Archive for May, 2007

  • 20 May

    Posted by
    Marise


    Category

    One more Sunday to go

    0

    Went for the 8;30 mass. I completely switched off during the sermon. Came home quickly as I had to head to Andheri soon after. Made some of the lunch and started off to Ajay’s place. Reached Dadar to realise there were horrible lines so bought CVM coupons instead. Luckily got a fast train immediately and a connecting bus too at Andheri station. Then spent 3 hours watching the various CSI episodes. Lunch sure was a variety. Ajay’s folks had a spread. There were Goa sausages, Tandoori chicken, Cauliflower, Steamed rice & Dal. I took a long time to eat but enjoyed myself.

    Came home in the evening.

    We have a couple of days more to see each other before he heads off to SCMHRD. There are times I beg him to stay and would go to any lengths to persuade him not to go. But then I realize our lives may be so much better because of that. Things usually have a way of working themselves out. Lets see how it goes. I hate long distance relationships. I tried it once and it didn’t work. But this time I realise things are so different from the way things were the last time. I know I will do whatever it takes to make it work. I just love that man so much. To me he’s perfect.

  • 20 May

    Posted by
    Marise


    Category

    Moving Day

    4

    Saturday saw a flurry of activity at Tulsiani Chambers. The morning started out with a lot of long faces. Guess people prefer the trip to town than that to Ghansoli. Anyway the packers came and then everyone was running around getting all important data together as no one is quite sure whether it will all be there once we set up at the new place. So first the papers, folders and paraphernalia went. Then went the computers. So basically we were outta work.

    Priyanka, Michelle, Snehal et moi lunched at Sassania  – a little Parsi restaurant at Metro. I used to eat there occasionally there when I was in St. Xavier’s. The place has a lot of wonderful memories. Ah back to the present ….. we had Chilly -Garlic Potatoes, Dhansak, Chicken Farcha, Kheema pao. Desert of Walnut Brownie and Lagan Du Custard followed. It was a good meal.

    The evening was lovely. It consisted of music, a fake smile, lots of talking, wind in my hair, good food, familiar faces, a bus ride.

  • 18 May

    Posted by
    Marise


    Category

    PMS

    9

    Sunil and Manoj put us to work on the PMS (Performance Management System) project that they have been loaded with from January. Basically they seem to have a mismanagement of the data – with it being sent in bits and pieces from all over the country. The excel is fun though. I think I have mastered the ‘vlookup’ formula (I’ve used it soo much in the last few days).Learned a little about the SAP system too.

    The other projects are coming on nicely. The inputs from the team are a great help. Thanx guys for all the help.

    Tomorrow will be my last day in town. We move lock stock and barrel to Ghansoli from Monday. The packing has already begun. Tomorrow there will probably be chaos in the office.

    I’m going to miss my time in town :(

  • 14 May

    Posted by
    Marise


    Category

    Sandeep and Biplab go bye-bye …

    0

    After a few days of chaos, things at work are finally settling down. Not that we have individual computers but things are improving. Apparently the group I work with have the perception that my Excel skills are way better that theirs (I know one person who is going to smirk at this) so I landed myself with an Excel based job. Manoj put me on a PMS project that is very interesting but I run the risk of ruining my eyesight in the bargain! I like learning new things and so this second session of excel (this first being with Ashish) promises to excite me a great deal.

    Lunch was good. Made my special Chilly -Garlic Potato and tucked into the sprouts Priyanka brought.

    It was Manoj’s birthday today and so we sang for him (I think he was a wee bit embarrassed) and got some yummy chocolate cake.

    Later we had a farewell session for Sandeep and Biplab. Sandeep interviewed me for the job and I was looking forward to working with him. I heard some stories about his ability to shred presentations on any subject under the sun. But then there was also the considerate, calming side to him which I saw at my interview when I got a wee bit worked up.

    He’ll probably never come across this post but here’s wishing you all the very best Sandeep as you move on to other challenges.

    Reached home at around 9.30 p.m. Said rosary. Will have dinner and hit the sack soon.

  • 14 May

    Posted by
    Marise


    Category

    Sunday at SA

    3

    Barely managed to wake up in the morning for the 8.30 a.m. mass. John said the mass and come to think of it, it will probably be the last Sunday mass he says in the parish. He’s going to be going to Dharavi as Parish Priest. We are sure going to miss his dynamic presence in the parish.

    Met the youth group after mass. Chatted a while and then came home to a good breakfast. Ruth made a nice chicken for lunch and I looked up a bake called Cauliflower Au Gratin. It turned out quite nicely. Will put up the recipe in a while.

    Went to Andheri and spent the evening with Ajay. I managed to incur his wrath but sticking my band-aid on the edge of his laptop :( But had a fun evening on the whole (I can’t stay mad at him for long and besides it was my fault that he got angry in the first place) We treated ourselves to sev puri and I remembered the last time we had the snack. (It cost me a lot of money)

    I was really exhausted by the time I reached home (A combination of lack of a full night’s sleep the previous night and no afternoon nap). Put my head on the pillow and promptly fell asleep for an hour. Woke up said rosary and had dinner and went off to sleep.

    A new week tomorrow with new things to do.

  • 12 May

    Posted by
    Marise


    Category

    Scarcity of Resources

    4

    I’ve been working for the last 11 days and haven’t accomplished much. The sole reason being the lack of resources at work. For a multi million dollar company, it sure doesn’t say much.

    We’re been given projects which to a large extent are research based. How does one hope to achieve anything without a workstation, computer and an internet connection?

  • 10 May

    Posted by
    Marise


    Category

    Sunday with Spidey

    5

    After much planning about where to catch the movie, we finally settled for a place in town since Spider Man 3 was running at 4 places there. We decided to take our chances for tickets for the 4 p.m. show.

    Landed at Eros to find a mighty crowd and decided that we probably would not get tickets. So the boy very sweetly agreed to walk to Sterling where there were no tickets (though the black market ones seemed to be in abundance!) and the Hindi version was running at New Empire. We decided to try Regal anyway although chances seemed slim.

    However to our good luck we did get tickets – in the 3rd row in front of the screen. While I was comfortable the tall one was uncomfortable for sure. But I enjoyed the movie, inspite of the fact that I’m not getting no engagement ring any time soon :(

    The movie was definitely much better than part 2 of the movie.

    We caught a bite at Mac Donald’s and took a bus ride home.

  • 10 May

    Posted by
    Marise


    Category

    So long farewell ……

    8

    Monday, our last day in Goa. The week just ran by so quickly. But then I guess that is what happens when your having a fantastic time. I’ve never had a more fun packed week in Goa!

    We were woken up early as we had to pack to leave. Crispin went to Badem to pick up a parcel he had to take back and came back with a huge box of mangoes – which he had to lug all the way back home.

    After we were done with the packing, Ajay and I trimmed the garden, while Ruth and Crispin and Ruth were having duals with the trimmed branches!

    In the garden

    the dual

    After lunch we surveyed the luggage and found that there was no way we could manage it by bus to the station.

    The luggage

    However it being lunch time there is a dearth of conveyance unless you have already arranged for it. We decided to take our chances.

    Wished Grandma goodbye and headed for the station with 6 packages and Ruth and Dora for porters. Fortunately we managed to get hold of a rick which took all the luggage to the station. The rest came walking over the mountain to the station. Valley met us there.

    The train was 40 minutes late which is rather unusual. I managed to get a seat in the same compartment as Ajay and Crispin. Had a comfortable trip back.

    Uncle Antony picked us up at Dadar and dropped me home before heading back to Andheri. Unpacked the goodies and hit the bed.

  • 08 May

    Posted by
    Marise


    Category

    Sun, sand and surf …….

    4

    I hate going to the usual beaches (Baga, Calangute, Anjuna) in Goa because they are extremely crowded and also because they are rather far from where we stay. Since the boys were with us we decided to head to the beach and take our chances. Valley simply surprised us with the secluded beach she took us to. It was a small stretch between Baga and Anjuna. We had to cross a stream which had quite a strong current and then climb up a hill and down again to the paradise we spent the afternoon at.

    The stream

    I didn’t plan on going into the water and so decided against taking a change of clothes. Sat on a rock like the little mermaid (while my prince charming was splashing around in the water) for a while but then gave into temptation and jumped into the water. I never regretted the decision.

    However I had no intention of coming home all wet. So decided to dry off the best way I could think off – clothes on a rock with me sun bathing. It sure was an experience!

    A little puddy cat decided that he wanted to spend time with Ajay and so kept walking up to him and purring……. I don’t think that he quite liked the attention the cat was paying him. Fortunately for him we had two cat lovers who whisked the little fellow away -Ruth and Dora.

    I felt a wee bit sad leaving the spot as there was still a lot of light but it was some more time at the beach at the risk of missing our last bus back to Mapusa.

    We made our way back to Mapusa and treated ourselves to Gadbhad ice cream after which I was still feeling hungry and so had a chickoo milkshake.

    We got off the bus to find it drizzling quite hard and threatening to pour, so we stopped at Andrea’s house and got treated to watermelon.

    It was back home then, a quick dinner and the sack. The holiday was over but not quite. We still had some of Monday to enjoy ourselves.

  • 07 May

    Posted by
    Marise


    Category

    Sunday morning and the ‘witch doctor’

    11

    We were up (not so) bright and early Sunday morning. Quickly dressed and went for mass. We were sweating buckets of water by the time me got there. The was absolutely no place in church so we had to sit in the passage outside. Thankfully there were fans. Valley and Crispin managed to get us some chairs.

    Ajay’s neck was hurting him so he got a quick fix from the local ‘witch doctor’ (just kidding) This woman massages with her toes and both Ruth and Ajay were happy with the results.

    Ajay and the witch doctor

    We always make a visit to St. Christopher’s Church, which is the parish to which we belong. Like St. Michael’s Church in Mahim, Mumbai, this church too has a miraculous picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. Unfortunately by the time we reached there the Church was locked and bolted. Was rather disappointed but said a small prayer while the “photo-man” took some pics of the church and we headed back home (I didn’t even get my customary ice cream – making the lip here …. hint hint!)
    St. Christopher's Church

    We got off at Cansa Board to get some provisions and treated ourselves to Super Orange (the Zen was better)! It is the local fizzy drink.

    Super Orange

    On the way back, Ajay wanted to play the “home maker” and so to prove that he was good at the job drew a whole madka of water by himself!

    Ajay the home maker

    And he also discovered his lost love …… playing with the touch me not plants!

    Touch me nots

    The evening was another story ……………….

Page 1 of 212»