Depressing Diwali

I've been here almost and month and Diwali rolls around, my first being away from home.. and oh how I missed it!  Diwali at home has always been family filled one, with lots of food and fireworks! The house would be full of warmth, love and a happy family gathering.  My Dad  would cook for a army and we all visit the Gudwara (temple) as a family to light our diva's and then tend to visits form our extended family. My mum and I  would light lots of diva's around the house and then my brothers and I would have a competition with the neighbors to see who could blow up the street first!  Good times and only in Southall!  The smoke that arose above Southall on Diwali would lead to Heathrow flights being diverted! thats Major!

Spending Diwali over 5000 miles away from home was a little more subdued as Diwali is celebrated in the same way we do at home, just and not what i'm used to I guess. I missed home so much it was unreal. I couldn't help but tear up when speaking with my Mum and Dad over the phone. I know it was hard for them to not having me around, but these are the days when you miss your family the most.

Thank god for skype is what I say... at least I could get a little piece of home!

Thanks for reading.


MahaRani xxx

Halloween.. the Canadian way!

Halloween comes and goes in a blink of a eye back home in England.. However its a HUGE deal here in Canada - Lots of talk on the radio, tv, all the stores are packed with decorations and costume ideas and of course Pumpkins!!

Being a honorary Canadian it was only right to carve my very own pumpkin (thanks to cousin S and her kiddies)  and I even did a spot of 'trick or treating'!   See my handy work above on my very first carving of a jack-o-lantern!

Also I hit the town at a 70's themed Disco party! So I don my maxi dress (which I had form the summer) which doubles as FAB 70's inspired outfit, chuck on a afro,  some hoop earrings, and jazz up the make up & eyeliner the only way I know how and become a 'Disco Rani'... it was a fun night out.. and even funnier seeing myself in a 'fro'. My head looked like a giant balloon!  I'm too embarrassed to post those pics....

Thanks for reading..

MahaRani xxx

Lets get physical!

So one of the reasons to come to Canada was to spend some time on my own terms to look after myself.  I've made a start on the dreaded word the ‘diet’… I really hate that word, it’s been in my vocabulary since I was a little girl, I distinctly remember hearing it from a young age. When I was 8 my Mum signed me up to Jenny Craig!! I’ve always been chubby from the get-go, so it's something I've dealt with all my life. So that memory is very distinct as it was my very first stab at losing weight. Thinking about it now it seems so cruel to take a 8 year old and put them on a adults diet programme. I know only to well my Mum was doing it for me... so I LOVE her for it, despite all the exchange in words we've had over the years. I knows its always meant to be for my own good.  

I’ve been on some kind of ‘diet’ since then, now I’m 28. If I do the math that’s 20 years! God that makes me feel sad just saying that and thinking of all those failed attempts.  ;o(   I've always had something come up, that stops me in my tracks and I get discouraged, and a lack of positive mental attitude,   but not any more!

I know anything worth having takes work. So this is my fully fledged all guns blazing attempt to get down to a manageable and comfortable weight that’s right for me.  By me putting this on the web is another tool i'm using to make this work once and for all.  After which I know this is a life style change and I can’t go back to what I was. I won’t let myself… and my friends and family will won’t let me, I know that for sure.

So I decide to sign up myself up on a programme of Health and Fitness with major goals to achieve before next summer....(including joining the dating game, looking cute for my travels and all the people I will meet along the way!  Ohh and looking extra HOT for my little cousin N's wedding in July!)

So in a bid to short this sh*t out, I've joined LA Fitness gym, which is the California style open concept style gym, which is more than a little overwhelming! but who cares no one knows me here… that's the best bit! But I still can't help but find myself looking over at other people and think to myself  'what are they thinking of me?' Can't shake that habit....  

So far I’m 21 lbs lighter  - watch this space for updates!

Thanks for reading.

Getting through the basic 'To Do' list...

Now that I’ve had a few days to chill and unpack.. Time to get on with my basic 'To Do List'. Simply comprising of:
1) Open a bank account
2) Get myself a phone number
3) Sort out my National Insurance number or as the Canadians call it 'Social Insurance Number'
4) Driving licence / Car
5) Find a job... (notice this is lower down the list)
6) Join a gym / start fitness programme
7) Have fun!

So  I have to do all the usual  blah blah blah...I'm here for a year so this has to be done. Those that know me I like to be efficient!

Things here are the same, but different! I know, I know does't make sense, but phone prices are crazy expensive, especially as I'm now now longer employed - Everything is suddenly expensive.  I've left behind my lovely Alfa Romeo to swap it for a smooth ride - a Mazda! I'm car sharing with my cousin for now. However driving on the wrong side of the road takes a little getting used to. I’ve now surrendered my UK licence for a Canadian one… not sure how I feel about that when I get my photo ID comes in the post in a few weeks.. But I’m still a Brit inside!

As for trains (overground) they only run for a period of 3 hours in the morning rush hour and in the evening, if you miss those you have to get a coach into the city!  I sooooo appreciate the First Great Western trains now that used to take me into Paddington in 12mins…even with regular deplys at least you can always get on a train or even the 207/607 bus stop was 2mins away from my house, here its about a go 15-20min walk to the bus stop that runs on the hour!  I guess this is what you have to get used to living further out of the city...Its not like London thats for sure..Its good to have this experience before I move into the city..

I guess these are the subtle differences I have to get used to and QUICK!

The other thing to get used to is, almost every sales assistant I’ve met has struggled to understand what I’m saying… How hard is it to understand ‘I want all the salad on my sub please’ To which they lady behind the counters says ‘sorry, what do you want?’ I in return say ‘ all the salad please’ counter lady says ‘ WHAT? What you want?. COME ON LADY - I’m speaking English, just like you are! How hard can it be... honestly!

I've successfully started on my 'TO DO LIST'  points 5,6, & 7 i'll fill you in that later...

Thanks for reading,


MahaRani xxx

Welcome to Canada!

So I land in Toronto, after and long and lonely flight still wiping the last of my tears from my eyes as I would think of home, but as I walk through immigration my mind starts to shift… time to get focused and excited!

I am chauffeured to my new home in Brampton, (known as B-Town by the locals), by my cousins NS & RS.  Time to catch up with the Canadian family…As I’m moving into the home of my Masi ( my Mum’s sister). I was greeted by my other fabulous cousin sisters SS & JA and their adorable kids, they are too cute!.  I can give them a cuddle and kiss when I miss my own niece & nephew... Phua ji loves you! xx

I settle into my new room and start to unpack my 2 suitcases which contain the contents of my life back home. Its not much considering you should see the collection of shoes & bags I have, I only managed to bring 5 with me! Taking a deep breath looking around with the thought of 'oh my I’m here for a year', crossed  my mind!  Coming here felt different this time from any other time I’ve visited Canada over the years.  My Canadian family are so different to that of my own, (they are just as fantastic as mine),  yet it still feels like home. In some way, maybe because of the love we have for each other and closeness we have built during our childhood has helped my transition from UK to Canada.   So a big up to my S family - thanks for having me!x  Ok so I haven't gone out completely on my own just yet - but I need to do this in stages!

Day 1 in Canada: I went with a fellow blogger and cousin Designwali  (who has a fantastic blog about all things Design with an Indian flavour - so check it out) to a taping of a National TV show of ‘Steven & Chris’ in downtown Toronto.. Had my picture taken outside the famous CN tower (I must come back and actually go inside it, and take that famous picture on that glass floor!)  So all in all not a bad start for my time in Canada for Day 1,  I’ve managed to make it onto national TV!! This can’t be that bad!

Thanks for reading,

MahaRani xxx

Leaving home.... this is the hard bit!

First and foremost I couldn’t leave without a party, could I? NO of course not, it’s simply not my style!  I had an amazing send off party in Richmond (with drinks and nibbles hosted by my brother DB, and a open bar tab care of eldest bro BB! Whoop whoop! I love having older brothers.. Thank you again! All my good friends and close family where there, I felt so much love it was unreal!

Even my work leaving do was such a fab night and such great leaving pressies! I was spoilt that’s for sure!  I guess the saying ‘what goes around comes around’ couldn’t be more true. This felt like the universe was actually showing me some love! - Finally! I truly felt it on that day and even up to the last minute when friends came to say their final goodbyes.. And the farewell from my brothers, niece, nephew and sister-in-laws one word = emotional

Monday the 18th October 2010 was D-DAY,  I actually left home for a year of adventure, and the fear of the unknown was freaking me out somewhat, I started to seriously question what will it be like to live somewhere other than my HOME?  Home being the infamous Southall, if I close my eyes now I think I can smell the thurka! hahaha. To be honest I was looking forward to leaving the grit and grime of Southall behind and head for open roads, fresh air, mountains of snow, bump into a mountie or too, and just see what the land of  Canada could offer!  But I knew one thing,  I would miss my family far too much.. Could I really do this?

Those that know me well know it was hard to leave, especially being the youngest member in my family, but the thrill of finally being able to spread my wings was so exciting all at the same time. However to add to the stress of leaving is that I’m an unmarried 28 year old Indian girl that left a good paid job to go on this adventure abroad… So as you can imagine my decision to leave was difficult enough for my Dad who is typically a traditional Indian. He said the words ‘ I’m not stopping you from going, but this is the biggest mistake of your life!’  Drama!, if I do say so myself.. This line could just have easily come from a Bollywood soap opera I swear!   He eventually came around. The silence then went to nods, then grunts to respond to my questions to short questions to a big hug and tearful goodbye at T5!  I LOVE YOU DAD.  I didn’t realise leaving home would be so hard, although I’m a pretty emotional person, I knew I would cry my eyes out like a little baby... but I was my parents baby. Waving goodbye to my parents at T5 has to be hands down one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life to date…  No i'm not over reacting! I can only think these kinds of things can only make you stronger. 

My Mum  - my rock & brothers on the other hand were more than supportive of me, and my quest to do something different and shake it up!  So I’d like to thank them for all their support and encouragement… I’m going to make you all proud of me, I promise! 

I got on that plane, still wiping the tears from my eyes only to land in Toronto 7hrs later..No turning back now!  

Love you and miss you all xxx

MahaRani xxx

It's time to make a change!

I’m a 28 year old good Punjabi girl from London. I’ve spent the best part of my twenty something years helping friends, family, the neighbour,  and random aunties from down the street that need me to show them how to use their computer. I'm usually tending to visits from the extended family from motherland that have decided on a surprise visit to our house and I find myself making cups of tea for 20 people at a time throughout the day on an average Sunday,  plus the constant flow of visits from our family (Indian family networks are big, well mine is!). It’s always been a busy household, so basically anyone that needed help or wanted me to do something for them…. I was that girl!  This even includes throwing myself into my work, I couldn't get away from that either…but what can I say - I want to make people happy… I can’t say no! 

Earlier this year I took a step back to think - ’where is my life going?’ I’ve always happily put others in front of myself, as I wasn’t important and it would mean I have less time to think about myself and what I needed. I seem to have all the time in the world to run around for others….but what about me? Enough is enough, time to get selfish! (just a little!)

With the help of cousin J this summer I decided to finally do something for myself and focus on what I want. Not keep using my family and friends to keep me busy and not focus on what I should be doing for myself. For instance my health, exploring the world, and finding love! Why couldn’t I manage to do all of it successfully together? I managed to do bits of it successfully, but only one at time. Don’t get me wrong,  I still had lots of fun though, and great memories from my teens & twenties....

I have been blessed with great friends and family, but I’ve never known when to draw the line and do what’s right for me.. I guess its in my nature, I've always been the bubbly, happy and helpful Rani,  that won’t change, but I can at least make the most of this year overseas to spread my wings and put things back in balance!   As a very dear friend said to me one day ‘Rani, you don’t want to be the only one left of the dance floor’. Cheesy as it seems, this really stuck a cord with me! So thank you N! xx

So this is where my journey beings!

Thanks for reading!

MahaRani x