Dusvidaniya

Somewhere between 23.12.05 and 23.12.15, i grew up.

Somewhere between India and United States, i grew up.
Somewhere between carrying a backpack and a handbag, i grew up.
Somewhere between being chubby and fit, i grew up.
Somewhere between nokia 6030 and iphone 6, i grew up.
Somewhere between yahoo messenger and twitter, i grew up.
Somewhere between partying at midnight and going to bed at 10, i grew up.
Somewhere between working for rent and earning for family, i grew up.
Somewhere between wearing shorts and saree, i grew up.
Somewhere between being carefree and caring, i grew up.

Dayumm!!! A decade flew by.

So, Cheers to

The wish that got fulfilled,

To the dream that I lived.

For you can Cherish a dream coming true, if you dare to Live it!~Live2Cherish

PS: Some of you have been a constant source of my smile through these years, our varying interests has drifted few of us apart, but my memories of you, haven't.

DialogueBaazi

Mummy with mother nature, doing what they do best :giving peace 

પરિચિત: આ સ્મિત થી કેટલાને  ઘાયલ કર્યા છે ?
L2C: વડીલ, મારા સ્મિત કરતાં બોલ(કટાક્ષ વચન) થી ઘાયલ થનારની લાઈન લાંબી છે.

  How many got killed with this smile?

My words kill more people than my smile.

પરિચિત: વિશ્વાસ નથી થતો.
L2C:  ચાલો ઓળખાણ કરાવી દવ :)

I don't believe your say.

Let me introduce you. 
 

પરિચિત: તારે કઈ કામ-ધંધો છે કે નઈ ?
L2C: હૂં જીવન ઉજવાનું કામ કરું છું.

Don't you have any work?

My work is to celebrate life.

પરિચિત: ધાંધા થયા પછી આવી ગમ્મત  સુજે છે, આવુ તોહ બળપણ માં પણ નતુ કર્યુ,
L2C: ગમ્મત ને ઉમર સાથે શું લેવા દેવા, દિલ તોહ બચ્ચાં હૈ જી.

I couldn't think of such silly acts as kid which you do now.

Always child at heart. Fun seeks no age.

When people question your Life Choices more than  
your girlfriend questions the safety of your condom.

પરિચિત: તુ અકેલી અકેલી ફરવા ને જમવા જાય છે?

L2C: હૂં એકલી રહું છું , એકલી શ્વાસ લવ છું ને એકેલીજ સુઈ જવ છું.   

 Oh ! You are traveling and eating at restaurants by yourself? 

I am breathing, sleeping and living by myself too-that's Single Life!. 

  

પરિચિત: પૈસા ને લેહેર I.T. માં જ છે તોહ Biomedical કેમ?
L2C:દરિયા ની લેહરો ગમે, એટલે નારીયેલ વેહચવાનો ધંધો ના કરાઈ।

When IT is cream of crop, why Biomedical ?

Just, because everyone doesnot like cream in their coffee.

પરિચિત: એમજ ત્યાર થઇ? નખરા તોહ એવા કરે છે કે જાણે ફિલ્મની હિરોઈન હોઈ.
L2C: હિરોઈન ના થવ તોહ તમારા જેવા  ક્રિતિક નવરા થઇ જશે.

You just dressed up? You act as a film actress.

Can't afford to leave critics like you, jobless.

પરિચિત: અચ્છા, DSLR કમેરો લઇ શું કરીશ?
L2C: લેસિક કરાયા પછી મારી ચટ્ટાઈ ની રજકણો ને પતરાનુ કાટ જોવામાં તકલીફ પડે છે, એટલે DSLR. 

So, what will you do with DSLR?

Since I had lasik, I think DSLR will help in seeing grains on carpet and rust on metal.

પરિચિત:અમે  B.tech ડિગ્રી પર સારું કમાઈ લઈએ છે , તોહ masters ની જરૂર હતી?
 L2C: ભણતર ની કિંમત જયારે નોટ ની ગાદી માં શોધાય છે ત્યારે જરૂર લાગે છે.

  

We earn decent based on Bachelors, was masters necessary for you?

When people value education based on earning, i do feel education is necessary.

પરિચિત: પાછુ કઈ નવું તુત લાવી, ખરી નવરી છે તું.
L2C: હૂં નવરી નૈ, પણ જીવન જીવી જાણવાની આવડત જરૂર ધરાવું છુ. 

Again! You are such an idle person.

I am not idle but, I do have the aptitude to live an ideal life.

        ************ ************************************************************

If attitude alignment services were available on people like they do for car tires,

many people might qualify for free/discounted rates based on their loyalty.

 *********************************************************************

PS 1: Jotted few of my random exchanges between known people that were interesting enough to laugh and ponder.
PS 2: Why so much attitude? Didn't you read the title? Woh dialogue hi kya jisme tashaan na ho ;)
PS3: The punch is lost in Transliteration but if you made this far then you are smart enough to get gist :)) 

Yeh mera Deewanapun hain...

continued................ 

There is a reason to this craziness,

which ends at a Welcomed "Home" 

So, let her Hurry Home.

                     

           

In the beats of the music,

rhythm of the dance,

twilight colors of the sky,

rays of the sun,

luminance of the moon,

twinkle of the stars,

sways of the swing, 

breezes of the wind,

waves of the sea,

She rummages her heart 

for the traces of  The One.

The one with whom she feels at Home.

Quoting few lines from one of my favorite songs
 "Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai 
Ya Mohabbat Ka Suroor 
Tu Na Pehchaane To Hai Yeh 
Teri Nazron Ka Kusoor 
Yeh Mera Deewanapan ..."

PS: If you look up this song, try Susheela Raman's version

Crazy, Kiya re!

She is an ordinary girl,
She sensitizes me as she breathes life in her.
 
Sunsets, moonshine, clouds, fountains, waves, paperboats,  parks, songs, lights;
are just few things I now look forward to in my life.


Her way of life shows me why exactly, i miss childhood,
No doubt, she is treasured as her father's princess. 

While, the world wants me to be "the Man",
Boy! I wish, wishing on shooting stars were for real.

She is "CRAZY" 
              -finally, a face put to the "name".

P.S. Did that description make you stretch your lips  and nod your head?

- told ya, she is Crazy

There is a reason to this craziness,

which ends at a Welcomed "Home" 

So, let' her Hurry Home.

                     To be continued................

High and Low

Low, I hold you in my palms

So, you can look High up in sky;

when your eyes have taken flight of dreams,

I shall provide you my lap to descend.

Know my Kid that,

Someone Lowers their vision to Lift yours;

So, remember to lift their chin up with a smile,

When you can look Eye-Eye with them.

Teri Lat Lag Gayii II

એક નાની બાળકી ની જેમ  
તુ મને રિઝવે છે  દિન પ્રતિ દિન. 
એક નવા રૂપ સાથે  એક નવા  રંગ સાથે, 
ભજવે  ચે તુ એકજ પાઠ ઘણીં  ઘણી વાર . 
ને હૂં  નિહાળું તારું આ મનોરંજન 
એજ વિસ્મયતા, એજ ઉત્સાહ થી 
જેવી રીતે જુવે છે એક વહલી તેની નાની બાળકી ના ખેલ . 
મારી આંખો માનું તેજ ને મુખ પરનું સ્મિત  
છે તારા આ રંગ-રૂપ ના ઋણી.

વિદમ્બંના એ છે મારી, 
તને રાખું કેવી રીતે મારી પાસે ? 
આંખો માં તું સમાતી નથી ને, 
હાથમાં તુ આવતી નથી. 

ભૂલે  કદી ના વિચારતી  
કે છે તું અણગમતી . 
તુ નિરાશ થાઈ એ પહેલાં 
એક નજર આ જરૂખે ફેરવજે 
મળીશ હૂં તને ત્યાં ,
તારા આ દિનના રંગ-રૂપ જોવા.
હા, કોઈ દિન સમાજ ની માયાજાળ માં ફસાઈ જતા 
કદાચ ના બેસી શકું તને નિહાળવા.
પણ તારી અનેક છબી જે મારા સેલફોનની  ગેલેરી માં છે , 
એણે જોઈ સાયંકાળે તને અચૂકપણે મળીશ ખરી. 

શબ્કોષમાં તારું વર્ણન કરવા શબ્દો ખુંટી પડે છે, 
સેલફોનના કેમેરા નો લેન્સ જાંજો પડે છે તારી આ ચંચળતા ને કેદ કરવા, 
પણ પછી ખ્યાલ અવે છે કે, 
જો તારા આ દિનના રંગ-રૂપ ને  ગમે તે રીતે કેદ કરી પણ લવ
 તોહ બાકી ના  રંગ-રૂપનું શું ? 
કરણ કે, તુ તો મને દર રંગ-રૂપમાં ગમે છે. 
એજ્  આશાએ કે ફરી કાલે તુ કાઈ નવું કરે
 ને મને રીઝવે એક નાની બાળકીની જેમ 
તને દર સાંજે ભારે મન થી વિદાય આપુ  છું . 

એ કુદ્રત ,
તને  કરું હૂં સલામ, વારમ વાર ! 

Kabhi Socha Hain Tumne?

View from flight

आसमान में उड़ने की,

बादलो को छूने की,

चाह तोह सब रखते हैं !

लेकिन कभी सोचा हैं की,

यह आसमान में छाने वाले बादल क्या चाहते हैं ?

भीड़ में कोई गलती से ठोकर मरके जाता हैं 

तोह चिल्लाने लगते हैं , बात हाथापाई पे भी आ जाती हैं!

लेकिन कभी सोचा हैं की 

जब वायुयान में रहके इन् बादलो को चीरते हुए जाते हो 

तोह इन्हें कितना दर्द होता होगा ?

जल्दबाज़ी में कहीं बार चीज़ें गिरा देते हैं,

तब समय की नज़ाकत को दोष देके भूल जाते हैं!

गहने बादल कभी ज्यादा बरस जाते हैं 

तोह कोसने लगते हैं !!

लेकिन कभी सोचा हैं की ,

इन्हें भी कहीं जाने की,  किसी को मिलने की जल्दबाज़ी हो सकती हैं ? 

Public Transportation Vs Private Transportation

Being a travel enthusiastic, i love exploring people and places.
But, at same time, i still haven't sensed the feeling " its about the journey not end". Somehow i have never felt it, i feel dreaded when i have to spend hours to reach some point of interest. I have traveled with friends, family and solo. Company makes it entertaining for a while but then for how long? Don't you feel the pressure of being the entertainer?

Especially if you grew up in india, you would know the phrase "the person next to driver should be awake. Driver needs to be stimulated". Phew! If that funda was actually true, how many of you go and stimulate the pilots, bus drivers, train drivers or even auto wala? We sleep easily while riding on those na?

I would rather be at place and explore than spent hours just to reach a place. I use public transport when i can. My friends were shocked when they discovered i just had 5k miles on my car over one and half year. So, my curious cats asked me why do i need car?

If i could summarize my answer in two lines it would be:
Car takes me to places
Shuttle takes me to people.

Going by shuttle gives me peace of mind, me time per say and some time to get myself prepped for day. It also allows me to observe and meet people, their clothing, their attitude and their zest in little synapses. Its a sense of security that i feel when i step on shuttle. The familiar drivers greeting you and all you do is sit back and relax. I know in 15 mins, i will be at work. You can either sulk in seat or observe the fellow passengers. I do not have to worry about traffic, or curse the fellow on road for moving too fast or too slow, for cutting in line or breaking the cruise control or the bikes passing or the pedestrians taking for ever to move. I love that part of my ride.

The way i see it , you make two kinds of trip:
One is to places
and one is to people.
Your means to reach them governs your experiences.

" Waah Waah Manji, Jodi Kya Banayi"

Have you ever held a delicate thing in your hands?

So delicate that you think its hard to replace or break.

Have you ever felt desperate for someone?

So desperate that you do not want to loose sight of that person.

Have you ever longed for someone?

Longed so much that you can't avoid touching them when you finally meet.

Have you ever sighed with satisfaction on someone's arrival?

So satisfied that you start blushing.

That's how intense i feel the vibe around me as i sit on my flight,

and  painstakingly i admire the charisma of this mesmerizing couple.

Waah waah Man-ji, jodi kya banaayi
Cellphone bhaiya aur Wifi bhabhi ko badhaai ho badhaai
Sab rasmon se badi hai jag mein network se network ki sagaai!

NB: Happy E-Rakhi ;)

Smarthphone- What an Idea Sirji!

આજે દર ખીસે એક સ્માંર્ટ ફોન રણકે છે
પણ મનની રીગ્ટોન ધીરે ધીરે સાયલેન્ટ થતી જાય  છે.
હજી કાલની તો વાત હતી ,
કે સુખ-દુઃખ પ્રસંગે પરસ્પર મળીને , બે શબ્દો ની આપ લે કરી મન હળવું કરતા હતા.
આજે ઇન્સ્ટન્ટ message સાથે ભાવનાઓ પણ ઇન્સ્ટન્ટલી હળવી થતી જાય છે.
કહેવા માટે સ્માંર્ટ ફોન માનસ ને સમજણો /સ્માર્ટ કરવા બનાવ્યો હતો,
હા ! પણ સામાજીક સમજણ/સ્માર્ટનેસ આવે આવી એપ્પ હજી એપ્પ-સ્ટોર માં મલતી નથી થઇ.
કદાચ, એટલેજ આજની આ સ્માર્ટ PDA પબ્લીક ફટાક દઈને મેસેજ કરી શકે છે
પણ ફ્રી કોલિંગ હોવા છતાં અગતયના પ્રસંગે સામે વાડી વ્યક્તિને બે ઘડી ફોન ઉપર શુભેચ્છા નથી પાઠવી શકતી.
"I feel comfortable over text /email, can't express on call" કહી છટકી જાય  છે.
શું આપણે એટલાં લાચાર થઇ ગયા છે કે તદ્દન સામાજીક સમજણ ખોવી બેઠયાં  છે ?
પોતાના સંબધી ના અગત્યના પ્રસંગો યાદ રાખવા જો facebook રીમાઈન્ડર  ની જરૂર પડવા માંડે તો લાનત છે આ લાચારી પર ,
પછી તમારા ને પારકા 100 facebook ફ્રેન્ડ્સ   માં ફરક શું રહ્યો ?
                                                                         -વિચારજો જરા.

 

Hello!

A lonely playmate 
 missing playful ring holds once 
 again the old  phone

Hello........ I said with a little hesitance in my voice.
Maamaa! Look, i am here ! came the words as i cleared my throat.

Maamaa: Where are you hiding? 
Maamaa,  oh please! come na, 

Come, trick me to pick the fake phone call,

So, when I say "Hello" with all my innocence. 

you lovingly hug me saying "peek a boo"!

છે ખેલ આ જૂનો,

 ફોન ઉપાડવાનો! 

 સમયે ખેલ્યો એવો 

 કે  દિઠું તમને 

આ ફોન ની ઘંતીડ્યો  માં!!

Do You realize, You took a part of me away with You?

For who else would understand:
The reason, i hold this phone today,

is nothing but my fruitless effort to get a glimpse of You......

NB:મામા એટલે બે માં ની મમતા પૂરી કરનાર 

Shit Just got Real

I had so wished that I should have a family member in states with me. My brother got admitted to a prestigious school and is two weeks apart from landing in states. Thats when you exclaim.

Shit Just got Real!

Last week, I had tremendous feedback for my instagram posts from a known iron chef and few other friends, whom i was not aware, were really interested in my affairs. And so, I exclaim.
                                                                                                                                Shit Just got Real!

A good friend and I were discussing about happenings of our lives and discovered we were on verge of loosing our independence/freedom lifestyle pretty soon.  We had been planning and wanting this change but suddenly making room for a new person (spouse in his case and parent in my case) made us exclaim in unison. 

Shit Just got Real!

How to take endless Vacations

Recently, my colleague commented on my endless vacation trips:
"People take off from work and go for vacations,
You take off from vacations and come to work".


Normally, I manage 3 trips a year. This year,  I am blessed to have time and energy to experience some of the most exciting times of my life.

But, since i have been asked by so many, as to how i manage to take vacations, here is my deal.

My simple rule is "priority". You know your needs and responsibilities.

If you are like an average full time employee with benefits covered, you would get 2-3 weeks paid time off a year.  Which trust me is hell lot of time on free paycheck.

Most of my friends who are foreign exports, struggle between taking vacation and going home. For these folks, i would suggest, either make your home trips alternating year or shorten the stay. I have traveled home for 1 week, 2 weeks and managed to save 1week for local trips. I have a friend who visits home every year for three weeks, works overtime for one week and gets two week paid time off. -So its about your priority.

Other, thing i see with my friends is getting stuck at long weekends for vacations. This is a huge deal in terms of budget, travel time and freedom for leisure time amidst the crowd. If you would like to take advantage of these weekends, find places where you can connect with family or friends (that would help you save/share budget for food/board)

So, assuming you are not traveling home, which gives you 3weeks.
 Let's set 1week  for social events, or planned/unplanned events etc...
Now,  you are left with 2weeks, which is 14 days.
I have 12 months on my calendar, so even if i spare one day each month for a vacation, i would still be left with 2 extra days. There, i said it!
You can vacation every single month. Pick a monday or friday and you got a long weekend every month for a year!!! 

Another thing, use your sick leaves. Most work places would not warrant for a doctor's note if you take one or two days at a stretch.  You need to recondition your mind and body even if it is not sick.

Vacations need not be just to destinations, you could very well vacation at home. Gift yourself "Me time", "family time",  a body massage or spa day in local resort. Camp in your backyard, party at pool, there are endless options to pamper yourselves.

Now, comes budget.
If exploring places is your priority like mine, you should start pitching $ for your explorations.
We save or devote part of our income on mortgage/rent, car insurance, health insurance, gym every month. So, i have made a travel donation every paycheck or every three paychecks for my upcoming trips. This keeps me motivated and on track of my finances.

Use your credit card benefits(American express covers rental car insurance), enroll in flight mileage programs, wholesale retails memberships (Sam's, Bj's, Costco)- to your advantage.
I strongly recommend using these travel apps : Google flights, Kayak, Airfarewatchdog, Hoteltonight, Wunderlist, Instagram.


Life is short but enough if lived right and cherished.
That's how i do it!
So, when do you start?

Trips down memory lane

This has been a phenomenal summer for me!

If you look at the map, you will see, why I call it phenomenal. Traveling in 8 states in 3 months

covering all four directions from TN and catching up with friends and family is something, i will cherish rest of my year.

Summer'15

Early march, my boss walked up to me with empty calendar template and asked me to fill

3weeks of time off that had been recurred which i had to finish before July 1st. (for people who think i just laze around at work , see this is a proof i am a hard worker :))- peace for once and all !!!

Yes, like most of you reading this, i was over joyed to hear one month of no work.

But, what could i do of those?

First thoughtless thought was to visit home in India which my father very politely denied.

So, i scrolled through my notes of "someday i will visit these places" and looked at it.

I looked again and few places struck out. Bang! Easy enough?

Naah, so how much $ would i need for this. Everyone loves to travel, i mean who would not like to go to places, and eat fancy cuisines?

Often, when we have vacation, we do not have budget;

and when we have budget, we do not have enough time off.

It took me little time to see where i could compromise: on experience or savings.

Answer was very simple and clear- savings.

When else would i get such paid time off and not have things to do?

Money, aint it haath ka mel anyways?

We are going to wash the mel one day or other, so why not now?

So, i checked off new place (Savannah,GA) from my list for one week.

Being single has its own advantages, you pack and go next day, no questions , no fuss.

By end of that trip, i knew where i wanted to go next (Dayton,OH & Chicago,IL).

And planning had to be done on the same day i returned, because the zeal is still

there. Otherwise you would loose it.

Since, i had checked a new place for first week. I wanted to check people.

People whom i had kept waiting and wanting, people whom i was waiting

and wanting to see for  years. Next two trips (San Diego,CA & Maine) came out as pleasant surprises as it combined people and places for me.

From my trips i gathered, how my craziness helped lighten up environment or help people break ice.

I also figured, capturing some moments in pictures and reviewing them was such a joy. Yes, it might irk some if you go overboard. Be careful there.

When i used to spend my spring and summer holidays at family members,

I used to think, its not a vacation.

But, for those few hours or day,

if you do not have to think about how you will reach so and so place,

where you will eat, what you will cook, weather you have milk in fridge or gas in car,

that my friend is what vacation feels like.

I feel deeply humbled when i get greeted by friends and family with love and care.

Its the comfort that you feel through the warmth of their touch and simple gestures.

It takes effort and time on their end to make you feel comfortable.

We often ignore this fact because it comes easy to us.

In return show them your gratitude and appreciation by sharing something that they do not have.

One thing i have truly believed is to share the experience.

If you have one quality that others do not, share it.

It may be introducing an app on phone, a new website, burning a CD,  just listening to them , hugging them, offering words of encouragement, appreciating their efforts, taking a picture- do it and bring a smile.

If it makes them feel good about themselves or see themselves in different light, its all worth.

The content and smile you can bring is priceless by such little acts.

Bring a smile not to their faces but their hearts.

Its my effort to uplift moods and give expression to feelings of people through my writings and pictures.

This is one reason most of you would have seen me more expressive on social media in past few days than ever before.

I hope you have wonderful summer too!

B'day wish!

Changing life events have kept my curious eyes wide open,
Happy events have made me smile more,
Unfair experiences have made me more ripe.
This heart has now been pumping for 28 years, can you tell?
28 years have gone by,
So much, I have waved goodbye with today's sunset.
Awaiting for the better me with the new dawn.
Hopefully, I will radiate, when I leave for my final abode with my words and deeds.
Blessed, I am to still have few people whom i care for and who care for me as well,
whether I know it or not.
They are the sole reason my heart still pumps and yearns for the new experiences through my impulsive and crazy acts, travel, and writings.
So, when I retire,  I can proudly narrate and share my journey with them,
which they just wished for- after all we should all live to cherish.

Bheegi si, Behti si

भीगी सी मैं और भीगी सी  मेरी नाव,

अक्सर यह बात करते हैं 

 की हैं एक जैसे हम!

मैंने तुझे बनाया,

और मुझे किसी और ने 

हमें मिटना तोह हैं, एक जैसे!!

फिर चाहैं,  आज मैं तुझे बहते हुए देखू

या कल तू मुझे बहते हुए  देखे

एक दिन बेहना ही तोह हैं!!

हैं एक जैसे हम !

फिर किसी एक शाम को,
मिलेंगे ऐसी ही,

थोड़ी भीगी सी होगी तू  और थोड़ी भीगी सी मैं!!
हैं एक जैसे हम !

                                       

Filters of Life

If I could use filters in real life,
As i apply on picture,
I would apply the filter of grace
On every female
and
I would apply the filter of courage
On every male.

If you must adore a female,
Look not at her face.
Look for her grace.
Its a  quality that is rare
radiates when there is peace within.
A peaceful home
Lies in the hands of a graceful female.

If you must choose a male,
Look not at his purse,
Look for Courage.
Its a quality that is rare
reflects when there is strength within.
A strong relation
lies in the hands of a courageous male.

Dil toh baccha hai ji!

Recently, i visited the town where i did my schooling(college). Gosh! Every little incident, party, class, lab, park, cafeteria, library flashed before my eyes, once i stepped into the campus.
Its been 4yrs, i have been out of school and had never envisioned returning to the
town. It was such an overwhelming experience, tracing back my steps to  the most valuable 6 years of my life. I met my very first roomie out of blue, the present counting is 62. But, very first roomie has her own charm and holds very fond memories in my heart. I was delighted to met her and exchange stories. I also took a moment to meet my mentors and people i worked on campus. Its strange, how i could remember my way to labs and library, see the same old library clerks and feel amused that for good, somethings do not change.


Being in school for that long, you kind of have your favorite hotspots, slowly and deeply i tried to inhale the air within those premises and after spending three hours, i left with a heavy heart. All of a sudden, i could feel myself back into campus.
 

Luckily, i do know some old friends who are inhabitants of the town, so i visited them. The very first thing they asked me was where would i want to go and out came the response "my swing at dorm". My friends bursted into laughter and took me there. The moment i saw it from parking lot, i was dying to get out and i literally ran towards it once car was parked. I quickly hopped on one of the swings and whoop, wroom, i go along with the wind exerting all the energy i had, way up towards the
sky. This swing has been my companion on numerous occasions while i lived in dorms, may it be an evening where i just needed fresh air, time when i would try to console myself for poor grades, solving conflicts with roommates, parents, friends - in a way it has seen me in my good and struggling times. One thing i knew for sure was once i hoped on it my worries , anxiety flew off and all i was left with a calm, soothe mind to resume my life. I was elated to be back, embracing it again.


Metaphorically- if you think about it, a swing teaches you about life:
Just as you push yourself to sway ahead, you have to move on in life,
paddle yourself little to reach where you want to get, people might
leave you at one point but people who are meant to be, 

will return back to you just like you swing back and forth.

We as mortals would retire to our surroundings, people and place we call home.


If you are in my close knit circle, you probably have heard me say

" swing is my first love" - heart wants what it wants.

My love for you shall never fade, irrespective of my age, position or place.

Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar

झुकी झुकी हैं यह नज़रें
केहना चाइए यह नग्में।
नहीं लब्ज़ में बयां कर पाए
जो कहते हैं यह अश्रु में डूबे नयन ॥

मिलते हैं हज़ारों से
मिलाते हैं हाथ सभी से ।
फिर भी ना मिल सके , दिल से !!
नहीं झुकी हैं
यह किसी शरम से।
पर आज झुकी हैं
यह थकन से॥

कहते हैं,
आखों को रूह की खिड़की
खिड़की से दिखते हैं नजारें।
आज झूकी हैं यह नज़रें
इन नज़ारो से॥

कभी मिलो किसी से
तोह मिलो ऐसे !
की दिल की मुस्कान
झलके इन आखों से !!

Jhuki jhuki hain yeh nazrein
Kehna chaiye yeh nagmein
Nahin labz mein kar paye bayan
Jo kehete hain yeh ashru be doobe nayan

Milte hain hazaron se!
Milate hain haath sab se
Phi bhi na mil sake, dil se!!
Nahin jhuki hain
yeh kisi sharam se!
Aaj jhuki hain
Yeh thakan se!!

 Kehte hain
Aakhon ko rooh ki khidki!
Khidki se dikhte hain nazarein
Aaj jhuki hain yeh nazrein!!
Yeh nazaron se.

Kabhi Milo se
toh milo aise
ki dil ki muskan
chalke ankhon se .

Palaaat

The Moment, I turn my back on You,
You start blowing your whistles.
I understand its a no brainer,
If i am away.
But, when i am just few inches away from you,
Why do you yell so loud, My dear?
Ahh, I see
Its your way to reiterate
my favourite movie stars dialogue: Palaat meri jaan!
What an attention seeeker,
You are, silly Mr. Cooker !

Coldly hot

Dear Mr. Wind,

I know, being a Man, your mind,
Is all about reaching the end,
But, will you please stop blowing us cold?

No, I am not complaining,
About foreplay,
But, Not all of us have the Luxury,
of Hot Boyfriends,
Or husbands.

If showing warmth is to love,
Could you give me a warm sense,
Of just who you are?

Warmly requesting,
L2C

Rightly Served

 Before
On a warm Wednesday,
She asked: So, where do you see us going?
He replied: Lets, take this slowly.

After
On a sunny Sunday,
In his car he waits impatiently,
He calls to ask: How much more time do you need to get ready?
She replies: But Honey, I thought, we were taking this slowly,
Then why such hurry?
I am coming......
Its just an outing.

He exclaims: Holy, Moly!
She retorts: Don't mess with this Lady!!

Announcements!

Hello!

For people who have been reading my stuff, I have two new things to share with you.

If you notice on the home page, you will see two other tabs :

1. My Instagram page link
2. My AudioBlog (yes, i hear you when you say i write too much).


So, please check them out and stay tuned.

Love,
L2C

Shadow Dance

At the Cusp of Light and Shadow

 Day in and Day out,
We chase the shadow in dark,
Instead embrace light. 


I was asked "Really, Do I inspire you? " by a friend, whom i showed my gratitude for inspiring me to embrace better things in life. 
Friend responded: "I was about to cut down the frequency of my social media posts, as most of my friends complain, i post too much"
My Response was: I  follow light. I might get lost, if I choose to be a shadow. 

This lead me to think hard. 
With so much attention to our social presence on web, we have forgotten what reality feels like. I have often come across people envying, sighing looking at posts/pictures/videos from their circles on social media, aspiring to be in their shoes and competing to be better. Not realizing, they are just shadowing others and in turn someone else becomes their shadow. A shadow will always be greater than real object but does it have any identity by itself ?

The circle of influence can be very mighty, so why not take it to our advantage and shed light in the dark? 
Its in the dark, lonesome time; one gets to befriend their inner soul which shows path. 
Use that brilliance of your soul and identity to inspire people around you by the little things you do.  




PS: Feels refreshing to get back to Haiku :)