One of those days again...uncalled for comparisons and judgemental tones. All my life bore the brunt of this stupidity and put up with this horseshit. No wonder...lack of class...Bitch!
Tuesday 29 December 2015
Friday 28 August 2015
A pinch of Love and A dash of inspiration
We all need somebody or something to push us especially when we feel low. In the daily humdrum called life, we all compete with others and ourselves to excel and search desperately for inspiration.
Sometimes the inspiration is within ourselves but owing to the mechanical lives we live and the deadlines we try to keep up with, we forget to enjoy life and savour the moments. We find obstacles en route...those are the obstacles that we ourselves lay out before us. We are afraid to take risks...
While browsing through my usual "music listening" especially the old numbers from the eighties...I found more inspiration from others' inspirational journeys. There are TED talks galore indeed! But somehow I relate more through songs and music. I pay attention to the lyrics and try to draw a lot of inspiration to get along with life...a journey that has started to get a bit lonely and tedious...Last night it was Shania Twain and Lionel Ritchie who catapulted me out of that awkward moody swing that I was feeling the past few days...I hope this inspires you as well.
I will first post the final product of their duet singing Endless Love and later on I will share the video of the emotions and inspiration that resulted in this glorious handshake. Yenjoy!
Fear is all in the mind! Don't let those demons have a field day in your head!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAqz0AwLRjk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eK9WwCK22o
Sometimes the inspiration is within ourselves but owing to the mechanical lives we live and the deadlines we try to keep up with, we forget to enjoy life and savour the moments. We find obstacles en route...those are the obstacles that we ourselves lay out before us. We are afraid to take risks...
While browsing through my usual "music listening" especially the old numbers from the eighties...I found more inspiration from others' inspirational journeys. There are TED talks galore indeed! But somehow I relate more through songs and music. I pay attention to the lyrics and try to draw a lot of inspiration to get along with life...a journey that has started to get a bit lonely and tedious...Last night it was Shania Twain and Lionel Ritchie who catapulted me out of that awkward moody swing that I was feeling the past few days...I hope this inspires you as well.
I will first post the final product of their duet singing Endless Love and later on I will share the video of the emotions and inspiration that resulted in this glorious handshake. Yenjoy!
Fear is all in the mind! Don't let those demons have a field day in your head!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAqz0AwLRjk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eK9WwCK22o
Monday 24 August 2015
The Khasak Experience @Thiruvananthapuram
I am once again back in the capital of my state to spend time with the in-laws who live just round the corner. I do not like this time of the year though-it is a festive season and the city is slowly gearing up for the harvest festival.
It's purely coincidental that I happen to have landed here at this time. I am the last to get dressed or be prepared for any such festivities especially those that revolve around over-religious sentiments attached to normal festivals of any state. I am comfortable in my blacks, a Patiala and a stole and of course all the junk jewellery that are my prized possessions.
I try to be neutral to all these things purely because it is humbug and sheer waste of hard earned money. My indulgences are different during these festive times...it is merely browsing through the food stalls on display, learning about or trying out new stuff that I have never heard about or eaten, trying out affordable restaurants and clicking random pictures of the ambiance and food. To each his own...remember this is my opinion!
It takes all kinds of people to make this world I know and I am no different from the rest but the gold, the glitter, the pomp, the show, the display of material possessions, big talk etc. repel me to the core. Anyway I am here and got to make the best of my stay here keeping my sanity intact.
The weather didn't agree with me the initial few days especially after falling terribly ill as I was under some duress after an episode in flight with a fellow passenger. Sometimes we feel like changing the world...but I repeatedly remind myself that the only thing we can change is ourselves.
It's good to take these short breaks from time to time...makes me feel more grounded as I reflect! Spending time with my in-laws and listening to all their stories especially of the husband gets me emotional and makes me want to note down all their wisdom and quotes. The amateur writer in me is always bright- eyed and bushy-tailed and gets easily tuned in to such things and make mental notes/candid video shots of the in-laws.
We are also very fortunate to have made some good friends here as well! And this post despite all the above major deviation in my story-telling revolves around our lunch outing with them.
When I was here the last time, a niece had randomly suggested this place to me. But I didn't get time to try it out. Thus, when our friends suggested this place which was just a hop, skip and a long jump away from our home, I said why not!!!
I would never ever have thought about this although I am aware that unlike our younger days, it is so difficult to get somebody to climb the coconut tree these days and put down the coconuts for you...what an innovative concept to catch hold of the falling coconuts!
The menu card says it all. It is a multi-cuisine restaurant with such a marvellous ambiance both inside and outside. We were seated indoors as we were here for lunch and it was pretty hot outside!
A hot and sour veg soup (Rs. 80/-) was shared between us ladies and the men shared a chicken clear soup (Rs.120/-).
Sorry to burst your bubble here dear nonvegetarians ...that was paneer 65 and it was the brightest dish considering what I had ordered. It tasted quite nice. It was highly recommended by my lady friend as they are regulars here with their kids. They do have happy hours for the kids after school she mentioned!
Could be easily shared between two but a bowl to oneself is pure bliss! The veg fried rice.
A mushroom side dish was ordered as well as my lady friend was a vegetarian. It was a chilly mushroom dish-Rs.150/-
One of the men had this fish meals and he did say that the sides were really yumm! It was around Rs.150/- If you notice that the plate is attached to the side dishes (thali and khatoris) Man's creative juices are unparalleled!
A Thalaserry mutton biriyani also made its way to our table and was enjoyed thoroughly by the husband! It didn't come with the raitha or the papad which I do not know is typical of a Thalaserry biriyani so he asked for the two.
The chicken cheenachatty fry was also ordered which was one of their specials...hmmm-Rs.300/-
The above is their outdoors. Our friends did tell us that it gets jampacked over the dinner timings and the weekends! A very boutique place. Service was alright, mental notes are taken of the order, there is an open kitchen, a couple of insects buzzing around in the air-conditioned space, did notice a waiter swat one on one of the tables!!! I did see butterflies outside!!! One with nature indeed!
Not sure how the outdoor experience would have been during lunch time but maybe a cooler evening I wouldn't mind having an encore. Nice and cosy place with nature all around you. Love that weaver bird's nest! Artificially created I am sure!
It seems they do have some music shows occasionally here. That's nice as long as it isn't jarring! Food, a great ambiance and music...my kind of dining experience!
Nothing new or rustic about the display but just clicked as it looked familiar and very artificially touched with paint!
All the water displays are wonderful photo props but I do hope that it does not breed mosquitoes and there is a pucca cleanup or maintenance to ensure that as I noticed that the open space is such a haven for youngsters!
I think that's a huge teapot! And below is a huge ceramic bharani.
The experience in a nutshell-The choice of food-8/10, the ambiance- 9/10, the service 7/10, the taste of the food-8/10, The quantity-9/10, The company-too good to be true and fortunate to have met such a lovely and down to earth couple.
The menu talks about their specials -Meals- with fish curry as well!
Thalaserry Classic Dum Biriyani.
Chicken Cheen Chatty Fry (Chicken tossed about and fried in a saucepan), A version of mutton in a thickened gravy, A local speciality of beef (Oops! I used the taboo word in India!!!)
Everything followed by a variety of fish tawa fried, with masala and another steamed etc.
By now you got the drift! This is a Mallu heaven for non-vegetarians!!!
http://khasak.com/ Come to think of it, this place almost reminded me of D-Café back home just that the buttons were missing!!!
Here there were woven mats embedded in the table décor instead of buttons!!! Loads of similarities indeed!
I read somewhere that they do have a door delivery service...I guess they should, I saw quite a lot of waiters (North-East India) Happy that there are jobs for them to fall back on and an income to send back home to their families!
Our friends treated us and the bill did come upto 1300 plus. We enjoyed ourselves and I would love to try out other things from their menu in future. Their Sulaimani tea was available...Although initially we were all bend on trying it after food...hmmm...everybody was too full to have it later on! the husband had a lemon tea instead and it was really yumm!
Found a nice recipe of an online friend's hence sharing it with you guys.
http://zestysouthindiankitchen.com/2012/08/sulaimani-chaya-sulaimani-tea-lemon-tea.html
It's purely coincidental that I happen to have landed here at this time. I am the last to get dressed or be prepared for any such festivities especially those that revolve around over-religious sentiments attached to normal festivals of any state. I am comfortable in my blacks, a Patiala and a stole and of course all the junk jewellery that are my prized possessions.
I try to be neutral to all these things purely because it is humbug and sheer waste of hard earned money. My indulgences are different during these festive times...it is merely browsing through the food stalls on display, learning about or trying out new stuff that I have never heard about or eaten, trying out affordable restaurants and clicking random pictures of the ambiance and food. To each his own...remember this is my opinion!
It takes all kinds of people to make this world I know and I am no different from the rest but the gold, the glitter, the pomp, the show, the display of material possessions, big talk etc. repel me to the core. Anyway I am here and got to make the best of my stay here keeping my sanity intact.
The weather didn't agree with me the initial few days especially after falling terribly ill as I was under some duress after an episode in flight with a fellow passenger. Sometimes we feel like changing the world...but I repeatedly remind myself that the only thing we can change is ourselves.
It's good to take these short breaks from time to time...makes me feel more grounded as I reflect! Spending time with my in-laws and listening to all their stories especially of the husband gets me emotional and makes me want to note down all their wisdom and quotes. The amateur writer in me is always bright- eyed and bushy-tailed and gets easily tuned in to such things and make mental notes/candid video shots of the in-laws.
We are also very fortunate to have made some good friends here as well! And this post despite all the above major deviation in my story-telling revolves around our lunch outing with them.
When I was here the last time, a niece had randomly suggested this place to me. But I didn't get time to try it out. Thus, when our friends suggested this place which was just a hop, skip and a long jump away from our home, I said why not!!!
Thalaserry Classic Dum Biriyani.
Chicken Cheen Chatty Fry (Chicken tossed about and fried in a saucepan), A version of mutton in a thickened gravy, A local speciality of beef (Oops! I used the taboo word in India!!!)
Everything followed by a variety of fish tawa fried, with masala and another steamed etc.
By now you got the drift! This is a Mallu heaven for non-vegetarians!!!
http://khasak.com/ Come to think of it, this place almost reminded me of D-Café back home just that the buttons were missing!!!
Here there were woven mats embedded in the table décor instead of buttons!!! Loads of similarities indeed!
I read somewhere that they do have a door delivery service...I guess they should, I saw quite a lot of waiters (North-East India) Happy that there are jobs for them to fall back on and an income to send back home to their families!
Our friends treated us and the bill did come upto 1300 plus. We enjoyed ourselves and I would love to try out other things from their menu in future. Their Sulaimani tea was available...Although initially we were all bend on trying it after food...hmmm...everybody was too full to have it later on! the husband had a lemon tea instead and it was really yumm!
Found a nice recipe of an online friend's hence sharing it with you guys.
http://zestysouthindiankitchen.com/2012/08/sulaimani-chaya-sulaimani-tea-lemon-tea.html
Tuesday 18 August 2015
No Religious Sentiments Attached! Vinayaka Chaturthi (@Thiruvananthapuram
I have been here in the capital of my state for a while. Most of you may know after my self proclaimed retirement from my nineteen year old stint as a home tutor, I shuttle between my favourite place and my husband's favourite place. If I were a little more accommodative, we would continue to be here in my husband's favourite place where my darling in-laws are spoiling me rotten! I do not know if I deserve all this unconditional love but they say the truths of life and good deeds boomerang... I think it does...I know some of the best things I have done out of my way right from the age of sixteen for family and friends, some major sacrifices as well...I strongly feel it's coming back to me this way with love, love and more love...
Amma just doesn't allow me to cook...my blog's taken a holiday... seems to be suffering with no recipes to link or write about. Amma has Girija chechi who helps her out at home and cooks for us as well. Whenever we are done with our work for the day, we either land up for lunch or dinner at Amma's and Achen's!!! I am so very blessed to have both of them. Not once have they made me feel that I am actually an orphan now.
Even when my parents were alive, they cared for me too much that I had to pinch myself to see if this was all a reality!!! Yes, it did hurt...the pinch, it's not a fantasy...it is so very true! Every alternate day I return with a huge haul from Amma's courtesy Girija Chechi's cooking!!! I really feel like a lazy bum...Hey don't agree with me...I think every woman deserves this break :)
I also feel blessed that since our last visit here we got acquainted with a few like-minded friends. We used to meet them in the elevator or when their boys play around the building but somehow we never got talking...our smiles and acknowledgements did all the talking. Thus my friend whatsapps me the other day asking me if I was interested to accompany her somewhere...
Trust me! in all honesty, I am still a Gulf returned kid at heart and my exposure to several things about my own state is always from a layman's perspective. I do love to read and absorb any kind of knowledge that comes my way...that is the only fear I have that if I were to die someday...I would still be greedy for life as I have miles to go...people to meet...pictures to click...food to try out...and that bucket list is endless!!!!
So when my friend asked me if I would like to accompany her to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soorya_Krishnamoorthy 's place I was still clueless who the man was. Shame on me! But I am not embarrassed to let you know that. The name was familiar...so I did a bit of my homework to understand what I was in for. I do know what Soorya festivals are all about but I never knew it had something to do with the man himself.
I am so grateful to my friend B for inviting me to accompany her and her group of friends.
Soorya Krishnamoorthy, a cultural icon of Thiruvananthapuram has opened his collection of more than 1500 Ganesh idols to the public on Vinayaka Chaturthi Day today. His collection includes some precious idols including some which are three hundred years old. His home in Thycaud (near Thycaud Residency) is open for public viewing of these idols from six am to six in the evening today.
Soorya Krishnamoorthy is the man behind the famous Soorya Dance and Music festivals that have dominated the cultural scene of Kerala for a few decades now.
The following pictures that you see are taken with my cell phone and are not the best to capture the essence of the moment but I do feel very privileged to have had this lovely tour. I think it was so very generous of him to allow total strangers/the public into his home.
I reaffirm once again here that I attach no religious sentiments. I take and share these with the purity and innocence of a person who loves to click, learn and share. I do love the concept of Ganeshas as people claim he removes obstacles...so be it! I also am fascinated with the Buddha...but then again no religious sentiments attached!!! Just enamoured by them and the stories that revolve around them.
Lovely and meaningful day well spent! Grateful to good friends who have always been a part of my life-be it my interests in photography, personal food tours and such on the spot invites!
More than anything in this world I am grateful for my children's father for giving me the space and respecting me and my interests and never curtailing me in all my adventures. After all he is the baby son of my in-laws!
Miles to go before I sleep...
Amma just doesn't allow me to cook...my blog's taken a holiday... seems to be suffering with no recipes to link or write about. Amma has Girija chechi who helps her out at home and cooks for us as well. Whenever we are done with our work for the day, we either land up for lunch or dinner at Amma's and Achen's!!! I am so very blessed to have both of them. Not once have they made me feel that I am actually an orphan now.
Even when my parents were alive, they cared for me too much that I had to pinch myself to see if this was all a reality!!! Yes, it did hurt...the pinch, it's not a fantasy...it is so very true! Every alternate day I return with a huge haul from Amma's courtesy Girija Chechi's cooking!!! I really feel like a lazy bum...Hey don't agree with me...I think every woman deserves this break :)
I also feel blessed that since our last visit here we got acquainted with a few like-minded friends. We used to meet them in the elevator or when their boys play around the building but somehow we never got talking...our smiles and acknowledgements did all the talking. Thus my friend whatsapps me the other day asking me if I was interested to accompany her somewhere...
Trust me! in all honesty, I am still a Gulf returned kid at heart and my exposure to several things about my own state is always from a layman's perspective. I do love to read and absorb any kind of knowledge that comes my way...that is the only fear I have that if I were to die someday...I would still be greedy for life as I have miles to go...people to meet...pictures to click...food to try out...and that bucket list is endless!!!!
So when my friend asked me if I would like to accompany her to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soorya_Krishnamoorthy 's place I was still clueless who the man was. Shame on me! But I am not embarrassed to let you know that. The name was familiar...so I did a bit of my homework to understand what I was in for. I do know what Soorya festivals are all about but I never knew it had something to do with the man himself.
I am so grateful to my friend B for inviting me to accompany her and her group of friends.
Soorya Krishnamoorthy, a cultural icon of Thiruvananthapuram has opened his collection of more than 1500 Ganesh idols to the public on Vinayaka Chaturthi Day today. His collection includes some precious idols including some which are three hundred years old. His home in Thycaud (near Thycaud Residency) is open for public viewing of these idols from six am to six in the evening today.
Soorya Krishnamoorthy is the man behind the famous Soorya Dance and Music festivals that have dominated the cultural scene of Kerala for a few decades now.
The following pictures that you see are taken with my cell phone and are not the best to capture the essence of the moment but I do feel very privileged to have had this lovely tour. I think it was so very generous of him to allow total strangers/the public into his home.
I reaffirm once again here that I attach no religious sentiments. I take and share these with the purity and innocence of a person who loves to click, learn and share. I do love the concept of Ganeshas as people claim he removes obstacles...so be it! I also am fascinated with the Buddha...but then again no religious sentiments attached!!! Just enamoured by them and the stories that revolve around them.
 |
| I do understand this was presented by Madam J. Jayalalitha, the Chief minister of Tamil Nadu to SK sir. |
 |
| Can you see the Japanese Ganesha? |
 |
| Engraved in glass as well in his patio. |
 |
| SK sir greeting the guests/the public and also personally handing over the paper napkins while the prasadham(ladoos) is served. |
More than anything in this world I am grateful for my children's father for giving me the space and respecting me and my interests and never curtailing me in all my adventures. After all he is the baby son of my in-laws!
Miles to go before I sleep...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)