MY 100TH BLOGPOST- What should I write?

Amitabh Bachchan, the greatest Indian Actor,once said that he has butterflies everytime he gives a shot, be it for a new movie, an advertisement or even for a campaign. Every individual is like that.  There is anxiety filled when things are new and one is keen in giving the best every time.  The hard work, dedication and perseverance of Amitabh is something that makes him command respect and I completely adore him.

Reading and Writing has always been my passion.  I could just keep reading for hours together and I remember how during my school and college days, I used to read Women’s Era.  I used to go for the second hand books as the first hand ones were expensive.  I used to literally wait for the editions of WE.  Few articles used to get repeated but there was a thrill in reading WE on rainy afternoons once I was back from college tucking myself inside the comforter. My happiness knew no bounds.  Few of the characters in the stories touched my heart a lot.  It made me think how wonderfully the stories were written and I always used to think that one day I would write. Would write just for the thrill of it, voicing out my innermost feelings about life, relationships and everything that I felt and experienced.

For me writing this 100^th blogpost is giving me butterflies.  There are mixed emotions, I am happy as well as a little confused as to what to pen.  But I want to keep it simple.  The journey of writing a blog has been quite fulfilling and I everytime I sit down to write, thoughts and memories becomes fresh. Rewinding past memories of school, my first job, first salary, the first crush, my first debate, first prize and every happy moment is something that I keep rewinding and going through.  It is important that each one of us take out few minutes of our life and rewind those wonderful memories, I am sure you but can’t stop smiling.

My Milan trip was one such trip that gave me jitters as well as excitement and a proud feeling.  The travel in the bus from the apartment to the office was pleasant, at times it drizzled.  The walk to the nearby park during the lunch break was soothing. The cold winds made the atmosphere really wonderful.  The calls I made from Milan to Mumbai during those breaks in that park with so much to talk to are something that I will always remember.  Counting the days when I would be back in Mumbai is something that I looked forward to.  Few experiences and incidents in life are such that it leaves a lasting mark in our mind and soul.  The manner in which my little princess rummaged my bags to check what I had bought from Milan is something that brings a smile on my face.  I remember I used to do the same when my Appa used to be back from office and I always felt there was something for me in his briefcase. It could be a simple thing like a new pen or a new notebook.  Even now the thought is so fresh in my mind as if it has just taken place yesterday.

Even simple things like getting wet in the rain, eating bhutta, watching a romantic movie with Maddy are things that cannot be expressed in words.  Shopping with my daughter at Hill Road, eating Ragda Pattice and Pani puri at Elco is something that cannot be compared to the fine dine restaurants (of course these are my thoughts).  Walking down the Mulund market which is perpetually busy and shopping for clothes and chunky jewelry is something that I till date enjoy and I pray that I continue to do so and my interest lasts.  Last but not the least; eating the dabheli and having the heavenly sugar cane juice is something that satiates my soul completely.

Having said that I will like to say a big Thanks to all those people who look forward to reading my blogposts and getting back to me with messages, SMSes and private messages.  All your likes and comments are etched in my heart and I will continue to write.

Thanks to all you wonderful people.

Keep loving me and blessing me always!!

                                                                                               

Rekha

Having somewhere to go is home and having loved ones with you is Family!!! What more can I ask for

There are many people in my life who have touched my heart and soul in more ways than one. One such person is Monideepa Joydhar (Moni) and I love you Moni for the way you have been with me in good times as well as in my not so good times.  Our friendship started with Uhde India and she continues to be a pillar of support and her zest, attitude and positivity is something that I still adore and will continue to do so.  Moni called me up just the other day and was so happy after I wrote the blogpost about my Milan trip. From her voice and her enthusiasm, I knew that she just wanted to leave everything aside and rush to me to know more about me and my feelings and emotions, when I was on that trip.  Few people can just relate to you just the way you are and even in silence there is a lot of communication.  We may not necessarily call up each other, chat for hours and even see each other for months, but when you really want someone to talk to, there is this one person who genuinely is there for you, listens to you without judging you absolutely.  It is important that each one of us try and identify one such individual.  In times of anxiety, depression and days when we are down, this is one person whom we can rely completely upon.

Some more incidences from my Milan trip:

The Mumbai Istanbul Milan flight was good and I was absolutely comfortable with it.  My friend in office Tejal had ensured that I got an aisle seat and a comfortable seat.  Food was not on my mind as I had already convinced my brain that food is something that I would have adjust during my stay in Italy.  A friend of mine had already fed a lot of information in my mind that. When you are in Rome, behave like a Roman or act like a Roman.

I reach the Malpensa airport, a pretty quiet one, unlike the Dubai Airport or even our T2 International airport.  I liked it.  Italians as such are very friendly and warm people as compared to many of the European countries (this is what I have heard), though am not quite sure about it, frankly I haven’t visited too many countries.  The taxi was waiting for me and it was quite a big sedan.  I had readily kept the sheet where the address was written.  He spoke to me in broken English and all the while in the taxi, I was skeptical if he was driving me to the correct destination. But it was conveyed to me by my Indian office that Milan is a safe place and even at midnight women could travel alone.  Having said all that, my mind would still have doubts.  But somewhere I had read that the more you doubt, you are distancing yourself from your goal.  Ultimately I reach the destination – my apartment.

The building or the hotel where I was put up looked like one of the old European buildings and I had seen something like this in Romedy Now Channel.  I knew I would be missing out on my English movies as well and this was totally uneasy for me. 

The chauffeur helps me get my baggage to the reception of the apartment.  The receptionist Gloria was a very warm lady and instantly I could connect with her.  I went to my apartment and kept my luggage, 2 big bags and a small bag where my mother had packed all the necessary eating stuff.  I was really hungry and I opened the packet where my amma had packed theplas for me.  My throat choked on seeing the packet.  See how our mind plays tricks.  I felt cold, I was not able to explain what was happening to me.  The hunger vanished suddenly and it was taken over with some feeling of emptiness.  It was not even 30 mints I landed in the apartment.

I pacified myself that I had to be here only for 30 days and in a jiffy it could be managed.   It was drizzling slightly out and I stood near the window looking at the drizzle.  It took me back to Sion where my room faces bang opposite the Sion Fort which is lush with greenery and when it drizzles, it looks sooooooo beautiful.  I always enjoyed looking at the rain and sipping my chai or kaapi with some dry snacks.  Every time the drop of rain fell on the sill, it would wet my face and I loved doing that. The rains were different here, the furniture was different, the feel of the mattress was different, the table, chair – you name anything, it was different. Nothing here was mine except for my body, mind and soul – now even that was not mine. I was only physically present here and had left my mind and soul back in Mumbai.  It was getting dark and I had still not had the enthusiasm to unpack my bags and arrange my stuff.  Never ever had I felt so sluggish and lethargic, I knew I had to do it though.  The only good thing was that I could get to skype with Maddy and Jyothi and could see them. But mind said, you can only see them, you can get to feel them or hug them.  I wanted to hug Jyothi and Maddy badly and tell them that how much I was missing them.  But I knew that these were the initial days and within 2 days, I would get back to normal.  Patience told me that I had to wait and watch and have patience.

More to come.

Lots of Luv

Rekha

p.s. : I sincerely feel all those people who leave their families in pursuit of their job need to be saluted.  It takes a lot of guts and mental strength to live away from one’s family and friends and to accept the new changes in life, be it a new job, country, people, language, food..

You always receive what you ask for - My musings with Milan

What was happening to me? I was totally not in a position to understand what my hormones were aiming for?  There were mixed feelings and emotions within me. Anxiety can be good as long as it knows its limits.  But what happens when there is fear mixed with anxiety, I have gone through ten days of anxiety (I can only summarise that the fear of being alone gripped me so much that I didn’t want to be away from Maddy even for a minute).

Was I supposed to be happy that I was getting this opportunity or was I sad that I would be away from this closely knit immediate family.  But somewhere there was happiness that this life time opportunity had come to me, something that I could never even have dreamt about.  Solitude can weigh heavily on our minds and brain and if one goes weak, it can prove to be very difficult.

The D Day arrived.  Had to pack bags for the deputation to the romantic city of Italy. I had heard that Milan was a beautiful and place where couples could just chill out and be their self. But I was travelling alone, completely by myself.  My little devil helped me pack my bags.  Had it been with family, my excitement would have been uncontrollable, I knew that well. 

30 kgs was that I could carry and I knew that my luggage would not exceed so much. Amma and Appa were there the previous night with me just telling me as to how I needed to manage there.  Everyone was there to see me off. There was excitement in me, a little bit of anxiety. I was going to discover a new place, something I had never ever done in my life. Was going to go to a place without Maddy (that was something totally unthought of).  I believe the Universe grants us things and situations in life, exactly in the manner in which the order has been placed. I was unsure as to whether I had asked for this?  My thoughts run haywire and I was convinced that Yes, I would have asked for some quiet place and minutes of solitude (especially on those days when I used to get dead tired) on returning from office. And yes the Universe answers all our questions and prayers.  It answered mine too.

I enter the T2 airport with 3 bags and my lappy.  Maddy is waiting outside. I turn behind and suddenly this thought (Why the hell am I travelling alone).I caught his expressions – he was feeling bad to let me go alone and that too to a foreign country.  I get goosebumps even now when I try to rewind that situation.  However, I would want to erase this situation from my life as staying away from family is not something that excites me and has never excited me.Tears rolled down my cheeks and I am unable to see clearly. I wiped my tears as Maddy always used to say that smile, it makes you look better and beautiful. If you cry, I am going to know and I did not want his heart to know that I was crying and not very excited about travelling alone.  Work was on my mind and I enjoyed and loved my job, so the burden was definitely less.

More to come!!!!

Remain blessed always

Rekha

CHAPTER 6- NANDU’S KITCHEN - The Srirangam Saga!!!!!!

Nandu dozes of to sleep after the sweet incidences of the night only to be woken up by the knock at her bedroom door and this is at around 6 in the morning. She finds it difficult to actually get to terms as to whether she is at her amma’s place or at her new home. Yes, this does happen to most of the newlyweds and I am sure many of my friends will be able to relate to this.

Nandini is reminded of her home where her amma used to come and wake her up and everytime she called out Nandu……….,  the reply would be “Amma 5 minutes”. We all know the love we have for those 5 minutes of heavenly sleep in the morning and the wonderful feeling. 

She gets up with a startle only to find Sri peacefully sleeping combined with the bang at the door. There are mixed feelings at this point in time, it’s just that he is sleeping peacefully and also that he is sleeping peacefully and she is having to get up.  Sri is totally oblivious of whatever is happening around.  Nandu manages to get the pallu of her saree right and ties her silky hair into a knot. Strands of silky hair falling on her face, the sindoor slightly smudged on her forehead. 

Nandu opens the door and realizes that one anklet (payal) is still lying on the bed.  Though her MIL notices it, she pretends to not have noticed it.  It’s been four months of her wedding and Nandini is quite popular with the vegetable vendor lady named Maali, the dhobi and all the people who make regular rounds to their home.  There are people who just come to meet Sharadamma (her MIL).

Nandu has developed a good rapport with Maali the vegetable vendor and Maali keeps talking about all the usual things happening in her life, how her husband is not very kind to her and things that are happening in her life.  Nandu had been a patient listener to all her woes and there is a connect with Maali.  Maali notices the single anklet and smiles mischievously at Nandini.  Nandu replies in rhetoric “Okay okay now give me bhindi, padval and a bunch of palak”.  The palak is bright green (organic) of course.  Those days we had less of chemicals and pesticides that were added.   Nandu takes the vegetables and gently looks behind, Maali is still standing there smiling at her.

More on Next Chapter 7

Luv

Rekha

CHAPTER 5 – NANDINI’S ROMANTIC NIGHT OUT WITH SRI… - Mesmerisingly Beautiful

The guests have liked whatever Nandini and her MIL managed to make and they are extremely happy with the warmth and hospitality they received from a newly married DIL.  Nandu is happy and happier is Srikanth, her husband.  It is commonly observed that husbands are very happy when their relatives love the new bride and are very happy (the common trait) that is observed in every common household.

As is a common practice, Srikanth goes to drop his mama(uncle) and family to the closest bus stop. He waves out his hand to Nandini that she could also accompany him.  Nandu is confused whether she should just wear her sandals and simply go or should she ask permission from her MIL.  A devoted DIL that she is, she goes to her mamiyaar (MIL) and coyly tells that she is going to the bus stop with Srikanth.  Completely understanding her eagerness to accompany Srikanth, her MIL gives her the green signal, but to come back before it gets too dark. Her reasons for this are that a newly married couple should not be outside till very dark as it is supposed to be a bad omen.

Srikanth and Nandini are very happy to get these beautiful moments together.  Finally the bus arrives after a lot of wait.  Srikanth is relieved and the expressions on his face say it all.  Now he gets to hold Nandu’s hands and walk down the road. He actually does not want to go straight home and tells her that there is a quiet beautiful beach close by and she must definitely see it.  Reluctantly, Nandu agrees because she is reminded of her MIL’s words.  But she badly wants to be with Sri. 

They go to the beach. The atmosphere is romantic and filled with magic,  the cool breeze and most of all the warmth of Sri.  Sri whispers” Nandu, you are looking so beautiful”.  They had never got the opportunity to actually meet many times before marriage and this feels like they are actually out on a date. Nandu was hardly out of college that she got married and so she had never had the opportunity to go out and enjoy with friends. So all this is really very exciting for her.  The breeze and droplets of minor drizzle wet her face and lips and Nandu looks heavenly in the simple saree that she is wearing.  He manages to wrap his hands and he gently kisses her.  Nandu is loving every moment and wishes that time stood STILL with just Sri and her. She is also embarrassed of having got kissed in the open but luckily there’s no one around.  It was already beginning to get dark and they had to get back home to enjoy more beautiful moments…………….of togetherness.

More to come in the next Chapter.

Luv

Rekha

CHAPTER 4- The TamBrahm Noodles/Maggi – Sevai

Nandu is deep in thoughts as to what her mamiyaar (MIL) has in mind about dinner.  They were to go for the late night show and she was eagerly looking forward to it.  She however kept mum as she could not gather the guts to tell her MIL as it was taboo for a DIL to voice out her desires (more so when she was just four weeks old in that household) .

Amidst the calm and quiet afternoon, her MIL calls out “Nandini……………….”. Though her mamiyaar (MIL) had a stern look and voice, she however developed a liking for Nandu.  She tells Nandu that her Anna (brother) was visiting their home first time with family. Rolling out parothas or making dosais would be quite strenuous so she tells Nandu to make Sevai (The TamBrahm Maggi or noodles).

Nandu slowly whispers within herself “Seevaaaaaaaaaaaai”- never in her life had she made those. Her face is filled with a little fear and nervousness and she just wished her husband was around. She could cry and tell him that she did not know how to make it. First of all she did not like that tiffin and secondly, she had never even bothered to check with her amma as to how to make it.  Everytime her mother would say “Nandini, please come and help me in the kitchen, it’s tiffin time”.  She would quietly go to the verandah reading a book.  Now she realized how important it was to learn making Sevai most of all.

All her hopes of dressing up in her pattu saree, wearing malligai poo and going with her husband for the late night movie went down the drains.  But that was Nandu’s least problem.  She had read about how a fairy or genie appears and fulfills one’s wish. At that point in time, Nandini wished her mother appeared and would help her.  But does that happen in Real life- Find out in CHAPTER V.

Luv

Rekha

Chapter 3 - The Srirangam Saga

The vessels looked different from her home

Nandu’s day starts. She is now learning how to grind the spices that would be used for cooking at her new home.   All the conventional pots and pans in the store room are removed.  She cleans them and her mamiyaar (MIL in Tamil) teaches her the proportion of spices that needs to go into the grinding and that needs to be followed in that household.  The karandis and kadhais are different from the ones that she used at her own.  These are much heavier in weight and she found it difficult to pick up those without any help, but she had to do it.

The heat is too much and she is sweating as there is one old fan and it is as good as not having one.  The constant sound that is created is more of a nuisance but she can’t lose her cool or show her emotions especially when her mother in law is checking out just like a supervisor.  Throughout the day Nandu has work but the only grace period is when her mother in law goes for her afternoon siesta.  That time is Nandu’s.   Lunch is done and then is the cleaning of the kitchen utensils (very few days there is help).

The one thing that she adores doing is looking at herself in the mirror.  She adores herself in the mirror and she quickly tries to check her own statistics.  Nandu is actually measuring herself.   It’s been two months since her wedding and she finds herself adding inches at the right place.  She smiles and is shying from looking at the mirror.  Her face glows in the dim light that is passing through the window.  Suddenly , she recollects the last night happenings and smiles more.

She has this rapid heat heating up her entire body and she is sweating.   The red cotton chungadi saree seems to fall at the right places and she falls asleep when she suddenly hears her mother in law calling out to her for her evening kaapi.  She gets up, adjusts her pallu, ties her hair (though few strands of hair) fall on her face.  Nandu quickly goes to the courtyard, pulls water from the well and splashes water.  Yes, she is fresh now to start the remaining part of her day’s work (rather late evening work).

She makes herself  Kaapi and feels rejuvenated after having it.  The heat of the spices and the masalas are also adding up heat and Nandini is getting prettier day after day. What’s in store – Check the next one  !!!

Luv

Rekha

p.s  Thank you Thank you Thank you all for reading my blog.  It means a lot to me.