Whatever Things

In a limbo

2012-01-25T17:57:00.001+05:30

Now is the second stage, which has always scared the hell out of me. But I have to face it anyways, and the good thing is that the first experience is not such an important one. Funny how priorities change so suddenly. One day I would be willing to take anything that came my way, only to discard it later as not too important.

I have to read so much in the coming days, which I have been putting off for months, citing some excuse or the other. The office seems like a different place altogether, more like a "I don't care about anyone anymore" type of scenario. I will be glad to be out of here, which will make me the happiest that I have been in years. Never anticipated these feelings when I joined here a year and a half ago. But this whole time has been a huge learning experience for me. Things that no one else could teach me in plain words. Things that I will never forget for the rest of my life.

Strangely enough, I feel very calm despite all the fear that is bubbling within. No panic (though I do lose it once in a while), and I feel much more confident than before. There isn't much to celebrate right now, everything looks like a compromise. But I still have hope. I don't know why but I can't let go off this feeling that something good is going to happen. Something that I have been waiting for; for a very long time. I can't remember the last time when I was crazy happy, and it is long overdue.

So Let's Talk About The Result

2012-01-16T19:15:00.000+05:30

After all the praying and hyperventilating, the results finally came, and I managed to open them at around 3:30am (yes, I could not sleep). So, were they any good? Its 98.47 percentile, which means I don't know. Definitely not good enough for the top colleges, goodbye to them now (I don't think I will be attempting CAT again). But there is still some hope, and I'm keeping as low expectations as possible. I won't post much about the admission process, until everything is final, so this blog may go silent for some more time (though I may come back to rant too, lets hope not).

4 Days Left

2012-01-07T11:48:00.000+05:30

For the CAT results, that is. And in true student tradition, i'm having sleepless nights. I have totally forgotten what my exam was like. I'm trying to remember how I felt after the paper, and all I can remember is the feeling of relief. That CAT is finally over. As for the paper, I think its a close call, and they are the scariest. Last year I didn't make it by the smallest margin possible, and its ghosts still haunt me. I don't want that to happen again.

Pray for me, if you are reading this. I think this is the first time I have been so worked up about my results, maybe because I really want to get out of this situation that I am in. I want to start afresh, if such a thing is possible. I want to do things that I would enjoy doing, not wasting my time all day in front of a computer (like they make me do here). I wish I was working at a place where they would appreciate my work, instead of making it look like its my fault that I don't have any work. I'm not in a good situation, haven't been for a year. 2011 has been pretty crappy (so glad its over!), hope 2012 has some good news for me.

P.S. Its XAT tomorrow, and I haven't touched a book for the past 3 weeks, so I guess we know how it will go. But I really don't care.

P.P.S. If I don't post anything about my results in the next week, please assume that I have gone to the nearest water body and drowned myself. Or jumped off a building, whatever you please. Let's hope I don't come back with another sad poem.

Being Happy (and vice versa)

2011-08-19T15:58:00.001+05:30

They say that happiness is a state of mind, and you can choose to be happy or unhappy. I believe that not everyone has such a high level of will power and usually we just let ourselves run away with our emotions. So its these emotions that control us, is it?

I don't know. All I know is that I don't want to be happy right now, and it feels like I will never be happy again. Its all blackness ahead, and I have come to the point where I stop feeling the pain anymore, failures fail to surprise me. And another thing, I just want to get out of this place. There, I said it. Feels like a huge weight has come off my chest. But the sadness still remains. It will stay with me as long as I stay here, and waste my time in front of the screen.

About all I expectations I had about my first job, this was something I definitely did not foresee. I never thought it would turn me into this useless, jobless, procrastinating vegetable. I won't say I was top of the class in college, but I wasn't close to the bottom either. Besides, too much of anything is bad, including free time (its actually the worst).

Trying to come out of this situation is like swimming upstream, where everything and everyone else would try to oppose you, and whatever you do would seem very stupid and pointless. But I'm trying. Not my best, but still trying. Maybe I will make it past this, and forget that such a situation ever existed (like so many times before). For that, the first thing I need is single minded focus on THE Goal, we'll worry about the rest later.

Something to go with your coffee

2011-08-04T17:33:00.000+05:30

A lot of talk happened about Hina Rabbani Khar and her Birkin, of all the article that were written about her, the ones by Vir Sanghvi and Masood Hasan were bang on point.
This beer troubleshooting guide is awesome!
Some valuable gyaan about writing a good resume
I loved this post ranting about wannabe photographers showing off their DSLR. So true.
40 websites with unusual navigation - I think they should have also included Bombay Production, very neat.
This is just so pretty! Custom chalk lettering, reminds me of the Central Perk Board in Friends.
The last one, 10 things you need to stop tweeting about. I would also like to add that when celebrities retweet every single praise that comes their way it looks very pretentious. Plus its spam.

About Wrong Decisions and Missed Opportunities

2011-08-03T15:27:00.000+05:30

I read somewhere that we learn from our mistakes, and if you don't, well then you are a fool and should blame nobody for it. I don't regret my mistakes, because they usually are an eye opener for me, and I have done much better things ahead. But the part in between the realisation and achievement is the hardest. And the longest.

Who is to decide which decision is wrong in life and which is right? What seems so wrong at the moment, seemed so perfect two years back. I was on top of the world. Today, I feel like I've hit rock bottom.

No matter, I still have my goal in sight. What just slipped through my fingers will be mine this year, I have promised to myself. Am I scared of losing? A bit, but seeing my earlier track record, I usually make it, and I hope that will be the case this time around too.

Will this be the right decision for me? Time will tell. Till then, its another struggle.

Frustrated to the core

2011-05-05T15:44:00.001+05:30

There is a limit to how long can one sit and do nothing. I haven't been this jobless since...even I don't remember. Its not like I'm some raging workaholic who can't stand the breaks in between, I like my breaks, but not when they stretch to almost a year.

I will complete one year of employment next month, and I have nothing to show for it. Whatever I had learnt in my training last year, I have forgotten all of it. There seems to be no light at the end of this tunnel. I don't think I will get any work in the next few months as well. It looked very pretty in the beginning: nice office, our own laptops, no restricted internet access, flexible work timings, breakouts with TV and newspapers etc. Now, its all crap. I am so bored that one day I would like to break a window to make my life more interesting. Internet gets boring after a while, I don't like TV(esp the channels here), and you take the office for granted when you come here everyday.

The plan is to prepare for MBA this year, but lethargy is a bad disease. After six(five?) hours of doing NOTHING, the zeal to study is also gone. The bigger bombshell is that after more than 2 years of IT experience, if you choose to do MBA, do not expect to be welcomed by finance or marketing companies with open arms. You will end up being stuck in IT, for the rest of your life. This comes after I had decided that I HATE IT and thought that MBA was my escape route.

I want some work to do. Some work that I enjoy. This place is turning me into a vegetable, and that is definitely not enjoyable. I'm having the worst first job experience that anyone could ever have!!

P.S. Now that I've calmed down, I think there are people who might have a worse first job experience. But this place isn't great either. I should try to get out of here, but a (rational) part of my brain tells me that this is the best time to study for MBA (which is not happening - I am absolutely useless!!!). I think I need a break. Can't wait for 21st - Delhi, here I come!

P.P.S. Was checking out my archives...I used to do a number of reviews back then, and considering the fact that I watch a movie every weekend, I think I will start doing reviews again. At least that will give me something to do!!

Some Links

2011-04-20T14:03:00.001+05:30

Lot of talk is going on about Jan Lokpal Bill and how it will "end corruption". Somehow, I'm not moved by the whole movement, and this and this article really sum up how i feel.
I should have read this blog before moving in with a tambrahm flatmate. That way, I would have been better prepared.
Talking of graphic stories, this is definitely not scary.
An article on Mr Azim Premji's view on reservation is doing the rounds on facebook. The real article is here, and here are the sarcastic comments added by someone else, which I totally agree with.

Stomach Bug, Homesickness, Eye infection...its a long list...

2011-03-29T00:20:00.001+05:30

And add joblessness to that. I have practically no work to do. This may sound really nice on paper, but it gets very very boring after a while. Even unlimited internet access does not help. I see no sense in coming to office everyday and just surfing the net, drinking coffee, and waiting for a respectable time to go home. Its senseless.

Another thing, my illnesses. I don't want to elaborate on them much, but being sick makes me feel very lonely and homesick. I have a feeling that all the above problems are interrelated. I don't know why I'm writing about all this while my eye is hurting continuously, but I just want to rant it out of my system. And that's it for today.

Confusion Reigns!!

2011-02-28T12:42:00.003+05:30

I want to move to Delhi. As soon as possible. And the only thing that goes on in my mind these days is what are the possible ways to do it. Obviously I will have to change jobs. Should I go to another Big Four? Or a KPO(which btw, pays higher). Or maybe back to my core branch, civil?? It's a long shot though!

I guess its my fear of change that is keeping me back from applying anywhere else. The whole process of packing and moving and meeting new people and trying to make new friends is too much for me. More so because I have made such good friends here. And, to be really honest, its not really that bad in Hyderabad, but I miss A like hell. Plus, I want the familiarity of living in the same city as him esp. as he might move very far for higher studies pretty soon. And that brings me back to my point: I want to move to Delhi. After putting this question forward to my friends and to A, I finally came to the decision that I will stay put till June (so that I don't have to pay my joining bonus back) and then start applying. That's the general thought, but MBA exams will be pretty close by then, so maybe not.

Its Do Or Die

2011-01-16T00:28:00.004+05:30

After whatever I've been through in the past few weeks, I must say I feel much stronger. Everytime I think that I could not go lower than this, life shows me a new rock bottom. But this time it was definitely not that hard, all thanks to A, who's always been there for me, and who listens to all my rants and worries without getting irritated. And now I miss him. A lot.

So coming back to being strong -- I don't want to let the recent defeat come in my way. The pushback is my new motivation and it will fuel my ambitions till I get what I want: an MBA college of my choice. I must get admission next year, there are no two ways about that. And while I'm on this journey, I want this blog to be my friend.

Welcome Onboard!

P.S. I sound excited, which I am definitely not. On the contrary, I seem to hate everything around me for the past few weeks. I want this time to get over. Fast.

Its Hard..but it won't kill me

2011-01-07T13:36:00.005+05:30

Most of the time things don't go the way you want them to. And it takes a lot of determination and effort to get exactly what you want. Failure hurts the most when the expectations are highest, but to recover from such a failure is what makes you stronger.

I missed writing for my blog. When I used to be lonely, this was the place where I would rant it all out, and it felt so nice. Soothing. Even if no one read it. And now that I am not lonely anymore, I seem to have neglected it totally, which is not good at all.

Technically my life should be called fun, since I don't really have much work right now, but its not. Its so competitive here that no one can just sit at their laptops and stare, there are far too many people who are prepared to race ahead and grab the opportunities that you have left behind. So sitting idle is definitely not a good thing here, and I seem to be doing everything wrong.

However, I don't want to get bogged down by all this. I don't want to be left behind. And that means I shall have to get up and talk to people, tell them that I'm available for work, and will do a good job if given to me. Its hard, but I have to do it. There seems to be no other way out.

Just a half here...

2010-08-13T11:31:00.004+05:30

The days go by,
They all look the same,
Blue, black and grey,
But not enough for the pain

Its like a creeper
Needing stilts to survive,
The strength is gone
And so has all the life.

I wait, and I wait
For this moment to pass,
For those days to come back,
The way it was.

Please, please, end this now.
Its hard to bear, harder to sustain,
The memory of those beautiful days
Just aggravate all the pain.

Hi-Tech Biryani

2010-07-18T13:16:00.006+05:30

Its been almost a month since I came here, and this is what I noticed:

The hills. Its a continuous up and down journey. And very strenuous if one decides to walk.
The weather. Such a relief from the sweltering heat in Delhi. Plus its not humid, even when it rains. :)
As for the much talked about biryani, I tried it at Hyderabad House, and liked it. Will try some more places next weekend (everyone keeps recommending paradise, so that is on top of the list).
Everyone understands Hindi. Makes my life so much easier.
And, of course, the autowallas. They are very rude, play loud music and charge four times the actual amount. I absolutely hate haggling with them everyday, and I really wish my car was with me. But that is not happening anytime soon. Shared autos are no better. They stuff people like chicken and I keep thanking myself for taking a place that is not too far from office.

I haven't been sightseeing yet, too bad, but I'm too lazy to take out an entire day and roam around the city. I think I'll catch up on my sleep.

New City, New Template

2010-07-10T23:08:00.001+05:30

Change is never easy. And to be relocated around 1500kms away to a city I've never been before, just when I had started to make a life for myself, is downright cruel. Maybe that is why I'm back to my blog, my old companion. I remember the days when I used to be all alone in hostel on weekends, and somehow this doesn't feel to be any different.

Hyderabad, and Hitech City in particular, is not really a bad place. Brimming with IT professionals, it is relatively easy for an outstation person to settle down here. And where I'm working, "networking" is the buzz word, so making friends is even easier. However, it still feels like forced existence. Like my just doing my time here waiting for the day when I'll come out.

Maybe, with time I might learn to live with it. Learn my way around here. Maybe also learn the language (though that seems to be a bleak prospective, south indian languages, in general, are hard to follow, and even harder to learn). For now, I'm slowly learning my new line of work, which is so different from whatever I've studied in the past four years. Maybe I'll start liking that too. Lets wait and watch.

A Long Time Now...But I'm Back

2010-02-27T16:40:00.003+05:30

It has been ages since I've written a new post, and now it feels as if I'm doing this for the first time. Writing and rewriting everything and not sure how people will take everything I write. But that is something to worry about when someone is reading this blog. It has been dormant for so many months, that I doubt anyone will bother anymore about a new (random) post. So, I guess what I have ahead of me are some busy weeks when I try to rebuild my readership all over again. Hence the feeling that I'm doing it for the first time, with a bit of experience, of course.

Lost, or maybe I found my way back.........

2009-09-27T15:30:00.002+05:30

It seems like ages since I've signed into blogger, or even looked at other's blogs, for that matter. Earlier, I used to be so passionate about blogging, about chronicling every single event of my life, in college or otherwise, but now it seems that I've taken a much needed break. To help matters, I didn't have any access to internet for the past few months, except for those rushed minutes in cafe, which were definitely not enough.

Okay, enough rambling. Coming back to present, I'm enjoying my holidays at home. Actually I should be slogging for CAT and others, but that's too much to ask for. And I think I've written too much for a comeback post, other gossip later.

Tagged again!

2009-05-26T11:12:00.005+05:30

Here goes...
1. What does my user name mean?
That's my name, and it metaphorically means a mother's lap, the sari's pallu if you are talking literally.

2. Elaborate on your user photo..
It's a sketch made by my friend Radhika, and the moment I saw it, I fell in love with it. It was put up in my hostel room's wall last year, but then one fine day it wasn't there, and all I have now is this pic.

3. How many comments do you have?
You can check that for yourself........

4. Whats your current relationship status?
Committed and happy. Wait! Do both of them go together??

5. What exactly are you wearing right now?
What I usually wear at home, shorts and T-shirt. The most comfortable garment ever made.

6. Who do you love the most?
My parents

7. What makes you most happy?
When all my things are in order......

8. Are you musically defined?
Very much, music is my life....

9. What would you do if you woke up one morning and discovered you were on cocaine?
I would straight away check myself into a rehab, don't like addictions or habits.

10.If you could go back in time and change some thing what would it be?
There are some actions that I deeply regret, but they seemed right at that time. And I believe that everything I do has some lesson or the other to teach me, so it must be for the good.

11. If you must be an animal for a day, what would you be?
A rabbit, though I'm not a vegetarian, so I'm not sure I will survive.

12. Ever had a near death experience?
Once, when I was about to step inside the Calcutta Metro, the doors slammed suddenly. My grandmother had pulled me back just in time, otherwise I would have been smashed between those two doors. But yes, I did have the guts to travel in the same train and got in through the emergency door.

13. Name an obvious quality you have?
My frankness...

14. What's the name of the song that's stuck in your head right now?
Its this song called "Tennu leke" from some godknowswhich film. I hate this song, but it means a lot to someone...

15. Are you happy today?
Very much. I'm relaxing at home. I have all that I ever wanted. Today, I just dropped my sis to her classes and drove back without hitting anyone, and I shall go shopping in the evening, so yes, I'm very happy.

16. Who will cut and paste this first?
I don't know.

17. Name someone with the same birthday as yours
My school friend, Shefali Marwah.

18. Do you have a secret crush on someone?
They come and go.

19. Do you have a garbage disposal in your kitchen sink?
Yes...

20. Have you ever been in a fight?
Plenty of times, just last evening I fought with a photographer who was showing too much attitude...

21. Have you ever sung infront of a large audience?
I have, but in a group. Haven't yet received my chance to go solo.

22. Whats the first thing you notice about the opposite sex?
Their smile

23. Say something totally random about yourself?
I'm very sentimental. There are a few people in front of whom I cry for even the smallest things...

24. Has anyone said you looked like a celebrity?
I don't think that would really please me, but yes, quite a few people who love me a lot and would say anything that would supposedly make me happy.

25. Are you comfortable with your height?
Yes I am, would have loved to be a bit taller, but on seeing all these shortys around me, I feel content... :)

26. What is the most romantic thing somebody's done for you?
Stayed in the hostel for almost a month in this sweltering heat just so that I don't feel lonely... :)

27. What are your favourite smells?
At the moment it is this particular deo-mixed-with-smoke smell that I totally adore..

28. What's something that totally annoys you?
When I lose something...

29. What's something you really like?
Books, and my ipod.

30. Do you give random hugs and kisses?
Not really.

31. What's the latest you have ever stayed up?
All night.

32. have you ever been rushed into the emergency room?
Yes, when I got burnt by scalding hot tea that I was trying to make...

33. Whom would you tag?
My sis anki, her friends, Prerna and Aanchal.

This Is Me - Sober

2009-03-24T23:26:00.003+05:30

I don't wanna be the girl who is the sweetest,
Or the girl who is loved by one and all.
I don't wanna roam around with a bunch of 25 friends,
But this doesn't mean I like to be alone.

I'm not bad, but then I'm not overtly generous,
Shockingly there's a good side to me as well.
But its not for everyone who gets a chance to meet me,
It's not something you can just see and tell.

Of course, I'm sensitive,
And I tend to get hurt as hell.
I am at times sarcastic,
Maybe that's why you won't like me so well.

But I'm here.
Up high.
Nothing can touch me,
'Coz I know that my friends are here.
No pain.
Inside.
Life is perfection,
'Coz they make me see everything so clear.

Oh...Well...

2009-02-16T22:50:00.002+05:30

Lets talk, shall we? Or maybe, only I speak and you listen, I guess that should work out well. I seem to be comfortable with that too. Just one last piece of advice:don't follow whatever I say like the bible. Simply because its not. And now that I know you do, I might just lead you anywhere. At this rate I feel that I should sign off as

xoxo
Gossip Girl

I don't think that is such an good idea though.

P.S. @ Butterfly: Thank you for whatever you did that day for me, it means a lot. Though I guess we should find a better way to commute next time!

Its The Time To Party!!!

2009-02-14T13:32:00.005+05:30

Nayan Tarse......Nayan Tarse

Daras Na Mile......Nayan Tarse

Well, Valentine's Day has never had any special significance for me till now, it just ends up being another holiday for me. In my first year, I remember, all of us were single and together we had a great time. In the second year, some were committed, who chose to spend it with their special others, while we were left waiting for the day to end, as soon as possible.

Nayan Tarse.....Nayan Tarse

Dono Se Bahe Dhaar......Nayan Tarse

This year, things are no different. Some things are, like now all my friends are committed while I sit here and write this post. But its not like I'm commiserating. We are going to have a post-valentine party tomorrow, and its going to be a blast. Lots of things are planned, it being a no-holds-barred party, confession time, and it should be fun. I am the gracious hostess, and I guess this is the best thing I have been looking forward to for quite some time.

Bisar Gaye .. Bisar Gaye

Sunahre Yeh Din, Kaali Raat Mein Gaye Dhal

Raama Raama Raama Raama Re ….

Maybe not. It depends how it really turns out to be.

Let Go

2009-01-16T19:24:00.004+05:30

You have a problem with me?? Then why don't you come forward and say it? Why all this talk behind my back and then blaming me for it? Why do I do all good and still come out to be the bad one? I guess its because its me. No matter what I do, or how I do it, its going to be negative, and there are no second thoughts about it. So, do you have anything against me to say?? Come out with it, then. By the way, I'm tired of being good to everyone. Or hoping that they would be nice to me too. I changed myself a lot back when I had made the decision to not be rude unnecessarily to people, but now I feel I want to go back to the old me. When I would just tell people what I thought of them without second thoughts about the consequences. When I was way too sarcastic, and maybe had fewer friends. Its not like I have a huge group of friends now, or that I am hugely popular. Previously, at least I was happy. And I had no regrets then. Unlike now, when I just hate myself for being the way I am.

P.S. To Whom It May Concern: This is not directed towards any particular person or event, so please don't come to me with you grievances, I won't bother.

Scribbles....

2009-01-07T12:33:00.002+05:30

Stop, take a look around,
Then see what you've found,
Is of actually no use to you.

Turn, someone's calling back,
To put you back on track,
But you are too busy not to hear.

Wait, now you are losing,
But you can't do anything,
'Coz you don't know what to do.

But then, isn't this life,
Where you constantly strive,
And you lose, but there are times when you are a winner.

P.S. just the boring hydraulics class......

My Dance

2008-12-05T14:40:00.002+05:30

Its a beautiful day,
I've got things to say,
They buy, They dress
ME?? No stress.

Music is in the air,
It can reach me here,
They sing, They dance
ME?? No chance.

So much to discuss,
So much they fuss,
They hope, They anticipate
ME?? No wait.

The roads are long,
Its another new song,
They meet, They talk
ME?? No walk.

The corridors stretch straight,
There are tales of love and hate,
They fight, They fall
ME?? No call.

I don't stress
But its not like
I don't have a chance.

'Coz I'll wait,
And walk alone,
Till I'm called for my dance.

What am I doing right now??

2008-12-04T14:51:00.004+05:30

I'm going through one news channel after another....at this rate they should take me as an intern.....
I've finally decided to be brave and understand facebook. I can and I will!
I'm reading lots of new blogs....and bookmarking them. Actually I'm more of bookmarking them, will read them later.
I just cooked rice for the day(and managed not to burn them), that's all my mom will trust me with.
Wrote four posts in draft, and then decided not to publish any one of them.
I miss Delhi newspapers......
I think I'll finally finish that novel now.....
I miss Delhi freedom, I feel really lost in Lko.....
Tomorrow I'll wake up early for the morning show of Dostana, or any other movie for that matter......

It's That Time Of The Year Again.......

2008-11-12T18:12:00.003+05:30

...........when you get smeared with chocolate cake, appy fizz or any other drink, face water fights and face all the various forms of "minor violence" that you could expect in a girls hostel on your birthday. I'm not complaining about anything except the cold water and that too because right now exams are on. Last year was a lot of fun, though I can't go into much details. I'll just say that for once I wasn't the good girl that I usually am.

From A Railway Carriage - III

2008-10-31T12:02:00.003+05:30

"And here is a mill, and there is a river:
Each a glimpse and gone forever! "

(Robert Louis Stevenson)

So much for bad journeys. They are actually very few and far in between. There have been great times as well, and times when I deliberately wanted the train to be late so I could stay longer. Many friendships have been made, which exist till today. And then there is always that excitement to reach the destination.

I was talking about the Shatabdi last time. This post is about a different version of the train -- the Swarn Shatabdi, which is a complete antithesis to the other one. The train itself, to begin with, is so clean, and comfortable(I'm talking about ChairCar). Then the food served is actually comestible. On the morning train they give out newspapers, which help to pass the time. And, there is the amazing view outside, as the glasses this time are not tinted. All you need is an ipod and a nice novel to help you relax. And a window seat of course.

Bliss.

From A Railway Carriage - II

2008-10-27T16:32:00.002+05:30

"And ever again, in the wink of an eye,
Painted stations whistle by."

(Robert Louis Stevenson)

In my previous post I'd talked about my tryst with trains when I was small. Now, after we shifted to Delhi from Calcutta, train journeys kind of stopped. Even if we went to some tourist spot(because we did, my family loves travelling), we would generally go by road. So now, that they all have moved to Lucknow and left me behind, the train journey starts again. And this time, I'm all alone, and I've found that its a lot of fun.

Usually I travel by either Shatabdi or Lucknow Mail, two trains which have been deemed "safe" for women travelling alone(and there are plenty of them). Mail is fine, all you have to do is board the train and go to sleep, and reach Delhi in the morning. Its Shatabdi that's interesting. There are two versions of this train: the one that goes through Bareilly, which is horrible and the the Swarn Shatabdi, which, in comparison, is royalty.

The first time I travelled alone was on the Bareilly one, and the biggest problem for me was to find the platform. There was no announcement, and I could not find any coolies to ask. After a lot of asking and running(and lugging my bad with me), I found some people from my train who were as anxious as I was. The departure time was 3:20pm, it was 3:15 and there was no sign of the train. I was sure that I would miss it. Upon that, there were constant calls from home, which bugged me even more. And then, the train leisurely eased onto the platform. But it was not time for a sigh of relief as yet. There was one carriage missing due to technical problems and its passengers did not let the train move till they were ensured seats, anywhere. And we are talking of Chair-car.

It left, finally, 4 hours late. When I was supposed to reach home at 12 midnight, I was there at 4a.m., with cramps from sleeping on a chair, and a memory that I'll never forget.

From A Railway Carriage - I

2008-10-27T13:02:00.004+05:30

I've been travelling on trains since childhood, when we were transferred to Indore and to reach Bareilly, my home town, we had to change trains at Mathura. I still remember those worn-down trains, some bogeys where the grills were gone, which made the journey more exciting. Asking papa to buy me a comics and sometimes reading them out as well (I was in KG then, so my reading skills weren't that well defined. And I would always look forward to the next time we would be on the train again.

We didn't stay in Indore for long, after two years we were back in New Delhi, from where we could commute by road and didn't bother with trains for some time until papa got transferred to Kolkata. Depending upon the train, the journey from Kolkata to New Delhi can be made from 16 hrs to 28 hrs. I've travelled in a variety of them, because we didn't always get the train of our choice. But the journeys were always memorable. Once, we were in sleeper class, the train was late, and it was so hot--not a single leaf was moving. The train had stopped in the middle of nowhere, and all we could do was to stare at the greenery and the pond outside. West Bengal has a lot of ponds--pukur--and they make a very beautiful countryside. I guess it was our first journey to Cal, and the uncle sitting opposite to us was trying to teach us Bengali substitutes for Hindi words. Little did I know that I would end up learning the language later and and forget most of it as well.

Then there were journeys in AC Three or Two Tier, which were really boring. I would ususally go to the topmost seat and get lost in a novel, and come down only to eat. The two-tier ones are big time snobs, so conversation was also minimum. But yes, comfort was more, and these trains were rarely late.

The Rehabilitation Of My Thumb

2008-10-12T15:15:00.003+05:30

Its been more than a month now since I sprained due to cumulative reasons, and I'm still in the process of recuperating. I have to wear a thumb splint whenever I'm not writing, and give hot water treatment otherwise. There was a time when I could not hold the pen to write, the pain was so much. I even underwent ultrasonic therapy sessions at the orthopaedic's in Lucknow which have helped a lot.

Whenever I would go for therapy, I what I noticed was that the majority of people who arrived were over sixty, who were learning to walk, or even stand, again. In front of them my problem seemed too small to notice. For them, it was a question of living again, of doing the same things that they have been doing for the past so many years. The doctor would also pronounce words of encouragement and confidence, making things a little easy for them. The same doctor, had reprimanded me highly when he found that I had the sprain for no apparent reason. In a way, I was also like those old people. I had to learn how to do stuff with my left hand, and of course, learn how to write all over again.

Acne??

2008-10-02T15:13:00.003+05:30

I just happened to come across this:

Best Acne Remedies

Types Of Acne

How To Remove Acne

Another one(with natural remedies):

Tanker

I swear by what my dermatologist says, as I believe every skin is different, and needs a different treatment. But these do sound helpful.

The Faith

2008-10-02T14:38:00.003+05:30

I've never been an overtly religious person. I believe in God, but I don' t believe we need to go head over heels to prove it. I've visit countless temples, have done pilgrimages, and been a part of that have-a-look-of-the-idol-and-then-move-on crowd. But all this doesn't really make me closer to God. Saying the aartis does. And so does saying the chalisa. But that's it. I don't think its mandatory for me to pray everyday. I don't think that saying your prayers aloud makes you any closer to God. And frankly, why do people do jagrans? They drink to stay up all night, and then put up loudspeakers all over the place which keep on blaring the puja-versions of filmi songs the entire night. I had been to a jagran once(left after 5 mins), and the whole time the bass was so high that my heart kept thumping. I wonder how people could even stand there...

Then there is this idea of eating and not-eating non-veg. There are tuesdays, that I've been following since I was a kid(and have been till now). But, recently, someone told my family that they should not eat meat on Thursdays and Saturdays too. What's the point then? Turn fully vegetarian. Makes life much more simpler. There are also other similar days. Saawan(during monsoon), Shradhh(in Septtember) and Navratras(right now). I once had mutton pizzas during Navratras by mistake, didn't amount to much harm. I once questioned the authenticity of following such days, and my Papa gave me a clean chit to eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted(with my mum disapproving in the background), depending upon what my personal faith allows me.

Me And MY Weekends

2008-09-26T16:30:00.003+05:30

Until last sem, weekends was the time I used to look forward to, Fridays were happy days. But now that I nowhere to go(actually I do, everywhere except my home), I dread Fridays. All I have with me is my ipod and a novel. I spent one weekend washing three weeks' worth of clothes, and have sprained my wrist ever since. Thanks to that, I can't take part in Arena (sports fest) this year.

I hate it this way. Can't I have my life back? When I would go home and play loud music for as long as I wanted? When I could surf the net not for just one paid hour? When I could talk to my sis all night? When I could complain about the mess food and savor mamma's cooking at the same time?? I don't think I'm homesick, don't get me wrong. I just want my life when I used to spend weekends in Dwarka back.

Dreams........

2008-09-10T18:23:00.001+05:30

[Disclaimer: this is another tag, hope you are happy now, Prerna. Though I must congratulate you guys for making my sister a blogger.]

I'm a born dreamer, and I can while away hours hoping for things which are perhaps never possible. But compiling this list was quite a task, especially with the kind of music playing in the cafe I'm in right now.

Here goes the list of my dreams:

Making it big: in whatever I do. Somewhere deep down I know I will.
Making my Papa proud: for once I want him to believe that I'm not as stupid as he thinks.
Going on a shopping spree: when I start earning, and there's no one to control me, except, perhaps my credit card.
Having a library of my own......
Having a huge walk in closet........
For all of the above-- a rich husband!!

I guess the list is not exhaustive and will never be, there are some dreams which are not meant to be posted for the entire world to see.

Tagged!!

2008-09-01T17:49:00.002+05:30

The Rules:

1.Link to the person who tagged you

2.Post the rules on your blog.

3.Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.

4.Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.

5.Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

Here are my six quirks........

I have a very quick tongue, and more often than not, it gets me in trouble. Some perceive it as cheekiness, others might find it rude (though I've been working on that), but in the it is just what I really think.
I have this short-term obsession thing. I get totally worked up about something, and think about nothing else for the next few weeks till my obsession dies down.
I always border on extremes. Either I'm very happy or very sad. Very angry, or so calm that nothing bothers me. I get hyper about things and when they actually happen, I realize that this is not what I wanted in the first place (which leaves a huge sense of dissatisfaction).
Like those extreme habits of mine, I can keep talking non-stop, or be silent for hours. I'm equally comfortable either ways.
I have little or no self control, I usually listen to what my heart says. If I feel like doing something, there are very few things on the planet that can stop me(that includes my father)

So there you go, I did it this time, Prerna. As for tagging someone else, I don't have all my bookmarks with me, but I'd tag Nigam, Abhishek, Swayam and Gangeyyo for now...

Saying Goodbye

2008-07-29T19:58:00.003+05:30

It was never so tough. I'm usually quite tough on the outside but there are times when I let go of everything and my emotional self is for everyone to see. I did not want to cry about leaving home, simply because it was not the first time. But its going to be hard to live there without the reassurance of the fact that I cannot run home whenever I wanted to. Ironically I was watching the Friends Final Thoughts video on youtube today, and it so connected with the situation I am in. No matter where I go from now, it is goodbye to my home. It will now remain the place where I come for a few days. That's all.

Check This Out!

2008-07-22T20:57:00.002+05:30

Sameer Shami, the bassist of Atif Aslam's band, has been bitten by the blogger bug. As their crew is touring the US, here is an account of their experiences from the man himself. He has also added pics and videos, making it a good read.

Changes

2008-07-22T20:52:00.001+05:30

I don't believe it
The same room I called mine,
Now belongs to somebody else.
The walls that were my design,
Will inhabit a new self.
I'm leaving for a new home,
A new place, a new territory.
For what? Not surely happiness.
I'm leaving everything behind.
Its just inevitable change,
That alters our mind.
It makes us do things,
That were not previously possible.
Or take such decisions
Which otherwise we would not be able
To take. It is life
That brings such variations.
It is life that makes us
A mere puppet in its conspirations.
And we live on, dreaming
That one day things will be better
Than what they already are.
Happiness might be right behind you
But it always seems very far.

CHANGE: I don't want to believe in

2008-06-10T13:28:00.002+05:30

At a certain point of time in life, you want to move on. But things don't necessarily go your way and you have to make do with whatever you're offered. You can rebel against it, but that requires a lot of risk, which not many are ready to take. You'd rather go with the flow and see where your life takes you. Because its easier. Because, you tell yourself, that is what your destiny dictates.

Too Many Posts

2008-06-06T18:08:00.000+05:30

I’m tired. Of month-long exams which, thankfully, have now ended. Of being constantly frustrated with myself for things I can’t mention. Of seeing these two poems on top once again.

Therefore, now that have, as one of my friend puts it, 60 days of uselessness, I’ve decided to make some good use of them. No, I won’t earn as I blog, or get a job somewhere. I’ll just continue sitting on this chair and serve you with my opinions day after day. Until you get tired of it.

Low

2008-03-21T12:35:00.004+05:30

This is it.
I've never been so low,
And now I'm so lost,
I'm not sure where to go.
This is rock bottom,
And everyone is higher than me.
They're specks in the sky,
My failure is all I can see.

Did I try? No.
Did I slog? No.
They how could I ever believe,
That I could rise from the word "Go"?

You can't do everything.
You can't be everyone.
You can't afford to bend down,
While you're still on the run.
'Cause the world rushed past you,
Without giving you a second glance.
This is the time when,
"Friends" change their stance.

They just turn their backs,
And fly higher and higher.
You're simply left staring,
'Cause your life's now a satire.

Everyone has a hearty laugh,
At your loss's expense.
Nobody moves forward,
To come to your defense.

It's just you and your failure,
There's nobody else now,
You've got to now prove yourself.
But you're not sure how.

However, you're sure of one thing,
Of the fact that
This is rock bottom, the lowest.
You've ever been at.

And, so, now they say,
It's time to refill the cup,
'Cause after going so low,
The only way now is up.

Silence

2008-03-21T12:26:00.003+05:30

Like those flowers, I'll bloom.
Like that bird, I'll zoom.
Like the daylight, I'll awake
And get away from this gloom.

Its not easy, its killing me.
Every moment is pain, I can't see
Anything clearly, I've lost belief.
It seems that life won't just let me be.

I'm struggling, I'm crawling
Through the abyss, I'm falling.
Maybe suddenly, I'll stop,
Or maybe I'll keep drowning.

There's no one now, to save me.
No one here, to hold me back,
I'm alone here, but not lonely.
I'm trying to get my life back on track.

Fingers pointing, that long silence,
People react, and that hurts as well.
But slowly I'll become immune,
And then I'll have a story to tell.

About how I got up, and now I stand.
How I managed, without a helping hand.
How failure taught me hard work,
And now its my success that makes me grand.

Book Review: Beyond Indigo

2008-01-12T20:29:00.002+05:30

I'm not that fond of chick-lit(except for the Shopaholic Series, love them!), and this is one of the few that i really liked. It was easy to identify with the protagonist's situation, where she fights all odds to do what she really likes. It is a story of Nina Savani, an NRI living in London, with very traditional parents. She wants to be an artist but is a lawyer because her parents don't believe in painting as a reliable profession. Circumstances leave her without a job and heading towards arranged marriage, when she starts painting secretly. I wont divulge anymore details, it will spoil the fun. The writing style is very simple, and there is nothing extraordinary in the plot, but what really captured my heart was the girl's spirit to succeed. And her guts. Good for one time read, will definitely lift your spirits.

..........

2007-12-07T17:10:00.001+05:30

Holidays have started after month-long exams and now I feel sooooo lazy. I just don't want to move my muscle for anything, and as it is so cold, just cuddle in my quilt and sleep. Well, I've been reading a few books, would love to write about them, and then, there are quite a few other interesting things going on in my life, but I guess, now is not the right time to disclose them. I sound pretty mysterious, but I guess there's no other way around it.......

Who Hasn't Seen "Chak De"?

2007-09-02T11:37:00.001+05:30

Me. And considering that it is such a good movie (everyone says that, including critics) and everyone has seen it, I feel like an outcast. People keep on repeating the dialogs from the movie, and since you have no idea what they are saying, it is quite frustrating. And irritating. Because I really want to see it but can't find someone who hasn't seen it already. I'm trying to convince my family that it's really a watch and they should go for it(and this is hard, because they aren't crazy about watching movies), so lets pray I see it before this week ends.

Movie Review: Heyy Babyy

2007-08-26T12:42:00.001+05:30

As the first directorial venture of comedian Sajid Khan, this movie seemed to be promising from its promos. I went expecting a laugh riot, which it was in the beginning, but it soon turned into an emotional saga. The movie starts off with the three characters being the ultimate Casanovas, who, on the arrival of the baby, turn into doting fathers. This “happy family” continues until the real mother comes and takes the baby away. Now our newfound fathers do all they can to get “their” baby back.

There are many funny scenes, but most of them are stretched too much and after some time one feels bored. Like the diaper scene in the beginning. The plot and screenplay are very predictable, and the dialogues seem to be lifted from some movie in the 80’s. Out of the actors, only Akshay Kumar has played his part well, other two seem to be overacting. Vidya Balan seems very cold and unemotional and we feel ourselves sympathizing with the three “fathers” on their quest to get the baby back. The much hyped cameo by SRK is only for half a song. Overall, it is more of a tearful drama than an actual comedy movie, and far too long.

Book Review: Shopaholic Abroad by Sophie Kinsella

2007-08-11T20:08:00.001+05:30

I’d heard a lot about the shopaholic series, before I managed to lay my hands on this one. It is the second book in the series, which follows the life of Becky Bloomwood, a self-confessed shopaholic. And, I guess, many of us could identify with her, if not with her reasons to shop. A compulsive buyer, she ironically advises people on how to manage personal finance on T.V., when her own financial status is out of control. In this installment, she goes to New York, and goes completely overboard at Fifth Avenue. It is later when a newspaper exposes her indulgence, and her debt, does she come to her senses. But, by now she has lost her job, not to mention credibility, and no one seems to be interested in employing her. Is shopping a crime?

In my opinion, in its genre, it was great. I mostly read it in the Metro, and had to constantly control myself from smiling. And I can truly identify with her feelings when she wanted to buy those Clementine shoes………….or that Vera Wang dress…………………or those Banana Republic trousers….......

Book Review: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

2007-08-11T20:01:00.001+05:30

When someone mentions

Afghanistan

, the image that comes to our mind is that of mountainous desert, dust-ridden streets, bombed-out buildings, and men with long beards carrying a gun. Khaled Hosseni shows an

Afghanistan

, that is none of these. Its beautiful, prosperous and the whole terrain was scenic, not scary. This is a story of Amir, and his faithful servant Hassan. A story of their fun days while growing up, and of an incident that changed their lives. The book is in first person, and even though the narrator isn’t exactly doing noble deeds, you feel sympathetic towards him. The story is simple, and at a point, predictable, but what really captures the attention is the feelings Amir has towards Hassan and his father. How some events change his perception of both of them. And how he redeems his mistakes. A very touching narrative, it keeps you captivated till the end.

Spoilers, Anyone ??

2007-07-21T14:15:00.001+05:30

We all know that pictures of the final Harry Potter book had leaked online, and now that the book is finally released, they seem to be authentic. Now, I’m very mischievous and wicked, and had I been working for the HP security, I’d have definitely taken a sneak-peek and then told everyone about it. And here is someone who has done even better than that!

I have some of the pics (I’ve heard the whole book was photographed, but I managed to get only the first and the last pages), and really want to put them up online (except that I can’t—am scared of the cops).

One thing that I’m sad about is that this book is released during my holidays, unlike the sixth one. That was during school, and I had put up spoilers on the board. Had to bear a lot of abuses for that, because I had done it just before prayer time, and no one could get up and erase it, so the entire class knew what was happening in the end. Was so much fun!

I’ve Been BUSY, You Know !

2007-07-02T18:07:00.001+05:30

Two and a half month long holidays with nothing to do are not exactly boring, if you’ve got siblings who are in school. Public schools give loads of charts, models, projects etc. to make during the summer holidays which the kids know nothing about. So its up to the parents or elder siblings (like me) who gear up to finish their work. I mentioned earlier “public schools”. Yes, convent schools do not give piles of meaningless homework, but stuff that you actually understand. I can say this because my younger bro and sis (who are twins) study in a public and convent school respectively (I’m from a convent too) and while I have to make about 8 charts + thermocol model +some stupid poem for my bro, I just have to make 1 chart for my sis. She has stuff to do, but in class. At least this guarantees that she’s making it herself, unlike in my bro’s case, where its blatantly clear that someone else had made it.

Movie Review : Cheeni Kum

2007-06-03T15:14:00.001+05:30

Well, the disparity in the ages of the lead characters seems to be the new genre, with Amitabh Bachchan leading from the front. Here, unlike, Nishabd, his love is reciprocated and the two actually want to marry each other. A bit different, but not that impressive.

The movie has a lot of sarcastic and witty comments, a lot of them. They get on your nerves towards the end of the movie. Moreover, the whole "satyagraha" episode enacted by Paresh Rawal seems stupid today. However, the performances delivered by the actors Amitabh and Tabu are impressive. The little girl, Swini Khara, who plays the role of cancer patient "Sexy" is also good, though it feels weird in the begining to see such a young girl talk that way.

Overall, the movie is good, and different from others. Watch it if you are tired of those Himesh Reshammiya's music driven movies.

Have I Got Nothing To Say ???

2007-05-06T13:12:00.001+05:30

Actually, no. There are a lot of things I’d love to write about………………like the BIG rush in metro I experience every weekend (the train was standing in front of me but I couldn't step inside!) ........................……….the new books I’ve read….or new movies I’ve seen (saw The Namesake but didn’t get time to write about it)……………….how me and my mother have turned interior designers and have done all kinds of wacky things to our home (special thanks to India Today’ HOME supplement)………………………..how my friends are trying their best to play cupid (it doesn’t work, guys)…………………………how the semester is going to come to an end when I’d finally found my comfort zone in the hostel(I love that TV room’s chair I’d smuggled)………………………………………….

But, I don’t have time as my exams are coming (NO, they’re here!) and I simply have no time to write right now. And I know I’m going to be VERY bored during my entire summer hols when there’s going to be NOTHING to write about. Oh! The irony of it…………………………………

"The Shooting" at CSec.........

2007-04-15T14:04:00.001+05:30

Yesterday, while traveling in the metro, my papa noticed that a shoot was going on. On taking a closer look, he realized that they were shooting the rush that common people encounter in the metro. All the actors were made to look like any other travelers and when the director said "action", they would all jostle with each other to get a seat. He said, about thirty shots were taken. My take: if you really wanna capture all that rush, just station yourself at Rajeev Chowk. Forget seats, people push each other just to get inside the train.

Book Review : Anything for You, Ma'am - An IITian's Love Story by Tushar Raheja

2007-03-02T18:02:00.002+05:30

The title and tagline are enough to catch the interest of any engineering student, especially after Five Point Someone. However, this one is more about the narrator and his love interest than life in IIT (as a DCEite, I don't even need to know, as its quite the same in DCE). Anyways, moving on to the book, its a lot of fun. No too complicated, just a very interesting account of a guy trying to meet his girlfriend, who lives about 2000 kms away. There a a lot of twist and turns, with his destiny playing an important part. I've got two fat books more to read, so this was pretty light and easy to finish. There are places where the author deviates from the point(as he himself mentions) and gives unnecessary comparisons, but they all blend with the flow of the book. Overall, I loved it!

Book Review – La Prisonnaire / Stolen Lives by Malika Oufkir and Michele Fitoussi

2007-01-27T14:12:00.001+05:30

I read this book about a year back, in fact, a few days before my AIEEE exam, but was just going through an interview of its co-author, Malika Oufkir, and wanted to write about it. It is a real-life story of Oufkir and her family, how she had spent the first half of her life as a princess and the later half locked up in a desert jail. The contrast between the two lives is prominent. The book teaches you one thing – you can survive in all conditions. It seems easy when I say it here, but sounds a lot more difficult when you read Malika’s account.

Malika Oufkir, was the daughter of General Oufkir, the Commander-in-chief of the Moroccan Army. Her father was the right hand of the king, and at the age of five, she was selected as the princess’ playmate. She had spent about twelve years in the palace, before she rejoined her family again at the age of 17. She was then completing her education in Paris, at the same time as harboring dreams to be a Hollywood actress. But, at the age of eighteen, her father was killed in a failed military coup, and she, with her family was sent to prison.

For about twenty years, they were locked up in some goodness-knows-where place in desert with absolutely no contact with the outside world. Being the eldest, she had to enforce strict rules on her siblings, at the same time treat things as normal, to stop them all from going mad. They would, for instance, celebrate Christmas and save their supplies to make a “Christmas cake”. Her youngest brother, who was just three when they were sent to jail, had spent almost his entire life without knowing what the outside world looked like. Even for them, after they had escaped, the world was a much different place then what they had imagined. Their remarkable escape, by digging a tunnel with their hands sends a shiver down your spine. Moreover, it illustrates the incredible spirit of human survival. All in all, an amazing book, definitely worth re-reading.

KBC with SRK? WOW!!!!

2007-01-22T21:17:00.001+05:30

Just saw the first segment of Kaun Banega Crorepati with Shahrukh Khan as the new host, and it rocks! The title song looked like a parody of Abhishek Bachhan's "Right Here Right Now" video, but SRK looked cool. He's also acting cool, by giving HiFives to contestants for correct answers. God! I can't wait to get my Five.................... (I'm still trying the number.........)

Dwarka Pizza Hut Rocks!

2007-01-13T12:15:00.000+05:30

Well I don't know if it happens at other places, but going to Pizza Hut in Dwarka is definitely a great experience. They offer not just good service, but great entertainment as well. At about every half an hour, they play a dance number, and the whole staff displays their dancing skills. Their enthusiasm and the effort that goes in choreographing the dance is definitely commendable.

P.S. people have told me this happens in other Pizza Hut outlets as well, so I must not jump too much. But I'll let this post stay.

Happy New Year 2 All !!!!!!

2007-01-01T19:26:00.000+05:30

and hope u stick to ur new year resolutions, if u have any!

Out Of Delhi And Back

2006-12-30T15:28:00.001+05:30

After literally wasting all my holidays, it was time for a break in routine. I went to my hometown in UP for a week long holiday, to attend a family function. Here are some interesting things that happened.

· We went by road, and that 250 km journey generally takes 5-7 hours, but this time we were delayed both on our way towards Bareilly and back, thanks to jams. They were really long, with people stranded for nearly 12 hours. Thankfully, we were able to wriggle out in about four hours.

· Monkeys are a menace in UP, and I found that out to my expense. We spent our holidays lazing out in the sun on the roof of my grandparents’ home. On one such afternoon, I was dozing alone, when I heard some noise. Sensing monkeys, I got up, took a stick in my hand to defend myself. Sadly, the monkey wasn’t going to be scared by a mere stick, and I was sure he was going to attack me. The ladies from an adjoining roof, advised me to call for my grandfather (nana), which would scare it away. That worked, and I also made sure that I was never alone on the roof again!

· Talking of monkeys, another incident happened, not involving me, which had everyone in splits. One of the quilts had been laid out in the sun on the roof to dry, and in the evening, my nana asked our servant to fetch it. He picked up the quilt, which was then folded up and kept on a chair, wondering why it was so heavy. Then, suddenly, two baby monkeys jumped out from the quilt, throwing the servant backwards. Due to the extreme cold, they had taken refuge in the quilt, also tearing its cover to bits in the process.

What a holiday!

Movie Review - Dhoom 2

2006-12-08T20:05:00.002+05:30

This time I won’t write about individual characters, because this movie had no head or tail. People were just dressed as if they had come straight from a Rio carnival to play Chor – Police. Bipasha as the DCP (or was it ACP? I don’t remember), tried to emulate Shilpa Shetty in Dus, sans high ponytail, but okay, she looks better in a bikini. But, in the bikini version, she behaved too stupidly, and was not funny at all. The comedy was too lame (“Funny Guy”, who uses such phrases?? Hrithik was NOT funny). Uday Chopra was irritating as a tapori as usual (somebody tell him to remove his bandana!!!) . But Aishwarya was even worse. She tried to be a female version of Uday Chopra, and a cool thief at the same time, and ended up being none.

Sadly, the bikes come at the fag end of the movie, like a guest appearance. The movie revolves around the various disguises of Hrithik and his escapades. He’s the only one worth watching. The disguises are good, though. Surprising actually. And I like a villain who dances well. Good entertainment. The most idiotic part was when Abhishek realizes that Hrithik is the thief, and yet dances with him in an entire song! As for music, each song is a reminder of a song in the previous movie.

In my opinion, the best scene of the movie was when Uday Chopra and Bipasha Basu do a Baywatch, with their to-be children! I guess the filmmakers realized it too, that’s why they showed it twice. :-)

Watch this movie, if you like

1. Hrithik Roshan

2. His dance, yes Aishwarya also danced well

3. Rio de Janerio……the waterfall in the last scene is AMAZING!!!

4. Bipasha in a bikini……..Ash did wear a bikini, but WHEN???

Njoy!!!

Flowers In My Garden

2006-12-08T11:57:00.000+05:30

In my terrace, actually. Finally my mother's hard work has paid off! don't look at the car...........the focus is on the roses!!!

Double Treat !!!

2006-12-06T10:14:00.001+05:30

Last night I went to Indian International Centre to drop my sis Ankita, who was going to take an interview of William Dalrymple (of “The Last Mughal: The Eclipse of a Dynasty, Delhi 1857” fame). I thought we would leave her at the gate and then visit Khan Market nearby, then later on pick her up when her work’s over. I never imagined that I would get to talk to Mr. Dalrymple himself! It should not look like a very big deal, though, as he was very accessible to the audience. While my sis and her friends took his interview, I was busy taking their pics and video. Later on, we saw some other people who had attended the conference, and who should be present? Arundhati Roy! She was eyeing us for quite some time, probably she recognized my sis’s school uniform. Anyway, I took a few more pics of her too. This only meant that I was not in any of the frames as I was the one holding the camera! Whateva! Here are the pics…………………..

Mr. Dalrymple himself, talking to some reader

my sis and her friends with Dalrymple( Ankita is 3rd from left)

my sis with Arundhati Roy

The Great Indian Wedding - Raju Shrivastav Style!!

2006-12-02T20:12:00.001+05:30

Nowadays I don't watch a lot of TV, but this show is not to be missed! Lots of originality and lots of fun. Last night Raju S decided to show how things go about at a typical U.P. wedding, and he was so precise! The way he acted out the behaviour of all the family members.......I was reminded of my cousin's wedding. This man is REALLY hilarious!!!!

B'day Over....Now its time to study

2006-11-14T12:25:00.001+05:30

For those who didn't know, Nov 13 was the day when I came into this world, and yesterday happened to be my 18th b'day. What did I do? Well, I studied maths, slept and finally went out for dinner in the evening. Now, its time to study as my end sems are next week. So my party's due till 4th Dec when they will finally be over. And this pic below is of me when I was three years old!

Orkut and Obsession

2006-10-25T13:22:00.001+05:30

I was never a fan of these online networking sites like Hi5,Orkut,Zebo,Friendster..............and so on. I joined a few of them-- because I got invites from my friends and its rude to say no to your "old" friends who want to get connected through their own respective sites. Since I joined college, I found that some of my classmates were on orkut (obviously!) and we added each other as friends. That was okay till then. But before this, I never used to pay any attention to my online presence. Now, with advice from friends, I've changed my pic, also changed a few things in my profile..........and become more active in scrapping. So active that now I wait eagerly for scraps. Not just my college friends but also with my school mates. And now I can safetly say...........I'm obsessed! But only with Orkut. I still get friend requests from all kinds of people (and all kinds of sites).............which I dutifully ignore but I wonder when this Orkut fad will fade.

A FEW DIWALI PIX

2006-10-24T16:42:00.000+05:30

"A well lit Dwarka" --taken from my third floor balcony (sorry for the poor picture quality)...................

That's not a shooting star.......................its just one of the rockets

The rangoli that my sister made outside our home.

A VERY HAPPY DIWALI TO ALL !!!!!!!!!

2006-10-21T11:57:00.002+05:30

Booker For Kiran Desai

2006-10-12T19:59:00.002+05:30

Yesterday Kiran Desai became the youngest author to win the booker prize for her work "The Inheritance Of Loss". I haven't come across any of her books, but I had read "Fasting Feasting" by her mother Anita Desai, which was also shortlisted for the Booker. It was a delightful read and I'm trying to get my hands on her daughter's work too. This win proves the credibility of Indian authors writing in English.

FRESHER'S NITE!!!!!!!!.......And a Sleepover

2006-10-10T23:46:00.001+05:30

Finally we had our much awaited Fresher's Nite on Monday. It was a lot of fun!!!!!! There were loads of songs, dances and plays(most of which were quite entertaining) but what we really enjoyed was the jam! Though I wish it would have been longer. I think the best event was the play on new-age Ramayana. It was very funny. We screamed ourselves hoarse on every item that came up. DCE's Fresher's ROCKS!!!
As I stay quite far from the campus, it wasn't possible for me to go back at 11:00 p.m. So we (me and my friend Gargi) decided to sleep over at the hostel. We ended up chatting till 3:00 a.m. in the morning. This meant we had discussed all the guys of our class and also bitched about the girls we did not like. I also found out about some new crushes of my friends...............that was interesting. All the people had really scared us about ragging on Fresher's Nite, but nothing happened. In fact, we roamed about the corridors quite fearlessly. After this experience, I would love to do this all over again.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

2006-10-08T22:14:00.001+05:30

Today I went shopping to Rajouri Garden with mamma and Ankita, my sister. We bought a lot of things, and there were a lot more that I wanted to buy but had to control myself. Mamma says that ever since I’ve joined college I’ve gone berserk. All I want is more clothes. But she should also see my point of view. College is all about trying to wear something new everyday.

Anyways, I ended up buying a purple coloured top for Fresher’s which I will combine with my white trousers. The party is tomorrow and I can hardly wait. But there is a let down. In the morning I have my chem. prac’s viva. Then I’ll change at the hostels and we are also planning a sleepover at the hostels. I’m so excited!

Movie Review - Lagey Raho Munnabhai

2006-10-08T22:11:00.001+05:30

Finally I got my chance to see this highly critically acclaimed movie. So much was being said about it, and now that its also going for the Oscars, I felt that I just had to see it. My judgment—it was good. Not as good as that first one, but I think both the movies have different flavours, so its hard to compare them. The first one was all about Munnabhai trying to get a medical degree, while in this one he actually tried to follow Ghandian principles. So there’s a difference. I liked the term “Ghandhigiri” though. Very new and unique— something which people could identify with. The winner in this movie is not the presence of Bapu himself, but the direction of Rajkumar Hirani. The screenplay is very well written and one doesn’t feel bored even for a second. So, I think, Hirani has succeeded in his second venture.

LIFE @ DCE

2006-10-07T21:20:00.001+05:30

Actually I should have posted a long time ago, but my pc had some fault and I was unable to do so. Talking about life at DCE, its fun. I’m really enjoying it. The only problem is commuting everyday, as the hostels are full and so I wasn’t allotted one. On the hindsight I can also thank my stars for that, as the ragging in hostels is terrible. I, as a day student, escaped all that. Apart from embracing the “behenji” look, it also has some extras to it. The last leg of ragging included girls wearing mismatch. This meant something like red kurta, green salwar and blue dupatta. To top all that—sports shoes. I really felt bad for my hostelier friends who went through the ordeal. Anyway, all this will end on Monday, as the fresher’s party will be in the evening. And yes, that reminds me, I still don’t know what I will be wearing for the party, so I’ll be going shopping tomorrow. What I really want is an empire-line top, so let’s pray I find a good one.

NEW COLLEGE, NEW PEOPLE

2006-09-13T20:04:00.001+05:30

One week has passed since I joined and now finally a few people are taking notice of us. By us I mean me and two other friends of mine,Gargi and Mitalee, as we three got admission together. It does take time to break the ice, even though for the first few days we were bugged by the "hostility". But now I feel a part of my class.

My exams are going to start from new week, so I'll be very busy. And yes, I forgot to tell about my new blog. It's called "From The DCE Campus", and there I'll write about anything interesting in college.

COLLEGE : DAY 1

2006-09-01T18:04:00.001+05:30

Not really. I mean, I didn’t exactly attend any classes today. After getting admission at NSIT yesterday, I had to go to DCE to register. After the formalities had completed, I applied for a hostel room. Even though DCE is in New Delhi, the distance between college and my home is very much (around 35 km). This took some time, as there were documents to be attached. I finished all this by 11:30 a.m. There is an acquaintance who teaches there, so we also went to meet him.

Classes had already started from 1st August, so I’d missed a lot. There was Engineering Drawing prac at 1:00 p.m., which I went for, but found that the whole class was mass bunking. So much for first day!

I talked to some of the first years who had joined earlier, and got to know some fresher rules. To begin with, all freshers are supposed to wear salwar-suit till the freshers’ party. And I don’t have any. Then they have to look very simple, which means no jewelry, or any fancy stuff. This is going to be fun! Really, I’m looking forward to life in hostel. It will be a brand new experience, as I’ve never lived away from home before, alone, that is.

I'M OFF TO COLLEGE!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-08-31T21:02:00.001+05:30

This is really unexpected. After I had made the TOUGH decision to drop a year........I suddenly find myself enrolled in DCE (Delhi College Of Engineering) !!! Today was their last counselling and there wasn't really any hope, but my mother decided to go. I, on the other hand, chose to attend the class at the coaching institute I had joined. I had already missed a few classes there and did not want to miss anymore for a fruitless chase.

Bang in the middle of my Physics class, Papa called. He told me that about 100 seats have been increased in DCE and I have been allotted Environmental Engineering. He asked me to rush immediately to NSIT, where the counselling was held. I had to run from the middle of my class to the college, and put my documents in order. By 3:30 p.m., I had finished all the formalities and was supposed to attend the college tomorrow!

Now Environmental was not exactly my preferred branch. I, like everybody else today, wanted Computer Science, but it's okay. There are upgradations later(that's what I'm told), and even otherwise, En has a lot of scope. I'll know more only when I attend college tomorrow!

A New Begining

2006-08-27T20:39:00.001+05:30

I joined a coaching institute today. I also met a few faculty members. What I realised was that now I have to start from scratch. The Beginning. It doesn't matter whether I've given 12th boards this year or other exams. And I'll have to work hard. That will mean less time for the blog. But I'll try to make a few posts now and then.

B'day Time

2006-08-26T20:55:00.001+05:30

Not mine, but that of my brother Akash and sister Avni’s. They’re twins and had turned nine yesterday. We had thrown a huge party only for kids at our place.While my bro n sis were enjoying themselves, me and my sister Ankita (we are four) were busy serving the huge number of children we had invited. Overall it was a lot of fun and the best part was the gift unwrapping session. They get double the number of gifts than others, so there is a huge pile of gifts to open. Even though there was a power cut during the party, we managed to play music through the generator backup provided by the aptts.

Today, we had decided to take a rest, but our uncle and aunts decided to come for lunch. That meant we had to clean the whole place properly and also decorate it a bit more. So the whole day was basically spent with them and only now I’ve got some time to update my blog.

Two Papers Only…..........That's Great!!!

2006-08-25T13:24:00.001+05:30

I read in today’s newspaper that IIT-JEE will now consist of only 2 papers. That’s great news for IIT aspirants like me. This year there were three papers of two hour duration each in Physics, Chemistry and Maths. Earlier there used to be two exams—Screening and Mains. I guess this is their way of reducing stress among students. It will definitely be much easier giving the paper. I remember this year how strenuous the whole paper was. My centre was a hour’s distance from my home and after dropping me there, my parents had gone back, saying they will pick me up in the evening. After the first paper, we were “thrown out” of the centre. Most of the students were on the roads. Luckily, there was a park nearby and I accompanied a girl to sit under a tree. We just ate a few snacks and tried to study for our next paper, which was maths. I was wondering how I would spend my next break, as it would be very hot in the afternoon. A few minutes later, the girl’s dad came and I borrowed his cell to call my papa. I told him that he had to come for my second break at all costs. And they did. Just behind the centre was papa’s office guest house, so we went there during the break. We had lunch and I took a rest. Actually I was feeling very sleepy, but I did try to read some Chemistry. The exam finally ended at 6 p.m. and I was really glad to go back home.

You would wonder at my such lax attitude towards such an important exam. To be frank, I hadn’t really prepared, and my parents were aware of this. In fact, I’d always planned to drop a year and prepare properly for JEE, not in the half-baked way as I had done this year.

Final Decision

2006-08-25T13:19:00.001+05:30

I’ve finally decided to drop a year and take a chance at entrance exams next year. As much as I’d have loved to start college this year (like all my friends did), what I would love even more is a good college. By that I mean any of the reputed govt. colleges, and the main aim is IIT. It’s difficult, but its not impossible. I’ll join a coaching from tomorrow and start my preparation. Day before I attended the 2nd counseling of IP University. I spent an entire day in that stuffy auditorium gaining nothing. That’s when I told my parents that I’ve made my decision. And there are no second thoughts.

Mission Admission

2006-08-21T19:49:00.001+05:30

Looks like my run for the college is proving to be a bigger headache than expected. I had, two weeks ago, taken the hard decision to take a gap year and prepare for exams next year. It was not easy seeing all my friends going to some college or the other while I had to reopen the same books and get lost in their world again. But, after some brainwashing from mama, I prepared myself mentally.

Now I find myself reconsidering my decision. The second counselling of IP Univ. is day after tomorrow and papa wants me to take admission in some college there. What! I am supposed to join a coaching in a few days. Then mama brainwashes me again and tells me that dropping a year is not that easy. One has to be very tough and there is no guarantee that I will get a good "govt." college next year. And they are not willing to let me waste my year if I plan to show the same results again.

The final decision is left to me. While I am tempted to college life(and one part of my brain tells me that is the life), I would also love to get a good college(I mean, better than IP). Yeah! I am choosy!

Book Review - Sister of My Heart by Chitra Banerjee

2006-08-21T19:46:00.001+05:30

I have been reading a lot of Indian authors in the past few weeks, first Anita Desai’ “Fasting Feasting” and now Chitra Banerjee’s “Sister Of My Heart”. Well this book is about two distant cousins, who were born on the same day and had grown up with each other. They were closer than twin sisters. The story is set in Calcutta (now Kolkata), where they grow up in their big ancestral, Chatterjee home. Chitra takes us through their lives, as they face their destinies—and make sacrifices for each other on the way. I have spent my childhood in Calcutta and could really identify with the sights and sounds of the city described by her. What really stands out is her writing style, as she puts forward her story in a diary-like form, alternate entries given to Anju and Sudha, the protagonists. I loved the book and am now looking forward to reading her other, more celebrated book, “Arranged Marriage”.

Sting Operation on Colleges

2006-08-09T20:49:00.001+05:30

Last night I was just scrolling through TV channels casually, when I came across one news channel showing hidden camera-like videos. I paused to watch, and found that they had carried out a sting operation on some private colleges affiliated to U.P. Tech. University. The colleges were caught asking for huge sums of money as “donation” for admission. There is a full fledged admission process through the UP-State Entrance Exam and the subsequent counseling. I had also given this exam, and secured admission in Galgotia’s College Of Engineering (which I later dropped out of). It has repute among private colleges, and it uses this to full extent. These colleges have a management quota, through which the student can secure admission even without the entrance exam. The only thing is they have to pay a hefty sum of money, irrespective of merit. There are plenty of students, who have the money but not the brains, who benefit from such quotas.

Asking for donations is technically illegal, but what the heck. The colleges probably pay a good sum to the people at the university, to keep their mouths shut, and happy. The only person who suffers from this scheme is the student who stays awake till 2 a.m. in the morning, preparing for the exam, and gaining nothing.

Nothing New

2006-08-07T13:46:00.002+05:30

Okay so everybody screamed when ISPs blocked blogs (though that's not the reason for my delay in this post), and now things seem normal. For me, I could not access internet in the past few days at all, as I had to prepare for the Entrance test of a coaching institute. I've finally decided to "drop a year", as everybody calls it, and will officially prepare for IIT-JEE next year.

These words seem so big. JEE. When I gave my first attempt this year, I was fully unprepared. Without any coaching, it's near impossible to crack JEE for mortals like me(I keep telling my papa that the top rankers come from some other planet, but he refuses to buy that). I'm not the 24x7 studies type of person, and I like to have some fun once in a while. But as my parents keep on reminding me, you don't get into IIT like that, so now I am trying to change my lifestyle a little bit.

MAKING FRIENDS………AND BEYOND

2006-07-23T15:31:00.001+05:30

I just signed up for Orkut a few days back. I had been wanting to, for quite some time but couldn’t (due to various reasons). These friend/bf making sites are really interesting. I have been part of a few, viz. hi5, friendster and zebo, without actually wanting to. I receive invites from some friend of mine and they keep on marauding my mailbox until I sign up. The reason why I don’t want to sign up is because my common sense tells me they are really stupid. I get friend requests from all sorts of guys, who just wanna have fun on the net. Yes, it is a nice place to interact with people, but very few are genuine. And, I’ve also been able to catch up with some long lost friends of mine so I’m not complaining
Until I start receiving mails which sound uncannily like …………….marriage proposals! Hey, I’m just 17! I received a mail from a guy who happens to be of the “same caste” (probably he does not know my views on the caste system). He has finished his engg. And now wants to get serious with a girl of his caste, so that he can also present her to his parents later for marriage, and they will not object (how nice!). I wouldn’t have minded the mail had I been single, 25 yrs old and had strict parents. But that’s not the case. I’m open for friendship on the net…….but wait, marriage is a bit too far……at 17.

Update: I have no idea what I was thinking when I wrote all this. The truth is, I DO NOT like making friends on the net, and never will. Thank God I've grown up!!

Update 2: I sound so juvenile! They only reason this post is still up is because I find it hilarious. Also it reminds me how stupid I was when I was 17. And of the time when orkut was still cool.

Nothin New

2006-07-17T09:50:00.001+05:30

Sorry for the delay in posts. And I have only one explanation--there was nothing happening in my life during the past few weeks worth writing about. Nowadays I'm usually spending my days reading(I've run out of books), listening to music and waiting for my next counselling. I have one on 20th so I shall have to get my documents ready for that.

Now, for the first time, I'm seriously considering to drop a year and prepare for college next year. I know that I will not be happy in a sub-standard college without the course of my choice and this concerns my entire career. Even though the idea of a gap year is pretty common amongst engg. aspirants in India, I still don't know what to do. Everything depends on my next counselling.

SPORTS FEVER

2006-07-12T10:35:00.001+05:30

What with the FIFA World Cup, Wimbeldon and the India-West Indies test series I have been quite busy watching sports. I was really disappointed when Brazil and England lost but now I hope France win. It doesn’t matter really, because I know that India will never qualify for a world cup (so I can cheer any team). I find it funny how much people love soccer and how much they attach their lives to the game. Like how they were crying when their country lost. I mean, I don’t cry when India loses a match, and I don’t think many other Indians do too. The emotion they show is anger and lots of it. You will see it in the form of effigies being burnt on the streets (if you are unlucky you might also see it in the form of road rage). But they won’t cry. I don’t watch a lot of soccer, except for a few championships thanks to two of my soccer crazy friends.

I was watching Wimbeldon to see Roger Federer and Sania Mirza. Too bad she lost in first round, but she’s playing good. She had put on a tough fight. As for Federer, it looks like smooth sailing, as he breezes past his opponents. I think he will win his fourth title but if the final is between him and Nadal, it will be interesting.
Wonder why has cricket come last. It is said that Indians worship cricketers. I certainly do (though not just the Indian ones ;-) ). I’m a very big Brett Lee fan. Dravid was great in the last test match. Couldn’t see much of it as the match was telecast at night (played in West Indies). Anyways, I’m glad that Indians have repeated history.

AIEEE DONE

2006-07-12T10:32:00.001+05:30

Today (dated 4.07.06 - sorry for the delay) I had my AIEEE on campus counseling at Delhi College of Engineering. It was basically a waste of time, because with my rank I found that the seats allotted for Delhi region candidates were already filled and after four hours of documents verification, I ended up filling only the form for dropout seats (where you rarely get a decent college). Completely useless. My only hopes are Upseat (UP state’s entrance exam), Indraprastha University and Delhi College Of Engineering. Didn’t apply to too many colleges, did I? But I’m hopeful. It’s time to wait and watch.

COUNSELLING # 1

2006-06-19T16:38:00.001+05:30

Finally my college counseling has begun with AIEEE (All India Engineering Entrance Examination) starting their off-campus online counseling. It was in its first stages just as an indicator of what colleges to expect when the actual on-campus counseling starts. At least I got an idea of what colleges to expect. It exercised my choices from the list of colleges offered to me. I want to go for computer science and engineering. After I learnt C++ in 12th standard, I fell in love with programming languages, so I can’t think of doing anything else. Even my uncle (who is an IIT alumnus) advised me to go for the stream of my choice. I do hope (and pray) that I get admission in DCE (Delhi college of Engineering). My rank’s pretty close, so I think I can make it with some good luck. And I have my fingers crossed.

TO U.P. AND BACK

2006-06-19T16:33:00.001+05:30

A few days back I went to my hometown Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh to spend a few days with my cousins before I get completely busy with my college counseling. The journey included a 7 hour drive to Bareilly. We stayed at my aunt’s place for the night and the next day left for Budaun, where my grandfather lives (and so do my cousins). That meant another hour long drive. But it was a lot of fun. I meet them only once or twice a year, so we had a lot to share. I especially enjoyed the trip since I hadn’t had an outing for a long time thanks to my studies. But it was also very hot and we had to endure long power cuts. There was a generator, but the machine also has its limits. The state of electricity in U.P. is very bad. It’s very hard to survive in 44 degree plus temperatures without even a fan. And the power cuts were for as long as 8 hours at a stretch. Really unbearable. Good thing was the roads. They have really improved over the past year and made our journey much easier. Till last year they used to be filled with potholes but now all that has changed. Overall I enjoyed my trip and now I’m just relaxing (sleeping basically), enjoying the rest of my “holidays”.

Merit List

2006-06-13T20:28:00.001+05:30

Only that person who is trying to get admission in any college in India would know what reservations really mean--and how closely they affect your lives. As an undergraduate I wholeheartedly support the protests that have been taking place against the proposed reservations in govt. colleges for OBC(other backward castes) and think that the existing reservations for SC/ST(scheduled castes/tribes) should also be lifted. Only merit should be the basis for admission to any institution and not your caste. As it is, these reservations do not really help those students for whom it is meant; rather they make it easier for the rich SC/ST’s who get all the opportunities plus a reserved seat.

The question is: do these reservations really help? Or are they just an easy way for the “privileged” students born into the scheduled castes? It is very easy to get a fake SC certificate, if you have a few bucks to spare. That just makes this whole thing look meaningless. If it actually helps somebody, it is the politicians, who generate a huge vote bank comprising of this “reserved” population. And that is why they support it fully ignoring the protests by students.

Last word for the HRD minister Arjun Singh. Judging by his reactions to the protests, it looks as if he’s blind, or just ignoring the whole thing, hoping it will pass away—like so many other protests in the past. But I don’t think so. Today’s generation is not going to sit quietly, esp. with so much more media exposure than in the past.

DAY OUT WITH FRIENDS

2006-06-12T14:15:00.003+05:30

Yesterday finally I managed to go out and meet some of my school friends, despite papa worrying about me catching a heat-stroke. I assured him that I would spend all my time in a mall and not outside in the sweltering heat. We had a good time and it was a lot of fun trying out various outfits though not really buying anything. We also tried shoplifting, but one of the shop assistants got suspicious and we dropped the idea. It was great meeting my friends after such a long time (about 3 months). We all will be going to different colleges, in different parts of India, so we did not know when we would meet again. That made our meeting quite emotional. After coming home, I came back to the same routine—reading, sleeping and music.

FANAA……………………

2006-06-12T14:15:00.002+05:30

For those who are wondering what the title is all about, it’s the name of a Hindi movie, which just got released recently and has generated a lot of controversy. Two days ago papa got the CD home and I’ve now seen it four times. It’s good, though not as good as Kunal Kohli’s (director) previous movie. The story was very predictable and as you reached towards the end you knew what was going to happen. Kajol looked brilliant, considering she’s coming after a break and even Aamir Khan is good, esp. the shayari in the bus was really impressive. Jaspal Bhatti’s comedy is very lame, looks like he’s lost his touch but what really scores is its music. Jatin-Lalit gave a very captivating soundtrack and I simply love “Chand Sifarish”. Overall worth watching al least once in the theatre.

LETS BEGIN !!!

2006-06-12T14:07:00.001+05:30

Hi! Everybody. I’m Aanchal Saxena, a 17 year old girl living in New Delhi. I’ve just given my 12th standard and engineering entrance exams (I’ve also qualified in a few). Nowadays I really don’t have much to do (except reading, sleeping or listening to music) so I thought I’d start up a blog. I’ll write about whatever is going on in my life, plus my views on some issues.