Aaj Ki Kahani

  After many deliberations and deep meditative thinking, I reached the final decision. The ground study had begun a few months ago. I checked with my friends for their recommendations on the right place and affordable price. The collected data was collated, and I chose the location with the maximum recommendations. In the meantime, I tried to pry from my best half a little help in decision making. I devised ingenious methods to catch him off guard into giving me a different reply—no such luck. The husband was smarter than I. Morning evening or lunchtime drinks time, TV time, every time the same answer, (i.e. whenever he paid attention to my ramblings) "You want to do it, then do!" So, I decided to have a haircut! I hated going to the beauty salons. I did not particularly appreciate being scrutinised by the Goddesses who work in a salon. With the highbrow, they looked down upon me, clicking their tongues in disapproval. Anyways I didn't dare to chop my mane like... The...

  Wasssuuupppp folks? I am back after a break! I hope all my dear friends are staying safe. *** I love reading, listening to, and telling stories. Along with my love for books I love the silver screen too - the movies. I belong to the clan which prefers to be seated in the theatre before the red curtains are raised, ahem yes, those days(Ah, I do sound like a fossil) the movie screen used to be covered with a red velvet frilled curtain, and it was a pleasure to watch the vast curtain slowly rise. Ah ha, no such simple pleasures these days! Nowadays, I have to be seated before the first trailer is shown. If I miss the titles or a few seconds of the movie I would be irritated and berate myself or yeah...the other half next to me for the extra seconds he wasted by not hurrying! The earliest memory I have of watching a movie -in my mind's eye, I can see myself as a small kid watching Kamalhassan and Sridevi on the big screen. I checked with mom, and she said it was "Thai illamal na...

It was my youngest maternal uncle who introduced me to the world of spirits -The ones that gave you a high and not the ones that gave sleepless nights. Since I tasted my first beer, I have traveled a long way indeed(wink). I arouse my mom's wrath every time I drink (sigh) and can hear her admonishment, rolling her eyes "Why can't you be a good girl, this happens only in your dad's side, girls drinking." The statement made by any woman who opinions that her relatives were all saints and the husband's side all sinners. (But it's a fact that my mom loves her in-laws and is loved and respected by all of dad's relatives.) I get away with a quick reply that her brother was the culprit and yes, my dad's side cousins and I enjoy our drinks, and we have no qualms about it. After all, I drink with my husband nowadays so let's leave it at that. (My mom sulks for a while and comes around soon enough). It has been an irreconcilable issue between us. ...

Doha in Qatar was my newest destination. The country which would be my home until the spouse decides to jump ship. Having resided in the Gulf for a few years, I had no qualms in declaring to admire the Arab culture and trust my ability to survive in the harsh summer,  and am habituated to hearing the adhaan and adhering to the rules during Ramadan. Some of my friends who have lived in the Islamic countries for a long duration even practice the fast during the holy month.  A bonus, the foodie in me was fond of the Levantine cuisine! I looked forward to my journey to Doha. It was almost three months since I came to Chennai while the spouse had taken up his new job in Qatar. My last month of sales and packing madness at Dubai is known to all of you already(you would if you DID read my blog). Now with my flight booked, I have been relentlessly and sleeplessly packing unpacking and repacking my luggage for the past few weeks. My mom, who initially helped me in this endeavor has ab...

I too had a dream, an ambition in my growing up years...to be a Teacher ....an English teacher. We all love our English teacher more than the other subject teachers, ain't it?! Although some of us might be strong in numbers or the world of experiments or analysing our past -most of us would be decent enough (or so we thought and hardly studied for it during the exams) in the languages, especially the Language given to us by the British monarchy . My favourite game in my growing up years was the "teacher game". In a make believe sari and a stick in hand, I zealously recited rhymes and stories to my collection of dolls and my dad. I had colourful chalkpieces to write on the wooden doors of my Air force quarters. My dad was the best student in my class. He put up with all of my idiosyncrasies all through, always! I would beat him, give spelling tests and homework ! English teacher is someone who is well dressed and speaks politely and never punishes (mostly) all ...

Yet again time to pack the bags and move into a new home, a new country. It's been like this for the last ten years. Just when I start feeling totally at home and complacent, the husband decides to uproot the family to a new place. Not that I am complaining, in fact I welcome the adventure and break in monotony. (He can read my mind ahha). Love the prospect of searching for a new house (with an awesome view), getting the right locality, setting up the home, finding new friends and exploring the city. The only hassle, packing the necessary items and coming to a decision to chuck away things.. to let go - for the need of decluttering! Yes I have been introduced to Marie Kondo and her work by a dear friend. So this urge to declutter is rampant in me. Days have passed and I haven't had time to get back to this write up ..I am reeling under the feeling of euphoria, tiredness and confusion. I am surrounded by lots and lots of my stuff, my otherwise clinical house looking l...