Was reminiscing the sweet-nothings about childhood, school and college days - good old days with no money-worry, staying with parents, happy outings, nothing too stressful like, to jolt some of them down...Mom's filter coffee, Mom's singing and slokams, elaborate Sunday family lunch with pearl-onion sambar and potato curry, Ragavendra temple in T Nagar, December Carnatic music concerts, Crazy Mohan and SV Shekhar dramas, Mom's vetha-kozhambu, British Council library, Marina, Venkataramana Boli Stall, Adyar Grand Snacks, Higginbothams, electric train rides with my dad on Sundays when he drops me off at railway station to go to college, last minute packing for college, crashing my dad's car in my neighbor's fence, first time my parents bought me a computer, carnatic music classes - practice sessions before concerts/competitions, Sunday evenings with my friend N discussing about future and such stuff in the terrace, shopping at Nilgiris, Woodlands drive-in at Cathedral Road (which is crappy nowadays, but when I was a kid, it was really the place to be for families on Sundays right after Marina beach), reading any novel that I can lay hands on and sitting on the sofa reading it all day without even moving an inch unaware of what happens around me, every single minute spent with my maternal grandparents, playing with my great-grandmother when she was alive and kicking, shopping in T Nagar and Mambalam with my paternal grandmother, first few weeks with my dog (he became Dennis the Menace after the first few days...), any kind of swing (oonjals) anywhere, first elevator ride....
I wish I could go back in time... but not be a child actually, just enjoy these things being an adult. Well, actually since its wishing, might as well wish to be able to go back and forth ..I would not want to miss the present events like... long drives, first snow..a bliss everytime, road trips with friends, talking to some ever-dependable friends, Tiramisu, proud self-cooking and trying to compare it to my mom's, shopping for shoes,...somebody stop me!!
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Airlines...
I saw Sriram's post about his recent airline experience. That made me write about my vivid trip to India last year. My annual year-end trip to India began at Chicago (after meeting some friends there). What happened? O'Hare, Snow storm in Europe and lousy flight connections happened!! :-(
The flight was supposed to leave at 4.30 pm. But because of a delay in the corresponding incoming flight, my flight was delayed by 3 hours. At about 7.45 pm, we boarded the flight. By the time everyone had boarded, it was time to de-ice the plane again. We were sixth in line for the de-icing truck. So, we sat inside the plane very patiently. At about 9 pm, the plane took-off. But, by the time I landed in Europe, I had missed my connecting flight to Chennai. The airline people did not know what to do and I did not have a transit visa. So, they booked me a different flight to Delhi, connecting to Chennai on a different airline. I had to stay in the airport lounges for 8 hrs until my next flight. Unlucky me - whenever I tried to call home to let my family know that I missed my flight, etc, the phone was either engaged or I could not get the line.
After the over-crowded airport lounge for 8 hrs, I got on the flight to go to Delhi. My seat was the one just before the pantry, hence, with absolutely no pushback effect on the seat. When the plane is moving on the runway, the airhostess tells me that they have lost both of my luggages. It was PROBABLY still with the airline which flew me from Chicago to Europe. They hoped to get it to Delhi on the next flight from Europe. I was dismayed. But at least I wasn’t lost, just my luggage.
Without any more events, I reached Delhi. Filled out forms, immigration stuff for my luggage, etc. Actually the airline had misplaced luggage belonging to lot of people. So there was a huge crowd in that counter. Finally my turn came, after finishing the formalities; they tell me that I had to go to the domestic terminal (which was a 20 minute taxi ride) for my flight to Chennai.
You might think that I would have taken the taxi to the domestic terminal, got into the plane and reached Chennai sound and safe. No!!! Because of excessive traffic between the two airport terminals, I missed my flight AGAIN!! The next flight to Chennai was after 7 hrs. The airline authorities took pity on me and upgraded my seat to first class after all this. By that time, I had lost all energy to be excited about any kind of upgrade. I waited for the next 7 hrs in the first-class airport lounge. Ultimately, after being delayed for 21 hrs, I reached Chennai at 11 pm on a Saturday (as opposed to about 12 am on Friday), but ‘luggage-free’.
So, during the stay in Chennai, my everyday routines were preceded by prayers for a simple and hassle-free return flight to US!!
The flight was supposed to leave at 4.30 pm. But because of a delay in the corresponding incoming flight, my flight was delayed by 3 hours. At about 7.45 pm, we boarded the flight. By the time everyone had boarded, it was time to de-ice the plane again. We were sixth in line for the de-icing truck. So, we sat inside the plane very patiently. At about 9 pm, the plane took-off. But, by the time I landed in Europe, I had missed my connecting flight to Chennai. The airline people did not know what to do and I did not have a transit visa. So, they booked me a different flight to Delhi, connecting to Chennai on a different airline. I had to stay in the airport lounges for 8 hrs until my next flight. Unlucky me - whenever I tried to call home to let my family know that I missed my flight, etc, the phone was either engaged or I could not get the line.
After the over-crowded airport lounge for 8 hrs, I got on the flight to go to Delhi. My seat was the one just before the pantry, hence, with absolutely no pushback effect on the seat. When the plane is moving on the runway, the airhostess tells me that they have lost both of my luggages. It was PROBABLY still with the airline which flew me from Chicago to Europe. They hoped to get it to Delhi on the next flight from Europe. I was dismayed. But at least I wasn’t lost, just my luggage.
Without any more events, I reached Delhi. Filled out forms, immigration stuff for my luggage, etc. Actually the airline had misplaced luggage belonging to lot of people. So there was a huge crowd in that counter. Finally my turn came, after finishing the formalities; they tell me that I had to go to the domestic terminal (which was a 20 minute taxi ride) for my flight to Chennai.
You might think that I would have taken the taxi to the domestic terminal, got into the plane and reached Chennai sound and safe. No!!! Because of excessive traffic between the two airport terminals, I missed my flight AGAIN!! The next flight to Chennai was after 7 hrs. The airline authorities took pity on me and upgraded my seat to first class after all this. By that time, I had lost all energy to be excited about any kind of upgrade. I waited for the next 7 hrs in the first-class airport lounge. Ultimately, after being delayed for 21 hrs, I reached Chennai at 11 pm on a Saturday (as opposed to about 12 am on Friday), but ‘luggage-free’.
So, during the stay in Chennai, my everyday routines were preceded by prayers for a simple and hassle-free return flight to US!!
Monday, April 24, 2006
Audaciousness of SOME Guys
I got this over-demanding groom profile as a forward from my friend.
[Pls. note: We are NOT Tamilians;we are open to Tamil/Telugu/Kannada. We speak/understand Tamil, Telugu, Kannada - but, Tamilians speaking/understanding MULTIPLE languages along with Tamil preferred]
Good day! "PLEASE READ THE PROFILE CAREFULLY & COMPLETELY ", for PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS, under point (1).
* ONLY after you INITIALLY send across ALL the stuff requested in point 2 of the profile, it'll be helpful in analysing your family circumstances and making decisions.
IF INTERESTED,
Kindly respond with ALL the INFO requested in point (2) after going through OUR FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES in point (1).
Kindly respond with ALL the INFO requested in point (2) after going through OUR FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES in point (1).
(1) Looking for a BEAUTIFUL girl,possessing excellent family values, Degree Educated (3 or 4 years or Masters Degree or recent college passout),
preferably AGE: between 18 and 25 yrs. ("AROUND 25 YEARS" OR "LESS THAN 25 YEARS"; "THE YOUNGER THE AGE, BETTER" "THE YOUNGER THE AGE, BETTER"),
STRICT GARDEN VEGETARIAN (the entire family should be pure garden vegetarian), with excellent family background, preferably from a SMALL & "AFFLUENT" FAMILY.
----
* Pls. note for those OUT of Bangalore:
My family consists of MY PARENTS AND MYSELF.
There are 2 options considering our situation -
(a) It will be ideal to TAKE MY PARENTS along with me and the girl TO ABROAD after completing relevant Visa formalities.
(b) Alternatively, the girl's family has to keep Bangalore/nearby Bangalore as Base, so that my parents are not alone.
- We need to practically care/consider about my/girl's elder parents in future. Isn't it??????
=====
(2) INITIALLY, please send across
COMPLETE INFO - INDEPTH DETAILS preferred(each and every info requested pls. because we need to consider several factors/circumstances)
(a) such as full family details, i.e, number of family members (siblings) and profile of each,
(b) parents occupational details, location of parents
PERMANENT and TEMPORARY residence (Country, State, City) of family members - if applicable and if family members are staying in different locations,
CITIZENSHIP and VISA STATUS of family members - if applicable and if family members are staying in different locations
(c) 'Visa Stamping on the Passport of the girl'(if any) OR
'Visa Status of the girl'(if any) OR
'Valid Passport Holder' - in order to apply for Spouse Visa later,
(d) DATE OF BIRTH, PLACE OF BIRTH, TIME OF BIRTH,
(e) a couple of latest full-length PHOTOGRAPHS
=====
(3) From a H-1B Visa holder, 29 years young hahahaha...(and growing younger!!), 173 cms., 68 Kgs., simple, friendly guy, DOESN'T SMOKE/DRINK, fitness freak, down-to-earth guy, magnanimous personality, lively & cheerful, having great sense of humour,
visited 4 COUNTRIES;
B.E. - Computer Science,
M.I.T.(AUSTRALIA),
Consultant (SINGAPORE),
Consulting Analyst (U.S.A.).
CURRENTLY IN BANGALORE
E-mail contact preferred initially WITH ALL THE REQUESTED DETAILS in point (2).
IF INTERESTED,
Kindly respond with ALL the INFO requested in point (2) after going through OUR FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES in point (1).
Have a pleasant day!
Are you kidding me with this? What do some men think of themselves? That they are god-given gifts to women?? Crazy Man!! Most people dont know what they want out of life, what kind of partner they are looking for, etc.... But, knowing and expecting like this (as in the above given profile) is way over limit. Maybe everyone thinks about all this to some extent. But publishing it on paper or online profile shows the audaciousness of the guy. Doesnt it??
[Pls. note: We are NOT Tamilians;we are open to Tamil/Telugu/Kannada. We speak/understand Tamil, Telugu, Kannada - but, Tamilians speaking/understanding MULTIPLE languages along with Tamil preferred]
Good day! "PLEASE READ THE PROFILE CAREFULLY & COMPLETELY ", for PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS, under point (1).
* ONLY after you INITIALLY send across ALL the stuff requested in point 2 of the profile, it'll be helpful in analysing your family circumstances and making decisions.
IF INTERESTED,
Kindly respond with ALL the INFO requested in point (2) after going through OUR FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES in point (1).
Kindly respond with ALL the INFO requested in point (2) after going through OUR FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES in point (1).
(1) Looking for a BEAUTIFUL girl,possessing excellent family values, Degree Educated (3 or 4 years or Masters Degree or recent college passout),
preferably AGE: between 18 and 25 yrs. ("AROUND 25 YEARS" OR "LESS THAN 25 YEARS"; "THE YOUNGER THE AGE, BETTER" "THE YOUNGER THE AGE, BETTER"),
STRICT GARDEN VEGETARIAN (the entire family should be pure garden vegetarian), with excellent family background, preferably from a SMALL & "AFFLUENT" FAMILY.
----
* Pls. note for those OUT of Bangalore:
My family consists of MY PARENTS AND MYSELF.
There are 2 options considering our situation -
(a) It will be ideal to TAKE MY PARENTS along with me and the girl TO ABROAD after completing relevant Visa formalities.
(b) Alternatively, the girl's family has to keep Bangalore/nearby Bangalore as Base, so that my parents are not alone.
- We need to practically care/consider about my/girl's elder parents in future. Isn't it??????
=====
(2) INITIALLY, please send across
COMPLETE INFO - INDEPTH DETAILS preferred(each and every info requested pls. because we need to consider several factors/circumstances)
(a) such as full family details, i.e, number of family members (siblings) and profile of each,
(b) parents occupational details, location of parents
PERMANENT and TEMPORARY residence (Country, State, City) of family members - if applicable and if family members are staying in different locations,
CITIZENSHIP and VISA STATUS of family members - if applicable and if family members are staying in different locations
(c) 'Visa Stamping on the Passport of the girl'(if any) OR
'Visa Status of the girl'(if any) OR
'Valid Passport Holder' - in order to apply for Spouse Visa later,
(d) DATE OF BIRTH, PLACE OF BIRTH, TIME OF BIRTH,
(e) a couple of latest full-length PHOTOGRAPHS
=====
(3) From a H-1B Visa holder, 29 years young hahahaha...(and growing younger!!), 173 cms., 68 Kgs., simple, friendly guy, DOESN'T SMOKE/DRINK, fitness freak, down-to-earth guy, magnanimous personality, lively & cheerful, having great sense of humour,
visited 4 COUNTRIES;
B.E. - Computer Science,
M.I.T.(AUSTRALIA),
Consultant (SINGAPORE),
Consulting Analyst (U.S.A.).
CURRENTLY IN BANGALORE
E-mail contact preferred initially WITH ALL THE REQUESTED DETAILS in point (2).
IF INTERESTED,
Kindly respond with ALL the INFO requested in point (2) after going through OUR FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES in point (1).
Have a pleasant day!
Are you kidding me with this? What do some men think of themselves? That they are god-given gifts to women?? Crazy Man!! Most people dont know what they want out of life, what kind of partner they are looking for, etc.... But, knowing and expecting like this (as in the above given profile) is way over limit. Maybe everyone thinks about all this to some extent. But publishing it on paper or online profile shows the audaciousness of the guy. Doesnt it??
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Letters from home....
Whats with handwritten letters? Everytime I get a handwritten note or letter or card from my family or friends, I become the unstoppable. The condition is provoked if the letter is from home, my parents!! Yesterday I got one such letter with a package from home.
Usually whenever I get a package or letter from India, my mom makes it a point to write to me a few lines about anything/something/everything. This started...ever since she sent me stuff once(I think in 2002) days before my birthday and since she was in a hurry, she posted the package without any note or letter. I moped around with it for weeks telling that the parcel did not have her personal touch and probably her assistant at work just posted it. I mean, it was a complaint way over the hill but I was a little crushed...So, nowadays she makes sure that she sends to me one of these - general quips, family news, some inspiring article cut from local newspapers, a collection of letters that she had been writing for me for a long time, or pictures of my dog. She is really good in writing and so, whenever I see her handwriting, I know that I am in for some treat.
[All this happens inspite of emailing each other atleast 5-6 times a week and spending $400 on phonecards every month. Dont ask me what I write or talk..I just do...Not that I get homesick...just that, things just happen.....]
Unlike my mom, my dad is not too fond of writing. I am not sure even if he has written letters to anyone, other than to my mom (ofcourse!!). So, you can imagine my surprise when I opened the package that I had received and saw my dad's handwriting. I got scared first and then delighted after reading it. It was a two page letter, back and front. I know my dad really well. So, if he had actually written to me, I can imagine how much time he must have spent on it. I was a little homesick after that. MY DAD WROTE TO ME. Nothing else matters, right??
Technology has progressed...but, even today, there is nothing like receiving a handwritten letter. Emails - quicker, easier, affordable...still, a little impersonal. Don't you agree?
Usually whenever I get a package or letter from India, my mom makes it a point to write to me a few lines about anything/something/everything. This started...ever since she sent me stuff once(I think in 2002) days before my birthday and since she was in a hurry, she posted the package without any note or letter. I moped around with it for weeks telling that the parcel did not have her personal touch and probably her assistant at work just posted it. I mean, it was a complaint way over the hill but I was a little crushed...So, nowadays she makes sure that she sends to me one of these - general quips, family news, some inspiring article cut from local newspapers, a collection of letters that she had been writing for me for a long time, or pictures of my dog. She is really good in writing and so, whenever I see her handwriting, I know that I am in for some treat.
[All this happens inspite of emailing each other atleast 5-6 times a week and spending $400 on phonecards every month. Dont ask me what I write or talk..I just do...Not that I get homesick...just that, things just happen.....]
Unlike my mom, my dad is not too fond of writing. I am not sure even if he has written letters to anyone, other than to my mom (ofcourse!!). So, you can imagine my surprise when I opened the package that I had received and saw my dad's handwriting. I got scared first and then delighted after reading it. It was a two page letter, back and front. I know my dad really well. So, if he had actually written to me, I can imagine how much time he must have spent on it. I was a little homesick after that. MY DAD WROTE TO ME. Nothing else matters, right??
Technology has progressed...but, even today, there is nothing like receiving a handwritten letter. Emails - quicker, easier, affordable...still, a little impersonal. Don't you agree?
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