A Fine Balance

Once in a while, you read a book that is not only able to entertain you and capture your attention, but really touch a part of you that you forgot about. A book that can reach into your heart, and awaken compassion in you, and not only do you feel the pain of the characters, they come alive in the people you see everyday.

I love reading. It really takes you into another world, another era, another - well, everything. I have read so many good books, there are books that I can stay up all night reading, but not too many books really change the way you look at the world, and Rohinton Mistry's A Fine Balance, is definitely one of those books. I highly recommend this book to everyone. This books takes place in India during the State of Emergency in the 1970's. We are introduced to 4 seemingly different characters: a widow seamstress in the city, 2 tailors from a small village, and a young student. We are introduced to the cruelty of the caste system in the villages, the struggle for women's independence, the effects of modernization and the loss of nature... But above all, I believe the main theme is universal to all cultures - the need for compassion in society. I HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone. It truly is a rare, powewrful and beautiful book.

A song on the radio really caught my attention. I love the lyrics and the music. It's amazing how music can put my thoughts and feelings into one beautiful package. I hope you enjoy the lyrics, I really like them...


Over You - Chris Daughtry

Now that it's all said and done,
I can't believe you were the one
To build me up and tear me down,
Like an old abandoned house.
What you said when you left
Just left me cold and out of breath.
I fell too far, was in way too deep.
Guess I let you get the best of me.

Well, I never saw it coming.
I should've started running
A long, long time ago.
And I never thought I'd doubt you,
I'm better off without you
More than you, more than you know.
I'm slowly getting closure.
I guess it's really over.
I'm finally getting better.
And now I'm picking up the pieces.
I'm spending all of these years
Putting my heart back together.
'Cause the day I thought I'd never get through,
I got over you.

You took a hammer to these walls,
Dragged the memories down the hall,
Packed your bags and walked away.
There was nothing I could say.
And when you slammed the front door shut,
A lot of others opened up,
So did my eyes so I could see
That you never were the best for me.

Well, I never saw it coming.
I should've started running
A long, long time ago.
And I never thought I'd doubt you,
I'm better off without you
More than you, more than you know.
I'm slowly getting closure.
I guess it's really over.
I'm finally getting better.
And now I'm picking up the pieces.
I'm spending all of these years
Putting my heart back together.
'Cause the day I thought I'd never get through,
I got over you.

Well, I never saw it coming.
I should've started running
A long, long time ago.
And I never thought I'd doubt you,
I'm better off without you
More than you, more than you know.

Well, I never saw it coming.
I should've started running
A long, long time ago.
And I never thought I'd doubt you,
I'm better off without you
More than you, more than you know.
I'm slowly getting closure.
I guess it's really over.
I'm finally getting better.
And now I'm picking up the pieces.
I'm spending all of these years
Putting my heart back together.
Well I'm putting my heart back together,
'Cause I got over you.
Well I got over you.
I got over you.
'Cause the day I thought I'd never get through

One of my first times dining out in Toronto was last weekend for Charle's birthday. We went to 5th Elementt on Bay and Bloor http://www.5thelementt.com/. The atmosphere was really good, and the food was delicious and surprisingly well priced! A group shot of the "fantastic four" below.



I went out for dinner with a friend from Singapore tonight after work, again in Yorkville, at a place called "Spuntini". An upscale Italian restaurant, which is apparently frequented by celebrities :) We made reservations (apparently you can't get in without one!), and we felt like 2 "grown up" women making reservations and dining out. The food was delicious, I had some great pasta - and for basically the same price as East Sides ($13.95)!!! The atmosphere was amazing, great service. I was definitely not used to the waiter placing the napkin in my lap. lol.... All in all, a great time, check it out, I highly recommend it! http://www.spuntini.ca/