Girl Interrupted...



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It started one fateful December day
When a girl laid unaware of the fate that lay
Returning home from the movies, no fear in her mind
But thats not what happens, not what she finds

She gets on a bus with her friend in tow
Soon they find themselves in the midst of a row
Due to the leering and jabbing of six other men
Thats when her nightmare really begins

She was plundered, hurt, beyond belief
Tortured and left with no relief
The atrocities on her one cannot tell
If there is one, surely this is hell

In the darkness on the roadside she laid in vain
Terribly hurt in so much pain
Passers-by moved on without a glance
It seemed like this was her very last chance

An hour passed by and finally there came
A patrolling car upon where she lain
The hospital was her next pit stop
And thats where she went with noone to talk

In the Intensive Care Unit were her next few days
In and out of coma thats where she lay
Till the time she opened her eyes and gave
Her statement to the cops who could her save

In the meanwhile the culprits were out in the open
Without fear, without their own spirit broken
Until the media put the whole incident on air
On the tv, the internet, pretty much everywhere

The public was outraged, the people were horrified
For once there was such a hue and cry
How could such atrocities on a girl be done
Would the same have happened had it been a son

The pressure mounted, the culprits were caught
The Delhi police for once did their part
At last it seemed justice would be dwelt
Thats what it seemed like, thats what it felt

But alas the nightmare was not yet over
There was more to come, more to go over
The girls statement the cops tried to twist
The PM never spoke one word of this

The public was hit with sticks while they
In protest for her on the streets lay
The government once again has failed to report
Any change of laws for womens safety hereforth

The only saving grace is the spirit of the girl
With courage and determination she fights the world
The public and the media all in her support
No matter what the governments official report

We hope she with justice will be met
The perpetrators, the strictest punishment, will get
Rules will be changed, laws will be rectified
Thats when we as a nation will take pride

But the government's a joke and the cops don't care
The people are outraged, it's more than they can bear
Is this a revolution...a revolution of sorts
If yes, to help her, lets do our little part


Let's all do our little part to help - you can start by signing this petition to bring justice to her and to help safeguard the dignity, security, and future of women in India -

http://www.change.org/en-IN/petitions/president-cji-stop-rape-now

Thank you all.

Social v/s Social



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I have been meaning to write this blog entry for quite some time now and finally got the time to pen my thoughts to paper (or to the keyboard in this case :p). So here's my little bit of a rant on 'Social Media'.

I often think about the word 'social' and what it 'truly' means in todays world. A decade and a half ago, a social person would have been an outgoing person, an inherent extrovert, a sort of 'jack-of-all-talks & trade' - but does the same apply today? To be a 'social' person, one had to go out, meet others, make contacts, create networks, entertain guests, be a friend to friends, host dinners, and the list goes on. So is that what Social Media helps us achieve in today's world?

The web definition for social media is, and I quote, - 'A media for social interaction, using highly accessible and scalable publishing techniques.' Okay...I agree with the second part of that definition that social media does use highly accessible and scalable techniques...but what about the first part? Does social media lead to social interaction in the real sense of the word?

Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Yammer (for corporates) are some examples of the topmost social media sites currently in use. To dissect this further, how does posting on a Facebook wall make you more social? Same goes for Twitter - how does a minute-by-minute update of your status increase your status quo? How can posting YouTube videos make you a more communal member of society?

Some might argue that platforms such as Facebook help unite long lost friendships etc. which may eventually lead to a social interaction. But isn't that a somewhat rare occurrence that is almost always eclipsed by the other activities such as updating statuses, posting pictures, check-in's etc. that are much more rampant on a media such as Facebook?

Don't get me wrong - I heart platforms such as Facebook and YouTube - just that I wholeheartedly feel that the term 'social' is such a misnomer here. Wouldn't  'Interactive Media' or 'Entertainment Media' be better suited? Or have times changed so much today that this is the new 'social'? The easier form of being friendly, making friends, having conversations all via the safety of your computer screen?  Being social with no obligatory strings attached - no fretting over the perfect dinner plan or table layout to entertain a gathering - now all it takes is a simple click of the mouse.

Call me old fashioned, but social for me definitely implies physical interaction, the laughing with a friend, the shouting over a game, the face-to-face talks. So in my mind the question still remains - how is 'Social Media' making us more sociable?

The coolest of them all...



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So here's a twist on an ancient fairy tale that we are all accustomed to - In my version, it goes something like this - 'Mirror mirror on the wall - Who is the 'coolest' of them all'. And the answer comes screeching back to me saying 'Duh! Didn't you know it was your in-laws?'.

Surprised? Hell, you better be. After all who would expect a daughter-in-law, no less, to make such a statement?! But it's true, it's so true. And here are all the reasons why - 

• There's something to say about Proudness. And these are folks who were as proud of me as my own parents.
• There's something to say about Kindness. And these are folks who were more than kind to me - in their words as well as their actions.
• There's something to say about Coolness. After all who else would accompany me to the gym, come for runs/walks with me by the lake, teach me swimming (yeah you heard that right), and also be game to try out different cuisines with me?
• There's something to say about Love. After all who else would love all my clothes, and more importantly love me in spite of all my nuances?
• There's something to say about Trust. These are folks who trust me to make my own decisions, and make right decisions at that!
• And finally there's something to say about Faith. Faith in my me, faith that I can improve, even faith in my cooking, no less! 

They were all this and much much more. Accommodating, unconditional, unquestioning, and ever forgiving.

And so when the mirror screeches this answer to me, I cannot help but smirk and respond saying 'Duh, I knew the answer all along!'.

This one's for my Twinnies...



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 My dearest Namlu & Niklu,

Here's wishing you a very Happy Raksha Bandhan -

For being the best brothers in the world
And for loving your crazy sister with no questions asked

For fighting with me yet sharing some of your best moments with me
For the bond that we always held and will always hold

For putting up with all my tantrums
And for sharing in with all my joys

For all the love, care, and affection that cannot be paralled
And for brightening my day each and every time

Love you guys - for this and everything that you do - now and always -

Your silly sister,
Me

Bombay Rains!

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So it's been raining since a day here, where the rains are just as unpredictable as the winter weather. It basically rains anytime any day in Chicago - be it Fall, Summer, Spring, or Winter. However, the rains are pretty much for namesake and last for really short stretches of time (usually not more than 30 minutes). Also, I always find the rains here are not 'wet enough', if that makes any sense. In either case, these cannot hold a candle to the rains that we get in Bombay. If you have ever witnessed monsoon in Bombay, then you know exactly what I'm talking about :-)

Being born and raised in Bombay, monsoon is undoubtedly my favorite season of the year! For me, Bombay seems to transform into another city during the rains. Just thinking about it gets me all nostalgic. So I decided to pen down (or type down in this case :p), my most favorite things and most cherished memories about the Bombay rains. So here's my list of things that I absolutely adore about the monsoon in Bombay -

1. The broody gloomy look that the sky adorns right before it starts to rain. Sort of like a warning in advance that 'Hey I'm coming - either embrace me or stay out of my way'

2. The smell of the soil right when it starts to rain :-)

3. The way the leaves, the trees, and everything around seems to bathe in the rain water. Almost as though they have waited for just this moment to wash away their broodings.

4. The sound of the rain pattering on the rooftops. For me, this is the most magical sound - the best kind of music, if there ever was one!

5. Having a hot cup of coffee or tea along with hot pakodas or something similar :p

6. Reading a good book to the sound of the rains in the background

7. I absolutely love the fact that the Bombay rains are not a preview. In other words, if it rains it pours! and that too for a pretty long time

8. Sitting at a café watching the rain pour outside or going for walks right after it has rained

9. I love, love, love the way the sea looks during the rains, absolutely menacing yet magnificent!

10. And finally, I love the way the city simmers down after the rains. Sort of like it's been refreshed, recharged, washed off it's sins if any, and ready to take on the world again

If there was one thing that I missed the most about Bombay, it would, without a doubt, be the monsoons. That time of the year when everything seems pure and new and refreshed and energized. The only time of the year when Bombay seems to relax in the cool air after an especially scorching summer. The time of the year I crave for even today and that I would go back to in a heartbeat. So here's to the Bombay rains, keep it pouring!

My Flightmare...

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Okay so I think I am one of those people who are always accompanied by a bout of bad luck while traveling by planes...you know...the people who inadvertently have flight delays, cancellations, airport closures (that's right), lost baggages, planes sitting on the runway for hours and the list goes on. I do feel bad for the folks travelling with me as they indirectly get subjected to my awesome travel luck as well :p

But today I thought I should chronicle my worst travelling experience till date. My last worst experience was when I was travelling from India to the States and I had to deal with the following -

1. Plane sitting on the runway for hours prior to takeoff

2. A TSA attendant who almost lost my boarding pass

3. The delay, delay, delay at the John F Kennedy airport at NYC

4. Finally the shut down aka complete closure of the airport due to bad weather

5. Thus staying the night at JFK since the airlines was too cheap to give us hotel vouchers

6. Reaching my final destination (after a total of 36 hours of travel) the next morning after several more flight delays, boarding gate changes and so on only to find out that my luggage was lost in transit. (I received my bags three days later)

Until recently, I thought I had nothing that could top this story but last week I found out just how wrong I was. Here's what happened when I was returning to Chicago from NYC last week -
1. Regular flight, what a joke, delay, delay, delay, delay, mechanical problem so now flights canceled.
2. Last flight of the day so re-booked for 7 am the next morning, 6 am on standby.
3. Got into a fight with this Indian lady trying to cut into the line in front of me and several other passengers.
4. Airline gives us a voucher for an airport hotel and tells us to take the hotel shuttle. More than half hour later, no hotel shuttle.
5. Finally decide to just take a cab to the hotel, stood half hour in the cab line in my formal suit on what was one of the hottest days in NY this summer and was 'this' close to passing out.
6. Finally get a cab with a lady driver who half way there informs me that she has no idea where the hotel is, has no GPS, and can barely speak English. At this point we are near the road to the Bronx, I freak out, and tell her to just drop me at the airport again.
7. At the airport (it's 10:30 at night now), I decide to take the hotel shuttle. Upon reaching the hotel, they are completely booked. I offer to pay them, but no-can't-do, no room available. I take the hotel shuttle to the airport again.
8. Found the airline counter and told them the problem. They call numerous hotels, all booked, and finally find one that has availability. Quickly go to this new hotel shuttle with several passengers in a similar situation (flights canceled) and half the folks are turned back at this hotel too as it got overbooked.
10. The good part - I got a room. The bad part - this was an airport hotel. I had always heard horror stories about how bad airport hotels are and this one was no exception. I found a corner in the hotel room and just laid there for three hours and took the first shuttle (at 4 am) to the airport.

Thankfully I got into the standby flight at 6 am and reached home without further commotion.

But add to all this the numerous fights I saw break out among passengers because 1. it was New York 2. everyone was jittery and agitated. Also add to this the absolutely dickhead like people at the airlines, at the airport, at the hotel, almost everywhere in New York that I came across and this was a recipe for a nightmare that I cannot forget.

Now I need to tell myself to take a deep breath, calm down, and remind myself that this was several days ago. Oh wait, but I heard I might have to travel to NY again! You have got to be kiddin' me! :-|

Happy Father's Day!

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Dear Dad,

Today, I just want to Thank You.

For...

...teaching me everything that I know
...being there for me every step of the way
...guiding me through the not-so-food times
...listening to my constant chatter, my raves, and my rants
...understanding what I feel even before I say it
...laughing out loud as we share one of our many private jokes
...being proud of me...now and always
...standing by me nomatterwhat
...taking my side in fights no matter who is on the other side
...teaching me the value of things
...teaching me the value of health
...motivating me to do my best and give my best
...scolding me when I deserve it (not too often though :-))
...praising my cooking (? :-))
...being my best friend in times of need
...teaching me the difference between right and wrong
...explaining things to me even after I refuse to understand them for the umpteenth time
...putting up with all my tantrums and mood swings
...depuzzling the puzzles that I seem to create :-)
...always always giving me the best advise
...being able to make me smile within seconds
...accepting my decisions and having absolute faith in them
...speaking your heart out to me
...cheering me on from my school races to my life races
...knowing my choice and taste without thinking twice
...making me who I am today
...for all this and so much more that words fall short

The list goes on but...
...who knows better than you, everything that I want to say
So here's wishing you a Very Happy Father's Day!

Your little girl, now & always,
Me

Gossip Girl



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So lately I've been sorta hooked to this show called Gossip Girl. Well me and half the American population probably :p That's really how famous this show has become. And it's almost gathered a cult following of sorts. The show first aired in 2007 so I am lagging behind quite a bit. But better late than never so I started watching this from Season 1 - Episode 1 and realized that I am officially hooked!

Gossip Girl trails the lives of New Yorks Upper East Siders (aka the rich and the famous crème de la crème of New Yorks elite) through the eyes and words of an unknown blogger who only refers to herself as Gossip Girl. The story revolves around two best friends - Blair Waldorf and Serena Van Der Woodsen and their turmoils, their friendship, their love interests, and yes, their fashion! Which brings me to IMO one of the most important aspects of this show - The Fashion! The couture and the styles are absolutely incredible so much so that it makes me want to hijack their show stylist for myself! :-)

You also have some multi varied characters on this show. You have Blair who is pretty and popular but always sidetracked by her best friend Serena who is gorgeous without having to try too hard. There is Nate, Blair's boyfriend who has always had a thing for Serena. There's Chuck Bass, the essential baddy bad boy of the show. And then there's Dan Humphrey your average boy-next-door who gets pulled into this world of glamor and glitter on accord of being Serena's boyfriend. And finally there's Jenny, Dan's sister, who's only dream is being part of the rich and famous inner circle.

Since this show introduces audiences to the life of Manhattan's elite, it does illustrate their typical daily activities. While the parents are off to earn money and are stellar epitomes of the American Dream albeit with an occasional coke problem, the kids are off to private schools, ivy league colleges, Sunday brunches, Masquerade parties, and elite sleep-overs complete with private manicurists, all while being part of a convenient trust fund.

I do feel the theme of the show can also be read as money can't buy you happiness ;) It is kinda sad to watch that sometimes no amount of prep schooling, or expensive clothes, or fancy cars, can get you the happiness that you desire. But all in all, this show is good entertainment and most importantly keeps me from getting bored on those dull-but-rare free hours that I get. :-)

That's all for today and in the words of Gossip Girl herself - 'xoxo - Me' ;)

President Obama - Home Sweet Home

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This Friday, June 1st 2012, my regular commute home from work took a little over half an hour. The reason - road blocks on Michigan, Randolph, Washington Street etc. And because - President Barack Obama was returning to his home in Chicago to spend some quality time with himself. So that explains the plethora of reporters, cops, supporters, protesters, and other just curious folks hanging around with their cell phones handy to take a quick snap of the President. (No, I did not join this crowd of onlookers, but I suppose it would have been cool to get a sneak peak of our infamous President).

Based on news reports, President Obama wanted to relax at his Kenwood/Hyde Park home where he has not had an overnight stay since almost a year. Apparently the President was just 15 minutes away from his home during the recent NATO Summit in Chicago, however, he was not allowed to go home as that would have increased the already crazy traffic et all that Chicago was being subjected to during the NATO Summit.

So maybe that was what triggered his homecoming urge. Or maybe it's the pressure thats mounting high on the President, what with elections coming up in September, the recent flak that he received for supporting same-sex marriages, and the latest nationwide jobs report that he received on Friday indicating that only 69,000 new jobs were created in May along with an increase in the unemployment rate.

Whatever the reason, Chicago was happy to see him back. Incidentally, his wife, Michelle Obama, and his kids did not accompany him here. He was also found strolling the Hyde Park neighbourhood on Saturday morning with his White House advisor. When asked by reporters whether he cooked breakfast as well, he promptly replied no since he woke up late. Good times, eh?

Welcome home, Mr. President albeit for only a weekend. Sure the White House has its perks and all, but home is where the heart is, isn't it?

Trip to San Diego!

Photo Source: http://comeheretome.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/sandiego.jpg

Having just returned from an extended long weekend vacation from San Diego, I feel more than obliged to write about it in this blog entry. So here goes. I believe, and I think most people will agree, that California has always been a separate animal on it's own. It has it's own unique traits and characteristics. Take for example, it's various cities - Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Los Angeles - all seem to have their own distinct take on what it's like to be a part of California. Same goes for San Diego - I truly felt that this was a city that portrayed a sort of quaint and subtle demeanor, if you will.

San Diego had numerous good places to visit, sightsee, and relax. Listed here are the one's that we visited - 



Point Loma Lighthouse

Point Loma Lighthouse, Cabrillo National Monument - I would like to start by stating that I have a thing for lighthouses! There is just something about lighthouses that draws me to them - I always feel they seem to display an auro of serenity and peace. I often start wondering about the history attached to them and basically get enthralled by their presence. So no points for guessing that this was the first place we visited upon our arrival to San Diego. This particular lighthouse was built in 1855 and I could not help but start to wonder what tales could be told if only it's walls could speak. Also surrounding the lighthouse were sweeping harbor views stretching from as far as Mexico to the east of Los Angeles. Those were a definite treat for sore eyes.

  

La Jolla Beach

La Jolla Beach - This has got to be my second most favorite beach (the first always always being the beaches in Goa). The La Jolla beach was a quintessential little beach that was beyond beautiful. In fact the beach was so serene that even mammals such as sea lions could not keep themselves at bay (pun intended :-)) You could literally see dozens of them basking in the sunlight on the cliffs. What was nice was the extra care that was taken to avoid hurting them. For instance, during the times when the sea lions ventured onto the beach, beach goers were requested not to go onto the beach in order to avoid scaring them.

The sunsets at the beach were phenomenal, so much so that we tried to go there each and every evening. You could also see a number of scuba divers in the ocean. The real estate surrounding the beach was absolutely gorgeous with a price ranging from anywhere between 1 to 7 million dollars (phew!). But it was easy to understand why it was what it was. The town of La Jolla including the restaurants surrounding the beach were really quaint and had a sleepy rich town feel to it. A dinner at one of the restaurants on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean was especially memorable due to it's fabulous views.

Mission Beach - This was the other beach that we tried out. This was more of a typical beach with thousands of beach goers, beach umbrellas, frisbee players, and what have you. If all you want to do is sun bathe with a million other people then this is the spot for you :-) Incidentally, we were not huge fans of this beach.

Hotel Del Coronado



Hotel Del Coronado @ Coronado Island - Coronado Island was a cute little beach town connected to San Diego downtown via a single expansive bridge. The island is most famous for its Hotel Del Coronado which is a Victoria style beach resort built in 1988. The resort has been featured in numerous movies and has housed everybody from presidents to celebrities and other royalties. The beach town itself was lined with small restaurants, shops, and boutiques. A good place to stroll about, shop, eat, and relax.

Gaslamp Quarter

Gaslamp Quarter, East Village & Little Italy -  In the heart of San Diego downtown was the historic district of Gaslamp Quarter. This area had a plethora of restaurants, shops, bars, and more. We had one of the best brunch ever at this one nondescript café called The Mission in East Village which is adjoining the Gaslamp Quarter. I have always felt that California has much better food and food options including much healthier choices and smaller portion sizes (which is a good thing) as compared to the East coast or the Midwest. And if anyone requires proof of this, all they have to do is visit The Mission. Breakfast included Mexican fusion dishes such as (my favorite) Papas Loco which consisted of  rosemary potatoes, grilled jalapeños, black beans, very little cheese, avocado slice and sour cream. Absolutely delicious! Little Italy was another area adjoining the Gaslamp and we had one of our best Italian meals ever at the Bencotto Italia. This restaurant has won awards for the Best Italian in SD Magazine 2010-12 etc. and rightly so!

San Diego Safari Park

San Diego Zoo, San Diego Safari Park, SeaWorld - Finally a mention about San Diego's infamous zoos and safaris. We visited all three and were able to do so easily in a span of two days. But if you had to choose between these, I would recommend not missing the Safari Park. This was located around 30 miles from downtown and is a park built in the wilderness. It offers several different types of safaris such as the Cheetah Safari (meet the Cheetah's up-close and personal), the Caravan Safari (hand feed the giraffes and rhinos), the Rolling Safari (segway tour of the park), Roar & Snore Safari (camp out in the wilderness and spend the night listening to the roar and growl of tigers and lions) etc. What was nice about this park was the animals were kept in their natural habitat for the most part and not confined to cages as is the case in a typical zoo. At the end of the day, they also offered a Cheetah run where you could watch the Cheetahs run full gait in the open. The Safari Park has also apparently secured 800 acres of surrounding land to protect other wildlife such as rabbits, deers, mountain lions etc. in their natural habitat. These animals are not part of the park but stay without fear of human encroachment in the acres surrounding the park.

The San Diego SeaWorld also warrants a visit if not for anything else then for watching Shamu, the killer whale show. It was really endearing to watch how mammals respond to human signs and hidden languages and one really starts to wonder how these mammals were trained in the first place.

Finally, I would like to mention a few other things that caught our notice such as the weather which was slightly chilly due to the wind (yes, yes although it's California). You could also notice a lot of homeless people around downtown and some of the other areas. And a final mention about a must eat spot (for non-vegetarians) - the infamous In-N-Out burger. Unfortunately there was nothing in here for us, but I have heard the burgers are so good that apparently even Angelina Jolie stopped by to pick up burgers here after the Oscars, which is funny when you think about it :-)

All in all, this was a memorable vacation once you minus the tedious flight and travel time from Chicago to San Diego. My verdict - A nice place to visit if you have kids, a one time place to visit if you don't. :-)

The Kite Runner

I really believe that blogging is an excellent way to share some of the things that I come across in my daily life that warrant a special mention and acknowledgment. This novel - The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is one such thing.

I absolutely love Goodreads.com and one of the things I heart about it is the ratings and category system that they have. So for instance, there would be a category for 'Best Books of the 20th Century' or another one for 'Books that took me completely by surprise'. This latter category is where I often came across this book and did not give it much of a thought. Reading the summary of this book did not have much of an impact on me either as emotional sagas are really not my thing and this sounded like a frontrunner candidate for the same. So long story short, never bothered requesting this book from the library and frankly never planned to in the future as well.

That was until the day I came across this book in the mini library in my building and decided to pick it up on a last minute impulse. I almost put it down again but then thought hey, what the heck. And that is how I laid my hands on quite possibly one of the best books that I've read in recent times.

I remember wanting to start reading the first few pages purely out of curiosity. And that was it! That was all it took to get me hooked! The first thing that I noticed was the absolutely gripping writing style. The author seems to pull you into the world of the novel and it's characters from the first page. I truly believe some people 'write books' while others are 'writers'. Khaled Hosseini fits into the second category. And for me, these are the kind of books that are an absolute pleasure to read! (I can hardly wait to start reading the authors second novel - A Thousand Spendid Suns which is rumored to be even better than The Kite Runner.)

From this point on I would like to give a Spoiler Alert, so you may want to stop reading from here if you do not want anything of the book revealed. The Kite Runner tells the story of Amir, an affluent Afghan boy and his best friend Hassan who is the house help. The story unfolds from a first person narrative (i.e. from Amir's perspective) which may throw some people off but first person narratives generally work well for me. The novel tells the story of their friendship and the turmoil that overtakes their lives following a certain incident. The story follows the protagonists life across two different nations and his eventual journey towards his homeland for redemption. Along the way, the readers are taken through Afghanistan's journey through the decades and how it has affected the lives of it's people.

I believe this novel has different shades. It is a mirror to the face of society and to us as human beings. Are we really this selfish? Does loyalty like Hassan's truly exist? Can humans enforce (or endure) such cruelty? And so on and so forth. This novel tells you a lot about human nature, what differentiates us from one another, and the irony that is life. It speaks about the impact that our decisions have, not just on us but also on those around us. 

Your heart goes out to some of the characters in the book. The story of Afghanistan is certainly heart wrenching as the author vividly takes the readers through decades of Afghan history. Throughout the book, I felt like I was watching the story unfold via words rather than reading it. And I would also like to state here that this has been the only book that literally gave me heart palpitations while reading some of the scenes. And that I believe is the mark of a great story and a great storyteller, to be able to have that kind of an effect on it's readers.

I think it is easy to understand why this novel has won so many awards but for me, it was the absolute magical pull into the novel and into the characters that the author was able to achieve that was the winner. Not only are you drawn into the deepest darkest intricacies of the human mind, but are also subjected to the pain of a nation to survive something that was not on accord of it's own calling. A wonderful, sad, and enlightening read.  If you can endure harsh truths and are looking for a novel with a powerful storyline, that will fascinate and grip you till the end, then I would highly recommend not missing this one!

My Love for Ethiopian Food

Today I would like to talk about what has quite possibly become my favorite cuisine as of late. The picture above depicts this - Ethiopian food. Not many people are aware about what a wonder this cuisine is - I certainly wasn't. So hopefully this blog post introduces many more people to this wonderful food and encourages them to try it out. You will certainly not be disappointed :-)



Mesob

 Firstly, I would like to start by mentioning that this is a very very good option for vegetarians, although non-vegetarians certainly won't go hungry. Plus the food is essentially quite healthy! Ethiopian cuisine is traditionally served on something called as a mesob, which is woven from straw. The lid of the mesob is opened and is used for holding the plate.

Which brings us to the next thing about this cusine - the plate. Ethiopian food is served on a simple steel plate but placed on top of the plate to hold the food is something called as an injera which is a yeast-risen sourdough flatbread (similar to the Indian 'dosa' but much more tangy). The injera is made from a special grain called 'teff'. The teff flour is allowed to ferment for several days! That gives it it's unique sour and tangy taste. The injera serves as an excellent base for the food as it has a spongy texture and holds all the liquids in place. The idea is to break off pieces of the injera and use it to scoop the entrées off the plate. Thus the injera serves a dual purpose :-) There are also separate rolled up injeras provided in case you need more (which you will).

The main courses in an Ethiopian cuisine are mainly made out of various grains, lots of spices, and different types of stews called Wats. They also have something called as a Vegetarian Fish which are chickpea balls in a spicy sauce. This is another heavenly dish that I love. There is also an Ethiopian appetizer called Sambusa which is quite similar to the Indian samosa. The most popular (and my favorite) curry is something called as Berbere which is a combination of chilli peppers and various other spices. Berbere is essentially used as a base for some of their entrées. Their side dishes consist of everything from spinach to dals to lentils to chickpeas and even cheese. Each one of them more delicious than the previous!

And now the most surprising factor. Ethiopian food is usually eaten in a single plate! And by hand! This is pretty much the only place where I have seen folks pull up their sleeves and dig into the food, by hand, along with their friends, all in the same plate. But you are more than welcome to ask for a spoon and separate plates too if that's what you desire :)

Ethiopian coffee is another speciality and a must have. It is served in this special coffee pot made out of clay.The people of Ethiopia also follow a coffee tradition and this is enacted in one of the Ethiopian restaurants in Chicago. Basically if anyone orders coffee at any table, the servers bring out a fresh pot of coffee and move it from table to table allowing everyone to smell the aroma. This is an invitation that states that we have brewed coffee and you are all invited. And after this, they serve free coffee to each and every table in the restaurant! Pretty cool!

Another speciality of Ethiopian cuisine is a honey wine called Tej. Tej is usually homemade and is essentially a mix between honey, wine, and beer (due to it's hops-like taste). This is another must-have just for tradition :)

And at the end of this, I would like to make a brief mention about the best Ethiopian restaurant that I have been to in Chicago. It's this seemingly nondescript restaurant called Ras Dashen. I have tried several other Ethiopian restaurants but none of them hold a candle to this one. Also the cherry on top is the absolutely fabulous live music that they play on Friday's and Sunday's. The music is by a band of five people, each playing a different musical instrument. The end result - simply divine! So the next time you are feeling a little adventurous and want to try out a new cuisine, I would definitely recommend Ethiopian food, if not for anything else then for the sheer experience of it!

CATS - The Broadway Musical

I've been meaning to write about the most recent Broadway musical that we went to - CATS. 'Writing' about it may not be the correct term in this case, Raving about it would be more like it! I have always been a huge fan of Broadway and ever since we moved to the city, numerous opportunities have presented themselves enabling me to go to several Broadway musicals. CATS by far, has been the best of the lot so far.

CATS is based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot. It has been the second longest running show in the history of Broadway and has also won numerous awards, including the Tony Award for the best musical. Going to watch the show knowing these things, I was nodoubt excited but also just a tiny bit skeptical. After all, adults prancing about in a cats costume was a little hard to relate to 'fun'. But boy, was I mistaken! This show surpassed my expectations manifold!

CATS tells the fictitious story of a tribe of cats called the Jellicles. The Jellicles have a Jellicle ball and the night of the ball they make a Jellicle choice. The choice they make is basically deciding which cat gets the honour of going into the Heaviside Layer (afterlife) and come back to a new life.

So this is the basic story that is relayed to the audience through a series of musical numbers. As the story unfolds, each of the CATS varied characters are depicted. For instance, you have a rockstar cat (fantastic moves), a lazy tap dancing cat (mindblowing tapdancing), a magician cat (mindboggling twirls) etc. There were also some numbers which were performed by the entire tribe of Jellicles. Those, for me, were one of the highlights of the show!

The music which is a live orchestra takes you to a whole different level of trancelike enjoyment. I absolutely love love loved all the musical renditions. And add to that the totally entertaining and fun dance moves, the fabulous singing, and the amazing theatre lightwork and you can't help but get captivated by the show's spell.

Although all the numbers were spectacular, there were some that simply stood out more than others. My favorite one of them was the story of Grizabella. Grizabella was a glamour cat once upon a time but is now jaded with the harshness of the world. The number portrays her constant desire for acceptance into the tribe. The actress who has played Grizabella is absolutely wonderful and her voice has such an unbelievable pitch to it.

The other number that I especially enjoyed was the Rum Tum Tugger, which tells the story of our rock and roll cat. He was supposed to be more like an Elvis Presley of cats, with similar (if not better) pelvic thrusts and dance moves. Very very entertaining.

If anyone is looking for starting their foray into Broadway musicals, I would highly recommend them not to miss CATS. They also have this on DVD and I believe there is also a film on this, but I am not sure if a television would do justice to the pleasure of viewing this live! So all in all, this was one fun, magical, enticing two and a half hours and I will most definitely go watch them again if they ever return to Chicago. An absolute must see!

Happy Mothers Day

This blog post is exactly what the above picture depicts...an ode to my mother, a gift to her across the miles.

Across the miles I send this to you
With heart full of love and feelings so true
For today is a day as good as any
To say what I mean with words so many

I may have been bratty too many times
And overwhelmed you with my sighs and whines
And taken you for granted without a thought
All the times that I argued and angered and fought

Looking back I feel how foolish was I
To act like a spoilt kid, who knew why
You certainly deserved much more than this
It's all I can say, it's all that I wish

But one thing's for sure, that's not ever changed
My undying love for you is still the same
No gains, no wants, no pleasures sublime
Nothing can change that, no distance, no time

And as I write this with tears in my eyes
There's one single truth that cannot be denied
This comes from the deepest heart of a girl
That You are truly the best mother in the world!

Satyamev Jayate

A lot of people I've been talking to have displayed a desire for me to write about the latest and greatest thing to hit the Indian television screens - The new show called Satyamev Jayate.

Aamir Khan, the actor who has written and produced this show, has always been in a league of his own. Be it his movies, acting, or public personna, he has always stood his ground and refused to follow the contemporary route. So it comes as no surprise that this, his newest venture, surpasses anything that has been shown on Indian television before.

For starters, let's take the theme song and video of the show. That in itself is enough to help surface the feelings of patriotism that we as Indians seem to have long past forgotten. Add to that the slick yet emotional trailers that were shown a few weeks prior to the launch, and you have more than half the majority of people chomping at the bits waiting for the show to air.

So given all this hooplah, was the show worth it? I, and most of the folks I spoke to, would say yes. And judging from the critical acclaim and mass following that the show seems to have already garnered, it may be safe to say most definitely yes!

One of the most important things about this show that differentiated it from others was that it not only talked about the problem at hand but also provided solutions to remedy the same at the end of the show. And the solutions proposed were not mere possibilities, but a solid plan of action was laid down which everyone can, one way or the other, participate in.

Also, one could not help but notice the solid and extensive research that has gone into this. Some very alarming and unexpected statistics and facts came to light. Not just was the show emotionally hard hitting but was also technically so.

Another commendable point was that this may quite possibly be the only show that is aired on both STAR and Doordarshan simultaneously. The point to note here is that Doordarshan is primarily one of the few Indian networks that are still free to the public, so airing the show here makes it accessible to more people. And if that wasn't sufficient, a special screening of the show was done in villages where accessibility to a television set was not possible.

And the wheels have already started turning - the day after the show aired the Rajasthan Chief Minister urged organizations to start taking appropriate actions against the atrocities summarized in the show, and also started reviewing the existing efforts that are in place.

All in all, it was clearly evident that this was a project straight from the heart. Aamir Khan has apparently spent two years working on the concept for this show, and it is clearly evident that his efforts have paid off. Hats off to him and the rest of the people involved for starting almost a revolution of sorts albeit through a television set. But the effects of this will reach far beyond the television and hopefully will help to shape India for the better.

Do we need a superhero?

So I went to watch The Avengers movie this weekend and half way through I got thinking. About what would happen if we had our own in-house superhero...The notion on first thought sounds appealing and welcome. A larger than life human figure with superhuman powers? Who's also just, loyal, and on the side of good? Hell yeah! Who wouldn't want that!

But then I got thinking about the subtle factors that would come into play in such a scenario. Which nation would our superhero be affiliated to? His place of birth probably, but isn't that a little unfair? Other countries could easily percieve this as an undue advantage for one nation.

Are we guaranteed that our superhero will not (ever) succumb to corruption or fall prey to the evil powers that be for greed? Can and will he not be lured by promises of extra strength/power/gizmos that our latest state-of-the-art technology can offer? And what happens if he does fall into such bad company? Who then will be responsible for controlling him? And more importantly, can he be controlled?

Who would prioritize the various problems that our world faces in a fair and just order for our superhero to focus on? In other words who would determine what problems take precedence over others? Or will that be the task of our sole hero? And if yes, then are we naive in putting our fate in his hands?

What about any collateral damage that might occur while he is at work flying around or catching the bad guys? Who would be liable for that?

These and similar other thoughts kept flying through my head as I watched the movie (which was very good in all regards). However after everything said and done, the notion that someone can guide us along the path of goodwill, keep us safe from harm, restore world peace, and act as a beacon of justice is more than a little difficult to pass.

From Paris With Love

So ever since we visited Paris this past winter, I've been itching to tell anyone and everyone who listens about the subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) differences between a city like Paris and a city like Chicago or New York.

Pace - For starters, lets talk about the pace of life. Early morning rush hours, commuter traffic, the literal stampede to get to work, the I-have-no-time-to-slow-down attitude all seems to be part and parcel of the lifestyle here. Which is why Paris came as a pleasant surprise in terms of the early morning commuters enjoying, and I mean enjoying!, their early morning coffees and walking, yes I mean walking! to work, with apparently all the time in the world. This was certainly a refreshing (and envious) new perspective on potentially how different a corporate culture could be.

Simplicity - Next would come simplicity in day-to-day activities. At a time when I can personally not imagine many things that are non mechanical when it comes to the commercial sector here, whoa and behold, what happens when you witness a single milk delivery man delivering fresh milk and dairy produce early in the morning to a classy Paris café? You are stuck with awe because you never thought you would witness this simple, good life again! But wait, theres more. The next thing you notice is a cellar door opening right in the middle of the café and a hand drawn rope pulley pulls up to take the contents that were delivered underground. No automation and no gimmicks.

Food - Since I briefly mentioned breakfast, I might as well go ahead and talk about The Food! If I had to describe it in one word - it would be Divine! None of the processed, mass produced foods that we have become so accustomed to. Just wholesome, homemade, fresh, out of the oven, simple, delicious, fabulous food! Be it a small roadside cafe, or a fancy restaurant - one thing was common - the quality and I believe the love and pride that went into making the food!
And I would also like to mention here the conservative attitude of the food joints. Seldom did I find a restaurant or café that had marmalades, butter or even tissues for that matter, simply lying around. This was surely a drastic contrast to what we are accustomed to here.

Fashion - Now can Paris be mentioned without a mention of fashion? I agree that we have more affordability here in terms of clothing et cetra as well as the infamous New York fashion weeks and so on for the couture savvy, but Paris has always been known for its fashion and rightly so! Any real connoisseur of fashion will definitely appreciate the beauty in the clothes, the shops, the shoes, and the people. Most of the locals seemed to be in the best shape of their lifes! Add to that the mile high Pradas, Louis Vuittons on almost every second person, and beautiful clothes, and you have a walking runway right before you.

Infrastructure - A little bit about the infrastructure. I once heard that you are never more than 500 meters away from a subway station at any given place in Paris. That's how well connected the city is in terms of infrastructure! Sure beats the I-need-a-car-to-go-anywhere motto.

Culture - And how can I not talk about the rich rich culture! This may not be a very fair point to compare and contrast against, since it is hardly a country's fault that it is fairly new or old. But one can't help but marvel at the beautiful and historic architecture, the monuments, the fountains, the cathedrals, and the museums of Paris. It suddenly made sense to me why this country produced some of the greatest artists of all times (read Picasso, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Manet) :-)

Language - Finally, one mention about the general disdain for English in Paris. I had heard a French actor mention in a movie once that he does not speak English even though he can because he doesn't like the way it makes his voice and words feel. I remember laughing out loud then but only now do I realize there is a lot of truth to that. Plus I did get the feeling the French were being troubled on my accord by having to speak in a language other than French. ;)

I do believe all cities have their unique traits and almost what can be called as distinct personalities. But the clear winner for me was set one cold winter day as I walked the streets of Champs-Élysées and sighed heavy with contentment - at the food, the culture, and the sights.

Pump Room @ Chicago

Photo reference: http://www.pumproom.com/

So living in the heart of Chi-town has it's many perks - one of them being all the fabulous places one has access to. This weekend we had the pleasure of visiting The Pump Room located in the Gold Coast at 1301 North State parkway, Chicago, IL 60610. This sure warrants a mention in my first blog post :-)

So the Pump Room is essentially a restaurant / lounge area located in the Public Chicago Hotel. It was first established in 1938 as part of The Ambassador East hotel. The Ambassador East hotel was sold in 2010 and completely remodeled as the Public Chicago Hotel and the Pump Room was reopened in fall 2011. To add to it's new attractions, it's food concepts are by world renowned culinary chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

After reading about the history of the Pump Room, my first appeal towards it was the impressive list of who's who of 1920's pop culture icons such as Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Olivia Newton-John (absolutely adore her!), Humphrey Bogart and so on who were regulars at the Pump Room. The location was a little hard to find being as it is a part of the Public Chicago Hotel. On first glance, the hotel is evident and a closer look reveals the entrance to the Pump Room towards the side of the hotel. The area surrounding it is your typical plush and quiet Gold Coast location, as good as it gets. Surprisingly there was ample street and public parking seconds away from the entrance and a seemingly efficient valet service as well.

Upon entering, you are greeted with photographs of the aforementioned celebrities (and many more) in the passageway. The black and white photographs are an instant contrast to the interior decor of the place that can be glimpsed through the glass entrance doors. Having said that, once you enter in you are taken aback by the contemporary and classy decor. No points for guessing that the original Pump Room has been completely revamped but hey! we ain't complaining.

It was a good thing we had reservations since the wait was a staggering 2-2.5 hours (ouch!). The lounge and bar area of the Pump Room was super packed. If you have a suit or a fabulous dress that you're itching to wear, wear it! You will not be disappointed. All around you are folks dressed to kill and having an excellent time. And that's exactly what we did too!

We ordered a couple of martinis (for the girls) and beer (for the guys). The cost was on the high side, but that was expected from a place like this (think $12 martinis). The service was a tad bit on the slower side, but I want to let that pass given the sheer number of folks who were there. The bartenders wall with the uber cool brands and names was very very contemporary and chic. Unfortunately we had decided to meet here for drinks and so had already eaten by the time we reached this place. Sure wished I hadn't though. Well, something for the next time, eh? So all in all, we had a fabulous time. Would highly recommend this place for the decor, the people, and yes the history attached to it! Ciao!