It was a miserably hot and hungry afternoon. My lunch time was soon approaching, but I just couldn't wait to go. When my time did eventually come, I was running towards good 'ol Saravana Bhavan.
saravana Bhavan is the first luxury hotel I have known since as a child. Going to HSB with family was always a special occasion that was planned and executed with atmost care. Mom used to wear her best of Saree and would be probing us for flattery (her concern always was, am i looking fat??) She would then fire her round of abuses at Dad for not hsowing enough enthusiasm and for his abominal sense of dressing. I used to be the sly one, dressing up in the last minute just before dad, thus avoiding the line of fire. Saravana Bhavan at TNagar has been special. It is probably my single most visited restraunt ever. Every dish is a savory I relished. HSB has always been my palate's paradise. Today, my excessivly weening tummies could just not resist the temptaion of a HSB lunch. From the moment my friend mentioned it, I was already tasting the spice of Rasam and Sambhar.
As I entered Hotel Saravana Bhavan today, I saw this absolutely HOT chick seated in a corner. I moved to the adjacent table to get the best view of the angel(!!). My heart was beating excitedly as I ordered my South Indian thali. As I waited for my food, I was engrossed by the world of people in the place. Two guys were happily yapping - "Machi, romba kadalai podarey" - their nothing story with some flirting experience. A family seated in the other end of the restraunt's rectanguar layout were busy gossiping some family affair, whilst the lady was convincing her kid to not waste the food- "Innum oru spoon sapudu da chellum!" Another guy seated few tables away was hogging his way to glory on his sambar vada. His world was all around that crispily baked vada. At that moment, my food was came, much to the relief of my tummy. The aroma and the taste - it was an ambrosia. I ate the food, enjoying the 'Manamatha Rasa' played in the kitchen not too far away. What a treat it was to my senses. HSB has not lost its secret ingredient over the years, I thought to myself. It was not just food for hunger, it was also food for my soul.
As I proceeded to pay my bill, I had a nice long look at the pretty lady still seated. What grace, what elegance! The song from the kitchen now sang 'Ennai konjam mathi..' (Kaakha Kaakha). She turned to look at me, 'situation song' - I told myself. I paid my check of $10 and I walked out into the crowded streets of Manhattan. As I looked back, the board read -'Hotel Saravana Bhavan - Uyar thara seiva unavagam' - in block tamil characted. From Usman road to Lexington Ave, it has been one hungry journey!
Monday, August 06, 2007
Monday, May 07, 2007
I call this...
Finally, I get to start one of my posts the dramatic way I always wanted! Before I start, here’s a statutory warning the intended audience, this might end up being really dramatic. Here’s how it goes;
I am on board flight EK206, headed towards Dubai from Hansburg, Germany. It has been a long day/night of flying for me. As I am in the middle of somewhere and am very high, what better to do than ponder about the journey!
Few months back, I took up a challenge which was no less intimidating than all the other ones. It was called Graduate studies, or more commonly then as MS in US! As uncertainty brimmed the dreams and enthusiasm, my macho optimistic self pushed me to look at this journey as ‘my cup of tea’ waiting to be served! After these few months, my first realization is that it was not a cup of tea; rather it was a cup of coffee…..that too Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts coffee! (With cream and sugar of course)!!!
The analogous life painted in black and white was very much different from my ‘colored’ world. A colored me in the Boolean new place took a lot of time to learn to say ‘No’ and say that ‘Yes’ with confidence. Failures and lessons were just another essential ingredient of a perfect day. The success of few days were motivating and challenging enough for me to run the rest of the days. The running never stopped and the lessons learnt accumulated. It was a struggle nevertheless, a struggle that made me feel good about the fact that I am struggling. I bet the ‘I am taking care of me’ is the best feeling a man could ever have.
Life became an art and I gradually understood its beauty through my ‘running on DD’ life. As the colors changed from yellow to white to violet, I realized this is no less a colored place. It was a fresh new canvas with fresh new inspirations to draw from and the dude in me made me paint a beautiful picture of life, my relationship with it and its implied understandings. When people surrounded me with ideas, thoughts, purpose and significance, it made me wonder what I really wanted. And the moment, like every time else, gave me two keys to choose from. I suck at making choices.
Now as my flight gradually descends, I step down from my high that has existed for quite a while. I know it is not the end; it is an interesting twist to the tale which is spicing my life for the good. I am rearing to go from where I left! But I don’t know what tomorrow has to say….
This is that part of my life, called life.
I am on board flight EK206, headed towards Dubai from Hansburg, Germany. It has been a long day/night of flying for me. As I am in the middle of somewhere and am very high, what better to do than ponder about the journey!
Few months back, I took up a challenge which was no less intimidating than all the other ones. It was called Graduate studies, or more commonly then as MS in US! As uncertainty brimmed the dreams and enthusiasm, my macho optimistic self pushed me to look at this journey as ‘my cup of tea’ waiting to be served! After these few months, my first realization is that it was not a cup of tea; rather it was a cup of coffee…..that too Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts coffee! (With cream and sugar of course)!!!
The analogous life painted in black and white was very much different from my ‘colored’ world. A colored me in the Boolean new place took a lot of time to learn to say ‘No’ and say that ‘Yes’ with confidence. Failures and lessons were just another essential ingredient of a perfect day. The success of few days were motivating and challenging enough for me to run the rest of the days. The running never stopped and the lessons learnt accumulated. It was a struggle nevertheless, a struggle that made me feel good about the fact that I am struggling. I bet the ‘I am taking care of me’ is the best feeling a man could ever have.
Life became an art and I gradually understood its beauty through my ‘running on DD’ life. As the colors changed from yellow to white to violet, I realized this is no less a colored place. It was a fresh new canvas with fresh new inspirations to draw from and the dude in me made me paint a beautiful picture of life, my relationship with it and its implied understandings. When people surrounded me with ideas, thoughts, purpose and significance, it made me wonder what I really wanted. And the moment, like every time else, gave me two keys to choose from. I suck at making choices.
Now as my flight gradually descends, I step down from my high that has existed for quite a while. I know it is not the end; it is an interesting twist to the tale which is spicing my life for the good. I am rearing to go from where I left! But I don’t know what tomorrow has to say….
This is that part of my life, called life.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
and it dawned
Its been a while since I blogged and I did succumb to the fact that Blogging is now a thing of the past. But today, suddenly things are looking better and I am so motivated to embrace my blog, again.
My days at Syracuse have been boring, long and confused. In a state of absolute distress, I resented to a monolog with myself. And funnily, I found myself interesting and rather a good partner to spend time with. Days sailed by imparting its lesson on me, only for me to make the same mistake again and relearning from it. Time was making me hard and sensible.
I walked out of my class today and towards the Chapel with my cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee. On the steps of the CHapel, a dear friend and me settled to enjoy the breakfast. A blue sky and warm breeze cannot be resisted after a long bitter winter of whiteness. As I sat down, I pondered through my wildest thoughts. I pondered through the wilderness of my emotional cobwebs. And I pondered through my cherished yesterdays and my uncertain tommorows. I was visiting myself again after long and it was a moment of bliss. The Sun then peeped out from behind the clouds. My white/black/brown world suddenly seemed so perfect and I was understanding I dont know what.
I am not expecting anything phenomenally different from life. My days are going to sail the way the always have. Evryday a lesson, everyday the same lesson. But I feel good about life, because everyday when I brush in the morning, I see pride in the eyes of the guy staring back at me!
My days at Syracuse have been boring, long and confused. In a state of absolute distress, I resented to a monolog with myself. And funnily, I found myself interesting and rather a good partner to spend time with. Days sailed by imparting its lesson on me, only for me to make the same mistake again and relearning from it. Time was making me hard and sensible.
I walked out of my class today and towards the Chapel with my cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee. On the steps of the CHapel, a dear friend and me settled to enjoy the breakfast. A blue sky and warm breeze cannot be resisted after a long bitter winter of whiteness. As I sat down, I pondered through my wildest thoughts. I pondered through the wilderness of my emotional cobwebs. And I pondered through my cherished yesterdays and my uncertain tommorows. I was visiting myself again after long and it was a moment of bliss. The Sun then peeped out from behind the clouds. My white/black/brown world suddenly seemed so perfect and I was understanding I dont know what.
I am not expecting anything phenomenally different from life. My days are going to sail the way the always have. Evryday a lesson, everyday the same lesson. But I feel good about life, because everyday when I brush in the morning, I see pride in the eyes of the guy staring back at me!
Monday, January 01, 2007
2007 - as planned
Plans and promises are funny. They draw a world of hope and glory. The invoke your greatest urge and wildest fantasies. They bring those glitter to your eyes that makes you look at tomorrow with great enthusiasm.
But more often, plans are like broken promises - you forget it even before you start working towards it. They are a dream, we fantasized and never wanted it to turn to reality. Someday, when we all look up at those plans that never worked, we wonder what went wrong... not realizing, the wrong is just too obvious.
I am standing here at Times Square, counting down the arrival of 2007.I am here as planned,But I wonder where everybody else is... Maybe they are lost in the crowd or maybe I came too far ahead... I stand here counting away 2006.. I look back at those irrevokable times and lasting memories... I look back at the year which has been a roller coaster ride...and I am here at Times Sqaure for New Year's eve as planned, but I am here alone missing those plans that never got to be!
Our plans gave us hope, but hope let us succumb to destiny!
Miss you!
But more often, plans are like broken promises - you forget it even before you start working towards it. They are a dream, we fantasized and never wanted it to turn to reality. Someday, when we all look up at those plans that never worked, we wonder what went wrong... not realizing, the wrong is just too obvious.
I am standing here at Times Square, counting down the arrival of 2007.I am here as planned,But I wonder where everybody else is... Maybe they are lost in the crowd or maybe I came too far ahead... I stand here counting away 2006.. I look back at those irrevokable times and lasting memories... I look back at the year which has been a roller coaster ride...and I am here at Times Sqaure for New Year's eve as planned, but I am here alone missing those plans that never got to be!
Our plans gave us hope, but hope let us succumb to destiny!
Miss you!
Friday, December 08, 2006
One Night Stand
i am at the library after a whole night's study expedition. have an exam that needs to be turned on by tonite so decided to go all out on it!!!after the whole nite's adventure, i am now writing this post wit drooping eyes and fumbling fingers. but it feels good that i too did a one night stand at the library. rocks
Monday, November 06, 2006
Sneek Write
I am in my IST 614 class in the Whitman School of Management sneeking this post from my friend's lappy! The class just started and I am already dozing off. Its the start of another week, which I greet sans any enthusiasm as it is going to be another monotonous boring one. As I sit and fake my attention I retrospect a previous such Sneek at Scope, I realise I have come a long way!
Life has been amazing to me and I have lived abd had fun with it my own way. But, livig alone, I realise that my life needs to be less complicated than what it is. In pusuit of this simplicity and as I urge to untangle the complexities of the past, my life is getting more complex. But I go on with my search for simplicity hoping things would settle soon.
Back here, as I look around now.. I see a different world. A class headd by a german prof, a presentation been given by a chinese student and my classroom filled with americans. I feel lost and lonely. Life staggers each day on the memories of yesterday. As always, yesterday seems better than today. Getting away from my cribs; an English is making her presentation! I have another 2 hrs before the class gets over... holy cow...lemme go back to my sleep!!!
Life has been amazing to me and I have lived abd had fun with it my own way. But, livig alone, I realise that my life needs to be less complicated than what it is. In pusuit of this simplicity and as I urge to untangle the complexities of the past, my life is getting more complex. But I go on with my search for simplicity hoping things would settle soon.
Back here, as I look around now.. I see a different world. A class headd by a german prof, a presentation been given by a chinese student and my classroom filled with americans. I feel lost and lonely. Life staggers each day on the memories of yesterday. As always, yesterday seems better than today. Getting away from my cribs; an English is making her presentation! I have another 2 hrs before the class gets over... holy cow...lemme go back to my sleep!!!
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Longest Month in my life
Its been a month here. I came to the United States and ever since life has alternated its course. The days prolonged as the excitement briefly sunk. Everyday has been a search in oblivion. I miss that home food, i miss the smell of tnagar chaos, i miss those endless drives and i miss her! I cry a helpless tear everynight, hoping that life flips through soon. I know that to get something you need to lose something.... but am i paying a price too high, Fear and loneliness haunt me!
Friday, September 08, 2006
First Bonus
I have been working for about 2 weeks now. I get immense satisfaction from my work at the University food services, where I hesitantly work. Overcoming all mental blocks of touching meat, washing shit and facing discrimination.... I am shaping up a rather solid mental frame. Now, I guess I am great Turkey/Tuna/Ham sandwich maker and an excellent dish cleaner... and yea, I sweep great too :)
Today my boss at the Law School Snack Bar told me- "Chandra you are doing really good... why dont you get yourself a bottle of juice!" It was a happy moment and eagerly rushed towards the refrigirator to grab my bottle, afterall it was more food! Now, I am surprised at my action, where had all my dynamism and decency gone... the same offer a few days back, I would have promptly replied "No, thank you"... So much for food??? Nevertheless, its a bonus that quenched me more than the one I got back at Scope ;)!
Today my boss at the Law School Snack Bar told me- "Chandra you are doing really good... why dont you get yourself a bottle of juice!" It was a happy moment and eagerly rushed towards the refrigirator to grab my bottle, afterall it was more food! Now, I am surprised at my action, where had all my dynamism and decency gone... the same offer a few days back, I would have promptly replied "No, thank you"... So much for food??? Nevertheless, its a bonus that quenched me more than the one I got back at Scope ;)!
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