1st Week in August 05

Finally got my internet access back after 2 weeks (it’s a small price to pay for the rains, only way we were affected, praise God). Am almost upto speed - have copy-pasted all the entries I made offline (from July 25th-31st). Scroll down if you wish to read.

Which leaves me only to update the first week of August.

Was a slow week. Didn’t go to my 3rd cooking class on Monday 1st August as it was raining pretty heavily. Found out later it was cancelled (had tried calling but phone lines were down). Visited Day & fly. Day came back from Luxemburg on Friday night which apparently was a small window at the airport after which they closed down again for a few days. Went to Music Min afterwards and slept early… Surprisingly I also slept way into the next morning & was the butt of some not too few jokes…

(someone naughty took this silly pic of me sleeping… lol)

Tuesday 2nd August was still raining so didn’t do much except for attending the prayer meeting in the evening. Was kinda annoyed because it was a group sharing thingie and I don’t like those. Still, I guess the core-group know what they’re doing. Got a chance to catch up with lots of the guys and it was sad because a lot of them really suffered during the floods (a lot of people in our group live in the bazaar and other low lying areas).

That thing I was praying about (& which had me down for the past 2 days) was resolved (somewhat) so I slept peacefully.

Wednesday 3rd August was a much better day. The sun was shining so I got up & went to do some bank work. BIG mistake. Apparently the rest of the city too decided to do the same (seeing as it was the first sunny day in 2 weeks). Spent literally the whole morning between two banks (one line I was in lasted 45 mins!).

Also managed to get to a cybercafe & check my mail. Following that went out for lunch with Gail. In true Gail-Mello style, we couldn’t make up our minds where to eat (and unfortunately our “reserve” ‘Thai Ban’ is closed for renovation). Drove to Juhu, entered ‘Little Italy’ and then left (yes, we’re terrible) as we didn’t want to eat veg.

Dumbos as we are, realised after we left we both promised our mums that we would not eat any meat or fish this week (due to the floods there’s lots of diseases about). Still was too late to turn back. After debating the issue for a loooong while, ended up at ‘Out of the Blue’ (another favorite with us). Turned out to be a good thing - What we didn’t know is that Wednesday has a Woman’s Buffet. Priced at INR 300 + taxes, it was pretty good. We enjoyed ourselves as we always do & stuffed ourselves like the little pigs we are.

Spent some quality time (admist gift shopping) with Khush in the evening. Was supposed to see “The Island” in the night but that plan got cancelled last minute (later found out from both Garth & D that the movie was terrible, haven’t seen it & don’t know if I will now).

Thursday 4th August was “Clean your cupboards out” day. Our church (like every other church in Mumbai) is collecting clothes for the flood affected people in Mumbai. Really wanted to get into work today but managed to do a lot from home, so wasn’t too bad. Staying at home has it’s benefits but it’s been way too long and I’m starting to get edgy.

Did go for my cooking class (3rd, since we didn’t have one on Monday). Learned to make
*Dum Pukht (uncooked) Gosht ki Biryani
*Hare Bhare Kababs
* Shammi Kababs
* Seekh Kababs (and the usual variations on all)

Everything looks pretty easy at the class - but am still reeling after the bad channa episode. Did venture into the kitchen in the morning though (previous day Mum thought me a Parsi dish (forgot the name) made with patato chips & eggs). Tried it myself and it came out decent-ish (dad ate it happily so it couldn’t have been too bad, lol).

Friday 5th August was spent driving to church and back on many “delivery” trips. In the evening Mark took me to St. Peter’s for an Outreach Programme (led by Trevor Luis & the Jeevan Jal Ministry). It was amazing. Ended trifle late (around 10pm) but was worth every second. Also got 1st Friday Holy Mass. Came home very very edified, happy to be a daughter of Christ & still overwhelmed by the love God has for me.

And finally Saturday 6th August. Started off with some follow up bank work & then for a work appointment at Sion Hospital. Gail spent the day with me & Garth (whom I met in the bank earlier in the day) joined us for lunch at Pizza Hut. Am still off meat, so ate a “Tandoori Paneer” which was surprisingly pretty good! Also met up with my darling Aju whom I haven’t seen in a long time & his gf Chris there. Went to Mocha for coffee and dessert and general lounging.

Gail & I then did some of the things we usually do when alone ( ) and throughly enjoyed ourselves. Also sorted out lots of stuff for her wedding.

Lots of options for tonight - different friends partying about the city, but have chosen to sit home & relax. Parents also out partying so it’ll be dinner & a movie. No complaints.