2013 Grammys...WILD WILD SOUTH!

The nominations are out and I am totally floored by the number of Country musicians who have been nominated this year. Let me be honest...I have had a thing for Country music since I lived in Texas (shhh!!!). It has been my dirty lil secret and only in the confines of my car with the windows rolled up I'd listen to Martina, Reba and Faith. But gone are those days! Yes! I do know that Elvis started off with Country and there have been some great post that...but the kind of mass following that the KING had hasn't been seen since. Country is treated the way Canada is by most Americans...with a smirk and a limerick! 

So it's very encouraging to see how the past 3 years have shaped this genre. CMAs are now as exciting as the Grammys! Country music has come of age and how. I wonder what Willy Nelson thinks of the young lot of singers who have jumped boundaries and are experimenting with a totally different sounding style of Country. Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood who made Country acceptable by youngsters, have to be given credit here for breaking the shackles and opening up this genre of music to the world. Though Taylor has to be awarded for her music that broke through the clutter and with its rhythm that borders on Country-Pop-Rock (yes you do here the Tamborine and Mandolin in the background here and then) and made Country cool. The music she belts out is fun, alive and yes! has the drawl of the South. 

Apart from Taylor, Lady Antelbelum created a new space for themselves with Country music that was so Rock that it totally blew you away. Since then there have been many who have just come into being or have been recognized finally! Blake Shelton now is a co-host on The Voice, Brad Paisley is finally getting his due (move over Tim McGraw), Hunter Hayes (the Justin Beiber of Country) is so talented (I keep listening to his 'somebody to break my heart' on loop...lovely voice!!), FloridaGeorgia Line with their dark, romantic country songs, Ed Sheeran with his amazing lyrics (MY CONSTANT COMPANION AT WORK NOW)....have taken over the world of music by storm.

So here's raising a BEER to Country! All the best at the Grammys. Kick some Yankee Butt (WINK)!!! HHHEEEHAAWWWW!!!

Is Coffee going to be extinct soon??!!!! WHAT A SUCKY DAY!

I get into work and pop into the tini-tiny cafeteria to whip up my 'pheta hua' coffee every morning and then plop down on my chair to look at what needs to be done. This morning when I switched on my comp and went to CNN which is the first site I open...I found a very interesting article on iOT...internet of things...which is becoming THE thing for China to overtake the world in...(as if they need to make an effort!) when I found this article on the chances of the Coffee bean goingthe Dinosaur way!!!! (Link: http://www.redorbit.com/news/video/the-daily-orbit/1112728982/coffee-arabica-global-warming-extinct-110912/)

So apparently the wild Arabica which is the second of the only 2 coffee beans used to make the coffee in your mugs this morning is endangered. Global warming which has led to the rise in temperatures will cause this bean to go extinct in the next 70 odd years. Now this sucks! Imagine a life without caffeine! As if that wasn't enough I got to know about the smallest independent island republic of Nauru in the Pacific which is now sinking thanks to the same global warming brought about by the use and abuse of this planet by the worst animal to inhabit it...HUMANS!

The day has just begun and I am reading all sorts of bad news from everywhere around the world. Food prices are soaring thanks to this year's horrible weather and low grain yields. Inflation is very high and even earning well in a city like Mumbai is crippling...so I can only imagine what the poor and lower middle class must be going through. The economic pyramid is making the rich, richer and increasing the gap between the poor and middle class. Though the Indian economy has a very string middle and upper middle class which is also growing but with the cost of living going up I wonder if the definition of these two will change soon.

Philippines was struck by a typhoon that had left many dead and homeless. As if Sandy wasn't enough, mother earth is reacting and how. the last 5 years have seen the worst natural calamities and disasters. War is on everywhere you go. Be it the US and it's war on terrorism via attacks on Iraq and now a very tense situation with Iran or be it the middle east where Palestine and Israel fight for occupation of land. India and Pakistan though now calm are ticking bombs ready to explode. Egypt is a mess and so is Syria! 

Sucky day to be human! Time for a Margarita!

Hope tomorrow is better.

I am Woman...hear me ROAR...and Yes I love PINK!

In 1955 when Ford launched it's Pink mobile all glamoured up and ready for the women of that generation, they had to pull it off the market in barely a year. Cut to 2012, Honda just launched She's (yes, in Pink!!) with features that have been made for women (with air conditioning and windshields made for our lovely sensitive skin) and touted to help Honda grab a foothold in the industry (where it is currently slipping). The world of doing business especially selling has changed. The primary target audience is no more male, affluent, urban and cosmopolitan. It now includes the female too and stretches across. 

In a country that gets its 99% of sales in beer from men, international spirits (bottled in origin) are creating marketing opportunities by reaching out to the female population by encouraging a cocktail culture complete with the frills of women's nights, themed events/parties and even colorful party packs (did you see what Bacardi Breezer has made?). While vodka companies host parties by the pool with sexy cocktails in vibrant colors and encourage young women to come pick theirs, JW Blue Label has made whiskey sexy for women by creating the Blue Manhattan which has gained popularity among women. 

This past decade has belonged to two important segments of consumers  - women and emerging markets. Everyday women across the world are achieving great feats, small or big. Their thinking is changing. From winning Nobels ( Leymah Gbowee, the Liberian activist who last year won the Nobel Peace Prize) to crossing the arctic alone on skis in 59 days; or designing and creating sustainable eco friendly fashion, women across the world have given women elsewhere many reasons to feel proud of their gender. Now top that off with being a woman from an emerging market and you know what I am talking about. This decade has seen a huge shift in cultural paradigm amongst women across professions, age and economic strata in India. Independence, ambition, right to choose, have all become important aspects of a woman's life. Conventions have been broken and with the access to the world being made easy via affordable high speed internet, social media networking thanks to Facebook and Twitter, Indian women are far more exposed to the exciting world out there and to their sisters in different lands. Things have changed, unconventional is appreciated and admired. Be it creating a business opportunity where none existed (in gardening by My Sunny Balcony) in Bangalore; or acting in a highly risque movie about a sex siren of Indian cinema and winning a national award (Vidya Balan as Silk Smitha in Dirty Picture) the Indian woman of the 21st Century has changed the way she is perceived.


Get onto Amazon and you find a wide range of books targetted towards it's woman consumers, but what's encouraging is a similar trend on Flipkart in India. Online shopping is being made attractive for women consumers in India by sites such as Jabong and luxury products sites such as Fashion and You. Oriflame that has been in the country for the last 20 years and is now growing at 35% YOY as per a recent article and Avon isn't far behind. Tupperware had a slow start but is now gaining market share especially in Northern India by tapping into the mini societies where women are the target audience (for obvious reasons). Kaya Skin Clinic taps into kitty parties in Chandigarh and Ludhiana to introduce it's services to this highly influential and willing consumer group.

India has a hige consumer market on the verge of a retail explosion thanks to FDI in the sector. There are many choices for women in every category of products and services. For a highly discerning consumer that we Indians pride in being, companies are now making an added effort to find the need and fill the gap. Brittania and Safola have brought in masala oats and Safola goes a step further to target the calorie conscious Indian woman in it's recent TVC; Car companies now have a woman in the passenger seat with the 'male partner' making sure that she is happy with his choice - they get it now, women are the decision makers in a big way in Indian households; Airtel, Vodafone all have women as a huge part of their campaigns. Whisper has taken it a step further by designing sanitary pads for a woman's new lifestyle and by talking openly about it, Stayfree goes the CSR way and donates INR 1 to a foundation targeting a woman's cause in villages!

The Indian woman is a consumer who has finally been recognized. She is now being addressed as an individual and not as a collective (part of a couple or family).  She is no more the individual you sold only soaps and detergents to; she is now an untapped 'market' and is being quoted in the same breath as the emerging markets of the world. It is an exciting new India out here and to be a marketeer watching this change and being part of it is a dream come true . This is the best time to be Indian and an even better to be an Indian woman.

Links:
1. http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/27/business/japan-cars-females/index.html?hpt=ibu_c2
2. http://edition.cnn.com/2012/10/11/world/africa/nobel-peace-prize-leymah-gbowee/index.html?iid=article_sidebar
3. http://edition.cnn.com/2012/10/05/travel/felicity-aston-antarctic-explorer/index.html?iid=article_sidebar

Men and the Weight Gain Tamasha!

I was out having drinks with friends when one of my guy friends commented on how chubby my face looked...and that I resembled PSY!!!! 2 days later another guy friend pointed out that I had gained "ATLEAST 2 KILOS"! OK then!!

Yes I have gained weight...like 3 kgs and am at a happy 54 kgs...I am happy with the way I look and NO I am not gonna start starving myself to look like a skinny version of myself; I love my curves too much for that and YES I am keeping them. 

I agree I look a little chubbier than usual (I always have puppy fat on my face that my mom refers to as natural botox for when you hit 40) but what totally surprises me that it hasn't been the women around me who seem to have noticed it BUT my GUY FRIENDS. So, what is this new obsession men seem to have with women and their weight gain? While this may seem like an isolated incident, it isn't. I have noticed over the past couple of years how Indian men seem react to women who may be a little on the 'heavier' (read those who aren't flat chested or emaciated by appearance) side, in a condescending manner. What is more disconcerting is when they have an opinion ready and waiting on how you could make your body look better by either dieting or starting a better fitness regime!

I get it. It is important to maintain your weight. But the reason you do it shouldn't be to give into societal (or male) pressure to look a certain way but to ensure that you are healthy. I work out but I have started running because I want to run the marathon next year and because I want to avoid getting arthritis as long as I can (as it runs in my family); I am not working out to lose my curves. I don't wanna look like a stack of bones. I looked like that while growing up when I was struggling to gain weight and looked so skinny that my friends called me chicken bones. I want to look the way I want to look, not how some men think I should look.

Pradeep Guha told me something very insightful long back when I met him in 1999, he said, "the best way to know if you need to work out is to stand in front of the mirror and see if your thighs meet. If they do...hit the gym! But don't go beserk with fad diets or skipping meals." It's about maintaining the right weight, it's about working out so you feel good (endorphin's a happy hormones!), it's about doing what is good for you. It is NOT about what people especially men think, it isn't about getting into a dress which you know would require you to crash your weight, it isn't about starving yourself. I would NOT starve myself for anyone or anything. I would rather eat everything but eat it in moderation. 

I don't want myself to turn into Jennifer Hudson, Victoria Beckham or Nicole Richie who seem to have totally lost the plot. I also am not trying to pull a Kareena Kapoor, who during the making of Tashan survived only on Orange Juice!! I admire Aishwarya Rai and Vidya Balan, neither hasn't let detractors stop her from being herself. It was very sad when both of them were panned for gaining weight or not looking like the skinny peers they have in the industry. They weren't admired for being themselves or for their acting prowess but for not following some stupid anorexia trend that started off thanks to Kareena Kapoor and her Size 0 act. Well! Look what happened; Vidya went on to star in some of the best movies of the year and Aishwarya still commands a huge fan following and earns the highest for endorsements. I admire Salma Hayek, Beyonce, Penelope Cruz, Christina Aguilera for embracing their curves and being proud of their bodies.

I am trying to be healthy and I hope all you women out there are working out to be healthy...and not to be someone that others around you would want you to be. So here is what I have to say to men who like to comment on women and their bodies..."Get a mirror...and if you think anyone needs to work out...maybe it is you. And even if you are a Ryan Gosling, why don't you spend your precious time doing something constructive rather than trying to keep track women and their weight gain. Last time we checked...you weren't the boss of us!"

Happyyyyy Deeebbaaallleeee!!!

Yay! The festival of lights is here and I started it with a bang this past weekend. Spent Friday evening gorging on Hyderabadi food at Golconda Bowl and then sipping Rita's at Escobar (nice place!); Saturday was spent sleeping and then watching Argo...Ben Affleck totally rocked it as a director. The attention to detail was incredible and what a nail biting finish. Sunday was spent at Aer with friends...also made me realise that I have gained weight! (VERY VERY Sad face!!!) So that's it...time to get that gym membership started immediately...this evening!!! I am at my highest EVAH! 53.6kgs...which when it comes to my ability to gain weight on my face is NOT a good thing...

This will be the first Diwali that I will not be going home since I have been back in India so I have decided to spend it with friends in Bombay and to chill and relax these next 3 days...we have a couple of days off work so it should be a good time to read, watch the many movies sitting on my hard drive, to try baking for the first time (Sophie's Kitchen has missed a weekend) and get started on my working out regime immediately...yeah i am kinda obsessing with this 'weight gain'...SHEESH!!!

I went gadget trolling yday. I am in the market to get a new phone and buy myself and SLR so I spent the afternoon yesterday checking out the various models in the market. Now I am not a techy person and my friends will call me one of the most challenged person's they have met when it comes to any techy stuff so this was a big deal for me. Armed with my lil online research knowledge I dragged a friend along with me to visit a couple of stores this weekend. While I discovered something called 0% interested on financing from select credit cards (which seems very popular among consumers these days) I also found out that the iphone 5 is selling like hot cakes and that too among the younger TG thanks to this new financing system. I guess now anyone can afford expensive gadgets with the help of these new financing systems.

So all in all, I have had a fab weekend...and though am exhausted and just wanna go home and sleep I know I will be doing anything but...

This will be a nice week...I can tell. It's Diwali y'all!!

11 Days to Day 30!

So I slipped...but the main thing is I got back up and on the wagon...and started working out...and being smarter...and I slowed down when I though I was rushing through. So while I may not deserve the hot pink shoes from Steve Madden I plan to make it up with my trip to Malaysia and Singapore end of December.

Yeah baby! I am finally gonna go discover the 1/4th side of me that hails from Malaysia. My maternal grandmother Helen Sophia Dean (and my ideal when it comes to the strongest women I have ever known...move over Oprah!) hails from Penang (yup she was a true blooded Penangite who moved to India when she was a child as her dad was a sailor and came to India lots)so for me this will be an emotional trip as well as I try and discover her city and people.

This will actually be the first time I will venture into the Asia Pacific side. Funny coz usually people begin their 'international' sojourn from APAC and I will be kinda making this trip after roaming about all over elsewhere. There is so much I wanna see so I have to hope that my friends there are able to fit everything i wanna do into the lil time I have. So I am getting geared up with my TO DO list and researching about what all I can pack into my 1 week there. I have a loooonnnggg list of places I wanna go to and things I wanna do...food I wanna eat and ALL the shopping I wanna do (Thank God they have Forever 21 and Bath and Body Works in KL!!!). The Batu Caves, Petronas Towers, the Aquaria, Bird Park, Menara KL, Penang with it's beaches and walking through George Town where my grandma grew up...and ofcourse Singapore and it's night life! So much to do inshahlah!

Malaysian Airline though cheap are stingy with their luggage weight limit so I have decided to travel very very light there and carry back the goodies I plan to splurge on. So it's a also a time for me to NOT hoard during the holiday/festive season in India and clear space in my closet to make space for new stuff. I have also got plans to pick up a nice SLR to take with me on my trip so that I can capture the countries and bring back some good colorful memories...and slap these onto my blog :)

This will be a very exciting New Year's...I will be in the country of my 'kinda' origin and I am totally excited! APAC...HERE COMES THE BOOM!

Online stuff I FOUND to visit when you are bored!

I have been net surfing a bit that past few weeks and have discovered so many interesting things online it is amazing. I am not a techy person and those who know me love to call me a partially technologically challenged person. So alot of the stuff that I have 'found' may have been in existence for quite some time but for me it was a 'Look what I found' moment. I am sure there are many of you women out there who are in similar shoes and I hope to fill you in on some cool, some insightful and some downright funny sites and pages I have found. 

So what are the new discoveries I have made? It ranges from all types of stuff...technology to fashion to gossip to books to so much more...here you go girls...

1. Buying books on line made easy: Yes, you could go to Flipkart and buy it or you could go to Junglee and explore more buyer options. The thing I liked about www.Junglee.com is that they have a bigger range of books. I know it is the BIG BROTHER of online shopping coz it is the AMAZON India version but trust me I really liked the site. I also had the option of  'saving' my future buys and then I can go back and buy them whenever I want. Check it out girls...and if you like you can log into Amazon and once you explore the book you want just go to Junglee and 90% of the time you will find it there!

2. Want real life stories on failure/mistakes/ or just funny stuff? Try FML: This has to be a really cool site that I found. It has some true life incidents and stories of people and baout their worst moments. they are at times funny and very inspiring at others. So if you really wanna know what others also go through check out FML. I love the way everyone starts their stories with TODAY...coz it has to be something that happened TODAY! 

These 3 are my favs of the day coz they made me laugh when I was feeling low...

"Today, my dad watched the news and decided to start preparing for Hurricane Sandy by buying $300 worth of long-life and canned food. We live in Australia. FML"

"Today, my family and I are sitting in our house while Hurricane Sandy is going on. My grandma is freaking out because she believes it's our recently deceased dog Sandy getting revenge for putting her to sleep and getting a new dog. FML"

"Today, maintenance came to fix the constantly beeping alarm system near my apartment. They changed it from beeping on-and-off to one never-ending beep, similar to the sound of my sanity flat-lining. FML"

3. Toon-Doo: Ok I must confess I found this by accident while searching for something totally unrelated on Google. I thought this was a pretty cool site where you can read cartoon strips and even create your own (if you happen to be FUNNY and CREATIVE at the same time). You can sign up for free and create your own character too. Here is mine :)

4. Hub Pages: I SERIOUSLY NO IDEA THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HUBBING SINCE 2007!! Ok that is awesome coz I really like Hub Pages. You have so many categories to pick also read what other people write...and not one word answers but mini blog entries. My favorite is the Books section.

5. Wanna edit your pics...forget Picasa...here's BE FUNKY! I love it! Check out what I did to one of my fave pics...!!Really cool site and gives you options to do some crazy creative stuff to your fav pics (even if you don't need to!) It is really cool.

Looks like I am getting a hang of thie thing called the internet! LOL!!!

International Day of the Girl!

I was on the CNN website to check up on what Sandy was upto in the East coast considering I have cousins splattered all across the US when I noticed that today is actually the International Day of the Girl! I know every day is another day of something or the other but I am damn excited about this day. Trust me, coming from someone who scorns the commercialization of every holiday, this day must mean something.

So what is this day and why is it important that we recognize it? It is an important day, especially for young girls all over the world and it is our responsibility as the Gen Y women to spread the word to these young girls about the importance of being born a woman. What we have learnt over the years and what we have to 'give' in terms of advice, suggestions, experiences...what we have learnt is often a great place to start. 

There's another part to this day, and that is thinking about your oown past. Things that you  would tell your 15 yr old self. I found a very inspiring link on CNN and have posted that down below for y'all to check out. It has some of the world's most prominent women personalities from various fields giving their pearl of wisdom to their 15 year old selves. But honestly, think about it girls...what advice would you give your 15 yr old self? 

Here is what I would tell lil Sophie...

"Life is too short and goes by before you know it. Be smart and make decisions after really thinking them through and even if things don't work out don't beat yourself over it. Don't give away your trust too easily and earn your respect by working hard at whatever you do. Learn to love yourself and don't try to be someone you are not for anyone. And hear out your Dad and Mom. They do know what makes you..you!"

So...what would you say??

Some links you should check out:

CNN:  http://edition.cnn.com/2012/10/11/world/gallery/international-day-of-the-girl/index.html?iid=article_sidebar
Birds on the Blog: http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/
Oprah: http://www.oprah.com/index.html
Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53lfXb73z3c&feature=g-vrec

Broken Hearted Angry Music Anyone?

I don't get it! Why are all of Taylor Swift's albums going Platinum? Is it because she is good at what she does or is it because she is good at dissing men, relationships and love in general by belting out one song after another about how badly YET another guy has treated her?  My friends cousin (all of 13yrs) is a great fan of hers and sings each song almost as her bedtime prayer! When I asked her why she likes Swift, pat came the reply, "Coz she writes from the heart about how bad boys are and why we should be careful of trusting them"! HUH?? OK!!!

Swift's latest album RED, though has some very hummable tunes and sounds really good, is another plate of anger and bitterness dished out for young teens and twen-teens (as I like to call young girls in their 20s) 'jilted' in love to lap up. Adele made her millions off of her broken heart...granted she is a genius and is brilliant... but people talk more of her tears and hurt at the age of 19 (fancy that!) than just her brilliant voice. It seems that of late most of the music created by some of the most talented singers is about scorned love, heartbreak, shattered emotions and the BAD BAD BOY! So what's is it that makes women at such a young age (most of Swift's fans are in the teens or early 20s) like this music so much? 

I was a teen not so long ago and the music that I remember growing up on didn't involve male bashing and was instead 'diabetic-ally' sweet on romance...remember Take That and Boyzone?? I agree that love can hurt and men can be asses but is it wise to expose young, impressionable girls to such negative feelings about getting your heart broken? Where is the music about self love, expressing oneself, about freedom and peace, about meaningless stuff and meaningful stuff?? What happened to Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Madonna, Aguilera singing 'Beautiful' and Spears telling us 'oops she did it again'?

Come on ladies! I am sure not all of your music needs to be centered around men and how much hurt they caus/caused you? Here I was, thinking that we had finally moved on to better things to talk about but somehow we are still talking 'boys'? I am sure there is so much more you can write about and sing about. I would have assumed that the generation Y women (and I am lucky to be one if them) who have experienced some of the most amazing things in this and the previous century had finally realized their value but somehow each time an angry tune turns into a hit song/album it makes me cringe!

Are you telling me all these women from Beyonce to Taylor to Adele are actually writing about themselves or is it possible that they are feeding on the insecurity that young women all over the world have? Are you telling me that these singers actually sing what they go through or have been through or could it be that they know this works so they keep repeating it?  Beyonce may write about poverty and about getting her heart broken (though of late her music is about empowerment and kudos to her!) but isn't she leading the complete opposite life? What say Jay-Z? And trust me if you are gonna use your heart break to make music out of it...great but when you do it in 3 consecutive albums...you are NEGATIVE energy bundled into one body of blonde!

I don't hate you Taylor but I do think that you are not a good influence on young women if your work is based on negativity and hatred toward the opposite sex. You aren't helping young girls become stronger, you are making them more scared and insecure about relationships and men in general. So if you can, how about the titling your next one 'Butterflies' and writing about how awesome it is to be a woman! Here's to hoping you will!

I agree it's a crazy world...so stop and smell the roses!!

I am missing my lil apt in Bby. Weird isn't it? When we have something we don't realize it until we are a distance away and then we miss it. So here I am visiting my family in Hyderabad and missing my apt in Bombay.

Day 7 - 11 I have been a bad girl. Haven't worked out a minute since I got here 4 days back (does running around with my two nephews count?). Though I have been following the rest of the list. So all in all...not too terrible am I? :)

Being back in the city where I grew up most my life made me remember the little things that used to make me happy as a school and college kid. It wasn't about the expensive dinner, clothes or fancy parties, it was the simple stuff that made every day special. Late night calls with my buddies Jeetu and Pankaj discussing silly little things and hours spent dissecting what we read in Cosmo with Aarti; sitting on the steps of FABS and sharing one bottle of Pepsi between 10 friends; scavenging for loose change in our bags to pay for that Pepsi; getting drenched in the rain and yet running through the Bougainvillea drenched lanes of Sainikpuri, holding hands with my bestie Neha; lying to our parents and sneaking off to watch a movie at Sangeet...I miss those simple days.

Reminiscing made me bring out my diary and list out my current favorite things, those that don't cost much but give me immense joy.  I think all of us should at least once in our lives make this list. A list that would comprise of things we like doing, things that make us feel..well!..like us when we were younger. Things that bring back good memories, help create new ones and let us remain 'sane' in this crazy world of competition, stress, crashing world economy and fickle relationships.  

So here is my list...and I hope you make yours too...and try to do at least a couple of your favorite things in a week. Trust me, it's worth the effort.

Raindrops on roses...these are a few of My Favorite Things:

1. Sitting at my window ledge in my Mumbai apt watching the rains, drinking cold coffee, reading, surfing www.people.com for the latest celeb gossip and style....anything...it's my favorite place in my apartment

2. Cooking...anything and everything...experimenting with new sauces and veggies and meats...it's amazing to see a dish turn out and then get people to try it...love the flavors, the fragrances, the sounds that cooking food makes...

3. Having a glass of red while watching my favorite TV show or a movie on a weekday afternoon (when I have a holiday) and eating nachos with my homemade salsa or enchilada sauce...YUM!!

4. Meeting my closest friends for dinner...or coffee...or anything and laughing my guts out with Deven...making complete asses of ourselves at public places where we are asked to quieten down or LEAVE!!

5. Talking to Aarti my best friend...she is so busy with work these days but whenever we catch up...it's my favorite time...

6. The smell of books...so anytime I see a bookstore...I end up buying at least one book...yeah! It's my weakness...more than shoes even.

7. Going for a movie to PVR Phoenix (YES! ONLY THAT ONE!) and eating the Bhel there...hahaha...I love it..

8. Playing with my nephews...they are a total stress buster...until one of them poops!

9. Dancing...anytime..anywhere!!!

10. Lavender oil massages and body scrubs...whether it is my maid who gives me a back rub or I give myself a home leg and arm massage or at a luxe spa...it has to be lavender oil...maybe a lil vanilla added to it...Lavender is BLISS!!

Day 4-5!

I was a lazy bum yesterday but I made it up by eating healthy and doing stretches at home. So it counts... :)

Am off travelling today but have promised myself a quick run around my parents house - a couple of late night laps in the suburban  colony with it's open air should be fun. 

Loving me all the time babies!

Do We Indian Women Still Fear Perception?

While I was in school, I was taught by my teachers and elders around me that any girl/woman who wants to be taken seriously and respected needs to play the part - basically, speak in a particular tone of voice, not laugh too much and not be too open about herself to people, be self sacrificing, etc. etc. The 5 years I spent in the US helped shape me as a person and helped me realize that 90% of the advice I had gotten about being taken seriously as a woman was...well! not to be taken seriously.

When I got back I was pleasantly surprised to see a tidal wave of change sweeping through young urban India particularly among women who were now far more independent and outgoing than 5 years back. I was happy to be back to a new, improved and emerging India.

India has changed. We Indians have sped ahead in practically every area of life be it relationships, culture, jobs, art, film, etc. but have we as Indian women (including myself) broken free from the past? Do we still have a fear of perception that keeps us tied down to stagnant tradition, century old rules and self made boundaries. IBN recently did a news piece on career women in urban India who put their careers ahead of getting married; the survey was conducted on about 1,200 married, young working women and home makers in cities like Ahmedabad, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Pune and showcased how Indian women are now choosing the good of the self before the demand of the many (read family/society). If that is the case then why is it that it feels like most of our decisions are still made based on societal pressures? Why is it that there is a certain decorum that we still follow not because we are comfortable with it but because we don't want to give discomfort to those around us?

Have you noticed how conscious we single Indian girls over the age of 30 get when asked about why we aren't married yet? I know this is a challenge any single woman in her 30s anywhere faces but in India it is at another level altogether. Have you ever felt weird about dressing up for work - not just wearing the same simple salwaar or basic pant suit - but actually dressing up like you see so many women on TV when they are off to work? Have you felt obligated to play the perfect host when hosting a dinner party for your husband's friends or yours even, cook the typical Indian food and spend the rest of the evening playing slave to the guests - not because you want to but because that is what is expected of you? Do you to go to your place of worship because you want to connect with God or is it because you are expected to coz you are a good Indian girl? Do you fast on Karvachaut in the name of religion and tradition because society dictates you do it every year for your husband's long life or because you want to?

You might be wondering what I am trying to get at? No. I am not trying to get some bra burning protest started here. All I am trying to understand or figure out is whether Indian women are free of Indian perceptions? If we do, what we do, because we want to or is it because that is what is expected in our society? I find myself questioning my own decisions of late and many times realize that I end up pleasing others because of these perceptions. 

Just putting a thought out there. 

Day 2 - 3: Upanishads, Cooking and then some Crab and Clams!

I kept my end of the deal that I made on this public forum. Proud to say I have kept my word and eaten healthy and I spent this evening and yesterday on cardio via brisk walking and yeah a lil stretching and dancing so there you go...and I have followed my list. :) 

Well! It's been an awesome weekend...Sophie's Kitchen (my cooking agenda of the year - also on FB: http://www.facebook.com/sophskitchen?fref=ts) was good...I made Chicken Fajita and hopefully taught people who read my page how to do the same at home; I traveled to Pune and had a ball; I spent Sunday eating baked clams, drinking Sangria and catching up with an old friend and reading....


Yesterday was fun...I spent it in Pune eating some delicious Singaporean Crab and walking through the city before we met up with Sri M. A yogi who born into a muslim family is one of the very well respected spiritual leaders with a complete knowledge of the Vedas. I picked up his books on the translations of the 3 Upanishads  plan to read them next week when am on my long vacay. 

Anyways, coming back to the spiritual stuff...honestly I was very skeptical about meeting Sri M, I mean I have no idea what a yogi is or does and he sounded more like a holy leader of sorts. So imagine my surprise when I was face to face with a simple working class man with kids who just happened to spend a few years in the Himalayas and took a fascination to the Vedas and decided to teach what he had learnt. What I also really liked about him was his way of talking to people. I mean it was a seminar and I know you have to be a totally into PR if you are an author (ask me, I worked in publishing as an intern when I was at UT) but this wasn't PR. This was honest to God simplicity. I was totally amazed at this man's sincerity when he reached out to each of us through his answers. And he has a sense of humor to boot. I have picked up his book and will eventually review it on my blog so you guys out there can decide if you want to read what Sri M (or the Upanishads) have to say.

So I am all in all totally doing the self-love thing. Spending the last few days following my list has made me realize that ME comes first!! And I hope you girls do too. It is very important for each one of us to step up and treat ourselves better, be it eating right, working out, being kind to ourselves for the so called silly mistakes we made...it's about learning to be kind to ourselves the way we would be to someone else. 

So yay me!! From now until...forever!!!

Day 1: List Update

Yup. I followed thru!

29 more days to go and those shoes are ALL MINE!!!

The Joy of Lists...and how I intend following my latest one for once!

I think I have OCD. 

Ok maybe it's not really like a bad case but it's still there. Apart from the lining up of jars and kitchen stuff in order of height, spot free cleanliness and labeling of my shoe boxes i make lists. Lots of lists.

Making lists gives me immense joy especially when I am checking off the boxes when I am done with the task. I got into this habit when I started working in 2004. A senior colleague suggested I make lists to get through the day instead of making mental notes on the work that was due. I have to say this helped me immensely in my work life for a long time. But it also left me with unfinished tasks, unchecked boxes and also at times a list as long as Santa's Delivery Schedule on Xmas eve!!

Very recently I found a solution which came in the form of another very knowledgeable ex-colleague suggesting the 4 Quad List maker -  a list based on the order of importance. So instead of just writing down 15 things due in the day, I divide my page into 4 quads and then place the tasks due in these and check them off basis their importance. A new way of getting things done basis their urgency that has made work life so much better. By making the 4 Quad List I am able to not only prioritize but also move the not so urgent tasks to another day without feeling bogged down or guilty about it.

Here is what the 4 quad task list looks like and I hope it helps you guys out there too. Trust me - it looks like a lot of work - it is really worth it.

But more often than not when these lists are about life decisions and stuff that's good for me (like eating healthy and working out or trying to wake up an hour early to enjoy the sunrise) I am absolutely unable to follow through. I wonder if most women face this dilemma?

So this morning while driving to work and after a crazy night out with the girls (yea! on a Wednesday!!!) I decided that this list will be my FINAL list and come what may I will make an effort to follow through on it. 

The plan is very simple:

1. Make THE list
2. Set timeline to follow - 1 month (30 days starting today - 18th Oct 2012)
3. Update blog daily with a day-wise update on if I followed through on each day and if I DON'T I will be honest about it and report that too
4. Post 1 month I will reward myself with something expensive and unnecessary (like a pair of jeweled Steve Madden's) for following through


So ladies, here is my ultimate list of all lists...

THE LIST

1. DROP all superstitious rituals (THANKS to my best friend Aarti!) I follow albeit 2 (you have to understand those 2 really WORK...I can see you rolling your eyes...so don't roll your eyes and no I am not jotting down which 2...you may ROFL!!!)

2. Stop being a greedy Pig - basically don't download any more TV shows or movies until I finish the ones already sitting with me; don't drink like it's going outta fashion even if it is 1 day in the week; don't buy any new books before I have finished the 100 I already own (ok 99); don't buy shoes that I know I will end up wearing once in a year and hate every minute of it coz they are so freakin' uncomfy; don't be in a hurry to get ANYWHERE. Take it slow.





3. The thing that I have gotten into the habit of doing on BBM - STOP IT!! I don't have to update my status or DP on FB or BB every hour. Stop that annoying, irrelevant habit. The world will still keep moving if I don't inform them of the 13th plate of Bhel I ate today!!!

4. SLOW DOWN AND SMELL THE ROSES - seriously. I mean it! Stop worrying about something that hasn't even happened and probably never will. And stop thinking about the gazzillion things that have already happened and that I can't do anything about.







5. SAVE - Become smarter with my budget and funds and save up better than the existing plan. Become smarter about my eating habits and save my tummy from the onslaught of unhealthy crap that I keep treating it to. Save my body by being more regular with my running and dancing.






So - Let's see how I do these next 30 days...and if I succeed...THOSE HOT PINK CRYSTAL SHOES ARE MINE!!! (Yeah I am allowed to be a PIG that one time:)). Wish me luck!

Why we LOVE Ryan Gosling!!!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0331516/

A guy friend of mine asked me the other day why we women seem to all be in 'luurrveee' with Ryan Gosling. Granted he is HOT as hell but what's the deal with this phenomenon that seems to have swept females the world over. I decided that it's time I took the bull by the horns and told you why women love Gosling.

Ok let's just be honest here.

I am Sophia Sinha and I am a Ryan Gosling ADDICT. I love him. I can't imagine a world without him. I agree his body looks photo-shopped (and it's not) coz no man has ever looked THAT good bare chested. I think God didn't rest on the 7th day...instead he spent it creating Ryan Gosling! 

BUT.

But Gosling is more than just a pretty face and sexy bod. He is what I call a 'holistic' man as far as the entertainment industry is concerned and is the only man after Tom Hanks to have gotten this kind of dedication from me (Well!! Tom I am sorry but you aren't/weren't ever ripped like RG so I give my boy a 10% lead on you!).

I started following Gosling after watching him in Lars and The Real Girl...he was not a somebody then...yes, he had done a fab movie called The Notebook but that was mushy crap and NOT what he showed us he could do in a slew of movies that have followed in the recent past. While RG got noticed post Blue Valentine, if you want to see this boy in action you have to go rent/buy Half Nelson, Drive, All Good Things and The Believer. He is talented as hell. He has taken risks very early on in his career without the fear of being typecast. He made short films that may not have been seen by many but have been close to his heart. He hasn't made conventional choices and he is just happy doing what he believes in. He plays the lovelorn guy, the sick murdering bastard, the insecure husband, the drug addict teacher and the poster boy all with so much ease that it is tough to ignore his abundance of raw talent.

What I also admire about this guy is his dedication to his dog George and animals in general (he is a self confessed animal lover)...and his band...YES HE PLAYS IN A BAND called Dead Man's Bones. I have their first album and they are pretty OK. He still jams with them and hasnt given it up now that he is world famous. He is grounded.

Also if you wanna see how this man inspires women then you should pick up the book 

'Feminist Ryan Gosling: Feminist Theory (as Imagined) from Your Favorite Sensitive MovieDude

 by Danielle Henderson' from Flipkart for like INR 600. It is a hilarious book on blog posts by the author which got converted into this book. I read an extract and ordered it right away and am waiting for FedEx to bring it to my quavering hands....(ppsst...it's got hot steamy pics of RG with quotes from women about him, feminism, him and then some more him...). it's not only his shirtless self, but also the sensitive man we have fallen for.

So I am assuming that for one man to create this kind of fan following, that when People DIDN'T vote him Sexiest Man Alive there was a mob of women protesting outside their office, is a once in a lifetime phenomenon. It doesn't come from his sexy good looks alone (if that was the case then Zac Efron would be God too...BLECH!), it comes from the way he is...which it seems is as close to normal as can be for an actor of his stature. 

So there you go boys...that's why we love Ryan. All the lil words I have marked here in bold...that's why we love him...not just his body...so if you are left wondering about this Crazy Stupid Love women the world over have for him...quit complaining...coz now you know...!!!

*WINK*

Stumbling into Happiness...4 New Sources Sophie Found!

So there I was on a Monday night after a delicious dinner crafted by Chef ME and am sitting up in my tiny lil apartment's window ledge (my absolute fav place in this city apart from the park at Breach Candy) overlooking the sea-link feeling all content and full of smiles. I found these smiles in different forms - spoken to me, read out to me, staring at me on my computer screen, as melodies in my ears - and I decided to scribble down the 4 new things that I discovered recently that made me so happy!

Ok before you guys freak out, am so not going philosophical on you. You have to keep an open mind and read, watch, listen...and then let it sink in...whatever that IT is. For me it was a realization that happiness is a state of mind and that you achieve it by being yourself, having faith in yourself, recognizing the beauty around you, enjoying one task at a time, meeting new people and spending time with old friends...so here goes...

1. Mary Angelou: WHATTA WOMAN! If you don't believe me...click on this link and you will know what I am talking about. I love her lil quotes...some funny, some very insightful but all full of light energy..as I like to call it. She is an author, poet, civil rights activist, social worker, so much rolled into one. This is power...with words.

“I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 
― Maya Angelou
http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/3503.Maya_Angelou

2. Gothic Music: Yeah for me Goth was black, red, blood, sinful...and then I stumbled onto these songs and I have since been captivated by the music, the Celtic tunes, the native language in some...this music has funnily increased my concentration power while I work. Give it a listen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5absmIJN24&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=EDySgeN3l7A&feature=endscreen


3. Thich Naht Hahn - he is Thay ("Tie" - means teacher in Vietnamese)
A spiritual leader, a monk and touted as the calmest man on earth. I read some of his words and was blown away.
http://www.plumvillage.org/letters-from-thay.html
http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Thich-Nhat-Hanh-Quotes-Calm


4. The Ultimate Heart Reads:

- Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shefak
If there is one book you have to buy, this is it. A tale of friendship, love, faith and resilience. It teaches you through Shams beautiful words on life and love and Rumi's dedication for the wandering dervish.

- Single Girl's To-Do List by Lindsey Kelk
 Kick off your shoes, grab a cold coffee and read this heart warming and funny account of a young woman's journey into self discovery and moving on from heart break.

- The Power Of NOW by Eckhart Tolle
A bit heavy on words but you don't have to read it chapter by chapter which is what makes this book awesome. Read the Index and decide what you wanna know and learn about and then go for it. 

I think what it all boils down to is how open is your mind to new experiences,  some that teach you about yourself, some that show you new ways of dealing with things and some that make you realize you have far more than you realized.  So find your 4 things that will get you in touch with the happiness that exists in you. Let it shine. Just like that.