The things i managed to do this year! :D

Oh well, 2011 has been a darling to me. So many things happened and by far have been the most memorable one. We grow older mandatory with every passing day, but wiser or not is what matters. One doesn't merely grow wise by studying or engaging in intellectual conversations/works all day long. That is just being book smart and boring ;-) The more one reads (non academics), travels, volunteers, converses, and learns how to be thankful and grateful for what they have, the wiser he/she becomes. Erm, anyways, all this serious stuff suits me not, I’m mad and crazy and impulsive and irresponsible:-p

So, the highlight for this year has to be my irresponsibility and the places i managed to visit! Yippee.

I'll probably start with why i call myself irresponsible. I quit my high flying (literally- i had to fly out of the country every month- at least once ;-)) job in April because I felt was starting to get comfortable and the challenge I enjoyed earlier was starting to ebb. So, I quit without as much of a backup plan. I went home and told my folks i quit, they were more than happy i finally decided to (Wtf moment!) and when I told my BigAnne i quit, he said Congratulations (Epic WTF'ness). B.B didn't take the news as well though.  I was bribed with a trip to the UK.. Yippee!  And that kick-started my travelling for the year ;-)


May 2011 - London- Leeds- York-Scarborough-Manchester-London :-)

Scarborough Castle.. Beautiful!!!

London bridge. 

Opposite the Palace. I like the gold birdie more

Fell in love with beautiful spring, the charm and antiquity of the cities, the beautiful castles (ruined, semi ruined), the corn market, the cider (oh sweet lord!!), Walkers Salt and Chips Vinegar (You've got to try 'em to believe how yummy/addictive they are!) and everything else about the place!! And yes, the gorgeous gardens and flowers!!

And then Cameron Highlands with my AmPa. Cameron's has to be the one place my folks have to visit every year. I dont quite mind it frankly ;-) I love the hot tea by the roadside on the top of the mountain and the sweet strawberries! Yummeh!

stwaaaawbewwwiesh!

roses and more roses!!!

Many small vacations in between and then came the Tioman! :-D

That place is gorgeous!! And to make it even more tempting its an duty free island :-p Its a divers paradise for those in the East Malaysia. A Friend of another friend had come down from Chennai, and i HAD to show Malaysia at its best, so Tioman it was! The pristine crystal clear water made it feel like heaven and the colorful corals and fishes!! You've got to see it to believe it truly does exist!

Us :)

exhausted or lazy. cannot remember ;-p

high five with em fishies

The problem with beach holidays are that you come back so burnt and exhausted but you crave for more ;-)
i got home just in time for Diwali and i got stares from all relatives visiting home, like WTF went wrong with this child. Heck, i thought my eyesight was failing me. I was so dark that i had to switch on the fluorescent bulbs to have a look at myself, not to mention i had to stand 2cm's away from the mirror to be able to look at myself :-P.

But heck, less than 2 weeks later i was craving for another beach getaway ;-p Ding dong ding dong and Penang it was (My faaaav place next to Cameron's it was) And i got to go to Meromictic Lake :-D a 6 year dream and god  knows why i didn't think Malaysia had one. Meromictic Lakes are those that have dual layers of salt and fresh water (Click on the link for a Wikipedia Article)

Tanky In Kerachut :-)

Pantai Kerachut, Penang

Meromictic Lake

And oh, I went Jet Skiing in Penang, Yay! And went a tad too fast and flew right into the water :-p (no Yay) and lost someone's Oakley (noYay again) , and that someone continues to harass me till today :-p and to my defense I lost my hair clutch too :-p


And besides all this roaming around, i did meet Michael Borowitzka and presented a paper with him :-D
You'd know him if you are into Algae/Phycology. He's like Archimedes to Physics (only still alive and kicking ;-) )

And I finally managed to donate blood this year! Yay!! After being repeatedly rejected for being underweight. Shanky is now overweight and they couldn't reject me :-p I have gory pics of blood flowing into the bag, but i shall reserve it for my viewing pleasure only ;-)

So, well, pretty much what i remember of this year, and i'm pretty lazy right now, so if anything fun happens or if i remember more of 2011, i'll blog, again, till then taaa :)

For all the moments passed

There was a time where we would rush to grow up

Now all we want is to invent a time machine,

To travel backwards

There was a time where we had 1000 fights in a day,

Now a single wrong word uttered,

Will last 1000 years

There was a time we had to look ego and tension up the dictionary

Now, we define those few words ourselves

There was a time we studied a whole year to get a 100

Then it was a whole night to merely pass

Now, we spend a lifetime romancing those moments

There was a time we’d lie, and act hurt,

Now it’s a daily lie, saying Im fine

There was a time laughter was omnipresent

Now, its something one seeks

There are some friends,

Who only stay in mind till in need,

There are some,

Who’d be remembered till the very last breath,

Perhaps, even beyond

Moments like this reminds us weve come a long way,

Life has beaten you upside down

While you were strolling in daisy farms

Every moment now

will appear sepia toned a few years down the road

Every memory now,

Was once a time we rushed or mulled over

Life,

 And its idiosyncrasies 

30 days post. Im sure i'll falter, but i can still try ;)

30 Days of Blogging

day 1- recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
day 2- the meaning behind your blog name
day 3- a picture of you as a child
day 4- a habit that you wish you didn’t have
day 5- a picture of somewhere you've been
day 6- favorite super hero and why
day 7- a picture of someone/something that has had the biggest impact on you*
day 8- short term goals for this month and why
day 9- something you're proud of in the past few days
day 10- songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad
day 11- write a bucket list of things you want to do before you die
day 12- write a poem to someone you love
day 13- your 5 favorite books and why
day 14- a picture of you and your family
day 15- put your ipod on shuffle: first 10 songs that play
day 16- a picture of yourself
day 17- someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
day 18- plans/dreams/goals you have
day 19- write about a sweet memory from your past
day 20- write a letter to someone
day 21-a picture of something that makes you happy
day 22- what makes you different from everyone else
day 23- something you crave a lot
day 24- post your favorite quote or verse of scripture and why
day 25- what I would find in your bag
day 26- list 10 things that you are thankful for
day 27- my day job verses my passion
day 28- cruise a thesaurus and pick out 10 words you like the sound of
day 29 - favorite tv shows and why you like them
day 30 - movies you can watch again and again.

How would you define being Right or Wrong

I was blog hopping a while ago and happened to read a post by a guy of Malaysian-Indian descent. It went somewhat like this, The guy justifies slapping sense into his sister because she stayed the night out with her boyfriend and did not call home to inform the parents she'd be out. She apparently was out of contact for 36 hours prompting the family to lodge a police report. When she returned home finally she  acted as if nothing did happen, and well, rest is a whack and smack.

While i completely understand the rage this guy must have been in and also the concern for his sister, what irks me is that we (Indians) like hiding behind a decorum of culture et all.While it is terribly wrong for the girl to go off just like that, causing heartbreak to her family members, its also wrong for these brothers to whack th living daylights out of the girl and her boyfriend. How different are you in committing a sin as per compared to her? And if you're trying to hide behind upholding your name and respect in the community by whacking her, truly, the line is very thin between this and honor killing.

Its disturbing what some people would do for honor. While i agree about how one should lead life honorably, i disagree that any other person has the right to take away another's life. Who are you to judge, like really? And to quote Sara Bareilles 'Who died and made you the king of anything?'

There were also a few jokers bashing the guy and girl, saying how wrong it was to lie to parents, yada yada. It made me guffaw, how easily do words flow when you're on the the internet upholding 'honor'. Unless you're King Harishchandra I dont quite understand how you can judge the lady.

While im totally against young girls running off to marry their stupid-good for nothing boyfriends (who'd leave them after a couple of months),  i dont see the logic behind punishing the girl once its all done and over with. Honestly if she learnt nothing at all after life's lesson, you're trashing wouldnt do any good either. It'll probably just soothe you for a bit.

At that one moment of anger, perhaps all you can possibly think of is to physically abuse the other person and justify yourself by saying 'adikere kaithaan anaikum' (translates to the hitting hand cares). but if you take a minute and actually speak to the other person and well, offer enough understanding and trust, i believe matters can be solved in a much more ; honorable' manner

Im certainly not bashing the person for using his methods, as im sure he did that for the betterment of the girl and in her best interest, but its idiotic how sometimes, some people treat women like objects.

All that said, I'm glad i've been raised by parents who raised all 3 siblings equally, brothers who'd break bones of guys who tried acting funny with me, a friend, who respects women and loves his sister like how TR loves his sisters in all his movies.

Well, if youre the blogger or others who share his sentiments, do share your thoughts. And if you agree with me, gimme a high5 :)

Say no to Dowry?

I read a little poem earlier today. I dont quite enjoy reading poems as much as i like writing them.

I guess i enjoy the secrecy it offers me but i hate how it often secludes me when i read it.

The poem i chanced upon today was different. It was right smack in your face kinds. Yet it was soulful and it wasnt the open book-preachy types.

---

Wanted : a broom

when he said Darling

he didnt ask a paisa for anything

but when he said Marry me

he asked for gold

money

stuffs

plates and pot

everything

aiyo he even asked for a broom

to sweep th floor

I said

the broom's the limit

he got up and asked why

i said

so i can sweep you off my heart

and toss you into the trash

paying a life subscription

just to get a male hooker

what am i

half-crazy

or a total fool

- Chandrakanthi 

.

Dont ask, dont give. 

A random note on Malaysians

So Rocky and I went jogging today :-p (This line has nothing to do with my post, im just happy ive started jogging :-D )
-------------------

If you dont know already, I'm a 3rd generation Indian living in Malaysia, which makes me and the 2 generations before me automatically Malaysians. When people from outside look at us, they think wheat skinned, small eyed people are Malaysians ( People refused to recognize me as a M'sian when i was studying in Bangalore- that requires a post all for itself though!)

Well, no, to make it simple, the tagline four our country is 'Malaysia Truly Asia'- i dont quite know what the original interpretation was, but the way i see it, Malaysia is a country where you find all Asians residing in (as legal citizens) You'll find Malays, Chinese, Indians, Orang Asli (Indigenous people) and all other Asians here.

A multiracial society sure has its share of ups and downs. Even in a country where everyone belongs to the same race, there is division in caste and community, so im pretty sure you can imagine how much drama a nation filled with Rojak (mixture of this, that and everything) has.


We love each other. We loathe each other. A lot can be said about the pet peeves we have, on the other races, and negative stereotypes attached. But why focus on the bad when there is so much goodness around? There are many qualities in the other Malaysians that i admire,


I admire the manner in which the Malays are respectful to elders. When they are young they are taught to bow and kiss the hands of elders.


I admire how friendly the Chinese are. Whenever im out jogging, they smile, and spare a few minutes chit-chatting before we run off in our paths.


I admire how helpful the Indians are. If they consider you a friend (which isn't too difficult, a few smiles would do) they'd do anything for you. Emotional fools you may say, but that's how we roll :-p


The Orang Asli's have a lot to teach us all about patience, acceptance and living harmoniously! The moment you step into Sabah/Sarawak, you are treated as one of them. (After all, they've given the M-C-I their' land and are now living like visitor)


Again, this may not apply to everyone. There are some rotten apples but we need to let go of our Ego and embrace our differences  to continue living in harmony. I love my country and even with its scars and holes, i'll proudly call myself a Malaysian.


This is a video I love, depicting Malaysia in all true senses! Its funny, sensitive and Truly Malaysia :-)

Kalyanam aka Marriage

I was at the temple a couple of days ago. For the uninitiated, the temple really is a place for worship! Although Aunties and Uncles may use it as a gossip vehicle, Boys and Girls as a perfect flirt ground, Kids and Babies to run and yell respectively. After hours of prayers and prasadam, i was caught in the midst of a A&U gossip.

It started of with the customary exchange of information; i am looking for a bride/groom for my son/ daughter and it strayed to why men should marry girls at least 10 years younger to them. The debate (rather knowledge imparting) was honestly mind numbing and if i could i'd have said you're insane and walked off. But like a nice girl i nodded and smiled.

And Mr.C (so as to protect his identity), thinks i agree with what he says. So, he decides to offer more insight onto why th e age gap has to exist. Apparently his parents had a 16 year gap, and they lived happily ever after. And some couple he knows of, belonging to the same age bracket, were divorced. So, conclusion, > age gap = > happiness

Apparently with the age gap, there's lesser ego (please note that age gap mean the guy is older than the girl!) and the Lady would have to be dependent on her man and thus be more 'adjusting'. And so they'll live happily every after.

I haven't heard of a statement more bewildering than that in a long time! Isn't education supposed to liberate one? And what is the point of being educated when you have to still rely on someone else for all the decisions? Putting two heads together to decide is something else (and well, should perhaps be the right way). Also, just because you can adjust and stay married, it doesn't mean you're happy inside. Whats the point of living if you cant live happily? Just because the lady decides enough is enough that doesn't make her an egoistical b*atch, does it?

With all due respect to Mr.C mother, i dont quite think age gap is as necessary as understanding between the couple. I'm 25, unmarried (i'm too young to be anyway) and i'm semi-independent , which probably means i dont have much say about marriage, but i certainly know something from what i've heard of.

Love, care, understanding, and to be able to adjust certainly is important ;-)

So as to reinstate my believe on Marriage ( my parents have the happiest married life i know of, yes they do fight occasionally, but that makes the cuter!) i'll sign of with this song ;-)

enjoy!

A post from a Step

I had sat down to write bout something that happened today but after reading a note by my darling step, everything else flew out of my head. A very beautiful prose written by her. Ive taken the liberty of posting it here :-) 
( I'm loving the lines and the emotions so darn much!)

Things that never fail to bring a smile to my face?

well, they ain't always diamonds and gold, you know....

(No girl will ever deny the different kinda happiness those things raise :p)

But to me,it's more the memories with YOU guys that I reverently hold!

To others it's just another old and rusty affair,

But to me, it's like a pirate's treasure collection

A poignant letter,

an antiquated conversation,

And on a rainy day, these keep my spirit strong..

For I realise Life never does remain just a 'hop, skip and jump',

so often we're considered noble, and the next thing u know, we land up down in the dumps :)

Mamie, steps n me :)

iL@N0$@Nk@R1y@

-----

Riya Palchaudhuri

You learnt something, na?

I have a friend, very dear to me, whom i almost always turn to when i'm down or when I've screwed up. She's almost always the first person i call when i'm upset or in a soup ( I call her when i'm happy too btw ;-) )
She has her way of always making things better. She doesn't say much (but she always says a lot!), she listens to me rant off my case and then when i say Palc? (for reassurance,) she says ' Its okay, at least you learnt something from it na'. 


She has said it for every screw up i've made. She said it, when i spent Rs2000 over something utterly hopeless, when I was heartbroken over someone, when i figured i had lost my 300 pounds, when i missed my flight from Bangalore to Malaysia. Oh well, she says it for everything!


At first, i did feel like strangling her, but over time, I've called her up just to hear those words. It allows me to be at peace with myself and to forgive myself. Its like those magical words have an attached calmness to it.


Sometimes, you need to just let it be and have someone to tell you 'Its okay, at least you learnt something from it na'.


I'm glad i found mine. A good cup of hot chocolate along with a phone call to RiyaPalchaudhuri can solve all my heartaches! 


P/s - The copyright belongs to her dad though. Uncle says it to her every other day (she's like me, we screw up quite often ;-) )


So, here's a big thank you to Sr.Palc and to Jr.Palc . I love ya'll!

Mashed Potato :-)

 There is something very comforting, about Mashed Potatoes. The creamy, utterly  buttery smell wafts into you, the gorgeous golden colour that invited you to have a bite, the absolutely soft potatoes that remind you why its comfort food!


Ive always loved mashed potatoes and KFC has been profiting from its mashed potatoes and cheesy Wedges, with me as the single most loyal customer (at least where potatoes are concerned).


Was very hungry and the image of perfectly mashed creamy potatoes wafted into my mind. Off to the kitchen and made some yummm mashed potato :D
it isnt really rocket science and its probably the simplest recipe known to mankind!


Ingredients :


1 Russet/baking potato (# depending on how hungry you really are)
4 tbsp Milk
Dollop of Mayonnaise 

Pinch of Salt

Pinch of Pepper

Pinch of Nutmeg Powder

Direction

1. Cut the potato into small cubes and bring to boil over medium flame

2. It takes approximately 20 minutes. Drain the water once the potatoes are soft.

3. Use a potato masher and mash the potatoes. Add milk as you you mash the potatoes.

4. Add salt , pepper and sprinkle nutmeg powder as you mash and till you like how it does taste.

5. For the final sinful touch, add a dollop of mayonnaise and whip it around.

Dig In!!!

*For extra sinful additions, you can add a 1 tsp butter

** Add colors by mashing carrot or anything else that you fancy

*** The Nutmeg powder is the King Queen of the Dish ;-) 

-King has to be the Potatoes of course :-p)

Either ways, have a yummy meal :D

I Obsess You

Poems certainly do have a way of allowing the poet to say what he/she wants without revealing anything to the world.


You can read a poem a 100 times and interpret it a 100 different ways. Not many like reading poems on the other hand, simply because at the end of it, you don't know what happened ;-)


But everyone, is rendered a poet at one point or the other, in the journey of life. Often beaten to pulp, poem offers solace, or when a broken heart needs a balm, what better outlet than to string harsh words without sounding like a loser? ;-) Or when you're in love and too shy to say it out, the poem does wonders -you can always deny by saying misinterpretation if caught in a sticky spot ;-)


I'm no different ;-), i Love poems for all the reasons, and for no reason.


--------

The crazy mind,
Has a mind of its own,
Its on its way,
to an enchanting pathway,
Devoid of instructions.


The darkness is bewitching,
I can neither stop myself,
From drowning further,
Nor allow my mind to be engulfed,
By the bewitching darkness.


As i step in deeper,
My heart flutters,
And beats crazy,
Forcing a breath after the other.


The charmed eyes,
Is hungry for more,
It looks for your charm,
Through the colossal web.


All this noise around us,
Makes me wish i had your hand in mine,
Ignoring all the delirium around us,
With the haunting melody you make.


My feet taps, 
When you sing,
My desire heightens, 
When i catch your bewitched tunes.


My lips quiver at your mention,
The intemperance is bewildering.


I sometimes wish,
Silence was as bewitching as the darkness.


This bewitched mind is on its way to you,
In the bewitched darkness.
------


Any songster reading this wanting to turn it into a Song, Please pay me royalty ;-)


Nite Ya'll and Nite Love!!

The 10 Day Post - Day 1

Aah, like all good things , this too has to come to an end.


The Post for today is of one Picture, of myself.

Clicked this at an album launch event today.

It doesnt look like me, but its the latest of me :-D


I'm terribly sleepy today, so a pretty much wordless post ;-)


cheers ~

The 10 Day Post - Day 2

Almost reaching the end of the 10 day post i started sometime ago. Post for #2 is 2 songs. Like seriously? You mean you didnt misplace an extra 0 or two? If i was asked to choose my favorite songs id go on for days. I love songs and there's always a song playing in the background (well, almost always).


Even if i was asked to name my favorite musicians id have at least 20 in my list! So 2 songs? Only? Well, i'll try and stick to the rules and  here goes,


1. Iris - Goo Goo Dolls
- Yes you bleed just to know youre alive.




2. Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
Freedie Mercury!!!




Unfair for me to not post anything in Tamil , so i'll post 2 songs in Tamil too 
:-p
Rules are meant to be broken anyway ;-)


1. Pon Maalai Pozhutu - Nizhalgal
vairamuthu +ilayaraja +SPB = Magic!







2. Ethuku Pondati - Kizhakku Cheemayile
This song honestly wouldn't feature in many best song lists ;-) but it never fails to cheer me up and im currently listening to it, so its my favorite alright
:-)




The list is really a never ending one and i'd go on forever listing out songs i love, but well i'll stop here :-)

Cheers !

The 10 Day Post - Day 3

A continuation to the post i started  here. Its totally unfair expecting a part-time couch potato like me to choose only 3 movies Crime against all couch potatoes! Expecting me to choose 3 out of the gazillion movies is like sending a wildlife photographer to Kenya for a week and telling that it can only click 3 photos. Or a kid to toys 'r' us and telling that it can only pick one toy out of the millions in display. Or sending my Big Anne to Belgium and telling him he can eat only ONE chocolate piece ;-)

Its that difficult! ;-p

I love watching movies, i cant analyse them, (and neither am I an expert in the field) i more often then not watch them for the entertainment value (i like my movies to have humor, romance and well it should be engaging- i hate and absolutely abhor gory and horror movies, Yuck!)

Im picking out movies which i loved and movies that i can watch over and over again, and those from which i feel i could take away something. I will try and keep the list to 3.

1. Kannathil Muthamittal

I was blown away the first time i watched it.
I though Madhavan and Simran looked perfect the 2nd time i watched it

I fell in love with the mature portrayal and sensitive theme of the movie the third time.

I always find something new to like about this movie every-time i watch it.

I like the SriLankan backdrop, the dialogues  are any Tamil aficionado's delight! 

2. Shawshank Redemption

This is one movie that will feature on almost everyone's list. Human spirit at its best. The movie inspired me, and took me to places i never did imagine it would. I think of the movie when im unreasonably pessimistic. I went wow the first time i watched it, and i'd go WOW all over again now.

“Hope is a good thing, maybe the best thing, and no good thing ever dies” 

3. The GodFather

I fell in love with AlPacino the day i watched Godfather. Beyond that, perfect acting by Marlon Brando. He'd win hands down if there was a competition between greatest actors of all time. There's something about mafia's which excite me. Italian mafiaso's their family, the hierarchy, the honour code, the friendship and the richness of the movie. I devoured all the books (by Puzo) afterwards. Couldnt get enough of the Godfather, afterall, Vito corleone made me an offer I could not refuse ;-)
And oh, the theme music, completely out of the world!

----------

Schlinder's List comes in close with Godfather. Brilliant Movie! Watch!!!

And so as to promote local movie, i'd choose Appalam (Malaysian Tamil movie) to be the first (M T M) i enjoyed! Funny and restrained performance! Afdlin 

Shauki, you are an awesome

And Talentime, by the Late Yasmin Ahmad, is one movie you've got to watch. You'll be able to find it on YouTube.. Its sensitive, smart and a feel good movie!

I know ive exceeded by three extra's but to my defense i did number only 3 ;-)

Let me know what are you're Favorites! 

The 10 Day Post - Day 4

Yay Books! I've loved books for as long as i can remember. My dad loves books and big bro and i caught it from him. My mom on the other hand, not too big of a book fan, my 2nd brother takes after her. 


We used to make a lot of road-trips as we grew up. My dad always made sure we brought enough books to last the entire trip. The Habit stuck and i cannot sit idle without reading.


The first thing most of my classmates in Bangalore remember about me was me with my Godfather book for half a month. A carried it everywhere i went. I buried my head in it when i couldnt understand what they were saying ( too much Hindi for my own good :-p) or when i was too lazy to indulge in their Question&Answer sessions ( It always started with Are you Malaysian? and Ended with why did you come to India? - i Still groan at that thought!)


Bangalore is close to heart for many reason and books for one major chunk of it. I found books everywhere in Bangalore. Outside the restaurants, on the pavements, in the city centre, outside the Pubs, huge 2nd hand bookstores and Blossoms!


I love my books and i never sell or give them away. We have a library at home and simply staring at those books give me joy and peace. Books, as i read somewhere, are indeed the best of decorations!


If i was asked to suggest books, these will be my list (but seriously, 4 only?!)


1. To Kill a Mockingbird , Harper Lee
The book is about right vs wrong, black vs white. The white was never implied as right nor the black as wrong. Atticus Finch as the father, is my favorite Character ever. He had a firm head on his shoulder and doled out words of wisdom without sounding preachy even once! A must read!

2. Roots , Alex Haley
One of the First ultra thick books i read. It took me 3 weeks to complete this one. I was working in Nando's during that period and i carried the book to work everyday. I'd read during break, while waiting for the bus and when i had free time at home. I was a social outcast for 3 weeks ;-)
The book is about an American-African who has traced his family lineage back to 18th century. Kunta Kinte and how he was brought into America as a slave. A very engrossing tale.

3. Shantaram , Gregory David Roberts
Thick book alert once again. A lovely book with millions of quotable lines. Ive always wanted to visit Mumbai and after reading this book, the desire has increased by bounds and leaps. I want to go to Leopolds Beer Bar and hangout at Colaba. The book had its lull somewhere in the middle, but it doesn't hamper one, instead it only makes you want to read faster and know what happens!

4. A Thousand Splendid Suns , Khaled Hosseini
I cried reading this one. I read this much before reading Kite Runner and at a time where i didn't know who Khaled Hosseini was. The story was so real and the writing so true. You can almost imagine the faces and the scars. You will definitely put yourself in Laila and Mariam's shoes and you cry with them when they are in despair.

My 4 favourite books indeed. There are many many many more but i shall stick with four :)
I somehow love thick books (with fine print of course) because they let me indulge in the story longer!


Do comment and let me know what your 4 favorite books are!

The 10 Day Post - Day 5

This has to be my favorite post in the entire challenge series. Ive more often then not been told im too much of a foodie for my own good.


There was a time in Bangalore, when i thought of food as the only entertainment factor. It was something that i looked forward to everyday. I wasn't the only one though, i had a couple of friends with me. We'd plan and plan and plan on where to have breakfast, lunch and dinner for the day. We were blessed with diverse cultured (read - Multiple cuisines)


During the final year of college i pretty much had a fixed schedule of Breakfast,  Lunch, Teatime, Snacks And Dinner. What may come, i was sure i'd have all my meals. Breakfast from the Window mess (All transaction were done through the window, without needing to step out of our hostel) or Polytech canteen. We had Andhra Mess and Oriyya Mess vying for attention during Lunch. Occasionally the Rolls Shop. Dinner would be Razzmatazz or the Briyani Shop. When it would turn routine, i'd simply gather my nutty bunch of friends and we'd go on a hunt for new food joints and discover one every week.


The habit stuck with me even after i got back home. I know more food joints then anything else now.


For a person who can gawk at food pictures for hours (Hema Ramasamy's Food Album is one of my favorites), and read recipe's and be transported to the yummy world of food, choosing 6 is a task ;-)


In no particular order, i'd try and list my 6 favorite food items (i'll avoid Rasam+rice+anchovies, Cupcakes and Pani Puri's, as ive already raved about 'em earlier!)


1. Tom Yum - 
True to how it sounds, it is YUMMY! and my all time favorite food. Sweet, Spicy (real hot), Sour with strong flavors of lime leaves, lemongrass and coconut milk. Its Orangish-Red in colour. My mouth starts watering at the mere mention of TomYum. Its available worldwide now but you havent had TomYum till you've had it in Thailand. 


2. Oriyya Mess Chicken Meal.
I cant remember if it was the food or the ambiance (a single wooden table with a wooden bench under a shady tree) or the crowd there made me fall in love with the place. The chicken meal there was a hit with everyone i knew. A meal with n-number of roti's, a bowl of rice, dhal, vegetable of the day and thick chicken curry, nothing unique to shout about you may say, but one bite there, and you'd be hooked ;-)

 Oriyya Mess, MSR Nagar, Bangalore

3. Hot and Crunchy Jalebi's
I was never a fan of sweets before going to India. I used to be treated like a social outcast for a bit, for refusing sweets. The first sweet i probably had in Bangalore was Gulab Jamun and my love foor anything sweet started then ;-)
but nothing does beat freshly fried Jalebis dunked into the diabetes inducing sugar syrup. Its hot, crunch and melts in your mouth.. aaaah Heaven!
*tips - Have it by the roadside, Wok to Mouth, its yummiest then! 

Jalebi's! *slurp*

4. Sushi
Sushi too was something i hated. Even before i knew how it tasted like. I cant remember why, but im guessing i didnt like seaweed and raw fish. I had Sushi for the first time in Singapore, on a trip with my ex-boss. The Wasabi in Soy Sauce hit me like a wave. Bazoiink and my love for Sushi started at that very moment. Anyone interested in having Sushi, gimme a buzz, i'll take you to my favorite joint :-)


5. Nando's 1/4 chicken (Extra Hot) with Coleslaw and Peri Chips :)
I used to work at a Nando's Outlet after my Foundation (equivalent to A-Levels) I dont remember dreading work because of the yummy food and fun colleagues i had. The flavor isnt the same now (I used to grill my own chicken then, and in the process dunk the 1/4 into the extra hot basting sauce and then grilling it, Yum!! and exxxxxtra hot, right up to the bone). And i only like the drumstick part :-)
But Nando's has always been my fallback when in Doubt!

xtra hot with Coleslaw and  PeriChips :-)

6. New Year Annathanam (Free food)  in the Andalas Temple ;-)
There's something very special about temple food. I never does taste bad. Ever. The Andalas Mariamman Temple i go to every Friday and on festive days is no exception. Every year on the 1st of January, a special annathanam is given, the menu remains unchanged, year after year (Rice + Pumpkin perattal + Dhal Curry + Long Beans Perattal + Panjamirtham) but yummy doesnt start describing the taste. Do come over on the 1st of January for lunch ;-)


SO, those are the 6 that come to mind instantly when i think of favorite food! but the list is non-exhaustive really. 


That being said i do hate a few dishes that i was unfortunate enough to try 
;-p. Blood Sausage takes crown in that case. Yuck!


See ya'll Soon!