Lubumbashi...my home today

Cathedrale Saints Pierre et Lubumbashi

The Belgians founded the city of Elisabethville in Katanga Province in 1910, named in honour of their new Queen, Elisabeth. The city prospered with the development of a regional copper mining industry. Mobutu Sese Seko renamed Elisabethville 'Lubumbashi'.



The Parliament House

Lubumbashi is the second largest city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, second only to it's Capital Kinshasa, is the hub of the South Eastern part of the country. The copper-mining city serves as the capital of the relatively prosperous Haut-Katanga Province, lying near the Zambian border. Population averages around 1.2 million. Lubumbashi lies around 1,000 metres above sea level.

 

In April 2010, we arrive, P and I, full of hope, excitement, optimism, not to ignore the anxiety and the resistance to change, when I say we, I actually mean 'I'. P does not display much emotion when it comes to happiness or sadness, always ready for the ride, good or bad, so I can't read the optimism or the pessimism, or the anxiety or hope. In my case, there are days when one rules over the other, days when all feelings mingle freely and days when I draw a blank. Eight months later we are still here, full of excitement, hope and optimism, no anxiety, no resistance to change, and here the 'we' is truly 'we'.



Lubumbashi Airport

We land at Lubumbashi airport and my brain freezes, is that an airport, or a military air base??? I am told it was a military air base before the grand conversion. More helicopters than aeroplanes at the parking bay. There are commoners jay walking around the tarmac. Before I can absorb the scene, we enter a dirty looking building with fellow passengers. What we see is the immigration area, except, there are more agents than passengers thronging the place. Well, there is a hint of exaggeration here, but you know what I mean. Our passports and yellow cards are collected from us by the company agent while we wait in the corner, like convicts waiting to be called. It is then that we find that some fellow employees have arrived with us in the same plane. Some relief that!!! Once the immigration formalities are done with, we are ushered into another room, yes, a room, by Swahili speaking gentlemen at the door, not forgetting to ask us a few questions in Swahili and all of us turn to our agent, who gives them crisp answers. We see a dilapidated conveyer belt and more people, by people I don't mean passengers. We have to drag our suitcases from the conveyer belt, to stand in a long queue. We soon learn our suitcases are going to be checked by the Customs, manually, we could lose things if they decide to have them. Oops!!! Think they are completely baffled by the amount of luggage we are carrying, thanks to me, they just let us go.  We get into a waiting pick up truck and drive home, a pick up truck growing mould on its floor, more than a few of us sitting almost one over the other, packed with suitcases at the back and some using us for support. Shocking!!! My first impression of the City, its dusty and old, with a colonial air looming large. Can't wait to see my new place. 

Once we are home, we are welcomed by a security guard and our maid in a night gown, guess, she was spring cleaning the house, a complete departure after she changes into her 'going home' clothes. We unload our luggage and enter an old building, completely discoloured from the lack of paint and rain stains . What strikes us when we are in, is a complete lack of imagination displayed. Plastic flowers adorn the walls, the corners, the centre table, the dining table and even the ceiling, red, yellow, blue, green, orange, pink...a collage of colours and torn 'gold' curtains to boot. I check out the house and realise am disoriented, am  going round and round. We go up and the same...the curtains are better, the bed linen...can't be worse, they look used. They definitely need a lady in the establishment department. OMG!!! No water in the only bathroom we have. World over we know it's common place to have a single big bath, but am not used to it. The security guard doesn't seem to understand what 'water' means, I can't even wait to ask again. I manage to show him a bucket with little water in it and he understands. He switches on the motor and there...plenty of water. So, in Lubumbashi we need to switch on the motor if we need water, or is it just our place??? We come down, go into the kitchen, we find an unclean refrigerator, old broken cabinets, a cooking range, an old meatsafe without knobs, everything about the kitchen is old, big though, with a large storeroom and another one, small, under the stairs with a lock and key, fascinating to my head. I decide crying is the best option and P decides I should make a decision if I want to go back to Chennai. I feel so sorry for him. We have our lunch, the company has ordered food for us for which we are asked for payment later and we spend the rest of the afternoon indulging in pessimism. Again, 'we' means 'I'. P is more optimistic, as always, he contacts one of his new colleagues, also his former colleague for answers.



Elephant Monument for the Central Bank

Things start to brighten up the next day, a Sunday, we have the whole day to think about what we want to do, it dawns on me, would be silly to go back home because we don't like what we see in the house, we could always ask to be moved. It would be silly to remain pessimistic. We have ready-to-eat food bought the previous day from an Indian store in the CBD. P is pleasantly surprised to see it's not a store, it's a supermarket. Overall Sunday is a very quiet day, spend time sleeping most of time, as Saturday is spent worrying :-)

Bright start to Monday, I get busy in the kitchen, re-arranging furniture and making the house look more inviting. Our contact here take us to this Belgian supermarket and I almost feel like shop lifting. What a lovely place!!! Suddenly life in Lubumbashi is starting to look sunny. We decide to make things happen, it's upto us now. We immediately embark on a shopping spree, buy crockery, cutlery, bed linen, artefacts for the walls to replace all the flowers hanging like mistletoes, more groceries and food to go in the refrigerator. The house starts to look cozier day by day. We decide to get the house painted, the curtains changed, jewellery made out of the 'gold' curtains. They all take time, six months infact, that is not too long am told. We start taking an interest in gardening. Must admit I have no knowledge of gardening, still don't, not even the basics, seems to be something which my brain can't pick up. Today the house is a home, some corrections here and there still need to be made, otherwise it has become a very warm and welcoming place for both of us. The house is built on a lovely plan, small changes to the interiors make such a noticeable difference, can't bear to think, I wanted out of here.



Lubumbashi Railway Station

Lubumbashi is a very well planned city, trees lining the broad streets, old, large houses, most of them lacking paint behind tall plain metal gates, lovely flowers peeking over high compound walls, fantastic restaurants, old commercial buildings in the Central Business District, yellow jersey wearing policemen and women, red taxis, a few in number, 'Dubai's' ( large vans ) used as the public transport with drivers who manuevre like they are under the influence, beautiful churches adorning junctions, simple, picturesque and spaced out picnic spots, supermarkets of different kinds, Belgian, Italian, Indian, Local, all of them specialising in their signature products, small stores managed from homes. Should I call Lubumbashi a city, a town or a Colony??? Well, I think it strikes a very fine balance between all of them, should be called 'Ci-to-ny':-)



Golf Links

We know people make a place. The locals are such incredibly happy people, despite being exceedingly poor. DRC is the poorest Country in the world but the only people I see begging are the handicapped. Definitely not as many as in India. The poor are never seen in tattered clothes, are laidback, enjoy life as if it's their last day on Earth, they can instantly sparkle a dull boring day. On the other end of the spectrum, there are the extremely rich, Government servants who live lavishly on bribes, unlike in India they don't hide it. They are a protected lot, then there are traders and those who have inherited 'trunks' and comfortably live on them. On a lighter note, the term bribe is called 'motivation' money. When a tip is requested, they call it 'transport' money. It is not worth denying the poor their 'transport' money, that small sum of money determines the difference between hardworking and 'hardly working'. Not many jobs are available for the population that is still growing at an alarming rate. They believe children are a gift of God and a household with ten children is not rare. The mortality rate is so high, death is looked at very philosophically. Once the funeral is over, life is back to normal. It is also common to take in extended family as a result of death of the bread winner. Hence, a single income takes care of more than a dozen people. A very sad state indeed!!!

On the social scene, we have made a few friends, some are here to stay, some are not. We are here to grow, meet new people, make happy memories. We need to respect the space we live in and grant others theirs. A small world that Lubumbashi is, misunderstandings are commonplace.  It is imperative not to dwell on them and move on.  It is important not to compare life here with that back home. Take in the good and ignore the bad!!! There are no movie theatres and no fancy shopping malls, must admit one learns to live without these luxuries. We came here with absolutely no expectations, even if we have to go back to Chennai today, I would say we have gained a lot.  

An Ode to Lubumbashi!!!

Diwali at Lubumbashi

I remember, Diwali was huge when we lived in the BHELTownship at Trichy, we looked forward to the next one even before the ongoing festival saw the last of its fireworks. It was all about firecrackers, sweets and new clothes. My brother and I were even branded ‘Pandis’ by our ‘Mallu’ Cousins for being too ‘Tamil’ and for not making an effort to be ‘Mallu’. We were never offended by that remark, because we were infact more 'Tamil'. Once we relocated to Chennai, we found it stressful to go about celebrating Diwali with the same amount of vigour, the main road travelled right by our door step and we did not find enough space and company to fire our more sophisticated crackers. Slowly we weaned away from active participation and resorted to just being the audience. Then came a phase when I couldn’t  take the noise anymore, to purposely staying away in solidarity with the child workers employed in the Industry. The Diwali delicacies were always a hit, but were not painstakingly made at home anymore, we did not buy them either, boxes came from work and some delivered by contacts from work, in the end it became quite an effort to finish them.

Fast forward to Lubumbashi. We came here with no expectations, none at all, of the place or people. Lubumbashi has surpassed all our expectations though, in 6 months I feel so much at home already. I was planning to learn Swahili, switched to French when I learnt most people spoke the language, being the official language of DRC, well, French has a more universal appeal too. However when I went for my 1st Kitty party, I realised I had to learn Gujrati as well. Gujratis are to Africa as Malayalis are to the Middle East. Today am happy to see Indians, be it ‘Mallus’, ‘Tallus’, ‘Gujjus’, ‘Bongs’…anybody Indian, and I don't have to strain my eyes at all, I see them everywhere. In my estimate there are about 1000 families.

This year, we had no idea how we were going to usher in the festival till a week before Diwali. Then the invitations came pouring in. The 1st one from the Tamil Community here ( was there one??? ). We were told there were 10-12 families and many more bachelors. We were looking forward to meeting them. Then we heard, my husband’s work place was organizing a private party at an Indian Restaurant. Both parties at the same time, same day, one day after Diwali. How were we going to prioritise?? We heard the Indian Community was holding a carnival at the Temple Premises on Diwali Eve. This temple is a work-in-progress, and the 1st in Lubumbashi.

I couldn’t wait for the events to unfold, the same exuberance I had as a child came pounding in, I was like a cat on a hot tin roof. Have we ever heard of an event unfolding without hiccups??? Rain came showering furiously…Love the rains, but not when am going out, not when my childhood enthusiasm to be part of the Diwali festivities is back again, not when it's my first Diwali here. The Rain Gods were kind though…very kind. Rain stopped just short of the Diwali ‘Muhurtham’. Diyas on, should I call them diyas??? Glorified tea candles more like it, scented too, apple, chocolate, citrus, lavender and cinnamon…a mish mash of perfumes. Never mind…the light emanating from them was more important. Dressed in a traditional maroon and mustard Salwar Kameez, and heavy jewellery, we reached the Temple premises for more display of colour and light, ending with a short burst of fireworks and dinner. Back home sleepy, but electrifyingly  fulfilled. The child in me was thoroughly rejoiced. 

The next day, Saturday, a working day, Diwali boom still in the air, we are pondering how to make an appearance at both parties…more, how to enjoy them both. The benevolent Rain Gods decide precipitation can't be held back, they decide to celebrate their own Diwali before our parties begin. Hailstones come crashing in around 5pm. For an hour or so, it was thunderous, and painful on the collecting hands. So beautiful!!! Truly thoughtful gesture, all was done before 7pm. No room for traditional wear today with water everywhere, we reached the venue to celebrate with the Tamil Community first, one of the first ones to arrive, not very unusual, carrying a very non-traditional tray of brownies. We barely say hello before we have to wave our goodbyes, to arrive at the Indian Restaurant to celebrate with my Husband’s colleagues and their families. Games had already begun, we were punished for arriving late, a request for song and dance was met with reluctance, hence substituted with a short speech from both of us. Those people who hadn’t seen the reclusive Premkumar family…there!!! A lavish Indian Spread, a game of Tambola, Bollywood Music and disorganized and ‘rhythmless’ dancing on the makeshift dance floor. Typically Indian and fun!!! It was time to shut shop at midnight, got back home sleepy yet again....but extremely happy.

The Finale was to take place in the evening on Sunday at the Temple Premises, again…starting with games and ending with dinner. After a hectic Friday and Saturday, most people probably thought the same…'we are not going to win anything’ and ‘let’s get ready for Monday’. We decided to skip the do after reaching the venue and finding a small count of people, for a simple Chinese dinner at the Greek Club. Nothing traditional about it. At the end of the Weekend…all I have is…

What a fabulous Diwali…happy, colourful and safe…just like I had wished all my Friends and Family. 

The Country of my Residence - DRC

Am resistent to change...like most people are. This April, I reluctantly moved with my husband to Lubumbashi, his new place of work at a Copper Plant. I was assured and re-assured that we would move back to India when I chose to. Brave words, I must say, considering am a very fussy customer. Today, after 6 months I do not regret moving here, must admit I miss some of the finer nuances of life. The 1st week of our existence here, I did think we were going back home sooner than desired. Today am enjoying the people, the landscape and the adventure that goes with discovering a new place. Lubumbashi is the 2nd largest City in The Democratic Republic of the Congo...fomerly called Zaire. Before I welcome you to Lubumbashi, I need to introduce you to its Country.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a nation located in Central Africa. It is the 3rd largest Country in Africa by area, after Sudan and Algeria and the 12th largest in the World. The DRC, with its population of nearly 71million is the 18th most populous nation in the world and the 4th most populous nation in Africa, as well as the most populous officially Francophone Country.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is often referred to as DR Congo, or Congo-Kinshasa after the capital of Kinshasa (in contrast to Congo-Brazzaville for its neighbour). It also borders the Central African Republic and Sudan to the North, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi in the East, Zambia and Angola to the South, and is separated from Tanzania by Lake Tanganyika in the East. The Country enjoys a short Atlantic coastline (37km) at Muanda in the West and a roughly nine-km wide mouth of River Congo, which opens into the Gulf of Guinea.

The Congo River is the deepest in the World and is 2nd only to the Amazon River in terms of volume of water discharged, gets its name from the ancient Kingdom of Kongo which inhabited the lands at the mouth of the River. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and The Republic of the Congo lie along the River's banks, and are hence named after it. The River and its tributaries flow through the Congo Rainforest, the 2nd largest in the world, 2nd only to the Amazon in South America.

The Country became a Belgian Colony 1n 1908 and was known as The Belgian Congo till 1960. In May 1960, in a growing nationalist movement, the MNC Party led by Patrice Lumumba won the Parliamentary Elections. The party appointed Lumumba as Prime Minister. On 17 January 1961, Katangan Forces and Belgian Paratroops supported by the United States and Belgium's intent on copper and diamond mines in Katanga and South Kasai kidnapped and executed Patrice Lumumba.

A constitutional referendum after Joseph Mobutu's coup of 1965 resulted in the Country's official name being changed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1971 it was changed again to Republic of Zaïre, its 4th name change in 11 years and its 6th overall. The Congo River was renamed the Zaire River. He turned Zaire into a springboard for operations against Soviet-backed Angola and thereby ensured US backing. But he also made Zaire synonymous with corruption. Mobutu retained his position for 32 years through several sham elections and the use of brutal force. Ethnic strife and civil war brought in a massive inflow of refugees in 1994 from Rwanda and Burundi. After the Cold War, Zaire ceased to be of interest to the US. In 1997 when neighbouring Rwanda invaded Zaire to flush out extremist Hutu militias, it gave a boost to the anti-Mobutu rebels, who quickly captured the capital Kinshasa, installed Laurent Kabila as President and renamed the country The Democratic Republic of the Congo, since it was thought that Zaire was a painful reminder of the Mobutu regime.

A cease-fire was signed in July 1999 by the DRC, Congolese armed rebel groups, Angola, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. A rift between Kabila and his former allies sparked a new rebellion, backed by Rwanda and Uganda. Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe took Kabila's side, turning the Country into a vast battleground. Laurent Kabila was assasinated in January 2001.

Laurent Kabila's son, Joseph Kabila was named Head of State. In October 2002, the new President was successful in negotiating the withdrawal of Rwandan forces occupying Eastern Congo, two months later the Pretoria Accord was signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and establish a Government of national unity. A transitional government was set up in July 2003 with Joseph Kabila as President and 4 Vice-Presidents represented the former Government, former Rebel Groups, the Political Opposition and Civil society. The Transitional Government held a successful constitutional referendum in December 2005 and elections for the Presidency, National Assembly, and Provincial Legislatures in 2006. The National Assembly was installed in September 2006 and Kabila was inaugurated President in December 2006. Provincial Assemblies were constituted and elected Governors and National Senators in January 2007.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently the poorest country in the world. After years of conflict, people may still be dying at a rate of an estimated 45000 per month. The war claimed an estimated three million lives, either as a direct result of fighting or because of disease and malnutrition. It has been called possibly the worst emergency to unfold in Africa in recent decades. Reports indicate that almost half of the individuals who have died are children under the age of 5. The aftermath of the war has gutted the Country. This death rate has prevailed since efforts at rebuilding the nation began in 2004.

President Kabila began implementing reforms, although progress has been slow and the International Monetary Fund curtailed their program for the DRC at the end of March 2006 because of fiscal overruns. Much economic activity still occurs in the informal sector, and is not reflected in GDP data. Renewed activity in the mining sector, the source of most export income, boosted Kinshasa's fiscal position and GDP growth from 2006-2008, however, the Government's review of mining contracts that began in 2006, combined with a fall in world market prices for the DRC's key mineral exports inflicted major damage on the sector. An uncertain legal framework, corruption, a lack of transparency in Government Policy are long-term problems for the mining sector and the economy as a whole. The global recession cut economic growth in 2009 to less than half its 2008 level, but donor assistance and diligence on the part of the Central Bank have brought foreign exchange reserves to their highest levels in 25years after the financial crisis caused reserves to fall to less than one day's worth of imports in early 2009. The DRC signed a new Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility with the IMF this year.

The Heads of the Great Lakes States and UN pledged in 2004 to abate tribal, rebel, and militia fighting in the region, including Northeast Congo, where the UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), organized in 1999, maintains over 16500 uniformed peacekeepers, members of Uganda's Lords Resistance Army forces continue to seek refuge in Congo's Garamba National Park as peace talks with the Uganda government evolve. The location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Republic of the Congo is indefinite. Uganda and DRC dispute Rukwanzi Island in Lake Albert and other areas on the Semliki River with hydrocarbon potential. The Boundary Commission continues discussions over Congolese-administered triangle of land on the right bank of the Lunkinda river claimed by Zambia near the DRC village of Pweto. Coup attempts and sporadic violence heralded renewed fighting in the eastern part of the country in 2008. In an attempt to bring the situation under control, the government in January 2009 invited in troops from Rwanda to help mount a joint operation against the Rwandan rebel Hutu militias active in eastern DR Congo. Rwanda arrested the Hutu militias' main rival, Gen Nkunda. However, the Eastern areas still remain beset by violence.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a source and destination Country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation. Much of this trafficking occurs within the Country's unstable Eastern Provinces and is perpetrated by armed groups outside Government Control. The Government lacks sufficient financial, technical, and human resources to effectively address not only trafficking crimes, but also to provide basic levels of security in some parts of the Country.

One of Africa's biggest producers of cannabis, mostly for domestic consumption, traffickers exploit lax shipping controls to transit pseudoephedrine through the Capital, while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leaves the Banking System vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the Country's utility as a money-laundering centre.

Joseph Kabila has enjoyed the clear support of Western Governments such as the US and France, regional allies such as South Africa and Angola and businessmen and mining magnates who have signed multi-million dollar deals under his rule. He has promised to rule by consensus to try to heal the still raw scars of Congo's many conflicts.

•Full name - Democratic Republic of the Congo
•Population - 66 million (UN 2009)
•Capital - Kinshasa
•Area - 2.34 million sq km (905,354 sq miles)
•Major languages - French, Lingala, Kiswahili, Kikongo, Tshiluba
•Major religions - Christianity, Islam
•Life expectancy -46 years (men), 49 years (women) (UN)
•Monetary unit - 1USD = 900 Congolese Francs
•Main exports - Diamonds, copper, coffee, cobalt, crude oil
•GNI per capita - US $150 (World Bank, 2008)

Compiled from Central Intelligence Agency - The World Factfile Report, Wikipedia and BBC News

Eclectic and Eccentric....Uniquely me!!!

1) I was born on 27-09-72. Every number in this three fold code adds up to the number 9.

2) As a child, I thought people who sang on the radio were 'teeny tiny' people.

3) I was a very proud singer as a child, until I was red signalled by my brother, who said I reminded him of a donkey. He looked so serious. :-)

4) I often dream about going to an examination hall ill-equipped. In reality, I have had no such experience. However it is safe to say, I am not looking forward to writing another one in my life.

5) I do not believe in God and am not quite sure what to make of that divine force people often talk about. I go by the simple philosophy ' Hold on to your integrity...expect the unexpected and face upto it'. Where is the need to look upto that unknown called 'God'?? Thank you Dad!!!

6) I love being on my own, do not get bored easily, love doing movies, shopping, lunches on my own.

7) I love my funny side and find it 'funny' that some people find it 'funny' that I am funny. What's so funny??? :-)

8) I do not work for a living, not that I haven't tried. I cannot switch off from work mode when I am at home. I was as shocked as my closest family and friends, to discover I was endowed with nifty housekeeping skills. Those non-skills have now efficiently balanced out the roles Prem and I play within our marriage. And people who condescend on full time home keepers and call them 'duds'...boo hoo!!!

9) Have any of you seen me slim??? I have not. Surprisingly that has never bruised my ego. The flip side, I cannot find the motivation to 'treadmill' my weight down. Must admit I'd love to see that toned, athletic 'me' right this minute. Fashion rules over fitness when it comes to motivation.....Tongue's out:-)

10) In my imaginary life, I am an athlete ( the sport changes everyday ), a part-time journalist ( in a broader sense ), a back packer, a motorcyclist and a psychologist. One for every working day.

11) I love sports...not playing them...just watching them. F1, Tennis, Cricket, Volleyball, Athletics, Swimming, Golf...At least am not watching trash!!!

12) You will never see me wear what regular people wear on the streets. I wear my own style and I find myself rocking on, quite oblivious of the passers by.

13) I love decorating houses for a hobby. I do mine ( redecorating ), every other week. At the end of the rearranging spree, I see a brand new home. Am nomadic. Have never felt attached to a house or a place so far.

14) Am clumsy, careless and crazy. I reprimand myself for that, but I continue being all of them without any effort.

15) I don't believe in 'evil eyes', horoscopes, tarot cards, numerology, palm reading and the like. I believe one ends up focusing blindly on the future instead of living happily in the present. Not to add the depression when the forecast doesn't sound pretty.

16) I was a bully growing up. I was the oldest in my group of friends from the hood and that 'bummed' me to excel in attention seeking tomfoolery at the expense of my younger friends. You guys know who you are. Am sorry...but I cant stop laughing, thinking about it now.

17) I have never felt the need to have kids. I am not particularly good with them. Love to watch babies do their silly little things, bite my tongue and pull my eyebrows out of love. I think I would have made a good mother. Some people choose not to get married, some choose not to have kids. Let them be.

18) I come across as arrogant and materialistic. People who know me well know am far from it. If you are surprised, its time to know me.

19) I believe I have a mild case of OCD. Am very finicky about time schedules, numbers and the arrangement of furniture at home. P...bear with me !!!

20) I was scared of looking up at the night sky ( damn those UFO series ), now I fear someone jumping on me, while am looking up. I am also afraid of the ocean. I feel powerless and small in that enormous expanse of water. I fear roaring thunder and blinding lightning in the still of the night.

21) Am procrastination personified. Am orderly most of the time, but when the procrastination monster visits me, I feel sorry for the people around me.

22) My Mother taught me the values of life. I don't credit her at all. Thank you ma!!! I realise today, how important they are. My father did a brilliant job teaching me the philosophy of life. Between them they have done a marvellous job raising my brother and me.

23) My Father told me pretty early in life that I should not burden him with the herculean task of finding a 'boy' for me. I started dating early and all he said was I should know where to draw the line. Wow!!!

24) I am bad with spellings. I cant write a paragraph without using spellcheck. I still count like am three. I use my fingers, and dots on paper. I do the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division just as we did, for the first time in class I or II. Its deplorable, but I enjoy doing it that way. I guess it is because my Math has not progressed beyond grade II.

25) I started wearing spectacles when I was 5. I was tormented in school and called 'Paati'. To avoid the embarrassment, I took off my glasses once my house was out of sight and wore them in the evening when it was back in sight again. I continued this trend till I was 10, when a classmate started wearing them.

26) I was sent to learn classical dance when I was 7. After a year or two, I stopped attending classes, without my parents knowledge and learnt cycling on the sly. I don't remember being given the dressing down, but was strictly told never to lie, even in omission. A lesson I learnt that day, I still practice today.

27) When I was young, very young, I thought lemon pickle was made from dead human noses. Why dead??? Coz I didn't see a single person on the road without a nose. Believe me, I looked out for those 'noseless' people for a while.

28) I may not be intelligent, but am aware of the world around me and the the history of it. However, when we gather around for some fun, I love being goofy and childlike. I hate the sound of politics and shameless display of knowledge and Intelligence. I believe there are other forums for it.

29) I suck at multitasking and admire women who do it...home, work, travel et all. I secretly wish I could smarten up there, but over the years I have realised I am better off being 'me'. Am aware of my strengths and weaknesses. The latter can fill a barrel. Bottom line. I love doing what I do everyday.

30) I love writing. Nothing special there, but once I start I cannot stop. I cannot be discreet. I am opinionated. This manuscript itself has become a thick tabloid mag. I assure you, what you read is 100% 'me'. Eccentric and Eclectic!!!

.....through my eyes

One Fine Day!!!

I haven't blogged in almost 2 years...am not sure why...but I think it's absolutely the right day to start, or restart...this piece is dedicated to an avid blogger, who also happens to be the subject matter..:-)

It's one of the favourite topics around...Facebook!!! I for one am glad it's a permanent fixture in my life. My Social Circle has undergone a metamorphosis...have met people I haven't met in years, have talked to people I would have had no opportunity to talk to otherwise, have heard about people I was longing to hear about and then, there are people one can't avoid. It's easy to ignore them once you figure out how. That's cruel, but true.

One fine day, I have a Friend Request from a Stranger...I do not accept such requests without a verification. Strangely, this time around, something tells me I may know this person, a look at his bearded 'Cesc Fabrigas' cute face tells me he is no 'phoney'. I speak to my Mum about him and no surprises there, she has no clue who he is. I check with a few friends...and no clue again. Do not recollect what happens after. I must have sent him a mail asking him who he was. I hope I did. It simply does not matter now.

I remember visiting the family every vacation, when I was quite young...for some reason I remember a naughty boy...upto tricks all the time. I am told that's not true. I believe that now. He is no naughty boy now...atleast in my view. Once they move to another location, I just hear a few good things about them...yes...good things, through the Grapevine....until 'one fine day'.

A few messages back and forth, I find an uncanny resemblance to myself. I don't think Genes could play such an important role or go as deep as penetrating the 3rd generation. The more I get talking with him, I find am not alone in my 'weirdness'. What a relief !!! We are yet to ascertain who is 'weird-er'. I don't think either of us care.

I love my space...and that's an understatement, I just love being on my own. I don't feel bored at all. I could browse or watch TV...and we are not talking trash here...or just do insignificant chores all day long, not to forget aligning furniture and checking out trouble spots. I am obsessive about being orderly and am known to be obsessive about planning and organisation. I truly believe, I am consumed by OCD, however when the Procrastination Monster comes visiting once in a while...everything is moved to the back burner or to this box called 'later'. It takes me a while to get back on the wagon...till then, Gawd help me. I am very choosy about people and try to keep minimum contact with those I think I have little or nothing in common. It has nothing to do with being rude and more to do with wasting their time and mine. I reluctantly meet new people, but if they create an impression on me, the relationship is for keeps. Inorder for me to show love, I don't need to visit or call someone all the time. However I will show and appreciate them from time to time. When there is praise or appreciation coming from my stable, it is truly meant. I hope the people I love know who they are. In doubt, one should just ask, and truth will prevail...on a lighter note. I love being different or unique or simply odd and I have always found it difficult to meet someone of a similar nature, especially within the Family Circle where Everybody seems to conform to norms, expectations and customs...until 'one fine day'. No, this was not just about me.

One fine day, I find out that this Stranger I am yet to introduce you to, is as weird as I am or even 'weird-er'. We are yet to combat...to see who prevails. Still a stranger of sorts, atleast now I know he is my brother, I didn't grow up with. I feel no expectations, feel no need to justify myself and see no reason to be formal with...I know he will understand...I hope to know him better one day, till then its all fine.

Happy Birthday....love 'U'