Fairytale Friendships

A mush-fest is about to start. This week was like a whirlwind. It came, swept me off my feet and has deposited me several inches above the ground. I don't feel like stepping down on the uneven ground again. Ever. If only the week could copy-paste itself 52 times so that the entire year would be the same and things like Future Planning, Exams, Practicals would slip away unnoticed into oblivion. 

But.....life isn't a fairytale. Although my friends are characters from those. Really, the non-stepsistery but more like perfect quality type characters. For someone who has never celebrated her birthday on the birth day (thanks to Bored exams, final exams, every other exam that books it's place in March) , this birthday was AWESOME!!! So here's a tribute to those angels who decided to sacrifice a holiday and shared their day with me instead. 

(Sorry dudes, I really wanted to write a poem and live up to the title Gyaan Guru Rhyme Shuru .....but my mind is clogged with random essays on African Education, Paranoid Schizophrenia and Exit Polls...so I shall do that some other time) :) 

So I'll begin in the order of their appearance in my life. Sneha and Reenu, I really wont miss you. That's because we're the only three who are giving outdated social networking sites any business at all by constantly writing mundane little notes to each other. I know it will continue....so I'm totally at peace thinking I'll always stay in touch with you. ( I really cant help myself...you both are contagious!) 

My google buddies - Naya, Bihari Bahurani, Resh and Maddy..... I didn't know you guys before Google happened and I sincerely believed that we wouldn't really keep in touch at college after Google either. But the fact that we still act like three year olds when we greet each other, and share the same Googly vibes nearly a year after the internship shows that the internship did nothing much except to catalyse our friendship. We were meant to be friends...internship or not. And the very fact is proven by how much fun we've had outside of Google as well. I hope this friendship continues even as you all strut off to work and I settle down with my books! :) P.S. You all can take turns in treating me - after all, you'll be earning! :-P 

My college pals! My college life is defined by you all. I don't think I would've enjoyed even half of what I did if I was in any other Combination. PyEJ is not a class, it's an identity. A personality trait ingrained in all of us. You guys have been the best! And the only bit of that looooong graduation address I caught was "You will make many friends in your life but the college friends are those you keep forever".

Repstar - This swamiji of yours has totally become your disciple in learning how to let go and have fun. I'll miss your warmth and compassion towards us and that right-out-of-a-shampoo-ad hair! 

Sirchi Mirchi - We've made everyone deaf by our melodious rendition of Livin' in my OUWN world! E-mail will never let us down as we discuss the technicoloured lives of Hayavadana and our cutie from MJTH!!! 

Foo Foo Princess - We've had Chats, Chit Chats and you've managed to get me to try that raw mango with toxic green lethal chutney also! My life has been sprinkled with spice thanks to you..and we'll definitely continue our tradition of violating birthday cakes even in our Backpacking trip! 

Sauce wali red! - I still have that first e-mail you wrote me! I'm probably preserving it to show your kids how reluctantly shy you were at first....and now? The word isn't Shy. It's Sigh. How DO we get you to shut up? :-P You've redefined red! 

J Lo with Twinkle Toes - The ONLY person who's even attempted in getting me to shake a leg. Clearly, I'm not meant to do it. But you still dance with me! I'll kidnap you from Dubai just to take you shopping....so that I look more like a normal college girl and less like a pre-teen wannabe fresh out of Weekender Kids. 

Techie Tingu!! We've had a looooong connection...from the crow to maaaaaam to front and back! Really, Sanskrit classes wouldn't have been this memorable..in fact, I really don't remember what we've studied..but I remember how we've studied them! We'll be in touch until our bled stays red. :-P 

Register ki Rani - My cute little anda who's so mature and dignified now! Your perfect attendance has meant that you've lit up my life every single day of college! Just remember to close your windows during sandstorms and give the Internet some good exercise by constantly staying in touch! 

Pingu Penguin, Scandalized, Rasam Kali.....a big big hug to you all....for that 1000 watt smile, the tales in your house and the chubby chubby hands. 

No matter which direction we all disperse in, whether we stay in touch or not, you guys will always be 'The guys'. It's really hard to find new friends after you all have set such high standards! Looks like I'll be coming away from college with that Snooty Carmelite attitude after all. It is not going to be easy settling in a new place after leaving this home.....but your memories, experiences and idiosyncrasies are going to make it like cake-walk. (and in my line of study, if someone glances at my glazed daydreaming expression, they might end up classifying me into Axis I disorders!- but it's worth taking that risk!)  

If THIS big post of self praise I've meted out to you all wont get you to read my blog, seriously, NOTHING will! 

A very very humble thank you. :-) 

Two Decades and a Dozen Months

It has been a year since I cribbed about turning twenty. This time however, I shall not rant. I shall instead, wish for a couple (okay, much more than a couple) of things that can possibly make me forget the fact that I am indeed turning twenty one. 

So here come the twenty one wishes (in random order) that can positively make my twenty first year a joyride. (quite literally, in one case.) 

1) Nigella Lawson!! Will someone please gag her, shove her and her larder in a big gunny sack and export her to Bangalore? Pretty please? Every time I watch her show, I drool so much that Pavlov and his dog must be giving me a standing ovation from up there. 

2) A customized BMTC bus that will appear miraculously in front of my college every time I think about going home. That way, I don't have to reach home in a grumpy mood after having broken my thigh bone by an 8 year old who decides my lap is more fun to dance on than maybe.....the floor of the bus? Most of the times, I love traveling by buses. It's one of these rare instances that completely spoil that joyride for me.

3) Delhi in Bangalore. I WANT Delhi in Bangalore. I miss Delhi so much, I can picture Evergreen ka chaatwalla in my dreams on particularly hungry nights....and days even. Bangalore is home, but Delhi is where a part of my heart still remains. Why cant I mix the two cities like that horribly sexist Axe ad?

4) Websites that don't give you the preview of an essay-that will be very useful for your English exam research-only to wait for you to scroll down and then scream out 'YOU CAN BUY THE FULL ESSAY FOR $8.59 ONLY!!!!' Really, computers are supposed to be the storehouse of knowledge, not a warehouse. 

5) Unlimited supply of Lay's Magic Masala. You know, the type that will not make you puke even if you crunch down 7-8 packs at a time. I can only go past one. The second one makes me queasy and the final one brings out the other two. :-( 

6) A Mindwriter. When I'm not yapping (on rare rare occasions), my mind is constantly yapping inside, if you get what I mean. I could probably write a really funny book with the kinda stuff I think...but I forget it all very fast. I wish I could have something that writes down everything that goes on in my mind only to read on a grey day.  Also, I wouldn't need to type this out so meticulously after forming grammatically correct sentences. 

7) A book wishing spell. It's like I really wish I have this book and POOF! It turns up! And if I get bored halfway (which sadly happened to a certain Russian Classic writer I was reading) then by wishing so, the entire book should be read without my knowledge. Just in case I need to show off that I've read the book, and quote a line or two, then it would be cool! 

8) Water bottles that don't get opened by anyone other than me. I'm stingy with water OK? I hate sharing water and believe it must be a fundamental duty of every citizen to bring their own freakin bottles to college so that my bottle doesn't get passed around like some purple toy. 

9) A Pizza cake. Has anyone ever made that? It would be nice though...with a pizza-ish filling and a crumbly crust with cheese as icing and olives as the sugar balls. 

10) A pair of Self-exercising shoes. I've given up trying to exercise a long time ago. Maybe I can get a pair of shoes that will promptly start exercising the moment they're worn. By me, that is. Or if someone can invent a wireless connection wherein other people exercising can burn my calories, then that would be perfectly alright. 

11) A security alarm for my Psychology notes and record. Something that will blare out if they have been displaced from my bag. Or maybe I should get them insured somewhere. 

12) A brand new memory! Something that will remember every face, book, movie, textbook and experience of my life. I've been getting rather cold looks from people I cannot place. Wait now, what is the mineral responsible for good memory? Is it Iron? 

13) People who laugh at my superstitions must be jinxed to immediately babble out one deep dark embarrassing secret of theirs. So I have a lucky (fine...and unlucky) song. And I believe in the 'One for sorrow Two for joy' crow thingy. It's worked for twenty years. I think that's good enough evidence to justify its miraculous powers, thanks. 

14) A backpack that can hold everything and still appear tiny. Hermione, are you listening? 

15) Contact lenses that scream out in agony when I try to put them in old solution. At least that way, I'll remember to change the solution every day. It really is tough with my memory and all. Honest. 

16) A mini planner executive person thingy in my mind that goes Go now to room 15, you have class there or Today is the last day of the extended version of your extended deadline to submit English assignment. FINISH it. It really would help. Most of the times, I seem to be floating in a parallel world with a dazed expression. Except, I am not romantic film heroine thinking of dream sequences with hero. I am generally thinking of what to eat next, or which notes haven't been completed, or something equally intriguing. 

17) An age changing potion. So that sometimes, when I feel I want to be pampered like a five year old by my family, I can go back to that age. Or if I want to watch TV like a 70 year old granny, then I can go forward in time. 

18) A mini chaat stall at home. I love chaat. Everyone should have chaat stalls at home. Its a pity the home made chaat never tastes like chaat. It just tastes...well...like its been made at home. 

19) An alarm clock that will alter the Greenwich Mean Time if I want to oversleep. That way, I'll never feel guilty for being late to any place. They're running on my time anyway. 

20) One of those mini retort books that will immediately tell me which smart ass comment I am supposed to make if I am rebuked by someone. In most situations, I end up standing befuddled and the person just walks away. I need to make a witty retort at that moment, not in my diary three hours later, or even worse, in my memory for at least 5 months. 

and finally, my twenty first wish for my twenty first birthday is -

21) To have all of this come true. Can it? Do you see that mail van anywhere? 

Note to self:

1) When unwanted person (say, someone who you wished and prayed all your life would never have the good fortune to see your radiant face again. Ever.) strays in your path in the crowded corridors of college culturals, please DO NOT find nearest room (only to find out Tamil Essay writing is going on there)  to run into or hide behind ghastly (but very nicely painted) picture of Snow White. Also, don't try and pretend you don't know who the person is (and then look out if he is around just to dash into other obscure rooms. Now that the incident has occurred and you have done both of the above, DON'T sit and re-live that painful, traumatic and melodramatic sequence all over again for the five hundred and twentieth time in your mind. 

2) When you enter the cinema hall in the dark, it is generally a good thing to hold friend's hand. Knowing how poised you are, you will trip and fall almost flat on someone else's face. It's dark and all, true, but still. People do have good vision in the dark once the rods and cones have adjusted their light settings. Wearing very bright striped t-shirt does not help either. 

3) Seats in theatres don't go down by themselves, you have to push them and sit. Not sit on them and push. That just makes you look incredibly tall. And slightly foolishly uncomfortable. 

4) When someone takes the trouble of complimenting you, don't stare at them as though they have contracted some rare form of malaria from the jungles of the Amazon. Smile and say 'Thanks'. Or at least, just smile. 

5) When you hear a particularly horrendous rendition of 'Zombie' in the Western Electric competition, it does not help to imitate the poor distressed soul and do the entire headbanging routine in front of your friends. There are people...and cameras around you. Cameras that are capturing the entire culturals and putting it on some website. And people who are writing about the culturals. Now go meekly to your room and pray that the editor of that website has the enlightenment not to put your radiant face on his website. (face might not be seen, fortunately. Only one pony going up and down. But that bright striped t-shirt will give you away again.) 

I've managed to accomplish all of the above in just one day. I'm turning into Bridget Jones. Or some equally interesting person who manages to embarrass herself on occasions when the density of human species is particularly high. 

A deerly written post.

The mind, as they say in Sanskrit (and Hindi), is like a deer (or some equally frisky animal). It keeps moving from one topic of interest to another. I managed to take a note of everything my mind touched upon in just one hour of English class on a particular Thursday afternoon. (Actually, this happens every Thursday afternoon in that particular English class...I've just given up trying to figure out what she is teaching.) 

So anyway, it amazed me to see that I was able to think in and out of a hundred various thoughts which were totally disconnected. 

The two incidences of multiple murders of old people in Jayanagar that occurred within a span of 5 days. I always thought of Jayanagar as the safest, non-controversial and greenest locality. Looks like the first adjective has to be knocked off. The next two seem to be on their way out as well, what with the Metro prying its way into Rose Garden Road. 

Ms. Malathi Holla. What a remarkable woman, really. It wasn't just the way she drove all around Bangalore in her modified car (She is a wheelchair user, by the way) , but her attitude towards everything in life amazed me. It also made me squirm rather guiltily because I had just about decided that my world was coming to an end because I couldn't understand my Journalism project. 

Chaat on Clothes. Will I ever learn to eat like the English do? Or even the French? I almost attack my food in a barbaric way and my clothes decide that they want a bite as well. I always drop chaat on them. Never anything else. (but of course, nothing else matches up to the stains of chutney anyway.) 

Development Communication: Huh? What's that? 

Indian Politics: One amazing history it has. From the time Nehru, Patel and Gandhi together decided to take India by the reins and run it smoothly, till today, when Dr.Manmohan Singh is at AIIMS for a bypass surgery. It's like one long movie. Did you know that Laloo Prasad Yadav named his daughter Misa after the MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security) act? It was the time he shot to fame in the political scenario. 

Slumdog Millionaire: My English lecturer slammed it by saying that it rose to fame only because it fit the Occidental perspective of Inida. The audiences lapped it up and poverty was glamorised to a large extent while the vast middle class population of India, the true heroes, was blatantly left out. I will have to satisfy myself with that opinion until I watch the movie. 

Indian Of The Year: For the first time, the Indian of the Year awards by NDTV made complete sense. (I have my doubts about a certain category but that is not too relevant here). Really, the unsung heroes of Mumbai, including the staff of Taj and Oberoi were given standing ovations as they received awards. I don't think there was a dry eye anywhere, including in my living room, especially when Karanbir Kang spoke. 

The Presidential Ceremony: Schoolchildren in Delhi were cheering for President Obama on his big day. Do these school children even know the name of our President? Can they be blamed really for not wanting to know? 

A's wedding: This is one event that has been coming and going out of my mind for the past several days. A's married now, and it's been a week! She's all wife-y and everything and here we are, trying to understand Developmental Communication. No complaints though. Given the time, place and situation, I'd rather be cramming up pages of theories and approaches to Dev Comm. 

Histrionic Personality Disorder: I've diagnosed a participant on a very popular reality show to have this disorder. She fits into every single criterion for diagnosis. Now I have to somehow convince parents that watching this mindless show can actually help me further my prospects in the career. 

See? If one calls the Mind a deer (or some equally frisky animal) then mine sure did a lot of exercise that day. Sigh. If only I was as active as my mind. I wouldn't have had to replace Dairy Milk bar with Granola Bar (which are available in India, thanks to the LPG model by Dr.Manmohan Singh, I hope he gets well soon. He's one politician who has appeared in my class X textbook and is still living to tell the tale, albeit slightly monotonous.)  By the way, dont you think Abhinav Bindra and Dev Patel resemble? (See? there my deer goes again!) 

Change! – be warned- it’s nothing short of a full blown rant

Ok. The oh-it’s-a-new-year-so-i-have-to-make-drastic-lifestyle-changes-in-the-form-of-resolutions-that-are-never-met phase is over. While the world (and some friends in particular) implores me to Change! Change for the better! Be cooler and more conformist to the society’s vision of being cool! , I have chosen to go on and live like how I did in 2008. All you hear in the first few months of any New Year is Change (and I am not referring to President Obama’s campaign rally). People almost want to erase their follies in the past year and start on a crisp new page. So I encountered various friends these weeks who made me think about ‘Change’ and it’s importance in my life.

 Anyway, my first encounter was a call from a friend. Or so they’re called these days. It was someone who met me, decided I was not good enough to hang out in their company, and just returned a call of formality. Reason? Maybe I’ve changed. Maybe they’ve changed. Maybe one of us has changed we’re incompatible as the friends we used to be.

 Another encounter with friends (although this one was wa-hay nicer) changed my ideas of incompatibility. We met, we laughed, we goofed around and we talked ‘twenty’ to a dozen. I realized that we’ve not really changed at all. We’ve known one another almost forever and I guess that’s what made the difference. No matter how much I change, it wont make an iota of difference in our relationships – we know each other beyond concepts of Change and fitting with the ‘In’ group. Sure, our tastes will change in food, clothes and movies. But our tastes in friendship will not change because we’ve matured beyond frivolous things like that.

 Then came an unexpected day out with college pals. We headed out on our bikes, buses and autos to give out invitations for a seminar. That part of the outing occupied about one-fiftieth of our time. We decided on lunch instead of attending English Class and trooped into a restaurant. We became the objects of observation for the entire place as we laughed and held sizzling brownie sundae eating competitions. We didn’t need to change and look all ‘Sophisticated’ because that’s what ‘everyone’ does. Nor did we look like dehaatis who have never seen chocolate before. We looked like us. A bunch of self-assured, intelligent (in terms of the worldly ways dude!:-P), jovial girls don’t need to change just to be noticed.

 It’s really a complicated thing. Something that I will not blather on with. Expecting your friends to change just so that they can be your friend is not really the best way to describe friendship. If you’re my friend and have changed drastically, and expect me to do as well, then it’s not going to work. I just wish you behave normally with me or at least spare me the trouble of acting all plasticky with sugar-coated flattery thrown in. change is something one does to make oneself a better person from within, not to appear as a better person from the exterior.

 

 

A Metaflashback.

Is a flashback within a flashback known as metaflashback? Oh well, even if it isn't, I don't really care, it just sounds nice for a title! 

2008 did not go by as a flash. There are so many things I've done this year that it is impossible to remember them all. However, if I shut my eyes for a second, then the technicolour vision I get that defines my 2008 includes all this: 

My twentieth birthday. After all that cribbing, my turn to turn twenty arrived. I must say, that the day was really special thanks to everyone who took that effort to make it this way. A big big hug goes out to those two best friends I have who gave me those twenty gifts (Guys, I've eaten some, but those inedible gifts are etched forever in my room and memory). 

The Internship. Hey, don't blame me for bringing it up every ten seconds of this year since April. I've  learnt Foosball, table tennis, archery, wall climbing and golf. I've cycled in the rain, danced on rooftops at midnight, wandered in the streets of Hyderabad, sampled (actually more than just sampled)  food from all over the world (such as bouillabaisse - although I don't get why people are so crazy over it). And yes, worked as well! It was like pages from paradise. I wont get into it anymore but leave it at that- a splendid memory of the year that was. 

Photography!! I don't mean pictures that I may have put up on social networking sites. Because I take AGES in putting those up. I mean my photography class. I discovered the underbelly of Bangalore and noticed the livelihood of so many people we just don't bother with. At the risk of sounding painfully cliched and pun-ny, I have to say, 'My eyes were opened' with photography class. Two months of waking up ridiculously early (even for morning larks like me) and exploring the city in new bus routes was an intriguing experience. 

Movies!!!! I've seen the most number of movies this year than any other year. And I've liked them ALL! The pre-movie thrill was much more fun though. Whether it was giggling throughout a movie just because of ONE outfit (Sex and the City),  racing down Bellary road just to reach the theatre on time (for Dostana) , or watching a movie with the entire class, I've fallen in love with countless protagonists and hummed scores of tunes this year. Very filmy. 

Friends- I made lots of them this year. Some who live in other cities, but still maintain close enough ties. Some who are with me all day long, and yet never tire me (or get tired by me, I think), some who are game for doing anything anytime. I've made new ones, stayed with the old ones, rediscovered some and learnt lessons from some. They've all added colour, drama and emotion to all my experiences this year. I hope they continue to do so, every year. 

FOOD! This includes everything. From that entire Google office (I swear, sometimes, I compare the place to Willy Wonka's factory- except here, you get much more than just candy) to that list we've all made for things and places to eat in before graduating. We're completing the list and adding more every week. I think it's begun to show on me too. Oh dear! 

College!! Is it just me or does everyone like college as much as I do? It's funny, but I get this thrill of waking up and entering college to begin a brand new day with delightful (OK, not everyone is that delightful) people. There hasn't been a day when I've not laughed till I've cried. And I hope there never will be. 2009 is going to begin with very very mushy posts about how terrible I'll feel while graduating! :-( 

Uno!! Uno is more than just a game for us. What started off as a train game while going to hyderabad, turned into a BIG DEAL. We've had super-uno championships. We've been threatened by the railway police that we'll be procesuted (apparently) for gambling! Maybe the world is ignorant of the game. It's one brilliant invention. Especially for those slow slow slow English classes on Thursday afternoons. 

Urgh. There is so much more to think about, to ink about. Sometimes, I wish my thoughts could just get typed by themselves to save time. However, I still need to do stuff that will determine my fate for the first week of 2009. So I'm off with just this one small (not so small also) post about the year that finishes in 9 hours from now. A remarkable year, that will be penned down as one of my best till date. My resolution for 2009? To make it even more remarkable than 2008! 

One Self-obsessed tag coming up.........

1. What is your occupation? I am really occupied with the television right now. I fell from the stairs so there is little I can do without moving many muscles except watch hours of mindless television. When movies are coming non-stop, why not? 

2. What color are your socks right now? They are purple with yellow smiley faces all over. I kid you not. Bangalore is cold and these socks are incredibly warm. My dentist actually complimented them! (One of my rare happy moments during those 4 years of torture) 

3. What are you listening to right now ? There seems to be a huge traffic jam outside. So I can hear a couple of frustrated, clinically depressed megalomaniacs who seem to find it therapeutic to use their honks generously. 

4. What was the last thing that you ate ? I ate a couple of cashew nuts and dried apricots. I've taken a strange liking to them. 

5. Can you drive a stick shift? I can, but I don't want to. Do you know how easy it is to drive in a car which has automatic gears? I spend half my driving time doing complex mathematical calculations about the speed of the car, the distance from a potential speed breaker and the gear I must switch to in order to prevent a thud thud thud thud......screech.  

6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Dude, where is my phone? I've been searching for it since yesterday and have found a lot of other interesting things instead (like sheets of sparkly red wrapping paper). I need to go hunting for it now. The irony is, when I have my phone with me, I don't get any calls. When it's languishing somewhere in the depths of my clutter, I get tons of calls. 

7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? I will always like this person who sent me the tag. Although I must say Iysh, you've found an excellent way to fish for compliments! :-P 

8. How old are you today? I feel about a hundred and twenty four, having sat on the couch all day. But I think I am 20 years, 9 months and 14 days old. Does that make you feel happy Sneha? 

9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? I really like watching rhythmic gymnastics. Really. Ice Skating is also very nice. But since both these programs come on DD Sports with the commentators' voice being as dull as boiled cabbage, I have switched over to Tennis now. 

10. What are your favorite drinks? Hot water with Honey, tender coconut water and cold cold milk without sugar (not all of them at the same time though.) 

11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Not yet, but apparently my hair is naturally streaked with strands of brown and black. Or so I've been told by people who just like to watch me getting flustered about the oddities I have. 

12. Favorite food? Hot aloo paranthas with dollops of butter, dal makhni, cold cold curds and jalebis to finish this meal. Anyone planning to cook this for me? These restaurant places are soooo crowded. I want to eat this meal by the seaside, with only the chatter of waves being my companions. Weird combination, I know. Paranthas and seaside - but Hey! I can fantasize about these things cant I? 

13. What is the last movie you watched? Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. I really really liked it ok? OK. Actually, I just like all movies....so this is no exception, and if I show off once more that the lead actor was my batchmate from college, I'll only invite groans....so I'll end it with 'It's a nice movie'. 

At home I saw Casino Royale - I'd like to change my favorite food to a serving of Daniel Craig please. 

14. Favorite day of the year? March 4th. Because I know there are 6 days to go before my birthday so I can wait for it with anticipation...and yet not feel bad that it's too close. I always hate March 11th. I feel OLD. these days, I feel OLDER as little things around me are still in their teens and I'm asked to tell them 'How it feels like' 

15. How do you vent anger? Well, I generally vent it out AT the person. If you have been at the receiving end and are still (remarkably) on talking terms with me, then you would know best. I shout, yell, stomp and head bang in true filmy style. then I calm down and apologize (If I started the fight or was being unreasonably angry). I haven't lost my temper in a while though, so either it's a very good sign or the calm before a storm. 

16. What was your favorite toy as a child? Ooh..I had a Doctor Doctor Set...with the cutest and tiniest Stethoscope and pretend bottles of medicine and a syringe. I would assume the world has been struck with an epidemic and would run around treating everyone...by checking their heartbeats in the shins! (Don't blame me...I could only reach that high) 

17. What is your favorite season? My birthday falls in Spring, so I like that season. I like summer for it's fun incentives - like ice-creams, beaches and holidays. I like the monsoon season because I love walking in the rain, or reading a good book by the window. I like autumn because the trees give the orange sun an inferiority complex. I like winters for that smoke thingy that you can blow if you step out early in the mornings. Ooh...and eating spicy chat in the cold weather is the best treat! So basically, I like all seasons. 

18. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? Ok. If you really want to. Chances are I will be replying only three weeks later, but you can take a chance. 

19. When was the last time you cried? Ahem...shall we return to question no. 13? That would be the last time I cried. Yes, I cry at all movies. Even in those terrible Amisha Patel ones where she is torn between crying and wheezing. It just means I involve myself completely in all movies. If you've accompanied me to some movie and are reading this, STOP SNICKERING. 

20. What is on the floor of your closet? Dude, it's not the floor, it's just the bottom-most rack. All my skirts are down there. Once in a while, I rummage through, find them, sigh wistfully about wearing them someday and shocking everyone, and then go back to plain ol Jeans and a shirt. 

21. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to? Well, technically Varun would be the friend I have had the longest, with our ties going as far back as our parents. Since he will be extremely busy right now, I'll fast forward to Sneha, whom I've known for 16 years, so that's pretty long as well. Here is something you can do in your hols! (instead of messaging me and making me feel jealous that you're free and I'm at college) 

22. What did you do last night? Umm....I ate a huge Ice cream sundae and watched Shrek III. :) I think I fell asleep halfway though...I dont remember how the movie ended......

23. What are you most afraid of? Lizards, and Robbers entering my house from the balcony. (Really weird innit? Most girls dream of Romeo entering through the balcony and here I get nightmares that Robbers will use the same passage.) 

24. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburger? Cheese, not so much. I like mayonnaise on my burgers. I like mayonnaise on anything. I like those HUGE HUGE burgers that smear ketchup all over your face when you take a bite! Of course, I like eating them alone, or with people who've seen me in more hideous avtaars. 

25. Favorite dog breed? Irish Setters and Cocker Spaniels. Fine, even that mongrel outside my house that gives me puppy eyes if I walk past him with a sandwich.

26. Favorite day of the week? Thursday. It's close to the weekend, but college still hasnt closed. I LIKE going to college dude. It's not that abnormal also. 

27. How many states have you lived in? Delhi and Karnataka. 

28. Diamonds or pearls? Ummm...Diamonds all the way! I'm not the dressy type, but even I would fall for those glittering pieces of heaven! Pearls are pretty but you really neednt invade a sea creature's privacy just to wear earrings. 

29. What is your wish for this new year? It's a secret. I hope it comes true. *Fingers crossed* 

30. New year resolution? Hmm....I have a couple. But they're secret as well. There are things in life that even I dont disclose on world wide web.