Cooking Expeditions

Ask any girl on what her favorite pass time is, I bet 9 out of 10 are going to stick to “Cooking” – “I like to experiment, new dishes and cuisines”. At least being into the ‘married population’, I believe people anticipate me to declare cooking as my hobby. But it is not true, I have my reasons for saying this. 

My mom is a very good cook, she conducts cookery shows and classes. So supposed to have a pretty decent hand on it. It is not passed to me, but may be my sister. I get to hear that she puts a lot of interest around cooking good food and feeding people. Never remember one such incident unless for utmost urgency spending time in kitchen, as I grew up. I used to love what my mother cooked and never thought that I should compete with her ;-). I have friends who own their cookery blogs, and fill them up regularly. It is my dream to open a contemporary restaurant, not that I will be experimenting my skills. Can always hire a good team to cook.

My cooking venture started as it got close to my marriage. It was a matter of survival and wanted to learn those dishes which my hubby liked. So learned the delicacies from the most authentic sources. I had minimal requisites that whatever I cook should turn out tasty, and he should feel at least close to what he would have relished once upon a time. I follow my own formula and measurements for what I make. Never the slave of those cookery books and journals. Even when I have to cook something authentic and special, I pay little attention to my mother’s advice.  The ingredients are picked and mixed at my ease and convenience. 

Apart from the facts, I am an awesome cook J, this is a comment out of public opinion. Have heard my husband say this many a time – “She cooks great, provided she does”. It is basically the laziness and the lack of interest. Enjoy cooking when there is a considerable audience to consume. Looks like I too inherit the talent, but still not ready to accept it. I prefer to stay sober and eat, rather than oil in efforts cooking!!

Little Things

A few that can put a smile on me. I am a person of little things!...

 - Get crazy drenched in the rain, dripping wet and probably jumping around like kids. One of the best feelings ever.
- Red Roses, they make me feel special and important. I would say the best gift I value anytime.
- A train voyage though not comforting as flying, excites me a lot. Enjoying the scenic spots, curdling inside the blanket holding a book and a bottle of water. I can sacrifice multiple meals.
- Dairy Milk –The very thought about the chocolate, my eyes sparkle. Sure that I would make a good brand ambassador for the product. Relish every minute I spend eating. 
- A random surprise, I react the best to it!!!
- Tinker Bell, in any form – movie or a goodie with Tinkerbell theme. Love her costumes and wings, wish to fly like her someday.
- Sipping the last drop of wine from my glass. Wine is the magic that brings to light the ‘happy me’.
- Dancing wild with friends, like world ends tomorrow.
- Watching Dirty Dancing movie over and over again.
- A descent color painted well on my nails. I keep checking them out too often for people to doubt I am insane.
- When people praise my eyes being striking with all the décor I toil in, brings a glee to the inner self feeling proud.
- When a harmless handsome chap, takes a second look at me pass by with a smile – I gift one back too.
- Favorite Kerala foodie, specially some delicacies, smile is just one of the emotions at the hour.
- Blessed be the one, who buys me pop-corn for movies. The ill-fat or content is totally worth every second of the movie.
- Going through the oldie (though embarrassing) childhood pictures. The feeling is very nostalgic.
- Hear my favorite sound track played loud, sets my feet in motion and head to swing!
- A drive myself without scaring people who drive along. My history with driving is strange.
- Popping out though the moon roof of the car, and hailing the wind. Make sure to do it on every road trip we make.
- Nesting close to my better half in the couch lazy, watching old Malayalam comedy movies probably the nth time.

- A good night kiss, I am sure to smile for that even though I am half sleepy. 

Can of Emotions

I am still not able to rate or range my reach towards emotions. It is not that I am a blunt, cold and a cranky one. With my best of interest, always make sure that I never land up hurting anyone. There are fall-outs here and there, but they sure are un-intentional.

Worked as a team lead of a fairly good team with my previous company. It was a tough press with a lot of challenging work, stress-cramped environment and conflicting personalities. Things were almost on the fire line every hour of the day and incident that fuels the anger, pricking my nerves tempting me to yell and let it out. Have stayed composed most of the times, while I keep counting from 1 to 10. Not sure who put this in my brains that it helps to tone down yourself counting numbers. Not supporting the theory but am positive that it aids to divert from the trigger.

 There were times, when I have got stuck with the worst of problems. A word war or even fights with the dearest, the most wanted things slip and you stay helpless watching them, loss of people and even relations, those panic attacks. I stay stiff and stony, consoling myself that it happened and I will be able to handle them. I guess this grew in me with the age. I stay aloof and quiet for a while, until I assure myself past the phase. Hate it displaying my emotions and playing weak, and craving for the consoling. I respect providing space to a person during hard hours, rather join them mourning and make them feel more miserable.

 Many a time, have had my mother mention that ‘You will understand when you have a kid and you are at my position’. I have seriously thought about it – growing old and having a kid and things laying up the same way. I am sure that the way I would act then, will be close to what I think now.

 The maximum of emotions I spend is through the writing. It helps me flush off the unhandled and the disturbing facts. You write with a rage, and it helps you boil down the madness. The most important being the one source which does not speak back J.

New Phase

It had been a thought always, but finally happened. Quitting from my first company – Infosys. It was a biggie, leaving the familiar places and the people. The new one I took up, far from the boundaries I have known so far – St. Paul in Minnesota. Central America – an hour behind the timing I am used to. It’s quite a change, and still trying to fit myself in. The bare time I get is immense, trying to figure out what to do. I was running short of time for everything in Charlotte. Missing everything I knew off. Sambhu, home, friends, the streets, the fun and all that is possible. I have started bugging people, calling em up and forcing them to speak. Messaging service in my phone is kicking its heights of performance. Trying to substitute the solitude with the virtual media. Not a winner thou.

I guess the city awaits me to explore it. Roam around and find the places. I want to be the leader, by the time my friends visit in. This is a quaint one, and may turn out interesting. The weather pleases me, it’s same as Charlotte. Work place is nice, good folks around and a peaceful environment. Still working around the induction kid and documents. No work to do irritates me, but feel I should take it slow. It is not the old race, where you forget if its day light or dusk. I may like the whole thing, but still need to run back home. I have a whole story going in there!!!

Slow Down!

Confused, mumbled and absent minded!!! I fit into these titles at times. Not that I am a dumb person, believe that I am a fairly intelligent woman, who is aggressive and crowd catching. Guess I get it from my mother, used to love her for what she is.
Though you know you are there, have it in you n just have to speak up, but feel like slowing down. I see people racing, trying to stamp on one others. It's difficult to sort out how you reach there and who you end up hurting. I had been there many a time and done all of those. Taking a short pause and looking back and you find them futile. Appreciate if things can be taken a bit slow.

This is just momentary and may be coz i am running a dull day. Solitary moments and slow songs ticks up the "different me" and I end up thinking much. Now that is enough for a Thursday eve 😊!!!