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.

Sick leave, Mission 'Clean it' and Mee Radhika

1. I am not really ill, but don't feel up to going to work either, so I stay at home. I haven't been able to sleep well at night, so I sleep in late. I have a lazy day.
2. Because I am at home, I can get some cleaning and scubbing done from the maid. She's probably not too happy to see me home on a weekday, meddling in her work.
3. A contestant on Zee Marathi's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa sings Aarti Ankalikar's Mee Radhika. Its a marvellous song, which I have had the fortune of hearing live from Aarti Ankalikar herself at the Sawai Gandharva Music Festival, and she does justice to it. Once again I am reminded that I need to find an mp3 version of the full song for the iPod.

Finally, Only early morning dreams and irreverently funny

1. I have a gas connection at home, people! How cool is that? Congratulate me! It has taken so many days, so many trips to the distributors office, and so many discussions and arguments with that rude fellow who mans the office that when it finally arrives today, I find it difficult to believe the long and tiring journey is over... but there it is! Sweet!
2. During my afternoon nap, I have a very vivid dream. My parents are telling me that because I'm not getting married, they're going to shift to Pune on 6th April. Dad has arranged to start his Law practice from here, and I'm supposed to quickly find a larger house. I tell this to mom and she's quite amused. "Didn't you freak out?' she asks me. I pretend to be very hurt by this comment. Don't worry, she tells me, its only morning dreams that come true.
3. I have started reading My Family & Other Animals. When Shenoy asked me last week what I wanted for my birthday, I told him I wanted this book, and he seemed quite surprised to hear it's title. I haven't read much yet, but what I have so far, makes me want to get back to it quickly. I love the way he's completely irreverent about his family and how he describes the way his family has helped him write the book.

Temptation's fruit, deadlines met and I have a roomie!

1. The new Reebok T shirt I picked up a couple of weeks ago when I wasn't meant to be shopping makes me look slim. I'm glad I gave in to temptation that day.
2. I feel like a free bird. The huge mountain load of work that I had on my shoulders is now over. I feel especially thrilled at having met the deadlines. There's still work to be done, of course, but it isn't pressing and I can take the time to goof off a bit and not feel guilty about it. In fact I feel as if I've earned it! Oh, and I leave office on time (after coming in late!)
3. After almost three years of my staying alone, Natasha and I have decided to share the flat. She moves in in the evening, and there's the general chaos of unpacking and talking and excitement. We're also very thrilled that we had underestimated the house. After all her stuff has come in, there's still plenty of space where we'd initally thought we'd be a little too crowded. We're already making plans of stuff we'll do together as roommates.

Dip dip dip, Slumdog and overfed

1. Dipping a biscuit in piping hot tea till its just about to fall off, but not quite and then quickly eating it.
2. Dev Patel in Slumdog Millionaire. He's quite a natural. I realised one thing when I saw the movie today - It's no different than many mainstream Hindi potboilers. All the hoopla created around it being nominated for the Oscars and winning the Golden Globe seems quite amusing to me, because hey, come watch a good Bollywood thriller!
3. My cook was taking the day off today, so she cooked some extra food for me yesterday. When I actually open the fridge before lunch, I see an enormous amount of food waiting for me. She has obviously taken good care that I don't starve on her day off!

Coming back to life, hungry and involved

1. Coming home after almost a fortnight at the hospital seems to be doing some good for Grandma. She looked so frail lying on the stretcher when they brought her home just two days ago. Already, being in her own room, sleeping on her own bed and being surrounded by her familiar knick knack has brought in a striking change and she can sit up unaided and for longer durations. An unmistakable sign of recovery is the returning interest in life's daily activities - she asks me to find her pearl earrings and later tells dad that she'll clean the bunch of coriander he got from the market, and does.
2. Being at home, in Nagpur, whets my appetite. Is it the air?
3. Finding the time to be completely engrossed in a book. I didn't quite expect to like A Queen of Dreams... but I did. I got involved in it to a surprisong degree...

Spring cleaning, chaat and smart reporters

1. Spring cleaning in summer! I clean the cob webs, scrub the bathroom and washbasins... The cleaning has been long pending, and I feel much better after having laboured at it, even though its far from done.
2. Eating bhel and dahi sev puri at a road-side stall. mmmmmm.... and then having ice cold lemonade at another to give some relief to the mouth after the tangy spicy chaat we've had... Somehow, chaat tastes the best when had at a road side vendor's, rather than sitting in a restaurant or at home!
3. Dharana and I go shopping to FabIndia... ah what bliss! I've raved about FabIndia before, but I guess its necessary to say it again! I just love their cottons... they're so vibrant and fresh. Dharana says "I want one of those kurtis those smart reporters wear." I pick up two kurtis and Dharana picks up 3. She's all ready to buy a fourth one when I rush her out of the store.

Morning at home, crossword and atlas

1. Waking up in my old bed at home, so snug and warm in the quilt, that I don't quite want to wake up... and then when I finally do pull myself out of bed, sitting at the dining table, half asleep, trying to make sense of what the newspapers are saying... and then mum giving me a cup of tea...
2. Solving the crossword puzzle with papa.
3. I mention to Sadu Kaka that I'm planning a trip to Ranthambore in March. Out comes his atlas, and he tells me what other places I should visit while I'm in Rajasthan.