Unloading my think tank...

I have something to confess. I went to watch Asia Cup match last year here where this incident took place. It was at the stadium; entry is free for all. I guess its a move to popularise the sport, and I could see that for every match, the stadium was jam-packed. This one was during the finals - India vs Korea. Me, Paro and her 2 friends went to see the match. We sat on those cement benches. We'd taken the Indian flag along with us and also made some pickets to encourage our team. Also, this was sometime after the bomb blasts at Hyderabad. So, there we are enjoying the match and having a good time. Suddenly, I hear cries of "Allah hu Akbar"! A bunch of guys sitting behind us were shouting it repeatedly. At once, (and I'm ashamed of myself) alarm bells rang in my head! OM MY GOD! What if they want to blow up this place?! What if ... ? Unthinkable questions came into my mind and I couldn't concentrate on cheering our team. The other girls were busy doing it, but my heart was pounding. I whispered my fears into Paro's ears and immediately, she said, we should to the VIP area of the stadium. We had passes, but we chose to sit on the benches cuz we were in a hurry. The queue for VIP area was long, and everyone was being frisked. Whereas to go to the common area, people were just let in. Anyways, she said we should move ASAP to the VIP area and we did. Nothing happened. Match proceeded smoothly, and we won by 7 goals to 2.

I felt really bad about myself. Ashamed. Guilty. Since when did I start thinking that a Muslim praising Allah is a terrorist waiting to blow up the place? Why did I think like that? Does it mean that I'm one of those narrow minded people, who decide whether to befriend a person or not by judging him/her by his/her last name? Or religion? No. A big resounding NO. I'm a person who thinks religion is only a way to have faith in a super power above, the Almighty. It maybe Krishna, Allah, Moses, Jesus - all. And I don't bias anyone on anything. People have a reason to behave the way they do, and the only way is to understand them, not simply judge them. But for that day, I can't seem to forgive myself. Muslims in our country have been wronged. But their methods are not right. Bloodshed is not the answer for anything. But, just because one of them is bad, doesn't mean all end up as terrorists! I have a couple of Muslim friends who love India, and are extremely peace-loving. Recently, all Imams came together and said that what Islamic terrorists are doing is not jihad, its fasad. And fasad is prohibited according to Quran. If today some are fanatics, don't you think that something/someone has rubbed them the wrong way? Who would willingly, for no reason, want to kill people? Who would want to blow themselves up in a hospital, killing sick people and doctors?

The Kashmiris are facing insurgency since 61 years now! 61 years of bloodshed, tension, no peace. They don't enjoy that; they want to get out of it and live in peace. The Islamic Rage Boy hasn't become angry in one day.

For people who've brought in such rich culture and a strong dynasty to our country, least we can do is accept them.

I'm sorry for thinking like that on that day... I have lots and lots to write on this... but this is too long already.

Another thing, do you vote? If you are an Indian and are above 18, please take part in the poll you see on right side of this page. I strongly believe we can bring about change by way of elections, but I've done so only once in twice Lok Sabha that were held (since I turned 18). Do you think too that elections help? India's current Air Force chief says he hasn't cast vote in 10 years! Thats because he's always been on duty during . I was shocked to hear most of my friends haven't voted even once, neither has my hubby. And many even think that its a sham. I wanted to know your opinion.

PS: I've labelled this post as "being Indian" because I strongly believe in एकता में बल है , that Muslims are our brothers and that all Indians do not hate Muslims or judge them.

I've been trying hard to pass time; I have so much idle time I really don't know what to do with it all. And then sometimes there's so much to do, that I hardly have time to breathe. But mostly, its the former. At work, I really do nothing. I add if-else statement in 2-3 events and test them. That's a "project" mind you. I'm sick of it all I can't wait to run away from all this.

So to pass time, I'm trying out various new dishes in the kitchen, the results of which are on my food blog for all and sundry to see. I haven't written some of the recipes that I tried (and were really good), I promise to do that soon. Meanwhile, its caramel custard and washing clothes tonight on the schedule once I reach the house. All I do at work is nothing. I'm so bored of it all. Now that SB has quit, it makes it all the more yawn-inducing. Others in the team ask me, "so you feeling alone?", "you missing her?", "your cubicle seems quiet" - hell ya I miss her! We gossiped and chatted away till 6 PM, and then left for our houses together. It was fun yeah. Now, its all quiet. And though I go to lunch with a group, the same problem persists - TAMIL BOLNA NAHI AATA! I've given up. I'm so through with these girls that I assume that I'm eating alone. Really, its that bad.

Forget it. I had a good time in Bangalore the weekend before last when we went to attend RK's wedding reception. Poor thing had a fever of 102. Then when they were given garlands, they put it around their own neck rather than their partner's, saying its too embarrassing to do in front of a crowd, and on the stage. Hehehehe. Food (the main thing why I went) was yummy - I love the Karnataka cuisine. And when I'm having authentic dishes after months, you can't really say that I hardly eat. I guess I subconsciously starve before a Kannada wedding hahahahahaha.

Then the tuesday following that, we went to watch Singh is Kinng. A small incident before I give my verdict on the movie. Once me and hubby were relaxing and we recalled an incident in which something happened (details unimportant) to which hubby said, "bakwaas tha ekdum". I said, it was not just "bakwaas"... like bakwaas ki hadd paar kar di types. So I coined a new word for that - KABWAAS! Effect can be felt when you said it loud, with emphasis on the "WA", and also, stretch the "WAAS" a little more. That's when you put across your point of that stuff/incident/whatever being over bakwaas limit, hence KABWAAAS! So coming back to my point, this movie was KABWAAAAAS! Comedy? Comedy ke naam pe Great Indian Laughter Challenge ka current season chal raha tha. That bad. But Akshay Kumar was good, as usual. Katrina Kaif looked gorgeous. How can someone look this pretty?! :-)

Then last weekend, long weekend in India due to Aug 15 being our Independence day - began real quick for me. From wednesday! I called in sick cuz I wanted to pack my bags and also the mehendi waali was supposed to come to my place. She came at 5, for her appointment at 2 (very good) and I got henna only on my palms - both hands. No time for back of the palms :-( Anyway, we went to Hubli and had so much fun! The weather over there was breezy, cool, and a temp of 25 deg C max kept us cool. KK looked radiant (it was her engagement ceremony) and we really had so much fun! I met most of them after my wedding - which means close to 2 years! :O Anyway, my niece has gotten cuter and as usual, is playful and never cries. If I ever decide to have a baby, I want a girl - exactly like her :-) And it turns out that this gawky, nerdy, geek is no more a simple belle. I'm talking about me. I've become good at applying make up. Credit goes to all my sister-in-laws - pure Punjabi girls. Before my marriage, I used to pull up my jeans and tee, brush my hair, spray deo and walk out of the house. Now, I take care of how I look - and I enjoy that. Kabhi kabhi aate hai occasions, to subtle make up lagaana chahiye. So all cousins were like "whats this, what have you applied here, let me too, do you have that blush/eyeliner/gloss/bindi with you now? Can you apply make up on my face" - So I had a line of girls waiting, including the bride-to-be. I happily obliged. Made me so happy to see them line up. And yes, I kept it minimal, as I'd done for mine. Sab khush.

After the ceremony, we went to stay over at Poo's house for the rest of our trip. Sukanya moushi is total fun and so is Poo. Poo's getting engaged this Nov, and she was gushing about her groom-to-be, who is a hi-fi aerospace engineer working in Atlanta. Her mom made awesome jowar-bhakri for lunch - traditional North Karnataka fare! Man I couldn't get enough of those! And she packed some of that gurolpudi chutney for me :-) yummy!

What else? We returned to this sad city on sunday afternoon and aur kya. WORSHT place this is. Can you guys guess where I live in India?

I miss mom. She'll back this month-end from US and I can't wait to see what she's got for me :D Bas, nothing else to write. I'm waiting for time to pass by quickly. Lot of things waiting to happen :-) I hope its all what I wished for :-)

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

"Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the
prankster that loves to make other people laugh."

Whoa! I didn't even know that Snapdragon was the name of a flower! If someone told me that I'm a Snapdragon, I'd snap, bring on my dragon avtaar, and say to them - "hey you watch what you saying before you are sorry!" :D

Say, does the snapdragon flower smell sweet? Cuz I was recently given Salvatore Ferragamo's Incanto (as a gift) and also use Burberry London. Just curious....