Cheesy times

About four months and some days ago, after a long day at work, I heard a familiar grumble. I assumed it to be the usual at first and did what I would usually do. But, this one had a different origin that soon took a form I could recognize with ease. A craving in the making!

Having been introduced to the wonderful land of cheese cakes roughly two years ago, I have quietly grown into an addict. I started visiting every restaurant available in search of perfect bliss in the form of this cheese laden delight. Starting from that random roadside pastry shop to Under the Mango tree to Leela Palace to Fat Chef, I savoured every single one in town. Nearly.

Under the bright headiness induced by a yellow lamp in June 2010, biting into a piece of delicious, home-made blue berry cheese cake, I declared in a stupid, stoopid way,"Okay, people, you know what? We should all meet up. In five years time. In Paris. In front of the Eiffel Tower. No. On top of it. Will be awesssome, no?". As usual, I got "You are insane!" stares from the group but that evening continues to be one deeply etched in memory. Thanks to Rohit's ipod, we have that on tape and Robin for sharing it!
Featuring Rohit, Robin, Nandini, Anmol, Gaurav, Meghana and myself. Here's to those times we had in the Great White North!

Happy places

Early yesterday morning, I was with my family bidding adieu to my sister en route to New York. To me, she seemed tired, agitated, excited, anxious, worried (about her little one) and a bit of any other emotion available. Yet, there was a palpable sense of contentment. Not in sitting on the Jet plane bound for a foreign land. But, in being able to fly somewhere over the rainbow where skies are blue and the dreams that you dare to dream do come true!

Ten hours later, I was hunching over a desk with a knot in my stomach. My name was called and I walked for what seemed like eternity to stop again. Somewhere in the third minute of my waiting, I was ushered in to face a panel of four members - a renowned Mohiniyattam dancer who seemed affable instantly (having facebook-ed her the previous day she was one of the two people I could recognize), a former head of Alliance Francaise and a wine-taster (who was the other one I had facebook-ed but his credentials were something I learnt afterwards), a writer-sociologist-pretty-empathetic woman and a keen, clever man with probing eyes and questions who I was to learn was an IPS officer. I hadn't prepared for this encounter but after my last one, I decided to speak my mind than speak what's on their mind.

***

So, you call that a failure?

Uh,.., yes.

You know, you should meet Aruna Roy. We think you will completely reverse your stance. In fact, you'll say, "Failure! What was I thinking?"

...blank...

You are a lot like her...

(interrupt) Thank you.

... as honesty is the first thing you will notice about her. We hope you get a chance to work with her. But, yes, Dalai Lama's monastery would be a good experience for you too before you go...

...(smile, barely)...

...and with that eye for detail you've got, I am sure you will go places. You know, literature is the panacea for all of life's misgivings. I will suggest a book called "Room with a view" by E.M.Forster. On your way back home, hop into a library, find it and read it.

I will. Thank you!

Thank you very much for the honesty and the time. Bye!

Bye!

***

As I walk back along the corridor, I thought to myself,"You will go places?! I wonder what my happy place is going to be...". As that trail of thought got lost in the chaos in my head, I bumped into Sam who suggested we head to Nuts and Spices and buy candy to indulge Sachit. I willingly agreed.