Tea and Me!

I never ever had tea in my childhood. I exactly don't remember, if I was not allowed or I tasted it once and dint like. Yes, I used to be the tea-maker for my family whenever needed, but I never tasted it. I managed to be a pro in my special family tea-no sugar,boiled tea. When guest used to come I had to make my brother taste the tea and guide me. Somehow I used hate to taste it, forget drinking. The only thing I loved about tea was the smell-specially Darjiling tea and the kadak-masala. I remember making tea for consecutive two days for my Senior bhaiyas and they praised me like anything, though they added, the tea of both days tasted different :D I still cant understand if they were praising or.... :D

Years passed by, I left my home to start my career in an OEM. The year 2009 seems to be a turning point in my life-my personality. I learnt things hard way through, I am still learning but somewhere I am managing it smoothly. Digress. So, while I was in my Induction and Pune, I never ever touched tea-I was the coffee-girl.In fact the guy working in the nearby  CCD knew which coffee I am going to order!

Again in 6 months I was transferred , first to Nashik and then Mumbai permanently.My coffee loving nature was content with the office-CCD and again the nearby CCD outlet. Meanwhile I started developing taste for tea also. The kitli wali mumbaiya chai- thanks to some of my buddies. Somewhere I was loosing my ability to make tea also at home. :D It was she, who actually fed me the actual tempting tea! Just awesome and kadak. The only con of tea made by her was-it used to keep me awake all night!!I chose Saturdays for her tea! One day she got married and my affair with typical-kadak tea ended.

On 1st Jan, 2012 as per this, I left coffee. That's where my madness for tea started, which lasted for a few days. My sugarless-family soul couldn't take sugar-premi-office tea. As of now, I every day take the office tea, smell, try to figure out how much sugar will be in it (Don't ask me how!!),drink it like a davai! (Again dont ask if it is a compulsion)

I guess my roller coaster relation with tea is coming to an end-whenever it happens, May the relation rest in peace!

PS:This whole rant is inspired by today's super sweet-chasani type tea from my office-canteen. Sheesh!

Just like that conversations!

I divide conversations into two categories.A dull/null and depressive conversation and the other one is live/meaningful conversation. I have got the third one now!! 'The meaningless yet kicking conversation'! I can not define them properly but they just let you go 'Speechless'! Either due to the punch in it, or the silly stupid stuff in it. :)I call them 'Just like that conversations'! I have had some! If you are reading this to have some fun, I bet, you might throw bricks and eggs at me, I dont guarantee any fun, but it is fun for me! :) Funny me :D

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A few days before when I was tired of the 'Dhoop' and As I am not 'Jaadu' of Hrithik ,I get headaches most of the time these days. I smsed a buddy of mine to throw out my frustration.

Bubblegum:Now I know, I get these headaches due to dhoop, I hate it.

Buddy: Oh, then all you plans for Goa,beaches,Mauritius,Maldives cancel???!!?

Bubblegum: Ahh,Well, I can spend on hats,sunscreens,eye-gears and medicines I guess :/

My mind started planning for my dream trips!

I guess the buddy knows how to divert my mind from frustration :D

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I was discussing my confusions on which smart phone to buy with a buddy of mine. I am more and too much into music so I have a soft corner for all Sony mobiles :D ,Suddenly this conversation happened and I guess finished! :D

Bubblegum: Which song I would like to sing right now???

Buddy: ...Ahh... I don't know, which??

Bubblegum: 'SONY' de nakhare sone lagade menu... :D

Buddy: Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :/

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So while doing work in the office, we have to listen to the instrumental songs on the central sound system. Even though I am a music-freak, I have started developing irritation due to the repeating pattern of songs. Me and My Team-mate/Mentor/Friend/Guide who shares my cubicle, Lets call him CPZ(Cubicle partner Z), always discuss,'How to improve the situation' on this music-front. So today,

CPZ: They play instrumental-so meaningful na- the song going on 'Kuch na kaho...' !!!

Bubblegum: :/ :/

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I was getting irritated with some work in the office. As usual the work load and other things summed up. 

I just looked back at the desk of CPZ, He was working on his laptop.

Bubblegum: What is the problem. X is not happening, excel sheet toh dekho! The person XYZ is a cunning fellow,I hate that company. Hell, what nonsense instrumental they are playing.

CPZ: I have got your problem. I have a one time solution to your problems.

Bubblegum: Wow, tell me fast.

CPZ:Get a boyfriend or a husband. You will be fine :D

Bubblegum: :/ :/ :/ :/

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A few days before, our music system stopped working, We were happy. CPZ and me. Suddenly after some days while I was working I felt the song! (Songs are there to feel okay!?) The song was,Pal pal pal harpal. I kind of love the song, and yes I could feel it.

Bubblegum: Are CPZ yeh to, again started. Music system sahi ho gaya! :D

CPZ:Nooo... It is not working. Why?

Bubblegum: Arre, the songs in on air, I can hear. What CPZ?

CPZ: No, Bubblegum. Are you fine? No song!!

Bubblegum: No, see lets keep mum, one can hear it!

CPZ called our neighbour cubicle friends.

CNN/CNH (Cubicle neigbour N and H) Confirmed.

Bubblegum: No...How come I am feeling it so clearly!!!??

CPZ:You are in love Bubblegum!! Just imagine!!

CNN/CNH agreed, Some other dramatic statements were made.

Bubblegum: :/ : /

After 10 minutes, a sudden laughter!!! :D Yeah, It was a game!! :/ A stupid game on me!! :D

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May be such small conversations and stupid jokes make me keep going!! :) Yeah, I am going cranky!I call them "Just like that conversations!"

Khichadi!

Okay, I am not talking about the insane serial, I used to love that serial at one point of time :D Now, I hate it!

Coming to the actual topic-it is the Khichadi made up in my mind now a days.I am enjoying-celebrating my life. There were moments of shock, weird  feelings,tears,anger but at the same time I had plenty of moments to feel good,enjoy,smile,laugh and I am just lucky!! :) I am enjoying the Khichadi instantly!!!

If I look into the 'Khichadi' of my life, I realize it is the Khichadi of two emotions. Love and Hate. Not in the literal meaning at all. 'Love' is all those lovely feelings you enjoy, and 'Hate' is the feeling you have to enjoy, or say I enjoyed and trying to enjoy!

I have read somewhere, When you let the love grow, 'hate' also grows, they are like two opposite poles. One can not suppress one and let another grow.You have to grow 'love', and 'hate' which is developing along, has to be grown as the part of 'Love'! You have to digest the presence of both!!

Isn't it true?? It relaxes me. Once I digested the fact, it is now easy to let 'bad things' happen.It is easy to make the bigger deal of 'Good things'! Just like him. The 'Hate' feelings should be felt-kept in corner.It should be made the part of the 'Love' which is dwelling in the rest of the part.

If we don't have to experience betrayals, we wont value the trust. If we don't weep, we wont value the smile. If we don't have foes, we wont value friends.If we wont get angry,we wont realize what is calmness. The life is Khichadi-Khichadi of all emotions.

I am learning to enjoy my Khichadi-Are you????

The stage-I bow to thee!

I love the stage! Any stage! From the very early age, I have an affection towards the stage.

I exactly don't remember from where it all started, may be KG days. I have participated in all group dances to Garba, folk dances and that's the exact reason for Bubblegum- being a stage loving girl. Performing in the group and still stealing glances from audience,winning appreciation is all about my love for the stage. How you achieve the overall performance by your own performance is all about my love for the stage.

I remember my school- the biggest stage and opportunity provider for me. Be it Balvihar (KG) small stage, Bal Vidhyalaya (1st std to 4th std), Middle school and high school big stage or the biggest stage ever-almost a stadium watching you. My school has given me all.

I have participated in folk dances,Bharatnatyam shows or Garbas for I-cant-count times! The very tiny details were taken care of ,right from the costumes we were to put on, Bindis to hair-does to probes we used apart from music, singers and the stage. The unique thing about my school was, most of the times, we performed 'on the band'. That means we had 100% 'our performance', a mistake from any group, dance or music or instrument can spoil the performance. We did mistakes, we learnt and I guess that's where perfection comes from.I remember some funny incidents like, entering the stage from the wrong side, change of pair-partners and also-throwing probes-dandiya by mistake!Dances were not the only performances though. I also had opportunities to participate or perform in various areas- singing,elocution competitions, book-reviews,fancy dress in early childhood to 'ek patra abhinay'!

 I had performed as 'Kalpana Chavala' and I don't know exactly what I did, but I had won the second prize :D I had to stab  frenemy J, in the drama, I was Brutus and he was Julies Sizer :D I had a chance to talk something about 'Letters of APJ Kalam' means 'Abdul Kalam na patro' in Gujarati and My friend who was to announce the same had ended up announcing 'Bubblegum on Abdul Kalam na putro' means 'Sons of Abdul Kalam'! Due respect to the great personality, we had a good time laughing on his announcement!

I remember those numerous songs we sang on that stage, Those numerous dances we performed, those amazing dramas we acted.I thank my school for providing me the stage,making me what I am.Conquering my fears and making me confident enough-so that I can rock today! I bow to thee-my stage- my teacher-The Snehrashmi Prarthana Mandir.

PS:The photo was clicked, years ago, while practicing on what we call a raw-stage. This is the middle school stage-High school stage for some batches.

Summer things!

So the summer is already shining and I have already asked a number of people, the exact English word of 'Dhoop', I am still not satisfied with any of the answers given. Finally I decided to use 'Scorching Sun', suggested by 2 buddies. :D I still feel it doesn't give the same feel as 'Dhoop', may be my Amdavadi atma knows the pain.

Summer used to be different in Ahmedabad. It was my school-college days. Vacation days of course. Most of the people will flee out of town to get rid of the heat. There were days we had to tolerate. I guess, they were fun too.

Kitchens used to be full of Fruits like Water melons, Musk Melons and Mangoes. I cant forget 'Kesar keri' we get in Gujarat, its no where near to what we get in Mumbai. Kesar Keri from-Talala region of Junagadh,Gujarat. Yes, not a single spoon of sugar you need to add in the 'keri no ras' or the 'Aam ras'! Its different than Aafoos/Hafoos of Mumbai. These mangoes are very very costly and one of the reasons we don't get out side Gujarat is 80% of  these mangoes are exported. Digress.

So, kitchens full of fruits and 'Kachi keri sharabat' and how can I forget 'Raasana'! Mom used to make that bottle of Rasana syrup and we used to enjoy with ice in the hot summer afternoons! I remember My brother making 'barf ka gola' for both of us while watching movies and Cartoon Network in the noon.

I remember evenings were cool after 6.30. I along with my frock buddy N used to drink water and get high with our usual 'April fool Pranks' and 'Kachi keri with namak/mithu'! All those games were generated mostly during these days.

During college days, when Ahmedabad used to cross temperature beyond 41, one couldn't identify any girls in the campus on the vehicle, as all will be covered with dupatta resembling 'Jhansi ki raani'! The tradition is still in Ahmedabad. It is a need now, to avoid Sun stroke.We have to cover hands and face with white clothes.

I must not forget Khadi k Kapade! Its a bliss! I remember my father wearing 'Khadi ke shirts' till now, and believe me, Men in Khadi shirt look smart!! :) Really!!!

Nights used to be all ice-creamy!! Yummy!! One can not survive without Ice creams in Ahmedabad. I remember 'Home made Icecreams' by my super duper cool Papa!! :) Ah, I should not forget in early childhood, when I used to refuse to drink milk, my mom used to freeze the 'Bournvita' and give it to me in the name of 'Ice creams!' :D

Now, In Mumbai, I don't miss that heat of course, but I miss the fun. Of course thanks to my buddies I enjoy 'Kulfi' time like I never had!! :)I enjoy my daily does of sweet coconut water. I want to enjoy beaches!! I want to do a lot many 'Summer things'!

I still have to find my 'Mumbai Summer things' out side air conditioned office in the evening yet!

Are you doing your 'Summer Things'?!

Viva times!

Its April, it stuck suddenly while browsing Face book, that its the time of University Viva exams in Engineering colleges! 4 Years of bindassness was given a challenge, once in a while in the form of Viva.

My experience with my viva (and others too!) has been very weired and exciting. I was surrounded by some khatarnak padhakus of the batch.They helped me way out, most of the time as I was 'Robocon-Pidit' the only girl of the batch :D

Now don't run your imagination, the help was mostly out of class-viva session, with journal papers floating around us, stationary items being decorated randomly on the desks and rumours of questions all around.I remember one of my friend PC/B (Don't ask me why such weired name! :D) mugging all the way, helping me to consolidate all learnings with Friend AD and others, helping me completing my journal at the last moment. Ah, I was the 'Robocon' girl after all.

Most of the time I will be called with the PC/B friend inside the viva-venue due to the order of roll numbers. I remember I had that 'special skill' of converting any subject in the 'Robcon-know hows' and the viva will get over with a very fishy smile on the face of friend PC/B! Dude, I wouldn't have passed otherwise :D

The unity of my batch was just awesome in bunking all lectures and practicals, I have only one complaint, in lectures no one could give my proxy! I was the only girl :P

I still remember the Last viva of my engineering term, Mrs.AP was sitting inside the cabin, with the narrow lane kindda of entrance. We were in the line discussing 'What will happen inside' with journal files in our hands. I remember due to the 'revengeful' feelings prevailing in our minds, some guys (I swear it was not my idea!!) peeled off the 'name' from her 'Name plate' in an odd way :D :D We had a laughter attack afterwards. :D The prank was followed by filling the hollow (obviously!) out let pipe of the vehicle of the same teacher with papers by some guys!!Ah, we took so much sadistic pleasure!

My viva sessions were always fun, when some different kind of species used to ask some amazing questions and we had to control our laughter or the temperament :D The post-sessions were more exciting, I remember on one such 'Reading Vacation days' when libraries will be crowded,my bag was places in the 'Guys toilet' by a buddy of mine. Ah, I had just given him a challenge , 'I can do anything'! Ah, finally I had to show my 'Naari shakti' aka 'Daya bhavna wali eyes' to another buddy and he went inside and took out my bag!! I must say between the 2 activities a lot many wild imaginations had taken shape in our minds :D

Viva sessions, are somethings which I miss now, the pressure and still 'the pranks' we played were just awesome. We were mechies after all. 

Viva couldn't capture our minds like that!! :D 

PS: A very personal memory shot, might not interest all :D

Khare pani re..

I am that kind of a person who sleeps less, you call it insomnia or just a disturbed sleep problem.
When I am at home, I never face this problem, as soon as I get my bed, I sleep so tight. I would say like a dog :D

The beautiful feeling of calm and soothing homely atmosphere, having your own people around makes me feel secured. I sleep without many dreams or nightmares. Yeah I do have a tendency to see dreams related to the thinking going on in my subconscious mind. When I am home I just have either beautiful dreams or no dreams sleep. Its home after all.

So, when I was listening to the beautiful song from 'Machis', I almost had the 'sleepy' feeling I enjoy at home and still I was disturbed.

Paani paani re, khare pani re,
Naino mein bharja, Nindey khali kar ja...


Paani paani in pahadon ki dhalaone se
utar jana
dhunaa dhunaa kuch vadiya bhi ayegi
guzar jana
ek gaon ayega, mera ghar ayega
ja mere ghar ja
nindey khali kar ja...


Very much loosely translated:

The water, (salty water, tears over here)
Please fill my eyes with your presence,
Please remove all that sleepiness from my eyes,


Please climb down from the slops of mountains,
There will be foggy valleys ahead,
pass them all,
One village(town) will come,my home will come,
Go to my home,
Please pour all the sleepiness there (from my eyes)


Its perfect for me.It is beautiful. I think,  I better don't see a lake or the stream right now! I may feel terribly homesick!!

Gulzar's most expressive song (Each song makes me feel so!) so far. Yes, it is the same feeling when I am homesick and when I vouch for my home. The songs is a message to the tears of those eyes living far away from home. The message is evoked when the poet is enjoying(?) the beauty of a stream. It is about telling those tears to go to the far away home and sleep there, remove that 'homesickness' and 'sleepiness' out there.

For me, all those mountains are may be Sahayadri peaks, those valleys and vadiayas are Nashik terrain and yes.. After that the Gujarat part comes and My Ahmedabad will come. My home will come. I sleep there so peacefully. I have my family there.

Its my home there.