Catching Happiness

For some time since our return to Sydney Australia, I have been filled with a sense of contentment that I am able to do justice to what matters to me.This really brings out the sensitive side in me.When I look at everyone around busy with their life and the activities which make it so, I question myself, "Are they happy?".
This truly gets me to thinking about my emotional well being.Am I happy? What is there to be happy about.I have a routine with my family to look after, but what makes me really happy? I would like to work a job, now that my little girl has joined preschool. Again, will the job or the money it will bring me make me happy? Will I have the time to do the stuff that I love - to paint and learn to paint new stuff, to be creative.Or will I  reach the far end of my life, doing something just because everyone else is doing it.That is a question that is always constantly on my mind.I also know that the mind is fickle and what I consider to be a happy state today may not be necessarily  so tomorrow.Despite that, I am unable to stop myself from this quest.

How do you catch happiness?

 If materials would make you happy, then why do you want more.After a time, clothes do not give you joy, nor does listening to music in your latest Iphone. The plot of your favorite author does not excite you anymore.The sparkle seems to have gone for good.It seems as if happiness is a bubble which bursts when you try to catch it.But we being human , run behind this complex feeling, which has no fixed definition for the high state it helps to keep us in, albeit even for a small period of time.We do so many things in the hope of getting high on that addictive state - being happy.

Many times, there is that empty feeling, that something was to be , which was missed.Rather, would I be right in saying that this was not how you thought life would be? As it so happens, while I am sitting here writing this, I am given a reminder of life's quirks, the necessary oddities which makes life as it is.When I feel grateful for being where I am right now, I feel a sense of peace, which for a moment could be defined as happiness.

What's making me happy?

I  am going to make a poor attempt at listing out stuff  making me happy, which may lose its relevance in a minute or so. But still, its something. I feel happy when I have a routine. I have taken up regular exercising and yoga. It makes me tired, active and ensures a good night's sleep. I love to keep myself active. So I volunteer to fill up my time being useful to people in some way if I can.I make time to paint as that is one of the things which I truly love.I spend time doing a full cooking routine daily. A happy tummy makes for a happy me.Less of oils, fries and more of sprouts to give me that feeling of well being. I spend a lot of quality time with my little one. I am happy when she is happy.It gives me happiness to see her grow into a healthy and confident child. I also take out time to listen to new songs and dance with my little one.
I am learning to live happy from within. Reaching out to something or someone is not a sure way to be happy in the long run. I understand that it is simply trying to fill the time when I feel alone or sad.

If you read this, take a moment to think about what makes you happy. Relax and enjoy being there .And feel free to drop in a line telling me what makes you truly happy.

We were there - Auckland Central

I have been wanting to write this one for a long time.But sometimes, life just gets in the way of your best laid plans and before you know it, the months fly by. Just as life throws many unexpected surprises our way, we have become richer in our experience after the rather unexpected, but charming stay for about two months in New Zealand.We stayed in Auckland City Center, which is considered to be one of the populated cities in New Zealand.That we've had the chance to stay here and enjoy this land of beauty and purity  -  we are lucky indeed.

Auckland Central:  We had the chance to stay at THE VOLT apartments, which is ideally situated in the Queen Street.This is one of the main streets in Auckland Central where there is maximum activity in terms of things to do, places to hang out and eat outs ranging from New York firewood pizzas to Asian cuisine, especially Indian, Thai and Chinese.I have been to various places in my life and this is one of the friendliest cities I have ever been to .Though there are not many people around, when you live there for some time, the relaxed atmosphere gets to you.Though living in what is considered a populated city in Auckland, I felt healthier than I have ever felt anywhere.The fresh water, authentic tasting fruits ,vegetables and the pleasant weather all year round, gives you a lot of energy.

It is full of slopes and curves, but nevertheless, it is a heaven for those amongst you who may have a passion in photography.Even ordinary places appear beautiful and filled with color in photos and that indeed is what I consider the magic of New Zealand.We were there during winter and truth be told, eventually you get used to the drizzling rain which comes on and off as well as the chilly winds and never step out without your  hooded overcoat.Umbrellas are of little or no use as the strong wind quite turns it upside down and it becomes quite comical with you trying to hold onto your umbrella, pulled away by the wind.

The city is quite costly, but the hive of activity which distinctly separates it from its counterparts is what lends color and life to it.There is always something always underway, be it the demonstrations by various ethnic groups or  dances by the Hare Krishna Group or various art groups choosing to perform in the Queen street in its wide pavements to the passing audience.

It is said that Southern New Zealand is more beautiful and scenic.We were in Northern New Zealand and I can fully understand how true it is that nature has bestowed this land with all that is her best in terms of fertile land, a pleasant weather and wonderful, friendly people.While City Central is a relatively small place which can easily covered, it is filled with small pebble paved streets, adding character and an old world charm to the place.It is a lot of fun to explore these narrow streets on your own and discover those quaint little eat outs,  fashion shops and take in the breathtaking scene around you that is New Zealand.

Maybe this is just us, but we were very lazy and did not actually go anywhere specific in New Zealand for sight seeing.I do not have any regrets that we did not get a chance to see Southern New Zealand.To be in New Zealand was enough of a dream and those memories would last me a lifetime.

Truth be told, it was only when I got to know that we would have to move out of New Zealand because of project reasons, that I felt a twinge of nostalgia that I would never again get the chance to walk around Victoria Street and my favorite Forte Street and admire all those wonderful scenes, which I had taken for granted.I went around and tried to cram as much of New Zealand in a few hours walk as could.These were memories to treasure for a lifetime.

I am happy that I got the chance to share my experience with you all.If you are searching for that dream destination, make sure to make this one of your stops and be amazed.

Indian Cinema - After the happily everafter ?

It seems so funny and ironic that the majority of Indian cinema, especially Tamil films are often about love - first love, new love, falling in love and no one cares about what happens after the happily ever after.The true question should not be just about finding love, but a truthful portrayal of what happens after the happily ever after.While films are made to cater to the society, the most pertinent question arises nonetheless - Are we as the masses of Tamil Nadu incapable of  demanding meaningful films?
A masala film (i.e one which has the usual uplifting story,a beautiful heroine, some sort of hero,song dance sequence, fights and a happy ending) may be okay for the occasional relaxation, but true cinema stays in the mind of the audience, makes him ponder over the state of the society and how one can be a part in addressing the various social problems.Human life is often made of  circumstances, involves ever changing relationships and it seems so unfair that cinema focuses solely on the emotion of love, when others such as the relationship between parents and children or in laws are sorely ignored.

While you can see that many new subjects are being explored in tamil cinema, the majority are the ones with the same themes - like a hero, a bad guy/situation , a girl, some friends, song and dance etc.It is worthy to point out that newer versions of relationships are being explored according to the changing generation and values.

But please, someone show us the gritty reality of what happens after the happily ever after.It would make us realize that the boring moments in life of waking up, brushing, cooking /cleaning, going to work, playing with our children, which is common to us all, is what is real.Sometimes, we are lucky to have these constant  moments in our lives.When you hear about all the bomb blasts, murders and accidents happening in life, there is a part of you which is happy that it was not you.The ordinary life which we lead may not be so ordinary after all.Accidents make you ponder over the miracle that is life and this should rightly be so.

Directors, please show us the problems of married life without any fanfare, which we ordinary people face.Portray the intensity of the man woman relationship and the simple moments that keep it going.What does an ordinary man take joy in and what are the problems running in the heads of people who are entering the cradle of adulthood.How does the feeling of being responsible for another little life feel.There are so many things unexplored in tamil cinema.

A film is about touching lives.When we come out of the theatre, let us experience the joy, which is unique, when the wonder of ordinary lives are artfully portrayed.

The Perfect Appam - To Tickle Your Taste Buds

In every woman's life, there are recipes which are passed from mother to daughter and those passed as part of the extended family through in laws.This appam recipe is one of the tasty ones which I learned from my mother in law.I remember writing down the exact measurements and procedure from her after marriage and this recipe has always delivered the most wonderful, heavenly tasting appams.
Here in Sydney, I have found two places recently, where you can find delicious appams.The first place is the famous Sydney Murugan Temple, where appam is available by the name of String Hoppers on Friday and Saturday.This appam is relatively small, has coconut cream in the center with something brown and sweet.I love it, though its taste is a bit different from what we make at home.Similar appam is available in an Indian and Srilankan Take Away shop located in Wentworthville, on the road from the station to Udaya Stores, the one place where you can find stuff for all your South Indian kitchen requirements.

My mother-in-law says that the appams she tasted in Malaysia were the best ones to date.The appams which I am talking about is a staple food of Kerala and pronounced aa-pams.They can be served with coconut milk, veg stew or a similar non-veg gravy.

Ingredients:
Avil/Poha - 1 Cup
Pachai Arisi/Raw rice - 3 Cups
Urad Dhal  - 3 Spoons
Salt - To taste
Cooking Soda - A pinch
Coconut Water - 1 Cup( if available)
Yeast - 1/2 tsp or very little for fermentation(Optional)

Important: Appa Chatti is required for perfect appams.

Procedure:
1.Soak the poha, rice and urad dhal separately for 2 hours
2.First grind the poha and Urad dhal together  to a fine paste and keep the batter separately.Then grind the    rice separately to a very fine paste and mix it well with the other paste.
3.Add the required salt, and the pinch of soda
4.Keep for fermentation.It usually takes about 10-12 hours for it to be fully fermented.
5.The fermented batter can be kept in the refrigerator and freshly used.
6.1 cup of coconut milk or coconut water may be added to the fermented batter for extra taste just before use.
Making Appams:Place the appa chatti in the stove and wait till it is properly heated.Coat the chatti with a spoon of oil using a tissue paper, before making appam, i.e., pouring the batter. Pour a ladle of batter into the appa chatti and give in a swirl, so that the batter gets evenly coated.The batter is thinner in the sides and more in the middle.The appa chatti is a concave shaped vessel, and hence helps in achieving its shape.Close the appa chatti and wait for a minute or two till the appam is well cooked, before taking it off with the suitable ladle provided with the chatti.
Some Tips and Tricks
Over the years, these are the small things I have found regarding appams.

• Many people use cooked rice instead of poha.It is said to give very soft appams.I have personally never tried it.
• If you want to make appams tomorrow, it is best to prepare the batter fresh sometime today.
• If you live in a cold place, place the batter in a pre-heated oven to help in the fermentation.Fully fermented batter is very important to make appams.Without  proper fermentation, appams will not be fluffy or taste good.
• Using yeast : I use dry yeast and do not add the cooking soda.Add 1/2 spoon of dry yeast to a little of warm water with a bit of sugar.Add the dissolved yeast water to the batter before keeping for fermentation.
•  When you take batter from the vessel, it is best to use it up fully.So I usually take the batter in a small bowl and use it up fully.Never mix the used batter back to the unused one.Else it will become watery.