Bonds of Love!

Rakhi is always special, infact knowing me, I consider all festivals remarkable. I don’t really know why people don’t celebrate festivities with passion these days like they used to. The younger kids are more of “khatam karo” attitude. This is who you are. There are so many memories attached to each year of growing and nurturing your bond. The whole fun of getting together with all cousins, laughter doses, new members joining in the celebrations is what makes the day so unique, there is something so positive about that. The overload of sweets, hugs, kisses, gifts (:p), I really do enjoy the spirit of togetherness.I love how our festivals have history behind them. They have stood the test of time and the longer they run, the stronger your belief grows in them. It’s just that special bond between siblings that strengthens in spite of how much you fight or get busy with your own lives.

I always wanted a brother of my own, my own flesh and blood. We are three sisters, even though that is amazing because of all the pampering, I don’t really know how it would have been if we would have had a brother. I remember tying Rakhi to dad when I was a kid, then to Krishna, but then you want a real person as a brother. Thankfully though God has been kind and given me some really good people in my life who protect me. The blood bonds may make you genetically obligated to be a family but it’s the bonds that are built on love that survive the test of time.

An Aspiration Realised!

SO SO SOOOOOO happy…just so happy….I’m officially an MBA! YEAHHHHHH BABY!

Wow, it feels remarkable to have really accomplished what I envisaged. In spite of all the privations, run of ghastly kismet, ruthless days, and arduous studies, I DID IT!! It’s just an incredible emotion. Even though I was totally dazed when I got the result, I felt gratified that I had realized my goal. Even though I have a good grade (could have done better) but nonetheless I DID IT!

It’s just this staggering feeling of triumph that shelters you and you end up ecstatic. I had a target, I achieved it, not as quickly as I had hoped but I got there. However, there is this bizarre feeling of vacuity knowing that I don’t have to study anymore (which I doubt knowing myself) but yes for the time being now I can concentrate of my life and myself the way I always thought I would.

I think this was the light, the spark, I was searching for in the darkness and I know that things will eventually turn out okay. I will be okay. The events we so desperately want to accomplish, you have to go after them with all your heart and soul. You do arrive at what you want, slightly deferred than you’d hope but you do attain it. I feel a sense of encumbrance being taken off my shoulder. Something at least has started to go right. I hope the trend continues.

Signing off for now!

R

(M.Sc, PDCR, MBA)

A Pristine Moment!

A bottle of wine left to breathe,

Resonating melody frolicking in between,
In the lovely afternoon bliss,

A clink of our glasses,

A smile that captivates.

Who keeps a count of swills?

When you are amused it seems,

Giggles and yarns all left out,

Flirty talks, caresses abound.

He offered his hand,

To sway me in his arms,

A slow song that played,

Was the absolute trice,

Of how our eyes met in delight.

A sigh escaped his lips,

A grin submerged it within,

A rough yank at his shirt,

A stroke trailing my back,

A tilt of our heads,

A lift of the chin,

A barely there kiss began.

He tasted my lips plumb,

The stout wine kindling intuits,

An appeal that sealed in all the spaces,

As his tongue devoured mine in instances.

A nibble or two, warmth spreading low,

Suckling on the sensitiveness,

Hands exploring skin,

Waiting to be one within.

Not knowing where the time fluttered,

Protected in his lingering embrace,

As his hands traced my every curve,

Out of breath, we held each other timeless.

Spiritual Healing!

There haven’t been many opportunities where I have been by myself with a happy disposition, which off late was not made possible. Once in a while you need a time out. A little bit of a space to clear your head and heart, explore yourself and the world.  Following through my will to complete my resolutions taken for this year, I decided to become my best company, spend a day by myself, treat myself good and ponder over the future while deciding to live the present.

The day trip was simply planned, of doing all sorts of touristy things like exploring the streets, enchanted by the scenic weather and filling my senses with the glorious sights and breathing in the smell of the ocean. To just be by the ocean and exploring the depths my mind along with watching waves crash and burn is calming. I decided to indulge myself and pamper all of my senses. It began with treating myself to visual delights of portraitures and history.

I’ve always speculated that there are so many ways to illustrate yourself and your emotions, be it via words, dance, art, music or any creative medium.  I always wanted to pursue some creative field but knowing my nature, I knew if I did it mainstream, I’d lose interest pretty quick. But just imagine watching the work of various artists reverberating history, sentiments, instances, places, people, landscapes, anything and everything, emoting it on a blank canvas, that’s beautiful. There is so much that captivates you. The feeling of sauntering down an aisle in a gallery full of glorious pieces of work is absolutely a great experience. Different levels of art help you explore different ambiance, experiences and reactions. There was this one painting of two lovers molding and merging into one another, that made me cry so bad that I had to sit for good 15 minutes and let it out of my system. It was just such a deep representation of love. We often express it but to see it as a picture resonating so many dimensions was truly a heartfelt moment.

Contemporary art, tradition art, sketches, you name the medium or style of painting, the place was full of it. You end up thinking about how so much of people’s perception  is associated with their art. It’s like a piece of them is left on every painting, their imprint on each drawing of theirs. As you appreciate the art, your mind travels back and tries to gauge what the thought process of the artist was at the time he created his masterpiece. Was everything that he witnessed he captured in his painting or did he imagine some bits of it?

As I advanced from the art gallery to the museum, just so much history that envelops you and  engulfs your mind leaves you in a state of awe. Experiencing your emotional reaction to just so much beauty and talent is invigorating. The visual treat is sure to leave you breathless. To study about the various exhibits showcasing skills, to be a witness of the splendors of the past and yet stand today in the present to admire them is the kind of time travelling experience I would want over and over. Even though the initial experience can be quite daunting when you take in all that you see, touch and feel which takes you back to history, yet you leave that place feeling rich.

 A quite time with myself, feeling peaceful, calmer - also one of the best therapies ever. MUST DO AGAIN!

Thirst Quencher!

Ah! Beer…that’s the first thought when you take a sip of a cool beer mug after a hot and stressful day. Good beer with some good company is the best remedy there is.

Image courtesy Google

Crafting beer is an art. There is constant battle between people who love to drink about their choice of drink. The battle of epic proportions between Beer v/s Wine v/s Whiskey v/s Scotch v/s Vodka..where does it end? Let’s talk about Breweries today.

Following in the steps of the United States, various Microbreweries have come up in India. Gurgaon has seen its mushroom growth in this particular sector. I’ve been to a winery and then now to a brewery, one thing’s for sure – you cannot surpass the picturesque view of the winery. Crisp clean air, surrounded by vineyards and you get to taste some robust wines with cute little savoury or sweet accompaniments.

Winery, St. Louis

Moving away from the scenery, let’s talk more about the upcoming and established breweries of Gurgaon. With so many selections on the list, one can be bequeathed for a decent pick. I’ve only experienced two breweries as of now and I’m already a fan. I’m partial to wheat beer, malt has a peculiar aftertaste though. With 5-5.6% of alcohol content, it seems to be pretty decent. Though the only thing that these breweries should work on is the food, music and the ambience, especially Hops n Brew. For a person to enjoy a holistic experience these are essential ingredients. The DJ was ridiculously bad, to the extent that I had to write in my song selection. The crowd was pretty mediocre, beer was okay..ish.

Hops & Brew, Gurgaon

Bronx on the other hand was relatively decent place with pretty awesome decor and ambience was pretty cool. The menu is quite a mix of various cuisines which is good since it gives one more options, though their brew wasn’t as potent as I would have liked it to be, it was still not bad. The place is definitely worth a visit.

Bronx, Gurgaon

This wonderful experience though just makes me keener to read up on beer. Cheers!

Rhythm Divine

Free your arms, unguarded, guzzle down a beer or maybe four,

Step in step, Let the music flow,

Hold each other close, dreams galore,

Groove to the sound, sway to the melody a little more,

Close your eyes and twirl till eternity,

Hands in hands, you go with the flow,

Inching up on each other,

As you move in close,

The pulse gets deafening, easing eerily to gentle course,

Just like your heart, when it indulges in a tow,

Smile at strangers, lock some eyes,

Move your hands like they crave delight,

Skin on skin, space becomes an illusion,

Hear each breath in slow motion,

Don’t capture the feelings,

Feel it through your bones,

Match the steps as the harmony flows within,

This is one of the best ways,

To heal your beleaguered soul.

Mission Rejuvenation

I am a lady on a mission. A mission to pamper myself silly. Why? Because I deserve it. So, as a resolution of my ahem ahem birthday, I had decided to gratify myself (in more ways than one :p ) but yeah I have to say that I love spa therapies. 

With the stress of life, work and love you need a breather. Yes, you do. So, I have decided to explore all sorts of massages and then review them based on quality, weirdness and the restorative properties. The regular massage, is well, regular. A lady who will douse you with oil and keep rubbing you all over (ummm) okay then!

Well, so the first option that I chose was Ayurveda massage . Kerala Ayurveda has a range of massages that cater to your various needs. There is a doctor who prescribes specific oil blends basis your condition which he checks after taking your medical history, checking your pulse and blood pressure. I got (no surprises there) a massage to relieve stress, headache and anxiety. 

So, you enter into this almost dark, slightly dingy room with zero aroma oil or incense and you are made to wear nothing but teeny tiny polyester underwear and the process begins. They make you sit in for a head massage (the traditional champi) and then two women who load you with hot herbal oil and start the massage. The rhythmic moment and the synchronicity of both the women is actually quite commendable, which you are sure to enjoy except you are stark naked and slightly embarrassed initially.

Anyway, the massage targets certain acupressure points and the run time for it is approximately 35 minutes. Following which you are made to you undergo sauna which helps get rid of the toxins. A quick shower later you are good as new. They also provide with a herbal concoction which tastes weird. A powder that is rubbed on your forehead to prevent any cold later.

All in all, I would give it a rating of 2.5/5 because I had a massive backache after that. So, more on various other types of massage later.