The Gulmohar Wonder !

There is a bloom  around everywhere, I saw it while coming back home ....its the yellow bloom of the gulmohar, magnificiently stretched along the road. I asked the cab driver, if he could halt for a second and I captured this view from the top. The bloom this season is more yellow. Though couldn't help but was trying to notice the crimson red flower. I  didn't see that. There is something about this gulmohar tree. Its so magnificently flamboyant and guess when combined with the red  flowers, its simply awesome. 

Apparently known as the flame of the forest. Here's a tree, when in bloom the entire tree is engulfed with either yellow or red or orange blooms, revealing very few leaves. Breathtakingly Beautiful! nothing compares to this. I knew I will find the red n orange crimson bloom somewhere. I decided to check upstairs, went on the terrace and there it was. one of the branches was spread inside...I could get a closer look now. It was exactly the way I thought it would be.. Isn't it amazing that something as beautiful as this, can do wonders to the soul and the mind. Full of life, vibrancy, radiant..its like a full tapestry of colors along the way till your eyes can find the end. In some time it will be monsoon,  Ah ha! the water flowing through the leaves on to these red color blooms, it cant get better than this. 

I remember at my grandma's house in belgaum...we had the gulmohar trees stretched on either side of the road (both the red and yellow)..Me and my sister, used to play under its soothing shade, on the bright red carpet formed by the myraid petals that had fallen detached by the gentle breeze. During the early morning walks, it use to feel as if you are walking on a carpet of red and yellow blooms......Just a thought, where do we get to walk like this anymore.,  bare- feet n carefree...........

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The Black and White Magic!

"Barsaat"

Today morning, while surfing the channel- there was an Old classic movie going on"Barsaat". Amazing movie with some of the best songs in hindi cinema. Not so much keen on watching a movie in the morning, but I knew mom and dad, would love to watch the movie. I didn't change the channel and they heard the evergreen song "jiya bekarar hai". Its the same time dad noticed and asked...is this movie playing and i said yes....and he remarked " hope you won't change the channel now"..I nodded. And they both sat down to watch the movie .the bliss of watching a movie and reminiscing about the golden era. It takes us back to the time...when the times ere different, when life was more simpler and more beautiful. 

For their generations, it is reliving the times again, cause life isn't the same anymore. I could see for sometime, they had travelled back to their younger days. The carefree life they had that time.  I could see dad transfixed to the screen...am sure secretly he must be wishing that I really don't change the channel ( I do at times). Sensing this, I assured him, that I really wouldn't do that. At the same time, mom mentioned, she had watched this movie with a friend of hers. They didn't get the tickets for the particular show...but they managed to view it through the little parting of the curtains in the movie hall. She chuckled like a school girl, Wow! That was quite something for me to view. I wish I had the camera in hand at that time...would have clicked her. I rarely get to see my parents like this, so carefree...It is at these times is that I  notice the child in them, the youthfulness of their yesteryears.

There is something about these black and white movies, they make the actors look so appealing . Infact I  noticed today, the actor Premnath (who would have thought he would look great), he looked quite amazing, rugged. Almost to the effect of I falling in love with him..his character was that of a Casanova. he looked more handsome than Raj kapoor...This is the effect of Black n white, they just make it quite alluring .There's something so ethereal in black and white pictures. Be it a snap or you are watching a black n white movie. The effect is magnificent. They give us a feeling of yesteryears. Probably one of the reasons, why we feel nostalgic about these picture.

Black n white also reminds me of Alfred Hitchcock. movies....(fantastic.movies).....well more on them on a later date. If you do get to watch B/W movies.., you will notice a shift in your mood and if you have older people in your life, then I don't have to say anything........just enjoy watching them!

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God's Special Child!

I was standing near the door of my classroom,  waiting for the kids to come back. They were being toilet trained. Its amazing to see how these kids manage everything well, and their lively-ness is infectious. they are the most comfortable with the aayas (maids) of the school, guess over there they get to be themselves , get to speak in their native language. Its fun to watch them grow from little toddler to smart little cuties!. keeping their innocence intact is the need of the hour, am doing my best to keep it that way. My thoughts were with the kids, when suddenly the principal called and asked me to come in few mins to her desk.

While walking towards the cabin, I noticed some commotion at the corridor,  was curious to what was happening. And there I saw him slouching in the chair, with his head drooping in the front. I had an uncanny feeling about all this. I reached a little closer, and I realized my eyes were moist. He was God's special child. My heart went out for this little one and I couldn't help but ask myself " This isn't right ". Wish I had a magic wand, so I could see this child ;hail and hearty. Found him a little nervous, they usually are when they are in new places, with new faces around. His parents were besides him, holding his hand . A real handsome couple, lovely -smiling faces, life's played a real bad joke. For a moment, I just moved back, to wipe the tears. Couldn't help but show am strong enough to handle this. The principal introduced me to little Rohan, we both shook hands, though clumsily. But for that single moment, I knew this bond was for a  lifetime. I am sure he felt the same. We looked at each other, and he gave me the cutest smile I ever saw. My journey began with him from that day onwards.

The principal asked, If I was willing to take care of this child. Oh yes! I haven't had any formal training for teaching children with special needs(rohan is suffering from CP-cerebral palsy disorder- its due to brain abnormalities- at times affects their movement, learning, thinking , hearing and seeing). But I don't know , somehow I knew, I would be able to just work with this child and help him to lead his life more better than what it is right now.

Rohan has been affectionate since day one, caring loving, but he like to be the center of attention all the time. And with the other kids around, it was difficult to keep him entertained all the time. The first month was the toughest, as he was just getting used to coming to school. He was way too pampered at home, and its obvious as it happens with special children. But slowly rohan understood what it takes to be at school, the discipline and the learning started taking place. And I never realized, my learning also started happening along with rohan. Patience is a virtue, but with rohan, I realized it takes a lot to more than patience to handle a special need child.

By default, rohan's head used to alway droop down, and I used to tell him , "Chin up" and automatically he used to get his chin up...But this used to happen, only if I demanded it. One fine day, I  had become slightly anxious, so I  told rohan, please keep your chin up for some time...for that he said" teacher , this is the most difficult part for me". Sad, thats the irony of this all, we keep on sulking for small things in life, projects not got, soul mates not met, deals not finalized etc...and here's a child for whom sitting straight or keep his chin up is difficult task. We take for granted the simplicity that is there in our lives, and here is a child who is defying all the odds and smiling with all that he has got. He understands his specialness, and yes it does pain him to know that he is not like rest. And yet he is teaching me so many things all the time. Acceptance is a paramount, the day we know that...life gets sorted automatically!....more on our journey together later on.......

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Such is life at the moment!

It’s been few days since I blogged, I have been wanting to write, but somehow I wasn't finding the time. Not that I have been busy very much. With the crutches, life has come to halt at the moment for me. But I would still say that life is beautiful in one way or the other. I find myself lucky, to have the support in whichever way I can. People who are there for me, my friends included. Lots of things have happened in last few days and everything is falling into place. Somehow the puzzles are fitting now. Life is tough, but still lovely.

There is a vibrancy , a kind of richness in the air, a sense of belonging, like the flower wanting to be held in the hand. The serenity is breathtaking. Such is life at the moment.  Everybody around is happy, some are cheerful, some are calm and some wanting to better things in their life.  So many reason and life is still beautiful in every way, whichever way you see it. It has always been like that, but sometimes circumstances are such, we can’t see the beauty. And suddenly out of the blue, you get a call and you listen to good news, a baby’s birth, someone falling in love, someone doing well in their life. I recently got a call from a friend, life’s coming full circle for him…He has been there, done everything for himself and his family and now this friend of mine has fallen in love. Never seen him like this before, but its happening. He is not himself, a side that I hadn’t seen since the time I have known. It all seems so magical, he wants to fly everywhere. I have never seen him like this, love does wonders to one souls...am really happy for him. And I know every heart that beats knows what this love about.

When you interact with different people, there are few you realize are there in your life for some purpose, they are there for some reason. And I don’t know how long they will be there. But whatever the relationship, its worthwhile till it lasts.  They bring a special ness in your life; your perspective towards life gets a makeover. And you wonder why you didn’t meet them earlier in life. But still its never to late.

When you discuss things over, you feel the puzzle is getting solved all of a sudden. It was right there, and still we couldn’t find it. As if someone is mocking us, to find what we are looking for.   The heart always knows the answer, but we have got into a set pattern of thinking, that doesn’t allow us to see the picture clearly. Our moods, our negative thoughts become obstacles in our lives. And yes these are the people who make us aware…for some its change for a life time, for some the there is a flutter in the heart, as if the heart has missed the beat. I find these people God sent, otherwise who would have thought someone so far away, would have an effect on someone sitting over here. We all need someone who can guide us, and clear the cob webs and makes sense to what life has to offer and the beauty of all this.  Just their presence is good enough to make things shift in ones life, a good enough reason to change life in one split second. These people give you a different perspective about life. 

Life totally shifts, I am finding myself all over again in a new light. Don't know where my life will lead to, but am thankful to few who came into my life now. A small wish...to be friends for life!

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The Sabudana Khichdi Delight!

Today morning, while reading the newspaper, my mom tapped me on the shoulder and kept the plate on my lap. It was slightly hot, but not much. I kept the paper aside , and looked down to see whats there. Oh!.wow!...what a lovely surprise....my favorite breakfast.   There are some breakfasts that are so tasty n at times spicy too, just the thought of it, makes you happy. Your spirits are lifted UP. You feel the need to have it right now, this moment, that's It!. That's what makes this breakfast the best. Now you might wonder whats this breakfast am talking about. Its the famous maharashtrian "Sabudana (tapioca pearls) Khichdi".

And its not just made during breakfast, sometimes people have it during tea snacks in the evening. My love for sabudana khichdi goes back to my childhood days. Mom used to make this on some Monday mornings, and me and my sister used to look forward to these mornings. Tucking at her saree, we both used to ask for one more helping. Gosh! it feels just like yesterday.  Cant get better than this and sometimes we even used to get this delight on a Sunday morning too.

Its just not the breakfast, the atmosphere at home used to be so lovely. So carefree, so inviting and relaxed. I remember those morning, we used to get everything arranged on the table..lay down the mats with the plates on. Me and my sister used to sit together almost giggling and looking at each other, when mom used to get the big bowl of sabudana khichdi and place it on the table. A large portion was given to each of us. Breakfasts are usually family time together, sipping hot tea along with this sabudana khichdi! Wow! And yes...you should see the faces, the delight used to be shown, somehow everybody looked happy. Even the conversation used to be light and friendly.

I don't know if its because of this khichdi, but I have sensed this feeling of happiness, every time we used to have this khichdi. It used to be a family time, a time of togetherness. and what a way to spend time together , cracking jokes, teasing one another....with a breakfast like this. And yes...tea always goes along with this..The combination is fabulous and I used to end up having one or two more helping of this khichdi myself. By then the tummy used to be so full, that I would get very lazy to do any work..... Cause this sabudana khichdi does make one lethargic...as it contains starch..but I would say still Ok..worth it..Its one of best breakfast you could have.

Every time I have the sabudana khichdi, it makes me nostalgic...would love to share it with all of you!  . 

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The 9pm Friends!

The other day, after my friends visit late evening...I commented on the snap, the 9pm friend. This got me thinking....about friends in general, especially these 9 'oclock friends.

What is about these 9pm friends...that make them a little different from the other friends. The others are equally as special and valuable. But the 9 pm friends are special in a special way. The wavelength is different, its as though there is an understanding of a kind. There is a comfort in their presence, no pretense , no amount of show. The acceptance is natural. They care enough to motivate you, to keep the spirit up, but they dont worry, they know that you are strong enough to face life as it comes. They know exactly the way you think. Its a frank relationship, and there is no issue of give and take, its an understood thing. No need of explanation is required. They knock on your door anytime, and you don't have to be prim and proper, just being the way you are is what is important. This is what is appreciated the most.

Sitting on the sofa, and listening to their conversation and being there in the moment with your friend is what matters in friendship. Its never about you, its always about them in the conversation.There are times, you don't have to say anything, just a pat or a hug is enough. There are times when space is paramount, and it is given without demanding. When you hear them speak on the phone, you exactly sense their tone, you exactly know what going on in their mind. These are the people, you just don't have any inhibitions, there are things they wouldn't appreciate, but they still go along cause they know how important it is for you.

They are an important part of your life, and you can discuss with them anything under the sky. Just a phone call and they would be there. There is a sense of simplicity in the relationship, there is no judgement of sort, there is only an inherent understanding of a kind. And its not necessary to be in touch, just the thought that there is someone there for you, not just when you need, but just the presence is soothing enough.

....all this is because you have formed a certain kind of bonding with a friend of yours. This bonding is not with each and every person you meet or every friend that you have in your life. It happens with only few who just come into your life and they remain in your your heart, in the place that you have given them in your life. Wherever they go, the feeling doesn't change, its just as it is or rather you grow fonder of the person as each days passes by.

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Every heart that beats!

Every heart that beats........every person in this universe, wants something to feel good about, something that would make him or her happy, make them contended. Every one around  is trying to find a place under the sky, a place to call his or own, a person that he or she can call his own.

These last few months have been different for a lot of reason, but more so...of getting to know people around me more better. Its universal, every soul is struggling in some way, for some accepting fact is a difficult task , for some getting financial independence, for some getting into shape, for some getting back on feet is priority, for some finding a soul mate, for some forgiving, for some understanding is an issue, for some making things work etc....its countless.

The journey has already begun, the day one is born, years pass by and there we are not at the fag end of life..but at the cross road. When we have to make certain decisions, and and its one of the most toughest thing that is put across to us.

When I meet people, I see countless wanting to make a difference to their lives, that includes me too. The need , the want to make a shift in their lives for better. I hear the sighs which is so often hidden,when the speak , either through chat or on call, or when they meet in person. "Will I be able to let go.. I know it makes sense, but the heart is not willing . Every night I ask God to help me let go. And it isn't just happening, why is it like this, why doesn't the heart let go, I did my best, yet i am where  i am. would the person come back in my life again, is he really right for me , am so confused"  Yes dear, I understand I feel your pain, I have been there myself and it is really tough.

"Nandita! am looking for a break. I need to get a job, it has to work now. Its been three years...and the wait still continues". Then  the phone hangs, am speechless myself and all i could mutter, it will happen. And I know it will happen...but sometimes waiting itself is a task. Everyday waiting for that one call, that you have been selected. The waiting is killing. Too many things on the mind, but just this one should get done, the rest will happen ..Sigh!...wish life was a little easier,  for that perfect job, where all the other aspects will be taken care of.

Sometimes finding the right soul mate, having everything life, yet happiness is out of sight. For that one perfect guy. Doing whatever it takes, to make things work, yet no one is sight.  "What is it in me? I am pretty, confident, intelligent, I care, but still why ain't  meeting the one meant for me. why do i just keep on chatting and keep on waiting for the other to say yes. Am even willing to wait..bu i see no respite " ...sometimes it just takes a little longer to find the right one...just have faith. am waiting for my one!...I know one day it will happen..till then...am happy with the way things are at the moment!

Some go their carefree way , to finding a moment of bliss in their lives, they have already given love and got nothing in return. Nothing serious, just a casual fling and its alright...cause somewhere they want to be feel loved and taken care of for that moment. to feel good about their lives, which is so very lonely. So a moment like this is welcome..

For some, making two ends meet is the toughest task. A mother who is raising a kid single handed-ly working for long hours, just to get food on the plate and having no social life. and is unable to forgive her ex-husband for the state that she is in. Am coaxing her to get some charm in her life back.

My recovery is taking a longer time than expected, a fracture that happened 4 months back, and  am still in the recovery phase, wanting to walk back soon, get working and start my life all over again. Right now just taking each day as it comes and being there for those who need me in their life.

That's the irony of it all, are we just forgetting  the joy of living in the present. What does it take to be happy, these wants are all that is, the desires are many and the wish list is endless..

Faith heals and I know all will get done, time will heal, everyone will find their happiness, Just living in the moment is all that matters.

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