A delicious lunch I had on my perfect weekend (refer my article “The perfect weekend”) reminded me of some childhood meals.
When I was around five years old my mom used to feed me omelette, the smell of which I hated. I still remember her chasing me around the house with the omelette on a ceramic plate. Also when I was around that age, my aunt used to prepare “kozhanja” rasam and curd rice with lots of ghee. She used to call me “Paddu” – she felt I looked like the actress Padmini.
For many years, we had upma for breakfast on most Sundays. On some Sundays I would demand upma if it hadn’t been cooked. I’ve always had upma only with curd. (I know you probably think it is a strange habit.) I used to eat bread upma as well. (But on Sundays it was strictly rava upma.)
Sunday afternoons meant sojji-bajji time, with Granny, the kitchen queen. Those times are unforgettable.
When I was around 10 or 11, my mother used to buy milkshake powder which was sold at a nearby Arun ice-cream parlour during exam vacations. My cousins used to come over during vacation at time. Mom would also buy ice cream cones for us.
I also used to have Complan during many of my childhood years. I think it really worked, for I am 5’11”.
I wish I had many more food memories. I wish they’ll come. Will post them as they come. Have a good breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a great day!
The perfect weekend
My 17th and 18th January 2008 were wonderful... the perfect weekend.
On the 17th, I decided to shop for birthday clothes. My birthday is in March, but the sale season was in full swing. I wanted to buy a pair of jeans from Globus (because a friend told me that they would have jeans that were long enough for me – I am 5’11”.) I also wanted to pick up tee-shirts from United Colours of Benetton – regardless of whether they had a sale or not. I wanted bright yellow, red and purple tees, and UCB is the right place.
I got incredibly lucky. Benetton had a sale, exclusively on 17th and 18th. I received an
e-mailer on it!
However, I decided to skip Globus. I went to the Benetton sale the next day. I didn’t find a purple tee, but the red and yellow ones were waiting for me. And I got 50% discount on them!
From Benetton I headed to Easy 2 Wear in Nungambakkam. They have factory seconds from international brands. Some of these brands have jeans for women that’re long enough for me. I did find a good pair – the best part was that they were Versace jeans! Whoopee! And I bought them for the price of an ordinary pair.
Then I met my friend for lunch at Eden. What an awesome time we had! He made me laugh, laugh and laugh, and we chatted for more than 2 hours.
After the lunch I headed to Mee on Cathedral Road and went to some more shops, in search of a purple tee. In the evening, I bought a cute pink and yellow striped tee in Rex Fashions.
(2 days later I went to Globus near my office, in search of a purple tee. I didn’t find one… however I picked up a nice purple executive shirt.)
The weekend continued to delight me. On Sunday we had a really special guest – my friend, who is doing his PhD in USA. He came down to get engaged to his lady love, and visited us before catching the night flight here. He spent a few hours with our family – we had a wonderful time. He hugged me a few times, and I realised that I could convey a lot more in hug than I could say in words. Many South Indians look upon hugging people, especially those of the opposite sex as a very open and excessive display of affection that is unnecessary and promotes unwanted thoughts (perhaps I have not covered their perception accurately). I think our attitudes should change. There was so much I exchanged with my friend in that embrace, that I couldn’t have expressed in words.
Since he came after nearly 1 ½ years, the hugs were even more special. If I hadn’t embraced him, I would have had the feeling that I didn’t spend quality time with him.
A beautiful weekend with a lovely ending. And the happiness is still continuing! When there are signs of it going away, I make efforts to bring it back. Happiness holds magic. When you experience real happiness you should try to keep it. I wish you great weekends!
On the 17th, I decided to shop for birthday clothes. My birthday is in March, but the sale season was in full swing. I wanted to buy a pair of jeans from Globus (because a friend told me that they would have jeans that were long enough for me – I am 5’11”.) I also wanted to pick up tee-shirts from United Colours of Benetton – regardless of whether they had a sale or not. I wanted bright yellow, red and purple tees, and UCB is the right place.
I got incredibly lucky. Benetton had a sale, exclusively on 17th and 18th. I received an
e-mailer on it!
However, I decided to skip Globus. I went to the Benetton sale the next day. I didn’t find a purple tee, but the red and yellow ones were waiting for me. And I got 50% discount on them!
From Benetton I headed to Easy 2 Wear in Nungambakkam. They have factory seconds from international brands. Some of these brands have jeans for women that’re long enough for me. I did find a good pair – the best part was that they were Versace jeans! Whoopee! And I bought them for the price of an ordinary pair.
Then I met my friend for lunch at Eden. What an awesome time we had! He made me laugh, laugh and laugh, and we chatted for more than 2 hours.
After the lunch I headed to Mee on Cathedral Road and went to some more shops, in search of a purple tee. In the evening, I bought a cute pink and yellow striped tee in Rex Fashions.
(2 days later I went to Globus near my office, in search of a purple tee. I didn’t find one… however I picked up a nice purple executive shirt.)
The weekend continued to delight me. On Sunday we had a really special guest – my friend, who is doing his PhD in USA. He came down to get engaged to his lady love, and visited us before catching the night flight here. He spent a few hours with our family – we had a wonderful time. He hugged me a few times, and I realised that I could convey a lot more in hug than I could say in words. Many South Indians look upon hugging people, especially those of the opposite sex as a very open and excessive display of affection that is unnecessary and promotes unwanted thoughts (perhaps I have not covered their perception accurately). I think our attitudes should change. There was so much I exchanged with my friend in that embrace, that I couldn’t have expressed in words.
Since he came after nearly 1 ½ years, the hugs were even more special. If I hadn’t embraced him, I would have had the feeling that I didn’t spend quality time with him.
A beautiful weekend with a lovely ending. And the happiness is still continuing! When there are signs of it going away, I make efforts to bring it back. Happiness holds magic. When you experience real happiness you should try to keep it. I wish you great weekends!
Want to be the king of the road?
When I was staying in Adyar, I rode down to my office in Abiramapuram everyday. Even though it took just 15-20 minutes, half the ride was actually a swim through undisciplined traffic. On top of that, the RK Mutt road stretch near the Mandaveli bus stand was in a bad shape. In fact, it is perennially in a bad shape. The ride was a real pain.
Then I moved to Velachery. My father forbade me to take the bike to office because of the traffic on OMR and Velachery Main Road, and the long distance. I wasn’t too enthusiastic either. I started commuting by train. It was relaxing, yet I started getting bored after a couple months.
This December my office was shifted to Cenotaph Road. I had two choices of transport – two-wheeler or bus. After my college days, I became allergic to bus rides.
So, two-wheeler it was. My father very reluctantly let me take the bike, telling me that I would “come to my senses” the next day.
I took it. And liked the ride! There was a lot of traffic. But I didn’t feel too much stress during the ride. I think this is the reason – if there is a lot of traffic, people have no choice but to go slowly and are forced to be more disciplined.
If there is less traffic, they start driving rashly, and we get to see if it is a bike that can go faster than an Indica, or vice-versa. Rash driving is also there when there is more traffic, but it isn’t a major problem.
When roads are half-empty, the daredevils inside bikers come out and show off on the road. I become scared only during such situations, and not when the road is clogged with traffic.
The Tata Indica cabs are the worst. The beige coloured noisy vans and huge yellow vans are scary. The “stuntmen” on motorbikes who snake their way around vehicles make me wish their bikes would fall, skid and spin on the road.
The obvious thing we can do to save ourselves in these situations is drive carefully and patiently, allowing the way for fools. Once in a while, when we are absolutely sure we are safe, we can twist the throttle with gusto and overtake them, showing them who’s the real king or queen of the road. The real kings and queens don't do such acts often. They are wise.
Then I moved to Velachery. My father forbade me to take the bike to office because of the traffic on OMR and Velachery Main Road, and the long distance. I wasn’t too enthusiastic either. I started commuting by train. It was relaxing, yet I started getting bored after a couple months.
This December my office was shifted to Cenotaph Road. I had two choices of transport – two-wheeler or bus. After my college days, I became allergic to bus rides.
So, two-wheeler it was. My father very reluctantly let me take the bike, telling me that I would “come to my senses” the next day.
I took it. And liked the ride! There was a lot of traffic. But I didn’t feel too much stress during the ride. I think this is the reason – if there is a lot of traffic, people have no choice but to go slowly and are forced to be more disciplined.
If there is less traffic, they start driving rashly, and we get to see if it is a bike that can go faster than an Indica, or vice-versa. Rash driving is also there when there is more traffic, but it isn’t a major problem.
When roads are half-empty, the daredevils inside bikers come out and show off on the road. I become scared only during such situations, and not when the road is clogged with traffic.
The Tata Indica cabs are the worst. The beige coloured noisy vans and huge yellow vans are scary. The “stuntmen” on motorbikes who snake their way around vehicles make me wish their bikes would fall, skid and spin on the road.
The obvious thing we can do to save ourselves in these situations is drive carefully and patiently, allowing the way for fools. Once in a while, when we are absolutely sure we are safe, we can twist the throttle with gusto and overtake them, showing them who’s the real king or queen of the road. The real kings and queens don't do such acts often. They are wise.
It’s been nearly a month since I blogged… I badly want to blog, but I don’t know what to say…
Ok… here goes…
I admire the beauty of sunlight streaming through a window with billowing curtains…
I like Eatalica’s lasagna veggie bake …
I love Eatalica’s big, comfy couch…
I enjoy looking at colourful food packaging…
I like to eat chocolates at night…
I love puppies, their playfulness, their delicate cuteness…
I worship Pierce Brosnan…
I don’t like knee pain…
I like yellow whistles…
I cherish moments of creative inspiration…
I like kids…
I love riding down OMR… (Even though the traffic is bad, the road is nice,
and you will enjoy riding there too, if you ride wisely – now, that is too much advice from me, because I ride only from Ascendas to Sardar Patel Road.)
I delight in browsing through the cornucopia of goodies at Amma Nana…
I love Archie Comics…
I like wearing red, white and black…
I love brownies…
I admire the beauty of sunlight streaming through a window with billowing curtains…
I like Eatalica’s lasagna veggie bake …
I love Eatalica’s big, comfy couch…
I enjoy looking at colourful food packaging…
I like to eat chocolates at night…
I love puppies, their playfulness, their delicate cuteness…
I worship Pierce Brosnan…
I don’t like knee pain…
I like yellow whistles…
I cherish moments of creative inspiration…
I like kids…
I love riding down OMR… (Even though the traffic is bad, the road is nice,
and you will enjoy riding there too, if you ride wisely – now, that is too much advice from me, because I ride only from Ascendas to Sardar Patel Road.)
I delight in browsing through the cornucopia of goodies at Amma Nana…
I love Archie Comics…
I like wearing red, white and black…
I love brownies…
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