Tis the season to be jolly :)

Merry Christmas people! Ho Ho Ho :))))))))))))

My mum's world!

Well, not the right time for me to blog for obvious reasons :) but nevertheless do want the realm to see my mum's world ofcourse after her family.

Dad's sole job is to water the plants :D, and for some reason I took over his job for the day. BEAUTIFUL!! I but cannot describe how beautiful these plants/flowers are. I have captured a few shots and for the records I suck at plant/flower photography and haven't done any justice to the STUNNING garden my mum proudly owns.

Cheers to you mum!

SUPER HAPPY!

Well..... totally ELATED, eXcItEd and KicKed!

Thanks to Madhu and Somuu for this lovely picture of our's.

Wedding Entrance Dance

Family and Friends.... would love to see a repeat of this on my 'BIG DAY' ;)

Country roads... take me home

In Mangalore, a very busy day ahead! While in Mlore, after the Sunday morning mass I am habituated of listening to the country songs.  Love them!  Retro numbers has been my fave ever since my school days till date. Amid the huge collection, Country Roads by John Denver is my all time fave and will always be. Everlasting!

 

I was surfing channels for something and this song from 'Burning Train' caught my attention, got me all nostalgic! Girlies from School/College..... missing the assembly sessions we had at 9.00 AM every monday's?

BLUE - The coolest song ever!

After playing the tiring Wii, get a call from a friend who says.. Blue tonite?? Bang on!!! I wanted to watch the same. Well Ruby was bored for obvious reasons ;) and so the rest of us decided to watch the last show at Fame Shankar Nag. Quite a few not so good review’s about the movie did come true although the boys wanted to watch it for Lara Dutta and the hot Katrina!

I solely watched it for the title track BLUE which is the most coolest song ever! Its shot in a deep blue sea at Bahamas with Sharks, Stingrays, Coral reefs and an exquisite aquamarine life around the quadruplets. No recommendations to watch it on a big screen, although a moser baer DVD would help.

Last two days!

I am a frequent rick traveler and had the most sick travels over the last two days.

First day – Backbreaking traffic from Koramangala to Richmond road, my rick bumps into another rick ahead him and the saga continues(You wouldn’t want to know the details). Bloody hell! I don’t find another rick and am walking, walking and walking under the scorching sun. I somehow do manage to find another rick and to my rotten luck his clutch wire breaks open. The man says ‘Madam will get this rectified in 5 mins’ in kannada offcourse and nothing happens for another 15 minutes after which he has the audacity to ask for Rs.15 and tell me ‘It’s a mechanics job’. I start my walk to work in the charring heat again.

Second day - Cloggy traffic again and the rick hero refuses to go beyond Adugodi. I got down saying ‘Am not going to pay you, I get a smile in return’. Lucky enough to find an empty one besides and then a detour to work.

Thankfully both the days at work were really great! Looking forward to this long weekend, plan to shop till I drop and celebrate Deepavali with Nutties. 

Wishing you all a very happy and a prosperous Deepavali.

I love this one! - Tweet by Gul Panag

Note to self: Must refrain from replying to those jumping in midway into a discussion without finding out the subject matter. I know a few who do it and trust me I really despise this!

Yeh Budhwaar Kyaa Hota Hein?

A lil more to me, I am a reality show buff too :). Oh yes! Late in the evening yesterday as I was watching ‘Bigg Boss’ season 3, I happened to see/hear something very rib-tickling and could not control my laughter post 15 minutes to it. Shamita Shetty sister of Shilpa Shetty global celebrity who won the British reality television show Celebrity Big Brother happens to be one of the contestants among the lot. The lady is so fragile (well that’s what she claims) and could no longer take heed to the arguments taking place in the house and lo behold tears rolled down her cheeks ;). I assume there was no enough food in the house and she stopped Ms Chopra from helping herself for the second serving. Women I say!!

Watching her weep, Bigg Boss but could not stop himself and called her over to the confession room. After she was done explicating her dire straits to Bigg Boss by asking for more food in the house, Bigg Boss says ‘Budhwaar tak sabhi gharwalon ko isi mein guzara karna hoga’ (my hindi sucks) for which the lady replies Ah! Excuse me Bigg Boss! Yeh budhwaar (Wednesday) kya hota hein??  DUH!!  I googled out for her details on the academics immediately and found out, the lady very much graduated from Mumbai University. I have nothing to say beyond this!

December December!

Well this one’s for all racking ‘her’ to know how on earth did it happen. He happened to be her ex-colleague, she found him strikingly different among the multitude and to add to this ‘the two’ must have  spoken just ‘twice’ during his stint. For months together the two did not take the trouble to keep in touch. They say ‘Matches are made in heaven’ and good heavens must have played a real fair game here. Exceedingly happy about this! Special thanks to her motherland Mangalore, Facebook, Bangalore Photography Club, Gtalk & Budweiser at Fresco’s. Budweiser, Oh yes! Ask me more about it (dead sure about a whole lot of interrogation now). Well for the special ones who need to know about it already know it, and for the rest we need to catch up :P. He is been liked and loved by all, almost all… And most importantly she has her family & friends saying ‘you have our permission’ go ahead or What are you waiting for? Did she miss on telling you about his passion- PHOTOGRAPHY? That answers all your questions to all her new pictures. Surprisingly the shutter bug bit her bro too along with a few friends already.

Yes, December is the month! AHEM & December is the month where her friends and family plan their annual vacation who have been extremely nice enough to push their getaway’s only to witness this happening.

And for the few objections and shockers… her cousin has this to say ‘Everyone’s entitled to his or her opinions’. At the end of the day it’s their life, and as long as they are happy and content the rest can fly kites.

Happy Birthday Cornel!

Well, my only ambitious brother was born today 26 years back the day Lord Krishna was born. To add to this he was the only boy amid twenty five girls at his christening ceremony at a church in Mumbai.

Interesting isn’t it!

Time’s ticking and maybe soon the two of us would no longer be staying under the same roof.

Thanks for everything brother! Love you and here’s wishing you loads and loads of happiness. May all your dreams come true.

Happy Birthday to you :)

August 01’ 2009, friends all the way from Mangalore!

The bunch at last made up their mind to make it to some spot away from Bengaluru. Nature Nirvana (Chikmagalur) was the most preferred, over all the other choices keeping in mind the distance and time. I’ve been to Chikmagalur a zillion times, although I just love the place and my craving to visit the place just does not end.

Waking up on August 1st, 2009 and starting by 4.30 AM that too on a so called work-shy Saturday was truly a herculean project ;) for all of us. Guess what! We did it! Three cheers to all of us!!

The mission kicked off when the two Swift’s and the Innova took off, in which a few kept croaking, a few other yapping and the remaining woolgathering ;). It was 6.30 AM and by then the bunch was all famished, we halted at ‘Kamath’ to have our morning meal, followed by a few picture sessions. After this we decided never to halt until we found ourselves amidst the clouds. This experience classifies as one of the ‘BEST EXPERIENCE’ ever had in my life so far.


We drove drove and drove, I don’t think I will ever forget this never-ending drive and ultimately hit our destination. Oh Boy! It sure was one heck of a drive. Just after we reached our destination all of us were in form and there emerged players from different fields playing their games be it cricket, throwball, badminton, carom and the very exciting scrabble. I must admit scrabble is not everybody’s game… well we did have Ruby, Amitha, Vandan and Sharnitha who had this profound vocab and kept showing off their skill. Soon after we munched and crunched on the heavy scrumptious meal, the tired all dispersed to catch a wink, Yawwwwwwn!
Evening dawned … and there we were all set to visit the nearby stream, and the coffee estate.


Now this was the place where I could lay my hands on some photography with my Digital Sony Cyber Shot. VOILA!! I did capture some decent shots; this is what the professionals told me. Interesting… I think am getting there ;) anyway this does not excite me, so let’s leave it here. I must admit I love being a part of the picture, well who does not like? After all these are the memories that I can have while I blow the candles on my 75th birthday.

And now for the most exciting part of the evening, singing, dancing, playing games.... u name it all we had it all. Sharath, the creative one amongst us who also happens to be an event manager had some exciting events planned for the bunch, we had a dance competition… Ofcourse my team won over Manu’s team ;) we flaunted an exquisite snake dance(we were given five minutes to practice the same) followed by a fashion show and then ‘Aahun Aahun Aahun’ on a repeat mode. We were just not tired dancing for songs from ‘Love Aaj Kal’. Personally I did not like the movie, but the songs are just too good.


‘Aahun Aahun Aahun’ from the very new ‘Love Aaj Kal’ was everybody’s favourite, specially after we realized that Sudhi had the perfect steps(ROFL) for the same. I also have a video on this, Thanks to Suraj.
We had two professional photographers with the SLR and the monopod, Madhu and Vandan who shot the models Sharnitha, Vishal, Ruby and Nishchith posing away to glory. Deepak, Shashwath, Krishna and Sharath were glued to their carom board, guess they haven’t seen one at Bangalore and so the urge to just play away.



Once we were done with the events we savored on our yummy meal and then hit the floor again, with this time the entire bunch dancing and the group posing away for more and more pictures around the bonfire. It was ‘Friendship day’ aswell, a perfect day for all of us to be together. Cheers to all you guys. As the saying goes, all good things come to an end and so was our much awaited trip. Before we got into our respective vehicles for the one last time at Nature Nirvana…. It was ‘Aahun Aahun Aahun’ again.



All in all one hell of a two day trip with more than 500 pictures in place, thanks all for making it happen especially Manu our only advocate ;). Krishna now that you know us better, please speak a little more than you always do ;)

Nature Nirvana - Value for money, amazing food, beautiful place & for more info on the place make sure you visit http://www.naturenirvana.com/

You never get a second chance to make a first impression!

Being a Human Resource professional myself, I was asked to come out with a Business Etiquette's presentation for a group of fellow members in my organization. After a whole lot of inquiry I sort of liked the end result and so I am here to plowshare my thinking’s with you in a more casual way.

To sound more like a faculty ;) Yes! this is on Business Etiquette's and its nothing but formula’s that permit one to interact in a cultured style which would help the other person in taking you seriously, manners do weigh and play a very critical role. Etiquette’s also comprises about being comfortable around individuals and making them comfortable around you.

I suppose most of the key interactions lead off with a firm handshake, Aloha!

Handshakes are in person salutations that go with your words ‘Unknown’. Extend a firm handshake, lasting 3-5 seconds, upon saying a ‘Hello’ and then proceeding with the context. Be assertive enough in maintaining a good eye contact during your handshake, this in return describes your confidence, sincerity and involvement. If incase you tend to meet several people at one go, hold on to the eye contact with the person you are shaking hands with, until you are proceeding on to the next person.

Introductions in an enterprise is of prime importance

• Introduce yourself, you could even exchange your business cards here
• Introduce others
• Reacting to introductions (Prefix Mr., Ms, Mrs. to the full name)
• In case you are one of those who tend to forget names (Tag his/her name in your mind to something very prominent in him/her. I usually follow this, helps me though!
• Before an event, use your address book and for the forgetful ones practice using a pocket-size notepad to brush up your memory about the people you are likely to meet.

Mixing and Mingling in Business

Most of the impressions imprinted during the meet can make or break a key business agreement, whether or not business is discussed directly. Following are a few hints you may use to mix and mingle in business.

• Prepare well on the subject
• Arrive early, IST needs a refined definition here :)
• Eye contact and smile
• May use ice breakers to get the introvert’s get going
• Position yourself
• Work the crowd
• Ask the right set of questions keeping the context in mind
• Be Patient & an Excellent listener

Body Language

• Think! A person’s facial expressions, posture, and gestures send messages
• Sometimes the message is loud and clear; sometimes it is open for interpretation, your strong observation skills may come handy here.

Do’s

• Make frequent eye contacts
• Smile - Very important – After all it’s free!
• Take notes
• Nod frequently
• Keep your hands out of your pocket

Don’ts

• Cross you arms
• Clear your throat repeatedly or dig your nose
• Bite your lips or nails
• Slouch
• Tap your feet

Appearance - Practice impeccable grooming

The way you dress is the exclusive most prominent nonverbal communication you make about yourself. Your dress conveys success, trustworthiness, intelligence and suitability. Lean towards the conservative side of style. Avoid loud colors and printed fabrics and make sure your clothes are nicely pressed.

Some useful tips

Clothing Tips for Men

• Conservative 2-piece dark suit, navy blue or medium to dark gray.
• Long sleeved blue or white shirt.
• Silk tie complimenting in color or style
• Black dress socks
• Dark polished shoes and matching belt (Refrain from wearing a brown belt with a black pair of shoes and vice versa)

Clothing Tips for Women

• Dark conservative suit, Formal shirt and a knee length skirt / Neat salwar kameez or a nice crisp formal saree.
• Avoid wearing a low cut top
• Nice polished shoes/sandals
• Limited conservative jewelry (Desist bracelets, earrings or large rings)

Communicating in a High-Tech World

By and large in two ways:

• Telephone

1. Always return calls – Important again, speaks in volumes about you
2. If you’re going to be out, have your answering system tell that you would get back
3. When you initiate a call and get to the front office/secretary, introduce yourself and tell them the staple nature of your call
4. Respond to the call with some enthusiasm/at least warmth, even if you ARE being disrupted, the person on the other end doesn’t know that!
5. Personalize the conversation. Many people feel since they’re not face-to-face with a person, it is perfectly acceptable to be abrupt or rude.

• Email

1. The subject line needs to be crisp and particular
2. In the message you forward, delete the extraneous information which ever applicable
3. When replying to a question, don’t send a bare message that only reads, “Yes.” It’s too blunt and confuses the reader
4. Address and sign your e-mails. Although this is included in the To and From sections, remember that you’re communicating with a person, not a computer!
5. DON’T TYPE IN ALL CAPS. IT’S TOO INTENSE, and you appear slothful

Basic Table Ways

• Get seated
• Use the napkin properly
• Use the menu card
• Mind your posture
• Excuse yourself incase you need to leave (I rarely see this happening)

Most Significant tips

The fork goes on the left. The spoon and knife go on the right.

Food items go on the left, so your bread plate is on your left. Drinks, including coffee cups, should be on the right.

When sitting at a banquet table, you may begin eating when two people to your left and right are served.

If you haven’t been served, but most of your table has, encourage others to start.

Reach only for items in front of you; ask for other items to be passed by a neighbor.

Offer to the left; pass to the right, although once things start being passed, go with the flow.

Possessing a whole lot of friends in the similar field, this post for sure is a boon to them ;). Hoping this helps and wishing all streaks of Good Luck!

Baig’s Angels & NUTTIES for you :)

I was acquainted to this group of boosters named NUTTIES at the 13th floor (a lounge in Bangalore), my friend Mahima a fellow member of the voguish group called ‘the BAIG’s Angels’ was soon to be hitched to this ‘somebody’ whom we fondly call ‘Abhi’ from the Nutties. AHEM!!

Incidentally Baig’s Angels was unified years back by a bunch of fine-looking missies. ‘FUN’ was the common ingredient in all of us. You name it! We’ve done it, within the set terminal points of course. I recollect savoring on the yum ‘kori sukka’ and the cakes from Cochin bakery, I recollect as a squad slipping the lamb and chicken out from the icebox, I recollect the sing song sessions on the streets of Koramangala, I recollect the picture sessions on trees, stones, two wheelers, malls and night outs, I recollect the salsa, yoga and the swimming classes we underwent, I recollect how we bothered and broiled the new comers, I recollect the mind-blowing kickoffs (for a new phase in their life) each of the angel had, I recollect Ruby and Pepper, Oh! How could I miss out on the hallucinatory sweet’n’sour Meenaxi …… yes, our ageless days at ‘Baig’s paradise’.

I can’t afford to blank out on one of the angels plan to abduct the chairman of UB group and Kingfisher airlines… ROFL! This is Baig’s Angels for you in a nutshell.

Nutties – No they aren’t a bunch of nuts :), but a prominent group of warm and sporty people who receive any new comer in no seconds to count. They powerfully believe in the catchword ‘Live Life Kingsize’. This group manifolds by the year, touch wood! I mean it!

Pari’s million dollar scintillating smile, Mlee the chairperson of the squad, Vivek’s pranks, Rosh who is known to play her games well of course on the grounds nonetheless a very level headed human being, Ronji who plays the role of a stress buster in the squad and is now basking the ‘Marital Bliss’ with Nikki (More about you in the coming posts ;)), PT a synonym to the color pink and whose creativity is beyond’s one’s vision, Arjun and Yasha’s infectious smile, Shenny an OZ return who bowls you easily with his never ending down-to-earth attitude and the shimmery transparent optical device, Mahesh and Sneha the young dynamic entrepreneurs, Pavan the king of PJ’s(well I do find them funny ;)), Shweta his better half who is utterly witty, Vicky always known for his diplomacy & Nischi who hardly utters :), Vijay the most intelligent & humorous (feel free to share your views here ;) his partner Deepa known for her fantabulous cuisines(Tarla Dalal of the group), Potta who is oh so occupied merchandizing Sobha, am yet to come in contact with his partner Shwetha, Gannu Bhaiya and Deepthi Bhabhi who share Einstein’s IQ ;), Tanu, Tiger and Stuti holding fort for Nutties in Mangalore along with Athul, Pinku the silent sailor man, Mad Mad Maddy, Scooby an environmentalist herself who never stops imparting and inculcating the values and culture of our freedom fighter Gandhi, Nagu and Shubrath the endearing couple along with the lean mean machine Takla are speculating at the moment on the idea to sponsor the squad’s stay at the Atlantis, the great mighty, the OZ’s Abhi and Mahima, Shruti and me ;) are a few who make NUTTIES perfectly exceptional.

More racket soon ;)….. Stay tuned and have FUN!

to begin with...

I accept writing  has never been interesting to me, pitiful but true! I slowly started building up this interest towards books and the diverse blogs I came across, thanks to a few people out there. Well, to embark with I had no choice or should I say confined choice of topics to choose from. Today isn’t a great day for someone who is an ardent lover of pop, however I would want to start my blog paying homage to the record-breaking, sensational ‘Michael Jackson’.

‘Heal the World’ is something very dear to me, reminds me of my school days, my friends and my walkman. I remember! croaking away to glory on this eternal song of his. Dangerous Black or white, one of its kind were a few of his BEST hits that directly made it's way to the hearts and shelves of millions out there. I would certainly miss on his ‘OWWW’, the dance moves and the music I always tripped on.

ETERNAL rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul rest in peace.