Smells like Love!

Valentines day is around the corner, Im away from my man, love is in the air and love is on my mind.As I wandered through a mall, bedecked with fluffy red heart men with their arms extended in love and red balloons hanging from everywhere, I felt mushy and light headed, the hopeless romantic that I am. For this I blame the below mentioned people (some names changed, some completely eliminated to protect their privacy ;) )

• My mum, who after 27 years of being married to my dad, still blushes when my he pulls her into her arms for a photo.
• My super amazing boyfriend  Kushang (who is not at all an sms person) sends me a sweet good morning message, that I can wake up to every morning
• A dear friend of mine, travels 700 kms and then sneaks into his girlfriends house at midnight to surprise her for her birthday.
• My doggie Layla has met and flirted with tonnes of other doggies but she only rolls over and shows her belly to her true love Tyson.
• My french brother in law Philippe got into a dhoti at 430 am and sat in front of a fire for hours so he can be united in holy matrimony to the love of his life.
• My darling yah- yah sends sweet notes and packages by post to her boyfriend so he feels less lonely in the strange place he lives in.
• Every time he leaves home, my dad calls my mum to tell her he reached his destination safely.
• A beautiful young lady travels in the ladies coach with me everyday but as soon as she gets down , she finds her husband, holds his hand and walks out of the station.
• I saw a couple at Naturals today, at least 60 years old..one scoop of ice cream, one spoon, two happy people.
• My cousin, who was terrified of dogs, learned to love and has also adopted a stray out of the love she has for her gorgeous husband.
• An awesome guy I know, brings chocolate to his girlfriends doorstep when he knows shes PMSing and needs a pick me up.
• My grand parents might not seem like the most in love couple, but my granddad always holds my grndmoms hand when they cross the road together.

Some of these couples say "I love you" everyday, some have never said it in their lives but when I see them together it reassures me that "Love will keep us alive!"

Mumbai Musings

As I packed my bags and moved to Mumbai, I didn’t know what to expect from this place…the crowds, the local trains, the crazy schedules, the unbelievable shopping, the pigeon holes pretending to be houses, the fantastic food, the slums, the high rises, the MNS, Bollywood. The city is a sensory overload. After careful consideration, I have picked out some of my favourite first impressions of Mumbai.

1) In Mumbai, no matter how fast I walk, someone always walks past me.

2) In this city, where people are supposed to be completely oblivious to others, 8 out of 10 people (these are real numbers from a test conducted by me) smile back at you when you smile at them.

3) I catch the 8:37 local train every morning…odd times like 8:37, 5:12 didn’t mean anything to me till I came to Mumbai.

4) Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus..the throbbing epicentre of all activity in Mumbai.. I see it every day..and everyday it takes my breath away.

5) I love the black n yellow taxis; they add a certain old world charm to the streets of this bustling city.

6) Mumbai is so super chaotic that I appear like a patient, peaceful person here ;) (Its all relative, huh?)

7) Naturals Icecream!! Thank you Mumbai for bringing it to us!

8) People from slums call WSD (a super awesome NGO) saying a dog that lives with them needs first aid, and when we go and do it, buy us a cold drink.( n then there are the rich idiots who abandon their Dalmatians on the street)

9) The most awesome food is available on the streets.

10) I can eat alone…..and enjoy it..

11) The local trains are a study in human nature..the people who read newspapers, standing, the ladies who chop their vegetables, the people who push n shove for seats,those who hang out by the door listening to music.. I can hardly get myself to read my book, there is so much to observe.

12) Fruit cream at Haji Ali!! Its ‘Christmas in my mouth’!!

13) Walking on Marine drive, watching the sunset over the horizon, works wonders after a bad day at work

14) The Gateway of India and the Taj hotel, facing each other, watching over the city.. they represent for me the acceptance that no matter what, life will go on.

15) I have been in what is perhaps the most crowded city in the country and no one has ‘accidentally’ touched me or called me ‘sexy’ or ‘item’ or some other such obscene thing. I feel liberated and I am loving it!!

For God's sake!

I normally keep myself a safe distance away from these stories because I get all wound up and shrill and start screaming to anyone who will listen or even pretend to listen.But, for some reason, in the recent past many of these foul stories have wafted into my unwilling ears. Of business tycoons making giant gold vessels for the lord, of superstars and their generous gifts of jewellery, of XYZ consulting ltd having performed every pooja and obtained every prasad from every temple there is, and indulging in their fraudulent deeds while eating said prasad.

We have become so adept at the “khilana-khana” system that we have even resorted to khilaaoing GOD!!

In a seminar I attended immediately after qualification, I was told that it is part of the CAs job to know where n who n how much to bribe under which table to get your job done.Theres a code of conduct, which if breached will result in the complete flop of mission tax evasion.

So it follows that some code must apply even to khilaaoing the Supreme being.The following are 5 golden rules to guilt free violation/offence/crime committing. Follow them strictly and you are assured of your cushy cloud couch in heaven.

Rule 1: The percentage cut for the omnipresent heavenly father is fixed on an industry wise standard as under:-
Show business: - (25% of a) - b
Politicians: - (40% of a)
Petroleum and other such lucrative businesses: - (25% of a) -b
Real estate: - (50% of a) - b
Software export and other tax free businesses: - (50% of a)
Chartered accountants, govt officials and other regulators: (20% of c)
Anonymous donations: - (25% of a) + amount spent to keep the temple officials from squealing your identity.

a :- earnings on which tax was successfully evaded
b: - amount pushed into the tax officials mouths.
c: - income generated from being agreeable

The above list is only an extract. The exhaustive industry wise list being too voluminous for this blog.

Rule 2: An additional 2% of (a) above has to be added for every repeat of the crime/offence/violation.The contribution has to be deposited in the jurisdictional temple within 30 days of committing the crime/offence/violation or receiving the money whichever is earlier.


Rule 3: If the misdeed results in illicit foreign currency earnings, then there has to be a premium present made. One before and one after doing the deed.

Rule 4: For any thing done in collaboration with the mafia , presents in simple precious metal are not sufficient. At least two of the following four have to be included: - Diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds.

Rule 5: If for some reason beyond the control of the generous donor, the present exceeds the prescribed %, credit will be given for the excess amount gifted can be set off against future crime/offence/violation for a period of 8 years.

Bollywood bonanza!!

Friday...means the onset of the weekend to most, but to me it means a new movie. Since as far back as I can remember I have been in enraptured by the silver screen..more so with Bollywood. To pay tribute to this relationship, here's the list of top 10 things that keep the fire alive in my love affair with Bollywood.

10) Rebirth...the splitting head aches and the visions of a past life that are associated with them!!

9) Nagins.. specially the "icchadari" variety...it is so cool how they can transform into snakes slither into enemy territory, accomplish their tasks and then take human form again!.. So beats wolverine hollow!!

8) Judwaa behans and bhais...more importantly the ones that "bichdoed" at birth...and the resultant confusion...how hurt caused to one causes pain to another..how inevitably there is a huge hugging crying reunion..Chaalbaz is to date one of my favourite movies...

7) The kickass dialogues...kutte!!.. main tera khoon pi jaoonga!...bhagwan ke liye mujhe chod do! or even the classic Bachao!!!!! So truly articulate!

6) The big bad guy...loved those movies with the villain...Mogambo, Gabbar Singh...the way they always manage to hold the herione hostage...n how he and his million goons are no match for the hero!...too bad we stopped making these kinda movies.. :D

5) Ma!...how she understands u don't love the man u r marrying...the tikka applying...the tear wiping...putting u to sleep on her lap...filmi mas almost never let you down...:D

4) The dream sequences..the hero and heroine being magically transported to snowcapped mountains or lush green valleys where they declare their love, wrapped in each others arms..the chiffon sarees, the gorgeous men in suits..n how its always perfect...:)

3) Aamir Khan...its probably cos of him that I'm such a big fan of Hindi movies to begin with...from Qayamat se qayamat tak to Dil to Akele hum akele tum to Hum hain rahi pyar ke to Dil chahta hai to Rang de basanti to taare zameen par...each movie makes me love him more...

2) The fashion...from the famous Sadhana cut to the big bun Sharmila tagore had on her head, from Madhuris frilly, lacy frocks to Priyanka chopras golden swimming costume...i love how filmi fashion takes the country by storm...


1) The song and dance routines....this is my absolute fave....tu cheez badi hai mast mast...kaho na pyaar hai...bole chudiyan...dhoom machale..desi girl...the way all our actors can sing perfectly on key...come up with lyrics and tunes all while magically co-ordinating their thumkas...express joy, love, sorrow, success and even lust, musically...makes talking look so dull...

For all this and much more..marte dam tak main bollywood se pyaar karti rahoongi ;)

The best things in life are edible!!!

Spanish omelet, toast and aromatic hot coffee for breakfast...fragrant yellow dal on steaming white rice for lunch with spicy veggies and papad...and a nice pasta for dinner...there!! That's all it takes for me to have a great day!!

Since I was really young I have been fascinated by the kitchen and food!..It was like magic.. How my mum and grand mum would put a little of this and a pinch of that, give it a quick stir and voila!! I would devour recipe books, host mock cookery shows while i made Maggi at age 9, Sanjeev Kapoor was a rock star and I knew that this is what I wanted to do 'when I grow up'. Create and serve edible wonders!!

Today, I may be slightly off track with the career thing but food is still my first love, my meditation, what truly makes me feel alive. I like to think that what you eat and how u eat is an expression of who you are. The sight of chocolate melting always takes my breath away...the smell of cookies in the oven is my aromatherapy..making the worlds best chocolate cake is on my bucket list, and nothing makes me happier than hearing a satisfied 'mmmm' from my dining table...I believe that good food appeals to all my senses...the colours..the fragrances..the tastes..the textures, the sizzling, crackling, crunchy sounds. It is such an integral part of my life..I celebrate with food..if Im upset, I seek food ( Im writing this post as a pick me up)..the tone of my entire day is set by what i ate for breakfast and my dying wish would be for a chocolate brownie I think, or maybe strawberry cheesecake, no..a haleem maybe..ooh perhaps a cheese and mushroom omelet...or....Crap! haven't thought this through..!

It is said that they way to a mans heart is through his stomach, but the way to my very girly heart is also most definitely through my stomach..Feed me a satisfying meal, whether at a fancy restaurant or at a roadside bandi and you are assured a place of unfair advantage in my heart!!

Go Planet

World environment day on 5Th June got me thinking about Going Green!...Captain Planet is my all time favourite superhero and I have always dreamed of being a planeteer!!... I was reading online about little everyday things that we can change to save our planet n this post was born!..so if the millions of people who read my blog(wipe that look off your faces..its true!) adopt at least one of these small greenisms then i will be ready to take oath as a planeteer!

Greenism 1:Line dry -- like grandma used to do.
Dry your clothes on a laundry line rather than throwing them in the dryer. Clothes dyers are the third-largest energy users in the home, behind the refrigerator and washing machine

Greenism 2: Take it outside
At least once in a while, skip the treadmill and take your walking or jogging routine outdoors. Its better for you and the planet that you get some fresh air. And who knows, you might meet a beautiful girl walking her dog in the bargain. ;)

Greenism 3: Think Ink!
Pens are tossed into the garbage and not recycled or reused. The bodies are often made of plastic and contain environmentally damaging chemical. Instead buy a lovely ink pen that will serve you for years..You will be helping Mother Earth and giving yourself a touch of class.

Greenism 4: Old is Gold..
Many book lovers (me included) need to hold that book in their hands when they read. We are slowly moving towards e- books but if that's too much for you to handle you can always find plenty of used books for sale at cheaper prices at used bookstores( read pavements in Koti), and library sales. Also instead of buying for a friend a book you loved, give him your copy.
(P.S for any authors who might be offended by this one, I'm sorry..the planet is a priority!)

Greenism 5:Paper or plastic? Neither. The right answer is cloth!
Use reusable cloth bags. Do you forget to take them with you?..Have a multiple sets and leave one in your car/bike/handbag at all times..They are really easy to make/buy and will last forever!


Greenism 6: Switch to Fresh!
As far as possible, resist purchases of canned fruit, vegetables and meat. Think about the damage to the environment caused by the packaging, the transportation,the refrigeration..Buy local produce!

Greenism 7:Unplug electronic appliances.
I'm one of those people who never really understood physics so I don't know how this one works but news is that its true!!..Even when not in use, DVD players, televisions, stereos, printers, and other appliances continue using a small amount of power. So go ahead and pull out that plug..U are saving yourself some money as well!!

Greenism 8: Banish the body wash
Use soap bars..It's cheaper and has less packaging. Also body wash is primarily water, so the fuel costs for transporting it are higher because it weighs more. And while you are in the shower here's another thing you can do for the planet...invite a shower buddy..showering with your guy/girl can be a lot more fun than doing it alone..now isn't that a steamy way to do your bit for the environment? ;D


Greenism 9: Reuse!
Cd's are dirt cheap today which has made all of us copy something onto them that we could have copied/ distributed some other way. Use pen drives, email. If you must use a CD and when the information in it is of no value to you...reuse!..use them as pretty candle holders, coasters or if you are the artsy type use it as a paint palette..

Greenism 10: Step up

More often than not we take the elevator to places we could have easily climbed the stairs to..starting today..take the stairs..good for your health..good for the planet and great for sculpting your bottom..;) I call that a win win situation!!


These are my 10 greenisms..some borrowed from all over the web and some that i have grown up with..If there are any you would like to share..Go ahead! Leave a comment..
Captain Planet needs all the help he can get!!

Namaste Nepal

People smoking in the airport,
Plummeting down an eighty degree slope in a taxi,
Delicious wood fired pizza and cold ginger beer,
Listening to a 8yr old sing "we dont need no education"
Intoxicating, overwhelming, astounding, exciting...NEPAL!

Blue cross hospital for people,
A cell phone charging point with a "charge at ur own risk" board,
An educational photo shoot with women clinging on to barbed wire fences!,
Getting hit by a taxi in Thamel,
Surprising, confusing, amazing, dangerous... NEPAL!

Discovering the pure, untouched beauty of Bandipur,
Meeting wonderfully warm people,
Eating fabulously yummy food,
Being in the presence of true love,
Exhilarating, relaxing,fattening, uplifting...NEPAL!!

The phool patti restaurant in gorkha,
The gloom of not seeing the mountains,
Discovering that my body can take a steep climb of 6hrs under the merciless sun,
The thunderstorm that revealed the beautiful snow capped peaks,
Hilarious, depressing, awe inducing, exhausting....NEPAL!!

Exploring the valley alone!
Learning to communicate in ali ali Nepali
Taking a million photographs,
Meeting a nepali who has seen more of India than me,
Eye opening, educational, therapeutic, fascinating....NEPAL!!

Coffee and breakfast with misha n phil,
The wonderfulness of getting to really know phil,
Getting tipsy and acting weird over a 6 course meal,
Bringing back a bag full of souveneirs and a heart full of lovely memories,
Fabulous, familiar, heartwarming, heart wrenching...NEPAL!!

This ones dedicated to my favourite couple...mish n phil!!