***Awards***

I walked past the long iron bars , hmm you can call it 'The gate', the one I walk pass by every day. Today while I do this, I was mentally preparing myself - making a note of all the emails I need to draft, the tasks that needed my attention and finally as I climb the stairs that lead to my cubicle, was just hoping for no "End of day" deadline tasks in my bucket. Friday!! and to top it the weather being kind enough to stay beautiful and awesome throughout this week had taken me out from the working mood.

Reaching the desk, first thing I did - checked my Inbox and sighed with great relief. Hip hip Hurray!! No major assignments today. Sipping some hot espresso, logged onto my blog - I was more than overwhelmed! I had recieved my first set of awards for my small space out here that I've been sharing my thoughts through. The moment I saw this Golden comment "you have just won a set of awards ashwini.. check my recent post:-) " from Mishi, I could not believe it. I went back to read the lines twice. Then on, I've been telling to myself - OOooooo Ashwini you've got an award for your blog. Not one lady, you've got 5 awards. ha ha ha:). The feeling is same as that of winning the first place in the sports day event at school. Thanks a lot Mishi for the set of awards and bringing back my school event memories. I’ve seen these little awards floating around the blogosphere lately & was flattered that it was passed along to me.









"Unveil the other side" has been in existence from Dec 2009. I started this space to rant and ramble all that I feel,hear,think and imagine of. I have had the pleasure of ”meeting” many other fabulous bloggers. Having a blog has been the perfect creative outlet and a wonderful way for me to share everything I love.

So as far as I’m informed, the rules for accepting the award are:

a. Link back to the person who passed you the award
Thanking Mishi from "My Secret Little Diary" for passing down the awards.
As she says about herself to being "Nobody for the one who reads", the first time I read her post she was true to that statement. Now as I read her posts more often I kinda know her better. She's turned from "Nobody" to a wonderful "Buddy" in this Blogworld. Keep posting!

b. Share 7 random things about yourself
#1. I don't like dressing up to office every morning, or shall I put it this way - I just get a mere 20 minutes to take bath, jump into an outfit, gulp a glass of milk and munch a bowl of corn flakes. And yes! this is after a 45 minute aerobics routine. How do you expect me to apply foundation, eye-liner, mascara, lipstick - Oh no! I run out of time if I try to do anything beyond a clean combed hairdo.

#2. I love reading - Tinkle is my favourite!

#3. Photography skills - Still in the stages of A b c. A babystep at a time I go. Some experiments are at "Unveil the Colors"

#4. My bed is a store for my hairclips and night creams. Sometimes they also hold a set of books that I am currently reading. I get scoldings for this, but I need them handy - What to do?

#5. I can't stop laughing when I think about an episode that I am about to describe.
A group of cousins had planned for a fun and thrilling experience at an amusement park in Bangalore. We were about 10 in total and had to take the city bus after a short scooter ride. We set off in a hurry so that we reach on time hoping not to miss the fun. Only after I boarded the bus did I notice the sandals on my feet, they were from different pairs :) As I pointed it out, all burst into laughter. I did not bother about it as long it did its duty of protecting my feet. :)

#6. Cooking , rather some experimenting on food is something I am passionate about. Poor chaps at home, are my first guests. Ha ha ha:)

#7. Designs - from Mehandi/Henna art on the hand to embroidary patterns, glass painting to simple pencil sketches is what I do if I get some time to spare(which is very rare cos if I do have some extra time I either sleep or watch a shitty soap on TV).


c. Answer these cute questions.

* Favourite Color: Anything in Blue! Not so long ago,half the set of my clothes were in shades of blue.
* Favourite Song: Lots of them, but if I have to mention one here its gonna be vande mataram!
* Favourite Dessert: Oooooo! As I respond to this my mouth's literally watering - Hot Rasagollas. The taste of the traditional KC das Rasagollas that I had in Calcutta a decade ago, still tickles the taste buds.
* What Pisses you off: The horrible drivers on the road.
* When You are Upset you: I sleep.
* Favourite Pet: Animal lover and I have a post of all the pets we've had at home. Check out - "Current Avatar and Tribute to the rest"
* Black or White: Mix of both to balance the hard to soft, light to dark.
* Best Feature: Eyes
* Everyday Attitude: Live today, love the present.
* What is Perfection: Many hard hits gets you into perfection.
* Guilty Pleasure: Eating a square of dark chocolate when I am supposed to be away from sweets and chocolates to shed off the extra calories to keep myself fit.But that's okay I guess 1 square should not harm. :) What if it becomes an everyday routine??

d. Award 15 blogs

Here comes the announcement. Can I hear some claps. I love reading what they write and I know I've missed a lot on this list. Doesn't mean that I dont enjoy your blog. I've been priviledged to only pass these awards to only 15 of them. :(

Congratulations!

Sahana from "Ahamkaara"
A from "Simply speaking by "A" simple blogger"
Kavita from "My room"
Deepthi from "Like Duck to Water"
Sayesha from "Sayesha on the Rocks"
Archana from "A rupee for my thoughts"
SujathaSathya from "'Conversations' by Sujatha Sathya"
Rachna from "Rachna Says"
Irfanuddin from "APNIBOLI"
Sum from "Sum's Arena"
R Ramesh from "Global Madarasi"
Rajesh from "India Travel"
Insignia from "B Log"
Pradeepa from "Speaking thru the lens"
Bikramjit from "Me and My random thoughts"

**[Above list is in no particular order]

e. Drop them a note to tell them about it
My next job is to do that, right after publishing this post.

This brings such a lengthy post to an end.

Thanks again for all the wishes fabulous friends and Mishi - A Special Thank You!

Aim and Gain!

Working mind had gone blank
Thoughts were a lot
But there came a clot -
How Do I Reach That No.1 Rank ?

All those high brain Nerds there
Seeing them I was scared
The feeling - little akward
No one seemed to be bothered

Busy in their routine
Portraying a definitive mien
Hurray was the only Word
'Cos after this , they'll be Honored

White paper,on it the black ink's wink
Got me to the act of blink blink blink
Penning the words that flowed
Poured poured and poured

Finally, it was over and I was out
So was the crowd discussing their doubts
Happy and merry sounded I
My soul within knew I would stand that high

Came that day
I shout the word - Hurray
No. 1 was my aim
No. 10 is no bad I exclaim.

[Zero has no value right. Be it No.1 or No.10. Who cares ? Ha ha ha :)]

Yet another milestone.

Time passes by, days roll, years grow and so do we.

Its one more year added to my career-life. Going a few years down the lane , I can see myself sitting in front of the interviewer who seemed funny not because of his behaviour or his attire. He was asking questions way beyond the thinking capacity of an engineering student still in her last year of the course. Yes it wasn't simple to get into an MNC. Especially getting placed through college was a dream come true. I was selected!Hmmm something must be really wrong with those guys thought I. Later did I get to know that it was a part of stress test they were carrying out on all the candidates. I had cleared the test , Not bad, my patience level was way too high. Dont expect that now.. Pleaaaseee!

If I go back to the days of my training - Thats going to be another blog in full [some other time please]. Gosh! No I did not want to be trained on Mainframes - Not knowing the fact that its gonna be an alltime high and evergreen in the IT industry I reluctantly walked into it. Realization comes, but after I started working in the first live project followed by a series of challenges down the road. Oh no what was all those funky high-fi terms used - deliveries, deadlines, quality, SLA's - they got messed up with the technical part of the cerebrum which contained Syntax, loops , functions and calls . I happened to fight it all and have been learning throughout this journey. Management is another aspect which I've been able to get a bit of understanding lately, but that isn't very hard if you know how to manage right? - haaaa I know people are thinking I've gone mad. Let me stop it there boredom kicks you.

It was 2004 - July 21st that I joined a US based company as a fresh trainee. 7 years - I have seen the slow-fast projects, minor-major tasks, simple-complex requirements, tough-friendly people and more. I have grown professionally and personally - Thanking all who have been a part of this travel.

Crash your Diet! NOT Crash diet

Vidyarthi Bhavan - One of the iconic restaurants in Bangalore/Bengalooru makes me feel elated every visit there. If you are in and around Gandhi Bazaar area, then this is one place you need to hop into, for the very reason of gulping in a hot cuppa filter coffee while munching away a calorie-rich-ghee-roasted Masala Dosa. This restaurant, with the interiors backing to the age it opened with [Started in 1943], is a mark of old Bangalore/Bengalooru . Breakfast or an evening snack - this is the right place to be. Its a small crowded place and people flock here all hours in the day till the doors close. Diet! - Forget the routine for one day to enjoy this restaurant's special masala dosa. Bid a bye to your calorie conscious soul while you relish the crisp crepes[Dosas] accompanied with coconut chatni and lentil sambhar.


You need to wait for atleast 15-20 minutes to occupy a table. A common scene one would come across here is that people stand next to you when you are eating, as they wait to occupy your seat once you're done. Having placed the order please dont forget to have a glance at the surroundings. Its a very old authentic rusty atmosphere in there, check the walls for black and white portraits. By now you will notice a guy carrying several plates dosas stacked up in one hand while the other hand busy serving them.

My dad has been treating me with this beautiful experience once in a while. [Thats enough for the calories I put on :). I don't mind being a little shameless, to enjoy these yummy dosas]. Though the quality has not deteriorated that bad, still there is some authenticity missing - I would like to bring this to their notice. However the masala rava vada here is delicious and makes you run to them over and over again.

Next time around that area, please check this place out. Don't miss!

These old time special attractions in Bangalore/Bengalooru are a list to be made. Dad gives out the best 2 names in the household since the 1950's:
1) Brahmin's Cafe @ Shankarpuram - For the best idli vada ever.
2) Central tiffin room @ Malleshwaram - For Dosas. If you are around Malleshwaram area then this is the place to be.

I have a click of the guy carrying the stack of dosa plates.

Here is the picture I am talking about!

A cry not heard!

Ray of light
far from sight
All his need
is a caring feed

A place to sleep,
a blanket to keep -
the despodent waif
Warm and safe

Cruel men see
the poor one plead,
Emptiness filled hearts
hesitant to share a part.

On the pavement's corner sits
this lad a bit.
Weak and pale
telling his tale

None hear
Do they feign fear?
Hoping - is all he could do
for some fresh hot stew

Every passer-by
down the lane
Ignore this guy
and all his pain

Why is this scene not wiping off my brain
Serene it Remains
Revives time and again
As I sit by the window of the train.

Wait!

Twisiting the gold chain
I lay, waiting for you
Tuning my tiny brain -
to a glimpse of grey and blue

Are your feelings same as mine?
Neither able to wine nor dine
Do you ponder over - what to do ?
If "yes", Drop a simple clue.

Amidst the striking light, high up there
Smiling face is what you wear
Slowly bringing up signs of roars
Promising your way - down here, for sure

Was it the sight of a Withering flower
That spelled you into a beautiful shower?
Indeed I accept, you do hear
Our deep prayers forever and ever

May you come a zillion times
Each visit, remain fresh as lime
Soothing calmness - divine crime
Clings on for a lasting lifetime.

Tantrums of logging on.

It was a normal day when I was doing my usual work at office. A known tune started ringing on my cell phone. Without even checking the number/name flashing on the phone I knew it was from home - [Ring tone is set to the song "masakkali masakkali"]

Dad on the other end wanted step by step procedure to logon to my laptop and then he needed to logon to gmail. We've (Sis and me)been telling him to learn this bit from quite some time now. Not that he is unaware of the keys,he does have first hand experience working with Url's and other computer basics while he was in his tenure. But this techie stuff is something that doesn't get onto his heads now at this age within a go. I proudly admire his attempt to learn and excel it.

Now, it was a day when sis was still in Australia and Dad wanted to catch her online. Why now? Can we do it tomorrow.- Asked I. No we have some relatives at home, so it would be nice if we can get her online now - came the respone. (Some relatives who had come from a rural village would definitely be wondering on seeing the technology that has grown so wide.Now you know the intention behind this exercise :) ).

Here goes the lines between the two of us:


Dad: Hey Ashwini, I have switched on the power button and the Windows has come up asking your password? What's it?

Me : Okay Type in Caps(X)then rest in xxxxxx [of course encrypted here guys]

Dad: It did not accept. Tell me the password again.

Me : Appa[I address him this way] , did you make sure you have only the first letter in Caps and the rest in small notes.

Dad: Oh maybe the Capslock was on for the entire password. Let me try....... [second hit it let him in] .Now your photo is appearing. Nice one it is.

Me: Ok so you logged on. [I not stop my smile]. Next hit on the Start button at the left bottom on the screen.

Dad: There is no start button. only one windows circle is what I see.

Me: Ok appa, click on that only, that is the start.

[Now came the problem of using the inbuilt laptop mouse for clicking. It was fun explaining him how to find the right and left click buttons on the laptop. I almost jumped in joy when he said he successfully managed to click]

If you are not able to click on that , you can hit second key left of the spacebar on the keyboard and that will bring up the start menu.

Dad: Yes I that came up now. I found the IE and was able to click on it.

Me : Good appa. Now on the URL type - gmail.com and hit enter.

Dad: how to delete the existing URL[this was a little challenging for him as the delete button was not in its usual place and to backspace the characters the cursor was at the start of the URL. Finally with a little adventure he was able to figure out the way to type in]

Me : Now go and enter the user id and password.

Dad: okay. [By now he had mastered the clicking and he was pretty fast.]

While he was doing this I somehow guessed that battery might be dying out and asked him to plug in the power chord. Whoa that was yet a lovely discovery. Getting him pick the right adaptor from a heap of wires and asking him to plug it to the correct point.

Me : Now do you see "Compose mail", "Inbox", ... "Chat" on the left hand side.

Dad: Wait it says still loading.

Me : hmmm ...

Dad: Yes I see Chat and under it your name is there , below that it says "you are invisible"

Me : Okay that is fine, now click on it and make is "available"

Dad: I did it.

Me : Oh god you got it done right. Now scroll down a bit and do you see "Archana"'s name ?

Dad: Hey there is one other name something - xxx.sssd , if I delete that then I will be able to see her name I think?

[He had missed the scroll bar on the right and by the time he realized it, the network at home had taken a toll.I got to know about it as I see my name go invisible again - I was logged on to another gmail account from my desk. Clever me :) ]

Dad had got in right after taking all those troubles and when he was almost there it was all gone. I can guess how he might have felt. Then he said "Leave it Ashwini. Ask her to call up now. Lets check this out in the evening".

I instant messaged Sis to make a call on the telephone. I was actually messaging her on the otherside of how I am teaching appa to login. We were having some fun and smileys exchanged

So that night after I reached home first thing I showed Dad was the right scroll bar and how one can find names of people who are online. He learnt a new thing being an obedient student. 3 cheers for the success - Logging on to the laptop on his own.

PS: Please check the new page for the Url of my photoblog - Unveil the colors - a short colorful journey of my captures. Also have a flash version of it.

ಕತ್ತಲ ಕೋಟೆಯ ರಹಸ್ಯ

ಹಾಳ್ಬಿದ್ದ ಆ ಕೋಟೆಯಲಿ ಇರುಳ ಕತ್ತಲೆಯಲಿ
ಕಂಡಿದೆ ಛಾಯೆಯು ಭಾಯಾನಕದ ರೂಪದಲಿ
ನೆತ್ತರು ಚೆಲ್ಲಿದ ಕುರುಹು ಹಾಗೆಯೆ ಉಳಿದಿದೆ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಇಲ್ಲಿ
ಕಾಳಗ ನಡೆದಿತ್ತೆಂದು ಖಚಿತವಾಯಿತು ಮನದಲ್ಲಿ

ಆದರೇನಂತೆ? ಧೈರ್ಯ ಮಾಡಿ ಮುನ್ನುಗಲು ಹೊರಟಿದ್ದೆ
ಕೈನಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ದೊಂದಿ ದೀಪವ ಹಿಡಿದಿದ್ದೆ
ಅಲ್ಲಿಯ ರಹಸ್ಯ ತಿಳಿಯಲೇ ಬೇಕೆಂದಿದ್ದೆ
ಆದರೆ... ಇನ್ನೇನು ಒಳಹೋಗಿದ್ದೆ..
ಧುಡುಂ! ಅಂತ ಮಂಚದಿಂದ ಕೆಳಗೆ ಬಿದ್ದಿದ್ದೆ
Note: ಕೈನಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಲಸ ಕಡಿಮೆ ಆದ್ರೆ, ತಲೇಲಿ ಏನೂ ಹೊಳಿದೆ ಇದ್ರೆ , ಹೀಗೆ ಹುಚ್ಚಿನ ಸಾಲುಗಳನ್ನ ಗೀಚುವ ಅಭ್ಯಾಸ ನನ್ನಲ್ಲಿದೆ.. ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು ಓದಿಗರು ಈ ಜೀವಿಯನ್ನು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಸಹಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕು ಈ ವಿಷಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಎಂದು ವಿನಂತಿ :) :)

@ the Airport.

BIAL - That's the abbreviation of Bangalore International Airport Limited. I with a friend and my dad headed towards this destination last friday. Its a clean 45 km drive one way. The traffic seemed to have come to halt on a friday night at 10, maybe a result of rising fuel price and adding to that the inflation taking tolls on the commuters. Weather was cool and the dark clouds had covered the sky, hiding away all the stars. The strong chilly wind that was cutting through the half openend window, ran my ears numb. It is a national highway that I need to take after a few initial rough city roads. As I drive through at a speed marking 100kmph on the display meter, few drops of rain made its entry on the glass surface in front, blurring the vision for a moment, until the wipers came on. A few gossips and giggles kept us engaged till we reached the parking lot at the airport. A glance at the clock confirmed the time - it was 11.05 pm.

Malaysian airlines was to land at 11:25 and we were there to recieve Sis who was returning from Australia on finishing her assignment. We the trio passed by the fresh aroma of the subway sandwich and the tinkling smell of berries poked my nose while I crossed the Baskin Robins ice cream shop.

Dad's craze to watch the flights taking off or landing every visit to the airport make me wonder but I simply walk with him.We walk to the nearby look-on spot at the corner. And there it was the Malaysian airlines landing safely - MH192 from Kuala Lumpur with no delay. We the excited ones were pointing at the plane and stating "Yep its here. Flight landed". Joyfully we marched to the arrival area.

As this was not the first visit to BIAL to recieve someone from airport,the procedures were pretty very well known - Landing, taxiing to the gate, customs check and the baggage claim. After this routine completes, is when one comes out of the terminal. Hmmm! So it was a minimum 30-45 minutes wait for sure.

As we wait, my wicked mind starts noticing the people round. A few cabbies hold placards and a few lay tired of waiting, waiting for the ones they have come to recieve. The delay in arrival has made them carry a look mixed with eagerness and anxiety. A family was impatiently waiting for the daughter and son-in-law. A restless kid was trying all his strength on the steel bars jumping around, while rest of the family waits, curiously glancing at the sliding doors open and close every now and then. Security guards were doing their duty. I overheard a couple sharing a light cross talk in between. A nun with an old sister from church pushed through the crowd to wave at their friend who'd just arrived. Dad with an astonished look was watching a passenger who came out speaking in an unknown language. (Actually that language sounded very weird). A grandma aged more than 70, was helped by an air crew member, to reach her family. They got her on wheels , what I witnessed next was a touching moment - her uniting with a man in his 40's - maybe her son. The smile on her face said it all.

Airports are such a hub of emotions. Smiles. Hugs. Kisses. Flowers. Tears. Embrace. There’s nothing quite like waiting behind the glass panels in the International Arrivals lounge looking to spot that familiar face.

I noticed the tag on the bags of people walking out. I was expecting Kuala Lumpur on them but it was different. Oh it was Dubai flight's passengers - the flight had landed a few minutes before the Mh192. We needed to wait more . A quick cast of my eyes went on a dark guy helplessly waiting with a bouquet of beautiful flowers - probably waiting for his girlfriend thought I. There were few Desi movie airport scenes recalled as well. Totally dramatic :). One fellow in an orange Tee and khakhi shorts walked out pushing his cart of baggages. Behind him came his lady. She was trying to reach someone on the cell phone. Okay let me share the little conversation between me and my friend, then.

Me : Kinda looks like these two are late comers from the Dubai flight.
Friend : Yaaaa. Mostly.
Me : They are newly wed couple I think.
Friend : Yes she is wearing those bangles. Probably Dubai for honeymooning. :)
Me : But why are they going separately ?
Friend : Hmmm fights ? (and we both go ha ha ha :)

A few minutes later,dad spot sis coming out with heavy bags around her. Kudos to Appa for his wonderful eyesight. Sis had lost weight and the travel made her look weak. Naturally, we made some fun of that fact which followed the hello and hi. We gulped a scoop of BR icecream each, then splurged on a wonderful zooming drive back home, at 12:30 in the night, of course accompanied by soggy rain.

We did not wander much around the departures but the story there is yet another experience to be going through altogether. Waving good byes, wishing luck, a roaring bon voyage and more. A moist eye bidding farewell to the near and dear, who will be gone for long. Some singles walked briskly to the Kiosk to print their boarding passes. Carrying a small baggage and no bag to check in - defintely meant he/she was on a short business trip within country.

This was just one night there at the airport but it is the same everyday, only faces differ but emotions remain as is.

July 2011 Calendar shot.

Hey Friends there, I was thinking of becoming a little creative with the photos that I have been storing on my desktop. Have been capturing them from my sweet little friend - My DSLR. Some might be shot using a friend's camera.

I am no big a photographer nor have I attended any school of photography. I like to click and I've doing that when time permits. These days clicking a perfect shot is not that a big deal when you have a wide variety of digital cameras open out there in the market, especially with an inviting price.

So what I have planned to do with the photo collection ? For a trial, I am using one of the thousands of snaps to make this month's calendar. I'll be doing this every month on the first. Lets see how it goes...


I am ready to hear your ideas and suggestions.



[Click on the photo to see a larger version and you can use it as a desktop background. All rights given. :)]

Details of the Photo:
******************
Place of shot: Hawaii, Lahaina Beach