IN SEARCH OF ARNOLD'S SPARK

SATC- finally

2008-07-13T02:36:00.002-05:00

This weekend has been really good.

I have recharged my soul, stayed indoors, cleaned up my apartment and watching the "sex and the city" movie finally. I have watched the series in TV, the release of the movie, the theatres everything happened and I just couldn't go see the damm movie.

Well, I am still in Calcutta (India) and wasn't sure how many people actually would go to the theatres to see the movie. As for me, I didnt find anyone who would accompany me- it's more like coming out in the open that you watch SATC!

Months later, todays is my day. So, while I lounge back in my chair and plan my week- I am watching the movie.

2008-07-04T21:38:00.006-05:00

There are moments when you take the time to refigure your priorities and bam comes the moment when things fall into places and everything is crystal clear.

My blogs, writing in general have taken a back seat for quite sometime, for me I write when I am inspired and stop when I don’t feel like. I gave up my writing for a local Chicago magazine because I was getting tied up in my job and somehow weekends didn’t inspire me to grab my laptop again. My blogs of course didn’t have new posts and my life was taking charge in it self.

Few books and discovering Google calendar desktop application later, I want to get back not only to writing but few more.

Here’s my to-do-list:

Clear my CAPM exam in August
Start writing my blog (personal) twice a month
Post on my fusion cooking blog once a month
Start a new blog on my journey into project management and professional world and post every week.

Last week was my week off and visited my parents. I reached Dhanbad on Sunday, slept most of the time (I never realized how much sleep I really needed!) and woke up to grab a meal and spent few hours catching up my parents after they came back from work. Thursday noon, I was off to my grandmas place and back to Calcutta on Saturday.

(Given is a pic of the flooded Calcutta taken from the car and a map of India, with Calcutta marked- where I am ).

Had you been a girl

2008-05-01T11:22:00.000-05:00

And not a guy would you still chide me on skype? Would you laugh at the man who wears too short a shorts and decide to stroll down the streets? Would the tiny keypads of your ever beeping cell phone squeak at the constant sms-ing? Would the smile still be a shade fader when you were caught in your own world and yet couldn’t bear to disappoint others?

Had it been easier to be friends, to share the secrets without test runs? To look at the stars, read the poems, wonder at words, the depth of songs, walk bare feet and share stories, real stories of life and beyond.

The days spent talking; with your head tilted on one side listening attentively and suddenly you brighten up, animated about that one incident that happened years ago. The roof seems quite, the noise of children playing in the summer evening floating by from somewhere far, the yellow and pink striped kite tangled in the coconut tree and a jug of lemonade at our feet. The soothing flavored water brimming in the white jug with pale blue starry prints crawling all over, the handle stretched and ice all clustered in the jug.

The aged door went back to and fro with the wind and downstairs the house over populated by guests and food, bustled with life. The black glittery sky with the pale round moon spread itself all over us. We talked and drank some lemonade and when the hunger couldn’t be replaced by lemonade any more, I ran downstairs to grab some food. The cement stairs still warm from the summer heat, my hand sliding along the railing, till I rushed in the house got the white china plates that were gifted last summer from my aunt with yellow cake like frosty piping on the edges. A few handfuls here and there and I ran upstairs skipping one stair at a time to get the plates on the white floor flooded with moonlight.

We laughed at the stories, the unreasonable arguments of moms, the desperateness to buy the black tank top with cropped white sleeves showcased at Allen Solly in Park Street. How life can change we thought, poems newly written were stacked in some corner, papers strewn all over, and the old leather bounded Tintern Abbey rested in the comfy chair used often as a tray for my tea cup in the morning.

We never had any excuses not to talk, not to walk past the coconut man, have dinner at the lit restaurant on the Ganges with Lobster and the over orangish flute of cosmopolitan while sailing away in the darkness. If it wasn’t for Conrad we would have never met, who would knew the power lied in the shelves of the library. Books dusty and spiders crawling, pictures sketched on half torn away pages. Crossroad came later, the swanky coffee shops and the palm pilot, the craze for flying away to other countries and drive cars with sun roofs.

The love of water, the sound of laughter, the cold touch of the steel scissor while the shabby parlor girl smelling of freshly applied cheap cream straightened the sprouting eyebrows enthralled us. The smaller things in life were happiness; like the paper windmill bought in the local train still stands faintly on my desk. I take it once in a while in the clouded summer storm and see that it can still turn and put it back for another year to stand among my books, pens, never sharpened pencils and the bright red lamp.

My diary has been scribbled all over, my fears, my losses, my first love, how I knew that I had the lucky stars in me and every time I was forced to study, I dreamt of me years later walking down some hall in stilettos and pencil skirt with arm full of files and papers and the crowd moving away as I walked through them.

You knew it all, what I thought when I looked away and had the distant look, how attached I was when I said I didn’t care, how I loved chocolates and McDonalds french fries and there would still be secrets I would perhaps never share.

Life would be a lot different only…only if you were a girl!

Knight Rider wins

2008-04-20T10:09:00.000-05:00

The Bengali New Year was on April 14, so while the entire city celebrated and households were over stuffed with sweets and cuisines, needless to say I was at work.

I want to be out; get a drink and shop around. I live a double life here- at one end I wear Indian dresses, talk in the local language (which also happens to be my mother tongue), wear the cotton night gowns instead of my shorts and t-shirt and become invisible in the crowd. On the other hand, I need a drink and occasionally end up having cheese and miss out on the anti pasta platter. I look at the discount emails from Barnes and Nobles and New York and Company and I know I missing out on seasons, the weather, the beach and the fun.

The moment I call up my friends in US, I slide back to the conversation like I had never left. I miss out on my life in Chicago; on my 4 month here getting used to the city. I love it-hate it at times, with questions popping if I should stay behind. New opportunities have grown all over India and my career wouldn’t stop if I decide to. It would make my family happy and to be honest I am lost at times. The necessity to choose one over the another bothers me.

The Bengali cultural hub is famous for its richness, the artistic intricacies and the richness of the language. So, watching a play few days ago was fabulous, reminded me of my years here. A student of literature, I yearned for musicals and plays. I miss out on the fact that I don’t get a lot of time to write these days, job is all consuming.

The summer here is crazy, the heat, the humidity is good enough reason to chase anyone out of the city. The strikes called by parties continue and tomorrow being one, I perhaps will work from home.

Cricket rules Calcutta now, the “Knight Riders” owned by the King of Bollywood, Sharukh Khan himself has won the match today. The famous Eden Garden Stadium was packed with 90, 000 people if I remember right. Cheers to the team!

In search of the "City of Joy" (Calcutta)

2008-03-29T22:27:00.005-05:00

Let's face it, a 16 hour work schedule can tone down your cooking inspiration.
I haven't been cooking a lot lately, except when i really need to eat something and nothings available in my refrigerator except raw vegies. Yesterday was different, very different- while i relaxed in my apartment i had the time to go through the cooking blogs once again.

The pancake recipe was more than inspiration, decided to go grocery shopping. Luckily, in Calcutta, India (where I am) you get everything. So, i did some really good shopping from mayonnaise, sandwich breads, almonds, mocha coffee, chicken, eggs, pizza base, cheddar, mushrooms, cheeseballs, chinese sauce all in good spirit to finish it off with a large pizza, coke, garlic bread with cheese dip and some good friends.

I have my refrigerator loaded with left over pizza, so the pancake has to wait. To top it off, we ended up in a quiet beautiful spot in "Princep Ghat". It's a perfect view with River Ganges flowing and the two prominent Calcutta bridges, boats can be seen now and then which includes a grand floating restaurant all lit up for the night.

I fell in love with Calcutta for the first time and it couldn't have been better. It's one of the places which can soothe you, comfort you, bring back the real you. It is a far cry from the sophistication of shopping malls and the pizza places, the restaurants and hustle of the city. The place has the power to bring back the poetic instincts, the sensibility and the affinity for life.
I am glad I found my own spot in Calcutta, like I have with most cities....something that makes you feel at home.

In the process, found friends, real friends for lifetime!

I promise to carry my camera next time I happen to stop by "Princep Ghat".
(pictures: Google images)

why am i not married?

2008-03-23T08:42:00.004-05:00

I am used to constant honking by now and trust me the summer here is humbling. It's March and I wake up at the middle of the night sweating. I am still trying to live life in local terms, so i am yet to turn on my ac.

Amidst my crazy life and almost 16-18 hours of work schedule, I try to keep sane. Problems never stop and i do miss the spring breaks and the wonderful weather in Chicago now. Most of all the food with Easter coming along.

I have toned down my cooking expriments for the lack of time and the ingredients. So, most of the time it is all about doing it the local way. While my domestic help is completely ignorant of time and the fact that she gets paid to do the work, needs to show up at times. She has her own way of disappearing for days and I end up doing my work as well as hers.

The charm of the city lies in the people and the lifestyle. While you can step into local shops and then bargain for everything from grocery to clothes, you can get into the swanky newly popping all over the town huge shopping malls where every brand is available (local as well as international) and of course comes with a huge price tag.

Neverthless the people are friendly, some genuine some overly friendly (curious) trying to step into my life and finding out the nitty grities of my life in Chicago. Questions never cease- why I am still not married and when I intend to do so, takes over the conversation anytime. I am good at dodging questions these days, may be thats why i earn my living talking- talking to clients, talking to poeple, talking to the team......

Life goes on while I wait desperately to take a much awaited break. A beach, water and some peace!

life here in Calcutta (India)

2008-02-17T06:30:00.005-06:00

My life is pretty much the same everyday. I wake up at 7am, have a huge cup of tea and loiter around, prep a little for my forthcoming project management exam and supervise my domestic help (yay! its really nice having some one do your housework, while you use that extra bit of time to your advantage). While that gets done, am off to shower and get ready for work. My driver (another yay! but trust me its not a luxury, the roads are crazy and if it was for me , i would be dead by now driving in the Calcutta streets) arrives at 8.20am and am off to work. it would have taken 15 minutes had it been Chicago but with all the unruly traffic and no rules, it takes about 40 minutes to get through. Am usually the first one at work and I really enjoy the morning. It's 9am and I get to work, tea time is the best time- very refreshing and it got me into a habit of waiting for it these days.

Like all jobs it gets a bit insane, lunch is mostly working lunch where i get some time to watch some training videos or get some work going. My work hours seem to get stretched everyday, so i leave around 7pm if I am lucky and head home. On the way, i catch up on some latest music or even drop in to get some grocery. Now this is where it gets interesting- you can shop at open markets where you have vendors all lined up with their baskets of fresh produce and you haggle and shout but you get it fresh and not frozen by any means. Or you can always go for the small shops that are popping up these days like "spencer" where you get to do it the American way. Let me say, you will get everything here what you would in Chicago from the frozen french fries to the shrimp. Generally the local crowd prefer the local markets than these. They are still getting used to the concept of doing it all on their own.

Once all done, am at home. A cup of tea and some Tv, a couple of calls to friends and family and am ready for some work/study again. I glance through some magazine and usually after a early dinner head of to bed.

Weekends is the only time, i get to step out and go for some shopping and food. You get all kinds of food and can feast on anything you like, shopping gets a bit tricky. Either you go for the malls and get stuff a bit over priced or you head out for the markets and haggle for everthing from clothes to food to jewellery. It is always advisable to have some local with you, if you plan to taking this route. While jeans is what i mostly wear, cotton is the style of the day. I do indulge in salwar kameez and all the local flare to keep me going with the weather.

So, while you shiver in the cold, here it is rather warm though you will find people wrapped up in all their winter wear. Enjoy the post, while i get back to some local food tasting:)

In Calcutta

2008-01-20T04:08:00.000-06:00

I have been travelling and finally can sit down and squeeze in a few words. In India now and the new year was nothing but travel. I reached Delhi on the 31 night and the next week was a complete itenary of travels. Few days here and a few days there, I am finally in Calcutta, the city of joy!

I joined my work, the same office as in Chicago different location for a few months and works takes up my major chunk of the day. The apartment is nice, which was there but completely bare. So it took a while to set up, my basics and to settle in. While i rushed to and from work, my parents thankfully managed the rest of it.

Two weeks later, i am fine:) All, nestled up. Yes, it did feel different, the traffic and bursting city with people and energy but I am getting used to it, getting stuck in the jams and the constant honking on the streets. I am blessed with some great people I work with and that makes up for the rest.

My parents are back to their place and I am on my own. Yesterday, was my first weekend here after settling in. so, me and cousins went to some shopping malls, browsing new finds and trying to look for a pair of casual shoes. The best part about Calcutta is that you can find shops which cost you Rs. 890 ( saw one in Metra - a shoe store and fell in love with it) and also at the same time find at the street stores for Rs. 100. Of course needless to say, the quality is different but i did buy 2 of the, from the street side stores. They are adorable.

I will soon get back with some pics. For now, I am alive and kicking and meeting friends and family over the weekends while surfing the enw eateries. Lunch yesterday was yummy at Park Street's "PETER CAT", a good restaurant but a bit over priced.

Calcutta journal is on the way.............Enjoy guys!

Happy Holidays you all!

2007-11-24T14:54:00.000-06:00

How do you write? Me? Oversized shirts and a three quarter faded pants and the idea which can make me scribble for a while. I have loved scribbling all my life and frankly I do it quite often (Ah, used to).

It has been crazy settling from my life in Oklahoma to Chicago the transformation of being a student and walking along the magnificent mile in downtown Chicago. Also balancing a profession where I am learning something new everyday and endless worries about deadlines and the urge at the same time to keep up with my hobbies. A work break structure as they say in project management is the only way to survive. I realize that and yet I have so much to do it is difficult to manage your mood with your desire to do something specific.

So, this is what I have been doing all these months (excuse for not writing my blog if you may say)-

Started my other cooking blog, yeah I haven’t written that in a while too.

I am writing for a local Chicago magazine about fusion cooking (happened by chance).

Working my ass off (almost new job).

Balancing work and personal life (ooh so clichéd!!!)

Gym, joined to loose some- well you know what.

Planning other plans, my original idea for a book for school kids.

Working with an only girl’s school in a small village in west Bengal, India. A school run by a teacher in collaboration with the state government where they try to get them food, right education and talk about hygiene, give them hope about future and tell them it is possible even if you live in house made of mud and have thatched roof made out of leaves. You can fight even if you don’t get to eat twice a day and want to have a job someday. Everyday they fight harder and I learn more about life in being in touch with them.

Helping my aunts plan and develop an ethnic retail and accessory business (trust me its lot of work).

Trying to keep in touch with myself, so hard when everything else needs your attention.

Studying to keep up my job (too much to finish!).

Some shopping, yes (online, lack of time).

Enjoying the first snow of the season and some hot chocolate.

I am back! So, I will write more often now and try to utilize my calendar planning templates to organize. If I get exhausted and don’t feel like writing, leave me a comment or a call to remind me that I am running late in my schedule.

Enjoy the holidays!

life changing

2007-09-25T15:10:00.001-05:00

This changed my life and I know will affect yours.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=362421849901825950&hl=en

true story

2007-06-23T15:22:00.000-05:00

It's been an exciting month, almost stepping into a new life and basking in a new hope.

My mom and I were on the phone this morning and she narrated how so many children in india do not get the chance to study even after scoring more than average grades just because they can't afford it. Recently, she found an article in the newspaper about a village boy who wants to study English Literature. His family cant pay for his education because they are weavers by profession and so poor that the aspiring English Literature scholar is malnourished. My parents contacted them and hopefully he will get his degree. It's amazing how much people struggle to get their dreams.

Now, while surfing the internet, I got this video clip- see this and you will know the struggle and the effort so many people undergo and how fortunate the rest of us are who are sitting back at home enjoying weekends and watching this on the net.

http://videos.nighi.com/video/video/show?id=549954:Video:15842

my journey so far

2007-05-19T16:31:00.000-05:00

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

2007-05-11T21:06:00.000-05:00

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

LG Fusic

2007-05-02T08:37:00.000-05:00

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.

Story of Ram Charan

2007-04-25T14:43:00.000-05:00

Lots of people have inspired me in some way or the other but nothing of this calibre has ever happened before. I am amazed by this man's story and proud to be an Indian. All you have to do is read the link below.........

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/04/30/8405482/index.htm

Now you know what I was talking about.

spring bursts

2007-04-21T17:36:00.000-05:00

I don't get a lot of time these days to read. However, I came across this wonderful article and thought it would be nice to share. Not having adequate time , is nothing more than an excuse.

http://www2.oprah.com/tows/slide/200704/20070403/slide_20070403_284_104.jhtml

It's a common saying, when you are stuck in an elevator with another being and have mothing
else to talk about- you mull about the weather. I say, weather is a good discussion when after months of snow and cleaning your car in the dark gloomy morning, you wake up with a clear shimmering sky and the roads are flooded with people who have dumped their dark long coats and are dressed in tank tops and high heels and try to find an excuse to walk out.

The park smells spring and is packed with people enjoying their family time, playing ball and running around with their pets. I am on.....ready to keep my promise to walk for 30 minutes everyday.

spring

2007-04-03T11:22:00.000-05:00

From the snowy evenings to a perfect spring:) The Sunday asparagus, zucchini and olive pasta brunch to my bday cake (which was yesterday!!!)

food heaven:)

2007-03-30T21:20:00.000-05:00

It's been a while, that i almost forgot my password. Now, thats when you know that you better write down something.

Things have been going pretty fast, so let's talk something casual and my latest passion these days. I have been cooking, oh yes let me tell you this sometimes things dont work they way you want to. Last weekend i wanted to make croissant and ended up making really bad pretzels.

Along with baking, I tried some great food and God i love Chicago for that. From pita sandwich to amazing dumplings, lip smacking biryani and a great cosy little tiny bar that has some amazing food as well as drinks. Thats Louise, I am not a big fan of going to bars- i would rather stay in home and enjoy a glass of wine or a vodka mixed with seven up with three olives. Louise just made me feel right at home, the big tip is to go on weekdays if you are not a big fan of over crowded places.

So, these days when am in mood for something special, I search for it on the internet find out a place which is affordable and head towards it. Ah and i have to mention I am driving in Chicago finally!!!!! Three cheers for that :)

I am in heaven every time i go to a real good grocery store, so this week my special was asparagus, zucchini and blue cheese. Perfect for a good sunday bruch of pasta and here's a little secret, blue cheese is really salty and is very tasty even when u want it like a snack, so to take off the salt I use some apple juice. A sip of juice and a bite of the cheese while you are busy working:)

So, I promise even if i dont open up a small cafe, you are invited to come over for some fusion food my style:) Will post some sunday pasta for sure:)

pizza time

2007-02-01T15:45:00.000-06:00

for me food and advertising goes hand in hand. here's my first trial for a home made pizza right from the scratch. the advantage is that you can keep a count on the calorie and go lighter on cheese, mine is a veg pizza with portobello mushrooms, bell pepper, tomatoe, onions, mozarella and parmesean. it was awesome to finally taste it and be assured it was really good:)

oh and did i mention the advantage of maintaining a blog- it even helped me to nab my credit card confusion, i realised that an amount was charged to my account and was sure it wasnt mine. checked all my statements and finally my last resort was my blog. well, it usually has most of the things i do or helps me remmber the rest. it worked this time and finally after the reading the postings for that month i remembered the expense. saved me more worries and some calls to the bank.

its nice to stay warm in home, avoid the flurries and enjoy your own home made pizza!

mind blowing

2007-01-23T17:39:00.000-06:00

It is amazing .............while I research some ad agencies and send my resumes, it is stunning to see that I am sending resumes to places whose ads i adore. It's like a dream- the ads are mind blowing and I have enjoyed them.

http://www.element79.com/facts/work_tv.php

Check this out and see the ads. It is a funny feeling to see that finally i am applying to real places, real agencies. Though not very sure how the entry level hiring works, specially for me without any inner contacts and no consultancy.

The snow covered Chicago is really cold, but yes i did meet my school friend after twelve years right here this weekend. It was fun:)

(Pic of me and Urbi, my friend from Carmel in an Indian Restaurant in Chicago).

post all the fun

2007-01-16T00:47:00.000-06:00

I dont have much to say these days.havent done much. It has just started snowing here in Chicago, its freaking cold, so i dont even go out for my walk these days. I have been watching a lot of TV and cooking (i love experimenting) and finally have woken up and realised -its time to get the job.

So,am studying trying to brush up on excel which i havent done in the last....well....cant even remember..so yes doing that and my portfolio almost done. looks good but may be will do a few spec ads.

Watched the movie DEPARTED today, it is one hell of a movie. The media is welcoming diversity- shows in the ads- the new vaselin ad (its really good if you ahve seen with lots of hands in the black background) has Indian music in the background- an indian classical dance music score, the new phone ad where the guy juggles all the phone has a sitar rendition in the background. It is nice because it brings in a fresh appraoch to the ads.

The one I hate- the office depot- hand ad- how many people actually like it? It is spooky, a slice of hand coming out of the box helping you getting organized. Am not sure if i would be too comfortable with that.

Am not sure if am using my time rightly, may be i should work more and sleep less:) I think I work better in deadlines. How i miss oklahoma...... and the fooling around with my friends and the life in school.

2007

2007-01-02T12:42:00.000-06:00

New year and 2007 is on..................it is perhaps one of the most important year of my life..............there is so much to happen and get going.

I moved to Chicago in december, graduted and had a lovely christmas and new year- its time to spread my wings and do what i love doing the best...........................

Happy New Year everyone and let this year rock everyone's world.

I graduated

2006-12-18T08:45:00.000-06:00

I have finally graduated, moved to Chicago and the last one week couldnt be more hectic. While i tried to finish off my papers, also worked and came home late at night to pack. Now, am unpacking. Never realised within the last two years actually have collected quite a lot of stuff.

Will post my graduation pics soon:) I already miss oklahoma and my friends I have left behind.

holidays

2006-12-02T14:37:00.000-06:00

Its shiny and all white.........it is snow everywhere. it has been snowing for last 2 days continuosly, so much so that everything had to be closed for 2 days. i have been in captivity of the snow princess, walking around in my almost empty apartment trying to figure out something creative to do. life without TV and modernity is really not much to savor.

i have been bored, really bored so i ate, and ate some more till i was over fed and felt bloated and knew i had done the wrong thing. i watched the snow and saw it spread its eternal whiteness all over. yesterday morning, it was all sunny again and while the snow melted and created some more fuss over the black ice and sleet, warnings were high to not drive.
I sat in home, took some pics and saw kids build their snow man......today its cold, really cold but finally most of it have melted, the rest all piled up beside the road, took me one hour to have the snow in my car melt and then clean it so i could come in school to check my mail and do my homework.

sometimes its good to have the snow, to have some rest over the busy days and have nothing to do then enjoy the hot chocolate in home. I also watched this amazing film few days back called TEN- a must watch for everyone, specially if you are a woman. It is awesome........

sunday graffitti

2006-11-19T23:14:00.000-06:00

It is almost time to graduate, and while am a little sentimental these days because am graduating and will leaving this lovely place called Oklahoma for Chicago- i am bored too. More so because am living on my couch these days. I mean it, all my stuff is sold and have nothing except my couch and few boxes overflowing with stuffs here and there.

So today i just baked, studies for a while and since Trang came for a visit, decided to try a few shots on her. It was hillarious and we both enjoyed.

The best thingI have done this week is watch this documentary called "CORPORATION". It is a must watch and i promise is facinating.