Monday, April 7, 2014

Sometimes I wonder why GOD created two nostrils. He could have created a big hole instead, just like we have single opening for mouth. Out of weird curiosity (I have that problem), I searched on the internet to find that we have been blessed with two ears, two eyes and two nostrils so that we can sense and feel our surrounding from every angle without any bias. But sometimes these sensory organs can really take a toll on us. We feel like shutting/shunning them for few seconds, in case of horrible sight, bad remarks, uncomfortable sensation, foul smell etc. Let me give one example, I won’t divert from the topic I promise..is it?( I question)Umm..hmm ..lets see

Few days ago I was coming with my office mates after attending a Coorgi colleague’s engagement. We devoured pork chilly, mutton cutlet and other delicacies like a savage never knowing the consequences. With overburdened stomach and no place to empty my bowel pressure, I was squirming on my seat and contracting my butt-cheeks to avoid any air pass. Whoa…what is this smell? I sniffed like a dog. I didn’t do this, I asked myself nervously. I would have definitely known if I would have farted, I assured myself with a grin. Air-conditioned car had played a good host by perfectly circulating the deadly smell within the space. I looked at others; they were sitting with one hand on their nose pretending as if nothing happened. No body laughed or reacted, either we wanted to act maturely or we were too formal to discuss it or no one wanted to embarrass the manager by saying “what is this smell, boss”?  Giving respect to his bodily reaction I controlled my laughter. I rolled down my window and stretched my neck outside; I badly needed the fresh air. 

Well, this type of smell is still acceptable as this is an involuntary action. C’mon farting is not a crime, we all do this. But certain smells are inexcusable. I commute to office by public buses. With no place to sit, most of the times I end up holding the hanger, like other co-passengers. I must say that few people have weapons hidden under their armpits. With their raised hands these sweaty killers gets activated and bombard its unwanted fragrance all over the innocent people. Due to jerking many times I have landed up brushing my nose at their armpits. I can’t describe how eerie feeling it is; dangerous enough to give me goose bumps. Poor me, with one hand on the hanger and other holding my bag I don’t have luxury to shun my nose. I just shake my head for seconds to ooze my brain stop feeling the reeky smell. If it is in the evening it is still ok but early morning that too in AC Volvo bus how come they get drenched? Do their sweaty glands extra productive or they do marathon in the morning? I sometime feel like screaming “Uncle/dude is your ears and eyes receptive towards deodorant ads”? “Don’t you take bath”. “Can’t you smell the smell on yours? Few times it has also happened that I have to duck up my neck to avoid tiny droplets of sweat running from co passenger’s forehead targeting me.

Every morning becomes a nightmare by thinking of catching the public. Every time I am greeted with stinky people I feel “why did I take bath if I have to reach office with their carry over odor? Recently I bought strawberry flavored..(Wait a sec, before you think something else ;) shower gel. Every morning I lather myself with this cleansing gel to feel clean, fresh and subtly scented. To ice on the top, I dab few drops of ittar at the back of my earlobes but the bathing ritual goes in vain the moment my fragrance mixes up with the stinky smell to produce sweet foul smell.
Here comes the office, I sighed with an extra tinge of melodrama on my face.
It is my daily habit (good one!) to call my mother once I reach the office.
Heyy mom, why is your voice shaking? I asked with a concern.
Your maternal uncle is suffering from acute kidney problem, she sobbed at the other end.
I felt bad by hearing the news, not because he is my uncle and I love him but I had misjudged him. I remembered few instances where I had embarrassed him by commenting upon the bad odor whenever he was around. Today when my mother told that it is not due to poor hygiene he smells bad but the toxin accumulated inside his body due to improper kidney functioning. I searched on the net that day to find that there are n numbers of reasons behind peoples’ body odor even if they maintain proper cleanliness. This can happen to anyone at any stage of life.
That evening while returning in bus I was thinking, what if few people I have cursed during my morning encounters have some other problem? Thinking this for long had created a strange sympathy towards them (I really doubt that this will last for long though).
Anyways, I came from the drudgery. The news had disturbed me and after having a heaving thinking throughout the day I was mentally exhausted. I wanted to relax. What should I do? I asked myself.
Watch a movie..no laptop again
Talk to a friend..what if they are busy? It is weekday
Read novel..hmm not in a mood.
All of a sudden I remembered the episode from friends where Chandelier takes bubble bath to relax. Why not pamper myself? I thought excitedly.

I prepared the hot tub, garnished it with rose petals (thanks to my boyfriend) and flavored it with few drops of rosewater. In a typical filmy style I arranged candles in the bathroom for a nice comfortable glow and switched on my favorite music. I stepped in the water and with every drop of water embracing me helped me reduce all the stress. After laying in the tub for an hour like a dead body I was feeling so rejuvenated. I wanted to forget everything, my work, my commuting troubles, and my mechanical life. I emerged out of the water stress-free; it not only provided deep relaxation but was therapeutic to my body. After ages I slept like a baby, without any worldly worries.

I was enlightened from the last night as how to achieve salvation if I am super tired, find solace in comfortable warm water!!!!

Next morning as usual I was waiting for the bus to catch.

This post is written for Indiblogger and Racold contest. to get connected to Racold, visit their facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/racoldthermoltd


Sunday, March 30, 2014

Touch me if you can!
A very strange thing happened while I was walking down the parking lane. I saw a person calling with his hand; I could not digest my curiosity and asked how did he do that? He showed me a phablet projector attached to his neck throwing a beam on his hand.  He was dialing from the projected keypad.
Isn’t it something magical, calling by touching numbers from your hand while people think you are crazy!! How far the technology has grown, simply unbelievable!
I was thinking about the incident that afternoon, pondering over touch technology. Thinking about it had dragged me to my childhood memory lanes. I remember few instances from my childhood; we used to frolic around my beautiful garden. It was blooming with colorful flowers and tender plants.
Saumya come I will show you a magic my elder brother called me with an excitement in his voice
Touch this plant and see what happens he said
Upon my slight touch the leaves shied away gently just like a newlywed bride.
Wow! How did it happen? I exalted with joy
I was in playful mood with it for some time, curiously thinking about how the leaves moved away on its own?
I couldn’t find the answer and still I have no clue, but I realized that there is so much power in the “touch” me not plant.
Some days later I saw my father offering financial help to our driver whose son was in hospital.
Sir, I am touched he said
My father did not touch him, then why did he say? I asked mother
He is thankful from the bottom of his heart, got it? She explained in a musical tone
Whenever I was sick, I would long for my mother’s lap and her gentle touch on my head. Her touch therapy helped in fast recovery.
 A pregnant lady touches her stomach to comfort and assure her child inside.
Touch is the best way to express your feelings! It so powerful ..

Hey have you seen the remote, my husband jerked me lightly and I came out of the reverie
I looked at him in order to respond but without wasting any time he was busy frisking sofa. I was still looking at him and he was busy watching our newly touch screen television.  I longed for his love, I wanted him to touch my hand and ask, “honey how was the day” but he was occupied with exploring the new technology. He was moving his hand in air, swiping it horizontally. He was too busy, getting amused by his conjecture that he didn’t realize my absence.  
I wanted to go back in old times where people were connected, by connection I mean real connection. They were in touch with their family & friends, by touch I mean the real touch which was not restricted to only wishing them on Facebook or sharing festival messages on Whatsapp. I will not blame this technology for replacing the real feel but somewhere we have forgotten to acknowledge the effect of real touch.  I was thinking all this and suddenly there was power cut which is unusual in this area. My husband wasted no time and took out his tablet to follow the score but the power cut was adamant to come soon and the tablet got discharged in some time. He was visibly upset and blamed government for power failure. His mood was cheered by the soothing environment I had created by illuminating candles all over in the living room. He paused for a moment and then came to the kitchen looking for me. After days I enjoyed cooking as he was assisting me. We had candle light dinner at home.
I couched my head on his shoulder, and we talked for hours after a long time. I was longing for his gentle touch. There was a magic in the moment which rekindled our love. I thanked electricity for not showing up. It was a blessing in disguise for me.      
That night I realized that sometime you need to go back in times where the only way to stay connected was to talk with your loved ones.  Now in a room full of people you will see everyone busy with their gadgets that they don’t have time to talk, such that the mode of communication has become barrier to the communication. We should realize the difference that the technology is for us; we are not for the technology.
 Find the real touch in your life; don’t be out of touch by being too occupied in the touch devices all over. Leave aside them and look out for things which touches your heart, then you will see how beautiful and simple life could be.