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.

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.

To the grind, Smita and panache

1. There's so much work, I'm having to keep my nose to the grind. I'm kinda enjoying it.
2. After many months, Smita has been emailing. Her familiar frank style reminds me of the good long chats we used to have when she was here. Has it really been two and a half years?!
3. Ocean's Twelve. I just love their style and panache!
   
   

Gym girl, dad will shoot and Gujju Thali

1. Finally! I've done it! I've gone to gym 5 days in a row for the first time in my gymming career! I'm so proud of myself.
2. I spend a good part of the day researching digicams. I have discount vouchers both from Indiaplaza and ebay, and now I really want to buy a camera for dad. I'm especially thrilled at the idea of ordering it online and having it delivered directly to him, because online shopping is still a very new concept for him.
3. Again I join Sriharsha and Sachin for dinner and we go to a Gujrati thali place. The food is just like home! Simple and tasty! And the rotis! sighhhhh... I just gobble them up! Its sheer contentment...

Online, lets go back and seeing is believing

1. The helpful internet guy turns up as promised and gets my connection going. Right now its working like a dream.
2. People share their pictures from Goa and we have a lovely time reliving the fun moments.
3. I love video chat.

Charged, traffic update and connected

1. There's a slight electricity in the air - we're planning a trip again, and though its a month away, the spring in my step is unmistakable.
2. Kris calls up to say that he's stuck in a traffic jam for more than an hour and I should avoid that particular route home. I'm so grateful he called, because I was actually planning to go home that way.
3. My internet is working. They have finally renewed it for the correct monthly plan.

Love story, magic marbles and almost like being there

1. Soumitra comes over to spend the day with me. We have much to catch up on. Its lovely to see how highly he thinks of his fiancee. She's just too nice, he tells me, as he recounts her affectionate ways. And I think to myself, here's one lucky girl.
2. 'Magic Balls' - hard but tiny little balls, smaller than a sago grain, which when soaked in water, absorb it and grow big as marbles and look much the same - translucent, radiant and soft. But they're very different to the touch - slippery and slithery with all the water. Papa had bought some and they sit very prettily in a glass bowl on the dining table at home. I find a little boy selling packets of these on MG road and I can't resist buying one.
3. As I chat with Tanmoy, he keeps sending me pictures from his recent trip to Boston and tells me the story behind each picture and about all the people in the snaps. Its almost like he's just back from a trip and is showing me the pictures sitting by my side.

Mad mails, bang on time and ring on the finger

1. A mad chain of emails that has been going on for the past couple of days. It reminds me of the good old days when such madness was the norm rather than a rarity. Everyone's gone quite wild.
2. Tuning into a channel just when a movie is beginning. Never happens with me!
3. I like wearing the gold ring mom lent me. I only wear it very rarely, but when I do, I keep glancing down at my hand.

Galvanized, enlightened and responsible

1. Today, I'm galvanized into action... I make a list of all the things that have been pending for so long, and get cracking. At the end of the day I feel much better because I've managed to finish many of them, and set the rest into motion...
2. A very enlightening chat with George - I find out interesting tid-bits about a 'date' George went on, who has a crush on whom, and other such trivia.
3. Mum says she's relieved I agreed instantly to accompany her aunts on their journey to Pune. "We'll all be much easier in our hearts if you're with them."

Jaccuzzi, Chamomile anyone?... and family

1. Relaxing in the Jaccuzzi at the hotel. As the water jets gently massage my back, all the tension seeps away into the warm water.
2. Trying out Chamomile tea... I don't like it that very much, but at least now I know what all those fashionable women in novels keep drinking!
3. A long chat session with the everyone back home. Jui and Pallu are both in Nagpur, and there's much excitement... the call lasts for a good part of the hour. Its so good to hear all their voices and the familiar chit-chat

It's free, come what may and encore!

1. Talking to my grandma over Google talk - she sounds so astonished and delighted to hear my voice. She's initially worried that I'm spending too much money over an international call, and finds it hard to believe that it's free!
2. Many mishaps later (we first melt a vessel in the microwave, then the microwave starts emiting sparks), we finally manage to cook a mixed veg 'kolhapuri'... and it turns out surprisingly good... the fruits of hard labour are indeed tasty! Perhaps fate had mercy on us when we wouldn't give up.
3. Looking at the pics taken at Eilat, I feel the thrill once again and as usual, fall in love with my camera all over again...

End of the week, fruit and the uber cool surprise

1. Kabballah Sabbath today turns out to be one joyous occassion. For some reason, everyone is in a boistrous mood, and there's plenty of laughter and leg pulling. And as I come back to my desk, I find that my step is jaunty and I'm laughing easily. The friday mood has caught on with me, or perhaps the realization, that the week's over, and that I'm going to be on leave on Monday and Tuesday!
2. Talking to mum n dad on gtalk - the fruit of a lengthy and tedious phonecall in which I explain in excruciating detail every step that must be followed to download gtalk, install it and get it running on their PC. The fruit is, of course, very sweet!
3. Because Aparna can't keep a secret, she lets on that I have a super duper uber cool birthday gift waiting to reach me. And while I'm still recovering from an amazement-induced speech disorder, she mentions that her hubby might travel to Israel and she might tag along. I do so pray that their trip may materialize and that our visits to Israel coincide.

Dance with me, net-savvy and Has It!

1. The mindblowing dance sequences in Dance With Me. The plot is nothing to write home about, but the dances...! My eyes have trouble following the dancers as they fluidly and furiously move. It seems impossible that two people can move with such grace, synch, and speed, but they do! And the result is spectacular....
2. Mum is becoming net-savvy! Her emails pop up in the middle of the day, these days. Today she writes to tell me that my pictures from Ganpatipule have come out beautifuland that my grandmother loved them too..
3. I love my new jeans! The fabric has lycra so that it stretches and is soooo very comfortable!

Visitor, happiness on sale and on call

1. Rashmi (the other one) lands up at my place in the afternoon. There's so much to talk! She's excited about the stuff life's made of... And of course, we decide to head for some shopping!
2. The Happiness Sale!! I've never seen a sale so appropriately named! I finally find a pair of jeans (on sale!) that I can wear without baring half my bum... I also find the elusive brown top I've spent the entire winter hunting for - and on that I can pick up another one free (yay! for buy 1 get 1 free)... the shopping is rounded off with a pair of pretty silver sandals. Perfect.
3. A happy happy chat with Tanmoy. He's making plans for spending his Sunday in NY and we're hunting for old Gurudutt songs together. Hurrah for Skype!