My Birthday !!!

I turned 24 this 24 July, and this birthday has been one of the most memorable one till date. Every birthday, I would expect my friends and loved ones to wish me. If they don't, I used to feel a little upset.
This birthday was different. I saw the uselessness of such an expectation. I began to believe that forgetting my brithday was no big deal. I realized friends and loved ones will always remain loved even if they forget my brithday.
I woke up on July 24 with such a resolution.
I remember the night before my Birthday last year when I stayed awake till midnight seeing if someone would wish me. This time, I was asleep by 11 pm because I was very tired.
The July 24 this year was a day of surprises. My grandma, who is staying with us for a week, wished me first. Then my loving Mom and Dad wished me.
As is the custom every Birthday, I bathed, wore a new set of clothes, and sought the blessings of my parents and God.
My first surprise came at 7.30 am, when my Bhaiya called up from Kolkatta. I never even imagined he would remember. Then a couple of my classmates from school sent sms wishes. Then 2 of my classmates from school called up and wished me. They made me so happy.
While I was in the bus on my way to office, my Manni smsd me from US. It was such a sweet sms. I saved her number, and replied a big thanks. My second surprise came a little later when my Manni's parents smsd from Dubai and wished me. I was really happy to have such sweet in-laws.
I reached office by 9.30 am. A surprise waited there too. The HR guys had got a gift for me. It was so sweet. Really sweet!!!! This was one time when I did not want to tell anyone of my Birthday. But somehow, word got around. Around noon, people started singing Happy Birthday and clapping. It was fun.
Then my brother called from US and wished me. So sweet. Then my Manni's sister called from Singapore and wished me. So very sweet.
But, work at office was bad. It drained my energy away. But some nice friends of mine had sent lovely heart-touching e-cards, and they mad me very happy.
At home, more surprises awaited me. My aunt called from Bombay, and later an uncle called from Bombay and wished me.
Later in the evening, my Brother and Manni called us again and spoke with me.
I really had a great Birthday.
God Bless all who care so much for me!!!!

I am BACK!!!!

Whoaaa!!! Im blogging after more than a month!! I was so busy with such a lot of activities. One event that had me all tied up was my brother's wedding. It was such a grand affair.

I really had a great time during my brother's wedding. We started preparations a full week ahead. The wedding was on a Thursday.. But, the excitement set in much before that.. From the start of the week, relatives started pouring in the house. I love such a grand assembly of relatives and cousins at my house.

The wedding rites began a day before the wedding. So, we reached the mandap on Wednesday. We had some rites that morning and I was all over the mandap clicking away photographs.

The engagement was to be held the same evening.

I made a blunder that evening. The keys for the groom's room had been entrusted to me. Around evening I went shopping with my aunt to a nearby shop completely oblivious of the fact that I had the keys. The engagement rites were to start by 6 pm and I had not returned yet. People started getting frantic. The funny part was that I had kept my mobile for charging in the locked room. So, they could not reach me at all. When I came back at 6, I had to face a lot of not very pleasant music. :-)

Thats there. My mood was totally off. In my hurry to get dressed, I put too much of make-up on my face and ended up looking like a buffoon. But there was no time to correct it because as the groom's sister, I had to be there for the rites. I felt too embarrassed. After ten miutes, I could not to face the cameras. With tears pouring down my cheeks, i ran to the room and washed the whole stuff off my face. But my mood was off. Still I managed to smile.

The function went off without a hitch. After the function, I was still down and sought solace in a friend. But, we got into an sms fight that went on till midnight. FInally, he went off to sleep leaving me in tears. That was the time I really felt down in the dumps. I am so glad my sister was there beside me. I cried to her and told her what had happened. She was comforting and put me to sleep with her arms, love, and care around me.

Next day was much better. I was determined not to be put off by anything. The muhurath was in the morning. I was dressed in a saree and had left my hair loose. People said I looked really good. The wedding went of really cool.

In the afternoon, we brought the bride home for the grihapravesh function. All the time, I was busy clicking photos.

After the ceremony at home, we had to rush back to the mandap for the reception in the evening. This time, I got ready soon in a maroon saree. I applied minimal make-up, and looked and felt good. I received a number of compliments. The day ended with a mega dinner. I was so tired that night that I slept like a log.

The next week was good with my bro and bhabs with us. At the end of the week, I went for dinner with bro and bhabs at a Chinese restuarant. They left for US the next day. It was a tearful farewell.

Siggghhh!!!