E for Emoticons

Emoticons had sorted my 'no expressions' in messaging problem way back in 2008 with java short codes in Yahoo messangers. My sonic typing speed increased to super sonic with it and my emotions were also take care of. When 'WhatsApp' era started and integrated themselves with Emoji and short codes, the teenager in me was more than pleased. I started using them extensively - even after the java short codes were disintegrated later on.

So much that smileys I used had become my identity. People could predict how would I construct a message. If I analyse each emoticon I was addicted to (before and after standard java short code era), showed my (rising from negative) level of maturity and composure.

2010: I was freshly out of college, I used below smiley a lot. Talk about maturity. Also, it came with a java standard short code, exactly like Yahoo Messenger and this one had the easiest code ':p'.

2013: I did not show my tongue (Also, short codes on my then-new mobile stopped working). Rather I started grinning at the end of every sentence I typed. It is actually grimacing, but this smiley is used to show 'Battisi' than anything else in India.

2014: I got married and I realized 'happy tears' are a thing. Kidding. I started laughing so much that my tear glands went berserk, on every comment I made.

2016: I became too matured to handle my emotions and rather hanged myself upside down at the drop of the hat.

If you are thinking, I am becoming more and matured with age, do not stop reading.

2017: I am yet not into a new emoticon with decreasing use of Whatsapp but I have started using texts and mails without entering Emoticons because it takes 1.3 seconds to insert one without using java short code.Which I guess is a good change but believe me, there is an issue with it.

I realized it only when my mom asked referring to my text to her.

What does ':P' mean?

Looks like I'm going back to 2010 in the era of java short code and Yahoo Messenger, subconsciously. And my mom is not able to understand the dilemma of an engineer who knows Java short codes.

And of her daughter who refuses to grow up.

:D

D for Dance

If I continue blogging till I'm 60, there is a possibility that the April Blogathon would have a post named 'D for Dance' even then. It really can not be anything else.

Dance is my meditation. Dance is my stress-buster. Dance is my endorphin and Dance is what I believe, truly is mine. Nobody can take 'dance' out of me.

Hence, if you find me dancing rather than finding that wrinkle or touching up my make up in front of a mirror - don't feel weird. That is how I am. (A mirror - a full mirror makes me want to dance all the time and I'm not kidding. One day I would have a huge life size (if there is a word) mirror at home and some space to dance freely- my type of a temple)

I'm also very very strict with my postures/expressions when it comes to  dance. (I am not an expert by any means) I do not want to bore any one here with technicalities but when I see 'Sonam Kapoor' patting her bum in 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo' or Katrina doing pelvic thrust in style, in 'Chikani Chameli' - I crave for 'Madhuri' of  'Chane ke khet mein' or 'Dhak Dhak'- if it has be to a sensual number. When I see Hrithik dancing with brilliant moves I miss 'Govinda' in all his dance numbers. I feel when one dances - the joy should be felt and expressed. I clearly feel only and only Varun Dhawan and Ranbir Kapoor can fill in the vacuum created by Govinda's absence in the film industry. In female dancers though I see no promising person coming in to be the new 'Madhuri'.

Till then I have to go back to old golden days to play songs on which I can dance like no one is watching!!!

:)

***

I thought I should share two of my favorite songs (they are not heavy classical for a change- they are mood changers for sure) just because they have my favorite dancers in it. (Ignore Amitabh - he wears a unique style of himself which can not be counted as a dance move)

C for Cute

Mom: You look cute and simple in the Display Picture (I was wearing a saree!)
Me: Thanks *Feeling weird*
Mom: I think you should do some make up and a new hair style and.. 
Me: Hmmm  *Rolling my eyes*
Mom: try to look hot.

Me:     :|

I meant now my mom also thinks I need to groom myself? I hope the land collapses right now and whoever is underground takes me in like how he/she did for Sita Maiya. But wait, did it happen for the first time? No. I can never forget the moment when my ex-roomie had told me, while I was making futile effort of applying an eyeliner.

"You anyway look cute. You don't need it." Before I smile you think it was a compliment..

"Kitna bhi karlo hot nahi dikh payegi tu."

Well, I had almost forgotten such incidents and even compliments for that matter. But the comment from mom was beyond my comprehension. I meant moms in the world are cribbing over the Nakhras of their daughters who spend fortunes to look stylish and my mom is waiting for the magic which might make me look hot ! (She is waiting since years but I guess she has only witnessed my transition from a tom boy to a tom boyish girl who uses lipsticks only! Khi Khi)

But but wait, I ignored her as just in a couple of hours I could come back to my composure. Again, thanks to the Whatsapp!

Me: You both look so so so so cute in this picture! *To a friend who has the cutest kid on this earth!*
She: Thanks you, but girl you look hot.
Me: Really? THANK YOU!

We all know now, why I feel blessed have her. She never fails to  ping me when I need her the most..

Ah.. well.. and also never breaches the contract signed, which compels her to call me 'Hot' in place of 'Cute'.

B for Birthday

I know I know, I have already blogged roughly 19 times about April being my birthday month. It is very natural for  me to blog about 'B for Birthday' being the ex-over enthusiastic birthday girl to silently-sulking-looking-at-30s young lady - sometimes all at ones.

Truth to be told, I have done, many times, the very noble task of reducing friends' stress about buying a surprise (no less) gift for me by mailing them a list of things I wish for (Practical one, that too!) hence it came as a shock even for me, when I got into this deep well of numbness on my birthday, last year. I would like blame it on this no-friends-city or the husband's absence beside giving credits to my Sister-in-law and parents-in-law for managing me in such a weird mental state of mind. This time though I am back to myself. I am maha-enthusiastic about my birthday. Because,

1. I am in my home town, spending the day with my parents (and relatives as well)
2. I have Mr.ISB beside me. I am pretty sure he is going to get the pressure of my hyper state of mind
3. I have some stuff to shop and they are necessities. Hence, no guilt birthday shopping spree awaiting

Now if you consider this enthusiasm level at the ripe age of 29 quite compelling, let me tell you, I can take a full swing back to the nervousness like last year. But, I am pretty sure about one thing. I do not want to age with desperation of looking young . Because,that has been pre-decided by destiny genetics.

What I can do on this birthday is to feel happy, contented and age gracefully. Yes, Gracefully. Like those Brit school groomed royal ladies of Indian royal families. (Phew)

Better late then never, I hope the lady like charm magically appears in Bubblegum at 30. Something which never happened in last 29 years.

Or else,

I am back to my jumping dancing and giggling self. With lots of happy memories on this birthday!

:)

PS: This blog is as scattered as the south Indian movie, 'Indra The Tiger'. Sorry but, I'm still into the blogging block.

A for Aperire

Because April is coming and which means I am opening up my mind to blog every single day. From A to Z, for every day apart from Sundays.

Like I did last year and last to last year.

She reminded me of it and how can I say to the gang act of blogging challenge across the globe!

Here I am, April.

PS: In case you are wondering why the title is Aperire - The Latin word from which 'April' is derived from, means 'To open', referring to a possible reference to plant buds opening at this time of year in Rome.

In India, it happened in 1988 - I was born in April. *Khi Khi* (I know I am shameless!)

Chaitime Chitchat #8

• Our Europe trip got postponed twice and this time for over three months. Phew. A much much needed break just disappeared before I even dream about it. But as we say, 'Whatever happens, Happens for Good', I also realized a day after we cancelled our trip that the startup I work for got the biggest ever break and not to brag but without me it would have been a mess to convert the order/service. 
• I brought home, a new Mogra plant and I am in love with it. Though this is a sure shot beginner's luck that flowers are blooming every single day - I hope I can take care of the same forever. Can not wait to expand my balcony garden further, if I can successfully take care of all the plants. 
• The Summer has officially been kicked off and things I like about summer, needs a separate post. As of now let me mention, Cold coffee. I am craving for it since one week and every single time I fail to make one for myself or even order, for some or the other reason. Today may be?
• With mercury reaching new heights, my faith and pride for Cotton is increasing in manifolds. I really feel one should not use synthetic fiber in daily wear only because Western countries use them. To keep skin healthy and feel relaxed, adopting Indian weaves is the best bet. With designers coming up with smart and fusion clothing labels, I don't think it is impossible. I'm looking forward to shopping sprees! 
• Chai does not give me that happiness any more. Time for a change? Well. May be Not?
• I'm suffering from loss of lordosis and if you think it is some sort of filmy disease - let me tell you, it is not. It happens when you use laptops and mobiles while doing circus with your neck and back. It is a punishment to your cervical vertebrae which has lost the natural curve. I always knew, curves are in! ;-)

It seems like an age we have talked, isn't it? 

A Nosy Affair

I am picky about cleanliness and organized surroundings. As much as I like to be lazy, I can never fall in the category of messy people. Exactly from where my husband belongs to. As he had said once, 'we are an organized chaos' together, one can imagine us together!

Needless to say, my mornings and weekends are generally spent in cleaning nook and corners of the room and the house (if not tired) if people leave me alone -Which is a primary condition my mind fetches for when I feel like de-fragmenting the house. I do not like people peeping through my spree at all. 

So when yesterday, my parents-in-law were not at home and the husband was glued to the sofa while my sister-in-law was cleaning her room, my 'requirements' to get into the 'cleaning' mode got fulfilled. I started throwing hoarded but useless things out, organized open shelves, changed sheets, cleaned the fridge (The husband also had to leave his 'Sinhasan' and help me to get things tidy in the drawing room for full five minutes) I had achieved 'Niravana' mentally by the time I was done. 

After taking bath and cooking, I took my kindle and started reading. 

Just when I was getting engrossed in the story, Mr.ISB got up and picked my nose and started rattling it. (The story behind this habit and love for my nose calls for another post!) I got really irritated.

"Are you cleaning out my nose ?", I feared my nose might get detached. I also wanted to be sarcastic and embarrass him by asking to put his fingers in my nose if he wants to really clean my nose! 

"Yes, You were cleaning  out every thing around, hence I thought of helping you out'"

Blah. 

I guess I married him because, hardly anybody comes back to me in such situations and He gets me every single time!