Preeti Shenoy's blog.

Really sorry--I have had to remove this post as it will soon appear in a book. Making it available online would have been very unfair to my publisher who has placed so much trust in me. I hope you enjoy the other posts as much as you enjoyed this one. A heartfelt thanks for your support and understanding.Thanks for continuing to read what I write.

Most bloggers seem to have gone on vacation.(I just got back from mine in Kerala) There seems to be quietness and calmness that has arrived on a bus that seems to have lost its way, and is now unwilling to find its track. Niall's blog seems to have been taken over by Oskur. Keshi seems to be whisked away into party zone. Prats is off to Goa. Thinking aloud is thinking quietly, with her parents visiting. Tys i s in Kathmandu. Joe is in Fort Lauderdale. And while all this was happening, my 36th birthday arrived and it left quietly too. (On 21st December) I had to constantly remind myself that it was special. It didnt feel so. I almost forgot my birthday myself. We were too busy heaving sigh of relief that our tickets came through. (Why do I still feel like I'm 20?!) See you all when you get back.Or rather, see you all when my mind gets back. (It seems to be still on vacation and I am trying hard to drag it back to write mode--pun intended) I wish you peace, joy, ca

One of my favourite activity is thinking about various things. As adults, we become so mechanical, going about our daily routine that we forget to think. When I interact with children (I conduct workshops for children on developing thinking skills) I am amazed at their perspectives. They come up with the most unique ideas about the most mundane things. As a part of the workshop, I have 'thinking questions' which are a lot of fun and which the children really enjoy. At one of my sessions, the children were asked to think of five uses of an umbrella apart from using it for the rain. A little girl aged 6, really surprised me when she said that you can hide in it when you are naked! We went to Empress Garden , for a picnic, a few days back. I came across this amazing tree. It made me stand and stare. It made me think. I loved the way the branches twisted and turned. A bit like life, don't you think? And this one made me think that sometimes, our live are so enmeshed with the

Really sorry--I have had to remove this post as it will soon appear in a book. Making it available online would have been very unfair to my publisher who has placed so much trust in me. I hope you enjoy the other posts as much as you enjoyed this one. A heartfelt thanks for your support and understanding.Thanks for continuing to read what I write.

Really sorry--I have had to remove this post as it will soon appear in a book. Making it available online would have been very unfair to my publisher who has placed so much trust in me. I hope you enjoy the other posts as much as you enjoyed this one. A heartfelt thanks for your support and understanding.Thanks for continuing to read what I write.

The prompt at Writers Island this time is 'The moment'. This is what I wrote. ****************************************************************** The moment. Isn’t life made up of moments? Some worth re-living over and over, some causing deep pain, hurt and resentment and some passing by insignificant, unnoticed, yet silently contributing to the span of your life? Sometimes it takes just a moment to let a mindless thought slip out. You said it in anger; you were irritated when you said it and you did not mean it at all. Yet, you hurt deeply the person to whom you uttered these words. It takes only a moment to apologize, but it can take a lifetime to forget. Sometimes, a lifetime is not enough. Sometimes, it takes just a moment to say something nice. You might have said it spontaneously. You might have meant it at that moment, but forgotten later. But the recipient of those words will remember it for a long long time. Kindness is usually not forgotten, perhaps becau

"May I take you order Sir?” “We’ll have grilled sandwiches and some orange juice and some wine for the lady please.” “Sir—you have to be eighteen for that! Sandwiches and orange juice coming right up” In case you are confused, what this conversation is all about-- it is a game the children, (my son who is 10 and daughter who is 6) Satish and I sometimes play on weekends, before breakfast. The conversation is between my son and me. This game is one of their favourites. We pretend that they are the customers in a restaurant. (The best in the world, according to them) Satish and I take turns being the Chief Maitre de, Chef and restaurant owner all rolled into one. (When one of us is in charge of the restaurant, the other joins the children and becomes the customer.) The best part is that we have so much fun. The fringe benefit is that the kids eat really well! We set up a table outdoors. We present the food interestingly. One of my closest friends told me that eight

At least 14 people instant- messaged me and asked me the same set of questions that I felt like making a FAQ!! (Frequently asked questions) Here it is! Please forgive me if it seems presumptuous—It is not intended that way at all. I’m merely clarifying as so many people asked the same things. 1.Why do you write for Sulekha? I write for Sulekha simply because they are running something in association with Penguin publishers, where 25 best posts will be published in a book. Besides this, every month they pick 8 winners in various categories.(They have certain guidelines for the kind of posts they are looking for) The competition is intense and I love chalenges. 2. Does that mean you won’t write on blogspot? Blogspot is my first and last love! All my good friends are on blogspot. So I shall continue writing on blogspot, just like I used to. 3. Why am I unable to leave a comment on Sulekha? Firstly, one has to register on Sulekha to be able to comment on the posts

Paulo Coelho in Alchemist says “When you want something badly enough, the whole Universe conspires to give it to you.” This is essentially the message in Rhonda Byrne’s Secret too. Sometimes, you just have to believe in some things. Rationalists, Scientific thinkers and Oprah bashers might call it bunkum and nonsense without proof for weak willed people. I do not agree with them at all. I know it works. It is strange, but till now, every thing I have badly wanted, I have got. It is incredible—it is amazing. That does not mean that I have not had my share of struggles. I have. Yet, what I wanted I have got. (I consider myself very fortunate and blessed that way.) Suddenly my writing seems to have turned into a profession from a hobby. I am pleased about it and I cannot yet believe that I am writer! (I am writing for a magazine published by Delhi press, I am also writing for a local monthly now and two of my articles got chosen to be published in 'Chicken soup'