Tere Bin

I've always liked Punjabi songs. They have this instant pep-up-the-energy kind of feel to them and get one out dull moods instantly. Since the time I visited Punjab, I have more started appreciating Punjabi songs. Not all ofcourse are just peppy numbers, there are a lot of soulful songs too which have these Sufi type of beautiful tones to them. And in these some are absolutely terrific! [From my limited exposure to them.]

Here's putting up one of my all time favorites. Tere Bin Sanu Soniya........ Beautifully rendered by Rabbi. And this unplugged version is so much more soulful than the original. The original was taken off youtube, so here is another version of it:
It's afterall the season of Love..  Enjoy!

Tick- Tock We’re 30 – Book Review

Tick-Tock Tick-Tock, it's 6th Feb and the deadline to review for Milan Vohra's 'Tick-Tock We're Thirty' is just a day away! I received the book from Women's web for a review and putting up the same on my blog.
Rushed me into finishng the book by today evening so that I could put up my review here.


The preview of the book on the cover is certainly interesting.

"The clock is ticking towards Lara’s thirtieth birthday and the whole gang is coming together to celebrate it. It’s a pact they made back then to meet when they all finally turned that age. So far, so cool. What isn’t cool is the other pact Lara had made one tipsy evening with Nishad. To marry each other if neither of them were hitched by then"

The basic story revolves around Lara Bagai- Nishad Nath and their friends. They all plan to meet up for a re-union for Lara’s upcoming 30th birthday with her's being the last of the group to turn 30!

As I started the book, I realised it took me a couple of chapters to understand the whole lot of characters into it! It wasn't a bad thing.. but for new readers it would have left them confused for a while with all the Reeti's and Riya's and the Sita's and the Sai's..!

The book picks up pace mid way and that's when I started enjoying it. The goof-ups, link-ups, the joys, the aspirations and more of all the characters at different times in the book is easy to understand then. The language is also easy and readable and would not be tough to follow.

Don't want to give the total summary of the book here... else what will you go and buy the book for! [:D]  All in all, a decent read with some pretty good funny punches at intervals. Maybe if it wasn't just with so many characters to follow, I'd have finished it much earlier.

If one is a relaxed reader, they will sure like to pick this one up!

Rules for a Happy Marriage

I had read this poster somewhere some time back and really liked it. And just becoz I liked it, It made so much sense to put it up here too! :P
Thanks to Google, I got the exact one that I had read.

But putting up something which is already out there on a blog is boring right? Will look like a copy/paste I did. So here's the twist. After the list stated below, I'll put down my Rules of a Happy Marriage too. That makes it interesting for me too. Makes me wanna know how many are in common with the ones found common everywhere.

Here goes the common list:

1. Never both be angry at the same tme.
2. Never yell at each other except of the house is on fire!
3. If one of you has to win an arguement, let it be your mate.
4. If you have to critisize, do it lovingly.
5. Never bring up mistakes of the past.
6. Neglect the whole world, rather than each other.
7. Never go to sleep with an arguement unsettled
8. Atleast once everyday try to say something kind or complimentary thing to your partner.
9. When you have done something wrong , be ready to admit it and ask for forgiveness.
10. It takes two to make a quarrel and the one in the wrong is the one who does the most talking. 

Now here's My list. Its again a list of nine as usual!
 Firstly, I sincerely believe that one should enter Marriage only when one is sure of a strong like for the to-be-partner. It is much easier to build the bond on, if the liking is already established. So I'm not even going to put that point of having a liking as a rule here. It is a default in my rules.
Considering that established, I'd go with the rest of my list in no particular order.

1.  Don't take each other for granted. For this, Atleast once a day, try spending half an hour with your spouse. Not between TV commercials.. or in calls; but a proper "S/He" time.
2. Respect forms a big part of the relation.. Respect each other, each other's immediate families and closest friends. This also means, Never belittle the other in front of your peers/friends/colleagues/family.
3. Never quarrel in front of kids. Doing that will definitely be a problem for the future. Blame game is the biggest rues for a Marriage. Most of the time, Kids make a family complete and if the kids are to witness unpleasantness; rest assured the future isin't bright for the Family.
4. Never be angry at the same time. Yea, I totally agree with this. If one is blowing his/her lid, the other should immediately calm down .. else move away. Both bringing the house down will only make matters worse.
5. Plan your kids! I mean the number! This statement may sound weird to some.. but its equally weird when I hear - it was an accident! And yes,  I have heard this atleast a couple of times...! I mean This accident is going to be an integral part of your life which can change the relation dynamics between the couple. So, Please - Plan!
6. Chalk the important lines. Defining and being aware of each other's personal choices always helps. In being mindful when to draw the line in giving out opinions or even to bind stronger by sharing things what the other likes.
7. Give each other space: By doing this, you simply are giving enough room for your partner to miss you and think of you; as well as time for you to do your own thing too. After all both would probably have an independent social life! [I'd wish even a homemaker to have a social life..!] Being in each other's hair all the time could be SO stifling after a while.
8. Travel : Breaking the rut to discover a new place, with just the two or the family definitely acts as a cementing factor. It also rejuvinates the marital bond.
9. Forgive! : People are different and your spouse is part of the 'people'. Expecting him/her to be attuned to you in each way is asking for a bit too much. There would be clashes.. but Forgiving and not holding each other for the clash makes it a truly loving relation.

There it went! That was my list of most important things... what would be yours? :) 

New Year Resolutions - 2013

2012. A year of many reflections, many realisations and a lot of growng up by introspection.
Coming to terms with the loss of a parent throughout the year was taxing emotionally and physically. This year truly sucked the life out at many phases throughout. But then, I also discovered my actual strengths, my real friends, my couple of anchors - for which I am truly grateful.

As We enter into 2013, I already have some strong willed resolves I am waiting to kick off on.

To begin.. and in commited continuance with the 2012 resolutions:

1] I will learn to let go of pain...Let go of things that hurt, were taken away, snatched away.. or which made me weak and sad. let go. Its a pain nobody can share and sharing it alone is extremely diffcult to bear.

2] Live each day. Consciously and fully. Make a difference where possible.

3] And keep my loved ones near....

The other things which I lapsed out on and wish to get on track in the coming year are;

4] Stop Chocolates/Desserts/Sweets of any kinds for 6 months this year. Kicking Jan till end March. Then a break and then back on resolve again. The sweet tooth does not help me, my wardrobe and my budget :P and this is a no-bargain clause.

5] Start preparing for THE event. That's the only info I can share here at the moment. :D

6] Exercise, Exercise, Exercise. Get back in the mode. Atleast thrice a week. The need to stay fit just gets stronger by each passing year.

7] Spend less. Save more. For the coming months.

8] Read and read more. My reading has reduced by 50% of my normal time spent on it in the last 6 months. And another important reason - Reading heals too.

9] Check my online shopping. Not that I am addicted, but it is pretty convenient and addictive. I don't want to get there, where it becomes addictive. So, No online shopping more than once in 2 months.

10] Build up Cottons and Curious.

Putting them up here each year has helped me in keeping track on the progress of each of the resolves and have a review of them at the end of the year too. Hope the same for this coming year.

May All have a Healthy, Safe and Happy Year!

© All rights reserved with Biraj 3Vedi. To re-print, prior permission required from the author.

Bloody Nonsense!

So the thing I've learnt after being a helpless, frustrated, enraged  spectator to the Oh so many crimes aganst women in the country is - that in order to be respected, I need to become a super goddess - A Kali, A Durga or anything but a normal female! Who has super-powers, kills demons and is unapologetic about it... coz ofcourse she is right!!
If I as a normal female want to be safe - then I better start imbibing those traits! I should have the powers to vanquish evil, vanquish people who enter on my safety zone, who are a threat to me!
Only then I feel I can be safe and live safe!

© All rights reserved with Biraj 3Vedi. To re-print, prior permission required from the author.

 

National Symbols, Objects and People -2012!

Read this article in an email and wanted to put this up for keeps in the coming years.
These were some national symbols, objects and people for 2012:

National Robot: Manmohan
National Joke: Rajnikant
Nationalsalesman: A Raja
NationalBalm: Sunny Leone
National struggler: Anna Hazare
National guests: Kasab, Afzal, Guru
National Jewellery store: Bappi Lahiri
National Horror: Nitin Gadikari
National concern: Rahul's marraige
National son in law: Robert Vadera
National asylum: Parliament
National bird: Nira Radia
National Palace: Tihar Jail
National Bank: Swiss bank
National Book: Kamasutra

What is the future of the country?