dinner tonight wanted to be an easy task- no cooking or microwaving or frozen food... so one decided to
have orange marmalade and Brie spread on ultra thin bread slices... with a side of baby carrots
for the record marmalade and Brie both individually are part of my all time favorite food list...
.... a lesson was learnt....
marmalade completely over powered the Brie (considering its not really strong I put a lot of it but didnt work) ... I enjoyed my meal a lot though... because after about 3 bites I took out the Cheese and hogged on the two separately till my stomach's content!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
healthy vs tasty
on the 'Biggest Loser' they just mentioned 3 tips to reduce 500 calories from your meal at a restaurant:
1. refuse the bread basket at the beginning of the meal ( not possible: either cos most of the restaurants that serve the basket have delicious bread or cos of the Olive oil or cos one is extremely hungry)
2. ask your meal to be cooked without oil or butter ( hmmm..don't know how much the cooks will hate me - and there might be a chef attack instead on my food? or also how the food will taste without it)
3. ask for dressing on the salad to be the side ( I think I can do this one)
the point being : I cannot reduce 500 calories in my meal in the above defined ways :)
1. refuse the bread basket at the beginning of the meal ( not possible: either cos most of the restaurants that serve the basket have delicious bread or cos of the Olive oil or cos one is extremely hungry)
2. ask your meal to be cooked without oil or butter ( hmmm..don't know how much the cooks will hate me - and there might be a chef attack instead on my food? or also how the food will taste without it)
3. ask for dressing on the salad to be the side ( I think I can do this one)
the point being : I cannot reduce 500 calories in my meal in the above defined ways :)
Sunday, February 03, 2008
the UPSET
... the hare ran and ran... leading all along... but just when it mattered the tortoise peaked...
... at the end its all in the moment.
p.s: :(
... at the end its all in the moment.
p.s: :(
the status quo
...there is none that can be accepted really!
Accepting one
or
Working towards reaching one as the ultimate goal are two roads to disaster...
... the point being : 'keep going' is the only motto that can be accepted.
Accepting one
or
Working towards reaching one as the ultimate goal are two roads to disaster...
... the point being : 'keep going' is the only motto that can be accepted.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
do you think so too?
I love coffee but sometimes...especially early morning...
...the smell of fresh brewed coffee is more alluring than the taste of the actual coffee?
on a side note that brings us to how wonderful is the power of smell...
... makes wonderful memories...
... strong associations... to a person, to a place...
... rings in familiarity from the past...
... and sometimes even a means of associating identity with the unknown...
...the smell of fresh brewed coffee is more alluring than the taste of the actual coffee?
on a side note that brings us to how wonderful is the power of smell...
... makes wonderful memories...
... strong associations... to a person, to a place...
... rings in familiarity from the past...
... and sometimes even a means of associating identity with the unknown...
Monday, January 28, 2008
detach
... so I disappeared...
... there were no invitations sent out to special readers- I think that's a personal preference and I 'personally' don't believe in having my blog open only to a few people ( considering not many visit anyway)
... I disappeared because I wanted to take a break - from being 'over-attached' to anything - even if that means its a small thing as my blog...
... I just wanted it to be an exercise for myself... to realize- everything in life is replaceable... except LIFE AND LOVE...
... hence the last week was spent in 'detaching' ... from everything that I was unnecessarily attached to... ( and I do not mean 'people' - so please don't read in between lines)
PS1 : thank you to my dear blog readers who sent me emails or scraps asking what was up- I just hope I haven't lost most of you and that you haven't forgotten to visit this place
PS2: as a continuing theme to 'detach' the posts from now on shall be targeted more towards an 'objective view'
... there were no invitations sent out to special readers- I think that's a personal preference and I 'personally' don't believe in having my blog open only to a few people ( considering not many visit anyway)
... I disappeared because I wanted to take a break - from being 'over-attached' to anything - even if that means its a small thing as my blog...
... I just wanted it to be an exercise for myself... to realize- everything in life is replaceable... except LIFE AND LOVE...
... hence the last week was spent in 'detaching' ... from everything that I was unnecessarily attached to... ( and I do not mean 'people' - so please don't read in between lines)
PS1 : thank you to my dear blog readers who sent me emails or scraps asking what was up- I just hope I haven't lost most of you and that you haven't forgotten to visit this place
PS2: as a continuing theme to 'detach' the posts from now on shall be targeted more towards an 'objective view'
Monday, January 21, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
K's home-made gourmet...
K's vegetarian delight: Pan fried Portabella red pepper and almond spaghetti in garlic sauce with stir fried Polenta cakes topped with flavored melted goat cheese pine nuts carrots and sprinkled with thyme...Cooking makes me the happiest after a long busy day... I particularly enjoyed this self-created recipe... so this post is dedicated to hours of watching food network and Top Chef...
...what better way to enjoy the meal while watching Ratatouille ....
p.s: since I am on a mission for a while to keep the posts short the recipe shall not be typed out here- maybe if you are very interested I can cheat and write it in the comments :)
also if you think the dish doesn't look good blame my picture taking skills and NOT my culinary skills...
Bom or Mum ?
Question: Where are you from
My answer: Mumbai
Question: so why do you call it Bombay - its Mumbai right?
or
Comment : its Mumbai- not Bombay remember....
My answer: Well... I grew up calling it Bombay.. so....
80 percent of the times when I am talking to a non-Indian for the first time I am asked this question.
Somehow if am not talking in Marathi I still tend to think of it as good old Bombay. I like both names and don't prefer one over the other
- the way I look at it - if you are passionate about something and love it so much don't you have more than one name for it :)
My answer: Mumbai
Question: so why do you call it Bombay - its Mumbai right?
or
Comment : its Mumbai- not Bombay remember....
My answer: Well... I grew up calling it Bombay.. so....
80 percent of the times when I am talking to a non-Indian for the first time I am asked this question.
Somehow if am not talking in Marathi I still tend to think of it as good old Bombay. I like both names and don't prefer one over the other
- the way I look at it - if you are passionate about something and love it so much don't you have more than one name for it :)
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
I try so hard...
...to NOT be absent - minded... each forgetful act is noted and a promise made to myself...
' work on it K ... work on it. '
and every attempt fails... each passing day I have a new tale to tell about my absentmindedness...
... In the end I convince myself saying ' its runs in the blood' :)
' work on it K ... work on it. '
and every attempt fails... each passing day I have a new tale to tell about my absentmindedness...
... In the end I convince myself saying ' its runs in the blood' :)
Monday, January 14, 2008
of the material
the online dictionary defines :
so I recently came across a couple of 'young' philanthropists... somewhere in their mid thirties...
making donations from inherited fortunes...
and then also recently I came across an older version of the type defined above... somewhere in the sixties... making donations.... and I almost assumed.. the riches were ones that he earned on his own... somehow that made it a little more purposeful...and my heart went out to him..
I concluded the whole thought process in my mind saying - so those young guys never had to start from scratch huh!
I gave the benefit of doubt to the older lot... but what if he too was just still passing on inherited riches..
Don't get me wrong I completely believe that both are great human beings... anyone who can let go off their riches for the wellbeing of a lesser privileged lot is very well respected in my mind... and in that sense if the younger lot is doing that is probably more commendable.
the point I want to make here is somewhere in my heart - subconsciously I tend to respect the 'self-made' person more... which I confess is the wrong attitude...
p.s: so as I go back to read this - sounds like such a random post...
| philanthropist | |
| as | |
| someone who makes charitable donations intended to increase human well-being |
so I recently came across a couple of 'young' philanthropists... somewhere in their mid thirties...
making donations from inherited fortunes...
and then also recently I came across an older version of the type defined above... somewhere in the sixties... making donations.... and I almost assumed.. the riches were ones that he earned on his own... somehow that made it a little more purposeful...and my heart went out to him..
I concluded the whole thought process in my mind saying - so those young guys never had to start from scratch huh!
I gave the benefit of doubt to the older lot... but what if he too was just still passing on inherited riches..
Don't get me wrong I completely believe that both are great human beings... anyone who can let go off their riches for the wellbeing of a lesser privileged lot is very well respected in my mind... and in that sense if the younger lot is doing that is probably more commendable.
the point I want to make here is somewhere in my heart - subconsciously I tend to respect the 'self-made' person more... which I confess is the wrong attitude...
p.s: so as I go back to read this - sounds like such a random post...
Thursday, January 10, 2008
of waking up
everyone is allowed one 'cribby' post in winter- and I think today is my turn...
... well this is not so much about winter but more about waking up in the morning... lets say its about that part of the day when the mind is still asleep and the body just wants to go back to bed...
... so the point of this post being I have vivid memories of how difficult it has ALWAYS been for me to wake up happy in the morning... and when I saw always this dates back to two-pig tail days in primary school..or may be as long ago as I can remember...
...of crying in the morning to not wake up - almost being pulled out of the bed to wake up in time for school... saying '5min 5min' for a whole hour... requesting(crying to) Chari almost every morning to head to the shower first and wake me up only after she is ready...
... the ones above are pleasant memories...
... but some recent ones are not so pleasant...
... after having moved to the US... the time between just waking up and finally the brain beginning to process the tasks that needed to be done in that day has been the toughest part of the day...
... its that part of the day when I miss home the MOST... I miss the the warmth and comfort of waking up at a place that you share with your loved ones!
... well this is not so much about winter but more about waking up in the morning... lets say its about that part of the day when the mind is still asleep and the body just wants to go back to bed...
... so the point of this post being I have vivid memories of how difficult it has ALWAYS been for me to wake up happy in the morning... and when I saw always this dates back to two-pig tail days in primary school..or may be as long ago as I can remember...
...of crying in the morning to not wake up - almost being pulled out of the bed to wake up in time for school... saying '5min 5min' for a whole hour... requesting(crying to) Chari almost every morning to head to the shower first and wake me up only after she is ready...
... the ones above are pleasant memories...
... but some recent ones are not so pleasant...
... after having moved to the US... the time between just waking up and finally the brain beginning to process the tasks that needed to be done in that day has been the toughest part of the day...
... its that part of the day when I miss home the MOST... I miss the the warmth and comfort of waking up at a place that you share with your loved ones!
Sunday, January 06, 2008
there is a way to be good again
Very rarely do you walk out pleased from a cinema hall after watching a movie that's based on one of your favorite books. Kite Runner - the movie was a similar experience.
The story incomplete, the intensity not as strong, the image very different from what the book creates, the essence, not completely conveyed....
A friend of mine who hadn't read the book says after the movie, 'its about how Amir gets over his shame...' Am glad the movie could convey that to him. As someone who loved the book it was very hard for me to look beyond whats missed out and still capture the essence of the movie from what was shown.
Kabul of the 70s, the bustling streets, the excitement of the Kite Flying tournament is created just as I had imagined after reading the book. The image of Amir's house was much more modern than what the picture in my mind. The characters of Amir's father and Hassan have been completely brought to life. However, war struck Afghanistan, the terror and devastation, Asef's terrifying character, the torture and torment, are much stronger in the book.
Yes, the movie is just 'based' on the book and doesnt have to be exactly the same, but the movie leaves out half the book.... May be its ok to do that... but not at the cost of losing the Strength of the Story...
The movie though truly belonged to the kid who plays Hassan - He is just like what I imagined and SO much MORE....
Don't you think movies based on books are successful only when they have the capacity to take the fiction one step further, distract the viewer from the book a little... and still convey the essence in its entirety? Maybe, a certain level of abstraction can succeed in doing that but not simply omitting or changing parts of the story from the book. (one such example the was a great book and then an incredible movie in the recent past : the Namesake)
The story incomplete, the intensity not as strong, the image very different from what the book creates, the essence, not completely conveyed....
A friend of mine who hadn't read the book says after the movie, 'its about how Amir gets over his shame...' Am glad the movie could convey that to him. As someone who loved the book it was very hard for me to look beyond whats missed out and still capture the essence of the movie from what was shown.
Kabul of the 70s, the bustling streets, the excitement of the Kite Flying tournament is created just as I had imagined after reading the book. The image of Amir's house was much more modern than what the picture in my mind. The characters of Amir's father and Hassan have been completely brought to life. However, war struck Afghanistan, the terror and devastation, Asef's terrifying character, the torture and torment, are much stronger in the book.
Yes, the movie is just 'based' on the book and doesnt have to be exactly the same, but the movie leaves out half the book.... May be its ok to do that... but not at the cost of losing the Strength of the Story...
The movie though truly belonged to the kid who plays Hassan - He is just like what I imagined and SO much MORE....
Don't you think movies based on books are successful only when they have the capacity to take the fiction one step further, distract the viewer from the book a little... and still convey the essence in its entirety? Maybe, a certain level of abstraction can succeed in doing that but not simply omitting or changing parts of the story from the book. (one such example the was a great book and then an incredible movie in the recent past : the Namesake)
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Sunday, December 23, 2007
taare zameen par
a horrible education system..as if life is a race...each one of us been a part of it growing up....
every child.... a gift of god... a gift to US all...
the most beautiful phenomenon that ever exists... nurturing a child....and remembering that each blossoms into a different human being!
TAARE ZAMEEN PAR ..... the only other movie I remember having cried is Masoom.... but I could not stop myself in this one...
Aamir Khan always stood out as the greatest actor of our times.... but now as a director... and a wonderful human being.....
its impossible that your heart wont go out to this one..... PLEASE WATCH THE MOVIE.... its beautiful!
SIMPLE AND STRONG.... sums it up!
every child.... a gift of god... a gift to US all...
the most beautiful phenomenon that ever exists... nurturing a child....and remembering that each blossoms into a different human being!
TAARE ZAMEEN PAR ..... the only other movie I remember having cried is Masoom.... but I could not stop myself in this one...
Aamir Khan always stood out as the greatest actor of our times.... but now as a director... and a wonderful human being.....
its impossible that your heart wont go out to this one..... PLEASE WATCH THE MOVIE.... its beautiful!
SIMPLE AND STRONG.... sums it up!
Friday, December 21, 2007
lifeless in ice
ps1: taken from an office camera on a project site... not from mine!
ps2: flickr's updated
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
i miss my tomato plant...
.... all through summer I nurtured you so...
... and winter came and still we were going strong...
...till one winter Saturday afternoon....
...I open the doors and let the cold breeze come in...
... so that the 'aroma' of Indian food doesn't stick around...
... only to wake up next morning...
... to see you gone... and all my efforts to revive you are in vain too...
I am SORRY my tomato plant!!!!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
santa tales
Dear Santa,
I think I am ready for spring... can I get that for Christmas?
talking about Santa tales here are a few stories that I have to share with you about my first few instances of realizing Santa doesn't exist after all... and since I know that no kids visit my blog I think I am ok talking about it here....
Some background info: I was a diligent Santa fan - and Santa loved me too - cos every year I wrote letters to his address in "FINLAND" (thats where we were told he lived) and Santa got me everything that I had asked for... maybe not in the exact same way as I imagined but the list was always fulfilled. There were years when I didn't ask for anything and even then Santa used to keep some gifts by my stocking.... I even had questions like 'wow, how does Santa fit through the grill of my bedroom window' - but he is Santa right... I still clearly remember the image that I had created in my head of Santa flying in on his sleigh, parking it by my window... and coming into give the gifts...
and now for how slowly but surely the truth about Santa came by... the story goes from doubt to almost there to certainty....
1. In one of my letters to Santa I had requested for a school bag. assuming that Santa will bring one from overseas I had a fancy picture of what school bag I would get. and the morning of Christmas I found a blue DM pakitwala bag by my bed. I was a little confused as to how come I got something so local... the doubt began
2. A 'spoilt sport' friend once started arguing with me about how there is actually just no Santa and my parents were putting the gifts. I argued back.. but then the doubt started firming up.
3. Now for the finale - so Christmas time as kids also meant all 'cousins' spending the week at our place... and all of us lined up our stockings in line and went to bed...but Miss. Ta and Mr. Chips couldn't sleep on one Christmas eve and were awake talking - when they heard footsteps they pretended to sleep (maybe thinking it was Santa Claus) and then the surprise was all out... they saw mommy putting the gifts there... and as they rose from bed to ask... 'tu kay karte?' poor mommy was like ... 'zopa ata' ...this was somewhere around the age of 10.
surely one of the funniest memories of childhood... we still cant stop laughin when we all talk about it...and of course we kept receiving gifts for the next few yrs... though this time we were aware who kept them :)
and for all those spoilt sports there I think its wonderful to believe in Santa for a few years... and it doesn't matter what you get. our presents were not always fancy...even simple things like maggi packets at times...but they just filled our Christmas day with joy... thank you "Santa" !
I think I am ready for spring... can I get that for Christmas?
talking about Santa tales here are a few stories that I have to share with you about my first few instances of realizing Santa doesn't exist after all... and since I know that no kids visit my blog I think I am ok talking about it here....
Some background info: I was a diligent Santa fan - and Santa loved me too - cos every year I wrote letters to his address in "FINLAND" (thats where we were told he lived) and Santa got me everything that I had asked for... maybe not in the exact same way as I imagined but the list was always fulfilled. There were years when I didn't ask for anything and even then Santa used to keep some gifts by my stocking.... I even had questions like 'wow, how does Santa fit through the grill of my bedroom window' - but he is Santa right... I still clearly remember the image that I had created in my head of Santa flying in on his sleigh, parking it by my window... and coming into give the gifts...
and now for how slowly but surely the truth about Santa came by... the story goes from doubt to almost there to certainty....
1. In one of my letters to Santa I had requested for a school bag. assuming that Santa will bring one from overseas I had a fancy picture of what school bag I would get. and the morning of Christmas I found a blue DM pakitwala bag by my bed. I was a little confused as to how come I got something so local... the doubt began
2. A 'spoilt sport' friend once started arguing with me about how there is actually just no Santa and my parents were putting the gifts. I argued back.. but then the doubt started firming up.
3. Now for the finale - so Christmas time as kids also meant all 'cousins' spending the week at our place... and all of us lined up our stockings in line and went to bed...but Miss. Ta and Mr. Chips couldn't sleep on one Christmas eve and were awake talking - when they heard footsteps they pretended to sleep (maybe thinking it was Santa Claus) and then the surprise was all out... they saw mommy putting the gifts there... and as they rose from bed to ask... 'tu kay karte?' poor mommy was like ... 'zopa ata' ...this was somewhere around the age of 10.
surely one of the funniest memories of childhood... we still cant stop laughin when we all talk about it...and of course we kept receiving gifts for the next few yrs... though this time we were aware who kept them :)
and for all those spoilt sports there I think its wonderful to believe in Santa for a few years... and it doesn't matter what you get. our presents were not always fancy...even simple things like maggi packets at times...but they just filled our Christmas day with joy... thank you "Santa" !
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