready to compromise for someone the other, that makes it very easy to keep a relationship going. Secondly, trying to complement one another rather trying to change one another is also very important. Space and freedom for each individual is required in a relationship.”

Avinash Krishnan, Married for 15 yrs to his college sweetheart, Self Employed (Web related)

“The main reasons for incompatibility these days: 1. Projecting what you are not during courtship leading to disillusionment later 2. Putting self before the relationship. In other words a strong reluctance to sacrifice ones way of life, desires etc for harmonious continuation of the relationship. Reluctance to ‘adjust’ with each other. 3. Finances – with both earning, concept of ‘my’ money and ‘your’ money rather than ‘ours’, can be the death knell.”

Girija Acharya , Single , Employed

“It is very much the responsibility of both the partners to help each other strike the right balance between their new relationship and the existing one’s in their life [by this ,I mean the family and friends of your spouse/partner]  and also respecting the individual space of your partner. Also, honest, open communication is a key ingredient for a healthy relation. In most cases the relationships that don’t work are the one’s in which either one of the partner [and may be his/her family] or sometimes both the partners have the complex that they are the best and that “we are always right” kind of an attitude. Basically, they are bad listeners.” Possessiveness, parental interference in marital affairs are other reasons of trouble. Having said that, even after putting in great efforts to make a relationship work, if it doesn’t work, it’s ok to part ways!! (If you keep a wound un-nursed for long, it becomes septic, causing its own demise)

Himani Aggarwal, Married for 5 years, currently on a sabbatical nursing 1 year old baby

“Relationships are troubled in general also and in specific terms also. It depends on how important the particular relationship is for you to fix and leave. More times than not, the many challenges of life that can impact a couple can be worked out if they are paid attention in an early stage. Else, issues just might grow and then hinder the relationship in totality. I personally believe that relationship can be sweet and open only where you can be what you are and not the way the other want you to be.”

Pradeep Chakraborty, Married for 15 great years, Tech Industry analyst and blogger

“You will run into trouble when selfishness creeps into any relationship. How many couples ask this question seriously before breaking up: why were you together in the first place? You need to accept your friend/partner with all of his/her positives and negatives. The day you don’t, you are asking for trouble!”

Varsha Ranjit, Married for 3 months, Employed (Media – News)

“Ego is something that we all are aware of, we talk about it, but when we ourselves are faced with it, we most likely let our egos do the talking/ reacting. Relationships generally tether delicately on what the power equations are be it between parents and their children, between siblings, between man and woman. In today’s day and age in most man-woman relationships, egos do a lot of talking and it’s so often we see long 5 year old relationships nose diving into nothingness because the ego takes over. Its the bitter truth, but here the concept of a compromise comes into being, you give some and you take some…so you give some space to your partner and then you get some space yourself, talking issues out is another way of dealing with issues…but having said all of this, wouldn’t things be simpler if we were, ourselves be able to abide by all ‘self help advice’?”

VV Rajan, Married for about 7 wonderful years (only getting better), employed (advertising)

“I consider myself lucky to be married to the girl who is my wife now. Ours was an arranged marriage and given my own choice I couldn’t have had a better soul mate! I am saying this out of experience more than anything else. I don’t think I loved my wife then than how much I do now. I guess that’s what compatibility is all about!  While a relationship to me was all about taking things for granted, to my wife it was all about clarity, transparency and doing the right thing no matter what wrongs she was exposed to! I guess time was another factor that made me fully realize that life is not meant to be taken for granted and I am thankful that I don’t carry that attitude anymore! A relationship works better when you place priorities of your family first and then of the others. I guess most of us make this mistake of having a laid back attitude and taking things for granted especially when it comes to your spouse! And while in a relationship we also tend to procrastinate… There never comes a time tomorrow, it is always now!”

I leave you with these thoughts for today…my views on this subject will follow in the next post…

Best
Priya Q

p.s: Thank u so much guys for your views. Much appreciate!

Mandira Bedi and Darshan Jariwala

As one grows in life we all understand that all things that come to you in life have conditions attached to it!! Whether you take it or leave it is totally your prerogative. So when our friend came selling tickets for an upcoming play in the city of Kochi (Cochin), I decided to take it, as the play itself was deceptively titled “*conditions apply”!!

Being high on plays after Rajat Kapoor’s – Hamlet – The Clown Prince & Naseerudin Shah’s Antigone , which were brilliantly put together, I had great expectations from “*conditions apply”.

For the record the play “*conditions apply” was brought to the city of Kochi by the Round Table and was staged at the IMA house. The play is written and directed by Vikranth Pawar with Mandira Bedi and Darshan Jariwala as the main protagonists.

When I heard about “* conditions apply”, the first impression I had was that it is going to one of those smart witted stories from the urban lives which most of us would relate to. And how they proved me wrong!!

It came as the most confused script with two individuals caught up in their own lives. The story is around Darshan, introvert, unsure of anything, positive affirmation speaking single male who keeps sprouting personality development jargons and Mandira, loud, again unsure of anything, single female. While Darshan came across as a natural, Mandira (dressed in her funny Mickey Mouse tee) looked like she needed some loosening up. To give Darshan due credit, he was able to make the audience laugh over some humor and I thank him for the mercy.

The play started late..   and the first 10 min was ok. But, as the play progressed the audience sat in anticipation about what is to happen when their (Darshan and Mandira) paths cross, which did, but disappointingly nothing great happened. The story took a turn for the worse.

I can confidently speak for my friends and also yours truly who were silent throughout the play not in awe but waiting for some miracle to happen to make the play worth our Saturday evening. Just like Mandira who wanted to join “I have no f***ing clue” club in the play, the bunch of us sitting in audience wanted to follow her!!

The script of the play was totally contrived and looks like the writer had no clue what so ever in how to grow the characters. The biggest laughs came for some jokes which am sure was culled from old issues of Midday / Mumbai Times!! Their accidental meeting (or was it pre ordained!!) & supposed swapping of mobile phones looked straight from a C grade Bollywood thriller. And to top it all – in the end – they both retained each others mobile!!  At the end of it all a word for you – Mandira Bedi – You have used up your equity in Kochi – for sure…

At the end of the session, all that I had was a stiff back – sitting on those uncomfortable chairs and the feeling of having been taken for a bad ride. Well, am no authority to speak on theatre but speaking for few of us, we would rather spend time over intelligent and good humored plays than something as morose & contrived as “* conditions apply”.  And maybe for the cost of the highly priced tickets – we could have bought a bottle of Scotch plus a Tequila and happily tippled away

Me thinks that this substandard play should instead have been called “Entertainment Guaranteed but with*conditions apply” or may be even better would have been “I have no f***ing clue”??

And a word of advise for future organizers, read that as – social clubs, please bring in shows which you have sat through & enjoyed, instead of banking on supposed celebrity value & thus spare the art lovers from such crass and costs.

Its true!!

Well, just imagine  -  in some remote corner of the world all the Santa Clauses coming together for a training session!! Yes, it does happens!! The Santa Clauses actually attends University to prepare himself to be more receptive to people he meets around the Christmas eve!! Isn’t this news to you?? It was certainly news to me!

The Noerr Programs Corporation, a digital event imaging company trains Santa’s every year in the Santa University at Arvada, Colarado. The training program the Santa’s receive helps them answer tricky questions often put up by children and also to get the shy kids to come forward and share his/her Christmas list. These Santa’s even are given pointers as to when to ho,ho,ho!!

The three day course entails minute detailed training on being abreast with the latest toys amongst the kids today, smiling for the camera,…etc. The Santa’s are also strictly told not to commit anything undeliverable to the kids. Noerr also boasts of its Santa’s to have naturally fluffy white beards and moustaches!

The 250 Santa’s who are trained at the Santa University at the Noerr Programs started appearing in 165 shopping malls in 37 states since November 2009.

Giving it back to the community, the Noerr Programs Corporation engages its Santa’s to visit hospitals, fire stations, homes of ill kids who can’t visit the malls, fund raising events,… etc.

Kudos to Judy Noerr and her husband Philip Byrne for starting a training centre based on an unconventional subject and making it big since the last 25 years and still counting.

Anyways….what are your plans for Christmas this year? Well, I was thinking that though we haven’t attended any Santa University but nothing stops us from donning the Santa cap and ho,ho,ho with gifts and chocolates for kids in the family and around! Make a fool of yourself and see them laugh..:) Wotsay? (And since you will be well hidden behind the mask – no one will know it was you!!)

Here’s wishing you all a Merry Christmas and prosperous year ahead! May this coming year be everything you wished for and more!

Cheers!

However, here I am contemplating on the growing years of kids today. Why do I feel that the kids are maturing at a much faster rate than what it used to be? Why do I get a feeling when I talk to kids today that the innate innocence which accentuated the beauty of a child is fading? A small poll amongst many of my friend’s highlights one such point that – kids talk like adults these days and even try to do things which they think is cool!! (Like speaking on Mobile phones, SMSing other kids,…etc.)

Let me share an old article that appeared in the newspaper long time ago…. And is one of my favorites.

When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my garden. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.

Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize that they were the big things.

How things have changed today! And who is to be blamed?

The whole education system today has changed. There is competition on every front. Today even a 3 year old is expected to face a rigorous interview for admission to a good nursery. (Forget the fact that you have to cough up 20k-50k for the admission anyways!!) You need to be good if not the best to stand a decent footing. Kids are forced to join extra curricular classes post their school hours without regarding their interest levels. May be parents find it fancier to talk about it in their peer circle? I don’t know! There are comparisons made knowingly and sometime inadvertently. And mind you me, the kids are watching and picking up those traits. Even a 3 year old has a comparison to make between his house and his friends’, his toys vis-à-vis his friends’!!

Today I find it quite common that parents provide for their child each and every thing that was a luxury hard earned for them in their childhood days. In my days, we had to do something special or do something extra to earn a gift / toy / book. Today most kids just have to ask!! And now I find parents with unique problems too. Their kids just do not want to play out with their friends. Physical activities are on the down slide. It’s a virtual age and virtual world of gaming is what is more fascinating. And thanks to parents the kids today have the best of electronic gadgets to flaunt. There is absolutely no regard for money. Added to all this kids today do not think twice before demanding for atrocious useless stuff and most parents give in to their demands too. After all they don’t want their kids to feel let down in front of their friends. Aren’t things coming too easy for the kids? I don’t know!

All I know that all of us have trapped ourselves into this vicious cycle; coming out of it can only happen with conscious collective efforts.
I sincerely hope that we go back to the times when we can give back the innocence and the get genuine smiles to their sweet little faces…and let them just be! Minus any burdens and pressures which will get to them some day but not for now!

Now who wants to be perfect? We all do things that we get innate pleasure from but are either too embarrassed about our tastes or are not too comfortable disclosing our lowbrows. But who cares! It’s your life and you live it just once….

So today I decided to jot down few of the things I find intrinsic happiness in and I had absolute fun doing so….

1. I can indulge on a chocolate cake / pastry or doughnuts on a full stomach
2. I love buying cheap clothes from Lajpat Nagar, Delhi more than any branded stuff
3. I have a fetish for shoes and clothes
4. I love collecting fridge magnets, flags and other curios from countries I travel to.
5. I can’t stop from taking a look at myself if and when I cross a mirror..anywhere in the world
6. There was a time I used to religiously listen to a Spanish learning cassette everyday. All I remember today is Hola!
7. I stare back at people who stare at me till they drop their gaze
8. No matter how high on calories I love making cakes and watch the smile it brings to my family and friends
9. I love watching cookery shows and have diaries with my copious notes
10. Whenever I cook for someone I always say it’s doesn’t taste good. It’s a win-win… I get compliments if the food tastes good…and I still get good remarks if the food is just about ok…since it will any day be better than what I made them to expect!
11. Psst I once in a while catch up on TV soap. It’s amazing how you can follow the story even after a month break
12. I can sit for hours watching the rains and reeling in the fragrance of the wet soil
13. I love getting drenched in the rains, dancing and making a fool of myself
14. I am a sucker for romantic books and movies (not MBs…not anymore)
15. A touching movie can get me to tears very easily.
16. I love catching up with my sister on phone discussing the humdrum even if it means dialing an outstation number. Q often exaggerates saying that if I sneeze my sister has to know!
17. Bollywood gossips? Please tell me!
18. I can’t stop myself from buying stuff while in a home store. I love doing up my home.
19. I am absolutely paranoid about getting fat and drive my friends nuts with my question…”haven’t I put on?”
20. I always look at the table next to mine and see what’s being served there while I am at a restaurant. Somehow, it always looks better than what I order.
21. I always smear orange marmalade on my toast more than what is required and lip smack in between
22. I chuckle at Calvin & Hobbes comic strips. I simply adore them and have the whole collection. Thanks to Q.
23. You tell me now and I can get ready to travel anywhere…I just love exploring new places and making new friends
24. My priced possession is my diary with poetry like words. How I wish I could pick writing them again.
25. I travel to another world and love getting lost in it. People can make out when I do it from my far off looks
26. I secretly admire my friends who have a comment to pass at every person crossing our way. Wish I was half as observant
27. I love wrestling and tickling is my only defense mechanism
28. I love days of nothingness …where all you do is eat, sleep and read

And last but definitely not the least…

When life hands me lemon I take tequila shots …. Common it’s too good!

Those were my guilty pleasures…why don’t you jot down yours….you surely will love it

Anyways, how things would have got simple and clearer just if we were able to see that tiny dot on the map of life. Well, no regrets but there are times I do feel if I could have taken a different course. If things would have been different, had I taken a different decision? I am sure it is an universal issue and most of us face the same dilemma as I at times face; just that the phrase “No regrets” sounds fancier

When you are in close quarters with the picture you can’t make out if the picture is hung up straight or it is tilted. It is always easier for a person standing at a distance to figure that out. So when we are in a typical situation our thoughts are clouded based on the situation we are in, based on the people that are around and based on our past experience. We take a decision fully convinced of it. Its time and experience that makes you ruminate over decisions otherwise.

Btw how many of us would actually want to be on that map? Where at every crossroads you take a calculated course based on the destination its pointing you to for example You will be most happy in this job, this job will purely sap you out, this job will help you in the long run…etc etc
If you ask me, I am happy with things the way it is. I need no map. I feel that we become a better and stronger person with each passing experience. It is good to be in control of your life but what fun if it becomes mechanized? But I do stop at times and think of the thought process I had in the past. Helps me learn and act better.