Our 'Wicked' birthday surprise

We LOVE theatres/plays and musicals, so our Sister's and Mum took us to see ‘Wicked the Musical’ on the evening of our birthday as a surprise and what a wicked (yeah we love our puns!) surprise it was.

This is us being really cool. 

I knew that the musical was loosely based on The Wizard of Oz that we all know and love, but I didn't know that it is actually based on a 1995 novel which tells of the untold story of ‘The Wizard of Oz’.

If you haven’t seen this musical, then be prepared to be blown away by powerful vocals and amazing musical pieces. I've seen ‘The Lion King’ musical and 'Avenue Q' and really loved every bit of those musicals, but the vocals of Elpheba (the green witch) in ‘Wicked’ filled the whole theatre and really just blew me away. I was literally sitting there with my mouth open. So many people before me that had seen ‘Wicked’ had told me that it really is an amazing musical and a must see, but I didn't expect to be literally left speechless by her vocals. 

The way the whole production comes together and the way the story of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is woven in is genius. It makes you see the story of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ in a different light, but in particular makes you realise that ‘The Wicked Witch of the West’ was not so wicked, which is probably the aim of the musical.  Among all the comedy (great sarcasm provided by Elpheba, the green witch by the way), drama, song and dance is a really simple and heart warming message (which I won’t say in case some of you haven’t seen it.) But, I will say that it is emotional (something I DEFINITELY wasn’t expecting) and will make you think twice before you judge someone but also, make you understand that there is always a reason for why people act a certain way or do certain things.

I will say that the first half dragged on a bit though and I thought a few parts weren't really needed because they didn't make sense to the rest of the story, but the pace picked up after the interval.

I’ve been to a few theatre productions before, but this one got a standing ovation from the whole audience for its classic comedy, the genius of its wit and the pure entertainment factor. So if you’re planning to see a musical this year, make sure you go see ‘WICKED’!

Don't just be Inspired. Be Twinspired! 

Love Hernoor

Birthday Lunch at Babylon Restaurant, The Roof Gardens, Kensington

We turned 25 on Tuesday. We wanted to have a 'Birthday Breakfast' somewhere nice, but we had trouble finding somewhere nice. Well, no, that's a lie. I just knew I wouldn't be able to get up early enough so I decided we would have 'Birthday Lunch' instead, that too in style because we are now a stylish age. Boom. 

I booked a 'Table for 2' in the early hours of our birthday, and for this reason I must express my gratitude to the Internet and my Samsung SII, (thank you Internet, thank you Samsung SII). It was a last-minute booking but I must say the food, ambiance and hospitality of the staff has left a lasting impression. 

What? Lunch

Where? 99 High Street Kensington, London, W8 5SA

Why? 25th Birthday Lunch 

When? 13:30

Who? Sukhman and Hernoor (Identical Twins, yaa)

The experience began with a fifteen minute drive to South Ealing Station. We parked the car and got on the Piccadilly Line to alight at Earls Court, where a District Line change would take us to High Street Kensington. Strutting our stuff in our heels over to the entrance of number 99, we were greeted by a sleekly dressed woman who walked us over to the Lift and waited with us until it arrived on the Ground Floor. First Brownie Point for the day awarded for this personal service. 

Floor 7. Ping. Welcome to Babylon. 

'Good Afternoon Ladies, Welcome to Babylon. May we take your blazers?' (Well, not really but I feel bad you already have the hanger out and waiting). By this point we felt really important because we were the only young (looking) ones in the room. I'm sure there were people in there looking 50 but feeling 17, and if so, good on them! 'Would you like a window seat Ladies?' Tip: if you are at Babylon and are asked this question, don't hesitate to say 'yes'. That's the whole point of this restaurant - that you can see the (partial) skyline of London. 

Here's a picture of Hernoor looking well happy with the experience so far.

''Life's Good''
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Follow Hernoor at twinstagrammer2

Here's a picture of me looking prim and proper about to tuck into my Main of Mackerel and Tagliatelli 

(scroll down to read food review of individual courses).

''Check out them chunky chips''
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Here is the Set Lunch Menu to view:

http://www.roofgardens.virgin.com/resources/pdfs/the_roof_gardens/babylon/food_and_drink/SetLunch.pdf

It wasn't difficult for me to choose what I was going to delight myself with because I like the lightness of soup, the chewy texture of fish and the creaminess of Tiramisu. I was ready to order in under a minute. Surprisingly for October, it was a sunny day and I do like apple juice with mint, so that was the drink covered for the day.

Sukhman's order with review:

Drink

Apple Mojito
Mint, lime, sugar and apple juice

This was a truly tangy, snappy and refreshingly crisp juice, chilled and ideal for that extra sweetness my palette was badly craving. 5/5. 

 Starter

Sweet Corn Soup (V)

With coriander oil and red chilli

Frothy and light, the flavour of the sweetcorn was sweetly subtle. But, I did get a red chilli having an unexpected party at the back of my throat which was not cool (pun intended) . I don't like chillies. Blame the chilli for the score of 4/5.

Main and Side Order
Grilled Line Caught Cornish Mackerel with Tagliatelle pasta, smoked mackerel cream, horseradish and sorrel and a side order of Buttered New Potatoes

There was just the right amount of Mackerel fillet and pasta in the plate. The fish which was grilled with a golden glow, sat on a bed of tagliatelli which had the mackerel cream poured over it. The  overall flavour was mildly smoky. 5/5. The buttered potatoes came in varied sizes in a separate bowl with spoon. Did my knife slice down them with ease? You bet. 4/5 because I have a small stomach and was really saving room for dessert. 

Dessert
Tiramisu Pot
With coffee ice cream

Cream delicately tasting yet thick in texture, topped over moist sponge soaked in coffee with that bittersweet kick is what keeps making me come back to this dessert again and again. Oh, and the ice cream had a very slight crunch to it which I thought worked really well with the creamy factor. Some Tiramisu's can end up tasting very 'watery' because they are frozen and pre-packaged. Not this baby. It came out in a jar too. It looked the part and certainly delivered. Job well done. 5/5

Then there was the 'Surprise' after the dessert: a complimentary coffee flavoured cream mousse thingy encased in shards of dark chocolate. Check out the Birthday Message written in Chocolate sauce!

If you are looking for an affordable, stylish and swanky venue for a random Lunch, this is it. A good menu to select from, staff who make you feel like you are really rich, and an atmosphere which isn't too pretentious (bonus points for having a garden on the roof, hello?!). This is one Babylon which you just gotta visit, baby.

'Dont just be Inspired. Be Twinspired'

Sukhman

25 things I am GRATEFUL for

Turning 25. It really is just a number. Just a frikkin number. The past few days, my friends, (you know who you all are!) and family probably got really peed off with me for being melodramatic about turning 25. Thanks guys for being sooo supportive though!! To be honest, I am really in denial that we are this age because inside my heart still feels 17. Plus, we actually look like we're 16. Getting older is scary because we begin to truly realise that Time has no mercy. So, panic mode sets in where we feel we have to cram all our desires and dreams into a short space of time because time is running out. WRONG!! What a wack attitude.

 With the tolerance, patience and wisdom of my family and friends and some ' Quiet Thinking Time', I made a conscious decision to just 'let go' of that feeling inside me which is telling me to 'speed up' the process of reaching my dreams. Rushing through Life is so dangerous because it means I risk enjoying all the small special moments in between which are going to make a difference to my 'Life Painting' at large. It's not easy to change this attitude I have been harboring my whole life, but as Buddha says, 'A jug is filled drop by drop'. In the meanwhile, I feel it is necessary to remind myself of things I am grateful for so that I can appreciate how far I have come in my life and just to be thankful I have made it, (as one of my friends put it), 'halfway to 50'.

Sukhman Grewal Photography
'Light Graffiti'. 

I am grateful for:

1) My Family. We are not many, but I am grateful for each and every member and wouldn't have it any other way otherwise I wouldn't be the person I am. They motivate, inspire, scold, discipline, often misunderstand but still support me and stand by me.

2) A bed to sleep on and a roof over my head.

3) Running water, hot and cold.

4) Clean drinking water.

5) The ability to walk, dance and run.

6) My amazing, inspirational, cool friends

7) The people I have met on our travels.

8) Having a travel buddy !!

9) The thirteen amazing years Zink spent with us as part of our family.

10) The best sisters ever!

11) Electricity, Light and Heating at the touch of a button.

12) Free Education and the chance to go to University (though I didn't have the best time at Uni)

13) A passport so that I can see the world

14) A car that gets me to where I need to be. It's not the grandest car but it does the job.

15) A variety of clothes and shoes. There are days when I say, 'We need more shoes and more dresses', then I have to stop and digest what I am saying.

16) A job that pays a good amount. Yes, I am not a the wealthiest kid around, but it helps me pay for the things I need and the things I want.

17) The internet. So I can keep in touch with the all the special people in my life and to be able to have the world at my fingertips.

18) Being given the opportunity to sing at various places

19) My camera because it lets me capture amazing memories

20) The ability to speak and have an opinion

21) Ears to hear the voices of my all the awesome people in my Life and to hear my favourite songs

22) The ability to read whatever I want

23) The ability to write whatever I want

24) Being a woman who can have an education

25) Having a TWIN!!

Sukhman 

Turning 25, acting 17

As I write this, it is precisely 23.43pm GMT. So in exactly 17 minutes, I will turn 25!!

I am still pretty much in denial about it I think and I really wasn't looking forward to it until about a week ago, an old colleague of mine knocked a lil sense into me and made me realise that:

'the only thing age does is make you more tired and turn your hair grey eventually' 

(Ian Sell et al, 2012)

Ian Sell, you really could not have put it any better. He reminded me of the old adage that age is nothing but a number and it really is what you make of it. 

I am a very ambitious person and like to see that my goals are achieved, however big or small and in the last 5 years, I have been in this mad rush to achieve so many things (some realistic and some unrealistic) before I turn a certain age. But yet again, I was slapped in the face with the wise words of Ian Sell:

'there's no finishing line you need to beat' (Ian Sell, et al 2012)

And those 8 words have echoed in my head every day since.

We are all driven by ambition to some extent and success is something everyone wants to have. I wouldn't say I was madly obsessed in seeing my ambitions/goals/dreams/desires fulfilled but definitely had a hunger for it and though I have achieved the majority of the things that I wanted to by the time I turned 25, I was in such a frenzy about fulfilling my goals, that the years 20-24 came and went with the blink of an eye. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is, it's not about how old you are but how old you feel and there are days when I feel 22 and there are days when I feel 17. What does it even mean to BE an age? What you feel inside is more important and this is what I have come to realise at the quarter of a century mark, that:

Today is the oldest I have been and the youngest I will ever be again. 

So no more sulking about my age and trying to cram everything in to this imaginary schedule. There is no final destination but stops of happiness and joy, laughter and love to be had and in the words of Ian Sell, I will 'rock on!!!!!

Hernoor

This was taken last month at Disneyland Tokyo
where we were clearly feeling a lot younger than 24!
If you can't rock a Minnie headband, whatever your age,
then you just don't rock at all !

Happy 25th birthday to us! woo!!