Girl In Germany

I absolutely have no time this week. It is Vinaay this Friday - Also known as Vinayagar Chathurthi or Pillayar Chathurthi in the place I live in India. I don't know, since when this was celebrated, but history dates back to Emperor Shivaji's reign (1630- 1680). It is a Hindu festival celebrated all over India, in praise of Lord Ganesha - the elephant-headed God worshiped for all beginnings and wisdom.  Hyperactive Me: Last year was my first Vinaay after marriage. By customs, I should have gone to my mom's place with my husband as a newly-wedded couple. It would have been our first festival after marriage. My husband should have had to have got me a gift (Anything - My dad had got mom a mixie for their first Vinaay itseems - those days it was  very expensive and new!) It will be a pride to the girl's family. But yeah, since we were here, it missed off. So whichever year we will be in India for Vinaay next, will be our first..  hehe .

The next morning (Read: One more night for precap) I was all excited. My first day in Germany. I could not believe I will be running a house on my own. Especially not in two weeks after wedding. It maybe weird to you, but that's how it is in India. Or atleast in my place.  We are used to being in joint families ( I mean in the initial stages, and later they move as the families grow; and some others stay in joint families forever ). We, in India, live in a family, where the we are answerable to the mother-in-law, and in her absence the first daughter-in-law and then the second daughter-in-law and so on. We abide by the decisions of the elder bhoundi (daughter-in-law)   and the sasu (mother-in-law) ( I am so used this way. Really ).

My Facebook News-feed is filled with Ice bucket challenge footage. So would yours, I guess.  For those of you, who haven't known of it lately: Here are the rules of the challenge. The participants are to record a video of themselves, pouring ice into a bucket of water. This bucket is then to be lifted and poured over their head - within 24 hours of being challenged. And they are to challenge other persons at the end of their challenge. Too many times the word 'challenge' is used. Simple and cold: In just few weeks, the 'ALS Ice Bucket Challenge' has swooped

Hallo everyone. I am back from Norway. It was such a stunning, magnificent country. Be it the crystal-clear waters, or the glaciers or the winds, or the sun, or the sheer landscape - simply wow. Everywhere was like a HD desktop wallpaper. And my first time camping. I was never fond of the whole idea of "camping" when he first told me of it. As always , he spoke me into it (No wonder he gets his debating genes from his advocate pa rents! - lol) .

After the 9-hour flight, we took a train and another train and finally get down at our destination.   Hoefingen.  ICE, RE - the differences in trains never actually was clear to me then. He had told me our house was on a hill-top and it would be so romantic. I was thrilled to see the house in Germany. Actually MY house. It kind of felt special. Especially the fact that you will be running your own chores, at your own pace.  Women will know how it feels.  After the train left, all I could see was a huge mountain,   a hill maybe  right infront !  But the reality hadn't struck me until I actually was at the moment. It was 11:45 pm. And pitch-dark. Oh yes, our baggage from India. We had total 46+ 46 kg, and  two cabins pushing through the 20 degree inclination. Ah, it made hell a lot of noise - seriously.  With a laptop bag on my back, my passport pouch along my waist, my handbag in my arm and my DSLR hanging ar...

#2 The sounds of Life : I always remember the once irritating (now seemingly musical!) call of the vegetable seller, the paper-wala (he comes to collect read-papers and pays back cash for it based on weight- Its a just blue container here - no person, no words! ) and numerous other vendors who know exactly your nap time and yell down the street. The maids zooming in and out of the house, the 5 pm flower-girl who sells flowers right at your doorstep ( Ah how well the flowers used to smell.. some oriental, some musky, some mesmerizing and some others 'romantic' ), the every hour Church bell that rings its hour with a distinct verse, gatherings with a speaker shouting on top of his voice on a totally useless theme ( Yes, he sure will have audience - they, apparently are too bored to do anything else! ) the hooting, screeching and vrooming of the vehicles, stopping at the adjacent street, the distant-yet-so-audible-temple bells, the street-fight of ladies, current popu...

As you read this, I will be on my way to Norway ( Yayyy) . Norway -  Is it not in the Arctic region? Do people even live there? Maybe I will see some Polar Bears . And then I Google searched for its images. Wow. It simple looks spectacular.   The Oslo shopping street, Medieval Fortess, Opera house and ofcourse The Fjords! Norway has always been a must-go place for him. It was one of the few places which never happened, when he was a student in Germany. Sometimes it was the weather and some othertimes the sheer fact that Norway is one of the most expensive countries in the World. Either way, I am lucky enough to have Norway as maiden voyage for both of us. Its a five-day trip - wherein we will be going on a flight, car and in ferry too. I am looking forward for some beautiful clear skies, snow-capped blue mountains, misty waters and a pleasant chill that brushes through us.  After the first Swiss Alps in the first year of our marriage, this year it i...

Thank you so much for the support, readers. For a newbie such as me, it means a lot. No sarcasm. Really.  I ,however, thought it would be easier to follow my blog, if I show you the path. This is for those of you, who are new to blog-reading. If not, you could as well jump this post :) In the right side, you see 'Labels'. Those are the categories of my posts. You can choose one of the labels, and continue reading all my posts related to it. And - 'My Diary' comes with two taglines : 2013 and 2014. It is mix of past and present. You can travel along with me, this year - Or, choose to dig up my past. If you liked reading but in a hurry to go - you can always read it later, right at your fingertips. Maybe like a bed-time story? Why not?  Just submit your e-mail address (It sure is secure, no password-asking business - you just have to confirm that you would like to have my posts in your Inbox)  and you get an update as and when I update my posts. You can also f...

I have always wondered why Europeans are crazy over SUN. Whenever I say, 'I come from India'. Most of them  are excited, which.. makes me really proud. No. Really. 'You come from  India? - very beautiful it is'; 'There's plenty of Sun for you'; 'I love Indian food - curry is my favorite' ( I always wonder what a 'curry' means in India - well, atleast I dint know anything of that sort o.O );   'Ohhhhh Indiaa -   and they pose a Namaste' ; ' Ah haan.. Shah rukh Khan, Kajol' ( They really are famous isnt it?)  While some others have left me in a weird position :  'Ahh.. I thought you are from Iran'; 'Are you not from Afghanistan?'; 'India? ... Why is your skin and hair not black then?'   First Summer: My realization as to why Europeans so love Summer- dawned this year. Its also our first Summer in this new house - which is also our first house that we stayed more than five months. So many firsts. ...

Recently, I happened to get to know a few women who are 'talkative'. Well, it dint seem so unusual, as I was 'also' involved in the conversation. Soon I found myself just nodding my head, feeling uncomfortable to remain inclined in the chat. Realization soon dawned to me - there's a difference - you talk, you talk a lot and then there's you talk non-stop.  My God.