Those were the days!

 Revisiting the Seven American sitcoms that were a part of our growing up process. When life was much simpler and all we wanted was for school to end and come home to watch our favorite TV shows.

Which one of these did you end up watching?

1:

I'll be there for you!

The name says it all...Between Ross and Rachel's break up and make up sessions, Phoebe's passion for music and guitar playing that gave birth to smelly cat, Monica's OCD for cleanliness and almost every other thing, Joeys flirty "how you doin?" one liner, and Chandler's messed up love life, we found ourselves hooked on to every single episode- season one to ten. They made us laugh, they made us weep,but most importantly they set the bars of friendship really high in our lives.

2:

 The Small Wonder

She's a small wonderrrrr...she is fantastic, made of plastic...microchips here and there.

A robot in disguise of a pretty girl named Vicki and the top secret of her robotic existence only know to the Lawson's family and the viewers! Truly, the plot couldn't have gotten any more interesting back in those days.

While we hated upon the disagreeable neighbors, the Brindles and their nosy daughter Harriet, Vicki the robot with her innocent charm and cuteness overloaded in everything she did or speak clearly swept us away.

3:

what a childhood! 

This animated television series that revolved around Uncle Scrooge- the richest duck in the world  and his three grandnephews Huey, Dewey and Louie took us for a ride far away from reality, into a world of adventure and dreamy tales.

Highlight of the show: Uncle Scrooge's daily money swim into his pool of fortune! remember?

4:

Didn't Astronaut Captain Tony Wilson strike gold when he found a 2,000-year-old genie trapped inside a bottle on that beach? Sure he did! 

Ever since, Jeannie dressed in her pink harems costume, the "blinks" with which she made things happen and the undying love she portrayed for her master, kept us completely bedazzled and mesmerized all through the series. 

5:

Dennis-a true menace dressed in his overalls and stripped shirt defined the epitome of innocence and mischief in this black and white comic series. Not to forget his constant love-hate relationship with Mr. Wilson, the quiet and peace loving neighbor to the Mitchell family.

The trouble-prone kid made us empathize with him all along the series and his character made an impact that would last a life long. A burst of childhood memories at the mere mention of Dennis surly makes this light hearted comedy one of the best watches as a kid.

6:

"watch'chu talkin' 'bout, guys?

When two African American kids (Arnold and Willis) from a poor section of harlem get adopted by a white American millionaire dad and start living with him and his daughter Kimberly at their NYC penthouse, different strokes is what you get!  

Undeniably, Arnold (the little one) managed to become the USP of the show. The quirky sense of humor for a kid to have his age and be able to act with such finesse clearly made us stay glued to our TV sets just to watch this dynamite perform on screen.

7:

Set inside the life of Kevin, who narrates the story of his teenage years this comedy-drama soon became the perfect example for all the boys growing up. Girl friend problems and all other teenage drama that you had to face as a teenager suddenly came alive on the television set and just like that, Kevin with his infectous smile became the hero and stole a million hearts!

Celebrating freedom!

Indian in every lil way...

            ......INDIAN all the way!

People have different notions about long distance relationships. Some survive, while the others fade away with time. In my life, one such long distance relationship is filled with nothing but love, respect and an ocean of memories. Its the relationship I share with my country. The land that I was born and raised in.

Staying away from her, yet feeling attached in every single way on any given day, especially today!

Back home, the air feels different, I know it does. It's the smell of freedom because its the 15th of August. A date that acknowledges the independence of India. A reminder of how many lives and sacrifices this freedom has cost us.

As we celebrate our 67th Independence Day, millions of Indians form a part of the celebration. Each in its own way. While some remain glued to their television sets to watch the Independence Day parade, others gear up for flag hoisting ceremonies being performed across the nation. Students in schools  and colleges are all set to present their long rehearsed skits, that emulate the fight for freedom and roll us back in time. 

Whether its wearing the tri color batch on a simple white attire, singing together our national anthem or shedding tears while watching a patriotic movie being aired on television.

I miss doing it all.

Nevertheless,

A Happy Independence Day to all. 

Summertime!

While peeps back home sit and rejoice over the much awaited monsoons in India, I welcome the summer sun with open arms in New Jersey.Yes! Finally I feel the heat.The irony of the whole situation is that the summer here puts a smile on my face as opposed to dreading the same season back in India.

Memories of the hot hot Indian summer don't go far too beyond looking forward to summer vacations (as a kid of course), relishing the mangoes (slurp) and restricting ourselves to a bare minimum of outdoor activity. The scorching heat makes you wanna stay indoor to avoid the dehydration, a heat stroke as well as the tan (especially the tan!)

Staying in USA however, has given a brand new definition to "summer" in my life! The sun and the warm temperatures bring along with them an array of activities to be experienced.Its that time of the year when beaches are flooded with people, hiking trails are waiting to get explored, barbecue parties are either being hosted or attended to and deals to white water rafting are on its highest sales!

Sounds fun right!? I know! That's exactly the reason I found myself developing a fondness for this season. Trying to squeeze all the activities in a handful of summer weekends at my discretion, I am all set to enjoy and make the most of this short and sweet summer, before it quickly disappears.

Hope you too have a happy summer/monsoon!

Post a review!

Make your opinion count!

I am sure we all have relied/taken some advice from an online review.Whether it is before purchasing a product,availing a service or eating at a restaurant. Haven't we?

These ratings and reviews that exist all over the Internet world today,help us make a smarter shopping decision before we spend the bills or swipe our cards.

My point is that these comments do not come from "experts"who are getting paid to write so. These reviews reflect personal experiences of regular shoppers( just like you and me) who have selflessly taken that time out to post an unbiased review(good or bad) only to help future shoppers beware!

It got me thinking...have I ever personally stopped by to post a review for something I really had a good or bad experience with? "Write a review"is an option available at almost every website. It would take five minutes to speak up about your dining experience at a new restaurant you visited last weekend or the pair of shoes that you picked up from a store. 

Lets take that selfless timeout to post a review in return for millions of others who are already out there doing it.

Wondering where to start? You can write about anything.Your favorite spa,a restaurant you love to wine and dine at,or maybe a bad haircut at an over priced salon( now this place certainly needs a review!)
Spread the word.Let people know.Post it!

I just posted my first online review of a recent purchase,and it feels great! I hope you do too:))

Here is a little insider that will help you frame a good review.

https://support.google.com/plus/answer/2519605?hl=en

Happy writing!

Photo credit: Google images

The Indian attire!

The only thing more beautiful than a sari,is the woman herself!

Few things are timeless.A sari is one amongst them.It never seems to go out of fashion.Despite of getting a little makeover here and there with due respect to the change in time and trends, it still is (I believe so) the most precious asset in the closet of the Indian women!(including me)

Whether it is our moms wearing it on a daily basis and yet performing those household chores with such finesse (yet to figure out how!),or the famous divas from the Indian film industry rocking it at international events(remember Ash at cannes?)The versatility of the sari,to make a woman look subtle or hot (whatever she chooses to be) goes unmatched.

As much as I love this Indian attire on myself, living in the USA since two years has given me rare occasions to wear my ethnics. A diwali puja, friends wedding, or a dandiya night gets me excited to adorn that sari I picked up on my last visit to India. If only I could wear it more often here.

Nevertheless my online hunt for those chiffons and georgettes,Manish malhotras and Sabyasachis never seems to rest. If you are looking to buy one or simply hoping to stay connected with latest in trend. Check out the below mentioned sites. I simply love them.

http://exclusively.in/

http://www.perniaspopupshop.com/clothing/sari

http://www.fashionkafatka.com/default/special-collection-bollywood/bollywood-sarees.html

Happy shopping!!

Celebs at Cannes,and the designer labels!
Courtesy: google images.

The style statement....ain't nobody like a Desi girl.

Same airport, different emotions!

Airports:

There is something so strange about the way they can make you feel.I call it strange because the 

variety of emotions it can put you through each time you find yourself at an airport. Same place yet different emotions dependent upon two simple yet strong words. Arrivals and departures!!!

For any Indian like me, staying in a country other than India,the meaning and feeling of being at an airport goes beyond the obvious reasons.

Trips to India are long awaited. When it happens,the departure from the U.S. airport and the arrival at the Mumbai airport fills the heart with excitement and joy. I love this feeling of being at the airport. Starting to count the hours/minutes at the back of my mind,my heart begins to anticipate the feeling of meeting my loved ones.

Pretty soon,even before I realize my trip comes to an end and its time to head back. I leave for the airport. The same one,but the feelings attached with being at that airport doesnt remain the same. They seem to have taken a 180 degree turn. I feel the difference. My excitement is replaced by the sorrow to separate from my loved ones back in India. I hate this feeling of being at the airport.Starting to count the minutes/seconds at the back of my mind once again,my heart wants to make use of all the little time I have before I say my final goodbye. 

Whether its the arrival of friends/family coming to visit me in the US or the departure of the same. Whether it is my own arrival into India or departure from the same. I keep juggling between the love-hate relationship of being at the airport and it never seems to change!

Old friends reunite!

An old friend is like an old pair of jeans. We might love the new ones we buy, but the

comfort of an old we cannot deny.They have witnessed our past,been our partners in crime. Though we did fight a several times, what really does matter is that the friendship still survived!

Old friends, new memories.

When such old friends from back home visit your town, they bring along with them not just your favorite goodies to nibble on, but an experience of nostalgia that can transport you back in time.

"Back in time" to those days when responsibility was just a word that belonged to the dictionary.Real life was more synonymous to words like chilling, bunking and partying.Yes! that was the college life. A life that we lived with our friends.Those friends that we made for life.

Having them over led to a series of activities reminiscent to a life back then. Long drives with our favorite songs from the past playing on repeat.Shopping sprees that lasted as long as our feet didn't give up. Painting shades of neon on each others nails. Late night Maggie meals.Two mugs of coffee
and endless conversations made our days!

Then comes the time when they have to leave. My heart feels heavy as we exchange our final goodbyes. I know we would get busy and move on with our respective lives, but never mind.We would meet soon the next time:))

Their physical presence may not

surround us 24/7, yet when life is treating us dull we know they are just a phone call away.
Such relations are timeless, precious and special...

I call them family, but they are generally known as FRIENDS.