tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366242662024-03-08T08:20:55.170-08:00My Thoughts, My SpacePMJohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15537265690009655578noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36624266.post-33688605874726103502007-08-14T01:32:00.000-07:002007-08-14T01:38:46.640-07:00I should be doing that!<span style="color:#ff6600;">I had this interesting conversation with a friend last week. We talked about how pampered we are in India - there are so many things we should be doing ourselves at this age, but we have the easy way out. Now don't get me wrong, I know some of us are more pampered than the rest. But this is about me - it's got me thinking about the many things I should be doing myself or atleast capable of doing myself. So in actual fact this is a confession on how useless I can be.<br />1. Drive - I so wish I could drive. Here's the history - Just before I turned 18, I was really enthusiastic about driving and got myself some lessons and eventually my license when I qualified. After which of course lethargy set in and I have always had someone really reliable to drive me around!(thanks to My Dad, Rahul, Aashish, Renie, Mart, Thanigai and now Zac!). Now I am petrified of the thought of ever driving in Chennai.<br />2. Iron clothes - I hate this chore and have always had someone to do it for me. I'm sure I could do it if I tried, but not as well though.<br />3. Making coffee - this has always been a task for my husband, before which it was my mum which means I have never been able to make the perfect cup of coffee for myself!<br />4. Change bulbs - I know I can do this, I think I have in the past. But now anytime this needs to be done, I wait for my husband....terrible, I know!<br />5. Wash dishes - I can do this, but avoid this as much as possible. I love cooking and will cook as much as people around me can eat. But the dirty dishes after are a nightmare.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">There are so many more things, but I don't want to look too useless- if I have not achieved that already - are there things you should do which you don't and why??</span>PMJohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15537265690009655578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36624266.post-88077705520360715222007-05-22T09:23:00.000-07:002007-05-24T02:28:39.543-07:00Like Good Wine<span style="color:#993399;"><br />There are so many things we learn to do(better) with age and experience. We might actually lose spontaneity, but we are certainly not as brash as we might have been. I can definitely vouch for this.<br /><br />A few years ago, I would not have been able to deal with the various kinds of people I come across - I would either act snobbish or just shut up(or shut down). If someone was not like me or likeable by me(!) - I couldn't deal with them. I'm sorry I was that way, I'm glad I'm not like that anymore. Nowadays I find myself dealing with all kinds - the likeable ones, the tolerable ones, different ones, weird ones and the unlikable ones. And by 'dealing' I mean being sociable and not labeling someone because they are different.<br /><br />Another skill I've picked up along the way is to be diplomatic - don't know if that's the right word actually - what I really mean is being able to put things nicely.....even when it isn't the best news to convey or the most pleasant subject. And who better to learn from than Mr.Gandhi(the original!) - here is a line from a letter he wrote to Hitler trying to dissuade him from causing The War.<br /><br /><strong>"It is quite clear that you are today the one person in the world who can prevent a war which may reduce humanity to the savage state. Must you pay that price for an object, however worthy it may appear to you to be?" </strong><br /><strong><br /></strong>Hitler went against all that Gandhi stood for. He must have despised him - or maybe he was really tolerable to the extent that he did not despise anyone - though that's really hard to believe. In spite of all this, he comes across really calm and collected. He might not have actually stopped the war, but personally, I would be far more convinced by someone who spoke to me like this. But then again - everyone is different!</span><br /></span>PMJohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15537265690009655578noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36624266.post-3011375109023022902007-05-16T07:48:00.000-07:002007-05-16T07:50:39.857-07:00Go Shorty, It's your Birthday!!<span style="color:#6600cc;">I turned 26 on Sunday and it gave us a reason to celebrate and party. We went out to Zaras which is always a special place because that's where Mart and myself first met outside of work. Loads of my friends showed up from work, school, college and otherwise. It was good fun. The next day we went out for the brunch to The Park which is also a favourite of mine - we had our wedding reception here as we love the food here! In the evening a few of my friends had organsied for us to go to this orphanage that I have been meaning to go to. This was very special. The kids were really well behaved and I was really touched to see their happy faces wishing me Happy Birthday at the end of their meal. On Monday my team at work also had a surprise for me - we had a bit of celebration at work as well. So it was a good weekend on the whole and I got some good presents to top it all off.<br />So here are some special moments in particular:<br />1. My brother hugging me(he never hugs anyone!) and giving me a card in which he had said 'Thanks for everything and that I was the best'! We never say things like that in our family - we are not very expressive - so it made it really special.<br />2. Mart's gift which he went to great trouble getting(thanks Renie)! He really puts thought into his gifts and cards. The card had a cup of coffee on the front. This is the first thing I ask for when I wake up and I will bother Mart till it is made - yes, he makes the filter coffee at home!<br />3. Everyone showing up at Zaras - esp Anju(not because she reads the blog - but 'cause I don't see her as often).<br />4. Having Zac back in the country - yay! Well this is not only on my birthday, but otherwise as well!<br />4. The message on the cake from my team - it didn't say just Happy Birthday - it also said: 'You make a difference to the team' - that was very special.<br />5. Finally the kids in the orphanage and the smiles on their faces. In spite of their misfortune, those were some of the happiest smiles I've seen in awhile. They also insisted on feeding me biriyani!</span>PMJohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15537265690009655578noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36624266.post-78196354755748313482007-05-08T02:28:00.000-07:002007-05-08T03:26:44.981-07:0010 things about meAnju...see what you had me do today.....<br />I had forgotten my Blogger login for sometime now, that's why there hasn't been an entry in a while....you have to credit me for the excuses I come up with! But honestly, everytime I had something to say, I would try logging in and fail and give up. But Anju 'tagged' me ...you learn something new everyday. This led me to click on the'I forgot my password' button, which had me login to my hotmail account that I haven't checked in ages, and yes I have about 240 unread emails. This is how lazy or busy I have got over the last couple of months!<br />Moving onto 10 things about me - it is too vast a topic, if it were 10 things I hate about myself or 10 things I am proud of, it would have been a lot easier. But I'll give it a go - these are things that come to me immediately.<br /><br />1. I am generally very straight forward and honest, which has got me in trouble in the past. I don't really believe in keeping too many secrets.<br /><br />2. I love to exercise and one of my goals in life is to run a marathon someday.<br /><br />3. I am proud of my Indian Heritage and would like to be a Gandhian.<br /><br />4. The only hitch to being a Gandhian is my love for clothes and other materialistic things like perfume, shoes and wine!!!<br /><br />5. If you are with me there has got to be 'a plan' even if it means lazing around or watching TV, I like to know what I'm doing next.<br /><br />6. I love good conversation over food, wine or coffee - you pick and I'll adapt!!<br /><br />7. This is for Munna - yes, I used to be crazy about MJ; for Mart- yes, I used to be a bit of a rock chick, for everyone else - yes, I used to be a wild child! But things change......<br /><br />8. I'm terrible scared of dogs. But don't mind creepy crawlies.<br /><br />9. With each passing year I see myself becoming more and more like my parents and it's scary, but it's nice to feel connected to them in this way.<br /><br />10. I am married and life has never been this good. I enjoy work and have a great set of friends. But I'm such a pessimist, I am always fearing for the worst to happen as everything is going well.PMJohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15537265690009655578noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36624266.post-1170942111980467822007-02-08T05:08:00.000-08:002007-02-09T04:16:29.953-08:00My alone time<span style="color:#cc66cc;"><br />I haven't found time lately to blog, inspite of having a lot to say...like always!!! Reasons being...I have temporarily taken up another role at office and have been very caught up with work. Another thing I have not found enough time to do is cook....put food on the table!!! As crazy it might seem, I actually feel guilty when I don't cook a meal for a couple of days....the guilt might be due to a variety of reasons - eating 'oh so unhealthy food' from outside so often(family of mine - are you listening??!) and of course not being that perfect person who is responsible for preparing the daily meal!! The funny thing is when I was unemployed for a few months and spent a lot of time in the kitchen, I would feel guilty about not being at work, earning my own living and so own. It's really difficult getting the right balance of home and work and when it doesn't happen the feeling of 'not being good enough' sets in. At the same time, I have to salute all those women in the past - our mums and grandmums who have achieved this balance so well. Atleast nowadays we have things that make it easier for us - grinders, blenders, ready mixes and what not. Also the men in our lives feel the need to assist and will always oblige to a cry of help from the kitchen....sometimes you might have to cry extra loud, but it works!! I doubt it was as easy in the past.....and yet we(well atleast I) find it difficult. While on the subject on cooking, I really enjoy the time I spend in the kitchen...it's my alone time. I never considered myself very creative. Lefties are supposedly very creative by nature and I was an exception!!! I couldn't draw, paint and was never very good at even origamy(remember those books?! I collected the nice colour paper we would get with it!!). But ever since I started cooking, the little bit of creativity is being put to use. Today Zac and I experimented with making dosas and the joy when we got one right!!! My husband is always a guinea pig for the various dishes I try....but he has always been very appreciative and he says it is because he was deprived of good food as he was in England! Indian food is very easy, everything usually has the same 3 or 4 masalas and you can't go wrong...why even Shilpa Shetty cooked a chicken curry on TV for the first time... and apparently it rules!!! The only thing I have problems with are the names of things...the multiple words from various languages that are used confuse me....I mean can someone(I nominate Shweta) tell me the names of the different dals with the hindi, english and if possible the tamil names? Now that I've got that out of my system...here are few of my favourite foods : Fish n chips<br />Beef fry<br />A good home made chicken curry<br />Dosas<br />My mum's homemade biriyani...very diff from the restaurant types<br />Subway cookies...chocolate in any form (wait does that qualify as food)<br />Sticky date pudding<br />Death by chocolate...back to the C word!<br />I think I should stop thinking of all this food....the gym calls!</span><br /></span>PMJohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15537265690009655578noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36624266.post-1168276596048726212007-01-08T09:15:00.000-08:002007-01-08T09:16:36.063-08:00Dear Zac<span style="color:#000000;">Dear Zac,<br />It's funny how I write letters to you in my head....wonder if other people do this as well. The sad part is how I rarely write it down or type an email with the same thoughts. I think it has to do with the fact that we have lived in different places, different cities and even different countries a lot; and each time I experience something new or wonderful or maybe even something quite sad, I feel I should share it with you the next time I write to you or see you. I usually never get around to writing it down, so that's why we never run out of topics of conversation when we meet!!!<br />People keep asking me if you have changed from the whole experience of living in Australia. My standard answer is "yes....definately!". Well you have, you've aquired a few important skills like the art of making chappattis! Which I have to admit I cannot do. But you have essentially remained the same person, probably slightly more mature...but the same. For example, previously, if the topic of conversation did not interest you, you would automatically switch off! You don't do that anymore....wonder if you have noticed that yourself? Also your hair has magically got a lot straighter, it must be the magic conditioner! Imagine if you were to sell that in your homeland - Kerala - you would make a load of cash!!! Also, a few years ago you might not have even considered foregoing a New Years party so that you could spend it with family. You did it this year and Survived!!! Of course you played spoilsport and didn't take our calls - but thats another story!! Well what I am getting around to saying is that you have changed for the better but are essentially the same old Zac...always up for a good time, full of affection, never forming an opinion because of something somebody said, giving everybody a fair chance and a big fan of fish biriyani!<br />'Thanks for being you' Zacster and balancing out my personality so well(almost as well as Mart!).<br />Have a good year ahead....make the most of it.<br />Love,<br />Pallavi.</span>PMJohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15537265690009655578noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36624266.post-1164016040022848312006-11-20T01:42:00.000-08:002006-11-20T20:06:14.176-08:00Cheer Up love...it's not the end of the world!"Cheer Up love...it's not the end of the world!" A stranger actually said this to me at the airport in London!<br /><br />I have been meaning to blog for a few days now...last week was quite stressful. It definitely started off badly, what a typical Monday. Well, honestly I'm not one of those people who hate Mondays - you know people who invariable start the week in the foulest of moods...though I know quite of few of this kind! Monday is like any other day to me...just like Rainy days don't depress me. But last Monday seemed quite bad.<br />To start off with, the interviews I had scheduled for the weekend before completely flopped. I mean, they sounded like dream candidates....but turned out to be the biggest frauds ever, would you believe we were tempted to call the police!!!! How can you blatantly lie about your work experience and skills, you are bound to be found out...and isn't it embarrassing???! Ok, well even if you fluke it and get the job, how would you do your job without knowing what to do or how to do it??!!! I don't think I will ever be able to understand some people.<br />At the end of a hard day at work, I decided I needed to restart my yoga(I hadn't been to classes since my fall). As I was leaving work on time, my boss clocked me(Literally!) and pointed to his watch and said I was leaving three minutes early. I tried to explain that the time on my PC read 17:32...but he said that the only time that mattered was the time on his watch. Well okay then....what about the countless times I have left work after 20:00 on my PC and his watch!!! So I left for yoga class feeling terrible and completely unappreciated.<br />I didn't manage to enjoy myself as much at yoga either....my right arm was killing me and I wasn't able to do most of the routines or positions as well. I hate feeling inadequate, especially when I was able to do something that I can't anymore...it's sort of the same feeling I get when I can't fit into my favourite pair of jeans! For all my female friends reading this, you might laugh, but you know what I'm talking about...you've been there!<br />So I got home feeling pretty much like shit, and to top it off I had my husband give me a lecture about standing up for myself and being able to say 'no'. All this while I made dinner. I was so down by the end of it all, I had to end the day on a better note. So I put on my Christmas music CD...I know it's early, but there's nothing better than Christmas and Christmas music to cheer you up(well it might not work for everyone - but it works on me!). I don't know what it is, it could be the general festive spirit Christmas is known for or memories of many fun times during this season. Whatever it is, it worked for me...it's funny how the simplest thing can make you smile.<br />I'm trying to think of other simple things that can be used to cheer you up :<br />A good ol' sitcom.<br />An honest compliment.<br />Chocolate...it really works!<br />Bumping into a long lost friend.<br />The rain - especially when you are from Vellore.<br />The Sun - especially when you are from Stoke!<br />I'm sure there are a lot more you can think of....list them out if you can remember any..PMJohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15537265690009655578noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36624266.post-1163140600238484772006-11-09T22:35:00.000-08:002006-11-09T22:48:56.250-08:00A lesson well learnt<span style="color:#6600cc;">I have this uncanny ability to remember alot of detail from many years ago, details that usually do not matter, such as what somebody was wearing when we went to see a certain movie. My brother is the same as well, he can quote something I have said about five years ago, again it usually is something very insignificant! My mom always said we should have put this ability to better use with studies!!!! </span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">You know when you are a kid and assume that the world revolves around you....well I was probably like that for the first seven years of my life. I remember clearly the incident that burst my bubble, and thank god for that! My birthday was approaching, I was about to turn seven. Like every other year before I assumed that I would have a birthday party, all the kids would be over, we would play fun games, I would get a cake with seven candles on it and I would get loads of gifts.....and all this would be in my honour!!! However this was not meant to happen. I remember my dad having a talk with me(he probably felt very bad to have to say this to me). He said that we were going to buy a car that year.....a second hand, old model of the Maruti 800(TCJ 63), oh the good ol' days! Because of this we would not be able to afford to have my birthday party. I think I took it quite well, considering I could throw a tantrum in those days! I remember thinking by me not having a birthday party, and making the ULTIMATE sacrifice, we could afford a car. So in my mind I actually thought I was contibuting to the purchase of this car...we were going to get a car because of my sacrifice...lol!!!So that's probably when I realised that the world did not revolve around me and I have loved to give ever since, in my own little way. It was a lesson well learnt. Of course it did not teach me anything about saving my money or my dad's for that matter!! </span>PMJohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15537265690009655578noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36624266.post-1162874592956183702006-11-06T20:39:00.000-08:002006-11-06T20:43:12.963-08:00And I did it my way<span style="color:#990000;">By always trying to 'be good' we miss the possibility of being 'great'.</span><br /><span style="color:#990000;">I came across this recently and loved the line. To me it means by being good or doing something the 'right' way we limit ourselves. By sticking to the coventional way we miss the possibilities of a better or greater option. All it takes is a little courage to maybe take up that job you thought you were not confident of doing, or trying a new sport, or moving to another country.....or even as simple as ordering something different at a restaurant. I have been guilty a few times of sticking to the 'tried and tested' way of doing things, but have often been delighted when the unconventional way has worked out really well. I can give you a few examples but if you know me you would probably know them anyway!</span>PMJohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15537265690009655578noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36624266.post-1162447058986734782006-11-01T21:49:00.000-08:002006-11-01T22:00:58.813-08:00And then the Rains came...<span style="color:#009900;">It's been a traumatic weekend in Madras and I live to tell the story! It has been over cast and raining constantly for over 10 days and our poor city just cannot take it.<br />On Saturday, we were to go for this annual ball which is a very formal event, to start off with anyway. It's quite funny actually, the first few times I attended such events, I always felt like Eliza Doolittle at the race!! I've now become comfortable attending these events(as long as it isn't too often!) and quite enjoy getting dolled up for it. I pampered myself with a pedicure and manicure. I indulged even more by getting my hair done in ringlets...my poor hair needs therapy, just as it's getting used to being straight(after being wavy for 25 odd years) I decide to confuse it again and curl it. I wore my designer dress that has been in the closet(lol) for a good 3 months waiting for this event, I even wore my precious diamond jewelry. Ok before I bore the men folk reading this....basically I went all out....<br />We had a pretty good time but as we left the hotel reality sort of set in while we drove through flooded main roads. As we turned onto the road where we live I was just about to destress when we saw the water level was so high, we could have used a boat instead of a car....thus Renie's wiseguy comment! Well the engine of our car died right in the middle of the road....wish we had that Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car...does anybody else remember these movies...or is it only me?<br />We waited for a few minutes as my husband got restless and insisted that we walk it to our house. But...I'd had a pedicure, I was wearing a new dress and my shoes...my beautiful shoes!!!! Apart from all this, I have always felt disgust and sympathy at the same time whenever I looked out of my car window and spotted people wading through stagnant rainwater....yes I can be snobbish however hard I try not to be! So I refused to get out of the car, I had my feet on the seat as the water was now flooding the bloody car. I waited it out for almost an hour before our driver said to me in a very sympathetic tone that the only option was to wade through the water upto our apartment. So I put on Martin's dinner jacket, took off my shoes and hiked my dress up and walked through the water(the water was almost upto my waist)....it should have taken about 10 to 15mins but it seemed like a lifetime. I felt extremely emotional and humiliated for some reason, but I also felt grateful...it's amazing how strangers can help you and give you courage....there was this lady who offered to walk along with me to sort of guide me, as the roads(that we could not see) were broken and we needed to avoid the ditches. I finally made it home, we had to take the stairs as even the lift was flooded.<br />I made sure I had a good long hot shower when we made it back ....the story does not end here, well not quite anyway. I couldn't sleep after all that drama, so I decided to make a cup of tea. As I walked into the kitchen I failed to notice water streaming into the apartment under the main door. So...yes I slipped and fell down really badly on my right arm - the one that I had broken about 15yrs ago. I screamed and cried, probably waking the whole building early Sunday morning. All that Yoga and Weight Training for my weak right elbow gone to waste. It is now as weak as it was when I had the fracture 15yrs ago. Well anyways the only good things to come out of the whole ordeal - </span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">I was forced to make the long overdue trip to Vellore...I need to go more often.</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">I</span><span style="color:#009900;"> had a story to tell on my blog!</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">I don't go all snobbish when I see poor souls walking through the floods...well not yet anyway!</span>PMJohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15537265690009655578noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36624266.post-1162128124605969772006-10-29T04:38:00.000-08:002006-10-31T22:04:11.763-08:00Wish upon a falling star<span style="color:#cc9933;">I have always liked trying new things it terms of fitness........I have gymed for ages, I jog, I used to do aerobics and yoga, I have even done kick-boxing! Recently I rejoined Power Yoga classes after I ran into Divya who is a great Yoga Instructor. I have to admit I am crap at yoga or anything else that requires me to be flexible, but I absolutely love doing these classes. The classes are held on the terrace of a Beasant Nagar Apartment Building from where you can see the beach, the setting sun, the church, the temple and a typical chaotic scene of the city I have come to adore and call home. It is a great way to end a busy or not so busy day at work.</span><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">The other day we were ending the class with some breathing and relaxation excercises. Now the point of the excerices was to let your mind and body relax. The instructions were clear...try NOT to let your mind wander. So there we were lying on our mats facing the sky as the sun set and the stars started twinkling. As I stared at the dark sky, I noticed a falling star(Also called shooting star...& yes I googled it to see if they were the same!)...I don't think I've seen one before. Then of course I remembered you are to wish upon a falling star and though I don't believe in such things I decided to do so just in case! So my mind was racing....a successful career I thought to myself...but no that was too selfish.......a happy life....nah, too much of a cliche....I know that wishing to lose weight or pass an exam does not work(don't even ask), so I won't consider those. World Peace.....now that's not selfish and god knows we could do with that and maybe if there were enough of us wishing for it, who knows it might come true.....</span><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">To Divya.....I will try to not let my mind wander the next time.....</span>PMJohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15537265690009655578noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36624266.post-1161925750221955902006-10-26T22:06:00.000-07:002006-10-26T22:12:33.450-07:00Beautiful....<span style="color:#cc33cc;">I had just cooked dinner last night and as I walked out of the kitchen, my husband looked at me, smiled and said..."Beautiful". I had to smile. Well of course it's great when your husband (still) thinks you're beautiful, but I was smiling because I had just spent an hour in the kitchen....so I was pouring with sweat, had not combed my hair in over 12 hours, I had not bothered to wash my face after work so I had my eyeliner and kajal running all over my sweaty face and I was probably smelling of onions and garlic......basically I looked terrible! So when somebody finds you beautiful all the time....when you wakeup in the morning and look like you've been in a hurricane hit spot, when you've been sick and have a runny nose or when you walk out of the kitchen looking like you've been in a combat zone, it's very special. To me this actually translates into unconditional love. You know when you have become very fond of someone, they start looking really nice in your eyes?(as opposed to before you knew them, or worse - if you disliked them at some point!) Many people have asked me(Esp before our wedding) - "how do you know that this person is 'the one'?". I have always rattled off different answers depending on my mood or the person I'm talking to. But here it is people, it can't get more obvious than this - when you receive unconditional love and he finds you beautiful no matter what - Go For it!!! Of course you have to feel the same way as well.... </span>PMJohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15537265690009655578noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36624266.post-1161844041985789462006-10-25T23:16:00.000-07:002006-10-25T23:28:37.496-07:00I Love........<span style="color:#3333ff;">I Love.......<br />Martin....My Husband<br />A cup of strong coffee made by my mom - early in the morning<br />To make my friends laugh</span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">My brother's Smile<br />The feeling after a good workout<br />Being Passionate about something<br />Watching kids at play<br />A good gossip session with my best friend...Zac<br />People who Inspire...like my mom<br />Orkut!!!<br />Feeling Pretty....how egoistic I hear you say....but this is my space remember?!<br />A stimulating conversation....Divya Sesh, if you are reading...this one's for you!<br />My Dad...... </span></span></span>PMJohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15537265690009655578noreply@blogger.com1