Bon Appétit

Chef: Voilà ma chérie

Chef’s wife: Thank you so much!

Chef: Your welcome!

Chef’s wife: At home today!

Chef: This really feels at home.

Chef’s wife: Yes, I know. This is home!

Chef: Our home.

Chef’s wife: So what’s the plan?

Chef: For what?

Chef’s wife: The Diwali plan.

Chef: Yeah! Tell me about it.

Chef’s wife: We discussed about it.

Chef: Yes, we did. Tell me the final plan.

Chef’s wife: The restaurant is going to be set up in Pune. I would be travelling every weekend to Pune, have scheduled meetings in the afternoons with the manager, with the stewards in the early evening before the crowd sets in, with support staff on Saturday morning. I need to connect with them.

Chef: And the chef?

Chef’s wife: You tell me, when would be a good time to set a meeting with her.

Chef: Post 9 P.M. Dinner is usually done by then, maybe a little later. Why don’t you ask her?

Chef’s wife: Yes, will do it.

Chef: This dream project is going to be super successful.

Chef’s wife: Yes, it will

Chef: I remember the day you told me about it. A new dawn, a new you was talking to me. I was never inclined to think in this direction. You wanting to save the young adolescents and give them a life.

Chef’s wife: It isn’t me giving them a life. I have a plan,and hopefully it works.

Chef: To a layman like me who knows about nothing but the fruit and vegetable markets, the spices and kitchen, you seem to be doing something different.

Chef’s wife: Yes, it is different. There are some articles in the newspapers with journalists being skeptical, I just have my fingers crossed, my tasks completed and a daily prayer.

Chef: That’s all in place.

Chef’s wife: (Eyes closed) Can’t wait to get started.

Chef: Yes, the finest restaurant in India where the chef, the managers, the stewards, the support staff and you, my dear are all women. And the guess would be women.

Chef’s wife: I will be personally monitoring all the activities, and this will prove that women support women, and we already have the organisations all over the globe ready to offer funds.

Chef: That is news to me!

Chef’s wife: Yes, The Head Chef of Bon Appétit just called.

Chef: So where is our young lady?

Chef’s wife: She called to inform that she would be arriving directly at Pune for the opening ceremony. She said that she had messaged you.

Chef: Like father, like daughter!

Don Quixote is a classic written by MIguel de Cervantes in Spanish. It follows the journey of Alonso Quijano who renames himself Don Quixote. Don Quixote enters the chivalric world in his imagination and sets off on an impractical pursuit of idealistic goals, he wants to save the world. He doesn’t accept his current reality and is determined to change what it wrong, but in a way that is not practical.

Questy Musings is a musing with a question. What do you think of a restaurant for the women and by the women? Subtle messages get stronger by the day. A small initiative could lead to a change. There are some organisations run by women, countries run by women. Do you think we need to see more of them. Why? Why is it that I need to write this post. There is an emotion that drives these thoughts. Why does it even arise? There is an aura of inequality that exists and some choose to ignore it. I do not. And try in my small way to change it

A Don Quixote exists in each of us, we want to change the world, the difference is he followed all the truth in the chivalry romances he had read, he stood ground for all what he wanted. Today,if someone does that, we are called crazy, insane and quixotic.

Through Quixotic conversations, discover the quixotic emotions, discover how relationships are built through emotions and conversations, and not societal norms.

Initiate conversations. Discussion, brainstorm and create a change.

I am taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter’s #MyFrendAlexa

http://www.theblogchatter.com

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Cliché

Caroline: Hey!

Pratyuksha: Hi Karls!

Caroline: So where are we going today?

Pratyuksha: Are we?!

Caroline: It is your birthday.

Pratyuksha: Sure… it is!

Caoline: So where is the party?

Pratyuksha: Oh! the party you mean. Sure, I have a place in mind. I’ll call the others, we can go by 5.

Caroline: Why so you sound different? Something’s the matter.

Pratyuksha: Do I? No!

Caroline: Yea! Uncle and Aunt are wonderful together.

Caroline: Ok, I just laze around here, we can go together.

Pratuyksha: That sounds nice! We could grab lunch together, I promised mom and dad to lunch face timing them, they’d be delighted to see you with me.

Pratyuksha: I really prefer staying home with you guys and not going out.

Caroline: Your birthday, and we must enjoy a treat and a fun-filled evening.

Pratuyksha: True! Why not at home, just a simple get-together and some heart-to-heart talk. I don’t feel like partying, I prefer spending time with mom, dad,and talk to you guys about what’s happening in your lives, and not doll-up, look around, gossip. We could dance here if you want to.

Caroline: A birthday is meant to be celebrated. A birthday is when the day is all yours, when we see to it that you are pampered and showered with all the love. Give it an evening!

Pratyuksha: Yes, that’s what I have been listening to all these years, Clichéd. T

Caroline: Clichéd! of course not. It is a celebration. We love our birthdays. We love celebrating it. We wait for that one day to burst out.

Pratyuksha: Exactly, why only that day. Yes, it calls for a celebration of birth, but not to such a large extent. I would love to do my thing everyday, I would love everyone being nice and polite everyday, I would love to see people smile everyday, I would love to see happiness everyday, why do people forget to live everyday and instead do the grind, mumble, complain, groan about things being undone, but the same thing is accepted because it is your birthday. I guess birthdays are reminders that one day is yours, 364 are mine.

Caroline: My! why do you say that? Did someone rub you the wrong way?

Pratyuksha: Hell No! I find birthdays too clichéd, the expectation of the birthday person form her/his friend to throw a surprise party. The expectation of a gift. The burden of the spouse, family on getting them presents. Well, it just makes the others who can’t afford it feel bad. And the oohs! and Aha! that is such a sweet hubby or such concerned parents. I do agree that it is a big day and gifts can be showered, let everyone keep it normal.

Caroline: I never ever thought of Birthday being clichéd, it is a way of showing affection, that is it. It is reason, it is a day, an opportunity to show love and people wait for their 18th, 50th, 60th and 75th birthday as landmarks in their lives, so as to measure how well they have lived.

Pratyuksha: Yes, it also becomes a yardstick of comparison among relatives.

Caroline: Let them be!

Pratyuksha: How can I? Listen to mom and dad today. Anyway, my opinion is that birthdays are clichéd and we need to have a birthday atmosphere all throughout the year. EVERYDAY MUST BE CELEBRATED. LIFE IS A CELEBRATION.

Caroline: Yes, I agree to that. But an extra punch on your birthday. So are we going or not?

Pratyuksha: Just because you agree. WE ARE ON!

Caroline: And here is your present. I couldn’t wait to give it to you.

Pratyuksha: Carls! Home-made cookies and cake by Uncle Cool.

Caroline: Yes, he sat up last night and baked them for you.

Pratyuksha: Aww! That wasn’t necessary! He could have just baked the cake.

Caroline: I couldn’t tell him that. He doesn’t think A BIRTHDAY IS CLICHéD. He believes it is a special day!

Pratyuksha: Thank you Karls, if not for you guys, I would be stranded in this city, I would have totally lost it. You bring back my sanity.

Caroline: But you know what, I learnt something today, I learnt that one has to celebrate life itself and not wait for special occasions, not look for reasons to celebrate, not be frustrated and fed up with the daily routine, instead work hard, then take a break. I am usually upset when I get home, looking at Dad with his bright messy apron all the time, doing what Mom used to do. Charles, gaming, and I need to do the dishes as I arrive. Maybe I’ll just take a bite of the new cupcakes he has displayed on the counter, take a shower and then do the dishes.

Pratyuksha: God! I thought I was the one with problems.

Caroline: That is what everyone thinks, but with a good friend beside you, they vanish!

Pratyuksha: Say that again! I’ll call Uncle Cool and Charles, what say should we ask them to join us this evening, we can go to a place that offers a gaming arena and excellent food with some fab-music.

Caroline: Prats, that is too much!!

Partyuksha: And someone just said their problems have vanished!!!

Don Quixote is a classic written by MIguel de Cervantes in Spanish. It follows the journey of Alonso Quijano who renames himself Don Quixote. Don Quixote enters the chivalric world in his imagination and sets off on an impractical pursuit of idealistic goals, he wants to save the world. He doesn’t accept his current reality and is determined to change what it wrong, but in a way that is not practical.

Questy Musings is a musing with a question. How do you like to celebrate your birthday? Obviously one likes to be pampered. How about the other days, do you let life treat you the other days differently? Sure, but not getting drained out. Do you enjoy life? Do you celebrate life? Are Birthdays clichéd? Do you think they are overdone, and then a vacuum on other days? Are giving presents a task or do they come out of happiness. Are receiving presents, an expectation? What happens if you don’t receive a present? or the expected present?

A Don Quixote exists in each of us, we want to change the world, the difference is he followed all the truth in the chivalry romances he had read, he stood ground for all what he wanted. Today,if someone does that, we are called crazy, insane and quixotic.

Through Quixotic conversations, discover the quixotic emotions, discover how relationships are built through emotions and conversations, and not societal norms.

Initiate conversations. Discussion, brainstorm and create a change.

I am taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter’s #MyFrendAlexa

http://www.theblogchatter.com

C’est la vie

Claudia: When is the show?

Denis: At 6

Claudia: Finally, I can get to meet her in person.

Denis: Does that really mater? You could have done it over a Video-call. These are trying times.

Claudia: Sure it does, she is one helluva person.

Denis: Got it, I’ll pick you at 5. I’ ll get your fav coffee too!

Claudia: Will be ready. Can’t wait to be there.

….

Claudia: Hello Ma’am. Claudia

Jasweet George: Hey Claudia. What do we have today?

Claudia: Ma’am that is completely up to you.

Jasweet George: Why? Isn’t there an agenda?

Claudia: Yes Ma’am, there is.

Jasweet George: Tell me, we will go by the book.

Claudia: Ma’am, you are the blessed one to have broken all the rules and made new ones. Are you sure?

Jasweet George: Yes, it is your show. Let the magic begin.

Claudia: As you say Ma’am.

… Camera… Action… Rolling

Claudia: Good evening Ma’am, How are you?

Jasmeet George: Perfect. How are you?

Claudia: Ma’am, when did you think of embracing our present profession.

Jasmeet George: I was 8, attending school. It was a normal day, and it was Environmental studies, where Miss Hopkins was explaining the 3 “R” s. Miss Hopkins demonstrated the recycling, after all she was the best in the school. Suddenly, there was a loud noise, we looked out of the window and realised it was a gunshot after we heard another one. As we had been trained, we ducked. Miss Hopkins ran towards the windows, shut them and darted towards the door, and shut it too. I was petrified.

Claudia: Yes Ma’am.

Jasmeet George: In a couple of minutes, Miss Hopkins was with us, checking on us, making sure we are fine. Rachel was crying, so was Beatrice. Veronique brought Teddy along, and was clinging on to it. Miss Hopkins gave her a hug, and patted Teddy. The image is still fresh in my mind. Do you remember incidents in detail, Claudia?

Claudia: Yes Ma’am, the ones that touched me the most.

Jasmeet George: Absloutely, We waited patiently with bated breath, Freddy fell asleep, and I sat right next to Miss Hopkins. Soon, it was all calm, Miss Hopkins slowly got up, I stayed with her. She released my hand from hers, said I am going to open the door. I placed both my hands on her left arm. She smiled, and said “I’ll be back”, that didn’t stop me. We went together to open the door. She unlatched it and there was a small sound. She continued opening the door with the handle, the right door opened. Immediately, a senior at school ran towards us, I was glad it was a known face. There was another shot, and Miss Hopkins lost her balance and swayed before she dropped down on the floor, I fell too.

Claudia: What happened to Miss Hopkins?

Jasmeet George: She was shot with a bullet, I tried making her comfortable after her fall like keeping her head straight, she had falled with a thud, and I kinda fell on my knees and tumbled over. She smiled at me signalling me to lay down on the ground. I did that looking at her. She fell asleep. We stayed that way for about 10 minutes. Then came a blue-suited up firefighter with his team-member, they helped Miss Hopkins wake up, asked me if I was fine, swish-swashed my hair, gave her first-aid, and took her in a make-shift stretcher. The team-member took me in her arms, and directly placed me in the arms of the Principal. I didn’t know why he did that and apparently fell asleep. The next thing I know is I am at home.

Claudia: What happened to Miss Hopkins?

Jasmeet George: She didn’t come to school for a long time, We had two weeks of vacation after the incident. The following week, School resumed, my parents dropped me off. I looked out for Miss Hopkins, and was informed that she is still at home. Getting back home, I asked Mother about Miss Hopkins. She mentioned that we are going to visit her later in the evening. I was happy. At Miss Hopkins’ door was a beautiful wind-chime that chimed according to the wind, Soon, the door opened, and there was Miss Hopkins, bandaged on her arm, but ready to welcome us.

Claudia: Thank God!

Jasmeet George: Thank God, during Tea, Miss Hopkins talked to us about her steady recovery. Miss Hopkins was gradually able to move her arm but it still aches when she bends it. Miss Hopkins emphasised the fact that she was surprised to see a pupil of the school shoot her. And is unable to get over the fact. Miss Hopkis mentioned how the 911, the team of fire-fighters helped her stay awake and not get into coma, the consequences of which could have let to her death. I, an 8 year-old picked up the words “My Death” and keenly listened to the conversation after this.

Claudia: That’s true Ma’am.

Jasmeet George: Her talk with my mother confirmed my decision to be a part of the medical team with the 911, and I haven’t had a day not recalling Miss Hopkins’ conversation. My parents are worried I will always be on the move, always on the edge, constantly be stressed, physically and mentally. But you know what, this profession doesn’t stress me one bit. I am ready.

Claudia: We are so happy to have you as a part of 911. The introductory session by the Mayor of the city will begin in a few minutes. I request you to say a few words to the youth.

Jasmeet George: Work is Worship. Family comes first. Strike a balance between work and Family. Everything else is a mirage.

Claudia: Jasmeet George went to become the city’s first lady firefighter. She faced challenges but overcame them with resilience. She chose to tread the unchosen path. The love and respect for Miss Hopkins stood as a stepping stone during her journey. This is life for her.

Jasmeet George: Thank you Claudia. There are many white-collared jobs being turned out, we need people who can dedicate their time in saving simple people.

C’est la vie is a French phrase, it means “This is life.” One meaning is whatever happens, it is life, life must go on, another adaption in my words is This is life, lets make good use of it.

Don Quixote is a classic written by MIguel de Cervantes in Spanish. It follows the journey of Alonso Quijano who renames himself Don Quixote. Don Quixote enters the chivalric world in his imagination and sets off on an impractical pursuit of idealistic goals, he wants to save the world. He doesn’t accept his current reality and is determined to change what it wrong, but in a way that is not practical.

Questy Musings is a musing with a question. Jasmeet is a firefighter. It is not a fancy job, but one that helps save lives. What helps you choose your profession? Do you choose it or does it choose you? Are you happy waking up that Monday morning, attending that meeting, staying up late night completing that presentation, or just getting ready. Why are you where you are?

A Don Quixote exists in each of us, we want to change the world, the difference is he followed all the truth in the chivalry romances he had read, he stood ground for all what he wanted. Today,if someone does that, we are called crazy, insane and quixotic.

Through Quixotic conversations, discover the quixotic emotions, discover how relationships are built through emotions and conversations, and not societal norms. Initiate conversations. Discussion, brainstorm and create a change.

I am taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter’s #MyFrendAlexa

http://www.theblogchatter.com