So far....So sleepy!

Some one wise once advised me to sleep all that I can in the nine months that have passed. I, thinking I am wiser to all ignored the statement and thought the world is mad. "After all, how can the months with the baby be hard on sleep. Babies are so tiny, how can they stay awake". I thought to myself and I quote.

But well, well....Come 29th Sept...All had changed. My thinking, my sleeping pattern, my life everything. Some for the better and some for the worse. While my life changed for the better, my sleep changed for the worse. I was awake when the baby was and I was awake when the baby wasn't. Why? One tiny baby brings with it so much to do that even when the baby is asleep there is so much to be done....

Nights are now days but days are not nights. I am always awake yet always sleepy. Now I sleep when the baby is feeding at 5 am in the night and even when she is wailing for a feed. Such is my sleeping pattern.... So whoever said 'sleep all you can' was right and I should've slept all that I could. But that time is passe now and so is that life.

Now my life is about being a family and not about thinking of being sleepy. Anyhow, even when she screams at 3 am in the night, the one smile that is reserved only for me wakes the hell out of me. It takes all the sleepiness away and gets life back on track. It is the smile that makes my day, my week, my whole life...It is the smile for which I would stay awake all my life....

For Navya,

With love...

Rupal, the Mom

And they call Courtship a 'Golden Period'

He holds my hand and helps me clear the water puddle,

And makes sure I get the daily cuddle.

He walks me to the loo when my back hurts like hell,

And presses my feet when they really do swell.

He feeds me and watches my diet each day,

And rocks me to let my fears away.

A complete atheist, he takes me to the temple sometimes,

And makes sure the morning alarm doesn't chime.

He sits through hours of doctors visits,

And pretends not to panic on the weighing scales extra digits.

He takes me shopping and comes running when I call,

And reminds me to watch that little nail in the wall.

He handles the mood swings like a pro,

but his constant bickering over exercises is such a blow.

He is the reason the months flew away so soon,

And also the one to be excited and croon.

Pregnancy's come and got emotions in myriads, 

And leaves me wondering why is courtship the golden period....

ONE plus ONE is 3!!

The sixth and last ante-natal class for the over anxious parents to be!

Tonnes of theoretical information about pregnancy, delivery and post -birth scratched on paper, notepads, brochures and everything else the pen can write on and absolutely no idea of the practical parts of it with a totally confused vision of the times to come later, a slide stared at us saying the following:

One plus One = Three(3)

Mohit and I looked at each other skeptically. Turned out we were the 'ones' in the prefix while the three after the '=' was the number we were to be soon. From a couple to a family!
From a double to a threesome(well, don't get dirty thoughts in your minds now)

And the last part of the class went by without either of us understanding any more. The fear of the number 3 was setting in. While the previous eight months had passed by in anticipation, excitement and everything else that sounds even remotely like thrilling, the last month spelt everything that looks like anxiety, apprehension and nervousness.

All of a sudden we were talking to each other about 'never being a couple'. Now we were thinking of all those fears that always seemed dwarfed under the excitement of the new arrival. Suddenly we wanted to discuss terms like baby blues, post partum depression, blah blah and blah...

But one evening of couple co-chi-koo and a romantic dinner later, we figured we'd had our twosome and were back on track. Fear and Worry were out of the window( after much tete-e-tete) and Anticipation was back in. We seemed to have handled our one day of panic pretty well and were raring to go. After all, that is the cycle of life.

And to prove to the much-awaited baby that we are all excited anticipating the arrival, I will be adding a new label to my posts.
"Baby"

Because that's what I think the next 10 or 20 or rather all my posts might be about.
And a loving kick from the baby right at this moment has stamped his/her approval for his/her addition to the blog.

Amongst equals...

Being used to all the exclusive special treatment for seven months now, I suddenly landed up in a place where everyone seemed to be extra important. I no longer was the only centre of attraction and each of us seemed to gel in very well. Perhaps it took me some time to understand that at an Ante-Natal class, all pregnant women are equally important and I was no queen.

Yeah, a pregnancy class or a birthing class, etc etc....is what Mohit and I attended over the weekend. While he was extra excited about the whole affair, I seemed to miss the attention. LOL.... But it was an experience in itself. With so many pregnant women around you, the room seemed to be abuzz with baby talk from first time mothers.

Everyone was confused and excited to the brim...Dumb questions, stupid answers and worse actions is what we all portrayed collectively, but at the end of the day, we were all special...Special in our own ways to the man who sat besides us and also to the rest of the world who watched us sashaying down slowly for a toilet break.

From the eating tips to the exercise regime to the intricacies of labour, discussions galore followed...While everyone tried to show off how good they were with their eating, none seemed to be hot on exercising. Except a certain lot who is always bothered about your expanding waistline. As all the mums to be showed total enthusiasm for the diet plans, few takers were found for the exercises. But the 'Pa's' were all so keen on this in unison. To the extent that my better half even came back home and revised the exercises with me...And continued to bicker about them the succeeding night..And continues to ask if I exercised every now and then. Maybe its them who should put on the weight and then try to fight it off so they know how it feels...

But if the past seven months were spent wondering, waiting and watching, the 2 hour session surely was a learning and bonding experience. With so much love exuberant from the eyes of each beau, the room seemed to be full of the care that we see from men in only these nine months. With him walking with me step by step and telling me about that stone around the stairs, all of a sudden courtship days came running back. Except this time around, there is another small, little participant in the couple's life making us a happy threesome....

Stop with the vacation pics....already!!

Sitting lonesome in my room and having Facebook as a steady mate through out the day, I hate but notice one thing. The whole world seems to be vacationing while I sulk sitting home alone. Each day as I turn on my FB page, newer and more exotic locations are tagged on various people's vacations. All of a sudden, it seems like I am the only constant while everyone else is moving.

If yesterday I saw someone visiting the Tower of Pisa, then today it was Vegas, God knows what tomorrow might see. Going by the number of travelers I know currently, it could be anything between Macau, Jo'berg or Miami. It seems I had forgotten that June is vacation time across northern India. And till last year, I was also on the travel bandwagon and didn't seem to notice or bother other people's vacations pics amongst mine. All of a sudden, with no vacation lined up this year, the pics are the only thing I have to see as vanity.

After dropping two people at the Int'l Airport within a space of 5 days last week, the whole vacation air seemed to drive me crazier. As the Airport neared, my excitement seemed to beat those of the travelers. But well, then again, I came back on four wheels while they flew off in a jet.

Now I clearly know how everyone in the past must have felt when I discussed my travel plans with them. I sail in the same sulking boat now trying to act over enthusiastic on their excitement. While the inner core was all about wondering how it would be at World Cup Football in South Africa. I'm sure Mohit shares the feeling. He does come up with the best line to strike out all travel blues and show me the brighter light at the end of the boring tunnel, "Baby, you get the trophy in Sept while the others just get 10 days of thunder."
True, how true!
So travel people, have fun and next year, same time, get jealous seeing me, my husband and our li'l one in some crazy and hot destination.............

Changes....then and now!!

It has been a long time since I wrote on my blog. In fact, this line has become a cliched starting line for some of my recent posts. Well, the lack of any writing hasn't been due to less happenings in the recent past but due to lack of interest on the part of the writer. Talk of happenings and never has so much happened for me/us in the last six months than any other time.

If I compare the last year, same time to this year, same time, then things are so different. We were holidaying in London last year and trying to cheer India's sinking cricket ship in the WC20-20. This year, I'm just commenting on how good people's holiday pics look on FB. Last year, I was trying to lose weight and look good. This year, I'm bothered I'm not gaining enough weight.  (Yeah, I have actually asked my doc that)

Same time, last year, I was happily spending money and wanting to spend more while this year, Mohit and I sit every night discussing investment and saving plans, something we've never done before. If last year was all about the couple that wanted to have fun, travel and generally give a damn. This year is all about being a family.

We've already had one addition to the family in the form of Ishaan, Prerna Didi and Jiyaji's first born. And now we're awaiting the second addition to the Bansal clan. Yes, for all those who are dull and still haven't understood, Mohit and I will be parents soon. We're expecting our first child and are thoroughly excited about it. From disbelieving friends to a happy MIL to a never-seen-before smile on Mohit's face, the mum-to-be is seeing it all. Of course, the nausea, the cramps, the baby ponch and the back pains are all there. But so is the thrill that came from that first kick on 20th May. Such are the changes in this year.

If 2009 was exciting and daring but full of a few let-downs, 2010 seems promising and will hopefully see brighter days. And if the sudden spurt in the baby kicks is any signal, then that's an 'Amen' from his/her side to that.

The wind in my face....

For every small town girl car rides/drives or geris as they are vernacularly called in Punjab are very important. With little to boast of for social gatherings, it is the four wheels that come in handy when meeting friends. From giggling to gossiping to eating to alcohol, everything is possible in cars in small towns, I learnt.

Car drives were an important part of my growing up. Graduating from being driven by a driver in my early teens to lucky friends who had access to cars in late teens to finally cabbing the whole lot around in my own car, geris have a special place in my heart. 

As a colleger goer, I remember our trio of friends going out in S's car from B.R.S. Nagar down to Doraha road. One special memory is a trip we took on a rainy afternoon to find our favorite isolated spot near the river to bury the four things that had kept us company during college. Those cup of teas and dal makhani-naan at the roadside tea stall are still embedded in me. I still hold that no one can enjoy tea as much on a rainy day as we did on our jaunts time and again.

There are two road trips with Mohit that I remember, both of which he would like to forget. The first one was on that special V-Day when I took him down to the Sutlej. The setting was just right, with the ring and the food, but the rain Gods had to come in to spoil the road back home. Seeing him toil for one hour to get the car out of the sloshy mud with the help of two villagers and almost wondering if the car might topple over still comes back in my dreams. Nightmares rather...

The special drive on the country side of the Scottish Highlands was doomed to be a special one, I was sure. Whilst the younger drives were enjoyable with rains, this one with me on the wheels in a strange land was a rather scary one. A tire burst and 4 hours later, we were towed back in a tow truck all the way to Glasgow. But then again, sipping tea in that wonderful weather with the beautiful landscape with Mohit and me, hand in hand in the backseat of that tow truck was kind of romantic too. I would've had nightmares about this one too if our insurance didn't cover the GBP 500 loss I incurred.

Coming back to base camp, there hasn't been much thrill in car drives in Delhi. With the driver in question (Mohit), never keen to drive around meaninglessly on crowded roads with fellow car drivers abusing you endlessly, my dreams of the wind in my face and rain drops on my brow seem to have ended......

In conversation with a taxi driver!!

I share a love-hate relationship with cab drivers. Love, because I have to rely on these radio cabbies to get me to my destination in due time. Hate, because they are always late when I am short on time and also when I am attending an important occasion. I hated my cabbie when he didn't turn up when there was an early morning flight to catch and hated him even more when he arrived 30 mins late to take me for my anniversary dinner.

Well, off late it has been more love than hate, seems the services have improved. And there was particular love(????) for one cabbie who picked me and took me to Panchsheel on 15th March 2009. With a big 6 feet frame and anywhere between 200 and 250 pounds to boast off, he seemed anything but tender. As he started driving, I screamed for him to slow down. He nodded and slowed, but only for the next 300 metres. Soon the bumps were invisible to him and after my third shout, he looked at me with soft eyes and smiled. Finally, he slowed down after I had added 4-5 sentences of plain truth.

As he slowed around Naraina, his phone rang. Looking at the display, the giant turned to a puppy and said sheepishly. " Haan, Mamma." I almost burst out laughing. He told her he was driving and would call back, but the 'Mamma' was in no mood of listening to that. She had some instructions to give and he followed all of them up with a series of " Haan Mamma's".

He hung up and smiled at me in the mirror. I suddenly felt bad at eavesdropping. He didn't seem to bother and suddenly started doling out his "Haan Mamma' story to me. That was my mother from the village, he told me. She calls me at all meals to ask if I had eaten, he added. Very sweet, I said and thought it would end there.

But the big man was emotional and kept going. I live alone in the city and she is alone in the village and we both really miss each other, he said. I nodded. "Today she had cooked my fav baingan bharta and had called to say so. She wanted to know if I get good bharta in Delhi or no. I told her yes. But she doesn't know I cook myself and I don't know how to make baingan ka bharta." He smiled and kept quiet. I wondered what that meant.

All of a sudden he started speaking. "She thinks that I have someone to cook for me since I drive a car, little does she know that I cook dal chawal and paranthas for myself everyday." All of a sudden it seemed to be turning into a movie story with the son in the city lying about his monetary status to the mom in the village.

Before more thoughts could jump in my mind, he started talking again, "what more can I do Madam, we are poor people? Cook once and then eat here and there! Who will cook Baingan ka bharta for me in big, mean Delhi? Sigh....."

Long Silence......

"Baingan Ka bharta is very easy to make. I can tell you how to make it and then you can tell your mother you ate it. She will be happy." I don't know from where that came.

"Nahi, Madam, hum garib kaha baingan khareedege."

"Baingan is cheap, no big deal. You can make it easily, maybe on a sunday or a day off." I was still talking I realised.

"I think Sunday should be good, Madam. Tell me how to make?"

"Do you have a paper?" I asked.

From nowhere, a paper and pen appeared and I felt myself scribble the recipe of baingan bharta on that crumpled piece. He seemed to be very interested and insisted I write in English as that would help in honing his english skills as well.

Between naraina and Panchsheel, I had shared a secret with this big guy who looked so hard on the exterior yet so tender on the interior. And during the same time, the mean looker had disclosed that he was a softie and that cabbie's can be good guys too.

So much for my love-hate relationship with them!

This one seemed all Love!!!

Lessons from Home: 3 yrs thus

It will be 3 years now that I have been settled in my Punjabi Bagh house and have seen things change and learnt a lot. Being at home has changed the social bird in me to the more homely and concerned type of girl. Somebody who notices the dirt around the vase, someone who checks if the veggies are fresh to somebody who  haggles with the dhoban about the price of an ironed sheet. Such are the lessons learnt by me during these 3 years. Take a trip inside the things I have learnt from home in the past couple of years:

1. You can work from home. I have learnt in the past 2 years that it is both easy and difficult to work from home. Easy: Because I can start working without taking a shower and can log off right before hitting the pillow.
Difficult: Because family obligations tie up work sometimes.

2. Things break down in the house.: This is one of the biggest lesson learnt in these past years. All the little nuisances that I never knew existed before crop up now. The leaky faucet, the broken shelf, the car audio: everything needs repair in the same day and everything has to be managed by you.

3. You can be a free Assistant for your husband: From booking his train tickets to depositing his cheques to paying all bills to getting his car serviced, it is all a thankless job. You are a free assistant to the man you married. Kudos to juggling everything.

4. Money flows at the pace of water: Outward flow, of course. As singles, one never knows how much money is spent in the daily working of a house. Well, now, after 3 years of trying to control finances, I realise there is no way to increase inflows and decrease outflows.

5. Parents are a blessing: Mothers, more so. This is something that all girls realise the moment they get married. For me, having a great mother in law slowed the process but the importance of parents hits you when the first fight happens and you are abandoned mid way.

6. Family and Friends, who to choose? : As singles, this question never crops up as friends are what you choose all the time. The equation changes once married and priorities need to be decided at almost every step of life.

7. It's all good at the end: The faulty kitchen sink, the work overload and the massive cooking strain, everything can be managed if the smile that matters finds you at the right spot. Yes, things look bright even if the daal you made was too watery because you had work on your mind if the one smile that matters the most makes its appearance. Perseverance, maybe has been the biggest lesson of them all and things fall in place for even the most turmoil of married lives.

Tigers! Only 1411 left! You kidding me????

I've been seeing the 'Save our Tigers' campaign for over a fortnight now and been thinking of writing something every time the little cub howls over the screen. But then as the ad ends, they would always claim that only 1411 were left and that we should do anything we can to spread awareness about saving them and that would tick me off!

I for one, am not too sure that even 1411 are left now. We all know how the Indian government machinery works. When its a crime scene, they divide the figures by 2 and present it while for something like the national animal going extinct they would surely be multiplying the figure by 2 and presenting it. After all, they don't want to look bad to the public. Its votes after all!

Anyhow, to the subject now. Last year, Mohit and I went to Ranthambore to see tigers in the National Park. We spotted a pair of male and female tiger on our second trip in the park which was denser and more wild than I expected. But when we saw the tigers, it was a feeling beyond any. The wildness seemed to fill up our hearts and we seemed to be braver than before.

There was a thrill like none before. I didn't feel like this even when I met my husband. Now you know the thrill I'm trying to express. The bravado of the big tigers who were in a playful mood seemed to fill the 50 odd crowd that had assembled to sight the majestic animal. Seeing the animal in its natural habitat with a fear of him getting angry and striking you coupled with the elation that his commanding stature presented was a feeling beyond any.

The 30 minute entertainment that the two tigers presented us on Terra fer-ma, aqua pura and hardwood alike was something I cannot comprehend in words. We came back overjoyed with a story to tell to people for the next six months to come.

Later I heard from one of the guides that we were lucky that we got to see two tigers. Most people cannot even see one in their full lifetime. Why? I wondered that time. The ads gave me the answer it. That's because there are only 1411(or lesser) for the whole Billion of us!

Doesn't that solve the mystery! I'm lucky I saw and know what a tiger is! Maybe my kids will think of tigers as we all think of Dinosaurs...Hopefully not...Maybe another tiger safari down the years will greet more and better fed tigers than the ones we saw. Maybe there will be more than the official tiger figures and they never have to say you're lucky that you spotted them.

Amen to that!

Maybe it is an Omen!

I have this crazy knack of losing track of the things I own. This includes my clothing, shoes and even jewelry. That is how careless I can be at times. Just yesterday while cleaning up a cupboard(a bi-annual feature) I uncovered a blue jeans that seemed to be brand new.

I looked at it up and down trying to figure out whose it was. Without doubt, I was sure that somebody had left it while staying with us and that it wasn't mine. I suspected it was Niti's who had left a fortnight back. Then I decided to probe further and dug into the pockets. There I found something that gave me clues pointing it to the owner.

While the back pockets contained some material inside them, it made me think if the jeans belonged to me. I don't know anyone else but myself who stores things in their back pockets and not the front ones. The right side pocket contained a yellow paper while the left side contained two medallions. The yellow paper when unfolded revealed a message : " The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I have to fear" Psalms 23:1.

I vaguely recalled having read this before. Then I gazed at the medallions. Both had Jesus blessing me on them. Well, finally I recalled where the things came from and who the jeans belonged to. The jeans were mine, of course. But the poor thing had been long abandoned by me. The paper and the medallions were given to me while in London by a missionary who was spreading the message of God and peace.

I had put the two things in my pocket and left the jeans out of sight since the trip. What did I benefit from this, you ask? Well, for starters some confidence cos the jeans fitted right. Secondly, I got 'his' message right. He is looking after me and I have nothing to fear. Maybe it is an omen for me!

The jeans now hold space in my regular clothing and the yellow paper with its message is pasted on the mirror I see atleast 10 times a day. Need to keep reminding myself that he is there!!

fingers crossed
Amen

The toothbrush, the laptop and Me!!

The lone toothbrush has stared at me four times now. Twice for each day that I have been a single woman. Well, when you call yourself a woman and not a girl means you are so...so...soooo married.

Anyhow, with a husband who hardly travels for more than a night for work, it seems single days are back if he is gone for 4 nights( Why the hell am I writing nights, no naughty thoughts ppl). But so far it hasn't been capitalising on the single days for me as I sit and stare at the toothbrush each morning and night. Yeah, I brush at night too, a habit cultivated after marriage through Mohit. Ya, now that gets me back to the topic of conversation.

When I was single and there wasn't anyone in the picture I didn't care if the toothbrush stood alone in its stand. Now it feels so lonely just like me. The poor soul keeps wandering about in its stand with fellow occupants of the bathroom willing to give company. Same goes for me too.

I am symbolic of the lonely toothbrush. :) I am wandering off alone from room to room and shop to shop and mall to mall. Well, shopping therapy for boredom. With all my friends and relatives calling to give me company for lunch and dinner. Especially Tonight! His Birthday. An evening we have spent together for the past 3 years. While it seemed unthinkable two months back and unconceivable one month back, it is the reality right now.

How contrasting our lives are on his birthday? Compared to the previous 3 times that we've had totally painted the town red and blue and whatever the phrase goes, this time it doesn't seem like its the birthday of the man in my life.

The dude must be having fun with his bumchums in some night club right now while I sit sipping a bored looking cup of tea penning this on my new Sony Vaio. After all, this was the bait offered to me in return for this all boys trip. Somehow the laptop, even with its bright red shade isn't exciting me enough to send him away on the day that matters.

At the end of the day, I know it and you know it and we all know it, the Laptop wasn't just a bait, it was just an opportunity materialised upon from my side. When I knew the ball was in my court, I decided to make him show me the money. I would've anyways let him go, laptop or no laptop. But no laptop or camera or money can make me feel any better or make me miss him lesser on 15th January.

I wish I was a mean wife!

On a lighter note, I saw the MasterCard ad and coined a phrase of my own:

Shoes to tread in the snow: Rs. 3,000
Tickets to Riga: Rs. 35,000
Laptop to keep wife happy: Rs 40,000

Permission to go on the bachelors trip: PRICELESS

Happy Birthday Mohit!
Wish you many more happy and exciting trips(but with wife)

Rupal

When boys are BOYS, parties become BACHELOR Parties!!

I had heard the rumours. It surely was going to be a blast. The married ones were whispering with each other while the singles were very vocal and enthusiastic about it. The event was a bachelors party for Tickly from the remaining bunch of singles of London.

The venue was undecided but the rumour mills during Mama's wedding celebrations at Kerala suggested that it would be an Eastern European country...OOOHHHHH, the boys went as they discussed who was going and who wasn't. But it seemed none of the married lot(the unhappy ones) had much to contribute with only the bindaas singles(the happy ones) confirming it.

One cold evening, clad in shawls, Mohit and I went for a walk. The bait was my favorite Belgian Chocolate-Almond Fudge Double Scoop Ice Cream. As i delved deeper into the cone, Mohit unfolded the story. There is a party(note he said, party and not the sinful word) happening for Tickly in January. I know and nodded, without looking up from the cone. It is in Latvia, he went on. Now I looked up! Where the hell is that? I asked him. Erstwhile USSR, he told me. I pictured a cross between Russia and Kazhakastan and wondered why would boys want to go there? In that Serbian Cold, in January? It sounded beyond me. Aha, I said and kept quiet.

Mohit followed up with the quietness. I finally looked up and asked him who all were going. Little did I know that my pushing the topic had me all trapped! He named all the junta in London and a few in India. Slowly, I noticed the expression on his face had changed. From oh-its-so-cold, it had become i-love-the-cold-in-Latvia. I asked the wrong question at the wrong time and am still repenting it. "Do you want to go?" I said. He nodded like a baby enticed by candy. And at that moment I knew the fish had been caught. The Ice cream had managed to seal the deal. How easy had it been for Mohit? His wife had stepped on the axe willingly.

But if you thought that was all, hang on! Cut to next week! Mohit gives me the i-don't-enjoy-without-you look everyday after he comes home. He makes me feel like I am the best wife in the world( which I am, BTW). After dinner and another ice-cream(change the bait next time, Mohit), he tells me the dates for the Latvia trip. It's not my fault, the guys in London are controlling the show, he said sheepishly when I cribbed about his absence on 15th January. The look has changed to i-will-miss-you-should-i-cancel-it now and I fall for it again. I step on the axe again and offer the trip as a birthday present. He jumps with joy and doesn't discuss the topic in the house till friends decide to tease him at New Years.

Two Ice Creams and three different looks and Rupal, the fish was caught. Worst is I had offered to pay for the trip. What in the world do they teach these wise-guys at IIM-A? It surely is paying of, if not in the boardroom, atleast with the wife in the bedroom.

I don't know why this party had to happen on his birthday but it's fine now. I am of the firm belief that birthdays, anniversaries are for families and no amount of ice-creams can change that. Anyhow, no turning back now that the deal has been stamped. But I will miss you and cut the cake myself.

A word of caution from my friend:

You've given the ball in her court, Mohit. Wait and see what all she makes you buy her in 2010.

HAHA....Have fun, boys!!!

AAAALLLLL IZZ WELL!!

After a series of fights with Mohit and some words of advise for the book my show search engine for tickets for 3 Idiots, it was a friend who came to the rescue and got us tickets. With high hopes and time in hand, we reached the theater only to be told the show was running late by 45 mins. Not enough to dampen the spirits but still we roamed around bored in the halls of Satyam Cineplex.

The movie started late as mentioned earlier and the first one hour drifted off. With predictable, slap stick comedy and a few laughs later came the much awaited 'Aaall izz well' from Aamir Khan. There was something in the mannerism and the patting of his hand on his chest that 'gave me some sunshine'. He kept at it for the whole movie and we came back smiling.

While the movie was good and cheerful, motivating me to forget 2009, it also got in me an exuberance for the year ahead. I saw myself doing an 'A La Aamir' when my mother and cousin discussed the cruel implications of the eclipse on the New Years night. We all broke into a laugh on that note. It was something that came naturally from me at the spur of the moment and was not at all pseudo. The way Khan had said that line looked so nice to copy and spread to the world.

Too stocky a Phrase, but 'aaall izz welll' does sum up the faith of a thorough optimist towards the pains of life. Maybe we all need to induct it in our lives too. I took this spirit to our smallish New Years Eve Party(?) at a friends house. Well, just a dinner was a better term for the group of 10 people. But by the time the Tequila bottle was finished, the group seemed to make some noises louder than the iPod did and fitting enough for two dozen people. While the food lay bored on the three brand new tables of the hosts, the vodkas and the bacardis made their way inside our stomachs. The Chivas even made its way into a full kitchen roll and the boys repented wasting almost 60 ml of it.

A fun night to mark the ending of a funny year. I cannot stoop so low to call it the worst year of my life, my husband isn't going to appreciate my talking of another year spent with him like that. But it isn't the star in my list of 29. Some brand new beginnings were marked in the past year, while there were also some crappy endings. But after some smiles and tears, I've learnt a lot last year and plan to be happier during this one.

Hopefully Aamir's truism with the 3 words is going to be take me through it all.

See him chime right now