One of those Days!!

Its one of those days, when I just want to go back to sleep in my bed. I don't wanna go to work and sit in those dull green walled cabins again(that color just gets to me!!.) and glare into the computer blue screen. Its one of those days when I look into the mirror and see my fat belly and out of shaped body, and no matter what clothes I wear, it makes me look above 30. Add to it a bad hair day - no matter how I comb it, it takes a shape of its own. I set to make it look like as free flowing as a la Jennifer Aniston, and it turns out to be a soggy ran-through-rain-and-bushes 'free flowing' types. Its one of those days where I mentally make the 55th personal note in my head that 'I seriously need to take of myself more! No one else is gonna do that for me...' and am totally charged to visit a good hair salon by the weekend( which I know won't happen because my lazy fat ass won't budge either from bed or from the couch watching TV).

Its one of those days when coffee tastes bitter and the toast is burned and I don't feel like eating that anymore. One of those days when Matt steers clear out of my path and knows better than to dare say anything. Its one of those days where I lose track of time and reach office 20 minutes late, and people don't even realize it. Well, so much for my popularity!! "Thanks guys, I feel so appreciated and wanted!!..."

Its one of those days that I'm so pissed with work and wondering how did I ever get here!! Quickly send out my updated resume to 2 of my friends, who have been asking me to do so since past one month. (Not that it will get me any brownie points!!) Its only half past 12 and I'm dying of hunger but have to wait till 1pm.

It one of those days, when my internet is so damn slow and the system has automatically shut down at least twice. The 'Admin' guy is not online and has probably decided he doesn't want to get out of his bed and stuck to his decision, unlike me or has swallowed the magic potion to turn invisible. Its one of those days where the A/C has been set to the minimum and my fingers have become like a witch's claws and got my teeth clattering away to glory.

Mental Note no 56th: Please do not, at any cost wear a sleeveless , unless you have a stole or a jacket that 'goes' with your sleeveless top but not at the cost of you looking like a fashion disaster. As it is you know how you look..refer to Note no. 55...

And finally, its one of those days when I've written 'one of those days' I don't know how many times by now and I've listened to Freddie singing 'I want to break free' about 15 times and stopping the urge to sing out that song and swing to its music. So I'm gonna write it as I sing in my mind as the song plays once again

The interlude (the piano, the drums)
pa pa paaaaa pa -paaaam
di ti di ti di ti (dish) di ti di ti titaa (dish)

I want to break free,
I want to break freeeeeeee,
I want to break free from your lies, your so sssself-satisssfieeeed, I dont neeeeeeeeeed youuuuu,
I gottt ta break freeeeeeeee... Gawd knowwwwws,
Gawd knows i wanna bre-aaaak fre-eeeeeeeee

Ive fallen in lu-huv
Ive fallen in love for the first time 'n this time I know its for reeeeeeaaaall,
Ive fallen in lu-huvvv, (yeah)
Gaad knows, Gaaad knows
Ive fallen in luv-ha hah hah hav

Its strrrange but its true, (eh yeah)
I cant get ovvvver the way, you love me like you do
But I havv to be sure,
When I walk out that doorrrr,
Ohh how I want to be free,(be be)
Oh how I want to be free
OOhhhhh how I want to break free!!!

pa pa pa paaaam, ppaaa (electic guitar)

di ti di ti di ti (dish) di ti di ti titaa (dish)
dish , dish , dish, tich tich tich, (dish) --- drum beats ok!

But life still goeeees o-honn,
I still cant get used to livin' without livin' without, livin' without yyouu
By my siiii-hide,
I dun want to live alone, (hey)
Gawdd knowwwwwws, gottto make it on my owwwwwwn
So baby cant you see-eeee
Ive gottto brrrrreak free

Ive gottttttttto brrrrreak free-eeeee,
I wannnnttto brrreeeeeeak free (yeah)
I wun, I wann, I wannnn, I waaaannnntt to brrrrrrreak free-eeee-eeee-eee....

di ti di ti di ti (dish) di ti di ti titaa (dish)

It rains, it pours!!

Finally, its raining... All around me people are leaving their desks and standing outside to watch the rains. Its looking so beautiful, the pitter-patter rain drops. Everyone has become so excited and half-hearted to go get wet. Its awesome!!!

I love the rains, well at least I love to watch rains and maybe sometimes play in it. How I wish, i cud go and stand in the rain.
But after that I wanna a hot cuppa coffee, a book - a light read, a blanket and my chair. And I wanna be left alone and not disturbed. WHEN CAN I DO THAT?? (They should really give a holiday when it rains...)

When the lights went off

I was watching a show on television at 9.00 pm one of the weekdays and I was so engrossed, when suddenly the lights went off. I was raging mad, cursing whosoever were responsible for this at the electricity board. So nothing else to do, I switched on the back-up lights and went out to my terrace, looking at the constant flow of traffic. It was crazy. There was total blackout for just maybe 2 minutes and all the buildings were lit again with emergency lights and back-ups. Made me think about how fast our lives have advanced. How soon we changed from the days of candle lights to inverters and emergency lamps. And as I let my mind wander into the past, some memories came flooding back of my childhood.

Since both my parents were working in the govt. service, we have gone to some places on transfers. And those days we were staying in a small town called 'Devlali' in Nashik. A beautiful place with amazing weather, light outs were part of our routine. We lived in the government quarters, and the lights would go for 3 to 4 hours some times, and there wasn't any particular day or time for the black outs. However, light outs didn't create such a panic like it does now-a-days.

It gave a perfect reason for all the neighbors to come out and sit on the 'verandahs' (front porch). And we kids got together to narrate ghost stories. My sister and me loved to make different hand shaped shadows on the wall.

Those were the days when TV meant Doordarshan. We had no idea of cable TV which came 2 to 3 years later. And when the lights did come, it was a great moments of victory cheers, whistling and clapping.

I remember one event when I was in the second grade and the lights had gone. I was really getting on to everybody's nerve at home, asking them when the lights will come, because I wanted to see a programme on TV. My sister told me to shut up, my Mom was trying her level best to keep me still in one place but I had my own agenda. I was running around the house in circles, when suddenly I banged into the leg of the dining table and went 'thud' on the floor. I could see my parents running here and there for bandages and antiseptic creams. And I was screaming on top of my voice, more so because of the shock of falling than the hurt.

I was so cranky and in order to pacify me my Papa said he's going to show me a magic trick. He told me that if I counted from 1 to 100, lights will come back. Well, I started counting from 1 to 100, but no lights. So he said 'Count again backwards now'. And so I ended counting back and forth maybe about 3-4 times, ( it seemed a lot back then, but I thought if I didn't we would be in darkness for ever). The lights did come and that too 2 minutes before the programme started. But I was fast asleep by then and my parents didn't want to wake me up. I wonder why?

I tried to pull the 'magic trick' on my niece recently( who my sister claims has completely got all my childhood traits and qualities). So she started the counting, but before she crossed her 70th count, the lights came back. And now she is too smart to fall for it again. So I guess, I'll never be able to play this 'trick' effectively like my father did any more!! (Unless of course, there is a whole evening and night of light outs. Pray, it never ever happens.)

Great Expectations

This was a seriously funny read... I wonder aren't we all like this at times. We know what we 'want' from our life partner but do we stop to think whether we deserve it? And if yes, on what basis and what are we willing to give in return? Are we willing to change our lives and attitudes? Life was never meant to be a 'One-way-street'... Read on...

(Taken from the site www.atlantaillustrated.com)

What am I doing wrong?

Okay, I'm tired of beating around the bush. I'm a beautiful (spectacularly beautiful) 25 year old girl. I'm articulate and classy. I'm not from New York . I'm looking to get married to a guy who makes at least half a million a year. I know how that sounds, but keep in mind that a million a year is middle class in New York City, so I don't think I'm overreaching at all.

Are there any guys who make 500K or more on this board? Any wives? Could you send me some tips? I dated a business man who makes average around 200 - 250. But that's where I seem to hit a roadblock. 250,000 won't get me to central park west. I know a woman in my yoga class who was married to an investment banker and lives in Tribeca, and she's not as pretty as I am, nor is she a great genius. So what is she doing right? How do I get to her level?

Here are my questions specifically:

- Where do you single rich men hang out? Give me specifics- bars, restaurants, gyms

-What are you looking for in a mate? Be honest guys, you won't hurt my feelings

-Is there an age range I should be targeting (I'm 25)?

- Why are some of the women living lavish lifestyles on the upper east side so plain? I've seen really 'plain jane' boring types who have nothing to offer married to incredibly wealthy guys. I've seen drop dead gorgeous girls in singles bars in the east village. What's the story there?

- Jobs I should look out for? Everyone knows - lawyer, investment banker, doctor. How much do those guys really make? And where do they hang out? Where do the hedge fund guys hang out?

- How you decide marriage vs. just a girlfriend? I am looking for MARRIAGE ONLY

Please hold your insults - I'm putting myself out there in an honest way. Most beautiful women are superficial; at least I'm being up front about it. I wouldn't be searching for these kind of guys if I wasn't able to match them - in looks, culture, sophistication, and keeping a nice home and hearth.

it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 432279810

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THE ANSWER
Dear Pers-431649184:

I read your posting with great interest and have thought meaningfully about your dilemma. I offer the following analysis of your predicament.
Firstly, I'm not wasting your time, I qualify as a guy who fits your bill; that is I make more than $500K per year. That said here's how I see it.

Your offer, from the prospective of a guy like me, is plain and simple a crappy business deal. Here's why. Cutting through all the B.S., what you suggest is a simple trade: you bring your looks to the party and I bring my money. Fine, simple. But here's the rub, your looks will fade and my money will likely continue into perpetuity…in fact, it is very likely that my income increases but it is an absolute certainty that you won't be getting any more beautiful!

So, in economic terms you are a depreciating asset and I am an earning asset. Not only are you a depreciating asset, your depreciation accelerates! Let me explain, you're 25 now and will likely stay pretty hot for the next 5 years, but less so each year. Then the fade begins in earnest. By 35 stick a fork in you!

So in Wall Street terms, we would call you a trading position, not a buy and hold…hence the rub…marriage. It doesn't make good business sense to "buy you" (which is what you're asking) so I'd rather lease. In case you think I'm being cruel, I would say the following. If my money were to go away, so would you, so when your beauty fades I need an out. It's as simple as that. So a deal that makes sense is dating, not marriage.

Separately, I was taught early in my career about efficient markets. So, I wonder why a girl as "articulate, classy and spectacularly beautiful"
as you has been unable to find your sugar daddy. I find it hard to believe that if you are as gorgeous as you say you are that the $500K hasn't found you, if not only for a tryout.

By the way, you could always find a way to make your own money and then we wouldn't need to have this difficult conversation.

With all that said, I must say you're going about it the right way.
Classic "pump and dump."
I hope this is helpful, and if you want to enter into some sort of lease, let me know.

7 questions to finding you true Passion

I found this interesting article with these real hard questions. So I'm putting them up to find the answers. Want Naiesha and Carol to answer them.

These questions are taken from Frederic Premji's article

According to a recent survey, about 75% of the population do not know what their true passion is. Clearly, almost everyone seems to not be doing what they were meant to do. This is an eye-opener because doing what we really love is absolutely necessary if we want to be fully happy. Perhaps this is why there is so much unhappiness going on in our society, people just aren’t doing what they are here on Earth for. Finding your true passion isn’t as simple as it may seem. For some, yes it does come naturally, but most of the time, you have to ask yourself some questions to pinpoint exactly what you were born to do. Here are my 7 questions that can guide you to finding your ultimate passion:

1. What puts a smile on your face?

2. What do you find easy?

3. What sparks your creativity?

4. What would you do for free?

5. What do you like to talk about?

6. What makes you unafraid of failure?

7. What would you regret not having tried?

Well, waiting to read your answers....

Step Mom - The Movie

Okay, which is the one movie I can watch over more than 30 times - it is 'Step Mom'. It is one movie with all my favorite actors, Susan Sarandon( her best role ever), Ed Harris ( another very underrated actor in hollywood) and of course Julia Roberts. I have cried buckets of tears with laughter and emotion almost all the time I watch it. The best Women spirited movie ever. I'm yet to see another movie that has portrayed wide range of conflicted roles of a Woman.

A head-strong, potential ace fashion photographer Isabel Kelly(Julia Roberts) trying to prove herself to boyfriend, Luke's (Ed Harris) family. A disarrayed ex-wife Jackie(Susan Sarandon) coming in terms with a failed marriage and her illness. A teenager Anna, played by the pretty Jena Malone, watching her father's affection for a stranger other than her Mom, who she wants to hate but finds herself drawn to her. Their conflicts with finding a meaning for their lives are so evident and heart wrenching.
Also in the movie is the sweet heart Ben, played by Liam Aikan (anybody's watched 'Judging Amy' on Hallmark? Check out the grown-up, handsome Aikan!!)

The best moments in the movie...well there are so many but I'll jot down my favorite in random order:

* The scene where Ed Harris proposes to Julia...( which woman wouldn't want to be proposed that way!!)

* Ben makes chocolate milk for Isabel and puts some sleeping pills. Isabel goes off to sleep reading a bed-time story to Ben, and Ben thinks he's killed Isabel. Check his victory dance, he's so cute!!

* When Isabel teaches Anna a painting technique with a 'whosh', 'whosh' lip sound.

* Isabel goes to pick up Ben from a birthday party and loses her map and calls up for help to locate the house.

* Susan Sarandon's reaction when the doctor breaks to her about her cancer diagnosis.

* The Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell song, "Ain't no mountain" in the car with Isabel, Anna and Ben, and Isabel passes the lipstick to Anna.

* The same song and dance by Jackie, Anna and Ben at home.

* When Ben falls in the park watch Jackie and Isabel looking after him in the hospital.

* Isabel and Jackie's conversation about Anna's wedding day. Isabel's fear is that 20 years later when Anna is getting ready for her marriage, Anna might say "Wish Mom was here!" and Jackie fears she might not say that. (I cried my heart out!!)

* Jackie and Anna's horse ride in the moon-lit night.

* When Isabel decides to quit her job and decides to look after Jackie and the kids.

* When Jackie wants to tell Luke about her diagnosis and Luke tells her about his desire to propose to Isabel. (Susan is so expressive without saying a word)

* Christmas Day: The kids talk with Jackie.
Ben's delight at getting a dove.

I must have watched this movie so many times that I could remember most of the dialogues too, till recently. But that won't stop me from watching it again and recommending everyone around me to watch it. It is a movie every mother and daughter, every sisters and every close friends must watch. I want to dedicate this blog for all those ladies who have made sacrifices for their families, battled cancer and for being the person they are.

It was Mother's day on Sunday!!! Here is to my Mom, who at times, single-handedly managed to look after us, cook food for us and also managed a successful career. Here is to my Mom-in-law, who brought up 3 sons (making them such gentlemen), managed her career as a Nurse, survived breast cancer and lives each day as if there is no tomorrow.

Ladies take a bow, you have inspired me, my sister, my husband, brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws and we salute you!

Video - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Step Mom Song - Under Pressure

Tagged...(ahem!)

1.Grab the book nearest to you, turn on page 18 and find line 4:
Looking for a book...no luck!!

2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can:
Touched the wall with pale green paint to my right, and touched my colleague at my left( who is giving me strange looks and maybe wondering whats wrong with me)...

3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?
A movie...dunno which....I was just looking at a very good looking guy..... I think it was a french movie....then I dozed off...

4. Without looking, guess what time it is?
3.30 pm

5. Now look at the clock, what is the actual time?
oooh just missed by 5 minute...3.35 pm

6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
'Amor, Amor' by Gypsy Kings on my ipod. Somebody is banging their keyboard and someone is rustling a plastic.

7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing?
In the afternoon, having lunch alone at a cafe (sniff!!)

8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at?
Looking at this site, awesome mehndi... http://www.indiamarks.com/guide/Mehndi-(Henna)-Art/225

9. What are you wearing?
A Kurta and jeans with big earring loops!!

10. Did you dream last night?
I think I did, and I know it wasn't a good one, coz I got up grumpy in the morning...

11. When did you last laugh?
My school friend called me on Friday....we were laughing and giggling silly...

12. What is on the walls of the room you are in?
Nothing just a pale green paint.....and a glass partition looking to a conference room.

13. Seen anything weird lately?
Yeah...a lot of weird people

14. What do you think of this quiz?
Ho-hem

15. What is the last film you saw?
"Michael Clayton" by George Clooney

16. If you became a multimillionaire overnight, what would you buy?
Pay off my house loan and take my parents for a trip across the world. Get a customized RX20 yamaha bike for my hubby. Get some of the brands I usually ogle at when I pass through their shops in Bombay - Mango, Gucci, Jimmy Choos, Prada and Satya Paul. I would go for a real expensive vacation to Singapore, Vienna, Italy, Germany and all the places I want to go and shop till I drop....

17. Tell me something about you that I dunno.
I can pretend to be listening to somebody when actually my mind is elsewhere.

18. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?
Ban smoking in this country and promote awareness about the red light street kids...

19. Do you like to dance? Yes I like to dance, but it ends there I cant dance...

21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?
I had few names in mind, but they are all taken...like Hazel(my sister's younger one is Aysel),
Vivian (taken by another church member) I've come up with new names, and not willing to risk it being taken again...I have one name though...Marlene...

22. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?
I had Joiash(taken by a cousin), Adrian (any takers?)

23. Would you ever consider living abroad?
Maybe for a short period of time....say like 10 to 15 years....not more than that, would miss my country and my people..

24.What do you want GOD to say to you when you reach the pearly gates?
"So, you made it, eh!!"

25. 4 people who must also do this meme in their journal
Matt, Didar and some others but they don't have blogs...

Hosting a Dinner

Hats off to people who host huge dinners!! When I used to watch Travel and Living's show, 'Nigella Feasts' and the dinners she hosts, I couldn't help asking myself as to how she she manages to be so calm and look as lovely as ever all the time. Be it shopping, cooking, baking and setting out the dinner table, not a strand of hair is out of place And she always comes up with the most deliciously looking fare. Seriously, it is a lot of work!!

This weekend, I set to host a dinner for 8. This wasn't the first time I was doing it. I've had my office colleagues , friends and family over for dinner for Christmas and a few times before that. And thanks to the number of recipe books that keep stacking up in my kitchen drawer, I haven't faced a disaster yet. (touch wood!) But all this doesn't defy the fact that each time I invite somebody for dinner - be it 2 or 20 people - it freaks me out. Listing out the menu, shopping, the time to prepare, and also thinking of all the things that could possibly go wrong - it is a lot of stress.

We had relatives coming in from Kerala. Obviously, the menu had to be a South Indian cuisine.
So I started my search for the perfect recipe and the perfect menu. Thats when I came across a cook book my cousin had given me, by Mrs. K.M. Mathew. (Ok, I'm sure all those Keralites who are on a constant look out for authentic Kerala cuisine have come across at least one of K.M Mathew's recipies. She was the chief editor of the popular Kerala magazine, 'Vanitha'. ) So the book in hand, I started off my quest to make a good Kerala dinner. It took almost the whole of my saturday and half of my sunday, which I generally use to catch up with my sleep, lazing around doing nothing and watching TV or a dinner out with hubby dearest or friends.So here I was slogging away on a hot summer afternoon, grating the coconuts, cutting the vegetables, washing the meat, flipping the pages of my cook book and what not. As a result of it all - VIOLA!! The fish was fried, the mutton was marinated and prepared, the curries were cooked and the vegetables were done(of course, my husband who tried his level best to get away from all the work helped too).

The guests finally arrived, table was set, the best crockery laid down and the food was served.
And guess who was all smiles and flying high and doing the rounds as if it was nothing, when all the guests went ga-ga over the food and kept showering compliments and praises? Now, honestly, this is the moment which may last for only a few minutes, and the ONLY reason I endure to host dinners even if it means a day of toil and hard work. It feels GREAT!!! I would love to be the person who calls people home for dinner all the time, holds a good conversation during dinner, shows off her culinary skills and makes people talk for weeks about the dinner. And I know people who do that. They have such a passion for food and love to share it with others. You always enjoy going to their place. I have a friend who is a Punjabi and any time you go to his house, his Mom makes sure to give lunch or dinner. Aunty's parathas are to die for and so are her pulav and rajma chaaval. Above all, its the sense of feeling-at-home that makes us wanting to visit them again and again. So I realized, more than being the 'hard-working-Marthas' in the kitchen, there is more to entertaining guests at home...

Coming back, our guests left and I hung up my knives and forks and and asked my husband to salute the 'chef' in the house and sat down to relax. But a look at my kitchen sink made me scream in hysteria. And to my rescue, came my Prince Charming(minus the white horse), with the offer to help me with the dishes, which I couldn't resist! Finally the last plate was put off, the sink was cleaned and we hit the sack, way past midnight. And so there went by yet another weekend! And yes, we are expecting some more guests next week... What to do the compliments are too tempting to resist...heh heh heh!!

Bob Marley's - Three little birds

"Rise up this mornin',
Smiled with the risin' sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin', 'This is my message to you-ou-ou'....."

I first heard these lyrics quite by accident. As usual, on a cloudy weekend, sitting bored and browsing through YouTube, I came across this video. Didn't give much thought to it until it started playing. It started with catchy drum beats and then I just drifted away with the song. No no.. I wasn't high or anything...not even close. But the way he sings it was very magical.

"Singin', 'Don't worry 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right.'
Singin', 'Don't worry (don't worry) 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!' "

Every time I'm down, I listen to this song and it lightens me up so much. It gives hope and a courage to do what I feel. What his music and songs means to me is to break away from all the little shackles we have tied ourselves into, the stereotypes, the impressions and pretense. Forget what the world thinks of you and dance to your own tunes. To think beyond ourselves and every little thing is gonna be alright. The simplicity of Bob Marley's song and everything he stood for is admirable. He was a revolutionary of kinds and a legend. Some of the other songs I like are 'Stir it up' and 'I shot the Sheriff'.

Sweet simple joys

This is my first blog. I've been thinking about what to write. Seeing other blogs I feel like "Ooh, I should write on something spectacular and awe striking!!" But honestly I don't have a clue of anything unusual. In fact, there has been many sweet simple joyous moments in my life( something I never noticed). And now I realize it how lucky I am to have it...

Mornings:
I love mornings. No not the part where I have to get up, but when the early rising sun streams into my bedroom, when sometimes my sweet hubby offers to get me a cup of tea. When I get to read the newspaper in my balcony with a fresh whiff of unpolluted air. And of course, when I can laze around in bed and don't have to go to work!!

I remember the constant wake up calls of my parents, literally at their nerves end, trying to get me out of bed. Especially during exams, my papa never got his 40 winks but I slept like a log. My aunt ( who stayed next door) used to bring me a cup of hot black coffee sharp at 5.00 am just before she went for her walks. Then again at 6.00 my Mom got up to make my favorite 'adrak chai'. I remember having my tea on a particular step in the back yard. I sat there enjoying the morning sky and my cat nuzzling near my leg( we had some cats who grew around the society, the last sip of my tea belonged to him). Then heavy breakfast followed after an hour( which we could not avoid under my Mom's stern gaze). Today, I skip breakfast so many times or end up eating cornflakes or oats( due to lack of time or sheer laziness of preparing it). When I look back and think of the times I used to fight with my Mom for pushing the breakfast down my throat.. Oh really miss those days!!

Kids:
I come from a large family. Though I have just one sibling, on birthdays and special occasions, our houses are full of aunties, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews(some years back even grandparents). Distance or close relatives, there is always a huge pack of kids. And its wonderful seeing them jump around as if they have springs attached to their legs. It reminds me of the days gone by when my cousins and me used to be jumping around like them. We had are own games and secrets, no elders allowed rules, making up stories, going on 'adventure trips' around the world on a imaginary ships within the safety of our parents' scooter or staircase or front porch.

Summers meant playing in hot sun, night-outs with cousins, drinking water from our aunty's fridge (which she meticulously kept filling in bottles and kept chasing us out of the house), waiting for the 'ice-cream walla' for the then famous 'pepsicola'(sweetened, crushed ice stuffed in small pencil shaped plastic covers), 'kulfis' and 'golas'. The NextGen, however, seems to be a much composed and matured bunch compared to the notoriety of their predecessors. They are more into dance, painting classes and have busier schedules than the elders.

Baking a cake :
Whenever I pass through a bakery, I am so tempted to eat a pastry. Baking a cake is an art. No I'm not talking about those off-the-supermarket-shelf-ready-made cake mixes. I prefer the more traditional method of right-from-scratch cake bakings. Watching the chefs baking breads and cakes on the cookery shows, one feels its more simpler than making an omelet. I know the day I was proven wrong. But thankfully, I never gave it up, unlike other things.

Baking cakes with Mom meant waking up early morning during a weekend or the christmas holidays. Mom hurriedly gave us breakfast and Papa would be rushing to the store to buy all the ingredients. Kitchen would be filled with flour, egg shells, the bajaj oven heating up at a corner. Mom patiently sieving the flour and the baking soda and my sister and me stealthily putting the cherries, raisins and tutty fruitties in our mouths. Those days of Christmas , we easily baked up to 10 to 15 cakes for neighbors, relatives, friends and guests. Now-a-days, though nobody has so much time and effort to do it, what with excellent cakes available in the shops. However, after marriage, I try to bake some cakes for every Christmas(It has been only 2 Christmases). And I enjoy each time my cakes come out with a fully risen, unbroken crust. Its rewarding to see my labor of pain being cut down to pieces before it even cools. Its an achievement in itself.