Avalaki upittu

Reading RS blog reminds me of my Bangalore days.

I am missing avalaki upittu (poha). I was lucky to work in an office which was in heart of the city. It was surrounded by good eatery places. I became a food freak after going there. It used to be like ,breakfast at juice junction, lunch at nandhini , evening snacks at chocolate house or natural ice-cream parlor and dinner at casapicola or garuda mall food court.

Weekday:

What a wonderful life I had. Get up at 8.30 in the morning. Reach office before 9.30 as I had to punch in. it’s not the I get up late, it’s all because of the climate and bathroom timings in the PG( paying guest house). I used to hate the food at PG. so; I always ate outside and still managed without putting on weight. All most all weekdays I spent in office and reading books in evening. Yes, I found a library nearby, paid some 1000rs as advance caution deposit and never collected back as I never returned the last book, which I have not read till now. J. Yes, it’s great me, who can do such things also. Night time I was forced to see few tv serials . Oh my god, I don’t remember those names of serials now.

At times, we take time and go for shopping during lunch hours during some sale. We are smart, we do take our boss with us, so we don’t get scolding’s if we are late.

Friday:

Weekends were fun. I used to go for movies. Weekend starts by Friday evening itself. We check out all theaters and movies. Friday used to be movie nights. I come home late and get scolding. If we don’t get movie tickets, we end up eating in pizza hut or KFC in brigade road. Its not that we go for watching movies, its just that we can be without eating those lovely pop corn.

Saturday:

Saturday would be window shopping in Garuda mall. Garuda mall is a nice place where you can check out on brands. Shopper stop, soch, west side and fab india were my favorite places. I almost bought kurta each month for at least a year in fab India. I was a freak then. Actually if allowed I would buy now also. Once I had to pay for my window shopping. My super enthusiastic friend Ms .B went on seeing saree’s at soch. She made the fellow show almost all the saree ’s in shelf. He didn’t allow us without buying them. And I was forced to buy one. Here is the saree. That was I first time I spent so much on a saree. I spent a four digit amount for stitching the blouse.

In between I joined art class. I attended few classes and bunked them as I didn’t have company.

Sunday:

it’s a bindas carefree day. I used to get up really late. Then take leisure bath. At times we call the beautician to house. Then, half a day goes in waiting for my turn for waxing or haircut. Later in the evening we( pg mates) go to big bazaar to find out what’s new in market , eat or drink the samples of the new product like maggie pasta or horlicks new flavor there.

I really enjoyed my pre-wedding days. That I too I was in a happening city. Office treat, team lunch ,Shopping, attending exhibitions or expo’s , museums, parks and what not. In fact we also had girls night outs.

Wait for another post on girls night out.. J

note: i forgot to write about capsicum bajji at gandhi bazzar and pani puri at commercial street.

I hate when this happens.

Now a days, bunty doesn’t sleep in the night. I thought things have changed from last month. But again we are back awake all night. She doesn’t cry. She shouts a lot. I need to be next to her talking all the time to avoid neighbors from waking.

People who visit us, keep asking when I am going back?. Arey, when I or my parents are not bothered of me staying here, what is their problem. They are also bothered about my leave and my promotion, when my boss is ready to give me extra leave of 3 months.

My close friends are gifting my daughter different, stylish dresses. But it doesn’t fit my daughter. What to do with them??

I think of lots of topic to write on blog, but there is no time. If at all I am free, my sister occupies the system or I don’t have mood to write.

When I cook something for first time, that a small quantity, the dish comes out really nice. When I try to repeat it, when my husband is at home, it always flops.

Whenever I decide to buy gold bangle for my daughter, the price hikes a lot. So, I return back without buying. Buy the time it reduces, I would have spent all money.

Bag then…Bag now..

so here is post after reading R'mom post. i thought its a nice topic to write on..

bag then..
before i had my kid..
i used to carry fancy handbags to office. living in bangalore ,working in a office near commercial street gave me chance to be upto date in fashion. i had all patience to change things from one bag to other. the following are things i used to carry.

• purse with ATM and Credit card
• pendrive
  
  mobile charger
• tissue papers
• facewash
• tooth picks
• a pouch containing lipsticks ( 2 or 3 of same colour but different brand), kajal, eye liner, brown eye pencil, comb, 2 or 3 bindi packets.

i am sure you must be thinking i am a make up freak. but, it was the only time i experimented with cosmetics.

• office locker keys
• PG cupboard keys
• mills ans boons.( as only that used to fit in my bag.)
• a box contains dry amala, badam.
• biscuit or wafers

yes i was a food freak. i have to keep munching something or the other. all my friends used to come and hunt my bag when they are hungry.

• pen knife( just for safety)
• another pouch containing pencils and sketch pen
• small pocket diary with important phone number and details

bag now

i no more carry fancy handbags. i just carry laptop bag with me. it contains

• purse with cards
• mobile with no charge
• tissues
• diaper
• cloth tissue
• baby powder
• few baby cloths
• biscuit for me
• stole to cover myself when i have to feed her
• towel to carry her
• few noise making toys
• water bottle

so its no more me in my bag. its all her.. :).

how we met

i got inspired by pepper's post on "So where did you guys meet?" post. so here i am posting my story .

Part-1
My mom forced me to see B’s photo when I was half asleep. I didn’t even realize that I was saying yes to see him. We met each other. ( oct 2^nd, 2009). I was all dressed up. Ready for the show. My parents asked me to see him, I was really hesitant. When I saw, he too seemed to be all tensed, sweating. They left us alone to talk to each other. I started asking him stupid questions, and he seemed to have nothing to ask. I thought it was all over. But next day I realized that was not the end, but the beginning.

I sat crying in confusion. What is that happening to me? My parents had given me only a day to think and give my answer. But what do I decide? I had no clue about him. I was generally afraid of marriage. he became a nightmare to me.

I asked my parents to give him my phone number. (25^th oct). Then he called me. But it was a very formal talk. he didn’t seem to be interested in talking at all. I realized he is not of my type. Didn’t know what to react?. My mom asked me how I judge people. I didnt have proper answer. Then I realized, that she was asking me to take time to understand.
We started talking. he looked all patient and sensitive. Of course a good listener, without which, my survival would have been difficult. Everyday there was something new to talk and discuss. Every day I realized how different we are from each other.
Within a week they arranged for our engagement. I was in Bangalore. I didn’t know what was happening. Neither did I see my engagement sari nor the ring.. It was almost like I am attending someone else engagement.;)

photos which we sent each other.

Part 2

Engagement was planned on 8^th of nov 2009. It was a Sunday. So I didn’t even had to apply for leave. I managed to get a mehandi design, from Garuda mall platform stall. I got in to bus at 9.30 pm, hoping that I will have a known person as neighbor, as I am traveling with both the hands applied with mehandi. Even if the bus conductor asks me the ticket, I needed somebody’s help. Luckily I got my school junior next to my seat. I had told few of my friends in office about my engagement. People called it a bluff, as I had already told them this many a times. At least the girl next to me, Ms.T believed it. I kept on getting call from him, all night, but I couldn’t pick it up. Thought he might take revenge on this.

 Finally I reached k town. Dad was waiting there with all smiles on his face. By the time I reached home, most of my relatives were already there. They were teasing if I would land only for muhurtham during wedding. All these oldies, jealous of me being thin, kept worrying how I am going to manage and all non-sense..

Day had passed with everybody trying to talk to me and tease me. But I was eagerly waiting for his call. It was raining badly that day. I kept on messaging him that day. Hoping to get a reply, even told him that,” I like him” for very first time. In spite of all the efforts I didn’t get reply from. Felt so bad. I cried all night, thinking what kind of person I am going to marry.

Finally the day arrived. Everybody was worried because of rain. Didn’t know how the engagement was going to happen?. Finally i arrived at the venue. With all excitement i was running on the stairs. The video-grapher was requesting me to walk slow and asked me to pretend to be shy.. i went inside the room, which was allotted to me. I sat there on the bed. All of a sudden he came inside. I was shocked. Didn’t know how or what to react. he was completely cool about it. I was wondering is this the face i saw on oct 2^nd? Or i am getting engaged to someone else?. Pity on me and bad memory.. ;P

His friends were trying to tease him.. Then we had the engagement ceremony. We exchanged our rings. I was hesitant to hold his hands, but he took it as a chance to hold me. Photographer was behind our lives for different poses and he took the maximum advantage of it, as he could hold me the way he wanted and never get slapped.. ;).

Part 3

Like any other wedding, ours too had so many intricacy and problems.. it was really difficult to overcome.. I don’t even want to think of those bad things now..

Reception had started little late, R ( B’s younger brother ) met with an accident and had fractured his hand. The evening went quite eventful. We received many gift, met each other’s friends.. His friends ( i.e G) tried to flirt with my friends.. ;). It went on with all teasing and comments. I was exhausted by end of the day. We didn’t even have time to eat proper food. I would kill that stupid photographer for not allowing me eat. He made me give stupid poses, which never came in album also. ;(...

Wedding: actually, nobody allowed me to sleep that night. They were talking about their wedding story. In fact, they even tried to arrange a education class for me that night.. ;).. How funny.. but yup, they got disappointed, as I didn’t give them a chance to explain anything( though was scared to hell about everything).

They woke us around 4.00 am. We had the Nalugu ceremony, followed by Pradanam and then the wedding. I was waiting for the moment. I could constantly feel him staring at me. It was making me feel little uncomfortable. He was officially sighting me.

 we were asked to smear a paste made from cumin seeds and jaggery on each other's hands. This custom is referred to as Jeelakarra-Bellamu. This ceremony is observed to communicate that the relationship of the married couple is unbreakable and inseparable. Then I assumed there were more mantra’s to be read. By the time i realised, he tied Mangalasutram around me. My god, i felt that it was a crash course wedding. Without my knowledge I had bend my head during it.. ;P..We went seven rounds around the Agni. And he put Metti to my toe. It is supposed to remove the evil eyes. But the scientific reason is something else.. ;P

it was too tiring i must say. We had to wait for a long time to get back home. Little horrible. .the weight of the flower mala pulls you down. Though you are the centre of attraction, but nobody cares for you. No food, no water and you have to smile all the time.

Finally it was G, who gave us little entertainment. Though I cant reveal what it is.. ;). Then luckily we were sent home. Day still didnt end there.. Still so many formalities were left to follow.  Finally I could take breath only in Wyanad, where I had fun time...

Part 4

A little sad phase.. Life after wedding didn’t seem much great for me. We lived apart from each other. All the weekdays would go longing to see each other. Weekends went travelling for me. We still managed to be a couple. We planned a outing every month, when I stayed in Bangalore. It was so nice, no commitments, and only roaming around and trying to understand each other.

But life turned upside down, when I came to vizag. I have to take up so many responsibilities. I got a very little emotional support from him. I was going mad and crazy at peoples comment on me. Here people won’t respect you if you are staying alone. Thought had come to B2 city from a metro life. Life seems to be only running behind material things. All the fun which was there earlier has gone. No more talking romantically, it’s no more holding hands and walking. Now it all seems to be buying a property, saving and all in-law dramas.. At times I wonder, is it all life about?

Feel sad that, there is no more that anu, who wants to achieve something, to Tell the world that I exist. The dream ashreya has confined itself just to a blog. Is this what happens to every married girl. Just family becomes the world, and the dreams confine to kids and their achievements.. ;(.

Part 5

It’s been year since I got married to him. I know him for more than a year now. Wow, what an achievement. I always thought how difficult it must be to stay with a same partner without getting bored. May be that is the reason, I have a junior coming up in my life...

It’s been real fun, from the time I announced that I am pregnant. Who doesn’t like getting attention, and give a little more stress n work to hubby. I am enjoying the phase to the fullest.
In fact there are few secrets which have to be revealed. He actually makes the best chapatti in the world. He is bad at talking, flirting and convincing people. He really doesn’t know to hurt others (except me, which he does most of times).he is never around me, when I really need him. He does know to shop for himself. He can never express himself. He likes cooking and setting everything ready for perfect dinner but still he is the best. I don’t know, if I got married to anyone else, would that person love me as much B does..

I never thought I would like him. But eventually I never knew when i fell for him.. Finally there is only one thing I want to tell B.. -I love you idiot.. ;). You are not part of my life.. But u have become my life.. ;)

mere pyar ,mere parchayi!...

subh chal padi is pyar ke rah me,
pyar mere peecha kiya parchayi ke roop me,
bahut kush hui me ye maanke,
peecha kar raha hai mera pyar,

aschary se deki mene,
gat thi ja rahi thi ,ye parchyi,
jab suraj tha mere upar,
dek nahi payi me us parchayi ko,

maan ne lagi juti hai ye pyar,
katinayi ke vakt chood degi ye haat,
lagi vahi ruk gaye ye jeevan,
muje nahi jana aagey kahi,

jab vakt beetha to pata chala,
mere peecha karne vali parchayi thi aagey,
muje disha dika rahi ti aagey,
muje apne lakshya thak pahuncha yi,

tab hi pata chala ,us vakth me,
parchayi cha gayi muj me,
hum ek bankar duniya ki shakti,
suraj se lade aur jeetey,

jeet kar jeet li ye parchayi mujko,
apna bana ke le gayi sath,
ye pyar parchayi hai,kabhi agey pichey,
leykin kabhi is duniya se mit thi nahi!....