gestures...

  

 

I think we as humans have trained ourselves to live in oblivion about the small things like small gestures that matter and sometimes the least expected person can change your day. Like today was a blue day for me so i went out to the city (Manhattan) to get rid of it. I have a fascination of strolling on the streets of big cities, noticing people, the city, architecture, art, the smallest thing that comes my way. 
Like in the past when i was doing my training in San Francisco i use to go around the city on foot in my free times. Its my personal feeling that you can best admire a city this way. The stories of street walks reminds me of those times when i use to get off the BART, not really wanting to after a nice half hour nap. Walking to work was a torture for me but i couldn't keep sitting in the train for eternity no matter how much my heart wanted. Craziness is an inseparable part of me, its better that i warn you in advance because this thought may cross your mind in a minute. My office was a couple of blocks from the stations and just so that i dint get bored while i walk there i use to try to catch up with people also so that i could wake myself up. It was real fun and i was amazed at the capacity of women to walk at that pace in  silhouettes also  that's when i realized you could actually tell the pace of the city by the pace of the people. In the beginning i could never catch up but by the end i was well in pace and so walking in new york wasn't much of a task. 

You can commonly find me on the street walking in my own air and thoughts, smiling away at anything and everything at times. And often i tend to get smiles back. But today i thought of the time that Ive spent in this city and how it never fails to charm me no matter what. This past one and half year was the best time of my life, each phases in life beholds something new and exciting and it keeps adding to your experiences in life.Sigh...

Going back to small gestures. Even in the midst of trials, I absolutely can't deny that my life is so blessed with so many people who love and support me. But yet the most unknown person could be the one who may have done a small thing, that meant the world to you today. I went to have dinner at a vegetarian falafel place, the person on the counter was super courteous and sweet, he seemed to make everyone smile as they left the place. I was a little upset and with me the problem is my face is very expressive, I hate this fact about myself at times. Anyways so just as i left the place and went to the counter to get a bag to pack my stuff he handed me a rose made out of tissue. Just this simple thing and it cheered me, i wasnt upset anymore, i felt nice and happy just because of this one kind and thoughtful gesture!!

Remember, its not the big things that count, but the simple things that do not cost money, like one rose, or a bunch of wild flowers or just a tissue, that could matter. It mattered to me for sure.

i am an architect...

It was only yesterday that I was going through my pictures and organizing them that i realized AS ALWAYS that yet again i have more pictures of buildings than people in my Boston trip. 

Right then I was reminded of my professor who during my under graduate college course told us a story of how he dreamt of buildings than girls, of how he imagined touching walls and looking out of windows, envisioned perfect poetic spaces. When most of his guy friends looked at hot chicks he'd look through them and notice the details on the building behind her and how it stood so perfectly in the brick cladding. It amusing how a person first notices stuff he/she is passionate about. Till date i cant forget how much my dad wanted me to become a dentist and i couldn't see myself anywhere close to being one. And after all his effort trying to convince me and later even bribe me, i finally did become what i wanted to be and pursued my passion. So id say its okay for an architect to know more buildings that people, that's us. 

Just one of my favorite clicks from the Boston trip of a building i admired for its architecture.

Collections

I recently came across this interesting blog.. i like the idea ...It aims to document collections this person has collected for years now and document them for a period of one year... I am not too fond of the collections themselves as i think they should be a little more bigger in number but i definately like the things she showcases, as they are'nt the usual items. 

The link for the blog is  http://collectionaday2010.blogspot.com/

And here my small little borrowed collection some coin purses.

serendipity...

A small little dessert place in uptown Manhattan. Decorated in rococo style, highly ornamented this place serves the best desserts ever. If you are an ice cream lover you must come to Serendipity. Known for the frozen hot chocolate which has the hot chocolate taste with the frozen drink feel.  Also if the name is reminds of any movie, this is the restaurant you saw in "Serendipity".

 

 

 

gift time ... :)

I love peacocks and i got the most beautiful thing possible from my aunty..

another memorable journey ends today

Finally today all my submissions and work for school are over and now i am heading on towards a new life.

Every phase in my life has been memorable and the friends i made along the way remain forever. I wonder when we will meet again. Uncertainty is a part of life, we meet to part. This reality became more prominent to me in these recent years, but that's life. You have to keep moving on, all you have to do is smile and accept what comes your way.

memories... sweet memories

You can never really wipe off all the memories. The remnants always remain inside you for eternity. Some so precious treasures you don’t want to let go, some you try to forget but remain deep-rooted inside you and others that you just don’t care about and become unresponsive to.
I like making memories and I try to treasure them by scrap booking. It helps me relive the moments. Some bring joy while others a tear to the eye. But they all are precious in their own ways.
Time goes by swiftly and this hobby gives me a chance to let my memories be an echo that never fades away and will remain sounding through the years….

PS: i recently completed a scrap book on my London trip. 

let it snow, let it snow

 

 

I stood at my window gazing at the winters first snow fall, sensing a delight in my heart. Floating in the air the flurries danced with the wind and I stood there watching with awe and glory, admiring the enchanting beauty.  As the wind swirled around and blew and it accumulated delicately like big piles of icing. Everything was so pure and heavenly, the snow rendered the landscape white, everything looked so totally the same but yet so different.

I don’t think there is anything more beautiful than a tree dusted in fresh snow.  I also love how things pause for a while, and we get the chance to take a break from the hectic pace of our everyday life’s. I love the stillness and peace it brings. I also love how it sparkles like diamonds in the in the sun.

I recently got a chance to study more about snowflakes and I realized these were miracles of beauty less appreciated. Each crystal is a masterpiece of design and not one is repeated. It’s amazing to see how god creates beautiful things with so much detail and precision, it’s simply breathtaking. When I think of snow it reminds me of how god created them with as much precision as we humans as no two are alike. 
The gentle touch of the snow on your skin, a whiff of breeze on your face, the hush of joy within your heart and the innocence of baby, all seem so magical to me. I fail to understand how some people can't find it in their hearts, the ability to enjoy this overwhelming making.

As it snows I put on a coat, raise my hands and feel the snow, spinning in circles to the music of chimes; rejoicing in its dance sublime.

 

the uniform project

 

 

http://www.theuniformproject.com/home/daily/Hello-Teensies.html?month=January

The new year started with a bang for me, i was elated to see my neck piece showcased on the very first day of new year. This surely made my day and the beginning of a perfect new year...

My heartiest thanks to the uniform project for selecting my piece and to all who liked it and wrote inspiring comments. Also i commend the uniform project for the fabulous idea and their contribution to such a Nobel cause, congratulations for the success so far.

ball drop in the big aaple

 

10...9....8....7.. and the lighted ball begins picking speed 6...5...4.... and its almost time....3....2.....1...... the crown enchanting .....the moment everyone holds their breath and BANG its the new year....... .a roar goes out, screams, emotions and a wave of immense energy transmitted in the crowd.

Definitely worth it.....

new year wishes

The last year began with hope and smiles. But consistency is not life. There were more downfalls than rise.... but then again you dont leave hope, you have to stay optimistic as its important you finish strong.

As the new year sets in, as the clocks ticks twelve i hope that this new year symbolizes the beginning of a better and brighter tomorrow than just a change in the calender. I wish all a magical year ahead filled with smiles, hope and love.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Chai + conversations = timeless

I would admit that i have recently been little careless, so sorry for that. The truth is Ive been barely keeping up, with so many things ending in my life there was loads to be done. By the way i have an MS in Architecture, yay...... definitely makes me happy.

Now coming down to business, this entry is dedicated to the "JOYS OF CHAI".

Tea or "Chai " is definitely seeped into the Indian culture because of the British influence. Chai is an integral part of everyone's routine in India. To truly understand the joys of drinking chai you would have to guzzle down sips on the platform of a railway station. I remember vividly the "chai wala" who came in train shouting on the top of his voice "chai chai". Being not too fond of the food served in the train this was all i longed for, a cup of the masala chai coupled with the famous PARLE -G biscuit (the unofficial national biscuit). The only thing better than a tasty cup of chai, is a cup of chai with some chai dipping biscuits to dip in it. Also you can never really appreciate its flavor if you haven't had it in the canteen of a hostel of some college, the watery tea is something you long for. But you can never truly enjoy it till you let the it soothe you heart and brain and lets the secrets loose, for what is tea without a dainty conversation.

Its December now and I'm thinking suddenly of the Decembers gone by. I begin to reminisce December and the chai chin-fests, the cold lured us to the canteen more than ever. The gingery flavor and the mingling conjoined with Rumjhum bhaiyas singing made most of our day. It recharged our batteries and broadcasted our feelings into the stratosphere. The PGI bun omelet and tea at three at night also had another whim that struck us mostly when we were barred like inmates by the hostel timings. How could i fail to remember the jacketed aloo samosas (boiled with its peel) at Des raj in the PEC market, and when served with tea in CUTTING glass is something i long for sitting here in New york. To top it up when enjoyed with the best buddies its indubitably priceless.

Towards the end came days of sipping endless cups of tea with our eyes filled with tears. When we fell short of tea but never short of the chit chats, we re-winded every moment that we spent together in those 5 yrs and we went over and over again like a broken record but it went on. Oh i miss those college days. I remember them and will always do and will perhaps, hold onto it like a slice of time, always beautiful.

As i write this all i can think of is making myself a cup of steaming hot tea, though i will be missing my old friends to share my stories, but then again i have made new friends with whom i made new stories and shared the old ones. That's life and you have to move on and keep pace with it. And its almost time for me to move on again hoping i make new friends that share the same passions as i do and who listen to all the endless stories that i want to share.

explorations....

As i eagerly await the showcasing of my neck piece in the uniform project.