Remember that thing about Apples and Tree?

We had a round aluminium electric oven in our house which, even today, Mom would lovingly reminisce that her sister gave it. Mom and Dad always baked together. And that involved a lot of sieving and mixing, as they always baked 2-3 cakes together with some cookies. Never was a lone cake standing on the table 😄

Today I baked a Marble cake with my daughter. She enjoys the whole process of sieving and mixing and she is deep in love with the smell of a nicely mixed cake batter. Like most people, I have a lot of my memories connected to food. And today, that first bite of marble cake took me back to my teenage days. 

I remember that Mom and Dad did a lot of things together. They enjoyed gardening, baking and interior decor. They shared same interests, but their strengths in each of these areas were completely different. I guess that's why I dont remember them having a conflict when they were planting and plucking or trying out a new layout for our furniture. They somehow ended up complementing each other naturally. In today's day and age we'll have to empty our wallets going for therapy to get a hang on this. For the other part though, like any marriage, they had their own demons to ward off. 

I always wondered how I never inherited any of these better traits from them. Plants never saw light of the day in my hands! Cooking was another chore to be done with! And I gave away interiors to my other half. He and my Mom synced at that level.

It took an extended work from home and a missed annual leave flight to know better. Over the last few days, I have had some extra stress free time on my hand. I have enjoyed baking and cooking some treats for my daughter. And there is a Lemon sapling proudly growing in my balcony. What can I say... it brings much relief, more than joy, to my heart to know that the (Drum Roll, Pls...)

"Lemon did not fall that far away from the tree".

The Generation Z

Come to think of it, we are the crossroad generation. Our parents are dependent on us the same way as our children. Our kids, once they grow up will go on to live their life. Expecting them to provide and support our old age is over rated. I feel we are that generation, who has three hearts to fill - the past, present and the future. And we are that generation, who can make a difference for the future ones. 

The other day I was talking with my colleagues about how as children me and my brother saved up all the small coins from our Dad. We would exchange those small coins for big notes at a nearby grocery store. Dad used to borrow money from us during month ends, to get through with those last expense bit and once he receives his salary, he would return it to us with a small interest. 

Today when I think back, there is so much of learning in that small gesture. He made us feel responsible and big enough to take decisions. He treated us as an equal at that moment. He was humble enough to ask a helping hand from us kids. Now, I am not sure if that was a reality check for him or a learning window for us. He taught us No matter what, Ego and Selfishness doesn't have a role in family.

I wonder how my daughter will learn these values in this generation of Screen time and Kidzania currencies.

Its difficult, but we still need to practice "Counting our Blessings".

In the course of last 5 years of schooling, I have come to the conclusion that my daughter is an average student who is much more inclined towards art, music and dance. I panicked when I realized that Math is not her favourite subject. Me being a Finance professional, though not by choice, but events just turned out that way. I have always loved Maths, the addition and subtraction and the simple logical conclusions it can help you arrive at. So now you can imagine why I panicked at the realization that this genre did not pass down to my offspring. She has inherited her father’s love for music (of all kinds… really!) and she is ‘Jack of all but Master of none’, just like her parents.

It’s the assessments that cause major commotion at home, me trying my best to explain so she can reproduce her answers logically. She being my obedient, understanding girl, puts all her effort, only for them to fly above that teeny head, up into the clouds. And then we are back at it again.. “How are clouds formed Ammulu??” By this time, she can actually make her own sentence for the word glaring (from English lessons) – My mother was glaring at me, as I couldn’t solve the answer’.

There is a lot of discussion going on about the bad influence of social media and how real life is so much different from the virtual one. But there are times, when I feel thankful for social media. If not for Facebook, we would not have known what is happening with our bygone school/college mates. And there are some life lessons to learn too. A friend of mine has twin girls and one of them is Autistic. Am sure her otherwise perfect life must have jolted at this face of truth (a mother’s heart always does!). But instead of hiding, she picked up the helm and decided to walk along with her little girl, head held high and eyes always watching her every step. The courage of a Woman! When I see them, I realise ‘Life gives you only those challenges that you can handle, nothing more and nothing less, ofcourse”

And then I look at my girl and I thank God. I thank God for making her an average girl living in the clouds. And, I let her dream, float with Elsa and Shimmer and Shine in the magical world. Imagination is the key! Even the Creator himself couldn’t have done it without Imagination. Let your children dream, there are no big or small dreams – just dreams! Academics should be able to help us create empathy, knowledge and social responsibility. But its not just Academics that impart those lessons.

Any medium is good enough, as long as a Human is formed and not a Monster!

Wrong turn

Today my taxi guy turned right instead of left. I knew it was a busy road, but my habit of keeping silent costed both time and money today. Guess many situations in life is also like today's instance.

Our instincts always let us get the feeling if situations are going the right or wrong way. But many times we choose to ignore it and go ahead. In order to avoid a slight inconvenience of turning back or warning ahead of the turns, we at times choose to stay silent.

But isn' t it always better to be safe than sorry. I have surely decided that the next time, I am surely going to take charge of my way.  How about you?

Have a great day!!

Beautiful.

I have always loved the shadow from a setting sun than the morning glory. The shadows that reminds me of the beauty of darkness around, the beauty of the twinkling stars on a dark sky. May be not a positive thought for many. But darkness brings peace to me. It's like how they say ' I love the rains as no one can see my tears'.

It's a reminder that however difficult the time is, life is still beautiful in its own way.

Glimpse of the Art World around Me

Never-ending!

I yearn for the Could Have's 

I know, too well, that it is unending 

But yet I yearn.... 

The could have's and if's 

The unknown has got its golden glow 

Life that this is, revolves and rotates

Today's chores have renounced the aura

Golden and glowing from Yester Day

I know, too well, the cycle is unending

But still I yearn The could have's and if's

The unknown has got its golden glow

Beauty expressed as in the eyes of Beholder

Well, work and home and my small kiddo kept me busy enough that I just couldn’t take out any time to blog. And the one thing that motivated me to manage to put up a post today is the product that I work for - Canvas .

When I came to Dubai, just as everyone else who has had a pretty wide background of working in India, I was worried on how I’ll manage to find a good work place. I was worried that – 1. I wouldn’t manage to get a proper pay scale and 2. What if the colleagues are reserved and apprehensive to change and improvement? My work tenure in India saw the peak of MNC working environment and all the need and urge for Quality assurance and improvements in processes. Guess that’s enough rationale for all my fears.

Fortunate enough I had my interview call soon enough and on the 14^th day of my arrival to Dubai, I was already employed in one of the publication houses in Media City. I was glad that I will have my chances to be associated with art and the freakiness that comes along with that. I weaved the dream of writing my first official article some day in our magazine. I was happy and motivated and all set to start a new journey.

Reality!? My first 10 months were depressing and overwhelming. Never in the past had I worked under people whom I dint look upon or felt frustrating to be with. But most of the days I spent with Ex-(thank god for that!) Manager was discouraging and de-motivating. It was hard to believe that though I ended up getting a job in a place filled with paintings, design, artworks and books (which had always interested me); I was still sad and waiting to get out of that place. He sure must have been a good colleague to work along with, but never a good manager.

But, the fortunate being that I am, a lot of things changed in my dream company when I was away on maternity leave. The new F & A Controller on board was everything that I had always got used to. A person whom you can look upon and be inspired to learn. And it was then that I got my first chance to read Canvas. I fell in love with the articles and the artists and it was immediate. It’s the closest you can get for an artwork (which might cost you millions of dollars to acquire) I was in awe for the editorial team because the words pinned in those pages, actually took you to a different world – a world of art, pride of collectors and raw emotions of a naive artist.

The Art Fair is happening currently in Abudhabi and Canvas is out there interviewing artists and gallerists, photoshooting and updating on the sales figures ofcourse! Our Zaha Hadid deisgned Bvlgari Pavilion is exhibiting the premium jewellery collection. The Art Collectors Dinner proved to be the gathering of a very fine crowd - the Sheikhas, Zaha Hadid Design team, Chrisitie's, Bvlgari, Cartier, Dior, Artisits like Jeff Koons and all the participating Gallerists.

As for me, its not these high end brands that we are associated with which matters. But its the way the magazine lets you connect with the artists, their opinions and the art itself that makes this experience special and enriching - be it a painting, a peice of metal work or jewellery.

Update on last update

My last personal post was titled “Everything new but old Us” and I had mentioned how life has taken a new turn. Today, after almost a year and half, there’s an update to the last update (?!) – the another reason for my long absence and return

An Open Book - Hasan Elahi

Having been away for more than a year from blogging and that's quite a reason for this post, I guess. Still have blogging blocks!! :P And again, taking a lote more time to get used to the new layout in blogger!

Anyways, came across an article in my google reader subscriptions and thought it would be a great information to share with you (those who are still interested in checking on my blog, even after such a long gap)

"Hasan Elahi was targeted for screening by the FBI after a case of mistaken identity. So he decided to open his life completely. “There’s 46,000 images on my site now. I trust the FBI has seen all of them"

A US based Bangladeshi who mistakenly got into FBI list of suspects. And as for his part, he started posting pictures of his every move, location and transaction in his website, inorder to avoid getting arrested again. Sources mention that he has more than 20,000 images in his website http://elahi.umd.edu/
But again, more interesting are the images of this artist who has had his share of art exhibitions; even at Kassel Kulturbahnhof & Venice Biennale. Check out http://elahi.umd.edu/

Award!!!

My 1st Blog Award

Thanks to Reflections on that one

Everything new, but Old Us

Suddenly everything is new around me - A New Year, a new place, (hopefully soon) a new job, a new neighbour and a completly new lifestyle. The day somehow start off as early as at 5.30 in the morning, mainly because the sun is up by then and that golden streak of early morning brightness wakes me up. Guess, the days of wakeup @ 9 have gone :D And, should admit that staying all day long at home cooking, cleaning and setting up things (there is nothing much yet) is surely as enjoyable as working a job.

Courtesy to R for making the single room a Home!

Jatkaaas

Leaving my own God owned Kerala and that means leaving behind all the freedom - of roaming around through the wilderness of university campus, all alone; of crossing roads at my convenience, of getting on a shopping spree, eating spree and what not...

As if all this is not enough am currently jobless after a long long time and if you still dint get what I mean, its just that am no more financially independent  :P  :O 

All these issues have anyways taken away the little humor left in me ( okie i know I don't have that, but still the pinch is also gone now :) )

And then.....

The most humourous incident happened. My flight to Dubai got canceled!!!!!!

.... A sparkle....

Listening to the whisper of night, I lay awake

Letting my thoughts ramble, I lay unaware

The way a fragile leaf fall, unable to hold on, anymore

A Memoir, in from the past

Gauging each with the present

Turning them around in the depths of mind

Analyzing the reasons for change,

I drifted along, with locked smile and a closed fist

--------------------------------------------------

A gush of thoughts and the words drooled out

Like water I surge, with boundaries, no more

Fears despised, I delve in tomorrow

From the joy of past and solace of present

Has evolved a sparkle, in to Eternity!

(its not a debate forum)

"lol.... I pity you for the kind of girl in your life" That's the statement I feel like throwing at when some Guys talk about their perception on Girls. They talk it with so much of conviction that at times, I really pity them. They deny accepting that most women of today share an equal or rather a greater share in family responsibilities.

It’s a real pain when I see some of them applying the universal rules for girls. Yes, I do accept that a few of them does match the qualities that’s mentioned in the e-mail forwards. But that cannot be universally applied. Every person is different and so is ever girl. Why is it that the guys are not able to broaden their outlook?

• “Girls go round about while shopping”

The email forwards on this must be the ones that have highest rank. But I can tell that in my lifetime of 29 years, I have come across just one girl of that type. Usually most of us DO KNOW what we want to buy and what we are looking for.

• “Girls don’t need to worry about finance”

That’s the most absurd statement I have heard and that too in view of the current times. For your information in most of the households, of the present and the past, it is the women of the house that help men to plan and save for future. It’s their continuous support that motivates a man and brings in meaning to his otherwise unruly life.

• “Girls take sooooo much time to deck up”

Oh yeah!!! As if the Guy would ever approve if the Girl walks in an old pair of jean and t-shirt. If you want your Girl to look the way you want her to, then obviously she’s need more time than you take to wear a shirt & pant

If a guy is looking down at any girl without taking the time to look at her actual self, then I guess the sole reason would be that the girl in his life is the same as he describes any other to be.

(I know this is one rude post :P But couldnt help it)

Stickie - Quickie

Heard of  Quickies???

(lol not that one :D)

Its about Intelligent Post-Its. Check the site to know more about this development made by a MIT Grad.
Check out more of his projects here

Time on Tiptoe

Resigning from a job can turn out to be little sensitive and many a times it doesn’t seem to retain the vivacity of the initial days. As days near, its natural for fear to creep in; for one, you are leaving the comfort zone for the unknown. And then again there is that moment where you have to pass on the crown of glory, to the successor.

Did you hear that sound?

Can you feel the tremor?

It’s the Time on tiptoe

The sky is dark outside

You close your eyes to sleep

A peek again and lo!

The sky is bright;

Everything light and clear

It’s the Time on tiptoe

You were running in the pasture

And you bent to pick up the bloom

You rise and lo;

The warmth of green has vanished

Leaving a structure in stone

The bloom you held has fallen

Urging you to look for more

It’s the Time on tiptoe

The Pole is your Man

Few days back I watched a movie about Pole dancing and so when a friend of mine came back from Goa and described her experience in a Pub there, I was suddenly fascinated with this art form.

If we set aside the nudity and the sex appeal associated with this, Pole dancing is all about a great deal of Dancing and Sensuality. With the recent significance given to health and diet, Pole dancing has become a widely accepted medium of exercise involving aerobics and gymnasium. The standard dance pole is Steel or Brass section that can be comfortably gripped with one hand. The movements in Pole Dancing help improve the Upper Body strength and the proficiency does take time to develop. It helps burn calories, Tone your abs and legs, define your arms and shoulders, make your body more flexible and moreover Teaches you to Dance which can be an enjoyable pastime and relaxing.

My Unfulfilled Wishlist for year 2009 includes (2008 was pretty successful)

Nose piercing, getting a Tattoo done and learning Dance

365 days schedule

It was a year back that I posted this one. The people around me are still the same but a lot have happened in the past 365 days.

Our friend is celebrating his b'day today; but none of us are around to give him an early morning surprise. Nisha, Latesha, Parvathy & Lakshmi have all parted ways and moved ahead with their lives.

Everyone in the Country remembered and paid homage to the victims of the Terror Attack that happened last year.

Life went on, Faces remained in thoughts

One got away, A few reached back from past.

New ones stepped In and Out.

Days passed; Dwellings changed

Travel progressed
Spirits raised
Resilience and Buoyant


Life went on, Faces remained

The One who got away Stayed

And Thankful at heart I Settled.