The 'Me' Post!!! - Part 1 - The Perfect Life!

To be continued...

1. Perfect Life

Here I tell ye, what my idea of a perfect life is...

- Well.. that kinda keeps changing.. but I think right now, I imagine myself living in a beautiful house/apartment with a lovely view and located in a prime location. I could be living in cochin, b'lore, the countryside of UK or London. I could be living with my family (parents and sis) , with a bunch of friends or even alone. But as of now am sticking with the option of living with my family at cochin in a beautiful house with a water-front.

- Have an awesome career - Which means, I earn lotsa money and totally enjoy my work. I prefer being a freelancer who juggles lotsa things - lifestyle writer and columnist, travel show host (TV anchor), theatre artist, and be a part of something that requires lots of planning and ideating. OR I could also be running my own company and bossing around. I also fancy being an author.

- In an awesome relationship - A boyfriend in a different town. Well... not a town which is too far, cuz I would like to meet him atleast twice a month. I love the long-distant phone calls, the yearning and pining, the excitement before meeting and lots more things associated with a long-distance relationship. I also feel that not seeing all the time keeps the fire alive and helps the relationship from slipping into a comfort zone. And ideally, I would love to be in the beginning phase of a relationship. How much ever I love to do away with the awkwardness, I cherish the rushes of new love. I want a relationship with loads of laughter, oodles of peppery romance and great conversation. Touch wood, I have that!

- Kickass company - I would love to have atleast 3 different circles of friends. One circle should be a gang of three with just two of my bestttt buddies. Another one a girl gang too - with five of us. Another one a huge gang of girls and guys.

-Active social life - The weekends the boy is in town will be spent only with him -dining, wining, lots of cootchie cooing, holding hands, making love, watching the sunset, walks on the beach and long drives. On other weekends, I would like to divide my time between my circle of friends and family. Gossipping over coffee, shopping sprees, watching movies back to back, bingeing over food with my friends. Sundays would be spent entirely with family - immediate and extended. Going for house visits, inviting friends or family friends home. Sunday lunch would be with the family.

- Travel a lot - Short picnics / weekend trips once a month. Two international holidays a year!

Phew!!! So thats my idea of a perfect life... Darlings from my cocktail party!! Plz temme what ur idea of a perfect life is... Do comment... Or if possible, churn out a post even. Though we have been friends for a loong time, I would love to know more about y'all... You can even tell other interesting things about ye...

Rest of the readers - Do tell me wat ur idea of a perfect life is...

What A Year?

  So it’s time of the year when we see Santa caps dancing to “jingle bell jingle bell jingle all the way…Santa Claus is coming along riding on a sleigh”

In other words the year has come to an end, and like every year I was reflecting on how the year went about…well to begin with the year, to be precise Jan 1, 2011 began on a terrible note for me professionally and as if it was not good enough my personal life touched the rock bottom, and together they plunged into a black hole. I did not have any solutions, it looked as if life is slipping away, and I could not find a bar to hold onto.

As the year progressed things went from bad to worse, by March everything bad that could happen, had taken place, I suffered huge loss personally and the professional roller coaster had completely blinded me.

I did not know what to do, while I swayed from moments of fear, and denial to acceptance, the optimist in me would whisper in a feeble voice, “this is it, it can’t be worse than this, it’s going to be only better from here, so don’t lose hope and cling on.”

Of course there were people around me who acted as my pools of sanity, my parents who supported me, motivated me, and reminded me that fear is for lesser mortals “you have always been our brave daughter!” My friends whom I would call at any hour of the day, then pour in the same things day after day, but they all listened to me, they let me speak till I had nothing left to speak about, not even once any of them complained that I disturbed their sleep, or that they have heard it before n-number of times.

As it was bound to, professionally things became better with time and on the personal front I learnt to accept the loss, I would not say whatever happened was for good, but it definitely made me a stronger and a wiser person.

While I was going through all this, the fragility of life stared at me, I sat and laughed with tears in my eyes, how people go about doing all dubious things thinking everything is permanent, if any thing is permanent in life its “change!”

With this I decided to do everything that I had always wanted to do thinking that someday I will do them. I started learning piano, joined art classes, and started traveling on my own to all those near by places which I always wanted to see, but would not waiting for others’ company.

As the year comes to an end I feel content and satisfied, for I have read some of the best books, traveled and learnt things on my way, and have painted to my heart’s desire. At the same time I saw some of my close friends tying the knot, especially the pessimistic ones, and the best part is they are all happy...and they are some more weddings in the pipeline, which tells me that it’s for you to decide whether you want to be the passenger or the pilot in the journey of life.

New year is about to begin and if I don’t speak about resolutions, this post would remain incomplete…like every year this year also I have a few resolutions and hope to keep them.

1. Steer clear of hair cut temptation
2. A visit to Agumbe, to the house where Malgudi days was shot
3. Water rafting at Rishikesh
4. Parasailing in Goa

I think that’s it for now, gals can I have a peep into your new year resolutions?

Energy Fountain

Ideas for romantic birthday gifts, anyone?

Girliesss.....

Need some help... Its my guy's birthday and am lost on what I should gift him..  Well... I like his taste and usually our choice in most things are similar.. yet, am worried if I would make a mistake... I know for a fact that he is very picky. So if he doesn't like what I pick for him, chances are he won't use it...

He is very fond of clothes. So I was thinking I will get a nice sweater for him. But the problem is his size. I do know his size, but am wondering if it would be the same for all brands. Also, he has lost a bit of weight, so am not sure any more. He loves perfumes!! But then again, he is very choosy about that too. He has a favourite brand that he uses always, but that is really expensive and beyond my budget. Also, there is no point in gifting something that he already has. And its not nice to give cheap perfumes, right? Next choice is watches.  He lovess watches and fancies a Tag Heur. Again, not within my budget. But he likes my watch, which is an ordinary Titan one. So maybe our choice in watches are similar.Wallets and Goggles are other options that Iam considering. But I think he is not very found of them. Then there are shoes! But won't it be inappropriate to gift shoes for your love on his birthday? What do you guys think? Plz help me with some ideas.. My guy is not very particular about brands as such. Well, there are some of his fav brands, but he is happy wearing the ones that are not branded as well. And my budget is around 1k. 1.5 k is the max.. Yeah, I know its a pity. But u see, hard times!! :(..

With Love

as lazy as ever

urs couch potato

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

Hey couch potato...


Let me warn you.. it is extremely difficult to gift a guy as the choices are few and pricey..... see my concept of a gift is something that can be used... please do not mistake me for being unromantic..... it is just that I feel "usefulness = > memory of the effort we took "




Ok so is he into gadgets??? something small??? how about a USB or a table lamp that can be charged from the laptop.... some sort of potable charger for his laptop or phone... see I am just suggesting things in your range... else I would not have told anything less than a Galaxy tab ;) You can check out this in places that sell computer accessories.... some of these items can be personalised with your name or initials....


What about something that he can use for his personal use or at work....  a good leather bound diary or a  mont blanc/ parker/cross... it is ideal if he has customer contact at his work ...  a silk tie with matching cuff links or even a good bag or belt that can be used at his work place ??? but again you need to do your research and find out if it serves his purpose...


Hmmmm...... you said that he lost weight.... so is he into sports or healthy foods??? In that case you could think in terms of some sports gear, wrist band for an I- Pod,  travel mug, sweat shirt... something that he would use regularly when he is pumping those muscles.... blink blink :)


Mmmm.. don't know if it is ok to ask... is he a metrosexual???  if yes... then some funky jewellery or a gift basket with his favourite lotions and scrubs would make him delighted...


Don't worry if you cannot get him the big stuffs now... there is still time and you have years in front of you.. get them the watch/ perfume/shirt ... and then you are lost in ideas on what to get them next... so leave them for later and think 'small' now...


hmmm....  so that is all what I could bring out for today.. will let you know if something hits me later... You can also check online sites for gifts that could be delivered to him directly.... Well if you are planning to give it personally... from experience I must say ..  if you do not have time to wrap it- please don't bother ... all that fancy gift covers and bows do not 'usually' make any difference to men.. they are anyways going to just rip it off :)  well... do let me know if bows fancy him... it is a rare sighting you see...




Yours ever thinking....
Agile Serenity..
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Well! Well!! come to think of it...I gifted My Other half a Shirt on his B'day during our courting phase....But like you said if you are not able to guess the size then It's not a good idea....How about a photo frame with a pic of the both of you???? in a cuddly - cuddly pose.....or a coffee mug with a pic of both of you or some nice romantic writing...What are his tastes/interests or hobbies??? Throw some light then maybe I can think of some more options...:)


He he..But there is an idea out of the box- How about some red jockey underwear...or Tommy of whatever brand he wears....I know I know....I better shut up!!!

Can't Stop Laughing

She Pebble.... --- ))))

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

Thank you my dear girls.... It was both wonderful and hilarious reading ur mails... mwaaaaaaaaahhh!


@ she pebble - ROFL!! Yep, underwear is a nice idea...  :D...  But then, even for that I need to know his size... Oh btw! He is into lingerie big time... I mean.. when he was at an event, there was a lingerie shop nearby. And he called me up and was describing the lingerie to me and said he was imagining me in them.. Lol!!  And this time he requested me to get some nice lacy or satin lingerie and lingerie sleep wear in bold colours. Gosh! That made me so conscious! I mean... I like to see the lacy reds on sooper hawwtt models, not on me. He said that he will get me some colourful lingerie when he comes down from Doobai , if I send him my size. But I promptly changed the topic. Phew!!


Yep.. photo frame with our cuddly pic is a nice idea.... I always like gifting two things... one small, romantic /hand-made (since my crafty skills are zero, I haven't tried it yet) and another a slightly lavish one (note : lavish in my standards). So this time the small romantic thing is gonna be a nice, romantic card with lotta mushy lines. I added some colour to it and made it more attractive (hopefully :D).. And trust me, I enjoyed the process, I felt like a child.. he he... If I had my way, I would have sat up the whole night with me.. geee!! So that gift is sealed.. But am definitely keeping that photo frame idea in mind....


His other interests and hobbies..... hmmmm.... the guy is a Fooodie (yep, with a capital F), but trying not to over-indulge these days... He loves sports.. mostly cricket, soccer and basket ball... He used to play in college, not any more.. then .. yeah, he is into gadgets... but I didn't consider that option cuz I felt its wayyy beyond my budget... Something he absolutely love doing is travelling.. That is his greatest passion! Movies and music too... As I type this out, I feel that its easier to keep this guy since he loves so many things.. It would be difficult to gift something to a person like my Dad... he he


@ Agile


Oh my God!! Girl, what are you??  U just put up a list just like that... whoaaa!!! Thats awesome!!!  Iam definitely gonna keep it as a reference mail...


Even I like gifting something useful.. I rarely gift show pieces unless that person is really into it.. Ditto for candles.. but they do have some use, even if its decorative.. and if a person loves them, then they are great gifts. Only thing is tha.. you should know what that person likes and goes with decor of the rest of the house.. Now since we are in a romantic phase, I would like to get him something romantic.:):):)... And he appreciates it..  He is a romantic! He is not into writing much. But he lourvess it when I send him mushy mails.. He either glows or get all moist-eyed.. he he...


As I told she pebble, I didn't consider electronics cuz I thought they would be very expensive. But now ur giving me some ideas... and that I can personalise it .. hmmm... thats nice... I agree with you.... I will start small... else I will run outta ideas... I will keep the bigger gifts for our 10th wedding anniversary.. he he... or silver jubilee... he he...


And yep.. he is a self-confessed metrosexual... sometimes when I talk to him I feel that am talking to one of my female friends. We spend one whole day discussing toilettries.. lol!!


Well... This gift am gonna personally give it to him.... Oh girlie... I might need your help here.... I would like to send him smthg across to him also for his birthday...  but all I could find was flowers and cakes online.... do I have any other choice? And which are the best online delivery services in Doobai?


Thank a ton girlies.... Waiting for energy fountain's mail.. am sure she will have something more creative :):):)


Love u all
mwaaaaah
couch potato...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Well looks like I am a late comer and the party is over....

And you guys were thinking that I would come up with something creative...ha ha I am flattered that you guys think so highly of me ;)


Let me tell you I am really bad at picking gifts for men, and it's such a pleasure to pick gifts for women rather...one has so much to choose from


Recently one of my school buddies (male) got married and I did not know what to gift him, so I called him up and asked what he would like to have...he said the best gift would be your presence...I said I am unable to do that, and you will have to manage with the second best gift;)...I will tell you a list of things  I have in mind and you tell me which one you like most, turned out he would use most of them :(
Since I was hell bent on sending him a gift he said why don't you send something for my would be wife...smart guy I tell you...so sent them a Dinner set, booked online and it was delivered, it seems his wife liked it a lot :)


Ok back to your gift if I have to gift my guy, I would give him a book, he is a voracious reader and our taste is similar in books....may be I will give him a hand designed card sprinkled with some humorous writing, but I will have to write really well because he writes very well and is creative...he is a hobby photographer, no I would not gift him a camera, he already has one, may be I would frame a picture taken by him and gift him.


I know I was supposed to suggest gifts for your guy, so to sum it up I am no t the right person to ask for when you are looking for a gift :P 

Creativity overflowing 
Yours energy fountain :)


_____________________________________________________________


Girliesss....


Thanx a bunch for all the awesome ideas.. Guess wat,  I gifted him a full-sleeved shirt  - from Lifestyle - which me and sis loved so much. But when he tried it on,  it was a wee bit small for him. And I guess he was not so excited by the design also. Thankfully I had asked Lifestyle about their exchange policies. So we went together and picked up another sleeveless sweater. I must admit, it was soo much prettier than the one I picked. 




Now he left :(:(:(.. And for his bday, I have asked our very own "agile serenity" to place an order for a cake in a bakery. I have pestered her so much that she tells me now she is more tensed than me. He he he....


After polishing off appam and stew
yours lazy bum
couch potato


________________________________________________________________

Replies to Treasure Your Memories

Hey Serenity

You are quite right to say that the soul and the spark is no more when we celebrate Onam now...but we cannot ignore the fact that with nuclear families, both the spouses working, we really do not have time to spent time on celebrations like yesteryear's. Here at my place, Onam Sadya parcels are in huge demand as it is very economical and time and effort friendly:)...... Like you said  all we can do now is treasure those old memories...I still rem how we used to dress up, have jasmine flowers clipped to my boy-cut hairstyle....swing in the madal oonjal till we got tired of it, play games and rush to be seated when the sadya was served...Gone are those days..We have grown up and so has Onam....


Geting Nostalgic:)
She Pebble

Hey Agile ....I can understand how it feels like when we find old things changed especially the ones with which we have memories attached...I remember few years ago when I had gone to my maternal grandparents place (it was a trip after a gap of five years)...and they had built certain new things, which altered the old house (I felt in an improper way)...somehow I could not appreciate it and voiced my feelings, which ideally I should have had kept to myself  because the ones staying there didn't have an issue!

The Tiger dace reminds me of the "Huli vesha" which I saw in Karnataka recently during Dushera celebrations, it was an awesome sight...

Still thinking about the ada payassam

Energy Fountain