For the love of Double Trouble

With overwhelming joy I took the box in my hand. I closed my eyes for just a second and in the same instant did what my friends call the 'Goat Dance'. 

After a mundane day at work, reading the plaints, tracking them down, checking to see if anything interesting was happening in the virtual world, I reached home ready to call it a day. Another 'nothing-special' day I thought to myself. If this is how my days are going to be once I start working full time, I wasn't so sure I wanted to do it. Pondering over how I'm going through a quarter-life crisis (yes, you read it right and yes it does happen!) the BB went ping.

Friend: ''Stay at home tonight''.

Me:"Ummm, Ok..where else will I be?!"

Friend: "Good! Stay awake till 11pm"

Now having known this friend for a while I was pretty sure she was going to pass by my place on her way someplace and so as the ritual at such a time was, would give me a call, say "hiiiiiii Ko..Byeeee Ko" in those 3 seconds it takes to cross my house, laugh, exchange a few stupid lines, laugh some more and hang up.

I was curious nonetheless. So a few more nonsensical messages were exchanged (yes, the word mental was created for us) and I went back to waiting for the day to end. So when I got a call from this friend to step out of the house my curiosity levels peaked. This was strange, I thought. What could possibly be the reason for a casual hi at this hour?

Saw her cab (she came here directly from the airport?! What's going on?!) pull up in front of the house. She got down holding something, in that instant Simba came running down and I got a little distracted trying to get him to go back in the house. I turned to say hi when my eyes fell on the cover she was holding. And then I heard the words "You always keep talking about them so I thought I'd get them for you"

And in the cover was *drum roll please* a box of *even more drum roll if you may* DONUTS! Yes, donuts from Mad Over Donuts, Mumbai, donuts that I abso-fricking-lutely love, donuts that I was craving for since so long, donuts that made me do the 'Goat dance'!

You would too if you were a dessert deprived foodie with an extra sweet tooth. 

Made. My. Day.

Authors note: Goat dance is a form of dance that one does in euphoric situations to express the immensity of one's happiness. Normally the person exhibiting it hops around the same place with hands bent at the elbows and fists clenched, head tilting to the right and left with each hop. There can be variations to it depending on the Dancer's level of euphoria and lunacy. The name has been inspired by the goats of Farmville in Facebook (No you needn't like the game to use this form of dance, you just need to be a little silly)

Festivals, Birthdays And Assignments?

So September started off with a festival, and welcoming it was another festival. One day devouring Biriyani and Sheer Korma a friends mom had made for Eid and then immediately the next all the sweet dishes made specially for Ganesh Ji. Festive spirit throughout the month for Ramzaan which will now be followed by Ganesh Chaturthi. Man I LOVE this about our country.
 My eco-friendly Ganesh Ji’s clay idol.
I have a whole list of books to read this month starting with ‘The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy’. Got ‘Lessons In Forgetting’ by Anita Nair lined up next followed by the entire collection of Khalil Gibran. 
Also around the corner is my best friend’s birthday AND my bro-in-law’s birthday. Naturally you’d think there’ll be a lot of partying, cake smashing, impromptu trips etcetera. Oh well, if only things were that easy and life was Vegas. Two assignments to be submitted by Monday on Cyber Law and Intellectual Property Rights each won’t leave much scope for guiltless enjoyment. Throw caution in the wind and go party? That’s when those voices in your head start to CONSTANTLY remind you, lecture you, scold you about how you’re supposed to be a good student and to not neglect your books for that’s how you’re going to be a top-shot-smarty-pants Advocate. Who can argue with that, and to live with the guilt!? Nahiiiiiiii….!!..
So no impromptu trips to the nearest beach (Sigh..Suryalanka, how I miss you), no surprising friends in other cities with a visit (SHRU! Happy birthday in advance!), no staying out late and dancing like it’s the last last night of your life life!
Here’s to completing your assignments on time. Punctuality wins Round 1.
*Procrastination sulks*

Haaaaaappy December folks =)

Winters always do this to me! I love December, no not just because it’s my birthmonth; there’s a whole lot of things about the month that just make it the best. For one, my calendar is scribbled the most on this month, so many happy occasions! Well I’ll ignore the fact that there are so many to steal my thunder but w-o-w so many birthdays in and close to December!

Studying at St.Ann’s, this was the one time that we would look forward to the most;students and teachers alike. The entire atmosphere in school would turn festive and there would always be that cheerful mood about everyone and no not even exams could dampen them. Christmas time! Santa visiting school, giving out gifts, Christmas decorations adorning the place, Christmas carols, just every thing Christmas! Holiday season; even now after all these years.

The food! It's called holiday weight for a reason ;) And it's pardonable, the world can cut you some slack there it's the holidays! So go ahead, BINGE!

Ooooh and the weather! I don’t mind early morning sunshine but I’m more of a Winter person. I’d rather go teeth-clattering my way than sweating; ANY day. The woolens, the warm bed, the comforters, the feel of a cup of hot chocolate in your cold freezing hands…wowie right!? I know a lot of people crave for some sunshine but I don’t mind, I mean we have enough of it throughout the year can I not have just ONE month of my favourite weather? Not like we aren’t doing enough to see to it that we never have winters again; we’ve done enough damage already.

Also the fact that this is the last month of the year would have a lot to do with it being different, special if I may say so. The year’s gone by, I speculate, going through the past events, my life the last year, knowing what I’ve done right, accepting my mistakes, realizing where I went wrong, wanting to change things, wishing to end the year on the positive note that I still have myself, I still have those who love and cherish me around, getting the right perspective of things, seeing how things happen for a reason and finally feeling glad they turned out the way they did even if then they seemed horrid, being thankful for all of it, getting the wish-list for next year ready too ;), and finally getting ready to bid adieu to the year, letting bygones be bygones, and stepping into the new year with a high that’s got nothing to do with alcohol :P

DECEMBER! I love thee :D You’ve always been a happy month for me and I hope that continues to be the case forevermore.

Go *brrrrr..* Go green. Save my December! Oh and HAPPY HOLIDAYS =)

Romancing the Rains.

Pitter patter they fell; drenching the world,

Soaking the mud the trees and men alike,

A varied set of emotions they unfurl

Of gloom, of hope, of simple bliss or love?

I’ve always had a super liking for the rains, right from my school days when we were made to wear those horrendous coloured raincoats, all through my teen years and now. All I feel like doing is stay cuddled up in my blanket and stare outside, something I found out a lot of us would love. And it makes me do one more thing I totally love.., write.

No more a child, no more a teen even(although that’s a bit difficult to sink in), and still the sound of the threatening thunder, the whiplashing lightening, the soft calming drizzle and the total downpour each hold something special…The weather has always known to be a metaphor for one’s thoughts, feelings, moods et all, for none the same..

And so our mood interprets the rains as well, but the one common ground is that it is always welcome.

Of Gloom and hope...Even for those who think rains are gloomy, sadness is still beautiful. The feeling that the sky knows you’re in pain and is crying along with you, and then goes on to give you the most splendid rainbow lit up across its bosom gives you the hope needed, to tell you it’s all alright, that the worst of storms come to an end and that it all happens for a reason, that in not giving you what you want the universe is getting you something even better…you only have to wait for the sunshine, and together with the glistening raindrops a rainbow is formed. And so we live on with this hope, following nature’s example.

Of the simple joys...For some like me, the simple task of watching the rain splash across your window while you sip at your hot chocolate, reading one of Jane Austen’s classic, makes it the best time ever spent. Having oneself for company, it’s a very satisfying sign of being completely content, at peace with yourself and surprisingly with the world at that very moment. If there is any feeling that would describe harmony, between mankind and nature, between the heavens and earth it is this. The smell of earth during the showers is divine; it is the smell of tranquility, of nature, of purity and is easily every human’s favourite. (So that implies… think about it)

Of love...And then there is that lot who simply love the rains for somehow... for some strange reason they find it very (for the loss of a better word) romantic. And no not just the ones who’re in love with someone, even those who’re in love with the idea of love, love rains… right! This mostly is due to our highly creative and entertaining cinema, apna Bollywood where we have from time immemorial witnessed the suave dashing handsome ‘hero’ and the shy rosy cheeked (no mention of makeup it would ruin the whole mood) ‘heroine’ dancing around trees in the rain, or just looking into each other’s eyes while it rains with that deeply-in-love look, basically an overdose of the lovey-dovey coochie-cooie sentiment they want to convey.. ok we get it, you’re madly in love…Paani ki barsaat se gaano ki barsaat aa jaati hai, as we croon the cheesiest of rain-themed songs.

So here we are, linking rains with romance and why not, it’s a time when we all want to feel warm and cuddle up, be it your soft toy, your dog or the person you love.

End of it all, each one of us loves a rainy day, we have all found immense joy in getting drenched against the elders’ warnings, standing alone facing the sky hugging the rain, riding our bikes in the drizzle, craving for garam pakoras, sipping hot tea, chocolate, coffee whatever your taste.. Easily the best time of the year, no summer days, no cool winters will ever be anticipated as much as this splish-splash season.

Pardonnez-moi whilst I...

When ‘tis tummy turns grumpy growly grumbly

All else bows and leave they take

'ere thou arrive, ending the wait o merciful thee

Stuff in’ say ye, o ravenous ye

Chomp chomp time for the sidey foodie

Chicken tikka with extra mayo to go from SUBWAY!

=)

The city that stole my heart..surprisingly..DELHI ♥

Let me begin with the most recent of things. I’ve been rambling about Delhi so much it surprises me. It’s almost like I wish intently to live there, maybe I do. The city does that to you! And so, a few things about why this particular city is now so endearing, why for the first time another city has had this effect.

• My internships in Delhi, both of them! :D

The first time was with Shefali when we interned under Ms.Ramni Taneja. That was the first time I was away from family on my own in a new city. It was some experience. The whole trip was a roller coaster ride with its lows and highs. The best part for which we could go through the tough times was that we were interning under such a remarkable person and charming person. There are people who demand respect, others who don’t ask for it but simply earn it, others still who strike a chord with you in a way that you revere them for life. Ramni ma’am was one such person, the first of the kind I’ve met. A very knowledgeable, learned, successful and famous lawyer who also is a very modest, humble, encouraging, supportive and benevolent person. We saw the charm of litigation thanks to her, she helped us understand the nuances of it, the difference between the corporate world of law and litigation. It was due to her that we fell in love with the Supreme Court of India, and with our profession all over again.

The second turned out to be totally unexpected. AK, Appu, Mariyam and I were in for a clerical time for we were to be interning under a Judge of the Supreme Court. We had no idea. This internship was a once in a lifetime experience, quite literally. Hon’ble Justice Altamas Kabir is the best Judge our country has today. Hearing matters till 6:30 p.m (way beyond the usual ‘pack-up’ time for the judges), working in the chamber till 8:30 (it was funny how all the workers in the SC would wait for him to leave so that they could :P ), heading n number of committees, working with compassion, truly the most just, sensible, and compassionate judge with an immaculate sense of right and wrong. I could write a whole book about him! Who knows maybe I will! The four of us are the luckiest ever to have had this opportunity of learning from him first hand, for there never were any before us, and there never will be any! ( I made sure I ask him that :D ).

You rarely meet someone who makes you look forward to Mondays, look forward to work, look forward to learning something. Justice Kabir is one such. Words fail me when I try to put forth his greatness.

• The Supreme Court of India.

Everywhere your head turns you find hustling lawyers, whirling in their black cloaks, looking busy and important, having that air about them, one that spells intelligent-smart-know-it-all-too-busy/important-to-pause. Absolutely amazing. The court room’s, the advocates being grilled by the judges, the smart ones making them listen, the aura all around, the miscellaneous days when the Court is bustling with activity, the sheer pleasure of argument, the laws, the cases, the importance of them all, the working of the judiciary at its peak, all this and much more, much more. The Apex Court of our country in all its glory.

And then there were fun times too. When you’re in another city with just your friends you tend to have a blast, and so did we! :D

• The SHOPPING!! And other ssuuuuppper things.

We couldn’t get enough of the shopping Delhi had in store for us, one of the reasons why I’d love to live there. I have to mention the streets of Janpath with the tiny shops but the trendiest clothes ever, it makes you forget you’re street shopping. People who swear by brands forget their ‘brand image’ and go wild shopping here. You also learn the art of bargaining (Shefali's a total pro, my guru in it ;) ) which in addition to making you the proud owner of a gazillion things also is a lot of fun. Shopping in janpath is bliss! The bellow and clamour  of the shop-keepers, the untidy lanes, the crowd, all of it don’t matter anymore. And you will definitely not mind going broke after shopping here.

The fashion sense of people, something that really needs to be worked on here. It’s good to see people well dressed, although most of them are empty heads but still, it’s always nice to have people with a good fashion sense around (its pleasing to the eye) not like the crowd here that gapes at you if you dress decently and so you’re forced to dress like a drab!

You also have Nirulas, Wengers and Costa Coffee! The chocolate-chip muffins, the coffee, the sandwiches, the donuts et all are the best ever!

Of course there is BLUE! If you want to relax after a long busy day at work, this is the perfect place. With live music and happy hours, this place has become my favourite in Delhi. (Thanks Suraj) The continental cuisine is as delicious as the indian, the cowboy theme working wonders. Blue gets a two-thumbs up.

The clubbing! Saturday night at Fbar, thanks to Arshu Chachu. TOTAL FUN!  But one should be vary of firangs trying to get fresh, not everyone has a gunman now do they ;)

The Delhi Metro! Connecting every part of the city to another, the Delhi Metro is a quick, economical and, if you have the kind of company I have, then a fun means of transport! J

The only snag there is, if any, would be the food, on a daily basis… And it’s no small hitch!!

It is to be noted that one cannot survive on cheese burst pizzas, Maggie noodles, toast with butter and jam, and Mc Donald’s burger alone for a month!!!..

Tip: Learn how to cook! Else you’d be craving homemade food in a week PLUS you will put on a lot of extra kilos.

(Ofcourse if you have someone like Murtuzza cooking for you then you needn’t worry one bit but there’s only one Murtuzza! So go learn yourself)

All these and much more make me want to go back to Delhi ( ofcourse after mastering the art of cooking there would be no stopping me, not that there is now ;) )

The feeling of being in the Capital, the biggest metropolitan of our country sure is something. :)