I am a sucker for weddings. I love the dresses; can spend hours browsing them. Bridal window shopping is the only sort of window shopping I ever do. And wedding movies are awesome. One of my favourites is '27 Dresses'.
I occasionally get into trouble with my friends for planning their weddings. They tell me that I am getting way ahead of myself, on in this case, themselves. I have actually been forbidden to mention weddings until it is announced. But it doesn't stop me from sneaking in pictures of different wedding themes and decorations to the wedding folder I have for them on my computer.
It is the idea of the wedding I like. I am in no way, shape or form to be craving for a marriage. The thought of that perfect A-line dress with the beautiful bouquet of yellow and purple roses is enticing for anyone. Or maybe just me. And thinking about being surrounded by the most important people in my life; best friends, cousins, younger brother, etc. Everyone having a fabulous time.
And of course the groom. In '27 Dresses', when Jane was asked what her favourite part of the wedding was she said "You know how the bride makes her entrance and everybody turns to look at her? That’s when I look at the groom. Cause his face says it all you know? The pure love there" It's a very cute thought.
I am not a fan of the Maldivian wedding parties, where half of the guests you invite, or rather, your parents invite, you have never exchanged two words with before. Where you just stand at one spot, looking like the bride and groom on top of the wedding cake. Yes, everyone wants to look like that, but not that literally! And because you invite over 500 people, and there is no bridal registry system in Maldives, you just get a lot of presents that you either hate or will never use ever, thus increasing clutter in your room and house.
If anything, weddings are becoming more outrages and over the top in Maldives. Size seems to be everything, and along with dresses, the bigger the better. But then again, in Maldives, the wedding isn't just about the bride and the groom. The parents are immensely influential and involved with weddings, and what they say goes a lot of the times.
If I have my way, my wedding will not be like that...it'll be small and intimate. I just hope whoever I get married to can stand my bossiness when it comes to planning the wedding.
Midhu's Blog
Love for almost all seasons
Today is the last day of summer. 1st of March is the beginning of autumn. As much as I love the heat, sun and the endless days of summer, I cannot help looking forward to the crisp, cool and clean feel of autumn. Winter over here is just cold and boring because only some of the trees loose their leaves and there is no snow.
Here in Australia, we have quite a few trees that change colour during autumn, though most trees just stay green all year round. The autumn colours and leaves are fantastic. The bright oranges, reds and browns are beautiful and I love the brittle leaves. It is nice stepping on those leaves, to hear the crunchy noise it makes.
Apart from the vibrant colours, the next best thing about autumn is the fashion. All the different choices of scarves and jackets and stockings is always fun. There is always more possibilities with autumn/winter fashion, as opposed to summer. I have favourite jumpers and numerous scarves to keep me busy in a few outfit changes before I decide what I want. My friend says I have way too may clothes and that's why I have trouble choosing what to wear. And she probably is right. Because during the cold times, deciding what scarf goes with what jacket and which jacket is most appropriate for the temperature outside and which boots I want to wear can become a bit time consuming. But I love every minute of it!
Here in Australia, we have quite a few trees that change colour during autumn, though most trees just stay green all year round. The autumn colours and leaves are fantastic. The bright oranges, reds and browns are beautiful and I love the brittle leaves. It is nice stepping on those leaves, to hear the crunchy noise it makes.
Apart from the vibrant colours, the next best thing about autumn is the fashion. All the different choices of scarves and jackets and stockings is always fun. There is always more possibilities with autumn/winter fashion, as opposed to summer. I have favourite jumpers and numerous scarves to keep me busy in a few outfit changes before I decide what I want. My friend says I have way too may clothes and that's why I have trouble choosing what to wear. And she probably is right. Because during the cold times, deciding what scarf goes with what jacket and which jacket is most appropriate for the temperature outside and which boots I want to wear can become a bit time consuming. But I love every minute of it!
2:00 PM | Filed Under autumn, fashion | 2 Comments
A girl's bestfriend.... Esprit, CK and Ralph Lauren?
Just like the next girl, I love shopping. I have complete faith in retail therapy and am the worse person to let loose in a shopping centre when I am feeling particularly stressed or upset. I think i agree with Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. 'I like my money right where I can see it; hanging in my closet'
Whether it is buying something for me or someone else, I love going out and searching for that thing that is perfect. I usually have something particular in mind to get when i head to the shops. Needless to say, I hate window shopping. Any window shopping I do lasts maximum 10 minutes...either I cave in or leave the store.
Most frustrating thing about me going shopping is not getting the size I want. I guess that happens to a lot of people, but you cannot imagine my despair when I found out I was too small for a Calvin Klein or Levis jeans, being the brand-whore I am. And the pair of Lee that fit me perfectly, they didn't have.
In my hunt for the perfect pair of jeans, the girl in the store handed me a fair few sizes and types for me to try on. I was in that dressing room for a good half an hour or so. Either they were not skinny enough and or they weren't the brand I would like to have worn.
The worst was when the girl brought me a pair that was too tight in the waist. They were the perfect fit for my skinny legs but way too tight at my waist (I half think the girl might have brought it from the kids section). So tight that I could not do it myself and had to hold my breath and get the girl do the button. And she kept saying that it would stretch. In about a month. There was no way that I was going to put through myself (or my mom, because I could not have done it by myself) of the torture of trying to do up those jeans everyday, in the hope that one day, it will stretch.
The girl and I bonded after that incident; we say hi and chat when I see her around now, but I never got to buy the perfect pair of Levis or Calvin Klein or Esprit. And I am still waiting on that to happen.
In the meant time, I have bought the favourite pair of Vogue and Ralph Lauren sunglasses, after spending almost a good hour in the store and trying out various different glasses. I think the girl there would forgive me for being the painful and indecisive customer when I bought two pairs instead of one.
Whether it is buying something for me or someone else, I love going out and searching for that thing that is perfect. I usually have something particular in mind to get when i head to the shops. Needless to say, I hate window shopping. Any window shopping I do lasts maximum 10 minutes...either I cave in or leave the store.
Most frustrating thing about me going shopping is not getting the size I want. I guess that happens to a lot of people, but you cannot imagine my despair when I found out I was too small for a Calvin Klein or Levis jeans, being the brand-whore I am. And the pair of Lee that fit me perfectly, they didn't have.
In my hunt for the perfect pair of jeans, the girl in the store handed me a fair few sizes and types for me to try on. I was in that dressing room for a good half an hour or so. Either they were not skinny enough and or they weren't the brand I would like to have worn.
The worst was when the girl brought me a pair that was too tight in the waist. They were the perfect fit for my skinny legs but way too tight at my waist (I half think the girl might have brought it from the kids section). So tight that I could not do it myself and had to hold my breath and get the girl do the button. And she kept saying that it would stretch. In about a month. There was no way that I was going to put through myself (or my mom, because I could not have done it by myself) of the torture of trying to do up those jeans everyday, in the hope that one day, it will stretch.
The girl and I bonded after that incident; we say hi and chat when I see her around now, but I never got to buy the perfect pair of Levis or Calvin Klein or Esprit. And I am still waiting on that to happen.
In the meant time, I have bought the favourite pair of Vogue and Ralph Lauren sunglasses, after spending almost a good hour in the store and trying out various different glasses. I think the girl there would forgive me for being the painful and indecisive customer when I bought two pairs instead of one.
10:14 PM | Filed Under fashion, shopping | 0 Comments
Greatest gift ever..
An Australian politician claimed that a woman's virginity is 'the greatest gift you can give someone' and that it is the 'ultimate gift of giving'. Much controversy was sparked with the public, leading to sayings that we don't need politicians in our bedroom and he can't tell women what to do and stay virgins till we are married.
He has the right to express his opinion, but what I do wonder about is, whether a woman's virginity is the greatest gift you can give? I mean, yeah sure, once you give it, it's not something you can get back. But what about the other things you give up?
When you are in a relationship you give them your trust and love and isn't it much more heartbreaking when these things fall apart, rather than finding your girlfriend/boyfriend isn't a virgin.
And it's interesting that it is implied that a woman's virginity is more precious than a man's virginity. Can the man's virginity be thrown around however he likes, but women have to be picky? I was listening to a discussion they had about this issue on TV, where they were saying that a man's virginity had less value as time went on, whereas a woman's virginity increased in value. So it's ok for men to not be virgins, but not for women? In fact, one of my guy friends told me that if a guy was a virgin, he would be less likely to admit that was the case.
And getting married doesn't guarantee a happily-ever-after for you. And as Samantha from Sex and The City says, it would be wise to take your car for a test drive before you buy it.
He has the right to express his opinion, but what I do wonder about is, whether a woman's virginity is the greatest gift you can give? I mean, yeah sure, once you give it, it's not something you can get back. But what about the other things you give up?
When you are in a relationship you give them your trust and love and isn't it much more heartbreaking when these things fall apart, rather than finding your girlfriend/boyfriend isn't a virgin.
And it's interesting that it is implied that a woman's virginity is more precious than a man's virginity. Can the man's virginity be thrown around however he likes, but women have to be picky? I was listening to a discussion they had about this issue on TV, where they were saying that a man's virginity had less value as time went on, whereas a woman's virginity increased in value. So it's ok for men to not be virgins, but not for women? In fact, one of my guy friends told me that if a guy was a virgin, he would be less likely to admit that was the case.
And getting married doesn't guarantee a happily-ever-after for you. And as Samantha from Sex and The City says, it would be wise to take your car for a test drive before you buy it.
3:46 PM | Filed Under | 2 Comments
Coffee culture in Maldives
Maldivian’s favourite past time: going for a ‘coffee’. This is synonymous with hanging out, catching up, having a smoke or killing time with friends. These ‘coffees’ are daily outings where you gather your best mates at your favourite coffee spot and enjoy a drink (which in Maldives generally consists of coffee, Redbull, fresh fruit juice or the occasional French fries potion).
As mundane as they seem (and it probably will be for people who live in Male’), things happen during these ‘coffees’ which makes them very memorable and extra special.
The perfect wedding present may be brainstormed at a coffee with best friends. Live stock and/or brick stones maybe the ideas they come up with, but they are sure to be a massive hit with the newly wed couple. The laughs shared and the time spent together won’t be forgotten soon either.
The first coy touch of hands can happen at a coffee. Two people, who have liked each other for ages, but never really had a chance together, finally meet and go for a coffee. Slipping their hands into each others, to find it fits just right, can be a sweet memory.
Two people can fall in love during a coffee. After a series of inexhaustible coffees, where they spend every afternoon together for months, talking and getting to know each other, the next step being in a relationship seems sensible thing to do. For them, each and every coffee together will be special and memorable.
Trying out new things at coffees can be fun as well, where friends go to check out the new places opening up. With drinks with adventurous names like the ‘Screw Driver’ or the ‘Oreo Shake’, memories are made as they sit around, trying each others drinks and commenting on them.
Feel free to share your coffee experiences... :)
10:28 PM | Filed Under | 0 Comments
Update about Austen and Jeffrey Eugnides
So far, I have not made any progress on Sense and Sensibility... I am still on page 327; exactly where I had left it when I wrote my entry about my experience with Austen.
I had not even thought of picking this book up, even at the moments where I am itching to read something. Even when I am rushing out the door, late to work, and wondering what to take to read during my lunch break, I had not thought of the half-read Austen. Mind you, it was buried under various pieces of papers and photos and blue tack on my desk.
The other book I had given up on reading is 'The Virgin Suicides' by Jeffrey Eugnides. I think there is a movies for this book. It is very well written, and interesting. The problem with this book is it is very depressing. Maybe, as the title suggests, it is not meant to be too cheerful, but this is definitely not my cup of tea. And I still cannot figure out why they would want to kill themselves, all five sisters! Finishing the book may help you say? I have read a good two thirds of this book, and I cannot generally find anything that catastrophic, that they want to stop living. Yes, their parents are quite strict and yes, their lives are not quite, what you would call normal. But lots of not-so-normal people, who come from dysfunctional families get on with their lives. I do not get why these girls felt so helpless.
Maybe I should just watch the movie first, and then attempt reading this book again.
I had not even thought of picking this book up, even at the moments where I am itching to read something. Even when I am rushing out the door, late to work, and wondering what to take to read during my lunch break, I had not thought of the half-read Austen. Mind you, it was buried under various pieces of papers and photos and blue tack on my desk.
The other book I had given up on reading is 'The Virgin Suicides' by Jeffrey Eugnides. I think there is a movies for this book. It is very well written, and interesting. The problem with this book is it is very depressing. Maybe, as the title suggests, it is not meant to be too cheerful, but this is definitely not my cup of tea. And I still cannot figure out why they would want to kill themselves, all five sisters! Finishing the book may help you say? I have read a good two thirds of this book, and I cannot generally find anything that catastrophic, that they want to stop living. Yes, their parents are quite strict and yes, their lives are not quite, what you would call normal. But lots of not-so-normal people, who come from dysfunctional families get on with their lives. I do not get why these girls felt so helpless.
Maybe I should just watch the movie first, and then attempt reading this book again.
10:09 PM | Filed Under books | 0 Comments
Across the big oceans...
"That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo... and it's worth fighting for" is what Sam Gamgee says in LOTR: The Two Towers. Maybe I can't compare because right now, the fate of mankind (or even hobbits) doesn't rest on my ability to carry a ring to the top of a mountain, but still life is bloody hard work, with "all the headaches and heartaches", but that is also what makes life interesting.
In life, you find things to fight for, things that you want and things that you can't live without. And it's these things that makes you cherish all the things that make you smile. We all go through different sorts of troubles and I know that it is those things that make you stronger. I know that I would be a very different person if I hadn't gone through what I have in life. And funny thing is, I don't think I regret anything that has happened. Yes, somethings still make me sad, but I don't think I would want to go back and change them.
Yes, I sound very cryptic and ambiguous up there... and I will take a simple example to explain the hard stuff; my friends who live in Maldives and the relationship I have with them.
Long distance friendship is bloody hard. It takes effort, timing, misunderstandings and late nights on both sides to keep in touch and maintain the friendships. It also means, that when one of your best friends is getting married, you may not be able to be there, "to make her laugh and to tease her". Or you can't celebrate your birthday with that friend who makes you laugh and has the same birthday as you, however much you want to hang out with him on that day. You have to deal with that, and it sucks so bad.
But however hard it is, I don't intend on giving up on this fabulous bunch of people. They've been the people who know me inside out, and remained friends even after the messiest of mistakes. They've thrown me surprise BBQ's and farewell parties, even though they see me only once a year or less. It has been made easier for me, because of my friends responsiveness despite the distance and also thanks to Facebook, MSN etc. And it may take sacrifices and compromises on my part (and theirs), to be a part of their life, but I know that that is something I want to do.
The point I am trying to make is, things that are worth a damn, may be (and probably will be) hard work. Taking the easy road down and walking away is not the answer. Take risks in love and life... and have a ball while doing it!!
This blog is dedicated to the Gang, Sabadi and everyone else in my life, who makes me smile (you know who you are) ...
PS: Just to acknowledge what my friends have said, everything in quotation marks are direct quotes by them.
In life, you find things to fight for, things that you want and things that you can't live without. And it's these things that makes you cherish all the things that make you smile. We all go through different sorts of troubles and I know that it is those things that make you stronger. I know that I would be a very different person if I hadn't gone through what I have in life. And funny thing is, I don't think I regret anything that has happened. Yes, somethings still make me sad, but I don't think I would want to go back and change them.
Yes, I sound very cryptic and ambiguous up there... and I will take a simple example to explain the hard stuff; my friends who live in Maldives and the relationship I have with them.
Long distance friendship is bloody hard. It takes effort, timing, misunderstandings and late nights on both sides to keep in touch and maintain the friendships. It also means, that when one of your best friends is getting married, you may not be able to be there, "to make her laugh and to tease her". Or you can't celebrate your birthday with that friend who makes you laugh and has the same birthday as you, however much you want to hang out with him on that day. You have to deal with that, and it sucks so bad.
But however hard it is, I don't intend on giving up on this fabulous bunch of people. They've been the people who know me inside out, and remained friends even after the messiest of mistakes. They've thrown me surprise BBQ's and farewell parties, even though they see me only once a year or less. It has been made easier for me, because of my friends responsiveness despite the distance and also thanks to Facebook, MSN etc. And it may take sacrifices and compromises on my part (and theirs), to be a part of their life, but I know that that is something I want to do.
The point I am trying to make is, things that are worth a damn, may be (and probably will be) hard work. Taking the easy road down and walking away is not the answer. Take risks in love and life... and have a ball while doing it!!
This blog is dedicated to the Gang, Sabadi and everyone else in my life, who makes me smile (you know who you are) ...
PS: Just to acknowledge what my friends have said, everything in quotation marks are direct quotes by them.
9:38 PM | Filed Under friends, LOTR | 3 Comments
ME
