Checklist
Hello! This is the last time you'll be hearing from me, your faithful blogger. Today, I'd like to share with you my crowning glory…my checklist (what can I say? There are days when I have bouts of OCD).
- Register for convention – Check
- Make sure some of my friends are going – Check (yay, friends!)
- Find a roommate – Check (Hi Ami!)
- Buy a plane ticket (drive? To SF? On 4th of July weekend? Hell no!) – Check
- Book a hotel room – Did I do this? (ohmygosh,ithinkilostmyreservation. Oh! Never mind) – Check (don't worry, Ami, it's all good)
- Shop for new clothes, because everyone will SO remember what I wore last year, and I definitely can't be that girl who repeats her wardrobe yearly – Check
- Make my packing list – Check (see previous entry)
- Pack – Check
- Check my packing list to make sure I've packed everything – Check
- Shop for whatever I had on my list but didn't have (like new black ballet flats, because mine are really holey) – Check (actually, my mother should be checking this one off, since I'm 'working' and I sent her on a mission to find them)
- Feel sick – Check (this one happens every FREAKIN' time I go somewhere. I get sick the day or two before I go. I'm fine when I get there, but while I'm supposed to be preparing, I'm normally quite sluggish.)
- Book a shuttle to take me from my house to the airport. – Check
- Catch up with everything at work, so that the people covering for me don't have anything to do because I'm just too damn nice – Getting there. I got distracted by this.
- Heave a great big sigh of relief because my vacation (2.5 weeks off, baby) starts on Thursday – CHECK (x50)
Well, kids, we've got three days before convention starts. It's been a pleasure.
See you on Friday!
-- Post by Geeti Rajadhyaksha --
Maiytra Blind Date (5 of 5)
The long awaited conclusion. Enjoy!
Maiytra Blind Date 5of5 from omi vaidya on Vimeo.
Packing
Well, kids…we've come full circle. I'm once again sitting at my desk, half-listening to a conference call and half-concentrating on systematically eating red vines. While this conference call is far more entertaining than the one I was listening to two and a half months ago, I am still nodding off. I figured this would be the perfect time to blog for the one of the last times. There are 9 days left until convention. I'm assuming you all are like me, and are obsessive about packing. Am I right? Have you all made your lists of what to pack? Have you pulled out your suitcase(s) yet?
I couldn't sleep the other night, and I made my list. For some reason, my list includes something called a 'blethirt'. I must have been more tired than I thought. As far as I can tell, that might be a blue shirt. So, if you see me wearing a blue shirt during convention, you'll know that I was right.
Here are some packing tips:
1) Pack more than you anticipate wearing. For some reason, regardless of how many shirts and pants I pack, by my last day – I've always run out of clothes. I don't know what brings this phenomenon around, but this time, I'm bringing enough clothes for 17 days.
2) Bring an Indian outfit…just in case you feel like showing off your Marathi pride…it might also be a good idea for banquet. You'll notice that I don't always practice what I preach.
3) Bring a sweater or a jacket. San Francisco can get chilly. It's the city by the bay. Bays apparently get cold. However, last weekend was warm (at least that's what the girl at the gym told me).
4) Bring comfy shoes. Last year, I traipsed around Seattle (with some friends) in stilettos, while on the hunt for a late-night (early morning?) Chinese food run. Needless to say, my feet hurt in the morning. And I complained the whole time. That's not fun for anyone.
5) Bring clothes you are comfortable wearing. That sounds like common sense. And it is.
That's it for now. See you in 1 week and 2 days!
-- Post by Geeti Rajadhyaksha --
Maratinglish
Dear MAIYTRA 2008 SF Committee,
I recently saw some poems posted on your blog. I have attached here a very ...pediatric .. poem I wrote which relates to my half-baked Maratinglish abilities. If you are in need for blog material, I send you this.
Enjoy!
I Like to Speak Maratinglish
I like to speak Maratinglish
while gesticulating wildly with my hands in the air.
Like my mother, I like
dropping my v's for w's
rolling my r's
and altogether ignoring the
rules for articles.
I like the way the sounds change my facade.
I am no longer shy, no longer quiet.
I wear a costume of levity and lightheartedness,
laughing as much at others as I do at myself.
I cartwheel through syntax
and play grammatical jugglery.
I make a thick masala out of words -
stretching them, compressing them,
gluing them together with reckless abandon.
I like the way my mother giggles when I
abandon my speech for hers.
"You are making a fun of me!" she says.
And I grin in return.
I like the rhythm of Indian speech,
bumpy like kheer, yet still flowing.
Knotty (Naughty?) with character.
I like how the sounds take up space.
Spicy, sarcastic, and flavored with silliness.
"What is this you are talking" my mother asks.
"It is not right."
But I don't care.
Because I like to speak Maratinglish.
~Tejaswini K. More (2.14.03)
Maiytra Blind Date (4 of 5)
This is part 4 of a 5 part video put together by the LA Maiytra Committee for Maiytra 2004. The final part will be posted shortly. So be sure to check back to find out how this Blind Date unfolds. Enjoy!
Maiytra Blind Date 4of5 from omi vaidya on Vimeo.
2 Weeks (and 2 days)
I would like to start off this blog by apologizing. I know that I have many (okay, 2) faithful followers, and I failed you by not posting last week. If I sound annoyed or bothered in this blog, please forgive me…its been a trying week and a half...and convention can't come fast enough. I just have to get through the next 2 weeks (and 2 days), which is when convention starts. We'll get together, make new friends, keep the old, blah, blah blah...I've covered it all. At least, I think I have.
To recap - during the last 9 weeks, I've covered cultural growth, speed dating, making friends, partying, traveling, the awesomeness that is San Francisco, etc. Actually, I haven't covered one thing...the organization of this event. It's a lot of work for a group of already busy people to plan an event on such a large scale. Hell, I have trouble planning lunch for three people. I just hope everyone appreciates all of the hard work the Maiytra 2008 committee has put in over the last few months. Without this group, we wouldn't be getting together this year. So, please, for me...thank them when you see them.
Have a lovely (fill in the blank).
-- Post by Geeti Rajadhyaksha --
Bollywood Meets Salsa
The Desi Latino Bollywood Party at Albertos in Mountain View on June 20th will be Maiytra's final fundraiser. Come learn some salsa moves Bollywood-style from Giju, a world/pop vocalist and world-ranked salsa dancer and Pantea, a salsa instructor, choreographer, and performer. A night of bhangra, salsa, and supporting Maiytra. Did I mention you'll get to see the Maiytra committee salsa'ing? This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
-- Post by Vishal Nayak --
Rattled in Marathi
Dear M.A.I.Y.T.R.A 2008 San Francisco Committee,
My name is Amit Kshirsagar. I am a Freelance writer from Ann Arbor, Michigan. I have attended almost every B.M.M/M.A.I.Y.T.R.A Convention, since its inception way back in 1983. Unfortunately, this year, since I am 36-years-old, I am not eligible for M.A.I.Y.T.R.A anymore. I would like to submit, for favor of publication, a Marathi Translation of my Interpretation of the song 'Rattled' off of the Traveling Wilburys hit 1988 album 'Handle With Care'. I feel that since this is now the 20th Anniversary of the release of 'Handle With Care', and since the world still mourns the death of George Harrison, I feel this submission is all the more fitting for this occasion.
The Traveling Wilburys' "Rattled"
I get rattled every time we meet
I get rattled even in my sleep
I get rattled, baby, over you
I get twisted, I get turned around
I get twisted, and I'm up then I'm down
I get twisted, baby, over you
(Chorus)
Well, baby, baby, baby won't you save one night for me
Baby, baby, baby is there something wrong with you?
Baby, baby, baby this is out of my control
It may look like nothing's wrong, but deep down in my soul
I'm twisted - shaken - rattled
I get rattled, baby, over you
(Chorus)
I get shaken, I'm torn up by the roots
Yeah, I'm shakin' way down in my boots
I get rattled, baby, over you
I get rattled, baby, over you
Rattled, baby, over you
Fragile
By the Hindnare Mudgalkars
Fragile
Our love is fragile as can be
I first knew this, the first time that we had first met.
Please be gentle, but not fragile with me
Oh! How much you mean to me
I felt so bad that day when you had first walked out on me
Please be gentle, but not fragile with me
Now, my emotions are fragile, because of you,
and will continue to be so for,
(my whole life through)
Naazuk Prem
Aamche prem ati naazuk aahe
agdi jitke jaasta asu shakel titke
Malaa aathavte aaplee bhutkaalaatlee pahili bhet -
Mi kalkalichi winanti karto tula ki, maajhyaashee tu haluwaar waag pan premaalaa tadaa zaaeel itke naazuk nako te prem.
Malaa kshamaa kar pan maajhe man lakshaat gheoon haluwaar waag pan naazuk pane nako.
Aata tar tu maajhyaa aayushyaatun kaayamchi geli aahes, tewha tya naazuk bhaawanaa aathawun tasech aayushya pudhe retaawe laagnaar aahe malaa.
-- Post by Amit Kshirsagar --
Maiytra Blind Date (3 of 5)
This is part 3 of a 5 part video put together by the LA Maiytra Committee for Maiytra 2004. Over the next few days, we will be posting the next parts one by one. So be sure to check back often to find out how this Blind Date unfolds. Enjoy!
Maiytra Blind Date 3of5 from omi vaidya on Vimeo.
A big, fat layer of love
So, I finished my top 5 list, and could not think of a fantastic enough topic for today's blog. I was complaining about it at work (and was fined a quarter, because that's how my department rolls) and someone said "Stop complaining, G! At least your people like each other enough to get together every year." And I said "my people? Who am I, Moses? Are you the Pharoah?" and she was like "You're so weird." But what she said struck a chord with me.
My people do like each other enough to get together every year. and that's awesome. I know that my past blogs have been totally random and semi-ridiculous, but underneath all that whateverness, there's a big, fat layer of love for my Marathis. Maiytra and BMM brings out that love every single year, because each year just gets better and better. Like I mentioned in my last blog, you make friends that you may only see at convention, but that's what's so awesome about it. You remind yourselves of the fantastic memories of the year before and go on creating new ones. And each year, you just add to that collection (if you will) of people that you will (maybe) never forget.
Don't believe me yet? Come to convention in less than a month. You'll see. But, you better act now, I think registration ends on June 15.
There are only 29 days left til SF!
-- Post by Geeti Rajadhyaksha --
Maiytra Blind Date (2 of 5)
This is part 2 of a 5 part video put together by the LA Maiytra Committee for Maiytra 2004. Over the next few days, we will be posting the next parts one by one. So be sure to check back often to find out how this Blind Date unfolds. Enjoy!
Maiytra Blind Date 2of5 from omi vaidya on Vimeo.
Maiytra Blind Date (1 of 5)
We're featuring the completely hilarious video put together by the LA convention crew. It was featured at the Los Angeles Maiytra in 2004.
This is part 1 of a 5 part series. Over the next few days, we will be posting the next parts one by one. So be sure to check back often to find out how this Blind Date unfolds. Enjoy!
Maiytra Blind Date 1of5 from omi vaidya on Vimeo.
It's all about the friends
We're back on track - I mean, doing Wednesday blogs and all. If you have been following along, you probably know that today is the day I'm supposed to be unveiling my top secret (not really) number one reason to attend Maiytra 2008. And that reason is - Friends. Old friends, new friends, doesn't matter. You get to spend a ton of time with people you can totally relate to (or, are related to). Living in SoCal, we have a pretty awesome group of Marathis/Goans that gets to together on a semi-regular basis. I don't hang out with them at convention. Sometimes, they don't care. But, last weekend, one of them said "Geeti, that's messed up." when I reminded him of that fact. So, then, I gave in and said "Fine, I'll hang out with you."
The reason I don't hang out with my fantastic friends (love you guys!), is because I know that I'll see them soon. I like to spend time with people from out of state or you know, from LA that I don't see at home. Its weird, I have a 'regular' group of LA friends, and then a 'convention' group. We become best friends and have each other's backs and all...but the minute we're back home, its like we never knew each other. And that's okay.
However, there are those special people you meet at convention, and know that you'll be friends forever (or at least a few years). My first such friend is Gauri. We (along with several other people) met at the San Jose convention, back in '99. I adore her. We bonded over the fact that a) we were both about to become seniors in high school (go class of '00) and b) at 16, we were able to pass for 18 and join in the 18+ events. In the past 9 years, I've seen her 4 times. I don't care. I heart her. The second one is Samita. My friend Sucheta adopted her in New York (2003), and I stole her. I'm shameless. We bonded over the fact that a) we were both obsessed with skirts and b) we're both sorority girls. I've seen her twice since then, both times at convention. My last friend is Soniya. We met at the Chicago convention in 2006. We bonded over a) 4 giant martinis - split 6 ways and b) an unfortunate girl who couldn't hold her liquor - refer to the previous entry. Soniya's become a Tai-type figure to me. We talk on the phone at least once a week, and I even spent Thanksgiving with her family. Through her, I've met who I've dubbed "the Florida crew" - Anjali, Shilpa, Monica and Renuka.
So, you should come to convention. You could make some amazing friends. And no, no snarky comments regarding awkwardness or annoyingness - because even awkward and annoying people can make friends. I should know (i'm kidding. I'm not awkward!)
P.S. 5 weeks and 2 days left!
-- Post by Geeti Rajadhyaksha --
We're Here to Party!
Wow, a Tuesday blog. Will wonders never cease? Today, I'd like to cover reason number 2 to go to Maiytra 2008. PARTIES. That's right, I said it (rather, i wrote it). The best part of parties are that you get to meet new people in an utterly informal setting. You can be yourself, and (hopefully) have a fantastic time. Please take the time to read the following words of advice. They may help you (or they may not, i'm not psychic).
1) Remember to always go with a decent sized group of people. ALWAYS stay with at least one other person. That way if most of your group decides to hop into a cab without you because you're talking to some random guy (or girl), you will still have at least one other person with you waiting for another cab - which could take another half hour, making the two of you the last people at the club.
2) If you are of age, and decide to drink at a party, it may save you some of your (or your parents' - i don't judge) hard-earned cash if you pre-game. However, please do not pre-game SO much that, once you enter the club, you immediately regurgitate. It is not pretty. There will always be people there to laugh at you, while throwing napkins to cover the mess, thus calling attention to your shame.
3) Don't be one of those people who runs around saying "I am so wasted." It is uber-annoying. And no one will want to talk to you. Plus, if you really were wasted, you wouldn't realize it. At least that's what I've heard.
4) Like I mentioned earlier, parties are a fantastic way to meet new people...however, don't expect to meet your special someone at a party. I mean, if you do, great...if you don't, don't sweat it. You may have caught someone's eye, and perhaps they'll come meet you the next day, when they (and you) are a little more, um, coherent.
Yay - 6 weeks and 3 days left!
P.S. If you haven't already registered for this super-fun convention, do it now, before the prices go up on June 1st!!
-- Post by Geeti Rajadhyaksha --
Explore the City
Sorry for the delay in blogging – last week was kinda hectic, what with Hospital Appreciation week activities and the surprise visit from our corporate Risk people. Today, we will delve into reason three to attend Maiytra. Maiytra gives us all a chance to visit new places. I could get all deep and say mentally, as well as physically, but I won't. I have been to 7 BMMs and 2 Maiytras (SF will be my third), and through these conventions, I've been able to go to 9 (10) new places. As I've gotten older, I've been able to leave the convention center and/or hotel during the evenings and explore the city. For the last few years, after turning 21, going out in the evenings has become even more fun, with the ability to explore the nightlife.
My 3 favorite BMM/Maiytra locations were: New York City (BMM 2003), Chicago (Maiytra 2006) and last, but certainly not least, Los Angeles (Maiytra 2004). Now, I know what you may (or may not) be thinking, "Dude, Geeti, you live, like, an hour away from LA. What kind of explorations could you have gotten into?" A lot, actually. While I do only live an hour away from LA, I rarely emerge from what some people lovingly call the "OC Bubble". I generally wake up at the crack of dawn during convention season, and go for long walks, so I don't wake my roommates up. The LA convention was no exception. On one of my long walks, I discovered Rodeo Drive – the playground of the rich and famous. It was 7AM on a Sunday, therefore no stores were open, but I had the absolute best time window shopping.
I am SO excited about going back to San Francisco. I've heard that there's going to be a scavenger hunt around the city, so that people can get to know the city by the bay. It'll be quite the blast. Next time, we'll cover another topic. A topic so fantastic, I don't even know what it is yet.
See you all in 7 weeks and 4 days!
-- Post by Geeti Rajadhyaksha --
Cultural Growth
Another Wednesday, another blog...Again, I'm sitting at my desk. Today, I'm waiting for everyone to come back from wherever they went so we can cut a cake (we're saying goodbye to a coworker who is retiring. Again). Anyway, today I've decided to share with you reason number 4 to attend Maiytra. Cultural growth.
Through Maiytra (and other BMMs), I've learned a lot about what it means to be a Maharashtrian. It means doing koli-dances, singing translated and tweaked Hindi songs, and it means watching or acting in some killer plays. It also means being proud of being from the best state in India. Which other state can boast Bollywood AND the stock exchange? Which other state has produced people ranging from Pratibha Patil to freakin' Sachin Tendulkar? Because of Maiytra and BMM, I've had the opportunity to discuss growing up in America with Indian parents. We've had topics like arranged marriages to astronomy to cooking to whatever. It's all interesting, because we get a chance to see how similar we really are, even though we all live so far apart.
The San Francisco Maiytra 2008 team seems to be pulling together a fantastic program. If you haven't already heard, Karsh Kale is going to be coming. And, we get to hang out on a boat. Being a Mumbai girl, I'm used to being by the coast, and I fully dig paani and paani-related activities.
But yes, culture. Our culture is what makes us unique, and going to conventions can help us understand and embrace it. I consider myself super lucky. I mean, I get to be from the best state in India AND the best state in America. How many other people can make that claim? 300-400 people, tops? Sucks to be you, Arkansas (and all the other states...I'm an equal opportunity snob...and, plus, i'm just kidding).
9 weeks and 2 days, kids.
-- Post by Geeti Rajadhyaksha --
Speed Dating
As promised, a countdown of favorite reasons to attend Maiytra will begin today. I don't know why I'm calling it a countdown, the reasons are in no particular order. Really, these are notes I'm jotting down while I'm waiting for the copy service guy to print me out some medical records. Anyway...today, I want to tell you guys how much I dig speed dating (stop groaning). Come on, where else do you get to talk to a plethora of singles in your own age range without worrying about another person trying to steal your thunder? I've done speed dating a few times, and I wanted to share some tips on what NOT to do during the event. Some of the following have happened to me/because of me and some, I've observed or heard about. You decide which is which. Remember, I'm just a good Marathi girl.
- If you are upset about something, skip the event. You may call someone something inappropriate, like a douche (am i allowed to say that here?).
- Don't show up to speed dating completely smashed. One drink, sure, if you need it, that's okay. More than that, and you may call someone something inappropriate, like a douche.
- NEVER tell the person you're talking to that you're not listening to them because you're into the person behind them. That doesn't fly well. Trust me.
- If you aren't interested, blow the person off gently. For instance, if he (or she) asks if you like tennis, reply in a kind voice, "Does that involve a racket?" Hopefully, that'll be enough of a hint for them.
- Lastly, do not arrive to speed dating so late that you have to share a date with that random, annoying Punjabi girl who decided to crash a Marathi convention because, obviously, Marathis are so much more quality. It kind of bites. Okay, it REALLY bites. Especially when you weren't even the one who was late, and she was. No, I'm not bitter.
What's going to be covered next time? Who knows? You should check back. Seriously.
P.S. 10 weeks and 2 days left.
-- Post by Geeti Rajadhyaksha --
Cute Marathi Lessons
-- Posted on YouTube by MarathiForKids --
11 Weeks (and 2 days)
"As I sit at my desk, half-listening to a fascinating teleconference and half-concentrating on systematically eating red vines, my mind wanders off to a far more fun thought. Maiytra. I look at my wall calendar to figure out exactly how many more weeks are left until Maiytra, and quickly realize that April and July will never be on the same page, even on a 3 Month At-A-Glance dealie. So, I click on my handy dandy computer calendar and count - 11 weeks (and 2 days) left until we gather en masse in San Francisco.
San Francisco is, without a doubt, the most fabulous city in which I've
ever lived - of course, any city would be fabulous when compared to
Modesto, Bakersfield, Yorba Linda and Orange - but still. The only problem
with SF, or so I thought, was the lack of weekends filled with brown people
jabbering in Maranglish. Thank goodness we will be fixing this soon.
BMM is one of my most favorite times of the year (very early September
proves to be stiff competition for this honor) and I am always psyched to
go. Stay tuned over the next few weeks, as I countdown my top 5 reasons
(along with, what i find funny, anecdotes) to attend Maiytra 2008. "
-- Post by Geeti Rajadhyaksha --
Happy Gudi Padwa
What is Gudi Padwa, you ask? Gudi Padwa is the Hindu New Year, but perhaps the more interesting question, which I find myself
asking fellow Maharashtrians everywhere this time of year, is "Why exactly is it the New Year?" Well here are some answers I have gotten:
- According to Hindu Dharma, it was the first day that the universe was created by Lord Brahma. Hence naturally it is the best day to qualify for the New Year.
- According to the calculations of the Hindu calendar, it is the first day of spring. Of all the seasons, spring is considered the manifest form of God.
- A symbol of victory - Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, returned to Ayodhya after slaying the demons and Ravan, an evil king of the demons. He killed Vali, a powerful and evil king of Kishkindha on this very day.
-- Post by Vishal Nayak --
MAIYTRA brings people together
-- Post by Ashu and Shibanee Gholkar --
[ March 26, 2008 ]
For all you Bay Area folks, show your Marathi Pride at the MAIYTRA fundraiser at Etiquette Lounge on April 18th!! Enjoy a night out in SF and get to meet the MAIYTRA core team. This is an open event, so feel free to bring your friends. The more, the merrier!!
Cover is only 10 bux, and the first 25 people to arrive will get a free gift!!! Check out the Evite for more info: http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/FINKNBFLGKLHPPXWETFZ/maiytrafundraiser
-- Post by Samir Pradhan --
Why should you attend MAIYTRA 2008 SF?
-- Post by Amit Apte --