Whats a childhood without Granma’s stories, the innocent “ghar-ghar” game, the birthday dress and the dream toy
Whats school days without a group of friends calling themselves with some fancy names, a favourite teacher, tuitions, at least one punishment, the midnight snacks in the dark hostel room, the annual functions and school field trips
Whats college days without a minimum of one ragging story, the cafeteria classes, the attendance shortage, the borrowed notes, the excitement when the pocket money arrives, the so called combined studies and the first heartaches

Whats left now are the black and white photos, the school year book,
the scrap books that was filled by the entire class a month before graduating,
the Archie’s greeting cards, the letters received in the hostel, the pictures, the memories, the stories and friends.

Life moves on to open new doors and new adventures at every step
Cant live in the past but can hold on to sweet memories and friends
Whats life without a few mistakes, a few crazy stories, a heartbreak and friends

This found its way in my mailbox and it really made me smile, especially when I was having a hard day.

After every flight, pilots complete a gripe sheet which conveys to the mechanics, problems encountered with the aircraft during the flight that need repair or correction. The form is a piece of paper that the pilot completes and then the mechanics read and correct the problem. They then respond in writing on the lower half of the form what remedial action was taken and the pilot reviews the gripe sheets before the next flight.
Never let it be said that ground crews and engineers lack a sense of humour.
Here are some actual logged maintenance complaints and problems submitted by pilots and the solution recorded by maintenance engineers.
P = The problem logged by the pilot.
S = The solution and action taken by the engineers.

P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

P: Test flight OK, except autoland very rough.
S: Autoland not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in cockpit.
S: Something tightened in cockpit.

P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back-order.

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 fpm descent.
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level.

P: Friction-locks cause throttle-levers to stick.
S: That's what they're there for.

P: IFF inoperative.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you're right.

P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny.
S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with words.

P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.

Any outfit can be enhanced or ruined by the choice of accessories. Things like shoes, bags, jewellery, gloves, sunglasses, hats etc play such an important role in ones wardrobe, a wrong combination of any of the accessories can make even a Versace gown look bad. The most versatile of these accessories are stoles, scarves and shawls. One can experiment with them in so many different ways and change the look of any outfit, and let’s not forget they are practical and very handy.

Stoles- A stole is very much like a shawl but narrower. Usually stoles are made of chiffon, silk and other light material and have light embroidery. They can be mixed and matched with salwars, instead of the usual dupattas. Tie a simple plain stole around the neck like a scarf on formal wears. One can also throw an embroidered stole around ones arms to complement an evening dress. If you are wearing clothes that are of the same colour, for example a dress, which is of just one colour then stoles add that touch of extra colour and break the monotony. There are of course stoles made of fur if you need that extra glamorous effect and if you can carry it off.

Scarves- If you look at it, a scarf is just a piece of cloth, but you would be surprised at the amount of uses it has. A knitted scarf can be used as mufflers, or just hang it loosely over your coat or jacket. If a plain boring formal shirt is accessorised scarf with simple printed scarf, it can change the whole look. Just ensure the colours complement the shirt and are not loud. Use a scarf as a bandana or tie it around a nice hat. Tie a nice coloured scarf to your casual hand bag when you are in the jeans/t-shirt look to add that slight touch of glamour, or tie a small sized scarf on your hand like a wrist band when you are wearing tracks or shorts.

Shawls- Shawls have been used as a fashion accessory since ages. Shawls have been used across the world from Spain to China. In India shawls have been mostly associated with cold places and mostly used as a garment that keeps you warm rather than as an accessory. Thanks to the designer shawls and beautiful pashmeenas they are now being exploited and used on all kinds of outfit. The shawls can be used on anything from jeans to sarees depending upon the material, size, design and most importantly the occasion. On a heavy embroidered saree, loosely pin a similar coloured shawl on one shoulder. Use a nice pashmeena as a dupatta. Use a simple pashmeena around your shoulders with jean or trousers instead of sweaters. Imagine this, you are all set for a party but you might need to walk for a little while before reaching the venue and you are wearing a nice halter neck op and are uncomfortable walking on a busy street with that. You cannot top that with a sweater or a jacket, so use a nice matching shawl or a pashmeena, which is not helpful but also beautiful.

Use them as something to keep you warm, use it to break the monotony of a dress, use them on formal wear, use them as a bandana or a wrapper on your swimsuits, use them over salwars or evening gowns, just go out and experiment with them.

I might probably be hammered for these thoughts by guys…..girls let me know if you think alike. Guys take it in a good spirit!

Have you ever noticed your male friends frowning if they see a guy sipping a pink colour cocktail, any daiquiri or even a gin? Do you have friends who ridicule a guy who orders for vodka with sprite or gin with tonic water? I even know some men who would have had vodka as their first drink and then gradually moved to whiskey and his friends congratulating him on finally graduating.

A man drinks Scotch and Whiskey and is surprised, even shocked if a lady states that she prefers Whiskey over other drinks. Is it because they think a woman cannot handle Whiskey or is it a mental block that women only like liquor that tastes sweet? Have you ever noticed that when a guy makes a cocktail for a lady, it is always vodka based and almost always sweet?

It is rare to find anything else other than beer, Scotch and Whiskey in an all guys gathering. One might find occasional dark rum. A believer in this whole concept of masculine drinks would succumb to drinking wine or a cocktail, only if he is on a very formal first date or if nothing else is available. How often do you find men who know their drinks? How many men can distinguish the taste between a Johnny Walker and Chivas Regal or even a Signature and Royal Challenge?

Don’t get me wrong guys, I am not a feminist and advocating that all women know their drinks. All that I am asking is….What is this whole concept about masculine drinks and What is it with men and their adherence to yellow/gold liquors?

Cheers!!!!

Anybody can walk in and out of our lives, but how many remain through thick and thin?
Many can claim to understand us, but how many can actually even penetrate the skin?
Anybody can sympathize, but how many can actually empathize?
Many can like you in spite of your vices, but how many like you along with it?

You share tears and smiles, joy and mourning
You share craziness and dreams, crushes and heartaches
The only person who you never lie to
The only person you never have to pretend to
The only person who never judges you

What makes a best friend different from anybody, is not only what they do, but more importantly who they are!

Darjeeling, the beautiful hill station remains as one of the most popular and scenic tourist destinations in India. I am not going to touch on the history neither the popular spots in Darjeeling that are covered in travel itineraries. I am throwing in my tit bits about some places and activities known only to locals.

The Ghoom Monastery might be one of the oldest in Darjeeling and is a must visit, but the Druk Thoptsen Sangag Choling Monastery (Dali Monastery) is the more beautiful one. I have seen the monastery growing from a humble 2-storeyed building to the massive structure that it is now. The monks are even helpful enough to give a full tour of the monastery. The Japanese peace pagoda is another beautiful sight, do visit the adjoining Japanese temple there, preferably during the evening prayers. If you have a lot of time to spare then take a hike from the Dali monastery to the peace pagoda through Gandhi road, which has very less traffic. One can also walk another 15 minutes from peace pagoda to reach the main town. Make pit stops at small shops selling hot momos (Tibetan dumplings), aloo dum and of course tea. One crosses 2 good monasteries and the famous residential school, St Pauls on this road.

 

Everybody who visits Darjeeling knows about chowrasta and the mall road. The walk around the observatory hill offers the best views of the hills of Sikkim and the Kanchenjunga range. Very few tourists know about the road that connects chowrasta to the Darjeeling Himalayan Zoo. I consider that road as one of the best trails in Darjeeling for a walk; the locals call it “Lover’s Road”, why? Well it’s beautiful with absolutely no traffic, small lanes with pine tress and awesome views. To go on this trail, instead of taking a turn around the observatory hill, you need to cross the raj bhavan and follow the road. Don’t work, you will never lose your way in Darj.

Do visit the temple in the observatory hill also, there aren’t many places in India where you will find a Hindu priest and a Buddhist monk sitting together and praying to the same idol. There is a small cave in the temple and there are local legends that state that the cave has a secret tunnel. I am not sure about how true these are, but the temple in the observatory hill are unique. Try your hands in white water rafting in the Teesta river and go on a mountain biking trip. Check out the rare salamanders in Jorepokhri and shop in Pashupati, the Nepal border.  

Any visit to Darjeeling is incomplete without trying its delicious momos. I recommend the small restaurants near the Big Bazaar area as the best places to try these out, also try the thukpas (noodles in soup) and of course aloo dum. These aloo dums are extremely spicy and have not found potatoes sold in this style anywhere else in India. My favourite restaurant in Darjeeling is the Kevenders, it still has the colonial charm. You get the best continental breakfast in Darjeeling in Kevenders and Glenarys is where you will get the best home made chocolates and the best apple pie. Try buzz for a drink in the evening, it is located at the basement of Glenarys, occasionally local rock bands play there after 7pm.

This is just a glimpse of Darjeeling from a local’s eye. Yes Darjeeling has its own share of political tensions and water issues but the place is beautiful and people are warm. I might be a little biased when it comes to Darjeeling, because the place is home to me.