Reflections and Realizations ...

This has been going around in blogosphere for some time now. And it’s been in my drafts also for long now. This was first published in Oprah.com. So this year I decided to write it down at last. These questions make you to reflect upon yourself so thought why not? And here goes …

   1.      What Younger You Would Like About Present You?

         I always wanted to be my own boss. And right now I’m that. Thou I still have some of the ambitions to achieve, soon… very soon.

   2.      The Watched/Read It List

         Currently not reading or watching anything. I regret that, but just too tied up with life and tired to take a break too. But 2016 is going to be different atleast in the case of my reading.

   3.      The Mistake You Never Want to Make

          Follow the mass. Do something because the society demands so.

   4.      Your Ideal Outfit

           Jeans, a nice top, heels/sneakers/flats and a handbag. Anytime of the day or night.

   5.      A Deep, Dark—Shhh—Secret

           I love myself too much. ;)

   6.      The Most Unexpected Compliment You Ever Got

        I got a group of friends who are non-expressive just like me. And any compliment from their side is so unexpected. But two days before when talking to S (one of my close friend’s right from school) he complimented me on being an awesome person. Awe! What more you need? ;)

   7.      That One Quote

         I don’t know whether it’s a quote or something I made up myself, but for long I have been clinging to this one statement whenever I’m not happy. “Whatever happens in life, move on with a Smile.”

   8.      Your True Happiness

        I find happiness when people linked to me are happy, that includes my family, my close friends and my dear ones. 

   9.      Your favorite failure

     Relations that made me give so much … gave me memories and lessons and which actually changed me in a good way, and at the end which took a part of me with them.

   10.  An amendment to the bucket list

          A solo vacation.  

Yes. That's my reflection for now. Don't know what the New year is going to hold for me, and for people round me. But hoping and wishing with all my heart that better and good things comes through all our path in 2016. 

Happy 2015!

Officially 2015 is here. And that draws to an end to 12 months. As every year, this one was also filled with its ups n downs, smiles n tears, hopes n despair, gain n loss, hard work n laziness. There were days I felt like time was standing still, that nothing new was happening to inspire me. Or days I felt time was not enough. Or days I missed my hometown and close ones so much. Or days when they all felt so near even when they were so far. 

Each day, each moment something or the other is happening in our life, or in the life of someone we knew. And each one is inevitable. As each years pass, you get close to some people, you lose some, you meet someone new, you dream more, become more confident in yourself and start loving been you. Life is all about been happy and making others happy. Thank you to each one you who made me smile and sorry to those people who lost a smile because of me.

May 2015 come with so much of blessings, happiness, dreams, hopes and life to all of us. God bless. 

Adieu 2014 n Welcome 2015. 

Cheers!!! 

Forgotten Memories

Memories are the gifts we earn from our life. They have an ability to make us cry and smile at any time of the day or night. Thou we keep telling people to live in the present rather than pondering the past, all of us, absolutely all of us, at some time or the other, switched off all the sound and craziness of our present day and just flipped back to our older moments. That moment which made us smile, or cry or feel special, loved or that moment of grief… Anything and everything that happens in our life is been recorded by our mind. And we knowingly or unknowingly chose to forget some, ignore some, and block the rest.

I don’t remember the day I was born, but I have no doubt it’s been deeply engraved in my Mom’s mind. I don’t remember my first day of school, but my Dad might never forget that. I remember my first friend, even thou I have no idea where he is now. I remember the pampering from my Dad, thou I tend to ignore my Mom’s scoldings. I remember the day when Dad said goodbye when he dropped me in boarding school for the first time. I could still hear my Mom’s voice over the phone telling that I am going to be a sister. I still flinch in pain from the burned skin I got while ironing my friend’s dress but lying to her when she asked what happened because I didn't want her to feel bad. That naughtiness when friends decided to make maggi in the dressing room when our warden went out. I would still feel tense thinking about my first boards. The embarrassment I felt after wearing the saree for the first time for farewell.  I remember the day before the boards results were to be announced asking Dad, whether it was OK if I failed and feeling happy the next day to see my Dad proud after the results came. Can picture the first day of college so perfectly. First bunch of friends. Still can feel the butterflies in my stomach when I saw my crush for the first time… Ufff! I wanted to just turn around and walk. But still put on a brave face and talked to him. Feels the same emotions over and over again when I think about the moment I heard the death of a friend. The numbness when had to see his lifeless body. The proud satisfaction after completing an event successfully with friends. The lost moment when left hometown. The happiness to touch its ground on vacations… The sheer bliss when I step into my childhood room after years.

All these are just mere moments of everyday life. But it is my life. They made me who I am today. If I am bold, moments in my past made me so. If I am sensitive, I had faced some hard paths. If I am jovial, there were moments of laughter in my past. If I am a caring person, I was cared before and want to reciprocate that to others. If I love to travel, I have discovered the happiness of exploring in my yesterdays. If I have so many friends, I enjoyed having people around. If I chose to have few friends, then I might had some bitter experience in friendship. 

I believe that everything we are in this moment is because of what we were till the previous moment and how each incidents and people in our life have affected us. "Let it go" is just a way of storing that memory at the farthest place… but still it’s stored but not deleted. 

I guess or rather believe no one can actually forget their memories, unless and until a memory itself wants to be forgotten. Like the writer, Haruki Murakami quoted, "No matter how much suffering you went through, you never wanted to let go of those memories."

Open up yourself before returning back.

An old woman died after living a full life. So when it was time to engrave a wording about her life on her gave, no one knew what to write. Thou she lived a full time, she didn’t do anything much. So an elder person in that group suggested a quote, which everyone agreed wholeheartedly. And that was, “Returned Unopened.” 

One day when we die, do we want others to even consider thinking like this about us? Personally, no. I wish to be that person who could leave this world, making a difference to atleast one. It can be my family, kids or a complete stranger. I have seen people near and far pass away. And I have seen some people been remembered even after years of their demise and some forgotten after days. I don’t want my dear ones to cry when my time comes but I want them to miss me in a genuine way.

All of us are loaded with so much of goodness. Even the most horrible person will have something good in him. But usually we are so tuned into ourselves, everything that happens and anything we do revolve around our happiness and our good life. Not once, we look beside us to that individual who might need a shoulder to lean. Not once we notice well in a stranger before criticizing him. Not once we pay for a coffee for that homeless.

There’s only one more month to complete the book of 2014. Fill it up with gratitude, good deeds and happy moments, rather than complaints, whines and grudges. 

Happy December to all my dear friends. Stay blessed, happy and grateful for this moment. 

H is for ...

Happiness!

First word that comes to mind for H is always happiness.  But I have written a Happiness post before itself. When you have no idea what to do, but still want to stick on the same topic there comes, Friends. So I asked my blogger and non-blogger friends to share, “What’s happiness for them?” … And it gives me so much pleasure just to read through all of them. I feel as if this post is overflowed with so much love and warmth.

For me Happiness is Family ... Friends ... Books ...  Writing and been able to Smile from Heart!

And now over to the beautiful people in my life...

Happiness to me is this moment. Here and now, I choose to be happy. Nobody can take it away from me. At every stage in life, we choose to be happy. - Shailaja Vishwanath @Diary of a Dotting Mom

An innocent infant's guileless smile , a morning well spent and a noon nap for a while ; sweet nothings from my sweetheart dear, a vault of courage with nothing to fear ; Friends and fun in the fraternity, A well lived life for eternity !! - Sreeja Praveen @ The Alter Ego

Hot mug of tea and a wonderful book = Happiness for me – Shilpa Garg @A Rose is a Rose is a Rose

Happiness for me is the thought of looking forward to another day. And yes that doesn't happen every day but most of the days and then perhaps I am happy to say that. "One may not be happy all day but if you are happy today it is enough" - Richa Vikas Agarwal  @The Philospher's Stone

Happiness - my husband and I reading our books while Pablo lounges around - everyone in their own space and yet connected. - Corinne Rodrigues @Everyday Gyaan

Finding the perfect rhythm - while writing - while playing music - while reading - and in life. And to have a healthy mind and healthy body to appreciate the same. - Vaisakh Venugopal @The Museum Piece

Happiness is simply the absence of any other thought. I am my happiest when I'm mindlessly chatting with my friends, and obviously at 2 in the night when I'm writing or reading. - Maggie Lawate @The 2AM Writer

Happiness is the thought that I always have a choice...to live, love, laugh, write, read, dance and yes to be happy! - Aditi Kaushiva @Life is a Journey...

Happiness is going to sleep with a smile on my face irrespective of what happened during the day. - Pixie @Pixie's Take on Everything

Happiness is ... A few tight hug when you are absolutely in the dumps

A smile from a baby

The first drops of rain

The aromatic plate of food

A few more minutes you can spend reading - Bhavya @Ishithaa

Happiness is being alive. - Privy Trifles @Memoris of Me

Happiness is friendship and love - Sajin

Happiness is having friends like you. - Vijay

Happiness for me is my dear ones smiles and when someone consider me as a friend and also when my family appreciate my efforts. - Sandra Markose

Happiness is dreams coming true. And being with loved ones with whom I don't have to fake around. - Jerome John

Happiness is honesty and understanding and having someone to care for... - Raisa Thomas

Happiness is a solitude moment in beach with music. - Sinu Sunny

Happiness is freedom.

Happiness is never being image conscious. - Acquilin Vigi

Seeing the happiness of the people I love the most and also making them proud, then it's happiness for me - Maya

The small things in life make me happy... a smile on a child's face, or happiness I see on a person's face when I do something good for them, the wonders of nature...

Happiness is also best when shared. - Vineeth Jacob

Happiness is not by chance but by choice.... Life do have it's ups and downs but finding happiness in the small things around us, makes our life perfect.

So, what’s Happiness for you?

******

This post is part of Blogging from A to Z in April 2014. And this month is all about sticking together, and spreading as much love as possible. So with me, do visit Laurel, Loni Townsend, Maggie, Karen Smith & Mary Hill and show them your love and support. :)

P for ... ...

P is for "Perfect Guy for Me".

According to Indian society the right age for marriage for girls is before 25. And if a girl choose to remain a bachelorette till 28 or 29 then she'll have to face the questions from society like, "Why are you still single? Do you have any problems?, Are you in a relation with anyone?"........... Ufffff.........!!!!!!!!!!!!

And now as I am nearing my 24th Birthday, I am also going through this phase of "right time for marriage". 

So, if ever, someone who in their right mind thinks about spending the rest of their life with me do read on please…. and others too if you wanna know my kind of guy! ;)

Hey Buddy… Welcome to the world of insane mixture of emotions!!!  :)

I am a not so sweet and humble, but stubborn, adamant, arrogant, irritating, virtuous, independent, lovable n a caring female. I am not gonna change and if m forced to tune to your ways m gonna hate u for that, but if I choose to change myself for you, then obviously you’re truly awesome! So deal with me as I am. :)

I should love the way you talks. I don’t know what it means… but I have an instant likeness to people who talk really well. That doesn’t mean you have to be a talkative.  But..... Aaaah…….. I don’t know to explain.

I am in love with Shah Rukh Khan(Indian movie actor) ever since I have seen him acting. So you better love him and allow me to drool over him whenever he’s on screen. And be prepared to watch his movies over and over.

Isn't he such a cute guy???!!

Talking about movies, I love the English romantic drama P.S. I Love you. And whenever I feel like having a good cry, then, that’s what I do.

I love food, but that also depends upon my mood swings. I can go without food when m lazy ;), so what m asking is, Do u know how to Cook? ;)

Do you ride a bike?? If not, learn!

Chocolates.  If you get me one choc, once in two days then m happy.

Flowers. Once in a while it won’t hurt to turn up with a single flower.

I love roaming around. Be ready dude.

Long drive. I LOVEEEEE esp. at night. Be prepared to drag out of bed @ the middle of the night for a long drive and an ice cream. ;)

Beach.  My 1^st love. You should take me there whenever I demand, irrespective of the time, schedules, job, tiredness or whatever.  :)

Movies. I prefer theaters than home screen.

If you have a problem with my friends-list either in person or in FB, with majority of the close ones being guys…. Learn to deal with it. Coz I dun intend to get them out my life just coz you came along. And actually they have been with me longer than you. And they are really good and at times may switch to your side to bitch about me. Happy??

Your female friends!! Ok. No issues if I like them. Or else…. We need to discuss about that.

I don’t love you. I don’t miss you. I hate you. … These phrases from my mouth have the exact opposite meaning and if I say I love u or I miss u, i really do that to the extreme.

I am not someone who gets jealous that fast, but once I feel that emotion, watch out!

If ‘m possessive about you, then, you mean to me more than I admit. 

If you are a cricket/sports fan who could leave everything for a match… sorry dear… it’s not gonna work.

“Males are superior to females” attitude??  Keep it deep within yourself. It won’t be entertained a bit.

I love books. And I need time to indulge myself into reading.   

If you think i would all the chores while you enjoy sitting simply, Never!! I am a strong believer of gender equality.                                               

At times m moody, and then give me my space. Or else u’ll just have the worst time.

I am a good listener, you can talk to me anything. And I don’t understand hints; do tell me exactly what’s there in your mind.

I can be a good friend :) and a better enemy. :P

Once in a while a morning coffee is appreciated like heaven. :D

If you have any problem with me, tell me and deal with it. We’ll argue, fight, shout and solve it. But don’t you dare to give me a silent treatment, I hate it! 


I don't wanna change my surname to yours once you tied the knot, But i don't mind having two surnames. ;)

Mmmmh..... Anyways done for the moment. But the list goes on n on. So when can we meet to discuss further?

I'm telling you, me and all my friends do feel sorry about you... but i assure, You really are Lucky! ;)

Happy living with me. :)

Ok. On a serious note, ‘m generally good person and a peace lover, so don’t worry much. We are gonna have a Blastful life! ;)

P.S. God blez you Sweetheart! :)

M for ... ...

M day of the Challenge!

Today it's "Memories".

College for me was supposed to be KJo’s sets. The same masti, romance and studio classrooms like in SRK movies. But first day in college made me realize KJo is a film maker and SRK is an actor and there college is a set and here it’s real life, and not a romantic lyceum. College was nothing less than school, esp. in professional colleges, added with a bit more of freedom and tons of syllabuses and more amount of stress which we choose to neglect.

“Engineering is just not a course but a life divided into eight, named as semesters.” – Semester 8(Short film)

I too agree with this. In those 4 years we happen to come across almost every problem, solutions, and emotions. Happy, sad, surprise, astonishment, anger, friendship, lust, love, trust, hope, jealousy, stress, excitement, disgust, anticipation, fear, pride, courage, respect, confusion… you name it, you have felt it in those years.

Here every soul under a roof was a family. Problem of one is a common problem. Everyone was just a call away, despite at any hour of the day or night. Visibly and invisibly someone will be there at your side. When starting the first semester, the eighth one seemed so far away. Four years, sounded like a long drag. But it went like a whirlwind.

When stepping into the college premises for the first time my initial thought was, “How I’m gonna survive in this place?”

But…

The unfamiliarity during first few days. The addition of a bunch of people that matches your stupidity and insanity to your friends list. Ragged by seniors and ragging the juniors. Roll numbers. Attendance. The rush to reach the class before the first bell. The sleepy seven hours of lectures. Waking up at insane hours just to talk or wake up each other. The fun seeking gene in you who gets out of control when with friends. The irresistible hunger when near to cafeteria. The carving for canteen biryani’s on Fridays. A single coffee shared among 2-3. Girls/Boys moments. The triples ride. The not so secret crush on lecturers. The home works and assignments copied as if running a marathon. Movies. Treats. Surprise tests and close book assignments postponed or changed to open assignments. Last crush & first serious love. Half day leaves. Never ending records. Forward messages. Sardar jokes. Mass bunking. Group suspension. Weekend fever. Monday blues. Conference calls. Library dues. Lab hours which turned out to be fun hours. Gossips about the break-up & patch up of couples. The hastiness in uploading photos in FB. The sneaky chits during lectures. The impatience for tour days. Getting a best friend. The combine study series where everything except studies takes place. Exam stress.  Early mornings in college on exam days. Results. Holidays. Surprise birthday celebrations. Marriages of friend’s siblings where we dominate the guest list. The preps for college fests. Basketball tournaments and cheers voiced across the court. Nail biting seminar days. Sleepless project preps. First job. Countless bundles of photostats. Fights and make ups. Falling in and out of love. The walk to the gate along with the whole gang after college hours. The silent tears during last days. Autographs. Farewell. Reunion. Phone calls. FB chats. Once in a blue moon meet ups. It goes on… Like thousand picture perfect moments.

Life goes on. Likewise, some bonds are never broken. They may seem to lose their strength as years pass, but till the end a thread will remain to keep both the ends hooked.

“I've learned one thing, and that's to quit worrying about stupid things. You have four years to be irresponsible here, relax. Work is for people with jobs. You'll never remember class time, but you'll remember the time you wasted hanging out with your friends. So stay out late. Go out with your friends on a Tuesday when you have a paper due on Wednesday. Spend money you don't have. Drink 'til sunrise. The work never ends, but college does...” ― Tom Petty

P.S. Stay happy!

God Blez.

Moments makes happy Memories.

Small small things make you happy and leave a smile on your face!

A book as a gift from a friend, unexpected visit of another one at work, "Miss you" message from the least expected ... all these make my day. And I appreciate every small things that makes me smile, even if it's just for an instant. But, not until recently.

There was a time, when someone did all the insane things just to see me smiling, and even when I know the trouble he took for that, I never expressed my appreciation. It's not that I was not happy and grateful for what he did, but it never occurred to me, that, expressing it might have made him smile too.

At times I wonder why you came to my life for such a short time ... but guess it was to let me understand that these small things make life beautiful.

Appreciate what you have before it's gone. What you have today might not be yours tomorrow. - Anonymous

P.S. I miss you and I appreciate every word, deeds, silence, smiles, happiness and love you gave me.


God Blez.

Smiling :)

:) Happy and obviously you made my day Smiling.

Thank You. :) But Never Ever come up again, unless it’s my break time!

P.S. An unexpected visit so an unexpected second post.

God Blez that Crazy being. :)