Happy Birthday LOVE!

Today 19th December. Birthday of the most valued person in my life- MY HUSBAND!

We have not known each other for years and years but today I don't remember a single significant episode of my life that doesn't have you!!

Baby since the day we have met, you have made every second of my life Super SPECIAL!! There are many things that I admire and LOVE about you.. but I won't waste my time narrating, else my baby will swell with 'ego' ;-)

As many around me say, you're the best guy I could have ever got! Have you ever wondered why? Because my expectations in life are SKY HIGH and my patience levels are SUPER LOW and when I blow up, I blow up REALLY BAD... but you have taken it all, with so much ease! And that's why I love you and love to imagine us getting old together-- HAND IN HAND...

My life is complete with you in my arms! I can face any odds in life if I have you. I love you more than anything in this world... YOU ARE MY FOREVER LOVE...

June 2007- We first met!

November 2007- We got Noddy!

October 2008- We got married!

November 2008- Our Langkawi 'honeymoon'

Today-- Our love grows inside me-- expected in Jan end or Feb first week :))

Soon, we will be inching towards the next phase of life- PARENTHOOD! And I am so sure you're going to make an awesome father! Not a GHATIYA one :-*

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!!

F.R.I.E.N.D.S

This post is an ode to all my friends who touched my heart at some point of my life. Some came to be a part of my life forever, others stayed for a season :-)

(As I start writing, I have jotted down all names 'in order of their appearance'... and I have a feeling that this post will take ages to end.. Let's see...)

JASWINDER KAUR

She was my life's FIRST best friend, the time when I had started to realise that every person is supposed to have a friend who is always there, the one who fights for you, fights with you and loves you unconditionally. We were in the same class and stayed in the same colony. We were like inseparable. From nursery to 5th standard we never made any other friend. On days when she was absent from school, my day would pass in isolation. She sucked in studies, sorry to use the word, so for obvious reasons my mom despised her like anything. But she was my best buddy. Then in the 5th standard she found another friend Nancy and there started a new story. They started standing together in the assembly. Soon she was a part of our lunch sessions and they even tried to sit next to each other in class. It was like a shocker for me. I remember sulking for hours.. till I met my next best friend....

SOUMYA KHOSLA

It was our 6th standard school picnic and since my previous best friend had found someone else, I was kind of left alone. But then another friend came striding along. We happened to sit next to each other in the school bus while on our way. As we started chatting, we realised some uncanny similarities between us. Like my initials KS, hers SK. My birth date 12 September, hers 21 September. We got along like a house on fire. That picnic, J was busy with N but I was not bothered, I'd my new best friend. But guess Soumya didn't see it that ways. J couldn't clear that class and was forced to leave the school that year. And soon Soumya found solace in Nancy-- the best friend snatcher!! :D

ANJALI
Let me clear in the beginning. She was no where close to what a best friend is. But we used to sit together in the class as the arrangement was! She had another best friend who never gave her enough time. So I was like a 'rebound' for her :-D But as we both had known, it was short lived and she went back to her best friend. 

STUTI BEHL (now MEHROTRA)
Stuti came in my life when I joined mathematics coaching close to her house. We were in the same class and our fathers knew each other. We started travelling by the same school bus and used to hang out at her place in the spare time. We both were a crazy bunch. We laughed at our successes and failures too. Probably we both brought out the best in each other. I don't remember a single moment when we fought or even had a minor disagreement. We were a part of the biggest group in our class (where I was the pampered one- thanks to my weight and 'cuteness' ;-)). At that point of time, I didn't feel the need of a best friend. We all were happy bunch of SUPER BUDDIES. Even today we are close pals though we hardly get any time to meet. 

NABILA SADIQ
Well, we were in the same class for sometime, but actually started talking in the 8th standard. I have to say I have been the meanest friend to her. I used to gang up with my other friends and make fun of her. We never spared her on anything. But she stayed with me through thick and thin... Used to daily call me at sharp 3pm- I found it annoying at times but she never stopped. Despite all the bullying, she didn't think twice before calling me her best friend. Even today she claims so! It felt awkward back then but now it feels nice. Cheers to our friendship Nabz!

AMBIKA GOVILA
Shortlived! In standard 8th, my class teacher changed my seat atleast 5 times. She felt I was overly talkative and so kept on making me sit next to new partners. Ambika was one of them. We didn't get along very well from the very first day, to the sheer delight of my class teacher. Infact once we got into such a heated argument that I slapped her straight on the face. She immediately ran to her sis who was the House captain of our school. I was scared for a bit when I got to know the same, but it was shortlived. Her sis came to me and sweetly said, "Guys grow up! Stop fighting." Soon we laughed off the episode and became good buddies. Today we stay in touch through FB...

(L to R: Smita's cousin, Smita, Akshima, Yours truly :(, Charu, Deepika, Bhagya, Alma and Nabila)


DEEPIKA BHATIA
We became friends by mistake! :-D We were in the same group till class 8th but never really the closest. And then when we all shifted to the next standard, our classes were shuffled. Of our 8 member group, only the two of us ended up together. We showed respite on having each other as company but secretly we both tried our best to get our sections changed. But to no use! Anyways, soon we became great friends. She's one of my closest friends till date...

CHARU KALRA
She is a saint (who looks like Kajol :D)! Our friendship started on a very funny note. Deepika and I were best friends when Charu came into my life. She used to sit next to Smita (another closed friend or so I thought) in standard 9th and Deeps and I sat right behind them. At first she came across as a snob. Initially, she would not only get affected by Dips and my constant chatter but would also make it quite evident by either complaining to Smita or talking in the air- 'huh, they are always disturbing us!' 
Since we studied in a convent and both Smita and Deepz were catholic, they used to go away during our moral science period everyday. But we never even thought of sitting next to each other. Anyways, it was our first outstation school trip (Nainital) that changed everything. As usual my mom was pretty excited for the trip, more than me. Both Deepika and Smita backed out at the last minute and for some strange reason Charu and I went ahead with Nabila ofcourse. It was there that our friendship's seed was sown. It was a memorable trip and we had a great great time. The punju connection also worked well in our case. Not only school hours, but we used to spend after school hours together, walking back home, eating gol gappas, patties and our favourite evening cycling. Shortly our parents also met and it was like one big happy family. New friends came and left, but we continue to be each other's besties and we love it that way!

AKSHIMA LABROO
Well, well, well! This girl got the best and beast out in me! :D It was in standard 11th that we met. Charu, Stuti had chosen Humanities and I came to the Science section with Deepika and Nabila. The first time we spoke was when she came to me asking for my chemistry file. She wanted to complete some of her notes. I happily gave it to her, but what I got back was a stained and a torn file. I felt disgusted and cheated and confronted her on the same. I can't really recall how our friendship started but it did shortly after this episode. We were like so badly into each other that our Physics teacher called me Akshima and her Kalpana. We had the craziest fun in life. She was good academically and inspired me too. When the school ended, she moved to Jammu to do her engineering but we stayed in touch through letters. She never missed my birthday but I always did! Let's not go far- this year was the first time when I thought I remembered her birthday. I called her and excitedly shouted in the phone- HAPPY BIRTHDAY! She sounded asleep and replied back with a tired, Thank You.. It was when she disconnected that I realised it was not her birthday. Anyways, she's my akku doggie and such issues matter no more!

PS: Am disconnecting the chain here... rest will follow soon

Fashion at a glance!

I wouldn't call myself a 'pure' journalist but being a part of Times of India, I have written for the Sunday supplement, timesofindia.com website and even covered media events as part of my profile. Am writing this post to update you on an experience - that of covering fashion shows!

To the 'unexposed', fashion shows are like the most exclusive, big-league events one is invited to where city's hoity toity are put on ample display! I felt the same till about an year or two ago. That was the time when I had written about everything from health, fitness to relationships but fashion was one untouched topic. Not because I had no sense of fashion, but because for me fashion always meant dressing up smartly and judging (read 'rating') what others wore (done in a personal, not professional capacity in consultation with friends and colleagues) ... So when my editor coaxed me to apply for the Wills India Fashion Week, I was full of mixed emotions. I could never make out cotton from silk and didn't know what silhouette or fashion inspiration actually meant. I could only tell if something was looking good or otherwise! So this was how I got pushed into the fashion world. I debated with my colleagues at end how I despise this 'opportunity' and want to cover as less shows as possible but since we were three responsible for the event, we had to divide equally. So on the second day of WIFW, I reached Pragati Maidan, Gate No 2. I was ferried to the venue in a WIFW cab.

I was modestly dressed for the occasion because I didn't want to look too excited. BUT my heart was beating hard. OMG! I was soon going to witness a FASHION SHOW! I entered the venue with a badge that read- Kalpana Sharma, journalist, Times Life and I started looking around blankly. No known faces... and then spotted a colleague whom I would never have otherwise even smiled at, but given the desperation that I was in, I inched towards her and tried to be a part of the group she was talking to. She introduced me to the lot- one a fashion journo from Mumbai, another a photographer who seemed gay. Anyways the show was delayed and I managed to not feel lost in the crowd. People there looked every bit stylish. So much so that even some serious journos could be mistaken as models or socialites.

Then it was time to enter the hall. We made a grand entry from the 'Media' side of the hall. Feeling lost I asked my colleague to help me find a seat since I was coming for the first time. She showed me the rows and we sat in the second row next to each other. Shortly other guests started to pour in- most of the P3 crowd, others PYTs.

The ramp and the theme looked absolutely stunning! I was never even an FTV fan so this scene was quite new for me. (I'd seen few casual ramp shows before at PCs but this was a real ramp show!) Once everyone settled down, the lights went off and came the first model on the ramp. She was striding like a fish, effortless yet chic. Other models followed. More than their dresses, I was in awe of the girls. Every girl had her unique style and walked with utmost confidence. In like 15-20 minutes, the show ended. YIPPEE I was a part of the fashion world now! I felt super excited and called up every close friend to narrate my experience-- barring few-- I didn't want everyone to know what a big deal it was for me. I rushed back to work to file the report. My colleagues asked me about the show and I narrated it in the most 'casual' style. I didn't want to look AFFECTED!! Haha!

My first WIFW was great fun but what followed was not. I was over my fashion fixation the first day itself. The fever didn't last long. Undoubtedly you should witness it once in a lifetime but it was nothing to hang on to. I have seen my colleagues waiting for fashion shows to happen but I didn't belong there! Infact, later on as the dates of the show were announced, my heart would start to sink.. I can't be pancaked or flying kisses in the air. That's JUST NOT ME! So I was back to writing on health and relationships-- HAPPILY SO!

When you're expecting!!

Someone wisely said that one is never ready for pregnancy. It was sort of true in our case too I guess. Today, I have entered the 8th month of my pregnancy and the journey's been pretty taxing so far (with some precious moments too). I won't fill you in with gory details such as nausea, vomits, morning sickness, but with some interesting moments of my expectancy!

Firstly, I was never the motherly kinds. I spent the first four months sulking over the trillion problems that shook me. Being the foodie that I am, it came as a shock when I realised that I am allergic to Italian, Mexican, South Indian food and how can I forget to mention- EGGS! (where has all the goodness gone!)... Top being coriander, that is a part of every Indian delicacy. And then came my aversion to chaat-- who on earth said pregnant women crave for golgappe, tikki and chaat!

On rare occasions, when my attention would turn to the little one growing in my belly, I always found myself in a fix. How should I communicate with him/her as mothers around me say they did when they were expecting. I mean, how can I talk to a growing foetus? It doesn't have the brain to understand or the emotions to return back my love. Many pregnancy websites say otherwise, but 'sorry to say' in my case the baby never responded! So I chose to wait a little longer-- maybe when he/she starts kicking!

With the onset of the 6th month, my little one started to nudge me a little too often. It initially felt like some gas bubbles inside my tummy but soon I started to identify them. They felt nice but again what should I say to him/her? I remember my 7th month when he kicked me too hard. What I felt was nothing close to how I was supposed to feel! I immediately messaged my husband, "You better take care of babelink, he's kicking too hard." Now when I think of it, I feel I could have handled it better. Maybe I could have tried to converse at that point with something like- 'hey baby, missing mumma?'

Before you arrive at any conclusion, let me tell you, I love my little one just as much as probably other mothers do. But unlike my usual self, I am not yet as expressive as I should be. It feels strange at times. My sister was an ideal expectant mother- used to chat with the baby, hear positive music/mantras, stay away from beauty products... O yes, here comes another 'issue'- One should avoid bleaches, strong creams, perfumes etc while pregnant. And I so can't imagine living without them. The frequency has decreased definitely but my little one should understand that mommy loves to pamper herself in the parlour-- Please don't ask me for this!! YOU HAVE ANYWAYS MADE ME HATE MY FAVOURITE LACOSTE PERFUME! DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THAT COSTED YOUR DADDY!!!! :((

PS: Love you loads baby! Your mommy's gonna work on her parenting skills... Dying to see you in my arms!!

Noddy mania!

I dedicate my first blog to the love of my life. Okay! Second love of my life, to be precise. He's my (now 3 years and a month) labrador. Talk about selfless love and I am always reminded of him. He's a true glutton and can get harrowingly irritable with his food pursuits but but but he's one of the best things that happened to me in this lifetime :)) (Some hint of drama here)

They say, if you don't have a pet at home, you haven't had the best experiences in life. I so agree. As a child I used to be petrified of dogs. There was an amount of curiosity surrounding them but I always chose to stand at a distance, even with friendly pet dogs. My belief was- animals are animals! I remember an ageing aunt who was addicted to her pom. I always found it amusing, how she would rate her dog above her husband. Back then, it was a feeling I could not understand but today I do.

The case is not much different for my other half. My husband told me an interesting incident from his teenage. He was once dating a girl who had a pet dog. He used to despise him totally because they never got any peaceful 'lone' moments when the dog was alive. And he couldn't understand why the girl used to rant endlessly about her dog's likes, dislikes, experiences on their dates. When her dog died, for obvious reasons she went into a phase of isolation. Deep inside my husband (then, her BF) was glad but he gave the sobbing girlfriend a helping, reassuring shoulder and wished she never keeps one again! Well, that's past. Today he's crazier for Noddy... much more than me.

All animal lovers (and otherwise) must have heard about the novel and movie, Marley & Me. Though I have never had the courage to read the book or watch it, but I did catch few glimpses of it last month when it was telecast on Star Movies. It pierced my heart.

I at times do imagine about the time when Noddy won't be around. And believe me or not, the thought everytime sends a chill down my spine. Something as 'routinely' insignificant as coming home is an experience with Noddy around. His love is something you cannot miss. Step out of his eyes even for 10 minutes and he greets you with an excitement that cannot miss your heart. On days (that are extremely rare) when he sees me cry, he quietly sits next to me, at times with his face on my lap. If I instruct him not to do something and he still does it, the angst on my face makes him go weak and he has this unique way of apologising. When we are out on walks, he never leaves my side. Even when he's excited to sniff and 'investigate' everything around, he keeps looking back to check on me!! Words are failing me as I try to narrate my experiences with him so I quit. I don't want to get all sobby in my first post.

Here he is cuddling up in his bed next to me, unaware that he's being blogged about :)) I don't even have to use words or gestures. He knows I love him tonnes!!