Back to the same old

Last night many things in the fridge got over. Not too many leftovers. All cleared up last night.
Left with a pot of rajma and some sweets.

Brother left in the morning. Called a Ola cab. The cab was 10 minutes late. Blame it on Bangalore traffic. I got a ride till my office and bro is off to the airport.

Dad has company for a few days. Now he will be alone again.
Today there is a lot of stuff to do. When the maid comes, he needs to give her notice. Not sure how he will handle that. Then I have the plumber coming, and new maids coming for interviews.

I have meetings till 8PM so will know more when I get home later in the day.

Whats in my fridge

In answer to a comment, here's a post on what is in my fridge.

Actually, yesterday I made some atta bread. The idea was to make pizza. Whole wheat pizza.
No mixed atta and yeast and sugar and kept the dough where it would swell up. Then I baked a few pizza bases. Brother had sausage, cheese and sauce on them.

Not a big pizza fan, we and dad had something else.

That was our brunch.

Evening bro wanted khichuri. So eggplants were fried to make begun bhaja, a big pot of khichuri, and a spicy dry egg curry to go with it.

It was a lovely meal.

Happy RakshaBandhan

Happy Raksha Bandhan. I miss having a sister.

Tiring Day

It was tiring. Work till 4PM.
Brother and Dad came to office aroun 4. Then went to IN ORBIT mall with them.
Bought a few things in Body Shop.
Then Hypercity.
After that Bata.
Then iced tea and sausages at COFFEE BEAN and then home.

Made some aloo tikki in the oven, rajma and then some cabbage.

Feet soles are aching.

Need rest.

More tomorrow.

Empty Roads

Good to see empty roads today. It was a nice trip to work.
I took a bus today. Empty seats.
Usually the AC Volvos are crowded, but not today.

Reached in 10 minutes. And as expected, a very quiet office today.

Finally

Finally the fridge is empty today. All cooked food is over. Good, now I can start fresh from today.
Cabbage is on the plate, and may be eggs.

Lets see how the weekend goes.

Painful Taxi - Part 2

Was reminded of this taxi incident that had taken place a few years back in Kolkata. I needed to go out with parents and needed a taxi. I do not remember the vendor, but anyway, I called for a cab.
The first trip was from Jessore Road to Harish Mukherjee Road. A trip to Durga Mandir. This taxi guy kept talking of bad roads, blocked roads and went through some weird lanes.
From there I needed to go to Dakshineshwar. That too, he went through some strange roads. And then back home. He finally gave us a bill of 1000 rupees. That was way too much.

I had taken taxis from this vendor before, but this was the first time this had happened. I remember taking a chance again with the same vendor a few months later, and that was a very smooth ride. Same route and added Kalighat, and the total bill came around 500 rupees.

Its tough to trust the taxi guys. If they realize you do not know the roads/ routes, they take you for a long ride. Forget what problems foreigners go through, when you are in a city and speak the local language, then too, unless you know the roads you are in trouble.

Festival Time

Got home around 8. On TV, Maruti is still lying 'dead'. The naming of Maruti as Hanuman is yet to happen.
Dinner was sabu. Simple. Soaked sago, with bananas , grated coconut, yogurt and sugar.

It rained last night. Finally. It was feeling like summer this week. At least the gloomy cloudy weather makes it feel like monsoon.

Will have to try something at home - which is typical of monsoon. That will this weekend.

Today and tomorrow is ONAM.

Happy ONAM.

People at work are taking off tomorrow. Its not an official leave.

Tomorrow is also a festival called VARALAKSHMI VRATA. This is a festival celebrated in Andhra (Telengana and Andhra to be politically correct now) and Karnataka.

So most of the people from Kerala will be taking off for ONAM and people from Andhra/ Karnataka will take off for Varalakshmi Vrata.

Happy Festival time all.

Nice dinner

Had a nice dinner last night. The arhar dal with brinjal and drumsticks was good. Me and dad ate most of it. Brother had chicken. He was happy.

For dessert there was ice cream. He loves ice cream, so I had ordered the Amul Chocolate Chip ice cream. He had a bit of it.

I went off to sleep around 10:30PM.

Around midnight I woke up to go to the bathroom. Bro was having ice cream and watching movies. The USB drive plugged into TV.

Today is Ekadashi. So food as such today. As bro is at home, Dad was planning to go out with him for grocery shopping and probably some bank work.

I have meetings till 8PM so I wont get home before 8:30 PM tonight.

And I have a busy packed day today, so wont be updating much today.

Dosa for Lunch

Today it was lunch from outside. Went outside with brother and got Dosas and Vadas from Mayura Sagar. Had that. Now I am awake but rest all are napping.

I am drowsy, but if sleep now, will not be able to sleep later in the. So will stay awake.

Tomorrow Office :-(

Taxis are a pain

So my brother caught a pre paid taxi in front of the airport. And the taxi guy said he knows the route.
And now my brother is going round and round.
At the latest call, he is in a place not too far off.The taxi guy told him, it will be another 30 mins. So lets see when the 30 mins get over, and my brother gets home.

Update : 10:20 AM. Bro got home. The taxi guy charged him 1000 rupees. That is an issue about the Airport Taxi and also about knowing what route to take.

Too much going on

Have a lot going on today. Big plans.

Last night was moong dal and rice, with some bhindi fry. Simple dinner.

Today brother comes. Will have to get things set up at home.

So needed to take a 'sick day' today. Dad will not be able to manage alone, so I had to.

Lets see how the day goes.

Sunday - Bad Day

Well last night was a bad day. Nothing that I did.

It was the bad pizza. It was soggy and cold. And that spoiled the whole day.

Dinner was spoiled.

Tonight probably something simple.

Tomorrow brother will be here, so he will manage for a few days.

Feeling sad

Was managing phone numbers on my mobile. Was trying to knock off un needed numbers.
Came across some numbers that I had saved for Mom.
Numbers that would not be needed any more.
I deleted those.

Eyes moist. Lump in my throat.

Bad Pizza

Okay this is the 3rd time I ordered Pizza from PizzaHut. Home Delivery mode.
The delivery for me comes from Marathalli Spice Garden. The first time I had ordered, it was an incomplete order. The second time - a big delay.
The third time was today. I ordered around noon. Pizza came after 3 hours. Ice Cold Pizza.

I dont think I should order from Pizza Hut anymore. If I need Pizza, then either Dominos (they have a store in AECS Layout) else I go and pick it up from a store.

Lesson Learnt? I hope so.

Series collection

Have started a series collection spree now.

It started with the Byomkesh that is on, on Colors Bangla. I think it was Lohar Biscuit.
Then I started watching out for the web uploads on Youtube .

The colors bangla team is very prompt. So I have watched all so far. Last night they started AMRITER MRITYU. This will be the 29th story. If they plan to do all, there are 3 stories left.

Shailo Rahasya, Kohen Kobi Kalidas andShajarur Kanta .

Lets wait and watch.

The next one is STORIES OF RABINDRANATH TAGORE on EPIC. That I dont get to watch. And the Youtube channel and has 1 minute promo only. So that is something I miss watching. Waiting.

The third is SCREAM that is aired on MTV in US. Because I have see all 4 scream movies, needed to watch this. Not too bad.

My Hair Color changes

When I attempt to color my hair, I am always to see the changes.
From a muddy brown, to red, to dark green to a slightly lighter shade of green. And that is till the end of the day. And then when I wake in the morning, hair is natural black in color.

Now about what happens.

Hair Color Day has to be planned in advance. It takes me at least 12 to 14 hours.

Step 1 : In a plastic bowl, some pure henna powder and some acid (lemon juice, and if that is not there some vinegar) is mixed with little water. The muddy mixture is left to develop for 2 hours.

After 2 hours this mixture goes on hair. Because it is natural, even eye brows can be dyed with this. The muddy mixture on all hair that has to be dyed. The reddish brown mixture is on your head for 2 hours.

After 2 hours, wash off with plain water - no soap. And I have a brown scalp and brown tinged hair.

Next step. In a plastic bowl, mix indigo leaf powder  and little salt (table salt). Now this mixture should not rest. Apply immediately. Dark green mixture smothered on all the places that had henna earlier.

Now after 2 hours, wash off your hair.

All the washing off, after henna or indigo can not be shampooed. Just plain water. And hair should be air dried. No hair dryer.

At the end of the indigo application, the hair is greenish in color. And in the morning, when I get up, its all black.

The henna and indigo react and get oxidized. And I get the color I need. Natural - YES. Time consuming - A BIG YES. Satisfied with results - YES.

Nice day

The bickering with the maid had to happen. She was to come at 9AM. She turned up at 8:30AM. Told her to go and be back in 30 mins.
She got back at 9:30 AM. In the mean time, I managed to do some of my baking, as mentioned earlier.
Then after the maid left, went out. Got some chicken, wanted the bird with skin on. So got 2 chickens. Brother is a big chicken guy, so two were needed. Along with that some milk.
Around 12 PM got cooking. Ginger ground up, garlic chopped up. Did a chicken curry with that.
Once I did the chicken, I got the jhinge (ridged gourd) ready for jhinge posto (poppy seed paste).

On cutting up the jhinge, found some bad pieces. This had been ordered from BigBasket. Now wondering if fresh produce should be avoided from there.

Anyway, in between had a nice lunch. Muri (puffed rice), roasted peanut, chopped onion, chopped tomato and some mustard oil.

With the jhinge out of the way, chopped some sajne daata (drumsticks). And some green brinjals. And then in some oil, fried some arhar dal (pigeon peas) and then added the chopped veggies. Hmm, why do they call this dal, pigeon peas?

And while the dal was cooking two friends dropped in. Dad was happy to have company. We had tea and my baked snack.

Now time for a shower. Watching Indian Idol Junior while geyser is heating up. Had planned to wrap up weekend cooking and then have my shower. Saif Ali Khan is a guest in the show. Katrina Kaif is to make an apperancce. Promoting PHANTOM. Katrina, who has been in India for years, and still needs a dialogue sheet to speak a single hindi word.

Any way, time to wrap up for Saturday. Tomorrow the rest of baking. And I have to clip my nails tomorrow. and maybe shave too.

Baking day

Ok - so I trying making Nimkis. Baked snacks. I think they call it namak para in hindi.
And I baked it, instead of frying.
So opened the tin that has atta (whole wheat flour) and saw some tiny black insects. Common things. Which means fine sieving needed. Then got some refined flour. And some baking powder and some salt. Sieved it all.
Then added oil and little water and fingers crumbled it up. Then little water till I had a smooth dough.
Dough rested for 15 minutes which I was browsing something on the net.
Then rolled out a ball, cut it into small pieces and baked it. Pre heated oven , 200 C for 14 mins. Dont ask me why I chose 14.
After 14 the snacks still did not have color.  So another 8 minutes. Then pulled out the plate.
The underside was slightly raw. So overturned each, and 10 more minutes.

Then pulled out the lot and let it cool.

And a second batch.

I will put that away in bottles, can be stored away I suppose. Doesn't taste bad, but I think a bit too salty.

Talk of disasters in the kitchen

Disasters will happen. Will I learn from then - No clue.

I wanted to cook bhindi, but in a different style. I made a gravy wit yogurt, onion, ginger, garlic and tomatoes and added fried bhindi in it.
May be it was too much garlic, maybe it was not properly cooked, no clue - but it tasted BAD.
That and some alu karela was for dinner last night.
Wondering what to do with the bhindi.

Trying something this morning, if it works out then will talk of that.

Days just go by

Yesterday I went home with a Tulsi plant. I finally managed to get the plant at a nursery opposite work. Took it home. Dad was happy.
All left over food was finished last night. Good. Now I can cook up something today.
Tomorrow will be out shopping a bit. Brother coming on Tuesday.

Some days are depressing

I am not sure why but some days can feel so very depressing.
Depressing things at work, and a dull cloudy day.

Maybe that's about mood. Sometimes a cloudy day could be a very romantic day like Kalidas's Meghdootam. Not today.

What do I feel like doing today? Nothing. Just Nothing :-)

Updates from yesterday

It had stopped raining when I left work. No cooking yesterday, food was in the fridge.
So Rajma was heated up in the microwave, the spinach on gas and rice made on gas for a change. Dinner got over early.

Today I have asked for the bitter gourd to be chopped up. Will cook up something with that.

May be a chaat...?

Dad doesnt like paapads. And I have a big bunch of paapads left. I am wondering if I can roast them then use them as paapdis in a home made paapdi chaat. Lets see if I do it.

Suji Halwa -How to repair

I have this big lot of Suji Halwa. Its a bit raw. Its tasty but a bit raw. Now I have to do something about that. Wondering if a few minutes in a microwave will help that.
Or maybe in the oven.
Will try that when I have time, maybe on Friday.

I tried browsing the net to see if people had been through that kind of a situation, but I could not find one. Lets see what happens when I do what I am thinking. At least I will have an experience.

Update - I spoke to someone at work. A guy in my team who likes cooking, and is a forced bachelor now. His wife and kids are away for some time. He told me, gas was the best alternative. Take the halwa out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature.
Then heat a large pan, add little oil / ghee and fry the halwa. Keep stirring it continuously. I will try it on Friday or the weekend and will then know what it turned out to be.

Dealing with my maid

Dealing with the maid is becoming a new issue now.
On weekdays when Dad is home, she comes and does what she feels like. Dad is the last person who will say anything to her. She cleans up the way she wants and leaves. And she manages to clean up the house, do dishes, wash clothes and then leaves in 20 - 30 minutes. If I started cleaning up the house myself, it will take me 3 hours for sure .
Weekends I run behind her. So last weekend, Saturday she came and told me she is not liking the work, because Mom is not there. I felt like telling her, you are lucky, if Mom was there, she would have kicked you out by now.
She took a day off on Sunday, and was to make up for that on Monday. She did not.
Saturday I will need to talk to her.

Yesterday evening

I got a call from BigBasket at 6:30PM yesterday. They were in an hour earlier and wanted to know if they could come early and deliver the goods. As Dad was at home, I told them to go ahead.
I reached home at 7:30 PM. All goods had been delivered by then.
Flower pots were there, along with compost. Ridged Gourd (jhinga) was there, bananas and anar (pomegranate) and soaps, scrubbing powder etc. And a pack of 30 eggs.

Did not cook anything last night. And I pretty sure, there will be no cooking . There is a lot of stuff in the fridge. Good for me, everyday cooking can be a pain; not that I mind cooking, actually.

So anyway, some rice was added to the microwave pan, with a bit extra water than needed. I microwaved that for 25 minutes on 60% micro power. After it was done, I got the left over rice from the fridge, and added to the cooked rice; mixed that well and then steamed it for 5 minutes on 60% micro. Hot rice was ready.

While the rice was cooking, on the gas the taro (arbi) and egg curry was heating. On the lowest possible heat.

So all this was done at the same time. And then when the time was being set, I heated up the left over alu posto for 40 seconds on full micro.

So that was dinner.

And from that, egg curry over, alu posto over and rice over. Now the taro. The pieces of arbi are not there, but I have some gravy left. Dad kept that in a bowl, he said we can have that later.

Today I will have to tackle the rajma and the spinach.

Online grocery shopping

I was very skeptical when I started this. I for one, am of the view that I need to go to a shop, browse through things and then shop.
Bangalore has changed some perspectives. Early this year, I got a corporate membership for BigBasket. That meant I could buy things, and get a better discount.

Overall, I am happy. There are some things I still am a bit careful about. I need to go through handpicked vegetables and fruits. After all, some one else's choice may not match mine. For the branded stuff, I have given up.

To get a shop I have to walk more than a kilometer. When I take in account laziness, the online shopping is a good alternative. I look through the list of stuff that I need, and order that.

Some things like Gobindo Bhog rice. I accidentally found a shop that sells that. That itself is interesting. I remember going out my parents late last year. The objective was to go the Kemp Fort Shiva Temple. When we went there and saw the crowd, the mother did not want to go in. Then we realized we were in the ground floor of a mall. Total Mall. Now called Kemp Fort Mall by some.

We went up to the 3rd floor. And we found what we needed. Somewhere in the rice section, there was Gobindo Bhog rice. Then onwards, this mall has become a favorite haunt. The last time I was there was 2 weeks back. And that time, they had two different varieties of the rice. Picked a bit of both. And some daler bori. And Mustard Oil.

Bengali cooking would be incomplete without mustard oil. After testing a few brands, we discovered that the Emami Healthy and Tasty Mustard Oil was best for us. Sometime I get that from Big Basket. And sometime from Total Mall.

And some things like Yougurt, Butter etc - I get a good discount, so I order that from BigBaksket. And also eggs. I get this pack of 30 eggs. And that lasts me some time. With my brother planning a trip next week, will need eggs.

This evening I have a scheduled delivery of something that I have ordered for the first time. Pots. Not just any pots. Empty flower pots. 6 of them. Plan to start a mini garden.

Let the delivery come. Will know what came intact, and what got broken. And that is something I like about Big Basket. If for some reason, they discover things are broken (like eggs) or packets have seals open, they take it back and I get refunded for it.

Sunny day again - Back and Fro from Work

Its a sunny Tuesday again. No rains last night. Its become sweaty, and add to that the pollution of Bangalore.

Had some rajma and spinach last night.

In the evening, Dad had the balcony door open. When I got home, the living room was full of flying ants. I told him, please close all doors as soon as the sun sets.

Will check tonight.

People tell me to get a car. The issue is the amount of traffic that is there on the roads, it will take me an hour to travel the 3 kilometers. I prefer the walk. It is definitely not the best walk but I walk.

From my door step to my office building, it would be around 3 kilometers. Takes me about 35-40 minutes. I usually leave at 10 minutes to 8, and by 8:40 AM I am at my desk.

And during my walk, I have to struggle for a foothold on the footpaths. A footpath would be demeaning for that part of the roads. The roads of Whitefield are bad. Dug up roads. The footpaths have stony, muddy with rubble piled up in places. And to add to that , bikes come up on the footpath. So I have to dodge between them to get to work.

Crossing the Graphite signal is a pain. Since yesterday, the traffic signal is not working. That means dodging between vehicles to cross the road. Luckily I have to cross that road only.

Coming back in the evening, I usually get a lift. I get dropped on the road opposite CMR IT college. Then its about crossing the road and take the 1 kilometer walk inside my housing complex.

Yes, it is a kilometer , nearly.

There is a black gate that has GOPALAN ENTERPRISES written on it. I enter the gate.
 In the beginning, for about 100 meters it is the Aditya Minacs office. The Gopalan Habitat Millennium Complex starts. about 300 meters. I am still walking. On my right is the boundary wall, on my left is the complex.

Then I come to the Splendour Gate. I enter this. Now the 600 meters walk starts. Its a downhill walk. I cross all blocks till I come to H block. Then I get into the parking lot. Walk about 50 meters till I come to stairs and get to the first floor. As per the elevator,the floor is -1. From the staris I turn right and walk to the end of the passage till I come to my apartment. 

It never rained

Got home around 8:15pm. Saw Maruti fighting with Indra on Sony, part of Sankat Mochan Mahabali Hanuman.

The overcast sky was a false alarm.

No rains. Unless it rains all through the night again.

Overcast Skies

Since 2PM its been cloudy. It was quite sunny in the morning, but suddenly it has become dark.

A beautiful song from the great poet, sung by Lata

I do not want to put down my own views. It will be going down memory lane, which will mean a choked throat and wet eyes.

O how I miss the rainy days. The days of smell of peyaji frying at home, and khichuri on the pot, when I enter home.

Rained all night

It rained all night. Started in the evening around 8PM. I was wondering if Indian Idol would be visible. Rain means DTH signals goes off.
It wasn't that heavy so we managed.
And then after dinner and clean up, Dad went to sleep and I saw Crime Patrol and then went off.

In the middle of the night I had woken up once to go to the bathroom and it was raining then. The music of falling rain drops.

Morning it had stopped. Muddy roads. Came walking to work.

This week and weekend both are going to be busy. Brother expected to come next week. So need to cook and get things ready for him.

Weekend movie watching 17/18th August

Friday did not watch anything. Yesterday, Saturday saw some Italian movies. Funny movies.
Then saw the Batman movies of Christian Bale.
Today saw Man of Steel.
Started watching Drishyam. Not the greatest movie. It was interesting.  If i don't get a better print, next weekend will see that.

Boring Sunday

Ok - For breakfast it was left over chillas.
Then lunch was fruits.

In the morning, around 11, had stepped out. Was looking for a guy selling pots - specifically tulsi. Did not find that guy. Went into sansar store and got - a radish, a ridged gourd (jhinge), some flat beans (seem) and big brinjal. Had spinach already at home.

Evening began cooking. Saager jhol.
In a kadhai (wok) , heated up mustard oil. Little. Then added spinach.
Then added some salt, turmeric, chilly powder, water and put a lid on the kadhai.
Then after 10 15 minutes, added diced radish, jhinga, brinjal and some green chillies.
Let it boil.
Then added some salt.
Then after 10 minutes, added some tomatoes.
And after all additions, I had the lid on, and the flame on medium to low.
Added some ghee and shut the gas.

Then it was alu posto.
Diced potaoes were fried in a pan, in some mustard oil. Then added some posto (poppy seed paste), some turmeric powder, chilly powder and cumin powder.
After mixing it all on low flame, added some salt.
It was a thin pan, and it was near burning, so quickly finished off this.

Then dimer jhol.
A different twist.
Morning I had steamed some eggs. Actually have a egg steamer - which can be used in a microwave.
So broke 4 eggs in the pan - it had 4 compartments for 4 eggs.
Put a lid and 2 mins microwave.
Repeated another batch.
So 8 steamed/ microwaved eggs in hand.
Evening got a wok (a smaller one, the big one had the spinach), heated mustard oil, then added diced potatoes. Then added some ginger garlic paste.
Then some turmeric, cumin and chilly powders.
Then some water and salt.
Let that boil.
Then added the eggs. Lowered the flame on simmer.
After 10 mins added ground garam masala and some ghee.

--

About the taste , need to see later in the day.

Have some late meetings tomorrow, so tomorrow will have to heat up this weekend food, and eat tomorrow.

No plans for Sunday

Its cloudy. No plans for today.
Maid has taken a day off - pre informed. So do not have to wait on for her.

Which also means I can go out with dad for a walk later in the morning.

Lets see.

Independence Day Dinner

It was Urad Dal and Arbi with rice.
Lunch was some chillas.

Tomorrow probably rajma chawal.

Happy Independence Day

Waving Indian Flag.

JAI HIND

Sabzi over

Good. Again fridge cleaned out. Raw banana over. Rice over. Did not cook anything last night.
Today is the day.
Last night I had soaked rajma, with some dried peas (green and white), some chana and some horse gram.
Pressure cooking that now. Will decide what to do with it later.
And probably the arbi/ kochu/ taro. What to do with that - depends. Dad has gone to get some veggies. Once he comes home, depending on what he has got, will know what to cook.

Taxes done last night

Friday evening I filed my Income tax returns. It took me about 40 minutes to file for both Dad and myself.
And it was fully online and the best part - no posting needed, e verification done.
This was possible as I linked my aadhar.

Now to do it for my brother. I will need him here as he will be getting some pin etc on his cell phone.
He should be here in another 10 days so will do it then for him.

Ethnic Work Day

Today, 14th August we were asked to come dressed up. There is a theme for that.
You need to dress as if you are part of the 1947 struggle. You could be either side - British or Indian.

I am actually surprised to see people have bought clothes and accessories to dress up for this.

Nice.

I came in kurta pyjama.

Hope I get to leave early today. Have to work on my tax returns e-filing , and also for dad and brother.

It was nice. Lots of people in traditional dresses. Some in dhotis, some in lungis, some in kurta pyjamas. Ladies in sarees.

Had a photo session.

4:48PM and I am still at work. Hope I get to leave in 10 mins.

Done with traning

Had to go for an Advanced Bribery Training, actually Anti Bribery. Done with that.

Now to get through the rest of the day and get cooking in the evening.

Have some plantains - raw bananas. Need to figure out something with that.

Office Party Updates

Yes, I did get there. Absolute Barbeque. Tasted rabbit and emu there. As part of starters. Then had a few grilled stuff. At 7:30 I went out to take the call.
Got back at 8:30, had little chicken biryani. That was it. Done.
So I could do both - take the call and have fun.

When I got home around 9:30, Dad had made some rice and he was eating.

So not a bad day. Will cook up something when I get home today - and hopefully I will not be very late. But then - will know only once I get to leave work.

I have finished my discussions. Need to update the tool for three people. Then I need to sit with the other manager.

Office Party - Not sure

The morning came up with a team escalation. So I have to join a call at 7:30 PM. If I have to join the call, that could mean I have to skip the party.
Let me see how I handle that.
Either I skip that (and I absolutely fine with that, I can go home and eat) or take the call from the restaurant (tough thing).

Will have an update tomorrow.

Felt the Pujas coming Ma

Yesterday I realized Mahalaya is 2 months away. 12th October is Mahalaya.
Ma I have spent Pujas away from you, but you have always been a phone call away. We have spoken and discussed such a lot about Pujas and people and the idols and celebrations.

Puja will now be a very sad thing. Now onwards.

Now when I see a Durga Idol I will be searching for you in those idols, looking to see if you are there.

I hope I do see you somewhere there, looking at me when I do venture out.

This year there will be no Pujas. That is the custom. But in general, my Pujas have ended when my Ma has gone.

Ma you wanted to go to Kailash. I hope you are in peace, in Kailash.

Will always miss you.

A clean dinner

Finally managed to clean out all left overs. All bhindi fried with some potatoes, and the egg curry finished. The little fried rice left, was mixed with regular rice, and finished.
So now, it will be a clean start.

Today I will be late. Office party in the evening. I told dad I will cook him something. He refused saying he will manage. I told him what to do. Lets see what he does. Will only know when I get home in the evening.

Mid year discussions - Grrrr

Phew - managed to go through 10 discussions so far, for the mid year reviews. 11 if I count my own.
Now I am left with 4 more. The tough 4 are left. Hopefully I can wrap this up tomorrow.
After that I have to sit with a manager, for a resource who was working with me, but has moved to his team. That will probably be on Thursday .

Hope I sail through well.

Another Ekadashi went

Another Ekadashi went. Morning had fruits. Afternoon a juice. And evening sago.
The sago this time had scrapped coconut along with bananas, yogurt and sugar.

Then went off to sleep early.

Ma, I wish I had a time machine. I want to revert back the time to happier days with you, and relive those days. Again and Again.

Not sure what I will have for dinner today. Have some plantains and some bhindi in the fridge. And some potatoes and onions. Will have to work out something with those.

Nice Dinner

The left over rice was done with peas and eggs. A microwave fried rice. Just added some peas, some oil, beaten egg and microwaved it. Was nice with some ghee.
Still some left for Tuesday.
Khichuri and begun bhaja got over. The egg curry is still there.

Saw Ronita being eliminated on Indian Idol 2. I thought she would go far. So 6 left in Indian Idol, and probably 2-3 weeks left for the program to get over.

Well, its all SMS game.

No worries for food today. Ekadashi, so sabu (sago) and bananas. With some fruits to go with it.

No paapads - okay

Today for lunch I friend up some stale rotis and managed to use up the kneaded aata. And then had the semi parathas with the left over sukto from Friday, Done.
Evening microwaved some paapads. Then dad he doesn't like paapads. So will have to work out something with the left over paapads. The paapads were evening tea.

It rained today, so left over khichuri will finish off today.

Tomorrow is another Ekadashi.

And I did tell my landlord (actually land lady). I called their home, the lady's husband picked up the phone. I told him that I wished to extend my stay in the house. He told me that he was absolutely fine.

I sent my landlady an email right after our conversation.

After a couple of hours I got a sms from Aruna (the landlady). She texted me that she was fine with me staying.

So no house hunting for sometime.

My ginger garden

Here it is finally. Three big ones and two tiny ones. In a ice cream tub. Problem is , the plastic tub has no drainage. For that, i either make holes in the tub, or better still, buy a pot, and have the plants grow properly.

Khichuri happened

The khichuri happened.  And it did not rain. So no rainy day khichuri.  First did the begun bhaja -fried brinjal. Then in the left over oil fried a few boiled eggs coated with turmeric and salt. After the eggs, fried some chopped onion, then some tomatoes, ginger paste, turmeric, chilli powder, cumin powder and then the eggs.

Then khichuri. Which tasted like khichuri. I think Dad is enjoying it. Makes that the biggest plus point.

After the meal,  there was the banana halwa for dessert.

Done for Saturday dinner.  A good one.

Something sweet

Morning the BigBasket guy came at 7AM with the groceries. I had ordered some bananas thinking they would be good. Turned up to be cooking bananas.
So mashed them (raw), in wok, heated some veg oil, then added the banana and then sugar.
Semi fried, added some more sugar. Then some butter, and then some more oil, till the banana mixture was properly fried.
Put that in a dish to cool, and then when cooled, put it in the fridge. Will know later how it came about.

Shukto or what!!

07th August

Lets see if the khichuri happens today or not. I got the frozen ginger paste out of the freezer and kept it outside.
Need to go out for sometime - milk and bread needed. Once I come, I will decide. And if the khichuri happens, I plan to spice it up. Egg curry, Beguni and Khichuri. Obviously will not taste the way Ma made this stuff, but I will try.
And for the house, I will tell my landlord tomorrow, that I will stay here. Atleast for another 6 months. Till I find something suitable.

---

Ok, So finally I did this. I chopped capsicum, radishes, bitter gourd and some rigged gourds. In a big kadhai, heated mustard oil I first added the bori and as usual had partially burnt boris. This was a batch of boris bought last weekend at Total Mall. Once the boris were brought out, in went capsicum, then the bitter gourd, radishes and the jhinga.
I let that fry for sometime, then added a pinch of salt and lowered the flame.
In a bowl, I had prepared a mixture of poppy paste, mustard paste and turmeric.
When water had come out of the veggies, and that water had partially dried out on low heat, I added this paste.
And the boris.
And some salt.
Then let it cook at low heat.
After 20 mins, added some fresh grated coconut in it.

This was my shukto. Because dad wanted karela and the other veggies were getting spoilt, this came by. It was good. Imagine a wok of 3 kgs of veggies, finished off literally. Very little left as left over.

And tonight I will see if I can finally make the khichuri.

Tough to get a house

Been hunting like crazy for an apartment but not getting one. Well I have my limitations. I cannot go far - need it in/ around AECS, need a minimum of 3BHK and a minimum of 2000 sq ft house. Just going crazy

Rained today

It rained today. Nice rain in the afternoon. I got a ride home so managed to come home dry.
This was much needed. The rains. Hopefully the ginger plants are happy.

Now the rains have got me thinking. Will khichuri work? Let me try, but this time I will try and not burn the dal. The last time I had a bitterish khichuri. This time I will try again.

And maybe begun bjaha or papad. Not both - but never know :D

====

Spoke too soon - yes I did.

Dad wants some karela, moong dal and rice.

Ok - khichuri, you need to wait. Weekend maybe....

Continuing Woes .....

I had to refuse the apartment. The owner is being a bit adamant. The agreements need to be something mutually agreed on. The way its being worked on now, will not work.

Will have to look for other options, else will have to look for alternatives.

If nothing works out, will tell the current owner to extend the lease. How that will work, I have no clue now.

Will wait and watch.

Last evening it rained. I saw muddy roads when I left work in the evening. I went home and checked with my new friends - the ginger plants. A new one is also making an appearance, and three of them have leaves. Feels nice to look at them. 

Part of my childhood gone

It was this weekend when I was on the net browsing that I thought of browsing the Chandamama website. I was surprised to see it missing.
This magazine has been very much a part of my childhood. I think I discovered (actually re-discovered) Ramayana and Mahabharata through this.
I think it was an evening when I had spotted this magazine at a newspaper vendor. The picture on the back of the magazine is something I remember vividly. Ekalavya cutting off his thumb. I remember asking my mother to buy me that. Probably she did. That I do not remember. I do remember that the newspaper vendor was asked to supply the magazine very month. This was a very good friend of mine till I passed out of school. And somewhere around then, I think, the magazine also probably stopped circulating. They made a re-appearance, but that is another story.
Then there was another one - Children's world. This also, along with Indrajal comics and Chandamama became regular visitors.
Today I have an e-collection of the Indrajal, and many of the Chandamama. The Children's world, I miss.
My friends from my school days - I really miss you.

More problems

And this time it is with the rental agreement. Need some points cut from the agreement, and have requested some changes/ alterations. If that happens, then I am fine.
It is a tense situation otherwise. At home.
On food part, it was the matar dal steamed as balls, and rice. With a new dal that I had tried - horse gram. Not bad.
Today will have to think up something.
And when I got home yesterday, the ginger plants had teeny tiny leaves spouting. Lovely to see. Like small babies learning their baby steps. I need to take and post a picture.
Weather wise , lacking rains. It is cloudy everyday but not raining. Need some rains in Bangalore.

Disaster happens

It had to happen. It was all so good, so far, as far as food goes.
I am not sure why I was prompted to make phulkas. I knew I was not good with the rolling pin. I had thought I will first use the roti maker as the rolling device, but then I thought I might as well try.
So I had some have baked, semi raw, partially burnt phulkas.
What did I learn from this? Anither try - maybe with the roti maker this time, to see how that comes out. That will have to be on the weekend though.

But otherwise, Indian Idol 2 - Two eliminations and then Grad Budapest Hotel and a not that very enjoyable Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

Overall - not a bad weekend.

Movie watching

Well I finally saw Bajrangi Bhaijaan. It was okay. Nothing great. Okay , maybe not my type of movie.
Then I saw Soumitra and Radhika Apte and Tota . That was 14 mins long , talked of Ramayan and Ahalya. Better.
And the best movie of the day. Watching THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL now. Loving it.
(O.M.G)
Just as I wrote LOVING IT, electricity went off. So I am staring at a blank TV screen , and waiting for the electricity to come back

My Tiny Garden

Feeling nice. My ginger has come up with its first leaf. I had kept some ginger in a plastic box which had some soil in it. The ginger has become tall now with the first baby leaf coming out to explore this world. Happy Me to see this.

I am impressed

My cooking is not bad.Everything came out well. The disastrous radish/ besan was good. I liked it. Today maybe some chapatti to go with the stuff instead of rice. Lets see.

What did I cook

So today the menu was thought up as something and ended up as something else. So it was muri in the afternoon, with some chanachur and mustard oil and lemon juice.
Even diced some radish. Then made some matar daler bora. Then made some potato fritters (besan coated potatoes). Then fried some onion, ginger garlic paste, tomatoes, cumin powder, diced potato and let that cook till the oil left the masala and the potatoes were nearly done. Then added the bora and then water. Waited till it boiled, then shut the gas.
In another pan, fried some fenugreek seeds and mustard seeds, added the radish and a dried red chilly. Let that cook till the radish was soft. In another bowl, added some besan, turmeric, jeera and water, and mixed it up. When the radish was done, added the besan mixture. I think that was where I went wrong. I had a lumpy besan radish dish, I thought I will dry it, but it was tending to burn, so shut the gas.
Then there was masoor dal, just boiled dal with some salt and a little butter.
And - then I baked a cake. Had the pilsbury mixture, added some eggs, oil, water and some cranberries and blueberries (dried) and let it bake at 170 for 30 mins. I know - the fruits sank to the bottom of the pan.
Tomorrow will talk about what it was all like.

Finally Chicken over

Yes, it is over. Yesterday night. The chicken with rice and some salad. Today need to think up something. Will have to buy groceries also. Fridge is nearly empty.