My Identity

People have always asked me if I am a Gujarati or Rajasthani or Sindhi or Madrasi or North Indian or Telugu or Marathi or Kannadiga or South Indian etc. ( I have mentioned the exact terms used by people while talking to me.) I remember one lady in Chennai asked me if I am a "Seth" (the local term used to address Rajasthanis and Marwadis). A couple of people even swore that XXX is just not my mother tongue when I mentioned it to them since I did not look like I belonged to that state. All this has irritated me since I feel every place where I have lived has contributed to what I am today. After all we have a Passport mentioning "Republic of India" and not "Republic/State of ....(name of the state we belong to)".

Whilst abroad, I was asked by people whether I was Asian/Pakistani/Indian. I felt proud of my Indian/Asian identity. Sadly Indians asked me the same question as asked in India. I remember a young guy (Indian) saw me shopping in the supermarket and instantly came up to me and asked " Are you from India?". I replied in the affirmative only to face this question " Are you ..... ( Regional Language)?". I said no and does it make any difference? But I could notice a small downslide in his excitement since I was not from his state. Does it matter in a place which is alien to both of us and where people club all of us together as Asians/Indians?

Time to be Complimented

A small proof of of my social networking skills:

I get the news of a relative A's friend B's pregnancy (and due date of course) through her sister C (whom I know through A but am not in contact) who has told this to my friend D who has in turn told it to me. All this when A stays in the same city, B is in Bangalore, C is in U.K, B and C's parents stay at a 10 minute drive from my place and D stays in California!!! Let me clarify that I did not even utter a word about A/B/C but got all this for free...

P.S: Pls excuse me if you feel dizzy after reading this.. ( I bet most of us are used to such things). As a remedy, I strongly suggest you to exit this page or else search for an aspirin but not before commenting on this please.

Good Morning

First thing, in the morning,

as I begin my day,I turn on my computer,

to see what my email friends have to say.

They bring me such delight,with notes and cards and such,

And I appreciate their thoughtfulness,so very much!

Sometimes, there's a concern,a need for a quick prayer,

and it encourages me to know,that they are always there.

I hear the birds early chirping,with happy songs in their hearts,

and just like my Friends, they give me a cheerful start.

I'm blessed each and every morning,to see their names in my mailing list,

and when one isn't there,they are truly missed.

Even though we are far apart,and exist in Cyber Space,

I hope, someday, to meet them all,smiling, face to face.

So, I want to say"Good Morning!"to each and every one of you.

Have a Blessed and Happy Day,and "Thanks" for making mine one, too!

New Tag

Tagged by Lavs

A-Available? For what??
B-Best friend: Myself
C-Cake or Pie? Cake
D-Drink of choice: Milk
E-Essential thing used everyday: Toothpaste
F-Favourite colour: Black
G-Gummi bears or worms: surely not worms
H-Hometown: India
I-Indulgence: Internet
J-January or February: Neither
K-Kids and names: Will fill in when they happen
L-Life is incomplete without: Good health,good family and lots of good luck
M-Marriage date: Sep 11th (Yes!)
N-Number of siblings: One
O-Oranges or apples: Both
P-Phobias: Lizards and Snakes
Q-Quote: Keep doing your duty, don't worry about what people comment.
R-Reason to smile: If someone smiles back
S-Season: Winter
T-Tag three people: Aryan's Mom,Pixie and Laksh
U-Unknown fact about me: I like to be alone at times
V-Vegetable you do not like: Karela
W-Worst habit: Reading newspaper before brushing teeth
X-x-rays you have had: chest
Y-Your favourite food: Chaat
Z-Zodiac: Gemini

Speechless

I had a visitor yesterday, a hearing impaired teenaged girl. I was showing her around the house and finally my small puja cupboard. She liked the way things were arranged and was smiling all the way. She touched the tiny bells and told me in sign language "You must be hearing the sound of these bells". I just did not know how to react, I was almost on the verge of tears. I realised how often we take things for granted. Hearing the sound of bells ringing is a petty thing for me but not for her. It is truly said that a person who has lost something will realise the value of that even more. I now realise how lucky I am to be a normal person. Somehow, I am not able to get over this incident at all.

Today's Prediction

My Orkut prediction for today


Today's fortune: You and your wife will be happy in your life together

(I am stumped, don't know how to react..??)

Please Acknowledge Receipt

During every festival, I send e-greetings to near and dear. Not even half the people reply back or even acknowledge receipt of the e-card. Some people have genuine reasons for not doing so and I accept that but not everyone and not always. When the recipient has viewed the card, I get the message " Recipient has viewed your card" which is proof that my card has found its way to the inbox of the receiver and that he/she has viewed it. But very few people bother to reply back. I send e-cards as I sincerely remembered you and wanted to wish you and say hi and see what I get back. It hardly takes a minute to click the reply button and just say Thanks. Some very nice people have even retorted back saying " so, now only you remembered me, where are u?!". Excuse me, I am the one who has tried to get in touch and you shamelessly ask me this? Some very very nice people say." Which mail/card.. I did not receive any from you".

I have proof that the card has been sent and you say this to me? Well, the world is such a wonderful place with such nice people that I feel I am a misfit here. I know people will ask me why do I send cards if I am unhappy about non-acknowledgement of cards. That's me for you, to tell you that I remember you and want to wish you for a festive occasion (whether you like it or not). So what if people do not acknowledge receipt, atleast I get to know that my card has been viewed. What say?

Just Not Fair

If I keep listening to whatever false allegations you make, I am supposed to be an innocent girl who will never speak back and so you take advantage of this...

If I retort to your allegations and comments, then I am supposed to be an arrogant girl talking back because now I am well off and now I do not need your help..

So, what am I supposed to do???

(P.S: Thank God I did not make a new year resolution of not cribbing, else I would have ended up breaking the resolution the very next day. And if I don't crib/complain, what else do I have this blog for??)