You know when...

This is not particularly creative, but definitely relatable. This is a list of "You know when..." that I've said and that my friends have said. These are all unfortunately real life situations.

1) You know when you're stuck writing a technical document, want to do something different, so you glance up to see if your boss is at her seat. Then in her absence, you pull up your blog post and start writing and shriek when you hear your boss laughing at you from behind because she's reading it over your shoulder? Yeah. So much for being stealthy!

2) You know when someone says the name of your crush at work and you get whiplash from looking up too fast? Yeah, way to be obvious!

3) You know when you're so sleep deprived that you put Odomos on your toothbrush instead of toothpaste? Well, your teeth never got bitten by mosquitoes!

4) You know when your dog tries to wake you up and you try to play dead, and then she steps on a particularly sensitive area and you're all "I'M AWAKE!!" Really. Never woken up faster!

5) You know when you forget that your global CEO is in town for a visit and then wear shiny rhinestone jeans on a Friday and then try not to laugh at the horrified look that the Client Relations Manager is giving you as you bump into them on the stairs? Well, at least the CEO said "Nice jeans!"

6) You know when you're half blind and you shriek at the sight of an auntie's child because you've mistaken it for a dog and you're petrified of them? Yes, your mum's never been prouder of you!

7) You know when you read an email at work asking for your help, but you cannot for the life of you understand the English, but the person who sent it is senior and you can't say anything? Gives a new meaning to winging it.

8) You know when you're in your 20s and the ridiculously good looking Chief Marketing Officer is in town and you're in the lift with him and all you can do is grin like an idiot? I'm sure he thought you were indeed an idiot. Congratulations.

9) You know when you've had a really hard day and you need a hard drink and whip out a Pepsi? You da man!

10) You know when you put your foot in your mouth when a colleague trying to make conversation with you says "Babies are just like dogs" and you say "Don't insult dogs!" and realise 3 seconds later that she has a baby and was trying to be friendly? Yes, you'll are definitely besties now!

11) You know when you have the 4th most read blog in the company with more than 10,000 blogs and are super excited about it until people start considering you as a Knowledge Management expert and come to you with questions? Hello Google!

12) You know when you sit in on a call with international partakers and desperately try to understand their accents and fail miserably? "Can you please send me an email regarding this?"

13) You know when you're stalking someone online and accidentally like their picture? Yeah you totally knew them in 2007!

14) You know when you're so bored in a meeting and so close to falling asleep that you have to use a Vicks Inhaler to jolt you awake and you inhale a little too hard? Oh yeah, these numbers on the quarterly report totally has me in tears.

15) You know when your child can't say "tuh" and says "fuh" instead and then on the road says loudly "dum*uck" for dump truck? No, we do not run that kind of household.

Earworms

Have you ever had an earworm and then have the theme of that song follow you through the day? Making sure that it never ever went out of your head, no matter how many times you listened to Poker Face or to Hallelujah or even to Bye Bye Bye. It was annoying. Over the weekend, I woke up to the very annoying Rude Boy by Rihanna ringing in my head.

Come here rude boy, boy
Can you get it up
Come here rude boy, boy
Is you big enough

Well. This first stanza just totally started my day. I made a quick dash to the grocery store that morning, humming this and then being disgusted with myself, to buy some eggs. I had never bought eggs in that grocery store before so I had no idea where they were kept. When I couldn't find them, I asked the person running the grocery store and he took me down an aisle and bent down. I followed his body movement subconsciously to see where the eggs were. BIG MISTAKE. I was treated to the glorious view of his oversized behind and butt-crack - plumber style. Is you big enough? Yeah. Too big. Un-freaking-avoidably so. Why me? Why that day? Whyyyyyy with that hideous song playing in my head?

I wa-wa-want
What you wa-wa-want
Give it to me baby
Like boom boom boom

I went for a walk in the night with my awesome twosome and they are quite vary if strangers and dogs while on walks. By vary,  I of course mean they bark, growl, lunge and generally threaten to attack. Now, there is also a person in my building with a rather large dog. We've had run-ins before and I always talk to them to calm down, to not bark when they see this very large dog, but I'm obviously interrupted by the two terrors who always, always decide that they can take the giant in a fight. I swear sometimes I wonder if they are David and see this giant as their Goliath!

Don't they understand that if this dog chooses to attack we'd all be goner?  I'm so glad that this dog doesn't wa-wa-want what these guys wa-wa-want!

Now another thing - I hate cricket and especially loathe it when india wins because firecrackers. Boom boom boom. I personally have no fondness for the noise and dislike it more when I need to calm a dog that is petrified and another that is ready to go to war! I truly wish they would bam firecrackers along with everything else that the government sees as unfit for Indians?

All I can say is that the next time I wake up with this song stuck in my head, I'm rolling over, going back to sleep and waking up the next day!

Feeling whole again

It took a while. It took a long while to come to terms with this overwhelming loss that I felt when Gypsy passed on. It was like I lost my sense of self, my will to move on, my ability to love like that ever again. I didn't know who I was, or how to define myself. It was the small things like not having to be at home at 4pm or having to wake up in the morning at 5am. It was the ability to be spontaneous, to travel, to stay out late or stay over at a friend's place, to call people home, to not buy eggs. It was these small things that made me feel that loss again and again, never letting go, as I smiled and agreed to watch a 10pm show, as I made impromptu plans to go to Goa, as I looked at the time (8am) on my phone and went back to sleep again.

Whenever I was asked to introduce myself, it took a couple of seconds to regroup, because Gypsy's mum was no longer the answer. I was a 'fun, spontaneous girl with no responsibilities'. Never in my life have I hated that word more.

Gypsy

It took a while to begin to embrace this new person I had become, the one that had the time and space to fall in love with people, celebrate and get her heart broken, the one that loved last minute plans, or canceling on them only because they require pants. I embraced it, because I finally realised that there is no "moving on" from unconditional love, there is no "moving on" from yourself.
I was happy. I had figured out how to define myself, I had figured out that I would always be Gypsy's mum and that I would always, always choose an animal over a human. In a nano-second.
I pet every dog I ever could, I made friends with the bristly, thug outside my office and called him Pinknose and I invited myself over to my best friend's house because she had dogs. It felt okay. I started to feel like I had all this love and I genuinely didn't know what to do with it. Where did it come from? What do I do with it?
I began experiencing the "ovary explosion" every time I saw a dog. It was a weird cramp that squeezed with an aching tightness no painkiller could relieve. My friends described feeling the same thing, except for them, it was babies. I still feel quite the nothing for the tiny humans.
My first visit to Second Chance - Cupa was an emotional one. Here were all these dogs, with so much love to give and in need of some love themselves. I felt a myriad of emotions I didn't expect. I felt happy because here was my version of heaven, I felt so helplessly angry because I cannot imagine the type of soulless evil that existed, I wanted to cry because I couldn't take them all and keep them happy and safe, I felt unadulterated joy when they came up to me, hope shining in their eyes, tail wagging and trusting me even though the world had really done them wrong.
It was in that minute, looking into Kushboo's big brown eyes as she sat next to me, allowing me to pet her, I promised myself that if I ever got the opportunity to be a doggie's human again, it would be one of these dogs.

Kushboo

I visited the shelter once a month, and more if I could. Each visit a little more emotional than the last, as I got to know the residents. I remember sitting with Scottie, a gorgeous terrier trying to picture him in my house. I remember thinking about watching movies in bed with Murphy and how he would look on my purple bedspread with his russet brown colour. I googled great danes and my heart sky-rocketed when I found out that they made great apartment dogs provided they were walked rather decently. I looked at Ross eagerly, wondering if he and I would get along. Each visit drew me closer to the idea of me and a lil four legged angel, on my purple sheets, watching Rizzoli and Isles.

Murphy

I started talking to my mum about it, because there was no way I could keep a dog and balance a 15 hour work-day alone. I started telling her stories of the doggies I had met, I showed her pictures, reminisced about Gypsy, shared stories about other dogs I knew and slowly started chipping away at the giant wall. It was a 'long-con'. Completely pre-meditated and quite successful. She finally cracked saying maybe sometime next year (this was in 2015). It was happening. I knew that our birthdays were the clincher. I decided that the final step in *nudging* her in the right direction was to take her to the shelter.
My mum is a tough woman. Her life, her career, her personality have all made her so. Her biggest weakness, like mine, are soulful brown eyes that belong to furry four-legged creatures that say "love me". We went to the shelter on March 4th, 2016. One day after my 29th birthday. My mum met 'Betty' and 'Bhushan' and fell in love. It was instantaneous. I was shocked, thinking I'd have to bring her a couple more times, tell her more stories and then I'd have it in the bag. But with Bhushan jumping into her arms when Xena barked, she was a goner.

Bhushan

We met and spoke to Sanjana Maddappa, an animal welfare worker with CUPA, who very patiently told us about each dog while Ross, who is her little tail, added some facts that she may have missed. We were sold and we came home to plan. Lists were drawn up and a lot of shopping was done, a list of questions were made, anticipation, excitement, nervousness all kept our bellies full and our minds working. They were going to come home on March 10th, which was the following Friday.
On March 9th, Sanjana called me with news that left me speechless. Bhushan had passed away in the night. One day before going to his forever home. It was unfair and awful and hopeless. I didn't know him that well, but my eyes were glassy that cab ride home and it wasn't the glare of the sun. He was a fighter.
I called my mum and then I called Anoopa Anand (because Sanjana was not in town at that time). My mother was unsure. This had really thrown her for a loop and she didn't know what to do anymore. We were first time adopters and this had really shaken us. While my mum thought long and hard, I was even more determined to bring 'Betty' home. 'Betty' was going to be called DeeDee and she went perfectly with my purple sheets. We wanted two dogs though because they would be alone for 4-5 hours a day. They also had to be apartment sized dogs.
Anoopa then told me about 'Amrita', who is Bhushan's biological sister. She was a shy, quiet, timid little girl who often got overlooked because she never came out to socialise. We were living testament to that because we didn't know her until Anoopa told us about her. We went to the shelter on Saturday the 11th, choosing to re-group on Friday. I crossed all my fingers and all my toes, wondering what my mother would say. We had come to an agreement that we would go through with the adoption ONLY if we both wanted it a hundred percent, because otherwise, it would never have worked out. It wouldn't have been fair to the dogs, to my mum and to me.
Meeting 'Amrita' was a blessing. She was shy, quiet, the polar opposite of DeeDee. She huddled in a corner and welcomed us in her meek way, with her tail wagging. I don't think Satan would have had a chance when it came to falling in love with her and her big needy eyes. Anoopa told us a little about her, her history and personality, talked to us a about taking them and how they would react. The two got along, which was a very good thing. We pulled out our list of questions and she answered all of them in as much detail as we needed. She was patient, kind and caring, even though the shelter was facing a new crisis with a box of 6 or 7 fifteen day old puppies.
We had our decision, and we had our kids. We went home and got the house ready. Training pads, water and food bowls, toys, leashes, collars and halters.
This morning arrived at 4:30am for me. Early would be an understatement. I was beyond excited and felt like a kid on Christmas and birthdays combined. We had decided to call 'Amrita' Dolly. We finally made it to the shelter at 12:30 and it was overrun with people and volunteers. We waited patiently, secretly enjoying the time to bond with our little girls.
I filled out the adoption papers, we put the leashes on and bid adieu to the Shelter after taking pictures and making promises to visit. I was scared of what could happen in the car ride back home, if they would be okay, if they would like me, if I could be who they needed. It felt like a huge daunting step that I was taking, but I was ready. More than ready!
We came home and mum and I thought they would both find a corner and curl up. We were sure that it would be stressful and they wouldn't eat or anything. Boy, were we mistaken. It was like they came alive!
DeeDee hadn't changed, she went around exploring every nook and cranny of the house, found her ball and played till we dropped dead, exhausted. She also christened our house with pee thrice. Even though she went out twice on the same day :/
Dolly on the other hand did a 180. She blossomed, running though the house like a mad woman, so excited to see what was going on, what were these strange things and barking and growling at the birds outside. She made her voice heard when a dog in the apartment complex spoke, she wagged her tail each time I looked at her and waited patiently while I took a shower. She found her spots quickly and alternated from napping to begging for treats and attention. She also was a rockstar, choosing to pee outside and not once inside!

DeeDee

Dolly

As I get ready for bed, I thank the universe for making this happen. I am so grateful to my mum, to who she is (crazy dog lover), to CUPA for existing and doing the amazing work that they do, to Osha (the shelter manager), Sanjana and Anoopa who played very important roles in making this happen. I wouldn't be writing this with a full, happy heart if it weren't for them.
Most of all, I am grateful to Gypsy for opening my soul to this unbelievable bond between human and dog, and to DeeDee and Dolly who have so graciously and eagerly allowed us into their lives and letting us love them and loving us in return.

For adoptions: cupaadoptionsblr@gmail.com
Visit CUPA Second Chance Shelter near Silk Board

2015

I read a post that a friend had written about her defining moments in 2015, which got me to thinking what were mine?

1) Learning that birthdays weren't everything - I didn't have the best of birthdays this year and it hit me hard because I always hype this up to being a spectacular, amazing thing, but it's okay if it's not. It doesn't mean that I am not loved or wanted or that anything has changed if there is a bad day in a year. It's literally just the marking of time.

2) Out of sight, out of mind is NOT true - This year, I moved back in with my mum and pretty much took a massive step back from my social life. It helped me figure out who I am and who I want in my life. I am extremely grateful to where I am today and who I have in it. We may not talk everyday but I know my people and they know me!

3) Vegas! - This was definitely eye opening. After all that hype, after I've wanted to go there since I was 21, all the glitz, glamour and moviedom, I can honestly say that it is NOT my kind of place and I really would be quite glad if I never have to go back there again. I had fun, yes, but that was only, only because of the company I had!  I was also introduced to the most crowded club I have ever seen in my whole life!

5) Family - This year helped me realise how much I value my family and that I wouldn't trade it for the world. It helped me shape some life choices that I am happy about. I got the chance to hang out with my cousins and my aunt and uncle in the US and I absolutely loved it. The highlight honestly though was Ginger. I'm not gonna lie. I also moved back home and got a chance to spend actual quality time with my mum and grandparents, which I hadn't done in a really long while.

6) My grandfather - I lost the only stable male influence in my life this year. I am so grateful for his presence. He filled in a missing part so well, I cannot remember ever going to bed feeling jealous of kids who had a dad or missing one. I remember he had a mustache and I hated it. I wouldn't let him near me one day and he has been clean shaven since. He taught me to climb trees, pick shells, learn to love the outdoors and gave me my love for life in itself. He gave me my first sip of beer and watched helplessly as I flailed around trying to learn Kannada. I can truly say that I have been loved, unconditionally, no matter what I did. I will always miss him and always be thankful that I got to be raised by him!

7) My career - I finally feel like I have taken the right steps in my career this year. I am now learning, struggling but moving progressively forward and I have a plan. This plan will work with sheer determination and hard work and I am SO excited for the next year and what 2016 will bring.

This year has been more stable than the years in the past and I am super happy about that! I think it's been a great year to build a base for what I want to do, what I want from life and who I want to be. I look forward to what 2016 has to offer! Happy New Year guys! May your year be awesome!

Why I love Anne Hathaway

With her movie The Intern out, there seems to be an inundation of Anne Hathaway news, articles and interviews. A lot of them fault her for being "perfect", comparing her to Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Schumer, who are more "cool". I honestly don't understand this. I don't understand the need to be loud, crass and curvy to be acceptable in today's society. And what is with this obsession to be "cool"?
What is wrong with being nice, happy, smart and well articulated? Just because she doesn't boast about eating three cheeseburgers before a red carpet and is a size 4 with access to very smart clothes, does that make her any less of a person? Because her humour is more PG than the ever popular R rated crudeness, doesn't mean she isn't funny.
I like that she is low-key, that she is real in the struggle and open about wanting to be her version of perfect. I mean, if we aren't striving for what we individually believe is our perfection, then are we just floating through life? I like that she is quick to smile, that she has a sense of humour that requires some brain cells and isn't slapstick all the time, that she likes keeping fit, eating healthy and looking great!
When people accuse her of losing her individuality by conforming to societal norms of perfect, I would like to ask these people about how they seem to forget the fact that Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Schumer are so relatable and everyone is like them in some aspect of the other. Aren't they conforming to the societal norms of today where over-the-top awkward is the new normal?
Anne Hathaway seems to be doing everything right, where she lives her life, hurting no-one, minding her own business, but is slandered for not shoving fries in her face and then cracking a poop joke or two on the red carpet! Seriously, if these are the people that society "relates" to and is now aping, I'm very glad for the Anne Hathaway and Taylor Swifts of the world who give us understated girls faith that there is some place for us too!

PS: I don't have anything against Jennifer Lawrence or Amy Schumer, I just used them because the world seems to compare the three of them.