Ba bye 2010, Welcome 2011

As the year ends, let us take the time out to complete anything that is incomplete about the past year and set our visions for the new year. Hubby and me did just that two days back. And boy oh boy ! did we have an interesting list.

We first sat and wrote down all the things we accomplished in 2010. We looked at our personal accomplishments and our professional ones. We looked at our accomplishments in the areas of interests - like blogging, newsletter, or other hobbies and interests. We looked at our relationships - with our parents, inlaws, friends and family . Once done, I was left with a lot of satisfaction and fulfillment at the accomplishments. I was left with acknowledgments for all my friends, family and near and dear ones. Most importantly I was left with gratitude for Him for giving me the strength, serenity and love to sail through this year. He gave me so much without a second thought. It was time for me to acknowledge the miracles He has caused in my life.

And then we sat and wrote things that we we wanted to do this year and have not done. There were two category of items on that list. There were items that I had taken on - but not had not done much - the reasons could be anything from procrastination to not prioritizing. I took on prioritizing on those activities for the coming year. The surprising part of this list came from items - that seemed so important at the beginning of this year - but because of some new developments in our life - no longer are a priority - so not accomplishing them was ok. Also there were some tasks that one of us was stuck this year. It was a good time to reflect on them together and coach and guide the other - it was a process of learning and growth.

And then we sat and wrote down what we wanted to accomplish this year. The primary focus when we did this was to make this list out of what we enjoyed doing - not out of fixing or correcting something that has not worked for us in the past. Personally I found this very satisfying. Once this list was formed, I noticed that the list comprised of things I loved doing like writing, painting, music, Kruti etc. Personal and professional goals came next.

And last but not the least, we sat together and created what we wanted the 2011 together as a family - we created goals that we both needed to work on together - like investing in something together, doing a Kruti project, a long vacation, our contribution to our parents lives etc.

I am not sure how many of our goals we are going to accomplish - but the thought of living a life that we visualized, sure brings a smile on our faces :)

What are your plans for the new year ? :)

Read more...

A friend on the train...

When I was young, long train journeys were much more common than flights. What with flight costs being very expensive and only affordable by the affluent few. The plus side of these long journeys would be that we would get umpteen chances to meet new people and make new friends. These journeys used to be fascinating.

When I started traveling alone, I very naturally started to mix and bond with fellow travellers. I used to study in Gujarat when my dad was working at Delhi - so every vacation, I would make this long one day trip to Delhi in the Nizamuddin express. One of those trips, I remember meeting a young lady in her mid twenties , wearing a bright sky blue colored salwar kameez , having long braided hair, a little tanned skin, wore spectacles and had the most friendly, bright and open-hearted smile. Something about the way she dressed or spoke, made me confused about which part of India she came from. She looked more from the south, but from the way she spoke, she sounded a north indian.

It did not take more than a hello ! to get her to talk - as I already said, her face and smile looked friendly. She told me that she was a Tamil brahmin married to a punjabi sardar. Suddenly everything fell in to place - Her dusky, be spectacled, long haired look along with the very well fit, stylish salwar kameez. Her openness more common in the north Indians than with the south Indians. We got talking quite a bit - me sharing my difficulties of a student life and she sharing how she had initially found it a little difficult to adjust to the extremely open, demonstrative and loud Punjabi husband and in-laws of hers (Being loud and open is a trait that is very un-common with the south Indians :) :) ). I could only laugh heartily imagining the situations that she would be subjected to. We laughed and talked our way to Delhi - exchanged nos. and addresses for sure - but then some friendships that seem so deep on these journeys are eventually forgotten.

Another journey I remember was when I was in Mumbai and again going to Delhi to meet my parents with a group of my office colleagues. I had just known one of the colleagues well, the rest were his friends. But we bonded very well in the journey. I still remember putting on the yellow light in our compartment and singing old hindi-Kishore kumar, Lata mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsale songs late into the night and spending time sharing our life till we reached our destination the next day.

And yet another time, I remember I was going to Mumbai from Gujarat, and I happened to meet a young girl in her late twenties who was a scientist. She seemed a little reserved and an introvert and forever she seemed stuck to a book. It took me a while to befriend her. After a while, we got talking. Among other things that we discussed, she told me about some senior she really liked - and how he was not aware of her interest in him. And also that, her parents were now looking for a groom for her. When we departed at the Mumbai station, I sincerely and earnestly wished her luck to find the right kind of partner for life.

Each of these incidents have happened more than 10 years back – but is amazing how refreshingly clear the details of these memories still stayed on in my mind :)

Read more...

Nothing will happen ! :)

Go to any Saibaba temple. There are two words that stand out besides his Godly demeanor and they say 'Shraddha' and 'Saburi' - means 'Trust' and 'Patience'. Two words that could sail you through any situation. Two words that could give you peace of mind no matter what you are going through.

A week back, my husband and I went to a coconut vendor to drink coconut water. As he readied a a fresh coconut for us to drink, I started talking to him. I discovered that he came from a nearby village and he sat on that corner by the roadside to sell coconuts. I asked him if he went back to his village every evening after business hours. He said, no he stayed near by. To which I asked him if he took his pile of 50 - 100 coconuts with him everyday to his local house. He smiled and said - No Madam, I just cover up the pile , push it to one corner of the road and go home for a good peaceful sleep.

I was surprised - I asked him - dont you fear that someone will come and take away all your coconuts ! I mean, you have come all the way, brought all the coconuts from your village, and you leave it just like that on the roadside when you go to sleep.

His peace and balance surprised me again - he said - No madam, noone takes the coconut.. ! Yenu agalla ! ('Nothing will happen !' in kannada )

How many of us trust life like that - trust life like the whole world is one big family - like everyone around is there to support each other and make each other grow. Faced with one or two setbacks, we lose our patience and trust in life and the almighty force above.

I remember an incident when I was in my engineering college that had left an impact on me. My friend had forgotten her engineering board apparatus on the drawing board. The engineering drawing apparatus is a costly set. Buying another set, would be huge dent on anyone's pocket. But it was late night and impossible to go to the college looking for the apparatus.

As we sat on the porch at her house, my friend said something that I never forgot - Dont worry, I know it will be there where I left it. Sleep well .

She said whatever she said, but I had my own doubts.

Giving no more vent to the thoughts, I went on to sleep. The next day morning, though I was anxious, I could only see peace on her face.

Once we reached the college and went to our Engineering Drawing room, what we saw there left me speechless. The apparatus was still lying there untouched.

I am not saying that we do not face incidents that shake our trust. I am not saying that we do not face failures in our life. But is about how much we are able to go beyond, or look beyond our failures, how much we dont let these failures shake our inherent-child-like trust in life, that determine our quality of life.

Read more...

He came ... !

There was a bell on my door. I opened it and I saw him. Looked very handsome in a yellow T-shirt, navy blue sleeveless jacket and a khaki color three-fourths. Gave a small smile when he saw me, and then came in as if he knew the house like it was his own. Giving me a coy, confident glance or two, he settled down on the sofa. I smiled back - a warm friendly smile.

Looking around absentmindedly, his glance fell on the pack of polo on the center table. He picked it up and ate one or two of it, by giving me a polite glance and a smile. He asked me about Raghav( my husband ) and went about saying a shy hello to my in laws. I couldn't help smiling at his humility.

Both I or he did not know what to say for a long time - so he picked up the mobile on the center table and started playing Bouncers. He laughed with glee every time the ball jumped up the next obstacle. At one point when he was stuck, he came and sat besides me and urged me to play. There are only few things in your life that make you feel so important.

He kept the key of his car in the pocket of his jacket, with the key-chain hanging out of the pocket. Like a typical guy, he seemed so much in love with his car. And then something seemed different about him yesterday. He had always known Tulu ( his mother tongue ), and English. Yesterday, he was communicating in Hindi and Kannada too. Considering that he had never been exposed to these two languages, I was so proud of him that he could pick up the languages so quickly.

And then, after about an hour of his coming, Raghav came home - he was bashful, excited and happy at the same time. I mean, I have never ever seen such a honest and open display of beautiful emotions!

As he was wearing his shoes and getting ready to leave yesterday after filling all of us at home with joy, he suddenly seemed to remember something important. He removed his shoes and came to each one of us, gave a heart filled hug and a gentle peck on our cheeks and rushed back to his duty.

I have known him since for ever but yesterday was so different. He seemed so much at ease. And the moment he hugged me, my world seemed so complete. I felt so wanted and trusted.

Though he is only four, my nephew filled my world !

Read more...

Painting the town red - II

In march this year, I had written a post about how all the public walls in Bangalore have been turned into giant posters by a BBMP initiative. The primary object of this being to avoid people dirtying the public walls by spitting on it or sticking giant posters on them.

While these posters have managed to do their job, one cannot help but admire the sheer beauty of some of the posters. Just check out the set I am putting up in this post.







Arent the pictures too good ?
Also I dont think all the posters have been done by the local artists who do the regular posters. Looking at the lines and cuts of the pictures, I think some of these posters have been done by the students of the local art schools too. I am not sure though.

But either ways - must say - the pictures are a treat !

Read more...

Coming for tea ?

There are people who connect with you on different wavelengths. Some connect to your mischievous side , some to your spiritual, some to your fun side, some to your serious side. Some give you the pleasure of being their guide and philosopher and they worship you. Some become your guide.

And then there are some people who have the knack of touching people's lives. For them it doesn't matter who you are - how close you are to them. What matters to them is that everyone should at all times smile. They take extra steps or go beyond the ordinary to reach out and make a difference. These are the kinds who end becoming a universal friend to everyone.

This was around ten years back – I had just started working and everything around was new to me. I had a lot of people at the office, with whom I connected to at various levels. Since I was new to the work environment, a lot of things that were happening around me just did not make sense.

One particular day had been really bad, as I struggled with a tough problem and a difficult boss. I had been in a lousy mood, when one of the guys, a rolly-polly fellow with a colgate smile, from the next cabin walks up to me and calls me for tea. I wasnt in any mood for tea. So I say with a nice smile -Thank you for calling! but sorry, will come later. He says ok, and goes off towards the pantry with a smile on his face, the characteristic spring in his steps and a whistle on his lips. I smile at his happy, carefree gait and get back to my work.

About an hour must have passed by with me still on the issue at hand. I see this guy at my desk again. As I look at him questioningly, he smiles and says - Veena, ready for tea ?

Uh !

A little surprised I say " I dont want tea" irritation showing over my face and my tone. Why did he not understand - this was not the time for tea !

He smiles and says ok ! No issues ! and whistles back to his seat .

After half an hour or so, I see the guy again at my desk. He says - Veena, Get up , lets go for tea !

Damn !

Completely mad at him and my work by now, I look up and almost shout at him - Cant you understand ! I DO NOT WANT TEA !

He looks at me for a while and goes away. I thought I had put the message across this time. Pleased at giving vent to some of my pent up frustration I get back to the problem at hand.

Deep into work, and with no headway still, I hear a kind voice at my back after half an hour or so - Veena, are you done ? Can we go now ?

This time, I could only laugh helplessly.

I lock my computer and take a break with some nice tea and a fruitful conversation. I could only thank this guy for who he was - for going out of the way to bring a smile back on my face, in spite of the fact that he did not know much about me at that time.

This fellow and I kept in touch for a long time even after both he and me quit our jobs – but then somewhere life takes over. I eventually lost touch with this wonderful, warm hearted, playful, fun guy !

Wherever he is, whatever he is doing, I am sure he is touching a lot more lives.

Read more...