Book review : Losing my virginity and other dumb ideas...

Losing my virginity and other dumb ideas...that's the book i last read. Written by Madhuri Banerjee this book is a tad different from those typical love-romance stories where the end is too predictable.

It is a good light read, on how a women struggles with her inner voice and changes her thoughts and values to give away something she has been treasuring for so long....her virginity. From being a person who was saving up her virginity to give it away as a wedding gift to her "The Great Love" to being a person who now didnt think twice before connecting with a person and sharing "intimate moments" this book has it all...love, lust and all the masala that it needs.

Falling in love with a married man, being trapped emotionally with him and finally moving out of the relation a stronger person, Kaveri the protagonist finally decides to live her life the way she wants to. She does try to associate every relationship she has since then to LOVE....that is loving herself.

For me the book was just a light read and nothing more, though I was eager to finish it to know what was the climax. If she does find her "The Great Love" or not....well you have to read the book for that and I wont consider that to be a dumb idea :)

Review : One Amazing Thing

One Amazing Thing....just as the title goes so is the book written by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. I had read The Palace of Illusions by Chitra some time back and I loved it, her writing style completely engulfs you and keeps you engrossed even after you have finished reading the book.

This one is a story of a group of strangers trapped in a visa office after an earthquake. As they find no way out all they have to do is stay put and wait for rescue operations to begin. Until then they have to find ways of surviving and helping each other. Since they know anything can happen...they can either be rescued or they may share their last breath with each other..strangers a while ago...they decide on sharing one amazing thing of their life....and so each one shares a story of their life while the rest patiently hear them out.

Each story is filled with emotions...each character well played. However I wanted a close end. The book ends leaving you to choose how you would like the ending to be....would they survive...or would they take away each others story and travel to another world.

This one is a good read however people who do not like open endings would feel quite frustrated wanting to know what happens to the inmates or the victims trapped in that visa office. But for those who don't care can have a good time weaving their own ending for the book and deciding the fate of the victims.

I liked this one too by Chitra and would definitely recommend it :)

Fun Fridays with a Fun Meme

I wanted my next post to be a review of the book I am currently reading which is absolutely so awesome till now. Will write about it as soon as I finish it. For now I wanted to do something fun and what better way than to answer a few questions framed by someone. I love doing this cause when I think of the answers I always discover something more about myself :)

I read Preeti Shenoy's post where she picked up a meme from Stealing Sundays. I thought of stealing one for me too and I found the below. Though its called "The Not My Year Meme" which I dont think applies to me. I found the questions interesting and decided would get on with it anyway. 

1. Are you in a job that you truly enjoy?

Enjoy - Yes, Truly - ummmm...... next question pls...

2. If you could do any job in the world what would it be?

Something creative...maybe a writer..painter..

3. If you could be a character in a novel who would you be?
I would be Harry Potter so that I could live in a magical world and get all my word done with my wand :)

4. When it comes to spending time with those you love, do you think it should be about quality or quantity?
Quality - that's what makes fond memories :) Let it be quality and quantity will follow....

5. Is there a job/career you wanted but realized you couldn’t possibly do for one reason or another?
So many!!!! I could have been an actor...but there are several reasons why I cant be...lol

6. If you could live anywhere in the world or out of this world where would you live?
I couldn't possible think of not living in my city ...so wherever I go I love coming back to my home...my Mumbai.

7. Where would you most like to visit and who with?
Spain with my hubby.

8. Which skill would you like to learn?
Creative writing and painting...oops and of course cooking :)

9. What made you laugh today?
Silly jokes during lunch with my friend Santy...he cracks me up...totally!

10. What are you looking forward to tomorrow?
Movie with my friends.

11. What is your sign and do you believe in horoscopes etc?
Cancer.....sometimes I do and sometimes I dont.

12. If you could change one thing about your life thus far, what would it be?
Nothing - I believe everything happens for a reason hence would not like to change anything.

13. If there was one charity you could give a huge contribution to, which charity would it be and why?
The orphanage....it is heart breaking to see children who are deprived of parental love and other facilities that they deserve. This is the least I could do for them.

14. Should smoking be legal?
No

15. What are your views on the smoking ban in public places?
Its great but people sadly dont follow them yet....esp bustops in Mumbai, you could easily find people smoking and spitting away.

16. Why do you blog?
I love to write and this is the most amazing platform to bring out the creativity in you....or maybe discover the the creativity or maybe nurture it.

17. Do you have a favorite author?
For now, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.

18. Can you play any musical instruments?
I can play my iPod....he he he.....sadly I cant.

19. What would your ideal car be?
An SUV :)

20. Describe yourself in one short sentence.
Fun loving girl who loves to read.

21. What do you look for in a spouse/other half?
Lots of love, understanding and trust.

22. Worst meal you’ve had?
It definitely should be something that I cooked :)

23. What do you do to relax in the evening?
Read or listen to music

24. Do you get along with your siblings?
Yes I do.

25. Do you have any regrets?
So many!!!!  If I didn't I would either be a perfectionist or very snobbish person, which thankfully I am not :)

Short Review : Tea for two and a piece of cake

When I decide to write a review on a book or a place I can do that without much thinking....its just putting down your opinions right...how difficult is that... :)

But today I kept wondering on how should I begin this post. So much is said and written about Preeti Shenoy's 3rd book Tea for two and a piece of cake that I feel there is nothing much more to write or say about.

Its a beautiful story about an average everyday girl and how her world changes completely. I am amazed the way her character has evolved from being a simple girl to a stronger confident person.

I am so thankful that the climax is not predictable and not a typical "hindi movie ending".... I don't want to reveal much and hamper the excitement of those who haven't read this one yet.

But yes, I can say this is a good light read and different from the previous 2 books of Preeti's. The language is simple and the story easy to relate to. So go grab your copy now....and dont forget your cup of tea and a piece if cake :)

The last prompt my first entry....Tea for Two (and a piece of cake) Tuesdays!

Last evening when I visited my library to return a book little did I know that in return I would be able to grab a copy of the latest book of Preeti Shenoy called Tea for Two and a piece of cake. As mentioned in my earlier post I have loved both her earlier books and was waiting to read this one too. She has an amazing writing style. So finally, I started reading the book last night till my eyes hurt and protested to go to bed...cant wait to get back home and finish it off. 

I also love reading Preeti's blog which is aptly called Just a mother of two. She puts up various challenges for her readers to follow and her best was the Ten day Challenge which I did undertake. The latest one she has had is the Tea for Two (and a piece of cake) Tuesdays! I found the following prompt interesting (which is also the last of it) and decided to take it up. So here it goes.....

1. If you had Rs.50,000 to just blow up (you have to spend it on YOURSELF. Giving to Charity or buying gifts for others not allowed), what would you spend it on and why?

Being the person I am, I would have invested it. But since I have to blow it up....would buy shoes, a treadmill, spend it at a spa, buy some clothes or gold...would that all come in Rs. 50,000??? :-)

2. Name three of your closest friends (not family or spouse) and say why you love them.

Kalpesh : For being the person he is and for being able to discuss anything under the sun with him

Santy : For insanely making me laugh whenever I dont feel good or otherwise and for being a really good friend in the true sense.

Pooja and Sarika : All we have to do is make a call and meet up and we are transformed into a crazy group of 3....and then we start behaving like teenagers :-)

Yes I know I have mentioned an extra name but it would be really unfair just to mention one name from both of them.

3. Name three books which have profoundly affected you and which you would recommend to everyone to read.

1. 34 Bubblegums and Candies by Preeti Shenoy

2. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Hosseni

3. Love Story by Erich Segal

4. If you know for certain that you can never ever fail, what would you attempt to do?

Start my own business.....and make lots of money :-)

5. What is THE ONE THING that you want very very badly?

A fab slim, healthy body!!!!! :-)

Well that is about it....it is fun to take up these challenges and I hope Preeti gets us some more of them :-)

Trip to Bhandardara

It was a long weekend coming up with Mahashivratri falling on a Monday....and the person I am, I was desperate to go out somewhere...some place nice...some place not visited before.

Checked all the weekend getaways (my hubby agreed for just an overnight trip :( so had less options), but there were not many...and I had already been to some before.

I thought of Saputara a hill station in Gujarat but then thought it was too long a travel. So I logged on to MTDC (Maharashtra Tourism website) and came across a place I had always wanted to go...Bhandardara. 

I quickly checked the availability and there was just one room available waiting for me....it seemed so! Without batting an eyelid I went ahead and booked it, got a deluxe room for Rs.1500/-

Now there is something very weird about this place...it has this MTDC resort at a very good location and very cheap...and there are 2-3 resorts which are very expensive with no good view or location. 

Anyway so we set off early Sunday morning by car and reached there in around 3 hours. The Kasara ghat which we have to pass has amazing roads but the inner village roads are quite bumpy.

Once we reached the resort, we were escorted to our room which was huge enough to play cricket in :) The rooms were clean and spacious and perched on a small mountain facing the beautiful Arthur Lake.

We freshened up and headed for the canteen in the resort and ordered lunch which was tasty and more like home made food. After clicking a few picks and having a look around the resort we went back to the room...me to catch a few winks and my hubby to watch the India-Aust match. 

At around 5 pm, after a cup of tea we headed for the lake, there were boat rides which we decided to skip and just sit along the banks of the river and enjoy the sunset and the view.

Once the sun was set and after clicking a few pics we walked back to the resort and relaxed on the bench in front of our room facing the lake.....as darkness engulfed the place we spent an hour star gazing...it was wonderful.

We called room service and ordered dinner....yummy chicken roast and biryani.

Next day we woke up to the calm and quiet surroundings. After having pohe and sandwich for breakfast we checked out of the resort and proceeded for site seeing around the place.

We got a local guide who took us to the Wilson Dam, Randha falls and Umbrella falls (supposedly the famous song of Mandakini in her white sari in Ram Teri Ganga Meli was shot here at Unmbrella falls as told by our guide)

We then checked out the gates of the dam and had a view of the Kalsubai (highest peak of Maharashtra) and Ratangad Fort. 

After that, since it was the eve of Mahashivratri and the villagers have a style of setting up a fair (Jatra as called by the locals) near the Shiv mandir, we decided to go visit the temple at Taked and pay our tributes. We were surprised by the crowd moving towards the temple and quickly went back to our car and headed for Mumbai after paying our guide (don't have any pics of the mandir as the place was packed with people) .

We stopped for lunch on our way back and were home by 6.00 pm. The weather had got warm by then and if I had to advice anyone who wishes to visit the place, please do go during the monsoons as you can see the real beauty of the place during monsoons and make your hotel booking way in advance cause MTDC is completely booked during the monsoons. 

Gods Own Country....Honeymoon in Kerala

Its been almost a good 3 months since I have been on my honeymoon and I still feel I am on honeymoon hence the delay on the promised pics of Kerala - Gods own country.

The planning, booking, shopping for the trip was all done in a hurry....yeah the best trip of my life and I had just so little time to plan it all.....but it was the best trip I had..well for obvious reasons... :)
We had planned a trip of 6 nights 7 days....dividing the same into 3 nights in Munnar and 3 nights in Kumarakom in order to avoid too much travelling.

We were not too sure if we would reach our destination thanks to the stress created by Kingfisher airlines cancelling flights and the Kerala state strike.

But we did leave on 29th November morning and thankfully the flight was on time....reached Cochin and we had our pre-booked car waiting for us. The driver insisted that we start the journey to Munnar despite the State strike. Our vehicle was stopped zillion times, made to wait for min 10 to max 40 min....we didnt mind it thanks to the pleasant weather and good company :)

On our way to Munnar we visited the Elephant camp, spice garden (very informative, shopped for some garden fresh spices as well). We avoided the elephant ride and spent that time in the spice garden soaking in all the wonderful gyaan from our guide. The garden was well maintained with all kinds of trees, spice plantation, flowers, farm animals.

Once out of there we headed for our hotel which was another 20 km away from Munnar city. Finally after the 7 hours journey from the airport (thanks to the strike, it would have been 5 hours) we reached our destination Club Mahindra Resort.....all we could see was clouds clouds and clouds...and slight drizzle.

Morning came and we set out for our site seeing journey which was when we realised the beautiful location of our hotel which was a valley facing and one of the only 2 hotels in that area. The entire area had tea estates spread all over.

After some quick pics in the tea estate covering some scenic beauty our first stop was the flower garden which was beautifully located on the slope of a hill and had flowers I had never seen before....then came the echo point, the shooting point, a tree full of honeycombs, the Mattupetty Dam.all these points surrounding the vast lake.

We returned to Munnar city to have yummy local food and then proceeded towards Rajamala to watch the Nilgiri Tahrs (a rare mountain goat) at the Eravikulam National Park situated about 2000 m above sea level. Eravikulam National Park also abode Anamudi, is the highest peak (2690 m) in the peninsular India. It was an amazing experience walking with the clouds at such great height. After having a good cup of tea in the cool weather we headed towards Munnar city again to do some shopping and enjoy a kerala massage. After that we headed straight to our hotel. We did skip some site seeing points as we wanted to keep travel to the minimum.

The next day we spent lazing around in the hotel and enjoying the view and weather.

Next day morning we set off for Kumarakom. It took us 5 hours to reach our hotel Saro Lake County which is situated bang on the banks of the Vembanad lake. We had a fascinating view of the lake and the sunset from our cottage. The place was so beautiful that we dropped plans of any site seeing and opted for just a boat cruise (2 hours). This place was more like a homestay with excellent home made food and service. We had the entire cottage to ourselves which consisted of a bedroom and a dining hall with a small library :)....No i didnt get to reading cause I had so many other things to do...after all I was on my honeymoon ....:)

After 3 nights in Kumarakom the next morning we headed to Cohin airport which is much closer from Kumarakom just about 2 hours and took our flight back home which again luckily was on time :)