Woman!...

"Woman.. you rocked!"
How goooood does it feel to hear these words in the morning,.. just before you start work??..

Now, before all of you get any ideas, No!.. It doesn't have anything to do with Morning s** and you rocking in b**... :)

A few days ago, I got the opportunity to host an event for my account at the company. The crowd was not big, but everyone who knew me in the company was there.. It's been a long time since I've been on a stage.. It's been a long time since I was on a stage for that long.. hosting..

While, I wouldn't say I was superb, great etc..(occupational hazard of being a obsessive self-critic.. you never are happy with your work.. ) I was not bad. In fact, I would even say "I was GOOD.." (A psychiatrist would ask me to keep repeating that sentence in present tense! ..)

Well, the key to hosting is knowing that it's not about you.. You are the supporting actor.. and every one else is the Priority no.1.. (and keeping the crowd on their toes, lots of fillers between stage setups, and big stack of goodies to give away!!..)

The best part of the experience.. The next day morning, one of the seniors in the account, who just moved out called me. I din't recognize the number and just picked the call thinking it was one of the bank customer care offering a credit card,.. as usual.

These were the first words she said, "Woman!.. You rocked!" It took a minute to snap out and get that!.. But, damn!... it felt good to hear that.
Then she had a nice chat with me, offering her time for any career advice and help. That felt good, and that's how a good morning starts...

Yum!.. and other plans!

My cute sister fixed dinner yesterday night..
She just got up, stretched herself and said.. "how about some good healthy rolls for dinner?.."


"No problem.. would love them.. (Yum yum yum...)

I helped make the roti/roll.. whatever you choose to call them.. n they came out great.. really, Trust me! :)

Then came the yummy fillings..

Filling 1: An assotment of capsicum, carrot, cabbage and potatoes.. all cut lengthwise into thing strips, a load of fresh mushrooms ( I LOOOOOOVE MUSHROOMS!), cooked in an open skillet, with very little oil, chilli flakes, oregano and a pinch of salt and masala powder! ... My word!.. It was fantabulous!

Filling 2: Plain egg bhurgi.. But, who can beat egg bhurgi? (or shall I say, What can beat egg bhurji? ... If I love mushrooms, I die over eggs :)

Ate 2 fantabulous, delicious, hot, juicy, spicy and healthy rolls. Completed two big scoops of yummy sweet curd...
aahhh!....Bliss!.. watched Paa movie for a while..

Oh about the plans part, as much as I hate to admit, I know dad is right.. My current goal for the next 2 months.. Save 10K as a part of Emergency fund.. No, Emergency Fund is not same as Savings! :)

Blog Redesign!

Ok, time to go to bed!

It took some solid work to re-design my blog.. I never knew I could be this picky about a background (What's gonna happen when I have to pick wall paints for my own house!!??.. I'll leave it my housekeeper..uh.. that is, I hope I can afford one! :-P)..

So, to pick the background for my blog, (my baby, my dairy, my alter ego..) did lots of Googling.. lots of editing pictures, uploaded them to tinypic.com, applied the changes, adjusted the widths & heights,  re-adusted them!..finally saved templates.. uff!

But the results look... let's say, OK for today?.. More work, more cute things to come.. I want to add all my addictions, my idiosyncrasies, my favorites, my beliefs to my blog, through all sorts banners & buttons in crazy colors, sizes and shapes... WOOO HOOO... It's exciting to even think!!!...

Can't wait to hear some comments on how it looks!... too girly?.. too nature-themed?..  not a match for somebody who writes about investments, books n movie reviews? .. all-in-one kinda blog?  Everything under the Sun? Well.. what shall I say? ... my blog is "too Me"  :)

Savings, Investments, Emergency Funds, Retirement Plans

more or less, this is the phone conversation..

Dad: Honey, I generally don't like to involve in your finances. But do you have an emergency fund?


Me: Yeah dad!.. I've got savings! Dont worry.. everything is good!  (uh.. actually not so great, I'm not saving as much as I should, I blew a bomb of money on an overseas trip, and on lot on high heels and clothes... But you need not know that dad!!..)

Dad: I did not ask if you have savings. I asked if you have an emergency fund.

Me: Yeah, yeah!, My savings cover my emergency fund too! (Let's not talk about this much.. talking will just blow my cover!)

Dad: hmm.. I think I failed at giving the proper financial education when you were kid. But, why do I get the feeling I already told you all about Savings and Emergency funds?

Me: Dad! of course I know the difference between bloody Savings and Emergency Funds! (Goddamn it!.. Man!, you are killing me!..) Savings is for those new electronics, another planned vacation, and a car. Emergency fund is for the time I fall sick, I get fired, or unexpected stuff! God! of course I know it.

Dad: Oh! So,the failure was in the implementation part.. Okay? I should've been more strict with you.

Me: Where is my mom! I want to talk to mom! Do you drive her crazy like this too .. ( God! I sound like a sissy!.. Did I just ask for my mom?!.. A hard mental kick in my butt!)

Dad: Another thing! I totally understand one of these days your going to be one of the greatest entreprenuers, young turk or whatever. But, your 25 now, It's time to have a retirement plan. Ofcourse If you were going to marry, I would have insisted on a Insurance plan too! But, that's not for you honey! I know!

Me: Okay Bye Dad! This conversation is bloody over!!


Breathe slow and deep.. bang the door.. no! Lock it!.. go for a walk..
Whatever!... What is in fridge? No more Chocolate!...
I hate my life!.. Watch TV? I hate the TV!!!!
Ok, get out of the house!... now!
Goddamn it! I bloody know you are right dude! But try living in this crazy stupid city!

I pick up the book -The art of war for women.. I need to find my chi..  Savings! Emergency Funds! Retirement plans! Mutual Funds! Insurance! Insurance?.. really?! and I want to invest too!... God, please kill me now!