Hunting for a topic to write today feels like:

Consuming an unsavory bite
Trapped in an inexhaustible fight
Compelled to stare at an uninviting sight
Crying out loud: “I can never do it right”
Being part of a woeful plight
Being shoved from a great height
Flabbergasted by the ghost in white
Impossibly gawking at the sun too bright
Waiting on a profoundly deferred flight
I can do with some inspiration to ignite
I can do with a poetic song to recite
An unbelievable loss of lexis to my delight



PS: I feel uncanny - I couldn’t think of a blog topic today, although I had this amazing craving to write; ironically though I ended up writing a blog – Its just one of those days :)

Stepping into the shoes of a woman
Leaving my childhood far behind
In a sincere pursuit of a true man
With anxiety burning my mind

With passion and dreams to fulfil
Love now fits the bill
The journey of life does instill
Patience is a virtue…until

A fairytale-like anecdote unfolds
In a mystical fashion, that is
The season just ideal as it holds
Nippy cotton conceal, like in Swiss

Drizzles instigated by the dark-cloud dance
Accompany the vast snow-clad expanse
Naked trees feel shy as rain drops glance
A perfect amalgamation, calling for romance

The vividness of a tall and handsome man
Wise and witty, boasting a flawless tan
Soft and gentle with a glow that can
Sweep me off my feet in just a scan

This hallucination will never be undone
The new, promising phase has just begun
With him when the world can be won
My heart knows “He’s the perfect one”

I have blurted this idiom most often than not with a huge smile & a sigh of relief adding flavor to it! Never paid too much heed to why this phrase always comes to my mind when I come back “home.” It doesn’t really matter if I am back home after a short break or a long hiatus, I still feel charged up when I step into my home. It is pretty ironical to the fact that you might really be dead beat after a long journey or a hectic vacation/trip, yet there is this feeling of ecstasy, it’s a secure & comforting feeling that requires no elucidation whatsoever.

Sharing an apartment with acquaintances, called “roomies” has been a rollercoaster experience, not to forget the great friends I have made during this stage of my life…they have been more like family :)

It feels fantastic though, to reside in your own home with your loved one(s)…The initial setting-up of your home is an electrifying experience – the shopping, rustling up the right selections, choosing the perfect colors, sketching the most appealing placements and so much more. Decorating it just exudes your persona…it’s a true reflection of who you really are, and thus it makes your home - your cozy dwelling. Just to be home for a tranquil coffee-time in the evening, we end-up calling for a war with time at work :)…that’s just a very trivial example that vindicates the beauty of “home sweet home.”

The most important facet of why this idiom makes perfect sense is that the “sweetness” comes from the ambiance that your home radiates and from the people that live there!

In seeking the luxuries of life in an unquenchable pursuit,
We fail to enjoy the simple pleasures enroute.

In seeking the definition of love in a mystified quest,
We fail to decipher the feeling it blessed.

In seeking the comfort of home in a rat-race mission,
We fail to love our own people with passion.

It’s imperative to remind ourselves…

Home is where you learn to walk,
Home is where you learn to talk,

The outer world manages to entice,
But home is where the heart resides!

We try and live a normal life but it unfolds inexplicably, yet beautifully with each passing day. The enigma coupled with anxiety makes the experience of living each day invigorating. You know what you want, you probably even work hard to attain what you want, but ultimately what you will get always remains obscure, that’s the million dollar question that outlines what is called the “hope” for life. Wise words say “Do not hold your “good deeds” over expecting returns,” but what the heck, whom are we trying to fool here??…we always need to quench our thirst, don’t we?!

The true feeling of unexpectedly realizing your dream cannot be expressed in a few words…it takes its own sweet time to sink in…coz that would have been the last thing you ever anticipated and lo and behold, its right there with bated breath and open arms alluring you to live your dream! In a rollercoaster life crammed with ups-and-downs, a feeling like this is forever to cherish, appreciate and experience! This is when I truly thank the almighty, the one superpower for having been instrumental in motivating me to accomplish my goal…my dream!

Let me get to the point here (its time to unfurl the mystery :))…I am slowly and willingly stepping into a new phase in my life, the phase of commitment, belongingness, love, togetherness and happiness…a family is in the making :)…engaged to a guy I love dearly, a family that showers love selflessly…what else can I ask for? (Ofcourse, I can’t wait to be married ;)).

An acquaintance that started in the bullpen,
Blossomed into friendship with no pretense.
Rendezvous and get-togethers that it led to then,
Only now more than ever makes perfect sense.

Apprehensions and expectations grew with time,
“Loves me?” “Loves me not?” was the rhyme.
A glimpse, calls, chats, & blogs were prime,
In making the heart sing like a wind chime!

“I love you” was the cure,
“Will you marry me” felt so secure,
“The institution of marriage” so pure
“A commitment for life” it is for sure!

It’s time for the onset of the winter season in India and the pleasant irony is that it’s the warmth and the brightness of the diyas that welcome the much awaited cool weather. Very rightly called the “festival of lights”, this fête never fails to bring in happiness and hope in many a humdrum and disillusioned lives. Its amazing how illumination of a bunch of diyas on your balcony sill can bring so much joy in your life. Being away from your loved ones hits you hard especially during Diwali, which is an epitome of togetherness, belongingness, love, celebration, and happiness personified!

From what they call “white washing” the house, to preparing all the delicious bakshanams (goodies) in the world, from simply calling your loved ones to exchanging emails and messages for wishing “Happy Diwali”, from planning a get-together with your kith and kin to just relishing the bakshanams and bursting firecrackers, from the bright lights of the diyas that light up your heart and soul to the shopping for new garments, this is just a gala time that truly exemplifies “festivity”. No wonder why there is a great sentiment attached with this festival :)

It’s funny how parties are organized in the US to just emulate the fun and frolic that this festival promises year after year. “Diya”, the Diwali celebration at my university that was a concoction of the latka jhatkas, the great music, the late night-outs for the practice sessions, the preparations, the decorations, the dance parties that followed, is sorely missed! The cherished memories associated with this festival paradoxically make me emotional and brings a smile to my face :)

It’s time for the dazzling lights
It’s time for the vibrant sights
It’s time for the celebrated nights
It’s time for the scrumptious bites

So why wait,
Let’s celebrate!

A very happy Diwali and a prosperous year ahead to one and all! Amen!!!

I tread along a path unknown,
I couldn’t care less for what has bygone.
I wonder where the good old days have flown,
I would have stalled time had I known.

The innocence and virtue that childhood brought,
The reminiscences of which have only taught.
The cherished moments can forever be sought,
The tears of joy it brings cannot be fought.

Privileged for I was raised with the attention and care,
Fortunate for possessing a kin beyond compare,
Lucky to experience an enriching upbringing, I swear,
Happy for the shackles of strong bonding will never tear.

The pleasurable school days and its many diversions,
The spirit was inculcated with healthy competitions.
The teachings and preaching instilled cognition,
The ingenuous pranks were part of the tradition.

Those carefree and happy-go-lucky days,
Those leisure times spent with a playful craze,
Those zealous and ardent ways,
Those gifted years have vanished with that phase.

I wish I could want and obtain,
I wish I could manipulate time and retain,
I wish I could influence my brain,
I wish I could be a child again!

- Swetha Krishnan

The juxtaposition of the moist, breezy wind and the unsullied whiff of mud jog my memory to those wonderful rainy days back home. The panorama (from my balcony at home) of the transparent, dazzling water beads dripping from each leaf of the trees; water hammering on the ground just as if the gods were taking a shower :-); lovely, colorful birds shaking off the drench and flying to their sheltered perch; the vibrant colors of the umbrellas & raincoats; a mobile stall of fresh, hot baked “buttas” (corn, not the sweet corn, mind ya), not to forget the special varieties with butter corn or corn spread with chilli powder, salt and lemon (slurp) being the top sellers; were a delight to the eyes and just too good to be true! I vividly reminisce sitting on the bench in my balcony and taking pleasure in the beautiful ambiance of cool zephyr filled with the scent of the earth! Surprisingly, not one of my favourite seasons; although, I strangely contradict myself on this most often than not and with a justified rationale.

The mention of the “rain” brings to my mind the tardy, sluggish mornings, a great excuse to bunk school/college - heavy downpour culminating as floods often called for a holiday anyway, an excellent opportunity to get cozy on the couch and watch your favourite movies/shows on TV, an innate urge or craving for hot, crispy, fried pakodas with mom’s special tea, and despite all this, grumble and criticize the weather as if nothing worse could ever happen to you! ”Grass is greener on the other side” was like the motto…people suddenly becoming conscious of how important it is to go to school/college and not sit at home and waste time…I guess it is more the restrain that the rain brings with it that explains the love-hate relationship with this season, in particular. It’s strange how it would conveniently play hide-and-seek by not raining all morning and starting to pour heavily just as you are about to step-out of the house to start a great day :-) (I always wondered if this only happened to me!)

The love affair of “Romance” & “Rain” is eternal and I often hear them expressing their love - “hum tumse pyar karte the, karte hai aur karte rahenge :-)”. No wonder, they end up paying their dues to the dushman zamana called “Bollywood;” be it a sudden rain scene (ofcourse immediately after the previous scene being shot in snow) with the hero and heroine (clad in a transparent, thin sari), completely drenched and singing and expressing their love with the aide of a soft, romantic number or the hero thrashing the villains right in the middle of nowhere with the rain adding a special effect :-). Now that I have mentioned Bollywood, Mani Ratnam, Rain & Romance form the mesmerizing “tridev.” “Chinna Chinna Aasai” from Roja, “Tu Hi Re” from Bombay, “Barso Re” from Guru, “Chaiyya Chaiyya” from Dil Se, “Megam Vandhado” from Mouna Raagam, “Dil ye bechein hai” from Taal and so many more, painstakingly and truly justify the divine blend of “Rain and Romance”!

Rain and Ganesh Chaturthi also go hand-in-hand…”Rain” has always been considered to be symbolic of some auspicious and propitious event/occurrence. Ganesh Chaturthi (what a perfect time – Happy Ganesh Chaturthi in advance people!) is one of my favourite festivals coz I have too many sweet memories linked to it, each and every year bringing immense joy! Rain would just be an icing on the cake, it was the perfect time in the year where I loved the rain, coz no matter what, we were allowed to get drenched, dance in the rain welcoming the god and during the visarjan!

How I wish I was home :-) All I can say is:

“Rain Rain Come Again,
I wanna watch you pour through my windowpane
I wanna savor mom’s pakodas and tea then
I wanna be home so bad, I can’t explain!”