...Bag of Wishes...

Everyone has felt that crave to do something, that seems to be completely wild, crazy and impossible at times. Things that might be crazy for some, might be natural to others. But maybe the craziness and the 'no you are not supposed to do that' is what makes it a lot more challenging to accomplish. Well, here are a few of my wild wishes, I hope comes true someday...

1) TATOO
The programs on television showing how innumerable people get their bodies filled with tattoos, shows it to be completely normal for a large number of people. But, the 'no's' and weird looks given by my parents, when I ask them if I can get a small tattoo (for their satisfaction not visible to anyone), makes it quite a challenge for me to get one. So, here goes my first wish: A small tattoo on my ankle..!!! A small angel with a heart on one side, and 'believe' written on the other side. It depicts every stage in my life that I have gone through, which is usually filled with problems. I have always had a sweet angel saving me and helping me go through the tough times, and love has always played a very important role in my life, be it love from any individual. And a small note of reminder to everyone who sees it, to believe. Believe in God, believe in your loved ones, and most importantly believe in that angel of yours. It will definitely come to your rescue, without you knowing it. Wow..kewl!!

2) GO BUNGEE JUMPING
I could probably represent India for acrophobia- fear of heights. Or maybe even the world. I can't even go on a simple roller coaster, forget bungee jumping. I still remember when my sister insisted me to accompany my nephew on a small ride which moves up and down. It is meant for toddlers, so you can imagine the speed of the ride. And my sister literally fell on the floor laughing, because my nephew, who is just two, was enjoying and giggling while me, sitting behind him was scared to the core. What embarrassment! The 'no's' from my mind when I see a roller coaster, would be why I would like to go to the heights of challenging my fear of heights. P.S: Seeing the picture itself makes me sick! Phew...Ya right!!


3) EIFFEL TOWER
A romantic evening at Eiffel tower with the person I love the most, would be third in my list. In fact, in this busy world, being with your loved one, be it anywhere, is a gift in itself. Why Eiffel Tower in particular, is because, it is the epitome of love and romance. Why? I do not know. So, I would love to know, which is why I would like to go there for once. Why a crazy idea, because I am not sure if my better half, where ever he is, would want to spend so much money and time just to be with me in front of one of the wonders of the world. Hmmm..I hope!!


4) HEEELLLSSS
A person who has not experiences it, would ever understand how it feels to not be able to wear those beautiful, trendy, sexy pair of heels. Having a ligament tear seemed to be completely fine for me, apart from me not able to play my greatest passion anymore, until for sometime now. When I see ladies wear those pretty, cute, adorable heels, I wonder- Why can't I??!! I wish..!!! Wearing the best outfit you could ever get, wearing the matching bracelet and earring is just incomplete without those heels. So my next wish would definitely be to wear those out-of-the-world shoes to improve on my looks and first impression..Oh I wish!!!

5) EAT..EAT...AND EAT MORE...
Next in my list, would be to eat as much as my heart's will. And to be precise about the food..JUNK FOOD!! Being nearly a weight conscious person restricts me from eating the junk food to my heart's content. I would love to have all the burgers, pizzas, hot dogs, sausages, chips and what not..!!Ah..my mouth is already watering.! But, yes I would definitely not want a huge body after all the hogging..Ah...I wish!!!




6) RIDE A BIKE
This is one of those wishes which I believe is closest to reality. But still, there is that what if's and but's..!!!So ya I wish I could vrooommmm on the road with my very own bike. And I am sure if ever I do, I would be better than the guys. Hmmm..Oh ya!!!







7) SEE A MIRACLE
This is one wish I really really wish for. And the one farthest to reality. To witness a miracle. To believe that there is something called luck. Someone called God.. But, like how I mentioned in my first wish, I am believing in myself and that cute little angel of mine, that has always been to my rescue and has given me strength and power to bear everything. I am sure the angel would definitely show me a miracle.




A lot of these wishes of mine may seem normal for many out there.. But these small wishes mean a lot to me..!!

CLICK AND PASTE THROUGH 'PLANKING'

Reading, writing, listening to music, playing outdoor sports 'were' all activities performed by the young population. Yes, the word I used is 'were'. And no, Facebooking and tweeting is not why I used the term. The new hobby on-the-go is planking, and has recently hit the Australian population as well.

The term 'planking' got its origin from the 'lying down game', invented by Gary Clarkson and Christian Langdon in 1997, that was played in Europe and Japan. The game requires you to lie with your face down, with both your hands touching the sides of your body. The two most important requisites are asking someone to take a photograph of the final you and doing so in an extraordinary, strange place. By late 2010, it reached a level where it was coined as 'sweeping Britain', and was later termed in 2011 as 'planking' in Australia.

The new Facebook page, 'Planking Australia' has more than 16,100 fans and displays millions of photos taken by various people planking on unthinkable places such as desks, train tracks, on horsebacks, goalposts and where not. Surprisingly, the police do not have a problem with it, but warns those who post their pictures from trespassing charges. However, the page has failed to attract any of the Australian police force. Unlike, the first vicim of planking, who died after falling from his balcony, as long as it is done in safe places, it does not sound as a bad idea.

An advantage for plankers to mention is that it is a very good exercise and voted as one among the top 10 exercises for a toned ab. The only difference is you have to place your elbows and forearms beneath your chest. So, if planking helps you get a John Abraham body, why not?

The next town falling for the crazy idea's victim is Dallas. The whole idea may sound bizarre. But who does not like to be a bit crazy at times! And it definitely denotes an out-of-the-box thinking. So go on being crazy and planking. But be safe!

Fully Clad Queens

It is believed that the more skin you show the more sexy you look, which in turn attracts more towards you. However these ladies seem to still stick on to their traditional costumes for their everyday chores, and infact there are still few ladies who cover themselves completely even inside the four walls of their homes. Surprised?Please don't be. Oh and not to forget, they still are the most beautiful ladies I have come across. With minimal skin shown, they make us remember that even though no or little skin is shown you can grab the attention of anyone.

This robe of theirs known as the 'jalibyia' or commonly known as the abhaya, is made up of several layers of chiffon and are believed to be inspired by the Greek designed dresses. They come in different shapes and are also adorned with sequences and embroidery to beautify one-selves during occasions and festivals. 

 The 'hijab' or the head-scarf is used to cover the hair of the women. It perceives a repsiect to the woman from the society. In olden days, only women from the urban class covered their head, whereas, women from the rural class, nomads and prostitutes were asked not to. Thus the 'hijab' helps the society distinguish you from the respectable to the 'not's'. And they adorn their 'hijab's' with accessories which give them that extra look. However, nowadays almost every Muslim woman wears them. In other orthodox countries, like Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Kuwait etc, women also cover their face with a veil or 'niqab'which is another accepted norm in the Islam religion. However, nowadays, we find the newer generation cover only their heads, whereas the older women veil their faces as well, showing only their eyes. 

 So what gives them that extra look? They make-up themselves with natural cosmetics made by themselves at homes. They rarely switch to the chemically made cosmetics, and, perhaps that is why they look naturally beautiful. They wash their skin using indigo, which is crushed into a powder and is rinsed off with the leaves of becium dhofarense. Also, it is used on the face to decorate it with beautiful patterns during festivals. For moisturizes, they grind seeds of prumus mahled with the yellow pigment of carthamus tincturums flower. Also they adorn their hands with the beautiful mehandi designs, which is also made my crushing the leaves of the mehandi plant and made into a paste with water.

Even though only their eyes are shown, they show it prominently. That would probably be the feature of theirs that speaks the most. They protrude those speaking features with 'Kohl' or eye-liner, in modern language, which again is made at home. It is made from the frankincese or roots of arvea jevanica , and is applied using a small silver stick or wood. So, now you know what gives them those magnificent, ever speaking eyes!

Not to forget, they look amazing as brides as well.

I, as an Indian, have always adored the eyes of the Arabic women, and them as a whole. And, I can say with complete confidence, that they truly are queens that are fully covered!

Extravaganza from Netherlands

It was truly an honour for me to be a part of the wonderful 2011 Dutch Flower Show held at Al Bustan Palace Hotel, Wadi Al Kabir in Oman, and to be one among the Duchess' of Ambassadors and sit on those beautifully made chairs with them to witness how Tim Van Liepsig, from the land of flowers, Netherlands, made extraordinary arrangements of flowers in a wink of an eye.
I was a bit nervous, to be very honest, since it was my very first 'official' reporting, plus, for a very renowned newspaper in Oman, Muscat Daily. I did not have to beg and plead for information from people since I didn't have any 'ID' to show my journalism reality, which was an added advantage for me. But, I had the coolest and sweetest person, whom I was accompanying, and she made me at ease. We lost our way in the beginning, and not to mention the so-called cleaner or so of the hotel tried to play around with us as well. However, all we had to do was to get to the right floor. The scent of the flowers just led our way to the hall.
As soon as we entered the hall.. Ah what a site.. To see all the flowers sprinkle out from their packets and smell their scent truly made my goosebumps rise up to the fullest. And to add on, the beautiful women all clad in even more beautiful dresses was truly a sight to the eye. And then, to know that they were all Duchess' in one way or the other, was the icing on the cake.
Oh, and not to forget.. The man of the show..
Tim Van Lipseig kept on talking about something or the other. Or maybe about nothing, in special. He just loved to talk. And that is what he was doing. I guess he loved being the centre of attraction among so many beautiful ladies!
And then the most amazing class I have ever sat in. He just played around with the flowers, turning them this side and then the other side, placing them one beside the other. He arranged them mostly in one colour each, i.e, a bouquet mostly contained either white or red or some other colour flowers. And he arranged them in a span of second, and made it look so easy, that anyone could do it. However, one of the Duchess Ambassador mentioned it aloud, that when she tried arranging them it goes one way and the other flower the other.
Not to mention, the women around me did not seem like they were sophisticated women from the big houses. They all seemed to be normal ladies, excited to be there just like me and laughing as aloud as they wish to.
Then, Tim told us various details about various flowers. The do's and don't's while arranging flowers. He also went a bit personal by showing us the bouquet he made for his wife on their wedding. I must say, I wish I had a bouquet like that for my wedding.

I did not know that there were so many varieties of flowers, tulips, chrysanthemums and what not, until I met Tim.
P.S: Don't go to Holland asking for tulips now, because it is very expensive as the season for them are over.

And the calla dark arum lily which he used for his wedding bouquet with the spooky asparagus white leaves were just mind blowing.
Ah I can just go on and on about the entire show. And he loved to click photographs with his bouquet of flowers. He just stood there with his final arrangement of bouquets after every arrangement so that people could go on clicking photographs. I wish I got one of those bouquets. But he would not be doing that this time. Out of the bunches of all the good luck the day brought in to me, this had to be one bad, very bad luck it brought to me.


But , I would still cherish the moments to be one of the best in my professional and personal life.
 Enjoy your life with flowers. Buy them, play with them, come up with beautiful new arrangements, exchange them with friends, greet friends with them, gift them beautifully arranges bouquets. There is so much to do with flowers, that people just don't realize.
P.S: Btw, please do not go to a Chinese hospital, and give them red flowers, if Get Well Soon, is what you wanted to convey. You would turn out to convey a death notice to them! :)