Happy Wives Club!! :)

 He lets me lift heavy things. He says i ll become a lazy ass and unfit soon if i start depending on him for all the heavy work. Ofcourse he intervenes when he has to! And the best part is he always knows when :)

 He always gives me one gift that i ve never asked for. Something i never would have wanted, which, if given, "may" be used to develop a new interest. It doesn't matter if it goes waste. He still gives it :) Apart from the ones i want of course :D

 He doesn't know anything about hindustani classical music. Yet, he asks me what i have learnt new in my music class after every single class.He doesn't know anything about the ragas i mention. Yet he listens- after e.v.e.r.y s.i.n.g.l.e c.l.a.s.s

He says the first reason why he loves me is cos I can think logically and solve puzzles quickly. And the second reason is cos i can sing. Hello, what ever happened to "you are the most pretty, loving , caring girl in the whole world" :-/

 He never trusts me enough- he checks on my helmet straps every single time when i inside his car on a track day or behind him on the motorbike.

 He is so amused when i yell from the bottom of my throat. He laughs his ass off and quotes padayappa dialogues- and it calmly ends what would have been a yelling fiasco.

 He pulls me in to solving problems and writing programs late into saturday nights. He registers us for science talks on Valentine's day. Who says romance is all about eating dinner in a candlelit atmosphere ;)

I ve never written a post about him. I ve never even thought about it honestly.

But he surely deserves one.

For redefining marriage for me.

Prompted..!

My sis in law is a great fan of Preeti Shenoy, and in my recent bangalore trip, i happened to read the book "The Secret Wishlist". I loved the essence of the book- living for yourself, taking time to discovering your desires and pursuing them! I felt like i could connect with the author's ideals and so looked her up online and read her blog ( beautiful posts) and read about these wednesday competitions!
Preeti's blog

The title for this week's competition is-

"I wish I had another chance to.."

Hmmm, I am a very independent person and have always chosen to follow my heart ( share my namesake's sentiments on this!) ! I absolutely have no regrets in life so far (touchwood), but hey, i am still going to write up a short post on this cos i LOVE the title!! Whether or not I want to alter certain things in my past, I am sure i want to cherish certain things in my past- so here goes!
I wish i had another chance to..

re-live my childhood days- My mom is the greatest gift god has given me, and i'd love to grow up again under her loving care, drinking the aromatic coffees she makes and eating the yummiest food in the world! I do not even mind the days i was very sick, cos she'd be there to take care of me all over again! Not just that, I would love to read "Tinkle" with "enthusiasm" and play cricket without even changing my school uniform and get spanked by dad :D! Oh wait, did i miss mentioning yelling and fighting with my lovely bro? ;)

apologise, share and care- I am 26 now, and i have had my fair share of immature days and egotistic talks! How i wish i could go back to those situations and deal with them differently! Whether or not I was right, a simple sorry would ve avoided hours of arguments and unnecessary tensions and healed hurt hearts!! At the end of it all, no matter where I am in life and how wealthy/important i am, the one thing that will evaluate my life for me is how good a human i have been !! To anyone i may have hurt knowingly or unknowingly- a heartfelt apology through this post! ( Better late than never..just thought I'd grab the opportunity rather than wait for another chance!)

keep in touch- Some people are such a grand part of one's growing up. So grand that memories associated with them are always fresh in one's heart. Thanks to social media like Facebook, i am in touch with those people from my past and know what they are upto, but thats no excuse for not being in touch. I should have kept in touch with my school friends, my teachers and my cousins who were such a lovely part of my growing up!

enjoy my wedding- The day i married the man i dated for 9 years was one of the BEST days of my life! The one day when the ones that matter the most to me were always around me! Enough said! :)

Thank you Preeti, for this lovely chance to realize the good in my life..And thank you god, for all these! And Thanks everyone for reading my post! A little belated, but hey 11.5 months left- So, happy new year! :)

-Preethi

10 reasons y i love Chandler,AZ

10 reasons y I love Chandler
1) my gang - Fun is the word that best describes us. So much that we get constant requests from ppl inviting themselves for our tea breaks :P It's a privilege to be a part of my gang. Almost like being an elite member of sum society.
2))woodlands- a perfect south Indian restaurant that makes amazing north indian food too ( this one is for "someone"s love ..who happens to be VERY regional :P)  . A place where the owner let's our gang keep "account"
3) my gang - we ve redefined tea break at intel. Tea breaks are no More abt Walkin down to the cafe getting coffee n going back. It requires some planning. Stocking up on milk bikis n Marie n good day, reserving the corner table in the cafe n having an elaborate session of ruining someone's reputation. Let's jus say that "someone" is almost always the same person. Oh wait, can "that" be classified as a human?
4)oct-nov weather - nothin like it. Those 2 months are pure bliss. Ok let's not talk abt the previous 2 months :P
5)my gang- my best friends happen to be the best cooks I ve ever met. I ve had the best tasting brinjal dish here. And the thaalipeeth. And bisi bele bath. And butter pound cake. And spinach rasam. And.. Time to eat sumthin, this point has made me hungry.
6)The wide smooth roads- I love the fact that even interior roads are 3 lane roads and freeways are 5 lane. Best part being everyone wants to drive in the 2 rightmost lanes . So it's almost like having 3 hov lanes :)
7)Dust storms n thunder storms- they are a delight to watch, yes, only to watch . And did I mention the condition that I shouldn't watch the latter while am alone :D
8)my apartment - the first ever time I have had the money n privilege to color coordinate n decorate an entire apartment like I wanted :)
9) the strategic location- 5 hrs in almost any direction and u reach a cool city :) eg:Vegas, san Diego, LA :) and the absolute coolness is driving 2 hrs north and reaching places 20 degrees cooler. Fabulous day trip option.
10) my gang- ok..u get the point :D

When I got here last summer , I wasn't  very sure I wud like the place . Its amazing how I m typing this entire post in my fone in my flight journey. It's awesome how nature lets u adapt to everything and beautiful how the mind n heart find priceless relationships everywhere. Love u guys ( kt Nisha Chots n baaboo ) !!!!!

Familiar Voidness

I have done it time and again, yet, it feels as difficult every single time. Like going to school on day 1, minus the excitement factor..

The thought that at the other end of the sleep, its gonna be a huge emotional trauma, The uneasiness in breathing, tossing and turning a million times before the sleep engulfs and waking up to the sound of alarm which reminds me that its time to go to airport, either to drop someone or to leave someone- Horrible..Period..

Could there be something worse? Well yes, Coming back to an empty home, to the deafening silence, looking at bits n pieces left behind from packing stuff..
Forgetting to lock the door thinking amma would do it and then responding to the harsh reality. Or climbing on to a plane, sitting amidst 200 unknown people and switching off the fone and departing home at 500 miles/hour.

The whole sequence is so cliche now- I know how its going to feel, I know how its going to hurt, I know how numbing its going to be, I know how its gonna choke, I know how weak am gonna be..and yet, I know how helpless I am-cos I have no idea how to prepare myself for it..

I hate this....familiar voidness......

Sorgame Endraalum..!

Aug 14 !

2 yrs up!! Time to Validate- What have I got in these 2 years?

1) A nutcase cald Amanda as my roommate !! ( I love my nutcase though :) ) and Pranav, the most , pro-mumbai( and money), anti-( chennai, vlsi, engineering, job, studies,anything that involves effort) man who happens to be one of my best friends :D
2) A Master's degree..Yay? Oh yea Whatever! I don feel like I am worth it :P.. Specially when I come to think of my VLSI phase 2 project with Pranav wherein we "DESIGNED" our memory cell missing an entire hierarchy in between and got 50/50 in the 2nd phase!
3) A job in Intel.. Hmm this probably deserves a YAY but this place scares me everyday! All they talk about is "striving to impress"
4) Sairam- Well he s a treasure.. One valid reason for me to have felt like "Thank god I chose to study!( And thank god he chose the U of M)
5) Culinary Skills! YAY!!!! Believe me, I am managing all by myself in a desert :P Thanks to my lovely skills :P

And what have I missed?

1) My YOUTH :( Shit am growing old! And worse, I can feel it!!!!
2) Priya's Wedding- This will haunt me forever :( I cudnt make it to her wedding cos I got a job 10 days AFTER her wedding! Damnn , if only it was before :(
3) Amma's yummy yummy food- But It hasnt helped me lose any weight.. I am beginning to think I am a better cook, but its NOT true..( Mandy, modesty definitely is my middle name :D )
4) Fights with my Appa- Skype doesn give me the exact feel/flavor, so I better complain..
5)CHENNAI!!!!!!! My heaven, my shrine, my everything :(
6) Priya and Subbu- the text msgs, movies, b'day planning, spencer plaza, restaurants etc etc etc etc that I can ( or I'd rather ) do with them :(

Was it worth it? It is SO hard to answer, I am not sure if what I have been upto is good enough for whatever I ve been missing.. But, I ve come to realize that life is all about this.. I read it on someone's status "Life is what happens to you when ur planning something else" and its so true!!

Coming to think of it, my world has expanded a lil ( in terms of ppl i love and ppl who care abt me ) and considering the fact that appa, amma , priya and subbu thot it was such a huge deal when I sent them the degree certificate pic and the intel offer letter :) Well, may be it WAS really worth it :)

Doesn't imply ANYTHING! Sorgameee endraalum, adhu nammooora pola varuma :)

Waiting for that Aug 14 when I would blog from Chennai :)

2nd Anniversary

She left us too..

The wound is fresh and the pain is deep..

Miss you...and paati.....

Luv,

Preethu.

All your Fault

I was sitting in the parlour with some white substance on my face that was supposed to make me look better (really??!!). I was facing a huge hurdle in life- I couldnt talk..I can vouch for Theory of Relativity when I am asked to shut up for some time. That's when I feel like calling the A-Z contacts on my mobile and "catching up". So ya, I had to shut my mouth and worse, close my eyes. The lady was a very courteous one and switched on the FM for me..

"Oh oh ethanai azhagu irubadhu vayadhinile..". I heard some stifled laughs and they added to my agony. Luckily the parlour lady justified saying "such old songs..maathu ma FM ah" ( otherwise i may have killed her).I got to tell him abt this tonight on gtalk, am sure he'll find the coincidence funny and I could see him smile on the screen within my closed eyes.

"Azhagu nee nadandhaal nadai azhagu... oooo netriyile surundu vizhum neenda mudi azhagu.."- I was video chatting with him. He shook his head like dogs do when they are given a bath. And there came a strand of hair on his forehead. I googled these lyrics and pasted it to him.And he smiled. These FM ppl.. Cant they choose some better song?

And then a series of advertisements and I was envying those RJ's whose mouths weren't sealed with the magic white cream that was going to turn frogs into princesses. Then started the "Big 6, back to back songs" on Big FM.

"Munbe vaa en anbee vaaa...."- I love to sing. I was singing this song at home. And then, an urge to compare myself with a common friend of mine and his whose performance he's heard. I attempted thrice. The third attempt was alright, but I had kept the mic too close. And that's exactly what my best friend said when I sent it to her. But I told him I was going to send it. So, I picked up the mic, gave it one shot hoping it cums out well and he was impressed. He said "Super voice loosu unaku" and I was floating. "Damn these FM people, epo paathalum same songs"

"Sel Sel avaludan Sel...."- I was sitting on the couch and he was singing this for the 100th time that day. He's not a great expert in singing ( like me :P) but there's something very cute abt it. I was telling him "come off, come off with me, unna check in panni eduthundu poidren" and then he sang "sol sol avalidam sol" and I was like "Tell me Tell me..dont think too much"...And I felt something wet.. Wow, she was rubbing off the white thing. More than worrying about how beautiful I had transformed, the first thing I blurted was " Can u change the station please?". She took her time to wipe it off my face and as I got up to pay...

"Pogaadhe...Pogaadheee..nee irundhaal nan irupeen"- I was trying hard for 2 hours to grab his attention. Its so pissing off when he's glued to his laptop. I had finished cooking and was doing absolutely "nermal"( this is for garfield fans) kinda lame stuff to attract attention. And, as always, nothing happened. Then I thot ok fine I am leaving. My comp was on and since he was online, I pinged him and said "I cant take this shit anymore, am leaving". No response. Then after 2 minutes the song played....like a hot knife through butter..and "vennais" like me don even require that hot a knife..I was smiling..and..and.. "Madam, ok ngla?"..

I pulled out the money, looked into the mirror, and realized I was never going to change..

I have to narrate this to him tonite.. or wait, let me post it in my blog and video chat with him to c his reaction..

How I fell in luv with Chennai- ALL OVER AGAIN!!!!

Dec 25- I was up before 7 am, when my alarm was supposed to go off. A realization "Its 25th, the day is here"- Excitement in its ultimate gigantism. To top it, an A in my favorite course. Can there be a better morning in my life? I doubt..

The 14 hour flight was so annoying. Home so close, yet so far. Its so weird how after waiting for 450 days, it pains like crazy to wait 14 hours. By the time I reached Abudhabi, I was sick..of flights...the security checks and just having to sit glued to one place. I got into the flight, irritated and sleepy. The moment they announced "non stop service to Chennai", my face lit up. It hit me where I was heading. It dawned on me that I had to wait 3 more hours and then it would be heaven. I probably was the only idiot who was smiling when the plane was taxi'ng on the run way. From then on, my screen had just the live map running.

Distance to Destination: 1786 miles Estimated Arrival: 3 31 am Ground Speed: 590 mph. Hmm..so slow.. Wat to do? Its so boring..Shud I sleep? Shud I look out into the dark? I was clenching my fists and looking at the Distance to Destination without batting an eyelid..

Distance to Destination: 364 miles-I felt the first surge of adrenaline. I mean, imagine, it was true, that I was going to reach chennai. I was as close to Chennai as I would have been if I was somewhere in say, Hyderabad. No more 5 digit discouraging distances, no more 10.5 hour differences. Appa wouldn't have to say "Hi, u woke up too late, its time for me to sleep" or "Preethi, its time, I am off to office, u better go to sleep". He could kick my ass and wake me up at 6 am (of course I wouldnt wake up, but tats a different story altogether).

Distance to Destination: 122 miles- "Cabin Crew, Prepare for landing". I was choking. The aircraft was really going to land in Anna International Terminal. I was going to touch my parents and see that I wasnt touching my laptop screen. I was paralyzed. I was staring out of the window not wanting to be looked at like an alien by my co passenger. The cabin lights were turned off and oh my god.. Chennai was breathtakingly beautiful. People who know me would have easily guessed that I would have started crying by now.

After Immigration, I reached the arrival lobby. Vishnu was the first person I saw. Then anna. Then manni. Then..AMMA. I hugged her and was locked in that position, for 2 mins. The world around me froze. Then Appa! "IDIOTTT, go get ur baggage, u just left it astray.."..Sigh, Appa's, they never change..

I picked up my bags, came out to the open..And took a deep breath of Chennai's air-

REBIRTH...

My BEST friend's Birthday!!!!!!!!!

"Inbam varalaam thunbam varalaam nanban oruvan pangu peralaam, kalloori natpukillai mutru pulliye!!!!"- Indha line keta, en mind la vara ore person- ennoda PRIYA!

Apdi patta en Priya oda birthday- Nov 14th- A post dedicated to my one and only soul mate :)

What do i write? Everytime I try to write something for her, whether its an orkut testimonial or a "birthday" book, I stumble..What do i write to sumone who knows what exactly I am about to speak the next second? Or what exactly is running in my head this very second? The only one who knows how exactly to deal with me and who knows when I am going to get pissed and when I am going to get really really pissed? And who still does those things knowing how exactly to set it all right again?????? The only one with whom I can go on and on for hours and then still find something to talk.. Or cut the call in 5 mins bluntly stating "I am bored of talking right now" and still know that it wouldn be 1 bit offensive! The only one without whom I ve never attended college ( apart from the usual lesser than 75% attendance that i had)

How long have i known u dee?? Hmmm... Forever???  Well, close to it..

Feels like I cant recollect anything of what happened before u came into my world di! U have redefined LIFE for me.. Fun na enna, love na enna, care na enna, trust na enna, understanding na enna, misunderstanding na enna ( :D)..elllameeeeee..u ve taught me a lot, without ur and my knowledge :)

I have told u this 1 million times.. But I have never been able to completely express it.. I LOVE U DI, UR MY BESTEST FRIEND EVER..There's no way I can push a day without u .. Hate to get this sentimental with u.. :D


HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEARESTTTTTT PRIYA! HOPE U HAVE AN AWESOMESTTT BIRTHDAY, YET AGAIN :)

T-Nagar.... :)

I got the following thing in an e-mail which said it was an excerpt from a blog- Below this is my version of the same blog entry..


Where is this T.Nagar?
Nobody knows accurately. It is just this lovely place in Chennai, which if you decide to visit for the second time, you get a free seasonal pass for a window-side bed in Kilpauk hospital.

Sounds like a holiday package..what if I manage a third visit?
You get one year free admission at Yervadi, next to Sethu Vikram. Cost of chain included in the package.

Oh! You said it's a lovely place. Do people go there for sight-seeing?
Kinda yeah, it is Chennai's own version of "Suicide Point"

Can we shop there?
There are just two things you can do at T.Nagar. One,shop and two,die. The former is optional though.

My wife wants some good silk sarees. Where do I take her?
Push her into Pothys and run. This is your best chance to live with some self respect in future.

What if I stay?
You automatically qualify for Bihar elections.

What if I go in too?
If you are Gopi, you'll come out as Gopi 65.

I heard gold is pretty cheap at some place there?
Very cheap yeah, not just the rate. I guess you are talking about Ranganathan Street, Annachi shop.

Ya ya. How do I go there?
You just need to stand at the start of that street. Close your eyes. Open your eyes. You are inside Annachi shop, courtesy : fellow shoppers.

Can I take my vehicle?
Shut up! Even Laloo wouldn't do that!

Oh is it very crowded?
Yeah, by the time you count the number of people around you, they can telecast Junoon twice.

Junoon?? What's that?
Kadavule! Paathathu illiya Junoon neenga? Periya athu megaserial. Pesuvaanga maathi maathi thamizh athula.

Oh! By the way, do men shop in T.Nagar?
Wise men stay away. Married men do shop.

I heard there are lots of platform shops?
There is no platform. Only shops.

Whatever, how good are they?
Very good infact. You get all sortsa brands including Nykee, Ribok and Adeedas. At cheap rates that too!

Hey isn't that phony? The spellings are all messed up!!
Naah. They have been changed according to numerology, that's all.

Fine. Is there any good restaurant there?
Ya, Saravana Bhavan.

Wow! What would I get there for, say 50 rupees?
Quite a lot. Half a dosa, 5 ml Sambhar and some pebbles.

Pebbles? Why??
Huh, you are dumber than a crow! To raise the level of sambhar ofcourse.

That's bad. But I heard there's a hot chips too?
You'll be a hot chip yourself once you step into Ranganathan Street.

How is the air pollution level in T.Nagar?
One deep breath and you'll die on the spot, money back guarantee.

So many issues, eh? Finally, what's the best thing about T.Nagar?
Variety. So many shops, so many dresses and so many accessories. Even if you escape death by other mean, you'll be confused to death!









Where is this T.Nagar?
Nobody knows accurately, but there are autos everywhere to help u out. It is just this lovely place in the loveliest Chennai, which if you visit for the first time, u would surelyy decide to visit for the second time.. :)

Sounds like a holiday package..what if I manage a third visit?
wat do u mean wat if i manage a third visit? Guarenteed, U will visit.. Its a haven of shopping/crowd/feelin real!!

Oh! You said it's a lovely place. Do people go there for sight-seeing?
Kinda yeah, for ppl who ve lived in US and know how nice it feels to c ppl all around, it is Chennai's hotspot!!

Can we shop there?
There are just two things you can do at T.Nagar. One,shop and two,window shop. The former is optional though.

My wife wants some good silk sarees. Where do I take her?
Push her into Pothys and run. This is your best chance to see the buzzz of the city witout the buzz of ur wife :P.

What if I stay?
It means u r not able to stand the heat out and need some AC, with an ulterior motive of controlling ur wife from exceeding the limit!!.

What if I go in too?
If you are Gopi, you'll come out as Fool-Gopi , succumbing to ur wife's shopping desires, unable to resist the variety.

I heard gold is pretty cheap at some place there?
Very cheap yeah, not just the rate. I guess you are talking about Ranganathan Street, Annachi shop. Not everyone really wants to buy 24-Carat gold in Chennai. Specially if ur a kanjoos and its jus to show off for a 3 hour function..

Ya ya. How do I go there?
You just need to stand at the start of that street. Close your eyes. Open your eyes. You are inside Annachi shop, courtesy : fellow shoppers. This probably answers ur next Q too!!

Can I take my vehicle?
If u dont mind parking it abt 2 kms away, comon , would u take ur vehicle inside MGM or Kishkinta or for that matter even Universal studios to roam abt??!

Oh is it very crowded?
Are u even asking this question after I answered 6 questions?!! U need a place in Kilpauk even if u werent visiting T-nagar.

Junoon?? What's that?
Kadavule! Paathathu illiya Junoon neenga? Periya athu megaserial. Pesuvaanga maathi maathi thamizh athula. T-nagar maadri areas ku poi real life paaka pudikaadhavanga veetla panra vetti kaaryam la onnu..

Oh! By the way, do men shop in T.Nagar?
Wise men stay away. Married men do shop.Cos wise unmarried men think shopping the same stuff from Shopper's Stop or Spencer Plaza adds to their GETHU.

I heard there are lots of platform shops?
There is no platform. Only shops. Cos ppl choose to walk in the middle of the road.

Whatever, how good are they?
Very good infact. You get all sortsa brands including Nykee, Ribok and Adeedas. At cheap rates that too! Everyone cant be well off enuf to shop NIKE, REEBOK, ADIDAS.. And everyone may wanna buy these.. This is the Optimal Solution!!

Hey isn't that phony? The spellings are all messed up!!
Naah. They have been changed to avoid the WISE MEN i mentioned in one of the prev Q to quit their habits and raid these shops, that's all. So that the MARRIED MEN get to buy these.

Fine. Is there any good restaurant there?
Ya, Saravana Bhavan ( 2 branches), Hot Chips, Gangotree, Ratna Cafe, Geetanjali ( sum ppl still do prefer this)..

Wow! What would I get there for, say 50 rupees?
Quite a lot. Depends on the place u go to. Enuf fud to keep u full for 3 hours.

Pebbles? Why??
Huh, we prefer using that instead of paper weights ( in many shops arnd chennai).

That's bad. But I heard there's a hot chips too?
You'll be a hot chip yourself once you step into Ranganathan Street. Or for that matter, anywhere, cos tats how the weather is. U r REALLY dumber than a crow!!

How is the air pollution level in T.Nagar?
One deep breath and you'll die on the spot though there's no space for vehicles and even laloo cannot bring it in, money back guarantee. BUT dont think if u breathe elsewhere u can live for 100 yrs.. Its the same issue everywhere in India..

So many issues, eh? Finally, what's the best thing about T.Nagar?
Variety ( u CAN very well afford to not enter annachi shop and still shop to ur heart's content). Buzz. The cheap prices. The maanga/pineapple shops. Kumaran/Nalli where ppl still hold their sentiments abt wedding saris, its the only place on earth where economically mosttt backward and forward ppl can shop without qualms!! So many shops, so many dresses and so many accessories. Even if you escape death by other mean, you'll be confused to death! If ur a shop-aholic, u wud prefer dying that way, wont u???!!!

Friday morning Blues...

Friday morning, Supposed to be in the best of moods, but the weather is spoiling it all..

Cloudy dark skies, chill wind, Perfect time for snuggling in a bed, eating some hot molaga bajji/onion pakoda with the aroma of coffee coming from the kitchen ( implies that someone is making it for me) and watching an old Tamil Kamal film. MMMMMMM.. And here I am, coding in Verilog-A .Yuckkkk..

Wait a minute, I am not too involved or anything, the linux screen is open infront of my eyes and I am dreaming of a business venture with Starbucks. I can make pakodas/bajjis/bonda's and start supplying to them. Slowly, I'd form a huge fan base for my pakodas and Starbucks will expand the business with me (note- its no more me with starbucks). I will then start giving them suggestions to improve their customer inflow. "Why not hang a number of magazines and newspaper above the coffee vending area?" And they would hang them, in a 45 degree angle on a rope, under my supervision. Then I would get rid of the stylish coffee makers and replace them with a stove and some aluminium pans and educate them about the traditional coffee-aathifying with the coffee and davara at a distance of 10 metres from each other.Then I ll bring in some banana solai's in the shop. Finally, I ll change the name to ---- tea/coffee stall(let them choose the name, i think they deserve to do it)..if they can sell "Chaai" on their menu, y not?? this might happen one day.. SNAP..Email- "Job completed"- Hmm..Varen varen..

Dreams apart, I did one good thing today. Margaret is the cafeteria worker here. She loves to talk to me ( ok ok, dont wonder why, i know its absurd :( ). We were talking of Indian food some weeks back and she mentioned she hadnt tasted it. I decided it was time to make her feel good. Since am moving out of my apartment this weekend and wouldnt get to cook for another 10 days, by which my internship would end (yayyyy!!), I cooked for her today and took it 30 mins back. Damn, she was soooo happy and gave me a tight hug :) The little joys in life!! Making a person smile genuinely :)!! ( Probably she would regret after tasting it.. Is that what ur thinking?? Screw u)

Its Madras Day eve today. Get ready to celebrate!!!!!!

I think its time I stop this vetti velai and do something worthwhile. Hmm, may be take a short nap? C u soon.. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

MADRAS nalla MADRAS!!!!!

1 year up!!

Is it disbelief or satisfaction or worry or eagerness that 365 days have run by so fast?

Well I donno.. Called amma in the morning..She was walking on 100 feet road, oh my..heard the pom-pom of autos and screeching of buses and a racket from the ppl on road..It feels like there is real world on the other side of the..phone (?!) I almost feel like I am leaving Chennai now..My mind is set to Aug 13-14 2008. The number of (tasty)food items amma made that day- molagu kozhambu, more kozhambu, beans paruppusili, potato, sweet blah blah blah ( she (thot she)rightly judged I wasnt going to get good food for a while, but, let me show her my culinary skills :P). I wasnt able to swallow anything though, a huge lump in my throat. Fear, lack of confidence, paranoia about already-decided stuff- all these are a part of leaving home 1st time ( maybe even second time, I shall write after my chennai trip). With 15 of my people waiting for me at the airport to call after my security check, my mind was thinking of something else, something I thnik of everyday, a larger perspective- CHENNAI- The amazing feel that comes on seeing Central station board as the train enters, after a trip away from Chennai, The Bessi beach balloon shooting and dirty unhygenic molaga bajji, not to forget maanga ( who cared??), The half built kathipara junction that would get on my nerve everytime I was driving in a hurry( i m always in a hurry + kathipara is fully built now), The numerous power cuts, The "good" old words that you hear/say when you/others jump signals ( jump siganls is an understatement, 30 seconds after ur signal is red definitely doesn classify as jumping, I can almost hear saavugraaki now in a familiar automan's voice), The school holidays if it rains overnight ( here they don declare anythin wen its snowing like shit), Venkatramana poli stall's 2 rs samosa, Panneer soda, squashing ptc bus rides ( mmmmmmmm!!, i can smell the sweat now, but i don mind it anymore ), our very own mount road, vetti walking in citi center ( i doubt if i can afford anythin there except in the 5th floor any day of my life), MRTS ride from thiruvanmiyur to beach station, the amazing weather ( I think the heat is a "gethu" for chennai. Like showing the domination, power, brightness, buzzz of it over other cities), a drive on the ECR ( after neelangarai that is), T-nagar shopping, the ease of transport using autos( don mind the price, there has to be a compromise, who else wud go wrong side on a one way to drop u on time?)the 20 min bargain to get a discount of 5 rs in pondy bazaar, panteon road, Sarada kovil, the queue during the Petrol Crisis ( oh my i waited so much to get my car tank filled)..and 1000 other things that make Chennai what it is.

If listening to Madras ah suthi paaka porennn (wat lyrics, wow.."Madras in geetham adhu auto auto satham dhan"..aweosme!!) and santhippoma from E20U18, which shows u all major spots of our very own chennai makes me feel a level more happier, truly, Chennai deserves a huge tribute from my side, for being a part of my bloooood!!

"Onnnu Maamiaar thollai illa mugamoodi kollai aana ismail um ibrahim um onna serndhu vaazhum ooru!!!!!!!!!!"

Can there be a better place on earth???????????? Chennai Wins, HANDS DOWN!!!!

The 5 most colorful years of my life!!

How do I start? Where do I start?

5 years ago, this time ( 12 50 am IST) I was sitting in the train from Coimbatore back to Chennai. Suddenly I heard this voice, which said, "Preethi, tour epdi irundhudhu?" (Preethi how was the tour?).. Well I knew the guy's name was Vishnu, and nothing else apart from that..He was a classmate, just a classmate, and I knew why he was talking to me. He had a friend who supposedly liked me and I could feel them walking behind me all the time in the tour. Ok, so this was his first move. I retorted curtly "Ya, good". He was quite embarassed, but he decided not to stop it there.. "Vara maaten nu sonna?" ( U said u wudnt cum?) and I was like "Vandhuten, so?" (I came, so?).. This was the last straw, he said ok and turned away. After that, a week, or even 2 weeks, no talks.
Suddenly one day in the lunch break, he came to me and said " Have u gotten ur tour pics developed?".. Now this was weird. I dint click a picture of him or anything, y would he bother. I said no and stopped the conversation. The next day, to his shock, I walked up to him and said "Vishnu, could u pls give me ur fone number? I need to speak to you".. He was taken aback..He was full of questions. Ok, what is she gonna talk to me, whats her problem..but still he gave me the number. I called him in the nite and said " I received this e-mail that had a ppt which spoke to how much that person was in luv with me and also abt vasanth".. I paused..and said "U knw that everyone thot I had an affair with him right?"- Now he dint know what to react.. Saying a Yes wud confirm that there was an affair, saying a no wud show its a blatant lie.. He stammered.. I said "Anyway, so it had a carbon copy to an id with ur name in it.. I was wondering if you knew who did it?" He said "No, I am totally unaware of it.Could you tell me the id pls". And after I said, he said "Yeah tats my ID, but I donno anything abt it". I said "Fine, thanks bye" and cut the call. I went online (my house had a dial up connection then) and he had been trying to reach me for 2 hrs and then reached me and said "Ok, let me tel u the truth. There's this friend of mine, who's mad abt u . It cud be him". I said "Oh cool" and he explained abt the whole love story to me. I said Pls ask your friend not to do such things its never going to happen. And that was the beginning, We had officially started talking to each other.
A month passed by. He came home, with his friend who was in luv with me . I still dint have a proper comfort level with him and so, dint talk much. Introduced him to my best friend Aishwarya, and they got close, really close. I even thought they would end up being together one day.
Days passed, and aish and he got more close. And then one day, aish told me "Vishnu s in luv with u".. I dint want to digest that fact cos I had started looking at him as a good friend and so, I told her, dont tel him I knw this ( quite cunning of me)
After 2 months, he invited me home. I had never ever been to any guy's home before that ( dint ve any guy- friends) and felt a lil uncomfortable. But ya, obviously, he had invited Aish too and we went to his place. His family was so beautiful-Mom, Dad,Paati,brother, one nice oonjal.. a traditional home. His mom was so so sweet and she said " Vishnu idhuku munaadi oru ponna ipdi kootindu vandhadhe ila"... !! and he dropped me back in the railway station by bike. My first ever bike ride with a guy. That day, I noticed a change within myself. I actually liked being with this fellow. When the train started, I peeped out only to notice that he was still waiting and looking too. It was something new, something really new..But I didnt say anything...
He was really really close with aish and used to go out with her all weekends(almost). One such weekend, they went shopping and came back to Mc.Rennett, a cake shop near my home- they called me there. I went ( for the cake) and on way back, suddenly, he held my hands n said "I luv u".. Palaaar- I gave a tight slap and said who the hell r u to touch me? And made it an issue! But that is my most memorable evening until today, cos the luv that I saw in his eyes that evening, I feel I wud never never see it again..
It just went on and on and after a year, I started realizing that I was getting possessive if he was being with aish. I cried and I fought and fought and fought..But he said "Ur not anything to me, y do u rule me"..thats it..I had to maintain my ego..I stopped saying anything after that..but...it just resurfaced and one fine day I had to yell and fight and accept finally that I was in luv with him..
From then till now, we have had countless arguments ( we have a minimum of 1 eeveryday), sometimes we talk of breaking up..Sometimes we dont talk for 3-4 months at a stretch..He gave me back for that tight slap ( he gave 3-4 extra)..I ve tortured him so much.. But beyond all this, there's something that binds us together.. We ve reached a point wherein we ve thought that being together is gng to make our lives hell, but we ve realized that it is that hell we actually NEED in life..And it is that HELL which actually makes our life wat it is.. And anything beyond that hell is just voidity..Vishnu means the world to me..my happiness, sorrow, friend, enemy,irritant, pacifier everything..And I'm happy.. I'm happy that I have him, and I am thankful to him for the 5 most beautiful years of my life so far..I am happy for the 10 rs ring that he proposed to me with, after 4 years of being together, the garfield that he searched for all over chennai, the keyboard that brings me joy every single day, the number of cards that miserably fail trying to completely explain what he has for me, his birthday surprises that he tries to keep guessing, the 17 mile drive that was planned jus for me, the lovely walks in boat club area, the rain walk in besant nagar beach, the car driving lessons, the bike lessons, the way he calls me right after he wakes up, the pizza that he made for me, the doctor visits when I thot I was going mad, the countless other things that wud never fit in anywhere...and for just the way he calls me "Preethu".. I LOVE U VISHNU..AND WILL DO SO, FOREVER...

P.S: The whole post is in RED cos its his favorite color!

Absolute Insanity..Total Randomness...Worthless effort..

Sometimes I wonder why the heck did I cum here..Half way across the world..Feels totally Unpurposeful.. I have listened to Uravugal Thodarkadhai a million times, Kodai kaala kaatre another million times and anoushka's sitar in between..And feelin sad n out of place( well actually i am out of place, my place is forever chennai).. Days like these slap me right across my face and say "U knw wat? Ur ALONE".. I feel like getting away with this truth, but I dont know how..I know I havent come this far without any reason ( definitely my reason isnt engineering or america, its sumthin else abt which I ll blog once i am done with it, probably in another 3-4 yrs :P )..But...is this reason gud enuf to leave appa, amma, paati, priya, subbu, gangotree, bessi beach, sarada koil, t nagar, car, my dio, jo kutti, tirusulam station and the 1000 other things that actually make my life? Shit! Days like these laugh at me sarcastically and say "Isnt it funnnn to be confined to a rectangle in a room and seeking pleasure in a laptop, watching youtube all day"..Arghhh, get way u evil face..Sometimes I feel I am not "living" my life..Wen its morning, I wait for it to become night, and when its night I sleep and it automatically becomes morning..I feel like I am chasing days and nights and not living through them..Like I think I did, in Chennai..Again the evil face pops up, but this time in a more concerned tone " Are u sure ur doing the right thing? Or do u just want to drop all this and run away back home?" and I am like Ohh plss I dont even have sumone to express this to..Sometimes I am the laughing stock..Cos, my friends brand me "perpertually homesick" and one who s very sissy abt appa all the time.. Well, I dont mind..That''s me for u..Do I sound like a grumpy person? Well, may be..U know I have changed topsy turvy after coming here, I was never this grumpy in Chennai...Wat??Nambalaya, ok get lost.. :( .. Arghhh..Days like these, when I blog abt absolute crap.. Exactly, ur right..it appears to say "Do u even read wat u write before clicking publish?? U mad woman, get try to get back to ur senses" and I confront it and say "Just get lost, I knw how to kill time, am an expert at it now, I don want ur f****** suggestions.." And it knws that I ve reached limits of insanity for the day.. Finally I break down into tears ( not jus tears veel veel nu azhugai) and woah now it says "Preethu, idhuvum kadandhu pogum, u ll be fine sweetheart..U havent made any wrong decision..U ll not regret in future, U ll be back to chennai very soon and live in t nagar with appa amma paati, U ll drive ur car to bessi yelling at 1000 ppl on the way even if u make the mistake, eat 1 vadapav everyday, sit for hours together at sarada koil jus cos u wanted to meet her ..But when the time comes for to u do all this, appa ll be proud of wat ur.." and I rush to dial to appa..

Small Wonders!!

It is so amazing how little things make u SMILE , and somehow, today, while enjoying one such moment, I decided to blog about it..

-> My boss at work, the Director of the design group, saw me leaving work and came out of his room and said he would drop me since it was raining..Well, thats not the cute part... I dint know whether I should say Yea or No and he was like "Like ur taxi wallas, if am pronouncing it right.."..Oh my god!! That was cute!

-> I was coming back in the train and there was this real cute kid, a gal, all dressed in pink and her skin was also pinkish. She had a wound on her knee and her parents had put a band-aid over it and the band aid had DORA on it :) !!

-> There was this geeky looking guy, all in formals waiting in the rain to go for a baseball match with his GF, who had an umbrella and when she said "Here hold it" , he held it for her!! Soo cute!!!

-> I was getting wet and rushing back home and suddenly realized- After all those months of irritating snow, snow jacket and chilly weather, I was getting drenched!! After a long time, in RAIN! I started enjoying it!! And was thoroughly enjoying the rain the way I do in Chennai in my flat teracce!

-> I got my /hr pay for my Summer Internship raised by 1.5$ and my dad said "Wow, that makes up for half the fare for ur Chennai trip!" - Appa, ur too cute!

-> I always used to wonder why this particular professor's office was always open. He s about 80-85 and everytime I c him , am reminded of my thatha, but I found it weird that he alwayss had his Office open. The other day, when I was rushing to get my CPT formalities done, and when I realized my advisor was out of country and I had to get it signed from sumone before 11 ( I realized at 9 30), I knocked on the doors of all the professors that I took classes with. None of them were available and this Prof, who never knows me, whose door is always open signed it for me without even verifying my docs!!

-> I was talkin to Priya over the phone and her mom took the phone from her and said "Enna di Preethi, eppo dhan di varuva" in such an un-fake ( well, I dint want to use the word true) tone, which was amazingly cute!!!

->I made rava kesari that day and Amit tasted it and said "Agar vishnu nahi hota tho....." and completed it in a Cute way!!

-> I met my 10th Std Classmate here at Minneapolis and he happens to be my friend's roommate for the Summer and coincidentally, the day when we were all having together, both of made Brinjal ( Mine was better though :P )

-> I had one of my interviews at 1 pm and my Paati was awake telling budhirbalam at 11 30 pm in Chennai! God, she's too cute!!

-> I had another interview from 10 am - 3 pm and returned home by 4 30 pm, to find my dad ping me at 5 pm ( 3 30 am in Chennai) saying " say y/n feelin sleepy" and the moment i said "yes pa" he said "congrats bye" :) :) :)

->My brother is my mentor. He does everything for me and advises me in every aspect of my life and the other day he said " u ve gained some good professional qualities..good" and I was like HAPPY!

-> I went shopping alone for the first time in my life. I have never been to an apparel store alone without priya or amma to select my own stuff. For the first time, I selected my own stuff ! Initially felt a lil weird, but then felt nice n different!

-> I came across this College tour pics, which Priya n I thought were lost and saw all the crazy things we did in the 10 day tour! Shit!The most happiest period of my life was my final yr in College!!

I gotto start voice chatting now, so shall post later!

A letter to thatha.....

Thatha,

Its been a year..Since u passed away..its been exactly a year...I cant believe how time flies...I cant forget any instant of this day...Getting back from Work, the way I saw u with eyes closed, mouth open, without any movement..The way paati applied viboodhi to ur forehead( I have never seen u without that thatha) and telling me not to worry.. I remember how i touched u...how cold u were...and how i felt after that... I buried myself in appa's chest... I remember how ppl carried u into the hall... I remember how much it pained..it still pains..to think of how u were lifted like an object...I remember how there was a glass case over ur body..thatha..tat night I didnt sleep.. I kept walking around u and touching u..not u..the glass...and in between I thought u breathed.. I felt like screaming"my thatha s still with me, lift the glass box"..but...the instant when i put vaaikarisi in ur mouth was the worst moment of my life so far...How many days u have fed me...how many days...rasam sadham, tirunelveli halwa...and all i fed u was raw rice....

Ur completely n my heart..everytime I c ur face on my laptop, I kiss u..again not u...the monitor.... I love u for wat u were to me...and as I promised last year this day in my blog post, I am being gud to ppl thatha.. I didnt hurt anyone, I am spending time for everyone..I am trying to make ppl happy through every small thing I can... I learnt the value of LIFE and relationships from you... I am trying to be gud to all...and I am trying not to lose anyone because of my ill behaviour...And dont worry abt paati.. I am being very nice to her..

Thatha, ur varushaabdikam happened at home 15 days back.. I couldnt push a minute here..my mind was immersed in ur thots...I called home so many times... I felt so left out... so  left out...Appa said it went on well...Appa would have been terribly upset...Felt really bad that I couldnt be with him...

I love u thatha...for all that u did when u were physically alive..and for all that u ve taught me...in ur after life... 

I really really miss u...and will...forever...the wound is fresh and the pain is deep....LUV U THATHA...

Ur loving grand-daughter,

Preethu.

Highlights!!

Ahh here am back, to give sum interesting highlights abt last 1 month here...

1. Puliyodarai has been made more number of times in my house than in any temple across the world..
2. Grand sweets , adyar has opened a branch at minneapolis, in our house....
3. I need to cal my brother to remind him tat he has a sis...
4. My dad has found perfect reasons for cutting cals...its always" i am feeling sleepy bye" or "u go sleep bye"
5. My culinary skills ve improved manifold, or probably my gustative skills ve decreased manifold..
6.when i started, priya wanted me home soon, now she wants a "BAG"( yeah she's given all specifications) home at the earliest...
7.U of M is as good as Sairam, there teachers dint know anything, i dint know anythin...here profs know sumthin still i dont know anything...
8. I make smoothies for a living( for those of u who dont know wat smoothies are, take 3 measures oramge juice, 1 measure curd, half measure sugar and fruits of ur choice and sum ice and blend it...believe me, its supoosed to taste gud)...and i have had many gud compliments:D the other day sumone said"this is the best smoothie i ever had" and i was like "wat??:O" and then there was this guy who wanted a photograph of me ( i wonder he was goin to file sum attempt to murder case with a photo proof) and 2day there was this guy who had 4 glasses( god take care of him )....
9. i got a laptop and it luks like am using it only to chat, take pics and ofcourse blog...
10. i don grumble to make my own coffee now...may be cos it tastes gud or maybe cos i don ve any other go
11. important- my work(making smoothies) starts at 6 45 am...for all my bus mates and classmates who r shocked abt how i manage to reach on time-...i dont reach on time...am minimum 10 mins late...cos its very cold and i don ve a bus...i walk like a steam engine...with smoke cumin outta my mouth ha ha ha...

more to cum...BRB:)

My first day in US of A

I blog only wen I feel I should really blog about something. So long gaps are quite common:)

My first day at USA is something I really cant forget. Boarding the flight at 1:45 AM from Chennai Airport , controlling a lot of tears and saying a bye with a smile to my ppl and the place I lived in for 22 years for obviously not one of the most nicest things, I shud say..It was my first hurdle in reaching USA.. and I crossed it, with a sleepless flight and lot of tears...

Landing at Frankfurt, the only thing on my mind was to call home, hear amma's voice,and I rushed towards the phone with a calling card..When I boarded the next flight to chicago, I was in a half-dozed state with a serious inability to sleep and stay awake. It was the worst 8 hrs in my life...and to top it all, the pilot gave us jitters when he moved thru the clouds giving the flight a wild shake and a sudden vertical descent, all of us thot it was the end and there were loud prayers in the flight..After safe(!)landing at chicago, my mind woke up, as I had to get ready for immigration and customs(kashtams:( )and so I got a little active.

after that was theUnited airlines security check to get to minneapolis. I am quite an idiot and i left my belt in my cabin baggage. the metal detectors happily beeped and I was done for..suddenly there were 4-5 officers surrounding a sleepy me and wearing glovesto check my bag with a "dont move anywhere madam" on their lips...goddd...everything was taken out of my bag and I had a tough time arranging it again........amidst all this i had to keep my passport, tickets, i-94, i-20 and so many other craps safe...after boarding the UA flight, I prayed for a succesful landing as I dint want to be suspected for any terrorist activity...uffffff tough times...

After reaching minneapolis at 6:35, I made a call to my family, my throat choked with emotions, dryness and a lot of phlegm and spoke to them. I was clearly resonating and went to sleep...

Suddenly,Passport has become the most important thing in life! there's nobody to care,nobody to bring food to ur bed and comp, no lazing around...itsmy first week, and so i depend on everyone for things like laptops and groceries, to be independent...everythin including money, fear, doubts, helplessness has multiplied by 40, and I am sure self-confidence too will, in a few weeks:)

Though the idea of studying in USA may be a dream come true, facing the first day,week,month watever until u find a job to support urself independently is a big hassle......for all those of u who's gonna face it sooner or later,All the best! Happy landing!

I miss u thatha

I miss u thatha....
Right from the instant i was born, u ve known me, seen me growing up..I remember those times when i used to play with ur shaven head...wen u used to carry us for evening walks..those times wen u used to return from work wearing a white shirt white veshti carrying a black bag under ur arms. We used to await ur arrival outside the flat and u used to buy my favorite halwa...those times wen u used to cum up 3 floors to rams flat to celebrate anna's and ur birthday on 31st august...those times wen u used to teach me to brush and the way u used to clean up the bathrooms wenever i cum for a stay...those times wen all of us used to fite for sleeping next to u on the bed and wen we used to drink water only from ur jug...numerous aavani avittam and diwali celebrations..those times wen u wud tel me stories of ur meet with gandhiji...

And suddenly u became immobile...got confined to a room...brought in so much of a gap between us...we spent less time with each other...u started asking me if i am free so that u can cure ur boredom by narrating ur past adventures...u got frustrated of ur sickness and ur immobility and now u lie before me...physically lifeless....with the same charming look that brought smiles on our face all those years...

U taught me one great thing...Life s really short...There's really no use crying for ur luved ones after their life if u cant be with them through their life... I really repent for all those hurting words tat i may have uttered which u mite have carried with u till the end...the past 6 yrs wen i did not spend enough time for u.. I swear i wouldn do this to another person...never hurt anyone knowingly...i ll learn to spend time for my luved ones... i ll do all that i can to make others happy...

If anyone's reading this...pls take it to ur heart...whether u like them or not...spend time for ur ppl...ur grandpa grandma mom dad aunt uncle cousins friends....cos u surely know that they ve been a part of ur evergreen memories...the least u can do is to be a part of their's...

Luv u thatha...u ll live forever in our memories.....

By,
All of ur ppl...

.........

Well I just couldnt control myself from attempting to blog for a third time(hopefully this continues gud) after this incident(may not seem really impacting to all:) )...

I was on my way back home from Office, struggling and getting into the crowded and spit-painted walled Guindy subway when I noticed this visually impaired person in front of me. People were dashing against him every now and apologizing after looking at the stick in his hands( wonder y sorry shudn be said to others whom they dash against!)..He was walking down the stairs, his stick stumbling against stranded slippers and other decorative pieces and I slowed down my pace and was walking by his side just to warn him of any sudden obstacles he may not recognize..I was just thinking if he could ever imagine what sort of a dress color combination he was wearing and we reached the middle of the subway..

All of a sudden the power went off..I could hear the whole subway screaming and this person dint show any emotion and continued his walk...The thought that light being there and not dint make a difference to him drove me to tears but in a flash brought about an awe...How awesome Nature and her methodologies are! What seemed normal to me is normal to him and what was tough to me was again normal to him!!!!

Wowwwww!