Cuatro

Sigh! Late last night I realized my blog turned four and I had to scramble to come up with a celebration. As you can tell, last year wasn't my best blog year. This place was neglected and I wasn't even making an attempt to take good care of it.

Perhaps a birthday is the right season and the right reason to make amends.

So here goes. Many many happy returns of the day my dear blog, and I start the fifth year with a song dedication.

Diwali wishes

to all the readers of Curiously strong...

09/09/09

On this day, what is on its way
Come what may
It tells you there's more than one
That listens to you when words are none
Cos you see, whats a few thousand miles
When love can fly across seas and stiles
Many happy returns for this day
Its all in what's on its way!

Happy Birthday!

Footnote : Aside, go here for more on what 09/09/09 means

Tres

Dear blog

Many happy returns of the day; you turn 3 today. Wow, its kinda hard to believe its been so long. You were started in a very casual manner, my first post here was a review of Zahir. But look at what else I've subjected you to, in these 3 years. You're probably my best sounding board- be it a rant, be it a rave, music, books, 'we are like this only' episodes, colorful pictures that speak a thousand words...you take it all. And without a whimper. You don't protest, you don't object, you don't argue, you don't disagree, you don't criticize- you listen to EVERYthing I have to say, 24x7x365. For that, I salute you. You're also my virtual abode, where I can hang out, chill and stay over for a pajama party.

And thus here we are. You, me and all your readers. You have been a medium through which I have connected to many like-minded folks. You're like this hostess to a very happening party and I am that shy, reserved guest that usually sits pretty in some corner couch sipping diet coke!

I used to search long and hard for a good template for you. A pretty one, that made you look as good as you sounded. And you got a new wardrobe ever so often. Even though it was a painful exercise for me to do some html coding to make you look just right with all the right customizations. You used to host a 'QOTD' and then remember Kabbu?- the virtual pet I adopted from here? Yes, you've been through many many wardrobe changes. Till I found this one. I am mighty pleased with it, I have to say. It lets me change the header, personalize it to my liking and gives me the feeling of shopping for a new dress each time. We all like doing this ever so often now, don't we?

Last summer I tried to outsource you, just to try something new and cos the fact that I had run out of ideas to write about. But regardless of my various attempts to make this space interesting, you're there- rock solid, at all times. Thank you very much for that and can I say how much I look forward to growing old with you? Ever so often I grow through the archives - brings a chuckle or some eye candy or a melody long forgotten- you are a journal of sorts, after all- aren't ya?

Alright my friend, here's a toast to you - to many many more years of endless partying with you.

Happy Birthday!

With best wishes
-Altoid

Season's greetings

Let there be light!

Slow start

The fire of glory is the torch of the mind

And thus the Olympics have begun. Everyday is a new set of games to watch. Everyday is visual gratification at the effort, dedication and perseverance of each of the participants, regardless of whether they win medals or not. Each day is an affirmation that hard work pays and the there are no gains without pains. Each day is a wonder-filled exhibition of the best talents in so many different sports arenas that 10 days just seems like too little time to soak in on all that the world has to offer.

28 fully recognized sports, 301 events, 204 countries, more than 11000 participants- can one get bored of the guts and glory that comes with these kind of statistics adding up to this global event? And regardless of the adage that politics and sports are invariably intertwined, these 10 days is all in the spirit of sportsmanship. Or so we should believe.

On the eve of the 61th anniversary of Indian Independence, we have already struck Gold, thanks to Abhinav Bindra.

Happy Birthday India!

Season's Greetings

One perfect light to lead the way....with Happy Holidays, A Merry Christmas...all the way to a wonderful New Year!

For some things, doors need to open by force

She deserves to have her only sibling surface from self-imposed "sanyaas" for this doesnt she?

So here goes,

No mushy pomes,

No blushing blooms

Just a few lines of verse

To wish the best that life offers

This year and for ever

May the star of fortune fade never

Happy Birthday Seren!

Celebration

Hope lovely surprises
Are coming your way,
To make your
Birthday a
Wonderful day.

Happy Birthday Tharini!

Diwali- Festival of lights

Bang! Bang! Whoooosh!

Such were the sounds one would hear, waking up at ungodly hours on Diwali day. It would probably be around 4 or 5 in the morning, the neighbourhood would already be bustling with over-enthusiastic children and their eager parents vying to be the first to start the day long firework display . After the morning rituals that would include the (ugh) oil bath, new clothes, a scrumptious breakfast, some early morning sweets and snacks- one would be declared ready to bring on the fireworks!

This many years later, nothing compares to the celebration that happens back home and any amount of parties and get-togethers can ever match being back home, in those good old days....
So saying, I decided to do all I could to reproduce the spirit of Diwali. My pictures should say it all.

Inspired by Usha's post I decided to make a rangoli. And then my favorite food bloggers Jai and Bee declared this month's click was all about 'showing your noodles'. Hence I offer this. Since this is a first for me- participating in a blog event, Jai and Bee, 'gustaakhi maaf', if I have not followed any rules.




















Camera : Canon Digital Rebel Xti
Title : Happiness is light


Happy Diwali!!













Clockwise from top right :
Mixture, besan laddu, pista-badam burfi and nippattu.
Enjoy!