“Let the music take your mind; Just release and you will find”

Thursday, July 2, 2009

You're gonna fly away
Glad you're going my way
I love it when we're cruisin' together
Music is played for love
Cruisin' it made for love
I love it when we're cruisin' together

It’s been too long and I need to take refuge in my blog starting today. So last I shared I was on my way to India to spend some qt with my in-laws and take some dance classes with the greatest Bharatnatyam dance guru ever right in the birth place of the art itself: Chennai. Needless to say I came back with new love and respect for Bharatnatyam. After coming back to the US Bhatji and I purchased out first house!! Yes we are officially adults….I think hehe. I know we should be excited but there is sooo much work that comes with a house…..why didn’t anyone warn us! Also with a big house we realize that we need more people over. I really wish we had family living around here…sigh. But all negative reviews aside…I love our house. I love the idea of decorating my own place with no rules. So I’ll add pics as I add something to the house. The kitchen is where I spend most of my time so I will posting some recipes soon. But for now I just wanted to let you know that I am alive and well. Busy but well :o) Thanks dear blog for letting me back in.

“Tujhase naaraaz nahi zindagi, hairaan hoon main”

Friday, December 12, 2008

Tere masoom savalon se pareshaan hoon main
o pareshaan hoon main…..

Nothing like soft slow old school Hindi music while packing to India; I have hit a few glitches with this trip. Last minute changes and some gifts are taking way to long to get here before we leave. Lately I find my self overwhelmed easily. I have always considered myself a very strong individual with a very “take the bull by the horn” kind of mentality. But lately every small hitch feels like a gigantic problem. Ever feel like everything you do requires a phone call or email to confirm, cancel or re-order. I feel like I have been on hold for different customer service for every item imaginable; Phone company, credit card company, gift orders, postal service etc. UGH it’s very frustrating. And dealing with so many kinds of customer service reps has caused me to lose my temper more than once. Why can’t things just happen more smoothly…especially before a big trip? Oh and Air India has the worst customer service ever. Bhatji and I usually avoid Air India at all costs but this year they were the cheapest ticket we could find and man let me tell you it has been infuriating dealing with them. They have 3 services for booking a ticket! You call one number for booking, someone else sends you an email confirmation and if you want to change something in you itinerary, you have to call someone else! Is this a means of providing people with jobs or just a way to confuse and frustrate their customers? To top it all none of the customer service reps are any help at all. It took me 8 phone calls to find out one piece of information and every time it was different answer. I finally had to use the most commonly used to answer as the right one! I am still not sure if it is the right one but God knows if I am on the phone one more time I will throw a fit and break something.
So I end this entry with a quote from Home Alone (when Kevin applies the after shave lotion):
AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Until the next entry…pray that I stay calm and things work out.

“Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements even if it leads nowhere”

Thursday, December 4, 2008

But if I tell the world I'll never say enough 'cause it was not said to you
And that’s exactly what I need to do if I end up with you

Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements
Even if it leads nowhere or would it be a waste
Even if I knew my place should I leave it there
Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements
Even if it leads nowhere

Its amazing how music always interprets our moods. And Adele’s lyrics hits home right now; not so much that I am planning on giving up anything but I just feel frustrated like I am going nowhere with this job hunt. It’s been 4 months since we moved here and no one is hiring….in fact people are losing jobs left and right. Ugh I feel like my brain is turning to mush!! I read, I clean, I cook, I surf the net and I watch TV. I know to some this may seem like a relaxing vacation but when you’ve done it for 3-4 months straight it gets to you. Ahh what ya gonna do??
Now on to the cheerful part of this blog; Bhatji and I are really looking forward to our trip to India! YAY. I can’t wait and its happening soooo soon. We leave in less than 2 weeks and there’s much to be done. I have some serious shopping to do for gifts and also pack saris galore for 3 weddings!! I am also excited because this is the first time I am going to Pune, which is Bhatji’s family is from. I get to see where he spent his summers eating pav bhaji and batata vadas hehe. Oh and Im most excited about the food! Hmmm foooooooood! Of course after the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai most of my friends and family are worried about our trip since we are planning on staying in Mumbai. All you can do is keep your ears and eyes open for suspicious activity.
Speaking of the attacks, the thanksgiving Wednesday that Bhatji and I got so busy with last minute packing and driving the 7 hours to DC that we had no idea that the India was dealing with the terrorist attacks. The minute we reached my parents home the first thing my dad said was “Bhatji call your family in India right now and make sure they are all safe” we were quickly updated with the horrors of the attacks and the rest of Wednesday night was spent in front of the TV watching CNN and BBC and calling family in India to make sure they were all safe. It was painful to watch and how the media was scrutinizing the situation. The attacks definitely gave the holiday weekend a somber feel but being with family cheered our spirits. My mom made an amazing spread for thanksgiving spread and we went to see Slum Dog Millionaire, which is truly a spectacular film. I urge you all to go and watch it. I had a very low key birthday celebration at home with family this year. It’s curious how age sneaks up on you….I feel a year older. At a very dear friends wedding that we attended just before thanksgiving….I could barely keep my eyes open past 2.00 am and drinking more than 1 or 2 drinks made me feel sleepy hehe. Gone are the days of bar hopping with friends till 4 am and dancing the night away. Bhatji and I are creatures of habit. We like to sleep at a certain time….eat at a certain time and enjoy quiet time at home. Sheet…if this is how I feel now I wonder how life is going to be at 50!! Not that there’s anything wrong with having a low key life style hehe. Well I think I’ve gone on and on about anything and everything….more updates to follow. Ohhh and guess what?? We bought a new a camera during thanks giving weekend….so my recipes with pics will be back soon!! Until the next entry….stay healthy and safe :o)

PS(Excited that Arches has rejoined the blogging world:)

“I’m trying to change the rules; you deserve something good in your life”

Thursday, November 13, 2008

We’ve waited for far too long so come get your blessing tonight baby
Wont you come over love, so I can show you love
Promise I got enough to give you all that you need baby
So many search to find, love that is good as mine
I will not waste your time so bring it all to me baby

Isn’t odd how even when you are unemployed you’re “to do list” seems long? Or is it possible that just because you are unemployed, you keep yourself busy and get more done? Hmm I guess that’s like the chicken or the egg question…but either way I’ve been busy. Mostly in the kitchen of course :o) But with so many new recipes also comes errors. Yep Bhatji has had to deal with some pretty inedible meals…hehe. He has started a “never repeat” pile again heh. I just have to make sure that pile doesn’t get too big ;o) Anyway after a lot of recent experimentation I decided that both our belly’s needed something a bit more homey. And the last 2 night I made simple bhajis, upkaris and dhaals. There’s nothing like simple food to comfort you.
The fact that I am jobless has given me an opportunity that I have dreamt about for years; to start my own dance school. The Indian community in Charlotte is fairly large and there aren’t too many Indian dance schools out here so there isn’t much competition. I haven't advertised much lately but I have decided in the New Year the new business plan will move full speed ahead. Its kind of exciting to think of working for yourself and doing what you love but at the same time it’s a bit nerve racking. Until then I am enjoying the few students I have :o)
In other news….Top Chef has started up again; that is one of the shows that always inspires me to cook new dishes. And this season the show is based in NYC. How perfect to have a foodie show in the foodiest city possible hehe. Every authentic ethnic food styles under one big umbrella. NYC is truly a foodie heaven. Sigh I can’t help but miss the city sometimes. And all this talk of food is making me hungry. Alright that’s enough yammering for one day. I’m off to get more stuff done and at some point start on dinner. So until the next entry….here’s some foodie love your way!!