Sunday, December 25, 2011
The Curse of Daddy
My father, a typical " I don't want my kids to take the tough path" sort off business man wanted his daughter to barely finish schooling and join an oh so plush Interior Decoration course. To his dismay; I wasn't the kind of daughter he should have got.
Committed to making intricate puzzles ever since I was six instead of doll making, my dreams were kind of twisted according to him. By the time I entered 11th grade, my dreams became a nightmare for him. Interested in Biology and yearning to be a doctor my ambition didn't really fit well in my dad's business mind model. He considered my books to be equivalent to body building dumbbles and the content in them, a mere waste of paper resources. Although he never discouraged me but I always knew it didn't make him happy.
I died explaining; his arguments never sufficed. Ultimately I made up my mind to take defiance to the next level and told him that if he wasn't going to change his opinion, nor was I. Numerous upheavals at home and pissing off episodes made us each other's closest dopplegangers and worst enemies.
By the end of class 12, I was not only fighting the examinations battle alone but also the application threats. Talking to my dad's accountant more than anyone in my family, my applications were sealed and delivered and so were my expectations.
Compromising to come to common ground, I chose Manipal for a year. Closer to home (not really) and within constant reach (again not at all); the deal sounded legitimate to the MAN. A little detail about it being a twinning program was hidden. I can't forget my dad's words when I told him I got to leave for England; he said:" I wish your kids trouble you the same way like you have troubled me." Two long breathers and I swallowed the guilt with ease.
The years passed in a glimpse. Back home as an Engineer (succumbing to daddy's promise) I am doing something which did not require the amount of academics I had chewed over 4 years. In a recent conversation about the future and the babies; I was shocked to hear myself saying: I will never ask my kids to study as much as I did or even close. I wanted to reform those sentences but too late. The truth was on the table; clear and crisp. The cursed had worked I guess. I was so glad my parents weren't in the vicinity when I uttered those forbidden words!
The truth is one learns from experience and uses it so that our loved ones' experiences don't make them learn. Its like studying from a past papers guide for an exam. Yes you might score well but the chances are always dim. Everyone has to learn their own way whether its through a kick or a whack. Mine was a whack!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Red in colour, distinctive patches of black
Innumerable Lunch breaks in my former convent school were spent hoping/waiting under a particular tree for them to fall. So naïve; they would think our palms to be continuations of the leaves they were used to casually treading. One thing I can't draw out of my mind is the silence with which they walked; nil sensation on the skin, the moment your attention span breaks, they escape.
We have so much to learn from these tiniest pieces of nature. Shouldn't we be the same way in the lives of others? Not burden them with our presence, be there when they need us and walk off without significant complaining if they don't need us anymore.
As I said, its been ages I saw a ladybird. If you know what I mean.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
"THODA ADJUST KARIYE!"
Every now and then I question my own sanity considering my new found commitment to the metro. Thanks to the women's compartment, every 24 minute and 32 seconds journey is full of discoveries and learning. A new character (or many more if I get lucky that is) is waiting to be noticed.
One thing that I have continually failed to understand is India's disrespect for other's privacy. The occasional times when lady luck smiles and I manage to get a seat; it'll only be about a minute of luxury until a mob of ladies enter at the very next station and come running saying "thoda adjust kijiye". Adjust with what? Leave my one ass cheek at work and travel? My inability to argue after 7 hours of work eventually leads to the "very adjusting" person get her own seat as I get up and stand at my very own corner(yes I have found my very own shady corner in the metro).
Expect a thanks or atleast an acknowledgment? NO way. You might actually be laughed at like me for being incapable of standing up for yourself.
Winter has set in; so has the ultimate Indian dressing to stay warm. While having nothing to do, I notice fine details of what Indian women consider work apparel to be. Some very interesting, others trying too hard. The impact of luxury brands is so evident yet unknown. Bangkok's overflowing markets and cheap prices have done the trick. Unimaginable tweaks to the native luxury products, one can see flashes of non-existent sizes of the Lady Dior or never seen before Chanel head bands or even burberry headphones! Its wonderful how it can make you doubt the authenticity of your own purchase for a second amidst so many labels while traveling from work!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Screaming Anyone?
Ok I'll give you an insight. First, think of someone who is unreasonably angry all the time, snaps at others, screams at the top of his/her voice. I'm sure we know someone or the other like that, some professor, sibling(I am not trying to imply anything) etc.
So picture them getting furious at you, ridiculing you. Would you dare answer back? Trigger another level anger? NO
Here's what you should do, KEEP looking into their eyes very calmly and whenever their decibels go out of limits, START SINGING very calmly. I would recommend "why this kolaveri kolaveri di".
They would be startled, irritated and would bring down their tone but momentarily only. As a trusted prescription, repeat this whenever they behave like a pressure cooker. They will be so embarrassed to scream at you (atleast you) that they will avoid it. But remember you need to have the courage to be consistent with the singing and innovative with the songs.
I can give other examples as well. This professor was utterly bugged with people sitting on the far away benches instead of the front ones in a large classroom with low attendance for obvious reasons. But the rowdy political class that was; never listened to him. So he resorted to this technique as well. Every time even a single student sat at the back, he kept smiling and said nothing. throughout. This continued for a while until the students got super irritated with his smile and perseverance so they gave up sitting at the back!
Patience is the key. I used to practice this when I was a kid unknowingly though. Whenever someone called me by the wrong pronunciation of my name, I never replied. Until a few months later no one called me IshTA.
Its funny how animals show a greater interest in improving upon subjected to something like this. If your doggy loves coming in the kitchen or any area you dislike; stop acknowledging him, pretend like he isn't there. Do this repeatedly until he will start avoiding that area all together.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
I regret to inform you...
So since I am working in Elder Care, its not a big deal when someone says: what if our client dies in the middle of the contract? Jeez it sounds even more ruthless when inked down. Nevertheless, yes we talk this lingo of in consideration while formatting our customer contract material. We are constantly searching for stimulating material for our elderly. Just recently someone sent me an abstract from some blog. It talked about the 5 biggest regrets of patients/elderly/people suffering from constant illnesses. The first mental picture in my head was; this old man on a ventilator saying I regret... Snap changed my thinking of this word.
If a person on his/her deathbed is concerned with a single word that sums up everything they didn't do, man that's strong for a six letter word. My name is six letters and will define me as an individual when I say my goodbyes but hopefully I'll be remembered as an individual and not a six letter formation. But a word like regret sums up one's entire life desires in the end. People in that abstract said they regretted not expressing what they truly felt, regretted working too hard, regretted acting like others expected them to, regretted lost relationships. All very believable and enlightening for us.
I have this suggestion for anyone who has their sirs and dames living with them. Tell them to pen down all their worries, tensions, disagreements, dislikes, expectations and disappointments on chits and drop them in a box. Every month or two; pick up one chit for them and address it together. Remember it can take ages to tackle some problems, but it'll only take them a second to call it a regret of a lifetime.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
The Shaadi Business
The degeneration of interest in a candidate's personality, the moolah factor is certainly ruling.
Soft skills in the bin, let's talk money baby. So what if you love my daughter, its him who can buy her the rocks. So what if you are a Harvard graduate, its him who didn't study and yet has more money. And by any chance, you are one of those art-sey creative ones, they'll be like- he's not okay in the head only beta.
This shaadi business, especially in Delhi has no under the table players. What you got, its on the table. Dolling up their fab daughters in clothes that cost more than the party itself, this class of aunties is easily recognisable. You can see them subtly pushing or elbowing their beauties to talk to some 'dashing due to papas money' boy who is happily soaking up all the attention. Commendable on field marketing skills you see. The match arranging rituals have clearly shifted from the vicinity of the living room to plush parties and weddings.
I don't entirely talk against it. So what if you meet someone at a planned party rather than a shady club coincidentally. Maybe heavens are thinking a bit too easy for you. One of sisters once said: Didi when you buy a dog, you use your gut feeling and eventually you do fall in love with it so bad that it is impossible to let go. She said marriage is somewhat the same; you have a gut feeling about someone, go for it, get married before he can break your heart!
Friday, December 9, 2011
Winter Mornings
The smoggy winter morning brings back memories dipped in years of schooling. The struggle with tiny skirts, saviour blazers, multicoloured mufflers and the not so long sleeves. The low lying fog covering the field and us as kids pretending to smoke with the help of cigarette candy expelling the icy breathe.
Still remember getting ready early morning at 6 with heaters in every corner of the room and constantly praying that the fog being the culprit will declare a holiday. Never true. The winter exams were ultimate. Shivering and trying to recollect what one studied in the chill of the previous night, not so successful. And now that I come to it, we never had heaters in our schools. God life would have been, well chilly. Its funny how all this never mattered when you were with a bunch of friends trying to make the most out of what you've got. How naïve, yet never judged.
Even melody toffee was a treat and bhutta from the street, evening snack. Outdoors was our first love and TV was just a time pass tool. The balancing of the last bite of the cola bar in summers was a talent and having icecream in a cup, the most loser-ish act. Boy bands were a must and dance classes were meant for actually just dancing! Braces was a sign of being spoiled and the color of the bands on the teeth, a fashion statement. The canteen food; calories were unheard of and hygiene was nothing to care about.
The fog so dense it got harder to see further, further into the near future. In the constant hurry to grow up, I forgot how priceless those years were. Studies were the last thing on my mind as things just kept materialising for themselves without too much to do or think about. They say generations have developed huge gaps. I truly believe in it. Unable to relate to my own siblings a few few years younger to me is not very surprising any more. It doesn't astound me if I can't understand some joke cracked by my little brother or the scare that prevails in my nerves before opening my younger sister's facebook profile. Things indeed have taken a huge poseidon like turn.
Funny it is how time plays tricks on you, kindles you first and then becomes against you !
Thursday, December 8, 2011
your mum said you are unique. NOT
So after knowing nine thousand four hundred sixty three people, yes 9463 (don't worry you can calculate too, wait for it) I have realised there are not many types of us guys. Damn, The whole big dome that we have built claiming how complex and distinguished everyone is, all sham.
All I can reason it with is that as we grow up, we take forms of people we find inspiration in or even because we might be genetically tweaked to be like we are. Blame it on the genes or imitation, let's face it if you grew up fantasizing about Warren Buffet, you can't be Paris Hilton or if you went gaga over Mr. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, you wouldn't be well let's not go there !
The bottom of the pot being, when 99 percent of our DNA make up is IDENTICAL then even nature doesn't give you the permission to brag about how UNIQUE you are ( unless you are one of those who are inspired by the Satanic bible haha and think you came into this world for different purposes ). So I have tortured my mind to think of prototypes that I have come across.
Warning: If you know me, please don't think who have I kept in my mind before penning something down; just give me a silent hypothetical high five in your mind. Let me start with some obvious ones: (feel free to attach prefixes; I'm kind of lazy) Mr/Ms/Mrs/...
"I know it all"
"I will deny everything others say"
"I came into this world to annoy others"
"I care about animals. Poor puppies, kittens."
"I'll take care of this/that/him/you/her/everything"
"My dad can buy you/your dad/ your dads family!"
"I took birth in 1921"
"I'll just act stupid even though you don't know smart I am"
"I laugh to make others crack up"
"I'll just grow out my hair and wear rugged clothes to be considered an artist"
"I judge people according to their grammar"
"I was the drummer for my school band, don't mess with me"
"I'll smudge my kohl liner in the eyes to be considered all goth"
"If someone overtakes my car, its their last day"
"I don't know how people get poor?" (Ok iv actually heard that, always cracks me up)
"I didn't get a job, I was born to be an entrepreneur yaaa"
"We need to work for the poor, let's file for an ngo (sipping cocktails at set'z)"
"I am a natural politician."
"I am super talented but will never say it, just show it" (love such people ! )
"I carry my camera everywhere."
"I have more pictures of myself than anything else"
"my laptop/ps3 is my world and I don't look beyond that"
"So many people in my life but I still feel alone"
"I don't remember faces/names/numbers"
"Do I know you?"
"Ill be cool if I can get 4-5 tattoos on my body"
"I'm so philosophical that I forget what I was saying half way through. life is sometimes...pause...lost"
"I can never be single"
"I know what he said to her, what she said to them, what they had to say about her.. ahhh"
.
.
. so many more! go ahead ADD !
And about the number 9463, I know it just how birbal knew the number of crows in Akbar's kingdom. wink
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Exit Number 3: Delhi-Gurgaon Highway
Bhel Puri: Inspiration at 10:30pm
Monday, December 5, 2011
The Indian Aunties + Uncles
Sunday, November 27, 2011
The English - Asian Connection
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Love Tutorial. Location: Ladies Room, set'z
A few long islands and our tiny bladders led us to the plush washroom. Quite a wait, alcohol was beginning to stir emotions. My friend (she who shall not be named) had yet again started whining about what we had come to forget in the first place. Trying very hard to empathise with her, I failed to notice the growing interest and urge to advice her in the vicinity. I tried to shush her out of sheer embarrassment but all in vain as she was loving the " we've all been there" stories. The crowd soon submerged; I opened my sprouse vuitton and pulled out my supposed long lasting mascara for a touch up; my friend was doing the same and I was cursing her for all the unwanted attention.
Looking in the mirror, this very polished woman; might have been in her 30's was standing behind me. It seemed like she was waiting for us to finish our touching up rituals. Turned out she wasn't waiting for us to make space for her, she had been eavesdropping upon our entire conversation. As we started to leave, she said girls you might not believe me today but a few years later you will. She said: "Love is like finding the lost keys to your apartment, it belongs to no one but you unless you're planning on moving out"
We were quite amused by her and mentally thanked her for merry-ing the mood since rest of the night was spent predicting what was she on?
Summer dissolved soon and dissertation deadlines were the only adrenaline kicking factor left in the life of registration number 090158474 that is, ME.
One day after a glass or two of chardonnay, I thought of what that woman had said the other day at set'z. It actually made sense.
I thought:
"Love is like finding the lost keys to your apartment, you might search the whole world and find one self sitting on a cushion under which they are hidden."
"Love is like finding the lost keys to your apartment, you might have left them in someone else's possession, but if that's the only piece you got, you'll do anything to procure them."
"Love is like finding the lost keys to your apartment, you wouldn't care about the same keys if you found a better apartment! " "Love is like finding the lost keys to your apartment, if someone else has a copy, man its an unsafe place to live in."
And my thoughts continued...
So have you lost your apartment keys off late ? About time find out where they are before you realise your parents start looking for a new apartment , maybe even a house for you ! Haha