Hello Again

Barney recently commented that it's been more than a year since I have written anything on the blog; a sad but true fact. Although he mentioned a rather interesting reason for me not being prolific, the reason that I had given Shruthi when she had said that I should write more often - that "I am a constant contemplator, and a chronic procrastinator which makes me a casual writer" still holds true.

So rather than rue the fact that I have not written enough in the last one year,I will go ahead and list some of the milestones from my life during that time, which may have kept me busy...

1) Spent endless hours of working (paapi pet ka sawaal hai)
2) Learnt a new language (bonne journée, mes chers amis!)
3) Did a fair amount of traveling - Since last July, I have been to Coorg, Waynad, Skandagiri, Srilanka, Mumbai, Elephanta Caves, the beaches of Maharashtra (Dive Agar, Sriwardhan, Harihareshwar), Pondichery, Singapore, Agumbe, Bhadra Reservoir and last but not the least, Ladakh! (Woot! My life is indeed a "picnic" :))
4) Saw a tiger in the wild (yes! yes! yes! :))
5) Trekked in Ladakh (deserves a repeat and special mention)
6) Spent quality time with my angels
7) Made up with some old friends
8) Made some new friends and hopefully lasting friendships
9) Had a ball catching up with friends
10) Played matchmaker with some unexpected results :-/
11) Did some portfolios in the sun and some in the dark :)
12) Got some new possessions :)
13) Learning to live again...

Hmmm, no wonder I have not been able to find time to write. :) But to make amends, am back with a promise to myself that I will write at least two posts a month.

So, until next week or the next blog post, whichever comes first, au revoir and keep smiling!

The Number Game

My friend, Shruthi has tagged me to complete this number game. The relevance of the numbers 1-10 in my life. Her objective, to make me write more! My objective, none, to be frank. This should be done in a jiffy.

1: The number of lives I have as I am not a cat; although having had generations of cats in my house has made me quite feline… wondering if I should jump off the roof to see if I survive. Also my lifeline and reality check – my dear sister. She advised me against jumping off the roof, God bless her.

2: My Angels, my brats, the 2 topics I never tire of, the 2 reasons I smile, the 2 people who mean everything to me – my niece and nephew! Incidentally, they happen to be of ages (2 +2) and 2. Also the two people responsible for my existence; my support system and constant naggers - my parents

3: The number of times I have been bitten by the love bug, of course discounting my imaginary love and my “first love” (I am not referring to KK or my imaginary love). I think I will settle with my imaginary love. That love affair has always been awesome. Also the number of times I have stepped out of India; a woefully small number which I will definitely remedy in the next few years.

4: The age I realized I was born to be special and gifted. See, how smart I was – it took me four long years to realize a basic fact! Also the time I am writing this post (AM, not PM) – an indication that the aforesaid train of thought was well thought out.

5: The month I was born, (yippee, makes me a Gemini – for the nth time, I am not two-faced!). The number of years I wasted studying Science! It was never my cup of tea :-(. And the number of years it might take to complete the doctoral program if I do enroll myself into one (still in consideration – what say, you guys? Should I take the plunge?). Also my shoe size, and if you add a couple of inches, my height.

6: The number of jobs I have changed in my 7 years of career. No, I am not an opportunistic job hopper, far from it; there are a couple of short stints which have hiked up the number. Also happens to be the number of months I have been out of the professional circuit. Eager to get back in the race. To this effect, I have even created a must-see professional resume – Poornima’s Fact File.

7: The year I was born has this number. And, no, it is not 2007, am a little older than that. The number of years I have worked so far. Also, I am told, the number of days in a week. Honestly, is one day any different than the other??

8: The number of years since I… Also the number of people… nah, you go figure… Moreover, not sure if it is 8 or 9, am a little confused! And the number of letters in my name. Just my first name, not my surname, I don't know how to count that far.

9: The number my birthday (date alone) adds up to. Also, more or less, the number of treks/hikes I have been on so far. Planning one in the Himalayas in the next couple of months (Should make it happen - have been planning for the last couple of years without having implemented it!). Are we still on, K? Anyone else who would like to join?

10: The number of years since I finished my graduation, a little more actually. Ooops, did I just reveal my age?! I fret not because it will add to my wrinkles. Not to mention my grey hair count. Plus, I believe age is after all a number. This will be the 10th post on my blog! Considering the fact that I started the blog two years ago, does not speak much for post-rate. My only excuse is that I was in hibernation for almost two years after I started my blog, and the good thing is this is the fifth post this month alone! Thanks, Shruthi, for spurring me on. Also, the number of times I have used the word “Also” (excluding this) in this post.

In addition, I am listing things/people in my life to which I cannot attach a number to (because they vary, too many to count).

Few: Friends (both old and new) who have stood by me through thick and thin. And, some friends who have become strangers now. And then some, who never deserved to be my friends.

Many: Troubles that life has thrown my way. And all the blessings and prayers that have made me strong.

Well, that’s it. Wow, this took a lot more thinking than I anticipated! Almost reads like my memoir; without too much detail, of course. I don’t want to be sued for libel and I am saving the content for my best-seller book. :-D

My turn to tag:

Megan: I am sure she has learnt the art of lists from her sister by now. Go for it, Meg I.
Kunal: I am curious to know what he will say, am sure he will make it witty. And, it’s high time he updated his blog.
Malz aka Mia: I am sure she will have something interesting to say. Time to start a blog, Malz.
K: Hoping that I will be able to match some things on her list (if she includes them), like sky-diving, flying a plane or globetrotting.
Tej: She always has something interesting and witty to say. Even when she is having a serious conversation! Where is your blog, girl?!

Update from Nowhere

I am back. For those of you who care and have been wondering whether I had fallen off the face of the earth, I can say that I came close to that. I will save the yawn-inducing, tongue-wagging, shoulder-shrugging, eye-popping or mind-boggling (depending on your level of interest and curiosity) details of my oh-so eventful life and just say that I have been there, done that and now I am back to square one. Or maybe, I belong to a different demographic now. At this moment, I don’t know and I don’t care. For those of you who know what I am talking about and believe that I will bounce back, thank you all for your support and encouragement.

And to answer the question whether I have bounced back, all I can say is I am trying my best. I am like a yo-yo that has gone bad, down most days and coming up once in a while. Today is one of those days and the reason for this post, to talk about two special people in my life, who without their knowledge and without even trying have kept me afloat. And for their presence in my life, I thank God and maybe even forgive Him for everything else that should not have been.

My Angels

When I am defeated and question the meaning of life,
your guileless words make it seem so profound.
When I am in doubt and wonder if there is truth,
your adorable gestures make me want to believe.
When I am heartbroken and deny the beauty of love,
your warm hugs show me the essence of true love
When I am weak and ready to give up the fight,
your honest vulnerability gives me strength.
When I am scared and unable to conquer the fear,
your uninhibited smiles bring me hope and cheer.
When I am dejected and my soul needs to heal,
my dear angels, you prove to be my only elixir.
Things may come and things may go in this uncertain world,
but will there be anything more pure than a child’s innocent love?

...?

My mind loves to wander;
my soul knows no surrender;
my heart is its own master;
yet, I am bound in fetters
by the enigma called life.

The Stranger

Ever felt like a stranger to your own emotions? Imagine coming across a reflection of yours, your lips curved into a smile… and you feel like you are looking at a picture a person who seems just vaguely familiar… or a tear flowing down your cheek goes unchecked because you didn’t even realize you were crying…

Ever felt like a stranger to your emotions because deep within, you feel so numb that nothing seems to affect you… ever felt the feeling of not feeling something?
When I was going through one such moments of reflection, I came across this ghazal written by Firaq Ghorakhpuri which seemed to resonate with my thoughts completely…

I have penned down the ghazal and my interpretation…

ye to nahii.n ke Gam nahii.n
haa.N merii aa.Nkh nam nahii.n
Sadness engulfs me, I don’t deny
And yet, my eyes remain dry

tum bhii to tum nahii.n ho aaj
ham bhii to aaj ham nahii.n
You are no longer yourself
Nor have I remained as I

ab na Khushii kii hai Khushii
Gam kaa bhii ab to Gam nahii.n
No pleasure makes me glad now
And no sorrow makes me cry

maut agarche maut hai
maut se ziist kam nahii.n
Although there is no void like death
Life itself makes me wish I die