Change of state

Finally moved into my spacious (well, in comparison with
my earlier studio, yes!) 1 bedroom apartment by the beach.
Still no sign of internet in this developed nation and despite
the earlier tenants having one at the same address!
Surfing on some unsecured wireless.

So change of state is because there is change in the state of my
mind. New things obviously excite everyone (for me, even more :P).
But especially the task of unpacking and arranging and setting up a
house have been one of my favorites, I realise now. Did you
wonder that the same things appear in a different light when you
unpack them? Well, try it next time. So there's a new thrill, new tasks,
new to-do's, more shopping :D Just feels great.. and the view is adding
to this pleasure of mine.

Coincidence?

My home in Munich was at the base of the Alps (not literally dude).
My current home in The Hague is a stone's throw away from the sea.
My new home is literally on the beach.
So I am moving towards the sea.. closer and closer... I think it is
symbolic of my growing fondness towards taking the plunge, eh?!
hehe.. keep pondering.

Strange

Strange it was that though today was an hour shorter for me
(I woke up and had already lost an hour thanks to DST), I
managed to do a lot more than I could have in a regular day.
Hmmm.. secret to achieving more - Have less time??

Moving Day is nearing

Shifting homes is never an easy task no matter which country!
Packing, cleaning, unpacking, cleaning, arranging, rearranging,
cleaning.. ahh the cycle never ends for a few days.

I have lived in my current studio for only 6 months, but man, it
is still tough to move out hassle free. I am fearful moving into the
new place this week due to all the tasks that await me there :(

But I am happy with my new place. It is fantastic. A bigger 1 bedroom
apartment with a view of the sea.. right on the boulevard on the beach.
Its just fab... Cant wait :)

Spring is here

The season of spring,
Weather seems to sing
Lovely lovely days
are coming our ways

Spring is finally here and it feels great. Gone are the overcast skies and the sun shines bright. Up and about on my feet, cos my dear, the time is right. :)

If you want to ever experience what human hibernation is,
you should visit the northern parts of the world in summer
and wait until its Spring. The snow seems to push everyone deeper into their hearths and there is hardly any activity. The moment the sun starts shining bright for a couple of days in March and you see those sleeping beauties wake up and show their might. It was so absolutely funny to walk out of my door and see so many people I never knew lived next door. (Ofcourse, I too hibernating, but well..) It was so great to see so many people on the streets, kids frolicking in the parks, bikers riding their bikes in full glory.. It was so refreshing.

The best part however, was mother nature. Its amazing to see the change around when the sun starts shining. Its like a switch turned on... and tak,tak, tak... everything around dons a new look. Flowers blooming every place you look, green carpets everywhere, trees looking like still waking up from their deep sleep... its amazing.

Here is one capture from around Den Haag this Spring.

Lazy?

I think the advances in technology have made the new
generation lazy. I say from my personal experience as
well as that of others.

Our parents are still more active and more willing to go
the extra mile to achieve something - it may be something
as simple and ordinary like getting a refund back from the
shopkeeper. We on the other hand just shush it away..'Ah,
well, how does it matter, we have enough of it already'.
We have abundance of those items that were not readily
available to the previous generation. So we don't care and
chase other,bigger (in our opinion) things in life.

Well, everything has its pro's and con's. You just have to be
wise to make your choice.

Schade!

On second thoughts ,if women have to write this in the national
daily, it looks like they are asking for too much. Pity!

Equality Matrimonials

Time has brought in many changes.. in the world, in technology,
our work and our personal relationships as well.

A good example, if I may say, I saw today was a change in the
matrimonial section of the national daily. Here's the link.
It shows a true reflection of the change women have undergone or
let me say the urban/working woman has undergone in recent times.
Today's woman talks about equality on all fronts.. at work and in their
personal relationships. Look at the, I wouldn't say demands, but
expectations - and they are fair.

Today, when the woman also comes back home after a hard day's work
it is unfair to expect her to attend to all the domestic chores. She needs
support from her partner to keep herself sane in an insanely fast world.
You may say thats the problem of a nuclear family. And NO, joint family
is not a solution. They may work for some, not all. Joint families have
their own set of problems and most times it becomes an issue in itself,
mostly due to the generation gap of elders. I wouldn't say the previous
generation is regressive but it is difficult for them to understand the
characteristics of the current world and adapt themselves to it. It is
unfair too to expect that from them. So the median way is the best way.
Live nuclear but think 'together' when required.

The new woman also wants to retain her identity, her freedom, her money
even. I must say that the men of this generation too are adapting and this
isn't a big problem. They just need to stand a little more firm on it when
the bigger family comes into picture. But still not bad.

All today's women want is to not have to undergo a sea of change cos of
one change in their marital status, having a man who earns his living and not
just a salary, whom she can respect and expect the same back, a little give
and take and lots of love. In the end its all about understanding and adjusting
to each other's needs of time, space and goals - and that goes for both.
Its not too much to ask for or is it?

Gourmet cook

They say - "necessity is the mother of invention"...
In these times where humans have all they NEED but WANT more..
I say - "boredom is the mother of invention".

You have everything you need .. but does that motivate you to
try out new things? Nope!
You get bored of the things you have... does that motivate you to
try out new things? Yep!

So.. boredom in the kitchen is the mother of inventive dishes.
Like today... made "dhirada".. a typical maharashtrian pancake
made of besan (bengal gram flour) and the staple onion and chillies.
Add to it a touch of all purpose flour (for lack of rice flour) and bingo!
A little pudina-green chilli chutney added the required zing to my
boring dinner. Came out yummy :)