Skinny is Not Ideal - Unless You're Healthy

Ladies, we all been here here. There was always a point of time where you stood by your mirror, sucked your cheeks in and wondered why weren't you skinnier? We would always have some kind of fat-related complain such as "My cheeks are so chubby!" or "My tummy isn't getting flat" or "My hips are too wide" and eventually, we try all the diets in the world.

Over the years, we have seen people evolve. Those who were once chubby are now svelte. I often go up to them and ask for their primary motivation in their journey towards achieving their figures. However, their answers often startle me, because they revolve around "looking good". Very rarely do I hear people losing weight in order to stay fit/healthy/fight obesity. Is the society really going all out to stop eating, simply to look good? Has health really become a secondary factor? Is the word "fit" being replaced by "sexy"?

I can't blame anyone but the fashion industry. They have near-death-skinny models on the ramp, magazine covers and even make skinny mannequins to exhibit their definition of "looking good". They consider size 0 or 2 to be ideal and models who look absolutely gorgeous, fit and REAL are considered plus-sized. Let me start by giving you an example.

This breath-takingly gorgeous model, Robin Lawley (who has a lovely figure, in my opinion) is considered a plus-sized model. Ok, in what universe is she plus-sized? Just because a model is not a size 0 or 2, she is automatically labeled fat. Plus, it is totally demeaning. Would you call a chubby doctor a "plus-sized doctor"? Just because she has hips, she is labeled plus-sized? This is so gross.



Also, the usage of Photoshop on every single bit of skin on magazine covers. Who do these editors think they're kidding? Some of us are competent enough to see through the touch-ups but what about those with insecurity problems? Won't they look at the covers and look down upon themselves?



Please notice that they have photoshopped her cheeks contouring, her hips width, her freckles and spots, her fingers (uh, why???). She looks gorgeous in the original one!

Have to give solid credit to those who are introducing a new definition of beauty and realness.

Debenham, for example, introduced a whole new campaign with girls who look normal! Take a look below.



and another one (claps)



Girls, please remember. Let us not use Victoria's Secret models as a benchmark for gorgeous. They are paid to look like that. I simply cannot recall any other person, working as a non-model, who looks like them. In fact, lets start being real. I am not encouraging anyone to sit down and be a couch potato all day. Go to the gym, exercise, eat well. But not because you want to be skinny. Do it because you want to be healthy and fit. When you have reached that level of fitness, a wonderful body is sure to follow!

This is NOT bashing anyone who is naturally skinny. If you are so, and accompanied by good health, good for u! Again, this is not about looks. This is about health and how good looks will follow, once health is optimum.

Don't lose yourselves on your path towards looking good. Focus on being happy and healthy.

Hope this can be of help to everyone out there :):)

The Weirdest Comments I (and I'm sure you can) Relate To

So, we live in a world where there are so many types of personalities and behaviors, but I can’t help but share some of my favorite (?) comments, questions and statements people I know have passed. Some are bizarre, some quite rude and some just plain hilarious! Not all of them were directed to me, luckily, but some were said/done to people around me and they just stuck to me throughout the years! Enjoy

1. “OH I LOVE THAT MOVIE, BUT TOO BAD BOTH CHARACTERS DIED” – the spoiler alert. EXCUSE ME, some of us paid for tickets to actually sit throughout the entire movie! Did we ask you for an ending spoiler? Even more annoyingly, this sense-deprived human being posts these spoilers on social medias for their 123.456.890 friends to read, like “Oh it was a bad movie! The guy finally got dumped at the end” YEAH I’D LIKE TO SEE YOU GET DUMPED YOU DOOFUS

I have to add though, I personally love movie reviews! I love reading about the sets, soundtrack, screenplay, dialogues, and scripts and then decide whether or not I’d like to go ahead and see it for myself. Having the ending narrated to me-so uncool.

2. “OMAGOD, ARE YOU GONNA EAT THAT CHEESECAKE? WE’RE GOING TO DRINK TONIGHT”- the failed dieticians. There are so many wisecracks out there who judge me when I am about to enjoy my desert or pizza. They lecture me about “being fit” or “staying healthy” or “going organic” and just when I’m about to feel guilty looking at their tiny cauliflower piece, they start drinking their lungs out. I mean, what’s the point of going on ultra diets when you put in a gallon of alcohol later that day? phew


3. “YOU SHOULD REALLY LOSE SOME WEIGHT”- the idiots. Unless you’re a nutritionist, a dietician, a personal trainer or in some kind of health-related occupation, you should really lay off people’s weight. Chances are that, the person knows he/she is somewhat overweight. Plus, they’re food binging with their own money. Shut up

This is a big exception if you’re extremely close to the person in need of this advice. And there are tactful ways to say it instead of throwing it to their face in smugness.

4. “YOU’VE LOST TOO MUCH WEIGHT, GUYS LIKE A LITTLE MEAT”-the men-centric dimwits. HELLO, isn’t this the 21st century? Can’t we live for ourselves instead of trying to please our men all the friggin time? Why are all our efforts perceived to be for solely pleasing men? If our body is changing, its most possibly for ourselves and NOT to make other people see us as desirable. This is not about men.


5. “YOU DON’T DRINK? YOU’RE TRULY MISSING OUT SOMETHING IN LIFE” or “YOU’RE A VEGETARIAN? OH NO” – the ignorants. Yeah, coz life is all about alcohol and meat. I suggest you to wake up, open your window and look out. Oh and stop being ignorant fools. *slaps own forehead*

6. “THANK GOD YOU’RE JUST A –INSERT OCCUPATION 1-, AT MY JOB, WE DEAL WITH MUCH HARDER THINGS”- the superiority complex. People don’t simply understand that different people are made for different jobs. Doctors deal with blood. Teachers deal with cranky children. Administers deal with fussy people. Try jumbling them all up. Wouldn’t all three freak out?

If you underestimate other people’s jobs, you are seriously a pain in the rear. STOP blaming other people who can afford to go for vacations mid-year or visit a theme park mid-week. Even they bring their work with them. If your work requires you to be in physical presence all the time, remember that you yourself opted for this job.


If you are a victim of one of the above, I feel you. BIG time. If you are own criminal offence for one of the above, don't take it too harshly :) We're all allowed a couple of goof-ups. Plus, some people may not share the same views as I do. All in all, its all for good fun.

xx

STOP Blaming Rape Victims: Don't Women Have Equal Rights?

Disturbed. Haunted. Mind-boggled. I'm not sure if these words do justice to what I am truly feeling at this moment. My usual-random Googling led me to some truly irking, annoying information regarding rape. I dont need to further clarify rape rates in the world. Reading those numbers don't haunt you in your sleep, but reading victims' stories does. When you hear the word rape, what comes to mind? Men raping women, or the other way around? How often do we hear men claiming a sexual assault? How many men have pressed charges over being raped by women? Ponder on these for a moment before finally agreeing with me: Women are the main victims of sexual assaults.

What perturbed me to write this piece of article was when I read some online journals that state that women/victims are "partially to be blamed for the rape case" or "equally guilty as perpetrators of rape" or "the main trigger for their own rape case". I want to get up from my bed and hit these people on the face with an axe. But before I do that, here are some statements (some re-written from lack of references) from victim-blamers on why they believe women are to be blamed for their own rape case:

1. Those women were out late at night when they knew they should have been tucked away in bed.
2. What kind of women wear short skirts?
3. That woman must not have looked respectable. Men would not want to rape respectable women.
4. That woman must have been out drinking and provoked the rape.
5. She was out with a man late at night, which shows her personality.

I say: GO TO HELL, HYPOCRITES!

So, women who stay out late should be raped? Women who work night shifts or dual jobs deserve to be stripped off her dignity? Women who enjoy a late-night movie once in a while call out to being raped? Is this the norm that we are sending off by coming home a little later that usual?

Men are able to walk out the street without covering their upper body. You don't see women jumping their guns on to them. Can't women be out in public, wearing what she wants, without calling out to rapists? isn't this a free world? We cant stop you from thinking "what on earth is she wearing" but we should be able to stop you from doing the despicable.

"Men would not want to rape respectable women". Really? this is what they say? So, rapists will select indecent-looking women to rape? They will conduct a sampling method to separate trashy and classy looking ones? Does this mean that when their mothers and sisters look trashy, they will also be raped by their own family members? Does this mean that all women who have been raped must have looked trashy at the time of rape? I wont even bother starting on this one.

Drinking. I do not support acts on drunken stupor but I am not the only women in the world. Men go out to drink and come home fine and at most, suffer a hangover. While women should live with the fear of being assaulted? Where is the fairness?

Being out late at night with a man shows women's personality? Since when does the 12-hour clock show women's integrity? Aren't women allowed to socially interact with men? Dont we work with men, go to school with men, live with men? Do we need to stay off men in order to "protect our personality"? So when male friends ask out their female friends for a simple coffee chat, that woman should automatically be branded as one who deserves to be raped?


STOP BLAMING THE VICTIM. No woman wants to be sexually assaulted. No parent lets their daughters out, hoping to find them dishevelled on the road. It sinks victims hearts when they are questioned with "who were you with?", "what were you wearing?", "were you drunk?". Shouldn't the questioning be directed to the assaulters, instead of the victims, who are often the receiving end of a group-activity?

This women-blaming activist is the deep-seated mentality which creates a culture and traditions that are oppressive to women. Gruesome crimes against women have become rampant and courts cannot turn a blind eye to the need to send a strong deterrent message to the perpetrators.

Women don't cause rapes. Rapists do.

Together, we can make a difference. Share this and help spread the message to STOP BLAMING RAPE VICTIMS.

Is Charity the New Runway?

Before i proceed to say things that may appear nasty to some, let me start off by saying that I think being involved in a charity is heart-warming. It gives you a sense of pride, belonging and accomplishment to be able to put in a smile in someone's day. Personally, I am a co-chairman of Sincere Hearts, a mini-foundation my best friend, Ekta Melwani and I set up together to help out the needy. By God's grace and support from local donators, we are standing rock solid with good funds and donations for our orphanages and old folks' home visits.

I am also extremely happy to see a lot of people being involved in charity. I must take a moment to applaud Care and Share, brought to my attention by my dear friend, Gita Sangtani, which also conducts visits and encourages donations.They recently worked together with freelance bakers in a Bake Sale, which ran successfully and raised good money to help those in need. Take a bow, guys :)

That being said, I have noticed a lot of people joining well-reputed charity groups with a half-heart. What I mean is, they join your visits, snaps for pictures, uploads them on social medias and wait for compliments such as "How nice of you to spare a sunday for the old folks". When it comes to behind-the-screens, such as packing, planning, organising, they are nowhere to be found.

Sometimes, people mislead the terms "charity" or "help" as a must of shelling out their resources. I think it is to the world's knowledge that everyone's resources are limited differently. while some may afford to spare a huge amount, some of us may be able to spare just a little bit of energy. You know that, that is perfectly all right! If you have limited resources, donate your time and energy, instead of smiling prettily and hashtagging #charity #sundayfunday #oldfolks #theartofgiving #tiredbuthappy #worthwhile without doing much of what is truly required. cape deh.

Another factor is the not-so-much-as-art of giving out old and used items. I once received a bag full of "good quality used toys" and yet when I opened the bag, it was full of broken toys, smelly dusty soft toys, old utensils and what not. I had to throw them out immediately. Well, excuse me, just because the people at the orphanages dont have much, it does not mean that we can give them crap! How? How do these people even think? do they say things like "This is broken so we cant use it, give em away, they'll probably be happy with a piece of wood that looks like nothing" ???

A wooden chopstick. Just one of it, not even a pair. Thats one of the crap I found. Like, seriously?

Torn clothes. Why would they wear clothes with broken, non-repairable zippers? Or clothes with no buttons anymore. Do you expect us to sit and sew your old trash? They can do so much better and you know it.

We create these charity groups because we have the time. Some of you may have all the money in the world but unable to provide time, so we can help you out with that. If you give us crap for donations, we treat you like crap too and have the right to refuse your "donations" in the future.

Not that we are not thankful. We would stand nowhere without your financial and non-financial help. they have helped us get through so many people and you are also responsible for their smiling faces. But, if you wish to do something, you have to do it with a full heart.

Would love to hear your thoughts!

xx

Plan a Wedding: Not Being a Bride/Groom-zilla!

If you’re reading this article, you’re probably already married (and checking my wisecracks?), or planning your wedding, or maybe so awesomely single yet wanting to read this anyway.

Planning a wedding has never been easy, especially if you’re involved in our typical few nonstop days events that last day and night. I vividly remember taking vitamin shots just to be able to go through the process without suddenly fainting like typical Bollywood movies. Remember Kajol in DDLJ, anyone? (okay she fake-fainted but WHAT UP BOLLYWOOD REFERENCE!)

Don't get me wrong, indian weddings are fun! Brides are typically made the queen of the month and pampered with spa time, massages and lots of sleep-encouraged. Of course, I got none of those, being the control-freak, busy-body, flinching-hands that I have. But, I had solid support system from fellow brides and I must say, having advice helps build your faith that everything will be fine. So incase all brides around you have nothing to do but flaunt their rings in your face, read on, coz I got words that may change your perception on weddings!

1. Trousseau and bridal shopping
This is probably the most exciting thing we are lavished upon: full on shopping! Dresses, jeans, tops, jewelries, shoes, you know the gist. It sounds as awesome as it does but remember, set up a budget. When you go overboard in another country and are left broke, it’s not pretty. Whether you do it abroad or in town, think straight before making a purchase; there are certain things you cannot make use of after the wedding. Even for your bridal outfit, choose what makes YOU happy. Don't go all bling just coz “you have to”. I chose to go simple coz that’s how I generally am. Don't care.

2. Selecting your vendors
DO THIS NOW. RIGHT NOW if you’re planning a wedding. Sit with your groom and list down the list of vendors you consider, decide pros and cons of each, get a price quote from them and start making decisions quick. Making quick decisions does not mean making hasty calls and regretting eventually. Take the weekend to really squeeze your minds. People like event organizers, DJs, decorators, photographers, make-up artists, hotel banquet managers, choreographers, bartenders, caterers and everyone in weddings are sometimes booked a year in advance. They are amongst the busiest in the industry and if you don't move quick, the best ones will be long gone.

Luckily, both Vishal (that’s my husband btw) and I were extremely decisive in terms of calling the shots. If we say, “we’ll think about it”, it means taking only a few hours to decide. When we say, “we don't like it”, it means no one, I repeat, no one, can make us say yes with a sour face. Therefore, we faced no such things as late bookings or missing out on a great vendor. Yipppieee!

3. Effort on looking your best
If you’re a bride-to-be, you’re probably munching on a cucumber for lunch and planning a bowl of raw-and-tasteless veggies for dinner. Ugh. Yes, all girls want to look fit (please not skinny) on their wedding day and I was amongst those who had the same desire. But if I were to flashback, I remember having a larger-than-life meal once in a while because life is too short to waste on disgusting-tasting food. I’m no expert in yummy-and-healthy cooking and if you are, good for you!

I suggest: take a personal trainer. Work out often and sweat it all out. EAT WELL; you are surrounded with lots of thinking and running around, your body needs food! Don't deprive yourself of a good meal once in a while. You deserve it! No matter how much a person tries, no one and I mean no one can outstand a bride on her wedding day irrespective of her size.

I must go back to a few days prior to the wedding. It was after an amazing workout with my personal trainer (if you want a reference, call me!), and I was starving. Bored of my quinoas and home food, I went with my girls to Chilis. We ordered some fried chicken fingers, nachos and some good old coke. It felt amazing to splurge and I didn't feel guilty at all. Why should I?


4. Taking time off work
Don't hesitate to take a few months leave from work. It is almost impossible to handle both at once and if you once did, I must salute you. Then again, we were the kind of people who needed to see every bit of everything, attend every meeting, decide all things relating to the wedding, which was why this felt like a full time job. I left work (never to return as I was to move to a different city after the wedding) 2 months before the shopping trip to India. Why so long, you may ask? Well, to spend solid time at your home, sit with your folks without time issues, sharpen your wife duties (yeap!).

5. Managing your emotions
6 months before the wedding is going to be a very sensitive time gap between you and your fiancé. I’ve been told many times and didn't believe it until I faced it myself. Why so, you may ask? Firstly, there are so many different decisions to make and you may disagree on a lot. Coming to a conclusion may take lots of effort from both sides and reaching there may go through some rocky paths. The pressure is on because you’re both planning the biggest day of your life and you both want it perfect. So, obviously, its all not always a bed of roses.

Its important to remember that no matter what, you both want the wedding to happen. Keep a clear mind and listen to your partner’s opinions. At the end of the day, you’re both doing the best for each other and that's all that matters! Spend lots of time together, spend lots of time apart too! Go out with friends to have a good time and chill out. Stressing out will just add to a rough face on your day.

What we did was, go out on dates when we were not allowed to discuss the wedding. No stress, not even over-excitement, no honeymoon planning and literally go out as two people who do not have a wedding in mind. The temptation to get all excited was beyond us but it was a fresh change to go out with your “boyfriend” instead of your “fiancé” once in a while. Believe me, it works to ease out the tension and have a good time instead. You need not make it last for too long, get back home and open the wedding files again ;) after all, you’re on a deadline, girl.

6. Planning the honeymoon
This is beyond exciting! Personally, I’m an adventurer and love to travel! If my family would let me, I’d bungee jump, deep-sea dive, go mountain biking and the like. Too bad, they don’t let me live in the fast lane. Before we sidetrack, planning the honeymoon was few of the simplest things we had to do. As long as you’re set on your destination, budget, travel cites, tours, you’re fine. Weather checks are crucial! You don’t wanna freeze to death during sightseeing, or sweat too much in your pretty summer dress in an exotic tropical country. Arrange your visas much ahead of time. Imagine making your vows on the wedding day and thinking about pending paperwork for travel. Yikes!

7. Planning the performance
What’s an Indian wedding without the whole song-and-dance sequence? Unlike some other couples I know, Vishie and I decided to ensure that this side of the event was our call. We figured that in order to create a spectacular show, we’d both have to be all in for the planning. We’re both very fond dancers and enjoy watching good dance shows, so if not for ours, who else’s wedding can we be control freaks for?!

If you’re going to be involved in the performance like we did, do the discussion with your family members ahead of time, for God knows, you have a lot more to do than supervise rehearsals. Plan the songs, groups, costumes and props in advance and have a person-in-charge of selected designations. Everything else is easy to manage. The most difficult thing to manage, usually, is people. Sticking to schedules, ensuring everyone comes for rehearsals, making non-dancers shake ain’t a treat for weak hearts, believe me. But at the end of the day, we both put in our heart and soul and had the most amazing time of our lives during the show <3 if you danced at our wedding, hey, we love you!

8. Look your best and be your best
I must emphasize, stop caring about what people around you have to say about yourself and simply believe that you are beautiful. You may be the world’s ripest, sweetest apple but there is still someone who hates apples, right? Similarly, no matter how gorgeous your dress is or how much money you paid for your make-up, there is always someone who will still say mean things.

Nope, I wasn’t the bride with the world’s heaviest dress. I didn’t have extravagant layers of pancake on my face. Neither was I the slimmest person in the room. But I felt beyond bliss, simply because I chose to. I ate well (overly well at times :p), slept fine, exercised plenty, stressed a lot but relied on Vishie a lot too and took good care of myself. Ask anyone I know, and they will vouch for me when I say I was certainly not a bride-zilla ;)

Life is full of choices and I am glad that so far, I am blessed to make correct ones. With His grace, my friends and family have become my strongest support system and I love them truly.

Brides-to-be, I wish you all the best and remember that you are the world’s most gorgeous bride <3

Cheers, xx

Organic Food. Heard of em. Organic for Infants? Ummmmmmm….

Let’s face it. The world is revolving. Times are changing. Fast food joints are slowly depleting. Healthy food joins are quickly exploding. People are getting healthier. They hit the gym, reduce their carbs, start stir-frying instead of deep-frying their food. I gotta say, it’s impressive. People have started becoming more concerned about health, looking good and fitness. I mean, look at what everyone eats now! Quinoa, red rice, wheat bread, unsalted butter, agave, organic cookies and what not. Go on instagram and be completely piled up in health accounts, diet food recipes, rock-hard abs and motivational quotes.

I recently joined the crew by purchasing quinoa rice, which I have to admit, is pretty good. Keeps you full for couple hours before you crave for a snack (and I’m pretty sure apples are more popular than cookies as an option). There’s a whole load of organic food as well, organic vegetables, cookies, flour and loads more.

I was recently in the organic section of the supermarket when I met a mom with her infant, a 4 year-old boy with the cutest eyes! I picked up my usual stash and got into a conversation with her, who asked me about my food options. After what seemed like a short conversation, she mentioned that she does not feed her son with any sugar. I mean, literally. No candies, no chocolates, no sugary cereals like koko krunch, no chocolate-strawberry milk, no ice-cream, zilch. She feeds him with vegetables, fruits (limited to low-sugar ones too), homemade juices and beat this: no carbs too. No rice, no bread, no pasta. As a replacement, the kid eats quinoa or red rice.

I left the place feeling…sad. I remember as a kid, I needed a reward for every time my lunch had greens in it. Broccoli and rice, and a small bar of chocolate after. If I had my fish n peas, I’d be allowed a small candy. I’m sure everyone had a similar experience as a kid. And I think we turned out okay.

What I have seen recently, is that, people tend to overdo it. Sure, you wanna be skinny like a stick and healthy as an Olympic athlete, whatever works for you. But stealing that wondrous opportunity from your kid to truly be a kid, is not fair. Every child deserves to walk in a candy store and feel like heaven. They learn to be appreciative when they wait for an ice-cream truck which finally came after a very green lunch. What happens when you take it all away from them? They grow up and splurge on lots of cake in a friend’s birthday party with the reason “I’m not allowed to have sugar at home. Please don’t tell mom”.

Putting an extremely strong whip around your kid is dangerous. Remember what happens to a horse when it is held so tightly. Loosen up a little and he runs away. Hold the horse loosely from the beginning and it stays with you throughout.

I remember the best part of my childhood. Coming home from school and having a sip of coke from my dad. But when I’ve had too much sugar that day, I’d come and say, “I had my share today. Tomorrow is good”.

I’m out, folks. Let your kid live on the edge a little, yes?

An Eye-Opener (Hopefully) about God, Religion and the like

A dinner date with the fiancé led to a very intriguing and controversial discussion about religion, God, spirituality and loads more. Good to know that we both ended up in the same page but the conversation did not leave my mind until I knew I just had to blog it out!

Now before I proceed, I must clarify that first, I believe in God. I don’t really see Him as a third person, I see Him more as a part of one’s soul you carry forward in your life. Also, I believe in the formation of religions. It teaches us to be more tolerant towards people’s beliefs, makes us appreciate our diversity and often takes its place as a basic foundation in our lives, which optimizes your choices and your values. I am a proud Hindu and even though I don’t necessarily follow Mondays, Thursdays rule all the time, I pray and I am thankful for His blessings every waking minute of my life.

Okayyyy so enough about me in person! It all started when we read a few statuses in Facebook, quoting the Bible and the Koran. Sure, believing’s cool. Sure, you’re free to post anything you want in your social network; after all it’s your page. But, I guess some people do not know yet the limit of which those statuses are still acceptable.

Up to a certain point, posting something as “personal” as your choice of religion in a “social” network does not see to tick for me. Especially those statements about the “best religion”. I mean, c’mon, is there such a thing as the best religion??? We live in the 21st century, where we are taught and encouraged to understand, appreciate and love the fact that we are different. Claiming a religion or belief is the best certainly does not seem equivalent to tolerating others’ belief, does it? How small-minded can people be when they claim that “My God is the best? Or “claiming _______________ religion can ensure a one-way ticket to heaven!” My question is, have they died before? Have they met Him? Are they assured in any way? Pffffttttttt!

What’s ever more delusional is when people start pulling others towards entering their religion. Back to square one, whatever happened to loving others unconditionally? Are there really such people still who think like “I would prefer if we were of the same religion!” in this ever-improving world? Sad.

I am truly fortunate to have been brought up in a very open-minded house. My family does have the culture of being vegetarian every Monday. We follow it consistently when we are home for our meals. However, we were never enforced to follow it begrudgingly. Whenever there came a time when a yummy chicken sandwich appeared in front of our eyes, we could have it without needing to feel guilty. In that way, we grew up respecting our parents who taught us that as long as we are good human beings, as long as we respect people around us, as long as we don’t lie, as long as we don’t talk ill of others, what we eat do not actually matter / classify as “good” or “bad”.

Speaking about “good” and “bad”, I go back to question, who classifies things and actions into “good” and “bad”? Human, yes? And aren’t we entitled to conduct wrongdoings? Isn’t there such a thing we all know as human error? I believe so. Therefore, when someone looks me in the eye and asks me “aren’t you fasting for prayers today? Ckckckckckck so bad!” I wanna tell them, “excuse me, who died and made you God? How do you come to a conclusion that me eating as per normal as “bad”? Why do you assume that because I am not following rituals, I am a non-believer? Suddenly, I am the instant criminal. Those who judge people like that, aren’t they the ones who must be taught a lesson or two? Aren’t they the one who appear as the goody-two-shoes physically and mentally judgmental?

Questions, questions, never-ending. It disheartens me to see people who are still thinking in an extremely orthodox manner despite the fact that we are trying to understand our differences, and even more, learning and succeeding to love them.

My blog nowadays seem to rant more than express. but in a way, doesn’t ranting help “express” disappointments? ;)

Any thoughts?