Build a Home

Born in a middle-class family and staying at a really congested place was what my childhood all about. My house had huge stairs and old ceilings. It was a building 60 years old at least. And the surroundings were filled with perverts. You can imagine how possessive my parents must have been at the thought of me stepping out of the house.

Due to lack of space, we then shifted to a 2BHK flat and then to a 3 BHK one. Since then, things have changed drastically.

I am not saying that everything is really rosy but the position is much better than how it used to be.

Today, when I think of my bucket list and ponder over the idea of a perfect home or my dream home… all I can think of is build a family with love and care. I want to buy a house and make it my home… our home. I don’t want a huge mansion or a bungalow but a nice cozy place with enough space for everyone in the family. I want to decorate it with cute stuff in the children’s room may be and some classy stuff in the rest of the house. A house where peace dwells, a house where love flourishes, a house filled with laughter and joy, a house with respect for one another. That is how I dream about my house.

What dreams do you see for your house? Share with me and give me some ideas too.

Cheers

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Day 5: Book: When art thou write?

Don’t we all dream of writing our books one day?

A dream that seems so distant yet so close. A dream that we all chase and want to live one day… a dream that makes us write religiously, a dream that doesn’t lets us give up on our thoughts… a dream so far yet so close!

The thought of seeing your name on the cover page of a book, the confidence to finally call yourself an ‘Author’, the idea to finally see all your hard work in paper right before your eyes…. Aren’t all these moments truly enchanting?

We all think of writing a book one day and it’s not only with the bloggers or writers or people who are fairly familiar with writing but as human beings, we all think of writing a book one day and yet very few of us actually write one.

Do you know, one of the top regrets that people have when they are on their death bed? It’s writing that book.... which never happened because they were so occupied making a life that they forgot to live it or do something they really wanted to do.

That’s the thing with all of us… we all think we have time… lots of time and yet one fine day we fall short of the uncountable time we had. The irony, isn’t it?

I too want to write a book and I am not waiting for that perfect day to begin but I am struggling with the inspiration… I am battling with the topic or the niche or anything you want to call it. I want the book to be like a book… something really solid, worth reading, something that readers would love to hook up to…. That is the reason why I dropped the idea of the e-book of the A to Z challenge. I felt that my posts were good as blog posts but not as strong and compelling to take the shape of a book. I realized the flaws in my writing from compiling it in a book’s perspective and I learned that there was so much more that was required to be written in order to make it call a…. BOOK.

We all learn with time and the learning never stops and that is what keeps us going.

With that note, I am going to take off with that dream in my eyes of writing on an exemplary book... One day!

Tell me what you have got to say on that?

Cheers 

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Day 4: Tick off the Adventures

I’m not sure since when but I’ve always loved adventures. The adrenaline rush in the body, the spine chilling fear of seeing the death from so close (okay maybe this is too much of exaggeration but you got the point), the thrill and the excitement of doing things, going to the dark places, risky places… sure they scare the hell out of me but in some corner of my mind I also have this urge to know what’s behind the darkness, what is it that we fear so much and in the lure of finding out, I always choose such places and feel triumphant after coming out safe :P

There are a few adventures I have ticked off from the list but did I tell you, I have a long list? : P

Scuba diving, river rafting, parasailing, trekking, snorkelling, undersea walking, riding on the world’s fastest roller coaster in the world, go karting, cliff jumping, flying fox, river crossing, zorbing, and free fall are already ticked off from the list but there are many that are still waiting for their turns!

Skydiving in New Zealand and over the Palm Islands (Dubai), bungee jumping, riding that swing in Ecuador, Skiing, attend the Tomatina festival in Spain, go overseas all alone for a trip, are the ones that are yet to see the light of the day (the list is not over but these are the ones I can think of at the moment).

Swimming doesn’t count in adventures but its one thing that is there on my mind from a long time and I’m sure I’m going to learn it someday.

None of them is inspired by Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara but the urge has only grown more after watching the movie.

Are you an adventurous person? Do you have a wish list for them? Share with me and give me more ideas… who knows we might end up doing it together!

Cheers

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Day 3: Take up a Writing Course

Here comes the third day of the Barathon and I’m happy we’re surviving. The third thing on my wish list that I want to tick off soon is to Study writing.

I know there is no set pattern about writing that anyone can teach, but still, I want to take up a course and experience the classroom learning all over again. I miss that so much in my life. Being a student again, meeting strangers and then becoming friends, making mistakes and learning from them, having someone by your side to push you more and more towards your goals… wouldn’t it be great?

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I want to have that mentor in life who could show me the path or push me towards my dreams, just the way my teachers used to do! I’ve always been that kind of a student who has had a strong support system and that system always pushed me to do more and more.

Writing is something that comes from inside and yes, books are the best teachers (the only teachers I ignore the most) but I still want to attend workshops, may be a few days or attend a course in a reputed school and probably have this skill polished a bit, fine-tuned a bit… I don’t know if that is going to help or not but I do have this thing in my heart that I would want to pursue someday!

Do you too feel like undergoing a particular course? Are you up for being the student again? 

Yes, or no, tell me all about it!

Cheers

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Day 2: Take a girl’s trip at least once in year ;)

Now, this is something that I plan every year and I have to tick it off year-on-year. The fad started when I began reading more articles on solo traveling and stuff. While, I’m still not comfortable taking a trip all alone (I don’t fear it but I feel a company would make the trip much better), taking a trip with my girls has done so much more to my soul than I ever thought it would do.

This is something I always look forward to. Sometimes, because of work, A (husband) gets stuck and we’re not able to go around together, but the travel bite in me keeps pestering to take the trip even if it means going without him. I don’t know why, but the idea of going out from the city entices me a lot.

Last year, I took a trip to Kasol with my sister revelation. We learned a lot of things on the trip, which I barely think about when I go with the husband.

Then there was another trip to Calcutta with the ladies in the house (it was my MIL and SIL). More than me, it was them who were more than happy to go without their husbands. It was the first time for them in so many years of their marriage and that trip kind of opened their courage for more trips without their husbands: P

This year, after being stuck in the regular routine along with battling a lot of on stress, I finally gave in to the idea of taking a break from everything and just have some time to myself without giving second thoughts to it.

I’m happy that I have that kind of friends who’re there for you when you really want to be with them and would travel miles just to have each other’s company. This trip was to Bombay and Pune! It was nostalgic and rejuvenating! At least for me. And them, of course… I guess.

Peek-a-Boo

It mended certain irreparable things and this came as a total surprise! Everything went well and left us to look forward to more such trips.

Wherever you are, whatever is happening in your life, try to find a way and take a trip with your girls… it will heal your soul in ways you never knew ever existed. And if you have already taken one, then don’t stop… keep this ritual alive and see wonders happening to yourself.

Cheers

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Barathon Day 1- Theme reveal and more...

After pushing and dragging myself endlessly to write for this challenge, I am finally trying to place some words here. Some days, writing just doesn’t come to you and yet you are compelled to write. I feel this is one wonderful role that challenges play and this is why I always look up to them.

They push you beyond your limits and force you to write when every single bone of your body prefers to give up.

When I heard of Barathon (organised by Blog-A-Rhythm), I happily signed up for it. What I didn’t see coming was the fact that it would take so much of pain to come up with a theme and write a post on all 7 days. Even now, writing an entire blog post seems like a task.

Enough of ranting, let’s come to the theme now. Did I tell you what is the theme going to be all about? Obviously not! If only, I’m done with the ranting (*rolling eyes*)

My theme for this year’s Barathon will be:

‘7 Things on my Bucket list and why’

While writing only 7 is a task, I’ll to cover big things or may be important things that I really want in life. But that doesn’t mean there are only 7! It only means that I have less number to put here: P

Travel the World:

This one goes without saying for I guess, all of us! But one place that is there on my mind for quite some time is Ecuador. Do you know why? Because it’s the edge of the world! Okay, there’s nothing like a flat surface there, where you can reach the edge, but it has a swing at the end of the world!

This swing is without the harness, without any safety equipment, without any net! It’s nothing more than a wooden plank suspended by two ropes and it arcs the riders out in the air over the canyon. I think this is one place that will take a real test of everyone who calls themselves adventurous souls!

While Ecuador has been on my mind for quite some time, there are other places as well which I fancy all the time.

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Sharing the picture only for this one... getting how excited I am to try this?!

I want to try a hash brownie in Amsterdam and get high and probably sit on the road just for fun! I don’t know why I think like this, but I do have this image in my head!

I want to kiss my husband under the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Hey! It’s my wish list… I can think whatever I want!

I want to go to New York and stay there for some time! New York always fascinates me and ever since I’ve seen Sex and the City (am talking about the series here and NOT the movie), this urge has become stronger.

I want to go to Switzerland and feel the beauty on Earth, climb those snow-clad mountains and play in the snow with my favorite people, reach the top of the world and have wine in those chilly winds!

Then I have Egypt on my mind… to see the pyramids and the Mummies. Ever since I’ve studied about it History books in school, I’ve fascinated the place like none other!

I want to go Australia and New Zealand… Australia is beautiful and New Zealand has the world’s best skydiving thing and I just want to do it before I die!

While there are other places as well on my mind, but the ones mentioned above obviously tops the list!

What places are there on your mind you’d like to go before dying? I’m sure there must be many… why not write them here and share the list?

Cheers

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30 Odd Answers

It’s been over a month, I’ve written anything on my blog and what better way could it be for breaking the writer’s block by taking up this fun exercise. I found this on Parul’s blog and immediately decided to take it up.

Also, what better way could it be to become all chatty and post it here on the blog ;) :P

Read on to find out more!

1.  What did you want to be when you were a kid? A software engineer, though I had no idea what it was. I just liked the word. I also wanted to be a teacher I guess.
2. Which “Friends” character do you relate to the most? Why? None but if we talk about couples, I can relate a bit with Monica and Chandler.
3. Do you like your name? Why? Yes. I love my name. There is a sort of connection I build with people I meet and I guess that’s because of my name.
4. Are you messy or neat? Both. I am really neat at times and beyond messy other times! :P
5. How tall are you? Tall enough to get down those containers or stuff placed at heightened corners of the house.
6. How tall were you when you were 10? I’m not sure I remember that!
7. What is your guilty pleasure? Café Latte with a Chocolate brownie.
8. What are you saving money for right now? I’m saving so that I can give my dream gifts to people I love the most! And on travel as well!
9. How many Pringles can you eat at once? None. I’m not a Pringles fan but I do love Lays (the Blue one), I can have two packets if I’m starving.
10.  Tea or coffee? Without a doubt, Coffee it is!
11. Are you an introvert or an extrovert? I am an extrovert as a person but when it comes to social media and virtual world, I am a big-time introvert!
12. What will be your Halloween costume this year? Never really gave it a thought. I haven’t celebrated it ever but would love to try some scary things sometime.
13. Sweet or salty? Sweet! Always.
14. Favorite social media? Twitter. Actually, I’m not too much fond of any social media. I keep unplugging from time to time.
15. Who is the last person you kissed? If dreams count, it’s Chandler Bing (about last night and it still feels fresh ;))
16. What is your favorite breakfast? A bowl of sprouts, a glass of milk and two bread toast with butter.
17. When is your birthday? October 18
18. When did you start your blog? Back in 2011 but it became an active one in 2015.
19. What is your opinion on the Kardashians? None. It’s indifferent to me.
20. How would you describe your style? Elegant and Classy
21. What color is your hair? Black. With a lot of white strands now (*rolling eyes*)
22. What color socks are you wearing? None. It’s pretty hot here in Agra.
23. What is your dream job? A job that pays me to explore places and do adventures and travel the world.
24. Dogs or cats? Anytime, Dogs!
25. What makes you weird? This eccentric need to do almost everything in life and travel without putting a stop.
26. Celebrity crush? Nikolaj Coster- Waldau a.k.a Jamie Lannister (Game of Thrones)
27. Opinion on cigarettes? They’re bad and I hate them.
28. Do you want/have children? How many? Yes, I want to have them some day.
29. Three favorite boy names? Daanish, Nirvaan, Aadvik
30. Three favorite girl names? Kaira… umm.. not able to think any!

Aren't we all weird in some ways or the other?

It was a fun exercise and you should try it too. Just copy-paste the questions and answer them on your blog and do let me know so that I can give it a read!

Cheers

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Website Review: Rateral.com

Hello, my fellow shopaholics! The relentless battle to find your befitting product and item amongst all the innumerable products and varieties that are on a showcase on websites and platforms is only becoming more bewildering and tiresome day-by-day.

So, take a moment to rejoice, for now, with the launch of rateral.com, you’ve been gifted with a common platform where all your questions and doubts will be answered.

A common answer to all your shopping queries: Rateral.com

rateral.com is a question-answer based website aimed to bring the shopping community closer and to lend a helping hand to all those wanderers looking up online with amusement and confused about what shall be the best buy for them and where are they going to find it?

You can start your amazing experience on this website by creating a personalized profile. Since guest users are given the liberty to put up a limited number of questions (three to be factual), so for a hassle-free experience I suggest you be a member by signing up. You can sign-up with your email-id or login using your Facebook and Google Accounts.

You can get connected to other members by sending invites or by sharing profile links! (http://www.rateral.com/users/1026/- this is me!)

Once you are ready with your profile, describing your interest and preferences, you’ll be able to browse better.

So, start with putting up the question that has been tormenting you since you’ve heard about the launch of that product or saw this alluring advertisement in the magazine.'

I’ve asked Are genuine cosmetic products available online? If yes, then what are those sites which offer authentic products from MAC, Dior, Estee Lauder, etc?

 If you happen to have any idea, please feel free to answer.

Once you put up your question, you’ll be earnestly answered by other users who’ve either used that product or have ample knowledge and information to guide you to make an informed decision.

In today’s era where market competition is surging to crazy heights and new products and brands and websites are getting launched on a regular basis, making an informed decision considering all the pros and cons, shall not only fetch you a label of a wise and thoughtful consumer but also will not leave you with a big hole in your pocket that you may lament over afterwards!

Also, by answering to other people’s questions, you shall be contributing in building a global community emanating feelings of mutual trust, and helpfulness.

And just when you can’t stop thinking about what shall be your first question, I’m glad to inform you that you can ask an endless number of questions once you sign-up as a member!

So, whether it is the new watch you’re thinking of gifting to your husband or the new mobile phone you have waited for so long to buy, it’s all up there. Put your worries to rest. You have a whole lot of other shopaholics and customers to enable you in choosing the best.

The shopping experience is going to be easier, wiser, more exciting, less dubious and troublesome, thanks to rateral.com!

Cheers

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This is a Sponsored post and the views above are totally mine without the influence of anyone.

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