Hello beautiful world

Hello beautiful world,

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It's been long time since I'm here. Been busy with other things, ummm just life. :) Did a lot of shopping and bought some beautiful outfits last week. As I recently published my first book I feel like I'm entering into the second phase of my reading life. As I'm used to slow and steady approach, taking time and planning about my reading goals in future.

Life's good, peaceful and content. As I'm not used to be part of rat race I'm slowly making my journey in my own lane which is mine alone. This month of Sravana Masam is going to keep me occupied with pujas and other traditional practices. Meanwhile reading and working on an article for a magazine.

Ummm what else !!! Nothing. :)

See yaa..

Popcorn Time

Helloooo Universe...How have you been ? I'm good. Too busy to journal or do anything substantial in fact. :P Living my life, enjoying myself. There is a lot to share with the world but I'm neither free nor in a mood to interact with it yet. Yeah, introvert issues :) :) Currently I don't want to be bothered much.

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The early summer days somehow evokes a desire to take care of myself. Especially physically. Because we just come out of hibernation from chilly winter days, our body seems a bit rigid, the skin needs a bit more cleansing, scrubbing and toning. The dead skin must be removed. So after some spa like routines at home, I'm again feeling like a feather.

And nowadays whenever I check social media for few minutes, I'm grabbing a popcorn for myself to sit in the front row to be an audience for the non-stop rantings, nonsense issues and loud cries of traumas. Not finding anything worthwhile..Hmmmm.. So what we book nerds do ? What else ? We just bury our head in a book. :) :) And forget that the world even exist :))

A quiet day

The exams started from today. After a long time the house is quiet again :)) I sat down for a while to enjoy this solitude after non-stop busy morning routine since 4.30 am. Finally the buses headed towards examinations centers. And the good news is, today I'll have a little "me time",Yayyy :)) I would like to finish my currently reading book and if I still have time, planning to work on a couple of drafts.

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Coming to the homemaking front, I decluttered the wardrobes. Doing some window shopping online so that I can have some idea about current trends. Also making few plans in the holidays, some get togethers, visiting places and inviting people over lunch and dinners, all before his school reopening. As the city is full of my family and friends, all these get togethers became a norm. We took a little break, exam season can be a good excuse :P :)) However, this time our kiddoo seems to have more guests than both of us combined :))

And one more exciting thing for me is, we bought a couple of shuttle bats to play in the evenings, slowly teams are forming in our community. I love to play shuttle, when I was a child I used to play with my childhood buddy. :P . It is good physical exercise along with our walks.

In the summer time..

Mungo Jerry's "In the Summer Time (Radio Edit)" and Elvis's "Always on my mind" were smashing on repeat mode from the surround system all over the house. It's a bit of inspiration to do works like organizing my clothing and accessories. Somehow I enjoy organizing very much. Not just my surroundings, but my thoughts too.. Many authors agreed that it's a sort of meditation to keep your surroundings clean. It effects your mood. I hate cluttered places. In our house this sort of OCD is more genetic, we are cleanliness freaks :)) I realized I need to replace a couple of ancient organizers I'm using since 15 long years. I think I badly need an upgrade in this area. :) 

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Dreams

When I was a child I used to imagine myself owning a tiny little house on the banks of a lotus pond or nearby a lake with beautiful swans in it. :) Just as Tinker bell's house my tiny house will be surrounded by colourful flowers and tallest trees. I though, why not a tree house for me !! Where I'm the only one who can climb and hide myself away from the world. :) My house would be filled with books and lots and lots of food. I can manage with fruits too.. Plenty of them :) 

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Even though I'm not much into pets, I can manage with a cute little puppy. Ewww.. No cats. Okay, how about the routine then ? All alone in a forest ? Nope. Every morning I will get down my tree house, with a basket, I will carry a book or two with me. Then I'll go wandering all over the forest, pick flowers and make a crown for myself like a Disney princess :)) Fill my basket with wild berries, veggies and fruits. "Who grows them all ? Your nanny ?" you might ask. Yes, you've got a point. But it's a Utopian world my dear. everything happens as I wish. :) So no questions asked. Now, I come back to my tree house after taking my long walks, a bit of reading and afternoon nap under shades of trees, before getting dark. :) Then I cook my food and do some more reading and go to bed. End of the story. Now wish me sweet dreams. :) :)

Muse

This morning there was an interesting conversation happened on recently published Murakami article. It's about artistic muse. If you find muse that inspires your art, becomes the reason for you to wake up every morning , something that drives you crazy, unstabilizes you, then keep it. Even if it's a love-hate relationship, cherish it. Evolve from it.

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But don't forget one thing : Gibran said it so eloquently.

"Live a true love story, tell no one. People often spoil beautiful things." :) :)

February days

Summer is almost here. Hyderabad is turning hot day by day. Thankfully we do not experience the heat inside the house. The scent of jasmines is filling the evenings and we are eagerly waiting for the mangoes to arrive. :)

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After overwhelmed by too much social interaction yesterday, today I'm back in my cozy cave hiding and recharging. :) Of course reading and gardening. Also I need to spend some time to organize my wardrobe. I do often spend time curating my bookshelves, but not my cloths :P  Nerdy problem perhaps. :)) All the winter clothing is taken out and replaced by cottons...Oooo I love cottons. :) 

Ummm.. That's all for the day. All I need now is, my cup of coffee. Ciao !!

Tea time chit chat

When you do things out of pleasure, not simply as a duty, it feels good. No targets, no dead lines, especially when you are devouring art, experiencing literature. Making space for little details and not missing a thing. Ahh !! I'm truely privileged and blessed, who can read, write and enjoy living in the world of literature like this. :)

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Anyways, on to my next project as I've finished one. But this one is really testing my patience Ughhh !!! I left it in the drafts. But there are authors and philosophers, (really hard nuts I'm telling you :) ) I would love to write about, since long long time. The more I'm reading them, the more I realize that I need to dig deeper to get to their core essence. I have time to spend, gladly. So no hurry. Let's see how it goes !!

At the end of the day

Spent quality time with unexpected guests today. All those people with whom I'm comfortable around. The topics are feminism, societal norms and ofcourse freedom. :) It always feels good when we are listening to younger generation. The kind of clarity they have on their lives. When I was young I was so dumb. :P :)) Not that I'm wise now. :) :) But I feel like one when the younger ones say that I'm their favourite person :) :)

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Went for shopping, the stationary/ book shops are full of students and parents as it's the exam season. Meanwhile my people are busy planning get togethers and outings after exams. Seems this metro life rarely allow any solitude for my reading. However I'm enjoying spending time with my people. I'm going to enjoy and cherish these moments as long as we are here. :)  

Not read a single page today but spent yesterday's evening in a cozy cafe and did some reading while sipping my Latte. Finished reading one book and wrote a little note before weekend. Started reading one more work from the same author ( which is rare for me ) because she piqued my interest. So I thought why not write a single note after I finish this book too. 

Ummm what else!!! Nothing..

It's Love

Was reading Ginsberg 's poetry and came across this beautiful poem. In love with this poem about love. A picture taken by me and this poem are in perfect sync. :) :)

Copyright A Homemaker's Utopia 

The weight of the world is love. 

Under the burden of solitude,

under the burden of dissatisfaction

the weight, the weight we carry is love.

Who can deny?

the burden of life is love,

but we carry the weight wearily, 

and so must rest in the arms of love

at last, must rest in the arms of love.

No rest without love,

no sleep without dreams of love--

be mad or chill obsessed with angels

or machines, the final wish

is love. ------ Allen Ginsberg From "Howl and Other Poems".

Time's like a river

Ahh !! What a week !! The weekend I get to spend with my darling little niece and had a wonderful family time. And yesterday we had a dinner (Valentine special ? Sort of. :) No harm to celebrate along with people when there is a festive like environment all around. Even if you do not believe in special days and all.

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Hyderabad is literally glowing like a freshly bloomed flower yesterday. The streets and food outlets are full of young boys and girls in their best outfits, they looked like beautiful butterflies. Their sparkling eyes full of dreams, blushing cheeks and plenty of smiles and joy. Hmmmm :) :)  For us, everyday is a special day :P , we don't need much, simple people.. simple pleasures. :)

Time keeps flowing like a river, smoothly and steadily. So does my reading, without any distractions and interruptions. Completely immersed in the pleasurer of reading. I'm back in my cozy Utopian world of books. :) Until the exams are over, no more outings for us. That means, hey, look at the bright side, I can read as much as I want. Yessssss :) :)

Book as a prop

 Nowadays owning books has become a fashion symbol. Like spirituality, literature is current trend. Everyone who can afford buying books are buying them. Which is a good thing in certain way, because they are not wasting money on useless things at least.

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But when it comes to literature, a book is not just a prop. But it will remain so, say like a comb, a table or a toy unless you read it. A written word demands your attention. It must be valued. And you must read it to transform the mere words into literature. It is not going to read itself. You have to do it. I would like to ask those who only accumulate books to show off but do not read them, use them as an elite fashion symbol. 

What are books for my dear ? Self improvement ? Or Shelf improvement ?

Sleepless

The metro is still asleep like a baby in the cradle and here I'm... Today I woke up very early after tossing and turning in bed for some time. Yeah, it's quite unusual cause I sleep like a sloth. :) Mild cold and sneezes did not allow me to sleep properly. I thought why not get out of bed and get some work done. So emptied the laundry bin first and made some filter coffee for myself. The coffee tastes much more better when one is suffering from cold. :P 

I drink two more cups than usual in times like this. Ahh, Caffeine addicts need excuses anyway. :)

As my sleep's gone for now, I'd rather go complete the editing part of the pending article before the day kicks in.

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Going Quiet

Sometimes I talk all day and sometimes I shut down for several months. :P Currently working on an article and I need to get it done. Although I'm having fun journaling, I mean blogging like this, if I have to get something done then I need to put my time and effort on it. As I cannot do multitasking, sailing on two boats do not go well with me. For people like me it's always, one thing at a time.

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So far my year of rest and relaxation (far from the world) is going well. Yet, I have to write few promised articles this year. Even though I'm not good with deadlines and all, I would like to keep my word.

As Ralph Ellison put it so well : "A hibernation is a covert preparation for a more overt action.”

Being a born procrastinator and very inconsistence person who do not live by any rules (and the one who always wants to have fun in my own little world), nowadays  my mantra is "Let's see how it goes" :) 

Austen World - Emma

It's Feb, the month of love. But for those who believe in love, every day is a day of love. Of course I do not have any idea what Valentine's day is, and why people celebrate it. For old school souls like me, love is Austen world. :)

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My love affair with Austen began even before I'm aware of my humanity and existence, means it's as old as me. If I need to be particular, as far as I remember when I was around 8 or 9 years old, perhaps. When I read her novels, I used to imagine myself like a lady in her stories, who reads while walking, yeah her ladies love reading and walking, don't you know ? :) I use to draw pictures of women wearing long Victorian laced frocks holding umbrellas. :P

She is full of feminine energy with grace, she is independent, a person with integrity and honour. And the most important thing is, she is proud of her own sex. She never tries to imitate men. But now, as the Austen world is left behind, sadly the modern women are desperately trying to imitate men. They aren't even aware of their own feminine beauty and uniqueness. They smoke, drink and dress like men. Hmmm !! I watched Emma yesterday, after watching it, I thought why not I celebrate this month watching all Austen movies once again. A movie a day. :)

Even though there are several movie adaptations of Emma, I love the BBC mini  series (2009) and Gwyneth Paltrow's Emma (1996) personally. That Queen's Gambit girl looks psychic. Ewwww !!! I do not like her.

And that's my favourite words from the book.

Catching Up

I have a lot of catching up to do regarding my reading. There are few interesting book recommendations from my fellow book nerds. Needless to say, these are my usual types, Classics/ Philosophical/ Abstract/ Metaphysical/ Psychological kinda mind stimulating stuff mostly.

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And then there are other lighter reads. I thought why not read a couple of books from contemporary stuff as well !!! It's been so long since I read any lighter novels. So I picked up a novel this time and the good news is I'm liking it. :) The narration is flowing smoothly. Usually I'm not good at considering book recommendations. I believe one must choose books on their own. Choosing books is like choosing your cloths :) :) :P Everything may not fit for you. :) What I mean to say is, reading is more like a personal choice.

However, this year I'm breaking that stubborn pattern of mine to try out few  recommendations. I would like to read some books recommended by the book lovers communities I'm part of. Who knows ! I might find out the current generation's reading patterns so that I could catch up with my kiddoo. Also reading the same kind of books is boring. So I'm trying to make few changes in my To-read pile. Let's see how it goes.

I Am

This is what I'm. This is how I used to be. Before pandemic I hardly used to read any social media posts. My usual interactions only limited to literature, nothing else. But pandemic made me more socially active, increased my screen time because nowhere to go. May be this is the same for most of us.

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Now as the life's back to normal, I was totally away from social media for more than a month. Surprisingly, I did not miss a thing. Life's become too busy to scroll and read all that social media rubbish. After my household routines and outings I'm spending whatever leftover time on reading. Even then 24 hrs. seems not enough. :P I wonder if I could read all the books in my limited life time. And then, who cares about the consequences and end results. Today is all that matters. And I'm making sure I'm not wasting it.

It's 30th Jan already. I finished reading 5 books, wrote 4 blog posts on my reading experiences. It was exactly like before. This is what I'm. And this is what makes me happy. :) Reading and blogging. And I would like to do more of it. :)

Karma Siddhantha

Though I'm not much of a popular spiritual person myself, I believe I have this deep rooted spirituality in me in non-traditional ways. I'm a believer of Karma Siddhantha. "Whatever you do, wherever you are, be very passionate and give your hundred percent " is what I believe in.

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Whatever life throws at you, then you have this responsibility of a human being and you have to wake up every morning to fulfill duties that are assigned to you , Or to live by the life choices you made. However insignificant your duty is, you have to do it. That gives you hope to move forward in life. Isn't it this very simple thing that helped our ancestors to live stable and peaceful lives !!!

But nowadays people are more worried about the representation of everything rather than doing their work quietly. They talk and talk and talk, show off, exhaust themselves by verbalizing everything, they make a spectacle out of nearly everything. Life's became a performance with everyone's a performer on this stage called life. There were times where there were artists, writers, thinkers, intellectuals, humans. Now, performers everywhere. And while performing, they switch their roles and moods in a blink of an eye. What a repulsive spectacle !!! The age of exhibitionism completely lost its spiritual center.

Good life

When your loved ones need you, you should be there. Nothing less will do. You should be there 100 %. Especially when your teen's exams are right around the corner. :) Especially offline exams after global pandemic.

Reading is for pleasure alone ? Not quite. It also gives you joy of reading while shaping your character in the process. It will teach you how to differentiate good from bad. You learn how to live a good life by framing your own set of values and rules. It helps you in the areas of both physical and mental well being. The Stoic readings in the past couple of years helped me to take a closer look at my daily routine, my strengths and my weaknesses.

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I was not much of a person who is obsessed with beauty, body and appearance. People like us would rather prefer to show off our brains. :P  But as a vehicle, even the body needs some essential care along with your mind and soul. Nowadays people are asking if I'm on diet or going to gym as there was a considerable change in me with a bit weight loss and glow.

But naahh !! I'm too lazy to go to gym and too careless and a foodie to go on a diet. So here's the bare minimum I'm doing since few years. Especially after reading Stoics. And this is my kinda good and healthy life.

* Daily walking for 50 minutes. Hydrating enough.

* Adding fruits and nuts in my regular diet. This is clearly showing a great change in me

* Less / most of the times no Carbs. I have a sweet tooth.

* 7 hours of good sleep and 1 to 1 1/2 hour afternoon nap. Usually I sleep like a sloth. :))

* Stopped reading social media posts. Brain food should not be mediocre crap.

* Reading 30-50 pages a day and journaling.

* Along with all those things, not sitting still is basically in my nature which is good for anyone. Always be active, doing things.

We don't need much to stay fit. We are what we eat, We are what we think, We are what we do. These are very basic things to take care of yourself. You need to be in good health to take care of those around you, your family and your loved ones. Isn't it !!! 

Spicing Up

People think reading is boring. Actually whosoever think like that are boring people. :P  Put them in a room alone for few minutes and they do not know what to do with themselves. I do not mind / care how they live their life, until and unless they start judging  people that are different from them. But there was a time I use to get annoyed when they preach as if they are living the only ideal life. Now, I simply laugh it off. And I immediately agree, "Right dear, yes we introverts and book nerds are quite boring." That would spare you from a lot of nonsense trust me :)) As Calvin says, "I find my life is a lot easier the lower I keep everyone's expectations." :) 

Copyright A Homemaker's Utopia

I usually love reading in bed. But according to my current mood I change the places of reading, sometimes balcony, sometimes on my reading chair, sometimes in one of the cozy little corners of the house, sometimes at the kitchen counter while cooking. :) :P

Last night I read until 12 am along with my kiddoo. His study hours and my reading hours are perfectly in sync. Here is one of those reading corners where I explore few pages of my fictional worlds. We need nothing much, a chair and a book would suffice. :)