https://tinabasu.com
being real, not perfect
  • About
  • Parenting
    • Mommy & Parenting
    • For New Moms
  • Lifestyle
    • Life & Style
    • Health & Wellness
    • Home & Garden
  • Beauty
  • Let’s Collaborate
  • Parenting

  • Lifestyle

  • Beauty

Life, Musing & Anecdotes

Should I say YES to The Datsun redi-Go?

by Tina Basu June 3, 2016
written by Tina Basu
Cars are your best friends! Isn’t that true like the truth itself? For a long time I had this wish to have my own car – bought with my money. You start loving your car when it’s bought with your money and not dad’s money! And I did accomplish that as soon as I started working! My first, a hatch-back, came into my life some five years back.
 
Now I am thinking of upgrading. Though my first car will always be with me, but why not a second one. Should I go for a sedan? Should I go for a SUV? There are lots of options these days. I keep a tab of the new models that are going to get launched.

datsun ready go

I came across this Datsun Redi – Go recently which is an urban cross. It looks and sounds interesting to me. It’s a fusion of compact crossover and an urban hatchback. Totally works for me. It looks wide, roomy, sturdy and sporty – just the car for this ready-to-go generation.
 
My drive till work used to be long and tiresome but since I am taking a break now for some time, I am more inclined towards a weekend drive or a long drive somewhere in the outskirts. I think the Datsun Redi-Go is going to fit that requirement perfectly.
 
I did a quick check on it’s site and figured out the Datsun Redi-Go has a lot to offer. I think the safety features are quite robust. It has performance augmented brakes – which is brakes at the shortest distance. You know how people on the roads are – specially bikes and autos – you need to keep your foot on the brake almost all the time.  It also boasts of a reinforced crash protection shell. The strengthened Datsun body structure is optimized for Torsional Rigidity and stiffness and better Frontal Offset Crash performance. The H shaped Suspension System also looks good. It has double pivot arms to give high stability and cornering performance.
 
And it obviously has better legroom, sporty looks, spacious and beautiful interiors. I always look for good safety features in the cars. Taking it out for a spin would be really nice
 
I think it will be a pleasure to drive this one. I am thinking of booking a test drive soon. I love driving on the Electronic City Elevated Flyover. It’s a long flyover without a traffic signal! That’s like a heaven for all who love to drive. Just drive little faster than your normal traffic laced roads. You get to feel the power and smoothness of the car. But seriously I would like to drive all the way till Hosur or somewhere on a highway where you can drive for long uninterrupted, without thinking too much. I just want to feel whether the Redi-Go is going to give me as much love as I am willing to give it! Isn’t that a great idea?
 
I think it will be good to test it sometime soon. It looks like it is going to give me a good day of drive –  Fun. Freedom. Confidence. The ultimate Urban Cross – Datsun redi-GO – the capability of a crossover with the convenience of a hatchback.
Have a look below

 
June 3, 2016 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Book ReviewReviews

Book Review – Daughter of the Sun by Zoe Kalo

by Tina Basu May 1, 2016
written by Tina Basu
DaughteroftheSun_cover

Mythology and fiction always bring out a lot of imagination and creativity. I am a fan of this genre. I have loved a lot of reads in this genre. Daughter of the Sun, by Zoe Kalo is a mythological fantasy fiction with a backdrop of Egyptian mystical theme. After a long time I had a good fantasy read. Let’s see how the book was.

 

Cult of the Cat series blurb

 
According to ancient Egyptian prophecy, three feline goddesses—Bastet, Sekhmet, and Mafdet—would one day be reborn as triplets during a solar eclipse. But someone—or something—separated them at birth. Because if ever they were reunited, they would unleash a blistering power that could destroy the world. In an adventure where the past confronts the present, and blood, betrayal and secrets abound, the triplets face each other for the first time. And discover they’re the only force able to stop the evil god Apophis from enslaving humanity.

The Story

 
Trinity was left at an orphanage with a sealed note as a kid. She is raised by the nuns in the convent and for sixteen years she grows up with other orphans. Her life starts becoming eventful when one day Dr. Nassri comes searching for her at the orphanage and wants to take her to her grandmother who was alive and has been searching for her all her life.
 
She has a fleeting meeting with her grandmother in the Island of Cats, a small island near Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara. But before she gets to know her the grandmother passes away. All that Trinity is left with was a mysterious eye-shaped ring and an island full of grieving cats. The sealed note that she was left with in the orphanage happened to be a papyrus with mysterious symbols which Trinity can’t decipher.
 
Trinity tries to solve the mystery of the papyrus and discovers a whole world of curses and sacrifices and a prophecy that points to her and her feline abilities.
She meets a handsome young man Seth and there is an instant connection. She is pulled into a vortex of sensations that forces her to confront her true self—and a horrifying destiny.
 

My thoughts

 
I like that fact how soon the author gets you engaged with the story. For some reason the way Trinity behaves her bravery, her open mindedness, her clean attitude in the first few pages makes a strong connection with the readers.
 
The story is intriguing – island of cats, feline affection, prophecy, mystery it’s all so enticing.
 
The plot thickens as you keep reading and the twists and turns only keeps you hooked to the book. I like the fact there is a romantic angle too in this mythological fantasy.
 
I like the author’s writing style and use of language. Sometimes when an author uses good words yet keeps the narrative simple it gives the reader a great joy in reading.
 
I am definitely looking forward to the second installment in the series. I am sure all readers would be looking for the same answers – what next?
 

About the Author – Zoe Kalo

 
A certified bookworm, Zoe Kalo has always been obsessed with books and reading. Reading led to writing—compulsively. No surprise that at 16, she wrote her first novel, which her classmates read and passed around secretly. The pleasure of writing and sharing her fantasy worlds has stayed with her, so now she wants to pass her stories to you with no secrecy—but with lots of mystery…
 
A daughter of adventurous expats, she’s had the good fortune of living on 3 continents, learning 4 languages, and experiencing a multicultural life. Currently, she’s working on a Master’s degree in Comparative Literature, which she balances between writing, taking care of her clowder of cats, and searching for the perfect bottle of pinot noir.
 
You can connect with her on www.ZoeKalo.com / Facebook / Twitter
 

My Rating: 4/5

I will give 4 stars for the use of wonderful language and keeping me engrossed till the end.

It is releasing today!

You can purchase it on Amazon

Book Details

Title: Daughter of the Sun
Author: Zoe Kalo
Version – e-book

ASIN: B01DRDUQW8

  • Language: English
  • Release Date: 1 May 2016

 

This Review is a part of the Blogger Outreach Program by b00k r3vi3w Tours
May 1, 2016 3 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
i-love-sleeping, sleeping,
Life, Musing & Anecdotes

ZZZ LONG ZZZ

by Tina Basu April 30, 2016
written by Tina Basu
Okay tell me how long have you slept in a day? Ever?

After my school final exams I was exhausted, like really exhausted with the last minute studies and back to back exams. I remember our last exam was maths exam (which I completely hated) and I just wanted to go home and eat and sleep and not think about exams for a long time. The pressure of exams in India is a trauma almost.

The math exam didn’t go quite well but I didnt want to tell that to my parents – it would have only led to another big discussion and bouts of tension and my mom sulking. So i said – it was good.

I went back home in the evening around five ate my food and told my mom I am going to bed, i want to rest. Like any other good mom, she obliged. She must have thought – my daughter has come back after climbing the Everest, let her get some rest! LOL

Yeah, I slept and slept and slept.

I woke up next day after lunch time!

My mom had tried to wake me up for dinner the previous night, but she told me later I just turned and went back to sleep. The next day for breakfast I said don’t disturb!

I almost slept for 20-22 hours in that day and a half!

That by far for me has been the longest snooze time.

Did you ever sleep really long?
i-love-sleeping, sleeping,

***
My god, the A to  challenge is finally over?? Now I want some more zzz
April 30, 2016 3 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Travel Anecdotes

Yummy Arabian Masala

by Tina Basu April 29, 2016
written by Tina Basu
As a kid who has been born and brought up in Kolkata I wasn’t pretty good with Hindi. We had it as the third language in school. Communicative Hindi was ok but that was mostly from watching TV and movies.
 
We spent a few weeks in London some time in 2006. My dad used to stay in the UK as a practicing doctor after finishing his FRCS in Edinburgh. He wanted to take us around places that he had lived and visiting during his decade long stay.
For some reason we wanted to visit Southall. As a resident there my dad had never visited Southall. We took a bus from the Victoria Station and begun our Southall trip. We also were aiming at a nice Indian Lunch.
 
We were at a restaurant called Chandni Chowk. I was being extra smart and wanted to order something different. For some reason the Arbi Masala sounded pretty fancy. I thought it would be some nice spicy Arabian preparation. I have no idea why I thought an Indian restaurant would be serving an Arabian preparation.
 
Guess what the waiter got for us – it was colocasia!! We call it kochu in Bengali and I absolutely hate it! That was a double facepalm moment!
 
Never ever in my life will I get even close to anything called Arbi!!!
recipe_of_arbi-masala-1

Image Source

April 29, 2016 6 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Life, Musing & Anecdotes

Xtra Smart

by Tina Basu April 28, 2016
written by Tina Basu
This is one more story from my school times. When you are in your teenage years all you want is acceptance and attention. Less attention from your family (read: protective parents) and more attention from peers and friends and boys!
We used to have this fete at our school which was like a Valentine’s Day for us – I was in an all-girls school! That was the only day when boys, men women everyone was allowed and you know well by now who got most attentions!
 
Every girl in the eighth to twelfth standard prepared for this day in advance! Picking your outfit, handbag, time to hit the grounds – those were not the days when girls were quite allowed to sport makeup and fancy hair. Otherwise those would have been in the list too! We never had things like prom or anything, nor was the society too liberal for a date between two young school going people! And they were also not the time of easy access to cellphones!
 
Anyways, the best part used to be the competition between the girls – who got how many phone numbers! Yeah as silly as it may sound, we used to feel we were extra smart and if boys came and left their number with you – you have really achieved something.  I now feel it is the dumbest silliest thing to ever think of – but you, know TEENAGE!
 
So one particular year I had collected quite a few numbers. These used to be landline numbers (no cellphones remember!) In return we always gave fake numbers, at least I did. I couldn’t even imagine a random guy calling me up and my mom picking up the call!
 
But this one time with someone I slipped and ended up giving my actual number. I don’t know how. And guess what this guy called up that very night and my mom picked up the phone! FACEPALM!
 
Got a good lecture at the end of the day too!
 
Image Source
 
April 28, 2016 4 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
TravelTravel Anecdotes

Wild Surprise in Wayanad

by Tina Basu April 27, 2016
written by Tina Basu
Last week I wrote about our surprise encounter with a tiger from the wild in Kumaon Surprise. Today let me share another wild encounter story. We were on our way back from Wayanad, a little hill station in Kerala to Bangalore. Read my Wayanad Story.
 
You have to cross the Bandipur Tiger Reserve on your way. While driving back we saw a few cars parked on the side of the highway. This isn’t a place you park your car! Instead of stopping and adding to the queue we decided to drive past few cars.
 
What we saw ahead was a sight to remember. A wild elephant had some out of the forest and was being busy by the road. Two guys on a bike decided to show their bravado or rather foolishness and decided to tease the big guy. They honked and made weird sounds. The elephant was silent for some time. But then I guess he too quite had it!
 
The poor animal was getting irritated with the sound and in a split second charged towards them. The guys on bike tried to speed off! In the heat of the moment they almost did a willy to vanish from there.
 
Sometimes I feel bad how humans try to find amusement by instigating the wild animals! I managed to click a photo of the elephant while he was retreating to the forest!
 
 
Visit my Food Blog for some Healthy Recipes this entire month!
***
This post is written for the A to Z Challenge 2016 for Day 23 Letter W. Visit A to Z, BlogChatter to read other beautiful bloggers!
April 27, 2016 10 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts

About Me

About Me

Welcome! I’m Tina Basu, a parenting author and lifestyle blogger dedicated to making family life simpler, healthier, and more creative. Dive in for practical parenting guides, self-care routines, and fun DIY inspiration. Let's make everyday life beautiful - click my photo to learn more!

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
english moral stories for kids

Archives

Tina Basu

Explore

Work With Me

Connect

Writer, mother, and creative professional working across content, design, and SEO. This space brings together thoughtful living and meaningful work.

Parenting

Lifestyle

Beauty

Latest Posts

About Me

Content Writing

Content Creation

Branding & Graphic Design 

SEO Consulting

 

Contact Me

Work With Me 

Instagram 
Email

https://tinabasu.com
  • About
  • Parenting
    • Mommy & Parenting
    • For New Moms
  • Lifestyle
    • Life & Style
    • Health & Wellness
    • Home & Garden
  • Beauty
  • Let’s Collaborate