Truly Madly Deeply

Small Blessings - Hair on my Head

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Fri, 25 May 2012 07:37:00 +0000

This is going to sound very weird but... I am happy I have hair on my head. I keep cribbing about how frizzy it is and how curly and ugly and all the rest of it. But, I can wash it and iron it and it looks just fine. So, I am happy I have something to work with.

It could've been much worse.

Let her be - indeed!

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Tue, 08 May 2012 10:12:00 +0000

Yesterday in the train, I was reminded of this post from July 2006. Wow, that's almost 6 years back.

Here's what it says.

PJ is unhappy and a little upset. She is wondering why and each time the question runs in her head, she gets a collage of thoughts, memories and emotions. So she quickly turns to her computer and stares at it trying to empty her mind and clear her thoughts. Maybe its a break she needs. From the endless routine of things. Of her life. Maybe she shouldn't let people judge her and tell her what she is. Yes, that has to stop. Taking input thats worse than garbage. Trying to be someone else when she is most comfortable being herself. Who is she to tell me what PJ is and what PJ is thinking? She can choose what she wants because this is her life. PJ will do what she wants and what makes her happy even if she finds it funny or dull or boring or ordinary. Nobody is ordinary in this world. And definitely PJ is not ordinary! She is only trying to discover herself. To know what she wants so that she can go about getting there.
I think we should just.. let her be...

No points for guessing PJ is me. And I remember most of the circumstances of writing this. But basically it comes down to this - I was judged a lot. As horrible as this may sound, some of it was well-meaning. I was this small-town girl who had moved to the big city with 3000rs in her non-branded purse. Almost everything gave me a culture-shock. Obviously people judged me.

For instance, I was constantly accused of being too nice and eager to please and a doormat. From the post above, it looks like I was also deemed ordinary. I don't remember who said that or most of those things. I was all of these things though, let's be clear on that. I was in awe of most people I met and I was petrified that I would not fit in and be liked by all. So yes I was nice to everyone, didn't disagree with anything much, and was super flexible with things like meeting someone for lunch over dinner at last minute notice, or picking up someone's snack for them, or whatever. You get the idea.

I was also judged for reading "trash". I couldn't care less about that. If I enjoy Chetan Bhagat, I will read Chetan Bhagat. This was my attitude back then too but since I was "too nice", I never said that to anyone's face. Today, I wouldn't bat an eyelid before saying it.

Anyway, the point is, I am no longer a doormat. Far from it. I stand by what I can and cannot do. I am still nice (and no one can convince me otherwise) and help as much as possible within my limits. If I can't then I won't. I haven't read the latest book by CB but I do read what could still be deemed trash. Whatever.

Ironically, most of the people who asked me to change "for the better" are no longer my friends or in touch with me. I am really not sure what to make of that. Do you? ;)

Small Blessings - English

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Tue, 08 May 2012 09:59:00 +0000

This is going to sound super silly and trivial but I am glad I can speak good English.

Yeah, that's all.

Kthxbye

Need help?

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Sun, 06 May 2012 11:20:00 +0000

This happened a while back and since then has been on my mind. TH and I were walking back home after dinner one night. We were crossing a busy street and there was a blind man walking just ahead of us. He seemed pretty ok with finding his way around but while crossing the street, he was walking diagonally and almost running into waiting cars. Before either of us could grab him, someone closer to him did it.

The way he responded totally threw me off. The blind man violently shook off the guy who was trying to help him and muttered something angrily. We all crossed the street just fine and as we kept walking, I was wondering.

Just because he is blind, does that give him the right to be rude to someone who was only trying to help? Agreed, he must be bitter and angry at the fact that he clearly lacks a very important part of life and yes, we should probably allow him to be cranky. Aren't we all? But still, just because of that, should we allow him to behave the way he wants when he wants.

I thought about this over and over and I'm really not sure. You?

You Know What?

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Sun, 06 May 2012 02:29:00 +0000

What someone feels about me is their problem, not mine. It's a pain to have to adjust my feelings for someone just because I have new insight into how they feel about me (and trust me, it was truly insightful). So, I am not going to do that. I am going to continue the way I am. I am going to still consider them a friend. Someone I shared a lot with - good and bad. Someone I wish only gets the best in life, not just because they deserve it, but because enough crap has flown under the bridge.

So yeah. You. You don't think I am a good-enough friend? Too bad. Deal with it.

Small Blessings - the people you love

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Fri, 04 May 2012 08:02:00 +0000

The past 2 weeks have been the busiest of my life. One week in Tokyo on work followed by a few days vacation followed by the marketing academy sessions at INSEAD. A few things helped me keep my sanity intact but most importantly it was TH.

I hate waking up early in the morning (read: 7am) so he made it easier by waking up with me and making me Ovaltine and cheese sandwich for breakfast. He also cooked dinner this entire week so I could come home, eat, and crash.

Not so much a small blessing, coming to think of it... :)

Small Blessings - Croissants

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 02:45:00 +0000

Especially almond croissants. I know the ones they have in the bakery at the Grand Hyatt in Tokyo is going to haunt me for a long time to come. Delicious!

Small Blessings - Travels

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 04:53:00 +0000

I am about to take a flight out to Tokyo in less than 3 hours. I think I have mentioned (maybe even a few times) that 7 years back, I didn't even have a passport but now I am on my second one that's almost running out of pages. That's mainly because you need a visa to enter pretty much everywhere if you have an Indian passport but it's also because of all the traveling and the adventures - mostly work, but also a lot of personal vacations.

I will never take that for granted.

Small Blessings - Friendship

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 01:19:00 +0000

I have seen them in almost all varieties. The kind who are close when you are with them but then stay out of touch in spite of repeated attempts from my end, the kind who decide on their own that your friendship wasn't so deep anyway, the kind that expect things out of you and turn cold when you can't do them all, the kind who just pass by with a hi and a bye, the kind who stay out of your life because they can't stand to see your small successes, etc etc.

But today, I feel blessed about the one kind that stick by me, tell me when my watch looks ancient, when I look fat in a particular skirt, when my cupcake tastes less than average, that call me over so I can admire their new-born, and that buy me roti prata and ice cream for dinner because I haven't had a great week at work.

Small Blessings

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 08:59:00 +0000

I had this sudden idea/inspiration to create a blog and write down one thing that is my silver lining for the day - one thing that made my day better and makes me feel that life is not so bad, in fact it's pretty darn good.

I didn't end up setting up that blog because there's no URL available for me to use. Finally I gave up because I didn't want a non-blogger one since it's too much trouble to log in to different dashboards every day.

So, I am going to use the blog I do have, this one! And why delay something good, eh?

So here goes for today.

A Googler from Bangalore whom I've never met pinged me and said she is a fan of my cooking blog and reads me regularly and that she was pleasantly surprised when she realised I am a Googler too. Small blessings :)

How to be truly happy

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 08:02:00 +0000

You know most articles or books that start with "how to be xyz" is mostly going to be preachy and telling you things that are either impossible or don't make sense, right? Well, I think so anyway.

Yeah, I'd rather read about imaginary things than self-help books that talk about day to day problems in life. We all have them but we go through life either ignoring them or not knowing what to do, or the worst, knowing what to do but just not doing it or not knowing how to do it.

I hope that wasn't too confusing.

Point is, a friend and I were talking about this at lunch today. About just living life vs living life incorporating things like family, friends, work, and their feelings. Doing something we don't want to do to make someone happy. Not doing something because it may not please someone. I've been doing that my entire life. It hasn't particularly made me unhappy though. I am one of those people who can be happy by making someone else happy once in a while too. That totally works for me.

Anyway, following the conversation, she sent me this link. 15 things you should give up to be happy. I am guessing for most people you will find a sub set of that list to work with. Not me. I have all 15 to work with. I am "guilty" of every single one of them. But that post made so much sense to me. It's not even stuff I didn't know or realise but it helped to see it all in one place and presented that way.

If it helps even one of you, that's good for me. Now let me go get cracking on that list.

A Post on Posts

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:21:00 +0000

Yeah that's a lame title but I am jet lagged so I don't care. Spiff tagged me a while back to do this and I had starred her comment to get to it eventually. Since I am this close to passing out over my desk and causing my head serious damage, I thought I will do something that will force me to think and remember (not that my work doesn't, but you know).

The sad part about this tag though is that it was extremely hard to remember some of the posts. I have long since almost abandoned this site and although it has a ton of very special posts close to my heart, I just don't remember most of them.

Anyway, here goes.

1. Your most beautiful post

Hmmm.. beautiful. Let me see. I think this post that talks about my first trip abroad is adorable because of its naivety. I was so innocent and under-exposed (you know what I mean) back then that it's almost like looking back at someone I knew in the past and not me myself.

2. Your most popular post

According to Google Analytics, it's the post announcing that I am getting married. The tag Me and TH is also equally popular in terms of readership.

3. Your most controversial post

Ah. I wish I was more controversial, writing things that pisses off a large chunk of people and makes the rest delightfully bite their nails and sit on the edge of their seats as they scroll down this site taking in the juicy things I wrote. That hasn't really happened yet so I am going to go with 'What Men Want'. I think this is one of my best posts ever. It pissed off a fair number of guys ;) I don't think I could ever do that again, write with such abandon and humour. I re-read that post often and smile to myself. Yes, I am quite narcissistic.

4. Your most helpful post

All book reviews, however short or lame, always get good feedback. I think my taste in books is very easily transferable to a large number of people so it's useful I guess.

5. A post whose success surprised you

Hmm.. that's a tough one. Probably this tribute I wrote my grandmom when she passed away. I still see that it's the most often read post on a 30-day window. When I wrote it, I was in a terrible state of mind, a few mins after I heard the news and realised I won't be able to fly down for the funeral. I re-read that post very often too.

6. A post you feel didn’t get the attention it deserved

This post I wrote about TH and his ex-roommate. I thought the post was downright hilarious.

7) The post you’re most proud of

That's got to be 'What Men Want'. It's kinda sorta funny guys. I encourage a read, especially if you are not a man ;)

Water for Elephants - A Review

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 06:56:00 +0000

Once of the nicer books I have read this year. Short review below.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reading this book was like eating rava pongal. You know, the South Indian breakfast delicacy that's smooth, rich, creamy, yet has those whole black peppers thrown in for texture and flavour? Yes, that kind. It's a very easy and smooth read. But it's not a simple book, not at all. There are back and forths and nuances and intricacies that you need to watch out for to realise. The best parts (or maybe worst?) are, of course, when you bite in to the black pepper. It's intense, you know it's going to sting your tongue, but you take it anyway because that's what adds character to the dish. Without it, the book is too simple, too bland.

I loved it. I wish it wasn't over just yet. Struggling to find a good one to follow this. Definitely recommend a read.

Just

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 07:20:00 +0000

I wish I could just wipe off people from my life fully and completely.

- like cleaning a blackboard
- flicking a small bug off your arms
- binning an empty milk carton

You get the drift.

I can't function with negativity around me. Some seem to thrive on it though.

Pity.

A general update

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:02:00 +0000

The past month or so has been quite busy in many ways. The in-laws are visiting and presumably, life takes on a different rhythm. I hardly cook anymore, there's dinner ready when we get home, I've played more cards than I ever have in my life before, some of the old spots we visited and forgot were revisited, so you know, just a different month just passed by. They leave on Sunday and I am telling myself it's time to get back to the old routine mentally, especially the cooking part.

Work is busy. It's gotten busy over the past few months but no complaints because I love my new role. Work-related travel has also picked up quite a bit and I have three trips planned in the next 45 days! For someone who saw the inside of an airplane just 6 years back, that's quite something, isn't it?

A good friend moved to Singapore so I am finally ending the almost-4-year-long hunt for companionship. I now have a good group of close and random friends here and I feel that's good. It's really good.

I think I have also come to terms with living in Singapore. When I travel somewhere and get back, I have this feeling of coming back home. But it's weird sometimes, like for instance, I wanted to set up a small herb garden somehow in my apartment (with no natural light anywhere) and I know I can find a solution if I put my mind to it but somehow I feel like I don't want to since life here is not permanent. I wish I could feel grounded to this place. At least I could call it my home for the next two years. It's been 4 years already anyway!

I also find myself attracted to the unnecessary luxuries of life - like a Mulberry bag. This from a girl who used to say "omg! why would anyone spend so much on a bag? you could buy a small cottage somewhere in rural India for that kinda money". Sigh... Such is life.

Anyway, the only way I can buy a bag like that guilt-free is to open up a fund and get people to contribute, which I may end up doing. Any of you up to send some spare change my way?

Happy weekend folks!

Arranged Love

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:27:00 +0000

Don't worry, I am not going to go into a comparison of love marriage vs arranged marriage vs arranged love marriage and try to prove one is better than the other. God no.

I've been thinking though.

As someone in a so-called love marriage, I can tell you this much. It's grossly overrated. Before any of you start imagining non-existent issues between TH and I, let me assure you there's nothing wrong. Like I said, I've just been thinking.

I know a fantastic couple whose marriage was as arranged as arranged can be. The girl is a close friend of mine and her exact words just after the girl-seeing ceremony was "Oh God, how can I ever marry someone who I don't know? Oh God, he looks gay, believe me!" I didn't know what to say. And no, he didn't really look gay to me.

Its been close to 5 years now and a year back, they had a beautiful baby girl and are more in love than any other couple I know. Today, we laugh at the memory of her reaction after meeting him for the first time.

Couple 2. Classic example of love marriage. Parents were dead against their relationship, they decided to tie the knot anyway. After 2 kids and 7 years of being estranged from their families, they now live in constant fear that one day their kids will resent the fact that they never knew their grandparents while growing up. This pressure is getting to them and the guy cheated on his wife and all sorts of messy stuff happened in their relationship. They are still figuring things out.

Couple 3. Arranged love. Guy meets girl. Love happens. Both families are happy because they've been family friends for years and years and would have probably ended up arranging this marriage anyway if the kids hadn't taken the initiative themselves. How much more ideal can it get?

Well, the couple will still be faced with dealing with the families on both ends, meeting their expectations of timeline for a grandchild, making their careers work, managing their finances - it's the same shit everyone goes through.

Family helps, of course it does. I am glad I have a mom who will listen to my achievements and feel proud, I am glad I have a sister I can sound out topics to and argue things out with, I am glad I have a brother who is more like a father always looking out for me. And I am really glad all these people like my husband. Hell yes.

But marriage is between two people. Yes, the families need to get along together but does it matter how well? How often do they actually meet? Once a year? Twice a year? That's less than how often you'd meet each other's friends so I would argue that getting approval from your partner's close friends is more important than the parents and extended family!

So let's focus on those two people as much as possible when they are considering marriage, shall we? The rest is all a gamble anyway. Good luck!

**this post was started many months ago and I left it in drafts. Just polished it up and added some more thoughts**

Go Green!

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:24:00 +0000

Go Green! by nagsthecook featuring alexander mcqueen scarves

Bailey 44 striped dress
$112 - stylebop.com

V neck cardigan
$50 - modcloth.com

Nina Ricci leather flat
$209 - barneys.com

Michael Kors platform sandals
£229 - farfetch.com

Mulberry shoulder strap bag
$775 - lagarconne.com

Kate spade handbag
$395 - nordstrom.com

Alexander mcqueen scarve
£315 - liberty.co.uk

Books: FASHION: 150 Years of Couturiers, Designers, Labels (Hardcover)...
$50 - tower.com

Styles I Like

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:30:00 +0000

Recently got hooked to Polyvore. Here's the first collection I put together for a weekend at the beach (a stylish one at that). Man! I would love to own that bag one day.

You make me beautiful

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:34:00 +0000

If you are expecting (or fearing) a sappy post after reading the title, sorry to disappoint.

I had the opportunity to go back to school for a week and in spite of my hesitation to apply for this corporate program, I am glad I did. Like all things in my life, it was actually for the best.

So as I sat in class trying not to count the number of years since I was last a student, my mind wandered. I started thinking about things, generally about life, where I am now, what I would want to do, you know... things.

And it's funny. The one thing that kept coming back to my mind was this fall out I had with a friend. It happened a while back and I don't even remember the reasons clearly anymore, but I guess I was never at peace about it. As always, I was convinced I had done nothing wrong and I was wronged instead and I deserve more than this and all that stuff we tell ourselves when we are feeling a bit sorry for ourselves.

Then I decided to put the emotional part aside and think about it objectively. Instead of thinking about the reasons in terms of incidents or things we said to each other, I tried to think about us as people. And then it struck me. Neither of us are bad people (especially me). Neither of us are bad friends either. The problem was not with any one of us, it's with both of us, together.

Let me explain.

As an individual, I am just an average person. I like to be liked, I try (sometimes too hard) to be good to people. I always reply all emails even random people send me. I make an effort to stay in touch. I don't argue with points of view. You know, just your Average Annie. This friend of mine is an Average Annie too. She is different from me in many many ways but there's nothing really that stands out about her or her personality.

However, when we come together (or rather, came together after a few years of being apart and not really keeping in touch), we couldn't stand each other. I have already banged my head on the wall trying to figure out why. But it seems like there's really no one or two reasons. When we came together, that mix didn't work. What I say made her defensive, what she said made me go WTF, and it was all downhill from there. I tried my darnedest to make it work though. Maybe she did in her own way too.

Either ways, I need to let this ship sail. And it's good to do that with a learning, which goes thusly:
It's not possible for you to be the same with everyone, or be liked by everyone. Some people bring out the best in you (marry one of those people, btw, if you are not opposed to marriage). Some people bring out the worst in you. Just stay clear of them. They hopefully bring out the best in others, so it's all fine.

PS: I would strongly argue that thinking about random things in life is totally agreeable in a marketing workshop. Especially if you end that reflection with a learning.

It's (still) a man's world

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:10:00 +0000

I studied in a school that was largely fair to both genders. Girls were treated the same as boys, there were no separate rows to seat them, no separate schedules for swimming classes, and you definitely wouldn't hear any teacher saying "boys will be boys" in an affectionate manner when they pulled a prank or did something unbearably naughty.

So I grew up with a firm belief that I need not be different from a guy in the way I was treated. Surprisingly, this worked well for me. Except for my graduate school excursion ("girls sit at the front of the bus, boys to the back, and remember, no mixing!", everywhere else things were pretty fine.

Then I got married to someone who has no misconceived notions of how a woman should act, spend her time, etc. He always shares things, asks for my opinion, and never assumes that I am willing and ready to cook tonight's dinner, every night. Fortunately, his family is the same. My in-laws don't believe or say that a girl's place is so-and-so and boys will be boys, and other such ridiculously archaic things.

However, things are not all that rosy at large, is it? Some signs that speak out to me:

- Whenever we eat out, I pay the bill with my card. It's just how we do things. Each time we ask for the bill, the waiter brings it and promptly places it on front of TH without checking which one of us is paying. That's still ok. I wave him over to my side and take the bill, keep my card in, and hand it back to him. He charges the card, brings it back and places it again in front of TH! This has happened every time. Every. Single. Time.

- Whoever wants to know why we don't have kids yet, reserves the question for me. TH is never asked, never questioned.

- For a short time, TH was a on a dependent visa sponsored by my company. When we were travelling somewhere and passing through immigration, the officer at immigration assumes that the dependent pass is mine and that we confused our passes as we were passing through! Seriously? Yes, seriously.

I am sure I have more stories but anyway, the bottom line is, it looks like it's still a man's world out there.

A new year and all that

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:27:00 +0000

"What screws us up most in life is the picture in our head of how it is supposed to be."

Saw this quote on a blog today and it immediately called out to me. How true is that? I have been largely dormant in this blog but I think about it every day. I want to write, I have things to write about, I have thoughts to share, and life events passing by, but finding a voice has been tough. Getting the right words has been difficult. And then when I come around to it, the moment has passed.

Ironically, over the past month I have received a few (6, to be exact) emails from people who chanced upon this site. They say how they read back into the archives and how they related to most of what I had to say. A friend even found a post I had written about her ages back which I don't remember writing but the feelings I felt when I wrote the post came back for those few seconds when I re-read it.

But the bottom line is, I have moved on for the most part. The part of me that started this site and filled all those posts in the past has got up and left the room. What remains is an essence of myself (for lack of a better phrase) still lingering in the room that others find they can relate to.

That's good. It really is.

I hope to get back as the new me one of these days. Until then, I am not going to force it or grieve or be apologetic about the silence. Because I don't want to screw myself up with a picture of how it's supposed to be.

Happy new year, you all.

The caring husband

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 07:56:00 +0000

TH plays tennis regularly over weekends. Today he got back from his game and with a hint of 'the-poor-sucker-i-teased-him-to-death' tone says:

"Today is tennispartner's anniversary. He was saying how he got home late yesterday night and forgot to get his wife a gift. Looked quite worried in the morning and said he is going to get something before he heads home. Hehehe"

Me: "I don't know why you only have jerks for friends. Can't he atleast get her something if he knows she expects it? It will definitely make her happy and isn't that the whole point anyway?"

TH with a very straight face and without missing a beat: "Of course, and that's exactly what I told him too. What a slacker, no?"

Me: Yeah, right.

Anuraga Vilochananaayi Lyrics and Translation

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 02:22:00 +0000

A song I translated a few months back, posting it here. This song uses very traditional malayalam since the movie is a period movie in parts. I have tried my best to bring back the nuances of the language as I learnt in college but this is not 100% accurate. Did you get that, people who may pounce on me seeing my almost bordering on terrible translation skills? I don't claim this to be 100% accurate? OK? OK!

anuraagavilochananai athilere mohithanai padimele nilkkum chandrano thidukkam
Besotted with love, more so, with desire the moon waits at the steps in eagerness
pathinezhin paurnami kaanum azhakellamulloru poovinu ariyathinnenthe enthe ithalanakkam puthuminukkam..cherumayakkam..
like a flower that the full moon looks down [on the 17th night] why is there a slight movement of the petals, a newness, dreaminess

kaliyum chiriyum nirayum kanavil ilaneerozhuki kuliril
In a dream filled with laughter and fun, a dewdrop fell, coolly
thanalum veyilum punarum thodiyil mizhikal paayunnu kothiyil
To the fields that embrace shadows and sunshine, my eyes ran in craving (kothi means what you feel when you see food you love, so not exactly craving but something similar)
kaananullilulla bhayamo kaanaanereyulla rasamo
Is it in fear of seeing you or the fun in knowing there's lots to see [in you]
onnaivannirunnu veruthe padavil
We sat together on the steps, just like that [doing nothing]
kaathirippo vingalalle kaalminno maunamalle maunam theerillee
The wait is suffocating, the times are silent now, won't the silence end soon.

puzhayum mazhayum thazhukum shilayil pulakam pathivaai niraye
The statue that is always receiving rain and water is full of goosebumps
manassin nadayil viriyaaniniyum maranno nee neela malare
Have you forgotten to bloom on my heart's steps, oh blue flower
naanam poothu poothu kozhiye eenam kettu kettu kazhiye raavo yaathra poyi thaniye akalee
When my shyness blooms, the melody repeats itself, the night goes on a trip alone, afar
raakkadambin gandhamode raakkinavin chandamode veendum cherille
With the fragrance of night flowers, with the beauty of a dream in the night, won't we be rejoined

The Kindle and Me

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 03:11:00 +0000

When Amazon introduced the idea of an e-reader they decided to call The Kindle way back, I was skeptical. I was also a bit angry. How dare some American company try to replace books. What are they thinking? How can you ever take away the sensation of holding a book, smelling it's new-book-smell, turning the page and listening to the crinkling sound? Does this mean our grandkids may never even know what a proper book is?

Yes, I am sure a lot of you had similar thoughts. It's natural.

A few months later, I started hearing from friends who were using it. Every single one of them loved it. I was still a bit wary. How can you replace books, how? I saw that many people felt the same as me, some even taking pride in the fact that they are "old-fashioned that way". There's nothing old-fashioned about reading paper books, not yet anyway, in my opinion.

I decided to keep an eye on this Kindle thing. See how it goes. And I did.

Fast forward another two years. A couple of very good friends started using it and even strongly suggesting it. For my b'day this year, TH offered to get me one. The Kindle is not technically available in Singapore - meaning, Amazon sells it you if you buy it from their US site but the books are not meant for Singapore and they don't have the rights to sell them in this market. TH was looking at options to get it shipped here and we realised the price would be just over double what it costs in the US.

I opted for a watch as my b'day gift instead.

Then, I got to go to New York for a month. When I heard about this trip, I instantly decided I wanted a Kindle. It was like the decision was just there at the back of my mind and it popped out all ready and taken at the first chance. I ordered one the day I landed, and Amazon being as efficient as it is, I got it on the third day. By the fifth day, I had finished book one (yes, I read crazy fast and before you ask, the first book I read on my Kindle is Shit My Dad Says).

The Kindle I bought first

Then Amazon launched it's new range of Kindle and decreased the price of what I had bought by 40 dollars. I was back to being angry but for different reasons this time. I had also bought one as a gift so essentially I had paid ~80 dollars too much, not to mention the new cheaper version I could have gotten for much less.

I returned what they now call the Kindle Keyboard (+ one more I bought as a gift) and got the most basic version. I had to pay for the return shipping but it was still fine, I saved some money and got the latest version so all was well again.

The one I own now

It's been about 2 months now and I love the Kindle. I finally understand why anyone who has used one does the same - it's because they don't replace paper books, they complement them. I have, by no means, given up on borrowing paper books from the library or stopped buying cookbooks. I read more now because I have a great line-up of books to read on my Kindle and I have a timeline of 3 weeks for my library-borrowed books. The reading experience on a Kindle is fantastic and it's very light to carry with me everyday to read on my commute. I saw a video on the Amazon website saying that their mission with the Kindle was to make the reader forget they were on a device and to make the reading experience so seamless that it doesn't matter.

And I'd say they are succeeding, it doesn't matter to me anyway, not anymore. If you love reading, it shouldn't matter how you read (as long as you are not busting your eyes by reading on a tablet in the dark for prolonged hours or something). You can still love the smell of new paper books, I know I do, and still read them too. The choice is yours, and I chose to just read more.

I can't be happier.

If you are on the fence regarding an e-reader, I hope I have made you think again. Heck, I am sure I did and I didn't even have to use the whole think-about-all-the-trees-you-save-by-using-e-books line.

Disclaimer: this is not a paid endorsement.

These days

noreply@blogger.com (Nagalakshmi V) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 05:53:00 +0000

The past couple of weeks have probably been the most hectic in my work life. I realised a lot of things during that time. Things like, I am married to a person with what seems like an infinite amount of patience, at least compared to how I am wired. He does get frustrated and swears and curses a lot but it's never directed at me and never a response to anything I say, however unreasonable or unfair. I also realised I have been treating my closest friends the worst. Ignoring pings, fully taking for granted their understanding, sending curt one liners as responses to emails, expecting them to understand that this is not a good time and such things. They have fully met my expectations, to put it mildly.

You know when you are asked in an interview about how you handle stress and you go on about how calm and collected you would be and you even thrive under stress? Most of us would say that, I suppose. It's funny though, because unless you are actually met with a situation like that, how would you even know what your reaction would be? I had no clue I would behave the way I did, I always thought I would be calm and take one things at a time. I tried, but it didn't come naturally to me. I panicked, I screwed up here and there, I procrastinated and totally messed up prioritizing my work. Nothing resulted in the world ending, of course, but I learnt some things the hard way.

Anyway.

Back to work now.