Insta8Oman-Taking 'Instagramming' to a whole new level in Oman

It was fun, it was informative and it was truly a 'one of a kind' Instagramming experience in Oman.What I also loved was that it was completely 'paperless' as all the communications, including the Invitations, the follow ups and anything else that was required was done via Direct Messaging on Instagram itself.

'Encapsulated-' Moments that I really loved

 Think all these were 'firsts'? Then you can think some more.

Held at  the Opera Galleria adjoining the Royal Opera House ,Muscat 
(ROHM) it was definitely the largest gathering of 'Instagrammers' in Oman till date and provided a wonderful platform to meet and mingle with others who have similar interests.   Whether it was the delicious sweet and savoury canapes provided by The Dried Lemon or  the fabulous scented towels as we headed towards the venue to take our seats, it was the culmination of a lot of careful thinking and planning that made it an extremely successful event. Like me, there are many others hoping for something like this to happen on a regular basis and are willing to do our bit to help the organisers in making that a possibility.

All eyes and ears-Listening to one of the speakers 

The results of the Insta8Star where I was one of the six finalists had been declared earlier and The Art Whisper, Manahil Al Kindy won in that category. Accordingly, she was one of the 8 speakers who talked about her experience of using Instagram and how it actually helped her in her day to day work as an emerging Omani artist.

Among others, we heard HH Tariq Shihab, Sahar from Saharz Beauty parlour, Ashelaqtta and Nada from Omani Paws all of whom gave us a personal insight in to how Instagram really does work for them. I must also make a special  mention of Fami Wami, the key organizer of the event.It would have been impossible to have an event of this scale and size without his driving force- so thank you Fami Wami! 


Personally, I learnt a lot and when I came back, bought and immediately applied one of the apps a speaker told us about. Here it is then- my version of the Opera Galleria among a few others.

What I learnt and applied- A new Photo App used to create 'my version' of the Opera Galleria

Looking forward to more such informative and fun events in Oman and once again, Happy Instagramming!

Random thoughts on Friendship Day

Here's something I wrote two years ago and to me its just as meaningful today on Friendship Day 2013.......

Memories of school in a lovely cantonment town, Meerut.

Having fun just sitting in class, waiting for the teacher to come in, giggling uncontrollably at silly jokes 

Heading towards Pritam chaatwala and ordering one 'patta of tikkis', which cost all of 50 paisas. Then feeling delighted as we shared it...even if it was just one bite... since there were usually 4-5 of us at a time.


Changing schools and cities as well and starting life all over again.

This time in very ' hip and happening' Delhi...


Then finding and making some more great friends!
All of whom enjoyed a lot of what I did. Music, games, sports, debating, watching movies, reading ...


Or the other friends who didn't, yet we managed to form bonds that lasted...


College at St. Stephens and the taste of freedom that it brought.


Learning to be more adventurous than before, travelling on DTC buses and learning to deal with people like never before. Then laughing over the gory 'umbrella stories' with friends as we compared notes.


The Cafe, Rohtas Dhaba, the LCR,the crushes, and the memories that came to stay...

AIR, Doordarshan, Roving Microphone, Yuva Vani, Triveni Art Gallery, Cottage, Nirulas...none of this would have been have as much fun, if one didn't have friends to share these with.

IIMC - Advertising and PR- and another lot of new and delightful friends.

More bonds formed and strengthened. Many of them lasting till date.


Marriage, childbirth, career and the onward progression.
Always, but always made easier by the sheer presence of friends.
Life...changes...more changes...friends...


And today, still game for making and forging new bonds.
Yet forever grateful for the ones that one has...


Happy Friendship Day!

Introducing 'Food For Thought' my new blog

In my last blog post , I'd mentioned that I would be starting a new blog.
So here it is folks!

Introducing 'Food For Thought" my new blog and its first post. 


Will be posting tidbits on food, fun , travel as well as some real 'food for thought"-

Click on the link below and read on....

http://sunainasahluwalia.blogspot.com/2013/06/an-early-morning-walk-baguette-making.html

Jacques, the smiling Baguette maker

Happiness is...

Just some of the goodies on sale

I do hope you like 'Food for thought' and will post a new story on this blog soon....

An evening walk

There are days and then there are other days. Some which are hotter than the others, or certainly more humid!

June, July and Aug are particularly hot here in the Gulf and sometimes September too.But for those of us who choose to walk during the late evenings, there really aren't too many choices. One either walks or one doesn't.

And if one doesn't , then one tends to lose out on the only 'real' activity for the day ( particularly given the fact that we are merely sitting at our desks or commuting during the rest of the day. Top that by eating three meals and you'll soon get the picture.

Then of course, there's the very real issue of ageing, along with the other more deadly one- socialising- which includes the occassional bingeing and sometimes that extra glss of wine. Result- a whole lot of added calories.

So coming back to where I began- either one walks or one doesn't. And I'm sharing my tweet ( sent out late last night) with all of you.

"One really has to be a glutton for punishment to walk in this weather. And yet I did!"

Euphoria that I did it- topped all other feelings!

And at the rate I'm going these days, I have no plans of quitting my evening walk.For more updates, do check this blog out same time, next week.