Durga Puja in London

Guys the last weekend has been absolute fun...I have not had similar fun for a long time.....The Durga Puja started with two of our friends coming from Manchester on friday...they are staying with us....On Saturday we went Harrow and the Puja is known as Panchamukhee....for this you Soma and the frens were preparing for 8 hrs...the evening was good fun...the event was chaired by Mayor of Harrow...and the evening program had a Bharatnatyam performance by Ananya and performance by Bengali band - Dohar...the speaciality of the band is they dont use any musical instrument with electric output...it was lovely.....they entertained us for 4 hrs and made ladies of all ages dance.....yes 60 year old were dancing...

i enjoyed the company we had the whole of the weekend and IT HAS BEEN BEEN A BLAST...

i will update the blog abt sunday and tomorrow's function by tomorrow......cheers...

i need to hit the sack now....

Weekend of 27-28th Sept - Get-togethers

This weekend was fantastic - 27th Sept we had a get-together with my old colleagues and frens from HCL Malaysia. We met in Wembley in an India Restaurant - food was good and place was noisy so we were completely at home....

yesterday evening we went to Luton to meet new-found frend in UK...The frens are because of Soma's interest in networking through Social networking sites....The gang is awesome - boisterous and no-holds-barred kind of people......the party went on till 2am when sanity dawned and everybody though of going back to home....we reached home at 3.30am....

Today morning, we joined fitness club for very obvious reasons....ha ha ha and in the afternoon were at a frends place for lunch....cool????

Last Two weeks - Bangalore Travel and Get-togethers

I was in Bangalore week before last and found some welcome changes...First of all the new airport is good, though I felt it may not suffice for the traffic growth in next 2-3 years....the immigration is efficient and quick...There is a long elevated highway coming up on the way to Elex city...though the pace of construction is slow, i feel in couple of years when the construction is completed the traffic will ease...

I also got a few opportunities to fine n dine in choice of places in Bangalore - Leela's Citrus and Taj Gateway's Karivalli.....Citrus's buffet spread is excellent and yeah we tried a wine which was bloody costly INR 32,000/-...goosshhhhh....Karivalli has real tasty Sounthern Coastal choices.....and the decor of Karivalli is lovely.....

Also the Geofrey in 'The Royal Orchid' is a good place but I felt real let down by the closing time of Bangalore pubs...what studpidity - the pubs are supposed to be closed by 11.30pm......

Yeah i accomplished another feat this time - purshased sarees...I was enthused that I should purchase Mysore silk for Soma....And you will be amazed that once i landed in Mysore Silk House I ended up purchasing 5 sarees in flat 15 minutes......I was helped by my brother but you will agree that its a feat...ha ha ha

The trip was eventful professionally also....

When I was in Bangalore, the new TV in UK (which we purchased in July) went faulty and presently we are w/o TV...this is good in a way as we are forced to look at other avenues of entertainment... we have subscribed to LoveFilms.com which is a DVD rental service provider and the collection it has is fantastic...it also efficientlt dispatches DVDs....cool service....By the way it is a division of  amazon.com ....

Anniversary.....cheers

This weekend was special. We celebrtated 1 year of meeting each other. Last year 14th Sept we met in Delhi.

Last year when we met we went to a Pub in Delhi, this year we went to a American-Italian joint....the place was awesome - noisy, good food, excellent concoctions and cosy decor.....

The rest of the weekend was hectic....We accomplished a MAJOR task of squishing extra household items.....

This week I will be travelling to Bangalore...

A new post after a longtime.....

It has been really long since I last updated our blogs. Things have been hectic at our end. We moved to UK in July and have been settling. We visited a few places in UK - Brighton, Peterboro and few parts of London.

It is a totally diffrent world compared to Malaysia (where I was for last 6 years). Traffic enforcement is tougher, eating out is rarer as it is REAL costly, public services are better and efficient.....bla bla bla....u will have heard about this......WE ARE LOVING IT!!!!

And yeah we purchased a BMW....Check out the snaps in picasaweb.google.com/shamgho9...there are other snaps also...check those....

Soma is looking for job and most probably she will join someplace soon.....

Cheers

Dinner amongst the stars.....

It has been more than 2 months since I last posted. Thats is because we (Soma and I) were busy with marriage, reception and then honeymoon...Soma came with me to KL after marriage and she has settled now.

Today we went for dinner to Menara KL's revolving restaurant which is 250 m above the ground. We were awestruck by the beauty of KL and her skyline. And what a fantastic spread in the buffet.

Shameek's Mumbai Visit and Soma's Delhi Farewell

I was in Mumbai and Nashik to perform a few rituals and poojas before marriage and what a hectic trip it was. We (Mom, Dad and Myself) visited Shirdi, Shani Shingapur and Nashik. Apart from the pilgrimage ;-), We also went to Sula Vineyard. Good Concept and a must visit if u r in Mumbai.....

Soma has put in her papers on 1st Feb and a high voltage tearful farewell on 8th Feb. Boy, she was really senti about quiting HCL. She also had a series of farewell get-togethers at her fren's place. Today she will be bidding tata to Delhi after staying there for more than 6 years.

Guys, I will be flying to Kolkata this friday and 16th is our Marriage Registration....

Still worried, Soma hasnt yet received the passport.

- Shameek

Flash back - Aug to Dec 2007......

So you have all read abt how we got to know each other......just to refresh ur memory - it was thru http://www.bengalimatrimony.com/ in Aug 2007



Sept 2007 - I met Soma in delhi during an official trip and spent 1.5 days with her...it was fun time....yeah her brother (Sunny better known in this blog as lonely.pirate; and known as Amit) was with us the first day.....this meeting can only be described over a drink...so invite me for a drink n u will have the story.....;-)....Tel expense was around RM 1000/- per month .....



Oct 2007 - Soma was in her native - Dhanbad for Dussehra hols and my parents met her....during this period we really did few interesting things....she called me along with her cousins at 4 am oneday n she with her cousins RAgged me.....My mom n dad liked her and it was decided that Soma's parents will meet me in Nov end...Telephone expenses RM 1500/-



Nov 2007 - I planned my trip to kol and requested Soma to also come to Kolkata so that we can spend some time....there is a twist this which i will share with you "on request"...anyway net net i reached kolkata on 30th Nov but Soma didnt...Telephone expenses RM 1800/-



Dec 2007 - Soma parents came to meet me on 1st Dec and I really impressed them....ha ha ha......i requested her mom n dad to ask soma to come to kolkata...she finally turned up in kolkata on 4th dec and i went to receive her...u shud have seen the glances we shared...hmmmmmm........then Soma came with her parents on 4th Dec to our place to meet my relatives.....by the way my nephew "Rikki" was there also to share his opinion...just check him out in this snap -










Isnt he CUTE?






then 5th we spent together....we were there in Park street, then in Floating restaurant in millenium park n then at Moulin Rouge....Finally the cool three days got over n i went to see her off on 6th dec......those 3 days were memorable n total chill-out days...............n yeah we didnt capture them in snaps !!!!!! ha ha ha

after this i was back in KL on 10th Dec....the dates n all got finalised n we agreed "we can spend (read bear each other...ha ha ha) life together"......ha ha ha

so three cheers for Soma n Shameek...hip hip hurray...hip hip hurray.....hip hip hurray

- Shameek

25 days to go.....

Yeeah the count is right!!!! The marriage registration will happen on 16th Feb so the count is 25 days to go...

At home (both mine n Soma's) the shopping is in full-swing...Mom spends more than 7 hrs everyday and Papa helps her on off-days....Soma's parents are also in Kolkata to do shaadi-shopping....

Tomorrow Soma's parents are coming to our place to discuss and plan the 3 big-days arrangement n functions.....Everybody is excited....

Soma has also started her bit of shopping n preparation in delhi....she will be leaving Delhi in feb...

myside i have outsourced my shopping to mom n everybody....so i m couching!!!! my only contribution is to invite frens...he ha ha...

My Singapore trip was good....my fren Shirish gave me an international calling card so I was able to speak to tikles everyday at scheduled time....

- Shameek


PS - BTW, have u guys watched "Jab we met"...fantastic movie....i have watched it 4 times....

Singapore tour n embargo on calling darling

I m in Singapore from today till friday and I have instructed by Tikles not to call (as roaming charges will be applicable) her....her worry is that I m spending too much on calls n this will constrain her spending power after marriage.....

Btw, my tickets for shaadi trip is confirmed...and Tikles flight tickets have been issued....interesting thing is she has a flight ticket but no passport...anyway we r confident that she will get her passport by jan-end.....

Tomorrow Tikles parents will be in kolkata to meet my parents and finalise the shaadi plans n preparation....yaar this marriage is a BIG PROJECT....u need PMP certified professionals....ha ha ha

PS- yesterday Tikles sent me a senti-sweet mesg....so I m having hang-over till now....cheers

Sent from my mobile device so excuse the spelling

Mobile network issue....

Since yesterday I am not receiving any sms from Soma...dunno if the problem is at india mobile network side or malaysia network....but this is not good....

Some posts back I had highlighted the only complaint I have with Soma is she doesn't respond to my sms pronto!!!! I think we have had arguments on this 3-4 times....and the excuse given by her is that though she remembers me every moment but when she wants to sms me she needs to think n send sms....hmmmm....now I didn't get this!!!! So I have been bugging her with my sarcastic comments n now her sms response time has improved....

But now Network has ditched us!!!!!

Sent from my mobile device so excuse the spelling

Soma speaks.....finally

HIAAA.... this is TIKLES aka SOMA

i really luv this blog created by my prince charming.Well what to say or what not to say about shameek he is absolutely awesome....I still rememember the first day we met i didnt liked him at the first look.But as baree bujurgh kahte hai if u want to taste the wine taste it gradually so i did and i found this rarest of rare wine amazing... and yeah "HCL" played a g8 role for this marriage from the first day

So everyone here invited on 25th feb will do bangra togetherso its log off time now and my cab is waiting will continue tom....

Signing off......

-Soma

Comments from Brother-in-law, the maggi factor..n Marriage Shopping Damage

Two days back Dimpu (Soma's brother-in-law n my dear brother) ceilinged me n Soma with his comments (refer to "Jab we talked" comment) n yesterday my dear brother-in -law floored me with his frank comments (again refer to his comments in "Jab we talked" post).....Feels good!!!!

Yesterday I had called Soma end-of-day for me and she was whole heartedly preparing Maggi for herself n dear brother - Sunny. She took more than 30 minutes to prepare some exotic Maggi-based-dish....ha ha ha

This maggi preparation forced me to be awake till 1am as i didnt want to disturb the super-chef maggi preparation....anyway by god's grace the maggi prep was good and after "pet-puja" somaji agreed to chat with me n we spoke n spoke n spoke for some 1 hr...ooopppssss it was an ISD call...anyway we have touched 4 hrs/day in ISD....you should ask about this to Soma's mom...her famous comment is " If Shameek is spending money like this on phone bills after marriage he wont be able to feed you".......hmmmmm point to be noted....

Yesterday called Mom....the shopping spree is ON n everything is being bought with Soma in mind...what happened to the "Layak Beta"...nobody seems to think abt him.....bo hu hu....

-Shameek

Progress - Passport front....

Since yesterday Tikles have been suffering from severe pain due to ear-piercing.....she was running fever and suffering pain....however she woke up today morning early to go to Police Station to pass the residence proof document...

Soma's mom called up her this morning n said that her day will go fine....n lo the police officer called up proactively n said that he will come n collect the document....tikles was totally amazed to hear this.....

Police guy came n collected d doc n said he will send the verified docs by today....so one big headache solved....

Balle balle

My contribution to today's events - gave a wake-up call to Soma to get ready to go to Police Station .....

- shameek

Sent from my mobile device so excuse the spelling

Shameek pines....

It is 9.30am and I have a meeting in Genting Resort with a customer. I m wid a colleague and the drive from Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands was breathtaking ( its amazing that everytime I come to Genting highlands, I feel this way!!!!)....the weather is overcast n so very romantic....it would have been just fabulous if Tikles would have been with me.....hmmmmm....anyway I have promised myself that after Tikles joins me we will come and spend atleast 1 night here...maybe we will stay in Awana resort n spend the day in Genting......

- Shameek

Sent from my mobile device so excuse the spelling

Ear-piercing, Nose-piercing n the Bridal Wear.....

today Soma went for ear-piercing so that she can show-off during the shaadi-period....she is inspired by "Jodha-Akbar" Aishwarya's look....ha ha ha....

n during the piercing-session she felt weak n collapsed.....dhadaam.....uuuuuuuuu..... this also made her postpone the nose-piercing thing...n the "Jodha-Akbar" look has been delayed......

When Soma was in "dhadaaaammmm" state, my mom had called her to check her waist-size as she was puchasing some bridal wear.....Later Soma called mom n confirmed the waist-size......

now u dont ask me about Soma's waistline or shall i say "paunch".....ooooopppppsssss,.....anyway she is working on it n has promised that by 25th feb she will be flaunting a flat tummy.....hmmmmmm

actually the story on paunch is worser at my end....but i have also heard....a groom's paunch is an asset!!!!! anyway i have suspended alchohol n non-veg intake till 31st Jan....hope it does some good....

now i m getting addicted to blogging......save me!!!!

The Honeymoon Destination.....

Constraints - Can only take 4 days for honeymoon....i know we will be damn tired after the Marriage....

So have decided to go to Pangkaur Laut island for honeymoon...Pangkaur is an island which is around 4 hrs drive from KL... and the resort where we will be going is around 30 min by ferry from the mainland....Pangkaur - White sand beaches, Tropical Weather......absolute bliss!!!!!

Green sea.....white beach....







Now all depends on Soma getting her Passport on time..... :-I

My travel schedule is

15th Feb i will be reaching Kolkata
23rd Feb some marriage ritual
25th feb the main act
27th feb - reception n the most important act!!!!!!
1st Mar - will go to Dhanbad
3rd Mar - return from Dhanbad
5th March - departure from Kolkata
7th March -10th March - Honeymoon.......

The Passport Wait!!!!

Soma doesn't have a passport...she was awaiting everything (marriage related discussion) to be finalised before she decided to apply for the passport.....this was her funda!!!! Her parents had asked to apply for the passport in October itself but our dearest Soma was hallucinating n didnt apply....;-)

anyway Soma darling came out of the slumber after the things were finalised in the first week of dec 2007....then she got into frentic action and finally was able to submit the docs on 19th dec....I will accept the fact that she took lot of pain to apply...she did it single handedly and went to passport office three times...."pyaar mai kabhi kabhi karna padta hai" so hats off to her....

by the way do u wanna know the motivation behind the last minute rush? ,......hmmmm

I told her i m planning for the honeymoon in Malaysia and if she doesnt have the passport then Honeymoon is OFF....pretty smart huh!!!!!

anyway after the submission we started checking the status in http://www.passport.gov.in/ (btw, the passport office has become super-efficient now a days).....however the status was showing 'docs not available'......and Soma had to go to the passport office again n she was told the status will be updated after police verification.....

yesterday police officier landed at Soma's place without prior notice and hassled her....he asked her to bring a document.....it was quite upsetting ...but the brighter side is that police verification will get done by 9th Jan latest and after that it should take another 15 days for the passport to be issued....keeping our fingers crossed....

once the passport is received i will go ahead with our HONEYMOON booking...now u will be thinking - what is the honeymoon destination?.......lets keep that for the next blog....

cheers

Testing Mobile Blogging

This is real exciting stuff. Just checking the mobile blogging. With this, I can pen my thoughts about us 'on-d-go'......

More about Soma.....few things abt Shameek

More about Soma........

Sweet n Sexy Soma hails from Dhanbad (a cosmopolitan in Jharkhand ;-))....She studied in ISL, Dhanbad and then moved to Delhi for her graduation....for graduation initially she was in Dehradun - as per her Dehradun is Fabulous!!!!! She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Elex n Telecom engg...however as is the case with all present day grads in India, She was absorbed by HCL in ITES....She joined HCL BPO in 2005....

NOte: Never ever criticise Dhanbaad in front of Soma!!!! if u don't follow this suggestion, u are at a huge risk....so buy a decent insurance policy.....Thats what Tikli Don says!!!!! who is tikli? u guess!!!!

Soma's parents live in Dhanbad...Her father (baba) works with Indian Railways (info - largest recruiter in India) and mother (ma) used to teach in Mt.Bretia School, Dhanbad....She has a brother who is studying in Delhi...Ma is sweet n Baba maintains a great physique.... So cant take much panga with Soma....;-)

Now Soma's extended family is REAL REAL BIG.....Baba's side they are 4 sisters and 2 brothers....Ma's side it is 7 sisters and 3 brothers.....Now the BIG QUESTION is HOW DOES A LOW IQ GUY (Shameek) remember this BIG FAMILY TREE???? ;-))

Few things abt Shameek........

Shameek grew up in MP and Chhattisgarh....He did his schooling from 9 schools and he has tons of frens from school days...anyway he completed his High School (class X) from Maihar, MP and Higher Secondary (Class XII) from Christ Church Boys' School, Jabalpur (MP)....Then he joined Shri GS Insti of Technology n Science (Engg college) in Indore....he joined HCL in 2000 and has been with HCL till date....Presently Shameek is in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia....

Shameek immediate family consists of his father (Papa) and mother (Mimi)....They are in Kolkata...
















Mimi Papa in Kuala Lumpur's Aquaria

More details abt Shameek's family later.....

Info Flash - today is Mimi's bday and Soma n Shameek wished Mimi together at 12am....she was bhery bhery happy!!!! cheers

Jab We Talked!!!!

This Blog is to share how Soma and Shameek got to meet each other and how we are stepping into MARITAL BLISS!!!!

So Soma n Shameek were brought together by Bengalimatrimony.com n facilitated by Shameek' mom n Soma's mom.....Quite a boring start...typical Indian marriage funda.... ;-)

anyway thats how it started....circa Aug 2007

then Shameek took a first BIG step...he called Soma...yeah he called her on some date in Aug 2007....n Soma's cell tune was set to the 'Nasal Singing Sensation - Himesh'...dunno how can one have that as a calling tune.....yukkkkkk....anyway Soma was busy n she couldnt talk that day....she smsed back to Shameek next day...note the delay in response....this is going to be a key attribute of Soma which Shameek will highlight again n again...... :-))

next day as a low-ego n nice boy Shameek called Soma n spoke for some 30-40 min....Key things noted - Soma Soma has a sexy husky voice....hmmmmm.....Soma is bindaas....BTW Soma informed Shameek that "Delhi is India's Capital".....more on this next time....

Fast forward to 5th Jan....Soma n Shameek will be tying the knot on 25th Feb 2008.....hmmmm...the intermediate details will be shared as we go along...

anyway three cheers...

How does Soma look like.......

















n how does Shameek look.....