Two hours of hard work by our resident Chef - A Tool, with some help from us Bums. The result was an amazingly tastyAuthentic Indian Dinner. Nobody was talking during the dinner, guess why? Burppppp - Did you get the answer :)?
Some interesting trivia about Indian food:
1) The Indian food changes as you travel within the country. Some smart ass dude said once - In India, if you travel 200 kilometers anywhich way - the people change, their clothing style change, and the most importantly - the food changes.
2) The Indian food is traditionally eaten with HANDS :). No spoons, No chopsticks, etc. However, this has changed now to some extent. A certain set of people in urban cities in India, use proper cutlery for eating Indian food. In restaurants, you may also find people using cutlery.
3) The Indian food is not always spicey, it depends on the type of food.
So this is the plan now, every saturday, we will have the feast on home-cooked Indian food. We have been able to stick to this plan for two weeks now. Let us see how it stays over the next few weeks :).
Tingu..
(An Indian in Shanghai)
Diamond was just another coal, which did well under pressure...
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Friday, May 18, 2007
"To Be or Not To Be" is the Question
Friends, Countrymen, and Women!!
I have not found the answer the question - what I want to be in my next birth? However, I have found the answer to the question - What I do not want to be in my next birth?
The answer is - A Squash Ball!!!!
Imagine the worst folks:
1) Someone beating the crap out of you by hitting you against the wall, again and again.
2) The first 2,000 shots are always one of the hardest. Why shall be next logical question for some of you smart folks (rest - just get your head back inside the sand). The answer is to 'Heat Up' the ball properly. So that it will have a good bounce and it gets ready.
3) Gets ready for what (rest- why do you even bother folks)? For another 20,000 shots sending the poor ball towards the wall again.
It seems just so cruel, poor ball being hit again and again. Being thrashed to expected oblivion.
But folks, as you would know - that the squash ball never gives up. It will never submit to the torture by animals, also know as 'humans'.
So here comes the moral of the story, doesn't matter how hard you get hit towards the wall and how many times. You should hold on and not break-down. If you achieve this, then only you are a man as good as the ball - squash ball. (Girls: I gotta get some lessons in anatomy, then I can say somthing about you all.)
Tingu
(Marriage is an institution, I have been trying to stay from it.)
I have not found the answer the question - what I want to be in my next birth? However, I have found the answer to the question - What I do not want to be in my next birth?
The answer is - A Squash Ball!!!!
Imagine the worst folks:
1) Someone beating the crap out of you by hitting you against the wall, again and again.
2) The first 2,000 shots are always one of the hardest. Why shall be next logical question for some of you smart folks (rest - just get your head back inside the sand). The answer is to 'Heat Up' the ball properly. So that it will have a good bounce and it gets ready.
3) Gets ready for what (rest- why do you even bother folks)? For another 20,000 shots sending the poor ball towards the wall again.
It seems just so cruel, poor ball being hit again and again. Being thrashed to expected oblivion.
But folks, as you would know - that the squash ball never gives up. It will never submit to the torture by animals, also know as 'humans'.
So here comes the moral of the story, doesn't matter how hard you get hit towards the wall and how many times. You should hold on and not break-down. If you achieve this, then only you are a man as good as the ball - squash ball. (Girls: I gotta get some lessons in anatomy, then I can say somthing about you all.)
Tingu
(Marriage is an institution, I have been trying to stay from it.)
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Mom, I'm ready for Marriage
After six months of delaying and making excuses, I finally went home, the god's own country : Kerala. Well, as much as I would like to praise this beautiful land, I just can't overlook the ironies of modern day Kerala. I mean, how can you explain, Keralites working hard, often in inhuman conditions, and sending money back home to a state which is notorious for its leftist fundamentalism? Also, how can you explain a ban on Pepsi and Coke, when tobacco and alcohol are freely available. Anyway, I can't help it, so I live with it.
Getting back home was easy, staying there, well, that was different thing altogether. I mean, when you are a 26 yr old single male, it is inevitable that people around you start saying the dreaded word:- marriage. Yeah, yeah, you have to get "settled" with a nice (read : of parents choice) girl. Not withstanding, whether one is interested, has a person in mind or is gay. Falling in the 2nd category, I was faced with the insurmountable task of explaining my choice to my family. Not surprisingly, my family not only includes my parents and grandparents, but also my uncles, aunts, cousins, second cousins, nieces, nephews, and even the driver who drives my dad around while in town.
To most westerners, finding a partner of your choice in India should sound like a cakewalk, after all, there are a billion of us. But once u look at the Indian system, u surely are in for a major shock. For example: out of the 500 million approx. of the opposite sex, roughly 90-95% do not belong to your state, add to that the criteria of being single, same caste and sub caste, above 18, should be in the same age bracket (you definitely don't want to marry someone of your mom's age) should not be from your family or extended family:- it just happens so that, your family might run into thousands, should not be from the same Gotra :- well its something like, you guys should not be praying at the same temple - if you do, that makes u family and you might become a behench*** . Also, you have to take into consideration, the fact that families should be of the same social status and your janampatris should match. Taking all this into account, it is highly likely that you might end up choosing between a retard, a nymphomaniac or an alcoholic.
Getting back to the task at hand, I had to explain to my mom that her daughter in law is gonna be a foreigner. Instead of dropping the bomb, I tried a more subtle approach, I tried to take my cousin's opinion and tried to make a consensus. In the process, I realised that most Indians can accept Sonia Gandhi as the prime minister of India, but would not accept a foreigner into their family. In hindsight, I think that Indira Gandhi must have kicked Rajiv's ass before the wedding. So, after 3 days, one of my cousin sisters gave me some invaluable advice, make a schedule and then break the news, also, do so over the phone.. in the back of my head I was making a note already : after 3 shots of vodka
Getting back home was easy, staying there, well, that was different thing altogether. I mean, when you are a 26 yr old single male, it is inevitable that people around you start saying the dreaded word:- marriage. Yeah, yeah, you have to get "settled" with a nice (read : of parents choice) girl. Not withstanding, whether one is interested, has a person in mind or is gay. Falling in the 2nd category, I was faced with the insurmountable task of explaining my choice to my family. Not surprisingly, my family not only includes my parents and grandparents, but also my uncles, aunts, cousins, second cousins, nieces, nephews, and even the driver who drives my dad around while in town.
To most westerners, finding a partner of your choice in India should sound like a cakewalk, after all, there are a billion of us. But once u look at the Indian system, u surely are in for a major shock. For example: out of the 500 million approx. of the opposite sex, roughly 90-95% do not belong to your state, add to that the criteria of being single, same caste and sub caste, above 18, should be in the same age bracket (you definitely don't want to marry someone of your mom's age) should not be from your family or extended family:- it just happens so that, your family might run into thousands, should not be from the same Gotra :- well its something like, you guys should not be praying at the same temple - if you do, that makes u family and you might become a behench*** . Also, you have to take into consideration, the fact that families should be of the same social status and your janampatris should match. Taking all this into account, it is highly likely that you might end up choosing between a retard, a nymphomaniac or an alcoholic.
Getting back to the task at hand, I had to explain to my mom that her daughter in law is gonna be a foreigner. Instead of dropping the bomb, I tried a more subtle approach, I tried to take my cousin's opinion and tried to make a consensus. In the process, I realised that most Indians can accept Sonia Gandhi as the prime minister of India, but would not accept a foreigner into their family. In hindsight, I think that Indira Gandhi must have kicked Rajiv's ass before the wedding. So, after 3 days, one of my cousin sisters gave me some invaluable advice, make a schedule and then break the news, also, do so over the phone.. in the back of my head I was making a note already : after 3 shots of vodka
Saturday, May 05, 2007
The Most Amazing Circus I Have Ever Seen (And It Was Without Any Animals)
Went to watch a circus called 'Era Circus of Shanghai' (I may not have the completely correct name here, so please forgive me for that) today. It is a must watch for anyone coming to Shanghai. It had a lot of things I did not expect in a circus - a love story, the most amazing music composition in a show, a very well organized event. The best part of the circus was the love story indeed. Am in no mood to give out the details today as I have had the second best Indian food so far and it was homecooked - actually cooked by three bachelors ;) - but it was tasty anyways..
Useful Information About Shanghai (from women's perspective this time ;)
1) Shanghai is the safest place in China for women. Go anywhere you want, anytime you want, do anything you want, wear whatever, ah it is just amazing.
2) There are night clubs where you can meet interesting pepole like ME (yeahhhhh).
Tingu - An Indian in Shanghai
Useful Information About Shanghai (from women's perspective this time ;)
1) Shanghai is the safest place in China for women. Go anywhere you want, anytime you want, do anything you want, wear whatever, ah it is just amazing.
2) There are night clubs where you can meet interesting pepole like ME (yeahhhhh).
Tingu - An Indian in Shanghai
Found a Shanghaian Who Can Speak in Perfect Hindi - Talk About Surprises
Life can throw up such suprises.
Here we were sitting outside one Indian convenience store smoking our way to glory. We were their to buy some indian food (for a change), hindi dvds, etc. So it was three of us friends their doing some bullshitting together. We see an old chinese gentleman looking at intently, we thought - wohoo - some chinese monk is here to give us some divine powers. And he walks up to us and says - Namaste (that's an indian way of greeting) and asks us in chaste hindi - are you guys from India. We all three sat like bums for a few minutes as it was just too much - I mean I had met only a few chinese folks (apart from the ones in my office) who could speak in english, I would never had thought about somebody knowing hindi. So coming back to the story, this old friend of ours spoke to us in perfect hindi (even chaster than us hehe). It was really nice to talk to him and at the end, all three of us friends were convinced that he was a secrete service agent spying on India ;) in his previous life.
Hindi - Chini - Bhai Bhai :))
Here we were sitting outside one Indian convenience store smoking our way to glory. We were their to buy some indian food (for a change), hindi dvds, etc. So it was three of us friends their doing some bullshitting together. We see an old chinese gentleman looking at intently, we thought - wohoo - some chinese monk is here to give us some divine powers. And he walks up to us and says - Namaste (that's an indian way of greeting) and asks us in chaste hindi - are you guys from India. We all three sat like bums for a few minutes as it was just too much - I mean I had met only a few chinese folks (apart from the ones in my office) who could speak in english, I would never had thought about somebody knowing hindi. So coming back to the story, this old friend of ours spoke to us in perfect hindi (even chaster than us hehe). It was really nice to talk to him and at the end, all three of us friends were convinced that he was a secrete service agent spying on India ;) in his previous life.
Hindi - Chini - Bhai Bhai :))
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Being An Indian in Shanghai :)
Am falling in love with this city.....
Folks, I may be a little biased about this (as I am in this city now so can't help it). But I have to get it out of me fast and tell you guys....I confirm the obvious, this is one of the most beautiful cities in the world (AMONGST the ones I have been to, obviously for some of the smart asses) - talk about standard of living, infrastructure, food, people, nightlife....
So here I was in the shanghai airport (I just can't remember its name - trying remember xixixxian), and the temperatures were in the range of 15-20. Coming from 40+, it was a paradise. The immigration clearance at the airport was cakewalk. So out was, being driven in the company car to my temporary residence. It was around 10 PM local time and the view was amazing, neon lights everywhere, roads without any POTHOLES. I was accompanied by an embarrasingly polite driver (imagine the most polite person you have ever met and increase it by 10 times, ah jesus, I almost felt bad for him) and one of my office colleagues playing the perfect host.
So after a very smooth ride of 30 minutes, I got to my temporary residence. This was the house which I wanted to rent so much in delhi, but never had the money for:). I offered my host a drink as I knew my roommate had stocked the fridge with beer (not finished it like some people in India) and some vodka (ruski standard - motu). However, she settled for some juice. After lending me some 200 Yuan (Remnibi - kuay - china's currency), she left. Need to go back a lil, before I got INSIDE my apartment, she educated me about everything - getting out of the car, using my electronic key to open the main gates of the apartment, calling a lift, turning the key in my apartment's key whole - ah jesus and she would always say - ah you are quite good at it. I felt like my mom was with me, as she never have believed that I ever grew up (motu- here is your chance - I know I"m kind). So continuing the story, while my host was leaving, I tried to be my best gentleman self by opening the door - forgetting to lock the door to my apartment - holding the lift for her - seeing her off at the busstand. I then returned to my flat for some cigarettes, food, and beer yo.
The next day, I checked out the local area for the following - changing some dollars, getting some gas in my phone, some groceries (oh yeah as my friend just left me alcohol and nothing else in the fridge - somethings never change in life). After talking to bank officials for 2 hours - with them not understanding a word I was saying and laughing their assess off and getting the rest done easily, I was back in my place. Later, I want to a massage parlour next door to get one of the most amazing massages I have ever got (not that i have got many...hehe). The only unpleasant thing about the massage being the last question which the massuer put to me - would you like me to massage you at some special places - c'mon guys, I always thought that she was a really nice girl.
The next day, it was time to get to work. By the time I got to work, I was convinced (as my friend told me) - Foreigners are exotic in Shanghai. Never had these many stares before. (Motu - here is another chance). Once I got to work, it was work as usual till the time i was told that we have to work till the coming monday. However, this was because there were one week of holidays coming up. I won't say more. And yes, my first day at work can also be marked for the begining of my struggle with chopsticks (ah jesus, I have only won half the battle till now).
Life has been fun after that - couple of office parties, two amazing night clubs, spider man 3 (not as great as first two, however, definitely worth watching folks), visit to various postcard tourist spots. This city is just amazing and is getting to me.
Finally, I have found my new flat - after deciding on the colors of the curtain, household stuff (almost felt like a married man - motu you may like it eh - what say tarzan?), . Next week is the house warming hopefully. You all are invited folks (saying it doesn't hurt).
At the end, guys, I miss you all a lot.
Also some of the interesting information about living in Shanghai and China in general:
1) Girls at the street will walk up to you and ask you to teach english. But never fall for them as they are either prostitutes or cons. Also, they may be girls looking for that perfect non-chinese husband. SO it is definitely a no go.
2) You got to learn the chinese language, mandarin in this case, to really enjoy the city and make friends. I have learned two words till now and am still working on it.
3) The best place to pick up girls are the nightclubs (but gotta be carefult about wrong ones) and the chinese lesson classes (now, do you see my point about learning the language, eh). Also, in the nightclubs, you find a lot of people from all around the world.
4) Nobody understands english and they don't care about it.
5) At your workplace, people will just follow what you say without questioning it.
6) The standard of living is just amazing and beyond imagination - unless you live it yourself.
7) The ex-guitarist of greenday is my neighbour and a friend now. (Tarzan, any reasons to come to this place)
The list can be endless - I will keep this section in all my blogs.
Let me be a lil senti here, despite of all this - I MISS MY COUNTRY. Love You All.
PS: Sorry, I had to remove some of the earlier posted comments to avoid trouble.
Folks, I may be a little biased about this (as I am in this city now so can't help it). But I have to get it out of me fast and tell you guys....I confirm the obvious, this is one of the most beautiful cities in the world (AMONGST the ones I have been to, obviously for some of the smart asses) - talk about standard of living, infrastructure, food, people, nightlife....
So here I was in the shanghai airport (I just can't remember its name - trying remember xixixxian), and the temperatures were in the range of 15-20. Coming from 40+, it was a paradise. The immigration clearance at the airport was cakewalk. So out was, being driven in the company car to my temporary residence. It was around 10 PM local time and the view was amazing, neon lights everywhere, roads without any POTHOLES. I was accompanied by an embarrasingly polite driver (imagine the most polite person you have ever met and increase it by 10 times, ah jesus, I almost felt bad for him) and one of my office colleagues playing the perfect host.
So after a very smooth ride of 30 minutes, I got to my temporary residence. This was the house which I wanted to rent so much in delhi, but never had the money for:). I offered my host a drink as I knew my roommate had stocked the fridge with beer (not finished it like some people in India) and some vodka (ruski standard - motu). However, she settled for some juice. After lending me some 200 Yuan (Remnibi - kuay - china's currency), she left. Need to go back a lil, before I got INSIDE my apartment, she educated me about everything - getting out of the car, using my electronic key to open the main gates of the apartment, calling a lift, turning the key in my apartment's key whole - ah jesus and she would always say - ah you are quite good at it. I felt like my mom was with me, as she never have believed that I ever grew up (motu- here is your chance - I know I"m kind). So continuing the story, while my host was leaving, I tried to be my best gentleman self by opening the door - forgetting to lock the door to my apartment - holding the lift for her - seeing her off at the busstand. I then returned to my flat for some cigarettes, food, and beer yo.
The next day, I checked out the local area for the following - changing some dollars, getting some gas in my phone, some groceries (oh yeah as my friend just left me alcohol and nothing else in the fridge - somethings never change in life). After talking to bank officials for 2 hours - with them not understanding a word I was saying and laughing their assess off and getting the rest done easily, I was back in my place. Later, I want to a massage parlour next door to get one of the most amazing massages I have ever got (not that i have got many...hehe). The only unpleasant thing about the massage being the last question which the massuer put to me - would you like me to massage you at some special places - c'mon guys, I always thought that she was a really nice girl.
The next day, it was time to get to work. By the time I got to work, I was convinced (as my friend told me) - Foreigners are exotic in Shanghai. Never had these many stares before. (Motu - here is another chance). Once I got to work, it was work as usual till the time i was told that we have to work till the coming monday. However, this was because there were one week of holidays coming up. I won't say more. And yes, my first day at work can also be marked for the begining of my struggle with chopsticks (ah jesus, I have only won half the battle till now).
Life has been fun after that - couple of office parties, two amazing night clubs, spider man 3 (not as great as first two, however, definitely worth watching folks), visit to various postcard tourist spots. This city is just amazing and is getting to me.
Finally, I have found my new flat - after deciding on the colors of the curtain, household stuff (almost felt like a married man - motu you may like it eh - what say tarzan?), . Next week is the house warming hopefully. You all are invited folks (saying it doesn't hurt).
At the end, guys, I miss you all a lot.
Also some of the interesting information about living in Shanghai and China in general:
1) Girls at the street will walk up to you and ask you to teach english. But never fall for them as they are either prostitutes or cons. Also, they may be girls looking for that perfect non-chinese husband. SO it is definitely a no go.
2) You got to learn the chinese language, mandarin in this case, to really enjoy the city and make friends. I have learned two words till now and am still working on it.
3) The best place to pick up girls are the nightclubs (but gotta be carefult about wrong ones) and the chinese lesson classes (now, do you see my point about learning the language, eh). Also, in the nightclubs, you find a lot of people from all around the world.
4) Nobody understands english and they don't care about it.
5) At your workplace, people will just follow what you say without questioning it.
6) The standard of living is just amazing and beyond imagination - unless you live it yourself.
7) The ex-guitarist of greenday is my neighbour and a friend now. (Tarzan, any reasons to come to this place)
The list can be endless - I will keep this section in all my blogs.
Let me be a lil senti here, despite of all this - I MISS MY COUNTRY. Love You All.
PS: Sorry, I had to remove some of the earlier posted comments to avoid trouble.
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