Life Unpacked

The fact that being a food and travel and lifestyle blogger is a physically demanding task may come as a shocker to many. With all that food sampling and long hours on the road punctuated with unhealthy eats, the unhealthy effects do show after a certain point of time. Hence, I wasn't surprised when I noticed that my physical fitness has declined from being a 5k run ready to gasping for breath on climbing merely a flight of stairs. In order to remedy this state of being, I shopped for new workout gear and was all set to hit my local park but procrastination seemed to get the best out of me every single time. This was when I got an opportunity to try out a hot yoga class in Mumbai. Now, hot yoga is a total rage in Western countries. At the same time, it is relatively unheard of in India, the birthland of yoga. So I curiously signed up for the same. Today I am trying to spread a word about this particular kind of yoga and my experience of the same at the premier yoga studio I sampl...

There exists a long list of things which I dread, one of which is having to go to an airport. Even though I love travelling and absolutely adore journeys, the prospect of reaching the airport on time to catch a flight is terrifying (Courtesy: Dozens of almost missed flights) and so is the thought of having to kill time at the airport (Courtesy: Children crying their lungs out). So when I was invited to have a look at the newly done GVK Lounge at CSIA and sample the decadent food offerings, I wasn't thrilled, to be honest. Now, in retrospective, I am glad I tried facing this fear of mine because all thanks to this one visit, I can surely assure you that at least Mumbai Airport has ceased to frighten me anymore. In fact, I am desperately wanting to call it my second home! Dripping with luxury at every nook and doused with a distinctively opulent Indian touch the GVK Lounge at CSIA is an absolute eye-candy. Each direction is a sight to behold. The lush interiors coupled with the...

After an overwhelming September, every inch of my existence demanded a getaway from the monotony prevalent in my days currently. Hence, when this weekend presented me with an opportunity to explore the art of eating for wellness, amidst a setting straight out of a storybook through the Life Enhancing Cooking Workshop at Hilton Shillim, I simply couldn't say no. The Scenic Drive See? I wasn't boasting about the wildflowers! Nestled in the Sahyadris, the 320 acres-wide Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa is a wellness space with a focus on environmental sustainability. Merely a 3 hours long drive away from the madness that is Mumbai, this place was all that my battered batteries needed. One can actually sense the serenity setting in en-route to the property itself as the car whizzes on narrow winding roads with the Pawana Lake in the backdrop. And as I happened to be visiting right after the finale of monsoon, I was greeted with greens of varying shades and w...

Today is Thursday, just another random Thursday where I go about my day, doing nothing out of the ordinary, and waiting for the weekend. Last Thursday, however, was different... One of the most striking similarity between Indian performing arts is the fact that they all heavily draw influences from nature- be it the Hindustani classical music ragas, or the mudras and stances of Bharatnatyam. Hence, it was but only natural for NCPA to choose 'pashu' as the theme for their sixth edition of Mudra Dance Festival as a way to appreciate the animal symbolisms in Indian mythology.  Mudra Dance Festival's primary intent is to celebrate the Indian performing arts heritage by placing them in different contexts. This year the festival ran from 21st April to 24th April. And this was exactly what I got a chance to witness last Thursday. The inaugural dance performance of Mudra Dance Festival '16 titled 'Hamsoham- the soul of Indian art & philosophy...

Given the amount of books I have assigned myself to read this year; I have been on the look for little cheats that I can employ in finishing the humongous target 36 books in 2016, after a massive failure in achieving my 2015's target. And I shouldn't be amused at my antics- I am a slow reader! Anyway, the little cheat I have managed to wrap my head around isn't technically a cheat: I have been picking up books within the limit of 150 pages. No, I am not compromising on the literary source. In fact, I compiled a list of around ten  supposedly terrific  books within 100 pages after spending a few hours prancing around the internet. To put a cherry on these facts, I have already finished reading two books in their entirety (hence, being in tune with my reading schedule, according to Goodreads)! Yet, that feeling of wanting to go back and know more after getting through a story is missing. Instead, a relief washes over me- of finally being done. I don't know whether it...

As I sit here, languidly running through the pictures contained in my digital album, I am gawking in disbelieve. The year has passed by in a blur. Witnessed Megadeth live from the front row! I cannot comprehend the magnitude of this year; yes, I did face Chronic Fatigue, but, at the same time, had wonderful surprises knocking at my door all the time, be it in the form of a sudden call for Camp , or the screen of my new Lumia showing that I cleared IPCC exams, or even managing to see Megadeth live from the first row! Undoubtedly, 2015 has been something. View from the windmill farm at Nashik After all, I turned 19 years old; I put myself out there and socialized, despite my brain wanting to go home and doze off; I pushed myself to take a leap of faith, and got going on a two day excursion to Nashik, with two folks I barely knew at that time; and how can I forget, I met Bruce Dickinson, the front-man of Iron Maiden! Quite a year, eh? Well, that's not all...

It has been a really long time since I poured my heart out here. And honestly, my day feels incomplete if I don't blog or even attempt to blog. Heck, I am not even able to align my thoughts in a straight fashion now after all these months of idleness in writing department. Still, I am trying to push through because I have lots to tell, yes, lots ! I have been reading a few books, doing quite some things. Yet, as strange as it may seem; the only thing coming to my mind, which finds a mention in my lots lists, is something that happened very recently, that is, last Saturday. What happened, you'd ask. Well, Kamathipura happened. Most of you must be acquaint with this little infamous pocket of Mumbai, if not, then all you should know is this place is a 'no-go'. I went there as a part of my college's AICUF unit for a social outreach program whose focus was interaction with the children of the women who work there. Frankly, I wasn't expecting much out of this ...

So I attempted my IPCC both groups examination in May. Honestly, my exams sucked. Yes, big time. Most probably because I wasn't organized enough, right from the start and wasted a lot of time, thanks to my wrong course selection, and partially, my internship. I think I will have to attempt IPCC again in November (and there goes my 18th Birthday) and if I count, I have around three and a half months to prepare. I made a lot of mistakes in my first time, which I realized during my May exams, I have compiled a list of the same to guide myself better this time and also to give an insight to first timers of the blunders I committed so that they don't end up doing the same. For practical subjects, don't waste time with hefty theory books, instead refer a book which gives an insight about the theory in short and spend all time possible doing practical questions. Later on, if required go through the theory from Practice Manual. For taxation, make sure you maintain notes from t...