What historical event would you attend if you were able to time travel?
September 5th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
I love these random post ideas from WordPress.
So which event would I attend?
My patriotic self says Independence Eve of India. So I could tell those buggers, Choose better government. Don’t agree to partition. Kill all of Nehru’s descendants. (Trust me, we would be in better place if all three happened)
My Arty side says (Yes I have one) When sistine was being painted. Or when Van Gogh was dying so I could tell him how famous he has become. And he would die happy. or maybe live from happiness
My geeky side says When first flight was taken.
My feminist side says when women were allowed to vote. (not that we have done anything good with the right)
I do have more sides (who knew!) that would want to visit some other events.. Maybe I’ll update it later
Everyone needs little love..
September 4th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
..And best person to give that is yourself.
It’s great to be in a new place, learning new things, meeting new people. But it does get lonely at times. Esp if you are just trying to get over another heartbreak. Add massive weight-gain to that and you know you are heading down-hill.
So what a girl does to cheer herself up?
Here are things I’ve been trying and stuff that makes me happy nowadays
1. Shopping – Shopping in Australia is tough. It’s just too expensive. So I turned to one of my favorite affordable brands which is ASOS. Pretty clothes, fun bags.. I’m so ready for spring. Add few more online sites. Few sales. And I’ve a new wardrobe. I also have a new favorite work wear brand -Raoul. Such brilliant and comfy formal clothes.
2. Macarons – I’m yet to try all the note-worthy macaron places. But it’s fun discovering them.
3. Straight Hair – My heartbreaks are usually followed by extreme hair cuts. This time, I decided not to lose the length, just the look. I was reading up on different hair straightening options and came across Japanese HS. It’s bit expensive than others (ok, lot expensive), But unlike HS in India, it doesn’t leave your hair too dry. I went with Shiseido HS which basically uses Shiseido products. Process took about 5 hours and 10% of my pay. And it’s so worth it. My hair is so soft after washes and less frizzy and they look just awesome.
4. Jelly Beans- I’m never without them. At work, at uni, in trams, in queues. Sugar Rush is still the best
5. Compliments – From co-workers to people in Bar, It just brighten ups my day when someone tells me something nice. I esp love the reactions when people find out my age. Thanks for good genes, Mom n Dad.
6. New apartment – We are moving to new place by end of this month and I’m so excited. I’ve already have my shopping list ready for my room. Wall-to-wall wardrobe, Ensuite with Spa Bath, Convenient location. I just love it.
7. Makeup – Somehow between Delhi to Melbourne, I developed a fetish for lip colors. I purchased quite a few from Singapore airport, then few here. And I’m so in love with them. My current favorites are Clinique’s Chubby Stick and L’oreal’s Infallible. This week I seem to be leaning back towards eye-liners and I already have few in mind that I would like to purchase.
8. Nails – I’ve discovered OPI. OMG, what colors. Just so pretty. I’ve about 20 shades sitting in shopping cart. And it’s taking all my strength to not place an order.
9 Dr Who – My fascination with Dr Who is now bordering on obsession. I’ve bought pens just because they have floating Dalek/Tardis in them. Horrible to write with, but I’m still buying more. Next one will have cyberman in it. I’m loving the micro figures assortments. Each packet contains 1 of the 10 figures. And I still buy them like a little kid trying to complete her collection. No, I’ll not give you extra figures. Next up on wish list is to buy 11 doctors micro figure set and then angels one or maybe both.
10 Sponge fingers – How did we not meet before, dear sponge fingers? They are now part of my morning coffee routine. And so yum. Not very sugary inside with sugar sprinkles on top. Love them.
Add books and beers to this list and you have a really happy girl.
Moral of the story is Boys break your heart, but shopping and food makes it alright. 
So what do you do to make yourself happy?
Corruption, Democracy and Hunger Strike
September 2nd, 2011 § 2 Comments
Every movement has its high point and its low point. To make it successful, I would imagine we want average to be closer to high point rather than the low one.
One of the recent movements in India was against Corruption. If you have read my blog before, you know where I stand. Sadly it’s a movement which reached its’ peak pretty quickly, but I doubt if average result is even closer to middle. While everyone jumped aboard, How many started following it?
India against Corruption is an awesome movement, no doubt. It was high time that something was done about it. But the way we went about it, was it the right approach? My argument has always been that it’s our fault. Each time you pay a cop to get away from a fine, you add to statistics. You raise the average. Each time, you brag about it, you make it attractive, something worth doing.
Now the argument given by lot of people is that Corruption starts from Top. If you clean the top, bottom will cleanse automatically. Basically what you are telling me is, You want corruption to go away as long as someone else cleans it up, not you.
Then the whole Anna Drama. I support the cause. I agree corruption needs to go away. But is a Hunger-strike the only way to do it? If you can blackmail government by just a hunger-strike, what does it mean for democracy? Should a terrorist be allowed to go free tomorrow, because some people can do hunger strike on his behalf? How can I relate the two, you ask? Well, Because in principal, they are same. You cannot turn blind eye to one thing and not another. It’s a classic black and white situation. Either government can be blackmailed or it cannot be. There’s no gray area that on some causes it can be and on some it cannot. Sorry doesn’t work that way.
All I ask is stop asking government to do things for you. Start doing them yourself. Ask questions at every level. Choose your representatives wisely. Play Devil’s advocate each time. There’s no way corruption can survive if you remove it from roots. Bring Honesty back in vogue.
So, in nutshell, I’ll continue to not pay bribe to anyone. But I’ll not attend your hunger strike or support it.
Melbourne Melbourne..
September 1st, 2011 § 2 Comments
Living in new city always bring changes to your life style. Some positive, some not so positive. I wanted to talk about new things I’m learning, but I decided to leave that for another post. First let me tell you about the city that I live in.
I love Melbourne, Have done so since 2007 when I visited it for first time. I always knew if I ever move out of India, Melbourne would be one of top contenders. And now that I’m building a life here, I love it even more. Here are few reasons to love this city:
1. Macarons. It’s not Paris, but Melbourne can surely compete with it. Macarons at every corner. Some delicious, some heavenly, some not-so-good. And what flavors. Not just classic chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, but modern touches like wasabi. Melbourne lives on its macarons.
2. Lanes. I love walking in random small lanes covered with eateries, cafes, boutiques. I find new places each time.
3. Food. If there was a religion for city. Melbourne’s would be food. If you are in CBD, you cannot walk down 1 block without encountering eatery/cafe of some kind. And so many cuisines.
4. City Library. As much as I love food and shopping, everyone knows I cannot survive without books. Australian Publishers make it so hard for me to buy books, but city makes it so easy to read them for free. City Library lets you borrow upto 50 books and DVDs without any charges. (late penalties do apply). Life saver it is.
5. People. I don’t care what people say about Australians or urban people in general. I’ve met some fascinating conversations with strangers here. I’ve met a waitress, who’s looking to become a chef. I’ve met a cafe owner, who serve his grandmother’s recipe. And my day always begins with smiles, from people in lift to tram driver. Most people smile. It’s beautiful.
I’ll not rave about shopping ‘coz frankly it sucks. Either too expensive or crap quality.
Desi Girl in Foreign City
August 29th, 2011 § 2 Comments
It’s been more than 2 months since I landed in Melbourne. And it’s been hard, easy, fun, depressing, lonely, not-so-lonely.
First month was the hardest. It took me 2 weeks to land first interview and another to land a job. I know I shouldn’t complain. People have had it worst. In almost 8 years, this was my first time being without a job. I thought I would enjoy this time. I didn’t. I got depressed. Being away from family and friends didn’t help either. To top it all, break-up. I think this was the biggest blow of all. I left India secure in knowledge that things were strong between me and A. And first few weeks, it looked like we were managing it fine. Then out of blue, he said its not working. So that was it.
Then came work and saved me. Meeting new people, learning new things, shopping for work wardrobe. Yes, I was saved. I still was getting sleepless nights and teary eyes, but atleast I could get out of bed and get on with my life.
And then started my student life. Now to be thrown in middle of teens is not fun. But I love psychology. I love sitting through lectures, learning about various studies, being more aware of people day after day.
Now it’s been more than 2 months. I’m going to give induction to a new joinee tomorrow. That’s how far I’ve come at work. I’ve completed 1 assignment at uni, a paper is due in 2 weeks, another research I need to attend. We have just been approved for renting new apartment. Time is moving fast and thankfully in exciting way.
I still hate being lonely. I miss my friends and family. I hate looking at my mom’s face over a monitor and not being able to comfort her. And I so hate prices here . Australia is soo expensive. I’ve taken to shopping online from US & UK sites
But it’s a start of a new life. And I can feel it’s going to be exciting one. Overall I’m happy I took this plunge
Crazy little thing called Love
July 2nd, 2011 § 4 Comments
Love is hard. Not because it involves kissing 100 frogs before you find your prince. Or because most of the times, that prince is already with his princess or likes princes rather than princesses. But because it always involves pain.
Not just when it ends. But even when you are with the person you are in love with. Every emotion is so intensified that silly things hurt you. Like a call not returned. A cancelled date. If it’s a normal relationship, you’ll take them in stride. But when in love, you always jump to worst conclusions. No wonder, one of the two start acting like a neurotic person.
And god forbid, if it ends. It’s as if someone just pierced your heart with a stake. over and over again. You see a happy couple and you burst in tears. You are watching a movie and you burst in tears. You become the person to be avoided. Your friends are scared to tell you about their new relationships.
And cause of all this is love.
So be careful when you fall in love. Retain some sense. Be careful that you are not being the neurotic of two. Trust in each other and in fate. If you belong together, you’ll end up together.
Sappy sad me
June 26th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
I miss you
I miss being held by you
I miss your smile and your teasing
Most of all, I miss the moments we spent together.
I know it’s hard
And that I’ve to be strong
I hold on to the thought that it’ll soon be over
One day we’ll be back together.
I hope you feel the same
the faith in us is there too
you also wait and pine for me
and believe that love does conquer it all.
Hello from Melbourne
June 12th, 2011 § 3 Comments
So it’s been 2 weeks since I arrived in Melbourne. Apart from complaining about weather, It’s been good so far. I miss my folks, friends and boy. Skype, however, has been a life saver.
I never thought being unemployed would be tough, but it is. After years of being independent in money matters, it’s tough not to spend
I’ve started looking for a job. Hopefully I should be able to find something soon.
Apart from that, I really don’t have any updates.. Boring person I’ve become now :/
Another end of a Chapter
May 25th, 2011 § 4 Comments
Today was my last day at current company.. After 5 years of slogging it out at at yet-another-software company, I decided to say ‘enough’ and move on.
I thought I would be happy.. Well til yesterday, I was ecstatic, excited. But today, today I feel sad.
So here’s this place where I spent more time than at my home. Here’s where I met some of the most brilliant people. Here’s where I fell in love. Here’s where I faced heart-breaks. Here’s also where I encountered (well dated) stalker. And we all know how that turned out. But, most importantly, here’s where I grew up. From an idealist girl to sometimes-cynic-sometimes-still-idealist girl.
How can I not be sad then?
I’m leaving some of my friends, some mentors, some crushes, some god-knows-whats… I think being sad is right feeling.
There are things I wasn’t happy about or I have felt bad about.. But today I would just think of nice things and be nostalgic..
Here’s hoping that everyone gets to work in a place where you come out with friends, not just colleagues.
People are strange
May 11th, 2011 § 4 Comments
It’s funny how everyone claims to know you. Friends, family – everyone thinks they can make better life choices for you. It’s fascinating to hear all these advices, comments and sometimes from people that you don’t even know that well.
Let’s take my moving to new country for an example. Very Few friends were supportive. Few helped in making up the mind as well. But few were so judgmental, some downright mean. Few friends said it openly that they think this idea is stupid. And I respect that. It is Stupid but I like doing stupid things . This person in my office commented that this was what I’ve been planning for a long time in a very scathing manner. First of all, if it was, it’s none of your business. Secondly, Unlike most people, I don’t lie. Finally, Go to hell.
People make decisions. Some you like. Some you don’t. Don’t make random remarks as if some conspiracy is going on.
I was lucky that things fell in plate on their own. Few years back, I had gotten admission in Uni Mel. I really wanted to go. But due to visa and financial constraints, I had to drop that plan. So I applied to another visa, Thinking I will join next year. Visa Rules changed. By the time I received the visa, I wasn’t interested in that course. I knew enough that I didn’t want to work in corporate environment. So here I was, with a visa and no plans to go. Then, things happened at work (No, nothing negative). Generally, decide the path kind of things. I realized I didn’t want to choose any path. And Let’s face it, I couldn’t really continue staying in same position. So I looked around, explored my options, discussed with few. And Voila, Had made up my mind.
Of course, after making up the mind, I changed it multiple times. To Go or not to Go. And you know the final result.
