Dawn : Haiku

lost in penning rhymes

silently time tiptoes by

dawn arrives at door

Written for Haiku Horizons Prompt # 37 – DAWN

Things That Zest Up My Life !!

Humdrum of life everyday

Colours missing, it sometimes seems grey  

Life passes by in mundane routines

Unless done a few things that add life some sheen

There are a few things that I swear by

They add a vivacious zest to my life

Around them, in my eyes, a smile you would see

With these near me, a good time I am guaranteed 

Words cannot describe what I feel

How writing makes my insides heal

Passion is just filament of a feeling

When my thoughts meet paper, a whole new world starts reeling  

 I lap up books like a hungry child

When I hold one in my hands, I feel beguiled

In them, sometimes I become a saint and at times I play somebody’s wife

With every book that I read, I live a beautiful new life

Shopping for me is no less than a therapy

Days become cheerful however they were horrible or crappy   

Like every woman, I’m a shopping lover by birth

And trips to malls are my ticket to heaven on earth

Long drives in rain recharge me

In my ecosphere of thoughts, I love to flee

Because with every falling drop

Negativity and worries inside me get wiped off

 Melts my heart on seeing ice-creams

Bland without them my life would seem

The diet goes for a toss when they are around

With every bite, in a never ending bliss I get drowned    

These are things that bring in my eyes a fresh gleam

Happiness happily following along with its team

These are the things that invoke within a fiery zest

And I celebrate my life’s moments with them like a fest

The list of zests for me is enough long

And I can about them, go on and on

Coz what would life be if you live without any passion

Coz I believe, Life is to be lived with a contagious enthusiasm

This post is a part of the #ZestUpYourLife activity in association with TATA Zest and BlogAdda.com.

My 'Zesty' Five

There are some words which are positive in their sound itself. They carry a happy and a bright feeling with them. ‘Zest’ is one such word. The dictionary defines this word as ‘great enthusiasm and energy’. I am sure everybody has something or the other in their lives that induces this zest in them. These few things make moments in life worthwhile. A few such things for me would be:

Watching Reality Dance Shows: No, don’t think that I can shake a leg or something. Nope. I just can’t. But that doesn’t stop me from enjoying these shows. No matter how bad day I have had in office, play these shows at the end of the day in front of me and my mood gets lifted watching all those amazing and complex dance moves and lifts. I follow them fervently not missing a single episode of them. And while they are on, dare anybody touch the remote?  :P

Listening to Wind Chimes:  I love them. I just love their music. I have so many of them in the balcony of my room. Their soft tinkling sound is a great mood lifter for me. I think they are one of the best gifts that I receive (Yes, people around me know my love for them and I keep on receiving these once a while. Ofcourse, that doesn’t stop me from buying new ones for myself :P ). I love collecting them. And I hope to have a room full of wind chimes someday.  

Collecting Diaries:  My love for diaries is well known to people around me. And if a writer woudn’t collect diaries, who would? I have a huge collection of them. And I have different diaries for different purposes. One for writing all the good happenings of the day, one for making to-do lists, one for writing bad incidents and learning for life, one for remembering birthdays (yes, I am the traditional types, I don’t depend on my phone for that) and the most special one is for writing thoughts that get converted into blogposts. I protect my collection fiercely and nobody (even from my family) gets a chance to take away a single one from my collection. Seeing my collection everytime fills me up with immense happiness.

Making personalized gifts: Yes, I make personalized gifts for my loved ones. Somehow, making scrap books and other such personalized gifts gives me satisfaction. It makes me believe that I have put my heart into giving that gift. And I know the receivers treasure it too. That way, a part of me and the moments they have spent with me always remains with them. I love seeing the smile it brings on the people receiving these gifts. It makes them feel special and me happy.

Baking: This is my newest hobby or passion or experimentation field, whatever you can call. I have been fascinated by it. Watching ‘Cup Cake Wars’ and other cooking and baking shows on television has induced this new found interest in me. I have tried my hand at a few dishes recently. Not that everything turned out to be amazing but a few of them sure did. And I hope to hone my baking skills with time.

Well, these few things do the trick for me. What about you?

This post is a part of the #ZestUpYourLife activity in association with TATA Zest and BlogAdda.com.

My baby is a year old today :) :)

The day is clearly etched in my memory. 14^th May 2013 it was. The day my baby came into my life after a lot of pushing and efforts. Hard work it was. More mental, than physical. I was literally nagged into bringing it to life by well-wishers. So damn afraid I was. How would things happen? How will everything work after its

arrival? I mean everything changes once you have a new entity to take care of. I mean, what’s the point of bringing a new being into existence with so much passion and then what if you don’t nurture it properly. Such and a whole gamut of questions popped inside my head.

And then the day arrived. The labour had begun. Confusion, patience and a lot of efforts later, my baby came to life. I could see it. Ah.. that amazing feeling. I was literally walking in air. Happiness visible in my eyes!! I never thought in my dreams that the puppy love affair which started in teens would eventually develop into a passionate relationship and finally consummate into bringing my baby to this world. If happiness was just a ‘petal’, I was experiencing full blown spring. Such was its impact on me.

Gosh, I was so damn careful in handling it in the initial days. I didn’t know what to do when others came around to have a look. How do I behave? How was I supposed to make them feel?

But, such a proud parent I felt when somebody would come to see my baby. When they said something good, I beamed. I basked in the glory seeing my baby grow day by day, seeing the love and affection of people around. When somebody would ask me, how my baby was doing, I would run out of words describing what happiness my baby and I were going through.

I kept a check on my baby every now and then. You could say I was obsessed. I don’t know if all parents are this way, but I was.

And then there were the grey days. Days when nothing in life seemed to be going right. Days when disappointment touched the shores of my soul. And on such gloomy days, one look at my baby would bring smile on my parched lips. I felt so connected to it. My baby. My reason to smile.

And through this journey, I also mingled around with fellow parents. Came across with some great ones! I tried to learn from them seeing how they handled their babies. Some were so successful in gathering so much adulation from one and all around. I so adored them. I wanted my baby to be as successful as them. But, ofcourse, my baby was my baby and I had my own way of handling it and nurturing it. I learnt my own path and kept on walking.

A year it has been! Twelve months of pure bliss. My baby is growing up to become so adorable. I love the adulation being showered on my child. Thankful I am to all those who have been around. Friends, so amazing I have made in this journey. Friends who are great support. Friends who love to drop in and say hello to me and my baby! I can’t even describe the happiness I feel when I have those friends around, motivating me to do better and adulating the baby.

I can go on and on about it. Any parent can. But yes, I noticed, I haven’t mentioned the name of my baby yet. I deliberated a lot on it while naming. And after thinking and re-thinking and consulting and discussing, I named it ‘Dreams and Dimensions’. Do keep showering your love on us. <3 <3 <3

 P.S. - I also wrote a poetic version for ‘My Baby’. You can read it here. 

Third Time Charm - Liebster III

The mere mention of the word ‘award’ brings a smile on the face. There are some like the ones given by mommy on successful completion of homework or minding your manners when guests are around or daddy for getting good marks. They are something which most of us have received. Then, there are some like receiving filmfares available to only a chosen privileged few. And then, there are some like ‘Liebster’ received by this awesome community of bloggers. I received two of my Liebsters from amazing fellow bloggers Sreeja Praveen and Sreesha Divakaran. I wrote about them here.                                                                                      

But an award is an award. As many times you receive it is always welcome ;) Somewhere, it is an indication that your writings are being liked somewhere. There are some fellow bloggers who come and read you everytime you put up some blabber and yet find it interesting enough to come back again.

So, when Inspirational Romance Writer, Aayesha Hakim presented me with my third Liebster here, I was all ‘smiles’. She wrote this before nominating fellow bloggers for this award – “To the people I have nominated above: Congratulations! The reason behind me nominating you is, I enjoy reading your blog and you deserve a lot more subscribers. Keep writing!”

The sheer simplicity and honesty of her words above make you feel warmer. So, dear Aayesha, thank you for considering me for this award. I love reading your blog too and hope you too win over many more readers.

The rules of accepting a Liebster are stated in my earlier post which I mentioned above. There was some confusion about nominating fellow bloggers again. I read somewhere that I can present this award to ten bloggers just once. But I also came across posts where bloggers have nominated others every time they receive this award. Since I have nominated fellow bloggers already, I wouldn’t be doing it again. But, yes I am all set to answer the volley of questions posed by Aayesha. So here we go !

1.   What would you wish to name a movie about your life?

That’s easy. The movie name should ofcourse be ‘Dreams and Dimensions’

2.   What is YOUR favorite blog post from YOUR blog? Link please!

Oh, Aayesha,  you are asking a mother to choose her favourite child. Very difficult. But still if I had to give it a shot, I think it would be 'Halfway' and 'A Closet full of Memories'

3.   What is the best piece of life advice you could give to someone?

    All I would say is, “Don’t hold back. Do things that make you happy. At the end, it’s just once that we get to live.   

4.   Worst thing a person can do to you?

Worst thing a person can do to me or for that matter to anybody else is judge me without knowing the real me. I literally loathe people who keep on passing judgments without knowing the story of other people.   

5.   Give me a description of what you see when you look out of the window this very moment!

    You wouldn’t believe where am I writing this post. I am travelling by train and its awesome morning sunshine over lush green fields that please my vision right this moment.

6.   What do you think about my blog? ;)

   Aayesha - The inspirational romance writer. I recently discovered your blog and have loved your writings since then. I just can’t imagine myself doing a post everyday of the month. So, kudos to you for completing the UBC. All the best for spinning more and more beautiful yarns of words. Lovely to have known somebody like you.   

7.   Items on your bucket list?

    As a writer, the most obvious thing is getting published. And few others are to visit Vegas, to have a tattoo and own a sea-facing house with a room full of my favourite books. That’s it ;)

8.   What is the thing you do at the end of your day just before going to bed?

     Most of the times, Facebook and Twitter gets the privilege :P But, yes, better sense prevails sometimes and I do think and decide about what am I supposed to do for the next day, which by the way never happens as planned :P :P

9.   Anything that you would want to change about yourself?

A better metabolism would be great :P

10.       Do you agree with popular belief that a man is ruled by his head and a woman by her heart?

I think women are too complex to be simplified in that one line of just being ruled by our hearts :P And, I don’t think it can be stereotyped in today’s times about how one behaves, whatever be the gender.

                                             

11 .       What according to you is the problem most of the youths face today?

Well, the problems are myriad. Starting from the fact that the android battery doesn’t last long to the pessimism about Indian politics :P But, on a more serious note, I think we (using the word ‘we’ considering that a 28 year old is still considered young :P ) want everything. Focus is what we probably lack.

Phew.. so, I am all done. Loved answering them Aayesha. J J

My Dear CC

My Dear CC,

I somehow feel very nostalgic today. It’s been years since we have been together and you know we have been sticking to each other like conjoined twins. Never letting go off each other, enjoying each other’s company and loving each other like truest of lovers.  

Do you remember the year 2009, CC? Ah, how would you? You were not in my life then. But let me tell you a little story. Year 2009 spelled doom for financial sectors across the world. And why just financial sector, it spelled doom for countries, leave aside a particular sector. Two years before that, a starry-eyed girl topping the entrance test tried to catch hold of her post graduate degree dreams.

Little did she know, that by the time she would be about to get hold of her management degree, the universe would have conspired against her dreams of strutting around in business suits with crisp make up, holding interesting meetings with clients, knocking down strategies of competitors, having business lunches and flying to different cities cracking deals for her multinational. Lest she knew, that two years down the line, she would be wearing some of the most humble attires, having conversations with fed up clients, getting knocked down by bosses, having lunch with same old colleagues and most of all, hopping from one city to another every single day but not by some comfortable airline but inside a jam packed, worn out state transport buses.

Yes, the year 2009 gave a 360⁰ turn to my life made a sarkari babu (government officer) out of me with the office located in another city so far away that the most convenient way to reach there was in those buses (no matter how uncomfortable they were).

The hardest part of the travel ranged from being bored to death during the one and half hours long journey, the damage to my eardrums from the noise of those worn out buses, the headache caused because of the constant chatter of passengers around and not to forget the trouble to my legs due to lack of seats.

Three months into my job, I came home complaining my tiresome journey every day. I don’t know whether it was my cribbing or something else but one fine tiring and boring journey later when I reached home, you awaited me. Yes, CC, you came into my life then. My parents made me meet you. I fell in love with you the very instant. I know you did too.

From that day onwards, you became my Constant Companion, my CC. The bored-to-death syndrome was replaced with entertained-to-the-hilt syndrome every single day. With you, I would either be finding out how Ted Mosby’s children got to know about their father’s rather loongggg love story of finding their Mother or I would be lost in the craziness of Chandler Bing and gang.

And CC, don’t you remember, the times when I had exhausted my quota for these shows, some or the other e-book would have found its way with us. Isn’t it? If I was not in a mood to have a book date, I would relieve my stress of going to work everyday by killing some goons in the game of FLV Commando or Crushing some candies :P:P Yeah, yeah I know it was too much for you.

CC, do you remember how proud I was to have you when I showed you around in my bus. Yes, the so called bus that we took everyday brimmed with employees whose average age surpassed forties and whose only form of entertainment was gossiping and poking noses in somebody else’s business which included some very grave concerns about how much I earned, details about my family, why wasn’t I married yet, where did I get my new kurti from and why did I get down at a stop earlier than my usual. The never-be-rude syndrome in me made me answer those uncomfortable questions cringingly. But that was before you.

You came to my rescue like a knight in shining armor protecting me from the volley of those uncomfortable questions making me oblivious to my over friendly passengers.

I know CC, I am somewhat forgetful. Being a writer, it makes things even worse. Coz I used to constantly observe and write things in my head; whilst forgetting half of them while they actually got implemented on paper. But that was also before you CC. You understood this facet of mine and that’s why you were always there with me. You became the place where I poured my thoughts just as they came about in my head; which not only included the time while I traveled but also my office desk, my actual writing table and most importantly near my pillow at night.

Do you know CC that the times have changed so much and sarkari naukri (government job) no longer means aaram ki jindagi. (comfortable life) Which meant more work and more deadlines. (Yes, I know it’s kind of an earth shattering truth but it is) Do you remember, those hard times when I read those long and arduous agreements while I traveled. You wouldn’t believe but I made some gruesome notes and presentations with you in those ghastly buses.

I am getting emotional now CC. You have been truly been my constant companion helping me tread through thick and thin. Whether it was by keeping me entertained or by allowing me follow my passion and even letting me work. You were truly a soul mate, CC.

But CC, today we need to talk. I know it would be hard for you to listen what I am about to say now. But CC, I don’t have a choice. Times change and so do people. I have changed too. My needs have changed too. You were there with me CC, but I need more now. Yes, call me selfish, but I can’t help it.

You have grown old dear. You don’t look as stunning as you looked earlier. You have been hanging up on me quite a few times recently and I just can’t take it anymore, love. And besides, my needs, well, they are increasing CC. I need more out of you which you haven’t been able to give off late. Its hard for me to say this love, but I will have to let go off you dear.

Oh, I know you might be thinking if I have somebody else in my life. I have to confess CC. Yes, I have found somebody else. Yes, I am swallowing hard while I say this but she is better, much better than you.

Now don’t weep CC. You had your days. My new one, oh, she is stunning. Sleek and beautiful. And do you know the best thing about her. She is multi-mode.  

With her around, I know I would be able to read so many books and browse those wonderful blogs with so much ease. You know why CC? That’s because it can eliminate twisting force and create comfortable one-handed holding with its unique battery cylinder. And do you remember how crazy I am about having video chats with my little niece Tyra, I would be able to do that so more often with its unique kickstand which would let me enjoy the comfort of a hands-free viewing experience. And how can I forget my passion for writing. I know I would be able to do that easily now since its battery cylinder provides the perfect angle for touch interaction.

So CC, I guess that’s the end of our relationship. Yes, I have my eyes on somebody else. Ah, how brilliant she is. Oh, I know you would want to know her name. So here it is. She is the Lenovo YOGA Tablet. Wish me a happy life with her.

Once yours, now hers,

Ardent Tablet Lover

This post is written for Lenovo Yoga Tablet - A Better Way in association with IndiBlogger]

Disgusted, I pull away

Fun time with my girls

Partying around in small skirts

Somebody said, a new lounge

We wanted to paint the red town

Over the bar

He stole glances

Futile to look away

A pull so magnetic

Couldn’t help but gaze

Can’t recall if I ever experienced this phase?

Sexiness oozed

I think over I had boozed

Smart was the word

No lesser could I afford

Dapper in denims

Attitude personified

Walked so dignified

For the dance he asks

Could I have denied?

Moves so smooth

Professional it looked

Clumsy I felt

Somehow my anxiety I dealt

Distance closing in

So tempting to commit the sin

Waist he holds

Moves so close

Hands all over

Can feel him tower

Pretending to dance

Something else going on

Eyes were locked

Steps almost stop

Hands in my hair

I feel the pull

My fingers on his cheeks

Feel of his stubble

Lips quivering

Temptations soaring

Drown in daze

Kiss on my forehead I feel

Disgusted, I pull away

Nausea I had to deal

From clutches, myself I free

Rushing to the bathroom

My girls following soon

Chemistry they had seen

Shocked they seem

What’s wrong they ask

Handing me a water glass

Getting hold of myself, I speak

Such a wrong guy

How could I not away from him fly?

Curious they seem

Couldn’t be any subtle

Blurted, I hate that smelly stubble

Crazy giggles followed soon

Dirty looks from others in the bathroom

Looked we were totally drunk

Who knew I had recently dumped

He waited outside

We had to get away

Seems we had to say

‘She is not in her senses’

My girl says

‘Coz of your smelly stubble’

They neither know how to be subtle

Disappointed he walks away

Gossips, giggles on the road

Girls, we sway

This post is a part of the Protest Against Smelly Stubble Activity in association with BlogAdda.Tagging friends: Ashish Hablani, Sreesha Divakaran, Sindhu Devi K, Sreeja Praveen

         You might also like to read other entries for the contest:

1.   Some things just click with women ;)

2.   And there goes the Chance !!

3.   A Soldier’s Hospital Love Story ;)