A day in the garden

These flowers grow in bunch, they are absolutely lovely and give a pleasant smell in the evening.

Orchids

Oranges

 The orange juice is my 'Miracle water' . I have low pressure problems, and one sip of this juice instantly refreshes and uplifts my mood.

Wild rose, though it grows wild, the smell of these rose flowers is absolutely divine.

Shadow play

 These are not mangoes from the tree. We have a tradition here in Kerala, that if the tree doesn't bear fruits in 2 years, it's taunted and humiliated to fruit. So, my mom hung some mangoes on the branches so that the tree may finally feel ashamed and humiliated at its inability to bear fruits, she even goes to the tree and say out aloud on how disappointed she is to have the tree in the house which doesn't bear fruits. Trust me, it works!!!

From Drafts: Clarification post

I just can't fancy the idea of my blog being bare for a month: This post is from draft and found its way into open forum....all thanks to my love for this blog of mine. I am still in my No- writing mode and would publish some random stuffs from almost full drafts once every month just to keep the spirit alive....

Remember my 30 things to do before I turn 30 post from here?. Well, I am forced to clarify few points regarding the same. With 2011 ending on a high note, I like most others have decided to pen down some resolution point for the coming year 2012. So, iv pen and paper in my hand and what do I do, scramble through my deepest desires and promise myself that I am gonna make all of em come true the coming year?. For me it's not always about taming the impossible it's the little things that matter, its the reason behind each resolution what matters. For people who read my list and told me that the list is too plain jane or boring or easily achievable, this is what my explanation is: For you it might be simple even achievable target in a year but for me, iv given in lot of thought on who I am and from that perspective I have to be a fighter, uninhibited to achieve these targets.

1. Prepare a sumptuous Kerala veg meal inclusive of 2 types of payasam(Kheer) :I am not good @ cooking , atleast not half as good as mom. The thing with mallu food is that its full of Do's and Dont's, procedures, measurement and I am no wizard when it comes to ordered cooking. I tend to loose track of what's added and when. It would be a big challenge for me to master the art of cooking 12 curries and 2 kheers without anyone's help. And with me stepping into new my new life, culinary skill set is an absolute must.

2. Get my license both, 2 and 4 wheeler : For my brother, this one was absolute no brainer. For someone who managed to grab his license the very next day he turned 18 it would be a silly joke. But, for me riding a car can give major heart ache. I am not good with approximating distances and I have always wondered sitting inside a KSRTC bus admiring the skill of these drivers who manage to keep the huge vehicle under control. To drive with absolute concentration all the while ensuring you don't hit any pedestrians or fellow drivers is a major challenge for me. A challenge by itself and for that I have to overcome my own fears first.

3. Take my parents to an international holiday :Seems like an impossible task for now as I have to wait until 30 to get my dad to be free( He will retire only then). Having a super busy dad, overly dedicated to the welfare of India economy can be quite be a bummer. When we were kids, we would stand near the window grill watching the neighbours pack their bag to tourist places. We would pester and as a last resort even threaten our dad to take us somewhere atleast ANYwhere but, superdad always makes up 100's of official excuses.

4. Beat a guy in computer games :When I wrote this , I was meaning someone as pro as my bro to beat. The bar is way higher than you think. He calls himself invincible in computer games, mastering the art of shooting and kicking for hours together and this is one thing he holds close to male pride. I just want to let the guys out there know that anything, I mean anything is achievable and Iv warned my bro well in advance that I may go down but I will give him a fight that he will remember throughout his gaming life.

5. Travel to 4 corners of India (Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, Kashmir and Andamans) :I have not traveled much and I intend to change that record after marriage. I am fascinated by people, culture and food. This would give me a perfect excuse to savour all the three.

6. Learn Salsa or any latina dance : This is for US, a time we can call OURS. I believe as couples the two of us should be able to spend some time alone not only will it bring each other together but, also instill lot of wow moments.

7. Turn vegetarian for a year: Kuttan was veg until the last year and now he is a total carnivore. In random conversations, people kind of shift the blame of kuttan turning non -veg on me and I totally hate it!!. This point is to instill some good eating habits in US. After all, turning vegan is in vogue now :P. Besides, to achieve point 9 this point is quite essential.

8. Try at least one adventure sport : I love the thrill, the adrenaline rush, the fear of unknown and I would love to do something totally whacky for pure FUN.

9. Go down from size -- to size 26 :Now this would need a lot of will power. I am a lazy bum, with my favorite activity being sleeping and hogging anything remotely sweet.

10. Buy a branded bag (A ZARA /MANGO/ALDO will do) : I already own a ZARA bag but, that's gifted. I have this thing for bags and  bags, specifically branded bags takes my breath away. My parents would label buying a bag worth 2k  as scandalous. Owning em was always part of my big Indian dream and I will keep it alive. It's always wise on the pockets to pick something up during sales and now that these high end stores have their own exclusive stores in Bangalore things would be easier than I though.

11. Walk on a 4 inch platform heels without falling : Heels do make me feel good, induce self confidence and makes me feel strong from inside, but balancing on a heel is such a pain. Again it's a challenge of sorts to tame the unthinkable and another reason to buy more stilettos.:P


12. Get my EX-MBA and move up to the post of Analyst before point 20 :This WAS my dream and this point made into the list cause I didn't want to let go of my past. This is something that I would want to remind myself everyday. Dreams are important after all.

13. Attend my brother's post graduate ceremony if he intends to postgraduate:This guy has a special place in my heart. I know he is super talented and I wanna be part of his BIG moments. This is to ensure he doesn't forgo his dreams like I did.

14. Buy myself a diamond stud : I suck at saving cash, month beginning I am on a financial high and spurge, only to look at my statement in month mid and weep. I have to try and change that. Buying a diamond stud is a perfect motivator and diamonds are good investments too.

15. Stay away from technology for 1 month ie, mobiles/ net etc : I am always connected  to the virtual world with not even a 6 minutes of separation acceptable. I have to change that, go out and meet REAL people.This point is to build in some self control.

16. Hug a dog :I own a cute adorable dog, who absolutely hates hugging and I have this strange fear for dogs (other than mine) which was rooted into my brain by an old ad which showed a girl bitten by a rabid dog dying a pitiful death. From that day on I am scared by the sight of any dog and the ad went on to hunt my dreams for the longest of time. Now that I do own a dog, playing and cuddling with her is not much of a problem but, hugging sure is. Again, I have to shed lot of fears to do this one.

17. Have authentic Chinese food : By that I mean"AUTHENTIC" not your local Chinese wala food. Chinese would definitely not suit my taste buds as I am a flavor person and according to reliable sources Chinese food is quite bland. Would like to experience the real Chinese food, for that I need to find a place that serves the same:Any suggestions?

18. Pray every day, and make it a habit :If there is one thing I lack, that would be belief in GOD. Both of my parents are extremely religious and even visit temple everyday unlike lazy bum like me who refuse to get out of the bed before 8 on weekends. Daily prayers I hope would bring in more order and calmness in my life. 

19. Visit my school with my buddies and spend a whole day in 12 A :Best time of my life, just want to relive my past. School has given me lot of fond memories and friends whom I wouldn't trade for anything in this world. Being with em in that classroom would help me to come in terms with the fact that my innocence is not lost, alteast not some of it.

20. Change company :Pay package will speak for itself.

21. Go clubbing :Infatuated by the tabloids, I wish to experience clubbing and really understand what the hullaboo is all about. Being from a conservative background I didn't wanted to stray from my comfort zone though opportunities were many in Bangalore. Kuttan loves clubbing and I plan to visit a club soon after marriage. 

22. Buy "our own" house : Financial constrains are many, we both are starting afresh and hopefully by 30 we both are self sufficient to spurge a major chunk of our income into our dream house.

23. Not to fight with anyone for 3 months, not even an angry thought :I am a hyper active person, atleast for people close to me. I will drain your energy and time and in a relationship I can be a big pain.  Most of my fights are of the usual"YOU-DON'T-GIVE-ME-ENOUGH-ATTENTION" routine. I would like to act more matured and hence, this point.

24. Walk on a beach @ 12.night, barefooted : May happen after marriage. It's more of a romantic dream, the idea of sun, sand and barefootness that forced me to include the said point into the list. 

25. Streak my hair purple : Challenge there again... I am always stuck down by what people think. I was brought up that way, I am conditioned to think in the perspective of a 3rd person. My mom believed this would stop me from making wrong choices. She was right :we tend to keep a lid to our dark side cause we live in a society fed with fear and the baggage that came along was the constant need of reassurance that I don't stand out from the crowd. For me streaking hair in purple is sort of self liberalization move, one that would mark my growth as an individual wary of adult approval. To hell with people... I know I would have to face lots of stares but then I am all set for it. 

26. Say sorry to SOMEONE I have hurt: I have a specific SOMEONE in my mind. I can't forgive myself for doing that to HIM. We have really weird conversations but, I have to clear the air and talk about the past and close that chapter for ever. This is one moment in my past that I wish  I could go back and rectify.

27. Punch someone/anyone(After my 3 months of being a good girl): Just the bully in me speaking for herself. She is such a mean kid and I love her for that.

28. Spend one day, every year in an orphanage : Just like that....I know I will be rewarded in heaven.

29. Write dairy every day : I used to until, I shifted to blogging. Blogging is an open platform and most of the time I have to restrict myself from blurting out the truth. Iv to kick start my old habit to ensure I have sound mind all throughout my life. 

30. Say a joke, to which everyone will laugh to :Now that is the toughest of the lot. I am known for my dry sense of humor or no sense at all.There were instances were I would burp out a supposedly joke at the weirdest of time. 

See, this 30 things to do before I turn 30 is not easy as you thought it would be atleast for me.