The Orange Hibiscus

Last year, on the World Environment Day, we brought home an orange hibiscus plant. This plant was actually on display at the 'mini' plant exhibition held at the office,celebrating the day.It was on full bloom and naturally, caught my attention and that's how it landed in our home. We started petting it from the moment we brought it home - watered it dutifully,fed it manure once a month & even patted it now and then!

Over time, slowly, my petting came down and eventually, I forgot even that this plant existed! After a period of such 'hibernation', I was jolted back to reality when one day I discovered the plant in a very pitiful state, with just a few leaves left on it. I knew I had to do something - anything to save my plant. First thing that came to the mind was insecticide! I knew I had 'some' insecticide which I bought 'some'time back, which was meant to kill 'some' kind of insects. At that moment, these 'some's din't matter. All I wanted was an (any) insecticide. So I brought the bottle out and quickly sprayed a generous amount. That, I thought, would rid the bug that was feeding on my plant.

I went back to my religious routine of petting/watering. But, to my disappointment, the plant showed no improvement. Over the next couple of weeks, it withered further and lost a few more leaves. I knew the insecticide dint work. I heard loud sirens ringing in my head. I had to act and act fast. That's when I took out my laptop and started reading extensively about this plant and the possible pests that can attack it. After a few hours of research, I could finally nail down the nasty culprit. I learnt it was a mealy bug attack & from the condition my plant was in, quite a severe one! I read all I could about the damn mealy bug, homemade remedies to get rid of it and lastly the proper pesticides that can be used. My mission was to save the plant at any cost. I started acting on the bug with a vengeance - left no stone unturned. After a few weeks of battle, the bug finally gave in. I could get rid of it completely!

A couple of days later, my plant started leafing again..voila! Though the recovery process is slow, the plant is definitely coming back to life. This World Environment Day, as a token of its spirit to survive, the plant bore two tiny buds.

The experience totally revived my long lost love for plants. I am now more aware and sensitive to plant needs - they are living beings too! Thanks to my orange hibiscus, I now have learnt how to pot and take care of young plants.
One would definitely find more plants at our home now, than ever before.




I also started looking at Environment day as a thanks-giving day to the nature & try to do whatever little I can to protect & nurture it.

For people in Hyderabad who love plants, this is for you : http://hobbyhub.co.in/
Check it out!

My precious

I saw him that day on a busy market street, in Bangalore. It was instant. His sparkling eyes stole my heart. I couldn't help staring at him. His smile mesmerized me.
I saw myself falling head over heals but just couldn't help it. I had to get my dad meet him, immediately! That day marked the beginning of our association. And now, he has become an integral part of my life.
My life, my family wouldn't be the same without him. He has been with me through thick and thin. One hug, and he makes my fears & tears vanish! What would I do without him?













What would I do without you, my stuffed monkey! :)

Hooked to Horror flicks?

My husband complains when I suggest watching a horror movie. His reason? Well, why do you want to pay money to get scared? What's the point? He argues.

Why do adventure enthusiasts jump off a cliff or do a bungee jump? How did racing come into existence? Isn't the thrill involved, a BIG factor? Astronauts?
Are spaceships fool-proof?

All-right! I understand I'm going slightly overboard with my comparisions. The fact is, we all like thrills. Human mind seeks something to pump up the adrenalin..To get away from the mundaneness of daily existence. But not all of us go to any extent for it.Some thrills do kill.
Hence, my dear friends, I conclude that for all of us who do not indulge in the 'greater' risks, horror flicks are the best bets!

Go for them! Even if it means you watch the movie with your TV muted or hiding under the couch! Go watch! Feel the fear, the next time you are all alone at home.
Prove it to yourself that you outlived your fears. Go watch! ;)

Its raining men!

At last it started raining here! After playing a month's hide-n-seek,the splendid monsoon has finally arrived. Whoa!what a scotching summer it had been!

Contrary to the popular notion that rains are gloomy and depressing, I believe rains bring a lot of cheer and vitality, especially to tropical countries like India. This is the time to connect to the nature - tune into the cute melodies from a varied species of birds & observe the tiny little saplings sprouting from the moist soil. This is also the time to go on a 'dragon-fly-chase' mission. I can go on and on..there are so many little joys that the rains bring with them. Its as if the whole place has suddenly come alive!

Somethings I love to do when its pouring like cats and dogs.

a) Cozy up with a good book, taking breaks to watch the rain.

b) Listen to some nice, loud and lively music

c) Have hot mirchi bajji + ginger tea...yum.. & a delightful conversation with a loved one.

d) Go for a stroll with my husband, soon after its stops raining.

Oh lovely! Its raining out there, even as I type this blog! Let me rush out!

Catch you later folks..

Driving lessons..

Driving has always been a nightmare for me! :( I look at people driving/riding in Hyderabad and always wonder how the hell are these people still alive??

Autos/bikers overtake you from left/right with absolutely no heed to traffic rules/police. Driving in hyderabad is like playing road rash, except that this is REAL and is your LIFE!

Sitting in the front seat (next to my husband,who drives the car), I often wish I'm equipped with those rods/sticks/whatever they use in road rash - to bang their competetors - in my case, bang all those who change their lanes in the laaast minute/rashly overtake from left.

Now,talking about my driving skills. I've learnt car driving earlier but am soo used to being driven around, that I never really cared much about my driving. Mistake! BIG mistake! As if this is not bad enough, I always get confused between left & right! Picture this - me guiding somebody on a busy street , with people behind honking the life out of us. In this chaos, when the person asks me "which turn?", I say left, with my hands pointing towards right!!

Given all this background, I'm now planning on re-taking the driving lessons ;) and am actually planning to drive in Hyderabad! Wish me luck!

My first blog!

This is my first blog and am super excited about it! :)

Blogging is one thing that had been at the back of my mind for quite some time now. I've been putting it away, thanks to my ..err..laziness!

So what do I write about? Well, about anything under the sun - anything that catches my attention, anything that I've been musing about - absolutely anything!