The Change

The Scene will Change,
my heart does say

This moments gloom,
will turn into glee

The hope is there,
the will is there

So what if darkness engulfs me now,
The Curtain will rise again, I am sure......

Bring another scene, another story
Another look of this face

In the forefront, I am sure...........

Someday........ Somehow…......
Sometime ……….... I am sure ……....

The List .........!!!

Seeing my sullen face, one of my managers had once said, “When a girl turns twenty-three the only things that can worry and upset her are –
1.) The question ‘When are you getting married?’
2.) The universal ‘Boyfriend problem’”

Today, I know for sure how true the statement is. (If not 100%, it applies to 99.99 % of the cases)
As soon as a girl reaches or is about to reach the age of 23, Parents, relatives, near and dears and the not-so-near-and-dears start the BIG Hunt. Its like an army of hunters looking for the right SHIKAAR !!! (big, meaty, fluffy, edible…. The requirements might wary)…………. But unlike the jungle hunt, the animals being hunted in this case happily present themselves and are all eager to be chained, detained and butchered. What matters most to them is the ‘Best Shikaar Trophy!’

Being four years past that age, I have been through the questionings and interrogations of one n all and seen all the hunting sprees…... but without any favourable outcome, to the disappointment of everyone. (Needless to say, to my Delight…Why ?? … who the hell wants to marry)

A few of my friends are also going through a similar phase and we frequently share our woes and worries.(at times, knowing that someone else is also suffering the same, helps)
Manish , is one such friend. Though we have not met in years, but technology and G-talk have helped maintain contact.
It was on the eve of his sisters marriage , and I was happily chatting with him , teasing him that he is next in the line and should look for a prospective bride at the wedding when he asked me this question , “What sort of a guy are you looking for?”
Not that I have not been asked this question before, but somehow never bothered to give it a serious thought and reflect beyond the physical and financial aspect.

But this time on his asking, I started jotting down the characteristics I felt would help develop compatibility and share a great bonding with someone. The list below covers most of the qualities My Man needs to, ought to possess, qualities that I cannot do without –

• Should be tall ( ard 5’9 – 6’2 , no more than 6’4) and good –looking.
• Should be an MBA (from a reputed institute) or hold a Managerial level job with an MNC. (No illiterate IT engineers, with the phoreign stickers)
• Should be an avid Reader.
• Good sense of humor and well informed about the current matters (not limited to cricket and women)
• Should like travelling and fond of seeing different places.Go for an outing every alternate weekend (if not every). Couch potatoes n TV lovers stay away.
• Has to be a Good Cook (coz I simply can’t)
• Should not be a hypocrite
• Should have the Maturity, Ability and Confidence to stand up for any thing wrong and raise his voice against it. (following proper channel ofcourse)
• SIMPLE n GROUNDED. Love for brands is okay, as long as he is not flashy and does not make a big show of the brands. (Should not be a social snob)
• No party lover
• Good sense of humour and treats everyone with respect.
• Should be more attached to humans than CAR. (Would be in his own interest, coz can’t say what will happen to the car once I lay my hands on it)
• Should believe in the concept of family and uphold the values, principles and responsibilities of a family man.
• BLOT. – SHOULD LOVE DOGS!!!!(Should love all animals, but dogs for sure)
  
  These are a few things that my conscious and sub-conscious mind searches for in every guy. Difficult to find all in one, but I am sure he exists somewhere. I am sure the clouds with part one day and make us meet.
  If anyone reading this list knows of any such guy, please let me know….. ;-)

Now, how can I conclude without giving out Manish’s list? Well, here is the list of traits and attributes his GIRL should possess ---

• Should be a working girl, preferably from Finance or Engineering sector.
• Should be slim (though he is not and wants some motivation)
• Should have the knowledge about Share Market or should be willing to learn.
• Should be outgoing and should readily accompany him to clubs and discs
• Should be a contemporary and progressive but also understand and appreciate family values.
• Should have a beautiful smile, seeing which all tension withers away
• Should be simple and not overspend on make-up and shopping
• Brands are fine as long as she remains within the budget.
  
  Anyone interested?? Any matches?? Let me know … .. :-)
  
  People say that “Opposites attract”. Well, they might, but they need to possess some similar qualities also otherwise the attraction is short lived.

Do not know when and where this Hunting Season will end for me or my friends. But I pray for everyone who is going though the same phase (guys/gals) that it ends soon for you and the outcome super exceeds your expectations. Cheers !!

Appreciation – The best Gift !!!

Ever wondered what to gift a person? Even stood in a gallery or a gift shop finding a good, nice, under the budget gift……. Ever been confused, disgusted, tired … thinking if someone could help make a choice?
Ever thought what a Good GIFT means? Ever thought what you want the gift to accomplish? …….. The reasons for giving a gift could vary depending on the receiver… girlfriend, boyfriend, just friends, mom, dad, relative, cousin, boss, et al.
But be it anyone, two objectives remain common and are always to be considered while choosing a gift.
One – leave a fond memory with the gift and Two – bring a sweet smile to the receiver. (If not a WAAOHH … expression)

I have a bunch of niece and nephews, cousins, relatives and friends …. And would happily outsource the job of finding gifts - if given a choice. (Needless to say, I decide the SLA and budgeting part)

In office also, November brings with it the gift sharing season. So, the regular chocolates, chips, burgers and sandwiches do the rounds in the name of Diwali, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year gifts. (After all, we are the fixed income group surviving somehow on palsy pay checks.)

I work with a great team of young, energetic, talented, fun loving people and each one is a peculiar piece. This Thanksgiving, I thought of doing something different for them. I wrote a distinct feature or characteristic that I liked the most, of every individual on separate piece of paper…. Be it playfulness, jokes and laughter, the energy, hard work, rigour, dedication, the helpful attitude, keenness to learn , enthusiasm, cooperation , spirit of team work…. thanked them for it and pinned those notes on the Common board.

No big words, no false praise – just ten to fifteen words each stating what they have done, what do they do and why is it appreciated.

The looks on the faces and the glint on the eyes was an indicator of my success. I saw the curve and the upward turn of lips, dimples on the cheek, the inflated chests, and the heads held straight. I heard the exuberance and joy in their voice and felt their delight and happiness.

Ever wondered how simple words of appreciation can make a BIG difference. They have the power to motivate, encourage and inspire. Appreciation brings recognition and is the best reward. It’s an acknowledgment of the work well done and is the Best gift one can give.

We can gift this gift anytime and does not cost a dime (no special occasion needed). So, go ahead, appreciate every small thing that someone does for you and make him/her feel special and wanted. Tell them how thankful you are and how they make a difference to your life.
But remember , be honest to yourself and to others, stay away from false praise and do not overdo it, otherwise it will lose the magic and the charm and become just an ordinary, better–to-be-thrown-away gift.

Share the candy of appreciation with everyone and enjoy the sweetness it brings to your and the receivers life.
(But – this is no replacement for the other worldly gifts, it’s rather an add-on to it. So, please do not stop the flow of gifts)

Trust Me

'Trust Me' you told me once
I Did ...!
I covered my eyes with Faith
Believed You! Trusted You !
and Somehow came close to you

Trust was then dumped in the dustbin
You broke it
Gently, silently, disguised
Unknowingly, ere I could see

I was dumped, cheated
Deceived.
Tell me now, what to trust
Your Deceit ??

The Beginning

It all started with a sudden burst of enthusiasm to share my thoughts, memories and feelings and to just pin them somewhere , where years later , reading them makes me travel back in time and re-live those moments.
I am no writer, but occasionally scribble my thoughts down.

This blog is a collection of a few 'bubblegums and candies', of my life that made me laugh, smile, cry, sob , muse or ponder. (thanks Preeti Shenoy - I stole the title of your book, which btw is truly Amazing).