I miss saying aiiyooo every time there is a goof up, or simply when something is not going right. I miss adding the random da's to the conversation and i also miss the idli's , rice and rassam.
Home has been a complicated word for me, since i have been away for now almost 5 years. I like going back to Thane to be with my parents, but i realize, apart from them, there is nothing else that holds me there. I want to go spend a weekend or two at Pune every now and then, simply to be with my friends there and live back the memories of my college days.
But for the last 2 years i have been in Bangalore and there is where i have found the perfect bunch of friends, a job that i love and the kind of life i see myself living. I have grown up a lot living there, become more independent, stronger and an adult. So, now for me, when i think of India, it is Bangalore that comes to my mind before all. My house, my bus routes, my eating joints and my food. My friends, the things i love doing and everything that is "me". Maybe growing up there and finally living on my own is what has gotten me attached to this city. The fact that i have found good friends finally in my life, friends who truly care and are there.
Home of course is where my parents are and i need to go back and touch base every few months. But still, Bangalore is where i see myself to be, where i have finally fit in comfortably. For the first time i have found friends who let me be myself. I don't need to pretend and be someone else. My job is just the way i saw myself working, meeting new people and enjoying what i am doing. My only wish if i could have it will be, to get my parents to move to Bangalore city. Then i will have my cake and i will be able to eat it too. The perfect life that will truly be !
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
My forthcoming Ski trip
One morning after the first vacation in France, i was talking to some teachers in school and i told them that i saw snow during the vacations and i was so excited to be out there and play with it. They all had a nice laugh and were amazed to know that where i live in India, it never snows ! So they all grouped together and suggested i go along with the kids on their ski trip in winter. They didn't even wait for a yes from me, they were too excited to put forth the idea to the principal of the school. So up the ladder went my demand to be part of the ski trip and the principal a couple of days later came to me and asked, would you really like to come with us and take part? Yes yes ! I was almost jumping up and down like a little kid and my face glowed with all the excitement ! So she said she would talk to the authorities in charge and see if it was possible to take me along. So some more days of waiting and then one day she came and gave me the good news, all has been set, and you can start preparing for the "classe de neige" !
So i ran back home and shared the good news with my family here in France and the lady here immediately took charge of getting me set with my ski wear and all. A new "Anorak" was pulled out from somewhere in the house, to see if the size fit me or not. Luckily it fit and i felt snug like a bug inside. Then came borrowing the ski pants and buying the gloves and the polars and what not. Today i bought the last piece of equipment required, a pair of sun glasses for the snow and now finally im all set to go !
Though im still a little scared of how its going to be, since i have never ever gone skiing before in my life. But im taking it all as one great experience of my life and i am sure the two weeks with the kids and teachers will be fun no doubt. All the trekking and skiing and the visits that are planned, i really can't wait to get on and try my hand !
So i ran back home and shared the good news with my family here in France and the lady here immediately took charge of getting me set with my ski wear and all. A new "Anorak" was pulled out from somewhere in the house, to see if the size fit me or not. Luckily it fit and i felt snug like a bug inside. Then came borrowing the ski pants and buying the gloves and the polars and what not. Today i bought the last piece of equipment required, a pair of sun glasses for the snow and now finally im all set to go !
Though im still a little scared of how its going to be, since i have never ever gone skiing before in my life. But im taking it all as one great experience of my life and i am sure the two weeks with the kids and teachers will be fun no doubt. All the trekking and skiing and the visits that are planned, i really can't wait to get on and try my hand !
Busy people
Everyone around me seems so busy. Doing what, someday i would really like to know. They think it is cool to say they have no time, to pretend to be occupied with the world on their mind. Call them for a coffee and they look up their schedules, invite them for a weekend out and they are sure to come up with an excuse. What is it they want from life, do they really have time for anything at all? Or maybe they are so useless that they pretend to be busy so that they feel more important before all.
I never understand these people and nor will i ever do. But good luck to their pretending because its high time they understand that people can see right through them and how farce they sound . They should hear themselves and listen to how dumb they sound, trying to be someone with not even one foot on the ground ! It is so fake and laughable this attitude of most of the people around, i wish someone drills some brains into them, simply for the good of mankind all around !
I never understand these people and nor will i ever do. But good luck to their pretending because its high time they understand that people can see right through them and how farce they sound . They should hear themselves and listen to how dumb they sound, trying to be someone with not even one foot on the ground ! It is so fake and laughable this attitude of most of the people around, i wish someone drills some brains into them, simply for the good of mankind all around !
A holiday alone
Why is it an Indian mentality that we can't holiday alone? Or is it not a common thinking but just mine invented? I don't know. But i do know that the thought of holidaying alone has always been a little weird for me. I crave for company, or sometimes its simply the fear of doing something alone. But if i try to think of it practically, isn't it the best way to travel sometimes? All alone, one with yourself ?
Somehow, i have never traveled alone on holiday. Yes i have taken trains and flights alone, and i have also been living alone for a long time now, but it is different from going to an unknown place and finding my way around. I have missed out on so many places i have wanted to see and so many holiday plans, just because i had no one to come with me. I am not so keen on going with unknown people, so common tours has never been my cup of tea.
But now i have decided, i want to at least give it a try. Start with a day trip somewhere alone. With music and a book as my company lone. No one to turn to, no one to talk to all day, just me and my thoughts all to myself. It will be an experience i am sure. Good or bad, we will watch and learn.
Somehow, i have never traveled alone on holiday. Yes i have taken trains and flights alone, and i have also been living alone for a long time now, but it is different from going to an unknown place and finding my way around. I have missed out on so many places i have wanted to see and so many holiday plans, just because i had no one to come with me. I am not so keen on going with unknown people, so common tours has never been my cup of tea.
But now i have decided, i want to at least give it a try. Start with a day trip somewhere alone. With music and a book as my company lone. No one to turn to, no one to talk to all day, just me and my thoughts all to myself. It will be an experience i am sure. Good or bad, we will watch and learn.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Sugar and spice and all that's nice
Well, i am more than 4 months into this trip, got next vacation tickets in hand and all planned for the next 1 month. A trip to Spain and a ski trip too ! Already plans brewing for the final vacation too and suddenly i realize, there is so little time and so much to do !
Looking back and reading my earlier blogs, i realize i might have come across rather harsh on this stay and experience here, but the truth is, even with the up's and down's, i have had a ball and enjoyed my time here. There were good times and bad, but then, aren't they there back home as well? So, i decided to write more positive stuff form now on, because in my heart i know, this trip is definitely for me, sugar and spice and all that's nice !
So here is a bit of all the nice things i have learnt here. I tried all kinds of new food, oysters and raw prawns and couscous, different kinds of fish and what not. I liked some things on the first try, with some others, i developed a taste. But i am happy that i had the guts to try them in the first place !
I met people from different countries and we shared our stories and lives from back home. In the process i learnt so much about cultures i never knew existed before. That is a nice feather in my cap of knowledge i must say, for i feel i am smarter now than i had been before. I speak a lot of french all the time, and so i feel, i have improved my language skills big time. I am no more scared to express what i want to say and i think that is the biggest achievement i have gotten from my stay.
I learnt what is influenza and flu and i saw snow and i realized the difference in temperatures of 0 and below 0 ! I learnt to wake up and go to school, even if the temperatures were crazy and i was in absolute no mood. I learnt to handle little kids and fights, i learnt to teach and have a lot more patience than i used to have before. I learnt so much about schools here, the teaching, the methods and everything new. I met teachers so full of life, and wow, it made me change a lot of thoughts towards my attitude in life. I got so many cards made by kids, so many tit bits, all full of their love and affection and simple acknowledgment of my presence. Each kid, in their own way has made me feel special.
I have so much more to learn and pen down before i go back, but i promise to see it more in positive light. Smile through it all and laugh and enjoy, because this time will never come back and nor will the joys.
Looking back and reading my earlier blogs, i realize i might have come across rather harsh on this stay and experience here, but the truth is, even with the up's and down's, i have had a ball and enjoyed my time here. There were good times and bad, but then, aren't they there back home as well? So, i decided to write more positive stuff form now on, because in my heart i know, this trip is definitely for me, sugar and spice and all that's nice !
So here is a bit of all the nice things i have learnt here. I tried all kinds of new food, oysters and raw prawns and couscous, different kinds of fish and what not. I liked some things on the first try, with some others, i developed a taste. But i am happy that i had the guts to try them in the first place !
I met people from different countries and we shared our stories and lives from back home. In the process i learnt so much about cultures i never knew existed before. That is a nice feather in my cap of knowledge i must say, for i feel i am smarter now than i had been before. I speak a lot of french all the time, and so i feel, i have improved my language skills big time. I am no more scared to express what i want to say and i think that is the biggest achievement i have gotten from my stay.
I learnt what is influenza and flu and i saw snow and i realized the difference in temperatures of 0 and below 0 ! I learnt to wake up and go to school, even if the temperatures were crazy and i was in absolute no mood. I learnt to handle little kids and fights, i learnt to teach and have a lot more patience than i used to have before. I learnt so much about schools here, the teaching, the methods and everything new. I met teachers so full of life, and wow, it made me change a lot of thoughts towards my attitude in life. I got so many cards made by kids, so many tit bits, all full of their love and affection and simple acknowledgment of my presence. Each kid, in their own way has made me feel special.
I have so much more to learn and pen down before i go back, but i promise to see it more in positive light. Smile through it all and laugh and enjoy, because this time will never come back and nor will the joys.
Monday, February 2, 2009
A beautiful morning
I woke up this morning, late as usual, with nothing but vacation bookings on my mind and an otherwise lazy Monday. I rolled around in bed for a while, turned on music and listened to my favorite songs while still curled in my warm blanket. The room was dark with the curtains drawn, the house was silent. The only sound i could hear was the soft music and my own calm and relaxed breathing. My normal breathing without a strain of cough. How beautiful such normal, simple sounds are.
Then after a lot of lazying i decided i wanted a mug of coffee, so i put on my sweater and my flip flop chappals and went down to get myself a steaming cup. The smell of coffee, a slight sun outside and calm in the house. the perfect way to wake up ! Now im sitting here with my mug, music still on and a huge smile on my face as i am back in my blanket and just looking forward to a nice day like this. I am suddenly in love with my life :)
Then after a lot of lazying i decided i wanted a mug of coffee, so i put on my sweater and my flip flop chappals and went down to get myself a steaming cup. The smell of coffee, a slight sun outside and calm in the house. the perfect way to wake up ! Now im sitting here with my mug, music still on and a huge smile on my face as i am back in my blanket and just looking forward to a nice day like this. I am suddenly in love with my life :)
Sunday, February 1, 2009
A nice Saturday !
Yesterday was a nice day. I went to this little town called Angouleme, about an hour by train from Bordeaux. It was their 4 days of hyper activity, their yearly festival of comic strips. Now, i am not very big into comics. I read Calvin n Hobbs, Archies as a kid, have read Tintin and Asterix, but i wouldn't call myself a great follower of comics.
But comics in France are an integral part of their culture and lives. To many, almost as sacred as their cheese and wine. So, everyone told me, oh this festival is a must see since you are around at this time. So i decided, fine, lets go and see what is the big deal people make out of it. Well, i saw a sight like i have never seen before. So many people out on the roads. The minute i walked out of the station, it was easy to realize, there was something big happening in this usually small town. There were signs and comics painted everywhere i saw. There were hoardings and fliers all around. From free buses all around the city to their signs and directions, we could see that the organizers really deserved a bow down.
We ( two friends and me ) hopped onto the already over crowded bus and off we went on this adventure or culture discovery or whatever it was we were there to do. A little lost at first, we just sat quiet in the bus. Watched people hop on and off at places, but didn't know if this was where we were to hop off too, or go on ahead and see the start. Finally, at one point, many people got off, so we just acted like we knew what we were doing and hopped off too. We saw a line and ticket counters, so got in there, bought out tickets which were paper bracelets to be worn all the time we were there. In we went with the rest of the crowd to see artists sitting and talking to people about their comics, their lives or simply just signing autographs for the crowds. People were out there in hundred's maybe even thousand's from all around the neighboring towns. All excited, full of energy and understanding what was going on around.
We were all 3 of us lost, so we just walked around, with our mouths wide open in wonder and amazement with what we saw all around. We walked and we walked, from one stall to the next. We saw people making comics just sitting right there. Painting and filling in the bubbles with words and noises, it was like entering a world of cartoons and un-reality. There were competitions that were happening and some that had already happened. We saw comics drawn and created by kids form ages 8 to 10 ! It was a wonderful experience to see this new culture, which is so unheard of back in my country.
Finally after a day of walking and taking in all we could, we got back onto the train and came home feeling more lost about comics, but good all the same to have experienced this cultural difference.
But comics in France are an integral part of their culture and lives. To many, almost as sacred as their cheese and wine. So, everyone told me, oh this festival is a must see since you are around at this time. So i decided, fine, lets go and see what is the big deal people make out of it. Well, i saw a sight like i have never seen before. So many people out on the roads. The minute i walked out of the station, it was easy to realize, there was something big happening in this usually small town. There were signs and comics painted everywhere i saw. There were hoardings and fliers all around. From free buses all around the city to their signs and directions, we could see that the organizers really deserved a bow down.
We ( two friends and me ) hopped onto the already over crowded bus and off we went on this adventure or culture discovery or whatever it was we were there to do. A little lost at first, we just sat quiet in the bus. Watched people hop on and off at places, but didn't know if this was where we were to hop off too, or go on ahead and see the start. Finally, at one point, many people got off, so we just acted like we knew what we were doing and hopped off too. We saw a line and ticket counters, so got in there, bought out tickets which were paper bracelets to be worn all the time we were there. In we went with the rest of the crowd to see artists sitting and talking to people about their comics, their lives or simply just signing autographs for the crowds. People were out there in hundred's maybe even thousand's from all around the neighboring towns. All excited, full of energy and understanding what was going on around.
We were all 3 of us lost, so we just walked around, with our mouths wide open in wonder and amazement with what we saw all around. We walked and we walked, from one stall to the next. We saw people making comics just sitting right there. Painting and filling in the bubbles with words and noises, it was like entering a world of cartoons and un-reality. There were competitions that were happening and some that had already happened. We saw comics drawn and created by kids form ages 8 to 10 ! It was a wonderful experience to see this new culture, which is so unheard of back in my country.
Finally after a day of walking and taking in all we could, we got back onto the train and came home feeling more lost about comics, but good all the same to have experienced this cultural difference.
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