Truly Madly Deeply

This is it guys

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:27:00 +0000

Over and out.

What almost happened last week

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:43:00 +0000

For the entire day last Wednesday, I was completely convinced that I wanted to discontinue this blog. What started out as a space where I was able to be myself, has transformed into a place where I need to watch what I'm writing because a lot of colleagues (both ex and current), friends and family members who know who Nags is, read this blog. Its not like I want to bitch about any of them (well, not all the time anyway) but its not a comfortable feeling. And I hate it when people ask me about or discuss a post I've written in the past.

Like "ohh is this what you meant when you wrote ...." or "ahh yeah, I know, you had mentioned it in your blog!". Gaahhhh!! I have no clue why this bothers me so much. But it does. Enough for me to go ahead and use a big word today. I abhor it. Yes, I don't think I've used abhor in a sentence before. Its not a very pleasant word, you see.

Anyway, so yeah. Unbloggable things happen and its unbloggable not because of what I want to write but because of the people who read and may feel confused/hurt/happy/weird whatever. I don't like that.

What does this mean? Am I going to stop writing here?

Maybe.

See the thing is, I abhor it (again!) when people "kill" their blogs. But you know what's worse? Killing it once and then resurrecting it. I mean, you post about it saying 'this is it, adios, I am done, my job is over" and then a week later - bham! - you're back. They break your heart (or something like that) and then come back asking you to pretend that never happened. What the heck?!

So the bottom line is, as tempted as I am to "kill" this one, I need more time. It can't be an impulsive decision. I need to think out things like do I still keep the archives open? When I open up another blog, should I use Wordpress (cuz there sure as hell will be another blog, a completely anonymous one - the mere thought makes my spine feel weird!), what name should I blog under, etc etc.

Its a tough decision but one shall be made soon.

And no, this is not a post that's meant for you to tickle my ego and say "please don't do this". In fact, I already know some of you wouldn't want this but unfortunately, I can't wait to go back to writing for just me. And just like this blog got "discovered" somewhere along the way, I am sure the new one will be too.

Just that this time, they'll never know who the writer is ;)

A title, you ask?

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 06:51:00 +0000

When you've been away from your blog as long as I have, its hard to make a comeback. I've been racking my brain over what I should write about, how best I can explain the prolonged absence from this space that I have always made clear is very dear to me. In the past few weeks, I opened my compose page many times, stared at it and stared some more before I closed it and continued work.

Yeah, so its work. The most common and cliche answer of them all. Damn! How I wish I had an exotic reason to give and then you all would be so in awe. Well, no such luck.

Its weird but somehow, I feel like the more I do, the more there is to do. The universe also seems to be plotting against me to make it worse than that by putting my team mate's mom in the hospital, sending him on an emergency leave back home. Why do these things happen? He was just back from vacation and all set to join us back. He spoke to his mom the day before and all was well. Anyway..

I can't promise I am going to go back to my three-posts-on-an-average per week kind of schedule. But I do promise that this is not the end.

Hell no.

Edible Garden FB Fans Giveaway Winners

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:51:00 +0000

A lousy post after so long but this is already about a week late.

Click here to see the list of winners of the scented candle.

Giveaway for Edible Garden Fans

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:42:00 +0000

I recently revived my fans page on Facebook for the recipe site. There is a giveaway going on for fans only so if you'd like to join in, follow this link to 'fan' Edible Garden :)

Here's what I am giving away (with some amount of difficulty 'cuz I love these so much that I could eat them for dinner every day!)

Perfumed candles in cute little boxes with lids.

Hope you can join in before Sept 28th, 10:00pm SG time!

I am back, baby

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:41:00 +0000

Ok, I know I wasn't 'gone' for a very long time but being away from this blog is like being away from my baby (although I don't have any first-hand experience in how that feels like for real). A lot of people have told me that I shouldn't feel guilty when I don't update as often as I do and honestly, guilt is the wrong word to use her. I miss this space out here. I think about it when I am doing things I consider secondary to being here and writing something.

After reading an article (don't remember where) that basically said all bloggers are people with no real life and are sad and lonely, the above paragraph scares me.

Then again I don't care.

Holy smokes! Its 6:45pm and I am still at work! Let me do something about that rightaway!

ps: A giveaway is coming up very soon. Thanks for being awesome to me, always (most of you, at least)

2 Confessions

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:47:00 +0000

Two things I absolutely had to confess. One is aimed at a person and one is a general statement.

Mood: cranky and pissed (not related to these two things though)

1. I hate clingy people. Especially when they cling to me. Don't insist that you need me to accompany you somewhere because you are not comfortable with others around. I will come if I want to and not if you want me to. Adapt, people. For heaven's sakes!!

2. Ok this is a silly one. Something that I am not entirely very proud of but I guess this is the quirky side of me. Disclaimers aside..

Someone I knew from college commented on my wedding pictures in Orkut around the time I got married. The comment was "hey Nags, married and all, eh?".

This pissed me off to no end. I hated that comment. It may have been innocent, a passing comment, I don't know what. I got so pissed that I was like "what the f"; and I hardly swear.

I am still pissed about this and I am not going to ask if its normal like I usually do.

Conversations - 1

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:10:00 +0000

Me: Ping ping

TH: Yep, am here

Me: Bored

TH: I was before I read about Mammootty's new movie with Gracy Singh

Me: uh huh?

TH: its called Loud Speaker

Me: HAHAHAHAHA

TH: :D

Gotta love this guy for knowing exactly what to say and lift my mood.

Tip of my tongue blog post

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:23:00 +0000

You know what's funny? For the past couple of days, I've been doing strange stuff. I'd open the blogger home page, click on 'new post' for TMD (Truly Madly Deeply aka this blog) and then stare at the compose box. I knew I had things to write and the thoughts were there in my head but all jumbled and the words refused to come out in a logical string.

I gave up after doing this for the 6th time yesterday, thinking I'll come back when I have something to write about.

And now, I do.

Over the past week, I've been getting comments on some old posts of mine which I'd written and forgotten a while back. It was nice to read them again, nice to smile through some memories and most of all, know that there are people out there who still care about what's there in my archives.

I especially loved going through these posts.. Thanks anonymous, for bring these back to me :)

What men want - where I try to be fresh and funny. Did I succeed? ;)

The world through his eyes - I'd forgotten Savanth completely but this post will make sure I don't for long..

I love you Bangalore - still do, always will.

Also, here's a post that's not written by me. However, I have gone through the exact same emotions but I'm positive I couldn't have done a better job than she did expressing it in words.

Of course, you may disagree with the above statement.

After all, like someone said, this blog is all about you guys fanning my flailing ego, isn't it? ;)

Growing, Growing, Grown!

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:14:00 +0000

Its amazing how grown up I feel after marriage. I guess I was always quite sensible and mature for my age (realization struck especially after meeting some others my age in the past few years!) but then marriage, that took me to a whole new level.

You know how all of us look at others and think "crap! how come they are so goddamn lucky", or "why is that woman smiling all the time and so generous? What's making her so bloody happy with life" and "shit! they already bought a house? They are 3 years younger than us and have been working for 2 years lesser" and on and on and on.

If you're thinking "oh, I never compare myself to other people and how well they are doing, I am perfectly happy with who I am and my life", then all I have to say to you is "Good for you!! But really, you have to stop living in denial some time soon!".

Moving on.. so yeah, all these unhealthy/immature thoughts that people are prone to have, I used to have them too. In fact, I still have them. But they are quickly succeeded by "I wonder what their problem in life actually is, what doesn't come out during casual meetings, the actual hidden problem that they are sure to have".

While I do agree that this is a very cynical take on life, I've also come to see its mostly or always true. There is nobody without problems, no couple who are 100% happy. I know its a good feeling to wallow in self-pity and feel like God or Fate has been immensely cruel to you, this new found wisdom that I seem to have acquired over the past year denies me that self-indulgence.

So next time you think "I wish I was him/her" or compare your kids to your neighbours' kids or feel like you got a bad deal in your spouse because X is so much better, think again. Think about what their negatives are and what you are dealing with.

It makes things so much easier that way. And of course, chocolate helps a lot to make life seem worthwhile too. So try it while you're at it. Any chocolate. Go ahead.

Citibank Credit Card for you Madam?

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 07:31:00 +0000

Dear Citibank,

Someone told me yesterday that you are the number one Credit Card company in the world now. You know why that's interesting? Because I have been trying to get a credit card from you for the past 4 years and to this day, not succeeded. If I believed in fate, I would've blamed It but unfortunately, I don't.

I had my salary account with you back in Hyderabad. Every week, a sales guy from your company would call me asking if I wanted a credit card. Even though I could use my debit card for all practical purposes, I thought it'd be cool to have a credit card as well, so I said yes. They sent me forms. I filled them in and sent them back.

Then, nothing.

Again, a couple of weeks later, this cycle continued until 2.5 years later when I had to leave Hyderabad. I bet your sales folks still try my old Hutch (or is it Vodafone now?) to check if I want a credit card.

I reached Singapore and my ego took a hit each time I was approached at MRTs by guys from StanChart and DBS asking me if I want credit card and then walking away when they hear my annual pay. I don't qualify for many cards in Singapore except for yours.

So I took the plunge again.

Here I am, 3 months and 3 application cycles later, still card-less.

I am signing my fourth form today and about to scan it to this wonderful lady called Hema who insists I try my luck again. Maybe she doesn't believe in 'three times a charm'.

Thanks to you, I don't either.

Love (very very little for you, sorry)

Nags

PS: firing that girl Julia. Bad idea. Very bad idea.

Home..

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 07:00:00 +0000

Yep! I'm back.

I had a very relaxing time in Kottayam this time. I reached on a Friday afternoon and until the day before I left, I had no interest to bathe, go out, call friends to catch up, nothing. All I wanted to do was eat my mom's food, chat with the dad and uncle, watch tv in a world where you are spoilt for choice, keep changing channels on appa's WorldSpace radio to see if the same song is playing simultaneously on two different channels, chase the cats out of the porch and similar stuff.

Going back home now is different, however. All the things I took for granted when I was studying or when younger now stand out bright and clear for me to miss as soon as I get back. The agarbathi smell that always lingers near the pooja area, the pickled fish in old Horlicks bottles, the oh-so-soft dosas that I'm afraid my kids may never get to taste from their mom, the vatti pulusu, the clean floor at all times thanks to mom's cleanliness-freak gene from her mom's side, the oonjal in the living room, the radio, the tiles we took ages to pick only to go back and swap them later, the space, the garden patch.. all the things that were once part of my life are now things I visit. They are mine too, they always have been, but somehow, things feel different now. They are temporary.

I no longer use my Godrej almirah. I keep my clothes back in the unpacked suitcase as soon as they come washed, smelling of Rin soap, amma's favourite fabric conditioner and the Kottayam sun. My comb and toilet bag take up some space on the side table in the dining room but I never leave my things outside the bag. I use them and put them back in immediately, all the while thinking 'I shouldn't leave it lying around in case I forget it when I pack to leave'. The moment I land in Kottayam, I am planning the stuff that needs to be done once I get back, packing for stuff to bring back, meeting people in an organized and efficient manner so as not to waste time. Its all planned, orchestrated, necessary.

The night before I have to leave, I feel nervous like I used to before a Math exam. Or before the horrible mandatory 10km run in my school every year. Amma talks about me going away and how she will miss me. I say 'hmm' because I don't want to cry and upset her more.

When I say good-bye I'm already thinking when I can get back next. Even if I will very soon, things are not the same anymore. As much as I hate it, home refuses to feel like home anymore.

As the agarbathi from the 'sambrani kada'in Kottayam releases its fragrant smoke into our living room in Singapore, I wonder where it will feel like home again. The one I create, maybe? This is tough, this transition. Isn't it?

Happy Onam to all the Malayali readers of TMD :)

Another tag

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:00:00 +0000

The sister tagged me. Its been a while and since I love tags..

1. What is your current obsession?

Teaching myself photoshop.

2. What are you wearing today?

I haven't bathed yet so my purple nightdress with white flowers.

3. What’s for dinner?

I'm at home in Kottayam so fried fish and rice ;)

4. What’s the last thing you bought?

7 tops from Westside in Bombay. I love that place! The buyer in Westside and I have the same taste in clothes and he/she has never failed me once for the past 4 years.

5. What are you listening to right now?

Thom thom thithithom.. Appa has his WorldSpace turned on 24x7 so there's always music in the house.

6. What do you think about the person who tagged you?

My sis, my confidante, my friend :)

7. If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?

In any cool place where I have some land to grow my own vegetables and that's easily accessible to pizza (TH's wishes) and family.

8. What are your must-have pieces for summer?

I live in a place that has summer all year round. My clothes are comfortable, mostly cotton and not very snug.

9. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?

Hyderabad. I am dying to meet my friends there.

10. Which language do you want to learn?

Hindi. Apparently what little I speak now is hilarious.

11. What’s your favourite quote?

Live and let live.

12. Who do you want to meet right now?

TH. He is in Chennai and me in Kottayam. I miss him terribly.

13. What is your favourite colour?

Blue when it comes to things and black for clothes.

14. What is your favourite piece of clothing in your own closet?

My new pair of jeans which I paid a bomb for but is worth every paise.

15. What is your dream job?

I'd like to work on flexible timings, on my own terms. I don't want to own a business and employ people though, because I have this obsessive nature and feel 'if I want it done properly, I have to do it myself'.

16. What’s your favourite magazine?

Reader's Digest, though now its so expensive!

17. If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on?

I would give it to amma who'd end up spending it on me anyway.

18. What do you consider a fashion faux pas?

Buttcracks becoming fashionable and being compared to cleavage. What the heck?

19. Who are your style icons?

This is a stupid question. Seriously.

20. Describe your personal style.?

Bright colours, black, fitted clothes that are just short of snug, simple or no accessories, eye makeup, lip gloss, flat footwear.

21. What are you going to do after this?

Maybe I should listen to amma and bathe :D

22. What are your favourite movies?

Another stupid question. I am too old to answer this.

24. What are three cosmetic/makeup/perfume products that you can't live without?

I can live without these things easily. If its just what I like, then the answers are Revlon eyeliner, Maybelline lip gloss and Elizabeth Arden's Fifth Avenue.

23. What inspires you?

Simplicity.

24. Give us three styling tips that always work for you:

Blow-dried hair, eye make-up and clothes that fit well.

25. What do you do when you “have nothing to wear” (even though your closet’s packed)?

Wear my favourite even if I wore it only 2 days back.

26. Coffee or tea?

Both. Depends on the mood.

27. What do you do when you are feeling low or terribly depressed?

I cry. Then I blog.

28. What is the meaning of your name?

Don't even ask.

29. Which other blogs do you love visiting?

I have 512 blogs in my reader. If I were to list them all, it'll take me all day.

30. Favorite Dessert/Sweet?

Choosing one is the toughest thing. I love cheesecake, any sweet or payasam made with milk, jaggery based sweets. Chocolate. Yeah, can't pick one.

31. Favourite food

Anything. Just pass me that damn plate.

Hello from Kottayam

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 07:57:00 +0000

I caught a glimpse of him when he was accepting the jaggery our neighbours offered him.

"Dude! Long time!"

Oh guys, meet Sivan. He is our friendly neighbourhood-temple elephant. We go way back, actually. He has seen me during my teen years trudging back from college in the late evening, ravenous. He has even shown off his stash of fresh coconuts by munching on them loudly while I pass by. Snob!

"Yeah yeah, keep your trunk to yourself, its nice to see you too. "

"Just.. watch the paunch, ok? Catch ya later!"

Sigh.. its good to be home.

- Nags (signing off from Kottayam)

And then I turned 27

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:02:00 +0000

August 10th was very conveniently a public holiday here so we celebrated my b'day this year a day earlier. First thing in the morning, as I was making tea, TH came and said he has my first gift. I have to search for it between the tv and the kitchen door, which is basically the couch and the dining table and chairs. I went berserk! The tv stand and all the books and cds were emptied. TH watched on in amusement while I cleared out a year's worth of junk. Hmpff. He kept on giving me clues until he practically gave away the hiding place.

Gift 1: I practically pop these like peanuts. They are very yummy and quite expensive. The box was old, from the last time Aish got them when she visited us so TH used the old box and put in just the chocolates so it was lying on our table all along but I never thought of opening it and checking!

We went for lunch in the afternoon to Aangan, an Indian restaurant in City Hall that had just us and another family. The buffet was super awesome and the ambience was lovely too. We stuffed ourselves!

After lunch, a much-needed walk into Robinson's where I saw a bag, liked it and bought it. That was probably the quickest purchase in a long long time.

Gift 2: Then came the mandatory-Body-Shop-shopping for my b'day. Heh. I had a 20% coupon so I indulged a bit. Okay, a bit more than a bit, but you turn 27 only once! I also go the perfume for the giveaway. At that point, I wasn't sure if I wanted to give it away! It smells so good.

Btw, click here for the winner. Its been announced :)

Yep, so after a superb lunch, some heavy-duty shopping and a lot of ice-cream later, we got home. TH took out his next gift. A spa gift box. Handmade soaps, massage oil, aroma candle, natural loofah, the works! Did I mention he's a keeper?

Finally, towards the end of the 3-day weekend when I was beginning to feel the week-day blues, he brought out Gift 3: Friends CD - Season 5. I smelled the cd and read the episodes list about 30 times before we went to bed.

Oh oh oh! He also got me this WMF cooking pot that I'd been eyeing FOREVER!

Its heavy and shiny and I slept with it near my pillow for the past 2 nights. Ok, everything is true except the last bit.

B'day morning was bright and... err.. hot. Work was the usual. I got two big cupcakes (since all the cakes were too big for just the two of us) and headed home. TH had made dosas and egg curry (!). Hah! No cooking on my b'day, just like you guys suggested :D

Bad lighting cuz of hunger and impatience - both mine.

It was a good year. A good b'day. Thanks for joining me in small ways here and there. Special thanks to Prat for sending a video of her singing Happy Birthday to me. I was tempted to post it but then again, it won't be fun to die so soon after a good b'day. So maybe later.

Now I have to go reply to the 100 odd people who wished me on Facebook. Wish my wrists good luck!

How does it feel to turn a year older, you ask me?

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:40:00 +0000

Well, even if you didn't, just a few thoughts.

- I'm turning a year older tomorrow. I feel very indifferent to it although I do sometimes feel its unbelievable that I am approaching 30. In another 3 years. Yeah, I love making you guys do the math.

- TH has never been one to be too romantic. He thinks candles are meh and surprises are for other people. Yet, he started giving me gifts from today. The first one was hidden very cleverly and he gave me clues every 10 mins until I found it. I love him, he's definitely a keeper. I can always buy flowers and candles myself, no big deal.

- Prat used to say "you always remember where you were and what you did on your b'day and new years eve. So that's why we should try and make it memorable." She's right. I remember last year for two reasons. One, I was away from TH for my first b'day after our wedding, and two, I was with some awesome friends who I may not share my b'day with for a long time to come. Bitter. Sweet.

- Me and my uncle share a b'day. He is fiercely partial towards me and has always taken me out a week before the big day to shop for new clothes, shoes and whatever else takes my fancy. This was ever since I can remember until I went to Hyderabad. I miss those days.

- I want to bake a cake and invite people over. Just to share some laughs and of course, the cake. Somehow, not happening. Don't know why. I'm also extremely lazy as I am sociable I guess.

- My most memorable b'day is my 10th. Amma got me a dress I'd been eyeing for a long time. Times were hard then but yet, she got it for me without batting an eyelid. My niece was 4 months old and my sis was home with us. She baked me two heart-shaped chocolate cakes and frosted it herself. We got a studio-guy to take pics. My mom paid for it all. I love her. She is the best.

- I am also super glad she decided to keep me. Phew! It was close. You guys have no idea how close!

Giveaway 2..

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:33:00 +0000

-- has been announced on my recipes blog. Just thought you guys would like to know :)

Those were the days (not!)

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:22:00 +0000

Yesterday, I met a school friend for lunch. In the 11 years that have gone by since the last time I saw him, I had no idea what he'd been up to. As I walked to the corner of the building where we had agreed to meet, I wondered how different he will find me now. We grinned and shook hands. He was just the same. Not that he had stubbles back then, but, you know. Surprisingly, he said the same about me. And here I was, thinking I had evolved since then into a mature, independent, good-looking woman. Nothing like school friends to bring you back down to earth in case you'd decided to float around for a bit.

We had lunch at a place I chose. We started talking, first hesitatingly, then in full force, about our classmates. Since I had left after my 1oth and he had continued to do 11th and 12th in the same school, I didn't know a lot of people he's been in touch with. I'm not even part of the mail group created once everyone passed out of the 12th, since I passed out of my 12th elsewhere. To say I'm not in touch with anyone from school is an understatement, but that's something I have never regreted or ever tried to rectify.

You see, I was an uncool person in school. I sucked at sports, I could barely walk the mandatory 10km marathon every year let alone run, I looked horrible in a swimsuit when I was 14 (not that now its any better, coming to think of it), I didn't know a single Metallica or Beatles song (still don't), I was okay in studies, but never the top student. The only subjects I was good at were the languages - English and Malayalam. Nothing impressive there because we all know ICSE math is where you need to rock in, or even science.

Anyway, I had a huge complex back then and had a feeling I don't fit in. There were good days, of course, and I cried when my parents discussed with me and decided to put me in Pre-degree course instead of continuing to my 11th in the same school. But looking back, I don't miss school, I am not very nostalgic about anything and I certainly don't 'wish I could go back to those days'.

But meeting an old classmate was definitely a welcome change. We spoke about almost everyone we shared our school days with, some of whom I had studied with for 11 years (I never changed schools). We spoke about teachers, the one who put me off Chemistry for good, the one who made math seem so easy and the one who made History unbearable. I never knew he lived and worked in Bombay for 2 years after graduation, and he never knew mine was a 'love marriage'. He is moving on, out of Singapore, to the next phase in his life.

As I waved him goodbye, I felt like I had made peace with my past.

The 3-day diet and my unsaid retort story

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 02:53:00 +0000

For all those who had been looking forward to the 3-day diet program I had tweeted about, the details are up here. Please check and do do let me know if you try it out. AM, thanks for pushing me into posting it so soon, I hope you are not a vegetarian!

Since I promised a story in the title a story you shall get. Note that my story-telling style is not succinct so make sure you have the patience to carry on. TH worked on it and he is totally fine now. Really.

Our office is quite interesting because of its diverse population from all over the world. Unlike most of the Google office globally, we don't have catered food yet and no one complains because of the amazing variety of food available just a chicken leg's throw away from office. Recently, some colleagues discovered The Sandwich Place. Its in a building that I usually frequent for 'mixed rice', a stall where you can pick your choice meat and vegetables that is served on a bed of rice. You pay according to what you pick. Its easy, cheap and convenient. Anyway, The Sandwich Place is in the same building but I had never noticed it before, mainly because it has no name board. Also, its a tiny space with a small Subway-style counter that's practically in the corridor of the building and some bar stools and tiny tall tables to one end.

Since I saw some guys at work eating a salad from that looked very good, I wanted to check out this place too. I was warned about the long queue that I would need to wait in post noon so I wasn't surprised when I had to join a 11-person queue at 12:10 yesterday. 10 out of the 11 were expats - or ang mohs as the Chinese would call them. They were mostly men so there I was, in my lemon green Google tee shirt, half curly half straight freshly-washed hair all over my face, clutching my wallet and standing among 11 tall white guys in long-sleeved shirts and blazers all in shades of grey. Picture that, ok?

There was just this lady and her helper behind the counter. She assembled sandwiches super fast and barked out instructions to her helper to 'refill the chicken tray' or 'wash those lettuces' or ' slice more tomatoes'. She also had a tray on the counter with some change and another small box with some currency notes in it. The sandwiches were 5 dollars and the salads 7 so people were leaving their money in the designated boxes as they waited for their order, taking back their own change where required. I amused myself for about 4 minutes wondering how this system would work in India, and entertained thoughts of putting in a 2 dollar note and pretending it was a 1o, for exactly 12 seconds.

Finally, it was my turn and as I had read through the handwritten list of items at the back of the stall a few times by then, I knew what I wanted. Chicken Salad. Plain and simple. The lady was assembling the last sandwich and toasting it, while briefly looking my way and saying "a min eh". Soon she asked me what I wanted and I told her my choice of salad and the extra toppings I wanted (avocado, pickled beets and toasted sunflower seeds, in case you are wondering). She proceed to lay out the lettuce and started filling in the chicken pieces.

But wait!

She was adding on plain boiled and shredded chicken (aka boring, tasteless meat) from another bowl, not the nice and roasted red-tinted chicken pieces from the bowl I had been eyeing for the past 10 mins.

So I go "can I have this chicken please?" pointing to the bowl of my choice. She gives me a sharp look and says "This is Tandoori Chicken so you should say Tandoori Chicken Salad when you order, not chicken salad".

She was rude.

This, when she has no name tag next to each bowl describing what's in it.

This, when she has Tandoori Chicken Salad nowhere in her list of salads on the menu.

This, when her freaking shop doesn't even have a name board. I was kind enough to call it The Sandwich Place in this post which is a cool name, if you ask me.

This, when there are 8 tall and intimiditating (atleast, to me) people standing behind me waiting impatiently for their turn and have nothing better to do but listen to how she replied me.

What should I have said? I had options.

A. How would I know that's Tandoori Chicken?

B. Oh, that's Tandoori Chicken?

C. Where does it say that's Tandoory Chicken?

And a zillion variations of the above.

What do I actually say? Or rather, mumble in a small voice?

"Sorry".

Argh!! I don't think I have regreted an apology so much before in my entire life!! I was seething the whole day. I would have posted about it then and there but I don't think I'd have had the patience to write the story in detail and you all would have ended up not getting it.

Seriously? Maybe she doesn't need my lousy business. Maybe I didn't seem like a return-everyday type of customer which others in the queue definitely seemed to be. Maybe it was my hair.

But I was her customer. I paid for the slightly over-priced salad (I swear I did) and I waited a long time for it. She doesn't need to treat me like royalty, but how dare she be rude to me?!

And honestly, the salad wasn't even that good.

Yes, it happens

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 14:16:00 +0000

Its pretty amazing how you plan things weeks ahead only for them to be disrupted later, making it necessary to plan fresh from the beginning. Since the vacation to India in April was nothing short of dismal, I have been feeling more and more homesick with each passing day after our return. Onam seemed like a very attractive time to head home. Even though NRIs have exponentially increased and various towns and small villages around Kerala are changing to keep up with the rest of the country, a true Malayali (if not by birth, at least at heart like me) can never ignore the feeling of joy mixed with a sense of well-being at the thought of Onam. I always took for granted the simple sadya and extra-sweet (sharkara, always sharkara) payasam that amma made during my school and college days, only to regret it later when I moved to Hyderabad where there wasn't even a decent Kerala restaurant to go and have puttum kadalayum when I missed it every now and then.

Anyway, those plans had to be canceled since TH has to head to Mumbai (feels weird not to say Bombay any more on the rare occasion I mention the city) for a 3-day course and I am tagging along as a dutiful wife. Well yeah, shopping, vada paav and the fact that I have never been there before makes Bombay (I am giving in) that much more attractive, even though I am depriving myself of an Onam vacation back home. I am going to Kerala too, just that it will be the week before Onam.

Either ways I am sure its still going to smell of coconut oil and banana chips and aviyal. Some things never change.

Thank God for that.

The Winner of Giveaway 1..

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 09:32:00 +0000

.. the MAC eyepencil is..

*drum rolls*

The Purple Foodie: I absolutely *love* using eyeliners. I like using different colours (blue, brown, purple, green, grey) but nothing beats black smoky eyes. I use Almay, Maybelline and Rimmel.

Congratulations and I hope you enjoy 'Buried Treasure' as much as I do.

How I chose the random winner:

I had initially planned to just draw numbers from 1-60 and then find the corresponding commentor to be declared as the winner. But some people had left multiple comments and I had left comments in between too. So I did it the old-fashioned way - wrote each of the names on pieces of paper, put them in a bowl, shook them up nicely and made TH pick the winner.

Thanks everyone for participating and making it all so exciting. The next item on the list is pretty exciting too and I hope you would join in again. I will be announcing it in the next couple of weeks so stay tuned!

Purple Foodie, please email me at naagu.v@gmail.com to claim your prize :)

The first giveaway and my 'MAC-lined eyes' picture

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:52:00 +0000

I chickened out and chose the easiest option. A bunch of you suggested this as well so hopefully its something you are excited about too.

So here it is. The first of more to come (unless I go bankrupt or something, with all the shopping I've planned to do for you guys!)

I am giving away one MAC PowerPoint eye pencil in 'Buried Treasure'.

To enter, just leave a comment with what sort of eye make-up you use. If you don't, then you can tell me why you think those who do are snobs. Or anything else you want to talk about, even the weather. Make sure that you leave a name or link to your blog profile in case I need to contact you.

Last date to enter is Friday, July 17th, Midnight - Singapore time (GMT + 8:00). One randomly chosen winner will be announced over the coming weekend.

Good luck!!

Now, here is a picture I took a while back of me wearing the MAC eyeliner and sans some much-needed chapstick. Don't blame me, you asked for it! :D

Friday Blues >> Brainwave!

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:16:00 +0000

You think Mondays are bad? What about Fridays after 2pm? Time draa-aa-aa-aa-gs. Its like mom has cooked all your favourite dishes and they are hot and ready on the table but its only 11am so not time for lunch yet. Well, even if that happened, I would go ahead and eat, who cares about eating lunch at a particular time.

I digress.

This weekend we are meeting TH's friend and family who are in SG for a vacation. Then I have my yoga class on Sunday that am really looking forward to (did I tell you I started practising yoga? Well I did and it kicks ass. One class over so far :)). On Sunday for dinner, we have a couple coming over. That's probably the best part 'cuz I get to cook for them. TH and I have to brainstorm the menu and buy the necessary vegetables and groceries. Fun times!

The point is, when your weekend looks unusually promising like that, your Friday drags the hell out. You look at the time and its 2:15. You do some work and look again, its 2:18. What's with that?

Anyway, while I was snacking on some green bean cakes from Vietnam, trying to pretend they are just like our besan ladoos, I was hit with a brainwave.

Giveaways!

Spread the love. Give to those who want and need. So I am going to come up with a list of stuff I can giveaway either through this blog or through my cooking blog. Look out for announcement and details on entering the raffle, ok?

So excited!

Little girls and their silly(?) dreams

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:11:00 +0000

Back home, we never really subscribed to magazines, except maybe the occasional tamil ones like Kumutham or Ananda Vikatan that amma used to read when I was little. Because of this, it was extra special when I managed to convince amma to buy me a copy of Stardust or Femina (I didn't like Femina much though, even back then) when we were on vacation and had an impending overnight train journey ahead of us.

Those of you who have read Stardust would have come across this particular one-page article they have where they ask actresses about their favourites - favourite hairdresser, favourite lipstick brand, favourite eye makeup, costume designer - and what not.

Always, one word used to come up for eye make up in all these interviews - MAC. Its either "I can never leave my house without my favourite shade of MAC kohl", or "MAC makes my eyes pop", or something similar.

I started using eyeliner when I was 16 and kohl shortly after that. Ever since then, I have always used Lakme. Those stubby eyeliner pencils whose sharpeners I invariably lost and then had to go back to buy a new one because they'd never fit into an ordinary pencil sharpener. All the time, MAC was on my mind. The very back of my mind, because in Kottayam, you never really thought beyond your Lakme's and your Elle 18's.

Long story short, recently during a business trip, I had to wait in the Changi Airport for a couple of hours and as I got a coffee and took out my book to settle down for the wait, what do I see opposite to where I'm sitting?

A MAC store!!

I was hesitant. God knows how much they cost, right? There was no one in there except for a gal in very pretty makeup (but of course!) and looking very helpfully towards me, smiling. I decided to venture in. How bad can it be? If its too expensive then I can always walk out and go sit elsewhere to enjoy my coffee and book in peace.

Turns out they are about SGD 20-30 a piece depending on which kind you buy - the eye pencils. Of course I bought one! For SGD 24 I am now a proud owner of a MAC eye pencil.

All those women were right. Its ultra smooth, hardly smudges and the colours are delicious. And MAC is not even paying me to say this :)

Its funny right? How sometimes, when you least expect it, something you always wanted that lies dormant at the back of you head suddenly comes true with practially no effort?

Three cheers to smoky eyes ;)

This girl made me cry

noreply@blogger.com (Nags) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:45:00 +0000

I remember the first time I heard this song, the original version, I cried.

She made me cry again, after all these years. My God..