Home Sweet Home

The chugging train comes to a grinding halt, pushing sleep from dreary eyes away,
the cool morning breeze fans my joy, I'm home again today.
Familiar though the route may be, with the path remaining the same,
the landmarks play hide and seek, as eyes search for buildings by their old name.
Hard to recognize in its new finery, my city has changed - it's true,
but it still beckons me with open arms, because hasn't my life changed too?

My city, my home, my first love, you are so true to me.
For old or new, you are mine and will always be.
With you, my first breath began. With you, I learned to grow.
You were there with me throughout, in moments both high and low.
With you, I etched memories, of family and dear friends,
of movies, music and conversations that would never end.
Childhood, adolescence, teenage - you have seen me pass through all,
through moments of glory, moments of pain, moments both big and small.
You were there with me, when I stepped into the threshold of wedded bliss.
As I left beloved ones behind, you too I knew I would deeply miss.

Once a resident, now a visitor - thus my equation with you now stands,
and as I come home, memories flood the mind like the water on the sands,
Because in your every nook and cranny, there is a moment of my life hidden,
from the endless banter at the busstops to the gatherings in the gardens.

And with my sweet home in the corner, home to unforgettable moments infinite,

the body might be miles away, but with you will always be my spirit.

My city, you are not mine alone, you are the thread that binds
the millions who call you home and in you, heaven find.
Strangers become friends with the mere mention of your name -
with a common love, a shared pride and an equal claim.
Is it your soothing beauty? Is it your languid way of life?
Or is it your peaceful nature that abhors any kind of strife?
It can be all and so much more, for you are not just a place,
you are an attitude, a belief and a dearly-held space
in the minds and hearts of everyone who know and love you,
who cherish their bond with you, whether it be old or new.

You are for me the remembrance of the freedom of a young soul,
a life when the burden of responsibility never played a major role.

And as the train takes me away from you again, the heart briefly sighs,

for I have started on a new journey, somewhere else my new home lies.

But my love for you will be the same, the miles between us many or few,

because my house may be in any city, but my home sweet home is you.

Friends Forever

With Friendship Day around the corner, I couldn't help but wonder where the terms 'friendship' and 'friends' figure in my life right now. As the days pass by in a monotonous rigmarole of household and mommy duties, it took me a couple of phone calls from old friends to pause and think how life has changed.

Yes, years roll on and one becomes older. Friends are lost on the way - to distance (physically or emotionally), misunderstandings, or lack of communication. But even with the ones that remain, the bond acquires newer meanings. As each of us gets presumably busy with our own lives, friends somehow slid down our priority ladder and are acknowledged with a stray phone call or email, often only to intimate important events. When earlier, hours and hours were spent on the phone talking to them over trivial (but ultra-serious then) and meaningless matter - which reminds me of a brilliant line from the movie 'Jaane tu ya jaane na' where the actress wonders, "College ke din kaise guzar gaye pata hi nahi chala' and the mother of her friend replies, "Phone pe, beta. Phone pe!" - now, there is never the same urgency or opportunity to convey our happiness or pain, as the case may be.

Another question that plagues me is how men are capable of maintaining their friends while women are unable to do so. With the recent flick, ZNMD, glorifying male bonding, I wonder why there are none that speak of female relationships. I remember going out on a trip to California to meet my husband's college friends and their families. But I cannot imagine or remember having heard of a woman taking her husband along on a trip or vacation to meet her friends and their families. Is it because we are so caught up with our family life that we no longer have the need to meet our friends on a regular basis? Or is it because we are so busy that the few days we are free, we would rather enjoy spending it with our relations than our friends, even though we are in one city? It could also be that as life moves on, women adjust themselves to their surroundings and still maintain a close circle of friends - which now comprises of a neighbour, a colleague or a sister-in-law instead of a classmate or a childhood friend.

I also find myself becoming cynical thinking of how close friends now apparently have nothing to talk about other than work and family before the inevitable 'What else?' looms large over the horizon. But I have had infinitely great moments of friendship in my life and I am far too practical to view this gradual phasing out of friends as sad or regretful. Life is like that...the people may not remain the same but the memories of fun, love and excitement will always remain fresh in our minds. Also coming from a family where friends were always treated as family, I have memories of my uncle's friends dropping in during festivals or my cousin's friends being on equally chummy terms with the rest of us. Consequently, my brother's friends were constant visitors while I was a permanent guest member of my sister's gang. So, memories of friendship for me are not just confined to the ones I had with my own friends but the ones I saw all through my life.

A New Year party that my sister's group had at our home is forever a cherished memory. The combined studies, the birthday outings, the movie shows - I was a constant fixture in my sister's life. Similarly, my friends were as at home with her as they would be with me; with some even ganging up on me with her. The long letters, the incessant phone calls (which on birthdays were nonstop), the continuous flow of greeting cards, small gifts and friendship bands- these were the stuff that made up the glorious days of our college life. Talking on and on, in classes, outside classes, at the bus stops, on the way home, after coming home - I wonder what the hell did we have so much to talk about? There was a time when a group of us decided on a picnic to a popular spot in Vizag, Kailasgiri, which is a hilltop. We walked all the way up, spent some time and walked all the way down, which took us a whole day and yet, none of us had any aches or pains and neither was there a dull moment. Ah! The passion and pleasure of youth!

As I go down memory lane, I can recount innumerable instances of fun and frolic - always meeting friends whenever we had time (when did I study?), doing stupid things that are obligatory when one is young, the infatuations, the humour, the laughter, the fights, the problems that seemed life-threatening, the confusion but most of all, the love and affection - which probably is making me miss the good old days and rue the changes that life brings. But as another Friendship Day dawns, I would rather feel blessed for the wonderful times I had with my friends who are all now happy and settled in their own lives than spend it as a day whose meaning and celebration has changed so drastically for me. Because, there will always be someone who will remember me and feel happy to have been my friend as I will for all the friends who made my life cheerful and happy once.
                                         

                          So no one told you life was gonna be this way

                          Your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's DOA,
                          It's like you are always stuck in second gear
                          When it hasn't been your day, your week,
                          your month or even your year.

                          But I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour,
                          I'll be there for you, like I've been there before,
                          I'll be there for you, cause you're there for me too.
                                
                                                                      Theme song of 'Friends'.

It's a Mom's Life!

Things one forgets ( at least for a year or two) after becoming a mom:

 

Keeping a clean house : Remember how you prided yourself on having a spick-and-span house, where not a thing was out of its place and you spent time decorating it with delicate knick-knacks? Well, now you can forget it. Once your baby learns to explore, your house starts resembling the china shop which was visited by a bull. Knick-knacks are replaced by toys scattered everywhere and cleanliness, what is that?
Unless someone creates a Chitti-like robot which can set everything in its place in a jiffy, get ready for the eyebrow raising, head shaking and tut-tutting of people who come home.

 

A good night's sleep : Ever asked a parent of a newborn if he/she had a good night's sleep? Don't! Because you will only get annoyed reactions with a stare of disbelief. Once a baby arrives, throw away your alarm clock because it will soon appear that an alarm is ringing every few hours in the night with alarming regularity. But not to worry...a few months down the line, you would be so accustomed to it that you don't even need to hear your baby cry to wake up and do the needful.

 

A dose of entertainment : Yes, pre-baby period was a rosy life of nights at the theatres preceded or followed by dinners at restaurants. Post-baby, takeaway is the answer to restaurant food. Thank god for small mercies!  As for watching movies in theatres, if you have a particularly restless boy like mine, the only movie you will be watching is the one on the small screen. Because as we learned, watching a movie in a theatre with my son was equal to making my husband learn of the upcoming movies by sitting outside the movie hall with our baby (who was amazingly calm once he was outside). But well I enjoyed the movie! At least, someone wins.

 

Ever eating when you are hungry : After baby arrives, eating food when you are hungry is no longer the norm. You only eat when the coast is clear, the storm has calmed down and your baby is appeased. Also, there is never a guarantee that your meal will not be interrupted, by your baby soiling himself or worse, but really common, your baby begins to poop. Oh god, why right when I am eating?

 

Getting time for yourself : A mom has only one agenda everyday - what and when do I feed my baby? Once they grow old enough for solids, mom's life worsens. So the whole time the only thought in mom's head is gotta cook rice for baby, make juice for baby, make him drink milk, give him snacks ....you get the idea. Any free time that is left, which is when baby is thankfully asleep, is not spent in vain. Household chores ( you just can't leave a house dirty no matter how hard your baby is trying to do so) take up the little time that you had alone. As a result, no time for hobbies (refer my first post), only emergency visits to beauty parlours, any kind of shopping done within strict deadlines (without baby) or flash forward shopping while running around the mall (with baby, of course), rare chances of going out alone, and tv- watching or cellphone-talking with constant interruptions and background music. 

 

Going out empty-handed : There was a time when I practically walked out swinging my arms without carrying any baggage. Now, I have to carry diapers, wipes, food, water, milk, a dress, napkins, cell phone, house keys, and everything else in the now-quintessential diaper bag. You can forget your baby even but never forget your diaper bag. Because god forbid, you forget it, your baby will instantly teach you a lesson that will make you remember to carry it everytime everywhere. And be prepared - the one thing you forget to put in it, the baby will need that one thing ONLY when you are out, which leads to disapproving stares from hubby who can't understand how you could forget it in the first place.

 

Having a moment of rest : Every moment that your baby is awake is duty time. Moms cannot afford a moment of relaxation especially when baby starts crawling or learns to walk. Example :As I was writing this blogpost, my son who was busy roaming around the house, reached over to the top of the dining table where I had placed a dish with mango pieces and dropped it on the floor. The one moment when my eye was not on him! Lesson learnt : Never blog or do anything that takes my attention away from him.

 

And most important of all,

 

Your worries, tensions and headaches : Yes, it might appear that you have sacrificed a lot for your kid, forgoing many things that you liked to do earlier that you are now unable to do. There are times when I get tired, frustrated and annoyed with my son. But when he puts his arms around me, clumsily climbs on to me and plants a big kiss on my cheek and then gives me a grin, I know that there is nothing better that I want than this - spending my days with him. Being with a baby really makes you forget about everything else that amazingly no longer matters to you. Because, the moments of bliss - seeing your baby smile for the first time, learn to crawl, stumble his way towards you, make a cute gesture, speak the first word, imitate an action - are those moments that make you forget all that you gave up for the child who is your life now.

Message on a Tee

I am not sure if it is the latest trend or if I have only started noticing it now, but there is definitely an increase in the number of people wearing t-shirts with messages. Probably, the youth of today are proud or daring enough to endorse their opinions through statements on their clothing. Whatever the reason for the spurt of these message tees, they certainly manage to catch the eye of even a passer-by. So, here are the ones which captured my attention among the many which I saw on roads, busy streets, shops, television shows and homes.

Pithy statements which ring true ....
Doubt is waste of time

Cash is king

Pearls of wisdom ....

Always borrow money from a pessimist, he will never expect it back

If you can't convince them, confuse them
Intellectuals solve problems, geniuses prevent them
Excellence is doing a common thing in an uncommon way

Some are funny while some are, well, inexplicable.....
Of all the things I lost, I miss my mind the most
I was born intelligent, Orkut ruined me
I avoid making sarcastic comments (yeah right like that's ever gonna happen)
Only a biker knows why a dog puts his head out of the car's window
I'm not lazy I'm just saving energy

And then there are the inevitable satirical takes on the fairer sex....
Not all men are fools, some stay bachelors

Phones are better than girlfriends, at least we can switch them off

You look like my next girlfriend
 The more I drink, the better you look ( This one was particularly interesting as it was worn by a 13/14 yr old boy accompanied by his father to a store where I was shopping. Either the father doesn't understand English, or he is one cool pop.)

Statements of optimism or vanity...
I see possibilities everywhere, even in the word impossible

It's not easy being this gorgeous ( Which would have put me off if it was not worn by my 4 yr old niece who totally rocked it!)

And finally my favourite..

Here come the girls! (Worn by my hubby's niece on the day a baby girl arrived in her household. Yaay! More power to you, girl!)

Ode to a Seamstress

O great one, wielding the needle and thread
no one that I more value or dread
In your nifty hands the power lays
to make or mar my important days

I dream of wearing a saree pink
"the job will be done", you assure me with a wink
Days are spent imagining
looks and glances admiring
I drop in on the promised day
with a spring in my step and heart so gay
"About the pink," you say with a sympathetic air
"that's not done ... but to you I'll be fair
you can take the yellow you gave last week"
I swallow my curses and return helpless and meek
But my plans for the day take a complete hit
when the one you stitched is so ill-fit
I grumble, I pull, I struggle a ton
defeated, I walk out wearing an old one

To never give you anything again I vow
but alas, to the indispensable tailor I have to bow
Hesitatingly, I approach you with no other go
and then with your unpredictable skill you amaze me so
Compliments abound, "Your dress is perfect"
makes me wonder, was misjudging you my defect

And so it goes on ...our trysts of love and hate
because inevitably in an Indian girl's fate
The one with the scissors, tape and sewing machine
simply has the power to make her look and feel like a queen!

Ten Amazing Places I Visited in the United States

"One of the gladdest moments of human life, methinks, is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands. Shaking off with one mighty effort the fetters of habit, the leaden weight of routine, the cloak of many cares and the slavery of home, man feels once more happy." - Sir Richard Burton

As a person who likes to travel to new places for many reasons - change of place, exploring a new environment, taking in the beauty of nature or plain travelling for travel's sake - in my relatively short stay in the United States, a country that I learned to love and now fondly remember, I was fortunate to be at places I had only dreamt of. The laidback lifestyle and lack of responsibility (read - no baby!) ensured that a major chunk of the free time was devoted to planning weekend getaways, trips to must-see locations or even a day tour. Here are the ten places which I had the opportunity to visit. Most of them are predictable stops on a tourist checklist. But I have listed them in the order of what I liked most about that place and why it will remain special in my memory.

10. Big Sur and Lake Tahoe, California - I visited Lake Tahoe and Big Sur on separate occasions and with different company. I believe I have missed out on the usual suspects that one goes to in California - Los Angeles, San Diego, Yosemite and so on, but the afore-mentioned places were quite an experience too. Lake Tahoe is known for its snow and skiing. Surrounded by imposing mountains, this freshwater lake looks calm and inviting. We were here in the month of November. Taking a walk near the lake proved next to impossible...it was so cold that we were not able to stand for a long time, in spite of wearing jackets, gloves and shoes. Maybe I'm exaggerating because we did take time to click pictures! The most memorable part of this trip was the cruise around the lake.
Big Sur is a popular tourist destination along the California coast, offering breathtaking views from the highway. What was most unique for me in this trip was the log cabin where we were staying. Waking up in an attic bed next to a tiny window was surprisingly wonderful. ( When I say 'attic', please conjure the most cozy and comfortable nook in a cabin). Taking a hike through craggy rocks and slippery footholds to a vantage point overlooking the ocean was another highlight of this fun trip.

9. Seattle, Washington -A three-hour-drive from the place where I stayed, Seattle was an obvious choice for weekend getaways or for taking along a guest. This bustling city offers bang for your buck. Going for a day-long trip on two occasions, I was able to check out most of its hotspots - the Seattle Acquarium, the Argosy cruise that takes us along Downtown Seattle, the Flight Museum with its inspiring array of all the machines that fly and the Space Needle. The most recognizable landmark of the city, the Space Needle, displayed prominently in the title screen of 'Frasier', is a tall structure that takes visitors in elevators to an observation deck at 520 feet. Needless to say, the city throws up vistas that tourists lap up with their cameras. But what really stood out for me in my trips to Seattle was the Boeing factory. The largest building in the world by volume, the Boeing Everett factory is an unforgettable experience, taking us close to the huge 747s, 767s, 777s being built there. Unfortunately, no pictures are allowed inside. So the only memories you will end up with are the ones you captured in your mind.

8. Washington D.C. -Okay, Washington should not be near the bottom of any list but it is in mine, partly because we did not have enough time to tour this extremely popular tourist destination. Thanks to my husband's cousin who was living there then, we did manage to cover a few important places though. We clicked pictures in front of THE White House and the Congress, walked our way to the Monument under a hot sun and had a good view of the Lincoln Memorial. So what was the one thing all of us remember about that trip? Bikes! We were in Washington during the Memorial Day Weekend, as a result of which thousands and thousands of bikers had descended on the city. Crossing a small street took us nearly ten minutes as the steady stream of bikes refused to let pedestrians have their way in spite of the traffic signal changing to red several times. Really a strange, never-before-seen moment!

7. Portland, Oregon -Technically, Portland should not be in this list because it is a place which I did not visit but stayed for three years. It requires a whole different blog to outline my love for the city, which boasts of being the origin of sportswear and gear giant, Nike. But, because of the many attractions that this city and its neighbouring towns have to offer, I have to include it here. So, what can one look forward to here? If you can ignore the ever-present rain that is a characteristic of this place, you can visit the awe-inspiring and surprisingly accessible Multnomah Falls, the picturesque Columbia River Gorge, the beautiful Rose Garden, the annual Tulip Fest at Woodburn with its abundant display of colours and hues, the exotic Japanese Garden, the lovely Trillium Lake or the huge park surrounding Hagg Lake. Or, make a trip to either Mt St Helens, a volcanic mountain that looks spectacular in the winter or the omnipresent Mount Hood which overlooks the landscape of Portland. If nothing else, taking a hike among its innumerable trails is enough to satiate the appetite of a nature lover, who has plenty to love in the city of roses.

6. Grand Canyon, Arizona -The name is enough to describe its magnificence. Even before I came to the US, I always wanted to see the Grand Canyon. After all, its grandeur has been shown in movies like "Jeans". But no image can capture the imposing spectacle of the steeply inclined natural wonder. The Colorado River, which looks like a tiny stream from above, silently courses its way among the silent rocks. Though we could not spend really a long time here, only being able to visit the West Rim, I will always cherish the time I was here. The massive canyon manages to impress and humble us tiny human beings with its strength and serenity. The shadowplay that the setting sun performs on these rugged rocks is worth a thousand pictures.

5. New York -Can there be a more popular city that resonates in the Indians' mind than New York? A cousin of my husband who had visited the East Coast once remarked, "If Washington reminds us of New Delhi, New York resembles Mumbai!" She could not be more accurate. If Washington reflects the historical significance of Delhi, with its succession of government buildings letting you into the political heart of the country, New York with its bustling and ever-busy streets is very much like Mumbai. Taking a subway, which could only be reached by overcoming heavy traffic, to the Times Square, we were thrown into a mass of moving people on intersecting busy streets ( a lovely, lovely contrast to the regular American roads where all one sees are cars whizzing past like a video game and pedestrians waiting tamely for the 'Walk' signal). The Times Square is a unique place where flashing billboards, imposing skyscrapers and people always on the go merge seamlessly. You should need the energy to take it all in!
As for the best part about New York, it was the much-awaited trip to the Statue of Liberty. The Museum, where the boat carrying you to the Statue has a stopover, is where you learn the history of the monument with the heart-breaking and inspiring stories of immigrants. But nothing prepares you for the beauty of this lady until the boat that ferries you to that island brings you in front of the majestic symbol of freedom. Simply awesome! I will also remember New York for my stay at my father's relation's place, an aunt whom I met for the first time. With her simplicity, unassuming nature, tremendous hospitality and her attitude towards life, she was an inspiration.` 

4. Las Vegas, Nevada --Sometimes, taking a vacation with friends or relatives gives a wholly different vibe to the experience. And the vibe was positively fantastic when we were at the gambling paradise, Vegas with my husband's cousin and her hubby. Slot machines welcomed us in the airport itself, a teaser of what was in store for us ahead. Day is night and night is day in Vegas.  For three days, all we did was roam around the Strip which is dotted with fabulous casinos like the MGM Grand, Paris, New York New York, the Venetian, the Bellagio and Excalibur. Vegas is a must-see at night, when it comes alive. For the first time, I was roaming around streets at 3 a.m. and there was nothing alarming about it. Also part of our itinerary - shows by Cirque de Soliel and the Blue Man Group. A great experience!
Whether it was the company or the place or probably a mix of both, Vegas took us to another world and it will always remain one of my most favourite holidays ever.

3. Niagara Falls -Before leaving America for good, I wanted to see the Niagara Falls, and my wish was granted. The Falls may be associated with predictability - arguably the most popular destination in the States, one will but expect beauty, great views and photo ops but the Falls give you much more - a sense of exhiliration and deep gratitude for having the fortune to be near one of the finest natural wonders in the world. The two tours that take you almost to the heart of the falls - the Cave of the Winds and the Maid of the Mist are AWESOME! When the Maid of the Mist took us almost to the midst of the Horseshoe Falls, I could no longer record the experience with my handycam as the lens and my face were completely splashed with the heavy gush of water. Even the Cave of the Winds gives you an utterly out-of-this-world experience. As you stand almost under the falls, you feel like being drenched by thousands of buckets of water! Of course, both times, waterproof clothing and shoes are provided. Otherwise, can you imagine your state at the end of it?
The best part of my trip to Niagara - being accompanied by my husband, my parents AND my 3-month-old son!

2. Hilo, Maui, Kauai - HawaiiWow! Where do I start? A week before our second anniversary, my husband sprang a surprise on me - his gift was a week-long vacation in Hawaii, the ultimate travel destination in America! I knew how lucky I was when as we were waiting for our flight, the people seated next to us who were catching another flight remarked, "Wow, going to Hawaii! We wish we were as lucky." A week is definitely not enough to explore the many facets of the group of islands that comprise Hawaii. Generously bestowed by nature's bounty, Hawaii is blessed with moderate weather which makes it a great place to visit at any time.
Seeing a volcano spewing ash and lava in Hilo, whale-watching in Maui, taking the famous winding road to Hana, breathing in the mountain air at Haleakala Summit, being treated to traditional Hawaiian singing, drinking coconut water that is sold along the roadside, clicking pictures in front of the Waimea Canyon are some of the things we were able to do in this state of Aloha (which means affection, love, peace in the Hawaiian language. It is also used as a greeting to say hello and goodbye.)
Known for its romantic beaches and cultural heritage, Hawaii was an unforgettable experience that became the final vacation that we two would ever take because after that we became three!

1. Crater Lake, Oregon -Okay so what could possibly beat a week-long vacation to HAWAII which was also a surprise anniversary gift??? Maybe nothing. But there is one place, for me, which by a hair's breadth beats it. Crater Lake! There are two reasons for this - 1. Though we had been on vacations to trips outside the city before, it had always been in the company of family. So this was the first time that only the two of us were on a holiday. Utterly special! 2. The second is a very simple reason - I fell in love with the Lake at first sight. Only someone who has no eye for beauty could possibly be unaffected by it.
The deepest lake in the US, Crater Lake as the name suggests lies in the remains of a destroyed volcano. As there are no streams flowing in or out of the lake, the water that is present in it comes purely from precipitation, like snow or rain. This is the reason why the lake has a brilliant blue colour, the likes of which I had never seen before. The Rim Drive is a popular road which skirts around the lake, giving tourists many opportunities to capture the magnificence of the waterbody.

Though most visit the lake as a day trip, we decided to stay the night at Crater Lake Lodge (which overlooks the lake), a modern accomodation that has retained the old-world magic of inns. So, though the rooms have every possible convenience, what they do lack, or let me say, thankfully do not offer is a television set. Guests at the lodge thus enjoy the leisure of  playing boardgames beside a comforting fireplace in the Great Hall. And, sipping early morning coffee in the open porch which gives a bird's-eye-view of the lake fills you with a strange sense of peace and calm.
The previous day, we took a hike to an observation point to wait for the sunset which gives an entirely different view of the indigo-blue lake. The day we left, we again stretched our limbs and walked down the Cleetwood Trail, a steep, strictly for walking trail to reach the surface of the lake. Here we took the cruise that is organized by the National Park authorities, where the forest ranger elucidated the history and the significance of the lake. As the boat left behind ripples in its wake, we were asked to look down at the clear blue water of the lake. Clear is a term we often hear, but believe me, the water in this lake is so clear that you can see a tiny rock at the bottom of the lake, which is nearly 1900 feet deep!
As we trudged our way back to the top, I knew that this was the most beautiful lake that I had ever seen in my life.
There are other places more famous, more beautiful, more awe-inspiring than Crater Lake. But beauty as they say lies in the eyes of the beholder and I can never rate anything more than the calm, serene and utterly peaceful Crater Lake! But never say never. There is yet so much more in the world for me to see!

P.S : If I was able to be at all these places, it was only due to my dearest hubby, without whom none of this would have been possible and more importantly, memorable

My Love for the Written Word

The one thing that I have not been able to do after the birth of my son is reading a book. Yes, I did read 'The Moonstone' but that was for a purpose and not for mere pleasure. Reading, for me, has been a hobby, a pastime, a passion, an escape at various stages of my life. I don't even remember at what age I started reading. In my childhood, Phantom, Tintin, Archies, Amar Chitra Katha and Chandamama were constant companions for a very introverted person like me. Then in school, Nancy Drew captivated my girlish imagination and I proudly wrote down the name of each and every Nancy Drew mystery that I had read. ( The last entry was about No. 106 or so). I still remember the Library hour was on Fridays and as we had no school on weekends, the one thing I waited most was to get my hands on one. We used to go home by bus and all the time I was seated, I would be in this strange state of bliss knowing that I had a Nancy Drew in my bag. It was an entirely different thing that being a fast reader, I would devour the book within one hour - the six-day-wait ending so fast that I would wait for the next Friday!
My favourite subject in school was obviously English and the poetry, prose and drama that we studied has remained fresh in my mind till date. It is amazing how few stories or poems leave a lasting impression on our minds due to the teacher's evocative explanation or the inherent beauty of the subject. Even now, I remember 'The Face on the Wall', 'The Stench of Kerosene', 'If', 'The Highwayman', 'The Road not Taken' and 'The Brook's Song'. Credit is also due to my English teacher, Rohini Ma'am, a young, beautiful and extremely intelligent lady who instilled in me a greater love for the language.
Though college did not offer any avenues for me to explore literature further, I scoured book shows, stores and friends' collections to expand my literary knowledge. It was during these times that I became familiar with classics like 'Pride and Prejudice', 'Wuthering Heights', 'Pickwick Papers', 'Anne of Avonlea' which joined my old favourites, like Enid Blyton's school series, Sherlock Holmes mysteries and Agatha Christie's whodunits. It was however not until my post-graduation in Literature that I had a complete encounter with my first love. Studying English Literature not only gave me an opportunity to view the subject in a different light but more importantly,in my perspective, allowed me to read as many books as I could. So, while 'The Rivals', 'The Battle of the Books', 'Absalom and Achitophel', and sundry Commonwealth and Indian writing were a part of syllabus, I had ample time to catch up with books like 'The Brothers Karamazov' and 'A Suitable Boy'. That was the golden period of my love affair with books. Having a lot of free time on my hands, many afternoons were spent lounging in my empty hostel room on my bed, reading a book and falling asleep.
After my marriage, I ended up for three years in the US of A which thanks to its generous system of public libraries is a heaven for book lovers. Sidney Sheldon bestsellers jostled with Booker Prize winners like 'On Beauty' and 'The Kite Runner' on my coffee table. If I had ample time in my MA days, in US I had time to kill. Laughing over a PG Wodehouse was my way to drive away depression. When I was pregnant, there were strict orders not to read any gory stuff...so I ended up reading 'What to Expect when you're Expecting'. Hmm...and there my journey took a break.
Reading a book for me after all these years is more than a way to pass my time. It gives me the chance to lose myself in a different world. How much fun I have had imagining how Elizabeth would look when Darcy proposes to her! How I wished I was Anne surrounded by the beauty of Avonlea! Why couldn't I be a part of Bertie Wooster's world? Why did Rowling had to end the Harry Potter series? Is there a real Baker Street?
Books do not just appease my romantic side...they also manage to move, inspire and educate me. Khaled Hossieni's depiction of Afghanistan, Arthur Miller's take on McCarthyism and the ironic endings of O'Henry are just a few examples of the magic that lies in the bound pages of a book. As my days revolve around my growing son, just like the Fridays in school I am waiting again for the time when I have the leisure to get lost in the simple or intricate, classic or contemporary, romantic or severe, mundane or intellectual, fantastical or realistic pages of a book.