Managed to get a short week’s leave and flew home to celebrate my birthday here in Mizoram. It was amazing.
Things are so different back here from the hectic life of Mumbai. Everything is so peaceful and calm. In Mumbai, you are still stuck in traffic jams at 12 midnight. Over here, you suddenly find yourself scratching your head all alone at 9pm because the entire city has shut down and slept. The only sound one can hear is the eerie howling of wind and the beating of a lonely heart…
And in the mornings, you do a couple of chores like fixing the inverter battery, taking the car to the mechanic, dropping your nieces to school, repairing some of the windows and doors that the wind had damaged, standing in line for gas cylinders etc etc and once you’re done with all that, it’s only just 11am!
This time, I made use of foursquare and checked into a whole lot of places. I have integrated it with my facebook & twitter account, in the hope that more Mizos will join, but so far, I seem to be the only one
On the eve of my birthday, I met bloggers The Chhamanator, Nancy and Phiss. Discussed “misual.com matters” with them at Glenaries. Then I called up a few other bloggers and treated them at “Jeff’s Cavern” for dinner. Rita Zoye, Ice Man, Zorami Zote and my cuz Mimi Hrahsel & Sangtea showed up, while many couldn’t come (by the time I got their phone numbers, it was too late).
For most of them, it was the first time we were meeting in person, and I think the first impression they got about me was – Oh my God, you’re so fat. The first impression I got about them was – Oh my God, you think I’m so fat right?
Jeff’s Cavern was AMAZING. It’s opposite New Life Polyclinic at Chanmari, and the food is really yummylicious. You HAVE to come to this place if you’re a foodie. And the service was really good too (something not very common at restaurants in Mizoram).
The restaurant closed at 10pm, and we stayed inside till 11’ish. Complete privacy, if you know what I mean. Later on, we moved our merry group to my place, waited for the clock to strike 12, wished me and they finally left around 1am, which is really really late by Mizoram’s standard Ah, but did I not mention that we were merry?
Woke up on my birthday with a splitting
Called up “Nuteii catering” because my sis (the one in UK) had recommended it to me. We discussed about the menu and finally came down to 220 bucks per head. Chicken curry, crispy fried pork, egg potato mayonnaise salad, bai, chakawk with roasted peanuts etc etc. Invited only my childhood friends as I wanted to make this really special (no offence to my friends and cousins, hope you understand). We joked about how this same set of guys had always been there by my side on my birthdays since we were 3-4 years old! Just to be with these guys again on my birthday almost 30 years later, was truly amazing. Being the only son in my family, these guys are the brothers I never had, and will always be family to me.
And oh, about the food – I must stand up and applaud. From the reviews I got, I knew it was going to be good… I just didn’t know it was going to be THAT good. We just ate and ate and ate. Later on, we stood together and compared who had the biggest belly. I emerged the clear victor. Nuteii catering – YOU ROCK!
For those of you who’d like to get a taste of Heaven, here’s the number - +919436142373
A sultry voice who I assume must be Nuteii (or Nuteii’s daughter, if I am not pushing my luck too far ) will answer the phone. She knows her food like how I know my
Ended the night feeling old, but with no regrets. My career’s still rising, am financially stable and independent, healthy (except for a few minor vices), single yet in a committed relationship, secured assets back home, and doing something I’ve always dreamt of doing – working at a job I absolutely enjoy.
Thanks for all the birthday wishes at facebook, orkut, twitter, misual.com and personal mails. I am not the “oh it’s my birthday, I must make it special” kind of person. In fact, I hate making a big fuss over birthdays. But this birthday was different as it’s a milestone birthday. Because today, I have reached the 30 threshold. And what better place than to celebrate this special moment in the land of my father. Cheers to you all! Hic.
"Ended the night feeling old, but with no regrets. My career’s still rising, am financially stable and independent, healthy (except for a few minor vices), single yet in a committed relationship, secured assets back home, and doing something I’ve always dreamt of doing – working at a job I absolutely enjoy."
ReplyDeletewhat more, bro, what more. glad you had a good time. nice pics. i mean the sceneries, not the ones of you in strange men's laps. :)
It's a readable report. I didn't wish I was there. I'm sufficed to read the story.
ReplyDeleteWishing you again many many happy returns of the day!!!
Indeed you look fat :-)
ReplyDeleteyou forgot to mention - still damn hot sexy, irresistible :D
ReplyDeleteHappy B'Day...again...muah muah
pic ah hian kan in a lang..awiiii..ka lung a leng
Hmm sangtea chu a chal a kawlh tan nih kha. hehe! kan in pawh a lang rei ruai! lunglen thlak ve!
ReplyDeletechuan chawhmeh in va nei tlem emmmm emmm...
ReplyDelete@ fed: lolz. Yeah, me sitting on a guy's lap is a very Amos moment. :D
ReplyDelete@ samuelapa: Thanx. Naktuka LK high tea ah tea ka treat ang che u :)
@ Ben: haha. Yes indeed.
@ Almost: Chawhmeh khi table dangah a awm. Alelele. :D Nia in In te kan ti lang lui vel a nih hi :)
@ Mos: Its all in the family, kan nia, kan chal te chu a thui tawh hlawm lutuk. Mimi pawh khi a thui bawn, a hliah vel mai mai a nih khi.
Enjoy while it lasts, I meant the bachelorhood.Once tied down, you'd be worrying your head off on kids education, carreer etc etc.
ReplyDeleteAbout the 'catering service' its a new thing here in Aizawl, and I must say it makes life much easier when you plan a 'do'.
@ dr_feelgood: hey, wanna meet you too before I leave Mizoram. Plz call me on my number 8014364746
ReplyDelete"I am not the “oh it’s my birthday, I must make it special” kind of person..." Yeah right! Thats why you always crashed into my birthday celebrations by insisting on your own cake and inviting ur friends over! Since you celebrated ur birthday twice a year, I guess by that logic ur almost 60 years old by now! I shall make it a point to donate to 'helpage India' on ur behalf :-)
ReplyDelete"beating of a lonely heart" *scoffs* how can anyone be lonely with such a rocking bunch? I like the 'no regrets' thingy... you have a blessed life, nah, YOU made your own life blessed.. see, am being nice cos it's a bday post... Rock on my Rakhi bro... cheers!
ReplyDeleteur not fat...jus the belly part, tat's all LOL!
ReplyDeletehahaha!! you got one big pack there mista!!! tun atang chuan a vang zong chuan thang toh lo la tiro, a sexy lo hranpa tran don riau ania. I kum zat ka van kum peih lo tak.
ReplyDelete@ Big Sis: Shhhhh! :)
ReplyDelete@ Shuali: lolzzzz... rakhi bro? ok, you have crossed the line now! Better take that back, or else... :)
@ Zorami: hahaha. yeah. I really must do something about this. It seems to be the main topic of discussion wherever I go!!!!
@ Hmai: lolz, what a coincidence. I just came home now from treating my frens OPa, Hminga and his wife Daduhi at Chhunte International. She was teasing me the whole time (she's your batchmate at St. Pauls). I really dont know what is it with me and your particular batch :P
Nice report. As always...splendid.
ReplyDeleteNice work there. Its interesting from beginning till end.
ReplyDeleteBelated Happy Birthday Kima..
ReplyDeleteHope all is good.. :)
Dang! I forgot to wish you happy birthday. I'm sorry!! I remembered it on the 19th, though.
ReplyDelete"Belated Happy Birthday" sounds kinda lame so I hope you had super fun!
By the way, Induh pa!
happy birthday..and welcome to "over the hump" group. i crossed over last year!!! and boy u look like ronaldo (brazil)when he was pushed out of real madrid! have a great year ahead.
ReplyDeletesonam
@ Anon: Thanx :)
ReplyDelete@ Kym: Thank you Kym. Glad you found it interesting :)
@ Jason: Heyyyy thanx! Long time no see!
@ Lucy: Its ok. Belated wishes are accepted too :) And i in duh feeeee zawk.
@ Sonam: Thanx bro! hahaha and thanx for the comparison. :P
Weinch Rita chu leee... ehemm i cousin chu a ni lo ti raw...???
ReplyDeleteMisual lamah ka happy badei tawh bawk che a, hetah chuan ka ti tawh lo mai ang, bakah ka tlai tawh hrim hrim, nuam takin i hmang a, a lawmawm hle mai. Mumbai-ah chhuk la, "Kar hla D" tih hla sa rawh lolzz
Instead of dwelling on the obvious - Here's the thing - men when they get older - they get more distinguished? Wiser? Someone who knows his shit? men are hot when they are older.
ReplyDeleteBut then again, you're a 16-year-old at heart, and that's what matters! And that? Is what lets you have FUN!!! Let 'em rrrriiiiippp!!!
P:S - Nice pics.
And make sure you wear white tube socks with black slippers when you chase the kids out of your neighbourhood. :P
Here's wishing you a very very happy belated birthday. It really is a milestone and you're lucky to have celebrated it with people who mean so much to you. childhood friends rock. loved your post and more power to you.
ReplyDeleteand yeah, i'm still lurking around. got to get back to blogging. :)
First of all. Happy Birthday! Wow Mizoram is pretty. I have seen all the NE states now except yours, Manipur and Tripura. Hope to do that sometime. Since I have no brothers and sisters I can understand one's craving for "brothers". I have noticed though that many people who do have siblings absolutely take them for granted. Sigh! Its absolutely fantastic that you are enjoying the journey that is life, hope you have an exciting ride up ahead as well.
ReplyDelete@ Varte: hahaha. Ka cousin chu nilo e. Ni se ka ti a sin :D Thanx for the wishes :)
ReplyDelete@ Eve: Aha, that gives me more confidence as I woo the pretty young things while being supported by my walking stick :D Am in Cal airport now, just killing time until my next flight to Mumbai.
@ Aqua: Missed yaaaa! Glad to see you around after such a long time. Did you just delete all your old blog posts? :( Looking forward to more posts from you. Thanx for the wishes too :)
@ odzer: Thanx :) You should totally come to Mizoram. There's arent that many tourist attractions, but the place is breatakingly beautiful. :)
Wow.. love the Leitan shot up there!!!...
ReplyDelete....and may you live to write many many more posts on this blog....
Sandman chu mizofat ve tawh khop mai:) aizawl a last day hman na ah khan motor siam na ah kan in hmu chu min tlon khop mai:) ka sawi chhuak duh a ngem aw... Ka nu ka hrilh a tran khop mai che Bro...
ReplyDeleteKa induh thlawt lo.
ReplyDeleteKan in ka hmu thei! Sigh lungleng lungleng ka hne tawwwppp tunlai chu vairam hi.
ReplyDelete@ Blind: haha. Thank you :)
ReplyDelete@ RTPA: lolz. Thanx bro. Was great to see you after such a long time, even if it was for just a few minutes.
@ Lucy: Oiiii tho, in duh eeee :)
@ Jerusha: Nia ka rawn tarlang lui a nih hi, i lung a tih leng zual nan :D
E khaiiii!!! khi khi maw @sandman an tih thin kha, nga ti ta em em nge a???!!! lolzzzz *devilish grin*
ReplyDeletehaha! :D
ReplyDeleteI van upa toh em em!! Thau tenom tran trep lehnghal, exercise lam hi i ngeih top ang hehe. Happy birthday!!! I know its late, what to do....... m so busy!!!
ReplyDeleteThla leh atang hian kan office building a 5* gym "ZAF" ka join dawn a. 5000 per month, mahse a changkang a. Lets see...
ReplyDeleteVa'n chen nasa iam iam
ReplyDeleteHope I'm not too late to say, I had a 'MAHVALUS' time... thank you so much for the spendid evening (?). Glad to have met you in person. Ps, thot of copying the pics if you dont mind....
ReplyDelete@ Lucy: Chet theih lai chuan a nasa thei ang bera chet tur :P
ReplyDelete@ Rita: Of course! Feel free to whack any pic :)