Thursday, March 30, 2006

jiggy jawwwwwwwwwwn

now its extremely ironic that the below given posting should have been titled rainbow, because right after i did, i stumbled most luckily upon this man's weblog...
i didnt know he had one, dude dude dude...welcome to the blogosphere...and what an apt title !

give a loud round of applause ladies and gents...its jiggy jawn till the break of dawn...

rainbow

saw my first rainbow in switzerland today..like all things here- unreal and yet impeccably beautiful...
the snow capped mountains are shedding their winter attire to reveal the deep colors of earthly resonance.....Looking forward to the daily train rides that are equivalent to being shoved in between a thousand picture post cards...

ok enough sap....i got my carte de legitimation today as well (my official proof of employment and residency here) so can finally go and apply for the belgian visa tomorrow...

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

damn !

first of all, im sure all the swiss people are laughing cos after my embarassing display of weather driven happiness (see below) , the last 2 days have seen pelting rain and only occasional visits from the sun god.

secondly, after a kickass time chairing romax last year - a regional conference in germany; i got an invitation from lara (the new president of aiesec germany- super cool girl i got to know in amsterdam) to chair their national conference called NKK (national kick off)...and ofcourse i cant go:(...pre-meeting starts the day after i return from belgium and its 10 days shy of our own mother of all bad ass conferences (Kick off in Fiesch, Switzerland- and you know i wouldnt jeapordize that baby:)) Not to mention the fact that UNFPA will fire my europe-trotting-chairing butt if I took any more days off....

cest la vie right?
on other news....india won the first one - day international (wooohoo)....and im watching pink panther this sunday...
oh , and dhanur's organizing a skype party this sunday as well (i dont know what in the name of gods green earth that is, but it sure sounds like fun:))

Monday, March 27, 2006

of springtime, birthdays and bluffmaster!

ok, first of all- it's not like me to get overly excited about mundane aspects like the weather - but the onset of the new spring summer weather collection (the designer being confederation helvetica - aka Switzerland) has got me joyous beyond natural comprehension.

and no, im not growing old and becoming one of those people that talk about the weather all day. i talk about it over lunch, and sometimes over a cup of tea...at the most.

coming back to the point, for the daft ones- spring is officially here. the grey and the gloom has given way to the sun and the bloom. Sunny forecasts predicted for the coming 2 months (pretty much) and boy am i glad. i was witness to one hell of a winter which started sometime around end october/november and rocked the nation with snow, rain and hailstorms...not that i complained too much. the hot chocolat and whiskey always coming in handy and my experiences in fiesch, davos and prague kind of prepared me for anything the winter lords could throw at me :)

so yes. i have dedicated an entire section to the weather- which vitamin do we get from the sun rays btw?
and no, i repeat, im not growing old.

ok, next- it was neha's bday yesterday!, yes the beauty just turned 22 and what a birthday it is. cram 20 odd swiss and non-swiss people in an apartment with just about enough seating for 5 , toss in enough wine to fill the indian ocean and appetizers- and you've got yourself one hell of a hoe-down. ok, i exaggerate a bit- it wasnt quite the rio festival or mardi gras but we did have a nice time. i always like birthdays. more recently (last couple of years) ive actually taken myself through a process of reflecting on the year gone by- the successes, failures , learning points and more importantly- friends made, laughter shared and challenges overcome. i wonder if neha did the same, but being the dutiful significant other- i did it for her:)....if she's reading this- u know what i said...:)

now...coming to the most thrilling part of this last weekend- the viewing of the latest bollywood blockbuster - Bluffmaster!. yes yes yes, i know i know, some of you have as of this moment taken me off the 'he is my frends/best buddy/cool guy/head screwed on straight/chiller list; but hear me out.

neha's mom sent her abhishek bachan's new flick called bluffmaster. the name, undoubtedly had me feeling 'less than overwhelmed' yet I was oddly attracted and driven to watch the movie.
so, the conversation kind of went like this..

NP: okkkkkkkkkk...my mom sent me bluffmaster
DC: hahah bluffmaster, *my god * hmm huuummmmm
NP: ok so lets go get another movie from the dvd rental..
DC: uhmmmm i dont know. i think it's going to rain..
NP: eh ? its sunnier than spain in the summer (not that she's ever been there but thanks to the magic of books..)
DC: well i think i have a stomach ache...
NP: eh? you just wanted to devour(yet again) the damn ready to eat kadhai chicken...
DC: (blushing and slightly embarassed) well, i was thinking, why dont we watch bluffmaster...it might be funny u know..in a kind of stupid way...humm hoommm..
NP: (with knife in hand)- who are you and what have you done with my boyfriend?

so...after these shocking exchanges, we actually did get down to watching it:)...and what can i say- give me a trashy bollywood flick once every 6 months ,throw in abhishek bachchan- undoubtedly my favorite, add some bollywood remixed versions of bittersweet symphony (haha you need to see the movie to understand this one) and i'll enjoy it!

yes- i did enjoy it and no i havent gone insane.

the plotline was actually quite cool (even though the script and videography was at times blatantly ripped off a bit from cult classics like the game and steve martin's conman movies) ; AB JR rocked with some hilarious scenes, and that cross-eyed kid continued to surprise:) priyanka chopra is not hot, but i hardly cared - after watching the unholiest of unholies (i prefer not to mention) in a sudden and rather rudly shocking episode of date my mom... (dont ask- mtv is the proof that we are the lowest and most degraded forms of life on this planet) ; i would have been happy with jayalalitha in a miniskirt....

anyway, i digress. highlights of the movie include the ending (a cliffhanger i tell ya), nana patekar's acting, the song 'right here right now' (i propose that AB JR does one terrible hip hop-bollywood hashed number in every movie- wether he's in the flick or not is immaterial) and the killer line from the same song...

'b-l-u to the double f master
lets take it slow girl, im a long laster'

hahehaheahaeheahaehaehaehaehaaehaehaeheahaehahaehaehaeh.

I maintain one thing, many an instance ive questioned if ive left a childhood behind, sacrificed it for a larger good, pursued larger responsibilities and forgotten to spend that evening watching a movie or having a coffee. For i am only 22, but for the many lives ive changed, for the change ive inspired, for the people ive led and for the legacy ive left behind- holy crap it is the best feeling in the world to get the ultimate of kicks from watching (and guffawing) to a mindless bollywood flick on a lazy sunday afternoon.....never silence the child within....
At times, i know the things many of us have seen at this age, the questions we have forced to ask ourselves, the people we have removed from our circle because they didn't live upto personal yardsticks- all in years (seemingly) much premature to their necessity, have left us with the feeling that we're clawing onto a youthfullness - fleeting ever so fast. nothing of the sort. it's right there- only enjoyed now with a sense of maturity and a sense of deservedness. do i sound to high and mighty? ofcourse:)- but then you know im like that only.

Life- I hope you continue to surprise me in ways I might have dispelled or forgotten.
P.S- - its spring in switzerland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! woooooooohooooooooooo

respect.

yes im into poetry. yes i can wax eloquent on neruda, willingworth , william, homer and more...
but nothing and i mean nothing takes away from the true to god poetry of pure unadulterated gangster rap.

50's latest offering rules. simple.

Its a hustler's ambition, close your eyes listen, see my vision
Mossberg pumpin, shotgun jumpin the drama means nothin
It's part of the game, catch me in the coupe switchin lanes
Or in the jewler's switchin chains
I upgrade from 30 B-s to clean V-s
Rocks that I copped procedes from the spot
I got the energy to win, I'm full of adrenaline
Play the curv and get nauseous, watchin the spinner spin
I'ma plan to make it, a prisoner of the state
Now I can invite yo ass out to my estate
Them hollow tips bent me up, but I'm back in shape
Pour Crystal in the blender and make a protein shake
I'm like the East coast number one playboy B
Hugh Hefner will tell you he don't got shit on me
The feds watch me, icey they can't stop me
Racist, pointin at me look at the niggaracci
Hello!


-excerpt from Hustler's ambition (50 cent)

Sunday, March 26, 2006

happy bday!


here's to neha on her 22nd bday:)....drop her a line at her blog.

Friday, March 24, 2006

true.

Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark places where it leads.

see you later...

tomorrow morning , one of the closest friends ive made in switzerland leaves.
he leaves for equador for a whirlwind year of travel, fun, excitement, challenges- basically a totally new life.

what he knows, and i want to remind him, is that a few evenings spent chilling with him in november 2004, was one one of the reasons I wanted to make switzerland the destination for my professional and personal future.....and in the process, we had some rocking times these past 6 months. we really did.

thanks gio. having you by my side in a country I have grown to love so much made me feel like one lucky son of a gun. im going to miss you, but ive learnt. im not going to say goodbye- this is just a see you later:)



eh javani (giovani:))
hai deewani:)
haa meri rani..
ruk jao raani..
dekh zara peeche murke...

i still cant believe you learnt that song perfectly bro.

Thursday, March 23, 2006

hilarious

call center movie - thanks dhanur:)

evolution.

This is evolution, The monkey, the man,& Then the gun.
-Marlyn Manson.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

this just in.

1. india has just been thrashed.
2. rob has been introduced to pandora and is rocking like a frog in a sock.
3. easter in leuven (belgium) with KS, NP and SS includes rang de basanti, pink panther and a south park marathon. bliss.
4. the coming 3 weeks include a barrage of meetings, weekend conferences in zurich (INPUT), bern (with le fabulous geneva EBs) , parties (neha's bday is coming up- 26th march) and continued search for the ultimate next step.
5. did i forget to mention- india has just been thrashed.

randy...

shikul sent this to me this morning...



This farmer has about 200 hens, but no rooster, and he wants chicks. So he goes down the road to the next farmer and asks if he has a rooster for sale.

The other farmer says, "yeah, I've got this great rooster, named Randy: He'll service every chicken you've got, no problem."

Well, Randy the Rooster costs a lot of money, but the farmer decides he'd be worth it. So, he buys Randy. The farmer takes Randy home and sets him down in the barn yard, giving the rooster a pep talk.

"Randy, I want you to pace yourself now. You've got a lot of chickens to service here, and you cost me a lot of money and, I'll need you to do a good job. So, take your time and have some fun," the farmer says with a chuckle.

Randy seems to understand; so the farmer points toward the henhouse and Randy takes off like a shot. Wham--- He nails every hen in there three or four times and the farmer is just shocked. Randy runs out of the hen house and sees a flock of geese down by the lake. Wham---He gets all the geese. Randy's up in the barn with the pigeons; he's in with the ducks. Randy is jumping on every fowl the farmer owns. The farmer is distraught, worried that his expensive rooster won't even last the day.
Sure enough, the farmer goes to bed and upon awakening the next day finds Randy dead as a doorknob, still as a rock, in the middle of the yard. Buzzards are circling overhead.
The farmer, saddened by the loss of such a colorful animal, shakes his head and says, "Oh Randy, I told you to pace yourself. I tried to get you to slow down, now look what you've done to yourself."

Randy opens one eye, nods toward the sky and says, "Shhh, they're getting closer."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

this is what test cricket is all about...

India 279 and 18 for 1 need 295 more runs to beat England 400 and 191 (Flintoff 50, Kumble 4-50)

A tantalising fifth day was in prospect at the Wankhede Stadium as India fought back magnificently to give themselves a chance of eking out a memorable win, though England still had the advantage after an intriguing contest on the fourth day.

these are the kind of matches that make heroes. Someone needs to step up and score the runs for India to firmly stamp a win for the hosts....God damnit, my kingdom for a chance to watch this live...

moses...

what a song i say what a song.

come on now, don't you want to see
this thing that's happening to me
like moses has power over sea
so you've got power over me

come on now don't you want to know
you're a refuge, somewhere i can go
you're air that, air that i can breathe
you're my golden opportunity


Moses by Coldplay

Monday, March 20, 2006

for you.

wednesday afternoon.
the message appears,
I smile to myself
the planning begins,
and soon ill be near.

we acknowledge,
and return to the routine,
a routine envied
from across the lands...
i want you to know this,
a routine envied
from across the many lands.


friday evening
my stallion takes me
noiselessly, securely..
across these winding purities...
for even machines must know,
what power lies
in the beauty of expectancy.

i reach the 'harbour',
get off my stallion...
take a deep breath,
as my nicotine enslaved brothers
thankfully do the same
not inhaling however,
nature's creation,
nevertheless for them,
a wonderful sensation.

the other machine
sings to me,
serene in it's pristine whiteness,
as i intertwine and overtake,
the luggage, the baggage,
the family and their baby carriage,
almost bumping into the lady,
I smile in apology,
for there is an unknown wisdom
in the elderly.

notice,
the big clock at the far end,
efficiently, affectionately
forsaken as 'the meeting point'.
many duos
hug, kiss, embrace in unision...
I walk past ...
for your abode
is at arms distance
at last.
but answer me this..
if in years gone by,
you receive anonymous
a request ..
'meet me'
with nothing else.
would you know where?
would you?
i think not.
a script, a song, an everlasting memory
tattooed on the hands of time.
you would wander the halls
of rkp, of vikky, of zuri...
looking for me.

you greet me at the entre..
with that smile...
honestly i think
there can be no more beautiful sight.

the days go by
in mindless movies
and flavored concotions
and ready made meals...
stolen naps - have their appeal.
we dare to venture
outside again,
only to replenish
the security of within.

and then in a flash of an eye
it's time to go..
there's no such thing
as the last kiss you know.
see you again
in a day or two..
and i'll get home and call you.
i love u.
i do.

Saturday, March 18, 2006

meat puppets

once again, thanks to the brilliance that is pandora, I discovered this killer band called the meat puppets that does covers of nirvana tracks.
I know a lot of you are big fans of kurt's last performance - the mtv unplugged in NY, and if you think you'd like a harder grunge version (vocals leave a lot to be desired but then who's comparing? :)) - get 'oh me, plateau and lake of fire'- very good stuff. karan, faraz- i expect you to be thanking me for this sometime soon...:)

the game of kings..

It was one of my uncles in the states that got me onto chess when I was quite young (maybe 12? 13? - must ask mom and find out exact dates)..followed by one amazing movie that kind of shaped my understanding and consequent love for the game " searching for bobby fischer" (a must see if you like chess); I remember sitting in new jersey with my uncle and baby cousin and watching it atleast 4 times that summer (which is saying a lot cos the other movie I watched repeatedly during the same time was mortal kombat - 16 times to count I think:))

i got quite serious about the game growing up. i think at a sub-conscious level I liked the calm and discipline it brought to an otherwise chaotic life that a young delhi boy can have (especially in my school)....I remember those trips to the russian academy where I used to play people my age and much older. the long corridor rooms with just the sounds of hands tapping the timers and sounds of 'check' resonating every odd minute.

chess continued to be something i enjoyed playing with my dad (who has an uncanny knack of having long spells of inactivity with the game but still being sharp as ever with his strategy:)) and most recently with a very close friend - gautam...who basically kicks ass...our best of 7's and best of 9's made long afternoons so enjoyable.
In bombay last year I found another class act of a chess player, one of the aggressive queens pawn attackers- Amit ....we got going on yahoo chess and kept the tradition going, just played him a few days back and we had a healthy draw to count for...

and now, following with yahoo chess and the insane number of games ive played there in the last few years - the aim is to get myself upto a 1400 rating and keep it!. dateline im not too sure of but am going to get myself to play a minimum of 3 games a week and stay slick on the mid game:)...
hahaha i love 'goal setting'.
it's a nice and lazy sunday morning (for the life of me i dont know why ive woken up at 8am but then im a creature of habit); listening to my brilliant radio on pandora and about to get myself some breakfast...a chocolate gipfeli with a one of those vanilla rolls would rule..

Friday, March 17, 2006

the empire brokeback

hahahaeheaheaha...star wars fans worldwide (especially KS) are shivering in anger with this mockery but lord is this video hilarious.

Thursday, March 16, 2006

it was holi yesterday.

yes it was. memories of water fights, splashing color, planned guerilla attacks on helpless victims, the patio in my house where all the kids would come and fill their buckets, the gujjia, the cricket matches at around 3 in the afternoon when all of us were drenched:).
more recently, memories of vasu, gautam and i lying back down facing the sun, smoking a cigarette and threatening to get wasted on bhaang (which hardly ever happened cos we were too lazy and too inclined to do something more energetic- most of the time) ; drying ourselves but enoying the idiotic look on each other's faces.:)

to yesterday, many miles away, in a cute little country tucked away in western europe, reading the mythology of a festival that plays its role in bringing the community together- , children, adults alike regailing in the simplistic joys - fun.

belated happy holi to my NRIs, and to my loved ones back home.

and as this blog is supposed to be educational, i thought id give my international readers (all 3 of them) some historical perspective as well:)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Holi - the festival of colours

As the brief spring warms the landscape, northern India cuts loose for a day of hijinx and general hilarity.

The festival of Holi is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March every year.

Originally a festival to celebrate good harvests and fertility of the land, Holi is now a symbolic commemmoration of a legend from Hindu Mythology. The story centres around an arrogant king who resents his son Prahlada worshipping Lord Vishnu. He attempts to kill his son but fails each time. Finally, the king's sister Holika who is said to be immune to burning, sits with the boy in a huge fire. However, the prince Prahlada emerges unscathed, while his aunt burns to death. Holi commemorates this event from mythology, and huge bonfires are burnt on the eve of Holi as its symbolic representation.

This exuberant festival is also associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha, and hence, Holi is spread over 16 days in Vrindavan as well as Mathura - the two cities with which Lord Krishna shared a deep affiliation. Apart from the usual fun with coloured powder and water, Holi is marked by vibrant processions which are accompanied by folk songs, dances and a general sense of abandoned vitality.

Today Holi is an excuse for Indians to shed inhibitions and caste differences for a day of spring fever and Big Fun. Teenagers spend the day flirting and misbehaving in the streets, adults extend the hand of peace, and everyone chases everyone else around, throwing brightly colored powder (gulal) and water over each other.

The festival's preamble begins on the night of the full moon. Bonfires are lit on street corners to cleanse the air of evil spirits and bad vibes, and to symbolize the destruction of the wicked Holika, for whom the festival was named. The following morning, the streets fill with people running, shouting, giggling and splashing. Marijuana-based bhang and thandai add to the uninhibited atmosphere.

Promptly at noon, the craziness comes to an end and everyone heads to either the river or the bathtub, then inside to relax the day away and partake of candies. In the afternoon an exhausted and contented silence falls over India. Although Holi is observed all over the north, it's celebrated with special joy and zest at Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandgaon, and Barsnar. These towns once housed the divine Krishna.

Each area celebrates Holi differently; the Bhil tribesmen of western Madhya Pradesh, who've retained many of their pre-Hindu customs, celebrate holi in a unique way. In rural Maharashtra State, where the festival is known as Rangapanchami it is celebrated with dancing and singing. In the towns of Rajasthan — especially Jaisalmer — the music's great, and clouds of pink, green, and turquoise powder fill the air. The grounds of Jaisalmer's Mandir Palace are turned into chaos, with dances, folk songs, and colored-powder confusion.

she writes beautifully.,

she really does. kind of took the words right out of my mouth with some of those lines neha..the latest offering

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

The Protectionism Summit?

European financial and industrial ministers ended two days of meetings in Brussels more divided than ever over how to calm Europe's divisions over protectionism. Some warned the issue could endanger European Union stability.

The Italians want to stop Chinese shoes and textiles from taking their markets, but they at the same time want to stop the French and Poles from protecting their respective energy and banking markets from Italians.

Luxembourg is determined to block Dutch-listed Mittal Steel from buying its Arcelor. Spain has changed its laws to block Germany's E.On from taking over Endesa.

The conflicts come to a head when EU government leaders meet for a 25-country summit next week at which they'll try to unify around economic goals. What they face is that what the French call "economic patriotism" is beginning to threaten the European dream.

more here

eventful

april 13th-17th: Leuven, Belgium (easter holidays reunion with KS)
may 19th- zurich-dubai
dubai-delhi

June 9th: Delhi-Mumbai to spend 3 days of undeniable choas and catching up with sir sam.


in the meantime, the last legacy shall be created...

Suppose that we are wise enough to learn and know and yet not wise enough to control our learning and knowledge, so that we use it to destroy ourselves? Even if that is so, knowledge remains better than ignorance. It is better to know even if the knowledge endures only for the moment that comes before destruction than to gain eternal life at the price of a dull and swinish lack of comprehension of a universe that swirls unseen before us in all its wonder. That was the choice of Achilles, and it is mine, too.


-Isaac Asimov.
(btw, ive watched bits of troy about 8 times in the past 1 week - is that wierd?)

dc ..have patience for..

If God brings you to it, God will bring you through it.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006


well if nothing else I could do this for a living:) - at the silo lounge- bern, switzerland. giovani's 'see you later' party (he hates goodbyes).... Posted by Picasa


DJ DC? Posted by Picasa

return.

FLIGHT : EK 0088 CLASS : ECONOMY STATUS:CONFIRMED
DEPART : ZURICH ARRIVE : DUBAI
TERMINAL: 1
DATE : 19MAY 06 FRIDAY DATE : 19MAY 06 FRIDAY
TIME : 15:45 TIME : 23:55
AIRCRAFT: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A340-500
ELAPSED FLYING TIME : 06 HRS 10 MIN DIRECT FLIGHT : YES
---------------------------------------------------------------
FLIGHT : EK 0510 CLASS : ECONOMY STATUS:CONFIRMED
DEPART : DUBAI ARRIVE : DELHI
TERMINAL: 1 TERMINAL: 2
DATE : 20MAY 06 SATURDAY DATE : 20MAY 06 SATURDAY
TIME : 04:35 TIME : 09:15
AIRCRAFT: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A330-200
ELAPSED FLYING TIME : 03 HRS 10 MIN DIRECT FLIGHT : YES
---------------------------------------------------------------

WE WISH YOU A PLEASANT JOURNEY.

mark the date.

these cows have got it good.

with a higher GDP than most african nations.
heidi and the rest of her gang have it good. how do i know? got this off bee's blog.

Monday, March 13, 2006

a new look- some old memories..

was getting bored of the dull and dreary look so decided to shift to this new template:) which I am 'to-be-liking' very much. Neha , sorry for blatantly plaguerizing your beauty of a blog..but then ive always been an admirer havent I?

Yavor, although my blog seems to be a hinderance to your education (a sin for which I shall be punished:)), thanks for visiting from time to time....

Old memories of IPM stay sharp and vivid. However they are softening in their existence and bringing me a level of calm and inner strength ...it heals.

found this picture off gary's blog. i think it's all the director candidates in the room prior to the final announcement.
great pic.

hell yeah! 1-0 first blood.


yup...after the greatest one-day internationals of all time, India have continued to work on keeping the upbeat mood with a clinical victory in the second test.
Keep going boys , the series is ours:)
wooooohoooooooooo


excerpts:
Sehwag powers India to victory

A festive Monday afternoon crowd, probably the largest of the match, beat their drums and waved the tricolour as Virender Sehwag got stuck into the England bowlers and India romped to a nine-wicket win in the second Test, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series

Sunday, March 12, 2006

deserved..


watched crash with neha on saturday. all I can say is - what a fantastically intense movie. briliant acting, riveting story line and the director's ability to get the characters to say what is really on the edge of everyone's lips is brilliant.

i was a little dissapointed of how sandra bullock's character (upper class white woman - wife to the District Attorney vying for the black vote in the upcoming election) winds down to being 'saved' by the hispanic maid in the house...but i guess not all elements would reach climax points like... OK go see the movie!!!

ludacris can act as well btw:) - he's in the movie playing the role of a petty car thief. Some of the lines he delivers are pure class, especially when he's denouncing the nature of the hip-hop music of today (which glorifies only the thuggish nature of the young black community) :)- ironic huh?

overall a must see, and although I haven't seen brokeback mountain and the thought of hearing one gay cowboy telling another 'i cant quit ya!' is exciting- I have a feeling 'Crash' won a well deserved victory.

hmmmm...what else? woke up to the sound of laughter with jude (ceo abundant sun and a partner of AIESEC Switzerland) taking a cultural sensitivity training with a group of 8 odd people. CK's here, so are zuzka and bee...i like to wake up the sound of laughter:) those days are few and far between, you guys might remember me talking about the eerie silence of this place...

anyway, enough of that...heading out for some lunch now- the lazy sunday has still to be explored.

Friday, March 10, 2006

time to chillllll.

yeah, the week has been semi-eventful but tiring. tomorrow will mark one week since my return from amsterdam. looking forward to 2 days of movie watching, fine dining (which is basically ready to cook and eat indian meals that neha's mom so generously left behind in zurich :) and more relaxed tv viewing. saturday ill be partying with one of my closest friends - giovani and most probably bidding him a tearful farewell:(. but more on that later....

its 10 to 6 in the evening, bee and zuzka have left for some weekend shopping whilst rob is off to watch a friends' cousins' school play. sabi is busy vaccuming and im sorting out the gazillion thoughts in my head...'tis is the life.
outside it's a clear sky and i wonder if ive started to take the beauty of this country for granted.
no way :)

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

4 seasons in one day


(view from my room)

have you heard this classic crowded house number ? beautiful.
but yeah, thats whats happening out here in the alpine lands of swissness. the day starts with glorious mornings of promise, set the tone for a sunny day.
it then transcends into a version of grey not suitable for the auspicious beginning.
one makes the mistake of looking down,
for on looking up again the snow has begun to flitter down...in flakes of crystaline white...purifying.
the snow turns to rain, the rain turns to snow. they play hide and seek from within the clowds. i was hoping the sun would be a little more playful.
the winds of chill enter the evening, biting my cheeks as if warning me of things to come.
i walk past hirschengraben , up the street to where the lights are brighter....a bit of a refuge. i laugh to myself of how dad used to recite 'guisanplatz'- an adorable father, an awesome man. i miss you and i'll be home soon.
but now, its time for beer and conversations. ironic isnt it, for I too experience 4 seasons in one day, just like mother. mother nature.

need the strings..need em bad

in amsterdam we had one of those random guitar jamming and singing sessions sitting on the lazy boys whilst the spanish party rocked on upstairs.
i hadnt played for over 6 months.
but it didnt matter. despite being a bit rusty, the fingers flew across the fret board and i dished out a couple of on the spot numbers reminiscent of my old school classics.
key learning - the presence of the 6-string is essential for van chitgough- souls will be sold to ensure i dont make the mistake i made this time of sacrificing the talent, the gift from above for monetary saving :)

play the blues brother. play the blues.

leaders..

2 developmental conferences in jamshedpur, a 10 month long intensive responsibility of Human resource and Logistics for the largest youth convention ever in the history of the country; a whirlwind india tour with parents, friends and more family.,,

and she still isn't done:)

adrienne, i raise my hat to you, hell ill even do a little dance for you. if there was someone who picked up on the true principles of an international experience, moulded it into a passion borne out of exposure- you're the one. i wish you the best of luck- you're sharper than a knife and i know you're new venture is going to rock. how many people take a train to dadar from vikhroli thrice a week to teach slum kids after an intensely hectic day of work. i always knew there was a passion to do more...what a girl:) (what do you think i forgot?)

What is atmamumbai?
Atma Mumbai is a foundation with a unique approach operating in Mumbai, India. Atma Mumbai partners with existing local educational organisations to strengthen their structure and improve the lives of thousands of underprivileged children.

Atma Mumbai believes that aid can be utilized in a more direct and effective way through partnership at the grassroots level. Through these collaborations Atma Mumbai uncovers the heart of the troubles these organisations face, and solves them through profound cooperation. The uniqueness of the foundation lies in the combination of consultancy and cooperation on a practical and strategic level for action and results.

The Atma Mumbai Foundation wishes to act next to the ‘cooperative consultancy’, as a facilitating body between charities and the funding world, with a clear vision - to strengthen capacity and self- sustainability through long term planning.

“Atma” means soul in Hindi and Mumbai itself counts 16 million souls, of which 60% are slum and pavement dwellers. These souls inspire Atma Mumbai to help them build a better future with hope, self-respect and opportunities through educational programs. Equally important for fulfilling its mission, Atma Mumbai seeks people who want to support educational development in the third world. The name of the foundation not only refers to the soul of Mumbai, but the soul of its supporters who believe in its mission and contribute money, time and other resources on behalf of these projects and these children.


adrienne, missing you loads...will see you when im back in india.

Monday, March 06, 2006

switching gears.

its incredible how situations change, how paths evolve, diverge, disconnect.
2 weeks ago was a different story for van chitgough. today i stand no longer at a crossroad, but a vast ocean of possibility.

the opportunities are endless
but the heart must still heal.
who says that wounds..
need time to seal..?
determined am i...
to create the future....

in overdrive mode,
going way too fast...
a sharp curve
to a wider highway.

and there's going to be chaos to cultivate and friendships to revisit and relationships to rekindle.
life is awaiting to be lived.

the ultimate...what shall be the next step? watch this space....hell hath no fury like a chitgo scorned:)
There is serenity in Chaos.
Seek ye the Eye of the Hurricane.


hahahaha and they say im a drama queen..whatever gave them that idea?:)

Sunday, March 05, 2006

P.S.- flicken...

btw, the flickr on the right hand corner of me blog has been updated with pics from amsterdam....this for all the people who hate getting 3454 mb sized emails with pictures of random vacations...:)

time..

one of the most beautiful songs I have heard in recent times.
In this genre that has taken over my musical library (lickpenny loafer, damien rice, nick drake...)...Alexi Murdoch joins the select.

excerpts from 'time'..:

i wonder why...
we are the way we are
and why
we only
love each other from afar..
this is how we are fading
this is how we are fading..
time....

you spend your days
watching the door
yeah you spend your whole life waiting
but you dont know what for....
you have every thing you need right here
still you want more..
this is how we are fading
this is how we are fading..
time.....

you hold on to yourself
you're afraid you might..
get left behind.
and so you hide your eyes
you're afraid that the light
will make you blind...
but it's time...
it's time to shine.

yes it's time to believe in what you know
time to believe in what you know
and you dont need strength to be strong..

Saturday, March 04, 2006

return.

heading to amsterdam in about half an hour.will be chilling with vikas for the day before catching the flight to geneva at 9 in the evening.
it's been an intense 2 weeks. im exhausted but wiser of it....
looking forward to seeing my swiss mates back home. see you soon brothers.

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