la première fois

la première fois

What is life but the sum of one's experiences of joys and sorrows, pleasure and pain, anger, suffering, feeling love and hatred, pride and humiliation? One learns from each experience, accepts and grows.And there is a first time for everything: The first time you fall in love when no sacrifice seems too large to put a smile on the face of the loved one; when the whole purpose of living seemed designed to make the loved one happy.The first time you lost a loved one when nothing else in your life seems worth living for; when you feel lost and do...

Disposable relationships

Disposable relationships

Suddenly the 7th commandment is the most discussed topic in India today - thanks to karan Johar and his Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna. You switch on the television and Tarot card reader Sunita declares "everyone cheats" and Shahrukh Khan takes on a relationship expert on the intricacies of love and marriage. You go to a party and before you know people are taking sides on whether extra marital relationships are justified or not. Every 5th Indian blog you read has a take on this or at least touches on the issue in passing.Men have been cheating on their...

Happy Habba

Happy Habba

This pair comes to our house on all fridays and on all festive occasions - the man plays his Tavil or sometimes the nadaswaram and the Basava (Bull in Kannada) brightens the day by just being his colourful...

Indian substandard time

Indian substandard time

The other day I was to pick up some friends on our way to the multiplex to watch Omkara. We had arranged to meet at 9:25 and I had to pick up another lady a few blocks away at 9:30. One of the 9:25 ladies finally arrived at 9:35 and in those 10 minutes I had sweated, fretted and fumed. I cannot handle people taking my time for granted and her delay also meant I would be late to pick up the other person which meant taking her time for granted. The worst part was that this friend who arrived late just got in with a smile and did not even feel the...

loved or admired

loved or admired

With the intention of making everyone in class participate and express, our French professor has a list of interesting questions. You get to choose the question by giving a number in a range and answer the question that corresponds to the number of your choice.Some are funny, some are scandalous and some really philosophic.It is always interesting to see how some turn the most serious question into something frivolous while others pontificate and philosophise over the simplest question. I got the question: Would you rather be loved or admired and...

Comedians and jokers

Comedians and jokers

I cannot tell a joke. I start with "let me tell you a joke" and then laugh all the way through the joke, forget most of the details and finally deliver the punchline so flatly that people are still waiting for the joke when I am already laughing and wondering why the others did not get it. Once in college I was given a part the fairy god-mother in a spoof of cinderella and I think I laughed more than the audience and forgot all my lines.Needless to say I was fired.I admire people who can tell a joke - most people think (like I did for a long time)...

Come back as anyone

Come back as anyone

A post on the birthday celebration we had at home today. The birthday boy:Bhavayami Gopala Balam ... Mana Sevitham ,Tat padam chintayeyam sadakati ghatitha mekhala , khachita mani ghantikaPatala ninadena...

Mixed up in love and safe in marriage

Mixed up in love and safe in marriage

My Cousin dropped by on his way to a friend's wedding. During the course of our conversation he told me that this friend is a Muslim and had been in love with a Hindu girl. After 6 years of courtship they finally decided to part ways and marry persons acceptable to their parents. The curious aspect is that neither the muslim boy nor the Hindu girl are active practitioners of their religion and even the parents are not very strict in their adherence to customs and rituals. If they could have been good friends without the interference of religion...

Tagged again!

Tagged again!

Passerby tagged me and here I go: A book that changed your life?The second sex by Simone de Beauvoir..It wasn't actually its content but that was the book my husband gave me when he announced his intention to marry me!One book you have read more than once?Most Of P.G.Wodehouse booksOne book you would want on a desert island?Hey I'd want a boat not a book! Ok, if I am getting deserted for a few days (meals included I hope?)I will take the complete works of Shakespeare.One book that made you laugh?If you find a woman laughing away reading a book...

Special Moments in Life

Special Moments in Life

$.Connecting with a total stranger in a smile over something funny or cute.$. Meeting a new friend.$. Early morning rides with the wind on your face.$. Listening to an old song and remembering a smell or a face associated with the song.$. Waking up listening to the rain pouring outside.$. Nice long bath uninterrupted by the doorbell or telephone.$. An unexpected call from a long lost friend.$. Being part of an interesting conversation.$. Laughing at yourself.$. Sharing a wonderful dinner and conversation with a few close friends.$. Laughing without...