Project: House Hunting...First Things First!

After lot of deliberation, making up excuses, falling sick regularly, running off from one place to another and experiencing extreme discomfort I have come to realise that I don't like the place where I'm staying. There's hardly any ventilation, lot of granite dust coming in through the only window the flat has. Small hall, bedroom and kitchen, the flat is quite congested except for the bathroom, which is the only nice room. The locality is no place for women now that I have lived there for almost ten months. I need a better place, no, I want a good place. No hooligans, smelly walls, dirty roads or traffic noise. And of course, where people are not murdered in their homes...That's it! I have decided to find myself a place where I can live happily!

Having changed houses almost every year I now know what kind of place I want. It has to be airy, I need lots of sunlight and that means nice windows and a balcony or a flat where I can just stroll out whenever I want. The locality has to be safe and pleasant to look at and stay. Nice ethnic kitchen, yellow white curtains, a nice bookshelf and a beautiful blue wall. 

Yes, it's about time I get up and active! Firsts things first, if you are looking to change houses then you must know your budget. How much can you afford to pay? Like my friend rightly pointed out, the only way you would get to know that is if you know your monthly expenses. So write it down, match it against your income/capital how much you do spend on food, travel, phone, cable, internet, etc. bills? It will give you an idea what you are left with at the end of it all, where you can cut costs and how much rent you can afford to pay finally. I just finished my calculations and guess what, I can afford a nice comfy safe place in a good locality. It's time to work out the little cost cutting and start saving a bit to begin with.

I have big dreams for this new place, I want to decorate it with love and warmth. I have already started doing research to keep myself motivated. Yes, a goal I can look forward to, work towards and who knows it might just turn things around...yes, I can see that my life is beginning to take the direction I have been waiting and dreaming of for so long. Now let's start that hunt for the dream home!

Dedicated To All The Animal Rights Activists

Since my childhood I was fascinated more by animals than humans. My first memory of being with an animal was on a beach with five stray puppies. All I can remember is that it was a hot sunny day and all I wanted to do was be with the puppies. I was told that I picked two puppies up happily as if I always lived with dogs. There was no hesitation or doubt. Later, when birds were bought for me I started setting them free because it seemed too unnatural to see them in cage and not flying free like other birds.

At the age of six I found a small turtle in the backyard, after keeping it for a week I realized that he looked unhappy so I decided that he should live in a natural habitat instead of living in a tub. My family told me I started having serious debates on animal rights. The reason I’m a vegetarian by choice is that I can’t bear the thought of taking a life to fill my stomach. When I look at any animal I see a soul, precious, innocent and unique. I started dreaming of a day when hundreds  and thousands of animal activists would gather for rescues and protests.

My love for animals led me to connect with so many wonderful animal rights activists when I came to Bangalore, people who care as much for these angels as I do and go all out to save and protect them. I salute each and every person who takes that step to lend a helping hand to our furry friends. So many lives have been saved because they took a stand. Puppies, dogs, kittens and cats found loving families because these activists struggled day and night. Cows, birds, horses and snakes have been rescued with sheer bravery and perseverance. The success stories of their rescues make proud and gives me hope that there is chance of a better tomorrow. The list of activists I admire is too long to name here, but if you are reading this you know you are one of them! I have learned so much from all of you, even the ones I have not met yet, thank you for letting me be a part of your good work. Keep going… More power to you!

My Dark Shadow

My dark shadow wanders aimlessly, lost, voiceless and empty. Thrashed between possibilities and broken dreams, a dying hope gasps for air.

It is surprising how hard a simple breath can make things and the hardest thing is to keep breathing. At every step my shadow falls, struggling to get up as it is thrown ten steps behind. How do I shake off the ugly thoughts that crowd my mind, filling it till to the brim and more, until it loses the sanity? Sanity which held the fragile hope and belief once is fading into nothing.

A wishful whisper, a cry for release, my heart bleeds at every beat
Fade away, my dear soul, for this world is not yours
There's too much pain here, it's too dark...
Fade away into the clouds, dancing with the wind
Your struggle will never end, this world will always win