Going to church. On Sunday afternoon.

Im tired of ranting on my blogs, venting my heart out, going on and on about how work is draining me of energy and positivity. But the honest truth is, that it REALLY IS. I've just realised though, that going on and on about it, out here doesnt do much for me, except give me a space to express it freely. So I must stop, and focus on the good things that are happening side by side.

If you've been on my other blog, you'd know that Niyu was here for a good 2 weeks. Priya dropped in one weekend and took the shenanigans meter sky-high. So here's the highlight of her visit. Our visit to the Chapel of Mount Mary. A quaint old chapel atop a hillock. Not very well known by all. At least, I dont think so, because it is strangely desolate and deserted every time that I have been there. A gorgeousy stark white structure, overlooking Old Goa, almost like a sentinel watching over the old city.

I'll leave you with a few shots Niyu took, that perfectly capture the gorgeous day it was. While it was cloudy, overcast and there was a hint of a drizzle, the hot air hung around like a bad mood, making us sweat and feel tired. However, once at the chapel, we forgot about it all..

Head to VC's blog, to see his picture from the trip.

starved for choice

What happens when you visit Goa's most well stocked bar.

1 of 3900 weekends

the husband has a new blog. and his latest post has inspired me to come back here and document what we've been up to.

apart from being consumed at work, and feeling like we have no time to do much else, we manage to squeeze in weekends of fun, as his latest post will tell you.

almost a month ago, sirish, vc and i drove out towards old goa. stopped on the way at this alley that lead out towards the river. in an open space behind a dilapidated home was star -- a riverside eating joint. it had everything from noisy locals, to flies, to riverside birds, to creepy crows stealthily eyeing your food, to COWS (yes, you read that right).. but the most amazing fresh fish i have eaten in a while.

and naturally, where there is fresh fish, there are:

Mutants

In Goa, mosquitoes have evolved.

They're now large, fly around in clumps and have found a way to bite your bum right through the denim.

This is how we do it

One sunny saturday morning in beach town!

Morning is here!

Another weekend came.

Option 1: Sit at home and waste it.

Option 2: Get into a car, get on a ferry and see what Dewar island looks like.

Well, thats what it looks like.

annoyances? quirks?

i found this cartoon. i thought it was cute. so i emailed it to vc. consequently, we began listing the various annoying things.

he: --when im dead tired after a long day at work and want to sleep. and you insist on filling me in on all that you did that day.
--when its the weekend and i want to sleep in and you insist on waking up bright and chirpy, and EARLY!

me: --when you forget to put your socks away.
--when you leave the newspaper in the loo.
--when you stay up drinking and im starving.

and i realized this could go on forever. but we werent fighting. i could swear this was all in good spirit of humour!

and then i found this:

and it reminded me of how he never complains when im chattering away. he never complains when i wake him up early on a weekend. and i also rememberd how i just quietly pick up after him. and how i snack on stuff until hes done drinking, just so we can eat together. and all was well in the universe again.

I'm not a cat person..

Yeah right....

What do you do?

What do you do to get bad service in Goan restaurants?

Look like an Indian!

meet the parents

for a girl, its one thing to have her own parents over, and quite another thing altogether to have her in laws over. having never been in this situation before, i didnt quite know what to expect. despite initial panic and worry about whether my home would be homely enough, tidy and clean enough, vaastu-friendly enough, god-fearing enough and liveable enough for mom and dad, it has to be said that it was an absolute pleasure to have them over this weekend.



the rain decided to spare us and stayed away for the most part, giving us ample time to loaf around the streets of panjim. shopping, eating at street corners, discovering new restaurants, going to temples and also catching a movie.

after a fun-filled, action-packed weekend, i realized i like to have people over.

rat trauma

if you've been following the happenings on my other blog, you probably already know how the highlight of last week was this, this and finally THIS.

with that as a backgrounder, let me tell you what happened this morning. the morning after a crazy afternoon, evening, and a whole night of torrential rain.

i opened my balcony door, to find little stuart curled up behind it. drenched to the bone, wet, cold, almost too cold to move. but very much alive!

seems to me he is a rat with a mistaken identity. his behaviour was much like a cats. coming when he pleased, hiding, lying low, eating stuff, disappearing as he pleased. but yesterday the doors were shut before he made it in, i suppose and he didnt have a way in. so he just sat there getting soaked. when i found him in the morning he looked most forlorn, sad and too cold to move.

i quickly let all feelings of pity and "aww-ness" at how cute he looked disappear as my maid got rid of him. she let him live, though. and i hope he doesnt find his way back.

Muahhh

A big goodbye to Anjuna, Vagatore, Benaulim and Baga. Until next season, we shall enjoy the rain!

culinary experiments

one of the best things about moving to goa has been the discovery that i can actually cook! and no, i dont mean just putting things together to make an edible item. i mean i can cook. and well!

very immodest of me, i know. but the discovery ahs been wonderful. while i havent ventured into the zone of exotic and elaborate cuisine, and im sticking to simple home cooked meals (just the kind my mom makes), everyday poses a mini challenge..

will the channa turn out just like ammas?
will i be able to make the rasam as well as i did the last time?
will the rice be cooked just right this time?
should i experiment and make puris instead of rotis?
how can i use the gobi without repeating what i cooked 2 weeks ago?

but the good thing is, in most cases, the experiments have turned out right. and gone well. been successful. most days, i surprise myself with the way lunch and dinner turns out. whats more, it surprises the husband too, and he often asks "how did you learn to make this?" or "i didnt know you could make this!"

and i have only one answer "i have no idea -- it just happened!"

just me. act 1, scene 2.

after weeks of having some company or the other. between house guests, travelling and having niyu around, im back to being lonely old me again today.

niyu left last night and i have to now get accustomed to being the only human being at home again.

today, i am in no mood to do the chores i normally do. i dont feel like cooking either. its going to be magi for lunch and a whole day of lazing for me.

best birthday in recent times..

i turned 26 on saturday. and celebrated what was the best birthday in recent times. here's snapshots of the day we spent at anjuna..picture postcards of how i will always remember this day..

i missed amma and anna terribly. but thanks a friggin million ak, pa, g, niyu and vc -- for the most memorable birthday of all time.







now, to go and tick off "beach birthday" from my bucket list.

a sunday well spent

yes, we saw dolphins. and they're cute.

back home again

...and this time around it really feels like home.

we had a whirlwind of a weekend with romi, simran, harsh and ram with us. went to 3 beaches in a day, got terribly sun burnt, had lots of good food, some laughs and a lot of fun. amongst other things we went out into the sea on a speed boat, saw dolphins (yes!), jumped out into the sea surrounded by nothing but water for miles on all sides, did this crazy banana boat ride, got chucked into the sea a few times, bought 2 lowely summer dresses and felt really kicked :D

Work

Ello. Had disappeared for a while. Work work and work. Was kinda figuring out ways to make a client tick. I wont deny it. I have been neglecting home for quite a while now. It's Monday night. I'm 4 beers down. Just downed the last one in my refrigerator.

Setting the agenda for the rest of the week. No more beer. Need to lose weight. Need to use the pool at Cidade de Goa. It's "health" week people! 2 kgs.. wait wait.. 2 inches to lose this week.

Im feeling kinda optimistic.

earth to...

..a certain other contributor that used to be regular on this blog, before he turned into a goan workaholic.

please post something before the blog forgets you.

the most awesome saturday spent at anjuna

its weekends like this that really make me grateful for having got this chance in life.