First kiss..

A few days back, my girlfriends and I were sharing experiences of our first kiss. So, I thought I’d share mine with you too.

My first kiss happened when I was 4 years old with a boy L. We were of the exact same age. I do not really remember anything about it now, but my mom kept this picture of us kissing, so sweet it looked just like it had been cut right out of an Archies card.

As we grow up, everyone who saw the picture used to make fun of it and teased that one day we would eventually get married. As for L, he grew up to be a sweet, awkward kid. Growing up, we were in different schools. He was the shy, quiet kind and I was the one with many friends. I guess he did not come around much anymore. We never became friends after.

One fateful morning, a terrible news flooded our community. L had commited suicide. Rumour has it that he was having some serious problems in school. He was just 14 years old. The news spread like fire. Everyone in school who knew him talked about what a sweet person he was. I did not go to his funeral, but my friend told me that there were more flowers than any funeral she had ever been.

So, even though I do not remember much about him, whenever people talk about first kiss, I’d always tell his name. And whoever other guys who would like to claim the title of being “My first kiss”, I’m afraid they just don’t stand a chance. Thanks to the beautiful boy who left me beautiful memories.

Two babies........

(Dedicated to Rosie)

Two babies were born today.

The first baby has been named "John" by his grandmother. Baby John’s birth has been awaited with much anticipation and excitement. A big party has been planned by his parents to celebrate his arrival. A baby nursery with beautiful beige interior, pastel shade walls and cork flooring, with an expensive baby crib and masses of toys and stuffed animals was waiting for baby John’s return from the hospital. His father, a successful entrepreneur, wants his new born son to become a doctor and he have his whole future and career insured. Newly born baby John is chubby and healthy, because his mother never missed a single doctor appointment and was nourished with the best possible diet during her pregnancy.

The name of the second baby is "Matthew". Today, baby Matthew lost his mother while giving birth to him, succumbing to the injuries imposed by her drunken boyfriend who had been threatening her to abort the baby. His father had been hospitalized for a month due to excessive alcohol consumption, and the doctors aren’t sure whether he is gonna make it. Baby Matthew have no other relatives to take care of him. There is just one uncle, the father’s younger brother, but he refused to take Matthew, claiming he cannot even provide for his own children. Today baby Matthew was handed in the care of an orphanage run by the Roman Catholic Church. A worker in the orphanage was fighting back her tears as she held baby Matthew in her arms, contemplating upon how God could allow such wretched fate for such harmless, innocent child.

God loves both baby John and baby Matthew equally, not one bit more, not one bit less. He knew them even before they were born. He placed them in their mothers’ womb. He had their whole life planned, and will prepare them for glorious living. He planned that baby John will one day grow up to be a world leader who would promote peace and save nations. As for baby Matthew, God planned that he would one day grow up to be a Pastor and will lead many lives to God.

                      If only we have the patience to wait for what God planned for us.

Meanwhile in Mission Veng......

It was a very cheerful, happy day for a certain family who lives in Mission Veng, Aizawl.  It was the much anticipated day when their beloved, darling daughter was coming home from a far away university where she finally earned her post graduate degree, to finally stay at home forever.

Everyone in the family had eagerly waited for the day, and there had been much preparation and planning by each member of the family. The mother had prepared all of the daughter’s favorite dishes for dinner. She marinated  chicken the previous night, all ready to be put in the oven. The previous day she cleaned the daughter’s room, change the curtains, bed sheets and even re-paint the room light green, the daughter’s favorite color.

The 16 year old brother was the one who did most of the planning and hardwork. He even got up at 9 in the morning on a Saturday, because he had to shift all his stuffs like empty potato chips packets, cigarette ashes, pile of comics, game CDs and unwashed garments which he had littered in his sister's room during her absence.

Even the uncle took the day off from work only to pick her up from the airport. As he was waiting for his niece at Lengpui airport, he called her up and asked her where she was. The girl told him that she just landed at Kolkatta airport and would board the flight to Aizawl within one hour. Then the uncle called the girl’s mom.

“She just landed at Kolkatta. She’ll be home within two hours”, the uncle said to the mother.

Then, the mother called the grandmother to inform her about the same. Then, the grandmother informed the uncle’s wife, the uncle’s wife informed the aunty, the aunty then informed the cousins, and the cousins informed the neighbours. The neighbours then informed the neighbours' kids, who then informed the cats. Thus, it was a vicious circle. Then everyone gathered at the house, including the neighbour's cat, waiting for the V V I P, with their own personal motives in sublime anticipation, each with the big question in mind i.e. "What would she bring for me this time?" 

Yes, it was a happy day for everyone, not only because the girl was so keenly missed since she was a really nice girl, but everyone knew very well how their lives was going to be much better with the girl now staying at home.

It had been a busy year for the family, and the mother knew once her daughter gets home, she would be relieved of 70% of the household chores. She can now attend her social gatherings, shopping and church events without worrying for a second who will cook for dinner and who would do the laundry. She can even sleep late on a school day without worrying about the boys’ tiffin.

The 16 year old brother knew once her sister gets home, he would be freed from his mom’s tyranny, relieved from his bonded labour to clean the dishes and taking out the garbage.

The 10 year old brother was happy because now he had someone to cook maggi for him, anytime in the night.

The auntie with three kids and a baby had eagerly waited for this day, because she would now have a nanny free of cost to babysit her children.

The grandmother thought to herself, once her grand-daughter gets home, she would have someone to massage her back or pick her grey hair anytime she wants, and by anytime, it means anytime!

All the cousins, especially the girls, were keenly waiting for their sister, because they cannot wait to raid her closet and take whatever clothes they wanted.

The neighbours and the neighbour’s kids too, had eagerly anticipated the girl’s return, because she would bring goodies and sweets for everyone.

It was indeed a happy day for a certain family in Mission Veng.

My Delhi Woes....

I am usually the kind of person who adapts. But even after living in Delhi for the past two years, I just could not develop that liking or feeling of belongingness.

I’ve been to places all over India and I bet you’d agree, Delhi is among one of the worst places to live. Even the people living in it will admit it is not a very glamorous destination, which is stupefying given the fact that it is the capital city and the biggest education and tourism hub in the country. Infrastructure wise, yes, I agree it probably is the strongest (metros, airport etc.) but if you talk in terms of statistics and an environment conducive for women, the place is not exactly a traveller’s delight.

Apart from my personal first bad impression and experiences, I have listed few points why I don’t like the place.

Not safe for girls: In light of the recent tragic rape incident and a survey by TOI which reveals that Delhi ranks the highest in rape and sexual abuse cases, and 76 per cent of women claimed that they have been sexually abused in one way or the other 

Pollution:  Delhi is amongst the most polluted cities in India and the number of deaths and other related health effects have been increasing at an alarming rate.   

Link :New Delhi air pollution worse than Beijing 

Autorickshaws do not use meter: Delhi autowallahs never agree to go by meter. As a result, people like me who cannot speak fluent Hindi and aren’t familiar with the place are cheated over and over again by autowallahs. It’s like we’re held ransom by a tyranny of autodrivers. I remember the time when I paid 70 rupees from South ex to I.N.A station, which by meter costs just 30 rupees. I can only imagine the woes of the foreigners and tourist commuters. Clearly the transport department is flawed somewhere.

 No good place to hang out: This might not be true for everyone, but if you’re a person like me who do not enjoy going to pubs and night clubs and parties, your only hangout places are the shopping malls. I guess what I meant to say is I miss Mumbai’s Marine drive and my college and Chowpatty beach :-))

Delhi kinda made me hate momos: There was a time I considered momos as rare, authentic cuisine and exotic savory because when I was in Mumbai, there was just one place near Vashi station where you get momos. When I came to Delhi, momos were at every corner which I loved at first, but overtime it just don’t appeal to me anymore since they were everywhere. So, I sort of blamed Delhi for it :-)

One cannot find a decent falooda or a fruit juice shop whom you can trust and uses Bisleri water 

The extreme weather is intolerable, the screaming crowd, the never ending horn blasts, the pedestrians, the animal feces, litter, the roadside dumps and the trash everywhere!! 

On my defense, there are a lot of things I liked about Delhi too. The friends, the mizo church, the rickshaw pullers who are really decent men unlike most autowallahs, the shopping places and many more. It might not be the best place to live, but definitely worth a visit.

Ok!! So here's the thing........

The other day, I was transferring movies from my friend Esther’s laptop, and unknowingly, I copied some porn clips along with it. Yeah right..how was I suppose to know it was porn? I swear I did not know it was porn!

It  so happened that the next day in class, my laptop was connected to an LCD projector for a lecture. So before the professor arrived, my friends and I were watching some music videos and movies in my laptop on the lcd projector. Then I accidentally opened the porn clip, thinking it was perhaps some new movie. I had saved it on the desktop with a bunch of other movies and I played it, in front of the whole class. 

I could’ve died of embarrassment if it weren’t for my friend who turned it off immediately before the rest of the class saw it. Otherwise I could have been forever called “The girl with porn in her laptop”. Geez!! Why do these things keep happening to me ?!! :-))

On death and dying.....

Last night before bed, I opened my facebook account when I saw the  news about the death of a very beautiful person I know splashed across my homepage. There were status updates and facebook groups paying tributes about what a wonderful person he was and grieving how he went so unexpectedly.

 I was just so sad. A pang of pain hit my heart. How can someone so beautiful, so full of life and vibrant die just like that? Why do he have to die so young?  My thoughts went to the family of the deceased. I know how hard it is to see your loved ones die. It is a gut wrenching trauma that rips your heart  because you can’t comprehend the finality and totality of death. It felt like the ultimate separation and ultimate leaving of someone you love so much, so final that there is no going back. It seems like all you could  do is hold their hand at their last moments in the house while the Pastor gives the final tribute, and you know there’s nothing you can do to stop it and you sat there biting your lips while tears flood your face while you are absorbed by disbelief of truth as sharp as knife.

Then it made me think about my own mortality, and everyone elses. One day y’know our time will come. I know it’s too morbid or gruesome to think about it if we are healthy and happy. But death is real and sooner or later it’s gonna happen. It could be a car accident, a disease, an epidemic, cancer, a plane crash! A small lump in the throat could paralyze me with fear.

 I am so afraid of my loved ones dying. Sometimes I keep thinking what would I do if someone I love died. If my brother do not come home late at night, I start worrying whether he’ll come home safe or not. I know it’s being selfish but I always wished I’d die first. It’s just that it’s something I can never come to terms with though I know it’s inevitable.

I thought about my life today and what I’ve done with it. What if I have just one more day to live? What if I were to die today?  What if someone I love die today? I am so scared of it that all I could do is seek the Lord because I know only He can provide comfort. God created us, put us on earth for a reason, and I somehow believe  when  he takes back from us, when we thought  God has taken our loved ones away from us, I’m sure He’ll have a reason too. His ways are always perfect and He knows what’s best for us, and only in that faith can I gain comfort. Just maybe, in these diminishments, we can best experience God's love for us, for in our powerlessness, we can experience our need for a Savior and His ready embrace.

All I know is that I want to be ready when I stand before God and that I have not wasted my life. But today, I am ashamed that I call myself a Christian when I have never once prayed for a friend who is a non believer that he/she might accept Jesus one day. I am ashamed that I always have hundred reasons not to attend church. I am ashamed that somedays I get too busy at work to spend even 2 minutes to thank God who gives me good health so that I can do my work. I am ashamed that some nights I don’t even pray.

Letters to few people and few things and a ghost....

1. Letter to my mate Taylor Swift

Dear  Taylor Swift,

Hi Taylor, I just want to let you know that you inspire me. You are so down-to-earth, genuine and beautiful, so humble and not cocky at all.  You show me how normal girls can achieve big things in life. It’s literally impossible for anyone to be sweeter than you. Hope you get all the happiness you deserve. I love you to the moon and back...XOXO

2. Letter to  auto driver who takes me to college everyday,

Dear Bhaiya,

Bhaiya, though I might not always tell you, I want to thank you for charging me just 80 rupees everyday from my home to college. Y’know if I approach any other auto driver, they would charge me 120 rupees..and that would be rather hard on my wallet…and Bhaiya, I think you’re nice because you don’t try to start conversations with me like…”Where are you from?...Are you from China…blah blah..” like other annoying autodrivers. You just come on time and quietly drops me to college. So, thank you Bhaiya.

3. Letter to alcohol ( includes all kinds..beer, wine, whiskey, rum, zawlaidi etc.)

Dear Alcohol,

I hate you so much. I lost loved ones because of you. I wish you never existed. I know some people like you a lot, even my very own friends  because you give them pleasure for a while, but they should know you’re upto no good and you cause them more harm than good...I mean look at their puffy face and fat plus sized belly!!

4. Letter to grey coloured fur coat from Lifestyle that costs 4999 INR

 Dear  Grey Coloured Fur Coat from Lifestyle that costs 4999 INR,

I like you so much. You are exactly the coat I was wearing when I was day dreaming myself to be the protagonist of a romantic movie during my French lecture. Your texture, your colour, the way I fit perfectly inside you, the way you keep me so snuggly warm..that moment I first laid eyes on you, I wanted you to mine. But alas!! You are too expensive. I’m already broke and it’s only the beginning of the month. So, dear grey coloured fur coat from Lifestyle that costs 4999 rupees, perhaps I’ll come back for you when they put you up for sale in January 2013. Sigh!! 

5. Letter to the movie " Shawshank Redemption"

Dear  movie Shawshank Redemption,

Where were you all those years? I can’t believe I just watched you today. You’re like one of the best movies I’ve ever seen!

6. Letter to my friend Peka Ralte, who I haven't spoken to for weeks because he pretended to be modest and didn't call on my birthday

Dear ex best friend Peka Ralte,

You and I aren’t friends anymore!!!

7. Letter to stupid guy on  3rd floor of my building who urinates on my clothes hung on 2nd floor (sorry I don't have his picture)

Dear stupid guy on 3^rd floor  who was urinating on the clothes I hung yesterday,

GET SOME CIVIC SENSE!!!

8. Letter to white-clad ghost girl with super long black hair that's all tangled and stuff from almost every horror movie I've seen

Dear white clad long haired ghost girl,

Please scare my brother Bruce so that he'd get so scared to come home alone so late at night from his 'nula rim'. Please walk out of my neighbours television and scare him because his T.V is always on, in full volume and makes it difficult for me to concentrate on my work sometimes. Just scare him. Just don't kill him like you did in the movies.

9. Letter to my dear cousin Apuii

My dear cousin Apuii,

I’m  keeping your picture here, just like that!!!

OMG..This is totally weird!!

I don’t usually put up very personal issues on my blog, nor do I write about my silly love ramblings, but I felt the need to write this.

Last week, since my exams were over I thought I’d celebrate by binging on peanut butter and starting a new serial. My friend Aditya gave me two seasons of Family Guy. I watched two episodes. I also watched Nanny McPhee Returns.

Then, I switched off the lights and went off to bed.

Very soon, I slowly drift into a fairly light sleep and eventually entered the unconscious realm of dreams.

I was walking along some deserted road which I really don't know where. All I could remember seeing was few airplanes streaking across the sky. Some were flying just few feet above the ground. The airplanes were like the ones from the movie Pearl Harbour.  

Then from a far distance, I saw a frail silhoutte, masculine figure  approaching me. It was like grey and blurry all around me and it seemed like the only thing I could feel or see was that man who was approaching me. He gets closer and closer and the next thing I remember was that we were kissing (ewww!!!). It wasn't one of those gross, lust drenching, open mouth tongue twisted kinda kiss. It was more of a warm, friendly Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan kiss like in the end of the movie You've Got Mail. Then, I saw his face. I saw it clearly.

 I knew him!!!

I woke up the next morning. It still felt so real.

The guy in my dream!! I know him. He is a guy I hardly spoke to or interact with even though we're from the same social circle. I might’ve spoken to him once or twice in church. But I swear  he never  crossed my mind, not even once in my entire life. I don’t even like him nor do I dislike him either. He is just a random guy whom I barely even know.

But how is it possible that in my dream, I pictured him so perfectly? Why did some random guy appear in my dream all of a sudden, and what's with all the airplanes? Did he perform some black magic on me... perhaps because he got a crush on me? No, he can't be that weird.. and I'm pretty sure he doesn't have a crush on me.

It’s insane.

So, with troubled thoughts I googled and did my little research on dreams. Below is the scientific or psychological definition of dreams from a scientific journal I found on the net:-

“Dreaming is defined as the subjective experience of imaginary images, sounds/voices, thoughts or sensations during sleep. Dreams represent a world of imagery in which our darkest fears, deepest secrets, and  most passionate fantasies break out from the unconscious mind and only at this time become present to our own consciousness.”

LOL!! I guess I’ll have to contradict the scientific explanation because now I clearly do not have passionate fantasies for this guy, not in my conscious mind, nor will I ever!!

I even met him the other day, on a sunday, after all the dream-kissing thingy. If it weren't for the dream, I would’ve hardly noticed his presence.

But, this time I did notice him and everytime I was looking at him, unintentionally of course, he was always..always looking back at me and it was way too weird!!

Understanding the male species.......

Every girl had that dream of finding that romeo, that knight in shining armour coming in a white horse and rescueing her from the bad guy. The tricky part is that in fairy tales, there is a very clear cut physical distinction between the handsome prince and the bad guy. While the prince looked cute and charming with a sword and his white horse, the villain or the bad guy had a very long face and evil looks and you can easily spot them. But then you grow up and you realise this is not really the case, because the bad guy is not so easy to spot anymore because in real life he looks cute and charming, he makes you laugh and he got the most beautiful eyes. Unlike fairy tales, the bad guy doesn’t hold you hostage in some tower in the forest. Instead he buys you flowers and chocolates. He holds you and tells you he’d love you forever, but break your heart in the end. But that’s not my point, and this post is not about how painful it is when a boy hurts a girl, no.

After years of being in the dating world observing and trying to understand the male counterparts, I finally knew that the perfect guy do not exist. This jarring realisation is not instigated by any recent events, but just an outcome of a long period of meticulous observation and indepth research on the so-called mysterious (as they like to think so themselves) male species.

 First of all, the qualities I like most about men is their simplistic nature. It’s funny how they can manage all their stuffs in a small handbag when I needed two big size luggages.

Just so you girls might wanna know, these simplistic beings come in different packages. I thought it might be easier to track whether the guy is really the charming prince or the villain in disguise if you take note of these points, because that would be like settling for Jacob when you actually want Edward Cullen.

Now, these are the basic four categories of men:

The Sport : These are easy to spot. They usually wear a jersey of their favourite team, habitually found parked on a sofa with few bottles of beer and always engrossed in one sport game or the other. He might often lie to you saying he’s going to work, when he’s actually going to a sports bar. He actually have a very good heart, but try to engage him into a conversation during his favourite game. You’ll fail miserably.

The Couch Potato : Curling up all day long on the sofa, with remote in hand, beer and surfing channels. You'll have a hard time getting him out of the couch. Don't even think about getting him to help in household chores. He could be sweet. But you don’t want a lazy boyfriend.

The Scientist : You all know this guy. The boring, studious, job and career oriented nerds and geeks! These men love their jobs more than their wives.

The Show off : Constantly finds ways to demonstrate his physical prowess. They accomplish this by twisting open food jar lids, showing off abs and muscles, arm wrestling with friends, bragging about his latest iphone, his pretty girlfriend  and so on. Showoffs need constant praise and reassurance. An association with this category also requires patience.

So, like I said, where is the perfect guy? :-)

But girls! Although you might not find that perfect guy, if he’s got a good heart and he makes you really really happy, though he might not be perfect,  he could be perfect for you. After all, your happiness is all that matters.

Note:  Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental :-)

Food for thought....

There is a story behind every person, on why they are the way they are. Think before you made snide remarks about others, because words can be painful and can destroy relationships and leave a scar. Matthew 7:1-6  clearly states, “Do not judge, or you will be judged. For in the same way you judge others you will be judged and with the measure you use it will be measured to you”.

So,the next time you're about to boil over and insensibly bargain a rickshaw puller for charging you a little extra, think about how the poor guy must’ve had a really rough year, supporting his five children with a meagre 400 rupees a day. Think about how he must have had a terrible day, working under the scorching sun despite being sick and that he must be needing the money so much more than you do.

Before you call that pregnant lady who works  at the bank rude and pretentious, does it ever occur to you that she might just be having a bad day, perhaps financial problems, some issues with her family, a drunken husband maybe or whatever reason that cease her to smile. It was just your luck that you caught her at that time she was in a crappy mood. She might not always be like that.

Before you chew on a juicy story about how your colleague really got fired, how that girl in your class do not wear good clothes or where someone’s boyfriend was seen after the party, before you speak, ask yourself… is it kind, is it really necessary, is it helpful or will I hurt someone ?

*Some very common wrong judgments people make :*

People make snap judgements that all night owls are lazy, pretentious and unproductive. This is not true because being a night person myself, many of my best writings are done at 2 in the morning and a recent study says that 70 percent of the scientists in America are night owls :-)

It is wrong to say that only 12 year olds listen to Taylor Swift and how people listening to her  have really no taste in music.  How does a person’s taste in music makes him any more  intelligent or define who he or she is ? :-)

It's okay to be pregnant......

She told me she was pregnant. We were both just 16. If only I knew then, what I know now, I would have told her, that it was okay to be pregnant, and how incredibly blessed she was. I can't help thinking, if only I had the right words to tell her then, things might have been different.

But like I said, we were just 16. And at 16, life was all about school, boyfriends, clothes, scholarships and getting into a good college. We thought having a baby meant losing all of it.

She was petrified  to tell her parents. The guy who got her pregnant told her to abort the baby, and that he would marry her as soon as he got a job. Then they could have another baby. I was the only support she had. We thought of telling her parents once, but we were afraid they’d throw a hissy fit, that they might even throw her out, given her dad’s status in church and community. She said she couldn’t bear the thought of disappointing them. She knew they would be broken. They were so proud of her. They were planning to send her to one of the best colleges.

 Finally, she decided to take the drastic step, which we both agreed was the best thing for her. We cried over the phone. It was a difficult decision for someone so young. How I wish I was a wiser, better friend.

If only I could go back, and tell her what I know now, I’d tell her not to be afraid and that abortion is just the easy way out for someone who doesn’t have the courage to deal with his/her own actions, and it only serves to hide the so-called embarrassment from others around you, your friends, church and the whole social community. I should've made her understand, that it was her body, and she have the right and the strength to say ‘NO’ to abortion.

I would’ve told her to talk to her parents immediately, because parents are the ones who love  you the most. They might be angry out of shock and disappointment, they might even yell at you and ask what the heck you were thinking, but they will eventually understand in time. They only wanted what is good for you, and they will love you and support you no matter how much you disappointed them. And if you ever did have the baby, they will be the one who would love your child the most.

I wish I had the wisdom to tell her how my mom had me when she was 17, and how no one,  not even my own dad, was there to love and support her. But she made it through, with a lot of strength and maturity, and never once in her life did my mom ever regret having me. And I’m so grateful to my mom for that, for giving me life.  

How I wish I’d assure her that it wasn’t going to be all roses, not until the day she heard her baby’s first cry, that simple joy of holding her child for the very first time.

If only I knew then, I’d tell her that it is okay to be pregnant, then things might have been different.

Quarter life crisis....

Being 23 is tough. You feel weird when people actually treat you like an adult, at the same time you realise you aren’t that young anymore, when you actually have to decipher your 16 year old brother’s facebook status as if it’s some kind of long lost language and you’re like “What on earth is he trying to say?” 

You spent your entire childhood with eager anticipation for your sweet 16^th birthday, and then you turn 18, which was cool because you could now get married and you get to vote and have a driving license. Then you turn 20, and then 21, which was still cool. At 22 you’re in final year college, so it’s still okay.

Then, “OUCH! “

Before you know it you’re 23 and then it’s not so cool anymore because the next year you’ll be 24 and then 25 the next, which means by the time you finish your education, get settled and establish your career, you’d be like almost 30 which is such a profound transition.

What makes it even harder is that all your friends are getting married and having kids and you are like so single that you have absolutely no clue at all who might be your future husband, you can’t even think of a single guy to whom there might be a rare probability that you'll get married to. Forget about getting married, you don’t even have a person whom you are texting on the phone who might someday be your boyfriend. So, when people ask why you're single or why you are still not married, you'd tell them how you are not really interested and how perfectly happy you are on your own but deep down, that isn't actually the case:-)

I am not usually this pessimistic but being a girl, these things occasionally do occupy your mind, quite frequently. sigh!

Some movie musings...

Apparently, I am a horror movie junkie. I love horror movies, which makes no sense considering the fact that I scream whenever someone pat my shoulder from behind and I jumped whenever I saw that scene from “The Excorcism of Emily Rose” when her friend found her with  twisted neck, lying contorted and motionless on the floor. That gave me a pretty bad scare for quite a few days.

I  love  Japanese horror, Korean too for that matter. The Hollywood horror genre has become stale, either it’s  a remake of Japanese version or totally predictable. I love how the Japanese come up with such bizzare, dark, twisted plots which do not disappoint you till the very end of the movie unlike other Hollywood versions with those jellylike hairy monsters which aren’t scary at all (Hellraiser, Nightmare on Elm street, Texas Chainsaw Massacre).

But lately every Asian horror I came across have that same white-clad, face coverd with long black haired ghost girl which I find a little disappointing. Or it maybe because I’ve seen too much of it, that  no amount of horror movie could not scare me anymore but that was until last week when I saw this movie “Noroi a.k.a The Curse” and I was like “This is it !!!”

"Noroi" is a Japanese genre one-camera documentary which made it so real that it scares you bad, very bad. I especially loved it because there is no vengeful-spirit black haired girl in sight anywhere in the movie. It’s a must-see for anyone who loves horror though some scenes might give you few sleepless nights. It’s at your own risk but it would be a shame to miss something as good as this. And now that I am writing this post in the middle of the night alone in my room, I’m starting to remember scenes which I really don’t like to remember. Might as well keep the lights on:)

Here's the trailer:-

    

.....and the creepy bad ending..

P.S- I did not see this you tube clip before posting it here:)

The tooth encounter......

I was happily enjoying my late-night cuppa noodles while watching a movie, when I bit something hard, so hard that it almost felt like my jaw bone was about to crack and my tooth dislocated. I almost jumped out of my skin when I found it was a tooth that was in my cup noodles.  At first, I was not so sure of what it was, but the reddish brown blood-like stains in the crevices sure made it look like human tooth. I felt nauseated I almost threw up on the spot. The thought of having a tooth inside your mouth, not your own, but someones else’s.  It’s totally gross you have absolutely no idea.

 I was infuriated. The fact that the product was of a brand I so loved and trusted for years made it even more disturbing. First, I thought of bombarding it on facebook  and tell the whole world not to ever buy the product again. But then, before I resorted to such bootless act, I decided to do something more clever. Morever, since I was having customer relationship management as one of the topic for  my marketing management project, I thought it would help me gain some insights.

So, I promptly picked up my phone and dialled the number that was on the package. I had to wait while they put me on hold for what seemed like forever and after they transferred my call several times, a lady answered the phone. She asked me the product detail, the number and from where I purchased the product. She asked me whether I was sure it was a tooth or could it  be something else. She said I need to confirm it first from a certified dentist that it was truly a tooth if I wanted to claim any compensation or refund. Then, I will have to mail them with a photo of that tooth, along with that confirmation from the dentist, the product details etc etc. Also, I would need to write a mail to them if I wanted to file a complaint, and that they would reimburse the shipping charge and that I would get refunds as soon as they received all formalities from me. She went on and on about what needs to be done. Since I was already having a rather hectic  schedule with my exams coming up the week ahead, I knew I wouldn't have the time to search around town for dentists who would approve my unknown human tooth. So, I decided to do them a favour by cutting the conversation by a “thank you, I will get back to you ” and then end the call. 

I knew in some places people sue for millions in such cases. I don’t really want a compensation or refund. I just want to eat tasty, hygienic noodles while watching my movie. One thing’s for sure I won’t ever buy their products again. I just hope they won't repeat such mistakes again. With such big brand like theirs, it is truly unexpected. So, I kept my phone, put my earphones back and went back to the movie, when my phone beeped, with the message,” Thank you for contacting us. Were you satisfied with the interaction? Pls reply yes or no to help us serve you better ”.

family mission statement....sort of..

Something about the movie “My Sister’s Keeper”  struck a major chord with me.The family love, the trust, the selflessness, the humility, the encouragement, the hugs, the support...I was thoroughly inspired.

I couldn't believe after all these years of incomparable love and support from my family, I had never told them how much I love them, not to anyone, not a single word about love had been uttered. That cold, heartless side of me! I thought something must be seriously wrong with me.

Then, just when I was starting to feel guilty about it, I also came to a jarring realisation that none of my family members, not even parents or siblings, had never told me to my face that they ‘LOVED’ me, like actually saying out aloud. So, it's  like a true win-win situation we have here.

I really don’t know why, but it happens with many of my friends too. Three simple words but not easy to say when it comes to a family member, even though you loved your family more than anything. It could be because we believe action speaks louder than words so there is no need to further say it out aloud, or we have taken each other for granted and we are contented assuming  that they know how much we love them. There’s a saying,”Tell your loved ones how much you love them, because you never know if there’ll be a tomorrow”. But when it comes to parents and brothers, especially brothers like mine, it gets so awkward!

The ironic part is that if  it’s a friend or your spouse or a boyfriend/girlfriend, it’s so much easier. For instance, if I’m sms-ing an old college friend, I would write something like

“Hey Melory, how r u?How’s work?Call me soon.Love you.”

That’s so easy. No awkward moment, no sweat or blood shed, both on my side and the receiver’s side.

But if I’m sms-ing my mom, I'd do something like

“Hey mom, pls send me some cash because I need to buy some books, and a little extra this month because I’m goin to Shimla because it’s snowing there and I’ve never seen a real live snow,so, please.Love you”

..and if I have to be more precise...

“Nu, naktukah poisa lo thawn rawh ka nei tawh lo. Ka hmangaih ce:-)”

Well, I think that sounds awkward and highly inappropriate!!!

So, you know what I mean:-)

I’ve seen in movies where the mother drops the teenage daughter to college and before she left gave her a kiss on the cheek with a quick,”I love you”. It's a very routine thing for them. Well, my mom and I had never had that kind of moment. Not that we do not love each other. My mom and I are like best friends. I guess it’s just that people are  different and we express our love in different ways, and it’s true many times, actions do speak louder than words!!

So, even after writing this post, I don’t know if I can ever do it...the "I love you" thing. I guess it won’t be a bad idea to try once. I'd have a good time seeing the shock and surprise faces. But for now, I’ll just keep on assuming that they know, because I believe it’s God who had planned and bind us together as a family and even if we don’t say it aloud always, I know love is ever-present, and we can all feel it, like the oil that causes friction, the cement that binds closer together and the music that brings harmony. And for the record, I like my family best when we are silly and have small fights over silly issues and then laughing about it in the end.