Category: 2019

On my IELTS exam, I got asked to describe a place with a lot of colour, and give details about my memory of the place – as much as I could remember. I had to be stopped by the examiner because I begun describing Global Village, which I have far too many memories of, having visited so often.

My attitude toward the place has matured as I’ve grown older. I absolutely detested how much walking my parents made me do there as a child, and I hated the fireworks. The only reason I put up with it (maybe begrudgingly, I don’t have such a great memory also), is the fact that my parents always bought me good food there – and always ensured I got to carry home something fun. One of my first magic sets was bought at GV, as was a bunch of instant noodles. Also we began this habit of buying blenders at the place (amazing blenders, really), so I had new toys pretty much all the time.

Today I really appreciate the colour, the diversity and truly, what an exhibition the place is. The food remains amazing. I don’t buy much there, but the walking is very enjoyable. And the company: I usually visit with family + some others, is always, always fun. 

We visited the Dubai Frame today, which is worth a visit. I still find it crazy that this city spent money on building a frame to “frame” the city, but it’s testament to what Dubai is – ambitious, with a side of crazy that spurs on the impossible and unimaginable. It was a wild experience.

Over the last few years away from my parents, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on my relationship with them – both of them, and each of them independently. I share very different relationships with my mother and father, and I’m grateful for them both. My dad, however, has often borne the brunt of this distance away from me, because we’ve been apart for a long time – something I’ve written about several times already. The physical distance is one we’ve bridged through the use of technology, but I wouldn’t be truthful if I said that not being around for family moments hasn’t taken its toll – on each of us. My dad especially. He tried to be around for as much as he could. Came for PTMs often, and Graduation too. I don’t really remember him missing anything – which is testament to how often we bridged the gap.

But I missed several moments for him, including office parties and gatherings where I would’ve otherwise been able to just be a proud son for my dad when he celebrated stuff.

Today I didn’t. And I was treated to some good food and good company – with games and enjoyable activities, but also just the sheer joy of spending time being there as my dad’s family. My chikamma being there was such an added bonus. She’s a maverick and really good fun – so she quickly became the life of the party, winning herself some free earphones and providing me with little nuggets of laughter at dinner (aside from company for some Pepsi).

I took the difficult decision to skip out on visiting Ikea today, and ended up spending time at home working on some stuff I had to complete. I hate missing out on activities – especially when guests are in town. That’s a little contradictory to my general inertia and laziness, but I really enjoy spending time with guests and showing them around the city. It’s weird to think that shopping malls and Ikea constitute attractions, but they really do. Ikea especially. What an institution it is.

I’m yet to self-assemble a piece of Ikea furniture. I made an attempt around 6 years ago, when we purchased a table for the old residence my dad stayed at, but I found it really difficult. I’m hoping I get another opportunity when the parents and aunt return tonight – although it’s very unlikely that I will. One day I will assemble all the Ikea furniture. And all the Lego products. That will be a fine day.

I shall return to work now.

I’ve been very fortunate to have parents who have indulged my food habits. I’ve been raised as and continue to follow a vegetarian diet, which, in my childhood was something of a difficulty. I was always the minority at parties, and sometimes the only vegetarian, which meant that families hosting me would make exception to their diet and attempt to ensure I always had something to eat. They were kind. My best friend’s family actually ensured my best friend always dined as a vegetarian whenever I was over (a habit I have now kicked).

It’s also always led to lesser choice when we’ve dined at restaurants that try catering to vegetarians and non-vegetarians. More often than not, the vegetarian choices are fewer in number.

Except at buffets, which is why I enjoy them so much. My parents recognized early on that I had quite the appetite. And so they pampered me by taking me to nice buffet spreads. One of these was a few years ago at the Atlantis hotel in Dubai, a spread unlike any other that I had. I’ve been determined to go back and visit, but we haven’t had the time nor the patience to actually go till there. My aunt being in town provided legitimate reason and excuse to go.

So go forth we did. The experience did not disappoint, and I have now returned home happy and content, but definitely a kilo or more heavier.

Yet again, it appears like the habit of not writing on the WordPress editor and clicking “publish” has caught up to me. It’s not a great habit, honestly – and I’ve been trying to kick it out for so long, but the procrastination, and the ease of writing on Microsoft Word is far too alluring to me. Nonetheless, I’m hoping that once I catch up to today, I won’t have too much difficulty uploading stuff till the end of the year.

Today I went to the gym and then headed to the beach. We saw the most wonderful sunset, and its an image that’s lodged itself firmly in my memory. My aunt, my mum and I spent all the time thinking about how beautiful the Sun is – as a star that not only signals the end of our day-time, but also reminds us of the fact that there is a tomorrow to look forward to. It’s fascinating that we live from sun to sun, as creatures of habit. Yet, it’s comforting, in a sense, knowing that the Sun will rise in your part of the world again, and you will be offered another opportunity to live your life.

I also used the time to reflect on my day. Having visited the gym, I truly believed that I was entitled to some junk food. Thus, once the sun set and all the philosophizing had been completed, I took the adults to Five Guys and ate some large fries with mayonnaise.

It’s been a memorable day.

Navigating is difficult work. Especially when it involves providing navigation instructions to your mother. Nonetheless, she did a pretty fine job of her driving, and we managed to travel 300 odd kilometres, from our house in Dubai, past 5 of the 7 Emirates to end up in Ras Al Khaimah. I’m fairly certain several individuals and lorries travel across all 7 Emirates in a given day, but this is no mean feat for a driver who is regaining her confidence. Naturally, everyone has celebrated this milestone achievement by sleeping early. It appears that there is indeed rest for the weary.

I haven’t driven a car for a while now. That isn’t because I don’t possess a licence, or because I don’t have the confidence. It’s because there’s hardly ever the opportunity, or the reason to go out driving – apart from the fact that I enjoy the activity. I hope I get to drive a carbon-neutral vehicle one day. That would be very fun.

Sometimes its fun allowing my parents to experience new things they’ve always wanted to try out. Go-karting is one of them. My Chikamma was with us back then too – and I remember loving how fast my dad was and how he drove the go-kart with such skill. My mum had a field day with the bumps and the skids, because she was nursing a bad lower back issue at the time. We chuckled though – it was all really enjoyable.

My mum has been in the UAE for several years. She couldn’t recall the last time she went on an abra, which I’m sure she has – but maybe when she first arrived, or so. Today we crossed the Creek on one. Abras are nice – they’re essentially just motorized wooden boats constructed in a typically Arabian fashion. The Creek route is really short, it’s just a diagonal length of maybe 10-12km or so, so the journey takes barely 6 minutes. It made her happy though, and that brought me some joy.

Visiting the Old Souks always bring back memories of the several tantrums I have thrown because I did not want to be a part of the long walk down these streets. As a child, I didn’t particularly enjoy walking. I also didn’t enjoy not being at the center of attention, and I especially hated not having entertainment. I found it difficult to be my own source of entertainment in some respects, I guess. Gold Souk basically made Gold the center of attention, offered the adults other things to strike their “oohs” and “aahs” at, and left me massively bored and without new things to try out. Plus, nobody would let me touch anything [obviously]. Today though, I love walking there. I love the smell of Oud, and the sight of spice shops and stalls. I love hearing the bargaining happen and the variety of languages in which sales are taking place. Most of all though it reminds me, I love Dubai. I’m not as conflicted as I was a few years ago.

I’m born into privilege. I have acknowledged this privilege before, and I am grateful for it. Over the past few years especially though, I have been able to get insight into several aspects of life for individuals who have not been as fortunate as I am. Birth is a lottery. You don’t get to decide which household you live in and what circumstances you are born into. You only get to decide what you do in those circumstances – and several times, your circumstances make these decisions for you, making the exercise of free choice tougher, and tougher. Not acknowledging the existence of poverty and the underprivileged is sheer ignorance in today’s era – and frequently, I find myself wondering: what can I do from my position of privilege?

I’m still relatively young and I haven’t figured out an answer to this question yet – but I will, because I’m spending time thinking about it. I don’t think there is a correct answer – but I’d like to figure out an answer that gives me satisfaction. I guess I’d be looking for the satisfaction of knowing that I am using my position of privilege to the best of its capacity – to do as much as I can.

Today, I went to a gurudwara near our house. I’ve been there before to offer my respects, but I’ve never participated in a langar before. A langar is a community kitchen in a Gurudwara which offers free meals without discrimination. While eating, I was silent. I’m usually not a silent eater in crowds. I enjoy having conversation flowing, whether on tables, or at any social settings. But today, I found myself thinking about how some people look forward to this meal the way I do – as an experience, and some people look forward to this meal as subsistence. That shocked me. I don’t know what sparked the train of thought – especially because I’ve always been grateful for the food I get to eat. But it was a moment of great clarity for me. I guess I learned how much more to value food and food security in some sense.

I know I’d like to use my privilege to this end soon. Need to figure out how.

My Chikamma arrived from Bangalore today. Which is always fun. Going to miss having my Uncle here over the next few days, but spending time with my chikamma is never something I’m going to reject. It’s nice having relatives around you all the time. My grandparents were here recently and we had an absolute ball, so I’m looking forward to all of the adventures we have lined up.

My chikamma and I are cut from the same cloth in a lot of respects. She recently told me my mum called her up early during my first grade exams or something, where I refused to study – yelling at her and saying I was just like her. We both chuckled and acknowledged that we were lucky to be that way. Who takes first grade exams seriously? [spoiler alert: my parents]. We’re also very happy being at home from time to time, especially when we need breaks – which is not something my mum was super keen on. After a handshake agreement, I agreed to lay the groundwork for a minimalized Dubai trip for my chikamma – allowing her to relax, rejuvenate and enjoy her time here on her own terms.

I think I succeeded. Only time will tell.

Today, my mother converted a short walk into a much longer tour of a shopping mall near our house. I sometimes wonder how I let her bully me into these things, especially given that I have a bit of a pet peeve when it comes to adherence to plans [I’m very rigid]. Thankfully I didn’t have my watch on, and we spoke about how I was on holiday – which assuaged me a lot.

I think the last four years in college have been at a very high pace. I’ve consistently been moving around, doing some work or the other, trying to scavenge for fresh work, and basically not lifting the pedal off for a while. That’s transcended into my personal life as well – what with all the challenges I make for myself, and the kind of stuff I aim to do each day. It’s not that I don’t love it, but I guess it makes me a bit of a stickler – and today was a good chance to let loose and be good company to my mum.

Which also meant going to several shops I had no intentions of visiting whatsoever. Some of that was enjoyable though, so I’m grateful to her for that. Maybe I should take my watch off a little more when I’m in Dubai. I don’t really have appointments to keep.

I’m rediscovering the art of playing games on my laptop – and spending time on my laptop not reading, or working, or searching for information. It’s been a ton of fun so far, honestly. It’s refreshing to get nostalgic for the times where I used to go to my friends’ houses and watch them play for hours together – because I had a restriction on the amount of time I could use the computer in our house, and I got a kick out of the fact that they had paid for Membership access on most games. It allowed me to experience what these games were like for them, and learn about all these new areas on the same maps I had access to.

Most online gaming hasn’t come easily to me. I’m not gifted at first-person-shooter games, or action-adventure stuff. I’m a classic FIFA gamer. I play once in a while, for kicks. My skill level isn’t incredible, but its enjoyable enough to not lose often against the AI. Nowadays though, with more time on my hands, I’m able to actually work on the tougher missions and the stuff I used to find irritating as a child. Cracking them has surprisingly led to the same amount of joy as I feel I would’ve had when I was 8 or 9 years old. Plus, given the various forms of social media that are available for interaction today, you get to discover so many different kinds of communities that exist on the same gaming network to support you through the quests. It’s brilliant.