Project 52 - Week # 1

                     

               

                   Here I am, with my first picture-first week. I wanted to start with the picture of my lucky charm. Yes, she has been my, OUR lucky charm. The gift we got from the heaven. The only someone who can love us unconditionally. Yes, I said that. 

              According to me, Read More.

The most awaited cube of mine

                      Friends who have been in touch with me, would know this, that I joined my new job a month ago. And now, I just feel like sharing how I got the most wanted cube :)
                      So, it is kind of a job that I was waiting for. And, I am fortunate to have found it. Again, I give credits to my Lucky Charm... my DD. I had my new hire orientation, and met a couple of cool folks. And came to know that I don't have a cube of my own. You have no idea, how much I longed for a cube at work :). Last 3 projects of mine, were all agile floors. And, it is really very bad. I was asked to share cube with another person, for a while, before I get one - either by kicking out someone or moving two together. But soon after, in just a week, they got me a cube.. a little farther away from my team, though. And so, I moved my things and there was the happy ME !

                      Only then I came to know, how much demand this cube was in. The next day, someone comes and asks - " Is this your cube?" I am like.."Yeah?"  "Okay.. we have a resource that we wanted to sit here. How come you are sitting?" The very polite new me, says.. "Not sure. You could ask the admin".
                       Then comes another lady, with the same Q. This time, a little surprised to see there is yet another team waiting to put their member here, gave her the same answer. Am I the admin or the one who assigns the cubes, Sweetie??

                       The next day, another gentleman, walks up to my desk. I would hate him, even if I know nothing about him. I know I am a horrible person for doing that. But still, I can't help being it. I don't think I am racist though! So, he asks me.. "You are sitting here temporarily. Aren't ya? " This time, an annoyed me.. "No". And he says.. "Is your team here?"  "No. On the 2nd floor." "How come you are sitting here? You are not supposed to be sitting here" Ohhh... I didn't know that you are my manager's boss. Looks like he forgot to ask you!

                      Couple days later, the second beautiful lady(BL), strikes again!
BL: Hi... am sososo.
Me: Hi... sisisi
BL: So when are you leaving?
Me: In the next 10 minutes ( It was the EOD)
BL: No, not now. When are you leaving this office?

       What the crap?! I just joined, and am not looking to leave this office for years to come!
Me: This is my work place. I may not leave
BL: Oh, Sandy said that you are a temporary resource and would be leaving soon
Me: Anxious about not knowing this, confused if they were letting me go, asks her.. "Is it? I didn't know that!" . Most genuinely!
BL: You said you were going to India right?
Me: Nope!
BL: And now, she gets really frustrated, and asks me even more frustratingly, "Pull up the chat conversation we had"
Me: What? Am I a split personality or what? Did I forget chatting with someone? I say - "We never chatted"
BL then realizes that she is talking to the wrong person.

I mean, what do you think lady? You just walk up to someone and talk whatever and make her anxious? Please... And for all of those.. how have been waiting for my cube.......

Life has no Ctrl+Z

                          Something serious this time. How many times have you felt that you wish you could go back and undo something? Or do something differently? Am sure many. Something happened very recently, that made me think how important the actions I do, are. And how they no longer affect only me, but many others around. For a couple of days, I have fantasized a way to undo things.
                          I wanted to share a small story from the movie Talash ( I don't like Amir khan as such). It happens that he goes on a picnic with kids and wife. When his son asks him he wants to go around and play, he lets him. He then gets onto a speed boat and gets drowned in the river. Amir keeps thinking that he should have done so many other things than letting him go. But can't do anything now.
                          Now, something less serious... Yesterday, I slipped my new mobile, which is hardly 2 weeks old, on the wash basin. And unfortunately it broke. It's very disheartening that it broke even when it fell from a height of not even 2 feet?! I really wish I did not carry it with me, and I left it at my desk. I really wish to undo it.

                           With a baby around now, I realized how important it is to me, to watch carefully, everything I do. Even a moment of negligence could cause great trouble. Not just that, as people say, Opportunity knocks the door only once. So, better grab it the very first time. Any worry later is of no use.
                           But life is still beautiful. The beauty of life lies in the fact that though we cannot undo what is already done, we can understand it and learn from it. Instead of worrying too much, every moment must be spent with utmost care, wisdom, understanding and love.

Project 52 - 2014

                         So, as part of my '35 before 35', I am starting my project 52 for this year - 2014. Don't forget to keep reading my posts on the new blog as well. You can find the tab for prj 52 on the top, just beside Gayakapriya. And I wish you a very very Happy and a wonderful new year ahead. 

Merry Berry

Tres Leches Cake

            Another cake for an item in my list of '35 before 35'. Tres Leches in Spanish, means three milks. So, this is a cake soaked in three kinds of milk. I got to make this twice, but didn't take a picture even once. Very disappointing. And I am not interested in consuming few more calories, of the same taste, just to take a picture, lol. Anyway, I want to quickly give out the recipe.

Ingredients:

1. Condensed Milk
2. Evaporated Milk
3. Whole Milk ( I used 2% reduced fat milk)
4. Whipped Cream

Preparation:

1. Make a white cake using mix ( I used pineapple mix the first time)
2. Let the cake cool down
3. Poke the cake with a fork all over, when the cake is still warm
4. Mix condensed milk, evaporated milk and whole milk
5. Ladle the milk mixture over the cake making sure that the entire cake is covered
6. Cover with a cling wrap and refrigerate for an hour at the least or over night
7. Whisk the whipping cream for 10 minutes/ till it is soft and using a spatula apply it on the cake

Princess Cake for my little Princess

              It's been 4 months already, since my LO was born, and it feels only like yesterday. I must say, it's overwhelming to handle various things happening around in life, when no one seems to understand your exact mental or physical state. No matter what you are going through, people expect you to meet their expectations. And some people, try to intrude into your life not only by giving unasked suggestions but also judging you as a mother. This is uninvited particularly when you are going through the so called 'Baby Blues'. However, with loved ones around and especially with mom's support, I'm enjoying time with my sweetie to the best. I cannot thank my mom enough for what she has been to me. I hope I can be such a good mother.
              So, as I mentioned before, I have been working on this list '35 before 35' (though I now think I should make a '30 before 30' first). And one item is, to bake 12 cakes. With my LO completing her 4th month, I wanted to bake a princess cake for her, and here it is ( May be not perfect, but good enough for the first time, for an amateur).

Directions:

* Bake 3 Cakes of decreasing diameter

* Cut out a small circle from the center, to put the doll in

* Finish icing the 3 pieces to join them together. (I just used fruit jam here, to avoid cream :) and used toothpicks to hold the pieces in place)
* Start frosting the outer side of the cake

* Once this is done, place the doll in the center
* Start decorating the cake and Voila! The princess is here!!

Quick Recipe-Pani for Pani Puri

       A very quick recipe of Pani for Pani puri. This is for my records too :)

Ingredients:

* 7 cups water
* 1 Green Chilli
* A small piece Ginger
* 1 tsp tamarind ( or as required)
* 1/2 tsp chat masala powder
* 1/4 tsp cumin powder
* Salt - as required
* Coriander leaves for garnishing

Preparation:

* Make a paste of green chilli, pudina and ginger
* Mix it in the water along with the other ingredients

Get puris, boil and mash 2 potatoes, cut some onions. And I love replacing Meeti chutney with Hot and sour maggi sauce. Stuff the puris with potatoes, onions, sauce and water. And that is it! Enjoy delicious GolGappe!!