To Selene - Part VI

Back again just for you :). Birthday celebrations are never complete until I wish you here.

A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

Lot's of things happened in last one year and at the same time very few things changed. One major thing that has not changed is we still living in different cities. Let me promise you this - before your next birthday we will be living in the same city.

This time I will not talk about the year gone by but about the year that is to come. And my gut says that this year will be more about happy things than sad things, more about the road ahead and not the road left behind. Gaadi service centre mein padi thi - time to take it out for a wonderful road-trip :)

This year is about doing things and I have a comprehensive list for you -Eat well, exercise, cook new recipes, laugh a lot more, be less unsure in crowded places, plan for the future, dream more about a dream house, go on vacations (with me of course), see the beach and the mountain in the same year, read more than what you did last year, buy books, make me buy you more nice-smelling things, watch atleast 3-4 plays, help and counsel your loved ones, watch more movies, write a lot more, invest money, learn to drive, start baking, try 30 new restaurants. fight less with me :P :P, catch-up with friends a lot more often, host a lot more parties, get your eyesight tested, go for a walk daily, listen to music , sing and dance more.

And don't get hassled with this list. I know you will do it because I will be right there beside you. 

A song for my Pataakha Guddi to re-start a journey called life

Ude, khule aasaman mein khwabon ke parindey
Ude, dil ke jahaan main khaabon ke parinday
Oho, kya pata, jaayenge kahaan
Khule hain jo pal, kahe yeh nazar
Lagta hai ab hai jaage hum
Fiqrein jo thi, peechhe reh gayi
Nikle unse aage hum
Hawa mein beh rahi hai zindagi
Yeh hum se keh rahi hai zindagi
Oho, ab toh, jo bhi ho so ho

Have a beautiful day and year ahead my Toopalstar :)

To Selene - Part V

Dear Selene,

We are back J. And the only reason this blog exists is because of you. This place is a symbol of our beautiful journey together. And what better way to wish you on your birthday than to do it here. So,

A VERY HAPPY BRITHDAY

And by the time you read this, you would realize that we called your birthday at a place which is as special as this blog :)

If last year was about we coping with the fact of living in different cities, this year was all about finding our feet in the new environment. And if I look back at the last 12 months, other than one or two odd incidents, we did have fun. How can I forget seeing you in a hangover for the first time – you were like the confused puppy on its first Diwali with crackers all around. Or our competition on Candy-crush - you know that I am letting you win, right? :D

The only regret I have about the past year is we not going on any holiday together – and I am completely to be blamed. I am sorry. There has to be a penalty for it. And the redemption is two holidays this year – Goa and a foreign trip. And this time its signed in blood. Your driver is ready ;)

I never get to say this often but I really want to tell you the difference you bring to my life. I gave up everything to find my calling and I struggled for the most part of it. It was only because of  your belief in me (and it’s a big thing because no one can beat me on self-belief) that I am finally getting there. Every time I struggled I heard your voice saying “Go get them”. Keep that voice going and I will keep my two promises for this year J

So, what do we do this year. I think I have the complete action plan. We go on two holidays, we make this the "health year" where the complete focus is getting healthy lifestyle so that I can write a Selene – Part 50, you learning to drive and after that picking me up from the airport #LikeADriver

And like I had said earlier if last year was coping up with the situations around us, this year will be about rising above all the situations and getting back on the feet. It's time to re-discover ourselves

Every year I give a song for us, but this year is about you and my belief in you

Hai Dil Mei Roshni Tere

Tu Cheer Daal Sab Ghere

Lehron Ki Gardan Kas Ke

Daal Phande Re

Ki Dariyan Bole waaha Re Panthi

Saar Ankhon Pe Naav Hai Teri Naav Hai Teri

And I believe you will get your boat across because

I get knocked, down but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked, down but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down

A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY KADDOOOOOO

To Selene - Part IV

Wow, 4th birthday together :) and many more to come . 

Lot's of things happened this year and on top of the list was me moving cities.

Nothing is the same.

Watching movie is no fun, long sessions of music and beer are non-existent, Sundays are without those deep conversations over brunch. But you know what, our soul-connection only grows with each passing day.

And so, everything is the same :)

I had written in last year's post that I have a gut feeling that you will rock in your thirties, and somehow in a strange way (which only you can understand) I can already see the foundations being laid. Agar materialistic bhaasha mein bolaa jaaye toh I can see your book being published pretty soon (yes, this is the best medium for me to force the book thing on you :). After all mera marketing career is dependent on it). And obviously you will shine in your jhola-taangne waala development work ;)

I am finding my way in a new city, with a new challenge. I have been able to move forward only because you have been there with me and for me Like a Rock . Thank you for everything :)

And I have made a small travel list on my phone which I keep on updating from time to time. And all of the plans are with you. So I am sharing it with you (in the exact words as written on the phone). 

1. Portugal for the festival that happens every two years

2. Bali beach, daaru massage (yeah that's how I wrote it)

3. Metallica concert

4. Ladakh

5. Goa (every year)

6. Thailand (every other year)

7. Austria ( of course it had to be included) ;)

So keep your bags ready Motuuuuu because like I always say - life is supposed to be beautiful, so we better make it so

And like you had put in this line about soul-twins "It is impossible for twin souls to remain separated on any kind of permanent basis." we will soon rock the watering holes, have those insane debates that go all night long, have those  beedo performances, drink ourselves silly with those shots, go all-in with those cards and have those perfect brunches with those conversations. I promise :)

Have the awesomest birthday and the mostest awesomest year ahead. Let's get the shot glasses out because its your birthday its your birthday

Chhookar Mere Man Ko

Kiya Tuney Kya Ishara

Badla Yeh Mausam

Lagey Pyaara Jag Saara

Chhookar Mere Man Ko

Kiya Tuney Kya Ishara

Tu Jo Kahe Jeevan Bhar

Tere Liye Main Gaaoon 

Geet Tere Bolon Pe

Likhta Chala Jaaoon 

Mere Geeton Mein

Tujhe Dhoonde Jag Saara

Thirties Here we come!!!

So we turn Thirty!!!!!

It hasn't sinked in yet, but I will look back at those 30 years sometime soon. In short, the last 30 has been a busy one with studies, start-ups, jobs, love, heart-breaks, friendships, life-long bonds, parties and many more unforgettable moments. It was fun. But there is a gut feeling that th enext 30 will be the ones that I will be remembered for.

As Selene put it to me

The only time you really live fully is from thirty to sixty. The young are slaves to dreams; the old servants of regrets. Only the middle-aged have all their five senses in the keeping of their wits. - Hervey Allen

Only that I refuse to be called middle-aged :P.

It's been an amazing birthday till now. Friends gathered for my cake cutting. I was down with food-poisioning, yet, we braved a lot of vomits to welcome the thirties with a satisfying sip of single-malt, cake smudging on the face and amazing gifts. And I do want to boast about the best gift ever. I was looking for this elusive out-of-print copy since ages. And Selene made it possible for me

Next sweet thing was my mom waiting all day long, before calling me at 4:36pm and saying "Now you have turned 30".

Week long parties have been planned. Small party today, followed by few card parties, and a big bash on Sunday afternoon. Should be fun :)

So I haven't planned how my next few years are going to be, but some things I want to do are

• Have my own start-up
• Visit one country each year for the next few years
• Watch as many sports events as possible (This itself is a long list)
• Get back to playing sports everyday
• Brush my teeth in the night
• Improve my dietary habbits
• Have a large collection of alcohol
• Keep on dodging the marriage bullet

And some more things that I will add to this list soon.

Cheers !!!!

To Selene - Part III

It's that time of the year when I have to log in and wish you at a place that reminds us of the beginning of the "beshtest" friendships of our lives. And suppose that you don't like the gifts (which I doubt) , I can always say that I am updating this blog just for you, after 9-10 months so you cannot complain (I am cheap like that :) )

A VERY HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY TO YOU

Its a milestone birthday and you must be looking back at the things you achieved, the people you met, the bridges you made and the moments that made you smile or cry. And when you do that , I am sure you will see us like the icing on the cake ( spot-light hamesha hum pe bani rehni chahiye). I am proud to say that the last two and half years that we have spent together is like thirty years if not a lifetime.

And the last one year was no exceptions. And the highlight of it was the trip to thailand. I was going through a previous post of yours of thirty things to do before turning thirty. The trip puts a check on one of the items :). I can proudly say that this was by far the best vacation I had ( Goa vacation ko bhi neeche karna padega iske liye toh :P ).

Last year was full of interesting food ( your south india recipes and my bihari mutton) , long discussion and debates ( I have to admit that I still can't beat you in a debate:) ), crazy dancing nights at our favorite watering hole, vacations, gambling (:P that would be mostly me ), watching movies, shopping, shifting houses and running around to make both our houses a party place and uncountable number of beers.

We did have our share of fights, those difficult and sad moments and those disappointments , but like always, we have come a long way and our friendship is all the more beautiful. You have been my biggest support and like I always say , I have grown with you beside me. Thank you :)

I strongly feel that your decade is here with this 30th birthday. This will be the decade because of which you will be remembered for. No one might believe what I say , but my gut says so ( and you know my gut is never wrong). Even though it's your birthday i am putting a wishlist for you for the next decade

• Write at least five books.
• Learn 10 different cuisines from 10 pars of the world ( refer gift :P)
• Visit 10 new countries (strictly on vacation and of course with me )
• Become very famous
• Earn a lot of money (its only for me so that you can fund my ventures, give me expensive gifts and take me to fancy places)
• Have at least 10,000 books in your bookshelf
• Have a smile for at least 64800 hours while the rest 21600 hours are spent in deep sleep.

I will keep on adding to this list from time to time :)

And after you have done all of it (of course with me being around), I can so imagine celebrating your 40th birthday with you in a hot cotton saree and me in linen shirt, both of us with salt an pepper hair, saying cheers to beer :)

A very happy birthday to you. The magical number always is and always will be 42 :)

Tere jaisa yaar kahan
Kahan aisa yaarana
Yaad karegi duniya
Tera mera afsana

Meri zindagi sawaari
Mujhko gale lagake
Baitha diya falak pe
Mujhe khaak se oothake
Yaara teri yaari ko
Maine to khuda mana
Yaad karegi duniya
Tera mera afsana


Mere dil ki yeh dua hai
Kabhi door tu na jaaye
Tere bina ho jeena
Woh din kabhi na aaye
Tere sung jeena yahan
Tere sung mar jaana
Yaad karegi duniya
Tera mera afsana

2011 : Koi Roko Naa ....

I am definitely late for a birthday post or a year ending post or even a year-beginning post, but yet here I am with a "better late than never" post.

One of the main reasons for such a delay is my job which has been really keeping me busy. Oh!!! Did I tell you I have shifted jobs? :) Yes, now I can be put in the one-that-changes-jobs-every-year club. But, this job is really interesting, just the kind I had been itching to lay my hands on. It's a successful start-up in the internet industry. And for a change from my previous job, majority of my colleagues here believe more in working and not indulging in politics. BTW, the firm is into fashion and luxury items, which means that now, I know what pumps, hobo bags, ivy-caps or faux-fur outerwear are :P.

So, coming back to 2010, there were three major things that happened.
Firstly, I managed to dodge the marriage bullet. There were many proposals and some close shaves. I am sure this year will be the toughest of all. But I am equally convinced this year that marriage is not my cup of tea and also that I don't like this particular "tea". I want to concentrate on my career, do a lot of travelling and many more interesting things on my own.

Second important thing was my job shift. And finally after ages I am actually working more than eight hours a day. I am working on weekends and that too by choice. I am enjoying every moment of it.

And the third and the most important thing is that I am no more a virgin when it comes to Goa. Yes, I finally got to to see Goa, thanks to Selene. There were innumerable occasions in my life when I was very close to doing a Goa-trip and every time something or the other happened. And I was tired of hearing Goa stories. And it was Selene who always said that Goa is one place so made for me. And after one and half years of planning, we finally did Goa. And what a place that is. I like the water a lot, I like beer a lot and I like lazying around a lot. And all of it happened in Goa. There was beer, the sea, more beer, the beaches and yes more beer. We sat for hours sipping beer, devouring sea-food, watching the waves and not uttering a word. We did party a lot in the night and lost money in the casino , but my favorite moments were the quiet ones, sitting on the beach and watching the waves rise with grandeur and collapse in front our feet in total submission. Majestic!!
And I have promised myself that I have to do a Goa trip every year. Sher ke mooh mein khoon lag gaya finally ;)

2010 was a good year for me. I bought my dream car, partied like animals and traveled to a few places . And yes, I shifted to a new house which i intend to make a perfect bachelor's pad. So what what plans for 2011, you ask?

Well, no big plans but some things that I want to do are

• Work harder and build a name in the industry
• Concentrate on my health a little more. I haven't played a sport in ages and that's so not me. 2010 will be the only year in my life where I didn't play at all. But I don't want it to happen anymore.
• Travel to Ladakh. Again, you can blame Selene for that because she says you can travel to whatever part of the world, but if you haven't seen Ladakh, you haven't seen anything. So, hopefully in July will make a plan.
• Also, want to save some money and do a trip to a firang country. The idea is to see at least one country every year.
• There's a strong urge building up inside me . And that is to go the start-up way again. I don't think it's going to happen in the near future, but the itch is growing every day, so you never know :)
• And finally, dodge the marriage bullet again :)

The anthem for 2011 is

Koi Roko Na Deewane Ko

Mann Machal Raha Kuch Gaane Ko

Koi Roko Na Deewane Ko

Mann Machal Raha Kuch Gaane Ko

Koi Roko Na ..

... because …

ik raasta hai zindagi

jo tham gaye to kuch nahi
ye qadam kisi muqaam pe

jo tham gaye to kuch nahi

Experience Life !!!

I am 29 going on 30 , dil kyun na dhak dhak kare

We begin the last year of our twenties and so this decade will henceforth be known as the talli twenties. Thriving thirties we will see you next year.
Details of my 29th birthday in the next post.
Happy birthday to me