The Last Day of another Month - Goodbye Feb 2019

                    Feb 28 - 2019, it's the last day of the month. At the end of every month, I will review how my month has gone by and here is the synopsis for this month,

1. Read 6 books
2. Worked out 5 days a week
3. Meditated for 5 mins everyday
4. Have posted a blog every single day this month

I am going to post a blog tomorrow on what books I read this month. Let's see what's in store for March 2019!

My First Web Series of 2019

              I am not a huge fan of web series, but a few that come with high recommendation, I do watch it. But this year, I just finished the first web series - 4 MORE SHOTS PLEASE - Season 1. 
4 women - Truck Bar - Their Lives. One cannot miss Milind Soman in this series, though he isn't one of the main characters. 
I enjoyed this series to a certain extent. Was a good watch. 
Now curious to see what happens in Season 2 , because season 1 ends in a cliffhanger for all the characters. 

Even when in Love - Remember The Fab 5

                  Some of us forget the world when we are in love. For those who do, here are a few tips,

1. Don't give up on your friends
2. Never leave hobbies
3. Keep your family close
4. Don't forget yourself
5. Love yourself

It so happens that when in love, we tend to focus on the person so much , that everything else takes a back seat. 

Next time, while you feel things are slipping away, remember - it is time to remember the fab 5 points.

Another New Author

                      A few days back, my aunt and we were discussing new authors we have imbibed in our reading schedule. In that conversation came out - David Gibbins name. His name caught my attention and my ears perked up. I quickly googled and realized I will like his books. 
He writes Archaeological and historical fiction and this is one of the genres I absolutely enjoy. My aunt lent me the book - The Tiger Warrior. This is my current read and I will gibe my review on this book once done. stay tuned till then!

Pieces of the Puzzle

                    I was having my weekly conversation with my sister. While we were in the midst of a very profound discussion, I happened to tell her this. Hence, thought of blogging.

Most of us in life have a big picture in front of us. After this picture formation, we then start looking down on the pieces the puzzle in our lives. We are so immersed in staring at the pieces and trying to fit them, we forget that we are trying to fit them where they don't belong. Sometimes, it's not the picture that we foresee that is important, but the pieces that should fit the puzzle. We cannot change the shapes of the pieces, we can only fit them in the right place. 
So is life, we are always trying to sync the picture and the pieces of the puzzles, but we forget that we are trying the pieces in incorrect places. First fit all the pieces beautifully together, automatically, you will see a lovely picture that is formed in life.
Life becomes a little less chaotic when the pieces fit where it is rightly to fit. Beautifully chaotic is always a nice place to harp on.

Visit to the Hills

               Yesterday we visited the hills - Chamundi Hills. After a long time, we went to see Chamundeshwari. I have climbed the steps of Chamundi hills before, but this time we were driving up the winding curves. 
We bought special darshan tickets and managed to enter the shrine. Those few seconds in front of the goddess was so fulfilling. I barely got 10 seconds in front to her, but those ten seconds were impacting. Something about visiting temples which is so calming. There are people everywhere, people pushing you in line, people pushing you to see the goddess, but all is forgotten when we get that 5 seconds also in front of the god.
If anyone ever plans a take, do visit Chamundi Hills to see where Goddess Chamundeshwari resides. Pay her a respect!

Movie - Total Dhamaal

                Today I watched Total Dhamaal. After contemplating between Gully Boy and Total Dhamaal for today, chose the later. But I must say, I wasn't disappointed one bit. 
Thoroughly entertaining, this was a total time pass movie. Witty dialogues and crazy humor, there was not one dull moment throughout the movie. Not to miss, Madhuri's amazing pink ethnic waist coast and those chunky oxidized jewelry. I just couldn't take my eyes off her jhumkas, bangles and the neck piece. A hilarious journey to fetch cash when it all ends in a zoo. A real wild yet witty adventure. 
If one wants to switch off from the real world for 2 hours, then please go and watch this movie. It is a laughter riot. 

Recommendation: High
Rating: 4/5

Next week, hopeful to catch up Gully Boy!

Change is Here

           I am a picky eater. Have always been one from the time I remember. Over the years, I have adopted some changes to my lifestyle and here it is all put together,

1. No Sugar
2. No Maida
3. No Soda
4. I never binge eat
5. No Oil
6. One Fruit a Day (I get this 4 times a week)
7. Try and eat all the Vegetables
8. Try and Exercise every single day
9. Walk as much as possible - Atleast 6k steps
10. Aim for 8 glasses of water daily
11. One Egg a day - without the yolk
12. Get some Sun atleast 2 times in a week
13. Avoid eating out as much as possible and the times I cannot, I eat very little then.
14. Atleast 7 hours of sleep - most times its is 6 or 6.5 hours, but the long shot is 7 hours every night.
15. Try to sleep early and wake up early - now I have learn to wake up by 5:30 A.M.


That's it for now. Hopefully, I will add a few more this year!

Fantasy Fills

All of us have our guilty pleasures and I have mine too. I absolutely love eating Dark Fantasy Choco fills. These are my biggest guilty pleasures. Not to forget the intriguing name it has. 

The first time I had in was way back in 2012 and ever since these have been my most favorite. Each bite leaves me wanting more and its an addiction that I just cannot resist. Having said that, I do not binge eat them. But any day, these would be my pick. 

Some Questions are Steely

                    I was having a conversation with one of my friends today and she popped this question,
"If you had a choice between a great career and marrying the love of your life, what would you choose?"
This question kept haunting and unfortunately I have no answer. 
But, if this question was tweaked,
"If you had a choice between career and marriage, what would you choose"?
This question I can easily choose. 
But how would one choose from the above choice - Love or Career? I would personally choose both, because a career is something we strive for and love is essential in the marriage. 
Now my answer would be, to choose someone with whom I can grow my career. 

Think it over!!

Does First Love Ever Fade

                           A lot of times, we have had this discussion - Does First Love Ever Fade? There is something about first love that doesn't fade and some agree and some of them don't. But this question has always intrigued me. I have had conversations revolving around this topic a lot of times with my friends, cousins and family; and each time I get different opinions, views, thoughts and experiences on it. the fascination still continues. Some of them tell me, first love never fades because they have never been able to forget it. Some have married their first love and I totally applaud such people. Some of them are not married but haven't been able to forget. Whatever be the case, in most cases, first love never fades. If that love has faded, not too sure what it was, but something to ponder over sometime. 

Finally URI

              After a long long wait, I finally watched URI today. Where do I even begin to describe this epic movie. Everything about it was spectacular. The Indian Armed Forces - A big Salute to them. We are safe because of them. 
What do I even say about Vicky Kaushal's acting - Hats Off. Such a fine actor. So, if anyone has missed watching this movie, please go and watch. It is not to be missed. 
Finally - How's the Josh?? 100% after watching this movie.

Recommendation - Very High
Rating - 5/5

New Explores

This is an unusual blog post. Here is a list of some of the nice places to sit, even if you don't drink,

1. The Bier Library
2. Byg Brewsky (Sarjapur & Hennur)
3. The Pump House
4. Hakunamatata
5. Brahma Brews

The food is good and the ambiance is lovely. 

Six Yards of Grace

             6 yards has always been one of my favorites. I draped a sari for the first time in class 10 for my graduation at Cotton's. I fell in love with this beautiful attire then. Since then I have never missed an opportunity to drape a sari. I can even remember all the times I have worn it and here is the list,

      1. Class 10 Graduation
      2. Class 11 Sari  Day
      3. Class 12 Sari Day
      4. 3 times in my Engineering College 
      5. Every opportunity at work (Mostly Sari Days during festival times)
      6. Friends Weddings
      7. Family Functions

My most fav type of Sari is undoubtedly Kanjivaram. I am a South Indian, hence my immense love for these type of sarees. I do not like Cotton, Chiffon and Georgette material sarees. I enjoy wearing Fancy sarees. Makes me feel so graceful. Recently, I picked up 4 sarees and now on the look out for opportunities to drape this six yards of pure grace.

My Take on Book # 3

This book review is on Tattered by Devney Perry. 

             This is the first time I am reading this author's book. It turned out to be a very nice read. The story is about Thea Landry and Logan Kendrick. It is Lark Cove #1. Years later when Logan Kendrick waltz back into her and finds out he is father, the story notches up a few levels. It revolves around them .Will they be together or drift away is what you have find out about. 

Recommendation: Medium-High
Rating : 3.8/5

Overall, a nice racy read. 

A New Platform to Read

              I was travelling last week and for a change I did not carry a book to read, because I wanted to read on my phone. I started reading this book titled - Tattered by Devney Perry. I was so hooked onto this book that I finished reading this book in the train. 
It's not about how we read, it is the book that should be engrossing that the reader finds it hard to put it. The entire train journey my nose was buried in this book and surprisingly I liked it. 
More to follow on my next blog, where I will post the review of this book.

Sometimes Life is Hard - And it is OK

           

                I have a habit of checking my LinkedIn account every single day. I try to repost or like a few messages put up, an attempt to be active. Today, while I was scrolling, I found a very interesting video titles Life Sucks! Out of sheer curiosity, I open the video and I must say those two minutes were a real eye opener. The lady in the video was saying that it is alright to admit life isn't easy always. 

            This got me thinking. All our lives keep changing and it is not meant to be the same. We have our highs and lows. But how to deal with it is the question. Some of us keep it all shut inside, some of us pretend to the world that all is fine and dandy. While some of us try to talk with our near and dear ones. It helps to talk it out amongst dear friends, supportive family and other close ones. It lessens the burden from within. We must not forget that nothing is meant to last forever and whatever maybe the situation, we will learn to deal with it better. And, it is perfectly fine if life is not ok and we are struggling. It will get better!



           

Formats of my Book Reading Association

               I am a life long reader. That can never change. Most of my friends are curious as to what platforms I read on. So here is this blog dedicated to them.

My modes of reading include,

* A physical copy of a book
* My Kindle
* My I-Pad
* Of course, my Phone
*Not to forget Laptop

There are a lot of apps, both paid and free, from which books can be obtained. The horizon is widening and there are a gazillion ways to read, if one wants to read. Having said this, I know, nothing can beat a physical copy. But I am someone who can read a book on any platform.

I Love Reading!

Coffee Shops & Conversations

             There is something about having conversations in a coffee shop. I absolutely enjoy having long conversations with my buddies in a coffee shop, even though I am not a coffee lover. The first time, I went into a Cafe Coffee Day (CCD) was during my Engineering days. A friends and me used to sit at the coffee shop and have conversations about a dozen topics. From books, movies, music, art to new restaurants, everything is discussed in depth. The strongest connections have always happened in these coffee shops. Most of my closest friends even today catch up for mindless ramblings in a coffee shop. Nothing can beat this friendly feeling. Even today I enjoy these long conversations.
I met a friend of mine yesterday in a coffee shop and I must say, the feeling is the same. My love for these is never going to change. 

A Conversation over a cup of no-coffee is just the best form to catch up with my friends.

Do any of you like conversations over coffee or no-coffee?

Learn Something New

            I am someone who enjoys learning new things, whether is a hobby or a new skill. So this year, I decided to try something new. I took up a new challenge. I needed some food for thought. I decided to learn about Business Analysis. BA is something that has been tickling my curious mind for a while. I looked up online and came across a course on Fundamentals of BA to begin with. I enrolled onto this course (it is not a free course). Now that the money was paid, I had to crack it. I sat with a book and a laptop to devour this challenge. Initially it took me so long to understand the basics, but persistence pays. I so enjoyed this course, that I enrolled onto the next advanced course. Cleared both of them and got my Certificates. 
But my journey didn't end here. I have enrolled for the third course and it is work in progress. 
But if any of you want to pick a new skill, try an online course. You can learn it at your pace and time. 

Happy Weekend!

Colors - They Make My Day

           

                I have always been fascinated with colors right from my childhood. My love for colors didn't fade in my adolescent years and continues to lighten and brighten each day of mine. I am not someone who loves grey and white. I absolutely stay away. My goto colors are Red, Pink, Yellow, Orange, Peacock blue and Black. I feel they make me feel alive. Not morbid or pensive. 
What's with colors that make someone happy? I have always wondered. But each time I see a bright color, I am leaning towards it to pick it up. My heart feels happy and I do a happy dance around colors. 
I know a lot of people who share this sentiment with me and I know a few who lean towards the other not colors. But whatever works for each of us. 
Colors makes us who we are for life is a box of colors!

Make Time for Books

              I hear a lot of time people whining about no time to read and they are so convinced that it has become a mind block for them. One of the top contenders for the place of excuses is being busy with a full time job. Well, I think all of us have full time jobs and all of us lead busy lives. But here are a few tips to tackle this situations:

1. Learn to read everyday
         - The key is to try to read every single day. Put it down in your schedule and make it a routine. Start with atleast 20 pages and eventually increase it to 50 pages on a day to day basis.

2. Put your phone away
         - Phone has become a distraction in our lives and we are constantly fidgeting with it. This makes us hard to stay away from our phones. In order to do this, try to put your phone in a different place or turn off notifications to avoid distractions. 

3. Start with an author/genre of your interest
        - It usually so happens (when one isn't a voracious reader) that a book is picked and half way through the grip is out. so to begin with start with a genre of interest or perhaps an author whose writing is of interest. 

4. Join a Book club
        - Being a part of book clubs is another interesting way to start reading books. One the club comes up with titles and authors that we wouldn't have come across and two the discussion in a book club is always about books. 

Happy Reading in 2019!

Friends - We all need them for life

               Friends - I feel is a very beautiful connection that we establish. Some friendships happen in school, some in college and surprising some even at work. But friends are a very important pillar in everyone's life. Now here are a few tips on keeping those friendships intact,

1. Pick up the phone and talk to your friends often - We all may be connected socially on various platforms including the most popular form - WHATSAPP. But there is nothing like having a nice conversation in between as well.

2. Try and meet your friends - We all need that f2f conversations with our friends. There is something very serene and soothing in having mindless ramblings with our buddies. Just meet, chat and laugh away for a few hours, brings so much solace from within. 

3. Learn to listen - It is essential that we all take friends for granted and always in a hurry to tell what we have too. But it is pivotal to even listen to what they have to tell us. 

4. Don't be in a hurry to react - Listen patiently and don't be a hurry to react. Response is the key.

5. Show love, care, concern and respect.

6. Be empathetic. 

7. Build trust and make those friendships strong so that they last a lifetime.

Cheers to all my Friends and for the most amazing friendships I have with each and everyone of you in my life!

Ways To Expand Yourself - Flap a little harder

         As the first month passed by, I sat and pondered about the ways to expand myself. I collaborated these ways to flap my wings harder,

1. READ READ READ - I feel reading is the key to a lot of openings in life. Some books are the biggest motivators while some are huge game changers. Whatever maybe the pick, books will always be my mind opener.

2. Try something new - We always want to be in our comfort zone and rarely do we want to venture something different. But this year, I want to do something new and I have started with Yoga.

3. Listen to Podcasts - Podcasts are informative and listening to them while we are driving or jogging is combined productivity.

4. Meditation - A soothing form of inner healing and calming. I try to meditate a few minutes each day.

5. Exercise - Extremely important to be fit physically and I am still struggling to get a foothold with it. But that is something I have been trying to work on.

6. Invest in a Skill - A new skill is always an intelligent tool to carry and one must invest in learning a new skill. This helps us to be updated and well informed. I am back with a Tech book this year to learn a new skill. 

7. Not to forget a Hobby - A hobby is always that smooth essential that one must lean towards. It helps relieve stress. I am still not sure which way to lean towards as I have two interests that I want to pursue - Badminton or Bharatnatyam/Kathak.

8. Ask for help - I have realized that I find it extremely uncomfortable to ask anyone for help. But this year, I have decided that I will reach out for help as and when I feel the need. It is paramount to seek help when time arises.

That's it for now!

Ode - As I Look!

This is my first poem for the year titled ,

*AS I LOOK*

As I look into my heart,

I see my path part,

A straight road for a long time,

Now looks not so fine,

I peep once, it indeed is my path!

As I look into my heart,

I intend to find my dart,

Even though there is no locus,

I have to pick together my focus,

I peep twice, it indeed will alter my path!

As I look into my heart,

I have to fight hard to an unwilted start,

The road will have to seem more clear,

I will march on with no fear,

I peep thrice, it indeed will be made a clear path!

It had been a while since I wrote a poem and yesterday a friend of mine and I decided to write. Hence, stemmed out this poetry at that session. 

Much Awaited - Shopping

                  This blog is dedicated to my shopping spree. Here is my list since the beginning of New Year,

1. A pair of Coral colored pants
2. A beautiful fuchsia colored sequence kurta
3. A lovely pair of orange shoes
4. A maroon skirt
5. A blue  flap kurta
6. A red asymmetrical kurta
7. A coral pink tail cut kurta
8. A whole lot of jewelry
9. Cross body bag
10. A lovely red lipstick


Decent list in an entire month :)

My Birthday - Feb 2

             
        This blog is about my birthday - Feb 2. Every year I wait from Jan 1st for my birthday and I actually count days. This is something that I have been doing for the longest time. This year was no different from last year. 

I woke up to my parents wishes and then had my grandmother call me to wish me. Feels good to have her around. Of course, I had to doll up. Mum had got me a skirt, my aunt a kurta, I bought a dupatta. Teamed them together with of course the highlight being my jewelry. Oh! that craze continues for life. I was all set to go out with my family for lunch. We chose one of my favorite places and had a beautiful time at lunch.

But that's not the highlight. The highlight was, my cousin sister and me having a three hour long video call. We share our birthday. After a very long time, we connected at a personal level again (knock on wood) but that feeling of having a heart to heart conversation is priceless. 
Last but not the least, all my friends from around the world, took time out in sending me their wishes. So touched, blessed and pleased! A big thank you to each one of you! A loud shout out to my family and lots of love always to my sister. 

A day well spent - February 2nd!

Jan Month - Books Read

Alright, as promised, here is the list of all the books I read in the month of January. My Set target was 5 books and let's find out how many I managed to devour,

1. Heads You Win --> By Jeffrey Archer 
2. Relationship --> By Sadhguru
3. Emotions --> By Sadhguru
4. Don't Tell the Governor --> By Ravi Subramanian
5. The Forest of Enchantments --> By Chitra Divakaruni
6. Wonder Girls --> By Varsha Adusumilli
7. A book on Egypt

Now, out of all these books I read, my most fav was undoubtedly Heads You Win. The least fav was Don't Tell the Governor. 

I had a lot of points to take away while reading Relationship and Emotions. It was an eye opener in so many ways for me. 

The Forest of Enchantments was a very nice read and she is one of my fav authors. 

Wonder Girls was a book I read on Juggernaut app and it is an inspiring book. this book reminded me of Rashmi Bansal's books I read. 

Today is Feb 1st and I have started with my new book for the month. Let's wait and watch how many I manage in this month!

That's all for today!

Happy Reading!!