Rana not the "Best Athlete"

Rana isnt the "Best Athlete" at Doha. He was infact one of the five nominees for the Most Valuable Players (MVP). All this fiasco because of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) and their stupidity. Why can't we have better managed sports associations and officials? Argh.

Kabul Express

I just got back watching Kabul Express. Wasn't expecting much from the movie since the TOI had rated it with only two and a half stars. But I liked the movie. A story completely different from the normal romantic movies that the Yash Raj banner usually boasts of. The bad guy played by Hanif Hum Gum is so good that John and Arshad pale in comparision. I don't even want to start on the American journalist played by Linda Arsenio. She is so irritating when she is whining about the Afghani Kebabs. The ending was heart wrenching. I even cried at the end (but I do that with every other movie!). My final opinion of the movie, worth watching atleast once.
I have a friend who went for a holiday to Kabul earlier this year and seeing this movie makes me think of what he'd risked when he decieded to go there. And the amount of courage he had to take that decision. I'm so proud of him :)
Photo: Google Search

Spread at Karim's

Well, what can I say? The food says it all-I invariably overeat, love 'rich' (read calories) food and am gluttonous. Gluttonous because I ate everything in the picture except for sharing half of the kheer with my friend. The food was lip smackingly delicious! :)
Menu:
Mutton Biryani, Mutton Qorma, Sheikh Kabeb, Tandoori Roti, Green Chutney, Onion slices and lemon and Kheer.
Price:
Rs 130 (Taxes included)
Place:
Jama Masjid, Delhi (ask for directions once you reach the Masjid)

The Delhi Christian Chorus in Concert

Yipppeee.....heres the concert picture at last! I love the architecture of this church, its all gothic and really ancient. I think I enjoyed singing better because of the beautiful interior! I love the background of the picture with the huge columns and intricate work on the stone. This is place is the Cathedral Church of Redemption in New Delhi. I have been attending sunday Service here since 1995. I haev so many pleasant memories attached with this place-my confirmation, weddings, choir practices, baptisims, sunday school, carolling during Christmas as well as crushes ;-)
By the bye, can anybody take a random guess of where I am in the picture? :-) (not for people who have seen me!)
Photo: Raja

The Capital City Minstrels in Concert

The programme booklet:

The entire choir:


An ensemble:

There's a Song in the Air-A Christmas Medley

Date: Tuesday, 12 December, 2006

Place: India Habitat Centre

Niche withen Kinari Bazar

This is what me and my friend stumbled upon in the middle of Kinari Bazar. Loved the serenity of the place.

Ornate Entry

This is the sort of entrances I got to see the now of houses at Kinari Bazar. Wouldnt mind living with such an entry point for 'sometime'.

Decrepit Door

I love the door. Even went felt the old lock. Not a very good picture. But I still like it. Didnt have too much memory space in the cam.

Temple at Kinari Bazar niche

This temple was at the very end of the niche in Kinari Bazar. I can imagine myself sitting here n reading on a sunny morning! One can always imagine!

When the Gods walk amongst mortals

This place is opposite the Jain Temple in Chandni Chowk. Theres a popular Chatwalla next to a Temple. So this place is packed for better part of the day. Through this picture I like to think that the gods mingle with humans in different guises. Reminds me of the text I had to study in college, Homer's The Illiad. Most of the text was about the squabbles of the Gods and the consequences for their mostly unwanted, interference amongst the mortals. So much for a divine intervention? Speaking of which I still havent watched Troy even though it was based on Homers text. Anybody watched Troy?

The Mistress of Spices

Ah, success atlast. Took this picture while on my walk in Chandni Chowk. She was sitting outside the huge State Bank of India(SBI) building. She was quite happy to oblige me with a pose :-)

PS-Title borrowed from Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's book with the same title.

Way to go, Rana

Yippee...Jaspal Rasa has silenced his critiques with him becoming the Best Athlete at the Doha Asiad...Another Stephanian excelling! Here's hoping he continues like this until teh next Olympics.

Nope, I still cant upload my pics. I do hope its the crappy net connection and nothing pertaining to the laptop :-o

What have I been up to?

I have been trying to upload pictures since this afternoon. Cant! My net connection is crap. Will try putting up the pics by tomorrow evening. Thought I should write down whats been happening the last few days. Its been so chaotic yet fun.

The Concert with the Delhi Christian Chorus (henceforth DCC) on Sunday evening was brilliant. We performed twice and I thought the first show was more of a warm up for the choir! I think we made lesser mistake is the second show compared to the first. Hopefully the audience was oblivious to the said mistakes! We sang a selection ranging from Mozart (commemorating his 250th birth anniversary), Jazz, Christmas music and Gospel music. It is such a satisfying feeling to sing withen a beautiful cathedral. The Cathedral was packed for both the shows with many friends making it for the show and many others who couldnt. But it was good to meet people from School, College and Church after such a long time! Both my favourite teachers came!

Started Monday late in the afternoon. Went for a walk to Old Delhi. Took the Metro from DU to Chandni Chowk. Took loads of pictures of everything, from people to buildings to lamp posts to flowers. As we (me and my friend, who lives in Old Delhi) were ambling through Kinari Bazar, we came across this niche which opened to a row of houses. And each house had an ornate entrance more like what one would expect in a temple! Somewhere in the middle of the row of houses was this old decrepit door which so reminded me of the Moghul era. I was expecting a nimble courtesan to appear anytime! And then at the very end was a temple made of marble. The place was so beautifully serene in the late evening light. Also went by to the Silver market where I plan to go back for some Silver jewellry shopping. Gorged on loads of street food like Dahi Bhalla, Alu Chat and Kachoris at the Parathawali Gali. Then we took a rickshaw till Jama Masjid and had a sumptuous dinner of Mutton Biryani, Mutton Qorma, Sheikh Kabeb and Kheer at Karim's. Oh here I need to add that my companion is a pure vegetarian and yet he accompanied me to Karim's when he cant even stand the smell of meat! If you're reading this, thanks buddy! :-)
Got back home early and Sonu, my childhood friend came over and we had a midnigth meal at 4AM(!!!). We have some crazy timings.

Tuesday morning was restday. Well, apart from trying to upload my pics for close to three hours. Planned to go for the Capital City Minstrels (CCM) Chritsmas Concert at the ICC. So here I was all dressed up in a nice long skirt which doesnt let me take big steps, heels and beads round my neck. Essentially looking all glam. Again I took the Metro from DU to India Gate adn then an auto to IIC (India International Centre). I walk in only to be told that theres no such programme happening there! Then I guessed it may be happening at the IHC (India Habitat Centre). So here I was, hopping, skipping and running with my skirt perched up till my knees. Yes, I was a funny sight! My guess was right. Reached the 'right' venue 15 minutes late but worth all the misadventure. The CCM sang Christmas music as well as pieces by Mozart. Met my teacher from College who is now the director of CCM. She remembered me for not attending too many of her lectures! Also met the older members of the CCM who my father sang with while he was in Delhi. They all said the same-how I've grown and changed. I hope they meant how beautiful I have become. Lol. No, im not too modest when it comes to my looks :-o

Guess this fairly summarises all the things I've been upto! Oh, before I finish this post, I also want to thank everyone whos been dropping a line of comfort for me(Sandeep, Mehak, Ricky and Sanguine). It was such a nice gesture :-)

Alright, its time for bed. Good night people.

Lovefool

Sometimes I wonder if Im a hopeless fool? Yes, I am. But I'd rather be the hopeless fool than the bimbo you want me to be. And after everything, its ironical and pathetic. Yeah, pathetic as much for you as it is for me. Ironical because you never loved me.
And I still miss you...
I hate the way you have taken over me and my life. Im not saying I dont have a life without you. I love my life but its so difficult not to miss your presence when im reading a book curled up under the blanket, the messages, the drives, the silly jokes. Remember you singing to/with me? :-) And your James Bond pose in your Raybans? How can I forget all the hugs and the love and the warmth and the feeling of being sheltered by you? Theres never a day when I dont think about you with affection and misgiving. And each time I mourn your going away the tears never seem to stop. And every time I could cry like its the first. I also remember and laugh at the funny times and silly jokes. The tears alternate with laughter and smiles and most of all an abysmal sense of emptiness, of loneliness and longing.

And I still miss you...

Chicken Lunch

Had some friends come over for lunch yesterday...I find it therapeutic to cook for others as well as myself...I find it a good way to unwind. And I also cant loose my cool while cooking coz I'd have to eat the end result (whether good or bad!). Here's some of the pictures of the lunch.
The spread consisted of:
Rice
Rajma
Chicken Curry (which turned out too watery!)
Vegetable Sabzi
Boiled Beans
Salad

Here's Loky's plate. It does look good!:
My Guinea pigs, Loky and Sonu:
Oh have a look at the VCD Loky's holding, its a Tamil movie, KAKA KAKA...Had Loky translating the entire movie...even the emotional scences. It was hilarious but he did a good job. The movie? Not bad at all. Story of an IPS officer and the trials they have to face. I think I have a crush on the main actor!!!

Rounded off the evening with a nice cup of ginger tea and cookies (in the box): All in all a fun filled afternoon! Had the final rehearsals for the concert after that. Excited! I do hope the concert goess off well. Pray for us!

SAD-Seasonal Affective Disorder

Theres no sunshine in Delhi! Will have to make do with cozy lampshades and a heater to get through yet another dreary winter. I think I Suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) or Winter depression :-(

Hats Off to DELHI POLICE

I know that me commending the Delhi police might raise some eyebrows but then what happened last night has made me see these khaki clad men with new insight now. Here's what happened: I was on my way to work and right in front of my cab was this bike with two guys. There was a Maruti 800 that came from behind and hit the bike so hard that both the occupants fell off the bike with the bike taking a 180 degree turn bang on the middle of the road. The pillion riders helmet came off due to the impact of the jolt of the Maruti. Thankfully there werent too many cars speeding by otherwise the accident could have been more worse, even gory. The maruti driver tried to get away despite the bike driver trying to stop him. What would have become a hit and run accident was saved due to the vigilance of the PCR Van nearby. The PSR Van chased the Maruti driver for about 4 minutes and caught up with him. Now that was something not really expected what with the Police being one of the most corrupt departments in the government. But then again, with this episode I still have some faith for the Law and Order of the country. Hats off to you once again, Delhi Police! :-)

I just got back from a shoe shopping expedition. Yes, expedition because its such a pain to shop with a limited budget :-I But I managed to get a good pair from GK I, M Block Market. Its nice and strappy. Even though im not into the tie-up sandals type, I had to take it because it did look good on me! Alright I am coming to the price: was priced at Rs 1050 but managed to sweet talk the shop keeper to give it to me for Rs 900 (!!!) I should become a pro at flirting with Shopkeepers pretty soon ;-) lol!

Fuck you

To all those men who think are God's own gift to womenkind.
To all those men who think are ubercool.
To all those men who think can get away with anything.
To all those men who have a bird in hand but continue looking for two in the bush.
To all those men married but still want more.
To all those men who have hurt me and so many other faceless women.

No, your drawling voice and mascular body doesnt surprisingly, turn me on.
Common, do yourself as well as us a favour: Get a life apart from women.

Ok, why this outburst you might ask? No idea. I mean I do know what triggered it. Im plain tired of the men in my life: at work, neighbours, dance, swimming. I need to get away from all this. Soon.

I had to type this out for the second time! Thought that the post got saved into drafts automatically. Had to learn it the tough way. Its called learning through trial and error!
But on the brighter note, the countdown for my trip home begins: 3 weeks.
Countdown for the Choir concert: 8 days.
:-)

Author Qoutes: D.H. Lawrence

Picture of the author:

Qoutes that I can relate to from one my favourite writers, D.H. Lawrence:

"Ours is essentially a tragic age, so we refuse to take it tragically. The catalysm has happened, we are among the ruins, we start to build up new little habitats to have little hopes. It is a rather hard world: there is now no smooth road into the future, but we go round, or scramble over the obstacles. We've got to live, no matter how many skies have fallen."

-Lady Chatterley's Lover

Yeah, life sucks but then again we're human. The human spirit can weather any debacle. And thats what I'm trying to do right now.

"'Yes!' Yvette said vaguely.'Yes! sex is an awful bore, you know, Lucille. When you haven't got it, you feel you ought to have it, somehow. And when you've got it-or if you have it'-she lifted her head and wrinkled her nose disdainfully-'you hate it.'"

-The Virgin and the Gipsy

I think Lawrence and I have found a common footing! No, readers, I'm not a prude.

New found fascination: Chandeliers

Chandelier 1:
Chandelier 2:

Chandelier 3:

Chandelier 4:

Yes, Chandeliers are my new fascinations. Why, you might ask? Here's why: the church where I go for my choir practices has them! I find them so archiac yet regal. They take me back to the ages of yore, of knights, battles of passion, sweeping gowns and fancy masquerade balls :-)

The choir practices are held at Free Church, Parliament Street. So while i am singing, im also gaping and admiring the gandeur of the church's architecture. Its a beautiful feeling to enjoy two things together: singing, which is my passion and revere in the grand architecture :-) Will give a fuller description about this church in another post.