I am good.. How are you? November 16, 2009
Posted by Tara in Uncategorized.31 comments
10 years back papa came home from work and smilingly informed us of his transfer.. ‘yey! we are moving to Mumbai’, said mom as that is where my Nanaji stayed too. What mattered to me most was a chance to live in vicinity of the sea.. I later came to know that we will be staying quite far from the sea but nevertheless, a creek view would be available from our campus.. We came to Thane, a once beautiful city of lakes and a station for first ever passenger train in India.
Before that I had stayed in a metro(Delhi) but that was as a child of 12 yrs or even lesser.. So this was the first metro experience for us in a way.
You never call or address anybody as didi or bhaiyya, was one of the first lessons I got to learn.
& before I realized that one can have some fun during college, I was out of it, having spent all my time in the reading room, labs and attending all lectures and running between the college and computers. Much against everyone’s insistence I had rejected Engineering admission and everybody in my college was doing a computers diploma as well, either from NIIT or Aptech.
So my affair with computers and things online started then, 10 yrs back. No that is not the highlight of this post..
In those 3 yrs, I went to the sea shore just 2-3 times.. My college was in Thane itself and going anywhere beyond meant local trains which I had never tried so far.
I was introduced to these trains by a bunch of friends with whom I went for a walk-in interview. A whole day selection procedure with many tests and interviews.. I made it in the second attempt and got a job as an associate.. Fantastic bosses and colleagues & I was the only fresher and youngest among them. Travelled to places and many more lessons learnt. Confidently attending a call included. And a lot more in the journey of corporate ladder.
But I was never ambitious enough and after 5 yrs I started dreaming of a sabbatical which got realized this year. This whole year therefore has been a vacation, a holiday and leisure life for me. I enjoyed it thoroughly, doing nothing in particular and yet, so many things I always felt too pressed for time to do earlier… And what better way to end the year than spending time with parents? Back in Thane 
Its been 3 weeks and I am loving the trance kind of mode I am in. Mom has been repeating what a satisfied kid I am.. The only thing they hate about me is my being inseparable from my laptop.
Here are a few things, just randomly..
I had made a 20 min video with beautiful songs, reflecting on the 2 years of being married and mom loved it.
In a get together with two college friends (both Maharashtrian and single), my not changing the name/sirname was a topic of discussion among others..
I have had jalebi 3 times within a month and gobbled record making number of gulab jamuns in a day
Finished my mba, finally.. But I still think it will hardly make a difference. lets see.. It at least gave me a reason to plan this long holiday.. so it was all worth 
Its baby news and updates and albums all around and in 10 days we will be at the in-laws place.. We better be prepared.
I will be a part of another house shifting, parents are moving into the air force acco for the final year of dad’s service and the condition of Thane campus reminds me of some old civilization in ruins.. I mean the houses are so ill maintained there. We need to get lots of repair work done before we move in.
There were so many things I had listed to do during this stay here but I have not even got time to colour my grey hair.. A lovely shade and an eager mom are constantly reminding me of it.
The noise, pollution, crowd, congestion you see when you step out is keeping me indoors. Thane was once not like this.
Weather has been strange. Rains in Nov in this part of the country is not normal.. We just escaped a cyclone last week. But as long as its pleasant, we perhaps should be thankful.
I have cycled but never drove a scooty. I tried it today and failed miserably at the balancing act.. and fell. didn’t hurt myself though.. Driving a 4 wheeler is so much easier…
I am insomniac.. Today must be the 5th night (not in a sequence) that I am up all night. Maybe that explains this long purposeless post of mine.. But I do find nights so soothing and refreshing and calm..
“I am at peace. Pls do not disturb!” I can hear this right now.
why do we cry at weddings? November 11, 2009
Posted by Tara in Marriage, Relationships, Y?.18 comments
~I was reading about social conditioning and joint family system at a famous blog few days back & I wondered why living with joint family usually means only one set of parents living with you.
~Then somewhere I heard a weird statement that a girl must cry when she is leaving her parents home after wedding (must be some Indian news channel or tv serial I am sure).. I did not cry one bit. Does that imply anything in particular, I usually think?
~There were few more thought stimulating things, buzzing in my mind when I was reading for an exam I was to give on ‘Strategic HR’ today. The HR experience of many years helped relating to the subject even though the mind kept wandering like a headless chicken from one thought to the other.
~I suddenly remembered my farewell in the office. First job, 7 years association… I had tears in my eyes and lump in my throat when I was saying those few words addressing everybody. Why did I have to cry? – I wonder.
~ I didn’t cry at my wedding but couldn’t help when I was leaving my colleagues.. Because intrinsically I believe that I am and will always be part of my family, whereas at work things will never be the same again. I became ex-colleague from that day onwards. So I might have got emotional at the thought of leaving the place and people that meant so much to me…
Does that mean girls(brides) who cry during their vidai feel otherwise? Not necessarily I guess.. but then why do they cry? Have you seen or known of any guy(groom) with welled up eyes at that moment? Its an emotion and different ppl react differently, So, what according to you is the reason and what happened in your case (if you hv been married)..
A Tasteful Tag (Food Memories) November 2, 2009
Posted by Tara in Down the memory lane.., Hungry?, Tags.34 comments
A tag to list 5 memorable meals: It could be anything that makes the meal memorable – the food, the place, the place you were in your life when you ate, the company, the weather, the ambiance – heck, the guy who served the food!”.
I read it at some blogs and then got tagged by Rani and Monika. Here is an attempt to do a food tag by a non foodie.. lets see how it goes..
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First things first. Nothing comes before Ghar ka khana…. We usually don’t appreciate our mom’s love or effort at feeding us until we move out of home. In my case that happened with marriage. The one memory from the many is of Gajar ka Halwa. Its a tradition at home to make this sweet for my birthday which comes along with a brand new year for everyone and mom always made it the best!
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Bay View, Marine Plaza. A many hours long lunch at this place right at marine drive in Mumbai. It was special not because of what I ate there which was just an assortment of gorgeous looking salads but because that was when I was hosting someone for the first time in my city and that someone kept on talking and staring right into my eyes and also managing to eat so comfortably whereas I kept trying to hide my embarrassment looking at the Arabian Sea and smiling.
That lunch lead both of us to this day when we get to see each other eat most of our meals together
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Ice cream and some more of it. I can never ever have enough of it. The most sinful tub of ice cream that I had for the first time as far back as i can remember was at Corner House in Brigade Road, Bangalore. I had gone there for work, a trip away from home for the first time in my life.. This must have been one of the reasons I love that city and even had a mini honeymoon (3 months stay just after marriage) there when I had many ice cream meals with Amit. This now reminds me of once when it started pouring heavily while we were having the ice cream and when it did not stop for some time we decided to ride back home getting drenched and almost shivering in the chilly breeze. Some fun!
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I was in Kolkata for a few days to train a colleague and was staying at this guest house that resembled one shown in the ghost movies. But the cook in charge was so kind and sweet to serve me special dinner every evening. Authentic preparation of (ummmm!!…) Fish, Bhat, daal and Begun Bhaja. Oh, the fish lover in me enjoyed it so much and I finished it all by myself and then remembered to take out my camera only after the dishes were empty. Its not only about the food at the guesthouse but the hospitality and warmth I felt in kolkata. Even the honking taxis have something nice about them. People are relaxed and treat you as if they were always waiting to host you. All my lunches were taken care of. I wonder if they knew I love Jalebis coz I got to eat hot and juicy jalebis one of the days, then there were kachoris, and what not. Then one evening after work my colleague took me to a place called “Bhojohari Manna” which again I remember for the soft lights, cozy ambience and a taste that lingers on in my tongue even today. And the day I was leaving, before I could think of what to carry back with me, I was handed over Roshogulla, Sondesh and a huge earthen pot of Mishti Dhoi all packed so well. I will always remember those few days full of love and food.
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All my childhood days I had been the one who either chops the tomato and onion or stirs the sabzi once put in together by mom or di. And kneed the dough. Grate the cucumber or do the dishes if there is nobody else to manage them… which means you need to risk quite a lot to eat when I am putting the whole meal together. I once made Samose especially for my jiju during one of his early visits home to meet didi. Of course I got praises but I still want to hear an honest feedback . This wasn’t a full meal so while I am at it, lemme mention one more. This was in Blr again, newly married, we had Amit’s colleagues cum friends coming home for lunch that was to be made by me totally. I had the option of ordering from out incase something doesn’t turn out okay but I am glad that such a need did not arise. That lunch is special because of being the first and the confidence it gave me and its memorable because of the nice time we had…
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& having done this, I am now full for many more food memories, most of them are special cause they were had with people I love or at times when just anything would have tasted devine.. nice tag..
Pappu Pass Ho gaya :) October 29, 2009
Posted by Tara in Baby steps part II.33 comments
The baby is out, VERY HAPPY and almost flying in the clouds..
The guess work in my earlier post made me smile and receiving the wishes was the best part of it..
So the news is : Amit passed the much talked about Driving Test of Dubai RTA in the first go.
Big deal?
Of course yes because we had prepared ourselves for failure in first few tests as that is how it happens most of the times here. That is the reason I even marked the date, 8th Sep when he attended the first class. 20 classes later, having taken the theory lectures, after signal, parking and one more internal test he went for the final driving test today. Failing the test would have meant taking classes, paying the fee and more time before the second test can be given..
Those Best Wishes from all you blog friends did really work.. besides the (touch wood) driving skills of the subject & pappu pass ho gaya
And this Saturday, 31st Oct, Amit gets his DL.. Isn’t it a great news and calls for a party?? yeyyyy!!
The Lost Interest : is back! October 21, 2009
Posted by Tara in Books, Reading.19 comments
Brown’s interest in secrets and puzzles stems from their presence in his household as a child, where codes and ciphers were the lynchpin tying together the mathematics, music and languages in which his parents worked. The young Brown spent hours working out anagrams and crossword puzzles, and he and his siblings participated in elaborate treasure hunts devised by their father on birthdays and holidays. On Christmas, for example, Brown and his siblings would not find gifts under the tree, but would follow a treasure map with codes and clues throughout their house and even around town in order to find their hiding place.
This triller fiction writer was a pop singer, songwriter and teacher before he gave it all up to write full time and besides a few humor writings, gave the following best selling novels.
- Digital Fortress, 1998
- Angels & Demons, 2000
- Deception Point, 2001
- The Da Vinci Code, 2003
- The Lost Symbol, 2009
He keeps an antique hourglass on his desk, so that he can stop briefly every hour to do push-ups, sit-ups and stretching exercises in order to keep his blood flowing. Brown plays tennis, and does his writing in his loft. He has also told fans that he uses inversion therapy to help with writer’s block. He uses gravity boots and says, “hanging upside down seems to help me solve plot challenges by shifting my entire perspective.
DAN BROWN..
I had enjoyed watching the movie ‘Angels and Demons’ but read him only recently when we had his latest book at home.. I picked it up and was glued on till the end. Which reflects on the books captivating storyline because every otherwise its not easy for me to hold a book in hand and not fall off to sleep. Its been years that I read a 500+pages book. Having done so recently, I am thinking of going back to regular reading.
Having someone around who has read the thriller you are at, can be a huge spoiler but if you know that no secrets will be out till you reach there in the book, it can be fun too. I was expressing what I felt about the happenings in the book to Amit and he kept increasing my urge to read further. My major disappointment was when I read about Robert drowning to death inside the small, water filled chamber and Amit was so glad that the pretty scientist, Katherine survived . When I was at the beginning of a side track about Peter’s son, it felt like why the hell is the writer wasting time talking about this guy who is good for nothing and who ends up being murdered in the jail, but the interesting part is he is the master mind behind everything that happens from beginning to end in the book. And he gives you manyeeks moments too. Just like Harry Potter books, I could visualize the scenes as I read them and it was almost like being a part of it. The book is written that well.
I don’t want to do a book review myself; but after reading few of them I feel I liked the book because of its freshness for me. Had I read his other books, I am not sure but there might be some repetitions in the writing which would have made things predictable.. But as far as ‘The Lost Symbol’ is concerned, it has interesting events unfolding one after the other so it can be anything but boring. Also, I read through without analyzing and thinking or trying to predict whats coming, so it was exciting.
I am thinking of reading The Da Vinci Code now.. Last time when I took it up, I had lost interest.. Hoping to complete it this time. What do you think, would I like it?
Note: Quoted text is from wiki
Its Diwali eve October 17, 2009
Posted by Tara in Diwali.17 comments
It means full blown celebration for someone who is home with family and/or friends
It means just another day for those who don’t celebrate simply because its not their festival
It means an occasion that somehow elevates the pain for someone who has undergone or is currently going through some tragedy
It means a day full of memories of all the previous Diwali moments that resurface in the lanes of memory, for someone who is far from the land where celebrations happen like the way we have always seen.. much pomp and show, lights, decorations, hustle bustle, sweet aromas in the air and much more.
We aren’t celebrating this year because we lost a relative recently and there are not much visible signs of festival in the city we live in but wishes pouring in through the virtual medium makes up for it.. Seeing people celebrate brings in a good feeling.. friends who have gone home to be with parents, spouse and their status on gtalk and facebook is showing all cheered up notes. Its all about being happy and wishing good for one and all.. And purpose of my gibberish in this post is exactly the same.
May the God do good for all of us.. Wishing this Diwali happy and smiling faces all around. & May you have whatever brings that smile to you.
2007 Diwali
“Wishing everyone a Happy Diwali”
How small is your Carbon Footprint? October 15, 2009
Posted by Tara in Blog Action Day, Environmental Cause, climate change.26 comments
CARBON FOOTPRINT (CF):
The total of greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product is called Carbon Footprint. Carbon dioxide(CO2), methane, Nitrous Oxide, Ozone and even water vapors come under Greenhouse gases. They absorb & emit radiation within the thermal infrared range in an atmosphere, which is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. GHG therefore greatly affect the temperature of the Earth; without them, Earth’s surface would be on average about 33°C (59°F) colder than at present. While this means GHG are keeping us warm, “enhanced greenhouse effect” due to human-produced increases in atmospheric GHG is the issue we are facing today.
US Environmental Protection Agency studies reveal that electricity generated from hydroelectric and nuclear power produces far less CO2 per kilowatt-hour than from other sources like Coal and Gas. This is an example of how the CF size of a product varies. Similarly CF can be associated with everything.
What we do might not be significant in the World Terms but reducing our carbon emissions and offsetting the remainder of our CF is a proactive way of helping the world. Just coloring everything green does not make us environment friendly.. what it takes is to act and act now.. each second wasted means one second closer to DOOM, a disastrous state nobody would like to be in…
As an individual we all should try & follow some rules..
- Reduce & Recycle.
- Say NO to processed goods.. (the storage, transportation, processing and disposal in the whole product cycle increases its Carbon Footprint)
- Waste management and composting is a key.
- Plant a tree. I must have around 30 plants in our apartment.
- Avoid a vehicle when you can walk. Use electricity as judicially as you can. Harness Sunlight, solar energy. Loading the washing machine well, using CFL, avoiding tissue papers, all these are so easily doable…
These are few of the first thoughts that spring up in mind as I write… Its like a tip of the iceberg for someone who is willing to contribute.. & there definitely is a constant need to reduce our CF, the smaller the better.
Ah, & If I were to dictate terms for a corporate/company, there are few things that I would prioritize high. Like,
- Allowing work from home, if possible
- Setting up staff accommodation near office
- Providing group transport for employees travel
- Instead of opening offices in already congested cities, planning & developing new cities
- Encouraging use of video conferences over physical gatherings thereby reducing travel requirements
- Putting human sensitive lights in less frequently used areas at work
& for any employee, there are some more ways to reduce their carbon footprint.
- Prefer public transport or car pool to individual private vehicle for work
- Avoid stretching work timings
- Switch on the laptops only for work
- Minimize use of print command and photocopier
Time is very punctually ticking away.. so its not going to help anyone who is waiting for tomorrow to start an initiative..
Efforts to reduce my Carbon Footprint, in fact, should be at the back of my mind all through the day.. & regular reminders are of great help.
Posted under “Climate Change” the topic on Blog Action Day, an event that unites all the bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day on their blogs with the aim of sparking discussions around an issue of global importance.
Pictures courtesy google and the link
Wednesdays will be wordless in mindspace.. October 14, 2009
Posted by Tara in Picture, Wordless Wednesday.21 comments
- How abt this as JKG’s uniform?
Lets take you to kumaun October 8, 2009
Posted by Tara in Down the memory lane.., Long Drive, Travelling, video.38 comments
If there is one trip I keep going back to relive its beauty, its the Valley of Flowers trip that we took last year in Aug. The destination is a heavenly place no doubt but what made it super thrilling was our drive across uttaranchal. The hills, streams and the clouds floating so low, it kind of casts a spell on you.. It attracts and hold you tight with its charm..and you want to keep going back there..
I uploaded one such video last evening.. Let me take you there..
This is pine tree jungle in the kumaun hills.. I belong to a quaint village in the laps of such hills..
PS: The noise in the video only means the weather was great and the breeze/wind was forceful and we were having a great time.. n being unaware of video recording techniques, we couldn’t do much about the noise and shaky hand.. never mind, its actually the beauty of the drive that I intend to share.. So hope you discount me a lil….
Music, Light, Water – Action! October 2, 2009
Posted by Tara in Blogging, Dubai.38 comments
Originally uploaded by Tara Bhatt
PS: Test post as I was testing the blog this feature of Flickr.
I am cross posting the image description here again.
One of the world’s most advanced water, light and sound extravaganza, 900 ft (275 mtr) in length, with powerful nozzles taking the water-jets to a height ranging from 3 to 500 ft. this ‘Dubai Fountain’ is located on 30-acre Burj Dubai Lake, on the footsteps of The Dubai Mall’-one of the world’s largest shopping & entertainment destinations AND overlooks ‘Burj Dubai’- the world’s tallest building whose spire tip can be seen by a person 95 km/60 miles away.
Highlighting the advances in fountain engineering, its unique construction is design by WET, designers from California. Featuring 5 circles of varying sizes and 2 arcs as compared to just 1arc+3 circles of the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas which is also designed by them. WET has introduced different featured equipments in these geometries in order to create the desired choreographic show capabilities. It has double the mass of nozzles including fan nozzles that are not present in the Las Vegas master-piece.
When in action, Dubai Musical Fountain has over 22,000 gallons of water airborne. Over 6,600 most advanced incandescent large fountain lights and 25 color projectors create a visual spectrum of over 1,000 water expressions. Adding to its allure, the fountain sways to the melody of selected Arabic and World music each night night. The performance repertoire includes Sama Dubai; Baba Yetu, an award-winning song in Swahili; the Arab world’s top-selling dance number Shik Shak Shok; and the signature piece of world-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, Con te partiro (Time to Say Goodbye). The water movement has been synchronized to selected music pieces by a team of world class choreographers.
I feel my pic is not doing justice to its magnificent artistic work. Here are the you tube links for videos uploaded not by me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqMn9ci0E7c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIRqxVhgDrg
When I uploaded this photo, I couldn’t resist but gather all the information and compile it here for reference.. and later even blog this.
and an idea also came to my mind while watching those videos again..
`of a wedding reception by this lake &
`of a dance party where you get to sway along with the fountain
