What is it about you that I love you more everyday – Dedicated to the Mumbai Vadapav!!

                                                

To

Dearest Vadapav,

My Dear Vadapav, I cannot imagine living without you, you are in my deepest thoughts and gastronomic sensualities, when I pass the stall right outside the Mulund station.  I cannot but express how I feel when that smell lingers around and mesmerises my entire entity. It arouses me, how tough, it is for me to let go of you, because you are there in every segment of my body and mind.  I pray that our journey and love for each other continue and that you remain humble (without changing your true essence, taste) and do not get flattered by the so called big joints that somehow are jealous of your presence.  So whatever you are and wherever you are, we will love you, no matter what!!! 

From a Common Mumbaiker

Hey folks, seriously, these could be the thoughts of any Vada Pav lover and being an avid lover I too share the same thoughts.  Though I am a TamBrahm, the love for Vadapav surpasses the love for my staple sambhar rice or Mysore Rasam.  I could still eat a vadapav and feel satiated even after filling my tummy with the conventional South Indian food.   I can completely have it like an appetizer without making a big deal about it and can clearly remember as kids how my face would literally brighten up when my mom used to get these wrapped from the vadapav stall close to my home in Mulund.  (For records: he was Ramesh Vadapav walla and many of my Mulund friends) will be able to relate to it.

Be it a rich, a middle class or a poor Mumbaikar, no one would have got away without trying you for sure.   You pep us up and we feel good literally standing on the streets, eating you and enjoying the experience.

I tried to figure out, the Vadapav as such is like a romantic couple, so much in love with each other.  For me it’s a husband and wife sharing a beautiful bond. There is a dash of sweet chutney with the spicy chutney, which makes life spicy and sweet.  No matter what, they are in love with each other completely and this is what makes it so savory and mouthwatering.   

So heres to you my love!! Vadapav, I love you more so when I unwrap you and eat you with my tea.

So guys, what are you waiting for,  grab her!! She is all yours………

Lov and Blessings Always

Rekha

Live Life for the moment because everything else is uncertain

I loved this line and somewhere there were mixed feelings, I felt sad as well as happy.  These 24 hours of joy and bliss that we are showered on day after day is something that is so beautiful.  I want to use it and enjoy every minute of it.  At times I wonder about how days, weeks and months pass and I have voiced this to Maddy (my husband).  I know that these moments spent with my hubby, my daughter, my family, my friends are never going to come back.  This is true for everyone of us.  But how many of us even sit back and think.  Yes, it is true when we think of this, we may get depressed, that’s the negative side to it. But if we are able to comprehend that this life is precious and that every morning we get up thinking that we are alive, we will never ever want to waste it.

Life is available for a limited time, why spend it judging others, feeling jealous, being greedy and thinking of those unpleasant moments that make us feel low. It’s good to make a shift in terms of our thinking as it lightens us from inside, makes us feel happy and helps us live the life we wish to and on our terms.

I remember my Father (Appa) used to always say “ Rekha, live life on your terms and make sure in the process you do not end up hurting any one’s feelings and emotions” . These words of my Dad are like permanent impressions on my soul and when my soul takes another form, it is surely not going to forget these life teachings.  I am proud that I am trying to incorporate a lot of these in my daily routine and every day is a success for me. Trying to live for the moment, second, minute, hour and day is certainly adding years to my beautiful life and I am truly savoring every minute of it. Certain proverbs truly have a great impact on our lives because it has a lot to do with the manner in which they have been explained to us in our childhood.

I am a big fan of Leo Babauta who writes wonderfully and am inspired by a lot of his thoughts.  We are scared about the future when we actually do not know what the future holds for us.  The moment we start judging things and situations around us, we create negativity, that’s where we tend to weave the web of negativity.  The more we weave, the more we let go of our identity.  The Real YOU gets lost somewhere and in the process we lose ourselves.  But it is still possible to bounce back and that is within our control for sure. I believe in bouncing back quickly after every fall, be it small or big – I guess that’s what makes me strong, from within and outside.

So folks !! Enjoy life, take each day as it comes, never lose out those small beautiful times. 

Blessings Always!!

Rekha

The Power of Woman – Multifaceted and Multitalented roles

Karyeshu Dasi, Karaneshu Manthri;
Bhojeshu Mata, Shayaneshu Rambha;
Roopeshu lakshmi, Kshamayeshu Dharitri;
Satkarma Nari, Kuladharma Patni

(Hardworking, Brilliant, Beautiful, forgiving, caring, romantic)- This epitomises a WOMAN) – This is to every WOMAN out there reading this.

It is very great pride that I write this blog post.  I am proud that I am a woman and there is not an iota of doubt when I am writing this.  Just like me, I am sure there are many like me, who are happy and satisfied about being what they are and living life, however tough or easy the journey.

So here’s saying cheers to women power, We are magnificent beings created by the beautiful almighty who chose us to be on this wonderful planet.  It is every day that I am thankful and express my gratitude to the Divine, but on this day, I take the opportunity to thank each and every woman who has been instrumental in helping me succeed in my personal as well as professional endeavors.   A Thank you from the bottom of my heart to my mother, sister, daughter Jyothi , mother in law, sister in law, cousins, my family, extended family and each and every woman who are sharing and will continue to share this wonderful journey of life and space with me.

I would never have been ME, if it was not for my mother.  I have learnt that the beauty of a woman is immeasurable and there is no measuring scale that can quantify her beauty, strength, courage and perseverance (most of all patience).  Knowingly or knowingly, we are given that extra dose of patience which makes us strong from within and helps us wade even when the times are not so good.  My sister for listening patiently to all my talks during my teenage, laughing at my jokes (however silly they may have been) and still being so supportive of me in every new idea that I come up with.  A big Thanks to Radhika, my sister.  Thanks to my princess Jyothi who has made me complete in every way and for recreating the passion of living life Queen Size.  Had it not been for her, I would never have come up with my Blog:  The beginning of 40 for me:  Thanks to my teachers who have helped me succeed academically and encouraged me to study all through.  My colleagues for supporting me and loving me, just the way I am and not being judgemental.  My friends and extended family for always standing by me and accepting me along with my idiosyncrasies at times.

The blog will not be complete without saying a BIG THANK YOU to Maddy, my hubby who is my strength, support, friend, philosopher, my critic and who can state facts as they are. Life is much easier and simpler and I do not have to put up a show when you are around.

Lov and blessings always!!!

Rekha

P.S.:

Wishing all of us a Happy Woman’s Day in Advance.