Thursday, August 31, 2006

God-Son

Sometimes nothing makes us happier than the vitually toothless smile of a child
~ Noojes
Go on quote me on that...
But allow me to introduce you to my God-Son
He lives in St Martin too and I had such fun looking after him while I was on vacation there a few days ago
I'm probably one of the few people his mother trusts him alone with
But then again I've had enough experience with my five neices and nephews over the last twelve years
But thats unimportant now
In just hope you're still smiling
Coz I know I still am
And if you are smiling, drop me a smile to tell me you are...

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Memorial service

In june this year, a 12 year old girl passed away - Neha Dadlani...

She lived in Nashville, TN and is part of my brother in law's family

She was on vacation in India with her family to meet her grandmother when within 72 hours she passed away with meningitis

Imagine the plight of the family to go on a vacation with two daughters and to come back with only one

I was in Bombay when this happened and I was amongst the first ones there to help with the last rites

Seeing the body of a child is not easy from any standards

This was a child that I played with every year when I came to Nashville

Since she passed away in the summer, the school decided to hold a memorial service for her this morning to allow the entire grade to grieve and remember her

I went for the service with my sister who is also part of the faculty at the same school

They put up a slide show with pictures of Neha and her friends

There were video clips of her from various school functions and trips

And there in the auditorium were her best friends

People made speeches

Everyone cried

I cried too

They say people come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime

It seems so logical when you hear that

Makes no sense when you have to deal with death though

Especially the death of a child

Neha, if you can hear me - hear this...

You are loved and missed terribly

Monday, August 28, 2006

Bitten by the travel bug

I love travelling

I honestly do

I love seeing new places, exploring new streets and cities, trying new restaurants and making new friends while meeting the old













Dipti and I work together and she happened to be in New York while I was there...

We caught up and walked around the streets of NY the whole day and even went to Soho for dinner at night

I ended up staying at the Marriott Marquise for a fabulous price in a newly renovated corner room

They have something called 'Smart elevators' which get you upto to the lobby level (situated on the 8th floor) or to your room in the shortest possible time

Basically the elevators have no numbers or buttons

You press the floor you want to go to on a centralised console outside the elevators and it tells you which elevator to go into (A-M) - Pretty smart eh













There are few things I love in life

Uhm not really, that was a lie

There are MANY things I love in life and expensive things just happen to be a few of them

So imagine my delight when I stand at a street corner with Tiffany on one end and Louis Vuitton on the other

I felt like a child in Disneyworld...













Thats Vin

Vin and I have been friends for a long time now

A trip to New York is never complete without Vin

After all he is the one that introduced me to NYC and showed me my way around Manhattan

Thats us at a rooftop bar where I saw a woman carrying the same handbag as I was

'fashion faux pas?'













Welcome to the 'Friendly Island' is what the flight attended said when we landed in St Martin

The four hour flight from Charlotte was not fun with all the screaming kids on board and the honeymooners on the other end

You know you're a misfit when the flight attendant actually wishes the honeymooners a great honeymoon on the loud speaker system

The most fun was landing there though

I had a window seat and suddenly I saw people on the beach stand up and start waving at us landing and we flew right over them and landed neatly on the airport a few feet away...

I laughed my guts out

As you know I can talk to a fly if I need to but I managed to make friends with one of the mothers on board - Nancy

At the end of the flight we exchanged email addresses and that was that

Reason I went to St Martin was to visit my friend who now LIVES on the island - yeah she is married and living on this piece of Paradise with her husband and 10 month old son

I fell in love with the island just driving back to my hotel - the colour of the water was 'Caribbean Blue' and I could literally hear Enya singing in my ear and see mermaids in the distant blue ocean

That night we went to dinner to 'Bamboo Bernies' in the Maho area - highly recommended for those who enjoy good sushi













I was told St Martin was a small island

Yet this heavenly island is divided into two countries - Netherlands and France

I guess its so gorgeous neither wants to give it up

Still, you know the world is a small place when while walking down the French side the next day I bumped into Nancy

Small world eh

My friend owns a quaint jewellary store on the island

And a few hours later I bumped into Nancy at the store back on the Dutch side

'Fate'?

While I was in the store I decided to try on one of their most expensive pieces

Ahh Where is my prince now?

Five days of eating drinking and taking in St Martin

I enjoyed the island thoroughly










I'm definitely going back but next time on a cruise ship

Anyone coming?

Sunday, August 20, 2006

In a New York state of mind

A quick post from New York

I LOVE NY

I can't stop saying it

I see people wearing I Love New York t-shirts and I wonder if they really love the city as much as I do...

So much to tell but there isn't much time for details now so that will come in another post

All I can say is that Macy's rocks

ooohh and I bought a pair of beautiful Enzo Angliolini shoes - Can't wait to wear them...

But before I go I just have to say in the words of Norah Jones

"New York City - Such a beautiful disease"

I've never heard a better description of the city - Have you?

Thursday, August 17, 2006

My summer holiday

Part of my plan for my life is to see a new city every year...

Over the last couple of years I have visisted and engulfed beautiful cities across the world such as Paris, London, San Fransisco, Boston, New York, Kolkatta, Lucknow, Los Angeles, Orlando etc...

There are certain cities I keep going back to and others that I would love to keep going back to

But money and time restrict my travel plans

My agenda however is still to see atleast ONE new city every year

This year I am going to St Martin

I never imagined I would make it all the way there but when my friend got married and moved there two years ago, I realised it would be a matter of time before I flew down to the islands to experience 'Island Life'

Since I have been living the good ol American Suburban Life in Nashville TN for the last few weeks, my body is craving crazy city life first

So what better place than the big apple


I take off tom morning with minimal hand lugguage

I know I will be harassed at security anyways

But its going to be nothing compared to what I will go through at Heathrow airport a few weeks from now...

I have already planned most of my meals in NYC

Penang is always a must...

Situated in Soho, it usually means I need time before dinner to take in the sights and sounds of Soho...

Pizza and hot dogs on the streets is the no-brainer but a trip is never complete without it

A good place to find me in the middle of the day will probably be Macys - Lilykins you wanted to come shopping with me rite?

Then I am off to St Martin

I have no idea what to expect but I believe that the French side is absolutely stunning...


There won't be much shopping there I imagine

Just alot of wine and song

I'll probably end up spending alot of time with my friend and her baby soaking in the sights and sounds of the island life

I'll also probably end up reading another book or two as well



So if you don't see me around here for the next couple of days just imagine me sitting right here...






You will be missed ;)

Hope I am too but there is only one way I will know when I am back - Leave me smiles...

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Highly recommended

Being on vacation means trying new things...
~ going to new places
~ catching up on reading
~ watching movies
~ trying new restaurants
~ looking for new food etc...

I've been on vacation for two weeks and here is my 'Highly Recommended' list of things to do, eat, read, watch - err you get the picture...




Topping my list of Must reads is "Snowflower and the Secret Fan" by Lisa See...

If any of you read or watched "Memiors of a Geisha" and enjoyed it, trust me when I say this book will keep you hooked till the very end...

The friendship between Lisa and Snowflower from childhood till death is beautifully portrayed without being boring for even a second.

I also enjoyed reading about the ancient Chinese traditions of footbinding etc.

Another book I thoroughly enjoyed reading is "The Space between us" by Thrity Umrigar...

A story based in Mumbai, India of the friendship between the rich and the poor meaning the rich wife and her household help

A story that I am so sure is so true and being lived every single day in homes across the world



'The Story of Ron Clark' starring our very own Matthew Perry.

Based on a true life story, Ron Clark is a teacher who made a difference and what a difference he made...

Watch it, it made me feel good and I'm sure it'll make you feel good too...




I also watched "World Trade Center" on opening day - first day first show as they call it...

Are we ready for it? Oh well Ready or not here it came

I wasn't sure what to expect but I came out feeling good and sad

Good coz of the spirit of humanity that prevails

Sad I need not explain...


If you are in or around the Nashville area, I highly recommend you check out 'The Grape'

If you like or love wine, the Grape is perfect for you

A wonderful selection of wine bottles all classified by the Grape team into ten classifications which are truly 'Grape'

The food menu is also co-related to the wine classifications

But mind you, the only way to quench your thirst at Grape is either with wine or ice-tea...

Right next to Grape is the "Wine Seller" which is a beautifully done up store with an unusual selection of wines...

Go to Grape and think of me

The last is the most frivilous but I must speak of it

If you like wasabi, make your way down to your local Kroger or Walmart and pick up "Wasabi mayonnaise"

Dash it on everything from sandwiches to finger food...

My sister claims the sandwiches I make her 'never tasted better' (wink)

As for my new city of the year - St. Martin it is...

On my way there at the end of the week...

So, what do you highly recommend for me?

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Snapshots from America - Part 1


AT and KT my darling nephews in the backyard











Sister dearest, Kt and Me









AT thought it would be funny to cut my face out of this picture...








I met sweet G - Arete for lunch at Panera...
She even bought me lunch
Isn't she the sweetest...










Say something willya - I haven't had many smiles lately and few smiles make noojes a sad sad girl...

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Raksha Bandhan



A brother shares childhood memories and grown-up dreams.
Author Unknown


Today is Raksha Badhan - a wonderful Indian occassion

It is the celebration of brothers and sisters

As per the traditions, the sister on this day worships the deities, ties Rakhi (a coloured thread) to her brother(s) and wishes for their well being

The brother in turn acknowledges the love with a promise to be by the sisters' side through the thick and thin and gives her a token gift

This is the day that still pulls the siblings together

The sisters tie that thread of love to their brothers amongst chanting of mantras, put rice on his forehead and pray for his well being. She bestows him with gifts and blessings

The brother also wishes her a good life and pledges to take care of her. He gives her a return gift. The gift is the physical acceptance of her love, reminder of their togetherness and a symbol of his pledge

I have not physically tied my brother a rakhi for many many years now

But the reason has only been that we live in different continents

I post one to him every year

But I would have loved to tie him a rakhi in person




Happy Raksha Bandhan Bhau (what I call my brother) - I do love you

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Tootsies

A fun fun fun weekend

Tootsies is a bar in downtown Nashville that I absolutely loved

Multiple live music bands playing at different levels, people dancing, people in flip flops and shorts, some with little or no make-up on

What more could a girl want

As for me I was dressed the part as well - flip flops with little to no make-up

Ahh the joys of being in Tootsies where no one knows your name :)

Tax free weekend shopping was fun fun fun too

Savings of lotsa $$$ - ahh part of the joys of being alive

Peking duck on saturday night really hit the spot if you know what I mean

Pancakes smothered with butter and maple syrup on sunday morning

And popcorn chicken with A&W rootbeer float as a sunday evening snack

Seriously buttered popcorn while watching the 'Devil wears Prada' which I enjoyed terribly (even though I had read the book)

Followed by a roast chicken for dinner smothered in this new Wasabi Mayonaise that I found while shopping (highly recommended - the wasabi mayo!!!)

Ahh the joys of being alive

Ok stop drooling and tell me ONE interesting thing you ate recently

And incase any of you wonder why there aren't any new pics of me on the blog - well I'm too fat for this blog :)

Friday, August 04, 2006

Everyone's doing it...

Everyone seems to be doing it so why not me right

Hey if you can't beat 'em join 'em

In which case I will have to start with the HNT's, the pantless fridays, braless tuesdays, cheese fridays, musical mondays...not sure if I can keep up with it all but lets give this one a shot and start off with this meme...

Favourite
Color: Black - its versatile and always makes me look sexy

Food: This one is impossible - but French toast comes high up on my list

Movie: Sound of Music - I can never stop watching it and I know all the words and lyrics - go on test me...

Sport: Walking...walking and walking more...

Day of the week: Friday - It's friday I'm in love ;)

Ice cream: Home made Roasted Almond ice-cream or After Eight Gelato yum yum

Current
Mood: Chilled out

Clothes: Blue jeans and a black sleeveless knit - It's gotta be black

Desktop: On my computer it is an angel *sigh*

Time: 10 :52 am

Surroundings: Kids bonus room in Nashville, TN

Annoyances: my hair dripping wet and me too lazy to blow dry it

Thoughts: My friends 5 year old daughter in hospital with 104 fever for the last week - Doctors cannot diagnose whats wrong - Please pray people

First:
Best friend: Gopi and Gauri
Gopi now lives in SFO and we are still friends
Gauri now lives in Dubai and well we just don't see eye to eye anymore

Last:
Drink: Chianti wine

Car ride: To Carrabbas for dinner and wine last night

Crush: Oranges while making orange juice (caughtcha there - lol)

Phone call: Friend 'D' who's daughter is in hospital

CD played: Karrine Pollack

Have you evah:
Dated a best friend:Yes I did - It was fun while it lasted - he could actually order me dinner without me being there

Broken the law: sad but true

Been arrested: Guilty as charged

Been on TV: Couple of times :)

Kissed someone you didn’t know: Nope

Things:
5 things you are good at : Being nostalgic, singing, consoling, being a friend and u tell me the last one...

4 things you have done today: Made coffee, washed my hair, sang in the shower and wrote this meme

3 things you can hear right now:My two nephews shuffling around me, my sister yelling for me downstairs and the shuffle of the keyboard as I type

2 things in your purse right now: Wallet and a wine cork

1 thing you wish you were doing right now: Sitting at the spa

Thats all folks and remember you gotta tell me one thing I am good at so get at it...

Mwah

Thursday, August 03, 2006

These are a few of my favourite things...

Orchids and roses
And scones in Britain
Bright coloured petals
that get me smitten
Tiffany boxes tied up with string,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cheese macaroni
And chinese fried noodle,
Cabernet smells
And cute little poodles
Men that are shy
And yet can still sing
These are a few of my favorite things.

When my birthday comes
When I'm being good
When I'm feeling sad,
My loved ones remember my favorite things,
And then they make me so glad...

There is a point to this out burst in song this morning

I'm sure all of you remember me turning the big 3-0 in May earlier this year

Well as much as I hate surprises, I got surprised yesterday

My sister took me to Greenhills mall yesterday where Tiffany has opened Nashville's first Tiffany store

Needless to say I walked around with my eyes wide open

Until, my sister said I could pick my birthday gift

Yipeeee

Yayayayaya

Wowieeee

And believe it or not I pretty much knew what I wanted

Its something I've had my eye on for a while

The Tiffany Atlas bangle








*sigh*

So I guess if you want something badly enough, the universe does conspire to give it to you...

Thank you Sister

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Decisions


"The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want" ~ Ben Stein

Part of life is making decisions.

What do I want to major in?

What kind of job do I want?

Do I want to get married and settle down?

Do I want to work after I have kids?

Do I want to stay in this job for what they are paying me?

Is this the right strategy for my client?

Do I need to take a vacation this year?

In my mind, decisions are supposed to important questions we ask ourselves that make life impacting choices

Which is why when I am on vacation, I don't particularly like to think about making decisions at all

Alas

It seems I can run but I cannot hide

Check out some of the decisions I have to make while I am on vacation

~ Low fat or 2% or Full fat milk

~ Cream or no cream

~ Doritos or Tostitos

~ Strawberry Glazed Cheesecake or New York Cheesecake

~Maple syrup or Honey

~ Tall or Regular

~ Greenhills mall or Coolsprings mall

~ Small or Medium

~ Red or Blue

~ Levis or Guess

~ Bootleg or Straight

~ New York or San Fransisco

~ Blog or don't blog

Argh...Vacations are supposed to be about NOT making decisions...

What's your opinion?

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

The simple joys of life

Coming to America always remind me of the simple joys of life
  • Playing basketball with my nephews in the driveway
  • Playing catch in the driveway (We have our own version of Donkey that we call 'Donkey 89')
  • Going for a walk around the sub-division just before the sun sets
  • Fighting over who is playing DJ in the car with our i-pods
  • Looking at pretty things in the mall that I know I can't buy
  • Arguing with my sister over things that are so unimportant (but whats the point of having a sister if you can't argue from time to time)
  • Tucking my nephews into bed
  • Getting them to read 'Mr Men' to me after reading it to them for so many years
  • Getting them to make me breakfast after feeding them for so many years
  • Smiling over nothing
  • Smiling over everything
  • Taking long bubble baths with no clock ticking over my head
  • Eating fatty fatty foods and not caring about becoming fat
  • No deadlines
  • Not caring that I haven't blow dried my hair or painted my nails
  • Cheese cake
  • Cheetos
  • Doritos
  • Pretzels
  • Making plans to spend days in New York
  • Pizza in New York

Ahh the simple joys of life...

What are some of yours?