10 Day Challenge: One Picture. Of Me.

Okay. Finally. Done with this challenge after this post. It wasn't too bad. Kept the blog busy. But I also wonder whether I may have just lost readers or at least comments due to these posts. Oh well. I did have fun with some of the posts!

So anyway, this one requires me to post a picture of myself. That's going to be tricky given that so far I have maintained anonymity in terms of my name and face. But why not? For the sake of this challenge and this post, I will post a picture of myself.

Me - bushwalking at Botany Bay National Park

Sorry. I couldn't do. The best I can do is show you my shadow clicking a picture and carrying my bag. :)

Maybe someday.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

A Fraction of the Whole

...by Steve Toltz.

This is a massive 700 page debut novel by author Steve Toltz and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2008. Meet the Deans. As Jasper Dean starts off “The fact is, the whole of Australia despises my father more than any other man, just as they adore my uncle more than any other man. I might as well set the story straight about both of them…”

That statement should give you a hint of the ride you are in for as a reader.

With his father, Martin Dean now dead, Jasper tries to make sense of him while writing from gaol for a reason unknown to readers. Villain or hero? Crazy or sane? He tries to understand some of his father's schemes to try and make the world a better place. There is one main concern that plagues Jasper: is he going to end up being crazy like his father? Throughout his father’s life, Jasper did his best to keep his distance to avoid the lunacy but at the same time, appeared to have a bond with him. After all, his father tended to have good intentions to begin with but with catastrophic consequences.

Martin Dean was a difficult, paranoid and intelligent man during his time alive. He spent about four years as a child in a coma and once out of it, felt disconnected from the world and outwardly philosophical. All Martin wanted to do was leave his mark behind in this world. And trouble began when people started listening to him. Martin’s sanity is questioned throughout the book. The uncle adored by the whole of Australia, Terry Dean, was a sporting hero in his younger days and a criminal later when plagued by injury. But a Ned Kelly type vigilante who was out to get all the sporting cheats. And hence, looked at as a hero. However, Terry is eventually captured and presumed to have died in a bushfire that ravaged the prison.

Jasper takes us on this rollercoaster journey through his father’s and uncle’s lives (narrated at times by Martin) and his father’s crazy adventures, how his father comes up with a way of making everyone in Australia a millionaire, gets married to his childhood sweetheart becomes the prime minister, then becomes the most hated man in the country, flees the country with Jasper to Thailand and his own story of jetting off to Europe to search for his absent mother’s past.

All in all, it’s a fun read and keeps you hooked to know more about the characters. It has its laugh out loud moments and its “you-can’t-be-serious” ones too. It’s a riot and one hell of a ride! A great achievement by a debutante. About Australia. About being able to not take yourself too seriously. And about craziness and lunacy of human beings. And how in life, in the end, there are only a few important people who matter. I would give it a rating of 4 out of 5.

***This has been written for the Aussie Author Challenge 2011***

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Needs

The need to be filthy rich

The need to be skinny

The need to have the latest gadget

The need to be extremely pretty

The need to look one’s very best

The need for designer shoes

The need for the perfect partner

The need to have several from which to choose

The need to have the flashiest car

The need to be living in a multi-storey home

The need to have the finest wine

The need to travel to the likes of France or Rome

The need to have a high paying job

The need for perfect kids

The need to eat the finest foods

The need for pedigree pets

All these wants

That we confuse for needs

All these materials

Only heightening our greed

We are always wanting more

And living with discontent

Feeling down and desolate

Being unhappy with the present

Forgetting what it important

Food, shelter and clothing

And even more significant

Loved ones, not belongings

If we gave up these wants

And ‘needed’ a lot less

We’d be happier and content

With living life itself

***This was written for One Single Impression Prompt 178: Need***

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

10 Day Challenge: Two Songs

Two Songs. Hmm...from about a gazillion. Okay, I'm going to mention two songs which have some sort of meaning in my life.

1. Dive in by Darius

I can almost hear some of you going "Darius who"? This song came out around 2003 -2004 (in India at least) and I loved the whole album. This song was never officially released with a video. But it is this song in particular that made an impact in my life. I was going through a low phase in 2004 after my undergrad in terms of hating Mumbai University postgrad psychology, not being happy with the way things were in life in general and was contemplating whether or not to try and study in Australia (possibly the only reason I wasn't clinically depressed was because I was loving the gym after graduating). Anyway, I applied to a few universities and then got back an offer from one that was last on my list. I was confused whether I should go ahead with it or wait. In the end, I took the plunge and the rest as they say, is history. But I clearly remember listening to the lyrics of this song and thinking it made so much sense to me at that point in my life. These are the lyrics I'm referring to:

If you want it, then you got it
Don't let this moment pass you by
Take a long shot, give it all you got
You'll never know unless you try
You can only sink or swim
Baby, just dive in

Yes, it is a song about a relationship but to me back then, it basically said unless you give this study in Australia a shot, you are never going to know...there are two possible outcomes: you could swim or you could sink. But you will never know until you try it. So yes, I dove in. And this song helped in some way make sense of the shit in my life at that point.

2. Moment in the sun by The Living End

I love The Living End. And when this song was released in 2008, it seemed to me as though they had sung the story of my life. All you have to do is listen to the lyrics. It was my anthem that apparently brought me to where I am today. Even though the song didn't exist back then. 'Nuff said.

On a related note, I got tickets to see The Living End play live in September at the Enmore! I'm so excited and looking forward to it!

If you missed any of the previous posts as part of this challenge, or are really desperate to re-read them [wouldn't have a clue why!], you can find them here: Ten secrets, Nine loves, Eight fears, Seven wants, Six places, Five foods, Four books, and Three movies.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Parental Duties: Where does it end?

We all know that as a parent, you provide the best for your kids. You provide them with love, feed them, clothe them, make sure they have a roof over their heads, and educate them. After all, in some countries, if you don't do that, you get reported to child protection authorities who may take the kid away. But for some reason, in India, there appears to be an added 'duty'.

Getting your 'child' married. Your 18+ child.

Let me explain to the non-Indian readers of my blog. In India, once a child is of marriageable age, apparently it becomes the one thing all parents yearn for --- to get the said child married. And if they don't, they are apparently shirking in their duties as a parent.

When I visited my family in India last month, my nice grandmother (maternal) asked me about marriage saying that I should consider it so that mum would be happy. Me, the ever-stubborn and ever-questioning woman I am, asked politely why it would make mum happy to which I get the response that she would have done her duty! Of course, I had a polite rant to my grandma about why mum's happiness is apparently dependent on my being married or unmarried (which by the way, isn't for my mum!) when I have done so much else in life for her to be happy about (which she is!). And I ended with --- shouldn't mum and dad just be happy that I am happy and content with life?  

I ask it again --- why should a parent's happiness depend on whether or not their son or daughter is married? Even if we were to equate a parent's happiness being dependant on their child's happiness, who is to say being married is equivalent to being happy? I firmly believe that we are in charge of how we feel so even saying that a parent is happy because their kids are happy is a stretch. But if I let go of that view for the sake of this post, why can't parents be happy if their kids are happy with their life in general. It doesn't have to be that the child is married or even employed or even owns a house. Maybe the person is perfectly content drifting through life. Why then, is it hard for parents to be happy for that child?

Somewhere along the line, society in India has made it such that a parent is not completing their responsibility if their child is not married by a certain age. The parent is a 'bad' parent. I found out that my dad got asked the question about me getting married by his friends. Who the hell are they? My parents are not pressuring me in any way but are being pressured by others to 'make them see light' and 'get me married off'. My parents are being guilted into thinking they are not 'doing their duty'. Once a person turns 18, they are considered to be responsible adults. Why then, is it still considered a parent's duty to see to it the 18+ year old gets married?   

It's about time people realise that parental duties involve mainly caring for their child until 18 and providing them with love and basic necessities. After that, it is not mandatory. Furthermore, getting an adult child married is not a parental duty by any means. If only society were to realise that, it would spare a lot of parents from needless guilt and spare a lot of children from getting into marriage to 'make parents happy' or to get society to back off.

I am fortunate to have sensible parents (well, at least a mum; dad hasn't really spoken to me on the issue). Parents who are happy that I am content with my life. And thereby currently are not getting sucked into this void of guilt that society is placing them in. Unfortunately, most of my friends back in India and their parents are not free of this and are currently under pressure to allow their parents to fulfil their parental duty.

Where does this madness end?

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

10 Day Challenge: Three Films

So far, in case you have missed the series of this 10 Day challenge, I have completed Ten Secrets, Nine loves, Eight fears, Seven wants, Six places, Five foods and Four books. Now we are on to Three films. Once again, a very broad topic. I guess what I might do is highlight three films I found extremely significant in one way or the other in each decade of my life [Yes, I know I'm 27 which means the last 'decade' will be the last seven years only].

1. Mary Poppins

The one movie I remember fondly from my childhood is Mary Poppins. To the point where I bought the DVD a couple of years ago. I loved the entire movie...right from the beginning where Jane and Michael Banks write an ad for a nanny and their father thinks it's ridiculous and rips it up to the point where Mary Poppins comes into their lives. The movie is filled with everything a child could ask for --- fun, magic, laughs, breaking the rules, and family. My favourite bit was and is the part when they jump into the picture. And I knew and still remember the words to all the songs. Mary Poppins, the movie, to me was "practically perfect in every way". And I can spell Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. I think.

2. You've Got Mail

Although the start of my teenage years was marked by Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, the most memorable movie for me was around the time I was 14. I had finished Year 10 and for the first time went in to the city with just friends to watch a movie. That movie was You've got mail. There were some aspects of the movie I didn't completely get at the time thanks to be internet-ignorant. But I still fell in love with the movie and the characters. I loved Meg Ryan's character and the fact that she owned a book store made it all the more special. Tom Hanks was very likeable in this role too. This movie was all about love over the internet but not really liking the person in real life. It was a sweet romantic comedy and in my teenage years, made me yearn for something similar. I currently do have the DVD and watch the movie again when I am in the mood for a bit of light rom-com.

3. Little Miss Sunshine



This decade has been a tough one to choose from. Maybe because it is so recent. There were quite a few memorable movies more so because my tastes changed. I have started to prefer drama and alternative movies to the big Hollywood blockbusters. In fact, I avoid going to the movies for almost all the big money spenders. Little Miss Sunshine is probably my most memorable movie from this decade of my life (although 'Crash' came close). I think it made dysfunctional families endearing with little Abigail Breslin wanting to be a beauty queen, a father obsessed with success, a teenage boy having a vow of silence until he achieves his goal, an uncle who tried to kill himself after a break-up, a grandfather who is so completely inappropriate and the mum who is trying to hold it all together. I loved the comment it made on society in general and how messed up we all are. I watch this movie over and over again and still laugh and cry along with the characters.

So that's about it. In my 27 years, these have been the movies in each decade that I remember fondly. And funnily enough, continue to watch again and again. I guess that says something.

What about you? Have you got any memorable movies? Do share.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

The Man on the Street

There goes the man
Who talks to himself
Muttering nonsense
Out loud; not under his breath

He looks dishevelled
His hair out of place
Clothes all tattered
Sunken eyes on his sallow face

He waves his arms
As if swatting a fly
But the reality is
There’s no one standing by

People avoid him
Out on the streets
Teens think he’s funny
While kids get scared and weep

They call him crazy
They think he’s nuts
But none approach him
As they don’t have the guts

What they do not know
Is why he behaves such
And seeming with reality
So completely out of touch

What goes on in his head
Alas! They do not hear
Those phantom voices
That only he hears loud and clear

The voices, they tell him
He’s good for nothing
And just a worthless git
Who’d be a lot better off dead

People are watching
His every little move
Or so the voices tell him
And the staring eyes are proof

He wants the voices to stop
But he knows not a cure
As he hasn’t told anyone
And doesn’t know others can’t hear

The solution finally comes
To him on a gloomy day
The only way to stop them
Is if he were to go far, far away

So in his downtrodden home
He sat with a knife
Stabbing the sounds out of him
Thereby taking his very own life

At last he was at peace
The man from the street
The voices no longer spoke
As his maker he would meet

The people did not notice
His absence was not felt
There no longer was the man
Muttering loudly to himself

***This has been written for One Single Impression Prompt 177 and Magpie Tales Prompt 74***

Disclaimer: Schizophrenia affects 24 million people worldwide as of 2011. It is more common in males than females with an earlier age of onset in the former group. The prevalence of schizophrenia varies across different countries. Contrary to popular belief, people suffering from schizophrenia are more at a risk of harming themselves than others.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

10 Day Challenge: Four Books

Books. Everyone probably knows by now just how much I love my books. So how in the world am I supposed to choose just four? Oh well. I will mention four books that have left me speechless and have just been fantastic.  These are books I have read more than once and can still vividly remember them. They are books where I have identified with one or more characters and basically, lived the story. That to me, is the sign of a great author.

1. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

This was the first book I read by the author and I have been hooked on her ever since. A story about a family struggling with one daughter who has leukaemia and another who has been conceived to be a donor. For life. The ups and downs, the pain and little joys...they are all beautifully depicted. This heart-wrenching book had me sobbing in the end. And to those who have watched the movie (which I haven't), and haven't read the book, apparently the movie changed the ending. So reading the book is well worth it. You can read my complete review here. 


2. A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry is about India in the 70s under the reign of Indira Gandhi seen through the eyes of Dina Dalal, a widowed Parsi woman, Ishvar Darji and his nephew Omprakash, two tailors working for Dina, and Maneck Kohlah, a paying guest at Dina's house. The book is about how the lives of these four characters from completely different backgrounds inter-connect thereby taking a look at the government, the caste system and how life in general hangs by a thin rope. It is by far, one of the best books by an Indian author I've read and to this day, I cannot believe that it didn't win the Booker prize when crap like Arundhati Roy's did! My review of this book can be found here.

3. Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling

J. K. Rowling began a new era of fantasy and school novels. She had people reading again. While her novels appear to be mainly for kids and teens, I would disagree. Given that I started reading them at 18 and continue to enjoy them today when I am almost 28 should say something. Yes, it is about an orphaned boy wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger as they attend Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry, however, is not just any wizard. As a baby, when the most evil dark wizrd, Voldermort tried to kill him, the curse backfired and Harry lived. Something no other wizard or witch had ever done. The novels follow Harry and his friends throughout school, dealing with adolescent years as well as him trying to fight Lord Voldermort. While on the surface it is a good versus evil story, it has several underlying themes and in fact, is making a comment on society over the years. I am currently in the process of reviewing the books on our book blog. So you can read those for more...

4. We need to talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver

This is a book written by a woman Eva Khatchadourian to her absent husband about their 15 year old son Kevin. Who is currently in prison for murdering seven classmates, a teacher and a canteen worker. Eva never wanted to have a child when she fell pregnant with Kevin. And therein lies the issues that Shriver tries to bring through her book. She makes you question the nature versus nurture debate, motherhood and issues surrounding it, the source of evil, the apparent taboo of a woman not wanting to have kids. It is a brilliant yet disturbing book and will linger with you a long time after you are done. Here's a detailed review of the same. It has now been made into a movie and I am looking forward to seeing it. Hopefully it won't disappoint.

So that's it. Four books that have had a massive impact on me. Four books that I can remember vividly till today. And that I would re-read whenever I have the chance.

Any books that impacted on your life? Or stayed with you long after you were done with it? Do share.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Unusual names

Earlier in the week, somehow the topic of unusual baby names came up during my book club meeting. [Yes, we discuss the book but we also talk about a zillion other things!] So anyway, I think it started with the whole Beckham's naming their daughter Harper Seven apparently because the number seven was so important to him. Somehow or the other, it's mainly celebrities that give their kids unusual names. Apple. Peaches. Banjo. Bluebell Madonna. Sunday Rose [Which sounds eerily like Sunday Roast]. Zuma. You can check this out for about a 100 more.

Through work and other things, I've heard of some more unusual names. Or weirdly spelt names.

For instance, Cooper, Harley and Riley. Lovely names. Except, they are girls. Or how about Tim Tan. Which sounds like Tim Tam. Or Tiffany spelt Tiphanee or Britney spelt Brittannee. Or Cougar. The name Albert sounds pretty all right. But not when you put it with the last name Ross. Say this out loud: Albert Ross. And this is an unfortunate name for developers of a psychometric test to have --- Woodcock and Johnson [Developed the Woodcock-Johnson test of achievement and intelligence]. I remember last year or the year before, in the US, there was a couple who had named their kids Adolph and Hitler. I think they had the kids taken away from them by children's services.

You also need to be careful when naming your kids what the initials may stand for. I know someone who got teased for initials B. O. At the book club, someone mentioned a friend deciding to not name their kid Jennifer Elizabeth Williams. Normal name. But initials are J.E.W. You never know who you could offend. I'm pretty sure in years to come there will be kids name Twitter and Facebook or Myspace or Bebo.

What about all the Indian names that are spelt differently so as to adhere to the numerological gods for luck? Apparently, mine kinda falls in that category too. My grandfather who was a big believer in astrology and numerology made my parents change a letter in a name they had thought for me and instead added a couple of other letters. To this day, in India, people always confuse the spelling of my name. Having said that, it's not as weird or unusual as say, Kareena to Kariena and then back to Kareena or Tushar to Tusshar or Sunil to Suniel or Krishna to Kkrrishnaa. And don't even get me started on those Bollywood stars who change their entire name.

I think though, till date, there is one name that takes the cake for me. A friend's partner who was a teacher had this student on her roll: Le-a. Guess what it says?

Ledasha [Phonetically: luh-dash-ah]

Those parents need to be reported for child abuse.

So what are some unusual or weird names you have encountered? Do share.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

10 Day Challenge: Five foods

Ah food. One of my biggest loves. And I have to choose only five?? That's so not on! But I thought of a sneaky way around it. I'm going to list my top five cuisine types and mention some of my favourite foods that are part of the cuisine. That way, I really get to indulge!

5. Desserts: Technically not a cuisine type I know. But I have a sweet tooth (thankfully not all the time!) and want to include it! I tend to enjoy anything with chocolate in it (dark or milk only...not a fan of white choc). So cakes and chocolate ice-creams and milkshakes are all part of this love. However, since coming to Australia, I've also tried desserts such as custard tarts and apple and berry crumbles and I love those! Not big on most Indian sweets but I enjoy the occasional jalebi or gulab jamun or peda.

 

4. Mexican: Nachos, tacos, enchilladas, burritos, quesadillas...yum, yum, yum. I've been to a Mexican restaurant probably only twice but I do enjoy preparing the food at home. I can make a wicked quesadilla thanks to a wonderful recipe book I have. R makes amazing nachos which are oh-so-good and oh-so-bad for you as well. I think I know what I'm craving for now...

3. Thai: I first had Thai food when I came here to Australia. My first dish was Pad Thai which I didn't really enjoy as much. I almost washed my hands off Thai food. But luckily I tried it once again. And this time, I tried what is now my favourite --- Green Curry. I also enjoy Chilli Basil noodles, Red curry, Mussamun curry and the curry puffs for entrees. I have made green and red curry at home and while the curry is good, it's still not as great as some of the restaurants. I've also tried home-made Pad Thai and I find that I prefer it to the ones at the restaurants.

2. Lebanese: I am in love with Lebanese food! The kebabs, the lentil rice, the dips (hummus, baba ghanoush), lamb and chicken shawarma, falafels, kaftas, shish taouk...I could go on and on. I love the flavours and the spices. There are some restaurants in Sydney that serve the best Lebanese foods I've eaten...and they come recommended by some of my Lebanese friends and colleagues so you know they are amazing! I am in the process of trying to learn to cook some recipes at home. Fingers crossed I succeed.

1. Indian: Nothing beats Indian food for me (though Lebanese comes close...). I've generally preferred north Indian cuisine to south Indian though I do love my dosas, vadas, sambhar and chutney. I love chole and puris. Naan is amazing and something I look forward to when I go to restaurants. I absolutely adore pav bhaji, bhel puri, sev puri, pani puri and samosas. And of course, butter chicken, rogan josh, korma, paneer dishes, and vindaloo. I am happy to say I can cook some Indian dishes from scratch and do enjoy them. One thing I've realised is that Indian dishes may not look pretty or appetising, but the aromas and the flavours themselves tell you the real story.

So tell me, what foods do you enjoy? Any favourites? Any food you can't live without?

Do share.

If you want to read the previous posts that are part of this challenge you can visit: Ten Secrets, Nine loves, Eight fears, Seven Wants, and Six places.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Wanting

'Wanting' is a book by Australian author Richard Flanagan. The year is 1839. The setting is Van Diemen's land (Tasmania, as it is known today). A young Aborginal girl by the name of Mathinna attempts to get help from the Protector for her dying father. Fast forward twenty years on. Charles Dickens, the most prolific author of his time, is dealing with a dead end marriage and lack of interest in life. Until he is approached by the person connecting the two stories together. Lady Jane Franklin, the wife of one of the most famous explorers, Sir John Franklin.

In 1841, Sir John Franklin was the governor of Van Diemen's land and lived in the convict colony with his wife. Lady Jane is enamoured by Mathinna and decides to adopt her as part of an experiment to 'civilise' the 'savage' child. The underlying belief of the times is that by controlling one's passion and wanting, one will be civilised. It is apparently the 'savages' who give in to the passion and wanting. Thus, Lady Jane, being the civlised person that she is, does not give in to her needs to hug or comfort the child. On the other hand, Sir John eventually finds himself living for the time spent with Mathinna. Thus drawing ridicule from his peers. Lady Jane's experiment fails and Mathinna is left back in Van Diemen's land in an orphanage. Sir John Franklin disappears on an exploration which is rumoured to have ended in cannibalism. A scandalous suggestion for the times. Lady Jane requests Dickens' help to put an end to these rumours. As Dickens get into the story, he ends up producing and starring in a play inspired by Sir John Franklin. His belief is that discipline and strong will can help conquer yearning and desire. Except, through the play, he meets Ellen Ternan and finds himself unable to conquer his own wanting.

The central theme of course, is wanting. The belief of the era that giving in to your longings and wants is something a 'savage' would do and not a gentleman or lady. The book looks at how there are consequences of giving in to ones wants and that is seen through the characters of Dickens, John Franklin and even Mathinna while similarly, you can have negative consequences by not giving in to your desires as is depicted through Lady Jane. Flanagan also explores the colonisation of the Aboriginals. How there was a belief that they needed a 'protector' or someone who could make them more 'civilised'. Through Mathinna's character, you see the ill that was done by the British and the whites to the Aboriginal population of Australia. The stolen generation rings out loud even though this book was before the time. The sad thing is that the repercussions of this colonisation is seen till today with the Aboriginal population. Mathinna's character is endearing and the conflict she feels after being abandoned by the Franklins between her race and the white race is one that is very relatable. You feel for the pain she goes through. The writing is quite exquisite and the chapters move between Dickens and Franklin/Mathinna, thus keeping you engrossed to know more. The author warns that it is not a novel of history. But to me, it was enlightening to learn about the past.

I give it a 4/5.

This has been written as part of the 2011 Aussie Author Challenge. 

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

The Narcissist's Pledge

You will listen

To all I say

I command respect

Come what may

I am better than you

And all else around

If you dare challenge me

I’ll stomp you to the ground

My word is the ultimate

My skills the very best

There’s no way to doubt me

As I’ll put you to the test

I’ll personally attack you

I’ll verbally put you down

As I am but perfect

And you, just a clown

I am the most special

Born to always lead

Without me at the helm

There will be a stampede

I am the very greatest

There ain’t no one like me

Handsome, skilled, intelligent

Nobody else I’d want to be

People say I am arrogant

But what they do not know

Is without this level of confidence

In life, you cannot grow

Others think it’s a defence

And that I feel horrible inside

That opinion makes me laugh

As laws of the world, I don’t abide

I am the perfect person

No better could I be

So you have got to listen up

As it’s all about me!

***This has been written for One Single Impression Prompt No. 176***

Disclaimer: Please note this is not about me. At least, I hope I'm not a narcissist given that I cannot stand them. It was written after a few experiences with narcissists and after reading excerpts from the book "The Narcissism Epidemic" which is an epidemic currently sweeping the world.  
Until next time,

Cheers!!!

10 Day Challenge: Six Places

I've reached the fifth day of the challenge. One where I talk about 6 places. It's a very broad topic in my opinion. 6 places I eat? 6 places I visit? 6 places I've lived in? 6 places I want to visit? Who knows? I thought I'd probably do it this way: three places I've lived in and three places I really want to visit before I die. We'll start with 3 places I've lived in:

V.T. Station

1. Bombay: I was born here and lived here on and off till the age of 5 (read: for my two years of kindergarten). Then moved away with the family to the next place on the list for 5 years. Then came back to Bombay for good for about 10 years. Honestly, if there was any place in India I had to choose to live, it would be Bombay. Not that I've lived anywhere else or visited much for that matter (I only visited Chennai when I was 12 and longed to go back to Bombay...) Bombay to me represented freedom and variety. I loved travelling all the way to V.T. to go to college for 5 of those 10 years. It was the best experience ever in that I became so much more independent. Bombay may be crowded to the max but it is a city of dreams. And while I have always complained about the pollution and the dirt while living there, I still loved the city. And by the way, I stlil refuse to call it Mumbai (unless I'm booking tickets, of course).



2. Salalah: My family and I moved to Salalah when I was about 5 and started Year 1 there. I loved Salalah for the beaches! Brilliant beaches. I think that's where I developed my first love for the water. That is also where I first learnt to swim following a traumatic episode with the swimming instructor. My school years were great and I had heaps of fun playing football and the odd cricket game and most importantly, riding my bike. I am in touch with a couple of friends from back then. I have good memories of Salalah and I'm glad it was part of my life. I was extremely sad to leave but so many things wouldn't have happened if I hadn't left.



3. Sydney: My home for the last 6 years. I love Sydney. I remember though when I first got here I was shocked at the lack of people. After all, this was supposed to be a city. And yet, it was nowhere near as hustling and bustling as Bombay. The actual city centre seemed great. And I longed to live there instead of the suburbs. But as the years have gone by, I realise just how much I love the space and the suburbs. I love not having people literally in my face personal space. I love that I can wear whatever I want and no one judges me. I love the beaches and the greenery and everything nature has to offer in this beautiful city. I love the laidback lifestyle that people continue to have despite it being a major city. And only in the main city centre do you see the obvious stress. I love how random strangers will smile at you on the suburban streets and ask how you are going. I love the smell of the fresh air. It is my home. I haven't visited other major cities in Australia and while I know Melbourne defeats Sydney when it comes to night life, I'm quite happy with Sydney. I also think we have the best weather here. Winters get cold but not crazy cold like Canberra or Melbourne. Summers get hot but not as humid as Brissy. There's so much I can continue to say about Sydney, but regulars will already know my love for the place...

Moving on to 3 places I want to visit:

Tasmania

4. Rest of Australia: I want to visit Tasmania, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Western Australia, Cairns, the Great Barrier reef, Adelaide, the Northern Territory. I often wonder why Australians prefer going overseas when our country has so much to offer. There is so much beauty everywhere. I've only visited other places in NSW (Port Macquarie, Forster, Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, Wollongong) and one place in Queensland (Hervey Bay) and these have all been fanstastic places in their own right. But I long to visit more. I'm hoping to go down the NSW South coast next summer (if money permits) and Melbourne to visit a friend next year (again, finances permitting) but visiting all of Australia would be a dream come true. I certainly hope to be able to do bit by bit in my lifetime.

Great Barrier Reef

 
5. New Zealand: Our Trans-Tasman cousins. I know the jokes about our Kiwi friends is how there are more sheep than people. But honestly, what I see of New Zealand on the telly is nothing short of beauty.  Be it summer or winter, NZ appears to have great things on offer. And one of the things I definitely want to do when I go there is bungee jump. I have had different recommendations from different people in terms of whether to visit the North Island or the South Island but ideally, I would like to do it all. Embrace nature. Ski. Bungee jump. Swim. All of it.


6. Greece: This has been a very recent addition to my list of places. I think ancient Greek history is fascinating and I remember loving learning about it in Year 9. Add the beaches and the beautiful Greek Islands to the mix and you've got yourself a wonderful holiday! I would love to explore this country --- the food, the historic monuments, the islands, the beaches...all of it. Particularly in the summer, Greece would be a lovely place to visit. I have a friend returning from a Europe trip this week so it will be interesting to hear her views on Greece too.

There are some other places too I would like to visit including Kashmir, The Himalayas, Simla (in India), Ireland, Canada and South Africa. But I doubt I'll ever make enough money in my life time to visit all these places. Honestly, I'll be perfectly happy if I visit all of Australia.

So what are some places you would like to visit? Or any places that you have visited that have left a lasting impression? Do share...

To read my previous posts as part of the challenge, check out: Ten secrets, Nine loves, Eight Fears and Seven Wants. 

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

10 Day Challenge: Seven Wants

The 10 day challenge continues with me having to list 7 of my wants. In order to read my previous posts as part of this challenge, check out Ten secrets, Nine loves and Eight fears. So anyway, moving on to my seven wants. Ahh...what do I want? So many things...

1. A pet: Yes, I really, really, really want a pet. I'm a dog-person but over the last few years, haven't minded cats too much either. Living in a unit makes my chances of having a pet quite slim...especially if it's a dog. But I really think the time has come for me to have a pet. Whether it's a dog or a cat. And no, fish don't count.

2. Books: Well, to be honest, I'd like to have more money for books. I honestly wish I could win the lottery just to be able to buy as many books as I want without having to think about the money (or lack of it). That would be a dream...

3. Summer: I want summer now! Even though it's about 5 months away. I'm so sick of freezing cold winter...and it's only going to get colder. I don't like how it gets dark by 5 p.m. and it's about 4 degrees when I wake up in the morning. Oh summer...I long for the sunshine, the warmth, the beach...all of what summer has to offer.

4. To live without the flatmate: Don't get me wrong...she's not bad. In fact, she's quiet (except when practising her opera singing), spends time in the lounge room together, goes out a bit, pays rent on time and doesn't have people over like the previous one did! The only down side is she's not clean enough though when she does clean the house, she does a great job. But my reason for not wanting a flatmate is to want to live by myself. Nothing to do with her cleanliness at this stage. I just enjoy not having to share. I guess I should probably say that I want to be able to afford to live without the flatmate.

5. To lose weight more quickly: Why is it that it's so hard to lose weight but so easy to put it on? Honestly, it takes two month to lose the amount of weight you can put on in a week. It's not fair. I feel like I've been working out for a while now and hardly have anything to show. Just a loss of two kilos. And muscles on my arms building. But that's it. All that pain and sweat and barely anything to show for it... 

6. To study again: I've been thinking of doing another degree. In Clinical Psychology. Only problem is there is just one university here that offers a distance education program in the course. And I don't want to and can't afford to leave work and become a student so I need to do it via distance ed. I would also like to study a non-psychology related course. Like in Creative Writing or something.

7. The grandmother to leave my parents: I've been wanting this for about 13 years now. Although for 7 of those, it was wanting her to leave 'us'. Then I ended up leaving and she continues to drain the life out of my parents. Unfortunately, she is a narcissist and has always only thought about herself with no regard to others and continues to refuse to leave and live with her other son but will continue to praise the other son while driving my parents mad. I'll stop now before I write a whole post on this point alone. But it's something I really want...I want my parents to have some peace of mind! And that can only be achieved if she leaves.

The challenge will continue in the days to come...

Until next time,

Cheers!!!