"It is by not always thinking of yourself, if you can manage it, that you might somehow be happy. Until you make room in your life for someone as important to you as yourself, you will always be searching and lost."
~ The Bridge Across Forever
~ Richard Bach
[Obviously, the emphasis is mine.]
Friday, September 04, 2009
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Encore
When we relocated to Pune two years back, I was overwhelmed, but it all eased out after that trip.
So, when the monsoon set in this year, we couldn't resist the temptation to do an encore. The last time, it was my uncle and I who introduced my hubs to this piece-of-heaven. This time, it was the hubs and I, passing on the experience to my friend gudiya. Oh, and to our pups. They mostly ran wild whenever their feet touched the ground, all those scents driving them crazy. We also managed to walk into a stream of sparkling water trickling from the hills. We sat on some stones there for a while, and then also took the pups in for a few minutes. They weren't particularly looking to run away, but were definitely not very comfortable in the chilly water.
So, when the monsoon set in this year, we couldn't resist the temptation to do an encore. The last time, it was my uncle and I who introduced my hubs to this piece-of-heaven. This time, it was the hubs and I, passing on the experience to my friend gudiya. Oh, and to our pups. They mostly ran wild whenever their feet touched the ground, all those scents driving them crazy. We also managed to walk into a stream of sparkling water trickling from the hills. We sat on some stones there for a while, and then also took the pups in for a few minutes. They weren't particularly looking to run away, but were definitely not very comfortable in the chilly water.
This is where we made the first halt, just in case the pups wanted to do their business.
The view ahead was inviting.
Yes, I'm hiding behind the car. I don't want to traumatize you with a view of the rolls of fat.
Further ahead, we made a wrong turn, and went on to the road that joins Lonavala (where we had been a couple of times last year). Just as we were about to turn back, we noticed an open plain to the right of the road. We pulled over and prepared the pups to step out safely (put on their body-belts and harnesses).
That's gudiya entertaining them until we got the food ready.
From where we stood, this was towards the left
... a little further left
... straight ahead
... and to the right.
We went closer, and then I grabbed the camera from the hubs' hands.
He doesn't know how to take pictures with a better perspective, and he won't take any free advice. Did I have a choice? Look at that valley. Isn't that more interesting that the plateaus above? :P
There was a ridge right across, and many tiny waterfalls, or springs, if you may.
A gorge across the valley.
Gudiya was clicking away on her Sony camera-phone, while the hubs kept the pups from falling off the nearby cliff.
After feeding the pups (and making sure at least one of them peed and pooped) we turned back to our previous destination--Tamhini ghat. It was another 10 kilometers from the point where we took the wrong turn, but we were in no hurry to get back. We drove up to the point from where the road winds down the mountain into further towns and villages.
That's the sun-kissed landscape
... as seen from here :)
On the way back, we halted at a new shack for snacks. After being stuffed with kaanda-bhaji and chai, the hubs refused to drive. So it was me at the wheel for the entire 150-km trip that lasted 7 hours. But I ain't complainin', baby!
Monday, June 15, 2009
CY 09 Q2 Analysis
And guess what?! I completely lost track after the last analysis. It's almost like I gave up on disciplining myself.
So the follow-up goals-analysis goes like this (Plan | Jan-Mar | Apr-June 2009):
This update didn't exactly come out as I had thought. I had my undies in a knot, because I almost didn't achieve anything I set out to do. But writing it out made me realize that I haven't completely failed. I think a huge thanks is in order for the pups, because I can use them as an excuse for almost everything.
So the follow-up goals-analysis goes like this (Plan | Jan-Mar | Apr-June 2009):
- Spend at least an hour a day for /with myself, doing one of my favorite activities: walking / reading / swimming / hiking / meditating (something I confess to not have done in the past 2 years due to sheer laziness)
Laziness continues to rule my days, but I do swim more often now (twice or thrice a week, without actually dragging myself to do it!), and have also joined a Katthak class (yay!) and I practice the bols more heartily than actual steps :)
The Katthak class continues, swimming has been abandoned. But for good reason. After a long search and a seemingly-longer wait, we got home two lovely Dalmatian pups. And since then we discovered that time flits past faster than the speed of light. Walking has resumed with the dogs' walk every evening, although I really want to do mornings with them. Hiking will begin only after they're 6 months old, when they (and hopefully I) can make those attempts at putting staminas to the test. - LOSE WEIGHT (I won't set unrealistic goals, but 5 kgs would be good start--see how I choose the smallest battle possible? heh!)
I did lose a kilo in February, but I didn't count how much I put on before I started losing. Also, I think I regained that kilo or more during March, so the next week or so will be spent huffing and puffing so that when I land on the weighing machine at the doctor's in about a week, I'll have lost another kilo.
This is totally off the chart by now. In fact, not only have I surely gained that one kilo back, I've put on even more. (If that's possible with me still fitting into the same clothes.) I'm totally disgusted with myself, but I wonder when I'll get to the point where I feel ashamed with every morsel I ingest and every lethargy-filled moment I spend on the couch watching TV. - Proactively and efficiently do more than just what I'm told to do at work--I make plans all the time, but never really see them through... this year, I'm gonna break the habit (not a hope, but a promise)
I'm a tad slow on this one until now, but should pick up because I'll be setting my goals for FY10 soon. And I installed ManicTime to keep a tab on where I while away my time (not that I didn't know, but seeing the numbers actually drives in some shame, so I try to keep away from distractions).
ManicTime is forgotten, but I continue to do better than before. Work is automatically keeping me on my toes. Or maybe it's the pets. I begin any time between 7:00-9:00 am and am almost done by 3:00 pm, which is when I have to rush back to the starving canines. Then a couple more hours in the late evenings, mostly because I have meetings then. - Be forthright with everyone without being rude (this is a hard one, especially when all people want of you after 2 years of marriage is to make babies... AAARGHH!)
Hmm, there haven't been many situations where I'd have to use this, but that would be because we mostly avoid most kinds of social situations. Also, this is difficult to do with elders, especially relatives and in-laws. People my age or younger would get a piece of my mind if they bother with this topic.
Also, people expect women to provide the family with all sorts of culinary delights after marriage. I hate cooking when I'm supposed to do it. So after getting my brain wrapped around the fact that no one can coax me into it, I've started cooking more frequently. The inspiration being a little more inclination towards savings and health.
After many calls with my MIL where she went on about how having our own kids is better than having pets, and me passing on the phone to the hubs to avoid the topic, I finally managed to say "I don't yet feel like having kids," that too when she asked the specific question. The best part was that one fine evening, the hubs got so pissed with her pestering that he yelled at her to not repeat the same dumb question each time we call. He's my angel at times. Muuaaah! - Make at least two long road trips (not just the lousy 100 / 200 kms to Lonavla / Panchgani)
Already started on this one. It's not too easy due to the lightening of pockets that comes along with it, but one a quarter is not bad, is it?
No further trips in this quarter, because we had to take the pets for their vaccination shots almost every weekend. We do plan to make longer trips after they're 6 months old. Which means another quarter gone. In the meanwhile, we do plan to go for the usual monsoon-induced long drives :D
This update didn't exactly come out as I had thought. I had my undies in a knot, because I almost didn't achieve anything I set out to do. But writing it out made me realize that I haven't completely failed. I think a huge thanks is in order for the pups, because I can use them as an excuse for almost everything.
What puts me off reproduction - II
The sheer ignorance and arrogance of "experts" who are supposed to assist in / be responsible for the ultimate moment--the miracle of life. Fucktards.
Reading it was enough. I don't have the strength to write it all out again. Go over and check Rashmi's story at The Mad Momma's. I pray that Rashmi wins the good fight. I bow in respect to the woman's calm strength and conviction.
Reading it was enough. I don't have the strength to write it all out again. Go over and check Rashmi's story at The Mad Momma's. I pray that Rashmi wins the good fight. I bow in respect to the woman's calm strength and conviction.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Dear Richard Bach
I've thought about writing to you countless times, but I never really could string my words together. As I woke up in the middle of the night, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I had a sudden urge to read Jonathan Livingston Seagull all over again. I frantically searched through my cupboard, and was disappointed to not find it there.
And then I saw the Messiah's Handbook. I'm always at a loss for good questions at such times. I think I asked "Do I still have any love left inside me?" I think I meant "Am I capable of being in love again?" This was my answer: "What if all these levels inside you are your friends, and they know a lot more than you know? What if your teachers are here, right now? Instead of always talking, what if for a change you listen?"--I want to! But at the moment I have so many thoughts buzzing inside my head that I need to get them out to feel calm again.
[Incidentally, I also found some verses I wrote a couple of months ago and this answer also addresses the same!]
Every time I wake up like this, thinking of you, or with an urge to read your words, I am a bit spooked. I wonder why this happens, and I imagine having a direct connection with you, and I worry, is everything OK with you? I have goosebumps every time I think that some day you will pass on from this world. Although we've never met/spoken, there's this strong bond I feel, which makes me sad at the thought of no longer having you around.
So, before the possibility of you reading this is forever lost, here's what I needed to say:
Thank you! Thanks for being what you are and sharing your thoughts with us. As innumerable people must have said before: your words have had a huge impact on my life. They've helped me through many rough times, and have given me profound joy and peace whenever I felt I was losing faith in my self.
[My mind went blank for a while here.]
I've been wanting to meet you, knowing fully well that there is nothing I could contribute to your life. I only wanted to express my gratitude, but I know I would have been at a loss of words in your presence. So here it is: thanks a million for existing during my time on earth :)
Love and regards,
Pallavi
PS: After I wrote it all out, I asked "Will this ever reach Richard?" To which, I got "Know that ever about you stands the reality of love, and each moment you have the power to transform the world by what you have learned." You did really hear my first question, didn't you?
And then I saw the Messiah's Handbook. I'm always at a loss for good questions at such times. I think I asked "Do I still have any love left inside me?" I think I meant "Am I capable of being in love again?" This was my answer: "What if all these levels inside you are your friends, and they know a lot more than you know? What if your teachers are here, right now? Instead of always talking, what if for a change you listen?"--I want to! But at the moment I have so many thoughts buzzing inside my head that I need to get them out to feel calm again.
[Incidentally, I also found some verses I wrote a couple of months ago and this answer also addresses the same!]
Every time I wake up like this, thinking of you, or with an urge to read your words, I am a bit spooked. I wonder why this happens, and I imagine having a direct connection with you, and I worry, is everything OK with you? I have goosebumps every time I think that some day you will pass on from this world. Although we've never met/spoken, there's this strong bond I feel, which makes me sad at the thought of no longer having you around.
So, before the possibility of you reading this is forever lost, here's what I needed to say:
Thank you! Thanks for being what you are and sharing your thoughts with us. As innumerable people must have said before: your words have had a huge impact on my life. They've helped me through many rough times, and have given me profound joy and peace whenever I felt I was losing faith in my self.
[My mind went blank for a while here.]
I've been wanting to meet you, knowing fully well that there is nothing I could contribute to your life. I only wanted to express my gratitude, but I know I would have been at a loss of words in your presence. So here it is: thanks a million for existing during my time on earth :)
Love and regards,
Pallavi
PS: After I wrote it all out, I asked "Will this ever reach Richard?" To which, I got "Know that ever about you stands the reality of love, and each moment you have the power to transform the world by what you have learned." You did really hear my first question, didn't you?
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
The part of me that no one sees
| ... is Troubled |
 You are compassionate, caring, and soothing. You like other people to depend on you... In fact, you don't feel right unless you are helping someone out. Underneath it all, you feel the burden of everyone's problems. Without your guidance, you fear that many people's worlds would fall apart. You like to feel in charge, even if it brings you a lot of stress. |
What's the Part of You That No One Sees?
Yes, hubby, I can hear you mumble "bossy bitch." This post just proves your point. Now go get that batter so I make appé and dosas to feed our ever-hungry stomachs :P
Thursday, April 02, 2009
CY 09 Q1 Analysis
Because I don't want get to my planned mid-year analysis and be shocked at what I haven't achieved :P
So the goals-analysis goes like this (Jan-Mar 2009):
So the goals-analysis goes like this (Jan-Mar 2009):
- Spend at least an hour a day for /with myself, doing one of my favorite activities: walking / reading / swimming / hiking / meditating (something I confess to not have done in the past 2 years due to sheer laziness)
Laziness continues to rule my days, but I do swim more often now (twice or thrice a week, without actually dragging myself to do it!), and have also joined a Kathak class (yay!) and I practice the bols more heartily than actual steps :) - LOSE WEIGHT (I won't set unrealistic goals, but 5 kgs would be good start--see how I choose the smallest battle possible? heh!)
I did lose a kilo in February, but I didn't count how much I put on before I started losing. Also, I think I regained that kilo or more during March, so the next week or so will be spent huffing and puffing so that when I land on the weighing machine at the doctor's in about a week, I'll have lost another kilo. - Proactively and efficiently do more than just what I'm told to do at work--I make plans all the time, but never really see them through... this year, I'm gonna break the habit (not a hope, but a promise)
I'm a tad slow on this one until now, but should pick up because I'll be setting my goals for FY10 soon. And I installed ManicTime to keep a tab on where I while away my time (not that I didn't know, but seeing the numbers actually drives in some shame, so I try to keep away from distractions). - Be forthright with everyone without being rude (this is a hard one, especially when all people want of you after 2 years of marriage is to make babies... AAARGHH!)
Hmm, there haven't been many situations where I'd have to use this, but that would be because we mostly avoid most kinds of social situations. Also, this is difficult to do with elders, especially relatives and in-laws. People my age or younger would get a piece of my mind if they bother with this topic.
Also, people expect women to provide the family with all sorts of culinary delights after marriage. I hate cooking when I'm supposed to do it. So after getting my brain wrapped around the fact that no one can coax me into it, I've started cooking more frequently. The inspiration being a little more inclination towards savings and health. - Make at least two long road trips (not just the lousy 100 / 200 kms to Lonavla / Panchgani)
Already started on this one. It's not too easy due to the lightening of pockets that comes along with it, but one a quarter is not bad, is it?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)