my journey so far

I'm not shying away from life as of yet, over the years I have fought for my rights- every single one of them and have harbored the right to remain free and live my life my way. From the day I decided to study literature instead of science, the day i wanted to free myself from my parent's identity, the moment when I took my own decison when the world was against it- I have lived every bit of it.

I have yet to give up because someone says I can't, my marksheet doesn't approve of my dream or tradition comes along the way. I have always been grounded who firmly believed and knew what she was made to do.

The day i decided to move on to Delhi and live on my own, I knew i was ready. I wanted a break and the money to live on my own. Working in a call centre was not something my parents expected, but against the common belief it is a lot of hard work. The pressure of working almost on a perfect scale and achieving by talking over the phone is an art in itself. I have made some friends there who will live more than a lifetime. It was the easiest way to get a job in Delhi, a city where I knew no one.

A small town girl in a huge city, the switch was tremendous, almost like moving to New York from Oklahoma. It took me a while to get used to the culture, the huge city and living alone all by myself on my self earned money. Dont get me wrong, I'm used to staying on my own since I was 15, I moved out for further studies. But I wasnt used to living in a place where my parents couldnt travel in a single day and I paid my own rent. I've learnt my most valuable lessons in life from there, the patience to fight and never give up. I wouldnt be in USA today, had I not been in Delhi alone.

I'm not the rich kid who lives around the block, but i have fought every bit for my dreams. Sometimes, when life gets stubborn on you it's human nature to complaint and God i have done that so many times. When i look backwards i know i have done something , most people will not do. I havent given up yet, I still think, scribble and dream of writing a novel one day.

I would be selfish, if am saying that i did all of this on my own. I have acheived nothing, nothing to brag about nor do i earn in six figures- I'm still struggling every bit if it......

Today, I watched this amazing film DOR and I prize every bit of my life and am so thank ful for all my friends who have believed in me when I have given up. Thank you to all of you ( in no particular order)....

• Soumitra- for teaching me to be comfortable in my own skin and loosening up -from the 'no-fun- serious' kid i used to be. For providing me with everything I need to keep my dreams flowing.


• Joy- he is a pillar of strength and so creative. My guru of life, I talk to him mostly when i have no hope left. Joy and preeti will remain the most treasured people of my life.


• Win- she is one of those persons, am glad i met. Our calls are mostly about everything. she sees me going places and dong my things. i miss the dorm room late nights that we enjoyed over marshmellows and wine and all the emotions that you dont allow yourself to see.


• Naparat- my first friend in USA, she gave me company when i was alone and scared to be 'me'. we shared classes to notes, to giggly laughters for nothing.


• Indira- we started running together and talking about making our own film, about boy friends and silly things.


• Clint- My boss in University, I worked for him. The most amazing guy and full of energy, he broadened my vision and someone I'm very comfortable talking to.


• Abhijit- we share the passion for cooking and food and can talk endlessly about it.


• Pulin- we fight everytime we talk, yet he wishes me nothing but the best.


• Sumana- in whom i found my best friend. never though we would click, her depth, her philosophy is spell binding- she can give a lessor or two about love to anyone.


• Titu- my sister and yet i like to think of her more as a friend. we have pulled each others hair and fought like there's no tomorrow and now with the years added, we understand without talking and respect each others space.


• Mom- she has been there when no one was. believed even when she knew i was wrong, trusted my independence and my knack of doing things very differently. one of the best role models a daughter can have.


• Tinni- supposed to be my cousin, but we have met just twice. distance has always been the common factor between us and yet the 'email' turned us into friends. she is a self made strong woman and an inspiration for anyone.


• Moose- my prof, who changed my way of thinking and life. she is strong and creative as you would want to be.


• Sneha- we were ackward, alienated and finding her was knowing the strong fire within.


• Sean- hes funny and good to talk to. a lawyer in making with a hunger for knowledge and life.


• Akshat- who was always there, bought me medicines when i sick and took care of things when i was too messed up.


• Soumen- he taught me to live in a city and use ATM and my first ever credit card.


• Amartya- a friend in making, a good laughter and some crazy talk.


• Trang- we baked together and discussed our dreams.


• Fome-my cousin back in India, she is unpredictable and we huddle together to talk about everything.

There are people more than I can pen down to thank and am so grateful for all of that.

Things will happen i know and like everyone else i want them fast. The only update is that i have been munching packs of Doritos and gulping down Coke with much anger but I have not yet given up on my fitness ritual of walking and jogging and I intend to keep it that way.

updates

1. I'm finally ready to trim off the fat:).
2. Exercising everyday, rather trying to jog- end result a sprain that kills.
3. Weight- 115 pounds.
4. Inspiration- none whatsoever, except my growing waistline.
5. New Reads- Dorris Lessing's- Golden Notebook.
6. May Special- Writing lifestyle columns for a local Chicago magazine.
7. Cigars smoked- none
8. Happy- sort of. My new blog- Ginger n Garlic is doing good.
9. Movies- some, watching Bridget Jones for the 100th time.
10. Wishlist- new spring hair cut with a red highlight may be .

LG Fusic

My new LG fusic looks fabulous, has great features, inbuilt mp3 player and everything one needs to say its the right phone at the right time. An upgrade on my sprint phone and a liberal discount, which meant ended up paying just eighty bucks for the $299 phone.

My cell phone history goes a long way, my first when I was a student in Santiniketan, my fascination with gadgets and curiosity to see it for myself had me tutoring a bunch of kids (well just three) when i wasnt studying myself. The money went for my second hand cell phone that I got from Kolkata (India) courtesy my cousin who found me one that fitted my budget.

I was the first among students then and a handful of others in the campus to have one and lord, it was big and heavy and looked almost like a cordless phone. I treasured it night and day and my parents allowed it because I was 22 and was easier for them to get in touch than wait forever to get through the dorm phones.

It was a tight secret that me and my roomies kept, didn't want to be the snob who carried around a cell phone in her purse to show off. A year later, sold off my phone for a decent cell that my dad gave.

When I moved to US, money was tight and I figured out just getting a phone would be enough as long as I can communicate. So got the free basic phone that came with my Sprint service. My first camera phone for sure and a good one, I liked it till i saw everyone around flipping phone's like candy wrappers. I wished I could change mine...............probably would have but then whats the point in wasting money, that I could save for some trip or have some extra grocery.

Yesterday, I knew it was time. I have learnt bargain shopping from Indira (friend from Indonesia) who looks like a million buck but never spend more than a few. So I waited for the right time and chose my LG instead of the Upstage - the new phone that comes with the flip service. A cell on one side and mp3player on the other. Looks great but its so sleek and pretty I almost fainted. Same price but after some consideration I went with the LG. Have learnt the craft of chatting up with the customer service rep and he was more partial towards my LG and also ended up giving me a $ 50 discount which the upstage didnt have. What else could I have asked for?

Pocketed a new good looking phone and have been toying with it ever since.....need to download some music and am all ready.