Good Days..Great Days....

Today was a good day...Let me rephrase....Today was a great day...My Dad came home!!! Now I know what that sounds like, And my dad did not leave us (not willingly at least)...and I’ve been seeing him once every two months for the past 8 yrs....But in the 8 yrs he spent away from de family his every visit to Chennai was timed..We knew he'd be going back. Not this time.Hez back for good. And my joy is doubled by the smiles I see on my grandparents faces and the Happiness on my mothers.8 yrs went by fast and while in that 8 yrs Hyderabad became a second home to me( I will miss that friendly city:( )Having dad back means I have my whole family under one roof again. Today our family prayer actually felt complete.

Optimistic as I am I have a morbid turn of mind. I kept thinking that something would happen to the plane mom and dad were on. And that fear was getting worse by the minute. So imagine my relief when the car pulled up outside my house and Dad got out safe and sound. I almost screamed Yippee!!!

Fathers are very important figure in one’s life...They are the role models u learn from, The pillars of strength u lean on and if u are a pampered only daughter (which I am!)-Ur unending supply of anything u ask for (My personal Santa!!)...My father is a Gem. Something anyone who has met him will vouch for. The Guy with a Heart of Gold and a love face (that means everyone who meets him, loves him).I do not know what I did to deserve a father like him...But he is my life's most prized treasure. And now that hez home, My cup runneth over!!!

T'was Great to be Single.....

Almost a Whole month has passed since my last post...And a whole lot of things have happened in the past month!!

I went from being Gloriously Single......To being Blissfully Committed.....and I'm not complaining....My Prince Charming has arrived!! And I'm still kind of pinching myself....Every time my mother said she'd be the one to find my husband I always used to picture this person in my head.....So imagine my sadness when I realized that reality was very different.All the boys I was shown were nothing like the picture in my mind and I felt that The boy of my dreams did not exist And then, in walked Mr. Right!!!
My close friends know that I always liked the intellectual, Quiet and Intense types...And that’s exactly what I got!! Hari remember that list I made when I was 17?? And you said it would be impossible to find a guy who fulfilled even half the qualities??? I think I just found him!!! Hez all that I ever wanted and what’s more, He likes me for me.... There is no Drama.....No pretenses..... I can be me with him....Idiosyncrasies and all!! People say that real life is not a Rom-Com....There will not always be a happy ending...And Prince charming s do not exist...But guess what?? I was an Exception.....

Flying High....

I had a really interesting day today....I walked for close to 2 kms in the rain, wearing a white salwar Doing a balancing act on top of the median in the middle of the road, ..All the while thinking my mother screams when I stand on top of the bed (she thinks I'll hit my head on the fan - and I repeatedly remind her "I'm not that tall!!" ) wonder what she'd say if she saw me now??

Normally this could be considered a rotten start to the day...Having to get out of the auto as the road is blocked(which meant walking was my only option),Being told by ur TL(Team Lead to the non IT readers) tat u have to show up for work today(So I could not even bunk),Walking in the slush and grime wearing heels(trust me - Not an easy task),and having to sit an entire day in an air conditioned office in wet clothes(My teeth were actually chattering at one point)But it really was not.....Why am I so upbeat?? Probably coz my official situation has gone from “horrid” to “WOW!!” in a month...The politics is down, I’m no longer a target and I get to spend my weekends at home.... So I'm flying high and a little bit of rain is not gonna bring me down :)

New Twists in Life.....

Ever had a time in life when u seemed to be getting what u asked for...but the packaging was totally different?? Like u asked for ice cream and u got vanilla while the flavor u love is chocolate...What do u do?? Be thankful for the ice cream?? Or Throw a tantrum for chocolate??Would demanding chocolate make me ungrateful?? Or settling for vanilla make me a coward?? Or am I supposed to accept my flavor with all the good grace in the world and not look a gift horse in the mouth??

My life has been like this lately...All those who know me think I'm very lucky(i prefer to think of it as blessed)...My Team mates say "you are lucky" all the time coz according to them I've got a perpetual smile on my face....and only the truly happy people can do that..And only those with perfect lives are truly happy...But the fact of the matter is...Happiness is a matter of choice...Twists and turns are confusing...But look at them with the correct perspective and even vanilla seem like chocolate...And maybe chocolate is over rated...I may love vanilla best after all!!

Of Sleepovers and Girl-Friends.....

I had a sleepover in my place recently...with a group of close friends from office...My sleepovers till date generally involved studying for difficult exams thru the night or going on a college trip early in the morning...So this was my first official sleepover where the only object was fun....and boy, did we have fun!! I often tell a close friend of mine that some how no matter how close guy friends are, Gal-pals are a total necessity. They understand the way u tick and know just what to say when u r feeling blue in a way guy friends never can. This sleepover just kinda proved a point .We did some totally girlie stuff (watching chick flicks and yapping), watched a horror movie and screamed our heads off at even the non scary parts, ate buckets of junk food, clicked a million pictures and had a ball....and like that was not enough we topped it off with a visit to the zoo the next day.....It may sound totally juvenile to say we went to the zoo. But it was a lot of fun...my last trip to the zoo was probably in primary school so I had forgotten that Childhood may not have had a salary account but it certainly had its perks. Cycling around in the zoo made me revisit my carefree schooldays...And though life is no longer so carefree...for those two days it definitely seemed to be.....

Twilight Craze....

I saw a movie last week.... I've known a movie called Twilight existed for quite some time now. Known Rob Pattinson was the hero...Just never felt interested in seeing it. Last week I had nothing more to download...And I was feeling bored... So I downloaded this movie just for the heck of it....and guess what? I fell in love with it...So I started out on the books... Stephanie Meyer…u may have replaced Jane Austen and Jeffery Archer on my favorite author listing...I have never been this hooked to a book series before...That includes my J.K Rowling, Ayn Rand, Dan brown, C.S Lewis and Erich Segal obsessions put together...I sat for hours on my PC continuously reading all 5 books(I'm including the rough draft of Midnight sun) and anyone who knows me will know I never read e-books no matter how much I love the author(unless I'm dead bored).I was so obsessed I was pretty much living in the twilight world for the last week. And every friend I met ended up hearing about twilight...

I'm still trying to decide whether I loved the book or movie more. And that has never happened to me before - not even with 'A Walk to Remember' and 'Pride and Prejudice'.....Now I’m waiting for the release of the movie- New Moon and for the completion of Midnight Sun...Am also planning to buy the paperbacks soon.....

Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate and Chilli - Pepper....

Friends come in all types of flavors....I have my vanilla friends...They are always the same - dependable, sensible and always ready to give me some much needed advice.... I have my Strawberry friends....they are fun, interesting and keep my life from becoming one monotonous routine. Then there are my chocolate friends....Exotic tastes like mine...Completely on my wavelength...As mad as me....and totally addictive.... and then we come to the Chilli - Pepper friends. They drive me insane. I want to scream, yell and tell them to go to hell....And I never ever do it. Wonder why?? Coz I need of them in my life... But the fact of the matter is...All my friends...all these flavors are what make my life as interesting and colorful as it is....In the Worst of times....and the Best of times....

Faith Tested,,,

My life has been a roller coaster of emotions over the past few months...One day I'm Happy-The next day I'm miserable, One day I'm optimistic and the next I feel life has come to a dead end......Today is one of the BAD days.....A day when I feel life has hit rock bottom..And could not possibly get any worse....A day I find hard to keep my faith, and a day I question God even though I know better. I of all people should know from experience that God always does things to make my life better...And yet I find it difficult to praise him for the things he does...Forgive me Father...I'm only human...And I cannot see the big picture just yet. Give me Faith to believe...To trust blindly and to accept ur will in my life....Help me to Stand still, And know that You are God.

Prayers and Answers......

Fairy tales coming true?? i was a believer..But to this degree?? Wow!!! I prayed to God with tears for a couple of things...God always answers my prayers..From clearing exams ..To solving my problems...To giving me the perfect life....I have always been blessed...But this prayer was a time bound one....And i still cant believe God worked a miracle.....And way, way before the deadline is due to expire.....Right now I'm not sure if i should ask forgiveness to god for my "little faith" or Be down on my knees in gratitude.....But one thing is sure..I have a prayer hearing..and more important..A prayer answering God.

This may all sound very cryptic - More updates to come later.

Sun Comes Out....

My life was down in the dumps for abt a month...I persisted in looking for the Silver lining...And got teased for it ..A lot...And u kno what ...There was No silver lining.. Instead God gave me the Sun...... :)

Fantasy and Reality...

I went to a fairy tale wedding today.....Every dream I might have had about the perfect wedding was what I saw acted out in reality today...The bride wore a gorgeous gown....There was a romantic dance......The groom was the perfect gentleman....And I was in heaven for about 3 hours...And it also kinda broke my heart a little....U see anyone who knows me knows I do not completely live in reality..My "life is always sunny" outlook is not realistic (At least according to a couple of friends of mine).I live in a land where Prince Charming's exist...Where Fairy godmothers help hapless girls...And where the heart is what matters not the face....Now maybe that is not practical.....But seeing a couple of people have their fairy tales come true has only made my belief deeper..And I have resolved...To wait for mine...I might grow to be an old maid of 70 surrounded by cats....But i think I'm right..And at least I still have my dreams...And my Dreams are Sweet :)

Ghost From the Past...

I ran into a Ghost from my past today...It was totally unexpected...And brought with it a flood of memories long since buried in the sands of time and Forgotten. Of Crushes and Boys and Love triangles (And of being Blissfully unaware that i was part of quite a few)...Of having butterflies in the stomach when a boy spoke to you...Of crazy slam book entries..And even crazier gals writing hate mails.....Of mad Teachers and Classmates....
But it also brings to mind a World of Close friends made and Kept...Of lessons learned and Prizes Won...Of pranks played in class and teachers I loved...Of opportunities gained and Lost....I studied for 2 years in this school..2 years which has left me with a life time of memories...I always said I would never go Back to see the school. It does not hold a place in my heart. But Those memories do...Good and Bad they have become a part of me...7 years have passed since those carefree days......But today's meeting Brought Those memories to life like it was all yesterday.....And maybe..Just maybe...Going back would not be so bad....

And I thought Slavery was abolished!!

Slavery is a form of forced labor in which people are considered to be, or treated as, the property of others. Today’s Corporate sector Does exactly this .They think the fact that they pay you in 5 Digits means they own u heart and Soul. I’m being paid to work 5 days. But the reality is I'm working 7 .I have not had a weekend off since July and I'm Exhausted.

My daily routine has gone from "Office -> Gym -> Chat with mom -> TV-> Hit the sack" to "Office -> Hit the sack". My BFF (best friends forever) thinks this means I should not be happy. Am I happy about the current situation? NO. But am I gonna sit around feeling miserable about it.NO...Life is gonna keep throwing Horrible work conditions, Hellish timings and grouchy bosses at me...I decide to be happy despite all this...I can still find reasons to enjoy my job. I have nice friends...Activities I'm in charge of which I enjoy organizing...And a Sum that gets credited into my bank at the end of each month that funds all my shopping sprees :) So am I Sad, Miserable and Depressed about this situation?? NO. I don't have time. I’m too busy searching for the Silver lining... :)

Growing Roots..

My office account is moving to Porur...And I have received this news with Mixed feelings....After traveling for 2.5 hours to college for 4 full years I have for the past couple of years enjoyed the prospect of having my home at a 20 minute commute from office...So today when my manager informed us about the move I was not even sure how I felt....

I am the type to grow roots...Once I get used to a place I find it terribly hard to leave...Which is why the whole craze for everything American just totally passed me by..Coz I have my roots firmly planted in India...And even with regards to my account or project I could never bring myself to leave....My reasons ?? I have friends, I'm used to this place, it took to 2 yrs to get here and if I switch I'd have to start from scratch.etc...My real reason? I've grown roots here too...

The move is supposed to happen sometime in October. Will I be one the people moving remains to be seen.....But Changes seem to be coming at me thick and Fast....And I am starting to learn to adapt. To move on. To not cry whenever a friends Quits the company. To learn that life goes on. And that friends are friends forever...irrespective of place of work or distance (My BFF and I have not seen each other in years.....Has not affected our friendship one bit)....And looks like the only permanent thing in life is "Change"....So I will adapt, And learn to accept these changes with an open mind and butterflies in my stomach....

Taking Charge ..

Most web-logs are created because the Writers have something to tell the world....I started one coz i has something to tell myself...I needed something to keep track of my life's lessons...Something to remind me of what makes me 'ME'.In most cases a Journal would suffice..But I've never been good with journals....I start writing one whenever my life is very interesting and then gradually fadeout.....And I'm sitting in an office with a 24/7 internet connection and some spare time..So what better way to keep track of my life??

My life used to be so simple...And now its not.....Which makes me realize..That the reason its so complicated is me...i got so used to the drama in everyday life that i start imagining myself as the heroine in some epic tragedy ......And I'm not in a tragic play..I've never been a victim..This is MY life..My happiness is in MY hands.....And firmly within MY reach..And nothing anyone else says or does can change that!!

When dark clouds appear........

Life was always perfect for me......Too perfect.......I have the perfect family......Parents who never fought. A mother who is my best friend... (Her faith in me is so absolute....Even today...) A father who treated me like a princess. Nothing I asked for was ever denied...Grand parents for whom I was the favorite........Friends who I could rely on in the most trying times...I was the perfect example of a girl born with a silver spoon... Like I said...Perfect.

Sometimes it was scary....In school Kids used to say if you had a bad day at school then your evening would be great...And vice versa....I always had this fear that that balance may be applied to my life......That God might suddenly decide to even the scales .....Every phone call at night used to scare me to death - I thought that it was someone calling to say there had been an accident involving someone I love.....And while God in his abundant grace never punished me for my lack of faith.....Suddenly my perfect life is not so perfect anymore......The Reason?? Kind of hard to spell out. My parents are still as great as ever...I’m still the apple of my family’s eye…What changed?? Life just decided to send a couple of storms my way…..And when you have lived a sheltered life you are not prepared for storms….. It hits hard….And in the most unlikely places….maybe God decided I had enjoyed all his blessings too much and was taking him for granted…..Or that only storms would bring me to him (Which is probably true)...So now with my boat being tossed on stormy seas....I’ve suddenly realized…God has a plan for me….That the storms are meant to make me stronger…And that as the Good Book says. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5)