i'm so incredibly exhausted. my mind refuses to function and my eyes droop down heavily. tonight i was out with ryan and his lovely girlfriend malgojata (spelling!)(a very close friend) for a game of pool. and the previous night with himal bhai and ramona bhabi (from cape town) and friday night with sheetal (the homeopath at the shop) and her cronies. and this is night only - i'm not even mentioning what happened during the day. ok, so i'm exhausted. that - apart from the emotional exhaustion from waiting for laxi.

laxi's visa hasn't come through yet and it's not only exhausting but incredibly frustrating. it's been over a month now and our patience is wearing dangerously thin. i constantly feel that something is blocking our path - that something is preventing the full light from shining and i have no idea what to do about it.

i guess it boils down to keeping your nose to the grind-stone and keeping the faith. in the end, in the good 'ol end, it's the universe and only the universe that's real... it's only love that's real...

Read More

wow - what a week, and it's barely half way through. as i'm typing this, my eyes are sinking into sweet oblivion and my brain has moved into stoopid-mode. the weekend was madness but one huge ball of fun with niks, ashu and i leaving for grahamstown on saturday morning at 4am! the drive down was loads more fun than i thought it would be and our stay there was lovely! sunday was a treat-filled day for me, starting off with the traditional breakfast picnic and then moving onto lunch at kleinemonde at mama's flat. it all rounded up well with mandir in the evening and then a quick supper and of our madness - the drive back home. all of us were completely exhausted so we ended up taking a rather laxed amble back to jozi as opposed to a screeching speed!

all in all i feel that this year is off to a swimming start and i just feel that it has to get better from here - it just has to. laxi hasn't had any luck with his visa yet or with gaining any headway with getting here but i guess it's all about taking challenges in your stride and facing things as they come along. it's not been easy. i haven't been the most patient person or the most co-operative, but as time passes i'm learning the art of stepping back and observing.

life's thrown me some hectic stuff ths year and despite all the up-ing and down-ing it's been a year of great growth, adventure and learning for me.

dear god, please keep me sane but insane enough to love the ups and downs.

Read More

There are sometimes in life when the world seems an empty and barren place. When life ceases to smile its bright-eyed grin and the energy in the air stops pulsing with the warmth of a thousand mystic suns. My thirst seems to consume me and I’m trapped in a deep dark hole with no light in sight. I’ve forgotten how to laugh, live, love and dance. There is no stillness or silence but a buzz, a fury of mental activity waxing and waning in furious crescendo. This is my life without you. This is what it feels like when your empty words drill holes into my fragile soul. This is what happens when my glass-house shatters and I am left home-less in a barren land.

There is silence. Nothing but deep, lonely silence. Silence.

There is a knock at my door. Through cracks and gaps in my previously airless room I see bright light pounding its way through the darkness. My God has not abandoned me. He has sent his messengers of light – the light, to remind me of my essential nature. I feel a tingling on my tear stained cheeks as my tired eyes struggle to adjust to the returning light. My bones begin to thaw and my heart sends pulses of warmth through my body. The darkest hour of night is just before dawn and as I prepare for its coming I feel anticipation, a hope growing within me.

Everything is going to be alright. The sun will shine again. You will learn to love again and life will breathe with love again.

--------------------

The above is written by an anonymous poet and I just had to share it with you!! Isn’t it just amazing!! There is something about poetry that just transports you to a different level – that allows you to explore the passages of your own understanding and I think that the poet has quite ‘hit-the-nail-on-the-head’.

So ya, long silence – I know but what to say, it’s been nothing short of hectic. Between balancing the shop and processing my trip to India (mentally, emotionally, spiritually), I feel I’ve been hit by a bus! Working with my parents has been a challenge I’ve welcomed with open arms. I feel that for this moment and in this space it is the best thing to do now. This is good for the here and now. Being in the present and being with what is has been nothing short of wonderful. For the first time in a long time I feel fully going with the flow which is great. That being said – it’s not that I don’t have my idiot moments, and lately there’ve been a hang of a lot of those. I wish there was something I could say to make all the time I’ve been an ass better. But the truth is that at the end of the day, they’re all excuses and I only have myself to deal with. Who do I look at when I look into the mirror? And I’ve been quite a freek of late make no mistake. It’s slow learning now. The hours pass into days and the days into weeks. And between all this I’m like a junkie for India. It’s just madness I tell ya. Just madness.

So um, ya hey. Wow – haven’t been that brutally honest in a while. It comes with the wanting to indulge in a cathartic mode. I feel the need to atone for my sins and I guess my blog confessional will simply have to do.

On the bright-side, I’ve passed my learner’s license for a motorbike!! Yaya!! How exciting hey! I miss my India scooty and although I’m not keen on a scooty per se in South Africa, there’s nevertheless a half a door open.

Two things happened today. Raksha Bandan – which was lovely being around and in-person to tie rakhee albeit oh-so very late! And for the how-many’ith time, acting like a complete git-wad with Laxi. For someone who has an endless Vapi well of patience I really do know how to screw things up well and solid. I’m sorry… I really am.

Happy Raksha Bandan everyone – hope the coming year is filled with love, light and plenty of happiness!!

With all my love
:yogi

(p.s. uploaded wildcave adventure pics to my picasa web album, check it out dude!)

Read More

...and i'm back!

South Africa has greeted me with cold arms but a warm warm heart, and as much as I miss my beloved India, I am glad to be home. Somehow, I feel that this is the next logical step in the scheme of things. My intution sings to me in many voices and I feel completely protected and loved by the universal flow.

mm... ya, soppy - I know, but true nonetheless! My journey to India wasn't just a physical one, just short of sounding rather cliche - it was a soul journey or rather a life journey. India is always generous with her spiritual bounty and this trip was no exception. My time at the Krishnamurthy Foundation was not only about teaching English or business development. On a deeper level, a more inter-universal level, Kashi taught me how to live. In many ways (in retrospect) I feel like the boy Santiago from Paulo Coelho's magical Alchemist - the eternal student to the universe.

so ya, I find myself back home and... and... and... to be continued!

Read More

I'M IN INDIA AGAIN!!

hahaha! maddess i know! what can i say about my khwaja (love)?? over and over i am called - no, pulled to her feet and this time to the sacred and special city of varanasi in the uttar pradesh province.

thankfully, i'm not plonk in the city itself... i'm on a 300 odd acre estate on the banks (literally) of the ever blessed Gangaji (i have a crystal clear view from my door). based in rajghat, the krishnamurthy foundation has warmly invited me into its arms and i've found myself in a haze - still trying to absorb this paradise. it's truely something else.

ok, enough foofy talk. here's a bit of history, varanasi is known by 3 names: kashi, benaras and varanasi. the ancient city of kashi is said to have been on the rajghat plateux (where i am) around the varuna river. the current location of the city is a more 'recent' development relatively speaking (considering that the history of kashi dates back more than several centuries). the name varanasi comes from the varuna and assi rivers between which varanasi lies. and the ganga-varuna confluence lies plonk in the middle of the krishnamurthy foundation grounds. i'm not going to go into the layout of the campus here cause it's rather complicated, but essentially, the krishnamurthy foundation consists of; the rural centre (where i am), rajghat besant school, study centre and vasanta college.

there are a few ways to reach varanasi city from rajghat, either by boat up gangaji (my FAVOURITE thing to do), auto rickshaw (indian standard), tempo (larger than a auto - seats about 10 plus) or walk!;) i really don't know what to say about varanasi city. truth be told, i'm still trying to get my head around it. in an sms to ba and bapu i said one word to describe Varanasi city... huh? :) it's just a mixture of everything - as people here say - it is india in one glance. i think the most alluring thing about varanasi is not so much the religious pull but the blatant paradoxes that stare you in the face. swamiji mentioned in one of our 'chats' that profound truths are paradox, and i think that the allure of varanasi is in this. there is really no telling what's in store. as shayur says - it's organised chaos. the traffic is MAD - dude, believe me when i say this - mumbai bangalore... they're kabootars (pidgeons)! it's amazing that one can get from a to b. and although there are traffic police around, there's this crazy rush to move at 20km/h!! aaah, how to describe the madness, even as i'm typing this words seem inadequate. on a completely different note, the pictures of varanasi are not 'just pictures'!! the sadhu babas, the pandits, they're all real - they're all here!! i think one of the nicest things is going up the ganga early in the morning or at dusk and simply observing the various rites and rituals - even morning p's and q's!! ;) i'm not going to go into my thoughts on gangaji and pavitra etc, but it's almost enlightening watching the variety of activities that take place at the shore. there's a simple beauty in observing.

ok, my fingers are tired. this keyboard is wack and i haven't been on a comp in ages! i will try keep in touch as often as i possibly can and try get some pics up too.

with love from kashi
:yogi

Read More

i look back on the previous year and can scarcely believe that it's been my year. a year i've lived through - a year i've spent every moment engaging with myself and my environment. i think of all the moments i've sat in frustrating grappling with myself to understand and trust that everything happens for a reason and i can't help but smile at the irony of the universal play. and that play still continues - continually challenging and inspiring me to god knows what!!

i'm 23. i'm 20 freeking 3 years old and i still can't tell my ass from my elbow! there's a silent amusement in the fact that i still enjoy (so-called) childish pleasures. my world lights up when i see the sound vibrations in a bowl of water, when i plunge my hand(s) into a bowl of rice or mung (or any bean/grain) or when i allow my paint brush free-reign on my canvas. the truth is i'm a modern day peter-pan. or rather - peter-pamela? the thought of growing up scares the living daylights out of me and i find myself at a point in my life where it's do or die time. lets be reasonable. choosing not to grow up wouldn't be the smartest idea right now, especially since i've had a taste of the perks of grown-up-life having lived on my own for some time. and yet, i find myself cringing at the thought of marriage, work, career, children, house - home, the white picket fence - aaagh, the list goes on. inevitably, it seems that the moment work and career is settled the next (so-called) logical step is marriage and thereafter children and thereafter their marriage and thereafter retirement - and here is where i stop!!! yes, i do realize, i'm making excuses, but i also am highly aware that phobia is beyond reason.

hi. my name is yogita (chorus: hi yogita).

and i'm afraid of growing up.

Read More

i can't believe i'm back.

soon, it will be 4 months since my return from india and yet, it feels like a lifetime. so much has happened in between that i seem to lose track of time as the days pass. being back is a blessing no doubt, but naturally quite a disappointment. i keep thinking 'was mysore that bad?' and the honest answer is no. however, when i think about the university my toes curl and i'm left with sad, frustrating memories of a potentially amazing experience gone very very wrong. i could go into philosophizing about this for pages and pages, but i think it simply boils down to this little thing called life. just when you think you've figured it out – it bites you in the butt just to let you know who's boss. and in the meanwhile, your left to pick up the pieces and carry on the journey... for what else is there to do!!

i look back on my time in india and can scarcely believe i was there or believe the things i did. for me, india was an amazing experience – madness aside. i learnt more about myself and about life than i ever thought possible and i learnt that my boundaries are further than i thought. i could go on with the i learnt list forever, but essentially – my spirit has grown from this experience and the learning?? nothing short of fantastic. i may not have gained academically from india, but in terms of life – i'm a freeking billionaire!!! it can only get better from here...

so... i'm back in s.a and getting back on my horse. i'm eager and excited to start studying again, so project number 1 is re-establishing the passion and getting back on the study wagon. i have no idea where, when or how, but it will happen. i'm determined to make it happen! and no, i'm not looking for a job – and heavens no – i really don't intend on going back to my old job in jozi... mind numbing is definitely not on my to-do list this time round. i've been moving between anthropology and international relations, but deep down inside, i know that i'm an anthro girl through and through.

coming back to s.a has been hard and difficult. i feel like the s.a i left and the s.a i came back to are two different places. i'm really concerned with the recent upsurge in xenophobic violence only because i wonder what kind of an example is this for the youth. young minds are learning at an impressionable age that violence is the way to resolve issues and furthermore that there is no retribution for violent behaviour. these are the future citizens of south africa, these are the children who will grow into acting members of society – what awaits them and how will they deal with it? it is proven that children learn through imitation, i shudder to think of the long-term consequences.

righty'o... that's me for now. hopefully the next one won't be as late as this one was!

adieu...

Read More

*the author wishes the reader to note that the following is not intended to offend or impose on anyone's belief in any way. it is merely a purging of emotion and an expression of opinion at the present moment. it is in no way a permanent statement, but rather a fluid observation. that being said - enjoy reading...

Yeh mera des hai, let’s rock in the motherland… Blah blah woof woof.

Ladies and Gentlemen: I have smelt the coffee. And the pooh, and the garbage, and sambar, and the incense, and the sandalwood, and the diesel, and the pee, and the car fumes, and the fried onions, and the fresh vaada, and the, and the, and the…

I’m having issues with India – can you tell?

Man, Damnit!!!! WAKE UP GREAT FREEK! Why doesn't the population realize what they have going for them? All they do all day is squat, chew paan; spit at your feet and watch the cows go by – literally. And as the cows go by, with them goes the charm and greatness of this amazing nation. It’s almost as if they (them Indians) hold in their hands a rare and amazing gem, unseen/experienced in any other part of the world, and they fart, burp, snort out mucus, drink tea, mumble how the west is polluting their country (Ha!) and let dust settle, cake and become hard and crusty – hiding from the world the brilliance of all that is India. Truly, India is practical experience in debunking Maya – some sort of training in going beyond the illusion.

I’m sitting on my bed in a house that is considered ‘livable’ and feel like a pauper according to western standards (but lets not play the ‘we-do’-‘you-do’ game, that’s not what I’m here for). What shocks me is that people are prepared to settle for substandard when they can have so much better. Ahem. Perhaps the same can be said about me. But the fact is that India is the land of plenty. It is the Promised Land and it is being ruined by complacent attitudes and corrupt minds (listen to me – I sound like a contemptuous westerner. But that’s beside the point – wink wink, nudge nudge). I’ve been informed (‘as a matter of fact madam’) that it is practically impossible to get any official work done (both government and private) without providing an ‘incentive’. Bollocks!! Can you believe it? The saddest part is that not only does this occur frequently, but also it occurs so frequently that it has become a way of life for these people. Paying bribes, offering ‘incentives’ and generous ‘donations’ have become a matter of course here and it doesn’t seem like it’s going to change soon unless there is a national mental renaissance. Two of my closest buddies (from my previous trip to India) who have moved abroad have shared some amazing insight and support with me. They are both born and brought-up in India (itself) and have gone searching for better pastures, refusing to settle for second-best. Nikunj (who is in Ausssie) and Ankit (in Amreeka). After lots of whining – on my part, scolding – on theirs and plenty of advice and encouragement, I feel much more comfortable that I’m not simply a spoilt foreigner scoffing at ‘primal’ Indian mentality. That I’m not over-exaggerating the frustration, anger and angst that seems to be part of the package of living here.

God I hate India. Um, no… actually I love it… yes, yes, I love India. I love India! Sometimes. Most of the time. No no… sometimes… maybe more seldom than often. But then again, if I go home (South Africa) I’d miss it. So ya, I do love India.

*Silence…

Maybe ‘love’ is too strong a word…

*Aaargh!!!

This is the status quo dear ones – it’s truly a love hate relationship of note. I’m being constantly confronted by the stark, harsh realities of life (and I don’t just mean poverty – which in itself is an entirely different topic which bizarrely begins with dogs). Dichotomies plague everyday life – they stare you in the face so frequently you have no choice but to look.
Venerating cows – while they eat garbage.
Universal love and respect for all – as they elbow, push and shove their way through a crowd.
The need for better amenities like water – while taps everywhere drip endlessly, liquid gold down the drain.
Deeply religious and pious people – itching, waiting for the perfect moment to con you out of your last penny.
I could go on forever.
India is deeply materialistic and spiritual at the same time. Loving and yet filled with anger. Careless and overcautious. Starving and unashamedly pot-bellied (and I don’t mean due to malnutrition ref: Ethiopian children). My mind goes blank – a thousand thoughts crowd my consciousness and I have no idea in which direction I should go forward.

But back to the present – and the light-hearted! Things are (thank God!) settling down with uni ‘stuffs’. After a major rigmarole with papers, blue ink and stuffy international center officials, I’m in the clear. I’m now a registered student for an MA in Anthropology at the University of Mysore aka Manasagangotri (and don’t ‘ag shame’ me, I chose to do anthropology and was not rejected for engineering or some equally bland course) and am one of a class of four – three of which are males. Whoopee. I haven’t met any of my classmates and I must say that I’m quite looking forward to it in some sort of voyeuristic cum sado-masochistic bizarre way. Lectures are scheduled to start on the 3rd of September. ‘But that is still to be confirmed’ says the HOD with a nervous giggle and shifty eyes. Deep breathing…

Pity-party aside, India is giving me exactly what I asked for – an experience. It’s challenging the very foundation of my beliefs, thoughts and ideas and is readily shaking the ground beneath my feet (ref: Salman Rushdie). I’m trying to take it as it comes – not to expect the best or the worst and deal with ‘it’ as ‘it’ comes (…whatever ‘it’ might be). Although, that’s the original attitude I set out with from South Africa, I’m not sure how well that worked out. But deep inside the darkness of that graying thing called my brain I think I’m on the right path.

I spent this weekend (31st to the 2nd) in Silicon Valley – the IT capital of India. Kavita and Avinash and their delightful bundle of joy – Kush were my hosts for the weekend and it was lekker J to use words like lekker, bummed and phased without getting a blank stare. Avinash is on sabbatical and is with the Bangalore Law College (Lauw kaa-lej) in Nagarbhavi – a quite, quaint campus in the middle of god-knows-where in Bangalore. As I jumped onto a train to Bangalore (which I was lead to believe stops in Kengeri – about 8km from Nagarbhavi) I found out that yours truly was a non-stop Mysore-Bangalore superfast train. Fantastic. Some freak actually jumped out of the moving train when we got to the Kengeri station. Albeit it slow, rather slow, I still think it was madness. Anyway, I got to Bangalore, made like local and push-shoved-grunted my way down the subway to the bus-stand where I barked ‘Nagarbhavi’ at anything in brown (Note #1: I’ve noticed that ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ don’t work here – a grunt and snort will do. Note #2: all bus personnel wear brown, which is awesome until you get some uncle who decides it’s cool to traipse around in a safari suit.). For a smooth Rs.9 I got to Nagarbhavi Sarkal (circle) in one piece, compared to an autorickshaw, an otherwise Rs.80. Man I’m cool! He he. Anyway, after spending a delightful weekend with the family, I made my way back to Mysore (where I am now) and am quite happily tucked into the cozy confines of my mozzie net. I fear that when I finally return home, I’m going to find it difficult to sleep without the protection of my beloved scotch-guard.

My clothes smell like mothballs, I do my laundry like a five-year-old playing house-house and I’ve read far too much philosophy for my tiny brain to handle (I can hear my synapses misfiring), but it’s all ariight!! I’m exactly where I should be and everything is in its place, happening as it should. I’m taking one day at a time, enjoying the experience for what it is (the up’s and down’s) and taking-in every bit of this fantastically crazy land. But make no mistake, if the chips are down and I don’t feel they’re coming up – I’m a coming home!!… But not before a fight… tooth and nail… down to the bone.

Here I am India – bring it on…

Read More

*the author wishes you to note that this is a long long post. should you not wish to read it or not have the time, the crux of the message is that she is ok, doing well and is happy - no major train-smashes... yet (simply small ones!!)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Namaste Namaste Namaste!!

Two words – Shabaash India!!

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – I’m not sure if I’m brave or stupid and I hoped to find out by the time I arrived in India. Unfortuntely I haven’t an answer for you yet!

And so the journey begins...

I arrived in the motherland at midnight at the tail end of the monsoon season. I was met at the airport by an angel who had taken me under her wing before we had even met (through e-mails and smses)! Savita Bhen took me to her home and after a long flight and bad food I enjoyed some amazing hospitality. Fortunately, I didn’t catch any rain at all and was on the 10am flight to Bangalore in the morning. In Bangalore, I was met by Ashika Kaki – another god-sent in a crazy crazy city! Although I’d never been to Bangalore before, the atmosphere was lovely (although looney) and it’s definitely a place I could have some fun in! Bangalore also houses the legislative buildings which are truely something to see. Without sounding soppy, seeing the huge ashoka pillar mounted atop the roof filled me with pride – yeh mera des hai!! Onwards to the bus-stop which was complete chaos! The bus ride to Mysore was around 4 hours and the scenery en route was lovely (even though by this stage of my journey keeping my eyes open was truly a challenge!) – although I must say that not much can beat South African landscapes! Anyway, after arriving in Mysore, I could not find (Shamla) Amma and (Krishna) Appa anywhere!! I felt like a sore thumb!! No doubt, my enormous suitcase and confused expression gave me away! Luckily, I had taken some Rupee coins with me from South Africa and was able to call Amma from nearby p.c.o – aka callbox (please don’t ask me what that stands for – I’m not sure I’ll ever find out either!!!). It turns out that they were at the other end of the bus-stop at 3:45 and my bus only pulled in at 4:30. Oi vey. All’s well that ends well and at the end of an exhausting journey I reached a destination that has fast become home.

Amma and Appa have taken me in as their own and I really do feel comfortable – totally at home here. I’ve learnt to make tea and coffee (yes, the sugary, milky, espresso size type oh-so-unique to India!) and have learnt a few of the local customs. The language here is Kanada and slowly slowly (nidhaana nidhaana) I’m picking it up. Amma has been very instrumental in this – insisting that I note down and memorise at least 10 words every day. Amma and Appa’s house has become home and I think there are going to be a few tears when I move out.

On the uni side of things – if I prepared myself for things to be different I was grossly wrong. My God, things here are TOTALLY different!!! For starters, the uni confidently forgot to mention that admission dates have been extended to 31 July – which means that academic admission will only start after 31 July. They also kindly omitted to let me know that lectures start (or the academic year starts) at the end of August!!! Mmm… I have a feeling I have much to learn in this foreign yet strangely familiar country! The hostel is a totally different story. The rooms are tiny tiny tiny and are sharing – yes, sharing… which means that there are two beds, two desks and one cubboard for two students. The bathrooms are from another planet – eastern toilets and bucket baths with no hot water in the taps – there is one central hot water tap. Don’t get me wrong – I’m here for a different experience but dude, I still need to get qualification! I’m not sure if I would be able to function for long in that kind of an environment – I’m not sure if I want to! Generally speaking, hostels are not cool – the doors shut at 7:30pm, which means you absolutely have to be indoors by 7:30, or you’re sleeping with the cows for the night. Also, I’ve heard some nasty things about ‘ragging’ and initiation practices that I really don’t want to be a part of. So… after far too much roaming round Mysore city in the blazing sun looking at different types of accommodation, I’ve finally settled on a room as a paying guest. It’s a sharing room (which for the most part is unavoidable) and rent includes food and peace and quiet! It seems relatively safe and there is someone to do washing as well (for a small fee). The owner is a spinster and my room-mate is a computer engineer. Considering the options, I think it’s the best move and Appa is very happy with the arrangement. We all feel that at the beginning, it would be good to have some sort of support before I try a hand at the independent thing.

Phew! What a story na!! And all this in less than one week!!

Honestly speaking, I think I’ve been too pre-occupied to miss home – but but but – what I miss more than anything else is the people at home and the relationships we share. The ants bite, Amma and Appa call my mug a jug, and I have to squat and bath, as there is no warm water shower (something I’m going to have to get used to – fast!)… But pity party aside, I’m in for the ride of my life and even though a part of me rebels against it, there is equally another side, which gracefully embraces it.

And so begins the journey of a lifetime… and ends my rather long-winded Ramayan.

Until next time

Adieu…

Read More

friends!!

i have great news!!! the dream is finally becoming a reality!!!

i have been awarded a scholarship from the iccr (indian council for cultural relations) to do my masters in mysore, india. i will be based at the university of mysore, for two (yes two) whole years!!!

at the moment, things are totally looney here at home - my folks leave for the himalayas on the 18th and i leave on the 24 so there's absolute chaos!! neverthless, things are moving fast and i am (seemingly) keeping up.

what a story... and one that i shall indeed share, however for now... i'll leave it at that!!!

next post - inshallah (god-willing), in india!!!

till then... adieu...

Read More

as i opened up my blogger account this morning, my log registered that i'd last posted on the 21st of april. oi. my bad dear ones - i know i have left it late, and i have no other excuse but to say it was pure laziness... *ahem*... i do do apologise!

on the up side, i'm EMPLOYED!! a real job with a real contract and a real salary! how cool is that! the company is called Hi-Performance Learning (www.hpl.co.za) and it's a type of training company that deals with long term learning solutions - somewhat on an organisational development level. it's interesting work, and i'm really grateful for it, however i do recognise that it is a stepping stone to where i want to be ultimately - studying for my masters!!!

so, this is my story. madame fifi rises at 5am (bright and somewhat breezy), leaves home by 6 (although this is rarely the case). arrives at work (traffic permitting) at 7:15 ish and leaves work at round about 4pm. i gets back home at about 5:30ish, put my feet up for a while and get cracking in the kitchen. all going to plan - i'm in bed by 10 - latest 10:30!! phew! what a day!

no complaints - i'm learning so much! i'm learning about what i want in life, how far i can push my boundaries, organisational skills, multitasking - shucks, the list could go on and on!!

ba (mum) is doing ok. she had a hysterectomy exactly 3 weeks ago - and is recovering well. last night, i almost killed her - forgot why she was in bed and pounced on her belly - oh god. you have no idea what an absolute idiot i felt like. after lots of gentle rubbing (yes, i am capable of gently rubbing) and kisses and coo's, everything settled down. but not after i had given myself the fight of my life and promised to keep my hands, knees, elbows, toes and any other protruding body part away from the vicinity of ba.

ta, i should run now - procrastination is a wonderful thing - but not so wonderful in an officeful of people.

adieu dear ones...

Read More

Yogita Kunvar (BSS - Rhodes)

man, doesn't that look smashing!!! yup - the bodies... i have graduated... been thwacked on the head by rhodes university's very own vic-chancellor - dr saleem badat. and now (i'd like to hope) i'm ready to face the next challenge... post-grad!!

on the whole - grad was a fantastic affair. the uni and its relevent departments really do make a effort to make you feel special. the order of events for the weekend:
13 april (friday) - grad ceremony, evening snacks and supper at ma's house, out with me mates
14 april (saturday) - departmental party, garden party (for all parents, graduates, families, lecturers, friends... erm, just bout everyone!!) and grad ball!!!
15 april (sunday) - garden tea at emese's place (with yummy hungarian cake!!) and mandir (temple) in the evening.
over and above that i had two fab days to spend with me mates - bonding and all that.

and it's back to the city! before i left, i had been doing some temp work at a storage company in brakpan (hai sies!!) and am subsequently unemployed!! (eish!) i have an interview on wednesday for tutoring and hopefully the ithemba rape and trauma centre is willing to take on a volunteer. other than that - i've been painting to my heart's content and doing odds and sods! i'm really not complaining (at least - i've stopped now!!) and whatever is meant to happen will happen. i'm just really glad that i can take this time to chill and that there's no hectic pressure (like bills to pay or mouths to feed) to get a job.

other than that - yes, i miss rhodes terribly, and more than missing the place, i miss the relationships and lifestyle in gtown. but on we go and i'm happy to say that as much as i hate... no no... dislike joburg, i might as well enjoy it for what it is. so here's to good 'ol jozi - and the prospect of an exciting future!!

adieu...

Read More

i apologise for the lack of a photo on my profile. blogger seems to be conspiring to keep me from posting my pic... nevertheless, i shall persevere.

onto more pressing matters...

am i losing my sense of humor? (eek!) a few days ago, i made a comment ('could you go any slower') about a car driving really slow in front of us and it was brought to my attention that i am sarcastic. crap. sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, and i am sarcastic. double crap.

have i really lost my sense of humor or am i simply another victim of the brutal school of life? i miss rhodes (no doubt) and the fact that i haven't found a half-decent job makes my liver sad, but does that also mean that i've subconsciously slipped into a state of subliminal morbidity? mmm... let me be more clear - have i become a boring, city-worn, past-its-sell-by-date overwashed bon bon? blimey, i hope not...

Read More

If you've seen 85 movies or more, you apparently have no life.

Copy and paste and mark an x next to the films you have seen.

( ) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
( ) Pirates of the Caribbean
( ) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest
( ) Boondock Saints
( ) Fight Club
( ) Starsky and Hutch
(x) Neverending Story
( ) Blazing Saddles
( ) Airplane
Total: 2

( ) The Princess Bride
( ) AnchorMan
( ) Napoleon Dynamite
( ) Labyrinth
( ) Saw
( ) Saw II
( ) White Noise
( ) White Oleander
(x) Anger Management
( ) 50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries
( ) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Total so far: 4

( ) Scream
( ) Scream 2
( ) Scream 3
(x) Scary Movie
(x) Scary Movie 2
(x) Scary Movie 3
(x) Scary Movie 4
(x) American Pie
(x) American Pie 2
( ) American Wedding
( ) American Pie Band Camp
Total so far: 10

(x) Harry Potter 1
( ) Harry Potter 2
( ) Harry Potter 3
( ) Harry Potter 4
( ) Resident Evil 1
( ) Resident Evil 2
(x) The Wedding Singer
( ) Little Black Book
( ) The Village
( ) Lilo & Stitch
Total so far: 12

(x) Finding Nemo
(x) Finding Neverland
( ) Signs
(x) The Grinch
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
( ) White Chicks
(x) Butterfly Effect
(x) 13 Going on 30
( ) I, Robot
( ) Robots
Total so far: 17

( ) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
( ) Universal Soldier
(x) Lemony Snickt: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
( ) Along Came Polly
( ) Deep Impact
( ) KingPin
( ) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
(x) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
( ) Joe Dirt
( ) King Kong
Total so far: 20

( ) A Cinderella Story
(x) The Terminal
( ) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
(x) Dumber & Dumberer
(x) Final Destination
( ) Final Destination 2
( ) Final Destination 3
( ) Halloween
( ) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2
( ) Surviving X-MAS
(x) Flubber
Total so far: 25

(x) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
(x) Practical Magic
( ) Chicago
( ) Ghost Ship
( ) From Hell
( ) Hellboy
( ) Secret Window
(x) I Am Sam
(x) The Whole Nine Yards
( ) The Whole Ten Yards
Total so far: 29

(x) The Day After Tomorrow
( ) Child's Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
( ) Bride of Chucky
( ) Ten Things I Hate About You
( ) Just Married
( ) Gothika
( ) Nightmare on Elm Street
( ) Sixteen Candles
( ) Remember the Titans
( ) Coach Carter
( ) The Grudge
( ) The Grudge 2
(x) The Mask
( ) Son Of The Mask
Total so far: 31

( ) Bad Boys
( ) Bad Boys 2
( ) Joy Ride
( ) Lucky Number Sleven
(x) Ocean's Eleven
(x) Ocean's Twelve
(x) Bourne Identity
( ) Bourne Supremecy
( ) Lone Star
(x) Bedazzled
( ) Predator I
( ) Predator II
( ) The Fog
(x) Ice Age
(x) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
( ) Curious George
Total so far: 37

(x) Independence Day
( ) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
( ) Darkness Falls
( ) Christine
(x) ET
( ) Children of the Corn
( ) My Bosses Daughter
(x) Maid in Manhattan
( ) War of the Worlds (the original, not the Tom Cruise one)
(x) Rush Hour
(x) Rush Hour 2
Total so far: 42

( ) Best Bet
(x) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
( ) She's All That
( ) Calendar Girls
( ) Sideways
(x) Mars Attacks
( ) Event Horizon
( ) Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
( ) Big Trouble in Little China
(x) The Terminator
( ) The Terminator 2
( ) The Terminator 3
Total so far: 47

(x) X-Men
(x) X2
( ) X-3
(x) Spider-Man
( ) Spider-Man 2
( ) Sky High
( ) Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
(x) Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Little Mermaid
(x) Freaky Friday
( ) Reign of Fire
( ) The Skulls
( ) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
( ) The Hot Chick
(x) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
Total so far: 55

( ) Swimfan
(x) Miracle on 34th street
( ) Old School
( ) The Notebook
( ) K-Pax
( ) Krippendorf's Tribe
( ) A Walk to Remember
( ) Ice Castles
( ) Boogeyman
( ) The 40-year-old-virgin
Total so far: 56

(x) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
( ) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
( ) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
( ) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Total so far: 59

( ) Baseketball
( ) Hostel
( ) Waiting for Guffman
( ) House of 1000 Corpses
( ) Devils Rejects
( ) Elf
(x) Highlander
( ) Mothman Prophecies
( ) American History X
( ) Three
Total so Far: 60

( ) The Jacket
( ) Kung Fu Hustle
( ) Shaolin Soccer
( ) Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc.
(x) Titanic
(x) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
( ) Shaun Of the Dead
( ) Willard
Total so far: 63

( ) High Tension
( ) Club Dread
( ) Hulk
( ) Dawn Of the Dead
(x) Hook
(x) Chronicle Of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
(x) 28 days later
( ) Orgazmo
( ) Phantasm
( )Waterworld
Total so far: 66

(x) Kill Bill vol 1
(x) Kill Bill vol 2
( ) Mortal Kombat
( ) Wolf Creek
(x) Kingdom of Heaven
( ) The Hills Have Eyes
( ) I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
( ) The Last House on the Left
( ) Re-Animator
( ) Army of Darkness
Total so far: 69

( ) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
( ) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
( ) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
( ) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
( ) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
( ) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
( ) Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
( ) Ewoks The Battle For Endor
Total so far: 69

(x) The Matrix
(x) The Matrix Reloaded
(x) The Matrix Revolutions
( ) Animatrix
( ) Evil Dead
( ) Evil Dead 2
( ) Team America: World Police
(x) Red Dragon
(x) Silence of the Lambs
(x) Hannibal

grande total: 75!! shucks! not too bad ey man!!!

Read More

on a completely different note, life is good - i have a lovely roof over my head, yummy food in my tummy, nice clothing on my back.

other than that it sucks... still no job, still no word from the millions of people i've sent my cv to and still no bleeding sign of light at the end of my rather bleek looking tunnel...

ok, so maybe i'm painting a rather too-bleak-a-picture, but the world is a complicated, ironic, cruel place... that being said - oh things could have been so much worse.

in the light of things being much worse and in absolute gratitude for the things i do have - lets end this one on a good note:

*ahem

don't worry if your job is small and your rewards are few... remember that the mighty oak was once a nut like you...

adieu...

Read More

*ahem

let me recite a couplet...

i wish i was a glow-worm,
a glow-worm's never glum.
how could you be unhappy,
when the sun shines out your bum!

thank you very much.

Read More

wow, i can't believe that it's feb already!! it feels like the year has barely started...

well... i'm back in joburg after my little 'stint' in cape town and back to getting a job, phaffing around at home and getting extremely frustrated. i can honestly say that i fell in love with cape town. it's a chilled place and time literally seems to stand still... nevertheless, i don't know if i'd move there just yet - maybe when i retire!!! he he!!

the wedding was amazing - the connection between himal bhai and ramona bhabi was felt by everyone and that's what stole the show. it was fantastic seeing two people who are so deeply connected. special stuff.

anyway, other than that life carries on... and on... and on... and on...

Read More

bon jour all!!

i do apologise for the super delay in posting (no... i have been ignoring my blog), i've just been having trouble logging onto my blog. and so... i throw myself before you and beg your pardon...

and on with the show...

well... there's lots and lots to tell! firstly, (hold the applause) i have passed all my exams and am now (almost officially) the proud holder of a Bachelor of Social Science Degree. Ms. Yogita Kunvar BSS (Rhodes). Yay! (ok, you can clap now...) yes, yes, i know - you never thought this day would come... you're so proud of me... you just can't believe it's all over so soon... next thing you know i'll be getting married (erm... well, not quite!!)!! oi!

and now for my talent portion:
at the moment, i am unemployed and not going back to rhodes (yes, shock horror - *gasp*). the truth is that as much as i know i will miss and always love rhodes, i also know that i need a bit of a change of scenery, so... while i wait for a few applications to come in from a few uni's i've applied to, madam sits and wiggles her toes. the way things are going, i'm probably going to end up standing at a busy intersection with a cardboard placard inscribed: NO JOB, BSS GRADUATE, WILL WORK FOR COUTURE.

for the meanwhile, i am in kaapstad (cape town) pretending to be a good girl and helping out for my cousin's wedding. and just in case you wanted to know, i'm wearing a red and tan sari - the one i wore for anj bhen's wedding. just in case you wanted to know...

adieu brave knights of camelot and sweet princesses of the night...

Read More

Shucks, I can’t believe it’s the end of the year already. As I sit in my empty room, I strange wave of nostalgia sweeps over me. It’s good to leave – it really feels good to have something new and potentially exciting to look forward to, and yet, it’s a sad moment because I’m leaving possibly the best thing that happened to me.

Res is completely completely empty, I’m the only person on my floor and jess (the other sub-warden) is to leave in about half an hour. Funny, the year began with an empty res – being the only one on the floor, and is ending the same, like a neatly tucked in bed-sheet. Saying good bye to everyone hasn’t been that easy, but there’s comfort in the fact that I’ll be back for grad.

Bapu has come from joburg yesterday (Thursday) and we’re scheduled to leave on Sunday (although that’s debatable at this point in time). The car’s already packed up – can you believe… I’m early for once in my life!!! I’m really hoping that we can meet ba and anjani bhen in ficksburg and go for some cherry picking, but we’ll have to play it by ear for now. then, once I’m in joburg, I need to start sorting out what I want to do with my life – ie the next few years. I’m totally clueless… still totally clueless!! So… I’m going to do a bit of major brainstorming, relaxing and decision making over this vac.

For now it’s adieu… I don’t know when I’ll be able to update (the internet connection at home isn’t all that hot!) but until next time…

Adieu…

Read More

i’m feenished!!!

the feeling of relief sweeping over my sleep-deprived body was – is an indescribable sensation… something like making it to the loo when your eyeballs are floating, or snagging the last piece of chocolate cake… mmm… chocolate cake. yes, the feeling of relief… incomparable to any other human experience.

in other news…

hopefully, my synapses catch up with the good news and allow me some sleep… i’m starting to see square circles floating on my ceiling - which makes me doubt my sanity (irony!!). on the flip-side, i now have time to chill, do some art, go for walks and just generally flomp around camps – which i probably won’t end up doing in any event. tee hee – nevertheless, it’s good to have dreams na?

ok, all together now…

(p.s in case you’re not on the train – i’ve just feenished exams… like forever – well, almost...)

Read More