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Will This Life Return? Zindagi Kya Milegi Dobara?
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Jab jab dard baadal chaya
Jab ghum ka saaya lehraya
Jab aansoo palkon tak aaya
Jab yeh tanha dil ghabraya…Humne dil ko yeh samjhaya
…Dil aakhir tu kyon rota hai
Duniya mein yunhi hota haiYeh jo gehre sanaate hain
Waqt ne sabko hi baante hain
Thoda ghum hai sabka kissa
Thodi dhoop hai sabka hissa
Aankh teri bekaar hi naam hai
Har pal ek naya mausam hai
Kyon tu aise pal khota hai
Dil aakhir tu kyon rota hai
Every time the cloud of pain loomed
A tear filled my eyes
When this lonely heart was scared
I told my heart, “Why do you cry for such reason?”
This happens everywhere in the worldThese dark lonely times, time has distributed them to all
Some sadness is part of everyone’s story,
Some sunshine is part of everyone’s life
Your eyes are damp for no reason
Every second is a new season
Why do you waste your time over such matters?
Why do you cry, I asked my heart.
Neeraj and I went to see Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (You Won’t Get this Life Again) at the movie theater this afternoon. It has Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhter, and Abhay Deol in the main roles as three friends who go on this last road trip before Kabir (Abhay Deol) gets married. All three have been friends for a long time but have departed into their own lives. Its like a reunion for them to get together, which they had been planning for many years to do, and finish a pact that they had made. The pact was that when they would do this trip, each of them would choose a sport that they would all have to participate in, without any choice. They wouldn’t know what each other had picked until they got to the destination so that way there was no way of backing out of the plan.
The story was interesting, and where you can make some parallels to Dil Chahta Hai, it was different for me. For me, what caught me was that how your true friends, even though how far apart you may be, whenever you get together, you pick up where you left off, they are ready to listen to anything that you have to say, and you can say anything, and they will understand. 
In general the concept was fascinating to me – easy to relate to, and be able to say, yes, this could happen to me too. I think some of the things that they showed were very real such as the massive amount of drinking that they did on this 3 week trip. Even though I don’t drink, I do think that today’s generation drinks alot – a needed excuse to drink. I am not sure how about the 2 bachelors (Hrithik and Farhan) hooking up with women on this 3 week trip is that realistic.
The various sports that they undertook was very cool. Not that I would do any of them, 
it was still fun to watch them do it.
I liked the fact that it was all about living today, making decisions for today, and doing what you need to do now. The future is there, but you must live life to the fullest today. That’s what the above poem that Imran writes in the movie talks to as well. I tend to forget about that in my life. The today is so busy with the office that at times I don’t live life to the fullest. Time must be taken out, stress needs to be relieved, in order for you to enjoy your life. For me this poem is about the fact that happiness and sadness, good times and bad times will be there for everyone’s life story. Its all about how you live your life, how do you take it, and what you do with what’s thrown at you in your life.
Destiny – do you believe in it? Is our life predestined? That is one of the topics that Arjun (Hrithik) brings up in one of their discussions. It was destined for the three of them to go on this trip at this point of their lives. They had tried to plan it previously too and it didn’t work out, but this time it did. What they did, who they met, and how it ended up was also pre-determined. Do you agree? What happens in your life happens for a reason? What will happen in your life will happen for a reason?
Yes – I think it is true. I think that the life that anyone lives is predetermined. The steps that we are going to take have been already been written. The steps that I will take, the decisions that I will make, will be based on what should be happening with me. It was destined for me to see this movie today, to think about it in the movie theatre, to come home and blog about it, and for you to now sit and read about it.
I know, the concept is eerie. Not everyone “buys” into it. You don’t have to if you don’t believe it. But its interesting. Just think back in your life and are there are times where you wonder how did this happen? Did you meet someone after a long time and wonder how was that possible when you had completely lost in touch?
Overall good movie. You should go see it. Neeraj thought the songs were ok – but I really liked them. Enough for me to download it. 
Share your thoughts.
Alvida. Jai Mata Di.
Updates – Indian Restaurant Review, Google+, and Flights….
So I have been busy for a while and didn’t get a chance to update. Now I am back with a vengeance.
Gokul Restaurant – St. Louis – Never to Go Again….
I am not sure whether their management has changed or what, but I will not be going to Gokul Restaurant on Page Avenue in STL anytime soon. 
I put the limit at 2 bad experiences per restaurant. The second time we didn’t even have any of the food because get this – no one ever came by to ask us what we wanted! 
Don't go here - unless if you like not having good customer service
The food the first time was not so good either. We had the buffet, and the naan didn’t show up until our food was over. There are much better Indian restaurants where I would spend my money (Taj Palace in Chesterfield or India Palace near the airport) any day than this place.
So if bad customer service appeals to you, this is the place – otherwise skip it. 
Google+ – I like it
I got the invite to Google+, and I am a fan already. In general as there are Apple fans, I am a die hard Google fan. There is very few things from Google that I don’t like, and definitely I think that they did a great job with Google+.
I hope that it works out for them. The Circles feature is one of the things that I really like. I am able to group people that I am friends with and then determine what I want to share with whom. Love that concept.
There is plenty to still learn but the fact is its just not a replacement for Facebook but I think that LinkedIn and Twitter could also be in trouble if they don’t take it to the next level.
Flights to Mumbai
Looking for deals to Mumbai for November… this heat is not keeping me in the mood to do much at the computer. We shall see..I plan on focusing on this tomorrow.
I guess that’s it for now…. stay cool…wherever you might be in the world. 
Alvida. Jai Mata Di.
That Indian Wedding… Shaadi Aaye Jashan Manaaye
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Just when I think that I am going to be able to keep up with my dear bloggie, I get tied up with the rest of my life and don’t get a chance to update. 
No promises this time – going to do my best to write whenever the time permits.
I have been working on getting my music organized in my new desktop PC yesterday and today. Of course when that happens, I listen to the music that is there. Ever since I found all of the wonderful Punjabi wedding songs, I have been hooked to them. I am just a sucker for traditional Punjabi wedding songs.
This song talks about to the bride about how her “sehraiya wala” (sehra is the white flowers that covers the groom’s face in a traditional Punjabi wedding) groom will come and get married to her. Makes me think about the institution of marriage, and how lovely it really is. One of my most memorable moments in my life is when Neeraj and I got married in 2006. This blog is filled with those memories, prior to us getting married, during the marriage, and then afterwards.
As a child I remember telling my Mumma that I wouldn’t ever get married. I never wanted to leave my parents, my brother, or the life that I was living at that time. My Mumma would say to me, “Abhi tu aaise kah rahi hai, baad main har ladki ko shaadi karni hi hoti hai” (“Right now you are saying this, but at one time every girl wants to get married“). How she was right.
My wedding was in Jaipur, and the memories are in this blog if you want to read through them, but now this year I am excited that my brother, Suraj, is getting married. Bhabhiji (sister-in-law) is joining our family, and its really a wonderful feeling. My parents and I have waited for the time to see my brother to wear that sehra and whisk away his dulhan (bride).
I get to relive all of those wonderful wedding memories that I cherished during my own wedding, and now play a large part in organizing Suraj’s wedding. The ceremonies, the food, the clothes (saris, sherwanis, suits) the family, the teasing between the families, the saat phere, the dancing, the doli……Indian wedding are great… they are long…fun filled times..where you can celebrate two hearts joining and two families combining into one.
This is during the saat phere (7 rounds) ceremony
Since the day that I found out that my brother is going to be getting married, I have been telling my Mumma that anything that was left out in my wedding, I am going to fulfill in Suraj’s wedding. For instance, there is a “haldi” (turmeric powder) ceremony where the bride or groom sits and before getting ready for that night’s ceremony (usually happens the day before or the day of the wedding), all of the family members put the haldi on their faces, arms, legs, etc… before going to take a shower. Well the day that was suppose to happen for me, the mehendi (henna) lady had come to put mehendi on me, and so I couldn’t have the haldi ceremony. So now, I am going to make sure that my brother gets double the haldi (he doesn’t like this at all which makes it more fun 
) during his wedding festivities.
Sereyan Wala Vyavarh Aaya
Aaya Te Sada Rang Laya Ladiye Ni Tera
Sereyan Wala Vyavarh Aaya
Aaya Ladiye Ni Tera
Sereyan Wala Vyavarh Aaya
Naazaan De Naal Palke Maape
Des Nikala
Des Nikala Devanrh Aape
Aaya Te Sada Rang Laya Ladiye Ni Tera
Sereyan Wala Vyavarh Aaya
Aaya Ladiye Ni Tera
Sereyan Wala Vyavarh Aaya
I think I am going to go now and watch some of our wedding videos. Reminscing…
Alvida. Jai Mata Di.
Posted in Marriage
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Commonwealth Games & TV Shows
This post is dedicated to the updates of the news and TV shows (serials) that I watch. Enjoy!
India Hosts 2010 Commonwealth Games
Similar to the Olympics, existing and at one-time British colonies get together one time in 4 years to play the Commonwealth games. There are similar events as the Olympics such as track and field, wrestling, boxing, tennis, etc… that are played. This year, for the first time, India was to be the host of the Commonwealth games. Unfortunately the preparation was not at par to what was expected from them. Till the last few days, it was uncertain whether the games would still be played due to security and hygenic concerns. But India pulled it off and held the Opening Ceremonies this past Sunday in Delhi. 
So after all of the drama, it seems that the Commonwealth Games will be fine in India. But India needs to buck up and learn from the mistakes that they had made. They had ample amount of time to be ready to host the Commonwealth Games, and they wasted alot of time, money, and effort which could have been utilized more efficiently and effectively.
Outsourced
So I have seen 2 episodes of this NBC show, and I really don’t know what to think of it yet. I am not crazy about it, and I don’t hate it. I am really neutral to it. Some of the jokes that they make whether it would be about India or Indians, Americans, or any other culture just aren’t really funny. Long term, I don’t see this show being successful because of two reasons: (1) They are going to start run out of plot ideas or its going to get really outrageous that will turn off people that may have watched the show previously, (2) The jokes are going to start getting more offensive which will impact their current audience.
In general, I would rate it as Average.
Sasural Genda Phool
So I have only recently started watching this show on Star Plus, and I am literally hooked. Ragini Khanna is hilarious and a great actress. At times her character, Suhana, reminds me of….me. She is definitely more blunt then I am, but definitely I can relate to her based on her characteristics, what she says, the actions she takes, etc… Really great. In general, even though there is a vamp (Panna’s saas), I think the show does a great job of making it wholesome and keeping it to the family setting. Definitely Suhana’s in-laws are great, and well chosen actors that make the show really interesting.
The recent plot of them going to the wedding in Amroha was awesome. Overall, two thumbs up, and I am going to continue to watch this show.
India’s Got Talent – Khoj 2
I didn’t get to watch India’s Got Talent last year because we didn’t have Colors on Dish. But this year, Neeraj and I watched it from start to end. Overall it was really good, with amazing talent. But the disappointment was the finale, I think. Where Teji Toko, the drummer, was good, he wasn’t outstanding, and I am not sure what the people who were voting thought that he was better than the Ficticious Group or the Arcodancers couple. I was very happy for the Shillong Chamber Choir – amazing job!! They really deserve to win, but I just didn’t think that Teji Toko and then Bir Khalsa should have rounded out the second and third places respectively.
The judges were pretty good as well – with not much controversy. At times, I wondered if they were providing any value with their comments, sometimes yes, but most of the time, I didn’t think so. But overall, a great show!
Bigg Boss
Seems like it has already started in India, does anyone know when this is going to start in the US? I was thinking this Sunday but there isn’t anything on the TV Guide yet. 
The celebrities that are in the Bigg Boss house aren’t that great or well known either, so I am not sure if I will end up watching it, but would still like to know when it will start.
Baa Bahoo Aur Baby
Reruns of this show are back on TV Asia, and really, ever since Mumma has told me, I tape every episode so that I don’t miss it. I hadn’t seen the originals from the beginning when this show started, so now seeing the reruns are great! Lovely family show and you can even learn from it, which is what I like the most. I am so glad that TV Asia brought back this show and doing the reruns – finally a good move!!
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma
This is another great family show with families from different parts of India living in the same apartment complex. Well made and another show that is funny but can also teach you something which makes it so much more enjoyable to watch. It also continues well with the seasonal holidays that are coming up. So right now Navaratras were coming so the ladies were all getting ready for the garba/dandiya celebrations. Lovely!
What are your favorite shows these days?
Alvida. Jai Mata Di.
DC Getaway and What Will October Bring?
So after much ado, finally we were able to make that fast getaway to somewhere lovely and beautiful to enjoy some time from our daily lives. Suraj, Neeraj, and me had a wonderful time in Washington DC the past weekend, and really, it was too short.
Suraj got to STL Thursday night, and then the next morning, we had a 9am flight to Baltimore. We got there around 12.30pm where we rented a car (Chevy Impala – nothing too exciting ) and off to DC we went! In between we wanted to stop for lunch but….um…we got a bit lost. So went through some smaller suburbs as we finally got to DC where we found a Wendys. Not the greatest veggie meals there but we lived. We parked a couple of blocks away from Washington Monument and walked our way over to that area. Now the weather – amazingly hot. We are talking sizzling.
Suraj already had 4pm tickets for us to go up to the Washington Monument which had an awesome view.
Neeraj and Suraj at the Washington Monument
Soon after we started walking towards the White House, stopping at the Vietnam Memorial on the way. As we took some time out at a near bench halfway to the White House, an Eastern European lady stopped near us and said, “You…tourists?” Suraj replied quickly, “No”. Lady said, “Oh…one moment please (she was catching her breath), help me, where is White House?” Suraj quickly took out his map, showed her the way, and off she went. Soon after we were on our way behind her, but the lady didn’t follow Suraj’s crisp instructions very well and was headed in a different direction.
Then we took some pics at the White House, tried to see if we can see anyone important, and headed near a park. Suraj decided that he would go get the car, as Neeraj and I started to slowly walk towards that way.
Suraj picked us up and off we went to Alexandria, VA where we were going to make our home at Hampton Inn & Suites for the next 2 days. I fell asleep in the back of the car but I guess the main highway was blocked off by the police, so Neeraj & Suraj had to find alternative ways to get to Alexandria, which took much longer than expected. Finally we got there, checked in, and headed for some food at the nearby Taco Bell (hey! After all its a Friday night ).
Next day we woke up early to head to the US Capitol Building. We had reservations for a tour at 9am. What I thought was hilarious about the morning tour was that we were quite punctual and got to the area where the tour was going to start at 8.50am. One of the gentleman that gets the tour started came by and said, “I wanted to let you fine folks know that even though your ticket says that the tour begins at 9am, the govenrment doesn’t start at the time that it is listed. Your tour won’t actually begin until 9.10am.” Hilarious! 
The US government also works on “Indian Standard Time”….in 10 minutes. 
The US Capitol tour was beautiful and very educating. Loved it! Then we headed for some lunch at the Union Station. All three of us tried different things: Suraj had a grilled sandwich, I had a falafel sandwich, and Neeraj had Indian food. The food court, and in general Union Station, was pretty cool. Then we headed to find a local bus that would take us towards the Smithsonian museums. We found one for $1 and hopped on.
Later on we went through the Smithsonian museums which pretty much took up the rest of our day. Then we headed back to the hotel. That night was going to be Chipotle for us, and we headed back to the hotel to chill.
Then Sunday morning, we had breakfast at the hotel, and headed to Reagan airport to drop Suraj off for his flight to Peoria via Detroit. Reagan airport was quite nice and clean. The security area was interesting as they had those new full body Xray machines.
After dropping Suraj off at the airport, we headed towards Falls Church, VA, where we were going to meet up with Neeraj’s college friend, who had saw my Facebook update the same morning that we were in DC, and he was visiting as well, so we decided to meet up at Masala Wok – an Indo Chinese fast food place. It was pretty interesting place, but the food was ok. The conversations however were delightful.
After an hour or two there, we got in the car and headed towards Baltimore to check in to our hotel near the Baltimore airport. Quickly after check in, back in the car we were, as we took the almost 3 hour car ride to Philadelphia to meet another childhood friend of Neeraj’s. It was great as we passed through Maryland, Delaware, and then finally into Pennsylvania to get there.
Good enjoyable evening with them and late that night we headed back to Baltimore.
Monday morning we had a flight to STL, reached after 12.30pm, took a taxi and reached home. Did our homework for the night MBA class, relaxed a little bit, and headed to class that night.
So overall a great way to end the month of September. Thanks to my bro and Neeraj for planning the trip, making me feel better because we can’t go to Singapore, and take some time out as well.
Now…what will October bring?? Lots and lots of happiness….please.
Alvida. Jai Mata Di.
Better Week, P-Fest, Trips, and MBA
This week was a better week than the last week’s short week. I wouldn’t say it was fabulous but it was better. There is one major thing that I need to work on…. disengaging from work once I come home….and that is something that I worked on this week. I think it has helped me to relax but still need to continue to work on it longer.
Back home Pumpkin Festival has started, and we will reach on the last day. I think I am really just craving Pumpkin Ice Cream, which is really good if you haven’t had it before. Pumpkin pancakes are also good, but I am not sure we will get up early on Saturday morning to get any.
Some trips are now planned. Mumma and Papa are going to India during Diwali time. I am really happy for them. Now they are working on their visas to India. In recent times, India has changed their rules for those who have Tourist Visas. You are not able to go to India more than once in a 60 day period. So for instance, my parents are going directly to Mumbai. Then from there, with family, they are going to Malaysia and Singapore. When they come back to re-enter Mumbai to finish their trip, they won’t be able to re-enter because its still within the 60 day timeframe. So we have been looking for alternatives. Right now it seems that the best alternative for the time that my parents have is to get a PIO card (Person of Indian Origin). This way they won’t have a separate visa for the next 15 years, and that rule will not apply for them. So now hopefully Monday they will go and get that process started in the Indian Consulate in Chicago.
Neeraj, Suraj, and I are taking a short trip to the East Coast. Kaush I am going to call you tonight to talk. Really hoping we can meet up. This is really going to help Neeraj and me relax because its just been too crazy and stressful for us. Then later in December we are planning to go to India.
MBA class has started. The class is Management. Should be a really good class.
Alvida. Jai Mata Di.
Posted in Aaj ka Din, MBA, Morton/Hindaun, Travel
Tagged job, mba, pumpkin festival, travel
5 Comments
Great Long Weekend, Bad Short Week, Start Afresh Again
So last weekend was long weekend here with us having Monday, September 6 off due to Labor Day. Neeraj and I had headed to Morton to see the family on the Friday before so that we get to maximize our time with everyone. Overall the weekend was great with the family, as well with our friends on Sunday night. Lots of discussion of many things, including a wonderful trip working out for my parents and extended family to Singapore in November. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem that Suraj, Neeraj, or me would be able to be with them. Its quite sad because my mother’s extended family are all going on their first international trip (Lalit Mama & Roop Mama’s families), so it would have been great to see everyone. We have two issues: (1) We don’t have sufficient holidays from work to go during the week that they are going (second week of November), (2) The cost of the flight tickets from here is around $1400-1500, and we would like to go to India in December, so we would be chucking out around $6k in 2 months.
So I keep hearing from my dear brother and my hubby that these type of opportunities will come again….I am trying to believe them.
But I am very happy for my parents – they will have a great time with everyone, including my grandmother, who is going to go with them to Malaysia and Singapore. Now we just have to figure out the whole India visa thing – it seems that they have changed some rules and outsourced the visa processing to another company. So I am trying to help the parents maneuver through the process because Papa’s passport has been renewed, and he needs to transfer his India tourist visa to his new passport. Suraj is in the same situation. If anyone has any recent history doing this and any tips you may have, please do let me know. 
Then the week at work, even though it was a short week, was a horrible week. My team is shortstaffed, and there were too many problems at hand, with one being escalated to my management.
I don’t know why people can’t just work together and communicate. If you have an issue and its important, then there are other ways to communicate than email. Oh well, I have tried to learn from this and try to make the best of the situation. We will see what Monday brings.
Sports wise – Neeraj is losing hope on the White Sox trying to make the playoffs, with the recent amount of games that they have lost, and I think they are losing right now too. But, we did enjoy watching the US Open Semifinal match between Federer and Djokovic. Very sad that Federer lost but the vast number of unforced errors that he had made, I see why he lost. Match against Nadal and Djokovic tonight should be a good one.
Now the Bears. That’s what we are watching now – its great to have Sunday Football back!! The game has been close so far, and there have been too many turnovers with the Bears, but let’s hope they can come through in the second half. GO BEARS!!
I have heard that Dabanng is doing well in India. I am not sure if I am really that interested to see it. We will see. I would like to see We Are Family but I don’t think that Neeraj is really interested. Otherwise any other movies that you all are looking forward to?
Posted in Aaj ka Din, Ghar, India, Travel
Tagged chicago bears, family trip, ghar, malaysia, singapore, white sox
1 Comment