I've got Lal Bal, Pal !

Breaking News!!

I streaked my hair... Had them streaked at a parlour I mean... (It's also called highlighting, for those who don't know.) Which means I now have strands of red hair (not the fire-van red, it's a maroonish kinda tinge,similar to this font color) on my crown (that's the top portion of the head). It ain't done as abundantly as I'd planned, but no sweat - I'm happy! :-)

Somehow any kinda beauty/body therapy makes me feel nice. (Proves I'm a woman, eh?!) Be it the last time I had a massage at Four Fountains Spa over a year ago, or the facial I had at Urvashi beauty parlor about 2 years ago, or the time I decided to crop my hair and return to my bouncy-hair look a couple of months ago... Giving yourself a makeover rocks, and pampering your body and soul sure makes one feel divine. We deserve it, ladies! Can't keep waiting and expecting men to make us feel good all the time!! Not to mention, your hopes are shattered half the time...

Well, the last time I colored my hair was about 2 years ago, a day before my M.A. Statistics paper. My friends were stunned coz they had less than enough time to study the rules and formulas of Stats while I jauntily strutted about with burgundy (coffee-shade) locks. This happens the first time I've colored my hair reddish, though I've contemplated it several times, and I'm hoping it continues to look good (to me and on me) after the initial novelty fades :-D

Amen.

Waise I am a very simple girl... And I feel all the more frugal when I see women around me dressing up for work everyday. (How will lining and kohl-ing your eyes and painting your lips help you be efficient and effective at tele-calling?) Of course, I tend to go overboard with my minimalism; even for parties, all I do is apply some earthy-colored lipstick and I'm all set, even as my gal-buddies blow-dry and iron their hair, paint their barn with foundation and rouge, color their eyes in dazzling blues and pinks, and outline their glossy lips. Whew! Each to their own; I inherited my no-nonsense-no-makeup attitude from my mum. But well, she is an angel to look at, whereas I could do with some help...

Anywaysssssssss...

While the hairdresser was Loreal-ing my tresses, I glanced through the numerous issues of Femina, Filmfare and other mags stacked on the counter. I read Sallu's cool-dude comments on his paintings and his hostility towards Shahrukh, I checked out fashion scares Mithun-da and Sonam Kapoor, and I read gossip about Hrithik and Barbara (Kites), Shahid and Amrita Rao (I thought she was going to get married and happily quit acting), etc.

I set hands on a Woman's Era magazine (November issue, I think), and staring at me out of the front cover were the words - HOW TO GET YOUR MAN TO TALK (or something to that effect.)

For ages I have been pondering over this very subject - why men gel so well and chat for hours with their buddies and colleagues and neighbors and roomies, but recoil every time their wife/girlfriend asks them to "talk" to her.

So, this article seemed God-sent, and I glanced through the words I've murmured a million times : Why men consider monosyllabic replies and grunts as perfect conjugal conversations, why they find nothing wrong in reading the newspaper as their disgruntled lady makes their chai / coffee in the kitchen, why a women's expression of her feelings or need to resolve relationship problems bores and irritates and annoys them, and so on and so forth.

Of course, the article did not answer these queries in anything more than a gender differences way; the usual "genders are wired differently" solution. However, reading the statements there assured me that I am not the only one who broods over these topics. The writer went on to relate how you can get a man to talk... And these ways are : just sit with him quietly (ahem!) and observe/understand as he goes about his tasks and activities, ask him about cars/bikes/politics/sports/gadgets or anything else that he's passionate about, avoid talking about his family, and the sort.

Nothing akin to rocket science, and all quite do-able, but my question is HOW LONG? You can do something a few times, and it's not unnatural to expect that the other person will also go a little out of the way to ease things... Taali ek haath se nahi bajti dost! You can rave on and on about gender differences and not head anywhere, and you can both understand and try to make things wonderful... Not impossible, right?!!

Anywayssss... The deal is I'm waiting for the admission results of Kellogg, Michigan State Uni (Broad), and NYU Stern with tremendous hope and faith. Not including Texas Austin Uni in this list coz they have told me they can do nothing about my application until I submit TOEFL scores. Hoga kaha se? Maine exam hi nahi di hai! First available date is Jan 31st, 2010... And if I get a Kellogg admit before that... Hee haa haa haa!! Khallaaaasss...

Baaki toh attending weddings and functions. Most people from my school and college and office and apartment and family circle are getting married. Good for them. Not good for me coz I hate these family dos. Compound it with the fact that there are horny old men lurking about and trying to grab a handful of you as they stare at your boobs and talk about stupid things. Grrr... It's all I can do to stop myself from slapping them... And then when some woman comes and starts inquiring about your profession as if she is planning to propose a billion-dollar business deal...

Time out.

Happy weekend!

-Princess

The Most Bestest Ever

Marvelous.

Simply outstanding.

The movie I was planning to not watch, is abso-flippin'-lutely fantabulous.

I'm glad the movie buff inside me overcame the hesitation I initially had on seeing Big B in such a scary, pitiable state.

Paa.

Dude, how can anybody be so darned gifted?

Amitabh is magnificent (as always)! He played the senior Buddhadev sporting a pony tail in Cheeni Kum with as much ease as he acts Auro, the witty child afflicted with progeria* in Paa. (Progeria is a rare genetic condition where patients age rapidly; so soembody who's 10 would probably look like he's 70, though his mental age remains 10.)

Incidentally, both the movies are by R. Balki, and I must say, they're two of the best things to have happened to the Hindi fillum industry; apna Bollywood has grown with these films. Way to go, cast and crew!! Dhaasu acting and mast make-up... Too good!!

The movie stars the very pretty Vidya Balan (wearing lovely sarees) and the handsome Abhishek Bachhan (no longer am I gona call him AB baby; he's proved his mettle and avoided being shadowed by his father in this brilliant venture), as Auro's Maa and Paa respectively. There is also a bunch of tremendously talented kids who keep the movie alive and interesting. Their innocence, humor and witty audacity create insights that are mind-boggling.

Say what, I failed to find even a single blunder in the fim - it's that perfect. I was afraid this would be one melodramatic torture, but the way the situation and varied incidents have been tastefully handled stuns me. So what if somebody is not normal, so what if there is an anomaly in an individual? Why stare at him with pity and murmur sympathetic questions/remarks? Treat him as a human, with respect and maturity, and you can see the beauty inside the person. And that's what this film teaches us. Respect and acceptance.

I am so tempted to divulge a few incidents and jokes in the movie, but I shan't. I want you to go and see this yourself - whatever your age, whatever your gender, whatever your preference in movies or hobbies. I promise you a lot of laughs and some superb food for thought. No wonder my rating is gona be excellent - 9.5 on 10. I'm gona cut half a point for the political rigmarole surrounding Junior Bachchan. You cannot get enough of the smart, lovable, sensible and adorable Auro... Obviously, the "breaking news" bits get into the way... Must watch regardless.

I was eager to catch New Moon, the sequel to Twilight, but the release got postponed by a week. So, you shall hear that review next week :-) And my take on the latest/last book in the Twilight series: Breaking Dawn - it's terrific... I was dazzled by the remarkable script and description. Steph Meyer, you rock! I always knew vampirism would suit Bella, and I can feel her elation (and relief) at having taken to this new life so gracefully and effortlessly. Making me wish for the nine-thousand-and-eighty-fifth time that I was a vampire myself - pretty, powerful, and proficient in every way possible... And the cherry on the cake would obviously be a loving mate like Edward... Sighhhh!!! And of course, their adorable daughter Renesmee... And a great mate like Jake... Super sighhhh... I would face the Volturi anyday given my lovely pale-skinned family.

Here I go again... What an obsession!

My acquaintances have been pushing me to take glimpses of the abilities of Russell Peters and David Blaine, and I must agree these guys are great! I don't think Peters is really extraordinary though quite a few folks think so; to me, his humor quotient is as good as apna Raju Srivastav (recently knocked out of Bigg Boss 3). However, R.P. deserves credit for his reach - the guy's got fans across the world, and his confidence is unbelievable. Fancy cracking racial and terror-related jokes about Arabs and Indians in front of an audience comprising every community in the world! Not a quality in my kitty for sure!

David Blaine and the things he does are amazing as well. His endurance, both mental and physical, is stupendous. Whatta creator God is... endowing different people with so many different and unusual abilities!

Right then. That's about it for today. I'm running out of superlative expressions :-P

But hey, I have one (two actually) superb news up my sleeve - my darling Scooty Pep completed three years yesterday, and my Abba has stepped into his 64th year. Happy Birthday, sweethearts! Mwaaahhhh :-) And a zillion thanks for being there...


Cheerio!
Anuja

As Long As You Love Me...

Although loneliness has always been a friend of mine,
I'm leaving my life in your hands,
People say I'm crazy and that I am blind, Risking it all in a glance.
And how you got me blind is still a mystery,
I can't get you out of my head,
Don't care what is written in your history,
As long as you're here with me.

I don't care who you are, Where you're from,
What you did, As long as you love me...
Who you are, Where you're from,
Don't care what you did,
As long as you love me...

Every little thing that you have said and done,
Feels like it's deep within me,
Doesn't really matter if you're on the run,
It seems like we're meant to be.

I've tried to hide it so that no one knows,
But I guess it shows, When you look into my eyes,
What you did and where you are comin from,
I don't care, As long as you love me, baby...


Backstreet Boys - my favorite boy band when I was a teenager; the songs make me smile and sigh even today coz the lyrics are so amazing...


And here's a short little addition from my side... Doesn't exactly rhyme, but matches the mood...

I try to immerse myself in things to do,
But I know even before I start,
That I won't be able to stop thinking of you...
All the faults seem small, my need for you so large,
As I imagine us hugging and kissing endlessly...
As long as you love me baby...



-Princess

Holiday Complaints

Hi,

I'm not feeling too cheerful today. The holiday I've been planning for the last couple of weeks may not be approved. I've been waiting to escape this city (despite the fact that my social life is rocking like never before courtesy a million lovely reunions - the most recent at KIVA in Koregaon Park), my work (despite the fact that I'm quite liking it), my family (despite the fact that they frankly don't do much to bother me) and my routine (which is actually quite decent, though I don't get to exercise much). In sum, my life is going good, but it sure would have got better had I been granted a short sabbatical. All down the drain.

Unless there is a sudden windfall. Quite possible.
God loves me. Most humans do, too.

But let me not kill your fun factor and weekend bliss by discussing disappointment and all that jazz. I'm gona share with you this hilarious post called "Holiday Complaints" that I found while surfing for some English training material. The site's called www.fun-with-english.co.uk and they have a list of educational (and amusing) articles that help one learn better English.

Now this list was allegedly compiled by Thomas Cook Holidays, listing complaints they had received. (Survey by Thomas Cook and ABTA)... Enjoy!!

"I think it should be explained in the brochure that the local store does not sell proper biscuits like custard creams or ginger nuts."

"The beach was too sandy." (Hehehe...)

"We found the sand was not like the sand in the brochure. Your brochure shows the sand as yellow but it was white." (ROFL... Faaaaaantastic!)

"Topless sunbathing on the beach should be banned. The holiday was ruined as my husband spent all day looking at other women." (Ahem, I heartily empathize!)

"It's lazy of the local shopkeepers to close in the afternoons. I often needed to buy things during 'siesta' time - this should be banned." (Couldn't agree more... especially in Goa!)

"On my holiday to Goa in India, I was disgusted to find that almost every restaurant served curry. I don't like spicy food at all."

"We booked an excursion to a water park but no-one told us we had to bring our swimming costumes and towels." (No comments, this sounds logical; there's always have stuff on hire!)

A tourist at a top African game lodge overlooking a water hole, who spotted a visibly aroused elephant, complained that the sight of this rampant beast ruined his honeymoon by making him feel "inadequate". (Grin!)

A woman threatened to call police after claiming that she'd been locked in by staff. When in fact, she had mistaken the "do not disturb" sign on the back of the door as a warning to remain in the room. (Stupid styuuuupid!)

A guest at a Novotel in Australia complained his soup was too thick and strong. He was inadvertently slurping the gravy at the time.

"We bought 'Ray-Ban' sunglasses for five Euros (£3.50) from a street trader, only to find out they were fake."

"No-one told us there would be fish in the sea. The children were startled." (LMAO!)

"It took us nine hours to fly home from Jamaica to England it only took the Americans three hours to get home." (Pity!)

"I compared the size of our one-bedroom apartment to our friends' three-bedroom apartment and ours was significantly smaller."

"The brochure states: 'No hairdressers at the accommodation'. We're trainee hairdressers - will we be OK staying here?"

"There are too many Spanish people. The receptionist speaks Spanish. The food is Spanish. Too many foreigners."

"We had to queue outside with no air conditioning."

"It is your duty as a tour operator to advise us of noisy or unruly guests before we travel."

"I was bitten by a mosquito - no-one said they could bite."

"My fiancé and I booked a twin-bedded room but we were placed in a double-bedded room. We now hold you responsible for the fact that I find myself pregnant. This would not have happened if you had put us in the room that we booked."

Keep laughing!

-Princess

December 2009

Hay Allah, there's so much to tell you and so little time... And this stupid keyboard with all the keys smudged sure doesn't ease my troubles...

(I am a good workman honestly assessing my shitty tools. Just for the records.)

So, I've watched 2012 and De Dana Dan over the weekend, I've visited Madhouse Grill, Malaka Spice (Street?) and Foodlink, and I've caught up with a few of my bestest pals. Quite am exciting inventory, eh? 8-)

But before that, leme do my duty - that of telling you it's World AIDS Day today. This day is observed on December 1 each year and is dedicated to raising awareness about HIV and AIDS. (GK titbit : The first ever such day was in 1988.) Do your bit - wear a red ribbon today to support people living with HIV; this simple act is a powerful way to challenge the stigma and prejudice surrounding HIV and AIDS.

2012 is a magnificent movie to say the least. The sense of doom I felt in Final Destination is comparable to the numbness I felt when I saw the world as we know it collapsing like a helpless castle of cards. The brilliant direction and graphics coupled with the authentic emotions of the main characters made the movie a fantabulous watch. I'm so glad I didn't miss this one... It could've been shorter, though. I personally don't like lengthy English movies (anything over 110 minutes figures as "lengthy"), that is the forte of Bollywood with it's song and scene rigmarole. But I repeat, 2012 is a must watch. A cool 9 on 10 from me. Excellent. Scary.

De Dana Dan is OK. It had the potential to be super, but they killed the fun by mixing too many characters with too many plots. Everybody seems wasted in their role - Akshay Kumar, Rajpal Yadav, Katrina Kaif, Archana Puran Singh, Suniel Shetty, Sameera Reddy... The only folks who landed meaty bits are the inimitable Johny Lever and Paresh Rawal. I must say the plots are woven intricately together to form a hilarious climax, but as they say "too many cooks spoil the broth". (This seems to have become a day and post full of proverbs!) The film definitely bestows a few laughs akin Hera Pheri and Hungama, but Priyan really needs to buck up if he wants to live up to his hit comedy brigade... This is a 6 on 10 from me. Decent timepass types.

Partying with the gals is the perfect way to blow away the cobwebs from your brain, and that is exactly what I've been doing. Met my college sweethearts (girls, obviously - didn't you read the above line properly?) and had a terrific time talking about everything factual, hypothetical, biological and rhetorical. Deepti, Natasha, Sana... you rock, ladies!!! I hope we do this more often :-)

And oh foodies, you may visit Foodlink to enjoy the Indian starters and Italian fare with some sensational drinks. It's located on Senapati Bapat Road in ICC - Wing B. What made my visit awesome was that I met a dear long-lost friend there. He's the Ops Manager, and he ensured my evening was wonderful. The staff is very sweet and young (handsome, too!) and the music was just what I wanted to hear - classic, relaxing and fun! It got chilly towards midnight but I didn't want to leave... Knowing that my amazing weekend is over... and I have to get back to work... slog all week... Shucks!

Will cope... I'm a survivor...

-Princess

Koi Mil Gaya

I am in love.

I want to spend my entire life with him.
Maybe get married to him.

Him and nobody else.

I don’t want to make compromises.
I know I deserve the best.
He IS the best.

Edward.

A vampire.

The heroic monster in Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series.

Did I scare you?
Well, can’t say I’m kidding.

Why would I?

He’s cute and handsome.
He never gets angry with her, whatever her action or emotion.
He is extremely romantic, I get goosebumps even as I imagine his actions...
He is so caring, it makes me cry with love and pleasure.
He is ALWAYS there for her.
He can be possessive and short-tempered, but he is very sensible and trusting.
He loves his partner like crazy and doesn’t even LOOK at other females, be they pretty or sexy.
He gives you those lovely jitters the way he loves and speaks and looks at Bella.
He’ understanding and patient.
He is polite in the most challenging situations and he’s always brave in times of crisis.
He is well-behaved, witty and jolly.
He pampers his lover and makes her feel complete.
He can do everything perfectly – kissing, driving, studying…
Even in the worst of situations and tempers, he is always civil to people, so what if they're enemies?
He spends all his time with his partner.
He can be impulsive but he is strong and protective.
He can stand being hurt if his partner is safe, comfy and happy.
His possessiveness is irritating yet adorable, yet he is controlled and reasonable.
He knows his lover inside out, and is very NICE.
He is SO wantable.
He makes me feel awesome even as I read about the things he does and says to Bella!!
He is ready to do anything for his lover. And THAT is a HELLUVA LOT!
He made a mistake once and for that he is forever guilty and apologetic, trying to make amends...

Why wouldn’t I want to be with him?

Tell me ONE good reason.

I’d lose my soul?

Who cares…

I’d trade my everything for love any day…



Sincerely,
Princess

The Divine Crossing

As much as I love talking about myself, people, relationships, movies, TV shows (and a host of other topics), I can't deny that a good blog, an interesting blog deals with a wider variety of subjects and themes. Of course, there are people who argue that one blog should have one single theme.

Whatever... I've written too much about love and heartbreak in the past 2 weeks, and I'm feeling guilty about not giving you guys more chow to chew on...

So, this time round, I'm gona write one of my favorite bhajans :-)

Yeah, you heard right. I love devotional songs, especially when my mum sings them melodiously and sincerely... And I sing them myself, too. Not as well, for sure, but certainly with dedication.

This one particular bhajan was originally sung by the adorable Anup Jalota. It's called "Jaana Tha Ganga Paar". It tells a story in the Ramayana, when Shri Ram, Seeta and Lakshman reach the Ganges and want to cross it with the assistance of the boatman Kevat.

Let me jot down the lyrics first, and you can always check out the tune online (unless you want to set your own rhythm.) It goes like this...

कभी कभी भगवान को भी भक्तो से काम पडे,
जाना था गंगा पार प्रभू केवट की नाव चदे,
जाना था गंगा पार प्रभू केवट की नाव चदे। (That's the chorus)

अवध छोड़ प्रभु वन को जायें,
सीया राम लखन गंगा तट आये,
केवट मन ही मन हर्शाये,
घर बैठे प्रभु दर्शन पाए,
हाथ जोड़ कर प्रभु के आगे केवट मगन खड़े,
जाना था गंगा पार प्रभू केवट की नाव चदे।
जाना था गंगा पार प्रभू केवट की नाव चदे।

प्रभु बोले तुम नाव चलाओ,
पार हमे केवट पहुचाओ,
केवट कहता सुनो हमारी चरण धुल की माया भारी,
मैं गरीब नैय्या मेरी नारी ना होई पडे,
जाना था गंगा पार प्रभू केवट की नाव चदे।
जाना था गंगा पार प्रभू केवट की नाव चदे।

केवट दौड़ के जल भर लाया,
चरण धोये चरणामृत पाया,
वेद ग्रंथ जिन के यश गाये केवट उनको नाव चढाये,
बरसे फूल गगन से ऐसे भक्त के भाग बड़े,
जाना था गंगा पार प्रभू केवट की नाव चदे।
जाना था गंगा पार प्रभू केवट की नाव चदे।

चली नाव गंगा की धारा,
सीया राम लखन को पार उतारा,
प्रभु देने लगे नाव उतराई केवट कहे नही रघुराई,
पार किया मैंने तुमको,
पार किया मैंने तुमको,
अब तू मोहे पार करे,
जाना था गंगा पार प्रभू केवट की नाव चदे।
जाना था गंगा पार प्रभू केवट की नाव चदे।

Lovely, eh? I get goose-bumps as I hear or sing the final line - the "ab tu mohe paar kare" one... You should listen to this once, I promise you won't regret it...

Shall tell you the story next time in case you not well-versed in Hindi or mythology :-)

Take care!
Princess