Boop-oop-a-doop

When it comes to my priorities, I am completely messed up!

Do I pay more attention to settling down [like my driver's license, getting to know abt insurance etc]? or Do I make use of this time to pursue those interests that are so near to me yet remained elusive because of my focus on other important things like career etc.. Or do I first make all attempts to settle down as a good housewife [yet to master budgetting techniques for the home dept] or Do I concentrate in enhancing my resume....

I just realised I am so bad at juggling tasks. I spend most of my time deciding what to do. When I am doing 1 task, my attention goes to another task....

Now...this is getting tough,....

Ok I am gonna put down my priorities....or maybe I should put down the tasks, in the order of their importance

1. Visa Visa Visa!!!
2. Driver's license - Taken written exam on the 9th

Keeping it simple for now... lets see!!!

Posted by Tags Mechanic at 8:13 PM | Permalink | Comments

Its a bright new summer day! Also, today is my dear dear grandpa's death anniversary! All these years I missed him so much. But this morning when I woke up, I smelt a gush of fresh air filled with hopes. I believe that my thaatha is there somewhere around me, looking at me and he's not left me.

I offlate watch a lot of John Edward shows. For people like me who grieve a near one's absence because of nature's tyranny, John Edward's show is definitely a comfort factor. Especially, when even 'Time' fails to be an effective healer, the presence of psychics is so consoling.

Now the next question, do I believe in it. Apart from the fact that I wanna believe it, my family and I tried talking to my grandpa through a psychic medium. Incidentally my grandma [whom I've never met] came too. And the medium told us a few things that only my dad and his mom knew. So how can that happen? Maybe that was good enough for me to trust in this science.

By the way, I also resolve to keep my blog updated. I also look forward to adding a few more links, change the template and move the recipes to my website dedicated exclusively for Indian Recipes, http://www.allindiarecipes.com.

Posted by Tags Mechanic at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments

I have grown up calling this yummy side dish idli Podi but my husband's side, they call it milagai podi.

Ingredients:

Channa Dhal -1 cup
Urad Dhal - 3/4 cup
Sesame - 2 teaspoons
Garlic -4 -5 pods
Dry Curry leaves [Optional]
Red Chilli- depends on how spicy you want it [ I usually omit this and add chilli powder at the end]

Preparation:

Add two teaspoons of oil to the frying pan and heat it. When the pan is hot first add the red chillies and garlic pods. Then add the Dhals and sesame seeds. When they get roasted, turn it off and let it cool. Grind it coarse.

Technorati Tags: Recipes, Idli Podi, Indian Cooking, Milagai Podi
recipes blog

Posted by Tags Mechanic at 8:44 PM | Permalink | Comments

When I got to the US nine months ago, I had several questions ringing in my mind. I was never sure what to wear to my husband's office party! Did not know what is in vogue and most importantly what to avoid! I found it ridiculous that there were no mugs in the toilet and no concept called 'detergent soap.

I thought I can make best use of my time by creating a 'help online' to all those newly weds and other women relocating on H-4 visas. I am aware there are several websites that cater to this group. But there is no website which involves them. Disemminating information may be one thing but whats more important is to have a website run by them. Actively involve these women and create a strong group that can prove to be powerful enough to support useful causes.

I invite ideas and suggestions from all of you. You can even email me at neela.kaushik@gmail.com with your ideas/suggestions. All ideas/suggestions accepted will receive due credit.

Posted by Tags Mechanic at 2:47 AM | Permalink | Comments

My husband is my dream come true [ofcourse barring a few exceptional traits that is characteristic of the Martian subset and which a Venutian often finds it too hard to accept initially].

I have also dreamed that the two will make the best of friends and would be able to converse any topic without any discomfort. I also had a reason strong enough to believe it would come true. My best friends [two of them] were guys and we made really great friends.

However it was only today the rude shock dawned on me. My husband and I can never become the best of friends. I may have one or two topics that I can never discuss with my husband because I will never feel comfortable when my husband comments on it. So what happened? We were watching 'Sex and the City'. I quipped that one of the very popular stars in the serial did not deserve the title that the media had bestowed on her 'The cool sexy city gal'. My husband agreed with me and continued with his comments 'That is the gal, I think this lady is hot.... very hot'

I asked for it. Didn't I?

Posted by Tags Mechanic at 8:13 PM | Permalink | Comments

If you are on a H-4 visa and if you are the kinds, who is career 'mad'oriented, then you know what I am talking about.

I am on H-4 visa. A management graduate from one of the popular B-Schools in India. Have worked with big brand name. When I post my resume on naukri.com, I usually get calls the very next day.

But now after the wedding and relocation, I find myself in a different position. Vague people call me up for unsuitable job opportunities. They now seem to tell me what is best for me. I got a job offer from a Desi company, and the Guy offered me employment and no pay for two months. God! Give me the patience to put up with all this.

I have now resigned to GMAT preparation. May be will join college again. I have also enrolled for CAPM exams. Anybody in the same shoes, mail me sometime.

Technorati Tags: H4 Visa, Job hunting, GMAT, CAPM
College

Posted by Tags Mechanic at 9:59 AM | Permalink | Comments

I tried this and I think it tastes just like the Hotel Sambar in Chennai

Ingredients:

Small Onions [You get it peeled in the US of A] - 1 Packet
Toor Dhal - 1/2 cup
Moong Dhal - 1/2 cup
Tomatoes - 3 to 4
Garlic - 5 to 8 pods
Chilli - 4
Sambar Powder - 2 tsp
Coconut - 2 tsp
Cummin Seeds [Jeeragam] - 1 tsp
Mustard Seeds + Curry Leaves - Seasoning
Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp
Asafoetida - 2 pinches
Jaggery - A pinch
Ginger - small piece
Oil - Cooking medium
Ghee - For flavor and richness

Preparation:

• Soak the Dals for 30 minutes and pressure cook with Garlic.
• Heat Oil in the frying pan and add the seasonings (Mustard, Cummin, Ginger, Curry leaves and green chilli)
• Add the small onions and fry till they turn reddish or change color
• Add tomatoes, sambar powder, turmeric powder, asafoetida and the cooked dhals
• Wait till the pulp seperates to form curry.
• Add coconut scrapings [I used the canned coconut available in Indian grocery stores]
• If you wish, you can pressure cook it [one whistle]
• Now you can accentuate the taste, by adding jaggery
• For a rich taste, you can add ghee
  
  
  
  

You can serve this with Ven Pongal, Dosa or plain rice

Technorati Tags: Recipes, Sambar, Indian Cooking, Madras Samayal
recipes blog

Posted by Tags Mechanic at 3:35 PM | Permalink | Comments