The Voice In My Head…

I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned this here but I’m an avid reader. In fact I’m the type who reads more than one book at a time - I can’t help it - there’s just SOOO much to read - so many books I want to devour!

The last book I finished was “Treasure in Clay” which was Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s autobiography. A great book - very very very inspiring - definetely one that everyone in Christian ministry should read.

Am also finishing off “The Road Less Travelled” by M. Scott Peck. Had bought this book over a year ago and kept meaning to read it but somehow didn’t get beyond the first few chapters. Then recently I saw a movie (’Faithful’ - very funny!) which quoted the book and the very next day Oprah quoted the book and I knew it was a sign for me to pick it up and read it. This time I effortlessly and eagerly read chapter to chapter, absorbing, underlining, understanding. Lots of wisdom in the first three sections of the book.

I must add here though that the fourth section has the author doing his own take on spirituality and as such I disagreed with him completely. Imo, what he wrote (4th section) was completely New Age and a mix of what he liked from Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism.

Though I enjoyed the book and did find it very useful, I do warn readers who are not grounded in their faith not to read the 4th section at all.

Which brings me to yesterday. Two books made there way into my hands (thx to my A. Mill & dear Ana).

The first was Robin S. Sharma’s “The Monk who sold his Ferrari”. Have read 6 chapters of the book so far. Have been meaning to see what all the fuss was about this book. So far it seems quite a simple sweet story. Nothing “khass”, but it’s too soon to tell. Have heard it’s not too good but am trying to keep am open mind at this point. Will post again after reading.

The second book was “The Devil wears Prada” (Lauren Weisberger). Yes, I know it’s a total Chicklet. And yes, though I pretend to have no time to waste on books like these, I actually enjoy wasting my time on these once in a while. What can I say, am a chick after all, lol. (Disclaimer: have NEVER EVER EVER read a single Mills & Boons and completely do NOT understand how ANYone ever could?!!)

I am starting a whole new cat on the blog very unimaginatively titled “Books” (yes, I’m a creative genius). Hopefully it will make me share my passion for books more here on the blog.

To end will state that:

(01) “The Alchemist” (Paul Coelho) is lying on my table. Unfortunately two people who’s judgement I totally trust told me The Alchemist was totally a waste of time, so I’m not highly inclined to read it at the present.

(02) The #1 Resource for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle material on the net enables one to read unabridged full novels & short stories that Doyle wrote on Sherlock & others. If you’re a Sherlock lover like me, you’ll love the site.

I do not rave and rant.

It’s not that I’m an exceptionally calm person. In fact there was a time I was an extremely hotheaded person. Through the grace of God though, am sort of managing that now. In fact 99% of the time, I’m pretty calm.

And the 1% of the time that I lose my head… I shout. I yell. I scream my lungs out. I stomp my legs & fling my arms about. I occasionally also feel like flinging objects about (mercifully haven’t done so though).

But I do NOT rave and rant.

In fact, I did not even use the words “rave and rant” until I accessed the blog world we all are a beloved part of. It’s like it’s the most blog friendly term out here. I don’t think I’ve seen a single blogger who hasn’t used the words rave or rant in his/her blog. And don’ t even mention how many blogs actually have this irritating rr combo as a blog category. And so many as the blog name. It just gets me grrrrrrrrrrr…

Now if I were the raving and ranting type what would I rave and rant about?

I would rave about the fact that I’m an excellent driver. I’d rant about our Mumbai traffic condition. I HATE the way the traffic scene in Mumbai is getting.

(Stuck in another daily jam, I entertain myself by taking pics of myself. Yes, yes, know I’m narcissistic)

For the first time in my life I’m seriously considering leaving this country.

And yes, only because I don’t see the situation getting better.

Every major city in this country has bad roads (most of them dug up or with huge pothole or some other intrinsic problem), is over populated - not just with people but with cars. There’s never any place to park in the city. Pay and Park is a scam - you pay but there’s no taking care of your car - in fact there’s nothing - one of my earlier cars was broken into and the speaker system was totally ripped out. The pay and park attendant just said he was not responsible.

Then there’s all the new cars that are coming into the cities EVERY SINGLE DAY. The roads get worse and the cars increase.

People tell me that once the Bandra-Worli sealink comes up things will be better. NO WAY. Is it going to be better at Lilavati or at reclamation where there’s a 1/2 hour traffic jam at any given time of the day??? It’s just going to get worse for Bandra folk because all unnecessary traffic using the link will now come through it.

And nothing NOTHING is being done about anything.

Unless you count this - ridiculous - sign up outside Siddivinayak Temple. It said “Use Devider”. Huh?

I got out my cam, but I was too late. Never mind, caught this one which says “Use Public Transport - Avoid Traffic Jamming“.

Sorry people, traffic jamming is here to stay. And I’m probably not.

Found this through Luminous’s blog. Was pretty cute & was happy with the results. Apparently I’m a Seaside Field who’ll walk my own way. Watch out world, here comes Hamano Ayumi!

My japanese name is 浜野 Hamano (seaside field) 歩 Ayumi (walk, deeper meaning: walk your own way)

If you like, you can find out your Japanese name here.

Yesterday my parents went to Vijay Sales & among other things bought me an Electrolux Microwave (another belated birthday gift, thank you, thank you!). Particularly am pleased with all the additional stuff you get with it, like the recipe book & all the plastic dishes & yeah, the baker’s glove. This chick is set to become a baker for life!

Today went out with a shopaholic friend to the opening of the “Times Glamour 2006″ at Hotel Taj Land’s End. The event was inaugurated by Soha Ali Khan and some other dude - I’m guessing he’s probably in TV / films himself, judging by the fuss that was being made over the both of them.

The youngest Khan of the clan is so very short and imo (sorry!) nothing great to look at at all. She’s sweet looking, no doubt - but had she not been who she is, well then, she’d not be someone you give a second glance to. In fact you’d probably not look at her the first time either.

A funny thing that happened - the guards refused to give my friend & I passes to the event as they insisted “You’re with Soha Ali Khan, you don’t need a pass”. Geez, even nobodys with VIPs are given so much respect, this country really worships celebs too much.

The jewellery at the exhibition is TO DIE FOR - but after some time of so much opulence, it kinda grows on you & the extraordinary too seems just - ok, whatever. However if even if you can’t afford the stuff, it’s great fun to go have a look at. It’s on till the 13th and imo, worth going to. You can get a free passes at entrance after baggage check (or alternatively, go with Ms. Khan )

After all the glittering went antiquing - yeah, you’ve gotta love my shopaholic friend. I was already ready to call it a day & she was all excited & I really didn’t have the heart to say no. Found myself a nice antique Jhulla to relax on while she did her stuff.

Can’t believe the week’s almost over - I’ve been having SUCH a great time. Tommorow am starting a six day councelling course spread across the rest of this month (for those involved in giving Spiritual councelling). It’s supposed to be very very good and am really looking forward to it.

Seems like AGES since I last went to see a movie (though in reality saw Superman Returns pretty recently). Guess that’s because I haven’t been to a “propah” movie first-day-first-show premier in a while.

Was happy to catch ‘The Sentinel’ at Cinemax in the Silver Lounge, all very rah-rah. Also enjoyed yet some more subways at the food court (last was a few days ago at Crossroads).

The movie was great - I love these types of stories - white house, sexy-men-in-black-suits, conspiracies, traitors, moles, assasinations, plots and suspense. Definitely a good evening out at the theatre. Definitely worth getting fat with caramel popcorn (not that I ever do )

The plot was good and everyone from Michael Douglas to Kiefer Sutherland to Kim Basinger played their parts superbly. It’s really hard to say which one of these stole the show.

I was particularly interested to see how the sexy Eva Longoria would perform on the big screen (first time I’m seeing a movie of hers) and she was good - though be warned - you ain’t gonna see no sexy side to her here (not too much anyway), you’ll have to go to Wisteria Lane for that!

Of course, it’s possible that we in India have just gotten the censored version - the movie was rated PG-13 for “some intense action violence and a scene of sensuality” in America - I saw neither any intense action violence nor any scene of sensuality (actually saw some of both but nothing much of either, if you get my drift)

The movie hasn’t gotten rave reviews from all critics - that being said, giving the movie two thumbs up. Go see it!

Yesterday got up early and made some (yumm imo) scrambled eggs for the family. Today decided to make waffles. First time I’ve done so, so was pretty much mum’s job, will try again myself next week.

Only thing that REALLY irritated me was that after everything was made & we were enjoying the waffles, mum tells me how ready made batter is available abroad & that all they do is just buy it in tetra packs & pour on the iron. So in essence, all the time and effort that went into me going through steps 1 – 7 after getting all the ingredients right & getting tons of bowls & stuff to wash (sieves & crap) could all be avoided if you live in a place where you can buy it in a pack. Merci.

Sweet Waffles

· 1 ½ Cups Milk
· 2 Eggs (full)
· 2 Cups Maida
· ½ Tsp Salt
· 6 heaped Tbsp Sugar
· 2 Tsp Baking Powder
· ½ tsp Vanilla Essence (if wanted)
· 6 Tbsp Ghee

The above mix should be ok for about 6 big waffles in an average size waffle iron.

(01) Sift Flour
(02) In another bowl beat the eggs and then add in the milk
(03) Add the egg/milk mix to the flour, slowly, stirring constantly to make sure there aren’t any lumps.
(04) Add salt and baking powder and beat well
(05) Pass the mixture through a sieve to remove any lumps
(06) Add sugar & essence and ghee and beat again. The consistency should be of thick cream
(07) Leave the batter for 30 mins before using.

(The same mix could be used for regular waffles without the sugar & you could pour a thick white Italian creamy sauce on top of it)

In other news - went to ‘Culture Curry’ for dinner with Geh, Prem, Sonal & DV. As usual with these guys it was a great night & we enjoyed ourselves laughing loudly & generally behaving half our ages.

The place is owned by the same - pesky? - guy who owns ‘Goa Portuguesa’ and is in fact next door & joined to the place (you can even order off the GP menu when at CC). The food was alright but nothing great imo - I’m used to eating the BEST goan food at home, so this just didn’t do anything for me. Couldn’t have asked for better company though