Reading 'Broken Soup'

Hi friends,

I promised myself and you that this post would be about my school teachers. My apologies.This post would be about a novel I read yesterday.I went to book fair on Tamukkam ground last Saturday.It was nice to see a reasonably large crowd.

I bought a novel called 'Broken Soup' by Jenny Valentine.I had no idea what I had in store for.

The narrator is Rowan Clarke,a 15 year old girl. The story takes place in London.Two years back, Rowan was a typical teenage girl who had a normal family with her elder brother Jake and younger sister Stroma and parents who were happy with each other.

It all fell apart when Jake had died by drowing in a lake in France where he went for one month vacation.Rowan's dad moved out of their home after a fight with his wife. Her mom sank into depression that consisted of not talking to anybody else in home and walking like  zombie.

Rowan starts to look after both her mom and her six year old sister Stroma.
Rowan lies to her dad about mom's condition and he is blissfully unaware of the fact that his 15 year old daughter is taking care of the family alone.

Rowan meets a 18 year old American boy Harper who gives her a negative photo claiming she has dropped it.Bee, a school mate of Rowan takes interest in the negative and when they both develop it,it ends up showing the smiling face of Jake.

Rowan is confused about the coincidence.She is pretty sure she doesn't own it.Rowan starts spending time with both Harper who he starts fancying and Bee who becomes her best friend. Then Rowan finds a sea post card from Jake to Bee just 2 days before his death!!! Bee was Jake's girlfriend??What is the mystery of Bee's brother Sonny??

Okay,story time over. You have to read the story for the twists after that.(Or wikipedia it)

I happened to travel some four hours yesterday and I finished the novel.I actually abandoned it twice in midway because the angst was too much for me to bear.

The tragedy of losing a sibling and the depression and his memories was written in too much detail that you would start feeling the hollowness too.

I finished it because I wanted to know weather Rowan was okay in the end.The only thing I cant believe that she would lie to her father about her mom's condition for 2 years!!!

Rowan was mature and responsible for her age and I rooted for her till the end and poor Bee!!!

One of my sad reads but sometimes they are good too, like a sad melody!!!

மலரும் நினைவுகள் பாகம் II

          I love those school days when the worst betrayal to your best friend was going to bathroom (or) canteen without her.(or worse,going with a girl who your best friend slightly disliked..)
A big Hi to all my school buddies!!!
         My face book friends list is filled with my school and class mates whom I can not recognise even after their 100s of photos.I really wish to have known them better.I liked lots of people in school,but I couldn't be friends with them because of my (or) our serious ego problems.Evey thing in school was a competition and of course we were young and silly.
           This post is for the people who made my day in school and for whom I am genuinely fond of...

To R.K.Sridevi

The one person I was never friends with,but liked and loved all the same. I respect her. Its a big feat for me,because I can love people who love me but they have to earn my respect..Wish we were friends!!!!

To Lavanya Ravichandran

I love her home more than I love her. Her home and family were always kind to me and fun to hang out.She is one super partner to go shopping..We were not close friends in school but she helped me a lot during my college days and she gave me the confidence to go out alone for which I am grateful for.

To G.S.Vaishnavi

One friend I thought I couldn't imagine life without but still  drifted apart.I genuinely liked her and she was one friend with whom I didn't have any ego..MISS U VAISHU!!!

To Shenbagam

My best mate for 2 years in school..I hated her so much in the beginning but liked her so much after sometime..I was no fun in school. She made me laugh. We fought a lot but still school wouldn't be the same without her..

To Tamil

My frenimy,My first neighbourhood friend and enemy..We had ego clashes like hell..we were both comfortable saying 'I don't like you' to each others face.It was silly but we were equal and had nothing in common for us to be friends.But after school days I genuinely came to like her. Though we have no contact whatsoever,my childhood and school life couldn't be told with out her name.

To Lakshmi Priya

Or should I call her Ginny Priya?? The word 'sweet' comes to my mind whenever someone mentions her..her voice is sweet,the way she speaks is very sweet.We fought over silly things in school but laughed about it afterwards..My sweet Harry Potter and Korean Drama fanatic!!!! My school life with out you might be boring as boring as Azhagi serial!!!

My next post would be about my school teachers who made my life both hell and heaven..Take care.

மலரும் நினைவுகள்- பொங்கலோ பொங்கல்

                  பொங்கல்னா எனக்கு ஞாபகம் வர்ற விஷயங்கள் நாலு. சர்க்கரைப்  பொங்கல்,கரும்பு,கோலம்,நாலு நாள் லீவு.சர்க்கரைப்  பொங்கல் எனக்கு  அவ்ளோ இஷ்டம் கிடையாது,கரும்பை யாராவது உரிச்சுத் தந்தா சாப்பிடுவேன்.(I 'm basically a சோம்பேறி னா ). ஸ்கூலும் காலேஜும் முடிஞ்சதிலிருந்து நாலு நாள் லீவும் கிடையாது.(நம்ம வீட்டு  வேலையிலிருந்து லீவு உண்டா என்ன??).

                  மாறாம இருக்குற ஒரே விஷயம் கோலம்.கலர் போடி போட்டாத் தான் கோலத்துக்கே அழகு.அதை வீட்டுல இருக்குற ஒவ்வொருத்தருக்கும் விடிஞ்சும் விடியாம கூட்டிட்டு வந்து காமிச்சா தான் திருப்தி.என்ன,அம்மா வீட்டுல கோலம் போடும் போது(வருஷத்துக்கு 3 நாள்.தீபாவளி,பொங்கல்,ஆங்கிலப் புத்தாண்டு),என் கோலத்துக்கு வேற யாரும் கலர் போட்டா  எனக்குப் பிடிக்காது.Pattern மாறுது,look மாறுதுன்னு புலம்புவேன்.இப்ப தனியா என் வீட்டுல கோலம் போடும் போது ,யாராவது கலர் குடுக்க எடுபிடி கிடைக்க மாட்டாங்களான்னு தோணுது.

                       எனக்கு எட்டு இல்லன்னா ஒன்பது வயசு இருக்கும் போது,எங்க வீட்டு வாசல்ல கோலம் போட்டுட்டு,தெருவுல உள்ள மத்த  வீட்டு  கோலமெல்லாம் பாக்க ரவுண்டு-அப் போனேன்..அன்னைக்கு நாள் முடியறதுக்குள்ள பயங்கரக் காய்ச்சல் வந்துடுச்சு.(இன்னைக்கு மாதிரி முதல் நாள் ராத்திரியே கோலம் போட்டுட்டுத் தூங்கற வசதியெல்லாம் அப்ப இல்ல பாருங்க!!).

               

        ஏழாங்கிளாஸ் படிக்கும் போது என் கிளாஸ்மேட்ஸ் 4 பேருக்கு,பொங்கல் வாழ்த்து greetings வாங்கி அனுப்புனேன் .அப்பல்லாம்,இந்த greetings,gift எல்லாம் பெரிய விஷயம்.மொத்த செலவு 16 ரூ.அதுல ஒரு தோழி முகவரில அவங்க வீட்டுப் பின்கோடுக்குப் பதிலா,என் வீட்டுப் பின்கோடைப் போட்டு வீட்டுக்கு greetings திரும்பி வந்துடுச்சு.மறு நாள் கிளாஸ்ல நேராப் போய்க் குடுத்துட்டேன்.அந்தப் பொண்ணு(பெயர் கோமதி என்று நினைவு),நான் greeting அனுப்புறேன்னு சொல்லிட்டு அனுப்பலைன்னு கோவத்துல இருந்தது.ஆனாலும் மத்த மூணு பேருக்கும் ரொம்ப சந்தோஷம்.(நான் பெரிய சாதனைப் பெண்மணியால்ல வலம் வந்தேன்..).அந்த நாலு ரூபாய்னால எத்தன பேருக்கு சந்தோஷம்னு நினைச்சா அழுகறதா சிரிக்கறதான்னு தெரியல.

                     அதுலயும் எங்கம்மா நான் வீட்டுலயும் வாசல்லயும் பெயிண்ட் கோலம் போடா எனக்கு வைக்க வேண்டிய ice ஐயும் நான் போட்ட கண்டிஷனையும் நினைச்சா ..hmmm அது ஒரு கனாக் காலம்.என் uniform ல பெயிண்ட் ஐ கொட்டி நல்லா dose உம் வாங்கிருக்கேன்.போன வருஷம் தான் நான் முதல் முறையா பொங்கலே வச்சேன்.(அதுவும் pressure cooker ல தான்.!!)

                      வயசு ஏற ஏற பொங்கல் மேல இருக்குற ஆர்வம் குறைஞ்சுகிட்டே போச்சு.நாலு நாள் லீவு தான் ஒரே பிளஸ் பாயிண்ட்.கோலம் போட 5:30 க்கு உசுப்பினா,உலகத்தையே 1/2 மணி நேரம் சபிச்சுட்டு எந்திரிக்கிறது வழக்கம் ஆயிடுச்சு.

                    இப்பல்லாம் பொங்கல் எங்க வைக்குறது,அம்மா வீட்டுக்கு எப்பப் போறது,அத்தை  வீட்டுக்கு எப்பப் போறது,3 வீட்டை பொங்கலுக்கும் தீபாவளிக்கும் பிரிச்சுக் குடுக்கவே மண்டை காயுது.ஆனாலும் என் குழந்தைக்கு சிறப்பான பொங்கல் அனுபவங்களைத் தரணும்னு நினைக்குறேன்.ஏன்னா எல்லாருக்கும் மலரும் நினைவுகள் தேவை தானே!!!!

அனைவருக்கும் தித்திக்கும் இனிய பொங்கல் நல் வாழ்த்துக்கள்..

3 Must read fanfiction for Harry Potter Fans..

Hello dear Potterheads,

I was introduced to the world of Harry Potter at the age of 16 by my brother.. Had been a Potterhead from that moment.But you can read those 7 books only, like 100 times..You start to crave for more stories..That's when I found the wonderful world of fanfiction..mind it,you have to read some 100 garbage to find one gem..for the last five years,I read lots of garbage and many gems..I wish to share my absolute favorites..

#3 : Delicate

Website:www.harrypotterfanfiction.com
Author;padfoot4ever
Rating: Mature
Era:Next generation
Pairing: Scorose(Scorpious Malfoy-Rose Weasley) and other canon pairings.
Status: Completed.

Why its my favorite:

I got to admit,stories revolving around teenage pregnancies are not my thing. Here the story starts by revealing that 16 year old Rose Weasley(daughter of Ron and Hermione) is pregnant by none other than Scorpious Malfoy(son of Draco and Astoria) by accident.(I mean,firewhisky)..yet this story is my favorite..because it captures the next generation of golden trio wonderfully..

I adore Ron and Hermione here..The entire weasley clan are worth reading.Our Rose is little crazy here but you will love her. Our Scorpious is a little jerk here,but you will love him. Our James Potter here is a little insensitive pranskster..Albus a goody goody shoes,Lily a little bit slut..but I love them with all their imperfections..and I know you would too..

#2.My Possibly crazy neighbours

Website: www.harrypotterfanfiction.com

Author: thecoolestdark13

Ratings: Mature

Era: Marauders era

Pairings: Sirius/OC

Status: WIP

Why its my favorite:

Who doesn't like a marauder era fanfiction? We are all curious to pair that wonderful  Sirius Black with a deserving OC..but a muggle??that too the story from her point of view??..For the first time in my fanfiction reading years, I fell in love with a original character. Mellie is that OC,and she is fantastic here. A normal 16 year old girl from normal world.But when the Potters moved in as her next door neighbour,chaos ensues.

         Mellie believes James is potty. and Potters are weirdos.
But Sirius is handsome..What to do??? Read,one of the best I could find it humor genre..

#1.The Marauders' companion

Website:FictionHunt

Author:Mibamonster

Ratings: Mature

Era: Marauders' era

Pairings: James/Lily

Status: Completed.

Why its my favorite:

Its not a story. Its Marauders(James,Sirius,Remus,Peter,Lily) reading fanfiction..what would happen if Marauders got hold of the fanfictions we wrote about them..How would they react to some craziest descriptions of them? How would Remus and Sirius would react the pairing of WolfStar?How would they explain wholesome hatred for Peter in fandom?How would James and Lily react to their pairing as One True Love and their future son Harry?
How would they react to some trash as fanfiction and their character assaninations???

Well..Read. You are in for a treat..Time for laughing out aloud....

Happy  Reading:-))))) 

மதுரையில் எங்கே சாப்பிடலாம் ?

Disclaimer: 

These  are my favorite six restaurants in Madurai.They are from my first hand experience (which is very limited)..I formed this list considering 4 factors. Taste, Atmosphere,Cost and Service.

I love eating outside.Especially if its dinner on weekends. For the past one year or so I developed a habit to try as much as restaurants as I can,both Veg and Non-Veg..While I always rank atmosphere as #1 priority, Taste and Service comes next. If these three things are excellent,its worth the cost.

#5. தமிழக உணவு விடுதி (Non-Veg)

Location; Tamilaga unavu vidudhi in map

Location is great while food is good. The cozy A/C hall is great for peaceful evenings and privacy. I think not many people prefer to dine there but they are famous caterers  to many events.Service is good, It ranks #5 because its good in all aspects,just not great..









#4. அம்மா மெஸ் (Non-Veg)

Location; Amma mess in map

The most popular Non- Veg restaurant in Madurai. Its walls are decorated with photos of cinema celebrities who dined there. I visited it once. Dishes are excellent in taste with varieties you never imagine.Service is good and  its worth the cost.The only drawback according to me is the atmosphere. Owing to its popularity it is mostly crowded and not an ideal place to have some quiet dinner.I felt like I was in a wedding reception that I had to eat quick.    

#3. ஸ்ரீ சரவண பவன் (Veg)

Location: Sri Saravana bhavan in map

First thing I noticed here was the atmosphere. Suitable for family dining and romantic dinner..The luxurious decorations made me feel like I was in a 5 star hotel..North Indian recipes were quite good,especially Nan and Panner butter masala..You would definitely wish to come here once again.  


#3.குமார் மெஸ் (Non-Veg)
Location: West Perumal Maesthiry street.

 

Another popular mess in Madurai for Non-Veg.I went to the one near Chennai Silks..The pleasant surprise was its chettinad style building..it was refreshing.Taste,Atmosphere,Cost,Service were all great..the only drawback was for me that it was a little too spicy for my taste and I ended up drinking lots of water,which had filled my appetite before I finished eating..If you dont mind it,Go for it. Highly recommended.  

#2.பேச்சியம்மன் பால் பண்ணை (Veg)
Location: Near Villapuram Arch.

The reason it took 2nd place was its familiarity..I had visited the place so often,it kind of feel good just to be there..we even had our family birthday dinners there as a routine..Vegetarian restaurant with lots of varieties with affordable price.Our bill never exceeded Rs.1500,even we ate with some 15 people. Its close to my heart and close to top place.

#1.பெல் ஜம்போ (Bell Jumbo)(Veg, Non-Veg)
Location: Simmakal.

Here goes the #1 place to Bell  Jumbo,It gets all the things right. Atmosphere,Taste,Cost,Service..Its a real pleasure to eat here in the A/C hall..Don't miss ice cream here..

On Harry Potter

       There are things we enjoy,that made great impact on ourselves that we simply can't imagine our life without it..My friends may roll their eyes at me for this dramatic statement..I hardly blame them, because they had to endure with my obsession during our school days.(infact I inflicted my obsession on quite a number of people!!!)

      If its still not clear from the title, I'm talking about my beloved Harry Potter series by J.K.Rowling...that is I'm not a fan of Harry potter movies,only books.(unlike some of my friends)..

             I watched first two movies to get my imagination of characters and wizarding world right..I spent the last of my teenage years immersing in the wonderful Hogwarts..
Though in the later years I understood,magic didn't solve anything but created many problems along the way..but where is fun,with out trouble??(for us to read anyway).

             When I got tired of reading the books again and again(I know,I read that many times),I discovered the wonderful world of fan fiction:-) 

               Though you have to swim across thousands of garbage to read one decent story, its worth our time..I got addicted to fan fiction for some time and started seeing the characters in grey shades than my previous version of black and white.. When my favorite characters are shown to be imperfect,I accepted it and admired them for their flaws..after all I don't want to read about Heroes but normal human beings who are pushed to such extremes..

              Quiet a rant..isn't it???