First of many

Yes, this is my first post from our brand new laptop, which we purchased as a gift to ourselves for our wedding anniversary this 2nd of May. We have been pondering to buy one for quite some time now, and the better half had left the decision to me to choose one. Me being me, took nearly six months to decide whether to buy one or not (since I was already suing the office laptop to work as personal one too) and then to decide on which brand/model to buy..Finally, we brought home a new laptop and I'm beginning to fall in love with its cool features, refreshingly bright color and the newness of it..Hope to pen many more happy posts from this laptop.

May is the better half's birthday month and while pondering over the gift for his birthday, I decided to surprise him by inviting his friend , whose birthday also falls on the same date over for lunch/dinner. Checked with the friend for their convenience, checked with MIL (since we were returning from my place after attending functions that morning of the birthday) for cooking arrangements, bought return gifts for the friend's kids and things were going as per plan, when I suddenly revealed the plan to hubby a few hours before lunch time. We had a good time , the kids were awesome, especially the little one was over enthused and was full of energy.She mingled so easily with all of us, strangers to her..Her image was running over my head all through the next day too. Even now, as I type, I marvel at how happy and social that 4 year old is. Touch wood. I'm hoping this is a new beginning to our social life.

Two functions (Sumangali Prarthanai and Swamy Samaradhanai)  which were supposed to have happened before my wedding took place this month. Thank Goodness for making it happen. There were so many hurdles all these years for these functions to take place and the last one month saw changing and re-changing of dates for these functions multiple times. And added to this, my periods also misbehaved causing much anxiety. Prayers to multiple Gods and Goddesses were offered and Thank you lord for listening to the prayers. The days preceding to the function were brimming with anxiety and fear. At one point of time, I felt so damn saturated that I felt drained to even worry. Anyways, the functions went on smooth. It was also my dad's belief that once these religious rituals are done , of course with involvement and with good intentions and  good thought,  good things will begin to unfold . Now that God/ancestors have Himself/themselves accepted our offering, all of us strongly believe that our prayers will be answered.

The day preceeding to my husband's birthday , we were at my parents place to attend the above mentioned functions and our extended family also participated. It was my sister's plan to celebrate her BIL's bday and she organsied cate cutting session. Since there were two other kids around whose b'day also falls in April/May, we decided to make it a combined celebration (by having their names also on the cake). She is awesome in arranging such stuff and she did a wonderful job indeed. We bought gifts for all three of them, cut the cake and had a good time overall. Appu, as I always tell you, you are the best est thing that has happened in my life da. God Bless you darling.

I've come out of my cocoon and landed myself two job offers, I've come out of a shell to make some effort to invite people home , to give surprise party (however small), I'm trying hard to remain postive and look at the glass as being half full ,to be optimistic and to have faith and hope. Need to wait and watch how things unfold.

been long..

yep, if not lot, something has been happening at my end..some small change..I've resigned from the current job..to record for posterity : 11 May 11 is the date when I'd sent my resignation..Have got two offers ..will select one among the two shortly, though a preliminary decision has already been made..

I have spent 6 years, 3 months in this organisation, have seen crest and trough in career, have seen the lowest point of personal life while employed here , have made countable good friends whom I can trust and look to, have made umpteen accquaintances , have had wonderful managers who were very supportive (most of the time) through thick and thin, have learnt, have also done some time pass, have been intoruduced to blog sites, have had the freedom to browse all round the clock, have learnt a fairly complex technology which has added weight to my resume, have committed mistakes, have been cornered, have lost and regained trust, have observed many admirable qualities among colleagues, will try to imbibe certain good attributes in the fothcoming endeavour, ..all in all, the graph has been preety decent..However, at this point in life, I want a change, a positive change at that..I'm craving for good things to happen in my life..I hope this change is the beginning of all good things to come..

Cal Trip - Day3

How come 2 days flew so fast? Felt like I was just on the flight, and now its time again to board the flight, this time, to return to routine..anyways, after much debate on the plans for the day, settled on visiting the science city. Checked out from the hotel, paid a visit to the Iskon enroute to Science city and then got dropped at Science city. Went around a few exhibits, and saw a 3-D show and a Documentary on the Nile River. The documentary was good.Met a family from TN and we got introduced to each other and went along with them to see some exhibits. Having another 1 hour to pass, croseed the road to check out on the handicrafts exhibition, but it was closed. Was supposed to open only in the later part of the day. Anyways, started the book which I'd cariied along. It was time to leave cal and head to B'lore. Enroute to the airport, M and his colleague were picked from their office and now the vacation comes to an end.
My aunt and uncle were at B'lore that day attending a wedding reception and this uncle was the one who was very keen to visit our house ever since we moved here. There wasnt enough time fro them to visit our home and then catch the bus at night. So, we drove from airport directly to the hotel where reception was happening, had dinner there, got introduced to a few distant relatives , saw aunt and uncle off to Chennai and we drove back home. It was good to be home!!

Cal trip-day2

Started the day with a sumptuous breakfast at the Taj. Met with one of husbands colleagues who beleives in the Isckon way. all through the breakfast, he got on to giving a discourse. because of which, I wasnt able to thoroughly enjoy the food. Before I left for the trip, I was attending a discourse by Nochur Sri.Venkataraman on Bhagavatham. The discourse was supposed to continue for another 3 days while I would be out of town. While listening to this person, I had a feeling I was not missing any of the spiritual discourse of Sri.Nochur V as I was already listening to one.!

I started the day with Victoria Memorial, spent a good two hours there, eductaing and re-capping what history books have taught. Left Victoria and went to India Museum. Spent another 3 good hours there, wondering at all the various exhibits ranging from science, medicine, geography, art, and what not. Left for the hotel and caught up with few portions of MMKR movie. Then, enquired about the steam/sauna at the hotel and left for the spa. This was going to be my first experience with spa. Tried the steam and jacuzzi, though couldnt enjoy completely.
When M came back after office, we got refreshed and went to Park Street. Walked along the by-lanes , and had dinner at one of the restaurants. Then, we went on a trip to view Colonial Calcutta. The guide cum chauffeur gave us information on the various buildings, how they came to have the names they bear now, age of the building etc. The drive was awesome . Returned back to the hotel and called it a day.

Calcutta, ahoy!

Calcutta aka Kolkata was the one metro among the erstwhile 4 metros of India which I had not visited till last week . When the better half informed that he was travelling to this place on business , I couldnt find a better opportunity to tag along and visit the place. So, there I booked the tickets , much to my own surprise without much thought and started googling about places to visit, eat and shop. I had even disclosed the travel plan to all who cared to ask and listen. Usually , so far, I havent had the habit of revealing my plans in detail to many. Now, I am having a vacation after a llong loong time (last time, we had been to Kurumba village enroute to Ooty many years ago). So, I decided to have a good time and not worry about office stuff or anything that would disturb me.

The previous day of our travel being International Womens Day, I was all dressed in a beautiful maroon saree to the office, had a good time enjoying  the events organised in our office. Had mehendi too which provided a cooling effect. Not sure if there is someone who conspires to somehow disrupt my peace, just after lunch, I see a series of emails asking for my comments/suggestions to solve a critical issue. Phew!! Of all times, should these mails come when I plan a vacation and just about to wrap up things at work?? Had discussion with colleague based out of the the same location I work in, made sure to assign work in my absence and asked people to ping me when I'm out of office. My boss calls me multiple times, but I'm unable to talk to him because of the low batetry and poor signal strength . Called up the boss later in the evening, informed him that I'll be unable to support the next 3 days, cant attend any conference calls and indirectly told him not to be disturbed. Got some lecture, nevertheless, this didnt put me off completely.

Took time to pack clothes, pack stuff that I might require for the travel and stay, and was all set. Wednesday(March 9th) dawned bright , we got readied and boarded the cab on the long drive to the airport. I've driving to the airport after about 3 years. All my flight travel prior to this one has been on work and this was teh first time I was taking the flight for personal reasons and more importantly taking the flight with the husband beside me. I tried my best to put office tension behind my back, and travel light. I wouldnt say I was 100% successful in not thinking about office, however, I was close to the mark :-). Squirmed in the flight, yes, I'm claustrophobic, couldnt get sleep, chatted with the better half . Poor thing, the husband had to get on to work once we alight from the plane. So, I was resisting myself from not pestering him too much.

Alighted from the plane in the humid Kolkata which welcomed us with a temperature of 35 degrees. Dropped husband in the office and I drove to central parts of the city where our booking for the hotel was done. I enter Taj bengal and I went WOW!! Every aspect in the Taj campus is a testimony to the brand , the luxury, the quality and the legacy!! I have stayed in good resorts in the past, but this one, though not a resort is the first 5 -star rated hotel I was vacationing in. Freshened up , and was time for lunch. Upon husband's insistence, I reluctantly went to The Hub in the premises of Taj. Why reluctant? because I was not very OK with spending all of 1500 bucks for food, on myslef. Was very unsure even after entering the restaurant. Not sure what made me start with the starters. Had a 5 course meal, relaxed, enjoyed the food and the ambience.

Came back to the room, checked the calcutta guide,ordered for a DVD player, browsed the channels in the TV and dozed off, only to wake up when I call from the husband. Now, the DVD player also came, and I watched some portion of a movie whose dvd I had carried along. Dressed up, and was now ready to paint the city. Checked with the concierge the timing of Kali Mandir. Now, I was already having a nagging feeling about spending on lunch( I need to make a point here: I'm no miser. I love to spend, love to buy stuff and indulge my loved ones than indulging myself). so I was a lil bit averse about spending about 30 bucks a kilometer on the taxi, if arranged via the hotel. Inspite of the husband insisting on taking the taxi from the hotel, I walked out on the road , bravely in a city totally new , in a city where I dont understand the local language, and only posses an average Hindi speaking ability.

Saw a few people on the road just waving their hand to board in to a taxi. I did the same too and asked to be taken to Kali Mandir. I was dropped at the temple and I was charged 30 bucks for what the meter said Rs.17. I wasnt sure if I need to argue with my poor Hindi speaking skill. hence, got the change and proceeded twoards the temple. As soon as I stepped down from the taxi a group of priests swarmed around giving details about the rates to be paid for a quick darshan to the Goddess. I dismissed them and walked forward and could see only a line of stores usually found in front of teh temples . I couldnt spot any trace of the temple gopuram which is usually seen in the temples of the South.  I asked for directions from a passer by and proceeded forward. Waited in a long queue , while on the queue, observed that devotees were performing waht I assume to be archanas. A lady who stood behind me told me details of what is the bes way to get these pujas done in a Bengali mixed Hindi. Had a darshan of the Goddess, and now, proceeded to Birla Mandir. The taxi driver was not sure of the timings of the temple , nevertheless, I went to the temple. There, we are not supposed to carry camera and there wasnt any locker safe. Hence, with the guidance of the security guards in the temple, I left the camera with the Calcutta Ploice who were stationed in fornt of the temple. There were 3 men, 2 in uniform and the third in plain clothes. The two uniform-clad men directed me to deposit the camera to the man in plain clothes. I blindly trusted these men and left my newly bought camera with him and proceeded to the temple. On returning from the temple, thankfully, the camera was safe.

Back at the hotel, freshened up, M and I left for dinner. We chose the Mediterranean cuisine at Taj..Need I tell that the food was awesome. But, one fact which proved to be true yet again is that you really need to ne a non-vegetarian when you like to taste different kinds of food. Because, even in the mediterranean  menu, we hardly had options to choose from , being a vegetarian. Anyways, the quality and taste was awesome and we called it a day.

30 days of self-restraint

March 7 -April 5 : Period to watch out the words that come in jet speed from me when in rage. Period to observe how I tame my anger. Self test period where in I test how strong willed and determined I am. This period will see how I slow down, take life as it comes, not blame anyone for things that are beyond my control, especially the husband. Time to accept things that were and that are and try my best to look up at the postive side of things ..Off late, I'm getting consumed by an uncontrollable rage at the rate of once a week, which is definitely not doing any good to my phsical and mental health , to my husand , to whom I take the rage and vent , and to us , our marriage which is getting shakier by the day due to my behaviour. So, I'm determined to observe this self-restraint period and this blog will record the highlights of each day . We'll see how it goes and the outcome at the end of one month.

Will update this post every night or the next day morning .

Wordless Wednesday - 1