தீபாவளி நல்வாழ்த்துகள்..!

என்னை யாரென்றும் தெரியாமலே...
என் வலைப்பதிவில் கால் பதித்த நண்பரே...
உங்களுக்கும் என் உள்ளம் கனிந்த...
தீபாவளி நல்வாழ்த்துகள்..!

உங்கள் கனவுகள், லட்சியம், ஆசை,
காதல், கல்யாணம், தொழில் உயர்வு,
அனைத்தும் கைகூடி வெற்றி பெற,
என் வாழ்த்துகள்...:)

I've created a special sms on this Deepavali just to make fun with my friends and relatives. That one might be recycled by them and rotate and might be in your inbox somehow...:)

"MAYAKKAM ENNA"vaaga irunthaalum...
"VELAYUTHAM" kumbittu...
"7AM ARIVU" solvathai kettu...
"OSTHI"yaage vaazhge...
Happy Deepavali..!!!
with luv sashi..:)

My Diwali Shopping 2011

"Why Diwali shopping?"..."What so special to write about it?"..."Oh, maybe she is going to boast about what she bought, this and that!" I know... you guys must have these thoughts on your head right now. Correct..? Hehe..gotcha!

Well, I didn't buy anything for myself, but I have to follow my lil bro Rishi to select the best jippa for him. He always likes my choice and believes that my selection will never go wrong for him. Actually I've very good dress sense for guys...(hehe I know I know..this is what ppl call boasting) Okay lets jump to the scene of story...:)

First day shopping.........................
Date : 22 Oct 2011 (Sat)
Time : 4pm - 8.30pm
Venue : Brickfields (open car park)

When we entered into the Diwali Bazaar, a strong smell which is a combination of "shoe rack + sweat" welcomed us. The place was crowded like hell...owh no..no crowded like heaven..(*lets hope for the best*) I and Rishi, never missed this bazaar every year so we know how to follow the "map" and how to shop without missing out any booths.

As we walked passing by booth by booth, my eyes were rolling here and there just on the punjabi suits. I totally forgot that I came here to buy jippa for him and my dad. Somehow I found a shop that selling "kurta" and dragged him into the shop. While he was entertained by the salesman, I was pulled off by one beautiful Punjabi suit which was hanging at the next door. Well, that was not the suits name..it was called Mazhakali Suit. I tell you guys it was awesome. My legs were slowly moving to that shop and I am imagining myself... wearing that suit... looks like Aishwarya Rai in Raavan. (*correction- the aishu u are imagining lil shorter and lil plum and choco colour ok..hehehe)

So you guys should know how the suit looks like..rite! It has two layer attached together at front body, where the front layer will have window type design which we can see the 2nd inner layers design from outside....so it looks very different. Many gals were grabbing for that suit. And I feel like I want one too. So I asked the salesman to get a M size for me. While waiting for Rishi, I tried it out there on top of my tee. No choice...its a small booth and no fitting rooms..so you have to be model there. I didn't notice many of the eyes there were on me. I was looking at the mirror to see how perfect it is. Suddenly I heard a comment. An aunty was telling to her daughter, "see I told you right, this suit looks like maid..now see her!" My jaw was just dropped down. Yeah...what the aunty said was correct...I do look like maid with the suit on me. Its like Cinderella wearing the half type apron on her long gown...OH MY GOD...! Where goes Aishwarya then...?? I felt like smoke coming out from my both ears. I quickly sit down and take out the suit, gave to the salesman and walk out from the shop. Thank god I didn't buy the suit...if I did, I will be regretting for this whole year...!

Then I told Rishi what happened and he was laughing at me. Then we left the place coz he also couldn't get what he wants. So the moral of the story is..
1. Do not get attracted by the outlook of a dress.
2. Try only if there is fitting room. If not you will be the model among the commentators.
3. Don't hurry burry in buying anything. You still have time till last day that means 1 day before Diwali coz , that time you might get to the lowest price. (this happens because most of the salesman are from India. So they might sell the suits as lowest price as you want because once they cleared their items here they don't have to pay more tax for their luggage when returning to India)
4. At last minute purchase, don't ever give reaction that you love the suit which you've selected, coz some of them will never reduce the price once they know u like the suit, coz they will think that you will definitely buy it since there is only 1 day left.


2nd day shopping.........................
Date : 23 Oct 2011 (Sun)
Time : 1pm - 5.30pm
Venue : Masjid India (Madras Store)

Once we entered the Madras Store shop, I find it quite weird coz there were less customer inside. Then I asked the salesgirl, for Kurta. She asked me to go opposite shop. I stopped there and looked at her asking, "what's wrong with you? you were working here and you asking me to go to the opposite shop? don't they pay you..?" Well...take note this questions all were only in mind voice okay...hehe well I'm not that brave to scold some one. I quietly looked at the opposite shop. Oh My God...now Madras Store was opened in opposite building too...with 4 floors..!!! Thank god I didn't open my mouth just now.

Entering the new outlet doesn't bring any new look either. The ground floor was pale...not attractive for me. But found the Kurta for Rishi. I've chosen...purple colour for him. It looks cool on him. And took maroon colour Kurta for dad. That's it. The purchase was done for both of them. But still my heart moves to the Old Madras Store shop. Yes and I entered again. The same girl smiled at me and was promoting to me the new arrivals. I told her I bought for myself already. She still requested me at least to have look at the new arrivals. So I followed her.

There were many types of sarees...Let me promote here...hehe..!
Enggeyum Kaathal Saree
It was slightly in look like what Hansika wore for "Nanggai" song but not that design or colour were same. It was totally different.
Maappillai Saree
I've never watch the movie yet..so I don't know whether it came in the movie or not. But there is no big difference in the design when compared to Enggeyum Kaathal.
Tamanna Saree
Okay this one I agree. It suits the name very well. Coz I've seen the similarity in the design with the saree Tamanna in "Siruthai.
Mankatha Saree
I am totally disagree for the name first of all. Why? Coz Trisha and Andrea never wear sarees in any shots of that movie and the sarees that Lakshmi Rai wore was a plain one and Anjali will be wearing cotton type. BUT.....the one being promoted there was something like saree made of net. Yes, it looks like made of mosquito net. If you planned to wear the saree, first thing you must get is the matching and embroidered inner skirt...which we called in Tamizh as "ull paavadai". So by wearing the saree, actually you are showing off your "ull pavadai" to others. Then what is the point of wearing 8meter long expensive fabric material around your body, when the inner skirt still can be seen..!? But people say, that is the trend now:)
Kanchana Saree
It should be in red first and foremost. But you can find it in many colors there.

So that is all about my Diwali shopping. Here I am not complaining or degrading about that particular shop, but was not satisfy with the name of the sarees. You may ask "since most of the saree shop selling using the same name but why am I making fuss over Madras Store??"
The reasons are...
i) only in that shop I will get what I want,
ii) the one-stop-center for whole family,
iii)reasonable price with best customer service.
I think I don't have to tell you the reason, coz when reading the story you should have understand that this shop must be my favorite one, and that is why along the way I walked into Masjid India, I only entered this shop..:))

Broken into Pieces...!

Lady Shai had referred in her novel Valentina Nervosa, "Life is like playing jigsaw puzzle, to find the exact piece, we have to try on many pieces, to get the complete picture." It is very true...! But is it worth if the whole picture broken into pieces when tried out a wrong piece? First, I thought it's not fair at all...! But now, I think it's more than worth. You know why? Because while fixing back the whole puzzle again...you will be able to understand the exact picture more accurately and that will make you wiser in finding the most suitable and perfect man...errr erhemmm I mean the perfect piece next time. One good heart person told me, "If you haven't gone through these all in your life, it's not worth of living your life!" Thanks Ganesh Anna...:)

Thanks for being there when I needed advice and guidance. 

* Who is Lady Shai? Well, that's how I call novelist Nurul Syahida..coz she inspires me a lot through her writings... brillante...! I love all her books.

Interview vs Resume..!

Seriously I need to talk about this. About interview and about resume..! Yes..both of these makes me feel annoying..! I've been called for many interviews and I'd attended for most of it. But what makes me feel annoyed was the bloody same old questions being asked by the all the interviewers.

When you applied for a job vacancy, of course you'll be sending them your full CV/resume..right? Okay.. and when the employer interested in you, definitely they have gone through your full resume before call you for an interview....right? But have you all notice while they were interviewing you, they will be holding your resume and viewing it and will be asking you questions such like....

Interviewer : "okay, tell me about yourself"
Myself : "well, I am staying at bla..bla...I've been studied bla..bla...currently attached to bla..bla."
My mind voice : "haven't you go through my resume..? then what is the purpose of sending my resume to you a month ago?"

Interviewer : "what have you been doing in your previous job..?"
Myself : "oh, with pleasure...I've been managing...this and that and bla..bla"
My mind voice : "what the hell are u thinking..? didn't I listed out my past 4 years working experiences there..?"

Interviewer : "what is your personal strength and weakness?"
Myself : "my strengths are..bla..bla...and weakness is ...bla..bla.."
My mind voice : "huh..is this a selection for military squad..? everyone of us have their own strength and weakness...even you have those..! And if u really wanted to know...ok here u go...my strengths are I can stay awake for a whole night if there is good movie on TV at midnight, willing to spend hours in toilet if I'm with my favorite story book, dare to give devil look to someone who thinks themselves as gangster, freely walk in to everywhere without a small inch of make-up on my face(who cares), and I'm still single...err herrmm...not describing about my status here...actually telling how "STRONG" I am ..:) and my weaknesses are..I talk non-stop if someone make me mad, if I got flu ready to listen a trumpet sound from me, no tea..no sashi..:) wakakaka...not only these..."

Anyone out there willing to hire me...??*wink..wink..*(with handbags and holding folder)

Johnson Sinnappan's Kembara MERDEKA 16 Aug - 16 Sep 11

Who is that Johnson Sinnappan? What is Kembara Merdeka? What is going on in Minnal Fm? This was my first 3 question when I heard my colleague keep on saying about there is function going on in Angkasapuri today...this happened 1 month ago.

Today is Hari Malaysia. Happy Malaysia Day to all the Malaysians. Its 16th September and its holiday today:) Today is also the day for Johnson Sinnappan to finish his Kembara Merdeka which was held since a month ago. Johnson is RJ from Minnal FM of RTM. He was selected by a radio listener in a lucky draw form to participate in this Kembara Merdeka program which was organized by RTM and Minnal FM in conjunction with Malaysia's National Day celebration. In this program he have to visit the Peninsular Malaysia with a couple of attire and with RM10 in hand from 16th Aug to 16th Sept 11. So he have depends on the people whom he met along his journey for his staying, food, clothings and transport as well. Its sounds something like the reality show "SURVIVOR" but this journey was made for patriotism awakening among nationwide. Really proud of Minnal FM!

Since yesterday the RJ's of Minnal FM keep on announcing on radio about Johnson's welcoming back show upon his successful journey for the past 1 month, my mom also wished to go and gather in the show as well. My mom is a sincere listener of Radio Malaysia since she is born. So I got to know all the news about this program through her updates. She listens radio everyday from 6am to 4pm. Dad's favorite was old song and the hindi songs. Minnal FM become part of their life and the RJs are as part of their family members.

So as her wish, I plan to bring her for the show at Angkasapuri. Since my dad is having some work to do, he let us go and enjoy ourselves. Frankly speaking I totally forgot the way to Angkasapuri, and I hide it from dad and mom. We planned to meet Johnson at the stage where they put in front of Jamz Karaoke at Brickfields. So after we missed the chance to meet him in Brickfields(coz I dun know where is that karaoke), I drove straight to Bangsar. I know Angkasapuri is somewhere around there and its started to rain..heavily. Can u imagine, you are driving to one destination just by assuming the way it might be..in a heavy rain..hehe:) Something crazy rite. Thats what I did. But God was with me. Gracias..Lord! I found Angkasapuri at last...heeheehee..:)

When entered, we have to pass by the police check point but it was closed and I've seen people using a specific "touch and go" pass to enter. So I stopped and turn to left parking space and found 1 empty parking lot for me. Remember, its still raining heavily out there. While discussing how to go out my mom suddenly come out with an idea that she wanna go and ask people at the entrance there whether the visitor are allowed to bring cars inside or not. I asked her "Ma, its heavy rain out there, are u sure wanna go?" She quickly take the umbrella and opened the door and walked away to the guard house, after replied me "I won't go back without meeting Johnson" with a big smile. I was just watching her from inside the car in a big shock. Shortly, while I was trying to call my dad to inform that we've reached safely...someone knocked the door. I turned and looked at the window. Gosh..! it was my mom..! She was half wet in the rain, yet smiling at me and signed me to come out.

I quickly jumped out from the car and joined her under the umbrella. Just tell me how do u feel if u dressed up nicely and make up beautifully and was walking in the rain, sharing a small umbrella on flooded road till ur ankle. I was laughing at my mom and asked her "Ma, is this Johnson very important for you?...do we need to go in this condition to the show..?" She laughed too after hearing me asking her like this. We stopped at the "pondok" near the check point. I looked at myself, my 3/4 jeans pants were totally wet and my hair as well. And when I turned to look at my mom, we both were laughing at each other looking ourselves look like chicken in the rain....hahahhahahaaa...:)

After waited few minutes there, I noticed that the police have opened the check point so that eased all the the buses and cars gets in there without any traffic problem. Why didn't he do that earlier..?? Such a *@#*$*$##....!! So I asked my mom to wait there while I bring my car and we can go in to the Auditorium Perdana area to get the nearest parking. Somehow we managed to find one parking and walked out to find the entrance of the auditorium. But there is another test was waiting for us. While we walking, another couple of mother and daughter were also following us from behind who thinks that we are leading a right way. At the end of the road we just found one rubbish station at the corner. At there, a Proton Wira stopped and told us, "this is not the way to the auditorium, u have to go back the way u came and enter the left corner" then the car passed by. The aunty and her daughter thanked him. But I was thinking why doesn't he offer lift and drop us over there. Gosh..! people...people...!! Then I walked with mom, few meters away we saw a big crowd of people walking in a row heading to the auditorium entrance. At last reached..:) what a hazardous way....yet I'm still smiling in happy:)

At the entrance we saw, our local drama actors Mr Guna and Mr. Shan. I quickly open my third eye...focused to them...and get ready to see through it. Hehe..don't get scared I don't have 3rd eye, it's my camera. But dun get mad at me, at last I only managed to click this photo of them just after we all get into the auditorium. It's a big crowd u know..and I was helpless.... :( (i know u must be thinking she doesn't know how to take photo but blaming the crowd konon.... rite...? I heard it...but I dun feel bad anyway coz what u said was true...ngeh ngeh ngeh...I'm still learning the techniques okay) By the way the one with red check tee was Mr Shan and black and grey stripes tee was Mr.Guna (turned behind)

Inside the auditorium the function started with our national song..."Negaraku". I am so proud coz I still remember the lyric. But so many of them are were la..la..la..la.. there. What to do people only remembers it at school time. The function then followed by inauguration ceremony of Minnal FM's Fan Club after honoring the man of the day our Makkal Nanban Johnson. Actually, he is Man of the Year 2011. Inside the auditorium the function started with our national song..."Negaraku". I am so proud coz I still remember the lyric. But so many of them are were la..la..la..la.. there. What to do people only remembers it at school time. The function then followed by inauguration ceremony of Minnal FM's Fan Club after honoring the man of the day our Makkal Nanban Johnson. Actually, he is Man of the Year 2011.

Since the auditorium was flooded with people, my eyes were rolling here and there to find empty chairs. WHAT A LUCK...!! At that time those VIPs who were sitting in the front rows were leaving the auditorium for refreshment once the inauguration function ended. So, I quickly ran to the first row, right in the middle. Yes, we got a special seat which has only 2 seats together at the most front, just about 10 feet distance to the stage. Wow...! isn't it cool. My mom was so happy and a bit shy to sit at the front seats.

When I turned back to take photos of the audience, I saw Johnson was sitting just nearby to our seat with his family. Mom quickly walked and congratulate him. That moment mom was so thrilled and excited. She told him, "unggal paarkkarathukkaage naan mazhaile nenanjittu vanthen thambi"..and he replied "rombe nandringge ma.." so humbly. When shaking hands with Johnson, I saw her eyes were filled with tears. She couldn't talk to him anymore. Yes of course, every mom will have the feeling because Johnson is "enggal veettu pillai". To cover the situation, I interfered and introduce myself and mom herself and clicked a photo of his family before left to our seats.

When the show started my mom really enjoyed very much, while I was busy taking photos and video clips:) All the performance were awesome. Theivigan hosted the show. Mom who always listen to his voice through radio, praised him a lot when saw him lively. Actually the show was under recording for Deepavali program. So its will be aired on RTM TV2 most probably on Deepavali day this year 26th October 2011. I am not sure about the exact timing:) I've uploaded some of the photos of the performance below here with elaboration accordingly. Enjoy viewing it.

Mayanggurendi...mayanggurendi...Aathaadi..Aathadi...by VSS 2010 Winner Ganesan and DK Ghana Dance Group

Kappaleri Poyachi...by the DK Ghana Dance Group

Karikaalan kaale pole karuthirukkuthu kuzhalu...by Ganesan and Shamini.

Comedy break by Angeline Tan a.k.a Lucy and Rama. Lucy speaks good Tamil.

Comedy remix dance start with "Kathe solla poren..." song and few latest hits. This was really funny and nice.

Among all the performances this one is the awesome one. Asmaradana...by the Asthana Arts.

There is one sweet memory happened there. When Ganesan and Shamini were getting ready for their song performance recording, that means while the cameraman and the CD player getting ready, both of them were having some fun chat with the audience. I didn't expected it but this was captured in my video..hehehe...:) Ganesan was talking to mom actually...:) mom was so happy and excited when he was talking to her.

After the show comes to an end, the organizers arranged refreshment for the audience. So nice of them...:) We were served with curry puff, vadai, kesari, tea and coffee by the RJs. So here we had the chances to meet most of the RJs.

The audience having their tea-break served by the RJs

My mom knew most of their RJs by their voice only. So when she meet them in person with their name printed on their uniform, mom was happy. Moreover when she was served curry puff by RJ Punitha..............

Mom : oh neengge than Punitha va? RJ Punitha : Amangge aunty..:) Me : Amma ungge big fan..! RJ Punitha : Amava...appadinna innoru curry puff vekkava aunty..(with big smile) Mom : Ille vendam ma..:)

Such a friendly people they are. Not even 1% of ego or pride at them. They talked to everybody like family members. I just love their enthusiasm in welcoming all of us. Great and salute to them. After had tea and tit-bits, I snapped few photos of them and few with my mom in it.

RJ Punitha Subramaniam and RJ Anand who gave glorious pose when I asked then "can i take photo of you all..?"

Mom in the middle with her favourite RJs from (L-R) - Ravi, Prema, Yogeswary, Punitha and Anand.

Mom with RJ TayaG who was still able to give a pose while serving kesari to the guests. I like his write-ups in Desam. One of the young Tamizh writer in Malaysia.

Then at about 6.45pm we left the Angkasapuri and reached home at about 7.30pm. After we reached home, mom was telling the A to Z stories to dad. Dad also smiled in surprise looking at the all the photos. This day will be the most memorable day for my mom. And for me as well coz I had made her happy and her long time dream come true. It was awesome experience for both of us.