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Saturday, January 31, 2015

The Bolt Affair



Top post on IndiBlogger.in, the community of Indian Bloggers
I am a self-dependent woman but in my 7 years of working life, I never bought an expensive thing for myself. But ever since I have gained confidence in driving, my interest in Cars have peaked. I want to own one. And mind you I am a sort of person who generally leads a simple life, do not buy expensive stuff but when buy, buy the best to my demand and use it for as long as possible. Yeah, that sounds like an impossible ME!!

Friday, January 30, 2015

Fanning the flames

Top post on IndiBlogger.in, the community of Indian Bloggers
My blog is a reflection of my that part of my personality that I do not reveal just to anyone in person. I am an introvert and speak little to new people or you can say I take my own sweet time to open up with strangers. There are many reasons for it. The foremost reason is only when I am sure that the other person is going to respect my views even if we are not on agreeing terms, I speak frankly. Inviting conflicts is not my cup of tea. So when Piyush came to meet me for the first time, in just 5 minutes I concluded that I do want to speak my mind to him. He tried really hard but I didn't budge.

It was only later when he read my blog posts he realized I will make a good partner to him. And he struggled but finally convinced me of that too. Oh, how  grateful I am to my blog for showing me the right path that lead to him! This was the greatest compliment anyone could have given me. Accepting me as a life partner wholeheartedly.

Even when I am not sure of my writing capabilities, he remind me of this. But I tell you I was bowled over when I read his writings. Yes, he writes too! He has this uncomplicated mind and very broad views and that is his style of writing too. But unlike me, he is a dedicated software professional who doesn't miss his creative side much, probably because he is as creative in his job. Still, how can a talent like his fade away. So, after much pestering and inciting and forcing him to write guest posts on my blog, I am finally able to fan the flames. Yes, my Mr. Darcy has brought back his blog from its burnt and cool ashes. Introducing to all my friends in blogging community pseudorandomthoughts.in - a panorama of beautiful meaningful poems, thoughts, tech reviews and much more from this wonderful personality.

Here's are few of my favorite lines in one of his poem "Love":

True love is a joy 
But remember, in love do not fall 
Rise in love, love is for rising 
Grow in love to heights tall 

Let your love flow freely 
Never confining in expectations 
The joy lies in inexpressible feelings 
Eyes conveying speechless confessions 

When you love some one 
Just love truly without any bound 
And ask your sweetheart to tread softly 
Because your dreams lie all around 

Way to go Piyush! All the best..

Thursday, January 29, 2015

What I want

Writer's note: I was prompted to write this post “as a part of #UseYourAnd activity at BlogAdda in association with Gillette Venus“. But as my honest writing progressed, I figured these views are not only limited for women but for everyone.

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Just what I need

I am a person with multiple interests. One moment I am a writer, another one I am a painter, yet another I am a movie buff, or a blogger or a travelling soul or a pensive reader and yes, I forgot I am a professional software engineer. And recently I quit my job to pursue things on my own. With that gone is my office Dell laptop which though powerful but otherwise was boring to me.
 So I took out my personal laptop which was biting the dust all these years. But I was alarmed when it shouted at me, "Hello?? Don't you have some respect for someone's privacy and leisure hour?" And I was taken a back!! Somehow I am making the poor guy work to help me get my next best friend. But wait, will just one friend do for a Jack of all trades Me?
 My stint with computing devices has educated me a lot about ergonomics. With a portable device like laptop - I used to laze around anywhere, everywhere - from the coffee shop to awkward spaces of public transport to the comfort of my bed. With little regard to my posture, I spent long hours on my laptop which led to back and neck pains. This led to opening of my eyes about ergonomic computing.
I have come to realize that while a full-fledged laptop comes with lot of computing power and portability, it also makes us forego our physical discipline. I have also found the native keyboards on portable devices a tad pain for the wrist. So much so, that I ended up ordering an ergonomic keyboard for myself at office to soothe my aching wrist.
I find the good ol' desktop to be a better computing device in this context - for you just cannot take the huge machine to your bed, lie down and type in that position. You needed a table and a chair - and you would sit upright when you were using the machine. But the invasion of laptop has made this irrelevant. And gone are the requirements of proper posture whilst computing.
I feel that the new age devices - all-in-one PC which are replacing the conventional desktops are a very good option. They remove the bulk of the devices, portability is not entirely lost, yet while using these you are most likely to maintain better posture for you would be working on these in a standard table-chair setting.
 
Since one of my avatars is that of a test-automation engineer, and one of the items in my bucket list of life is to create automation frameworks which could have meaningful use to my community - I guess this ASUS All In One PCET2040 is something I most certainly need to take my dreams forward while ensuring that my computing habits are ergonomically right. Simple, versatile, yet powerful.

 19.5-inch All-in-One PC with built-in backup power, innovative hands-free gesture control and full I/O connectivity

I am definitely impressed by these points:
  • Windows 8.1 or other editions available
  • Smart backup power prevents data loss up to one hour
  • Intuitive gesture control for hands-free entertainment
  • Comprehensive array of I/O ports with three USB 3.0, three USB 2.0 and HDMI-output
Yes, this will certainly do for all my computing needs.
 
But what about my travelling vows - I shall abide by my dreams and travel for leisure once every two months at least. I can't carry a heavy laptop while in a bus, or a train, or a flight or bullock cart or whatever. So I have found a perfect gadget for my wandering soul. The new ASUS EeeBookX205TA with its high-end performance and Elegantly Crafted design, it is an affordable 11.6-inch Windows 8.1 notebook that weighs less than 1kg and has a sleek, compact, space-saving design. EeeBook X205 allows surfing the net for up to 12 hours on a full charge. What more is it has Windows 8.1 with Bing which will give me full compatibility with software and peripherals when compared to other operating systems. Geez that means I can have fun while travelling and it looks good too. Sleek on style, sleek in price. Have a look:



 Isn't that a real beauty??
 For more on specifications visit here: https://www.asus.com/Notebooks_Ultrabooks/ASUS_EeeBook_X205TA/Features/


I guess I am on my way to become the Leonardo da Vinci of our time, with multiple talents and equipped with perfect gadgets :)


 
 

Shh! Its a secret valentine post :)

I am a little old fashioned when it comes to romance - a Jane Austen fan, feminine to the core. Hence, I have never proposed any guy or flirted with someone. For me it should always be the other way round. A prince charming should always sway away the lady of his dreams off her feet.

With modern times and loving the cosmopolitan life, my thoughts are changing though. But the main reason behind it is that the love of my life is perfect - a Mr. Darcy mixed with Rahul of DDLJ. And I am head over heels for him. So, I want to surprise him this time. Instead of him leading me as usual, I am going to lead him this Valentine's day. And I know he's going to love this deviation from routine.

Here's what I am planning to do:

We both are movie buff but it is always him who looks for new movies and books the tickets and takes me to the Cinema while I happily sit arm in arm with him and watch the show. Not this time.
I will get the tickets booked for the night show. This valentine day is on Saturday which is a holiday for us. So I will do a little drama on late Friday evening that I have missed an important document with my colleague, who is coming to a common point i.e. the secretly booked multiplex and since it is late in the night and being my knight in shining armour, he'll be hell bent to accompany me. I will fake a tussle and allow him only on the condition that he let me drive. Then I will drive straight to the Multiplex. I have spoken to my colleague friend who will be there holding the tickets and who'll insist on us to watch the movie. I know Mr. Darcy won't be able to refuse the attraction and hence, I will start with second phase of my plan.
Excusing myself for the restroom I will go and change into that pretty black one piece dress I have especially bought for the occasion and carried in my hand bag. And yes that glittering Swarovski pendant set which Mr. Darcy got me from his onsite visit last year will match it perfectly. With just a striking black kajal and shimmering lipper, I will be ready in not more than 7 minutes. My friend will take a video shot of Mr. Darcy and his reactions when I will surprise him with my makeover. I am sure by this time he'll be dead sure that I am up to something being a clever fox he is. My friend will say bye on pretext of some personal work and leave. We'll head to the gold class seats and the show will begin.

Now, he must be really smiley and all relaxed to sit back and enjoy his favourite genre movie without having to do anything. During interval, there will be flowers and his favourite snacks for him delivered by pantry guy. But the real fun will be in the end of the movie, past the midnight i.e.14th Feb technically. When the lights are about to be lit, there will be a surprise audio. No, it won't be some announcement but a song. A romantic one - You say it best, when you say nothing at all - our favourite number. I am already recording one with the help of his brother who is into music. He'll be all pleased to recognise my voice and before all turned heads and peeping eyes, I will then touch and hold his hands and say this, "You are my sun and my stars, my Valentine. And I am always yours forever in this life and others and beyond that where ever shall my soul go". He'll sense the platinum ring that I am holding and I will take my hand back and gently slid it in his finger, giving a peck on his cheeks and waiting for him to do the next best thing :)

img courtesy www.tootlee.com

Now I must hurry up for all the preparations and arrangement with the multiplex guys and yes this is a secret post so please don't share it anywhere lest he should know. :)

Thanks Close-up for prompting me to this little hearty cupid game. Mr. Darcy is sure going to love you guys.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

The evening at Juhu Beach

"Now this is what I call a Beach.", I looked at my husband and said proudly. Standing on the sand err I mean trying to find a place to keep our feet on the sand. Sand err I forgot to mention it is black like tar. For few minutes we were confused whether we are on the famous spot of Juhu Beach or some drainage. Why on earth it is like that??

I was looking at Piyush who looked ice cold giving me his I-told-you-better-stay-at-room looks, ready to turn back and give the best run of his life. Hmm I should bring him here often for that run, at least he'll loose that extra fat, I mused.

Forget about him. I am here to enjoy my beach. After all I love sea and thanks to him I am enjoying one after 6 years. And Juhu BEach. I came here more than 15 years ago with my parents.

"Hey, would you mind to click a picture?", I asked him. "Picture?? Where and with whom??", he said rolling his eyes on the public around. Well, yeah there is lot of crowd as in the climax of the Hollywood flick "2012". But who cares? Its the famous Juhu Beach!! Everybody wanna come here and chill. CHILL. What is that under my feet?? Owwww.. Its an empty trashed beer bottle. Thank God, I didn't get a cut anywhere. Why the hell people drink Beer if they can't gulp down the bottles!!

Never mind I should not spoil my beach mood. Here I give my best shot on Camera. One more please. Like this. "Hey.. What is wrong? What are you searching for?" There I see Piyush turning yellow, purple and red. I didn't know my husband can change his skin color. And what is there in his hand. Wait.. Is that a used baby diaper?? Oh my god, I can't stop my hysterical laughs. I should better stop as Piyush is angry as he'll throw me deep inside the ocean. But before he could do any such thing, the rain God saves me. And we run towards the food stalls.

"I want those pav bhajis", I demand. Piyush looks relaxed being away from the waters or filthy beach as he remarked when we arrived there. I wait for him as he goes to pay for that. What a great culture we live in. Everybody is so friendly in India. I am just wondering when I hear some cries. It seems there has ensued some altercations. Oh, Piyush comes back looking disappointed. "Lets go back.. They don't have any hygiene sense. They are wiping the sweat and cooking using same hands". Now that gave me some jolly good shock. I am starving but not for someone's salt and pepper!!

Bye bye Juhu Beach. Will not come again!!

This post is for the Happy hour challenge for great Indian litterbug contest by Indiblogger  in association with http://greatindian.timesofindia.com/ 

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Thanks to Chyawanprash!

With much excitement we bought a cute white and pink wardrobe for Pihu when she was just 3 months old. I planned to set it with her pretty dresses, cute toys, footwear and other stuffs. She was a dream come true for me as my Barbie doll. Little did I imagined that one of  the wardrobe's shelf will get all full with different kinds of medications. And as I am emptying it today, I can notice how many prescriptions and medicines have filled the first two years of my darling's life. That is when she was born a perfectly healthy child and when we have taken extraordinary care to keep her fit and fine.

She is the first child to our generation in my family and her laughter as well as her playfulness keeps every body fresh in the house. But she has picked her father's allergic reactions to Bangalore unpredictable weather. And as such she would get stuffy nose every now and then. That affected her overall growth as she would stop eating and sleeping. I have seen my cutie pie go all weak and thin because of that. Not only her but it affected our lifestyles and health as well as we would be short on sleep and running after doctor's appointment in the middle of our working day. I tried all sorts of treatments on her - Home remedies told by relatives, homeopathy, and ultimately allopathic doses. Though I loved my Barbie in short and sleeveless dresses, yet I stopped dressing her in shorts and frocks and would cover her whole all the time. What began as a dream soon looked like an unmanageable nightmare!

My daughter is now 2 years 3 months and I am a very relaxed mother now as compared to what I was 6 months ago. Thanks to Dabur Chyawanprash. I did not gave her Chywanprash before as it was suggested to me that she should be more than 24 months. But I wasted no time as she crossed that limit. I could see the difference within days. It's middle of January and half of the winter season has passed. We have travelled all this while to all kinds of places and she is enjoying and we are enjoying. Moreover, she is a fussy child when it comes to food but she likes it a lot and calls it 'chawan' in her kiddish tongue. She believes it to be a version of Chocolate. Its a win-win situation for me as she has started building a good immunity to the changing weather conditions here and she relishes it. It doesn't have any side effects. What else can a mother ask!

More than anything, I can be a less worrying mother and can focus more on her other aspects of development. And the best part is I can enjoy her playfulness without getting bothered about her falling sick.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Back from Bali!!

Top post on IndiBlogger.in, the community of Indian Bloggers
I am back from a week long refreshing and rejuvenating getaway to Bali. This was my first international trip. Thanks a ton to Piyush for making a dream come true. Travelling was introduced to me by my parents who would plan trips (as part of LTC allowance to my father, who worked in a Bank). I took it to my heart as such breaks would infuse me with vividness.

I aspire to travel a lot if and when time and Indian social obligations permit me.

Bali trip has ultimately inspired me to write my travelogues. It was by far the most meditating travel experience for me. I have returned calm like the sea and vibrant like the waves. What makes all such excursions all the more special is that I am accompanied by my minions - Piyush and Pihu.

Hence, I will be creating a separate section about my wandering soul which gets enriched by such travel experiences. As I am preparing to write the stories, here's a little sneak peek to my trip :





 

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Of Feelings and Mankind - Short Story


- written by Piyush Bhatnagar

Once upon a time the earth 
really was a nice place. 
img courtesy http://www.kenlauher.com
Before the life forms we see today, it was occupied by energy forms, what we come to know now as feelings. So Happiness, Joy, Contentment, Wonder, Amazement - all the feelings we know of - used to occupy the realm of the ancient earth.