V-day – Are you among the people who starts smiling as soon as you think about this day? If not, then this blog is for you :)
Whenever this day is approaching I think in my heart, what am I going to get this time? will there be any surprise? how will the day go and on and on. No, it was not like this always. I remember the post-grad days when I used to attend the get-togethers on 14th feb which were arranged for people who were “single”. But was I not jealous of other couples who were roaming hand in hand on the roads of Pune (where Shiv sena had strict orders that no boy should be seen with a girl :-))??
Let me start from the very start when all this was vey new to us (or at least for me). I was in 10th standard in school and had heard that there is something called as Valentine’s day. I was like “what the hell is it??” and then later in the day heard from few of my “famous” friends that they got roses and cards. I thought Oh they are not good girls:P I know I was wrong.. Very wrong!
Then 11th standard passed without any luck and so was 12th about to go. I went along with a friend to a happening place in a small city of haridwar,it was called Archie’s gallery. She was buying a V-day card for someone special and it made me so irritated that this year also I will have no one to give a v-day card. I just picked one beautiful card and asked her “hey whom should I give this to as I do not have any bf” and she innocently suggested some 3-4 names randomly from our class. I was not even friendly with them so I picked “One” to whom I never even smiled or said “hello” in my whole school life. Not sure why I picked him but yes I picked one. That was the day when I was all excited and smiley. Imagine there was no one in my life but still the feeling was so good. It was like sharing few words of love with someone. That is another thing that by the time I reached back home from that shop, my feeling had died and I never gave that card to “him” .
And then as years passed by I celebrated lot of Valentines Day with some special people who were my friends, my best friends. I roamed around with them like crazy, laughed with them like never laughed before and chatted till early hours of morning outside the hostel building (yet inside hostel gate :)) .After I got married I always celebrated it with my best friend, my husband .
People say we don’t need to celebrate any 1 day as we celebrate every day of the year. Really?? Is it true? Or is it an excuse because you do not wish to put any extra effort?? Alright, who am I to judge your relationship. I agree that you celebrate it throughout the year then what is the problem in celebrating it on 14th Feb as well ? My point here is not to force you to celebrate V-day my point is that if we get 1 extra opportunity to love our loved ones then why miss it? Life is too small to leave such beautiful and romantic opportunities. Flowers, chocolates are not important but telling our loved ones how much we love them, how important they are to us is such an amazing feeling. Would you mind your spouse telling you that he/she loves you more than anyone else ? Or would you not like if your little kid gives you a hand made greeting card showing his/her innocent feelings for you ? or would it be too much for you if early morning your dad calls you up and says that you are the best child one could ever have. My answer to all these questions is “No, I would love it more than anything else” .
Whether you r married or not, you have kids or not it does not matter..Surprise someone you love by giving a bunch of roses today and you will understand how special it makes you feel. By the way the guy in my 12th standard for whom I bought the card is now my husband, I never knew this 13 years back but I am sure destiny knew it well.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Office Office Part 2
Alright, we were at lunch break and now this is again my lunch time. Only difference is that I got really bored and dared to go out to buy a fat-free yogurt. We work in the city or as we call it here central business district (CBD). So CBD is all buildings, offices, cafes and restaurants and yeah most important PUBS! So I went out and there was excruciating heat outside so I quickly ran into an underground food court. There were so many yummy options but I forced myself to buy mango passion fruit “Fat free” yogurt (Even though curd is an English word or that’s what I think, no one except Indians understand ‘curd’ so I started calling it “Yogurt” like my angrez dost).
Haan(Yes! For those Hindi deprived people) so I came back and realized only 10 mins have passed.I still have at least 20 mins to do some time pass so as usual opened online TOI (Times of India), read the headings, entertainment section, most read column and yawn !!! Sometimes I feel that the wall clock in front of me will fall out, it can’t stand my stare anymore. Though I don’t look at it much but if I count it must be my 8th time in last 10 mins (sic). That is not much is it? And yes the 9th time now.
While typing this blog, side by side I am also refreshing my office mail as the only mail I get there is from my chinki friend. Oh no, I am not racist at all, just that this is her nick-name as she belong to one of the most beautiful state of India, Assam. The people there look a bit like Chinese (offcourse they are on border so some similarities). But this state is as Indian as any other or may be more. Her Hindi is so damn good and full of local slangs that I thought only UP guys know it. Yeah I may be little racist there :-). Point being my office life is just checking email from chinki, staring at that wall-clock; avoiding over-friendly people and doing lots of work (don’t take the last one too seriously ;-)).
Oh boy! Lunch break is over..seriously?? How come only this time the wall clock starts working properly and rest of the time looks like as if it has gone for a nap, a LONNNGGGGGG one phew !.
Sayonara!
Haan(Yes! For those Hindi deprived people) so I came back and realized only 10 mins have passed.I still have at least 20 mins to do some time pass so as usual opened online TOI (Times of India), read the headings, entertainment section, most read column and yawn !!! Sometimes I feel that the wall clock in front of me will fall out, it can’t stand my stare anymore. Though I don’t look at it much but if I count it must be my 8th time in last 10 mins (sic). That is not much is it? And yes the 9th time now.
While typing this blog, side by side I am also refreshing my office mail as the only mail I get there is from my chinki friend. Oh no, I am not racist at all, just that this is her nick-name as she belong to one of the most beautiful state of India, Assam. The people there look a bit like Chinese (offcourse they are on border so some similarities). But this state is as Indian as any other or may be more. Her Hindi is so damn good and full of local slangs that I thought only UP guys know it. Yeah I may be little racist there :-). Point being my office life is just checking email from chinki, staring at that wall-clock; avoiding over-friendly people and doing lots of work (don’t take the last one too seriously ;-)).
Oh boy! Lunch break is over..seriously?? How come only this time the wall clock starts working properly and rest of the time looks like as if it has gone for a nap, a LONNNGGGGGG one phew !.
Sayonara!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Office Office - Part 1
Well you have guessed it right that at this moment I am sitting in my office and not doing any work. But before you make an opinion let me tell you folks that it is my lunch time and outside temperature in Melbourne is 39 C (American friends please calculate in whatever complicated measuring system you use :-O). I haven’t gone outside since morning 8:15 so I really don’t know how hot it is but I am sure it must be pretty hot.
I work in an IT office; all around there are cubicles which are by the way mostly empty. Why is that? First as I already said this is IT department and secondly it is a govt IT department. All said with these 2 details isn’t it?
All my colleagues, friends who have come from Indian working culture know the difference working here and back home. Our day used to start at 10 then long coffee break with team (and sometimes with manager as well) then back to difficult job. We used to work1 hr straight without any real break .Oh yes full 1 hr and then used to start important prep work for lunch e.g. writing emails to all the people in the group – Friend 1 :Lunch what time?
Friend 2: 12:30?
Friend 3: Oh no I am very hungry, how about 12:15?
Friend 4: No, no we just had tea and breakfast at 10, 12:30 is good.
Friend 3: Hmm :(
Friend 1: Alright guys see you at 12:30 sharp downstairs.
By the time we finished these emails it was 12:25. Now 5 mins loo break and stuff.
On the contrary I reach here at 8:15 and then get a cup of tea to my desk. Somehow manage to pass 5-10mins with tea and online timesofindia. Then back to work, then some emails on official id from some friends and then back to work. Get up at 12 and heat your lunch, get it back on desk and another 10 mins break for you. It is 12:10 and you are getting crazy what else to do sometime pass.
Whereas no matter in whichever company you were in India at this time, you must be sitting with at least 6 friends, discussing food, office politics, cribbing about manager and hating at least one of the person who is sitting among you and eating :) . Then it is time for a walk (yeah suddenly we are all very health conscious if we are in office)
And then for coffee before going to desk?? Sounds pretty cool!!
After 2 hours there will be another round of chain emails telling each other how bored they are, how sleepy they are after that biryani, chole and dosa. Some will be frustrated because of work, client emails, and onsite coordinators phone calls. You again guessed it right; it is time for a tea break (no concept of coffee break there).
But here it is just time after my lunch break and I am making a to-do list of what all needs to be finished before 4:30, yes that’s when I leave for home. So people you also get back to work and I will continue tomorrow during my lunch break :)
I work in an IT office; all around there are cubicles which are by the way mostly empty. Why is that? First as I already said this is IT department and secondly it is a govt IT department. All said with these 2 details isn’t it?
All my colleagues, friends who have come from Indian working culture know the difference working here and back home. Our day used to start at 10 then long coffee break with team (and sometimes with manager as well) then back to difficult job. We used to work1 hr straight without any real break .Oh yes full 1 hr and then used to start important prep work for lunch e.g. writing emails to all the people in the group – Friend 1 :Lunch what time?
Friend 2: 12:30?
Friend 3: Oh no I am very hungry, how about 12:15?
Friend 4: No, no we just had tea and breakfast at 10, 12:30 is good.
Friend 3: Hmm :(
Friend 1: Alright guys see you at 12:30 sharp downstairs.
By the time we finished these emails it was 12:25. Now 5 mins loo break and stuff.
On the contrary I reach here at 8:15 and then get a cup of tea to my desk. Somehow manage to pass 5-10mins with tea and online timesofindia. Then back to work, then some emails on official id from some friends and then back to work. Get up at 12 and heat your lunch, get it back on desk and another 10 mins break for you. It is 12:10 and you are getting crazy what else to do sometime pass.
Whereas no matter in whichever company you were in India at this time, you must be sitting with at least 6 friends, discussing food, office politics, cribbing about manager and hating at least one of the person who is sitting among you and eating :) . Then it is time for a walk (yeah suddenly we are all very health conscious if we are in office)
And then for coffee before going to desk?? Sounds pretty cool!!
After 2 hours there will be another round of chain emails telling each other how bored they are, how sleepy they are after that biryani, chole and dosa. Some will be frustrated because of work, client emails, and onsite coordinators phone calls. You again guessed it right; it is time for a tea break (no concept of coffee break there).
But here it is just time after my lunch break and I am making a to-do list of what all needs to be finished before 4:30, yes that’s when I leave for home. So people you also get back to work and I will continue tomorrow during my lunch break :)
Friday, January 28, 2011
Pink Eye
Oops! Pink eye...It is so sick to be sick especially with a pink eye. Who can know better than me? Had a lovely vacation in India, seen Taj Mahal for the first time and on the way back home to Melbourne- Phissssssssh caught a virus somewhere. My hubby joked and said "u are not sick it is just like exam fever ...going back to work". How so i wish that it was all true.
After a long flight to Melbourne...All I got was Jet lag and viral fever. Do you remember the feeling when you get up in the morning and feel why did the vacation ever got over? I had similar feeling but somehow i managed to go to work. It was like an achievement for me and next day I felt so lethargic and tired...I saw my face in the mirror my eyes were red. Oh no just 1 eye and I blamed the jet lag.
Went to office, spent the day somehow and on the way back noticed that my eye is really really red now (God knows why we call it pink eye, it was bloody red). Straight went to the pharmacist, and that lady said it is not an infection as you have no symptoms of itchiness or pain. This wasn't good news as she recommended me to go to the doctor --ah some foreign object?? I got so psyched, well next day i went to the optometrist (I know I know BIGG mistake ...he was so dumb). He did series of tests and told me that I have super human eyes...what does that even mean? Normal humans have 20/20 sight and mine was better. .here you go..there was something wrong which he couldn't figure out anyways.
I slept so peacefully that night with my pink eye only to see a Giant swollen and painful eye in the morning. I am sorry fellows it might be very common and usual for Melburnians or western world but i haven't seen such symptoms for a long time.
Straight went to the emergency in eye care hospital. It was supposed to be an emergency but we had to wait for almost 3.5 hrs. I don't know why they even call it as an emergency. Well the level of pain and frustration were at heights and then the doctor called and played around with my eyes only to say she does not have any medicine for me. It is a viral infection and yeah merry virus takes it own vacation and we have nothing to throw him or her out, not sure if virus is male or female :(
So spent whole day at the hospital with un-tolerable eyes which only became worse with light (light sensitivity) and result was - "nothing". It will take 1-2 weeks and you are lucky it will go in your other eye as well. Oh well!
3 days I waited with patience. Every night I used to wake up every 4 hours, yes! The painkiller was working for exactly 4 hours as if it was getting paid only for that. Paracetamol, codeine and Panadol all seems to be waste. Mornings were horrendous with extreme pain, swelling and lots of itchy water from eyes. Evenings were better but believe me people will get scared if they see that bloody eye.
Today when I am writing this blog it is my 9th day with Pink eye and it is still pink. Never knew some day I will hate "pink" so much. I am looking forward to go to work on Monday. Dear god please be with me,
Love,
Ritu
After a long flight to Melbourne...All I got was Jet lag and viral fever. Do you remember the feeling when you get up in the morning and feel why did the vacation ever got over? I had similar feeling but somehow i managed to go to work. It was like an achievement for me and next day I felt so lethargic and tired...I saw my face in the mirror my eyes were red. Oh no just 1 eye and I blamed the jet lag.
Went to office, spent the day somehow and on the way back noticed that my eye is really really red now (God knows why we call it pink eye, it was bloody red). Straight went to the pharmacist, and that lady said it is not an infection as you have no symptoms of itchiness or pain. This wasn't good news as she recommended me to go to the doctor --ah some foreign object?? I got so psyched, well next day i went to the optometrist (I know I know BIGG mistake ...he was so dumb). He did series of tests and told me that I have super human eyes...what does that even mean? Normal humans have 20/20 sight and mine was better. .here you go..there was something wrong which he couldn't figure out anyways.
I slept so peacefully that night with my pink eye only to see a Giant swollen and painful eye in the morning. I am sorry fellows it might be very common and usual for Melburnians or western world but i haven't seen such symptoms for a long time.
Straight went to the emergency in eye care hospital. It was supposed to be an emergency but we had to wait for almost 3.5 hrs. I don't know why they even call it as an emergency. Well the level of pain and frustration were at heights and then the doctor called and played around with my eyes only to say she does not have any medicine for me. It is a viral infection and yeah merry virus takes it own vacation and we have nothing to throw him or her out, not sure if virus is male or female :(
So spent whole day at the hospital with un-tolerable eyes which only became worse with light (light sensitivity) and result was - "nothing". It will take 1-2 weeks and you are lucky it will go in your other eye as well. Oh well!
3 days I waited with patience. Every night I used to wake up every 4 hours, yes! The painkiller was working for exactly 4 hours as if it was getting paid only for that. Paracetamol, codeine and Panadol all seems to be waste. Mornings were horrendous with extreme pain, swelling and lots of itchy water from eyes. Evenings were better but believe me people will get scared if they see that bloody eye.
Today when I am writing this blog it is my 9th day with Pink eye and it is still pink. Never knew some day I will hate "pink" so much. I am looking forward to go to work on Monday. Dear god please be with me,
Love,
Ritu
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