From the wedding couple…. The best email ever

Talk about wedding preparations and if you have tied the knot you know that a bride’s To do list is never ending. It was in February when a good friend broke a number of hearts to be stolen by John Travolta- Denzil at a glittering venue at Blueberry Hills. I have to admit that even the most minimal décor would have seemed just perfect at this charming venue. A stunning picture to enter a lawn with illuminated trees and pink and purple tents that were placed over tables. Just like a fairy tale coming true.

Brides these days are engrossed in their never ending preparations from their white robe to their eternal invitation list. Has it become easier even with wedding planners?  I doubt that much. With endless tasks to complete, frankly, each of it is important and its not uncommon these days where post a wedding it’s the honeymoon and your guests made the perfect presence.

 BUT when I received this email, it made me think that there are still a few couples who will make that wedding to do list complete. Minnelli and Denzil just did and no it was not part of a “wedding planners” tick list.

So here goes the email most valued, this is what I can call nailing it.

A Special Thank You Note

Inbox

x

Minnelli <minnellijade@gmail.com>	Mar 6
to me

Dearest Gazella,

A Big Hello from Denzil & Me!!!

We would like to thank you for coming all the way to Goa & for Sharing our special Wedding day. This day would not have been possible without your presence. We do hope you have had a great time with us as we had a time of our lives.

Gaz, we would like to Thank for all the help, support & great friendship all through the years.

Denzil & I greatly & humbly appreciate it & are blessed to have a friend like you.

Lastly we would like to thank you for all your prayers, wishes, blessings & gifts showered on us.

P.S. pictures & videos will be shared with you shortly....

Thank You & God Bless Always!!!

Love,

Denzil & Minnelli

Cool, Awesssooome, Shucks, Gosh

Come along now, I said to Sangeeta, you can do this trip. It was almost close to around 3 years that our Goa plan was just swinging on a planning stage. Even though it was just for two days, Sangeeta had to be there, we all together in Goa. That’s what we hoped for; we wanted and had to make that happen.

Sangeeta has been around in Mumbai for around 6 years now. She hails from the vibrant capital, Delhi and moved to a bustling Bollywood city, Mumbai in search for a job and no not in the Bollywood industry. That institution I tell you.  Gradually in order to look out for a place she teamed up with our ever warm, close and cool friend Sabina in the informal suburb Bandra to share a room. I have known Sangeeta for, I would say 5 years and yes of course through our mutual acquaintance, the jubilant, Sabina and the graceful Meryl.  In the initial stages of just getting to know her, it was not at all a very tough call. Her homely, inviting and friendly demeanor just added that perfect sedative to our friendship. Over time and the many coffees at Coffee Café Day (well when it poured she so welcomingly prepared the perfect Black tea with a dash of lemon at home) and conversations we shared; I found in Sangeeta a person whom I could just enjoy, in the sense, have no qualms about anything I would say nor a thought that would put me on the brink of uncertainty which would make me feel like I have lost a friend. Sangeeta used to hang out with us on the many Fridays which gradually became ingrained.  Be it a movie, a party, a pub, a shack or even if it was just a walk on Carter Road.  Talking about Carter road, it brings to my mind, the Celebrate Bandra events where we used to let our hair down and the relaxed Friday evenings on the Carter road promenade where Sabina used to hum a tune of the latest Madonna… Miles away and you do the voices.  My friends were hers when out for an evening and there were no reservations.

There is a deeper significance when we are likened to someone who is more or less surrounded by similar experiences. Looking back we can even seem to laugh at ourselves and our situations and feel normal.  Sangeeta has just the perfect size 0, she was born with it and we all so admire her that despite the chaats, the mayo, the cheese bites  or be it the ice creams, she was let loose when we hit the gym or went for our walks. Girl you are so blessed. Picking up something for her didn’t involve too much of thinking and that made it just so easy when it came to birthdays. Then the intensity of the hair dos came along. At a stage when straight are the new curls, the baby curls have not seemed to leave her and have grown long which at times make her respond in a way of frustration. But hey Sangeeta, just calm down and stick with it okay.. Although you have days of going head bag with the choppers.. Relax.. Calm your mind and look at this blog…I tell you, that’s the only part which brings out the Brazilian in you.  Aweeeessooome girl. And how can we forget, didn’t we all when going for a pedicure just made it seem that you had those feet which poised itself with such finesse. How we used to often joke that to hit on a man you had to dangle feet first in front of them… Such a turn on that would be. I wish I had known earlier of your love to blog but your quiet little self or rather my talkative chats passed us up on that. Nevertheless I guess you will be using this platform more often now.

So coming to the point of this blog, it was yet again a casual relaxed Friday evening, when you spilt the beans of………. moving to Bangalore. Shucks I said in my mind, but didn’t voice that loudly how I used to often say and Gosh goes Meryl, we are not going to let you go.. Ha haaaaa. Slowly do I realize now from your move there on it’s not going to be a return to Bandra. Congratulations I say, you have grown girl in your career. It’s amazing when I look back; it was just a month ago when we were sharing how you wanted to move and needed a change. We all knew there was this sense of a deep longing which has finally worked out for you but one thing we really didn’t seem to think that it would stop by so fast. Remember when God closes one door he always and yes always opens the other. You’ve climbed up the ladder of success as I can see and what better place Bangalore, the perfect climate with its quaint little streets that are just so appealing. The coffee is richer and its aroma stronger... Today I realize a chapter has come to pass. I cannot really seem to encapsulate my entire experience over the past 5 years or so with you in just this one page. There are so much laughable and enjoyable moments but do want to say a simple “Thank You” for just being the way you are. You are going to be missed for sure.

 As the saying goes, the only thing constant is Change. And yes Cool, Aweeesssooome, Shucks and gosh was on our last note which will stay with us forever. Shucks you’re going but your cup of coffee will always be steaming hot whenever you want to come back.  

Wasn’t it just the other day when we were talking about writing a blog about all of us? Had we to wait for this moment? Lifes mysterious ways…

Kia Ora

New Zealand had been an echo in my head for around two years now and this time I ought to have listened to it.

The only thought that filled my mind which was keeping me away was as part of being on sub load travel, the stress of getting  bumped off a flight, having to languish at airports didn’t seem to paint a very comfortable picture.  I had to take my first step in order to break my thought system that this is what would be part of me fulfilling my dreams of travel. So I processed my visa, packed my bags and arrived at the airport on 4^th May to take my flight. My vacation was planned taking into consideration that this year I intended to celebrate my birthday in a memorable way and yes I wanted to be away from my home country.  My flight would get me into Hongkong by around 9.40 am and this would give me enough time to visit my most preferred street and that was Sham Shui Po. What more at the best time where the retail and wholesale markets are just waking up getting into business. You may never know what you can find unless you really look and if your lucky you may get the most desired “DIVA” looking piece of clothing for a song and this times pick for me was the pure white “lace” blouse.. Ralph Laureneque I’d say or atleast close to that…... This hideout has been highly promising much more than the night markets since the time I have managed to trace it on the map and now a visit to Hong Kong is never complete without stopping by this street.

Well I had to remember that I was still in transit which required me to get back to the airport in time if I wanted to make it to my final destination. Thankfully so; my suitcases had been packed off to its final destination which made it more convenient for me to hop on to the local mode of transport which is the MTR. I arrived back at the airport with enough of time on my hands for at least a good three cups of Starbucks Coffee until I boarded the last leg of my journey.

It would be an extensive fourteen hour journey so I decided to be entertained with the fantastic In-Flight Entertainment System on board and Rum Diary was the chosen bet which a friend recommended, after which I listened to some Smooth Jazz to the likes of Jill Scott, Alicia Keys and Joss Stone. By now fatigue had taken over and I succumbed to my slumber not wanting to miss out any of the action when I did arrive in New Zealand. I had already heard that I would be visiting the most beautiful landscape in the world. When my winks were done I pulled up the window pane to let a streak of light in my seat and there I was not too far away from the land of splendor. Waking up at such an altitude would put the literary use of the sentence “sunlight hitting your face” to its full utilization and yes the true source of   Vitamin D, I would like to add.. As we touched down my heart seemed to jump with excitement as much as it would seem in the “Meet your date” series, well not that  I was meeting any date, my time has not yet come and I don’t know how long is that wait….

A step out of Auckland airport and there I arrived to greet my friend with whom I would be staying with for the next couple of days. The chill in the weather was just as hugging as a welcome embrace from the humid country I came from and for certain was enjoyable on this very pleasant sunny day. It seemed “he” (the weather) was a bit moody of late. Well not that I could see in his demeanor.  The first evening was a drive in a BMW 3 series to a nearby dam named Titirangi and oh I don’t have to mention how smooth the BMW ride was over those curves. Thanks to my friends cousin who happens to work for BMW in Auckland and his love for fancy cars.

It was already 7.00 in the evening which seemed like almost close to 9.00 pm . The first evening seemed to be a bit of a shiver as compared to the morning but the sight of the dam was just like that of caramel custard with its shiny finish flowing down into a river silkfully. Far below I could see little icicles floating along and then when “he”began to bite I stepped back in my warm BMW seat. Later that evening after a get together with my friend’s accuqiantances from Auckland and a dinner that consisted of an interestingly rich bouffet of corned beef, pork ribs, chicken fry, butter chicken.. Ummmmmm and catching up with an old friend we called it a day.

I had the most relaxing sleep on the soft comfortable bed and didn’t want to get out from my duvet. My travel – weariness semmed to have been shaken off.  It was church Sunday and so I was all set for the 10.30am mass. Personally I don’t consider this as just a ritual but we have more to give thanks to and to be grateful for. It all stems from your own personal relationship you have with God. There is something about hearing mass at different churches, back in my hometown too that’s what makes Sundays apart from boring and I can assure you, you will always have something to take away, its how you view it. We went to the Catholic parish of our lady of St.Lourdes and I just love the part of the Eucharist where they serve wine along with the host. After mass and a light breakfast we took the local transport for a drive to Mission Bay, a vibrant beachfront area with a strip of restaurants and bars all along the pavements. Watching the yachts parked along the coastline were like sophisticated time pieces with brands such as Omega, Cartier, Tissot, one better than the other all set on display. Luxury in all its finesse.

 We walked down the relaxing shore, enjoying the smooth sands and taking in the views of affluent homes.  Just sitting on the rocks, breathing in pure air and looking at the vast sea before you …Ohhh if one would truly understand the gift of simple pleasures in life which aren’t only embedded in material aspects. Sharing space with the camera, I now see the reason behind my so relaxed poise .

I gathered a few shells lying on the white sand. It’s a fun activity I must say and truly not reserved for just your childhood years.  Well a handful collection of just two or three wouldn’t make them go extinct.   We then moved on to the tallest  man made structure of Auckland, the Sky Tower and apart from breath taking views as we  went  up in an Escalator that travels  at 18 km per hour which takes only 40 secs it was more like trying to catch your breath. There I stood on a glass pane staring down below at Auckland at whose tall commercial structures just seemed like colored dotted lines. I shudder to think what if that glass pane had to crack; it would be your last bungee jump.  The Sky tower also happens to house a Casino bar, as I had never experienced the opportunity of visiting a casino bar apart from the movies, it was worth a game with a couple of 5 and  10 NZ $, even if I didn’t win the jackpot.

The next morning we were to leave for Lake Rotorua. Set aside the much talked about violent history with volcanic eruptions behind its cause, it also happens to be one of the most amazing getaways for the perfect adrenalin rush. We were to leave by 7.00 am as we had booked the Naked bus (now don’t get with naughty thoughts). The previous night, we had packed sandwiches which consisted of cheese and the delicious corned beef was put to its right use. The drive on Naked bus was an opportunity not to be missed. Of Auburns and Reds and pinks with shades of different hues, it was Photoshop in its natural form, a view that just gripped you and didn’t allow you to shut an eyelid.

How could a coffeholic miss the quaint little English tea houses plopped along the way that were just so cozy and warm. Well a CCD or Costa Coffee stands a far miss if they had to aim at international expansion on this side of the terrain, I definitely wouldn’t find myself stepping into one, what an oxymoron to my coffee evenings back home. Coffee was my spirit to beat the cold. I could only but imagine the whiff of freshly ground coffee that I would just want to plunge my lips in. It is a known fact that the population of sheep is much higher than that of humans in New Zealand, to put it in a ratio- 10 for each person as has been researched, so take your pick. The three hour drive along the country side with the morning sun rise along the many green pastures some of which consisted of sheep whilst others of handsome robust horses. This for me was a route to Nirvana. I couldn’t find myself with such calmness that I have experienced, oh to be lost deep in thought with not a worry on my mind, I felt like that of a child that could be pacified only in such a landscape.

We soon reached Lake Rotorua where my adrenalin vessels were given liberty only to the Sky Swing and the Luge. I have to say it was a view one better than the other and you can see why.

I just can’t seem to put it down in words that won’t do justice. To be perched on a mountain overlooking the brown and red roof tops in the distance set against a backdrop of a water landscape was the highlight of my trip I had to say, a frame etched in the castles of my memory. It was soon late afternoon and we were booked to take the Naked bus back home. As we walked towards the bus stand I found myself right in the middle of a picture frame that hung back home with yellow trees that had leaves shaped like that of the Canadian flag on an empty road.

 On the other side of the road was this ripe red lychee tree growing wild. I had to lift my hands up and shout “I am born to break free” whilst my friend was still recuperating from the trauma of how she said  “Yes” of agreeing to sit with me on the Sky Swing. The hours that we had were too short to accomplish all the sport activities that I wanted to indulge in , nevertheless I will be back again for some more.

It was strange to see how the weather so drastically changed the next day …hmmmm Mr. Weatherman visited us in his grey suit, We had awoken a bit late to a cold morning as we got the rain, we spent the day at the nearby malls and later hopped on to take the bus down to Queens street, the commercial suburb of New Zealand passing by the University buildings as we went along. After a bit of shopping that didn’t really seem so tasty we lunched at the Sky Tower. Later that evening we dined at a Chinese restaurant along with my friend’s sister’s family and came home with the thought of the next day being our last.

Mr. Weatherman was still around with his same grey suit so we decided to take a walk down Glen Eden.  We stopped off at a friend’s place to pick up a parcel and in his backyard there was the red cherry guava. I plucked one  off the tree to taste what it was like and it was just like that of sweet guava except small in size and red in colour, there was ample of it all fallen beneath the tree so whilst my friend chatted I  decided not to stop at just one. This is what Adam and Eve were like in the garden of Paradise, I thought whilst I relished the fruit;  where they could just pluck the fruits of the garden and eat except, yes except for that one and we all know what happened after that.  Passing along, I took in the sights of bright red and orange roses growing wild amongst the other rare flowers , one being the smallest rose I have ever seen and tiny red cherries, lemon and orange all around , you could say one in each garden. God has indeed given in abundance as he says in his word and what more evidence do we need?

 It was a good way of experiencing New Zealand when it rained.   9^th May, the last day of my trip and the eve of my birthday was brought in at my friend’s sister’s place, a surprise dinner with chicken biryani and pork ribs. The chains of food restrictions are relaxed on my birthday and so I pampered myself and of course chocolate had to be on the list. That night I broke all beauty “do nots” and slept with my make up still on, well Happy Birthday Gazella…

I had packed the previous night lest I leave anything in the melancholy of leaving New Zealand, a landscape that gave me sheer relaxation which can’t be compared close to a spa treatment. I bid my goodbyes and of course my last cuppa of coffee at the airport. I realized the desire not to leave was stronger than the desire to arrive in New Zealand.  My flight was in the afternoon and I arrived at the airport well in advance to be on the safe side of getting my boarding pass all through until Mumbai. But alas, I was checked in only until Hongkong. As the flight took off over the green meadows and grazing pastures, my heart just sank and soon was surrounded by just clouds. The thought of it being my birthday almost disappeared until my name was announced in-flight. I was so hoping it was a message that said my flight was confirmed from Hong Kong to Mumbai but instead an in-flight cake which was ordered just for me. My spirits elevated once more as I felt young again, a truly different birthday with the crew team on board wishing me and later handing over a birthday greeting sketched with personal messages from them.

The saga of being bumped off and spending one night in Hong Kong is a different page itself and as they say every night has a story….

So I did go to a place that was not at all “hopeless” and did I find love in this not so hopeless place?????  Stick to my blog if you really want to know….

A tribute to Photography

If you listen quietly enough you may be able to hear the sound of the waves that dribble towards the shore and hit against the sparkling white sea shells. Nature is the whisper of quietness they say, it’s true if you want to believe it.

A peaceful escape to the heart of Mission bay brings one to a sunset that’s a secure breakaway from your stressed thoughts.

Do you think she is weighed down? Think again, she will remain but only for a brief and then in a fleeting wave take off to a place for restful nights sleep. As free as an uncaged bird, the next morning orange sun rays will lift her breezing wings as she claims the sky once more.  

Her innocence can be claimed only in poetry

The essence of green living exists in harmony only in nature. Colors have always been a symbol of fashion but if you take it further and reflect on this painted canvas you will find either an artist’s masterpiece or more so a photographers prized frame. Whichever one it may be it’s a treasure to hold forever.

John 10:10 says “I have come to give you life in abundance” What more evidence do we need, if God can care for the beast of the field and those in the wild wouldn’t he thus care for us

A shelf life of this flower or fruit may be just a day or two

But caught in a lens it seems immortal

As compared to the changing seasons the spectacular beauty of auburns, reds and oranges seem to construct the perfect mix for a tie-dye pattern.

Did it just mould into a Beetle? Naaahhh couldn’t be so perfectly red but you may never know the powers of nature...

Our road is long and our time is short. Are we breathing just a little and calling it life? or have we found our rhythm and living those moments that will soon be memories which will bring a smile to our lips?

There is no method in cloud formation and the skyline seems to have occupied its own drawing..

Nevertheless it casts a serene visual that you would wish for as you close the door towards the end of your day and in this case the end of this blog.

Pictures courtesy:-Sekhar Kiran Krishanan who is driven by unadulterated and the purest form of passion for photography. So much so it’s his first love or his baby that he would like to call it that will gracefully grow young with age. He uses a Canon machine that produces this mystifying magic. The above pictures have been shot in New Zealand.

Give him credit and like this page..

My Veronica moment- 29^th April 2012

There lies on my office desk a black and white sketch of a young and strong man , aged 33 and a smile that expresses warmth; hugging a young girl around age 8 with such a fatherly affectionate embrace. Personally I hate forwards and find them being not just more than foolish chains that clout your mailbox. Well I happened to open this one to find different sketches of the one that resembles the model of Christianity, Jesus Christ and one of the drawings in the attachment instantly provoked feelings of comfort. Among the various pin ups of a to do list, a  magnetic souvenir of goa, a framed photograph, a sunflower to brighten my day, I pinned this A4 size in the perfect line of sight at a 90 degree angle. It’s been out there for around three or so years .

 Every now and then when life seems to tirelessly drag on, my questions not met with any answers and dreams that may appear to be fading away; I just seem to stop for a moment and glance at the drawing with a feeling of trust. It speaks no words nor does it give me some magical insight on what should I do next  but just a  hopeful reliance that there is a God up there who is alive and watching. My heart seems to then hum to the tune of the baptismal hymnal, “I surrender All”. Little did Judson De Venter, the author of this hymn realize that it would be sung in Churches all around the world and will still be used as a pivotal Gospel worship song even when Hillsong Music tries to reach out to as many youth through their voices.

As if by some divine ordinance every new visitor or passer by at my desk seems to resound the word of “comfort” when it comes to the description of this sketch that catches their eye. As always I do begin my day on reading the scriptures, mostly it’s the Psalms, in no particular order but this Sunday 29^th April was no ordinary personal prayer time. I started as usual with my pleadings and asking for a few of my desires to be met from the Lord and then went on to the latter portion of the Psalms which I find solace in. I closed my eyes and meditated on those scriptures trying to listen to the voice of God tell me something. Only if could see him…..I began to feel tears roll down my cheeks   and just couldn’t pull myself apart from stopping them. In an unexpected way I connected to the drawing that was on my office desk. It was so alive that I could feel myself being hugged by Jesus. I lay there in his arms, not wanting to leave his embrace and remained in that moment. There may be many great moments in world history but for me this was my “Veronica moment” as when she had the face of Jesus imprinted on her handkerchief. I just couldn’t let this day pass by without this recording. For surely, my personal favorite does not lie in just that magnetic souvenir of Goa or that sunflower but in this sketch which seems to say “ I am there with you all the way”.

And tomorrow when I go back to my busy Monday, every glint at this drawing will remind me of my “Veronica moment”

A Detachment to Attachment

I found myself wired up to my best friend, Lisa since the age of or let’s just say since eight grade. Quite oddly our friendship started over me chasing over a pin up of Samantha Fox. As weird as this may sound let me get your thoughts straight,  it was not for obvious reasons but only for one of her top hits “I surrender” . I begin to wonder now what was so astonishing about the harmony in there however my choices altered down the years to the likes of Whitney Houston, Sade, Michael Jackson and most recently being modified by Jill Scott, Joss Stone, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, if I would like to trip may be a flavor of Pitbull, David Guetta and Nicki Minaj would provide that perfect cocktail. Just imagine a by product of David Guetta and Nicki Minaj…. Man would we have more than just a melody. Ya, ya, ya, ya

 The journey began….. as we were together in the same school most of our growing up school years were partly shaped by our convent days.  Our acquaintance grew and I slowly found myself building a trust cave which was to be moulded in “friendship”. We went to the same tuitions together, joined the same prayer group, shared our struggles and soon our circle of friends were built around the formation of our like minded values. I began to find in Lisa the perfect friend, calm, unruffled, a bit coy but at the same time just what every one would need at that age of 14, someone who covers for you, accompanies you on that morning jog, is happy when you find a crush, whose mom keeps her door open at all times and above all is non judgmental.    Our vacation was what butter is to bread, now don’t take me in the literal sense of the word as am fortunate not to have been lured by the green bait (read as MONEY) and so I was able to make my days countable during every summer holiday.  Not that I did  belong to an age where only physical recreation and parks were considered far more than just reasonable sources of enjoyment but the kind of leisure jobs available were just not so intellectually stimulating  nor had the addiction of facebook and techno gizmos originated.

And yes 8^th grade, we didn’t have that kind of money flowing for coffee bars around town. We looked forward to our holidays as much as one would to your first cup of morning chai and would regularly meet every single day. Simply put, not meeting would make it seem that there was no song for the day.  

Our May days were never planned. Two months of sheer riposo, (Relaxation in Italian) except if it did concern around a family outing. In that case we would have to follow the mannerisms of our dear parents. Most of them would include a visit to “get to know” relatives. Although there was never a culture shock considering the stream of similar traditions it was an exciting time going to the cousins. And for sure you did have all your talking mirrors around you, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and the whole gamut of it. There were several of them that are now safely stored both in the heart and in the head. Lisa’s parents were the kind where in if you had a choice to choose your folks; you would definitely put your finger tips on both of them. Her mom was worth a hundred of school counselors and her dad although he was sailing most of the months was as patient as fishing. Sometimes I wonder if he ever learnt it from the calming sea.

My family really didn’t go for too many vacations considering the working parents so it was mostly summer camps in which we were enrolled in. At times I would jump in Lisa’s car as the door was always open and hop along for a ride or may be a trip to her relatives place.

As a teenager I most certainly was driven by being outdoors. So if I was ever to be found my parents just knew that it would be in my second home, Lisa’s place. The laws of attraction in our friendship were centered around true and innocent happiness. My friendship with Lisa began to gain momentum with an intensity that couldn’t be stopped so much so that when posed with the choice of a family function and a friends party, the latter would win, leaving besides the point of  where I would finally end up. Over the years, the many lunches-and-dinners- and – tea time snacks expanded the horizons of my acquaintances but still, I really didn’t seem to find another Lisa..She was just so unique in her own way and the sweet nectar of friendship was just forming cords of attachment.

During my late teens as all girls are definitely swept away on fashion boardwalk, it did bite us too…Well that’s normal isn’t it? The path to freedom was long awaited. Off with convent services and we were free birds waiting to claim the sky. Lisa decided to go into town to the now autonomous body, St. Xavier’s whilst I settled in a college in the suburbs

Churned by the youth age, spirited by passion, driven by youth jargon, college days were finally here. . Our conversations rolled around junior college fun, teacher pranks, train travels, Malhar and yes of course, the “wanna be ones”. Apart from sharing study notes and exam papers the puzzle didn’t seem complete. After 12^th grade I rooted myself out from the suburbs to migrate to Marine Lines. The taste of teen spirit seemed to be definitely worth the wait. To be a Xaverite. Ah.. How many would now vie for that status symbol. I was fortunate to have attained the scores which today if I had to extend to a metaphor it would be to attain a position among management. In a way it seemed just the right time to step in college, when you already had a circle of friends out there. So I didn’t really have to start from scratch nor had to go through the tunnel of ragging.   So there I was with my good old china, Lisa stealing whatever moments of fun we came across.

 “This is the wonderful time of your life, enjoy it to the fullest” said my parents. I wish I had taken that statement a little more seriously than to have focused my mind on the choice of subjects. I feel a little sad as I look back and in a spliff my college years seem to have flown by. But hey, I still have that spirit in me. Glad I don’t need a refresher course on that one.  I would give up anything however to go back to those days again.

It was soon time to turn to the streets, choosing a career. At first the very thought of at least getting a good decent job would require being equipped with some sort of skill. Lisa and I were both very inclined on customer service at a crusing altitude- an air hostess… It wasn’t easy but we tried and we failed. Lisa then went on to complete her IATA course which would give her a step into aviation and it did, whilst the call centre syndrome had hit me. We would then get to meet on the weekends; those were the party Saturdays as I would call it but nevertheless, the good Saturdays. By now our rhythm in friendship reached a point where by we were ending up each others sentences. The party meter had struck and soon we were on the club train. Fleetwood Mac, Gina. G, Kylie Minogue all had our feet tapping. But still a string seemed detached.

A vacancy opened up in Lisa’s airline, I applied and I got the job, though a trainee and a stoop down to almost half of the amount I was already earning, I gave it a shot with a thought that this is it. The travel bug was ingrained in me and being part of the airline industry just reinforced its meaning to my life. We were back and those were the best days, working with your best friend. I came to realize having a best friend is the best blessing ever and one of life’s greatest gift. Our holidays were now centered around planning short escapades and we would take off, Dubai, Hongkong however I have to admit out here, funny as it may sound, being part of an international airline, we were partial to Goa as our number one destination.

We worked together, traveled together for close to three years and then the bell tolled. It was time for a wedding. Lisa was getting married. Finally after a long wait her little hands were now full. She would be moving to Dubai. It made me feel that this vacuum could never be filled. Things would be different with this distance. Although I would seem to still have the basis of our friendship, a friend to call on at any hour, to take off at any time would no longer be in close proximity. Did I make a mistake out here or was it those cords of attachment that were already too strong to break. It’s not easy to withdraw from a friend especially after having a connection of more than fifteen years now I would say. I just can’t share so much of stupid stuff with just about anybody and at the same time be grateful to her for more than just friendship.

Now as a solo show, I didn’t get the Samantha Fox pin up however an MOU was signed. I realized I didn’t want to loose her friendship. In terms of getting back to my groove, yes I have, I have made new friends (which you will read about later in Victorian childhood)

Will I still fall prey to chords of attachment in the future? Well may be but with the right amount of detachment. Until then I wait for the day when we can sit around and spin that wheel with the same momentum that it had started with…

Lisa (name changed) is now settled in Dubai where she lives in her beautiful villa along with her husband and two mind-bogging boys and boy is she one hell of a busy mama..

A Facebook Memoir

A Facebook Memoir

Tom Cruise has invited you to become friends on Facebook. Even the most complicated soul of any women, no matter what the amount of self control would plunge to his request confirmation. When Facebook was launched in 2004, this social networking site created your own personal space to be publicly viewed. Your profile had the ability to categorize your interests, organize like minded characteristics, stir and well cause sensations in some cases. 2004… well it’s not too long ago and with my age being an apt segment to fall in a bracket of target customers, the friend request list was at a piercing level. And so the request kept coming, kept coming and kept coming. I was soon socially outcast as I declined all of them. Personally  the temptation to resist all those request was just getting weaker but then the other side of me thought .Does a number qualify those who really will support you and stand up for a cause when you need them to, those who wish to say hello only at weddings??  I don’t think so. I guess with this thought association it was the only recompense for my reasonable decision. Was I losing out on more friends, well I had their number that made up for those that did matter and thankfully the operation of Electronic mail fortunately or unfortunately did originate before Facebook.  So there it was birthdays being shared, happy moments being celebrated, a reunion of sorts, friends larking about on their travel escapades and so it continued to the point of vanity. Everyone wants to be admired and Facebook gave you that platform to market your own self and play on your own stage.  Soon FB as is commonly called gave rise to a new fixation, an activity that is even at times included on a resume; little did those poor applicants know that such interests would only make appear lackluster on their resume.

Although Facebook has been met by controversies, by 2011 the impact of this site had hit the spheres of marketing. There was a new portrayal on the social life and activity of people which was being researched.  It seemed that the telephonic decade was soon shedding its image. Make way for the revolutionary concept of Social Media which is now more than just a subject of advertisement interest but is the topic of cash flows, did Mark even think about that aspect during its implementative phase?

A day arrived when I found a neuron snap from me. Yes a whole nine years of built up contacts gone in a split second. I was cellless, I had lost my phone, years of memories, birthday notes, best friend’s baby arrivals, announcements of engagements and yes those sweet nothings that we all like to store safe and read over like mature wine.  I had to clutch at every straw and get off my high horse if I did want to reconnect my nervous system. I soon found myself rewriting my opinions, after a huge amount of self control signing up on facebook was the first instant solution. A reflex action, a whole lot of a hundred responses and friend requests flowed in.

I soon realized I had graduated; I was successful in exploiting this structure of social network for my own social gain. 

This is the truth and no not any faux reproduction if you thought and I hope Mark Z isn’t reading my memoir. I am now part of this bandwagon where yes I am being asked to upgrade to “Timeline”, I am being tagged and of course I am “Liking” it.