Bring back the memes (Or what they were called in 185 BC)

Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed? 

Preferably closed.

Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotel?  

Only when I really like them.

Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?  

Tucked in.  

Do you like to use post-it notes? 

Not so much. But I'd like to own post-its in a 100 colours (*hoarder alert*)

Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees?  

Bear. 

Do you always smile for pictures?  

Always, unless I'm making a face.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Grammar. Mouth odour. Grammar. 

Do you ever count your steps when you walk? 

Jeez, they have apps for those kind of things!

Have you ever peed in the woods?  

Yep. As a kid.

What about pooped in the woods?  

Ditto.

Do you ever dance even if there's no music playing?  

Yes. But the music IS playing, in my head.

Do you chew your pens and pencils? 

Not anymore.

What is your Song of the week? 

Pehli baar (Dil Dhadakne Do) 

Is it okay for guys to wear pink?  

It sure is!

What is your favorite food? 

That will be a separate blog post. Thanks for the idea!

What movies could you watch over and over and still love? 

ZNMD, Rock On, The Notebook.

Were you ever a boy/girl scout?  

Yes.

When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?  

Would writing a letter on a card count?

What is your usual bedtime?  

I'm a nocturnal animal.

Are you lazy? 

On weekends, yes. On weekdays, sometimes.

Photo only for dream visual reference. 

R.E.F.R.E.S.H.

Just what this blog needs. A refresh!

Probably a zillion things have changed since the last time I posted something here. A few things still remain. My love for writing. My love for books. 

Who do I blame for my absence? *cough* My job.

A job that I love. A job that gives me new experiences quite regularly. A job where I get to indulge in my love for writing. 

So how ironic is it, that the same job leaves me with no time for "personal" writing?

So, this is an attempt to revive my blog, to take out time for personal writing, to fall in love again with blogging!

Amen.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane - A Review

Though it's been a while since I finished the book. The feeling that you get after having just read the book has faded, but before it gets completely wiped out, I want to put down what I felt about the book.

You know as a kid, the secrets that you shared just with yourself, the stories that were just for your mind, the dreams that only you could see, this book reminds you of that. The feeling of safety and security, that your dreams give you, that the voices in your head give you, how it is sometimes greater than that given by the people around you.

Simply written, this book gets over before you know it. You know, when you like a book so much, that you find it ending sooner than you wanted it to. The book gifts you illusions. You swim in fantasy. You live with the boy. You run along with the boy, away from the demons, towards that safety. You wish that darkness would end. You shiver in the rain, shudder with the thunder. And then you wake up. The world's bright and clean again. You are safe. You are content. You know you are being looked after.

Neil Gaiman has this wonderful flair. A way with words that makes them utterly beautiful to read. And then ponder. One of my favourites by him:

Things I can't do anymore*

1. Listen to cassettes

2. Fit into school uniform

3. Give a written exam

4. Carry snacks from outside into theaters

5. Take naps on weekdays

Images from pinterest.

What I have learnt in my 20s

The title says it all. Someday my kids (and their kids) will read this. Get inspired. And have the best 20s ever.

Oh well, scratch that. I'd be happy if they survive happily enough.

What inspired me to write this, apart from the fact that I am in my 20s were the sad, depressing lists of "what to do in your 20s", "what not to do in your 20s", blah blah blog posts that have been making the rounds on the internet. Okay, I get it, you made mistakes. You were dissatisfied about how your 20s turned out to be. But dolling out advice like meet 4 good people, change 2 jobs, have 3 mentors, THAT is just sad.

Here I share a list of what I have learnt/am still learning in my 20s. You are free to learn from it. Free to disregard. Free to disregard and come back later and say, you were so right! And you are free to help me extend it.

1. Travel. Travel often. Don't wait for college to get over. Don't wait for holidays. Don't wait to get your entire group of friends together. Travel wherever possible. Near. Far. With two friends or ten. 

2. Enjoy college. Really enjoy. Fall in love. Make friends. Be good to your friends. They'll be with you for life. Ensure that they have good stories to share with your children.

3. Don't regret choosing whatever course you end up doing. In the long run, it's the experience and education that matters. Not the qualification.

4. Begin saving up early. It's a habit that takes ages to develop. The sooner you start off, the richer you'll be.

5. Learn when to say no and when to say yes. If it's an adventure, say YES. If its something, you'll have to take to your grave without sharing, say NO.

6. Be good to your parents. Talk to them often. Call them up often. Share what you feel. They might not always understand. But they'll be glad that you shared.

7. Don't get a tattoo too early. Wait out the urge. Wait until you have the perfect design. Believe me, it will take time.

8. Live in a hostel. Live with roommates. Live away from home. It teaches you a lot. You learn to appreciate your home and your family. You learn from the new people you live with. You learn to adjust. You learn to change. You learn to try new things. 

9. Don't give up on someone if they don't agree to your reasoning/philosophy/outlook. Even your closest of friends will have opinions that differ from yours. Differences don't make people wrong, they just make them different. 

10. Avoid judging people at every step. They all have had a different upbringing. They all have had a different battle to fight. Behind every behavior is a reason. Try to find that reason.

11. Don't be embarrassed about your parents. Or grandparents. Add them on facebook if they send you a request. Appreciate if they comment/like your photos. Little things about you make them proud. It may not be a big deal for you. But it is for them. 

12. Read. Read often. Experiment with all kinds of genres. Start working on your personal library. Avoid ebooks. They don't smell good enough. 

13. Learn to enjoy your own company. Head out alone. Go shopping. Go for movies. Go for coffee. You have no idea, how handy this practice can be.

14. When something looks/seems too good to be true, more often than not, it is actually too good to be true.

15. Age is never ever proportional to maturity. You can find a mature soul in a 15 year old. You can also find a juvenile in a 35 year old.

Note: All pictures are from pinterest.com and do NOT belong to me.

When?

When do you stop giggling?
When do you stop dozing off with a smile?
When do you stop acting like a child?
When do you stop being elated?
When do you stop loving surprises?
When do you stop hoping?
When do you stop dreaming?
When do you stop living in the moment?
When do you stop trusting?

When do you start complaining?
When do you start being paranoid?
When do you start dreading the morning after?
When do you start loathing?
When do you start tolerating?
When do you start surrendering?
When do you start giving in?
When do you start giving up?

There is a thin line. A very thin line between when we start and when we stop.

GROWING UP.

It will be big and scary.

It will be real and thrilling.

It will cut old ties.

It will build new connections.

It will give bruises and scrapes.

It will heal old wounds.

It will fade old memories.

It will create new stories.

Images from: here