Bread peas masala

Had been reading lot of foodie blogs and was somehow suddently reminded of my college days favorite "bread peas masala" . This was introduced by my close buddy "S" in "HOTEL SARAVANA BHAVAN(HSB)". This chat was too additive. I will get down one BUS Stop later than usual one along with S ,just to eat in HSB and get dropped home by her in Sunny scotter. We both very well know that both our Amma's would have actually made some snack at home. Those were Golden days of our life. Half the time, I will not have the reqd. money and invariably S wud give my share as well. :) Today, we tried to re-create the same receipe at home. We were almost close to getting it right!!!

Wht am I upto?

From spoken Hindi classes to trying to get the best "AADI" deals for various items - Am having lots of fun.

Did try to meet up with many old township friends/familes- for a wedding for which we got 3 invitations -We knew both the bride and groom's family very well and to prove again that world is small, the groom works in SG's office!!

Spoken hindi classes - Am taught by a physically challenged, retired hindi teacher. In a spacious hall, there are many school kids stuyding on different topics separately - each having a doubt or query to the teacher at any point in time. I am the only adult middle of these kids , learning to speak "SHUDH HINDI" :). If I religiously practise what am taught with my family, teacher says that can complete the course in 36 classes of 1 hr each.

Able to catch up with 2 close office colleague and family. Somehow, felt a little different - We were surrounded by our better-halfs. So, didnt feel that closeness in our talks .

Managed to get my Visiting cards on time , was useful to carry it around for the "Chennai Jelly" event.

It was an informal work event organized by "THE STARTUP CENTER" in Chennai. When I entered the place first with my laptop and things to work with, I had few apprehensions. What is a HR consultant going to do, among lot of startups / Techie ppl!!! I was the only girl in the entire place for almost 2+ hours!! I chose a corner work place , connnected my laptop and started working or pretended to work . I did a cleanup of my data in the laptop /mail box(a long pending item). Then, slowly people walked-in and started sitting in groups and introducing themselves. I was a little hesistant to join them from my corner workspot. Resisted my inhibition, joined a small group of 4 . I could gel pretty soon and then we did work in our own things for more than a hour and a half with good aircon and mild music on the floor!! Then, felt a need for a refreshement break. Two guys gladly accepted to join me for the same and we bonded pretty well. There were not only start-up guys , but also people working full-time with companies abroad and currently located in India. So, they dont have any colleagues in their own nation. So,only work from home and hence miss being in an office setup!!! Then, met up with a young looking girls group. Thought, all were still in college. But, found out that they have their own social media marketing company!! It was quite different to know their courses in college and their current work nature .. Out and out- I definitely felt nice to meet up with new group, energetic mind-set people and felt great to work there for a few hours! Given a chance, will definitely want to work more often like this :)

Official Updates..

1) Got our long pending (our own newly designed) MQM brochure sent to a prospective client!

2) Have given my first MQM visiting cards for printing!

Am all excited about this new assignment. But at the same time - also worried that I don't have the formal exposure of working in a consultancy setup before! I would definitely want to work for at least 6 months as an employee in an another consultancy firm to understand the intricacies of this business!!

While working from home, has got its own charm of giving you flexibility of working in your night gown, less or no travelling, no worries about traffic, juggling between cooking and mail answering, entertaining guests /shopping and still responding to queries, travelling without worries of deadlines/queries and still able to step-in if need arises!

It does have its own disadvantages too!

For a person like me – people are everything. I constantly need company or be in a group. It keeps me in good mood! I tend to share a lot of things with my friend(s) while am around with them. But, that depends on how frequent I meet the person. If am meeting a friend after a long time, it will mostly be generic things and don’t get to share small small sweet/bitter nothings! I guess you need to have someone to talk to like that on a daily basis! Does it not make you feel better!?

Why am I writing this post- It was one of the days, while I really longed if I could have someone to talk to heart-to- heart ! Am all by myself in a MASSIVE 3BHK house with nobody else around for most part of the weekday(S)!!

I happen to chat with a long lost colleague (Singapore) of mine. I started to feel nice chatting with him and made me get into this mode!

AppaKarai..

I made potato bonda (South indian name) in an "Appakarai" instead of deep frying. It tasted good and still we felt its healthier than the original version!!! I actually was trying to make that for an evening snack for a weekend.

Suddently, it struck my FIL that we could have them as "Vada Pav" for dinner.We rushed to our nearby baker. As we couldn't get Salt Pav from our bakery in such short notice , we got hold of soft salt bread packet and enjoyed them as "Vada Bread". ;)

Similarly, I also tried making koftas(Dhoodi /Potato) for Kofta based gravies using AppaKarai. It also turned out to be good..

"AppaKarai" - is defintiely a healthy alternative to deep frying :)

Spending time...

During my recent Bangalore trip, we made sure we spent good time with both mine and S close friend's house.

We stayed at L(my close flat friend) along with her parents , hubby and cutie kid for a day. It was nice to talk for long just like old college days :)

I was happy that S was also very much comfortable at their place and enjoyed very much playing with L's 2 year old girl :)

Shaam E Ghazal...

When popped up with the question if I would be interested to attend a live concert of the famous Ghazal Singer -Jagjit Singh- I was frankly skeptical! I knew S likes Jagjit Singh music very much - both for the meaning and the tunes! As I am not very good at Hindi - I was not sure if I would really relish the same!

But, I accepted to try the new experience of listening a live concert in Bangalore during our short trip there..

We drove along with S friend's family from one end of the city to the other end for the concert. It was truly nice to listen the ghazals -though I could not appreciate the wordings as much as the other's did . Though S was kind of - to translate a few of the most fond songs of his -during the concert!

S did I tell you - It was romantic - to walk hand-in-hand till the car- on a chilly mid-night , after listening to the melodious music concert :)

Upma- All new heights

Upma - All new heights...

Want S to see this article. This humble , simple, fast ,easy yummy breakfast or tiffin or snack - be in rava,samiya, broken wheat, aval upma - Is my all-time favorite. S hates upma and resist to eat even if he is very very hungry!!

French connection

I am not trying to do any advertisement for FC brand here - as I am not a big fan of them anyway though.

I am triyng to console myself of visiting a place with some french connection instead of my original dream/plan of visiting Paris for this weekend (French open finals weekend in Europe).

"Matrimandir" - Auroville, Pondicherry is a beautiful place to spend sometime away from the city hustle and bustle. We could not arrange for a pass for a concentration (meditation) inside the premises during our sudden visit today, as it requires prior booking. It would be better if we can stay in their affordable cottages for a day and plan for a "concentration" in Matrimandir. To know more about the setup of Matrimandir, visit the Auroville official website.

Personal satisfaction..

I was reading an article of "Super 30" founder - on what was Mr.AnandKumar motivation behind starting an IIT coaching for financially poor students. The level of commitment and mind-set required for supporting and sustaining such a noble cause should be tremendous.

This reminds me about how I feel nice for the small things which we try to do. We try to give inputs to town-based graduates who are trying for a break into the industry in this cut-throat competitive world! They lack in communication but have the technical knowledge and aptitude to come up in life.

Recently, happened to speak to a final year MBA student for one of the positions which we are trying to close. He is just one year less than my age, but only now completing his MBA. When I first saw the resume, I assumed the candidate might have failed in his exams repeatedly and hence so much delay in his completion! When I spoke to him - he proved me completely wrong in my assumption. He had met with a very big accident and had to take a complete rest for more than 4+years. Then, got into UG and then now completing his MBA with a decent percentage. He is from an agricultural family background. I could see the urge and determination to come up in life and looking for a good break for starting his career. Such people only need some motivation and guidance to help them succeed in their lives.. I am trying to provide some inputs on his communication skills and going to try my best to get him a career break.

There is more scope for giving back to the society..

I have an update on the above candidate- He has managed to find himself a job as BDE in a firm based out of Tamilnadu with a salary of 3lacs pa!! I am more happy that he considers me as his well-wisher and made a point to inform me that my inputs for interview preparation, helped him to get this job!! :)

Divine Healing..

There has been lot of reading from my side- if complementary medicines like Reiki etc., will be good or rather was more curious to know what it is and how they really work! This is mainly because of the physiological dis-ease I presently being diagnosed with! I felt I want take charge of my body , life and not be too dependent on the medicines!

Another step towards that was attending a "Pranic Healing" workshop for 2 days , last weekend. I did try to do a lot of search to corner down on a good pranic healing trainer.There seems to be a mushroom growth of teachers/healers in the city! Though, its inline with founder's vision of "One pranic healer per family", I still didnt want to take a chance on the tutor and finally was fortunate enough to land up in Dr. Cliff Saldanha center in Adyar. The course was nicely timed, more practical exercises and good friendly coordinators. I definitely have to accept that it is/was difficult to grasp the idea and the concept about feeling energy around a person or "etheric body" was not very easy.

I would still say I have not got a complete hang of it. But, definitely feel a little better in my understanding of the process. Though a long way to go on the practise and feeling the effects of the same. :)

Too demanding..?

Am I offlate becoming a very demanding person at home!??

I suddently started to feel I dont get the attention I need or am I just bored being at home whole through the week days and expect to be out for the major part of the weekend -which dont seem to be happening? Am I unreasonable in this ?

Am a stay at home wife now and dont understand if its just this transition phase from working women to housewife , which is causing me such wierd thoughts?

I dont know whether am unreasonable or whether SG's office schedule has become way too demanding with little or rather no time at all for the partner?

I am also upset SG is going on a business trip to Europe for almost more than 20 days!! You might think I should be stupid to think so - considering its an oppurtunity for me also to go on a dream vacation to Paris!

I had done lot of search about The Hague and other tourist places around!! I had built too much of castle on air!!

The chances of me joining SG look bleak now with sudden changes made in Schengen visa appointments! :(

I should learn to enjoy my time here in Chennai all by myself. The climate is too hot to step out and so is my mood swings!!

Who is to be blamed for this state of mind of mine ??

Proud Daughter

How many daughters get a chance to see their parents in Graduation gown??

I was reminded of my graduation day -My mom and father had come down for my graduation and were all in joyful tears after attending that. I didnt realize the importance of that at that time . Now, its been 8+ yrs and I now cherish my graduation day, while being part of a celebrations of more than 80+ youngsters all completing their PG and awaiting to turn a new leaf in their journey of life.

Coming back to my appa being in graduation gown - He was honored during that convocation for being part of the senior faculty team of a management institution in Chennai.

It was nice to be there for my father while he received the same! I was proud to be called as Papa's daughter (in resemblance, yet again) by many colleagues of appa who met me for the first time yesterday :)

Kudos-Men in Blue

Could not have asked for more fun than watching a nail biting cricket world cup finals with a bunch of kids and elders around on a Saturday evening! We were all screaming, being sentimental in seating positions and praying to be in the very moment and very much rejoiced at the end for the brilliant victory!! Special congrats to the Indian skipper- MS, who did a great job!! What more fun can be for a budding baker like me to celebrate India's victory in the world cup with homemade eggless chocolate cake with vanilla ice-cream at late in the night and to be praised by all of them!! I tried the receipe from Rak's Kitchen. The measurements are perfect and came out pretty well. I didnt have the time to take a picture of the cake though.

Info

Visited VivekanandhaSarees yesterday. They have an awesome collection of plain salwar materials, printed salwar materials, sarees etc.. I really liked the collection. If you are good at designing your own saree or tops, this is the best place. They have their own printing division to help you choose from umpteen blocks available. Otherwise, you can get plain cotton materials from them and choose to get it printed through my husband's cousin. I happened to visit her unit in Mandaveli for the first time. She has got a team of people to print sarees, salwars etc. I bought few printed kurta materials for 250Rs, felt its worth the money!!! I am also going to try getting my own kurtha printed sometime soon with plain materials!! My long found interest- Things seem to shape up on this after a long time...Will keep this space updated once I have one :)

Blank...

I am terribly down today! My house is really empty.. When there were inlaws at home, I feel I have sometime for myself and get to shop without having time restriction to come back home! But, currently I am all by myself in our rented flat and I feel very bored! I wish I could shop for hours together in a big mall!! But, dont seem to have the guts to step out in the hot sun!! I dont feel like doing anything at all, other than sleeping! Is it the summer or my monthly mood swings!?? God only knows!! I just felt like scribbling..Its my blog aah? Dont I have the riight to do that ? Anyone, who would like to give me company?

Get-to :: Healthy & Tasty Salad

Its summer and the scortching heat in Chennai has no way spoilt the holiday mood of the school-goers of our cousin families. After lot of plan changes,we tried to host a little less than 2 dozen people in our house to have quality family bonding time with my BIL who had come down from the US. We had lot of dishes as part of the pot-luck menu! The food item which very much appealed everyone was a different type of salad/chat !! Here goes the rough receipe- add more to this as per your imagination. If you have the patience, try to sprout beforehand green moong dhal, black channa. Slightly boil - moong dhal, black channa, green gram, sweet korn kernels, groundnuts and drain the excess water and allow to cool. Slightly cook macoroni and steam potatoes as well. In a big bowl, add little oil, red chilly powder(as per spice), salt , lemon juice and mix the seasoning well.Chop different colors of capsicum, onion(optional), cucumber(optional),tomato, pineapple(optional), pomegranate(optional). Add the chopped vegetables,macoroni, cooked potatoes and the sprouted dhals into the bowl and mix well. Tasty healthy chat is ready! Instead if you dont have the time just like my SIL, buy all sprouts from any big supermarket and prepare readily.

3S-Sky,Shore, Sea..

Finally...a formal learning!!

I have been trying to find an eggless baking class in and around the area where I am put up in Chennai for quite sometime. I even went to the extent of dropping an email query to Rashmi UdaySingh who writes in ChennaiTimes and my name/phone no. came in paper for the same reason! My search ended last week and I finally was able to attend an eggless baking class from a very talented cook/artist Mrs. Rajalakshmi Vasanthara(98404 33022/ 24417336). She is put up in Kasturibainagar, Adyar. She conducts classes like vegetable carving,mural painting, north indian dishes,baking, chocolate to name a few ....

She taught us 5 baking dishes in a span of 2.5 hrs for a nominal cost of 500Rs. Eggless sponge cake, eggless walnut cake, chocolate eggless cake, chocolate pinewheel cookies and cocunut cookies. I am yet to try them at home. Will try and post the receipe here later. In fact I did call from another person taking baking class in Velachery seeing that Chennai Times query.. I am yet to try to meet that person though..

An UNESCO World Heritage Site

I was able to visit the famous "GangaiKonda Cholapuram" temple during my short trip to Kumbakonam for attending 2 family functions. If you would like to revisit your history days just like me to refresh your memory about Rajendra Chola and the namesake behind this place and its association with Brihadeeswarar temple , visit the above link.

I just want to treat your eyes with some photos to depict the sculptural beauty of the temple. I was so impressed with the place that I made two visits with different batches of my husband's relatives. In the first round , we drove there during dusk time. In the first round, we engaged a guide to explain us the historical importance and explain us more on the sculptures.

As , I wanted to see the place in sunlight , I agreed to be the navigator and the guide for the second group and tagged along with them the next day morning even though there were already more people than what a SWIFT car can accomodate. In the second round, though we started around 11am, we got terribly struck in Anakarai( of Cauvery) and reached there when the temple was about to be closed, hence I was not able to see the sculptures inside the temple premises in full light again!:(

But, the outside of the temple premises had lot of beautiful sculptures and I was able to click the below award winning UNESCO sculpture in bright sunlight.

This sculpture depicts Lord Siva & Parvathi honoring Chandikeswarar with a Flower Garland as a crown on his head. The story about this depiction can be found in this link.

Gymnastics as depicted in a 11th century built sculpture

PS: These pictures were clicked in my NOKIA E5 camera and I am impressed with the mobile again ;)

Iyer Mami?

I have started to develop interests over learning the religious rituals for every occasion- be it ragu kala of Tuesdays , maa (Rice batter ) kolams in front of the house , Thai Velzhi(friday) maa vizhakku or recite Sanskrit slokams etc..
I have started to learn Lalitha Shasranamam from one aunty in our building. I love the way she teaches to a person like me with zero sanskrit exposure! She explains the slokas well with so much of passion . I have started to reasonably pick the Sanskrit slokas with meanings! All the while, I have not understood the meaning of any of the slokas I know ! Understanding the meaning, helps to associate the intricate meaning hidden in the slokas - like idol worship is the very beginning stage in the process to understand the Supreme SELF.

I think the sudden change in me - is with my MIL around with us for the last one month and seeing her doing all rituals with absolute perfection! I like her attitude of being religious and at the same time doing "narayana seva"(serving food) to lot of people.

I have just made the first step- a long way to go to learn....

Yoga with a difference

I have been attending the classes conducted by World Community service center(WCSC) in a calm setup in Tiruvanmiyur which is walkable from my place. Its been a enriching experience so far!
Being a science student by background and a person who constantly questions on everything, that something we do can have so much profound impact on our health and overall well-being. I am currrently very much convinced by the approach of teaching at WCSC group.
This course is for 12 continous days (excluding Sundays) for 2 hours each. If anyone feels they cant take time to attend the 12 day course, atleast they can try the "kayakalpam" course. I cant share more details on the same. I have taken a promise not to disclose the details of the same , as it needs a trained teacher to explain the same and teach. The course fee is quite nominal as well!
I was actually contemplating on a therpautic yoga class to Vazhga valmudan course, finally chose this over the other. I dont regret the decision and definitely feel its worth giving a try.
Vazhga Valamudan!

My new role...

I have been resisting the temptation to update on my personal space about my recent interest/activity. ;)
I wanted to atleast make some progress in my new found interest to write about it...
Here I go- disclosing my new role as a HR Consultant from a Sr. SW Engineer. I am working from home for few hours. Surfing thru my mobile (at times when I am out) and scouting for candidates for different roles.. :)
I have successfully placed a candidate for our client.. :) Its been fun to get to talk to different people, understand their backgrounds etc.... I should definitely thank my father , husband and K(my sr. colleague in MQM) who constantly motivates and guide me in my new interest.. :)

Wish me all the best on my new role!

Hi5 - E5

Hi5 on my new nokia E5 mobile. This post has been typed from my new phone. Happy that after lot of research and visits to mobile showrooms finally got a phone within my budget and with all features I was looking for. Thanks to S for this new year gift.  HAPPY NEW YEAR to All.