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For The Love of Mysore

When I was little I found these picture postcards of a Mysore - The palace fully light up at night, the daytime view of the palace, the inner chanbers, the Vrindavan garden.  I thought I would definitely go there someday.  Our family travelled in summer or the winter vacations but we never really went to Mysore. 

Years later when I started working we also started interacting with the Bangalore branch folks and over time some became quiet good friends. So I took a 4 day trip to Bangalore to meet the friends there.  Mysore is quiet close to Bangalore and I was really keen to include it in the itenerary. On Friday when I reached I asked if anyone would want to come along there were about ten people who said they would join me however by end of the day the numbers had dwindled to just three girls.  There was Baby Boo, Raspy Rams and me (ofcourse these aren't the real names!).  It was too late in the day to get a booking with a tour guide so we decided we shall go to Mysore on our own take the early morning 7 a.m. bus to Mysore. 

The next day I reached the bus depot at 9 a.m. and by the time the girls arrived it was 10 a.m. We reached Mysore City at around 1 p.m. and more than half of the day was spent just getting there. We had thought of a day's trip in the city but with all the sights to see we realised we would need to spend the night in that city. After a nice sumptous meal we scoured around to find a nice hotel where three girls would be safe. After checking 3-4 places we finally booked one. I was the most happiest.  This was the place I wanted to visit for so long and I was finally here.  I couldn't stop jumping :D We quickly freshened up and left to see the much famous palace.

The Brave Trio

The Mysore palace was everything was so much more than I imagined it to be. It really takes your breath away. To imagine that once upon a time a royal family lived in there. It was also sad that something that was home to royalty is now just a meuseum. Photography isn't allowed inside the premises, the below photographs are postcards that were sold there.

The Royal Seat

Golden Room

The Palace Exterior

 It really felt quiet fulfilling to see the place I always wanted to visit. It was 6 p.m. when we finally finished touring the palace grounds.  The next place was Vrindavan Gardens.  We headed to the bus depot since one of the locals (atleast we thought was a local) told us that Vrindavan was just an hour away by bus. Rams knew it closes by 9 p.m. and thought we would have enough time and would be able to get back in time.  We got in a bus and were happily chatting away.  It was about 1.5 hrs later that we realised there might be a problem.  It was the longest time I spent stuck in  traffic ever.  We realised we were lagging due to this crazy traffic, the queue of vehicles went on and on we couldn't see the end of it.  A few people started to disembark and started to walk.  Thats when I started to get worried.  

It was almost 8.p.m. the place would close dowm by 9 anyway and we were still far from it. I was considering if we should just take the buses going in the opposite direction to take us back to Mysore and back to our hotel. But Rams was still optimistic that we would make it.  We stayed put. another hour went by the bus had moved a little and it was the edge of patience for me.  The girls and I got off the bus and started to walk in the direction that all the cars and buses were headed. We could see Vrindavan compund at a distance but we knew it must be closing.  Walking more further we saw hordes of school childern walking toward the opposite direction. It was a weekend and kids walking away from the Garden - enough proof that the place had closed.  We decided to turn back, find a bus that was now going toward Mysore city. 

It was almost 9.30 and I was extremely worried. I was the oldest and I felt a sense of responsibility for the girls.  It was because of me that we had made this plan.  The place that looked so wonderful in pictures now seemed a forsaken end of the world.  Away from familiar surroundings, amongst strangers and none of us trained in defence, it felt like we could be vulnerable targets.  What if we were kidnapped or killed or if something worse happens.  All horrible thoughts started to cloud my mind.  The bus we had left behind was now finally reaching where we were. I was tense and very quiet.  Baby Boo realised it and was trying to cheer me up.  Both the girls were calm like they knew we would make it back.  I just wanted to get us back to the comfort of the hotel room. After walking and waiting for buses we finally managed to get one.  I was relieved. Tt was 10 o'clock and we were tired, I was also very hungry. 

We hadn't eaten anything since lunch.  Tensed and hungry are not a good combination.  I was starting to get agitated and was just quiet lest I vent my anger on the girls. Baby Boo was making jokes. That girl is a one pack of energy.  The whole time she was soo cheerful I guess she balanced out the tense mood between the three of us. Both the girls were chatting and trying to make me laugh.  Baby Boo said something which I now find couldn't be anymore true.  She said "Nikki, years later when we talk of this trip we are going to think of this very moment in the bus and laugh :)"

We finally reached our hotel dead tired and hungry as hell.  The hotel had a cave themed restaurant and the food was good.  After dinner we felt like our oldselves again. The next day we ventured out, hired a rickshaw and saw the places close to the hotel.  We had a noon bus back to Bangalore so we weren't able to see anymore of Mysore.  But we all hope that someday we shall return to see the Vrindavan ga rdens and other places that we did not manage that day.  What seemed like a night of ordeal is now a crazy fun trip that we all took - one that built a bond which is truly rare.  As Baby Boo said we do laugh when we talk of that Mysore trip.

Recent Disney Movies - Reflection of Changing Times?

The movies could most possibly be categorised into one of the three types:

a) Story that talks about what happened.

b) Story that reflect the current conditions in society.

c) Story of human imagination and possibilities of what future might look like.

Every decade would have movies that would fall in one the above categories. What triggered today's post was movie Maleficent.  But before that a summary of what I noticed in movies Frozen and Tangled.  Frozen was based on the story the Snow Queen and Tangled which was based on Rapunzel

Until the movie 'Frozen' Disney's Fairy Tale adaptations had always stuck to the 'True Love's Kiss' theory where a Prince must kiss the female lead in order to save the day / world. Disney's Frozen broke this trend when the Princess Elsa accidentally freezes her sister's heart only an act of true love can save Anna from turning to ice. The Prince that Anna thinks loves her dupes her and the kiss is not what saves the day.  It was the act of sisterly love that Anna displays by saving Elsa when Prince Hans is about to kill her even as she is turning to ice. The other distinct change was that Elsa is made queen of her kingdom without having to get married and the 'Happily ever after' does not include marriage or a 'Price Charming'.

The previous movie Tangled took a slightly different take at the Rapunzel story.  Though Rapunzel is locked in the tower it and has long hair it seems she is quiet independent and is confident of defending herself with her frying pan.  She meets not a Prince but a charming thief who agrees to show her the world and in that journey she discovers who is really is. Toward the end Gothel (the villainess) kidnaps Rapunzel and brings her back to the tower. Flynn arrives to rescue Rapunzel only to be engaged in a fight with the witch but in the end its not the him but Rapunzel that saves his life and that too not by the much heard of True loves kiss but her tear that falls on him. So Rapunzel is not the damsel in distress but the Hero!

 
Brave was another movie where the Princess was an absolute rebel who did not want to get married just because it was the norm.  She fought and even beat the suitors that were competing for her hand. If she hadn't been brave and had done just as she was told she would have just been a prize to the suitor that won all the rounds.  That movie did not not have a prince or romantic angle and was more focussd on the mother daughter relationship and inspired to chase your dream.

The latest Disney movie that is a based on the story of Sleeping Beauty. Growing up we all read the story of sleeping beauty and must have watched the old Disney movie Sleeping Beauty I'm sure.  Even though there were changes to the original Sleeping Beauty story you would still love it if you keep an open mind. [spoiler alert] Maleficent does curse the baby Aurora but then she is also the one looking out for her as she grows up. Aurora calls Maleficent her Fairy Godmother because she has feels Maleficent has been watching over her since she was a baby. But the most striking change in the story is its not Prince Philip's kiss that awakens Sleeping Beauty (it does not work in the movie) but Maleficent motherly kiss that she places on the sleeping Princess' forehead promising that she will not let anything harm Aurora which brings her back to life.

The common theme in the retelling of the stories as I notice it is that:

1.  With changing times may be we are all moving away from the idea of a Prince Charming / Knight in shining armour.  The ladies can take care of themselves and can overcome barriers if they believe in themselves.

2.  True love's kiss which is an idea of the romantic love is not the only thing that can save us but there are also other relationships in our life - our family that can do the same or even more to save us.

3.  There seems to be an acceptance that a 'Happily Ever After' doesn't really need a marriage. It's not really marriage but LOVE that is needed to be happy.

All the above said I think the underlying message is that of  'Women Empowerment'.  We hear about it at our Workplace, Business, Politics and I'm guessing Disney is doing their bit in changing mindsets. Its not about special treatment for women but encouraging and providing them with equal opportunities.  In the old stoies women were just damsels in distress that had to be saved by strong men and that could be seen as conditioning of the minds to be the norm. But with changing times the stories are being re-told to usher new views.

Dove Play Date - The Best Indiblogger Meet

I have been excited from the minute I saw the email from Indiblogger about the Dove PlayDate that was planned on 11th May.  I had quickly registered and called up my blogger buddy the one I met at the first Indiblogger event. This was an all ladies event held at the JW Marriot Mumbai and the dress code was anything in white!

The first thing we do at every event is register (this was the third event and I'm now getting a hang of it).  The faces are starting to get familiar and I like that feeling of familiarity.  But there were and are always many many new faces.  

As soon as we registered we were given badges with our name and a wristband with a team number.  All of us were being clubbed into teams. We were handed a map of the area and a list of the activities planned for the day.  It was all so beautiful especially the hall as soon as we entered.

 After the intital introduction we were split into teams and asked to name our team after a hair style.  We were 10 ladies and the name we finally decided on was Messy Buns.   There were a few ice breaker games followed by a quick 10 minute Zumba workout.  The workout was invigorating and set the mood for the games ahead.  

We were then explained the different games we would play and taken to the different setups.  They were all team building games. One was finding dove balls and tossing them in a basket which was quiet exciting.  Next was a hairstyling game where each lady had to pick a hairstyle and do thier partner's hair. My partner did this very pretty pony and I did her hair in another type of pony (now I wish I had clicked her pic!)

After that was a jigsaw puzzel where we had to put part of a Dove poster together.  We completed it in 3 minutes and felt quiet proud.

Team Messy Bun

 The next section was one of the best - Dove Salon where we could get pampered, relax, get a hair cut or styled.  Most laties from the team decided to curl up thier hair.  I went it for a quick trim and the hairdresser suggested I should blow dry my hair straight.  While the stewards served us delicious wine.  It was indeed very relaxing.

However our team had then to go and complete a final task called Hips don't lie - a Hula Hooping activity. None of us were any good so we just got the default score for this.

The last contest of the day was Cocktail Making.  None of us ladies in our team had ever made one.  I assumed we would be given instructions and stepped up for the task.  The judge explained what is absolutely necessary for a good cocktail - Ice, Lemon, Sugar and the Spirits. He also explained what is a large (60 ml) advising that the drink should not be strong and the different types of glasses to be used. We had a choice of three spirits to choose from - Rum, Vodka and Gin.  I had tatsed the Cosmopolitan once and had quiet liked it.  I was told it was a Vodka based drink.  So I decided to replicate it with a little twist.  I put together Raspberry juice, less than half of that large measure and added lemon juice.  This was a drink that had to be shaken - so I was advised by the assistants so I added ice and the mixture to the shaker and after some shaking poured out the drink in a Martini glass.  I added a bit of mint and we decided to name the drink 'Sassy Berry'.  When it was time for the results I was excited but since I had made a drink for the first time thouhgt I might not win and it would be okay.  To my surprise I made it third! I was really happy. Even thought it was a third place but it was something I did for the first time.

After the last event there was prize distribution for the team with maximum scores. Our team did not win but we all made some friends and it was great getting to know them.

This event was about the new Dove Intense Repair Shampoo.  I have been and advocate of Dove for quiet a few years and this shampoo is the best so far! It really takes care of your hair and let you WHATEVER you want - Iron it straight or make them curl - Dove will take care of the damage. Here's a link to the Dove page with more details on this new shampoo.

Everybody was talking about how this was the best blogger event and it was! It was also one of the most interactive events I ever attended. 11th May was also Mother's day but its made everybody at the feel special.  We were all women, mothers or potential mothers :) DovePlay made our day!

My Samsung Galaxy Note1

I am very attached to my gadgets. They are extentions of me and it hurts a lot when they break or are stolen.  My last lamenting post was when my first camera fell and crashed its lens to bits.  I love taking pictures and yes it almost made me tear up when I saw my camera wasn't going to be fine again.  I bought a new camera and blogged about it too.

This time though its more personal - My phone, my Samsung Galaxy Note 1 was stolen from my backpack while I was on the train station.  Not sure when it happened but when i realised it was gone I was more than emotional.  It was not just a phone, it was everything, it had everything about me, and I had lost all contact with the world.  I felt violated.  I hadn't lost it, that would be careless.  It was taken from me and yes that made me cry. The cops were not helpful and they did not register the complaint when I went to them within the hour it happend.  I felt weak and absolutely alone.  I was on my way to work but I was too disturbed to do anything. After wiping away the tears I realised that first thing I had to change all the passwords to the apps on my phone.  It was a Friday - 14th March 2014, a day before the Ides of March.

Ever since I had bought the phone I had completely ignored my laptop and had even disconnected the internet connection since my phone did everything. I had to find a cybercafe.  It was while searching fot a cybercafe I realised that there weren't so many around.  The ones i had seen a few years ago had shut down.  I guess its not just me.  Everyone can access almost everything through even the simplest smartphones these days why would anyone go to cyber cafes? After looking and asking around for about 30 minutes I found one.  Upon entering I saw that the equipment was ancient.  The old fat monitors were still ok but the system had  windows XP on it and it was running at snails pace. The browers were outdated and it was excruciating to wait for each page to load and get the password reset process completed for all the accounts.  The entire process took me about an hour.  I was late for work, there was a fun event planned and I was suppose to buy the gifts but this whole episode had put me off.  I reached office and was feeling very disconnected.  I had lost all my contacts.  The only numbers I knew were that of my brother and my cousin.  I called my brother and cousin informing them what happened and that I wouldn't be reachable for a few days. I was feeling sick and a little stupid.  I had a smartphone and I wasn't very smart about the security I hadn't installed any security app to manage a situation like this.  I never thought anyone would steal - take the the phone from my bag!  Lesson learnt the hard way its very important to have a mobile security app, something that can track your phone and that can also erase all data remotely when stolen.

That weekend  was spent in phone hunting.  Its very confusing when you have to buy a new phone but don't want to spend as much as you did last time since there are many budget phones but then you also want quality that you are used to already.  At last I ended up buying a Moto G recommended by a friend. This phone is not bad - its actually quiet good in its price range.  Its got a 1GB RAM, 16 GM internal memory, dual SIM, Quad Core processor, perfect screen size that I was looking for and beautiful. :)  I doesn't compare to the Samsung Galaxy Note1 but then I did buy a Moto G.  Even though its not a Note its smart and sleek and this time I have the security option to wipe out data if (which I hope not) it gets stolen.
 
After losing the Note1 did not want to spend that much again on another phone.  So I bought a phone that had a smaller screen so it fit in my pocket and still had almost all the necessary functions. And I got a missing  phone complaint filed too - that was an achievement. I am yet to completely fall in love with my new Moto G.

Would I recommend my new phone? Yes, but if you do not want a big screen phone and within budget. My other option was the Micromax Canvas Turbo but the screen was as big as the Note and I wanted something that would fit in my pocket.

Samsung Galaxy Note1

MotoG

IndiBlogger Events - A first

I was welcomed into the Indiblogger community for almost year and yet I wasn't able to attend any of the meets or events that took place.  I was either out of town was too late to book a seat.  Until one day I saw an e-mail invitation for a Sunsilk sponsored film screening - Real FM a short film by Anurag Basu. The event was on a Friday evening and the invitation was sent just couple of days prior to the event. I was excited and wondered if I was going to make it to the event or if I it was going to be full already.  I followed the link and there were seats available! I was so excited I think a little 'Yay!' escaped through my lips :D  It was a working day and I work UK hours usually i.e. IST 1.30 pm - 10.30 pm mostly.  It was short notice and I wasn't sure if my boss would approve the flexi work day request.  Since I wasn't able to ever attend the events due to some or the other reasons I really wasn't sure I'd make it.  But I did, the boss agreed even though it was one day notice.  I know some might think I get excited too easily but I thought that getting to attend any of these events was jinxed.  

Finally it was the Friday and I left work and reached the venue. I did not know anybody and was going alone.  I was excited till the time I got, there then I saw all these people some of them in groups, quiet a few looked like college students.  I wondered what I was there for, I had no expectations and I wanted to attend an event.  The people at the registration desk very warm and welcoming that felt nice. I signed in. The setup was that of a mini red carpet.  The e-mail did say it was screening of a short film red carpet style.  There were movie posters put up and they had a small stall for pop-corns, another section with a RJ console setup and there were photographers clicking photo! People were posing with the props - the console, microphone and headsets, some solo while some in groups.  (FB Link to the photos) I got one clicked too.  We were surprised when they printed those photos and gave it to us - oh and all of it was free! :) I wasn't the only person to go there alone.  I met another personal blogger and we got talking and turned out we had a few things in common and she seemed very nice and funny. I made a new friend.

Then the doors opened for the movie screening. Before the movie the IndiBlogger co-ordinators had fun questions where some people won moolah, or surprise gifts.  I had no luck, we were sitting in the first row and the person asking questions just totally overlooked us! Lesson learned - don't sit on the first row.

The short film was quiet heartwarming and fun.  It was a story of 4 girls - friends who get stuck in a situation and manage to save the day.  Initially I thought it was predictable but as the story built up it made us hope that they succeed - even though you know that is how it ends and they save the day. What I loved most about the movie were the songs.  They did complete justice to being a film about a FM station and all the songs were really nice. At the end of it all it was a wholesome first blogger event experience.  We were all expected to head home and blog about the event the story while not quite giving the story away.  The movie was going to be aired on MTV that Sunday.  

There was also a blogger meet held on Sunday - a second event but a first official 'Indiblogger Meet' for me.  That was a brunch event. When I reached for the event this time some faces were familiar.  The registration desk people and also my new blogger friend I had met. It felt a little familiar this time and yet there were sooo many more people that I did not know. The meet was for a Kotak Bank event promoting JiFi (pronounced jiffy and not like wi-fi) Link to photos This was a slightly bigger event, more people and had celebrity guests - Author Chetan Bhagat was there to talk about why we should have an account with Kotak Mahindra Bank.  This was a noon party and they even had cocktails being served I was surprised how people could consume alcohol at noon. Guess if it's free anytime is good. At this event it seemed a lot like these events are about free food (drinks sometimes) and a reason to blog. It made me write something after ages. :)  After attending two events and making new acquaintances I feel more responsible to write :D hehe.