Part 2 and a duck update!

I finally ate duck here in Bombay. At Mainland China, which is the only place in suburban Bombay where one should even attempt a diversion from set habits and norms. Wedge-slices of duckmeat rolled up in a tiny white pancake with slivers of onion, dipped in plum sauce and savoured with eyes shut and tastebuds open. To be preceded by a prawn sui mai and to be followed by the simplest of fare, seasonal vegetables in a Chinese parsley sauce (amazing!) with a Sichuan fried rice...would even go with a bowl of steamed rice.

And the Chinese green tea kept flowing.

We sampled perfection in the two hours we spent lunching: my friend and I.

Now, back to the meme.

9. Your Favourite TV Show: If I had to pick one, it would be Cooking with Heart and Soul (Kylie Kwong).

I dont really watch it to learn anything...although they're quite simple. I watch it for the way she cooks and the things she does with recipes. I wish I could eat at her restaurant!

10. The town (rather, city) in which you live: Bombay (that's the Gateway of India in the pic there)

A city I would sorely miss if I ever left it, for many reasons. Whether you're at Colaba, Marine Drive, Dadar, Bandra, Borivli, Virar - each part has its own individual characteristics that together make Bombay what it is: a vibrant city with a racing pulse. Time moves at a crazy pace here, the crowds increase every year, pollution levels are going up, you might find slums at the foothills of a swish building complex, crowded but convenient trains, buses of every shape, size and design...and a million other things. Never a dull moment in this city.

11. Your screen name/nickname: The Idle Devil (love the pic that came up; first on the search page)

Why Idle Devil? Because the devil happened to be idle that day and started to blog about it. Ok, I had left my job to pursue my love of writing and get a job doing this...which was not too difficult. I finally got into freelancing and love it so far. So, the devil's not always idle, except when she's playing Pastry Passion with a passion for all things sweet.



12. Your First Job: Assistant MIS Operations

I still think that it was an unfair title. I was more Back Office flunky who got stuck with phone calls, reports and data collection and updating rather than anything to do with MIS. I'm not even sure how they came up with MIS for something as mundane as my first job. I fled after six months of it!

13. Your Dream Job: I have two: either a bookstore owner or a librarian (yes, Reflections! I had the same dream job!)

Unfortunately, you need to be qualified in Library science else I'd have already been one. As for a bookstore, I keep wanting people to leave me one in their will! I kept haunting one of my favourite bookstores back home hoping that they'd offer me a job without the nerve to ask for it myself.

14. Bad habit you have: Not trying hard enough to get what I want.

Taking the easy, non-struggle way out. Giving it up for the meantime and saying I'll work for it later, when it comes my way again. I intend to break this habit starting now. Never give up without a fight! Time I practised it myself.

15. Your worst fear: Loss of any kind.

Losing a loved one, losing face, losing mind, losing hope...they're all right up there on my list.

16. The one thing you'd like to do before you die: Be grateful

I'd love to thank God from the bottom of my heart for giving me a good life. Also, would be grateful to the people who made me what I am, to myself for learning and going on without giving it up altogether, to my husband for loving me unconditionally... I want to have the time to be properly grateful.

17. The first thing you'll buy if you get $ 1,000,000: A bigger home and a car.

We would like to have a big apartment (if not house) with a room each for my in-laws, my husband and me, and my kids (whenever they come along into our life). Other than that, a car so all of us can travel around town more comfortably.

Whew! That's done!

Anyone who wants to do this one can go right ahead.