Serial Diner returns with a bang!

She was asked out for dinner by some unknown, unfamiliar guy who just happened to see her at the Hotel reception. She smiled and since, she had had no company.. she kind of accepted the invitation. After that, You know what happened next !
Those of you who don't know Serial Diner -- She avoids Blind Dates.. She would run away or most probably, make you run away if she doesn't know you and (by mistake) you happened to ask her out...
I am sure this return of Serial Diner would give you a complete picture of what I mean...

She was quietly walking down the Hotel lobby, when a guy stopped her and asked... 'Hi! Where are you from?'... 'Well, here only' she replied... she mumbled something and asked back 'What about you?'. The reply came - ' I am from Bangalore'... The conversation started but she was very quiet, as if drifting in her own thoughts...

After a while, the guy asked her what were her plans for dinner tonight and what is her favourite cuisine? And, she was sure what she wanted to say... 'I love Japenese food'.

Serial Diner would match up a weird situation.. she would suggest a cuisine which would be totally unexpected to the guy (host)... This time it was an Indian (south Indian) guy and she knew Japanese Sushi would be the best option for him.

As expected, the guy replied.. 'Wow! I have never tried that before'.... She knew the next thing would be either the guy would refrain from going or he would try to show his willingness towards adventure.
This case he said - "What is Japanese food? I would like to try." Serial Diner replied, 'Sushi.. thats the Japanese delicacy.'
She decided to drive to this restuarant 'Kobe' approx 5 miles from Hotel. The guy was happy, he would get to eat fish but Serial Diner told him that she doesn't eat fish.. so may be they should not eat fish.... Well, He agreed to that also.

Next, She introduced him to the Japanese Menu card and then ordered a 'Vegetarian Sushi Combination'. When the Sushi platter came.. she told him that Sushi is rice roll and mentioned that it is bland. She told him that the 'Green sauce' is used to make the Soya Sauce Spicy. She knew what would happen next... The over-enthusiast (south) Indian guy, added lot of green sauce in the soy to make a paste for dipping his Sushi rolls. What happened next was hilarious.... Anyway, the Serial Diner smiled gently and offered a glass of cold water...
She was amazed at the ignorance of some people.... She was not sure why men get themselves into trouble... she kept quiet...

Who knows the guy enjoyed his meal or not? But, he did say that he would never ever go to Japan for any work assignment.... He bid her 'Good-Night' and told her that he would always remember her... He felt this was height of globalization.. "An Indian trying Japanese food on American land."

The Serial Diner bids goodbye to the first victim.....in her mind the next story has already begun..... It would be 'mediterranian restaurant' but who will be the man this time........
..... would it be another blind date or somebody blinded by her charms ?

World Lives on Hope !!

While driving on the roads of San Jose for the first time, I came across this street 'Hope Drive'. One friend of mine says - "World Lives on Hope"... And everytime he says this, it reminds me of "Hope Dr"...

I drove to 'Hope Dr' today.. wondering to find The World around there. I am sure if people say World Lives on Hope then there must be a reason to it... In this practical life where "Seeing is Believing", where emotions hold less value, where attitude of everyone around is so materialistic.. I, obviously, didn't want to think 'Hope' as some form of feeling / emotion. Hope to me at this moment was 'Hope Dr' , which is here, in the heart of San Jose city...

How do you define world ? Is it diversity of culture, people, religions, dialects, food ? Or it is the unity of mankind ? Feeling of society and oneness ?
For someone in Love, that one Special person would mean the World to him / her. For a soldier returning to his home after a long 3 year war could mean the World to him. For a mother, 85 years old, seeing her son after 20 years could mean the world. For geeks, world could be World Wide Web (www) or for a politician world could be his territory. For a poet, world could be residing in his dreams.......

I trust my friend who says 'World lives on Hope'.... I am sure he means what he says.. I am sure he found his world out there.... but I didn't find my kind of World on Hope Drive.. Or, May be I should just 'Shut-up & Drive' !

Last words to my friends @ Pyxis

I have nothing fancy to share,

But this is for all of you here,
For these moments you did spare,
It shows how much you care.

There were times that were tough,
Sometimes very very rough,
But, we stood by each others side,
To narrow all the gaps so wide.

I hope to see you all again,
I wish our friendship doesn't go vain,
Be it sunshine or crazy rain,
Give me a phone call - Don't Refrain !

Now that I say 'Good Bye' to you all,
Don't assume its the final call,
Let me stand up high and tall,
And, Say 'Thank You Very Much' you all....

Pics for the event:: http://picasaweb.google.com/surbhi.agarwal/PyxisFarewell