The IT angel

A lot of people have told me that my blog is a happy place to be. I'm generally cheerful and it comes out on my blog - stuff like that. I can usually think of happy moments in my day...but today - nothing.

Today, all day, I've tried to shake the thought of the Mangalore AI crash. I spent all of yesterday reading about it, watching it on the news, praying. It's hard to imagine that somewhere in all this madness and grief, there is meant to be some sanity. I tried really hard today. But it kept creeping back into my mind, like I still needed to think about it, pray some more...I don't know.

When I was a kid, my mum and dad used to always say that whenever we travelled, we'd travel together. I'd never get it.

When flights would get delayed, airports would get things wrong, one of us would be ill abroad - mum would say, 'Never mind, at least we're together!' I'd never get it.

When things got bad with Dad's hand (my dad has a condition called dystonia. Long story. And no, he doesn't suffer from it. He's Superman, is my Pa.) mum and dad would always smile through everything...and as I grew, I realized that all that mattered to them, was that we were together. I still didn't get it completely.

Today - I got it.

A guy who works in my company, along with his wife and two children, passed away in the crash. I did not know him personally, but I remember him as a guy who was always laughing and whose eyes crinkled when he smiled. He worked in IT and was always so so helpful. I remember him as a guy who never said no.

As I thought about him and saw his picture today, I realised that somewhere, I was glad that he was with his family and they were all together. Don't think me mean or cold hearted. But I get what mum meant - all those times. To be together...would be better than being left behind.

I think my heart would just break and I'd die inside if I lost someone I loved. I don't know how else to say it.

To all those who lost their lives yesterday...and to all those you've left behind...my prayers are with you, as are so many others.

And to you...our smiling IT angel...we remember you. Bless.

By the window

It's been a while since I slept in at the weekend.

This morning, I woke up (damn body clock) and checked the time. Then remembered it was Friday (for all you out of towners, Friday is the weekend here in Dxb), enjoyed my silent victory over the folks at the Alarm Dept at Nokia and blissfully drifted back to Dreamland.

Dude and I are slowly settling into our new place and it's lovely. Did I mention we shifted? Again? No, no - no gypsy thing going on, but thanks to the recession, rents came down, flats got bigger and we found a place we loved. One of those places where you enter the front door with the real estate guy in front of you, rattling on and on about about how awesome the place is and the 2 of us looking at each other and silently going WHOAAAA!! and giving each other high fives in the air. Yeah, one of those. *grin*

So I spent this morning, snug on my favorite couch, looking out over the city at our gorgeous view, sipping my coffee a la Patty and drinking it all in.

May you all have the awesomest of weekends.

*raises coffee mug*

CHEERS!

Knot tying.

So a lot of our friends are in and around the Marriage Zone.

Either just married, getting engaged, planning weddings or finally deciding that 'she's the one'.

It's a lovely feeling to be surrounded by all these lovey dovey boys 'n girls. *grin*

Sillies.

Dude and I are close to so many of them.

Guys I've known for a decade finally realise what they've always wanted in a woman and to then miraculously find she was right there - warms my heart.

A little girl I remember singing in a crowded room, all dressed in white with her hair in curls - got married last week and is a gorgeous Mrs. D'Cunha now.

A guy I've known so well and trusted so much - my 'call in the middle of the night and I'll be there' friend. He's in love and the soft smile on his face when I asked him if this was what he wanted..ohh to be a part of something so precious!

My little Biscotti who's all of 21 this month, sending me a song and telling me it was going to be her 'special wedding entrance' song for her dance troupe - bless!

Some of you are just married...and I think I've said the same thing to everyone.

Marriage rocks.

Don't get me wrong. Be ready for the fights, the disagreements, the 'toilet lid, toothbrush,my side of the bed' conversations. There'll be times when you can't stand each other and literally feel like you married a woolly headed mammoth in disguise.

But then, there'll be the other times.

When you share a portion of curly fries while you're engrossed in an episode of Criminal Minds.

Then you suddenly glance at each after a suspense filled moment...and smile coz you love that you can enjoy it with each other.

When you play house. Putting up pictures, moving furniture, talking about what goes where. And you feel all warm inside coz you realise that Mr. Macho is a real homebody at heart who cares about the color of the rug just as much as you do.

When you cook together. Even if it's French Toast for dinner. It's breakfast to you, but coz he loves the way you make it - you still go ahead and everyone's happy - he gets his happy dinner and you're all goofy happy coz he likes it that much in the first place.

When he wakes up early just to drop you to work.

When he gets you a doughnut as a peace offering.

All the many hugs. Bless.

The good will always outweigh the bad. So much so you won't remember it.

(Ehh? Bad?? Whaaa?)

So congratulations y'all. Marriage is not for the weak hearted, but it rocks the boat like nothing else.

And for those of you, my special single ones - you've got it right. When you get that feeling that this is the one whose worst habit still makes you smile when you think of them...then you'll really know.

Till later, adieus.

M.I.A.

I know I've been MIA for the longest time.

To those of you who missed me, you are too kind. *smiles*

I feel as though the first 3 months of 2010 have zoomed past me, leaving me quite dizzy and breathless. In a good way, of course.

Lots has been happening. Some good, some bad, but I'm not complaining. Life is good and it's a great time to be me.

And there's even more coming our way. *glances at calendar*

But I've realised that I missed blogging...even if it was just a few words to let my brain iron the thoughts out and chill for a bit. Yes, there's a little me in there, lazing on a deck chair and sipping on a pina colada right now.

So here's to getting back to it - slowly but surely.

Hello crazy world, I'm ready to jump back on that crazy roundabout you got goin'.

Boots and her Tink party.

Yesterday, Pats and I spent the day together after ages.

Boots 5th birthday is coming up. I personally don't understand her mad hurry to grow up, but kids these days no - they just don't get it. She insists she's a 'growed' up girl now. My precious!

Boots was torn between wanting a Hannah Montana birthday and a Tinkerbell party. The craze that is Miley Cyrus has pulled a nerve with Pats & me. Over the December hols, we all spent2 days at a hotel. The girls made a huge game out of running between hotel rooms and insisted on passwords to get in. The passwords? 'Miley Cyrus' and 'Hannah Montana'. Which were yelled out repeatedly till the door was opened. *sighs*

Thankfully though, Boots zoned in on wanting a Tink party and Pats and I were elated. Not that we have anything against the Cyrus family or Montana franchise...but our girls are still girls - for this year at least! We spent most of yesterday hunting and shopping for birthday decorations, give-aways and this, that and the other. We've done in many times before, but it was nice yesterday after ever so long - just Pats, Boots and me.

Boots was mighty helpful - and never forgot to mention to us that we were shopping for HER birthday, so she HAD to help with everything and was NOT to be shushed and moved to the side. So, she was literally in the middle of us at all times. Lol....theres was this instance where Pats and I were searching for something quite seriously and were checking all the possible hooks in the aisle of a mondo crowded shop. Boots, was helping.

Then suddenly, she looked up at us and said, " Can I be in the middle of you?" Pats and I couldn't help laughing, coz in the middle of all the commotion, heat and noise, our little one still felt that today - her world was the three of us and her gorgeous party.

We had a great breakfast first thing in the morning - hot wadas, a masala dosa and filter coffee.

If you're Indian - you know the feeling : )

If you're not, you totally need to experience it - make an Indian friend in a hurry, or call me when you're in town!

All in all - a lovely day. Pats, I heart you.

Coffee?

For Dude.

I remember the night we met. Oh, what a night.

It was a party, a friend of a friend. I got dragged there, so did you. The whole night passed and then suddenly, you asked me to dance. The rest as they say, is history.

Who was responsible?

Shorty, the guy whose house it was,whom we had never met before and who is a good friend now?

Was it your best man, Tatt Boy? Who forced you to come, telling you it wouldn't be so bad?

Nando? He called me relentlessly, till I finally agreed to stop by with a friend.

Vinx - the guy who actually introduced us, seconds before our first dance?

Whoever it was, all of you - thank you!!

'Coz that night, I met someone I chose to spend my life with. I met a guy with a heart of gold, who loves me and loves me and just when I think it's not possible, he'll love me some more.

Every so often, I look at you and feel a little giddy headed. What a precious man you are and how special must the Big guy upstairs think I am, to give you to me. I remember that night and am thankful that you chose to spend the rest of your life with me too.

(truth must be told, there are several other times when I look at you and want to throw everything but the kitchen sink at you - but let's leave that for a later post. = D )

My prayer for you is one that is close to my heart.

May you see, every day, how amazing you can be and may you never stop reaching for the stars. May your honesty, simplicity and good heartedness, always be the core of you, as they are now.

And may you always know, how very very much, this girl loves you.

Happy Birthday dude.

*hands over heart in a gift wrapped box*

Luv 'ya.

The wonder that is Facebook.

I uploaded a lot of pictures on my Facebook profile this afternoon.

Mostly of December when Mum and Dad were here, the stuff we did, the places we visited, familly, friends etc. (Yes, I do it pretty often, guilty as charged!)

My favorite is one of us at Christmas, right in front of our beautiful tree.

We had just gone for Christmas morning mass, had a nice breakfast together and visited close family to wish them. We got back home and posed for a series of pictures and had a ball of a time!!

When I posted that particular picture, I was rather taken aback at the number and nature of comments it got. Friends I made more than 10 years ago, family friends who haven't been in touch in ages, college friends, some people I don't even know that well...all who remembered my folks.

My parents pray a lot. They pray for us, out here in the concrete jungle, amongst other things.

And then they pray for the people who have touched our lives and theirs, in ways we may not remember, but our hearts will not forget. Verbatim.

I was amazed that some of those people felt such nice feelings towards my folks. Their comments on our Christmas memory picture, were simply sweet and really touching.

Facebook may have a tons of flaws and may be called addictive and a waste of time and all the rest. I've read all the negative articles and I've heard a few parental concerns on it.

But at times like this, it's just pretty darned awesome.