A little after 'Do Saal'

Two years ago, around this time, while waiting for my final year medicine results to be out and the letters 'Dr' get added to my name, a thought struck me. That my thoughts could belong somewhere other than my diary. A blog maybe. I had two previous blogs. One was sort of a miscarriage and the other one was a poetry blog which I had made private. Hence I thought I could have a proper one which would be my space, where I could say anything I want without anybody's permission. Where it would be my rules all the time with a feel-good-factor after expressing my thoughts and views without being called a chatterbox! And hence, http://chandana-shekar.blogspot.com came into existence in the www world.

Then, it was history. I discovered I could write decent enough. I had never expected anybody would read what I write except for a couple of friends who were supportive of me writing. But then, people read. My blog was followed. Felt really good to be recognised for it. Getting appreciated by people from this virtual world was one feeling and colleagues stopping by in the hospital and saying, 'Hey I didn't know you write so well!' was another feeling. It was cloud nine everytime my family and friends got proud of me for what I wrote.

Started with scrap. Had absolutely no idea what to write on. Hence wrote an article on 'Aries Woman' because I am an aries by the book! And to this day, that article of mine is the one which gets most visitors, atleast 60% of the statistics!! Comes up on google search and there you go!! Has got 3,742 views till date. Going on, blogrolls happened, followers appeared, widgets got added, templates changed, facebook fan page got created and my soul smiled.

And then, this space and I grew together. Made friends. Few real good friends. Neha di and Nazish - My oldest followers. Neha di was and is someone I really admire. Never thought I could get so close to someone I meet in this virtual world. I remember she giving me the links to two of her friends' blogs so that I can get more idea about blogging. And now, Madam writes and writes big time herself ;-). Nazish was one loyal reader! Always supportive :). Thank you both of you :). Not just the articles, but thoughts that none of you got to read got shared with these people. Others joined the list. Bikram and I shared 'views' about people. The kind of people we analyzed then were of the same kind and it made it easy for us ;-). Few readers commented on my write-up just so that I would do the same on theirs. They kinda almost swore at me when I didn't do so. But there were a few of them who actually read mine because they wanted to read. That list is quite long, but I'm sure those people know that I'm talking about them. Blogger names appeared on facebook friends list and I felt glad to know such amazing people. Thanks all of you.

This year, two really exciting things happened. I started writing for N-zine, the online magazine. Its always a pleasure to write for it. Feels good to a part of a bunch of bloggers who take the pleasure of writing on a theme and make reading it a pleasure for those who do. Then Masthmysore came calling. Wrote an article called 'Mysore Mornings'. It stands to be among my favourites. Was a hit for sure and I was overwhelmed. That was again a pleasure. First thing was because my subject to write on was to be Mysore - the place I've been at since the time the surfactant on my lungs expanded, and the place I adore the most. Second, that website was created and run by a couple of engineers from here who did it for the love of Mysore. So everywhere I belonged to, everybody that writing associated me with, had a passion for words and phrases, or for my hometown. Felt perfect :-).

Every blogger considers his/her blog as a baby, and I'm no different. So happy and proud am I on this day that I can go on and on. Well, why shouldn't I be? To sit in my room alone, when the sky's dark and the world's snoozing, with just a qwerty at my fingertips, to express my joy, to vent out my anger, to get my creativity into words, to play with emotions, to make the characters in my mind wind into a story, to make random words rhyme, to boast about success, to crib about failure, for refreshment, for sobering down, for partying, for therapy, and much much more,... my blog's been my best friend sure. There's no wonder I love it so much. After all, it's 'The World Around Me'..

Thank you all for all your love and support. Thanks a ton :-)

Love you'll loads.

Chandana C. Shekar

Hans Christian Andersen

I happened to see on google today that their logo has some changes. The usual way that Google celebrates an event. When I saw what they are celebrating, I really felt it was worthwhile. It happens to be the 205th birthday of Hans Christian Andersen. Does the last name sounds familiar? Oh I'm sure it would. All of us would have listened and read fairy tales when we were kids. Who wouldn't have read Andersen's fairy tales and Aesop's fables?. Those were among my favourites for sure. Well, in case you guys are not able to recollect which stories were of Andersen's,.. do u remember 'Thumbelina'...'The little mermaid'...'The ugly duckling'...'The steadfast tin soldier'...'The princess and the pea'? Oh yeah... Those were among his famous ones..

When his stories have made atleast a part of our childhood beautiful, there is no harm tryin to know a bit of this writer right? That's what I did today. And I found it really interesting. This Danish writer, who was born in some slum area, to a shoemaker and a washerwoman in 1805, had very little education. His mom opened him up to the folklore , but died due to alcoholism. His father opened him up to literature and plays, but died later. He was an extremely emotional child and his hysterical cramps were even labelled as epileptic fits. When his father died, he was forced to work as a weaver, tailor and at a tobacco factory. Once he was humiliated with his trousers being pulled down because they suspected he was a girl. At the age of 14, he went to Copenhagen to make his career as a singer and actor. He got associated with The Royal Theatre due to his soprano voice, but was rejected once his voice began to change. He finally realised he could write and when he wrote many plays, but all of them got rejected. Finally, due to his acquaintance with a director of the Royal theatre, he got into classes, learnt grammar and the like, and his tales concieved. He fell in love with a woman, who he describes as, "She has a lovely, pious face, quite child-like, but her eyes look clever and thoughtful, they were brown and very vivid". But he had to have his heart broken as she was secretly engaged to a chemist's son and later, went on to marry the same guy. A leather pouch containing a letter from her was found round his neck when he died. He travelled the world, wrote Fairy Tales and Stories, met writers and playwrights and novelists. His last unfulfilled love was a Swedish opera singer, to whom he dedicated one of his stories. After all his tours and writing and the like, he died at his home in 1875. But his tales, they never did. And they never will.

Well, that's pretty interesting. All that we knew when we listened to his fairy tales as kids, were the imaginations to which he managed to take us. For those few minutes, we lived in the fairyland that he created for us. And once we were done, we exclaimed, 'wow,nice' :). Who knew that the life of such an amazing author, who makes every kid smile, had so much of hardship in it? He survived so much and yet managed to put in such beautiful stories for children?His novels and other writes have his sorrows expressed. But his fairy tales? well, not a wee bit of the shadow of his sorrows. Maybe this is the talent of making people smile even when you are totally down the ditch. Well, how much ever anybody writes about him, it can never suffice. And I'm too very amateur to write anything about such a playwright and novelist. But I'm sure that the next time I read out any of his stories my nieces or nephews or even my kids, I shall get a feeling of respect for him. All I wanna say is, Hats off to you Sir. Thank you for making the colorful and magical fairyland a part of our childhood. Salute you whole heartedly. May your soul rest in peace.

p.s.- Got  long and hectic 3 days ahead :-(

Until after 3 days,

Chandana c.Shekar

First Rains :-) :-)

My special day of the year, a fossil watch and gift cheques at home, an evening with friends at our fav restaurant, a couple of expectations going totally dead, but some other suprise coming my way, quite some photo-time, a long drive on the highway with our fav music on.... things were going so my way...and then, for the big suprise gift... the pitter-patter of rain drops on the roof n glass of the car :-) :-) . "Hmm... rain!!!" , went all of us in almost chorus mode. All our window glasses went low, hands went reaching out to feel the rain, and smiles on all our faces stayed glued :-) . All we wanted to do was stop the car, go to the middle of the road, face the sky, close our eyes and reach out our hands for the rain :).

'First rains'... They are always magical. Magical is just the right word I feel. It makes you feel ... Great... Nice...The shift in the air coz of the smell of sand when it rains , is one of a kind. I don't think there is one single moron who wouldn't love that sniff. First rains always take you by suprise. First impressions are the best impressions, and rains are no exception I guess. Memories dance along on your mind like waves at sea. One after another, the memoirs of what you did during the first rains of every year of your life come back into life. Be it running out to play in the rain when we were kids or walking(read dancing) back home slowly from school to enjoy the rain, moms calling their kids back and hurriedly wiping their heads with a towel saying , 'you will catch a cold', unable to go get drenched again, we watching the rain from the balcony after that, and  making those paper boats and running out as soon as the rain stops to let them sail in the water downstream, spotting the rainbow and reciting the VIBGYOR mnemonic as know-it-alls!! Well, everybody would have enjoyed their monsoons as kids. A little later, when 'teens' were what we were called and how we looked was the matter of prime importance, first rains were always a photo oppurtunity that could never be missed!! From choosing the umbrellas and the poses to feeling great for the shoot and the photos, lolz, was real fun.

College life, when all the luvvy-duvvy stuff started, monsoons always came with a cue for romance.The first rain drops made the most romantic rain-song linger on, and a smile, was just for that one special person. Nobody to blame, music and romance have gone hand in hand since ages now. From 'pyar hua ikraar hua' from Shree 420 to  'bheegi bheegi raaton mein' from Ajnabee to 'rim jhim rim jhim' in 1942 A love story to 'mere khwabon mein jo' from DDLJ to 'Chak dum" from Dil to pagal hain to 'Bhaage re man' from Chameli to 'Barso re' from Guru.. rains have almost always meant pyar, ishq, mohabbat, sapne, mauj and masti :) . Not to forget our very own, very soothing 'Mungaaru maleye..'. The subtle connection between rain and romance and dreams can never fade. I still remember the first rains in my second year of college when I had just talked to my then 'crush', the first rains in third year when the drive through the college campus made it look more beautiful and more serene. Oh boy, how can somebody forget those times.. If history ever repeats, I would surely want those times to repeat..again and again... :)

As a kid, rain and it's weather used to make me feel cosy and sleepy. I used to have my best afternoon naps when it used to rain. It rained pretty much last night and today morning. Maybe hence, I slept in till 11.30 am!! When I was driving after that, the roads of Mysore felt so different. It was such a relief from the scorching heat of the recent days.With a little bit of sunrays piercing the clouds that covered, the roads all wet and the sand smelling the rain, was a morning I hadn't seen since long. For one more time, Mysore looked like how it was when I was a kid. When we had a lot more trees and a lot less traffic. When boulevards existed in every third lane and parking lots had ample space. When general stores were all the malls we had, and the 'shop uncle' would give us chocolates for free coz he knew who we were. When Mylaari and Gayathri Tiffin Rooms were the Regaalis and Metropole, and Kukkarahalli lake was more frequently an adda than Barista . .I've lived in this place all my life. I know that the day to go from here is not very far. But anyday, whenever monsoon sets in, I'm gonna miss the ones I've lived here. I totally enjoyed my drive in the morning. I stopped and took snaps of my fav roads and none of the on-goers looked amazed. Maybe even they would have taken snaps of Mysore looking its own self after such a long time.

At the end, I ended up blissfuly telling myself, 'I love Mysore'.... and a big fat rain drop splashed on my face. :-) :-)

p.s.- Thanks to all my friends for all the wishes yesterday. I'm really glad that you guys exist in my life. Made my birthday worthwhile :)

Cheers,

Chandana C. Shekar

Happy Birthday Anna :)

It's my Brother's Birthday today.. A year ago, when I had just started my blog, I knew that all I could write there on this day was about him. I wrote quite a lot indeed, that my Bhabhi called it a 'Ramayana' about him. Lolz.. It's been ages since I last saw him. Bugger is busy 'well' settling his life out there in the USA. Wonder how we can be siblings now? Coz I'm an Indian citizen and he is an American citizen now!!! Whoo!! Lots happened in life with him being miles apart. I was a tenth standard kid when he left home. When he came back, I was a medical student. And now, I'm a full fledged doctor! I hope I won't be getting married off the next time he comes to see us!! ;)

Well, one more year, and I still love u the same anna. It's really tough to write about two kinds of people - strangers , and loved ones. And you my dear, are a 'very very loved one'. And it's too tough for me to pen down anything about you.

When God created you, I guess he had just finished reading a book about an 'Ideal person' or so.. And hence, you were made so perfect I guess!! :) Else, he couldn't have made such an amazing, sweet, caring, loving, lovable and a stable headed person :) Everybody at home say that you are the best son they could ever get. I and Nidhi say we couldn't get a better brother than you. I'm sure bhabhi says you're the best bargain of her life... Well, you're simply the best :) That's all I can say about you :)

Miss you anna. I'm really glad you were born on this day, years ago. And I thank God that we got to stay together even though it could have happened the other way round!! I always say aunts and uncles and cousins are relatives and not family. But you? Oh come on, I can't spell 'family' without you :) You've been the best brother I could ever get. Thanks for everything you gave me and all of us here at home. I and Nidhi still fight as to who you love the most. She still gets jealous of me when you talk to me more on the phone than her . And I just can't stop bubbling with joy then ...every single time :-) .  I'm greatful to you for lots and lotsa things...

For being there every time I needed you and for not being around when I didn't need you too :-).

For listening to all my gossips and all my stupid thoughts..

For tolerating and appreciating my talkativeness... 

For never being a possessive brother...
For taking interest in the smallest things of my life, though you were miles away...
For being my partner in crime quite a few times in the few 'jasoosis' we did ;-)...
For all that pep talk about life...
For all those suggestions on how to enjoy life...
For all those promises you made to take me out holidaying in your country...
For always believeing in my dreams, when I myself had doubts about them...

For all those discussions on 'my dream guy'..

For never making me feel I'm actually the eldest at home.

For 'countless' more things...

And more than anythin, for assuring me, that come what may, you're just a call away :)

I swear, I'm really glad you were born.. We all cherish you big time.. BIG time.. :-) This day, when I'm at such a stage in life when I gotta decide about my life, career and love, I really wish you were here. Everytime I miss you, just like this very moment, my eyes get wet. You mean too much to me and all of us out here, back in India.

Well, all put together, we all love you loads and tons and gallons. No exaggeration there for sure. :) Hope this day brings you loads and loads of joy, and the year that follows gets to you all luck, joy and success and all the small and large things you ever wish for :) Have a lovely day bro. Party hard :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY :)

Loads and loads of love,

Me :-)

Chandana C. Shekar

Happy birthday Neha di.. :)

hey guys...long time.. I apologise (if it's needed though) ;-) Life's gone weird. It's so beautiful at times that I just wish time freezes.. It's so utterly pathetic the remaining times that, yet again, I wish time should freeze!I can't take it anymore.. But whatever it is, Life's been a roller coaster ride off late. More than anything, life's gone too busy. Either with work or friends and family or even catching up on that lost sleep, I've weirdly got busy. Exams are fast approaching and all that I'm doing is filling forms.Not studying a bit!! Oops..Anyways, was away from my blog..sorry.. But yeah, I swear on anything-that I feel really really honoured when my friends ask me as to why I have stopped blogging!! In fact, when I used to blog, I never knew that so many people actually read my blog. But now when I have stopped updating it and people end up asking me, I feel-Whoo!! :)

Well anyways, Today is Neha di's birthday. Most of you must be knowing her- Neha Silam.. The girl who blogs big times, chats big time, lives life big time!! She a lawyer after all dude!! Poor Mandar. I wonder if she'll even let him open his mouth at home!!heehaw.Kidding di.. :) I've never written you a testimonial or anything, but let me tell you in short,that I really think very high of you. You are among the very few friends that I would never wanna lose. Maybe be in touch once in a while, if not too often. Thanks for all the support you gave me when I needed it ( I'm sure u remember it).Your a person with a 'heart of gold'(Richie rich ;-)), a girl who makes people turn heads but has a very strong head herself. I admire the way you take decisions. I love the way you face life with confidence and courage. Your sure the best companion and confidant anybody wud get. I swear di, your family and we guys are very happy to have you :). Well di, YOUR A SWEETHEART!!! How much ever i describe you, it'll just be like describing a very sweet person. So, I'd just say- You rock di.!! :) Have an amazing birthday and an awesome year ahead. Live life full-on.. :)



Loads of Love,
Chandana C. Shekar

What does my birthday say about me?!?!?!?

I took this so called 'Quiz' on orkut, which said "What does your birthday say about you?". It was supposed to assess my personality based on my birthday. I don't believe much in such things, but yeah, curiosity sometimes makes you try such stuff. This is what I found as 'result' after answering to a couple of questions. Well, let's just see what I think about it. And hey, all you people who know me well, please do leave your views about how well these traits suit me. Just inquisitive (and jobless at the moment) you see ;-)

Attractive personality,sexy. - I should take people's opinion about it.

Affectionate.- That I am :)

Shy and reserved.- Not really. I am, only at times. It all depends on the people and circumstances.

Secretive.- Depends again.

Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic.- Oh yeah, dead sure about that :)

Loves peace and serenity.- Any day , any time :)

Sensitive to others.- Yup. But if u piss me off, I really don't care what happens in your life.

Loves to serve others.- I'm a Doctor after all you see :)

Easily angered.- Yes, yes, Oh yes!!

Trustworthy.- Very much. I flaunt it ;-)

Appreciative and returns kindness.- I do, I do.

Observant and assesses others.- I would say, not really.

Revengeful.- I don't think so. But I can never think of helping people who have ticked me off.

Loves to dream and fantasize.- Yup, very much. I dream a lot.

Loves traveling.- Yes, i enoy journerys.

Loves attention.- Everybody does :) But I become conscious at times. Should change that.In the process of doing that.

Hasty decisions in choosing partners.- Really?? Should wait and watch.

Loves home decors.- Yeah.

Musically talented.- Oh yeah. I'm a trained Carnatic Classical Singer. I play the Keyboard big time. Can manage to play the Violin. So yeah, true :)

Loves special things.- Obviously :) Everybody will :)

Moody.- This is one word that would best describe me I guess. Many of my friends say so :)

Chandana C. Shekar

Happy birthday Mommy :)

It's my Mom's birthday today and we had fun. Wished her at 12 midnight. Gave her her gift ( I got her a bag and a wallet). Went to Chamundi hill. Went for dinner at her favourite restaurant. And the most special part - Mom looked very very pretty :) Dad's a real lucky chap :)

Mom's kinda my friend ( as most moms and daughters are). But trust me, the things my mom has done in life for us, I'm sure not many would have done that ( No offence to anybody). I can't do even 40% of it. I don't think many will survive it too!! Hats off to her :).

I have written poems and dedications for my sis, brother, friends. I've always wanted to write one for my mom. But it never happened. Every time I used to pen down matter to write on, it would go on for pages together. Come on yaar, a poem can't be so long right? You guys tell me, when a person does n number of things for you in one single day, how can you describe a whole life-time experience in just 4-5 stanzas?!?!?! And so being the reason, I've never got to write any specific thing for her. Sorry mom :-( :-)

But then, there are two posters in my room and I love what they say. Here it is-

A mother really knows you.

A mother really cares-

you are in her fondest thoughts

And always in her prayers.

She loves you very dearly..

As she has right from the start.

And she's the one you turn to,

When you need a 'helping heart'.

M - is for the Million things she gave me

O - means she is Oh, so beautiful

T - is for the Tears she shed to save me

H - is for her Heart of pure gold

E - is for her Eyes, with love light shining

R - means Right, and right she'll always be

Put them all together, and they spell

MOTHER - A word that means the world to me

p.s.- I gave an Intra-Lesional Steroid Injection today. Yeah I know it's as easy as Intra-muscular. But I cherish the 'first time's of everything in life. And this one's no exception :)

Chandana C. Shekar

24 hours and 4 gifts

5.00 pm yesterday- Mom and I went saree shopping for somebody else. And mom got me a saree which was pretty much expensive.And the reason- well, JLT... I loved it though. Waiting for any friend of mine to get married soon so that I can wear that saree ;)

9.00 am today - My friend gave me my (belated) birthday gift. Its cute and pretty.

4.30 pm today - I come home and my sister's giggling at me for no reason. I thought it's some kiddish behaviour of hers and she's at it again. Somehow I din't go to my room today as soon as I came home ( I usually do). My sister then tells me that there's something waiting for me on my table. I go and check and its a courier envelope with "To Dr.Chandana C. Shekar" written over it. Then I discover that its from my brother and its got two more envelopes in it. One turns out to be a birthday card and the other, was a congratulations card( for becoming a doctor) with $300 in it!!! I felt so god damn rich ( I already had another gift cheque and this added to it)!!! Whoo.. Its Great yaar!! By the way, few more gifts are due to come for becoming a doctor.. Will let you guys know when i get them :)


Chandana C. Shekar

Happy Birthday 'Anna' :-)

Hey it's 26/3 again :) And it's my brother's birthday :) Happy birthday Anna :)

I can't write on anything else today, because I can't prioritise anything over his birthday. And now that he's not in Mysore, I'm missing him a bit more :(. This guy is somebody whose been more of a parent-figure than a brother. I still remember all those days that we spent together. It just exists in front of my eyes as though it all happened seconds ago. I remember Myself running behind him whenever he was around. He was like an idol. From days before I went to kindergarten even, to this very present day, he's been there for me whenever I needed him. Though he was a cousin, we stayed together and he was here, and never ever ever did I feel that he was a cousin.

My first day of school, he and mom dropped me to school and when it was time to pick me up, I remember him coming to pick me up in his bicycle(He had this habit of meddling with things and so he had unscrewed his bicycle and then set it up again and as a result, it had cello-tapes all over :) ). He was always soft spoken and never used to get angry how much ever i run behind him. I used to love watching cricket with him and his friends even though i wouldn't understand a bit.The reason was that I used to get to be with him and I wouldn't get tired of it ever. And yeah, I was a kid then and all his friends used to pamper me a lot. Used to get chocolates and stuff :) When I understood a bit of cricket, we used to play cricket in the backyard of my house ( If u see my house ka backyard, you won't think that somebody can play cricket here!!) and my brother never used to get irritated to play with us kids. Whenever I used to bat or bowl, the ball would always go to the terrace or the neighbour's house. And when i turn to my brother, all he would do was give a smile. And I loved him for that.

It's not that he's never been harsh at me.I've got nicely from him when I used to escape from studying too, but then, all's fair when its him.

He got his first salary in his job here and then started all the 'branded goods ka fair'. He kind of stopped using anything thats not 'branded'!!! We all used to wait eagerly for Friday because he used to come home from Bangalore then. And then was our chatting sessions.We used to talk till really late at night. Talk about everything under the sky( We chat so much till date and my family wonders how we manage to chat 'so much' :) ). Our weekend pani puri and film sessions was something I used to wait for. I used to get a lot of gifts from him without any occasion- CDs, branded clothes, and lots more. But still, the best, was the time spent with him. He was one guy who was real fun :)

He got married and there was one more new member in the family. My Bhabhi :) And she turned out to be as much fun as him :) I still remember when he first got his VISA to USA, we went straight away to the 'pani puri gaadi' for his treat :) .

He came here 5 years after he went to USA (Thanks to the formalities of his green card thing!!!), and trust me, we all were so so excited that I bunked college completely for all the 3 weeks he was here. And we had loads and loads of fun.And I ended up crying when he left :(

I was a 10th standard girl when he left India and now, Im a Doctor. One important phase of my life, and he was not here. But Thanks to him, he never ever made me feel that he's far away. I always and always knew he was just a phone call away and it's still the same. He's somebody who always stood by me. I never have to think whether what I'm talking is right or wrong. I know I can talk whatever I want when I am talking to him. He never puts any unnecessary restrictions on me. He never loses temper and he does tons of things for me. He is somebody who can stand by me for everything I want in life and even fight with my parents for that.If I need to convince my parents for something they are not agreeing to, he's my only channel!! He's literally been my friend, philosopher and guide :) He's more than just a brother. He's everything. Not just me, he's the darling of everybody's eyes in my family and we all love him tons. He knows how to do good to 'EVERYBODY' and he's the best. All i can say about him , is "HE'S THE BEST ". And i feel so god-damn-lucky to have a brother like him.

Well, I've written so long, but trust me on one thing, this is just a glimpse of what kind of a person he is. He is far more better than what I've said here. :) I'm sure every single person who knows him will agree to this :).

Love you loads and loads and loads more anna :) May this birthday give u all the luck and joy and success today and all through the year :) Muaahh.. :) Keep smiling. Cheers :)

p.s: For all those who don't know my brother, he is Mr.Suchin or suchi as we call him. And for all those who don't know kannada, 'anna' in kannada means elder brother.:)

Chandana C. Shekar