I'm real...

I'm not a superwoman. I multitask yes, but I make mistakes. I don various roles. I'm someone's daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend.
I'm real. I don't aim for perfection, which is an illusion. The moon has bumps too, yet she is beautiful. The light and darkness on it only displays her profound beauty. So why should I aim for perfection?

Pic courtesy: My phone :-)
Where? Up up up in the sky on a cloudy night when we chose to go to Riverwood Conservancy, Mississauga.

Me

It's not been very long since I have begun this exercise of knowing myself more. The more I think, the more i am mystified with my simplicity compiled with complexity. I am in love with life, its endless colours of joys, forms of splendour and wonder, celebrating life in its endless vicissitudes.

I walk. I talk. I trip, and get up with a swing. I dream. I dance. I love even if it hurts.

I simply love shopping and talking. Yes, and often those have landed me in trouble. Though I am not really really a spendthrift, I manage to purchase a horde of stuff that I know I am not going to use in my entire life. From make up that never dolls my pretty face to clothes that are too loose, and I know I am never going to wear. So what do I wear? Same old jeans and t-shirt that I love to sleep in since the last god knows how many years. Now that's my style statement! Though often I can be seen in stylish clothes and accessories, fit to enter Bollywood!

Now accessories got to be REAL. Real diamonds and gold befits my personality. It's a rare occasion I see myself in artificial jewellery.

Nostalgic with Chikankari Saree

In a chikankari saree on georgette paired with an ikkat blouse... this drape makes me nostalgic 😊😊. I got this in 2007 from Numaish in Hyderabad. 
Numaish is another name for All India Industrial Exhibition - a shopaholic 's paradise with the sheer range of products and variety it offers. 🛍🛍From dry fruits and woolen garments to handloom products, Persian carpets to bed sheets and crockery, yummy food options to carnival rides, including a chook chook gadi🚂🚂 that takes you through the entire place, Numaish ushers in thousands of people everyday for 45 days.
Expert hagglers visit on the last day to put their skills to good use. The warmth, the loudspeakers blaring the latest music and the cacophony of the carnival has been drawing people in its embrace since 1938. As soon as its Jan 1, we hyderabadis are bound to ask each other, "Numaish gaye kya? Kitne baar? Chal aaja mere saath" 😄😄😄

Your Spoilt Doll

Since when I've reached a matured age, I realized how blessed I am. I have not one but two sets of parents to listen to me, spoil me and pamper me. I can pretty much ask for the moon and get the stars. I may have been unreasonable, stubborn, but I was always protected from the harsh world. In other words, I was spoilt thoroughly. I was the apple of their eyes, the queen of their hearts. Their Dhingli (doll). I ruled, for sure!
Quite often, I am asked about my other set of parents, and frankly, I struggle to explain. How do I say that they are not my blood, yet my heart is drawn toward them? How do I say that I am connected to them in a way that I don't understand myself? They are my Mota mummy and Bapuji. 
It's been a week since I've got the stunning news of Bapuji's death. I can no longer hold back my tears and grief. I can no longer smile and pretend that I am okay. My brain is flooded with your memories. It's so strange that I remember all the little things about you: the dozen pillows beside you, your scream when Sachin Tendulkar got out, your obsession with switching on all the lights in one room and me yelling at you to conserve energy.
I remember the countless times I've watched Ankahi, Tanhaiyaan, Masoom and Ek Chitti Pyar Bhari with you. When I fractured my leg, you carried me in your arms for months, and climbed two floors to reach my class. You teased me often that mota mummy will first take care of you, and then me, fully knowing that this will anger me the most. You told some guy who had come to meet me that I am arrogant because I studied in St. Anns!! After that, I had to tell you every single time not to talk about me to anyone.
You were the first to know about my shopping extravaganzas. You were the first to boast about my writings. You were the first to cheer for me when I danced.
I demanded a bike, and I got it. I demanded a car, and I got it. I demanded a diamond necklace if you want to see me married, and I got it. You fulfilled my every wish.You were always there, and undoubtedly I took for granted that you will always be there.
You touched so many lives, with your time, money and a big heart. Though I didn't want you to go far away, I have to accept  the reality. I have to let go. As my life keeps spinning, I vow to hold on to your unforgettable love, your memories and not pause to think about my loss. 

My articles in The Hindu

This year, I am continuing to write twice a month for The Hindu, India. My articles can be found in my blog http://www.aartisantosh.blogspot.com/.

My articles in The Hindu

Hello,
As promised earlier,  I will be writing more this year. My articles will be henceforth published in The Hindu, a popular and prestigious Indian newspaper. It will appear regualarly in 'Opportunities' section every wednesday.
For those who cannot access the actual newspaper please follow the link http://www.aartisantosh.blogspot.com/

As usual, your feedback is valuable to me. Write on...

Published: Book Review - Why do you do that?

Hi,
This book review is close to my heart. In 2006, when I was volunteering for the Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada, I had a chance to do it.
To read, click on http://www.aartisantosh.blogspot.com/2010/01/published-green-leaflet-newsletter.html
About Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada - It is a voluntary organization dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by Tourette Syndrome.
What is Tourette Syndrome?
It is a neurological disorder characterized by tics - involuntary, rapid, sudden movements or vocalizations that occur repeatedly in the same way.
The motor tics include something as simple as a shoulder shrug, head jerk or an eye twitch. The most common vocal tics include clearing of the throat, sniffing noises, grunting or barking.