Friends....

Some killer aadmi said-A Bond Of Love,A medal of trust,a shoulder in sadness,a hand in darkness,a special relation to hold,an ear where secrets can be told,is called friendship.Very true.A friend is someone very special.Someone who is always there for you,and the person who is there with u only when they need you…well,they are not exactly what you would call friends.They’re..well I would like to replace it with a really great swear word,but I really don’t want to spoil my blog on some of my very special friends with any abusive language…..so here goes,in ( I think) chronological order:
SP: SP has been my good friend ever since we were in the 6th grade till…well,till now,and probably forever.We last saw each other about 7 years back,when we were two roly poly eighth graders,still too innocent about the various ways of life.We had our private jokes ( mostly on all teachers and some real snobby girls in our class who were way too grown up for their age and stuff/..)We first met in our House Activity class,where,being from the same class,we sat together in the first bench and heard the teacher read a poem about a great whale,while led us both to burst into peals of laughter,which we carefully controlled.Then while tlking to each other,we found that we were from the same place-Delhi,and hence our delhi topic continued,and with one thing abd the other,how,where when and why we formed a firm friendship.Then I left school and never saw her again.But we still remain in touch,thanks to our social networking sites and more importantly,our choice,of wanting to be in touch with each other.I think its choices,more than abilities , which matter.And it is indeed true. There’s no compulsion for us to be friends.It could have been easily avoided,citing problems like more time on the internet and telephone bills etc.But no.We made it survive( thank God….).Now when we chat,we go on and on about old stuff,and reminisce ‘ the good ol’ days’ and still go around bitching about other people ( cumon,we are girls,we cant help it can we;)??)Most importantly,I m indebted to her for introducing me to the world of chicklits ( thanks SP for Princess Diaries!!)And it brings back our schooldays,and the fun we had,and most importantly,our rockstrong friendship.So here’s 2 u,SP….may u always have whatever you wish for in this life,as well as the next !!!
DL:School friends will remain school friends,no matter what.DL was my good friend from class 8 ( till when,need I specify??Isnt it sorta obvs??).Though both DL and SP were my school frnds( albeit from different cities and different schools),there was a lot of difference between the both of them.If SP taught me how to be confident and assertive and gave me suggestions on chicklits,DL taught me how life was not all hahaheehee and introduced me to the world of classics-Leo Tolstoy,Viictor Hugo,Anton Chekhov and also indirectly, Jane Austen. Her abridged version of Pride and prejudice inspired me to read the unabridged version,and it remains my favourite book.The coincidences were amazing-she was so much like Jane,while I was ( and am) a lot like Lizzy.DL brought a different way of thinking,which brought a great deal of maturity in the thoughts of a featherbrained 15 yr old,and which helped me to grow into a better human being.We became friends because we had quite a lot in common on our first day of 8th grade-we both were d only ‘outcasts’ whose skirts were way way below our knees and had socks rolled upto d knees,such that our legs weren’t seen at all.In addition to that,our hair was duly oiled and we used to come to school sans kajal,which seemed to be a total fashion disaster.In addition to that,we were not great lookers either,just your ordinary schoolgirl type-one with waist length hair braided into two pigtails,while the other with short bushy hair,which rather resembled a bird’s nest.But our appearances didn’t matter to each other as long as we were together.Those long walks in the sun in winter,that playing dodgeball in d games period wid a grp of 13 girls ( d othr gals were too ‘grown up’ to play ),that frantic searching for novels in the library…those days were simply wonderful.Now she’s somewhere in Kerala and I m here ,way North,but we are still in touch.We still call each other on our birthdays and talk like the old times,without any hesitation or anything.so DL,,if u r reading this,have a great life ahead,chillax….God bless…
NY: okay you’ve heard of school friends,college friends,bus friends,colony friends…what all and what not.But what abt penfriends?And that too in this age and time.?Well I can truthfully say that NY is my penfriend.The last time we ‘met’ each other was when I was,what,10 mths and she was 9 months( due to our dads being college friends).And we started talking in the 9th grade,though our mails became much more frequent in 12th grade and go on till now.We are so alike that one calls the other their twin.Everything about us is similar-we like the same singers,the same movies,the same books,the same seasons…everything is so uncannily similar that sometimes we feel as though we were friends long before we were even born!!Even though she is my penfriend,we are as close as I m to either SP and DL.One thing is that wid NY,I never had to learn anything.She is so much like me that its just like I am talking to myself,and I can be myself and relax and have great fun!!We have discussed and dissected almost every facet of Princee Diaries and God knows what other books.We have also undergone training in the same genre of music for the same time and have the same tempers,disposition and all.!!!And whenever we chat online, we bring the house down,wid our jokes and our habit of chattering non stop,sometimes about the most non sensensical of stuff!! We also thought how nice it would be if both of us were roomies in college,sadly whoch did not happen,and lotsa other stuff.The only aspect we differ in is probably our appearance,which is so totally secondary….Hey NY,my twin…hope u have a great life ahead…enjoy every moment an may u get whatever you wish for!!!
MK: okay so he’s only one of the two guys who figure on the list of my good friends,and u will soon know why( the other one has a post already dedicated to him elsewhere;I THINK HE’LLL KNOW WHY…SOME THINGS ARE TOO PRIVATE ;)).You might say that it is impossible for two one guy and a gal to remain purely Platonic friends,but I totally disagree.If SP and DL were my friends in school and NY ws a pen friend,MK became my much better friend after we had passed out from school,and he is still a good friend of mine.He is sweet though,in a scatterbrained sorta way.His personality is eons away from any of the above mentioned people.He is funny most of the times,and is rarely serious,but that does not mean that he doesn’t know where his priorities lie.He is always joking and pulling your leg half of the time,but u know when ur in trouble that u can really count on him.When he is outta his scatterbrained ways and not taking the mickey outta someone,u will find that he is very trustworthy,and like a true Leo,he is also very loyal and fiercely protective of his friends.Even now,when we are in different colleges,we still are lucky that we get to talk to each other,coz we are in the same city.And when we talk,its mostly me pulling his leg,taking full advantage of his gallantry towards girls.In his own words ‘ Main kisi ladki ko kuch nh kehta that is why main tujhe bhi kuch nh kehraha’.I continue to pull his leg and he goes on talking with a speed that rivals Rajdhani express,that I’m like ‘ Hello??could u repeat wat u just said a bit slowly and a bit loudly’ and that comprises about half of our conversation.here are some dead skeletons in his closet which I wud definitely love to reveal,but, all things are not meant to be revealed.All I can say is that he is not what he appears to be.Talk to .him really seriously and then you know how he really is ( for that u have to overlook SOME of his flaws,but that’s easy since his good qualities outshine the flaws).Well,here’s to u,MK…may u get what u r presently searching for ( or for whom ur presently searching fr),and have a long and happy life ahead.
5th – I know who you are,and you know who you are and of what importance to me.So forgive me for not writing about u in dis post,since it is too small for you.Have Fun,enjoy,and may u have a bright future and a long ,never ending life…
So here’s to all u beautiful people…may u always be with me in times of happiness and sorrow,and may I always be wid u…ending this blog,fr the first time,in a song…

So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's D.O.A.
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even
your year, but

{Chorus}

I'll be there for you
When the rain starts to pour
I'll be there for you
Like I've been there before
I'll be there for you
'Cause you're there for me too

You're still in bed at ten and work began at eight
You've burned your breakfast so far, things are going great
Your mother warned you there'd be days like these
But she didn't tell you when the world has brought you down to your knees, and

{Chorus}

No one could ever know me
No one could ever see me
Since you're the only one who knows what it's like to be me
Someone to face the day with
Make it through all the best with
Someone who always laughs at
Even when I'm at my worst, I'm best with you
Yeah!
(A special Thanks to The Rembrandts for this track and o F.R.I.E.N.D.S for making it immensely popular!

It happens only in India....

Right now,my prep holidays are going on ( which are more like holidays and less of preparation).As usual,my exams start after the rest of the world completes theirs ( yes,I know my university is a stupid one,but that’s another topic;lets not deviate from the original point.) and are getting ready for their training( or have probably joined in their training).And,as though it is the latest fashion or something,everyone’s going abroad!!I just spoke to friend of mine who was going to Switzerland for a student exchange programme,and would,in that process,get to go to Italy,France and where not!!I could practically hear my mind whizzing:see the Castel Sant Angelo(n if that’s the right spellin),the Eiffel Tower,take the Da Vinci and Angel and Demon tour ( the former is definitely available,but I have no idea about the latter!),go to Nice,Tuscany,lounge on the beach in Cannes(if u go in time for the Cannes Film Festival,u miht also get to see Aishwarya Rai shopping in D&G or any such hsop)and even La Aquila( just to see how the earthquake victims have recovered);dine on French cheese and wine ( u have many more options if u are a non vegetarian and/or love seafood),on Italian pizzas,spaghetti,pastas,gelato and whatnot.With great difficulty I restrained and waited for her chats,in which she asked about my GPA and fussed about hers and asked about DE and EMT( as if!!However interesting I find electronics,it loses its shine in front of say,Louvre and the Colosseum.Whatever.) .I must admit,I was sort of envious,for I was desperate to visit all those places about which I apparently knew more than her.( I hope that she isnt reading this;bt den,how will she??I havent given her the site!!!)

Well,my mood ( as if there was one) was ruined and I sat frustratingly with my mp3 player in hand,watching the maid mop the floor,and tried to solve my problem.What was my problem?I asked myself as I heard the 50 second song play.It wasn’t that I hated India.No.Never.I couldn’t.I wouldn’t.Then what?I was jealous,I reached the conclusion,as the faint tunes of the next sound started to play..I was jealous she was going there alone,without any parental supervision.I was jealous that she was going through her college. I was jealous as she would get to go to all the places I wanted to go.I was---

The strains of ‘ I love my India’ ( cheesy,I know,but yet very true) interrupted my flow of thought.Or rather it silenced me.For a moment I remained silent,and then smiled at my reflection in the mirror.Go where she might,she’ll also never find another India.She cannot.Yes,she’ll probably be roaming in the posh areas of Paris and Rome,but she’ll never find the satisfaction of being here,roaming around in SN market.In which country will you find a place where,once upon a long time, when Tansen sang the Deepak Raag,he set water on fire??Or where,Lord Rama was the perfect example of an ideal son,and followed the wish of his father ( or rather mother,bt…well,you gt d pt) and went for 14 yrs to live the life of an ascetic in the forest?Or a place with the world’s largest pool of scientists,doctors and engineers?Or a place where you find color and happiness and ,most importantly,chaos everywhere??Try as she might,she’ll never find a place like this.There’s only one place in the world where all the above happen,and that’s where I am,in India…

There’s more to India than just colour,doctors and snake charmers.India is probably synonymous to culture.It is one of those few places in the world which follows its age old traditions.Even today,in North India,in the month of October, a married woman fast a whole day to pray for the long life of her husband.Down South,whenever its someone’s birthday or anniversary or for any special occasion(even the advent of exam results!!),before going to the cake shop to order a cake,they visit a temple and pray to God to remove all obstacles in life.In some parts,sweet curd(dahi shakkar) is fed to the perso going for some good work,like a business trip,or for an important exam,as this is considered auspicious.Most importantly,its only in India that we touch our parent’s feet before going anywhere and after coming back..It is the only place where we find heaven in the lap of our grandmother,where we feel that any gourmet cooking is tasteless when compared with mom’s aloo ke paraanthe with achaar or/and vada-sambaar or masala dosa or even Dal dhokli,where our father is honored and respected as the head of the family,where our Guru ( not to be confused with teacher) is our second God ( the first being mom),and where we see every living thing ( in some cases even non living things-like books) as an embodiment of God.Where modern day lovers are compared not to Romeo and Juliet( God knows whether they actually existed or not),but to Heer and Ranjha,Soni-Mahiwal and Laila Majnu,who actually existed and became immortal because of their love for each other,where some lovers still wait for their love,instead of hooking up someone else.In which country does all this happen?India.

I will not give you the ‘ 80 percent hindus led by a sikh PM with catholic woman as head of the ruling party bakwaas.I trust you have had enough of that in forwarded emails.I ,for my part,receive these mails on Independence Day and Republic day.

Yes India’s not all that perfect.Well its not perfect at all.We still face high poverty,unemployment and of course,corruption.In some places we have security issues.Also women related crimes are rampant.Not a week passes without news of murder,rape,theft or honour killings.The court takes a minimum of 5 years to solve a case of murder,even with a few eyewitnesses,and where cricket is a separate religion altogether.

Still,you cant help but love India( especially if ur an Indian).Being very optimistic people,we tend to overlook the negatives and look at the positive side,which are more than the negatives,definitely ( atleast I think so)

Well,,,m not getting a proper ending for this blog....so let it be an open ended post....as for me I love my country,whatever it is,or however it is and will always love it.No Matter What…..

My Favourite Songs....

While brushing through the magazine section of the Hindu this Saturday,my eyes fell on the ‘ My Five’ column, in which enthusiastic readers and music lovers sent their five best songs.When I thought about what songs I would personally choose…well,I got more than 5.So here I am,spilling the beans on my favourite English songs( not necessarily in order of preference,they are all of various Genres…)
Green Day-Boulevard Of Broken Dreams
This is one song loved by all college goers.Even the religious Hindi song lovers have this song stored on their cellphones,Ipods,mp3 players and stuff.A hummable tune,lyrics we can relate to,and a sad song,with not quite a sad tinge to it,all makes this song a winner.
Linking Park-Numb
This enjoys the same status as Boulevard..The difference being in the lyrics.In Boulevard,the singer seems to be lonely because of what he has done to his ife,whereas in Numb,he seems to be under the pressure of someone,be it either parents or peers or whatever.It also provides a perfect vent out ,and all the frustration of the singer is shown,or rather heard,which every guy can relate to.
3.98 degrees-True to your heart
Okay,so I admit it.The first time I heard this song was during the credits of the Disney film Mulan.And what an amazing song.
4.Bryan Adams-Summer of 69
Need I say anything??The greatest song on planet earth for poor lil college students like me.Well,as much as we curse college and its administration now,they will still remain ‘ the best days of my ( our) life’!!
5.Britney Spears-Baby One More time
I personally don’t care what type of person Britney Spears is.All I care is that she has actually sung quite a few good songs.And that’s all what matters.
6.Rihanna-Shut Up And Drive
Wow…..a song full of double entrendes…written seemingly about a car,and well,not about a car at all.Probably Rihanna had enough of men’s obsession with anything on wheels.The faster,the better.The best part of the song,in addition to being the ‘ shut up and drive part’and the sirens, is the sound of a crash at the end.
7.Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hudgens-Breaking Free
A total teenybopper song.It proves the age old statement of nothing is impossible.…and that ‘ There’s not a star in heaven that we cant be’.And its not all in all a confidence booster,its also shows the colossal amount of energy in youngsters today,and their indomitable spirit.Zac Efron’s unpolished voice and Vanessa’s highly polished voice make perfect harmony to this hit of High Schol Musical.
8.Myra-Miracles Happen
A very happy-go-lucky song,was my first reaction,in addition to an extremely danceable tune.Its enough to say’ All things will come with a lil time,when you believe..’Definitely inspires you to believe,in true walt Disney style,that indeed, miracles happen.
9.Madonna-Vogue
The title song of the Hindi movie Fashion seems to wither away in front of this song.It works as a great confidence booster,especially when you are having one of those bad hair days,or you feel fat and bloated.The lyrics simply ask you to enjoy and sway to the music,and that beauty lies deep inside you,and not in your hair,or eyes.
10.Ricky Martin-Maria
Okay,so I know this is a fairly old song,but still,it was this huge hit then,when even in fourth grade I and my friends used to dance to this song.As my college friend very recently told me,this song was sung in three languages,two being English and Spanish,and the third..well,I really don’t remember.As for what this song actually means,I don’t know.The only parts I understand are the ‘ Un Dos Tres’ and ‘ I wanna make you mine’ but I am still lost .Well,in some extraordinary songs it just don’t matter.So dance,go crazy!!!
11.Hilary Duff-Why Not
This is not a very popular song here,but it sure is a damn cool one.It flashes the simple message that life is short,and live it upto the fullest,and in the way you want to live it,and that you have to have belief in yourself.
12.Geri Halliwell-It’s raining Men
This is probably THE song for all single and ready to mingle gals out there,when and if,they see an array of all these guys on the streets.For other gals like me,it’s a song with great lyrics,what with Mother Nature being a single woman,and stuff.
13.BoyZone-Words
One of…no,actually my favourite song.Its a slow song,and the piano in the starting is too romantic for words.Its lyrics have so much meaning and if you listened to them carefully,in the middle of the night thinking about the person you love,you will find that at the end of the song,you are actually too overwhelmed for words.Simply seductive…
14.Celine Dion-My Heart Will Go On
A timeless classic,which will probably enjoyed by our children and grandchildren.Together with ‘ Words’,it almost manages to define love.Sorry,define,true love,which is a very beautiful feeling.My favourite lines are’ We’ll stay forever this way,you are safe in my heart and my hy heart will go on and on..’
15.Backstreet Boys- What makes you different
This song is dedicated to all those wonderful gys who I know who have loved women,not for their face or figure,but for their hearts.Listen guys,and you’ll know why I dedicated this song.
16.Darius-Colorblind
Feeling Blue,we have heard.But feeling yellow?Or Black?I swear,I have never heard any other singer fill up his song with almost all the colors of the rainbow and then use each of those colours to describe his feelings…wow…
17.Selena Gomez-Not what it seems
This 51 sec song,also the title track of the hit “ Wizards Of Waverly Place” is full of magic,including the almost diabolical playing of the piano.The most creepiest part,or rather the most magical part of the song is when ‘ Be careful not to mess with the balance of things”
And now to the Oldies Section….
18.BeachBoys-Kokomo
Okay I really don’t know if there’s a place called Kokomo,but this song sure makes me want to go there.I can almost feel the Hula dancers on the coast of Hawaii,and people in floral printed shirts sipping on some coconut water and lying on the sand…
19.Elvis Presley-Rock The Hula
A mixture of Hawaiian and rock music,set to a great tune,and sung by none other thab the King himself results in sheer foot tapping and wiggling of the hips,like the Hula Dancer from Honolulu
And One from the animation section……
20.Beauty and the beast-Beauty and the beast
The original version of this song was sung by Angela Lansbury,in the movie,and then remixed by Celine Dion and some other guy who’s name I don’t quite remember.Watching Belle and The Beast dance to this song makes you feel,that,not for the first time,love can cross all boundaries,and need not depend on the physical appearance.It tells the love story of Belle and the beast.For, after all, it is a,” Tale as old as time”
There are so many songs still left out.And not all these songs are chartbusters,but these are few of those songs which managed to weave their magic around me.Music is a most incredible magic.There are a few people who do not enjoy music-whatever it is,Rock,Jazz,Classical,Instrumental- whatever.And those people lead a soulless life.A person without music is like tea without sugar;one can drink it,but it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.