Weird, baby, weird!

The last few days have been weird, to say the least. A cold wave has hit Bahrain, and the desert is feeling brrr like never before. I am wearing socks at home. And I don't even wear socks in India when the North is covered in fog! Everyone around me is sneezing, and even though I have an immunity of an elephant, I have fallen prey to the phlegm.

Immunity of an elephant? - well, I just thought they are strong and happy animals.

Now when I fall sick, it doesn’t seem like I am sick. My phlegm usually stays inside and gets out from sources I don’t understand. So when people ask me what happened, I have to tell them specifically that I have cold and that I am very sick.

Although I wanted to lose weight even in sickness, the Boy told me to take rest. His one wish became my command and I ordered soul-food a.k.a. kadhai paneer from my favourite restaurant. I ate it for two days straight. It was complimented with some rum, some biryani, some parathas and lots of tea. Being sick was a great excuse, but I think I crossed a calorie-laden line.

I am dreading my weighing machine tomorrow. I have already bought myself gifts for reaching January targets even though it is not January 31^st. Talk about positivity!

Amidst all this, the Boy had to leave me for 2 days and travel to India. I literally had tears when he was leaving because I have not lived in Bahrain without him in the last 5 years. But thankfully my friends took care of me really well and I just felt blessed. Three more hours and he will be back, I cannot wait.

Oh another weird thing – a little girl came to our house on Christmas eve and gave us a balloon that said Merry Christmas. It has been 36 days, that balloon is intact. She did have long, unruly, blond hair like a ghost.

I take part in a lot of lucky draws. I feel very childish and desperate but since I win, I just take part. So I won a brunch at a 5-star the day Boy was leaving. I didn’t want to go without him. So like a good Samaritan, I told the guys on twitter that I don’t want it to go waste. They happily agreed to postpone it and still give it to me.

Two 5-star brunches in one month – I must have done something good in my life to deserve this. Or maybe, God is testing me how strong I am at eating salads at a lavish buffet!

So no other weird thing except these. Maybe just one more really weird and somewhat confusing one, but I’d rather stay mute on that. I love mystery. And I even love 'Dear Diary' posts like these. Enough meaningful stuff goes around the blogging world, let me just stay how I have always been - weird!

Eat hard, Exercise harder

So I think my weighing scale is lying. Not because it is telling me I am over-weight, but it is telling me I am less than what I thought I would be! You would say I should be doing a happy dance, but I am a paranoid girl who goes crazy when it comes to her weight.

Weight. You are going to hear a lot about that word this year. I have vowed, like umpteen times before, to reduce. Most of you know that my body cannot take the pressure of excess kilos. At 52, I was advised to reduce by 2-3 kgs. Now the doctor was the best in the country, so I didn’t take him seriously. Fast forward 11 years, I think he was right and all my basic instincts were false.

I hit my all-time high in December, thanks to yummy Diwali food at home. It showed. Things that were easier before were becoming harder. One evening it hit me hard. I decided to do something about it. It has been 1 month, yes, 30 days, and I have been the best student in my class!

The fact that I don’t have a teacher works best for me. None of my friends or the Boy gives me a hard time when I fail to achieve certain goals. They are all so supportive and loving. I read myself, I plan myself, I do myself, basically I am my own motivation.

Well, almost. One day I was watching this show on TV where the dietician said that even if you can’t do much, do atleast 10,000 steps a day when you want to lose weight. I have this friend living in my building whom I know since two years but hardly ever met. One day I just casually mentioned that we should walk in the mornings. She agreed. That day and today, we’ve become walking pals! She is the sweetest thing and keeps me motivated.

Then there is Instagram and Twitter. I have started following motivational people for a thought or two each day. I have downloaded one book so far and reading another paperback to keep me on track. I am trying to eat right, rest right and basically do everything that I have learnt in all the past few years of trying to stay healthy.

Two other companions in my journey are Netflix and my maid. I laze around at all other times I am not exercising. It is crucial for my health. So these books and constant support from a TV series is keeping me happy. My maid does basic work in the kitchen and so it hardly takes me any time to cook sumptuous, healthy meals each day. 

The only thing I am missing is writing. Even this is a distraction in a few ways and so I don’t want to open my laptop on most days. And since I am hoping that I would stick to my schedule for a few months now, I don’t know how much I will be able to come here. This would be a first in so many years. I feel bad.

But I feel good too! I am bang on my January targets and I cannot be happier. Things are not all that great but I am sure I will get there. The weather is perfect for all that I want to do. And I won a spa and brunch day at a 5-star today!

So you see, even God is smiling at me. Hope to keep in touch!

P.S. The abrupt brunch bit was just to make you jealous like I always do. Hugs!

2015 - The Year That Was

I am not the biggest fan of 2015. I didn't give it my best; neither did it do anything great for me. But as they say, you must count your blessings and look forward to the new ones. A new year is an opportunity to start all over again so that you don't have any regrets. Was 2015 that bad? I guess I will change my mind if I write down how it was different than others. Lets give it a shot:

1. Got high for the first time in Amsterdam. On mushrooms.

2. Was blessed with twin nieces and then another one.

3. Trekked on the best hills of the Black Forest.

4. Bought a flat.

5. Drove around the country like never before.

6. Read a couple of books that touched me in different ways.

7. Learnt how to make Chettinad Chicken and thought it was delicious.

8. Bought a new, swanky laptop.

9. Oh, won an iPad.

10. Gifted my FIL a laptop and my MIL an Air-Fryer with hard-earned blog money.

11. Joined a charitable group that distributes Biryani to migrant workers.

12. To make up for all the wrong doings and lack of exercise in 2015, vowed to dedicate 2016 to health. What started on 20th December is going pretty well.

Ok. So that wasn't bad! God has indeed been kind. I wish and pray that we live a healthy and happy 2016. Wish the same for you as well.

So how is your resolution coming along? Mine is doing pretty well!

Movie Review – Dilwale

My Rating: 3.5/5

For starters, I’m not a very big Shahrukh or Salman fan. I find them charismatic and somehow never get bored during their movies. Yet, I don’t go crazy when I hear about their upcoming movies.

So when Dilwale shows were more than Bajirao Mastani’s in Bahrain cinemas, I was just fascinated. It is not surprising though, the theatre was filled with Arabs who are major Shahrukh fans. They were clapping all along as well! I was more keen to see a king’s love story, but the Boy thought he would be more interested in a masala film.

He couldn’t be more right – Dilwale is a typical Bollywood masala movie. It has romance between the epic Shahrukh Khan and Kajol. They look as cute together as they looked 20 years back. The chemistry between Kriti Sanon and Varun Dhawan is fine – they are any way not as passionate as the former couple. However, all four actors look absolutely stunning in the movie.

Then there is drama – Meera’s (Kajol) father and Kaali’s (Khan) father are dons and like one can expect, rivals. Some confusion and the duo are separated only to meet later and then unite for a – spoiler alert – happy ending!

But then this is a masala movie, it will have a happy ending. Johnny Lever was the most hilarious, so was Sanjai Mishra. The songs, except Gherua, were passable. It is commendable how a 50-year old actor can still manage awesome romance in the songs. Gherua was spell-binding.

Overall you won’t get bored watching the action, drama, comedy and romance that this movie meticulously combines. It has been long since we had a good Bollywood movie sans a message – this might just be the one. King Khan – you have done it again!

Hopefully I will convince the Boy to watch Bajirao tomorrow. What is with boys and their aversion to a little bit of bling!

Restaurant Review - The Orangery, Adliya

The Boy and me, we try to cover at least one new restaurant every week. It is a tradition that started almost a year back and is being carried on. Sometimes we do a new thing if not a restaurant, anyway..

So this week, since the weather was so gorgeous, we thought of going to an outdoor place with some sunshine. I had read about this newplace very close to my house. I googled for it online and found it to be quite impressive.

The Orangery sits in the Palace Boutique Hotel in Adliya. If you check its page online, the first impression that you get is that the place is very British.

And it is not wrong. We parked our car in the vast area and headed inside. The lush green garden is a rarity in the middle of Adliya. I was impressed straightaway. We sat in one of the cane chairs and made ourselves comfortable.

The service was quite fast and we gave our order – a Syrian Frittata and a Saffron infused French Toast. I ordered an Iced Latte because the sun was shining on my face and the Boy ordered a Juice because there was no wine!

While we basked in the sunshine, we could hear the incessant chatter of the women around. We could not help but notice that most people in the restaurant were Arabic women who had come for some kind of a celebration. Maybe the restaurant needed a wee bit of publicity amongst the Expat community!

The Frittata was an absolute delight. I was sceptical earlier because it didn’t have any vegetables. But the herbs and labanah made up for it and I loved my breakfast.  We thought that the French toast was a little too sweet for our palate, but that’s just us. Our drinks were fine, nothing unusual, nothing disappointing!

We even walked in inside to check out the décor. The interiors are breathtaking with cutesy wallpaper done in tea-cup like prints. The furniture is in tune with the whole ambience and is pretty charming.

We paid 18 Bahraini Dinars and walked out quite satisfied. If you’re looking to celebrate this winter, I suggest you pay this impressive Orangery a visit. It is ideal for lazy winter mornings and afternoons. And I'll let you know how my dinner turns out in my next visit!

I promise to click more pictures next time!

Middle Eastern Frittata

The lovely Outdoors

#madeofgreat Zonal War - Chandigarh rules!

I had heard about Chandigarh from many people. My father use to go on his business trips regularly and drive from one city to another in Punjab. Chandigarh was definitely his favorite.

Fortunately, my brother-in-law moved here in 2010 and since then, I have been visiting this city atleast twice a year. Not only that, now my in-laws live there as well and it may very well be our post retirement city!

So what makes this city so unique? If you know, it is amongst the most well-planned cities in the world. If you go to this city for the first time, you will easily be able to find your way even without a GPS.

Chandigarh is marked with sectors. Each sector is easily connected with another. Not only this, each sector has its own park and market. The roads are marked with lined trees. According to a study in 2010, Chandigarh is also the cleanest city in India.

Apart from the great planning of roads, sectors and amenities, what makes this city unique for a good drive and design is the disciplinary action of the policemen. You will find strict, turban-clad policemen at every roundabout hunting for offenders. Drivers make sure they wear seat-belts and stay in lane just because they know they are being monitored.

This Punjab and Haryana capital has one of the nicest roads without bumps and potholes. I am not exaggerating when I say that it is indeed the best city in India in terms of design and drive.

What makes it even more impressive is its connectivity with other northern cities. We or our family members have made trips to Shimla, Manali, Amritsar, Delhi, Panipat, Mussoorie, etc. with extreme comfort. The International Airport of Delhi is just 4 hours away connected with the most reliable highway. If you need a getaway from the humdrum of life, Manali, Shimla, Kasauli, Dharamshala, Dehradoon, et al. are just a few 100 kilometers away. Chandigarh is well connected by road by NH 22 (Ambala - Kalka - Shimla - Khab, Kinnaur) and NH 21 (Chandigarh - Manali). The connect is so simple and smooth that it undoubtedly makes Chandigarh a highly recommended base.

We visit the city as tourists but have made it our home with ease. Since everything is so clearly marked, there is no chance of getting lost. The smooth and green roads make our drive even more refreshing. And if we need to get out, we have many options as well.

Apart from good food and good humoured Punjabis, Chandigarh is indeed a beautiful city. I really wish we had more well-planned cities like this one. A lot of states can take cue and start planning. Like they say, it is never too late. Chandigarh may as well be a model city for our incredible India. 

A beautiful rainy day in Chandigarh

I am participating in the #madeofgreat Zonal wars on Indiblogger. Clearly North India rules!!

Nisha Punjabi - Why I hate it, Why I love it!

If you have reached this link looking for my biography for 'The Race', please email me on nisha(dot)punjabi(at)gmail(dot)com and I would revert ASAP.

Soumya of Life of Leo asked us the story of our name. While commenting I remembered that my name has an interesting angle to it which I have never mentioned here. Since this is the story of my life, Teeth that Sparkle should have a copy of it!

So I was born on 17th November 19something! The pandit ji made my janam kundali and took out the alphabet 'N'. I think he was the one who named me 'Neeta Devi'. Of course my folks didn't use the devi bit, but well, the story would have been funnier then!

Our landlady who lived upstairs had a daughter called Neetu. Somehow it confused the families when they called out our names. I was subsequently named Nisha for convenience! I have a second cousin by the same name who was born one month before me; I figure my unimaginative parents just stole that name!

Anyway, Nisha Punjabi stuck with me. It was one of a kind. In school, my second cousin was a teacher. Her sister was a headgirl one of the years. So I was famous belonging to a renowned clan. I was famous for other reasons as well, but that's not important.

When we were in class IX, Sunny Deol decided to do a lot of songs with the word 'Punjabi' in it. To my amusement, that year we had our classroom right above a dhobi's house. Now this dhobi needed entertainment while washing clothes. He played all Sunny Deol's numbers while the first period was on. I am sure I don't need to tell you the trauma I went through in a co-ed school while this happened!

So much so, the boys even wrote 'Punjab ka Tempo' behind my tempo. The driver was, guess what, a Sardar!

Oh yes, my life was amusing. While I was getting married, I was in a dilemma whether I should change my name or not. Since I had written quite a few poems and was also published in the local newspaper a number of times, I couldn't bear the thought of changing my name. So it just remained what it was. I wasn't a feminist then, I am not an extremist even now. This was just because I wanted my name to remain unchanged.

More than 'Punjabi', 'Nisha' has a more interesting story. I always hated my first name. I don't know why, it just didn't sound right. I even hate it when the Boy calls out my name. Yes, I am weird!

But do you know the best part about my name? I met the Boy 12.5 years ago on the Internet. Do you know how? Well, the Boy randomly messaged all the Nishas who were online on ICQ. He said he liked this name! I was the one who was most vela that night and responded to his 'friend request'. The rest, as they say, is a happily ever after tale.

What if I didn't have a landlady? What if they never changed it from Neeta? Imagine, they even moved abroad after a year. What if that cousin wasn't named Nisha? They say what's in a name? - apparently my life wouldn't be the same if it wasn't for my name!