Tuesday 30 April 2013

102. Beautiful Day!


What do you do when you wake up to a drizzly morning? You feel awesome, that's what! 'Cause with a weather like that, I can move mountains; I have the energy of an elephant pulling 100 logs at one time. I am not kidding!

But the next best thing to do apart from pulling logs like an elephant is to get into something 'cool' and get to work. And that's what I did Monday morning and this song somehow came instantaneously to my lips; a song I used to sing as a young girl. And I sailed through the day, every second and every moment specially etched in my mind's eye!

Sunday morning, up with the lark
I think I'll take a walk in the park
Hey, hey, hey, it's a beautiful day
I've got someonme waiting for me
When I see herI know that she'll say
Hey, hey, hey, it's a beautiful day
Hi, hi, hi, beautiful Sunday
This is my, my, my, beautiful day
When you say, say, say, say that you love me
Oh, my, my, my it's a beautiful day
Birds are singing, you by my side
Let's take a car and go for a ride
Hey, hey, hey, it's a beautiful day
We'll drive on and follow the sun
Makin' Sunday go on and on
Hey, hey, hey, it's a beautiful day
Hi, hi, hi, beautiful Sunday
This is my, my, my, beautiful day
When you say, say, say, say that you love me
Oh, my, my, my, it's a beautiful day
Hi, hi, hi, beautiful Sunday
This is my, my, my, beautiful day
When you say, say, say, say that you love me
Oh, my, my, my it's a beautiful day







Sunday 28 April 2013

101. "A dream is a wish your heart makes" from Cinderella

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep,
In dreams you will lose your heartaches,
Whatever you wish for, you keep.

Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing,
The dream that you wish will come true.

(The lyrics and music are by Mack David, Al Hoffman and Jerry Livingstone)

Dreaming doesn't cost a penny. So just dream on and transform your dreams into reality and live the life of a King!


In the words of Woodrow Wilson, "We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter's evening. Some of us let great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them, nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light, which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true."



Need I say more?




Friday 26 April 2013

100. IMPOSSIBLE is NOTHING!



“If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it, even if I do not have it in the beginning.” Mahatma Gandhi.

Two years back, in January of 2011, I was depressed beyond a point of no return. I moped around the house, feeling sad and pathetic about myself and wishing that the end of the world came soon. Ofcourse that was not to happen and the world spun faster in a speed I had never seen it spinning in a long time. And I was the only person, or so it looked like, who was way out of league and not a part of the vortex.

I stopped feeling pathetic about myself and so in April of 2011 I hit the streets with a passion and force beyond my imagination. Every morning, after my prayers, I would get into my tracks and joggers and run for my life. The first time I walked, it was like carrying an indecipherable load all along. I puffed and panted and ranted, all at the same time. The first 1 km seemed endless and the journey home was killing. My endless hunger pangs would catch up with me as I trudged the last few steps home. Oh God, I wished with all my heart that one fine morning I would wake up and voila! I would be transformed into this mesmerizing lithe damsel wearing a pink taffeta gown and my co-actor, would pick me up in one arm and do his ‘Akshay Kumar’ or ‘Jackie Chan’ stunts with me. Wishful thinking!

Anyway, the gown thing got me going. I plugged onto a beat that got me into a heat to run a few kilometres first and then slowly I went onto complete 7kms. It was quite a feat. And then there were the unknown friendly faces on the streets who encouraged me to carry on, waving at me or showing me the thumbs up sign as they sped past me in their cars. And carry on I did. I did a full year of jogging; sweating, tired, hungry, 'migrained' but not defeated. I created my own diet chart and followed it to a T. And this whole venture made me lighter by 14 kilos. I was happy. I was soon fitting into clothes I thought I will never be able to get my fingers into and would have to give them away to slimmer cousins.

Two years of a strict exercise regimen, a conscious diet and lots of cooperation from the family later, I was happy as happy could be. My friends, associates and colleagues appreciated the difference. I was tired in the beginning but now I have the energy to work-out for two hours at a stretch. Though I am still not ready for an Akshay Kumar or Jackie Chan types to carry me and spin me in the air, yet I still think I am not too far away to fit into that exotic red gown, which I see myself dressed up in and standing there coaxing me to run up the hill.

I tell my friends and cousins who want my advice that it is all in the mind. Become the master of your mind and you can do anything by directing it to do so!














Thursday 25 April 2013

99. TO BE OR Not To Be



I had a long conversation with my cousin yesterday afternoon. It’s been quite a while since he and I talked. I have always appreciated his views on matters not only concerning life but also about religion. He had been never been too inclined towards religion even as a young boy and I remember one thing he told me when I was a little girl. “You know, my biggest achievement as a religious person would be to do good unto others and not do them any harm.”
And now, in his middle age, he is still of the same views and says that his very same friends who were least bit religiously inclined are calling him a heretic. As if that concerns him!
I have to some extent followed my brother. In a way that makes me leaving contented, I have tried to make a difference to peoples’ lives; the teaming millions of people who need me in some way or the other.  So, isn’t this supposed to be the religious mantra of every person? Isn’t this what the Gita, Koran and Bible have taught us? Can we think of praying for each and every person in the world, whether we know them or not?
******************************************************
Yesterday evening, as I stood in queue to pay the grocery bills at a super-market, I saw two kids, off the streets, a girl and a boy, of around ages 5 and 7 walk through the door and make their way to the chocolate section. None of the staff noticed as they picked up chocolates from the shelves. All the while I watched as the boy, the taller of the two, picked two extra chocolates and hid them behind his back while the little girl paid for the two she had in her hands. While they went out through the door, jubilant that they didn’t pay for the other two, I quietly followed them out. As I walked up to them, the little boy looked slightly scared, as the all the colour drained from his face. I told him that whatever he had done just now was simply not right. They found it strange that I offered to pay for the extra chocolates and looked at me with questioning eyes. I said, “Look, if you are going to keep doing this, you will end up with the grand title of a thief when you grow up. So, can I request you not to do this again?” I was careful not to be too reprimanding lest they feel that it would be great to enact the whole scene again next time around.
I took them in, paid for the chocolates and let them go. If I had complained to the people at the shop, they would have probably taken some strict action against the kids. But I thought it is so much better to talk to kids and make them understand their mistakes, instead of scolding them unendingly about some ghastly act. After all, if we don’t tell them which way to go, then who will? 



(Summer is here with a sweltering feverish high and I simply want to splash my ensemble with hues of love. My sunset orange denims and the soft pastel shaded tie-up spaghetti top are both from Forever New and the shrug is from Vero Moda. And Tirus and I unendingly haunt Baskin Robbins for the best flavoured ice-creams!)

Wednesday 24 April 2013

98.What is your purpose?

Tirus makes my life so much more worthwhile to live. My only purpose in life is to make him an excellent human being, who is not only going to work for his state or country but for the whole world. 

When I ask young people in my counselling classes what is their purpose in life, many sport blank faces, some are quizzical and maybe just 1% of the entire class raise their hands to speak about their plans or goals in life. The rest, I feel are like ships without a rudder. I constantly tell them before I leave that it is already pretty late to think about a purpose. However, if you don't start thinking now, then maybe you will be lost in the high seas of life. They promise to get back home and start planning and I really hope with all my heart that they live upto their word! 

I tell the children to make a blue-print of their life with short-term goals and long-term goals, which will eventually lead to a mission statement. It is very important to go one step at a time to reach that big goal that they might have set their eyes on. For example, if I want to run a marathon tomorrow, I would have to keep practicing this habit over a period of time. I can't start running on the same day of the marathon. Maybe, I could start with walking first and then jogging the first kilometre and then onto larger distances. 

Well, I just wish every child would start early  in planning their mission in life with help from their parents and care-takers. I pray that each child grows up to become the best human being ever 'cause the future will need some excellent people to run the world.





( I tried a print on print ensemble that I have been wanting to do for quite some time now. I had bought this Ritu Kumar noodle-strapped dress some years back. I teamed it with a pair of printed slacks and a striped shrug. I still need to improvise though! However, Tirus thought I looked pretty good, which he always does!)


Tuesday 23 April 2013

97. Somewhere, over the rainbow!


Tirus loves it when I do something special to look good; especially when I dress up to get him from school. He appreciates that extra effort I take for him.
It’s really a great feeling to do something unique and exceptional for someone who loves me unconditionally. And for Tirus, I wish to bring the world to him. Often, his possessiveness like, “Okay, mom, where are you going? What work? When will you be back? Please be back early,” brings tears of joy to my eyes.
As I reverse my car out of the driveway, he would come running up to me and knock on the car window. As I roll down the glass, he would poke in his face and in an almost hushed tone say, “Ok, drive safe and steady now. Don’t get angry. Oh and I forgot to tell you. You are looking beautiful. I love you. Bye. Get back home early.” Wow! As I drive off, with Tirus waving at me, the only thing I can possibly do is smile and a contented smile at that!
I would carry this cheerful, exuberant, buoyant feeling all throughout the day and things just happen at their magical best for me.

I had and still have realised one thing that when someone loves, cares, is possessive to such an extent, then I should, at all costs take care of this relationship with all my heart. Every day, I have to work towards making this relationship even more loving and trusting. This dominion of love, if I might say, has an over-powering effect on my senses, making me wish to get home early and stay alive for the one person who loves me so much. Love you Tirus, my baby!
Balloon Skirts and dresses are back




                             Somewhere over the rainbow


Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Once in a lullaby ii ii iii
Somewhere over the rainbow
Blue birds fly
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Dreams really do come true ooh ooooh
Someday I'll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me ee ee eeh
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops that's where you'll find me oh
Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly
And the dream that you dare to,Oh why, oh why can't I?

Well I see trees of green and
Red roses too,
I'll watch them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

Well I see skies of blue and I see clouds of white
And the brightness of day
I like the dark and I think to myself
What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying, "How do you do?"
They're really saying, I...I love you
I hear babies cry and I watch them grow,
They'll learn much more
Than we'll know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world world

Someday I'll wish upon a star,
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top that's where you'll find me
Oh, Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
And the dream that you dare to, why, oh why can't I? I?

(This song is from the movie, Wizard of OZ. I enacted a role in a play of the same name back in school)



Monday 22 April 2013

96. RED, RED, RED!


Ahh! For some Shillong weather; as most of us from Guwahati are wont to comment with the advent of the rains. Monday was a slishy-sloshy day, with people rushing to and from work amidst spurts of showers, which actually marooned people in different pockets of the city. 

Tirus and I ofcourse make the most of our time together when we are stuck for endless hours at the traffic. We sing along  to the endless collection of both our favourite songs and then create funny lyrics to some of the music. Tirus is more matured and simply abhors my breaking into a hands-flaying-in-the-air-dance inside the car. He is more often than not embarrassed by my sitting-and-jiving-to-the-music antics. He looks at me with those huge round eyes of his and puckers up his Mongoloid nose and says, "Mom, please! There are people looking at you." And I say, "Which people, where people?", which irritates him to no end. I love it when he gets all hot and bothered like a big boy. And I love over-doing my dramatics in front of him. 

Though the city was choc-a-bloc with traffic, yet I still felt the day ended on a RED note and the sunset was most heavenly ever. I loved it! 




(I love it when the temperature dips 'cause then I can jump into something to be in a 'cool' mood. This a non-branded halter dress that I teamed with a pair of stockings and a pair of shoes from Catwalk. I draped a shrug from Remanika to keep me warm and flowers as usual for my hair. If this is not a RED day, then which is?! )

This is one of my favourite songs: RED RED WINE by UB40! The song was originally written and recorded by Neil Diamond.  He sang it in his sombre style. However, UB40 sang it in the late 80's and early 90's in a way that took it to a totally new level and it became an instant hit with everyone. Lyrics apart, the reggae beat put everyone in the groove. It was number one on the charts in the UK in August of 1983.

Red, red wine 
Goes to my head 
Makes me forget that I 
Still need her so 

Red, red wine 
It`s up to you 
All I can do I`ve done 
memories won`t go 
memories won`t go 

I just thought that with time 
Thoughts of you would leave my head 
I was wrong, now I find 
Just one thing makes me forget 

Red, red wine 
Stay close to me 
Don`t let me be in love
It`s tearin` apart 
My blue, blue heart 

I just thought that with time 
Thoughts of you would leave my head 
I was wrong now I find 
Just one thing makes me forget 

Red, red wine
Stay close to me
Don't let me be in love
It's tearin' apart
My blue, blue heart

Red red wine you make me feel so fine 
You keep me rocking all of the time 

Red red wine you make me feel so grand 
I feel a million dollars when your just in my hand 

Red red wine you make me feel so sad 
Any time I see you go it makes me feel bad 

Red red wine you make me feel so fine 
Monkey pack him rizla pon the sweet dep line 

Red red wine you give me whole heap of zing 
Whole heap of zing mek me do me own thing 

Red red wine you know of love 
Your kind of loving like a blessing from above 

Red red wine I love you right from the start 
Right from the start with all of my heart 

Red red wine in a 80`s style 
Red red wine in a modern beat style, yeah 

(Chorus) 

Give me little time, help me clear up me mind 
Give me little time, help me clear up me mind 

Give me Red wine because it make me feel fine 
Make me feel fine all of the time 

Red red wine you make me feel so fine 
Monkey pack him rizla on the sweet dep line 

The line broke, the monkey get choke 
Burn bad ganja pon him little rowing boat 

Red red wine I`m gonna hold to you 
Hold on to you cause I know you love true 

Red red wine I`m gonna love you till I die 
Love you till I die and that`s no lie 

Red red wine can`t get you out of mind 
Where ever you maybe I`ll surely find 
I`ll surely find make no fuss jus` stick with us. 

(Chorus) 

Give me little time, help me clear up me mind 
Give me little time, help me clear up me mind 

Give me Red wine because it make me feel fine 
Make me feel fine all of the time

Red red wine you make me feel so fine 
Monkey pack him rizla on the sweet dep line,

The line broke, the monkey get choke 
Burn bad ganja pon him little rowing boat 

Red red wine you really know of love 
Your kind of loving like a blessing from above 

Red red wine I love you right from the start 
Right from the start with all of my heart 

Red red wine you give me whole heap of zing 
Whole heap of zing mek me do me own thing 

Red red wine in a 80`s style 
Red red wine in a modern beat style, yeah.


Sunday 21 April 2013

95. Time after time

The most precious thing that I can ever think of giving to my six year old sonny boy is my time. Every day, he is growing at a rate faster than the thoughts crossing my mind and I don’t want to miss a moment with him during this most amazing period of my life.
I get busy with my work and when I am home, I am busy with my writing. So, we try to make the most of the time we spend together.
Tirus has his music classes on Saturday. So after that, we go chasing the sunset, indulge in ice-creams, listen to music or sometimes just lick our ice-creams looking at the flowing river, after which Tirus would decide to make videos of the boats going upstream. And I would just love listening to his endless banter and answer some very interesting questions (often though they are very strange and I really don’t have any answers)! He would then remind me that I need my usual cup of tea. We would either drive down to a cafe or just go shopping. I cherish my time with Tirus and I don’t want him to grow up so fast! 
Please God, just keep him as my little handsome kiddo forever!






Thursday 18 April 2013

94. The nostalgic Kimono


Every year, the annual concerts at school had put us in a tizzy, what with rehearsals, singing classes, measurements with the tailor and endless banter on no particular topic, even though the subdued excitement overflowed into a loud cacophony only to be 'Shushed' by one of the teachers coordinating with the students. 
As had become a habit, I was chosen and expected to take part in every annual concert. I regaled at the very thought of being on stage and feeling like the 'King', while there would be pin-drop silence through my emotive dialogues. Sister Rita (RIP) would catch  hold of some of my friends and me to take us through the gruelling task of 'Propah English pronunciations' before the concerts and what a way she had with words. I can't thank her enough for how I speak today.
I remember in one of the annual concerts titled Cherry Blossom, with Japan as the backdrop, I played the part of Fuji Yama, all dressed in a blue satin kimono, with a yellow satin sash going around my then slim waist and with both my hands tucked into the opposite sleeves as I almost baby-step-limped in wedge-heeled sandals . There was not much dialogue in the script for me as part of the task of narrating the story was done by the singers who sat on the stairs on both sides of the stage. 
Talking of the kimono, it is back in fashion with a bang. There are now kimono dresses galore all doing the rounds on the ramps across the world.
I took a pointer too from the fashion world and came out with a white kimono top with broad sleeves and cut-work and lace all over that I had bought way back on one of my trips to Bangkok. I teamed it with my absurdly shocking pink trousers from Forever New, put on a flat pair of shoes from Catwalk and clipped some flowers to my bed-hair and there I was, ready to pick up Tirus from school and then later spoil ourselves with ice-creams at Baskins & Robbins, only to try and burn out the guilt at the gym in a late evening work-out.



Wednesday 17 April 2013

93. ATale of two styles



When wanting to look slimmer, always opt for a design which will leave the neck free for visual elongation. This first style I tried with this hand-woven ethnic sarong made me far less visually appealing and made me feel bulky around the neck. The halter tie-up at the back was too fussy as the cloth was thicker for such a design, making me feel sweaty and flustered. And the folds kept getting untidy, which was a big bother.





The second style was far less fussy and gave a free flow look to my whole body. I looked far less bulkier as the style showed off my collar bones and I felt cool and comfortable. Here, I wrapped around the sarong and tucked in one of the edges to leave some gentle folds flowing on the left hand side. And I was all ready to see Jinti, my friend from college, who I was meeting after more than 18 years. Time just flew as we sat talking over glasses of *lassi and **payokh.



*Lassi: Buttermilk shake
**Payokh: Boiled rice cooked over a low flame with milk, jaggery, raisins and cashew.

Monday 15 April 2013

92. The Bodo Cocktail Dress


There are so many things I love about my Northeast India; nature in its hynotizing best, the soft-spoken people, the never-ending variety in cuisine and ofcourse the weaves. Some of the most iridescent weaves flow out of the looms of the Northeast, making people gasp in delight and awe.

15th of April coincides with 1st of Bohag, the first day of the Assamese New Year and what better day than to put my mind and soul into creating something new.

I took the Bodo (an indigenous community of Assam) dokhona (the female ensemble) and gave it a new twist to create a cocktail dress for the evening, while Tirus and I went visiting friends for Bihu and also went hopping from one Bihutoli (fields where the Bihu performances are held) to another.



Sunday 14 April 2013

91. Xokoluke Rongali Bihur Ulog aru Xubhessa Jasilu 
(Wish you all a very Happy Rongali Bihu)

The cuckoo has been announcing the advent of the spring time festival since forever now. And finally, come 14th of April, Rongali Bihu, which is actually the start of the Assamese New Year, is here with a gargantuan force anticipated most by the Assamese people. Bihu, the festival of the Assamese celebrates love and romance. The air whispers sweet nothings and there is a general feeling of bliss and happiness. The beat of the drums  in the distance and the sharp renditions on the pepa (the buffalo horn) add further to the fervour of every person, who has only one thing on the mind; to dance to the wild beat and blend into oblivion.

The New Guwahati Rongali Bihu Sanmilan celebrated its Golden Jubilee year on the 14th of April when the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Assam, Shri. Tarun Gogoi visited its Bamunimaidam fields and unfurled the flag. Though he stayed for just 20 minutes, yet the people of the area were morally boosted by his presence. 

(For me, my happiness is always immeasurable when it's the celebration of Rongali Bihu. It is this time of the year when I can deeply inhale and take in that especially exotic aroma of my Axom, which the rains leave behind in its stead, while my whole being dances to an astral tune.)






Saturday 13 April 2013

90. Trendification of the Karbi ensemble

The Northeast of India just gets better each day and for people like me, I would rather breathe here everyday than anywhere else in the world, 'cause this is Paradise. 



The weaves are profoundly magical, no matter which of the eight states they may be from. The colours are exotic and blend with the even more strickingly magnetic colours of nature, which are resplendent all around. The weavers, artists par excellence, conjures mesmerizing designs with colourful threads with their nimble fingers. 

These weavers splash wild colours of their dreams onto their canvases, captivating everyone in their stead. My salutations to these angels who toil tirelessly and spend hours on end to give us an unearthly piece of art for us to keep and cherish.


Today, before leaving for an important meeting and to celebrate the season of love, on the 13th of April, a run-up to the Rongali Bihu festivities (the spring time festival of the Assamese people), I decided to wear something different for an important meeting. I tied two colourful belts around a Karbi (an indigenous community of Assam) hand-woven mekhela (a wrap-around skirt), teamed it with a red spaghetti and a black shrug. I thought the bunch of Nyishi (One of the several tribes of Arunachal Pradesh) beads looked pretty trendy, with the traditional Indian pair of sandals I wore. In short, I trendified the Karbi ensemble, which is otherwise worn differently! I loved it!

Friday 12 April 2013

89. A RED Brunch

Mom always taught me to dress for the occasion and I have always tried to do that. 

A brunch is a great time to catch up on many things and talk to our heart's content. The time is just right; no work, just relax, eat and talk. 

And I decided it would be a great idea to dress up for a nice cosy brunch.

Maxi dresses have been a favourite with me since I was 13 and Mom used to stitch me these exceptionally intricately designed maxis and they my friends used to rave about them. 

A couple of months back, I got a pink and a blue halter-necked maxi dress from Mumbai off one of the streets there and I have loved teaming them up with jackets, stoles, denim and lace waist coats and still ideating what else to do. 

So a pre-Bihu brunch saw me dressed in my pink maxi dress and a denim waist-coat, a yellow pair of stilettoes, a faux flower to add to the jazz and a cocktail ring. I sprayed my happiness all over me and voila, I was ready to eat, talk and laugh!