The Voice In My Head…

I have just completed reading Joyce Meyer’s latest book - the Secret to True Happiness.

I say “reading”, but the truth is that I took my time studying the book. I devoured every page of this book slowly and meticulously - underlining, highlighting and making notes - each page was a goldmine of ideas and facts written in Joyce’s straight talk and humouress way.

I think the best thing about the book, is that it is Simple and Practical. Each of the 28 chapters bring out truths which Joyce explains so simply, yet so powerfully, that I guarantee it will change your life if you truly follow them.

I have recently ordered Joyce’s Battlefield of the Mind, which I’ve been told by tons of people is also worth it’s weight in gold. Will review when I’m done.

Meanwhile, I’m placing this book in my top 3 Christian books (the other two being Fulton J. Sheen’s ‘Life of Christ’ & Merlin Carothers’s ‘Power in Praise’) that you MUST read - and re-read regularly - in order to fully absorb the wealth of information and truth and in order for them to change your life for the better.

More information on the book here.

Finished: Gregory David Roberts’ Shantaram

Reading: Shashi Tharoor’s Riot

Wanting: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible

Further to this, took Ajay out for dinner. We finally decided on Gondolas (after riding halfway to Juhu & back).

Gondola is the restaurant just next to Soul Fry, the venue of our last open blog meet & seeing it did bring back all the meet memories!

Gondola has been a place I’ve frequented over the years. There used to be a time (waaaay back when I was in college) that I used to go there as often as once a week - often with a different guy each time I’m convinced the management thinks there’s something shady about me, lol!

Anyway the place has been recently renovated & prices increased (as to be expected after a renovation). The steaks are now on an average of INR 250/- We decided to Chinese food though as neither of us felt like going through an entire steak. Aj’s review here.

Sunday had brunch with gang to celebrate Geh’s birthday (now belated because we can never coincide dates). Went to NSCI, the Viceroy.

Continue Reading »

Been there. Done that. Have the dark circles under my eyes to prove it.

Can’t possibly sit to recount all my adventures these last couple of days - (a) because they’re too long & (b) because I have to go out & have some more adventures right about now… (yes, I love my life!)

So at the risk of ppl yelling at me for putting up too many pics, here’s a photo diary of what I’ve been upto:

Been BUSY BUSY BUSY at work mostly. And though all my friends did and though I wished as hard as I could, I did not see Brangelina when I was at the Taj Mahal this week. Oh well.

Close friend of mine left to check out whether the grass really is greener on the other side (crossing my fingers for you hon!) - before he left we checked out this South American burger place called ‘Bembos‘ (somewhere on SV Road in Bandra). My reco? Sorry, stay with McDonald’s people, the service is better & the burgers are better too. Only thing that I was impressed with - the size of the french fries - seriously guys, they were loooooooong. Size matters, eh? lol

Have been spending a good amout of quality time with my amazing cousin, her half crazy (ok, full crazy) hubby & her parents who’re holidaying in India presently. Here’s a pic of the lot of us:

(Click to enlarge)

Went to Poison (the very chic night club situated on the ground floor of the same building Seijo’s at) for a special party. Had my name on an “entry by invite only” list, thanks only to the gentleman friend who was escorting me (ty, ty). Was a very la-di-dah affair. Filled with all sorts of sexy people. Was specially impressed with Kunal Kapoor - though one girlfriend of mine thinks he’s “yuck” - I though he behaved himself perfectly, especially compared to some of the other stars present.

Zayed Khan? Now that’s another story. Zayed (wearing black sun shades inside the dark place) after getting suitably loaded on whatever he was doing, went up to the DJ’s place & was jumping and waving his hands about & generally showing everyone he was an actor who was very very high. Ok we believe you Zayed. On the positive side, he’s super-crazy-sexy-gorgeous. Really, really.

Continue Reading »

Some people here have been commenting, that of late I seem to be doing the Page 3 rounds. I resent the “of late” business. After all, have always been a princess, I could have been doing this all my life… and maybe, just maybe I’ve not chosen to display it. No self respecting Page 3-er would.

Then again, I’m not Page 3. But if I was, I wouldn’t choose to display the fact. So there. Humph.

Mention this in advance ’cause I want no smarty pants comments on the next pic taken with my dear aunt Helen, who’s as lovely as ever. I talked to her on Saturday 7th night about the remake of Don and she had very interesting things to say about it… Not going to mention any of it though, some things ought not to be mentioned on the internet

Sunday 8th was spent enjoying a fabulous brunch! I think I put on a lot of weight just looking at all the food!! Also managed to drop in and visit both my Godchildren and I must say they’re both looking prettier than ever.

In other news, went to Crossword on the weekend. Decided to be brave, throw caution to the wind and try out a completely new author just for the heck of it. Chose Sophie Kinsella. Why, you ask? Because her books looked fun. (Yes, the concept of not judging a book by it’s cover hasn’t sunk in yet).

The good news is that Sophie’s books can be judged by the covers. They’re fun chicklits. Already finished ‘The Undomestic Goddess’ - a story about a young career minded business woman who is a total wreck when it comes to things like cooking (what’s that?) and other housework. The theme sounded familiar so I thought it’d be fun and it was.

‘Shopaholic Abroad’ also sounded a trifle familiar (though I’m so not a shopaholic, double humph) so bought that one too. Haven’t read it yet but from the intros apparently the ‘Shopaholic Series’ is a huge hit and is even being made into a movie soon. Good for you Sophie.

Finally before I wrap up this post, let me tell you about a giant faux pas I made today in the hope you won’t do the same (am I not too kind for words?!). A shopaholic friend (and she really is, trust me) was going to Heera Panna today. I needed to go to Jaslok Hospital for a meeting so I decided to hop a ride with her.

BIG MISTAKE.

It may look close when you’re passing by in a car, but let me tell you if
* you’re walking on the road,
* in high heels,
* in a suit,
* at 3 in the afternoon,
it’s one LOOOOOOOOONG HOOOOOOOOT walk from Heera Panna to Jaslok Hospital and then back again. Sigh.

Made up by buying a new sticky plastic thingie for the glass on my cell phone. Then thought, what the heck and bought a new leather case for it as well. It’s been a while & my phone deserves it. Need to put my feet in warm water now, so will dash.

Though I agree with most critics that the movie ‘John Tucker must die’ wasn’t groundbreaking, it’s still alright imo, a nice little teeny bopper flick, me thinks, strong on women power, hot boys and all that jazz.

It’s about a boy – John Tucker – who has everything going for him. He is gorgeous (and really ladies, Desperate Housewives’ Jesse Metcalfe is OH SOOOOOO HOT, droooooooolll), he’s the school’s star athlete, he’s popular, he’s anything and everything a girl wants him to be. Like one of the lines in the movie goes – If I could dream up a perfect date, John Tucker could do better than that.

Forget the movie for a while. Here’s my question - Why is it that women always line up to date John Tucker? It’s not that we smart, sexy women don’t know better (sorry this isn’t the place for false modesty). Sure we do. Sure we know half of it is lies. Probably more than half. Then why do we still want John Tucker?

Here’s what I think is a plausible answer - We date John Tucker for the same reason John Tucker dates us. Because it feels good to have a good-looking person on your arm. It feels great to walk into a room and own it. It feels great to be bigger and better than the common people. Being popular will never go out of fashion.

Society believes “when you’re beautiful you attract beautiful people”. And so if you’re with a beautiful person, there is something that gives you that extra edge. It’s the feeling that “I got him. John Tucker’s dating me, not the rest of you”.

True story - in this one place I worked at, there was a guy who every girl wanted to date. I didn’t particularly think he was anything great – sure he was gorgeous, but somehow he wasn’t my type. But when he asked me out, did I say no? I was honestly so perked up by the fact that he wanted to go out with me that I said yes. I went out with Mr. Arm Candy just because I could. And just because everyone else around me couldn’t. Ashamedly shallow, yes.

But is that it? Isn’t it also that deep down inside the fantasy that the perfect man exists lurks in every woman’s heart and that he – the perfect man will fall madly and passionately in love with her?

It’s a good fantasy but unfortunately just that – a fantasy.

Because the ‘perfect man’ usually isn’t what society tells us is the ‘perfect man’. Perhaps the perfect man is the one who stands by you when you’ve got a zit in the middle of your forehead and still thinks you’re the most beautiful person in the world. Or perhaps he’s just the guy who hands you zit cream and tells you to ‘chill’. Perhaps he’s the guy who knows when you’re sad and knows what to say and do to make you happy. The perfect man maybe bald. He maybe goofy. He maybe the worst athlete on the planet. But you know when you know when you know that he’s the one. And being ‘the one’ makes him perfect.

I went out with John Tucker today. He took me to my favorite multiplex (Imax). He bought me two books at Crossword (from one of my favorite authors, Agatha Christie). He immediately left the Xbox 360 when I told him I had enough. He played my favorite music in his sexy car on the way going and coming. People did stare & yes, the shallow part of me did love it. I was watching the movie and laughing because I knew I had John next to me.

Must John Tucker die? I don’t think so. I think he’s good to go, maybe just untill Mr. Perfect comes along.

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 am a ’super Jane Austen fan’ - by this I mean, I have not only read (& own, of course) all of her books several times over but love ‘Pride & Prejudice’ best by far (like most Austen fans do). I know tons of the lines by heart & could quote word for word on most key parts of the book. My sis and I grew up not only reading her books but reciting lines with each other - what pure literary joy!

As a result I was so excited to watch this adaptation - just as I was to see the 1995 Mini Series & Gurinder Chadha’s Bride & Prejudice. I was particularly excited because the movie has gotten rave reviews from most critics in the world & even has been nominated for two Oscars.

Ahh. But sorrows of sorrows, I came back dissapointed. I don’t know if it was that my expectations were too high or whether I just plain unlucky to be with ** person who was completely non-old-English, jabberred throughout the movie (like almost everyone else in the theatre, what the &@#$^ ??? ) and kept asking me to explain what was happening. Damn.

Since this is supposed to be a review though (& not a personal record of my woes) so I’ll try to be as impartial as possible with a list of Dos & Don’ts:

Continue Reading »

The ever growing ‘retailing & franchising culture’ in Mumbai city has seen n number of cafes, pizza places, beauty salons, to name a few categories, spring up on every corner of almost every street you turn.

The book selling industry wasn’t left in the lurch with the popular ‘Crossword’ chain which already consists of twenty-eight stores across almost 10 states of the country and is still expanding.

Amidst all this big-business, off a road known mainly for the multitudes of international banks in the busy Fort area, is the Strand Book Stall. The place was founded in 1948 and was named so because it started, quite literally, as a stall in the old Strand Cinema in Colaba.

Continue Reading »

Don’t worry, I didn’t know what it meant either. Found out, it was just Ana & Geh being Ana & Geh (!!) and abbreviating a ‘Girl’s Night Out‘

We started off the evening by going to Oxford Bookstore - not because we wanted to buy books (there would be plently of time later on for that) - but because we wanted to eat chocolate (what’s a girl’s night out without pigging on chocolate???) at the Cha Bar (inside Oxford) which has recently reopened.

Continue Reading »