ReMiNiScEnCe

At times, I find myself pondering over days gone by, good times, even bad. God, how much has life changed. I feel ancient! There's a ticking bomb on my head and it feels like there's so much to do, so much I wanted to do with my life, but I keep getting weighed down by, nothing, it seems! Just chores, that never seem to end. Anyway, there are some things that remind me of the life I once had - thought I'd just pen them down:

1) Waiting for the school bus on a foggy, winter morning. Used to walk to the bus stop with Mom, dog in tow.

2) Bunking class.

3) Scribbling my crush's name in the girl's loo.

4) Fell out with my best friend in 8th grade. Found her on Facebook after 12 years.

5) English class.

6) My first computer - Compaq desktop, black. I used to love that bulky old thing.

7) Mom Dad and 3 of us sleeping in one bedroom that had the AC.

8) My brother getting married - to our neighbor. 1st marriage in the family.

9) 1st day of college.

10) Hanging out at Barista with my girl gang.

11) Rikshaw rides.

12) The Metro comes to Delhi!

13) Listening to Backstreet Boys.

14) College trip to Goa. Made friends with cute boys on the train, sneaked alcohol into our hotel room, got drunk on port wine!

15) Farewell party. Vowed never to let go of my friends. Never did :)

16) Off to Mumbai. Was a wreck till I got there!

17) Falling in love.

18) 1st kiss.

19) Having maggi at 3 am

20) 1st job. Hated it.

21) Learning to drive. Still suck at it.

22) Breaking up.

23) Rebound trip to Manali - Mom n me.

24) Getting married. Cried like a baby.

Gosh it could go on. More memories than I can handle. Need a breather. I SO hate days like these!

Confessions of a Shopaholic

I can totally relate to the film (see: title). Okay maybe my life isn't as dramatic as the protagonist and I don't get chased by credit card companies to pay my bills - but still, I revel in the charisma of shopping - especially if its online.

My work demands me to stay online a lot, and since I work from home, I don't usually take time out to shop on weekdays. Weekends mostly go by visiting friends and family, so technically its not my fault that I'm pushed to the most convenient way of getting what I want!

It first started innocently enough when I was introduced to this new website - more like web store - that offers branded stuff at really discounted prices. Worth a shot, eh?! Innocence soon went down the drain as temptation took over mind, body and soul! From shoes to jewelry, clothes to watches, even decoration pieces for home - it was all there for the taking, and I went on a rampage!

I tried not to notice when the credit card bills came knocking, or how they jumped from a measly 2000 bucks to 5000, then to 7k and recently - 10 grand. The last one was a shocker! "But they're on SALE, its worth it, its a damn good deal", I keep telling myself. The more I try to hold back, the more I'm sucked in. My bank balance is diminishing, my husband has no idea about my obsession and I am still not satisfied with what I buy!

So how do I make myself guilt-free? I refer the website to my friends. Why keep them away from such a steal, right? *evil grin*

Missing my buddy :(

Well, where should I start? Just had an irresistible urge to blog. Feeling a li'l whimsical. After my 15 day long vacation to Thailand in October (which was just awesome, btw, but I'll save that for another time), I returned to Delhi and got busy playing bridesmaid. My best friend got married last week and I just can't explain the rush of emotions going through me. Initially it was just total chaos, helping her shop, preparing dance sequences for the function, coordinating with our other friends and getting my own stuff in order as well.

We were all so excited, but on the day of her wedding, when I saw her as a beautiful bride, it struck me. This is it, I thought. No more late night calls, no more just dropping in at her place, no more night-stays, no more day long shopping excursions. That's when I realized how she must have felt when I got married. Ever since then, which makes it about a week, I haven't spoken to her, when we used to talk almost every day. And now she's off for her honeymoon, so another week goes. I guess I'm just suddenly missing her so much - my confidante, my aide, my buddy, my partner-in-crime... call her what you may, but she is something special.

I remember, in college we used to have these long sessions of girly talk on so many of our pyjama parties. The five of us, just chatting away. And we used to say we will definitely go for a love marriage, but only she took it really seriously. She always she knew she wanted love and wouldn't settle for a stranger as a husband. I was the first to break the 'pact' and go in for an arranged one. But she, she found the love of her life. And I felt so immensely happy when her dream materialized. She did it, she married the man she loved! And he is really wonderful, with a loving family who accepted her with open arms. I know she is going to be very happy and I feel so proud of her!

I don't know how it will go from here. We're all going in different directions, wherever life takes us. I don't know if we'll be able to be together, but I will be there for her and all my friends! Things change so fast, but I hope some things stay the same! :) Cheers to friendship!

The Hills are the Place to Be!

I'm back! Actually I was back long before, just didn't get time to blog about it. Had the best 3 days ever! Had a blast on the mini train from Kalka to Summer Hill, with a drizzle now and then, and a beautiful view of the valleys on our way up. Had to request the engine driver to stop at Summer Hill, coz the train doesn't usually stop in between Kalka and Shimla. It was so cute!

The camp people got us picked from Summer Hill and after a 20 minute bumpy ride over the mountain, we were there! It was right in the middle of a forest,

with trails leading to the camping site from

the reception. Potter's Hill is quite cool, though there were hardly any adventurous activities coz of the rain. But man, what a place! They welcomed us with hot 'chai' in earthern cups. Loved the whole 'living in a tent' experience. You had to trek for 20 mins to reach the reception and get something to eat - no room service here! It took our breath away, we lazy city dwellers! It was fun to bathe with ice cold water early in the morning - a rude awakening but kept us active throughout the day! :P

We spent the day trekking around the place most of the time, and towards the evening sat outside on the rustic wooden furniture, with vodka, hot pakoras and clouds for company. It was surreal. A wonderful way to revive the romance, I must say!

We spent just one night as opposed to two at Potters' Hill, as we'd pretty much explored the place by then. We decided to take the bus to Shimla to pay my

grandparents a visit. My husband just LOVES that place. Somehow, he likes the chatter on the Mall road and the Ridge. He becomes this little child, going into every shop and buying some nonsense, just to get the feel! Besides, who would want to stay indoors with weather like that! Next day I took him to visit the Vice Regal Lodge, which was a 5 km walk from the Mall. Its a beautiful place, takes me back to the British era with its typical architecture and wooden interior. There's a small open air cafe there, where we sat n enjoyed the beauty that surrounded us and gorged on Maggi and chai.

I felt my heart sinking when it was time to go. I was dreading the sultry Delhi weather and getting back into routine. I really wish I could be on a perpetual vacation, just hopping from one place to another. A farfetched dream, but a dream nonetheless. And in my experience, dreams do tend to come true!