Home Improvement

Just when I have started feeling like I am living a decent life – more than 10 sq feet to call “my personal space”, enough hot water in the shower to wash all limbs in the same session and no more cabinets that remain un-opened for the horror of what the previous student left behind – it is time to pick my parents up from the airport and show off to them that their not-so-little girl is living the cushy life. And I am nothing short of proud of my new dwelling – an awe-inspiring closet (no more rationing of garments for lack of space), a sparkling bathroom all for my very self and added kitchen counter space to cook Maggi noodles in.

Obviously, my mom’s description of this Shangri-la as ‘a camping experience’ brought my smugness crashing down to earth. The repeated focus on the fact that I have exactly 4 plates and 4 mugs to consume food in didn’t help either.

So, I offered to show off my newly-acquired driving skills. Every sightseeing spot that can be covered within a weekend was listed and I bullied my folks into enjoying them in spite of the diminishing temperatures and sometimes hostile fall conditions.

My travel-loving parents exclaimed and acknowledged appropriately. My sister, on the other hand, wasn’t the least bit impressed by the Empire State building, or Lincoln Memorial, or any other rivers and mountains I showed her. As long as she got to eat waffles with maple syrup every morning using a fork and a knife and hit every single store in the mall until closing, she was content. The occasional trips to the car wash were also exceptionally well-received – who needs the Niagara Falls?

The week-days, while I was at work, were spent exploring every nook and cranny of my aforesaid apartment and making amusing observations of my lack of organizational skills. Inspired by several hours of watching HGtv, my apartment has been tastefully re-organized. Now that they have left, every time I need a pair of scissors it requires a phone-call half a globe away. However, I can’t complain that all my boxes of junk are now labeled and my freezer has enough food to last me all winter!

Every time I was reprimanded as a kid, I dreamt of a time far away that I would have an independent life, and I would mouth the words “as long as you’re under my roof – what I say goes.” Unbelievably mistaken, all I was left saying were varying versions of “Ok, Amma. Yes, Pa”. I’m always going to be their little girl. Well, frankly – I enjoyed being that way throughout the trip!

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Neighbors Envy. I blog.

It was no surprise that the number 1 search on Yahoo this particular day was 'rotten neighbor'. Well, mine isn't rotten… but sure is decaying.

Starting a new life isn't easy... especially when getting a car and even a driver's license is still on the to-do list. So, obviously I have survived on several favors and owe far too many dinners. (Luckily, these are people who are just getting to know me and aren't quite aware of my culinary skills.) A few of the first people one usually gets to know are the good-ol'-neighbors and they should be the ones most available to help me out of my ditsy-blonde moments.

Alas, my good fortune… well… sucks! My new neighbor actually scurries out of my way as if I were the plague personified. And I could almost swear that I have seen her kids hold up their lunch boxes before their faces as they go by me. I have tried everything… smiles, grins, giggles… which have made her aware of my growing cavity. Forget about offering to drive me to the dentist, she doesn't even offer a smile.

Anyway, I continue living next door to the 'Invisibles'… and enjoying my new job. I had promised myself that I would give it my 200%. I was good for the last few months. But, now its time to blog.

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Overwhelmed !

So much to do and so little time. Well there is time… but I’m just so overwhelmed that I’m not thinking straight. And considering all the work combined with all the “D’oh!” moments – makes the hours take wing!

We always pray and hope that life turns a new leaf and gives us everything we dreamed about. I dreamed. Dreamed big! And life is finally giving me all.. well, most of that now – but it didn’t just plunk in my lap. Instead, there was an impetus to my butt, leaving me no other choice but to go ahead with carrying out my responsibilities! At first, I couldn’t wait for all the administrative stuff to be over and to finally start on my career. Now that it has, I’m looking for the brake pedal!

There’s been so much to write about.
I could write about my American travels without a driver’s license (you’ll be astounded by the things you are subjected to on public transport);
I could express my trepidation of haunted hotels;
I could embellish my run-ins with HRs;
I could dive into the alphabet soup of industry acronyms!
But, like I said – so much to do and so little time. (Repeating that line just cost precious seconds)

It’s like a game show now – a new job, new city, new friends, new apartment, new furniture, visas, paperwork, driver’s license, and new car – all in a week’s time!! And did I neglect to mention its tax season!

I just hope my ‘life-lines’ are truly reliable!!


P.S. Looks like I also have to fix my blog!


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Of hope, change and the future

Had a blast on New Years Eve! Went to the shore to drown my worries and returned high on a cocktail of hope and anticipation.

I finally got the coveted job offer and this new step in my professional career promises to be better than I had ever imagined. Having officially said good-bye to my old job, I have now been catapulted into day-dreaming of a new apartment, a new car and shopping for career outfits. And of course… the fun stuff - paper work, drug testing and immigration issues. What’s worse is that my mom has also landed in dream-world and calls me from across the world every few minutes to advise me on what kind of refrigerator to purchase. No, I am not complaining. I couldn’t have asked for a better beginning to the year.

I started the year with 2 movies – ‘The Butterfly Effect’ and ‘Children of Men’. Both of which revolve around future and change – working towards making things better in life and living in the anxiety that they might not.

The Butterfly Effect – born out of Chaos theory deals with Ashton Kutcher’s celluloid life where he has the power to change little details of his past. He tries over and over to aim these precise changes at making his life ‘normal’ and repeats his early 20s in an assortment of scenarios. If only he had tried as many times to improve his acting skills, I wouldn’t feel like I was watching re-runs of ‘That 70s Show’. Every life he lives only gets worse, teaching a meddler his lesson. A great point is made – albeit a little late. On the DVD – Don’t forget to watch the Director’s cut!

Children of Men displays a future when humans, plagued by infertility, have stopped procreating and the youngest human (a celebrity simply by virtue of his birth) is murdered. Riots break out in the world that’s already in a state of dystopia. Clive Owen is now in charge of protecting a recently discovered pregnant immigrant in fascist Britain. His performance moves you as his indifference meanders into belief and he hopes to see the silver lining among the smog-laden clouds. The attention to detail and the excellent cinematography will make you run for cover in a bullet-strewn world waiting to combust. As a story, it might leave a few questions unanswered. Approach it as a ‘cautionary tale’ and it will have you riveted.

Let’s hope it’s a happy new year and an optimistic future ahead! :)