Noting down my dreams as I turn 25

Its amazing that we all dream big as we grow up, we aim high, have higher expectations from life, and the fun of tripping over starts when we chase after our dreams and life has its own purposeful plans for us. Eventually, we adjust to it, and get content to our present state, deep down in a sacred room of our heart, we still linger on to the feeling that wish, I did that....wish I was that !!!

Here, I am writing an open note to myself, as I turn 25 this October 2013, wishing the next 25 years, I try my best to keep a note of my dreams and hang on to fulfill them, as time passes by without any regrets. On this notion, I would also recommend each and everyone to write an open note to self, so that you get a reason to smile when the days are cloudy, gloomy and dim.

1. First on my list, to learn swimming. (I have always been avoiding it with the fear of being tanned, but I need to make up my mind for it soon)

2. To learn driving and own a carrrr....actually I would rather prefer being driven around and reading a newspaper at the backseat.

3. To have a walk-in wardrobe, all for myself with high range cosmetics (read M.A.C and Chanel No. 5), Manolo Blahnik shoes and Diana Fendi Dress and Louis Vuitton bags :P

4. To learn salsa in six inc. stilettos

5. Get pampered at spa monthly once

6. To own a vacation villa somewhere in Himalayas

7. To make my parents proud (obviously, this one is a priority)

8. To have a lavish, yet a busy life revolving around work and family

9. To make sudden travel plans for holiday or to meet anyone around the world, without endless waiting for permissions

10. To own a hospital at rural areas or rather giving away free medicines (This am gonna make it work definitely !) 

11. To make peace with my past and present (I don't have any regrets, its just that I don't like being judged!)

12. To innovate in cooking, to understand flavors and focus on good life ! (This one, is unfortunately still has a long way to go)

13. To get my interview featured once in newspaper and TV ;) (Now, that's way too much, I Know!)

14. To learn walking and working in saree ! For some reason, I love wearing saree, but I am just not comfortable in it !

15. Last, but not the least, get my anger channelized in a wonderfully, positive manner ! (That's tough, but we gotta find some way !)    

 So, Life, get ready, we gonna challenge each other to complete these tasks set. Hopefully, I'll have another list ready, as and when I get used to the ring master, Life !

A lethal dose for every mankind

I was just conversing with one of my college bestie who was down with 'college nostalgia fever' when I advised her that often rainy environments added up with coffee, blankly staring out of window, soft music and random memories is a lethal combination that often ends up in tears. Particularly, on rainy days or while cleaning up cupboards or moving out from one place to another, memories instigate to make us feel weak, sad and stubborn to not accept the changes that we are going through in the present day.

One such memory that is very close to my heart was the beach outing with my college girlie gang, also known as 'Al-Baboota' gang. That day is still so fresh in my mind that I can re-live those memories instantly as I am writing this blog. So, on going down the memory lane, it was September 27, 2007 when we girls were whining about how boys used to bunk classes constantly and how we were too sincere to do such acts. Also, my hostel friends were too bored to eat hostel ka tasteless khana. So, just when the lunch break started, we were convincing each other to bunk, to go for Mansukh's in T Nagar, Chennai and eat mast Gujarati delicacies. Mansukh's restaurant served unlimited food for just Rs.99 (Keep in mind ! This was way back in the year 2007). So, finally the gutsy Al-Baboota gang took their steps towards Potheri station. We ran towards the train, convinced the train master to wait for few seconds, so that everyone running behind us could catch the train. Then we headed to Mansukh's to hog unlimited goodies. A couple of my friends were gluttony that particular day, as they starved of 'good food' in hostel. Then, we immediately planned to go to Besant Nagar beach in Adyar. As usual, short of money, we went in an empty local bus and then walked 500m to beach. While walking, as we saw the sea, we all started running towards it as if we had achieved freedom. Just when all of us reached the sea, we all planned to plunge into the sea and have fun. The climate supported our fun outing by raining and we all had a gala time on a empty beach. One of my friend also dropped her mobile (Nokia 1100) in the sea and was surprised that the phone still worked ! Thanks to the manufacturers authenticity ! 

After all this fun and completely drenched, we planned to leave. As usual, due to shortage of money, we had no option than to stuff all the eight of us in one auto. We somehow managed to convince the auto man and also went in that auto with girls complaining of being uncomfortable with the setting. But, the point is that we, Indians always believe in adjusting and cooperating with each other (In the photo, you can see the auto behind us). All in all, we really enjoyed bunking college that day and I am sure all my friends cherish this memory whenever they think about bunking college and making sudden awesome outing plans.         

I lived in Canberra, Australia for two years where rains used to pour day in day out unpredictably. Most of the times, I used to spend or rather waste these beautiful moments working sincerely in lab. But whenever I used to get time I used to get nostalgic about the fond memories I collected all these years of my life. My heart begins to sink and eventually I get depressed as the memories start flowing in to make my heart heavier and heavier. During such heavy heart-ed days, there was nothing that could deviate my mindset from getting nostalgic. So, what I used to do on such exceptional days was to let my heart sink, shed some tears, and convince myself that 'everything happens for a reason'.

All my readers, I would love to advise you to take up this lethal combination, lighten your heavy heart, take a day off from your hectic schedules, go down the memory lane, catch up with old friends cause, race for better career will definitely take you everywhere except to the cherishing memory lane.