Last 5 Days…
Current Tune: Gela Gela Gela - Aitraaz
Last five days left before I leave for India. So much to do and so many people to see. Tomorrow I am meeting my childhood friends Diane and Beth for our yearly Christmas get together. I still haven’t gotten their gift yet, maybe I will go to the mall in the next hour. 
Then I will meet Jennie, another childhood friend, on Tuesday for the same reason as above.
In between all this I must still finish packing, do last minute shopping for India, go to the bank, laundry, amongst other things. 
The excitement to see Neeraj is overwhelming. Really, I can’t wait. 
There is still a lot that I am worried about as well. My parents meeting his parents is the big one. Please pray for us that everything goes well and when we return back to Mumbai from Jaipur that we will have good news to post here.
POLL: Maybe not a great question because most of the readers are guys, but still maybe its good to find what the junta thinks abt. these things. Here it is:
Going to meet Neeraj’s parents and family @ his home in Hindaun, what should I wear? Salwar Kameez or Saree? Vote now by commenting on this post.
Note: Hindaun City is a very small city outside of Jaipur. His family is conservative. Does it make a difference in their eyes on what I wear? I have never worn a saree in my life. Is one week enough time to learn?
Or is it more important to go with the one that I am most comfortable with wearing? Your thoughts will be greatly appreciated.
All of you Mumbaites, what is the local train situation on New Years? Neeraj was saying that it closes @ 1 am, can someone confirm that? It makes a difference to whether we go to the suburbs or the city.
Alvida. Jai Mata Di.
December 19th, 2004 at 7:53 pm
Happy Journey
Voted for Saree
December 19th, 2004 at 8:30 pm
Happy journey (u make me feel jealous :sad:)!
May u post the good news in ur blog
I am no expert….but I would vote for a saree (as Ankur did) but only if you can carry urself in it. I mean don’t fall or something :P
U must have asked Neeraj? If not then ask him coz he muzz b noing more about his family :)
December 19th, 2004 at 8:33 pm
Thanks Gaurav! I did ask Neeraj, he at first had said salwar kameez, now says saree.
So he is as confused as the next person. 
So good idea for the poll eh? 
Just nice to see what other people think if they were in the situation we are in. Does it really matter what I wear? Would it have mattered what Neeraj would have wore when he met my family? I guess it is easier for guys as all you have to go is wear a nice shirt and dress pants.
December 19th, 2004 at 9:07 pm
Bon Voyage Poonam…have a fantabulous time!:wave:
December 20th, 2004 at 1:30 am
nothing to beat an elegant saree, ever!
December 20th, 2004 at 2:46 am
best of luck to u Poonam. and have a happy journey. I vote for salwar kameez, my sister wore that when she met her wud-be-inlaws far the first time, and it looked elegant.
December 20th, 2004 at 3:00 am
Hmmm i would say a nice salwar… saree is like a lil too much… n apart fr looking good u hv to be comfortable rather then worrying ab the saree over there…
ah local trains… yeah they do shut down at 1am n they are packed like mad on NY’s. but will chk if on NY’s they gonna run ne extra trains at nite… but but do u kn there are few buses which run all nite… but i would never advice u to take them…
its better u party till early morn n then go back home… Poonam r u going to be at charni road ? (i remember somewhere u had mentioned this… i think thats where Neeraj went to meet ur parents…) thats kinda far fr powai…
December 20th, 2004 at 3:38 am
Ram ram punu… so u finally coming to India.. great..
Well, I think that salwar kameez will be a better option. Saree is too formal… better reserve it for your wedding day :)
December 20th, 2004 at 4:45 am
Hmm, I think..Saree will be the best bet. If its Kacheevaram saree..then..much better.
Go with a saree, thats better as its a special occasion. 
Have a great time back home.
December 20th, 2004 at 5:39 am
hmmm… its not she is getting engaged on that day… its the first time she is going to meet Neeraj parents… yeah the occassion is special but i feel saree u shud reserve it for ur engagement…
and btw guys she has to be COMFORTABLE in it !!! u dont want her to make a scene… or trip or … :) and on top she has never worn a saree in her whole life so this is def not the day to try it out n take a risk ! better be safe…
December 20th, 2004 at 5:45 am
Hi … congrats for the marriage and all the best…hv left a few mushy romantic songs for u in the list and lots of comments on the way… Hv fun…
regards
Deepak Jeswal
http://randomexpressions.rediffblogs.com
December 20th, 2004 at 6:13 am
I vote for saree too :) It looked more special I guess
I can’t wait to listen your story after your parents meet Neeraj’s parents. Maybe I will call you that day only ? 
*hugssss* Don’t worry 
December 20th, 2004 at 6:31 am
Come on yaar,itna daraana nahin..I think, she will be absolutely comfortable wearing a saree, although she never tried before. Engagement/Shaadi ke liye abhi rehearsal ho jaayegi.
And how come wearing a saree can be a risk!!.
Anyways,Saree..:yes: And all the best to you Poonam.
December 20th, 2004 at 8:03 am
I vote for Saree.But if even after 4-5 days of practice you are not comfortable in it,nothing wrong in salwaar either.It should not matter much.
December 20th, 2004 at 8:17 am
she should be in a salwar, after all she is an america-returned, her inlaws dont expect a saree from her. saree is a bit too much - bit too much formal and uncomfortable.
December 20th, 2004 at 8:41 am
Thanks Aaina!
Four days in counting. 
So it seems that Deepak Jeswal has also made it to our blog.
I see your comments on Cheiron’s and Amit’s blog all the time. 
Thanks for commenting here as well! I have been to your blog many times but have never commented. 
Saree is very elegant Deepak, but can I learn in five or six days?
I don’t have an idea because my dear mother had always said, “saree toh poori umar hai pahinni ki liye, abhi salwar kameez pahin.” 
Thanks Anat! I have always thought that a fancy salwar kameez would do as I am just meeting them. I have been to Neeraj’s home once prior, then also I had wore a salwar kameez. Their are two differences between that meet and this one, (1) my parents and Mamaji are with me this time, (2), the first meet I didn’t meet with Neeraj’s father.
It seems that Kunal is also voting for salwar kameez.
Hey Kunal, if you could check on the local train situation, I would greatly appreciate it. Talked to Neeraj today and his makaan malik was saying that they only close for an hour at night. So am a bit confused. 
99.9% Neeraj will not be coming to Charni Road. He ha to work in the day and then we might just meet up around 5ish and then get ready to go wherever we are going to go! We will either go Andheri side somewhere or he says that there is a disc in Hirenandani as well. But then the problem becomes, how will I get home?
We have friends in Dadar as well (Prasad & Kavita), will have to find out where they are going. If they have a car then its no problem, they can drop both of us @ our respective homes. So we will see. But just need an idea abt. the local trains. 
I don’t think my parents will let me stay out all night! 
Thanks!
December 20th, 2004 at 8:54 am
Thanks Govind! And for voting!
What is a Kancheevam saree? 
Is it like Banarsi saree where there is a design difference or is it just how you wear it?
Saree for engagement Kunal??
How will I dance? 
Just joking, who knows if I even will dance. I guess there are two aspects to think about: (1)make a good impression with Neeraj’s father and (2) feel comfortable. Better to be safe is right. I will either have to take very very small steps when I am walking with a saree and just stay seated. 
Thanks Kunal!
Marriage is still in the process Deepak.
Abhi toh my parents are meeting his parents for the first time. Still waiting on Neeraj’s sister to get married prior to us, then after only we shall get married. Thanks for the list of songs, I have glanced by them all @least once, and you have gave some great songs that I will have to add to the list. 
Will definitely be by your blog. 
I can’t wait to see you Mona! Thanks for your vote!
Do give me a call whenever you get a chance. 
Have a very safe trip! **hugs**
Aacha Govind??? Engagment/Shaadi ke liye rehearsal ho jaayega??
You are so funny! 
Well, this might be a good chance as ever to wear it (I never get a chance to wear a saree here in the USA). Hmm, you have really made me think Govind. 
Good point Anbu. Mere gharwalon Mumbai main soch rahe honge when after getting ready I am wearing my mother’s saree, ke yeh ladki ko kya ho gaya hai??
Confusion is still there Anat. So many great viewpoints from everyone. Fancy salwar kameez might just do the trick as well, right?
I think I should count the votes.
December 20th, 2004 at 9:51 am
Okie here my analysis
As u mentioned his family conservative I think if that?s the case then u should? go for saree if you comfortable with it ? I mean coz? I think if assuming and thinking from elderly? perspective ? I think they would be ? pleased if you do that? I mean how do I explain? well I cant you can ? only see that if you wear saree and?. go then you?ll realize what I meant? that you?ll see something more to their smile
Does it make a difference in their eyes on what I wear?
Well generally? I mean to me at least matter. From my perspective I mean if you don?t know a person? then I mean the way someone dressed or carry the clothes they wearing the color choice etc etc many thing? tell a lot about their personality
I mean incase if they don?t know?? then I think ? the clothes the way u wear, carry on etc .. They do the kinda initially do the talking?even without you opening your mouth kinda… (the first impression? kinda .. ) unless people know more about one? gradually?
Aaare read some earlier comment? I mean asking a guy would be waste ..as Neeraj has a sis you can proably? always ask her?she would be best person to ask why because 1.she knows her parents and also ask 2.she women . She would give proper guidance she. ?I mean.. there things? Which guy would be last person to ask?..
Also if you haven?t wore a saree then go do so ? I mean there always a first time also you can try both?? and see whichever u feel good? and happy wearing don?t go by what others say? or the vote I mean after all the people voting here don?t have to wear the saree:rotfl: its you who got to wear and walk?..
December 20th, 2004 at 10:17 am
Hi Poonam, ALL THE BEST for the upcoming DDAY. I am sure u will win over ur future Parents-in-Law. I hv been reading ur blog quite a lot today, and I really liked it. Apart from the list of songs, u can see my comment scattered on the Marriage songs, places to visit, Bollywood sleaze, veer zaara and the hindi mother tongue waale posts also. Hv fun! And enjoy!
December 20th, 2004 at 10:22 am
Oh silly me (and impatient me as ever ) did not read the first reply to the comment… sorry for that…yeah, i am quite regular at AMIT (thats from where i got the link here) and CHEIRON’s blog ( if u happened to read the spoof he was doing for the past few days, u wud not hv missed me anyways LOL ) .
AND thanks for coming to my blog…chupke se… par agli baar aayo toh baaje-gaaje ke saath, with full trail of comments the way I hv done…
THANKS A TON!
December 20th, 2004 at 10:45 am
December 20th, 2004 at 11:05 am
Thanks Deepak! I have read all of your comments and will now respond.
Even Neeraj has read all of your comments! 
I will definitely be more active on your blog when I have something to say.
Aur aate rehna hamare blog par.
Poll results are posted Ankur.
December 20th, 2004 at 11:52 am
Where
December 21st, 2004 at 3:06 am
Hmm, Kancheevaram saree is typical for its style. Having golden border. If you can afford, you can even get a saree with golden threads in the border.
I think, a white saree with golden border is the best.Any ways, colour hardly matters.
Will ask my gf to wear it when she meets my parents for the first time.
But it will be her choice, what to wear!!.
December 21st, 2004 at 9:19 am
Arre wah, kya planning hai!
So u have a current gf that you are ready to show your parents?? 
:wink:
Humko bhi bataa deo
December 21st, 2004 at 12:02 pm
Hmm, Yes I have a gf. Our story is kind of similar to urs. And my parents already know about her, and have seen her photos.
And we both are waiting for the right time to tell her parents too.So that, I can go and “Meet The Parents“.
December 21st, 2004 at 8:11 pm
Am still waiting for my chance to ?Meet The Parents?. - from Govind’s blog.
Me 2