I have observed, lately I end up cooking good food but with a little less salt.
Cooking is about finding balance for me. If I am losing it there, time to reflect on my life and try to add an extra pinch there too ?
:|
~nightflier
Dallas Diaries
After the usual woes of the baggage that I tend to accumulate over time and packing and moving, I have finally arrived in Texas. I was sleeping through most of the touch down and hence dont have any specific aerial observations about the city I am in. But from what my sleepy head can remember, the landscape seemed pretty sparsely crowded (with buildings and vehicles) and greener than I could have imagined.
Oh and the airs of Dallas blew me away. Literally. As soon as I got out of the airport gusts of hot winds greeted me. Except for the people around I had a deja vu feeling for a second of being in my homwtown, where things get hot, hotter and hottest! My shared cab driver made me wait for 20 minutes and then finally we took off. Normally I do my bit of research before visiting any city to at least know about the people and culture. But this time due to lack of time and lack of internet I ended up being a total nomad. I was clueless except for the fact that I had the address of the friend where I was supposed to go. [May be it was the comfort of visiting someone familiar that I was so careless to not do my part.]
And since I was caught in an unfamiliar territory I started my bit of small talk with the driver by talking about the weather. [:P] After making it obvious that this was my first visit to southern USA, he broke the ice pretty fast. Talks soon moved to schooling and education and what I was doing there. After giving my standard replies, I asked him where he was from. Algeria. I made a very stupid attempt of guessing its geographic location and made a huge boo boo. Thankfully I was judged for being an engineer, a person who should know more about technology than geography. He then went on to explain the whole geography of Africa. He had no difficulties telling stuff about India and our neighbours too. He also mentioned Kashmir and then we ended up discussing how political the whole situation has become. Which lead to an interesting revelation on his behalf. Apparently he was a business administration student at a nearby university. And due to the recession he dropped out of school in his last semester, 2.5 years back and started this driving business. That was apparently the reason for his good knowledge of current affairs. Looking back he reflected he should have continued school and finished it sooner instead of trying to earn more money. But for the better part he also got his family here [but it seems his younger brother and sister have also dropped out of school and are part time drivers].
We humans are weird. I met a guy who quit school to earn money by doing something he never thought he would do, at a point when I am contemplating my next career move. I could not help but compare myself with him and feel a tad bit secure.
At the same time, I could not help but wonder if they will join school again and be able to go back home ?
So that's the story of the first texan friend I made. He plans to join school and finish his Bachelors soon. And I can just hope 'that soon' is not the next 2 years.
~nightflier
Oh and the airs of Dallas blew me away. Literally. As soon as I got out of the airport gusts of hot winds greeted me. Except for the people around I had a deja vu feeling for a second of being in my homwtown, where things get hot, hotter and hottest! My shared cab driver made me wait for 20 minutes and then finally we took off. Normally I do my bit of research before visiting any city to at least know about the people and culture. But this time due to lack of time and lack of internet I ended up being a total nomad. I was clueless except for the fact that I had the address of the friend where I was supposed to go. [May be it was the comfort of visiting someone familiar that I was so careless to not do my part.]
And since I was caught in an unfamiliar territory I started my bit of small talk with the driver by talking about the weather. [:P] After making it obvious that this was my first visit to southern USA, he broke the ice pretty fast. Talks soon moved to schooling and education and what I was doing there. After giving my standard replies, I asked him where he was from. Algeria. I made a very stupid attempt of guessing its geographic location and made a huge boo boo. Thankfully I was judged for being an engineer, a person who should know more about technology than geography. He then went on to explain the whole geography of Africa. He had no difficulties telling stuff about India and our neighbours too. He also mentioned Kashmir and then we ended up discussing how political the whole situation has become. Which lead to an interesting revelation on his behalf. Apparently he was a business administration student at a nearby university. And due to the recession he dropped out of school in his last semester, 2.5 years back and started this driving business. That was apparently the reason for his good knowledge of current affairs. Looking back he reflected he should have continued school and finished it sooner instead of trying to earn more money. But for the better part he also got his family here [but it seems his younger brother and sister have also dropped out of school and are part time drivers].
We humans are weird. I met a guy who quit school to earn money by doing something he never thought he would do, at a point when I am contemplating my next career move. I could not help but compare myself with him and feel a tad bit secure.
At the same time, I could not help but wonder if they will join school again and be able to go back home ?
So that's the story of the first texan friend I made. He plans to join school and finish his Bachelors soon. And I can just hope 'that soon' is not the next 2 years.
~nightflier
a glimpse into my world
Now those who know me and read this blog, know how I got addicted to television. How it has become an integral part of my life here in the US. [most of it is attributed to not having to eat meals alone i.e. my work around for having some company ;) for those who dont know]
So anywhoo (this is something I picked up from Scrubs :P) point behind this post is nothing but praise some of the tv shows that I have come to love!
1. Sex and the city - Now before TV became such a huge part of my life, I always had my reasons for not watching this show. Its kind of obvious in the name itself. And I openly admit that I was judgemental about it. Until one of my close friends whose taste in such matters I consider of great importance, raved about it. Then my roomie, who is a smart, independent person herself also started going gaga about it. [there are only 2 ways you can make me watch/read a movie/serial/book - I should either love you too much or respect you too much to ignore ;)]
So without any clue I hurled myself into the world of the fabulous Carrie Bradshaw. Co-incidentally I was going through a low phase in life and used to miss life back home and friends like anything. So SATC gave me a reason to look forward to my meals and life, in a new way. Watching it was like hanging out with girls (friends) over drinks/coffee/breakfast and just be yourself. And the more I progressed into the show, I started realizing it was intelligent and deep. And despite being neurotic and sometimes stupid, I started relating with Carrie. Because of her obvious flaws (and love for shoes. I tend to judge people from their shoes only if I dont know them and need to form an opinion) and her need to be accepted the way she is. Its a huge revelation you know. To acknowledge ones own flaws and just being oneself. And deal with life your own way.
So for all this and the great company that I got during my meals, this show is one of all time favourites!
[I love all the girls in the show equally btw]
my favourite lines from the show - so many !!!!!
2. House MD - Medical detective drama and me! Quite inseparable! Plus Greg House is so wacky, whimsical, wicked, and at times philosophical and human that I am in love with him. Some of the cases are so intriguing and the underlying tensions in the team, House's manipulative strategies of differential diagnosis make it all the more engaging! Plus they dont show much intrusive medical procedure. Hence a safe meal time companion.
But what I dont write here, beyond the obvious, is how I House has had a profound impact on me. Specially the episode where House has to treat a brain cancer patient and how he is humbled at the end!
My favourite lines from the show - 'You can't always get what you want!' and many more
3. Big Bang Theory - I like nerdy stuff! And Sheldon Cooper you rock! For his priceless bazinga moments I can sit through some other mindless stuff. And I have seen quite a few comedy sitcoms. But BBT could make a place in my heart. May be because it is weird, they talk about science, physics and other geeky stuff :P
4. Castle - Beckett-Castle chemistry is the freshest stuff I have seen between 2 crime detectives since sherlcok holmes - watson. Well may be I exaggerate. But it is very likeable and funny. Plus Ric Castle's home is so fabulous and the kind of rich-kid-gone-spoilt stuff he engages in (read video games, laser tags etc) is super awesome! And I really like the very professional, no-nonsense, dedicated feel Beckett brings to the work place. Double thumbs up!
5. Glee - I know its ages past my age to watch high school dramas. But everyone in Glee is so godammitly talented, that I overcame my initial awkwardness of watching Glee. I love all the music, drama and theatrics in it. I always had this little dream of becoming a performer (only to realize later that I can't really handle all the attention one gets :P) and Glee lets me live it. Vicariously enough! ;)
So all in all I have a really high opinion of American Television now! It can accommodate so many tastes. Desi TV aisa kab banega ? :-/
~nightflier
So anywhoo (this is something I picked up from Scrubs :P) point behind this post is nothing but praise some of the tv shows that I have come to love!
1. Sex and the city - Now before TV became such a huge part of my life, I always had my reasons for not watching this show. Its kind of obvious in the name itself. And I openly admit that I was judgemental about it. Until one of my close friends whose taste in such matters I consider of great importance, raved about it. Then my roomie, who is a smart, independent person herself also started going gaga about it. [there are only 2 ways you can make me watch/read a movie/serial/book - I should either love you too much or respect you too much to ignore ;)]
So without any clue I hurled myself into the world of the fabulous Carrie Bradshaw. Co-incidentally I was going through a low phase in life and used to miss life back home and friends like anything. So SATC gave me a reason to look forward to my meals and life, in a new way. Watching it was like hanging out with girls (friends) over drinks/coffee/breakfast and just be yourself. And the more I progressed into the show, I started realizing it was intelligent and deep. And despite being neurotic and sometimes stupid, I started relating with Carrie. Because of her obvious flaws (and love for shoes. I tend to judge people from their shoes only if I dont know them and need to form an opinion) and her need to be accepted the way she is. Its a huge revelation you know. To acknowledge ones own flaws and just being oneself. And deal with life your own way.
So for all this and the great company that I got during my meals, this show is one of all time favourites!
[I love all the girls in the show equally btw]
my favourite lines from the show - so many !!!!!
2. House MD - Medical detective drama and me! Quite inseparable! Plus Greg House is so wacky, whimsical, wicked, and at times philosophical and human that I am in love with him. Some of the cases are so intriguing and the underlying tensions in the team, House's manipulative strategies of differential diagnosis make it all the more engaging! Plus they dont show much intrusive medical procedure. Hence a safe meal time companion.
But what I dont write here, beyond the obvious, is how I House has had a profound impact on me. Specially the episode where House has to treat a brain cancer patient and how he is humbled at the end!
My favourite lines from the show - 'You can't always get what you want!' and many more
3. Big Bang Theory - I like nerdy stuff! And Sheldon Cooper you rock! For his priceless bazinga moments I can sit through some other mindless stuff. And I have seen quite a few comedy sitcoms. But BBT could make a place in my heart. May be because it is weird, they talk about science, physics and other geeky stuff :P
4. Castle - Beckett-Castle chemistry is the freshest stuff I have seen between 2 crime detectives since sherlcok holmes - watson. Well may be I exaggerate. But it is very likeable and funny. Plus Ric Castle's home is so fabulous and the kind of rich-kid-gone-spoilt stuff he engages in (read video games, laser tags etc) is super awesome! And I really like the very professional, no-nonsense, dedicated feel Beckett brings to the work place. Double thumbs up!
5. Glee - I know its ages past my age to watch high school dramas. But everyone in Glee is so godammitly talented, that I overcame my initial awkwardness of watching Glee. I love all the music, drama and theatrics in it. I always had this little dream of becoming a performer (only to realize later that I can't really handle all the attention one gets :P) and Glee lets me live it. Vicariously enough! ;)
So all in all I have a really high opinion of American Television now! It can accommodate so many tastes. Desi TV aisa kab banega ? :-/
~nightflier
touching base
There is a charming feeling of belonging about one's home. And it is this feeling which makes me love travelling. It is the greatest moment of any journey.
Movement for the sake of movement is sometimes justified and mostly needed. But it is the feeling of stability, comfort that we humans greatly appreciate. Or must it be the feeling of acquaintance ?
May be that is the reason, that in spite of travelling to a dream bay land of everyone around, one feels immense satisfaction returning to the place of horrible and unpredictable weather in the middle of the night. It is no more the adventure of travelling alone at such awkward hours, or the excuse of running away from the humdrum, but the comfort of returning back without being judged that one learns to value.
Yes! Chicago I love you. Officially.
Not out of gratitude for taking care of me for 2 years without spending a single moment in contemplating about my origins or baggage. Not even for teaching me new ways of tackling life or myself. Just for being. Yes just for being yourself. Without any masks.
Every time I walk any trail along a river/lake side I will think of your myriad moods. Every time I look at the sky, I will think of how your skies' very colours enchanted and consumed me. Every time I am exposed to really boring weather, I will think of your chilling winds and the hot currents you blew. Every time I think of home, I will think of you.
We will never be done. Hopefully :)
~nightflier
Movement for the sake of movement is sometimes justified and mostly needed. But it is the feeling of stability, comfort that we humans greatly appreciate. Or must it be the feeling of acquaintance ?
May be that is the reason, that in spite of travelling to a dream bay land of everyone around, one feels immense satisfaction returning to the place of horrible and unpredictable weather in the middle of the night. It is no more the adventure of travelling alone at such awkward hours, or the excuse of running away from the humdrum, but the comfort of returning back without being judged that one learns to value.
Yes! Chicago I love you. Officially.
Not out of gratitude for taking care of me for 2 years without spending a single moment in contemplating about my origins or baggage. Not even for teaching me new ways of tackling life or myself. Just for being. Yes just for being yourself. Without any masks.
Every time I walk any trail along a river/lake side I will think of your myriad moods. Every time I look at the sky, I will think of how your skies' very colours enchanted and consumed me. Every time I am exposed to really boring weather, I will think of your chilling winds and the hot currents you blew. Every time I think of home, I will think of you.
We will never be done. Hopefully :)
~nightflier
Pursuit of happy-ness
Life isn't always easy. Specially when you grow up and are constantly reminded how your decisions will affect the coming days and shape them. In all the chaos of what job to take up, whom to love, whom to marry, where to live, where to settle down, I think happy-ness always takes a back seat. As the theory of cognitive dissonance says we program ourselves to believe that if you do a certain somethings you will definitely achieve that state.
But what about the child playing by the sea shore and his sense of achievement in finding the weirdest shaped pebbles ? What about the sense of wonder ? What about that joy ?
I think you can either always follow your heart and be happy with the consequences. Or follow the norms as defined by someone else and hope to be happy, as everyone around you seems to be so. But are they ? I see a lot of people struggling to make a bright future at the cost of their present. A lot of people relocating against their wishes, taking up jobs which they would have never imagined themselves doing, marrying someone just because they have no other option, leading an unhappy life just because it would be unwise to do otherwise.
In today's world of economic downturns and recession, has following one's heart, taking decisions because that's what you would love to do or like to be, become such a big risk ? You rather choose the safe options or do what you think will make you happy ?
For someone who has always believed fooling oneself to do something that you dont like, is the biggest betrayal of any kind, life seems to be at crossroads.
Time shall definitely tell.
~nightflier
But what about the child playing by the sea shore and his sense of achievement in finding the weirdest shaped pebbles ? What about the sense of wonder ? What about that joy ?
I think you can either always follow your heart and be happy with the consequences. Or follow the norms as defined by someone else and hope to be happy, as everyone around you seems to be so. But are they ? I see a lot of people struggling to make a bright future at the cost of their present. A lot of people relocating against their wishes, taking up jobs which they would have never imagined themselves doing, marrying someone just because they have no other option, leading an unhappy life just because it would be unwise to do otherwise.
In today's world of economic downturns and recession, has following one's heart, taking decisions because that's what you would love to do or like to be, become such a big risk ? You rather choose the safe options or do what you think will make you happy ?
For someone who has always believed fooling oneself to do something that you dont like, is the biggest betrayal of any kind, life seems to be at crossroads.
Time shall definitely tell.
~nightflier
the lazy evening food!
Nope its not maggi. Bummer ?
It is the typical Maharahtrian pithla! When you trudge home every evening with that 5 kg back pack of yours and feel like eating something hot, tasty, filling, pithla comes in handy! Takes hardly 15-20 mins of time and is extremely delicious (if made the right way i.e.).
And since cooking has to be intuitive, I will give a little improvised and healthier recipe. Hope you like it.
Ingredients :
gram flour (besan) - 3-4 table spoons (for 2 people)
pepper (green chilli) - 1-2 (depending on your spicy-ness quotient) - finely chopped
garlic cloves - 4-5 (the more the better) - finely chopped
curry leaves - 5-6 (this is a must!)
turmeric powder
cumin seeds
mustard seeds
oil (the more the better)
hing (asafoetida) - a pinch
salt
spinach, cilantro - according to liking
Preparation :
Mix the gram flour, a pinch of turmeric powder and a little salt into a paste. This should not be very thick but liquidy. In a kadai (frying pan) heat oil to an optimum temperature (when the cumin seeds begin to pop i.e.). Add mustard seeds, hing, curry leaves and stir. Add garlic and once its a little brownish add green chilli. Once the chillies are a bit crispy, add a pinch of turmeric and then add the gram flour liquid (/paste) to the pan. Mix thoroughly. Make sure all the gram flour bubbles have been popped (I find it extremely fun to pop them :D)
Let this cook on low heat for 5-10 mins. Add salt and then add the spinach and cilantro. Din't I say it would be healthy ? The spinach just made it so!
Eat piping hot with rice. Any kind of papad add 5 more stars to your already yummy meal.
The attached picture is mutinous. But the end result is supremely delicious, palatable and filling!
Hope you enjoy.
~nightflier
It is the typical Maharahtrian pithla! When you trudge home every evening with that 5 kg back pack of yours and feel like eating something hot, tasty, filling, pithla comes in handy! Takes hardly 15-20 mins of time and is extremely delicious (if made the right way i.e.).
And since cooking has to be intuitive, I will give a little improvised and healthier recipe. Hope you like it.
Ingredients :
gram flour (besan) - 3-4 table spoons (for 2 people)
pepper (green chilli) - 1-2 (depending on your spicy-ness quotient) - finely chopped
garlic cloves - 4-5 (the more the better) - finely chopped
curry leaves - 5-6 (this is a must!)
turmeric powder
cumin seeds
mustard seeds
oil (the more the better)
hing (asafoetida) - a pinch
salt
spinach, cilantro - according to liking
Preparation :
Mix the gram flour, a pinch of turmeric powder and a little salt into a paste. This should not be very thick but liquidy. In a kadai (frying pan) heat oil to an optimum temperature (when the cumin seeds begin to pop i.e.). Add mustard seeds, hing, curry leaves and stir. Add garlic and once its a little brownish add green chilli. Once the chillies are a bit crispy, add a pinch of turmeric and then add the gram flour liquid (/paste) to the pan. Mix thoroughly. Make sure all the gram flour bubbles have been popped (I find it extremely fun to pop them :D)
Let this cook on low heat for 5-10 mins. Add salt and then add the spinach and cilantro. Din't I say it would be healthy ? The spinach just made it so!
Eat piping hot with rice. Any kind of papad add 5 more stars to your already yummy meal.
The attached picture is mutinous. But the end result is supremely delicious, palatable and filling!
Hope you enjoy.
~nightflier
Cross checking
Was reading this and found it extremely fun!
So shamelessly tagged myself. My brain is waise bhi hibernating. Why not something fun to wake it up ;)
1.Graduated high school.
2. Smoked a cigarette. (I don't think hukka is counted)
3.Got so drunk you passed out.
4.Rode every ride at an amusement park. (Whatever is possible in a single day! 6 flags of great America and our very own Essel World)
5.Collected something stupid. (Still do. Movie tickets!)
6. Gone to a rock concert. (Indian Ocean. They are more of a fusion band than rock though. So don't know if I should count this one.)
7.Helped someone.
8. Gone fishing.
9.Watched four movies in one night. (Night does become day though :-|)
10.Lied to someone. (How do you expect me to pull pranks on people then ?)
11. Snorted cocaine.
12. Smoked weed.
13. Failed a subject. (No :-()
14.Been in a car accident. (Of course with someone else driving)
15. Been in a tornado.
16. Watched someone die. (I saw a road accident once in which the victim did not wake up for quite a long time. I hope that he woke up later after hospital treatment.)
17.Been to a funeral.
18.Burned yourself. (Not in a dangerous way)
19.Run a marathon. (Yes! In Infy! But I walked a huge part of it to give a friend (who was going to give up) some company.)
20.Cried yourself to sleep.
21.Spent over 10,000 bucks in one day. (Airplane ticket. And how can I forget the camera!)
22.Flown on an aeroplane.
23.Cheated on someone. (I am sorry Bruno.)
24.Been cheated on.
25.Written a 10 page letter.
26.Gone skiing.
27. Been sailing.
28.Cut yourself. (The usual kitchen encounters)
29.Had a best friend.
30.Lost someone you loved.
31.Got into trouble for something you didn't do.
32. Stolen a book from the library. (Stealing gives me creeps! I have a feeling I would have made a very bad thief.)
33.Gone to a different country.
34.Watched the Harry Potter movies.
35.Had an online diary.
36. Fired a gun.
37. Gambled in a casino.
38.Been in a school play.
39. Been fired from a job.
40. Taken a lie detector test.
41. Swam with dolphins. (I think swimming in swimming tanks is an achievement enough!)
42.Voted for someone on a reality TV show. (Amit Sana - Indian Idol 1)
43.Written poetry.
44.Read more than 20 books a year. (A proof that I finished my masters :P)
45.Gone to Europe. (on connecting flights! :D)
46.Loved someone you shouldn't have. (Shah Rukh Khan.)
47.Used a colouring book over age 12. (Is it lame to carry around water colours, coloured pencils, and crayons ? As I still do that)
48. Had a surgery.
49.Had stitches.
50.Taken a Taxi.
51.Had more than 5 IM conversations going on at once. (still do when I go online. Once in a while.)
52. Been in a fist fight.
53.Suffered any form of abuse.
54. Had a pet.
55.Petted a wild animal. (myself :-/)
56.Had your own credit card & bought something with it. (GRE/TOEFL scores, graduate school applications)
57. Dyed your hair.
58.Got a tattoo. (removable :D)
59.Had something pierced. (ears when I was very young)
60.Got straight As. (school days mein :-/)
61. Known someone personally with HIV or AIDS.
62.Taken pictures with a webcam.
63.Lost something expensive.
64.Gone to sleep with music on.
I tag all my dost-log (fellow blogger friends.) Feel free to add something of your own! Also reader friends who dont blog can ponder over the fun stuff which they can tick off :)
~nightflier
So shamelessly tagged myself. My brain is waise bhi hibernating. Why not something fun to wake it up ;)
1.
2. Smoked a cigarette. (I don't think hukka is counted)
3.
4.
5.
6. Gone to a rock concert. (Indian Ocean. They are more of a fusion band than rock though. So don't know if I should count this one.)
7.
8. Gone fishing.
9.
10.
11. Snorted cocaine.
12. Smoked weed.
13. Failed a subject. (No :-()
14.
15. Been in a tornado.
16. Watched someone die. (I saw a road accident once in which the victim did not wake up for quite a long time. I hope that he woke up later after hospital treatment.)
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27. Been sailing.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32. Stolen a book from the library. (Stealing gives me creeps! I have a feeling I would have made a very bad thief.)
33.
34.
35.
36. Fired a gun.
37. Gambled in a casino.
38.
39. Been fired from a job.
40. Taken a lie detector test.
41. Swam with dolphins. (I think swimming in swimming tanks is an achievement enough!)
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48. Had a surgery.
49.
50.
51.
52. Been in a fist fight.
53.
54. Had a pet.
55.
56.
57. Dyed your hair.
58.
59.
60.
61. Known someone personally with HIV or AIDS.
62.
63.
64.
I tag all my dost-log (fellow blogger friends.) Feel free to add something of your own! Also reader friends who dont blog can ponder over the fun stuff which they can tick off :)
~nightflier
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