Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini pro

After quite a bit of research, I finally zeroed in on the Sony Xperia X10 mini pro as my new cellphone of choice. I bought it in November and been a month I have been using this phone now. I must say, I have been very impressed with the ease of use, the sensitivity of the touch screen, and also the ease with which one can navigate and customize the menu.

The photos, many which I clicked using its 5.0 mp camera, is also nothing to complain about. Without a flash, your hand does need to be real steady, but with the flash on, things are very smooth.

I love the notes and navigation application, very useful while traveling, where one can make notes on what all places to visit, save it as the main screen and then use the navigation tool to get directions and all. These two have been the most used applications on my phone apart from the sms, Facebook and email. I also like the one button access to the camera, which makes quick photos a breeze.

Another aspect which I adore about this phone is, unless I wish to type a message or a mail, I do not need to open out the qwerty keyboard. I can use the screen for all my daily uses, but at the same time, I do not need to struggle without he on-screen keyboard to type out messages and mails. I did have a tough choice in front of me when I had to decide between the mini and the mini pro. The main detail which factored in for me was the option to type using a simple qwerty keyboard, which I was just not ready to give up.

I think those are the great things which I can think of with regard to this phone, and having the android OS also helps with regard to apps and games. :) I am yet to upgrade to the new Android version, but since this one has given me no issues, I have yet not gotten down to it. 

Kuwait - My home

I think when you think of home, the two things which come to one's mind is where one's parents are, and next, where they would have spend a considerable amount of their childhood.And for me home which I associated till now was Kuwait. I have always felt Kuwait to be my home since my childhood. Started schooling in Kuwait, and finished with schooling there. Born in India, but brought up in Kuwait… that's what truly is me. This new year I spent with my parents and it was the way I remember it during my childhood days, except the kids were not there now.. and all the parents were left behind in the same setting. My parents will be winding up and moving back to India, which means this trip of mine might just be the last one to Kuwait; I do not think I will be staying at the house which I used to call home till now even if I do visit Kuwait anytime ever again in the future.  This trip to Kuwait has been one to relieve many places and things which I used to do as a school going girl… and I am glad I have a fresh memory to live by for a long time. 

The feeling is not nice, but then maybe I think I might just start finally seeing our house in India as home… and India as the country where I will be settling. Settling might be too early to tell, but then home would now be shifted to India and cease to be Kuwait, once my parents shift base. I have been reading Urban Shots, and some of the stories struck a cord with my feelings and the attachment I feel to my home.

Christmas in Goa

Christmas season in Goa is said to be real fun. The festivities and decorations are maximum, and its one of the few places where I have seen stars being hung up outside the house. Hence we decided it would be best to go there for our first anniversary and relax ourselves after all the running around. We decided to make it a short trip and by train to make it least hectic. We even got a First class coupe for the return journey which just made the trip perfect!

We reached Goa on christmas day, and stayed for just 2 nights at the Mahindra Varca Resort. The resort is lovely, with direct access to the beach and the beach is relatively empty making it very easy to spend time on the beach without fighting for space. The beach is also way more cleaner than Calanguate/Baga, with fewer masseurs and water sports operators hounding you. 

We went to Morbor beach for lunch one of the days and had an amazing lunch at one of the shacks on the beach. We were planning a lunch at Leela, but  being a full season, they were not allowing any outside guests! 

Here are some photos... not too many, but then no Goa trip is complete without relaxing and sleeping on the beach.

Birds at Sunset at Mobor Beach

Mahindra Resort, Varca

Christmas tree decorations

The resort

Christmas decorations

Resort deco

Mobor beach umbrellas

Mobor Beach

Calcutta

I liked Calcutta for a variety of reasons. I think its a great place in terms of not seeing the usual sky scrappers and new buildings. You get to see the city through the years as you walk/ drive through this city. Many cities in India do not retain their old world charm and I think this is one of the few cities which has managed to do so... at least from the ones which I have seen. Went there in December... and this is  real late post for it :(


I did not do too many touristy stuff in Calcutta, but I guess I had loads of fun being there for a family function... I also did have my share of authentic Bengali cuisine!

On the Hoogli river

The chinese fish at China Town :)

At the Jal muri stall at Park Street

Enjoying a Puchka ... totally!

And thats what the puchka looked like!