The other day as I chatted on the phone with my good friend G, with whom I have shared many a happy meal, I was flooded with food memories. Those of you who have seen me or pictures of me, know I have this figure that belies the foodie that I am. And yet food is such … Continue reading My Gastronomic Adventure – Part 1
A Heart Full of Gratitude
It is with utmost joy that I write (and now type) this post. A long awaited dream of mine has come true. Roll back to the second post I wrote (The Work Saga -http://www.punctuatelife.com/2012/02/13/the-work-saga/) and you'll know what I'm talking about. I got a job! A real job! One that pays! It's been less than a … Continue reading A Heart Full of Gratitude
The Hills are Alive…
In the last week of October we drove up to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. It was a 11-hour drive, mostly on I-95 North. A straight highway with regular cars making their way up North somewhere. Towards the end of day I dozed off for what must have been thirty minutes. I woke up … Continue reading The Hills are Alive…
Driving Miss DC…
How some of us take driving for granted! An article in Reader's Digest about a Saudi woman who couldn't drive (like all women in Saudi) got me thinking of the time I couldn't drive. No, I didn't ever set foot in Saudi Arabia. I lived most of my life in India, where my grandma's driver … Continue reading Driving Miss DC…
The Charge of the Pink Brigade
Tucked away in a remote part of Uttar Pradesh, India, is a firebrand of a woman. Her name is Sampat Pal, leader of the Pink Gang (Gulabi Gang). The word gang conjures up images of mobs of unruly thugs out to create chaos. But believe me this gang is a far cry from that. … Continue reading The Charge of the Pink Brigade
While You Were Sleeping…
My grandmother was a busy woman. She used to work at her gas agency from 8.30 in the morning to 1.00 in the afternoon. Then she'd come home for lunch, pop a handful of pills (she had heart disease and high blood pressure) and settle down for a nap. She napped every day from 1.30 … Continue reading While You Were Sleeping…
The Fate of Women All Over the World
My dear friends R and J inspired me to write this post in order to bust a myth. A myth that I believed to be true in the years I lived in India in my parents' home overlooking the slums. Everyday we could see the drama unfold right before our eyes. Drunken husbands beating up their wives. … Continue reading The Fate of Women All Over the World
Shadow Play
Without light there would be no shadows. It would be total and impenetrable darkness. You might argue that brilliant light can totally obliterate shadows. But to know light one must know darkness. In a world filled with duality, we try to shy away from aspects of ourselves that are clearly dark or bad. I … Continue reading Shadow Play
When the Omens Spell Doom…
No, I'm not talking about apocalypses. Not even World War III. I'm just exploring a question that came up during a conversation with a friend. She really didn't believe in signs and was joking around about the 'Universe' sending her a really rotten sign. Me in all my self-righteous glory, got all defensive and declared - … Continue reading When the Omens Spell Doom…
The Best Laid Plans Fail…
If you are like me, then you expect to be given what you have asked for. At least that is how I imagined the wish-fulfilling department of heaven worked! You check off items on a catalog, place an order and then wait for it to arrive within the next 30 days. I gave up the thirty day rule a … Continue reading The Best Laid Plans Fail…