Far In Life

I have come very far in life;

But Sometimes I wish

Sometimes I do

I hadn't come so far!!

I think what other life would have been
Same as this, better or worse
Right or wrong I still wonder

Bade Acche Lagte Hai

Bade Acche Lagte hai- is the new serial on Sony TV produced by Ekta Kapoor. I have never been really a big fan of Ektaa Kapoor serials but surely my mum is and they were times I have sit through some of her serials. But this one is a different story. I watch this serial willingly and yea enjoy it!!

Reason Well to start with the premise of the story is "Different" and "Refreshing".  Nicely fitted cast is a cherry on cake. Unlike other serials which had " Planning/Plotting" Rona dona and marriage and remarriage, Divorces and rebirth this one till now is fairly plausible (though this one also has a touch of larger then life characters and personalities...Mr Ram buys a company in order to fly to his Home ..WOW..that's some richness :)..)but yea sharma family is quite relatable.

What works most for this serial apart from the chemistry between the leads is the treatment/direction..there are light moments in every episode and you don't need to really sit with a bag of tissue papers while watching it :)..

Well it does have that element also of typical ektaa..there is a past and past lovers :)..probably it may take the same route as previous serials after a while but till then its a must "Watch" for all Hindi serials lovers!!!

Happy Independence Day!!

Today is 15th August, India's Independence day and I wish every Indian and everyone who celebrates independence and loathes confinements a very "Happy Independence Day".  For me personally, the meaning of this day has changed over the years and gained much more importance now when I truly understand the meaning of being independent. Though still not in larger context of country being ruled by "foreigners" but more on a personal level.

I, from a very early age wanted to be financially independent so that I can build and live the life I always imagined for myself. Being independent is to be able to exercise your own choices and not to be dictated by someone Else's rules and regulations.  Living within the boundaries esp the one set by someone else is always limiting and restricts the chances of any kind of growth. Everyone deserves to be independent and should be able to stand to be independent as a person, unit, society and most definitely as a nation!!! JAI HIND!!!!

Start from wherever you are!!!

Yes, I heard this line on Oprah's show "Start from wherever you are", and it stayed with me from there on. It is in the context of losing weight and living your healthiest and best possible life.

And oh yea, there is one more Cliche which I can add to it " It's never too late to start". There has been some weight issues or so I feel. Well yes everyone can lose some weight. But it requires lot of motivation and dedication to stick to the schedule and restrain from giving to temptations. But as they say " Where there this a will there is a Way"

There is a will but trying to find a way and that too easiet way possible is seemingly difficult. Nowadays, internet, tV everywhere you will find information about living a healthy life. But inspite of having all the information at disposal and it being very clear in headspace too, it all melts away when the pasta comes in a platter, when my favorite TV show is on, when desi ghee parantha cravings arise for, when I dont want to do anything but laze around.

Phew!!! and then when I see my snaps I am like It;s not me . its like some other person is staring at me and saying me I am you. No way,I then resolve to Start from wherever I am and get the old self but it gets lost somewhere down the line and it has become a vicious circle since then. I just wish I can travel light in every which way!!!

Beautiful Lyrics

O Life!! Let me Live this moment for a while
You have not written any destiny for me
But, You write something new everyday for me,
Whatever you write, I live, with my whole heart ,

But for now, let me live this moment for a while.

Sometimes, for no reason, an innocent smile blooms on my face,
Sometimes, an unknown happiness, meets the shores of my heart,


There is a strange fear in my heart,
But this fear is so beautiful,
I want to live this fear,
O Life!! Let me Live this moment for now!!                                                                                

It resides somewhere in My heart,
And flows through my eyes,
It's a raw dream of mine;
It seems it's a question I am searching for
But perhaps no, It's an answer;
Then why My heart is still restless ??

If this is what is happiness, Let It be,
If this is what is obsession,  Let It be,
Its beautiful,
O Life!! Let me Live this moment for a while!!

ZNBD(Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara)

Watched the movie ZNBD.. I liked the movie partially and must admit it is a slightly poorer version of DCH..What worked most for me in DCH , was the chemistry between the lead actors with their friendship quite plausible and relatable.. In ZNBD, I somehow felt it is a story of three strangers rather then three friends going together on a road trip. Their friendship was never established or forged.

But what worked for the film was obviously its picturesque locations, Spain, tomatina festival, sports and Farhan Akhtar. Most of the pictures in Hindi are high on emotional quotient and entertainment , and there is no take home in terms of knowing something new. With this movie, its different, there are many who got introduced to Spain and its natural Beauty, Different sports and Thrill, Tomatina festival and its relevance.  There are already so many I am sure (including me!!!!) out there who got inspired and want to take a trip to Spain and try these sports..

But what is also worth noting is Indian movies are moving away from traditional stories, trying new screenplays and giving audiences something to take home..

RIP 25 paise

Just read the news that 25 paise or most popularly called "chavani" will no longer be accepted and July 1st was the last day to exchange it at Banks or RBI.

There are so many fond memories associated with this chavani and goodies it could buy. Those were indeed "simple" and "sweet" times. World was not as fast paced as now and ofcourse chavani could buy things like "toffes" and "those "yellow crackers" which meant world then as a child. And yea two chavani can also get us a comic book for rent.

This for me symbolises that not only world is changing but I am getting old. Things I have grown up with are becoming part of history and are considerd obsolete and are now for preservation and keeps!! Wow!! the same feeling a generation older then me would have felt when " printer gave way to computers" and Black and White TV's to colored ones. Now I understand that famous phrase even more " hamara zamane mein tu" LOL..

Well nothing is constant but change and life has become more pricey now for sure. Will try to keep up with its updates and price!!!

Being on H4

Yesterday I went to a party and found two ladies showing off something that they "Work" here in US and probably through their fake talks (of tools, support, development) was trying to establish amongst some H4 wives that they are superior and God knows what.??

I have five years of working experience and has worked in some of the best companies in business but then or even now I never thought I was better then stay at home girls/wives of this very reason. I have utmost respect for my mom/ mom-in-law and everyone else who build homes and raise families. It has gone one notch up after staying at home myself..Its much more diffcult then working..

Going back to those ladies, I think in their vain effort to look cool they came across as rather "uncool" and "Closed". When you converse in a group you need to connect/discuss on something about which everyone is comfortable and aware and not reduce your talks to mere vanity.

Guess they missed soft skills training in their work area because they were trying too hard to show someone they "work" and missed "Working" too...

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey and her show has always intrigued and inspired me. Through her show you come to terms with lot more reality of life. After watching this show I always feel humbled and grateful for what all I have and most importantly for my family. As horribly clinched as it may sound but we waste too much time looking at glass as half-empty rather than half-filled.

I saw an episode in which a beautiful girl's face and body got melted away in a car accident. She survived the accident and is now with no face. Very often, almost daily, not only me but most of us stand in front of mirror and wish we were a bit more fair, had longer hair, had sleeker nose, had hour glass figure etc etc..We just forget to appreciate what we have and concentrate on "have not's". Its OK to be imperfect here and there coz god has bestowed on us so many other things. What needs to be changed and is not right is "Outlook" for sure.

And then sometimes on her show you will see very rich and famous people telling their stories about their struggle with alchol/drugs and all inner demons. I wonder  Does it gets so lonely up there that you have nobody to accompany you except for these destructive things?? Its warm and cozy here...down here coz I have my family n friends with me..most importantly I have me,myself  and ability of judgment of right and wrong. Its just tells me to enjoy where I am right now in life..after all its not that great up there..

And then sometimes I feel so inspired, like the cover story of Ralph Polo Lauren. It tells you to believe in yourself and your dreams and cultivate a commitment towards your work and world is yours.

Very less shows can boast of such a feat wherein it not only changes people perceptions and attitude but touches their lives and change lives. Its not a show..its much more then that. No doubt Oprah Winfrey deserves all the adulation and respect she gets!!!!!!! Respect!!

Why I need a Time machine??

Time machine which takes you back in time has been one of the most popular themes of many Bollywood/Hollywood movies. I seriously wish I had a Time machine to take me back to the era's of 60's and 70's.

There is something about that time which attracts me. Those times where sweet and simple and people were unpretentious,. Machines were there to assist humans and has not yet become there life.

In a stand up comedy show a comedian while doing a joke said something which is very profound and meaningful "Google has taken the charm of ignorance".
You don't know anything just google it. Its good in some way given everybody is now aware and wise. But I do agree that charm of being ignorant about so many things and putting an effort to learn them through books, interacting with people, travelling is taken away. The process has been taken away. That's why I want to travel back to that time when you learn things hard way and they stay with you forever. Now you learn easy and you forget easily.
I want to travel in that time because relationships had meaning, People still upholded traditional values and abided by societal norms. Now, the world is becoming a melting pot and very fluid and so is relationship's. Nobody has time and patience . Patience the greatest virtue is losing. Everybody seems to be in a rush to reach somewhere and that somewhere keeps getting elevated. There are no pauses in life to just relax and sit back. Those who are at vantage points and can afford to sit back and relax they don't want to.

Wish I can travel back in that time..Probably I would also get bored and would want to get my cellphone back to talk to my frns and family, my laptop to watch movies and write a blog, my ipod to play games and a colored TV to keep me company but yet I still thing its an experience worth trying if I could!!!

Trip ( Life or Holdiay)??

Here holiday trips are very necessary, because away from home that's the only way to vent out, no, not the piled frustration or anger but the isolation. So on these trip when I get to see bright smiling faces in relaxed environment it makes me happy. Destination has lost its meaning and importance now its the journey which keeps me fascinated and occupied.  There was a time when I confessed of being a cynical. I had issues with trusting people (not because of any dramatic past but due to my self proclaimed insight of human psyche). But after coming to US I look forward to meeting new people, build bonds and forging friendships. People Change, they grow. Cliched but true!!!!!  Here I have seen abundance of everything except people. You wont see here, specially the part of US in which I reside, Crowd. I miss that mad rush of people in bazaar, railways, buses everywhere in India (well not then: It was always like..Why cant we keep a check on our population, life would be much simpler and easier ??) But growing up in India you are use to that rush. Deserted roads are signs of curfew or some bad news.

There is no bigger enemy than loneliness and inactivity. If you really do not have an agenda for day u stay in that state of  lethargy for whole day. The State of Inertia applies here as well. It's very important to have goals and destinations in life.

Printer Help

Yea in my GMAT prep printer is helping a lot. It was quite taxing to sit for hours in front of laptop and study. For some reasons, Laptop is synonymous to entertainment to me and it never meant serious business barring in office where I had a desktop.

So, its easier to study now, take a print out and study. I can study anytime and anywhere. And whats the fun in studying without marking on paper, using different colors and making those quick notes which in my case never get a second look :). But this certainly evokes in me a nostalgic feeling. It reminds me of my formative years of growing up in which I din like studies much except for literature :)..

Well back to printer, it does have a photo printing option also to appease my need to print every great photo. I m now thinking to make a scrapbook which would not only help me pass time but also, build and preserve some gorgeous memories for future. Walmart needs a visit for sure!!!

Gmat Prep

So in my Gmat prep 25% of prep is over. Not that I have slogged this hard but since I now know the structure of the exam and a broad view of the level of questions I am guessing that 25% of the work is done.

In the second leg, I am trying to revise all the concepts and try some questions. As usual I havent set for myself a very uphill task of breaking into 700 and all but a very realistic one anything that gets me into a decent college here in US is fine with me. As MBA like to put it  a SMART goal. And talking about the time, the time frame I am aiming at would be in June mid or something. Not yet decided the date but I would get over the exam by Mid-June for sure.

In the third leg, I would try and do as much tests as possible and condition myself for the four-hour exam to handle the anxiety level and do not crumble like a pie :). All this looks quite a plan for the big day..Only time would tell how much I put it all in action..

Change in society

"Nothing is constant but change". Human beings and hence the society they constitute are ever-evolving entities. In order to foster this growth it is very important to conceive new ideas and implement those ideas. It is very true, that these ideas can also be successfully implemented if society verifies, accepts and adhere to those ideas.

The world has evolved and is still evolving because of the power of human beings to question, imagine and conceive ideas and build on those ideas products. If there were no ideas, we would be still living in a primitive age. It's because of an idea that human beings is able to evolve from caves to homes, from clothes of leaves to high fashioned labels, from barefoot to shoes, from walking to air-flights and the list continues endlessly.

This is not a one-time process because humans by nature are inquisitive and crave for change. Change brings a new perception and a fresh lease of life.

Societies over the years in different parts of world are now build on their own stereotypes, norms and regulations. People who constitute these societies are accepted to adhere to them and any non-conformance is seen as a rebellion act. These rules also reflect the culture and mannerisms of the section of people who constitute them. In today's cosmopolitan culture when borders are blurring and world is becoming one melting pot and a global village, it is very important that societies are not rigid and they embrace new ideas which suits the changing dynamics of it.

The acceptance of these ideas are very important. The idea alone on a piece of paper holds no value. If any idea doesn't qualify for society approval, it can never lead to the desired change, in turn it will cause resentment and would act as unsettling force which over the time would eventually get dismissed.

So to conclude, for any so city new ideas are very important for its betterment but ideas should have approval of the people.

Health is Wealth

This is d most clinched line of all times bt yet I cn use to it over and over again coz it never loses the relevance. This is one thing you cant buy,borrow,substitute and still sometimes we choose to ignore it. Though now everyone is becoming more and more cautious and conscious but the changing lifestyle is taking its own toll . Well I recently had my awakening call and I have resolved to restore to a more healthy way which includes
1) Be Active all day
2) Eat Right and in Right Quantity
3) Lots of fruits and Water
4) Exercise - For this get up early in the morning, go fr a walk, do some yoga..
5) Less of Laptop and TV

Lets c how much I cn stick to it coz there is one more cliche "Resolutions are meant to be Broken"

Accent

Yea now I noe why people who live abroad develops an "Accent" which we think is fake or "trying too hard" stuff..bt truth is smetimes its a need rather then a chosen option. After coming to US my interaction with people outside Indian community is limited, so whatever little bit interaction I have (read in walmart, ihop,DQ etc ).all of them fr me is quite a task. I speak in my desi plain fast English. They smetimes don't understand even a word I am saying ..lol..making the conversation both amusing and embarrassing. Thank god I have my knight in shining armor: My husband (who has developed quite a balance in his accent) for my rescue. But, if I am all alone, in order to avoid the confusion I have no choice then to speak words in a way they understand. Otherwise half of the conversation is filled with "Sorry","Come Again" from both sides. Even at times, I find it difficult to understand what they are saying..:) Now when I go back to India, if people think I have an accent I wont blame them but neither would I do that to myself..:)

Do Dooni Char-The Movie

Watched the movie n loved it..!!! A very sweet and simple movie on the middle class life in India..,the focal points of the movie are : everyday monetary struggles of middle class, the growing consumerism in society, the impatient youth, conflict of morals in volatile situations, fake vanity, Generation Gap, Parental love and concern and power of dreams. Clearly, movie embodies a gamut of emotions. For me, the USP of the movie was, identification with certain scenes, characters, feelings and that Old Bajaj Scooter categorically symbolic of middle class. Sitting here in US, this movie took me on a nostalgic trip ranging from my native town to lanes of Delhi. .This movie represents the story of millions of households in India who desire to take their social status a level higher but are stuck in same old paying job and this task seems unattainable. Though, with the inception of IT culture in India, social fabric has changed a lot. But, still those, who have their children yet to grow up to take a fat IT/BPO paying job go through the emotions which are very aptly depicted in movie. I always believe that money is not the end destination but it does serve as one of the means for the desired end - happiness..With money in your wallet lot of things ease out..and a certain constant pressure is taken away..It does give you a certain power to exercise your choices but yes no denying, there is no shortcut to success/money and it doesn't come that easily...:)
In the end I would just say about this movie that it is very real and very appealing for people who are grounded and still uphold their so called "middle class" values!!! This strata of societal section definitely have " life n emotions" even if a certain "lifestyle" is missing :)