Chalo!

Ever noticed how the best of plans or activities start with something as simple as "Chalo!".

This is something that DD had said to me very matter-of-factly a long time ago. We were just talking about the things that we really wanted to do. And she was thinking how great it would be to open a school of some sort which would basically teach kids (or maybe adults too) to not hold back. That nothing was impossible. All we had to do was start! The name of the school that she had in mind was "Chalo!"

Got reminded of this today when I saw an email that floats around in my office about a Walkers' club - who generate and donate money to American Heart Association. The initiative is called "Start! Charlotte Heart Walk". (http://www.startcharlottenc.org/)

There's so many things that I just need to just start! doing. Start exercising. Start reading again. Start writing again. Start singing all over again. Start dancing. Start worrying about work and office a little less. (that's one thing I've "started" doing about a hundred times already in the last 7 years.) In some years maybe I can start thinking about studying again too. For now we are on a break! ;)

I think today would be a good day to *ahem* start doing at least one of these things. I feel good. I am happy. I am healthy. I have a wonderful family. And a lot of really good friends. And I love my life. Enough reasons to do all the things I want to do. Even including saving the world!

So what am I waiting for? Just the call I guess...
Chalo! :)


High on life!

~K.


ps: There's no copyright on the name of the school. I know DD (and even I) still want to open that school. But if I suddenly find that the school has already been set up by someone, I'll still give the credit to DD. I don't know anyone who can say "Chalo!" in a happier and a more inspiring way! *:)

Packing up!!

Life of a blogger does not end after marriage... But I must say, it does get a little crippled because of all the movement. Both physical and symbolic. I mean when all your time is spent in getting accustomed to a new family, a new place, customs which you had only seen others being a part of or sometimes only on the television (*winks*), in my case even a new language... you really won't have the time to.. whaddaya call it .. blog!

Life after marriage has been fun... Sourav and I've made generous contributions to the travel industry. Unfortunately mostly to see each other rather than seeing places... :P
Anyway... After changing a lot of addresses in India, we are pretty much settled in Mooresville, NC (at least for the next 6 months when the lease expires). Which can only mean 1 thing - that we are ready to travel again! Yay!

If it were to me I'd go round the country making only train journeys (and that's not because of my previous flying adventures). But for that I'd have to swap my working days with holidays. And good luck with THAT!

Until then... flying it is! The traveler spirit calls. And first stop - always the family! :)

More later.
Love always.

~K.

Odd One Out!

Some of my friends are of the opinion that the Retail Industry owes its existence to women. Oh well... I must be what they call the black sheep. Oh don't get me wrong... it's not that I can't shop. When it comes to buying gifts for people, I can do that with my eyes closed. (Not literally of course, but you know what I mean) But send me to a mall to shop for myself and all I can do is go from store to store looking at stuff... not buying anything... a little pissed with myself, but happy that I'm at least burning calories!

I'm back in the US now. And last weekend I set out to do some serious shopping. No.. seriously! There wasn't anything specific on my agenda. But I did have a couple of nice occasions which deserved some nice gifts. So Sourav and I spent almost a whole day store-hopping and what did we finally return home with? Umm... some groceries, some supplies, some liquor, a couple of books and a couple of movie DVD's from Blockbuster. And not that I didn't look (or was forced to look) for anything for myself. Everything was either too fashionable (where do you think I'll wear that dress?) or too uncomfortable (not THOSE heels!) or just too expensive (300 bucks for that stupid necklace??!! When have you seen me wearing jewelery??) !!! Again, it's not that I don't have a reason to buy stuff for myself... Or (for a change) the money. I do. But aahhh... I'm finally beginning to admit that I just don't have the wits to shop for myself!

If I could, the only thing I'd ever buy for myself or spend any of "money-for-me" for would be in one of these categories - Dining (Food and ahem... Drinks!), Travel (My absolute favourite activity!) and Entertainment (Concerts and Shows.. esp Broadway!). These are the things that make life simple. And enjoyable. And so much fun!

I know some of my friends are smiling or maybe laughing while reading this. They know this is how I am, how I've been all my life. Some of them have been hoping for some time that I'll change a little. Well, I haven't. I'll let this be my confession to the Fashion industry and end it at that. What I'm glad about, meanwhile, is that life continues to be beautiful even when you're dressed out of style! :-)

Peace on earth!

Love always,

~K.