all good things come to those who wait...

One night in London...

unexpected snow in London on Diwali/Kali Puja

Hot chocolate on a cold night in London

Bringing back the romance of travelling

Maa bless us all...

Maa bless us all..., originally uploaded by shuma.rani.

Back from the break

I was only meant to have a week away from blogging, but some how found myself caught up in the fun of Durga Puja and now my laptop has decided to pack up as I have somewhat neglected him for the last couple of days. I find myself sneakily writing posts at work, but hope to return to regular postings and commenting very soon. So, in the meantime enjoy a drink on me.

Maa Durga

Maa Durga, originally uploaded by shuma.rani.

It's that time of the year, Durga Pujo time....

Decisions, decisions, decisions..part 2

After all the deliberation about where to go, I will now be spending my one week leave in London and hope to discover new areas and may even venture to neighbouring places like Cambridge. During this week, I hope to catch up on my reading which has grown into big towers around my bed, go for some long walks and generally be a lady of leaisure :))

currently reading and enjoying.....

Autumn

THE autumn comes, a maiden fair

In slenderness and grace,

With nodding rice-stems in her hair And lilies in her face.

In flowers of grasses she is clad; And as she moves along,

Birds greet her with their cooing glad

Like bracelets' tinkling song. A diadem adorns the night Of multitudinous stars;

Her silken robe is white moonlight, Set free from cloudy bars;

And on her face (the radiant moon)

Bewitching smiles are shown:

She seems a slender maid, who soon

Will be a woman grown.

Over the rice-fields, laden plants

Are shivering to the breeze;

While in his brisk caresses dance

The blossomed-burdened trees;

He ruffles every lily-pond

Where blossoms kiss and part,

And stirs with lover's fancies fond

The young man's eager heart.

Kalidasa

One saturday afternoon at Borough Market

Is it not strange that places that you walk past everyday, become unknown beauties and all that they do, is become part of the day to day scenery of life and the day to day grind of life. Well, exactly a year ago I use work in an office near Borough Market and I would often say to myself that I should come to the market with my camera. So, here at last are some photos from London's oldest market.

Fresh fruit and vegetable delight

1. Purple chilli plant 2. Tomato heave

3. Organic fish and Seafood 4. Goat cheese

Flower power....

Beautiful cakes and tarts are sold here...

Enjoying the autumn sun

Nostalgia

For the last couple of months I have been thinking about taking part in an ingenious endeavor called Jagriti Yatra, which could be a once in a lifetime adventure of traveling around India by train. I'm still thinking about it and have two friends who are really keen to take part too. As I was reading about the train journey and looking through the list of places to be visited, I came across the name of a place called Anand. Now, i'd never heard of this place before and so, I searched on google and found out that Anand is in fact in Gujarat and the home of India's favorite dairy producer Amul - which stands for the Anand Milk Union Limited which had me thinking about the cute Amul adverts. It's funny how you can be thinking about one thing, and then jump onto something totally random - or is that just me?

When I use to visit India as a child, I use to love eating Amul chocolates and Amul butter on hot piping rice...hmmmm....don't you just love food memories!!

The other thing I like about Amul are their cute adverts, with the chubby Amul girl and boy. They have so iconic and most people have a favourite advert. Huge credit should be given to the advertising company, who seem create some really quirky adverts that capture the current mood of the country. These adverts are one of many things that remind me of India and certainly makes me nostalgic about my visits as a child.



Classic Amul

Amul does Krrish


Amul does Fanaa


Amul does Rang de Basanti

Amul does Race

Images Courtsey: Amul website

Decisions, decisions, decisions.......

I've booked a week's leave at the end of September and desperately craving for some sun, sand and heat. But, where should I go? On my list I have Crete, Amsterdam, Berlin and Dubai - which is certainly a random list of possible destinations. Most of my spare time is spent looking at other possible places, but need to make a decision soon.

Where would you go from my list?

sunset and the city

I arrived in time to capture the blue, pink and red sky across the river Mersey.

a new project - a home for my collection of inspirational bits and pieces

Anyone who visits this blog, will know that I like to take photos of my everyday life AND continue to enjoy and learn from my photos. Although, I have of late been feeling quite restless and in need for a new project to go side by side my photography.

So, what is a girl to do??

Well, I have this thing where I tear articles that inspire me from various magazines/newspapers and collect them in a plastic folder - with the aim to do something with them one day! Well, the time has arrived that I find a home for these pieces of inspiration. A couple of years of ago, an acquaintance gifted me a beautiful Kandinsky inspired note book which has remained blank to this day. And, so I have decided to start my book of inspirations. I hope to share photos of my new project very soon.

my fair september....

- What will this month bring…..
- The changing colours in our surroundings and environments,
- Preparations for the autumn, and yet the summer light wants to stay now, but not without some mischievous rain to keep us on our toes….
- The month of fasting begins for many dear friends,
- A month till Durga Puja
- Preparing for the months of festivities that bring colours, laughter and joy, and finally
- I ask myself…where did the summer go

last days of the summer bring delight .....

Dancing to the beat of the Carnival

the other end of Brick Lane...

on the number 31 to Camden...

Another rainy sunday....

Bright Lights, Big City

a rainy august day....

Past regrets, future hopes

images from a recent 19km walk.....

birthday picnic by the river.....