Realize = Seeing with real eyes.

Over time, I've realized that the only thing that is constant is 'change.' Looking back over the last six years, there have been so many changes I couldn't have imagined. Or imagined. Our family has grown, we moved to our own home, relatives left the city, some elders have passed on, and much more.

And over time, what I've also realized that never ever plan much much in future. Things are so fluid that the idea is to live in NOW. There have been things I planned and what happened what diagonally opposite. And I felt totally helpless as I couldn't do anything about it. What I've not learnt totally is to go with the flow. To some extent, maybe yes; however, not totally. And when I've not gone with the flow, I've been on the verge of breaking down - mentally.

So, the only thing that is constant is 'change.' What do you think?

All things Indian!

I had gone to Dilli Haat few months back. What is Dilli Haat? Translated as is, it means Delhi Bazaar, where you can go and shop for ethnic Indian stuff. Be it clothes, paintings, bangles, furniture, and much more. Clicked some photographs then. There was a lady selling bangles, clicked some of her photographs. She was more curious about where her photographs will be printed and she continued to pose! :)

I bought a beautiful, blue-colored, Kashmiri stole (smaller version of shawl, you can say). A bit on the expensive side, which most products in Dilli Haat are, still it is okay. All you must visit Dilli Haat once.

Speaking of ethnic Indian stuff. I am a big fan of FabIndia. The products at FabIndia are hand-crafted from traditional techniques. My personal favorite to buy clothes and home accessories. I've visited all FabIndia stores in South Delhi and can vouch that the FabIndia store in Vasant Kunj is the best. Way to go!! Visit www.fabindia.com to visit the online store.

Avoid Easy Cabs!

With time, the convinience and ease of traveling from one place to another in India has increased. Be it going from one city to another or from one location to another within a city. I still remember when I was younger, the option to go to my aunt's home was by a bus. Now it's not only bus, we can reach there by metro rail, auto, and by a radio taxi too! The options have amazingly increased.

Talking about radio taxis, we have various options where I stay. Mega cabs, Meru cabs, and Easy Cabs being the most used. Personally, I would rate Mega cabs the best. The rates are decent and the drivers are well-behaved. 4.5/5.
Which cab service is to be avoided? Easy Cabs. Three times I've had bad experience with them. And that's it - no more booking an Easy Cab in future.
What were these experiences?

1- I booked an Easy Cab to go from office to home for some urgent work. The booking was taken and they sent me the booking number. I go down at the appointed time & don't find any cab. I call back Easy cabs & ask them about the cab (I quote the booking number). And I was told, sorry, cab is not available! Hello, at least tell!! I can make alternate arrangements. But no.

2- Another time, I book an Easy Cab. And this time, the cab came in 25 minutes before appointed time. My work wasn't over; therefore, I told the driver to wait till the appointed time. He sounded as if in a hurry and asked me to come immediately. On reminding him that he arrived much earlier than the appointed time, it didn't matter to the driver. I still told him to park the cab & I'll come over. He unwillingly parked the cab. After around 10 minutes, he called up telling me that he is leaving because I'm taking time & he cannot wait. When I said I'll complain - he said it's ok I can complain to whoever I want to, but he's still leaving. I was left fuming!!!

3- The latest incident as new as today. I called other radio cabs, but due to rush, I called up Easy Cabs. A cab was available & it arrived 5 minutes late as on appointed time. This driver called saying he reached and I should come out immediately. I simply said ok, you've just reached & give me a minute. This driver seemed in a hurry too & kept telling me to come out immediately. I went. My small baby was with me. On the way, he applied brakes suddenly and it led to a jerk in my baby's neck. I simply told the driver there's a small baby with us, driver carefully. And this driver started shouting, "It's not because of me - this car in front stopped suddenly - I am driving ok." When I asked him not to shout & lower his volume, he shouted again, "My volume is always like this." At that point I wanted to hit him hard - but couldn't as I had my baby with me & I had to take him to a doctor.

I've decided not to book an Easy Cab ever again. You make your choice.

!!!

Last week was one depressing & gloomy week. Not only was the weather grey & gloomy, my mood was giving the weather company by being equally gloomy - maybe more. I did realize it was a phase of post partum depression. I was hoping it won't strike; however, it did. Bad thoughts, in fact depressing thoughts loomed large the entire week. No matter how much I tried by thinking about happy memories & thoughts, it didn't help. Now it's better though! Much much better. The weather helped too - it's sunny and cheerful.

My husband and I completed six years to our wedding few days back. Six years of love and togetherness, ups and downs, and a bond that has strengthened with every passing moment. Love you, my husband.

Have you ever felt a sense of helplessness? You really needed / wanted to do something; however due to circumstances / people, you couldn't? Or all you wanted / needed was some time from someone; however, someone didn't have time whole heartedly?

I'm sure many of us would have experienced helplessness at home or work, with family or colleagues, or on top of it with yourself. I've experienced helplessness too & am in that feeling now.

She remembers it all...

From the archives.

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She remembers it all, The people who said, 'They cared,' but did they really?

She remembers it all, The sound of laughter, How happy she'd been, but was she really?

She remembers it all, His arms around her, and He said, "I love you," but did he really?

She remembers it all, The pain she'd felt, when he left, How her heart ached, but did he really?

She remembers it all, The feeling of being so alone, The feeling that no one cared, but did they really?

But now they'll remember her, Staring at the knife in her hand, How easy to slit her wrists, but did she really?

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Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

Steve Jobs has passed on. This is one bit of news that has shook the entire world. And yes, it is needless to say it shook me too. And made me very sad. Not that I had ever met Steve Jobs, or would have had any kind of opportunity to meet him; still the passing on has had a saddening effect.

Steve Jobs, as I will put it, was an American creative inventor, whose creativity made the ugly world of computers beautiful. He was synonymous with blue jeans and a black mock turtleneck. Under him, began one of the most amazingly creative and beautiful companies' - Apple Inc. He also served as the CEO of Pixar Animation Studios that made Hollywood movies such as Toy Story, Toy Story II, Finding Nemo, Ratatuille, and similar movies.

Listen to any of his launch speeches of Apple products'. He always had a WOW effect. Be it the launch of iPhone, iPod, or iPod Nano. Listen to them and you would have wanted to buy the products from him right there from his hands. My first Apple product was a gift from my better half - an iPod Nano (Special Edition), way back in 2006. iPhone 2G was next. And then, an iMac laptop for home. Love all these products.

I was reading an article in one of the leading newspapers, The Hindu, by Steve Jobs. "Death is likely the single best invention of Life." In this article he says,

"...for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and ask myself: If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today? And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make big choices in life. Because almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."

How true! Just follow your heart and be passionate in whatever you do. As I've always said, 'love what you do, do what you love."

With the passing on of Steve Jobs, I am sure heaven will be a much beautiful place - technologically.

Steve, thanks for bringing in the change. By the way, did you know that he was a big fan of The Beatles? And that his car was a silver 2008 Mercedes SL 55 AMG, which does not display its license plates?