THE FRIENDSHIP BASKET LUNCH

My blog posts during the past few months havent been regular. But now I am tempted to blog about a recent lunch- a friendship basket lunch! At the Duchess club we were asked to pick numbers from a basket.Those of us with the same numbers went to the same table. We were asked to make friends with each other. That began the friendship basket.
Prema Venkat, Sudha Suresh, Sheetal Bajaj and I were at the same table! We instantly hit off well and decided to meet post Diwali. An Sms from me and prompt replies from every one and we fixed a date and venue for lunch. But my father fell ill a few days before and I was wondering if I would have to pull out of this. But luckily he recovered.But there was something else challenging us? It was pouring the previous day and on the day but still we all made it. We met at Mahamudra- a restaurant serving simple vegetarian health food! Prema and I have known each other but we were still to know more about Sudha and Sheetal. Sudha joined us and she looked at me and asked, was your dad in Standard Pharmaceuticals? I was surprised! She told me her husband and my dad worked together 25 years ago and she has actually seen me as a 5 year old!! She even remembered my sister Nupur and my mother. My dad was delighted to get in touch with his old colleague! Sheetal I discovered lives close to my place and has joined Duchess just 5 months ago!We had a fun lunch and all of them thanked me for taking the initiative to message them and rope them into this! I happen to be the youngest in this gang also! We each have our own group of friends at the Duchess but this basket helped us make friends with each other. We hope to sit together at the next meeting. I do look forward to bonding more closely with this new group of friends I have just made!

AN ODE TO A DEAR FRIEND

This is my 100th blog post and I dedicate it to Nina...who has made all the difference to my life. A poem I wrote for her a day after her birthday. Posting it only now. Hope my thoughts and feelings reach out through these words!

ANGEL IN DISGUISE


As I look back at the moments I felt I had grown
I remember there was still so much that was unknown
An immature kid with so many judgements and biases
I never realized that life was full of so many choices!

I made good choices and my thoughts always strong
My heart pure and my intentions never wrong
Still there was something missing and incomplete
That would make my life more meaningful and concrete!

She walked into my life like a whiff of fresh air
Told me there is a lot to learn and nothing to despair
Didn’t give me hand to hold when I cried over silly stuff
That’s because she wanted to make me all bold and tough!

Nice, intelligent, a little naughty and affable
Nina- the perfect fairy from a beautiful fable
Filled that gap and made all the difference
Helped me evolve with just her subtle presence

She is a friend who loves and cares like no other
I see in her the reflection of a beautiful mother
She taught me the beauty and the joy in sharing
I always look up to her as a friend so inspiring

A wonderful guide and friend in times of need
Pushes me at the time when I should do the deed
Encourages me to look for strength from the inner
I know she always wants me to be a winner!

I now see the world around me to be so beautiful
No longer am I biased, bitchy or judgmental
Over the last year I have grown to be serene and wise
Thank you Nina for truly being an angel in disguise!