Ushering in a spanking-new decade. Hop aboard 2011

My earliest recollection of midnight 2011 was a large crystal ball, psychedelic lights, a DJ spinning a spiel about the countdown, hundreds of people arm-in-arm waiting for the clock to strike 12 to swoop down on their partners in a bear hug / liplock, a troupe of Moulin Rouge dancers, a laser show and spectacular fireworks. Besides of course, a sea of freely-flowing spirits and yummy hors d'œuvre.

After a late late night (or did it turn morning, Uhmmm), returned home, crashed, and now - throbbing head, dazed-eyed, dry-mouthed – Here I am. And nope, I'm not Bryan Adams...(Though he is gonna be here in a month or so, crooning and belting out his raspy (but nevertheless popular) tunes...

The year ahead looks promising. The Royal Wedding is just 4 months away. An array of movies will ensure that our movies online reservation will be at its merriest best. It is the year of sequels – Spiderman, Harry Potter, Mission Impossible, The Hangover, Wanted, Sherlock Holmes, Transformers, Pirates of the Caribbean, Kung Fu Panda, X-Men, The Twilight Saga– will all try their luck on the silver screen.

Many will rejoice and be glued to their idiot boxes for the 10th ICC World Cup is almost on its heels.

And if all goes well, Sony Vaio’s 3D laptop, the iPhone 5, the iPad 2, the Blackberry Playbook, Sony's PlayStation Phone and Nintendo’s 3D camera will keep every gadget freak smiling from ear to ear. Can see the hubby going into a paroxysm of ecstasy...

2011 looks to be a bright year ahead...It's a brand new decade, and hope it brings all that we could hope for...professionally and personally...

On that note, I wish you all a warm, joyous, prosperous and peaceful New Year. God Bless!

Goodbye 2010. Hello 2011

While 2010 was not the year when my mind exploded with clever ideas that would have the world’s VCs tripping over each other to reach to me - arms laden with blank cheques, solitaires, keys to swanky penthouses and automobiles; it was a year which changed my world. I did develop some mental agility (which balanced my physical inertia that came with a horrid leg fracture. Sigh).

With 2011 just a knock away, I guess it’s time to jot the obligatory musings about the year that went by. This of course meant fishing out last year’s reflections and a mental ticker that pronounced me as having been good or bad. I'm in one of my generous moods, so you decide...

Did quite a bit of traveling. In the following order:

Went for a Girl’s Trip. To Jaipur. Had a fantastic time too. The weather was also at its courteous best, ensuring that those annoying beads of perspiration didn’t drown those around us.

Visited what I consider the most beautiful place on this planet – Venice. Floated in a gondola in the middle of the Grand Canal. Stuffed our faces with gelatos in every flavor under the sun. Gorged on raviolis, risottos, gnocchis, tiramisu, pasta, spaghetti, lasagna, brioches, cannoli and of course pizzas. Loved their Bellini, Campari and Merlot. Kept eyes peeled for Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie (accompanied by Brad Pitt and their brood) who were shooting for ‘The Tourist” there.
Level of Excitement – at the highest notch
End Result – No luck. (Include fair amount of justifiable cussing)

Did the mandatory tick-in-the-box for moda paradiso (fashion paradise) - Milan, Murano & Burano Islands and Amsterdam too. But broke my leg at the last place mentioned (another resolution, perhaps? To not be an eager beaver and let my (over)excitement lead to mishaps like these...)

Frolicked on the Bondi beach in Sydney. Downed a few, surrounded by the golden sand. Surrendered to the divine IMAX experience with the latest Harry Potter.

Did switch jobs. Liking it too (Cheshire Cat grin)

Conquered a fear. Tick. Can get onto any escalator now. Unaccompanied. Kindly abstain from shaking your pretty lil heads in disbelief. Yes, I did have a phobia of escalators. Now conquered. You might as well do an air high-five for me…

Cooked a bit (in all truth, baked). 6 cakes to be precise. All turned out well, thank you (before you may ask). Now that’s getting somewhere, isn’t it? Who knows – I might just surprise hubby dearest with a full meal someday...Hope the shock’s not too big for him though...

Did stick to a budget. Managed reasonably well too.
(Loud Drumroll)

Wasn’t as grumpy as I thought I’d be . Especially since was bedridden for the better part of 1.5 months.

De-stressed a lot – with the help of (un)forgettable Kerala spas, play sessions with our Labrador, and bubble-popping games. Didn’t resort too much to a workout (and there are obviously no results thanks to that slackness)

So what makes it to my to-do list for 2011? Here’s for starters:

• Be able to touch my toes. For this, working out at least five times a week is crucial
• Drink more water (even without rum)
• Work on my attention span. Right now, even a fly is probably better than me
• Finish at least some of the books I started
• Make people laugh. While I am no Court Jester, I can do stir up the amusement quotient and cause people to clutch their stomachs
• Learn a language. Instead of staring at and stammering a hasty ‘Comment dites-vous cela en Français’ (how do you say this in French) to a toffee-nosed Mademoiselle
• Learn how to strum. High time that I do before age catches up with me and my hands start to tremble
• Shake up my leniency and make ‘far-too-easily-pleased’ spirit go away on vacation.
• Visit at least two dream destinations. Knock on wood
• Buy a bicycle. Use it too instead of just taking it out for dusting every month
• This is a joint resolution with the hubby - do a lot more socializing – go for more dinner parties and not pass up social invitations
• Use the array of hair and skin products that I have diligently amassed over the last one year
• Stop eating out of boredom
• Keep my (strong) opinions to myself. Well, at least sometimes
• Stop hitting the snooze button on weekends and wake up at the first go
• Not check my emails every 5 minutes
• Continue writing a weekly blog post
• Stop sitting in the house on weekends in my old, faded tracks or skirt. Shower and be dressed respectably
• Resist the urge to fascinate people with oooooold jokes. Learn a few new ones
• Resist the urge to pick up the phone and have an imaginary conversation, while seated in an auto in a traffic intersection. Look right into the eyes of the panhandler / eunuch and refuse to handout money
• Think of more interesting things to do outside the house during weekend evenings than stepping into one of the numerous coffee bars that have mushroomed across the city
• And lastly, as a dear friend put it - I should consistently pen the manuscript of my first book. Someday I will. Someday I surely will, D. And thanks for your confidence in me...

Hope I fare well in the coming year. Happy New 2010, everyone…
Cheers!

By the way, do you have any Resolutions you'd like to share? I'd lurrrve to hear from you...

A Brand New Year

The New Year set upon us today – a cold, foggy morning. While TOOMA and I spent much of the morning doing what we do best – catching up on our respective beauty sleep, the rest of the world embraced the spanking new 2010 shiveringly, a song and a smile set upon their lips, fingers deftly texting messages – some forwarded, some their own creation, while phones – that most definitive of technologies – were reached out for to connect with loved ones.

As the clock struck midnight, many other couples ushered in 2010 with us at the swanky lounge – with the due amount of ‘spirit’ and gusto the occasion demanded. The crystal ball gleamed in the psychedelic lights as the resident DJ, in his booming voice, announced a brand new year.

The year ahead looks bright. Markets look optimistic about completely erasing memories of the two worst economic years of all times. Newspapers herald a series of people-to-people cross-border cultural interactions between two sworn enemy nations. The Auto-Expo ‘roars’ to life in another 4 days in Delhi, while the Commonwealth games will be upon us in another 10 months. FIFA World Cup will get ‘kick’-started. Probably all those top-level meetings by global leaders would make some headway in the field of climate change, and also take a sterner stand against the ugly face of terrorism. Sex and the City - the movie, comes out with a sequel, much to the delight of deliriously-happy women like me, and set the cash registers ringing for fashion brands worldwide. Michael Schumacher also looks set to make the king of all comebacks. The Apple tablet and the Xbox Project Nato will be released – gadget-lovers rejoice!

Quite a few things to mull over. Things look good for sure.

And on that optimistic note, I wish you a year of peace, contentment, joy and prosperity. God Bless!

Adios 2009. Hola 2010!

Looking back at my loooong list of Resolutions that I’d laid down for this year, I can safely say I haven’t fared all that badly.

For one, I learnt how to drive – not into a ditch or into the pair of wheels ahead – but reasonably well. Cooking however still remains to be an area of skill I haven’t been too ‘driven’ towards.

I also got married – not that it was on my list of Resolutions. But since that is the single most extraordinarily life-altering thing that I’ve done to date, I thought I ought to give it a worthy mention here...

Grew my nails. Finally! They were long at the wedding. Ha!

Didn’t change my job. How’s that for longevity and commitment!

Exercised – tick. Went a step further – despite everyone’s surprise, pleated with shock – went ahead and participated in this time’s Marathon. Now that is one huge tick!

Didn’t exactly give up junk food, but yeah – those days of being surrounded by takeaway food menus are a thing of the past, I can safely say. Maggi too – an eternal dinner companion, has graciously stepped aside from a daily to a weekly / fortnightly treat….

I also decided that variety was the name of the game – and have deigned to download new songs instead of song-bingeing on the same Metallica numbers (though it is to be noted that they are still by far the best of the lot).

Knocked down the sarcasm factor a teeny-weeny bit, and went ahead to do my share in letting people smile rather than making them hang their heads in mute shame…Tee hee…couldn’t resist the last bit.

Now makeup –that needs to be knocked down a tad. But we’re getting there, aren’t we..? Perfumes – a total of 6 luxury fumes bought this year – that doesn’t even average into one per month. So I’m thumping my tail wildly with joy…Haven’t ODed on facewashes, clips, nail enamels, or wet face wipes. Creams and gum – uhmmm – getting there, getting there! Have some patience!

Didn’t’ learn French. Or any other language for that matter. Did visit France though. Broke bread there. Broke into sighs at the stores on Champs Elysees. Tasted their super wine. Fell in love with the place. They don’t call it the most romantic / fashionable place in the world for nothing! Paris – I’m coming back again – for sure…

Post-marriage, our room, while it won’t make the cut in an edition of the ‘Spic and Span’ magazine, will not get a mention in the ‘Piggiest of them all’ either. So that’s good…

Wore the caps I’ve been meaning to wear for quite sometime. Despite the amused look that TOOMA gives me each time I don one. Of course, it helped that till a couple of days back, I was in chilly Shimla - where everyone wears caps...

Other things I’ve been good at:

- Haven’t cussed rude people in a while. Supremely ignored the crass souls.
- Just smile benignly when anyone comments upon another girl college being better than my own. God bless ignorance!
- Now give my previous Cosmo issues away…much to the delight of P, our household help.
-Get ready post-shower in under ten minutes.
- Don’t guffaw uncontrollably at people who look dressed for a Punjabi wedding, even though they are at a mall.
- Watched quite a few good moves with TOOMA…And embarrassed him by repeating corny dialogues, thankfully in private, much to his relief.
- Completely stopped wearing wrinkled, un-ironed clothes. God bless P…
- Reduced my chances of being the top contender at who-texted-the-most-in-2009 contest. No regrets!
- Learnt new jokes. Shared them too.
- Didn’t relapse into being a chimney.
- Took my name off from the most-likely-to-be-put-into-therapy-for-whining list (remove ‘h’ from the underlined word)
- Learnt Excel. All those pivots, importing, conditional formatting, etc suddenly look less intimidating..
- Shot pictures – more than a plentiful share.
- And lastly – kept to what I love – Blogging!

Things I’ve not been so good at:

- Sending pictures to my Mum is not the same as writing letters to her. Will ensure that I write to her too…
- Improving my memory. Three words – my memory sucks! Clueless how to better it. Have been popping almonds and olives for quite a while now.
- Watching TV. While this would probably be on the things not to do list of people, for me, it should be on my to-do list. At least sometimes. There are some pretty good things they show nowadays, besides the tears-stained-cheeked soap actresses and starlets in dragging reality shows.
- Still haven’t gone around to getting a white Tee. Someday. Someday…

For 2010, the Resolutions are just a handful:

1. Learn a language or a musical instrument
2. Visit a place with five letters
3. Go Camping / for another all girl’s trip
4. Learn how to cook. Nothing fancy. No elaborate seven course meal. Simple fare would do. Thank you
5. Stick to a budget
6. Be less grumpy
7. Get an annual check-up with TOOMA
8. Conquer an unmentionable fear
9. De-stress at a spa once a quarter
10. Switch jobs

Let’s see how I fare this coming year. Happy New Year everyone!

Wishes for a warm 2009

Amidst much fanfare and high spirits (literally), the New Year finally descended upon TOOMA and me.

While I sleepwalked the first few hours in a drunken stupor, I couldn’t help but remember what someone has told me many many years back –what you do on the first day of the year, you do for the most of the remaining year.

I sure hope not.

As the biting chill cut across to my very bone, I shivered inspite of the warm black hood shirt that enveloped me protectively. A spinning head and a dull, throbbing ache, bore sharp testimony to the incessant liquid that ran through my veins, instead of the usual crimson blood.

Hitting the dance floor non-stop certainly hadn’t helped either.

As flashbacks of my antics with perfect strangers painfully crossed my mind, numbing me into a near-state of horror / disbelief / utter mortification / remorse, I silently gave the thumbs down to any plans of ever mixing spirits, nixing them in favour of showing steadfast loyalty to one, or at a max, two preferred brands.

On that guilty-as-charged note, let me wish you all a ‘spirited,’ warm, joyous and prosperous 2009.

Hic hic.

Actions speak louder than words: New Year Resolutions - 2009

With 2008 speeding away, I thought I would do a volte-face.

So this time, instead of sticking up at nose at New Year Resolutions, I decided to make a few to hold on to in the coming year.

Only time would tell if I have set myself up for failure. Or if success does come in my stride...

In no particular order (or implementation due date), hear them out.

In 2009, I will:

 Not roll my eyes or look condescendingly when people don’t understand a joke that I just cracked
 Stop wearing too much makeup. Only some gloss, mascara, and maybe a liner, and I should be ready to roll
 Learn how to drive. And cook. A car and food respectively. Instead of driving people up the wall and cooking sarcastic comments
 Get a French Connection. And not by ordering French bread. Learn the language
 Eat less junk food. And exercise. And get into a couple of sizes smaller jeans(Difficulty level – Highest. Multiplied by 10)
 Not song binge. Instead of listening to the same song over and over again, I will change the track. Or the CD
 Keep my room clean. Instead of it looking like a mix between a pigsty and something the rats broke into
 Participate in this year’s marathon
 Stop eating Maggi for dinner. On a regular basis. Smack my lips and gulp down some dal instead
 Stop buying yet more facewashes that I don’t use. Or creams. Or clips. Or nail enamels. Or mints. Or chewing gums. Or wet face tissues...
 Not cuss loudly when some bugger’s cell phone blares the latest Bollywood track in the theatre. Will just prettily show him the middle finger. Or cast a murderous look. Might work better
 Stop being a scrapdealer and give away old magazines, clothes, makeup, and footwear I have hoarded over time
 Not burst into laughter when I see a person walk by me, wearing something in neon green. Or anything that has all the colours of the rainbow. Or who looks like a bejewelled Christmas tree
 Improve my memory. And not forget people’s names. It’s embarrassing
 Write more letters to my Mother
 Watch at least some TV. So that when people discuss what’s playing on air, I can throw in a word or two. Instead of blinking rapidly / scratching my head / smiling blankly. Or worse – moving away from them to a corner
 Not become a shrieking idiot even when anyone says that my college may not be the absolute best, contrary to what I think
 Be open to criticism. Instead of pretending that it’s alright, but sulk later in my room
 Make more trips. Physical ones. Not ego trips
 Look TOOMA straight in the eyes, cup his face in my palms, and utter those three words on a more regular basis. And see him melt…
 Buy a white T-shirt. Instead of yet another black one
 Watch Godfather. And Rambo. And Rocky. And Pirates of the Caribbean. And Lord of the Rings. Bourne series. All parts
 Whiten my teeth
 Take more leaves from work. And sleep at home
 Learn to accept that not every lustworthy shoe / bag / perfume is for me
 Watch all movies starring George Clooney. Mmmmmm....
 Not wear un-ironed clothes and look like a ragpicker. Will pick up the darn steam-iron, and iron them
 Not average more than one perfume in 3 months. And stick to it
 Read more
 Not fight with people close to me
 Learn a new language (optional). Other than monkey-speak, that is
 Text less over the phone. Ditto for mindless yapping (Difficulty Level – High)
 Wear the two Levis caps I bought. And sock any of my friends who giggle when I do
 Not tell the same stories at get-togethers. Or the same stale jokes
 Buy a camera. And shoot the world
 Not show all my pearlies by breaking into a Cheshire cat grin everytime someone clicks my pic. It’s perfectly alright not to show all 32 of them in every pic
 Not bite my nails. Long nails look classier. Besides looking pretty when painted. Period
 Be less bitchy. And less superficial
 Get regular trims. Instead of cribbing about split ends
 Kill every mosquito that buzzes near me
 Not leave a job unless I complete at least a year and a half there. Which means that this year I am not changing my job
 I will not pet every dog who wags his tail at me
 Shed weight. And keep it off
 Save money
 Stick to my having kicked the butt
 Drink less alcohol
 Not wait till 4 o’clock on weekends to take a shower
 Not pretend to listen to boring stories when I can barely keep my eyes open. Will yawn and snore. Or politely move away
 Learn Excel and PowerPoint. And learn them Goddamned well
And lastly,
 Keep blogging