Status update (!)

* I have unfinished posts in my drafts folder. It seems all I've been doing in the last few weeks is write for contests. I've come to realize that I work well with creative prompts. I need ideas, encouragement, motivation and so much more to come up with something decent. I don't know if it is a good thing or not!

* I have discovered a new way to heal. No, I don't want to jinx it by writing here. I am superstitious that way!

* That 'stuff' and a lot of planning for the upcoming trip has left me with no time to breathe. I want to take it easy. I want it to be no big deal. But I can't. My mind has a way of thinking too much. Arghh!

* We won at a lucky draw recently. We have never won something that way. We are not randomly lucky. So, this was a welcome change. It was a holiday package to Dubai which we sold off. Ha! Oh well, we have been there twice. So...

* Talking about winning, I won 'The best dressed woman' in a crowd of about 500! The Boy had his office party where all the employees came with their families. I thought I was an overdressed expat until they called out my name. I panicked for silly reasons I usually panic for! The Boy held my hand and took me to the stage. I don't know how many men will be able to do that...
Since then, I haven't been able to contain my enthusiasm! Sometimes, we need to let go of our apprehensions and just be.

Owing to awesome travel plans, I'm bidding adieu to blogging for 3 weeks now. When I'm back, I will hopefully be able to write without creative prompts. Probably panic less. Maybe think less. And definitely be more enlightened. Isn't traveling the best thing to do? Thank God for such blessings!

Happy reading, everyone! 

Actions speak louder than Words

I am sharing what 'I Saw and I Learnt' at BlogAdda.com in association with DoRight.in.

She always woke up before us and said her prayers,

Took a bath and finished the morning affairs.

With her hair rolled up in a neat bun,

She seemed to me like the most hardworking one.

When there was no housework she would be seen knitting sweaters,

I would sit beside her and learn a set of jumbled letters.

With a smile on her face she would explain when I spelt wrong,

No harsh words? No slap on the face? – I was bemused all along.

She would switch off the lights when we left the room,

She would save a coin for a certain day of doom.

She would carry used chaat pattas home and throw in the bin,

Leaving water running was perhaps a sin.

She would give us the best slice of cake,

She would always cook for us, even if she was out or had a headache.

It would take a few minutes. No big deal – I would hear her say,

That composure was an inspiration at the end of each day.

She would give all her savings to someone in need,

She would let no one know about her good deed.

And then she would run up the stairs for it was the best exercise,

I call her an All-in-One, a Superwoman to be precise.

She never told me to do this or that,

Being strong headed, I would have opposed like a brat.

Instead she let her actions speak,

I thought that was clever, a brilliant technique!

And now; I imitate her in a million ways.

I save for a rainy day, I smile through a difficult phase.

Polythene bags find little space in my house,

Like her, I invest in the future without a grouse.

Even simple things like rolling the socks,

Packing a suitcase or checking the locks.

The same things I found annoying as a teenager

In more ways than one, I’ve become exactly like her.

Order, Discipline, Calmness

Compassion, Diligence, Patience, 

Ah, now and then, I find myself doing random acts of kindness,

But you wouldn’t know ‘cause I’ve learnt NOT to aggressively profess.

This and so much more from a woman like no other,

Better than life, situations, or any school teacher.

Her subtle ways have always been my supreme mentor,

I’ve seen and learnt so much from my darling MOTHER!

Movie Review - Lootera

Still from the movie Lootera

Certain movies touch your heart in a zillion ways. I thought Lootera was one of them. I admired the creativity in each canvas. And cried oodles for the characters.

My expectations were set low because I was told that the movie is very slow and boring. And then, I read a few good comments. Just to let you know, I never read reviews before watching a movie. What you like and what I like can be totally different. Reading a review is like reading the last page of a book first - total spoiler.

Having said that, I write reviews for people who would want to read and go! It is a personal choice, right?

Anyway, the tragic story of Lootera is a about a girl Pakhi (Sonakshi Sinha) who falls madly in love with a man Varun (Ranvir Singh). The man reciprocates but due to circumstances they depart on sour terms. The girl then turns into a recluse unable to get over the heart break. What happens next is for you to watch... I don't tell detailed accounts of the story.

I am not a big fan of the two actors and so I found it hard to watch them romancing. What kept me glued is the way the movie is directed. And then when the plot turned and twisted, my eyes stuck to the screen till the last shot. The movie is beautifully filmed for the 1950's. The old world charm is stunningly captured with vintage cars, telephone rings, romancing under the trees and ink pens. I thought the scenes with snow fall were awesome.

What is still creating a ruckus in my head is the character of Pakhi. She loved a man to bits and turned her life upside down when he left. Agreed that there were a couple of more tragedies that magnified her grief, but aren't we suppose to 'rise in love'? The boy was in her life for hardly a month, how could someone get so close in such a short span to let him ruin her life?
Then again, love is mysterious. Some find the ability to get up and get going while others hold on to it like it was a crime to let go. No matter what, when it touches you deeply, a part of you stays put forever. But holding on to something that can never be yours and mulling over it for the rest of your life - that for me is criminal. Love is too beautiful to make you lose your life over it. If you want to celebrate that love, celebrate life and the fact that you had a chance to feel it...

I thought Pakhi's character was one of the most beautiful ones ever written. Watch Lootera for that. It will make you question a lot about love.

Movie Review - Raanjhanaa

So the Boy was out on Friday night. He had read the story of Raanjhanaa like all Bollywood sceptics and discarded it as a story of a loser who tries to reunite the love of his life with her boyfriend. Since it is his least favourite genre, I thought I would have to watch it alone. Also, how could I miss something he would hate?

Anyway, it’s one of the most beautiful love stories I’ve ever seen. If you haven’t had the chance to watch it, I would advice you to give it a shot for you’ll love the characters, the plot, the direction, the dialogue, the setting, the music...the works.

For starters, the movie begins with a small Hindu boy Kundan (Dhanush) falling in love with a girl Zoya (Sonam Kapoor). When they hit adolescence, he confesses his love. The girl hesitates and then agrees. Her Muslim family obviously disapproves and sends her to Aligarh to study further. After 9 years, when the girl returns to the hometown of Benaras, the boy is still in love with her. But the girl had moved on. The boy then helps her reunite...

That’s just half the movie. I guess that’s where most people stop reading and trash the movie as a boring love story. What you don’t read in the reviews is the acting, the one-liners, the conviction... Sometimes, genuine movie buffs (like moi!!!) don’t give out the entire movie. You really have to watch this one to know what lays ahead for Zoya, Kundan and Jagjit (Zoya's new boyfriend).

Since it’s a movie, something is bound to be illogical. But the unconventional take on love keeps you glued. Zoya is an extremely strong character and a true depiction of the bold woman of today. Dhanush is a lovable, sensitive man whom you fall in love with. He is actually brilliant in the film and proves that you don't have to be goodlooking to be a star.The supporting cast makes its mark as well. The story – it racy enough to keep you interested.

I am going to convince the Boy and watch it again with him. Do watch it once, it is soooo much better than Ye Jawaani hai Deewanis of today.