a memoir of etchings and wanderings
This time last year, I was undertaking an elaborate year-end blog series and enumerating all things notable that happened. Today, however, I am one of the three people who are remaining in the office during the holiday season and needless to say that the work overload is a tad overwhelming. To add to all the fun, my annual flu bout has chosen this time of the year to visit – … Continue reading “Looking Back” →
This year was mostly a blur. I know I say it almost every year, but this one was truly exceptional. Day after day, months ran past me – and it is already time to re-look at the goals-of-the-year and check things off the list (hopefully) and put down the highlights of the year! 2013 was satisfying. It had it lows, but the highs outweighed them in all regards. I set myself … Continue reading “2013 | Resolution Rehash” →
How long do you turn a blind eye to indifference How can you just let things be How can you continue to deal with being replaceable How should you cope And, how must you let go Today. This moment. It’s just you. Alone. Standing at crossroads. You can choose to drag all the weight along, or – you could be free Free of the constant anxieties Free of that feeling … Continue reading “Betwixt” →
It’s Christmas! I might be one of the few people on the planet at their work desks today, but I will let nothing dampen the spirit! I’m going to listen to the Christmas radio, sing along loudly, walk down to the bakery for some plum cake and go back home to watch Home Alone 1, 2, 3 and then Love Actually – in that order! For now, unable to contain … Continue reading “Winter Wonderland” →
There used to be a time when I didn’t mind working weekends, lots of consecutive weekends. Late hours. Pizza for all three meals. Doing the work of three people at less than the basic wage rate of a American Mc Donald’s fries maker. Those days are long gone. As have the reasons why I even enjoyed the crazy times. So when I was asked to staff a weekend media event, … Continue reading “Sun ~ Sea ~ Sand” →
For someone who has been raised on western classical music, fed Mozart before baby food and seen their father polish the Beethoven bust every Friday morning, it is quite unnatural to have seen their first opera at the age of 26. But the Royal Opera House in Muscat is a fairly new concept, and it wasn’t really opera season when we visited Austria so when I saw that ‘The Marriage … Continue reading “Le nozze di Figaro” →
Now we’re back to the beginning It’s just a feeling and no one knows yet But just because they can’t feel it too Doesn’t mean that you have to forget Let your memories grow stronger and strongerTill they’re before your eyes I’ll come back when you call me… No need to say goodbye. “The Call” by Regina Spektor
The weekend before last I was in Dubai and met friend/classmate/bench-partner Yukti after almost a decade. And of course, we talked about school. I don’t remember having spoken about it in forever. There was never an opportunity to. Except when people asked – and the whole cycle of laughing at a school named ‘The Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir’ began. I don’t blame them 🙂 I consider myself one … Continue reading “I.S.W.K.” →
I will look at the picturesAgain and againFeel the tears well upSwallow them in anger I will go back to the timesHate myself for the wrongsThen open that tab againAnd stare at you in disbelief What hurts the mostIs that after everythingYou didn’t think that I deserved the truthOr even a word, between us I’m glad that the day is finally here You can pose and smileI can cry and … Continue reading “The Dove and the Olive branch” →
So where does all of Oman go whenever we have an extended weekend? Step out during the Eid holidays to see the Muscat streets sparsely populated and you just know it. Everyone is in Dubai! While growing up, that’s what we did too. Drove down to the United Arab Emirates, stayed with friends or family and had picnics near the Creek. Even in the 90’s Dubai and Abu Dhabi was … Continue reading “DXB” →