Yours gratefully

Warning, super long tag post ahead, read at your own risk!

Ages ago, Divya of Sprinkles of Stardust had awarded me a Liebster Award. Honestly, I don't think I deserve any award or such. I don't take great pains with my blog, my post count has just crawled upto 160, despite taking part in a Blogathon this Jan, etc etc. But any kind of appreciation must be acknowledged with grace, so here we go.

• This award involves putting up 11 things about oneself.
• Create a set of another 11 questions for the persons he/she nominates for the award.
• Choose bloggers who deserve this award and link them in the post (those with less than 300 followers).
•  These nominees must be informed about their nomination.
•  No tag-backs are permitted.

11 things about myself

1. How difficult is saying 11 things about yourself? Very, especially if you hate talking about yourself. Believe me, this I am attempting just to get out of my comfort zones. I need to push myself constantly to do so all the time.
2. I have a sweet tooth, which I am trying to control.
3. I tend to have these favorite books which I need to re-read time and again, like My Family and Other Animals, Pride & Prejudice, etc. See this thing about comfort zones again:)
4. I can't lie very well, or even remember half-truths, so I try to avoid as much as I can.
5. I can make out when a person is lying, without fail.
6. I judge people who don't answer e-mails, even after ages.
7. I am now very addicted to the Internet, blogging and social media et al, need to get out of that.
8. I crib about choices - if there are too many or too less.
9. I am pretty much undecided about a lot of things in life - like what do I want to do with my life, am I doing the right thing at times, which direction to steer when reversing, what should I cook for lunch, etc?  And I can drive anyone crazy who volunteers to come shopping with me:)
10. I think feminism is a lost cause, when I see so many atrocities happening around me and the persisting inequality which is the lot of women inspite of education, opportunities, freedom of choice etc. It just brings to face we live in an animal kingdom, and women as the weaker sex.
11. I'm trying to get back in touch with my creative self but admit there is some kind of a block which I need to overcome. I have lost touch with that side for a while now.

And now answering questions! Pff, these are tough ones for sure Divya, you don't make it easy, do you.

1. If you had to describe yourself with the help of a song, which song would that be?
Any of these, but I realise I'm not v. up-to-date - 'Una Paloma Blanca' by George Baker, I'd get by with a little help from my friends'  by The Beatles. Sometimes 'Ek Akela is shahar mein' too.

2. What is the one thing you would do differently if you felt no one was judging you?
Not look around like a thief when looking for a midnight snack and maybe eat it in bed >:-> Or skip the  dusting for a while.

3. If you had a choice of starring in a movie, which movie would you choose and what character would you play?
Owen Wilson's character in 'You, me and Dupree'. Because I can't imagine being that way in real life.

4. What is the one cause you feel most passionate about?
I think education is the way forward for our country but not the current way - with degrees and diplomas. Firstly, there ought to be accessibility to education, which sadly is not the case today. Education is totally embroiled in politics and then treated as a business. It should be skill focused, with freedom to mix and match subjects of interest for eg, biology and psychology, chemistry with IT, etc...no limits there and more practical.

5. What is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?
I would hold nonjudgmental listening as the best thing my friends can do for me.

6.Who was my favorite cartoon character when I was a child?
Goofy! and that wolf character in 'You Just Wait!'

7.If you could bring a tourist to one place in your city where would you take him or her and why?
Umm, that would depend on the person's likes and preferences - I would be happy to show them the 6 great trees growing in the park nearby and how it would make a great picture, and the green vistas there, but they might just pass that for a visit to IKEA:)

8. What does my name mean? To what extent is that meaning applicable in your context?
My name means 'Light', alternatively someone who will be famous. Not applicable to my present - I am heavy and just a stat on a government ledger:)

9. Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
I am seeking to define this for myself and work towards it, but sadly can't firm up anything. Sigh!

10. What is the best gift you have ever received?
Books, companionship, being caring, being generous with their time, a home-cooked meal, sharing information and experiences - these are the best gifts as per me.

11. If you knew that today was the last day on the earth, how would you like to spend it and why?
In that case, got to stop this right now, fetch kids from school, call the husband home give them big hugs and kisses and spend all the remaining time together. Because when we are together, I tend to take it all for granted.

I think this award has been done by all the bloggers I read, so I will not be passing it on to anyone. Now,  did you think we were done. Nopes! MomwithaDot also tagged me for another award. Thank you MWaD again.

1. How have you been?
Doing good, thank you!

2. What is the one word that describes you?
Gentle.

3. Are you in love with life?
Err, that can't be a yes and no question.

4.What is your favorite colour?
The earth colours.

5.Are you famous?
Famous no, notorious, perhaps:)

6.Do you dream?
Permanently dreamy.

7. Tell me a joke?
That's the answer to qn 5 actually, forgetting the punch lines :P

8. What are you upto these days?
Too many things - one was finishing this. Feels good to get it done with!

9. Which is the one book you would suggest I read?
Being Different, just started it, seems very interesting.

10. If we were to run into each other would you smile and wave?
 Sure I would smile and wave. Though I don't think I would recognize you in spite of the dot :)

11. Any questions for me?
What makes you blog? What do you take back from blogging and the resulting interactions?

Whew! Think I am going to go slow with tags for a while now.