I Heart Bangalore

Home is ?
I have a friend who told me sometime back that he does not have a place to call Home. I figured that is natural for so many of us who have lived in different countries, cities or towns over the years. I have moved too. Stayed away from India for a long period of time. But summer vacations always included one month in Delhi and the other in Bangalore.
The latter being my obvious choice of place of residence while I studied to get a degree.

I Heart Bangalore.

I have always felt welcome and never an outsider. I know the roads well enough to not get lost. I take pride in letting everyone know that it is a wonderful city to visit and settle down in - but if you're going to crib about the autowallas and food then please stay away. I may not know Kannada but I'm still accepted and get my way with Hindi.
Bangalore to me is where I actually grew up. Learnt life's lessons and developed a street smart sense of survival. Whether it was staying away from parents on Byrasandra Road with the girls, or travelling within the city to satisfy one's craving of food - I've enjoyed it all.
When it rains, the smell of the earth makes me smile non stop. The weather in Bangalore gives my heart wings and it feels wonderful. Sigh - ness !
Whether it's rock pubs, happy hours, free entry for ladies, bollywood nights, ladies nights - Bangalore is heaven for the out of townies who would like to just get high. You can enter anywhere with slippers as well ! I can wear my rocksters or oshos and enter The Beach without feeling underdressed.
I can walk on Church Street with the girls at 9:00 pm singing songs. The autos - green & yellow or the black & yellow do not take you for a ride unless you act stupid. Yes the charge is higher after 10:00 pm. But it is these very same autos that have taken 6 girls together from Indranagar to Jayanagar and not charged extra !

Bangalore is about the benne masala dosa at CTR, MTR, Vidyarthi Bhavan, Adiga's and Maiyas. It is about the mad weekend rush to have an Andhra Meal at Nandhini, Godavari, Nagarjuna, Bheema's or RR. It is about catering to the Chinese craving young crowd at Popsies, Chung Wah.

Bangalore is about not losing one's identity through the rapid and sudden development by retaining and maintaining what it has always stood for - Peace, Love, Unity and Joy !
The India Coffee House, Corner House, Airlines Restaurant, Koshy's, Fanoos, The Only Place, Purple Haze, K.C Das have been examples of this.
In this city, noone is in a big hurry and everyone takes their own sweet time to do what they please. We are not constantly on our toes. We are laidback. Not lazy. Maybe a little slow to have understood the need of better public transportation but not lazy !

Jayanagar is one of the most well planned localities in Asia while Indranagar is one of the most posh. Where Whitefield is slowly becoming the next hub, Koramangla rose from the dust to become the most sought after area to reside in. No matter where you stay, you will never find yourself lonely. It's against the city's culture.

You can choose to study at Mount Carmel College with only girls, St. Josephs that lies at the heart of the city, Christ University that has one of the biggest campuses or R.V Engineering, National College, Jyoti Nivas, etc. The list is endless.
You may visit Mysore, Hampi, Mangalore, Kerala, Chennai by road from the city and enjoy yourselves.

A Punjabi can say "what da ?" and fit in immediately. People are referred to as Macha and every word ends with the "oo"sound. You can speak like Yoda and nobody will laugh at you. You don't have to walk around in designer shoes carrying designer bags because we all love the street shopping at Commercial street and Brigade Road.

No matter how much I say I would like to run away, I know that deep down I always want to back. This is where - my parents got married, my grandparents retired, my family lives, I graduated (twice), my daddy was creamted. This is where I hope my friends and I will get married (if ever). This is where I want to be.

Bangalore makes me a happy child. For me this a city of joy, tears, heartbreaks, mendings, life, love, family, familiarity, identity, traditions and culture.

Home is Bangalore !

Men/Boys I would die 100 deaths for !

This a list of fellows that I would do anything for. Most importantly die a 100 deaths.
Not literally.

1. Shah Rukh Khan
2. Aamir Khan
3. Shahid Kapoor
4. Hrithik Roshan
5. Abhay Deol
6. Robin Uthappa
7. Cameron White
8. Christiano Ronaldo
9. Patrick Dempsey
10. Rahul Dravid
11. Ranbir Kapoor
12. Topher Grace
13. Mahesh Bhupathi
14. Rahul Gandhi
15. Irrfan Khan
16. Suriya
17. Bradley Cooper
18. Sendhil Ramamurthy
19. Siddharth
20. Dr. Sheldon Cooper
21. Edward Cullen
22. Dr. Avery
23. Dr. Mark Slone
24. Rahul Khanna
25. Gerard Butler
26. George Clooney
27. Kunal Kapoor
28. Ranvijay Singh
29. Purab Kohli
30. Ryan Reynolds
31. Hugh Jackman
32. Logan Huntzberger
33. Milo Ventimiglia
34. Barney Stinson

*Random Order*

15 random things that irritate V & N

My coloured eyes, dog lover girl friend and me have similar tastes and opinions regarding a lot of things. One evening on March 9th, 2009 while we were trying to make one of our many PPTs for a paper at college we sat down and came up with 15 random things that irritate her and me.

The list goes like this -

1. Too much college work...so can't enjoy end of the year
2. The weird sudden hotness types climate in Bengaluru
3. Boys falling off bikes and getting boo boo
4. Misha's hot and smelly breath on our legs
5. Badly made dal makhani
6. Ugly bags, Ugly shoes. Ugliness in general
7. Friends who make a feeble attempt at looking the same
8. Niceness. We don't like. We don't believe
9. People that call Edward gay. Screw you...
10. People who don't appreciate Bollywood music. It is a genre...
11. Morons that treat dogs badly. We hate you !
12. People who think F.R.I.E.N.D.S, Sex & the City, Gossip Girl, Gilmore Girls, etc are stupid shows. You're stupid...Freak !
13. People who think that the Oscars are overrated.
14. Boys. A lot of things about them..Agghh !
15. People who think we are bitchy. We're just being honest !

Two and a Half Months of...

I thought to myself - why not go away. Like literally just go ! It's possible, it happens all the time. Why ? Because I wanted to be. Really be.

Asked many people to help. They wondered. I had my reasons. Finally I'm told that it's Gurgaon. I'm elated - Family and Friend(s). Also, new city, new town, different culture, lot's to learn and finally going to be a part of the crazy work world.

Went. Felt good. Felt different.

B and I have grown up together. We have been friends from the time we learnt Arabic to swimming to going out alone without an adult to talking to boys ! We hadn't seen each other in 9 years until October 2009. I'm glad I made that trip. It showed and proved that distance makes the heart grow fonder ;-) and that some things never change. We hadn't changed. We probably are wiser but really not grown up ! We giggled and laughed. We caught up on all that we had missed. Hence, my obvious choice for a home would have been with her and her wonderful family. The bangu is crazy but sooper adorable. The lil sister worries me because she has grown up and is getting all responsible. The mother; well is like any other mother - loving, caring and a great cook. The papa is uber cool and sooper funny plus we had our IPL moments.

Would go to work in a cycle rickshaw through the dusty and not so nice roads with the mean honkers carrying dabba of lunch. Wondered what would it be like to be "corporatized". Sitting at a desk and having one's own computer. Office gossip. Tea and lunch breaks. Long meetings. Conference calls. Projects and deadlines. Bosses - ugh ! Well, it was a wonderful experience. Made some amazing friends. Learnt a lot. Not everything in this world is fair. Had to face the wrath of a very moody and conceited lady heading the team. Food sharing sessions I will miss. Wearing smart formal attire and having one's own landline with my name blinking on the screen - I will miss.

It was supposed to be the "being" time as I said earlier. But as luck may have it - B school friends dropped by; not just for a holiday but to work as well. This meant trips to the city. To drink and make merry. To dhabas and drives. House parties had awesome food, great rounds and our fav youtube videos. Never slept until next day morning but not before a thela gaadi chai outing.

We took gastronomical journeys mostly at Khan Market - the shawarmas, Mississippi mud pie, kakori kebabs and De Paul's. Nizam's at CP and for the benefit of a nice tall Punjabi even Saravana Bhawan. The Andhra Bhawan meal made me feel at home - being surrounded by many fellow South Indians and eating with hands :)

Made new friends and strengthened some old relationships. Befriended a half n half South Indian, fellow Konkani Brahmin, a pretty smart Kashmiri environmentalist and a very responsible Bengali (who complained about us spoiling him).

Shopped at Janpath and Dilli haat - slippers and bangles. New wallet too. Galleria visits - hazelnut chocolate shakes and Momos; Sakley's and Crazy Noodle house. TGIF and of course Rockman's. The MDI succulent chicken rolls - cravings will happen soon !

We always managed to end up at places where the service charges were so high, but we were too gone to realize then and felt the pinch only the next morning - took bills and made accounts. Watched the finals and discovered a very potent drink. Traveled in a car with leather seats and it roared, in a car with no headlights but cracks on the windshield, in the ever awesome Santro.

A car broke down mid way but yet we managed to have fun with Mc Donald's picnic and Cleo. There was an argument but all was forgotten as Gandalf refused to notice the seriousness of the situation. There was finally a trip to the Qutub Minar and movies - Alice in Wonderland and Shrek III.

There were conversations, discussions, laughter, bitchy sessions, flowers, heart melting happiness, music and sigh - ness. Always.

Stayed with family. Never imagined I would have so much fun with Ying and Yang. Loved the room and the big big bed with many pillows. Loved the pampering of SK. Loved the cooking sessions and the amazing evenings at the Balcony. Made so much fun of people we knew and didn't know. Discovered that I make awesome LIITs and good Kamakazee shots. Got introduced to a different music culture and understood to a very large extent what LIFE is all about. Took a trip to the hills and wished I never had to return.

This was supposed to be an uneventful time away from home. But so much happened and will continue to happen that it's hard to imagine what I could have wanted otherwise.

More memories will be made to keep us warm. More trips will be made to make new friends and strengthen old ties. Happy hours will continue to happen.

For as long as we live - fun shall never end.

I'm glad to be home. To be in my comfort zone. I now say that - You will be missed. Terribly. Thank you Delhi and Gurgaon. I will be back !

?

Over the last few months a lot has been spoken, debated and discussed about -

• Moving On
  
• Closure
• Rebound
  
• Getting Over
• Damaged Goods
• Baggage

Nobody has been able to pin point and actually figure out what is it the terms above actually entail.
How do/does the process(es) work ? How do you know whether you're through or not ? Are we ever ready for any kind of uncertainty ? Does one just forgive and forget ? Does one send out long emails or smses explaining and waiting for a reply ? Or do you send messages/emails and save it in the drafts ? Or do you move to search for greener pastures hoping that they might be able to help you ?
Do you cry ? Do you drink a lot ? Cook, take up salsa classes ? Have a memorial and ask people to talk about their loss ?

We are always looking for answers. Everywhere and in everything around us ! We are never satisfied with the pace at which certain events take place. We are never happy with what we have. Grieving is normal. Yet - we always believe that somewhere and somehow things are never over. Loss of a loved one, a car, a relationship, a marriage - anything !

It's crazy how crazy and frenzied we get trying to search and be on the lookout for something/someone/someplace that will help us feel better and get us back on track. But is that really what we want ?
No !
We want the same person, relationship, car, marriage that we had. We want it all back ! We love our comfort zone ? It makes us happy children. We want love, care, attention and familiarity. We want the same excitement and madness.
But we have to let it go ! Just as we understand that we grow up and move a grade higher as academic years end. Just as we understand that when a plane lands at the airport - the journey has come to an end.

Another loved one, car, relationship and marriage deserves a chance to be adored, loved and cared by you. You deal. You survive. You always do ! You may not learn but you still continue to live.
And, well - If Karma comes and bites you in the bum...that too shall just pass :)

Kya hua tera waada
Woh kasam, woh iraada
 Bhoolega dil jis din tumhe
Woh din zindagi ka aakhri din hoga
 Kya hua tera waada
Woh kasam, woh iraada
 Bhoolega dil jis din tumhe
Woh din zindagi ka aakhri din hoga
Kya hua tera waada
 Yaad hai mujhko, tune kaha tha
Tumse nahin roothenge kabhi
Dil ki tarah se haath mile hain
Kaise bhala chhootenge kabhi
Teri baahon mein beeti har shyaam
Bewafa yeh bhi kya yaad nahin
 Kya hua tera waada
Woh kasam, woh iraada
Bhoolega dil jis din tumhe
Woh din zindagi ka aakhri din hoga
 Kya hua tera waada
Woh kasam, woh iraada
 Oh kehne waale mujhko farebi
Kaun farebi hai yeh bata
Woh jisne gham liya pyaar ki khaatir
Ya jisne pyaar ko bech diya
Nasha daulat ka aisa bhi kya
Ke tujhe kuch bhi yaad nahin
 Kya hua tera waada
Woh kasam, woh iraada
Bhoolega dil jis din tumhe
Woh din zindagi ka aakhri din hoga

Kya hua tera waada
Woh kasam woh irada

Chicken Chettinad - Recipe

Cooking makes me happy. Very !

I feel I'm a good cook. I have people to vouch for that. It began with trying to survive in a flat with 7 hungry girls tired of the food we were being served. It was aloo (potato) with lot's of tomato and bit too much of tumeric powder. Ughh - ness.

We all learn. Eventually. Probably it also helps that I have some of the most amazing cooks related to me - Aunt and Maternal Grandmother.

Cooking and creating something yummy is cathartic for me. Very cathartic. I lose the urge to cry and I feel the need to stand over the kitchen counter with my chin up and shoulders straight.

I refuse to learn to knead the dough and make roti/parathas/chappattis. But i'll make you some good egg curry, chicken, pasta, thai and konkani food !

Currently I'm living with 2 of the awesomest cooks; also superbly passionate about the food they eat and create or are fed. With none of them at home - I decided to take a shot at Chicken Chettinad.

The Chettinad cuisine is characterized by it's liberal use of spices and oil that comes from the kitchens of the Chettiars. It is one of the rare non - vegetarian cuisines of Tamil Nadu (South India).

Anyhow this is how my chicken chettinad came into existence with the help of SK who is a recently made friend at the home of Ying and Yang.

Cardamom, Cinnamon Sticks, Coconut, Haldi, Methi seeds, Cloves and a little bit of water into the grinder. Thick paste it has to become. Then fry the finely chopped onions in ghee. Once the colour begins to change - add garlic and ginger pieces. After 5 minutes - add the previously ground spices paste. Finely chopped tomatoes to be added once the onions, garlic and ginger seem to have mixed well with the spices paste. Eventually add the chicken (boneless or not) and a little bit of water. Put in curry leaves (one of my favorite ingredients).

You will be a happy child !

Happy cooking :)

30th May, 2010

The photographer told me that he was glad he came to the G ceremony because my speech moved him to tears. I had KGM tell me that he was almost about to cry. My momma - well she's a woman of few words only. I prepared that speech some 5 months before our graduation in 2008 May. It came from the heart. Straight Except for the nonsense I spoke on the temple of learning ! Bleh.
I wanted to give one this year as well. But, so much has happened and I have been a victim of few "nonsense" that I don't feel it will come from the heart. Straight.
Hence, this post is dedicated to those who matter. To those who made it worthwhile. Except it wouldn't be as awesome as the one I did 2 years ago.

Good Evening,
We are gathered here not to say good - bye, but to say thank you for the precious moments that we will live by for the many years to come. We are surrounded by people physically and in spirit whom we respect, love, adore, miss, dislike. Each one has a part to play in our existence. In our journey to coming this far. Becoming graduates !
Thank you to the teachers who smiled at our childishness, became one of us when the situation demanded it. For, giving us those leeways and just letting us be ! Thank you to those teachers who made it so difficult to enjoy certain classes and put us through some "hellish" experiences only to come out of them strong. Thank you to those teachers who shared some crazy coffee moments, planned evenings out, would have probably enjoyed some pomegranate juice sessions. To those teachers who guided us and made us feel like smart thesis kids. For taking all the nonsense we had to offer along with some crazy statements/questions. For listening to our complaints and sometimes unable to do anything about them - for that is what made us want to become bigger and better.
To our families. You mean the world to us. Without your love and support we wouldn't have gotten this far in our lives. We thank you for cheering us when we created "history", for laughing with us during our comedy moments, for yelling at and punishing us when we thought we were right in doing something - except we weren't, for dancing and singing with us. For crying during our heartbreaks and celebrating during our unions. For sitting up while we crammed some last minute theories. For those packed lunches and some wonderful birthday presents. For the life saving pocket money givings and frantic phone calls only because you felt something was wrong. We bow down today and want to let you know that you're awesome and this degree doesn't hold good without your contribution.
To those who entered this very same auditorium 2 years ago and will now leave as your classmate, friend or foe. Over the years you have studied all night with them, exchanged notes last minute and sometimes managed to give you proxy attendance. Some of them annoyed you beyond your threshold. Some of them made you laugh so hard that you almost cried, while others held you tightly when you cried in sadness. Some of them just smiled at you along the corridors, while others took time off and spent a few minutes asking you about your well - being. With some you started as friends and ended up being acquaintances. Some had some hazey purple afternoons and java moments. There are coffee and puff memories, purple and guitar books, group email ids and FB notes ! There always has been and will be laughter, tears, joy when you think of these moments of total randomness. Stories of gains and losses, love and heartbreaks, successes and failures with these people is what makes this very moment so precious.
We live on because we love. We always have. We always will. There is so much to see and do in this world but there is a very little time.
Remember the world is your road, your vision and your fantasy. It will always remain yours.
Congratulations class of 2010 - We finally did It !

Almost Lovers - Lyrics

The P likes this song and after speaking to her, laughing and making her "high" with my exuberance I have decided to make these lyrics my second post :)

Your fingertips across my skin
The palm trees swaying in the wind
Images

You sang me Spanish lullabies
The sweetest sadness in your eyes
Clever trick

I never want to see you unhappy
I thought you'd want the same for me

Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
Should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do

We walked along a crowded street
You took my hand and danced with me
Images

And when you left you kissed my lips
You told me you would never let forget these images, no
I never want to see you unhappy
I thought you'd want the same for me

Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
Should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do

I cannot go to the ocean
I cannot drive the streets at night
I cannot wake up in the morning
Without you on my mind
So you're gone and I'm haunted
And I bet you are just fine
Did I make it that easy
To walk right in and out of my life?

Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
Should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do