Trippinnn..

Just back from an awesome weekend getaway. What's surprising, is I am happy to be back home. In fact, I am even raring to go to my work place (strange eh??). As they say, truth is sometimes stranger than fiction!

My weekend trip to Hyderabad initially intended to be a "catching up with old friends (no pun intended!)", proved out to be much more than that! Last minute accommodation arrangement, early morning talks with long lost friends (and their husbands! Time has some grace after all!), "innocent" auto drivers conceding to my "negotiation skills" (Didn't you appreciate that Poosh??) and the super hot "cold wave" has been more than refreshing!

This was supposed to be my trip, as in MY TRIP, where I intended to carry my happening ass to all the places I wished without any human support! I must be God's favorite child, I had company ALL ALONG! (not that I am complaining!) I remember some one calling me anti-social (wait a minute.. that surely must be my alter ego! I rock with people around!). Having such fun people around me 24/7, I must be super cool!

What began on an auspicious note with a super yummy breakfast (once again, thanks auntie!!! Did I tell you, you rock???) ended on a jaw dropping event of announcement of an engagement. (not mine people, not mine) This probably would mean one more trip next week to a land I don't particularly like for a man I completely adore! (Hope I get my spa vouchers Poosh. Read my previous comment, I have EARNED it!)

Confused reading this post? Congrats! This attests your normalcy, although I would still say this ain't a good enough proof to hide your insanity! This post is more of a blabber post. I am just happy! (I just got back remember? Not been to work yet! I guess I have a good 3 hours between me and a (hopefully not) foul mood!!!)

For all those who think work sucks (yes, I am addressing the 99.99% of people reading this) take my word for it when I say, real life is outside work! Take a break (have a kit kat if you don't suffer from "weight issues!") One small trip, an encounter with people friends/strangers alike (believe you me, strangers can prove to be really S-T-R-A-N-G-EERRRSS!) a new place or an old place revisited is enough to keep you going till your next seizures! (remember the very frequent life-is-boring seizures??)

I am so kicked! I even called my yoga instructor and fixed up my "yoga plans" starting tomorrow! (Yes flab, you sure as hell are out of my body. New year seems to be bringing your end. *wicked laugh*)

Gotta scram now. Now, now, what do I do before I end a post? Say something (usually the first thing that hits my head!) and make it sound intelligent. (Yes, if you don't get what I mean you fall in negative IQ region! Now read and say.. ahhaaa epiphany!) I don't see any reason why this post should be any different! So here I go - Celebrate your time, for you know not what awaits for you tomorrow. (trust me you'll have a tomorrow. You most definitely will!! Else, when will you repent over lost time??)

Anyways people, here's wishing you a great week ahead! Will be back with my stories (hopefully more happening ones!) Till then, keep reading! C'est la vie!!!

Bon Voyage!

Travelling means different things to different people. For some it’s a passion, for some it’s a hobby, for some it’s a way of life and for some special people its life itself. Some travel to explore the world outside, while some travel to understand the world within. Some for developing a feeling “been there done that” while some for opening new avenues in life. 


As much as I talk about travelling, I haven’t done a lot of it myself. But I am hoping to, in the near future, which forms a big part of my new year resolutions! From whatever little travelling I’ve done, I know my actual reason behind wanting to travel. And it’s a lot more than just being photographed in front of a famous monument! I’ve always been intrigued by people and their culture. The best part being that it is almost an inexhaustible resource. Even if you have met a million people, learnt about a trillion cultures there is always more waiting to be discovered! This knowledge gives me a reason to go on my expedition with more vigor!
My first ever memorable trip to the Andaman’s was first in many ways. The first time I got to pick the location, first time I changed the itinerary, first time I met people who left me awestruck, for their passion for travelling was really overwhelming! ‘Backpacking’ is a very cool term. Really! Anyone who tells me “I went backpacking to XYZ place” gets me to applaud their attempt. I know what are the challenges people face when they wanna travel, most of which, prohibit them to do so. Money, society, blah blah forms a formidable barrier. So anyone who crosses this barrier manages to earn my respect!


In Havelock islands, I happened to bump into a passionate traveler from Holland. It took me a while to register what she meant when she said, “I sold my house and every single thing in it before I started globetrotting.”Once it did register I could hear my head reeling. WHAT??? My heart was in my mouth when I learnt that she had bid goodbye to her husband only coz she wanted to travel all around the world. With no security and no one to bank upon, she had set off on a journey, probably to find herself. Being used to my comfort zone, I thought that what she did was completely opposite to everything I ever believed in. You need your comforts, you need your people, you need somewhere to get back to, you need someone to get back too. But there was a part of me who kind of understood her. Most of you reading this would think this an act of sheer stupidity. Think again.


That was the first time it hit me, one can have all the materialistic things and worldly pleasures. But these cannot buy inner peace or help you find your true self. As I continued my conversation with this enigmatic woman, I discovered how uncomplicated her life was. Her entire life was in her backpack. A small “bathroom kit” with an even smaller mirror, few clothes which would soon find their way out to make place for the new ones, a book ,just about enough money and lots of memories. She believed in never having to repent. She danced with the locals under the moon light; she clicked pictures on her i-phone; she found a place on the ship deck without any complaints, when she saw that her seat had already been occupied; she travelled with no expectations; she travelled to live and lived to travel.


I may not remember her face, but I can never forget her spirit. 


May this serve as an inspiration to aspiring travelers. May this give you strength to jump the formidable walls and explore the world outside. May this lead you to the road of self discovery. Bon voyage!

2012

As the sound of firecrackers fill my ears, I have a very happy feeling seeping through ever pore of my body. A feeling, that assures me this year is gonna witness realization of dreams while new ones are being spun. A feeling that compels me to eagerly look ahead and live life queen style. A feeling that would reinforce my belief in miracles. A feeling, that can't be given a name, for it could scar its sanctity.

Every new year brings with it a lot of hope. We believe that bygones will be bygones and look forward to a new life which would heal our wounds, bring us relief.The hope that spurs up in my heart, which brings a smile of my face, which gives me the confidence to face the unknown, is the same hope that inspires a writer to write her next novel, an athlete to run a race of his lifetime, an actor to portray life on screen and a painter to capture colors of this universe on a canvas.  Every 1st of Jan marks the commencement of hoards of resolutions, most of which die a silent death in less than a week! But the same people make the same resolutions every year, without giving up!

It's said that what one does on Jan 1st, marks pretty much all he/she would do throughout the year. So, I decided to start my new year with something, that has, in the past few months become an avenue of expressing myself - writing. I won't say it completes me, but without it I surely am incomplete.There a lot of things I would like to do - Explore the world, Work for WWE/ National Geographic, Meet Edge (if I hear any of you laugh, I swear I am gonna have to take you to task!!!) and finally have a nice BIG ring on my finger!!!  But most importantly, I realize what shaping ones character means. So I decided to be the best person I can today, hoping this would rub on for as long as this year would last and a lot more! As for my wishlist, here's hoping I get to check all of them by end of this year!

2011 passed by at a break neck pace. I can't point my finger at one particular thing that made it rocking or boring! The most important lesson learnt has been about people. I had the good fortune of meeting few really genuine beings. Some in office, some outside and some online! A big thanks to all of you for reinforcing my faith in goodness. You guys have been like zephyr. Looking at your loved ones moving away is never easy.  All my friends in different continents, you guys are the most happening thing in my life!  But distance only brings you closer and closer we most definitely are. Then there were relations I almost lost, but were saved in the nick of time. I sincerely apologize for my follies. Can't promise that I won't repeat them, but will cherish you with all my life and not let go ever again. And that is my word. Finally, the ones who are around me, who have always been the closest to my heart, who give meaning to my life, here's praying this is just one of the many many happy new years we celebrate together!

I personally thank the super power for giving me one more Jan 1st to live and cherish with my loved ones. All my problems diminish when I see celebration of life all around me. Here's hoping the celebrations are here to stay! Happy new year to one and all. Make the best of this day, for you are fortunate to have it.

Merci!!!

Holidays are here - the season of being thankful for whatever we have been blessed.This might as well be the month in which my thoughts and words have found themselves least connected! It's been a while since I wrote something that's "simply Shubha". As my freezing fingers wander on the keyboard, my thoughts are haywire - some thinking of the little angle sleeping on my lap and purring away to glory, some thinking how tasty must I be for  she licks me like a candy the minute she hops on my lap, some wondering how is a kitten displaying dog behavior, some thanking this miracle for running into my arms last night and the rest wondering what do I write about!

 I would always think, just when you think things are bad, they get worse! For most part, it may be true! But while we are focusing on the worse, we overlook the flickering hope that's playing a peek-a-boo. Every cloud has a silver lining. As I feel the gentle weight of this exquisite fur creation adjusting herself on my lap, I know what's the silver lining in my present!

A few days back, I moved few inches closer to my grave. With words like "It's all down hill from now" drumming in my ears, I hated the fact that someone as precious as me is getting old! I guess I might speak for the mass when I say any birthday after 25 starts creating a void. You tend to think about your accomplishments, unfulfilled dreams, increasing waistline, receding hairline (in my case lovely silver lining on my head!), oh wait.. are those laugh lines or wrinkles!!!

As much as I hate admitting it, I am no different. I thought about all of those, more about some than the rest. Sometimes we are so busy wallowing in self pity that we forget about the love that fills our life. As the clock struck 12, I pulled my blanky over my sleepy head.

Oh no.. you are not winning over me. I am gonna sleep my way through distress and who knows, if no one remembers, I will remain 25 for life!

Little did I know, that there were beasts waiting for their turn to haunt me and accelerate the natural aging process. Finding your special ones at your door step at midnight with your birthday cake is probably normal for you guys. But being the boring person I am, being awakened from my beauty sleep would only unleash a series of not-so-pleasant sounding yawns and intimidating looks that could only be well camouflaged in the darkness! With the biting cold not helping my plight, I fumbled with the keys are dragged my body to the gate. This was my special surprise! As cliched as it sounds, in midst of the yawns and teeth chattering, I felt like I had just turned 18! This post is for all you people who made my day either by being by my side or sending your wishes from the far away land.

Just when turning older looked like a bane, I realized that I was granted with special boons to ride through the tough days! Some boons I've had the good fortune of knowing for over half my life, being blessed to witness their journey from childhood to parenthood while the others who have etched their special places in my heart, promising a future of togetherness.

This brings me back to the crux of the matter. Just when you think you have nothing going for you in your life, something turns up, making you realize your worth. Even if fail to recognize it, just remember it's always there, like the air you can't see. In my case my life is determined by the people in it. I don't have a lot of them, but the one's I do are enough to last for a life time. Finding genuine people and keeping them in you life is a tough thing to do. It's not something that people think of as a goal. It's not even remotely their dream. It's not mine either. But I cant emphasize on how important this is, for you to live the blissful life you always dreamt of. Don't rush your way to the top, to find yourself all alone. Enrich your life with people who matter, make them a part of your dreams, watch them colour it for you. As I listen to the purring growing louder, I know I have everything I need to turn my life into a very fulfilling one. The purring in your life is telling you something too. Please listen to it...


P.S : Special note of thanks to sailor for making me 18 again!

World's Most Dangerous Race

Do you want to become a world renowned TV celebrity and represent your country?

Based in Africa, “The World’s Most Dangerous Race “ is a first season, 13-part reality TV Series challenge that will be a thriller of an event for viewers and challengers alike.

As a world-first feat – you and your partner will become the first representing team to make your country proud and leave a personal legacy behind.

There are always dangers for those who fear them. The question is, how far will you go to exterminate your fears?

A recent addition to extreme adventurer, Louie Greeff’s escapades, beckons fellow adrenaline filled adventurers with a penchant for danger and passion for living life on the edge to join him in the most exhilarating race ever conducted in the history of adventure sports.

Here’s presenting the world’s most dangerous race, a one stop destination, guaranteeing a menacing encounter with everything you ever feared,  classified as the Olympics of adventure racing!

A 13 week grueling journey commencing at Mwinilunga, the source of one of the most dreaded rivers in the world – the mighty Zambezi, will put the contestants through an adventurous journey, which will not only stretch their physical boundaries, but also put their mental strength through a test of fire.

For those who think land is a safe option, this show will challenge your staunch beliefs.

From biking on treacherous mountains, to 4×4 driving, experience a life on wheels on non-existent roads that were never meant to be treaded on.

Welcomed by wild-life at every turn, participants have to be alert every single moment during the race.

Challenge the gravity by bungi jumping and abseiling down 800 feet of sheer rock faces relying on only yourself and the thin rope connecting you to life. Rappelling, Flying Fox and Gorge swinging will re-define vertigo.

Zambezi’s notorious white waters that barely let you grab a breath with their undercurrents churning your body inside out, lay the most daunting challenge.

Canoeing, River rafting, and boarding on these waters, can compel the most formidable swimmers to pray for land! River gliding in midst of 14000 crocodiles, hippopotamus, Zambezi sharks and African elephants will take more than courage.

This race, also addresses social causes like malaria, cholera and land mines in Angola and Mozambique – the unseen predators with an impact more lethal and potent than some of the most toxic African snakes.

Five international teams, each with two active participants – one male and one female, accompanied by a third backup participant, will battle it out in the wilderness of Zambezi in a race against time.

Potential challengers will be chosen by Louie Greeff, one of the very few to conquer the menacing river, based on survival questionnaires filled in by the challengers.

Three years of research on this journey, complimented by an efficient team of medical officers, game rangers and crocodile hunters, will ensure safety of the chosen contestants.

Challengers are required to be physically fit and mentally equipped to handle the extreme discomfort they will be subjected to.

Here’s a preview of your 13 weeks of impending doom.

http://youtu.be/ppHIH6zFcX4

Are you ready to challenge yourself beyond the perceived boundaries of your abilities and your fears??

Are you ready for a life where your worst nightmares turn into reality?

Are you ready to become world famous and leave a legacy behind?

Interested candidates can register on www.beyondxtreme.co.za under the topic; DANGEROUS RACE CHALLENGE Registration.