Happy New Year

Happy New Year !!

My short blogocation turned out to be a long vacation.

Love to BE in this cheerful atmosphere rather than waste my time over "how to keep up with new year resolution".

No more New Year resolutions because that never have/will work out. Down the road things will figure out on its own without much intervention of the 'New year resolution' factor.

I believe in God.

D Facts

Nowadays scribbling 25 random facts go off when someone get tagged in Facebook. But here am unfolding for I turned 25 on 25. That's a unique date and in tune with the practice let me portray 25 spontaneous truths regarding I, me, and myself.

1. I believe in Forgiving, Forgetting, and Moving On!
2. When I was around 3 or 4 years old, I had an accident. A coconut leaf along with couple of coconuts hit my head. Am still Alive!
3. I was punished severely when I was in my teens. I dint cry. That was the first and last I ever got from my parents. I take advantage of that incident emotionally by recalling that even now (lol).
4. Even though many of you dont know, I was a very very short-tempered little brat.
5. Am head-over-heels with Chocolate.
6. I thank God for each and every little thing that he does for me. In sadness and in hapiness I thank him because I believe that he has a purpose for each and every action.
7. Am developing an obsession for weight loss. Seriously! Eight years down the lane I've gained more than a couple of additional inches of fat to my waist. Eeeeeks!
8. I get a whim to refresh my desktop every 2 minutes.
9. I dont entertain talking on the phone for long hours. Exemption given to J, but that too comes about infrequently.
10. Am not a stunning success, but I do pencil drawing and shading. Initially J used to tease me that I don't know to draw anything else other than a smiley, a hut, a coconut tree, and a river. Later, when he saw my work, he had a smile on his face.
11. Neatness is a must.
12. I easily get hurt if J raises his voice.
13. I don't mind spending the whole day alone at home. In fact, I love to be with near and dear ones, but I soak myself in those quiet moments. I find myself in a sense of tranquility when I sit by myself. Its not that am selfish, but I need to be left alone irrespective of my frame of mind.
14. Am honest and I assume others to be honest too. I have a propensity to trust people easily; but once you break the trust, its over.
15. Am afraid of cockroaches, bugs, lizards and other mites and insects.
16. I dont get along with people who keep complaining.
17. I calculate and miscalculate a lot.
18. I love J more than my life. I never told him this in person and I dont intend to.
19. I dance. Not a professional dancer. Not a neat dancer. The details, he knows - J.
20. I would prefer to have cornflakes for breakfast.
21. I hate football because J adores it more than me! (yeah, am jealous).
22. I would love it if someone could tell me the climax of a movie before watching it.
23. I delete my mails too frequently. Unwanted mails are directed to the trash in next to no time.
24. Sometimes, things bother me too much.
25. The meaning of my name is 'pleasant/delightful'.

Yup! Done.

25 - Twenty Five !

Eureka! Just completed 25 years on 25th!

I thank God for all the blessings showered on me and for each and every moment of this superbly superb life in this wonderful world.

{and that was 25 words!}

An 'OFF' spent

It's raining, it's drizzling, and it's raining and drizzling.  Ow! It's so romantic.  It's been raining intermittently for a week now.  The last thing I want to do in the morning is to get up from my bed, which is a toughie in this cozy classic weather.  Feels to burrow deep under the bed cover like a cocoon and be asleep.  If it was not for my mother working in the kitchen banging the dishware and plates to make clattering noise (to give me an idea about how angry she is for the reason that am still in bed), I would be sleeping till 10 am or 12 noon.

Yesterday night we had a servere weather and the power went off sometime after midnight.  It was impossible to sit inside anymore in the absence of 'All Out' in spite of the beautiful weather.  The weather was calm, but the power was not on tapp.  For half an hour or so mom and myself started strolling through the balcony at 2'o clock in the early morning.  Mom was dozing off and sort of sleep walking.  But I was fully awake by then.  After some time we shifted ground to couple of chairs and engaged ourselves talking about this and that in hush hush tones to keep ourselves awake.  It was dark and I couldn't make out moms face.  When there were no more response from her side, I assumed she dozed off in the chair.  At the same time Big B was sleeping like a baby inside.  I got up and walked around for another 10 minutes or so.  Then retired to the chair and later on zonked out on the floor with couple of pillows.  It was chilling outside.  When I awoke, I was in my bed.  Either mom dragged me in or I sleep walked to my bed.  Anyways yesterday morning I was dozy from last night's forty winks.

Today am on OFF (compensatory holiday for working on Saturdays) and stayed back home.  Housekeeping is something I love to do when am alone at home and like to keep myself engaged (unless the temperature is boiling).  The family who stayed in the apartment earlier were so untidy that it was obvious from each and every inch of the floor and taps.  As it happens, the owner didn't get a good deal of time to refurbish the place before renting it out.  He did a touch up to the walls and cleaned the tiles (for the sake of it).  Really had a rough time when we first moved into this place.   It was a hard slog and took almost one month's vigor to bring back the shine and freshness to the floors.  

Now that's sorted out, the only thing that seems a bit of a nuisance for me is drying the washed clothes.  However dry they seem to be the clothes will be damp from the chilled air.  I prefer to have them stiff and dry from the boiling sun and of course, germ-free.  After early morning rains, the sky was on track to be clear and sunny.  Good day for my clothes.  

In between I switched on the TV and there was 'The Brothers Grimm' playing in Star Movies, so took a break and watched the show.  Later in the afternoon, I was watching 'Alwin and the Chipmunks' when it started to drizzle and I had to rush upstairs to pick the clothes.   Two good movies.  Can't say anything bad about both.  I was entertained for 3 + 3 = 6 hrs :-)

It was still drizzling.  I helped myself with a cup of black tea, took couple of pillows with me and made myself comfortable in the balcony.  It's a great view from there.  Just across the road is St.Antony's church and it's just heavenly to sit there and wander deep into the Amazon of my thoughts.  Adding fuel to the flames the drizzle, the mild cold breeze, the greenery, God !  I never stop if I start describing the beauty of the monsoon.  I set off this post with the rains and walked all the way through my housekeeping department, beefs about my landlord, and movies I watched of late and in the tailpiece hit the rains - back to square ONE! 

Aliens Attack !

Aliens attack was set in motion this week and am the eyewitness.  One of them is VP (D) of another department and the other is a Senior Manager (SK) of yet another department.  As far as its other departments,  its risk free for me.  Anyways, for two days its going to be a real mess.

Day 1 : I reached office by 9.30.  We were all asked to report by 9.30 strictly and no late-commers (for their own good).  So I had to skip my breakfast and come rushing to the office.  We were expecting D to come any second and blast, but it turned out that he was staying back at the hotel and going for some client visits with the manager and not coming to the office for the day.  So much for the day.  So, I kept myself busy rest of the day by updating database for mailing my clients [Eureka ! 1000 in a day] and other routines.   

Day 2 : Today SK showed up.  He was supposed to come early in the morning.  Rumour has it that he is a workaholic and we were all expecting him to be in office by sunrise.  So today also I had to skip my breakfast (poor me!) and come rushing to the office.  But my skipping the breakfast was in vain.  SK din't come to the office as expected in the morning.  SK went for client encounters straightaway from the airport.  What a workaholic he is.  Hearsay confirmed!    

 God!  If it was me, I would have headed directly to the hotel, taken a quick bath, freshened up, then come to office and later go for the client meetings and work work work, (Hi hi hi.. crazy lazy bone me).  Maybe that's why am not a manager as of yet.  Always in a holiday mood :)  LoL.   

Later in the afternoon he came.  He came, he saw, he conquered!  He is likely to be in the branch for couple of days.  He took anchorage of this branch this financial year opening and this is his first visit to the branch.  In fact, I had met him when I was in Trivandrum.  He was the manager of that team at that time.  But again, that was one year ago.  So, not a complete alien.  Acquaintance alien.  LoL.  I din't recognize him initially.  Suddenly there he was standing in front of me.  He has gained weight (he says he ate lots of cheese during his European trip couple of weeks back).    

The only one thing that is ringing in my head is the comment made by Mrs. Tony about SK's view "He has under-estimated Cochin.  His view is that there are only couple of roads in Cochin."  So mean to state like that about our great little Cochin.  He is basically from Chennai.  So Mrs. Tony too is as keen as mustand on showing him that he is wrong.  In fact, area mapping Cochin is not such a big deal, but at the same time its not so silly.  I've been in Cochin since my school days and most of the places in Cochin is a bit too familiar.  In case of some areas I know every nook and corner.  Credit goes to our house-shifting process - Its the 21st house in Cochin that we shifted to one month earlier.  Of course, I have loads of acquaintances, which turns to be 'not so good after all' at times, because of the nosy character of some people; especially if I have to go out with J.  But then who cares about all these nowadays.

Day 3 :  D flew back to Bangalore yesterday evening.  SK showed up in the morning itself.  Rest of the day he was having a busy schedule travelling about with Mr. Mathews, Mrs. Tony, Mr. Mathew, and SA for the negotiations.  By now he might have grasped the fact that Cochin is not microscopic.   It was  raining heavily at intervals and occasionally there were drizzles.  Since boss was in town everyone in office was more than busy and full time engaged with their duties.  Very dedicated.  SA was complaining about having light headaches because of getting exposed to these sudden drizzles.  She loves to be in the sun than the rains.  Weird girl.  Mrs. Tony was complaining to Mr. Mathews that I described their manager as 'an alien'.  To soften the edges I'll rephrase him as 'an outlander'.   SK is a cool-headed guy.   Outlander attacks over and SK took charge of planet Cochin.  To be continued...

Slowdown

                        I've been quite full of activity lately.  Job search is in schedule, two of my colleagues are resigning, bank tests are going on, applying and preparing for bank tests, loads of work to do in the office, etc...  Am in a safe position as of yet, but afraid of getting far-away transfer or pink slips.  In fact everyone is under the shadow of the same fear, however safe their so-called jobs are.    

                        A good company, best package - this combination is a bit tough and rare to dig up nowadays.  Dictum is try try till you succeed.  Its not that I've been laid off, but afraid of the same or transfers and pink-slips.  One another option is bank PO exams.  Well, in fact that is the only one good other option in front of me.  My mother has been behind me for ages compelling me to get into some bank.  According to her that’s the only job in this whole universe which is safe.  Well, I think its time that I listen to her words.

                        Oh yes, nowadays people appearing for bank PO exams are highly qualified.  There are candidates who were earning lakhs per month abroad and now searching for "a job" here.  IT fellas are the ones in huge numbers appearing for these exams nowadays.  Midst of all these giants a dwarf like me getting through is of rare possibility.  But again, try try till you succeed.

                         Many of them have lost their jobs.  Although, India has not been affected so hard by the financial meltdown, Indians all over the world are suffering from the layoffs and pink slips.  Some say the recession has not hit India; its just a slowdown.  With reference to the current situation its obvious what is going to happen once it hits India.  It’s going to be hard, real hard.  Already I've got candidates walking in, searching for vacancies, and these candidates  are those who were previously employed in Dubai and the US or UK.  It’s such a hard time to go through.  

                         The slowdown  is happening, people are getting layed off, pink slips are being given; but at the same time there are recruitments happening all around us.  We can’t say that the recruitments are freezed.  There are recruitments happening, but on a lower basis.  The HRs are short listing very few and intake is just the minimum.  Earlier they used to recruit in larger numbers.  It’s a more competitive market than ever before.

                         Some companies had stopped the intake for a brief period as a curb.  Now, most of them have restarted, but again on a lower basis.  Some took deterrence in terms of cost reduction, etc.   Moreover, even if someone gets through an interview they are afraid to go for it, last in first out.  So people are sticking on to their precious jobs and rowing harder than ever before to please the management.  Me too.         

My late realisation

There is a famous malayalam song .... 

"Chirikumbol koode chirikan

Aayiram per varum

Karayumbol koode karayan

Nin nizhal mathram..."

Translation [For those who are unable to apprehend Malyalam or Manglish] - When you laugh, there will be 1000s (people) to laugh with you; but when  you cry there will be no one with you, except your shadow. 

These four lines are so simple, but has intense inner meaning to it.  I just realised the bitterish taste and the power of these four lines lately.  

People who laugh with us, comfort us, be with us in our seventh heaven, and whom we see as our kith and kin may not be our true friends.  They do not complete/define the word 'friend'.   At one or the other instance in life they become selfish.  They become mere opportunists.   The puissance of 'relationships' is completely lost.  They forget everything else for their own pleasure and well-being.  

I don't want to get deep into the meaning and its impression on peoples life.  Everyone must have realised the adage before me.  I just got bogged down as usual.  Wanted to share with you that I've truly realised the acridness lately, but am not too late in life to regret anything. 

Life moves on and so should we  :)

Snowy

Snowy

She was my little heartthrob.  My 'own' first kitten.  I got her when she was just two weeks old from a family friend.  Snowy was such a cutie-pie; a very friendly and disciplined little kitty.  Snowy had big round pearl eyes and long, golden hairy tail.  She was an adorable little one.
            

Snowy's playground was inside the house, running to and fro, colliding on walls.  She shoots like a rocket from one end of the house to the other end of the house, sometimes tripping us down and most of the time she goes and hit somewhere.   When Snowy runs, her tail stands up straight 90 degrees.  In the morning she comes and wakes my mother.  She will start screaming at the top of her voice until she get her breakfast pedigree [she loves pedigree ..lol... maybe that explains her hyperactivism].  She won't allow mom to do anything else until she gets her pedigree.  After breakfast she will be there all around the house, running about, playing, scratching on chairs, tripping someone down, so happy.

    It was fun to watch her playful attacks.  She will hide behind a chair or table and peep from there and watch her target for sometime.  Then slowly slowly she will come outside and start stretching and crawling slowly slowly [as if she is in military].  Then she zero-in to her target, which often will be my leg, and pounces up and down and touch my leg and run with her tail 90 degrees straight.

        Snowy loved to fiddle with my leg.  She tries to grab my leg and nibble or frog-kick when am walking about or if I swing my leg while sitting on a chair or when am lying down in bed.  When am reading a book or watching TV, she will be there on my lap either biting or pricking at the book or remote.  If am watching TV for a long time and not looking at her, she will jump atop the TV and lie down there and look at me as if telepathizing to look at her.  When I get back from office, she will come galloping and move in circles round my leg until I take her up in my hand.  She was such a dear and loving kitty.  

Monsoon Magic

Its monsoon and I love this time of the year.   Its all green and refreshing.  You feel so invigorated breathing and being in the fresh, cool, and 'green' atmosphere.  Sometimes it rains heavily, sometimes it drizzles.  Its the best weather in the whole universe.  I love the dampness after being in the rains, unless am on the way to office.

When I was a kid, I hated going to school during the monsoon.    Sometimes my mother had to literally push and drag me to the school bus.  I hate being shut inside a bus or a room when its pouring outside.  School reopens in June and thats when we have the showers.  There will be a hangover of the two-month vacation and on top of that the rains will make me want to stay at home more than anything.  How many times I had false headaches, stomachaches, fever and what not.  LoL, that happens in every kids life.   

The sight of black clouds hovering above your head is threatening, but cozy.  The climate just before the rains is so romantic.  There will be a mild cold breeze and black clouds above you and the whole atmosphere will be a little dense.  Everything about the rain is endearing.  To enjoy the fresh air you need to escape from the hustle and bustle of the metros.   Blessed with the natural beauty, Kerala is the best place on the earth to be in the monsoon - gods own.  

In college I used to enjoy and have fun being outside in the downpour with friends.  Bunking classes, just to be in the rain became a routine.  Atleast I din't have to sit inside the class and admire the rains through the window.  If its raining heavily we will be out in the open with an umbrella, strolling through the campus.  But often felt to throw away the umbrella and walk in the rain.  It was such a wonderful feeling.  But if its drizzling, we will be there outside, but this time without an umbrella.  The sensation of water sprinkling on your face feels so right.  

At the same time, sitting by the window side or to snuggle under a blanket and watch the rain fall is my favourite 'activity'.  Play a slow and melodious music in low volume in the background, that will be so romantic.  Its lovely to watch the rain falling drop by drop.  Its beautiful to see the leaves all green and fresh, with drops rolling down.  The droplets falling on the ground form small puddles and the water drops falling in the puddles forms ripples, touching the water and then bouncing up.  Each and every detail of rain is remarkable.  Its such an amazing creation by the almighty.  There is a music to the rains.  Just listening to the music itself is heavenly.  

The last thing I want to think about is thunder, lightning, and the floods.  Even though am damn afraid of thunder and lightning, monsoon will not be complete without them.  Only thing is that I pray no one gets hurt in the thunder and lightning or the floods.   

Everything about rain is romantic.  Am in love with the rains.  The slight breeze.  The drizzles.  The greenery.  The black clouds.  The muddy puddles.  The falling droplets.   The wet landscape.  The freshness ..... everything.

Does money make you happy ???

Money is my luv, honey.

I had a debate with J last day on a silly, but grave issue.  The subject was money, but what he said irritated me to the core.   "Money makes you happy".  That sounds normal, but I was afraid if he will anchor that concept deep into his head.  I don't deny that money is important; it is.  But giving it the foremost place in life will only lead to disaster.  I sound boring, but that day I was ruminating his words.   I always go deep into the jungle if am worried about something.

Money is not a priority, its only a NECESSITY.  

We work, we earn, we save, and we live happily.  That's different.  But that's not what he meant or rather that's not what I got across.

Imagine........ one fine day, problems arise - say you get a huge loss in your business or you lose your job.  Initially, you wont be facing any difficulty [financially] because of your savings; but as time flies, you start being bankrupt and frustration reaches its heights [obviously].  You may start getting irritated with everybody and everything around you, even your near and dear ones.  You wont even consider sharing your feelings with your dear one.  The only thing that affects you is MONEY.  This slowly leads to larger disputes and ends up in cold wars within the family/friend circle.  You are going to lose the feeling of being "at home".   Finally, you start drinking [if that was a habitue, no comments].   The necessity factor becomes calamitous.

At the other end, try giving first place in your life to love[God]/relationships.  Share your feelings with your loved ones.  When you face problems, if you have someone to open-up that itself will relieve you of half the frustration.  If you face any problem with a riled heart you are going to end up in deep trouble.  Give money second place in life.  Only then you will learn to adjust.

At least consider that even poor people live happily.  It all depends on your view about life and money.  What I intend to say is that money is treacherous.  Never let yourselves involve emotionally with it.   Virtue, sincerity, love, goodness, kindness, etc used to be the must-haves for humans.   Time elapsed and situations changed.   The previous must-haves were given second place in life and 'money' filched top priority in life.  This has become a fact in all walks of life.

{Now, you may be thinking - big mouth is in town}  As an end note let me tell you something - enjoy with what you have, earn more and enjoy more, earn even more and enjoy more n more and last not the least stop comparing yourselves with others.  I bet you are going to be the happiest person around.

Six Bedroom Essentials

You spend most of your time here than any other space in your home, make this space "most inviting" and comfortable by following these tips.

A place to sit

Whether its a chaise lounge or a side chair, you'll want something to sit on.  Its always nice to have something to perch while trying your shoes or applying body lotion to your feet/legs so that you don't mess up the bed you just made. 

Window Treatments

In a bedroom, window treatments that can be closed to darken the space or opened to let in plenty of light are ideal.  Curtain panels, paired with shades on the window offer versatility.  When lowered the shades offer privacy but let filtered light come through.  For added luxury, add a blackout liner to the curtains.

Stylish Lighting

A good-looking pair of lamps flanking the bed is an instant style update that's practical too.  A classic pair of ceramic lamps is a great choice, but we also love wall-mounted sconces [especially for late-night readers].  

Adequate bedside storage

Closed storage by the bed is essential.  One small drawer will hold hand creams, reading glasses, a television remote, and anything else that might litter your bedside table -  Clear the clutter.

Upgrade your pillows

If you don't have a small fortune to spend on linens, start with your pillows.  Buy one for both you and your partner that fits the way each of you sleep.  Then, upgrade the pillows.  You'll be amazed at how much more neat your bed will look with a new pillow that has a nice shape.  While you're at it, lose the superfluous throw pillow.   A pair for sleeping, a pair of Euro-size shams and a pair of standard size shams is all you need.    Add a bolster in a contrasting fabric to give the bed some interest.

                 

         

A pretty colour

Some say a bedroom should be a restful colour, while others suggests a bedroom is an appropriate place for colours that create a cozy cocoon.  In any case, the colour scheme of your bedroom should be one that you enjoy and that inspires happy thoughts as you drift to sleep.

Backstage

Ha, here I am - back to posts.  I was busy the last couple of days decorating my blog and I hope its a lot different from the basic template.  After all looks does mean a lot.

Browsed google image search, deviant art, and some blog theme sites.  Ended up with the current picture in my headder.   I was not looking for "just any picture," but I wanted something that was different and which could contribute to my blog title.  Anyways I hope my effort is not in vain.

Hey, you guys should visit this website [www.deviantart.com] - Its damn cool.  If you are a photography freak, you can register there and upload your creations and photo manipulations.  There are millions of photos to browse through.  Good Luck !!  

A, B, C's of blogging

Actually I got the idea to start blogging into my head all of a sudden.  Now am wondering what to write in my weblogs.  I did a little research on "blogging" - and found out many interesting facts including the origin of the word "blog" is from the word "weblog".

Am searching for a topic to ponder, but am bankrupt.  But this is complete fun.  It's exciting.  You start out with great ideas, full of motivation and inspiration.  After a while, though, you run out of steam.  The muse isn't so amused any more and you start hunting for content, things to write about.  Right?  Well this is the widespread opinion, maybe fact.

Well, I've decided on one thing for sure.  I will use only "good" English.   Am really fed up of this "u, v, r, b, gonna, getch, etc."  In fact it's convenient and easy to use, but this short yo-yo language has penetrated my vocabulary so much that I've started to forget the real spellings.   I've reached an extreme wherein I've started to draft mails to my boss with u's, v's, b's and r's.

So, lets start.