Legends Never Retire...but it is always hard to say Goodbye

It is always difficult to say Goodbye to Sports Icons. I had been a great fan of Steffi Graf all my childhood. So, influenced by her, that I liked to dress up like her, tie my hair up like her and I even took up tennis at school. My only regret would be that I could never play single-handed like her. I tried, but the racquet was too heavy for me at that age. I would never miss a Steffi Graf match and would not change my position superstitiously until she won the match. During some tough matches, I would sit with a string of beads and pretend they were prayer beads and would pray with all my heart until the match was done. When she announced her retirement, it was like the sky came down crashing on me. I will never forget what I felt that day. I watched her induction to the Hall of Fame with a heart full of emotions. 

On 16NOV2013, when Sachin Tendulkar signed off from International Cricket, I won't say it was the same but yes, I did have a heart full of emotions. His retirement speech was that made by a man full of humility and gratitude. I took a look back to see what he meant to all of us and realised that his presence  in cricket was so reassuring. I remember the times when my brother and I would come back from school/work and ask our mom/dad for the score and if it was a poor one, we would immediately ask- ' Is Tendulkar out already?' and when they said No, it gave us some kind of confidence and reassurance and hope that India might not lose. It might have been the case in many many Indian homes. It was observed on several occasions that when Sachin got out, the rest of the team collapsed like a house made with a pack of cards. It only meant one thing, he carried the responsibility of the entire team for a very big part of his career and the hopes of millions on his shoulders at a very young age and did so until his retirement. Since I have seen him play since my childhood and saw his position in the team with permanence, I find it hard to believe that he would not be seen playing International Cricket anymore. This being said, he must have had a very satisfying career with many records being broken and many new ones created, being a part of the winning World Cup Team and the IPL winning Mumbai Indians team, not to forget that he was also a part of the Test team when India was ranked no. 1.

All I can say is Thank You Sachin for everything you have done for this country on field and off-field. Thanks for giving your very best to the sport and the country each and every time you stepped on to the field.

I did not realise how big a fan I am of yours until you bid farewell to cricket. Your retirement is yet to sink in but I trust that whatever you do, it will be in the best interest of the country, the sport and also personally for you as well. I hope we still get to see you on TV close to the cricket field and also, wish you the very best in the new innings of your life. Farewell!

One Done, On to the Next One

Home is where the heart is. On 15NOV2012, I followed my sweetheart to Hyderabad to start a new life in a new Home, Sweet Home. As I complete one year in the new city and look back at the year that was, it has been a colourful one year. I have loved exploring Hyderabad this one year and a lot still remains to be explored. I have grown a lot in this one year, especially in my culinary ability being someone who just hated cooking to someone who cooks for relaxation and de-stressing. 

There are so many things that stood out for me in Hyderabad- the very broad roads, 'Numaish' , some of my shopping trips (though old city still remains to be explored), my job and new friends and acquaintances at work and have the pleasure of getting back in touch with the old ones.

When I first stepped on Hyderabad soil, nothing other than heat seemed very different in the city compared to Bangalore. I was still very 'Bangalored'. Since we arrived on an evening flight and were terribly hungry, we dropped our luggage off at home and headed to the Woodlands Restaurant. Now, Woodlands is a place one goes to when you are hungry and not for celebrations or treats or fine dining experience. Woodlands is being run by people of Karnataka and they have imported all of their staff from Karnataka...at least it seemed that way because almost all of them spoke in Kannada.

We seated ourselves in the A/C dining area. I did not really realise at that moment that I was not in Bangalore in the cool of the A/C and in a 'Kannadified' atmosphere. In my head, I was still in Bangalore. We ordered North-Indian thaali. It starts off with Tomato soup, pappad and Ras Malai. Once we were done with the soup, the main course thaali arrived. They had an assortment of curries. Mutter Paneer caught my eye...I started with Roti and Mutter Paneer and it was that moment....

.....that it struck me harshly and rudely, that I had arrived in Hyderabad. My tongue was slapped and punched with very spicy and strong chillies that no amount of water intake could help. I immediately started tearing up and perspiring. My husband who was quite used to the spicy food of the region could not understand what was wrong. He tasted the Mutter Paneer and it seemed quite okay to him. I ditched the Mutter Paneer and went on to the Mixed Veg curry and the gravy of an Eggplant dish. Each of them seemed to better the ability of the other in terms of setting my tongue on fire. I realised at that very moment, in that particular A/C dining area, in that 'Kannadified' atmosphere that I HAVE ARRIVED IN HYDERABAD. Fortunately, I had saved my Ras Malai for later and pacified my agitated taste buds with its creamy-milky sweetness. I took it as God's way of telling me 2 things-

- I had arrived in Hyderabad

- Ras Malai would come to my rescue so do not eat it as soon as it is served

At the end of the meal, ice-cream was served and I cannot think of any other time in life when I relished it more.

This is one of my first experiences in the city which I can never forget. In this one year that has gone by, I have still not been able to adapt to the extra spice. I tear up almost every other day,to the amusement of my colleagues especially, while eating especially the curries and salads (what??? you thought they can't be that spicy?? Well, come over...the spice route awaits you).

Having said all that I have, I love Bangalore a lot. Once you live in Bangalore, it is not easy to love to live in any other city. Though my sweetheart is in Hyderabad, my very own heart is still in Bangalore. I cannot say there is anything terribly wrong with Hyderabad. It is a fine city to live in and has its own way of functioning and is special in its own way. Slowly, I am learning to like Hyderabad but it can never replace my love for Bangalore as Bangalore has reserved a very special place in my heart for life. 

I hope to write (and remember to write) again sometime around this time of the year in 2014 and see if Hyderabad has made any progress in completely winning my heart over! Hopefully, some day I will also have a special place reserved for Hyderabad for the rest of my life. In the meantime, I am determined to enjoy the Hyderabad experience!