Friday, 14 February 2014

That Time of the Year

It’s finally that day again, the day when almost the whole world is draped in red and drenched in love (?).

I don’t know whether to smile or smirk at the things that build up to this so-called day of love. Did you know that the celebrations of V-day begin a week back and there are days titled “promise day”, “hug day” and all that? I became aware of all this only last year. I must be romantically challenged or something. Being single, these mushy, little things do seem annoying at times. But then again, if you have someone to celebrate all this with, then even the trivial becomes special.

My week had been going pretty stressful. I had my exams, and I was hell underprepared. Whereas I couldn’t be less excited about today, it seemed as if everyone around me believed in all this insanity. I heard my classmates making plans, picking new dresses, looking for new restaurants and flocking the love corner of Archies; basically, making me realise of the little void in my life. But was that the truth? Does it all come down to just one day being the day to love someone? When did we make such a beautiful feeling so exclusive that we couldn’t celebrate it all year around? I’ve been single since a very long time, and yes there are times when I wish I had that one person to share my eccentricities with, but never have I felt lonely. I’ve always had my friends, my books, my music and most of all, my parents, to open my heart to. So, I didn’t let this lovestruck ambience get to me. Instead, I got back home early, had some yummy pizza, watched F.R.I.E.N.D.S, and felt perfectly happy. Also, I’m blessed with some really amazing friends who called me up and wished me Happy Valentine’s Day, making me realise just how blessed I am; ‘cause love, comes in many different forms, and experiencing them all is indeed a blessing. J

I feel every person, be it single or committed, has a right to feel happy in their own way. Because after all, being in a relationship is a matter of choice, and nobody should be made to feel bad if they don’t have someone to share the last spring roll with or snuggle up on the sofa with and watch Notting Hill together.

I watched a movie, Hasee Toh Phasee just two days back (by the way, I really wanted to write a review on it that very day, but couldn't because of my exams. And now I think I’m too lazy to write one). I thought it would be just another typical romcom, but it totally proved me wrong. The highlight of the movie is definitely the mixture of Parineeti’s effortless brilliance, Sidharth’s irresistible charm and the duo’s smooth chemistry; but what I really just loved about the movie is the simple relationship that was depicted. It showed that love doesn't need to be extraordinary or larger-than-life. Rather, it’s the little things like understanding, compromise and compatibility that make it all worthwhile. I left the theatre filled with mirth and hope. Advice: if you’re alone this weekend, just go and catch this movie. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

On the other hand, God decided to pervade Delhi today with a tinge of the rainy, romantic atmosphere. While singles like me got to stay at home, reading a book and sipping black tea, all the people in love got to amble around, feeling lost in a happy way. So, it was pretty much a win-win situation for all. J

Anyway, I guess singles all over the universe must be pretty relieved that this week is coming to an end. The world can now go back to being black, white and gray. But hey, amidst all the stress and crap we go through, isn't everyday a reminder that love is hidden in trivial things, just waiting to be discovered? Maybe all it takes is the will to see beyond the surface. So, next time, take a closer look, ‘cause love maybe just waiting around the corner, literally. :D

Take care and feel loved,

Creative Insanity.

Saturday, 8 February 2014

Its Here!

Hey guys! College has been killing me, and with my exams coming up and all the other things going on, I just haven't had time. But there is one thing that I just HAVE to show you all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ItBvH5J6ss&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9ItBvH5J6ss&app=desktop


Yes, people, the wait is over. The trailer of the much awaited movie, The Fault in Our Stars, is here! :D :D :D
It released on 29th January, and people like me who've been gushing about the book since forever, went absolutely crazy!
I'd been following John Green and Ansel Elgort on Instagram ever since they started filming the movie and I just knew its going to be awesome. What I didn't know, was that it would actually be so perfect. ^_^
Firstly, Ansel and Shailene TOTALLY fit the parts of Gus and Hazel. Its like they just came out of the book and onto the screen. Secondly, it looks like they've managed to incorporate almost every scene and not just the important ones. And thirdly, can we please concentrate on how absolutely beautiful the ending of the trailer is? When Hazel says, "You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I can't tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity..", and of course, the heart-wrenching love confession of Augustus Waters! Aaaah :')
I was reduced to a pool of tears after watching this, and I've lost count of the number of times I've paused and rewinded the whole thing.
6th June is going to be a really long wait, but its okay, because at the end of the wait, all we'll get is perfection. Okay? Okay. :)



Till next time,

Adios, and keep drooling over the trailer.

:)

Tuesday, 7 January 2014

A Bookish Year in Review

                                           
Belated Happy New Year, everyone! Hope all of you drank lots of champagne (or whatever), danced your heart out and welcomed 2014 with a big smile! J
2013, however it was, was a good year for me in terms of reading. I read around 60 books, which included many genres, and almost all of them were great. And I wanna share with you all the good books that I read in 2013. They’re in no particular order of favourites, because I don’t think I can choose which one I liked best, since they were all almost neck-to-neck. I won’t mention the books of authors that almost everyone has read, like And the Mountains Echoed, Inferno, The Longest Ride, etc. I’m basically gonna include and talk about the books of authors I read for the first time, and the ones I absolutely loved. So, here are my top 10 books of 2013:
      1.)    The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green- I had heard so much about John Green before I picked up this book. But I started reading it with almost no expectations. Maybe that’s the reason it took me by surprise and just swept me off my feet! I don’t think I even need to mention that I fell for Augustas Waters from the very first line, and boy did I fall hard!  John Green is one hell of a talented writer; his character portrayals, dialogues, metaphors… they all win your over! It is definitely the most quotable books ever (after The Harry Potter series, i.e.).
“As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once”.
Gus and Hazel’s story made me smile and cry at the same time, and it’s a story that’s going to stay with me forever.
     2.)    The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold- I bought this book totally on impulse. I was strolling around the bookstore at Dubai Airport when I saw this book, read the plot, liked it and bought it; not knowing that it was soon going to be one of the most beautiful books I’d ever read. Alice Sebold dealt with a subject that’s so gruesome, but she turned it into something so heartbreakingly beautiful. Highly recommended.
    3.)    The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupery- This book proves that a lot can be said without really saying much. The Little Prince is wonderfully unique. Enough said.
    4.)    Divergent, by Veronica Roth- This book formed a part of the dystopian books I read in 2013, and undoubtedly, this was THE best of them all! Veronica Roth’s writing is fast-paced and the world building is just so fantastic! I loved how Tris wasn’t a flawless character, that she took her time, made mistakes, and grew as a person. Tris and Four’s chemistry was awesome. And Four! <3 Totally looking forward to completing the trilogy this year.
    5.)    Eleanor and Park, by Rainbow Rowell- THIS book. Oh my God, this book! It made me go on a roller coaster ride of emotions! I just couldn’t stop giggling at the sweet, pure, innocent love that Eleanor and Park shared and I wept when they faced those hurdles. Rowell is SUCH a freakishly talented writer! I loved Park, okay? I.JUST.FELL.IN.LOVE.WITH.HIM! This is a must read for all those suckers of romance. Seriously. I just can’t wait to read all of her other books.
   6.)    If I Stay, by Gayle Forman- Another extremely talented writer I came across this year. Gayle sew this story so wonderfully, and the pain of love and loss was beautifully conveyed. It’s a perfect, short read. I’m pretty sure the sequel, Where She Went, is going to be great, too.
   7.)    Wonder, by R.J.Palacio- I love it when I pick up a book knowing not exactly what to expect from it, and then it just blows my mind away. Wonder is the perfect example of this. Hats off to Palacio for creating such an adorable and unique character. Her simple yet extremely effective writing just made me go insane with joy! August Pullman is a kid who is going to stay in my stupid, bookish heart forever. <3
   8.)    Till the Last Breath, by Durjoy Datta- I’m not someone who enjoys the books of typical Indian writers, the one with drunk IIT’ans and booze and sex and crap. Durjoy Datta definitely falls in that category (though of course he’s kind of better than the other Indian writers). But Till the Last Breath was a total exception. I devoured this book within two hours, and I was left with clouded vision. Armaan and Piu, you should know that I was totally praying for you two. <3
   9.)    Anna and the French Kiss, by Stephanie Perkins- The warm, fuzzy, giddy feeling of being in love for the very first time…that’s what this book reminded me of. Stephanie Perkins just made the streets of Paris come alive for me. I just couldn’t put this book down. A quick read and a must-read for lovers of cute love stories. And girls, just read it for Etienne. <3
   10.)  Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson- The last book that I read in 2013, and the year couldn’t have ended in a better way. I’d been dying to read this book from a very long time, and it didn’t disappoint me at all. Melinda almost didn’t speak at all, but her silence spoke volumes. Very few writers have the ability to create something beautiful out of something so damaged, and Laurie is one of them.

So, here they are, the best among the best books that I read in 2013. Hope every reader out there checks out at least some of these books, and do make sure to tell me if you liked any of them. J
And I hope that 2014 turns out to be an even better reading year. Till then, read on, you all.

Lots of love,

Creative Insanity. 

Monday, 30 December 2013

The End



Christmas has come and gone. I hope you all had a great Christmas, cause I sure did. Now let’s just take a look at the calendar.

31st December 2013. Tonight will mark the end of one hell of a turbulent year; and when I say turbulent, I’m saying it only from my perspective.

This year was a like a violent sea storm: thrashing its stinging waves at me whenever and wherever. I graduated, yes, that was a good thing indeed. But even that wasn’t an easy process. I had a nerve problem in my right hand just two days before my final exams, and the stress that followed is something I better not get into right now. After graduation, it was time to look for a college to do my Masters. After a series of tests and exams, I got into Amity. A good thing again. The challenge came only afterwards. Settling into Delhi, adjusting among people who are TOTALLY different from what I was used to seeing, the weather, the food, vegetarian crap. Basically, new college, new place, new people- and too much of ‘newness’ is never really great. But I finally adjusted to the lull waves of the sea, facing the tempests as they came. Moving away from my mom was definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life till date. There were wet pillows and sleepless nights, oh yes there were; but there was also a sense of independence and responsibility which I really started enjoying. In some way or the other, this year was one step towards growing up (turning 21 was a whole different story though).  The Andaman trip, travelling back and forth from Saudi, unexpectedly celebrating my birthday at home with my parents… these were definitely the highlights of this year. All in all, this year was a mixed bag of joy and pain. Pain a bit more than joy, actually. I’m thankful that I’m blessed with such wonderful parents and friends, who helped me get through the crap that this year put me through.
2013, I’m glad you’re coming to an end.

Party hard, everyone. Advance New Year wishes to all. :)

Lots of love,
 Creative Insanity.

Wednesday, 25 December 2013

Murdrum



Mirror image, of chalk and cheese,
She had nails long and pink.
Shi never noticed her red hands,
Being too busy admiring She’s crest.

Adored most by her mum,
She got the dolls and frocks.
The broken twigs fell on Shi’s lap,
Shi neither frowned nor smiled.

She explored the gardens and streets,
Shi longed to step out of the doors.
She brought home the rainbows,
And the stars listened to Shi’s stories.

Shi followed her to the corners,
She looked into the mirror.
Shi silently watched her,
Shi wanted to be her.

Shi loved Mommy’s shiny, silver knife,
With which Mommy buttered She’s toasts.
While drinking the cold, stale soup,
Shi ‘s insides turned cold too.

The scars were too much,
So was the wild, untamed hair.
The voice that was lost,
Shi then decided to go there.

Shi dressed like She in the room,
That held secrets known by none,
She came in and the room lost air,
Because of the tempest undone.

Dressed in head to toe,
Was a stranger, a victim.
Pebbles cracked her feet,
As the slow poison sank in.

The raven finally smiled,
As She asked, “why?”
Shi pointed to the reflection,
And all the pain bid goodbye.

Smithereens cut right through,
The pink became red,
And the red became black,
And the mirror was finally broken.


- Sayantani Sarkar.


 

Sunday, 29 September 2013

The Last Part

Here's presenting the final installment of the innumerable books I'd ordered.

The past few days have been very happy for me, all thanks to Flipkart's awesome delivery timing.

Firstly I got this book that I'd been DYING to read since a very long time-


Yes, David Levithan's Every Day. Hopefully it'll be a very joyous read. I shall keep you all updated. 

And noooow, came THE package- 


One of them was a book about which I'd heard nothing but good things-


Yes! A book that's loved by everyone who've read it. And wanna see something else?


Oh yes, John Green has recommended it. JOHN GREEN. It just has to be good. 

And now for THE BOOK OF THE YEAR-


J.K.ROWLING'S FANSTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM! :D :D :D :D 
*dancing around crazzzily cause I'm a Potter fan* xD

I'd been wanting to read this book since time immemorial, but somehow or the other, I just wasn't able to buy it. But as soon as I heard that J.K.R is writing the screenplay of this movie, I had to buy it. I just HAD to.
By the way, this was my reaction after I'd heard that fantastic news- 


:D

So yeah, all in all, my beautiful books just made my week extremely beautiful. ^_^

Till next time, don't keep calm and read on.

Lots of love,

Creative Insanity. 




Wednesday, 25 September 2013

The Second Installment

Like I'd promised, I'll be giving you all a short summary of the things that were delivered to me in the past three days.

So, day before yesterday, came this-


...Inside which, was this-


And just when I thought that was it for the day, came this-


And inside it, was this cute bundle of happiness-


And once I'd calmed down and stopped dancing after receiving my lovely books, my darling Ranbir and my baby Pooh, they all together, looked this beautiful-


Talk about overdose of happiness in one day! :D

Then the next day, came this-


Isn't the cover just AWESOMELY GORGEOUS?! <3

So yeah, those were the highlights of the past 72 hours. I shall keep you updated. Till then, take care and goodnight,

Creative Insanity.