Dubai Stories -1

From past couple of months my office location is changed because of the project requirements. In my new office I got opportunity to work with some local girls. No matter what country you come from or what language you speak, girls mostly get connected to each other easily. No wonder in past one month I have become their good friend. All of them are unmarried and are of the same age as me (hhmmm...This does not mean I will let you know my age). We bond over many things like Indian food (particularly Chicken Biryani, Pani puri, Chhole bhature, etc.), shopping, make up etc. They watch Indian movies and ask me so many questions about India. They all love India.  After some days the bond grew stronger and we started to share so many thoughts with each other. They appreciate my cloths and fashion as they have to wear Abaya all the time. Also I could realize they feel bad that they are not married yet. they keep me asking about How do I feel being married. How marriage has changed my life and me.
One of my local friend told me her mother got married at the age of 11 and her father was then 38 years old. I thought she must be kidding but no she was serious and I was shocked to hear the life of her mother. She had six children by the time she was 25. At 25 her husband died and she got married to other man. From the second marriage she got three kids. All her 9 children are living with second husband.  My jaws dropped after listening her story as this was very new to me. I have read such story in one of my favorite book "Thousand splendid Suns" by Khalid Hussaini. I thought such things happen in books and novels only. At least this cannot happen in a place like Dubai. I am glad the things are changing slowly and girls are trying to be independent and trying to live there life.

Away from FB

Human nature is strange. We always count our happiness relatively. May be this thinking leads us to desire for more and more. Facebook makers have captured this thread of our thinking to make money for themselves. First I joined FB in Sept 2010. Initially it was more of a curiosity as by that time FB was talk of the town, city, country, world. I was uploading my photos, chatting with old friend,  but as days passed I was getting addicted to FB. Soon I realized I was using FB as a platform to peep into others lives. But here the fun is you can get to know only those things about people which they are willing to share with you. Everybody has ups and down in life. But Everyone is posting happy thoughts and jolly photos on FB. May it be international vacation or marriage or weekend outing. But slowly it was dragging away focus from my own life. Did following others activity helped me anywhere? I think no. I do not have internet on my phone, still I used to spend 20-30 minutes a day on FB. 30 minutes a day means 15 hours a month which I could have affectively used to learn new recipe, learn drawing. From Sept 2010 to June 2013 I have tried many times to be away from FB, I deactivated my profile but the temptation to be connected ( With whom? and for what? are the questions I ask myself now.) was restricting me.  Finally this time my conviction and my hobbies helped me to keep myself away from FB. Now it’s been 7 days I have quite FB. Really, life is so simple without hi fi electronic gadgets and FB. I am not against the electronics gadgets but one should draw boundary on where and when to use them. Believe me that saves lot of time which can be invested in other priority and important stuff like calling a friend instead of chatting on FB or making a nice recipe for dinner or clearing up you home or exercise. I am sure most of you would have also tried to keep away from FB. So Please share you stories of regular attempt to leave FB :).

Hello 2012

Hello 2012,

We embraced you with the bash and party!

Now its time to get back to work. But before we take fully on you, its time for us to introspect and plan to cultivate good habits(some of my friends may have resolution). Even I have planned few things for myself, foremost thing is to post at least 12 posts this year(Yeh! I am not good regular blogger, I know,). Then, to reinvent my paintings and drawings(I am not good at this but I love painting and drawing). And I'll always always try to be more positive and look for the good in the possible worst situation. I'll laugh a lot. Will continue to try new recipes. I am going to enjoy the every little thing that comes in my way. I'll be grateful to every little thing i have. ---So many things Really! But I am going to focus on what is good and will let go what is wrong. I'll try to be tougher and happier.

As posted in my previous post 2011 had been fantastic(Ohh... I forgot you are just a day old you might have not read it. After reading this post please read that). I know even 2012 is going to be same or even more exciting. As I am going to meet my parents and my dear most brother. I'll be meeting them in Apr/May of this year. Yes! It would be a long year since i have met them(I miss them A Lot and I am actually counting on days). Visiting Daryapur (my home town) is like reconnecting to life. I have spent all my childhood in Daryapur, my school, my friends, my places, everything is just special. So I am super excited.

Also, I have my first marriage anniversary in 2012. Even that is going to the very very special moment.

Dear 2012, just grow old with me. I promise to give you the best of moments.

Yours little,
Indrayani

A year to remember - 2011

Unlike other years that passed by, 2011 has been a year worth looking back at. If 2007 was one of the years of my life which saw changes coming drastically in me from being a student to a professional, then 2011 was one which brought me back from a completely professional life to a balanced life which had certain things to keep for lifetime.

1. From childhood to adulthood, never felt like I have grown up until I was engaged. I realized. We have all grown up and now its time to take responsibility of our own life. I got married to the man who means world to me on 7th Feb 2011.I feel blessed to have him for lifetime. A BIG Thank to him, you give reason to live life for a lifetime. So this date and this year will always be special for me. The new chapter of life began, I came Dubai. I resigned my job in Pune.

2. Not sooner than expected, I was recruited to a good position in a world's one of the leading bank mid year. It boosted my confidence indeed.It was due to Swapnil's belief in me which made me stretch my limits.

3. 2011 took me one step ahead in my career. However my association with TechM over the last three and half years have been eventful and happening. I would for sure miss my first organization which gave me the platform for what I am today. Thanks to all the people whom I met, I worked with. Time spent at Tech Mahindra would always be fresh in my mind and would be there as a happy memory

4. Realization of the fact that no matter how I felt about Dubai initially, now I feel like home when in Dubai. Not a bad place to live in. I found it next to impossible to move away from Pune, a place where I have lived my precious four years. Its not the place but the experience out here that has pulled me back. Having struggled hard with Swapnil to get settled and get a life here was the most difficult thing over the years and I truly believe I need to preserve what I have achieved being at Dubai. Looking forward to continue it the way it has been so far.

5. I have got some good friends in Dubai with whom I can connect and who have added value to my life. Also, I am in touch with most of friends in back home .

These were few of the best things that 2011 had to offer. There have been many such things which are beyond my capability to express. There have been bad moments as well but I would prefer forgetting them and collect them as part of my tryst with Life

Dibba/Musandum - An Oasis in Desert

A trip to Dibba/Musandum was a treat.

It’s been eight months we are living in Dubai. At times I feel like going back to india and visit my parents. but this is not the right time to take break out of the job(As it’s just four months I have joined my new job). I was really bored of humid and hot climate of Dubai. It was then we boarded a van for dibba. Dibba is a coastal region at the northeastern tip of the United Arab Emirates(UAE)/Oman peninsula on the Gulf of Oman. To get there one has to cross the border of UAE and step in the Sultanate of Oman(yes this is how it was written on Dibba information board). No visa is required to go for a full day tour at Musandam Dibba(this applies if one has UAE Visa). The beautiful Dibba in Musandam peninsula unfolds a full day of sheer fun and relaxation. Winters had just started in the middle east when we visited Dibba.  It was 6AM in the morning,  the climate was foggy when we started our journey from Dubai to Dibba. All the sky kissing buildings were glittering in silver shades(the tallest Burj Khalifa was the most beautiful ). From window of our van it looked like a beautiful portrait. The windy road led us from range of white mountains to another range of completely black mountain, followed by a range of yellow, red hills. As if nature has painted these mountains in its own colors. It was simply awesome. All the hills with no trees, yet they looked amazingly beautiful. Here, cement factories were also located. Huge mechanical factories indeed. 

Then we entered the Dibba- Al- Fujerah province. Anyone could figure out that this is very well designed and managed city. The day being the 40th national day of UAE, all the buildings were decorated with national flag of UAE. The flowers were beautifully arranged on both the sides of the road. The roundabouts were very stunning, making mark of Emirati heritage We reached dibba by 10 AM. Then a wooden cruise(such type of cruises are called as Dhow cruise in UAE) took us in the blue and beautiful Arabic ocean. The breeze was very cold. When the morning sunlight touched the surface of ocean. It looked like thousands of diamonds are shining. The sky was blue and so was water. Water was too clear to see the reflection of the sky.

After being on the cruise for 1 hr we reached a place where cruise was stopped in the water in the middle of the ocean. Then started the real fun of water games.

First time I had banana boat ride. It was amazing. As I don’t know swimming I was allowed to go for banana boat ride on Swapnil’s risk(Swapnil is a real good swimmer). Sometimes while turning th in the sea the banana boat gets twisted and all boarded passengers fall straight in the water. Thankfully our boat ridded safely but other boat twisted in the ocean in front of me. My heart came in my  mouth.

After that followed a speed boat ride. It was fun.  The driver of the boat was very enthusiastic. He took us deep in the sea with hooping speed and took a drastic turn as boat made a 70 degree angle with the surface of the water. It  was terrible yet exciting. After this romance with water, boat took us back to the cruise. I was surprised when some young boys were jumping from the top of the cruise in the ocean.

Swapnil also wanted to jump. He just expressed his desire and guessed the depth from the roof of cruise then looked at me. I was sure, though he is a good swimmer he won’t be courageous enough to jump in the ocean from 12 meters, at least not when there are no safety measures around.

But he made his mind (I think he wanted to impress me). And jumped from the top of the cruise. He was so happy as if he had discovered his childhood. After some swimming in the salty Arabic ocean we boarded our cruise. I must mention here that water was very clean and clear. After all this fun we had a very good lunch on the cruise and headed back to the port. Now I was feeling as if  I am in heaven after hard work in water, had a nice lunch then I was laying on the roof of the cruise and cold breeze touching like a soft feather. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

I have renewed myself

स्वप्निल नाविन hair cut केल्या पासुन जरा जास्तच खुश असतो. एवढच नाहि तर त्याने "Dabang" च्या (आणि मला आवडणार्या) सलमान पासुन inspire होउन मिशि देखिल ठेवण्यास सुरवात केलिय. खर तर सलमान मला त्याच्या विनोदी अभिनय शैलीमुले आवडतो. पण मला तो त्याच्या पिलदार शरिरयष्टी आणि six pack abs मुले आवडतो असा स्वाप्निलचा गैरसमज आहे (नवरा आहे ना). परवा तो office साठी तयार होताना अगदी आरस्या समोर शिटी वाजवत त्याचा नविन look enjoy करत होता. मि उगाचच चिडवल, "क्या बात है! जनाब का रन्ग बदला बदला नजर आ रहा है| कुणी सुन्दर colleague join झाली का?" (बायको आहे ना). आणी तो (नेहमिसारखाच) मोठ्याने हासत म्हणाला, अग बर्याच दिवसाऩी hair cut केला आणि जवल जवल ५ वर्षान्नी मिशी ठेवलिय. I am really enjoying, as if I have renewed myself.

खरच किती गरजेच आहे स्वाता:ला reinvent करण. लहाणपणा पासुन आपण मानसीक, शारिरीक रित्या वाढत असतो. रोज काहितरि नविन शिकत असतो. पण आपण मोठे होतो. आपल्या कामात खुपच busy होतो. अस वाटत आता काय शिकायच. हे काय वय आहे. आणि वेल पण नाही. मग आपले कामच आपली ओलख बनुन जाते. "नमस्कार, मि शरद Infosys मध्ये manager आहे". मग असे लोक retired झाल्यावर बर्याचदा नैराश्येच्या गर्तेत जातात.  पण जर मि माझ्या ओलखिने समाधानी असेल तर...तर असा विचार करुन तुम्हि स्वत:च्या सुप्त गुणाची वाट अडवत तर नाही ना? कामाच्या व्यापात मागे राहिलेला एखादा छन्द परत जोपासा. तुम्ही दुसर्या शहरात गेल्यामुले, सध्या contact मधे नसलेल्या एखाद्या मित्राला फोन करा.

या renewal साठी फार काही करण्याची गरज नाही. अगदीच साधे म्हणजे तुमची dressing style बदलून बघा. तेच तेच फिके रन्ग वापरुन विट आला असेल तर थोडे भडक shades try करा. Jeans आणि पन्जाबी dress घालुन थकल्या असाल तर छानसा skirt किन्वा साडी परिधान करा.

मि तर मला reinvent केल आहे. तुम्ही recently अस काही केलय किन्वा करण्याचा plan आहे? मला जाणुन घ्यायला नक्कीच आवडेल. मला कलवा तुमाच्या self reinvention or self renewal बद्दल, मग मि देखिल माझ्यात काय reinvent केलय ते कलवेल.

इब्न बटुटा mall - Dubai

इतिहास मल नेहमिच रोमान्चित करतो. इतिहसात डोकावुन पहिले कि आपल्यात असणारया कुतुहलाला नकलत उत्तरे मिलत जातात. आज दुबईला येउन तिन महिने झालेत. पण ह्या शहरात इतके भारतिय आहेत कि नविन ठिकणि(त्यातहि नविन देशात) आलो आहोत ह्याची जाणिव देखिल होत नाही. दुबईच मुख्य आकर्षण म्हणजे इथले अतिभव्य malls. ऐतिहसिक वास्तुन्चे commercialisation करुन तेथे होटेल्स वैगरे निर्माण करणे आपल्याकडे आता नविन नाहि. पण नविन वस्तुमधे जुने सन्दर्भ वपरुन आपल्या इतिहासचि ओलख सगल्या जगला करुन देणे आणि सोबतच आपला business पण वाढवने हे कसब दुबई वसियान्ना चान्गलच अवगत आहे. म्हणुनच तर त्यान्नी "इब्न बटुटा" या प्रवश्याच्या जिवनावर आणि प्रवसाच्या पार्श्वभूमिचा वापर करुन "इब्न बटुटा " हा अतिभव्य mall बान्धला.बाजुच्या photo मधुन आपल्याला "इब्न बटुटा" mall च अतिभव्य गेट पाहावयास मिलेल. इब्न बटुटा हा चौदव्या शतकातिल अरेबिक प्रवसि होउन गेला.

या mall मधे एकुन साहा दालने आहेत. हि साहा दालने इब्न बटुटा मुख्यतः ज्या सहा देशान्मधे फिरला त्या देशान्च्या नवाने ठेवलि गेलि आहेत. India, china, persia, egypt,tunisia,Andulasia हि ति साहा दालने आहेत म्हनजेच courts आहेत. प्रत्येक court हा इब्न बटुटा त्या देशात गेला त्यावेलि जि परिस्थिति आणि वैशिश्ठे होति त्यानुसर सजवला गेला आहे.बाजुच्या photo मधुन आपल्याला पेर्शिअन दालनचि झलक पहावयास मिलेल.
जेव्हा इब्न बटुटा भरतात आला तेव्हा मुघल सम्राज्य होत म्हनुन India court मधे सगला मुघल कालचा देखावा बघायला मिलतो. आणि एक एक दालन एवढ भव्य आणि अप्रतिम आहे कि आपण पहुन थक्क होउन जातो. आम्हि सलग पाच तास बघत होतो तरिहि फक्त चारच दालन बघितलित आणि बाकि बघायचि रहिलित. mall चि एकुन लाम्बि १.३ किमि. आहे. प्रतेक दलनाच छत हे खुपच सुन्दर आहे. शिवाय प्रतेक दलनच गेट आणि ईब्न बटुटा mall च गेट देखिल अतिभव्य आहे. ह्या mall मधे 21 Cinema Screens आणि ह्या परिसरातिल एकमेव IMAX theatre ( IMAX has the capacity to record and display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film systems) आहे. शिवाय शेकडो दुकने आणि restaurants आपल्या दिमतिला आहेतच.