The City Girl

Have you ever wondered exactly what makes your mornings good or your sleep a peaceful one? Why a small text can make your day or how an old friend can bring out your smile? What makes you happy and why do you need those regular encouragements from people that matter (or sometimes even form those who apparently do not)? To start making sense, I would now have to narrate to you this one particular experience that lead me to think on this matter for a relatively longer period of time... The Grumpy Walker: Yeah, that's me. For my dear readers, here I am going to specify that when I'm in one of those moods, I prefer a walk. So a few days back when I was upset about some or the other completely obscene matter, I'd chosen to walk it off on the streets of Gariahat Market, just because. The vendors shouting out new offers along with the regular crowds didn't seem to be helpful either.  As I headed down towards main market from Golpark, I got slowed down due to the

Have you ever lost a good friend? A friend is someone you can trust, at any time of the day, but a close friend somehow matters more. They know your secrets, they know your preferences, they know how to cheer you up and they know what hurts you most. Losing a friend is not something we are proud of, but is a situation that many of us have faced at some point of time or the other. Those little inside jokes and stupid little fun memories can haunt you for a long time even after you've stopped talking to them. It may have been your mutual egos, your differences in opinions, a silly fight, or even involved a third person. The bottom line is that losing someone who matters that much is not a pretty feeling and it is something we definitely would try to avoid, if given a chance. I had a similar experience. But suddenly one day my ex-friend texted to say he's sorry. What you need to know here is that he isn't the kind of person to apologize for ANYTHING at all. So it w

After a vacation at some distant place, there is a bittersweet truth we all have to face... Coming Home. You see, coming home doesn't only mean returning back, it also has other disadvantages, such as resuming work and getting back to your daily hectic schedule. Of course, there are a lot of benefits at home, that you can never get any place else. Such as, Familiarity: From getting up in the morning, to making your coffee and tying your shoelaces for a run, everything is almost on clockwork at home. You don't have to think, you don't have to analyse... you are habituated to your daily routine. That is familiarity and you can rarely find it anywhere else. Comfort: No matter how comfortable your hotel or mode of travel was, the bliss of sleeping in your own bed and sprawling on your home sofa is totally different. Friends and Neighbors: Skipping up to your friend's place at ungodly hours and knocking down your neighbor's front door for an occasional

There are moments, sometimes entire days or weeks when you feel like you simply cannot take any more tasks or chores. Stressful days such as these, leave you exhausted and feeling absolutely drained. Avoid this "busted" feeling by doing a few simple things like: Soak your feet in Warm Water: Research shows that your feet are connected to your feeling of exhaustion. As we know, our feet are connected to the rest of our bodies by the Central Nervous System. Apparently a fungal infection or some sort of bacterial growth can lead to an increased risk of depression or exhaustion.  So after a long day out, I suggest you soak your feet into lukewarm water for around 20 minutes. Not only will you feel fresh, but also more energetic than before. EAT!: "An empty stomach, is the Devil's lair". So when in doubt, just eat.  Staying hungry throughout the day or forgetting your meals regularly is neither an option, nor a smart thing to do. Observations hav

There has been a great upsurge of strength among people in our generation. Yet, as always, there do remain some who think strength and independence are over-rated. Let me get this one thing straight: If you are strong and independent you owe nobody an explanation as to why. You are a much appreciated species who are highly required on our planet and here's why: 1. You Can Make Things Work: When it comes to getting things done, you can trust yourself. One of the reason why people perceive you to be strong and independent is that you don't require much help to get your dreams to come true. P.S: But when you do, you are forever grateful, because your helpers matter a lot to you. 2. No Excuses: Things need to be done and they need to be done stat. No excuses, no late submissions. You know it is difficult to take on some of those tasks, but if you keep complaining, you'll never get it done. Your iron will is what gets you through these times. Life may be t

In one of my earlier blog posts on Harry Potter, I may have slighted Jane Austen for her novels on English romance. Thing is, when I first read "Pride and Prejudice", it had a pretty lasting impression on me. Old School romance was simple and uncomplicated by modern gadgets and smart phones. There were no social networking sites then and thus, people were left with the only option of conversing face to face. The rules to courting a girl were all stated beforehand. You either commented on her eyes or nose or voice, walked her home or simply married her. For years girls have been drooling over the fictional Mr. Darcy. It seems to me that Mr. Darcy, in spite of his shortcomings, actually knew how the obnoxiously romantic heart of a woman works. 1. He's Not Prefect: Yes, you read that right. It is seldom seen that a woman wants a perfect somebody for her. Everybody has flaws and women know that better than most. The fact that Mr. Darcy was pompous and too proud of h

No, I am not talking about your phones or your latest wifi connection. No, I am not even talking about talking in itself or about public speaking. With technological advancement, they say human society has advanced too. They say we have evolved. They say, we speak our minds better, clearer and we have sound opinions and ideas of our own about this world we live in.... But alas, NO, I am not talking about that either. Connection: The Cambridge dictionary defines "connection" as the "The act of joining or being joined to something or someone else." To connect: There must have come a point in your life, where you suddenly met a person, completely out of the blue and you connected. It may not have involved any particular conversation or any certain line of thought. This connection  may not even have involved any sort of conversation at all. What I am indicating towards here is that comfortable space shared by two people (may be more) in which there is a

Growing up everything may not have seemed like a fairy tale, but you always had your dad to make it all easier for you. Every girl deserves to have a special relationship with that first man in their lives. Daddy may not have always known how exactly to deal with some of your problems, but the important part is that he was always there beside you. My dad has always been a constant support to me, no matter what. He always says "Don't be afraid to try anything new. After all, I'll always have your back!" Though such gestures of affection may be rare from men, a dad never fails to show his love for his daughter. Here's a few things only girls who grew up as "daddy's little girl" will understand:- 1. He can never say "NO" : Whatever you did, from messing up your room, to yanking the cat's tail, your father could never really bring himself to scolding you. Yes, there may have been moments where you got into a rebellious battle wi

Ever felt that rush while packing for a trip to some new place? Only travelers and those who love travel can really understand the true joy and art of travelling. Here are 10 things that only people who love exploring new places can understand:- 1. You know the world map quite well:- It has never been a problem to point out places in the map for you. This is mainly because, in most of your free time you keep surveying places you could go to in the future. 2. You've mastered the art of packing:- Tips and tricks to carry light luggage and how? You've got it all. Its natural for you to finish packing your travel things way before others have even started. 3. Its rare you get to meet like-minded travel lovers:- Not all the people you socialize with will get this passion of yours for travelling. But that hasn't ever kept you from exploring new places, just for the fun and sheer adventure.  4.Its just you out there, making memories for a lifetime:- Tr

T he Cambridge dictionary describes a "fandom" as " a group of fans of someone or something; especially a very enthusiastic one" . I for one, am a book worm and the first fandom I joined was one of Harry Potter's.  There are some obvious reasons as to why young teens or enthusiastic readers completely fall in love with the flow of an epic tale. And there are other reasons that are not as obvious... I have been a voracious reader since the 5th grade. When my dad gave me the final book of Harry Potter "The Deathly Hallows" on my 11th birthday (I'd not even started "The Sorcerer's Stone at that point), you can imagine my dismay at not having read the earlier books and my excitement to read them.  The very next day when I went to school I found out that the tiny school library didn't have this book I was now desperate to find. surprisingly, it was our cranky old librarian who took an interest in my frantic search for the b

Swimming is a sport, with endless benefits. For one, it doesn't matter what age you are. If you can stand...you can swim. It is especially relaxing and helpful in the blistering heat of tropical summers. Here are just a few reasons why you should put on that suit and go take a dip in that pool. #1. Drives away the fear of drowning. If you learn how to swim, you can overcome your fear of drowning, or your fear of water. Swimming is also recommended in areas that are prone to flooding or tsunamis...like in Japan. If most of the people can swim, there would be less threat of drowning in deep waters. #2. Best exercise.  Swimming burns approximately 500 hundred calories an hour. It is the best exercise, since water exerts less friction on our bodies, than the ground (while walking or running). It is easier to move in water and thus, easier to do more exercise swimming than cycling, running or walking all put together.  #3. Total body workout. If yo