Springy blossoms

The dead roads are suddenly alive with pink-tinged trees. Birds are chirping and yes, insects are crawling. The barren-so-far land is displaying different hues of pink and purple, yellow and orange. And no, this is not Barbieland. This is spring. Season Spring. Season Spring in USA. Heralding the arrival of life, after the so-dead icy, snowy, chilly, boring winter. Announcing that summer is just around the corner, just like the cuckoo bird in the cuckoo clock. The temperatures are getting better, though not as consistent as they should be. Some days are nice and warm, and some are well, not so warm, and not to forget the wet days. But nevertheless, the air is crispier as the outdoors beckon.

 

Its only in this part of the world that I see 4 distinct seasons. Spring, summer, fall and winter, each categorically different from the other with its unique characteristics. As opposed to the seasons in India, where one can't really tell one season from the other. Technically speaking, we do have 3 seasons, namely Summer, Rains and Winter. But 10% winter, with 90% summer interspersed with rains can hardly be diferentiated, can it? Though things are changing now. Cities like Mumbai are experiencing winter chills for the first time as the Mumbaikars put their 'stored-in-attics' sweaters and jackets to use for the very first time. Till then, they came out only on trips to the North. But I am most certainly not discussing the global topic of global warming. I chose to skip that completely. Call me environmental-unfriendly if you please. 

 

Spring is so much better than summer, coz summer comes with great warm days but equally infested with those annoying gnats, ants and insects. Out comes my mosquito repellents to be applied generously on my little girl before she steps out of the house. Out comes my ant repellents to be generously sprayed around the corners of my house to discourage the line of ants. Out comes the sunscreen lotions too to avoid getting darker than we already are. However, the goods outwith the bads. Out comes the capris, skirts, shorts, tshirts, and all the summer dresses while I am more than happy to suck the air out of the space bags all filled with bulky sweaters and jackets. Never was I so happy with spring and summer as I am now. Never did I dread winter as much as I do now. Never did I enjoy the visual treat of the verdant pastures right amidst my livings. Never did I yearn for flowers and leaves on the dry branches as I do now. Though I have to admit that while everyone is talking about getting different flowers to garden their lawns, I am a duh as far as the names of these flowers are concerned. The only flowers I recognize are rose, sunflower, hibiscus, and I guess that's it. Names like tulips and canterlilies and chrysanthums and god-knows-what-others bounce right off my head as I whirl and twirl my tongue trying to even say it right.

 

In any case, lets all enjoy the blossoms before they shed away. Lets all enjoy the colors before we go back to the dulls. Lets all be springy. Lets all blossom. 

My first opera

Disclaimer: I have no intention of warding off any potential opera visitors by this blog. This is solely my observations and impressions and you will notice that they differ widely from the worldwide opinion.

 

While I was in Vegas, I came across the ads for the 'Phantom of the Opera.' It said that the Phantom of the Opera is a rapturous spectacle, a must-watch. And after having watched Dil Chahta Hai in which Priety Zinta takes the not-so-serious-in-love Aamir Khan to one and he is mesmerized by it, I was always itching to go experience it myself. I started pestering Jignesh to go. The tickets costed a bomb but I thought this is the only chance I have. Considering that none of us had any tuxes or evening gowns, let alone the dressy dresses, we opted for the most inexpensive seat (which we do not regret). But if you are in possession of such a wardrobe, you must spend a little more, just to fit in with the crowd. I chose to pass the superficial showiness trying to comfort myself into getting atleast a chance to be in an opera theater.

 

Let me give you a very brief idea of the plot. It was a gothic love story set in an 1870 Paris opera house where the beast is madly in love with a beauty, who is not only achingly lovely, but has the most melodious voice. The Phantom, who is the beast, prowls the theater with a mask hiding his disfigured half of the face, cloaking his mad desire to make this beauty into a star and his lover trying to match swords with the sweet-boy rival. Inorder to possess her, the phantom captures her lover and threatens her to marry him. For love, she is ready to give her ultimate sacrifice until the Phantom realizes his folly and frees her of his mad desire.

 

My impression: Very good plot. Very well directed. Excellent special effects. Superb performances. But I just have my misgivings as far as the music is concerned. Music is the pivotal point in an opera, which is technically supposed to be a musical drama. But I couldn't understand half of what they sang or said, though it was in English, and after some point of time, the high pitched soprano voice just sat on my nerves and made me fidget. While the rest of the audience watched in awe, Jignesh and I sat looking at our watches every few minutes. And when we stepped out, I could hear snippets of "What an amazing show that was!!" And all I could do was nod in false agreement. Coz it was just very simple, We were bored.

 

After coming back home, I tried to google up a bit on operas coz the fact that I was not able to enjoy an opera, that is worldwide recognized as the most pleasurable art form, did bother me a bit. And guess what, I learned that there is not only a book on "Opera for Dummies" which I should have cared to read before going, I also learned that there are classes offered for both beginners, and connoisseurs to help enjoy an opera to its upmost. Anyways, I believe, you don't really need classes to enjoy an art form. You either enjoy, or you don't. Reading up a bit, yes, helps you prepare somewhat. But paying for those classes which I am sure must be as expensive as the opera seats is just too ridiculous an idea.

 

But I see an upcoming opera singer in my daughter. She sings just like those sopranos and to top it, she has these teeniest vocal chords to match. Maybe some day, I will require lessons afterall. 

Thank you guys!

I just wanted to thank the few regular readers I, oops, my blog has managed to create. Thank you Chetna, Rikta, Rahul (Londonwala), Deya, and would it be too immodest to assume a few anonymous readers. You see, apart from telling a few close friends, I never advertised my blog too much. You see my blog tends to shy away from expectations just like us mortals. Or does it tend to challenge you to bring out the best in you? Well, my next few blogs should make it evident what effect it tends to portray. But well, for now, I am glad that I have a little fanfare and may this attention bring prosperity to my blog. I will definitely try to write more as long as something touches my heart or mind or probably just for the heck of writing, but cetainly can't make promises. Jignesh tells me I can be a good politician. Aquarians are supposed to make good politicians, so says Linda Goodman in her book of sunsigns. For now, I am far from being a politician as I am on my way to becoming a second-time mommy. Alrite, now I make it official. Yes I am pregnant once again. Infact, this is a good time to make promises coz pregnancy starts giving you sleepless nights even before the arrival of your baby. And I tend to 'mentally' write my blogs as I lay wide awake in my bed in the middle of the night. But modest that I am, , I'll stick with the so-called 'diplomacy.'

 

Though I do have Jignesh as my best critic, would it be too much for my blog to 'expect' a few written comments on this webspace itself? Though I am not denying the pleasure the verbal and 'orkut-scrap' comments give me.

Shiny brighty Vegas!

Well, I am going to spare you of reading another 'marketing' article on Vegas coz there is no doubt that Vegas rocks!!! The little-less-than-3-mile Vegas strip has a lot more to offer than probably a big famous city like SFO. The glitz, glamour and the exhibitionist nature of the city has been well described and shown by media, both print and film. I am going to write on a the few things that were very striking to me on my recent visit that perhaps have not been very often discussed.

 

1. Tipping. They write "Vegas works on tips." What is with this tipping business? It starts from the very minute you take a cab drive to your hotel from the airport. You have to tip the cab driver. Then the luggage handler at the hotel. The shuttle bus driver for which you have paid your share of the ticket price. The pilot of the airplane that took us to Grand Canyon (infact he had a little brochure that clearly mentioned "Gratuities appreciated. $15 to $20 per couple is appropriate)." So now they are going to even tell us what is a good amount and what is not. Infact these tip boxes are so strategically placed right at the door that if you don't put in any bills, the box makes a face at you. Anyways, I have always failed to understand this tipping concept even at the restaurants. I am sorry but reasons like low base salary of the waiters and encouraging them to give you their best smiles and service fail to convince me. Well, I think, if you are in a service industry, it is your duty to smile and serve, and if you can't do that, you aren't performing your job well enough to sustain yourself. I do end up tipping just so that I don't come out looking bad and I do know that when I don't tip, I represent my country. .

 

2. Quickie weddings. Every hotel in Vegas boasts of a more beautiful than the other wedding chapel. With excellent locations, like with a waterfall backdrop, or situated in a nice like cottage just by the flamingo habitat, it invites more and more couples to lose their sanity for a bit and get married. I did see that there were a lot of planned wedding parties. Now how does one plan to get married in Vegas? The girl tells the guy, lets get married in Vegas. The guy is more than happy to have his bachelorette party in one of the Vegas strip clubs, while the girl get to wear her teeniest dresses and 'paint the town red' - literally. The bride roams around in her best outfits with either a veil announcing that she is the bride in the party, or parading a sash that says "I am the bride." Does this get you discounts in hotels or restaurants? I doubt that. But if thats true, I can perfectly understand the need for the parade. And what about the quickie weddings. The couple is on a vacation. They are holding each other's hands as they watch the dancing waters at the Bellagio's, right in front of the lighted Eiffel tower that epitomizes love and romance, or probably just too drunk to propose to each other in this sinful city. The guy tells the girl, "Lets get married." The girl is equally drunk or love-struck and immediately says Yes. Off they scoot away to one of many chapels and in a matter of minutes, they are married. The proposal, marriage and the honeymoon is at its quickest, - less than an hour. How abt this? I am pretty sure that the quicker they unite, the quicker they must be dissolving it.

 

3. I have to say that Vegas is a pool of the world's best talents. Gymnasts, acrobats, dancers, singers, magicians, musicians, you name it and Vegas has it. And not only does it have it, but it has the best of it. The Cirque de Soleil shows leave you with your mouth wide open and you can't help but give a standing ovation to the performers. If I look down from the airplane that is just landing or taking off, Vegas doesn't look too big. Then how does it house this multitude of talent under one roof? This definitely surprises me. And since celebrities always make it a point to show their faces once in a while here, you might get lucky enough to get one of their show tickets.

 

Well, my next blog is going to be on my first opera that I saw here. Thats a whole different piece I have to write about.   

 

He went to Jared!!

This was a must-write and I just kept putting it off. This is about Jignesh, who technically happens to be a complete unromantic 'cheeni kum' person, who tried his hands at learning the language of flowers, cards and gifts.

 

Last month I had my birthday. Let me not even start what a sad and a happy event a birthday can be, considering the fact that you are actually celebrating the always-increasing age. Well, the previous night we had been up watching a movie which happened to be such a drag, but Jignesh kept insisting to finish it. At midnight, we went up to bed. Coincidentally, Anushka was awake too. I am trying to talk her into getting ready for bed, while as I turn my head toward the bedroom door, lo behold!!!! what do i see!!!! Its my husband, let me reiterate, MY husband, grining like a 6-year-old with flowers and cards in his hand. Both of us just bursted out laughing coz we are so not used to these romantically conventional methods. This is the first time in 6 years I get flowers. They were beautiful, i have to say he picked a good bouquet. Though I never really got the flowers coz Anushka immediately proclaimed her ownership of the flowers while I got to keep the cards. I GOT A CARD TOO. Again, I was in fits and rolling while I was reading the card, obviously Jignesh accompanying me in this jolly experience. Next, he brings out a gift bag. and I got jewelery this time. "HE WENT TO JARED" - I have to say this aloud. It was a very pretty delicate necklace with longish but again delicate earrings. I am speechless. Anushka kept saying "wow" "wow" all the time.

 

Everyone likes to be pleasantly surprised at times, and so do I. And this was such a pleasant and an unexpected surprise from him that I am still basking in it's glory. And coming from a person who is so not used to this, is very very sweet. Well, my 'cheeni kum' husband afterall did decide to ignore the consequences of sinful indulgences (by which I mean sugar), albeit for a short time. I don't have a problem with that considering the fact that I have a hard time metabolising it too, hehehe.

 

May our lives be enriched with little pleasures that linger in your mind for a long long time. Amen!

Hibernation

Wow, i didn't quite realize that it has been more than 2 months of deep slumber for my precious little blog. Time to wake him up, don't you think so? The smell of victuals was sufficient for Kumbhkaran, well, lets see wat would be the stimulating point for this?

 

Well, to summarize what I really have been upto until now.....I tried to change fields. Tried to get some insight view of the ever-so-dreamy and ever-so-greeny software field. Programming is completely out of question. Those array declarations and logic can just float right above my head and I'd care less. Jignesh or I should actually mention all the IT husbands are of the opinion that "software testing is absolutely nothing. It's just click, click and click, just test if the application or watever it is works. Thats abt it." So after resisting the IT field, I decided to go back to school and try to learn some testing tools. I have to say I wasn't overwhelmed as I had expected to be. I needed to work hard but it wasn't so bad. But its vast. And 8 weekends of classes hardly suffice. After finishing the class, I learn I am expected to fake experience in my resume. Faking 2 to 3 years of experience will mean cooking up a lovely story about your "so-called" last project. By story, I mean a script, with every detail intact. This part of the whole process is what I find unnerving. I wonder if I will be able to bring myself up to do that. Though I can't completely deny the other excuse or a real reason or a fear factor, call it watever you deem appropriate, works its effects on me too. My condition about the work location. I don't really dream of commuting 1 hour 1 way daily which would mean leaving my girl for more than 10 hours at a daycare. You could call this a mother's guilt factor too. But I should have been ready for this before I started the class. Apparently, I didn't give it much thought. Do you really think this is an excuse?

 

Now that I dream of different scenarios of work and daycare situation, I don't really think I am up to taking up a full time job. Probably I have got used to staying and lazing around at home. But leaving Anushka for such a long time is just dreadful. Moreover, Jignesh doesn't work in the same town. So that scenario doesn't work well with us too. I have some more thinking to do. Or rather I can get back to my faithful blogging!!!

Trick or treat??

I have no idea why Halloween is celebrated. I even tried to look up on the net where one usually gets all the answers, but I just couldn't understand. There are just too many versions, or I should say stories on the history of halloween, and its trick-treating ritual, none of which made any sense to me. I could just gather that it has something to do with warding off the evil spirits, and/or placating them (I would assume by treating them ).

 

Anyways, a brief idea of how Halloween is celebrated in North America, with no lessons in history for you. Houses are decorated with ghosts and pumpkins (again I have no idea of the pumpkin connection). On the last day of October, i.e. October 31st, children dress up in costumes that may range from witches and goblins to princess and fairies. They go around every house trick-treating. In short, they are offered candies and the kids literally get their school bags or sacks to fill them up with as many candies, possibly stocking up for their annual supply. (Oh, did I mention 'chocolates' are called 'candies' here).

 

Anushka was a sugar plum fairy this year. She was adorable. she had a shiny purple dress with wings, a matching cap-like headband and green booties. She enjoyed filling her bucket with candies. But she also was good at giving it away when the other kids showed up at our doorstep. Her friend, Arth was here too and they both had a super fun time winding up their day with a pizza party.

 

For what it means or is worth of, Happy Halloween to all of you!!!