I always wondered why there was so much hype for Valentine’s Day… I have always felt you really don’t need a day to express your love for your loved one and you don’t need the day as a reason to shower the person with gifts. Still guess the whole world is all rosy and pink on February 14^th. Everybody was busy making plans and I had many inquiring me what plans I had for V day along with my fiancé. After a while it kinda got annoying when wherever you go, all people want to know is what you are doing on February 14^th.

Personally Balaji and I hadn’t made any grand plans. We decided it would just be another weekend where on Saturday temple was our priority, then we had a treat at BBQ and some wedding shopping to be done. All this we decided we would do if we got perm from our folks. On Friday we started early from office, did some window shopping for designer saris and suits for the ‘Man’ :)

I had been wanting to buy Balaji Mario Puzo’s latest (Six Graves to Munich). Since I had enough time before going for the treat I decided to give Connexions next to my place a visit to buy the book. I found it and also “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom. Decided it would be a good gift for Balaji. Imagine my surprise when there were people constantly walking in and out of the gift and card sections. Connexions has never been this busy at 11 in the morning!!! I went over that side and had a look. There were many new lovey dovey gifts for your loved ones. I was patiently looking at it all and ended up buying two showpieces :P and the cards were just tooo good to be ignored. I bought two of them too ;) So ultimately I ended up buying him stuff for V day. Got the gifts packed and smuggled them inside my house and safely locked them inside my locker.Later as planned we attended the treat at BBQ, had good food, fun talking with friends and got back to our window shopping.

Sunday morning I woke up after a good sleep. After waking up I realized that my parents were missing and that’s when i knew they had already left to Balaji’s house to give them the first wedding invite. When my folks came back my mom came to my room, handed me a big cover and said “Here, Balaji sent you this.” I was surprised and looked into the cover, there were two beautiful chudidhars :) I loved the colors but still I didn’t know why he sent me those. I immediately called him to ask about it and all he said was “Happy Valentine’s Day”. That was all I could ever ask for. My face lit up with a 1000watt smile. I couldn’t stop smiling at all. Imagine his guts to send me a gift through my mom. Crazy guy but isn’t that why I love him. He then left to Kanchipuram for some pooja. I wasn’t crestfallen or feeling bad as we hadn’t made any plans. I thought if I don’t meet him today will surprise him Monday morning at his place. So after a good lunch(cooked by ME!) I had a relaxing nap. I woke to his message announcing his arrival back to Chennai. I had to go buy my wedding reception sari in the evening and since my folks were busy with the invitation distribution it was a good reason for me to hang out. I went with him and bought the sari which we had earlier chosen. We later went for a drive, did some shopping where I finally bought a plain white shirt which I had wanted to buy for a long time now and had a good snack. When he stopped at the gates and I had to get down I opened my gifts and started handing him the gifts and cards 6 in all :) He was surprised and really overwhelmed. My deal for the day done!!!

At the end of the day when he was talking about how he wasn’t expecting stuff I felt really happy. I still feel all this hullabo for V day isn't required. We can always hang out with people whom we love, give them gifts as and when we want. Then why a day specifically for it ? But I should say that all the gift shops and bouquet shops have good sales on V day :)

An article on positive thinking that i came across. Its by Remez Sasson.

Positive thinking brings inner peace, success, improved relationships, better health, happiness and satisfaction. It also helps the daily affairs of life move more smoothly, and makes life look bright and promising.

Positive thinking is contagious. People around you pick your mental moods and are affected accordingly. Think about happiness, good health and success, and you will cause people to like you and desire to help you, because they enjoy the vibrations that a positive mind emits.

In order to make positive thinking yield results, you need to develop a positive attitude toward life, expect a successful outcome of whatever you do, but also take any necessary actions to ensure your success.

Effective positive thinking that brings results is much more than just repeating a few positive words, or telling yourself that everything is going to be all right. It has to be your predominant mental attitude. It is not enough to think positively for a few moments, and then letting fears and lack of belief enter your mind. Some effort and inner work are necessary.
Are you willing to make a real inner change?
Are you willing to change the way you think?
Are you willing to develop a mental power that can positively affect you, your environment and the people around you?

Here are a few actions and tips to help you develop the power of positive thinking:

• Always use only positive words while thinking and while talking. Use words such as, 'I can', 'I am able', 'it is possible', 'it can be done', etc.
• Allow into your awareness only feelings of happiness, strength and success.
• Try to disregard and ignore negative thoughts. Refuse to think such thoughts, and substitute them with constructive happy thoughts.
• In your conversation use words that evoke feelings and mental images of strength, happiness and success.
• Before starting with any plan or action, visualize clearly in your mind its successful outcome. If you visualize with concentration and faith, you will be amazed at the results.
• Read at least one page of inspiring book every day.
• Watch movies that make you feel happy.
• Minimize the time you listen to the news and read the papers.
• Associate yourself with people who think positively.
• Always sit and walk with your back straight. This will strengthen your confidence and inner strength.
• Walk, swim or engage in some other physical activity. This helps to develop a more positive attitude.

Think positive and expect only favorable results and situations, even if your current circumstances are not as you wish them to be. In time, your mental attitude will affect your life and circumstances and change them accordingly.

Follow the tips and suggestions in this article, and prove to yourself the reality the power of positive thinking. More advanced and powerful techniques, instructions and exercises can be found in the following books:

When you expect success and say "I can", you fill yourself with confidence and joy.

Fill your mind with light, hope and feelings of strength, and soon your life will reflect these qualities.

Blogging after almost 2 months now… Feels good but I was really lazy and a little busy too. November 29^th 2009 a day to be remembered. Yes I got engaged to Balaji and am now officially committed ;) The attention I got before and after the engagement for almost a week was something I just loved. People pampered me with food, love and affection. My aunts were giving me beauty tips on how to look my best whereas my grand moms were behind me loading me with advices and also natural beauty tips. I felt like a bride on the day. All that mehendi on my hands, silk sari, jewels, and the garland felt really wonderful. To top it all I was standing next to the guy I loved, what more can a gal ask for…?

Engagement went well. Jannu had planned for a cake cutting which was a genuine surprise to me though we had done it for all our friends I wasn’t expecting it. Was fun :) I was tired after the function but still had a nice time with Sandy and Jannu at home. We were chit chatting for hours together. Didn’t get a chance to do it since our stay in Bangalore :( At office also I felt good with everybody wishing me and congratulating me. The photos came out after a week and they were all good. For all those who didn’t have a look, here is the link - http://picasaweb.google.co.in/pramya1984/Engagement?authkey=Gv1sRgCJaxu5mKqrqSsgE#

After the engagement I got busy planning for Balaji’s birthday. Have been thinking for ages now as to what will be the best gift or what will make him happy. I remembered him telling Fisherman’s Cove was a fabulous place and that he loved it. He promised to take me there sometime. And also he kept telling me that he had treats pending for his friends. That’s when the idea of a surprise party struck me… Had been thinking about this since November and decided this will be it… Managed to contact his college friends, school friends (thanks to Anand for this) and also his friends from Bangalore. Was really happy that everybody made it to the party. It was a genuine surprise for Balaji and he was extremely happy. My day was made... I would do anything to get his surprised reactions and that billion dollar smile again. Had a week off for Christmas and how the week passed is still a wonder. All I did was eat, sleep and read novels. Didn’t go out with Jannu too :( We had lotsa plans of shopping during the furlough vacation but sadly we did nothing but laze at home. The last week of December I had to work. Siggghhhh… It was ok as I came in early for work and also left early. I completed few of my pending tasks during this week. Got a new handbag and a coupla chains for my saris(gifts from my adorable fiance) , started studying EJB and created a user id for the 26AS form submission.

The New Year has been good so far. Looking forward for a wonderful year ahead and hope things go fine and smooth.