A GOOD YEAR

So, this is my first bday in Dilli and it’s all VERY quiet. But the silence isn’t unnerving me, too much.

Maybe, my eight cantankerous years in Mumbai of overzealous, hyperactive friends (you KNOW who you are!), frenzied partying and mean traffic snarls, is allowing me to enjoy these quiet zen moments.

Friends and family have been calling or texting, through the day. I was particularly amazed at the barrage of Facebook messages and wall scribbles by friends and acquaintances.

Will celebrate when pop and Jen land up, this weekend.

Oceans of rabdi

I have this fantasy of bathing in an ocean full of pulpy-textured rabdi. Well, this Sunday I indulged in THE most mouth-watering rabdi at Paranthe Wali Gali in Chandni Chowk.

We also tried the banana and rabdi parantha, which were accompanied by a sweet-sour-spicy banana sambar, chunks of carrot and turnip and other curries. It was a heavy mix. But the paranthas are dipped in boiling oil for precisely 30 seconds, which explains why they are rich but not greasy.

This little by-lane is a must-visit.

the end of cynicism

The greatest thing about my move to Delhi is that my journey to the end of cynicism is now finally complete. The start of this journey began in Mumbai itself, but the impact of being away from all things familiar and the frenetic pace, that is life in a throbbing metropolis, has hastened this journey.

BABEL

Just finished Babel, and despite all the very cynical reviews I have been reading, I really dug it. It's about innocent mistakes, lapses of judgment and horrifying repercussions. It's worth a watch. It also hit home, because one of the protagonist is hearing impaired (like Jenny). Imagine being in a disco with people gyrating madly, but no music.

FIT

The good thing about my move to Delhi is that the pace of life is more relaxed. You have space to breathe, read, exercise, and pursue all aspirations. However, having said that maybe this works for me, because I now consider time to be a luxury, having lived in Mumbai, a place where you are ALWAYS running!

I have been able to stick to my New Year's resolution of getting fit by spending 25 minutes a day walking-jogging. And eating healthy, too. Yay!

THE GRASS IS GREENER

My colleagues were distraught over losing to the Kiwis (in a 20-20 match). I secretly swooned. A recent article on Rediff about women's cricket received THE MOST regressive responses on how women's cricket is completely pointless. "Let this m&&&&&&rs lose!," I said.

MATCH

D is popping down this weekend and we plan to hang out. She is half-Peruvian and half-German, and maybe, the Spanish roots explain the two very opposite sides to her persona that manifest in different ways.

Initially, she comes across as a wee bit frosty, even sterile. And then when she get comfy with you, you get to see affection and a generous dose of quirkiness. Her skin tone is caucasian, but her hair is a massive bob of curls.

I'm all for inter-racial matches, because the results are just exquisite. This whole Indian-marries-Indian scenario is just WAY to clannish!