Labels.

.

There is nothing worse than labelling a person. The problem with labels is that they put people in a bracket of assumptions, in a shell that they can't get out of. Labels are an outcome of ignorance. When something is beyond your understanding, how much easier is it to simply label the person than to find out why that person acts in a certain manner. It is the easy way out. And that is exactly why I dislike it. Once you label a person, nobody cares about the evidence of its validity. When you label a person, you scuff away any opportunity for them to rise above the expectation. If a woman is disgusted by a 'Woman in the kitchen' joke, she's a feminist; if a straight lady has gay friends, she's a fag-hag; if a person does not involve in outrageous acts, he's a loser; if a girl does not kiss on her 3rd date, she's a prude, if she dates a lot of men, she's a slut; if a man does not make a move on the first date, he's a coward.

How can we describe a person in just one word? People are complex, multifaceted. When you label a jar, you are preventing yourself from seeing a part of its contents. Likewise, when you label a person, you are only trying to find a way to not see the side of the person that contradicts your preconceived opinion. Because that takes you out of your comfort zone. It's a way to 'describe' a person in the manner that suits you best. How is that fair? 

Why assume there's only so much to a person? Why not take a chance and find out more? Why not remember, that everyone has the right to be exactly who they are?

Assume nothing. Labels are for objects, not people. 

Tumblr.

I joined.

http://whimsicalness.tumblr.com/

There.

Okay? Bye! 

Iron and Wine.

How the hell did I not find out about this band all this time?

HOW?

Best music I have heard in a while. A *very* long while. 

Here, I am attaching the links to a few songs so that you can hear 'em too. You won't regret it. 

Boy with a coin

Free until they cut me down

Flightless Bird

Fever Dream

I thank lord for this man's being.

Lost and found.

You know the saying, you don't really realise the value of something until you've completely lost it.

It is true alright.


I have always been the kind of person that does not sulk too much over losing things/people. One of my very close friend once told me that he is not sure how he feels about who I am.  He is confused whether he should be really happy about the fact that nothing bothers me so much, or just really worried about the fact that nothing bothers me so much. It bothers him that I can laugh and talk endlessly to people like nothing's wrong right after a big fight.

I think he will be very happy when he reads this post. If, he reads this post at all.

I have this sinking feeling in my heart like I have lost something. I can't really put a finger on it, but I know it's there. I feel happy and sad at the same time. Happy because I actually feel something so strongly, and sad because it takes for me to lose something to have a feeling this strong in the first place.

I have a blank expression and a smile on my face, simultaneously. I feel strong, I feel suddenly weak. I laugh, I don't want to laugh anymore. I talk, I want to be left alone. I want a distraction, I want to be consumed by the thought.

I feel.. confused. And I'd like to believe that is good.

I am finally open to the possibility that there are things/people that matter to me. I may not care about it so much, because my intrinsic self is fighting it so strongly, but at the same time, I know I feel the loss. I feel the pain of losing. And more than anything, I am allowing myself to sulk over it without going "Man, this is bloody stupid!" in my head.

I think I am finally entering a new stage in my life. I am having an evolution, for the lack of a better word.
That being said, I am obviously going to laugh out loud and talk endlessly like nothing's wrong. I am just having an evolution, it's not like someone blew a new soul into me.
:)

I lost. I found.

When I turned 23.

My father and sister flew down from Surat and Bangalore, respectively.

I had seven people call me between 11:30 to 11:55 p.m. just so that they could be the first ones to wish me. KP was officially the first one to wish me. 

My Grad friends (Neha, Kushi, Ram, Ashish, Alkash and Nimish) came over with a cake at 12 a.m. which read 32 instead of 23!  Haw!

My Post grad friends (Neha, P2, Poonam, Aditya, Ankit, Rachita, Nishant, Shubhra, Aditya and Naman)  threw a surprise party for me, where they decorated the room with balloons and confetti. I felt like an eight year old, it made me very happy. : )

My good friend Aditya Pathare reached college early only to decorate the board of the class for me. 

My good friend Poonam took a good dose of yelling from me just to get me to her place (where my friends had arranged for the surprise)

My good friend Neha Dhanuka cooked brownie for me. It was way better than most sizzling brownies I have had.

My good friend Monu ran around on one of his bad days (LOL.. Aww..) so that I could get my birthday gift (a watch) on time. He got a gray dial instead of black. He thought it was a black dial, just a very shiny one. (Hahaha!)

My mom cooked for 12 people in half hour notice. 

My good friend Palki flew down from Chennai.

One of my friend gifted me a pair of Boxing Gloves.

I ate almost half a KG cake. 

I realised I am blessed with such wonderful people in my life.

I love love them all so much. 

: )

The L Word

This, this is one of the most powerful thing that I have heard on a T.V. Series (I am a T.V. Series addict, in case you already didn't know). I would curse myself if I didn't share it.

I am not implying anything against men. That being said, I suppose I agree with this, like most women (and some men who are not living in denial). 


I also understand that two people are capable of making each other better persons. But not this way, they are not.

There is sufficient use of explicit language. For those who dislike it, please stop now. Don't tell me that I didn't warn you later. 


[Mark tries to make amends after Jenny discovers he has been filming her and Shane on hidden cameras]
Mark Wayland: I wish so much that there was something I could do.
Jenny: No, I don't think there's anything that you can do. I think you did it. 
Mark Wayland: When I moved in here, I was the type of guy who was capable of doing shit like this. But I am not that guy anymore. I know that I've said it before, but you and Shane have made me a better man. 
Jenny: Oh, f**k off, Mark. It's not my job to make you a better man and I don't give a shit if I've made you a better man. It's not a f**king woman's job to be consumed and invaded and spat out so that some f**king man can evolve. 
Mark Wayland: That's not what I meant. 
Jenny: What the f**k are you talking about, then, Mark? You give me one reason why you think that I should forgive you. 
Mark Wayland: Because, Jenny. I made a big, big mistake. But from that I have learned how difficult it is to be a woman. 
Jenny: Ugh. Please. 
[Walks away] Mark Wayland: Wait, Jenny! Hey! Look at this! 
[Strips naked] 
Jenny: What are you doing? 
Mark Wayland: Is this what you want? 
Jenny: No. 
[Hurls a pen at him] 
Jenny: What I want is for you to write "F**k me" on your chest. Write it. Do it! And then I want you to walk out that door and I want you to walk down the street, and anybody that wants to f**k you, say, "Sure! Sure! No problem!" And when they do, you have to say, "Thank you very, very much." And make sure that you have a smile on your face. And then, you stupid f**king coward, you're gonna know what it feels like to be a woman.




- The L word. 

He.

He will give you strength when you feel weak. He will make you tea when you're sick, it will be terrible. He will make fun of you. He will laugh when others make fun of you. He will ask them to shut the hell up when it'll cross the line. He will get jealous when other men hit on you. He will flirt with other women in front of you. He will Never flirt with other women when you are not around. He will be your best friend. He will be your punching bag. He will patiently wait while you try on clothes. He will ask you to buy the first thing you pick. He does not care what you look like when you're going out for dinner. But when you do look good, it will show on his face. He will never cheat on you. He will give you all the respect you deserve. He is friendly to your friends. He is a son to your parents. He will not talk ill about you, whether you are together or not. He will not comment on the food you made when you are having it. He will tell you after 3 days how terrible it really was and laugh at you. He will Want to pay for you. He will let you pay if he knows it means that much to you. He will listen to your endless rantings patiently. He will leave you alone when you ask him too. He will not leave you alone if he knows you need him but your ego is giving you away. He will not let anyone hurt you. He will make you laugh on a rough day. He will laugh the loudest when you make a blunder. He loves his friends as much as he loves you, he needs you to understand that. He might not have a solution but he will listen to all your problems. He will drop you home when it's possible. He is much stronger than you are, but he will let you have your moments of glory.

He is a man. A Real Man. Nothing more, nothing less.

"I can't go there, I am wearing slippers, I will be the mad girl who fell off like crazy!"
He took off his shoes and held her hand. 
"There, now when you fall down, you'll take me down with you. So We'll be the mad people who fell off like crazy! Now just come already!"


"No one can talk to you like that, I mean don't get me wrong, you really are completely crazy and a huge pain in the ass, but only I am allowed to say that."

If you have him, you better keep him. You might never get so lucky again. 

She.

She will put the pieces of your life together. She will dust off your old dreams and make them shine again. She will nurse you like an angel when you are sick. She will keep you grounded. She will need you to reassure her. She will be your best friend's best friend. She will make you laugh on the dullest days. She will let you open the door for her. She will pay for her expenses. She will need you to fight for her. She will hold your hand when you're feeling low. She will leave you alone when you want to be alone. She will balance her family, friends, your family, your friends and you at the same time. She is the mother of your unborn children. She will stand by you when the world doesn't. She will make your bed when you are tired. She will wait for you. She will fight with you. She will fight for you. She will make up with you and let go. She needs to know you are sincere. She wants to know you care. She will laugh at your dumbest jokes. She will make fun of you. She will punch you. She will not let anyone else touch you. She will irritate you. She will correct you. She will tell you when you're wrong. She will fix your problems. She will do all the worrying for you. She will listen to you even if she is tired as hell. She needs you to listen to her when she's low. She will be your best friend. She will have a solution to all your problems. She is stronger than she seems.

She is a woman. A Real woman. Nothing more, nothing less.

If you know her, you must be crazy to not want her.
If you have her, you must be crazy to not respect her.
If you had her and you lost her, you must be crazy. Period.

Erm, what?

In Spain, during the celebration of the Catholic festival Corpus Christi, a man dresses up and jumps over newborn babies. 

Why? Why?... I have no idea. 

Nice of the parents of these little children to have Satan meet Elvis fly atop them. :/

ROFL

This is the message that I woke up to in the morning, from my good friend Sunny George. 
I was ROFL for quite a while.

Here goes:

This is what too much drinking leads to:

"I wasn't that drunk"
"Dude, you were in my pool trying to find Nemo."

"I wasn't that drunk!"
"You hit on your own girlfriend and asked is she was single.."

"Dude, I wasn't that drunk"
"You were arguing with yourself, over the phone and got upset when you hung up."

"I wasn't that drunk."
"You were in my closet yelling, 'Hey! Where the hell is Narnia?' "

"I wasn't that drunk.."
"You were throwing rocks at my cat screaming 'GO PIKACHU!' "

"Dude, I wasn't that drunk."
"You hugged a hobo with a white beard and cried, 'Yay Dumbledore, YOU'RE BACK!' "

(And this one's my personal favorite)

"I wasn't that drunk!"
"You gave a sock to a midget yelling, 'Take this Dobby, you're free!!!' "

xD

Share your jokes with me, I love love to laugh!
Later ya'll! 

People

The more people I meet, the more I realise that I prefer people who have a knack for crazy slash stupid slash trouble. The ones that are always sane and sweet make me uncomfortable, very. I like to believe that it is absolutely non-human to not have a bad side to oneself. I like to believe that even the happiest person, the kind that spurts rainbows every time he/she opens his/her mouth has moments when he/she would rather just take a chair and break it on the floor than sit and smile.

Honestly, I like to be mean at times, I am an occasional bitch and I don't mind admitting it. There are times when I feel angry and I blow off like Coke does when it meets Mentos. And I am not saying that I am proud of it, but I don't regret it either. I would rather be my crude self when I am upset than put on a facade.

I like people who do crazy things when they are upset. Who would call a bitch a bitch, who break heads when they are hurt. It makes them.. human.. alive. I like people who talk, who laugh at themselves and at someone who just fell down in a really crazy manner (even at the risk of looking mean), who get angry, who would call or text me at 2 in the night to tell me they hate me for having said something. I hold on to them, even if that means having a bumpy ride.

What I do not prefer are people who are safe, people who say exactly the things they know you want to hear, who do not laugh as much.

I like people who fight for what they believe in even if that means we have to deal with entirely different belief systems, I am afraid of the ones that don't challenge me, those who would accept everything that I say.

I have also come to realise that I don't enjoy the company of people who are (or who like to believe that they are) intense. And not the good kind of intense, the ones that are always gloomy and gray..I know a lot of people find it attractive but call me crazy, I just don't. It's a total turn off for me.

I like people who are frighteningly passionate about something, I am drawn to them like an ant to a big blob of sugar. At the same time, I like easy going people, who are opinionated, who have a free spirit and a mind of their own, who would fight more often than not, but who would also let go when they know it's their best option.

But then you know.. that's just me.
: )

Later ya'll!

Music, Again.

I am in Love with this song : Beautiful by Late night alumni.
You should listen to it too.

Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEBgl9B2G_8&feature=related

This song, it's a soul healer.
Tell me how you like it.

The most Challenging/ Awkward moments in (every)ones life.

When the remote control is just about 3 inches away from the point beyond which you humanly cannot stretch your hand without having to move your upper body.

Now this is really interesting, because people (you know, you and I) would rather watch the most torturous show on TV or shiver the whole night than stretch a little to reach the remote and change the god damn channel or switch the god damn AC off.  

When you are watching a movie with a friend (same sex, opposite sex, same difference) and a love making scene pops up. *awkward (in a high pitch)*. If you look at it, your friend might think you're a pervert, so you start looking around, at the wall, the painting on the wall that you never understood anyway, your toenails, the bird shitting right outside your window, the curtains, the Patterns on the curtains, your friend (who might just be looking at you *awkward*) and when you run out of all the things to look at, you start with the most random conversations.

"So, what are your plans after this?"

"So, finance haan.."

"Hey have you visited that store down the street, it's Awesome"

So you are all set to go to sleep, tucked in your blankets, found that perfect resting position and BOOM! You forgot to switch the lights off! Now, if you have had siblings, this is the point where most of the premature sibling animosity begins. And if you are having a sleepover, this is point where the weakest (physically and mentally) friend is discovered. You know, for all the other sleepovers and plans that will follow, for the rest of their lives... no I am just kidding... (or am I?).

That awkward moment when an acquaintance falls down in a really crazy manner in public and you can't control your laughter..

The awkward moment when you are staring at a professor with a stern face while your mind is in a parallel universe (Narnia? Hogwarts?) and the professor asks for your opinion and you have nothing to say plus a really confused look (the kind that dogs(or babies?) would have when they walk into a new street) because let's face it, you probably wouldn't even know what lecture it is if the professor had a bag covering his face.

The time when your friends try to set you up with a complete moron and you really don't know what to do when you are left alone with him/ her. That happened to me once, and I passed my time thinking about all the swear words my friend was going to hear later when I see him. An even more awkward moment was the realisation that I knew so many swear words. *opens a page of The Economist to feel better*

The time when your relatives are leaving and they give you a present and BOOM!, it sucks and you have to act all excited. Or when they give you an envelope and BOOM! 100 bucks..

Someone waves at you, you wave back, you realise they weren't waving at you, you quickly shift your gaze by about 1 inch and there is nobody else on that side of the road..you are waving at an empty car.. FAIL!

A really tanned person walks in to the room and you go, "Yo bitch you ORANGE!" in your head. And you let loose a laugh.. and then people stare at you and you say..  "It is hot outside, isn't it?" *erm..*

Tell me about your awkward/ Challenging moments! And here, not on Facebook!

Keep rocking ya'll!

P.S. What would be the only conversation between a rock and a ruler?

Ans: You rock, but I rule!

Gaah! Not funny at all!

EPIC FAIL!

Quotable Quotes from my Life - 2nd Edition.

In continuation with Quotable Quotes from my Life, on popular demand!

Oh alright, only a handful of people asked for it, but I like to show off that way!

Anyway. Here goes:

Avanika/ Me/ A: Can you imagine the amount of hairfall cave women must have had without them shampoos and conditioners and clean water supplies! Yikes!

Pavan: Hmm. I am not surprised. You totally  have a knack of grossing me out at times. 

A: No think about it, they had Nothing. I am surprised they had the appetite to make love and reproduce. How dirty would they be no? Plus, they descended from Apes, so hairy, eek!

Pavan: Thanks for painting that wonderful picture in my head. I can proudly say that you disgust me!

A: You're welcome. And oh, be a man!

Pavan: Grotesque filthy women shedding hair totally turn me off, thus I am a man. 

A: Oohh, someone got Thesaurus on their phone!

Pavan: Avan.. 

A: Gah, I have no mushy feelings for him, no.

Eshank : Avanika and Mushy feelings... Lions may start giving birth to Zebras from their a**h***, but Avanika and mushy feelings in the same sentence is just outrageous!

-----

Okay I just realised that could have sounded worse than I intended it to..

A : Are you crazy! It was hilarious! I am lmao!

A: Dude, so pissing off! One of these days, I will really punch you in the face!

Neha: Ladki is kamzor shareer pe mat ja, I am a Robocop from within! 

A: Hahaha, abey chal!

A: Yeah, we have all those CAs and CFAs..

Anurag: Okay, I know what CAs are, what the hell are CFAs?! Chartered Fu***** Accountants! 

Ismail : You know, till the time we have each other in our lives, we won't even give the others a fair chance.. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's not like I am implying that you have others to begin with.

A : Really? In the middle of such a serious conversation!

Ismail: : D

A: I am watching Titanic.
Pavan: And why are you watching Titanic and probably crying your eyes out? Not to mention thinking about me!
A: Well Titanic, because it's on TV. And you, because you're always on a ship.
Pavan: Hmm.. Fascinating though. What could prompt a catastrophically emotionally deranged kid like yourself to watch such a romantic classic?
A: Haw. : (

A: Monu! If you piss me off one more time, kasam Ganga maiya ki, udhed ke rakh dungi!

Aditya: Paahahahahahahha! Where the hell did that come from!

A: Okay, let's go on the stage and look our calm, composed, sophisticated best. 

Benny : You have seven slides okay.

A:  Ai SHAPATH!! I thought there were three!!!

Benny : (Lhao) Okay seriously, where do these come from?!

A: Aaarggggh! Sasuri ka naati! De ghumaayikee!!!

Monu, Benny, Ashish - Avu!! What the!!!  *ROFL*

(As is tradition, I forgot to wish one of my closest friend Varun on his birthday. This conversation took place three months after I finally messaged him, needless to say he was really really pissed off. )
A: So how mad at me are you?
Varun: Can you measure such a thing? I don't know a proper unit to measure feelings.
A: Course you can! Do you want to throw coffee in my face, punch me, or throw a rock in my face?
Varun: None, it's okay. I'll never hit a woman. Even if it's You.
A: Touche.
Varun: I have a more easier weapon, indifference.
A: More easy"
Varun: Are you seriously correcting my Grammer right now?
A: Grammar"
Varun: Thanks for that! It was nice talking to you about such heartfelt issues after so much time!
A: Arrey senti mat ho yaar! Chal milte hain kal, teri birthday treat bhi toh baaki hai.
Varun: Dream on about the treat! DREAM ON!!

(Mangalam and I, discussing how we hate taking pictures.)

Megha - So Raghav, what profile of yourself do you like better? Left or right?

A (to Mangalam): I bet he knows the answer to that. 

Raghav: Left profile.

Managalam and I: Aha! *Hi5*

A: Let's go there na instead!
Kushi: No, we are not going there!
A: Aa aa ee, uu uu oh, mera dil.. na todo..
Kushi: Avi.. matlab..
A: : D


A - Dude, either I got that statement wrong, or you are a total Douche. 
Vishal - What the hell does douche mean?
A - Douche, as in douche, douchebag, pronounced as Doosh.
Vishal - I still don't know what that means. 
A - Lol, let's just leave it to that and stick to you being an ass, are we good? 
Vishal - Me an ass? You're mean.
A - Wtf! How demanding! Would you want to be a Thigh instead!
Vishal - Thigh! Oh F**k! Hahahahahaha!!!!!!

Madhavi - I have orange nailpaint! You want to see?

A: Yes!

*sends photo*

A: I've put red! Can you believe that!

Madhavi - I want to see!

*sends photo*

Madhavi: We are so weird... 

A: Hahahaha! Yeah!

A: I am really confused man! I don't know what to take up!
Pavan: You know what you will be really good at?
A: What?
Pavan: Manslaughter. : D
A: Yeah.. who are we kidding, I slice people.

Nimish and I, deciding between a golden neck-piece and a Grey one at a Hidesign Store. 

Nimish - Listen, the golden colour will rub off. 

A: Let's ask the girl there.

Nimish: She gets paid for saying nothing will happen to it, Ever!

A: Hey, is there a possibility for this colour to rub off?

Girl at the store: Ah, yes. But you, you can always go to the jewelery store and get it polished again!

Nimish: Is that right? And where should we take the grey one? TATA STEEL PLANT? 

How I met Ismails good friend Dhiren:

Ismail: Dhiren. this is Bitch, Bitch, Dhiren. 

A: Hey Dhiren, so nice to finally meet you! Asswipe has told me so much about you!

Aditya (a.k.a Monu): You know Avu, you really are one of a kind!

At sports bar:

Foreigner smiles at me, I smile back. He smiles again. 

Ismail: Yeh saale Firang! Aa jaate hain mooh uthake hamari ladkiyon pe line maarne!

(This goes on for about 10 minutes. Lots of hindi gaalis included.)

Foreigner: Excuse me?

Ismail (smiles): Yes?

Foreigner: Mereko hindi aata hai.

A: Bwwaaahahahahahahaha!

Pavan : What are you doing kid?
A: Kid hoga tera baap!
Pavan: And then you wonder why I call you kid!

KP: Isne ek baar mein baat maan li! Yeh hamari Avanika nahi ho sakti!


Anurag: Nayak nahi.. Khalnayak hun main!
A: ?

Neha: So much work man! My life is pissing me off!
A: There there.
Neha: Dude, kuch kar yaar! I need some gossip!
A: Hahaha! Me too!

(Right after Ismail punched a guy on the street)
A: Whoa! You are in a violent mood!
Ismail: Yeah, You should go.
A: What! Me? Why me?!
Ismail: Who do you think drives me the most crazy?
A: ....... ...... TAXI!

A: Okay, since we are going to be friends now, you should know, I can't make a decision. Cannot decide between two places to go, cannot even place an order from the menu!
Madhvi: Oh crap, me too!
*we walk into the ATM. I pool out money*
Madhvi: How much should I get? How much! How much! Where are we going? Should I take out 500? Or 400? Or more? Are we going to shop again? Tell no! 500 will do? Or 400? Or maybe a 1000 or something? I have to give you! And then if we go to sports bar?
A: 400! Just take 400!
Madhvi: But what if we shop again? Then I will have no money! Listen, tell me fast! Now you see just HOW BAD I am at deciding! Oh, no!
A: What?
Madhvi: I forgot to enter my pin..
A: That stupid ant from the screen bit me! :O
Madhvi: How the hell did it even reach your hand to begin with! :O

A: Listen! This was really not my fault!
KP: I am not saying it was your fault, I am just blaming you.
A: But why!
KP: I like to irritate you like that. : D
*punch*
KP: Ow! What was that for?!
A: I like to punch you like that. : D

Pavan: It's strange! I am really impatient these days! You sound like my mom!
A: That Is strange! Between the two of us, I am the impatient one and you are the one with motherly instincts!  Is everything okay? Are you eating and shitting alright?
Pavan: Yep, Sure I am. And thanks for making me sound so gay.

*After falling down three times in a row*
A: You should know, I am clumsy, I fall down a lot.
Megha: Oh, I noticed!


A: Listen, I am clumsy and I go mumbo jumbo on the road, so if I fall down in a really crazy manner and you keep walking like you don't know me, it's okay, really. Let's just decide where to meet after, say 5 minutes?
Madhvi: Haha! Shut up you idiot!

(My good friend Saurabh Todi a.k.a Todi almost got suspended from the college because he was caught playing with the planks on the camera by the construction department. After two hours of pure torture Todi walks into the class)
A: Ssup todi? How was your day? : D
Todi: Don't be mean okay.
A: Aw, okay.. I know just the right thing to cheer you up! Let's play cricket! I'll bowl, you can bat! Here, use this plank!
(Naman, Monu, Ashish and I - *ROFL*)
Todi: Go to hell guys!

The Bestie Code 3.

In continuation with:

Bestie code 1: On matters relating to Purchase Behavior
Bestie code 2: On matters relating to Sharing Behavior

Article C: On matters relating to Personal Relationships.

Section 1.
(i)  A bestie must never date her bestie's Ex-boyfriend/ crush, Boyfriend/ crush, Prospective boyfriend/ crush without her bestie's prior consent. If she does so, she is not protected for any violent behavior by her bestie as per the law(of bestie code)

(ii) Under the circumstances where the bestie is good friends with both Bestie and her boyfriend and where both are equally at fault, a bestie must always take her besties side.

(iii) A bestie must always say, 'Yes' to the question, "Was(Is) she(her bestie) with you?". She must then immediately call her up and find out where on earth she really is.

(iv) A bestie must always be prepared for getting fired by her besties mother. Note - 'With Partners in Crime, come Partners in Ass-whoop'

(v) A bestie must never try to be better friends with her besties friends.

(vi) A bestie must at least make 5 attempts to get along with her besties guy. If a difference of opinion still persists, she must never ask her bestie to choose between the two. Such behavior is regarded as abuse of power.

(vii) A bestie must never(even by mistake) try to sabotage her besties relationship. However, if the bestie has good reasons to believe that the guy is a tool, she can do so, within permissible limits.

(viii) In the event of a bad break-up, a bestie is allowed the beat the shit out of her bestie's ex.
A bad break can be defined as one where the boy cheated on her bestie and/or emotionally tortured her into breaking up with him.

(ix) A bestie could be a sister to her bestie's sister.

(x) A bestie must never get drunk/ go to movies with her besties boyfriend alone.

(xi) With respect to subsection (x), however, if the bestie has known this boy (and has been friends with him) since before the commencement of the relationship, she is allowed to do so, but must notify her bestie about the same.

(xii) A bestie must never cancel an already existing plan with her bestie, to go out with her boyfriend and vice versa.

(xiii) Finally, a bestie must always have a clear knowledge about the extent to which she can participate in her besties personal life to avoid any discomfort between the two.

WTH?

I met a really old friend yesterday. Now this girl used to be healthy alright, and the last time I met her (which was two years ago) she was chubby, in a good way.

But yesterday, yesterday she looked like a stick. Almost unhealthy, in a manner of speaking. My first reaction was, "Whoa! Where did you go?!"
And her reply to my question was without a doubt one of the most disturbing thing I had heard in a very long time.

"Dude, my friends, who smoked told me that it helps lose weight. I really wanted to lose weight too, so I started smoking. It's cool actually, I am so addicted! And see how much weight I lost! Here, you want a drag?"

"No", I said. Fat or no fat, that is one path I am never taking.

As I walked away, I realised the extent to which people will go to lose weight these days. It was sad, to be honest. This girl, she used to be cool. It's hard to say what went wrong. Being healthy is one thing, but this is another. People, really?

I have a feeling I wouldn't be as excited to meet her the next time as I was yesterday.

What they say, what they mean.

I have read and agree with all the terms and conditions.

What they mean:

"Haha! Yeah! Okay!"

I am on my way! I'll be there in 5!

What they mean:

"Oh crap! What do I wear!"

"I am so late!"

"Taxi!"

I. am. fine.

What they really mean:

"Oh, if I had a gun right now, there'll be dead bodies spewed all around!"

"Leave. Me. Alone."

"Of course I am not fine you mind numbingly stupid person! Is this the face of someone who is fine?!"

"If you ask me this question one more time, I swear I'll get violent"

A girl asks: "Do I look okay?"

*Pause*... Yeah.

What the pause means:

"Hair - Check; Dress - Check; Shoes - Check."

"OMG! Bwahahahahahahahaaahaa!"

"What am I supposed to say to that!" *panic attack*

"I wonder if Voldemort has any more horcruxes that are not known of."

Well, it's not like that.

What they mean:

"Oh crap, time for damage control!"

Why the look? What's wrong with this dress?

Oh honey, nothing!

What they mean:

"Oh honey, nothing"

"Damn it! Why can't I control the expressions on my face!"

"You mean what is not wrong with that dress!"

"Okay, there is not enough time to tell what's wrong with that dress"

"If the gods from all the religions on earth and those from the lives beyond get together and hold a meeting to set this dress straight by amalgamating all their powers into one focal point focussed on the dress, it still couldn't be made right"

Sure, I have to go now, I'll call you!

What they mean:

"Okay, so I am wearing heels, just how fast can I run to catch a cab before he catches up with me"

"Oh my god, that was torture."

"Yeah buddy, that's not happening"

I knew it meant that!

What they mean:

"I hate being caught off-guard like that! Urrrggghh!"

"To do - Find out what the hell on earth is that."

"If I just keep a straight face long enough, there is a chance in hell they might believe me"

"I wonder what dogs feel like when they walk into a new street"

More on this later. 

Stock Trading

Stock Markets, you have my attention alright!

I have a new found love. It's fascinating how these markets work; it's even more fascinating how companies into stock brokerage work. This is what I want to do for my summer internship. I have decided. 

I want to learn so much more about them. Experience the havoc. From a Celebrity Lifestyle Magazine to a Financial Securities Firm, now that's what I am talking about!

Agenda - Get placement in a stock trading firm, ASAP. 

Later folks!

P.S. Prof. Naveen Bhatia sir, you have a *huge* role in this. 

(Im)Perfect

I am no writer. I am just a person who likes to write. And for that, I have a blog and not website, or a column.

I do not force people to read my blog, I don't force them to like it.

I don't have a 'style', I don't feel the need to.

I don't write to please. I just write to share. I don't feel the need to show off my *awesome vocabulary*, I don't feel the need to sound super cool. I just want to sound like me. Plain simple me.

Sometimes I come up with something nice, sometimes I don't. Sometimes you can relate to it, sometimes you just can't understand what I am trying to say. And that's Okay. Because you are you, and I am me.

Sometimes I read my old posts and feel proud of them, sometimes I think "Jeesh, what was I thinking?!"

But the reason why I write, is because it's a reminder, for every thought that was once in my head, and of the story behind it. The times someone touched my life, and the times someone crapped all over my mood. It's a reminder of all those moments, to remember who was nice, and who was not. I mention the names of the people at most times, because I want to remember them. And because years down the line, when I will read my old posts, I will remember them and think about them and maybe even give them a call.

It's not fiction, this blog, it's what goes around me. And what I think about what goes around me. It's an outlet to my thoughts.

It's my life, and it's not perfect.

And I couldn't care less.

: )

Little things that make you (me) happy. : )

Getting soaked in the first rain. With friends. And cutting. Falling sick for a weeks time.

Going out for a drive at 4 a.m.

Finishing the toughest exam.

Knowing that you are going to fail and still being happy about finishing it.

Maggi at 2 am. Maggi. Anytime.

Gossiping with your sister and best friend.

Your parents reminding you how much they love you. : )

Falling down, three times in a row, getting up and laughing your butt off.

Watching your friends fall down in the craziest manner and laughing your butt off.

Laughing so hard your stomach hurts and your eyes water. 

Finding money in the pockets of an old jeans.

Finding the perfect dress just when you are about to give up. 

Having soup on a rainy day. 

Knowing someone so adorable, their presence lights up your mood. (*cough* Naman *cough*)

Drunk friends, who are not good singers, singing at the top of their voices at 1 in the night.

An afternoon nap on a really tiresome day.

Your best friend showing up when you are getting bored to death.

The radio playing your favorite song.

Being tucked in on a cold day. 

Staring at your friend in an exam with a blank expression, having her/him stare back at you with the same look.

Closing your eyes, hearing the waves and feeling the wind in your face.

The smell of wet mud after it rains.

Reaching the last page of your notes for the exam.

Better even, going through the notes the night before the exam, realising you know nothing, calling up your friend only to find out they know jack themselves.

Getting a massage or even just a pedicure.

Someone cooking your favorite meal for you. 

Meeting a really interesting person.

A good hair day.

Kicking ass in a game.

The first bite of food when you're starving.

Having a crush.

Telling your boyfriend/ girlfriend about it. Taking a picture of their priceless reaction.

Watching the most retarded movies (Read: Deshdrohi) with your best friends, and wolf whistling at the fight sequences.

Meeting a very old friend and realising things haven't changed between the two of you at all.

Finding out your sister has shopped for you. Like Insane. 

Finding your latest buy in a magazine.

A spontaneous plan out with girlfriends.

Somebody asking you, "When will you publish your next post?"

: )

How much is too much?

Is there really one person that you can talk to about everything? One person who will not judge you no matter what. One person who will know when to laugh a thing off and when to be serious.

I don’t think so. At least so far I don’t.

Can you really tell everything to the people you feel the closest to? Or are there always things that you are afraid to talk about. Because you are afraid they wouldn't understand and more often than not, they don’t. Is it really easier to talk to strangers about your biggest problems than to your friends?

I do believe that it is a lot easier to discuss critical issues with a stranger, since they do not know you, they haven’t seen you make mistakes in the past or they don’t know about how difficult or easy your life has been, they never judge you. And still they will give you the most honest reply as they do not care about pleasing you. And honestly, it’s a lot easier to shove a stranger who does not see your point than a friend who doesn't. 

How prepared can one really be to face a situation where the person they feel the closest to judges them and makes them feel small? We have all had the times when we know we shouldn't have let a secret out the moment the words leave our mouth. And then we sit there and watch them judge us and so not get our point. It's not like they are to be blamed for it. Everybody has a different way of looking at things, it's just how people handle their reactions. And more than anything, it's about how they make you feel about being emotionally open to them. Chances are your friend will laugh out loud, tell you that you are a stupid f*** and then say it's alright, you'll find a way, and just like that, you do. But chances also are that they will give you the classic 'I am so disappointed in you' look, and you not only have a problem, but you also have a friend that has no faith in you. And that sucks.


So really, even with your closest friends, how much is too much?

The right choice?

Last night I was conversing with my friend who is in a very very bad situation. She thinks that she has the hots for two boys at the same time. I warned her that this might go on my blog, but not to worry since I barely know of 20 people who read it. : (

She warned me that if she reads her name anywhere, she will cut my hands off, regardless.

As she went on with her story, I wondered, is it really possible to like two people at the same time?

I am really not the person to say given I find it extremely difficult to like even one person, let alone two. But I am just a loser that way.

Anyway, it all started when she met this guy; let’s call him A, about 7 months ago. They have had the whole unverbalised-mutually understood-attraction thing going for almost 3 months now. It started to frustrate her as the guy never took the initiative to ask her out.

Meanwhile, she met this other guy to (in her words) get her mind off A. (Read: Make him jealous).

Note – I, being the good friend that I am, warned her to not do it, and she being the close friend that she is didn't listen and waited to get back to me after she screwed up.

Unfortunately for her, this other guy, let’s call him B turned out to be totally awesome.

And since the world is full of fools, the jealousy thing totally worked and A has suddenly started to *really care* about her. B continues to be nice, because well, he is nice.

Now she does not know what to do. She really likes the company of B, but is more romantically attracted to A. It’s the battle between the sweet guy and the cool guy again!

Poor thing, it’s like she opened a Pandora’s Box.

While she was telling me about it, the only thing going on in my head was is it really possible to like two people, so different from each other at the same time? Does this mean that there is really no ‘type’ for a person as we find ourselves falling for all kinds of people, the nice, the sweet, the cool, the good-looking, the funny et al?

That being said, how do we decide what’s the best kind for us. On what basis do we decide between two equals, good in their own way when our heart beats for both. Or is it simply a delusion and in our sub conscious mind we already know what we want, but we just don’t listen to it.  

Or is it because we know the right thing but favour the wrong?

I asked her, just to confirm, if she likes B out of guilt. She thought for a really long time before replying, "Oh crap.. No."
I told her, in that case, she's totally screwed. 

I don't know what she is going to do about it, and since I don't really know the guys, I am in no position to help either. 

I do know that the jealousy trick does you no good.

I will tell you when she makes up her mind. 

So long!

P.S. I won another competition, this time in Finance. : )

The generation gap.

I am really tired of people of generations before us (the aunts and uncles of our parents), calling us, "the spoiled ones".

Thank god for our parents to be the chain between us; separating the two!

I don't think there is anything wrong with the way we are, I really don't.

We do not discriminate on the basis of where one is coming from? What caste they belong to? How rich or poor they are?
We don't even Care to find out about all that. We do not live our lives like string puppets, with the society being the puppet master.

We are not brought up believing that girls need to be custom made to take care of the household and boys need to do a suitable 'respectable' job. We dare to think beyond doctors and engineers.

We do not judge a person based on whom they love. We don't care as long as they are happy and it does not hurt anybody.

We do not leave our friends when society goes against them. We stay right where we are and stare back at the society. We do not care if you think we are audacious.

So what if we party hard and go out! Don't we work as much? Aren't we doing well? Aren't we eager to earn our own money and spend that?

We do not care if someone is working in a food joint or if someone is working in a bank, we believe that work is work. Period.

And yes, we believe in knowing more about our life partners than getting to know what they look like on the night of our weddings.

Being in a relationship is bad, holding hands or kissing in public is bad but expecting a girl to have a child within a year of an arranged marriage is not?
Really now?

I hate it when the oldies back at my native place tell me how they (we) are superior because they (we) are Brahmins. I am the black sheep of the family just because I don't care that I am a Brahmin and I do not thank god for it, every living day of my life. I just thank god for my being.
What decides if a person is superior for the sensible folks of my generation is the nature of that person, the attitude, the qualification, the knowledge and not what caste he/she belongs to.

And yes, I am a girl, and I want to travel the world, meet new people, make my own money and start with something of my own. I have not planned my life around a marriage and I don't intend to.
And no, I will not settle unless I am completely sure, whether that's when I am 23 or 43. You think I am too bold, I think you don't have to live my life, so you are nobody to talk.

We believe in respecting the elders of the society. I look up to so many people. My grand father for one. He was the kindest, most modest and the most sensible human being that I have ever known of. And I love him. I remember him telling me, that no matter what the world says, pursue your dreams, listen to your parents but with time, you will be grown up enough to decide what's wrong and what's right. And when you know something is wrong, don't do it, and don't let anyone force you into doing it.

If only all of them thought that way. They have the wealth of information that could be more helpful to us than we realise. We need the knowledge and experience of the elders to not make a mistake that could be avoided. But does that mean that we should be stopped from making our own experiences?
It is OKAY to make mistakes as long as we learn from them.
It is OKAY to try something new, for all we know, there might just be the most incredible thing at the end of the tunnel.
It is OKAY to have an opinion.
It is OKAY to not do something against your principles because the society wants you to.
And most importantly, it is OKAY to have your own set of principles because everyone is different and we must respect that.


I am not saying my generation is perfect, we are flawed, all of us. But not because we don't think like we are expected to. That's just not fair.

Because if we did, 46.65% of the country would have been unemployed only because they belong to the fair sex.
There would have been no writers, artists, photographers etc. Just doctors, engineers and politicians.

People would have been discriminated against and half the nation would have lived with guilt and vengeance.

Believe it or not, but I think we are doing just fine to move forward in a brighter, more honest manner.
And I am sure that even in difficult times, we'll find new ways and sail through, because we can.

So, Yay!

I was dying to get a nice animal print hand bag, a nice pair of wayfarers and a nice pair of stilettos.


Oh wait, my sister already brought 'em for me.


Hah! Burn ya'll!


: D


P.S. I am really excited right about now yeah. 

Erm.

Starbucks has entered into an agreement with Tata Coffee for a strategic alliance and is coming to India. 

Now all those Indians who have never been abroad but have 'Like'd several Starbucks pages on Facebook can finally taste it for real. 

Just saying..

: D

What was she thinking?

I have a really busy week ahead, so I won't be able to write in anything.

But ya'll can take a look at this till then.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=422293&id=663780006&saved

Feel free to make your contribution.

P.S. As much as I appreciate all the comments, don't be anonymous no? I'd like to know about you all.
Also, don't comment on Facebook, plis? Let me know in here.

Later!

Music

I am in Love with this song called Bloodstream by Stateless. You should listen to it to.

You can download it from here.
See, I gave you the link also, I am good that way. : D

Also, all those who read this post, please feel free to suggest good music. Of any kind, of all kinds.

Later.

The Bestie Code 2

In continuation to http://avanikasden.blogspot.com/2011/01/bestie-code.html

Article B: On matters relating to sharing behavior.
Section 1:
(i) A bestie must at all times agree to share clothes, unless befitting the cloth involves use of extreme physical force.

(ii) A bestie may or may not use the larger feet advantage of her bestie to loosen her shoes.

(iii) A bestie must not expect a share in food items.

(iv) With reference to subsection (iii), a bestie, however, is allowed to steal from the plate of her bestie in case of the absence of her bestie. Such behavior is not punishable.

(v) A bestie must not share items that are personal to her bestie without her consent.

(vi) A bestie must not counterfeit the fad of her bestie. In case of actions such as colouring hair, straightening hair, piercing et al, a bestie must wait at least 1 month before trying the same, so as to let her bestie bask in her glory.

(vii)  A bestie must never, ever think of sharing the guy of her bestie. 'Guy' can be defined as the likes of  current boyfriend, ex-boyfriend, prospective boyfriend or a crush. Such behavior is regarded as unethical and can lead to the dissolution of 'bestie-ship'

(viii) In case of breach of the above rule, a former bestie is allowed to use violence.

(ix) A bestie must always protect her bestie's interest, and therefore if she finds someone wearing the same dress/shoe as her bestie, she must attempt to burn it at least one time.



Watch this space for:
Article C: On matters relating to Personal Relationships. 

I detest people who although born and brought up (to a good age of 20-22) in India, fly off to other countries and then start to act like that's their home in just a months time and presume that they have suddenly acquired the rights to talk Shit about India.

No, seriously. You couldn't get into a decent university here, you go to the U.K., you are an engineer, you fly off to the U.S., that is acceptable, but you sit there like you are sitting on a high pedestal and start to talk rubbish about my darling country and Mumbai city, it's then that you piss me off.

I have no issues with people going abroad, but you left your country, and with that you lost whatever right you had on it. It's like telling your awesome ex that you don't like what she's wearing. Here's the thing - She does not care, and you are the loser who needs to mind his own business.

People who start to act like strangers in a new land when they get back to their home country and throw tantrums all around, seriously, get a life.

Also some sense of relatedness and shame, if I may say, while you are at it.

: |

'D' Day.

Our semester 1 results are out. I passed in all the subjects. (Yaay!) But that's not what this post is about.

Remember the open houses in school? Where we used to be terrified about our parents coming in to the school and the report card being given in front of our classmates (about 30 of them, and there was no compulsion to tell them the marks).

Yeah, so here's how we got our results in college today.

In the auditorium. 240 students. Entire faculty (almost).
That's right.

It began with the statistics (We have managed to bag the 'worst performance amongst all the batches' award. Yes, all that hard work and dedication finally paid off! : D Shameless, no?)

And then the number of failures in each and every subject in each and every division was announced, followed by announcing the toppers.

Ashish Borar stood first, indisputably. I am glad, he deserved it.

And then the names of all the students who had passed were announced. The rest were asked to stay back and then they were dealt with personally by the director in his cabin.
:Gulp:

And you thought open houses were scary.

What a day! : )

The first three days of the year had brought nothing but bad news to me, and just when I was about to go in the "holy shit, this year's gonna suck" mode I found my redemption.

Now I know you are not interested in the kind of day I had, but bear with me no? Please? 

So, Sybil and I won the Inter-Management Institute Presentation Contest conducted by the Forum of Free Enterprise in collaboration with Central Bank of India. Good stuff.
*smug look*
Clap? No? Okay.

I slept like a squirrel the rest of the day (which is awesome because I am always in college during the day!), went for a happy-birthday party in the night and then caught up with an old friend that I have been meaning to meet for quite a while now.

Perfect end to a perfect day. And now I am going to put on my socks and curl up in my blanket.

Night all.

The Bestie Code 1

A Bestie is a girl-friend who stands by you every time, makes sure you look fabulous on your worst days, abuses anybody who harms you and never says no to the holy act of shopping.

Article A - On matters relating to Purchase Behavior.
Section 1:
(i) A bestie must at all times say 'Yes' to the question, "You in for shopping?"

(ii) A bestie must never:
        (a) purchase an item that her bestie desired;
        (b) do an activity, that her bestie has done, is doing, or is about to do
              without prior notice or acknowledgement.

(iii) A bestie must, at all times, be honest about the appearance of her bestie (preferably in a subtle manner) when she (her bestie) is about to step out for something important.

(iv) A bestie must always stop her bestie from spending preposterous amount of money on something that she will never use (incorporation of violence under absolutely necessary conditions, is permitted).

(v) With reference to subsection (iv), a bestie must also always chip in (when backed with the monetary ability to do so) in the purchase of something that is fabulous, even if ridiculously priced.

(vi) A bestie must weigh all the pros and cons of the following:
a. Hair-Styles
b. Hair- Colours
c. Any other form of (an almost) permanent change of such kind.

(vii) A bestie must, under all circumstances, inform her bestie about an incredible sale regardless the time or  network availability.

(viii) In the absence of her, a bestie must always pick up items that will rock her bestie's dress.


Watch this space for:
Article B: On matters relating to Sharing Behavior.