Happy Vishu to all of us - Vishu is happiness and prosperity personified

Happy Vishu to all of us  - Vishu is symbolic of loads of happiness, good luck and prosperity.

The festival of Vishu for me symbolizes lots of goodies, konnapoo (yellow flowers).   My appa loves these konnapoo, I will be posting pics of the konnapoo.  These yellow flowers represent freshness and how we should take every new day as a fresh day and write new beautiful chapters to our life.  So I love you Vishu, for me you represent a larger than life person who walks into our homes every year. You give us a fresh new gift of 365 days and allow us to write on it whatever we wish to. 

Knock Knock on my door at 10 minutes past 4 today.  I wonder who’s this and slowly make my way to the main door.  I see a radiantly smiling individual with fresh new clothes and big goody bag in his hand.   My initial response is to open the door immediately, but good sense tells me that I should first check before letting someone in. I ask “ Who’s this” ?   Have I seen you before,  I don’t seem to recognise your face.  He replies “  Oh don’t you?  You have been waiting for me all year round. I am Vishu, you pray to me and I make a visit to your home every year.  Now will you let me in?  I wish to check out how you have decorated your pooja room this year and want to click snaps to post on FB – I giggle and chuckle and allow this larger than life persona into my home.  His eyes swell with joy and happiness when seeing the small decoration that my daughter Jyothi managed this year.  I was happy on seeing the satiated look and satisfaction on his face.  I know happiness is here to stay.

This year’s Vishu is also special and has been satisfying as our Dubai trip was so full of joy. Met some wonderful and beautiful people.  It is difficult for me, Maddy and Jyo to put down in mere words the love, hospitality showered on us by one and all on our trip to Dubai.  These are abtract as everyone knows and we can definitely not quantify these and I do not wish to do so.  There are a lot of  wonderful incidents that I need to cover about my DBX trip but I have only 500 words to myself for this blogspot.  A big thanks to Ramesh and Uma for the love, warmth and making our trip so very wonderful and worth remembering.

Love always to all of you in encouraging me to pen my thoughts and feelings.

Rekha

P.S. More on my AshtaDubai trip !!!! ( My eight day romance with Dubai)

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. 

Do what you love – Don’t take yourself too seriously, no one does either!!!

Heya folks !  After indeed a long break, I am back and with this break, I suddenly felt that I had lost out on ideas and thoughts for my blogpost.  It was a little boring to pick up the pen and write again.  But writing is something I am passionate about.  I wanted to write a blogpost  on Valentine’s Day and dedicate it to my Valentines (the reason I am saying Valentines) is because I have a lot many people whom I am thankful for the person I am today.

It is not only my parents, my sister, my cousins, my husband, my daughter, my school friends (it’s everyone who has sculpted me and made me into a better person).  To all those wonderful people, I LOVE YOU from the bottom of my heart.  I love you all so much and cannot think of my life being beautiful without you guys.  I look forward to those meetings with my cousins, friends, meeting them, sharing the silliest of jokes and laughing over those countless and silly memories of the past, while enjoying my favorite coffee.

With Friday evening approaching, the little child in me starts to plan for the weekend. I want to go out, meet my cousins, watch a movie (however crazy it might be) with my hubby, go for walks and there is a feeling of happiness in the air. It’s like love is in the air – hahaha, strange it might sound for many.  I guess when our kids grow up, we have little more time to ourselves and so it is for me.  For me entering the 40 + bandwagon has definitely brought more time and if I may say so, there is more peace and happiness.  Happiness in terms of better physical as well as mental health. I feel like a college kid looking forward to a new movie, eating street food and enjoying every minute of it.  I would make a special mention of my husband Mahadevan (whom I teasingly address as Maddy) for being a part of this madness of mine.

I need to mention here this to most of my friends here to take up silent meditation for atleast 20 mints.  Try squeezing in 20 mints of your time, I have started doing it twice everyday and there is definitely a change, a change for the good.  I had read a lot of articles and write ups on meditation, yoga and even few years back, how something like meditation could change the way we think and act. Yes, I guess but one needs to try it to believe it.  I have started believing in it.  The two words “I BELIEVE” is making a profound impact and making the world look more beautiful.  The shift happens for sure, if you are ready to believe that you want to change your life and make your life beautiful.   If you can look forward to something exciting everyday, you will never be bored even a minute and will enjoy the beautiful journey of life.

That’s all for now

Blessings Always!!!

Rekha

Yess !!! You are right, she is beautiful and I am addicted to her !!!

What is it about Mumbai that she is so close to our hearts?  She is like first love, love at first sight for sure.  Be it a man or a woman, Mumbai is sexy and mesmerizing in her own way for one and all.  People complain about the crowd,  the mess, the dirt around and that things are not managed the way it should be.  But look at her, Mumbai is so accommodating. She is like a girl friend whom you can take out, she is a mother who feeds all those people who come from different states and believing that she would feed him, in whatever small way she can. She is like a devoted and caring wife who cares for you and is there like a pillar even at times when one is struggling.  She is not going to leave your hand whatsoever  (Remember Yeh Rishta hai Saat Janmon ka).

The Mumbaiyaa attitude is happy go lucky and people mind their own business.  But when there is a calamity, the Mumbaikars get together in all their strength and are ONE.

The multi talented role that she plays is something that makes her so full of life and vibrant.  Yes, the people here are full of life, amidst the chaos and rushing, they know to smile, shop, eat out and fun in their own way.  Weekends are fun, night life is superb and street shopping is something that we take pride in.  Like street shopping, eating the pani puri is so blissful, I can’t express. The very thought of having to write about Mumbai makes me so excited.  Vada pav (my all time favorite) – Mumbaikars cannot imagine life without this for sure. Vadapav takes me down memory lane at Mulund- the vadapav wala at Veena nagar and also close to ShivSagar on M.G. Road.

The latest addition to vadapav is her cousin - Dabheli which is sweet and spicy.  Mulund is home to dabheli and I love you for satisfying my cravings for street food.  Who can forget Ghatkopar, the quintessential gujarati area and of course the Khao gali.  I should mention about the varieties of dosas that get dished out with a plethora of chatnis all served so wonderfully.  We are definitely accommodating when it comes to the Chinese as well, look how the Chinese bhel has captured the teenage hearts?

I should mention here that a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but it’s the same for women as well.  So my love, you are vibrant and I cannot think of anything else but the song that we used to hum at school and it is so true:

I love you my Valentine Mumbai – you are closest to my heart and will always remain so.  It is her lap that I am comfortable in and I thank you from the bottom of my heart to have loved me so much and still continuing to do so.  Yes, you are truly addictive!!

Love and blessings always

Rekha

p.s.

Come from England, come from Scotland, come from Ireland
Come from Holland, come from Poland, come from any land,
If you're looking out for a pleasant holiday,
Come to Bombay, come to Bombay, Bombay meri hai.

Bom bom bom bom
Bombay meri hai
Born bom bom bom
Bombay meri hai

Our ladies are nice, they are so full of spice
Come to Bombay, come to Bombay Bombay meri hai.

Wear a dhoti, put a topi and a small coatie
Mini or bikini is so good for you honey
If you ain't so gay then you can live the sadhu way
Come to Bombay, come to Bombay Bombay meri hai.

Puri bhaji, bhelpuri you can try and tell
Idli dosa, hot samosa you will like it well
Once you come to stay then you won't like to go away
Come to Bombay, come to Bombay Bombay meri hai.

I like my home a little messy –It’ me and a few fun loving people living in it!!

Without my daughter around, my house would be definitely neater and quieter, but I could sit and admire it only for 300 seconds max not more than that.  There is a certain warmth and comfort in the messiness (this is the word I have been bombarding my little world with) when she leaves her coloured clips, hair bands, lip liners, handbags, slim bags (what not) strewn.

Yes, there will be so many moms who will second me on this note.  Without our kids, our homes can be peaceful, blissful (you may choose the choicest of adjectives).  The emotional drama and the war of words mostly when it comes to a messy bedroom is when and what we fight over, apart from the TV remote. Though both of us are more as friends, when it comes to things lying (literally strewn and scattered) on the granite platform of the bedroom, we fight like cats and dogs.

She says 5 minutes and I see it as 300 seconds (yes I like the number 300)- u may think!!! Much to my hastiness, she is much cooler and calmer only when it comes to the work part. Clearing up things can wait for sure, but not her Romedy Now Channel – To be frank, I love Romedy now and I am addicted to it just like my Kaapi (cuppa Coffee).  It’s youngish, funny, full of humour and the best thing is that we watch it together without having to fight for the remote (so that is yet another thing, that we have in common, you see).

It is sharp 6.20 p.m that’s when i enter my home,  I enter my bedroom with my office bag, dump it on the chair and there she is cozily tucked in the arm chair (Romedy channel shouting in all its glory)-  yes, I want to shout at her for all those things that has managed to occupy my kingsized bed. She knows I could really be hard on her and just to escape my shrilling voice and in her cutest tone she says “Amma, you will love this movie for sure”.  It’s the Devil who wore Prada.

I say” Oh Prada, I would surely love that movie. She says “ It’s just started Amma” you will love, it”.  Yes surely I will love it but let me first freshen up and get us both something to eat.  But where is the remote- yes, the remote!!!! –I am sure it would be on the bed or on the window sill granite or precariously placed on the bedroom cabinet – I let out a shrieking voice again, but to my dismay!!!! The movie begins- I tell her, yeah, the start is good and the background score brilliant. So there it is my little devil who wore Prada!!

Luv and blessings always

Rekha