Afresh she starts...

Okay, so even though I can't say much here (security concerns haha), but then I can surely say something.
First things first, Thank You Deepa for my renewed interest in 'You Know What'.
I am fresh, kicked, up and raring to go.
Have been listening to Panchi by Jal and this line goes like...Ye raat abhi dhal jayegi... ye baaaat abhi badal jaayegiii :)
Have been wondering since eons now that when would 'it' happen? And all it took to happen was a phone call from you.
Oh I am so so so nostalgic. As if I have arrived yet again. As if this was what was missing all these years.
This is where I belong. THIS IS ME.
Rediscovered!
Praying it continues. Praying it never stops. For I am not myself when I am not at it.
Yo!!! You rock, I rock, the world rocks! Aye!!!

Assets that people play with...

Monday night, I was standing in a small queue at a famous ice cream parlour. Something cushiony, hard hit my elbow. CUT. A week back I was on my routine visit to my favourite vegetable vendor. In the little space that I occupied beneath his stall, something huge and soft hit my elbow and was literally driving me into the blood-red tomatoes that I was picking up in my basket. CUT. A few months back, I used to take the Delhi Metro while coming back from work. There were these lean guys and girls whom I observed being constantly tortured by the same cushiony thing. And the thing I speak of, is not the 'one and only', but many of the enormously huge bellies that the overweight Unclejis and Auntyjis happen to use as an asset in times when they break the queues, pushing innocent little creatures like us, and having their go first.
Now, to the first Uncleji at the ice cream parlour, I gave a peace of my mind by declaring aloud my status in the queue. He got nasty stares from all around and I was happy with that. The second Uncleji at the vegetable stall was about to get a chance to know how strong my elbow is, but I refrained at the last moment, because I figured that there was very less space and he could not fit in there without intruding into my space. God is merciful. For, later on, when I saw the face of that man, he turned out to be a friend of dad's. Haha.
The Unclejis and Auntyjis travelling by the Delhi Metro are the grossest! They do it for fun. And it can cause severe injuries to their fellow travellers. To deal with them just nudge them a little (not much) hard in their food tanks and walk off. Rude as it may sound, this is the only way to teach them a lesson, and perhaps inspire them to lose weight. ;)

Ratatouille

Rating:
**** Starry Sparks
A delicious movie, tastefully directed, appropriately sweetened, mildly spiced and beautifully served.
Ratatouille, is the story of a rat named Remy, who wants to be a chef. He accidentally lands in Paris and teaches a young man Linguini (who has no culinary skills) 'how to cook' and 'cook well'. Remy discovers a secret about Linguini and helps him become the master of Gusteau's restaurant. The plot revolves around the journey of the twosome (which is incomplete without the other's presence in their lives) and how they churn out the finest Ratatouille (a dish having its origins in Nice. Originally, it was prepared in the summer with fresh summer vegetables) in France.
A MUST WATCH.

The many facets

I was gifted an oil burner. Lighted it up and poured a few drops of sandalwood oil. Ten minutes later, the air was filled with its balmy scent, giving me a high of the sorts that can't be shaped into words for people to read. Neither can it be shared with readers by way of pictures. Nevertheless, I share some pictures of this lovely gift, which I shall cherish forever.

Thank YOU dear for this, and much more.

Chandni Chowk mein CHAPPAL...

...toot gayi.

Legwork down the gallis of Old Delhi can be highly intoxicating. Like a kid has to be dragged out of a toy shop, I dragged myself out of Chandni Chowk. After having done the business I had there, no matter how hard I tried, I found myself not budging an inch. Awed, I was, to be in those constricted byways of Purani Dilli.

It was a first visit in ages. A lot has changed, and still, a lot remains unaltered. I admit, if I have to go there daily, I'd choke. Yesterday's visit was an impromptu one. And the pleasure derived from it, is inexplicable.
There she was, shopping for her wedding outfit. I knew she wanted me to be there. And with a single click I popped there. The mammoth task got over in I think a little over five hours (which according to me was super-quick). We were at this shop 'Anarkali', where this sales-boy was putting in all his might to sell us his stuff. Having tolerated him for quite some time now, when the decision (regarding the outfit) was finally made, I was most eager to leave the shop. And it was then that he caught hold of us again. He called to her in the tone of a whisper and with a chuckle he said Ik gal dasan hun twhanu...Ai na Jiju nu na dikhana! Una leyi enu surprise rehn dena (Lemme tell you one thing....Don't show the dress to your fiance, let it be a surprise for him). Quite nonsensical, but then that is their modus operandi, and that is how they 'think' they make loyal customers. Also shopped for some Indian sweets for Mr.P.
On the way back, I was left alone for the 5 minute walk to the metro station that I managed to stretch to about 30 minutes. Couldn't help gazing around me. The garmi did not seem to deter me from admiring the place. Neither did the overcrowded streets. Though on more than one occasion I did find myself swearing aloud at passers-by. And then, Chandni Chowk mein CHAPPAL toot gayi.
There is no such thing as a free lunch, but then one thing you really can get free in India is free advice. Girls tend to get a lot of it. In the Metro, if I prefer to stand some mudblood would say "madam baith jaaiye" and presently, when my footwear malfunctioned in the midst of the busy street of Chandni Chowk, this old chap says "pick it up in your hand" and some more blah that I didn't even care to hear. Huh! Guess he wanted me to walk barefoot on the muddy, animal waste laden streets. Anyway, this old chap, giving free advice got what he deserved by way of verbal action from me. I don't mean to be rude, but then I am fiercely rude when it comes to men trying to act superior in any way.
Anyway, the journey continued and I have promised myself a longer lasting trip to Chandni Chowk as soon as I get the next best opportunity. For, I was amazed to find a big McDonalds' outlet standing there, trying to lure customers from the paranthewalas.
The rest needs to be explored.

What's the fuss all about?

Being a foodie is the bane of my existence. I love my food, I love eating out and I love my experiments with all kinds of cuisines. But with the bliss, comes the undesired baggage that I have never asked for, hence the bane. The baggage that I speak of, comes in the form of body fat.
I've been cribbing to myself over the weight for quite sometime now and haven't really been able to do what I've been wanting to do in order to check it. Sitting in front the workstation for 8 hours, only getting up to go for lunch or tea or a trip to the loo, has done a lot of damage already.

But, Thanks to A's wonderful company and my brilliant idea, that we found a way to fight the fat.
Fighting the fat is something that I simply cannot manage do on my own. I need company. I need motivation. The motivation came from V and A both. V always takes the stairs whilst I prefer the lift, and A is moody.
Yesterday, A and I decided that we would take a break from work anytime during the day and climb up and down the stairs several times (starting with 2 sets a day).

Two sets, and we were down and out. Nevertheless it was a beginning and we hope the exercise continues till we decide to move on to a harder regime like gymming et al.

With the self

Sixty minutes extra in my kitty and I could have a power-packed day. Get out of the bed, laze around a while, make my own cardamom tea and alongwith, a 'healthy' breakfast, read a newspaper, sort the mess (if any) around, arrange a few things that have been pending since ages, read a few pages of a magazine or a book that I've been wanting to read since quite some time, and that gets me going for a good day ahead. Sounds dreamy? Eh!
This is the REAL picture of how it happens: Get out of the bed, no time to think, straight for a shower, a glass of milk shake for brekky, some mad running around the house to gather all that is needed, out of the house in 40 minutes flat or even less. Phew!