The Year It Was, 2018!

Oh well, an engineer would always say- looking at my year, "What a Sine Wave"!

The year started with a bang. Wedding at home. My Sister-in-law got married in early February but the festivities at home had started early, in January. A few functions at home, big small rituals, sarees, ornaments, arrangements of guests, ordering made easy online and what not. I must say, we Indians obsess over weddings and wedding related responsibilities. I am not sure how this entire show off business turns up into a complex tiring wedding for both families. I had my own struggles but while everything went smoothly, the most memorable part of the wedding was time spent with a cousin and an uncle from US (I mention him as Kaka on this blog). Amidst, the responsibilities - they kept me sane. Hence, Mr.ISB also was sane ;-)

After the wedding, it took more than a month for us to go back to life. To be frank, it took two full months even when we had some refreshing days in between. My health had started giving up a lot in between.

Ah, just after the wedding - I visited my home town to meet parents and my best friend. Did I tell you, she got the baby boy and ahoy, I could spend so many hours with him later on in October with him. I would need a separate post to describe how a kid can be such a good boy! Going back to March, our Kaki visited us from US and needless to say, it was the warmest feeling to have her here.

We also shifted to a bigger office just after the wedding. Needless to say, my initial one month confused the hell out of me in the new environment. Commute become easier but I still miss my daily walk which now has to be forced. Not to forget, sustaining in crazy traffic of Dadar. But, more than that I missed my chai from old office canteen.

To divert my mind from my health which deteriorated a lot in March, thanks to the Cysts which suddenly resurfaced in my ovaries. I started taking the help of my DIY mind. Decoupaging (which was not a success so to speak!), wine bottle painting , canvas paintings. Mr.ISB got really sucked up in the well of office work which was pending due to the wedding at home.

April was the month of change for me. Difficult office projects, the best best Vacation to Italy (Which I never blogged about! God knows why!) , my slowly improving health, a lot of fights with Mr.ISB on nothing, his support during such tantrums I threw because of the frustrating health issues. My professional and emotional health were affected so deeply, that a trip to Italy was a much needed break.

A brilliant early birthday surprise and a birthday post before the vacation kicked off the journey to normalcy from the mayhem.

Now, because I have missed writing about two major trips this year- let me take some time to do the written vomit. Rome, Florence, Sienna, Fiosole, Cinque Terre, Milano and wow, we both were in love with Italy. (May be, I can still post some photos of lovely cafes, decor and beautiful landscape this country has this year, in a post using my notes.) This trip rekindled us back to history, architecture, food,books, movies and the most important part- it rekindled our friendship. We were now normal.

And so we celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary with a low key dinner. Because, that is our trait and we love that. I wish we could call it friendship anniversary too- ah hell, I can!

Then again after a few challenging projects, came a wedding trip to Calcutta with my entire maternal family. This wedding was different- we were guests!! Yeye! Also, visiting my mom's home town was special as this city is a part of my childhood through my maternal family. I saw twinkles in their eyes in that trip which I never had seen- I am not being poetic here! We enjoyed sarees, dancing, music, food (Sondesh to be precise for me!) and what not. My maternal family is made of crazy and funny souls - there was not a single dull moment when we did not laugh. Some day Calcutta, I will see you again.

This was also a point in my life, where I kept on juggling between office work, stress, art and conveniently started forgetting to blog.

Then came the season of festivals. Sept and October - Navaratri and Diwali. Durga Pujo, Sarees, Chaniya choli, a trip back home to meet best friend and the baby. It was a pretty month and well, a special one too. I had managed to put my health back on the track as well.

The November and early December brought Mr.ISB's annual Scandinavian business pilgrimage for 45 days. 45! Yes, and I had Netflix, my bed, sulking self and health issues to keep me busy. These were also the months when I caught up with my best friends more often because, a best friend shifted to Mumabi (Yey!) and other friends had to visit the town for various reasons. I am happy I did not ditch a single opportunity to meet them.

The year is ending today and I can not complain the amount of stress it came with because, it gave us opportunities to grow personally and also as a couple. The year of 2019 is going to be the roller coaster ride as well, looking at the pace our lives are changing with, but here I am - bracing myself and gearing up for the ride (holding Mr.ISB's hand!)

How was your 2018?

Prioritization To The Point

So, last Saturday when a cousin pinged to ask if all of us want to join the Momo Paratha Party on Carter road in the evening, well I was not very happy. I did not have one reason to say No, I had many but none were justified. After working on Saturdays while the world does what they want to do (Yes, we have six days working. 'Perks' of working in a Startup) , I am not very enthusiastic about seeing too many human beings. (That is a different story that this cousin is my absolutely favorite)

So after coming back home, I started with another strategy of confronting Mr.ISB about why he wants to go. (Oh Come on, every one knows how he is not into intense socializing)

Bubblegum: I know why you are so keen on going!

*I wanted to him to say that he wants us to join every one, because that would make me feel better.*

Mr.ISB: ???

Bubblegum: You love Momos, you cant leave any opportunity which can bring you closer to Momos.

(I am not kidding. He is a Momo's Boy. Khi Khi)

Mr.ISB: Oh Come on, that is not the only reason.

*Bubblegum coyly waiting for his genuine reason which will showcase his caring nature for me*

Mr.ISB:  Parathein....... Come on!!

Bubblegum:   :0

Chaitime Chitchat #17

Sadly, I am back with only  Buzzfeed category post and I take the full responsibility of the same. Also, for making this blog so dull (and almost null) and lonely.

To be very honest, there are so many changes coming in and still there is this flow which feels like routine. Have I stopped feeling small happy moments or have I stopped making observations? May be, No. It is just that sometimes expressing such tiny sparks in words need a little bit of efforts and time and well, both of these resources are limited as of now. But, here I am snatching both of them, just to reappear on the blog.

• Kolkata trip happened in the first week of the month. It did not even occur to me that I should have blogged about it - I was soaked in the change amidst terribly hectic work schedules. The city from a different era as I call it, provided a gorgeous and happy roof for the family reunion (Ah, due credits to my cousin and now his wife for getting married in such diverse ways) and I must admit - I had not laughed or danced so much in last one year or may be more than that?
• The wedding was full of sarees, laughter, travelling, dancing, laughter again. A Hindu Bengali wedding and a Bengali Christian wedding - I guess we had it all. I must not forget the Saree and Sweets shopping done with super sonic speed. I crave for Khoda Shondesh even now, all the time after emptying up many tiny boxes!
• After wedding, came the withdrawal symptoms and harsh realities on the work front. Faced, fought and won but with a realization that nothing is constant in life. If you do not upgrade yourself on time, you might set to stagnancy. Well, here is to the introspection. I am ready to take the next step in my career - nope, not studying or changing the job as of now,just a must needed up-gradation. 
• How can I not mention about my health which looks fairly fine except two days of Viral fever with two big Migraine bouts. Overall, I guess I am focusing on healthy lifestyle more than ever. I hope it shows up soon.
• Walk dates. Any one up for it? I love them. It is therapeutic to me and I keep on pushing myself and my other half's self (if it makes sense) to walk together everyday. Just to chitchat, fight, smile and feel the company. I hope I am not jinxing. 
• Books, I have migrated organically to Technical Books and I am waiting for one brilliant Novel to get hold of me, to come out of this zone. Actually, my husband says my attention span has reduced so much that I cant binge watch my favorite web series as well. ADHD or whatever you call it, No!
• I painted this Perfume Box or say, tried to upcycle the waste. This would be a Pujo gift for my mom. And creation of the same, how much ever amateurish it looks- those colors give me a sense of satisfaction, which in itself is a gift to me. 

What's up with you guys?

PS: I have started less and less tea. Forget tea with ginger. Lets see how it comes back to my life :)

Chaitime Chitchat #16

And no, I have not disappeared in the thin air, I decided to resurface just to chitchat on the blog when I realized, I am blogging lesser than ever and in July I have not blogged at all. Phew.

Also because, there are multiple things happening in life and such a chaos makes me unstructured enough to not to blog. Hence, I decided to pen down just rumblings to my utter dismay as this style sounds more like a feel version of my to-do list which is never ending.

Anyway, something is better than nothing and specially if it makes me feel good. Which comes to the highlight of my life - Self love. I struggle to love myself selflessly. Taking stress, over analyzing things, assuming worst in the name of being realistic etc falls into the opposite category of self love. I have realized this thanks to the direct hints my health has shown. Nothing at all in this life is more important than inner peace and it comes through self love. (Sorry, all the religions who believe that this life is a pain and pain is the road to the salvation)

I have realized light Yoga and Pranayam help me but going to a classes early in the morning when my body already needs sleep more than anything else is a form of stress. Hence, I practice both the things in the morning. Only for 15 minutes. It give me calmness. Because this hyper lady is ultra hyper in the office which throws challenges every hour in the name of the success. Well, can we help?

Another thing I am trying to follow is non-packaged snacks. Nothing out of packets should go in my mouth unless it has to be cooked. No, no cook-ready meals as well. This also brings to the issue of unavailability of two hunger meal times- which we are trying to resolve by bringing a hot plate to the office. I make tea already and planning to cook simple stuff like oats in the pantry which would keep me satiated enough to not to get attracted to packs of biscuits kept in the same pantry!

One more practice to follow: Walking and climbing staircases when in office. This practice is more like a sine wave- sometimes I follow to the tee and sometimes I fail due to the workload but I am pleased myself for trying the same. Being healthy is going to keep me happy , is the truth I have derived in last two months.

Trying to go away from any negative vibe coming your way. It does not mean avoiding it completely but trying consciously to get out, is a step closer to keep your mind healthy. Most of us fail to understand that negative vibes create more negative vibes and to avoid being the source of the same- you need to get detached from even a little bit of negativity (which you can not manage) on your way. Do we need extra baggage in life?

Talking about office, It is going bonkers. We have so much of work load and worst, dependency on other service providers and suppliers are keeping our hands tied. We are taking one day at a time and planning for next four days. It is like this complex puzzle in the mind, which is getting sorted piece by piece.

There is this one thing which keeps me kicked up - upcoming Kolkata trip. My cousin is getting married and I am so so so eager to experience the Bong wedding along with the city vibe! I am very fascinated by Calcutta as a city and finally I am all ready to seize the opportunity.  Hopefully it wont be too bad an experience as I am already getting warnings from my Pseudo-Bong maternal family about the traffic and weather issues.

Hopefully, I will over come the fire fighting at the office and leave for the trip in a breeze.

What's up with you guys?

:)

The Recycled Bin, Or Not

Was it only me or every set of parents tease their kids that they are adopted? I think, my mom played the elder sibling (generally siblings tease each other in such a fashion) when it comes to playing jokes.

For example, In her jokes I was(Am) the daughter of one of the maids working in the society who used to scare me. My brother was (is) my real brother (Gosh, even in jokes he follows me *eye rolls*) but the kid from the same mother. The story is that the lady kept on throwing her kids (us) in the dustbin and my mother (who plays the lead role) kept on adopting kids. Thankfully she stopped at two.

How we were found with a lot of garbage on us and how we are still messy (Even when she kept on scrubbing us for months!)- was the main story when we were growing up. My mother is very very creative and weaving every 'messy' thing we do , with our fictional genes was (and it is still going stronger) her hobby when we were kids.

***

So, a day back one of my cousins with her two years old kid visited my parents I was really curious to know how my niece is doing. To my dismay she is exactly like her mom and me, the proud Masi. Really. She does not go to any one else but her mom. Nobody should try playing with her. Nobody should try to make her talk. Or else, a low high pitch cry will follow the act. Yes, I was that irritating too. So much that I used to accompany my mom to the loo. It amuses me even now how my Fai ( the same cousin's mother) and my mom managed us; also get one kid each after us!

So when round #I-dont-count-anymore story of how irritating we were, was going on..

Yours Truly Bubblegum: Mom, didn't you feel like throwing me (the toddler) out in the garbage?

Mother of Bubblegum: Arrey, I got you from the garbage only na! There was no option.

*Rolling Eyes*

Char Baat

"Which invention by humankind which you feel, we could have done without?"

"Plastic?? ummm... No No, It is religion. I am confident."

Both smiled in consent, resuming eating the delicious food served on the plate.

***

"Which invention do you think was the most important one to change the world, the way it is today."

"Electricity!!"

***

"Do you know Hanuman had a son?"

"Yes, Makardhwaj."

"Oh!!!", She is in awe.

***

"Which one is your favorite book of this life time till now?"

"Ummm.... Pollyenna had a great effect one me. What about yours?"

"You could have guess it. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie!"

Both deep dives again into their own thoughts. May be difficult to pick one book?

***

Ladies and Gentleman, last evening we celebrated the fourth anniversary of our marriage and these are typical conversation we have on all our dates even now!

We are a conversation converted into a couple.
Conversations like these, help us thrive even now.

Happy Anniversary, Mr.ISB.

:-)

Rain Rumblings

This unexplained break from blogging is something I want to wash off, just like the first rain of the season washed off the cluttered mind last late evening.

My heart craved for that cup of tea with really high amount of ginger which would perfectly amalgamate with the smell of hot and dry 'Mitti' soaked in the water. Wind blew really hard and trees danced. Monsoon is the freshness we all need in our lives more than this environment I felt.

Happiest were my plants who are now waiting for some new pals to give them company. Gardening in monsoon is always a good idea anyway.

Another combination is dancing and rains. There is nothing like keeping windows and doors open and dance like no one is watching. I have done that a lot in my childhood. Have you ever done it?

Being one crazy Amdavadi, how can I forget 'Dalvada' with 'Mirchi'? Is it just the craving or is it the feel of being in Ahmedabad I am missing, sometimes I wonder.

At some time in your life, you realize that nothing is more important than you feeling happy from inside, keeping aside those unfinished tasks and dreams in your eyes.

Chai Time ChitChat #15

We finally did it. Took a much needed vacation to another country.

While a blog post dedicated to all the pretty artistic and historic places we visited and seized, is pending I would like to just pull a chair along with a cup of simmering hot Adarakhwali chai and chat.

As much as I love being home, snug up under the blanket while reading my favourite book, I love exploring new places and feel them like local people. The amount of stress we both went through in last three months - office and wedding at home - we were bound to feel fresh after the vacation we took. That is what has happened.

Vacations are magic. I was suspecting a severe jet-leg (and mental hangover) after coming back but I am already feeling fresh. Everything seems new. Irritations are yet to resurface. Energy levels have gone up even when the sun is scorching hot. I am not sure how much it would sustain but who cares? Why to worry about sustainability of happiness when you can enjoy every second of it.

What did we do in Italy? Well, aren't you hopeful that I would write a post if not couple of them on the trip? If no, let me tell you what did we do.

We walked, we ate (Like our Kaki says, No food can be bad in Italy), we observed, we drank, we walked, we climbed, we hiked, we watched movies, we slept of like logs and we talked, talked and talked. If you know my husband is a man of few words, I must say he is not a chatterbox like me but lets say his words are seasonal. Luckily the weather was perfect otherwise too.

Now when we are back in the most humid city I have ever lived in after Singapore (Wait, I have lived in total five cities only) it is not taking a toll on me. I may be too early to write about it, but I'm already feeling bold enough to brave it.

Of course, I miss the no-sweat-and-a-jacket weather, greenery around, delicious pasts and croissants with coffee but then the comfort of your own bed is also a thing.

What do you think about Vacations? Are you a home snob or globe trotter?

Birthday Bumps!

Yes, I am 30 and hence, I am not of the age where I get Birthday Bums! Only Birthday Bumps.

Now, if you are done rolling eye balls on my poor joke let me tell you. This 30ish birthday is already a bumpy ride.

- I am off for an Italian vacation today and I have a long to do list to finish in the office
- I am not sinking in with the fact that after a year full of activities in personal life and hectic schedules followed with 200% involvement in my professional life, I am a few hours away from a much needed and deserving vaction
- I am not able to express the happiness of getting a gorgeous wood carved frame and a mobile phone as birthday gifts from Mr.ISB. I am just not sure how do one express happiness. I was always a weird child and I am still weird at 30.
- I am not able to see myself even on the airport to leave for the vacation. Curtsy: Office Work
- I have been reminded of the ticking biological clock all the time. Aging is something out of trend for people. The clan of my husband's family look really younger than their age. My clan is famous for wisdom. Khi Khi. (Ouch it hurts!)


While the joy ride of getting gifts, phone calls and wishes from family and friends was very special, what do you think of the bumpy ride I am going through.

:/

Early Birthday Surprise

Surprises arrive only when you are not expecting a thing from this universe.

(Also, because you are tired, dull and ..well.. grumpy and irritated to even think about your birthday)

Last Saturday (Yes, my lord. I have six days working week) started with a lot of work, a lot of is an understated phrase but I would stop at that. Amidst all the tick mark to-does, I was pulled into two hours review for the year. Obviously it went well but a review is a review is a review. (No, I am not high. Just..well... dull tired post migraine) So the stress ache my body gets had surfaced already when I left office at 6 pm. The thumping head ache made me almost cancel meeting my best friend R (who is in the town for a few days) but then I do not have my own friends in the town generally. So, missing this would be very disappointing. Mr.ISB also was of the same opinion. (He is always like that, but I figured out the real motive afterwards)

I went back home for fifteen minutes, had tea to make myself headache free (just to postpone it for three four hours) and left for the venue we had decided.

When R arrived, it was magic. We started chatting about all sorts of things. 'Everything under the sun' is the correct statement there. I was also excited for the new phone Mr.ISB had got me on the same day. Just when I thought- oh my god time is running out and I am not sure when I would be able to meet her again and how would I be able to meet rest of my buddies again- she started smiling. Almost like Monalisa, albeit with a lot of alcohol before flaunting the fishy smile. I stared her for a while and looked back.

Aha.

I saw three buddies behind my back. (who had planned this surprise behind my back only, one of the three was, needless to say, Mr.ISB)

This was a real real real surprise. My complaint to the universe about people not planning to give me surprises in general, went straight to the dustbin flying in the rings of Saturn (Please do not take this statement literally!)

We all met after three and half years. Yes! I could not believe my eyes.

Time just flew by and I wanted to cling on to the evening. Well....

Only if...

***

Approaching 30s is not exactly an exciting era for me but this surprise along with a couple of happy gifts from Mr.ISB, made it already exciting!

Birthday is yet to come. Hence, wishes would be accepted only on the day.

You too

It is not really a spoof on #metoo movement. It is in fact written with a little bit heavy heart because every day since 1st of April A-Z Blogathon posts are popping up and sad news is, I am not taking it up in this month. (No......) Here is the good news (Not the baby news, nosy aunties!) we are going for a vacation for ten days in April hence, I decided not to participate in the Blogathon this year (Or atleast in April!)


Now coming back to the post. My life in office has come to a point where, the temperament of yours truly remains only one degree down to the boiling point. So when, my team members were busy solving a problem thanks to their language skill set - I refrained from monitoring trouble shooting the real time work going on in the system and rather started trouble shooting with our guys on the field.

Now, this is what happens when thirty people across nine locations of India are in one single WhatsApp group where we communicate if they are goofing up by mistake while entering required data (Am I sounding like a nerd? well, I am!) So, my team keeps on checking for such errors and post them in the same group, I am talking about.

So, I started posting error messages while my team was busy in something else. My typing speed is pretty fast, so they started getting messages faster than usual and three teams in three locations were making more mistakes, hence only their names were popping up constantly. This one fellow from some other location got worried that why no messages are being sent on his name? (In fact, he was doing just fine!) So, he messaged in the group amidst all trouble shoot messages.

"What about me, mam?"

Now, when we saw this message by this man feeling left out, after two hundred messages which were virtually finger pointing for rectification- every one started laughing.I added the fuel to the fire by saying (Not typing there obviously)

"I love you too"

And now there was a laughing riot.

(We can see, on going activities and communication on a bigger screen)

Chai Time Chitchat #14

It feels like an era is over which started some 10 months back. An era of the Wedding of our sibling and the post wedding fatigue. Or at least I would like to think so that it is over.

I did the opening of 'this new era' (Again era! How dramatic I can be!) by taking the first step of trying out the french art of decoupaging. Decoupaging papers are not available in plenty in India but when we can recycle,why not? I used one of those 17 glass wine bottles I have collected and a torn Harry Potter book pages to make the first pilot.

Art is where your heart is, I say. I am not an artist from any stretch of imagination but this is something which puts me in the subconscious flow. Much like dancing, for me. The happiness of creating something can not be compared to any thing. And after all, I had read some where -'Home is where art is!' While my updated version is, 'Home is where the art is and the Chai is!'

By the way, do you know there is no fun in having Adarakhwali chai alone? I miss our uncle and aunt with whom I can share the super strong Adarakhwali chai. Lets see if how I can accommodate back to usual food habits and Chai Habits.

Beach-O-Beach

In the center of the city, we work on the beach. (Dadar is central Mumbai, right?)

Sorry for such a lame word play, but no words can express the view we can experience, at the end of the lane where my new office has shifted to.

...And the breeze.. Ooff...

PS: Can you spot the sea link?

:-) 

Chini Kum, Adarakh Zyada

This how I am greeted by a few people in our office building. No kidding.

When our company started operations in that shiny new building but a small setup, a couple of us were worried about food and tea. While I chose to bring lunch from home, we tried ordering tea from cafeteria situated in an open terrace downstairs. Who on earth can survive without that one cup of tea to overcome the afternoon slump?

Now, I have CCD! - Chai Compulsive Disorder. I can drink tea, made only by a total of four specific people. On the first day, I took eternity to finish it (Read: Acting as if I am drinking), I cried silent tears. I spent many days without tea. Meanwhile my flu got worsened in terms of frequency of bouts hence, I decided to take the plunge. I took the challenge of developing a vendor and supply chain for tea of my taste.

I short listed one of the vendors who would make tea in our own building. I made an agreement regarding the price, raw material (Read: Ingredients - fresh ginger and milk) and operational instructional. In fact, I gave the secret (so much that no one wants to drink tea made by this recipe) recipe in written.To my surprise, this guy picked it up really really well.

It became a routine for them to fulfill the order of this new tea as soon as they see me entering the cafe or hear my voice for the order on phone. The code name of the recipe was 'Chini Kum, Adarakh Zyada' because that is what would be my short description while ordering, so that they dont forget that I wont touch the normal tea.

Slowly,  my name and the greeting also became this four word phrase. "Good Morning" and "Good Evening" , "Kaise Ho" and "Madam Dikhe Nahi kal" got converted into smiles and "Chini Kum, Adarakh Zyada".

***

Yesterday we shifted to a bigger and better office. My heart skipped a beat when I was not greeted in the morning by the same group of people.  I missed my tea and smiles without our slogan the most.

Some where, I am not sure if I would get same smiles even if I get the perfect "Chini Kum Adarkh Zyada" Chai, ever.

Post Wedding Mayhem

The wedding at home is over. With a couple of goof ups and some funny incidents. The bride and the groom is off to their honeymoon while we, family members are busy wrapping up and surviving the muscle pain along with painful throats.

I and Mr.ISB are busy making that long pending list of tasks we could not finish in the week we were on leave. I am also trying to help in-laws at home to clear up the mess, we all have created in just two days. (Super human abilities, I say!)

While it is extremely difficult for me to explain the sweat produced in last seven months for this grand function, I thought highlights from the wedding days and post wedding days would be interesting to blog about. (I can see a couple of friends rolling their eyes and still reading snippets below)

• The entire house was full of Sarees and Kurtas. We had a bunch of guests from Gujarat and US of A (Can we just declare USA as a part of Gujarat now?!) which means bottles and bottles of Aquafina and big suit cases numbered more on some days than dishes prepared at home.
• Wedding at home means a lot of yummy food and chocolates from America. You can not keep yourself hungry in such a scenario. So, I did not. Khi Khi.
• It was so good meeting a cousin who flew from America to attend the wedding. His constant support and presence made a bridge between us and the older generation. Am I making him feel old? The best part is, he does not care!
• Not to forget our Kaka who also came down to India for the wedding. Now, this might require another post but I am still going to snatch a lot of his time before he flies back. Can I just say, nothing felt better about wedding than meeting him?
• Gulp. The bride forgot to pack the bridal Dupatta (Extra one), nonetheless she looked very very beautiful. 
• I flaunted a heavy red Saree, a Nath, a Dupatta, winged eyeliner and a Hathfool. Did not miss a single thing from my wishlist!
• I also flaunted my favorite pearls in Mehendi. I could not agree more when someone said, 'Classy girls wear pearls!' 
• There were oh so many guests in the reception. I have never seen such a big wedding before. Period.
• I remember only fruits and chocolate mud cake from the huge menu in the reception. Those were the dishes I could taste.
• There were some moments of irritations, stress and everything around. However, yours truly has a tendency to comeback to life after going haywire. Well, just to go back to the spike in a couple of days. Withdrawal symptoms, I hope.
• Vidai was planned brilliantly by the bride, to avoid the mass crying session by our maternal aunts. Every aunt present was confused if the ritual they were carrying out, is Vidai or not! *slow clap* When the actual exit happened, only I and Mr.ISB along with a cousin were present.
• I was so dead tired by the time reception reached the peak time. Our cousins kept on asking me to sit whenever there was a chance. I had to drag myself till the end of the function. Fatigue had kicked in by the time we exited the hall.
• There were two small rituals left even after the reception. I had to drag myself to carry out the same. I just wanted to get things over.
• The only best part about post wedding days (which are/were full of fatigue) is presence of our Kaka. We had a hearty breakfast with a long walk on Sunday. (I can walk forever with them actually!) A small shopping session along with dinner with extended family meant spending an entire day with him. He has the ability to sort out my thoughts and organize my life, even without talking about it. I regenerate faith in my own beliefs when I meet him. 
• Talking about tired bodies. We all are drowsy , sleep deprived souls as of now. Irritated at some point and giving up on each other at other points. I, personally find it difficult to focus on my work. It takes four cups of tea to slog in the office. How do I reset my life? 

Wedding Mayhem

I am not even kidding when I say, I would have dropped the plan to get married if I knew my parents would also have to work like crazy to host a wedding. (I'm sure Mr.ISB's parents also worked really hard but sadly in India, bride's side has to do a lot more than the groom's family. Well...)

I always thought my wedding was exactly opposite of a piece of cake - traveling every weekend, either to Ahmedabad or to Mumbai had made sure that I do not have many choices while selecting my trousseau or gifts by in-laws. It also made sure that I get tired to no limits and stop feeling even a bit of excitement. My memories related to my wedding is close to zero.

Well, I have another opinion now, after a little more than three years. I think my wedding was easier than this one-city-fifty-fifty wedding of my Sister-in-law. It is a human tendency to start preparations late if you have a lot of time in hand. You have twenty choices to select your bridal wear, trousseau , decor etc. Both families share the cost, than taking up responsibilities of different functions , which means for that color of the bow tie on the covered chair has also to be agreed by six people from both families. Well, you get my point. Sibling's wedding is difficult to sustain than your own - Moral of the story.

I am living in the world where I have the most critical projects going on in the office. I am also suppose to go to designers to get myself a fitted attire for each function and help my Sister-in-Law and Mother-in-Law with the same. I have also enthusiastically (or over) taken up responsibilities of getting invitation cards printed, labelled and couriered to the respective guests' location. Oh, not to forget inviting a few of families and friends personally. Small jobs to keep up the hygiene level and the looks of home to the mark, are also taken up yours truly after evening. Guests have started coming home as well.While I love talking to relatives, the office job and other stuff suck my energy to even smile at them. God knows, how my parents did it while I was in a far away land, working in my then-office Pune.

The wedding functions kicked off last week with a couple of rituals at home, in which we hosted around 35 people in our Mumbai apartments. Lets not even start discussing about that day- Lets just say that I decided to order a couple of stretchers made for me and my MIL after the biggest and the last event is over. We want to reach home that night, you see.

I just hope writing this post takes away my pain and gives me some energy to enjoy functions for which we all have worked our hearts out.

Let's see!

Chai Time Chitchat #13

No, I have not fallen off the edge of the earth. I am still alive, wondering how to even start expressing myself through this keyboard. My blog deserves some updates and while I waited for that 25 hours-day to get over, I decided to pull out a chair in the drawing room amidst indoor plants, with a cup of adarakh wali chai. (I plan to revive the tradition of having tea with ginger once wedding at home is over! Also the above drawing room is a work of fiction)

• Office. As the financial year in India ends in March I can safely say that this year seems to be the best, so far for our startup. (As if I own one!) That also means, we have more work than ever and we are struggling to keep our sanity level on check. The situation is good in a longer run if we take the correct decisions on time. As of now, I need a 30-hours day to maintain my work-lifewedding-at-home balance.

• Home. It is all about wedding. The to-do lists keep on increasing and functions are approaching. While I try to be the perfect daughter-in-law (No pressure, blood in my veins needs perfection) but many a times fail because, office. Taking leaves is a problem too while the entire society is asking about it. "Your sister-in-law took 15 days off in your wedding." - for once, she did not like her work at that time and she had excess amount of leaves. I have 20 leaves to take in a year, if I take 15 now - how am I going to live my own life this year? Well, I can answer people only in my head.

• Painting. I crave to paint stuff. Looking at photos of bottles, canvases, boxes and also a patch of wall- my director had declared to hide stuff from me before I start painting in office. Well, not a bad idea.

• I  have these grand plans to style our flat and throw a few house parties. I should have included in new year resolutions but I am sure this is not happening in first two quarters. The mind does not even go beyond the wedding date. Indian weddings are fun for only guests may be.

• In other news, Mr.ISB is again on his business pilgrimage to Scandinavia. Not that we can not survive the wedding preparations phase without him (I am my dad's daughter, can manage the mayhem, says my dad always) but it is always good to have him beside me when I begin to lose my sanity. Ok, he can do it over a call also. He can soothe my rough side or show me the mirror too. Don't you think, the best thing to happen in the world is to get the husband who is your best friend too? Oh, I was talking about our long distance relationship. I call (Read: Consoled myself) it a break to reinvent ourselves. 

• Anger. I am angry at things. It happens when you do not have control over others' mouths when you are hosting the wedding. You feel extreme injustice many a times but apart from anger for a while it invokes my self respect. Also 'Karma' may be blesses me a little late, but that is okay. 

• Cold. I have made a friendship with a strange type of Bactria. It just accumulates cough in my lungs. Blocks my nose. A bit of headache but refuses to budge. Nothing, nothing is unblocking my throat, lungs or nose. Nothing. I do enjoy Himesh Reshamiya songs though, at his point of time! 

• How about a post listing things I want to do post these functions? I have scattered ideas all around but come on, there are days I can not even think about what to do tomorrow thanks to the fatigue. 

• If any soon to be married couples are reading this - Please please focus on one super grand function if you have to have a wedding. Rest, should be toned down. Saved money can be used in buying houses, going on a vacation or investing in mutual funds (I'm tempted to mention - Subject to market risk, read the offer documents carefully!) or the best is to - let your parents keep it as a safety budget or the vacation fun, it is their hard earned money. We, as a couple regret many times that we could have stepped in and ignore the splurge. 

Anyway, hope to see you post wedding with another cup of Meriwali Chai! 

Resolutions 2018

Last year, I had decided to develop/change three aspects of my life - anger management, fitness and involvement. I thought, I should start from the follow up for three of them before putting up resolutions for this new year.

Anger Management/Patience: While I had plugged both the virtues together, I would say I grabbed many many situations to display my patience this year and missed a few in terms of anger management. I surely need to control my temper which hurts me more than any one else but I have realized, it should build in me organically. Consciously trying for it is affecting me negatively in a longer run.

Sometimes, people can not accept you with your flaws. It is human, hence ignoring that part would be a good deal. My voice is considerably high when I explain things, which is a part of my personality. I have been reminded of the same every day since I have shifted to this city. I tried many a times but this is something which is in my genes - high pitched voice! Unfortunately, people are still struggling to know me/accept me. I tried keeping mum, suppressing my opinions/explanations to avoid misconceptions regarding my attitude, but in vein. While I am trying to change myself, it hurts me a bit too much when people lecture me on how I am aggressive in the room full of saints. Needless to say, the intimidating personalities like mine are clueless when people ask them to change the core nature, just because they don't like it. I have not reached a point of self agreement on this.

Fitness: This followed a sine wave this year. While I started with a good note, around August I was detected with a sink in hemoglobin, Vitamin D and B12 levels. While I'm back on both grounds- with the help of diet and some medicines - I wish I could do away with fatigue I catch in case of exertion. The neck spinal issue which surfaced this year (aging!), is not resolved but now I know that postures are more important than I used to think of. With many lessons learnt, at the end I am satisfied with my performance on this resolution. I wish I would lose some weight as well in the new year, in a fit way though.

Involvement: This has backfired. I have made two huge mistakes in my job thanks to this 100% involvement formula. I kid you not, my brain works better if I am doing minimum two things together. No, it does not include music unfortunately- even if it is one of my favorite songs it has to be paused while I am working. But to be frank, this reality has stuck now and I am already working on it. The new year would hopefully being back to the grind in a more efficient way.

***

Now, its time to declare my resolutions for the year 2018. Unlike last year, this year I am going to make concrete goals. Just like a check list! (I can see my husband rolling his eyes - one more list!)

Health Goals:

1. I would walk for 30-40 minutes five days a week, or a good old run would do too
2. I would use staircase to climb up once a day, up to fifth floor at least
3. I would maintain my water intake at any cost
4. I would start to cook the way I want to. Sauteed Vegetables, Slow cook Pasta, Roasted Vegetables, Garlic Spinach Bhaji, Caramelized Pear, Garlic Tomato Soup, Leek Soup etc. 
5. More fruits please. Last three months of increased fruit intake has suppressed bouts of flu. Hence, it clearly works for me and needless to say, I love fruits. It is easy peasy! 

Personal Project Goals:

1. Driving (I see Red, People!)
2. One Trip to any place in India (A family wedding can be an excuse)
3. One Biiiiig vacations outside India
4. Do more Gardening. I have realized, that is something which puts joy in our little bedroom. 
5. Decor. This area has got my focus more than ever. Some day re-writing rules to design furniture would enter in my main agenda. Some day.

I am sure these goals are not that difficult to achieve but my current schedule would not let all of these things fit in easily. Lets see. Wish me luck!

Did you guys make any resolution this year?