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Articles by usernotfound
Posted Sep 21, 2010 | General | 933 Views   

~Narrow Escape~

Open house” means “open mind”? Not sure, but how ever I am amazed watching those large manor like homes with sprawling lawns and without any slightest trace of something looking like a fence; which is common in Atlanta. Naturally,...Open house” means “open mind”? Not sure, but how ever I am amazed watching those large manor like homes with sprawling lawns and without any slightest trace of something looking like a fence; which is common in Atlanta. Naturally, this calls for either cent percent virtuous and righteous human beings or better security system. Need not say, the latter is having prominence in US. Weekends without any plans, call for some investigation in the pretext of “enriching knowledge”. There I came across those small 10 x 10 wooden boards that stick out of the lawns grinning at you with a gentle but stern caution “Alert! High grade security systems active”. The apparently innocent looking boards are the indication that the entire area of their houses, including the lawn and extended driveway is secured by security alarm system. If anyone tries any hanky panky it will trigger the alarm or any other security systems around the home. It means they are taking all pains to let you know that their house is very much protected and all alarms are in active state. In short, you are being warned to “keep to your limits”. In short – one of the most fundamental lesson to survive in US “If you are lost and want to seek help by ringing any random doorbell, you might land up in trouble”. The house owner may dial 911 as they have been obsessed with security. I was pretty cautious about maintaining myself in single piece abroad and hence never mind taking lessons from which ever source. But alas ------ Some days ago my roommate was munching on an apple all through the evening walk and when she wanted to throw away the remnants. We are confused – “whether to touch the garbage bins by the side of the road along the sidewalk of these mansions or not?”. By chance if these are also networked with some security systems? Anyways, we thought of taking the risk and waited for a while as if some one is waiting to detonate the explosives. Thankfully, everything went fine and we sighed! In the coming days, I have updated do’s and don’ts to lead a secured life in US from the other roommate who was a seasoned inhabitant here. To quote a few a) Don’t gawk at their babies, don’t dare stroke their cats or dogs however cute they seem to be, b) Don’t offer unwanted help – it’s an intrusion in their privacy, c) don’t stare at their strange dresses etc… I walk every evening for almost an hour or two. After a long day that’s the best way to unwind. Songs, nature and a peaceful walk around the society really helps to de-stress. Yesterday’s walk was especially refreshing as I had spent a lot of time at the society pool after the long walk. Our apartment is at the second floor of the building. Which means I have to climb two floors. Added to this, there is a concept of “terrace flats” which is the floor that’s below the average ground level. In our building also there are a couple of terrace flats. Our apartment is on the third floor from the terrace flats. In short, I have to climb three floors. After the nice walk, I came back to my home. I had the keys with me so that I don’t have to call someone from inside to open the door. My head was still bobbing to the rhythm of Justin Beiber’s Baby while I put the keys in the keyhole and turned it. I tried it once, twice, thrice. The door didn’t budge. I thought might be I was turning the wrong way, so I did the same in the opposite direction. Something seemed to have happened to the lock, it was in no mood to open. I pushed, nudged, tugged at the latch but left with no positive result. Finally with no other option available I called my roommate's number and asked her to open the door. She was wondering “How come you need someone’s help when you got an extra key?”. After a few seconds I heard a door opening at the floor above me which surprised me a lot as ours is the topmost floor and it’s not possible for a door to open above. It took me some micro seconds after that to realise what a blunder I had made. I had miscalculated the floor as I opted a non conventional route which will force you climb one more floor instead of three floors through normal route. With the enlightenment I ran up as fast as I could and closed the door at my back. I was looking as scared as a rat before a cat, while still trying to hold my breath. When I narrated the incident to my roommates, they went into an infinite loop of laughter. I was lucky that I didn’t knock on the door while trying to open to the door, because that would have definitely raised the alarm and I could have as well ended up spending a night in the comforts of the prison wall. Read More
Posted Jul 14, 2010 | General | 1247 Views   (Updated Jul 14, 2010 09:52 PM)

~Sleepless in Atlanta~

I wish, I could spend a few minutes following my favourite writers in MS and drop comments. But, for a while I got many things to share. Well, apologies for this never ending monologue but again, this space is a window through which I could purge... I wish, I could spend a few minutes following my favourite writers in MS and drop comments. But, for a while I got many things to share. Well, apologies for this never ending monologue but again, this space is a window through which I could purge out my feelings. I feel like being surrounded by people. Plans to transfer me to an Atlanta based project started before one and a half months before. But it was informed to me that, I have to join from the second phase of the project. Hence, I made plans to be here for a while, renewed rent contract with house owner (after heated debates – seems, he sniffed our increment figures). All of a sudden, I was told to travel to Atlanta for a pretty long period (anything up to one year, but no guarantee). I got only four days to manage the transit. Experience taught me that, you should take it easy. My last assignment to San Diego was postponed for one and half months. I was asked to fly on last Saturday. But on Friday morning I got call from my manager “Can you fly today evening?” – Goodness, he said it with such an ease as if I am traveling from Byculla to Chinchpokli! After lots of tears and pleading, finally my plans were made. Sunday early morning, Mumbai to Atlanta (Stop Over at Paris), Air France. At times of contingency, I desperately need one person with me – “Ma”. I made express plan for her travel from Kolkata to Mumbai and she was with me for two and half days. Managing packers and movers (as I decided to leave the home breaking the contract), packing my luggage – it is a story by itself. Finally thought of providing some entertainment to Ma, took her for “Milenge Milenge” and we left the hall during interval. Never tortured Ma like this before. Where to stay in Atlanta was another big question. One colleague from Bangalore was also deputed for same project and she assured me that she is reaching a day in advance and her friends are making arrangements of stay. She passed her friend’s details but again, I was feeling nervous. Air France I have been sufficiently spooked by all existentialist friends of MS regarding Paris. I was expecting an amphibian looking Sartre with age old existential dilemma next to me. To my surprise, none of the flight crew were attractive (I mean look wise – air hostess with specs and all). Above all, I wished to taste French Foods (which was mentioned in the flight menu card) but was surprised to note that they serve only Indian food for Indians, if we choose vegetarian. I switched my mind to non veg food and was served French Omlette. Well, what was that? Also, I fondly remember the Indian boy who sat next beside me who slept during the entire flight (even forgetting to attend to “natures call”). I should be the most uninteresting girl in the flight!! Charles De gaulle Airport France & Off to Atlanta I was humming the song from “U2” (beautiful day) that was shot here. I was singing the lines from the song “See China right in front of you” and suddenly an oriental girl came for assistance. Wow – U2 rocks! I have to go to a specific terminal and she misguided me in every possible manner. Finally, I managed to catch the shuttle and reach the terminal. 2.5 hours I have to spend without any activity. I tried to see glimpses of the “Cultural capital of world” (at the same time was vigilant to avoid any existentialists). Time for snacks but again, you have to churn the grey cells for Dollar to Euro conversion. Finally, I managed to board the next flight and it was having two decks. I got the company of a French couple (boring). I slept for two hours and while woke up realized that the flight was still in Paris Airport. Finally, I landed in Hartsfield – Jackson Airport, Atlanta (supposedly the busiest airport in the world). Atlanta Thank God, I could reach the place where my colleague got an apartment after some effort. I have to carry close to 46 KG luggage on my shoulder to the second floor that took a toll on me. But, it is a fantastic apartment shared between three girls with all facilities right from LCD TV, washing machine, dish washer, micro wave cooker, internet connection, subscription to watch online movies etc. You have to catch “Marta” (that is what they call the local train) in the morning which is well near our apartment. 30 minutes, you are near to your Office. They benevolently provide free bus pick up from station. In a way, much comfortable than previous onsite experience. Contd.. in first comment Read More
Posted Mar 11, 2010 | General | 1197 Views   (Updated Mar 11, 2010 03:34 PM)

*~Side effects of grooming~*

While crash landing in the sleepy country side in California, we carried toll full of stuff to keep ourselves alive. The baggage was full of Indian Spices ranging from Garam Masalato Haldi Powder that would have been sufficient for... While crash landing in the sleepy country side in California, we carried toll full of stuff to keep ourselves alive. The baggage was full of Indian Spices ranging from Garam Masala to Haldi Powder that would have been sufficient for a biological war fare out here. But alas, amidst of all this also, there was something which I keep close to my heart. My favorite Sawlar - Kameez and all these days, I was longing to have a nice time with Indian Attire. One fine day, the Charlies – Angels team (Indian Girl’s Gang) decided to present ourselves in our traditional outfit. After all, we are considered to be the “beautiful ones” compared to the most common breed of blonde & brunette. (Look, how humble are we) But again, during last minute there were a few who decided not to be so daring! They said “God, I am developing a cold – feet”. Yeah, unfortunately cold-feet is such a phenomena that will get activated at eleventh hour. With lots of pleading, screaming, begging, bullying I could convince them about the value of “Ek chutki sindur”. Finally, we are there in the office campus with all effort to conceal the feeling of being self conscious. The security guards changed their posture with the very sight of five Indian girls with a outlandish outfit! At first they stared at us as if some extra terrestrial species landed in office premises. While we are inside the Office, the cavalier attitude of men gives way to good old chivalry. We were given preference at Coffee Vending Machine to the queue in Canteen. Wow, we started feeling good about ourselves. All the Kala, Peela, Neela, Hara variety of men started fluttering around us with sweet words like “Gorgeous, Stunning, Dazzling”. But again, our lives are blessed with bolt from the blue and there he came – the chunky, snooty and boorish demon in human incarnation – The one who always used to throw tantrums at expat. He made his graceful appearance near my work station and started gawking without slightest ignominy. Demon: “Is this the kind of dress you used to wear during festival season?” Angel: “Not really” Demon: So, is this some kind of tribal dress? BP shoots up, Blood boiling – Almost caught hold of the water bottle as if I might use it as a lethal weapon. Angel: “I won’t blame you. You are so well dressed now but the moment you land in our country, they might mistake such a well groomed person as Attlila, the Hun His face became pale and there my friend came as savior “But again, they will respect you as a human being because we are so diverse. My mother tongue is so different from her mother tongue. My rituals are so different form hers. It happens, when you cross every 200 miles in India I feel like screaming “Bharat Mata Ki Jay” To my surprise he said “Sorry young lady if I have offended you in any manner. You guys are looking so beautiful and unfortunately this is the way in which I appreciate What was that? On our way back to home, the cab driver was wondering about our profession. Till now, no body was bothered about our profession! He almost assumed that we are in show business. But when we told him that we are software engineers he grinned at us and said “Oh, means you are those technical support guys sitting is remote place and answer to our queries when our mobile conk off We looked at each other and had a hearty laugh! Side effects of grooming! Read More
Posted Mar 08, 2010 | musings | 517 Views   (Updated Mar 08, 2010 03:06 PM)

~* Alone in crowd *~

You cannot be lonely if you like the person you're alone with. ~Wayne Dyer I like myself but not up t... You cannot be lonely if you like the person you're alone with. ~Wayne Dyer I like myself but not up to that extent where you can call me as a narcissist. But again, here it is a kind of “forced solitude”. From Kharagpur to Kolkata to Mumbai to Californiaevery transition got its own challenges. But again “See and experience the world” is an inevitable reality. At some stage, you will get used to. I am here for a short term assignment. Before landing in San Diego, my image of US was all about the skyscrapers, freeways, hustle and bustle of first world order (?). But I am surprised and for a change "pleasantly surprised". It is such a quaint and pleasing country side which is often described as the best city in US to settle down. At first, the “Gulabi Thandi” – 15 to 21 degrees will definitely pamper you to the core. To the extent of someone accusing me that someone is blowing her trumpet, let me dare to say my cheeks turned out to be pinkerJ. Also, Golden sunshine, azure skies with cotton sprinkled clouds floating leisurely, fresh green shrubs and bushes dotted by occasional burst of colours from the seasonal flowers - Pansies, Daisies, Daffodils etc. A pleasant breeze is your constant companion and wide grey roads and nil pollution makes your walk an experience in itself. Also, I have got a wonderful roommate with whom I share warm camaraderie! Meera is as crazy and fun person as me so life is a bit easy. Also we proved to be excellent cooks and within the first week, Indian delicacies from our kitchen became quite a hit with all our Indian colleagues. Thank God, Americans never tried their luck and hence we are not deported! Rarely we have pizza, burgers etc, its "Ghar ka khana" on all days. But you would really fall in love with the deliciously soft donuts with a delicate jam filling, the iced cookies and ofcourse Hershely's dark chocolates. When we came here, a few of our colleagues warned us that we might have to face racialism with people referring to us as brownies. But to our surprise wherever we went, heads turned and how! I can think not a single occurrence when we went on a trip and people didnt address us as "beautiful ladies". NO doubt we were floored, inf act we were under grounded with such spontaneous admiration which hardly came across back in India :) Guys here are quite uninteresting, girls are very much fashion conscious and elegant. You would sometimes end up wondering why such a beautiful girl is dating such a shabby looking guy.:) The girls here have an amazing capability to carry themselves so well. They never ever look even a tad bit tired. They are always well groomed and fresh Another noticeable thing over here is the cab system. They have interesting names - orange cab, silver cab, yellow cab and all the colours in the visible spectrum (blushing, the meaning of my name is also Spectra) is there as cabs ;P. People from all works of life are treated equally and they are so genuine and cordial you would love to talk even with a complete stranger. This place is so special that within thirty minutes drive, you cross the border and can experience Mexico. (Remember movies like Babel, No Country for Old Men etc. where in Tijuana Border crossing is being shot). Also, 1.5 to 2 hours, you are in Los Angels, the entertainment capital of the world. Disney Land, Beverly Hills, Universal Studio Tour ---- if you got the moolah, fun unlimited is assured! For some alternate experience, you can explore Nevada to explore the Snow Mountains and Las Vegas (Na, I am a good girl and yet to explore Vegas). Also, if you are tired of city life, why not go and explore the Grand Canyon? Ok – enough of the rosy side. I cannot afford to buy a car and with out car, your mobility is restricted. Also, the distance between each grocery shop is more than 30 minutes walk (which is good for your aerobic exercise). At times, if you have to rely on food from restaurant, you need to undergo a trial and error process to choose something which shall not hamper your taste buds. Tortilla is a poor substitute of Indian Breads, Twinkie is sweet but junk ---- better, you carry your snacks with you. Contd.. Read More
Posted Jul 04, 2009 | Food | 428 Views   (Updated Jul 04, 2009 02:55 PM)

~* My experiments with food *~

It's a Saturday morning and I am again at office fiddling with the mobile handsets and logging their behaviour under normal and abnormal test conditions. Doesn’t sound too exciting right? It really isn’t. Especially for a lazy late riser like me... It's a Saturday morning and I am again at office fiddling with the mobile handsets and logging their behaviour under normal and abnormal test conditions. Doesn’t sound too exciting right? It really isn’t. Especially for a lazy late riser like me office on weekends means the end of the world. There can be nothing more terrible and terrifying than spending a weekend stuck in my damn cubicle. The goddamn clients wanted offshore people to be at the office while they prepare themselves for their Independence day celebration (4th July). so here I am merrily sitting and typing on my pc. Thank god there is MS, I wont at least die out of boredom cooped up here. Well frankly speaking it doesn’t seem so bad working in a peaceful atmosphere when only a handful of people are present in the floor. The pedestal fan (less people no A/c) whirrs tirelessly behind me giving me company. Electronic sounds emit from here and there occasionally giving the proof that people are actually working and not sleeping in the comfortable darkness of the floor(again less people less number of lights). The worst part of coming on a weekend is the lunch time. My office has two towers in its premises and my tower is quite far away from the canteen. So its a real pain in the neck to go up to the canteen for lunch, with no friends to accompany you and the rains beating down relentlessly. Everybody feels the same way, hence they have an easy solution at their hands. Look up for Dominoes number, give them a call and have a pizza party at the company's expense. So it is meant to be a no hassle job. Sit back and enjoy your food and work. But the problem is the food itself. Though we work for US clients still Dil hain Hindustani and stomach bhi hindustani. So this paapi pet protests against an overdose of pizza. No offence meant but guys really don’t care about it. And why the hell would they care, it’s us girls who gain weight like crazy even while eating a cup cake. So this poor girl is forced to think otherwise when a weekend assignment come on her way. I came home very late last night, but since I was determined not to eat pizza for lunch today, so I started thinking of something which I could make easily and fast. Let me mention again, I am a decent enough cook but terribly lazy to put together a seven course meal. My way of cooking always highlights on how easy the dish is. After thinking for a while I decided to experiment and came up with a nice and tasty recipe. Chalo I decided to share it with you all, in case there is any one like me who is lazy to cook but expects something decent to eat. So here is the recipe which I call as "Soya granules Pulao". Ingredients (serves two): Basmati Rice - 2 medium cup Soya granules - 15-16 granules (or according to your wish) Curd - 3 tea spoon Tomato - 1 small Onion - 2 medium Carrot/Peas - According to your wish Ginger-Garlic Paste - 1 tea spoon Jeera poweder - 1/2 tea spoon Coriander powder - 1/2 tea spoon Garam masala(full nt powder) Kismis, cashew - according to wish Salt to taste Sugar - only if you prefer the pulao to be a bit sweet Refined oil/Ghee - 2 1/2 table spoon Preparation: The first job is to soak the soya granules in water. Now here is a tip, if you have very little time and want the granules ready in a jiffy then prepare some lukewarm water and add a spoon of salt to it and put the granules in it. Your granules will be ready for cooking in less than 15 minutes. While the granules are in the water, finely grate the onion and keep it aside. Grate the tomato separately. Chop the carrot into very small fine pieces and keep it aside. Also its preferable that you wash and dry the rice before you start off. Once the granules are ready, heat a little oil in the pan and lightly fry the soya granules for two minutes. This will help in reducing the odd smell of soya granules. Keep this fried granules aside. Now mix one tea spoon of ghee and 2 table spoon of oil in a pan and heat it. Once the oil is heated put the garam masala into it. Once the flavor of garam masala startes coming put the grated onion into it. Fry till it becomes light brown. Keep stirring it occasionally so that it doesn’t get burnt. Also you can keep adding 2-3 table spoon of water occasionally while frying the onion to make sure that it dosnt get burnt. Once the onion is done put the grated tomato, curd, ginger-garlic paste. Sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add jeera and coriander power, stir well for another 3-4 minutes. Once it takes a fine thick shape put the fried soya granules and the diced carrot into it. Stir well for 5 minutes. Now add the rice to it and mix well. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes. Contd in comments Read More
Tags: food new recipe pulao
Posted Jun 27, 2009 | funny | 350 Views   (Updated Jun 27, 2009 11:03 AM)

~* Home Alone *~

“Fear has a large shadow, but he himself is small” - Ruth Gendler I was patiently doing a thing which I had kept pushing for a long time - clearing all the clutter from my laptop. A real trashy job with billions of files crowding the wh... “Fear has a large shadow, but he himself is small” - Ruth Gendler I was patiently doing a thing which I had kept pushing for a long time - clearing all the clutter from my laptop. A real trashy job with billions of files crowding the whole place. I would not have started off in the first place had I been able to copy the movie from my pen drive. When you find you don’t even have two GB free space on your PC, that indicates you should really start off with some serious cleaning work. I did. And wonders of wonders I came across so many things which were so important. I had renamed them with IMP as prefixes and suffixes and kept them at such safe places that I had completely forgotten about them :P. Poor files finally saw the light of the day after almost a year and a half. In the process I came across my Movies folder. I began marking them - Drona(I didnt watch it after piggy chops made her outrageous entry), De Taali (God, was it a movie?), Kismat Konnection and the list went on. No doubt my PC didnt have any space left. Keeping the movies of such kind was in itself a crime. So Shift deleted it without a second thought. Happy with the work I scanned for any itty bitty movies hiding somewhere. And I found 1920 hiding safely under the cover name of New_Movie. God I remember watching it and cursing Sneha(my roommate)for suggesting me to watch it.The movie felt like a masquerade party, wherein the director was trying to sell the fear factor by elevating the leading lady to new horizontal heights. It was more a comedy than a ghostly affair. Just as I was going to delete it, I had an idea, why not take a last look at it before I kick it out of my PC to rest in peace forever. So I double clicked on the movie and it opened in media player. I fast forwarded the whole thing and had a hearty laugh and afterwards deleted it straightaway. Good riddance I thought. I checked the space and there was enough space now to copy the movie. I started the copying process and wandered to the kitchen to get some coffee for my sore throat. Just as I stepped into the kitchen the lights went out. Gosh. First the incessant rains from the morning, a terribly bad cold and now the power cut. I scrambled back to my room toppling over the mess of shoes in the corridor. It was pitch dark and I was blind as a bat in that darkness. As I rummaged through my bed trying to locate my precious mobile(the only source of instant light) I came across strange feeling objects which I was oblivious to resting on my bed. Anyway that was not the issue right now. I searched and searched but couldn’t find it. Suddenly a message came as my life saviour. I ran in the direction of the sound. There it was right on the top of the fridge snuggled coyly by the side of the Kissan Jam bottle. I unlocked it and blessed the soul who had sent the sms. Then I walked back to my room in search of a candle. Now where did I keep that all important thing. The last time I saw it was some eight months ago during the festival of lights of course. Elementary my dear Watson, so I looked in the elementary place - the small rack beside my almirah where I dumped anything and everything. After much pushing and probing I finally pulled out the small slender white candle. I lit up with all the care and placed it in a candle holder in my room. The rains were transformed into torrents by then accompanied with strong wind. The rain was now coming inside so I pulled the windows and left a small slit, enough not to suffocate me. I checked the PC, the copy was done and my PC complained of low battery so I shut it down. Now I was sitting inside the room with nothing to do. They say idle mind is devil's workshop, mine was not an exception. It has been years since I was all alone in the room(Sneha was having night shifts so she came home late) with no light and a raging rainstorm outside. I looked at the rain beating down my window. I could not make out anything in the dark. Only burly dark figures romped around hazily. Dont know what happened but suddenly the look of those things made me feel a bit uncomfortable. I pulled the curtains to cover the sight. They say once the fear gets better of you its a point of no return. Everything starts to feel creepy. Strange thoughts flickered through my mind. All the murderers of the crime thrillers I had read began to parade before me. The candle light flickered and created eerie kaleidoscope of dark shadows. The wind was trying to force itself in through the narrow slit which made a sharp hissing sound. The hissing sound soon turned into a crazy banging on the window; so much so that I was afraid it might shatter the whole thing anytime. I hugged my pillow and sat with eyes shut to ward off evil images. Suddenly there was a tap on the door. I had nearly jumped out of my skin hearing that. It was 9.45 pm, Sneha came at 11.30, so who could it be? Contd in Comments.. Read More
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