At my work place, we have a compulsory vacation in the Christmas week (which is deducted from our leaves, in case anyone gets a bit too jealous). So, I had thought good and long, of what I can do in this precious time.
There was some long overdue work to be done at home - woodwork etc. So, the first thing that was planned for this vacation was this work, as during work days, it is difficult to have the workers parading in and out of the home. Apart from this, I thought I would have a reasonable amount of time to indulge in my favorite hobbies - reading, painting, and of course, catch up on my blogging.
As expected, though not to this extent, the workers are coming or not coming, as per their own convenience; lording over as if they were the masters of the place. Hordes of dust and rubble have settled all over the place. And to top it all, the maid is absconding for the last 4 days. Perhaps she has decided to take a vacation as well - an unplanned one though. So, here I am, instead of sitting back and relaxing, spending my long-awaited vacation in cleaning up the mess, quite unsuccessfully at that. Anyone who has had some masonry or electrical work done at home, after moving in, can sympathize with me (although the task I have undertaken is rather small by that account).
A little net surfing is all I have managed to do so far. But that is also not without its hiccups. This morning I type a nice long comment at cuckoo's blog, and just as I was about to publish it, the electrician working in another room chose the very moment to disrupt the electrical connection of the whole flat. Poof! went my hard work!
An accomplishment of these holidays was making Gajar-Ka-Halwa. This was the first time I tried my hand at it, and I am proud to say it ended pretty well :-) Though what I have to show for 1.5 kgs of carrots, 2 litres of milk and almost 5 hours of burning the midnight oil (no, it was LPG, actually) is hardly 6 servings of the sweet.
I have started reading 'As the Crow Flies' by Jeffery Archer, which I borrowed from a colleague just before the vacation started. It is interesting, but I am hardly through with one-fifth of it. I am doubtful whether I can finish it by the end of the week, at this rate. And I still have Dan Brown's 'Digital Fortress' to read which I borrowed from another colleague.
The only painting that seems likely to get done is the one that will be done by the painters on some of the walls of the house. I think they start Day After Tomorrow. And I think I'll have just enough time to clean up after them before my vacation ends.
There was some long overdue work to be done at home - woodwork etc. So, the first thing that was planned for this vacation was this work, as during work days, it is difficult to have the workers parading in and out of the home. Apart from this, I thought I would have a reasonable amount of time to indulge in my favorite hobbies - reading, painting, and of course, catch up on my blogging.
As expected, though not to this extent, the workers are coming or not coming, as per their own convenience; lording over as if they were the masters of the place. Hordes of dust and rubble have settled all over the place. And to top it all, the maid is absconding for the last 4 days. Perhaps she has decided to take a vacation as well - an unplanned one though. So, here I am, instead of sitting back and relaxing, spending my long-awaited vacation in cleaning up the mess, quite unsuccessfully at that. Anyone who has had some masonry or electrical work done at home, after moving in, can sympathize with me (although the task I have undertaken is rather small by that account).
A little net surfing is all I have managed to do so far. But that is also not without its hiccups. This morning I type a nice long comment at cuckoo's blog, and just as I was about to publish it, the electrician working in another room chose the very moment to disrupt the electrical connection of the whole flat. Poof! went my hard work!
An accomplishment of these holidays was making Gajar-Ka-Halwa. This was the first time I tried my hand at it, and I am proud to say it ended pretty well :-) Though what I have to show for 1.5 kgs of carrots, 2 litres of milk and almost 5 hours of burning the midnight oil (no, it was LPG, actually) is hardly 6 servings of the sweet.
I have started reading 'As the Crow Flies' by Jeffery Archer, which I borrowed from a colleague just before the vacation started. It is interesting, but I am hardly through with one-fifth of it. I am doubtful whether I can finish it by the end of the week, at this rate. And I still have Dan Brown's 'Digital Fortress' to read which I borrowed from another colleague.
The only painting that seems likely to get done is the one that will be done by the painters on some of the walls of the house. I think they start Day After Tomorrow. And I think I'll have just enough time to clean up after them before my vacation ends.
4 comments:
Truly apt title - as your recounting says....!
Gajar Ka halwa- mmmmm - I suppose this was sort of like silver lining on otherwise dark day.
Quite gripping novel - usual Archer style. You will not be disappointed.
BTW - this is my last message for sometime,will try to pop in...not sure though....so meet you in last week of Jan.
So Happy New Year wishes coming your way...! Happy Holidays !!
My heartfelt sympathies with you ;)
Gajar ka halwa ?? Ummm I am missing Delhi again. :(
BTW, try next time with little milk and more of 'khoya' or nestle's milkmaid.. it will save you a lot of time.
Books ?? Last week I bought 14 books to start my reading again, not to mention my unfinished ones - Shantaram and Insrcutable Americans.
But where is the time ?
Best of Luck for your vacations !
Archer mostly is entertaining, isn't he?
btw, have you read Javed Akhtar's 'tarqash'? Some touching nazms it has!
BTR, the halwa was indeed the best part of the holidays. We are almost through with it :-)
Yes, the novel was indeed gripping - I finished it after a few hours' sitting :-D. I like Archer, usually.
Thanks for your wishes. And wish a Happy New Year to you too!
Cuckoo, come right over. We still have some of it left ;-) Ya, I know the recipe where you add 'khoya' but I prefer the one with milk, probably my mom has always made it that way :-)
14 books at one go! Wow! I never bought that many at once, except maybe at the Book Fair. So, what all is there in your reading list in near future? Any recommendations for me? I'll recommend 'The Kite Runner' to you if you haven't read it already.
Leziblogger, I agree, Archer is mostly interesting. Some of the best stories I have read so far, are by Archer. In addition to novels, I like his short stories too.
I have unfortunately not come across 'Tarkash' yet, but I would like to read it, if you recommend it - will look out for it. Most of the book stores are ill stocked when it comes to hindi books, especially poetry. I have been unsuccessfully looking for some collection by Dinkar, for a long time now.
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