Movie Review: Slumdog Millionaire

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

How many times has it been that you've day-dreamed of being a millionaire?

How many times has it been that you've felt things happen because that's how they are supposed to happen in our lives?

How many times has it been that you've felt that things happened around through a stroke of luck?

"Slumdog Millionaire" is one such story. It is the story of how an impoverished Indian teen Jamal Malik became a contestant on the Hindi version of "Who Wants to be A Millionaire?" -- an endeavor made without prize money in mind, rather, an effort to prove his love for his friend Latika, who is an ardent fan of the show.

The beautiful, and at times horrible, twists and turns of Jamal's life which brought him to the hot seat and which inexplicably also helps him win the prize money and find Latika for good, would surely leave bound to your seat for the two hours.

A well paced movie with no meaningless time squandering around that is sometimes on view in movies which have the most innovative of concepts.

Give it a watch. It should be on your list for 2009.

It's your life... live it up!!

Hey folks!! I have been away... a long time from blogsville. Despite having hit a block amongst other worldly matters, Ishi's suggestion hit hard: "I recommend". I didn't really have to think about it. I simply knew... such is the simplicity of the topic. So without much ado lemme plough ahead.

In these past few months, while I have been running around to get a few things done and finally moving to a distant land, I lost touch with a few things. It was during the 10 hr flight from Kolkata to London, watching Kung-fu Panda 36000 ft above sea level, I was lost in introspection. I took a stock of my life in the past 3 years and tried to come tally out the good and bad incidents during that phase. Soon, I realised... somewhere along while I did find a part of me, whose existence I had doubts upon, I had also lost out on parts which were mine. Good riddance?? I dunno!! But, I had changed enough to have a high blood pressure, losing my temper at the slightest of pretext, had become more demanding or may be exacting!!

And when I compared them to the better things in life I've had during that time, I chanced upon what I would say, I have adopted as a fundamental principle and would love to follow all my life.
And this is what I recommend everyone:
Get out... think out of the box... life is not meant for conventional thinking... you have only one life!!
Be bold, be brave... stand up for what you believe in!!
Party hard, sing like it its your last, dance like no ones watching you!!
Smile always... love every moment!!
Someone has hurt you? Fair enuf!! Move on.. don't brood!!
Let love happen to you.... step out and get drenched in the rain!!
Love someone as if this is the last chance you'll ever have!!
You may not achieve all that you want, but make a success out of what you get!!
Last, there's a lot to do, lot to see, loads to laugh about, loads to cry about, dozens to moan about, scores to win over.... but time is at a premium. So don't spend your life stuck at one point!!

I may have missed a few points here... but this is what I firmly believe in. Silently I might have been following most of it, but this may be the first time I'm jotting it down!!

Cheerio
It's your life... live it up!!

Updating Sam..... (Sam)

Phew!! ok.. it's been a while. No wait... It's been a long time, since I wrote a word on blogsville. Life has been moving at a hectic pace and frankly am starting to feel a little breathless. I'll trace back six months since that's how long I have been off the map (almost). Firstly, MBA apps had started bombing. I had targetted UK and that was a fatal mistake with about 3 years of work ex (Loony, you might want to remember that!!), coz the excuse was it was too less. Anywyz, meanwhile dad shifted to Chennai, to take over a some real-estate firm. Am really happy for him as he has reached where he should have been about 10 years ago, had not played being the ideal family man. Better late than never is what I say!! :)

Finally in May, while being interviewed for MBA by a UK uni, I was offered a seat in the MSc programme. I decided to wait on it while they took their decision on the MBA. While I got rejected for the same I got the formal invitation to join the MSc programme. However, their was a catch. I had to get an academic recommendation and had just 14 days left for it to reach them. What followed a hurried travel form Pune to Sikkim, via Kolkata and Siliguri and then a dispatch to the uni. A few weeks later the conditional offer came in. I accepted!! :)

Now, if you thought the action was over then the answer is NO!! It was far from it...

The uni required my transcripts which the college couldn't dispatch thanks to the Gorkhaland troubles. On tenterhooks, I remember placing frantic calls to the Sikkim Manipal University. Finally the documents were submitted to the uni a week before deadline. All proceedings done. It was time for visa application. That meant a two week travel to Kolkata. It was while in Kolkata, that at a British Council organised pre-departure meet I came across a long lost friend. She was off to Leicester. Good!! :)

Since then visa app has been approved, last few days at work being celebrated, Gini came around to Pune for a visit and basically am busy packing bags. Oh and the internet policy at work has bit an all time low, with blogger being blocked out. Am using the client network to post this!!

Future update: 8th I leave Pune for Chennai, 15th I reach Kolkata, 1st October I reach London.

I don't know what my status on connectivity would be there so I make no promises!!

Oh, and I'm going to study at Tanaka Business School, Imperial College London

Till then everyone, take care and stay beautiful!!

Cheerio!!

Almost Single (Book review) - Sam

After another mundane day at work, I really wanted to chill out and while my time away. So, I hopped across to the nearest Crossword and after ambling across its aisles for like hours, I decided on a few books (Yes, I'm a compulsive book-shopper and books are my therapy). One of these was "Almost Single" by Advaita Kala. I went through the back cover and it seemed promising. I flipped open to sneak into the plot and it was more to form an opinion about the author's ability and making sure it just wasn't any other book. I must say I wasn't dissappointed.

This is what the back cover read:

“Wickedly irreverent and laugh aloud funny, Almost Single is a delightful romp through the five star world of champagne brunches, gay soirees, and the dilemmas of hip, young girls on the look out for love and matrimony”

That and a realistic, in your face kind of introduction of the female protagonist, Aisha Bhatia, hooks me to the book.

The book takes you through the trials and tribulations a single, unmarried woman in her late twenties might go through. In between there is a sneak peek into the lives that others lead around Aisha: from her gay friend to her divorced friend, a love crazy but vengeful friend to the irritating boss. And then there were a more characters. Read to find out more as Aisha embarks on her journey to find a groom with her friends and comes across all sorts of people.

The best part about the novel is the ease with which the characters unfold and present themselves, neither would it make you feel alienated from them. On the contrary you might just know exactly what they are talking about. The laughter riot in the book can leave you chuckling for days on. Full marks to Advaita for portraying such real life characters with a distinct style and elan which would leave many readers pining for more. The way the novel ends is unpredictable, a touch unconventional, rebellious to the more tradition oriented and yet funny. Tingles you mind for comedy as well as romanticism.

Go read it!!

Published in July, 2007, I wonder what made me buy this book so late in the day!!

You can also read Advaita at her blog: http://www.advaitakala.com/

I wish was there.... (Sam)

When talking about holidays, one thing which i repent the most despite having toured many a places, when I think back I always claim I don't know that place. This is something which I feel is so necessary. But then, when travellin or on vacation one has to think about budgets and other timelines... reminder of the life that you are taking a break from.

Anywyz, here is a list of the places I wanna visit again... (and yes!! I loved all of those places) coz, simply I wanna know them better.

1. Rajasthan: Nothing beats the style and oppulence of the Rajputs. The history of the land is laced with blood and passion. The house of Mewar being most prominent. How many can forget the battle of Haldighati, between Maharana Pratap and Akbar?? The sheer architectural beauty that you get to see in the darkest of its alleys.

Having stayed in Jaipur for a year, I daresay I do have a feel of the land. Visited Udaipur, Ajmer, Pushkar, Mt. Abu, Chittor, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer during the stay. Sadly though, Bikaner, Bundi and other such spots were missed out.

Should step into those magnificient havelis and palaces you could feel history weighing down upon you. Walk through those passages and you might actually imagine the Queen rushing through to greet the King, you might sit the Meera temple adn imagine how Meera would have sung hundreds of years ago in that very complex, or how Allaudin Khilji would have stolen that fateful glance at Rani Padmini which led to Chittor's downfall, or just how Rani Padmini and a thousand ladies committed "jauhar", or may be imagine an army 13000 horsemen trotting through teh 12 gates of Chittor to battle they knew they'd never return from and yet laugh all teh way to death.... History seeps from its walls... Honour and loyalty before anything... Death by glory!!

If you escape the magic of Rajasthan, do let me know.. and I'll tell you about Rajasthan!!

2. Sikkim: Spent 4 years there pursuing my graduation and yet there remain mountians to explore, rivers to see, falls to bathe in. An amazing land for flora and fauna. There are numerous places to visit there. One needs around two weeks to really go around without missing a beat and even that may nto be enough!! :)

The nearest airport to Sikkim is Bagdogra, and station is at New Jalpaiguri. One can travel via Kolkata or take a train to Guwahati which would stop at NJP.

3. Kalimpong: a quaint little hill-town off the NH-31A. A must visit if one happens to visit this part of the country. The cheese here is quite famous.

4. Goa: Though I spent sometime there, I would have loved a little more to soak into the culture there not as a tourist but as a local guy.

5. Singapore: Somehow I feel the trip there was a bit hurried. Just when the city was beginning to sink in, we had left. Needed some more time there.

6. Bangkok: Again a city which has a lot of history behind it. a little more than a day is not enough. Rushed through most of the spots in the city, but then the soul remains unstatisfied.

Places I want to visit:

1. Assam

2. Andaman and Nicobar Islands

3. Lakshwadeep

4. Kerala

5. Ladakh

6. Egypt

7. Greece

8. Italy

9. Austria

10. Berlin

11. France

12. UK

.. OK... I would like to be a globe-trotter?? Does that suffice?? :D

Cheerio!!

PS: This one is really hurried, so couldn't upload pics or links, will update on that later!! :)

Race to Cash... (Sam)

Don't go by the name!! Honestly, can anybody race to cash??? Ummm.... well.. I think you can. No come to think of it, Race and Cash individually were really awesome movies. Okkk.... not so much for Cash, which was just about OK.
Other wise what does Race signify?? Competition?? Or your ancestry?? To me race reminds of nothing but some power packed cars and bikes. Vroooooooooooom!!!! hehe... to each his own I suppose!!!
Cash... ah well!! that which we seek so much in life. Some say it isn't important to them and yet you'd fine them hankering for that rise or for that extra 5 bucks the cabbie asked for dropping them off some remote corner of the city or may be while tipping the waiter after a good meal!!
Frankly is that all cash reminds me off?? May be... I guess after some insight into the ways of the world I can safely vouch.... "Money matters honey!!"
And yeah, in case you haven't heard the title track of Cash, do listen to it. The song does hit quite close to home there!!!

Call of the Wild

No!! This is not about a trip to the wild jungles and stuff like that. This is about what's there and what we are going to loose, what our future generations may never see. A couple of weeks ago I saw this report on NDTV (I guess) where they were talking of the diminishing number of Tigers and Gharials. While the number of Tigers have gone down, its the Gharials who are really the matter of concern. With an alarming death of more than 100 at the Chambal Sanctuary in the past couple of months for reasons unknown, the Gharial is now one of teh critically endangered species. I've been trying to dig up more on them, but its a painstaking work, what with our daily obligations in place. Anywyz, amidst all this I came across one such enthusiast, Apoorva Joshi, who has actually gone out there and is trying to do something about this. Please go through her blog: the wilderness n its wild kid.

Now after all this talk, I'd like some inputs from you as to how we can contribute to such issues. We can write, yes!! But apart from that, what?? Speak out, I don't care how absurd your ideas are, how naive, impossible illogical they are. Provide information if you have any. And if you are already involved do tell us about it. Every thought that you'd share counts. It's because of us that they are in the condition that they are!!!

This is not about us, it's about the environment that we live in. It's about the ecological balance. It's about what we pass on to future generations. Please, let's do something about it.

Missing.........

Oh well... I had thought on the book review bit, but then had to chuck it coz i haven't rad anything new in ages I suppose. I really need to get around to the book store now. Now, That brings me to the other topic: Missing Sunday.. or for that matter anyday.

Hmmm.... now, I'll be honest this entire chain of thoughts was spawned by the flick of the same name when I saw its promos on the TV. After having watched the film, I must say it is far from what I was thinking. I mean, in that movie a girl is drugged, adn then she loses track of an entire day during which she scares the wit out of two people, takes a ride with a drug abuser, get hit for being too smart, witnesses a murder (who later has mercenaries going for her) and finally somehow reaching home only to sleep off the entire Sunday!!! She remembers nothing and starts her day on Monday, thinking it to be Sunday!!! And thus the story weaves around her. Good job, I'd say!!! But then, I digress.

So, what was I saying? Yeah.... what if Sunday was wiped off from my life, the calendar? How would thing stand?? In fact, why do we have seven days in a week?? What is the logic here? With the Sunday missing, which day would be a holiday? And when would I catch up on sleep?
Oh, I couldn't think further expet absolute mayhem!!

Absolute, I tell you!! I think forgetting entirely about a day is better than to have it missing!!!

By the way, to all of you, when you are out somewhere do not accept drinks from strangers... they may be spiked. And for all that you know it might Rephnol (the rape drug!!). So be careful when you hit the pub the next time!!

Take care people and keep smiling!!! :)

Happy New Year!! (Sam)

Well.. not much to write here.... so wil just say Happy new year folks....

Amidst some real pressure cooker situation so erally haven't been creative enough around here, but then let's gope that the new year turns things around for the better!!

Cheerio..

Have a great time!!

Feliz Navidad!!!

Feliz Navidad.... :)

Now in case you are wondering what this is all about... well... it's all about Christmas folks... Hmmm... now start writing down your wishlist if you haven't done so and make sure you've more of good than bad of late...

So how are you all celebrating Christmas??

Well, I'd be cooped up in my home or might be visiting a few friends and their families, let's see. Apart from that.. umm... yeah, I gotta perform some Christmas Carols tommorrow at work. I know it's kinda early, but then what with it being long weekend, people won't be around on 24th before Christmas, so the idea to get celebrations underway right away from tomorrow!! :)

Oh btw, I gotta sing, "Feliz Navidad", "Jingle Bells Rock", "Angels" now great songs all of them but somehow I'm finding it hard to get on my guitar.. anywyz, will hafta slog it out tonight... just for father Christmas!! :)

Oh forgot!! Feliz navidad means "Merry Christmas".

So... Merry Christmas folks... and yeah be prepared for Santa this time... he might just sneak up and bless you with loads of happiness before you know!!

Cheerio!!

Update: Slogged, performed and now happy!! :)

Let there be Light

"Let there be light" I believe is a phrase from the Bible. But should one delve into the history of every cult and religion mankind has ever known, Light remains an integral part of their practises, their existence. On a scientific note one cannot see Light, one can fell it though. But then, when we do talk of light is it only with a practical sense or has their always been soem significance attached to it? I believe it is.
And a wonderful example of this belief is the Festival of Lights celebrated in India - "Diwali". I know, those who have been part and parcel of this festival since childhood are already wetting their lips in anticipation of the sweets, the crackers, the lights.... the way each and every house gets decked up in lights... candles or diyas (earthen plates filled with oil and a small piece of cotton and then lit!!). There is so much to say when one is talking of Diwali.. I think I'll cover all that someplace else. Still two days to go....

God bless everyone and "Happy Diwali"....

Blue be my color.........

Well... whenever one speaks of colors the only one that comes to my mind is BLUE. Yup.... the most royal of all colors according to me. The color means a lot to me. It somehow gives me a sense of freedom, may be because it reminds me of a clear blue sky that stretches as far as one can see (please ignore the manhattans!! :D) . It makes me feel calm..... might because of the deep color that one sees in the calm but powerful oceans.

The only other color which can stir a lot of emotions within me is RED. Surprised?? Well..... this is one color which is nothing if not passionate. The passion the color red can stir within one cannot be described. And thus tops my list.

From a different perspective, color is what makes LIFE so interesting. IMO, every person we come across is like a color. They happen to touch your life and infuse in you a little bit of their color, lending you a new shade. Sometimes it's visible enough for others to notice, e.g. when you hate someone or when you love. Can anyone deny that??

Colors are the ultimate ingredient to make life interesting enough for us to look forward to another day...... always!!!

Sparkle (Sam)

For me sparkle is the the bubbly,
the clear glass of water
with sunshine streaming through
on a cold winter winter morning.....
Sparkle is the light I see,
in those special eyes....
when I see some one with
a tearful eye...
for joy or sorrow i shall not know...
Sparkle is what I see...
on a clear night
staring in the sky...

Book Review - That Thing Called Love (Sam)

Have you ever thought about falling in Love during the rains? At least the rainy season. When the mind races over different matters as you are stuck in a rain induced traffic jam.... and your mind actually wanders freely into zone you had hitherto not visited.. at least for some time.

It was in one such monsoon that Mayank Sahai, that Mayank met a lady who seemed to fit the bill of his idea of the perfect woman, though he had got engaged to another lady a few weeks back. He went after her even though she was married and finally realised his folly when his contact with the lady was destroying her once strong now fragile relationship with her husband.. to be finally irreparably damaged. Then there are Mayank's colleagues, who have their own set of problems and equations to deal with. Anil and his equations with his wife, which take a turn for the better only after a drastic incident. Vishal's infidelities catch up with him just when he had turned new leaf and decided to be loyal to his wife. Tina the receptionist has a dark secret to hide...... And they all have the Mumbai monsoon to deluge them in their emotions. How the monsoon takes along these characters along with it to reach their true self is what makes the reader to stick around till the last page. Every one has a past that mould one into what they are today.... sometimes...... more than they would ever acknowledge.

I could have told you so much about this book... might have revealed the story. But then, I want you to undertake this journey on your own. Go ahead get the book NOW!!

Happy Reading!!

Dilemma (Sam)

The streetlights were not too bright. They never really were, but then somehow he found it to be too dim today or was it his eyes? He looked straight down the street. It was a long walk ahead. Nothing to take him to the end of the street! He had to take the walk alone. And on such a dark and stormy night it seemed to be an ominous task. But somehow, the thought of taking this walk seemed to fill him with a dread and he wanted to go back to the brightly lit thoroughfare which had people milling around in a world of their own. Somehow the very thought of going back seemed to offer him comfort and the security that he sought. But then can he go back? Was going back really safe?

Blog Update!! (Sam)

Hello BUFers,

We do hope all of you are in high spirits and your health is fine. Now since this is an update, we'll dig straight in. Here goes:

BUFer of the Week: A lot has been said about her, and a lot many like her and appreciate her. And frankly, few are there who have not been charmed by her exuberant spirit. So people, the BUFer of the week is none other than the lady with Mesmerizing Eyes....... Messy!!!!

Now Messy, you have the option of putting up one post entirely of your choice. So go ahead and shoot!! It's been a while now girl!! :)

Topics (10/09/2007 - 20/09/2007): Chain Story - This time around we don't have a topic in mind. What we have is another go at story telling. So, ink up your pen and think of some really nice story to write. A twist here, is it's got to be a chain story (just like last time!!), but you have to take the story forward within 7 lines. And please adhere to it. Anyone can start this story, so please check the drafts before you start writing.

The existing rules still apply.

Coming up Next: Now after we are through with the story, the poll counter won't come up as we want to, let's say, clear out the back log. For more information on that, check the sidebar "topic announcement" corner!!

We believe, we haven't missed out any birthdays/anniversaries during this time period. In case we have please notify and we'll update things accordingly.

And Abhi, the latest link between Mumbai and Delhi in the recent meets, it would really be great if you could share your experience during those two days with all of us here.

Till Then

Stay Beautiful and Happy

Cheerio

Team BUF!!

Here's to....... oops am confused!!! (Sam)

Ah!! finally a topic that has left totally confused. Now when we talk about addiction we can be talking about so many things. It can be something as simple as chocolate (quite materialistic there!!) or something as philosophical a thing like truth. Right? So, when I sit down to jot down my addictions, it seems like I'm addicted to too many things. Hmmm..... where do I start? Childhood, teens, youth or current days?? Blimey!!!!!

Childhood:

I remember how I loved to try out weird things. Climbing tress, scaling walls, water pipes, stealing fruits from a neighbour's tree... yup!! you got it right i was addicted to being mischievous. And that's how I was growing up till I chanced upon sketching and crafts. picked them up and went after them with a vengeance. Scouts was next to follow. Gave them all up by the time I was 13. Scouts, 'coz of academics, crafts.. lack of patience, arts... still on but in a very remote manner.

Teens:

Now, was the time to pursue tennis and cricket. Started coaching in tennis, and went about it in an on and off fashion till I passed out of school. My obsession with music started during my late teens when I got approached by a friend to form a music band with me as a lead singer. Used to bunk lectures for the practice. Were on for about a year before college took us all in different directions. It was in college, that life took a different direction. Addiction was Music and sports. Somewhere along the line I had dropped fine arts... let's say ethics mattered a lot to me!! My new subject of interest was the human mind.

Youth and current days:

Well, this is were the lines blur out a lot.... Music and sports remained till I graduated. From then on its been only music, till I started blogging. The closet writer decided to come out into the open, and since then nested comfortably in front of a computer I have happily punching away my thoughts. And my latest (and most important) addiction... well.. she is seated comfortably in her office in a not so distant land, frowning at the monitor as she prepares a report and wondering when I'd call her.... and smiling at times (the reasons vary... so can't say!!)

In between, I have remained thoroughly addicted to friends. Yup!! it matters a lot to me. And the funda of living life King Size!! yeah.. no matter what you do, one should never forget to enjoy!!

My addiction is LIFE!!! I wanna live it up!!

Together in Boredom (Sam)

Well... i have been travelling across the length and breadth of this country since I was an infant. My dad was with the government!! For me memories aboard a train are far too many. Can't single out any.. except for one may be. For it was on this journey that I realised I had shed a lot of my shyness.... I was a little bit different now. Here is the experience:

"I started my journey, on the 19th of November evening aboard the Azad Hind Express, the journey slated to take around 34 hrs now. Long time, and i was all alone there, surrounded by strangers. What does one do? Had packed in a few books to give me company but was soon through with them, rushed through two editions of "India Today", the Monday print of "Times of India".... still boredom refused to grant me a moment of peace. As for my companions, notable where 3 or should i say 4. U see, I was accompanied by a couple with their 10 month old son, and a pretty lady, who happened to be a student at Pune. While a lil bit of chitchat was going on now and then, a proper conversation simply didn't seem to be the order of the day. While, the couple effectively had each other and their kid for their company, me and dat lady were left completely to our own devices to wage our individual war against boredom. it was a losing war, as we both realised as time flew by, plain ignorance of each other started giving way to shy smiles... an acknowledgment of a perfect understanding of the other person's state of mind. Still, brings one those smiles on my face, those very memories.

As time was flying by, suddenly I realised that only a few more, and the lady would be arriving at her destination. And thus, I prodded in the dark, after much consideration,(and I dare say after some calculation too), to engage this beautiful lady into a conversation. My prod was in the right direction, and thus ensued the most enjoyable hours of the journey. The couple too joined in with their anecdotes,as the discussion was going on about our college days.............. what to do, and essentially wot not to do...... ;)

Finally, with the parting moment coming close, I mustered the courage to ask for her number, to which she complied............... I wonder, whether I'll call her or for dat matter ever try to contact her in the future."

The Route
Full account here: Of moments, meetings and conversations with strangers during a journey!!

Was that the train??

Well... we did stay in touch, till she finally left for her hometown after completing her grads and is now pursuing MBA in Kolkata. We did meet up once more though: "And so we met again!!" And that is one of my memorable journeys till date... and the most memorable one... nah!! won't write about that... it's too personal!! ;)

Gifts from Heaven (Sam)

Ah well!! I am a very materialistic person at the first go or so I think. But then at times I do sit back and wonder if I really ever did get a gift that I cherished then what would it be? I've thought and thought and thought.... Couldn't come up with a single thing... because there have been so many... so I decided to question the reason behind why I like those gifts. Slowly and after much introspection I came to the conclusion that it were never what I received in the materialistic sense that made me smile and cherish... it was the gesture, the affection, the moment and more importantly the person. I exclude my family members from this list for they are eternal, and by default, favs!! :)

Let me recount a few precious gifts:

1. I was down and out, extremely disgusted with things happening around me (this would be Feb, 2002) all because of a certain incident which scarred me forever. My friend Amrita sent across a message for me, while I was cooped up in my room: "If he isn't up and about like before I'm gonna kick his *** worse than anyone has ever done." That statement though a rough one, showed faith, solidarity and support in a way I never expected and loved her for that.

2. This one happened last year on my birthday. Sailee was on her way to Nasik from Mumbai..... still 15 min to my birthday.... I get a call from her and we started chatting like the chatterboxes that we are..... and then suddenly the lady breaks out into the birthday song!! It left me grinning sheepishly.... and I could only murmur a thank you.... The purpose of calling me up early?? Well... so that none gets to wish me before she does!! :)

3. And finally Isha. She has been a constant source of just about everything for the past 8 months or so. Has donned quite a few mantles for me.... and leaves me smiling with her kiddish antics. I thank her for all the moments that she has shared with me. Anywyz, I have mentioned her often here at BUF (including a post entirely for her!!) so won't go into much details.

4. There are so many people out there (including BUFers) who have gifted me with wonderful moments to cherish all my life. Can't single out more..... I would end up writing a book :P

Those are the best gifts that I have received till date.

I've finally found someone......(Sam)

That's what I'd say when I come across my Ms. Right. Should I be a little demanding or should I just relax and let nature take it's course? Wait and watch what providence has in store for me? Is my list the right one? It won't cloud my judgement and make me miss the perfect girl for me, would it? I ponder over these questions as I try to give a definite shape to a person who I believe should be my perfect one - Ms. Right. Here goes nothing............

1. Someone who can me go loony/crazy (or whatever you wanna think ;)) at anytime of the day by just saying "Hello". The rest need not be said... a look should suffice for that!! :)

2. She should be intelligent and talented enough to match up to me..... (it does get lonely at the top... :P).... so music, dance, fine arts, sports all come into the picture!!

3. Definitely should be someone having a way with words..... else she won't be able to handle my verbal assault.

4. Has got to be a damn fiery and passionate lady. Possessive too..... Just like me!!/em>

5. Should love to be pampered...... I like pampering!! So shouldn't mind if I start singing for her with a guitar and all at some god-awful time of the night.. just to cheer her up, or say sorry, or just because I wanted to say "I love you" or......

6. I don't mind shopping.. so I guess she shouldn't mind me going for a "Boy's Night Out". And I know she won't.....

7. Great sense of humour please, a pragmatic approach towards life.....

8. Has got to be a foodie.... to hell with culinary skills... one can learn that with time. (Tandoori Chicken lovers on preference please!! :P)

9. Needn't be the sporty types, just an interest would suffice.

10. Last, but not the least should be someone who would love me creeping up behind her, giving her a hug, whispering the magical words in her ears (so you see, she should love the voice too.... apart from me as a person!!), and ........... ********** sorry, dats personal :P ******** In short would love little surprises in life!!

There are lots more. 10 points ain't sufficient to describe her... though if permitted only a word would have done the job!! :P

The truth is we can imagine and list out a hundred things that we might want of our Mr./Ms. Right, but then we do come across someone, who is the perfect one and yet funnily enough they may or may not be as per the list...... It's all about understanding, love, affection, thoughts, emotions, chemistry I might add.... If you have these in place.. you have found your Right Match.

Have I found mine?? I dunno.... The quest for me is still on. Or maybe It's over... but I still need to find that out!! Oh, btw I drew up this list based on my experiences and not what I thought I desired.

And finally, always express your love for beloved as if it was the best moment, the last minute before Apocalypse.... Make that moment last a lifetime... for it's then that she'd realise how much you love her.....

Love always... for there is nothing more beautiful !!