Week 39: Rock and Roll, the 60's Style Baby!

For those who have stumbled on my blog just today, I am on a 52 weeks adventure this year wherein I decide my own adventures! For more details, check out here!

Last week we had a blast from the past at the Gold Coast Toastmasters Club as we celebrated it's 55th birthday with fun, potluck and dress like 60's theme. 

Now, one of the biggest questions I had was what to wear for the occasion as I had no clue about the 60's. I tried asking my mom about 60's in India and she was not a help at all. Sujoy asked me to wear a saree and go as saree has been an integral part of Indian culture since a very very long time. There was no way, I was going to wear a saree for sure. So, I settled down for a cute frock with a little bright color to suit the occasion.

Then was the question of what to prepare for the potluck. I have another friend Trupty staying in our Community and also a member of this Toastmaster Club. So I bounced the idea of preparing something together for the potluck and she immediately said yes. With a lot of discussion, Trupty came up with 'Gajar ka Halwa' (a dessert prepared from carrots, milk, sugar, clarified butter, nuts and raisins) suggestion. So Trupty was the master chef and I was her helper. After a tedious 2.5 hours of standing and stirring, finally we had a delicious gajar halwa ready.

The final yummy product :)

When I entered the Club room that day, Oh my God...I was blind sighted for a second with all the bright colors flashing everywhere ;) We even had a bright screen to emphasize the 1960's effect.

Ya, that's the bright screen

And then everyone started pouring in. Hippie hairstyles, blonde wigs, unnaturally colored jewellery, hip bags, shiny bandanas. You name it and all of it was there. All the glitter and jazz of the 1960's.

Rock and Roll Baby

Groovy Us!

The hippies and the blondies

How's my hair?

We are a bunch of diverse people from different age groups in this Club and yet on this day everyone seemed to have evolved from the 1960's. The carefree atmosphere and the scintillating energy made it such a lively and vibrant occasion. Of course, Patty Antolik's 'something' mixed cookies also might be the reason for our carefree gait ;)

The program itself was intellectually stimulating with speeches and contests designed with the 1960's themes. As pictures speak more than words, here is what I want to say -

Michael talking about how it was being a Gold Coast TM 35 years before and now!

Scott and his impeccable 1960's attires

Claude always plays his part well

Can you believe, it is the same Scott again?

We had a wonderful potluck lunch and some getting together. Everybody devoured our gajar ka halwa. We had some wonderful time chit chatting and mostly hogging.

The food spread

As the meeting ended on a high note of vibrancy, here are two things which will always stay in my heart -

The Club presented $300 to Rich Otten for covering his expenses for his work at the Gavel Toastmaster Clubs. Gavel Clubs are for those unfortunate strata of the society who are in the prisons and serving their sentences. Some one going out there, reaching out to them and helping them grow - My respect! Every human being has a right to progress and I for sure was touched with this concept of gavel club and moreover with the kind gesture of our club. Respect and Salute!

Our President Barbara Strasdas acknowledging Rich Otten's work and presenting the check

The second thing which really touched my heart was that the Club decided to have the party at the Club itself to make it affordable for everyone. Initially it was supposed to be in a hotel. I for one was happy that it was at the Club. More than the expenses part, being at the Club in the comfort zone of all others in a friendly ambience is so important. The Club thought about its members and that is what made all the difference at the party. I doubt if we could have been able to be so carefree at a hotel set up. It was a very small gesture on the part of the Club, but trust me spoke volumes about our attitude :)

So yes, overall it was a fun evening. Kudos to Gold Coast Toastmasters! Kudos to Toastmasters International! Kudos to every Toastie who is on the journey of self improvement!

Week 38: Arijit Singh Live!

For those who have stumbled on my blog just today, I am on a 52 weeks adventure this year wherein I decide my own adventures! For more details, check out here!

Arijit Singh was coming to Orlando and there was no way I was going to miss his soulful songs sang in live. When I asked Sujoy about going to Arijit's concert, he was not that keen as Arijit is an excellent singer but his songs are more towards melodious and peaceful tones. Sujoy would have loved to go to a bubbly singer concert instead. So giving due respect to Sujoy's say it was decided that we are GOING to the concert ;)

We were 10+ folks from our community headed towards Orlando on Friday evening. It was a 3 hour drive one way and we had decided to come back the same night as I had my Toastmaster Area Level Contest the next day which I am very glad to say that I lost. We were 7 folks in a car, in which the husbands were actually dragged by their wives for the concert (certain aspects in each home sometimes are very similar). 

We reached the concert place well before time and were overwhelmed to see such a large Indian population gathered at one place to listen to the most soulful singer in Bollywood today. We took our seats and were awaiting impatiently for Arijit. And then he came (whistles, smiles, cheers all Indian style) :)

His smile is to die for :)

The next 3 hours were pure bliss. I initially noted down all his songs as he was singing to put in the blog. But then I realized chuck this off and just sit and enjoy. And then I did exactly the same. I sat back, danced while sitting (my usual dance style, I get too conscious to stand up and dance) and I yelled and cheered at the top of my lungs forgetting completely that tomorrow was my speech contest. But hey Arijit was here and I could not worry about a contest, right?

Women were going crazy for Arijit!

The moment he took charge of the piano and started singing old songs like 'Ehsaan tera hoga mujhpar'.......Oh My God...complete elation. My heart was singing with him and my mind was in a peaceful state of trance. His voice is magical and he proved it yet again why he is the best today. You can check a glimpse of his concert songs on the piano here.

The crowd went crazy when he took charge of the piano singing all old melodies

He ended the concert with the favorites Kabira and Hum tere bin abhi reh nahi sakte. And I was in a melted state of respect and awe. What really heightened my state of euphoria was - Arijit Singh at the end of the concert kneeled down on the stage and thanked the entire crowd for being there. Such humility!

Respect!

It is Sunday today, 2 days past the concert and I am still humming Arijit's songs which is gladdening my heart and soul! :)

If you get a chance, don't miss experiencing his magic in live!

Photo Credits: Facebook posts, Shweta Vernekar-Navlakha for the sketch.

Week 37: Cricket and Fun!

For those who have stumbled on my blog just today, I am on a 52 weeks adventure this year wherein I decide my own adventures! For more details, check out here!

So what happens when in an American Community, you have 20+ Indian families? Nothing much but a wild surge of cricket fever! :)

Yes, last week there was a cricket tournament in our Community with the Indian men all set to try their hands on the game of cricket on a tennis court! Yes, you read it right - 'game of cricket on a tennis court'. When you want to do something, you find out a way to do it!

In normal circumstances I would not have paid much attention to this tournament, considering the guys play every alternate day. I dismissed the tournament as 'galli cricket'  (or a game played by almost all Indian kids in small streets back in India). 

To summarize, this is what happens in 'galli' cricket back in India! 

But what caught my attention was that there was an auction for the players to be distributed in 4 different teams on the lines of IPL (Indian Premier League). Now isn't that fascinating? The organizers actually worked on an auction software which pulled out data and statistics about each player and his performance in the previous tournaments. This was the time when I could not ignore this tournament, and 'GPL' (Gardens East Premier League) caught my full attention and respect.

The amount assigned for each team was $30,000 and the captains had to bid for the players. Whoever bid the highest would get the player. The rules and regulations were so carefully formulated that I was awestruck. If the bid for a player went beyond $10,000, then the captains of the team had to send a sms with their final bid and whoever bid the highest would get the player. Now this was so clever to avoid wasting too much time on the bidding for one player. Smart move there!

This is a dummy screen of the auction software for you to rave about! :)

The fun did not end here, the real game started when the teams assembled to play the next day and then the finals at the end. The better halves of the players were also on the field, cheering their dudes to win the game! 

We are always there to cheer our husbands! :)

One of the members of the finalist team was my husband Sujoy. So obviously, it was very clear which team I would be supporting. The match was a very close one. We had 30 runs to win and in the last 2 overs we had to make 11 runs. Last over left and we still had 11 runs to win plus a couple of wickets gone. Sudheer was on the field who had won the last game by a winning sixer shot, so all of our hopes were pinned on him. But alas, our team did not win! :(

That was our cricket field!

But you know what? Even though our team did not win, I had a great time watching the matches. I reminisced the times, when I used to watch cricket with my Dad. Dad and me supporting the Indian team while my mom and sister waiting for the game to finish off as they despised cricket! It was a different time then, now cricket doesn't interest me much.

Good old cricket days! :)

Looking at all of them playing, I just realized all the years I have wasted being a bookworm and getting good scores. I never was a sports person. When I look at Sujoy today, the graceful way he accepts defeat and learns from each game - I simply feel 'respect' for him and all other who have learnt this art. Sujoy's passion for sports is admirable. It took me some time to get used to his passion. I might have the better exam scores, but he has a better perspective towards life which makes all the difference today! 

It was just a game of cricket, but in just 2 days it made me walk down the memory lane and showed me my major flaws which I need to work on! And also 2 days of mad loud cheering, feet stomping in frustration and of course a few curse words! ;)

So, who wants to join us for the next GPL?

****Special thanks to the organizers of GPL for sharing the auction software pictures. Also to all the players who displayed such great play and made the audience run for their money! I was biting my nails for most of the time. Not to forget, all the lady charm who came out to support their husbands! Kudos to everyone!****

*Sketches done by Shweta Vernekar-Navalakha. She is my sister and doesn't she have some talent there? :)*

Week 36: Crocheting Bliss

For those who are not aware, I am on a 52 weeks adventure this year wherein I decide my own adventures! For more details, check out here!

Never did I think, that I will do crochet one day! But guess what? In my new found quest for learning new things, I tried my hands on crochet also! But this would not have been possible without the girl's creative gang and especially Neha, who played a pivotal role in making us believe we can do it.

The projects we chose were relatively easier ones except for Gauri, who as usual wanted to challenge herself and selected a shrug. Sukh and me selected a small project which was a beanie. 

Our first class started with Neha first teaching us simple chain in crochet. She made us practice only the chain first for 10-15 times. Then she switched to single crochet and then to double crochet. We practiced till Neha was satisfied that we could do it. She even made sure we held the needle properly for ease of crocheting. Neha is an excellent teacher and she even scolds you if you don't obey her ;)

Crochet is addictive and it also calms the senses and relaxes you. It keeps your mind from wandering to unwanted thoughts as you have to concentrate on the number of stitches, consistency of stitches making sure you do not miss anything. And the bliss which you experience after completing a piece is surreal! :)

A sketch by my sister Shweta Vernekar-Navlakha, which expresses my sentiments so artistically.

I first started my beanie with a bright yellow and white yarn. But unfortunately it was a cotton yarn and was not stretching enough to fit my head. 

My bright cotton yarn

Start to an addictive hobby

Here is the beanie, but alas which does not fit my head! :(

So then after finishing this piece, I bought a new wool yarn to make another beanie which is not rigid but flexible to fit my head. This yarn and needle were a part of my hurricane kit to keep myself busy just in case hurricane Erika would have hit us and God forbid there would have been a power outage. So thoughtful of me, right?  ;) But fortunately Erika did not hit us and we were safe.

My new yarn. I just fell in love with the colors.

Sukh finished her beanie long back as I took a break from crocheting for practicing for the Humorous Speech Contest. Sukh even added a cute flower to her beanie and it looks really awesome now!

Look at the super clean stitches and the cute flower

Uber cool beanie as well as the poser ;)

Gauri took a longer time, but she had chosen a difficult as well as an elaborate piece. But all of us loved her shrug when it was completed. It is looking so elegant and delicate.

Gauri's fabulous white shrug

Doesn't it look elegant?

I have still not finished my beanie. I still have a flower to put which I believe will happen sometime this week. With the long weekend and another speech at Toastmasters this Thursday and reading the second book in the Mistborn series, it really is a bit difficult to finish my second beanie. But yes, I will do it this week. 

Work in progress

WhatsApp message to my gang: Is this length enough?
Reply: No, add one more line and see

How about this length? Reply: Yo baby!

So, technically my beanie is done but just need to add a flower.  Once I do that, I have some ambitious plans of making a shrug (if Gauri doesn't gift me one) and a scarf.  Also, I want to make something for the loving man in my life. Not yet decided exactly what.

Crochet for 'Love' :)

Let us see when that happens. Till then, cheers to my beanie :)