a season of firsts

While Melbourne tries to make up its mind on whether its spring or winter I look back on a season well spent. While I haven't gotten around to the usual touristy spots in Victoria, it's certainly been a season of interesting first times for me.

Finally did something that I have been wanting to ever since my first overseas visit….visit the theatre. After days of contemplating on the dress code, I chose to go all out formal for my first brush with the theatre …Mary Poppins. The show was fantabulous…the music, the choreography, the costumes…and the sight of Mary Poppins grand flying exit…oh it totally blew me away. And more so pleasantly surprised to find a lot of folks dressed in casuals…certainly different from the uptight image I had in mind. So taking a leaf from my first experience I wore a pullover and jeans for my next visit…West Side Story. As it turned out, that wasn't such a good move…I looked like a complete schmuck among the up market, artsy, wine sippers. The show itself was quite interesting. Set in New York City in the mid 50s, the musical explores the rivalry between two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds, and a twist when one gang member falls in love with the sister of the opposing gang leader (Now I know where the movie Josh got its inspiration from). Certainly looking forward to many more theatre visits...can't wait for Mama Mia to come to Melbourne.

"The first thing to learn about skiing is learning how to stop", wise words...as I learnt for myself on the snowy slopes of Mt Buller. The prospect of seeing snow for the first time had me so pumped up that I was on extremely annoying caffeinated behaviour all through the four hour long drive to Buller. (Come to think of it...I think that's the first I have stayed awake all throughout a long drive...another first time.) It was well worth it...five inches of snow...the place looked like it was right out of a Christmas postcard. Anyway, after the initial oohs and aahs, began the daunting task of renting and donning ski gear. Wasn't the most pleasant experience, considering that I needed someone to help push my feet into those ridiculous snow boots. An hour long ski lesson later, all I had managed to master was the right way to clamp the ski on...and to ski along at a snail's pace. Sadly, all the instructions on how to stop were lost on me...and after a few not so graceful stops involving a Korean lady and a scared looking kid (read: crashes ending in a tangle of limbs, skis and a stream of not very nice expletives), I learnt an important lesson of my own. "The easiest way to stop is to simply fall over ". Not surprisingly...the day ended with sore limbs and an extremely sore posterior. I have finally come to the elusive conclusion that skiing is not really my thing...and considering that winters have receded, I have another eight months to make up my mind on whether I want to risk it again.


They call it the Mecca of cricket...and looking out at the awe inspiring green expanse makes you realise why its called so. Sadly even the gorgeous MCG does not inspire me to spend hour after hour watching eleven 'gentlemen' traipse after a ball. The ALF however is another ball game altogether...MCG's Members Dining Room Tickets to watch buffed up guys in shorts, grappling each other...even the fact that I knew nothing about the game couldn't stop me from going. As it turned out, its a fairly simple game to follow...hustle the ball and boot it through the goal...and oh yes, tackle anyone who comes in the way. None of the ridiculous leg byes and bye byes. Two matches and I was hooked on to the sport...so much that two weeks later, I actually spent an entire Sunday afternoon watching the finals on the telly. Can't wait for the AFL season next year...go Bulldogs!!!

The weather was still cold when I started writing this post...that was almost a month back. Well I think its officially summertime in Melbourne now, I have to get out more and see what the city is up to this season...but mostly coz my apartment is weirdly cold and I can't feel my toes any more.

getting hitched

The journey from Chennai to Melbourne is a long one. While most people find it dreadfully dull to travel alone, I personally look forward to it. The solitude of one's own thoughts is hard to come by and what better place to garner it than on long flights and busy airports where there is no compulsive obligation to converse.

Well, slight change of plans this time, a friend's mum who is travelling alone, is to join me...a sweet elderly lady who speaks only Tamil. The language barrier should douse any possibility of small talk...well, at least that's what I thought. But the idea of an Indian girl travelling alone always seems to spark an annoying curiosity in most people...it wasn't too long before I faced the usual barrage, 'Are you married?', 'Oh...how old are you?', 'Ohhhhh...when will you get married?'...all in a jumble of Tamil, English and hand gestures. While I usually conjure up a certain rude hand gesture in my mind for such remarks, I can't help but smile at the lady's genuine consternation on my 'still single' status. If only we spoke a common language she would probably have advised me over the next fourteen hours and then topped it off with tips on how to find a groom...thank heavens for linguistic barriers.

Well, I've given up trying to explain that people like me should stay single...otherwise the world might explode. Even so, the groom hunting/match making techniques that get thrown at you are quite amusing.

The one I have come across the most is to deck up on Sunday and go to church. What better place to hook a boy than at a religious venue. Or better still, join the church choir...that way one would be in plain sight of the entire congregation...there's bound to be at least one sucker who would fall for you..now isn't that a foolproof idea...

I had a work friend who once extended an invitation to a Friday evening dinner with a group of her friends. While I certainly didn't doubt the genuineness of the invitation, I was a a bit wary about being asked to spent an evening with a bunch of ladies who were not exactly in my age group. As it turns out, some of them had eligible bachelor sons and I was essentially being invited to a 'potential daughter-in-law inspection' (or whatever it's called) massacre!

While most parents are still grappling with finding their way around matrimony websites...there are some who go a step further. Came across the interview of an elderly couple on television some time back. I reckoned they might be the parents of some big star...but that didn't explain why they kept flashing the picture of a large, balding guy at regular intervals. Turns out, it was some kind of a 'showcase your eligible bachelor son' show... interested parents of eligible daughters are requested to get in touch with the family. Jeez..for cryin out loud.

While some of the stuff I have heard over the years are actually workable, occasionally one does come across suggestions that make one's eyes pop out. The latest one that I heard was to hit university alumni websites...look for eligible bachelors and hunt them down. Everyone knows that if the guy studied at a good uni, he's bound to be good husband material....WHATEVER!!!

'Being single is pretty good. It's a nice sense of irresponsibility' - Michael Douglas

the curls are back...

After two years of getting used to the double turns and cat calls, I decide its time to bury the glossy super straight look. Well its not that easy to get rid of the hair straightening bug, but I convince myself that maybe its time to give my natural (read: awfully frizzy) hair another chance.

So I book myself into this place that looks and sounds extremely snooty and pricey....'Shibui' in South Yarra, Melbourne. Was a bit apprehensive about putting Indian hair in the hands of stylists who probabaly deal more with Aussie hair. Anyway, I get an appointment with Tommy Ward, one of their juniormost (and more reasonably priced) stylist. Well as it turns out, I had nothing to worry about, coz in the one and half hrs (yeah...thats how long my hair was pampered!) I spent there, Tommy's skillful fingers worked magic on my hair. Not only did he patiently listen to me whinge about my hair troubles, but he also gave me an absolutely fabulous hair cut. And for the first time ever I got the right styling advice. (I still cringe when I remember the time my hair was backcombed for a 'poofy' effect...gawd the frizzy knots I had to deal with!!)

So finally the last of the straight ends have been chopped off and my curls are back. Not quite sure if I want to keep my hair this short but its definitely a much more 'me' look.

My first post is over six months...woohoo I'm back... :)

Its been a while since I have blogged...a disconcerting indicator how uneventful my life has become. Oddly unsettling as it may seem, there has however been a certain imp, who has been keeping my weekends busy and my camera going berserk. So here is a post dedicated to my nephew, Niku.... the things about you little fella, that make me wonder...

...how when you flash that wide grin, your eyes become little slits...you could give those cute Chinese babies a run for their money.

...the zeal with which you gobble up beans and peas...I doubt if your Mommy will ever have to yell at you to "Eat your veggies!!"

...how when your upset, your baby lips form into the perfect downward droop...the 'sad smiley' look...makes me melt.

...your queer obsession of throwing potatoes and onions all over the kitchen floor. How many times have we caught you with your grubby little hands in the potato basket...heck didn't your momma once catch you chewing on one of the red onions???!!!

…that tune you hum when I give you a ride on my back…its like I'm carrying around baby Mozart

...the relish with which you pop rubbish into your mouth... at least spare the dead insects!!!

…how you prance about on your toes, flailing your arms around…what a clumsy little Peter Pan you'd make.

…how you hide behind the curtains and think nobody can see you…I hate to burst your bubble but the little feet peeking out from the bottom give you away each time

…the uncanny resemblance to 'Calvin and Hobbes' when you walk around dragging that oversized, stuffed tiger.

…how any creature with eyes and a nose is 'bow bow' to you…you've really been offending the cats by calling them that.

…that merry look on your face when you see your four little teeth in the mirror…it's quite a sight to see you flaunt your ivories.

…how that tuft of hair on the back of your head is perpetually longer than the rest of your hair, no matter how often your dad trims it.

I could go on with this list, but it's the weekend and I gotta go visit the little chap…coz the thing about him that I love the most is the look of glee on his chubby face when he sees me.

Baby Steps

Little Niku just took his first few steps. The family's run into a frenzy. Poor fella has no clue why his mom's whooping with joy and his dad can't stop grinning. Come to think of it...this is probably among the most celebrated milestones in a person's life; one that brings nothing but pure joy to the parents... I wonder how many whoops there would be when he goes off teary eyed on his first day to school or takes up that awesome job in another city or brings home a bride of his choice :P

Hmm..can't wait for the first tooth to appear...

Chennai-Noida-Orlando-Noida-Chennai

Just received an email from an old friend..."So where are you based out of these days?" he asks.

Good question...I would have to say..."out of a suitcase"

Two years after I thought I had left Noida for good...I had to pack my bags and go back for what I can only be thankful for...a short term assignment. Pity though that nothing has changed in this place. Most members of the male species...right from the rickshaw walas to the nice looking gentlemen will leer at anything that's female. Although, their perseverance does amaze me...once they catch sight of female footwear in the passenger leg space of an auto rickshaw, even the crazy traffic cannot deter them from craning their necks to have peek into the back seat of the auto where I am trying to make myself invisible. Hmm...maybe I should try wearing men's shoes the next time.

The traffic norms are mind boggling...its actually safer to keep driving when the signal is red...coz if you don't the guys behind you choose to use their weapon of mass ear splittuction (ok...thats not a real word)...this is one place where your car horn can actually make the vehicle ahead of you go faster. Although, watch out when the signal turns green...thats when the Schumachers on the other side think its alright to cut across in their Ferraris.

But I must say, this part of the country does have gorgeous looking people...sadly looks aren't everything :(

After a few fun weeks of reacquainting myself with the city and catching up with old mates...I flew to Orlando...a city that got me sun burnt and rain drenched on the very day that I landed. Touted to be one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, I did my routine google search on "places to visit and things to do". All I got was theme parks and water parks...hmmm kind of a damper for someone with an immense aversion to amusement parks. Not that I have anything against them...its just that my only reaction after a high speed/revolving/bumpy ride is a revolting urge to throw up on the person sitting next to me. Seems like a waste of money (10,000 bucks...are you freakin kidding me!!!) when I can get the same reaction by swinging my nephew around. Anyway, we did find a bunch of beaches that were quite nice. The night life, though not much, was pretty fun too...especially one particularly raucous place (can't remember the name though).

After a month of restaurant hopping, window shopping and wandering around in general (don't judge me...I did get some work done as well), me and my suitcase returned to Noida. Perfect timing...probably the best time of the year to be in this city. With winter starting to slowly creep in, the air is crisp and cool...and the pretty Diwali lights makes one want to stand around and stare...at least until the house owners start to get suspicious of you. With the short term assignment coming to a close... I'm actually a bit disappointed to be missing Dilli ki Sardi...

Back in Chennai now...I am however going to give it some more time before I put an actual location to the end of the sentence "I am based out of _____"...for now its still the suitcase.

Isn't age supposed to mellow one down... I seem to be turning into a brat!!!