Life is what we make of it

After a long wait, I bought a camera yesterday. And to test it, I was all up for an adventure today. Yes, I had one too and that involved travelling for 4.5 hours approximately, but all I realize is; I wasted that opportunity. How, you would wonder? Well, the story goes like this....

"A me, after a day out crashed on the sofa to watch reruns of one of her favourite shows, One Tree Hill. This day's rerun had that episode where Brook Davis realizes that the carefree-phase of a person's life is short-lived and is soon replaced by the responsibility-shouldering adult life. She skips an opportunity of getting her designer label showcased and instead goes to attends her last cheer-leading tournament, which she enjoys to the fullest. Discontent with the day's event, I quickly absorbed that message in and started analyzing: Why didn't I enjoy to my fullest? Soon I got the answer to this nagging question and that is; I was busy clicking, so busy that I didn't even spared a moment to look away from the viewfinder and enjoy the beauty or even enjoy! Hence, all my efforts went in vain."

This is not the only instance, from past few weeks I don't feel like blogging also. Basically, because lately I have been blogging to either participate in various blogging contests or review random freebies that I snag on the basis of my blog. I haven't been 100% true to myself in this process and now the discontent has grown so much over me that I am trying to dodge things and my blog. Blogging is an integral part of my life, it allows me share a piece of my mind, something which I'd rather preserve in the real world because no one really gives a damn! Some great friends I have at this point of time is all due to blogging. I don't feel good at all after betraying this platform.

Plus, I've also learned today that I shouldn't hurry into growing-up (All thanks to One Tree Hill). Mainly, because I should enjoy this phase of my life instead of worrying about random stuff in a grown-up fashion and turning the inside of my head into a tension-pit. There are just a handful of years left, after that I'll be working and have a grown-up's life. Also honestly, I don't want to grow old thinking of stuff I could have done and repent things. The three years of college life I have on my hand; no matter to which college I go, or which major I choose, I have today made myself a promise to enjoy it to the fullest rather than over-criticize stuff and sadden myself in the process.

Before I conclude this post, I might as well say "Cheers" to the new improved me (*winks*). So till next folks, take care.

Slim doesn't always mean fit!

"Are you trying to lose weight?" were the words my friend spoke. That triggered my thought process and I instantly began analyzing the true definition of the word "exercise". If I go by what the Oxford dictionary claims to be the real meaning; exercise is just doing some physical activity. But what my friend interpreted after seeing me jog seemed like 'losing weight' and 'exercise' are synonyms! At that point I didn't ponder much on it and limited my thoughts. Soon, I told an another friend about how I have been running some miles daily to prevent vacation blues and she said, "Woah, that's too much. You are thin enough, then what is the need?". And it provoked me again to contemplate on this issue.

Frankly, I am fed up of this attitude of masses, mostly they think that a person exercises only when he or she needs to lose weight! Seriously?! To be honest, I have been involved in different sporting activities since my childhood; football, cricket, basketball, athletics.....you name it and I have played it at some level or other. Hence, fitness has become a way of life, not an option. It's more like a way to replenish myself with a new vigour and release all the pent up frustration. So, the mentality of people that "you exercise only when you need to lose weight" seems absurd to me.

After giving that question a good consideration, I figured out that in our society exercising has been permanently linked to over-weight people and thus, this perspective is prevalent! Maybe this is why more and more people are leading a sedentary lifestyle, today, as they are of a mindset that if they are thin they are fit enough. And this is what irks me the most, the comparison of a slim person with a fit person. Why can't we say "Hey, you are so fit" instead of "Hey, you look so slim"? Well, now I shall leave it onto you to reflect on it....

"The hardest thing in life is standing in a room full of people and still feeling lonely."

All we require is a will to take an initiative

A city where millions come to realize their dreams, Mumbai technically acts as a mother to all of them. Theoretically, if we break down the name of the city, it means mother too; 'Mum' an English word means mother and so does the Marathi word "bai". Hence, we can safely conclude that Mumbai is a female figure. But is the female populace in this metropolis safe?

According to the statistics, Mumbai is the safest city in India. Still, the pages of the daily newspaper is filled with all sort of wrong-doing against women! Yes, I agree Mumbai's women related crime-rate is lower than other townships in India but it still is not completely safe for women here. Being called names, passed lewd comments at and touched in a wrong manner are few of the misdeeds that females here have to go through on a daily basis!

I don't blame this city, I can't as I am a born and bought up Mumbaikar who has considered this metro home  since the time I opened my eyes, sixteen years ago. But I do blame the orthodox mindset of the population in this melting-pot of culture still have! I ask why can't a women go around freely without being touched? I ask why can't she return home late night due to whatsoever reason without being eve-teased?

They say "Education is the key to everything", still in a city where highly-educated people dwell women still face serious security issues. And it is not only about what happens outside our homes but also inside; domestic violence, gender discrimination, etc. prevails even in households where everyone is literate. Maybe what we need is the will to take initiative and the desire to set an example to others through our actions. I'm doing my part by standing up for myself and spreading the words through my blog.

Last Saturday, I attended a blogger's meet whose theme happened to be "Mumbai for Women" where the issues faced by women in Mumbai was briefly discussed and where a few solution were provided too. For instance, bloggers were informed about the Railway Helpline number 9833331111. Any individual, whether male or female, can get help here if their is something wrong has happened to them during or after their train commute. I strongly tell you to save this number because you never know when you might need it.

I had a poem in my English textbook titled "What endures?" by "Walt Whitman" which stresses that a city alone is not great but is made great by its people. Thus, on the bottom-line; Mumbai can be made safe for her ladies only when the citizens come-forward to undertake this initiative. 

Eye-candy ahoy!

So, the day before yesterday I happened to be at a Blogger's meet organized by Indiblogger at the Times Of India building. The central theme of this meet was women's safety in this city; Mumbai. Although I have a lot to share with you guys in that regard, I guess you'll have to wait for a day or two because even thought my exams got over recently I still have an entrance to prepare for and that is keeping me busy these days!

Anyways, as the meet was conducted in a heritage structure (TOI's main office) located at the Fort district of Mumbai, it was a photographic delight! Of course, I love wandering in that area but getting to capture the internal architecture of a vintage structure is an amazing experience altogether. Though renovated to keep up with the changing era, it still possess that distinct old world charm.But blame it on my poor mobile camera that I couldn't snap a lot of pictures due to the dim light inside the building.

Keeping the talks aside and without any further ado, here are the pictures...

This pic of Flora Fountain was taken a few days before the meet

And this is it for today, but don't you worry I'll be back soon. Till then take care...