MANASVI SHARMA BAWA

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.

Hell to the O!

I have survived Week 3 in alien country AUSTRALIA. Like that wasn’t obvious. D’oh! Right? Well, I am Miss. Obvious so bear with me. Also, this is going to be a long one so get your popcorn and sit tight.

So, back to the week 3. It has been an interesting one. Why you ask? Well, I attended my first ever Mardi Gras LGBT Parade and it was FUN! The sheer spirit of each and everyone present there was sheer awesomeness. So yes, I will be talking a lot about the parade today and not only because it was an amazing experience but because the route to happiness is through acceptance and that is what I learn’t.

This week has been a very interesting one for me and that is not just because of the Mardi Gras parade and a night out with the Mister to a cocktail bar called “Palmer & Co.” whose bouncer was a big burly Punjabi guy who actually asked me “Kahaan se ho? Dilli” (where are you from, Delhi?) and I felt right at home in this strange city. But back to this week being interesting, I actually scored Interviews and that just made my week better.

Why am I so happy about that? Well, hello! I have been told time and again how difficult it is to land a job interview in this country, leave alone a job. It is very different from India and that played on my mind, I wouldn’t lie. The negatives can get to you but I had the Mister to pull me through it along with both the sets of parents back home and my best friend who instills the fear of God in me (I love you, best friend). And so, to land the opportunity to be something more than just a Resume and actually go out and meet people was liberating and a confidence booster.

Also, there has been a lot of Netflix. *Orange is the New Black be my FAV*

I am happy to tell you that I went swimming in the “Nielsen Park Bay”. (Big shout out to the person who made it happen!) Yes, that is a thing and I did it. Did I like it? Yes and No. I am a water baby and I love to swim but swimming in the bay takes a certain practice because the salty water can make you cringe every time you swallow it unlike the chlorine infested pool water. So, yes, I will definitely be doing that more often but I think I will just get nose plugs next time. Also, the sharks are a real thing in Australia, I kid you not. If you don’t believe me, go Google it. So, swimming in the bay that is netted is better than free wiling in the sea and “accidentally” be a Great White Sharks breakfast, lunch or dinner. Unfortunate for me, fortunate for the Shark. But again, no thank you.  The only downside of all these outdoor activities, tanning. I am slowly transforming in an aubergine. (Do not laugh please.)

Okay so back to the happy parade, rewind to Mardi Gras Day, jumping like an excited puppy waiting to be taken for a walk I was eager to see things unfold. The Mister told me to charge my phone (I am notorious to never have battery. NEVER. Even as I type this my landline… ooops.. “cellphone” is tied to a cord. So much for independence.) So, anyway, the Mister had seen it coming and had me prepped with my portable charger, the Sydney Timeout Magazine and the idea that I could blog about this. (Genius! I am married to one. Win!)

Out I went, *hop on the train..hop off the train*, *walk walk walk and walk some more* and then there I was. Right in the middle of the most eye opening event I have EVER attended. There were Men and Women alike all present, some celebrating their rights, some supporting their cause and some just there to witness the spectacle.

There were light sabers (sortish) things, a lot of flags and I even got a bow tie! (YAY) More than 10,000 people sauntered, shimmied and marched their way along Oxford and Flinders Streets for one of the biggest ever Parades, watched and cheered by more than 250,000 spectators according to sources. And yes, I can only agree, I was one of the 250,000. Relive the magic that is the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade;

I was gobsmacked by how beautiful and uninhibited each one of them looked. Serious case of envy with the makeup though, it was on point at all times. And the men, so fit. What is it with Gay men? Which gym do they all hit and what do they eat!!! Here I have been hoping to develop some abs and failing at it miserably. *Sob*

So, yes. That was my week that was.

There is one line I smile about each time I think about the whole thing and that sums it up well. An interviewer asked me (let’s just say they try pronouncing it right but cannot and I don’t blame them. The Mister says it’s not their fault since people in India mess up my name more often than not! Sigh.) “So Manasvi, what is it that you are looking for in this job?” and my instant answer was “Acceptance”. That is all I am looking for at the moment and I am happy to report that I might be heading in the right direction.

So, that’s it folks. All those who stuck around till here, I LOVE you. Others, not on my Christmas list. Too bad. (Ha!)

Keep a tab on what goes on in the Life of Manasvi. (Get it? Get it? like the”Life of Pi”???! Okay, whatever!)  Oh wait, I am sure you will cause I can’t stop talking.

Also, please suggest shorter names, like Pi. I am sick of Starbucks ruining it for me. For reals. HELP and you shall be rewarded (with a candy). That’s all.

Until then stay tangled, will you?

xoxo

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Photo sourced from Mardi Gras Parade 2016 website.