Quick cooks, miss and completely different

1. Dinner is cooked and ready in a jiffy. It's not so bad when you don't have to do it alone.
2. The cyclone misses Mumbai and the rains let up in Pune too. Everyone heaves a sigh of relief.
3. Monty Python's 'And Now For Something Completely Different'. It's weird and of course, side splittingly funny. Highly recommended.

November rain, making up for lost time and dentist

1. It has rained non stop all day. In the afternoon, it's just the right weather to cuddle up and snooze. Having taken the day off helps.
2. I spend the day with Tanmoy, catching up on lost time when he wasn't here for a fortnight.
3. It's good to know a dentist who will not fleece you. And to not feel nervous in the dentist's chair.

Heady, sunset drive and golden glow

1. Savita's firm fingers massage the hair oil into my scalp with even strokes. After she is done, I'm left with a delightful aroma lingering around my head and a drowsiness. And my hair feel so light and soft after I wash it.
2. The route to Lavasa is beautiful. We catch the sunset at the dam there, with the water turning orange and gold. I've forgotten my camera, but Tanmoy's cell phone sports a decent one, and we can at least capture the moments.
3. The dress Tanmoy got me from Bhopal is a rich golden silk. I like the glow it lends to my face.

Call, support and walk alone

1. Tanmoy doesn't forget to call.
2. My boss stands by me when he knows it's not my fault.
3. After the party, I walk back to the car alone. It's a 5 minute walk and I'm a wee bit nervous because the steers are deserted. But as I walk at a brisk pace, I discover what a fine night it really is, and find myself wishing I had to walk farther.

Offer, free-bies and Beauty Shop

1. While I'm standing at the checkout counter at Big Bazar, waiting for the cashier to tell me how much my grocery and stuff has tallied up to, he suddenly disappears from the counter without a word. I'm begining to get annoyed at being made to wait without an explanation, when he reappears, holding a set of prettily painted juice jar and glasses. My bill has crossed the amount which allows me to get this set by paying just a 100 rupees extra. I can't resist the offer...
   
2. The bagful of free perfume samples that come along when I buy a perfume.
3. Watching feel-good movies on the telly. There's this category of movies where the underdog wins in the end, overcoming all odds and having fun in the bargain. I just love watching them. Today it was Beauty Shop.
   

Awake, Answer and I'm ok

1. I feel the way one can only when one has had a full night's sleep.
   
2. Will she? Won't she? She will.
3. It's Friday tomorrow. I had been wondering what I'm going to do all alone over the weekend, and had secretly stopped looking forward to it. Suddenly there's plenty to do, and I'm waiting for tomorrow to end.
   

Peep toes, breakthrough and sleeping beast

1. I like the way the silver-grey peep toes look on my feet.
2. There's some breakthrough in a particularly complex piece of work I'm doing and on the way back to my desk (after checking no one's looking), I do a little jig to celebrate.
3. "Georgie, your eyes are drooping. You're gonna fall asleep sitting on that bean bag any moment now." "Na na Rashmi. I'm fine. See, I'm wide awake." Five minutes later, we hear first a gentle snore and then a slightly louder one.

The gap, backup plan and nerve soother

1. You expect the worse. And then it doesn't happen.
2. I've been trying for more than an hour to get Picasa to upload my Kashmir pics, but apparently its not to be. I mention this to Tanmoy, and he says he'll bring over his laptop tomorrow, and we can try on it.
3. I invite myself over to Dharana's 'coz I'm a little annoyed and could use some distraction. She makes me a really delicious cold coffee.

1. Kiran has very sweetly not only agreed to lend me his tripod stand for carrying along to Kashmir, but also remembered to get it for me today.
2. Dirty Dancing 2. I just love the way they dance with so much abandon and sensuality.
3. Today I finally get the time I have been craving for. I feel at peace.

Kaminey, George and happy ending

1. Kaminey. What a sleek, crazy movie. It's complete madness.
2. George has moved to Pune. This is the first step towards getting the gang together again. It is so good to know that he'll be around now.
3. A frustrating day ends. And it ends on a happy note.

Aroma therapy

1. As soon as I open the jar of tea, the aroma wafts through. And then when the tea is boiling on the stove, the vapours have a richer smell. I wonder if tea would be so popular sans the aroma.
2. I don't have any jackets which I can carry along to Kashmir and am wondering, rather reluctantly I must add since I know they will have a limited use here in Pune, whether to buy one. I mention this to Arminder, and she pooh poohs the idea of buying. Instead, she lends me a couple of her rather smart ones.
3. I'm rather high strung all day and need something to soothe my nerves a bit. The first thing that comes to mind is a compilation of instrumental music by Bhaskar Chandavarkar, called Fire. Each piece is about 6 minutes long and all one needs to do is sit quietly, close one's eyes and listen, blocking away distraction. The music is so potent, one sees fire in it's various forms - sometimes it's just a flame, at another the Agni in a yagya. At one time it's a swarm of playful fireflies and the later, a raging forest fire.

Survivor, balm and end

1. I last through a frazzled, panic inducing, brain paralysing day. And I even manage to get my brain working again.
2. I'm tired. But there are a few hugs waiting to take care of that.
3. Just the thought of sleeping now brings relief and while I have wished at various points in the day that it were longer, I'm glad and thankful that it has come to an end

Vacation plans, Getting my wind back and Talk with us

1. We all sit over tea to discuss Kashmir plans - how we are travelling, what all we should carry. There's plenty to be thought of and as always before a vacation, there's that feeling of excitement and anticipation.
2. I go for a long walk with mom and dad and I'm so thrilled that I'm not tired later on. Its a sure sign of recovery and the feeling of energy is so welcome.
3. I'm on the phone for a long time. Finally dad says "Oh c'mon! You'll meet him tomorrow. Talk with us now."

Rare weather, coming home and corn on the cob

1. The weather in Nagpur is perfect right now - its cloudy, pleasant and breezy. Grandma and I sit on the swing on the terrace, gently rocking and chatting about nothing in particular. I'm happy to let her ramble on, telling me about the new neighbours and the birds that visit her bird bath and the flowers. Its a lovely morning.
2. After lunch, I plant myself on my mom n dad's bed, fighting for space with dad. It's good to laze around, doing nothing, being the kid and getting pampered. This is what I came home for - for what else is recuperation?
3. The best bhutta in the world can be had at the stalls outside VNIT's gates. The one's available in Pune seem rather poor fare, with their garnishing of salt and lemon juice. Here, there's butter and green chilly chutney (the kind that makes you go sssssssssssssss) to go along with it. Seriously, no one makes corn on the cob the way these guys do. We even got one home for grandma, and can you believe it, she ate it! She's 90!

Green morning, hot shower and roommate

1. In the morning, standing in the balcony and letting my eyes drink in the greenery. The part of the yard that we can see from both our balconies is currently densely coloured with many greens, and standing there, it seems like our private little garden. I often just sit there, staring out, doing nothing. The morning does not afford me that luxury, but the even the couple of minutes that it does are a good way to start the day.
2. On a rainy day, a hot shower after a sweaty aerobics session. I stand interminably under the running water, soaking in the warmth.
3. A roommate who will cook dinner when I'm feeling a little below weather.

Short and sweet, Simplicity and Mission Impossible accomplished

1. On a boring, listless day, there's something to tide me over - a marvellous collection of short stories by the masters like Saki, Chekov, Munro, Oscar Wilde and so on. My sincere gratitude to the author of Short stories that I can't forget.
2. One thing leads to another and I find myself engrossed in these designs by Blanca Gomez. Their simplicity is charming and more than a once, they bring forth a chuckle.
3. It has taken me ages to get this simple task done, but I've done it today. I have bought a new set of track pants to wear for aerobics. I admit it sounds a little ridiculous, but finding the right fit in the material at the right price is ridiculously difficult. But I was lucky today! The Happiness Sale has begun at Pune Central and I can't wait to go back for more.

No mess, take care and rain song

1. Taking the effort to put things where they belong and to smoothen out the covers and straighten the cushions. It's good to see the house look habitable again.
2. Massaging foot cream and then slipping on a pair of socks. It'll stay for the night.
3. Listening to the soft fall of rain while lying on my bed near the window.

Fixed, nervous too and the real first prize

1. The office is too cold. But one call to the maintenance room fixes it and I'm no longer shivering.
2. A confession of nervousness from someone.
3. I had sent pictures of the T shirt I painted for the contest to my parents a few days back, but not being very regular in checking their email, they only see it yesterday. Mom calls up to tell me its very good - "I never knew you had so much hidden talent! I hope you will keep painting something or the other now that you have discovered it." But the real surprise is Papa calling up a few hours later to tell me he like the Tee. "The eyes have come out well. The nose - not so much..." The T shirt got me a third prize, but these two appreciations today more than made up for the loss of the first prize. Take a look.

Home cooked, song recall and bed time

1. For the first time in the entire work week, we've been able to come home at a time that allows us to cook dinner. The bhindi ki sabzi, the kasoori methi flavoured daal and the soft warm rotis are so immensely satisfying.
2. An unscheduled and unexpected short drive in the middle of the afternoon brings an unexpected pleasure. There's an unfamiliar voice on the radio and she plays a lovely old hindi song that I'm sure I haven't heard for years - O Sajana Barkha Bahar Aayi. I'm quite surprised that I not only recognise it from the music at the begininning, but also sing along quite effortlessly, as if I have been hearing it very often. It is strange, this ability of the brain to retain the words and the melody of a song and to bring them forth at the right moment.
3. It's bed time, I'm sleepy and there's nothing to stop me from cuddling up in my soft and warm bed and sleep peacefully.

Unfamiliar terrain, politics and lime n masala

1. I'm participating in a T shirt painting contest at work. Suddenly my mind is grappling with an unfamiliar challenge. What should be the theme, how should I design it? I find myself lapsing into thought every now and then.
2. At another game currently going on at the same event at work, the ten paticipating teams have to vote out one team each day, in addition to performing various tasks and earning points. There's much debate and calculations going on anywhere you go through the day, even though the vote-out only happens once in the evening. This drama will go on through the next week.
3. I have this crazy craving for something spicy to eat. I try to resist it, but finally give in and head to the cafetaria to buy a packet of potato chips, the lime and masala flavor. Finger-licking good.