“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!!

“The sky's blue….just us two side by side; we'll see the world that surrounds us”

Monday, November 10, 2008

Hey, seize the day
into a beautiful life
'Cause it's a beautiful world
and it's a beautiful time
to be here, to be here

Hey guys!! I know I’ve been gone for a while….I guess it took me a while to reload and get motivated to start up again. It’s great to be writing again….I forgot how therapeutic blogging can be :o) I figured to celebrate my return I would try a new blogger layout. Its so clean and fresh….motivation indeed!
So let’s get right to it. The move to Charlotte has been wonderful! I must say that I was very apprehensive about the move especially since I had never been to Charlotte. I was also a bit sad that we wouldn’t be near my family and friends anymore. But we have truly been blessed to be in such a beautiful city. It is a great mix of the North East and Southern life. People are much nicer and have time to be friendly. For instance our neighbors actually came by the day we moved in to welcome us and ask if we needed anything. Our apt is soooo comfortable and roomy for half the rent we were paying in NJ hehe. The weather has been warm and the fall colors are just incredible. Bhatji loves his new team and he is home by 6.00 pretty much everyday :o) we live about 3 miles from uptown Charlotte so his commute is 15 mins door to door. The city is easy to navigate around unlike NJ….also since the population is a bit low traffic is never a problem and drivers here aren’t as aggressive as the North East. We went to a Network of Indian professional’s event recently and within the first happy hour we were invited to people house for dinner over the next few weekends! The first week we were here at a bar and some random guy was chit chatting with us and giving us scoop on good eateries in Charlotte and he added something so true about the people here “People are genuinely nice here. So you know stop and say hello as well” When Bhatji and I visit our new friends over the weekend, its interesting to see families out and about waving as your car drives by. It took a few days to get used to, but we love the warmth of the city. My parents have also come down visited us and they too loved Charlotte. However my job search has been really disheartening. I know the economy is doing very badly right now so my job search is taking place at a bad time. But I still gotta keep at it. Let’s see what else? Oh I have been very busy in the kitchen since I have so much time during the day now but unfortunately we have not bought a new camera yet so I am unable to share any pics with you. That’s something that’ll probably have to wait till this year’s black Friday. Well that’s all for now folks…I’ve got a few errands to run. But before I forget a very happy belated Diwali and it’s wonderful to be back. Here’s some Love dust for you all!! Muuuahh.

“Keep embracing each day, keep on yearning; you just try….just try”

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Keep on making mistakes just to keep on learning
Keep on giving, you keep on wanting
Keep on fighting, just get up every morning
you just try...try....just try

Maybe your world shakes
you try to hold on
maybe your heart breaks
just keep on loving
maybe you'll find out
it's meant to be this way
maybe you'll learn this
or maybe we'll learn this

Nothing like a soothing jazz song on a hot August day to give you some inspiration :o) How I missed writing…but NYC has kept me busy. Mainly because another change is coming our way; hehe seems like every other blog entry of mine is some big announcement. Ahhh but such is life…. if it wasn’t for these changes…..life would be dull. So here goes: Bhatji got a promotion within his company and the new job is going to be in Charlotte, NC. That’s right folks… Bhatji and I are moving to Charlotte, NC in a few weeks. I’ve never been to Charlotte so I don’t know what to expect but most people who have been there seem to love it. Bhatji’s super excited since he gets to move back down to the south and the work opportunity seems really great. I think we are moving to Charlotte at the perfect time in our lives. I am looking forward to bigger houses, surrounded by lots of mountains and beaches and awesome weather since winters are less harsh. As they say “change is always a constant” so I am embracing this change with a positive outlook on life :o)
Needless to say because of the upcoming move Bhatji and I are taking full advantage of our last few weeks in NYC. We have been trying different cuisines like German fare at this awesome restaurant called HalloBerlin; lots of different kinds of beer, wursts and sauerkraut galore at a cheap price. We also tried a Venezuelan restaurant called Caracas Arepas bar; Arepas are similar to tacos with different kinds of fillings and soooo yummy again at a reasonable price! I also stood in line at the discount Broadway ticket line at times square and scored cheap front row tickets to see the popular Broadway show Avenue Q. It was hilarious and I will suggest that if you are ever in the city and have time you should totally watch this show; it’s the Muppet show for adult’s hehe. I feel like there’s so much more to do before we leave but that’s NYC. You can never fully do everything and see everything that the city has to offer but you can certainly have fun trying :o) I never considered myself a true NYC girl but spending my days in the city sitting in a park…people watching, reading a book, eating pie and drinking ice tea has been pure bliss. And even though I would never actually live in the city….I must say that I will sure miss this city and its vibrant energy. I’ll be back with some recipes in my next entry so until then….enjoy the sun kissed days out :o)
Ahhh to be on the beach in Bahamas again :o)