A Pleasant Interlude

A few days ago, there was a message on one of the Facebook groups about a reunion at our college (Amrita). It was just a one-liner saying that we had a alumni meet (not so much a reunion) at so and so date and such and such time.

I was in two minds whether to go or not. It was during a weekend, on a Saturday to be precise. Residing in Cochin, this meant that I needed to leave Cochin either on Friday evening after office hours or early on Saturday. I had already been caught up the last weekend and also had to travel back to Trivandrum on Saturday night.

Though I was a state of mind to go, the constant travel and the fact that my entire weekend would be eaten up was a sore point for me. I had made up my mind, I was not to go. Anyway, it wasn't as if many had said they would turn up...So it really didn't matter…

But a push from an unexpected direction. My husband gently prodded me to go. After all I did want to go, and after we were to travel to Trivandrum, so what difference did it make if I left a bit early and fulfilled this wish?

My mind was in a state of flux, to go or not to go…

I booked my tickets for the journey. I was to travel on Saturday morning. I kept telling people that I hadn't decided whether to leave or not. "Go" or "Stay back and relax" were the alternating mantras in my mind. It was Friday night and I still hadn't decided what I was to do…

Come Friday night, and I decided I was leaving. I didn't care if I went for the alumnus meet but I wanted to go to the Ashram. The Ashram, which during my three years of college, was both my prison and my refuge. I shuddered at the memories of the hostel which washed over me but I longed to go to the Kali Temple and seek peace like I used to.

A View of the Ashram from Vallikav (Picture Courtesy Google)

A few hours into Saturday morning, I found myself standing at the Ashram. Drinking in all the sights, I could scare keep myself from gaping. So much had changed, it seemed. Many things seemed displaced but the Kali Temple I sought remained the same. I slowly walked up the stairs and went inside the peaceful abode.

A view of the Kali Temple from Outside (Picture Courtesy Google)

 The Kali Temple was a place of refuge for me. Many a times, when I was troubled during my college years, I would seek out a corner in this peaceful dwelling. It was a long hall where many could be seated. Towards the front was a elevated area where the Kali Temple and the beautiful Kali idol was placed. Over the three years that I had spent there, many a times had I come seeking for a place where I could pour out all that troubled me. It was a place where I could open myself up and pour all my sorrows and find the peace that I lusted for.

Inside the Kali Temple (Picture Courtesy Google)

I sat here for a long time and then went around the rest of the Ashram soaking in all the changes. As I wandered about, I overheard someone mentioning about a Darshan. I wasn't sure if I had heard right, after all I thought Amma wasn't in India. I went ahead to check things and I realized that Amma was very much in India and giving Darshans the very same day.

I went ahead to take a token for Darshan uncaring that I may miss the Alumnus meet that I had actually come for. The hours passed by and it was past time that I left for college to the alumnus meet. But I found that I wasn't too keen on going to college if it meant missing the darshan. But since I had enough time on my hands I went to college anyway.

A view of the college with all it's changes (Picture Courtesy Google)

Once the program was finished, we returned to the Ashram and waited patiently for our time to come. It had been close to four years since I had had a Darshan  with Amma. It was a time to contemplate, a time to ponder on life and a time to sit ..at peace with myself.  I left the same evening for Kollam where I was to wait for Gowtham, Rohith and Ashwin to pick me up for us to complete the remainder of our journey.

It was a unexpected turn to the day, a pleasant surprise, a long wait and a brief visit with Amma. The icing on the cake, were the moments that I had for myself, my thoughts and prayers.

Looking forward to the next visit to Amrita with the family...

Randomness

I gazed across the room in despair,  I wanted something that I could never get...The feeling of being closed in was becoming something I couldn't shake off…

My frustration grew as waves of despair rolled through me...I didn't know what to do, where to turn and what would be…I was helpless and bound…bound not by ropes but by words and trust...

I heard footsteps echoing down the corridor...the voice grew closer… I had to control...and compose myself...and not let the tears that threaten to flow , escape…

Moments passed and I struggled to think of something pleasant...I closed my eyes and fixed a smile on my face as I  walked across to greet that voice...I hoped that my face did not betray my thoughts as I struggled to keep my voice steady and hands from wavering.

I had to present  a cheerful facade. He was not to suspect that I was upset. I had to get him away from here where even the walls would hear what I had to say to him. I had to tell him, of what I had learnt, of what I suspected, the treachery…

I tried to move toward him naturally and waved toward him as if nothing were amiss. He seemed flustered and was running toward me. I strained to make out what he was saying but now I could hear footsteps behind me as well.

I felt a sudden jolt and something heavy hit me...I tried to turn but the hold I had on myself was slipping… The blackness seemed welcoming and I let myself sink into oblivion...

Big Girl

The image that one is fat and not worthy of attention, friendship or any of the good things in life...This concept didn't seem too unbelievable or strange.  A book on this seemed to be apt especially as it seemed to address something that is not too uncommon.

As I turned the pages of this book, I found myself getting engrossed in the characters and the story. The story of the life of Victoria Dawson, the protagonist, as she fights the battle with her weight issues.

The storyline describes the life of a chubby girl with blond hair and blue eyes. The initial description makes you imagine a beautiful young girl but the constantly reiterated is the fact that the girl is ordinary and little on the 'Big' side. Incomparable to the rest of her family who are described as 'tall and slender', 'fine-boned' and 'dark-haired beauty', she deals with disappointment of her family with her looks.

The story is in the form of a narration where we hear the incidents rather than see and feel them. The parents are depicted as self-centered, out-spoken and with a narcissistic outlook where they leave no stone unturned in belittling and ridiculing her, little realizing what they are actually doing.

The entire book repeatedly talks about how her parents belittle her and pass remarks which chip away her confidence bit by bit till she is absolutely low on self esteem and confidence and feels that she doesn’t deserved to be loved.  Victoria's struggle and her constant fight with her weight seems very realistic. But after a point one is frustrated by Victoria's non reactive nature to her parents remarks.

Victoria's character is depicted as that of a very nice girl, good in whatever she does, having a lot of accomplishments and rarely has she ever seemed to have done something that is not right. She come out a someone who is flawless. The only flaw in her is her lack of self-esteem and this is supposed to have been caused by her parents. This flawless depiction of Victoria where she never loses it or confronts her family seems unrealistic at this age and time.

Victoria's sister Grace, the beautiful anger and the perfect replica of her parents is at the center of attraction in this family. Both Victoria and Grace, though brought up by the same parents seem to have undergone two different childhoods. This difference in them and their childhood has not affected their love and bond. Despite the tension with her parents, the two sisters are close and it is a pleasure to see it.

Victoria is also shown to meet a shrink who helps her with understanding her issues and realizing her worth. The book shows her a someone who is desperately trying to lose weight and is also worried and wanting to find a man who can love her. But it is unfortunate that the book depicts that Victoria only makes some leeway with her esteem issues once she has a nose job done. She also seems to come into own her own only when she finds that perfect guy for her, which happens towards the end of the book.

Does this tell readers that you need to get some external enhancements or get a guy for recovering some of that self-esteem? Can it not be developed from within or only by yourself? These are some questions that would come into the readers mind as we continue reading...

The story moves on to her sisters engagement where  she has selected a man who is a replica of her father and Victoria is worried that Grace would become like their mother, under the constant shadow of their father. This incident and Victoria's efforts to dissuade her sister from what she believes is a wrong step brings about a slight estrangement between the two.

The book moves towards closure as the sisters solve their issues, the younger sister gets married. After the first serious estrangement, it was unfortunate that the book ended with the sister getting married to the "wrong guys". Things end well in the book otherwise…

I loved her friends especially Harlan and his boyfriend who seem very supportive of her. While I enjoyed this book and wanted to complete, it is not something that I may pick up again...

Fun at Work - InSync 2013

In Sync...Refers to being "In Synchronization"…

The word makes you think of a dance and when applied to the organization, it sounds as though it is some convoluted management theory talking about the absolute need for synchronization and coordination...and the blah blah Management and HR jargon…

Here, I came across the usage for this term as something different. The term "Insync" was just a word, a word that connoted an activity for all the Kancor Employees.

Though not having much experience, my initial reaction and belief was that it was the "usual" annual program held in all organizations. Gradually I came to realize, that this event was something contrary to my expectations and the only thing "usual" about it was the fact that it was annual in nature.

Now, not having worked in many organizations, I do not know it this is the norm or if it is something different from the norm.

("Stop beating around the bush…", if this is the thought in your mind...Be assured, I am coming to my point)

Insync is an annual activity at Kancor instituted in the year 2009 for all the Kancor employees. The event organized and hosted in Cochin is greatly awaited by all Kancorians.  Kancorians from Cochin are divided into multiple groups with each team having a Team Captain and a Team Icon...Location being a constraint in including the Kancorians from other states as an active participant in all that ensues on that day.

Foodie - MasterChef Kancor !!!

These teams undergo many games and compete with each other in multiple games and activities that test their mettle in many ways. The ultimate aim of this activity is to ensure total synchronization between the different departments, different division, different locations (at least in Cochin).

As the multiple events and activities fold, there is a change in the air. The air seems electrified with the employees rushing in the short breaks for their Team Meetings as they prepare for their events and for the Cultural finale that takes place on the "D-Day".

Management Game

Management Game in action

The frenzy in the air and the anticipations just builds up as the days go by. Every employee, from the most junior to the most senior can be seen actively participating in the different activities. On the D-Day, the camaraderie, the competition and the anticipation can be seen writ on all faces…

The crowd

This was my first Insync and definitely an eye-opening experience. During the course of the almost one-month activities for the Insync 2013, I could meet and get to know more people than I had met, interacted in the last one and a half month.

This Insync we had different games like the Buzz Day, Foodie, Management Games and the Cultural Extravaganza which showcased the multiple talents available across Kancor. Some of the talents that you could observe and the creativity showcased would just leave you pleasantly surprised and at some instances even with our mouths open.

So now eagerly awaiting, as I am sure many others are, for the next Insync….

The Winning Team

Grab those books...

It was close to 8.00 pm....The crowds showed no sign of slowing down...We gingerly made way through the crowds and there I saw in front of me Paradise!!!...

Shelves and Shelves of books...And I was going to let myself free....let myself be....

Gowtham said,"Take whatever you want..."  

I nodded my head and began walking to the shelves...The books were in disarray and the shelves were all mixed up...I readied myself...and set to choosing books quickly...

Though books were many, many were duplicate...many were names unknown and unheard of 

for me...Relentlessly, I went in pursuit of authors I know...Gowtham became my book stand whilst I kept dumping the books I needed into his hands....

Wondering why I was acting in a crazy way???

Reliance Time Out was closing...I had heard of it only in the final days and I was  rushing on the last day of the sale to see what I could salvage....Apparently all Reliance Time Out outlets were closing down and the stocks were being handed out at really low prices....

I salvaged whatever I wanted and stood in front of the billing counter...I was in for a long wait. All lines were overflowing with people and their bags full of items. I urged Gowtham to stroll around and see if he wanted to maybe pick out movies or music or anything else that caught his fancy.

It seemed like a still from a Sci-Fi were people rush to supermarkets to stockpile before the alien invasion...Things strewn about and in disarray...and nobody even to glance on who was picking what...People had bags and bags of items stuffed and were foraging for more....

After what seemed like eternity to us...We emerged unscathed and only 1200 Rs poorer after having taken 19 books of various authors..It was tragic that Time Out was closing...but the sale was definitely a blessing...With a smile in our faces and heavy bags...we moved towards the vehicle...

My Purchase that day...

Happy Reading!!!

My experiments in the Kitchen...

My heart started hammering...I hoped the nervousness I felt didn't come out...I smiled and inwardly I wondered...What was to happen???

My forays into the kitchen have been minimal. I mainly get into the kitchen to do the assorted help that my mom requires, the little bit of heating that is needed, the sketchy cooking (sandwiches, instant noodles , instant soups and so on...) My actual and full time stints in the kitchen have been brief.... Two months whilst I was in Bangalore for my project and a few days at home when my parents weren't at home have been the only time I cooked.

But now....with my husband's parents not at home...Gowtham and me were to enter into the cooking part of our married life. The first instance of actual cooking and we were going to have guests at home...OMG!!!

We were going to go simple with just Phulka's, Egg Roast and a tossed salad.... We planned to rush back from office, buy the ingredients and do whatever needed to be done....Now in such a situation, let me tell you, my thoughts in office were entirely on how to go about for the salad. Phulka's were fairly simple and didn't require much thought. The egg roast was Gowtham's department and he knew what and how to experiment in that dish. Now salad on the other hand was just something added and mixed together based on whatever salad's we used to have for dinner at our place and the GM diet preparations in the hostel...

Fortunately or unfortunately something came up unexpectedly and the dinner plan needed to be cancelled....I didn't know whether to be happy or sad..On one hand I really didn't need to do anything but on the other I really didn't get a chance to do anything at all.  Before I could decide on whether needed to be happy or sad...the dinner got re-planned for the next day with additional numbers being added.

The next day we rushed from office and set to doing things the way we pictured in our head around 6.45 pm....JK and Komal came along around 7.45 pm...Komal got into the kitchen in full swing and both of us managed to complete the Chapatis (Phulkas got cancelled at the last minute) and all the cutting work for the egg roast and the salad. Gowtham came in and got the setting done for his egg roast as well...

We had Jojo, Vishak, JK, Komal, Gowtham and me...A wonderful night with wonderful people...with food that disappeared fast enough...a night that gave me the confidence to may be try out stuff for the days to come...

I guess...All's well that ends well.....

And they tied the knot...

The last three years..it seems quite a long time..but now when I look back it seems a blur....

The gals, all sitting together, huddled and gossiping about the latest things. So many things to discuss about, so many plans to make...so many dreams to dream about...One of those discussions was all about this...One of our good friends (Read: Lisa) tying the knot....getting hitched...

It wouldn't be wrong to say that some of have have been waiting for this to happen for the last two years...:)

We set out from Cochin the day before around mid-night...There were quite a few of us in a van that we had booked. The van definitely wasn't derelict but the pace at which we traveled the entire length of the journey made it seem so. 

The journey went on and on...well, it seemed so...None of us were really sure about how to get to the church and it did seem like we had been travelling for miles...When we felt we must have neared the wedding place and were sure that we were lost we asked around. The inhabitants of the place assured us that we had only 30 kilometers to travel and this was around 6.30 in the morning. We traveled for another hour but still couldn't see our destination. A few minutes later, we again pulled up to ask for directions. To our trepidation we were told we had to travel another 30 kilometers to reach the Chittarikal (for the wedding). Another 30-35 kilometers and we were all fidgeting on our seats. It was early morning and we hadn't stopped properly for rest till now (at least that's what we girls felt).  

Oooh...We were just wanting to stop somewhere and take a break....And finally we pulled up, and thought that the journey was done. But to dash our hopes to the ground, we still hadn't come close to the wedding center. We had to travel yet another 17 kilometers before we could reach the hotel where the other guests where put up. The next hour went agonizingly slow and by then all thoughts of the wedding had neigh flown out of the head.

It was around 9.15 am and we had finally neared our destination. We called Gincy, the only one of us who had reached 'the destination'. Thinking about meeting up with Gnz after a gap of an year and going together to Lisa's wedding set our pulses racing.

We reached the hotel and knocked on the room door and then 'Aaaaaaaaahhh', we screamed like banshees and hugged each other. Oh, what a pleasure it is to meet up with your good friends and for something as special as another friends wedding.

And so the time passed and then we were in the church and the ceremony had started. As we watched, the said the vows and tied the knot. A beautiful ceremony made more beautiful by the fact, that it was a girl we loved and a guy we had come to know and love over the last two years.

A week has now gone by and I still can't believe that, Lisaaa ,you are married!!!!! Well girl, here'as a toast to you and Matt. Guys, have a happy and blessed life...Wishing you the very best forever and more...

Every love story is beautiful, but yours is one of my favorite!!!!