Tea Time

I love Tea. Green Tea, Chai Latte, Herbal Tea, Red Tea. The list is endless. My fascination with tea began, since my days in college. Every morning, my dad used to wake me up with a cup of chai. It was so tasty. Perfect combo of milk, Sugar and the tea decoction. I used to take the night bus to Mangalore from Bangalore and would reach at about 6 am in the morning. The moment I walk through the door the first thing, I see is my dad smiling and ready with a cup of tea.

I am not much into coffee, because I just like to stay away from caffeine. So, once I moved to Seattle, my search for Tea places began. I first got to try Tea at Bai Tong. It's a Thai restaurant. They had too many options. It was great to wrap up your lunch/dinner with peppermint, chamomile or jasmine tea. Chamomile was my favorite. Arun loves Jasmine tea mainly because of its amazing flavor and aroma. Post that all my visits to any Thai restaurant ended with a cup of tea.

This journey led me to explore many more Tearooms. The Tearoom which led to this post is Smacha Tea. I had never before been to a place which was entirely dedicated to Tea. It was beautiful, especially on a cold, rainy evening. The place looked beautiful. The tea pots, tea brewers, cups which were on display were a work of great art. Absolute treat to the eyes.

Arun and I could not stop looking at the cups. Owner was kind enough to explain about a few brewers, the usage and the making of them. We admired the stuffs and decided to buy a set soon.

I ordered a cup of Oolong Tea. It is one of the most popular types of tea in China. It has immense health benefits. Arun as usual ordered Jasmine Tea. When the order arrived, what took us by surprise was the large quantity and the kind of cups it came in.

We didn't complain and were more than happy to have it. The rest of the evening was spent discussing about how we need to visit this place more often. :-)

Val-en-tine

Valentine.This word started making sense to me, when I hit my teens.At that time , for me it was just a very special day with that very special guy.As I had no body special then,all I dreamed was having a great valentine some day with lots of gifts,bouquets and no chocolates(I don't like them).

However, over time this day has started making so much more sense to me.While I was working in Bangalore,India, I stayed in a pg and my roommates were also my really close friends.I treasure those days.It was great.We shared our problems,cried,laughed,fought.Over the years, you develop a very strong bond.Because those are the beautiful faces you see first thing in the morning and last one before hitting the sack.I loved them.I love them even now.The very thought of Koramangala(my city) gives me the immense pleasure equivalent to the one, I get by eating Gulab Jamuns(my favorite sweet). During that time Valentine's day was spent with them.We did give gifts to each other.Something we could totally afford and yet be so happy about it.Sometimes celebrating happiness and sometimes to get past the break ups.

I always had this practice of wishing my parents.I , remember about 4-5 years ago,when I used to wish my mother, she used to put  my wish off saying "What Rubbish". But, I never stopped wishing.I kept telling my dad to gift my mom something.Over the years in a relationship/marriage , you are contented and very happy, so you don't feel the need to gift some one and let them know of the love you have.My mom always said your dad gifted me so much when we were dating.

But in the last couple of years,I have seen a significant difference in the way this day is celebrated.My dad gifted my mom a beautiful saree last year and my mom is so proud of it every time she wears it.My in laws have this practice of exchanging gifts followed by dinner and movie.I see stores filled with valentine's day cards addressed to mom,dad,parents,sister,husband,bf.Today as I was walking by the card section, I was enthralled to see a young boy about 7 years old helping his dad get a card for his mom.That made my day.

Valentine's day does not mean you need just one day to express love.Not just one day when you have to give presents.Not just one day to convey your feelings.In this age & time when technology,work,money,personal priorities take over so much.It is good to pause and appreciate all the goodness and love around.This is one day when you can do a little more then other days,give a little more,love a little more, get lost a little more.

My day winded up beautifully, as I listened to my father wish me and then he  told me to pass the phone to Arun saying he wanted to wish him.I smiled quietly.

Hawaii - My Journey

There have been so many times in the past few years that, I have created a blog , written a post or two and then stopped completely.So, I decided to start afresh. Ever since I have been to Hawaii,I had this strong urge to write.

Hawaii is the place I have been fascinated with since the time I started using computers.Ask me how?Hawaii used to always deck up as my wallpaper background.I used to keep looking at them and wonder, Could the water be this blue/green?Sky be this clear?

So this January,2014, I got to visit Oahu,Hawaii.Hawaii is one of the smallest but most densely populated states of U.S.It is also only U.S state that is entirely made of islands.Hence it is a very popular holiday destination.It has beautiful weather all through the year so there is never a bad time to visit Hawaii.All I expected was may be a week of warm weather(Happy to be escaping Seattle Cold),relaxation,good weather, wear all the lovely clothes and spend amazing time with my husband.But, I was wrong.It was so much more,it was one such vacation where I actually relaxed, spoke about tomorrow,wonderful dreams,didn't work,wasn't much on my mobile and smiled all through my stay.

The first day,we just walked the streets.That's my most favorite part.I think you actually get to feel the place when you walk the streets.These streets were filled with energy, funkiness, shopping centers, restaurants, seafood bars, jewelry shops(my fav) and lots of people. In the evening we went to beach, it was beautiful to witness the sunset and play around in the sand.Then it was time for dinner,there came the toughest part of finding vegetarian food.We struggled with all through our stay but we managed to find the best Thai Place.Siam Thai Restaurant.This was a blessing with such great food in fact the best Pad Ki Mao.I gorged on the Pad Ki Mao all through my stay.It was Perfect.

Next big destination was the Polynesian Cultural Center(PCC). Where do I begin? PCC is a beautiful Polynesian themed park.Within 8 simulated tropical villages, performers demonstrate various arts & crafts throughout Polynesia.Extremely beautiful girls with lovely,luscious, curly hair.Amazing dance forms, such sync and coordination.Best thing about these performers were that they were so happy performing the art,spreading the word about their culture.It was such a sight,only the pictures below can do justice.

There were these beautiful huts,places of worship,canoe rides.The day ended with a beautiful show namely Ha- The Breath of Life.Such a clean,neat and well executed show depicting different stages of life again coupled with mind-blowing performances.

The following few days were all about local attractions such as the very popular Byodu Temple,beaches,more beaches,hiking, walk the streets and great Pad Ki Mao.

Icing on the cake was the fresh tended coconut I got to have.

This trip was much more then beaches,it was about the beauty of nature and beauty of life.In a way kind of taught me to live every moment and be thankful for every second.