The Voice In My Head…

Was supposed to get back on Wed, but decided to come back early as I had a lot of work.

Flew the new economy airline SpiceJet which launched on 23rd May. The Goa-Bombay tickets are supposed to be Rs. 899/- but they only had the Rs. 2500/- fares left (I booked on the spot). Still it’s cheap compared to the on the spot booking of other domestic airlines like Jet & Sahara (which are all over Rs. 4000/-)

The plane, a Boeing 737-800 was very comfortable. My mum was trifle worried as the rain’s pouring down cats & dogs in Goa (praise God, it started just about after the party wound up) but it wasn’t raining when we took off & had good weather the whole way… I enjoyed the view from my window seat!

Will post in great detail tomm, am pretty weak from a viral flu I have. Till then enjoy this first pic I have of Goa:

(Moneesha & I) More pics to come

Allow no more entries for the rest of the month - Am off to the Paradise of India, where the palms trees will sway long after the men who drink Urak & Cashew Fenny stop…

You guys be good, I’ll see you in the monsoons

As my darling Bruce so finely put it “Yipee Kayee….” (will refrain from completing the quote )

Lamb of God
Author unknown (Adapted)

Jeff Smith, also known as The Frugal Gourmet, was a chaplain at a small college near Seattle. He tells the story of driving one day across the eastern part of Washington State. He was forced to stop when a large herd of sheep was being shepherded across the road. As he waited, watching the sheep, the phrase “Lamb of God:” drifted through his mind. Seized with the notion, he leapt from his car and bounded up to the shepherd and asked, “What does “Lamb of God” mean to you?

The shepherd was initially startled by the abrupt question from this total stranger, but sensing his sincerity, looked Jeff squarely in the eye and answered, “I know exactly what ‘Lamb of God’ means.”

“Each year at lambing time, there are lambs and ewes which do not make it. A ewe whose lamb has died is filled with milk, but will not nourish an orphaned lamb since she does not recognize it as her own. An orphaned lamb could starve because no ewe will accept and nourish it.”

“If the shepherd takes the ewes dead lamb, slits its throat, and places its blood over the body of the orphaned lamb the ewe, recognizing the blood, will now nurse, and save the orphaned lamb.”

Through the gift of the blood of the lamb who has died, the living lamb is recognized, restored to the fold, nourished, and saved. We need to remember that we must be washed in the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus, and we have been clothed in His righteousness to be restored to Gods family. Our obligation is to remember this gift and to give thanks to God for His sacrifice.

Each believer is called to explain to others that Jesus willingly gave His life as the Lamb Who had died to self so they might be adopted by God the Father when they accept Jesus sacrifice.

After 10 am Holy Mass, went for Wil & Dom’s baby Andre Nathaniel’s Christening.

Afternoon went for lunch to ‘Out of the Blue’ with Gail & we stuffed ourselves with a large (yes, we didn’t have enough intelligence to order the small) Chicken BBQ Steak and a Chicken and Ham Pasta. Rather than have the two dishes separately, we ordered the steak first, ate it together & then ate the pasta. Thought we’d enjoy the desserts, but by the time we were through my stomach was really bursting at the seams.

Have been to the restaurant several times before (last time had a fondue) and I’ve always liked the food here. The quantities are good. Prices average INR 200 per dish. The ambience is pretty good especially during the nights where they have different attractions (one night has a live musician, one night has artists painting portraits etc, call for more details).

Evening went to ‘Salon Simone’ and Gail got herself a terrific haircut - wish I had a before & after (but you’re just gonna have to take my word for it).

Was pretty tired as I hadn’t slept more than 3 hours the previous night but still made time to go see my beloved

Went to Heera Panna with my shopaholic friend Saw some cute mobile phones - really need a new one… (sigh)

Had lunch at China Gate in Crossroads. Had a Wanton Soup followed by a Mushroom Rice, lovely Spare Ribs & a Chicken (something or the other) curry on a live fire. The food was good, but the company was better, especially on paper

Took a drive to the int’ll airport in the evening - roads are particularly interesting, one lane traffic only, dug up & full of stones. Excellent.

Night; ended up at PEs again (though I really didn’t want to go, would have preferred Vie instead, was in that sort of mood).

L-R: C’est moi, avec Ram, Karen & Bertrand (from France), Gail et Dion, centerstage as usual.

Had a lovely day today

Started off by spending much needed quality (& quantity!!) time with my dear Sean who’s just been so not here recently. He was in fact on his way out of town this afternoon - so he joined me on my trip to office in the morning. Following that we went to Phoenix Mills for a half day full of shopping

Had a GREAT time! Only regret not buying a certain pink dress I had my eye on… was ever so divided about whether to buy it or not & didn’t finally - and now am feeling trifle bad. Typically womanly or what ?? Was so happy to be with Sean! We managed to grab a bite (Chicken Picata Sandwiches & lovely Cold Coffee with whipped cream - perfect for the weather) & also get some more (!!) shopping down after that in Khar.

Came home and thought I would rest (yeah right!) but call from a dear who’s just back from the States & wanted to meet up. So out I went again.. Had a good time with the 3 naughtiest boys I know!

Came back by 8pm (in time for Sunday Choir Pracs). Immediately after Ana dropped in for a visit & then Bonnie called & spoke to me - it’s been so long, so we just couldn’t have a short convo!

Finished the day off by eating Pizza & watching ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ - great movie - I thoroughly enjoyed it (even apart from the fact that Johnny Depp is just the most gorgeous man on the planet!)…

To quote a certain Peggy: Johnny Depp est pour moi l’incarnation du “beau mec”

Am I going to sleep well or what! Life is great - no complaints

Praise God for always providing me with people who make me smile when I really need to.

And thank you, to you.

Had SUCH an amazing dinner! Went to ‘Mahesh Lunch Home‘ (the one in Juhu not Fort)

Cannot even begin to describe the succulent pleasures we all had (Khush, Simone, Garth, Mamu & I) eating the Prawn 65, Prawn Gassi, the amazing cheese & everything-on-it nans & finally - aaaaahhh the delicious buttered crabs

Would have done a review on the place but it really needs none. Still, if you’re really picky, will give you a link to BusyBee’s review.

Had dessert at Mochha (the lava is to die for!) & honestly was waaaaaaaaaaaaaayyy too stuffed to think…

One word to the wise before I leave - be careful of what you say when nasty people with audio recorders on their phones go out with you. HUMPH

Say the words “See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil” and one is likely to conjure up an image of three apes…

On Sunday, I had the dubious pleasure of watching apes (albeit of a human kind) doing similarly silly things at Paritossh Painter’s play (titled the same thing) which was playing at Rang Sharda, Bandra on the weekend.

First up, the play stars Nigaar Khan (see below in pic with co-star Pooja Ghai)

Now since I don’t watch Hindi TV (or much of English TV for that matter), I had no clue that both Nigaar Khan & Pooja Ghai are established TV actresses. In fact, I thought Nigaar Khan was Nigar Khan (yes, sue me) of the “deportation” fame… (thx Rishi for pointing out she was sent back to Norway & not Portugal!)

(Nigar Khan)

Well, Nigar or Nigaar, the play couldn’t have been more silly- to quote my friend “it was like a school play” (modesty overtook a little later & suggestions were made that certain school plays were better).

I intensely dislike slapstick & overacting (both of which was in abundance). The play wasn’t a total disaster however - the hearing-impaired Aditya (Paritossh Painter) and the speech-impaired Manav (Jayesh Thakkar) did a brilliant job at getting the laughs (Thakkar simply shone during the play) & even had me laughing out loud several times!

It’s not exactly theatre at it’s finest… in fact it’s quite terrible really - but it still makes for a fun evening out, which is exactly what we had.

Finished off the night with a quiet buffet at Citrus, Leela.

Now on to the long week ahead…

With Khush & Mamu