As I entered the church today little Philips dawdled to me and wished me "Happy fathers Day" and handed me the mass book and newsletter. IT was first time I was wished for the day ever and Marcus behind me thought that he deserved that service 'cause he is a father and I am not even married.
Later, when at home I tried to get in touch with my father, he was out of town for work purpose. Father's day passed without wishing my father. Almighty, keep him happy and healthy!
Sunday 20 June 2010
Wednesday 5 May 2010
First glimpse of Dubai
As soon as pilot announced that we were approaching Dubai I was glued to the screen and window pane, thanks to Emirates which has this cameras around plane that picture exquisite views around plane. The sand dunes changed colors to slight of amber and announced proximity to Dubai.
No sooner a well planned city with lavish buildings, personal swimming pools and well manicured lawns filled the view. As I was busy absorbing all displays of riches, flight landed at Dubai international. A long glass tunnel like building in the center with number of planes flanked in the window pane.
As soon as I entered the airport my first thought was, amazing - sign boards at right places, information kiosks, huge sitting lobbies and an array of duty free shops. The airport was not only welcoming but also easy to access.
As I got to terminal for my next flight I still had few hours to spare so I settled at coffee shop with a hot cuppa coffee. The fellow serving coffee was a friendly Indian chap and as we spoke he filled me with his life in the city. Chatting with him, the shopaholic me was getting tempted to walk down the duty free area.
When I could no longer control my urge to walk down the shopping area I went down to the shopping area. Shops displayed range of chocolates, wines, liqueurs, cigarettes, jewelery, perfumes, books, music, electronics and lot more. As I walked down a few more shops I realised it was about time for me to board flight.
As the flight descended the marvelous desert I caught final few glimpses of the man-made islands and well planned city!
No sooner a well planned city with lavish buildings, personal swimming pools and well manicured lawns filled the view. As I was busy absorbing all displays of riches, flight landed at Dubai international. A long glass tunnel like building in the center with number of planes flanked in the window pane.
As soon as I entered the airport my first thought was, amazing - sign boards at right places, information kiosks, huge sitting lobbies and an array of duty free shops. The airport was not only welcoming but also easy to access.
As I got to terminal for my next flight I still had few hours to spare so I settled at coffee shop with a hot cuppa coffee. The fellow serving coffee was a friendly Indian chap and as we spoke he filled me with his life in the city. Chatting with him, the shopaholic me was getting tempted to walk down the duty free area.
When I could no longer control my urge to walk down the shopping area I went down to the shopping area. Shops displayed range of chocolates, wines, liqueurs, cigarettes, jewelery, perfumes, books, music, electronics and lot more. As I walked down a few more shops I realised it was about time for me to board flight.
As the flight descended the marvelous desert I caught final few glimpses of the man-made islands and well planned city!
Friday 19 March 2010
Calling Mumbai Airport
I was lost day dreaming when she said for the third time "Listen to me, please!". Ofcourse I was listening just that my mind was busy painting the images of how it would be to meet after so many days - seven months!
"Yeah I am all ears, dear" rhyme made us chuckle, but she didn't give up "You want me to wear Indian or western?" I racked my brains as she asked me this umpteenth time. I loved whatever she wore but she insisted she wanted my opinion this time. Finally after putting much of thought on her route and comfort I said "Western, yeah wear western" "Oh and I thought you liked saree's and all, huh" "I still do but..." the conversation took me dreaming again.
It was 10.55 pm flight was due 10.45, yet it showed expected, damn Delta's never on time! Time was moving by snail's pace, finally the status changed to landed and I almost jumped to watch the entrance. Time ticked by even slowly now, I carved place for me near the terminal exit. People poured out from exit and the crowd got moving the atmosphere was filled with pleasantries, muffled cries and laughter. I was enjoying this array of human emotions when I caught first glimpse of her, she looked stunning if the word can justify my feelings at the moment. My heart skipped least a beat or two and felt would swell out of my ribs. Her dark brown curls were straightened, black cotton jacket and knee length skirt complimented pink hot flush on her cheek, dark thin brows knitted together creasing her forehead as her eyes darted through crowd for me. I quickly regained my composure as I saw panic on her face and quickly ushered to a clearing on the main exit waving to her. Relief crossed her features and smile appeared on those pink luscious lips as she closed the distance striding diagonally, the white tee and the black stockings hugged her perfect features as the jacket and skirt flanneled her pale complexion, her dark eyes were brimming with joy when our gaze finally locked!
The crowd, airport and seven months dissolved with every step, when she was near enough my hands reached for her embracing, the hooting from gang of boys brought me back to the Mumbai airport. I quickly ushered her by my side gripping her by waist and taking hold of her suitcase. We quickly made our way to the car, our accomplice for next few hours before she was on her next flight to meet her parents!
"Yeah I am all ears, dear" rhyme made us chuckle, but she didn't give up "You want me to wear Indian or western?" I racked my brains as she asked me this umpteenth time. I loved whatever she wore but she insisted she wanted my opinion this time. Finally after putting much of thought on her route and comfort I said "Western, yeah wear western" "Oh and I thought you liked saree's and all, huh" "I still do but..." the conversation took me dreaming again.
It was 10.55 pm flight was due 10.45, yet it showed expected, damn Delta's never on time! Time was moving by snail's pace, finally the status changed to landed and I almost jumped to watch the entrance. Time ticked by even slowly now, I carved place for me near the terminal exit. People poured out from exit and the crowd got moving the atmosphere was filled with pleasantries, muffled cries and laughter. I was enjoying this array of human emotions when I caught first glimpse of her, she looked stunning if the word can justify my feelings at the moment. My heart skipped least a beat or two and felt would swell out of my ribs. Her dark brown curls were straightened, black cotton jacket and knee length skirt complimented pink hot flush on her cheek, dark thin brows knitted together creasing her forehead as her eyes darted through crowd for me. I quickly regained my composure as I saw panic on her face and quickly ushered to a clearing on the main exit waving to her. Relief crossed her features and smile appeared on those pink luscious lips as she closed the distance striding diagonally, the white tee and the black stockings hugged her perfect features as the jacket and skirt flanneled her pale complexion, her dark eyes were brimming with joy when our gaze finally locked!
The crowd, airport and seven months dissolved with every step, when she was near enough my hands reached for her embracing, the hooting from gang of boys brought me back to the Mumbai airport. I quickly ushered her by my side gripping her by waist and taking hold of her suitcase. We quickly made our way to the car, our accomplice for next few hours before she was on her next flight to meet her parents!
Monday 8 March 2010
Woman's Day
This Women’s Day, I sit back and recall the three significant females I met in my life and the impact they left on me. First lady that conjures up is my mother – aai. Ever since I started making memories this amazing lady in my life fascinated me, she was my world, her voice was soothing and her face was assuring, ever. As I grew I knew she was a phenomenal lady, she left a budding career for her child, me. She had made her decision in flip second while she was on bed with me, she had got double promotion and a raise but she chose family as full time career. Later on as I saw her and father struggle through the life making ends meet. The way she supported him in his every decision like a firm pillar gave him wings he was free to experiment and be the man he is. I learnt dedication!
The second lady that I learnt to admire as I grew was my granny, my mother’s mom. She’d lived a life of struggle, her mother died at her birth and she was left to be nursed by step mother who happened to be out of Cinderella fairy tale. But just like the tale a handsome prince married her when she was 14 or may be 15; those were times when no one kept account of ages. Her prince brought her to the dream city of Mumbai and they lived happily; they had five angels – two sons and three daughters. Unfortunately, the happily ever after ended soon after the birth of the fifth child, their son. Being uninformed and uneducated she coiled back to a small house from her father in law, unaware of the pensions or life insurance monies. She raised her five kids on her own struggling from hand to mouth but giving best of education to each child. Her children were brilliant and got settled in their life sooner. She was happy but her happiness lasted only to see death of her eldest son. Her struggle won her and life slowly left her – I learnt life isn’t always fair but we still struggle!
The third lady that met in my youth is this wonderful Irish lady. She came off this small time village in Ireland, with servitude towards ill and ailing. She met her man and married only to be subject of domestic violence and abuse. She gave birth to two wonderful girls and finally gave up on the man who was her husband when she could take it no more. The girls grew up to be wonderful lass’s but blamed mother for incomplete parenthood telling her she married a wrong person and eventually moved out. The lady however through all this never gave up on servitude; she became a wonderful nurse with NHS and till date nurses the old and ill with an angelic smile. Recently I happened to see her when she celebrated her 40 years of being nurse, she told me she was satisfied as she did act on her calling when I wished her she surprised me by a book on her city, “Sudershan dear, this is a picture book of my city show it to your children and tell them about me and my city” – I learnt to love regardless of how life treats you!
These and many such wonderful women in my life who taught me to live and love the people around me regardless of what I received. I salute to these and all the relentless females who not only brought us in this world but also nurtured us to be the men we are!
The second lady that I learnt to admire as I grew was my granny, my mother’s mom. She’d lived a life of struggle, her mother died at her birth and she was left to be nursed by step mother who happened to be out of Cinderella fairy tale. But just like the tale a handsome prince married her when she was 14 or may be 15; those were times when no one kept account of ages. Her prince brought her to the dream city of Mumbai and they lived happily; they had five angels – two sons and three daughters. Unfortunately, the happily ever after ended soon after the birth of the fifth child, their son. Being uninformed and uneducated she coiled back to a small house from her father in law, unaware of the pensions or life insurance monies. She raised her five kids on her own struggling from hand to mouth but giving best of education to each child. Her children were brilliant and got settled in their life sooner. She was happy but her happiness lasted only to see death of her eldest son. Her struggle won her and life slowly left her – I learnt life isn’t always fair but we still struggle!
The third lady that met in my youth is this wonderful Irish lady. She came off this small time village in Ireland, with servitude towards ill and ailing. She met her man and married only to be subject of domestic violence and abuse. She gave birth to two wonderful girls and finally gave up on the man who was her husband when she could take it no more. The girls grew up to be wonderful lass’s but blamed mother for incomplete parenthood telling her she married a wrong person and eventually moved out. The lady however through all this never gave up on servitude; she became a wonderful nurse with NHS and till date nurses the old and ill with an angelic smile. Recently I happened to see her when she celebrated her 40 years of being nurse, she told me she was satisfied as she did act on her calling when I wished her she surprised me by a book on her city, “Sudershan dear, this is a picture book of my city show it to your children and tell them about me and my city” – I learnt to love regardless of how life treats you!
These and many such wonderful women in my life who taught me to live and love the people around me regardless of what I received. I salute to these and all the relentless females who not only brought us in this world but also nurtured us to be the men we are!
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