It’s a love-hate thing…

I know this is December, not only my favourite time of the year but a generally loved month- STILL, I’m gonna be writing about a rather unpleasant subject. Things that I absolutely despise in India. Strong word I know, but very much in context. And! ending with 5 things I absolutely adore about India. You don’t think I’ll let you down now do you ? Increasing the love and minimizing on the hate. =]

Not a fan of…

1. I hate hate hate people who litter! it’s an uncontrollable urge I feel when I see somebody do that and I really want to tell them to just hold on and wait till you see a waste basket! If you’re one of those people, please try not to litter, try for a week and then maybe the habit will grow on you. I’ve managed to change some of my friends. If you travel by train you’ll see upto 5 people AT LEAST throwing waste articles or plastic bags onto the tracks. Don’t be that person…

2. I’m generally not a patient person, it bugs me to quite an extent how crowded it is here as due to the extreme population, people can hardly walk on the roads… AND THE TRAFFIC!  [London, I love for how swiftly people pass by!]

3. Very little factor this one, and not evident in all parts of the country, but I’m not a fan of the hot and humid climate :[… just me though, maybe?

Things I love! =]

1. I love the food. Yes I do! Not like my eternal love for pasta, but this is more like a very different kind of love, like how you feel about your “home”, and the whole “home food” aspect that attributes from it.

2. I love our country for the fact that people are generally humble and kind, people are generally respectful, and so genuine. I know for a fact that our country is one of the most welcoming ones. The Indian culture perhaps, the lovely aspects of it.

3. I love our country for its various forms of beauty, it’s like beauty spread across the country- there are so many incredibly beautiful people, beautiful states and cities- Kerala, my hometown especially is just absolutely divine, I must say, it’s the perfect place to just chill and soak up all the wonder and peace in the world! Cannot wait until Christmas vacation to just do that! I have mentioned Kovalam before haven’t I? I love.

4. I love our country again, for the beautiful, rather incredible history we have. I still have a lot to learn of the past though. The irresistibly beautiful clothes and entrancing jewellery the ancient royal people of India used to dazzle in  …So captivating.

5. Then finally there’s always that special love you just have for the country you’re from. No matter how much things there might bug you, no matter how hot or cold it gets, you know it’s always “home”.

My country makes me believe. It gives me hope for the future. The love and hate list can always go up and down, the fact is however, how much influence and culture you can develop on your own from your country; that little effort you make that eventually counts for something. Following are the pictures I’ve loved clicking here [various parts of the country].

Midnight in Paris, What. A. Dream!

I often wonder and realize how much I would fit in if I was born into a different period of time, a time from the past… this thought was triggered after watching the amazing, amazing movie “Midnight in Paris”, Marion Cotillard delivered an outstanding performance and I’m a big fan now. She’s incredibly beautiful, too.

Anyway the movie was just beautiful, after watching it I’ve decided I MUST experience Paris that way, as apparently it’s still a pretty “old at heart” sorta city. Initially I wasn’t one of those people who was all crazy about Paris, but after seeing it the way they showed in the movie I realized Paris IS what I’ve always wanted it to be in my head. The dim-lit streets, little bit of rain, the clothes, the style [of the different eras] particularly appealed to me. The story concept was pretty brilliant, the portrayal was beautiful, and well, the story-line wasn’t much, I believe the end was a little abrupt… but as you can see, that didn’t really bother me all that much. =)

I was so inspired after watching the movie, I decided to base my next design work on the concept. Theme I picked out was “time travel”. From the thrifty thirties to the sassy sixties, each garment was a reminder of an entirely different, hardly forgotten era.

Below: Moodboard, followed by the designs.

It’s worth watching… it’s the movie in which I saw Paris through a whole new lens, a pretty, vintage-style, beautiful one. Watch it. Watch. Watch. Watch!

I dream.

I dream. I dream to be. I dream to never stop. I dream for the good…

Little by little, some day to reach my destination

So much work and so much time and so little patience

It’s worth all this, maybe even more… I make myself believe.

I know right from wrong, I know what to expect now

Nothing and everything counts

Take the good from the bad

I never stop. I dream. And I ask.

A story that can never be created otherwise

I dream, I love and I cherish

Ever stronger than mere thoughts or fading memories.

I remember the girl who stared out her window every night

Perhaps admiring the moon or the stars

Wondering when or if my dreams will come true

But quietly believing.

I dream.

❤