My watch is 7 minutes fast. Because its really difficult to subract 7 from a number. I would rather be 7 mintues early. :)




Getting engaged means a lot of things- my roommate has had a good dose of its ill effects recently. It is that moment which, in one go, puts everything in place -and- blows into bits most of what you wanted your life to be. I can see it coming- and I am not liking this calm before the storm. I am sure I will look back at this time with a sheepish grin on my face- probably telling my grandchildren not to lose patience in this time- and that it is never going to come again.




I am beginning to realise the importance of the non-visible side of life; that side which is more important than the one that is seen- and yet that one which goes completely un-noticed. The shuttering in a building is more important than anything else; the frame of view is more important than the view itself- and the foreground to a visual is more important than what is seen. Really, imagine if the Taj Mahal did not have it's spectacular foreground? This is precisely why the damn grass is greener on the other side- someone forgot to mention the distance of view. Geoffrey Bawa is the king of frames- and Corbusier understood the flow of concrete not with straight lines of cars- but with those of the concrete moulds. The ones who realise and observe the unseen are the ones who know how to modify the seen- and someday, I want someone to write about me as one who did!




I am on a travelling spree again; 5 cities in 7 days- covering half of India doesn't take too long- that too, with someone else's money!

“Mechanics is the most beautiful part of all sciences.” I don’t think so. I think it’s the curious nature more than the exploration itself.

Taking inspiration from my friend who has always asked me to ‘let go’ and be less uptight, I tried a brave thing yesterday. Listening to songs on my way back home, I sang loudly with the song- something that I would never think appropriate. I kept thinking of my friend all along- and he was right- I need to be more free in the head; I need to be able to ‘let go’. It also helps that I am in a new city. This reminds me of a scene in one of my favourite movies- “Disguise changes everything”- new places and new people give courage- to be and do things you once never thought possible. I think Mumbai is going to help me more than expected.

Today I felt good about having slogged through architectural graphics- felt like I didn’t slog as much as some others- I saw a 7 centered arch. And it was built in stone. Imagine the pain! :)

Gujrati is the next language I want to learn. Yeah. Although my tamil is not yet as good as I want it to be, I think a little deviation will help. Mango will help me with it anyway. Navigating through remote villages of Gujrat not only gives one a crisp chocolate brown tan, but also the urge to want to be able to communicate with the locals better. Really, I felt so helpless when I was trying to ask a rather shy lady the directions to Modhera, and she was simply staring blankly at my face! Throughout the crowded bus journeys from one destination to another, I was (-apart from dozing off-) trying to read gujrati; the script is cunningly similar to hindi/marathi, only with a few letters replaced by distinct types of jalebies. Hehehe...

Arjav is overwhelmingly warm; I cannot believe the amount of goodness that bounces off him. There is a concern - a seemingly endless one- for all. It is very, very difficult to meet people like him, and this week has been a jumbo pack! I mean, where are they raining from? I am glad they are- it is giving me a fresh belief in friendship. Beautiful timing, too.




I have been paying a lot of attention to the clothes I wear these days. It matters to me- what I am wearing- and I have come to realize that it reflects a lot of personality. I am more involved in the design and detailing of clothes than ever before; am also more aware of what is happening in the fashion world. If I were a fashion designer, I would be obsessed with architecture. :)




I don’t know how people survive in India without being able to communicate in hindi. Either they don’t travel, or their body language rocks!

I have always been on the asking side of questions; all my reactions and observations lead to questions- it is almost like a disease! It is also the easiest way to communicate with overwhelming seniors/interesting strangers/awkward uncles- ask a relevant question, and you’re done! No matter who it is on the other side, the answer always constitutes something you don’t know or haven’t heard yet- hence worth at least one ear. You can let the other one deviate- along with the eyes, it can find interesting directions for the next question! :)

Apparently, “Amrita, your color is black. The colour of night. Serene and mysterious, black conjures up images of elegant evening gowns, dashing tuxedos, and gleaming limousines. Traditionally a symbol of success, black also represents power and an uncompromising demand for perfection. Not surprisingly, you tend to set challenging goals for yourself and do whatever it takes to achieve them — your strength of character is second to none. This unfaltering determination, along with your natural elegance, impresses people. But keep in mind that your personality might be intimidating to some. Try to temper your demanding side with a little softness — trust us, it won't kill you. Overall, though, black is the colour of professionalism and achievement, which means it's clearly the colour for you.” H O W I R O N I C !

The following list was made during an extremely formal, intellectual and serious discussion about the (dis)advantages of me moving to Pune for internship-

1. Pune has no corner house- I will starve.
2. Bangalore is a capital city, while Pune is not.
3. Charles Babbage is Christian- Jai Hind!
4. Bangalore STD code is numerically 4 times larger than that of Pune.
5. I am already familiar with Bangalore slang.
6. There can never be a Vidhan Soudha in Pune.
7. Pune is hot- can’t wear dear old jackets.
8. Pune does not have khara bath.
9. I will have to eat dosa with a fork and knife.
10. Smitha will get a haircut if I go.

And she eventually did- the day I moved to Mumbai. The Chattri. I miss her- I miss the continuous yelling, combined with the endless treats I trick her into. :)