Food for thoughts and stories to talk

The page markers I made for consolation prize, The one on the left is for Rachana's Humming Today. The one on the right is for Savitha, It denotes her vibrant yet sensitive and elegent personality.

Today I ate rice by hand at lunch (I have lost this habit a while ago). It does have a difference in taste. I read somewhere that it helps by preparing the body to assimilate the kind of food you are taking. (Contact with oily food would make u secrete more gastric juice required for the digestion) Talking about food, Singapore has got vast variety even for a veggie like me. When I pack my bags by next month, I am going to miss eateries/food that isn’t available in India.

Here goes the rest of the stories from the contest, I am sure you are going to have as much as fun as I did while reading them. I have included the details of my favorite foods (of Singapore) in between for you to snack while reading ;)

Ondeh Ondeh, a malay sweet, equivalent of Kozhakatti with sweet center, I am addicted to it!

Prateek Gupta‘s story
An early bird entry, this story starts like a super hit Indian movie. Old hero reeling back to his past. Then it takes interesting twist and a social message at the end.
5- There was a man, old and lonely, like he was dead in the spirit. He used to sit by the sea for the long time and think of the past he had.
3- The day he was young, had energy and physique well enough to be admirable.
1- he did remember how the women were crazy after him to be his girl
10- Then how he met her, the women of his dreams. Love of his life. He was lucky to meet her
2- And to ask her to marry him. The day he held her hands he knew his life would be the long wanted dream.
9- He got a family, a happy one. He cherished the childhood of his children and revelled their growing up to be a fine people.He was proud of what he had done and achieved till now.
6- Now his children had moved out from the secure and protected cage of his home to start their own life, like a free bird. And he was left alone.
7- He realised, that his life until now has been personal. It was time to scale new hieghts, give it back to the society and people is general who were not as lucky as he was.
8- He saw the misery of people all around him, the people who were not as blessed as he was. People who still were fighting for two sqaure meals for their chldren and a roof over their heads. he decided that he would do something for the ones not so lucky.
4- He decided that he would be a small joker in the scheme of things where he could put a smile on the faces of the ones who didn't had a reasont to smile. A purpose was all he needed to feel alive, in his desire to spread the smile he found one.

Famous Roti Prata of singapore makhan(food cour), very different from Indian Parota or Parata , Crispy oily and very tasty.

Aparna’s Story
This is another early bird entry. I liked this story the most, because it had metaphorical meaning to each picture. Such thoughts can only come from a person who has profound insight over life. Read for yourself.
5. Today, I sit and watch the vast expanse of the ocean, the calm it brings me is unparalleled. I look back on, you, life at your different stages and realize that this is what it really boils down to. At times you looked like you were speeding past me, at other times, it you looked placid and still.
1.I had the most precious childhood, straight out of a fairy tale. Laughter unlimited, loves abound and life itself was a celebration. There was really no time to brood or feel sad, and money definitely was not the yard stick for success. I remember the old lane our house was on, of carnivals and festivities at every conceivable instance. I’m really thankful for all the joy and grounding that section of you (life) brought me.
7.I was always taught to strive for success, that there really was no shortcut and climbing the steep, ruthless mountains, braving the sun were only foundations for a great future ahead.
3.Of course, there were so many hurdles on the way that I learnt the best way to beat them was at their own game. It was not prudent to just sit and sulk. And I’m really thankful for all the valuable lessons that this section of life (youth) gave me.
2.Sometimes, in life, we meet people who change the way our thoughts work, change our perceptions and generally bring out the best in us. It’s like they have a hidden key to our soul somewhere and know exactly what is going on within us. No words need be spoken, they just know and offer comfort, love and togetherness like no other. I’m lucky to have found my soul mate, in a world where its difficult to find constant acquaintances. A life partner who taught me how to love and be loved. And I’m really thankful to you life for this section, for giving someone to enjoy your different myriad hues with.
I have had many complaints with you, life and I have cribbed, cried, sulked, gotten angry with you and been nasty. I’m guilty of even wasting precious moments wallowing in past miseries. But somehow, you have always worked your magic, got me back on my feet , leaving me wanting for more. It was really worth it, every minute of you.
6.Today all I want to be is set free.

Waffels, you can get one for a dollar in small take away eatiers, I love theblueberry filling.

Vegetarian Pasta from Pasta mania, I also love thier portebello mushroom thin crust pizza.

G3 Story 1
I expected a comical story from her, but G3 gave away story with “need for hour information” about cancer. I am glad she found a way to create awareness while she played with the pictures.
10. During her recent medical checkup they found that she had been affected by cancer. she completely broke down after hearing the news.
2. He was there with her giving her confidence and continuous support
3. Doctors had a tough fight with cancer but they said they need to do a bone marrow transplantation to cure her completely(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_marrow_transplant)
4. Fate laughed at them sarcastically
8. After a great deal of searching they found this wonderful lady who was ready to donate her bone marrow to save her family from poverty
6. After almost 6 months of hospitalization she was completely cured and discharged. She was so happy to start another new episode of her life
7. He celebrated her arrival as a grand festival
8. And they lived happily ever after :)

Mango Strudel from Ritz, thats the yummiest pastery I ever tasted

Ice cream Creepe,from Creepe House , tastes like ice cream coned with dosai.

G3 Story 2
Varnam ayiram maari enna turning points! It would defn make up a story for a Tamil film what you say?
4. Sitting on the sea shore, he was deeply immersed in his memories.
3. He had a lovely family. His father was a kick-boxer
4. His mother was an actress
9. He also had an elder sister to add colours to his childhood. He had always felt blessed to be a part of this beautiful family.
10. As years went by, his sister took up her mom's profession and became a beautiful actress
6. He on the other side, with his parent's permission, walked out of his comfortable home to quench his thirst for trecking.
8. Before leaving, he went to meet his lover and assured her that he would be back soon.
7. In few years, as a result of his strong determination and hardwork, he became a professional mountaineer. He also made a world record by managing to climb Everest in just 10 hours.
1. The whole country celebrated his victory
2. On his return, he married his lover with blessings from both the families.

Ice lemon Jelly one of the local desert made from crushed ice and flavours. You can get in all Makhans. Very refeshing for the hot climate, Better than high priced ice creams

Kaya (a local Jam) cheeze toast and hot Horlicks from Toast box.

Deep’s story in lyrics
I loved the way Deep intertwined the story by song lyrics and the pictures. Quite an effortless flow of thoughts it is! You can catch the wonderful translation of AJCL to this in the comment section here.
har ek jeevan hai ek kahani
par ye sachai sabne na jani
jo pana hai vo khona hai
4.is pal hasna fir rona hai
8.ik nirdhan ki ik bitiya thi,
unki chhoti si duniya thi
1.din beet chale beeta bachpan
6.us gudiya pe aya yauvan
yauvan ki masti ne
usko raah bhula di
7.pag fisal gaya
vo chikh padi
unchai se khayi me giri
murjha gai vo fulon ki rani
par ye sachai sabne na jani
3.ik shehjada a pahuncha vahan
tab jake bachi ladki ki jaan
2.use bahon me le pyar kiya
9.singar diya gharbaar diya
sapnon ki bagiya me
pyara ful khila tha
10.fir pal bhar me badli chhayi
barkha bijli andhi ayi
pal pal duaen mange bechari
par ye sachai sabne na jani
jag ke malik meri hai khata,
mere apne kyun payen saja
mere ram se mai kahun kaisebata,
jhutha hun ber mai shabri ka
mujhko tu koi asi raah dikha de
meri mamta me ilzaam na ho,
sindur mera badnaam na ho
5.samjhe koi meri bezubaani...-BEZUBAAN

Soup Spoon's Tangy tomoto soup. The best soup I ever tasted

Himalayan Tea Latte from Mcafe, I also like the different funny symbols I get in the cup :)

KalyaniKrishnan’s take
Quite interestingly this story also coincides in climax with AJCL aparna. I was quite surprised the pictures invoked to write a story which reflects the harsh realities of life.
2. He sat silently praying for an answer to his turmoil, his sweaty palms clenched.
1. Outside the din was deafening – his wife danced with abandon as the whole village celebrated the spring festival.
9. They had always appeared to be the perfect family.
4. But the voice in his head laughed and mocked at this lie of a life.
8. The promises that he had broken to his first, only legal wife, who bore him his first child, a baby girl, when he was but a student backpacking in Sri Lanka.
6. The wife who loved him so much that she set him free to return to his own world.
10. Today his daughter turns 25 – did she grow up to be beautiful as her mother?
5. With two lovely families, he was all alone in the world with his lies weighing heavily on his shoulders.
7. Life was an uphill struggle and he could climb no more
6. (recycled) He prayed to be set free once more.

2 dollar Strawberry sundae from Mcdonalds :) I can have scoop after scoop with a smile.

Veggie burger and fries from MOS (japanese stall) , Soft big and crisy fries, just like the ones we make at home. 

Last but not least Gils

That's quite creative way to take on the same order and still he came up with an interesting story. Watch out for witty translation AJCL aparna made to it in brackets.
1) Oorengum vizhaakolam (ooraella habbada atmosphere)
2) Naam iruvarum inaithom (naavu ibbaru seridvi)
3) Veetil ethirpu (manne alli opposition)
4) Veliye sirithu ullay azhutha tharunangal (bahar se to lag raha tha ki hum has rahe the, par andar se ro rahe the)
5) Thanimaiyil nee (Akele tum)
6) Veetai vittu (Ghar chodke)
7) Thadaigalai thaandi veliyerinom (we crossed all hurdles and came out sucessfully)
8) Varumaiyil (In poverty)
9) Semmaiyaai oru vaazhkkai (awesome life)
10)Ninaithaaly inimaiyaai (ahh sweet memories)
vera vera orderla poadla..nee potrukara orderlaye frame paniten :)
(PS: I havent put it in different orders, just followed your frame of thought)

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Update : Thanks to Ashwini shenoy of thethoughtful train for surprising me with this lovely story and sporty spirit!
1. The sleepy town came to life. Their young PM is getting married!

10. She was lovely – big eyes and fair skin.
3. He was once the light weight boxer and her childhood sweetheart.
7. When the time came, the boy left to do his law and make a name for himself.. He succeeded and soon landed the coveted post of leading the country..
6. The girl got busy with her own education. She wanted to heal the sick and free the world of disease.
8. She traveled the world to heal the sick and to prevent the healthy from falling sick..
9. All this while they had kept correspondence. Each wanted to change the world their own way. And they did.
2 Now with their wedding, the world will get to be a better place.