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I couldn’t help but mention this .. it brought back a jolt of memories .. a blast from the past …

I went to university in Montreal; and I quite recently also discovered Red Bull before leaving Dubai; and one fine day.. I think it was around the time of semester exams that I felt that I need a boost of energy and a Red Bull would suffice.

We’d been studying quite late into the night; our nerves were on tethers; we couldn’t remember the last meal we’d eaten; and there were no munchies left to provide any brain food ! Since we technically couldn’t eat in the library

My friends and I must have gone to every 24 hour shop within a 3 block radius and finally hit the jackpot when one of the shop attendants’ claimed to have just received a stock of Red Bull. He disappears into the back of the shop, and comes out carrying – get this - an almost medicinal looking bottles (think cough syrup) bearing the label Red Bull !!

thai redbull I haven’t seen this bottle any where else other than in Montreal – and after a while I couldn’t seem to find it anymore. The taste of the drink was almost like the Red Bull as we know it – however it seemed somehow sweeter – in a cough syrup kind of way !!

And it most definitely had us friends wide awake and cracking away at our books till the wee hours of dawn ! Medicinal bottle will make you fly !!

Last night as I was passing by my neighbours in Blogsville – I came across a new neighbour (but I seemed to have lost the address for now); who had been talking about various Communities; and in the Thai community – he’d come across the Thai Red Bull =) and that’s how this post came about .. Once I come across the address again, I shall give you all directions.

I slept a lot today.  Till 4 p.m.  I never do that ! It's all the medication I'm taking for my flu - and not it's not swine flu ! 

Went out after almost 2 weeks of being back in the city.  Didn't drink a drop of alcohol.  I'm sticking to my promise to my gym trainer - no alcohol for a month.  I think the kilos will drop quicker this way :)

I'm semi working from home today.  Just a couple of emails to be sent out.  Funny how my boss HA was out partying last night and we were both commenting on his FB status updates at 5 a.m ! No wonder I enjoy my job.  I have a great team to work with.  If it weren't for HA and AA - I think I would not have survived the last 1.5 year at my job.

I got a hair cut yesterday.  Don't you feel that a trip to the hair dresser ends up making you feel like a million bucks ?? I felt HOT yesterday =)  Got lots of compliments on my new hair-do too. 

Just ate a McD's veg burger meal with a strawberry milkshake - and the gym is closed today !!! That means I have to use the damn skipping rope !! I just can't do diets - not that I even try - but still - since I've been working out the last 3 months - am kinda feeling guilty for pigging out.  No alcohol - but ate junk food - is that allowed ??

It’s almost 6 p.m and my whole day has gone down the drain because I overslept =( Now what do I do ?? I know Sundays are meant for relaxing but really – I had wanted to do a few things today – and now I have to figure out how and when to do them … I have to buy a few new slippers – will hit the market and pick them up … then I don’t feel so bad about throwing them away after a few months .. Wish me luck on the slipper hunt !!

The heart says
Look here ....
The head says
No, look there ...

The head and heart
all part of the same body
but are practically
miles apart

The head
seeks structure
The heart
craves adventure

Sometimes, I believe
the head and heart
want the same thing

But with a deep sigh,
as if weighed down,
the heart must listen
to the head

Why does the
head and heart
battle so ?

Of all the battles fought

And wars waged for ages

Mankind’s immortal struggle

To win , never manages


This is the struggle

Of the head and heart

The former a genius

Latter.. inspiration of art

When heart is overpowering

It keeps thinking at bay

But what a feeling it is

To be thus swept away!!!

During all the struggles

That head cant comprehend

The hear t gives you hope

“Don’t give up.. fight to the end”

Many a time do we

Seek someone with our heart

But the head plays spoilsport

And keeps the twain apart

Or a long term relation

That time hath taken its toll

We still drag the corpse

Not listening to the soul

In times of adversity

The two do get together

One gets you out of it

The other supports till another!

Age never weakened the head

The heart only strengthened

Survived many disasters

Frequently broken.. .but always mended

But life is never simple

Confounds even the well read

The head says – listen to the heart

While the heart points to the head


This is a poem written by a friend of mine - YK - all credits to him for this beautiful piece of writing.

You are a Seductive Dancer!
QuizGalaxy.com
Look out! You are the hottest thing on the dance floor. No one can resist your charms and you’ve perfected your dancing as a means of scoring. Everybody knows that if you are a good dancer, you’ll probably bring your rhythm to the bedroom which is a huge turn on for your admirers.


I have to be shameless and completely agree with the results of this quiz !! One of my qualities where I know beyond a doubt that I am good at is dancing !!

I've mentioned before that I really like to dance - and if I have a good dance partner - then there's really nothing stopping us from creating fire on the dance floor !!! I have had the pleasure over the years to be able to dance alongside some fantastic dancers and it is because of their partnership that I have been able to pull of some of the moves that I have done !

Now it's not like I have danced with anyone famous - just some regular guys (and gals) who have rhythm flowing through their bodies; their feet just interpreting the beats behind the music; their stance making them a presence to be acknowledged !

There have been nights where I have danced without a care in the world !! My dance partner and I would be the only people on the dance floor for all that mattered and it was just about the rhythm and beats of the music and our bodies moving in sync to the magic behind melodies.

So here's a shout out to all my dance partners that have made a difference to me ... Dubai - YK, Mumbai - HRH, YK, RO, AT; London - my ladies AP, DA, VN, EG, and the lads RDS, SP; Montreal - AC, SN, CT, AD !!
QuizGalaxy.com



I just took this quiz and it's pretty accurate I would say ... I like to think of myself as a socially smart person who is also 'street smart'.

What kind of smart are you ?

Before you start worrying and reach for the handkerchief in case the germs travel via cyber space and do some sort of osmosis through the computer screen … I don’t have swine flu … although with the way I’m feeling – I might as well have it !!

No wait  - why would I want to wish that on myself !! I don’t have it !

I’m just feeling really miserable … a cough, cold and a fungal throat infection ! How nasty is that !! I really hope no one else has to feel this way … It’s quite ‘blaaah’ !!

My symptoms include tiredness, drowsiness (or it could be the 5 meds the doc has ordered for the  next week!), a hacking dry cough and a slightly feverish feeling – I can’t decide if I’m feeling hot or cold !

I’ve tried everything from hot water & lemon; hot water & salt gargling; Listerine gargling; hot tea with ginger & honey; not to mention lozenges and cough syrup too !!  I hope those meds kick in soon ‘cos I can’t keep feeling like this ! I was falling asleep at the wheel of my car – and in Mumbai traffic THAT is not advisable !!

It’s been just over 2 years since I found what most would describe as ‘love’. When I first encountered this emotion – I was confused; ecstatic and elated all at the same time.

We spent almost all our waking moments together and if that wasn’t enough to smother us - the nights as well.

Alas like all good things, the honeymoon period often comes to an end. The last year has been a roller coaster journey – trying to smoothen out any glitches, determining where our compatibilities have gone wrong, and what could be done to fix the issues.

Work was taking a toll on both of us – the long hours, the stress and strain of daily commuting – conversation seemed to just revolve around ‘work’. We even tried to take a few short breaks – just a little getaway so that the days didn’t begin with a frantic rush to check emails ! The only use for touching the laptop would be to update our FaceBook status; upload new photos from the holiday or listen to some tunes.

But there was still a strain … the relationship was getting older, the hums of the past were now a buzzing sound to my ears; the lazy morning stretch to start up was now just frustrating; even more annoying now was that I could ‘see’ him just zoning off and switching off without notice causing embarrassment amongst my friends. Just how often could I keep explaining why he would switch off from a conversation !

I was even finding myself distracted by others – it was as if temptation had embedded itself into me … I tried not to look – the loyal person that I am – but with so many new faces suddenly giving me the attention that I had been missing out on – it was hard not to do …

I even thought of therapy – counselling of sorts – maybe we just needed a different perspective. After a few months of therapy, I realised there was only one way to go … we needed to part ways …

It was difficult to do as there was so much that we had shared together … Then the painful process of dividing and taking back our personal belongings. It took hours to sort out. I even drove to see him leave … this was yesterday …

When he was out of my line of vision – I turned back towards my car – and it felt like I had been struck by lightening in broad day light. The vision that had been tempting me for months now – I saw him ever so often and would avoid eye contact. But today – I could not avoid it – as he was staring right at me.

I took a deep breath – and calmly walked over – checking him out. He just stood there – sleek and trim – with the air of one who knows he has it all going on for him. I never thought I would say these words – but I did.

‘How Much ?’

Was I that desperate ? Did I really need to do this ? Couldn’t I just wait ??

I took the cash out of my wallet – and handed it over along with my home address. ‘Meet me in an hour – I’ll be waiting for you’.

I wasn’t disappointed. He turned up. Looking even better than he did when I saw him earlier.

Have a look and tell me what you think ….

dell_new_inspiron

I found love in the latest Dell Inspiron 15.6” with a 350GB HD and 3GB Ram :)

What were YOU thinking :P

Sometimes I look out for you

Not in any one particular place –

Just around –

Here and there.


There are days when

I wonder what you do

and where you are;

and other days

when you slip my mind completely.


How does that happen ?

Or is it just

a mixed emotion

that seeps through me ?

The wind caresses me

Light as a feature

As soft as your touch


The grains of sand

Feel rough against me

And as sensual as your stubble


The waves engulf me

A force so strong

But gentle like your embrace
I find myself at a cross road
With no signs
With no directions
Which way shall I go ?

To move ahead
They say one should
Not look back
Lest you lag behind

North or South
East or West
How do I decide
Which route is best ?

I’ve closed my eyes – and I’m going to let the words just flow naturally … I don’t quite know what I want to say nor am I sure how I am going to do this …


My eyelids feel heavy … I can feel my head start to tilt to the side – the heaviness in my body starts to come out … I just got lost in some thoughts that took me on anther trip altogether .. Maybe I even dozed off for a few minutes …


It feels like I’m about to lose myself … maybe it’s just temporary – or perhaps I am really losing myself … but wouldn’t you have to have found yourself in the first place to have lost yourself ?


Note:

I wrote this on 21st April but had no access to Internet so couldn't post it sooner.

Good Morning to all at Bloggerville !


I've been MIA for a few days ... there were some mental repair works that needed taking care of - and what better time to do that other than the long Easter weekend.

So I packed up with NC & SJ - and took an unearthly hour of a flight to Goa ! This tiny state is a paradise island compared to Mumbai. It's a little piece of heaven that serves as my haven and escape from the hustle & bustle of Mumbai. Not to mention it's a whole lot cleaner; open minded and has beaches that can actually be used for tanning and swimming - and not as a garbage disposal !!!

The sunsets in Goa are beautiful - it's a different vibe altogether whilst chilling out at a beach shack with a drink in hand; good company (or your own company); feeling the breeze against your skin; smelling the salt water mixed with sand; the sand grains nestled between your toes; and having the last of the suns' rays kissing your skin !

Goa - the destination of all ravers; the Ibiza of India; Goa - the beach paradise that locals and tourists alike flock to. All my trips to Goa have been more of a detoxing getaway (although drinking from noon to midnight doesn't exactly qualify for any form of detox!) - and it's ironic considering that I'm a party animal at heart !

I just go there to chill out ! Hang out on the beach ! Catch up with some reading; water sports - jet skiing and parasailing; lounge about at the pool side; get a massage on the beach (yes they have super cheap massages on the beach which the locals do for you - and its about Rs 450 for a full body massage = $8.90 / £6.05 !!)

This particular trip was one of my 3rd holidays where I've gone out with girlfriends ... normally NP is the only female that I go on holiday with (did Milan & Israel with her); so this was sort of a first for me - especially since I was going with my cousin & her best mate ! Wasn't quite sure how it would end up - and it went beyond my expectations or lack of them actually. I had decided well before the holiday - that I didn't quite care how it would be - I just wanted some non-judgemental company who could be fun as well =)

Considering my obsession with the camera - and their fear for inappropriate photos - they were great sports and let me take close to 750 pics and videos over the 3 days we hung out together - including some awesome underwater pics =) My camera is an Olympus which goes underwater up to 3m, and I had never really tested it out - so SJ devirginized it and just gave it a dunking on Day 2 of our trip ! Best decision ever !!!

Now I am unstoppable with the camera ! =)
I've been having a series of extremely violent dreams over the last few days. I don't quite know 'why'

It's not even a sequence - they are random; involving different people that I know; in locations from my past that I haven't been to in years; the fact that the dream occurs in such a haphazard manner is enough to leave me jolting awake !

The Turbulence Begins

I was transported back to my old bedroom in Dubai; a fairly large room with a king size bed in the middle; two side dressers; a built-in triple white floor to ceiling wardrobe on the right (if you are looking at the bed from the door); another triple maroon wardrobe directly in front of the bed; a home entertainment unit next to it with TV & stereo; a computer desk and study table on the left side of the bed; and a glass sliding door that opens into a small balcony. The balcony overlooks the garden, a brick patio directly below and main road facing, there is also a deep ledge with gaps in the middle going out to the end of the villa wall.

I was sitting in my room with some of my nieces - the young ones, aged 1 to 2.5 years and just generally chilling out with them. I'm not quite sure what triggered me but I felt something was wrong; there was a knock at my door. The door which is a solid brown wood door; was actually different in my dream - it had some bars on the top half of the door so one could see who was outside and a vent style grill at the bottom of the door.

There were two maybe three men at the door; and they were trying to get into the room. They can see us - we can see them. There is a shutter over the grill as well. Something wasn't right and I didn't want the guys to come into the room. I saw something in one of their hands - it looked like a butcher knife which had a sinister gleam to it. They kept trying to open the door; and push open the shutter. They kept insisting it was for our own good for us to get out - but they kept pointing at the kids. I didn't like that.

The nanny for the kids was in the room too - and I kept pointing her to the balcony and telling her to figure out a way to get out. There were people on the patio - who didn't seem to be aware of what was going on inside the house. However they realized that there was an urgency in the situation and that I was trying to get the kids out of the room. There was havoc in the room; imagine banging on the door with loud yells; the kids frightened and starting to cry; and me trying to give instructions to the nanny on how to get the kids out. Tie the sheets together against the balcony railings and slide down if you must but get the hell out of this room !!!

The men at this point outside my door - had now managed to break the shutter and could see everything that was going on inside the room; they were trying to break their way into the room; I could see the wood shattering; and the grill vent being worked on - the screws holding it in place were falling onto the carpet and very soon these men could be in the room.

I must have pushed, shoved, at these men and their hands that were trying to get a grip onto me as I was literally at the door. When the grill vent came off; one of the hands attached itself onto my calves and I had to stamp it away with my free leg ! A smoke bomb went off from out of nowhere - and my eyes were beginning to water. The kids were out of the room; and on the patio; the nanny was on her way out; and I was trying to do the same.

The room was larger than life all of a sudden and it felt like a lifetime to get towards the balcony. I kept trying to call the local service (don't ask why I was calling the telephone operator of Mumbai when I was apparently at my old house in Dubai) to get the number for the Police. Yes it's true - I don't actually have the Police contact number in Mumbai !! My hands were shaky; they were even bleeding slightly - maybe from struggling at the door earlier; and I just couldn't get in touch with the operator.

Then it happened - I fell to the floor - one of the men had squeezed through the grill and gotten into the room and had rammed me to the ground. After much ground wrestling - I managed to get my hands on something - a pen if I recall correctly - and used it to jab this man in the eye !!! And I kept jabbing; and pushing this pen - nib side by the way - in to his eye ! Enough to make a grown man squeal at least. All the while - worrying that the other men outside the door would enter too !!

I heard the thundering smack of the door against my dressing table which is behind the door - and that's when I woke up !! It was relatively early in the morning; and I had to go wash my face to get out of that nightmare mode ! And guess what - my damn eye was stinging me !! It felt like something went in my eye - and I swear I thought I saw a pen mark - a little dot - in my eye somewhere ! Karma maybe ?? But what the hell did I do ???

May I need some of these Bad Dream Sprinkles !

One of the first things I did once I was awake and functioning, was get the contact numbers of the Police, and Emergency services.
That got your attention right :P

NC and I were driving back home in the confines of my car a few days back and I let out a yawn; which quite naturally made NC yawn - and this little saga continued until we both got to discussing 'Why do we yawn'.

I began telling her about my recent readings from articles that basically suggested that the reason behind a yawn was for our bodies to take in more oxygen to awaken our senses. Therefore yawning did not imply that we were bored but in fact should be taken as a compliment as we want to be more alert.

Her retort to this, 'So why would that make people around you yawn then'; to which I really had no 'real' answer ... She must have mulled over this for a few minutes and then looks over at me, and with a straight face says 'I was yawning because You STOLE my oxygen' !!! (as I was the one who started the yawning hysteria in the car)

This was just Priceless !!! And I did tell her that I would blog about this - and finally today I have :)

Now this topic of Yawning has been on the back of mind for a few weeks; it so happens that whenever I am having a chat with my boss HA, I happen to yawn - and honestly it's not because I'm bored or not interested in the conversation; it just happens !! And he makes it a point to always point it out and teases me about this.

Secondly, there have been a few articles floating about on MSN about yawning and the reasons behind yawning. Do you know that scientists still do not know the REAL reason we yawn ?? Funny isn't it ??

Did you know that there are 3 Theories to Yawning ?? I didn't until I looked it up ...

  1. The Physiological Theory - Our bodies yawn to drawn in more oxygen or remove a build-up of carbon dioxide. This theory helps explain why we yawn in groups. Larger groups produce more carbon dioxide, which means our bodies would act to draw in more oxygen and get rid of the excess carbon dioxide.
  2. The Evolution Theory - Some think that yawning is something that began with our ancestors, who used yawning to show their teeth and intimidate others. An offshoot of this theory is the idea that in ancient times especially in villages found in the forest areas, yawning was an indicator that it was time for everyone to retire and go to bed so as to be wary of night predators - so in essence a form of synchronizing time.
  3. The Boredom Theory - The dictionary describes yawning as 'to open the mouth wide with a deep inhalation, usually involuntarily from drowsiness, fatigue, or boredom'. Most of us do tend to yawn when bored or tired, however this theory doesn't explain why Olympic athletes yawn right before they compete in their event.
So there you go - some theories that we probably knew about in some way or form but may not have known they were actually addressed. Humans yawn; animals yawn; babies yawn; even 11 week old fetus yawn ! Now that was a shocker !

I have already yawned at least half a dozen times between the time I started writing this blog; looking up some facts and checking out the amazing animal yawning images that can be found on Google .

What about you ? Did you yawn ? If you did - its the power of suggestion apparently ! Even reading about yawning can make people yawn ! How cool is that ??

And just in case, you are not already 'all yawned out' - check these articles out ... Happy Yawning !