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January 31, 2018

Wedding Mayhem

I am not even kidding when I say, I would have dropped the plan to get married if I knew my parents would also have to work like crazy to host a wedding. (I'm sure Mr.ISB's parents also worked really hard but sadly in India, bride's side has to do a lot more than the groom's family. Well...)

I always thought my wedding was exactly opposite of a piece of cake - traveling every weekend, either to Ahmedabad or to Mumbai had made sure that I do not have many choices while selecting my trousseau or gifts by in-laws. It also made sure that I get tired to no limits and stop feeling even a bit of excitement. My memories related to my wedding is close to zero.

Well, I have another opinion now, after a little more than three years. I think my wedding was easier than this one-city-fifty-fifty wedding of my Sister-in-law. It is a human tendency to start preparations late if you have a lot of time in hand. You have twenty choices to select your bridal wear, trousseau , decor etc. Both families share the cost, than taking up responsibilities of different functions , which means for that color of the bow tie on the covered chair has also to be agreed by six people from both families. Well, you get my point. Sibling's wedding is difficult to sustain than your own - Moral of the story.

I am living in the world where I have the most critical projects going on in the office. I am also suppose to go to designers to get myself a fitted attire for each function and help my Sister-in-Law and Mother-in-Law with the same. I have also enthusiastically (or over) taken up responsibilities of getting invitation cards printed, labelled and couriered to the respective guests' location. Oh, not to forget inviting a few of families and friends personally. Small jobs to keep up the hygiene level and the looks of home to the mark, are also taken up yours truly after evening. Guests have started coming home as well.While I love talking to relatives, the office job and other stuff suck my energy to even smile at them. God knows, how my parents did it while I was in a far away land, working in my then-office Pune.

The wedding functions kicked off last week with a couple of rituals at home, in which we hosted around 35 people in our Mumbai apartments. Lets not even start discussing about that day- Lets just say that I decided to order a couple of stretchers made for me and my MIL after the biggest and the last event is over. We want to reach home that night, you see.

I just hope writing this post takes away my pain and gives me some energy to enjoy functions for which we all have worked our hearts out.

Let's see!

January 23, 2018

Chai Time Chitchat #13

No, I have not fallen off the edge of the earth. I am still alive, wondering how to even start expressing myself through this keyboard. My blog deserves some updates and while I waited for that 25 hours-day to get over, I decided to pull out a chair in the drawing room amidst indoor plants, with a cup of adarakh wali chai. (I plan to revive the tradition of having tea with ginger once wedding at home is over! Also the above drawing room is a work of fiction)


  • Office. As the financial year in India ends in March I can safely say that this year seems to be the best, so far for our startup. (As if I own one!) That also means, we have more work than ever and we are struggling to keep our sanity level on check. The situation is good in a longer run if we take the correct decisions on time. As of now, I need a 30-hours day to maintain my work-lifewedding-at-home balance.
  • Home. It is all about wedding. The to-do lists keep on increasing and functions are approaching. While I try to be the perfect daughter-in-law (No pressure, blood in my veins needs perfection) but many a times fail because, office. Taking leaves is a problem too while the entire society is asking about it. "Your sister-in-law took 15 days off in your wedding." - for once, she did not like her work at that time and she had excess amount of leaves. I have 20 leaves to take in a year, if I take 15 now - how am I going to live my own life this year? Well, I can answer people only in my head.
  • Painting. I crave to paint stuff. Looking at photos of bottles, canvases, boxes and also a patch of wall- my director had declared to hide stuff from me before I start painting in office. Well, not a bad idea.
  • I  have these grand plans to style our flat and throw a few house parties. I should have included in new year resolutions but I am sure this is not happening in first two quarters. The mind does not even go beyond the wedding date. Indian weddings are fun for only guests may be.
  • In other news, Mr.ISB is again on his business pilgrimage to Scandinavia. Not that we can not survive the wedding preparations phase without him (I am my dad's daughter, can manage the mayhem, says my dad always) but it is always good to have him beside me when I begin to lose my sanity. Ok, he can do it over a call also. He can soothe my rough side or show me the mirror too. Don't you think, the best thing to happen in the world is to get the husband who is your best friend too? Oh, I was talking about our long distance relationship. I call (Read: Consoled myself) it a break to reinvent ourselves. 
  • Anger. I am angry at things. It happens when you do not have control over others' mouths when you are hosting the wedding. You feel extreme injustice many a times but apart from anger for a while it invokes my self respect. Also 'Karma' may be blesses me a little late, but that is okay. 
  • Cold. I have made a friendship with a strange type of Bactria. It just accumulates cough in my lungs. Blocks my nose. A bit of headache but refuses to budge. Nothing, nothing is unblocking my throat, lungs or nose. Nothing. I do enjoy Himesh Reshamiya songs though, at his point of time! 
  • How about a post listing things I want to do post these functions? I have scattered ideas all around but come on, there are days I can not even think about what to do tomorrow thanks to the fatigue. 
  • If any soon to be married couples are reading this - Please please focus on one super grand function if you have to have a wedding. Rest, should be toned down. Saved money can be used in buying houses, going on a vacation or investing in mutual funds (I'm tempted to mention - Subject to market risk, read the offer documents carefully!) or the best is to - let your parents keep it as a safety budget or the vacation fun, it is their hard earned money. We, as a couple regret many times that we could have stepped in and ignore the splurge. 
Anyway, hope to see you post wedding with another cup of Meriwali Chai! 

January 9, 2018

Resolutions 2018

Last year, I had decided to develop/change three aspects of my life - anger management, fitness and involvement. I thought, I should start from the follow up for three of them before putting up resolutions for this new year.

Anger Management/Patience: While I had plugged both the virtues together, I would say I grabbed many many situations to display my patience this year and missed a few in terms of anger management. I surely need to control my temper which hurts me more than any one else but I have realized, it should build in me organically. Consciously trying for it is affecting me negatively in a longer run.

Sometimes, people can not accept you with your flaws. It is human, hence ignoring that part would be a good deal. My voice is considerably high when I explain things, which is a part of my personality. I have been reminded of the same every day since I have shifted to this city. I tried many a times but this is something which is in my genes - high pitched voice! Unfortunately, people are still struggling to know me/accept me. I tried keeping mum, suppressing my opinions/explanations to avoid misconceptions regarding my attitude, but in vein. While I am trying to change myself, it hurts me a bit too much when people lecture me on how I am aggressive in the room full of saints. Needless to say, the intimidating personalities like mine are clueless when people ask them to change the core nature, just because they don't like it. I have not reached a point of self agreement on this.

Fitness: This followed a sine wave this year. While I started with a good note, around August I was detected with a sink in hemoglobin, Vitamin D and B12 levels. While I'm back on both grounds- with the help of diet and some medicines - I wish I could do away with fatigue I catch in case of exertion. The neck spinal issue which surfaced this year (aging!), is not resolved but now I know that postures are more important than I used to think of. With many lessons learnt, at the end I am satisfied with my performance on this resolution. I wish I would lose some weight as well in the new year, in a fit way though.

Involvement: This has backfired. I have made two huge mistakes in my job thanks to this 100% involvement formula. I kid you not, my brain works better if I am doing minimum two things together. No, it does not include music unfortunately- even if it is one of my favorite songs it has to be paused while I am working. But to be frank, this reality has stuck now and I am already working on it. The new year would hopefully being back to the grind in a more efficient way.

***

Now, its time to declare my resolutions for the year 2018. Unlike last year, this year I am going to make concrete goals. Just like a check list! (I can see my husband rolling his eyes - one more list!)

Health Goals:
  1. I would walk for 30-40 minutes five days a week, or a good old run would do too
  2. I would use staircase to climb up once a day, up to fifth floor at least
  3. I would maintain my water intake at any cost
  4. I would start to cook the way I want to. Sauteed Vegetables, Slow cook Pasta, Roasted Vegetables, Garlic Spinach Bhaji, Caramelized Pear, Garlic Tomato Soup, Leek Soup etc. 
  5. More fruits please. Last three months of increased fruit intake has suppressed bouts of flu. Hence, it clearly works for me and needless to say, I love fruits. It is easy peasy! 
Personal Project Goals:
  1. Driving (I see Red, People!)
  2. One Trip to any place in India (A family wedding can be an excuse)
  3. One Biiiiig vacations outside India
  4. Do more Gardening. I have realized, that is something which puts joy in our little bedroom. 
  5. Decor. This area has got my focus more than ever. Some day re-writing rules to design furniture would enter in my main agenda. Some day.

I am sure these goals are not that difficult to achieve but my current schedule would not let all of these things fit in easily. Lets see. Wish me luck!

Did you guys make any resolution this year?