I think its quite amusing how the government and the opposition give each other the looks as the electronic voting machines tick. I feel its quite futile to have this whole election melodrama.
Why don't we just have a Lagaan-sort cricket match and the winner comes to power? At least thats more exciting - and not as predictable...

P.S. The SingaporeGuy has returned and brought back something special for me :D

Still suffering from the Singapore hangover. Most of you are now familiar with the fact that Singapore Guy is 'Preet' - my brother.
Anyway, here's something special I did for myself :F

I am leaving for VaishnoDevi this evening by train and would be back by Monday late night. What I plan to do for this short vacation - if its apt to call it - would be to uplift my spiritual self and to drop by Preet's place to meet his adorable one-year-old son - my nephew - Gavin.
Sadly, I would not be able to update my blog during this period but will make sure I have a lot of tissue papers handy to note down things of interest that I shall post upon my return.
Arundhati Roy's God of Small Things would accompany me on the six-hour journey to Amritsar - my maternal and paternal hometown. There we shall meet up with hoards of friends and relatives and set off for VaishnoDevi thereafter. Sunday is my favorite cousin's birthday, so I'm really hoping to be a part of the celebrations.
Today is Gavin's birthday and although I've been trying Preet's number since morning, I am not getting any reply. In any case - Happy Birthday - you little adorable bundle of joy, you!
To all of you very faithful visitors, here's a short break from my ramblings. I hope you find some solitude in the chilly winter outside. I know I will - for Punjab is a lot cooler than Delhi and my bags are overstuffed with warm apparel. Once I return though, there would be a lot to talk about...
Until then, you take care... and better miss me!

On our way to Katra, we stopped by a dhaba to settle the gurgling within our bellies. Personally, dhaba's are a strict no-no for me - they only present severe digestion problems and images of unhygienic cookery. However, at times you don't have choices and hence some personal preferences have to be shut down the manhole.
Regardless, we stopped for a feast of alu paranthas with an overdoze of aerated drinks. While we ate the regular discussions and gossip took over the table. As it all continued, bite after bite, story after story - little cousin Anhad clenched his dad's hand as he motioned towards a dog in the near distance. His mouth stopped munching as his fear of dogs came out in the clear.
Seeing that, his dad - my mamu - started off on a story. A man in his factory came to him and told him that his brother's son was bitten by a huge dog and the doctor demands some unmanagable money for the cure. He, being a poor man living in a backward village begged everyone possible around for the money, but in vain. The bite required immediate attention but no one was willing to lend a helping hand.
So finally, in sheer desparation he called this man and asked him for the money. And hence he was now asking my mamu for the cash. My mamu was willing to extend the courtesy - but the problem was the the money order could not reach in time. So there was a huge hue and cry for finding a lender just for a couple of days until the money order reaches the needy.
Hearing all this, silence swept over the table as the sipping on Coke's continued and teeth met together. Little Anhad looked up from his plate and softly spoke.
"The moral of the story is hence, that stay away from dogs".
Kids are funny creatures...

Like me?
Love me?
Miss me?
Need me?
Appreciate me?
Hate me?
Vote for me! Dammit...

My favorite cousin smiles as his cherubic face lights up the camera. Taken at my nani's place in Amritsar across her huge garden. Would remain as one of my favorite snapshots of the little wiseacre.

Just scribbling away while working on an economics numerical. She reminds me of 'Lulu' on Cartoon Network. This would make up for my first fizzy scribbles post on the blog.

DJ Aqeel has truly redefined Indian music with his shower of masterpieces upon indo-western music lovers. With many hits to his credit and top parties to his fame, he has truly become one of the best things that happened to the Indian music scene ever. He returns to his fans via the Don remix of the oldie - 'Main hoo Don'. Disappoitingly, the magic of his remixes fails terribly this time around and even on repeated attempts the music fails to woo the heart. It just falls flat on its face. The choice of oldie perhaps is not effective, as the beats can still be given some good credit. The video is another story altogether. With his signature 'babes' and Jackie Shroff as 'Don' - it is one of the most unpopular remix videos of all times. Sheer competition from more spicy videos, even if utterly senseless truly takes away the attention it might've got otherwise. No story as such revolving around the video, the airplane set very artificial and strange, Jackie at his Boom-worst and the three girls extremely robotic - it is a disaster on its own. Aqeel does show up in the video as the pilot but will surely regret it for ages to come. The video comes nowhere near the bliss of 'Keh doo tumhe' or 'Yeh Wada Raha' - both of them highly successful to highlight their respective tracks. I almost gagged when I saw Jackie. He's old and sere - and definitely not your video guy anymore. Why does he make such appearances is really a good question. The man crowded with Halle Berry and Lara Croft wannabe's is really a very irritating scene. On the whole the impact of the song and the video is a 1.5/5 - for its sheer lack of originality and bad choice of music.

Quite often we see dreams. As in those magical visions that visit us during the time we sleep, that is, the mind remains subconscious. Sometimes they last only for a few seconds and sometimes stretch into minutes.
We see nightmares and sweet dreams. All of them constitute that which we're scared of, hopeful of, desire or detest. They might be reflective of thoughts thought during the day or things knocking on the head subconsciously.
Something funny about these visions is that you even begin to feel the emotions as you dream, because you feel like that main character in a role-playing 3D game. You can touch things and feel them. You can sweat and feel cold. You almost live your dreams. Almost.
What I wonder is, suppose you get this perfect dream. A dream where all your desires come true and you can feel the love of everyone around you. You do all that you ever wanted and rejoice in that happiness.
And then you wake up and realize that it never really happened. You felt all that happiness, you felt that satisfaction creep in, you felt it like you're living it. But you never really did.
Is that a cause for being sad, or should you be happy that you felt all that even if it was a dream?

You catch a glimpse of a girl on a walk. She's the prettiest thing you've ever seen. The pouting lips, the big eyes, the red cheeks, the clear skin - if only she could be yours...
And then you continue on your walk and see another with pouting lips, big eyes, red cheeks and clear skin! Did they come from the same batch that God produced? Nope, my friend, thats the magic of makeup.
A woman came in all shapes in sizes so that beauty could be redefined each time she walked by. However, God forgot that he created men too who unconsciously made beauty stereotypical. So then he sent the Loreal's and Revlon's, the Lakme's and Avon's to make things better.
And you got the lip definers for the pouty lips, the mascaras and kohl's for the magical big eyes, the blusher for the rosy cheeks and the foundation for the clear skin.
And thats how this world became a big cosmetic market...

This has to be the most useful thing ever. Its a video-tutorial of how to fold your t-shirts in less than 7 seconds! Although in chinese, the video is highly useful and practical. Especially for single people living by themselves with serious lack of time.
Do check it out. Its surprising how efficient these Chinese are - I just developed a new-found respect for them!

I certainly don't want to miss this in my lifetime. The famous 7-foot-tall Champagne Glass Whirlpool Bath for Two at the Caesars Pocono Resorts is the most astounding creation in honeymooners history.
The whirlpool holds 125 gallons of water and the Resorts claim that it would cost more than $50,000 dollars to fill the whirlpool with Dom Perignon Champagne. Talk about exclusiveness - it is also patented!
The experience must be something worthwhile - but looking at the wonder in itself must be much of an experience. Now if only I could formulize the plan for looting a bank - I can make this happen!

I am sure many of us,
Can't live without televisions,
And those closer to nature,
Can't do without feeding pigeons.

And then there are some,
Who need bagful of clothes,
The loyal food lovers,
Prefer carrying their own forks.

I can't say about the rest,
But for me its rightly said,
There's nothing like,
Your own bathroom and bed...

Woke up at six this morning to study for my computer practicals. Ended up in school at 8:30 giving it. Wrapped it all up by 9:30. The crowd had started pouring in to witness the Winter Carnival, taking place to collect some major funds.
I reached school back again at 1:00 and was there up till 6:30. Had a great time! The DJ was quite good - kept us on our toes and so was the crowd. However, what I would remember best would be listening to Silk Route perform 'Dooba Dooba' - it was so soothing and beautiful.
What caught everyone's fancy however was temporary hair coloring. We had colors ranging from bright magenta to funky blues. Most people had their initials sprayed over their heads.
Makeup donned over most of the evening and most folks ended up in casual pair of jeans coupled with the simplest of sweaters. It became very very cold by the time it was time to return. Shibani Kashyap and Parikrama were still in queue for their performances.
I for one danced till I dropped and caught some great relaxing music. The near last, but unforgettable experience at school. And the nostalgia is enough to take a hgiher priority over the headache and the pain in the legs...

Ten days to go before I officially turn seventeen. No longer sweet-sixteen. Ah, well! Who isn't dying to become 18 nowadays?
But of course, my mom hears it from me each year about what an unappropriate date it really is considering you really can't celebrate since everyone else is busy celebrating. So you end up cuddled in your bed reading a good book with coffee on your lips.
Apparently, this year it'll be even worse with my mom probably being out of town. So I'll end up celebrating with the problem of inflation and double entry book-keeping. Sounds divine, doesn't it?
Not that it really matters - but here are the

Sour Five Things I want for my 17th Birthday:

1. Lunch with George Clooney
2. Long drive in a Red Ferrari
3. This Tommy Hilfiger watch
4. VIP passes to a Jagjit Singh concert
5. My own novel

Of course, I am posting all of this here for a reason... (get a hint yet?)

Vandana Luthra of the famous Curls & Curves - the beauty and slimming centre spread across the nation is holding her daughter's wedding party today. One would've thought she would be slimmer considering her mother owns the slimming centres.. hmm - sometimes life is so ironic!

We have a teacher at school, at a very authorotative post and a very sour tounge. When she speaks, its almost like all the harsh words of the world had taken refuge in her mouth until she opened it to release them all - bombarding them on the one sitting across.
Her only interest is monetary gains, one way or the other. Her eyes seek your pockets and her mind discards your suggestions. She doesn't even teach, but alas, is still a 'teacher' in the sense of being in school roaming from one end to another, like a lion in search of a deer, just waiting to pounce and growl.
She knows nothing beyond 'tumhare maa-baap' and doesn't communicate more than abuses. One might ask why she's still in school - authority need not come always with responsibility in her case.
To top it all off, she's deaf - practically. People say its her left ear, I think its both. She never seems to understand what one is saying, and eventually bursts out saying all the unappropriate things only because she wants to hide her disabilities from the world. You say good morning, only because its formality, she wouldn't even hear that. She uses her deafness as an excuse to avoid everything she doesn't care to hear. One is so used to her screaming and disability, its almost humorous watching her bully the little ones.
After the infamous teacher's day incident at school, she's often given me all the harshness she holds within her and heard nothing in return. Only silence. I've realized she's eventually going to go ahead and abuse my entire family and I'd only be able to stand and stare at her in disbelief.
So here's a pledge. Before I officially leave school - on the day of our official farewell, I shall step into her office, look into her eyes and wish her good morning. Then I will turn around and as I exit, I will say something real mean. Almost unforgivable.
Here's hoping - she hears it...

Merry Christmas peeps!
I know its tomorrow, but what the heck - just wanted to be the first one :D
I don't particularly do anything special on christmas. I've quit waiting for Santa baby since long - ever since I realized that he doesn't really exist (or does he?). The realization must've come around the time I realized the tooth fairy doesn't really exist either. I tell you, it breaks little children's hearts to realize the harsh realities of life...
I remember decorating a small tree for perhaps two or three years in a row with the same measly ornaments I had. Once I also put Trolls and steamers all around. Anything to make me feel festive.
I have only once attended a christmas party and I still remember that as one of the best parties I've been to. Honestly speaking, I don't even know the story of the Bible - although I'm really willing to (no offence to anyone in particular). I've often wondered about those appearing all over the papers the night after the celebrations, if they really know what Christmas is all about to the ones closest to the Christian cultures - the ones who sing carols and get together in the true spirit. Do they even sing like them or feel like them as they show off the best of their apparel and diamonds?
I guess we Indians celebrate anything and everything as long as it invites booze and all night-outs...

Finally, after many a months of distress and sheer curiosity - the datesheet for the CBSE exams 2004 (tenth and twelvth grades) is finally out!
While it may please many, for many the 'not-so-sufficient' breaks between exams is a cause to lament. And since everything around is so festive and Christmassy - I advice you to hold your breath and warmen up as the mystery finally unfolds :

For the nervous 10thies:
Mar 1 - Home Science
Mar 3 - Social Science
Mar 5 - Elem. of Business
Mar 9 - Maths
Mar 15 - Hindi (Course A and B)
Mar 18 - English
Mar 23 - Science

For the wrecked 12thies:
Mar 1 - Physics
Mar 5 - Biology
Mar 10 - Maths
Mar 12 - English (elective and core)
Mar 15 - Geography
Mar 16 - Chemistry
Mar 17 - Accountancy/M.D.
Mar 19 - Computer Science
Mar 20 - Hindi (elective and core)
Mar 22 - History
Mar 25 - Economics
Mar 26 - Phys. Ed
Mar 29 - Business Studies
Mar 31 - Sociology
Apr 2 - Pol. Science

I for one, am greatly relieved to see the above - so much so that I'm going to go out and celebrate the season! Merry Christmas!

Went to Capitol (Hotel Ashok) yesterday for a blast of a Christmas bash. Good crowd and exceptional music made the afternoon an affair to remember.
Danced till my toes kissed this world goodbye. Laughed till my jaws gave up. Once the dance party was over and done with, we made our way to some good food. What pretty much spoilt most of the fun was that my friends were so hooked to sms'es - while dancing, while walking, while talking, while eating, while travelling - it was so astoundingly irritating.
A couple of weeks ago, I read about SMS addiction. I think its time we welcome it to our nation. In any case, we're a country of festivals which is a great excuse to send and forward messages. Many teens have resorted to SMS chats and SMS flirting - most even now check and reply to their e-mails via SMS and communicate to Yahoo! Messenger pals through the same.
I don't understand the simple economics of it - a single SMS costs you Rs. 1.50/- For the same amount, you can talk on the cellphone for more than 1.5 minutes. And talk much more than you can communicate in a few lines that you do through SMSing.
Alas, the mobile subscribers are just whooping in number and with EMS and MMS joining the league, God save India!

Here's welcoming the newest addition to the family - a little baby boy. Apparently, it was Shobhit's forecast that it would be a boy and around 11:45 this morning he just became bigger than Nostradamus.
The name is still an undecided facet of his life, so for now I will refer to him as the new addition. From what I hear, he looks exactly like his older brother, Shobhit - who seems to be perplexed about why he doesn't play as yet.
Here's welcoming the new addition with multiplying love and dividing pampers. Lets hope he makes the family proud and makes his cousin sister (who is of course making this post) feel ten feet taller (considering I could use some height).
Welcome little one - and although I haven't seen you... I know I've fallen in love with you!

It is commonplace finding fresh actors making big promises to the world of doing 'meaty roles', looking for 'right opportunities' and not 'running around trees'. One such example is Aman Verma - the man who made it in the media world through the infamous Kyunki Saas... Progressing towards a not-so-great Khullja Sim Sim and eventually landing up in Jadoo - all airing on Star Plus has also starred in a couple of movies including the hit Andaaz. And then you find this man in a Harpic advertisement cleaning toilets. I could die laughing...

Situation: I have to wear a coat tomorrow - thats my birthday - and its locked in my mom's almirah - because apparently I forgot to ask her to keep her keys behind.
Problem: How in the world do I manage to open it up and retrieve the coat? I have exactly 24 hours to make it happen - or else, I look like a loser for my birthday :(
Edit: Oh well, I managed ;) My maid is a strong woman - she opened it up without any harm done to the almirah whatsoever. Big thanks to everyone who read this, and probably thought over it.

Its finally that time of the year again. More than the day itself I look forward to the night before when calls and wishes swarm in from people who definitely care. This year, mom and dad are not by my side - they're chilling in Amritsar with the new addition and an engagement party.
Dad's due for arrival today, but mom will take another few days. Its something about birthdays that just makes the whole family feel 'together'. Especially if its just three people.
I think its funny being seventeen. You know you're no longer sixteen, which almost seems like a horrid thing. And you know you're soon going to be eighteen which doesn't seem so inviting, since you won't be a true-blooded teen anymore. And you're stuck in the middle, like being stuck at top of the giantwheel while other people get on and off.
Am I supposed to be any wiser, any more mature or any brighter just because another 31st December has passed me by? Can I still be the person I've always been or would people expect me to be someone different?
I won't know, but perhaps soon will. Schooling is almost over, I am over being a kid, I am over living the first phase of my life. I am over with my childhood.
And I can't decide where this bittersweet feeling would take me.

Thanks to everyone for their very kind wishes. Kushagra sent me very pretty ecards - was so floored! Sarthak sent a cute one too wishing I get the Tommy watch - I hope that wish of his comes true. Amrita was too kind and started a thread on SurUnion. Dhaval had to be reminded, but he wished me eventually too :).
Also wished by phone - Mom & Dad, both the sets of mamu-mami's, Preet, Supriya, Yuvraj, Raunaq, Varsha, Richa and I will update the list soon.
I am awaiting flowers - someone told me they ought to be reaching soon. Sunny Mamu bombarded me with over 150 sms's - I was deleting them until 6 in the morning!
Definitely, one of the best birthday starts I've ever had.. very heartwarming - makes me feel on top of the world..
Trouble is, staying there.. :D