When I received an iPhone as a birthday gift a few months ago, my joy knew no bounds. It became my favourite plaything for the next few days. But as with the shockingly predictable feature that's characteristic of any mobile phone user, I soon grew bored with my new toy. Yet, I thought I should list down the pros and cons of this gadget that initially inspired me loads.
THE TURN-ONS: (Later, I will tell you why I'm using this description for a phone)
1. The easy-to-use touch screen
2. I can access you tube,my e-mails and other favourite sites in a jiffy
3. It's got an amazing application store with hitherto unknown features(well,at least to me) like Urban spoon (where you shake your phone and it randomly selects a nearby restaurant for you to dine), mini piano, Shazam(the phone identifies music you hear on TV) & Hangman(a word game), to name a few from an ocean of applications.
4. I get to play sudoku without frantically searching for fresh newspapers all the time
5. the voice recorder provides excellent audibility
THE TURN-OFFS:
1. The phone is bulky
2. The appearance is nothing much to write about, and I have admired the sleeker nokia models a lot more
3. The pictures taken from the camera have poor clarity and resolution
4. There is no video recorder
Now, coming to why I used the terms turn-ons and turn-offs. That's because I always think that a mobile phone is like a woman(Or a man too, considering myself a feminist), something , that after a few months, you get bored with and invariably want to change. Now,that reminds me , "CHANGE" has become my latest favourite word, considering my latest fascination for this guy, Obama. I'm not an expert on his administrative policies, but the man undenyingly has loads of charisma and magnetism that is sure to bring him laurels in the future.
I'm always good at deviating from the main topic. But as I said, I'm bored with my phone and my eyes have already started roving to some of the funkier models that I see at the stores.
Now, I heard the latest blackberry storm is good. What say you?
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Crossroads
I was admitted into the hospital for a few hours for some reason and it not being one of my best days, I just planned to spend it quietly in my cubicle. But I quickly learnt that it was not to be like that. My nurse barged in, vibrant and exuding positive energy. "Hi honey, I'm Sandra. How are you this morning? Shall i order some breakfast for you?" . Though she appeared middle aged, with her heavy framed glasses, braces and constant smile, I couldn't help being reminded of "Ugly Betty". I said stiffly "No thanks"(In other words, I meant "Please don't disturb me. I'm fine. And please don't honey me.) She seemed impervious to my attitude as she left saying "Call me if you need anything honey".
I thanked God and closed my eyes to go to blissful slumber. But it wasn't much time before she came back and enquired if everything was fine. I cursed the day being sometime in the thanksgiving weekend as the hospital looked almost uninhabited and I was one of the only two patients she had that day.I tried best to close the conversation only to lose poorly to someone who was impossible to quieten down. So I finally conceded that I would give in to her chatter but I would only be a passive listener. She enquired about the Mumbai terror attacks and this time, there was nothing that could stop me from detailing the events happening there.The conversation soon moved on to other topics without me being much aware of it. I don't know the exact moment when reluctance gave way to eagerness, but soon, I found myself discussing medicine, nursing, shopping , family and children with her. When she was called to attend the other patient for a short time, this time, to my surprise, I was reluctant to let her go. Our conversation still continued and when she commented, "You are a quiet young lady, aren't you?", I couldn't help telling her that I had talked a lot more that day than I usually do, to which she laughed mirthfully. Soon, it was time for me to check out and it was incredible to see how quickly the time had passed. It struck me that Sandra had not only succeeded to converse comfortably with me, but probably unknowingly even to her, she had erased the hostility and irritation that was present with me earlier that day.I realized that I had made a good friend in Sandra.
When it was time for me to leave, the introvert in me stood standing not knowing what to do, when Sandra took over and did the thing i too wanted to but could not bring myself to do it. She simply hugged me . I knew that for both of us, it had proved to be something more than the ordinary day.
I then turned around and walked without looking back , at the same time realizing that my heart was doing a little squeeze as I did so.
In the journey of life, sometimes, someone walks into our lives from nowhere, creates a special bond with us, but may have to leave soon to continue his or her own journey, just like two intersecting roads that have to invariably diverge after a course of time. In that case, instead of repenting their loss, it is best to thank God not only for creating such beautiful moments in our lives but also because he has created many synapses in our brain, called memories, so that we can preserve, recollect and cherish those special moments for eternity.(well, at least until one gets afflicted with Alzheimer's disease).
Yes, I knew I would miss Sandra but I was also happy that I had met her for she had definitely made a difference to my life. I know I will always cherish our bond of friendship. As I said, memories are enough.
I thanked God and closed my eyes to go to blissful slumber. But it wasn't much time before she came back and enquired if everything was fine. I cursed the day being sometime in the thanksgiving weekend as the hospital looked almost uninhabited and I was one of the only two patients she had that day.I tried best to close the conversation only to lose poorly to someone who was impossible to quieten down. So I finally conceded that I would give in to her chatter but I would only be a passive listener. She enquired about the Mumbai terror attacks and this time, there was nothing that could stop me from detailing the events happening there.The conversation soon moved on to other topics without me being much aware of it. I don't know the exact moment when reluctance gave way to eagerness, but soon, I found myself discussing medicine, nursing, shopping , family and children with her. When she was called to attend the other patient for a short time, this time, to my surprise, I was reluctant to let her go. Our conversation still continued and when she commented, "You are a quiet young lady, aren't you?", I couldn't help telling her that I had talked a lot more that day than I usually do, to which she laughed mirthfully. Soon, it was time for me to check out and it was incredible to see how quickly the time had passed. It struck me that Sandra had not only succeeded to converse comfortably with me, but probably unknowingly even to her, she had erased the hostility and irritation that was present with me earlier that day.I realized that I had made a good friend in Sandra.
When it was time for me to leave, the introvert in me stood standing not knowing what to do, when Sandra took over and did the thing i too wanted to but could not bring myself to do it. She simply hugged me . I knew that for both of us, it had proved to be something more than the ordinary day.
I then turned around and walked without looking back , at the same time realizing that my heart was doing a little squeeze as I did so.
In the journey of life, sometimes, someone walks into our lives from nowhere, creates a special bond with us, but may have to leave soon to continue his or her own journey, just like two intersecting roads that have to invariably diverge after a course of time. In that case, instead of repenting their loss, it is best to thank God not only for creating such beautiful moments in our lives but also because he has created many synapses in our brain, called memories, so that we can preserve, recollect and cherish those special moments for eternity.(well, at least until one gets afflicted with Alzheimer's disease).
Yes, I knew I would miss Sandra but I was also happy that I had met her for she had definitely made a difference to my life. I know I will always cherish our bond of friendship. As I said, memories are enough.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
i wonder why
I have never understood the fascination to live in the west. I always considered myself a proud and patriotic Indian and I promised myself that I would always live in India. But destiny, as it usually does, brought a twist in my tale and made me land here in the US of A. The first thing that struck me about the place was the ubiquitous absence of people (hey,i believe that's an oxymoron) as compared to the throngs of people that were strolling about in the streets, shops, movie halls and name wherever you want back in India. hmmmm, did'nt I feel lonely?
Next came the most important part, viz, the food. I was craving to get a taste of idli or dosa. But in a small town in the US where I live, it's called wishful thinking.(Even if one goes to an Indian restaurant anywhere in the US, what one experiences is not good food, but only a horror story). And I have never been one to test my culinary skills. Hmm, what do I do? Forget the craving signals sent by my hypothalamus and meditate on cereals, macaroni,pasta and what not. Urghhh!! Finally I consoled myself that this will at least give me an opportunity to lose weight!
Adding to my frustration, I learnt that I had to do the household chores all by myself(Sorry, my husband helps too!). Me, who had enjoyed all my life being a couch potato back at home!! I missed my mom very much and tears swelled up my eyes. My husband,also my childhood friend, who was well aware of my perennial laziness was chuckling sarcastically watching me at work and at the moment, I felt that this was a scene from Shakespeare's "Taming of the shrew", me being Katherina.
But most important of all, I missed my parents,sister,uncles,aunts,cousins,grandparents, friends, neighbours,our maid, the auto-drivers standing in the street corner, the priests in the neighborhood temple, the shopkeeper in the nearest grocery shop, the temple bell ringing every morning, the distant sound of the train, the ever-irritating(but now endearing) horn sound of the vehicles, the thunderous shout of the man with his vegetable barrow waking me up from sleep every afternoon.........well,the list seemed endless. This came as a shock to me who had taken people, things, events et al granted all my life. This feeling, this emptiness, came like an unexpected blow to my head.
I really wondered and still wonder why hundreds and thousands of Indians yearn for this life when they have probably everything they want back at home,sweet home! Is it a case of the grass being greener on the other side? Or does my simple mind refuse to see something beautiful and attractive about living here? Some say you experience a luxurious lifestyle here, but what's a good lifestyle without all your loved ones around and the freedom to do what you want and be yourself in your own country? I fail to realize the purpose of life when I have to relinquish everything above mentioned. I wonder and wonder.Someday,i'll probably have an answer. Whatever it is, all said and done, life goes on.......
Next came the most important part, viz, the food. I was craving to get a taste of idli or dosa. But in a small town in the US where I live, it's called wishful thinking.(Even if one goes to an Indian restaurant anywhere in the US, what one experiences is not good food, but only a horror story). And I have never been one to test my culinary skills. Hmm, what do I do? Forget the craving signals sent by my hypothalamus and meditate on cereals, macaroni,pasta and what not. Urghhh!! Finally I consoled myself that this will at least give me an opportunity to lose weight!
Adding to my frustration, I learnt that I had to do the household chores all by myself(Sorry, my husband helps too!). Me, who had enjoyed all my life being a couch potato back at home!! I missed my mom very much and tears swelled up my eyes. My husband,also my childhood friend, who was well aware of my perennial laziness was chuckling sarcastically watching me at work and at the moment, I felt that this was a scene from Shakespeare's "Taming of the shrew", me being Katherina.
But most important of all, I missed my parents,sister,uncles,aunts,cousins,grandparents, friends, neighbours,our maid, the auto-drivers standing in the street corner, the priests in the neighborhood temple, the shopkeeper in the nearest grocery shop, the temple bell ringing every morning, the distant sound of the train, the ever-irritating(but now endearing) horn sound of the vehicles, the thunderous shout of the man with his vegetable barrow waking me up from sleep every afternoon.........well,the list seemed endless. This came as a shock to me who had taken people, things, events et al granted all my life. This feeling, this emptiness, came like an unexpected blow to my head.
I really wondered and still wonder why hundreds and thousands of Indians yearn for this life when they have probably everything they want back at home,sweet home! Is it a case of the grass being greener on the other side? Or does my simple mind refuse to see something beautiful and attractive about living here? Some say you experience a luxurious lifestyle here, but what's a good lifestyle without all your loved ones around and the freedom to do what you want and be yourself in your own country? I fail to realize the purpose of life when I have to relinquish everything above mentioned. I wonder and wonder.Someday,i'll probably have an answer. Whatever it is, all said and done, life goes on.......
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