She for Shop

I recently heard this saying on returning from my US trip (where I did tons and tons of shopping as usual) and I could not help but relate to it - "Whoever said money cant buy happiness did not know the right places to go and shop."


I love to Shop and I don't understand how people don't. Is it not a kick to buy something new for yourself or for your loved ones? Anyway, I dont mean to sound opinionated in this post. Instead, this post is meant to pen down some notes/tips on enthusiastic shoppers:

• The 'Shopaholic' series by Sophie Kinsella is a must read for all the people who enjoy to shop. Its simply amazing the way you can relate to Rebecca (aka Becky) Bloomwood Brandon.
• Its true that a lot of what is available abroad is now available in India. So shop sensibility when abroad
• Do not shop anywhere else outside India other than USA. No, I dont intend to help the economy from recession - but you wont regret believing me. The same Zara shoes that cost 40 GBP in London cost 30 USD in New York. Bath and Body works (exclusively in USA)/ Abercrombie & Fitch/ Coach/Calvin Klein/ Ralph Lauren - All the stuff that you get at EXHORBITANT (read possibly 20 times) prices anywhere else in the world is available in the best quality in our very own shopping paradise. If you locate a factory outlet nearby, you get even luckier. I may sound like am crazy - but this is after having shopped in multiple countries (trust me, I did not return from any trip without shopping - untill I reached USA). Whoever said Thailand was a shoppers paradise!!!!
• Fridge Magnets and souveniers make for one my most enjoyable shopping items. Recipe books is the other favourite.
• Shoes - Can't seem to get enough. men, including my husband find it tough to relate to more than just a couple of pairs. But a nice pair of shoes can brighten the dullest of days!! But again....
• "When women are depressed, they think of something to eat or shop. men invade another country. Its a whole different way of thinking."
  

Reconnecting

The last 6 months have been hectic, new, mysterious and a lot of fun and left me with no time to reconnect with my thoughts. But after having read some of my favourite blog rolls, I just had to write something - even if its gibberish

• Bharat Darshan is what I am upto lately. I often wonder whether its worthwhile getting back to good old days of globetrotting instead. To add to the confusion, my husband also questions my decision on the move
• I am no expert on marriage - but one thing for anyone who is looking to get married - its only for when one is mentally ready for it.
• Its much simpler to complain and crib about what one does not have but much more enjoyable to cherish what you do have.
• However corny, but I am happy when I see him happy
• Opposites do attract - but some similarities are important
• Us vs. I - Wish it came as a natural choice equally to all
• Can one really have two sets of parents?? Yes. However, one being only in law, to love both equally seems to be a utopian concept. Does it mean shying away from responsibilities - NO!!
• I never knew I could be this happy when everything around me was about change and adjustment. Thanks V!!

An old draft - Nov 2008

Not that I am getting the time to sit and think, but in the empty pockets of time, the mind wanders..towards the life ahead with all its changes. The largeness of the day fast approaching is only just settling in, and that too is just the beginning. Keeping aside the emotional quotient, a new life with new people does give me those occasional butterflies. Overall, a lot of anxiety put to rest. But sweet lord, this is it. Am going to stop making sense beyond a point because words are just not there to describe the feeling.

Now: 9 months, still settling but happiest I've ever been. Marriage - It's different!!

Fasting & Feasting

I have not read the book, and I don't know what it's about. But I know that I should be celebrating getting married and feasting, but am fasting instead. Without any intent of making a mockery of our Indian culture and value system, I am compelled to know the rationale behind so many beliefs that we have. And one of them being today. Will Indian husbands really live longer if their wives don't eat and drink for a day. Don't wives pray for their mates health, wealth and happiness every single day, that they need to do make special efforts on this one day in the year. Am not so much into womens lib, so am not going to go that route and argue about how men should also do something similar.

I may sound it, but I don't mean to be complainitive. It's a festival and a part and parcel of our tradition and culture. Though I may want to rationalise it, I don't think I have it in me to challenge it.

Top of the world

Such a feelings coming over me
There is wonder in most everything I see
Not a cloud in the sky
Got the sun in my eyes
And I won't be surprised if it's a dream

Something in the wind has learnt my name
And it's telling me that things are not the same
In the leaves on the trees and the touch of the breeze
There's a pleasing sense of happiness for me

~ Carpenters~

By the window sill..

You are vibrant, young and stylish
You cheer me up when I walk into my room
You put me to sleep, you wake me up
You cool me down, you brighten my day
You are worth every minute it took to find you

Oh how I enjoy having you around...my new curtain drapes

'Commercial' Entertainment

It is quite an art to deliver a message in a matter of 45-60 seconds, don't you think?? And some of these guys did a fantastic job at it in my opinion.

I used to love this one, and almost to run to the TV room everytime this commercial would start - just to see the delightful expression of happiness that the woman potrays here.


The phones available today are although much smaller than the one in this commercial, but such commercials are just so rare to find today.


Singing along with Lehar Pepsi aha!!! There was another one on pepsi from the days Aishwarya Rai was a model and played Sanjana along with Aamir Khan (Yes, I used to be quite crazy about him in those days, so therefore the affinity with the ad). Well, dint manage to find that one, but this one brings back memories too..


Extinct drink - Extinct commercial


Though the sound quality of this one aint great, but the childs expression on 'Jalebi' is to die for


Simplicity in creativity

Journal art

A well wisher recently told me that he's bored of what I've put up here. And everytime I have been thinking of writing something since, a small teeny weeny performance pressure grips me. Anyhow, now I am over it, so here goes:

1. Have found myself actioning on the things I have been wanting to do for a while now, and I am loving it. For starters, this was possibly the first birthday of it's kind I had. Yes, I did turn 28 - but you know, it's really not that old. It's only and hopefully only half my life - there is so much more in store to learn from the second half. Anyway, so turning old is not what made me spiritual/religious and took me to Amritsar - and neither was it to meet a marriage prospect (I had atleast 4 people asking me that question). It was the want of doing something different. Given the liking I have taken to travel, the desire to see more of my own country, and value of the time I have with my parents, I decided to give up the usual wining and dining and do this instead. And I thoroughly enjoyed turning 28.


2. Have taken to a new interest - Art. No, not visiting art galleries and museums and trying to comprehend what others express. But trying to express myself in black and white, and a little bit of water and colour. And it is fascinating. Well, am just a beginner and am yet only trying my hand at the simpler techniques. But hopefully, the interest will last long enough so I can finally have something to tell the mummy's and daddy's when they ask me about my hobbies :-). Come on, you know me better than that - that's not even remotely the reason.


3. I called up the organisers of various dance classes conducted in Delhi. I will soon pay up for the weekend batch, but atleast I have a registration number now - am moving in that direction.


4. Am also finally back to the rythm of one hindi movie a week. And am so glad Ads has moved to Delhi - Its what they call 'ek teer se do nishane' - I can pamper her, as well as have company for the most trashy movies ;-) But I am thinking about BeeforBollywood.


5. The other thing that is keeping me busy these days is reading the shopaholic series. Am still on confessions, but it already has made me confess on the shopaholic instincts I am developing. Am hoping its a commonality with women my generation and age. And more so, just a phase..


6. Work is really uninteresting these days. The Organisation has done some bit of restructuring and everyone is trying to deal with the change. So am I. Hopefully I have made the right decisions. One of my oldest colleagues and once upon a time the only friend at work has resigned. And that is pretty much seems the end of our roller coaster ride together.

Journal art is something I read about as I was researching my new found interest. You get rid of the clutter in the mind by writing a journal, and then close your eyes and draw random lines with a blank mind. A shape automatically emerges, which you fill in for a complete painting. My journal's done, so now lets give the art a try.

Jai Hind

With all entertainment channels at their patriotic best this weekend, it dawned on me (Its a pity, I need external influence to trigger such thoughts)...How selfless were the people who fought for our country? What did they get in return? Pride and honour? From who? Generations like ours and the ones to follow who don't even know the names of all the martyrs who bled for us. Such immense passion for something you don't even reap the benefits of. Does the mass Indian even value the armed forces...does he even know that in so many countries in the world, every citizen needs to serve in the army for a period of their lives..

And its not just the freedom fighters or the soldiers of the armed forces...August 14 was one of those nightmarish days when our good ol' capital could not handle the downpour, and it took commuters an average of 4-5 hours to return home from work. What did the traffic policeman get by soaking himself in the rain, wading through the water barefeet and controlling traffic. Ok, that's his job and that is what he is paid for - but he is doing a job thats for the welfare of people, and not just himself. How many of us would like to leave the comforts of our homes and do something like that.

Wow.. and here I am torn between my day to day saga of what is wrong in my life. What am I doing thats beyond the influence of my material needs. Can't think of anything. And how many people do I personally know who are....

If I were the chief minister of Delhi..

Yeah, reminds me of the creative writing sessions in school where we were supposed to let our imagination go wild in trying to think on what the people in positions of power could do to better the situation of our country, city etc.

Now considering my low political awareness quotient, I do not know which lists (state, centre or concurrent) do these subjects fall under, but I wonder why the responsible people in the appropriate positions power cannot do anything like the following:

1. Make laws to restrict sale of cars to households having cars in excess of the driving capacity of the household
2. Make laws to restrict launch of the new bandwagon of small and affordable cars in cities with existing traffic congestion
3. Restrict auto rickshaws and cycle rikshaws to operate on certain crowded streets of Delhi (like in Bombay, no autos are allowed beyond Bandra). Delhi can do with a lot more people walking greater distances.
4. Impose a toll on cars in peak traffic times, like they do in Singapore
5. Reward honest traffic policemen
6. Make rural education more than just a voluntary initiative by Corporates as well as economically respectable professionals and businesses
7. Reward rural households that are sensitive towards birth control
8. Have a small component of income tax towards the well being of orphans in the country
9. Organise infrastructure reforms in a manner that don't lead to disasterous increases in traffic congestion