My Thoughts Keyboarded

One of the earliest memories I had of my dad is sleeping next to him on the terrace during summer nights. We slept in the open air with just a mat and mom’s old sari was our bed sheet. My brother and I had our own spots in the nooks of his shoulder which we never traded, mine was always on his right. Mostly he wrapped his arms around us and tapped gently on the shoulder. If the story gets interesting he made hand gestures in the air, drawing pictures with vast dark sky as background.  We would watch his dancing hands that moved in rhythm bringing each words to life. Sometimes it appeared as if he was strong enough to gather a handful of twinkling stars and release them back into the sky. This golden period with my dad ended sooner than I wanted it to be. As I grew up, we grew apart. He hardly took part in family responsibilities. It was always my mom who deliberated from the little things to major decisions in our lives.  She soon became my model, the...

“ Then the king became sad about the princess ” my mom said, while she fed me a ball of rice and greens. “ aand whaaat happen ” I enquired chewing my food. I don’t remember whether I was 4 or 5. We were sitting below the sapote tree on a concrete bench. Mid-morning sunlight peered through the tree leaves all around us. Wind spoke in hushed tone with leaves.  I was wearing a white and green stripped half sleeve shirt and short pants. I smelled like a cocktail made from Johnson & Johnson powder and coconut oiled hair. “ Since princessss had a poor eye sight, the king consulted the wise lady who lived in the jungle, faaar away from the kingdom ”, she made another ball of rice and stuffed it in my mouth.  I followed her eyes and hands as she narrated. “ The wise lady asked the princess to stay with her for few days ”. “ hmmm ” I nodded, swinging my legs back and forth. “ When the princess returned after few days, her eye sight was so sharp that she could shoot a bird s...

My mom was so dissapointed since the lion didnot vomit, on that day ;) In the last few days I was so busy shopping, packing and couriering stuff that I forgot the change happening to ME. I have to adapt to different lifestyle, culture and people. You might think it’s not big a deal for someone who lived in India for 28 years and that's my sweet home. But if you have lived a perfect system like Singapore your standards of everything is set and it’s such a pain to revert back to the old ways. Singapore has become my home away from home. In India I would be judged for all my actions, but here I can be myself and still be respected as a person. There are no questions about what time I go home, what I eat/drink and to which deity I bow my head to. When I came here, I realized the only way I could fit in, is be unique and different just like Merlion of Singapore. A photo with Merlion is destined to be framed for the show case. And I bet people won’t ask you where but when it’s take...

Last night I was gifted a box Lindt Swiss thins from a friend. It’s a chocolate I would want to safeguard for me in locker. While returning from train station I saw this couple walking along. The dad was carrying a small and cutest baby. Being me, I opened a conversation. The one month old angel’s name is Valarie. Valarie then yawned, a most beautiful one and rubbed her eyes to look at ‘the talking’ me. That was enough for Lindt to find its way from mine to her mom’s hand. The most important things in life are not THINGS. And Giving is more satisfying than receiving. Garden festivel - 08 Let’s start the countdown of the attractions you have been waiting so far. I narrowed it down to 10 places. For anyone who wants to visit Singapore the first website you should be looking at is this . It has got all the information you need for your trip. We have already seen how green Singapore is in this post . One thing my mom liked about Singapore is that there is at least one park, walk-a...

Its official now! I got my itinerary for travel to India. Next week same time I would be home. I am not sure whether I am excited or scared or happy. Last two nights went sleepless, while I was trying to find my closure. I know its going to be ok. It’s just the anxiety and discomforts of the transition stage that's flipping me out. Near Espalande Singapore 20 december 2007 It’s hard to summarize two years of my life here. I learnt cooking, washing and also the one thing I thought I would never do, the thing I hated for my entire life – Ironing. I learnt more about myself through difficult times, because I was all by myself. Living away from family would teach you more lessons than any college will. I missed my family in the first few months and also had a terrible break up from a long time relationship. I vividly remember breaking down in the toilet of an amusement park. Albeit, it’s all those things that sculpted ME and I am grateful for it. My office building. On the flip...

I bet you can’t spot Singapore in the world map. And if you do, the hole made by the red pin would be bigger than the size of Singapore. If you happen to pay more than 40$ in the cab to anywhere in the city, you would probably be going around in circle or on sea waters. That's how small this island is. Yet it's a nation well known for its global presence in economy, tourism, vibrant diverse culture and cleanliness! Mount Faber park Its one of the most stable government in the world and the threat levels from any source are low, so every major bank has a branch here. You can walk on road or take cab at 2 am with all your jewels and possessions and still be safe. The comforts of lifestyle here makes it second home to any expats like me (many give up their original citizenship to be a Singaporean). In this series I am hoping to provide you a glimpse of this wonderful place. When I landed in Singapore two years back, I expected to see only sky scrapers. But the eye cooling gr...

Near the Noordeinde Palace, The Hague - Holland. I was born to a devoted priest in a traditional south Indian family (where following rituals meant more than life itself). Since then, I have come a long way with respect to religion and quest of God. I kneel to Virgin Mary, Bow in direction of Mecca, Meditate on Buddha, Pray for healing to Quanin and Chant the names of Shiva. For I see her smile in crescent; I see her beauty in flowers of meadows. Her sun warms my soul and rain quenches my thirst. Click to see the saint sculputers above the windows, Madurodam I founded my own religion by gathering the best of all. One that helps to live a life filled with gratefulness, Harmony, Love and Empathy for every being. My dad and mom had made peace with it, but my relatives couldn’t understand or accept it. One cousin asked how dare I am to keep Jesus next to Krishna. He firmly believes that I have lost my roots. A rock concert, the dolls waved...