A Spinster's Day Out at Barnes and Nobles

I am not really a spinster, but it was nice to act like one. It was a day Nithin was supposed to be home and not go to school. Thanks to having grandparents at home, I could set out early morning to Barnes and Nobles. It was B's idea and his own dream to spend an entire day there browsing through books. Only that I got to do it.

With no kids to trouble me and husband at office (away from my trouble), it was a day where I could be myself and focus on reading technical books and prepare notes. I bought a coffee and climbed up the escalator to the technical section smiling to myself. Kappi okke vangichu..ini joli kittumo? It all entirely depends on how best I utilize my time there! I picked a book that interested me and made myself comfortable in the huge plush chair there. It was not crowded and I felt at home, muttering the words in the book and taking notes.

One of the incentives of this exercise was to have lunch from a nearby shop and return back to studies. At 11.30, the lady in the bookstore who helped me in the morning saw me and she asked 'You still here". I said :" Fear not, I will be back after lunch :-)" . I did not say the whole sentence, but just a part of it.

It was a bright sunny day. I walked to the Mexican fastfood near by and had a Sonoroan Quesadilla , once recommended to me by Laksh. I spoke with a friend on the phone and walked back to B&N. The rest of the afternoon was not as productive as the morning. I got distrubed by other people sitting in chairs next to me and the music on the air. Can't do much about it since I dont' own the shop, can I? But I managed to read something, so I enjoyed the stay at the shop overall. I finished my day by visiting two other shops, got some shirts for kids for good prices (am not a shopaholic and am very much behind in getting good deals, so this time I felt good doing it!). That was the day that was!

Main Aur Meri तन्हाई

As usual, when I did not find anyone to accompany me for a lunch-out, here I go, in Amitabh style:

मै और मेरी तन्हाई अक्सर ये बातें करते हैं
कि:
वोह मेरे साथ lunch पे चलती तो ऐसा होता
ये मेरे साथ lunch पे चलती तो ऐसा होता
प्यार व्यार का चक्कर नहीं है
उस की उमर तो बीत चुकी है
लड़को हो या लड़की कोई बात नही है
कोई तो साथ आता खाने के लिए

अकेले बैठके computer देखके खाना खाके मै थक गई हूँ!


मै और मेरी तन्हाई अक्सर ये बातें करती है
की:
वोह मेरे साथ lunch पे चलती तो ऐसा होता
ये मेरे साथ lunch पे चलती तो ऐसा होता!!

As I was walking alone with the sandwich packet from the deli,
composing this funny parody in my mind, I saw my colleague.
He had stepped to sit out in the sun for the lunch. I said - "What timing"
and we both sat and chatted!

Looks like God listened to my kavitha and sent someone to keep me company!

This just tells how much of a people person that I am!

A peaceful lunch in solitude

The most important thing I learned from my present work life is that one should learn to enjoy solitude. And also that one should relax and enjoy whenever you get free time bearing in mind that not all days will be so.

Facts for the day:
1. I did not bring lunch from home
2. It was so warm outside, I knew I could walk to the Thai restaurant.
3. Whether or not someone comes with me, I am going to eat there.

After some futile attempts to get company to go out, (Rule #1: When I am free, people I want to go out with will never be free), I ended up walking over the bridge sidewalk. It was so pleasant outside. It was not at all cold, and I was comfortable walking without any of the winter accessories on me. I tried calling some friends who work close by, hoping to get someone to join me. No luck. Well, what to do, I said to myself and walked.

I hate to be the single person in a table in any restaurant. The couple of occasions I had to do that, I felt very conscious of the surroundings and was not able to enjoy the food as I would, if I had company. The noise from the tables around and their conversations made me feel all the more lonely. I have cursed my fate for having sat there without any one to talk to.

Walking to the Thai restaurant, I somehow, was not afraid of the upcoming half an hour. The reason could be that I have been there many times and my mind was set to eat what I like, not caring what others might think. As I opened the door and walked in, I was surprised to see I was the only customer there. The place gets jam-packed around 12, so I made it a point to go early. But it looks like I was too early.

Never mind. I gave my usual order. I was offered the table that faced the glass window (wall). I sat there all alone with the view to the busy street facing me. I have never felt so relaxed and peaceful in a long time. I watched the people walking on sidewalk - old ladies waiting for their lunch mates, cars with huge dogs hanging their heads outside, restaurants on the opposite side of the road and so on. The soup came - spicy, hot and tasty loaded with basil flavor. The Thai music was in the air. The crispy roll and Drunken noodles followed. Since I was the only customer for the whole time, I got attended promptly on every step.

I did not feel conscious at all - for there was no one else. My cell phone died, so I could not call anyone and talk. I enjoyed the solitude completely. The walk back to work was also nice in the breeze. Walking on the bridge, over the Schuykill river, I clasped my purse tightly to fight the vertigo feeling. Back in my office, I told to myself, this is the first time I have enjoyed a solitary lunch so much!