Things.

Mean differently to different people. I should really learn to stop mocking them for their choices - even if I do it only in my head.

Been away too long.

I've been away for too long and I'm now kicking myself for it. Promise to do this more often, even it's only going to be in small doses.

5 things I learnt about myself during the time I was away:

1. I know more than ever that cooking relaxes me. Will do more of it and will blog more about it in the future.

2. I love tea. Especially green tea. And, peppermint tea.

3. I don't think I'm ever going to be able to save enough money to stop working. Not at the rate at which I spend, at least.

4. I am slipping back into 2007 - workwise. Not good. Need to come back to 2009 and balance work and life.

5. I've forgotten what I wanted to say. I can't remember long-term things anymore. Again - not good.

Good Advice

"When you are all messed up and are in pain, look up and smile."

After all, that's what my yoga teacher makes me do five times a week.

21 @ 27 and 42 @ 32.

So far, I've only completed one half marathon. When I say 'completed,' I mean walk + run.

One day (hopefully, soon) I want to be able to run the entire distance. Before I turn 27. And, I want to run an entire marathon before I'm 32.

Next stop: Hyderabad Half-Marathon on November 22.

Then, it's Mumbai and Pondicherry.

Open your eyes...

... and you'll find a story in every face.

Top 10 'I'll Judge You' Moments!

In no particular order -

1. Your toes are sticking out of your shoes from the front of your high heels. (Eww. Ewww. Ewwww.)

2. You call everyone baby and sweetie and darling. (People have names. Use them. The names - not the people.)

3. You switch tones while talking to different people. (Do you use another tone when you talk to yourself?)

4. You waste a resource just because it's free. (Really, it's coming out of your salary. Think about it.)

5. You think that pink is the only color in the world. (Allow me to introduce you to blue, green and purple.)

6. You match your earrings, necklace, top, bottom, shoes, bag and hair accessory. (Try 'contrasting,' as opposed to 'matching' - much better effect, I promise you!)

7. You have a DDLJ/Backstreet Boys ringtone/caller tone. (The 90s are gone. No, really.)

8. You put someone else down just to feel good about yourself. (This is the lowest form of ego massage I've known off and don't appreciate it the least bit.)

9. You use a fake South-Indian accent because you think it's cool. (Just FYI - it's not.)

10. Your personal hygiene routine has been ignored for a while now. (Dandruff, bad breath, body odor, smelly feet, and the list goes on and on...)

The weekend that was!

I had an amazing time this weekend - Anuradha and Joy came over from Mumbai and we did a lot of fun things that I mightn't have done otherwise. In short, we got frozen margaritas at Xtreme, ate the traditional Telugu thali at Rayalaseema Ruchulu, went to see the Golconda Fort, showed them the Google office, went dancing at 10D, ate chocolate pancakes at home, got a perfect Chinese lunch at Nan King, went pearl shopping in Secunderabad, spent a little time by the lake, saw the Charminar (and the ek minar), got stuck in Ramzan traffic, tried out haleem, looked for hookahs and bought posters, a fake snake and a dartboard! Phew.

All in all - Good friends, great weekend and fantastic memories! Couldn't have asked for more!

21

I completed the Hyderabad half-marathon (21kms) yesterday and for the first time in my life, I took home a medal!

It's actually happening!

Deepika got engaged yesterday and is 3 months away from actually tying the knot. She can't wait... and neither can I!

All the best with everything to come... Love you Deeps! :)

New Blog Announcement

I remembered the list of things I was supposed to do before I turned 25, and started to check stuff off. After all, I only have 2 months to get a lot more accomplished!

One thing I've been meaning to do for a while but never got down to doing was 07 on the list - to start up a cooking blog of my own.

I finally got off my lazy bum and did it. Here it is: http://thekitchenandme.blogspot.com/

Enjoy! :)