A journey in a Metro!

                       

Its after almost 7 years i traveled in Metro alone... Though I traveled with a friend once two yrs back... And she had a fair idea of metro routes...

I had this phobia of travelling in a crowded bus and metro from quite a long time...The fact was it was never actually required. MBA college was close to the place i stayed and from job i started driving...

Today was the day where this came to an end... It takes courage to face your fears... Although, for many its a very normal thing to use metro or bus... in fact, my mom, dad, bhai & people around me all are comfortable using public transport... I somehow find myself phobic to it.. It scares me... I dunno the reason… May be I don’t wanna come out the comfort zone I created for myself over the years...

In the morning, I reached my office on time and started calling people to fix up meetings for the day... A senior colleague asked me to come to our Chandni Chowk branch...

Chandni Chowk.. The most crowded place of Old Delhi... And its somewhat similar to Aligarh & Meerat. 

I asked people around me about how I can reach Chandni chowk as I never went there alone or never took my vehicle towards that area.

A generous colleague helped me by calling his friends and guided me... He told me there is no parking in that area so better take metro..

I was upset and reluctant.. I called up few more people to ask for route navigation…. I wanted to hear that 'yes' I can take my car but all suggested public transport...

After losing all hopes of going by car.. I told myself... “Dear girl, you have to travel the world... Entire country.... There you cannot take your car and you may not be able to hire a taxi always... So if today you are not comfortable using public transport of your own city, how will you do it while travelling the world?” And i realized, I am so right sometimes... :-P

This gave me courage and pumped my morale... I asked the guy which route I need to follow he guided me... And the journey began... Woohoo... :-)

Weird & funny me... I asked the way to metro station from 3 people... Still got lost... Finally entered and saw a long queue fr tickets... I saw a small queue for metro card lane... I chose to take a metro card... Got card, recharged it... And went towards the entry where the guard shouted, "yahan kahan ja rahi ho", I shouted back "toh aur kahan jaun mera purse scanner me le liya aur mujhe jane nahi de rahe"... He stared angrily and guided me towards female entry gate... I stared back very badly and walked fast towards platform...

Now, I followed instructions and waited for my metro... Metro stopped, I decided I’ll go in female coach but unluckily it was too far and I was standing away from it... I tried running towards it but realized gates were about to close so I quickly boarded in whatever I got…

Real bad people... Real bad crowd... Some people stare you like you are not wearing anything and its embarrassing...

I was standing in the middle holding a hanger... I counted stations... I was 11 stations away from my destination... I saw my watch multiple times... And passed my time by looking at watch... And counting stations...

I came out of metro station just like a lost girl in new town... Following instruction boards... It was so crowded.. I tried clicking a picture of crowd but a guard saw me and stopped me... He asked me to delete that pic in front of him... It was strange but I did it...

As told by a colleague... I knew I had to take rickshaw for Masjid from there our bank was near.. I did the same... I clicked pics from my fone sitting in rickshaw...

The place is so different... I really wish to come here for photography sometime... In the meanwhile i was thinking i have to come here this Saturday too for my friend's shopping for his wedding... :-)

I somehow feel.. if I’ll delete this from my mind what kinda people travel in metro and stop bothering about how they stare... it’ll b easier for me to travel... So, I m not giving up here... I faced my fear and it was not that bad what I used to think... I’ll do it again and till the time I overcome it... Though it’s not at all difficult to do so...

While going back I’ll try to take up women's coach... As I am still sitting in our Chandni chowk office and writing this while waiting for the meeting to get over and meet the person concerned...

Let’s see... What’s lined up now for going back…. I am quite optimistic about the journey back to my office... :-)

Chandni chowk 

***

I finished my meeting, it was a nice interaction and headed back towards market to take a rickshaw… This time I was feeling more excited, confident and happy… As if I was enjoying the moment and waiting to travel in Metro to repair the bad experience…

I took a rickshaw and started talking to the rickshaw wala… bhaiyya, yahan kis din sabse zyada bheed rehti hai.. saree market kaunsi hai… lehenga market…. Suit market… jewellery market… gray market... what all are famous here to eat and so on…. And I reached metro station… After gaining the market knowledge I entered in to the metro station…

I was feeling happy… This time I took female specific coach and it was neat and clean… It was good and I was feeling safe... This time the journey seemed shorter and in precisely 25 mins I covered the distance which otherwise would have taken more than an hour by car…

Overall... I am happy and feeling comfortable for the next time… :-)

A good start for the month…! May Love :-D

God, Thanks for being there for me… I love you... Take of my people :-))) Muuaaah

Life is always Amazing!

:-)

Yes, its a masterpiece of nature.... Its amazing everyday...!

We often crib and complain about bad happenings in our lives... but what is the fun if there are no ups & downs.. How can a person enjoy a sight of a beautiful blue sea without experiencing the sadness of a dead desert... Desert reminds me of dessert and I am hungry :P

Anyhow.. You never know where you find what... We can find life in a dead shell.... Life is full of surprises.. you can never predict what future holds for you :-)

Recent example from my life is my new workplace.. I always met people who said banks are the worst places to work... And i always had this phobia of working in a bank.. In fact, I never used to go for an interview if company used to be a bank, no matter how good... This new bank I joined was also not my first choice.. i joined it without much of enthusiasm.. I had my own reasons.. For me it was like an arranged marriage where I had to marry without knowing anything about a guy just because I was getting old sitting at home :P... and the only reason of this negative image was the opinion i used to carry from people...

But trust me.. this place amazed me... Each day is new here.. with something new... I am actually falling in love with it... Now, I believe I somewhat understand how people fall in love even after arranged marriage :-)... You explore... you learn.. you accept the person as they are.. you appreciate... You start loving small things... that's how you begin...

My first day in the company was somewhat disastrous... It rained very heavily.. And i was all soaked in cold water when i entered in the office... Shivering.. And praying to get free on time so that i can leave as I was feeling cold... Then I got to know that my boss forgot about my joining date and he was on leave :P... day moved forward with mixed happenings... I dint like it much... 

Next 2 days were somewhat boring... Then I met 'A', my colleague... A funny, happy-go-lucky kinda guy.. on first day of our meeting we dint talk much.. but we developed comfort in 2-3 days of interaction... I developed interest in the profile and product plus 'A' was there to make me laugh.. Life becomes easier when someone is there... 

In a week's time boss nominated me & 'A' for a short product training... which was in some village.. We got late on the first day of training.. Though some disasters do happened there as people there carried a very different mindset... We still managed to enjoy our training along with the learning...

Coming back to office... Another '6-day' training was lined up... And we were waiting for it eagerly... days passed and training began... We met many new people there... since, this training was residential... we got ample time to interact with people... 

This training was too good... I used to play badminton with people and discovered I can still play well... We all used to sit and talk till late evenings about banking, financial products and live case studies... Since, all were from banking background except me.... I got to learn a lot from them.. It was superb..

People in banks are very different... They are to-the-point, precise, very clear, serious, focused, clear and respectful... They wont make you feel like they are hitting on you because you are a female colleague or talking double meaning stuff.. they are straight forward and decent. I really love being in their company... there is a sense of protection always... Like they understand that they also have sister and mother at home :-)

6-day training got over, I made few friends and moved towards my home... When I joined office after training I was different... I loved being there... I had less concerns about how dirty and small the office room is... or there are no chairs to sit... All what mattered was I was in a place where people were realistic.. Involved in themselves, least bothered about what you are up-to... Its a fast life here... No one has time to bother about where you are going or what you are wearing.. 

Say Hi, Smile and begin... That's how it is!

I somewhat appreciate my boss a lot, he is a guy rare to find... too aggressive, polished, prompt and cool... Involved in his life and our numbers.... No monkey business... no calling every minute to ask where are you or what you are up to.. 

Though right now my attendance system is not started yet, so, m still cherishing my honeymoon period... I daily go to office with equal enthusiasm and look forward to do things I wish to do... I have so much to catch up with... Running, Swimming, Dancing, Shopping, Investment, Buying phone, Preparations for GOA, Savings for Bora Bora... Phewww.... Long long list I have to pursue :-)

While doing all this... I miss someone badly... But at times in life we need to leave certain people for their happiness... So, if your absence is gift for someone... Give them and carry on... 

Life is full of surprises... All we need is to take a step ahead and start walking... Till the time we'll go out... we never know how it could turn out to be... 

God ji, thank you so much for everything... Your li'l favorite kid loves you lot... take care of my people... Love you... Muuuuaaaah :-)))

Recover. Gain Strength. Rejuvenate. BOUNCE BACK!

I am trying to understand what is going on in my mind from past few weeks…. I am in a state of a strange dilemma… kinda suffering… trying super hard to come out of it!

I am being anti-social, destructive, restless, careless, unreasonable, emotionally unavailable, ignorant, cruel, rude and crazy!

It’s a part of me and I don’t mind being so…. But then… the changes in me are scaring me… It’s affecting my work out routine… my professional performance… personal life… and every damn thing!

Whenever, I find myself moving towards darkness and negativity I recall Spiderman III… Where I find negative powers all over me… Ruling my Heart & Mind!

As they say… Life is all about changes and phases…. This is also a phase.. The world is my playground… I am a player who is not in the best form at present but yes, I’ll certainly be fine….

Many good things did happen in last few days… I got my new car… And I am loving it… Though I still love my old one the most…. May be I am fond of the ‘first love thing’…. First job… first car… first home…. First…. Are always very close to my heart and soul…

I guess all I need is… a rejuvenating weekend outing... starting with a long long drive… without phone and net… all alone…. Isolation therapy is good at times…. I need to be alone…. Just me... my coffee… my camera… my running…. Myself!

I need to be with me… I feel I am running from myself… I don’t give a damn to people who don’t matter to me… but I am really concerned about certain people…. I think that’s what is bothering me like hell..

I wanna indulge in all good things where I can recharge myself back.... bring me back on track… I wanna listen to myself… Wanna spend time with my inner self… Together we’ll have good time… long walks, music, coffee, dark chocolates, photography… blogging, running.. And much more….

Dear God, please give me strength and guide me in the right direction…. I need you to be with me…. Your girl is missing you... Love you...

F.R.I.E.N.D.S Forever!

Today while driving to my office, I realized that I never ever dedicated any post to the people who deserve a special space in my life… It’s not very tough to count them though… 

Broadly I can say, it’s my friends & my family members…. 

Of course, there are other influential people as well… like my First bosses (Internship and first job) who played very important role and still deserve a very good space in my mindset and life… Who helped me to grow like a lost kid in the fish-market…. My Marketing Professor Late Mr S.K. Jaimini who helped me in taking very crucial decisions at the point where I was super confused… 

But, I specifically wanna dedicate this post to my Friends…..

In the morning while driving, I was thinking… I must have done really good deeds in past life to have people like the ones I have… Honestly, I am one of the toughest and most complicated people…. Very short tempered, bad, rude, moody and crazy… It takes hell lot of patience and concern to deal with me…. And life is busy so no one has time to devote… So, the people who jhelofy me without complaining are the ones who have spoilt me to the core… At times, they treat me like a small spoilt kid who dunno anything about life and people… And makes me realize so many things I ignore to notice… And I don’t appreciate but I love them for this.. I don’t know nor I have words to thank them for this.. :D

O dear God, I feel very privileged and lucky to have such people… It’s very difficult to find people who understand you so well… *touchwood*

I am not a very expressive person, so, most of the times... I am unable to speak what I feel… The good I feel is mostly hidden… but the bad I feel is mostly on my face… but having such people who even understand that  the expressions are temporary and kiddish… and the feelings I posses are real and true is a pure blessing…. 

I wish to write so much… but, I am running short of words… 

I have seen and met people, who are there for you only when you are happy, but the moment you are in tough situation or in a mid of a mood swing they drop you like a hot potato… I am not criticizing such people but I must say they can’t be anybody’s friend. People who switch their friends as per their requirement at that point of time are simply don’t deserve friendship…. And they are like an eye-opener which makes you realize…. People can be illusive…

But, all is well when the end is well…. And there is no end to true friendships… Me and my friends do fight like kids… but that only adds on to our understanding towards each other…. And then of course, they know me so well… that we rarely need too many words to patch up…. :-)

Dear God, Thank you so much for these people in my life…. You know what you have given me… Of course, you never forget to add some negative elements in my life to give me a “Disney movie” feel… And expect your princess to manage it all… :P

But, trust me I will… Because, I know You are with me…. And My people are with me… And together we’ll win the game… Love You… Muaah.. :D  :-)

Another Thursday!

Today was my 4^th working day without my car... And even today I dint get it back…. Of course! I am not liking it….!

It’s not very easy every time though…. But, I Love being positive… :)

Anyhow, I dunno how to react on it…. But recently I have noticed something very strange…. From past 7-8 times I am experiencing very bad Thursdays…

I seriously don’t know the reason behind it… All I know is… Thursdays are disastrous for me and I really pray to go invisible from this earth for this one day or God just make this day go disappear from the week… It’s so so bad…

Every Thursday morning I tell myself…. “come on… It’s a new day, It will be good” but the day ends on a very depressing note….

I still believe if it happens there must be some reason behind it….

I have also noticed, the problem starting with Thursday usually ends by the next Thursday because the next one comes with a new disaster… Eeeeew, I am hating it, simply.

I m not being superstitious though…. Even I ignored this thing for quite some time…. But when things went extremely idiotic… I was compelled to notice... Moreover, I have this bug of thinking over one thing for hours, days, months or even years (very rarely though)!

Even today was super bad… I so wish to hide underground or just disappear for this one day… I desperately ask God to put an end to the day at every single second of my Thursday….

Anyways, I’ll try to sleep now… My Espresso usually doesn’t work on my sleep… but since, it’s Thursday and I wanna end it early…. My coffee effect might work :P

God, I really wanna fight with you today… seriously… Let’s take it offline…. Good night!

DAY 1: Work without my Car!

Before beginning with the post I would to like to mention that here the work is “SALES” so when I say work without a car… It means something genuinely uncomfortable!

I guess, I’ll start with how I m struck in this situation… well…. It all happened on a very pleasant day… the day I love the most ‘FRIDAY’…  A Friday afternoon.

As usual, I was driving my car… going for a meeting…. happily singing a song…. On a crowd less road… where I met an accident... It wasn’t just any simple hit it was kinda major…. A bikewala hit my car badly without seeing the indicator due to which he got injured and I ended up losing one door of my car and the other door was damaged…

Anyways, my primary concern was that guy who was bleeding…  As that was not the point to argue on whose fault it was… I took him to the hospital and dropped him back…. After that my concern was my car… It was a major loss so I decided to call up insurance guy to guide me how to go about it… He told me a long process which I decided to follow…

My Saturday went in searching for a workshop where I can give my car and get it repaired at earliest… as well as in fewer outflows of cash…. Finally, my search ended on a workshop in Vasant Kunj where I decided to give my car and the workshop guy ensured me its return in 4 days i.e., by Thursday most probably…

Phewww! Long story it was… Anyways, now I was bothered about my work… Being in sales it’s very difficult to go without a car… Sunday I was mostly sleeping and doing tp… By the end of the day I convinced myself that “It’s gonna be an adventure to be without a car… I’ll explore the city in public transport once again after 2 years… yayy!” :P

Though from inside I was saying “it won’t be that bad... after all people do live without a car”….

Ah… Started Monday… I luckily got lift till office with a colleague of mine who stays in South Delhi… Then comes the meetings part…. I was lucky as I had just one meeting today… that too I managed in metro…

After years, I travelled in Metro…. It was not really a bad experience… Honestly speaking… sometimes it’s required to come out of your comfort zone and work like mostly people do… Well, yes, I lack patience and I hate public transport but it’s all because I always had a choice to avoid it… today, I had no choice so I used it… It wasn’t actually my wish though… :P

I spent around 4 hrs in just one meeting due to this public transport thing… I am sure with car it’s just a matter of 2.5 hrs at max… Life can’t be same every time…

But… God, seriously yaa… Thank You so much for being there for me… Good and bad days do come but it’s all required at times… It only makes us versatile and strong…. And I am happy, Really… So don’t worry.. ;-)

Just take care of my people…. Love you… Muaah! :-))

The 'Friday' Feeling! \m/

Yesterday was Friday and while driving back home after a nice evening I was thinking on 'Fridays are truly awesome'... And its not just yesterday, I think of it on every Friday....

Though.. everyday is new... everyday is different with somewhat different feel...

Lets start with Mondays..
Mondays are very lethargic.. rarely charged up.. Unless I am looking forward to something meaningful! Although Mondays are start of a new week but as they say mornings are laziest part of the day... Mondays are the laziest day of the week..

Tuesday comes with a hope that thank God... Only 3 more days to go for Friday.. Lets work hard ;-)

Wednesday says yayy! Friday is near.... Lets finish up the tasks beforehand to avoid any last minute Friday hassles :D

Thursdays are usually busy... to wind up stuff and fix up few meetings for Friday.. So that I can enjoy my weekend without a guilt of not performing well..

And FINALLY, the Friday! ohh... Its a brilliant incomparable feel... very hard to describe...

Fridays are the best even if I remain busy in my office or do not party at all.. I still love Fridays... I love that different feel... "The Friday feel'... :D

Fridays are the even better when I am eagerly waiting for some movie to release... Last one I remember was 'Rockstar release' Friday.. I was crazily waiting for that one..

My weekends are usually working, so, anyhow Saturday- Sundays are special but I am rarely very sure about what I am gonna do on my weekend... Honestly, I love sleeping, cooking or just relaxing by doing nothing on weekends (provided they are off)...

Weekends are uncertain but Fridays are certainly rocking... :-)

Well, its almost 6 days to go for another Friday... But I guess the wait will start from Monday.. Till then I'll enjoy my weekend... Cheers!!

Happy Weekend dear God ;-)

I am BACK!! :-)

Yayy!! I am back... Life is being great and eventful... Year started on a brilliant note when one good day I decided to resign from my bloody job! And that good day was in first week on January... ;-)

Well.. I know many of us think and just think about doing the same but they bear with the situations till the time they can... And I also stretched it till the time I could have... Then I decided to fight for myself and try to be in better place....

Phewww.... After resign, I felt like a free bird... repaired myself and gained back my self confidence... After resting for 2-3 days I started my real job! That was looking for a good place to work with interesting work.. 

In quest for the same I tried various ways.. I updated my CV on various job portals... Personally posted CV in the career section of good companies where I was interested and used Linkedin wisely.... All these efforts were not in vain.... After thoughtful consideration, I gave 4 interviews and after some wait I am really proud to say that I was selected in all 4... :D this boosted my confidence level even more.... After analyzing all the options I picked up a job and finally joined it in February second week...

Well... I am glad today that I decided to fight for better life... And today I feel good... I feel one should not waste time in doing something they don't like... We got one life... We have all the right to choose what to do... I understand although sometimes we are struck in certain situations which compel us to be in places we never intended to be... But honestly, one should always fight for what they deserve! As we never know where may God listen to us and change things for betterment...

Thank you once again God... I love you.... Thank you again for making me feel blessed again :D Muaah.. As expected... the time of resignation shocked me I saw the most dirtiest faces I ever imagined... Lets not spoil Pearl by writing about all that nonsense... ;-)

Delhi- Amritsar- Delhi

A Place of delicacies….
A place of joyful people….
A place so moving….
A place where you’ll never feel you are new to it….
A place giving feel of old Delhi…
A place of Golden Temple….
A place known as ‘Amritsar’

…But before i start with Amritsar I really wanna say…. Every place is beautiful in its own sense but Nothing’s like ‘My Delhi’….!!!
More I go away from it more I fall in love with it… And I realize this is the place where I wanna spend my life… Of course I love to travel and I wanna see the world but i wanna live here…….. :D
Before starting with my journey I would like to describe Amritsar….. Its green, cooler than Delhi, crowded, people are helpful and friendly and I got few friends too :), you’ll find 'kulcha' and 'lassi' everywhere it’s their staple food, you’ll find more 'beer and wine shops' than other kinda shops… in every market there were at least 3-4 wine shops, their local transport is shared autos and cycle rikshaws, it’s very hard to find ice cream there :(… I had to try hard for that…, it gives feel of old Delhi…., the best part of the place is Golden Temple… which crowded even at 10 in the night….. Now starting with my journey….
I reached Amritsar on April 22, 2009 around 2.00 PM rushed to my guest house…. and my first meeting was at 3.00 PM since then my work started…. Got free around 9.30 PM had food at their famous Dhaba which was 90years old place…. I rushed back to my guest house and slept…. Got no time for photography on day 1…. :(
Day 2 i.e., April 23, 2009 started at 5AM…. Quickly got ready and left at 6.30AM…. After a hectic day full of work….. I got free at 9PM since my next day was the last day and it was already fixed with presentations and meetings and very tight schedule…. I thought of visiting Golden temple…. I went there at 9PM… it was looking beautiful in the dark… I was stunned…. Speechless….. Then I slowly murmured WAAOW!! I Went inside…. after coming out I sat there for an hour and was looking at the fishes in the water…. It was the best part of the day and was a stress buster for me… I suddenly realized I have meetings tomorrow first one starting at 7 AM so I rushed back and slept…. Yes, I got chance of clicking few pictures… :D
Day 3 i.e., April 24, 2009…. It was hectic…. Hectic like anything….. I got free at 4PM and my train was at 5PM….. I got ready and left at 4.30PM for station…. And was in Delhi at 12.00 midnight…. And guess what I had office in the morning…. Well…. After working on Saturday I got Sunday finally off…. Though my boss told to come on Sunday too :((…. But I badly needed off….
In three days in Amritsar or say 2 complete days I had 5 presentations and 4 meetings…. It was a hectic week… but overall I really enjoyed it…. :)) it was a nice experience…..
Though I didn't got chance of clicking many pictures…. I am sharing the ones I clicked….

Golden Temple, Amritsar(side view)

Golden Temple, Amritsar(front view)

Morning in Amritsar

Khalsa College, Amritsar

A Snapshot