Sleep

Sleep glorious sleep
I know that we humans spend a considerable time sleeping in our lives. And that sleep is important for our bodies.
It's so difficult waking up in the morning sometimes!! I wish I could just sleep sleep sleep.
That's why I love weekends. You can get up relaxed. These days I've started experimenting with cooking as well. I'm going to try and make chidwa on Saturday.
My Mom and Nani are great cooks. I wish I were more like them! It looks effortless.
Notice how the topic has veered from sleeping to eating. I think they're both synonymous in a way!!
Sleep glorious sleep

Too much food & Robin Sharma

Lately I've found myself eating a lot. I think it's cuz of the harsh winter and the fact that I'm just not controlling myself. However, I have made a resolution to lose weight, which I shall be doing soon.
I came across a website on Robin Sharma's blog which had been recommended by a friend. It is entitled 60 Tips For a Stunningly Great Life.
Some of the ones I liked:
- Exercise Daily
- See your work as a craft.
- Expect the best and prepare for the worst.
- Keep a journal.
- Plan a schedule for your week
- Know the 5 highest priorities of your life.
- Drink a lot of water
- Improve your work every single day
- Get a mentor
- Get up at 5 am everyday
- EAT LESS FOOD
- Spend time at art galleries
- Have five great friends
- Read daily
- Unplug your TV
- Pursue your dreams
- Be authentic
- Be passionate
- Clean up your messes
- Travel more
- Spend time in the mountains
- Make your life matter
Thanks Robin for the tips. Will try and follow the same!!

In Naukuchiataal with Family

Naukuchiataal is a lake in India's state of lakes - Uttarakhand. It is so called because the lake spans nine corners, and there is supposedly a spot where if you stand, you can see all nine corners - and this is supposed to bring you to nirvana.
Hmm... I seriously doubt that - in any case, it is a beautiful place, tranquil and sparsely populated. We went in December and the weather was better than Delhi's. Actually there you get pure unadultered sunshine which kisses your face and is a joy to behold.
Nothing like the winter sun to keep you warm.
Really nice resort of Mahindras - a nice place to relax and take time out to review your year. I really liked the whole experience.
5/5.

Dreams

I have had a few wierd dreams lately.

I attended a workshop on Dreams a few years back, when I was at University. It was an interesting workshop. One tip that they gave - that I remember - was that you should always keep a notebook next to your bed so that when you get up you can immediately note down what the dream was about. This is because as time goes by during the day, the mind will forget aspects of the dream and then the dream altogether, so that all that remains in the end is a blur.

Why is it important for you to understand your dream?

Some psychologists believe that dreams are your subconcious giving you a message. In the R.E.M mode, your mind is more active and ponders over matters. Because of this, aspects of your life that you do not devote to your thought process during the day come alive at night.

What kind of aspects though? What you are worried about... what you do not think about... what your insecurities are... where you think you're lagging...

Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year

I saw this film on my way back from Paris to New Delhi.
It's a slow paced film - not meant to be a big Bollywood blockbuster. It shows the life of a young under achiever - young sardar played by Ranbir Kapoor. I must say that he looked quite handsome as a sardar and did a stellar job in the role.
It shows him struggling to learn the work of a salesman. Eventually however, his entreprenuerial side shows up and he branches out, quite shrewdly.
What struck me about this film was the main boss - and how he deals with the conflict.
I've noticed that very rarely do people let you be in this world. The film was a refreshing change from that.
How to sell someone a pencil without an eraser?
Hmmm..... Will reboot your mobile and it won't cost you a thing. Well done, Rocket Singh!

Chartres, Jean Paul Sartre and Simone De Beauvoir

I saw this documentary on a cathedral in Chartres that has the robe of the Virgin Mary. It was built in the late 12 century and is a testimony to the artisan and craftsmanship of that period. Even I cannot fathom how in those days they managed to put together such an impressive cathedral.
At the cathedral they say that you should sit and contemplate the 800 years of prayer that encompasses this structure. All around you are surrounded by these beautifully made glass stained panels depicting various scenes. There was a lovely one of the Virgin Mary in blue - one of the most azure blues I've seen.
At the entrance is a labyrinth - very interesting though covered with chairs when I saw it. It is a unique design and was put there for pilgrims as a test of faith.
I took the train from Gare Montparnasse - return tickets. If you are planning to go, do remember that you have to stamp the ticket. I did realise that only a bit later. Thankfully by then I'd reached Chartres!!
On the way back, I had read that a short trip to the Montparnasse cemetary would be a contemplative retreat. So after having seen the faith of life, I witnessed the faith of death. Reaching this place was not easy though.
We don't have the burial system among the Hindus - our rites consist of cremation and subversion of the same in the Ganges. It was interesting to see the tombs of so many people ensconsed in such a small area.
Among them were Jean Paul Sartre and Simone De Beauvoir.
I did not know that they were buried together, let alone that they had a history together. In a way it's like kindred souls being together after death.

Snow in Paris

On Wednesday, we were most fortunate to see snow in Paris.

I know, I know - what's so great about snow. It just sits there doing nothing right?

Well - snow is such a pretty sight that it brings out the best in you - particularly when it's freshly fallen and you're looking at it from the cosy warmth of the building. It was awesome and lovely and I really really felt blessed to see this beautiful city layered in snow.

It felt like it would be a lovely Xmas.

In Paris for the week

Yups, I got to go to Paris for the fourth time in my life.

The first time was when I was a kid. Second, when I went with my Mom and brother on a youth council trip that I've already written about in this blog. Third was when me and a friend stayed for a week here and saw everything there was to see.

And now my fourth trip.

It's one of the coolest trips I've done since I am here on work and have extended my stay by a day so I'm really happy I can do this. Paris is Paris - beautiful and just a treat to walk around and absorb the beautiful buildings and scenery all around. I also went to The Louvre again - I love the architecture and the magnificence of the rooms more than anything. On the top floors I just spent all my time staring at the cieling and the walls looking at the grandeur all around. Napoleon's apartments too were a sight to see.

I didn't go to any other museums but spent today walking along the Seine and walked from Musee d'Orsay to Notre Dame Cathedral. I spent a bit of time just sitting listening to the carols in the Cathedral.

I can't believe I'm here again - it's just surreal.

I love my present assignment. Any assignment that sends you to Paris for a week is an assignment for which you should sit and work 150%.

Cuz Paris is just awesome.
And you only live once.
I did miss my husband though - a lot. It doesn't help being in one of the world's most romantic cities and not having your cutie around.

Frozen (2010)

Well, this movie is not for the faint hearted - I can tell you that from the start. It's about three young adults who go for a skiing trip - and end up stuck high up at night on the ski lifts. Adding the fact that the movie is entitled "Frozen", you really don't have to think too much about what may have happened.
Considering the film from a theatre-perspective, it is quite amazing how almost an hour of the film is shot on the ski lift and its immediate environs. Still the film manages to retain your attention.
There were some scenes even I could not watch - I just kept my eyes closed and hoped that what I was imagining wasn't taking place.
Don't read the next few lines if you want to watch the movie:

The film wasn't as good as "The Descent", but AT LEAST the ending was better!!
Sorry if this spoils the film for anyone!!

Mareechka

Lady From the Sea
Directed by Ila Arun

After a hard day of tackling PQs, I was more than happy to attend this wonderful play at Kamani on 2nd December 2010. Directed by Ila Arun, it is a wonderful adaptation of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen's play Lady From the Sea.
It was performed in the Pabuji ka phad tradition of Rajasthan. The Pabuji ka phad tradition dates back to the 14th century when the martial exploits of a Rajput Rathod hero from the Bhopa community Pabuji were sung as ballads by local villagers from painted scrolls which would include both art and poetry.
An amazing rendition - both witty and intelligent - I really enjoyed it and I'm so glad I did this.

Anish Kapoor comes to Delhi

I first came across Anish Kapoor in New York at a museum where I saw for the first time - one of his pieces. It was a mirror - with lots of small mirrors in it. Hmmm I thought - not really knowing much, but knowing that minimalism was key to that piece.
That's why I was so excited when his works came to India - that too at NGMA - where I too could see them!! Yippee!! At only Rs 10 for the entry - it was a treat. In the main gallery they had shown models of his pieces that were on display all around the world - like the Cloud Gate at Chicago and the Red Tower (which is what I call it) for the London Olympics.
In all honesty, I didn't like Red Tower. It looks like a crumpled up version of the Eiffel Tower.
There were some pieces in the exhibition hall that were very awesome. I liked S-curve - reminded me of my days in physics. Laboratory for a new model was interesting. I still don't know how it was done. Some of the pieces you have to see to appreciate - the depth to the art is not so obvious from photographs.
All in all, a good show which I would HIGHLY recommend.
I also love the new NGMA - I loved it two years back when I first saw it and I still do!!