At the heart of it all

Our lives get so crazy busy sometimes, don't they?

There's hardly enough time to get through the day.. from rushed mornings, manic office hours, traffic, the home routine, sports, other commitments, this, that and the other. I often can't tell where my week ends and my weekend begins!

No, I'm not complaining, not at all. I'm grateful that I go to bed tired, but content.

Sometimes though, it's hard to make time, even for those we love. We try and try and sometimes, the effort ends up leaving you even more tired than before.

I felt guilty initially - was it horrid that I had to literally allot time to people who meant so much to me - to meet, to sms, to email? Shouldn't it come naturally? Not like, (for lack of a better word) a chore?

But the more I thought about it, the more I realised that it was ok. To me, at least.

It meant that I loved someone enough to stop my crazy roundabout called life for a few seconds and let that someone know I thought of them. And it worked in my favor too.

I may have just sent you a joke on e-mail.

Or you asked someone to give me a hug 'coz I wasn't there when you met them.

You had a dahi batata puri and thought of me.

I left you a smiley on your facebook wall.

You told someone I mattered to you. I found out, quite by mistake.

I heard a song that reminded me of you and I called you.

You click a picture of something in a supermarket - just coz it has my name on it. *grins*

You ask me to say a prayer for you.

I was praying for you even when you hadn't yet asked me.

You remember things I least expect you too and it makes me smile.

We make teams and I'm on yours. Coz that's just how it always is!

I don't see you, but I miss you.

We share a memory, across many miles. And it means just as much either way.

We worry about each other.

I remember that you're allergic to mushrooms.

We have a secret coffee spot. And it's special coz it's ours.

These are only a few...but if you give yourself a minute to think about it, the list simply refuses to end.

I guess we don't always realise how blessed we are... And if you don't like the word 'blessed', feel free to use fortunate, popular, lucky.

But I have news for you. It's still a blessing, damn straight.

When Dude and I got married, we did a lot of it on our own. We started smaller than small and footed our own bills. We gave up a few luxuries, but it didn't matter - we were together, we did the little things, we were happy.

We've mountain climbed over the last 2 and a half years and are finally on more level, higher ground. We have more than enough and are happy, as always.

Over the weekend, we went shopping. And Dude bought me the engagement ring we couldn't afford back then. He turned my heart to choux pastry when he said, "I know I couldn't give it to you then, but I want to do this now." Bless.

We followed that up with entering a sports shop looking for swimming goggles.

Uff, the romance. *grins* But I wouldn't have it any other way!

I hope you realise how much you're loved.

It's the nicest feeling when you don't see it...and then suddenly you do.

Till later.

True to the Blue...

..is my current facebook status.

World Cup Cricket 2011 is on. For those few who aren't too familiar; 14 cricket playing nations participate in the hope of winning the coveted prize, name and fame - World Cup winners.

I've watched quite a few matches this year. Some on my own, some thanks to dude.

I've been watching the games since I was a kid - mum, dad and I would get together, finish all the chores, just in time to settle down to uninterrupted viewing of a 50 over game.

50 overs of positive thoughts, cheering, the occasional under the breath muttering of abuses, yelling and in my mums case, silent prayers.

*smiles* I'd bet my last dollar she still does it too.

Tomorrow's a big game - India vs. Pakistan in the World Cup semi finals.

Again, that's a BIG deal. No points for guessing how far back that rivalry goes.

Every time the two countries play together - it's explosive. The media goes absolutely nuts with the coverage - bribes and match fixing allegations, player backgrounds, scandals, rivalry - the works. It's almost as if the media can't milk the proverbial cow enough.

When I was younger, I was just as gung ho about it. India simply always had to win, win, win!!

A nation of a gazillion people support, whole-heartedly; this team of eleven on the field.

With this World Cup I realised that a lot of us are still like that when it comes to cricket. We Bleed Blue (India team colors). We pray. We support 'the boys' as if we've broken bread with each of them on several occasions. We want them to win. So, so badly.

It's nice to belong to a camp. To feel this crazy one-ness with a nation you belong to, but haven't grown up in. To want to paint three lines on each cheek - saffron, white and green.

To yell and chant and cheer for our boys in blue. To see all the crazy facebook updates, email forwards and sms messages - all supporting the game, the team, the hope of victory.

And like mom, to say a silent prayer.

(God may like cricket right, who knows?)

I'm not too fond of the anti-opposition jibes that are doing the rounds though. Maybe it's a girl thing. If there's one thing I've learnt from watching dude play basketball over the years...on court, it's a World War in the making. Off court- it's all chest bumping, hand shaking, fist thumping camaraderie.

Let's hope that's the way it is with tomorrows game too.

Oh and btw, dude's facebook status - I don't like cricket.

I love it.

Go India.

Till later.

A difference of opinion

It's Womens Day today. Ash Wednesday tomorrow.

And I've been down with the worst flu for the last week.

How does it all piece together? Well, since I managed to catch this dreadful bug, I seem to spend the better part of the day coughing, gulping down medicine, drinking hot water or dozing.

Fun times. *pulls a face*

But I've also spent a lot of time listening. And that's my point.

So many people have so many different opinions about everything. No, it's not something new, but it's interesting to observe and you can get quite caught up in the thought processes that are thrown around. When all you seem to do is pour yourself another mug of hot tea and honey, you learn profound things about the world.

Now, I get why so many people just sit at roadside cafes and watch the world go by. There's so much to see, hear, be a part of, be amused at.

Womens Day. Smile with pride or frown with disdain?

There's the left side of the room who say WHY? Why do you need a specific day to be nice to women and tell them how great they are? Why don't you do that everyday? The rest of the year you treat them badly and then 'whammo' on the 8th of March, you shower them with flowers and praise and what not?

You have to admit, there's a point somewhere in all that.

Then the right side of the room makes some noise. Why not, they ask? Is it such a bad thing to take one day out of the year to honor womenfolk and salute them for all they do? We've all read the mails where women can take more pain, have more heart, be more loving and this and that and the next thing; why shouldn't they get a day that's just for them? Bring on the art exhibitions, the bouquets, the seminars.

It made me think for a bit...as to which camp I belonged to. I sat in the middle of the room on a chair with my knees to my chin, deep in thought. And I realised that that's exactly where I was. I believe that women should be treated with love, respect, honor, friendship. I believe that everyone should be treated that way. 24/7, 365 days a year. I believe that we should at least try to honor all that is good in us...men or women. Trying is good.

But hey, you ain't never gonna catch me saying no to a Womens Day hug, a few flowers at the office entrance or a special song dedication on the radio. We don't celebrate each other everyday...but on this one day....it's nice to see random women in the halls greet each other with a wish for the day that celebrates who they are. It was nice to hear my mums voice this morning; "Happy Womens Day Shan!' It's nice to feel special. So I'm all for it.

Another hot topic has been Ash Wednesday and what are you going to give up for the season of Lent? The room went quite mad on that one.

Again, the same comparisons. Don't give up chocolate, alcohol, meat etc, just for Lent and indulge for the rest of the year. Don't try to be a different person during this time, it's meant to change who you are for life and not for just a month. GOD IS WATCHING YOU!!

Goodness.

Again...it can't possibly be that bad to acknowledge that you want to make a sacrifice, no matter how small.... right? During this time, you may personally choose to give up something you enjoy...and in that silent way, you contribute. Surely, God would not object?

I don't fancy choosing camps on that either. It's all so personal isn't it, these choices we make?

And in this day and age, where we can share our opinions so freely and easily - we can influence so many. My vote goes to just observing first...sipping on the warm tea and paying close attention to everything...and then finally, sitting calmly on that cozy beanbag in your mind...you choose what you stand for. To each his own.

Gosh, who knew what the flu could do.

Till later.