Multiple perspectives from peer group

You never know when you come across different shades of valuable data of how people really perceive you.

So this blog came up from my casual chit-chats with a bunch of friends. Somewhere it started with a suggestion that I should try teaching! This was gradually brushed away with a set of other topics.

However, this gave me a thought... "Multiple perspectives could give me a new insight(s)". So, I re-opened the topic only to receive these shockers - as quoted by them (not in any particular order)! 

Mimi - "Vins is good with HR placement and behavioral science!"

Diana F - "My vote goes for Entrepreneur. You'd totally rock as ceo. Boss Lady"

Kiran - "u can do anything u set ur mind to. Strong girl u are. Set up ur own ashram n teach yoga n anger mgmt. Baba vinsay"

Sheetal - "Vinnie..you seem to be good as speaker! Probably doing TED talks"

Vallery - "Oooo...Vins..Consultant... Vins..u could even be a lawyer.."

Urvi - "Vincy I guess u can open up a good restaurant!  As u prepare lots of yummy food!"

Lorraine - "If ever there was a discipline section under HR in a firm.. Ud be awesome there! Another point of view.. Top notch corporate.. MD kinda post.. That's how I see u. Instructing everyone around n oiling their machinery well to make sure the company is running smoothly".

Multiple perspectives

Other miscellaneous suggestions: Journalist, news media... mostly entrepreneur! It was definitely a light and wow session. Viewpoints gave me an unreserved belly laugh while a few knocked me down with a feather. LOL!

I love the tag of an Entrepreneur :)! It should be because of the multi-task abilities, the fine organisation skills, long term vision, the powerful energy, taking initiative, risk-taking, being responsible, knowing priorities and then definitely a wee bit logical reasoning! 

It was an interactive, interesting and fun session. I had my two cents (or make it an acre each) for these lovelies as well. 

Go ahead, try it with your group; someone would drop a bombshell.

Hi Five for a great idea :)!

Caution: Do not take viewpoints too serious - Probably, you will never get out of it alive. 

Honey glazed chicken

Honey Glazed Chicken

This one was a true glaze on my dining table!

PC: Anoj Sasidharan Photography

Here are the ingredients used...

Method

1. Clean and dry chicken thighs.

2. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper.

3. In a bowl, mix lime juice, hot sauce and honey and keep aside.

4. Pan fry chicken till cooked. No oil used. Flip chicken accordingly.

5. While the chicken begins to cook, spoon the honey mixture over the chicken and cover pan with lid.

6. Flip chicken thighs occasionally and spoon sides until glossy golden. Done!

7. Place lettuce on serving plate. Neatly place the chicken thighs and pour golden sauce. Garnish with spring onions and tomatoes. Perfecto!!!

This one has been my best since the juice flowing on the lettuce was gland tickling awesome. The lettuce crunchiness, the sweet-tangy-spicy chicken combo is a definite must try!!!

2015 New year Resolution - Save Money, A GRAND SUCCESS! (Part 3)

So, we began the year by depositing KD 52.000 as per the template mentioned in my series -  Save Money - 2015 (Part 1) 

Around the 18th week - I had a follow up series - Save Money - 2015 (Part 2). If you were with me, at this point your piggy bank would have amounted to KD 783.000 :).

Now that we have come to the end of 2015 depositing KD 1.000 on 31-Dec-15, our piggy bank should proudly account to KD 1378.000. 

Cheer to all your motivation and dedication. You have successfully completed a 1 year resolution by saving KD 1378 for the year 2015. Now, go treat yourself this new year and with the rest begin the save-money-cycle for the year 2016. 

2015 Christmas Family Potluck

This Christmas 2015 was a perfect time to rekindle the bond within the family.

Family, food, presents and opportunity to be together made this Christmas 2015 even warmer.

The dishes I shared for POTLUCK were:-

1. Chicken balls (instead of meatballs!) and Salsa dip
2. Toast toppers

Chicken balls + Salsa dip

Toast toppers

More potluck images at:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.459398880924370.1073741832.446175785580013&type=3

What's cooking?!

This has been an all time venture. Yes, I do home-made dishes as well

Due to constraints, I had to briefly cut short my menu to:

1. Appam and Chicken / Vegetable Stew

2. Chicken Roast

3. Fish Curry with Kudampuli (Gambooge)

Do not miss the weekend special

Visit my cooking website here

For further details, you can contact me using the ''Contact Form'' on the left side of this page.

A Celestial Munnar trip...

Work life and home chores, several years passed by and I was in no position to think or settle in for a relaxed break. This has been long thought and planned with another family; and so far been my best at Siena Village, Munnar (built in 2000). Will write about the resort sometime soon.

Munnar is like 130 Kms from Kochi and it is situated 1800 meters above the sea level. It seems that the ideal time to visit Munnar is from April to June.

We had a pretty scary road challenge on our way to the resort. Supposedly this road is no longer used to get to the resort. No one informed. Will gather more information and write about this as well in a later post. 

We started from - Kakkanad, Cochin at 9am and reached Siena Village, Chinnakanal - Munnar at 3.00pm. Note: Never trust the GPS, especially when there are several routes to reach your destination!

This was our October travel, pretty cool and yes, we did experience rain on and off. The temperature en-route Munnar was beginning to cool up with mild blocked ears as we started going up the high range hills. Few pictures during our Munnar trip

Road to Munnar

The fog and steep curves - deadly road challenges

When the clouds touch the hills

Elephant Safari in Munnar.

Mattupetty Dam, Munnar - Boat ride, nope; not a chance. Overbooked for the noon and evening!

One attraction we did miss out is the Eravikulam National Park - it was an endless queue!

Some of the other sightseeing places in Munnar are Plantation tour, Tea Garden Visits, Kolukkumalai Tea Garden, Tribal Colony Visit, Indo-Swiss dairy project, Rajamalai, Devikulam, CSI Christ Church, Marayoor, Top Station, Eco Point and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Now that we have an idea of Munnar and how to go about, we hope to visit this awesome breath taking place again!

IIK - Nivea Independence Day 2nd week Quiz Winners

IIK in association with Nivea had launched an online quiz content this Independence Day. Every week, the contest will select 12 lucky winners.

2nd week - I happened to be one among the lucky winners. Received KD 50 gift voucher from LuLu Hypermarket sponsored by Nivea.

Thank you IIK and Nivea... and LuLu :) 

http://www.indiansinkuwait.com/ShowArticle.aspx?ID=36256&SECTION=0

2015 New year Resolution - Save Money! (Part 2)

How are we doing at "2015 New year Resolution - Save Money!"

At the end of 18th week (7-may-15), I hope you managed to get your little piggy savings at KD 783

Keep going; feels good on the achievement so far. Moreover, the weekly deposit is decreasing; it should get easier hereon. 

In due time, you will be MORE overwhelmed with your self motivated efforts :)

The spirit of Vishu 2015

Alright, I am taking this bit from my e-friend - Wikipedia

Vishu is an important Kerala festival celebrated in the month of "Medam" - marking the New Year in Kerala. Vishu is celebrated with much fanfare and vigor in all parts of Kerala -  It is considered a festival of light and fireworks, decorating lights and bursting of firecrackers.

Other elements of Vishu include buying of new clothes for the occasion, the tradition of giving money and the Vishu feast or Sadya, which consist of equal proportions of salty, sweet, sour and bitter items.

So, I am diving to the best part of it - The feast!!! Now, my sadya did not go as elaborate as its supposed to be - ran short of helping hands and time *tsk*

Ended with the minimum of rice, beans stirfry, ladies finger khichadi, green gram curry, ginger curry and pappad.

Beans stirfry

Ladies finger khichadi - Super favorite dish!

Green Gram Curry

Ginger Curry - mind blowing awesome!

Alas! no banana leaf. A tray plate did justice :)

Table set - with banana, pappad, banana chips, mango pickle, beans stirfry, ladies finger khichadi and ginger curry served perfectly round the green gram-topped- warm rice! 

Another resemblance to Nirbhaya and the DOCUMENTARY

These disturbing news forced me to write down yet again; yet again because its again a rape. This time (infact all the time), a disturbing one and in eerie resemblance to the Nirbhaya case. Another Nirbhaya; now, a 6-year-old molested in Ahmedabad, mutilated with iron rod.

Never ending debates, discussions, commentaries, candle lights, documentaries - I personally find all these futile attempts to convey a message across.

Gruesome rape (any degree) should be painfully punishable - not just death sentence. A long term sentence followed by hanging to death does not seem to instill fear in a rapist. (Well, that's how I felt seeing this unaffected, lack of remorse species in the documentary). Additionally he* claims that the death penalty will make things even more dangerous for girls - now when there is rape, they will just kill the girl. Death! Thank you for the warning! One would opt death after a gruesome rape, you zero watt!

(* - Not worth using his name out here!). 

At least, and yes... at the least for this particular TOPIC of rape, I believe in action - an extreme action! Since all the government sets is "humanity based judgement", we in unity should take action. A huge extrajudicial mob - fearless and ferocious (others excuse), fully equipped to tackle the forces should break into the prison, drag these species out and left to our degree of torture! 

What I did not like about the documentary

1. Interviewing this moron and having me hear his remorseless talks

2. As a human being, he gathered in me heaps of hatred and an outrage to do something brutal to them. Mental disturbance!

3. I know the incident - heard it several times hoping and praying justice will be done. I was personally affected by it. However, a graphic representation of the incident all over again.  

Again re-enacting the whole incident was like a mini movie - having an innocent girl with a dream, several villains, a rape incident and aftermath and a final 3-5 mins conclusion on educating the mindsets! Did I just miss those 2 "confident" supporters - who seemed the Gurus of Women & Rape! What was the idea behind this video?! I do not remember any other documentaries - say for example, On Kasab?! All this documentary did to me was Point 1, 2, 3!

If the idea behind the documentary is - Changing mindset of people, how they should value woman; I suggest an exclusive, independent, full impact documentary - not a conclusion!

Now the argument is on the ban of the video, FOR or AGAINST the video, unethical BBC, changing the mindset of people - the list seems endless but missing the PRIORITY RIGHT NOW - 

Dealing with this rapist and any one who even thinks to rape in the future!

Calling out for a mob to break into the prison, drag them out, deal with them for hours together and finish them! Salute to Nagaland unity!  

The law should not be as "simple" as death by hanging! Or the nation will begin and continue to resort to Extrajudicial Mob Action!

This man will make you re-think watching porn in the future

Ted Talk, Ran Gavrieli highlights a social issue not many of you must have ever thought of, Watching porn must be a very prominent part of the urban lifestyle today but what you often fail to realize is the social implications of it all.

There is a lot more damage porn is doing to the society than you can ever imagine

I thought it necessary to share this piece of information out here.

Please take a moment off to watch this video. It might make you change your mind about watching porn

http://m.mensxp.com/special-features/today/24296-this-man-will-make-you-rethink-watching-porn-in-the-future.html

This is in addition or should I say in conclusion (?!) to a topic I blogged several times - 

http://juveltweets.blogspot.com/2013/04/further-to-endless-debate-on-porn-and.html

http://juveltweets.blogspot.com/2013/04/on-hearing-5-year-old-girl-brutally.html

http://juveltweets.blogspot.com/2012/12/rape.html

Gossip and Rumors

Got the below image (quote) from the internet. Pretty apt, I say!

Happy New Year 2015

Well... not just AirAsia, the ship wreckage, MH 370, the shootings and murders, the intolerable & unacceptable assaults on women and many others I am unaware of...!

2015 New year Resolution - Save Money!

Think you can SAVE MONEY in 52 weeks?!!

Why not we take up a resolution for 2015

Or should this be a challenge?! Even better... 

All you got to do is download the attachment and end of every week, deposit the amount. How about considering a piggy bank... 

You could reverse the deposit chart, as in 

Week 1, deposit KD 1 and follow the pattern till Week 52, where you deposit KD 52!

All the very best to you money savers :)!

The Freelancer Me... Project Management & Designing

Well not that I have heard of Freelance Project Manager - I believe we are glued to the concept of Full time, on site, corporate "some designation" job. Most of the companies deem it necessary to appoint a full time Project Manager with a, b, c criteria'. Agreed. Acceptable... (to a certain degree!) 

Anyways...

Here is me, a Freelance Project Manager and Designer who gives great value to an organized and well coordinated management! Many a times, project managers / companies run on a tight schedule - time constraints. One may have a blurred insight how to go about managing their project. Templates, when properly designed are one of the best time saver and least cost tool that a project manager can use.

What I do?

-Virtual Assistance
-Write up your project
-Create Work Breakdown Structure

-Schedule your project (that can be maintained thereon by your team)

-Flow Charts - Gives you the gist of the process flow in a single glance
-Online Researcher

-Templates / Forms & checklists (like the charter, project plan, communication plan, cost management, procurement management, risk register, performance report, Project meeting, project checklist, invoices,  etc etc...

-Flyers, Newsletters, Magazine advertisements, Posters, Invitations, Business Cards, Banners, Menus, Signage, Graphic animation etc

Well... for few reasons, like:-

-You save on high paid cost (salary)

-You save on the other overheads that come along with a full time employee

-You have an easier way of managing work

-You get to focus more on your other areas of work.

-Your team has a trouble shooting guideline on how to go about and they are not clueless.

-You know your deadlines and each process that need to be completed

-You get to better decide and plan future projects and how to utilize your resources
-Classy and creative designs
-Other unlisted reasons which may take up the entire space. Get in touch with me, you would best know :)

Oh and BTW...

;)

Alright then, message me on how best I could be of assistance...!

Celebrating his birthday...

HE CELEBRATES..!

Yes, today 24-Jun-2014, my dad celebrates his birthday! 

Wishing him many more happy and glorious days and years ahead. I write this... as if I am talking to myself (sounds like a "open personal" diary)

How it was celebrated? Well I am here in Kuwait and dad is back in Kerala (vacation). So, yes, though not physically present, wishes were sent across.

Made me think and realize that my dad is getting old and older and how much of a pain, stress, tension, uncomfortable situations I have put him over several years. 

As of today, it is similar to the story of "Prodigal Son". Not that I was greeted with a feast and finest clothing :D. I am back home with regrets and repentance. I understood it is difficult to be happy. But I have learnt (and still learning) to find happiness in all the little things I have, the few relations close to me. Wants are way less, had a crash course of real life events, the days I am content is all that takes for a peaceful night's sleep.

Happy Birthday Pappa! And thank you so much for all the support and patience. 

Thalessary Biriyani

THALESSARY BIRIYANI

There are 2 classes of non-vegetarian cuisine in Kerala. 

1. Malabar cuisine, from North Kerala. This has Mughlai-Arab influences.
2. Syrian Christian cuisine, from South Kerala. This is a mix of Kerala traditional dishes which is rich in coconut and the Syrian, Dutch, Portuguese and British recipes.
Thalessary Biriyani is a Malabar cuisine recipe. This is prepared using Khaima or Jeerakasala rice (short grain, white, thin rice). 

I doubt basmati rice is used. However, I used basmati for my version of Thalessary Biriyani :)

Lunch Box - Takeaway "my version" Thalessary Biriyani

Half cooked layered rice and biriyani masala (chicken is cooked with this masala). Sealed with damp cloth and then cooked the "dum" style till fully cooked.

Super blend of spices topped with roasted nuts, bista (fried onions) and coriander leaves labels this dish simply unique and irresistible.  


Update: Recently used the proper Jeerakasala rice to prepare this dish. Visit: - Thalessary Biriyani video

Breakfast in a glass

BREAKFAST IN A GLASS

Fruity breakfast - Image taken for photo shoot

On request, fruit breakfast. Customized fruits in custard. This one was served chilled with oats, watermelon and apple.

Hope "YOU" enjoyed it!

Variations in hot custard with nuts and chocolate syrup!

Baby eczema

BABY ECZEMA

This is painfully a very common situation for babies in Kuwait.

Main idea is to first...

Treat eczema; then continue with a standard moisturizing pattern

You may be advised to apply certain herbal oil with turmeric or other home made applications, gram flour scrub etc etc etc and n number of etc for 15 - 30 mins and then wash off!

To my best understanding, your baby is already suffering from eczema, there may be already some blood stream infection that needs to be treated internally as well. Antibiotics are often required to eliminate the infection and control the eczema.

You treat it first...

The immune system normally develops during the first six months of life. There may be some imbalance of the white cells that is causing ''loss of skin barrier function''; then irritants (soap, dirt, detergents) and allergens (dust, pollen, dust mite) can penetrate the skin. 

In my baby's case (note that this treatment is not necessarily applicable for another baby), it was: -

1. 1 week of antibiotics - Profinal, in 2 days, noted significant changes

2. A hydro-cortisone cream - Elocom on the stronger side for 1 week - 10 days

3. A mild cream - Protopic for 1 or 2 weeks 

4. Moisturizing cream - UEA for daily application

1 week treatment was a fantastic speedy recovery which was then followed by usual routines that included the below

Thereon: - My basic tips to control or reduce flare ups...

1. UEA moisturizing cream got over in 5-6 months. I shifted to AVEENO eczema therapy cream (oat content). Before consultation and medication, I used to use CETAPHIL moisturizing cream.

2. Bath is in QV lotion - a 5 mins bath (no hot water). No scrubbing. No towel rubbing. I just wrap her (meanwhile I dry her hair). On unwrapping, her body is moist like and I apply the AVEENO cream. You can do the home remedy at this point on a regular basis before bath session - for instance, a home made oil with turmeric and herbs, gram flour scrub, yogurt pack, olive oil body packs, glycerin rosewater mix, coconut milk bath, there are numerous home packs. But, please... stick to 1! Make sure you regularly moisturize your baby to combat dryness.

3. One can wait till baby turns at least 2 to start feeding all that an adult consumes! He / She has several years ahead to feed on egg, fish, chicken and meat dishes! From 0 - 2 years, your baby is going to get all the nutrients from breast milk / formula milk, vegetable and fruit based recipes. You can give multi-vitamins as well. So, try your best not to unnecessarily bring in a reason for your baby's allergy or rashes. 

4. Weather contributes to dry skin - extreme hot or cold conditions. How much your baby can stay indoors, do it!

5. Changed the carpets to stick on vinyl carpets - maybe 5mm thick.

6. Use only cotton clothes, even if you tempted to doll up your baby for an occasion!

7. Wash clothes in the mildest detergent or a hand wash will do. 

8. Keep your hands clean before attending to your baby.

9. Play and Sleep regularly... not you, the baby! Playing and sweating can open / unclog the pores. It seems that perspiration contains a natural antibiotic that can fight bacteria.

As an when I remember more points, will update.

P.S.: AVEENO products are not available in Kuwait. In order to NOT run out of tubes and containers, I stock them up. Yes, undoubtedly, friends and relatives choose from the lot I have at a minimal rate.

5 oz AVEENO Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream

18 oz AVEENO Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Update as of 12-Aug-14

New stock of AVEENO Baby - Eczema Therapy