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 Today being the last day of #WriteAPageADay, I am glad that I could reach my goal and immensely grateful to Blogchatter for giving us such a supportive platform for bloggers and writers and also to all the bloggers in this incredible blogging community who inspire each other to keep on doing what we love the most, i.e. writing. I have tried to write a piece daily based on the challenge prompts provided by Blogchatter. Today, with a slight change, I am writing about a few beauty hacks instead of life hacks. Top 5 Quick Beauty Hacks 1. Coconut/olive oil as a night moisturizer: If you are running out of your night cream and desperately need moisturization, your coconut or olive oil can be useful. Remember that 2 drops are enough for your entire face and neck.  Both the oils have high moisturizing benefits. But make sure to cleanse it off the next morning.  2. Grapeseed/Argan oil for quick radiance: If you are about to wear a foundation that makes your skin look dry and patc...

Rebirth, reincarnation, and past life memories - topics that are often clouded by myths and fear mostly, are covered in detail in the new book Devputra: A Story of Rebirth by author Neil D'Silva. I was happy to receive the book for review, as the topic of Rebirth has always fascinated me since I came across Dr. Brian Weiss's various books, like Many Lives, Many Masters and Same Soul, Many Bodies. A story revolving around this very mysterious subject automatically drew me. About The Author: Neil D'Silva, a prominent name in contemporary supernatural and horror literature, is back with his new book, Devputra: A Story of Rebirth. D'Silva's works include a vast contribution to the genre of horror, with best-selling books like Yakshini, Maya's New Husband and the award-winning Haunted: Real Life Encounters with Ghosts and Spirits. He is also the President of the Indian Chapters of the Horror Writers Association. About the Book: Devputra: A Story of Rebirth This is au...

I heard the Whatsapp message ping. I was in the hospital, waiting for my turn. The message was from my Mother-in-law. I knew the phone she was using was hers, but the message was from someone else, who mostly gets possession of the device when I am not around.  So, there comes a GIF. Message of a cat begging for something with a "please". Then there are these words: "Please get me a pack of slimes after my exam." These pleas had been made by the sender earlier, too, and declined every time by me. But that time, it felt different. Like any other individual, I am a part of many WhatsApp groups. I have learnt and have become acquainted with many ideas, information, and other things from these groups. There are Bibliophile groups, various blog hop groups, Lady's groups, Bengali groups, Art & Culture groups and of course, some exclusively for my daughter. I am glad to be part of these groups and find them very supportive to all members. I keep getting innumerable...

I want to be financially independent when I am reborn. The idea of depending on others for basic necessities doesn't really fascinate me. However, life sometimes takes us to situations we cannot escape. Being grateful for what we are getting and for what we have is important, but it is also important to dream big and have the capacity to achieve it.  I want all the things that I am blessed to have now. But I also want to be financially independent so I don't have to please anyone for my survival. Talks of immortal love and unconditional loyalty are easier said than done. It's important to fix one's self first, and it's the harsh reality that money is a source of basic security in today's world.  I want the same parents, the same husband, the same friends and family and most importantly, the same daughter, but I want myself to never lose focus on my own life and to be able to be there rock solid for those who really matter to me when reborn. This blog post is a p...

As a family, a holiday season means travel. Travelling to our native every year is a mandate. Also, travelling to a pre-planned destination is part and parcel of family holiday tradition. This brings me back to a memory from 2 years back when we stayed in the USA. Our home was in a small town called Bethlehem in Pennsylvania. We travelled to Philadelphia for a day's trip. I packed our breakfast, as I mostly do back home. My husband and I have dietary restrictions, so we avoid outside food if possible. However, my daughter, a very fussy eater, loves to eat outside while travelling. So, I make it a point to carry fruits, snacks, pastries, etc, whenever we go out.  So after a 1-hour bus journey, when we reached Philadelphia, we knew we had to walk a lot. That is something common wherever we travel. I love walking, and luckily, my daughter loves to explore while walking. I remember walking a lot. And stopping in places for us to have snacks. The weather was pleasant, so walking was not...

As an avid school-going reader, my interest always centred around the weekly magazines we subscribed to at home. Other than the usual ones for kids, the curious cat inside me sometimes secretly dared to go through the ones meant for elders. Like the literary magazine, Desh . At that time, I was surprised to find that the same authors whose works for children I was hooked to, like Sunil Gangopadhyay, Samaresh Basu and Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, were writing for the elders too. One such serial novella, Durbin , was first published in Desh magazine. Recently, I had a chance to read the book, and today, I have decided to write about it. About the Author Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay is one of the most prominent literary figures of our times whose vast contribution to Bengali literature is unparalleled. He has been awarded many times for his outstanding works in adult and children's literature. His notable works include Kagojer Bou, Chokh, and Chhayamoyi for adults, Nabiganjer Doittyo, Patalgha...

Dear Me, Hi, hope you are doing well. Actually, I know you are doing great. Today, I am supposed to write an apology letter to someone I have wronged. I decided to choose you. But wait a minute before you assume a sorry-filled sob story of a middle-aged woman. Please go through the entire letter.  I am grateful that you did whatever you did for me. I am happy it was enough for me to come through such a long way. I may not have treated you as well as I should have. It might have made you feel that you have not received your dues as you should have. But I do not regret doing that, not being attentive to you at times when I should have been. Perhaps I was going through something inside that I was not showing. Maybe the time that I should have taken care of you the most, my internal struggle was way too much to deal with. You would never know, but you should know that you are doing great now, and what if I say that you needed to go through the ordeal that my actions or reactions have l...

" What is it for tiffin today?" asked my 9-year-old in a very serious tone. I proudly declared its Maggi, totally hiding the fact that it was rice noodles with lots of veggies with a sprinkle of Maggi Masala. " Thanks bro, its not your usual roti roll" declared a satsfied she, leaving me wondering who is this "bro" for!! I had soaked a few almonds last night, hoping she would eat at least one. She successfully ignored my pleas and settled for a couple of cream biscuits instead. I sighed in disappointment. It is one of those dreadful days when her father is out of town, and I have to drop her to school. But once we go out, the lovely morning breeze charges me up. We walk towards the school, she hugs me at the gate and goes inside, swyaing her long braids. I go towards the lakeside for a stroll in the hope of watching a few rare birds. I come across a few kingfishers, babblers and golden orioles. The sight of birds never fails to make me happy. A half an hou...

The nearest shopping mall to our place is R City Mall in Ghatkopar. Earlier I used to visit the mall quite often. There used to be a bus, and I do not remember the number. This was my initial days in Mumbai. Later, either that bus stopped its service or had changed its route. And I started taking auto. My visits to the shopping mall became fewer after my daughter came into my life.  Currently, I rarely visit the mall, mostly with my daughter. I always take an auto rickshaw. It is much easier that way. Now, there are 2 routes to go, one directly taking the JVLR, which is a longer route and the other through Hiranandani, where the road is bumpy but the route is shorter. I often insist the auto driver to take the shorter one, but one day, we got badly caught up in a traffic jam at the peak commute time. So nowadays, I prefer the longer route, especially when travelling with my daughter.  Sometimes,  my husband also takes us there. That time we go by the car.  This blog ...

I was going through the dictionary last night before going to bed. What's a muse? Google pulled out different meanings of the word, and my limited brain narrowed it down to one meaning, " an inspiration to my creativity." This may sound simple, but I realized my limited brain has opened up an unlimited opportunity to decide on my muse. Since then, I have started to wonder about options. I slept late last night as I am currently reading a very interesting novel. I wondered if I could consider a character from a book or a film as my muse. I have liked many characters in books and movies, but somehow, they never seemed real. I knew I wanted my muse to be real. I got up early and could hear the sweet chirp of some bird, just like I wrote about yesterday. Is that my muse? Or are those squirrels running around everywhere going to be my muse? Can my muse be something other than a human being? I started thinking deeply. My husband got up a little late. I like to look at his face ...

I see a brown bird sitting on the branch of the mango tree. I can hear its beautiful tune...something I had never heard before. I remember the tale of the nightingale. Is it the nightingale? I get mesmerized by its haunting tune and stand there for a long time only to find it flying away. I can see it flying over the trees, and I run after it. Where is it going? The question arises, but I don't stop. I see it stops on a wooden gate I had never seen before. When was it made? It's my garden, and I am unaware of the gate's existence. The gate opens with a slight creak and leads me to the other side. I can see the bird sitting on a log just before me, looking at me and singing in its beautiful tune. Does it want to say something? I sit next to it on the log. It does not fly or stop. The breeze blows, slightly caressing my hair. The leaves of the trees make a beautiful hustling sound, almost synchronizing with the bird's tune. I start humming to its tune, too, my eyes closed...

We had just started unpacking when there was a knock on the door. My husband opened it to find a man his age smiling at the door. "Hi, I am Alex, your next-door neighbour," he said with warmth in his voice. Our house was scattered all over with unopened cardboard boxes. Still, my husband asked him to come inside and he did. He offered us help and was kind enough to unpack a few boxes along with us. We were having tea when we started discussing what we do. He said he teaches at a college nearby and lives with his wife, who has left for her work. We had sweet pleasantries for some time. Then he left, and we went about our remaining unpacking. The next few days were a whirlwind, unpacking and setting up the new house. We somehow managed to prepare the meals and had no time to do anything else. When we had finished arranging and setting up everything, it was my husband's time to join his work. We hardly had time to explore the locality as planned, and we had no chance to meet...

The bolt of lightning flashes with a loud thunder. It scares me. I can see the branches of the trees shaking violently and trying to smash the windowpanes. I am alarmed and scared...what is she doing now? What time is it there? Is there a storm there, too? Does she know I am thinking of her? The probabilities start to crowd inside my mind. Do I need to call her? What if she is busy? The rain starts. Huge drops of water begin pouring over the roofs with a constant roar. I look into the mirror, trying to hum to the beats of the water droplets. It sounds like the grief-stricken cry of a little girl. I can hear her angry voice through it, " I don't want to go there, so far from you. I can study the same course here, too." The mirror in front of me shows her teary-eyed, angry with me. I feel the salt of my tears running down my cheeks onto my lips. Am I selfish to unsee her?  The rain outside has calmed to a constant clitter-clatter. The wild wind has tamed itself from before....

I pride myself on being a Bengali film enthusiast, and just like any movie lover, I like to write about Bengali movies. It would be an immense pleasure if I could make someone aware of good films in Bengal. Today, I have decided to make a recommendation list for Bengali biographical films about iconic filmmakers. 1. Aparajito (2022): Based upon the initial struggle of Satyajit Ray's filmmaking journey, this film delves deep into the obstacles he had to face, including budget issues. Directed by Anik Datta, it stars Jeetu Kamal as Aparajito Roy, a character based on the life of the ace filmmaker Ray. Those aware of Bengali television shows can recognise Jeetu as a powerful performer whose acting prowls have been restricted to the small screen. However, with the opportunity given on his shoulders to carry out such a significant role of a stalwart on his shoulders, he has owned the character. From his physical transformation to his voice and image makeover, the actor has given his be...

Once upon a time, I used to be an avid reader till my college days. I had bought, borrowed, and been gifted books of all sorts. Those living in Kolkata know the most lucrative places for book lovers- College Street in North, Golpark and Deshapriya Park in South Kolkata. I used to be a frequenter of all these places as a bibliophile. I got hold of a few books from there that left me like, "What the...." Here are the 3 books that left me with this feel. 1. Tell Me Your Dreams by Sidney Sheldon: As a new college goer, I was big into Sidney Sheldon in those times. The roadside book stall in Golpark was my hub for getting my hands on the latest releases. I picked this up and did not really understand what it was about, thinking that it was one of his usual styled stories of a protagonist with a shady past or present. But as I started going through the book, I got introduced to a new concept called Split Personality or Multiple Personality Disorders ( this was 1998, and these conc...

I look at my watch. Oh, it's quarter to 8, and I must return home in 15 minutes. She will be back by then but does not have the keys. The traffic at this hour is unimaginably high. There is a long queue of vehicles ahead. Still, I insist the auto driver make it fast, much to his annoyance. Why did I have to go to the event today? Couldn't I have declined? Where will she go now if I don't reach on time? I can feel a sudden streak of fear, and my overthinking self starts to think of every worst scenario possible. I start cursing myself.                                  The moment I received the invitation, I was elated. After almost 5 years, I am being invited after taking a break from my work. My excitement was legitimate. It was a matter of 3 hours only, but I underestimated Mumbai traffic during the evenings. And the overenthusiastic me drained my phone battery by taking innumerable pictures and selfie...

"Saare Niyam Tod Do Niyam Pe Chalna Chhod Do. Inquilab, Zindabad,"                                --- Gulzar These lines from the film  Khubsoorat  may initially come across as a revolt against every rule we must follow. However, if one has watched the song or, at best, the film, our view of this powerful song will surely impact us.  Torture and force, in the name of rules, is what the song implies. If one has watched the film, one will find how a strict matriarch, who is all about discipline, suffocates her family members; in short, she is all about" All work and no play". Under this strict rule, the family may appear to be running smoothly, with the sons and daughters in good jobs, the daughter-in-laws "obedient" and her husband retired, but in reality, all are suffering inside, with no scope to pursue their dreams. Then comes a guest who changes everyone. Initially, she appears reckless and...

I prepare a grand meal- all Indian delicacies. I get the aroma of the Mughlai chicken I have followed step by step from “The Great Art of Mughlai Cooking”, even from my bedroom. The kheer looks exotic with fragments of almonds, pistachio and rose petals. The long grains of the pearly white basmati rice with raisins and plums look inviting. That’s what I want it to be today for both me and the food I have prepared. I open my wardrobe and select the most sensuous outfit that is there in my possession. Do I not look like Cecelia from “Atonement”? I reach out for the crimson lipstick and apply it lightly on my lips, with mastery, to give them a freshly bitten appearance. Wow, indeed, I am Cecelia today. I take out my silver stilettos, put on my diamond ring, and keep my waves open, which are a bit unruly. That’s how he likes it. He should be coming around 9, and it’s only 6. But I like doing this, dressed to kill as early as possible and to wait for the man of my life. I missed him on his ...

Looking at the hawk, looking at me gives me a chilling shiver that runs down my spine. It's standing on the beam just a few hands away from me. I am sitting on the edge of the terrace. It narrows its vision towards me and extends its wings. I know what will happen now. I am its target now. Here it comes, flying towards me, vision straight, wings stretched, and feet crawling to hit me. My immediate action is to jump on the slanted brick roof. My sudden jump frustrates it, and it shows that with a shrieking cry. It flies a bit and takes a U-turn, lowering itself towards me. No, I cannot escape it today. I attempt another jump towards the other side of the roof to escape its wrath. My feet slip, and I almost start falling while sliding from the rough, bricked roof. Thank God, there's the chimney, and I hold on to it with all my strength. My whole body aches, my hands and legs bleed, and my clothes get tattered. It looks at me with cruel eyes. I know it is targeting my eyes. A plun...

I have started reading books lately and have set an attainable goal of 1 book a month. In January, I had already read 3 books. In February, I will be on my 2nd one. My daughter is a moody reader. Her interest lies more in creative work; she likes to draw and make puppets. To give her company, I have started colouring and other artwork. She enjoys doing that with me.  I also encourage her to make her own sandwiches and juices. Lately, she has even been allowed to make dosa, idli, appam, and paranthas only when I or her baba is there to supervise. She has been taught to clean her dishes, polish her shoes, and do her table and wardrobe when required.  Whenever I write in my journal or blog, I insist she compete with me to find out who can write the most. Sometimes, she finds it interesting, and most of the time, she runs away and prefers to play with her friends.  I took the time to write about these mundane activities because I wanted everyone to know that is what every par...

February, the month of love, automatically drives our minds to anything pink. When I saw this book on the “New Releases” rack at Crossroads, I immediately knew this would be my February Read. From the back cover, I learned that this book is the 2 nd part of author Durjoy Datta’s “World’s Worst Best Girlfriend.” However, that did not hold me from buying the book, as having been well aware of the author’s popularity, I was sure I did not have to read the first part to better read the 2 nd . Although I hadn’t read any of his previous work, I was sure I would enjoy reading it. About the Author One of the most popular authors in India now, Durjoy Datta, is a name the readers of this generation enjoy the most. His previous works like “World’s Worst Best Boyfriend”, “If It’s Not Forever. It's Not Love”, and many others have been best sellers, even adapted to TV shows. While going through the list of books he has penned in such a short period, I noticed that the titles of his book...