-That I reach ideal weight in 2011
-That the creative juices keep flowing and I write more and more posts in 2011 and that I get many many comments on my blog posts- c'mon guys, you owe it to me
-That the maid does not bunk for so many days without notice
-That the flow of books do not stop for me and the reading never stops for the kids
-That the vicious cycle of account receivables get cleared - much depends on that Godji-Give the husband as much persuasive skills as possible
-That the salary goes up by...err you know how much I want God, just start thinking beyond needs and consider the wants also dear God.
-That only the good remain with us, the bad, the ugly, the stupid, the rubbish and the evil are totally weeded out and that they too get their just desserts - you know what I mean God?
Hey!!!! Are you listening God?
The Scorpios
Showing posts with label list. Show all posts
Showing posts with label list. Show all posts
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
The Year 2010
The highlight of the year has been the home makeover where in we gave ourselves a lot of creative width. From repainting to weeding out unnecessary stuff (including some totally unnecessary kaminey people too- but then that is altogether another post!) and buying new furniture.
It has been fun and perhaps we are not yet done. There is only so much you can do with a 2 bedroom home and how much ever space you want to create, it still falls short and you end up stuffing things under the bed or in various corners. Anyway, the husband has discovered a new passion- painting and now I have paintings that suit me on my walls rather than the usual politically correct paintings.
Still a long way to go before the home starts looking immaculate in true sense!
The kids moved to senior kg and I am amazed at their transition over this period in terms of their abilities in reading, puzzles and even doing tough stuff like Kalaeidoscope puzzle or board games- they do the Mamma proud! They are still my babies but they look so grown up now, especially after the arrival of the Donut- another highlight of the year. They have been very gentle with the baby and are totally big brother like.
On a personal level, I have read a lot of books this year- many genres especially Hindu mythology and Indian authors.
I have still a long way to go but one can read only so many books when you are fussy about the authors / genres.
I also joined the gym and while I still have a long way to go and the weight seems to be stuck at a plateaue, I am confident that I can persevere and do it, more so because I am not doing it as a chore. The day I cannot, I do not force myself inside the gym.
The cooking has improved. I could do a few dinners/ lunches at home without feeling stressed about them and even tried out a few variations in my usual recipes.
The next year promises to be much much better. I can sense it. Happy 2011!
It has been fun and perhaps we are not yet done. There is only so much you can do with a 2 bedroom home and how much ever space you want to create, it still falls short and you end up stuffing things under the bed or in various corners. Anyway, the husband has discovered a new passion- painting and now I have paintings that suit me on my walls rather than the usual politically correct paintings.
Still a long way to go before the home starts looking immaculate in true sense!
The kids moved to senior kg and I am amazed at their transition over this period in terms of their abilities in reading, puzzles and even doing tough stuff like Kalaeidoscope puzzle or board games- they do the Mamma proud! They are still my babies but they look so grown up now, especially after the arrival of the Donut- another highlight of the year. They have been very gentle with the baby and are totally big brother like.
On a personal level, I have read a lot of books this year- many genres especially Hindu mythology and Indian authors.
I have still a long way to go but one can read only so many books when you are fussy about the authors / genres.
I also joined the gym and while I still have a long way to go and the weight seems to be stuck at a plateaue, I am confident that I can persevere and do it, more so because I am not doing it as a chore. The day I cannot, I do not force myself inside the gym.
The cooking has improved. I could do a few dinners/ lunches at home without feeling stressed about them and even tried out a few variations in my usual recipes.
The next year promises to be much much better. I can sense it. Happy 2011!
PS- With this- I do 31 posts this December- a self challenge- my monthly best so far!
Monday, December 06, 2010
Signs of a Facebook Addict
I joined facebook very reluctantly. First it was for the sake of the many games like jumble or pathwords. I would open facebook just for playing the games. My friend list was very limited. And very restricted and private as I was not sure I could carry on so why add friends just for the sake of it. Second reason was to look at all the photos the family was posting which I was unable to view.
So what are your FB lessons? Let's expand the list.
When I started realising the fun people were having interacting on this site and I started getting hooked on to it. Slowly the friend list went on an inclusive growth stage- so I added relatives, blog friends, school friends, college friends.... and so on until now I have a good number of friends though not really impressive.
Until sometime ago I thought facebook was for social networking. But now I observe it serves many a larger purpose.
So after a long hiatus- here is my notorious "list post" coming up.
1. Trumpet Blowing- happy about something? want to tell the world in general what you have achieved? Just post it on Fb and you will have a number of "likes" and "great work" and all raising your general happiness levels
2. Feel Good Factor Enhancer- Is it your birthday or any other special day- the automatic birthday indicator to your friends serve a great purpose- they will have friends rushing to wish you in advance so that they do not forget on the d day. So if people live on different time zones, in effect you celebrate your birthday from day -1 to day 0 to day +1.
and even if you suspect that people may miss wishing you- just start posting leading status messages- like, the hubby has already bought my gift or like the children made me a birthday card .... so on and so forth and people will be prompted to wish you
3. Support System- are you pissed off with something or someone? Are you going through a bad phase? Just post on fb and people will come in hordes to offer their sympathies or even bad mouth the objective of your anger with equal or more intensity
4. Annoyed? Do you want to indicate your annoyance? You could post something scathing and hope the person intended for reads it or you could subtly delete the person from your friend list. It is the ultimate insult to be deleted from the friend list and it is a parampara jo orkut ke zamane se chali aa rahi hai!
4. Paranoid?- suddenly you think that some of your friends might post something bad on your wall. Spill your dirty secrets while you are asleep (which means not online)? Give gaalis? Or take your pictures and morph them into something ugly and post it all over the net? But you are scared to "unfriend" them? Or worse, you want to secretly keep tabs on the going ons in their life but do not want to allow them to post anything on your wall?
Simple. Just restrict access to your wall, photos and all but cunningly keep them on your friend list thereby maintaining a one way communication controlled by you. And if the "almost unfriended friend" is just an idle gazer on fb and is not really comunicating with you, then even better- they needn't even know about your restrictions.
So what are your FB lessons? Let's expand the list.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
When in Rome....
Err when in Madras, be a Madrasi. And I ahem proudly present how I am so becoming a Madrasi!
1. I have actually started liking ellai sapad (banana leaf food served in functions)- So much so I lament if the spread is not grand enough. There were days when I would walk out of a wedding dinner and into another restaurant to eat my fill.
2. I feel glad that I live in Chennai- be it easy traffic and distances, safety, school admissions, affordable homes.
3. My kids are learning Carnatic
4. First I started liking Surya, then Vikram... now what? No one can save me now.
5. The other day I was "reading" a story to the kids in Tamil- ore Kutti puli irka ....(Takdir the kutti puli was the book)
6. I can crack pun jokes in Tamil- Example-
Someone- What happens if this flavour is tried in a Marie biscuit
Me- it will become Ore Maaaaaari (meaning- typical, not so great type- ah well, I can't explain- you need to understand Tamil for that)
7. See 6 above- While translating a tamil joke I have told you in a superior manner- cannot explain- rather you will not understand
8. I can watch a Tamil movie without asking husband to translate each and every dialogue, sound or expression. In fact I have even reviewed a Tamil movie on this blog- a two line one but still, it counts
9. And how could I forget? The process started 6 years ago, the moment I bought "own house" in Chennai.
10. I make sundal during navratri. Slurp
11. edited to add- I have a shoe rack outside my house now.
1. I have actually started liking ellai sapad (banana leaf food served in functions)- So much so I lament if the spread is not grand enough. There were days when I would walk out of a wedding dinner and into another restaurant to eat my fill.
2. I feel glad that I live in Chennai- be it easy traffic and distances, safety, school admissions, affordable homes.
3. My kids are learning Carnatic
4. First I started liking Surya, then Vikram... now what? No one can save me now.
5. The other day I was "reading" a story to the kids in Tamil- ore Kutti puli irka ....(Takdir the kutti puli was the book)
6. I can crack pun jokes in Tamil- Example-
Someone- What happens if this flavour is tried in a Marie biscuit
Me- it will become Ore Maaaaaari (meaning- typical, not so great type- ah well, I can't explain- you need to understand Tamil for that)
7. See 6 above- While translating a tamil joke I have told you in a superior manner- cannot explain- rather you will not understand
8. I can watch a Tamil movie without asking husband to translate each and every dialogue, sound or expression. In fact I have even reviewed a Tamil movie on this blog- a two line one but still, it counts
9. And how could I forget? The process started 6 years ago, the moment I bought "own house" in Chennai.
10. I make sundal during navratri. Slurp
11. edited to add- I have a shoe rack outside my house now.
Monday, February 08, 2010
Signs that You are Finally Morphing into a Mom
1. The kids go in denial when they see the photos of a 2 year old you with your Mom- they mutter even in their sleep- Mamma you cannot be small, you are big
2. Your handbag contains stuff like- chocolates, pencil, eraser, a toy car, multiple hankies, sketch pen, kid's waterbottle etc
3. Your office table has a piece of crayon which came along with your laptop bag. And you leave it there because either you do not want to throw it away or you actually like doodling with it
4. You start writing with pencil again
5. The last 5 book reviews on your blog are that of kids' books.
6. You are enjoying kids' birthday parties
7. You rush the kids to the toilet if anyone speaks any word that remotely resembles 'Potty"
8. Everyone banks on you to get the kids' nose cleaned and you are a pro at it now and take special pride in nosie-less noses.
9. Your home is strewn with children's books
10. You are sleeping comfortably on rubber cloth with toys poking at you, kiddy books falling out from under your pillows and err no pillows - that too.
11. You can take the kids to the loo in the middle of the night and promptly fall back asleep
12. You have forgotten and forgiven the kids for sleepless nights and you find it hard to remember that you were really breastfeeding almost throughout the night in the good old days. And you certainly do not remember how, with great difficulty you would make the kids go back to sleep afte rthey woke several times in the middle of the night.
13. You forget that inspite of (12) above, you would go to office next morning in the good old days and inspite of (11) above now, you still feel you do not get enough sleep!
14. You stopped watching real TV and watch only cartoons or Animal Planet
15. You are extremely regular about the evening going out with the kids in the apartment
9.
2. Your handbag contains stuff like- chocolates, pencil, eraser, a toy car, multiple hankies, sketch pen, kid's waterbottle etc
3. Your office table has a piece of crayon which came along with your laptop bag. And you leave it there because either you do not want to throw it away or you actually like doodling with it
4. You start writing with pencil again
5. The last 5 book reviews on your blog are that of kids' books.
6. You are enjoying kids' birthday parties
7. You rush the kids to the toilet if anyone speaks any word that remotely resembles 'Potty"
8. Everyone banks on you to get the kids' nose cleaned and you are a pro at it now and take special pride in nosie-less noses.
9. Your home is strewn with children's books
10. You are sleeping comfortably on rubber cloth with toys poking at you, kiddy books falling out from under your pillows and err no pillows - that too.
11. You can take the kids to the loo in the middle of the night and promptly fall back asleep
12. You have forgotten and forgiven the kids for sleepless nights and you find it hard to remember that you were really breastfeeding almost throughout the night in the good old days. And you certainly do not remember how, with great difficulty you would make the kids go back to sleep afte rthey woke several times in the middle of the night.
13. You forget that inspite of (12) above, you would go to office next morning in the good old days and inspite of (11) above now, you still feel you do not get enough sleep!
14. You stopped watching real TV and watch only cartoons or Animal Planet
15. You are extremely regular about the evening going out with the kids in the apartment
9.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Top Things That Irritate Me The Most
IBH very helpfully sent this link which made me abandon my original idea of doing a book post today and pitching in with my own list.
That it looks very similar to the original is not coincidental.
That it looks very similar to the original is not coincidental.
- Wet towel left on the bed or chair
- Celebrating Diwali on all days- Lights/ fan left on in the rooms
- Drip drip drip- taps left dripping
- Leaving dishes and boxes uncovered
- Not wiping the countertop or table after use
- Leaving electrical appliance main switch on or the mosquito mat on for the entire day
- Shoes left outside right next to the shoe cupboard
- Spilling food/ beverage etc inside the fridge and not wiping it
- Clothes strewn on the floor
- Curtains not opened during the day and windows not closed during the evening
- Exhausting supplies and not telling me so I meet an empty box when I am ready to cook
- Tiffin box not given for wash
- Handwash bottle not refilled
- Beakfast and Lunch morphing into one meal- they take so long to eat that one ends and the other begins!
- Wardrobe gone haywire - nightwear mixed with daywear, pants and shirts piled in one bundle and undergarments found among shirts.
Ah well, I could go on and on. But yes, I am taking steps in the direction of reducing my burden
For starters, on most days my kids are made to dump their clothes in the washing machine, put their toys or books away and put their shoes inside the shoe cupboard.
Weekends and holidays and dinners are eat yourself days. Though the duration of time I spend in screaming - eat eat, chew chew it will be easier to just stuff their faces. But I am persevering and hoping that the day they self eat comes soonest
Self dressing and self taking a change of clothes.
Helping me in doing the bed sheets, arranging the pillows.
They do a mean job with folding clothes. I am thinking I could make them do that everyday! Probably they could even start arranging their cupboards!!
Clean your mess drive- they do a mean jhaadoo after making a mess of the living room. Anti Child labour guys- be damned! You don't have kids at home is my guess.
Setting their table with their placemats for their dinner
Taking out bowls and spoons etc if they need to eat something.
Brushing their teeth by themselves during weekends.
Doing their daily ritual of body lotion application by themselves.
Yes the little things do matter!
What's your list of annoying habits (in others)!
Friday, January 29, 2010
The 7 Signs of Ageing
1. When you can answer questions on Rajiv Gandhi and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and the class 9 kids in your colony cannot
2. When you find it hard to do dumb charades for movies of today while the kids find it very easy
3. When your sons are figuring out DVD buttons better than you
4. When you cannot figure out what is so good about books like the Twilight series or as Sue says what's so good about the hero in the movie
5. When your kids can broadly figure out the story of the movie Water Horse and your husband cannot
6. When you cannot fathom what is so exciting about a lollypop that you are ready to eat it the first thing in the morning and when you say ugghh to stuff like lacto toffee, poppins and white chocolate and fall in love with dark/ bitter chocolate
7. When you realize that you have forgotten all the rules of Ludo and are unconcerned when your sons move your "gotis" back by a dozen sections
2. When you find it hard to do dumb charades for movies of today while the kids find it very easy
3. When your sons are figuring out DVD buttons better than you
4. When you cannot figure out what is so good about books like the Twilight series or as Sue says what's so good about the hero in the movie
5. When your kids can broadly figure out the story of the movie Water Horse and your husband cannot
6. When you cannot fathom what is so exciting about a lollypop that you are ready to eat it the first thing in the morning and when you say ugghh to stuff like lacto toffee, poppins and white chocolate and fall in love with dark/ bitter chocolate
7. When you realize that you have forgotten all the rules of Ludo and are unconcerned when your sons move your "gotis" back by a dozen sections
Any one ready to take up the tag? Apologies to Olay jee though!
Ceekay?
Dottie Dotmom?
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Sureshot Happiness Boosters-
1. Long lunch (at Radisson Garden cafe) with friend. A grand start to the new year.
2. Buying 5 flowering plants on an impulse- all potted so the fading green thumb doesn't kill them.
3. Having a loooooooong chat across continents with school friend. Just start off from where you last left and the best part is you can just be yourself- we both know what we were in school!! ;)
4. Morning Walk
5. Planning for and gearing up for your next projects - could be simple stuff like hosting dinner or revamping the garden or experimenting to perfect the banana cake (I promise recipe when done!) or tough ones like clearing the kitchen shelves!!
6. Making apple jam!! Because it is the easiest- pressure cook apples and sugar and dry the mix in open pan. Add cinnamon powder and a few drops of lime juice. Or simply microwave them until done.
7. Playing badminton with the spouse on weekend evenings - even though the kids act as the "net" with their own rackets and the neighbour's kid keeps telling the spouse- uncle can I play instead of you!! Atleast you don't get to talk to each other while playing and therefore you don't quarrel. And the upperhand is for you. Everytime the hubby gives a tough serve you can promise him that he doesn't get dinner!
Seven things so there, I have taken care of the entire week!!
2. Buying 5 flowering plants on an impulse- all potted so the fading green thumb doesn't kill them.
3. Having a loooooooong chat across continents with school friend. Just start off from where you last left and the best part is you can just be yourself- we both know what we were in school!! ;)
4. Morning Walk
5. Planning for and gearing up for your next projects - could be simple stuff like hosting dinner or revamping the garden or experimenting to perfect the banana cake (I promise recipe when done!) or tough ones like clearing the kitchen shelves!!
6. Making apple jam!! Because it is the easiest- pressure cook apples and sugar and dry the mix in open pan. Add cinnamon powder and a few drops of lime juice. Or simply microwave them until done.
7. Playing badminton with the spouse on weekend evenings - even though the kids act as the "net" with their own rackets and the neighbour's kid keeps telling the spouse- uncle can I play instead of you!! Atleast you don't get to talk to each other while playing and therefore you don't quarrel. And the upperhand is for you. Everytime the hubby gives a tough serve you can promise him that he doesn't get dinner!
Seven things so there, I have taken care of the entire week!!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
It's the Little Things that Matter
So what are the little things I have gained in 2009?
"This is an all about me post ....just saying..."
1. I have gained control over my senses- finally
exercised iron shakti control over my feelings & chucked out almost new size medium kurtas (customised hand embroidery by a fashion technology Graduate mind it!). That's is not all- did this chucking out 2 times this year
threw away toys that fell over my head when I opened the loft- if it falls over- it does not fit - so it cannot be stowed
2. To my utmost delight- I have gained a fan
none other than my aunt who reads my blog and spreads the word around! I am chuffed
3. I have gained a brother in law!
though very little time was spent together- blink and you miss it sort- but yes, we need to get together as a family atleast once a year!
4. I have gained my old network
Now I can count my blessings by the number of "likes" and comments I get on the crap I post on FB also
5. I have gained a lot of family time
by bunking office err taking my official quota of leave quite a few times!
6. I have gained... err created space
Didn't I say it already? I have thrown out so many things that I wonder why do I ever keep them in the first place
7. I have gained the knowledge that sometimes I can let go and it does not hurt so much
I missed the kids' sports day...bawwwwwwwwl. But the hurt did lessen with time
8. I have gained a place that is not among the donkeys- Gadha Janam choot gaya
attended a proper (non college) fashion show ... Thanks to AD... excuse me while I jump up and down like a villager...
9. Yet again Gadha Janam chootaa..
I have finally visited places out of India that are not called Singapore....even though it was via Singapore airport!
10. I have gained a bone that is not called lazy-bones
This year have tried lot of new recipes... those which are a little more elaborate than 3 steps- cutting, washing and putting in the cooker.
11. I have gained a little more confidence in my driving skills
Probably now I will not hesitate to drive cars that are not otherwise called Swift.
12. I have gained and prolly even lost self control
Managed to push off 3 kgs by diet control and a little walk when you talk. I think this is one battle that I need to win..
13. I have gained more party time this year
with friends, Chennai-men, & Country-men.... figuratively speaking offcourse..women also or mainly included rather... parties with neighbours, blog friends, relatives... life is good!
14. I have gained access to more books this year
Library, friends, and own collection and a variety which is more varied than what I have been reading all this while. Included authors and genres that I have never read before!
15. I have regained my punctuality
Aided by the fact that I have to drop kids to school everyday and leave to office thereafter
16. And I have gained a new wardrobe for 2010 before the new year begins even
Thanks to very well thought out, organised, planned and controlled shopping from Diwali onwards!
Happy 2010 Friends!!
"This is an all about me post ....just saying..."
1. I have gained control over my senses- finally
exercised iron shakti control over my feelings & chucked out almost new size medium kurtas (customised hand embroidery by a fashion technology Graduate mind it!). That's is not all- did this chucking out 2 times this year
threw away toys that fell over my head when I opened the loft- if it falls over- it does not fit - so it cannot be stowed
2. To my utmost delight- I have gained a fan
none other than my aunt who reads my blog and spreads the word around! I am chuffed
3. I have gained a brother in law!
though very little time was spent together- blink and you miss it sort- but yes, we need to get together as a family atleast once a year!
4. I have gained my old network
Now I can count my blessings by the number of "likes" and comments I get on the crap I post on FB also
5. I have gained a lot of family time
by bunking office err taking my official quota of leave quite a few times!
6. I have gained... err created space
Didn't I say it already? I have thrown out so many things that I wonder why do I ever keep them in the first place
7. I have gained the knowledge that sometimes I can let go and it does not hurt so much
I missed the kids' sports day...bawwwwwwwwl. But the hurt did lessen with time
8. I have gained a place that is not among the donkeys- Gadha Janam choot gaya
attended a proper (non college) fashion show ... Thanks to AD... excuse me while I jump up and down like a villager...
9. Yet again Gadha Janam chootaa..
I have finally visited places out of India that are not called Singapore....even though it was via Singapore airport!
10. I have gained a bone that is not called lazy-bones
This year have tried lot of new recipes... those which are a little more elaborate than 3 steps- cutting, washing and putting in the cooker.
11. I have gained a little more confidence in my driving skills
Probably now I will not hesitate to drive cars that are not otherwise called Swift.
12. I have gained and prolly even lost self control
Managed to push off 3 kgs by diet control and a little walk when you talk. I think this is one battle that I need to win..
13. I have gained more party time this year
with friends, Chennai-men, & Country-men.... figuratively speaking offcourse..women also or mainly included rather... parties with neighbours, blog friends, relatives... life is good!
14. I have gained access to more books this year
Library, friends, and own collection and a variety which is more varied than what I have been reading all this while. Included authors and genres that I have never read before!
15. I have regained my punctuality
Aided by the fact that I have to drop kids to school everyday and leave to office thereafter
16. And I have gained a new wardrobe for 2010 before the new year begins even
Thanks to very well thought out, organised, planned and controlled shopping from Diwali onwards!
Happy 2010 Friends!!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Mandatory New Year Resolutions
This new year, I am going to go back to doing things I love the most...
1. So worldspace will wind up, I cannot switch on the TV to a music channel as cartoon requests are always on at home and the music system needs repair. Yet, I am going to listen to music everyday - come what may-on my laptop if needed- since music forcefully makes me calmer and puts me in a good mood... so much so that I forgot I was angry with a particular supplier and welcomed him with a huge smile!
2. Books give me a sense of purpose, take me to a different world and gives me insights.... I have been reading lots and I am going to continue to do so. and I am going to start reading myself to sleep again perhaps!
3. Discover new recipes and perfect them- It's not worth drooling at a single piece of delicacy and counting days until I can next eat them. This year was the mastery of the brownie. Next year will be a few more. Currently I am on a mutton chukka trip!
4. While on the topic of food- no more being penny wise & pound foolish! Indulge and don't sweat the small sweat- so a pack of Al Kabeer mutton seekh kabab is way cheaper than eating in the restaurant and a pack of frozen chicken samosa costs the same as a normal samosa in a restaurant and even the costliest of tomato is way cheaper than the chicken!!! I don't know what mentality of mine allows me to spend huge amounts in buffets but I start counting cash everytime I want to make the above purchases!!
5. Watch all the movies that I missed this year
6. Socialise more- did quite a few parties at home and even managed a potluck last week- this year probably a group picnic ....saves us from looking at each other's faces and getting into a fight!!
7. Atleast 1 travel other than the mandatory home town visit!
8. Chill chill chill - I am going to be a better and less impulsive woman this year
9. More flowers, less foliage for the garden- which means extensive reseasch on what flower will flourish in my sun starved garden- already started on this quest- Have planted some flowering plants and waiting with bated breath for them to flower and I am holding my heart in my hands and removing lovingly planted foliages in triplicate!!
10. Declutter and not let litter accumulate. Plastic bags, broken toys, sheets of coloring, kids clothes that have become ratty, clothes that I have not used since last 1 year in hopes of getting slimmer
11 And one last stretch goal - find a way to get slimmer!! the health check up have found nothing wrong on which I can pin the blame of my weight gain!
1. So worldspace will wind up, I cannot switch on the TV to a music channel as cartoon requests are always on at home and the music system needs repair. Yet, I am going to listen to music everyday - come what may-on my laptop if needed- since music forcefully makes me calmer and puts me in a good mood... so much so that I forgot I was angry with a particular supplier and welcomed him with a huge smile!
2. Books give me a sense of purpose, take me to a different world and gives me insights.... I have been reading lots and I am going to continue to do so. and I am going to start reading myself to sleep again perhaps!
3. Discover new recipes and perfect them- It's not worth drooling at a single piece of delicacy and counting days until I can next eat them. This year was the mastery of the brownie. Next year will be a few more. Currently I am on a mutton chukka trip!
4. While on the topic of food- no more being penny wise & pound foolish! Indulge and don't sweat the small sweat- so a pack of Al Kabeer mutton seekh kabab is way cheaper than eating in the restaurant and a pack of frozen chicken samosa costs the same as a normal samosa in a restaurant and even the costliest of tomato is way cheaper than the chicken!!! I don't know what mentality of mine allows me to spend huge amounts in buffets but I start counting cash everytime I want to make the above purchases!!
5. Watch all the movies that I missed this year
6. Socialise more- did quite a few parties at home and even managed a potluck last week- this year probably a group picnic ....saves us from looking at each other's faces and getting into a fight!!
7. Atleast 1 travel other than the mandatory home town visit!
8. Chill chill chill - I am going to be a better and less impulsive woman this year
9. More flowers, less foliage for the garden- which means extensive reseasch on what flower will flourish in my sun starved garden- already started on this quest- Have planted some flowering plants and waiting with bated breath for them to flower and I am holding my heart in my hands and removing lovingly planted foliages in triplicate!!
10. Declutter and not let litter accumulate. Plastic bags, broken toys, sheets of coloring, kids clothes that have become ratty, clothes that I have not used since last 1 year in hopes of getting slimmer
11 And one last stretch goal - find a way to get slimmer!! the health check up have found nothing wrong on which I can pin the blame of my weight gain!
Friday, October 30, 2009
10 Commandments of Parenting?
Copy Paste from Kiran
1. When you get angry, pick them up and hug them. Instead of scolding or spanking or time outs or other controlling methods, try love. It's a much better response, and you're teaching your child through your actions rather than your words.
doesn't work- I need to chase them with faux nose boogie or fake fart in their face
doesn't work- I need to chase them with faux nose boogie or fake fart in their face
2. Make this your mantra: treat them with kindness, treat them with respect. Seems simple, but it's surprising how little respect we giveto kids, because they're kids.
agree - often feel I take advantage of their size and bully them
agree - often feel I take advantage of their size and bully them
3. Drop your expectations of the child. Often parents have high hopesof the child doing well academically, or in sports, or of becoming a professional, when that's not what the child wants. Or the parent hopes the child will be a certain type of person, and tries to steerthe child toward that — a mild, kind child, or a bright, cheerful child, or a studious, hard-working child — but that's not who the child is. Drop these expectations and celebrate the child, as she is.
offcourse I often imagine myself crying bucketful of emo-tears in a sa-re-ga-ma-pa kids
offcourse I often imagine myself crying bucketful of emo-tears in a sa-re-ga-ma-pa kids
4. Let her play, let her explore. Stop being so overprotective. Allow the kid to be a kid. Let her run around outside, ride a bike, explorenature. Teach her, of course, about safety and dangers, but let her be a kid.
Need I say anything?
Need I say anything?
5. Say yes, or some version of yes. Instead of saying no. Often parents have an instinct to say no. But this is controlling and stressful, to both child and parent. Stop trying to control the child and give him some freedom. That doesn't mean you can say yes all the time, but it does mean you can say "Yes, we can do that … but perhaps later, when I'm done with what I have to do now."
I mean what I say and I say what I mean- old wonderland saying...they pretty much can catch my yes-mood or no-mood and they know what exactly they should be doing on the sly as Mamma is surely not going to agree. The advantage of being a team of two is that one stalls me en route discovery of the mischief while the other carries on happily with the mischief
6. Stop trying to overeducate and get out of the way. Parents try to impart all kinds of knowledge to the kids. So do schools. But kids learn naturally, without us. Get out of the way, stop trying to force the kid to learn what you think he needs to learn. Encourage him to explore and read and figure stuff out. Get him excited about things. When he's excited about something, he'll learn. When you force it on him, he'll do what he's forced to do, but not learn much other than you're controlling.
But I like doing it..so I will. (it's about me me me). But the child did floor me saying he is thinking (I did not teach that word)
But I like doing it..so I will. (it's about me me me). But the child did floor me saying he is thinking (I did not teach that word)
7. Just focus on making the next interaction with them positive. Many of these changes are difficult to make for parents, as we have deeply ingrained habits, stemming from our own childhood. So just focus on the next interaction. Just try to make the next one a good one. Don't worry about when you screw up — just apologize if you've broken a trust, and move on.
I just want them to know that I have clay feet- when I have a bad day- just get out of the way and be good
I just want them to know that I have clay feet- when I have a bad day- just get out of the way and be good
8. Take a moment to pause, and see things from your child's perspective. If you get angry, it's because you're only seeing things from your perspective. The child has a completely different view of things, and if you can understand that view, you won't be mad at the child. You'll try to make things better for her.
so tell me, what will you do with so many toys under the pillow or in the car, why is it important for me to velcro the umbrella while I am driving, why should the visitor ring the bell twice- so that each one gets to open the door, why don't you ask Tejas directly what he said rather than expect me to tell you.. i am trying to figure out, I really am....
so tell me, what will you do with so many toys under the pillow or in the car, why is it important for me to velcro the umbrella while I am driving, why should the visitor ring the bell twice- so that each one gets to open the door, why don't you ask Tejas directly what he said rather than expect me to tell you.. i am trying to figure out, I really am....
9. If the kid is "acting up", try to figure out why and meet that need. Often it's a need for freedom, or attention, or love, or to be in control of his own life. Figure out what that need is, and find a more productive way to meet it.
If only they talk without crying or screaming- but yes, patient questioning does help one figure out
If only they talk without crying or screaming- but yes, patient questioning does help one figure out
But threatening them with fake bug/ plastic lizard/ old man who takes teeth away when they cry and rats you think the stomach is a toilet as there is no food in that and therefore shit there... works
10. The kid is already perfect as he is. You don't need to change him. You don't need to mold him into the perfect person. He's already perfect, just as he is.
Perfect they may be, but still they are my clay to mould too!!! I need to put my nose into it. Compulsively
Monday, October 26, 2009
Isn't My Life Full?
Diwali and Vijaydashmi were milestone events with a whole host of cooking and planning I have attended 2 birthday parties this month.
Planned and executed a large do for the company.
Decluttered the office room
I have 2 major official trips to take the following 2 months
The kids' birthday party needs to be executed - and this has a theme too!
Atleast 3 dinners to be done at home
A lunch or 2 is due
Shopping for the trips
I have major plans to revamp my kitchen menus & perfect my baking among other things
Declutter by November end
Revamp the home
Revamp the garden and add more color
Weight Loss
Plan a family holiday
And among the above things, I have a job to do, friends to catch up with, neighbours to socialize with, family to talk to.
So why am I complaining and sweating the small stuff?
As hubby says- Think of the bigger picture, move ahead and not become part of the problem!! Or rather let not the problem overshadow the above blessings!!
Planned and executed a large do for the company.
Decluttered the office room
I have 2 major official trips to take the following 2 months
The kids' birthday party needs to be executed - and this has a theme too!
Atleast 3 dinners to be done at home
A lunch or 2 is due
Shopping for the trips
I have major plans to revamp my kitchen menus & perfect my baking among other things
Declutter by November end
Revamp the home
Revamp the garden and add more color
Weight Loss
Plan a family holiday
And among the above things, I have a job to do, friends to catch up with, neighbours to socialize with, family to talk to.
So why am I complaining and sweating the small stuff?
As hubby says- Think of the bigger picture, move ahead and not become part of the problem!! Or rather let not the problem overshadow the above blessings!!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Types of Gift Givers
1. Recyclers- They immediately evaluate a given gift with parameters like- is it of use to me, can I pass it on to someone. The said gift is stored in a separate area for easy acessibility when a gift giving occassion arises
2. The Enthusiast- will go about hunting for a gift very enthusiastically, working out what suits best for the reciever
3. The coudn't be bothered- will buy a gift but will not put too much effort into it. Just pick up the first pretty thing that catches the eye
4. The - meri izzat ka khayal karo- size and value of the gift = status symbol. They have benchmarks in terms of costs that represents their status
5. Revenge- will note down what was given and consult the list and give something of equal worth
6. Repeat gifter- will gift the same thing over and over again- (a friend says her MIL has gifted her the same silver set atleast 3 times- takes it back after gifting it and re gifts on some other occassion)
7. Goods should be returned- will quietly remove the stuff they have given or gifted when the receiver is not in good books (again believe me)
8. Memento seeker- will come to gift something and then palm off something else from the house somehow (believe me it used to happen to a relative)
9. Relic from the past- will pass off old stuff as "special stuff from yesteryears reserved to be given for you"
10. Serial Killer/ Idea Lacker- will give the same gift for atleast 10 people until someother ideal universal gift turns up
11. Customiser- very innovative- just right for you type gifter
12. What I Like- will gift what self likes not what receiver may like
2. The Enthusiast- will go about hunting for a gift very enthusiastically, working out what suits best for the reciever
3. The coudn't be bothered- will buy a gift but will not put too much effort into it. Just pick up the first pretty thing that catches the eye
4. The - meri izzat ka khayal karo- size and value of the gift = status symbol. They have benchmarks in terms of costs that represents their status
5. Revenge- will note down what was given and consult the list and give something of equal worth
6. Repeat gifter- will gift the same thing over and over again- (a friend says her MIL has gifted her the same silver set atleast 3 times- takes it back after gifting it and re gifts on some other occassion)
7. Goods should be returned- will quietly remove the stuff they have given or gifted when the receiver is not in good books (again believe me)
8. Memento seeker- will come to gift something and then palm off something else from the house somehow (believe me it used to happen to a relative)
9. Relic from the past- will pass off old stuff as "special stuff from yesteryears reserved to be given for you"
10. Serial Killer/ Idea Lacker- will give the same gift for atleast 10 people until someother ideal universal gift turns up
11. Customiser- very innovative- just right for you type gifter
12. What I Like- will gift what self likes not what receiver may like
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Signs of a Commited/ Incorrigible Blogger
1. When you ask the blogger about a dinner or an event or a party, (s)he will more often than not tell you - I have already posted about it, read it on the blog".
2. The blogger will have posts organised and scheduled for auto posting and at any given point of time there are atleast 3 posts on schedule and many more on draft.
3. The said committed blogger will be on the look out for blogging opportunities at all times and be fully prepared with camera / phone camera always. Often will fret for days if a photo was missed and therefore the post is not complete in her/ his opinion. If anonymous, will take care to click pictures in profile or with face hidden so that it is bloggable. At some points, will never have proper photos- only bloggable ones.
4. Will chide close friends and relatives for not visiting and commenting on the blog.
5. Will forward related posts to relevant people - just incase they haven't already read it.
6. Will be ever-ready to go for experiences or take time from busy schedule to explore a little know store or even organise stuff for the sake of blogging.
7. Will note down blogworthy stuff for posterity if the computer is not handy at that moment.
8. Will be such a committed scribe that even friends will say- never mind, I will check the blog tomorrow to know what happened (in the party)
9. When asked on dates of some milestone or incident, the blogger will not try to recall, instead, will straight check in the blog for the details.
10. Will do craft work/ cooking/ open gifts stage wise and keep photographing every stage for the sake of the blog post.
11. It will serve as an alternate means of communication - may even be easier to elicit a response via the blog than the phone from the blogger
Add on to the list please....
2. The blogger will have posts organised and scheduled for auto posting and at any given point of time there are atleast 3 posts on schedule and many more on draft.
3. The said committed blogger will be on the look out for blogging opportunities at all times and be fully prepared with camera / phone camera always. Often will fret for days if a photo was missed and therefore the post is not complete in her/ his opinion. If anonymous, will take care to click pictures in profile or with face hidden so that it is bloggable. At some points, will never have proper photos- only bloggable ones.
4. Will chide close friends and relatives for not visiting and commenting on the blog.
5. Will forward related posts to relevant people - just incase they haven't already read it.
6. Will be ever-ready to go for experiences or take time from busy schedule to explore a little know store or even organise stuff for the sake of blogging.
7. Will note down blogworthy stuff for posterity if the computer is not handy at that moment.
8. Will be such a committed scribe that even friends will say- never mind, I will check the blog tomorrow to know what happened (in the party)
9. When asked on dates of some milestone or incident, the blogger will not try to recall, instead, will straight check in the blog for the details.
10. Will do craft work/ cooking/ open gifts stage wise and keep photographing every stage for the sake of the blog post.
11. It will serve as an alternate means of communication - may even be easier to elicit a response via the blog than the phone from the blogger
Add on to the list please....
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Document Must Dos
Being the official scatterbrain, I have often been cornered with mails/ questions like- where is this document or sudden messages that the last date of the bill is due. Since I have the least faith in my memory I have this back-up system in place-
1. If I have submitted a document/ application to the company, I always back it up with a mail indicating the list of documents I have submitted- this includes stuff like application of PF transfer, submission of vehicle documents etc. I have absolutely no faith in either my memory or in the system in any organisation. And even if the system is perfect it is not necessery they will respond the moment I need something.
2. Never ever issue a cheque or lend money whether it is to a colleague, dhobi, maid or neighbour, without making a record of it. Chances are I will forget and they will too- without meaning to.
3. Have a single folder for all bills of major purchases like white goods- whenever I need the warranty card- I know where to look for.
4. Separate folder for all investments big or small.
5. A diary that maintains a record of what comes out or gets in into the bank locker
6. A mini record of who has borrowed my books and when
7. Blog that records major events/ medication/ travels so that I can extrapolate events from there if I need to refer to something.
8. Mobile alerts fixed for - checking if the gas is over, phone bill, credit card bill - so that I am not caught unawares incase I have not been told to book the gas when the gas cylinder is changed in my absence.
9. All bills that are to be submitted to the company are docked separately so that I have to just pull out stuff from there and submit my claim
10. As a rule, I make payments in cheque as far as possible. So that there is always a record of the same.
1. If I have submitted a document/ application to the company, I always back it up with a mail indicating the list of documents I have submitted- this includes stuff like application of PF transfer, submission of vehicle documents etc. I have absolutely no faith in either my memory or in the system in any organisation. And even if the system is perfect it is not necessery they will respond the moment I need something.
2. Never ever issue a cheque or lend money whether it is to a colleague, dhobi, maid or neighbour, without making a record of it. Chances are I will forget and they will too- without meaning to.
3. Have a single folder for all bills of major purchases like white goods- whenever I need the warranty card- I know where to look for.
4. Separate folder for all investments big or small.
5. A diary that maintains a record of what comes out or gets in into the bank locker
6. A mini record of who has borrowed my books and when
7. Blog that records major events/ medication/ travels so that I can extrapolate events from there if I need to refer to something.
8. Mobile alerts fixed for - checking if the gas is over, phone bill, credit card bill - so that I am not caught unawares incase I have not been told to book the gas when the gas cylinder is changed in my absence.
9. All bills that are to be submitted to the company are docked separately so that I have to just pull out stuff from there and submit my claim
10. As a rule, I make payments in cheque as far as possible. So that there is always a record of the same.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Chivalry is not Supposed to be Dead
Wife Pleasing Tips for Men
- Gallantly hold the door for her and let her pass first in the mall, restaurant, lift...
- Take lots of photographs of her when she dolls herself up- just don't let her walk out of the house without taking pictures of her from all angles
- Keep her most flattering photo on your office table, laptop desktop and wallet
- Praise her cooking- tell everyone that if I continue to eat her food, I will never have the will to diet. It serves the dual purpose of pleasing her and giving others the excuse for not being to lose weight.
- Praise her profusely when she dresses up for an occassion- even tell her you don't match next to her.
- When you go out, ensure you sit next to her and give all attention to her while talking to your friends. The key is balance. You should make her feel included all the time and ensure that she is within the circle.
- Support her, fight for her... see how AB is supporting his wife on the Hindi-Marathi issue!
- Repeat after me- so nice of you to take care of all my little little needs- what would I do without you.
- Repeat after me- How can you go alone for a week? I will miss you so badly.
- Repeat after me- I would rather be home with you than go for that Business trip to Europe
Monday, September 22, 2008
Definite Signs that You are Toddler-ised
- You cannot get a good night's sleep unless you sleep on the plastic sheet lined bed.
- The moment you see a kid's store you feel the urge to get in and explore.
- You start preferring to buy or use only over-sized bags with lot of pockets so that it doubles up as a baby bag and can fit in atleast 1 biscuit, a smal water bottle, a few change of shorts, a few T shirts, napkins, tissues....
- You smile to yourself whenever you hear a child cry or say Mamma or you get startled and almost run in the direction of the voice thinking it is your kid(s) crying even if you have left them at home.
- You prefer not to go to places where you don't have quick and easy access to toilets.
- You start using their language in public places - When the waiter asked me if I wanted water, I answered- yes, little - some (like Ojas & Tejas)
- And the biggest sign is when you get into the toilet to pee- you whistle for yourself (Honest, I did that!)
Friday, September 19, 2008
Theatre Lessons
1. No. You do not start the movie a few minutes before the schedule.
2. And you most certainly don't imagine that a lady with a struggling kid on one hand and a bag of kiddy stuff on the other arm does not deserve to be escorted to her seat with a flashlight to prevent kid and lady from almost stumbling over the uneven floor.
3. Intermission does not mean that the screen should go blank without warning probably when the actor is in mid-sentence. Someone like the lady in (2) above will imagine that the current supply has ditched.
4. Intermission duration cannot so long that you need to take several rounds of snacks to fill the time or so short that you hardly walk out from the theatre that you need to stumble back in the darkness.
5. There is something called the right volume.
6. There is something called right level of aircon. Don't imagine if you start with frigid levels of cooling and suddenly switch off the aircon, nobody will notice because they will be too engrossed in the movie.
2. And you most certainly don't imagine that a lady with a struggling kid on one hand and a bag of kiddy stuff on the other arm does not deserve to be escorted to her seat with a flashlight to prevent kid and lady from almost stumbling over the uneven floor.
3. Intermission does not mean that the screen should go blank without warning probably when the actor is in mid-sentence. Someone like the lady in (2) above will imagine that the current supply has ditched.
4. Intermission duration cannot so long that you need to take several rounds of snacks to fill the time or so short that you hardly walk out from the theatre that you need to stumble back in the darkness.
5. There is something called the right volume.
6. There is something called right level of aircon. Don't imagine if you start with frigid levels of cooling and suddenly switch off the aircon, nobody will notice because they will be too engrossed in the movie.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
The 40-Point Plan
Agar kissi cheez ko dil se chaho to saari kayanath tumhe usse milane ki koshish me lag jaati hai....
So I need to just commit on my blog on the 40 Things I simply have to do before I turn 40 and the wishes of my blog friends will ensure that I achieve them all, well most of them...
(This tag was doing the rounds in the form of 30 before 30 but since I had already crossed 30 by then, I didn't have to do it. And I was not really thinking in terms of the next decade. But then since I have ignored all what I wanted to achieve the last 2 years,I am putting them on paper typing them on this post so that I have promising them on my blog.
"pssst- scouted around for lots of such lists to get fantastic ideas..."
1. Lose excess kilos- I know it is not a SMART goal but then we don't want to announce our weight in public right!
2. Travel - atleast 1 country in each continent, Europe
3. Try my hand at entrepreneurship- culminating the ideas I have in mind like .....*****censored****
4. Write a book/ story/ publish something atleast and make money out of it
5. Drive something other than a small car, like, err, a bigger car
6. Become an ace interior decorator for my home and change it's look from its current state ofstorm ravaged wasteland homely look and get the garden shipshape
7. Teach/atleast do guest lectures
8. Take a sabbatical
9. Highlight/ Streak my hair
10. Take a holiday with my husband (yes, it is a rarity for me- only 1 so far and I am in the 5th year of my marriage) (sob)
11. Become an expert cook rather than a random, tentative, no frills cook- develop a fairly extensive repertoire of recipes and menu items (again goal not SMART enough because I really don't know how many I can do but I will know when I am fairly equipped to cross out this item from my list)
12. Experiment with different cuisines and continue to make them on a regular basis rather than one off kinds
13. Visit my birth place (Scotland)
14. Start celebrating festivals the way it has to be done setting a good example to the kids
15. Buy jewelry for myself (on a regular basis instead of just doing gold coins)
16. Start wearing sari on a regular basis to work
17. Go to theatre/ concert (never done it) (shame)
18. Learn Western dance
19. Re start music lessons (?)
20. Have our own house rather than a poky flat
21. Change my furniture
22. Institute 5-S in my home - already started the Seiri (Sort & Throw)
23. Go to atleast 1 or 2 non English speaking country after learning the (basic/ functional) language
24. Go in a helicopter
25. Learn to Control my Temper
26. Job related ******censored******
27. See the Himalayas
28. Go for a couple massage with Hubby off course
29. Send my parents abroad
30. See the Taj with Hubby & Kids
31. Travel in Palace on Wheels
32. Learn to bake 5 - 10 varieties of cakes
33. Learn 5 different chicken recipes and make them on a regular basis
34. Restart playing kalaeidoscope
35. Do combined puzzles with the kids (as soon as they are old enough- incl crossword, jumble, kalaiedoscope, jigsaw)
36. Start playing Monopoly & Scrabble with the kids also Carrom (though I am lousy at it)
37. Read more authors than the usual (already started)
38. Visit all the Indian States esp North East, and North- done with Bihar, UP, MP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Gujarat, Orissa, West Bengal, Andhra, Goa...a loooong way to go but kya kare bad luck hi kharab hai
digression- I always though I would be taking annual dream holidays post marriage but that has never happened!
39. Get a makeover done and do it regularly- basically be an aunty "maal" - learn how to do a proper make up - get funky glasses, multiple ear rings, no made up look, hair style, eye shadows, eye liners, the works added to my just lipstick look.
40. Turn 40 in style
So I need to just commit on my blog on the 40 Things I simply have to do before I turn 40 and the wishes of my blog friends will ensure that I achieve them all, well most of them...
(This tag was doing the rounds in the form of 30 before 30 but since I had already crossed 30 by then, I didn't have to do it. And I was not really thinking in terms of the next decade. But then since I have ignored all what I wanted to achieve the last 2 years,
"pssst- scouted around for lots of such lists to get fantastic ideas..."
1. Lose excess kilos- I know it is not a SMART goal but then we don't want to announce our weight in public right!
2. Travel - atleast 1 country in each continent, Europe
3. Try my hand at entrepreneurship- culminating the ideas I have in mind like .....*****censored****
4. Write a book/ story/ publish something atleast and make money out of it
5. Drive something other than a small car, like, err, a bigger car
6. Become an ace interior decorator for my home and change it's look from its current state of
7. Teach/atleast do guest lectures
8. Take a sabbatical
9. Highlight/ Streak my hair
10. Take a holiday with my husband (yes, it is a rarity for me- only 1 so far and I am in the 5th year of my marriage) (sob)
11. Become an expert cook rather than a random, tentative, no frills cook- develop a fairly extensive repertoire of recipes and menu items (again goal not SMART enough because I really don't know how many I can do but I will know when I am fairly equipped to cross out this item from my list)
12. Experiment with different cuisines and continue to make them on a regular basis rather than one off kinds
13. Visit my birth place (Scotland)
14. Start celebrating festivals the way it has to be done setting a good example to the kids
15. Buy jewelry for myself (on a regular basis instead of just doing gold coins)
16. Start wearing sari on a regular basis to work
17. Go to theatre/ concert (never done it) (shame)
18. Learn Western dance
19. Re start music lessons (?)
20. Have our own house rather than a poky flat
21. Change my furniture
22. Institute 5-S in my home - already started the Seiri (Sort & Throw)
23. Go to atleast 1 or 2 non English speaking country after learning the (basic/ functional) language
24. Go in a helicopter
25. Learn to Control my Temper
26. Job related ******censored******
27. See the Himalayas
28. Go for a couple massage with Hubby off course
29. Send my parents abroad
30. See the Taj with Hubby & Kids
31. Travel in Palace on Wheels
32. Learn to bake 5 - 10 varieties of cakes
33. Learn 5 different chicken recipes and make them on a regular basis
34. Restart playing kalaeidoscope
35. Do combined puzzles with the kids (as soon as they are old enough- incl crossword, jumble, kalaiedoscope, jigsaw)
36. Start playing Monopoly & Scrabble with the kids also Carrom (though I am lousy at it)
37. Read more authors than the usual (already started)
38. Visit all the Indian States esp North East, and North- done with Bihar, UP, MP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Gujarat, Orissa, West Bengal, Andhra, Goa...a loooong way to go but kya kare bad luck hi kharab hai
digression- I always though I would be taking annual dream holidays post marriage but that has never happened!
39. Get a makeover done and do it regularly- basically be an aunty "maal" - learn how to do a proper make up - get funky glasses, multiple ear rings, no made up look, hair style, eye shadows, eye liners, the works added to my just lipstick look.
40. Turn 40 in style
Friday, August 29, 2008
Lessons Learnt On This One Trip
- If you do not tell the company driver that you want to go to the airport, he will take you to the office while you are busy mugging up your presentation
- If you forgot to take the return boarding pass on landing and then get back to the airport via departure terminal and slip out of the departure unnoticed, then you are a woman
- If you do 2 above and do not slip out of the departure but get with held inside by the security, then you are a man
- The Security in that case will ask you to stay back and not get into town, for that important meeting because you have taken your boarding card.
- If the staff of the airline gets called to sign the register as a special case the Security will let you out after dire warnings
- Incase the taxi driver taking you to the client place switches the A/C off after a few minutes of driving, and rolls the window down, do not assume he is doing it to ventilate the hot air out. It means he has suddenly remembered it is a non A/C booking.
- Even if the car is booked in your name and you assure him you will sign it as A/C car and there is no problem in the spot change (you are a senior official after all), he will cross check with his company and the admin pointedly in front of you
- Some people will always give priority to lunch ***censored***
- In the client team of 25 people, 50% will not open their mouth because they are technical, the balance 50% are marketing and they will talk everything else except the marketing concept and positioning.
- So the lesson is never make a combined presentation to technical and marketing
- The person(s) who according to you score the maximum marks for class participation are most insignificant from a strategic point of view.
- If you book the later flight, your meeting gets over very fast and vice versa. And if you have less waiting time at the airport, you have an interesting book with you. And if you have more waiting time, you either do not have a book, or an internet connection that acts up every few seconds.
- Lounge cards prevent you from going overboard in eating from every available counter.
- Your cab driver will not know Hindi but the moment you ask him to go for the day (unexpectedly) he will understand perfectly wel
- You will NEVER get a car with FM / radio fitted into it. It is always someone else who gets it.
- Banjara is a nice place despite the space shortage- The buffet here is at Rs 250 and the tandoori chicken with an external masala coating is toppers I am told (yet to try)
- And finally, Bangalore Airport Rocks!
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