Hi Peeps,

So sorry I have been missing in action for the past month. Things have been hectic but we will be updating the site soon with new items and also, our X’MAS SALE!! Whoopee!!! So check on us next Monday (7th Dec) and we’ll have some new stuff for you. Promise.

Cheerio!

Does this happen to you??

You are all excited about something and when it comes near , suddenly you don’t want to do it , else the excitement does not last.

This has happened to me always.

I am super excited for my Birthday and I start all the preparations well in advance ( 1 month before ) , but as the day comes near somehow my excitement dies and I get super cranky. I guess I always set my expectations very high and when even a small thing goes against my wish I get cranky or I feel sad.

Similarly, I have been all geared up about going to India, but as the day is coming near I am somehow feeling that stupid depression again. Its not that I don’t want to go , but it does not seem that exciting either.

I don’t know the reason behind this , I guess I am totally worked up with the things that I need to take care of now before leaving and there are so many last minute issues coming up.

At one moment I want to get on that plane and land back home and on the other hand I want to hide under my comforter and not even get up. Everything is a bundle of contradictions , which I am tired of now.

You know what , what I need now is to sit back and chill and enjoy the moment!!!!!

Meri duniya hai tujhme kahi…

Tujh bin mein kya??? kutch bhi nahi

Meri jaan mein teri jaan hai

O saathi mere………..

Pickles are a rather naughty food, I suppose…

Yesterday we headed over to the 12th Annual Rosendale International Pickle Festival.  It was a little bit small county fair, a little Brooklyn Flea and a whole lot of crapola that you can find at any gathering selling stuff.  The international element was the Japanese tea ceremony happening in a corner.  Very random.  We were there for the pickles. After traveling through tents of tshirts, fried blooming onions and tchotchkes, we found the pickled thingies.  It’s not just for cucumbers anymore. We sampled much, ate fried pickle chips and pickle on a stick (see above) before choosing which pickles were coming home with us.  We then made sure to admire the ribbon-adorned winners.  There was a woman who was very proud of her prize winning spicy cantelope. 

Hey why not?

Every once and a while, we run across a blogger who is so unique, so special, we ‘re just thrilled to work with them. Pat. (yes, there actually  is a period after her name!) is absolutely one of those bloggers. This self professed bargain-hunting, travel lovin’ grandma of five says of her blog Here and There, “I invite you to follow the trail of a bargain hunting traveler to learn where she spends her time and money. You may just be surprised at how far one little old lady can stretch a dollar and still come up with top-notch deals!” Well, I for one believe her!

In addition, Here and There currently offers a special Holiday Gift Guide for bargain-savvy readers and lucky for us, Pat. chose our memory game Twisted Fish for inclusion. Her recommendations are doubly appreciated, because not only is Pat. a great blogger, she is also a 30+ year veteran school teacher with a Master’s degree in education!

Below is an excerpt from her review:

“The old game of go fish just got a very challenging twist. It isn’t child’s play any more! Twisted Fish takes a traditional standby and casts it into the 21st century. 13 unique Fish characters in five different colors, plus 8 unique “Zingers” that allow you to break the rules, makes “Twisted Fish” a unique game experience. The real challenge takes place when asking for the fish cards you are collecting—Now you have to be specific about the type of fish and color you are seeking. “Twisted Fish” challenges you to remember every question asked at the table. It is challenging and fun right down to the very last card!

Uncle Luc visited this weekend so naturally hubby and I decided to have some fun and play some games with him. It was a blast. Since I had been sent the card game Twisted Fish, it was one of the first things we put on the table. It is a variation of the old Go Fish, except players make groups of five instead of pairs. Best of all it only costs only $10.00.

Rules are simple and up to six (ages 10 and up) can play. Winning requires concentration, memory, and a tad of bluffing. To mix things up, the deck includes zinger cards for lure net, no fishing, divine intervention, joker, glass bottom boat, dead scuba diver, the game warden, and 2-fisted fisherman. What I liked best was the artwork straight from Hollywood. Every fish is true comic art designed to bring smiles and giggles. Barracuda, Barnacle Blowfish, Card Shark, Clownfish, Crab, Dogfish, Eel, Flying Fish, Hammerhead, Jellyfish, Shrimp, Starfish, Whale, are great play and play on words.”

To read the review in its entirety, or to enter to win a copy of Twisted Fish, visit Pat. at http://hereandthere.us/index.php/2009/holiday-gift-guide-twisted-fish/

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, co-founder of the literacy organization Success Won’t Wait and VP of Public Relations at McNeill Designs. Susan also writes blogs for  fashion http://blog.whimsyworldwide.com, literacy http://successwontwaitinc.wordpress.com and education http://backtobasicslearning.com/learningblog.

http://50mm.jp

bumped into this website a few days ago…

it’s definitely worth a visit just to look at how successfully the photographer is able to isolate his themes in an otherwise bustling backdrop…the streets of tokyo series is rather good…

all four images above are copyright http://50mm.jp

Yesterday was a crisp, sunny day, so I grabbed my camera and headed out  for some fresh air and to take some pictures around town.

I wasn’t looking for anything in particular.

An old building with flowers on the window sills.

A field.

Oh look, a cat. Cute little cat.

Then, some  cows.

Then….wait a minute.

See that cow on the far right, standing away from the herd? Is he  staring at me?

No way, right? You think I’m just being silly. Let’s zoom in a little.

One more time.

Can anyone else hear the theme from Jaws?

Well, thinking that I wasn’t going to be intimidated by a stupid cow with a stupid bell, I took another picture.

And you know what, that cow started walking toward me! So I, still not really scared, just wanting to get on my way, started to continue down the street.

I swear, that cow picked up his pace and followed me down the fence line!

Can cows sense fear like bees and dogs?

Now I didn’t run, but I admit, I wasn’t exactly strolling my way through town anymore.

Thinking back on it, I’m sure it was not just your normal friendly neighborhood cow…it was most definitely the biggest bull I have ever seen.

I think we can all agree that I’m lucky to be here today…

and that maybe I have a little too much time on my hands.

Three more weeks!

recently, shot a documentary for an organization working with street children somewhere in haryana…

was flipping through the computer and some images popped up…reminding me of a spike milligan poem…

In the land of the Bumbley Boo
The People are red white and blue,
They never blow noses,
Or ever wear closes,
What a sensible thing to do!

In the land of the Bumbley Boo
You can buy Lemon pie at the zoo;
They give away foxes
In little Pink Boxes
And Bottles of Dandylion Stew

In the land of the Bumbley Boo
You never see a Gnu,
But thousands of cats
Wearing trousers and hats

Chorus
Oh, the Bumbley Boo! the Bumbley Boo!
That’s the place for me and you!
So hurry! Let’s run!
The train leaves at one!
For the land of the Bumbley Boo!
The wonderful Bumbley Boo-Boo-Boo!
The Wonderful Bumbley BOO!!! 

What or how does it feel to wear your underwear inside out? That is if you wear one or two if possible. [It happens. I wore 2 while climbing mt Kenya last August. My scrotum fridge cannot handle all temperatures]

It’s not any different really if in a boxer but it’s another story for those who still do 3-legged. Now a 3-legged is a funny story. It has a kind of trap door at the front which is an extended part of the cloth sewn to overlap another. [I wore this in primary school so I know them good]. To open you pull this door mostly to the right or yank it ajar, if pressed.

Truth is if worn inside out, the sole resident becomes as mobile as never! You see, the door now opens to the inside. The overlapping cloth is now hanging and everything else so easily falls apart. [experience]

The other day I’m in the office loo and after pulling the boxer up, I notice something as white as a Japanese flag sticking out from the thigh. Hm, it’s the maker’s label that has the size, wash and iron icons. So I wore them inverted today! Well, they are underwears and so they remain under. No big deal.

But what if something happened and someone snoticed? What would they say? That I’m a witch? [when in primary school, on our way home, we would stop to see the street magicians' antics. Whenever a trick failed, the guys would shout 'kuna mtu amekazia profesa. Vaa suruali vizuri ama utoe!]

Huh, enough of 3-leggeds. Are they still sold? Can buy one for the house archive.

I know I know I am THE DRAMA queen and I can throw tantrums even at the drop of the hat!!!! People who know me personally are aware that bad mood drives me very close to be insane .  I can be angry for nothing and everything that happens around and everything that people do or say. Yes I am wierd like that.

Depression causes even more trouble and I can drive the husband crazy. The darling that he is patiently waits for the storm to pass. Because  he knows , it is just so little that it takes to make his dear wify happy….. ahmmmmmmm.

We had to make some very important decisions in the last 15 days and , everything was just so out of place. I was feeling my entire world is crumbling down and I cannot do anything to save it. I was pissed of with my dear friends who had no fault in this and I was so angry all the time. The visa issues, the job thing and the uncertainty in everything was  practically killing me. No signs of anything positive happening around, I was snapping back at everyone

One of my very dear friend said that “Don’t write when you are angry or don’t crib , you should not write bad thoughts”. I blindly followed , and I am so happy I did.  See I am back

anyways dhuk ke kale badal chale gaye…. And we are hopefully doing the India  trip . Yayyyyyyyy. It is going to be so much fun. Bestest friend is getting married in our very own Pune. So the next month or so its going to be #FUN.

Its going to be super cool and a happy month , parents waiting for us to arrive and a three year old bundle of joy , who has started talking the world by now and yes he can also recite “pioms” (POEMS) I believe !!!!

I need to go back and meet a stupid person who these days keeps on visiting places like Seasons casually , also I need to steal some more books from him… remember  ”How to get rich with books??” .. Ohh its the same sweety pie

All of us are visiting India around the same time so there are bright chances of  eating , coffeee, eating , coffeee, eating, coffee..  we are going to be so busy !!!!

So you see , how can your truly be sad when there is so much to look forward to and how can she stay away from her very own blog ? So we are back and back with a bang.

I love to write , I love when you guys read , it makes me happy to read your comments. This blog is a part of my identity, whether I am happy or sad , its me.

anyways………

Are Hum To Aise Aise Hai bhaiya

Yeh Apna Fashion Ha Bhaiya
Are Hum To Aise Hai Bhaiya

Ek Gali Mein Bum Bum Bhole
Duji Duji Gali Mein Allah Miya
Ek Gali Mein Gunje Azaane
Duji Gali Mein Bansi Bajiya

Sab Ki Labo Mein Lahu Bahe Hai
Apni Rago Mein Ganga Maiya
Suraj Aur Chanda Bhi Dhalta
Apne Ishaao Pe Chalta
Duniya Ka Gol Gol Pahiya

Are Hum To Aise Hai Bhaiya
Yeh Apna Fashion Ha Bhaiya
Are Hum To Aise Hai Bhaiya

There is something about the leaves turning all shades of red, orange, and yellow that makes us go picture crazy…. probably because we’ve never really experienced the true, distinct season. In general, Texas doesn’t really have much of an autumn and El Paso (desert) is even worse. This year, El Paso went straight from summer to snow. For whatever reason, we can’t get enough of the fiery colors.  You should see people look at us when we walk around excitedly taking picture of trees. Crazy Americans

Here are a few from around our neighborhood. Enjoy.

Assalamualaykum.

I recently went to Grenoble, a town in the south-east of France. Well, I didn’t have much time to see the whole town since I stayed only for the weekend, but I sure did LOVE it! Not because of its buildings or trams but because of the beautiful view !

So geology !

SubhanAllah !

no, you're not a volcano !

Grenoble is right in the Alps which makes it a good place for geological observations. Yes, I have to admit after TWO years of geology, the rock and fossils thing has really got into my head. Oh yes, speaking of the Alps, it was in one of its ski stations that I got my ligament torn out! But hey, skiing is definitely fun; you’ve just got to be really REALLY careful…

Now, back to the mountains…How are mountains formed? A-hah! We see mountains so often that we tend to ignore how they got there in the first place. Well, I’m not going to be the one explaining here (not just yet that is)…I’ll let you do the thinking first. Here’s some help from the Creator:

“And you will see the mountains and think them solid, but they shall pass away as the passing away of the clouds. The Work of Allâh, Who perfected all things, verily! He is Well-Acquainted with what you do.“

[An-Naml 27:88]

Good luck!

This weekend was a little busy.

My friend Nic is originally from Iowa.  This weekend his mother came to visit him.  Despite Nic’s living here since sometime in 2006, his mother had not yet been to Rochester.  As Josh was in Rochester this weekend, we all went out to our favorite Chinese restaurant on Friday night.  While there I asked his mother, Jane, if there was anything she wanted to see while she was here.  She replied the one thing that she really wanted to see was Niagara Falls.

The American Falls

I hadn’t been to the falls in several years and when I have been, I’ve always been on the Canadian side looking back over at them. I warned Jane that the view from the American side was not as notable as the view from the Canadian side which is what she had probably seen most of her life in photographs and on TV.  She was still very excited to head there, even though we were getting a very late start.

Nic seemed to think the falls would be quite a long ways away, and maybe by his standards the 90 mile drive from my house is a long way.  As someone who drives 60 miles round-trip every day for my commute to work, 90 miles doesn’t really bother me in the slightest.  Also, since we were starting from my house in Charlotte near the lake, we were able to skip the ugly New York State Thruway and take the more scenic Lake Ontario State Parkway and Route 18 to Niagara Falls.  Not having to travel among large trucks makes a drive like that much more pleasant.

As we arrived the sun was setting, but there was still plenty of light for a few photographs.  Jane walked around eagerly snapping shots here and there.  Josh with his vertigo wasn’t exactly thrilled to be so close to such a big drop, but he did seem to enjoy it from a few steps back.  Everyone else was having a good time looking here and there.  We wandered over a pedestrian bridge to Goat Island and managed to get right up next to the Canadian Falls as well.  The views from the American side were actually far better than I expected due to several different platforms that take you right out to the very edge of the falls.

Nic and his mom.

I was hesitant to go given that we were getting such a late start, but I left the decision up to Nic and his mother, knowing that Josh would go along with whatever was happening with no complaint.  I’m glad Jane was honest and said how much she really wanted to see the falls because it’s a journey I wouldn’t usually make otherwise, and it was absolutely worth it.  As a bonus, we were there at just the right time to see the falls lit up before we left.

The Light Show

Diwali 2, originally uploaded by Lazybug.

Here’s wishing you all a Very Happy Diwali. May there be light. But kindly try to keep down the noise and the smoke.

One step closer...

To say that the idea of moving to Europe, preferably Italy or the south of France, and coercing some fantastic local person to let me live with them in their fabulous villa for free and teach me how to cook has been all-consuming for the past month or so, would be a vast understatement.  I literally have about five versions of how I can potentially make this happen, but due to current budgetary restrictions, and, oh yeah, the fact that I have a job to be at and bills to pay, said adventure will have to wait for a bit before coming to fruition.  In the meantime however, I clearly need some way to channel this energy so that I don’t go absolutely nuts.

Enter Monsieur Padovani, also known as our bff for all things coffee (delicious, strong European coffee, the way it should be I might add), chocolate, and pastry goodness.  In an otherwise siberia-like office building in terms of food choices (and AC temp at that), Padovani’s has become our home away from home for both goodies and good company.  Padovani himself, as well as his wife and another woman, is there daily and will chat your ear off while they prepare your indulgence of choice.

It was during one such conversation recently that I learned Padovani also has a French restaurant called Elua.  This was followed by him telling us about his upcoming trip to some far off land (for the life of me I cannot remember where – shows you how much I was listening) to stay in some crazy amazing five star resort his friend owns to cook for the next 3 months.  As he is talking, I realize that he must have a plethora of connections in Europe that could potentially be quite helpful in this whole me running off to cook with some Italian nonna for the summer deal.

No sooner had he paused in his story than I jumped in and asked him if he knew of any such person who would like to adopt me.  He laughed at me -which is par for the course in my life, and might have been partly due to the fact that I was practically bubbling over with excitement for a reason that no one but me was actually aware of.  I pushed on and explained to him what my dream is.  A few more chuckles later (I do not understand why this is so funny btw) he said “well, if you want to learn just come down to Elua a few nights a week and help out in the kitchen.”  I almost fell over.  I told him I would die to come and hang out in the restaurant and learn a few things – hello, I was so excited I offered to wash dishes all night in return!  He told me sure, just come on down one night this coming week and you can begin.  He continued on, informing me that if I was actually serious, and interested in focusing on pastry, I could make crazy money, travel the world on someone else’s dime and create yummy sugary concoctions for a living – uh yeah, twist my arm.  Maybe all of my late night baking marathons will pay off in a way other than needless additional caloric intake after all.

SO, if you need me in the coming weeks I will be at Elua, prepping to become a famous pastry chef.  Move over Juila Child, the next fab chef francais is going to be none other than  moi!

Fall is really beginning to set in, and it’s been a little rainy here the last few days. Today I glanced out the window of our apartment and was pleasantly surprised with this magnificent view.  I think a picture is blog worthy.